Getting a bachelor's at SJCC? Professor pushing for Alcohol and Drug Studies degree program

"Professor Mary Crocker Cook says she's the happiest when she's in the classroom, teaching at San Jose City College. On Wednesday, she met with us on campus and shared her vision of bringing the first Bachelor of Science degree program here. "It increases the workforce, it increases the quality of workforce," Cook said. For the past 35 years, Cook has led the Alcohol and Drug Studies Program."

""Okay what keeps my people from going on and getting their bachelor's - money, money, it's about 14,000 a year. People who work in my field probably make $40,000 to $50,000 a year - they're supporting families, okay, they can't afford that," Cook said. Cook said executives from City College and the district will meet on Thursday to discuss the proposal. Officials describe it as a rigorous process and any proposal must be reviewed by the California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office."

"Leandra Canion is one of Cook's former students. Canion works for Pathway Society, a service provider for alcohol and drug treatments. "There's opportunities for middle management, more administrative positions, operations managers, clinical coordinators," Canion said. She met us outside the future site of a men's detox facility. "To give them a sense of hope, to give them a chance, an opportunity, to make changes, lifesaving changes," Can"

Professor Mary Crocker Cook teaches at San Jose City College and seeks to establish the college's first Bachelor of Science degree in Alcohol and Drug Studies. The program aims to expand and improve the behavioral health workforce by enabling students to advance beyond counselor and entry-level roles. Cost barriers prevent many current workers from pursuing bachelor's degrees, with tuition estimated at about $14,000 per year while field salaries range $40,000–$50,000. The proposal has support from San Jose State and UC Santa Cruz and must be approved through district review and the California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office. Former students note career advancement opportunities and emphasize delivering hope and lifesaving change to clients.

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