Lessons for a Lifetime
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Lessons for a Lifetime College and Foundation Annual Report July 2013 - June 2014 Mercer County Community College Executive Officers Patricia C. Eun-Woo Chang, Donohue, Ph.D., Ph.D., Vice President President for Academic Affairs Seated: Dr. Gwendolyn Harris, Shamil Rodriguez and Dr. Patricia C. Dono- hue; standing, from left: Robert Di Falco, Melody Hicks, the Rev. William E. Coleman Jr., Pam Hersh, Anthony Inverso, Mark Matzen, Dr. Laura Morana and Kevin Drennan. Board of Trustees County Officials Jacob Eapen, Ed Gwazda, Gwendolyn Harris, Ph.D. (Chair) Mercer County Executive M.S.W., M.B.A., Vice President Vice President for College Shamil Rodriguez (Vice Chair) Hon. Brian Hughes for Administra- Advancement Pam Hersh (Treasurer) Freeholders tion and Chief Patricia C. Donohue, Ph.D., President Hon. Andrew Koontz, Chair Business (Secretary) Officer Hon. Samuel Frisby, Vice Chair Reverend William E. Coleman Jr. Hon. Ann Cannon Robert M. Di Falco Hon. Anthony Carabelli Kevin Drennan Hon. John Cimino Anthony Inverso Hon. Pasquale “Pat” Colavita Mark Matzen Hon. Lucylle Walter Laura Morana, Ed.D. José Fernández, L. Diane Melody Hicks (Alumni Trustee) J.D., Executive Campbell, Ed.D., Director for Executive Dean Compliance for Student and Human Affairs Mercer County Community College is accredited by Resources the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. ANNUAL REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY I MERCER COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE Message from thePresident t Mercer we are all about learning and student success. We focus on assuring that students learn A how to learn – a strategy that will serve them for a lifetime. This year we focused on enacting the ambitious goals articulated in the 2013-16 Strategic Plan. We know that as the new century progresses, we must be even more committed to teaching students to think creatively and analyze critically. Ongoing advancements in technology and ever-increasing globalization are creating a new economy in an interconnected world where the key skill set is versatility. Success in a silo is no longer possible. We are equipping our classrooms with current, relevant technology and expanding online classes through MercerOnline. We are creating strategies that incorporate global understanding through Study Tours, cultural exchanges and an appreciation for the diverse cultures within our own student body. Innovative instruction by our dedicated faculty is igniting a love for learning to motivate our students to achieve their goals. We prepared for the successful launch of American Honors at Mercer, which builds on our well- established Honors Program. Upgrades to our science labs, new Engineering Technology and Mathematics computer labs, and facilities improvements on both campuses are proceeding according to the college’s Facilities Master Plan. We carefully managed short-term inconveniences to earn the rewards of long-term academic enrichment. At Mercer we keep student retention and success at the center of every undertaking. Our First 30 initiative expanded SOAR (Student Orientation, Advising and Registration) with additional orientation sessions for new students, personal coaches, peer-to-peer tutoring and a growing list of transfer opportunities. We also added resources and services for veterans. I am grateful to those who are committed to these efforts – faculty and staff, the Board of Trustees, our Foundation Board members, our supportive community, and especially the many students who have chosen Mercer to launch their higher education experience. We are all working to create a robust, vibrant community through education, and it begins with the success of our students. Sincerely, Patricia C. Donohue, Ph.D. President, Mercer County Community College ANNUAL REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY I MERCER COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE 1 Strategic Vision I Excellence and vitality in teaching and learning May 2014 was a time for bragging rights, as students were recognized for their academic achievements and celebrated by family and friends for reaching their goals. The Class of 2014 included close to 900 students, whose aspirations range from direct entry into the workforce in vital fields such as health care and computer technology to students graduating with honors and transferring to four-year colleges and universities to complete their undergraduate degrees. Student speaker Ben Petraitis. Student speaker for Commencement was U.S. Air Force veteran Benedict Petraitis, who noted Trenton Campus’s Celebration that Mercer has been “a of Academic Achievement. journey of self-discovery Nursing pinning ceremony. for us all.” He urged his classmates to “learn new skills and explore. Give 100 percent. Have the courage to accept that Recognizing excellence you are not perfect, but at Honors Convocation. never let anyone tell you that you can’t do it.” Petraitis earned his associate degree in Liberal Arts and is continuing for his bachelor’s degree in Psychology through William Paterson University at Mercer, with Members of the Class of 2014. a goal to counsel fellow veterans. 2 ANNUAL REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY I MERCER COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE ANNUAL REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY I MERCER COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE Supporting the work of Womanspace. Adding to the stores at the MSF Food Bank. This year was marked by exceptional students assisting the community in exceptional ways. Students embraced major social issues. The Theatre program and the Education program worked with Womanspace to publicize the problem of violence against women and raise funds to support the organization’s mission. The men’s and women’s basketball teams raised funds and awareness for the Breast Cancer Resource Center. Pennies piled up for Alex’s Lemonade Stand. Sociology student Amanda Kleinmann led a food drive for the Mercer Street Friends Food Bank, with students and staff donating 800 pounds of food. The Trenton Campus Student Activities Board placed third nationally in volunteer hours tabulated by the Association of College Unions International for service to the Trenton community, while Student Activities at the West Windsor Campus led a Penny Drive that raised The Student Activities Board in Trenton. $1,100 for the nonprofit Alex’s Lemonade Stand. ANNUAL REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY I MERCER COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE ANNUAL REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY I MERCER COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE 3 VISION I continued The college continued to respond to academic and Other academic programs continued to expand workforce trends. This year, a new credit certificate opportunities, activities and technology in exciting program in Advanced Manufacturing Technology ways, including Engineering, Funeral Service, Fine Arts began, as well as a dual enrollment program in Global and Horticulture. Supply Chain Management in conjunction with Rider University. Curricula for new programs in Mobile and Web Computing and Security Systems Technology were created. The college planned and recruited students for American Honors at Mercer, a program that enhances the highly successful Mercer Honors Program. Funeral Service students now conduct burials for veterans. Award-winning topiaries from the Horticulture program. Nursing students at the county’s Disaster Preparedness A new flow channel for Engineering students. Drill held at Trenton-Mercer Airport. 4 ANNUAL REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY I MERCER COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE ANNUAL REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY I MERCER COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE VISION I continued Solo shows for four Fine Arts students. Women’s cross country at nationals. Television students continued their collaboration with the Hotel, Restaurant and Institution Management program by filming the MCCC culinary show, “Dish It Out” – and earned a first place Telly Award for their efforts. Advertising Design students created some new looks for the Old Barracks in Trenton. Nursing students lent their expertise to the county’s Disaster Preparedness Drill. Student athletes represented the college with distinction. Eight of MCCC’s nine teams advanced to post-season tournaments, with the baseball team playing at the NJCAA World Series for the first time since 2002. The women’s cross country team fielded its Television students earned first full team at nationals. first place for “Dish It Out.” Baseball advanced to the NJCAA World Series. Women’s basketball supported the Breast Cancer Resource Center at the YWCA-Princeton. ANNUAL REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY I MERCER COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE ANNUAL REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY I MERCER COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE 5 Strategic Vision II An inclusively welcoming and nurturing college, focused on student engagement and success Helping Students SOAR and More • Expansion of an advisement and orientation program known as S.O.A.R. (Student Orientation, Advising Students who are prepared to navigate college life and Registration), which included 12 orientation increase the likelihood they will finish what they sessions for close to 400 new students; started. In 2012 MCCC established the Office of the First 30, which has focused on four initiatives this year: • A student success coaching program that assigned knowledgeable staff members to 75 percent of new students to help them navigate unexpected roadblocks; • The addition of ENG 101 “Decision Zone” classes, a success strategy in lieu of pre-college courses, which provide extra time, especially in reading; • The establishment of a First 30 scholarship program, in concert with the MCCC Foundation, which awarded 23 Student Success Scholarships to help students complete courses for on-time graduation, regain financial aid or