In this issue…
Current News
Next wave of ISP/USP teams heads out around the globe
Team members pray with family and friends before their departure to fields of service.
California Baptist University is sending out another wave of International Service Projects (ISP) and U.S. Projects (USP) teams, with the last of those teams leaving June 11. Eight groups, including an all-faculty team, are heading to South Asia, East Asia, Southeast Asia, Central Asia, Southeast Europe, Greece and Spain. This summer, 45 teams with 408 participants will serve in 16 countries.
“We believe that every follower of Jesus is called to be a world Christian. To give them this short-term opportunity is what we in ISP and USP are all about,” said Kristen White, director of global mobilization.
Lancers finish top 26 in NCAA Division II
The 2013-14 season marked a new era for the California Baptist University athletic program. Not only did the Lancers qualify 11 teams for the NCAA playoffs, boast a 131-33 record at home, win its first-ever NCAA Division II individual championship, and four conference titles, CBU placed No. 26 in the Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup final standings, as announced Wednesday.
“I’m very proud of the way our programs competed in their first year of post-season eligibility,” said Director of Athletics Dr. Micah Parker. “We gained invaluable experience with so many teams getting the opportunity to compete in NCAA championships. To finish in the top eight-percent of all NCAA DII schools in our first year is a great accomplishment. It also gives our department some goals for the future because we want to keep improving.”
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Zipcar helps students get around
For some students, attending college means asking friends for a ride, whether to the grocery store or the movies. At California Baptist University, students have another option. CBU offers two rental cars through Zipcar.
“Parking has become more of a challenge, and we want to give students an option of not bringing a car to school,” said Joe Adcock, assistant dean of students.
Any student, faculty or staff member can use the car, although it’s especially attractive to out-of-state and international students, he said.
Eric Ruta (’13) used the car to run errands, such as going to the bank or shopping. He is from Rwanda and also used the car to take other international students on errands. “I am extremely appreciative of this program,” Ruta said.
People have to sign up with Zipcar and pay to receive an access card. Once they receive a card, they go on the website or the mobile app and reserve their time. Reservations can be made by the hour or the day, and rates include gas and insurance, though not taxes. When it’s their reservation time, drivers just scan their card over a reader in the windshield and the car unlocks.
About 100 people at CBU have signed up to receive a card, Adcock said. He is also marketing the cars to campus offices, such as Admissions, which often makes trips to high schools. The cars also were promoted at freshmen orientation last year and at the Club Fairs. Parents attending the Step Ahead event are told of the program as well.
Matthew Fuller, a senior from Yucaipa, does not have a car on campus. He has used the Zipcar for off-campus activities, such as seeing a family member who is in town. He said the cars give him an option if he has to get off campus.
Zipcar’s annual survey of Millennials (those in the 18-34 age group) in the U.S., which Zipcar has conducted the past four years, has shown that young people value access over ownership, according to CJ Himberg, public relations specialist with Zipcar. The company’s cars can be found on more than 350 campuses across the country.
Osiris Vincent Ntarugera (’13), from Rwanda, used the car to run errands, go to the mall or the airport. “I am definitely glad CBU has that program, because as a student without a car, it was hard for me to find a ride from a friend. Now, I can just pick up the car and do my errands.”
Career Center aids students in job searches
Some spring 2014 graduates at California Baptist University are returning to the CBU Career Center to get assistance in their job search.
While some did not take the time to go to the center before receiving their degrees, others just need a little more help, said Mike Bishop, associate director.
“Whether it’s OPS (Online and Professional Studies), graduate students, or even traditional students, they’re coming back for mock interviews or actually redoing mock interviews,” Bishop said. “Some are looking for help on their LinkedIn profiles. A number of students are asking for resume assistance.”
In addition to these services, the Career Center offers help with job searches and conducts career fairs, employer presentation weeks and a professional etiquette dinner.
One example of the center’s work was when the chief engineer for the Pearl Harbor Naval Station called because he heard CBU’s engineering school was strong, Bishop said. Earlier this month about 15 students attended a general information session about being an engineer at the naval station, and the engineer interviewed 12 of them two days later at the Career Center.
Instead of just waiting for the students to come, the Career Center recently has become more intentional in reaching them, Bishop said. The center is working with deans and professors to promote its services, and it has more than 900 followers on Twitter.
“We’re also being asked by a lot of professors to come in and actually teach a class,” said Chelsea Dirks, career counselor/internship coordinator.
“We’re experiencing a lot of successes, from not only the events, but from the counseling, from the interviews, where students are coming back and voluntarily saying, ‘I got the job. I’m employed.’ So there’s a nice outcome from the work,” Bishop said.
The Career Center is not just for seniors. Bishop and Dirks said they encourage all students to visit at least once a semester.
“We want freshmen to begin using us from the very beginning, even if it’s ‘I’m not sure what my major is going to be. What are the career options in this major?’ We do help all levels,” Dirks said.
“We’re here to align their education with what may be out there in the job market and to show them how to do that,” Bishop said.
Family Updates
Dr. Juliann Perdue
Kim Bailey
Dr. Juliann Perdue, associate professor of nursing, and Kim Bailey, nursing admissions specialist, along with 14 graduate nursing students, participated in the inaugural Pre-Health and Pre-Medical Conference at the University of Riverside (UCR) on May 18. Nursing students served on the admission panel and shared their insights and experiences with prospective students. Topics included admission requirements, selection criteria and how to position oneself as a strong applicant. They also talked to interested attendees at the recruitment fair and received a record number of inquiries for our nursing programs.
Dr. Julie Browning
Dr. Julie Browning, associate professor of accounting for Online & Professional Studies, presented a lecture to the accountants of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department on the topic of career development and professional licensures for accountants.
Mary Davidson (right) with her mother, Pam Pryfogle, adjunct professor for Online and Professional Studies
Mary Davidson completed her master of science degree in counseling psychology from CBU on May 3 and received the Merit Award for Academic Excellence and Commitment from the School of Behavioral Sciences. Davidson continues to work full-time as administrative assistant for the College of Allied Health and part-time as a marriage and family therapist trainee at Crossroads Church in Corona.
Dr. Chuck Sands
Dr. Chuck Sands, dean of the College of Allied Health, presented the 2nd session of a four-part leadership development program for the staff at Sandals Church. The other two sessions will occur later in 2014.
Kinsley Joy Welzel
Keith and Kelli Welzel, director of new student programs, welcomed their second daughter on June 1. Kinsley Joy Welzel was born at 7:55 p.m. and weighed 7 lbs. 10 oz.
Guy E. White V
Dr. Kristen M. White, assistant professor of psychology for Online & Professional Studies, and Dr. Guy E. White IV, adjunct faculty in English for OPS, welcomed their second child, Guy E. White V, on May 24 at 8:34 a m. The baby weighed 7 lbs. 10 ozs. and measured 21 inches long.
Mr. and Mrs. Vincent Vine Jr.
Jenelle Turner married Vincent Vine Jr. at her parent’s house in Devore on May 17. Turner is an admissions counselor at Online & Professional Studies’ Temecula Service Center.
Personnel Updates
