Student Support Services

Academic Advisement

Academic Advisors collaborate with new and continuing students to support all aspects of educational planning, from entry to completion. Advisors facilitate students’ understanding of the tools and resources necessary for them to make appropriate, independent choices related to the achievement of their academic goals. Advisors assist students with understanding:

• Initial placement based upon assessment results or transfer coursework, and the relationship of placement levels to course selection
• How to independently access information related to academic requirements for CCBC programs of study 
• The transfer process, including accessing resources to assist with choosing a four-year college or university, and the selection of courses transferable to four-year colleges and universities while attending CCBC
•  Using online tools designed to aid in appropriate course selection, based upon chosen program of study, transfer and career goals 
• How to access college resources to support the achievement of their academic goals and enhance their educational experience
• How to create an educational plan, based upon program of study, transfer plans and career goals*

*Students are responsible for following program requirements outlined in the CCBC catalog, researching available online transfer information, and meeting all graduation and transfer requirements.  Advisors are available to guide students in the usage of tools available to assist in auditing their progress towards completion, however, meeting graduation and transfer requirements is the responsibility of the student.

Academic Support Programs

Project SPARK

Project SPARK is a comprehensive academic support program on the Catonsville campus which is designed to assist eligible students to complete an associate degree and transfer to a four-year college or university. Case management services, which are prescriptive and individualized, include academic advising, tutoring sessions, transfer counseling, college visits, and more. To apply to Project SPARK, visit CCBC Catonsville, Room SSRV160, or call 443-840-4132.

Project START

Project START (Student Transfer and Retention Team) is a comprehensive academic support program on the Essex campus which is designed to assist eligible students to achieve the completion of an associate degree and transfer to a four-year college or university. Case management services, which are individualized and prescriptive, include free professional tutoring, academic advising, transfer counseling, academic workshops, and cultural enrichment activities. To apply to Project START, visit CCBC Essex, CCRV, Rooms 142-143, or call 443-840-1544.

Bookstores

The CCBC Bookstores are operated by Barnes and Noble at CCBC Catonsville, Dundalk, Essex, and Owings Mills.

For your convenience, bookstores carry the following products:

• New and used textbooks
• Computer supplies and software
• School and art supplies
• Study aids
• CCBC sportswear
• Greeting cards and gifts
• Student bus passes and postage stamps
• Snacks, health and beauty aids

The bookstores also have a Book-Buyback program.

For hours of operation or to order textbooks online, visit www.ccbcmd.edu/bookstore.

Locations:

Career Services

Career Services staff provide support for students and alumni in all stages of the career decision-making and planning process - assessing interests and skills, exploring careers and majors, setting goals, and developing a plan of action.

Online help is available at www.ccbcmd.edu/employment/online. Online career counselor service is available by e-mailing careercounselor@ccbcmd.edu.

Services include:

• Individual career counseling
• Offering and interpreting career assessments
• Career exploration workshops and special events
• Career/life planning course
• Internship information
• Help with resume-writing, cover letters, and interviewing skills
• Online job bank and other Internet resources
• On-campus job fairs and recruitment
• Assist students applying for jobs on campus or in the community
• Partnering with faculty

Children’s Learning Centers

CCBC Children’s Learning Centers are the college child care centers that feature programs of learning for young children in a supportive, nurturing environment. Programs are primarily intended for the children of CCBC students. Children of faculty and staff and community residents are also welcomed.

The centers offer developmentally appropriate activities in facilities licensed by the Maryland State Department of Education, Office of Child Care. Age groupings follow licensing requirements. The centers strive for an atmosphere of equal opportunity, trust, respect and appreciation of the diversity of our staff and families served. Children are accepted to each center (space permitting) regardless of race, religion, ethnicity or sex. Parents are advised to inquire about waiting lists well in advance of child care needs.

College and Community Outreach Services

College and Community Outreach Services serves as the first stop for students in need of human services assistance. The office’s role is to assess students’ needs and help secure appropriate referrals, through CCBC and community resources, so students can receive timely help. This voluntary referral process is intended to be proactive, rather than situationally reactive. College and Community Outreach Services strives to provide support resources as early as possible to help ensure our students’ success throughout the semester.

Some examples of human services assistance referral are:

• Housing information
• Food insecurity
• Child care
• Clinical counseling
• Medical needs
• Transportation
• Public Assistance Screening

For office locations and contact information, please visit the College and Community Outreach Services webpage.

Dining Services

Dining Services provides a variety of food and beverage selections at our Cafés and coffee shops, including healthy alternatives.

• The Cafés feature grilled foods and an assortment of wraps, sandwiches and soups, pizza, and daily specials.
• Simply-to-Go is a time-saver featuring packaged salads, sandwiches, desserts, fruit, snacks, coffees, teas, and smoothies.
• Snack and beverage vending machines are available at all our campuses and extension centers.

Each campus has distinctive features: Einstein Brothers in the Catonsville Library Café; a full-service Subway station in the Essex Café; and at Dundalk, flatbread sandwiches and hearty combo meals.

For hours, locations and menus visit www.ccbcmd.edu/dining.

Global Education and Study Abroad

CCBC’s global education program promotes global citizenship and prepares learners to live and work in an interconnected and diverse world. Programs are designed to engage students, faculty, and staff in global education that is timely, sustainable, and accessible; and to stimulate global engagement in a spirit of curiosity, openness, respect, and peace. For more information about any global programs, visit the Global Education website or contact GoGlobal@ccbcmd.edu or StudyAbroad@ccbcmd.edu.

• Global Scholars Program: Any student interested in the world can be a CCBC Global Scholar. Global Scholars learn more about the world through classes and activities on campus and can gain “Global Distinction” designation on their transcript and at graduation.
• Global Courses: Courses marked “GL” (for “global”) in the class schedule are regular courses open to all students, and include examples and approaches from multiple perspectives and countries in addition to the U.S.
• Study Abroad: Study abroad is offered all over the world through CCBC and other schools, for college credit or for volunteer experience abroad. Advisors can help students to identify programs and scholarship opportunities.
• Sharing Cultures: Students from countries outside the U.S. can share information about their culture and home country as a speaker in the Intercultural Dialogues program. These informal and formal opportunities to speak in CCBC classes and at events can help to dispel stereotypes and bring people together.
• Global Clubs and Activities: Global events are held in November for International Education Week and all throughout the year. Activities promote learning about current world events, understanding different perspectives and experiences, and engaging with students and visitors from all over the world. Event flyers and announcements are posted to the Global Education website and social media sites.

Intercollegiate Athletics

CCBC is a charter member of the Maryland JUCO Conference and a member of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA), Region XX.

Women’s sports include basketball, cross country, lacrosse, soccer, softball and volleyball.
Men’s sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, lacrosse and soccer.

CCBC Catonsville Cardinals

• Baseball
• Basketball (men/women)
• Cross Country (men/women)
• Lacrosse (men club)
• Soccer (men/women)
• Softball

CCBC Dundalk Lions

• Baseball
• Basketball (men)
• Softball

CCBC Essex Knights

• Baseball
• Cross Country (men/women)
• Lacrosse (men/women)
• Soccer (men/women)
• Volleyball

Financial assistance is available to student-athletes who qualify through the Intercollegiate Athletic department. In addition, the college provides a comprehensive academic advisement and monitoring program to assist student-athletes in meeting their academic goals.

Students wishing to participate on intercollegiate athletic teams should contact the Intercollegiate Athletic department on the campus of interest in order to determine academic eligibility for athletics:

Student Athlete Attendance

Student athletes are expected to attend all classes. However, the College does recognize instructional classes missed due to participation in an intercollegiate athletic contest listed on the official schedule published by the Athletics Department as an excused absence. When a student athlete is scheduled to participate in such a contest, notification or verification, if requested, will be given to the instructor by the student athlete. The student should be given the opportunity to make up, whenever feasible and within a reasonable amount of time as determined by the instructor, any academic assignment including an examination, which is missed due to this excused absence.

Intramural Athletics

All students are eligible to participate in intramural activities throughout the year. The broad objective of the program is to provide athletic activities that meet the needs of a variety of students. Information concerning activities is available on the campus of interest.

Recreation

CCBC students are invited to utilize the college’s outstanding recreational facilities. Information concerning activities is available on the campus of interest.

Indoor facilities include basketball courts with markings for volleyball and tennis, racquetball courts, free weight and aerobic weight training rooms, fitness labs, training rooms, dance studios, swimming pools and more.

Outdoor facilities include baseball stadiums, lacrosse, soccer, track and field stadiums (artificial and natural grass), hard-surfaced tennis courts and softball fields.

Learning Communities

Learning Communities offer students a richer learning experience by providing interdisciplinary learning and by increasing collaboration of students and faculty in the pursuit of learning. Learning Communities are based on the principle that students are often the best learning resources for one another. In a learning community, two or more classes are paired, and students enroll in both of the paired courses. Because students are taking the same classes, strong bonds form as they study together, support each other, and learn from one another. The collaboration and the connection among and between faculty, students, and content create a community of learners and provide students with an enriched and supportive learning experience.

For more information, call 443-840-1621.

Libraries

 The Catonsville, Dundalk and Essex Campus Libraries welcome all students, faculty and staff to use the print and non-print collections, online resources, library services and facilities. In addition, the Randallstown and Hunt Valley extension centers have library spaces where you can conduct online research, create and print documents, make photocopies and study.  At the Owings Mills College Center, the Owings Mills Branch of the Baltimore County Public Library serves the library and research needs of CCBC students. 

 For information about library policies and procedures, contact one of the campus library reference departments or visit the library webpage at library.ccbcmd.edu.

Multicultural Affairs

The Office of Multicultural Affairs (OMA) fosters the creation of a culturally conscious environment, where equal educational access and opportunity is provided to persons of every race and ethnic heritage, gender, religion, ability and sexual orientation. In collaboration with existing college programs and offices, OMA promotes and facilitates the academic, professional and personal development of the CCBC community with an emphasis on underrepresented groups. This is accomplished through advocacy, direct services and cultural programming.

Student Development

Student Development, organizationally located within the Division of Enrollment and Student Services, promotes student growth and development by providing programs and services that stimulate the learning process through integration of in-class and out-of-class activities and experiences. This is achieved by designing and maintaining quality academic and career support services.

Comprehensive in its approach to student success, Student Development offers strong support and intervention through Academic Advising, Career Services, Counseling, Disability Support Services, Testing Centers, TRIO programs, Student Support Services, and Upward Bound.

For information, contact the Office of Student Development at 443-840-4210.

Student Life

CCBC’s co-curricular programs are learning centered and based upon national research which demonstrates that involvement in co-curricular activities enhances students’ academic and psychosocial development as well as their overall collegiate experience.

Participation in academic and co-curricular experiences provides the ideal learning environment in which students can develop skills. Involved students develop greater understanding of and increased competence in leadership, organizational techniques, group processes and communication. They also acquire skills and knowledge in specific areas of interest. Student Life organizations, initiatives, and events are funded by the activities fees collected at registration.

For more information about any of the programs below, please contact your campus Student Life office.

Campus Student Governments

The Student Government Association complements and contributes to the intellectual development of students. All students at CCBC are members of the Student Government Association and may participate to varying degrees.

Clubs and Organizations

Listed below are examples of clubs and organizations on each campus. Please contact the Student Life Office on each campus for more information or visit our website at http://www.ccbcmd.edu/clubs.

• CCBC Catonsville

American Sign Language Club; Anime Club; Art, Design and Interactive Media Club; Aviation Association; Barnstormers (Theatre); Black Student Union; Catonsville Military Veterans Association (CMVA); Catonsville Student Nurses Association; Christian Fellowship; CCBC Green Party; Dance Express; History Club; Human Resources Club; Indigenous Cultures Association; Interior Design Association; International Club; Jewish Student Association; Literary Arts; Medieval Fantasy Society (MFS); Micology Family; Multicultural Student Association; Muslim Student Association (MSA); Owings Mills Center Committee; Phi Theta Kappa (Honors–Alpha Rho Psi); Photography Club; Psychology Club; Pride Coalition; Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE); Student Government Association (SGA); Student Honors Council; Student Occupational Therapy Association (SOTA); Students with Disabilities; Student Veterans of America (SVA); The CCBC Connection-Catonsville News Bureau; UMOJA (Diversity Week).

• CCBC Dundalk

College Programming Board (trips, special events, performing arts, lectures); The Divinus Lux Lucis Paranormal Society; Dundalk Christian Fellowship; Geo caching; Honors Council; Horticulture Club; Multicultural Student Association; Phi Theta Kappa; Practical Nursing Student Association; Rainbow Club; Student Government Association;; Student Veterans’ Group;; Women Involved in Learning & Leadership.

• CCBC Essex

Active Minds; Anthropology Club; Art Club; Black Student Union; College Programming Board; CCBC Connection; Environmental Science Club; Essex Christian Fellowship; Gaming Development Club; History Club; Honors Council; International Student Association; Judo Club; Kappa Beta Delta; Masque; Multicultural Student Association; Muslim Student Association (MSA); Nursing Student Organization; Outdoor Activities Club; Phi Theta Kappa; Rainbow Club; The Psychology/Mental Health Club; School of Justice - Law & Order; STEM; Student Government Association; Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE); Student Veterans of America (SVA); Women’s Studies Club; Veterans’ Association.

Cultural Events

Art exhibits, dance programs, dramatic and musical performances, films, speakers, and other cultural events are an essential and popular part of College life. These are scheduled throughout the year. For additional information, call the Student Life office on the campus of interest and check out our events online at http://www.ccbcmd.edu.

Students with Disabilities

Services for Students With Disabilities

CCBC is committed to providing equal access to educational opportunities for all students by arranging support services and reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities. A student with a disability may contact the appropriate campus Disability Support Services Office (DSS) for an appointment to discuss reasonable accommodations. An appointment must be scheduled within a time period which allows staff adequate time to respond to the special needs of the student. The student must provide the appropriate office with proper documentation supporting the need for reasonable accommodations.

How to File a Complaint

Students are entitled to file complaints if they believe their rights under the Americans With Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, have been violated. A copy of the Grievance Procedure is available at the office of the Director of Disability Support Services, Essex Campus, Building A 212, 443-840-1741.

Testing Centers

The Testing Centers support student success by proctoring a wide variety of examinations in a professional, equitable, secure and positive testing environment. Testing Center services include placement testing, CCBC course-related testing (including make-up tests or tests for distance learning courses) and testing accommodations for students with disabilities. Select Testing Center locations also proctor standardized credit by exam assessments such as the CLEP and DSST. Appointments are not required for placement testing. However, appointments are strongly recommended for all other services and can be scheduled online on at www.ccbcmd.edu/testingappointment. Contact the campus centers listed below or e-mail testingcenterappoint@ccbcmd.edu for further information and operating hours.

Placement Testing

CCBC assesses students’ entry-level academic skills in reading, English, and math to ensure that students are placed in appropriate courses. The college requires that students complete the placement test before the first semester of enrollment. The placement test is mandatory for:

• students who have not previously attended a college and earned college credits
• students who are pursuing a degree or credit certificate
• students whose SAT or ACT scores are below suggested levels

After meeting with an academic advisor, students can take the placement test at any one of the six CCBC Testing Centers. It is strongly recommended that students review all practice materials before taking the placement test. Review materials are available online at www.ccbcmd.edu/practicetest.  Appointments are not required for placement testing. Students who are not satisfied with the score on the placement test may talk with an academic advisor about retest or appeal options.

Testing accommodations for the placement test may be provided for students who have a documented disability.    

Exceptions

Students may be exempt from placement testing if they can provide:

• documentation of satisfactory completion of credit  courses taken at other colleges or universities
• the results of placement tests administered at another Maryland community college within the last two years
• recent SAT or ACT scores (taken within the last two years)

Transferring from CCBC

A wealth of information, including catalogs, applications, scholarship information, transfer guides and other resources, is available to students through transfer advising. The transfer advising webpage has information that will help to facilitate your transfer from CCBC to a four-year college or university.

CCBC has established articulation agreements for the seamless transfer of programs with Maryland public four-year institutions to ensure appropriate student preparation and placement. Recommended transfer patterns for many majors at Maryland four-year colleges are available in the advising centers at each campus.

ARTSYS is an online resource created to assist the transfer of students from Maryland community colleges to University of Maryland System colleges and other participating institutions. Students can use ARTSYS at home or in CCBC advising centers to:

• Determine the transferability of CCBC courses to public and private four-year colleges in Maryland
• Access Recommended Transfer Programs (RTP) for the identification of CCBC courses that transfer directly into specific majors at the four-year college of choice

Representatives from four-year colleges and universities visit CCBC in the fall and spring semesters during the Transfer Fairs to meet with students.

Transcripts

Official transcripts

• Submit a written request and $10 transcript fee to any Enrollment Service Center. If you have changed any information such as your name or address, be sure to submit a Change of Information Form with official documentation to the Enrollment Services Center before requesting a transcript.
• CCBC will send an official transcript of the student’s academic record to a college, university, or employer per the student’s request.

Unofficial transcripts

• Available via the CCBC Web site or in any Enrollment Service Center.

Students must satisfy all obligations to CCBC prior to the processing of transcripts.

Tutoring

CCBC offers resources to help students succeed academically. Certified by the College Reading and Learning Association (CRLA), tutoring is available by appointment and on a walk-in basis for 30-minute or one-hour sessions. Students can make appointments for two sessions per week in any subject in which the student is currently enrolled at CCBC.

Student Success Centers

Each Center provides tutoring, Supplemental Instruction and academic support needed to foster learner independence and academic excellence.

Writing and Literacy Centers

Need help completing a writing assignment? The CCBC Writing and Literacy Centers are here for you. All are staffed by CCBC faculty and provide free writing assistance to students. You can seek help for any course you are taking at CCBC, at any point in the writing process. Each session lasts 30 minutes, and appointments are strongly encouraged.

Our WLC faculty can help you come up with ideas to write about in your assignment, format your document, organize your thoughts, conduct research, cite sources (using any documentation style), edit your draft, learn how to proofread your own work, and/or understand written comments your professor has made on an assignment. We also help you with resumes and cover letters and transfer or scholarship essays.

Feel free to call or stop by for more information or to make an appointment: