| 05/2009 |
Teal & Silver Awards 2009The Chandler-Gilbert Community College Teal & Silver Awards Program was created to recognize the contributions of individuals who support CGCC students, employees, programs, services, and the college community. |
Ann Padilla, Gilbert Public School District: K-12 School Colleague As Coordinator of Secondary Special Education
Programs in the Gilbert Public School District, Ann Padilla has been an important source of support for the Teacher Education Program at Chandler-Gilbert Community College. For the past three years, Ann has mentored and facilitated the placement of CGCC Education students and allowed them to complete their required service-learning hours in Gilbert Public Schools. Since the Teacher Education Program began its partnership with Ann and her special education faculty in 2006, Ann has created hands-on learning apprenticeships from teaching professionals for CGCC students that bridge the gap from the theory of their college courses to practice in a live classroom. She is very active in solving any placement issues that arise and in meeting the requests of CGCC students and faculty. Consistently, students placed in the special education program in Gilbert Public Schools have positive, professionally-enriching experiences that directly enhance their learning. Her leadership and enthusiasm are what make the service-learning component of CGCC's Teacher Education Program such a success. |
Andrea Scherrer, Mesquite High School and Geri Daniels, Chandler High School: K-12 School Colleagues Andrea Scherrer and Geri Daniels have been key
players in the Chandler-Gilbert Community College ACE Plus Academic Program since its inception in 2003. As high school counselors for Mesquite High School and Chandler High School respectively, they promote ACE Plus to their students in a variety of innovative ways. They dynamically arrange information sessions for their students and summarize key points to help them fully understand the program's educational opportunity. Andrea and Geri are the pioneers behind the success of CGCC's ACE Plus and Hoop of Learning high school recruitment programs. They have acted as wonderful liaisons by calling students when necessary and providing high school reports that ultimately lead to a high retention of students in the program. With the growing population of ACE, Andrea and Geri continue to show tremendous leadership and flexibility in meeting new challenges, while still balancing their work as high school counselors and adjunct faculty at CGCC as well. Their support of CGCC's Early Outreach Programs makes them both invaluable K-12 partners. |
Ellen Nymark, Northern Arizona University: University Colleague When NAU opened its office on Chandler-Gilbert
Community College's Pecos Campus in December 2004, both institutions were fortunate that Ellen Nymark was a key player in the start-up of the program. Ellen has been the coordinator of the NAU/CGCC partnership since its inception, helping to offer CGCC students and community members interested in continuing their education local access to NAU's degree programs. NAU's Elementary Education program, which allows Elementary Education majors to complete the first two years of study at CGCC and then transfer to NAU to complete the last two years of coursework, has thrived under Ellen's leadership. More recently, Ellen helped launch NAU's 90/30 program, which allows CGCC students to take their first 90 college credits at CGCC and their final 30 credits through NAU - all without leaving the Pecos Campus. Ellen has always extended herself to CGCC students, helping as many as she can make the transition from the community college to the university. CGCC considers it a privilege to have her located on the college's Pecos Campus as part of CGCC's extended family. |
Dr. Karen Poole, MCCCD Center for Workforce Development: Community College Colleague For the past three years, Dr. Karen Poole has
served as an Associate Director within the Maricopa County Community College District's Center for Workforce Development. During her service to MCCCD, she has consistently strived to achieve a mindset of "One Maricopa" across the district while working with a diverse group of partners throughout Maricopa County, including Chandler-Gilbert Community College. Through the Mature Workforce Initiatives, Karen has extended her role from MCCCD Workforce Development to CGCC's offices of Continuing Education and Workforce Development, Career and Placement Services, and the Sun Lakes Center. Under her guidance and expertise, CGCC continues to serve as a role model to enhance workforce opportunities, build on the reputation of the college's Career and Placement Services Center, and utilize the Sun Lakes Center to offer training opportunities for age 50+ workers. Karen also collaborates with CGCC managers to support MCCCD's ongoing effort of delivering new skill sets to the re-careering adult. CGCC is honored to name Dr. Karen Poole as our 2009 Community College Colleague. |
Jan Lorant and Gabor Lorant Architects: Business and Industry Partner Jan Lorant, Principal of Gabor Lorant Architects,
has been closely involved with planning and development at Chandler-Gilbert Community College for the past eight years. He created the 2002 College Master Plan update and the 2006 Williams Master Plan update. In addition, Jan designed the Central Plant building, the Baylor Hall remodel, and the north parking lot, all for the Williams Campus, and he designed Jacaranda Hall I & II for the Pecos Campus. Jan was especially critical in the recent design and construction of Engel Hall at the Williams Campus. During the early design phases, cost estimates continued to come in much higher than expected. Rather than accept those estimates, Jan found subcontractors who submitted significantly better pricing, saving CGCC nearly $1 million. Armed with a strong understanding of CGCC's mission and values, as well as knowledge of the existing facilities, Jan has been able to propose changes that enhance CGCC's campus designs and service to students. CGCC is grateful for Jan's continued investment of his professional skills and personal interests in the long-term development of CGCC. |
Ian Pitts and Syn-Apps LLC: Technology Partner Ian Pitts, President and CEO of Syn-Apps LLC, has
been a vital partner and contributor to Chandler- Gilbert Community College and its adoption of an emergency preparedness initiative to develop communication protocols, technology tools, and a crisis plan as a proactive measure to increase safety and improve communications in the event of an emergency. Ian and Syn-Apps have helped successfully implement CGCC's strategy of adopting a multi-channel suite of products that provides redundancy and fault tolerance. Ian promoted the value of assimilating third party emergency products to work together as a cohesive emergency communication solution, and he initiated contacts with key individuals from other companies to sell the value of integrating their products together for the benefit of a comprehensive solution for the customer. As a direct result of his tireless efforts, CGCC is considered an exemplary model for the implementation of a multi-modal emergency communications solution. CGCC takes great pride in naming Ian Pitts and Syn-Apps LLC our 2009 Technology Partner. |
Kayla Kolar and the Gilbert Historical Museum: Community Organization Partner Kayla Kolar, Executive Director of the Gilbert
Historical Museum, has played an instrumental role in a number of
service-learning projects at CGCC. Kayla has worked hard to tailor
CGCC students' academic needs to specific tasks at the museum and
help them fulfill their service-learning goals. Kayla has designed service projects for CGCC students, such as creating educational materials for children, providing customer service for patrons, planning outreach events, and helping develop the museum's database. She has also helped make oral history projects a success for history students at CGCC. In spring 2008, Kayla partnered with CGCC faculty Dr. Kim Chuppa-Cornell in designing and implementing an oral history project. Kayla identified participants who students could interview, volunteered to coordinate all of the interviews at the Gilbert Historical Museum, and located an ASU videographer/recorder to tape the oral histories. Kayla's dedication, time, and professionalism took the project to exciting new heights. Kayla Kolar's continued support of CGCC's service-learning programs makes her an invaluable partner to the college and our students. |
Kathy Langdon, Gilbert Chamber of Commerce: Advisory Council Member Kathy Langdon, President and CEO of the Gilbert
Chamber of Commerce, has been a member of Chandler-Gilbert Community College's President's Community Advisory Council since 2002. During the past several years, she has set the pace for advisory council members by finding ways to deepen connections between the college and the community. The Gilbert Chamber created a position on its board for a CGCC liaison, allowing the college to provide updates about programs and progress. The college is often invited to participate in the Chamber's special events, such as the Celebrity Waiter Dinner, the East Valley Business Expo, ribbon-cuttings, Gilbert Now Luncheons, and candidate forums. This past year, Kathy invited the college to become involved in the annual Gilbert Community Excellence Awards. Each year our college is able to publically honor a faculty member and staff member of the year with recognition in town publications and at the celebration dinner. Kathy also serves on many boards, including the Gilbert Economic Development Advisory Board and on the CHW East Valley Hospitals Board. CGCC appreciates that she understands and promotes the role of the community college in economic and community development, and we are proud to present her with a 2009 Teal and Silver Award. |
Francisco (Frankie) Montiel, Town of Guadalupe: Alumni Frankie Montiel, a member of the Pascua Yaqui
Tribe and the Mayor of Guadalupe, graduated from
Chandler-Gilbert Community College with an Associate of General Studies Degree in 2003. Frankie played baseball at CGCC and transferred to Southeast Missouri State University on a baseball scholarship, where he earned Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Week and All Tournament Honors multiple times before graduating with a Bachelors Degree in Liberal Arts in 2005. After graduating from Southeast Missouri State University, Frankie played professional baseball with the Mesa Miners, affiliated with the Chicago Cubs, before becoming the Education Community Liaison at Marcos De Niza High School in Tempe and a Pascua Yaqui Tribe Parent Advocate. In 2006, Frankie was elected as a Town of Guadalupe General Council Member, then appointed by his fellow Council Members as Vice Mayor. When the Mayor of Guadalupe stepped down, Frankie served as Interim Mayor before being officially appointed as Mayor in September 2008. Frankie also serves Guadalupe as the Education Manager for the Pascua Yaqui Tribe, overseeing the K-12 Program and the Higher Education Scholarship Program. Frankie's devotion to his culture, community, and family is evident in his professional and personal life. He is an exemplary role model for many, and an outstanding CGCC alumni. |
Sue Sossaman: Community Leader Sue Sossaman's name appears frequently in the
history of Chandler-Gilbert Community College. She was a member of the original task force assembled in 1984 to examine the need for a community college in the Southeast Valley. Sue chaired the Community and Cultural Services subcommittee and advocated for the college to provide comprehensive academic, university transfer, and cultural programs, when others asked that programs be limited to vocational/technical offerings. In 1986, Sue chaired the community advisory group that ultimately chose the name Chandler-Gilbert Community College and worked with the founding Provost and President Arnette Ward to help plan for the future development of the college. Throughout more than 20 years, she has continued to serve on the President's Community Advisory Council, while contributing to Southeast Valley communities in countless other ways. Sue has served numerous non-profit organizations, including the Chandler Service Club, the Junior Women's Club, Human Action for Chandler, the Chandler Regional Hospital Board, the San Tan Historical Society, and Chandler United Methodist Church. Her contributions, along with her husband Jamie, have been noted for decades as influential in the development of the Southeast Valley communities. CGCC thanks Sue for her passionate and tireless dedication to so many. |