Categories
Arts & Entertainment

A look into VC Ceramics

With Deanna Pini

Ceramics Professor Deanna Pini is a lifelong artist and elegant potter. During our interview, Deanna talked about more than just how she got into ceramics and the joys it beings her, but also about the touching, heart-warming stories she’s see along with the craft.

Deanna got into ceramics when she saw a potter at a local county fair and was mesmerized by how he could take something that was just dirt and earth and turn it into something beautiful. Deanna taught herself ceramics for the first three years: reading books, sitting in on classes and gong into ceramics studio once a week. Deanna had future teachers and fellow potters who helped her think differently about ceramics in ways that only helped her improve.

When Deanna is selling her pottery, she made an agreement with herself: “Any pot that is there, I would be able to give away to someone who really wanted it.” Deanna has held on to this for years and is something she loves to live by. Deanna tells in the interview several touching stories she’s seen through working with the class, fellow potters, and selling her pieces.

One main lesson Deanna has learned from working with clay is “you need to learn to let go, the clay it will do things you don’t expect. You could work so hard, and when it’s drying it could start to crack, or it could go in the kin and the glaze comes out different than you expected. So it’s really a lesson in letting go. It’s not so precious that if you destroy something on the wheel, you can re-wedge it and do it again. I think there’s a real spiritual element to ceramics, unlike some of the other arts.”

One thing that Deanna loves most about ceramics is “the surprises that come along, staying open to a sense of wonder and the people who come along who just wanna talk or ask about the pots or if you could make something special for them.”

The entire 11 minute talk with Professor Deanna Pini is up now on Anchor.fm. Give it a quick listen and hear more about this amazingly talented and genuinely kind professor.

Categories
Sports & Leisure

Katey Mulville: Standout Announces Transfer

Katey Mulville #10 is a standout indoor and beach volleyball here at Ventura College. Just recently she announced she would be continuing her beach volleyball journey at a D1 school, CSU Bakersfield. The 6’0 kill generator provides a strong block in beach volleyball and can move great on defense. Being a student athlete about to transfer to a Division 1 school means that you have a pretty busy schedule, but Katey was still able to find time to answer some questions I had for her.

Question 1: “What was the biggest factor when you chose to commit to CSU Bakersfield?”

Answer 1: “The biggest factor for me was getting the chance to actually go and visit the girls and the campus. Going on the visit gave me a true perspective of how their program is ran, getting to watch them conduct a practice. I got to experience the leadership and sisterhood that the program has. I also got to experience the campus life while walking around and felt super welcomed by every person or faculty that I got to meet. 

Question 2: About 6 years ago when you started playing in high school did you think you’d commit to a D1 school?

Answer 2: I would have NEVER thought I’d commit to playing at a D1 school. I started playing volleyball for fun and then it completely sprouted into a love or passion. Also starting in high school is actually quite a late start for most people that go anywhere after high school. I’m extremely lucky to have been apart of some great programs from high school, to one club team, and an awesome junior college crew. High school Katey would be so proud. 

Question 3: What do you think the biggest adjustment will be playing at CSU Bakersfield?

Answer 3: The biggest adjustment for playing at CSUB would definitely be the level of playing and time commitment. Since it’s a D1 school the level of play is obviously higher so that will be a daily challenge to continue to expand as a player to reach higher levels. And time commitment is similar to my junior college schedule except for the D1 has strength training as a priority even during season so that will be an adjustment for time management on a day to day and physical challenge.

As Katey prepares to take a huge step in her playing career it’s evident that all of the hard work she has consistently put in over the years is paying off.

Categories
Arts & Entertainment

2023 Annual Student Art Show

Image from Ventura College’s New Media Gallery

This coming Thursday, April 20, 2023, Ventura College will be hosting an opening of their annual Student Art Show featuring works from students during their year at VC (Fall 22/Spring 23).  The event will take place between 6:30pm – 8:30pm, during which attendees will have the opportunity to view the art pieces in the New Media Gallery and Gallery 2 at Ventura College Main Campus.

The following has been taken from the Ventura College Events page:

“This exhibition honors the work of current and recent Ventura College students. The artworks are produced in various media including: painting, drawing, ceramics, design, illustration, and photography. This juried exhibition offers many students the opportunity to have their work viewed outside of the classroom with awards of cash prizes, including the $1,000 Best in Show/President’s Award.”

VC Social had the opportunity to interview Monica Furmanski, the assistant professor of photography. She has been involved with the annual student show since 2007, which was when she first started at Ventura College. 

She informed us that the opening event will start with a ceremony that includes awards given to certain participants and a reception to follow. We also asked her some more in depth questions about her past students and her opinion on the show.

Monica Furmanski, Professor at Ventura College

Q: How do you think the Annual Student Art Show benefits the students/college?

Monica: “There are benefits for both the students and the college. For students, it’s an opportunity to exhibit their artwork in a professional gallery space, where people from the community and campus can see their work. Students get to experience what it’s like to exhibit their work and to be a part of the experience. The college benefits by showing off what our students are creating and making in the art department. A lot of what happens in the art department is in the classroom, and when we have a student show the college community gets to see what our creative students are doing. “

Q: Do you have any students that become full-time artists or make a career out of their craft?

Monica: “I do! I have had students go on to study at different universities, specifically in the arts and photography. Other students have gone on to pursue careers in the arts or they are using the skills that they developed at Ventura College to assist them in non-art careers.”

Q: What can viewers expect at the show?

Monica: “Viewers can expect a beautiful collection of art and photography created by our VC students! There will be painting, sculpture, photography, drawing, ceramics…there will be lot of art!”

We want to thank Monica for her time and on behalf of VC Social we wish good luck to those who have entered their artwork into the show and hope their future career in the arts is prosperous.

All works of art will be on display April 20th – May 4th.

You can find more information about the New Media Gallery here. 

Check out Ventura College’s various social media to keep up to date on what is happening on campus:

Ventura College

https://www.instagram.com/venturacollegeofficial/

Ventura College Main Campus New Media Gallery

https://www.instagram.com/new_media_gallery/

Categories
Student Life at VC

Register for the Summer and Fall 2023 Classes

Registrations for the Summer and Fall 2023 school year starts now! You are able to find the registration process in your student portal. Big thanks to Angelica Gonzales for showing us how to see when our registration appointments are. If you need help or have any questions concerning the registration process, please feel free to go to the counseling officer to get help from Angelica or any other counselors.

Student Services #  (805) 289-6420 

Categories
Student Life at VC

Get Ready for Finals with the Tutoring Center

Spring is here and finals week is just around the corner! This week I spoke to Erika Hurtado, the Tutoring Specialist at the Ventura College Tutoring Center, about the free resources that are available to students as they finish the semester off strong and prepare for their final exams.

Erika explained that the Tutoring Center offers tutoring both in-person and online. Students seeking tutoring can book an appointment or get help on a drop-in basis. The tutoring center is even open on Sundays to accommodate students’ busy schedules!

The Tutoring Center supports student success by not only offering tutoring, but also hosting Learning Resource Workshops. These workshops are led by Learning Resource faculty members and cover a range of topics from test-taking to enhancing mental health. Many of this month’s workshops are focused on writing, but topics change often and the monthly schedule can be found on their website.

Erika shared the #1 tip she gives students… come in before you need help! The Tutoring Center is fully staffed and ready to help students in a variety of subjects such as business, writing, math, and so much more. She encourages students to take time to prepare for their exams and reminds them not to be afraid to reach out for help.

The Tutoring Center is located on the first floor of the Library and Learning Resource Center (LRC). Stop by or check out their website for more information on their services!

Phone: (805) 289-6026
Email: VCtutoring@vcccd.edu

Categories
Student Life at VC

Career Fair Info & Tips

Hello students! April is the month for the Career Fair! I was able to speak with Megan Walter, who is a Student Services Assistant at the Career Center. I asked her some questions about the Career Fair and got some information + tips, so let’s get right into that.

On the flyer above, it lists all of the workshops happening before the Career Fair at the Career Center. It mentions the day and time the workshops will be held. From April 24-26 at 10am-6pm, the “Do’s & Donuts” workshop will be held. This Career Fair Prep-Shop will help students with their resume, 30 second pitch, and more help about the Career Fair. At this workshop, donuts, coffee, and a Career Fair Prep Kit will be provided for all attendees. In addition, on April 21 at 10am, students will be given help to start their job search. At 12pm on April 21, students will be given help to build their resume. At the same time as the “Do’s & Donuts” workshop, students will be able to meet the employers that will be at the Career Fair. Attend these workshops to be prepared!

On April 27 from 10am to 2pm, the Career Fair and Job Expo will be held in the Bookstore Quad. A recommendation from Megan is that if you are planning on attending the Career Fair, you should register via Handshake. You can register on vcccd.joinhandshake.com. From there, you can sign in using your vcccd login and answer a few questions. After you sign in, just search for the Career Fair event and hit join event at the top. You will automatically be registered for the Career Fair, receive event updates, and if you are one of the first 200 students to register, you get a free lunch! Registering also gets you a name card and a swag bag!

The Career Fair will have over 100 employers that you can find under the event on Handshake. You can even look into the websites of the employers, read their company backgrounds, and sort through the employers to fit the job you are looking for. You will be able to find jobs in the Healthcare, Government, Legal & Law Enforcement, and Non-Profit industry, etc. Attending the Career Fair will help you meet possible future employers and you can gain knowledge by asking questions. The goal of this Career Fair is to assist students in working on their professional development and gaining employment, while either in school or after they complete their degree/certificate.

To finish things off, here’s a tip from Megan about applying for your first job. She recommends going to the Career Center to get assistance on your resume and cover letter. You should make sure that you have both ready before applying for a position. If you have your resume all set, you can actually go to the Career Center and they will help you print out a few copies to have with you at the Career Fair. Being prepared and giving your resume to the recruiters, does impress them and helps you stand out. Megan recommends attending the “Do’s & Donuts” workshop to help prepare for the Career Fair.

Below are more flyers with more information!

SSC Building | vccareer@vcccd.edu | 805-289-6473 | Career Center Website

Categories
Student Life at VC

VC Pre-Med Club

Pre-Med Poster made by the club members

I interviewed the Vice-President, Abraham, of the Ventura College pre-med club along with getting some questions answered by its members to learn more about their club and get some insight into it. I first off wanted to know what their club was about and they told me that it is about promoting medical education and creating an outlet for like-minded individuals who are interested in medicine to socialize, learn more about the medical field, and have opportunities to gain exposure to the world of medicine. From knowing what their club was about I asked them what they had to offer to VC students and they explained that they offer the opportunity for students to hear from doctors and other medical professionals on the real perspective of what medicine truly is. They will also educate people on the field itself, go to seminar events at hospitals, and more.

The club goes beyond just being at the college but goes out of its way by getting experience from those who are in the field that these students want to be in, which will benefit them immensely in their careers.
I also wanted to know who exactly can join the club, and I found out that it is open to anyone who has an interest in medicine and is simply interested in the field are free to join.

The club advisors include Biology Professor Kammy Algiers and Organic Chemistry Professor Malia Rose-Seiza. I asked the board members of the club their names, roles, and majors to get a little more information about them since they all have different paths in life and they include Abraham, the club Vice-President who is majoring in Biochemistry. Dan, the club ICC Representative, who is majoring in Health Promotion. Emanuel, the club Treasurer, who is majoring in Biology. And finally, Isabella Coroda the club President, who is majoring in Biomedical Engineering.

The final piece of information I wanted to know about this club was what will VC students get out of being in this club?
Their answer was that students will gain the necessary information needed to fully understand what medicine is and learn about all the different opportunities you can have with an interest in medicine. They also mentioned how you will also grow connections with people who are also passionate about medicine and create a helpful and connective environment for others and yourself. So if you are interested in joining you can scan the QR code in the image above or you can email them as well. Piratepremedclub@gmail.com

Categories
Student Life at VC

Career Center: All You Need to Succeed at the Job Fair

Creating a resume or a cover letter, and preparing for job interviews can be overwhelming, but don’t worry – the Career Center at Ventura College is here to help!

Part of the mission of the Career Development Services (CDS) is to empower students to make enlightened career decisions; engage in experiential learning opportunities to develop skills and experience to successfully meet their career goals.

The Career Center offers a variety of services to guide students. That includes several workshops in person and virtually. You can learn about how to Build Your Résumé, Job Search/Internships, Interviews, and Career Planning.

When writing a resume, questions can arise such as: what is the basic information that should be included, and what should be described in detail? What is the proper layout and appearance? 

In the same way as a resume, a cover letter is also very personalized, and it is challenging to target a particular organization and position, decide the layout, appropriately address the letter, and mention referrals.

When interviewing for an internship or a new job, it’s common for students to have difficulties evaluating the responsibilities, relevant skills, experience of a position, and employment goals. If you need help with all of this, don’t hesitate to contact the (CDS)!

The annual Career Fair and Job Expo at Ventura College is approaching soon, it’s on Thursday, April 27th, 2023. From 10 am – 2 pm at the Bookstore Squad, VC. To get help with your resume or 30-second intro pitch, check their website for appointment hours or drop in at Career Center at campus.

Student Services Center (SSC)
4667 Telegraph Road
Ventura, CA 93003
805-289-6473
vccareer@vcccd.edu

Categories
Student Life at VC

Counselors are here for you

Hello, welcome to another beautiful semester at Ventura College in lovely Sunny Ventura. I had a few moments to speak with Lauren Wintermeyer about the upcoming semester and registration opens April 17th for students to add classes to their schedule. Making an appointment is easy, process I found the most helpful was calling the registration office and making an in person appointment, video call, or a phone call. Nice thing is sometimes an appointment can be over whelming with class recommendations to help students achieve their goal of graduating. But the counselors will email you a summary of you’re conversation with them to make it easy, and a list of classes to help you succeed. Nice thing is the counselors will walk you through you’re myvcccd home page and show you degree works which will show you what classes branch off and count towards you’re degree. And for our extra busy students, the registration office takes drop ins to ask quicker questions of the counselors. Which is nice because sometimes life doesn’t allow you time for an appointment, also Ventura College has an online waitlist for drop ins which is a lovely addition. So, don’t forget and make an appointment today to get those classes! No one wants to be on a waitlist.

Categories
Student Life at VC

How to Navigate Financial Aid

Asking for help can be difficult and overwhelming. At Ventura College, we strive to take some of that weight off your shoulders and the financial aid office offers the resources needed to meet your basic and academic goals. But where and how to start?

We got the inside scoop on the best course of action for incoming freshman to get information on financial aid services from Yesika, who works in the financial aid office. She recommends the Ventura College website to get information on where and how to began the process of applying. She also suggests in-person help via the financial aid service center located next to the bookstore on campus. Financial aid offers many different types of resources for students who are eligible and in need of assistance in order to attend college. This includes grant programs like the CAL Grant, that pay for your cost of enrollment. Sate and federally funded programs like the work study program, where students can work a part-time job on campus to earn money. Financial aid can also get you set up for a school loan, either a private or federally funded loan for extended education for those who qualify.

Yesika shared that coming in prepared when applying for financial aid is an important first step. You will need to make an appointment with a counselor to get set up with an education plan via online or in-person through Academic Counseling. After meeting with a counselor, you can come directly to the financial aid window/office to apply for your FAFSA online in the computer lab. It is important to make sure you have a valid ID, social security number and income information ready for this process. Once you’ve applied, Yesika recommends to continuously check your student email and your financial aid tab on your dashboard to make sure you’ve provided all information needed and no forms are left pending in order to qualify. This also includes checking in to make sure you are meeting the minimum requirements to keep satisfactory progress. You can find those requirements online through the financial aid tab.

We asked about other resources outside of financial aid that could also be of help to students. Yesika told us about the Basic Needs Center that provides students with food, housing opportunities and wellness. There is a food pantry on campus that is available at no cost to students. Open from 8:30am to 6:30 Monday and Tuesday, 8:30am to 5pm Wednesday and Thursday and 8:30am-1pm on Friday. She also mentioned that the VC Foundation is another great resource that offers scholarship programs and is worth checking into.

Lastly, Yesika shared what she likes most about working in the financial aid office. She said she loves being able to help students who are in need and those who are feeling lost. Let the financial aid office at Ventura College help take some weight off and set sail for a bright future.

4667 Telegraph Road BCS Building  
Ventura, CA 93003

(805) 289-6369

vcfinancialaid@vcccd.edu