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Student Spotlight:RILEY TAFTSTEM ENGAGE Scholarship RecipientRiley Taft’s first engineering projectTaft is one of 25 students at Cuestawas Shiva, a Volkswagen Vanagon heCollege receiving a scholarship of upvice president of the Cuesta CollegeEngineers Without Borders, the firstrefurbished in his senior year of highto 7,700 a year for up to two yearscommunity college chapter in theschool. He enrolled in drafting, woods,and an additional 10,000 each yearnation. The student-led organizationand metals classes to rebuild thefor 2-3 years upon transferring toaims to support communities world-interior, which includes a bed, stove,Cal Poly. The scholarships are madewide through engineering projectssink, water storage, and even a solarpossible through a STEM ENGAGEthat meet basic human needs.shower on the roof. Outside of school,grant funded by the Nationalhe worked on the engine with his dad.Science Foundation.Taft took advantage of dual enrollmentENGAGE (Engineering Neighbors:these tools with engineering to buildcollege courses, finished a semesterGaining Access, Growing Engineers),up a toolbox, so I can then share thatearly, and spent the extra timeis a partnership between Cal Poly,knowledge with others. I want to useworking on the van. After giving hisCuesta College, and Allan Hancockwhat I’m learning to help and empowervaledictorian speech, he hit the roadCollege launched in Fall 2019 toother people.”with Shiva on a summer road tripincrease access to engineering careers“I realize how powerful engineeringcan be,” he said. “I want to acquire allfrom Colorado. He headed towardsfor low-income, academically talentedFor Taft, this desire to make an impactSan Luis Obispo to attend Cuestastudents with a demonstratedon the world inspires him to buildCollege and use the skills he pickedfinancial need. “It’s an immensenot only his future but also a futureup to study engineering.opportunity, and it will help mefor others. pursue my goals because it relieves“I chose Cuesta specifically becausesome financial burden,” Taft said.of its great engineering courses andpathway to Cal Poly,” he said. “It’s also8Now entering his second year, Taft isone of the best community collegesmaking the most of his STEM classesin California.”and being active on campus. He is theCUES TA C O L L E G E N E W S FALL 20 19

AGRICULTUREIN ACTIONAG STUDENTSCONDUCTSUMMER RESEARCHIN THE FIELDFive Cuesta College students wereamong the first community collegestudents invited to participate in the“They learned about research methodsFor Stapp, the exposure to researchSummer Undergraduate Researchand processes, and they were able toProgram (SURP) at Cal Poly throughapply what they have learned in ourlearning experience that she hopes willthe College of Agriculture, Food, andag programs to current research inhave a lasting impact. “I am incrediblyEnvironmental Sciences.areas such as business, plant science,proud of the work each of them did thisand environmental science,” saidsummer,” she said. “I think it allowedAmy Stapp, Ag Business Instructorthem to get a taste of what researchand Program Lead.enabled the students to have a positivelooks like in the field, and hopefullywill help them be more clear on theHaddad’s research focused on theeducational path they choose.” hydroponic strawberry responseto oxygen saturated water,for which she calculatedaverages and measuredfruits. While her findingswere inconclusive, theSinead Carney, Amber Eckert, Jordanpractical applications andHaddad, Christian Przybyla, andlessons she learned provedLuis-Isaiah Valdez were selected toto be the most valuable.work on research projects in their“I appreciated doing it andfield of study under the supervisiongetting the experienceof a faculty mentor. For ten weeks overbecause just reading thethe summer, the students conductedtextbook can’t prepare youat least 20 hours per week of field oras much as actually doinglaboratory research, culminating init,” she said. “You can reada poster presentation of their resultsabout putting a seed in theat a symposium in August.ground and watching it grow, but whathappens if it gets pests? The programprovided real-life applications to seehow the world affects things.”CU ESTA COLLEGE N EWS FA LL 2 01 99

CUESTA STUDENTSAROUND THE WORLDNURSING IN GUADALAJARALast April, a group of 17 nursing students and faculty traveledMexico was like, and got to experience first-hand the richto Guadalajara as part of a Global Nursing course to earn theirculture of Guadalajara.”advanced Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degreesthrough a partnership between Cuesta College and CSUThe week-long trip offered cultural and educational immersionMonterey Bay. The students graduated from Cuesta College’swhile also helping others in need. The students had theRN Program in May 2018.opportunity to visit rural areas with other medical studentsand perform health screenings on residents with little accessHelping to broaden their language skills and culturalto healthcare.awareness, the students took an assessment courseentirely in Spanish and were enrolled in local culturalThe students graduated with their bachelor’s degrees in Mayclasses through the Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajaraof 2019, completing their educational journey with a wideras part of their curriculum.understanding of the world around them.“This was a rare and great opportunity to be able to travel tofaculty imagined it would turn out to be,” said Marcia Scott,fun, and a great learning experience,” said student Alvin Do.Director of Nursing at Cuesta College. “We came back en-“We stayed with a host family, learned what family culture in10“The experience went beyond what any of the students andanother country and have the trip be coordinated to be safe,CUES TA C O L L E G E N E W S FALL 20 19riched and stronger in personal and professional growth.”

For student Stocke Gleason, meeting the people of France wasimmensely memorable. “We would go to some places and theentire town would come out into the plaza just to listen to us,”Gleason said. “They were amazingly supportive people whohad so much to offer us. It was a beautiful place, and anamazing opportunity that I would not have been able toget at other places. I truly believe that.”According to Gleason, the group was astounded to discoverhow music bridged the gap between cultures. They mettouring ensembles fromother countries includingBelgium, Canada, Indonesia,Latvia, Spain, South Africa,SINGING ACROSS FRANCELast June, the Cuesta Chamber Singers and Voce traveled all theand Ukraine.“I think that just the experience of getting out in theway to the south of France, performing concerts in towns andworld is wonderful,” saidvillages that graciously welcomed them with open arms. “WeGleason. “College is oftencovered the entire country from east to west and performedassociated with that ability—11 concerts in 16 days,” said John Knutson, the Division Chairto go out into the world andof the Performing Arts Department at Cuesta College.experience new things.” FIELD RESEARCH IN BAJAEach summer in Baja California, Mexico, Cuesta students getfirst-hand field research experience alongside their professorsin a sixteen-day program which explores the richly biodiversemarine habitats near Bahía de los Ángeles, where the primaryresearch facility is located.Jessica Ormiston took the trip this past summer as a studentturned-teaching-assistant. Her involvement ended up meaningso much more to her than she initially expected. “I wouldencourage it wholeheartedly,” she said of the program.“You get to do things you wouldn’t normally be able to doas a typical civilian—say, if you went on vacation in Mexico.”The opportunity for field experience was unparalleled,according to Ormiston. The team swam with many differentmarine animals, and even encountered swarms of comb jellieswhile out snorkeling. “They’re only the size of the first knuckleThe study abroad program includes Marine Biology withon your thumb, and in the light, you could see the iridescentlab (222 & 222L) taught by Dr. Laurie McConnico andcolors on them,” she said. “It looked like little rainbowsflashing through them, and it was one of the most beautifulDr. Silvio Favoreto. The next session will be held Summer 2020from June 7– 30. Pre-registration is available now. For morethings I had ever seen.”information, please email laurie mcconnico@cuesta.edu. CU ESTA COLLEGE N EWS FA LL 2 01 911

I’m just so happy and thankful tobe here every day and get to workwith each of you. I love my job andwhat I get to do with students,and this is incredible. Thank you.Heidi Webber2019 President’s Leadership AwardCo-RecipientStaff & FacultyAWARDSFall 2019 Opening DayThis is incredibly humbling. It’s beena great 28 years working here [in]education and helping young people.Cuesta College has been awesome the people here are amazing.Rob Thoresen2019 Academic Employee of the YearI feel so grateful to be a part of theCuesta family. I appreciate each ofthe positions I have held here. I amglad that the service I am providingis helping staff, faculty, and students.I look forward to continuing to do soin the coming years. Thank you!”Karen Garza2019 Classified Employee of the Year12CUES TA C O L L E G E N E W S FALL 20 19I think all of us could say we’re betterpeople from the students who havecrossed our paths. I certainly know thatthey’ve enriched my life a lot.Through Guided Pathways we arereimagining the college experience,creating clearer paths to completion,providing easier access to supportiveservices, and facilitating students’ability to graduate in less time, with lessdebt, and well-prepared for their futures.I am honored to receive this award withHeidi and we are both looking forwardto continuing this transformative workto the benefit of our students.Lara Baxley2019 President’s Leadership AwardCo-RecipientDenise Chellsen2019 Teaching Excellence AwardI’ve been here at Cuesta for 15 years.I was a student here, and to be able tocome back and serve our communityand our students, and especially in thisimportant time when we’re talking aboutequity and race, I hope that I cancontinue for 15 more years.Mia Ruiz2019 Management SenateEmployee of the Year

Cuesta CollegeATHLETICSCougar Fans,As we begin the new academic year and our student-athletes and coaches havesettled in, we are incredibly fortunate to come back to two new Athletic Facilityrenovations. I can’t express how grateful we are for the commitment to update theAquatics Center pool and the Dr. Gilbert H. Stork Gymnasium floor. The two projectswere a part of the Cuesta College Bond Measure L and were sorely needed.The Aquatics Center is enjoyed by not only our men’s & women’s water polo teamsbut many Kinesiology and Community Program classes. As you can see from thepictures, the beautiful pool facility is utilized from sunrise tosunset. The new gym floor has been used by our women’svolleyball and basketball teams, along with several othercommunity leagues. Both projects came out beautifully, andI encourage you to come out to some of our games this year.Go Cougars,Bob MariucciDirector of AthleticsBusiness Partner:HINSON’S TIRE & AUTOSupporting Cuesta College AthleticsHinson’s Tire Pros is a family ownedTire Pros Basketball Classic, whichand operated automotive repair centerrecently celebrated its fourth year atand tire dealer. Based in Morro Bay, theCuesta College. They not only provide5 Diamond Tire and Automotive Shopfunds for the tournament, but is also(the highest rating given by Tire Pros)responsible for the program, food,has been committed to providing greatand trophies.service since 1954.Hinson’s Tire Pros support of collegeFor owner and operator Minasathletics highlights the importance ofBECOME A BUSINESS PARTNERKurkeyerian, what’s equally as import-providing opportunities for student-WITH CUESTA COLLEGEant to serving customers is giving backathletes. “Lots of great things comeFor more info, please call the Cuesta Collegeto the local community in various waysout of sports,” Kurkeyerian said. “TheFoundation at (805) 546-3279.including becoming a Business Partnerstudents who participate in sports learnwith Cuesta College.how to manage much better becausethey need to balance their classes andIn addition to being a business partner,athletics. They get to learn how to workHinson’s Tire Pros is an ardent supportertogether as a part of a team, and learnof Cuesta Athletics. The company is theabout hard work and discipline. It’s anlead sponsor for the annual Hinson’simportant stepping stone.” CU ESTA COLLEGE N EWS FA LL 2 01 913

Alumni Spotlight:DREW KIRSCHFilm Directorhung out with her for a whole weekend.that something in school has reallymaking headway in the film industry.I had never even heard of San Luiscaptured me and made me interestedHe is fresh from collecting accoladesObispo, and I loved it. Six months later,to learn more.for co-directing Taylor Swift’s musicwe all signed up for Cuesta and movedvideo for “You Need to Calm Down.”down. I would say, at the time, I wasShe would question the class a lot, andThe video, which won the 2019 MTVpretty lost. I wasn’t good at school, andteach us to question her and everythingVMA Award for Music Video of the Year,it didn’t excite me. I was taking classesaround us. She asked me, “What arehas garnered almost 160 million viewsand getting by, but I had no idea whatyou going to do in your life? Do yousince its release. Kirsch took the timeI was going to do.want the typical way of life that we’vebeen told that it’s always supposed toCuesta College, his advice for studentsWhich class or professor made thebe?” I’ll never forget it when she brokeand aspiring filmmakers, and what’smost impact on you?that down to me. I was pretty muchI took an English class with Kymbahaving a quarter-life crisis at the time—Bartley, which would be the Englishit sounds ridiculous at the age of 19.How did you find Cuesta College?class that changed my entire life. SheBut I was like, “I’m not good at anything.I’m from Reno, Nevada. During myshowed us documentaries and films,I’ve never been good at anything.senior year of high school, I wasand she broke them down andWhat am I going to do in this life toexploring junior colleges in Southernexplained to us the art of persuasionhave a purpose?”California—looking at San Diego andusing ethos, pathos, and logos. Shenext in his career.Los Angeles. A friend of mine was goingtaught us rhetoric and critical thinking.She told me, “Don’t be afraid to exploreto Cal Poly, and during spring break,And I was just fascinated. It was theeverything. And just know it’s okay to beCUES TA C O L L E G E N E W S FALL 20 19Drew Kirsch (center) on set of Rufus Du Sol music video. Photo courtesy of Drew Kirsch.my three friends and I drove down andto chat with us to discuss his time at14first time probably in my entire lifeDrew Kirsch attended Cuesta Collegefrom 2008 – 2011 and has since been

a bartender—if you love bartending,it, and I loved it. So I did another andlike, “Oh, I want to be holding theand that’s what makes you happy,another. That’s just kind of how it allcamera.” It’s an important role, butand you have a purpose doing it.”started. It was just me with a camerathere’s also so much to learn aboutShe opened my mind, and she madeat the time.editing, producing, and any of theme explore.other departments.Eventually, I started sneaking out toWhat were some of your memorableother music video sets and watchingMy advice would be to do as muchexperiences at Cuesta College?what they did. I learned I actuallyas possible and shoot everything—I took a film class with John Arno, andwanted to direct and not just hold thewhether it’s a music video, a short film,or your next-door neighbor doing yardhe gave us a project. I went home, backcamera anymore. I started taking myto Reno, and I filmed this snowboardbudgets and putting them all towardswork. I would film my dog walkingvideo. We all premiered our projects,hiring a crew, and eventually, I gotaround the backyard to get good atand after I played mine, Arno asked mesigned by an agent. That led everythingfocusing the camera. It’s all abouthow long I had been doing film. And Ito where it is now. I love what I do everyputting in the hours. If you love it,was like, “I’ve never done it.” And heday. It’s a pretty cool job, and it’s crazy toput in the hours.was like, “Come on.” I knew how to edit.think where I am now from 10 years ago.Why do you think community collegesI knew how to use a computer reallywell. It was easy for me to edit, and I’dWhere are you hoping to takeare important?learned the basics he had taught me.your career?Cuesta is such a right place to find outI thought it was easy, and he was like,Feature films. I’m working on that rightwhat you want to do and explore. Therenow, actually— a lot of bigger musicare so many types of classes at Cuesta“Whoa, this is really good.” I rememberthat day. I remember he made me feelvideos, commercials, and features.and such good teachers who are sopretty good about it. I was like, “Oh,Features have always been my goal.encouraging. There was somethingwow. I’m pretty good at this.” And I wasBut I’ll always do commercials, and I’llabout Cuesta that encouraged me tofinally one of the best in the class atalways do music videos. They’re wheremove on versus being there just to getsomething. It sparked an interest inmy heart is.a degree. It’s a safe place to learn andDrew Kirsch on set of with Taylor Swift. Photo courtesy of Drew Kirsch.me to try to look into that more.I was watching a lot of movies at thetime, and looking at them differentlysince I was being taught how they weredone. I was just really interested, and Iwas excited. I bought a camera, a cheapcamera, and I just started shootingeverything I possibly could. Anything.From ballet recitals to weird l

Cuesta College was ranked as the 2019 #1. Best Community College in California by niche.com. As part of an ongoing effort to support student success, the Cougar Career Closet was launched to provide gently-used professional clothing for students to use in interviews and job fairs. 1. JANUARY 7. JULY. The Cuesta College Chapter of the Latino