March 2017
Student Learning Outcomes
Assessment, 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.
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 Finding Meaning
• 73% have adjusted teaching/learning or operational 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
Kuttig Promoted to
Systems Support
Specialist II
Congratulations 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!
learning or service
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
Inside this Issue
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
2
COYOTE HOWLER
High Offense Helps Coyotes in Doubleheader
Sweep
By 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
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
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!
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!
Spring Break March 20-24 (College Closed March 24)
COYOTE HOWLER
3
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.
Coso Softball Splits
Doubleheader in First Home
Games Since 2003
Photo and story courtesy of Christopher
Livingston/Daily Independent
Cerro 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.
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! NicholsLampkin replaces Rebecca Parker who was promoted to the Library Technician I position.
Welcome Ashley!
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.
4
COYOTE HOWLER
Lady Coyotes Dedicate Season Opener
Devin 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!
FOUNDATION
FEATURE
Employee
Giving
Program
Become 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!
EOPS Field Trip
Extended 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.
BAKERSFIELD COLLEGE
CERRO COSO COMMUNITY COLLEGE
PORTERVILLE COLLEGE
About this Publication
The Coyote Howler is a publication of
Cerro 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 or
email [email protected].