Computer Literacy Workshops

The Title V Program at Phoenix College is offering Computer Literacy Workshops
to All
Phoenix College Students.

Workshops are offered on a First come, First serve basis.

The Level One: Essentials Workshop will begin next week. Each session will run for 60 minutes. The Workshop will include:

Hardware Basics
Critical Skills for Phoenix College Students
The Computer Commons

One 4 GB Flashdrive will be given away at each session.

The Location of these workshops will be located in the Catalina Room
on the lower level of the Fannin Library.

Tuesday, September 6, 2011:

1st Session: 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

2nd Session: 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Friday, September 9, 2011:

1st Session: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

2nd Session: 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Monday, September 12, 2011:

1st Session: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

2nd Session: 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Tuesday, September 13, 2011:

1st Session: 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

2nd Session: 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Monday, September 19, 2011:

1st Session: 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

2nd Session: 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm

PC Offers 3 New Online Degree Programs

(PHOENIX, Ariz., Aug. 29) – Phoenix College has taken another step to meet the diverse educational needs of its students. Earlier this month, the college received approval from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the North Central Association (NCA) to offer three online degrees.

The online degree programs are: Associate in Arts, Associate in General Studies and Associate in Applied Science–Administration of Justice.

The college also received approval to offer additional online degrees in the future. Current plans call for offering six online degree programs by 2013.

“Phoenix College serves as the flagship college of the Maricopa Community Colleges," said Phoenix College President Dr. Anna Solley. "We are thrilled to provide more options to students and more access to courses. Students will have a greater ability to accomplish their educational goals.”

With the approval, Phoenix College joins Rio Salado College as the only two schools in the ten-college Marcicopa County Community College District to offer online degree programs.

“Most of our students who take online courses are within Maricopa County,” said Kurt Chambers, chair of PC’s eLearning Committee, which implemented a three-year plan leading to the approval of the online degrees. “They may have transportation issues or they may not be able to get the course they need at a school near them.”

Currently, about 21 percent of PC students participate in online or hybrid courses and the number is growing. Hybrid refers to a blend of online instruction and traditional classroom setting.

The approval came after a highly successful focus visit on April 4-5, 2011, from two HLCevaluators.The evaluators reviewed PC’s strategic online planning efforts, which reflected the college’s commitment to distance learning, and the work of the college’s eLearning Committee, which included establishing training requirements for PC faculty teaching online courses, following quality standards as outlined by Quality Matters, a national organization dedicated to high standards in the design of online courses, and providing online student services in advisement, registration, financial aid and tutoring.

Now the eLearning Committee will encourage the development of more online courses that lead to degrees. “We’ll be looking at specific degrees,” Chambers said. “Some degrees may already provide 60 to 70 percent of their courses online so we just need to work on the other 30 percent.”

Although retention matches national averages, Phoenix College also will seek to improve retention and completion rates for online students.

“Students shop for courses both at PC and within the District,” Chambers said. “That’s one of the beauties of the Maricopa system. This supports other schools as well.”

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PC NAACP/BSU Hosts Step Show and Stroll Exhibition this Saturday

The Phoenix College NAACP/BSU will host The National Pan Hellenic Council - Phoenix Metropolitan Area Chapter (NPHC PMA) 1st Annual Divine Nine "Rewind" Step Show & Stroll Exhibition on Saturday, August 27, 2011.

The doors will open at 2 p.m. and the show will start at 3 p.m. The event will be held in the Phoenix College Bulpitt Auditorium, 1202 W. Thomas Road, Phoenix, AZ.

The event will involve graduate performers and will include a special presentation on the history of stepping as an art form, which began based on African traditions.

Tickets to the event cost $10 per person in advance. Individuals can go to http://nphcpma2011stepstrollshow.eventbrite.com/ to purchase. Tickets will cost $15 per person at the door.

The event will be an exciting historical, cultural event presented by the graduate chapters of the Divine Nine - the Black Greek fraternities and sororities: Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.; Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.; Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.; Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.; Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.; Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.; Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.; Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. and Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc.

For more information, go to http://www.nphcpma.org/

PC Professor Honored as Health Care Hero

(PHOENIX, Ariz., Aug. 19) – Phoenix College residential faculty member Julie Stiak, who created and innovated a unique Medical Laboratory Science program in partnership with Arizona State University to address the shortage of medical laboratory scientists, was named a Health Care Hero by the Phoenix Business Journal Thursday.

Stiak was recognized for her role in creating a pilot program that addresses the shortage by increasing the pipeline of MLS graduates with a four-year degree.

“This really puts Phoenix College in a different light,” said Stiak. “I had people approach me at the Health Care Heroes event and say how remarkable it is that PC and ASU could collaborate so collegially. The partnership program is having a great impact in the community."

The award “validates what our PC program has been doing in partnership with ASU to address the shortage of medical laboratory scientists,” she added.

The 16-month program provides opportunities for students to earn a Bachelor’s of Applied Science by taking the majority, if not all, of their courses at Phoenix College. Called the 90-30 program, students earn 90 credits from Phoenix College and 30 credits from Arizona State University. So not only can students save money by paying PC’s lower tuition for 90 credits, they can take university-level courses on the PC campus because ASU provides associate professors to teach those courses at PC.

The partnership program provides a seamless, convenient, and cost-effective transfer program for students and the hybrid program design optimizes student retention and success.

"Julie is always thinking about 10 steps ahead, and her tireless work and dedication are ever-present," said Jeff Wolz, director of ASU's Medical Laboratory Science program, who has worked closely with Stiak to develop the program. "She is a valuable asset to our health-care community."

Stiak was recognized in the nonphysician category. She was chosen among four finalists in that category for the award bestowed during a breakfast awards program at the Arizona Biltmore.

The nonphysician award was presented by Jon Bartlett, president of Abrazo Health Care.The 10th annual Health Care Heroes event celebrates and honors “unsung heroes” from the Valley’s medical community.

Way to go Julie!

Auditions for Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None

Phoenix College Fine and Performing Arts Department/Theatre & Film announces

Auditions!

Agatha Christie’s mystery/comedy
And Then There Were None

8 men and 3 women
(all ages)

Auditions will take place in PC’s John Paul Theatre on:
August 30 and 31, 2011
4:00 – 6:30 p.m.

About the play:
Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None
In this suspenseful mystery/comedy, statuettes of little soldier boys on the mantel of a house on an island off the coast of Devon fall to the floor and break one by one as those in the house succumb to a diabolical avenger. A nursery rhyme tells how each of the ten “soldiers” met his death until there were none. Eight guests who have never met each other or their apparently absent host and hostess are lured to the island and, along with the two house servants, marooned. A mysterious voice accuses each of having gotten away with murder and then one drops dead --- poisoned. One down and nine to go!

Characters:
Rogers: a competent middle-aged manservant
Mrs. Rogers, a thin, worried, frightened-looking cook
Fred Narracott, the local delivery man
Vera Claythorne, a good-looking secretary in her 20s
Philip Lombard, an attractive adventurer in his 30s
Anthony Marston, rich, spoiled, not very bright 20s
William Blore, middle-aged, his eyes dart about
General MacKenzie, soldierly old man, kind face
Emily Brent, a disagreeable and suspicious spinster
Sir Lawrence Wargrave, a hanging judge
Dr. Armstrong, a fussy good-looking man in his 40s

For more information:
Contact Gerry Burgess at gerald.burgess@pcmail.maricopa.edu

Fall Semester Offerings for Students, Faculty

(PHOENIX, Ariz., Aug. 11) – The 2011 Fall semester is just around the corner and class registration is going on now. With more than 200 programs of study delivered in diverse instructional styles, Phoenix College encourages you to choose us as the place to pursue your higher education goals.

Classes begin on Saturday, August 20, 2011.

On that day, Phoenix College will host the Fall 2011 New Student Orientation from 8:00 a.m.-noon. Students and their families will be able to browse tables for campus information from 8 a.m.-9 a.m. in Sophomore Square, followed by workshops filled with information on PC’s programs and services and strategies for success.

For evening students, New Student Orientation will be Wednesday, Aug. 17 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Dalby Building Room 224.

New class offerings this Fall include two Real Estate Appraisal courses (REA270 and 271), which run concurrently in eight-week sessions, an introductory engineering class designed to give students a taste of what being an engineer entails (ECE102), and an online class on home-based businesses (SB213), which is part of a new online Small Business Start-Up certificate program now being offered.

A new feature available to students this semester is an Online Chat Line where they can get information on Admissions and Records, Advisement, Financial Aid, and General Information. They can chat online or send an e-mail to request information.

“We want to make it as easy as possible for our students – both traditional and non-traditional – to access our services and get the classes and education they deserve,” said Yira Brimage, Vice President of Student Affairs.

Phoenix College offers a wide variety of courses and programs in business, teacher education, nursing, sustainability, biology, criminal justice, emergency medical training and more.

Students can accumulate credits for transfer to a four-year university or they can enhance their professional skills and apply it to their current job. Others may choose to take classes for fun and leisure.

Classes are available in the day, evening, weekends, and online. Some courses are taught in a hybrid style, which is a combination of online learning and traditional classroom instruction. For those who work or have other commitments, this provides some flexibility to manage their time effectively.

To search for a class, go to http://www.phoenixcollege.edu/schedule or browse through the online Summer/Fall eZine. To register for a course,go to My.maricopa.edu or stop by the campus Admissions office.

Phoenix College offers two campus locations: the main campus at 1202 W. Thomas Road and PC Downtown at 640 N. First Avenue.

About Phoenix College: PC has served the higher education needs of the community since 1920. As the flagship college of the Maricopa Community Colleges—the largest community college system in America—Phoenix College offers programs for university transfer, career training, and personal development. The 50-acre campus includes state-of-the-art instructional classrooms, a modern library and computer lab, the Eric Fischl Art Gallery, a performing arts theater, a culinary café, a massage and fitness center, and premium athletic fields. Phoenix College students speak more than 50 languages and represent more than 100 countries, reflecting the diverse, multicultural central city that it serves.

Introduction to Engineering Class Offered this Fall

Are you interested in learning more about engineering as a career? Do you want to see the world through the eyes of an engineer? Take this introductory class offered at Phoenix College and learn what it takes to be an engineering professional.

Engineering Analysis Tools and Techniques (ECE102) will be offered on Mondays and Wednesdays this fall from 5-6:30 p.m. Taught by Farah Mohammadesmaeili, Ph.D., the class will give students the core knowledge needed to be an engineer regardless of the engineering specialty chosen.

According to the federal Bureau of Labor, there are 17 engineering specialties, ranging from aerospace to mining to nuclear engineers. They all apply the principles of science and mathematics to develop solutions to technical problems. Their work is the link between scientific discoveries and the commercial applications that meet societal and consumer needs.

Students also will test their communications skills by working as part of a team and presenting their work in class. Don’t delay. Class is limited to 20 students.

Register at http://my.maricopa.edu/

Login or create an account to apply for admission, register for classes, check your Message Center (financial aid, refunds, etc.), check your financial aid, pay your tuition, get your grades, update personal information, request transcripts.

ECE102
Learning culture of engineering, engineering use of computer tools, and computer modeling as applied to engineering analysis and design. Prerequisites: Two years of high school algebra or MAT122 or permission of Department or Division. Corequisites: MAT151 or MAT182 or MAT187.

Evening Student Orientation Set for Aug. 17; Other Session Cancelled

Evening students will have one opportunity to attend a New Student Orientation Session on Wednesday, Aug. 17.

Originally two sessions had been scheduled but the Aug. 16 session was cancelled due to low turnout.

So get your Fall semester off on the right path by attending the Wednesday orientation session for evening students.

It runs from 5:30-7:30 p.m. in Dalby Building, Room 224.

To attend register online at My.maricopa.edu for NSO-Class No. 44131 in DB 224.

Workshops will cover:

*Your educational plan and community college strategies
*Student Success Services
*Financial Aid
*Student Life and Leadership
*Computer Commons

See you there!

More Details on Book Advance Program

Maricopa Community Colleges has created a digital page providing more information on the Book Advance program.

The program, which replaces the Book Voucher program, provides cash advances to students who are receiving a financial aid package, including scholarships, for the Fall semester.

Students can use the cash advances to purchase books whereever they choose. For more information, go to: http://my.maricopa.edu/book-advances/.

For other questions, contact Phoenix College's Cashier's Office or Financial Aid.

Mark Koan Named New IT Dean

Contact:

Jonathan Higuera

Media Relations

(602) 285-7849

jonathan.higuera@pcmail.maricopa.edu

Former ASU West IT Director Named Phoenix College Dean of IT

(PHOENIX, Ariz., Aug. 12) -- Returning to the institution where he earned his first college degree, Dr. Mark Koan has been named the Dean of Information Technology at Phoenix College.
In his new role, Dr. Koan will be responsible for leading PC’s strategic technology initiatives as well as IT operations and customer service for the college.”

“We are excited to have Dr. Koan return to the institution where he earned his first college degree in this critical role,” said Phoenix College President Dr. Anna Solley, referring to Dr. Koan’s tenure as a PC student. “Dean Koan’s background and expertise are already leading PC into a new era of digital services to our students, staff and faculty.”

Dr. Koan will oversee an IT staff of about 17. His top goals are to support faculty, staff and students with digital services that make it easier to teach, learn and access college services.

“The overall goal is to use technology to help drive improvements in recruitment, retention and student success,” he said. “PC is on a great trajectory. It has excellent goals and a solid strategy. The technology needs to support those goals.”

An Arizona native, Dr. Koan graduated from Phoenix College in 1990 with an Associate’s degree. He went on to receive a bachelor’s degree from Northern Arizona University and a master’s and doctorate degrees from Arizona State University.

“I have fond memories of my time here and it’s great to be back,” he said.
Dr. Koan previously was the IT Director for Arizona State University’s West campus. As part of the University Technology Office, he led teams that handled customer support, security, identity management and training across multiple campuses.

He plans to provide a higher level of digital services to PC stakeholders.

“With regard to the tech infrastructure, there is an opportunity to position PC as being a leader in digital services to students.”

One strategy he and his team are already working on is to virtualize applications, he says. Virtualization means students, faculty and staff can access their applications remotely via a network so students so they can get their work done from any location. They could access it from their laptop or tablet from home or whereever they happen to be.

For example, rather than having Adobe Photoshop installed on their computer to be able to use it, they will be able to access it on whatever device they are working on via a network.

“That’s part of PC’s larger strategy of moving to Cloud Computing,” he said. “It’s about access to applications, files and data on the web.”

Students returning this fall will quickly notice PC’s improved wireless network. In the spring, IT will roll out its Q-less queuing system, which will allow them to be notified digitally rather than physically waiting in line for a particular service such as financial aid or admissions.

“We’ll drive efficiencies into those processes,” he said.

Dr. Koan also taught as an adjunct faculty member at ASU and at the high school level. At ASU he taught upper division philosophy courses and he also taught English-as-a-Second Language while overseas in Asia.

“I understand what it’s like to be faculty and be in a classroom with students,” he said. “I know what it feels like when technology fails while you are trying to teach a student or class. We’ll work hard to prevent that from happening and we’ll fix it fast when it does.”

A graduate of Glendale High School here in the Valley, he’s excited about how students benefit from education because of the professional journey it led to for him.

“Students have a chance to grow from the power of education,” he says. “It has made a big difference in my life.”

His wife Kris is a PC alum who got her nursing degree here. She currently is a nurse at Phoenix Children’s Hospital.

Dr. Koan has given numerous presentations to higher education and IT groups on technology trends.

“It’s important for me and for any IT organization in higher ed to stay in tune with the mission of the college or university,” he says. “Technology can be a differentiator in the success of the mission.

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NAU is military friendly

NAU making higher education more accessible for military personnel, veterans

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (June 29, 2011) — Northern Arizona University will be the first public university in the state to offer Department of Defense tuition assistance for active duty military and National Guard personnel beginning this fall.

“Making education more accessible to veterans is the right thing to do,” said retired Lt. Col. Andrew Griffin, director of NAU’s Office of Military and Veteran Affairs. “Service members are in harm’s way on a daily basis serving in Afghanistan, Iraq and around the world. They have earned our support in working toward earning a degree.”

NAU’s goal is to be one of the most military and veteran friendly universities in the Southwest, Griffin said.

The Department of Defense offers $250 per credit hour in tuition assistance for qualified active duty military members, the National Guard and reserve forces personnel. Students can save up to $1,000 per class.

The Post 9/11 GI bill provides NAU in-state tuition for all veterans. Eligibility is based on active duty service.

As passed by the Arizona Legislature and adopted by the Arizona Board of Regents, the university also will offer in-state resident tuition rates to all honorably discharged military veterans beginning this fall.

Griffin, an NAU alumnus, said many veterans never use their 9/11 GI Bill benefits “because of the arduous transition from combat to higher education.”

Last year, NAU opened an Office of Military and Veteran Affairs dedicated to guiding the admission, transition, retention, graduation and career services for active duty military members, the National Guard, reserve forces, veterans and their families.

The office operates a one-stop military and veteran center on the Flagstaff campus and is staffed by student veterans. The center, which also may be accessed online, provides assistance or referrals to service departments for students enrolled at any of the university’s extended campuses across the state. NAU also offers a college transition course for veterans.

“Our goal is to help our service men and women easily transition into their higher education career and succeed at NAU,” Griffin said.

For information, visit nau.edu/VeteranAffairs or call 928-523-VETS.

New Options for Purchasing Books Fall 2011

Introducing New Options for Purchasing Books and Supplies 

The Book Advance Program, a fast and convenient way to pay. 

Starting this fall, the Maricopa Community Colleges are giving students eligible for financial aid, including scholarships, new choices regarding the purchase of books and supplies.

A new process, which will replace the current book voucher program, will provide cash advances of financial aid awards to eligible financial aid recipients. Now students will be able to purchase books and supplies with their advances at the on-campus bookstore, at neighborhood bookstores, or online.

Our new financial aid distribution system will be up and running in time for the fall 2011 semester.  The Maricopa Community Colleges will provide eligible students - those who qualify based on their individual circumstances - with up to a $600 advance.

The same method used to distribute financial aid balances, the
Maricopa Student Refund Program (MSRP), will be used to distribute these advances. 

Students will select their preferred method of payment at Citi Financial Services:

    * a prepaid debit card
    * direct deposit to a bank account of the student's choice
    * a check

Once the student selects their preferred method and the funds are disbursed, students will be free to purchase books and supplies wherever they choose.

Please watch for future emails that will provide more details on this exciting new process.

What is it? 

Your book advance will be automatically deposited directly into your existing bank account, loaded to a personalized Visa prepaid debit card issued by Citi, or a check will be mailed to the address you have on file with Citi. No bank account or credit check is required to obtain the stored value Visa debit card through Citi.

How do I use the card?

If you select the stored value Visa debit card, it will allow you immediate and flexible access to your funds, including millions of Visa locations worldwide, ATM's, and cash withdrawals at banks.

What are the benefits of the card?

    * Immediate funds access
    * Purchasing power
    * Greater convenience
    * More secure than cash
    * Better control over funds
    * Enhanced communications
    * 24/7 customer service
    * No need for a bank account

You will also have access to secure online account management tools at www.prepaid.citi.com/mcc.

For more information on MSRP, go to www.my.maricopa.edu/refund.

If you are a student eligible for a book advance, look for notices in your Maricopa email account and message center (my.maricopa.edu) with more information

New Student Orientation

Get your college career off to a good start. Attend the New Student Orientation on Saturday, Aug. 20, at the Phoenix College campus.
Students and their families are encouraged to attend and learn about PC programs, services and student life. No charge but you must register for NSO Class #39765 at My.Maricopa.edu.
Workshops will include information on scholarships, career decisions, strategies to succeed, transfer, and more.

When:Saturday, August 20, 2011, 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Where:Phoenix College campus
Who: New students and their families. Continuing students who have not attended a NSO also are encouraged to attend.

For more information: Contact the Office of Recruitment and Retention at 5-7415.
To volunteer: Contact Jennifer Nez at 5-7415.

Fall Sports Beginning Now

PC student-athletes interested in participating in any fall sports (football, volleyball, men's soccer or women's soccer) should contact the coaches immediately. The contact information is below and on the Phoenix College website under Athletics.

With practices starting Aug. 1 for fall sports, student-athletes are strongly encouraged to contact coaches today and not wait until school starts.

Coach contacts:

Land Jacobsen, head football coach, (602) 285-7707, land.jacobsen@pcmail.maricopa.edu

Amanda Liebermann, head volleyball coach, (602) 285-7137, amanda.burbridge@pcmail.maricopa.edu

David Cameron, head men’s soccer coach, (602) 285-7665, david.cameron@pcmail.maricopa.edu

Christopher Sagar, head women’s soccer coach, (602) 285-7176, christopher.sagar@pcmail.maricopa.edu