MVC Welcome for Student Success

MVC Welcome for Student Success was held Thursday, Sept. 25 at the Ben Clark Safety Training Center, the MVC campus for preparing students to become law enforcement officers, EMTs, paramedics, firefighters and correction officers. Over 22 departments, programs, and vendors were on hand providing the students with information to enrich their college experience. Akia Marshall, Outreach Specialist for Ben Clark Programs, along with her staff with the event's promotion. “There was a student welcome on the MVC main campus three weeks ago. Ben Clark campus is an extension of MVC. This campus is shared with the RVSD Police Academy,” said Marshall. Mickey Clowney, Director of Upward Bound Math & Science, was present to share information on her program with future MVC students. “This program is offered to high school level students, low income and first generation college students. The programs we offer are related to STEM.” STEM programs encourages students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math. Edwin Gonzalez, Fire Academy Cadet and President of the MVC Fire Tech. Club, was promoting a fund raiser for the club by selling t-shirts with the academy logo. “The money from the sales goes to families that have lost loved ones in the line of duty,“ Gonzalez said. “There is also, the Pablo Certa Scholarship that is given each year to a chosen cadet.” MVC Fire Technology Club meets the first Wednesday of each month. Cody Eaves, Fire Academy Instructor and 22-year veteran of CAL Fire, explained part of the process for becoming a Certified Fire Technician. “We offer two academies a year, Spring and Fall. The programs takes 6 months to complete. We will accept 40 students. There are 19 units to the program and 18 certifications to get a Firefighter One Certification.” This training is a jump-start in the process to becoming a firefighter for municipal fire departments and CAL Fire Forest Service. Sheriff's Academy Representative Lyle Schroeder was on hand to promote the Peace Officer Training Program. “The minimum age for a cadet is 18. The program is broken down into 3 segments: Levels 1-3. The regular basic academy takes 20½ months to complete,“ Schroeder said. Along with Schroeder was Evelyn Gonzalez, MVC Enrollment Services Assistant. “My job is to guide Sheriff Academy students from start to finish. I help them with the process from testing to paperwork and everything in between and finally, job placement,“ Gonzalez said. Academy Cadet, Christian Quintana, was available to answer questions about his experience as a Paramedic Cadet and as an academy graduate of the EMT program 2 years prior. “I began the paramedic program here because I believe this is the best school around. The instructors are here to encourage the process of higher thinking and learning; they work with you and set you up to pass.” Cadet Quintana's educational goals are to complete his Paramedic Certification and the Physician’s Assistant program at MVC. Representatives from the departments of Counseling/Career & Transfer, Veterans Resource Center, STEM, Academic Evaluations, Physicians Assistant Program, Disabled Student Services, RVSD Co. Sheriff's Dept. along with many others were available to share information with students and future students of MVC. There was a meet and greet with College President Sandra Mayo, college administrators, staff, and student leaders. Lunch was served to all in attendance. There was, also, a prize drawing for gift cards and scholarships. The College Welcome for Student Success was just that, a success due to the coordinated efforts of the office of the College President, the Acting V.P. of Student Services, Outreach and Student Activities. More information about programs offered at the Ben Clark Safety Training Center can be found on the Moreno Valley College website, by visiting www.mvc.edu/law or www.mvc.edu/fire.