2018 a Banner Year of Success for Cerritos College
FOR IMMEDIATEL RELEASE: January 14, 2019
Media Contact: Aya Abelon, Public Affairs; 562-653-7878
NORWALK, Calif. – January 14, 2019 – 
In 2018, Cerritos College saw an outstanding year of success. For the third consecutive
year, Cerritos College honored its largest graduating class in the campus’ history. During its 60th annual commencement ceremony in May, nearly 3,500 students received degrees and certificates – an increase of approximately 30 percent since 2016. Subsequently, Cerritos College’s
official California Promise program Cerritos Complete won the 2018 
Examples of Excelencia Award. Excelencia in Education is a national program that recognizes innovative, evidence-based practices
that accelerate Latino student success in higher education. Cerritos Complete provides
local high school graduates with a merit-based scholarship that provides free tuition
for one year. The program was also selected as a top 10 national finalist for the
prestigious 2018 Bellwether Award.
The previous year was filled with more student academic achievement and noteworthy accomplishments by staff and faculty.
The College's student-operated radio station WPMD was named America’s Best Community College Radio Station by the Intercollegiate Broadcasting System. The Energy Hour, an urban contemporary music and talk show, was also named Most Creative Show. WPMD can be heard on 1700 AM and streaming worldwide via TuneIn, Streema, and Radio Shaker.
Student Graciela Espejo was selected as a 2018 Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholar. Alumna Diana A. Yanez was named a 2018 recipient of the Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans. Subsequently, students Jose Cervantez and Brianna Davis were selected to participate in UCLA’s CC2PhD Scholars Program. Lastly, the College’s Dental Hygiene class earned a 100% passage rate on the 2018 National Board exam. In the program’s 45-year history, it has maintained an average pass rate of 99.51% overall on the state board exam.
Notably, Dean of Disabled Students Programs and Services Dr. Lucinda Aborn was honored with the R.J. Scuderi Exemplary Service Award from the California Association for Postsecondary Education and Disability. The award recognizes an outstanding member for their advocacy for students with disabilities. Likewise, Business Administration Professor Dr. Bob Livingston was named the Post-Secondary Teacher of the Year 2018 by the California Business Education Association. The award recognized his contributions to student success through innovative teaching and community service.
Cerritos College remains a shining example of innovation and progress.
The College earned 26 California Community College Strong Workforce Stars for its career technical education programs, including two Gold, six Silver, and 18 Bronze Stars. A few notable programs include
Dental Hygiene, Registered Nursing (Gold Stars), Engineering Technology, New Product
Development, Physical Therapist Assistant, Infant/Toddler Teacher (Silver Stars);
Welding Technology, Automotive Technology, Accounting, Business Management, Cosmetology,
Children with Special Needs, Architecture and Architectural Technology, International
Business and Trade, Computer Programming, Administration of Justice, and Culinary
Arts (Bronze Stars), among others. Workforce Stars are designated for campuses that improve student employment
and wage outcomes.
LA Weeklymagazine hailed the Cerritos College Art Gallery as one of 15 best college art galleries in Southern California. Curated and directed by Associate Professor of Art History James MacDevitt, the Art Gallery spotlights student, faculty, and local artists.
The College also launched new study abroad programs to increase its focus on diversity and global education. More than 50 students participated in the 2018 Taiwan Experience Education Program. During the program, students served as teacher’s aides and taught English at Taipei City elementary schools. Students also took courses offered by Taipei University. The College’s agreements with New Taipei City, Tainan City and Tainan allowed students to choose a six-week or semester program. This summer, students will also have an opportunity to study in Florence, Italy.
On the athletic side, the men’s soccer team earned its first national championship, and both men’s and women’s tennis teams won a rare team dual state championship. The football team capped off the year with a 21-9 win in the Southern California Bowl. The wrestling team finished its season with a fourth place finish in the CCCAA State Championships.
For a full list of 2018 major accomplishments, visit: https://www.cerritos.edu/highlights.
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