February/March 2009
Welcome to the February/March issue of The SCC Insider. For those of you who are just tuning in, the Insider is SCC’s new e-magazine – geared to the employees and friends of Scottsdale Community College. Each issue will showcase the great news of our campus – the people, programs and happenings that make SCC a great place to be. If you’ve missed previous issues, you can find them right here on our News page – just click and enjoy.
As the spring semester unfolds, we find ourselves immersed in the stories of our colleagues who are encouraging students far and wide – to develop their talents, become self-aware, take a chance, practice self-expression, think globally, be a mentor and a volunteer, and always remain curious. The broad snapshot of what SCC provides for students and members of our community can be seen in the Insider today – from the classroom, the campus, the community, and beyond. And don't miss today's event -- famed DJ Z-Trip will visit SCC's DJ and Turntablism classes at 4pm in the Peridot room. For more information, go to the Campus Happenings section below.
Thank you for reading The SCC Insider. Enjoy our beautiful Arizona weather.
Denise Kronsteiner
Director of Marketing & Public Relations
denise.kronsteiner@sccmail.maricopa.edu
A Message from our President - Dr. Jan Gehler
 President Obama just signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, also known as the ‘stimulus’ bill. Public and private entities are ‘banking’ on funds coming their way – including the state of Arizona. As our legislature works its way through plans for FY10, many hold their breath awaiting to learn the impact on public school districts and higher education institutions. Conversations at the national level, and even among university professionals, affirm the important role of community colleges in preparing a well educated and technically competent citizenry. Working collaboratively, higher education institutions offer what our nation needs. It remains critical for us to stay well informed and engaged in community discussions about the value of a community college education.
Now, whether in Yoga class, or in our daily work, it's important to remember to breathe and focus on the positive - stretching physically to stimulate underused muscles and intellectually to find undiscovered strength and innovation. Even so, I remain almost breathless at daily discoveries of the breadth and depth of SCC talent dedicated in so many ways to student success. National and international academic awards abound, student athletes excel, and student and faculty performances are plentiful. Excellence under the Stars and Commencement are only two and three months away. New web sites tell the stories, PBAC-hosted 'listening posts' are in place, the 'idea bank' is operational, our strategic planning process is launched, and our planning committee will soon share agendas for new Governing Board members who will visit the college - Debra Pearson on March 11 and Randloph Lumm on March 27. The Artichoke spirit is alive and is truly breathtaking.
Scottsdale Community College Hosts 13th Annual Math-Science Field Day for Valley High School Students - Teams compete for awards and scholarships
Strategy and teamwork were priorities for Chaparral High’s Neel Rao, Kevin Tao, and Josh Spiro as they raced against the clock to build what they hoped would be the winning trebuchet. The trio, along with hundreds of other Valley high school students and their teachers, came to SCC on Thursday, January 15 for the 13th Annual Math-Science Field Day. For full story, click here: Math-Science Field Day 2009.
SCC Counselor, Miguel Lucas, Teaches Students to Discover Career Paths by Discovering Themselves
Miguel Lucas has been teaching Career Exploration at SCC for over 6 years. His favorite thing about the course is that it always gives his students concrete results. This is important because students often enroll in the course not knowing what career or educational path to take, or what their future holds. By the end of the semester, however, most of his students have landed on a path that feels just right. For full story, click here: SCC Counselor Guides Career Exploration.
Scottsdale Community Colleg e Presented with National Award for Innovation in International Education Programs
~SCC’s Study Abroad program honored – “Australia and New Zealand: Connecting Communities, Sharing Cultures” ~
The Institute of International Education (IIE) has announced the winners of the 8th annual IIE Andrew Heiskell Awards for Innovation in International Education. The Andrew Heiskell Awards were established to promote and honor the most outstanding initiatives being conducted in international higher education among the members of IIE’s membership association of over 1,000 institutions. For full story, click here: Connecting Communities-Sharing Cultures Honored.
Scottsdale Community College Theatre Arts Presents the Arizona Premiere of HONUS & ME by Steven Dietz
It’s the spring of 2009 and Joey Stoshack is on the baseball diamond in fielding insults from his team mates. He has just struck out for the third time. For 12-year old ‘Stosh’, life just isn’t very good these days. His parents have divorced and his mother is finding it hard to make ends meet, yet he is coping the best he can. He loves baseball, but he isn’t the best player on the team--yet he endures the taunting of his team mates on a regular basis. What’s a young slugger to do? For full story, click here: SCC Theatre Arts presents Honus & Me.
SCC’s Student Life & Leadership Program Advisor – Jorge Rodriguez - Mentor and Advisor to Students Near and Far
A year before graduating from SCC with his associate’s degree in 2000, Jorge Rodriguez applied for the Gates Millennium Scholarship (GMS). Funded initially by a $1 billion grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the scholarship was established that same year to provide educational opportunities to outstanding minority students. Out of 100,000 applications received that first year, 1,000 students were selected for scholarships – Rodriguez was one of them. For full story, click here: Living the 'Give Back' Philosophy - SCC's Jorge Rodriguez.
Scottsdale Community College Graphic Design Students Receive National Awards from PIAZ
SCC’s graphic design students were lauded for their design talents at the 7th Annual Print Excellence Awards Gala on Friday, January 30, sponsored by the Printing Industries Association, Inc. of Arizona (PIAZ). For full story, click here: SCC Graphic Design Students Honored.
Students in SCC’s English as a Second Language for Hospitality Class Receive Diplomas
~ Wyndham Hotel in Phoenix provides staff with valuable English language education to enhance communication, confidence and guest services ~
The Wyndham Hotel in downtown Phoenix hosted a breakfast on January 21 to celebrate its employees who successfully completed an ESL for Hospitality class offered by Scottsdale Community College. Seventeen students, including housekeepers, stewards and supervisors, proudly accepted their certificates from Cynthia Heu, Director of Human Resources. For full story, click here: ESL for Hospitality Students Receive Diplomas.
Upcoming Campus Happenings
February 18: Famed disc jockey – Z-Trip will pay a visit to Scottsdale Community College’s DJ and Turntablism classes on Wednesday, February 18, 2009, from 4:00 to 6:00pm in the Peridot room at the SCC campus at 9000 E. Chaparral Rd. in Scottsdale. The event is free and open to all SCC students, alumni, friends and members of the community. A strong supporter of DJ education, Z-Trip will speak about his career and perform. For more information, click here: DJ Z-Trip Comes to SCC.
February 21: Did you know that Scottsdale Community College has a planetarium? This month the SCC Planetarium presents - “The Changing Sun” – A look at our Sun and how its activity affects the Solar System. It’s great fun for all ages - 9 to 99! For more information, click here: February Planetarium Show.
February 23: Julie Knapp, Journalism faculty member and advisor of SCC’s student newspaper—The Scottsdale Chronicle, has created a new club that brings photography students and pros together for networking and learning – the East Valley Photo Club. On February 23, Jim Poulin, Photo Editor of the Phoenix Business Journal, will speak on the topic of Environmental Portraiture – capturing the person and the surroundings to tell a story. For more information, click here: East Valley Photo Club at SCC.
March 27: Get into the streets on Friday, March 27 and help homeless animals in the Valley. Student Leadership Forum will volunteer at Arizona Animal Welfare League. Lunch and transportation will be provided. SLF will conduct a needs drive for AAWL throughout the month of March. For more information, call Student Life & Leadership at (480) 423-6538.
The SCC Insider is an e-magazine for employees and friends of Scottsdale Community College
Scottsdale Community College, 9000 E. Chaparral Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85256
To submit story ideas, contact 480.423.6567 or email marketing-pr@sccmail.maricopa.edu
Marketing Department office - SC 100 www.scottsdalecc.edu/maps/SC.html
MCCCD and SCC are EEO/AA institutions
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