Yuba College creates successful transfers

Successful graduation rates for community college transfers fuel the educational system. When students take the initiative to earn their degrees by completing what they started, everyone benefits. College funding is predicated upon successful graduation rates and in a timely fashion. Student success gives others a better opportunity for a future in the education system and a better chance for a good job. The next class of college hopefuls then benefits from the successful student’s presence in the development of education. Here is the story of a few successful future grads and the future of our community.

Zach Willert is a Spring 2015 Yuba College graduate majoring in Art. “In my first semester, I took general education courses. Then as art became my main interest, I was able to focus on almost all classes for an art major. There were two teachers who made the classes more interesting and fun. Professor Glenn Husted taught a painting class in spring that I liked a lot. I also took a ceramics class in fall where we went to his studio. He gave us a very interesting assignment with ancient Asian wood and block prints. We also learned ceramics skills. I took three classes with Sara Sealander, and two design classes with Gay Huntley. I particularly enjoy color theory.”

Zach has two brothers who also transferred from Yuba College and all are now attending Chico State University pursuing their degrees. Both he and his brother Cory are twenty-one years old.

Both are also taking art at Chico State. Art history has been the focus of their majors.

Studio art is a favorite course of study for Zach with film art capturing his attention. “I plan to graduate from Chico in fall of 2018. I want to pursue film art as a career. So, film history is a good option for me. I felt that Chico would be a fine place to go even when I was still taking art history at Yuba College.”

Zach says, “If you expect college to be just like high school, you’ll be in a little bit of trouble. Once you get started you’ll be a lot better when you continue to improve. When I made straight A’s at Yuba College in the spring of 2014, I knew I was ready to start doing what I like doing. Getting straight A’s makes you proud of the improvement you are capable of making.”

Cory Willert graduated from Yuba College in the summer of 2015. Basic Drawing was his favorite class, also with Sara Sealander.

Cory says, “I’m hoping to work in an art museum as a curator after graduation. I don’t know which one yet. It will really depend on where I go after school. The Crocker Museum in Sacramento or the DeYoung in San Francisco would be great places. The Louvre in Paris where they keep the Mona Lisa would be really cool, super cool.”

Cory likes the quality of classes at Chico State. “Once I got used to the classes with more people, I really it here at Chico.”

Yuba College has about 2,700 yearly enrollments, while Chico State University has 17,000 students.

“It’s kinda interesting having two brothers at the same school, some in the same classes. Homework is easier and group coordination is a breeze.”

Cory speaks well of the perseverance of a successful transfer though. “Sometimes when it’s tough, all the people you meet and the things you do in the end make it all worth it in the end.”

Logan Wolverton is also a Yuba College transfer, now attending Chico State. He is a public administration major.

Logan graduated in Fall 2014 from Yuba College and is planning to achieve his bachelor’s degree at Chico State in Spring 2016. “I like the college town feeling here at Chico,” Logan says. “It’s a different culture at this school. I moved to Chico last year and I’m glad I did. It’s easier to commute.”

Wolverton stays focused and takes classes in political science to help complete his major. “I’m going to apply for a master’s program at Sacramento State when I graduate. Public policy and administration (MPEA) will be my major. My end game is to be a California state employee.”

There is always a job market for state employment in administration.

Wolverton says, “The state should be hiring for people from the California school system. The rising tempo from school into the job market makes for success.”

Grant Moreau is a transfer from Palomar Community College in San Marcos, California. He went to school at Eckland College in Florida straight out of high school.

Moreau has paid for his own college education. “Community college was close to home and classes were reasonably priced,” Moreau said.

He is a history major and is well versed in political science. Moreau is in his graduating semester at Chico State. “This was a good place to make my independence for education. Chico has a good credential program, a good housing situation, and a beautiful campus.”

Once Moreau completes the pre-credential, he plans to move back down south after graduation.
Grant feels that it is important to have a good academic counselor to advance your goals. “I say this because, when I took classes out of state, I had to repeat several of them. Here, at Chico, they have advised the proper curriculum. Having a good advisor who knows a lot about the system is a valuable asset.”

After all the work it takes to get to the level of achievement he has reached, Grant stays refreshed. “The joy I’ve found about History professors is they are really considerate. They know the road is difficult and what you’re going through to get there. Chico professors are very accommodating. Academic guidance is top of the line.”

This is a good cross-section of students attending Chico State University. Some pay for their own education, some receive funding.

All contribute to the system with their graduating success. It is of the utmost importance for our students to finish their degrees.

The achievement of our goals makes everyone in the system more successful. State funding depends upon successful graduation rates and student success puts more young people in a position to make a difference in the world.

Congratulations to our Yuba College grads for making life just a little bit better for all of us who go to school!

NOTE: This article was featured in the Summer 2016 edition of The Prospector.