Campus News  |  Faculty & Staff News  |  Student News   Campus News   Campus Conversation on Media Publicity Thank you to the nearly 50 employees who participated in a Campus Conversation on November 8, 2006 to learn more about the recent media publicity about the Maricopa District.  We are all stewards of public resources and I encourage any PVCC employee who has any concerns about matters that compromise our responsibility to contact me or Mr. Ron Bleed, Consultant for Learning & Technology Initiatives and Vice Chancellor Emeritus, who will now serve as Ombudsman for our college.  Ron’s office is in KSC 105 (the Financial Aid Office area) and he can be reached by phone at 77736. As Ombudsman, Ron will facilitate the resolution of concerns not otherwise addressed by college practices. PVCC North at Black Mountain On Thursday evening, November 9, I gave a presentation to the Foothills Community Foundation (FCF), the principal community group serving Cave Creek and North Scottsdale.  The topic was “The Changing Face of Higher Education” and also our new north campus partnership with the YMCA and the FCF.  It was a full house comprised of residents and leaders in the Northeast Valley.  And then on Monday, November 13, a number of students and staff participated in the kick-off event for the YMCA capital campaign efforts. Greg O’Brien, President and CEO of Valley of the Sun YMCA, commented, “This project, much like a number of communities in the Valley, is providing a facility for kids to go to after school and for families to recreate.  The YMCA was invited by significant community partners to help create a place for these things to happen.  We are pleased to be working with this community.” Through a partnership with the YMCA and the Foothills Community Foundation, the community center will provide meeting space for non-profit community groups and social and educational opportunities for seniors.   PVCC will have six classrooms and space for student services.  If the fundraising for the YMCA project is successful, we could begin offering classes there as early as fall 2008.  Faculty & Staff News   MAT Executive Council brings staffer to campus Shirley Green, President of the District MAT Executive Council [MEC] is pleased to share that Iris Love is working on four MEC initiatives through the Creative Pathways Program.  Now through April, Iris will be located on the PVCC campus. Iris is a program advisor and recruiter for EMCC and has been a Maricopa employee for over 20 years.    Iris has completed a graduate degree from NAU in Education and will complete her second master's degree from Ottawa University next month in Community College Counseling.  She is also concurrently enrolled at NAU working on yet another master's degree in Leadership and Higher Education. Maricopa County Library learning sessions advance ideas Thank you to the many employees who attended the two Maricopa County Library All-Employee Learning Sessions on November 15 and 16.  It was useful to actually walk the available space.  A number of very creative and practical ideas have been put forward for ways in which the college might effectively utilize the building.  Thank you all for your ideas and participation. Student News PVCC hosts first graduating class of paramedics Friday, November 17 marks the graduation ceremony for our very first class of 24 paramedics.  We are all proud of this outstanding group of future heroes who have completed their programs under the able guidance of Capt. Dan Donahue and his colleagues.  Congratulations to students and faculty! Phi Theta Kappa Induction Ceremony On Wednesday, November 15, 30 PVCC students were inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa ….The students joined by about 100 family by friends participated in a ceremony held in the Kranitz Student Center.  Thanks to Steve Nicoloff for coordinating this very special function for our students. Let me offer my sincere best wishes to all our campus families for a happy Thanksgiving holiday. This is a special time of the year to stop, reflect, and be grateful for what we have. Mary Kay President 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 2006 © Maricopa County Community College District