Empty Bowls fundraiser benefits thousands of local families in need

Chandler-Gilbert Community College (CGCC) has teamed up with the Chandler Christian Community Center (CCCC) to fight hunger and raise money for families in need through its Empty Bowls fundraiser event.

Attendees can purchase their own hand-crafted ceramic bowls designed by various artists for $10 and enjoy live entertainment and a cup of soup donated by Minor's, a division of Nestle Professional. All proceeds benefit the CCCC to feed those in the community who might otherwise go without food.  

"Last year, through the generous support of the community, we provided more than16,800 food boxes to people in need. We are grateful to be partnering with CGCC to help us meet the need in our community this year," said Trinity Donovan, CEO, Chandler Community Christian Center.

The event takes place on World Hunger Day, an annual event which celebrates sustainable solutions to ending extreme hunger and poverty and encourages citizens around the world to take action in their local communities 

WHEN: Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2013; 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and 4:30-6:30 p.m.

WHERE: Student Pavilion, Pecos Campus, 2626 E. Pecos Rd., Chandler, AZ 85225

INFO: For more information contact Service Learning at 480-857-5274 or by email at alex.cannell@cgc.edu. 

Women's volleyball takes San Diego City College Tournament championship

The women's volleyball team cooking up a meal for
residents of Bannister House at University of California,
San Diego.

This past weekend, the women’s volleyball team participated in the San Diego City College Tournament and made time for community service. The update below is from coach Vee Hiapo.

“On Thursday, the girls cooked a Hawaiian meal for the Bannister House, which houses families on the University of California, San Diego Medical Hospital at the Hillcrest location. We were able to meet many of the patients and their families. Most of them were heart and lung transplant patients. The girls shopped and cooked for 3 hours and were able to eat with the families. It was a wonderful and rewarding experience to serve the Bannister House and the families. The people were very appreciative.

Women's volleyball -- tournament champions.

On Friday, we played Cuyamaca College and defeated them in 3 sets. They were very gracious hosts and the coach was a former volleyball Olympian Karolyn Kirby.

On Saturday, we played in a 3-team pool with host San Diego City College and College of the Desert. It was a best of 5 series and we beat both of them in 3 sets (difficult to do in one day). We were seated first in a 6-team winner's bracket and Scottsdale was seated second. We waited for the number 3-6 teams to compete. Our first bracket play was Chaffey College of Rancho Cucamonga. The bracket play was only one set to 25 points. We beat them 25-15. Scottsdale beat Pima in their semi-final match 25-17. Our girls continued to play with a lot of aggressiveness and took a 7-1 lead before the coach called a time out. We lead the entire match and beat Scottsdale in the championship 25-22. Although the bracket games will not be recorded because it was only a 1-set match, we still won the championship and it feels really good.”

Campus Technology magazine highlights CGCC's genius bar

Help Desk Manager David Smith helps a user at
Chandler-Gilbert Community College's genius bar.

Campus Technology magazine featured Chandler-Gilbert Community College's genius bar in a Sept. 19 article titled, "Why Your Help Desk Should Be More Like Apple's Genius Bar." The article explains how the technology team used Apple's genius bar model to make the help desk experience more personable, promote walk-in traffic, and improve user satisfaction. Read the article.

Schroeder, Larson considered for emeritus distinction

The governing board of the Maricopa County Community College District will review two Chandler-Gilbert Community College employees for emeritus distinction. Recently retired education faculty member Brenda Larson and provost John Schroeder will be considered at the Oct. 22 meeting.

Vice President of Academic Affairs William Guerriero nominated Larson for the honor which allows them to retain their title after retirement. The nomination states, “Brenda Larson has been an integral part of CGCC’s growth and expansion since its inception as a college. Originally hired to reach Office Automation Systems, Business-Personal Computers, and Computer Information Systems, Brenda modeled the way for faculty professional growth by earning two master’s degrees and a doctoral degree.

“She helped pioneer a business and teacher education learning community at CGCC’s Williams Campus and was instrumental in launching the college’s successful teacher education curriculum. Throughout her more than 26 years of service to CGCC and the district, Brenda remained active in a wide range of college and community activities. she served on countless college committees and advisory boards and maintained partnerships with K-12 and higher education partners, including the colleges of education at Arizona State University and Northern Arizona University.

“During her last year of service she was chair of the Social and Behavioral Sciences Division. Brenda was known for her impeccable organization and presentation of course materials and served as an exemplar for thousands of future teachers.”

College President Linda Lujan submitted the nomination for Schroeder. “John first came to Chandler-Gilbert Community College in 1990 as an aviation maintenance technology faculty member and was instrumental in providing current, relevant curriculum and training to countless aviation graduates who now serve our Valley’s aviation and aerospace industry.

“In 1995, John accepted an opportunity to be involved in business process design and technology planning and support at the Maricopa Community Colleges District Office where he served for eight years as director of Strategic Information Technologies.

“In 2003, John returned to CGCC as the provost and chief operating officer for the Williams Campus at the former Williams Field Air Base in Mesa. In that final role, John left an indelible mark on the college and its communities as he worked to keep the rich history of Williams Field alive while leading the transformation of CGCC’s portion of the base into a thriving and vibrant campus.

“John not only oversaw the development of every CGCC building on the site but brokered partnerships and relationship among other entities, including the federal government; the cities and towns of Mesa, Gilbert, Queen Creek and Phoenix; ASU Polytechnic; East Valley Institute of Technology; and countless business and industry partners. In this cabinet-level leadership role, John contributed in countless ways to the college planning and development, governance and educational endeavors at all its locations.”

Spotlight on the new Student Success Center

Reading class students utilize the new Student Success
Center resources.

Students have a new resource to turn to for help on the Pecos campus. The Student Success Center, located on the second floor of the library, will offer programs and services complementing the broad range of free tutoring and workshops offered by the Learning Center. Both centers are committed to providing exceptional educational experiences.

“Providing students with a variety of different support options is an important element of helping our students reach their individual goals,” said Vivian Miranda, director of Student Success. “Though we have a plan for the fall, we’re looking forward to holding some student-led focus groups this semester to help shape future programs.”

The Student Success Center will open Sept. 23 and offer open labs; access to computers; tutoring and assistance with MyLab products; and Student Success Workshops. Services will focus on supporting students in the following English, mathematics and reading classes:

• MAT: 081, 082, 089, 091, 092, 108, 121, 122
• ENG: 081, 091
• RDG: 071, 081, 091, 095

Programming will expand to a focus on student success for all students starting in the spring 2014 semester.

Open Lab Schedule
Sep. 23 to Dec. 5
Monday: 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Tuesday: 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Wednesday: 3:30-6:30 p.m.

CGCC awarded military friendly designation

Chandler-Gilbert Community College has been named to the 2014 Military Friendly Schools® list by Victory Media, publisher of GI Jobs magazine, a resource for military personnel transitioning into civilian life.

The 2014 Military Friendly Schools® list honors the top 20 percent of colleges, universities and trade schools in the country that are doing the most to embrace America’s military service members, veterans, and spouses as students and ensure their success on campus.

With the utmost respect for its student veterans, CGCC provides a variety of on-campus resources to assist with their college life transition. In addition to processing of their GI Bill benefits, resources include:

• The Student Veterans Organization (SVO), which hosts on-going activities for veterans throughout the school year to help veterans build a strong social and support network on-campus. 
• An annual Veterans Resource Expo, which showcases college and community veteran resources as well as thanks veterans for their service. This year's event will take place on November 7 at CGCC's Williams Campus. 
• Two veteran student lounges which are in the works, one in the new Coyote Center on the Pecos campus, the other to open in the near future on the Williams campus.
• Monthly veterans e-newsletters which are sent out to student veterans informing them about their VA benefits and alerting them to opportunities and resources available to them.

For more information about CGCC's resources for veterans, please contact the Veterans Services office at 480.726.4122.

Adjunct faculty's improv show captured by azcentral

Troupe director Shalynn Reynolds, 40, writes down audience
suggestions for the next skit as part of the Off the Cuff
Comedy Improv Show at Changing Hands Bookstore
in Tempe on Aug. 30, 2013.

Shalynn Reynolds, adjunct instructor and director of Off the Cuff Comedy Improv, was recently highlighted along with the troupe in a photo slideshow appearing on azcentral.com. The non-profit performed at Changing Hands Bookstore in Tempe as one of the many free, family-friendly comedy improv shows it does around the Valley throughout the year.

"Off the Cuff provides a high-energy, interactive show designed to entertain audiences of all ages," said Reynolds. "Every show uses audience suggestions and is fast paced and fun. If you enjoy improv comedy in the style of the television show 'Whose Line Is It Anyway?' you'll love Off the Cuff."

Reynolds teaches acting and modern drama at Chandler-Gilbert Community College and also directs some of the plays. She has been directing the troupe since it's beginning in 2000 as part of the Mesa Arts Center.  View the slideshow.