March 2021 Community Connections

March 2021

STUDENT

SPOTLIGHT

Danna Yunis

Danna Yunis was a broken person when her father – her best friend – passed away in 2018. Her comeback began when she resolved to heed his urgings in pursuing an education and earning a degree from his alma mater.

“I drove to Grossmont College, completely in tears, because that’s where he went to school,” Yunis said. “I had suffered a tremendous loss, I was very depressed and I needed to do something, to move forward, to have something to look forward to.”

Two years after enrolling at the El Cajon campus, Yunis has something else to look forward to: she transfers in fall 2021 to San Diego State University – another school her father attended – for a bachelor’s degree in rhetoric. She plans to earn a master’s degree in creative writing and hopes for a career as a community college professor.

In the News

Grossmont, Cuyamaca colleges hail winning

faculty, staff

Four employees at Grossmont and Cuyamaca colleges have been awarded top honors for their commitment to the East County campuses.

Construction begins on Cuyamaca College Student Services Building

A ceremonial groundbreaking ceremony was held today for a new, three-story Student Services Building at Cuyamaca College that promises to be a welcoming gateway to the campus and a central, go-to location for students to get help in multiple ways.

Quick Links

GCCCD Website

Grossmont College Website

Cuyamaca College Website

Registration open for 8-week classes

Second eight-week courses are being held April 5-May 29. The short-term classes are a way to quickly complete classes for university transfer and for workforce training. Check out class schedules for Grossmont and Cuyamaca colleges to see what online classes are available.

Admission and registration information for both colleges is available online.

Women in Water Symposium

The fourth annual Women in Water Symposium will take place in March 2021 with a new approach developed as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. The symposium will take place virtually each Thursday in March and is open to the public. Registration is $25, free for students, and is open now.

This year’s conference theme is “Flow With The Change.” Three specific career levels tracks are offered to address needs at each level: entry level for those new to water careers; mid-career for those transitioning and advancing within the industry; and upper level, for senior professionals looking to leave a legacy.

Grossmont College Theatre

Arts kicks off season

Grossmont College Theatre Arts opens its spring season with “Inside the Actor’s Process: Hope” to be streamed in March.

Directed by Ben Cole, the production is a journey exploring the aspirations and frustrations of actors, acting, auditioning, and seeking applause as they strive to change the lives of audiences and to find fulfillment in their own creative expression.

Discover why the need to connect with each other and to share stories are essential to our lives, even in the face of uncertainty and little personal gain.

Grossmont College offering

Career Services workshops

Grossmont College is continuing its 21st Century Skills workshop series with a number of free, hourlong Zoom sessions open to the public:

Asking for Help 10-11 a.m. March 5
Resume Writing 11 a.m.-noon, March 5
Creating n Elevator Pitch 11 a.m.-noon, March 9
Discovering Your Creative Abilities 10-11 a.m., March 12
Developing Emotional Intelligence 11 a.m.-noon, March 12
Empathy & Self-awareness 11 a.m.-noon, March 16
Financial Literacy - Budgeting 101 10-11 a.m., March 19
Preparing for Interviews 11 a.m.-noon, March 19
Social Diversity Awareness 10-11 a.m.. March 26
Time & Stress Management 11 a.m.-noon March 26

Registration is required.

Drone Technology information session

Learn about Grossmont College's drone technology program, which offers two tracks: cinematography and surveying/mapping. An information session is set virtually for 2:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 10 Online registration is required.

The program will first provide UAS Ground School and Federal Aviation Administration 107 certification classes that students take to become licensed commercial drone pilots. The FAA 107 certification school will provide students comprehensive classroom instruction to pass the FAA 107 written test which is free to students. Once students complete the ground school module and possess a drone pilot license, they can then go on to take UAS Surveying and Mapping or UAS Cinematography course.

For further information on the free program, please email grossmont.drones@gcccd.edu

Cuyamaca Culture & Community Circle

From Women’s History Month to the racial and economic disparities surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, the Culture and Community Circle workshops at Cuyamaca College cover a variety of important political and cultural issues.

All sessions, which will be offered through Zoom, are free and open to the public.

March events include:

History of Female Community Organizers and their Influence for Today, 1-2 p.m., March 8. Presented by SDSU instructor Jennifer M. Cosio, this workshop will cover a brief history of the most influential women community organizers and their work with communities of color. The presenter will share how their work influenced progress today, and how we can continue to support these efforts.

Open Mic Event, 1-2 p.m., March 18. Presented by Karen Marrujo, Cuyamaca College instructor, come celebrate the power of our individual voices. Share your work or interests by taking the mic or just drop in to listen or make new friends.

A (Her)story of Care: Filipina Nurses in the U.S., 10:30-11:30 a.m., March 23. Presented by James Diokno, Cuyamaca College instructor, this discussion will center on the immigration history and experiences of Filipina nurses in the U.S. Particular attention will focus on the colonial relationship of the U.S. and the Philippines and transition to the role of Filipina nurses on the frontlines of the COVID pandemic.

Women Mentoring Women: Mentoring and Fostering Relationships are a Key to Your Success, 9:45-10:45 a.m., March 24. Presented by Kimberely Fletcher, SDSU instructor, this workshop focuses on connecting with women who have the needed skills and expertise to help build your confidence, advocate on your behalf, help you avoid pitfalls and open doors, and help celebrate your accomplishments. This kind of mentoring will help steer you in the right direction to successfully build your career portfolio.

Join the conversation!