News from the Front: Dr. Mary Kay Kickels weekly newletter to PVCC employees
 
Campus News  |  Faculty & Staff News  |  Student News
 
In This Issue … October 9, 2006
New Maricopa leaders welcomed with reception Oct. 19Academic year brings staffing changesPVCC students excel in District creative writing competitionWomen’s Soccer Team garners national ranking
 
Campus News
 
PVCC Dietetic Technician Program receives initial accreditation
PVCC’s Dietetic Technician Program has received initial accreditation from the American Dietetic Association’s Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education. Congratulations to Dean of Learning Dr. Mary Lou Mosley, Health & Exercise Science Division Chair Karen Fehr and Dietetic Technology Consortium Program Director Lori Anonsen on this auspicious achievement.

New Maricopa Leaders Reception Oct. 19
Please join me in welcoming to the District two new Maricopa leaders, Dr. Velvie Green, Glendale Community College president, and Dr. Anna Solley, Phoenix College president, with a reception from 3 to 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 19, in the Center for the Performing Arts Gallery.

College Leadership Council sets agenda for academic year
The President’s Leadership Council has been restructured and renamed the College Leadership Council (CLC). The CLC’s goals include:

•    Increasing participation of key college leaders in considering the college’s work-in-progress, issues and opportunities
•    Promoting collaboration across the campus by sharing updated information about college initiatives
•    Sharing the status of key issues at the college

The CLC’s 25 members – a broad representation that includes policy group presidents – will serve as advisors regarding the improvement of college policies, procedures, programs, services and practices.

On Sept. 22, the CLC met for the first time this academic year. Notes from this and subsequent monthly meetings are available on the college’s Web site at http://www.pvc.maricopa.edu/clc/. I hope you find this communication link useful in your work at PVCC.
 
iGoal celebrates successful launch
Under the direction of Dr. James Rubin and Dr. Jennifer Strickland, iGoal – a Web-based goal setting and monitoring tool – has been successfully launched as a pilot program. Currently, more than 600 student iGoal accounts have been established. Research shows that academic and career goal setting is one of the foundations of student persistence and success. The college’s objective is to institutionalize the use of iGoal both in and out of the classroom. Please join me in thanking the team for making this happen.

Student Success Pilot Project
As you know, student success is our continued focus. I am very pleased that our faculty and staff are moving forward in introducing a new initiative for our students, college and partner colleges in the District. The Student Success Pilot Project – which builds on successful models across the nation – promises to make an important contribution to improving new students’ introduction and orientation to our campus culture.

PVCC to hold mental health screenings Oct. 18
In conjunction with National Depression Screening Day and Mental Health Awareness Week, PVCC will offer free mental health screenings from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 18, in the KSC Building. Consultations with PVCC Counseling staff for depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder are available to anyone in the community. Additionally, staff will offer seminars that day on Suicide Prevention, Aging and Depression, Depression and College Students, and How Do I Help a Depressed Friend? I encourage you to get the word out about this important event.

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Faculty & Staff News
 
Staffing Changes
There are a number of personnel changes as a result of retirements, reassignments and new appointments. 

As a result of Cathy Hart’s retirement, several interim assignments have been made. Beginning Oct. 2 and continuing until a new Dean of Learning Technology is hired, the Learning Technology group will remain intact with the following interim assignments: Carol Myers has assumed leadership of IRTS and Sheri Bakunowski is temporarily reassigned as Coordinator of Instructional Programs; she will oversee both the Center for Distance Learning (CDL) and Media Services. Carol, Sheri, Dr. Jennifer Strickland and Mary Lou Goff will report to Dr. Paul Dale. In early December, Dr. Strickland will be reassigned temporarily as an associate dean to assist with the leadership of the group; she will oversee the Computer Commons, CDL/Media, and the Instructional Technology Team. Jennifer and Carol will share District IT responsibilities for the college.

In a realignment of Student Services, Dr. Shirley Green and the areas currently under her direction (Admissions & Records, Testing, Financial Aid and The Children’s Center) will move to the Learning Support Services Division, reporting to Dr. Dale.

Dr. Donna Simon will assume the position of Director of Academic Advisement Services, replacing Maggie Cullop. Dr. Lori Pemberton is recommended as Director of Institutional Research, Planning and Effectiveness. Paul Marsh, Director of Research and Assessment, will report to Dr. Pemberton.

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Student News
 
PVCC students lauded in Maricopa Community College Creative Writing Competition
PVCC student Steven Bergkamp took first place honors in the Essay Category for the 2005-2006 Maricopa Community College Creative Writing Competition with “My Father’s Wife.” Steven moved to Phoenix from Hong Kong in 2000. He has an undergraduate degree in Oriental Languages and Literature, and an MBA from Thunderbird. He plans to further his studies in English Literature at PVCC under the constructive guidance of Dr. Lois Roma-Deeley. Steven’s essay also took second place in the League for Innovation Student Literary Competition.

In the same category, Puma Press Foods Editor and KNXV-TV host Joseph Daigneault, aka Mad Coyote Joe, took an honorable mention for his essay, “The First Order of Business.” In the Poetry Category, recent PVCC graduate Barbara Sheerin received an honorable mention for “Entering Puckerbrush, Nevada August.” In the same category, former Puma Press Fine Arts Editor Hanna Norris was given an honorable mention for “I’ve Got a Darkness.”

You can read the winning pieces in the 16th annual edition of Anthology, online at http://www.mcli.dist.maricopa.edu/arts/writing/intro.php?yr=0506.

PVCC Women’s Soccer Team ranked 14th in nation
As of the Oct. 2 National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) National Poll, the PVCC Women’s Soccer Team was ranked Number 14 in the nation. New Head Coach Kacey Bingham and Assistant Coach Amy Garelick coached the Lady Pumas to an undefeated first half of the season. For the week of Sept. 27, Dani Guest was selected as the NJCAA Women’s Division I Soccer Goalie of the Week. Go Lady Pumas!

PVCC Business Club hosts China adventure Web site
In the last edition of News From the Front, the URL for the PVCC Business Club Web site chronicling the club’s trip to China inadvertently was omitted. The site can be found at http://www.pvc.maricopa.edu/clubs/computerclub/china/.

This semester, I plan to host several morning Coffee Conversations. These chats will be scheduled in various locations around campus so that all faculty and staff members have an opportunity to participate. I look forward to meeting with you in our first Coffee Conversation this month.

Mary Kay
President

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Do you have an interesting program, or outstanding accomplishment or student to highlight?
If so, e-mail the News Desk at news@pvmail.maricopa.edu.

A publication of the Paradise Valley Community College Office of the President
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