COMMENTS FROM JOE D. MAY

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1 TO: FROM: DCCCD BOARD MEMBERS JOE D. MAY DATE: OCTOBER 10, 2014 RE: WEEKEND MEMO #30 COMMENTS FROM JOE D. MAY Good afternoon! From awards to grants to celebrations with our community and business partners, the activities this week reflect the achievements of our colleges and our students. Let me share some of this great news with you: We continue to move initiatives forward to accomplish our strategic plan and goals. You play an important role in those efforts. Thank you, and have a good weekend! Joe May (Note: For the best viewing experience, please use the latest version of Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Opera, or Apple Safari.) Cedar Valley College Our College The Cedar Valley College Commercial Music Department s weekly recitals are garnering praise from music aficionados, including a positive review from Dallas jazz supporter/reviewer Lona Dion, who shared her thoughts with her mailing list subscribers regarding the October 1 performance. Thank you to all who came out Wednesday for the Cedar Valley College Commercial Music faculty performance, she wrote. It was a dynamic hour of music that included two of Dr. Mike Bogle s original compositions. Recitals are held each Wednesday at 1 p.m. in the college Performance Hall, with the exception of October 15; that performance will begin at 12:30 p.m. with Josh Elliott presenting on the Cedar Valley College Common Book, Wine to Water, as part of the Performing Artist & Speaker Series.

2 Our College Health and Wellness Cedar Valley College recently hosted the Carter BloodCare mobile unit on campus for a student and employee blood drive. The October event was also open to community members in an effort to replenish blood supplies. The blood drive was sponsored by Cedar Valley College Health Services and college nurse, Mari Brock. Our Community Initiative On October 11, Cedar Valley College will co-sponsor the monthly Male Initiative, Project MALE Mentoring Program, from 10:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the Inspiring Body of Christ (IBOC) Church in Dallas. The event will focus on mentoring minority male students, kindergarten through sixth grade, from Dallas and Lancaster ISDs, IBOC Christian schools, and other neighboring schools. Cedar Valley College s Dr. Jennifer Wimbish, president; Jarlene DeCay, dean of student success; and Dr. Ryan Thornton, marketing and public relations coordinator, along with several Cedar Valley College staff members, have volunteered to help with this event. Our Sustainability Cedar Valley College s Dr. Maria Boccalandro, sustainability director, and Christina Reeves-Shull, physics coordinator, gave a presentation on the college s Sustainable Communities Institute at the 2014 Presidential Summit on Climate Leadership, held in Boston, MA, October 1-3. More than 250 college and university leaders from across the U.S. attended the Summit, which focused on how to strengthen campus climate action and sustainability initiatives, as well as higher education s leadership role in developing strategic responses to climate and sustainability challenges in community, regional, and national contexts. Brookhaven College Employee Success Whitney Manzo, government and political science professor at Brookhaven College, recently had an article published in Election Law Journal. Dr. Thomas Brunell, professor at The University of Texas at Dallas and expert on election law and redistricting, co-authored the piece, titled The Impact of Cox v. Larios on State Legislative Population Deviations. The article studies the impact of Cox v. Larios on redistricting of state legislatures, examining the impact of the legal decision regarding the way state legislatures altered their population deviations in response to the Supreme Court ruling. Institutional Effectiveness Brookhaven College has been recognized as a 2015 Military Friendly School by Victory Media, the leader in successfully connecting the military and civilian worlds. Recent efforts, including increased staffing in the Veterans Affairs Office and the addition of the priority certification sessions, have greatly increased the capacity of the college to assist this student population. The Military Friendly designation is awarded to the top 15 percent of colleges, universities, and trade schools in the country that are doing the most to embrace military students, and dedicate resources to ensure their success in the classroom and after graduation. Community Engagement On October 8, members of the Texas Astronomical Society and students from Brookhaven College, and Richardson and W.T. White high schools were part of a group of more than 60 who spent an early morning at the college at a Lunar Eclipse Watch. A reporter from CBS 11 News stopped by to take a few shots with those hardy souls who chose to forego sleep to view the eclipse. The related video clip may be accessed at Anahita Sidhwa and Chaz Hafey, Brookhaven College Astronomy Department, have already planned another event a Partial Solar Eclipse Watch on October 23. North Lake College Our Students On September 26, North Lake College TRiO Student Support Services presented Math Mania! an interactive workshop, which was facilitated by Instructional Lab Coordinator Charles Purdy. Students learned the importance of mathematics in everyday life by visiting a series of hands-on stations. The workshop included interesting math facts, historical math personalities, life applications, 2

3 and study success tips. The event was open to all North Lake College students and staff, and, also, to members of the community. Our Community North Lake College North Campus hosted the Fusion Liaison Officer (FLO) Program on September 23-24; approximately 80 individuals participated in the event. The FLO Program is a statewide network of agency-selected law enforcement, fire-fighting, and critical infrastructure agency representatives. The Program allows public and private sectors to share information to combat both state and national security matters. Our Employees On September 19, North Lake College President Christa Slejko was a guest speaker/ panelist for Dr. Beverly Bower s class at the University of North Texas: Leadership in the Community College. Coppell ISD hosted a grand-opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony on September 22 for its new Richard J. Lee Elementary School. President Christa Slejko represented North Lake College at the event. The students played big parts in the ceremony, announcing several of the event dignitaries and introducing their new school song to the dedication audience. Eastfield College Advance Student Success On October 3, the Eastfield College Accounting Department partnered with the Office of Student Life and Resource One Credit Union - Mesquite Branch in sponsoring a Reality Fair to promote financial literacy and teach financial independence to students. The 181 participants were asked to select a major/career and were provided with a monthly budget sheet, which showed their projected monthly gross income and, also, net pay after taxes were deducted. Students were then guided through a virtual life: choosing a place to live, purchasing goods and services, and putting aside money for savings. They learned the difference between fixed, variable, and discretionary expenses. The reality check occurred at the end of the process when students met with credit counselors to see if they had successfully allocated their funds. In an effort to encourage participation, Resource One donated two $250 scholarships and seven $25 gift cards as door prizes. Foster Employee Success Eastfield College faculty members Kevin Giles (Automotive Technology), Courtney Brazile (Speech), and Kassandra Buck (English) presented the lecture, Meeting the Completion Agenda Through Communities in a Workforce Technical Classroom, at the Texas Community College Instructional Leaders 2014 Conference, held in Austin, October The presentation covered the background, process, and organizational challenges involved in developing and integrating learning communities into a nontraditional workforce classroom. The presenters discussed how their learning community of automotive technology, speech, and English is advancing student success at Eastfield College. Faculty, program directors, deans, continuing education administrators, and vice presidents from institutions across the state attended the Conference. Rose DeNunzio, program director and faculty member in Machining and Advanced Manufacturing Technologies, represented Eastfield College at the Garland Chamber of Commerce National Manufacturing Day Appreciation Breakfast on October 3. Eastfield College was a business sponsor for the first annual event, which attracted 40 manufacturing companies in the Garland community. Meet Community Educational Needs The Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Division at Eastfield College hosted its third annual Health Week, October 6-10, featuring a series of health-related presentations and events. Activities included spot serving in volleyball, walking on the outdoor track, scuba diving in the pool, workouts in the weight room, pitching on the baseball field, soccer penalty kicks, and a free throw and three-point shootout in the gymnasium. Also, Eastfield 3

4 College Nutrition faculty Dr. Deema Hussein gave a presentation on kidney health, and Soccer Coach Dustin Stein discussed how to dress properly for an effective workout; June D Souza of UT Southwestern Simmons Cancer Center lectured on how nutrition and exercise can impact cancer prevention and treatment. Healthy snacks were provided to attendees at all events. LeCroy Center On October 10, the LeCroy Center hosted a Quality Matters (QM) training workshop for faculty and staff of the DCCCD. The program was presented by the Faculty Access to Supportive Technology (FAST) Team, directed by Susan Long. Faculty involved in the formal and informal QM reviews, or those seeking to improve their online courses using the QM Rubric participated in the all-day workshop. Kudos to the following faculty who have met QM Rubric National Review Standards: Ryan Walther, El Centro College (HPRS-2300); Anachita Sidhwa, Brookhaven College (PHYS-1403); Victor Soto, Mountain View College (MUSI-1306); Timica Patterson, Cedar Valley College (MRKG-1301); Elizabeth Huston, Eastfield College (ENGL-1301); and Gemmy Allen, North Lake College (MRKT-1311). More than 300 online students participated in the I Commit to Complete online program by pledging to finish college. During the week of September 22-26, students had the opportunity to formalize that commitment by signing an online pledge to complete a credential and, also, to participate in a number of activities (intended to encourage them to cross their academic finish line). This is the second year that Dallas Colleges Online has encouraged online students to make these commitments in an online environment. Students who participated received special acknowledgments and gift packets. STARLINK (State of Texas Academic Resource Link) will present a free webinar to introduce its newly modified programs on October 22 at 2 p.m. The webinar will be available to all DCCCD employees by clicking the link: Registration is required to access the program, which can be viewed via computer, mobile tablet, or smartphone. STARLINK Director Rick Walker stated, We believe that by sharing our latest enhancements, and answering questions you might have about our services and features, we can assist you with demonstrating the importance of STARLINK on your campus and reduce end-user errors. We look forward to sharing the new STARLINK with you. Richland College Sustainable Community Building Richland College served as an active supporter of the Garland Hispanic Chamber of Commerce K Health Run on October 4 in downtown Garland. Thirty student volunteers from the Richland College men s baseball team, women s volleyball team, Rising Star program, and Service Learning program assisted race organizers with event logistics. Richland College Garland Campus staff hosted an information exhibit for runners and spectators. Student Success Congratulations to the 2014 Richland College Upward Bound program students who graduated from North Garland and Richardson high schools in May and matriculated to colleges and universities. Of the 19 graduates, 11 are attending Richland College. Upward Bound students must meet U.S. Department of Education low-income guidelines and be potential first-generation, collegebound students. They participate in: enrichment sessions one Saturday each month during the academic year; eight hours of tutoring each week during the academic year; the six-week Richland College Summer Enrichment program; the Richland College Summer Bridge program (to earn six college credits); cultural awareness activities; career field trips and explorations; preparations for PSAT, SAT, ACT, and STAAR exams; college/university tours; and personal development workshops all focused on preparing 9th-12th-grade students for college transition and success. 4

5 Employee Success Congratulations to Melanie Pruit, developmental writing instructor and Richland Collegiate High School senior capstone coordinator, who is the recipient of the 2014 Richland College Excellence in Teaching Award for Associate Faculty. Pruit was honored during Convocation; she was recognized by her peers and students as a dynamic individual who meets each class discussion, writing lesson, and lecture with enthusiasm and is always willing to interact with her students outside of class to help them succeed in their learning. Pruit inspires her students to keep their learning standards high and expects them to achieve academic excellence through hard work and perseverance. Institutional Effectiveness On October 8, Richland College s senior leadership team and Facilities Services staff engaged with architects from Corgan Associates, Inc. and space-programming consultants from Facility Programming and Consulting in the first Richland College and Garland Campus Master Plan programming workshop. The architects and consultants led visioning and space-programming exercises based on Richland College strategic planning goals, enrollment projections, instructional and student services programmatic space needs, and future program development and student services plans. The six-month series of architectural and space-planning sessions will culminate in an updated Campus Master Plan to guide future decisions and directions with building renovations, new building construction, and facilities infrastructure upgrades. El Centro College The El Centro College Psychology Club met on September 26 and discussed the topic of Job Opportunities in the Field of Psychology, which was presented by Steve Carter, El Centro College psychology visiting scholar. Carter first discussed his own background as rehabilitation counseling faculty at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas and consulting vocational rehabilitation expert. Other opportunities explored were careers in business, social and human services, research, education, industrial, clinical, and private practice. Psychology faculty advisors for the Club are Melissa Weston (psychology program coordinator), Steve Carter, Dr. Roger Copeland, and David Goomas. The Theater program at El Centro College has partnered with the Office of Emergency Management in Dallas to support training of community members for the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). Each class requires a final exercise that provides a realistic response scenario. Theater students, under the guidance of instructor Dean Armstrong, provide moulage or make-up for the victims in the scenario, making a visual impact (lots of blood) for the rescuers. Armstrong s classes have also supported exercises for other emergency agencies in Dallas in a similar way over the past year. Recently, three El Centro College staff members graduated from the CERT program as a result of their participation in the exercise at one of these classes. El Centro College (ECC) Collegiate Black Student Union was recently introduced to El Centro College Toastmasters Club members, Jackie Porter and Barbara Murray. This Toastmasters Club is a 28-year-old community club that was chartered by Dr. Wright Lassiter, who is now DCCCD chancellor emeritus. Club meetings are held the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month, from 12:30 p.m.-1:30 p.m. at El Centro College Bill J. Priest Campus. Toastmasters International is a world leader in communication and leadership development. Membership is 313,000 strong, with 14,650 clubs in 126 countries. By participating in club meetings, members improve their speaking, listening, and leadership skills. Like the El Centro College Toastmasters Club, ECC Collegiate Black Student Union promotes the recognition and involvement of all students at the college to create and encourage academic achievement and personal development in leadership, time management, and organizational and communication skills. In addition, its academic and extracurricular programs enhance and increase knowledge and appreciation of cultural diversity. The advisors of ECC Collegiate Black Student Union are Florine Humble and Michael Higgins. 5

6 Parigi and D Magazine hosted a celebration of food, spirits, and tunes to honor the restaurant s threedecade milestone. Champagne and spirits were provided by Veuve Clicquot and Belvedere Vodka along with hors d oeuvres prepared by Parigi chef and owner, Janice Provost, and El Centro College culinary students. From 6 p.m.-9 p.m., it was a veritable who s who of Dallas society mingling with Parigi founder, Andree Falls, and tapping their feet to tunes by Vince Martinez for the price tag of $84 in acknowledgment of the year the restaurant opened. All proceeds from the event will establish the Parigi scholarship endowment fund at the Food and Hospitality Institute of El Centro College. Mountain View College Chancellor s Visit On October 8, DCCCD Chancellor Dr. Joe May held an open forum regarding Mountain View College s impending presidential search. He shared that search firm, Greenwood/Asher & Associates, Inc., which assisted in El Centro and North Lake colleges presidential searches, will begin the initiative sometime in October. May expressed that he is looking forward to identifying the leader we want, need, and deserve. Student Success Mountain View College celebrated its inaugural First-Year Leadership Academy graduation on October 3. The Academy, designed as an extension of First Year Experience and new student orientation, helps first-year students to become engaged in campus life and success resources at Mountain View College. All 29 students who signed up for the program graduated and are currently engaged in their classes, clubs, and the college experience. Institutional Effectiveness Customer Service Week was held October 6-10 for Mountain View College students, faculty, and staff. Activities included an all-week open coffee and juice bar; Appreciation Through Motivation Day with special guest speaker, Interim Mountain View College President Dr. Preston Pulliams; and the Appreciation Luncheon and Game Day (concluding the event). The Mountain View College Testing Center was voted the 2014 Customer Service Department of the Year. Employee Success Mountain View College Instructional Designer Dr. Daniel Ibarrondo was recently featured on CBS DFW online for his work in online learning and research, both on and off campus. Ibarrondo is a four-year veteran of Mountain View College who holds a bachelor s degree in political science, a J.D. degree from State University of New York at Buffalo School of Law, an Education Specialist degree in bilingual education from Seton Hall University, and a doctorate degree in learning and educational technology from Pepperdine University. To learn more about Dr. Ibarrondo and to view the article, please go to District Office Friends of the late Joe Lucky, former engineer at Texas Instruments, honored Richland College students who received the scholarship that bears his name during an annual golf tournament fundraiser on October 2. Lucky died unexpectedly in 2004 at the age of 38. Among the recipients (who attended the event) were Motasem Tawfig Zaal Aljaafreh, Angel Martinez, Davar Sasongko, and Umar Shams. This year, a total of 11 students received the Joe Lucky Memorial Golf Tournament Scholarship during the spring and fall semesters. Awarded through the DCCCD Foundation, the Scholarship assists Richland College students who have an interest in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, and who lack the financial capability to pursue their education. Close friends of Lucky, most of them former colleagues at Texas Instruments, host the annual tournament fundraiser. His wife, Jo Ellen, and two daughters, Marisa and Becka, attend the event each year. Parkland Memorial Hospital has strengthened its commitment with the DCCCD to help Certified Nurse Aides (CNAs) earn their certification as Patient Care Technicians (PCTs) and to pursue associate degrees 6

7 in a healthcare field. The RISE to Success Youth Program is designed to provide both educational and professional opportunities for recent high school graduates who are interested in a healthcare career. Each year, Parkland will recruit 10 Dallas County high school students who are CNAs and ready to begin working toward PCT certification at the DCCCD. Participants will complete their PCT training through a summer training program while being compensated as full-time employees. Then, they will continue to work at Parkland up to 24 hours each week as they attend classes at the DCCCD part-time, earning the credits they need to obtain an associate degree in a healthcare field (with assistance from Parkland s tuition reimbursement program). The RISE to Success Youth Program is expected to launch in January 2015; the first cohort should complete PCT training in the summer of Cynthia Butler, executive district director of financial aid, has been appointed to serve as a member of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) Management Benchmarking Task Force, beginning immediately and concluding in February NASFAA s task force and committee structure allows member volunteers to work collectively with staff and volunteer leadership toward fulfilling the mission of the Association. It also provides a way for aid administrators to network, improve their knowledge and expertise in financial aid, and enhance their leadership and decision making skills. This participation assists NASFAA in fulfilling its goal and objectives. 7