TO:
DCCCD BOARD MEMBERS
FROM:
JOE D. MAY
DATE:
NOVEMBER 20, 2015
RE:
WEEKEND MEMO #81
COMMENTS FROM JOE D. MAY
Good afternoon!
As we move toward Thanksgiving next week, I would like to share news about our students and our recent
activities in the community:
http://media.dcccd.edu/video.php?vid=4049.
As we continue to build our higher education network with other educational institutions, businesses,
and community partners, I want to thank you for your role in this important process which ultimately will
help our students succeed as they pursue credentials and build their careers.
Have a great weekend, and we’ll talk again soon!
Joe May
(Note: For the best viewing experience, please use the latest version of Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome,
Opera, or Apple Safari.)
Richland College
Student Success — Students in the Richland College Chapter of The National Society of Collegiate
Scholars have partnered with Refugee Services of Texas and the Richland College Honors Academy this
fall to provide mentoring to refugees interested in attending Richland College. This pilot program
currently has five mentors guiding five mentees through the application, Texas Success Initiative, and
advising processes, with plans to expand the partnership’s outreach in the future.
Congratulations to Richland College student vocalists Angel Hare, soprano I; Martha Schessler, soprano
II; Veronica Merritt, alto I; America Moreno, alto II; Garrett Dunaway, tenor I; Josh Usry, tenor II;
Brandon Jones, baritone; and Alex Gonzales, bass, who auditioned and qualified to participate in the
Texas Two-Year All-State Choir. They will join with singers from across the state to rehearse and
perform at the Texas Music Educators Association Convention in San Antonio in February.
Sustainable Community Building — Richland College Garland Campus hosted approximately a hundred
attendees at the Texas Administrators of Continuing Education (TACE) North Region Roundup workforce
training event on November 6. The training agenda included sessions on Texas Workforce Commission
grant funding, contract training, emotional intelligence, leadership, and continuing education
systems. Dr. Kay Eggleston, president of Richland College, welcomed the attendees; Paul Mayer, chief
executive officer of the Garland Chamber of Commerce, delivered the luncheon keynote address; and
Mark Hays, DCCCD vice chancellor of workforce and economic development, addressed the attendees at
the afternoon session. Richland College’s Konley Kelley, director of corporate/community relations and
TACE north region representative, and Melinda Weaver, executive dean of continuing education, helped
plan the event.
Student Success/Sustainable Community Building — Richland College partnered with the Asian & Pacific
Islander American Scholarship Fund (APIASF) and sponsor Wells Fargo to host a “Jump Start” college
information session on November 14. The program provided Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI)
high school juniors and seniors and their parents information about college planning, leadership
training, financial education, professional development tools and resources, and Richland College’s
programs and services; they were also given a tour of the college. Earlier this year, APIASF awarded
scholarships totaling $42,500 to 13 full-time, degree-seeking AAPI Richland College students, and the
college recently received a $1.5 million grant to expand and advance student learning success outcomes
for AAPI students.
District Office
Dr. Peggy Shadduck, executive director for the DCCCD STEM Institute, has written a blog which was
recently posted by the League for Innovation in the Community College on its website. Her article
focuses on the effective work of the Institute: Member Spotlight: Dallas County Community College
District. In her blog, Shadduck states, “The key to the effectiveness of the DCCCD STEM Institute is that
it provides comprehensive, integrated support. The mentorship, scholarship support, professional skill
development, peer networking, emphasis on academic excellence, and exposure to transfer and career
opportunities collectively help students strengthen their knowledge and drive.”
North Lake College
Our Students — North Lake College TRIO Student Support Services held a workshop on October 28,
entitled “Mapping Out Your Career Choice.” The motivational workshop provided participants with
strategies for maintaining focus on their educational goals, motivational tips, and a session on how to
follow through. Detra Craig is the director of TRIO Student Support Services at North Lake College.
Our Community — On October 17, Rosemary Meredith of the North Lake College Disability Services
Office, participated in Live the Dream Expo, an event for families seeking educational and community
resources for students with special needs. The event was co-sponsored by the Irving ISD and The Arc,
the largest national community-based organization advocating for and serving people with intellectual
and developmental disabilities and their families. Held at Singley Academy in Irving, the Expo featured
numerous breakout sessions plus information tables with helpful materials.
Our Employees — At EDUCAUSE 2015, held in Indianapolis, IN, North Lake College faculty members,
Sherry Boyd and Ulanda Forbess, presented “Burn the Box: Pushing Past Your Comfort Zone.” The
session examined technologies that play a strategic role in innovation and improvement of higher
education course curriculum and student engagement. Boyd and Forbess offered unique pedagogical
2
applications of lecture/screen capture tools (e.g., Camtasia, Snagit, Fuse, Zaption, and Nearpod) for
creating course curriculum and helping students create projects. Offering a repurposed and innovative
approach to using lecture/screen capture as student engagement and presentation tools, the presenters
answered the question, “What is true feedback and how can it improve learning?”
North Lake College Sustainability Coordinator Brandon Morton spoke at Stephen F. Austin State
University (SFASU) at its annual campus sustainability event on November 18. His lecture and workshop
(for students and faculty) focused on economic sustainability in Texas higher education and Texas
leadership in the global economy. SFASU is the first university in the state to offer a Bachelor of Arts in
Sustainability with a focus on community development, geography, and social work.
Eastfield College
Advance Student Success — On November 12, the Eastfield College Accounting Department, in
partnership with Resource One Credit Union, sponsored a Reality Fair to promote financial literacy and
financial independence. The 91 participants were asked to select a major/career; they were then
provided a monthly budget sheet that indicated their projected monthly gross income and, also, their
net pay. The students were guided through a virtual life, choosing a place to live, food, transportation,
insurance, savings, etc. They also learned the differences between fixed, variable, and discretionary
expenses. The reality check occurred at the end of the process when students met with a credit
counselor to learn if they had allocated their funds favorably. In an effort to encourage participation,
Resource One donated one $250 scholarship check and, as door prizes, five $25 gift cards.
Eastfield College student, Rameez Sohail, and Student Government Association (SGA) Advisor Diana
Hopes joined North Lake College student, Caleb Thibodeaux, and SGA Advisor Beth Nikopoulos, and El
Centro College student, Daniela Gonzalez, and SGA Advisor Shaneé Moore at the Texas Junior College
Student Government Association (TJCSGA) Executive Board meeting in Austin, November 13-15. Sohail,
Thibodeaux, and Gonzalez worked with other TJCSGA Executive Board members from Navarro College,
Austin Community College, Blinn College, and Northeast Texas Community College to plan and organize
the 2016 TJCSGA state convention, which will be held in Austin in April. They also shared and discussed
SGA regional and local chapter updates, finalized the TJCSGA award competition guidelines, and
programmed activities for the visit to the state capitol on the final day of the convention.
Meet Community Educational Needs — On November 7, Eastfield College hosted the Dallas BEST
(Boosting Engineering, Science, and Technology) Robotics Competition for the fourth year, with 26 high
schools from across the Metroplex participating. More than 500 family members and friends supported
the 260 participants at the all-day event. The learning process and teamwork required by the students
to reach the Competition is a big part of BEST. The annual event is organized and coordinated by Texas
Instruments and Raytheon employees.
Eastfield College hosted its sixth annual Arbor Day Celebration on November 12. The community event,
coordinated by the college’s Sustainability Committee, featured keynote speaker Steve Houser,
president of Arborilogical Services, Inc. Entertainment was provided by the Eastfield College Choir, Brass
Quintet, and Children’s Laboratory School, and the fifth/sixth grade chorus from neighboring Zack
Motley Elementary School. A special “friendship tree” presentation was made to the residents of the
Christian Care Senior Living Community of Mesquite followed by the annual planting of a celebratory
tree. This year, the President’s Sustainability Award was presented to Cliff Mauvais, grounds supervisor
at the college. The Eastfield College Sustainability Team is led by Drs. Brenda Floyd and Terry Wickman.
3
El Centro College
Employees — David Goomas, El Centro College psychology adjunct faculty, attended the annual business
meeting of the Community College Journal of Research and Practice held in Denver, CO, on November 6.
The editorial board met with the publisher of the Journal to assemble ideas and a special issues report
for the 2016 publishing calendar. The peer-reviewed journal is a multidisciplinary forum for researchers
and practitioners in higher education and the behavioral and social sciences. The mission of the Journal
is to promote an increased awareness of community college issues by providing an exchange of ideas,
research, and empirically tested educational innovations. The editor-in-chief is Dr. Deborah Floyd,
professor of higher education, Educational Leadership and Research Methodology Department at
Florida Atlantic University.
Workforce — The Workforce Training Department at the Bill J. Priest Campus of El Centro College hosted
the Festo Mobile Mechatronics Lab (MML) on November 11. Staffed with experts in the field of
automation, the MML is touring the United States as part of a mission to educate companies and
schools about energy-efficient automation technology and services, and the latest advancements that
can improve equipment and operational performance. Sandra Mitchell, project leader for workforce
training at El Centro College Bill J. Priest Campus, stated, “Mobile learning is fast becoming the way of
the future and Bill J. Priest and the District should be a part of this rapid growing educational
technology, and will be key in building tomorrow’s workforce today.” Attendees were provided the
opportunity to observe the equipment inside the Mobile Lab in action, try their hand at operating the
equipment, and participate in a group project on-site. Additionally, the Bill J. Priest Campus has been
holding weekly open information sessions for prospective students each Tuesday at 1 p.m. The purpose
of the sessions is for attendees to find out more about welding and industrial maintenance, and to see if
there is possibly a fit. At the conclusion of each session, a tour of both the welding and industrial arts
labs are provided.
Community Partnerships — On October 30, the Food and Hospitality Institute at El Centro College, in
partnership with the Multicultural Foodservice and Hospitality Alliance, hosted more than 400 culinary,
hospitality, travel, and tourism students from nine Dallas ISD high schools for Showcase of the Stars.
Sponsored by Sodexo, Buffalo Wild Wings, Starbucks Coffee Company, Chipotle Mexican Grill, and
Which Wich Superior Sandwiches (lunch sponsor), this highly engaging career exploration event focused
on the value of diversity in the foodservice and hospitality industry, and personal characteristics that
leading companies are looking for when hiring and promoting employees. The agenda for the day
included a panel discussion with top foodservice industry executives followed by a working lunch and
one-on-one breakout sessions. This life-changing event can be summed up by one student attendee’s
feedback: “Awesome stories! You could see the passion for cooking and/or serving people. I learned
that I need the same passion for cooking and serving. I learned I need to stick with it. The love of what I
do in life is the game changer to bring me success!”
College — El Centro College was pleased to be a Runway sponsor for the Fashion Group International
(FGI) of Dallas Night of Stars gala held at the Fashion Industry Gallery on November 13. This annual
event recognized designer Prabal Gurung with the Career Achievement in Fashion Award. In addition,
awards were presented to Nancy Nasher (Career Achievement in Business), David Sutherland (Career
Achievement in Interior Design), and Nancy Carlson (Art Patron of the Year). Twenty-two students from
the El Centro College Fashion Marketing and Fashion Design programs assisted with the gala. Proceeds
from the event fund FGI of Dallas Foundation scholarships, many of which are won by El Centro College
fashion students at the annual FGI Scholarship Competition in April. Dr. Jose Adames, Mrs. Carmen
Adames, Dr. Greg Morris, Priscilla Staley, Brenda Carlson, Michael Einsohn, Wade Hyde, Carmen Carter,
and Marilyn Sullivan represented El Centro College at the event.
4
Brookhaven College
Student Success — The Brookhaven College Lady Bears Volleyball Team traveled to Minnesota to take its
place as second seed for the National Junior College Athletic Association Division III National
Championship. The team defeated Northhampton Community College in straight sets, and Monroe
Community College in the semi-finals. The Lady Bears finished in second place, falling to Rochester
Community and Technical College in the finals. This is the 11th year the team has advanced to the
national tournament and the 4th time it has finished as runner-up. Team members Alexis Gardner,
Kelsey Rogers, and Taylor Stone were named to the All-Tournament Team.
Brookhaven College was well represented at the Dallas Veterans Day Parade on November 11 with 16
students and staff members participating in the event. Additionally, on November 9-10, the Brookhaven
College Student Veterans Association recognized veterans by manning a table on campus to distribute
yellow ribbons and gather messages of thanks and support for veterans and, also, with a large, tri-fold
standing chalkboard display.
Community Engagement — For the first time, Brookhaven College took the lead role in coordinating the
annual Reach for the Stars Conference, which was held November 7 on campus. The local American
Association of University Women group had hosted the event on the college campus for 25 years and
reached thousands of girls with information about mathematics and science careers. This year,
approximately 180 middle school girls from the Carrollton-Farmers Branch and Coppell ISDs had the
opportunity to select from 42 different presenters about various topics in science, technology,
engineering, and mathematics (STEM). From the chemistry of creating makeup to the geology of the oil
and gas industry, students discovered ways science and math work within STEM fields.
LeCroy Center
Supporting Institutional Effectiveness — On November 13, LeCroy Center Provost Pam Quinn and the
Leadership Team hosted DCCCD Vice Chancellor of Educational Policy Dr. Fernando Figueroa and the
college presidents for an afternoon meeting and luncheon. The meeting included updates about the
Distance Learning Compression Planning session for faculty that was held September 18, updates from
Dallas Colleges Online, and new technology information.
Cedar Valley College
Our Campus Sustainability Initiative — Cedar Valley College celebrated Fit and Learn Day on November
18, with the presence of health and fitness exhibitors. Students, faculty, and staff were encouraged to
be more sustainable by making a pledge to eat healthier foods and snacks as well as making a personal
plan to get fit during the upcoming holiday season. The event was sponsored by the Cedar Valley
College Students’ Green Club and Sustainability Director Dr. Maria Boccalandro. More than a hundred
participants learned healthy cooking tips and had fun as they commemorated Fit and Learn Day. Cedar
Valley College wants to do its part to raise environmental awareness around campus. In this effort, it
encourages sustainable practices by students, faculty, and staff not only in the day-to-day operations of
the college, but in their classrooms and homes also. The Cedar Valley College Sustainability Team and
the Students’ Green Club address issues of green practices, campus emissions, and informative events
around the campus annually.
Our Career Services — Lathera Addison and Diana Sukut, coordinators of career services at Cedar Valley
College, hosted “Chat and Chew” on November 17, in the D Building. The event was an open discussion
on interviewing tips, techniques, and proper dress with the Career Development Team while nibbling on
delicious desserts. The Career Services Office assists students in determining their career path by
providing a range of comprehensive services. The goal is to provide career resources for all students,
with attention to specific needs with resumés, reviewing job and internship boards, and career
5
advisement. Cedar Valley College Career Services provides access to hundreds of job leads via NACElink,
an online job database.
Our Workforce Development Initiative — On November 19, the Cedar Valley College Workforce
Development & Continuing Education Department, in partnership with Cedar Hill Economic
Development Corporation, hosted “Speaker’s Box Series 2015” at the Cedar Valley College Center at
Cedar Hill. The topic of the session was “Bankability Panel Discussion with Frost Bank, PeopleFund, &
SBDC.” The Speaker’s Box Series is a community lecture event that provides an open forum for the
exchange of ideas, opinions, and perspectives as well as the opportunity to learn about interesting and
successful local businesses, new technology, and networking. Speakers are chosen on the basis of
career achievement and unique expertise in their particular field of endeavor. Some of the most
celebrated personalities of the community reveal ideas and perspectives that inform, challenge, and
inspire. Each session also includes a question/answer period following each talk. The Speaker’s Box
Series is a product for the community; members of the community are invited to suggest speakers and
topics for future Series. For more information, please call 972-860-7800.
Mountain View College
Academic/Student Success — On November 19, the Mountain View College Office of Student Life hosted
the Student Leadership Institute Seminar Series, “Identifying Your Leadership Gifts.” At the session, the
group focused on the gifts that individuals already have and on using them effectively. They discussed
how leaders could not perform well if they failed to see the strengths within them. Participants also
discovered that good leaders take a personal inventory of their natural abilities; this shapes their selfimage and, consequently, their results in becoming a better leader.
The Mountain View College Fall 2015 Dance Showcase is being held November 20 and 21 at 7:30 p.m. in
the college Performance Hall. This year’s Showcase features the Mountain View College dance students,
with guest performances by Alegre Ballet Folklórico and the Moisés E. Molina High School Dance
Company. Following the November 20 performance, there will be a reception on the North Bridge. For
more information, please contact Professor John Merrifield at 214-860-3679.
Community Success — On November 17, U.S. presidential candidate Hillary Clinton came to Mountain
View College for a campaign rally. Her campaign rented the gymnasium for the event, which was
attended by more than 1,500 students, faculty, staff, and community members. It was a great learning
opportunity for Mountain View College students to experience a presidential campaign rally. Cindy
Robles Perez, Mountain View College student leader, was selected to introduce Clinton to the crowd. As
the 2016 presidential election continues to gain momentum, Mountain View College welcomes other
candidates to consider visiting the campus.
Employee Success — Renowned advising expert Dr. Charlie Nutt presented at Mountain View College on
November 19-20. Nutt facilitated a variety of tailored presentations to several groups. He discussed the
role of academic advising in student success and elaborated on the topic of “Academic Advising as
Essential to the Academic Mission of the Institution and Its Connection to Student Success.” Mountain
View College President Dr. Robert Garza stated, “I've worked with Dr. Nutt many times, and he has a
wealth of information to share about how we can enhance our advising process.”
Dr. Nutt is executive director of the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA). He has been
instrumental in the development of the NACADA/Kansas State University graduate certificate in
academic advising and several other NACADA professional development initiatives.
6