9 Tips for Fall Semester Success

Saturday, August 18th marked the official first day of school at Chandler-Gilbert Community College. Gone is the summer of discovering who "Kiki" really loves (she really caused damage, didn't she?). Here comes the fun part: taking on your Fall 2018 semester "like a boss." 

We've compiled feedback from former students to share some tips for Fall Semester Success: 

1. Plan Ahead to Score a Sweet Parking Spot: The new semester promises plenty of packed parking lots, so we recommend you arrive early to secure the prime spot next to your classes. Also, we've heard there will be some road construction impacting Pecos during the months of August and September, so it's good to plan for delays.

2. Fuel Your Brain: At the Pecos Campus, the Coyote Cafe features a variety of food options as well as hosting a local restaurant on-site each week. The café is located at in Bradshaw Hall (between the Library and Coyote Center). You'll find their menu, upcoming features and hours of operation here. Grounds for Thought, under the Ironwood Bridge, offers coffee drinks, smoothies and quick bites to eat on the north end of campus.

At the Williams Campus, the Roadrunner Cafe offers breakfast, grilled, and deli options for breakfast and lunch each day. You'll find their menu and hours of operation here. 

Our college recently launched the Coyote Cupboard at both the Pecos and Williams campuses. The Coyote Cupboard is a food pantry with non-perishable and household items available to any CGCC student. Learn more here. 

3. Use Your Cell Phone: Need to find a class or access campus maps at the drop of a dime? You can access your student resources right from your mobile device. Use your MEID to login to Myinfo.maricopa.edu and access your:  

• Class Schedule 
• Campus Maps & Room Information
• Financial Aid Award Status 
• Holds on Your Account 
• Messages 
• Textbook Information 

4. Get CoyoteConnect-ed: No need for FOMO! Stay up-to-date about campus events, student life activities, volunteering opportunities, and much more. Login to CoyoteConnect here. 

5. Stay Safe with the RAVEGuardian App - Our Public Safety and Campus Police recommend that all students download the Rave Guardian app on GooglePlay or AppStore.  The app allows you to create a network of trusted safety guardians, set safety timers to alert police and family, submit anonymous tips, and have one-touch access to contact campus police. The convenience of storing safety processes in one app can save you precious seconds in an emergency. Learn more about the Rave Guardian app here.  

6. Get Involved - Getting involved in campus clubs helps students build leadership skills, strong friendships, networking connections, life experiences, and a powerful resume. Building a network of peers who can walk this college path alongside you is a key element of setting yourself up for success. Find out more about campus clubs here and stop by our Club Fair next week (Aug 29 - 30).  

7. Leverage Tutoring Resources - Get acquainted with the level of support that's available for on-campus tutoring services. You'll find that our learning centers offer both drop-in and appointment-based support. Find both locations and times for the Pecos and Williams campuses here. 

8. Be Bold and Ask - One of the biggest obstacles for a new community college student is the daunting task of asking for help or clarification. Our Faculty and Staff are here to support your success. Be bold and ask for help when needed. Be bold and ask for clarification when you are confused. You will find that the majority of your peers are challenged by the same question you are bold enough to ask. 

9. Slow Down - Many of our students are holding jobs in addition to studying. While you're running from one location to the next, we recommend you schedule some time to slow down and visit the Student Center Pavilion to unwind. 

Finish Strong, Finals Start Monday

Sunday, May 6 is the last day of regular classes. Finals begin Monday, May 7 through Thursday, May 10. Click here for a complete final exam schedule. If you are in need of tutoring services, don’t wait until it’s too late. The CGCC Learning Center offers free tutoring on a variety of subjects. Stop by the office today and make an appointment.
We know finals week can be stressful. Here are some tips to help you succeed:

1.Ask for help.
The CGCC Learning Center offers tutoring services on a drop-in basis for select courses. This is a great way to get primed for your toughest exams. Check out locations, hours and more information here.
2. Create your own study guide.
While many teachers provide a study guide, creating your own can help you understand the material in your own way. Try starting with an outline of the most important information and build from there.
3. Ask questions.
Your teachers are there to help! Ask them questions regarding the material and the exam so that you’re prepared when exam time arrives.
4. Attend the review session.
Review sessions offer vital information on exam format, what will be on the exam and key concepts on which you should focus your studies.
5.Take breaks.
You won’t be able to memorize or comprehend all the material at once. Balance is key – ensure that you reward learning with break times to recharge and relax.
Remember to get a good night's rest the night before your exams and eat a healthy breakfast the morning of. Breakfast fuels the body! All the best on your finals.

Chandler Chamber Community Foundation Scholarships

Chandler Chamber Community Foundation and Air Products and Chemicals will award up to three (3) scholarships in the value of $2,000 each to students who enroll in at least a part-time in a business related course of study at Chandler Gilbert Community College.

Scholarship Eligibility: 

• Must live or work in Chandler, Arizona. Or be a current student at any high school
  servicing Chandler or attend Chandler Gilbert Community College. 
• Must be a legal resident of the United States 
• Applicants must be actively enrolled at Chandler-Gilbert Community College for the
  2018-2019 academic year with a minimum of 6 credit hours per semester 
• Grade Point Average must be 3.0 or higher (for high school students applying) 
• Field of Study must be business related 
• Must submit one letter of recommendation 
• Must attach high school or college transcript to application 
• If chosen to receive the scholarship, must attend an award ceremony (time, date and
  location to be determined) in order to receive the scholarship.  

Process
All application will be considered by a panel of judges comprised of members from the Chandler
Chamber Community Foundation representing Chandler based businesses and a representative
from Chandler Gilbert Community College. Applications will be evaluated on academic
achievement, letter of recommendation and written essay.

Completed applications and corresponding materials should be mailed or hand delivered to the
address below by April 20, 2018. Late applications will not be considered. All decisions made
will be final. Recipients will be notified no later than the week of May 8th, 2018.

Scholarship recipients will be required to attend a mandatory award ceremony time, date and
location to be determined in order to receive their scholarship. At this award ceremony recipients
will be asked to say a few words.
 

Click to Download Application Here.

Return completed applications to:

Chandler-Gilbert Community College Pecos Campus
 Financial Aid Office
 2626 E. Pecos Rd.
 Chandler, AZ 85225
 (480) 732-7311

Application deadline date is April 21st, 2017

Four CGCC Students Named to 2018 All-Arizona Academic Team

Congratulations to Chandler-Gilbert Community College students Amanda Acuña, Lauren Allison, Kimberly Redding, and Heather Robinson for being named to this year’s All-Arizona Academic Team. Acuña (Psychology) and Redding (Fine Arts) represent the Pecos Campus while Allison (Aviation) and Robinson (Nursing) represent the Williams Campus. The students will be recognized for their outstanding academic achievement, commitment to service, and leadership at a statewide celebration on March 1 at the Hilton Phoenix/Mesa Hotel along with 75 additional recipients from community colleges throughout Arizona.

Left to Right: Amanda, Kim, Heather, and Lauren.

To be considered for the All-Arizona Academic Team, students must maintain a GPA of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale, be in good academic standing, be working towards completion of an associate degree, demonstrate leadership, and actively volunteer on campus and/or within their communities. Each student winner will receive an academic scholarship and tuition waiver to one of Arizona’s three universities: Arizona State University, University of Arizona and Northern Arizona University. The scholarships and tuition waivers are made possible by Phi Theta Kappa, American Association of Community Colleges, Arizona Community Colleges, Arizona Board of Regents and USA TODAY who aim to help these exceptional students reach their educational goals.

Coyote Cupboard is Now Open for Those in Need

Chandler-Gilbert Community College (CGCC) is proud to announce the opening of Coyote Cupboard in partnership with Matthew’s Crossing Food Bank. Coyote Cupboard is a free food pantry with non-perishable food items and toiletries available to any CGCC student or employee. Items available include peanut butter, jelly, canned tuna, rice, beans, canned vegetables, cereal, macaroni and cheese, pasta, soup, soap, deodorant, tooth brushes and tooth paste.

Coyote Cupboard locations and hours of operation:

Pecos Campus, SC 111
Monday------------1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Tuesday------------12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Thursday-----------12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Williams Campus, BRID 137
Monday------------12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Thursday----------12:00 p.m.- 4:00 p.m.


Coyote Cupboard is made possible by the generous donations of Matthew's Crossing, a local 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization. Matthew’s Crossing provides assistance for East Valley individuals and families with needs associated with hunger. Visit their website to learn more about their mission and to get involved.

For more information about Coyote Cupboard, contact Student Life Staff:

Pecos Campus
KT Campbell at kt.campbell@cgc.edu or call (480) 857-5524
Maria Amador at maria.amador@cgc.edu

Williams Campus
Kim Kocak at kimberly.kocak@cgc.edu or call (480) 988-8525
Jenny Ortega at jennifer.ortega@cgc.edu

Power Paws Seeking Student Volunteers to Raise Service Dogs

Last week, Power Paws, a local service dog organization came to Chandler-Gilbert Community College to recruit student volunteers to serve as puppy raisers and trainers. The organization signed interested individuals up to participate in their puppy training programs in 2018. Power Paws trains Golden and Labrador Retriever service dogs to assist children and adults with a variety of disabilities including mobility impairments, Type I Diabetes, and people affected by Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Mobility Dogs are skilled to do many tasks that are difficult for those with mobility impairment, including: turning light switches on and off, opening and closing doors or drawers, retrieving items that have been dropped, untying shoelaces, removing gloves and socks, providing love and companionship. Dogs trained to assist in cases of PTSD can calm their handler, help them deal with a stressful situation, or wake them from a night terror. Diabetic Alert Dogs are trained to alert diabetic adults and children to changes in their glucose levels.

For more information about Power Paws, visit their website today to learn more about their wonderful programs.

Holiday Reminders

On behalf of the CGCC faculty and staff, we want to express our sincere thanks for allowing us to support you throughout the academic year.

A couple of reminders before we break for the holiday:

All CGCC campuses will be closed November 23 & 24
Classes resume on November 27
Midday Jazz Concert November 29
“Fiddler on the Roof” Performance November 30-December 2
Student Dance Showcase December 8 & 9
Student Actors Showcase and Marimba Concert December 8
Concert Choir Symphony of the Southwest Orchestra at the Mesa Arts Center Ikeda Theater December 9
Last Day of Regular Classes December 10
Final Exams December 11-14
Winter Sampler Music Concert on December 11
Broadway Solo Recital on December 13

We hope you have a wonderful holiday surrounded by family, friends, and of course, good food. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!

Celebrate Native American Heritage Month at CGCC

In celebration of Native American Heritage Month, Chandler-Gilbert Community College (CGCC) will be hosting the annual kickoff on Wednesday, November 1 from 12:15 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. at the Student Pavilion at CGCC’s Pecos Campus. The event will feature Master of Ceremony Moonie, live dance performance by Indigenous Enterprise, poetry by Roanna Shebala, music by Rae Scott and authentic fry bread by Yellowman Fry Bread.

The festival is free are open to the public and sponsored by the Vice President of Student Affairs, CGCC Student Life and Leadership, Co-Curricular Programs, and Maricopa Community Colleges District American Indian Early Outreach Office.

November is national Native American Heritage Month, and is a time to celebrate rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories and to acknowledge the important contributions of Native people.

25th Anniversary Celebration

Celebrate CGCC’s silver anniversary during a special event on October 19 in honor of 25 years of academic service. The event will be held at the Williams Campus on the lawn in front of Engel Hall from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and will feature complimentary food from Some Burros, live music from DJ Iceman, games and an ALL campus photo at 11:30 a.m. The event is sponsored by the Student Advisory Board and is free for attendees. We hope you can make it and celebrate this wonderful milestone with us! See you there.

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at CGCC

In celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month, CGCC is hosting a variety of events to celebrate the contributions of Hispanics in the community.

Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15 by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. The CGCC event series is sponsored by the Hispanic Student Organization, Student Life and Leadership and Co-Curricular Programs. This year’s CGCC Hispanic Heritage events include:

Author: Manuel Muñoz A read as part of Banned Books Week	September 27	7:00-8:15 pm	Pecos Campus Library
Film Screening: Huicholes: The Last Peyote Guardians	September 28	1:00-3:00 pm	SC140 Pecos Campus
Hispanic Heritage Festival	October 12	11:15 am- 1:15 pm	Pavilion (SC100) Pecos Campus
Hispanic Student Org. Sponsored DACA Panel & Discussion	October 12	1:20-2:45 pm	SC140 Pecos Campus
Día de los Muertos Gallery	Oct 12 –Nov 3	Regular Library Hrs	Pecos Campus Library

The events are free and open to the public. The Hispanic Heritage Festival will feature samples of Hispanic foods, entertainment and information about local Hispanic community organizations.
For more information on Hispanic Heritage events, please contact Katherine Haar at katherine.haar@cgc.edu.

CGCC’s Keiran Faulkner Receives Arizona Livestock Honors

We sat down and chatted with Chandler-Gilbert Community College student Kerian Faulkner about her recent Arizona National Livestock award and her new role as a livestock ambassador. Faulkner, an agribusiness sophomore, has spent more than half her life raising and showing market lambs on the local, state and national stages. In this interview, she shares her background in livestock and the important role it plays in her life.

Connection: Keiran, congratulations on your recent Arizona National Livestock Award. We are so excited for you! We want our readers to get to know a little bit about you and your passion for livestock. Describe your background in the livestock industry and its importance in your life.

Keiran: I have been raised in this industry and I can't ever remember a time in my life where Livestock wasn't involved. I began raising sheep in 2007 when I was 8 years old. I joined the Yuma Moos 4H group to begin showing lambs for Jackpot shows and the Yuma County Fair. As I continued my journey of showing lambs, I began showing at the Arizona State Fair, the Arizona National Livestock Show, and at shows all around Arizona through the Southern Arizona International Livestock Association (SAILA). When I entered high school, I became a member of the Cibola Future Farmers of America chapter through my high school agriculture program, which gave me the opportunity to submit my financial records to win awards through my sheep projects.
The livestock industry has had a massive impact on my life. In my years of state-wide travel to shows, I have met friends who have become family, and made memories that will last a lifetime. Through my years of raising and showing lambs, I have learned so many valuable life lessons. Raising livestock teaches young people the importance of financial record keeping, the responsibility of caring for a life besides your own, and the value that can be found in hard work and dedication. All of which make our youth ready for life in the real word.

Connection: How did you get involved in livestock shows?

Keiran: My family has been involved in the livestock industry for over 50 years; we have had everything from cattle, to sheep, to hogs, and even goats. My personal involvement in livestock shows began when I got my first lamb, Blueberry, back in 2007. I showed her at the Yuma SAILA and the Yuma County Fair. I will admit that while raising Blueberry, I was very much against showing after that year, but when fair time came around, I was fortunate enough to win Grand Champion Market Lamb at the County Fair, and I decided "hey, showing isn't so bad after all." From then on, I found a love in showing lambs, and continued to attend more and more livestock shows to better my skill and become more involved.

Connection: Describe the AZ National Livestock Show award and what it means to be an ambassador?

Keiran: As the Arizona National Livestock Show ambassador, I will be traveling across the state and country to promote the show to potential exhibitors. I will be attending county and state fairs, SAILA shows, and even a national show sometime in the fall. I will also attend meetings with the board that makes ANLS possible. Being selected as the ambassador also comes with being awarded a $2,000.00 scholarship which I will use towards my studies this year.

Connection: What, if any, future plans do you have in livestock shows?

Keiran: I don't have any specific plans set yet for future my involvement in stock shows, but I do want to be around this industry for the rest of my life. I know as I eventually have a family of my own, that I hope to raise my own children at stock shows, just as I was. I would definitely be interested in working for a major livestock show if the opportunity were to arise.

Thank you for sharing your story Keiran, and congratulations on your recent achievements! We at CGCC are proud to have you represent our college as a 2017 Arizona National Livestock Ambassador. We wish you much success in your role.

CGCC Student Takes Aim and Wins National Archery Championship

Twenty-two-year-old marketing major Nathan Yamaguchi represented Chandler-Gilbert Community College (CGCC) with precision and pride at the 2017 US Indoor National Championships placing first in the Collegiate Sr. Male Recurve division.  Nathan was one of about 140 collegiate archers competing on March 4-5 and he pulled from a quiver full of experience to come out on top again. 

Nathan was eight-years-old when he first picked up a bow and arrow and quickly showed prominence on a national stage.  “I won my first National title when I was 13, and then won my second at 14,” he recounted.  “I have been a member of multiple national teams and a few Youth World Championship teams. Most recently, I won a silver medal at the Jr. World Field Championships in 2014.”  The tournament win this March is Nathan’s first National Champion title since the age of 14 and he is thrilled to have done it at CGCC.

When asked why he is so passionate about this more obscure sport, Nathan shared that “archery is great because I can control how I perform, and cannot blame anyone else for it. I am responsible for my own performance and no one else’s.” 

If baseball is a game of inches, archery is a game of millimeters. Archers shoot at a 40-cm target, which is divided into 10 scoring rings at 18 m (about 60ft). At the competition, they shoot a total of 120 arrows over the course of two days with each arrow being scored out of a possible of 10 points.

Nathan recently switched to the Collegiate Sr. Male Recurve division from the Sr. Male Recurve division once he started at CGCC. This division is for those individuals who are 20 and older and attending college full time.  “My focus has been heightened in this division since I am also in school,” explained Nathan. “With less time for everything, every minute counts more.  As a result, my performance has sharpened and that is partially what I credit for this win

CGCC Concert Choir Hosts Fundraiser for Carnegie Hall Trip

Help make the CGCC Concert Choir dream performance come true by attending a fundraiser performance featuring John Rutter's "Requiem” tomorrow at 7 pm at the Velda Rosa United Methodist Church in Mesa. Funds raised at the event will benefit the choir’s upcoming performance at the world-famous Carnegie Hall April 3-7.

Last fall, the CGCC Concert Choir was invited to attend the Mid-America Productions Spring Festival Chorus at the distinguished in Carnegie Hall in New York City.  As one of only four choirs in the nation to receive an invite, this honor arguably places CGCC among the leading concert choirs in the U.S.

Since receiving the invitation, choir members have been diligently raising funds to pay for the cost of the $72,000 trip. Last month, Southwest Airlines donated round trip airfare for each choir member making them one step closer to achieving their goal.

We hope you can join us for this wonderful event. The Velda Rose United Methodist Church is located at 5540 E Main Street Mesa, AZ  85205.

Four students from CGCC named to All-Arizona Academic Teams

Recognized for academic achievements and distinguished leadership

CHANDLER, Ariz. –  March 20, 2017 --Four Chandler-Gilbert Community College students were recognized for their outstanding academic achievements and distinguished leadership at the 2017 All-Arizona Academic Recognition Ceremony on March 9 at the Hilton Phoenix/Mesa Hotel. Students Yessica Avitia, Danielle Jones, Adrian Ruiz and Rachel Torne joined 22 other Maricopa Community College District students to be honored for their success.

“Congratulation to Yessica, Danielle and Adrian and Rachel’s on being named to the All-Arizona Academic Team,” said William Guerriero, interim president at CGCC. “We commend you on your hard work and determination needed to receive this distinguished honor. We are honored to have you as part of the CGCC community and know you will go on to achieve great success in your academic and professional careers.”

To be considered for an All-Arizona Academic Teams, students must maintain a GPA of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale, be in good academic standing, be working on an associate degree, demonstrate leadership and be involved on campus and/or volunteer in their communities.

In addition, Phi Theta Kappa, American Association of Community Colleges, Arizona Community Colleges, Arizona Board of Regents and USA TODAY help these exceptional students reach their educational goals by awarding scholarships and issuing tuition waivers to Arizona’s three universities: Arizona State University, University of Arizona and Northern Arizona University.

Judging to select the recipients consisted of three rounds. In the first round, a group of local businesses, civic, education and government leaders reviewed applications and chose the recipients of the award. Only two students are selected from each college campus. The selected recipients’ applications were then forwarded to Washington, D.C., for second and third rounds of judging and scoring by representatives from various federal agencies and national education associations. Those scores were used to rank the students for first, second or third state teams. First Team members receive a $1,000 scholarship, Second Team members a $750 scholarship and Third Team members a $500 scholarship to one of Arizona’s state universities.

Chandler-Gilbert Community College, Williams Campus

Danielle Jones - Third Team

Transferring to: Arizona State University -- Major: Power Plant Engineering
Jones plans to earn a bachelor’s degree in power plant engineering at Arizona State University. Her 12-year commitment career goal is to earn the Designated Engineering Representative (DER) certification through the Federal Aviation Administration.

 

Adrian Ruiz - Second Team
Transferring to: Arizona State University -- Major: Nursing
Ruiz plans to earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing at Arizona State University and become a registered nurse at Phoenix Children’s Hospital and later continue his service to the military and veteran community as a registered nurse at the Phoenix VA Healthcare System.

Chandler Gilbert Community College, Pecos Campus

Yessica Avitia Santos - Second Team
Transferring to: Arizona State University -- Major: Business
Avitia plans to earn a bachelor’s degree in business at Arizona State University and become a CEO of an international company while continuing to volunteer for organizations such as Boys and Girls Clubs and StreetLight USA.

Rachel Torne - Second Team
Transferring to: Arizona State University -- Major: Early Childhood Education/Special Education

Torne plans to earn a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education and special education
at Arizona State University and become an early childhood teacher for kindergarten-third graders or for an early childhood autism program. Torne plans to simultaneously earn her master’s degree, endorsements for her teaching certificate and be highly involved in the education community.

Welcome Back

Happy New Year! Welcome back to all returning CGCC students. We hope you enjoyed your winter break and are ready for the spring semester. We are looking forward to another fulfilling semester and accomplishing great things. As you prepare to start class, we want to remind you of things in order to help with a smooth academic transition.

Back to school congestion always makes moving around campus challenging during the first week.  Plan for this by allowing yourself extra time to get to class and packing ample patience for fellow students and staff, especially when navigating the Coyote Center, bookstore and surrounding parking lots.

If you didn’t have time to get involved on campus in the fall, now is a great time to get involved by joining a student organization or attending a campus event. Being an active part of campus life allows you to become better connected with your school community and discover new friends with similar interests. For more information on CGCC campus activities visit our Student Life website today!

Finally, we encourage you to start off your spring semester off on the right foot by taking advantage of the CGCC Learning Center. Get primed for your toughest subjects with free tutoring services that are available to students on a drop-in basis for selected courses.  While the emphasis is on providing writing, mathematics and science support, services are available for a wide range of courses at CGCC.  Check out locations, hours and more information here.

CGCC looks forward to sharing more good news with you during the year through the newsletter, social media, the college’s web-site and our new mobile app!
The new CGCC mobile app will be available later this month to download, so keep an eye out.

Again, welcome back and we wish you a successful spring semester!

Service Learning Student Makes History

Twenty-year-old Chandler-Gilbert Community College Pecos Campus student, Matheu Gonzales, is using history to take service-learning to new heights.  Through his projects, Mr. Gonzales’ “service” is to create and preserve awareness of important historical people and events.  This impressive pursuit, its results and Mr. Gonzales’ account of his experience are vivid examples of the impact that service-learning can have on the student as well as society.  We had the opportunity to discuss with Mr. Gonzales what history, service learning and these projects have meant to him.

Connection: Your service learning projects are getting a lot of attention. Would you describe them to us?

Gonzales: My service learning topics included a biography of a man who played a part on making the Mexican School in Gilbert matter to the kids who attended the school. The man was Wayne McFrederick, he had no official biography until I was assigned to craft one for him.

Connections: Fascinating! How did you go about unearthing all the biographical information?

Gonzales: During this project I needed to work as a detective. With no formal information laid out in a single document I had to constantly research, send emails and letters to people who may know any information on Mr. McFrederick. It was a challenge, I began my research at the Gilbert Historical Museum. There I flipped through newspapers from the 1930’s on up. I moved onto data bases finding a little more than what the papers offered. I could not even find an obituary, or the actual day he had died.

Little by little, the information came and thankfully I was blessed to have received his obituary from a library in California, where he had moved and later died. I could not have found this without guidance and support from my mentor Danette Turner or the Gilbert Historical Museum which graciously allowed me to add to their collection of Gilbert History.

Connections: What has this project meant to you?

Gonzales: This project has meant a lot to me, I was trusted enough to share what this man had done for that community and those students. Being the first person to write about Wayne McFrederick’s life was an honor and a blessing, and I thank my professor Mrs. Turner for helping me on my journey

Connections: What about your other project?  Can you share a little about that?

Gonzales: My second project was scanning World War II pictures for the East Valley Jewish Society. During this I had to be very delicate with the photos. I wore surgical gloves to avoid damaging the photos with the oils of my hands.

Connections: Handling historical photos is not something most history students get to do.  What all did you see in these photos? 

Gonzales: I was able to see a theatre of war, as well what made World War II so infamous, pictures of the Holocaust. These pictures were taken by the United States Army themselves, they included more pictures of the horrid Holocaust.

After scanning these images, I was later told that they were traced back to the Monuments Men expedition. The expedition goal was to reclaim art, and history that the Nazis had stolen and were to be destroyed if Hitler lost the war. Hollywood made a major motion picture of the story, I am thrilled that I was somewhat a part of all of that…even if it only meant scanning the photos to my computer.

Connections: Wow, it must feel exciting to be a part of such magnificent history.  What did you learn throughout this experience? 

Gonzales: Doing this project had shed some light on everything that I have learned about World War II. It allowed me to see the war through a soldier’s point of view.  It also made me aware of the tragic reality that some historians claim the Holocaust never happened.  Pictures are a solid way of proving that it did; in a court of law it is said “It is not what you know, it is what you can prove in court” and I believe that’s a rule that is constantly followed in society. 

Connections: Where can fellow students and members of the community see your work?

Gonzales: Finishing this project will allow the East Valley Jewish Society, Chandler-Gilbert Community College and Mesa Community College to create an exhibit with the photos I scanned. I am very proud to know that my name will be associated with this exhibit.

Connections: Clearly your passion is history and historical research.  Can you share why?

Gonzales: Text books that students are assigned to read starting in high school are worded in a way that the author wants you to think about the subject…bad or good. Researching raw information allows for an unbiased way of thinking, allowing you to take the information in and form your own opinion. History can be swayed easily to a view someone wants you to see.

Historical research also preserves what should not be forgotten, the Holocaust and World War II, and brings to light pieces of history that should not live in the shadows, Wayne McFrederick. 

Connections: After this rich experience, what is your perspective on service-learning?
       
Gonzales: At the start of service-learning I had no idea that it existed or what it was.  I now know what it is as well as how important it is not just to a history student but to every student. It allows you to gain valuable experience in the field in which you are majoring. I am grateful for service learning and the opportunities it has led to for me and can lead to for anyone.

Guess Who is Hiring?

Get a head start on 2017 with a new job. Here are more than 80 companies, government entities and non-profit organizations collectively advertising more than 25,000 open positions across Arizona this month. Each of these employers is looking to fill at least 100 jobs.

Stop by CGCC Career Services for assistance with resumes and interviewing tips.

Accenture, hiring 230. The company provides management consulting, as well as technology and outsourcing services. More info: www.accenture.com/us-en/careers/jobsearch.

Advantage Sales and Marketing, hiring 150. The marketing company has a variety of sales-related positions available. More info: careers.advantagesolutions.net.

Aetna, hiring 130. The health-care benefits company has openings ranging from customer service representatives to pharmacists. More info: www.aetna.jobs.

AlliedBarton Security, hiring 160. The security services company has openings for security officers. More info: jobs.alliedbarton.com.

Amazon.com, hiring 200. The online retailer is adding help at its Phoenix warehouse. More info: workatamazonfulfillment.com.

American Express, hiring 170. The financial services company is adding jobs in the Phoenix area. More info: careers.americanexpress.com.

Aramark, hiring 200. The food service and uniform maker has jobs available from cashier to information technology. More info: aramark.com/careers.

Department of Economic Security, hiring 130. The state agency has openings ranging from secretaries to case managers. More info: jobs.azdes.gov.

Arizona State University, hiring 320. The state university is filling an assortment of jobs, from receptionists to faculty instructors. More info: cfo.asu.edu/hr-applicant.

Army National Guard, hiring 140. The guard is looking for positions ranging from infantry to analysts. More info: jobs.nationalguard.com/ngb/browse_by_state/Arizona.

Bank of America, hiring 410. The bank and financial services company is adding positions in the Phoenix area. More info: careers.bankofamerica.com.

Banner Health, hiring 1,580. The non-profit company operates hospitals and other medical services. More info: www.bannerhealth.com/Careers/Job+Search+and+Apply/Job+Search.htm.

Best Version Media, hiring 270. The neighborhood information publishing company has openings in publishing, sales and design. More info: bestversionmedia.com.

Brookdale, hiring 230. The company is hiring for positions from nurses to social services directors. More info: www.brookdalecareers.com.

Celadon Trucking, hiring 850. The trucking and transportation company is adding drivers and other positions. More info: http://www.driveceladon.com/.

Chico’s, hiring 230. The fashion retailer that operates Chico’s, White House Black Market and Soma has openings for store managers and sales associates. More info: jobs.chicos.com.

Chipotle, hiring 250. The Mexican-themed restaurant is hiring for a variety of positions. More info: careers.chipotle.com.

City of Phoenix, hiring 160. The city has openings ranging from accountants to police. More info: www.phoenix.gov/employment.

Community Health Systems, hiring 250. The health-care company is adding jobs in Tucson from nurse practitioner to scheduling clerks. More info: www.careershealthcare.com.

CRST International, hiring 460. The trucking and transportation company is adding drivers and other positions. More info: www.crst.com/careers/opportunities/.

CVS Health, hiring 720. The company operates pharmacies and retail centers across the country. Locations in metro Phoenix, Tucson, Prescott, Lake Havasu City and Yuma have openings. More info: jobs.cvshealth.com/article/retail-jobs.

Deloitte, hiring 160. The consulting and financial advisory company has openings ranging from cyber-risk consultant to SAP HR manager. More info: http://jobs.deloitte.com/phoenix-jobs.

Department of Veterans Affairs, hiring 200. The Tucson and Phoenix offices have openings. More info: www.tucson.va.gov/careers/index.asp.

Dignity Health, hiring 680. The medical center seeks speech pathologists, certified nurse midwives, social workers and physicians in the Phoenix area. More info: dignityhealthcareers.org/careers/jobs.

Dish Network, hiring 200. The satellite television company is adding jobs from account managers to installers. More info: careers.dish.com.

Domino’s, hiring 500. The pizza delivery company is hiring drivers, customer service representatives and managers. More info: jobs.dominos.com/dominos-careers.

Edward Jones, hiring 320. The financial services company has openings ranging from insurance service specialists to team leaders. More info: http://careers.edwardjones.com/index.html.

Freeport-McMoRan, hiring 230. The mining company has openings ranging from chemist to mechanic. More info: http://fmjobs.com/.

Fry's Food Stores, hiring more than 1,170. The grocer with 119 locations in Arizona is part of the Kroger chain. More info: jobs.frysfood.com.

General Dynamics, hiring 240. The aerospace and defense company has openings ranging from software engineers to customer service representatives. More info: http://www.generaldynamics.com/careers/job-search.

Grand Canyon Education, hiring 190. The company operates Grand Canyon University, a private, for-profit Christian school. More info: jobs.gcu.edu/jobs.

Great Clips, hiring 150. The company operates hair salons across Arizona. Locations with openings include Casa Grande, Buckeye, Mesa and Phoenix. More info: www.greatclips.com.

Hilton Worldwide, hiring 230. The hotel and resort operator is adding jobs from housekeeper to engineer. More info: jobs.hiltonworldwide.com.

Home Depot, hiring 330. The home improvement and construction retailer is adding positions in the Phoenix area. More info: careers.homedepot.com.

Honeywell, hiring 150. The aerospace company has openings ranging from engineer to marketing associate. More info: http://www.careersathoneywell.com/.

HonorHealth, hiring 670. The company operates acute-care hospitals and outpatient centers, among other medical services. More info: jobs.honorhealth.com/jobs-page.

IASIS Healthcare, hiring 230. The acute-care health company has openings from admitting managers to business analysts. More info: jobs.iasishealthcare.com.

Indian Health Service, hiring 520. The government agency is hiring for positions ranging from administrative support to physician. More info: www.ihs.gov/jobs/index.cfm.

Intel Corp., hiring 170. The semiconductor manufacturer is adding jobs from data scientists to research engineers. More info:intel.com/content/www/us/en/jobs/jobs-at-intel.html

JCPenney, hiring 350. The retailer is adding positions in Tucson. More info: jobs.jcp.com.

JPMorgan Chase, hiring 370. The bank and financial services is adding positions across Arizona. More info: careers.jpmorgan.com.

Knight Transportation, hiring 220.The trucking and transportation company is adding drivers and other positions. More info: http://www.knighttrans.com/Careers/.

Legacy Traditional Schools, hiring 250. The charter school has openings ranging from teachers to food services. More info: careers.legacytraditional.org.

Lockheed Martin, hiring 140. The defense manufacturer has openings ranging from material handler to systems administrator. More info: www.lockheedmartinjobs.com.

Lowe’s, hiring 150. The home improvement and construction retailer is adding positions in the Phoenix area. More info: jobs.lowes.com.

Maricopa Community Colleges, hiring 120. The school system has openings ranging from systems administrator to student services specialist. More info: https://hr.maricopa.edu/jobs.

Maricopa County, hiring 100. The county has openings ranging from custodians to dietitians. More info: https://jobs.maricopa.gov/.

Maricopa Integrated Health System, hiring 170. The system is hiring for positions ranging from radiologists and registered nurses to appointment schedulers and food-service workers. More info: jobs.mihs.org.

Marriott, hiring 440. The hotel and resort company is hiring various positions at all levels across the state. More info: jobs.marriott.com.

Mayo Clinic, hiring 190. The hospital has positions ranging from instrument technician to pharmacist. More info: www.mayoclinic.org/jobs/locations/arizona.

McDonald's, hiring 260. The restaurant chain is adding positions. More info: www.mcdonalds.com/us/en/careers.html.

Northern Arizona Healthcare, hiring 110. The health system has openings for positions ranging from accounting to nurse practitioner. More info: nahealth.com/careers/current-positions.

Northwest Medical Center, hiring 110. The Tucson hospital has openings ranging from scheduling clerk to registered nurses. More info: jobs.northwestmedicalcenter.com.

Oracle, hiring 780. The company provides cloud applications, platform services and engineered computer systems. The company is adding jobs in Phoenix and Tucson. More info: www.oracle.com/corporate/careers.

Orbital ATK, hiring more than 100. The aerospace and defense company is looking for candidates for positions ranging from engineers to inspectors. More info: www.atk-jobs.com.

Panther Premium Logistics, hiring 340. The transportation company has openings for territory managers and other positions. More info: http://join.pantherpremium.com/HR.

Paradise Valley Unified School District, hiring 110. Paradise Valley schools are seeking to fill positions ranging from coaches to teachers and support staff. More info: www.pvschools.net/Page/158.

Peoria Unified School District, hiring 150. The Northwest Valley school system is filling jobs for a range of positions, from custodians to teachers. More info: applitrack.com/peoriaud/onlineapp.

PetSmart, hiring 170.The company provides pet supplies and services. More info: careers.petsmart.com.

Pizza Hut, hiring 430. The pizza restaurant and delivery chain is adding jobs in the Phoenix area. More info: jobs.pizzahut.com.

Raytheon, hiring 650. The company specializes in defense, civil government and cybersecurity. The jobs are mainly in the Tucson area. More info: jobs.raytheon.com.

Regis Corp., hiring 160. The hairstyling company that operates Supercuts, SmartStyle and other salons has openings for stylists and management positions. More info: http://www.regiscorp.com/NA/Careers/.

Republic Services Inc., hiring 110. The garbage collection company is filling positions ranging from drivers to analysts. More info: republicservices.jobs.

Sears Holdings Corp., hiring 250. The company includes Sears, Kmart and related brands. More info: jobs.sears.com.

Sonora Quest Laboratories, hiring 110. The laboratory system is adding positions ranging from laboratory technicians to sales and marketers. More info: www.sonoraquest.com/careers.

Sprouts Farmers Market, hiring 200. The Phoenix-based grocer is adding positions ranging from cashier to store manager. More info: www.sprouts.com/web/guest/careers.

Starbucks, hiring 150. The coffee company has openings ranging from barista to store manager. More info: www.starbucks.com/careers.

State of Arizona, hiring 350. The government is filling positions ranging from customer service jobs to grant coordinators. More info: azstatejobs.azdoa.gov.

Swift Transportation, hiring 680. The trucking and transportation company is adding drivers and other positions. More info: joinswift.com.

Taco Bell, hiring 400. The restaurant chain is adding positions in the Phoenix area. More info: jobs.tacobell.com.

Target Corp., hiring 190. The retailer is adding positions across the state. More info: jobs.target.com.

Tenet Healthcare, hiring 650. The company that includes Abrazo Community Health Network operates hospitals, outpatient centers, among other health services. More info: tenethealth.com/careers/join-our-team.

Toys “R” Us, hiring 170. The toy and baby products retailer has 13 stores in the Phoenix and Tucson areas. More info: www.toysrusinc.com/careers.

Tucson Medical Center, hiring 190. The hospital is looking to fill positions ranging from registered nurses to security officers. More info: jobs.tmcaz.com.

Tucson Unified School District, hiring 460. The school system is looking for candidates for positions ranging from teachers to custodians. More info: jobs.tusd1.org.

UnitedHealth Group, hiring 350. The medical insurer is hiring for positions ranging from phone-service representatives to nurse practitioners. More info: careers.unitedhealthgroup.com.

University of Arizona, hiring 630. The university is adding positions in Tucson ranging from counselors to research assistants. More info: uacareers.com.

UPS, hiring 160. The package delivery service has openings for package handlers and supervisors. More info: https://www.jobs-ups.com/.

US Bank, hiring 140. The bank is hiring for positions ranging from teller to small business specialist. More info: www.usbank.com/careers/index.aspx.

U-Haul, hiring 130. The transportation and propane-services company has openings ranging from customer representatives to area field manager. More info: jobs.uhaul.com.

Walmart, hiring at least 100. The retailer has a variety of positions available across the state. More info: careers.walmart.com.

Washington Elementary School District, hiring 110. The school district is hiring teachers, psychologists and nutrition workers. More info: jobs.wesdschools.org/jobs.

Wells Fargo, hiring 850. The company provides banking and other financial services. More info: wellsfargojobs.com.

CGCC Concert Choir Raising Funds for Dream Performance at Carnegie Hall

The 50-member Chandler-Gilbert Community College (CGCC) Concert Choir has been invited to the preeminent Carnegie Hall in New York City to attend the Mid-America Productions Spring Festival Chorus April 3-7, 2017. This milestone includes participation in musical clinics and a live performance on the historic stage. As one of only four choirs in the nation to receive an invitation, this honor arguably places CGCC among the leading concert choirs in the U.S.

“Beyond the much-deserved recognition and the thrill of traveling to New York, the educational component of this experience will be invaluable to music students,” expressed Marcus Denton, Director of Choral, Vocal and Piano Music Studies at CGCC. “It is a three-day residential clinic with Dr. J. Edmund Hughes (nationally known choral conductor and composer, and former director of the CGCC Concert Choir), studying one of the most revered choral works of the 20th century--John Rutter's Requiem, and culminating in its performance on the Carnegie Hall stage.”

For this reason, Denton, the CGCC Performing Arts Department, CGCC and the choir members themselves are actively seeking student sponsors and other donors to help make this dream a reality. The total cost of the trip is estimated at $72,000, or $1,800 per student, including travel, event registration, and hotel. Each student will contribute $750, or $30,000 total, toward that cost, and the college, with support from the Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation, is working to raise the balance of $42,000.  The reality is that this trip and performance will truly be life-changing for our students.

Denton has been crafting the performance quality of the CGCC Concert Choir for years and he understands that it takes a village, and determination, to build national recognition. “Many of the students who are going were part of previous Concert Choirs at CGCC, and have been part of the legacy that led up to the invitation,” shared Denton.  “Many are new and have come to us as graduates from our very effective surrounding valley high school programs, and have already contributed tremendous talent from Day 1 on this campus. Together, we have seen CGCC Choir become one of the premiere collegiate choral groups in Arizona and beyond, known for its quality and high level of musicianship.”

By sponsoring a student, one not only provides a “life-changing” experience but it is also a key contribution to the growing CGCC tradition of fine music making and excellence in the performing arts.  Anyone interested in sponsoring a student can visit www.mcccdf.org/carnegie and follow the simple instructions to make your donation.

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at CGCC

In celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month, CGCC is hosting a Hispanic Heritage Festival on Thursday, October 13 from 11 am to 1 pm inside the Student Pavilion. The event will feature samples of Hispanic foods, entertainment and information about local Hispanic community organizations.

Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. The CGCC event is sponsored by the Hispanic Student Organization, Office of International Education Program and Student Life.
The event is free and open to the public. For more information on the event or CGCC's Hispanic Student Organization, please contact Greg Wojtovich at 480.857.5213.

Project 3D Upcoming Events

The Office of Student Life and Leadership kicked off the Project 3D forum series on September 13 with the official launch event inside the Student Pavilion at the Pecos Campus. A variety of local civic organizations including the Arizona Democratic Party, Arizona GOP, League of Women Voters, East Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Chinese American Phoenix Chapter gathered to educated students on key political issues and register them to vote in the upcoming presidential election.

Project 3D creator and CGCC student Curran Vinson was featured on 12 News where he discussed the vision behind the events and his hope to inspire students to get involved in political change. Click here to view the 12 News segment.

Upcoming Project 3D

•    9/27/2016 - “This Land Is Your Land, This Land Is My Land”: Politics of the Wall, 7pm- 8:30pm Agave Community Room
•    10/5/2016 - Project 3D and Rock the Vote Event, 11:30am - 1pm, Student Pavilion
•    10/18/2016 -Shots Heard Around the World: The Politics of Gun Control in America, 7pm - 8:30pm Agave Community Room
•    11/1/2016 - Social Justice, Diversity, and the New American, 7pm - 8:30pm, Agave Community Room

The voter registration portion of Project 3D is being conducted in connection with Rock the Vote, a non-partisan group that focuses on educating and registering young voters and getting as many as possible to turn out to the polls. This event will include live entertainment, food and guest speakers.

The Project 3D forums are free and open to the public. Refreshments will be provided. For more information, contact katherine.haar@cgc.com or call 480-732-7150.