Maricopa Community Colleges • Office of the Chancellor • Community Advisory Committees • Vol. 6 • September 2013
Chancellor Update
U.S. Department of Education “Strong Start, Bright Future” Bus Tour U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and senior Department officials are visiting states throughout the Southwest for “Strong Start, Bright Future” - the Department’s annual back-to-school bus tour. Each stop highlights the importance of ensuring that all students benefit from high-quality educational opportunities.
Dr. Rufus Glasper
Welcome back to another fall semester at Maricopa Community Colleges. I hope you all had a pleasant summer. We’ve hit the ground running this year, as we remain in the midst of many ongoing efforts that promote student success. I’ll mention a couple of them here, and more information appears in this issue. I encourage you to talk to your college contacts (or contact my office) for more information. In one project – called the District’s Integrated Marketing, Outreach, Recruitment and Retention Initiative (IMOR2) – we are looking strategically at how we reach out to, bring in and hold on to our students through completion. And we are making progress in our Seamless Student Experience Initiative, most recently launching a single transcript report for students no matter how many of our colleges they attend.
The Tempe stop at Rio Salado College on September 12, featured early learning and teacher training. Dr. Libby Doggett, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and Early Learning, from the U.S. Department of Education and Linda Smith - Deputy Assistant Secretary and Inter-Departmental Liaison for Early Childhood Development for the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services provided opening remarks. Two panel sessions moderated by Dr. Maria Harper-Marinick, Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost for MCCCD, featured higher education representatives who prepare early childhood educators; the second consisted of local organizations that provide early learning programs and services.
Lastly, as you know, one of CAC’s goals is to serve as a conduit of information between the Colleges and the Community. In order to help this exchange of information, CAC meetings will occasionally be held at one of our colleges, which will allow us to showcase the variety of programs and stellar students we have at Maricopa and share this good news with our community. I look forward to another productive year, and hope to see you soon. Chancellor Update 1 U.S. Department of Education Bus Tour 1 SSE Update 2 Building Towards Success 2 AZ Tech Festival 2
New Advisory Committee Members 3 Maricopa in the News 3 Healing Racism 3 Governing Board Highlights 4 Hispanic Heritage Month 4
Dr. Rufus Glasper, Dr. Maria Harper-Marinick, Linda Smith, Libby Doggett, and Governing Board member, Dana Saar
Read CommunityConnection online: http://www.maricopa.edu/chancellor/cac.php Community Connection provides news and information about the Maricopa Community Colleges and the Chancellor’s Community Advisory Committees to the community. Community Connection is published and distributed quarterly.
Seamless Student Experience (SSE) Update The Seamless Student Experience has been in full gear for more than a year and many major initiatives have already launched or are launching soon. The goal is to remove barriers to the enrollment process so that students can focus on learning. The implementation of an updated student portal website (my.maricopa.edu) in December 2012 has provided easy access to Maricopa information for millions of website visitors. The home page is not surprisingly the most viewed because it provides an easy way for students to access their Learning Management Systems (Canvas and RioLearn), Student e-mail, and their Student Center. The site also provides students with information on many of the resources in Maricopa as well as step-by-step instruction for most enrollment functions. The Financial Aid Answer Center began operations in Spring 2013 and had all colleges on-board by the middle of May. They answer all basic questions on Financial Aid for the colleges. So far, the Financial Aid Answer Center has responded to 192,316 calls; nearly 60,000 in August alone. We introduced the Maricopa Community Colleges Scholarship application (maricopa.academicworks.com) in July 2013. It provides one database and application for college and district held scholarship funds (not including Foundation Scholarships). There are currently 68 individual scholarship opportunities in the database and, to date, more than 400 students have applied. The next exciting project to be unveiled is the Single Transcript Report, which offers students one academic transcript report for all of their credit coursework at Maricopa Community Colleges. Students retain their GPA from each college. Students will save money and time because they will only have to request a transcript to be sent from Maricopa once instead of from each college individually.
Student Success Campaign Continues to Grow Meet Erika Evans, and other students and alumni that make up our diverse Community at: http://celebrate.maricopa. edu/meetingsuccess
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Building Towards Success Paradise Valley Community College is celebrating the newest enhancement to the PVCC Union Hills campus – completion of the $8.5 million, 59,500 square foot renovation and 11,500 square foot expansion. The building – known as the Gina Kranitz Student Center (KSC) – is named for the former college president. The ribbon cutting ceremony was held on Tuesday, September 17 and showcased a stunning new architectural entry-way and front door to the college, new Welcome Center where integrated student enrollment services are provided, new 4,000 square foot community room, and conference spaces for meetings and public events. The design creates an open and interactive space where student ambassadors welcome visitors and potential students to the college experience. Among the additional features are a new Veteran’s office, expanded Puma Den café and lounge, new student game room, and expanded/ renovated student services offices. The project was funded by the 2004 MCCCD General Obligation Bonds. The Arizona Republic covered this announcement on September 11, 2013. http://goo.gl/tdrD47.
Arizona SciTech Festival Kickoff Conference a Success
Hundreds of Arizona business, science and education leaders gathered in Scottsdale for the Second Annual Arizona SciTech Festival Kickoff Conference on September 4. The free, allday event was open to those wanting to learn more about integrating STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education into their communities. The Festival itself takes place each February/March, and Maricopa Community Colleges will once again partner with schools and businesses to increase awareness of STEM education and products manufactured in Arizona. For more information, visit www. azscitechfest.org.
Chancellor Glasper Welcomes Newest Community Advisory Committees Members Maricopa Community Colleges are proud to welcome the newest members of our Community Advisory Committees (CACs): Karen Crawford and Bryan Howard. The Chancellor’s CACs represent African Americans, Asian/Pacific Islanders, Latinos, Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgenders, Native Americans, and the disabled. CAC members are selected to provide counsel from a community perspective, identify issues of concern, strengthen community ties, and serve as a conduit for information between the community and the Colleges.
Karen Crawford earned a degree in electrical engineering from Michigan State University and is the recipient of the 1992 Engineer of the Year award for community service. She has worked with Fortune 500 companies, including Motorola, Corning Glass, and General Dynamics. As a senior software engineer she worked on a segment of software for a secure cell phone product and trained members of the United States military to use that product. Karen currently trains teachers to produce technically competent problem solving personnel for the technical workforce.
Bryan Howard joined Planned Parenthood in 1984, originally in the Chicago-based affiliate and, in 1997, was appointed President of Planned Parenthood Arizona, Inc. Bryan has served as a member of the national Planned Parenthood Foundation of America Board of Directors from 2006 – 2012. He co-chaired a redesign of Planned Parenthood’s overall fundraising program that is now a successful pilot in five states. He was also a Board member of the Planned Parenthood Action Fund, which conducts voter and candidate education. He has also served as a Board member and Chair of the Reproductive Health Technology Project. Bryan volunteers with organizations focused on leadership development and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender health and rights. A life-long traveler, Bryan has visited over 50 countries on six continents. Bryan and his partner, Brad Daughtry, live in Phoenix.
Maricopa in the News Maricopa County Community Colleges to add 360 jobs to aid student retention (Sept. 16, 2013). MCCCD will hire 360 new full-time faculty members over the next 5-8 years as a way to increase student retention and success.
Legislature Restores Adult Basic Education Money, Arizona Republic (August 4, 2013). In its most recent session, the Arizona State Legislature restored $4.5 million in funds for Adult Basic Education, which had not been provided for many years.
Phoenix businesses using educational partnerships to mine for talent, Phoenix Business Journal (August 23, 2013). Maricopa Community Colleges Office of Workforce Development was featured prominently in this front-page story.
GateWay Community College opens business incubator for students, Phoenix Business Journal (August 27, 2013). A business incubation program available for eligible students of the Maricopa County Community College District opened today on the campus of GateWay Community College in Phoenix.
Healing Racism: A Community Dialogue, Part Two (October 23, 2013) The Healing Racism Project is a community-wide initiative celebrating its 10th year. A collaboration between Maricopa Community Colleges and ASU’s Center for the Study of Race and Democracy, the organizers offer a safe environment for learning about and challenging the lasting effects of racism in our communities, and promotes healing. Earlier this month, the Healing Racism Committee hosted part one of a two-part series to explore attitudes, beliefs and the law regarding the Martin-Zimmerman case. “It’s really exciting that we touch so many people,” said Rory Gilbert, who oversees diversity initiatives at Maricopa Community Colleges. “We have provoked a lot of conversation among students, community members, and passionate change activists- plenty of folks who do and don’t agree. People who would never think they had any way to connect were able to find some common ground – and that’s really powerful.” Part Two: Wednesday October 23, 2013. Phoenix College’s Dome Auditorium from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM. 3310 N. 10th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85013 (NE corner of 11th Ave & Flower). This event is free and open to the public. 3
Governing Board Highlights • Enrollment in the Maricopa Community Colleges – excepting Rio Salado College – is slightly below last year’s levels, which means it’s coming back to normal, Dr. Maria Harper-Marinick, Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost, told the Governing Board this summer. Enrollment for the nine colleges is down 0.8% in headcount and down 1.1% in Full-Time Student Equivalents (FTSE). Dr. Harper-Marinick explained that Rio Salado’s numbers are removed from the calculation because that college enrolls new students on a weekly basis, so its enrollment numbers change weekly. • Chancellor Rufus Glasper told the Governing Board that a new organization, the Arizona Community College Coordinating Council (ACCCC) recently formed to provide a single representative for the community colleges to the public, media, state education community and state-level elected officials. Effective August 1, the Arizona Community College President’s Council disbanded and the Coordinating Council hired Diane C. Bosak to lead the ACCCC. Boak has served as Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Commission on Community Colleges – a nonprofit organization representing Pennsylvania’s 14 community colleges since 2002. • The District’s Integrated Marketing, Outreach, Recruitment and Retention Initiative (IMOR2) coordinates these activities in a consistent manner across all 10 Maricopa colleges. IMOR2 is being led by executive sponsors Dr. Maria Harper-Marinick, Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost; and Drs. Chris Bustamante, Linda Lujan and Shari Olson, Presidents of Rio Salado College, ChandlerGilbert Community College and South Mountain Community College, respectively. The initiative will develop “a student-centric and outcomeoriented plan” that emphasizes communication and strategies to strengthen student success, educational opportunities available at the colleges, and increased student access to programs and services.
Maricopa Community Colleges Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month | September 15 – October 15 Maricopa Community Colleges’ Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Dr. Maria Harper-Marinick received the Arizona Diamondbacks’ Hispanic Community Leadership Award and threw out the first pitch on Sept. 14. The award recognizes an outstanding individual for advocacy, leadership and service to the Arizona community. It has been awarded annually since 2007 on Hispanic Heritage Day at Chase Field at pre-game ceremonies that feature cultural entertainment and on-field recognition of community leaders for their service. “It’s an honor to receive this award, and we are grateful to the Diamondbacks for shining a light on our Hispanic community leaders,” said Dr. Harper-Marinick. “Each year, Maricopa Community Colleges holds events to celebrate and share Hispanic music, art, and writing. Please consider joining us for one or more events.”
Chancellor’s Community Advisory Committees (CAC) Committee Objectives
• Provide community inspired counsel and advice to the Chancellor; • Work with the Colleges to strengthen their relationships with the community; • Serve as a conduit of information between the Colleges and the community; • Help the Colleges identify community issues and proactively address concerns; and • Work on projects that advance the Chancellor’s objectives.
Populations represented by the CACs: African-American, Asian Pacific Islander, GLBT, Latino, Native-American, and Voice (Disabled)
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