Goal I. Access to Higher Education
The SPC Aircraft Technology Program participated in the Randolph Air Force Base Air Show recruitment activity on November 3 and November 4 at Randolph AFB. Over 1,500 St. Philip’s College brochures and Aerospace Academy information packets were distributed to visitors at the air show.

During October and early November, over 600 students from Taft, Jay and Holmes and Clark High schools applied to NVC as part of College Connections. These programs began with staff visits to each of the high schools to talk about potential majors and educational goals for the students.

Goal II. Student Support
The NLC Department of Social & Behavioral Sciences sponsored a presentation by the Tuskegee Airmen Association on November 7th. The event offered an opportunity to meet several local area Tuskegee Airmen while learning more on the legacy of the original trailblazers of WWII and the activities of the current national organization toward continuing their tradition of excellence and achievement.

The Office of International Programs hosted the Eighth Annual International Week Opening Ceremony at the Killen Center. Dr. George McLemore, retired UTPA professor of communication, Fulbright scholar, and Peace Corps volunteer, was our invited guest and keynote speaker. Cooperative States for Scholarship (CASS) teachers, and their coordinator, Julia Jarrell, also addressed the group. Dr. Federico Zaragoza gave the closing remarks.

Earl Ballou, Instructor of Protective Services, has arranged a service learning project for PAC’s forensic science students. Students will perform 60 hours of service under the supervision of the San Antonio Police Department’s crime scene investigation unit, working with homicide detectives and patrol units. SAPD is also allowing forensic science students to use their “village” to work on crime scene investigation projects.

Goal III. Workforce Development
SPC, along with NVC, SAC, and NLC, is participating in a collaborative effort with UT Health Science Center and the Alamo Community Colleges to develop programs, career pathways and articulation agreements for the benefit of students seeking broader and more accessible opportunities to work in and support the healthcare needs of the area.

NVC initiated a series of financial literacy workshops for the community this month on topics that range from college financial aid to buying a home. This project is a collaboration of NVC, the City of San Antonio, SA CPA Society and Zachry Construction. NVC faculty will conduct the training for those workshops that will take place at the College. Additional classes will be held at various sites around the city.

Goal IV. Capacity To Serve
On the occasion of National Distance Education Week, City Councilwoman Mary Alice Cisneros presented President Robert Zeigler with a city proclamation honoring San Antonio College for its innovative SAC Online Program, which is directed by Helen Torres. The proclamation references SAC as the first college in the city to offer an Internet course in 1996, a government course developed by James Perkins and Dr. Michael Berrier. Dr. Zeigler’s vision of expanding Internet instruction has since led to the college’s ranking by U.S. News & World Report in 2006 as the 6th largest online program in the United States. Today, SAC Online generates more than 21,000 student enrollments annually, including 500 out of state each semester and 100 out of the country (China, Korea, Turkey, United Kingdom, India, among others) every semester.

A Math Review for Basic Mathematics website of the SAC Student Learning Assistance Center’s (SLAC), coordinated by Dave Elder, located at http://www.accd.edu/ sac/acad%5Fdev/slac/services /tutorials /math/math0300.htm, was reviewed as a “Best” site by Education World™, The Educator’s Best Friend. The review at http://www.educationworld.com awards/2007 r0307-09.shtml, praised the site’s simple design and the online tutorial content.

Goal V. Organizational Communication
On Nov. 14, Dr. Eric Reno moderated the quarterly membership meeting of the Greater San Antonio Chamber’s Northeast Area Business Council, offered in conjunction with the Randolph Metrocom Chamber, on the topic of “Regionalism: How can it work in the Northeast?”. The event presented a forum to discuss issues on how the area’s sprawling municipalities and San Antonio can better take advantage of each others’ services, including the public transportation, libraries, parks & regional sports complexes, Northeast Lakeview College and the Randolph Metrocom growing economy.

Dr. Eric Reno presented to the Alamo Chapter of Credit Unions on November 15th. Reno discussed the development and construction progress of the new Northeast Lakeview College campus. Additionally, attendees were given information on the Lower Valley Schoolhouse historic building that will be housed on the new campus, including ways to donate individual time, talent, and dollars. Reno also discussed the Big Read for an Enlightened Community program that the College will launch in March in conjunction with the national Big Read program.

SAC alumnus Fernando Reyes, who was a guest speaker at St. Philip’s College, was featured on KENS-TV news as “a local success story, who grew up in San Antonio, went to San Antonio College, and made a name for himself in industry.”

Mr. Zárate and Dr. Leslie hosted a group of about 15 trustees representing approximately 6 community colleges around the state in a first gathering of its kind. The purpose of the meeting was to establish a state trustee organization to improve the legislative agenda and develop strategies to better communicate community college positions on relevant issues. This effort is modeled after a similar, highly successful initiative in Pennsylvania.

We have an increasing number of events and activities district-wide and are taking the opportunity to showcase such events on Time Warner Cable channel 98 and Grande cable channel 21. This section of the Chancellor’s Weekly Report provides a schedule of the programming for our regularly scheduled times of 12 – 2 pm on Saturday and 9 – 11 am on Sunday. Programming varies due to the timing of Board and committee meetings, groundbreaking ceremonies, etc. The programming for the coming weekend is as follows:

Saturday, 11/24, 12:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Citizens' Bond Oversight Committee Meeting

Sunday, 11/25, 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.
ACCD Board of Trustees Legal Affairs Committee Meeting