CCC Transfer Fair helps students find way

CLOVIS — James Berckefeldt is going to have to travel for wherever higher education takes him. But he's used to that.

Berckefeldt, like many other CCC students, attended the Clovis Community College Transfer Fair Wednesday to see what his next step would be after an associate's degree in nursing that has him commuting from Carlsbad four times a week.

"It is six hours each day," Berckefeldt said, "but it's a far better program" than the small Eastern New Mexico University branch in Carlsbad.

Berckefeldt said his education is supplemented by Trade Readjustment Act dollars that followed layoffs at the mines in Carlsbad.

"I've always wanted to go into the health field," Berckefeldt said, "(and) unemployment won't provide for a family."

Berckefeldt is set to complete his associate's in 2019 and hopes to transfer and continue his education to be a nurse anesthetist. That, he says, will take him another four to six years.

Ashley Colflesh, a radiology student at CCC spoke to representatives from the schools to plan ahead for after graduation.

"A bachelor's degree means more than an associate's these days," said Colflesh. He knows a bachelor's will take more work, but, "I'm OK with more work."

Academic Advisor Jennifer Bussey said the fair is open to the public, but is primarily designed for CCC students.

"The goal of the event," Bussey says, "is to connect four-year institutions with CCC students to get information for transferring and continuing their education. It also fosters a good relationship between the schools."

Organizers of the transfer fair estimated around 100 students attended within the three hour fair. There are six schools participating, but Bussey said the bulk of students transfer to Eastern New Mexico University.

Debra Martin, the Transfer Center Coordinator at ENMU says the Clovis Community College is its biggest feeder school for transfer students.

"We usually have at least six visits to CCC per year," said Martin, "so (that's) at least three visits per semester plus fairs."

Lynette Fish will graduate with an associate's in nursing from CCC and will transfer elsewhere to receive her Bachelor's of Nursing.

"It's a great opportunity to talk to several (schools) at once," said Fish.

Fish spoke with Tamara Callahan, assistant professor in the school of education at Wayland Baptist University.

"The benefit of Wayland is that we run on a four-term academic year," said Callahan. "Students can receive their degree faster."

Wayland also has a teacher-student ratio of 1:5 or "a maximum of 10 students per class," said Davida Pacheco, academic and financial advisor.