In this issue

What's New • College Governance Communications

Shout-outs! • In the News • Calendar

What's New

New Superintendent/President Dr. Jill Stearns Sworn-In

swearing in

On July 11th, Cuesta College’s seventh Superintendent/President Dr. Jill Stearns was sworn in during open session of the Board of Trustees monthly meeting. The ceremony was attended by Cuesta faculty, staff, administration, and members of the media.

Dr. Stearns assumed the position of Superintendent/President on July 1st following Dr. Gil Stork’s official retirement on June 30th. After a nationwide search, the Board of Trustees selected Dr. Stearns to serve as superintendent/president in March of 2018. Dr. Stearns has served as president of Modesto Junior College since July of 2012. Previously, she served as the vice president of educational services, the interim associate dean of student learning outcomes, and director of financial aid at West Hills College. Dr. Stearns also spent three years in the classroom as a teacher at Avenal High School. For more information about Dr. Stearns, click here.

Fall Opening Day is Coming Up

Fall Opening Day is just around the corner - Friday, August 10th. The morning kicks off with coffee and snacks in the Associated Student Courtyard on the SLO Campus from 7:30 a.m. - 8:05 a.m. The program begins at 8:05 a.m. in room 5401 and will include remarks from Cuesta College Superintendent/President Dr. Jill Stearns, as well as keynote speaker Dr. Darla Cooper Executive Director of the RP Group for the California Community Colleges. Dr. Cooper will be speaking about the CA Community Colleges Guided Pathways, which is a multi-year state program designed to provide all CA Community Colleges with the opportunity to implement the Guided Pathways for the purpose of significantly improving student outcomes.

The ceremony will break at noon for lunch, and then all faculty and staff are invited back to the Associated Student Courtyard at 1:00 p.m. for a social reception with Dr. Stearns. For questions, please call the President's Office at (805) 546-3118.

Fall Semester Kicks Off August 13th

There's still time for students in the community to register for hundreds of classes available for the Fall 2018 semester. Courses are available on the SLO Campus, the North County Campus, the South County Center, and online. Classes start August 13th - encourage students to register sooner than later as courses are filling! For more information on what's new this Fall at Cuesta, check out this press release. 

New Culinary Certificate Program Launches This Fall

culinary Beginning this Fall, students will have the opportunity to pursue a Culinary Arts Certificate of Specialization at Cuesta College. The Career Technical Education program will combine academic and lab training with real life experience in the field of culinary arts. Taught in a professional kitchen at the California Conservation Corps nearby, the certificate consists of four courses that can be completed within one semester. More information can be found in this press release.

 College Governance Communications

Each month, the Cuesta Newsletter serves as a communication conduit for College Council, Planning & Budget Committee, Academic Senate Council, and the Board of Trustees. 

Board of Trustees Meeting of July 11th, 2018

Dr. Gilbert H. Stork Gymnaisum Named

To honor the fifty-plus year legacy of Dr. Gilbert H. Stork upon his retirement as Superintendent/President, the Board of Trustees approved the naming of the Gymnasium (Building 1400) as the Dr. Gilbert H. Stork Gymnasium. The naming recognizes the depth and breadth of Dr. Stork's work and his unique contributions to support student success, which began in the athletic department.

Dropped Student Survey Analysis

The Office of Institutional Research presented to the Board results from the Dropped Students Survey, conducted by Hanover Research. Responses were collected from 177 students who decided to end their enrollment at Cuesta. The survey resulted in the following key findings:

  • Respondents typically decide to unenroll from Cuesta for scheduling and personal reasons.
  • Other than financial issues, respondents rarely found student support and social/community factors influenced their decision.
  • Factors that could influence respondents to stay focus on addressing scheduling, personal, and financial issues students might face.
  • Transportation was not an influential factor in respondents’ decisions.
  • Despite their decision to leave, respondents are likely to return and even more likely to recommend Cuesta to family and friends.
  • Respondents who enroll elsewhere typically choose other two-year colleges for their programs of study, affordability, and location.

For further details on the survey and its results, visit the Board of Trustees website.

Academic Senate Council

The Academic Senate has no report for the month of June, and has recessed for the summer.

 College Council

College Council has no report for the month of June, and has recessed for the summer.

Planning & Budget Committee

Planning & Budget Committee has no report for the month of June, and has recessed for the summer.

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Shout-outs!

Gold, Bronze Earned at SkillsUSA National Competition

skillsUSA 2018At this year’s 54th Annual SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skill Conference, Cuesta College Career Technical Education student Milan Tolani took home the gold in Early Childhood Education, while Cuesta College Career Technical Education student Ben Braun was awarded a bronze medal in the Information Technology Services category. The college sent 10 students to the annual conference last month in Louisville, KY, marking the 12th year in a row the college has had national SkillsUSA champions. Congrats to all the students and their faculty advisors on their incredible accomplishments!

For full details on Cuesta's 2018 SkillsUSA competitors, check out this press release.

 Rodeo Club Ranked Top in Nation

rodeo2018Congrats are also in order for the Cuesta College Rodeo Club! After recently competing in Casper, WY, at the 2018 College National Finals Rodeo, the Cuesta College Rodeo Club Men’s Team ranks 4th in the nation and 1st in California. In addition, student athlete Will Centoni topped the nation in both Bull Riding and the Men’s All-Around competition. Six Rodeo Club student athletes participated in the national intercollegiate competition June 10th – 16th, facing off against hundreds of the best college rodeo athletes in the nation.

For full details on the Rodeo Club's succesess at the national competition, check out this press release.

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In the News

Over the past few weeks, the following information was included in media segments:

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 Calendar

Here’s a look at some of the events going on around campus. For the full calendar, visit the Cuesta College Events Calendar:

  • August 1st: Board of Trustees Meeting
  • August 10th: Fall Opening Day Ceremony
  • August 13th: Fall 2018 Classes Begin

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Questions? Comments? Email lauren_milbourne@cuesta.edu