ACE Plus Summer program
Was it just me, or did anyone else notice the students looked a little younger recently?  Maybe it was just the Ace Plus Summer Program.  Ibrahim Naim, the Ace Plus Director, tells me that the Ace Plus Summer program this year will serve about 450 high school students during Summer I and around 25 students during Summer II.  Juniors and Seniors from Apollo, Alhambra, Dysart, Glendale, Independence, Maryvale, and Trevor Browne enrolled in two classes each.  Juniors enrolled in classes to orient them to college life and provide them with needed learning skills.  The Seniors are all in their second year in the program.  The Ace Plus program is incredibly successful in helping students prepare for success in college, and was last year awarded the top education "Best of the West" award from Westmarc.

College Meetings
My special thanks to the MAT, PSA, M&O, and Crafts employee groups and the Hispanic faculty and staff for inviting me to their recent meetings.  I thoroughly enjoyed the chance to get to meet these folks, learn more about each organization, and discuss common interests and goals.

Enrollment
Enrollment is up!  Enrollment for Summer I is at 7,739 in comparison to last year's 6,906.  Full-time student equivalent (FTSE) is also up at 502 from last year's 440, an increase of 14.1%.  For Summer II, enrollment is 2205 in comparison to last year when we were at 1635.  FTSE  for Summer II is up 32.7% from 101 to 134.  So far, Fall enrollment is at 7,822, up from 6,788, an increase of 15.4%, and Fall FTSE is at 4,604, up 15.7%.

It takes many people and many departments to achieve such success in increasing enrollment.  Congratulations and thanks to all of you!

United Way
Special thanks to Jeanette Stewart and Don Jensen-Bobadilla for again volunteering to lead GCC's United Way campaign.  Our college and our community will benefit from their expertise and leadership.  Stay tuned this Fall for important informational material regarding this year's campaign and college events.

Futures Planning
In an earlier message, I mentioned the good work of the GCC Futures Committee.  The committee has identified two priority goals for GCC, and action plans are soon to be developed.  Concentrating efforts on two goals ensures we will accomplish this important work.  The Strategic Goals are:

1. Greatly improve the advisement and enrollment process.
2. Develop a long-range plan (3-5 years) founded on an academic plan.

For each of these goals, there are specific details regarding timelines, "buy-in" needed, desired outcomes, and relationship to HLC/NCA mandates.  In the next few days, I will be sending more information about this important project.

COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS

Installation Ceremony for Mayor Elaine Scruggs
As many of you know, Elaine Scruggs was recently re-elected as Mayor of Glendale, and Tom Eggleston, Manny Martinez, and David Goulet were re-elected to the City Council.  On June 11, I had the chance to attend the installation ceremonies as they were sworn in for their new terms of office.  Mayor Scruggs spoke about her continued commitment to a growing city and spoke of the great progress Glendale has made over the last few years.  Later that week, in a private meeting with Mayor Scruggs, I had the chance to discuss GCC's master planning activities and confirm the college's commitment to sustaining a positive and progressive working relationship with the City.

GESD Community meeting
On June 6th, representatives from Glendale Community College participated in a community collaboration breakfast hosted by the Glendale Elementary School District.  I joined Jose Mendoza, Melinda Ornelas, and Judy Poggi representing GCC at the event.  GESD Superintendent Dr. Perry Hill, whom many of you heard speak at last Fall's Convocation, spoke to the gathering about GESD's educational mission and services to students. Dr. Hill also referenced GESD - GCC collaborative projects and the important role GCC plays in the community.

Going, Going, Gus
Bus Route 71, better known to us all as Professor Gus the Bus, is driving off into the sunset.  The final blow was the elimination of state funds in the latest budget crisis, which eliminated 65% of the shared expenses of operating the bus line.  Gus had previously ferried students for GCC, ASU West, and the American Graduate School of International Management.  Gus will continue to ply his route until July 3, and will then be discontinued.  Valley Metro will be increasing service along 59th Avenue and Thunderbird Road to compensate for the loss of service.

Dr. Phillip Randolph
Interim President
Glendale Community College