December 2007
Quick Highlights of Several Recent College Successes
Program reviews for the certificate in fine arts and the associate of arts and sciences degree in science have been completed and presented to Cabinet. The effort that went into making these reviews informative and instructive was evident. Congratulations to program leaders Ann Simpson and Ann Currie and their faculty for their good work on these reviews.
Professor of English and Developmental Studies, Beth Guiliano, wrote an article about the EXCELL academic program with the City of Winchester which was included in the recent edition of International City/County Management Association newsletter, Academic Matters.
Supported by funds raised by the LFCC Educational Foundation Inc., several groups of nursing and science students from both campuses visited BODIES... The Exhibition. From August through October, 68 students and eight faculty members from various science and nursing classes traveled to northern Virginia to view over 20 human bodies presented as pieces of art, showing the skeletal, muscular, respiratory, and circulatory systems of the body.
The current class of LFCC Dental Hygiene students provided dental hygiene services to over 330 citizens of the Shenandoah Valley since beginning their clinic duties in January of 2007. In addition, numerous responses were received from clients who said, “…my student hygienist had a very professional attitude,” “…thanks for giving me back my smile,” and “…I absolutely loved the care that was given to me.” Personally, I had my teeth examined and cleaned and highly recommend their services. My teeth were never examined and cleaned as well before. I learned a lot about my mouth, thanks to the great team in the dental hygiene program. Special thanks to our students and, most especially, to Claudia Mazurkiewicz, Lori Ellington, Karen Avey, Catherine Bower, Helen Hatfield, Dr. Lutz, and Dr. Wiley.
Kathleen “KW” Wotring, dean of learning for the Division of Science and Health Professions, successfully defended her dissertation as the final requirement for her doctorate degree from Old Dominion University. Her dissertation was titled, "Generational Differences among Community College Students in Their Evaluation of Academic Cheating." A copy of KW’s dissertation is on reserve at the Middletown and Fauquier Campus libraries. CONGRATULATIONS, KW!
Next month, Lori Killough will move from her present position of coordinator of dual enrollment to become a full-time education faculty member—LFCC’s first full-time education faculty member—at the Middletown Campus. Theresa Overton, currently a mathematics instructor at Northern Virginia Community College, Woodbridge, will become a full-time mathematics faculty member at the Fauquier Campus beginning in August 2008. These are two new faculty positions. Jeffrey Hollar, currently an adjunct biology instructor, was hired into one of the two new full-time biology faculty positions and will begin on January 2, 2008. We should be able to announce the name of the other candidate shortly after we return from break. Special thanks to Karen Foreman, Carolyn Haines, Debbie Keller, Jennifer Volkmann and Barbara Woods for the extra effort they put forth to make these hires a reality this week.
LFCC is collaborating with the VCCS and UVA to explore the development of a four-year degree in engineering. The “Produced in Virginia” initiative will result in an interdisciplinary degree (bachelor’s degree in engineering) from UVA. Pending funding, Bill Lewis, who has been an active participant representing LFCC, will begin developing a proposal for a transfer degree in engineering. Upon approval, students enrolling in the program would have the option of completing the degree at UVA or continuing at LFCC to complete years three and four via high speed internet, distance education and hybrid modes of instruction.
Approximately 1,545 high school students dual enrolled in 8,827 credits for the 2007 fall semester at LFCC. Students have the opportunity to “jump-start” their college career through dual enrollment. Last year, 10 high school students graduated from LFCC before their high school graduations in June. Special thanks to Brenda Byard, Lori Killough, Candy Morris and Deborah Teates for their good work with our high schools.
Cindy Bambara, vice president of student success, successfully defended her dissertation as the final requirement for her doctorate degree. Her dissertation reported on a phenomenological study entitled, "The Lived Experiences of Community College Students Enrolled in High Risk Online Courses: Opportunities and Obstacles." A copy of Cindy’s dissertation is on reserve at the Middletown and Fauquier Campus libraries. CONGRATULATIONS, Cindy!
Activity on College Central, our college’s web-based job and resume posting site, has been at an all time high this year. Over 180 employers posted 330 jobs and searched 1,095 resumes looking for potential new hires. Over 180 students registered to use the site. Over 100 college alumni or community members have registered and have posted resumes as well. Special thanks to Doug Cumbia and Marie Rutz.
Our Kuder Career Interest Assessment tool has proven to be very popular with our students since July 2007. This tool, which allows students, alumni and interested community members to identify their career interests, skills and work values, had 346 individuals complete the assessment. Of these students, 64.2 percent of them are in the first year at LFCC and 20 percent of these students are seniors in high school or GED completers. Special thanks to our Career Services team.
The Office of Student Success is also pleased to announce the employment of Larry Friedenberg, counselor on the Middletown Campus and Craig Bennett, counselor on the Fauquier Campus. Also, Athena Walker has joined the financial aid department as an Education Support Specialist II.
Beginning in January 2008, Larry Friedenburg, a counselor on the Middletown Campus, will serve as the evening administrator between 4:30 and 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Student Success administrators will be scheduled to provide back-up for Larry. At the Fauquier Campus, a cross functional team of administrators will rotate as the evening administrator on duty between 4:30 and 7 p.m.
The evening administrator on duty serves as a resource to solve problems that occur after regular business hours through the start of the 7 p.m. evening classes. From 7 p.m. until 8 a.m. Monday through Thursday, incidents/issues regarding facilities will be handled by security. Each semester during the first two weeks of class, coverage will extend to 7:30 p.m. and the Office of Learning will provide additional support to the administrator on duty to address instructor/class/classroom issues that arise.
Should you have any questions or concerns regarding the administrator on duty, please direct them to Larry at lfriedenburg@lfcc.edu.
Since January 1, the Foundation has raised $899,076.67. We are hoping to raise $100,923.33 by December 31 to reach the $1 million mark.
As you know, the Foundation provides funds for the College’s critical initiatives and helps to fill the void left by the shortage of state funds. But, did you know that the Foundation
Help keep “LFCC balanced” by contributing to the Foundation by Dec. 31, 2007. For more information, please visit http://www.lfcc.edu/Foundation/Employees/fundraising/index.htm.
Thanks to your suggestions at Juice-with-John sessions and other venues, the new graphic design and advertising request forms are shorter, easy to use and explain the publication and advertising process more clearly. The forms are located on the LFCC intranet.
The front page of the College Web site has changed. The page has been updated to be friendlier to alternative browsers, and the “promotional” area has been rearranged to be more attractive and uniform. If you haven’t done so recently, please view the new page by visiting http://www.lfcc.edu/.
Discover how LFCC is achieving its potential by visiting http://www.lfcc.edu/annualreport/2007/ and reading the 2006-07 LFCC Annual Report. The electronic publication showcases outstanding College achievements, moving student profiles and inspiring quotes from LFCC instructors. Learn how LFCC is accomplishing Dateline 2009 goals, as outlined by the Virginia Community College System’s strategic plan, and celebrate its many successes.
LFCC student Margie Clark spoke at LFCC’s Women’s Luncheon on Sept. 19, 2007, and met the legendary Helen Thomas. Eight days later, she met President George W. Bush at the signing of the College Cost Reduction and Access Act in Washington, D.C.! Through hard work and determination, this single parent is achieving her dreams and experiencing things she never imagined. For more information, visit:
http://www.lfcc.edu/News/Releases/Upload/release.asp?
date=September+28%2C+2007&headline=LFCC+Student+
Meets+U%2ES%2E+President+Bush.
LFCC in the News is a monthly compilation of clippings from area newspapers and publications. You can find the latest edition of LFCC in the News “hanging around” on bulletin boards at all of the College’s locations. If you have story ideas that you believe would be of interest to the citizens in our service area, please share them with Kalie Kelch at kkelch@lfcc.edu or 540-303-7599.
Workforce Solutions is launching its new L.E.A.D. (Leadership, Employee Advancement, and Development) program for customized training and open enrollment seminars in 2008. On November 8, 2007, Workforce Solutions hosted a showcase with over 40 of our area’s leading employers, in support of the LEAD program launch. These clients were given the first opportunity to learn about the LEAD program designed to equip their workforce with skills to improve day-to-day interpersonal effectiveness, teamwork, and business results. Special kudos to Donna Eagle and Christine Kriz for their creativity and enthusiasm to coordinate this event!
Please join us in congratulating Larry Baker in his new full-time role as Business Development Coordinator for Workforce Solutions and Continuing Education. Larry has been with the unit part-time over the past three years and has brought tremendous growth and expertise to the areas of continuous improvement (Lean & Six sigma) and technical skills training. Larry will be working directly with employers in our service region to grow customized training programs and support the employers’ needs for skills in the workforce through open enrollment. Larry is also the proud father of Katie Baker, one of the stars on Strasburg High School’s state championship volleyball team! Welcome to your new role, Larry!
The Student Success Office has gone through major renovations on the Fauquier Campus including: (1) New office furniture for the three existing offices; (2) New systems furniture for the outside reception area; and (3) Walls to create two additional offices along with new systems furniture. A few final enhancements will occur in the Loeb Center over the next several weeks.
Progress on the Science and Health Professions Building continues. We anticipate having occupancy in spring 2008 and are looking forward to offering summer 2008 classes in the new space. Windows are currently being installed and we are told the building may be enclosed by the end of January. Special thanks to Kathleen Johnson and her facilities team.
Architectural finishes and interior design elements for the Corron Community Development Center have been selected, and we are planning on a spring 2008 groundbreaking. The building is expected to take one year to complete. We hope to have the Science and Health Professions Building dedication and Corron Community Development Center groundbreaking at the same time in spring. Special thanks to Kathleen Johnson and her facilities team.
The long awaited exterior LFCC sign may be installed on the Fauquier Campus by the end of the spring 2008 semester.
We will begin holding classes in the “Ski Lodge” (new modular learning units) on the Middletown Campus in January. Over the holiday break, we will be working to ensure all proper legal documents are approved before classes are held.
The Voice Over IP phones are currently being installed at the Fauquier Campus and the next phase will be to install phones in the Middletown and Fauquier classrooms.
Thanks to some of my focus group meetings with students, we are adding additional handicap parking around the Middletown Campus. Four new handicap spaces with van accessibility have been added on the library side of the building. Two additional spaces with van accessibility will be added to the current spaces in the back lot near the Student Learning Center entrance. There were two van accessible spots added in the back parking lot near the Maintenance building. In the visitor lot, the front row was made completely handicap with an additional two spots added. Special thanks to Cynthia Funk, a student, for making a passionate plea for these enhancements.
Two new employees joined this unit on Monday: Richard Crim joined the Middletown Campus Technology Services unit and Jeff Rose joined LFCC in our Security unit.
John Osae-Kwapong, Sue Cooley, Kathleen Johnson and others have been working closely over the past several months to better understand our needs and generate the required information requested by our College community, SCHEV, VCCS and SACS. I have decided to entrust them (rather than spending time and money recruiting and interviewing additional candidates) to lead our institutional effectiveness efforts by establishing two, one-year restricted administrative positions. To that end, John Osae-Kwapong, will serve as the director for planning and institutional effectiveness, and a coordinator of data management and analysis will be brought in to assist us.
‘ICE’ is an idea to designate next of kin in an electronic address book, like your cell phone. This allows first responders at the scene of an accident know who to contact in an emergency. Cell users can program the acronym ICE “in case of emergency” before the name of a person(s) they want to designate as next of kin in their cell address book. If there was an emergency, others would know who to contact. To learn more about the ICE method, visit http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/07/17/AR2005071700879.html
The VCCS is in the process of signing an agreement with Apple, Inc. for the VCCS and each VCCS college to set up virtual campuses at iTunes U. iTunes U gives colleges and universities a user-friendly way to get audio and video content out to their students. Because LFCC is always looking at ways of expanding the walls of our college, a taskforce is being formed to draft a proposal for LFCC to be a part of the VCCS iTunes U pilot program. Special thanks to Joan Osborne for leading us on this initiative.
Plans for the second phase of the College's migration to MS Office 2007 are underway. The Technology Services and Instructional Technology Offices are finalizing plans for further software upgrades and training. Additional information will be forthcoming.
The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) has been authorized to conduct a compensation and benefits study for classified employees of the Commonwealth. This study will include comparing State total compensation to other public and private employers along with online surveys and group interviews to gain employer and employee perspectives. Their final report is due to the General Assembly in fall 2008. We will keep you posted on updates as they become available.
COVA Care is providing free flu shots until February 15, 2008, at CVS Pharmacies at 2207 Valley Avenue and 1725 Amherst Street in Winchester. To receive the free shot, please show your COVA Care plan ID card.
Since the last Ski Gram, I am proudly posting some of the letters or e-mails I’ve received about our LFCC peers under headings associated with our Quality Enhancement Plan.