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.

Bookstores

Barnes & Noble at CCBC operates the college bookstores at the Catonsville, Dundalk, and Essex campuses and serves all CCBC students online.

As a convenience, CCBC bookstores carry the following products:

• New, used, and rental textbooks with a price-match guarantee
• Computer supplies and software
• School and art supplies
• Study aids
• CCBC apparel
• Greeting cards and gifts
• Student bus passes and postage stamps
• Snacks, health, and beauty aids
• General reading materials

The bookstores at CCBC Essex and CCBC Catonsville also offer a Starbucks café. All stores have a Book-Buyback program.

For hours of operation or to order textbooks online, visit the website.

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.

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

CCBC Career Services
443-840-1732

Child Care Center

The Sanbridge Early Learning Center at CCBC is the child care center on-site at CCBC Catonsville. Programs are primarily intended for the children of CCBC students, faculty, and staff. Community residents are also welcomed.

The center offers developmentally appropriate activities and is 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 (space permitting) regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, or sex. Parents are advised to inquire about waiting lists well in advance of child care needs.

The center at CCBC Catonsville, which operates Monday – Friday 6:00 a.m. to midnight, cares for infants, toddlers, pre-school, and school age children. Call 443-840-4242 for registration information or visit the website. 

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:

• Emergency Housing information
• Food Insecurity
• State and Federal Benefits
• Legal Resources
• Clinical Counseling
• Utility Assistance
• Transportation

The Community College of Baltimore County realizes that many of its students live in food insecurity, i.e., they lack reliable access to sufficient quantities of nutritious food (National Student Campaign Against Hunger and Homelessness). CCBC understands that students living in food insecurity may struggle to achieve their educational and life goals. To support students living in food insecurity, CCBC has several initiatives to facilitate food access points for students:

1. Student Life food pantries
2. Produce in a SNAP!
3. Food recovery programs
4. Food stamp connection assistance

These initiatives are run through the College and Community Outreach and Student Life offices.

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

Dining Services

Dining Services provides a variety of food and beverage selections at each campus.

• Each campus café features daily chef inspired specials, freshly made to order deli sandwiches and grill items, hot soups, and pizza.
• In a hurry? Simply-to-Go is offered in every location and is a time-saver featuring pre-packaged salads, sandwiches, desserts, fruit, snacks, coffees, and tea.
• Snack and beverage vending machines are available at all our campuses and extension centers.

Distinctive features on each campus include: Einstein Brothers Bagels in the Catonsville Library; a variety of fresh Simply-to-Go sandwiches, salads, desserts and snacks at The Junction in the Catonsville Classroom & Laboratory Building; a full-service Subway in the Essex Café; The Cyber Café located in the Essex Math & Science Hall, featuring hot beverages, breakfast sandwiches, fresh Simply-to-Go sandwiches, salads, desserts and snacks; and at Dundalk, a full service café which includes a pasta/pizza station, deli, grill, and hearty combo meals.

For hours, locations, and further information please visit the website.

Global Education and Study Abroad

CCBC’s global education program prepares learners to live and work in today’s vastly interconnected and diverse world.  Programs are designed to engage students, faculty, and staff in timely and practical global learning. For more information, visit the Global Education website or contact GoGlobal@ccbcmd.edu or StudyAbroad@ccbcmd.edu.

• Global Studies Certificate: Any student can pursue this 16- to 18-credit credential to hone and document their international and intercultural skills. Participants learn through both classes and experiential learning. The program  may be completed on campus, online, or both.
• TESOL Certificate: Students learn to teach English to speakers of other languages and gain real TESOL experience while they study. Most certificate courses are cross-listed so that students may pursue them either for credit or as continuing education.
• Globalized Courses: Courses marked “GL” (for “globalized”) in the class schedule are regular courses that are open to all students. Globalized courses feature perspectives and approaches from the U.S. and from countries and cultures beyond U.S. borders.
• Study Abroad & Study Away in the USA: Study abroad and study away USA programs are offered all over the world and across North America, for college credit, non-credit study, or volunteer or work experience. The Global Education office can help students to apply for programs and for scholarship opportunities.
• Bachelor’s Degree Abroad:  Students who are on track to complete their CCBC studies may apply to complete their bachelor’s degree abroad through CCBC’s university partnerships in Europe - currently available in a number of fields within the social sciences, humanities, business, and human services.
• Experiential Learning in the Baltimore Area: Students may participate in internship or volunteer opportunities through local organizations in a variety of disciplines. At their field site, students will learn about their discipline and its social and cultural context, while they gain work experience and support the local community.
• Sharing Cultures in Intercultural Dialogues: Students from countries outside the U.S. can volunteer to share information about their cultures and home countries as speakers in the Intercultural Dialogues program. These informal and formal talks in CCBC classes and at events bring all students a first-hand perspective to textbook content.
• Mentor Program for International Students: International students with any visa or citizenship status may request to have a CCBC faculty or staff member as a mentor. Student mentees and their mentors discuss students’ studies at CCBC, career goals, and life in Baltimore; can practice English if desired; and enjoy multicultural exchange.
• Global Events: Global education events are held all throughout the year. Activities promote learning about national and world issues, understanding diverse perspectives and experiences, and engaging with experts from all over the world. Event flyers and announcements are posted on campus and to CCBC 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 20.

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

CCBC Catonsville Cardinals

• Baseball
• Basketball (men/women)
• Cross Country (men/women)
• Soccer (men/women)
• Softball
• Track and Field (men/women)

CCBC Dundalk Lions

• Baseball
• Basketball (men)

CCBC Essex Knights

• Baseball
• Basketball (women)
• Cross Country (men/women)
• Lacrosse (men)
• Soccer (men/women)
• Track and Field (men/women)

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 Sports and Activities

CCBC now offers a comprehensive intramural experience that varies by campus and includes basketball (free play and three-on-three tournament), bowling, dodge ball, flag football, soccer, and volleyball (indoor and sand pit). Prior experience is not a requirement for participation. Information concerning activities is available on the campus of interest.

Recreation

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

Indoor facilities include free weight and aerobic weight training rooms, training rooms, swimming pools, and more. 

Outdoor facilities include lacrosse, soccer, track and field multi-use stadiums (artificial grass); hard-surfaced tennis courts, grass multi-purpose fields, and sand volleyball courts. 

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 from different disciplines 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, email learningcommunities@ccbcmd.edu or visit the Learning Communities web page.

Libraries

The Libraries at CCBC Catonsville, Dundalk, and Essex campuses welcome all students, faculty, and staff into our full-service facilities with space for quiet study, group collaboration, as well as research support, technical assistance, computers and Wi-Fi, printing/photocopying, and access to our research collections which are tailored to support college credit and continuing education programs. Online, students and staff can access digital collections including more than 70 premium research and study databases, as well as over 100,000 ebooks and streaming videos with their college credentials, and also get 24/7 chat assistance. In addition, the Randallstown and Hunt Valley extension centers have library spaces where students can conduct online research, write, print/photocopy, and study. At the Owings Mills College Center, CCBC students can find assistance at the Owings Mills Branch of the Baltimore County Public Library on the first floors and may also use the CCBC computer lab.

For information about library services and resources, contact one of the campus libraries or visit the library web page.

The Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging

The Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) fosters the creation of a culturally conscious environment, where we promote and support access and equity for persons of every race and ethnic heritage, gender, religion, ability, linguistic diversity, and sexual orientation. In collaboration with existing college programs and offices, DEIB promotes and facilitates the academic, professional and personal development of the CCBC community with an emphasis on underrepresented groups. DEIB also works as partners in directing the Culturally Responsive Teaching and Learning Program with the Office of Instruction. This is accomplished through advocacy, direct services and cultural programming.

For office locations, please visit the homepage for DEIB.

Student Development

Student Development, organizationally located within Academic and Student Affairs, 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, Student Accessibility Services, Student Success Centers, Testing Centers, and TRIO programs (Student Support Services and Upward Bound).

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

Student Engagement

CCBC’s co-curricular programs are learning-centered and based upon national research which demonstrates that involvement in co-curricular opportunities 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 a 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 Engagement organizations, initiatives, and events are funded by the activities fees collected at registration.

For more information about any of the programs below, please contact Student Engagement at 443-840-4322.

The Community College of Baltimore County realizes that many of its students live in food insecurity, i.e., they lack reliable access to sufficient quantities of nutritious food (National Student Campaign Against Hunger and Homelessness). CCBC understands that students living in food insecurity may struggle to achieve their educational and life goals. To support students living in food insecurity, CCBC has several initiatives to facilitate food access points for students:

1. Student Engagement food pantries and food lockers
2. Produce in a SNAP!
3. Food recovery programs
4. Food stamp connection assistance

These initiatives are run through the College and Community Outreach and Student Engagement offices.

Student Government Association

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

Clubs and Organizations

Please contact Student Engagement (443-840-4322) for more information or email studentengagement@ccbcmd.edu. Additionally, this information is available on the student portal, myCCBC. 

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 Engagement office on the campus of interest and check out our events online.

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 Student Accessibility Services Office 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.

For more information visit Student Accessibility Services.

How to File a Complaint

Students are entitled to file complaints if they believe their rights under the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) as amended (ADAAA), and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 have been violated.

The student who believes a violation has occurred should attempt to resolve the issue by contacting the Director of Student Accessibility Services at 443-840-5617 or by email at dssccbc@ccbcmd.edu.

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 assessment/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, and vendor based exams GED and TEAS.

Please schedule your appointment for testing via the Testing Center website. Contact the campus centers listed below or email testingcenterappoint@ccbcmd.edu for further information and operating hours.

Placement Testing

CCBC assesses students’ entry-level academic skills in math and English to ensure that students are placed in appropriate courses. The college requires that students complete the placement tools before the first semester of enrollment in accordance with the Assessment/Placement and Continuous Enrollment for Developmental Students  policy.

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
• recent SAT or ACT scores (taken within the last five years)

Transferring from CCBC

Earning a degree at CCBC is the first step on your way to earning a bachelor’s degree. A bachelor’s degree is often a requirement for competitive jobs. Earning your associate’s degree before transferring provides you with a strong educational foundation while also saving you money.  Community college transfer students often perform as well or even better at four-year schools than their peers who enroll directly from high school or who transferred from other four-year schools.

The Online Transfer Center has information and resources that will help facilitate your transfer from CCBC to a four-year college or university. Articulation agreements are linked from the transfer center homepage.  An articulation agreement is a formal agreement between CCBC and a partner college/university.  Typically, these agreements are designed to provide students with a step-by-step guide for completing necessary course requirements in order to transfer credits to your transfer school of choice.  Connect with an advisor to start the transfer planning process and to learn more about the different transfer opportunities available including articulation agreements.

Transcripts

All CCBC obligations must be satisfied before a transcript will be processed.

Official transcripts

• If your name or address has changed, submit a Change of Information form with official documentation to the Enrollment Services Center before requesting a transcript.
• To submit a request, learn more about the official transcript process.
• 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

Unofficial transcripts may be accessed and printed in SIMON or requested in the Enrollment Service Center.

TRIO Programs

TRIO Programs (TRIO) are federally funded outreach and student services programs designed to serve and assist low-income individuals, first-generation college students, and individuals with disabilities to progress through the academic pipeline from middle school to post-secondary programs. Based on the premise that all students should have access to higher education, TRIO programs address non-financial barriers to post-secondary education, including inadequate academic preparation, lack of family or peer support, and limited post-secondary education or opportunities.

For more information about TRIO programs, please visit the Department of Education TRiO website.

Upward Bound Program

Upward Bound is a federally funded intensive enrichment program that enhances the academic and personal growth of low-income and/ or potential first generation college students. This program is designed to help high school students with academic enrichment and advising, and college and career exploration. CCBC has two Upward Bound Programs: Catonsville Campus and the Dundalk Campus.

A complete application consists of: application, recommendations, income verification, and a copy of an updated transcript. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please note that submitting an application does not guarantee admission into the Upward Bound Program.

For more information visit the Upward Bound website.

Student Support Services

Formerly Project SPARK and Project START

Student Support Services is federally funded outreach and student services programs designed to serve and assist low-income individuals, first-generation college students, and individuals with disabilities. The program 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. CCBC has two Student Support Programs: Catonsville Campus and the Essex Campus.

A complete application consists of: application, recommendations, income verification, and a copy of an updated transcript. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please note that submitting an application does not guarantee admission into the Student Support Services Program.

For more information please visit Student Support Services.

Tutoring

CCBC offers free tutoring and many other resources to help you be successful in college.

Student Success Centers

Certified by the College Reading and Learning Association (CRLA), Student Success Centers provide free tutoring, Supplemental Instruction, science models, and academic support needed to foster learner independence and academic excellence. Tutoring is available by appointment both in-person and online. Walk-in math tutoring is also available. 

For more information, please visit our website. To schedule appointments for the Student Success Centers, email us at virtualtutor@ccbcmd.edu or call one of the centers below:

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, cover letters, and transfer or scholarship essays.

Feel free to call or stop by one of the locations below or email virtualtutor@ccbcmd.edu for more information and to make appointments:

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