Are you ready to graduate? Let’s double-check.
Many students in their last semester at Johnson County Community College are guilty of checking out mentally, with one foot out the door of the student commons and into the real world. However I urge you, before you check out completely, to make sure you’re actually able to get what you came here for: your degree or certificate.
Unfortunately for those of us who are exhausted from applying for scholarships, four-year universities, or jobs, there is one more application you must fill out: your graduation application.
You have to apply by Feb. 16 to graduate in order to have your degree awarded and participate in the commencement ceremony. Otherwise, if you meet graduation requirements but do not apply, your degree will be awarded institutionally and will only show up on your transcript.
Speaking of requirements, make sure that you meet them all before you apply for graduation. The most common include having taken 15 credit hours at JCCC, having a 2.0 GPA and of course, taking all the necessary classes for your desired award. You can see if you meet these requirements by looking at your DegreeCheck on MyJCCC or scheduling an appointment with the academic counseling office.
Even if your graduation academic application is approved, this does not immediately sign you up for the commencement ceremony, which takes place this year on Thursday, May 21. Sign-ups begin in March and are due April 29.
If you choose to participate in the ceremony, be sure you aren’t shocked when the degree cover they hand you lies empty with no degree inside. The actual paper will be mailed to you within five weeks of when final grades are posted. So make sure that the school has your correct address on file.
If your goal is to look like a graduate during the ceremony, I would suggest that you get a cap and gown. However, you don’t have to break the bank doing so. The JCCC bookstore sells a complete regalia set for $37.99, which includes your cap, gown, and tassel, beginning in mid-March.
If your next step after graduation is to transfer to a four-year university, you more than likely need your transcript sent along to wherever you intend to go. An electronically sent transcript will cost you $4, and one sent by mail will cost $6. If you are worried that you will forget to order your transcript while waiting for final grades to be posted, you may simply elect to wait and have your transcript sent over until after the grades have dropped.
In other words, if you, like many of us, are ready to have more than one foot out the door and maybe even pressing the gas pedal, driving away from campus, there are many ways for you to get going right now.
– Airianna Sallaz
What to know about House Bill 2428, the DEI bill
The Kansas Legislator held a hearing on Feb. 3, for House Bill 2428, which seeks to prohibit mandatory courses relating to Diversity Equity Inclusion and Critical Race Theory in public higher-ed.
The bill, if passed, would make free speech and diversity of ideas an obligatory talking point for student orientations.
Passage would also mean that a civics course is added to undergraduate bachelor’s degree requirements. According to the bill, this class would include, “an understanding and appreciation of the basic principles of American constitutional democracy and how they are applied under a republican form of government.”
House Bill 2428 was written and sponsored by three Republican representatives, Rep. Kristey Williams, Rep. Susan Humphries, and Rep. Bob Lewis.
These changes would take effect the academic year 2027-2028.
The bill has been dubbed “The Goldwater Bill,” after the Goldwater Institute, which created its model legislation. Implementation of the bill would cost the state an estimated $5 Million, according to the Kansas Division of the Budget
At the most recent JCCC Board of Trustees meeting, College Lobbyist Dick Carter, told attendees, “it’s a bill that would be preparing a new wave of anti-DEI measures in higher education. And I think that we’ll see a number of these types of bills, not only in Kansas but we’re seeing ’em across the nation as well.”
– Copper Ramberg
Exploring JCCC’s Trade Offerings: Automotive Technology
Johnson County Community College is the place to be for trades. There are a variety of programs offered, ranging from automotive to construction.
According to JCCC, there are 12 industrial trades you can pick from, varying from associate’s to certifications. They are:
Construction Management Technology, AAS
Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC), AAS
Metal Fabrication/Welding Technology, AAS
Automotive Technology (Automobile Service Technician) Certificate
Automotive Technology (Maintenance and Light Repair) Certificate
Construction Management Technology Certificate
Electrical Technology Certificate
Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Certificate
Metal Fabrication/Welding Technology Certificate
Plumbing Technology Certificate
Railroad Conductor Certificate
One popular example, Automotive Technology, is a two-year Associates of Applied Science (AAS) program designed to prepare you for a career as a technician.
The curriculum covers key areas of automotive service and repair. Courses are taught in modern state-of-the-art labs with real vehicles and professional tools.
The program is accredited by the ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) Education Foundation at the Master Automotive Service Technician level. With this, graduates will be prepared to take the ASE certification exams, which is well-known across the automotive industry.
In addition, JCCC has a transfer agreement with the University of Central Missouri. All the classes taken in this program will count for a Bachelor of Science in Automotive Technology Management.
Some career paths associated with this program are car dealerships, manufacturers, and automotive part distributors.
– Jamilete Hernandez
Controversial AI Art Exhibit on Campus, Protest Imminent
AI generated art is a controversial topic, and has been in national news recently. Just such art is currently on exhibit at JCCC. UNFINISHED FUTURES: An exploratory exhibit using generative AI tools is on display until March 8 in the art gallery in the Fine Arts & Design Studio (FADS building) on its first floor.
Senior Art Director Kevin Garrison will present his works featured in the exhibit at a Reception/Designer Presentation Feb. 12, 6 pm. In a post promoting the Feb 12th presentation Garrison stated “This IS the future. It IS coming. It IS here.”
While the exhibit argues it shows, “AI as a creative tool, and not a designer’s replacement”, it has met controversy and disapproval from students. The FADS JCCC Instagram account has acknowledged this controversy in a post, while commenters responded that the original post announcing the exhibit has locked comments.
Organizers of a silent protest of the AI generated art exhibit have placed posters across campus. This protest will take place during the Designer Presentation Feb. 12 at 6 p.m. in the FADS building.
– Emma Weis
Do you use JCCC’s Academic Calendar?
Do you use JCCC’s Academic Calendar?
College, no matter the level or age, is challenging. Even the first few weeks can be stressful and burnout is all too common, especially when you’re taking up to 12+ credits (or 17, like yours truly). One way to ensure the chaos of life becomes a little more bearable is to pay attention to the academic calendar JCCC has readily available on its website.
From telling you when registration is coming up, to important drop dates, to when you need to apply for graduation, this is a great resource for planning out your semester.
Even for those of us that might not be the most organized, the academic calendar is still worth looking at from time to time. It shows you the following semester schedule as well.
JCCC’s academic calendar is an often overlooked way to plan out your semester (or remember when spring break is).
– Ismaila Chongan
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