Good News Overload: Fall 2022 Is Already One for the Books

Fall 2022 has already been a semester to remember! 

In a remarkable turnaround, Contra Costa College has emerged from the height of the pandemic with enrollment rains and hundreds of thousands in new grant funding. It has also launched a bevy of new partnerships and student services, and hosted a string of popular events.  

Here’s just some of the good news to hit CCC this fall: 

• As of October 24, enrollment has risen by 15.6% over this point last year, with the number of new students having leapt up by 47%.
• NASA has named CCC its only Northern California National Community College Aerospace Scholars campus 
• A free lunch program was conceived of and launched in a matter of weeks 
• Biology Instructor Ellen Coatney was named Contra Costa County Community College Teacher of the Year
• The Advocate was revealed to be the most-awarded two-year student media outlet in history
• CCC was awarded a new $382,500 Rising Scholars Grant to expand programs for formerly incarcerated individuals 
• The ESL Department has partnered with the Immigration Institute of the Bay Area (IIBA) to provide free consultations to Contra Costa College students and staff. Luis Ramirez from IIBA will be at CCC twice a month for in-person consults and available for virtual consults on other days as well
• New scholarship programs, like the Progress, Accomplishment, Thriving and Hope scholarship, have been added to the $277,000+ offered by the CCC Foundation 
• The Comet Market has been expanded to include free parenting supplies in addition to its other free essentials like groceries and hygiene products 
• The Mathematics Engineering and Science Achievement Program will launch in Spring 2023 to develop next generation of diverse STEM leaders as CCC has opted into the program
• CCC Jazz Ensembles were highlighted in DownBeat Magazine 
• Over 200 attendees turned out (or signed in to Zoom) to hear award-winning author Reyna Grande read from the new edition of her celebrated memoir, The Distance Between Us, when she came to campus on October 17
• Dr. Oriel Siu came to campus to talk about her incredible children’s books 
• The new Science Center has begun welcoming students and community members to regular rooftop star parties 
• The public has been welcomed to a number of new career-focused events, including one weekly series and another aimed at English learners 
• Over 30 people attended our API Student Welcome on October 25