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CNA Grad Tatiana Frank ‘Has Moved Way, Way Up The Ladder’
We all have to start somewhere. Tatiana Frank started in CCC’s Certified Nursing Assistant program. She came to CCC as a busy 17-year-old–with an admittedly bad attitude. “I would say I was a problem student,” she says. “Not major problems. I turned in my work. But, I’m not gonna lie, I did have an attitude.” It’s…
Meet Study Abroad Scholar Jonathon Torres
The Contra Costa Community College District has a great study abroad program – but some years, no one from CCC applies at all! Retired Chancellor Dr. Helen Benjamin and retired Senior Dean of Research & Development Tim Clow want more students to be able to take advantage of this experience. That’s why they decided to create…
Supporting the Students That I Cared So Much For: A Bequest to the CCC Foundation
I was introduced to Contra Costa College (CCC) when I was a one-year sabbatical leave replacement. I was then lucky enough to get hired full-time the following year. While my work life at CCC spanned everything from reference librarianship to teaching German, directing the choir to sponsoring the students’ academic honor society, the most gratifying…
‘No One Can Take An Education Away’
Iracema Camargo Garcia has faced challenges that most of us can’t fathom. “I suffered a lot in my country,” she remembers. But Iracema is a fighter. No matter what challenges faced her, she persevered. Iracema emigrated from Mexico when she was 20 years old. “It was really hard,” Iracema says. “I came here and there…
Digital Film Grad Hector Ortiz Wins Filmmaking Grant
This week, CCC graduate Hector Ortiz began principal photography on Announcement, the film for which he was awarded a grant by the Richmond Arts Commission. The short will focus on how the end of DACA impacts one Dreamer’s family. “Whether you support immigration rights or are against,” Hector says, “it’s definitely not going to be…
‘I Was Able to Overcome What I Imagined to Be Impossible’
Josielyn Bustamante plans to become a civil engineer, in order to help others. “My aspiration,” Josielyn explains, “is to one day be able to help communities meet their basic human needs.” “Being a civil engineer will allow me to be able to design and build ways to facilitate transportation and access to water, such as…
Kristin Lobos Found Self-Confidence at CCC
Kristin Lobos didn’t come to CCC for an associate degree. Inspired by her daughter’s struggle, Kristin had planned on earning a certificate in addiction treatment. “I had been through this experience with my daughter,” Kristin explains, “and I wanted to help other families. I did some research on where would be a good place to…
Emergency Fund Helps Students Stay in School
Mayra Magana came to Contra Costa College to take English as a Second Language courses and pursue higher education. But she hasn’t had consistent access to a computer, which made doing coursework difficult. “I cannot stay here [on campus] to use these computers,” she explains, “because I need to get to work each day, too.”…
Aspiring Novelist Gwendolyn Bullocks Says, ‘This is My Time!’
Gwendolyn Bullocks came to CCC with the goal of becoming a writer. “I used to always write. I have one book published. I want it where I travel with my books. I want to be a full-fledged novelist,” Gwendolyn explains. Gwendolyn will be graduating this May with degrees in English, Arts & Humanities, and Social…
CCC Singers Get Standing Ovation, Two Curtain Calls at Carnegie Hall
Three college ensembles had the opportunity to perform at Carnegie Hall last week, and one of them was from CCC! Our very own Contra Costa Singers were chosen to perform at Gotham Sings!, an annual concert series spotlighting musicians from around the country. On Collegiate Choral Showcase night, CCC’s group, pulled from our vocal chamber…
