Cerritos College News Release

Photo of GM ASEP class of 2008 NORWALK, Calif. - August 21, 2007 - Cerritos College honored 15 graduates of General Motors’ Automotive Service Educational Program (ASEP) on August 6 at a ceremony held at the Norwalk Marriott. The students received both associate's degrees in automotive technology and qualified certification to service GM vehicles.

Cerritos College's ASEP Coordinator/Instructor Steve Berklite, Automotive Instructor Frank Vega, the Cerritos College Foundation Executive Director Steve Richardson and Automotive Program Facilitator Amna Jara welcomed and addressed the graduates during the event.

In attendance from GM were Mark Drennan, Tom Stevens and Al Gallagher.

“These dedicated students worked hard toward their career goals,” said Berklite. “We are proud to see them become certified technicians – their skills are very much needed in the industry.”

Photo of Steve Berklite (left) and David Szin (right) David Szin, of Northridge, was the recipient of the 2008 GM Good wrench award.The GM Good wrench award recognizes an outstanding student and is awarded to one student who demonstrated excellent technician and leadership skills.

Following are the names of 15 graduating students and the dealers that sponsored them:

Richer Bernard - Saturn of Cerritos
David D. Deering - Saturn of Cerritos
Joshua Forster - Tustin Chevrolet
Anthony Garcia - Leo Hoffman Chevrolet Inc.
Luis Garcia - Rydell Automotive Group
Andrew Hasan - Saturn of Cerritos
Francisco R. Magallanes - Harbor Chevrolet Corp
Juan Nolasco - Rydell Automotive Group
Stephan Ravare - Rancho Valley Chevrolet, Inc.
Kevin Reyes - Vermont Chevrolet Buick
Oscar Rodriguez - Allen Gwynn Chevrolet
Jose Romero - Showcase Chevrolet
Charles Smallwood - Simpson Buick Pontiac GMC
Philis Sogers - Saturn of Huntington Beach
David Szin - Rydell Automotive Group

The GM ASEP program is a two-year automotive program designed to upgrade the technical competency and professionalism of the incoming dealership technician. The curriculum is designed by GM and Cerritos College and leads to an associate degree. 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.

A new GM ASEP program will be starting on October 20 and is still accepting applications. For more information, call (562) 860-2451 ext. 3084.

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

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Cerritos College

Releases 2008