Campus Digest Magazine
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CAMPUS DIGEST A Merced College News Magazine Vol. VIII Edition I Published by the Office of Institutional Advancement August 2018 President Campus looks Devils MC football camp’s CalWORKs The Cal- to up its communication popularity continues to WORKs program helps Page 2 grow Page 5 parents get ahead Page 6 Making a Splash in 2018-19 Vice President of Student Services Michael McCandless gets dunked during the Convocation Carnival. Page 3 CAMPUS DIGEST AUGUST 2018 Communication Key to Start 2018-19 By Chris Vitelli of Institutional Advancement, Jill ency leaders’ responsibilities to Superintendent/President Cunningham. share this information with its Welcome As we approach the begin- members. back! I hope ning of this new academic year, Finally, we will continue to host everyone had I am committed to improving District-wide forums on a variety a wonderful our communication efforts. My of important topics and I will host summer with hope is you will also join me in “brown bag” events for open dis- time for family, this commitment and help with cussion. These have proven to friends, and re- shared and collegial dialogue on be helpful in disseminating in- treat. My family important issues and planning formation, addressing concerns and I were able efforts for the District. and rumors, and providing a to get out of the Valley heat for As announced at Convoca- safe forum for communication a short time. We camped in the tion, we will begin to improve the among all constituencies and ar- Grand Tetons and Yellowstone content and information provided eas throughout the District. National Park. It was a wonder- through the Campus Digest with Above all, effective communi- ful trip with much needed family specific information regarding cation is a team effort, a shared time and absence from technol- special projects, initiatives, em- responsibility, and a key to suc- ogy. ployee programs and resources, cess for any organization. John Like many of you, I cannot important dates, and strategic Powell said it best, “communica- believe we are already in 2018, planning implementation efforts tion works for those who work at much less beginning the 2018- and actions. it.” Everyone must do their part 19 academic year. As mentioned I have also added a “commu- in participating in collegial and at Convocation, I am excited nication plan” agenda item to our professional discourse that will about the future of Merced Col- Cabinet meetings and I encour- help us move forward as a Dis- lege and the direction we are age all shared governance com- trict. headed as a District. I am also mittees and constituencies to do This is certain to be another thrilled to have a new executive the same. This will ensure, to amazing year for Merced Col- team with the addition of our new the extent possible, that import- lege. Thank you for all you do Vice President of Instruction, ant information is being shared and thank you for doing your Kelly Fowler, Associate Vice with leaders and/or appropriate part in strengthening our com- President of Human Resources, constituencies throughout the mitment to students through ef- Kelly Underwood, and Director District. It will then be constitu- fective communication. Page 2 AUGUST 2018 CAMPUS DIGEST August Events Budgeting Tips shop: STEM Study Skills Thursday, August 23 5 p.m. – College Night, Monday, August 20 10 a.m. – Club Rush in the Tuesday, August 28 Don Reid Court, Merced 2 p.m. – Student Work- Main Campus Quad 9 a.m. – Club Rush in the Campus Gym shop: Understanding Your Merced Campus Quad Professor’s Writing Assign- Saturday, August 25 Wednesday, Sep. 5 ments 8 a.m. – Modesto at MC Wednesday, August 29 2 p.m. – Student Work- Men’s Water Polo (Scrim- 9 a.m. – Club Rush in the shop: Research Tech- Wednesday, August 22 mage) Merced Campus Quad niques Beyond Google 2 p.m. – Student Work- 11:45 a.m. – Cuesta at MC 2 p.m. – Student Work- shop: How to Use Canvas Men’s Water Polo (Scrim- shop: Time Management Thursday, Sep. 6 Online Courses mage) Tips 2 p.m. – Student Work- 6 p.m. – Brea Weinreb shop: Thesis vs. Topic Artist Reception at the Mer- Monday, August 27 Thursday, August 30 Sentence ced College Art Gallery; 9 a.m. – Club Rush in the 9 a.m. – College Trans- Modesto Junior College at Merced Campus Quad fer Day, Merced Campus Saturday, Sep. 8 MC Football (Scrimmage) 2 p.m. – Student Work- Quad 6 p.m. – De Anza at MC shop: Money Managing & 2 p.m. – Student Work- Football Convocation Sets Up Mind-Blowing School Year President/Superintendent Chris Vitelli set a high standard at his in- augural Convocation a year ago. He set a nice pace, keeping the event at right around two hours, had a good mix of humor and business and found an entertain- ing and engaging keynote speak- er. Vitelli topped it all off by rein- stating the Convocation Carnival. It was a well-received day and was going to be tough to top, but the 2018 Convocation and Carni- val did its best to achieve just that. While he may not have tugged at the same emotional heart strings as his predecessor, Key- Vice President of Student Services Michael McCandless, left, and Los Banos note Speaker Christopher Carter Director of Student Services Darcy Kipnis, right, help out Keynote Speaker Christopher Carter, center, with a demonstration during Convocation. certainly had the audience talking long after his performance. importance of how we communi- ects and events that will shape The mentalist provided plen- cate both with ourselves and our that vision. ty of ‘Wow’ moments as he used students. Along the way the Manager of his powers of observation to per- President Vitelli updated the the Year (Jessica Moran), Classi- form card tricks, reveal first loves College’s progress during the fied Professional of the Year (Ja- and answer unasked questions. 2017-18 school year and provid- mie Moua), Faculty of the Year He accomplished all of that while ed his vision for the coming year. (David Seymour) and Presi- delivering a message about the He then touched upon the proj- Continued on Page 8 Page 3 CAMPUS DIGEST AUGUST 2018 Kellys give leadership a new look Kelly Underwood said she coordinator and adjunct faculty wasn’t actively searching for a member. new job, but as the head of re- Fowler served as the Vice cruitment at Allan Hancock Col- President of Instruction and Stu- lege it was her job to know what dent Services, as well as the Ac- was out there. creditation Liaison Officer at Clo- So, when the position of Asso- vis. She has more than 20 years ciate Vice President of Human of experience in instructional Resources became available and student services administra- at Merced College, Underwood tive roles in higher education, in- made some inquiries. cluding several years as a math- “I did some research,” Under- ematics faculty member. wood said. “I talked to a friend “We are very excited and for- of mine, who is president at an- tunate to add both Kellys to the other community college, and Merced College team,” Vitelli asked him what he thought of said. “Kelly Underwood has a Chris Vitelli. He told me he’s one strong understanding and track of the top three community col- record of organizational devel- Kelly Underwood chats with MC staff lege presidents in the state. at a July meet and greet in the Admin- opment, transformational lead- “I decided working with some- istration Building. ership and shared governance. one like that was an opportunity She shows passion in her work ced College and am excited to I couldn’t pass up.” as an HR executive and will be now be a part of that. Kelly Fowler heard similar an excellent leader in this im- “I think what really sold it for things during her tenure at Clo- portant administrative role for me was the school motto. ‘Stu- vis Community College. The the District. dents are our focus and we are new Vice President of Instruction “Kelly Fowler is a highly skilled known by their success.’ That’s had been instrumental in helping leader and a strong communica- something I truly believe.” Clovis become the 114th cam- tor. She is known for her collab- Underwood and Fowler were pus in the California Community orative style, innovative problem approved by the Merced College College system and was con- solving, enthusiasm and dedica- Board of Trustees last month templating her next step. When tion to diversity. She has been and started their new positions a position in Merced’s leadership instrumental in progressively on Monday, July 2. came available, it was an easy leading a team to create and im- Underwood joins Merced Col- decision to make a change. plement First Year Experience, lege after having served as the “I’ve known (President Vitelli) Guided Pathways, K-12 part- Director of Human Resources since he was Dean of Instruc- nerships and Dual Enrollment at Allan Hancock. She has sev- tion at Columbia College and programs at Clovis Community en years combined experience have always thought highly of College, while also successful- as a chief negotiator as well as him,” Fowler said. “The Valley ly overseeing instructional and experience as an employee as- is a small place and the college student services professional sociation leader and president. community is even smaller. I’ve development programs, student Underwood has also served as heard many good things about equity and many other success- an administrator, classified staff the work he’s been doing at Mer- ful initiatives.” Page 4 AUGUST 2018 CAMPUS DIGEST MC Football Hosts Youth Camp Word of the good they drove down from times had at the inaugu- Modesto that morning.