Newsletter: December 8, 2006
COLLEGE ACTIVITIES, EVENTS AND RECOGNITIONS
New Employees
Please help me welcome the following new employees approved at the Nov. 28, 2006 MCCCD Governing Board meeting: Vanessa Figueroa, President's Office; Tommie Hampton, Center for Learning; Chris Morace, Instructional Computing; Kristofer Motto, Office of Information Technology; and Jeffrey Necker, Instructional Computing.
2006 Professor of the Year Award Comes to GCC
Congratulations to Dr. René Díaz-Lefebvre, named one of eight community college professors in the U.S. and the first Latino from Arizona to win one of the most prestigious, competitive awards in higher education. He competed against 300 counterparts from private and public universities nationally to receive the 2006 Arizona Professor of the Year Award Nov. 16 in Washington, D.C. from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. The Professors of the Year Program salutes the most outstanding undergraduate instructors in the country.
Technology Assessment Update
Written recommendations are imminent from technology leadership consultant William Pritchard. He spent much time meeting with diverse groups of employees regarding GCC's information technology resources. As I mentioned in my November newsletter, he is conducting an overall assessment of the Glendale College Information Services (GCIS) departments to result in specific recommendations. His global perspective will prove invaluable as we build on the work of the College's Technology Assessment Taskforce (TAT) and implement change that will be responsive to our teaching and learning needs today and into the future. Please watch for important updates as we begin the spring semester.
Holiday Open House, Dec. 13
All GCC employees and retirees are invited to our annual GCC Holiday Open House, Wed., Dec. 13, 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. in the Administration Building. This year the Diversity Committee and Employee Recognition Committee have teamed up to add some additional festive elements to the event reflective of diverse cultures. I hope to see many of you there, as schedules allow.
Student Success the Topic at Faculty Convocation, Jan. 5
A topic highly relevant to GCC priorities will be featured at the MCCCD Faculty Convocation 2007: "Engagement by Design: What Matters Most for Student Success." The keynote speaker will be Dr. Kay McClenney, director of the Community College Survey of Student Engagement, in which GCC has participated. I encourage all faculty and academic administrators to attend. This annual event will be held Fri., Jan. 5, 8:30 to 3:00 p.m. at Phoenix College in the Bulpitt Auditorium. Here is a link to register and for more information: http://www.mcli.dist.maricopa.edu/fsd/c2007/
United Way Campaign Exceeds Goal, Sets New Record
I am pleased to report that the recently completed 2006 GCC United Way Campaign reached its goal of an eight percent increase over last year's total, raising $32,323 and setting a new record high for the College. Thank you very much to all donors who made this possible. This is an important achievement with lasting results for many students and their families. I would like to express particular gratitude to the GCC United Way Team, whose advocacy and hard work paid off again this year: Jean Ann Abel, Carmela Arnoldt, Renee Barstack, Sheryl Benavides, Charlotte Cohen, Jim Daugherty, Daniel Gaston, Sally Hervey, Suzanne Higgins, James Morris, Melinda Ornelas, Nicola Perry, Jim Reed, Scott Schulz and Audrey Simmon. My thanks as well to Aramark for offering "Blue Plate Specials" again this year with a portion of sales prices going to United Way, and for generously underwriting the Ice Cream Social on Nov. 8; to Nicola Perry and the Fitness Center staff for offering massages as a creative, fun fund raiser; and to the Media Services staff for coordinating the Halloween "photo with the Chancellor" fund raiser. Overall, it was a great campaign and another point of pride for GCC. The campaign was co-chaired by Media Services Coordinator Scott Kozak and Institutional Advancement Director George Martinez.Thoughts at the End of a Busy Semester
Congratulations to all for completing the 81st regular semester of Glendale Community College!! We continue to build on our legacy of educational excellence amid many student success stories. It continues to be my pleasure and privilege to serve as president and to continue meeting more employees, students and supporters. Thank you for allowing me to serve you and this great college and community. And, of course, happy holidays to everyone. I hope your winter break is refreshing and meaningful. See you in the New Year!!
Velvie Green, Ph.D.
President
