CCC greenlights graduation

A total of 394 graduates of Clovis Community College received approval to receive associate degrees, certificates of completion and certificates of achievement on Wednesday from the CCC Board of Trustees.

The graduates include 213 associate degrees, 99 certificates of completion and 82 certificates of achievement, Interim President Robin Jones told the board. Jones reported that 7.7% more degrees and certificates were earned in this school year than last year, including 30 more associate degrees.

The board on Wednesday also heard reports on the college's TRIO program and its Small Business Development Center (SBDC).

Joleen Borja, TRIO program director, described for the board TRIO's purpose: Providing assistance to students who are the first generation in their families to attend college, are low-income and those who are physically or learning disabled, to adjust to college demands and learn about educational and career choices.

Borja introduced two students who told the board how they have benefited from TRIO programs.

One was Corina Gonzalez, who did not enter college for seven years after graduating from high school. Gonzalez was born in Mexico, she said, and served as a translator for her parents.

After graduating from high school, she said, she could not afford to attend college because of low-income jobs. Then, she said, she got married and her husband has helped her economically, she said, but she credited TRIO with giving her access to a quiet place to study and catch up when she needs to. In addition, she said, through TRIO, she sees "friendly and familiar faces" that make it "so much easier to spend time there."

Another TRIO student, Brianna Decker, said TRIO programs helped her balance the demands of a full-time job and college classes in her efforts to receive an associate of arts degree in early childhood education.

Decker said she plans to earn a bachelor's degree in early childhood education from Easten New Mexico University.

Dom Chairez, assistant director of the SBDC, told the board the SBDC assists small businesses in Curry, Roosevelt and De Baca counties. The SBDC's purpose, he said is "to develop skilled entrepreneurs and strong businesses."

The development center, he said, provides free consulting and training services to start-up and existing businesses.