DIMENSIONS Official Publication of the Wayne County Community College District Volume 4 • Issue 9 PRESIDENT-ELECT BARACK OBAMA MET WITH WCCCD STUDENTS DURING HIS HISTORIC CAMPAIGN Marilyn Pace, a WCCCD student who lacked sufficient funds to pay for dental hygiene studies, related her personal story to then, Senator Barack Obama at a meeting arranged by his aides. Pace described the cost of supplies, course fees, and gas to get to and from classes, and her father’s disability, which keeps him from working. She was told by a WCCCD financial aid counselor that private loans should be able to close her financial gap. “You’re doing a good job,” Obama told Pace. “The key is just hanging in there, but you’re making good choices.” Pace later introduced then Senator Obama to a small group of WCCCD students, to whom he described his proposal for a tax credit to help pay college costs and his plan to reform the federal student loan market. “I will make college affordable for every American. Period,” Obama promised the students. Chancellor, Dr. Curtis L. Ivery and Barack Obama President-elect Obama has proposed a $4,000 tax credit that would pay nearly all the annual expenses for community college students and two-thirds of costs at four-year institutions. In return, students would have to perform 100 hours of community service each year. He would also make changes to reduce administrative costs and bank subsidies in federal student loans, and simplify the financial aid application process. Barack Obama, Marilyn Pace, Marcus McGrew Barack Obama talks to WCCCD students Winter 2008 DISTRICT DIMENSIONS 1 Contents Chancellor’s Message 1 PRESIDENT-ELECT Welcome to another BARACK OBAMA Met with WCCCD Students edition of Dimensions during His Historic Campaign We welcome you back to another issue describing the numer- ous events occurring around the District. It comes as no surprise that we are producing leading scholars, and you will read about 2 CONTENTS some of these outstanding students in this issue. Our 39th gradu- Board of Trustees ating class represented the largest number of graduating students Chancellor’s Message Campus Locations in our history. While we can boast about the size of the class of 2008, we can also be proud of the individual achievements. 3 SPECIAL FEATURE For this issue the article, “Our Pride is Showing,” features WCCCD’s Building Boom Dr. Ernest Retland, an outstanding educator who has been a part of our WCCCD team for decades. Other articles focus on exciting programs such as the Chancellor’s Reading Carnival, 4 SPECIAL FEATURE Western Campus new innovations in learning, and the opening of two new TECH TALK outstanding WCCCD facilities at the Western Campus The Center for Distance Education and the Grosse Pointe Harper Woods University Square. As we guide students through the educational process, we also provide staff members with the opportunity to 5 COMMUNITY EVENT grow in their leadership roles. This year’s leadership conference was an outstanding event featuring nationally WCCCD Advisory Breakfast Senior Fun Day known author, Dr. Marshall Goldsmith. WCCCD also hosted presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama who Newsworthy spoke at the Downriver Campus and generously shared his time with students, promising to address educational financing issues if elected. 6-7 DISTRICT NOTES As I said in my commencement address, “This is a significant moment for the College. The many contributions Innovations in Learning of families, staff, and administrators have supported students and the mission of the College to fulfill dreams and Faculty Profiles hopes of citizens throughout Wayne County.” I hope that through reading of our successes, you will share in the Our Pride Is Showing Highlight success of the growing reputation of WCCCD. Sincerely, 8 SPECIAL EVENTS Emerging Young Leaders Nursing in London Curtis L. Ivery, Chancellor, WCCCD 9 HIGHLIGHTS Male Education Network (MEN) From Saving Lives to Changing Lives Homeland Security Veteran C A M P U S LOCA TIO N S 10-11 UPDATES Campus Roundup 21000 Northline Road CALLING 12-13 SPECIAL FEATURE Taylor, MI 48180 2008 WCCCD Commencement 734.946.3500 Special Recognition ALL READERS! 14-15 SPECIAL EVENT International Book Fair Chancellor’s Reading Carnival 1001 W. Fort St. Detroit, MI 48226 16 SUCCESS STORIES Are you a WCCCD graduate? 2008 Success Stories 313.496.2758 Have you recently been Board of promoted, published an Trustees 5901 Conner article in a professional Detroit, MI 48213 Charles Paddock 313.922.3311 journal, or gone “Above Chairperson, District 8 Larry K. Lewis and Beyond” to make a Vice Chairperson, District 6 Denise Wellons-Glover difference in the lives Secretary, District 5 Mary Ellen Stempfle 8200 W. Outer Drive Treasurer, District 1 of others? Detroit, MI 48219 Juanita C. Ford 313.943.4000 Member, District 2 If so, we want to hear from Vernon C. Allen, Jr. Member, District 3 you! Send your news to Myron Wahls Member, District 4 [email protected] or call Alan Anderson Member, District 7 9555 Haggerty Road 313.496.2687 ext. 2025. Belleville, Michigan 48111 Elizabeth Potter Member, District 9 734.699.7008 2 DISTRICT DIMENSIONS Winter 2008 SPECIAL FEATURE WCCCD’s Building Boom DYNAMIC LEARNING FACILITY PREPARING STUDENTS TO THRIVE IN THE GLOBAL ECONOMY niversity Square, located on Vernier Road in Harper Woods (the former Beacon East Theatre site), is a partnership among universities and WCCCD to provide seamless articulated programs in a commonly shared facility using various modalities of Udistance learning technology. As a center of communication, University Square will become the educational hub of the region. The partnership will make possible customized options for continuing education, professional studies, bachelor’s and master’s degree programs. University Square will build partnerships that are designed to encourage innovation and productive connections with the global learning community. This plan will bring WCCCD, universities, businesses, and K-12 school systems together for a creative approach to provide education and enrich the future for the people of Wayne County. Classes will begin this spring. Newly Renovated University Square Dr. Stephanie Bulger, University Square Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony Mr. Christian Fenton, Vice Chancellor, Curriculum Assistant Superintendent and Learning Technologies GP Schools Stanley Henderson, U of M Dearborn WCCCD Trustee Charles Paddock, Chancellor Dr. Curtis L. Ivery, Grosse Pointe Chamber President Ed Russell Dr. Julie Corbett welcomes guests and dignitaries Mr. Dale Scrace, Mayor of Grosse Pointe Mr. Ken Poynter, Mayor of Harper Woods Winter 2008 DISTRICT DIMENSIONS 3 SPECIAL FEATURE A CEREMONY WAS HELD TO CUT THE RIBBON FOR THE NEW 43,000-SQUARE-FOOT ADDITION TO THE WESTERN CAMPUS. The open house and Ribbon Cutting featured music, food and dancing and allowed WCCCD Western Campus addition representatives from the community and members of the District family to celebrate the fine work of the architects, builders, and contractors who turned a vision into reality. From the lecture hall, the community rooms, flexible technology labs and computer classrooms to the open spaces for student and public gatherings, these resources will enhance instructional offerings, provide opportunity for new career programs, and promote community engagement throughout the District. During presentations from elected officials and members of the community, it was noted that the Western region is the fastest growing in the District. The addition of the new space helps to create a focal point for education in the area. As well, the enhanced technology designed for classrooms and labs will support the changing workforce development needs of the community. WCCCD Western Campus interior of building addition Patrick J. McNally, Western Campus President; Cindy King, Van Buren Township Supervisor; Dr. Curtis L. Ivery, Chancellor; Juanita C. Ford, WCCCD Trustee; Western Campus community room and lecture hall Elizabeth Potter, WCCCD Trustee; and Stu Pettitt, Architect. TECH TALK The Center for DevelopsDistance Partnerships with Education National Organizations Distance education, also known as e-learning, is Since online continuing education for profession- the fastest growing trend in education. As one of als was launched at WCCCD in January 2008, five the largest providers of distance education in the courses have been especially popular: Bloodborne state of Michigan, WCCCD has expanded its reach Pathogens, Best Practices in Preventing Workplace to offer educational opportunities to additional Violence, Advanced Techniques of Direct and communities through distance education. The Cross-Examination, Attention Deficit and Center for Distance Education has developed part- Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and Fundamentals nerships with Gatlin Education Services and The of Business Management Series. League for Innovation in the Community College to serve this region’s workforce and assist other institutions of higher education with high-tech Through partnerships such as the ones described innovation. above, The Center for Distance Education is realizing its vision of being a market-driven, entre- preneurial division. Dr. Stephanie Bulger, vice chan- Meeting the continuing education, lifelong cellor of The Center for Distance Education and learning, and professional development needs of Learning Technologies, explains that, “WCCCD’s the community with online courses is the focus Center for Distance Education uses the power of the e-Learning Center