Cerritos College News Releases

Photo of Pat Stanley at the podium NORWALK, Calif. – April 10, 2008 – Cerritos College hosted nearly 300 industry professionals and college staff at the tenth annual Advisory Committee Members’ Recognition Breakfast on Thursday, April 10. Members of 46 individual committees include business, industry and community leaders who preside on various advisory committees at the college to provide consultation and development of career and technical education programs. Also attending the breakfast were representatives from the area unified school districts and regional occupational program, and staff representatives of the local and the state elected officials.

Nick Kremer, executive dean of Cerritos College’s Community, Industry and Technology Education office opened the meeting noting the importance of the committees to the college. He observed: “The Committees keep us current in terms of knowledge, processes and equipment used in industry.”

Dr. Patricia Stanley, deputy assistant secretary, U.S. Department of Education, Office of Vocational and Adult Education, served as keynote speaker for the breakfast.

Appointed to the deputy assistant secretary for her comprehensive knowledge of community colleges and experiences with workforce and adult education by President Bush, Dr. Stanley’s primary responsibilities are for all initiatives and policies affecting community colleges and post-secondary education. Dr. Stanley was President of Frederick Community College (FCC) from January 1998 to August 2005. Prior to joining FCC, Dr. Stanley was Executive Vice President of Cypress College.

Dr. Stanley recognizes that her assignment in the Office of Vocational and Adult Education provides exciting opportunities to advance not only a broad plan for community colleges, but also specific initiatives for workforce education.

Photo of advisory committee members and guests at the table During the breakfast, Dr. Stanley spoke about how employers can help colleges and high schools build pathways. She stressed the importance of creating the smooth transition between educational segments.

“Industry role in career technical and adult education is crucial,” she said. “You are building a strong future workforce by providing resources and internships, serving on advisory committees.”

“I’m thrilled to see the great partnerships Cerritos College has with the business industry.”

Following her speech, Cerritos College President/Superintendent Dr. Noelia Vela honored Dr. Stanley on behalf of the college for Stanley’s many years of commitment to the community colleges in the nation.

Also honored was Todd Leutheuser, executive director of the Southland Motor Car Dealers Association, for his consistent support of automotive technology at the college. He serves on the Automotive Mechanical Program Advisory Committee, as a member of the Board of Directors of the Cerritos College Foundation, and has been instrumental in building partnerships for the college with the automotive dealers, manufacturers, after market suppliers and their associations and the college’s partnership with Northwood University.

Advisory committees at Cerritos College provide college departments with advisement and industry currency in areas including administration of justice, automotive, business administration, composites, computer and information sciences, culinary arts, nursing, welding and woodworking.

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 nears 20,000 students. Visit Cerritos College online at www.cerritos.edu.

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Cerritos College

Releases 2008