Sharon Blackman, Ed.D.
Wow! We’re half way through Summer I; can you believe it? Thanks to all of you who helped to make this one of our most successful summer enrollments in the last five years. As of certification day, we have 5,140 students enrolled this summer (this includes May Term numbers); a 6.33 percent increase over last year. The district enrollment is up almost 5 percent overall. Although it’s hard to pinpoint just one item that has contributed to this strong summer enrollment, many things have contributed to this success. Thanks to Bob Burchfield and the staff of the Financial Aid Office who contacted students that had remaining Pell dollars and informed them they could enroll in Summer I courses. Thanks to all of the advisors and others in the student services area that helped students take needed courses to fulfill program requirements. Thanks to the faculty and deans for reviewing course schedules and making needed changes in a timely manner. All of these efforts and others have led to this summer’s increased enrollment.
This is the time of year that we are assessing our work over the last year and looking toward the beginning of the new year. As the Extended Cabinet recently discussed goals for the upcoming year in preparation for the report to the DCCCD Board of Trustees, it is evident that college members truly are focused on how we can improve our efforts to help our students succeed. We recognize the importance of helping more of our first-time-in-college students become successful so that they can move toward fulfilling their desire to transfer or acquire a degree or certificate. We are serious about students’ success with their academic performance and being clear about assessing expected student outcomes. It is imperative that we enhance the visibility of our college so our community is aware of this great educational resource that is available to them. We are constantly working to enhance the quality of our work environment as this leads to student success.
As with any organization, there will always be some change. This is true for Brookhaven College. Congratulations to Dr. Mary Brumbach, who will be on loan to the District Foundation Office for at least a year where she will use her talents to help our district implement the capital campaign, beginning with our Allied Health and Nursing Center of Excellence. She will continue to spend some time with Brookhaven initiatives during this period. Mary is expected to begin her work with the Foundation Office toward the end of July.
Welcome to Dr. Richard McCrary, interim vice president of learning and student success, who will join us June 25. Although he has been with the district in a number of capacities at the district office and sister colleges, we are looking forward to him sharing his expertise with our college’s instructional area.
Farewell to Dr. Derek Mpinga! We wish you well in your new position.
Congratulations to DCCCD Leadership graduates Darren Ealy, Adrien Cuellar-McGuire and Donna Taylor.
Registration for Fall 2007 began June 12; however we continue to register for Summer II. Please remind students that there is still time for them to get another course under their belt before the new academic year begins.
May you continue to have a great summer!
