Take Control of Your Education, Attend a Student Success Fair

Chandler-Gilbert Community College is hosting two upcoming Student Success Fairs to celebrate student success and promote graduation. Events will be held at the Pecos Campus on Tuesday, February 7 and Wednesday, February 8 from 9 am to 1 pm.

The Student Success Fair is a popular campus event designed to help students achieve their academic goals by providing direct access to information and resources that enhance and nurture the college-going experience. During the fair students, can connect, engage, and learn from CGCC faculty and staff representing nearly 20 different campus services. We encourage all students to join us. Students who engage with all four fair zones will receive complimentary lunch and are eligible for a free CGCC t-shirt.

Circle Mirror Transformation Debuts on November 17

CGCC Fall Production a Must See

Chandler-Gilbert Community College (CGCC) Performing Arts has not let pending technical upgrades to their facility keep them from finding the “perfect fit” performance for this fall’s production.  Circle Mirror Transformation by Annie Baker is the type of character-driven play that Theatre Arts Director, Tracy Liz Miller knew her students and her theatre could do to perfection. 

“Director Kent Burnham suggested this wonderful play by Annie Baker, knowing that we had some terrific older students in our classes that are ready for their opportunity on the stage,” shared Miller.  “It's a perfect fit for our department right now for the students and as we wait for our new dimmer rack and additional equipment."

This the first time CGCC Department of Theatre has produced a fall production in their Studio Black Box and have chosen this low-tech, character-centric play to fit into the space as they wait for additional technical upgrades for more technically sophisticated productions.

The play is layered with intrigue.  When four lost individuals who enroll in Marty's six-week-long community-center drama class begin to experiment with harmless games, hearts are quietly torn apart, and tiny wars of epic proportions are waged and won. A beautifully crafted diorama, a petri dish in which we see, with hilarious detail and clarity, the antic sadness of a motley quintet.

Circle Mirror Transformation by Annie Baker is showing at the Arnette Scott Ward Performing Arts Center located at the CGCC Pecos Campus on November 17th & 19th at 7:30pm with a matinee on the 19th at 2:00pm.  Tickets are $8 general admission and $5 for students.   For more information please visit the website at www.cgc.maricopa.edu/performingarts or call the box office at 480-732-7343.

 

Three CGCC Students Named to All-Arizona Academic Team

Three CGCC students have been named to the All Arizona Academic team, an honor that places them among the top community college students in the state of Arizona and the country.  Alexis Powers, Tristan Garcia and Jared Brimhall were three of nine high-achieving East Valley students to receive the same honor during an awards ceremony on March 3rd.  A total of seventy-five community college scholars from across the state participated in the ceremony, which celebrates their outstanding academic achievements and distinguished leadership.

“We are very proud of these students’ individual success as well as CGCC’s strong presence on the 2016 All-Arizona Academic Team,” explained Chris Schnick,  Dean of Arts & Sciences “Applicants who are chosen for this team endure a rigorous evaluation and elimination process and to have three from CGCC is a significant achievement indeed.”

Judging to select the recipients consisted of three rounds. In the first round, a group of local business, civic, education and government leaders reviewed applications and chose the recipients of the award. Only two 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.



•    2016 All-Arizona Academic Team – CGCC, Pecos Campus

• Name: Alexis Power
  
• College: Chandler-Gilbert Community College
• Campus: Pecos Campus
• GPA: 3.89
• Transferring To: ASU
• Major (4 year): Civil Engineering
• Career Goal: Plans on earning a bachelor’s in Civil Engineering and also a Master’s. “I would like to spend time working in countries who do not have a solid infrastructure. Also, pursue project management,” shared Alexis.
• College/Community Activities: Phi Theta Kappa International Honors Society, Women Rising, Engineering Club, and serving as a middle school youth leader.
• College Honors:  Presidents’ Honors Scholarship, President’s Honor List, MCCCD Foundation, Ingebritson, Steven G. Mihaylo, and Champagne, Choc & all that Jaz Scholarships
• Personal Quote: “Be yourself, everyone else is already taken.” – Oscar Wilde

• Name: Tristan Garcia 
  
• College: Chandler-Gilbert Community College
• Campus: Pecos 
• GPA: 4.0 
• Transferring to: ASU
• Major (4 year): Sustainability
• Career Goal: Garcia plans to earn a bachelor’s degree in Sustainability and become an Environmental Restoration Planner while continuing to volunteer for organizations such as Chandler/Gilbert ARC and Habitat for Humanity.
• College/Community Activities: Phi Theta Kappa, CGCC Student Ambassador, CGCC Career Services Ambassador, Hands Enriching Lives Projects Club, Inter-cultural Exchange Club, Hispanic Student Organization, Women Rising, volunteer work at church
• College Honors: Presidential Scholarship, Presidents’ Honors List, Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society 
• Personal Quote: “We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.” –Mother Teresa

•    2016 All-Arizona Academic Team – CGCC, Pecos Campus

• Name: Jared Brimhall
  
• College: Chandler Gilbert Community College
• Campus: Williams Campus
• GPA: 4.0
• Transferring To: ASU
• Major (4 year): Nursing
• Career Goal: Jared plans to earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing from ASU and go on to become a nurse anesthetist. He also wants to provide nursing and anesthesia care as a medical missionary.
• College/Community Activities: Student Nurses in Action and volunteer work at church.
• College Honors: Phi Theta Kappa honor society member of the Alpha Sigma Nu chapter.
• Personal Quote: “If it is important to you, you will find a way. If not, you will find an excuse.” –Unknown

Top state team members face even greater opportunities for recognition and rewards. Twenty students will be named to the All-USA Community College Academic Team from the total pool of state first teams. All-USA Team members are the nation’s top community college students. They will be featured in a spring global edition of USA TODAY and each receive a $2,500 stipend, medallion, obelisk and certificate. These recognitions are presented to students at a ceremony at the American Association of Community Colleges’ (AACC) Annual Convention.

In addition, the Coca-Cola Foundation, along with the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation, recognizes the New Century Scholars. Fifty students from all state teams will be named Gold Scholars, receiving $1,500; 50 students will be named Silver Scholars, receiving $1,250; and 50 students will be named Bronze Scholars, receiving $1,000. A state may have multiple Gold, Silver and Bronze Scholars. All scholars also receive special medallions. The top scoring student in each of the 50 states will be named a New Century Scholar and will receive a $2,000 stipend. New Century Scholars will also be recognized at the AACC Convention.

Hermanas Conference Promotes STEM Careers to Latina High School Students

Last Friday, over 150 Latina high school students gathered at the Chandler-Gilbert Community College (CGCC) Pecos Campus for the Hermanas: Diseña Tu Futuro (Design Your Future) Conference sponsored by CGCC and the Intel Corporation. Students participated in a day of discovery in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).

The conference, which promotes STEM careers as a viable option for young Latinas, was broken out into career workshops, a town hall meeting and a college fair.  The workshops focused on topics such as chemistry, solar and bioengineering and provided an atmosphere for participants to learn about the subject matter and career paths that may correspond in that area.  The town hall allowed Latina professionals in STEM careers to interact with a room full of inquiring students by both answering questions and sharing their stories. 

"The goal of the Hermanas Conference is to introduce the opportunities available in STEM careers so students have an understanding of what it takes to be an engineer, scientist or a technical professional," said Maria Reyes, Dean Career and Technical Education at CGCC. "Many of the participants are first generation high school students and are not aware of such careers. We want students to leave this conference feeling inspired about STEM and the many opportunities related to its professions.” 

The college fair placed students in front of participating school representatives as an opportunity to learn about programs offered after high school and to begin building a network into key institutions.  These institutions included Arizona State University, Grand Canyon University, Northern Arizona University and the Phoenix Science Center among others. 

“We certainly pack a lot into one day, but we make an effort to approach STEM from many different angles in order to give these students every opportunity to make a connection with this rich subject matter and potential career path,” explained Reyes.

CGCC Students Rise Up To End Violence Against Women

2016 ‘One Billion Rising’ events continue the revolution for systematic change

Students at Chandler Gilbert Community College (CGCC) are once again joining the global One Billion Rising campaign through campus events designed to raise awareness of and put an end to violence against women.  Events will take place at the Williams and Pecos campuses and will offer a forum for self-expression, spirited dialogue and solidarity in achieving a new consciousness – where violence against women is resisted until it is unthinkable.  

One Billion Rising, a global campaign, is the biggest mass action to end violence against women in human history.  The campaign began as a call to action in 2012 based on the staggering statistic that 1 in 3 women on the planet will be beaten or raped during her lifetime. With the world population at 7 billion, this adds up to more than ONE BILLION WOMEN AND GIRLS. The 2016 campaign will escalate the call for revolution, the 2015 mantra.  This escalation will focus on the most marginalized women and girls in order to achieve long-lasting change. 

The event at Williams Campus will take place on Wednesday February 10th and will have a survivor story, a speaker from Streetlight (anti-sex trafficking organization), a spoken word poet (Roanna Shebala) and then students will lead others in the dance Break the Chain. The event at Pecos Campus on Thursday, February 11th will include Kawambe Omowale, (African drumming and dance) survivor story, a speaker from Streetlight, spoken word poetry and the same student-led dance.  Both events will include valentines making and videotaped statements from students about a revolution to stop violence against women and girls. There will also be area agency tables/booths with information and resources.

Dance and the arts are an integral part of the One Billion Rising campaign.  Dancing in particular is a common thread through all events due to its collective, connective power to bring people together and how it effectively amplifies the urgency and complexity of this important issue.  When the campaign was first created in 2012, choreographer Debbie Allen gifted her choreography for “Break The Chain” to One Billion Rising. Since then, activists have been doing the original dance and interpreting it; making it their own. Others have created their own new choreography and incorporated into their events.

Join CGCC at the 7th Annual Veterans Expo Special Guest SFC Cory Remsburg to Address Attendees

Gilbert resident and retired Army Ranger Sergeant First Class (SFC) Cory Remsburg will serve as the guest speaker at this year's 7th Annual Veteran Expo at Chandler-Gilbert Community College (CGCC) on Thursday, November 5 from 1 to 4 p.m. While at CGCC, Remsburg will share his remarkable story of 10 deployments, his new mission as America's most famous 'Wounded Warrior,' and his six meetings with the President of the United States.

 In October of 2009, Remsburg suffered severe brain trauma and was left partially paralyzed by an IED explosion in Afghanistan. After undergoing dozens of surgeries and years of rehabilitation, Remsburg has made a miraculous recovery; however, he is still blind in his right eye and partially paralyzed on his left side. In 2014, he received a  two-minute standing ovation at  President Obama's  State of the Union address for his military service. Today, Remsburg serves as an advocate and spokesman for injured veterans. 

"Cory's story of courage, both during and after his ten deployments is an inspiring message for everyone, not just college students or student veterans," said Reda Chambers, Veterans Service Coordinator at CGCC.  "We hope residents of our surrounding communities will also attend and hear Cory's remarkable story." 

While at the event, veterans and their families can network with local businesses about job opportunities and learn about veteran resources and services offered by CGCC and  community groups. The event is also an opportunity for non-Veterans, in advance of Veterans Day, to honor those who have sacrificed to serve our country. 

"The Veterans Expo allows us to showcase college and community resources that may help our veteran students be more successful, and gives us an opportunity to offer our heartfelt thanks to CGCC's more than 500 student veterans in the week leading up to Veterans Day," said Chambers. 

About 30 exhibitors from a variety of government and community groups as well as businesses and organizations looking to hire veterans will have tables at the Expo. Among these are the VA and VA Healthcare, VA Vet Centers, Arizona Department of Veterans Services, DAV, VFW, Fleet Reserve Association, Veterans Stand-Down, Department of Labor and employers such as Boeing, Chandler Police Department, Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport and State Prison. Arizona State University and Northern Arizona University will also have their military outreach specialists in attendance to speak with students about transferring. 

The 7th Annual Veterans Expo will be held inside the Agave Building Community Room at the Pecos Campus located at 2626 E. Pecos Rd. from 1 to 4 p.m. Remsburg will address attendees at 2 p.m. The event is free and open to the public, particularly student and local veterans. Complimentary refreshments will be served. 

CGCC Presents A Tribute to Acclaimed Writer Sandra Cisneros

Award winning  and best-selling Mexican American author Sandra Cisneros will be honored at a tribute event at Chandler-Gilbert Community College's (CGCC) Pecos Campus on Friday, October 23 from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. During the event, Cisneros will read excerpts from work including her acclaimed first novel, "The House On Mango Street" published in 1984.

Cisneros was born in Chicago in 1954 and received her BA in English from Loyola University of Chicago in 1976. Her novel "The House on Mango Street," about a young Latina woman coming of age in Chicago, has sold more than two million copies. She is the recipient of numerous awards including a National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship, and is regarded as a key figure in Chicana literature and culture.

"Sandra's work is an important part of Mexican American literature. Her book, The House On Mango Street remains a popular book for young adult readers, and continues to be a required reading in middle school, high school, colleges and universities around the country," said David Muñoz, Residential Faculty Philosophy & Religious Studies at CGCC. "Sandra's visit to CGCC is an opportunity for our students and the public at large to see her in person and view some of her award winning work. You don't want to miss this event!"

Cisneros' visit to CGCC is part of the college's Latino American history program to provide unique educational opportunities to students to learn about the history and cultural impact of Latino Americans in the United States. Earlier this summer, CGCC was awarded Latino Americans: 500 Years of History grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the American Library Association.  As one of 203 grant recipients selected from across the country, CGCC received an award of $10,000 to produce public programming about Latino history and culture.

This free event will be held inside the Arnette Scott Ward Performing Arts Center and is open to the public. A formal book signing will take place immediately following the event. The Pecos Campus is located at 2626 E. Pecos Rd., Chandler, AZ 85225. For more information please contact David Muñoz at david.munoz@cgc.edu.

Agave Hall Fully Renovated To Accommodate Performing Arts Students

Agave Hall, one of the original buildings on campus, has been fully transformed into a modern looking, multi-purpose, environmentally friendly building for the college's performing arts program. The 39,000-square-foot building is now a space for performing arts instruction and rehearsal for students participating in band, choir, dance, orchestra and theater.
 
Originally constructed in 1986 on the Pecos Campus, the newly renovated Agave Hall features a music library, instrument repair room, two professional level dance rooms, state-of-the-art record control booth, multiple rehearsal classrooms and a large community meeting space. General purpose classrooms along with faculty offices provide an instructional hub that is flexible and adaptive to changing curricular needs of CGCC’s students.  The large community room complement's these by accommodating supporting events and activities as well as providing space for multiple classes to participate in joint instructional activities.

"From a performing arts aspect, Agave Hall is creating incredible energy and excitement for our students," said Randy Wright, Communication and Fine Arts Director of Instrumental Music at CGCC.  "Agave offers numerous new opportunities for student performers at Chandler-Gilbert Community College, taking our program to a new level."

The Agave Hall renovation was also designed to meet the needs of the college's ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainability. In fact, Agave is the first 100% LED lighting building in the Maricopa County Community College District. Additional examples of sustainable operations include: a new efficient roof, bottle fill stations, energy efficient air conditioning units, high performance glass to keep heat out and let natural light in, new insulation and stucco on the south side of the building and 100% reclaimed water used for irrigation.

"This was more than just your average remodel, it was complete transformation of one of the oldest buildings on campus," said Charlie Poure, Director of College Facilities Planning and Development at CGCC. "Agave is unlike any other building on campus. Not only from a sustainability perspective, but also from a design perspective. Agave has the first true community room on campus, a newly designed and constructed walkway leading to the Performing Arts Center and an outdoor living space that students can take advantage of year round."

The building renovation started last December as its previous residents (student affairs, student services and the fitness center) relocated to the new Coyote Center and was completed this August. The $6 million renovation was completed in August as part of the public's approval of the 2004 General Obligation Bond Funds.