Fall
2012
Winter
2010
s
Community
Outreach
Professional Clothing
Bank at City College
Fort Lauderdale
W
henever there’s a need in our
student community, City College is
ready to help.
Today, we are giving back to our students
through City Closet, a professional clothing
exchange program that benefits all City
College students. The purpose of the City
Closet is to provide students with muchneeded business attire, allowing them to
make the most of interviews and networking
opportunities. Whether it’s a business suit
that no longer fits, a never-worn dress, a
purse, a pair of shoes, or a briefcase, we
are collecting it to pass along for other
students to use. Students are welcome to
bring unwanted items and exchange for
something they need.
The City Closet is located in the Tutoring
Center (room 106B) of the Fort Lauderdale
campus. We want all City College
students to enter the workforce prepared
and confident. Bring your unwanted
professional items to the Tutoring Center
between 10 am and 7pm or contact Ms.
Evall at aevall@citycollege.edu. Thank you for your support!
New PI Sponsorship
Student Maxine Louben holds up an example of
what you might find in the City Closet
s
The purpose of City Closet is to provide students with
much-needed business attire, allowing them to make
the most of interviews & networking opportunities.
National Library Week Poetry Contest
Students at the Fort Lauderdale campus
celebrated National Library Week by
participating in a poetry contest. Entrants were
required to write original library-related poems
in the style of haiku, limericks, sonnets, ABC or
rhymed poetry.
Awards were given for first and second
place with Diane McKenzie and her poem
titled “I Had to Read a Book Today” taking top
honors. The second place prize was given to Lishann
Morgan with a poem she called “The Library”.
I Had to Read a Book Today
_ By Diane McKenzie
I had to have a book today,
But for it I didn’t want to pay.
I really felt so awfully blue
I asked a friend, “What should I do?”
Fort Lauderdale Campus News • page 1
She told me of a place she knew
Where I could get a book or two.
To get the books there was no fee.
To take them home was really free.
The Fort Lauderdale Private Investigations
program recently received a revitalization
with City College agreeing to pay for the
Florida State Required CC Intern Course and
student membership in the Florida Association
of Licensed Investigators (FALI).
As a result, City College PI students are now
eligible for sponsorship in private investigative
agencies, as well as membership in FALI.
Bonita Elliot, a soon-to-graduate Private
Investigations student said the new benefits
are a big help.
(continued on page 2)
I love the library, yes I do.
And getting books for free – Who knew?
I’ll go back often today and tomorrow
To get more books and movies to borrow.
You really need to get there, too.
You’ll love it as much as I do.
“The place,” she said, “is the library.
Get there soon. Do not tarry.”
Libraries, she said, had books and more.
It’s like a free education store.
There are books and music, movies and
such.
They have so very, very much.
They help improve your mind, you see.
And help you decide what you can be.
In the library you can travel the world.
And see new places that will be unfurled.
Libraries are great places to read
Whenever you really have the need.
Allied Health student Diane McKenzie reads
her award-winning poem during Student
Appreciation Week
Find this newsletter online at citycollege.edu
Fort Lauderdale Campus News • page 2
On the Road Again
A recent trip to Orlando proved to be another
memorable getaway for 10 broadcasting
students. The students, along with their
professor, Dr. Alvan Lewis, visited a CBS
affiliate station and newspaper during the
weekend getaway on August 23-25.
The trip was a first for nine of the 10 students
who didn’t know what was in store for them.
In the end, they all agreed it was an invaluable
experience as they were treated to an insider’s
look at the broadcasting industry.
Learning began as soon as students arrived
in Orlando. Dr. Lewis kicked off the weekend
with a workshop titled, “Communicating for
Success.”
The next morning started with a visit to
WKMG TV-Channel 6 where students received
PI Sponsorship
(from page 1)
“I’m really happy to get it,” Elliot said.
“It helps to increase your abilities as far
as employment. It helps with getting your
[Private Investigator] license, and it saves
you the time of having to fill out applications
and gather the money. It also gives you the
opportunity for networking in the private
investigations field.”
This newly implemented incentive is
already paying off.
“In the last two months City College
students have been attending FALI meetings
in large numbers and have been hired as
paid, licensed Private Investigator Interns, “
PI program chair Jeff Scharlatt said.
“A new enthusiasm is catching among
the Ft. Lauderdale Private Investigative
Students.”
Visit the City College student web
portal at myportal.citycollege.edu
a tour from WKMG Assistant Production
Manager Richard Byrnes. The tour allowed
them to see the inner workings of a television
station up close and personal. Students
also met several members of the news staff,
observed technical operations, and even had
the opportunity to sit in the studio and watch
City College students pose with members of the
on-air news staff at WKMG TV-Channel 6 in Orlando
a live mid-day newscast. Afterwards they got
to chat with the anchor and meterologist on
duty. The experience provided students with
new insight into the intricacies of the television
news business.
Up next was a visit to the Orlando Sentinel,
where the group met with Mike Lafferty, the
newspaper’s opinions editor. Lafferty spoke
to students about the success of the Orlando
paper, but also of the newspaper industry in
general. Students were treated to a tour of the
facility and they learned about the newspaper
production process. This proved to be an eyeopening experience for the students whose
curriculum focuses mostly on the broadcasting
industry.
All students agreed the trip was enjoyable
and educational. One student said, “It was
amazing. The only thing I would change would
be to stay longer.”
Learning Resources
Facelift
The City College Libraries Learning
Resources website (http://citycollege.
libguides.com) was recently redesigned to
increase usability and access to resources.
The new look of the Learning Resources
page features an easy to navigate home
page with links to APA Style guidelines,
library resources, specific campus library
information and more.
On the Learning Resources page, City
College students can access directions
for using library subscription resources,
such as LIRN, CINAHL and Health Source
Nursing Academic. Additional information is
provided regarding PubMed, a free citation
index maintained by the National Library of
Medicine, as well as other freely available
resources such as FirstSearch and the Florida
Electronic Library.
Students can also find campus specific
information, such as library hours, contact
The City College Learning Resources page recently
received a facelift. The Learning Resources page
provides access to library resources, research
information and more
information and access to each library’s online
catalog by following the My Campus Library
link. Links to frequently-used websites such as
the Student Portal and the Virtual Bookstore
are provided, as well.
The City College Learning Resources page
is available to all students from any computer
with internet access. Check it out today.
Hollywood Campus News
C
Boys and Girls Club Visit City College Hollywood
ity College Hollywood held an event
August 8, 2012 inviting members of the
Boys and Girls Club to visit our
school. The club members, mostly high
school juniors and seniors, had expressed
an interest in touring the school and
learning about the different career paths
we offer. They were all very excited to get
a glimpse into our programs and had an
informative day. “We spoke to them about
the importance of education, especially
career education and showed them our
presentation, took them on a tour of the facility
and answered any questions that they had,”
said Mr. Galizia, City College Hollywood
Executive Director.
The students were given a tour of our
facilities, including the classrooms, library and
computer lab. They were especially impressed
with our use of the smart boards and our small
classroom sizes. They met with Mr. Suarez,
our Financial Aid Director, who showed them
(continued on page 3)
The Boys and Girls Club visit City College
Hollywood
Hollywood Campus News • page 3
Boys and Girls Club Visit (from page 2)
s
that paying for college could be more accessible then they might’ve
previously thought. “I strive to provide an Extraordinary Educational
Experience to our student body I do this by educating students
on their financial options and ensuring they become successful
borrowers,” Mr. Suarez stated, “Students from the Boys and Girls
Club left our presentation with more knowledge about borrowing
money for college and also finding other financial resources.
The students were also given advice by City College Hollywood’s
registrar, Ms. Sanchez. “I informed them of the importance of
having a plan with their college pathway,” said Ms. Sanchez, “and
the importance of maintaining their classes, grades, attendance
and the importance of communication between the school staff and
themselves.” Ms.Sanchez also supplied City College goody-bags to
the students, full of college information and fun items like pens and
notebooks. They also met with Mr. Shea, Director of Admissions,
who motivated them to purse a higher education after graduating
high school. “Knowledge is power, power is money,” Mr. Shea
stated. “It’s important to follow your passion and dreams….
THINK BIG!”
“It’s important
to follow your
passion and
dreams...
Think Big!”
Overall, the Boys and Girls Club members visiting our City College
Hollywood campus was a success. They got to tour our facility,
speak with our faculty about issues such a paying for college and
career paths, and ask whatever questions they needed answers to. They were sent home with info for their parents and were happy and
informed about the types of programs that we offer. They hopefully
will recommend City College to friends and family, and other Boys
and Girls Clubs. Like Mr. Suarez told the students, “Investing in
yourself is the best investment you will make in your life. Education is
something that cannot be taken from you.” We hope these students
learned this important factor in their decision on college.
Miami Campus News
EMS Students Get
Hands-On Training
Career Services Department Helps Students
Through “Walk Them Over” Campaign
Chief Cook works with students in the EMS
program at City College Miami
T
he EMS program at City College Miami
trains students with a lot of hands-on
experience– and that means the
students really work with their hands! Chief Cook, a long-time instructor with the
program, recently taught the “ins and outs”
of delivering a baby, using a fully-functioning
model that allowed them to simulate the
process. The group took turns, as one student
performed the role of the attending medic,
and another student helped by pushing the
baby through the birth canal. They learned
how to position the baby through the stages
of the process, as well as how to identify
problems that could arise with the baby’s
delivery. Classes like this help students
prepare for “the real thing” when they are
working as first responders someday!
Juan Medina, Jr. and Rebecca Rivera
Every department at City College in Miami gets the opportunity to meet our students at one
point during their educational career. The department of Career Services has started the
campaign “Walk Them Over” to assist them in making sure they can minister to
every student.
The new Director of Career Services is Juan Medina Jr. and the new Career Services
Associate is Rebecca Rivera. During their short stay at their positions, they have teamed
up with all of the departments to make sure every student is aware that they have career
assistance throughout their time in school and beyond.
Juan and Rebecca have asked the department chairs to ask all of their students and grads
if they have met with Career Services. If not, to “walk them over”. By walking them over,
the students get the opportunity to see the location of the department and receive the E3
experience (Extraordinary Educational Experience).
The Career Services team in Miami will be implementing bi-monthly activities to make sure
everyone gets the opportunity to use their services from the first day they step foot in class
to graduation. Welcome to the team Juan and Rebecca!
Gainesville Campus News • page 4
s
Student Spotlight
B
Mylonia Viaggio is Very, Very Busy!
ut she successfully balances family,
full time work and college. She
anticipates graduating this summer with
her Associate of Science degree in Allied
Health.
Viaggio is completing an externship with the
Surgical Associates division at Shands/UF in
Gainesville. In her externship she is rotating
through all of the surgical clinics including the
vascular and trauma areas.
“My greatest challenge while attending
college was balancing everything,” said
Viaggio.
When asked what contributed the most to
her academic success, she states that her
husband Nick and her children are her biggest
supporters.
“Dr. George Jacobs was an inspiration to me
and Mr. Coron helped me a lot,” said Viaggio.
She also attributes her academic success to
s
Viaggio is completing an externship
with the Surgical Associates division at
Shands/UF in Gainesville.
“I do wound care, take vitals and perform
post-operative and pre-operative procedures,”
said Viaggio.
She is hoping the experience leads to a
job offer.
Viaggio balances taking care of five children
and working full time on a night shift as a
dispatcher while attending school. She is also a
member of the Student Ambassador’s.
developing a buddy system with other students.
She recalls when she first heard about City
College.
“I heard about City College through a friend
of mine who went through the program. She
told me about the one-on-one attention and
family atmosphere,” said Viaggio.
Viaggio states that she still enjoys the family
atmosphere at the College today.
Juan Medina, Jr. and Rebecca Rivera
“The flexible schedule at the College allows
me to work and care for my family at the same
time,” said Viaggio.
Viaggio already passed her Phlebotomy
N.C.C.T. certification test and she will be sitting
for the Medical Assisting test on September 21.
Viaggio has a piece of advice for starting
students.
“Have a good support system, because it is
easy to give up,” said Viaggio.
State Representative Keith Perry Visits Gainesville Campus
District 22 State Representative Keith Perry,
stopped by the Gainesville campus for a quick
tour on Thursday, August 8th.
Perry met some of the staff, faculty and
students and toured the campus stopping in
the medical lab, phlebotomy room, patient
s
Campus Director Steven Schwab, State Rep. Keith Perry, Career Services Director “Zag” Zagaiski
He was impressed
with the college
facilities and offered
his assistance in
partnering with other
local agencies.
care lab, and EMS simulation classroom.
He stated he was impressed with the
college facilities and offered his assistance in
partnering with other local agencies.
Find us on Facebook. Visit the City College
social media link at citycollege.edu/social
Gainesville Campus News • page 5
City College graduate and Student Ambassador Alumnus Cindy Michel, speaks to a group of new students
T
Ambassadors Extraordinaire!
he Student Ambassadors continued blazing a trail of activity and support throughout the
summer quarter. Ambassadors kicked off the quarter with “Spring Fling” on Saturday,
June 23rd. The Spring Fling event occurred in conjunction with the new student
orientation.
Approximately eleven vendors participated in the day’s activities that included the Early
Learning Coalition, Alachua County Choices, Alachua County Sherriff’s, Caitlin’s Fairy
Circle, TD Bank, Wells Fargo Bank, Hot Dog Girls, 4-H Club, and a local nursery. Other local
organizations donated certificates and prizes for the event.
The Student Ambassador’s did face painting, games and arts and crafts for kids.
Kiss 105.3 brought their van to the campus and played music during the event.
The Student Ambassador’s held a baked goods sale during the event to raise funds.
City College graduate and Student Ambassador Alumnus Cindy Michel, was the featured
guest speaker for the new student orientation. She is a local manager for the Wells Fargo
bank.
The Student Ambassador’s are in the process of planning the next big event to coincide
with the fall new student orientation on September 29th. The Fall Festival already has more
than 30 vendors lined up and will be great fun for the students, staff and visitors to City
College.
Some of the other events that the Student Ambassador’s hosted during the summer quarter
included a spaghetti lunch and dinner, hot breakfast, baked goods sales, fundraiser for
Shands Children’s Hospital, and the Student Appreciation Week events.
The Student Ambassadors volunteer their time at each new student orientation and
provide their unique perspective in question and answer sessions for all incoming students.
The ambassadors also take the new students through a quick tour of the student web portal
imparting their perspective on the software’s functionality.
The Ambassador’s are an important presence on campus and serve as positive role models
of community service and extraordinary support!
Children line up for a turn at face painting by the
Student Ambassador volunteers
Student Ambassador Natalie Rose manning the
baked goods table
Scott Schiller, Assistant Vice President and Store
Manager from TD Bank at the Spring Fling event
Kiss 105.3 rolling radio station at the campus
broadcasting music for the Spring Fling and
new student orientation
Visit the City College student web portal at myportal.citycollege.edu
Alachua County Choices staff member at their booth
during the Spring Fling event
Gainesville Campus News • page 6
Gainesville Graduation Ceremony
Associate Director of Admissions Charlotte Price,
serving up cake to the graduates and guests after
the graduation ceremony
Some Gainesville faculty members left to right: Dr. A. El-Halawani, Clara Livingston; Dr. Bill Avery;
Dorothy Burney; Tom Hayes-Morrison; Tina Worthen, Jonathan Coron; Dr. E. Alvarez; Barbara White
Exec. Director Steven Schwab honors Ivonne Black
during the rehearsal for her service to the College
and the Student Ambassadors
T
he 2012 graduation ceremony in Gainesville was an event to remember!
On July 14, City College, Gainesville hosted its largest graduation
ceremony ever. 200 students completed their requirements to graduate in 2012.
The graduation played out to a full house in the Phillips Center on the U.F. campus in
Gainesville, Florida. The event was moved to the current location two years ago when
the college out grew its traditional venue.
After the graduation ceremony, the grads and guests were treated to cake and
beverages served up by the Gainesville staff.
s
Gainesville’s largest graduating class in the Phillips
Center during rehearsal
Gainesville Chief of Police Tony Jones, delivers the
commencement address
City College Gainesville hosted its
largest graduation ceremony ever
The graduation event was videotaped this year. The edited production is available on
the web and via a link from the Gainesville campus facebook page. Numerous photos of
the event are also available on the facebook page.
Valedictorian and EMS graduate Kim Finnegan, delivered a tremendous speech.
Finnegan was part of the first group of EMS students to graduate from the Gainesville
campus.
The event featured Gainesville Chief of Police Tony Jones, as the guest speaker.
Congratulations to all of the Gainesville graduates!
Valedictorian and EMS graduate Kim Finnegan, surrounded by her parents
Find this newsletter online at citycollege.edu
Altamonte Springs Campus News • page 7
s
Student Spotlight
about any of it, but now I know that a family
court judge always tries to rule in the best
interest of the children. Thanks to Dr. Ken
D’Apice for teaching me that!
CS: What are your plans for your term as
Mayor?
I am hoping to be able to help out students
and teach them something new. I plan to
help new students get comfortable with
classes and college life, and help current
students keep the momentum going!
CS: What are your plans after graduation?
When I graduate, I plan on going back
to school to get my Bachelor’s Degree in
Business. I enjoy school so much that to me
learning more is just better knowledge for
myself!
Mayor Sophia Kosmidis with fellow award winners during the Student Appreciation Week cookout
Mayor Sophia Kosmidis Starts Her Term
CS: Mayor Kosmidis, tell us a little bit about
you. Hi, my name is Sophia Kosmidis. I am 40
years old, and very happy about being that
age! I never thought that I would ever decide
to go to college or think that I could do what I
am doing now. I am very proud of myself and
what I have accomplished. I am a very happy
person, love to laugh, and enjoy helping
others when they need help. I love playing
cards, dominoes, hanging with friends and
family, and being around positive people in
my life. My motto in life is “NEVER GIVE UP”.
No matter how hard life can be, and trust me,
it does throw you some curve balls, never
give up on what you believe in, believing in
you is the greatest moment in your life and
going for your dreams!
CS: What brought you to City College?
To be honest with you, I truly had nowhere
else to go, and I needed a change for me. I
wanted to do something to better myself, not
what everyone else wanted me to do. I am so
glad that I decided to go to City College. This
is the best choice for me!
CS: Which class or instructor is your favorite
so far?
I truly like all of my instructors. Each one
of them has taught me things that I didn’t
understand and made me open my eyes to
other ways of looking at things. I do have to
say, though, that I really enjoy having Dr. Ken
D’Apice as an instructor. He truly has taught
me so much about the law. For example, his
Family Law class opened my eyes to divorce
and child custody hearings. I had no idea
Dr. Abby Freeman gives Sophia Kosmidis the key
to City College
Find us on Facebook.
Visit the City College
social media link at
citycollege.edu/social
C.M. Fike II Scholarship Recipients
Announced at City College
A
nesthesia Technology students Brittany Mojica, Nivia Lopez-Diaz, Michelle
Houdek and David Rodriguez, along with Surgical Technology students Jennifer Hunt
and Christopher Torregano, were recipients of the prestigious C.M. Fike II
Scholarship. In order to qualify for this scholarship, students must prepare an essay that
Surgical Tech Student Chris Torregano
s
Congratulations to the 2012 Spring, Summer, and
Fall term recipients of the C.M. Fike II Scholarships!
describes why they chose City College, and why they would excel in the Anesthesia or
Surgical Technology programs. Congratulations to all of you!
Surgical Tech Student Jennifer Hunt
Altamonte Springs Campus News • page 8
O
Altamonte Springs Graduating Class of 2012
n Friday, July 27th, City College of
Altamonte Springs held our 27th
Graduation at Lyman High School! Friends and family of the graduates packed out
the auditorium to see them cross the stage. For the third year in a row, Dr. Val
Demings, former Chief of the Orlando Police
Department, gave an uplifting speech,
challenging our graduates to never stop
working towards their dreams. We had a
total of ninety-three graduates: thirty-three
from Medical Billing and Coding, twenty-five
from Medical Assisting, eleven from Business
Administration, nine from Emergency Medical
Services, seven from Legal Assisting, and
eight from Private Investigation. You did it,
grads!!!
Business Administration graduates
s
We had a total of ninety-three graduates:
thirty-three from Medical Billing and Coding,
twenty-five from Medical Assisting, eleven from
Business Administration, nine from
Emergency Medical Services, seven from
Legal Assisting, and eight from Private Investigation.
Medical Billing and Coding graduates
EMS Graduates
Medical Assisting graduates
Legal Assisting graduates
Did you know City College students and faculty qualify for exclusive
discounts
AT&T?isGo to att.com/wireless/citycollege
Student
Ambassador, from
Gloria Shepherd
standing duty at the breakfast table
serving
[New
andupcurrent users eligible]
Private Investigation graduates
Ice Cream! Ice Cream!
We All Scream for…
Heart Health
Awareness!
The Legal Assisting, Business,
and Emergency Medical Services
departments raised over $500 for the
American Heart Association. The Legal
Assisting and Business departments
held a two-day cake and ice cream sale,
while the Emergency Medical Services
department promoted “Jeans for Hearts”. “Jeans for Hearts” allowed students who
purchased an AHA heart to wear jeans
instead of their uniforms or scrubs at the
rate of $1 per day. The AHA hearts are
currently being displayed in the library. Donations will be collected until the AHA
2012 Greater Orlando Heart Walk, held on
September 15th, in Loch Haven Park in
Orlando. The Altamonte Springs campus
is in training for this grueling (but fun) 5K! Watch out!
Ambassadors Deborah Smith and Christ Rentas
at the Heart Wall