Marketing & Public Relations Department received three Gold Medallion Awards from the National Council of Marketing and Public Relations for 2009-2010.  Marketing & PR received the three Medallions for the "Be the Connection" Fundraising Campaign; the CGCC Recruitment Folder; and the Outdoor Banners located at both the Pecos and Williams campuses.  Judges included representatives from business and industry such as the Los Angeles Dodgers and Skechers Corporation, as well as students. 

Marketing & PR has received a total of 42 Medallion Awards in the past 11 years.

The National Council of Marketing and Public Relations Medallion Awards are designed to recognize outstanding achievement in communications at community, junior, and technical colleges.

Lois Bartholomew, retired CGCC Vice President of Student Affairs, was inducted into the Phoenix College Alumni Hall of Fame for 2010.  Lois began her college career at Phoenix College and has been active in their Alumni Association for many years.  The Hall of Fame membership begins with a nomination process, and a rigorous screening of nominees. 

Math faculty Melinda Rudibaugh and Coordinator of CGCC’s Law Enforcement Training Academy, Jon Terpay, were honored in November 2010, at the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce Community Excellence Awards.

Melinda Rudibaugh was recognized as “CGCC Educator of the Year.” An excerpt from her nomination is as follows: "She connects on a very individual level with each and every student no matter their skill level. She incorporates active learning, technology, classroom assessment and service learning into all of her classes to enrich and advance her students' experiences. She is a devoted community volunteer herself, serving as a United Way Campaign leader and a passionate and devoted animal rescue volunteer."

Jon Terpay was recognized as "CGCC Staff Member of the Year." An excerpt from his nomination is as follows: “There is nothing he asks his students to do that he won't do with them. If they run, he runs. If he asks them to serve in their community, he is right beside them. He believes in the importance of serving all constituents in the community and knowing the complexity of needs that exist."

Congratulations to Yvette Strickling, Administrative Assistant to the Vice President of Student Affairs, who was named as the CGCC recipient of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Diversity Award in January, at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Basketball Classic.  Each year, the CGCC Athletic Department honors an employee who consistently promotes inclusiveness and diversity at the college.

An excerpt from Yvette's nomination is as follows: “Yvette is a talented and dedicated professional woman with clear personal and professional goals. She is involved in a number of campus and student-related activities each year, including serving as a mentor to CGCC students throughout the academic year; advisor to the Black Student Union (BSU), helping students prepare for campus jobs and jobs within the club and assisting in helping students sponsor campus events; participating in CGCC's BSU and Student Life and Leadership Panel Discussion in February 2007; Valley of the Sun United Way Chair 2006 for CGCC; and Into the Streets Team site leader. Yvette is often called upon to help others create special events and programs because of her talent with program design and implementation."

Congratulations to 2010-2011 CGCC Innovation of the Year award winners: Jennifer Spring, Service Learning Placement Coordinator and Teacher Education Adjunct Faculty; Ron Slamka, Programmer Analyst, TSS; Alison Whiting, Service Learning Coordinator; Mike Greene, Director of Student Life and Leadership; Sharon Fagan, Teacher Education Faculty; Dr. Brenda Larson, Teacher Education Faculty; Jennifer Peterson, Teacher Education Faculty; Terri McClelland, Teacher Education Program Adviser and Adjunct Faculty; Tiffany Kimble, Service Learning Administrative Secretary; KT Campbell, Student Life Program Advisor; Jessie Leach, Student Life Administrative Secretary II; Beth Ann Wright, Service Learning Assistant and Americorps Coordinator.

 The CGCC Teacher Education Program has service learning as a core component of the curriculum of every course; therefore, each semester, 375-425 students are individually placed in local classrooms for 20-30 hours of service. In 2009, the service learning team, in partnership with TSS and Teacher Education faculty, implemented a web-based system for placing and monitoring students’ service in the schools.  Moving the Teacher Education service learning placement process on-line has benefited students who are now placed in school classrooms more expediently. The program and process has earned respect and praise from the local school districts, who have increased confidence in the CGCC systems for fingerprint management, placement, and monitoring of our students in their schools. One Teacher Education student noted, “This process is so much easier and convenient. I feel we get quicker placements, which allows us to get into the classroom sooner.”

Director of Early Outreach Programs Laura Matyas was recognized as a Cesar E. Chavez Educator of the Year by the Si Se Puede Foundation in March 2011.

An excerpt from her nomination is as follows, “Laura has a passion for students and their families. She works tirelessly to support the successful transition of students moving from high school to college by working closely with high school personnel, college faculty and staff, and community agencies to help individuals find their way and the resources they need to succeed in college.  She is respected by her colleagues as well as her students, who often praise the personal time and attention that she devotes to their individual needs and special circumstances. Laura exemplifies the qualities of inclusion and respect for all students that we expect in great educators. Education changed her life and she wants other Latinos in our community to experience the benefits of a college education. She works hard every day to open doors for anyone seeking to achieve a college education.”

Congratulations to Teacher Education faculty Sharon Fagan, who was honored with the Women's Leadership Group 2011 "Woman of Distinction" Distinguished Achievement Award, which will be presented to her at the group's 13th Annual Women's Leadership Luncheon in April.

An excerpt from her nomination is as follows:

"Sharon Fagan is a dedicated, passionate teacher, who consistently devotes her time, expertise, and creativity to initiatives which support student success. Her service to the college extends beyond the classroom, as she serves as mentor to both students and fellow employees.  Sharon’s passionate commitment to teaching and CGCC is evident in all that she does."