Dr. Sharon L. Blackman
Next week we have our annual day of giving thanks as we celebrate Thanksgiving. It is the beginning of our holiday period where we take the time to enjoy the company of our love ones. Most of all, it is a special time to show our appreciation for the ones we love. This is the time of giving, something we do every day. We are blessed to have employment where we make a difference in the lives of others. We do our work with pride and always strive to do the best we can as we help others to realize their dreams to build a future.
We are a giving college and this was demonstrated once again through your contributions to the SECC campaign. We well exceeded not only our giving goal with $54,451 donated, but also the goal for the number of employees who participated—312 employees— this year. “Many thanks” to all of you for your participation. Your contribution will help many organizations that serve those who are less fortunate, and a significant contribution of $14,485, was made to our own DCCCD Foundation, where funds help students attending our colleges. A special “Thank You” goes to the members of the SECC committee, your help is greatly appreciated.
As we continue our work of providing an education to members of our community, we have taken time to reflect upon our internal community. Yesterday the results of the 50 Best Companies in Texas insight survey was shared with you and I encourage you to take some time to review the results. As with any survey, it provides information on our strengths and areas for improvement. Since there is significant data provided from the survey, I have scheduled two overview sessions to review the results. These sessions will be on Nov. 16, 1:30-2:30 p.m. and Nov. 20, 2:30-3:30 p.m. In the weeks to come, we will identify priority areas to address as a college.
The spring 2008 registration period begins Nov. 20. Thanks to the Marketing and Public Information Office for the early delivery of our spring credit schedules. We are asking all employees to encourage students to continue moving forward with their education plans by enrolling for the spring semester now. Next week the college will focus on assisting our students with their educational goals with “Take Care of Business Days.” This is the time for students to make adjustments to their contact information, visit the Scholarships/Financial Aid Office and see an advisor. Checklists will be available to help students beginning Monday in the Student Services Center. As a reminder, the spring semester is the beginning of the base year for funding from the state. Maintaining and/or increasing our contact hours during this period helps us to receive needed funding for the operation of the college.
Beginning in the spring 2008 semester, we are initiating new requirements for First-Time-In-College, FTIC, students. Based on information from our FAST pilot program and review of other student success research, we are taking another step with student success. All first-time-in-college students who place into two or more developmental studies disciplines will be required to take either Human Development 1300 or 1310, or a developmental reading course. These courses are designed to help students develop learning success strategies. We know that the earlier students acquire these skills, the more prepared they are to be successful in their courses. For more information about the guidelines on this requirement, please see page 6 in the Spring 2008 Credit Course Schedule.
Speaking of success knowledge and skills, the Core 2009 Curriculum Committee will host the fifth in a series of forums on Nov. 15 from 2-3:30 p.m. in the EMGI. The committee is charged to examine the existing Core Curriculum and consider what students in 2009 will need to know and be able do when they complete the Core. Your input is needed to help formulate the important criteria for our students.
Also, beginning in the spring, Brookhaven will offer a Weekend College. Students will be able to complete the Core Curriculum and some of the requirements for the AAS degree program by attending only on the weekend. This program has been in development for more than year. This is just another option for students who may have more time to pursue an education on the weekend as opposed to cramming courses into their already busy schedules during the week.
It seems that one of the most popular ways to gain input from our college community is through the use of surveys. I am encouraging you to take time to complete two additional surveys. First, the Brookhaven College Strategic Planning Committee is seeking your input to help develop the college’s strategic plan. We are asking all employees to share their thoughts and ideas through this online survey . The survey will be available through Nov. 23.
Second, as one of the Round 1 colleges participating with Achieving the Dream: Community Colleges Count, a national effort to improve student success, we are in the second phase of the evaluation process that began with a site visit last year. The evaluation is being conducted by the Community College Research Center at Teachers College, Columbia University; HumRRO is the organization that has been hired to administer the survey. Employees received an e-mail during the last month asking you to complete a survey based on your perceptions and knowledge of the Achieving the Dream initiative at Brookhaven College. Each person received a unique password that was in the body of the e-mail. If you have difficulties with your login for this survey, please e-mail ATDSurvey@humrro.org. It is expected that the survey will take no more than twenty minutes. The evaluation results will be used to assess this national effort, as well as provide Brookhaven with information about its initiative.
Congratulations to Christi Carter for being selected as one of the Top 25 Radiologic Technologists in North Texas. Congrats also to the Math SI Perkins team for having a successful site evaluation visit last week. The external grant evaluator, Dr. Maureen Hurley, from the University of Missouri, Kansas City, was very pleased with the current successes in the supplemental instruction pilot.
In this season of giving, remember to stop by the Student Services Center to select a gift tag from the Angel Tree sponsored by the Brookhaven Student Government Association. This year’s donation will benefit the Genesis Women’s Shelter. In addition to the Angel Tree, there will be a coat and jacket drive. Please make your donation by Dec. 6.
Last but not least, we want to congratulate our Lady Bears Volleyball team for winning their fourth Metro Athletic Conference championship. The team left Wednesday to participate in the national championship finals. You may be able to keep up with the scores on www.nccja.org, beginning Nov. 16. Let us all keep positive thoughts in our minds for the Lady Bears to do well and bring home another championship.
I thank you for allowing me to share with you today and always. May you have a wonderful Thanksgiving break!
