August Cougar Champion: Alexandra Dowdy

Alexandra Dowdy
Director of Community Engagement and Special Projects

How long have you worked for CCCC?
I have worked at CCCC for five years.

What brought you to CCCC?
I have been in education for over 10 years and came to CCCC from Lee County Schools, where I worked as a Bookkeeper at B.T. Bullock Elementary School.

Describe what you do for CCCC.
As the Director of Community Engagement and Special Projects, I work directly with the college's Foundation, responsible for raising and managing funds to support our students and employees. I also help manage a couple of grants at the college, such as Perkins and NEVTEX. I am one of the chairs for the Staff/Faculty College Ambassador program and a member of the CCCC Community Engagement Task Force.

What motivates you?
My immediate and extended family motivates me. My parents worked hard and sacrificed a lot to provide me with the opportunities I have today, and I want to make them proud and give those same opportunities to my son.

What is your work motto?
TEAM - Together Everyone Achieves More

What is your proudest accomplishment?
My proudest accomplishment is finding a great husband who supports me and has helped me create a life and family that I am incredibly proud to call mine.

Who inspires you?
Throughout my career, I have worked for some fantastic supervisors who have challenged and pushed me to do more. Their encouragement and support have allowed me to conquer some of my biggest hurdles and tasks.

What is the best advice you can give your colleagues?
The best advice I can give is never to be scared to venture outside of your comfort zone or believe you are incapable. I promise that with a great work ethic, you can achieve anything. Even if you fail, use it as a learning opportunity and never stop trying to do more.

Where were you born?
Sanford, Lee County.

Where did you grow up?
Sanford, Lee County.

Where do you live now?
Bear Creek, Chatham County.

Educational credentials?
Bachelor in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance from UNCW 2012. Master's in Business Administration - MBA from UNCW 2021

Tell us about your family!
My parents are Eric and Sandra Berndt. My dad passed away a few years ago and my mother is a cosmetologist in town. My husband's name is Mitchell Dowdy. He works at Astellas Gene Therapies. We have one son, Cole Thomas Dowdy, who will turn seven in February and is the sweetest child ever.

What are some of your hobbies or other interests outside of CCCC?
I love snowboarding, kayaking, and four-wheeling. I also love watching ACC Basketball (Go Tar Heels) and singing.

What is your favorite meal?
Tuna steak with sweet potato fries. Any kind of seafood is my favorite.

August Cougar Champion: Tanner Whitt

Tanner Whitt

Adjunct Instructor and Part-Time Videographer

How long have you worked for CCCC?
I have worked for CCCC since 2021.

What brought you to CCCC?
I came to CCCC as a Broadcast Production Technology student in 2019. Upon completing the program in 2021, I applied for the Video Production Specialist position. In 2023, I became the adjunct video instructor for the Audio Video Production Technology classes.

Describe what you do for CCCC.
I am the Video Production Instructor and Videographer for the College’s TV station, 4CNC. I provide video coverage of college events and assist the AVPT department.

What motivates you?
My students give me motivation. I look forward to each day in the classroom and studio. I enjoy teaching the video portion because there is more to video than just setting up a camera and tripod. You have to work as a team and be confident in yourself that you are able to achieve anything that you put your mind to. It gives me satisfaction to watch my student’s problem solve, work as a team, and to achieve their goals.

What is your work motto?
My work ethic is deeply rooted in the values instilled by my family. I believe in the principle that you reap what you sow, both in work and in life. By committing to hard work, taking pride in my efforts, and genuinely enjoying what I do, I feel I've already achieved success. I strive to offer support to those who might hesitate to ask for help—recognizing that sometimes the most unspoken needs carry the loudest messages. I embrace the idea that anything worth doing is worth doing right the first time. By continually aiming for excellence, I trust that the best outcomes will ultimately find their way to me.

Tell us about your family!
I come from a close-knit family. My parents have been married for 32 years. My sister is a high-school teacher. My brother, who has Down Syndrome, loves bowling and playing his PS5! I have two nephews, the oldest loves soccer and the youngest loves The Wiggles and playing ball.

What are some of your hobbies or other interests outside of CCCC?
I enjoy collecting sneakers, playing guitar, and photography!

HBCU Block Party

The HBCU Block Party — a Historically Black Colleges and Universities transfer event — was held Wednesday, Sept. 18, at the CCCC Lee Main Campus Student Center.

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SEANC Lunch and Learn at Chatham Main Campus

by Jennifer Melton, Human Resources Coordinator

We are excited to invite you to a special SEANC Lunch and Learn event at Chatham Main Campus. This is a great opportunity to learn more about the benefits available to you through the State Employees Association of North Carolina (SEANC) while enjoying a complimentary lunch.

Event Details:

Date: Wednesday, Sept. 25
Time: 11 a.m.- 2 p.m. Floating
Location: Chatham Main Campus, 764 West St. Pittsboro, NC 27312 - Multipurpose Room, Bldg. 42

To help us prepare, please sign up to reserve your lunch using the link provided in the attached flyer.

We encourage you to join us for this informative session and take advantage of the resources and support SEANC offers.

Sign up for your lunch reservation or view more details. Don't miss out on this valuable opportunity!

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EARTh Center

by Tiffany Breindel, EARTh Center Project Manager

Since starting the EARTh Center in January at CCCC, the EARTh Center team has made a lot of progress toward its goals of expanding resources for Environmental and Natural Resource Technologies at the community college level. We recently shared our updates for the year with our mailing list. Read the newsletter here.

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Go, Go, Go to the Theatre!

by Bianka Rhodes Stumpf, History & Social Sciences Lead Instructor

Theatregoing may be escapism to some, but for over 100 CCCC students in courses as varied as Theatre Appreciation, Expository Writing, Writing & Research in the Disciplines, Creative Writing, and World Civilizations, a Sept. 12 trip to experience Andrew Lloyd Webber's Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at Temple Theatre was substantive learning and inspiration.

For theatre students, the Academic and Cultural Enrichment Series (ACES) trip allowed them to see the principles on the page come alive. English and creative writing students unpack and create narratives in class, so the stage adaptation of the Biblical story of Joseph and the conventions it used made for a dramatic demonstration of that at work for discussion and analysis. History students got to mine the musical production for insights on the social, political, religious, cultural, and economic lives of both the ancient Israelites and Egyptians they study.

After the performance, the cast, crew, and creative team took questions from the student audience. One CCCC history student, Amber Salvador, offered aloud a possible identity for the Narrator in the show (perhaps Joseph's dead mother Rachel?) that had the director, leading actress, and the whole stage intrigued. The show's director and choreographer commented, "I've directed this 13 times, and I'd never considered that before. So insightful. Now that will be a consideration in every production I do of this work in the future. Wow."

As for inspiration, the show's big production number "Go, Go, Go, Joseph" works for the character Joseph, of course, but also as cheerleading for the CCCC students there working to realize college and career dreams of their own:

"Go, go, go, Joseph, you know what they say
Hang on now, Joseph, you'll make it someday
Don't give up, Joseph, fight til you drop
We've read the book,
And you come out on top."

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CCCC Foundation Annual Employee Costume Contest

Please register for this event to help the Foundation staff know how many employees will be participating.

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TRiO Events

Back to School: Carolina Panthers' NFL Game

On Aug. 17, TRiO Student Support Services students had an unforgettable back-to-school experience as they attended the Carolina Panthers' NFL game for the team's annual Back to School Day event. For many students, this event was their first time attending an NFL game, and it offered a unique cultural experience outside the classroom. They were able to bond with peers, interact with fellow fans, and witness the Panthers' dedication on the field — lessons in teamwork and perseverance that mirror their own academic journeys.

McNair/SSS SAEOPP Conference

Six students from TRiO Student Support Services attended the 2024 McNair/SSS SAEOPP Conference held in Buckhead Atlanta, Ga, from June 27-30. It was an enriching and inspiring event for our CCCCs TRiO Student Support Services scholars. As attendees, they had the chance to gain invaluable knowledge, network with peers and professionals, and explore new opportunities for their future academic and career paths.

The conference was a unique opportunity for budding scholars to showcase their research, gain insight into critical study and higher education topics, foster connections between graduate school representatives, graduate faculty, and McNair/SSS scholars, and engage in thought-provoking discussions on intellectual matters. Attending the 2024 McNair/SSS SAEOPP Conference was a significant milestone in CCCCs TRiO SSS scholars' academic journey because the inspiration to further their studies beyond community college was planted. During their time at the conference, the students were able to tour Morehouse and Spelman colleges.

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Psychology Majors Organization

This organization is here to help students know about a psychology major when they transfer to a college or university. It is a most useful liberal arts degree, because it applies to over 50 different fields of psychology and 100s of careers beyond the psychology.

During the recent Week Of Welcome (WOW), the organization gave out ice cream cones. Thank you to the student members who volunteered! We couldn't have done it without you!

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Groundbreaking Ceremony at CCCC

MCNC, the technology non-profit that builds, owns and operates the North Carolina Research and Education Network (NCREN), held a groundbreaking ceremony at CCCC on Sept. 5 to signify the start of MCNC's HERO (High Speed Economies for Rural Opportunity) Project.

In June 2023, MCNC received $11,186,162.82 million from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) for the HERO Project. Funded through the federal Internet for All initiative, the project will support improvements to broadband access and affordability in central and southeastern North Carolina.

Read More.

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31 Staff Members Complete Inside Track Training

In early September, CCCC had 31 of our incredible advisors, navigators, and coaches embark on a transformative journey toward earning their Foundational Coach Certification and Coaching Powered Leadership Certification through InsideTrack.

InsideTrack is a leader in coaching solutions, helping drive student success and building lasting impacts within educational institutions. Their certification programs empower us to not only support our students more effectively, but also foster a culture of coaching-centered leadership.

We are incredibly grateful to have partnered with InsideTrack to make this possible. A huge thank you to Brad McKerihan, our trainer extraordinaire. We would also like to thank the John M. Belk Endowment for their generous support in funding this opportunity. Your commitment to the growth of community colleges and student success is invaluable!

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9-11 Commemoration

To honor the many sacrifices from the events of Sept. 11th, 2001, the Veterans Upward Bound Program and CCCC's Cougar Vets Club came together to facilitate a show of support and remembrance at the three main CCCC campuses and the Emergency Services Training Center. Light morning refreshments were provided to CCCC staff, faculty, and students who are first responders, military, or veterans. The event also included the promotion of CCCC's Cougar Vets Club, which sought to provide information about this student club and increase its participation.

If you would like to support CCCC staff, faculty, and students who are military affiliated, and/or learn more about CCCC's Cougar Vets Club, please contact Jennifer Dillon, jdillon@cccc.edu. There are numerous ways to get involved and show your support for this distinct population!

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Nominate Students for Student Senate!

We're excited to announce the reorganization of the Student Senate at CCCC. The Student Senate will represent the diverse voices of the student body and contribute to the decision-making at the college!

We strongly encourage faculty and staff to think about students who would make great advocates for their peers and nominate them for the Student Senate. You know which students stand out in your classes or around campus—the ones who are engaged, thoughtful, and ready to make a difference. Your nomination could give them the chance to step up and have a real impact on the college community, even if they might not think to put themselves forward. Help us ensure all voices at CCCC are heard and represented.

To nominate, complete the form by Sept. 26. Please review eligibility requirements to ensure nominees qualify. For questions, please contact studentsenate@cccc.edu.

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CCCC ACES & Library Invite You to Celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month

CCCC ACES & Library Invite You to Celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month, Sept. 15 - Oct. 15.

The Celebration

CCCC ACES (Academic and Cultural Enrichment Series) and the Lee Main Campus Library have collaborated to host an exhibit honoring Hispanic Heritage Month complete with prizes.

Courtesy of The Smithsonian's National Museum of American History traveling exhibit Bittersweet Harvest: The Bracero Program (1942-1964), learn more about how many Mexican men, their families, and the United States communities they served changed and the legacy of their labor and those stories. This exhibit is on display in the Lee Main Campus Library. Those faculty, staff, and students completing a brief quiz on the exhibit can submit their answers to the Circulation Desk to choose a Hispanic-themed treat to enjoy.

The Back Story

In 1968, President Lyndon Johnson launched Hispanic Heritage Week to highlight the historic and cultural contributions of Hispanics living in the United States with heritage ties to Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. In 1988, the recognition expanded to a month-long designation with passage of Public Law 100-402 by the United States Congress.

The September 15 start date each year is a nod to the independence anniversaries of multiple Latin American nations including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Mexico's Independence Day is close by on September 16 and Chile's on Sept. 18. Also, Columbus Day, or Dia de la Raza, is Oct. 12 during the designated month. Learn more about Hispanic Heritage Month at hispanicheritagemonth.gov/about.

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Sonography OB Volunteers Needed

Sonography OB Volunteers Still Needed

When: Wednesdays, Sept. 18 - Nov. 20 from 2-3 p.m.

Requirements:
- Must be between 22 weeks and 32 weeks gestation.
- Have a note from your OB provider stating that you have had an 18-week complete anatomy ultrasound without complications.
- Sign a consent form on arrival to the Medical Sonography Department.
- Understand that participating as a volunteer is to benefit the sonography student's training.

Additional Information:
- As a courtesy, the student will try to take a few pictures, time permitting.
- We will allow one visitor to accompany the volunteer.
- If COVID-19 constraints are in place, no visitor will be allowed to accompany.

Please contact Christy Jones at cjones@cccc.edu or 919-718-7227

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Thriving Thursdays - October Yoga

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Views From Around CCCC

Central Carolina Community College campus views.

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Please feel free to send along any images you might capture from around all of the CCCC locations! Send them to Cris Oliver at coliver@cccc.edu. Thanks!

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CCCC REGULARS

From Institutional Research

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David S. Heesacker Publication Corner

Steve Heesacker took the time to give insights on an article we wrote for Finance Buzz readers about business credit cards. Read the full article here.

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Informative Forms

 

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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.

Meet Boo

Hi! My name is Boo and I love to play. I am very energetic and enjoy playing with you, my toys, and other cats. I like to climb and explore my surroundings. There is never a dull moment with me.

Boo

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Meet Button

My name is Button. I am a sweet little guy who is always excited to go on a walk. I love to play with toys, enjoy snuggling with my people, and like long naps in the sun. I am nervous about strangers and loud noises but gain some confidence with the help of yummy treats. I love to be where my people are. Come meet me today!

Button

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.

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New Employees and Position Changes

Updates as of Sept. 1

Welcome and Congratulations!

August New Employees

• Kelsey Crowley - Biology Instructor (9 Months)
• Chelsie Carpenter - Biology Instructor (9 Months)
• Kelsey Jobe - Math Instructor (9 Months)
• Anna Humphrey - Math Instructor (9 Months)
• Deanna Goins - Career Coach - Western Harnett

August Position Changes

• Roger "Aaron" Love - Coordinator of Student Accessibility Services
• Rosa Aguirre - Welding Instructor (9 Months)
• Ashley Iceman - AR Specialist
• Kimberly Brzozowski - Education Navigator
• Liza Guzman Ramirez - Biology Instructor and C-STEP Advisor

August Office Moves

• Gary Blankenship - ESTC - Office 105
• Sara Newcomb - Moore Center - LMC - Office 105
• Regina Williams - Marchant Hall - 9141 - Cubicle 1
• Tyra Johnson - Marchant Hall - 9149 - Cubicle 1
• Lauren Pickens - Powell Hall - Office 19
• Brianna Clark - Hockaday Hall - Office 128
• Kim Stewart - Guided Studies - Office 8
• James Thomas - Wilkinson - Office 37
• Cheshure Tate - Bell - Cubicle 104 - 1
• Amanda Collier - HMC - Building 39 - Office 415
• Devon Woodruff - HMC - Building 39 - Office 403

Please find attached two documents for your review: FAQ on employee headshots and summary of recent Human Resources policies passed by CCCC's Board of Trustees, many of which were designed to better support our employees.

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Birthdays

Birthday list provided by Human Resources

9/20	Juanita Carter
9/21	Leigh Beam
9/21	Jimmie Boggs
9/21	Brenda Grubb
9/21	Chrishinda Horton
9/22	Richard Gillespie
9/22	Stormy Mascitelli
9/22	Donald Miller
9/23	April Hammonds
9/23	Junious Surles
9/23	Aspen Taylor
9/23	Ben R. Thomas Jr.
9/24	John Ainsworth
9/24	David Baker
9/24	Joel Oldham
9/24	Sarah Tart
9/25	Jessica Scott
9/25	Liz Wicker
9/26	Denise Martin
9/26	Kristen Tarpey
9/27	Lora Long
9/27	Cesar Villalta
9/28	Julie Francis
9/30	Emma Belcher
9/30	Jason Springer
10/1	Felicia Crittenden
10/1	Kris Rixon
10/2	Amber Werkheiser
10/3	Lantz Lackey
10/5	Deana St. Peter
10/5	Nutan Varma
10/6	Timothy Barnes
10/6	Oscar Hernandez
10/7	James Dalrymple
10/7	Randy Foxx
10/7	Danny Furr
10/8	Jalen Cheek
10/8	David Haire
10/9	Chester Holder
10/9	Summerlin Webb
10/10	Leslie Oldham
10/10	Marlon Wellington
10/11	Kevin Whitley
10/13	Charlie W. Bell, II
10/13	Jesse Jasso
10/14	Brian Godfrey
10/14	Farrell Moose
10/15	Jaclyn Mendez
10/16	Nicole Lofton
10/17	Anna Hoel
10/21	Craig Ciliberto
10/22	Jim Johnson
10/23	David Foster
10/24	John Thomas
10/25	Falecia Simmons
10/27	Chelsie Carpenter
10/27	Samantha Lane
10/30	Anomie Nebolisa
10/30	Amy Whitmer
10/31	James Thomas

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

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Calendars 2024

Download the 2024 CCCC Pay Dates

Download the 2024 CCCC Holiday Calendar

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Biltmore Deal is Back!

Take advantage of fantastic deals on last-minute summer travel destinations, home party hosting essentials, and more! See the attached for tickets at work savings and Biltmore.

• Discover Biltmore Anytime

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News From The CCCC Family

Please keep Gary Blankenship, Criminal Justice Instructor, in your thoughts. His sister, Kathleen McNeill, passed away on Sept. 6. Read more about Kathleen or share your condolences on Legacy.com.

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Dr. Donny Hunter was the President/CEO of the NCACCT for 12 years and retired in 2017. Dr. Hunter was a fierce advocate for our community colleges, and he leaves a lasting legacy because of his impact. Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Share your thoughts at Smith Funeral Home.

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Please keep Mark Hall, Chatham County Provost, in your thoughts as his mother, Carol Hartman Hall passed away on Aug. 30. Read more about Carol or leave any condolences at Donaldson Funeral Home & Crematory.

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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.

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CCCC-BAY

Things Wanted, For Sale, or For Free!

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Are you cleaning out your garage soon? CCCC-Bay is happy to post any unwanted items in Cougar Bytes. Send an email (photos would be great) to Cris Oliver at coliver@cccc.edu and we'll feature in the next publication.

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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 Oct. 14 (Monday) by 5 p.m. for the next issue. Upcoming issues will be published on the following days:

• Oct. 18
• Noc. 15
• Dec. 20

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