The Paralegal Program has increased its enrollment from 455 student in Fall of 2005 to 459 in Fall of 2006. We are looking to break the magic 500 number of students in Fall of 2007. We have probably the only entirely online paralegal certificate in the entire California Community College system of 109 colleges. - see http://lamission.edu/law/online
We introduced new hybrid law classes to our schedule of classes. These are classes which use both on campus and internet. The students can now take two classes on Wednesday instead of the normal one class, and one on Saturday. This assists the student in completing the 12 law classes required for the certificate. We have graduated over 500 paralegals since 1987, and last year we had the greatest number of graduating paralegals - 45 students. Many of our students who graduate are working in high paying paralegal jobs in law firms, the courts, and public agencies.
Our paralegal program also collaborates with the Workers Rights Clinic and the Van Nuys and San Fernando Self-Help Legal Access Clinics by having our paralegals intern and assist the public with their legal problems. Finally, we have added two new faculty to our program, one attorney who works with Sony Pictures and a second who works as an attorney in the United States Probate Office in the downtown Central District Federal Courts. We plan on adding another two law faculty within the next year as our program grows.
Child Development is currently offering 40 sections of coursework in the Fall semester using a variety of schedules both on and off campus.
We held a very successful Child Development Career Fair in October where over 300 students gathered to make connections with over 40 representatives from community agencies, professional organizations, and institutions of higher learning. Students had the opportunity to discuss employment opportunities and furthering their academic career, as well as to gather resources to support them as they pursue their career goals.
Our Child Development Advisory Committee met in December. Over thirty representatives from the field gathered to share information about their programs, hear about our developments, and offer suggestions and support as we develop programs to meet the needs of the Child Development community. Interest was expressed in maintaining the connection among those in attendance during the year between formal meetings.
Multimedia offered seventeen courses ranging from Photoshop to Digital Video. Students enrolled in the program had access to the Multimedia Computer Labs. as well as tutoring Monday through Saturday, thanks to VTEA funding.
Planning is well underway for the 4th Annual Carless Drive-In Film and Video Festival, which we are coordinating with our Better Than Television Club. Area colleges and high schools will also participate this year. Please see our Carless website http://www.lamission.edu/multimedia/carless/ where you will find the winning poster design by Chris Lack, who was accepted to Art Center College of Design in Pasadena. Congratulations to Chris who transfers this this Spring!
We held an Advisory Board meeting this December. The meeting was well attended by industry partners as well as faculty and administration. Discussion ranged from new curriculum, student internships and course offerings at the high schools, as well as planning for the Carless Drive-In and the Institute of Arts and Multimedia Show.