CCC students continue wrapping up their degrees

CLOVIS — While they may not be having a graduation ceremony for a while, students are still getting their degrees finished at Clovis Community College.

President Charles Nwankwo reported their successes during Wednesday's board of trustees virtual meeting.

The college, Nwankwo said, has awarded 41 degrees, along with 10 certificates of completion and one certificate of achievement for the summer semester. Should they want to participate, Nwankwo said, those students can walk during the Dec. 11 commencement at the Curry County Events Center. The event will also allow feature any spring CCC graduates who wish to participate.

Nwankwo also informed trustees on a partnership with Curry County to offer training classes.

Curry County Manager Lance Pyle told The News following the meeting the partnership gives county employees free access to four general education courses per semester.

Employees would be referred to the courses through the county's human resources department, as recommended on employee evaluations.

The courses will replace New Mexico Edge, three-hour courses that were offered by New Mexico State University throughout the state. Pyle said there would be more of a time commitment, but the benefit is more in-depth training and reduced travel.

In other business at the Wednesday meeting:

• Trustees approved an update to signature cards with New Mexico Bank and Trust for numerous school accounts. The list of signatories includes Nwankwo, Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs Robin Jones, Vice President of Information Technology and Operations Norman Kia, Associate Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Affairs Robin Kuykendall, and Chief Financial Officer Heather Lovato.

Two signatures are required for any transaction.

• The trustees approved an asset inventory. Trustee Carolyn Spence asked how items were disposed, and was told the actions vary between auction, offerings to other government entities or simply discarded. Spence asked if those items could be given to organizations like the Lighthouse Mission, and was told the state antidonation clause prevented such occurrences.

• Kuykendall reported on the school's efforts to get students ready for the upcoming semester, including Super Saturday registration events at North Plains Mall.

“We're excited,” Kuykendall said. “I know COVID-19 makes it difficult for all of us to get together, but we're excited our staff is doing the outreach to serve the needs of students.”

When asked about student attitudes on returning, Kuykendall said students have some natural uncertainty over what the semester will look like, and it's the college's obligation to assuage those concerns.

• The next meeting is scheduled for 8 a.m. Sept. 2 in CCC Room 512.