TO:
DCCCD Board Members
FROM:
Dr. Wright L. Lassiter, Jr.
DATE:
November 30, 2012
RE:
Weekend Memo #307
COMMITMENT
Each college community in the District breathed a sigh of relief when the SACS visiting
team presented its report. There was elation when the paucity of recommendations was
revealed in the exit meeting. There were silent and vocal expressions of relief because “it” was
over. The success experienced at each college resulted from the total commitment of each
component of the institution. In the case of SACS (as well as other initiatives that we have had
to pursue), it required each person to put his/her shoulder to the wheel.
Commitment moves past the mind and emotions and goes straight to the will. The
ancient Chinese said that the will of a man is like a cart pulled by two horses: the mind and the
emotions. A person must get both horses moving in the same direction in order to move the
cart. Commitment results when the mind and emotions move forward, whatever the cost.
The 83rd Legislative Session is on the horizon. The content of the pre-filed bills and the
results from House and Senate committees reporting on various interim charges portends of
major changes that will impact higher education. In order to navigate the churning waters,
there will be a need for commitment. Ponder my thoughts on commitment that follow, if you
will.
Leaders cannot expect followers to make commitments deeper than the ones they make.
To develop commitment, we must understand the following truths:
1. Commitment starts in the heart. Commitment precedes achievement. Look inside.
Where is your heart committed?
2. Commitment is tested by action. The only real measure of commitment is action.
Talk is cheap; action is expensive.
3. Commitment opens the door for accomplishment. Once you commit yourself, all
kinds of resources come your way to help you succeed.
4. Commitment can be measured. Leaders must evaluate their calendars and
checkbooks to measure their commitment.
5. Commitment enables a leader to make decisions. Leaders must determine what’s
worth fighting for, then make that the basis for decisions.
6. Commitment flourishes with public accountability. Go public with your
commitments, then you will have the incentive to follow through.
Commitment Guideposts
As stated in Item 3 above, once we make a commitment, the resources toward success
follow. But they seldom follow until we declare the commitment. Ponder the following
statements about developing commitment.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Commitment usually begins with a struggle.
Commitment seldom surrounds abilities or gifts.
Commitment is the result of choice, not condition.
Commitment is fostered when we settle an issue before it arises.
Commitment is enhanced by trust in the vision and the leader.
Commitment lasts when we remain single-minded.
El Centro College
The highly successful “Coffee With Chuck” Annual Awards Breakfast was held November 2nd at El
Centro College Bill J. Priest Campus. Sponsored by the Government Contracting Small Business
Development Center (SBDC) of the North Texas SBDC, the event attracted 118 business owners,
partners and local dignitaries. The special guest was the Honorable Pauline Medrano, mayor pro
tem of the City of Dallas. The highlight of the breakfast was the presentation of achievement
awards to 24 Government Contracting SBDC business clients who reported achieving government
contracts and economic impact in fiscal year 2011-12. Dustin Gadberry, president/CEO of
Gadberry Construction Company and one of the awardees, was the featured speaker. The
Government Contracting SBDC and other Small Business Development Centers are dedicated to
helping small firms in North Texas achieve success and profitability. Funded by the U.S. Small
Business Administration, State of Texas, and DCCCD, the SBDC program has made a significant
impact on the local economy over the years.
On November 15th, El Centro College’s Ana-Maria Ramos, Kathy Acosta, Avis Hardaman, Benja
Allen, Karen Mongo, Deva Arumugam, Jessie Yearwood, Maggie Lopez, Angie Trujillo and Dr. Paul
McCarthy attended the West Dallas Community Centers’ 4th Annual Thanksgiving Banquet and
80th Anniversary Celebration at The City Club in downtown Dallas. State Representative Eric
Johnson, who grew up and attended schools in West Dallas (prior to eighth grade), was the guest of
honor.
Dr. Brenda Dann-Messier, assistant secretary in the Office of Vocational and Adult Education at the
U.S. Department of Education, visited El Centro College Bill J. Priest Campus on November 14th.
Accompanied by DCCCD Chancellor Dr. Wright Lassiter and Vice Chancellor Justin Lonon, and El
Centro College’s Dr. Paul McCarthy, president, and Pyeper Wilkins, executive dean, Dann-Messier
toured the building and spent time in the Welding and Industrial Maintenance classrooms and labs.
With more than $500,000 in new equipment obtained through a Texas Workforce Commission
grant, the program has become one of the most technologically advanced in the state. El Centro
College’s Dr. Les Shelby, dean, and Byron Zarrabi, program coordinator, explained the programs
and shared several student success stories. Dann-Messier spoke with several students and tried her
hand at welding on one of the program’s welding simulators. Dann-Messier’s work involves leading
federal efforts in adult education and career and technical education, as well as supporting
community colleges and correctional education.
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On November 15-16th, the Medical Laboratory Technology (MLT) program at El Centro College
welcomed site visitors from the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences. The
MLT program passed the site visit and self-study with no concerns and no recommendations. Lisa
Lock is program coordinator for the MLT program; John Wentz is clinical coordinator; and Kiran
Kaur and Denise Griffin are adjunct faculty members. All those working in the MLT program are
very excited about the news and wish to thank El Centro College Administration for being
supportive of the program.
Richland College
Sustainable Community Building — “Social Equity and Justice” — Richland College’s Andy Long,
Theatre visiting scholar, and Jennifer Owen, coordinator, Theatre Technical Services, participated in
the North Texas Unified Auditions for High School/Community College Actors and Technicians,
November 17-18th at Collin College, where they viewed 309 auditions and observed 75 technical
design portfolio presentations. They invited 30 students for call-back interviews and successfully
recruited 15 top students into the Richland College Theatre program for next fall, with another 5
potential recruits. The University of Miami, Syracuse University, Pepperdine University, The
University of Texas at Austin, Southern Methodist University and a number of prestigious national
acting conservatories also participated in the auditions.
Student Success — Congratulations to the Richland College Choral Music Department for having five
students selected to the Texas Two-Year College Choral Directors Association All-State Honor
Choir. Drew Bramlett, Erin Campbell, Obi Okechukwu, Cristina Ruiz and Josh Usry auditioned at
Temple College on November 16th and were named members of the honor choral ensemble, which
includes singers from community college choral programs from across Texas. The choral ensemble
will perform at the 2013 Texas Music Educators Association Conference in San Antonio on
February 9th.
Employee Success — Congratulations to Donte Hoover, apprentice electrician, on being selected the
Richland College Outstanding Employee for November 2012. Employed at Richland College since
2001, Hoover has consistently developed his knowledge and skills, and has advanced from facilities
maintenance assistant to his current position while working on earning his journeyman’s license.
Hoover keeps the lights across campus clean and bright, while conscientiously supporting efforts to
increase Richland College’s energy efficiency and sustainability goals by retrofitting fixtures and
providing crucial lighting and power needs on a number of adaptive remodeling projects.
Institutional Effectiveness — The Richland College Office of Planning and Research for Institutional
Effectiveness recently posted the college’s 2011-2012 End of Year Report. This 12th annual report
is the culmination of analyses conducted throughout the academic year in monthly “Thunion”
report reviews. The report details performance to target for each institutional measure with trends,
comparative benchmarks and resultant leadership actions. The three-page Executive Summary
providing an overview of key strengths and opportunities may be accessed at
http://www.richlandcollege.edu/effectiveness/eoyr1112.pdf. (See attached summary.)
District Service Center
Employees from the District Service Center continued making contributions to their community
when they donated $400 and 112 pounds of food recently to Sharing Life Community Outreach,
which, in turn, used the money to purchase turkeys from the North Texas Food Bank and then
distributed them to area families in need during the holiday season. No turkey is safe at DCCCD!
(The turkeys were not purchased for the food bank, as previously reported.)
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The Professional Support Staff Association Charity Committee at the District Service Center
purchased 114 cards for the American Red Cross Holiday Mail for Heroes campaign. District
Service Center employees signed the cards and included their personal messages of thanks to U.S.
troops for their service. Red Cross volunteers will distribute the cards to veterans, military families
and active-duty service members at hospitals and installations around the world. A short video that
features Red Cross volunteers distributing cards and messages in previous years can be viewed at
www.redcross.org/support/get-involved/holiday-mail-for-heroes.
North Lake College
Our Students — The Fall 2012 North Lake College Student Photography Show, “Everything is
Completely Disappearing,” will be on display in the Gallery November 15th through December 6th.
A reception was held for the students on November 20th. The North Lake College Gallery is under
the direction of Steve Benezue.
Our Community — In celebration of America Recycles Day, the North Lake College G.R.E.E.N. Club
held a backyard composting demonstration on November 15th. Students, faculty and staff learned
about sustainable activities for the home, including using composting worms (which were free for
the taking). North Lake College’s Monica Atwell, Biology Lab instructional associate, led the
demonstrations.
Our Employees — Kent Seaver, North Lake College director of Learning Resources, presented
“Marching Forward: Veterans, CLEP and Student Success” at the 91st Annual Texas Association of
Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers Conference, “Sustaining Our Scholars,” held
November 2nd-7th at the Sheraton Dallas Hotel.
North Lake College Interim President Christa Slejko and Vice President of Student Services Mary
Ciminelli attended the Carrollton-Farmers Branch (C-FB) ISD Educational Foundation “Unsung
Heroes” Teacher Appreciation Breakfast on November 13th. At the event, C-FB ISD teachers were
recognized for their exceptional work in helping to enrich the lives of students, parents and
community members.
Mountain View College
Save the date for the Mountain View College Department of Continuing Education’s presentation
of Sounds of the Season in Concert with the Community Chorus directed by Dr. Gordon K. Page,
and the Community Band directed by Dr. Randy Garmon. The concert will be held December 8th
at 3 p.m. in the Mountain View College Performance Hall. This event is free and open to the
public. For more information, please call 214.860.8682.
Four Mountain View College Art students participated in the inaugural Latino Arts Fest held in the
Bishop Arts District on November 4th. Reyna Flores, Karina Duran, Christina Fennell and Ashley
Cruz worked from Friday to Sunday on 6-foot by 2-foot paintings (front and back) to create a
codex-like structure. The festival provided the students $150 for materials. The Arts Fest aimed to
present a brief survey of art and cultural practices by contemporary Latino artists in North Texas.
Ranging from modern to traditional, the festival provided a window to the inspired creative impulses
of a few of the most distinctive artists residing in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. One such artist is
Mountain View College’s own Cristina Medina, professor of Visual Arts, whose art work and
interactive art performances were much enjoyed by attendees. The November 6th edition of Al Día
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has more information about the event and Medina’s participation:
http://aldiatx.com/news/2012/nov/06/muestran-talentos-artistas-latinos-en-calles-de/.
A traveling exhibition from AmericanPoverty.org, “The Unseen: America’s Hidden Poor,” is
currently on display in Mountain View College’s Cliff Gallery. The exhibit features photographs by
Steve Liss, Eli Reed, Stephen Shames, Brent Lewis, John Partipilo (The Tennessean), Judy DeHaas (The
Denver Post), Reza A. Marvashti (The Denver Post), Joe Amon (The Denver Post) and Michael Holahan
(The Augusta Chronicle). The exhibit is being shown in conjunction with Mountain View College’s
Common Book, Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America, by Barbara Ehrenreich.
AmericanPoverty.org is a nonprofit alliance of photojournalists using visual storytelling to raise
awareness about the plight and potential of the least fortunate members of our society. A reception
will take place December 1st at 2 p.m. in the Cliff Gallery, which is located a few steps down from
the Treetop Lounge in the W Building. Gallery hours for the fall 2012 semester are Mondays,
Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays - 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Wednesdays - 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.; Cliff
Gallery is also open by appointment. For more information, please contact David Kirkland at
[email protected] or 214.860.3649.
Brookhaven College
On November 28th, the Math and Science Lecture Series at Brookhaven College touched on a very
timely topic. Dr. Wendy Chung, chief epidemiologist for Dallas County Department of Health,
spoke about the impact of the West Nile virus outbreak in North Texas and the county’s expanded
prevention program. More than 200 college students and employees turned out to learn more about
the disease. Chung’s presentation outlined the disease itself, followed the timeline of last year’s
outbreak and summarized the county’s responses through that timeline.
Students from Brookhaven College worked toward making a difference by participating in volunteer
events for the national Make A Difference Day on October 27th. Andrew Deibert, Brookhaven
College Service Learning coordinator, offered three different opportunities to the students. Dozens
worked at the Brookhaven College Head Start program, cleaning and organizing classrooms; or
played games and talked with children from homeless and domestic abuse shelters (that are
constituents of Rainbow Days); or socialized with elderly residents at The Madison on Marsh
nursing home. Many of the students indicated they plan to engage more in civic activities or
continue volunteering, as this project helped them connect with the needs of the community.
On November 18th, Clayton Haltom, sophomore and center fielder for the Brookhaven College
Bears baseball team, was invited to participate in a workout in front of representatives from
National Collegiate Athletic Association and National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
schools, as well as professional baseball scouts. Haltom has an outstanding grade point average, but
it was three throws from left field to home plate, clocked at 95, 96 and 97 miles per hour, that made
him a standout at the workout. Bears baseball coach Brandon Rains stated that Haltom has become
one of the most sought-after junior college players in the state of Texas.
Three Brookhaven College Instrumental Music majors have just been selected as members of the
Texas Community College All-State Band. Based on each player’s preliminary taped performances,
John Justus (clarinet) and Eduardo Garcia (alto saxophone) received first-place rankings; and
Mitchell Hilton (tenor saxophone) earned a rank of second. More than 200 students from
junior/community colleges in Texas submitted audition tapes for consideration. The next step for
these students is the live auditions for final chair placement with the band which will take place at
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the 2013 Texas Music Educators Association Convention in February. It is the largest state music
convention in the country, with more than 25,000 students and music educators attending.
LeCroy Center
Serving Our Students — LáKendra Higgs, associate dean, Dallas TeleCollege, was in San Antonio this
week for an advising program review of Palo Alto College. DCCCD advising directors have been
working with National Academic Advising Association consultants since August to improve the
academic advising model of the DCCCD. As part of this multiphase project, the directors are
visiting other community colleges structured similarly to DCCCD — in this case, Palo Alto College
(Alamo Colleges) — to provide insight into and benchmark its exemplary advising model.
Serving Our Colleges — Pam Quinn, provost of the LeCroy Center, recently hosted the newly formed
eLearning Task Force of the Texas Association of Community Colleges (TACC) to consider ideas
proposed for the reinvention of the Virtual College of Texas (VCT), STARLINK Professional
Development network, and eLearning statewide. The task force is charged with developing a slate
of recommended actions and initiatives. Recommendations will be presented to the TACC
membership on February 4th; with approval by TACC, recommendations could be presented to the
Texas Legislature next year. Task force members include Pam Quinn (who was appointed team
chair by Cheryl Sparks), Richard Moore, Henry Hartman (STARLINK), Ron Thomson, Ken Haley,
Jeremy McMillan and Brad Johnson.
Pam Quinn also attended the International Forum for Women in E-learning (IFWE) presented by
the United States Distance Learning Association in Florida, November 27-29th. The IFWE
Conference recognizes the role of women leaders in the field of distance education and includes
open discussions, voicing of ideas and a number of presentations involving conversations that
include audience participation. The forum is designed to tap into the resources of the attendees as
well as other experts in their profession.
Serving Our District — STARLINK Professional Development network is providing free video
streaming for the program, “Keeping ‘em Once You’ve Got ‘em: It’s Everybody’s Job,” through
December 10th. The program focuses on the college experience outside the classroom. It features
ideas, strategies and tips that all employees can use to increase student success and retention. To
access the program, click the following link: http://www.starlinktraining.org/.
Cedar Valley College
National Recognition for Sustainability in the Curriculum — A case study submitted by faculty and
administrators at Cedar Valley College was recently published on the National Wildlife Federation
(NWF) website in conjunction with the college’s work in promoting Sustainability in its curriculum.
The study is currently published in the NWF’s Campus Ecology sustainability case study database —
the only resource of its kind — and is available online at
http://www.nwf.org/2012campuscasestudies. The best green projects of 2012 highlight efforts to
dramatically reduce pollution, waste and costs, including recycling, energy efficiency improvements,
renewable energy installations and green jobs training programs. With the addition of the “Best of
2012” submissions, the database includes 800 case studies from colleges and universities across the
U.S. and Canada, spanning more than two decades. The work being done at Cedar Valley College
coincides with NWF’s efforts to educate the American public about the need to reduce carbon
pollution, the major cause of climate change. This national resource documents the transition in
U.S. higher education to transform curricula, campus operations and communities in ways that
prepare graduates to lead for an economically, socially and environmentally sustainable 21st century.
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The development and implementation team for the project comprised the following Cedar Valley
College faculty and administrators: Dr. Jennifer Wimbish, president; Dr. Steven Brown, faculty;
Pam Daniel, director of Sustainability; Ruben Johnson, dean of Business and Technology; Lisa
Nightingale, executive dean; Tim Xeriland, director of the Teaching and Learning Center; Christa
Crawford, instructional application specialist; Tim Sonnier, instructional specialist in the Teaching
and Learning Center; and Jennifer Pollard, dean of Math, Science and Allied Health.
Our Faculty — During the past month, Cedar Valley College adjunct faculty member Ed Smith
performed in two of the greatest events of his life. First, his percussion group, D’Drum, performed
with the great Cleveland Orchestra in Severance Hall. They performed a concerto for world music
titled Gamelan D’Drum, written for the group by Stewart Copeland, drummer for the famous rock
band, The Police. The performance received a standing ovation from the Cleveland audience. In
the second event, Smith performed a solo at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention to
a worldwide audience of thousands. He performed his own compositions and arrangements on a
revolutionary vibraphone that has a manually controlled vibrato system. The company that makes
this instrument, Malletech, endorsed Smith several years ago to demonstrate their instrument around
the world. Smith’s performance became a buzz of positive conversation at the convention and he
received an invitation from the great steel drum player Andy Narrell to join him in Paris to record
with him! Ed Smith is truly an inspiration to the students and Cedar Valley College is honored to
have him as a member of its adjunct faculty for the Commercial Music Department.
Family Music Theatre Auditions — The next presentation by the Cedar Valley College Family Music
Theatre will be In The Heights, with performances on March 1st-2nd, 8-9th and 15-16th. Rehearsals
will begin on January 11th at 7 p.m. This is an all song and dance show. Strong singers and dancers
are needed and there are great ensemble opportunities! Cast requirements: approximately 12 named
roles; dancing/singing ensemble (group of 18-24, balanced male/female, ages 13-30); Dancers/
Singers - Hip Hop or Latin dancing experience a plus. Audition requirements: sing best 16 bars of
contemporary Broadway or pop song with piano — accompanist provided. Please bring sheet
music. No soundtracks; no “a capella,” except on rap. Male young leads must also bring a rap song.
All (except specified leads) must participate in extensive choreography audition. Wear appropriate
footwear; come dressed to dance. Ensemble must have Saturdays available for dance rehearsals.
Songs included in the musical: “In The Heights,” “Breathe,” “Carnaval,” “96,000,” “Blackout,”
“When You’re Home” and “Paciencia y Fe.” Audition details can be found at
www.cedarvalleycollege.edu/fmt or www.familymusictheatre.org. For more information, please call
972.860.8134 or email [email protected].
Eastfield College
Meeting Community Educational Needs — Eastfield College Criminal Justice Program was pleased to
partner with the Terrell Police Department in hosting a three-day school in Practical Homicide
Investigation, November 5-7th. The instructor was Vernon Geberth, a nationally recognized expert
in homicide investigation. He is a retired lieutenant for the New York City Police Department and
commander of the Bronx Homicide Task Force, and the author of two books on homicide
investigation. There were 58 attendees from 17 different law enforcement agencies, including 2
agencies from Louisiana.
Eastfield College’s Arbor Day Celebration on November 15th included a program with guest
speaker Susan Henson, horticulturist/arborist for the Grand Prairie Parks and Recreation
Department. Henson is also the president of the Texas Urban Forestry Council and president-elect
of the Texas Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture. She presented a 15-foot Chinese
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pistachio tree that was planted near the N Building of the campus. Eastfield College President Dr.
Jean Conway presented the Arbor Day Proclamation to college Green Team members Dr. Terrence
Wickman, Dr. Brenda Floyd, Cyndi Wineinger and Aaron Fields (president of the Science Club),
who all participated with Henson in planting the tree. Entertainment was provided by Eastfield
College’s Brass Ensemble and the Children’s Laboratory School multi-age class. The Soldiers of the
Color Guard from the U.S. Army Reserve-176th Medical Brigade in Seagoville presented the colors
for the celebration.
Eastfield College Pleasant Grove Campus is hosting the Spanish exhibition, “Ink, Blood and Wine:
55th Anniversary of Hemingway’s visit to Bodegas Paternina” through December 13th. The exhibit
sheds light on some of Ernest Hemingway’s secret passions and his attraction toward Spanish
culture for the first time in the U.S. Bodegas Paternina (a winery in Rioja, Spain) will promote
Hemingway’s character and his love for Spanish wine in different U.S. cities, with Dallas being the
first stop in the countrywide tour. The exhibit will allow the visitor to discover through previously
unpublished photographs Hemingway’s life, works and passions: literature, journalism, bullfighting,
fiesta, wine and friendship. “Ink, Blood and Wine” shows the Nobel Prize winner’s travels around
Spain through different panels that recreate different moments — for example, when the author of
The Old Man and the Sea tasted Paternina’s aged Reservas in the winery’s 16th Century hand-carved
cellars in Ollauri circa 1956. At the opening reception on November 20th, Eastfield College’s Dr.
Jean Conway, president, and Javier Olguin, executive director of the Pleasant Grove campus,
welcomed Honorary Consul of Spain Janet Kafka and exhibit sponsor, Novo Imports Chairman
Jorge E. Gomar, Sr. Next, the exhibit will be moved to the main campus of Eastfield College for a
two-week show.
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