The Messenger – June 2024
Student Success
Apply and Register for Summer and Fall 2024 at Compton College
Registration is open for all students at Compton College for 2024 the second 6-week
summer session beginning July 1, and the fall semester which begins August 24. Compton
College offers a convenient, affordable education for traditional and non-traditional
students—all in an encouraging environment that provides personalized student support
to put you on the road to success. Now is the time to train for a new career or upgrade
your skills to increase your earning power!
The summer session provides a perfect opportunity for recent high school graduates
to jump-start their college education. There are so many benefits to taking classes
during the shorter summer sessions: graduate faster, complete a class requirement,
get personalized attention with a smaller class size, reduce your fall class schedule,
and keep your mind fresh!
Free Student Resources!
Enrolled students have access to a complete menu of support services to help them
succeed. Compton College provides financial, academic, and technical support for those
in need such as financial aid, tutoring, book vouchers, free laptop and Wi-Fi hotspot
loans, free Metro GoPass for transportation, free parking pass, and one free meal
per day at the on-campus Everytable café, an on-campus food pantry and $20 in vouchers
to use at the weekly Farmers’ Market, student health center, and referrals for those
with housing insecurity.
Apply Today
Students are encouraged to apply early for the best class selection. Apply and register
online, 24 hours per day via the Compton College website www.compton.edu. For current and returning students, visit MyCompton via our website to check for
your assigned “ticket” time (registration appointment time).
For new students, it takes four easy steps to apply online and enroll at Compton College. For assistance or more information,
please call 310-900-1600, ext. 2765, or visit the Compton College website. Counseling
appointments to complete the final step – Educational Planning – are available in-person
or online by appointment or via virtual drop-in here.
Summer and Fall 2024 Registration Assistance Virtual Workshops
Visit the Compton College Welcome Center (Student Services Building, Room 114A) for
more information about the Virtual Steps to Enrollment Workshops.
Summer and Fall 2024 Class Schedules
The summer and fall 2024 class schedules are available in PDF and searchable formats
on the Compton College website: www.compton.edu/admissions-aid/ClassSchedule.
First-Time College Students Attend Compton College Nearly Cost-Free
California first funded the Fee Waiver Program for California Community College students
in 2018. Since then, more than 18,000 eligible students have attended Compton College
nearly cost-free for two full years by having their enrollment fees waived. Originally,
the program was offered to recent in-district high school graduates who enrolled at
Compton College the fall semester immediately following their graduation.Beginning in fall 2023, Compton College’s Oliver W. Conner Promise Program was expanded to include all first-time college students regardless of age. Those who have never taken college classes and meet the eligibility criteria will have their $46 per unit enrollment fees (full- or part-time) waived for up to two years (up to 15 credits per term).
Apply for Financial Aid!
A variety of aid is available for all income levels. Whether or not you think you
are eligible, we encourage all students to apply for financial aid each year. Many
students are eligible for financial aid to help pay for college expenses and don’t
know it!Eligibility requirements include that you are a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen. For more information, please visit studentaid.gov/understand-aid/eligibility.
The first step in applying for student aid is to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the California Dream Act Application (CADAA) for AB 540 students. Both applications are free.
When applying, you will be asked to enter a Compton College code. For the FAFSA, use Compton College code 042817; on the CADAA, use Compton College code 04281700.
Compton College 2024 Commencement Ceremony
Compton College’s annual Commencement Ceremony was held June 7 at the Dignity Health
Sports Park Tennis Stadium. A total of 476 students met the requirements to graduate
with an associate degree and 366 students earned certificates.
In addition, Compton College honored 89 Compton Early College students, 21 Paramount
High School students, and 14 Lynwood High School seniors (the first class from Lynwood
High) – who earned associate degrees or certificates while simultaneously earning
high school diplomas. This was made possible through Compton College’s dual enrollment
partnerships with the Compton, Lynwood, and Paramount unified school districts.
“These graduates have not only conquered rigorous coursework but also triumphed over
obstacles to be here in this moment,” said Compton College President Keith Curry during
the commencement ceremony. “Their determination and perseverance inspire us all.”
Compton Community College District Board of Trustees President Barbara Calhoun also
addressed the graduates. “I hope you remember Compton College as a place where you
learned about yourself and what you can do. And you can do great things,” said Calhoun.
“You are all amazing examples of what can be achieved with hard work and determination.
You are a role model for others, and I hope you will share your story of success and
encourage others to find out about all the opportunities available at Compton College.”
View a photo gallery from Compton College’s 2024 Commencement Ceremony here.
2024 Nursing Graduates at Pinning Ceremony
Compton College hosted a Nursing Pinning Ceremony on June 4, 2024, to celebrate 26
students who graduated with associate of science degrees in nursing.“There is always a need for qualified health care providers in the workforce,” said Compton College President Keith Curry. “Compton College has strong nursing and biomedical science programs and a state-of-the-art Allied Health Building complete with a simulation lab. We hope to continue to inspire and educate a new generation of leaders in nursing and other medical professions.”
For information about the Compton College Nursing Program, contact Shirley Thomas, interim associate dean/director of nursing at 310-900-1600, ext. 2717. Visit the Compton College Nursing Program webpage.
View a photo gallery from the Nursing Pinning Ceremony here
Student Commencement Speaker Aspires to Become Published Author
2024 Compton College graduate Krystal Markovich had the honor of being selected as the student commencement speaker for the college’s annual Commencement Ceremony held on June 7, 2024. Markovich is a nontraditional student who is fulfilling her “long-deferred dream of continuing her higher education.”
Markovich earned three associate degrees at Compton College in English, arts and humanities, and social and behavioral sciences. She plans to transfer to a California State University campus to earn a bachelor’s degree in English. An avid reader, she loves to curl up with a good book. “Reading Macbeth for the first time in a Compton College English class was beautiful and a truly unforgettable experience!” Her ultimate dream is to write a novel and become a published author.
With a decade passed since she had been in school, she enrolled in Compton College in 2020 as a married mother of a six-month-old child and working a full-time job as a customer service representative. “I recognize my story diverges from the typical student narrative, yet Compton College never saw that as a limitation,” she said. “Instead, it provided a sanctuary for me to reclaim my dreams, to balance the roles of student, career woman, mother, and wife with grace and tenacity.”
She thanks the faculty and staff at Compton College for their support and for making a profound impact on students’ lives. “Compton College has been more than an institution; it has been a beacon, guiding us through this transformative journey,” Markovich said in her commencement speech. “I am eternally grateful to the campus staff including my Counselor Shay Brown – thank you for creating attainable goals, inspiring me to continue with my studies, and mapping out my education plan resulting in my earning three associate degrees.”
Today, Markovich is not only a college graduate but also leads a busy life full of commitments to her family, community, and career. In addition to working and raising her four-year-old son with her husband of nine years, she is a dedicated community member and serves as chair of the Planning Commission in the City of Cudahy. She is an advocate for parents of special needs children and is passionate about mental health awareness.
She closed her speech with some inspiring words for her fellow graduates: “Commencement marks the beginning of the most exquisite chapter yet,” said Markovich to the class of 2024. “One in which we are privileged to author the story of our lives, enhanced with an endless number of future goals to achieve and new dreams to dream!”
Students Honored at 2024 Academic & Scholarship Awards Ceremony
Compton College held its annual Academic and Scholarship Awards Ceremony on May 30
and recognized the academic achievements of 323 honors students (3.5 or higher GPA),
five Presidential Scholars, and 34 scholarship recipients. Scholarships awarded to
the students totaled $42,000.
The 2024 Presidential Scholars are Alexis Camacho, Carla Galindo, Shernedra Kelly,
Triana Perez-Ayon, and Nicole Salazar. Presidential Scholars represent students who
have shown academic strength, singular focus, and the desire to reach their highest
potential while overcoming obstacles in the pursuit of their dreams. The Presidential
Scholar program recognizes outstanding students who graduate with a 3.7 grade point
average or higher. The 2024 Presidential Scholars each received a check for $2,000
and a medallion.
Read more here.
For a list of Compton College scholarships and eligibility criteria, please visit
www.compton.edu/admissions-aid/financial-aid/scholarships.
Nontraditional Student is a People Connector at Compton College
Compton College student Skyy Sorrell has discovered her purpose; she is a natural
people connector. “My journey in life has shown me that what feels good to me is helping
people,” she said. “Wherever I am, if I see someone that I think might benefit from
a connection to a resource, I provide contact information to an organization or person
that can help. I enjoy making sure people are taken care of and are receiving resources
that are available to help them.”
A Compton native and single mother, Sorrell is on track to graduate with an associate
degree from Compton College in fall 2024 and plans to transfer to California State
University, Dominguez Hills to major in business administration and psychology. In
the future, she sees herself pursuing a career as either a college counselor or owning
a counseling practice to help foster and at-risk youth, as well as those whose families
have experienced incarceration. “I want to share how I have navigated from the same
situations they are in, to where I am today,” Sorrell said.
She is very active on campus, including serving as president of the award-winning
F.I.S.T. Club (Formerly Incarcerated Students in Transition) for the past two years,
and has helped increase club membership. She is also a student worker in the Student
Equity office. “As a peer mentor, I’m like ‘Siri’ for all students. Every student
is unique and that is how I like to approach each individual I assist,” she said.
“I want to help students get from point A to point B by the fastest and safest route.”
Read more: www.compton.edu/student-life/success/skyy-sorrell.
2023 Grad Fulfills Lifelong Dream of Career as RN
Compton College alumna LaToya Kennedy is one of three generations of family members
who were educated at Compton College, several of whom have selected careers in healthcare.
“Compton College is like a legacy for me and my family,” she said. “I estimate more
than 10 family members have attended Compton College including my mother, aunts, several
cousins, and my twin daughters.”Kennedy graduated from Compton College in June 2023 with an associate degree in nursing, passed the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) on the first attempt in August 2023 despite testing anxiety, and now works as a registered nurse in the emergency room at Martin Luther King Jr. Community Hospital in Los Angeles.
Read more: www.compton.edu/student-life/success/latoya-kennedy.
Alumna Secures Mechanical Engineer Position at Rail Transit Company
Compton College alumna Jamie Alvarez received three job offers before she graduated
in December 2023 with her bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from California
State Polytechnic University, Pomona. “Attending a career fair during my last semester
at Cal Poly Pomona proved very fruitful in my job search, I ended up securing two
different positions, one in manufacturing and one in rail transportation!”
She first gained valuable experience as a student during an internship in manufacturing
at Huhtamaki, a global company that produces consumer goods packaging and food service
products. She was hired there upon graduation to complete two projects she was working
on. She helped update older machinery to more modern technology and worked with the
machine operators to ensure they were up to speed on the operating programs for the
machines. The second project involved designing a new pedestrian pathway system for
this very large plant facility with a high volume of forklift and foot traffic. “This
project was all about ensuring the safety of employees. I designed new safety rails
for pedestrian paths and helped select gate and forklift sensors that close doors
or pathways so no pedestrians can cross between forklifts on the move,” she said.
Read more: www.compton.edu/student-life/success/jamie-alvarez2.
Facilities News
All-New Instructional Building 2 is Open
The $26.5 million, newly constructed Instructional Building recently opened with the
Academic Affairs Division Office and faculty moving in on June 17, 2024. The 30,200
square-foot, multi-story classroom building at the north end of campus joins Instructional
Building 1 in replacing the former “Row Buildings” that were built circa the 1950s.
This new construction is made possible with funds from the District’s 2002 Measure
CC facilities bond and State Capital Outlay monies.
Instructional Building 2 houses 15 instructional classrooms, two of which will be
flexible classrooms that can be sized up or down with moveable partitions. In addition,
there will be a study/reading room, 12 faculty offices, restrooms and support rooms,
including a lactation room.
District News
Compton Community College District Board Meeting Scheduled for July 16
The next meeting of the Compton Community College District Board of Trustees is scheduled
for Tuesday, July 16, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. in Room 212, located in the Student Services
Building at 1111 E. Artesia Boulevard, Compton, CA 90221.
All regular session Board meetings are open to the public. Closed session begins at
5:00 p.m.
The Board Agenda is posted 72 hours in advance of the meeting. Agendas are posted
on the BoardDocs website under the “Meetings” tab at: https://go.boarddocs.com/ca/compton/Board.nsf/Public.
ACCJC Reaffirms Compton College’s Accreditation for Seven Years
On June 12, 2024, Compton Community College District CEO Keith Curry received a letter from the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) regarding the outcome of its meeting on June 5-6, 2024. The ACCJC acted to reaffirm Compton College’s accreditation for seven years. The College received two commendations and no recommendations:
Standard IV.B.1, IV.B.3, IV.B.6 (Commendation 1): The Commission commends the chief executive officer’s leadership in organizational
planning, institutional goal setting, and fostering strategic community partnerships
that have improved student success through enhanced access to basic needs.
Standard II.B.1, II.C.3 (Commendation 2): The Commission commends the College for its prioritization and institutional commitment
to developing and sustaining transformative student supports that are essential to
student success and ensure equitable educational access to all students.
This letter and the Peer Review Team Report are posted on the Accreditation webpage.
The College will submit its next midterm report to the ACCJC, which is due on March
1, 2028. The next comprehensive review will begin with the Team Institutional Self
Evaluation Report (ISER) Review in fall 2030 and conclude with a Focused Site Visit
in spring 2031.
Thank you to Vice President of Academic Affairs Sheri Berger, for her leadership in
Compton College’s accreditation efforts and writing of the ISER. Special thanks to
Amber Gillis, Accreditation Faculty Coordinator, and all faculty and staff for your
continued support of the work we are all doing to support student success.
Other News
2024 Distinguished Employees and Civility Champions Honored
Compton College recently announced its honorees for the 2024 Distinguished Administrator,
Faculty, and Staff awards. The annual awards recognize outstanding administrators,
faculty, and staff members for their commitment to Compton College and its educational
mission. Antonio Banks, director – black and males of color success; Theresa Barragan-Echeverria, transfer counselor; Roderick Todd, social sciences adjunct instructor, Iris Fernandez, program specialist – Tri City Adult Education Consortium, were recognized for their
dedication to students, Compton College, and colleagues.
In addition, Compton College is proud to announce its 2024 Civility Champion: Sarorth Lai, human resources representative, and Susan Johnson, English instructor, who are shining examples of how positive interactions with one
another are critical to cultivating and maintaining a meaningful and effective intellectual
environment, as stated in Compton College’s Statement of Civility and Mutual Respect. The Compton Community College District introduced its Civility Champion Award in
2020 to honor outstanding employees whose contributions demonstrate a commitment to
self-reflection, care, empathy, and respect while acknowledging the culture and humanity
of others.
Read more: 2024-Distinguished-Employees_Civility-Champions.pdf
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