IN THIS ISSUE

Cougar Champions

The Employee of the Month program is now Cougar Champion of the Month!

Submit your nominations for full-time and part-time Cougar Champion of the month.

Full-Time Cougar Champion of the Month!

September Cougar Champion: Daniel Berndt

"Daniel Berndt is truly an unsung hero of the college. Daniel demonstrates job excellence and devotion through his actions. He never backs down from a challenge and is the first one to volunteer when help is needed. Daniel has facilitated several professional development sessions for the college (i.e., Financial Wellness Series, Financial Management for Small Business Owners, Tips and Tricks of the Trade) and is always eager to help his fellow coworkers when offered the chance."

"Daniel has been recognized several times for his work ethic and dedication to his job. This recognition is evident when observing the committees and additional duties he has been assigned or volunteered for over the years (i.e., Curriculum Review Committee-voting Member, Phi Theta Kappa-Lead Chapter Advisor, Phi Beta Lambda-Co-Chapter Advisor, Scholarship Committee Member, Advising Committee Member, Digital Accessibility Committee-Member). Overall, Daniel gives endless hours to improving this college and provides a superior education experience that our students will never forget."

"In researching and working on a new project for the future of our CCCC competitive entry health science programs, it was Daniel's years worth of data that was key in propelling this project. Daniel left a legacy in admissions that is still impacting the future of many students here at the college! He took it upon himself to delve deeper into his role for the sole purpose of supporting future students and faculty. His future is bright. I am grateful for this opportunity to share his success with you."

Daniel Berndt
Business Technologies Instructor

How long have you worked for CCCC?
10+ years.

What brought you to CCCC?
I had the pleasure of teaching developmental mathematics as an adjunct instructor for our Guided Studies department. I taught mostly in the evenings while remaining employed in industry during the day. It was during this time that I found my passion for learning. Soon after, I decided to pursue a career in higher education, and have focused on student success ever since.

Describe what you do for CCCC.
I teach for our Business Technologies department. My areas of instruction are primarily business administration and finance. I also serve as the Lead Chapter Advisor for CCCC’s Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.

Where were you born?
Sanford

Where did you grow up?
Sanford

Where do you live now?
Holly Springs

Educational credentials?
I hold a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and a Graduate Certificate in Finance, both earned from East Carolina University. I also hold a Bachelor of Arts in English, earned from North Carolina State University.

Tell us about your family!
My wife, Mechelle, and I just celebrated our tenth wedding anniversary earlier this month. We’ve been together for 18 years. This past May, we were blessed with our first child. Her name is Annabelle Catherine, but we call her Belle. At five months old, she loves playing in her jump jump, watching TV upside down, bath time, and reading bedtime stories. She’s an absolute joy to be around and we’re loving every second of it! We also have a cat named Ruffles who just turned 16-years-old this fall. She’s a gorgeous Maine Coon who loves to talk and demands your undivided attention or else! That leaves our dynamic dog duo - a spunky Cocker Spaniel named Paisley and a cheerful German-Shorthaired Pointer named Colt. They're a couple of knuckleheads we couldn't possibly live without.

What are some of your hobbies or other interests outside of CCCC?
When I’m not at work, I spend as much time outside as humanly possible. I run several times/week at Bass Lake and Sugg Farm, a local nature park near our home. I also enjoy working on DIY projects with my wife. We like breathing new life into old pieces of furniture and décor and love that there’s a story behind every piece in our home. In times of leisure, we’ll venture out on long walks through our neighborhood and town or visit local parks to go hiking, cycling, fishing, kayaking, and SUP boarding. During warmer months, you’ll find us enjoying the neighborhood pool, local sporting events, the farmers’ market, street fairs/festivals, live music events and local breweries.

What is your favorite meal?
Hands down, Taco Tuesday. It’s a weekly staple in our home, which reminds me..."Alexa, add Cholula to my shopping list!"

Anything else you'd like to share with the CCCC family?
It is an honor to be CCCC’s Cougar Champion for this month. To those who nominated me, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Simply acknowledging my efforts means more than you know. I also want to express my sincerest gratitude to the whole CCCC family. Many of the accomplishments mentioned in my nominations would have been impossible if not for your support.

Part-Time Cougar Champion of the Month!

September Cougar Champion: Emma Jones

"Emma is the administrative assistant for the Secondary Partnership department and when a career coach accepted a different position at the college, Emma stepped up. She has been working to help cover two high schools in Chatham County: Seaforth and Chatham Central High School."

"Without hesitation Emma has taken on over 200 students as their primary advisor, learned CCP policies and practices, and jumped head-first into maintaining office hours at both high school campuses. Emma gave out textbooks at the beginning of the semester, led orientation with students, and has truly become a critical part of our team. She takes the initiative, makes sure students are taken care of, and always has a smile on her face. We are so very thankful for her in Secondary Partnerships!"

Emma Jones

CCP Advisor

How long have you worked for CCCC?
I have worked for CCCC since January of 2020. I began as a Work Study student for Jennifer Babb and Sara Newcomb.

What brought you to CCCC?
I was a CCP student in high school at Chatham Charter High School, so after I graduated and began attending CCCC as a traditional student, I knew I wanted to work here doing something.

Describe what you do for CCCC.
Currently, I am an Administrative Assistant to the Director of Secondary Partnerships, and I am also a Career Coach working at Seaforth and Chatham Central high schools.

Educational credentials?
I earned my Associate of Science in Business Administration and my Associate of Arts University Transfer from CCCC and am in the process of getting my Bachelor Degree in Business Administration and Law from Western Carolina University.

Tell us about your family!
My mom, Gina Jones, recently began working for CCCC in the Registrar's Office as a Records Assessment Specialist and my dad is a recently retired paramedic. I have three younger siblings all of whom have gone through or are currently going through the CCP program. My younger sister attends CCCC, working on completing her associate degree that she started in high school.

What are some of your hobbies or other interest outside of CCCC?
Outside of CCCC, my main focus/hobby has been remodeling a house. I also really enjoy camping, kayaking, and most other things pertaining to the outdoors.

Anything else you'd like to share with the CCCC family?
I would just like to express my sincere gratitude to my CCCC family and those who nominated me for this. CCCC has been such a huge part of my early adult life, and I can only hope I'm here for a long time! Thank you all, and Go Cougars!

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WOW! WHAT A TEAM!

Town Hall Meeting

The next virtual Town Hall meeting will be Thursday, Oct. 27 at 3 p.m. Please submit your Town Hall Topics/Questions if you have suggestions for topics or questions to be addressed during the Town Hall. The deadline for submissions is noon on Monday, Oct. 24.

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Start Thinking Holiday Greetings!

Dust off your Santa hats and jingle bells! It's time to record your Holiday Greetings!

Holiday Greetings are videos recorded by college departments, student clubs, or any interested college group. The videos air on 4CNC from mid-November to New Year's Day. All greetings will air on Charter Cable 193 in Lee, Chatham, and Harnett, or you can view on-demand at www.4cnclive.com.

Samples from previous years:

WAYS TO RECORD

Note: The Holiday Greetings run through several holidays, including Thanksgiving, Hanakkuh, Christmas, and New Year's, so consider that when planning your greetings.

1. This year we are back in the studios! Studio days (preferred way of recording) will be Oct. 20th and 27th from 10 a.m. – 12:40 p.m. on the Lee Main Campus. Head to Wilkinson Hall and follow the signage. Keep in mind, the Video Performance class is graded on these two days so please be on time and prepared so they can do their best job!

For in-studio sessions, sign up here. Only ONE person should sign up for your group. First-come first-serve. If demand is high, we will add another day.

2. If you are unable to make it on one of the two days at Lee Main Campus, you can record your greeting by cell phone and email it.

3. If you really love your contribution from last year, let me know and we can re-use that one.

After this year, the holiday greetings will be recorded every other year so now is your chance! Please contact Kassandra Lyles at klyle784@cccc.edu to submit your videos or ask questions.

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Trunk-or-Treat

Trunk-or-Treat is just around the corner and is planned for all three main campuses. The events will take place from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on:

  • Harnett County Main Campus (Lillington): Tuesday, Oct. 25
  • Chatham County Main Campus (Pittsboro, NC): Wednesday, Oct. 26
  • Lee County Main Campus (Sanford, NC): Thursday, Oct. 27

CCCC offices, departments, clubs, organizations, and student groups are welcome to reserve a spot to hand out candy. Event set-up will begin at 2:30 p.m. until the start of the event at 4:30 p.m. Clean-up will begin promptly at 6:30 p.m. until finished. The event is open to all CCCC students, staff, faculty, and their families.

All groups must be approved and sign-ups are due Friday, Oct. 21.

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2022 Halloween Costume Contest

The annual Foundation Employee Halloween Costume Contest will be on Halloween day, Monday, Oct. 31 at 10 a.m. This year's categories are scariest, funniest, cutest, and overall best. We will have games, prizes, and treats for everyone who can make it. We hope to see you there!

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Pumpkin Decorating Contest

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La Familia Luncheon

CCCC continued to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month. On Sept. 29, faculty and staff participated in a La Familia Luncheon to enjoy food and company!

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Leading To Expand Biomanufacturing

WRAL recently published an article about the expansion of biomanufacturing. Read the full article at WRAL TechWire Online.

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Hispanic Heritage

Nationally-renowned director and dance company owner Betto Herrera of Mambo Dinamico provided an interactive presentation on the history, instruments, and movement of Afro-Latin dance from 1 to 2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 23, at the Dennis A. Wicker Civic & Conference Center in Sanford. This opportunity was sponsored by CCCC ACES (Academic and Cultural Enrichment Series) and the Arts Career Community.

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WWGP Radio Guests

Thanks to WWGP Radio and Margaret Murchison (right) for hosting CCCC President Dr. Lisa M. Chapman (left) on Sept. 26.


Another thanks to WWGP Radio and Margaret Murchison (right) for hosting James Thomas (left) on Oct. 10 to talk about the CCCC YouthBuild program. To learn more about the YouthBuild program, visit cccc.edu/youthbuild.

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SECU Bridge to Career Scholarship Recognition Event

In addition to honoring the student recipients of the 2021/2022 SECU Bridge to Career Scholarship awardees, this annual event is intended to provide an opportunity for community building between the college, scholarship recipients and local SECU representatives.

During this event, SECU leaders presented CCCC with a ceremonial big check in the amount of $18,000 for the 2022/2023 academic year.

The SECU Bridge to Career program supports NC Community College students to help them obtain state-regulated or industry recognized credentials through the Workforce Continuing Education Division. These paths lead to sustainable careers within their local communities, by helping to remove barriers for students as they work through their educational goals.

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CCCC's Academic & Cultural Enrichment Series (ACES)

CCCC's Academic & Cultural Enrichment Series (ACES) has a mission to provide our students and the service area community with impactful experiences including scholarly lectures, theater, music, dance performances, creative writing/poetry readings and workshops, and visual art installations. ACES seeks to develop well-rounded students and citizens.

Join ACES for a free live musical concert plus Q&A afterward:
Jazz, Ragtime, & Swing Pianist Ethan Uslan www.uslanmusic.com/
Tues., Oct. 25, 2022 1 - 2 p.m.
Temple Theatre, downtown Sanford

About Ethan Uslan
Hailed by the Chicago Tribune for his "vivid musical imagination" and "deep understanding of far-flung performance practices," Ethan Uslan is a ragtime/jazz pianist and raconteur. He is a three-time winner of the World Championship Old-Time Piano Playing Contest (yes - that really exists!) and has performed all over the USA, including at the Ravinia Festival, Scott Joplin Festival, and on NPR's A Prairie Home Companion. He has also performed in England, Ireland, Switzerland, Netherlands, Belgium, France, and Cyberspace, where his jazzed-up Für Elise has gone viral. He has been featured in the documentary "The Entertainers" (2012) and in 2022 he was cast as Count Lestat's piano double for the AMC series "Interview with a Vampire."

Please email me at bstumpf@cccc.edu if you'd like to reserve free seats for you and/or your students or colleagues. Then we'll move forward with the easy reservation and details needed to participate.

ACES events are wonderful fodder for classroom discussion. With the rich cultural history of jazz, ragtime, and swing, there are connections to so many academic disciplines. Even outside of the classroom context, experiencing a new genre of live music helps develop a fuller, more nuanced understanding of yourself, others, and the world.

Hope that you and/or your students/colleagues will be part of the audience for this special opportunity on Oct. 25th!

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Wear Pink Day

CCCC Wear Pink Day was held Oct. 12 in recognition of October Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

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Congratulations Cathy Swindell

Congratulations to Cathy Swindell, who has received the Sanford Area Growth Alliance Business Advocate of the Year Award. Swindell recently retired as the CCCC Industry Relations Director -- as she served the college for 25 years.

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Celebrate our Culture with Coffee & Company

As part of National Hispanic Heritage Month, "Celebrate our Culture with Coffee & Company" was held Oct. 13 for Central Carolina Community College students, staff and faculty at the Dennis A. Wicker Civic & Conference Center. The event was sponsored by the CCCC Foundation and CCCC Student Services.

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Career Center Job Fairs

Please recommend to your students, or come along yourself to the Career Center Job Fairs in November.

Personal Care Job Fair on Nov. 10 at the Harnett Main Campus

Public Safety Informational Fair on Nov. 18 at the Dennis A. Wicker Civic & Conference Center in Sanford.

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Wellnessology Virtual Conference

Wellnessology 2022 is brought to you by our Health and Fitness Science students. Over the three-day conference, faculty and staff will be featured guest speakers, including Daniel Berndt, Thadd McElreath, Susan Johnson, Seth Buchanan, Thea Boyer, Bryan Koprowski, and Regina Minter. Visit the full itinerary for the Wellnessology Virtual Conference being held Nov. 7-9.

Complete Wellnessology 2022 Program Details

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CAT Apprenticeships

Check out this article on our CAT apprenticeships. Nice job Charlie Bell! I am so proud of our service to our community. What a partnership!

Central Carolina Community College's CAT welder pipeline is 10 years in the making

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National Manufacturing Day

Scenes from CCCC's National Manufacturing Day festivities.

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National Advising Day

National Advising Day was observed at Central Carolina Community College. Learn more about National Advising Day at cccc.edu/national-advising-day. #NationalAdvisingDay

Harnett Main Campus, Sept. 27
Chatham Main Campus, Sept. 29
Lee Main Campus, Oct. 4

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Medical Sonography Volunteers

Medical Sonography is looking for OB volunteers for the following dates:

  • Oct. 26
  • Nov. 2, 9, 16

Volunteers should be between 22 and 32 weeks and must have completed their 18-week complete anatomy ultrasound by your OB provider with no complications. This participation is to benefit Sonography student training. As a courtesy, the student will try to take a few pictures, time permitting.

Please reach out to Harleigh Monaghan at hmona402@cccc.edu or (919) 718-7489 if you or someone you know would like to volunteer. Thank you for supporting CCCC students!

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Wolfspeed Inc.

Central Carolina Community College was pleased to welcome officials from Wolfspeed Inc. for a visit to our Lee Main Campus Oct. 3.

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Wellnessology: Run for a Bun

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Congratulations Volleyball Team

Congratulations to the Central Carolina Community College volleyball team, which defeated Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute on Tuesday (Oct. 4). And, congratulations to the CCCC sophomores honored at the match -- Natalia Brocious, Alexis McDougald, Halan Raynor, Anna Smith, and Tessa Wisniewski. Photos by Donna Boykin. #CCCCSTRONG

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The next issue of COUGAR BYTES will be published on Friday, Nov. 18, 2022.

Flashback to Cougar Bytes October 22, 2021.