On Tuesday, May 14, 2013 at the Coastal Bend College Board of Trustees regular meeting, Project OASIS provided an update on the progress made during the first year of the grant. Project OASIS is a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) grant focusing on increasing the number of Hispanics and low income students obtaining degrees in STEM fields.
In the past year, the grant has completely renovated a science laboratory in the Fred C. Latcham, Jr. Academic-Science Building. The lab now features state of the art equipment such as smart boards, video microscopes, and brand new learning islands that are designed to facilitate group learning. In addition to having new equipment, students also have access to Science Case Managers and Supplemental Instructors (SI) outside the classroom. The case managers and SI are available at no cost to students who need further assistance or tutoring in their courses. The community is invited to visit our new science laboratory in the Fred C. Latcham, Jr. Academic-Science Building in room C-129.
Biology and geology professors are currently in the process of redesigning their curriculum to ensure that students are able to have positive learning outcomes. The new curriculum will be in place in August 2013 in time for the start of fall courses. All these tools, services, and courses are designed to improve student success rates in challenging courses such as math and science. Renovations will continue in the upcoming year to create a Learning Commons room for students, as well as update other science laboratories.
The Weekend College program, which is also a part of Project OASIS, is currently accepting students for the fall 2013 semester. Enrolling in Weekend College allows students the ability to earn their Associate of Arts degree while only attending courses every-other-weekend at any CBC campus or site. Weekend College is a smart choice for anyone needing to take pre-requisites for an allied health program (nursing, radiology, dental hygiene) since many of those courses are part of Weekend College. Financial aid is available to those who qualify. For more information about Weekend College, please contact Danny Garcia, Weekend College Coordinator, at (361) 354-2570.
The new Texas Success Initiative (TSI) exam will go into effect August 28, 2013 at the start of fall classes. The TSI exam replaces the Accuplacer as the placement test colleges must utilize to determine college readiness per the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Students should visit with an advisor at any CBC campus or site to see how the new exam might affect them. To get in contact with an advisor, please call 1 (866) 722-2838 or visit your local CBC location.
Over 700 attendees experienced the magic of “Cinderella”, performed by the Corpus Christi Ballet Company, at the A.C. Jones High School Auditorium on Saturday, May 4. The event was a fundraiser for the Coastal Bend College Foundation and over $20,500 was raised for student scholarships, innovative teaching grants, and other opportunities for Coastal Bend College. The CBC Foundation sincerely thanks all the sponsors and attendees that came out to support student success at CBC.
Christy Lansford, Executive Director of the CBC Foundation, provided a fundraising report for the spring 2013 semester (January-May). The CBC Foundation took in a total of $122,336.49 that will be used to help fund opportunities and needs that help increase student success at CBC. The breakdown of the monies is as follows:
• Athletics Donations: $10,164.33
• Memorial Donations: $1,700
• Pledges: $6,000 pledged; ($800 collected)
• Fundraisers: $20,772.16
• Other Donations: $84,000
• Additional Scholarship Donations: $4,900
Total Income: $122,336.49 (includes only $800 of pledge amount)
If you’d like to help contribute to student success and innovative teaching grants at CBC, please contact Christy Lansford at (361) 354-2447 or via email at foundation@coastalbend.edu.
The City of Beeville and CBC have worked together to address the sinkhole on the CBC walking trail. City workers have filled the sinkhole with caliche and dirt, but have to wait until the materials settle in order to begin more permanent repairs. CBC has built a bridge over the area so that the community may continue utilizing the trail while repairs are being made.
Registration is currently underway for Kids College 2013. At Kids College 2013, students ages 6-12 will learn how different energy sources and technologies evolved and about some of the scientists that made it all happen. They will discover the connection between energy and the environment and see what that looks like through the study of art, music, theater and science. All segments of Kids College will be led by qualified, creative instructors and supervised by the CBC Customized and Continuing Education Division. Kids College will be held at the CBC Kingsville site and the CBC Beeville campus from June 3-27, 2013 from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. For more information, please visit the Kids College website at www.coastalbend.edu/kc.
Students who are planning on being enrolled in a workforce program at CBC this fall are encouraged to apply for the Training for the Trades Scholarship worth up to $1,000 sponsored by the Coastal Bend Community Foundation. Applicants must be currently employed, have financial need, and plan on enrolling in a workforce program this fall. For more information about scholarship requirements and how to apply, please contact the CBC Financial Aid Office at (361) 354-2238.
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