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- Written by: Mendocino College Foundation
FORT BRAGG, Calif. – The Mendocino College Foundation announced that Jack Ortega is its latest scholarship winner.
“My experience at Mendocino College has been a story of successes,” scholarship recipient Jack Ortega said. “I really didn’t expect the quality of education I have received here. It’s been more than I could have hoped for.”
Confident and eloquent, Ortega is very specific in his praise. “The magic of this school is how they choose good teachers, working professionals who are outstanding in their fields.”
Ortega cites his astronomy classes with Tim Beck, who involved him with a fascinating project, which was maintaining the local software for SETI-CAMS, tracking meteorites and cataloging comet trail debris. “I was not expecting to find a project like that in Mendocino County. There have been a lot of surprises. I feel lucky to have found it.”
In particular, The MESA Center on the Ukiah Campus, (a statewide mathematics, engineering and science achievement program), “has been a huge part of my experience,” he said.
Ortega described this extraordinary environment as “a learning community where talking is encouraged, people communicate with each other, and solve their problems. The best friendships I’ve had at Mendocino College have all started through MESA. It is so precious, honestly.”
He credits Amanda Xu, the director of MESA when he started there, as “really fantastic. She introduced me to the Dwight D. Eisenhower Transportation Fellowship Program, a federal research grant. My project was to study and map the noise levels in MTA busses, which impact the health and safety of the drivers and riders.”
That stipend included a trip to a professional transportation conference in Washington, DC.
Ortega plans to follow up his associate’s degree in computer sciences with a transfer to a four-year school and continue his academic journey, pursuing an engineering degree.
“I will always want to be learning. I’ve had such a good experience here at Mendocino College. The academic environment is at a high level here,” Ortega said.
Born in Atlanta, Georgia, Ortega was introduced to programming in high school, which inspired him to delve into the mysteries of software. “I like programming. It’s the only work I’ve ever done that doesn’t feel like work. It’s like a puzzle. I want to answer the question, “How can computer science help solve problems?”
Aware of the educational and career opportunities in computer sciences in Northern California, Ortega joined his parents on the Mendocino Coast, where they had retired.
Ortega started at Mendocino College with just a few classes at the Coast Center. Soon he was commuting to the main campus in Ukiah, using the Students Ride Free program on Mendocino Transit Authority busses.
The scholarship he received was the Silveira Cleary Family Scholarship which enabled him to move to Ukiah and take advantage of higher division classes and other campus activities.
Ortega strongly encourages potential students. “You can start with just one or two classes and find out if learning is for you. It’s a great way to have a community and improve yourself at the same time. College is what you make of it, and Mendocino College makes it easy for you.”
For more information about the Mendocino College Foundation or to donate towards any of their programs, contact Coast Development Director Anna Kvinsland at
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
Applications for this semester-long leadership program are open until Tuesday, Sept. 10.
“Our students are our future and it’s critical we give our young people the tools and opportunities needed to prepare for their work as the leaders of the next generation. That’s why I am excited to announce I am launching a Congressional Student Leadership Council for high school students in our district!” said Thompson. “This exciting program will offer the chance for students to work directly with me and my staff to develop their leadership skills, get to know how government works, and engage directly with our community. I encourage all interested students to apply and I look forward to seeing all they can accomplish.”
Thompson’s Congressional Student Leadership Council is open to all high school students in our district.
Applicants should be passionate about helping their community and eager to learn more about federal, state and local government.
This is a semester-long commitment where students will be expected to meet several times a month and complete a final project.
There will be a council for each of the five counties that Thompson represents, including Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano, and Sonoma counties.
Students can click here to learn more and submit their application, which should be received no later than Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2019.
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- Written by: Woodland Community College
This program includes the Lake County and Colusa County Campuses of WCC.
The Promise Program incentivizes students to enroll as full time students and seek occupational certificates, an associate degree, or to meet transfer requirements to four-year colleges and universities.
Students who take advantage of the fall 2019 Promise Program are expected to enroll for the spring semester in January of 2020 to take full advantage of the program.
The Promise includes a full two years of tuition free registration. Students must maintain satisfactory academic progress to be eligible to receive a second tuition fee waiver for the 2020 to 2021 academic year.
This fee waiver program equates to over $500 per semester, or $1,000 per academic year. In order to qualify for the Promise program, applicants are required to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid or the California Dream Act Application.
Take a moment to view the Woodland Community College fall 2019 class schedule online at http://wcc.yccd.edu . Classes are available at Woodland Community College, the Lake County and Colusa County campuses.
In addition the class schedule includes a robust list of on-line classes intended to supplement the on campus course offerings.
Students may register on-line or visit any one of our campuses in Woodland, Lake County or Colusa County. For additional information about the WCC Promise Program or about our classes please visit http://wcc.yccd.edu or call 530-661-5725.
Enroll now! The fall semester begins on Monday, Aug. 19. Express registration events will be held on Saturday, Aug. 17, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at all three campuses.
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson