Chandler-Gilbert Community College Honors 2017 Teal & Silver Recipients

Community leaders recognized for their contributions to CGCC!

Chandler-Gilbert Community College (CGCC) honored their 14th Annual Teal & Silver award recipients during a breakfast event at the college's Williams Campus on Tuesday, May 9. Ten winners were recognized for their dedication and support of CGCC students, employees, programs, services and the college community.
The 2017 Teal & Silver Award recipients are:   
• Bill Rotondo, Chandler Christian Community Center-Community Organization Partner
• City of Chandler & East Valley Jewish Community Center-Community Organization Partners
• Cynthia Nannetti, CGCC Law Enforcement Training Academy Instructor-Community Leader
• Diane Fernichio, Step Up Schools Mesa-K-12 School Colleague
• Dinah Guy, Highland High School-K-12 School Colleague
• Orbital ATK-Business Partner
• Rosanne Shaw, Chandler High School-K-12 School Colleague
• Southwest Airlines-Donor Partner
• Troy Rundle, ASU Vet Success-University Partner
• Violet Nelson, Chandler High School-K-12 School Colleague

“The community leaders and businesses honored with a Teal & Silver award provide Chandler-Gilbert Community College and its students with vital support that improves their experience and contributes to their success,” said William Guerriero, Chandler-Gilbert Community College Interim President “Whether through direct interaction, funding for scholarships, or support for the college and its’ programs, we are truly grateful for their involvement and dedication.”
The Chandler-Gilbert Community College Teal & Silver Awards program was created to recognize the contributions of individuals who support Chandler-Gilbert Community College through various efforts. Recipients positively impact the college by assisting with the program or service improvements, supporting creative and innovative ideas, improving the quality of the college experience, support the delivery of instruction, providing resources or assisting with cost-saving measures and advocating for the college in media, with elected officials and in the community.

Chandler-Gilbert Community College’s 14^th Annual Teal & Silver recipients were honored May 9 at celebration breakfast event at the college’s Williams Campus in Mesa.

Back row from left to right: Leah Powell, City of Chandler, Mike Miller, Southwest Airlines; Rick Kettner, Orbital Sciences; Bill Rotondo, Chandler Christian Community Center-Community; Diane Fernichio, Step Up Schools Chandler Hadassah Baldinger, East Valley Jewish Community Center; Dinah Guy, Highland High School; Violet Nelson, Chandler High School and Troy Rundle, Arizona State University Veteran’s Success Program.

Front row from left to right: Rabbi Michael Beyo, East Valley Jewish Community Center; Nachie Marquez, City of Chandler; Niki Tapia, City of Chandler; Cynthia Nannetti, Chandler-Gilbert Community College Law Enforcement Training Academy and Rosanne Shaw, Chandler High School.

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.

Chandler-Gilbert Community College Recognizes Annual Teal & Silver Recipients

Congratulations to the 2016  Teal & Silver Award recipients. Chandler-Gilbert Community College recognized 10 winners during a breakfast event at the Pecos Campus for their efforts and support of CGCC students, employees, programs, services and the college community on May 10, 2016.

The 2016 Teal & Silver Award recipients are:

• Donna Carrier, Highland High School
• Gilbert Public Schools Special Education Teachers: Barb Acherman, Madeline Dana, Mary Fisk, Dawn Harvey, Jennifer Kjar, Olga Lange, Kathryne O’Hara, Diane Smith, Eileen Sotak,
• Heather Patterson, Cindy Pino, Perry High School
• Herb Zinn, Former member of Arizona Wing of the Commemorative Air Force
• Miguel Arciniega, Ph.D, Professor Emeritus, Arizona State University
• Patrick DeLeon, Boys and Girls Club Chandler Compadre Branch
• Rose Hartley, Goodmans Interior Structures
• San Tan Historical Society Governing Board
• Taylor Pineda, Si Se Puede Foundation
• Tel Tech Networks

The Chandler-Gilbert Community College Teal & Silver Awards Program was created by former president, Dr. Maria Hesse, to recognize the contributions of individuals who support Chandler-Gilbert Community College through various efforts. This year's recipients positively impact the college by assisting with the program or service improvements, supporting creative and innovative ideas, improving the quality of the college experience, support the delivery of instruction, providing resources or assisting with cost-saving measures and advocating for the college in media, with elected officials and the in the community.

East Valley Mayors' Prayer Breakfast

Join us for a morning of inspiration, reflection and collaboration with business and community leaders. Faith leaders from across the east valley will lead us in prayer, and our featured speakers will share their personal stories of community leadership and involvement. You won't want to miss this community event Chandler is hosting this year.

2016 Host:  Chandler Mayor, Jay Tibshraeny
Master of Ceremonies:  John Prothro
Leaders of Faith Lifetime Achievement Award - Roc Arnett

Date: March 16, 2016
Time: 7:30 AM - 9:00 AM MST
Location: Chandler-Gilbert Community College
The Coyote Center
2626 E. Pecos Rd.
Chandler, AZ  85225

$40 per person, $750 table of 10 sponsorship
Click here to Register.

Chandler-Gilbert Community College Awarded National Latino Grant: Grant to educate students about the history and culture of Latinos in the U.S.

Chandler, Ariz.—August 5, 2015--

Chandler-Gilbert Community College (CGCC) has been awarded a Latino Americans: 500 Years of History grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and the American Library Association (ALA).  As one of 203 grant recipients selected from across the country, CGCC will receive an award of $10,000 to produce public programming about Latino history and culture. CGCC’s participation in the Latino Americans grant affords a unique opportunity to provide a framework for students and community members to explore the history and cultural impact of Latinos in the United States. 

At the center of the programming is the six-part, NEH-supported documentary film “Latino Americans,” created for PBS in 2013 by the WETA public television station. The award-winning series chronicles the history of Latinos in the United States from the 16th century to present day. Learn more about the series at www.pbs.org/latino-americans.  Three episodes of the documentary will be screened between September and May with scholar-led discussions after the screenings.

Donna Thompson, Humanities and Woman Studies Faculty and grant co-director, emphasizes the importance of “using the arts and humanities to explore the challenges and opportunities present in our communities.” She explains that “An essential feature of CGCC’s grant events is the focus on creating space for conversation, debate among students, scholars, and community members around significant concerns and issues in our region like immigration, the Dream Act, migrant workers, cultural conflicts, and citizenship.” 

Program activities will engage students and community youth from the Si Se Puede Foundation in writing and sharing their stories; hearing the writing of Southwest and local writers, including Sandra Cisneros; with local playwrights, actors, and artists; and producing dramatic scenes in response to the migrant experience. 

Alexandra Cannell, CGCC Coordinator of Service-Learning, explains the positive outcomes of this work: “This grant provides the opportunity to deepen our relationship with Si Se Puede Foundation through programming that will serve its youth and educate our own students by giving them avenues to explore their own identities in connection with Latino history and current events. This is a critical component of their personal development that will positively impact their futures and the future of our community." 

Programming will also involve recording and sharing the histories of local Latino American artists to celebrate the artists’ lives and accomplishments, teach about local history and themes inherent in the artists’ life experiences, and inspire community members, especially the youth, to make art part of their life for identity exploration, enrichment, and expression. CGCC will be display the oral histories collected in their library as well at Chandler Public Library.

For more information, please call Dean of Arts and Sciences, Chris Schnick at 480-732-7274, or visit www.ala.org/latinoamericans.       

About Chandler-Gilbert Community College

Chandler-Gilbert Community College is one of ten Maricopa County Community Colleges, the largest community college system in the country. CGCC serves the higher education needs of over 19,000 students at four locations in the Southeast Valley of the Phoenix metropolitan area - the Pecos Campus in Chandler, the Williams Campus in Mesa, the Sun Lakes Center in Sun Lakes and at the Communiversity in Queen Creek. CGCC offers degrees and certificates in a variety of fields, university transfer, workforce development programs, and continuing education, along with nationally recognized programs in service learning, learning communities, and civic engagement. For more information, visit cgc.edu or call 480-732-7000.

About the National Endowment for Humanities

Created in 1965 as an independent federal agency, the National Endowment for the Humanities supports research and learning in history, literature, philosophy and other areas of the humanities by funding selected, peer-reviewed proposals from around the nation. Additional information about the National Endowment for the Humanities and its grant programs is available at www.neh.gov.     

About the American Library Association

The American Library Association is the oldest and largest library association in the world, with approximately 58,000 members in academic, public, school, government and special libraries. The mission of the American Library Association is to provide leadership for the development, promotion and improvement of library and information services and the profession of librarianship in order to enhance learning and ensure access to information for all.

CGCC recognizes Dignity Health as hero of education

Chandler-Gilbert Community College (CGCC) recognized Dignity Health at the Maricopa Community Colleges and Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation’s Heroes of Education 2015 Recognition Dinner in April. The award recognizes individuals, organizations or companies who have distinguished themselves by providing exceptional support and/or service to one of the ten Maricopa Community Colleges

Dignity Health has supported CGCC in a variety of ways. In 2007, they provided $500,000 in funding to help complete the construction of the health sciences building (Engel Hall) on the Williams Campus. Among many classrooms and faculty office space, the building houses a 10-bed nursing laboratory and a two-bed simulation lab. The beds and thousands of dollars in supplies for the laboratories were donated by Dignity Health, making them a realistic work environment for nursing students.

Dignity Health’s support of CGCC extends beyond donations to the college. Strong working relationships have been developed between CGCC faculty and Dignity Health professionals. For example, CGCC’s dietetic technology program requires 167 hours of internship under the supervision of a clinical nutrition manager and staff of registered dietitians and dietetic technicians.  Dignity Health (Mercy Gilbert Medical Center) has provided this rigorous medical nutrition therapy (clinical) experience for a number of CGCC students. Mercy Gilbert Medical Center has also employed CGCC alumnus in their Food and Nutrition Department.

Dignity Health also supports students through a number of long-standing scholarships for those pursuing nursing and health-related certificates and degrees.

This multi-faceted partnership with Dignity Health makes them a Hero of Education to Chandler-Gilbert Community College.

Nine community leaders recognized for their contributions to CGCC

From left: Greg Lewis, Felicia Ganther, Ross Salerno, Rhonda Curtis,
 Luke Hickey, Travis Miller, Scott Veach, Jay Tibshraeny and Olivia Lara.

Chandler-Gilbert Community College (CGCC) recognized nine community leaders for their dedication and support of CGCC students, employees, programs and services at the 11th annual Teal & Silver award event at the Williams Campus.

The 2015 Teal & Silver award recipients are:

• Officers Travis Miller and Glen Robinson, Chandler Police Department Motorcycle Patrol, Community Organization Partner 
• Luke Hickey, CTA Humphrey Elementary School, K-12 School Colleague 
• Felicia Ganther, Maricopa Community Colleges, Community College Colleague
• Greg Lewis, Si Se Puede Volunteer, Intel Corporation, Business and Industry Partner
• Olivia M. Lara, Adjunct Faculty, Maricopa Community Colleges, Scholarship Donor 
• Ross Salerno, Salerno’s Restaurant and Catering, Vendor Partner
• Rhonda Curtis, Wells Fargo Bank, President’s Community Advisory Council Chair, Community Leader 
• Jay Tibshraeny, Mayor of the City of Chandler, Community Leader 

“The community leaders and businesses honored today with a Teal & Silver award provide Chandler-Gilbert Community College and its students with vital support that improves their experience and contributes to their success.” said Linda Lujan, Chandler-Gilbert Community College president “Whether through direct interaction, funding for scholarships, or support for the college and its’ programs, we are truly grateful for their involvement and dedication.”

The Chandler-Gilbert Community College Teal & Silver Awards program was created to recognize the contributions of individuals who support Chandler-Gilbert Community College through various efforts. Recipients positively impact the college by assisting with the program or service improvements, supporting creative and innovative ideas, improving the quality of the college experience, support the delivery of instruction, providing resources or assisting with cost-saving measures and advocating for the college in media, with elected officials and in the community.

Twenty recognized as science and math scholars

Twenty students were recognized by Chandler-Gilbert Community College as Emerging Science and Mathematics Scholars and honored at a banquet on April 10. Each of the scholars began their academic career in a developmental math course and successfully completed a number of additional math and science courses while maintaining a 3.5 or higher grade point average.

"Emerging Scholars are a rare group of students who, despite facing a series of courses with historically low success rates, manage to excel in mathematics and the sciences. These students not only successfully completed courses, but did so with excellence. Many of them faced a myriad of personal and academic challenges along the way. In fact, this year of the scholars let me know this was the first time they had ever been recognized for an accomplishment. By honoring them we are letting them know that their hard work and dedication is noticed and that we are proud of them," said Milos Podmanik, mathematics faculty and event coordinator.

The event was attended by more than 100 scholars, mentors and guests who heard personal stories of the challenges the scholars have overcome, the successes they have achieved and their goals for the future.s

Male minority chapter wins diversity award

CGCC MEN chapter student officers and advisors
Gabriel Lopez (left), Jill Wendt (center), Alex Kneip
(second from right) and Tony Little (right).

The Maricopa County Community College District Diversity Advisory Council recognized the Chandler-Gilbert Community College (CGCC) chapter of the Male Empowerment Network (MEN) with its 2015 award.

MEN, a district initiative, was formed to increase retention of the minority male student population. The CGCC MEN chapter has become a model for many of the sister college chapters and won Chapter of the Year in 2014. Additionally, three students from the CGCC chapter were selected to participate in the national 2014 President’s Roundtable on Minority Male Initiatives in San Francisco, Calif. 

The CGCC chapter consistently connects students to support systems necessary for student success, including assistance with registration, advising, mentoring and the collaboration of philanthropic efforts with student clubs. The chapter is different than a club in that it emphasizes academic success, increased engagement and retention. Course progress and performance are monitored each semester.

Chapter advisors are currently working with the Office of Student Success to create a summer science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) Bootcamp for incoming students.

The award will be presented at a district-wide reception on April 7 to chapter officers Alex Kneip (president), Alex Ho (vice president), Gabriel Lopez (secretary) and chapter advisors Tony Little and Jill Wendt. 

Two faculty selected for education excellence award

Scott Adamson, Regi Munro and
William Guerriero at the 2015
Innovations conference.

Regi Munro and Scott Adamson were recognized as recipients of the John and Suanne Roueche Excellence Award on March 8 at the 2015 Innovations conference, an annual event presented by the League for Innovation in the Community College.

This is the third year Chandler-Gilbert Community College (CGCC) has selected candidates for the Excellence Award, which recognizes outstanding teaching and leadership. Previous recipients include Maria Wise and Heather Horn (2012-13) and Miguel Fernandez and Jennifer Peterson (2013-14).

Each fall CGCC division chairs are invited to nominate faculty for the Excellence Award based on extraordinary efforts in teaching, student support, instructional program development, co-curricular activities, professional growth and development, service to the college, district, and community, and leadership. In early December the division chair council selects two individuals from the nominees for recognition at the Innovations conference in the following spring.

CGCC named Veteran Supportive Campus by state agency

Chandler-Gilbert Community College (CGCC) was recently named a Veteran Supportive Campus by the Arizona Department of Veteran Services (AZDVS).

The Veteran Supportive Campus program was established by the Arizona state legislature in 2012 as a means of establishing measurable, meaningful criteria for determining if a school is indeed “veteran-friendly.” Among the eight criteria are requirements to provide resource and study centers, to conduct training for faculty and staff, to survey veteran students annually, and to offer veteran-specific orientation sessions.

The Veteran Supportive Campus application was forwarded by CGCC’s Veterans Steering Committee, composed of faculty, staff and student veterans who meet regularly to assess the veteran experience at CGCC and seek ways to improve that experience. The group, chaired by Veterans Services Coordinator Reda Chambers, includes faculty members Miguel Fernandez, Tom Foster and Zoila Tovar-Blank; staff members Cindy Barnes Pharr, Dave Fosburgh and Brenna Peck; and student veterans Matt DePaul, Antonio Felix, Alexis Gregg and Jamie Jenkins.

Yearly reporting of veteran enrollment, retention and graduation rates is required to maintain Veteran Supportive Campus designation. AZDVS will be supplying a plaque and certificate which will be placed on display in both the Pecos Campus and Williams Campus Veterans Centers.

CGCC joins the three Arizona universities and sister colleges Scottsdale Community College, Glendale Community College, and Rio Salado as well as six other Arizona post-secondary schools in having been awarded this honor.

Two selected for educator and employee of the year

Ted Wolter and Linda Shaw were selected as the Chandler-Gilbert Community College (CGCC) Educator of the Year and CGCC Staff Employee of the Year for the 19th annual Gilbert Community Excellence Awards. The awards will be presented during an awards ceremony on Friday, Nov. 14.

Ted Wolter has been with CGCC for more than 25 years. As the founding art faculty, Wolter shaped the art program from its inception, mentored new art faculty as they joined the college, and shepherded the program through growth and change. His keen insights, skills, opinions and knowledge are sought and trusted. He has provided valuable counsel to three college presidents in a variety of roles with his ability to understand “big picture” and historical issues. Wolter has been regularly recruited for college and district-wide committees such as the CGCC Maricopa Priorities Instructional Task Force, the college’s Comprehensive Facilities Planning Team, the Instructional Computing Committee, and the District-wide Art Instructional Council.

Wolter is a former Communication & Fine Arts Division chair and co-chair of the Chair Council. As a responsive and thoughtful communicator, he serves as a model and mentor to both new and seasoned faculty. He is a thorough and passionate educator whose knowledge of his subject is unsurpassed. He employs an upbeat, friendly demeanor and fosters an open atmosphere in which students learn, grow and develop their skills and understanding of art. If only one word was used to describe Wolter, it would be his ‘gentleness’. His utmost caring is evident to students as he guides them to success through positive reinforcement and positive feedback.

In addition to being a superb educator, Wolter is also a talented working artist in several media (drawing, painting, graphic design and ceramics) who regularly exhibits his work. He organizes CGCC and district-wide student art shows with his colleagues, and maintains the college’s permanent art collection, which he inaugurated. Additionally, Wolter is also counted on to donate his beautiful artwork to college scholarship and charity fund-raising events.

Wolter is an exceptional asset who has made an enormous impact on students, colleagues, the college and the community.

CGCC’s Director of Admissions, Registration and Records Linda Shaw has served the Maricopa County Community College District for more than 24 years, six of them at CGCC. Known for her extensive knowledge and focus on student service, she is a valuable resource who willingly serves on a variety of local and district-wide committees benefitting hundreds of thousands of students. She works endlessly to motivate others and inspires excellence with her passion.

Shaw earns the praise and admiration of everyone with whom she serves. A true servant leader, she consistently goes above and beyond her duties without hesitation. A faculty member noted that, no matter how often he calls Linda during the day, she responds, “How may I help you?” She works hours alongside her staff at the admissions desk as well as many more completing forms and ensuring necessary changes are made to tens of thousands of student records, all on time and without mistakes. She has a reputation for maximizing resources to plan and execute the highest quality training that benefits all enrollment services personnel. An eager collaborator who seeks creative and innovative ways to serve and inform her colleagues, Shaw is also humble, always deflecting praise and positive comments to her staff.

Shaw is deserving of the recognition as employee of the year for her years of dedication to students, the college and the district.

Performing arts programs win two ariZoni awards

Award-winning makeup and hair 

for Seussical. Featured are The 

Bird Girls Laura Loose (purple), 

Shelby Daeffler (orange) and 

Abbeney Davis (green). 

Chandler-Gilbert Community College’s performing arts program received two ariZoni Theatre Awards on Monday, Sept. 15. CGCC received 10 nominations for the annual awards program, eight for the spring 2014 musical Seussical and two for the spring 2014 theater production The Bold, The Young and The Murdered. 

Awards were presented to student Laura Loose for hair and makeup design in Seussical and CGCC Performing Arts Center Facilities Coordinator Ron Keller for property design for The Bold, the Young and the Murdered. The award ceremony also featured the Seussical cast performing "Oh the Things you can Think" from the show. 

"I’m grateful for the opportunity to share in the success of Seussical,” said Laura Loose, who earned her cosmetology license at Eastern Arizona Academy of Cosmetology while attending Eastern Arizona College. "Receiving this award is such an honor. It confirms to me that I can do what I love with cosmetology in combination with theatre and music. I thoroughly enjoyed coming up with costume and makeup ideas with Patti (Duggar) that were over-the-top and reflected the unique imagination of Dr. Seuss."

The Bold, the Young and the Murdered utilized
the stage for the set, props and actors, but cleverly
included the audience as part of the the soap opera
filming studio which placed every member of
the audience directly in the heart of the action on stage.

Seussical nominations

• Overall Production
• Director - Sally Jesse
• Musical Direction - Marc Denton
• Actor in a Major Role - Samuel Loose
• Costume Design - Patti Dugger
• Hair and Makeup Design - Laura Loose
• Sound Design - John Jackson
• Property Design - Ron Keller 

The Bold, The Young and The Murdered nominations

• Scenic Design - Ron Keller 
• Property Design - Ron Keller

M.E.N. group awarded chapter of the year

Members of the CGCC MEN chapter receive their award
as chapter of the year.

The Chandler-Gilbert Community College chapter of the Male Empowerment Network (MEN) was awarded chapter of the year by the Maricopa County Community College District on May 2.

The group was started two years ago by former staff members Cesar Becerra and Jesus Chaidez Hernandez after visiting Estrella Mountain Community College’s program and seeing the impact it was having on male minority students there.

Though the chapter started off slow, it picked up significant momentum in 2013-2014 with Martine Garcia ’14 as president and Tony Little, manager of college cashier services, as campus co-advisor along with Jill Wendt, faculty in Social and Behavioral Sciences.

“Although we planted the seed, Martine and Tony opened a door,” said Becerra, coordinator of recruitment programs at Mesa Community College. “They and the other members really took the chapter to the next level and made it a family where the guys could hang out and get involved in other campus activities and give each other support when they tripped up. That support often makes a difference whether they complete their studies or not.”

The mission of MEN has three primary goals:

• Increase the access, persistence, and graduation rate of minority male students
• Connect minority male students with academic and professional support resources/services
• Create a culture of success and empowerment among minority male students. 

“The honor of being chosen as chapter of the year is beyond words,” said Little. “It validates the transformation that I am privileged to witness as the members become involved and committed to not only their own growth but to each other. MEN has helped them become better leaders and individuals, challenging them to focus on their grades, their community and their future success.”

For Garcia, the recognition is bittersweet.

“It has been a complete honor to serve as the president of such an amazing group of young, talented, ambitious, and educated men and women,” said Garcia. “I remember a group who didn't know anyone and were unsure of how to handle life and college. Now I see a family, who would do anything to make sure that their fellow brother or sister succeeds. It has just been a humbling experience.”

Student's efforts to save daughter leads to recognition and scholarship

Chandler-Gilbert Community College (CGCC) student Aimee Johnson has been a volunteer with United Blood Services and Be the Match for the past five years, raising awareness of the need for under-represented populations to become blood and bone marrow donors. Her interest stems from her 6-year-old daughter’s need to find a bone marrow match that will save her life.

Johnson, who applied and was selected for CGCC’s Student Public Policy Forum (SPPF) at the beginning of her sophomore year, selected the issue as her capstone project, a requirement of the SPPF program. Her project included coordinating a combined blood donation and bone marrow registration day at the Pecos Campus.

Her story and this effort is captured in the article “Turning a Day of Hope into a Legacy of Saving Lives” in the June issue of Chandler Lifestyle magazine (page 22).

Just prior to graduation, Johnson was selected for the Civic Leadership Medallion award by Maricopa Community College District Chancellor Rufus Glasper in recognition of her level of civic participation and leadership. She was also awarded the Maria Hesse Leadership Scholarship which will help cover expenses for the remaining semester Johnson will be at CGCC before transferring to Arizona State University, 


“As a mom and a student, I’m just one person doing what I need to do,” said Johnson. “There is no one thing I was doing that I thought was extra ordinary. However, receiving the two awards made me stop and consider that there are a lot of ‘one persons’ out there and when we put our efforts together, we can overcome anything.”

CGCC honors 12 with Teal & Silver award for dedication and support

From left: Steven Fox, CGCC President Linda Lujan, Linda Czarnecki,
Tom Gariepy, Chief Frank Milstead, Terri Kimble, Lisa Avalos, Kristi
Robertson, Jace Hermanson, Amanda Shepherd, Bill Crawford, Jon Terpay.

(This event was also covered by the East Valley Tribune. Read the article.)

Chandler-Gilbert Community College (CGCC) honored their 10th Annual Teal & Silver award recipients during a breakfast event at the college's Williams Campus on May 6. Twelve winners were recognized for their dedication and support of CGCC students, employees, programs, services and the college community.

The 2014 Teal & Silver award recipients are:

• Lisa Avalos, Desert Ridge High School who, through her commitment, increased dual enrollment participation by 48 percent in one year.
• Linda Czarnecki, Doherty Foundation, who has donated more than $132,000 to over CGCC 250 students on behalf of the foundation.
• Steven Fox, Ph.D. Licensed Psychologist for his contributions to the academic success and persistence of CGCC students through his volunteer service to the Psychology Club. 
• Officer Derek Fritsche, Mesa Police Department, who not only serves as a reserve police officer but has volunteered for CGCC’s law enforcement training academy and had had numerous accomplishments.
• Jace Hermanson, Arizona Sun Sales, who has consistently shown his passion for the electric utility technology program following his graduation from the program through his participation as an adjunct faculty member, volunteer, lineman’s competition judge and scholarship donor.
• Terri Kimble, Chandler Chamber of Commerce, who recognizes the important role education plays in the region’s economic prosperity and is supportive of the unique contributions of community colleges to the community’s future.
• Jeanine Masumura, Higley Unified School District who has coordinated more than 200 service-learning opportunities, providing approximately 5,000 hours of extra help in the Higley district’s classrooms. 
• Chief Frank Milstead, Mesa Police Department, who, through his assistance and leadership, has helped the CGCC law enforcement training academy build an outstanding reputation.
• Robert Richter, Roberts Catering, who has played a significant role in many events hosted by the Office of Student Affairs over the past 15 years.
• Kristi Robertson, AdMix Social, who has helped grow CGCC’s Facebook fans by more than 5,000 and increased Twitter followers by more than 2,100 as well as increased reach and engagement in those channels.
• Amanda Shepherd, Gilbert Senior Center, who enabled 195 CGCC students to experience deep and meaningful service-learning opportunities interacting with seniors.
• Staff of the Marketing and Communications Department, Maricopa County Community College District for saving CGCC considerable resources through their professional support of the college’s marketing and communications efforts.

"This year's Teal & Silver award recipients have made a significant difference in our college community through their contributions and commitment to the CGCC students, faculty and staff," said Linda Lujan, Chandler-Gilbert Community College president. "None of us do this alone. It truly takes all our partnerships and friendships for CGCC to serve our students and communities, and we are truly grateful for their efforts."

The Chandler-Gilbert Community College Teal & Silver Awards Program was created to recognize the contributions of individuals who support Chandler-Gilbert Community College through various efforts. This year's recipients positively impact the college by assisting with the program or service improvements, supporting creative and innovative ideas, improving the quality of the college experience, support the delivery of instruction, providing resources or assisting with cost-saving measures and advocating for the college in media, with elected officials and the in the community.

Four student teams win first place at Avnet Tech Games

*Arizona Republic covered this event in an article, Students test their skills at Avnet Tech Games

Last Saturday, four out of five CGCC teams won first place in different competitions at the Avnet Tech Games, an annual college technology competition that provides students with an opportunity to apply what they learn in school to real-world scenarios. The games are open to college students nationwide. Student teams are presented with a scenario and compete against other student teams from colleges across the country. Projects are submitted to judges who are able to score them remotely and declare a winner.

Each first-place student receives $1,000 scholarship. Additionally, four students received an HP laptop. In sum, CGCC students won $13,000 and possible summer internships.

Winning categories included:

Green Video Competition - This fun and exciting event combines video production skills, environmental awareness and marketing skills. "Let's Go," which highlights the energy savings of the gold-LEED certified Ironwood Hall on the Pecos Campus, took first place and was produced by engineering students Dustin Allen, Kendra Charnick, Joel Parker and Brian Weeks with faculty sponsor Elie Chmouni.


Design and Build a Digital Device - Students had four hours to design and build a digital electronic device to control a four-way traffic stop, including pedestrians wishing to cross streets using an ultrasonic transducer. Students had to design a simulation using one of the leading digital design software, Xilinx, and hardware (latest product of Avnet FPGA board) for the project as well as write and present a technical report to engineering judges from local industry.  Students winning first place included Nicco Horvath, Michelle Smekal and Neel Mistry with faculty coach Bassam Matar.

Java Blitz - This event provided students with the opportunity to develop an application using Java 7 Standard Edition. The work submitted by the teams were judged based on a predefined set of criteria, which included (but may not be limited to) functional requirements, code quality and overall quality and validation using predefined criteria.  Winning students included Larry Standage, Samuel Slater and Zachary Peshke with faculty sponsor Rameen Kaliqu..

HP Build the Fastest Computer - Who can build, tune and troubleshoot the fastest computer? Students were tested on "Build it Fast," a timed event on building a computer the fastest; "Troubleshoot it Fast," a timed event on troubleshooting a computer the fastest; and "Refurb it Fast," a race to build a computer using refurbished parts. Jeremy Morgan, Blake Knoll, and Troy Gerloff won first place with faculty sponsor Elie Chmouni.

Si Se Puede Foundation recognizes English faculty as Educator of the Year Honoree

The Si Se Puede Foundation recognized Chandler-Gilbert Community College English faculty Jean Schloeman as an Educator of the Year Honoree on April 5 at the 14th Annual Cesar E. Chavez Educators of the Year awards dinner.

Schloeman’s passion for literacy has led her to teach at several colleges and universities for more than 20 years. She is a conscientious instructor who cares about her students and is committed to service-learning principles.

Connected to Si Se Puede through Melinda Rudibaugh, Schloeman had her English 081 and 091 classes complete 424 hours of service learning in the fall 2013 semester to the Si Se Puede Foundation’s adult literacy program and another 480 hours in the spring 2014 semester.

She is most interested in meeting the needs of the immigrant and refugee populations, providing parents with the skills to communicate with the community and schools. Her passion and interest led to her being appointed as director of Si Se Puede Foundation’s emerging English and Adult Literacy program.

"I'm very honored and surprised, honestly, to be selected for this recognition," said Schloeman. "Alberto is doing such great work and I'm excited to be a part of that. We will be able to provide opportunities that allow all immigrants to succeed in their new homeland."

Schloeman earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Grand Canyon University and a master’s degree from Northern Arizona University.

Fifteen students noted as 2014 Artists of Promise

Fifteen students from Chandler-Gilbert Community College took top honors in fine arts competitions throughout the Valley. The Maricopa County Community College District sponsors annual competitions in creative writing, dance/choreography, music, visual art and theatre for its students.

The first place winners in choreography/dance, music composition, music instrumental, music vocal and theater acting will perform on stage at the tenth annual Artists of Promise on Wednesday, April 9 at the Orpheum Theatre.  An art exhibition at the event features this year’s winning artwork. The event is free and open to the public with a reception beginning at 6 p.m. and performances beginning at 7 p.m.

The competitions in visual art and creative writing are also sponsored nationally by the League for Innovation in the Community College, and winners of the Maricopa competitions are automatically entered into these national events.

This year’s winners include (Those in bold will be performing at the event):

• Jacqueline Alcocer, Music – Vocal – Theatre – Solo – Female, First place (tie)
• Shelby Biggs, Music – Vocal Classical – Solo – Female, Honorable mention
• Brittany Brown, Theatre – Performance/Acting – Female, Third place
• Zac Bushman, Music –Vocal Classical – Solo – Male, Third place   
• Brenda Kleppe, Visual Art – 2D, Honorable mention
• Heeyoung Lee, Choreography – Solo , Honorable mention 
• Samuel Loose, Music – Vocal Classical – Solo – Male, First place
• Hailey McCourt and Courtney Miles, Choreography – Group, First place  
• Jaden Medlock, Music – Composition, Third place
• Katerina Noori, Theater – Design (Overall), Third place
• Mathew Speakman, Music –Vocal Classical – Solo – Male, Second place
• Devin Sugiharto, Music – Instrumental – Guitar, First place
• Sandra Whyman, Visual Art – 3D, League of Innovation, Winner and League entry 
• Joyce Yi, Music – Vocal Classical – Solo – Female, First place

Music faculty receives ASCAP Plus Award

Josh Gottry with the cajon

The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) selected Joshua Gottry as an ASCAP Plus Award recipient for his music composition and works performed in 2013. Gottry first received an ASCAP Young Composer Award in 1995 and has been selected every year since 2001 for the ASCAP Plus Award. The awards program provides cash and recognition to writers who create music with a value beyond the scope of performance surveyed by ASCAP. The main focus is on original pieces by the artist with weight given to recent performances.

Gottry’s 2013 submission included three pieces written for the cajon titled “Box Tops,” “Pocket Full of Rocks” and a duet entitled “Slide Rule” that was composed with a former student. Also included were performances of Gottry’s compositions including the cajon duet and a marimba quartet performed at the 2012 Percussive Arts Society International Convention, an ensemble performance by the Arizona School for the Arts at the downtown Phoenix "First Friday" arts nights, and a conga trio performed as part of the Eastman School of Music Community School Summer Music program.

“Composing is not a huge money maker,” said Gottry. “When I have the luxury of a little extra time, I compose, mostly because I want to notate a piece that I have in my head.” It takes approximately two years for a composition to be written, performed, published to his library and to receive a royalty, according to Gottry who spends hours each month tracking where his pieces are performed. “The ASCAP Plus Award encourages me to continue the work that I’m doing.”

Gottry serves as adjunct music faculty for Chandler-Gilbert Community College, teaching courses in percussion, music theory and composition, and music humanities. When not teaching, he works with percussion ensembles and private percussion students at all grade levels as a clinician and within his private lesson studio. He composes as many as five new pieces each year. As director of CGCC’s percussion ensemble, many of his compositions have been premiered in CGCC ensemble performances.