Goal I. Access To Higher Education
Silvia Zecca, NLC Spanish instructor, accompanied a group of five NLC students to Monterrey, Mexico to participate in the Model Organization of American Studies Workshop (MOAS) held at the Universidad de Monterrey (University of Monterrey). Representing NLC, the students had the opportunity to learn and apply the parliamentary procedures of debate and caucusing. They also explored how to function in working groups of countries that share common interests and understand the operation of the committees that report to the General Assembly. The students will now participate in the “General Assembly – MOAS Tournament” at St. Mary’s University on November 1-3rd.

Goal II. Student Support
In recognition of National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week, the NLC Office of Student Leadership & Activities sponsored a “Mocktail Party” on October 16th and 17th. Mocktails are non-alcoholic drinks that look like cocktails. Students were treated to samples of various “mocktails” and were also given a pamphlet on alcohol awareness and abuse, as well as a recipe book for creating more than twenty mocktails.

The NLC Psychology Club hosted a meeting on October 18th. The topic of discussion was Twins in Psychological Research.

Additionally, the Psychology Club established a NLC Walk Team to support the “Memory Walk” for the Alzheimer’s Association of San Antonio on October 20th. The team included 50 walkers and was made up of students, faculty, staff, and administration and raised almost $2,000; all proceeds go to support Alzheimer’s research and to benefit patients in our area.

Goal V. Organizational Communication
Dr. Eric Reno, NLC President, attended the University of the Incarnate Word Feik School of Pharmacy official building dedication ceremony on October 17th. Following the dedication ceremony, attendees were given a tour of the new facility.

Goal I. Access To Higher Education
Northwest Vista College is participating in a Sustainability Vision Implementation Project with 14 other community colleges that are CQIN, (Continuous Quality Improvement Network) members. President, Jacqueline Claunch, and the college’s CQIN representative, Julie Bajusz, attended a two day conference this past week at the Johnson Foundation Wingspread Conference Center on Building Sustainable Local and World Community for the 21st Century and Beyond. The Conference was funded by the Johnson Foundation for the purpose of supporting this 14 college project team “to establish a multi-year scalable action plan to implement CQINs’ sustainability vision.” Dr. Claunch has been pondering questions such as
• What does it mean to build a sustainable community?
• How do we in community colleges act on this mission and what is our role?
• How can we collaborate to develop these capacities?
• How do we incorporate sustainability concepts into our strategy and our curriculum?
She indicates that the speakers, the conversations, and the resources provided have given her at least a roadmap to develop initiatives at Northwest Vista College and to serve as a catalyst for important ACCD work.

Goal II. Student Support
On Saturdays this fall, NVC faculty attended full day seminars designed to advance the quality of their teaching methods. The first, held on September 15th, focused on Cooperative Learning for adjunct instructors. Cooperative Learning is a technique proven to enhance student learning. This was scheduled for a Saturday morning for instructors who are unable to attend the NVC regularly scheduled Friday morning faculty development sessions. 16 adjunct instructors attended. On October 20th, a workshop on Critical Thinking was held for over two dozen dedicated educators.

Goal IV. Capacity To Serve
Dr. Debra Morgan, dean at Northwest Vista College, has been selected as one of only 32 community college leaders to attend the prestigious Executive Leadership Institute, sponsored by the League for Innovation in the Community College. A national panel selected the group of 32 participants from a pool of applicants holding senior-level positions of leadership in community colleges throughout North America.

Gerardo E. de los Santos, president and CEO of the League for Innovation, said, “The review panel was extremely impressed with the quality of the applicants, which speaks well for the future vitality of the community college.”

The institute, to be held in Tempe, Arizona, December 2-7, 2007, provides an opportunity for potential community college presidents or those in transition to review their abilities and interests, to refine their skills, and to participate in discussions on leadership with an outstanding array of faculty drawn from among nationally and internationally recognized community college leaders.

Goal I. Access To Higher Education
Preparations are underway for “PACDAY at South Park Mall,” scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 27, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. More than 20 different PAC departments and organizations will have tables at the Mall to distribute information on programs and activities available at the College. Administrators, faculty, recruiters, counselors, admissions and financial aid representatives will also be available to address issues related to higher education.

Goal II. Student Support
PAC's Agronomy Class toured the Wilco Peanut, Inc. plant near Pleasanton for a first-hand look at a peanut processing operation. James Warnken, one of the owners of the family owned operation, demonstrated to the students steps involved in peanut processing, beginning with the arrival and acceptance of the raw product, inspection and quality assurance testing, packaging and shipment to buyers that process the peanuts into oils, candy, and peanut butter, to include an explanation on how peanut waste (the shell) has animal and horticultural uses.

Goal III. Workforce Development
Daniel Rodriguez, Senior Vice-President, North American Sales and Marketing for Lab-Volt Systems, announced a $1,500 scholarship for a PAC student enrolled in the Electro-Mechanical Technology Program. Frank Quijano, Chair of the Industrial Automation & Engineering Department will develop qualifications and selection criteria for the scholarship.

Goal IV. Capacity To Serve
The Children’s Library is conducting the “Kid Critics Corner,” a reading contest for children between the ages of 7 to 11 years of age, from Oct. 15 to Nov. 30. Children are required to read books from the library and then write a review on the book they have read. Children will receive points for each review they submit and the winners will receive a prize at the end of the contest period.

Goal V. Organizational Communication
Vincent Bosquez, director of Public Relations, and Dr. Dan Rodriguez, Director of Student Activities, made an allocation presentation on PACfest to the Fiesta San Antonio Commission at the Commission’s headquarters, Oct. 24. PACfest is an officially sanctioned Fiesta San Antonio event and currently the only sanctioned event in south San Antonio. The Commission will release results of its selections and allocation amounts approved in November.

Goal I. Access To Higher Education
St. Philip’s College kicked off Homecoming Weekend on Friday, October 19, 2007 by hosting a Get Re-Acquainted Mixer that was attended by over 200 people. The event provided a venue that highlighted educational opportunities and accomplishments obtained by former students and employees of St. Philip’s College. Those recognized received an official 2007 Homecoming Medallion. Among the honorees were Bexar County Commissioner Tommy Adkisson who attended SPC summer classes in 1967 and 1968. Mr. Adkisson continues to be an active member of the College community. Recognition was also extended to William Hudgins, who began working at SPC in 1950, serving as the Dean of Men, Director of the Division of Health and Physical Education and the men’s basketball coach. Special recognition was extended to a former 1st runner up for Miss St. Philip’s College Queen (1955); basketball players from 1956 and 1966; graduates from 1960 – 1984; and College administrators 1972-1986. Sally Turbon, the widow of Everett L. Turbon (former Director of Counseling for whom the Turbon Center is named) received recognition along with the oldest member of the alumni association, Joseph Collins. These recognitions were truly inspiring to current students as they work toward realizing their educational dreams and aspirations.

Additional former students and employees were recognized and received an official 2007 Homecoming medallion. Former students included Clara Etta Williams, a student in the 1st Licensed Vocational Nursing, Class of 1950; Delores Williams received an Associate of Arts Degree in Physical Education in 1955, during her freshman year she was 1st runner up as Miss St. Philip’s College Queen; Rev. Ireland Brown attended SPC in 1956 majoring in Tailoring while playing basketball for the college; Wilton Rogers earned an Associate of Arts Degree in 1966 he played basketball for the college; Pervis Ellison, earned an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Automotive in 1960 and is the owner of Ellison Automotive Shop since 1965; and Abel Candia earned an Associate of Arts Degree in Biology in 1984. Former employees included Kenneth Pulliams who worked at SPC from 1972-1986 as a full-time coach to the men’s basketball team while teaching all sports. Alfonso Cervantes began working at SPC in 1974 as Assistant Director of the Evening Division and he was the 1st Dean of Arts and Sciences.

On Saturday, October 20, the Office of Student Financial Services hosted its seventh annual “College Opportunity Workshop for Middle School Students.” Approximately 314 students attended with thirteen schools represented. In addition, there were thirty-two independent students from schools throughout the city. The program began at 9:00 am and ended at 2:00 pm. Over twenty college departments participated or assisted in making presentations to student tours. Approximately fifty faculty members, personnel, staff and students assisted in making the program a success.

The Learning Resource Center served as a tour stop for groups of the middle school students participating in the College Opportunities Workshop. Library resources on science fair projects were also shared. Walk-around tours of the Library were held and the 7th and 8th graders received “Junior Patron Library Card” forms and colorful bookmarks that included library hours/contact information.

Also on Saturday, a Homecoming Campus Showcase was displayed in the Tiger Café, highlighting outstanding Southwest Campus educational programs. Tours were made available at the Main Campus for over 200 alumni and perspective students. Current Capital Campaign Improvement Plans were displayed with subject matter experts available to address new building developments. Throughout the day, the Homecoming event provided over 500 attendees with an array of fun activities that included the motion picture Glory Road, Tiger bingo, line dance lessons, a basketball scrimmage game, chipping and putting golf lessons, a trackless train, and Merlin’s maze and candy house bounce. Student organizations sold food to raise funds for program operations (Phi Theta Kappa, African American Men on the Move, Ladies with Distinction, Student Leadership, the Sonography Club, and Vocational Nursing Student Organization). Twenty student volunteers from Early Childhood Studies provided support and assistance for the Kid’s Corner.

A Nevil Shed Road to Glory Basketball Camp was held on Saturday, October 20, in the St. Philip's College Health and Fitness Center and was sponsored by basketball great Nevil Shed. Mr. Shed’s college life was displayed in the movie Glory Road, based on the Texas Western Miners College 1966 NCAA Championship with an all African-American starting lineup. During the basketball camp, 40 children, ages 9-14, were taught the fundamentals of basketball by Shed as he incorporated a message about the importance of education. “With determination anything can be achieved,” Nevil Shed.

On October 17, the Multi-Modal Transportation Department of St. Philip’s College hosted the Aerospace Industry Council meeting at the District offices. Dr. Bruce Leslie spoke to the Council about the opportunities and challenges the Alamo Community Colleges are dealing with to recruit students into programs that result in high skills/high wage jobs.

On October 22, the Continuing Education and Workforce Development Department conducted a campus tour of Southwest Campus for City Councilwoman (District 6) Delicia Herrera, Keith Kindle of Turner, Collie and Braden, and Richard Gambitta, Director, Institute for Law and Public Affairs at UTSA. The purpose of the tour was to provide information and raise awareness of the SPC-Southwest Campus programs.

Goal II. Student Support
On Saturday evening, October 20, a Homecoming Blue and White Dance was held for over 200 guests. SPC students provided support throughout the evening and also organized a St. Philip's College King and Queen crowning that included a Royal Court. ACCD Board member, Denver McClendon and his wife, State Representative Ruth Jones McClendon, were on hand to welcome guests and extend greetings. Students were given an opportunity to network in a social setting with members of the College community (past and present). The former students who received the 2007 Homecoming medallions during the Blue and White Dance were a 1966 basketball player, a 1986 volleyball player, an original member of the St. Philip's College Gospel Choir and 92 year old Henrietta Stevenson whose legacy and educational ties are directly connected with Dr. Artemisia Bowden.

St. Philip's College hosted a Career Fair on Thursday, October 24. Over 30 prospective employers participated which included the U.S. Army, San Antonio Police Department, Auto Zone Stores, Avon, Cavender Toyota, Christus Homecare, City of Ft. Worth, Disney, Fiesta Texas, Lowe’s, San Antonio Independent School District, USAA, Texas Army National Guard. Positions were available for full and part-time employment. Three hundred and fifty students and 41 community members attended the event.

Goal III. Workforce Development
St. Philip's College is hosting and sponsoring Skanska Safety Week for our Skanska contractors on campus. Focus will be placed on safety and wellness of Skanska employees. Skanska has approximately 130 employees working at the construction site at St. Philip’s College. Activities will include massage therapy, blood pressure screenings, a blood drive, fire safety awareness and construction safety awareness. Students enrolled in our Nursing and Massage Therapy programs will provide the appropriate services.

Goal IV. Capacity To Serve
A team of College administrators, led by Dr. Adena Williams Loston, attended a national conference of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) in Dallas, Texas, on October 17-19, 2007. The conference highlighted the successful efforts of HBCU’s in their surrounding communities. Illustrated examples ranged from shopping centers to apartment buildings. The conference was timely and productive in that St. Philip's College is working to reconnect with its community.

The Tutoring Department hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony for the renovated tutoring lab in the Norris Technical Building. Over 100 students, faculty, staff and administrators attended the ceremony and had the opportunity to tour the center. The center was renamed by a committee of students and was voted on by over 250 students. The new name of the center is the Tutoring and Technology Center or TnT Center. The facility has a computer lab, individual work rooms, adaptable equipment for students with disabilities and an open tutoring lab area.

Goal V. Organizational Communication
The St. Philip's College 2007 Homecoming event successfully cultivated community support and loyalty. The College community welcomed more than 1,000 alumni, students, faculty and staff (current and former), and neighbors from New Mexico, California, Texas (San Antonio, Dallas and Houston) to a weekend of celebration and “friend-raising.” This event afforded the College an opportunity to rekindle old relationships and build new foundations for a strong and united community. The Instructional Technologies Department installed multiple computer stations to ensure that all attendees were registered, thereby creating the beginnings of a database to be utilized for future institutional advancement and development activities.

The weekend’s activities concluded with the 2007 Homecoming Celebration at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church. SPC is committed to remaining connected to the rich history, mission and legacy that our founding church bestowed upon us. Reverend Thayer and the members of St. Philip’s Episcopal Church hosted a memorial reception for 250 guests. A special prayer was extended in memory of deceased students, alumni, faculty and friends of the College.

Goal II. Student Support
On Thursday, Oct. 25, Alex Bitterman of the School of Design at the Rochester Institute of Technology spoke to students, faculty and staff in the Visual Arts and Technology Center about the history of branding, how brands affect the consumer frame of reference in developing countries and the societal responsibilities of designers.

At the annual October Fest on Oct. 24, the Student Life Office provided a variety of games and activities (including a roving magician, juggler, and caricature artist and the German band Happy Travelers) in the college mall area for students, and student clubs sold festival food in booths to raise funds for their organizations.

Goal III. Workforce Development
At the press conference on October 26, President Robert Zeigler, Stephen C. Fitzer, Executive Director of the Bexar County Medical Society (BCMS) Staffing Services, and Cheryl Startzell, Coordinator of the SAC Medical Assisting Program, announced an agreement to create a Mentorship Program for the college’s Medical Assisting students. Chancellor Bruce Leslie also offered some remarks on behalf of the Alamo Community Colleges. The program will address the shortage of qualified medical assisting personnel while also giving trained students (who must meet BCMS standards) experiences in health care settings. Student “externs” will be paid for a half-day of work and earn college credit for the unpaid half-day, which counts toward their externship — benefiting both the students and the health care providers. Consequently, students will gain valuable experience and prove themselves to employers who may decide to hire them full-time.

San Antonio College has announced a Dietetic Food Supervisor Certification through its Service, Trade and Industry Center in the Continuing Education Training Network. Coordinator Steven F. Lewis said, “Dietetic Food Supervisors play a key role in food service operations where special dietary needs must be met,” such as in hospitals, nursing homes, and many other institutions. A 99-hour course and a 120-hour practicum will be offered beginning October 22. The Center also offers a 15-hour Food Manager Certification course.

Goal IV. Capacity to Serve
Cheryl Startzell, Coordinator of the Medical Assisting Program, has been selected as a member of the Curriculum Review Board of the American Association of Medical Assistants Endowment. Startzell said that her membership on the board “will provide the path for input into the accreditation process, hopefully not only our program at SAC but also the other programs across the country that have expressed the need for representation.”

A coffee was held on Oct. 25 to honor faculty and staff who have served for 15 years at the college or within the ACCD, the 2007 NISOD Awardees, and recipients of the Staff Council Scholarships. In addition, a special plaque was made to retired Executive Vice President Dr. Thomas Hoy announcing that the Leadership Institute will now be named the Thomas C. Hoy Leadership Institute, recognizing his efforts in creating this opportunity for employees.

San Antonio College joined the other Alamo Community Colleges and Richland College in co-hosting the Community College Humanities Association National Conference on Oct. 25-27 at the St. Anthony Hotel. (Supporting colleges included Essex County College and San Diego Community College District.) Drs. Carol A. Keller (history) and Jessica Howard (music) served as SAC contacts for the conference, which concerned the assessments and re-assessments of humanities scholars as they keep pace with changing technology, student preparation, and delivery systems in the academic world. Workshops included community college faculty from throughout the country in representing a variety of disciplines.

Goal V. Organizational Communication
The Music and Humanities Department faculty, chaired by Dr. Jessica Howard, put on their annual Halloween Show at McAllister Auditorium, with the theme “Nightmare on San Pedro Street.” The faculty dressed in costume to perform a variety of classical and popular selections, and audience members were encouraged to attend in costume to contribute to the Halloween spirit. Proceeds from ticket sales go toward music scholarships, and children are eligible to win a huge pumpkin piñata full of candy.

On Saturday, Oct. 27, San Antonio College hosted Project Reconnect, a free Community Education Fair and Flu/Pneumonia Immunization Clinic at the Candler Physical Education Center and the Seguir Adelante Community Center. San Antonio College, Palo Alto College, the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District (who provided vaccines), and Texas State Senator Leticia Van de Putte, R. Ph. were sponsors. The event included SAC’s Gateway to College staff providing information about this program to help young adults reconnect with school and earn a high school diploma while earning a college degree. In addition, the Seguir Adelante Community Center was open for tours, access to a free computerized scholarship search, and information about money management and home-buyer programs, available in Spanish. Student support professionals from SAC, PAC and the other Alamo Community Colleges were available to discuss college enrollment, financial aid opportunities, and educational programs. Local schools provided free entertainment, including live music, drill team dancing, and sports team mascots, and SAC student groups sold food to raise funds for scholarships. The event was reported on KENS-TV and WOAI-TV.

Steve Browne on KSAT-TV, and other local weather reporters, picked up Scobee Planetarium Educational Specialist Bob Kelley’s news that the Space Station could be seen crossing the sky then followed by the Space Shuttle eight minutes later on the evening of Oct. 23, then crossing closer together the evening of Oct. 24.

The Onstage Drama Club turned the Loftin Student Center into a haunted insane asylum on Oct. 26-28, as a fund-raiser to help fund the Drama Club’s learning tour of London, including the Globe Theatre, during Spring Break.

The SAC Women’s Center hosted two sessions of a free Personal Safety Seminar, given by the Rape Crisis Center on Oct. 24 for faculty, students and staff. The seminar covered campus safety tips, risk reduction and primary preventions, what is sexual assault, myths and misconceptions, and how to talk to survivors.