Cerritos College Receives More than $1 Million in Gifts to Prepare Future Educators

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 11, 2019

Media Contact:Miya Walker, Public Affairs; 562-860-2451 ext.2292

NORWALK, Calif. - June 11, 2019 - President/Superintendent Dr. Jose Fierro announced the College’s Teacher TRAC program received a legacy gift of more than $1 million to support aspiring teachers. Two educators who arranged to leave their estate to the Cerritos College Foundation made the gift anonymously. The funds will go toward ensuring long-term continuity of the College’s award-winning teacher preparation program. Additionally, an unnamed donor pledged a generous cash gift of $100,000 to the program, adding to a total of more than $1,100,000 in funds.

For 19 years Cerritos College’s award-winning Teacher TRAC program has prepared students to become highly qualified K-12 teachers. The program provides students with a seamless transition to earning a bachelor's degree and teaching credential at California State University, Long Beach. To date Teacher TRAC has trained more than 800 teachers who work across Southern California and nationally.

“These gracious donations are inspired by the vision and hard work of our esteemed colleague and Founding Director of the Teacher TRAC program, Sue Parsons,” said Dr. Fierro. “Sue’s vision for creating a pathway for students to complete their teaching credential continues to have a lasting impact on students and serves as a state model across the state. These exceptional gifts will make a positive influence on our students for many years.” 

“These generous donations are a tribute to the program and ensure that Cerritos College’s Teacher TRAC continues to thrive and prepare teachers for many generations,” said Sue Parsons, founding director of the Teacher TRAC program and retired Cerritos College professor.

For more information about Teacher TRAC, visit www.teachertrac.com, or call (562) 860-2451 ext. 2212.

 

About Cerritos College: Cerritos College serves as a comprehensive community college for southeastern Los Angeles County. Communities within the college’s district include Artesia, Bellflower, Cerritos, Downey, Hawaiian Gardens, La Mirada, Norwalk, and portions of Bell Gardens, Lakewood, Long Beach, Santa Fe Springs and South Gate. Cerritos College offers degrees and certificates in more than 180 areas of study in nine divisions. Annually, more than 1,200 students successfully complete their course of studies, and enrollment currently averages 23,000 students. Visit Cerritos College online at http://www.cerritos.edu/.

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