IN THIS ISSUE
COUGAR CHAMPIONS
- Stay tuned for our next Cougar Champions
WOW! WHAT A TEAM!
- Keep Hearts Beating
- Serving up the Sweetest Results!
- Lactation Rooms
- NACADA Region 3 Excellence in Advising Award Winner
- European Union 101
- Join Team CCCC for the 5K Fun Run & Walk!
- Introducing the Student Senate
- Valentine's Day Dinner
- CCCC Legislative Breakfast
- Coming Soon: Central Carolina Community College's Revamped Website!
CCCC REGULARS
- Views From Around CCCC
- News from the Library
- Steve Heesacker Publications
- Institutional Research
- Cougar Pets
PERSONNEL NOTES
WOW! WHAT A TEAM!
Keep Hearts Beating
Keep hearts beating. Save others by donating your blood! Be a sweetheart and celebrate Valentine's Day by spreading love and helping to save a life.
Sign up ASAP to reserve your spot on Feb. 13. Donate between 9 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. at the Dennis A. Wicker Civic Center.
Serving up the Sweetest Results!
Thank you to everyone who participated in the Snowy Sweets Showdown, sponsored by the CCCC Foundation and the COE! The competition was fierce, and we appreciate the effort and creativity from all our contestants. Congratulations to our winners!
Best Overall Dessert: Summerlin Webb
Runner-Up: April Raines
Second Runner-Up: Elaine Wilderson
Best Gluten-Free Dessert: Alyson Cochrane
Best Cookie: Kathryn Horrell
Best Cake: Jennifer Melton
NACADA Region 3 Excellence in Advising Award Winner
Heather McKenzie has been named the NACADA Region 3 Excellence in Advising Award winner for Two-Year Institution Advisor!
Whether you know her personally, professionally, or both, you’re likely familiar with her unwavering dedication to advising and supporting student success. Heather is an essential member of our college community, a passionate advocate for the partnership between CCCC and Lee County Schools, and a deeply valued advisor and colleague. Her work goes far beyond supporting students with dual enrollment opportunities. She helps connect them to workforce opportunities, guides their transition to college as traditional students, and assists them in setting and achieving post-secondary goals. Heather’s ability to build meaningful relationships with her students is one of her greatest strengths. She takes the time to truly know them, creating an environment where they feel heard and supported while coaching them through academic and personal milestones and challenges.
Heather is an integral part of the Secondary Partnerships team, and we are incredibly fortunate to have her as part of the CCCC family. Please congratulate Heather on this well-deserved recognition and significant career achievement!
Join Team CCCC for the 5K Fun Run & Walk!
Mark your calendars for Saturday, Feb. 15, and lace up those sneakers! Team CCCC is hitting the ground running (or walking or strolling!) at the WakeMed Soccer Park, 201 Soccer Park Dr, Cary, N.C. 27511.
This celebration of health and fitness, benefiting Girls on the Run Triangle, is the perfect opportunity to have fun, stay active, and make a difference in our community. Whether you're a seasoned runner or just looking for a great way to enjoy the day, everyone is welcome!
Click here to join Team CCCC today!. Let's show our CCCC pride on the starting line. See you there!
For more information, contact Jennifer Melton, Human Resources Coordinator, at (919) 718-7252 or jmelton@cccc.edu.
Introducing the Student Senate
The Student Senate is dedicated to supporting our campus community, and we welcome the opportunity to collaborate with faculty and staff. If you need assistance with events or other initiatives, feel free to reach out to BJ Thompson at bthom583@cccc.edu or studentsenate@cccc.edu for more information.
We also invite you to encourage students to connect with their designated senator or any Senate member to share their questions, concerns, or suggestions. By working together, we can cultivate an engaged and vibrant campus environment.
CCCC Legislative Breakfast
A huge thank you to area legislators, county commissioners, and community and college leaders who attended the recent Central Carolina Community College Legislative Breakfast at the E. Eugene Moore Manufacturing and Biotech Solutions Center in Sanford, N.C.
Coming Soon: Central Carolina Community College's Revamped Website!
Central Carolina Community College is thrilled to unveil our newly redesigned website, launching February 16, 2025, at cccc.edu!
This exciting transformation has been a year in the making, as our marketing team partnered with an external web development firm to craft a modern, mobile-friendly platform. The new design features streamlined navigation and a vibrant look that truly embodies the CCCC brand.
With over 4.2 million page views annually, the revamped website will deliver an enhanced user experience, improved accessibility, and a more engaging way to explore all that CCCC has to offer. Stay tuned!
Learn more about the launch of the new website.
CCCC REGULARS
Views From Around CCCC
It was a rainy day at the Central Carolina Community College Lee Main Campus, which made for some interesting and beautiful photos on Jan. 6!
News From The Library
Lee and Harnett Highlights
Faculty & Staff Short Story Book Club
Dates/Times:
Jan. 24 at 1 p.m. on Zoom
Feb. 14 at 1 p.m. - Lee Main Campus Library
The short story for January is A.A. Milne’s "The Actor" and the short story for February is Claire Guyton’s "The 7 Stages of a Parental Visit." For February, we will be meeting in person at the LMC Library. We will discuss the story as we make Valentines! Join your fellow faculty and staff for a fun and relaxing time!
SuperbOwl 2025: A Wake Audubon Presentation on Owls
Feb. 18 at 10 a.m. - Zoom
Forget the Eagles and the Ravens! We're talking about the SuperbOwl! Join Wake Audubon and the CCCC Library for an informative and engaging presentation on owls. Unique even among birds, owls have long appeared in mythology and literature, but you may not have even seen an owl or know how many different species there actually are. Come learn about this fascinating bird! You'll even get recommendations for books and materials on how to spot and identify owls in your area! Until then, check out our libguide on Nature & Conservation.
Chatham Community Library Highlights
Family Cultural Festival
Jan. 25, 2-4 p.m.
Families with children of all ages are invited to our Family Cultural Festival! Meet community members from Costa Rica, Syria, Palestine, Egypt, Dominican Republic, Pakistan, Colombia, Argentina, Panama, and Italy who have volunteered to share information, food, clothing, crafts, and other culturally significant items. At 3 p.m., enjoy a musical performance by Diali Cissokho, who will play the kora, a traditional West African string instrument.
Finding Grants with Foundation Directory
Jan. 30 at 1 p.m.
Looking for grants for your nonprofit? Learn how to use Foundation Directory, the most comprehensive research tool for fundraisers, with over 239,000+ grantmaker profiles. Please note that in-person registration is full, but participants may still join online via Zoom.
Music of the Circle with Eric Bannan
Feb. 1 at 2 p.m.
Led by songwriter and storyteller Eric Bannan, this workshop is for anyone interested in being more confident and connected and opening new creative pathways in their lives. Participants will playfully integrate voices, body percussion, and simple movement in a way that builds community and teaches cooperation. Based on the work of Bobby McFerrin and Brazil’s Música do Circulo collective, this judgment-free workshop welcomes beginners as well as those with experience.
Freedom Songs and the Civil Rights Movement
Feb. 7 at 3:30 p.m.
In observance of Black History Month, songwriter and storyteller Reggie Harris will present “Freedom Songs and the Civil Rights Movement," an all-ages program. The modern Civil Rights Movement was inspired by song, from 1619 to the March on Washington to Ferguson, Charlottesville, and beyond. Songs like "Eyes On the Prize," "Wade in the Water," "Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Round," "We Shall Overcome," and many others have framed the struggle for freedom. These are just some of the anthems that got people out to vote and gave people the strength to protest, march, and stand strong against brutality in the face of the long struggle for human rights.
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!
David S. Heesacker Publication Corner
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 Elliot
Hi! My name is Elliot. I have a BIG personality packaged into a small frame. Sometimes I can be a little hesitant with new people, but I can easily be persuaded with treats.
Meet Wingding
Hi! My name is Wingding. Count on me if you want to add some laughter and light to your life! My name is very fitting since I have been told that I can be a silly little "dingbat."
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.
PERSONNEL NOTES
New Employees and Position Changes
Welcome and Congratulations!
December Position Changes
- Alicia Surratt - Staff Accountant
- Audrey Moore - Administrative Specialist, Workforce & Continuing Education
- Stacy Wilson - Semiconductor Engineering Coordinator
- Martin Haley - Adjunct Accounting Instructor
- Carol Johnson - Adjunct Cosmetology Instructor
December Departures
- Edwin Thomas - Computer-Integrated Machining Chair
- Joel Oldham - Landscaping & Custodial Supervisor
- Tonya Davis - Assessment Retention Specialist
Office Moves
- Kimberly Brzozowski - CMC, Building 41, Office 107
Birthdays
Happy Birthday
to you all!
| 1/24 | Richard Love |
| 1/24 | Abby Walker |
| 1/24 | Jason Ziebart |
| 1/26 | Mary Schmid Carter |
| 1/27 | Ben Falero |
| 1/27 | Mark Hall |
| 1/27 | Joshua Johnson |
| 1/27 | Laura Musselwhite |
| 1/29 | Pam McKoy |
| 1/31 | Faye Miller |
| 2/1 | Latoya Brower |
| 2/1 | Brianna Clark |
| 2/2 | Carol Johnson |
| 2/2 | Justin West |
| 2/5 | Major Best |
| 2/5 | Vicky Clark |
| 2/5 | Leslie Matthews |
| 2/6 | John Lavere |
| 2/7 | Clyde Shafer |
| 2/8 | Brandon Davis |
| 2/9 | Kristi Short |
| 2/11 | Kelly Klug |
| 2/12 | Sabine Collins |
| 2/12 | Alexandria Little |
| 2/14 | Gary Beasley |
| 2/14 | Barbara Campbell |
| 2/14 | Kaleigh Gibson |
| 2/15 | Martha Hernandez |
| 2/15 | Haley Thomas |
| 2/16 | Lindsey Tedder |
| 2/17 | Robin Smith |
| 2/19 | Keisha Christian |
| 2/21 | Gina Jones |
| 2/21 | Elaine Wilderson |
| 2/24 | Janice Heller |
| 2/25 | Heather McKenzie |
| 2/26 | Regina Minter |
| 2/28 | Chesure Tate |
| 2/28 | Lauren Winkens |
| 2/29 | Dave Malenick |
If you prefer not to be listed or if your name does not appear as you'd like, please email Cris Oliver.
Calendars 2025
View the 2024/2025 CCCC Employee Annual Calendar
View the 2025 CCCC Holiday Calendar
View the 2025 CCCC Pay Dates
News From The CCCC Family
Please keep John Ainsworth and his family in your thoughts. John's mom passed away on Jan. 13. Leave condolences or learn more about Barbara Ainsworth at Bridges-Cameron Funeral Home.
Our deepest condolences and thought for Amanda Carter and her family. Amanda's dad passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 8. Read more about Samual Carter or leave condolences at Rogers-Pickard Funeral Home.
Please keep Lorraine Whitaker and her family in your thoughts. Lorraine's sister-in-law passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 7. Leave condolences for Kathy Hickman at Bridges-Cameron Funeral Home.
Things Wanted, For Sale, or For Free!
CCCC-Bay is happy to post any unwanted items in Cougar Bytes. Send along to Marketing and we'll feature in the next publication.
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 Feb. 18, Tuesday, by 5 p.m. for the next issue. Upcoming issues will be published on the following days:
- Feb. 21
- Mar. 21
- Apr. 25
The next issue of Cougar Bytes will be published on Friday, Feb. 21, 2025.