Enrollment through the pandemic is finally rebounding, and CMC is up 8.1%. CMC is doing everything it can to support students, including utilizing Federal government resources like the California Promise Program to help eliminate fees for the Spring term and encourage students impacted by the pandemic to return to school. Many students affected by the pandemic came from disproportionately and historically marginalized populations. They are working parents; many are caregivers or carry responsibility for the family.
Dr. Otten said, “This will provide an opportunity to reduce one barrier.”
Besides free tuition, the students may also have a zero cost for tutoring services across all subject areas and a zero cost for transportation through a partnership with the Morongo Basin Transit Authority.
Additional obstacles are food insecurity, physical health, mental health, a lack of childcare, and a lack of updated technology. CMC is working to ensure access to high-speed broadband internet and offers a computer loan program. Neverland Childcare Center is adjacent to the college. In addition, CMC is starting a hunger-free campus program that provides snacks around campus and meals at Bruce’s Place.
Dr. Otten was very proud of dual enrollment: college-level courses taught at Yucca High School, Twentynine Palms High School, and Black Rock High School. In addition, a K through 12 liaison/counselor has been hired to support students in preparing for college courses.
CMC has scaled the transfer process for 21-degree programs, including business administration, biology, chemistry, physics, and hospitality. Students who complete 60 units in two years are guaranteed a spot in the California State University system.
Two exciting curriculums and degree programs at CMC are the Wildland Fire Program and a Construction Trades Program currently in development.
Check back to z1077fm.com for more on these programs.
