New Employees

Please welcome the following new GCC employees approved by the MCCD Governing Board on January 27, 2004: Autry Cheatham, Fire Science; William Johanson, Physics; Betty Parisek, Nursing; Randall Peterson, Nursing; Bonnie Saunders, History; Connie Sherman, Dean of Administrative Services; Frances Wojculewicz, EMT; and Robert Zito, Student Services. The following employees were approved at the February 24, 2004 Board meeting: Sheryl Benavides, Business; Sharon Forsmo, Art; Cynthia Rosales, Applied Technology; Joseph Springer, Chemistry; Martin Mastroianni, Chemistry; Bryan Miley, Spanish; Shohreh Moshrefzadeh, Nutrition; and Michele Parker, Child and Family Studies. The following employee was approved at the March 23, 2004 Board meeting: Michelle Shivnani, Director of Instructional Technology.

New Board Member Receives Warm Welcome at Campus Conversation

It was our privilege to have Scott Crowley, newly appointed MCCD Governing Board Member and GCC's representative on the Board, as our honored guest at the most recent Campus Conversation on March 30. I was happy to see this event so well attended, as our Conversations are your opportunity to ask candid questions on any topic in an open forum. Mr. Crowley discussed his first few weeks "on the job," then he and I answered both pre-submitted questions and questions from the floor. Many thanks to the Campus Conversation Planning Group--Joe Bednorz, Roxie Helbert, Sally Hervey, George Martinez, Ibrahim Naim, and Nancy Siefer--who planned this event and gathered campus questions.

Employee Recognition Ceremony

It was a great pleasure to present years-of-service awards to 73 employees whose service to this college totaled 985 years! The exceptional commitment of Lyenatte Goff and Phil Smelser, whose enthusiasm for the mission of GCC has lasted more than 40 years, was the highlight of the event for me. As evidenced by the large number of people who have served GCC for 15 years or more, I am pleased that people come to GCC, find it a great place to work, and stay! Thanks to the Employee Recognition Committee that planned this event. We have this event each year for employees who have reached specific milestones, but I would like to add that I appreciate every one of you for coming to GCC every day and contributing your skills and talents to our college and its mission.

ASU West Provost Praises GCC Students

Recently, I received a wonderful letter from ASU West's Provost Dr. Elaine Maimon praising the caliber of transfer students we send to ASU West. In December, 2003, 653 students graduated from ASU West. Of those, 344 were transfer students from GCC. A real point of pride is the fact that 55% (190) of those GCC students graduated with honors! This is a significant percentage, and we should all take pride in Dr. Maimon's words, "We are extremely proud of the students who transferred to ASU West...," and "We thank you for your contribution to the preparation of our graduates..." Thanks to all of you for your hard work preparing our transfer students to be top performers.

New Student Information System Update

GCC Student Services staff will get to see portions of the new Student Information System for the first time on May 7 at the Joint Student Services meeting. Although the focus of the meeting will be on enrollment related functions, the meeting is open to anyone who would like to attend. Please contact Brittney Cunningham-Miller at 5-3311 if you would like to join the Student Services group. Also, the District team will be meeting this month with representatives from GCC to begin planning the conversion of GCC-developed shadow systems, interfaces, and reports in preparation for implementation of the new SIS in early Spring 2005. Remember that an abundance of great information on the new SIS is available at http://www.gc.maricopa.edu/nss/

Update on the Fire in the TDS Building

Repair work continues on the Testing and Disability Services Building. I am told that we should be able to move personnel back into the building Tuesday, April 13 or Wednesday, April 14. I would like to thank Donna White for coordination of relocation details, Al Gonzales for getting insurance adjusters here quickly and paperwork completed, Harold Kassing for organizing the firewatch, Susan High for finding space in CCS to house the DSR personnel, Alice Estrada for housing Testing and arranging for testing to continue in the Center for Learning, and to the staffs of both Testing and DSR for adjusting quickly and continuing to provide seamless service to our students.

Stroke Prevention Screening and More

Always interested in the health of the GCC family, I want to remind you about the preventive health screenings, offered through our Fitness and Wellness Program, that will be available to you on April 17 in High Tech Annex-1. Many tests, including osteoporosis screening and ultrasound screenings for stroke and aneurysms, will be available that day. These tests have very reasonable fees and require pre-registration. I encourage you to get all the information at http://www.gc.maricopa.edu/wellness/LifeLineScreenings.htm and take advantage of the sophisticated tests that will be available that day.

GCC Alumni Fundraiser Re-scheduled

As many of you who bought tickets know, Mother Nature rained out our Alumni Scholarship Fundraiser at Historic Sahuaro Ranch on April 2. It has been rescheduled for 7 p.m. on Fri., April 23 at the Ranch, 9802 N. 59th Avenue. I hope you will join me in attending, as it benefits our students and others who need financial help to become our students. Please contact Esmeralda Acosta at 5-3006 if you need tickets.

Thunderbird Has New President

Our neighbor to the north, Thunderbird, the Garvin School of International Management, has appointed Dr. Angel Cabrera as its new president, effective August, 2004. He is currently the Dean of Instituto de Empresa Graduate Business School in Madrid, Spain, and is considered one of the brightest educators in Europe. Cabrera earned his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Psychology from the Georgia Institute of Technology which he attended as a Fulbright Scholar. He also received a Master's Degree in Telecommunications Engineering from Madrid Polytechnical University, Spain's premier engineering school. We look forward to his arrival and getting to know him this summer.

Congratulations to:

New GCC Senators and Officers

Carmela Arnoldt was elected to another two-year term as GCC Senate President, and Jim Reed was elected Vice-President. David Rodriguez was elected Councilor-at-Large, and Rachelle Hall was elected as a one-year Senator. Doug Brenner, Paula Davis, Connie LaBuhn, Pam Nelson, and Carlos Nunez were elected to three-year senatorial terms. Congratulations to all!

GCC Innovation of the Year Team

"Recruitment Reception for GCC's Academy for Lifelong Learning" was chosen as the GCC Innovation of the Year. Thanks to the team of James Abraham, Belva Barrick, Sheryl Benavides, John Gibson, Suzanne Higgins, Connie LaBuhn, George Martinez, Christine Moore, Pam Nelson, Suzanne Smelser, Julie Valenzuela, Trish Vogel, and John Winters for this creative plan to attract and serve our senior population. Some GCC folks also assisted with winning projects at other colleges. Jean Ann Abel collaborated on a cross-college project titled "Strategic Planning Support Team," while Carlos Nunez, Manny Griego, and Ui Luu partnered on a District Office MATEC project titled "Work-Ready Electronics."

International Students Program for a Great Festival

More than 500 people enjoyed this colorful, two-day event featuring eight ethnic performing groups, food and craft vendors and more. Many people helped make this wonderful event possible; a special thanks to Jeff Glemba, Scott Kozakiewicz, Al Gonzales' great building and grounds team, the student Guitar Ensemble, and the GCC German Club.

Career Services for Terrific Expo

Hundreds of students and community members participated in a successful Career Expo. More than 70 companies, universities, and governmental agencies were here on March 31 in a festive Student Union setting.

Gaucho Basketball

Coach Howard Brown led the Gaucho Men's Basketball team through a thrilling winning season, culminating in their participation in the NJCAA Division II National Tournament--a stellar achievement. The Gauchos did not win the championship this year, but they are definitely champions at home!

Our Smallest Artists

If you haven't already done so, drop by the Student Lounge and see the amazing Children's Art Exhibit. Two beautifully displayed pieces of artwork from each of the 70+ children enrolled in our Child Care Center are on display through April 13. Special thanks to Director Sherry Johnson and her staff for putting together this exhibit.

Dr. Phillip Randolph
President
Glendale Community College