IN THIS ISSUE

Cougar Champions

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

Full-Time Cougar Champion of the Month!

November Cougar Champion: Dianne A. Johnson

Dianne A. Johnson
Medical Assisting Instructor and Practicum Coordinator

How long have you worked for CCCC?
I have worked for the college since August of 2005. I started teaching as a medical assisting instructor in August 2015. I am now the Medical Assisting Practicum Coordinator and Instructor for Chatham County.

What brought you to CCCC?
I was laid off from the textile industry in early 2000. I decided to go back to school at the age of 40. I graduated from CCCC's Medical Assisting program and went straight to work for Dr. Michael Tyler and Dr. James Holt at East Chatham Medical Center in Pittsboro. I also began teaching online classes for CCCC.

Describe what you do for CCCC.
The primary focus is on engaging students as active participants in the learning process, ensuring the removal of barriers to their progression, and providing support for achieving educational and career goals. The instructor is expected to use student learning outcomes to design various activities and assessments, creating a dynamic and inclusive learning environment both on campus and online. Additionally, the role involves maintaining a Blackboard course, grading assignments promptly, and offering personalized feedback to students.

Where were you born?
I was born in a small town in Georgia on Dec. 19.

Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Sylvania, Ga., with my mother, father, three sisters, and a baby brother.

Where do you live now?
I live in Siler City.

Educational credentials?
I received my Associate Degree in Applied Science for Medical Assisting in 2005. I was 44 years old.

Tell us about your family!
My father was John Anderson, and he worked in grocery stores and minute markets all his life. He used to take me to work with him at the 7-Eleven store he managed when I was young. I learned how to treat customers from my father. He was a people person, and I am, too. He died from a heart attack at the age of 49. I miss him every day.

My mother was Hazel McBride Anderson, and she was a homemaker. She took care of our home and five children. She had blue-black hair, gray-blue eyes, and red lips. I thought she was Snow White when I was a child. I had a vivid imagination.

I have one older sister, Debbie, and two younger sisters, Jackie and Judy, and, of course, my baby brother, Craig. I was nine years old when he was born, and he was my baby doll. My sisters and I are just a year or two apart, and we are still very close. I go home to Sylvania every Thanksgiving and stay with my brother Craig; my sisters and their families come over for a long Thanksgiving weekend. My whole family is very loud, like me.

I grew up with lots of cats and an occasional dog or two. I love animals. My Izzie died a couple of years ago. She was 14 years old and had been ours since she was eight weeks old. She was a Schnoodle. Izzie was well-loved and spoiled. I have a cat named LunaBinx and another one named Fluffles. They are also well-loved and spoiled. I am divorced and an empty nester.

I have four children: Mark, Courtney, Zachary, and Dillon. My son Mark is a Senior Master Sergeant in the USAF and is married to Jena, also a Senior Master Sergeant in the USAF. They have three children: Sanjay, Grady, and Raegan. My daughter Courtney is a medical coder for UNC and is married to Chad, a truck driver. They have two wonderful boys, Nolan and Connor. My son Zachary is currently writing his dissertation for his Ph.D. in American Studies at the University of Maryland. He is engaged to a wonderful young man named Dansiel, and they will be getting married next year. My youngest son, Dillon, is working toward an accounting degree at CCCC and is in a long-term relationship with his girlfriend, Victoria.

What are some of your hobbies or other interests outside of CCCC?
I am a ferocious reader. I read everything. I love astrophysics and anything about space and the universe. I also love true crime, and if I had not become a medical assistant, I would have probably been a starship captain or a forensic genealogist. Or a librarian. I could live in a library and be very, very happy. I crochet, too.

Who is one of your favorite fictional characters and why?
My favorite show when I was young was Star Trek, and Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock were my heroes. My favorite books were The Little Princess and The Secret Garden by Frances Hodges Burnett. Also, I like The Hobbit, Lord of the Rings, and anything by Stephen King, F. Paul Wilson, Robin Cook, and James Patterson. I love Schitts Creek, Everybody Loves Raymond, The West Wing, and all the Star Trek movies.

What is your favorite meal?
Pot roast and vegetables with homemade mashed potatoes and biscuits. And chicken. I eat lots of chicken.

Anything else you'd like to share with the CCCC family?
I love teaching. Who knew? It was not what I planned, but it is what I am, and I am good at it. I love my students and my community college family. I am so happy to be part of an organization that values inclusion, empowers students from all kinds of communities, and puts the experience of higher education within reach for everyone.

Part-Time Cougar Champion of the Month!

November Cougar Champion: Randy Perry

Randy Perry

Courier

How long have you worked for CCCC?
1.5 years.

What brought you to CCCC?
Looking for something to do after I retired from Baker-Hughes.

Describe what you do for CCCC.
Courier-To deliver essentials such as mail and supplies to all of our CCCC campuses.

Where were you born?
Moore County, N.C.

Where did you grow up?
Lee County.

Where do you live now?
Lee County.

Tell us about your family!
Married to my wife Phyllis for 51 years. We have two grown children and six grandchildren. Fun fact, my son is Travis Perry, in the IT Department.

What are some of your hobbies or other interests outside of CCCC?
NASCAR, football, and family.

Who is one of your favorite fictional characters and why (from a favorite book, tv show, movie, etc.)?
Superman, because he was always doing good for people.

What is your favorite meal?
Steak and potatoes.

BACK TO TOP

WOW! WHAT A TEAM!

Sanford Christmas Parade

CCCC enjoying participation in the Sanford Christmas Parade on Monday, Dec. 4.

BACK TO TOP

Cougar Express

The Foundation sponsored the CCCC special holiday season drive-thru event on Nov. 30 at the Dennis A. Wicker Civic & Conference Center. The "Cougar Express" drive-thru event was geared toward small children and included cookies and candy canes, characters from Frozen and Polar Express, elves - and, Santa Claus!

See more images from Cougar Express

BACK TO TOP

Salvation Army Ring the Bell

CCCC was proud to partner with local nonprofit The Salvation Army on Dec. 6, when President Dr. Lisa M. Chapman and college Ambassadors rang the bell outside Lowes Foods in Sanford. The Salvation Army has helped numerous CCCC students over the years, and we cannot thank them enough for their continued support of the college and the local community!

BACK TO TOP

Culinary Holiday Cookoff

The CCCC Culinary program hosted a holiday cookoff featuring Chef De-Ven Atkinson versus CCCC Culinary students Emeri Fawcett, Ruby Hernandez-Falcon and Jessica Holder—with Chef D declared the winner by judges. Here are scenes from the event, which was held at the Dunn Center Cafe.

BACK TO TOP

Sing it from the Rafters: CCCC Hosts the NC Opera for Students & Service Area!

CCCC's Academic & Cultural Enrichment Series (ACES) and the Arts Career Community welcomed five professional performers (four singers and one accompanist) from the North Carolina Opera on Nov. 13 at the Dennis Wicker Civic & Conference Center. In addition to MUS 110: Introduction to Music classes and other students in the humanities and history, the audience spanned local elementary school students to retirees.

The interactive presentation "Opera Out of the Box" introduced some of opera's greatest hits. Singers representing the main operatic voice types (soprano, mezzo-soprano, tenor, and baritone) shared historical context, operatic plot summaries and conventions as well as arias, duets, and ensemble performances from classics like Carmen, The Magic Flute, and Rigoletto. The hour-long event even included a comedic Mad Libs-style improv number and the quiz "Is it Opera?" where the audience guessed if a recognizable bit of classical music from commercials and movies were opera or not.

Read more about the "Opera Out of the Box" event from the CCCC press release and coverage from The Rant.

BACK TO TOP

Super Striping Tech Night

Super Striping Tech Night with Dennis McGoldrick, owner of Super Striping, was held Dec. 1. Hands-on demonstrations of pin striping, graphic automotive art and sign painting. The event was sponsored by the Central Carolina Community College Automotive Restoration Technology program.

BACK TO TOP

Personal Training on the Lee Campus

The Health and Fitness Science program will be operating Personal Training on the Lee Campus, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11-11:50 a.m. in the Spring 2024 semester, starting Jan. 23 and ending Apr. 25. Sessions will be conducted only in the Powell Hall gym, cardio lab and weight room.

This is a semester-long commitment to one personal trainer where you will come in and have a series of anthropometric measurements as well as testing in muscular strength, muscular endurance and cardio fitness. Subsequently, along with your trainer, you will establish SMART goals to work on during the semester.

Many HFS programs in NC charge for these services in upwards of $150 per week for participation by faculty and staff, however, we do not as we want invested college employees who are in it for the experience of aiding our HFS students earn their degrees while also benefiting their own wellness journey.

There are 13 slots available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Again, as this is a semester-long commitment to a student, please consult with your supervisor about their willingness to allow you to work with a student and perhaps utlizing your lunch time on those days to exercise.

Please send Dr. Carl Bryan an email at cbryan@cccc.edu to claim a spot. Thanks!

BACK TO TOP

Sustainable Technologies Building in honor of Dr. George Lucier

CCCC has dedicated the Sustainable Technologies Building on the CCCC Chatham Main Campus in honor of Dr. George Lucier. An event to commemorate the naming took place on Nov. 29.

Dr. Lucier has been an active member of the CCCC Board of Trustees and the CCCC Foundation. In addition, Dr. Lucier has served on the Chatham County Board of Commissioners and the Chatham County Planning Board. He was a member of the Chatham Board of Commissioners when that board approved funding for the CCCC Sustainable Technologies Building that is being named in his honor.

Read the full story about the dedication

BACK TO TOP

Couch to 5k

BACK TO TOP

Broadway Christmas Parade

CCCC enjoying participation in the Broadway Christmas Parade on Saturday, Dec. 9.

BACK TO TOP

CCCC REGULARS

Center for Organizational Excellence

Faculty Perkins Mini-Grants Available

Want to upgrade technology in your CTE or Health Sciences classroom? Apply for a Perkins Mini-Grant! Grants are available for up to $2500. Deadline Jan. 15. Apply Now!

BACK TO TOP

News from HR

Weekly Wellness

 

Tickets at Work

BACK TO TOP

News From The Library

by Jessica Thomas, Lee Main Campus Library Programming Assistant

Chatham Community Library Highlights

The Chatham Community Library will be closed Dec. 25-27 for Christmas.

Library Event Calendars

Want to know what else is happening in the Lee, Harnett or Chatham Library this semester? Keep an eye on the Lee and Harnett Library Events Calendar and Chatham Events Calendar for events that interest you!

BACK TO TOP

From the Supply Store

Exciting news! The Supply Store is expanding its selection of office supplies, and we want your input to ensure we stock what you need. Please take a moment to complete the Supply Store Stock Request and tell us which FSI office supplies you'd like to see.

In addition, we're delighted to introduce a new website where you can browse furniture and equipment that may be useful for your workspace or classroom. Explore the Available Surplus Items to see if we have what you need before making a new purchase.

BACK TO TOP

David S. Heesacker Featured on WalletHub

Professor David S. Heesacker was featured in WalletHub's piece about Farmers Insurance Review. Read the full feature.

BACK TO TOP

STUDENT ACTIVITIES and EVENTS

Students visit Greensboro Science Center

by Kelsey Crowley, Lab Coordinator/Facilitator

On Nov. 17, we had a group of BIO 110 and BIO 112 students attend the Greensboro Science Center to get an up-close look at some of the animals we have been discussing in class. Students had an opportunity to see many animals living and what their habitats look like in the wild. Students interacted with staff to discover job outlooks in the field of zoology.

BACK TO TOP

Sanford Steps Out

Sanford Steps Out is a marketing campaign created by LEEding Toward Wellness in partnership with Downtown Sanford LLC. The overall objective of this campaign is to spark positive sentiments & behaviors around one’s own health by promoting the simple act of getting more STEPS when Downtown.

The CCCC Health & Fitness Sciences program had four students to assist in this endeavor.

BACK TO TOP

HFS Self-Defense

Master Jeremy Jackson worked with Health & Fitness Science students and other attendees on self-defense maneuvers on Nov. 29 in the CCCC Lee Main Campus Powell Hall gym. Pictured are Master Jackson working with HFS student Aleigha Bloome and Dr. Cristy Holmes as they learn to break free from an attack from behind.

BACK TO TOP

Onboarding and Success

Did you know that the Suspension Policy has changed?

Below are highlights that might be helpful in advising students.

  • A student who continues to achieve below 2.0 cumulative and semester GPA after two consecutive semesters as noted on the official transcript will be suspended for one semester.
  • Students can be readmitted after one term of suspension by meeting with their Education Navigator. During this meeting, the Education Navigator will complete a Success Plan with the student and also schedule two additional follow-up meetings throughout the semester. They will focus on reviewing and updating the Success Plan, determining needs throughout the semester, and review their progress towards successfully completing courses.
  • Students will no longer have to meet with their Department Chair, VP of Student Services, or Dean of SOS to complete a Readmission Form.
  • Students will receive automated encouragement through the semester from their Advisor, and Dean.

Health Science Admissions Changes

Changes were recently approved at the Academic Policy Committee to the admissions process for Limited Enrollment Health Science Programs for entry beginning Fall 2024. To be admitted to these programs moving forward, students are required to:

  • Submitted a CCCC Admissions Application
  • Submit all Transcripts (high school and college)
  • Complete the Health Science Information Session
  • Complete ALL General Education courses required for their program, such as English, math, sciences, humanities, social sciences, etc.
  • Sciences courses must be completed with grades of "B" or better, and all other courses with a grade of "C" or better.
  • Achieve a minimum GPA (based on general education courses completed). The minimum GPA is specific to the program.
  • For Nursing Programs: Nurse Aide I and TEAS is required.
  • For Physical Therapist Assistant: 20 Observation Hours are required.

Once requirements have been met, students can submit a Limited Enrollment Application, which is linked in their Success Hub (in CCCC Portal). Students are reviewed on a rolling basis and entered based on date of application. For more information, please review the Limited Enrollment Website. You will see Admissions Checklists under the "Admissions Checklist" tab very helpful in working with students and answering questions.

Updated Academic Program Information Sheets

Academic Program Information Sheets were recently updated and are available for students to pick up or review in the Welcome Center or any Student Onboarding and Success Office. These Information sheets are also linked on each academic program website.

These documents will share more about the employment outlook, such as employers in our region, salary statistics, job titles, transfer opportunities, credential options, information on state licensures and industry certifications, and skills in demand for the job. These documents are meant to provide a snapshot for students to understand more about the career community, the program, and how it connects to their MAP Embark Assessment results.

Thank you to the Guided Pathways Team, Jason Harloff, Kels Brucker, the SOS Team, and Academic Deans and Department Chairs for their work on these documents.

QPR Suicide Prevention Training Available

QPR, "Question, Persuade and Refer," is a suicide prevention program teaching people to recognize warning signs, have a conversation with at-risk individuals, and connect them to professional help, similar to CPR for medical emergencies. Learn More.

Questions about any of the above? Contact Adam Wade.

BACK TO TOP

PERSONNEL NOTES

New Employees and Position Changes

Updates as of Dec. 1

Welcome!

November New Employees

  • Aspen Taylor - Student Onboarding and Success Specialist
  • Amy Bell - Director, TRiO Student Support Services

November Position Changes

  • Jennifer Babb - Career Coach
  • Anita Green - Career Pathways Coordinator

Congratulations!

BACK TO TOP

Birthdays

Birthday list provided by Human Resources

Happy Birthday
to each of you!

12/16 Danielle Bruner
12/16 Margaret Provost
12/18 Allyson Naylor
12/18 Karen Weaver
12/19 Wendy Craig
12/19 Liza Guzman-Ramirez
12/19 Dianne Johnson
12/19 Nick Sullivan
12/20 Chad Parrish
12/20 Brian Simpson
12/22 Crystal Sanders
12/23 Maryann Aucompaugh
12/24 Devon Woodruff
12/27 Buzz Wilson
12/28 Katie Hall
12/29 Seth Buchanan
12/29 Adam Wade
12/30 Darrell McLaurin
1/2 Felicia Gilmore
1/3 Brenda Barefoot
1/3 Mike Peluso
1/5 Kelly Dorman
1/5 Johnny Frye
1/6 Mike Parnell
1/7 Lee Bryant
1/7 Jason Rouse
1/9 Jessica Thomas
1/10 Jessica Brown
1/10 Nichelle Lariviere
1/10 David Watson
1/11 John Anderson
1/11 Claudia Farnandez
1/13 Tracy Kelly
1/14 Tracy Autry
1/14 James Lassiter
1/14 Tim Myrick
1/15 Rick Heptig
1/15 Andy McMahan
1/15 Margaret Roberton
1/16 Kelly Dehring
1/16 Jessica Lujan
1/16 Pam Riddle
1/18 Amy Kennedy
1/19 Nathan Lindsay
1/20 Kaylen Bryan
1/22 Mary Burke
1/23 Kimberly Dresser
1/24 Richard Love
1/24 Abby Walker
1/24 Jason Ziebart
1/26 Mary Schmid Carter
1/27 Walter Creswell
1/27 Ben Falero
1/27 Tina Godbey
1/27 Mark Hall
1/27 Joshua Johnson
1/27 Laura Musselwhite
1/29 Pam McKoy
1/31 Faye Miller

If you prefer not to be listed or if your name does not appear as you'd like, please email Cris Oliver.

BACK TO TOP

Holiday Calendar 2023-2024

Download the CCCC Holiday Calendar.

BACK TO TOP

CCCC-BAY

Things Wanted, For Sale, or For Free!

Happy Holidays! CCCC-Bay will be happy to post those items you'll want to get rid of in January! Send an email (photos are great) to Cris Oliver at coliver@cccc.edu and we'll help you clear out!

BACK TO TOP

COUGAR PETS

Cougar Pets

Cougar Pets is a local animal rescue group housed on the Lee Main Campus. As part of the Veterinary Medical Technology program, our animals help teach veterinary technician students essential skills that will help future animals. All of the animals are rescued from shelters, and all are adoptable.


Cougar Pets

Meet Citrine

My name is Citrine. My people like to say that I am a true gem. I can be a little nervous at first but I warm up quickly. You can often find me lounging around while watching the other cats play. I do not seem to be bothered by much and I am an easy-going girl.

Citrine

Cougar Pets

Meet Louise

My name is Louise. If you are looking for a lovable lap dog, then look no further! I will blend right in with the family, whether we are going on a nice walk, or relaxing on the couch. I love toys and my canine friends!

Louise

See all of the adoptions, or rather Happy Tails of Cougar Pets.

All adoptable dogs and cats are spayed/neutered, microchipped, and up-to-date on all vaccines. They have regular dental cleanings, blood work, and physical exams. We pride ourselves on the care that our cats and dogs receive during their stay. Contact www.cougarpets.org for more information on our colony dogs and available cats.

BACK TO TOP

College Salon Services

The mission of the Barbering and Cosmetic Arts Department at CCCC is to provide quality education and learning experiences for Barbering and Cosmetic Arts students.

For this reason, all services are available to faculty and staff. Services are performed exclusively by students under the supervision of Barbering or Cosmetic Arts instructors.

See all Salon services.

BACK TO TOP

CONTRIBUTE

Contribute to Cougar Bytes

Send along your Cougar Bytes contributions about our wonderful faculty and staff! We welcome your images, staff and faculty successes, events, and shout-outs in each issue. Submit your contributions to Cris Oliver in Marketing at coliver@cccc.edu.

Deadline for contributions is Friday, Jan. 12, by 5 p.m. for the next issue. Upcoming issues:

  • January 19
  • February 16
  • March 22

BACK TO TOP