Cougar Bytes for Friday, December 11, 2015

Congratulations December Employee of the Month: Wilson Lester

Wilson Lester has over five years of experience working in TRiO programs, and nearly three years of experience in his current role with VUB, serving low-income, first-generation, and academically at-risk student veterans. Every day he says he is drawn to this group because he knows what they do for both our country and our community.

Listening to Wilson talk about his position as a mentor and counselor, it is apparent how he has quickly established a certain level of trust with his participants, but also he consistently does follow-ups with them because he genuinely cares about their success.

On many occasions, Wilson has stated, that before seeking out resources like mentoring, tutoring, VA, or financial aid, participants will just remove themselves from college first. Lucky for us, we have a staff member like Wilson to help our student veterans return to college and earn a college degree through Central Carolina Community College. Wilson is not opposed to meeting future participants of our program where they are. This is because many of our program participants are low-income and do not possess the resources to come to the college and find out what we and the college has to offer. Nights, weekends or holidays, it does not matter, Wilson gives it his all. He can often be found attending veteran-focused events after business hours and on weekends in any of our target counties, including Chatham, Harnett, Johnston, Lee, and Wake, to promote the program and the college. Recently TRiO, more specifically Veterans Upward Bound (VUB), saw a transitional shift in their staff. During a time when the program was short-staffed, Wilson stepped up to meet the program's recruitment goals by recruiting approximately 25 new participants over the summer.

Wilson is highly recognized, not only by our student participants, but by the Sanford community veterans' organizations and our state leaders. This is a perfect time to celebrate Wilson as CCCC Employee of the Month!

Wilson Lester
Outreach Coordinator

Q.   How long have you worked for CCCC?

A.   Two years and eight months.

Q.   What brought you to CCCC?

A.   A passion for students and a great opportunity to serve a population that has sacrificed the most for all of us in Veterans Upward Bound.

Q.   Describe what you do for the College.

A.   My mission is the same as our school's mission and that is to serve as a catalyst for our veterans living in the communities we operate within in achieving their academic goals and a post-secondary education.

Q.   Where were you born?

A.   Clearwater, Florida

Q.   Where did you grow up?

A.   Up and down the East Coast and Midwest

Q.   Educational credentials?

A.   Bachelor of Business Administration, Greensboro College, and pursuing Master of Science in Management, Strategy and Leadership at Michigan State University.

Q.   Where do you live now?

A.   Greensboro, NC

Q.   Tell us about your family!

A.   My mother is an educator, and my father is senior executive for a Fortune 500 company. My wife is an human resources professional in the Triangle area, and we have two beautiful daughters Naomi (6), and Noelle (2).

Q.   What are some of your hobbies or other interest outside of CCCC?

A.   I love serving my community and enjoy doing so with my brothers of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., I also enjoy reading up on leadership and entrepreneurism and listening to NPR.

Q.   Anything else you'd like to share with the CCCC family?

A.   The work I am doing is by far the most rewarding work of my career, and I am thankful to be able to do it in this community and with an awesome partner in Central Carolina Community College.

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Professional Development Day - Fast Approaching!

by Daisha Gaines, Associate Director of Human Resources

Professional Development Day is on Wednesday, December 16, starting at 8:30 a.m. in the Civic Center.

To reap the benefits of this annual event, be sure to register today. Don't delay!

For more information on locations and sessions, please visit our website http://www.cccc.edu/collegeservices/
humanresources/professional-development-day.

We hope to see you at the Professional Development Day! Save-the-date for Wednesday, December 16!

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QEP Topic Reveal!

by Amy Gustavson, Assistant Director of Institutional Effectiveness & Research

Just a quick reminder that the QEP topic will be revealed on Professional Development day this Wednesday, Dec. 16! Here is a bit of a teaser video...

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Nominate an Employee of the Month for 2016!

by Daisha Gaines, Director of Organizational Development, Human Resources

Please join in as we continue recognizing our full-time faculty and staff in 2016 for their exceptional contributions and customer service. The purpose of this award is to:

• Promote positive employee-to-employee and employee-to-student interactions on campus in order to further a learning first culture
• Increase employee engagement through recognizing positive employee behaviors

The Employee Recognition Committee is currently accepting nominations. All nominations are due by the first Monday of the calendar month to be recognized the following month.

Read Employee of the Month Program Eligibility & Guidelines. To nominate a deserving colleague, please click: Employee of the Month Nomination Form

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Australian Basketball Team Visit

CCCC's women's basketball team had the opportunity for an amazing experience on Dec. 8, when the Lady Cougars hosted a team from New South Wales, Australia.

"It was a great honor to have the Australia team visit Central Carolina Community College and compete against our Lady Cougars," said Heather M. Willett, CCCC Dean of Student Support Services. "They exhibited great basketball ability and team spirit.

"I think that the most rewarding part of this experience for both teams was making a direct connection with people from different backgrounds," said Willett.

The New South Wales team, which won the game, is comprised of high school athletes who will play 11 games in 20 days while in the United States.

"They're loving it," New South Wales Coach Robbie McKinlay said of his team's visit to the United States. "They love the hospitality they've received down here in the South."

McKinlay is no stranger to American basketball, having played at Belmont Abbey and coached at Augusta State.

"This positive global learning experience is exactly what we aspire to provide to students as a part of our college mission," said Willett.

President Dr. T.E. Marchant (standing, fifth from left), Women's Basketball Coach Tierre Ramsey (standing, fourth from left), and Student Outreach & Recruitment Specialist Wrenn Crowe (standing, far right) are pictured with the visiting basketball team from New South Wales, Australia.

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New Student Orientation Sessions in January

by Sara A. Hoffarth, Director of College Success and Student Transitions

The College Success Center will host new student orientation sessions for incoming students in January. The New Student Orientation program hosts organized, purposeful, and positive introduction sessions for all new CCCC students and their families. These sessions help them become familiar with services and programs vital to their successful transition as full and active members of the CCCC community. Partnering collaboratively with other college offices and departments, these sessions help students gain the skills, information, and meaningful relationships important to successful long-term academic and personal outcomes. Additionally, students will have the opportunity to meet with an academic advisor to register for fall courses. Students can check out schedules for each session and register at http://www.cccc.edu/admissions/orientation.

Sessions:

• January 6, 11:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• January 7, 4:00 p.m. - 8:15 p.m.

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Greetings from the North Pole Post Office!

During the tree lighting ceremony, Business Services was transformed into the North Pole Post Office. A special mailbox was set up to receive Santa letters from starry eyed children. The elves of Business Services are busy responding to all 98 letters that were left for Santa!! If you don't receive a letter...you've been placed on Santa's naughty list and we hope you have a better year next year!

Special thank you to everyone who helped transform the campus into a magical experience. It took a small army of helpers and their assistance is truly appreciated!!

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Children of Veterans in Need Still Available for Adoption!

by Kevin Tolson

Looking for a way to help a family in need during the holidays? The NCVetsCorps Holiday Gift Assistance program has recently added seven additional children to the tree due to such an overwhelmingly positive response so far. We need your help to help make their Christmas a joyful one this year!

If you are interested, please visit the tree in the Science Building lobby to select a child, and use the nearby binder to list your name and contact information next to the child's ID number. Unwrapped gifts should be returned to Kevin Tolson, NCVetsCorps member, in Hockaday Hall Office 66 by Monday, Dec. 14. Your donation could help make a child's Christmas this year one to remember!

A sincere THANK YOU goes out to those who have already selected a child of a veteran in need for NCVetsCorps' Holiday Gift Assistance Program. Seven children have already been selected to receive donations! Let's show our support for our community's veteran families by ensuring that the remaining seven children receive gifts this Christmas!

Questions about the NCVetsCorps Holiday Gift Assistance Program can be addressed to Kevin Tolson at (919) 718-7537 or kevin@nc-vc.org.

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North Carolina Senators Visit CCCC

by Anjanette Porter, English & Humanities Instructor

The CCCC Faculty Association (CCCCFA) hosted North Carolina Senators Valerie P. Foushee and Ronald J. Rabin on Thursday, November 12, at the Denise A Wicker Civic Center. The forum was open to all faculty, administration and Board of Trustees members.

Following opening remarks by association president Kim Overcash and CCCC President Dr. Bud Marchant, the senators fielded faculty-solicited questions that ranged from funding concerns to recruiting efforts that target veterans and their families. Flexibility in budget spending at the local level was the theme of the question-and-answer session and was summed-up with Senator Rabin saying, "I don't think we, in Raleigh, should be running your business." As to veteran outreach, Senator Foushee said that "One of the things we are trying to do is make North Carolina the friendliest state in the union for veterans" and suggested the possibility of free tuition for them and their dependents. Both senators encouraged attendees to lobby be self-advocates for their community college, which Senator Foushee called, "a jewel in assisting in recruiting" for economic development.

The CCCCFA will be on-hand Wednesday, December 16, for the annual CCCC Professional Development Day. Look for them in the Civic Center lobby where faculty may register to win a personal-sized drone.

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Heart in the Heart Workshop Registration

You are invited to join the Central Carolina Community College EOPs in a one day workshop which consists of five sponsored hours of PSP credit, a continental breakfast, lunch, and door prizes. Topics: Trafficking; Fire Safety; Staples; Cybersecurity. Click on the flyer below to learn more!

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Christmas Tree Lighting and Photos with Santa

Great music, a visit by Santa Claus, and lighting of the Christmas tree all added to the festivities Dec. 3 in Lee County and Dec. 7 in Siler City as the college hosted its Annual Christmas Tree Lighting celebrations for the communities.

The Christmas Tree Lighting was planned and coordinated by the CCCC Foundation and college volunteers.

"This is a great way for the college to start the season," said CCCC President T.E. Marchant.

Those who had pictures taken with Santa can view and download them at the college's website, www.cccc.edu/santapics.

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Chatham Trades Volunteers

Recently, members of the Economic and Community Development Division's leadership team showed the holiday spirit by volunteering at Chatham Trades. A former training partner of the college, Chatham Trades is dedicated to providing vocational and developmental services for Chatham adults with developmental disabilities.

Pictured left to right: Vicky Clark, Felicia Crittenden, Dawn Tucker, Pamela Senegal, Rosalind Cross, Cathy Swindell, Ramona Leftwich, Liz Wicker (not pictured Jon Spoon).

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Request Your On Campus Publication

by Marketing

Are you looking for a distributable that showcases the many programs and opportunities offered at CCCC? On Campus is a community publication of The Sanford Herald with Central Carolina Community College. This 28-page publication spotlights CCCC curriculum courses, continuing education opportunities, foundation, sports, and other programs available through the college.

Request your copy, or bundle of copies for distribution, from Cristina Oliver at coliver@cccc.edu. Or if you would like to stop by and pick up a bundle, please do anytime at the Marketing office.

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News From The Library

by Tara Guthrie, Director of Library Services

New Fax Services for Students, Faculty & Staff

The Libraries at Lee and Harnett are pleased to offer new fax services for students, faculty, and staff. Fax services are $1.00 per page to send or receive. Please share this information with your students so that they are aware of this new library service.

New Reserves Fees

The Library also has a new overdue fee for high-demand reserve materials, which will go into effect in January 2016. This will alleviate issues with reserve items not being returned on time or at all, and it will allow more students the opportunity to check out reserve materials at the time they need them. Fees will be $1.00 per day late.

Library Professional Development Workshops Coming Soon

The Library has partnered with the Center for Teaching and Learning and with Human Resources to offer a series of professional development workshops in the spring semester 2016. Faculty were surveyed earlier this semester to determine which topics were of most interest. The top three choices selected were:

• Copyright & Fair Use in the Digital Age - Workshop coming January 21st in the CFC Smart Classroom.
• Integrating Streaming Videos into Your Courses - Available on demand through the CTL.
• Library Resources for the DE Instructor - Available on demand through the CTL.

Happy Holidays from the Library Staff

The library staff wishes everyone Happy Holidays. Enjoy our Christmas video now. Be sure to stop by and check out some books and/or DVDs to enjoy during the break.

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Professional Development Opportunities

by Daisha Gaines, Director of Organizational Development, Human Resources

Enjoy the holiday season and be prepared to take a look at the upcoming Professional Development opportunities for 2016. Which ones will you join? In the meantime, see you at Professional Development Day on Dec. 16. If you have any questions or concern, please do not hesitate to contact Daisha Gaines at dgain414@cccc.edu.

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Welcome New Employees!

Full-time employees as of December 1

• Amy Bettini, Vet Med Instructor
• John Gunter, Welding Instructor
• Mari-Inetta Pavlic, Triangle South Director
• Megan Sherman, TRiO Student Success Coach

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Congratulations!

Dear Colleagues,

I am pleased to announce that our own Virginia Mallory was recently named as a finalist for the 2016 North Carolina Community College Staff Award! Virginia is among a select group of community college staff who represent the best in the North Carolina Community College System.

Congrats, Virginia!
Brian

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Birthdays

Birthday list provided by Human Resources

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Note of Thanks

Thank You for Living United!!!

Because of your generosity, we raised $4,259 this year to make this a better community for everyone. I thank everyone that gave for being a part of CCCC's United Way campaign this year. Together, we are turning the stories around for thousands of people!

Daisha

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News From The CCCC Family

Bereavements

We regretfully share the news that Dave Malenick's mother passed away on Nov. 19. All arrangements were held in New York, where Dave's mother originally resided. Please send any condolence to Dave at 236 Sweet Violet Drive, Holly Springs, NC 27540

We regretfully announce the passing of Chuck Mann's father, Charles Lee Mann, on November 15. A memorial service was held on at the Jonesboro United Methodist Church in Sanford.

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Dates to Remember

Wednesday, December 16 Professional Development Day will be held at the Dennis Wicker Civic Center.

Thursday, December 17 Basic Law Enforcement Training graduation at 6 p.m. at the Dennis Wicker Civic Center.

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Cougar Pets News

Norma, spayed female, was born in October 2011.

Are you interested in adopting Norma or another pet? Anyone interested should visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/CougarPets for more information and pictures of all the animals that need homes.

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Things For Sale or For Free!

Mike Peluso is selling a solid wood, country style, king bedroom set. Originally almost $4,000 but asking $1,500. Will consider all reasonable offers. Details including photos can be seen at: https://detailedinfo.wordpress.com/2015/06/08/for-sale-traditional-king-bedroom-set-solid-wood/

Priced to sell! Retired CCCC Marketing writer Kathy McDonald, and her husband, Tom, are enjoying the sunshine in California and are eager to sell their North Carolina home. It is located in The Highlands at Sherwood Forest, 105 Ridge View Drive, off Highway 27 in western Harnett County. It is valued at $105,000 by Harnett County, but the McDonalds have reduced the price to $63,900 for a quick sale.

The house has about six-tenths of an acre, with a wooded area at the back of the property. The location is about 20 minutes from Fayetteville, Sanford, Southern Pines, and Lillington. The 1,500-square-foot home has two bedroom suites, one at each end of the house. The small room adjoining each bedroom can be used for an office, library, playroom, nursery, etc. The living-dining area and kitchen are in the middle of the house. The house has an attached garage, screened porch and a wood-burning fireplace in the living room. It comes with dishwasher, range, refrigerator, washer and dryer. To see it, contact Realtor Ann Milton, RE/MAX, (cell) (910) 237-1675, (office) (910) 354-2638, or email ann@annmilton.com. More pictures of the property can be seen at www.realtor.com.

Are you looking to clean out your attic or basement before the holidays? CCCC-Bay is happy to post your items, for sale or give away, here in Cougar Bytes! Send an email (with photos if you would like) to Cristina Oliver at coliver@cccc.edu and we'll feature in next month's publication.

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Contribute to Cougar Bytes

Cougar Bytes is a monthly newsletter distributed to staff and faculty. Is there a college event you would like to promote? Perhaps you have a success story you would like to share? We welcome any events, stories, photos, or shout-outs in our next issue. Please submit any contributions to marketing@cccc.edu.

Our deadline for contributions is Jan. 20 for the January issue. Thank you!

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