By Della Elliott
The new semester begins Aug. 22 for more than an anticipated 28,000 students at Grossmont and Cuyamaca colleges with a wealth of new class and program offerings at the two East County colleges.
The two colleges are offering more than 2,400 class sections and for the first time in the college district’s 55-year history, both colleges will be offering baccalaureate-level classes on campus and online through a partnership with Point Loma Nazarene University.
Students still have time to register for fall classes, with the colleges continuing online registration through Aug. 19. Schedules and registration links are available by going to gcccd.edu/now.
Cuyamaca College
An estimated 9,000 students can choose from course sections applicable to associate degrees and certificates, as well as upper-division classes to earn bachelor’s degrees from PLNU in Child Development and Organizational Development.
New associate degree programs available this fall include Kumeyaay Studies and Arabic Studies, learning the language and culture of these groups. New certificate programs available this fall include Business Information Worker and Mechatronics. Cuyamaca College is also on track to offer a new certificate program in viticulture — winemaking — as early as the spring semester.
Grossmont College
About 18,000 students are expected to attend Grossmont College this fall. Like its sister college, Grossmont College has also partnered with Point Loma Nazarene University to offer bachelor’s degree programs. Students can earn PLNU’s bachelor’s degree in computer/information technology, as well as PLNU’s bachelor’s degree in nursing without leaving the Grossmont College campus.
Other new and upcoming offerings include the Business Information Worker certificate, Electrocardiograph (EKG)/Telemetry Program and Administration of Justice public safety dispatch course.
Weekend/late-start classes: The addition of weekend (Friday and Saturday) and late-start (those starting after Aug. 22) classes are designed to offer students the flexibility they need to complete certificate and associate degree programs. With late-start classes, students can earn up to five units of credit in as little as eight weeks.
Grossmont College is also planning new pilot programs for the spring semester in unmanned aircraft systems and craft brewing to train students in those growing fields.
To welcome new and returning students, both colleges have several activities planned for the first week of classes. Grossmont’s Week of Welcome – WOW – features workshops and information booths highlighting programs and an All-campus Information and Activity Fair in the Main Quad. Cuyamaca’s Welcome Week will include information tables; a Health and Wellness Center open house; a number of meet-and-greets with student organizations, a student-faculty BBQ mixer; ice cream and other free food with student government members; a Student Involvement Fair; and a College Hour event featuring the Chaldean culture and traditions.
Grossmont College is at 8800 Grossmont College Drive in El Cajon; Cuyamaca College is at 900 Rancho San Diego Parkway in the community of Rancho San Diego. For more information about the college district, go to gcccd.edu .
—Della Elliott is the public information specialist at Grossmont-Cuyamaca College District. Reach her at [email protected].
