Podcasts about copper mountain college

Episode Summary: In this episode of "90 Miles from Needles: The Desert Protection Podcast," host Chris Clarke focuses on mining in the California desert, in particular, a rare earth elements mine proposed by an offshore mining startup. This 20,000-acre mine would be surrounded by Joshua Tree National Park and the gateway community of Twentynine Palms. Joined by Chance Wilcox of the National Parks Conservation Association, Chris explores the complexities and potential consequences of mining activities on the precious desert landscape. The episode sheds light on the socioeconomic and environmental stakes, touching on conservation topics, the intricate processes governing mining claims, and the community's growing resistance, characterized by a coalition of local residents and environmental organizations. Key Takeaways: The Stop Music Valley Mine Community Information Meeting will be held at Copper Mountain College’s Bell Center, July 15, 2026, 5:30-7:30 PM. Dateline Resources, an Australian mining company, proposes a vast mining operation near Joshua Tree National Park, posing significant threats to local ecosystems and communities. The planned mine would disturb about 20,000 acres of land, impacting visibility, air and water quality, and desert wildlife such as the native tortoise population. Community members and conservationists are rallying to oppose the mine, arguing it endangers Twentynine Palms' economy, heavily reliant on tourism. The federal Mining Law of 1872, which still governs mining on public lands, allows mining companies nearly free rein to profit from despoiling these lands. Local and national political influences, including past and present administrations, play a crucial role in shaping the future of mining initiatives in sensitive ecological areas. Notable Quotes: "This is going to be about 20,000 acres of strip mine next to residential neighborhoods and Twentynine Palms…" "People live here to really be part of this landscape. And people live here for a reason." "Twentynine Palms is not a mining town. It's a gateway community to Joshua Tree." "When people's livelihoods are actually at stake here alongside the conservation issue, there's a lot more ears that are willing to perk up." "There's so much more at stake. It's about the interconnection of all of that to every small business in Twentynine Palms." Resources: National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) Copper Mountain College: Website Learn more about Dateline Resources’ operation of the Colosseum Mine, Become a desert defender!: https://90milesfromneedles.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does it take to turn a crisis into an opportunity for community resilience and meaningful careers? In this episode of The Future of Work podcast, our host Dr. Salvatrice Cummo, talks with Pasadena City College's Dean of Business and Enrollment Management, Mathew Barboza, to discuss the rapid launch and far-reaching impact of the college's Wildland Fire Academy.Sparked by the urgent needs following the Eaton fire, this program trains and empowers students to become skilled wildland firefighters—meeting a critical demand as California's fire season becomes a year-round reality. Tune in as we explore what it takes to adapt education for real-world challenges, hear the inspiring stories of students called to serve, and learn how innovative training is shaping the future workforce and helping rebuild lives and communities in the Altadena and Los Angeles Region.You'll learn:Why short-term, high-impact training programs are critical for workforce readiness and regional recoveryThe importance of timing academies to synchronize with hiring cycles for organizations like U.S. Forest Service and Cal FireWhy up-to-date equipment, strong advisory committees, and close industry alignment matter for effective workforce educationThe role that accessible, responsive higher education can play in both immediate disaster response and building long-term resilienceAbout the guest:Mathew Barboza attended Cal Poly Pomona and earned his bachelor's degree in communication arts and later attended Cal State Fullerton to earn a master's degree in communication arts. After graduating, Barboza started a graphic design career in the advertising and marketing field, working on such global brands as Coca-Cola, Ray Ban, Bebe, Oakley, and BCBG.After 15 years in the advertising industry, Barboza made the leap to education, where he began teaching for Moreno Valley College, within the Riverside Community College system. He taught at MVC for 19 years across several FSA's (faculty service areas) including computer science, computer information systems, graphic design, digital art, and game design. While teaching, he became interested in a management position and was hired as the Dean of CTE (Career and Technical Education) at CMC (Copper Mountain College), located in Joshua Tree, California. Copper Mountain College is one of the smallest California Community Colleges in the state, which allowed him to become deeply involved in many aspects of his CTE Dean role.While at Copper Mountain College, Barboza was approached by CMC's Fire Technology faculty, asking him to support a new WFA (Wildland Fire Academy). As a team, the Fire Technology faculty and Mathew Barboza created and supported CMC's very first WFA, which is still being offered today. After a few years at CMC, Barboza applied to colleges closer to his home and was hired by PCC (Pasadena City College) as the Dean of Business and Enrollment Management in 2022.While working at PCC, Dean Barboza was contacted by his former Fire Technology faculty from CMC, informing him of the fact that PCC is within the Verdugo Corridor, which meant that this Firefighter/Faculty cadre would follow him to PCC if he agreed to start a WFA there. Agreeing to this, the Fire team and Dean Barboza launched PCC's first 8-week WFA academy in 2025.Last year's WFA boasted a full cohort of 40 students, which was limited by the classroom size. This year, PCC's WFA was able to move to a larger classroom, allowing the enrollment of 60 students into cohort #2.Because of our alignment with USDA FS (United States Department of Agriculture Service Forest Service) we were invited to train at MRCA (Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority) located in the Malibu Hills, where PCC currently conducts field training.Engage with us:LinkedIn, Instagram & Facebook: @PasadenaCityCollegeEWDJoin our newsletter for more on this topic: ewdpulse.comVisit: PCC EWD websiteMore from Dean Barboza & The Wildland Fire Academy at PCC:Visit - WIldland Fire Academy CertificationDean Barboza: mbarboza3@pasadena.edu or 626-585-7684LinkedIn - @mathewbarbozaFull-time faculty Lead Captain Frank Brambilla: fbrambila2@pasadena.edu or 626-585-7647Partner with us! Contact our host Salvatrice Cummo directly: scummo@pasadena.eduFind the transcript of this episode herePlease rate us and leave us your thoughts and comments on Apple Podcasts - we'd love to hear from you!

Join us on the Contacts Coaching Podcast as we sit down with JJ Santa Cruz, head basketball coach and athletic director at Copper Mountain College. Coach Santa Cruz shares his unorthodox journey through the world of athletics, from his early start coaching youth basketball to becoming a dean and coach in Joshua Tree, CA. Learn how he balances administrative responsibilities with coaching, adapts to the changing dynamics of college sports, and fosters a culture of growth and resilience within his teams. Tune in for valuable insights on managing dual roles, the impact of the transfer portal, and the evolving landscape of junior college sports.00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome00:28 Coach JJ Santa Cruz's Journey into Coaching03:22 Challenges and Triumphs in Coaching Career06:39 Balancing Roles: Coach and Dean08:55 Mentorship and Learning from Experience13:26 Building a Winning Culture16:32 Navigating the Dual Role of Coach and AD21:35 Insights on Managing Athletic Programs28:56 Introduction to Coaching Insights29:57 Influence of Slogans and Team Building31:52 Creating a Supportive Culture35:47 Impact of the Transfer Portal40:35 Challenges and Benefits of Coaching in Joshua Tree47:24 Debate on Sports Specialization53:48 Evolving Perspectives on Leadership

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Dana and Dennis were joined today by current CCCSFAAA Webmaster and incoming President-Elect David Shook from Copper Mountain College.  We talked about the 2021 conference, re-engagement, his FAMMS award-winning project and more. We all had "I Dare You To" selections.  David's included watching Clarice, Dana's was to TREAT YO SELF, and Dennis's was to watch The Simpsons. Find out more about CCCSFAAA at cccsfaaa.org.  Have feedback for Dennis and Dana?  Got a topic you want us to discuss?  Email us at wbcccsfaaa@gmail.com. "What's Brewing, CCCSFAAA?" is a Studio 1051 production.  Studio 1051 is a creative collaboration of Dennis Schroeder and Dana Yarbrough.

Dana and Dennis were graced with the presence (virtually) of David Shook, Director of Financial Aid at Copper Mountain College and CCCSFAAA Webmaster.  We talked about how David first became involved in Financial Aid, his previous time as a Marine, and his work for CCCSFAAA. David's "I Dare You To Read" selection was The Way of the Warrior Kid books from Jaco Willink, a retired Navy SEAL officer and current host of the Jocko Podcast.   Find out more about CCCSFAAA at cccsfaaa.org. Follow CCCSFAAA on Twitter at @CCCSFinaidAssoc. Find this and future WBC podcast episodes at What's Brewing, CCCSFAAA (WBC) podcasts.  Find us also in Google Podcasts, the Apple Podcasts app, and on Spotify. Have feedback for Dennis and Dana?  Got a topic you want us to discuss?  Email us at wbcccsfaaa@gmail.com.   "What's Brewing, CCCSFAAA?" is a Studio 1051 production.  Studio 1051 is a creative collaboration of Dennis Schroeder and Dana Yarbrough.

Ellen Baird is an author, editor, event co-ordinator and in her spare time teaches writing at Copper Mountain College. Recorded live at the Art Tours Studio 105. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rich-soos/message

Growing up, family summer vacations in a rented Winnebago meant traveling to the deserts of Arizona, New Mexico among others. In this episode, Kim talks about playing games with her siblings on the drives and running around in the open space. 'Wanderlust' is a word she uses to describe her family, "We were always going somewhere."   Her love of photography grew from taking trips to all the places Huell Howser featured on his California's Gold television show.   Though coming to live in the desert was a dream come true, Kim experienced anxiety about work and money early on, which at times was so strong, she could barely breathe.  In the process, she applied for a house - and got it - and then applied for a job - and got it. One might think the desert was welcoming Kim with a little bit of a test, as only the desert can.   In her role as a Professor in the Child Development program at Copper Mountain College, she works to prepare students for careers in child care and says the program is also a great foundation for elementary school teachers and classes also benefit parents looking for a better understanding of their children or themselves. If you're interested, Kim can talk with you about the program: 760-366-3791 x0452.   Since Kim moved to the desert knowing no one, she began following photographers or other creatives whose work she came to like on social media. She also started attending open mic poetry readings hosted by Space Cowboy Books and Cholla Needles in Joshua Tree, which lead her to writing a sci-fi piece, read on a recent episode of 'Simultaneous Times' podcast. You can hear Kim's story in Episode 14 here.   Discovering the book,  'A Wrinkle in Time', was what drew Kim in to the world of sci-fi. Though when she tried to watch Star Trek with her dad and grandpa, she was told, "this is what the grown ups or guys watch", which, of course, made it even more intriguing.  She admires and is inspired by the work of African-American sci-fi writer Octavia Butler, as well as Poet Laureate outgoing, Tracy K. Smith.     Find Kim and her photos on Instagram     facebook.com/kim.photos  

At the age of eight, Mary Bell Cassle's father handed her a carburetor and it's schematic and said, "Put this back together." And she did.  Now Mary finds herself in her second semester of the Automotive program at Copper Mountain College, with the goal of adding to the female ranks of the automotive industry.   Mary was twelve when her mother passed away and her life didn't stabilize until a few years later when she was adopted by last week's guest Annelise Kuiper.   At the age of 18, Mary graduated high school and immediately joined the Army, but was discharged nine months later having sustained a knee injury during basic training. After months of therapy, the Army deemed Mary's injury a pre-existing condition, eliminating her eligibility for continued benefits.   Mary was looking for work and met someone who was a truck driver - driving a truck sounded like great work. The relationship eventually became romantic and within five years, Mary found herself a mother to four children and in an emotionally and physically abusive situation. In this episode, Mary courageously shares her struggle through this period in her life sharing that after 16 years she finally got back to the desert to heal.   Living in the desert with an amazing night sky, astronomy plays a big part in Mary's life. She collaborates with her adoptive mother, Annelies, on a weekly neighborhood column in the local newspaper. Mary's portion of the column directs our attention to the upcoming happenings in the night and early morning skies over our desert and says, "The way I look at it is, as big as the Universe is, there's got to be somebody out there besides us and I want be the first one to find them or see them or talk to them at least."   We also talk about meditation and the benefits of quieting down to listen to our own thoughts, coming full circle to the notion of treating ourselves with the same concern, caring and compassion we have for others.

Annelies Kuiper is of Dutch descent, born in Kenya, Africa eight years before Kenya received it's independence from Britain.  With no rights to Kenyan citizenship, it was difficult to find work so Annelies made the difficult decision to leave and has only been back to Kenya twice since 1974.   Annelise found work with a large hotel chain, which took her to Amsterdam, The Netherlands, Johannesburg,  eventually landing in 'romantic' Palm Springs where she lived for 11 years, playing golf and enjoying the resort hotel amenities.  After ending a second relationship, Annelies wanted to 'fall off the earth' and a friend recommended she move to the hi-desert.   In this episode, Annelies tells me how she found her place in north Joshua Tree: Copper Mountain Mesa. Heartbroken and disillusioned, it was a place where she could scream as loud as she wanted and no one would call the police. A place where she could once again find and be her authentic self.   On the mesa, Annelies had the sudden urge to write and in six months time wrote two books. 'Kenya Cowgirl!' and 'Stay Well Kenya Cowgirl', the first a fictionalized version of her formative years in Africa.   Six years ago, Annelies decided to return to school - starting at Copper Mountain College in Joshua Tree and transferring to UC San Diego, from where she recently graduated with a degree in Communications and Media Studies.   Annelies has partnered with artist Andrea Zittel and High Desert Test Sites to publish a book of short stories that will be arriving in Spring 2019.   In the meantime, you can keep up with Annelies and the goings on in her 'little community' of Copper Mountain Mesa through her weekly column in the Hi-Desert Star 'Weekender', available for free on Saturdays.      Links for Annelies: https://www.amazon.com/Kenya-Cowgirl/dp/0963039709 Annelies on Facebook   Annelies on Instagram  

  Growing up near Boise, Idaho, Teresa was familiar with the desert. So when a trip brought her out to the Mojave, it was like a homecoming.   With a long history of community organizing, it's no surprise Teresa became immersed in the community quickly, helping out at local Community Center events, joining the Morongo Basin Municipal Advisory Council, writing a column for the local newspaper and creating her own hyper-local paper with her husband Ken: The Wonder Valley Sand Paper, inspired by Harry Oliver's 'The Desert Rat Scrapbook' and the Scarfolk Council.   Teresa recently accepted the position of Coordinator at the Wonder Valley Community Center, where new programs have included a discussion with local snake manager Bert Lies, a hike for fulgurites, American Sign Language classes and Artist of the Month exhibitions. Having graduated the the EMT Program at Copper Mountain College, Teresa is also equipped to assist members of her in emergency situations.   In this episode, Teresa talks about all of this, as well as her love of Google Maps, which lead to the discovery of some truly intriguing Wonder Valley history: the Full Bloom Love Volcanic Gardens of homesteader, Hazel I. Stiles.

A life-long resident of 29 Palms, the daughter of pioneers Bill and Ada Hatch, who homesteaded in 29 Palms in the early 1930's, one could say Liz and 29 Palms grew up together. In this episode, Liz talks about a little trick she used to go to school barefoot, shares memories of parades and square-dances and tells a great story about buying her college texts at the student bookstore.   Liz reflects on how her parents contributions, and the contributions of other homesteaders reflect the spirit of the desert - a place Liz feels allows people to return to their creativity and where you learn to treat your community like your family.   Leaving only to attend Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff and to Venezuela for the Peace Corps, Liz and her late husband, Dave, decided after a trip to a mall in Long Beach, CA that 29 Palms would be the best place to raise their family.   We also talk about 29 Palms becoming it's own city, why it was important for the community to do so and her eventual roles in leading the city. Liz is currently the President of the Board of Trustees of Copper Mountain College and discusses the importance of education, instilled in her by her mother, which led to Liz's 30- year teaching career at 29 Palms High School and involvement with the college.   As a long time resident, Liz has experienced many changes in 29 Palms - we cover a lot of ground in this conversation - it was a lot of fun.

'Dem eyes ~ they almost got Lizzie and her sister into acting a whole lot sooner than she may have wished. And she comes by it honestly... her grandfather was a double for a very well-known actor. Now, Lizzie is gracing the stages in the Hi- and Low Desert and beginning to make her way to Los Angeles for auditions.   Born and raised in Joshua Tree, growing up she loved that she lived in a 'village'.  School field trips were hiking and learning in the national park. Lizzie entered Joshua Tree's Copper Mountain College with the idea of being a nurse, but after taking most of her general education courses and recognizing biology was not necessarily her forte', she took a different path, majoring in history. Lizzie loves museums and has visited many, including our local Hi-Desert Nature Museum in Yucca Valley and The Old Schoolhouse Museum in 29Palms. A recent visit to the Tolerance Education Center in Rancho Mirage made an impression on her. She says she not only appreciates the physicality of the artifacts but believes they each carry the energy of their time and place in history. In this episode she speaks of spending hours in antique stores, how, in their own way, they are like museums and tells of a recent find that left her imagining all kinds of scenarios about the original owner.    When asked if a move to LA is in her future, Lizzie believes it's possible, depending on the direction of her acting career. She admits to a sense of homesickness, but recognizes this place she's called home for so long will always be here for her to come back to.   Copper Mountain College   Hi-Desert Nature Museum   Old Schoolhouse Museum   Tolerance Education Center