PRESIDENT’S REPORT | June 2013
SCC professor receives post-secondary educator award
RegFest, a one-stop registration event, set for June 19 St. Charles Community College will host RegFest at 2-8 p.m. Wednesday, June 19. SCC RegFest is an afternoon and evening full of food, prizes, music and educational planning – meant for the whole family. Future students of all ages can learn what degree programs SCC offers, meet with financial aid and A+ Program advisors to discuss eligibility and benefits, become familiar with the process for getting enrolled, gain insight from current and former students, and take all the steps necessary to get enrolled. A drawing will be held in which as many as three student participants will take home a $1,000 scholarship to SCC for use in the Fall 2013 semester. “We created RegFest to make enrolling at SCC fun and easy for potential students,” said Kathy Brockgreitens-Gober, dean of enrollment services. “For those who haven’t yet enrolled for fall classes, it isn’t too late.
We are hosting RegFest to help.” Students can meet with enrollment advisors, complete any necessary assessment tests and learn about the options for the fall semester. The event is a one-stop-shop for recent high school grads and their parents as well as for busy adults considering going back to college. The event will also include interactive tours in addition to music, food, games and prizes. Scooter McCougar, SCC’s mascot, will be handing out free Cougar swag along with free food and information about SCC student life. There will be information about Cougar athletics, SCC’s student clubs and organizations, veteran services and mental health services. Additional information and an RSVP link are available at stchas.edu/regfest. A second RegFest will be held 3-8 p.m. Friday, July 12, on campus.
SCC Child Development Center earns ‘Eat Smart’ status The SCC Child Development Center has adopted new food guidelines to promote healthier eating habits and improve the nutrition of children at the facility. The Missouri Eat Smart Guidelines, developed by the state health department, can help boost the nutrition of children ages 2-12 and help them maintain a healthy weight. “We’re pleased the CDC is working to improve the health of the children it serves,” said Ann McCormack, chief of the Bureau of Community Food and Nutrition Assistance.
The Eat Smart program is voluntary and open to child care facilities throughout Missouri that participate in the Child and Adult Care Food Program. Eat Smart recommendations include more whole grains and fresh fruits and vegetables, fewer processed foods, lower-fat milk and fewer sweet snacks and breakfast foods. The program is offered at three levels: minimum, which are minimum CACFP and state licensing requirements, intermediate and advanced. The CDC has achieved the advanced level.
Lisa Stoner, SCC professor of psychology, received the 2013 ABLE Excellence in Education award in the post-secondary school category. Stoner has been the sole faculty member of the Behavioral Intervention Team LISA STONER since its inception. As SCC Professor of Psychology a volunteer, she spends 90 minutes each week meeting with the BIT Team, in addition to fielding crisis issues throughout the week via phone and email. Stoner is trained to work a suicide hotline and gives time each week answering phones. In addition, she organized SCC’s Child Abuse Prevention Week, which drew more than 1,000 students. Nominators described Stoner as studentcentered, goal-driven and approachable. Area teachers were honored by the St. Charles County Alliance for Business, Learning and Education (ABLE), a partnership between local businesses, education organizations and St. Charles Community College. The ABLE Excellence in Education Awards recognize excellence in the teaching profession to those who play a vital role in making a difference in the lives of area children and the community. ABLE partners with local schools, businesses and organizations to design and deliver quality programs that focus on career development, career readiness and career exploration. Awards were also presented to educators representing pre-school/kindergarten, elementary, middle school and high school categories. Nomination letters were submitted by parents, current or former students, teachers, staff members, administrators and community leaders.
Young People’s Theatre wins awards SCC’s Young People’s Theatre were winners at the Arts for Life 14th Annual Best Performance Award held June 9. The 2012 production of Oliver! received Best Youth Production. Student Troyer Coultas took home the Best Youth Actor award for his performance as Fagin in Oliver! and for his role as a featured dancer in White Christmas. Melissa Southmayd, YPT assistant, was presented with a Board of Director’s Award for excellence in choreography for White Christmas. YPT performed “Consider Yourself” from Oliver! and “I Love a Piano” from Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, for which the students received a standing ovation. “They are to be congratulated on their hard work and dedication they put into these productions to make these awards possible,” said Tina Sieker, associate dean for continuing education.
YPT receives donation The Employee Fund at Boeing donated $1,000 to YPT in May. The fund matches donations of Boeing employees who give of their time and “treasures.” Boeing employees designate how the funds are to be used.
SCC is cooking up fun this summer with College for All Kids camps It’s cupcake versus cupcake at SCC’s tasty College for All Kids Summer Camp, Cupcake Wars. Although only one cupcake will come out on top, everyone wins when it comes to eating fresh baked cupcakes! Cupcake Wars camps started two years ago and have filled camps each year. The idea was sparked from the Food Network’s hit show, Cupcake Wars. “The educational spin on this camp is really cool,” said Amy Fitzwilliam, SCC project coordinator. “Not only do the kids learn the fundamentals of baking, but they also learn business skills and discover what it would take if
they wanted to own their own business one day.” College for All Kids Summer Camps give students the opportunity to explore areas of interest in a fun-filled, educational environment by engaging in hands-on experiences. Other camps include Search and Rescue Lego Robotics, Bump, Set, Spike Volleyball, Pop Star Dance, Young Artist Camp and Ronald Dahl’s Revolting Recipes and Wacky Stories – just to name a few of the 70+ camps. The programs are held Monday-Friday, June 3-Aug. 9, for children ages 4-16. To register or see the camp schedule and pricing, visit stchas.edu/learnforlife.
Staff member recognized by Francis Howell program Rick Tiek, SCC receiving/ warehouse expeditor, has been named Employment Mentor of the Year by the Francis Howell School District RICK TIEK Adult Life SCC Receiving/Warehouse Expeditor Preparation Program for his continued mentoring, training and support of students in this program.
Clayton Elmy is the recipient of one of 81 scholarships awarded by the SCC Foundation for the 2013-14 academic year.
Foundation scholarships make a college education possible for 81 students Some $73,000 was awarded to 81 students for the 2013-14 academic year from the SCC Foundation with funds raised at special events and individual/corporate donor support.
Boeing donation supports math program The SCC Foundation received a $6,500 gift from the Employees Community Fund
at Boeing for the Achieving Success With Math Program. The program is designed to engage high school students on the importance of completing math courses that will better prepare them for success in college. The Employees Community Fund has been donating to the Achieving Success With Math Program at SCC since 2011 and has contributed some $16,000 to the program’s success.
SCC and LU receive 2013 Partners for Progress Education Award The winners of this year’s Progress Awards from the Partners for Progress of Greater St. Charles (PfP) were announced at Celebration 2013, the civic group’s annual awards banquet on May 31 at the St. Charles Convention Center. SCC and Lindenwood University were presented with the Education Progress Award for their collaborative efforts to open the new Center for Nursing and Allied Health Services in the former Barat Academy in Dardenne Prairie and expanding medical education training opportunities in the community. The Partners for Progress of Greater St. Charles includes some of the area’s largest employers and influential civic leaders who are committed to St. Charles County being a nationally renowned, most livable community. Visit them online at www.pfpstcharles.com
Bookstore buy-back update The Bookstore reports $106,209 worth of used textbooks were purchased from SCC students during the May 2013 textbook buyback. This represents a decline of 53 percent from last year’s total of $226,745. The May buy-back was impacted by the availability of lower-priced textbook options for students, such as textbook rentals, e-books, e-access codes, loose-leaf textbooks, more unbundled textbook components and customized textbooks. All of these factors have created lower-priced options for students to purchase required textbooks.
Missouri Legislature Update
Help for Heroes
Two bills that will make it easier for veterans to attend public colleges and universities in Missouri made steady progress all session and were ultimately “truly agreed and finally passed” by both chambers. SB 106, sponsored by Senator Dan Brown, will make it easier for veterans to determine which military academic credits will be accepted for transfer by public colleges and universities. SB 117, sponsored by Senator Will Kraus, provides that veterans who meet certain requirements will be treated as in-state students for tuition purposes at public colleges and universities. Those veterans must prove physical residence in the state and apply for residency to receive the reduced tuition.
Look for more soon on an exciting announcement from SCC!
GED recipients and English as a second language students honored at SCC’s Adult Education and Literacy Student Recognition Ceremony Students in the Adult Education and Literacy (AEL) program at SCC were honored during a recognition ceremony on June 12. Some 63 students were recognized for receiving their General Education Development (GED) credential and 28 students were recognized for achievement, improvement and attendance in the English as a Second Language (ESL) program. Five students were recognized for becoming U.S. citizens including Jorge Cruz Gasca from Mexico, Milena Dimitrova from Bulgaria, Ajay Patel from India, Champa Patel from India and Halima Tawfik from Iraq. Students Zack Scholl and Nibras Matar each were presented with a $100 book scholarship from the Foundation Board at the ceremony. As part of the evening, the SCC Foundation awarded a $2,500 scholarship to AEL student Andrea Sanchez for the 2013-14 academic year. The scholarship was made possible through a $10,000 gift from an anonymous donor for a non-credit ESL student to attend SCC. Nicholas Greco was the GED student speaker for the ceremony. Greco said he was going from dead-end job to dead-end job when
GED grads are all smiles following the AEL recognition ceremony June 12.
he started GED classes. He started the GED program because his job as a security officer required it. After earning his GED, Greco says “the sky is the limit. Mukta Kordia was selected as the ESL student speaker for the ceremony. She was unable to attend the ceremony, so lead ESL teacher, Ingrid Casillo, spoke on her behalf. Korida registered for the ESL program in February 2013 with her oldest daughter. She is the mother of four children and a grandmother of six children. Korida was born in Keshod, a village in the country of India, and her native language is Gujarati. The Adult Education and Literacy program at SCC teaches basic reading, math and writing skills to prepare people to take the GED tests and to assist nonnative speakers in gaining English proficiency.
MARK THE CALENDAR The 17th Annual Presidents Classic Golf Scramble will be held on Monday, Sept. 30, at Old Hickory Golf Club. Registration starts at 10 a.m. with a shotgun start at noon. There are still spots available although the foursomes are filling up quickly. In addition, several volunteer opportunities are available. For more information, contact Tara Cochran in the Foundation office at 636-922-8437 or tcochran@stchas.edu.