Communication overload: Why counseling appointments are so hard to get

Share: PCC is known for providing an extensive list of resources to its students, one of which is the counseling services, however, students’ frustrations regarding counselor availability highlight an underlying issue in the way information is disseminated throughout campus..  As a public college, most of its funding comes from the state, which provides the general fund for the school as well as the various programs and services offered. The counseling services are not currently facing any funding shortfalls, according to dean of counseling Armando Duran …

Transferring students: PCC Profs are a pro, counselors are a con

Share: PCC student Anya Diaz De Veer does not feel mentally prepared to transfer to a four-year university. However she does feel academically prepared, despite her poor experience with the academic counselors at the counseling center–while others feel the professors at PCC are one of its main strengths.  “Professors are great but the counselors have given me conflicting info that prolonged my time at PCC. The strengths at PCC are definitely the professors, the library, especially after being taught all the resources there.” History major, …

PCC’s new triage teletherapy: ‘You don’t need to be in crisis’

Share: Amid PCC’s coronavirus closure, the Personal Counseling department has shifted gears to help students cope through triage teletherapy appointments until the campus reopens. During normal times, students may access the department’s in-person therapy sessions up to eight times during the regular term and six during intersession.  “These telephone triage appointments don’t count towards people’s session limits,” said Jason Vasquez, a counseling psychologist for the department in a zoom call. “We know that people need extra support right now. So that’s why we wanted to …

Dead tired employees try to adapt to COVID-19

Share: “It was eerie! Almost like the opening scene of ‘28 Days Later’!” said Writing Support Center (WSC) faculty member Giselle Miralles. “Twenty Eight Days Later” is a 2002 film dealing with the aftermath of an accidental release of a deadly virus on the deserted streets of London. That is what Miralles was reminded of the first time she reported to work after PCC’s announcement on Mar. 14 concerning the temporary suspension of on campus classes.  From the environment on and off campus to the …

State of the students

Share: As clouds of smoke from Ventura’s Woolsey fire forms in the distance, Pasadena City College (PCC) student Tanner Petterson sits in a shady spot on the edge of the mirror pools and waits until her afternoon class begins. She has ten minutes to spare, but instead of worrying about her class, she browses her phone and acknowledges the early golden hour. Meanwhile, a student on the other side of the pools lays on the grass, glued to a textbook, skimming through notes. Follow: