InterComInterCom September 2012 Newsletter

Published by College Communications: Contact Lee Rasizer at (303) 360-4728 or [email protected]

It’s August 23. Fall semester is looming. Birds are chirping. Loons are howling. And the last-minute rush is on at the Administration Building.

As chaos goes, this wasn’t the pressed doors of a Black Friday sale or daily life on the Justin Bieber security detail. This is more like multiple loose ends, the shoelaces of a kindergarten class variety: Tie ‘em up; send ‘em off. It’s Thursday, Aug. 23, two business days before fall se- mester classes officially begin at Community College of Aurora. Students need their ID card photos. Procrastinators seek that course they just have to have but which may have filled long ago. Core classes such as English, Math, Biol- ogy and others that are integral degree prereq- uisites often fall within those parameters, even though they’re offered on numerous occasions. Some financial aid requirements are only now being realized by late-arriving students and ad- dressed with a countdown clock accompaniment. But CCA’s staff has the wherewithal to deal with these issues courteously and professionally. If this particular day, and many others like it, has its own soundtrack, Kathy Jackson, CCA’s official greeter, is the featured artist. The self-proclaimed mother of the col- lege doles out “baby dolls,” “dears” and “love yous” even while activity swirls around her, confidently sending people in all directions like an Administration Building version of the NFL’s Peyton Manning, who’ll famously flap like a bird at the line of scrimmage to ensure everyone is on the same page. “I have a gift to see when people are lost and confused,” Jackson explained. “Nine out of 10 times, I’m right.” On this day, there’s plenty of confusion and loss. But those traits aren’t shared by the staffs tasked to deal with the waves of people and flurry of questions, some asked A line forms outside of Enrollment Services, left, and in the hallways inside the room Aug. 23 as students seek guidance that will allow them to tie up all the loose ends for the beginning of classes while wobbly children in the infant stage toddle in their that open in just a few scant days. The rushes weren’t sustained, though, but instead went in a series of waves throughout the day as CCA employees remained on task and efficiently eased out the traffic. Please see Rush / Page 8

INSIDE: Raytheon partnership with CCA’s expanding Computer Science Department helping workers maintain certification trainings / Page 5 InterCom September 2012 Newsletter Page 2

Seek,Seek, andand youyou shallshall findfind Megan Kinney has transformed CCA’s library by taking a Bring out the old, technological leap and incorporating 21st century tools Bring in the new • Two new databases were added at CCA. Credo Megan Kinney isn’t a data miner in the classic face-to-face talk with an employee – if the student is akin to an academic Wiki. America’s Historical sense. even got to the library. Newspapers traces headlines from 1690-2000. But CCA’s director of Library Services is using “The bigger thing for me was that the LRC had a • Students beginning in July were increased every instrument in her ever-expanding toolbox to very low profile,” Kinney related. access through EBSCO – a premium research try and ensure that staff, students and faculty can There was some technology in place, but Kin- service -- to at least eight other databases, unearth the information necessary to ease the class- ney brought to the job a firm commitment to its including “Points of View,” which is well-suited to room experience. expansion and use. Sources now are inarguably discovering extensive and balanced research for Whether it’s door to door or , online more eclectic, modern and plentiful, and can be ac- public speaking and English classes. chat to video conferencing, Kinney is intent on not cessed in a variety of new-fangled ways, including • About 4,000 outdated physical titles were only spreading knowledge on efficient information via smart phones and other gadgets (see accompa- removed from the collection, while around gathering, but also wants to kick up your Kindle, nying chart). 30,000 e-books were made available. invigorate your I Pad or animate your Android de- “My thing was taking down barriers and making vices with search capabilities that can find a needle it easier to find information, while taking advantage • Through an integrated library system, more in a high-tech haystack. of the fact that mobile technology is interesting,” she than 540,000 books, DVDs and CDs and an three additional e-book collections will be fully “It’s about opening up the whole universe,” Kin- said. accessible in the fall through Aspen Cat, a union ney said. “Because people don’t know one percent of Kinney is so passionate about getting people dig- catalog that combines the collection of 34 what they really have access to.” ging deeper into information she’s even hosted vari- academic and public libraries. CCA was one of The amount of information immediately at one’s ous technology ‘petting zoos’ to try and familiarize the first two academic libraries to join as part of fingertips at the Learning Resource Center was lim- students, staff and faculty to new learning tools, as a Colorado library academic ‘cooperative.’ ited when Kinney joined the college in November well as just clear up any uncertainty on how to use 2010. certain devices in a laid-back atmosphere. • Real-time chat help for research assistance became an option through the library website 24 It was a place to find books. About 11,000 physi- “We’re on the radar now,” Kinney said. “People hours a day, seven days a week. cal titles were housed between CentreTech and are asking what we’re doing now. They’re interested. Lowry. There were a set of databases students could … We’re getting at what people really need. And • Mobile applications through individual vendors use and a basic website. It housed an open computer throughout the process we asked people what it was were introduced. Additionally, Quick Response lab. There were about 8,000 e-books that didn’t get (QR) codes are being introduced to CCA’s e-book collection that will allow the researcher to view much use. And the interaction with staff meant a See library / Page 3 other available books on a similar subject. InterCom September 2012 Newsletter Page 3

Left, Kevin Dunbar, assistant librarian, aids a student with a research query. At right, staff and faculty learn how to use library resources with their gadgets during one of the Tech Petting Zoos established to encourage ‘This is a real college library, curiosity and learning by giving people rather than a video service’ time to play with new From Library / Page 2 session for an evening or a weekend, technologies. which I’m totally willing to do. Give they needed, and basically did that, your students extra credit if they go to while bringing in other things they it, and they can log in and watch me may not have known they needed but online talk about how to do research librarians. She then began document- ney received Perkins Grant funding now see value in.” that wouldn’t even take a class session. ing formally over the last two semes- to provide comprehensive research But Kinney is eager to push the We have the software.” ters the academic progress. assistance in open computer labs at envelope even further, with the co- The end goal with this refined re- It has proven to be a major boon. Lowry and potentially have custom- operation of faculty. She and her staff search is better sourcing, more criti- “No one had ever shown them how ized, touch-screen kiosks that allow already made 44 visits to classrooms cal thought, increasingly accurate ci- to do it one on one and when they get students to interface with the entire last fall; about 60 more in the spring tations and less plagiarism to those it, they got it,” Steele said. college’s bevy of available informa- to provide students, and faculty, with who have the time to log on and take The LRC not only is busy serving tion. the available research options CCA advantage of interactive, real-time as- its library function, but the computer “People don’t know how much it now provides. But with staffing and sistance. lab continues to provide students has changed,” Steele maintained. “It’s time constraints a real issue, reaching “It’s come light years,” said history with help via trained work-study aids. like the changes for this fall. I’m so ex- an even wider audience took fore- adjunct Ginny Steele, who actually There’s tutoring and writing support cited, because for the first time we’ll thought. has worked in three libraries, both and makeup testing housed there, too. have a range of materials available to So Kinney devised online instruc- public and private, in her career. “This “I want instructors telling their our students online and through this tion sessions and short online tutori- is the kind of services our students students, ‘Go over there,’ and what collaboration that we’ve never had als in an effort to push the envelope need. And this is a real college library, I really want is students to tell other at this level. From 30,000 to 500,000 further. rather than a video service.” students. I feel that’s finally starting to (titles), that’s fantastic, and Megan is “I really want faculty to start taking Steele had her students in History happen,” Kinney said. the driving force behind that. me up on online instruction sessions. of the Middle Ages, World History I, One of the next projects involves “But we’ve got to use it,” Steele cau- Even if you’re teaching an in-person and U.S. History to 1877 make use of incorporating the Lowry campus into tioned. “If we don’t it’s a terrific waste class, schedule the online instruction the hour-long meetings with research the resource pool. To that end, Kin- of many minds.” New Lowry Cafe gives students another place to call home (cooking) The sounds of summer on the Construction on the Lowry facility Lowry campus -- jackhammers, saws began August 8 and was scheduled Lowry menus -- are about to give way to smells and for completion just before the Labor BREAKFAST: Assorted breakfast sandwiches ($3.00-$3.50); breakfast taste buds. Day weekend. burritos ($3.00); assorted fresh baked pastries: cinnamon rolls, On Sept. 4, the Lowry Cafe will While there will be some features scones, bagels, muffins ($1.25-$1.75); yogurt parfaits ($2.50); seasonal open its doors in the West Quad, site specific to the new cafe, such as a fruit cups ($2.50); assorted snacks ($1.25-$1.50); coffee and juice providing a full range of breakfast panini machine and a cold sandwich beverages (prices vary). and lunch options. Paragon Dining bar, numerous hot food items will LUNCH: Artisan sandwiches, made to order: ham, turkey, roast beef, Services, the same company that pro- be transported from CentreTech be- tuna, vegetable ($5.00-$5.50); subs, paninis and healthy wraps ($5.00- vides food at the CentreTech Grill, cause of its grilling capabilities. $5.50); hamburgers ($4.00-$5.00); pizza (prices vary); variety of hot will be in charge of the culinary cre- The Lowry Cafe breakfast and entree meals: lasagna, spaghetti, echiladas, tacos, burritos, roasted ations at the new facility, too. lunch items are reasonably priced, pork/beef/turkey, baked chicken and many more ($5.00-$5.50); Hours of operation will be from with all individual items tentatively freshly made assorted salads ($3.00-$5.00) Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. slated to cost less than $6 each. InterCom September 2012 Newsletter Page 4 Columbine Good Questions with: Poets Fest 5 back at CCA Alton D. for third year

Scales, Rosemary Wahtola Trommer and Benita Volk will be the featured poets CCA at the 2012 Columbine Poets Fest to be held September President 22 from 10 a.m. The Arts to 5 p.m. at the Student Centre Rotunda on the Cen- treTech campus. Trommer’s workshop, entitled “Moving toward the Voice of Wa- ter,” will begin at 1 p.m. and include reading, discussion and conversa- tion about the Sufi poet Rumi. Volk follows at about 3 p.m. and will read from “Leaning toward the Invisible,” this year’s winner of the 2012 Chap- book Contest sponsored by the Col- umbine Poets of Colorado. Both Trommer and Volk’s slots Alton D. Scales officially joined things that should be consistent are a couple of things in mind for within the day’s schedule of events the college on July 23 and hit the that you can depend on a courteous that. In an umbrella context, can be seen free of charge by CCA ground running, immediately and respectful engagement; (and) a (that means) some more lifelong students and faculty showing valid familiarizing himself with CCA’s quality experience in the classroom, learning opportunities – continuing college ID. people, programs and culture. He where at the end of the course your education.” The event begins at 10 a.m. Full- talked about some of his initial competencies are much higher and 4. How can the diversity of day admission is $15 for Columbine visions as the college’s new president you know much more than you did this area be used to this college’s Poets and $20 for non-members. Box during a wide-ranging interview before you entered and now have advantage? lunches are available for an extra fee. conducted shortly after he took the ability to apply that knowledge “Part of what I believe diversity For more information, please call office. to real-world experiences. brings to us is a varied way of 303-431-6774. “When we can make sure that’s looking at a single topic in the --- 1. You obviously came in with a a common experience, then we’ve classroom. Because when you come Auditions are being held for an preconceived notion of how well- narrowed the variants. Because from areas where you have certain original CCA Theatre Department positioned CCA is academically our reputation is one that really political slants, where gender roles, production entitled “Glimpses: The and where it stands within the tells our story. If you don’t have a race, ethnicity or color play a role in Rising Dawn, A Community Stands greater Denver higher-education good reputation, people won’t come how you interpret things, when you United.” through your door and the value arena. How does reality in your bring those pieces into a legitimate, Those interested in requesting of the degree is diminished. So we brief time here so far match up genuine conversation, it allows a slot for Sept. 4 (3:30-5 p.m.), Sept. have to work on managing that with your vision? individuals to hear things that they 5 (5-8 p.m.) or Sept. 6 (3:30-5 p.m.) reputation.” “There are programs here I would not have heard normally. should sign up on the sheet posted 3. What are some of things didn’t imagine, and some of them If we are teaching people how to outside room F103B in the Fine Arts needed to get the message out as exceeded my expectations. The Building on the CentreTech campus. to what this college really stands think more so than what to think, thing that I would work on is, I for within the community? they can’t help but go beyond our The play remains a multimedia believe much of what we do is an “Part of what we’re going to do doors and be better world citizens.” work in progress and ultimately will undersold story. We need to do a is do more training, because in 5. How would you like to see be comprised of stories that celebrate much better job of telling our story the absence of training you can’t the structure of this college the diversity of Aurora. Auditions can in ways that other people will see be assured that an individual is run ultimately, given your own be in the form of monologue, poetry, what we have to offer and want to prepared. The other things we’ll leadership style? music, dance, spoken word, art or be a part of it.” do is start looking at strategically “I believe in participatory film. 2. How important is it that telling our story in ways that governance. But I also believe there Any media can be used to show- people know what it is they individuals will hear it in places are times when it’s my role to make case one’s individuality, talent and are getting at CCA for their where they’re likely to experience a decision with all the information creativity, but it must be limited to a investment and differentiating it. And we’re going to look at that I have that may run counter to one to three minute audition presen- the college from other local bringing together some types of the will of the body. That just comes tation. institutions? activities that will bring individuals with the responsibility. But most Please contact Stacey D’Angelo at “I do like predictability, and that’s through our doors that normally generally, we make our decisions 303-340-7529 or Stacey.Dangelo@ part of managing variants. … The pass us on the road. We have collectively.” CCAurora.edu for more information. InterCom September 2012 Newsletter Page 5

PARTNERSPARTNERS ININ CYBERCRIMECYBERCRIME Raytheon working alongside Computer Science Department to ensure its employees receive mandated, high-tech training

Defense and security giant Raytheon is just one ment; and Jean Lowry, a longtime IT professional. securing funding and working on secure coding major contractor the United States has called upon Programming, network and web development initiatives. to ramp up its employee certifications in two promi- had been primary areas of emphasis at CCA. The se- The college already was part of a local security nent cyber security areas over the next five years. curity portion is expanding to reflect the real world consortium with other institutions and teaming of Defense has mandated that as much as fulfill it’s new training arrangement. with Raytheon is an outward sign that the burgeon- 500-600 Raytheon employees have the necessary The CISSP and Security Plus offerings now are but- ing computer science department is making even training in two areas: Certified Information Sys- tressed by computer forensics, disaster recovery and further strides. tems Security Professional (CISSP) and Security perimeter defense classes and will be taught by the “We will have an even better program in the Plus. two new staff members and adjunct Bill Clements, a next couple years,” Woods said. That’s more than 10 times less than the number Raytheon employee. One of the future possibilities includes the po- already holding those designations at the company. That an organization of Raytheon’s prestige en- tential to use the Disaster Management Institute So, in order to ensure their workers are fully up trusted CCA’s computer science program to help to introduce various viruses and other problem- to speed, CCA’s next-door neighbor has called upon with the continuing education of its employees atic issues into the classroom setting for students to the college to oversee that training. provides further credibility to the college within the resolve. The fact that courses in Security Plus and The courses, encompassing about 30 students at community at large. CISSP are to be housed at the Center for Simulation a time -- though not all tied to the company – are “The trust that they put us and the relationship allows for such real-time experiences to become being rolled out in full force this fall after a spring we have is huge,” Woods said. part of the curriculum. trial run. Raytheon, which employs about 2,400 in Aurora, The training should better position “We’re like the continuing education environ- approached the college in 2011 about outsourcing freshly-certified personnel for more di- ment for Raytheon,” said Robert Woods, director of its training needs, and steps at CCA were taken not verse and complex kinds of hack attacks. CCA’s Computer Science Department. only in terms of added manpower and curriculum “Most people don’t have a clue. Occasionally your The reasons for the arrangement are obvious. but securing necessary equipment. e-mail gets hacked. That’s not even what we’re talk- “We are so close and it’s beneficial to them to Computer science faculty Constance Seiden ing about,” Woods said. “We’re talking about de- not have to develop in-house training programs,” played a key role at CCA by writing the initial Ray- fense and cyber war and cyber attacks in the U.S on Woods added. “They can get this kind of training theon proposal, taking on an instrumental role in industry. It’s a significant problem.” by going to a ‘boot camp’ … that prepares them for the examinations. But we offer it in a college setting. Bob Woods and We have all the rigor and structure to handle that, the rest of the Computer Science and their employees don’t have to go offline. They department are can continue to work, learn it over a semester and in the midst of then take the exam.” ramping up their CCA has been in the process of discussing ramp- course offerings to ing up the security portion of its courses when Ray- meet a changing theon gauged the college’s interest in a partnership. world, including Since then, the college has hired two experienced an expansion of security offerings. computer forensics and disaster recovery experts as adjunct faculty: Don Lewis, former computer fo- rensics examiner for the Lakewood Police Depart- InterCom September 2012 Newsletter Page 6 Helping hands now linked together Hundreds getting individual attention to spur achievement

Three CCA student support pro- grams already share common goals. Now, they also divvy up square footage via June’s opening of the Stu- dent Success Center on the first floor of the Student Centre at CentreTech. The merging of TRiO, First Year Experience and Transitions, and Scholar Support and Programming into one area ended a moving-box methodology that had often shuttled these programs from office to office. Moving students on through com- pletion, graduation and transfer takes the programs’ singular focus into a single locale and promotes a more co- Blake Russell, left, gets some one-on-one mentoring from Bradley Jacobson, coordinator of Scholar Support and Programs. ordinated and collaborative approach towards targeted retention programs and from referrals by advising, in- college student in an effort to be able toward that agenda. that previously included a leadership struction and through the individual to grow that and serve more students.” “Moving them to this space is reorganization that placed Elena San- retention programs to one another. The main message is that there is an attempt to really leverage our re- doval-Lucero into the role of dean of TRiO gets its students through out- now a place at CCA for students that sources to support students now that Student Success. reach to targeted classes, advisors and seek more intensive support within we have a little critical mass around “I think it sort of models for the advertising. advising; individual mentoring; one- some programming opportunities,” campus that we really are about stu- Klingsmith pointed out that 50 on-one interaction with staff; and op- said Libby Klingsmith, coordinator of dent success and retention, and al- percent of CCA students are first- portunities to connect with students First Year Experience and Transitions. though each of these programs serves generation college students, which with similar goals. The three areas earlier this year a specific cohort of students, the cam- automatically puts half the student A peer mentoring program be- combined to take students on trips to pus can take what we’ve learned about population in the mix for the more tween Scholar Support and TRiO al- local four-year institutions. The hope working with these students and ap- intensive help provided by the Stu- ready has been an offshoot of the new in having them all housed together is ply those success strategies to other dent Success Center. Around 60 per- office arrangement. The three pro- that similar intersections of goals can groups of students that they work cent intend to transfer to a four-year grams have been able to more easily be discussed more readily and lever- with,” Sandoval-Lucero said. institution, which further expands the discuss student needs and share forms aged into further opportunities. About 450 people overall currently pool of available applicants to the Stu- and best practices around mentoring TRiO, which is run by director are served by the three retention pro- dent Success Center. and advising. Daniel Sandoval, focuses strictly on grams. Sandoval-Lucero noted that while Students that failed to qualify for first-generation and low-income stu- Bradley Jacobson, coordinator of CCA can’t serve everyone in similar TRiO could be easily ushered into the dents. Scholar Support and Program- Scholar Support and Programming, fashion, there is the possibility of “ex- First Year and Transitions area, an- ming leans on third-party agencies sees all of these students linked by panding our reach” to other cohort- other bonus of the close proximity of to provide scholarship funding. First their deep exploration of their lives based programs and replicating the the programs. Year Experience and Transitions has a and futures. model into those other areas in the “I think working together can take cohort that serves about 60 students “For me, its giving them an arse- future. them to the next level instead of all focused on transfer opportunities, nal of college knowledge that they “There’s tremendous opportunity working separately,” Sandoval-Lucero while also offering student-success can succeed with, and then under- here as we get off the ground,” Kling- said. “And having a Student Success courses to all incoming CCA stu- standing that they have the support smith added. “In some ways, the 450 Center, for that staff, sort of indicates dents. available whenever they need it,” he students or so that we have are our to them that the college finds value The physical arrangement with the explained. pilot group and they’re going to run in focusing on retention, success and Student Success Center is the latest Potential participants are located through this more intensive program- completion by having one area dedi- outward sign of CCA’s commitment through word of mouth, campus data, ming around being a more successful cated specifically to that goal.”

Three parts of the same educational body

The recently revamped Student Success Center housed in the CentreTech Student Centre provides targeted academic and personal support for students in three programs, encompassing their journey from admission to graduation.

• TRIO STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES: Serves first-generation and lower-income students • SCHOLAR SUPPORT PROGRAMMING: Serves cohorts of students typically coming from third-party scholarships, such as Mile High United Way, Denver Scholarship Foundation and the Daniels Fund. • FIRST YEAR EXPERIENCE AND TRANSITIONS: Runs classes on student success and transfer programming. InterCom September 2012 Newsletter Page 7 Resources help smooth college ASCENT A four-day orientation session for the ASCENT program from Aug. 20-23 at Community College of Au- TRiO gets into act rora gave that select group of high with its own intro school students a preview of the pos- sibilities by connecting them with the A group of 65 new fall campus, people, programs, and infor- TRiO students, selected based mation they’ll need to spur achieve- on need and through a first-time ment. interview process, were initiated “It gives them a jump start on into that program Aug. 17. how we do things at CCA and preps Program requirements and them for a successful college experi- general information were dis- ence,” said Leigh Bessey, director of pensed, and the TRiO staff, ad- Outreach and Recruitment. ministrators and peer mentors Incoming students in ASCENT were introduced. (Accelerating Students through Con- It’s the first time TRiO has Gabe Fischer, admissions counselor in the Center for Outreach and Recruitment, current Enrollment ) were prepped on counsels a group of Ascent students Aug. 21. hosted the full-day event, which majors and career decisions; financial covered the academic year. aid and their syllabi; heard a panel into the program, among other re- do everything you’re asked, you will A plan is in place to hold discussion from faculty, chairs and quirements. pass and have a great experience. And similar orientations annually for deans covering variety of disciplines; Many of these students walk it’s also kind of, ‘snooze, you lose.’ ” students that are new to the pro- told how to track their degree goals; through their high school graduation Bessey pointed out that among gram. aided with their book store purchases; ceremonies but don’t get their diplo- 34 Ascent students last year only three institution upon transfer. given a window into available online mas until after completing at least two were dropped due to poor grades, Some will need longer stays to and research capabilities; and even semesters of Ascent. which helps demonstrate the effec- got to dance to blow off some steam. “The biggest thing about all this get the necessary course load to move tiveness of the ASCENT summer Parents also were involved in is some of these guys have never left on. ‘bridge’ to the classroom. some of the initial sessions. their high schools, so this is the first “We’re not going to leave them There are 74 students tak- time they’ve been on a college cam- Some incoming Ascent students high and dry in April when we send ing their first year of college at CCA pus, and it’s a little bit different. There already have accumulated substantial them off. They will still come back to through the ASCENT program after are high expectations, “ Bessey said. college credits and can earn an associ- us, just like last year’s Ascent students experiencing concurrent enrollment “They don’t understand that your syl- ates degree within one academic year came back to us, and we’ll still work in high school and earning at least labus is your contract … but if you at CCA. These 60 credit hours will with them to get them where they 12 college credits necessary for entry follow everything in that syllabus and classify them as a junior at a four-year need to be,” Bessey said. Student Government SGA has big plans Association VP Rob Hatcher and Engagement through student clubs a top priority President Ryan Manzanares The Student Government Asso- Tactical implementation of the will have a hand ciation has adopted a slogan for the plan will begin Sept. 4-5 through in organizing a carnival and next year: Building Unity Within Our the ‘rush’ event at both campuses de- help plan for an Community. signed to increase the number of club October memorial That mindset cuts both ways, with members. for Century 16 the group attempting to involve both The Sept. 14 SGA meeting will victims. students and greater Aurora alike into further prod clubs to intermingle a cohesive entity supporting the col- more and avoid segmentation in or- lege and promoting its brand. der to better foster campus fellowship “We want to create further iden- and unity. tity,” SGA Vice President Rob Hatcher SGA will go one further to try said. “This isn’t just a place for educa- and join these disparate groups with tion but for community and culture.” the anticpated introduction of the -- Hosting informal open forums can fundraise in a laid-back environ- The plan is tiered and begins with ‘Campus Cup.’ which will encompass to allow for the sharing of concerns ment. getting a significant boost in numbers student engagement, fund raising and and ideas from the general student -- Will form a committee to gener- and enthusiasm from the 10 on-cam- other facets. A point system will be population and increase accessibility ate ideas for a dual campus memorial pus clubs. implemented and the ‘Cup’ winning to those in position to help initiate service in tribute to the injured and A starting point on that front is club at the end of the year takes home change. lost in the July shootings at Century the implementation of a challenge to hardware and another potential prize. -- Bring back the “CCA Sizzle” at 16 Theatres. those clubs to do structured activities Among other SGA items on the both campuses. The barbeque lunch -- Beginning research in concert steeped in school and community in- agenda in the coming months: will raise money for book scholar- with business and marketing entities volvement. Energizing that segment -- Phi Theta Kappa partnering ships and the Transforming Lowry, designed to seek out what’s required of the student base hopefully will cre- with the Hispanic Support Network Transforming Lives campaign. to build a shuttle service between ate a reciprocal effect to the general with a goal to promote college com- -- Organize a campus carnival, CentreTech and Lowry within the CCA population and beyond. pletion, graduation, and retention. likely in October, during which clubs next two years InterCom September 2012 Newsletter Page 8

Ebbs, flows of activity common before classes From Crunch Time / Page 1 “You can see the panic,” said Tam- aura Walker, a registration staffer. “It’s parents’ midst to give the scene a day- like tax deadline day.” care feel. Deborah Hoefler, assistant direc- Got an issue? Go there. tor of financial aid, perhaps explained Need an assessment? That-a-way. the fashionably-late-to-the-party vibe Have to see an advisor? Sign in. best as the semester draws nearer. CCA workers deal with this ev- “It’s kind of like if you don’t fix a ery year around this time. Besides, leaking roof; then all of it sudden it it could be worse. It could be about a bursts and you get a flood,” she ex- week or so earlier, dreaded Aug. 15, plained. “That’s kind of what happens when the first students were dropped in here.” for non-payment. --- Signs are posted in block let- The flow of traffic into the CCA tivity if not now, eventually. when these statements about small or ters warning students they will be parking lot is steady as the day begins. A few people mingle in front of the non-existent lines are made, whether dropped from class unless they have One side is two-thirds full; the other enrollment services desk at this early in enrollment services, financial aid, financial aid awarded, a payment plan slightly less crowded. But classes hour but it’s rock-group sized and not at the greeter’s desk or even tucked or have paid. Another placard reads haven’t yet started so these people are rock-the-boat dimensions. upstairs at the cashier’s office. that fall payment is due within 24 headed somewhere. “It’s highly unusual to be this slow,” Chaos is always just around the hours of registering for classes. Some high school students are at Assistant Registrar Valerie Sangi- corner on these types of days. The message often gets lost: for -ex CentreTech to partake in an ongo- uliano said, peering at the clock on “This afternoon will probably get ample, with financial aid, it takes six ing ASCENT orientation. But veteran her computer screen. “But it’s only 10 crazy right around lunch to about to eight weeks to process awards from staffers know that the Administration o’clock … “ the first document submission. Building will be ground zero for ac- A lot of knocking on wood occurs Please see Crunch Time / Page 9

Two stages of August 23: Above, Financial Aid is swamped, while, top right, Enrollment Services gets a rare break in the action. Top left, Assistant Director of Financial Aid Deborah Hoefler takes time to join her staff and provide one-on-one service to a student requiring assistance. InterCom September 2012 Newsletter Page 9 ‘They know about everything ... asked about’ From Crunch Time / Page 8 Her style must be contagious. At nent information is getting doled out 1:20 p.m. Financial Aid is slowing at the proper time. three,” predicted Nichole Creger, an down. The lines are gone. The couches “I hear everything in my office and admissions specialist. have one occupant instead of three or when people come in and are abusive There was no such wait across the four. This could actually count as a or yell, they keep their cool no matter hall. lull, even though the main college op- what,” said Megan Harris, an admis- At Financial Aid, the activity was erator already has fielded nearly 100 sions counselor in the Center for Out- already in slam mode. calls to this point. reach and Recruitment, whose desk is Each time someone signs in at the “Don’t jinx it,” Administrative As- just a few steps away from the Enroll- kiosk in front of the financial aid help sistant Jennifer Viera snaps jokingly. ment Services ‘pit’ where much of the desk, a chirp can be heard throughout --- activity in that area occurs. “And they the room. This bird sound emanates At Enrollment Services, it’s about know about everything there is to from each of the adjoining offices, 2 p.m. and the building noise is be- know to have asked about.” and is helpful on slower days to sound ginning to resemble the marshlands. This efficiency this day, though, an alert that someone requires assis- While Financial Aid has its bird comes nearly with a price . tance. sounds as their sign-in cue, that side “Things were so busy,” Registrar Now that the morning rush is on, of the building is notified of incoming and Director of Admissions Kristen the couches inside Financial Aid are traffic by the warbling, rising pitch of Cusack revealed, “the boss almost filled. A long dining-room sized table the loon. died and nobody would have known.” in the back is near-capacity. A line is History reveals that the loon Seems Cusack was back in her of- forming out the door. The students call replaced the bark of a dog that fice crunching numbers and drinking stay calm, which, with each addi- was first instituted by advisor Libby a Diet Coke. “It was my last sip,” she tional sign-in, only makes it sound Broughton. That dog – which was recalled. more and more like a bird . affixed the name Peanut Butter, still Indeed, it almost was. Her bev- Chirp. Chirp. lives on at CCA, however. erage slipped down the wrong pipe, But even with the bustle that sur- A search in the Banner student and as she pounded her chest, she rounds them, with people surround- information system will even bring simultaneously processed the irony of ing their desk, and feeling the eyes up the ol’ pooch. The name’s used for a Sangiuliano e-mail popping up on of all the onlookers, Ayanna Doyle training purposes to this day. College greeter Kathy Jackson her screen while she was in full cough smiles after helping a student. But right now, this is no walk in watches as Leigh Bessey, director of mode. Cusack knew the message em- “Have a blessed day,” she says, be- the park. outreach and recruitment, celebrates anated from just a few feet away. fore calling out another name. The relative quiet of the morning with financial aid counselor Phebe In the end, though, Cusack knew Angela Baty, Doyle’s co-worker, is that Creger predicted has given way Lassiter, left, during a break in activity. the incident was part and parcel of asked if she ever feels as if she wants to all-hands-on-deck proportions. these busy times. No choking allowed. to call in the National Guard for as- “It’s just a fun time of the year,” dictable,” Walker said. “But it’s man- And in the quiet that followed, ‘I’ll sistance during these times. director of advising Rene Simard ageable.” help the next in line …’ could be heard “It’s up for debate,” she replied with quipped. On this day, people like Jon Ad- faintly in the distance. a smile. “I’ve been telling everybody There’s a two-hour wait for one of ams, Huria Tossa, Walker and Safa “This college enrollment student I feel like a Marine on the front line.” his staff but in 60 minutes, the num- Khairalla are on the front lines in the services staff here: best in the state,” bers of students requesting help is cut admissions area. It’s Jill Zzynskie, Rob But this is specialized work even Sangiuliano said proudly. “No, best in by two-thirds, even with a shortage of Hatcher and Helen Broadbent helping some of America’s finest fighting men the USA.” advisors on this particular afternoon. to man the desk at Financial Aid. are ill-equipped to battle. As Hoefler --- More technology is employed to Less conspicuous, Financial Aid explained, the paperwork and knowl- The day is nearly over, but the edge necessary to process the kinds efficiently usher through the masses. counselors process files in upstairs of- waves of people continue to filter in at of federal documents, calls and ques- Those needing one-on-one counsel fices removed from the clatter. 4:30. Children can be seen coloring at tions is extremely specialized, “There’s are given a pager device, similar to the Meanwhile, Lareesa Radcliff is the back table of the financial aid of- no one to call,” she said matter-of- ones used at restaurants when waiting tucked away in an office in the back fice. Lines are forming at both doors factly. for tables. hallway of Enrollment Services with and the greeter is greeting. The MyC- So, each chirp has to be taken in But, as Simard explained, there’s a the door closed. It’s mid-afternoon CA kiosks don’t have any openings. stride. plus to the work at this late date, too, and the CCA is fielding her th A woman on a cell phone carries At least, as Hoefler noted, “The particularly after mandatory orienta- 130 call of the day. She’s previously her pager down the hall. vast majority of the students are really tion sessions all spring and summer worked similar roles at T-Mobile, at The 24-hour payment policy is ex- pleasant and grateful for our help.” have given students a better idea of medical complexes and the India- Many of these students follow what to expect as first-time college napolis Hilton, where 250 to 500 calls plained for the umpteenth time. workers’ movements whenever they students. daily were common. It’s business as usual on one of the stray from their desks, like a tennis This is no longer start-from- “As long as I have product knowl- usual busy days. Or maybe not. ball at a competitive match, looking scratch material but, rather, “there are edge,” she said, “I’m good to go.” A woman standing near the en- for some sign that they’re next in the little things,” needing attention. The phone interrupts her thought. rollment services welcome sign dons cue. And giving that push across the “Thank you for calling Community a light jacket, and inside, something “You have to learn to be a really finish line to students are focused College of Aurora, may I help you? moves. fast talker,” Baty said about dealing people putting blinders on and plow- … .” A Chihuahua pokes his head up with the busier moments. “Luckily, ing through the ebbs and flows of the The staff up front constantly meets into the Administration Building light for me, I’ve always been that way, so craziness. with Cusack, Sangiuliano, Hoefler, Si- ever so slightly and looks around. I can get ‘em out as fast as possible.” “The spurts happen and it’s unpre- mard and others to ensure the perti- Just maybe, it’s Peanut Butter. InterCom September 2012 Newsletter Page 10

Plaudits and accomplishments at CCA

Unity, individuality share stage at August all-faculty gathering Information was shared and awards doled out at the Aug. 23 all-faculty meeting at the APS Conference Center. New president Alton D. Scales had an opportunity to address adjunct and regular faculty, updates on changes were given, and department meetings also took place. Above, Sarah Pretzer, campaign specialist for the CCA Foundation, gives a presentation on the Transforming Lowry, Transforming Lives campaign with a little help from her friends. There was also some awards presented. Gary Scott, right, was named the receipient of the Fall 2012 Brosh Award, which acknowledges the outstanding efforts of the college’s adjuncts. Scott’s passion, pioneer- ing teaching methods and expertise were cited as a part of his as an Anthropology instructor. Left, Ruthanne Orihuela accepts this year’s Top Program As- sessment Award for Performing Arts and Humanities. The department was lauded by the assessment committee for its significant contribution to student learning and for serving as a model for others to follow.

Information bank

Dr. Betsy Oudenhoven, vice presi- President Alton D. Scales Nursing Pathway Program encompasses dent of student affairs, announced that addresses an Aug. 22 30 CCA students, all striving for their gathering of elected the college has contracted through Aurora officials and community bachelor’s degree through a collaborative Mental Health Center to have counseling leaders at a reception effort with the University of Colorado support on site for 20 hours per week for co-hosted by the CCA College of Nursing. the academic year in wake of the July 20 Foundation, City of --- Aurora Mall shootings. Aurora, Aurora Chamber CCA Human Resources will host of Commerce, and Aurora AMHC already is providing Economic Development the annual health and wellness fair Oct. services with no out-of-pocket costs for Council. The event, held 2 from 7:30-9:30 a.m. at CentreTech. the rest of 2012 for many of those directly at Commerce Bank in All employees and their families can and indirectly impacted by the tragedy at Aurora, served to intro- take advantage of numerous free health Century 16 Theaters. The organization’s duce President Scales screenings. Several other fee-based test- to community partners funding comes via donations, which can of the college and the ing options also will be available, as will be made through the Community First Foundation. Scales flu shots for $25. Please contact Debbie. Foundation at www.GivingFirst.org/ expressed the importance [email protected] before Sept. 28 to aumhc. of partnership and col- sign up for blood and/or blood density --- laboration to further the tests or flu shots. college mission. Dr. Peggy Norwood resigned her --- position as full-time psychology faculty Free online training sessions of Turni- after six years. Her final day at the college in Costa Mesa, Calif., and Saddleback fundraiser will benefit the Colorado Com- tin plagiarism software are now availabe was Aug. 19. College in Mission Viejo, Calif. munity College System Foundation and for use in D2L in the Dropbox feature. --- Several others with previous ties five community colleges, including CCA. Please visit http://turnitin.com/en_us/ Amie Thompson has been hired as to CCA are adopting new roles within The event will take place locally at Credit training/professional-development for Administrative Assistant III for the Aca- Liberal Arts, including Audra Pickett; Union of Colorado locations in Lakewood more information. demic Enrichment, English as a Second Candace McClelland-Fieler; Laura Stone; and Southeast Denver. --- Language, and Social Sciences depart- Rachel Ankney; and Bobby Pace. --- Nominations for this year’s Student ments. --- Global Initiatives and the ESL Depart- Success Awards are being accepted Two new staff members were added to Faculty and staff are invited to take ment are hosting an hour-long lecture through Oct. 12. Nomination forms are the Student Affairs division. Javon Brame advantage of free fitness training at the Sept. 6 at 6:15 p.m. entittled, “Post 9/11 available on the colleges website under- began his new position as assistant to the Lowry gym from 4-9 p.m. on Tuesdays, Religion and Community: Interfaith neath the ‘Our People’ tab. VP on Aug. 27. Barbara Lindsey joins Thursdays and Fridays. The gym is staffed Strategies for Peacemaking,” in the Cen- --- the staff Sept. 5 as coordinator of career with top graduate trainers Angela Hofer, treTech Rotunda. Local artist Joel Cook will be featured services, fresh off an interim director’s Patrick Sheets and Jack Howard. Please Dan Buttry, co-pastor of the First at the Donna Moravec Gallery at Lowry post in career development at Johnson call 303-340-7072 or 303-340-7076 for Baptist Church in Dearborn, Mich., home in a show running Oct. 11-Nov. 15. and Wales University. more information. of the largest Arab Muslim population in --- Vicki Graham, was added as a full-time --- North America, will be a special guest. International Student Orientation faculty member in Communication. She A Shred-A-Thon will be held Sept. 15 --- was held Aug. 23, hosted by the Student previously taught at Orange Coast College from 9 a.m. to noon. Proceeds from the The third cohort of the Integrated Services staff.