Ventura College opens 'Welcome Center' for incoming students

Students new to the Ventura College campus now have a one-stop place to help them adjust to college as Ventura College has opened The Welcome Center.

A place created to assist new and returning students with information about the campus, it will also aid in helping students enroll and register for classes.

Located in the middle of the campus next to the student lounge, The Welcome Center is a place for anyone new to the campus to get information and directions for what they need. It is responsible for scheduling and conducting campus tours as well as connecting with high schools and community activities.

With the assistance from the two student outreach specialists who work full time at The Welcome Center, this effectively established resource center hopes to be helpful to everyone on campus.

Student Outreach Specialist Barbara Barajas believes it is already effective in helping students.

"I think it will help students tremendously," said Barajas. "They will have one spot where all their questions will be answered."

The Welcome Center held a grand opening ceremony Nov. 3 where students and staff gathered to celebrate over refreshments provided by the cafeteria.

Many of the people involved in establishing this center were invited to say a few words. Among many enthusiastic people involved in making this idea a reality was Susan Bricker, registrar at Ventura College.

"I'm thrilled that I was part of the team that designed the idea. We came up with it a couple of years ago and we didn't think we could do it because we had no money, but the cooperative grant helped that. I'm thrilled to have it open," said Bricker. "I think it'll be a great benefit to our new incoming students but I also think it'll be a great benefit to our returning students; I think we'll really build relationships. We've been working as a Welcome Center for years."

In addition to the staff's excitement, many students who attended the grand opening were also enthusiastic.

Rury Olivares, a 22-year-old VC student, said that this will be very good for all students with such a great staff.

"The staff is very welcoming and friendly," said Olivares.

The Welcome Center was funded through a Title Five cooperative grant received through Ventura College, that also helped pay for various necessities around the campus.

The lounge and Welcome Center are the first of three phases of remodeling planned for the student government center and the student lounge.