March 2017

Student Learning Outcomes 1

Kuttig Promoted to Systems Support Specialist II 1

High Offense Help Coyotes in Doubleheader Sweep 2

Brantley Loves to Laugh 2

Chamber Music Theatre Piece Celebrating African American Women 3

Softball Splits Doubleheader in First Home Games Since 2003 3

Appalachian Trail Happiness 3

Nichols-Lampkin New Face in the Library 3

Lady Coyotes Dedicate Season Opener 4

EOPS Field Trip 4

Foundation Feature: Employee Giving Program 4

Inside this Issue

Student Learning OutcomesAssessment, Meaning, and Continuous Quality Improvement

The instructional programs at Cerro Coso have been actively engaged in assessing student learning since 2006. Over the past several semesters, we have made great leaps in ensuring that all courses and programs are assessed. The rate of assessment of course-level student learning outcomes (SLO’s) has increased from 62.35% in spring 2015 to 84% in fall 2016! These numbers reflect a lot of work on the part of faculty and departments to actively and meaningfully evaluate student learning. We are steadily moving towards our goal: 95% of courses and programs assessed on a regular basis.

Finding Meaning

Assessment of student learning is not a new concept and was done well before there were acronyms and targets. Effective teachers are constantly reflecting on their practice, observing student performance, and identifying strategies to improve their craft. The purpose of outcomes assessment is to identify strengths and weaknesses and to ensure students are leaving the class/program having learned the right knowledge, attitudes, competencies, and skills. This is the concept of continuous quality improvement: that through reflection, dialogue, and design and implementation of intentional strategies we make incremental enhancements

in student learning and achievement. For example, in a recent spring survey about strategic planning and SLO’s of those who responded:

• 75% have used assessment data to identify gaps in learning or service

• 73% have adjusted teaching/learning or operational strategies based on assessment results

• 69% identified meaningful trends that informed teaching or service strategies.

The aim of assessment is not compliance with accreditors – its goal is informed action that enhances student learning.

– Barbara E. Walvoord

Kuttig Promoted to Systems Support Specialist IICongratulations to Paul Kuttig on his promotion to a Systems Support Specialist II. Kuttig joined the IT staff full-time in 2011 as a PC Technician. He is a 2015-16 graduate of the Kern Community College District Leadership Academy and active in the Staff Engagement Committee. He is a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and a recipient of the 2012 Classified Staff of the Year award. Kuttig replaces Kenny Taylor, who left in November. Congratulations Paul!

Brantley Loves to Laugh

New Executive Secretary in Career Technical Education (CTE), Stephanie

Brantley has that gorgeous lightness of spirit and contagious smile that accompanies those who love to laugh. Born in Missouri and raised in Arizona, after 20 years Brantley took a leap of faith and gave up on everything she hoped and dreamed of for new beginnings and new adventures in Ridgecrest. Her sense of humor keeps this busy wife, mother, chef, taxi cab driver, personal shopper, mommy blogger, DIY-er, and lover of interior design going. Married to Ryan, best known as Sasquatch, “yes, I am a Sasquatch’s wife!” the two enjoy raising their four children: Sedona (9), Logan (4), Wyatt (2), and Lincoln (1) in a fun and optimistic

home. Brantley says she does not like roller coasters, especially the ones that go upside down. And one of her biggest fears is drowning, “you’ll never catch me flying over a body of water or on a cruise ship. I will only go on a boat if I can swim to shore.” Thanksgiving is her favorite holiday, and when she was younger she wanted to play the fiddle and move to Nashville, “I like country music, sweet tea, and biscuits!” Her life motto comes as no surprise, “laughter is the best medicine”. Laughter, like smiling, is never depleted when you share. Welcome Stephanie!

2 COYOTE HOWLER

High Offense Helps Coyotes in Doubleheader SweepBy Christopher Livingston/The Daily Independent

Forty-six runs and 43 hits. Given the Cerro Coso Coyotes baseball team’s workload this week, that could have easily been its stat line over the course of the five games it played. That would amount to nine runs per game, which is a good amount in and of itself. Rather, that was the total the Coyotes put on Saturday alone, sweeping their doubleheader against Antelope Valley 31-3 and 15-6 at the Dawg Yard. In the first contest, the Coyotes only had two (but hit two batters, a total of four free passes). In the second match, the Coyotes had eight. “When you walk guys, it does a few things: it puts guys on base, puts the pressure on the defense, and it gives the opposing team momentum,” Scott said. “It gives them a spark. We got a pretty sound defensive club, so it’s one of those things where we’re getting better at it.” Cerro Coso 31, Antelope Valley 3 Interestingly enough, because of the doubleheader, the first game was a seven-inning affair. The Coyotes began quickly, putting four runs on the board in the first inning. AVC stayed close, but it wasn’t until the fifth inning that the barrage began. Biggie Hernandez (five-for-five) crushed a three-run home run as part of a 12-inning frame. Chris Sankey, who entered the game in the fifth as a designated hitter, added a three-run shot of his own in the sixth. At that point, the ballpark – sans the Coyote dugout – was eerily silent. “Being around baseball for a long time, I’ve been on the other end of that, several times, especially in my first year here,” Scott said. “It’s tough, but at the same time, when it’s for you, it’s good, and you keep playing the game because you never know when it’s out of reach. “In junior college baseball, even a 10-run lead is not necessarily safe with two or three innings left.” Cerro Coso 15, Antelope Valley 6 In the second game, Chase Stebbins allowed five hits and four runs in four innings. “Chase struggled his

first two games,” Scott said, “then he got a great outing at Imperial Valley, left the game in the sixth with the lead and had an inning of work against AVC and looked real well. He just wasn’t comfortable tonight and walked too many guys. But Matt Ladd came in and did a tremendous job.” It wasn’t until the fourth inning when Coso broke things open, putting five runs on the board to make it a 9-4 game. The Marauders mustered two runs home in the fifth inning, but their bats remained quiet as the Coyotes kept their momentum up. Way to go COYOTES!

Spring Break March 20-24 (College Closed March 24)

Brycin Hernandez went 8-for-9 over the two games, reaching base a total of 12 times Saturday. —Photo compliments of Christopher Livingston/Daily Independent

Nichols-Lampkin New Face in the Library Ashley Nichols-Lampkin has been working as a Library Technician in libraries for more than ten years, primarily in K-12 schools. “I love assisting students and teachers to find resources that initiate further learning,” said Nichols-Lampkin. “Though I sometimes miss the unpredictability of working with children, I have already met amazing goal-driven students at Cerro Coso, and am excited about my future here.” Ashley and her husband Keenan relocated to Ridgecrest in December from Long Beach for his career. She says she is looking forward to getting to know everyone in the community and at the college. Please stop by the Library circulation desk and give her your recommendations on books or things and places you love about the area! Nichols-Lampkin replaces Rebecca Parker who was promoted to the Library Technician I position. Welcome Ashley!

Coso Softball Splits Doubleheader in First Home Games Since 2003

Photo and story courtesy of Christopher Livingston/Daily IndependentCerro Coso pitcher Victoria Placencia winds up to throw a pitch during the first game of the Coyotes’ doubleheader against the Victor Valley Rams on Thursday. For the first time in 14 years, the Coyotes held its first regular season home games, splitting the doubleheader, losing 18-5 and tying 12-12.

COYOTE HOWLER 3

Appalachian Trail Happiness There are so many beautiful reasons to be happy. Career Technical Education Dean Michael Kane’s new book Appalachian Trail Happiness is both a collection of stories and recollections of “Rev” Kane’s 1000 mile hike on the 2200 mile Appalachian Trail and an example of how to live a happier life through action. The founder and author of the blog The Ministry of Happiness, the book both brings you along on his hike while also addressing what makes us happy and inspiring people to find their own adventures. Through three daily questions: What was the most beautiful thing I experienced today, What made me happy today, and What did I learn today, the book explores the positive side of long distance hiking and makes insights to the benefit of adventure in making us happier in life. The book is available on Amazon.com. Life is beautiful. Be happy.

Chamber Music Theatre Piece Celebrating African American Women On Monday, February 27, 2017, the Core Ensemble performed the chamber music theatre work Ain’t I a Woman! In the Cerro Coso Community College Library. Chamber Music Theatre is a unique performance format developed by the Core Ensemble featuring a marriage of theatrical narrative to chamber music performance. Shayla Simmons portrayed multiple characters while interacting with the onstage musical trio of cello, piano and percussion. Ain’t I a Woman! celebrates the life and times of four powerful African American women: renowned novelist and anthropologist Zora Neale Hurston, ex-slave and fiery abolitionist Sojourner Truth, exuberant folk artist Clementine Hunter, and fervent civil rights worker Fannie Lou Hamer. The musical score is drawn from the heartfelt spirituals and blues of the Deep South, the urban vitality of the Jazz Age, and contemporary concert music by African Americans. Ain’t I a Woman! is a joyful exploration of the trials and triumphs of four passionate and accomplished women. Since 1993, the Core Ensemble has toured in every region of the United States and internationally to Australia, England, Russia, Ukraine, and the British Virgin Islands. The event was hosted by the College Social Sciences Department and funded by the Student Development fund.

The Coyote Howler is a publication ofCerro Coso Community College.

For more information about the stories in this publication, or to include information in this publication, contact Natalie Dorrell,

Public Information Manager, at 760-384-6260 oremail ndorrell@cerrocoso.edu.

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About this Publication

4 COYOTE HOWLER

Lady Coyotes Dedicate Season OpenerDevin Williams, a cousin to one of the Cerro Coso teammates, was in the hearts of the Lady Coyotes as they opened the season against Porterville College on February 28, 2017. The two teams joined together behind home plate prior to the game for a picture in honor of Devin and his courageous battle against cancer. “Today it was so much more than a game,” said Coyote Coach Kimberlee Kelly. “Taking the field today was somber; we were reminded that this body, this ability to play, is a privilege. Today we played for Devin.” The Lady Coyotes played hard against the Porterville Pirates losing their season opener 14-0, but tied the score 12-12 in the second game. “Sports are so much more than what is in your win column,” state Coach Kelly. “It requires mental toughness, discipline, perseverance, and learning to accept winning and losing with grace and class. All lessons that apply to real life.” The Coyotes next home game is Thursday, March 2 at 1 and 3 p.m. against the West Hills Golden Eagles. Coyote Pride!

EOPS Field TripExtended Opportunities Programs and Services (EOPS) students and staff from the Ridgecrest and Lake Isabella campuses took a cultural field trip on February 24, 2017 to the Exotic Feline Breeding Compound and Lancaster Museum of Art and History (MOAH). Travel can open the mind and these experiences expose students to different cultural aspects of the world around them. Central to the education mission field trips provide better understanding of different ideas, cultures, people, and places. Nothing beats an exciting hands-on experience to deepen learning.

Employee Giving ProgramBecome Part of the Legacy!

As faculty and staff at Cerro Coso Community College, your important work shapes the lives of students and strengthens our communities. The impact you make empowers students to realize their dreams. The CCCC Foundation believes in the value of what you do. Giving back to the College through the CCCC Foundation’s Employee Giving Campaign is an opportunity to affirm this belief in your important work. Your gift is important, regardless of size or the program you choose to support. When you show pride and dedication with a financial gift, it demonstrates to alumni and others that Cerro Coso Community College is worthy of their support, too. Since 1982 Cerro Coso employees have created a legacy of giving that demonstrates a remarkable spirit of community. The success of the program over the last 5 years has resulted in a 173% increase in monetary donations contributing more than $20,000 to Cerro Coso students and programs. Every investment, whatever the amount, makes a difference in the lives of CCCC students in very significant ways. It is a voluntary effort and tax deductible. Contact the CCCC Foundation Office, Modular 6, for more information on how you can join us as we fulfill the dreams of CCCC students. You can be a part of the legacy too!

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