Dr. Ken Atwater
Welcome back, my friends and colleagues, to another exciting fall semester at South Mountain Community College! I think it's safe to say that the coming year will be one of the most significant, challenging, and ultimately rewarding years in the history of our college.
Why? One word: change. Changes in the way we do business....changes in some of the faces you'll be seeing on campus....and changes in the environment around us.
But the one constant factor that will not change will be our commitment to our students. Now more than ever we expect to be able to provide our students with the highest level of instruction, service and guidance as they pursue their higher education.
And perhaps most important of all, we will spend much of this year documenting the many positive changes our institution has experienced over the past decade....but more on that later.
First things first: students continue to be our top priority, and student enrollment is a major focus. Last fall we learned that we cannot simply assume that students will continue to find their way to South Mountain and enroll in our courses and programs without proactive efforts to strategically manage that enrollment. But after a slow start, we finished the year strong and experienced an enrollment decline of only 0.76% FTSE.
As I discussed at this year's fall convocation, maintaining student enrollment and retention is not the job of any one particular individual or department----it is everyone's job. You are to be commended for rising to this challenge last year.
We have also continued to move forward on many other initiatives and developments, including completion of two new buildings on campus, one to house programs presented in partnership with Northern Arizona University, and the other to facilitate a much-needed expansion of our science lab space. We are poised to begin construction of a major expansion and remodeling of our Guadalupe Center. We are hard at work implementing many changes driven by the Chancellor's Blue Ribbon Task Force, to further enhance and improve District and college operations.
Our athletic teams enjoyed great success last year, with our men's golf team finishing second in the nation, and our men's basketball team setting a school record for wins. And our theatre program was rewarded with two ariZoni theatre award nominations, including Best Production, for the spring musical Once On This Island.
But we cannot sit back and rest on our laurels---we need to continue to do everything we can to create and maintain a quality educational experience that will attract students to South Mountain, and keep them actively engaged once they are here. I challenge you to maintain those efforts throughout the course of the coming year.
Undoubtedly the biggest change we will face this year is coming soon: the implementation of a new Student Information System for the Maricopa Community College District. This change has been a long time in coming, and will impact virtually every aspect of the college's operation.
We continue to ask for your cooperation, participation and active support of this new system when it comes online Spring 2008. I'm sure we may hit a few snags along the way, as would be the case with any transition of this scope. But I know our campus will work together in our customary positive and constructive manner to overcome these.
We are well prepared to make the changeover. I want to especially thank the many staff members who have contributed countless hours over the past year toward making this happen, as well as training the rest of us. Special kudos are due to our Director of Registration and Records, Angie Montaño, for her leadership in this vital project.
Meanwhile, another major project continues to move forward, and that is our self-study in preparation for reaccreditation from the Higher Learning Commission. Many of you have devoted a great deal of work to this essential activity already, and there is still much to do. We are now entering the phase in which we begin to document the many successes and challenges we have encountered over the past decade, in preparation for the visit by an HLC evaluation team to the campus in April 2009.
I'm sure I don't have to tell those of you who were here for our last self-study how much has changed since 1999. I am confident that we will be able to document our myriad efforts in support of our students and community in order to achieve continued accreditation, setting the stage for another decade of excellence in learning at South Mountain Community College. Many thanks to our HLC tri-chairs for their leadership through this process: Dr. Teresa Leyba Ruiz, Chris Haines, and Sara Kinsey.
Finally, I would also like to welcome the many new faces we have here at the college. You were introduced to many of these individuals at the fall convocation, and can find a complete list of new staff and faculty elsewhere in this month's Messenger.
Welcome to all of you, and please accept my best wishes for a productive and satisfying fall semester.
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Ruben Saenz
"Upward Bound will undoubtedly make a positive difference in the lives of many individuals. It's exciting to be part of such an outstanding and far-reaching program."
Those are the words of Ruben Saenz, director of the Upward Bound Program that began at SMCC on Sept. 1.
He continues: "All of the participants have the potential to graduate from high school AND to complete college. Imagine how this will improve their lives, the lives of their families - and ultimately - their communities."
The new grant of nearly a million dollars funds a four-year program to help prepare high school students to continue into higher education. A total of 50 freshmen and sophomores from Central and South Mountain high schools are participating for 2007-2008.
Upward Bound is federally funded through the U.S. Department of Education's TRIO program. It was created primarily to provide fundamental support to low-income high school students; students whose parents have not completed a bachelor's degree; and low-income, first-generation military veterans, as they prepare to enter college.
"Upward Bound provides opportunities for participants to succeed in their pre-college performance and ultimately in their higher education pursuits," Ruben adds. "The goal is to have them all four years which will have a huge impact on their lives and prepare them for the college transition."
SMCC provides participants with academic instruction in mathematics, laboratory sciences, composition, literature, and foreign languages. Also included: tutoring, counseling, mentoring, cultural enrichment, SAT/ACT preparation, and work-study programs. In addition, they will spend one week on the campus of Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff. Also, participants have the opportunity to earn college credit.
The teens will attend SMCC on weekends throughout the fall and spring semesters. During summers, they will take elective courses at the college. Students will be grouped according to their grade level and the curriculum will be designed according to individual graduation requirements.
The program includes an Upward Bound Coordinator and a Student Services Specialist (Advisor).
For more information, contact the SMCC TRIO Office, at 602.305.5676.
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SMCC Adjunct Isola Jones will perform on Nov. 16 in Performance Hall, in a benefit to raise money for student scholarships.
SMCC employees and supporters of the college have awarded scholarships to 10 students for the 2007-2008 academic year.
Receiving STARS I Scholarship Awards of $500 are: Kambriel Booth, Richard Brown, Melissa Cabezas, Gary Galvan, Adam Hill, Yoel Lopez, Tashauna Lynn, Emily Ollarsaba, Erick Stephens, and Luis Vaca.
SMCC employees began the STARS campaign 11 years ago. Concerned that there were never enough scholarship dollars available to students in need, faculty and staff pledged $140,000 over five years to help fund scholarships. To date, more than 70 students have received scholarship dollars, and college employees have given more than $200,000 to this important endeavor.
Dr. Jerome Garrison and Lorraine Calbow initiated STARS in 1996 and employees responded enthusiastically. Dr. Garrison and Financial Aid Director Inez Moreno-Weinert will lead the STARS III campaign, designed to generate additional scholarship dollars. That campaign begins this year with a kickoff Friday, September 14 at 11:30 a.m. in Room SU-100. All employees are invited to attend and participate.
These scholarships go a long way toward helping deserving students, according to Inez. "Our employees have been very generous in their giving and students will continue to receive scholarship dollars in perpetuity. It is a joy to work with individuals who care so much about this community."
She also thanked members of this year's STARS I Scholarship Committee: Ruben Saenz, Rosa Pardo, Ann Scarborough, Dolly Aguirre, and Vanessa Brown, and of course, special thanks to the on-going STARS contributors.
The campaign continues in November, when renowned mezzo-soprano Isola Jones -- who has starred with the Metropolitan Opera and is now a Voice Instructor at SMCC -- will be featured on Friday, November 16 in a concert that will help fund scholarships for SMCC students. The benefit recital will take place at 7 p.m. in Performance Hall.
Tickets are $20 general and $10 for students, and will be available for purchase online at www.showup.com.
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SMCC Employee Jeffrey Escobar learns new advisement functionality during an SIS training session this summer. Training for faculty begins in October.
Editor's Note: On September 20, the Chancellors Executive Council decided to re-schedule implementation of our new Student Information System for Spring 2008. The reasoning for this decision is grounded, quite simply, in the best interest of our students. The system will continue to be enhanced in the ensuing months, to ensure a successful delivery next spring.
This is a very exciting time for the Maricopa Community Colleges! That's right---this Spring 2008, all ten MCCCD colleges and two skill centers will turn off our current Legacy Student Information System and turn on our new PeopleSoft Student Information System.
The Legacy system will remain in use for some portions of Financial Aid and will be available in "VIEW ONLY" mode for other departments that rely on SIS.
MCCCD's current system, Legacy, is older than many of our students---it has been in use since 1983, and will be replaced Spring 2008. The features and benefits of the new SIS will empower our students more than ever before, while providing online convenience for staff, faculty and students.
The clock is ticking---to check the Countdown Clock to go-live, visit http://www.maricopa.edu/nss/documents/
countdown_sis.swf
Some may ask ---what is a Student Information System and why is it so important? A Student Information System is a technology tool utilized by institutions of higher learning to manage all interactions with students, staff, faculty, and alumni. The system helps institutions maximize budgets and provides resources that improve communication and facilitate successful student relationships.
This summer SMCC began employee training on the new Student Information System. The introduction to SIS kicked off during the month of June and continued throughout the summer in the areas of Admissions, Advisement, Student Records, Financial Aid and Student Financials.
And the training was well-received! Angie Glick, SIS College Trainer, reports that, according to training evaluations, 98% of participants felt the training objectives were accomplished...95% reported the material was presented at a comfortable pace...99% felt the training material was helpful...98% felt that the content was well organized...and 98% of the 102 participants concurred that the trainers were effective.
Kudos to the SMCC College Training Team---Kathie Hawkins, Debbie Nicholson, Angie Glick, Neva Black, Ai Co Abercrombie, Stefanie Villa, Cecilia Soto, Kim Rainey, Annabelle Galindo, and Inez Moreno-Weinert.
But there's still more to come. Karen Gurney and Amy MacPherson in the TLC will facilitate new SIS training for faculty during the months of October, November and December. Several demos are scheduled for September. During finals week, the TLC will host open SIS Labs and on December 14---the day grades are due---will host a Grading Party, complete with refreshments.
And for those in need of a recap, introductory and refresher training sessions will continue to be offered through the month of September in preparation for Go Live.
For questions about training sessions or practice working in the new SIS, contact Kathie Hawkins at 602.243.8046 or Ai Co Abercrombie at 602.243.8346. Information and new SIS glossary terms are also available on the SMCC SIS website at http://about.southmountaincc.edu/About/NSS/.
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"Science is the labor and handicraft of the mind."
Francis Bacon (1561-1626), English essayist, philosopher, and statesman.
Students will have plenty of space and tools to practice that scientific handicraft this fall, thanks to the new Life Science Annex.
Take a walk through the 1,822 square foot addition to the Sciences complex and you'll see a new science lab, analytical room and preparation/storage room.
The annex was funded by our Title V Cooperative Grant, SMCC dollars, and Proposition 301.
Up to 24 students may work in the lab at one time. State-of-the-art work stations host computers, microscopes, and additional equipment to enhance bioscience and biology curricula. A modern fume hood allows for safe handling of chemicals. Also included: a shower and eye-wash station, for added safety.
You'll also find new technology in support of instruction, including a new projection system, data capabilities at each student workstation, and a high-tech instructor's station. The annex is also adaptable for students in wheelchairs.
Two energy efficient heat pumps provide cooling and heating, and each has "smart" thermostats that sense the number of occupants and automatically adjust when needed.
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Students from three area high schools could have the biosciences in their genes by the time they enter SMCC.
Thanks go to a $203,000 Undergraduate Bioscience Engagement Track (UBET) grant recently funded by the United States Department of Agriculture.
UBET funds will be used to: equip South Mountain Arizona Agribusiness and Equine Center (AAEC), Carl Hayden High School, and Corona Del Sol High School with biotechnology equipment; provide bioscience training to high school science teachers; hire a bioscience lab technician to support high school bioscience courses; and promote competitive high school student bioscience projects which will be entered in state and national science fairs.
UBET partners are: South Mountain Community College, USDA Arid Climate Research Laboratory, and the three high schools.
The UBET grant will enable more students from the Phoenix central corridor to enter a bioscience workforce pipeline, according to Dr. Raul Sandoval, SMCC Associate Dean of Occupational Programs and Marshall Logvin, Biology Faculty.
The pair (grant co-principals) say that because of the two-year grant, at least 400 high school students could successfully complete at least one college-level bioscience course through dual enrollment. In addition, the grant funds student research projects.
"Our goal is for at least ten students to place first, second, or third in a bioscience category at regional, state, or national science fairs...but I bet UBET will produce many more!" Marshall adds.
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(Beginning with this issue, The Messenger will run a question-and-answer interview with a member of President Ken Atwater's Community Advisory Council. We begin with the esteemed Verna McClain, whose dedication to the South Mountain Village is widely known and is greatly appreciated by all.)
George Young, reporter and co-editor of The Villager, community activist, and long-time friend of Verna McClain, says:
"Folks love and respect Verna because she has a genuine spiritual presence. Her faith is what keeps her going. She has an overwhelming desire to help people and to improve not only her own life, but the community she lives in. This is clear when you know how involved and dedicated she is about the causes she supports.
He continues: "I am not sure you can measure her value to our Village. What would we use as a guide? She touches so many people in so many ways, and in so many different walks of life. When I drive down the streets of our Village and see a business, a church, a school, or a recreation facility, I think of Verna and how she was partially responsible for their existence."
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Question (Q): Verna, how long have you resided in the South Mountain Village?
Answer (A): I have been here over 38 years! When I first came, I managed apartments for eight years, then, in 1977, opened my craft shop.
Q: You are active with many committees, boards, and organizations. Can you name some of them?
A: The President's Advisory Council of SMCC, Southern Baptist Temple, a long-time member of the South Mountain /Laveen Chamber of Commerce, the Roosevelt Neighborhood Women's Club and Helping Hands Grandmothers Club. (Note: Verna has also been instrumental in all 19 Fiesta of Independence/July 4 events at SMCC, as well as the annual Festival of Thanksgiving in the community).
Q: You are known throughout the community as the tireless publisher/editor of the South Mountain Villager. How long have you been doing this and what is the greatest reward?
A: The Villager has been operating for about 13 years. (Several of us) started it to combat the bad news coverage the media was giving our community. Our policy has been to never print anything negative. It has been a very rewarding experience and I like to think it has been a benefit to our community.
Q: What was your role in the establishment of South Mountain Community College - more than 25 years ago?
A: I was an original advisory board member before the college was even built. About 35 of us attended all the Maricopa Community College District Board meetings, seeking a college in our area. The Governing Board finally gave in and gave us South Mountain Community College. I have seen it grow from the point of holding classes in churches, schools and trailers to our beautiful campus today.
Q: What keeps you going so strong and keeps you enthusiastic about the South Mountain Village?
A: I am a people person and I want to see our community offer the best of everything to our residents. Things are happening so fast in our Village -- we have shopping and beautiful new homes. My dream is to see our history preserved in a museum in our community. South Mountain Park is the largest city park in the United States. That, too, is part of our heritage. I would also like to see the Neighborhood House become a National Historic site. (The Neighborhood House, at Southern and Seventh Street, has been a community meeting place since 1912, and the Women's Club still meets there. It is now a Tech Center for the Roosevelt School District).
Q: What honors have meant the most to you over the years?
A: In 2006 I won the South Mountain /Laveen Chamber Spirit Award, and ten years earlier received a 12 Who Care Hon Kachina Award. In 1992 I won the first South Mountain Community College Appreciation Award. My greatest reward is the friendships I have made over the years, as so many individuals have come together to make the South Mountain Village a wonderful and special place to work and live. Also, I don't drive, and I want to thank all my friends who provide transportation for me to get to all the meetings I attend.
Q: Tell us about your family.
A: I have been a widow for 34 years.
I have three children: a son in Florida, a daughter in California, and a son in Idaho. A grandson lives in Phoenix. I have nine grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren. I look forward to spending more time with my family.
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U.S. soldiers stationed in sweltering Iraq are a little more comfortable these days because of the generosity of SMCC employees, students, and community members.
In the last five months, these supporters have sent 23 boxes of treats, pre-packaged foods and toiletries, magazines and books, and some clothing. In addition, individuals have donated $720 for mailing and purchase of some items.
Leading the efforts to aid one military unit are Linda Torres, Office Coordinator of Student Life & Leadership, and Grace Ochoa, of Student Services.
Last April, Grace's brother, Armando Martinez, sent Grace an email asking for candy. His unit longed for chocolate! Grace forwarded the email to friends at SMCC, the word soon spread, and it seemed as if everyone pitched in to help.
The Arizona Republic and Channel 10 TV soon did stories -- and contributions swelled. To read the Republic article and see the photo, click here: http://www.azcentral.com/community/phoenix/articles/
0524phx-armando0526.html
One South Phoenix resident took the article with her on a visit to her grandchildren in another state. That whole family mailed packages to the unit. Another community member whose husband had just died contributed to the cause. It made her feel better about her loss, Linda notes.
"The generosity of our students, staff and faculty has been amazing," says Linda. "They all gave from their hearts and pockets at all levels. For a student who makes minimum wage to donate five dollars to ten dollars is very special."
Armando sent many thank you emails to the college on behalf of his unit. The first box to arrive in Iraq was empty within seconds. "They (the soldiers) are very grateful and wanted for me to say thank u and God bless all of u," he wrote.
"Armando's emails made us feel like we were part of his life. We would be concerned when we did not hear from him and we would sigh a breath of relief when he emailed us to let us know that his convoy had returned safely," Grace says. "The support has been extraordinary and I thank everyone who sent a little love to our extremely grateful troops."
Armando left Iraq on Aug. 18 and arrived in Casa Grande recently before going to for Ft. Bliss, Tex. He will return to Phoenix soon and plans a visit to SMCC to say thank you in person.
Grace reports, "The last time I spoke with my brother, he said, 'Tell everyone their prayer got me back safely.'"
Armando provided Linda and Grace with contact names of those left behind. "We will definitely continue to send items to this unit," Grace says. The women are accepting items and money and are maintaining their goal of mailing one box a week.
Linda adds, "I never imagined we would receive such a great response. Our dream is to continue sending items until the soldiers come home!"
For more information or to make a donation, call Linda at 602.243.8065.
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Five million dollars in financial aid made getting a great education possible for SMCC students in 2006-2007. Inez Moreno-Weinert, Director of Financial Aid, reports these awards: $1.2 million in Institutional and Private Grants, $2.6 million in Pell Grants, $108,000 in LEAP Grants and Supplemental Grants, $295,000 in Student Employment, $295,000 in Student Employment, and $800,000 in Student Loans.
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On Monday, November 5, South Mountain Community College (SMCC) and Northern Arizona University (NAU) will host its first Partnership Day from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4 to 7 p.m.
The Partnership Day will provide the opportunity for SMCC students and staff, as well as prospective students, to learn about continuing their education towards a Bachelors Degree here at SMCC after completing their Associates Degree.
A new building dedicated predominantly to NAU classes opened August 13. The new 3,000 square-foot facility contains three classrooms and several faculty offices. It's located south of the PAC and east of the Business building.
For undergraduate program information regarding NAU opportunities at SMCC, contact Shari Gustafson, Program Coordinator, at 602.689.7857.
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Julie Holston
Once on This Island, SMCC's Spring 2007 production, has received two nominations for ariZoni Awards, Julie Holston, Theatre Faculty, has announced. Nominations are for Best Overall Production in the musical category and Best Choreography. This brings to 12 the number of ariZoni nominations received in the past three years. The 2007 ariZoni awards ceremony will be Sept. 24 at Scottsdale Center for the Arts.
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Mary Marsh-Beil
Mary Marsh-Beil, Administrative Assistant to President Atwater, received the Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) certification from the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) in May 2007. In November 2006, she earned the Certified Professional Secretary (CPS) certification. In addition, Mary is serving as the president of the IAAP Scottsdale Chapter for 2007-08.
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Pat Manarin, Art Faculty, finished in third place in her age division in the Prescott Whiskey Row Half-Marathon. The race is considered one of the most difficult in the country because of the high elevation. Pat plans to swim, run and bike in the Blue Water Triathalon in Parker during November, and will participate in the Rock 'n' Roll Half-Marathon in Phoenix in January.
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Liz Warren, Storytelling Faculty, taught this summer with MCC's Study Abroad Ireland Program. She was the featured teller at The Dublin Yarnspinners and at Cultra, the annual storytelling festival hosted by the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum, near Belfast. In addition, Liz told weekly for the library in Athlone where the program is based, and biweekly in the library at nearby Ballinasloe. SMCC Storytelling Adjunct, Doug Bland, told stories for the library and in one of the concerts at Cultra. Liz, Doug, and LynnAnn Wojciechowicz (who visited Scotland this summer) will tell stories and relate adventures in a special storytelling concert on Sept. 26. For more information, go to: size=2>http://about.southmountaincc.edu/NewsEvents/
Pressroom/September/Sept262007.htm
To read Liz's blog and see photos of Ireland, go to: http://irelandjournal.typepad.com
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Guillermo "Bill" Zepeda, ESL Faculty, recited the entire Declaration of Independence at the Tempe July 4 celebration. He received numerous letters of thanks, including one from Tempe Mayor Hugh Hallman. To read the Arizona Republic's story about Bill, click here: http://www.azcentral.com/community/tempe/articles/
0702tr-fireworks0704.html
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FRIEND OF PSA: Dolly Aguirre (on the left in front row) has been selected as a Friend of PSA. The Professional Staff Association (PSA) named Dolly a friend because she always encourages everyone to improve themselves and to go the extra mile. She has been a loyal friend to many at SMCC for many years. Dolly has always been a strong advocate for PSA.
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Whether new, returning or moving on, SMCC employees are making the news. From a new counselor to faculty members returning from sabbatical...from new Department Chairs to a Golf Coach departing for other greens...the changes are important so that everyone at SMCC knows who's who. Follow this link for the all the info: 2007 Staff Changes
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SMCC Financial Aid Director Inez Moreno-Weinert (in black jacket) and SMCC Guadalupe Center Director Raul Monreal (far left) are on the air! The two provided college information at an August 5 remote broadcast of La Onda 1190-AM's "El Break" radio show, live from the Guadalupe Center.
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Sept. 17 (Mon.): The First Branch of the Mabinogion: The Story of Pwyll and Rhiannon, presented by Liz Warren and the SMCC Storytelling Institute. Studio Theatre, 6:30 p.m. Admission: Free, but latecomers will not be seated. Information: 602.243.8022.
(To read the story, click here: http://about.southmountaincc.edu/NewsEvents/
Pressroom/September/August82007.htm)
Sept. 26 (Wed.): SMCC Storytelling Institute Faculty Storytelling Concert. Performance Hall, 7 p.m. Admission: $10. Information: 602.243.8022. To read more, click here: http://about.southmountaincc.edu/NewsEvents/
Pressroom/September/Sept262007.htm
Sept. 28 (Fri.): Rose N Rood, featuring duo pianists Henry Rose and Kathryn Rood. Presented by SMCC Music Department. Performance Hall, 7:30 p.m. Admission: $10. Information: 602.243.8053. To read more, click here: http://about.southmountaincc.edu/NewsEvents/
Pressroom/September/Sept282007.htm
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http://athletics.southmountaincc.edu/Resources/SportsNews
The new 2007-2008 Cougars poster,
created and designed by Patricia Thornham and Travis May.
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