Chinese New Year Celebration at Williams Campus

Come celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year, learn about Chinese culture, enjoy FREE food and live performances at the 2018 “Year of the Dog” celebration. The event will be held Wednesday, February 14 from 11 am to 1 pm inside Bridget Hall’s Higley Room and is free to students. Hope to see you there!

CGCC Welcomes Heard Museum Curator to Pecos Campus

Interested in learning more about Native American history in Arizona? Join CGCC and Marcus Monenerkit of the Heard Museum on Monday, October 23 in the Agave Room at the Pecos Campus for an intimate look at Native American heritage and culture. Marcus is the Director of Community Engagement for the Heard Museum and an expert in Native American art and history. Some of the exhibits he has curated for the Heard Museum include: Beautiful Games: American Indian Sport and Art, American Indian Codetalkers, N. Scott Momaday: Poems and Paintings, Stars and Stripes in Native American Art, and Sole Stories: American Indian Footwear.

Marcus will available for the following timeslots on October 23:

Session 1: 8:30 - 9:45 a.m.

Session 2: 10:00 - 11:15 a.m.

Session 3: 11:30 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.

Session 1 & 3: Managing Change- American Indian Sport Exhibition.

Examine the educational benefits of creating museum sport exhibitions.

This session will take participants through a catalog of exhibition photos and anecdotes connected to the Heard Museum’s exhibition: Beautiful Games: American Indian Sport and Art. The story is guided by 15 years of research focused on the goals of exhibition pedagogy, art education, and alternative models for resource stewardship.

Session 2: Natural Collaboration- Why, Who, and How.

Participatory session that seeks answers to questions about the best practices for meaningful and purposeful collaboration. Session examines Native

Pragmatism. Introduced by Scott Pratt, U of Oregon. Native Pragmatism is a look at the origins of the most American philosophy and the American Indian connection to its framework of community, interaction, pluralism, and growth.

About Marcus Monenerkit

Marcus has worked in the museum field for 19 years. His career began at the National Museum of the American Indian, Smithsonian Institution. He has been at the Heard Museum since 1998. Presently, he is the Director of Community Engagement for the Heard Museum. His formal education includes a Bachelor degree in Anthropology from Wichita State University, and a Master of Nonprofit Studies from Arizona State University. His goals are to continue to strive for knowledge using a multidisciplinary approach, and define the importance of art to both sociological theory and practice.

What is the Heard Museum?

Heard Museum – Incorporated in 1929, the museum’s mission is to be the world’s preeminent museum for the presentation, interpretation and advancement of American Indian art, emphasizing its intersection with broader artistic and cultural themes.

Since its founding in 1929, the Heard Museum has grown in size and stature to become recognized internationally for the quality of its collections, world-class exhibitions, educational programming and its Dedicated to the advancement of American Indian art, the Heard presents stories of American Indian people from a community perspective, as well as exhibitions that showcase the individual work and beauty of traditional and contemporary art.

The Heard Museum sets the standard for collaborating with American Indian artists and tribal communities to provide visitors with a distinctive perspective about the art of Native people, especially those from the Southwest.

Greetings Coyote Family!

Hope you are enjoying the last few weeks of your summer break. Before you know it, you will be back on campus at CGCC meeting friends, filling your brain with knowledge and making new strides towards accomplishing your academic goals.

As the fall semester approaches, we wanted to share a few important reminders to ensure you have a smooth back-to-school transition.

Class Schedule

The first official day of classes is Saturday, August 19; however, many of you will start classes on Monday, August 21. If you have questions about your current class schedule or simply need to make a change to your schedule, there are many options to do so.
Click on our online registration page, visit our campus registration offices located inside the Coyote Center on the Pecos Campus and Bluford Hall on the Williams Campus or contact a representative by phone at 480-732-7320.

Parking

Also, if you are new to CGCC this fall and plan to park a vehicle on campus, you must register your vehicle with the CGCC Public Safety office and secure a parking decal.

Per campus policy, all CGCC students, faculty and staff are required to obtain and display a MCCCD parking decal while parking on campus. Failure to comply with the parking policy will result in ticketing and possibly towing of your vehicle. Parking lots are patrolled daily by campus security, so please act soon and secure your proper credentials.

CGCC Pride

Don’t forget to stop by our campus bookstores to purchase books, school supplies and the latest CGCC gear. The bookstores sell a variety of CGCC branded items including t-shirts, sweatshirts, notebooks and water bottles. Purchasing these items is a great way to showcase your Coyote school spirit. Beginning this week, the bookstores will extend their hours to accommodate students back to school shopping needs. Visit the campus bookstore website for locations and hours of operation.

Celebrate

Lastly, we are excited to announce that this October marks the 25^th anniversary of Chandler-Gilbert Community College! There will be a campus celebration event on the evening of October 12^th. Save the date and more details will follow.

We can’t believe it’s been 25 years since we opened our doors. On behalf of the faculty and staff at CGCC, we want to thank you choosing CGCC as partner in your education. We are truly grateful and humbled to share in your academic journey and we look forward to celebrating this wonderful milestone with all of you.

That’s all for now. We look forward to seeing you on campus, and enjoy the rest of your summer break.

Go Coyotes!

Achieve60AZ Alliance Formed to Boost College Degree and Certificate Attainment

Last week, a community-based alliance of business, philanthropic, and education organizations came together with AZ Governor, Doug Ducey, to announce a statewide goal to increase the educational attainment of all Arizonans. 

Today, only 42% of residents (ages 25-64) in the state currently hold a post-secondary certificate, associate’s degree, bachelor’s degree, or higher – that is fewer than four out of every 10 working adults. Post-secondary completion must be top priority in Arizona in order to boost economic prosperity and national and global workforce competitiveness.

The goal - to ensure that 60% of Arizonans 25 and older have a certificate or college degree by 2030 - is the charge of the alliance. The partners that have joined Achieve60 believe in the value and power of education to change lives and positively influence society. 

Arizona community colleges are proud partners of Achieve60 and are perfectly positioned to address the achievement gap.  Statewide, community colleges serve more than 300,000 students each year, confer more than 43,000 certificates and degrees, and transfer nearly 11,000 students to in-state universities.

The Maricopa Community Colleges alone, offer programs in 95% of the highest demand occupations in the Greater Phoenix area. Each year, nearly half of our 27,000 graduates leave a Maricopa college with an Associate’s degree or a Certificate of Completion in an occupational area of study. 

Relevant workforce training is imperative, but student success goes far beyond the classroom.  The K-12 bridge programs, university transfer pathways, developmental education courses, tutoring, advising, mentoring, and career guidance that community colleges offer are crucial to the success of our students.  The collective effort of the community colleges and the entire Achieve60 alliance will result in greater awareness of the importance of post-secondary education, a knowledgeable and innovative workforce, a higher standard of living, and a thriving business community.

I encourage you to go to ACHIEVE60AZ.com to learn more. 

Maria Harper-Marinick, Ph.D.
Chancellor

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.

CGCC Teachers Serve Military Families Abroad Through Education

Scott Adamson, Ph.D and Linda Meng

Last semester, two Chandler-Gilbert Community College (CGCC) mathematics faculty members, Scott Adamson, Ph.D and Linda Meng, had the distinct honor of traveling to U.S. military bases abroad to train fellow educators on the latest college and career readiness standards in mathematics.  Their journey was part of a program funded by the United States Department of Defense Education Agency (DoDEA), an agency responsible for educating children of military service members who are stationed overseas. Adamson was selected to serve teachers at the United States Naval Base in Yokosuka, Japan while Meng was assigned to the United States Army Base in Daegu, South Korea.

“There is constant awareness of our U.S. troops serving on military bases abroad but far less recognition of the thousands of American children who live on these same bases.  They attend American schools where they are taught by American teachers,” said Adamson. “This program was an opportunity to serve my country by serving those teachers who educate our children and are often overlooked because of their location.” 

It is the DoDEA’s responsibility to educate these children at the same level as their peers receive state side.  And as the DoDEA transitions to the Common Core State Standards in Mathematics it, in partnership with the Charles A. Dana Center at the University of Texas, has sought out top U.S. teachers like Adamson and Meng to get our educators serving abroad fully up to speed.    

For Meng, this too was the chance to serve her country through education, but as a former military wife with a son currently serving as a 4th generation military man, it was very personal. 
“This experience allowed me to help other military families through education,” she expressed.  “Some military families stationed abroad may feel cut off from the U.S. and this program helps military parents ensure their children stay connected through the same quality education as they would receive back home.” 

And it was by pure coincidence that her assignment to the Daegu American School was on the same base as where her son, a 4th generation military man, is serving. “I got to see him and where he works! How awesome is that?!” beamed Meng.

This program was also the opportunity for both Adamson and Meng to visit a new country and experience a different culture, something they both enjoy. "This program allowed me to travel to Japan for the first time and connect with the Japanese culture," said Adamson. "It also allowed me the chance to see what military families endure while overseas, and the important role they play in the lives of the men and women serving our country."
The CGCC esteemed faculty underwent an intensive 4-day training provided by the Dana Center to prepare for providing professional development to DoDEA teachers and leaders.  The focus of their curriculum was new math strategies. 

"Our job was to help train teachers to encourage their students to apply math to real life situations through new innovative methods. We want students to understand that math applies beyond the classroom walls, said Meng."The best part of the program was seeing how excited and grateful the teachers were about the training and their eagerness to implement with their classrooms."

Additional Info:
Adamson and Meng were selected from a pool of hundreds of applicants to be Charles A. Dana Center Facilitation Fellows by the Charles A. Dana Center International Facilitation Fellows. The Dana Center is under a $12M contract with the DoDEA to equip American teachers and leaders with new tools to support the implementation of the new standards in mathematics at U.S. military bases in 13 countries.  Selection was based on each Fellow’s depth of understanding of college and career readiness standards in mathematics and experience supporting teachers in learning and improving their practice. 

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.

Dr. Bill Guerriero Named CGCC Interim President

Dr. Bill Guerriero, who has been Vice President of Academic Affairs at Chandler-Gilbert Community
College since 2003, has been named the college’s interim president effective September 15. A national search for CGCC’s fourth president will take place during this academic year.

Dr.  Guerriero came to CGCC from Monroe County Community College, Monroe, Michigan, where he was the Vice President of Instruction. Dr. Guerriero's experience in higher education administration includes three years as Dean of the Business Division at that college, as well as a variety of senior executive positions during 16 years of service at Great Lakes Junior College (now part of Davenport University in Michigan).

Dr. Guerriero also has taught a variety of courses at the postsecondary level including Management, Business Communications, and Psychology. Dr. Guerriero earned an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University and an M.S. in Administration from Central Michigan University. 

“Dr. Guerrero’s extensive experience at CGCC will serve him well as he guides the institution during this transitional period,” said Maricopa Chancellor Rufus Glasper.

Former CGCC President Dr. Linda Lujan has been named Maricopa’s New Ventures Officer. She served as president of CGCC for six years. Her new position, dealing with the development of new ventures and strategic initiatives for the district, began Sept. 14.

Dr. Lujan has a Ph.D. in Community College Leadership from Colorado State University, an M.A. in Educational Technology Leadership from the George Washington University, a B.A. in Human Resource Management from Colorado Christian University, and an A.A.S. in Management Information Systems from Arapahoe Community College. She has recently been accepted into the October 2015 Harvard’s School of Public Health’s program for Executive Education for Sustainability Leadership. 

CCGC Awards Small Business Certificate to Five Gila River Entrepreneurs

Over the summer, Chandler-Gilbert Community College awarded five members from the Gila River Indian Community (GRIC) small business certificates as part of a joint effort to educate tribal members on becoming successful entrepreneurs on the reservation.  The program is part of the GRIC's Career Pathways program, a tribal program that helps connect members to job training, education and employment.

David Johnson, 26, a computer programming student at CGCC and member of the GRIC, is one of the five members to receive a small business certificate. With hopes of someday running his own video game design company, Johnson initially enrolled in the program to find a job on the reservation. Ten months later, he has secured a job as a video and graphics trainee and is preparing to launch his video game business.

"The Career Pathways small business program taught me so much about running my own company and connected me to so many influential people who want to help me succeed," said Johnson. "Prior to this program, I had little to no knowledge about what it truly meant to be a business owner.  Now I feel confident talking to others in the business community about my own desire to run a video game company and have the foundation to get me started."

Career Pathways is a grant-based system funded by the U.S. Department of Labor that inspires and supports educational opportunities for adults on the reservation. The program is combined with on-the-job training to get participants into the workforce.  In 2012, the GRIC Employment & Training Department was awarded a $3.1 million federal grant to run Career Pathways and provide free tuition for student programs. Career Pathways operates five vocational sectors including medical, construction, business, hospitality and government.

Johnson, along with his classmates in the business sector took classes for 10 months in the areas of accounting, business, finance and marketing while learning how to develop their own business plan.

The program uses an accredited curriculum from CGCC's business school so students would finish with a nationally recognized small business certification; however, the coursework was tailored to fit the individual needs of its students.

Lynette Clark, the Career Pathways Business Sector Specialist at Gila River, worked closely with members of the GRIC and CGCC to develop a curriculum that was unique for students on the reservation.  As such, it emphasizes the value education, of learning essential life skills and the importance of reinvesting in one’s own community.  Ultimately the program hopes to see its students’ success also translate to tribal success through their efforts to give back. 

"This program is designed to motivate students and provide them with the necessary tools to succeed. Whether or not the students pursue their business of interest, they will go forward with the knowledge they learned in this program and can apply it to further their education and move up in the workforce," said Clark. "Chandler-Gilbert Community College has been a great partner and has been very accommodating to our tribal needs. We hope to continue this partnership and to help other interested entrepreneurs."

Johnson hopes that other tribal members take advantage of opportunities such as the Career Pathways Program.  "I have met so many wonderful people as a result of this program, and hope one day I can give back to those who helped pave the way for my dreams. I am extremely grateful for this opportunity."

Following the completion of his associate's degree at CGCC, Johnson plans to attend Arizona State University to pursue his bachelor's degree in computer programming and astronomy. For more information on the small business certificate program at CGCC visit www.cgc.maricopa.edu/Academics/business/Pages/Small-Business-Start-Up.aspx

CGCC Faculty Members Selected to International Program

Chandler-Gilbert Community College faculty members David Muñoz (Philosophy/Religious Studies) and Sue Steele (Math) are traveling to Mexico next month as part of the 2015 Global Engagement Faculty Development Program.  Both members were selected to represent CGCC, the Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) and the state of Arizona for a two week long (July 13-August 2) cultural and educational experience offered by the Office of International and Intercultural Education through the Maricopa Center for Learning and Instruction. This unique opportunity will provide professional growth and development, as well as a rich cultural experience to facilitate the internationalization of the MCCCD curriculum and colleges.

The University of Guanajuato, a long-time partner of MCCCD, will serve as the host institution for this program.  Both Muñoz and Steele will engage with the university in areas such as faculty/student exchanges, academic research, curriculum development and other means to establish beneficial relationships between the Maricopa Community Colleges and the University of Guanajuato.

While in Mexico, Muñoz and Steele will also be fully immersed in the study of our neighboring country and gain a first-hand understanding of its people and culture. They will have the opportunity to initiate or enhance Spanish language skills as part of this experience through a homestay with local families and a Spanish language component.  Muñoz and Steele will also visit key cultural, archaeological, religious, and historical sites,  and will engage in discussions about their observations related to the sites visited with academic experts in these areas.

¡Felicidades! (congratulations) on this once in a lifetime opportunity and we can't wait to hear all of the wonderful ideas you will  bring back to the CGCC community!