CBC Foundation Newsletter-Fall 2023 Edition

CBC Foundation News

BUSINESS EDITION FALL 2023

CBC Business Program Buzz

We’re fueling career ambitions in applied management, accounting, digital marketing, business administration, project management and more.

CBC FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS David Billetdeaux, Chair Port of Benton Melda Velasquez, Vice Chair & Board Development Chair Kadlec Regional Medical Center Matt Backlund, Treasurer & Finance Chair Community First Bank

CBC NEW

Douglas Christensen, Secretary Kennewick School District Matthew Petersen, Immediate Past Chair Petersen Hastings Rebekah Dobbs, Gift, Estate and Planned Giving Chair Gesa Credit Union Marsha Halverson, Fund Development Chair Educator, Retired Lynn Tegeler, Scholarship Chair Central Plateau Cleanup Company Rebekah Woods Columbia Basin College President Andrew Chung Gesa Credit Union Maggie Esquivel Gravis Law Stephanie Green Washington River Protection Solutions Ann Harper Artist Kedrich Jackson Columbia Basin College Trustee Moses Jaraysi Whitney LaMarche Hadron Intinsic Consulting, LLC

CBC News

CBC Unveils

NEW BUSINESS PROGRAM OFFERINGS The fall quarter marked the start of two Business program offerings designed to meet the region’s workforce demands.

Digital Marketing Degree In collaboration with Bellevue College, CBC launched an entirely online, stackable Digital Marketing degree program. Students begin by earning an Associate of Applied Science in Digital Marketing through CBC, then can enroll at Bellevue College to pursue an online Bachelor of Applied Science in Digital Marketing.

The comprehensive program equips students with a diverse skill set encompassing marketing and advertising principles, digital marketing concepts, market research, measurement, analytics, and strategies for leveraging social media, online video, television and search engines.

Leadership Certificate The new Leadership Short-Term Certificate classes focus on developing professionalism, leadership acumen and customer service skills to help graduates manage teams effectively.

The certificate courses stack into CBC’s Business Administration Associate of Applied Science and Certificate, providing students with a seamless pathway to the Applied Management Bachelor of Applied Science degree.

Within the Leadership Certificate curriculum, students participate in CBC’s Collegiate DECA leadership practicum, applying course content to professional industry experience and stepping into leadership opportunities as DECA officers. (See the DECA article below.)

Learn About All CBC Business Program Degrees & Certificates At columbiabasin.edu/business

DECA CLUB

Shawn Nyman CBC Faculty Representative Mitch Peterson CompuNet Edgardo Quiroz-Moreno Keller Williams Jaime Shimek Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Holly Siler, Columbia Basin College Trustee Camden Simmelink Student Representative Kyle Simmons CG Public House Adan Tijerina Tayler Welch Monte Nail, CPA Paige Wyatt Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

CBC FOUNDATION STAFF Erin Fishburn Executive Director Devon Holze Sarah Murphy Timmy Song

EXPANDS TO PREPARE TOMORROW’S LEADERS CBC’s DECA Club has shaped budding leaders and entrepreneurs for nearly 60 years.

This successful club has added a leadership practicum called Collegiate DECA, an integral part of CBC’s Leadership Short-Term Certificate program.

The DECA practicum will refine Hawks’ professional abilities by fostering critical thinking and essential high-demand skills through options like volunteer activities for local nonprofits or competitive case study events in Finance, Marketing, Hospitality, Management and Entrepreneurship.

CBC’s DECA Club Students Triumph in Competition In the spring, CBC hosted schools from around the state for DECA’s State Career Development Conference. After an intense day of competition, CBC teams placed first in Finance, third in Business and fourth overall. Eleven Hawks secured spots to represent CBC at DECA’s 2023 international conference in Orlando, Florida. On the global stage in April, one CBC team beat out thousands of other college and university competitors and placed fourth overall!

To support or mentor CBC’s DECA students or help judge DECA Club competitions, contact Renae Stout for more information at rstout@columbiabasin.edu.

WS

PROFILES IN SUCCESS

CBC Business Program Alum – Where They Are Now

JERAMY SCHULTZ

ERIN SCHMIDT

An entrepreneurial spirit and a lot of hustle propelled Jeramy Schultz to start several thriving Tri-Cities businesses.

Erin Schmidt’s return to CBC was prompted by her daughter taking an astronomy class at the College.

“I signed up for the same class the next quarter and ended up staying to get my bachelor’s degree.”

Jeramy owns KC Brand Kettle Corn, now Popcorn Northwest, in Richland, and the Subway® in Benton City.

Erin earned her Associate of Arts in Computer Science in 2011 at CBC and recently graduated with her Bachelor of Applied Science in Project Management.

However, his journey wasn’t always easy. Jeramy’s first business venture with a friend was almost a failure.

“I learned a lot from that experience,” he said. “After sleeping in my car and a lot of blood, sweat and tears, I realized I needed to balance my street smarts with some book smarts.”

Today, Erin works in IT and project management for SIGN Fracture Care International, a Richland-based nonprofit that provides orthopaedic implants to the world’s poor.

But the Marine Veteran wasn’t sure how far the GI Bill could take him through college.

“CBC provided a great launching point for my studies,” said Erin. “The classes challenged me, and Project Management instructors like Josh Ramirez and Jeff Harris were fascinating to learn from and expanded my thinking.”

“CBC was an affordable option and put getting a bachelor’s degree within my grasp,” said Jeramy.

Now, a decade later, Jeramy still recalls the lasting influence of some Business program faculty.

“Instructors like Dean Shaw and Rik Smith were great models of being an expert at your craft,” he said. “I think, in a sense, being able to model them is what I took from my time at CBC. Even years later, they’ve been there for me when I had questions.”

CBC Foundation scholarship donors played an invaluable role in Erin’s higher education goals.

“Scholarships made it possible for me to enter the workforce after being a full-time mom,” she said. “That support not only changed my life but also impacted future generations. My kids saw me work hard and succeed, and all went to college.”

Why I Give!

“CBC means everything to me. It was my start and put me way ahead. As a business owner, I think supporting the next generation must be a part of every company’s business plan.

These are the future professionals in our region’s industries.”

Rustin Hall

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