CCNN Developing Stellar Citizen-Professionals

The Career College of Northern Nevada (CCNN) is committed to developing competitive professionals who excel in their respective career fields. One component of CCNN’s approach to building career-ready professionals is ensuring that our students are not only exceptional in the workplace, but are also active, informed, and engaged citizens. That’s why CCNN is committed to instilling an understanding of and appreciation for the processes and institutions that inform our government at the federal, state, and local levels. This understanding is an essential part of the CCNN experience, and helps to prepare CCNN students to succeed in the workplace, and to contribute as participants in their communities.

Recently, a group of CCNN students, representing multiple programs, showed their civic pride and patriotism by attending a U.S. Naturalization Ceremony, held at the U.S. District Courthouse in Reno. U.S. Magistrate Judge Valerie Cooke presided over the ceremony, and spent a few minutes talking with CCNN students while friends and family of America’s newest citizens celebrated. During the special event, more than 50 individuals representing more than 20 different nations took the oath of allegiance and became proud U.S. citizens. This special occasion was especially meaningful because one of the new U.S. Citizens was a CCNN student currently enrolled in the Medical Assistant program!

The Naturalization Ceremony offered CCNN students in attendance, who are all currently enrolled in a U.S. and Nevada Constitutions course, the opportunity to see first-hand each branch of their government at work. President Obama had prepared a special video greeting for the ceremony in which he highlighted the important role immigrants have played in shaping America’s history. President Obama encouraged each new citizen to be active participants in the democratic process and congratulated them on their achievement.

In addition, each of Nevada’s U.S. Senators, Senator Harry Reid and Senator Dean Heller, as well as U.S. Representative Mark Amodei, also sent special messages congratulating the new citizens, and the Washoe County Registrar was on-hand to assist them with registering to vote. With the participation of Judge Valerie Cooke, the ceremony included each of the three branches of U.S. Government, and helped to illustrate how citizen engagement is at the very heart of America’s democracy.

The CCNN students who were able to attend the naturalization ceremony had the chance to interact with Nevada’s leaders and see first-hand how the institutions that support our systems of government operate, and how they benefit everyday Americans. This is a great example of CCNN preparing informed citizens equipped with the tools and experiences to make a positive difference in their communities.
CCNN is immensely proud of each of the students who took time out of their day to attend the event and show support for their colleague. Way to go, team!