Galveston College Law Enforcement Academy celebrates graduations
The Galveston College Law Enforcement Academy recently celebrated the graduations of Class 6 of its full-time, daytime program and Class 34 of its evening program with virtual ceremonies for family members, co-workers and friends.
Crystal Robinson, director of the Law Enforcement Academy, served as master of ceremonies and commended the work of the program instructors and the cadets, congratulating the graduates as they launched their careers.
Instructor Bart Stephenson presented special awards for marksmanship and academic achievement.
Class 6D award recipients included Cadet Sam Kayal, Top Gun award for the best marksmanship on the firing range, and Cadet Ethan Torres, top academic achievement award.
Cadet Kevin Anderson received both the Top Gun marksmanship award and the top academic achievement award for Class 34.
Galveston College is now accepting applications for its Law Enforcement Academy for 2021-2022.
The Galveston College Law Enforcement Academy’s seventh full-time day program will run Mondays through Fridays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for one semester. Classes begin July 26. Graduation will be in December 2021.
The Galveston College Law Enforcement Academy’s 35th evening program will run Mondays through Fridays from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., beginning Aug. 2. The program runs for two semesters. Graduation is set for May 2022.
The deadline to apply for the day or evening program is June 30.
More than 450 cadets have graduated from Galveston College’s Law Enforcement Academy since it began in 1987. Many of those graduates have gone on to join county law enforcement agencies and police departments across Texas.
The 740-hour law enforcement academy is designed for those who are seeking certification as a Texas peace officer from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE.)
For more information on the Galveston College Law Enforcement Academy, contact Crystal Robinson, Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Academy program director, at (409) 944-1331 or [email protected], or instructor Bart Stephenson at (409) 944-1263 or [email protected].
Students also can visit the Law Enforcement Academy office in Room 323 of the Mary Moody Northen Center on the Galveston College campus, 4015 Avenue Q, Galveston, Texas, or online at https://gc.edu/criminal-justice-law-enforcement.
Graduates of Class 34 of the Galveston College Law Enforcement Academy include (front row from left) Benjamen Cohan, Keren Chapman, Reynol Lopez, Kevin Anderson, Shamael Ruiz, Law Enforcement Academy Program Director Crystal Robinson, (back row) instructor Bart Stephenson, Andrew Moffet, Alyssa Dale, Geria Brown, Johnathan Aucoin, John Perry, Wesley Hurt and instructor Sgt. Billy Kilburn, Galveston County Sheriff’s Office.
Graduates of Galveston College Law Enforcement Academy Class 6D include (front row from left) Wesley Divine, Britnni Love, Meghan Bilbrey and Felicia Barrienties, (back row from left) instructor Bart Stephenson, Andy Duhon, Zachary Williams, Sam Kayal and Crystal Robinson, program director of the Law Enforcement Academy.
Registration underway for summer and fall 2021
Registration for summer and fall 2021 classes is underway at Galveston College.
Summer I classes begin Tuesday, June 7. Summer II classes begin Tuesday, July 12.
The fall 2021 semester begins Monday, Aug. 30.
#YourCollegeYourWay
The #YourCollegeYourWay schedule of classes features a robust offering of in-person
classes, fully online classes and hybrid classes that combine learning modes.
Advising
In order to plan coursework for the summer and fall, students should contact their
advisor or email [email protected].
Online Registration
To register online, students should
–log in to their Whitecaps portal by entering their Galveston College user ID and
password. Students who do not know their Galveston College user ID should contact
the Information Technology Service Desk at [email protected].
–view Degree Audit.
–select Register for Classes.
Students who need help or who have questions about registering online should email the Counseling and Advising Center at [email protected].
In-person Registration
In-person registration hours are from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Mondays through Thursdays
in the Counseling and Advising Center on the first floor of Moody Hall on the main
campus. The college is closed on Fridays.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
Students should contact the Financial Aid office at [email protected] to ensure their
financial aid awards are in place. Those who have not completed the Free Application
for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for 2021-2022 should complete the application here.
Tuition and Fees Payment Arrangements
Registration is not complete until payment arrangements are made. Students who owe
a balance can make full payments online with a credit card via their Whitecaps portal
or by sending a check or money order by mail to the Galveston College Business Office,
4015 Avenue Q, Galveston, TX 77550. (Please include the student’s name and student
ID number.)
Students with payment questions can email the Business Office at [email protected] or leave a message at (409) 944-1362. (Please leave name, student ID number and contact information.)
Students who want to set up a payment plan must sign up via their Whitecaps portal using the FACTS payment plan system. For more information on payment plans, please visit the FACTS payment system information page here.
Payment questions may be directed to the Business Office at [email protected].
Please contact the Counseling and Advising Center at [email protected] with any questions concerning registration.
Dr. Cissy Matthews receives Lindle Grigsby Leadership Award from Texas Association of College Technical Educators
Dr. Cissy Matthews, vice president of instruction at Galveston College, recently received the Lindle Grigsby Leadership Award from the Texas Association of College Technical Educators.
The Lindle Grigsby Leadership Award was created in 2012 to recognize one of the association’s members who has demonstrated outstanding leadership skills and dedication to the organization. The award was presented to Lindle Grigsby the first year for his many years of dedication and service to TACTE.
The recipient must be a current member of TACTE and an individual who has demonstrated the following characteristics:
initiative and competence in accomplishing the goals and tasks of career and technical
education;
forethought in providing a vision for the future;
models community college instructional leadership that inspires others;
implementation of student success strategies; and
dedication to local and state issues related to career and technical education.
Dr. Mathews has more than 20 years of experience in career and technical education (CTE). She started in CTE as an emergency medical services faculty member at College of the Mainland in Texas City in 1998. Later, she became the dean of workforce and continuing education at COM. While in this role, the college implemented several new CTE programs, particularly in allied health areas.
Since Dr. Matthews joined Galveston College, where about 40 percent of the programs and enrollments are related to career and technical education, the college has added many CTE programs, including Cosmetology, Electrical and Electronics Technology, Computer and Network Administration, Surgical Technology, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Instrumentation Technology and Logistics. In 2019, the college added its first bachelor’s degree – a Bachelor of Applied Science in Healthcare Management, which allows graduates with associate degrees in allied health fields to pursue a fully online bachelor’s degree at the cost of a community college education.
Dr. Matthews joined TACTE in 2002 and served as president from 2013-2015. In addition to serving on the board of directors, she served two terms as treasurer and on conference planning committees and various other committees that support, encourage, and advocate for career and technical education.
“Dr. Matthews is responsible for the majority of the people that currently serve on the TACTE board through either individual recruitment or through her continued service as the chair of the TACTE Election Committee,” said Alexander Okwonna, president of TACTE in announcing the award.
“She has always been and continues to be a shining example of CTE loyalty, love and service.”
Galveston College celebrates dual-credit graduates
Galveston College celebrated its seven dual-credit graduates from Ball High School who received their associate degrees during the college’s virtual commencement on May 14 with a drive-through graduation ceremony at Galveston College on May 24.
This is a record number of dual-credit graduates in one semester at Galveston College.
The Galveston College dual-credit graduates will graduate from Ball High School on Wednesday, June 2, with their high school diplomas.
Galveston College Student Government Association President Maia Adolphs, a dual-credit
senior at BHS, and Priscilla Culver, dual-credit student success advisor, recently
met with Galveston Independent School District Superintendent Jerry Gibson and the
BHS graduation team, and BHS Principal Joseph Pillar and school district personnel
have approved recognition of the dual-credit graduates with associate degree cords
at the BHS graduation ceremony on Wednesday.
Congratulations to the 2021 dual-credit graduates:
Maia Z. Adolphs
Kelsey A. Barillas
Lily Benavidez
Isabella Corrales
Gabriella Lopez
Kayla E. Olguin
Abigayle Pruns
For photos of all of the dual-credit graduates and the celebration, please click here.
Governor issues no mask executive order
Governor Greg Abbott on Tuesday, May 18, issued an executive order prohibiting governmental entities in Texas — including counties, cities, school districts, public health authorities, or government officials — from requiring or mandating mask-wearing. Public schools may continue to follow current mask-wearing guidelines through June 4. After June 4, no student, teacher, parent, or other staff member or visitor can be required to wear a mask while on campus.
While not required, those who have not been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 are encouraged to wear an appropriate facial covering or mask on the Galveston College campus.
Galveston College announces new mask guidelines
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last week revised its mask guidelines for those who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
After reviewing the CDC’s guidelines and consulting with local health authorities, Galveston College officials have determined that those who are fully vaccinated will no longer be required to wear masks on campus. However, the college fully supports anyone who chooses to wear a mask due to personal preference. For health and safety reasons, those who have not been vaccinated should continue wear appropriate masks or facial coverings. Proof of having a COVID-19 vaccination will not be required.
In addition to facial coverings, students, faculty and staff are also asked to monitor themselves for any COVID-19 symptoms and stay home if they are sick. Students, faculty, staff and campus visitors should continue to remain vigilant with hand-washing, cleaning and sanitizing, and avoid close contact with those who are sick.
Students, faculty and staff who have not been vaccinated against COVID-19 and who need additional information about the vaccine and where to be vaccinated should contact the Galveston County Health District at https://www.gchd.org/about-us/news-and-events/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/covid-19-vaccines or their local healthcare provider.
College officials will continue to monitor local COVID-19 information, and will reserve the right to again require masks if an increase in cases should warrant it.
Thank you for your attention to this important announcement.
Galveston College recognizes excellence at 2021 Employee Awards Celebration
It was a virtual celebration of excellence on Friday, as the Galveston College campus community joined together via Zoom videoconference to applaud their peers’ outstanding achievements and highlight college programs at the annual Employee Awards Celebration.
With a theme of “Years of Wonderful Programs Creating a Brighter Future,” the event featured last year’s honorees in zany video clips that showcased the college — from the Allied Health programs to the Whitecaps softball team.
Twenty faculty and staff members were honored with exceptional performance awards and milestones awards for years of service at the college.
Regent Carroll Sunseri with the Galveston Community College District Board of Regents received an award for 30 years of volunteer service to the college. Regent Armin Cantini and Regent Ray Lewis received awards for 10 years of volunteer service to the college.
Exceptional Service Award recipients included Jay Castillo, Financial Aid, and Maria Garcia, Office of the Vice President of Instruction, classified staff recipients; Kara Fahringer-Baer, Testing Center, professional-technical staff recipient; Dr. Larry Blomstedt, History and Government, and Don Davison, Business Administration and Management, faculty recipients; and Brandi Castillo, Developmental Mathematics, adjunct faculty recipient.
Mari Macias and Wayne Way were honored for 20 years of service to the college. Tia Campbell-Benson, Nikki Montoya, Pat Perry, Dr. James Salazar and Jonathan Walker were recognized for 15 years of service.
Cordetta Knatt, Amy Leuchtag and Eugene Walker received awards for 10 years of service. Kris Blackmon, James Love, Elizabeth Quilantan and Athena Sempe were recognized for five years of service.
Retirees in 2020-21 who were honored at the event included Valencia Allen, Jose Garcia, Pat Perry, Erma Phillips, Dr. James Salazar and Tim Setzer.
Congratulations to all the honorees!
Dr. Larry Blomstedt
2021 Exceptional Service Award Faculty Recipient
Don Davison
2021 Exceptional Service Award Faculty Recipient
Brandi Castillo
2021 Exceptional Service Award Adunct Faculty Recipient
Jay Castillo
2021 Exceptional Service Award Classified Staff Recipient
Maria Garcia
2021 Exceptional Service Award Classifid Staff Recipient
Kara Fahringer-Baer
2021 Exceptional Service Award Professional-Technical Staff Recipient
Whitecaps Wardrobe appointments available
Are you looking for clothes for work or a job interview?
The Galveston College Student Government Association is accepting appointments to shop its new Whitecaps Wardrobe professional clothing closet. The closet is located on the second floor of the Hermes Fitness Center.
A variety of free business and business casual attire is available, including dress shirts and slacks, jackets, dresses, pants, blouses and career-specific attire.
To schedule a confidential appointment, please contact Jose Martinez at [email protected] to arrange a date and time.
Donations also may be dropped off near the screening stations in the Moody Hall lobby and the Mary Moody Northen Center atrium and at the Charlie Thomas Family Applied Technology Center.
Whitecaps Wardrobe is made possible thanks to generous donations from faculty, staff, students and friends of Galveston College.
Galveston College library website is featured as model site
The Galveston College David Glenn Hunt Memorial Library website has been featured on Springshare Buzz as one of the academic examples by Simplified Design without a lot of coding requirements.
Springshare is the vendor for the Galveston College library’s libguides, room reservations, chat, event registrations and many other services. As stated on the page, the website is built from a LibGuide using LibGuides CMS (content management system).
The library website was designed, created and is maintained by Telishia “Tee” Mickens, director of library and learning resources. The website build started in summer 2019 and the site went live in fall 2019.
“Libraries are hubs for knowledge, research and so much more,” Mickens said. “The library website gives users an online experience to access library resources with the same value as they would find walking through the doors.”
The library website allows users to easily locate resources, find the newest resources and services offered, participate in virtual events and displays, virtually connect with the library team through Chat Reference and more.
The library website has had 38,094 views since 2019, with an average of 1,800 views a month.
All 10 Spring Grads of Quickstart+ HVAC Helper Program Pass EPA Section 608 Universal Exam
Under the instructional leadership of Karen Alsept, all 10 graduates of the Galveston College Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Quickstart+ Helper program passed their EPA Section 608 Universal certification exam at the completion of their training on April 9.
Those receiving their certifications include Andrew Quintana, Alex Neal, Efrain Garza, Yulianna Perez, Ramses Flores Demetrio, Andre Perry, Joshua Marshall, Ronald Cokins, Zachary Folse and Leonardo Morales.
Sharon Pagan, grant manager, said graduate Ronald Cokins was employed by SCR Services, and Flores Demetrio was hired by Miles Cooling and Heating of Pasadena. Efrain Garza is currently completing a five-week paid internship with Waffle House Restaurants, and Andre Perry was employed by R and L Remodeling in La Marque.
Funded with a Foundational Skills for Construction Career Pathways Grant. the Quickstart+ programs are designed to help individuals find entry-level jobs in the fast-growing HVAC and electrical industries.
In the eight-week programs, students will be presented with the basics of a trade, including safety procedures, proper tool usage, regulations, codes and more. They also will receive career counseling and job placement assistance.
Tuition is free for those accepted into the programs. However, students must purchase their own steel-toed boots and personal protective equipment.
An individual applying to a Quickstart program must
• be age 18 or older. (Proof of age is required such as driver’s license or birth
certificate.)
• be a United States citizen or certified to work in the United States. (A Social
Security card or original I-9 documentation is required.)
• meet United States Military Selective Service registration requirements, if male.
(Student must present Registration Acknowledgment Card at the time of enrollment.)
• have a working computer and internet access.
• have steel-toed boots and personal protective equipment (mask or face covering).
Following acceptance into the program, the applicant must meet with the job placement navigator and bring required documents.
For more information, please visit https://gc.edu/continuing-education/quickstartplus/ and contact Sharon Pagan at [email protected].
Above: Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVAC-R) instructor Karen Alsept stands proudly with her 10 Quickstart+ HVAC Helper students who all passed their EPA Section 608 Universal certification exam at the completion of their training on April 9. Pictured left to right are Andrew Quintana, instructor Karen Alsept, Alex Neal, Efrain Garza, Yulianna Perez, Ramses Flores Demetrio, Andre Perry, Joshua Marshall, Ronald Cokins, Zachary Folse and Leonardo Morales.