President`s Message - Mountain View College

President’s Message
As we prepare for our holiday break I am excited by all of the wonderful things I see our campus
accomplishing, and the groundwork we are laying for a very exciting future.
Dr. Geoff Grimes and I recently had the opportunity to visit La Academia de Estrellas and participate in
their career development day. The children were very attentive and were interested in knowing all about
the steps necessary to become a college president. However, once Dr. Grimes took center stage they
were far more interested in becoming magicians! While I sense there may be an opportunity to develop
a children’s magician class here at MVC, the College President 101 class may have to be put on the back
burner.
In visiting with the students I was interested to learn just how many of them have had a positive
interaction with Mountain View. More than one had a family member that has attended our campus
for credit, continuing education, or one of our outstanding community programs. A few of the students
have also visited our campus and knew right where we were located.
We have long standing ties to the community that we serve, and I would like for MVC to strengthen these ties. When you consider the
myriad of problems that our community faces, such as unemployment, illiteracy, access to affordable health care, homelessness,
financial challenges and limited access to child care, our commitment in providing quality educational opportunities becomes even
more important. It is imperative that we as community leaders respond to our consumers and non-consumers.
Mountain View College empowers people and transforms communities. Empowering and supporting our community is our
mission. As part of meeting our campus goals for this year I encourage you to participate in the countless opportunities for service in
our community. Please consider serving on a board or council of a local organization, volunteer at a local charity, serve as a tour guide
on campus, participate in a college night at a local high school, or represent MVC at a community event. This interaction allows us to
market MVC to our community, and in turn allows us to learn more about the community we serve.
Service to one another is the highest calling, and MVC has embraced this commitment. You can be proud to work at MVC, for being
part of its history, and especially for the significant impact you will have on the world and our community in the future.
On Wednesday, December 3, MVC employees, staff,
faculty and friends celebrated the retirement of Fred
Taylor, Facilities Custodial Services Supervisor. A 25-year
veteran of MVC, Fred has worked tirelessly throughout
the years to ensure the quality of the campus’ facilities,
and in the process has also touched the lives of many of
our employees and students, past and present. He will be
Employee
sorely missed after his departure in early January.
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We love you Fred!
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SMART STARTS HERE. 4849 W. ILLINOIS AVE. | DALLAS, TEXAS 75211 | WWW.MOUNTAINVIEWCOLLEGE.EDU | AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY INSTITUTION
NEWS & UPDATES
WHAT’S GOING ON?
. At the upcoming DCCCD Board of Trustees meeting, Mountain View College will present a plan to expand the college’s
Welding Technology program by leasing a targeted, off
campus warehouse. The warehouse is near the cross section
of Cockrell Hill and I-30, and is conveniently located on the
Dart bus line. The leasing of this building is part of a larger
plan to expand the Welding program by over 50 stations,
while also implementing a Level 1 Certificate program in
Machining. If approved, classes will be offered at this new
location in fall 2015.
. Don’t forget to celebrate “12 Days of Holiday Spirit!” in the
Welcome Center/VP/Deans’ Suite December 2-16. Stop
by and enjoy some sweet treats and sweet times with your
colleagues!
This initiative is due to the great work of several individuals
including: Dean Alex Diaz, Vice President Sharon Davis,
New Program Executive Dean Karen Valencia, and professors
Dewayne Roy, Ron Henderson and Doug Keenan.
. We are in the early stages of exploring a second Early
College High School through a partnership with Grand
Prairie Independent School District (GPISD). The plan is for
GPISD to use their 9th Grade Center for the students’ first
two years of high school, and then to bus students to
Mountain View College during their junior and senior years.
This opportunity will hopefully place more students on a
track to college, while also increasing our impact upon the
community. The application for this initiative is due to the
Texas Education Agency on December 19 and approved
applicants will be notified by January 20. Special thanks to
Heather Marsh for serving as a lead in this area.
. MVC was the site of Congressman Marc Veasey’s Annual Job
Fair on Friday, November 21 from 8:30 a.m. to noon. More
than 85 employers were on hand representing a variety of
fields including public safety, manufacturing, service,
healthcare, education and more. DCCCD Chancellor, Joe May
was also in attendance to provide opening remarks.
. The Academic Outreach and Recruitment (Dual Credit)
department along with the Instructional Support and Testing
Center staffs have exemplified extensive efforts to
strengthen MVC’s relationships with K-12 institutions.
Mountain View College’s non-ECHS Dual Credit enrollment
was up 33 percent this semester in comparison to the fall 2013
census date. Including Trinidad Garza ECHS students, total
dual credit enrollment was near 1,100 students for the fall
2014 semester.
. Celebrate MVC Library Patron Appreciation Day,
Thursday, December 11 from 2-4 p.m. Stop by the library
and celebrate the end of the semester with cookies and
punch as a thank you!
. Mark your calendars for Return Week 2015: January 12-16!
Many great sessions are lined up and convocation will take
place on Thursday, January 15.
. Adjunct orientation is scheduled for Saturday, January 17.
This will be a special orientation with a focus on the new
academic reorganization, assessment, and other pertinent
college information. This year, the main focus will be
division meetings. All adjunct faculty are expected to
attend.
. January 20-February 13 enjoy the art exhibit:
Useless: Susan Cheal/Paula Whelan in the Cliff Gallery.
The reception will be January 23 at 7 p.m. in the Cliff
Gallery.
. January 20-February 20 encourage your students to
participate in the League of Innovation: Student Art
Competition. The reception will be held February 14 at
6 p.m. in the Kiva Gallery.
. February 2 marks the beginning of RecycleMania! Check
your email in late January for upcoming events.
Click here for more information and details on 2014-2015
academic events.
SAVE THE DATE
Growing Sustainable Communities
Conference
February 27, 2015
. The TEDxMountainViewCollege Talks are now available on
YouTube!
Thank you for thinking with your heart and giving, and for making the community and the world
a better place by donating to SECC. MVC raised $38,839! Thank you to all who gave your time
and money, especially our committee members, table hosts and foot soldiers. Special thanks to the
leadership circle givers for their generosity.
- Your SECC Tri-Chairs
SMART STARTS HERE. 4849 W. ILLINOIS AVE. | DALLAS, TEXAS 75211 | WWW.MOUNTAINVIEWCOLLEGE.EDU | AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY INSTITUTION
Congratulations to
our PSSA
Employees and
Departments of the
Month!
KUDOS & CONGRATS
. Congratulations to our 2014-2015 Excellence Awards Nominees:
Administrator of the Year
Tony Hall, Chief Marvis Mosley, Dr. Karen Valencia, Patricia Webb
and Dr. Shannon Ydoyaga
Excellence in Teaching for Part-Time Faculty
Dr. David Hervas and William Seale, Jr.
Innovation of the Year
- Advising as Coaching (Team Lead: Freddy Rodriguez)
Ruth Correa, Rhonda Lanier, Johnathan Moss, Gilda Nunez,
Leticia Romero, Stephen Salle, Dominique Snell, and Irma
Zamudio
- Courageous Conversations (Team Lead: Tony Kroll)
Dr. Quentin Wright, Moises Almendariz, James Behan, Brenda
Epperson, Glenda Garret, Jesse Gonzalez, Martin Guerra,
Daniel Ibarrondo, Dr. Stephen Jones, Heather Marsh, Lydia
Moreno, Donyan Rogers, Denise Shipley, Joyce Tarpley, Dr. Karen
Valencia, Charles Wickersham, Dr. Deb Yoder, Jonathon York,
Norma Guzman Duran, and Iva Bergeron
- National Lab Academic Coop (Team Lead: Jesse Fox)
Ricardo Ferreira, Chris Cook, Silvai Crivelli, Elizabeth Bautista,
Dr. Stephen Jones, Joyce Larkin, Alice Atchison, Heather Marsh
Jean Sharon Griffith Student Development Leadership
Johnathan Moss/Gilda Nunez - Transfer/Academic Advisors and
Oscar Santos
Professional Support Staff - Full Time
Les Brinkerhoff, April M. Vargas, Rosa Rosales and Juan Sandoval
Professional Support Staff - Part Time
Sandra Crawford, Patricia Gallegos, Jennifer Mims and Robbie
Wilson
Minnie Stevens Piper Award
Joseph Brockway
___________________________________________________
. Congratulations to Dean Auksuole Rubavichute on completing
the DCCCD Basic Leadership Program. Her graduation was on
Thursday, October 23.
. Congratulations to Ms. Vernessa Williams on the completion of
her Associate of Applied Science in Personal Computer Support.
. Congratulations to Professor James Behan on being named as one
of 15 Notable Art Professors in Dallas-Ft. Worth by The Art Career
Project.
. Art Professor Christina Medina will have an installation at The
19th Annual La Virgen de Guadalupe Art Exhibit. A reception will
also be held Saturday, December 13 at 5:30 p.m.
For more information, click here.
SMART STARTS HERE. 4849 W. ILLINOIS AVE. | DALLAS, TEXAS 75211 | WWW.MOUNTAINVIEWCOLLEGE.EDU | AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY INSTITUTION
SEEN & HEARD
Veterans Day Program
Spirit Week Carnival
New Employee Orientation
Common Book Guest Speaker
Spirit Week 2K at 2 p.m.
Fred Taylor’s Retirement Party
Reginald Gray’s Class with Congressman Veasey
Trick or Treat with Bethune Elementary
Destino 2014
Red Ribbon Week
Sustainability Series: Cry Heard ‘Round the World
12 Days of Cheer
Tips and Tools
Advisor’s Luncheon
12 Days of Cheer
Latin Jazz Concert
Please be advised that beginning March 1, 2015, all employee
news and announcements will be distributed only through
myPortal. We will no longer send htmls advertising events or
news to the District, but will still send them to the campus.
Have you checked out the new MVC website? You can now take
advantage of enhancements including:
•
•
•
•
Condensed navigation
MVC by the Numbers! (On the lion paws)
New drop-down mega menus
A mobile-friendly version
SMART STARTS HERE. 4849 W. ILLINOIS AVE. | DALLAS, TEXAS 75211 | WWW.MOUNTAINVIEWCOLLEGE.EDU | AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY INSTITUTION
SEEN & HEARD
Excellence in Teaching Conference
Fred Taylor’s Retirement Party
12 Days of Cheer
Common Book Guest Speaker
Wednesday Fitness Walks
12 Days of Cheer
Reginald Gray’s Federal Reserve Class Trip
AALMI Man-Up Conference
Spirit Week 2K at 2 p.m.
12 Days of Cheer
Spirit Week Spirit Carnival
Advisor’s Luncheon
Sounds of the Season Music Concert
Excellence in Teaching Conference
Fall Dance Showcase
Spirit Week Spirit Carnival
Wednesday Fitness Walks
Oak Cliff Chamber of Commerce Village Fair
Spirit Week 2k at 2 p.m.
12 Days of Cheer
Veterans Day Program
Village Fair
Trick or Treat
SMART STARTS HERE. 4849 W. ILLINOIS AVE. | DALLAS, TEXAS 75211 | WWW.MOUNTAINVIEWCOLLEGE.EDU | AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY INSTITUTION
MVC Wellness
Celebrates Its First Year!
After an exciting and fun year of Wednesday Walks,
wellness events, and end of semester celebrations
and drawings, the 2014 Wellness Team celebrated
the successful completion of its inaugural year with
its Fall Prize Drawing Celebration!
Bet You Didn’t Know!
- Little known MVC facts, history and trivia -
Ever wonder what registration looked like in the early years of
Mountain View College?
Congratulations to not only our fall and grand
prizewinners, but to all who took even the smallest
steps to better their health and overall wellness in
2014. We salute you! - The MVC Wellness Team
Fall Prize (Fitbit) Winners: Dianne Cole, Rhonda
Lanier and Angela Willie
Grand Prize (iPad) Winner: Liz Jackson
Farewell Pete!
We were sad to see recruiter
Pete Montanez leave us on
Friday, December 5. He was
truly an asset to the MVC
team, as well as our
prospective and current
students. We’ll miss you Pete!
Best wishes in your new job!
NEWSLETTER GUIDELINES
The employee newsletter will be released electronically
on the 15th of February, April, August, October and
December. Submissions for the employee newsletter
are due by 5 p.m. on the 30th of January, March, July,
September, and November in order to be considered
for the next issue.
For submission guidelines, tips and more information,
please visit the Marketing and Public Relations
website or contact [email protected].
NEWSLETTER SECTIONS
. Kudos & Congrats (Employee Success)
. Tips & Tools (Resources and information from areas
including H.R., Business Office, Facilities, Media,
Professional Development, etc.)
. News & Updates (Information from Students Services
& Enrollment Management, Academic Affairs &
Student Success, and Business Services)
. Seen & Heard (Photos and short blurbs from events on
campus, community events we’ve participated or
partnered in, outside publicity, etc.)
. What’s Going On? (Upcoming Events)
. Bet You Didn’t Know! (MVC history, trivia, facts, etc.)
SMART STARTS HERE. 4849 W. ILLINOIS AVE. | DALLAS, TEXAS 75211 | WWW.MOUNTAINVIEWCOLLEGE.EDU | AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY INSTITUTION