NORWALK, CA - July 24, 2007 - Cerritos College honored 25 graduates of General Motors' Automotive Service Educational Program (ASEP) on June 27 at a ceremony held at the Norwalk Marriott. The students received both associate's degrees in automotive technology and qualified

Cerritos College's Automotive Service Educational Program honored 25 graduates on June 27.

certification to service GM vehicles.

Cerritos College's ASEP Coordinator Steve Berklite, Dean of Technology Randy Peebles, Vice President of Academic Affairs, William Farmer, Jr., and General Motors Regional Manager Kelly Bradshaw welcomed and addressed the graduates during the event. Also in attendance were Cerritos College President Dr. Noelia Vela, GM Powertrain Group Vice President Tom Stevens, and Kit Bailey of GM/Raytheon.

Graduates of the program included Daniel Arias, Luis Arias, Christopher Atwood, Edilberto Barajas, Chris Espinoza, Brendan Fimpler, Gavino Flores, Richard Flores, Kyle Gillette, Rene Gonzalez, Jeff Greer, John Kasabian, Nathaniel Lavers, Omar Montes, Alvino Olivas, Daniel Palomares, Daniel Perez, Jeff Perez, Christopher Pineda, Khemara Pok, Alberto Rivera, Noe Rodriguez, Erin Roy, Daniel Saldana, and Daniel Zebeljan.

Students in ASEP take classes in traditional classroom settings, receive hands-on training on vehicles at Cerritos College and get on-the-job practice at local dealerships. Once they receive GM certification, graduating students begin their full-time employment at the dealer that sponsored them at the beginning of the program. By also graduating with an associate's degree, the students are well positioned to pursue further education and to move into dealer management jobs.

"Through our partnership with GM's ASEP program, we have the opportunity to offer our students outstanding training and unique experiences that aren't available at other institutions," said Berklite.

"Thanks to ASEP, these students have all the tools they need to excel in this well-paying career field."

Cerritos College serves as a comprehensive community college for southeastern Los Angeles County. Communities within the college's district include Artesia, Bellflower, Cerritos, Downey, Hawaiian Gardens, La Mirada, Norwalk, and portions of Bell Gardens, Lakewood, Long Beach, Santa Fe Springs and South Gate. Cerritos College offers degrees and certificates in more than 200 areas of study in nine divisions. Annually, more than 1,200 students successfully complete their course of studies, and enrollment currently surpasses 20,000 students. Visit Cerritos College online at www.cerritos.edu.

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Cerritos College

Releases 2007

Cerritos College Honors Automotive Technology Graduates

Students Complete Training to Become GM Certified Technicians