Office of Student Services Update - November 2025
On Behalf of Kira Tippins, Vice President of Student Services
Happy December!
We are almost to the finals finish line! November had some exciting highlights including the Achieving the Dream Capacity Café, a farewell for Siena as she embarks on her new journey, the Veterans Resource Fair and Student Discussion Panel, and a Professional Learning Workshop the VPs were invited to participate in along with Chancellor’s Cabinet. We also had a Cal Vet Risk Survey because of our significant increase in veteran enrollment and certifications. As always, the work of Natalie Minas was commended for being meticulous. We are so lucky to have Natalie on our Crush team and in the VRC!
Below are highlights from several of our Student Services areas, along with information on upcoming events.
Black African American Student Engagement (BAASE)
The BAASEGiving Fall Mixer was a nourishing, joy-filled event. From the moment students walked in, the room felt alive: warm plates of delicious food, music that wrapped everyone in nostalgia and celebration, and the kind of laughter that comes from being in community with people who see you. It was more than just a mixer; it was a space for students to breathe, connect, and show up fully as themselves.
We extend our deepest gratitude to Student Activities and GSA for their help with setup and cleanup. Their support ensured that the event was welcoming, organized, and accessible for everyone who attended, and we honestly could not have done it without them.
What made this gathering so special was watching students sing along to music, share what they are thankful for during this season, and build relationships that will carry them through the semester. For many of our students, this space was a reminder that they BELONG, that they do not have to shrink themselves, and that community is both powerful and necessary.
The BAASEGiving Fall Mixer was a beautiful reminder of why we do this work: to create spaces where all students can find joy, connection, and support. We are excited to continue building, celebrating, and uplifting our students throughout the year.
Basic Needs & Resources
When CalFresh Was Delayed, Clovis Stepped Up
During Fall 2025, many students across California experienced disruptions in their CalFresh benefits due to delays caused by the prolonged federal government shutdown. These delays meant that students who relied on CalFresh for monthly grocery support received their benefits late, placing added stress on their ability to meet basic food needs. As a result, students turned to the Crush Pantry for immediate and reliable assistance during this uncertain period.
Student use of the pantry remained high during the month of November:
| Month | Unduplicated Visits | Total Check-ins (Student Contacts) |
|---|---|---|
| November | 1,065 | 3,576 |
The Basic Needs Center and the Crush Pantry extend our gratitude to the Clovis Community College campus community for your overwhelming generosity. Your donations, kindness, and willingness to step in during a challenging time ensured that students never had to face food insecurity alone. Because of you, our pantry shelves stayed stocked, our students felt supported, and our community remained strong.
Your continued support will help us keep that momentum going. Whether through donating nonperishable items, contributing to the Crush Pantry Fund, or simply spreading the word about available resources, every act of kindness strengthens our ability to support students year-round.
Ways to continue to support:
- Donate nonperishable food items to the Crush Pantry through our Amazon Wishlist such as rice, pasta, canned goods, nut butter, cereal, or snacks.
- Donate nonperishable food or hygiene items directly to the Crush Pantry (AC2-173) or Basic Needs Center (AC2- 273) Monday-Thursday between 9am-4pm or Friday between 9am-12pm. If you would like our team to pick up the items from your office, please email Bonita Gomez at bonita.gomez@cloviscollege.edu.
- Make a donation (tax-deductible) to the Crush Pantry Fund or a payroll deduction through the following link: Crush Pantry
- Volunteer at our Farmers Market!
Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week November 17-22, 2025
Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week is a national initiative with events organized by colleges, high schools, and community groups to raise awareness, educate the public about poverty, highlight issues of hunger and homelessness, and encourage volunteering.
Clovis Community College helped spread awareness through events held on campus. Events included “Food for Thought” where students were greeted and welcomed with FREE pastries, muffins, coffee and oranges. Students also learned fast facts around hunger and homelessness. “Pour Into Your Success” was a success! The cozy pop-up Student Success Coaching event provided students with hot chocolate and reflection activities. Students were also able to chat with a Student Success Coach about small steps to take to stay well, stay strong, and finish strong. The Farmer’s Market during Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week was a huge success as well!
Student Success Workshop on Tuesday, November 18 – Procrastination & Burnout Presentation
CCC Student Success Coaches gave a wonderful presentation to students to provide techniques and strategies on how to overcome procrastination and burnout.
Adult Education Campus Tour
Clovis Community College will host Adult Learners on Wednesday, December 10 for a campus tour. Adult Education Learners will have an opportunity to experience the CRUSH FAMILY and learn about programs, support services, and campus resources. If you are on campus Wednesday, December 10, please welcome our Adult Learners to Clovis Community College.
College Relations and Outreach
Outreach staff are gearing up for the opening of the online orientation on December 1. The date a new student completes the orientation determines priority registration date/time, so staff will be at most sites (Clovis High, Buchanan, Clovis East, Clovis North, and Gateway) on the opening day with a few scheduled for later that week. Specialists are also following up with students who have not applied or have errors in their application before the busy advising months begin at the end of January.
While staff are attending orientation workshops, site visits, community events, etc., they are also preparing for Extreme Registration. There will be virtual sessions on Zoom, Wednesdays, December 3, 10, and 17 from 12:00-5:00pm and an in-person session on Wednesday, January 7 from 1:00-6:00pm. For more information, visit cloviscollege.edu/extreme
Student Activities
On Tuesday, December 2, we are inviting staff to join us in serving breakfast and dinner for students, with sign-ups available from 7am–7pm. We will be hosting lunch at our Herndon Campus from 11am–1pm the next day, Wednesday, December 3.
On Thursday, December 4, we will be offering a free holiday photoshoot for students, faculty, and staff at the Student Center from 10am–3pm.
Plus, join us for free snacks during our all-day Jam Sessions on Monday, December 8 and Tuesday, December 9. Wishing you a wonderful holiday season!
Counseling Updates
TRIO Student Support Services
The TRIO program is currently recruiting students for the 25-26 cohort. We appreciate your referrals!
In November, TRIO took a group of students to tour Fresno State and experience the Downing Planetarium. We also participated in First Generation College Celebration Day and Native American Heritage Month in collaboration with Student Activities.
Veterans Resource Center (VRC)
A big thank you to all who participated and helped make our Veterans Week events a big success! Our Veteran students expressed that they felt seen and appreciated.
The VRC was also grateful to host our 2nd Annual VetsGiving on Thursday, November 20. Everyone brought in their favorite dish to share. It was a lively event and a joy to see the camaraderie amongst our students. Everyone left with full bellies and hearts.
Health and Wellness Services
International Men’s Day - November 19 – In honor of International Men’s Day, Health Services hosted a Macho Nacho buffet for the campus community. We had 231 individuals stop by Health Services for nachos, and Fresno’s Paul Mitchell Barbering Program provided 35 haircuts. Thank you to our campus community for joining us to make this a successful event!
Crush Holiday Sock Tree – With the generous donations from our Staff, Faculty, and Administration, we collected 147 pairs of socks for our students visiting the Crush Pantry this holiday season. Thank you to all those who contributed a wintery sock gift!
The Gift of Life – Crush Donor Day – February 17 – Health Services will be hosting the Crush Donor Awareness Day on Tuesday, February 17, which will include Donor Network West, the Central California Blood Center, along with other health related vendors and organizations to help educate and bring awareness to the importance of being a donor. More info to come!
Pop-Up Student Success Coaching at the Farmers Market: “Harvest Your Goals”
During our recent Pop-Up Coaching session at the Farmers Market, students participated in a seasonal-themed activity called "Harvest Your Goals," where they reflected on and wrote down short-term goals on paper leaves. This symbolic exercise encouraged students to identify and "plant" meaningful intentions that contribute to their academic and personal growth.
The purpose of Pop-Up Coaching is to meet students where they are—literally and figuratively—by providing on-the-spot support in informal campus spaces. These interactions build rapport, raise awareness of student success coaching services, and promote help-seeking behaviors in a low-barrier, engaging way.
We look forward to connecting with more students at the next Farmers Market on November 20!
Hunger & Homeless Awareness Week
In November we are looking forward to another week's worth of activities for our Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, November 17 through November 21.
This is a nationwide effort to bring attention to food and housing insecurity among college students and our community. Throughout the week, the Basic Needs & Retention Services team will host events and activities that raise awareness, share resources, and highlight ways to support one another. Together, we can make a difference and ensure every student has access to the essentials they need to thrive.
Stay tuned for event details coming soon!
Student Activities
As we enter November, we are excited to celebrate gratitude, connection, and community! Join us Tuesday, November 4 at 11:00 AM in AC1-150 for a special talk with Dr. Andrew Jolivette, who will share insights on First-Generation and Native American Heritage. We will also be hosting a Resource Fair open to all students and staff to come and explore the many campus programs and services available. As we head into this season of thankfulness, Student Activities extends our deepest gratitude to our students, staff, and campus partners for making our community so vibrant and welcoming.
Counseling Updates
DSP&S
DSP&S Counselors have been actively visiting CUSD to connect with high school students and introduce them to the support available through college disability services. During these visits, Counselors guide students through the DSP&S application process and answer questions about accommodations and resources. So far this year, they have met with an impressive 152 students, helping pave the way for a smooth transition to college!
EOPS, CARE, NextUp, & CalWORKs
The EOPS Application will be opening on November 17 for Spring 2026.
Transfer Services
We had a successful Transfer Day Festival with over 30 representatives on campus from CSUs, UCs, private institutions, and clubs participating in the event. Application season is here! The initial application filing period for the CSUs and UCs is October 1 through December 1. There have been several application workshops throughout October. There will be several application workshops during November, and several Counselors will be available on December 1 in AC2-276 from 10am-4pm to assist students on the last day to apply. It’s highly probable there will be institutions that extend their deadline.
The UC Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) filing period was the month of September, and 146 students submitted a TAG! That is the most we have ever had submit a TAG. The breakdown is as follows: UC Davis – 37, UC Irvine – 59, UC Merced – 9, UC Riverside – 9, UC Santa Barbara – 21, and UC Santa Cruz – 11.
Veterans Resource Center (VRC)
We will be honoring our Veterans during Veterans Week beginning on November 10 through November 13. Our event lineup includes:
Monday, November 10: Veterans Resource Fair, 12:00-2:00pm, between AC1 and AC2 – Activities include vendors, food, games, and presentation of challenge coins. This event is open to all students, staff, and community members!
Wednesday, November 12: Veteran True Colors, 3:00-5:00pm, AC2-176 (The Veterans Resource Center) – Presented by CCC Career Resource Center, Veterans will have the opportunity to discover their true colors to help identify the major or career path that is right for them!
Thursday, November 13: Veteran Student Panel, 9:30-10:30am, AC1-150 – This event is to give insight into the experiences and perspectives of our military/Veteran student population.
Honoring our Veterans: Please take a moment to view our lawn signs that are on display throughout campus honoring our student Veterans with their photos and quotes.
Health and Wellness Services
Crushin’ It Health Fair (October 1): We had a successful 1st Health Fair to support the health and wellness of our campus community, and we are looking forward to our next health fair!
Sock Tree Donations: Sock donations will be accepted in Health Services until November 13. All socks will be displayed on a Christmas tree in the Crush Pantry and gifted to students visiting the pantry for the holidays.
Health Services Association of California Community Colleges (HSACCC) Region V Meeting (November 5): CCC Health Services will be hosting a meeting for health services staff from Central Valley community colleges. Guest speakers from various health entities will be presenting.
International Men’s Day (November 19): To support the health and wellness of our male students, Health Services will be collaborating with Paul Mitchell School’s Barbering Program to provide free haircuts to our male students from 12:00-6:00pm in Health Services. Students will need to pre-register in the Health Services Office. Other health and wellness supportive events are being planned for that day as well.
Pride Center
Our students cashed in the cans and bottles in the Pride Center and put those funds toward shopping for the Holiday Food Drive gift baskets, which will be distributed to local families and individuals in need. Our students continue to amaze us with their resilience and kindness.
The Pride Center is being gifted a bookshelf and books, compliments of PFLAG. They were really impressed with our small but mighty Pride Center and wanted to contribute to its development.
Title IX
Renee Garcia, Deputy Title IX Coordinator, would like to encourage everyone to sign up for Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) training at the end of the semester. This is a women’s self-defense training, offered in collaboration with Title IX and our campus PD. Our very own SCCCD Officers, Andrew Poundstone, Kallee Olivas, and Alexandria Medina, are the trainers, and Renee cannot emphasize enough how great the training is. Even if you have already taken the training, you can participate again. This is open to students, faculty, and staff members. Students must be registered CCC students. The training will be from December 15 – December 18, 2025, from 1-4pm, in AC2-102 (the dance room). If you are interested, please send Renee an email to get your name on the list, renee.garcia@cloviscollege.edu
Thank you,
Kira Tippins
Vice President of Student Services
