Vol. XXXIV, No. 12

April 4, 2005

This Week at Valencia.


Wednesday, April 6:

Design & Operations with Deans only, 1 p.m., West Campus, SSB110E

Thursday, April 7:

College Learning Council, 2:30 p.m., Winter Park Campus 123

Alumni Association Board of Directors, 6 p.m., DTC

Friday & Saturday, April 8 & 9:

Valencia Spring Dance Concert, 8 p.m., East Campus Performing Arts Center

Educators in Industry Institute - Summer 2005 Schedule

The Tech Prep Educators-In-Industry Institute is a great way to explore current industry trends by visiting top employers in the Central Florida area. It also provides great networking opportunities and to form long-lasting professional associations with teachers, administrators, and counselors from Orange and Osceola District Schools and Valencia Community College. Over 900 educators have participated in the institute since Tech Prep began this program in 1992.

The institutes are four days in length. The first 3 ½ days are spent visiting seven businesses in key industry areas. The final afternoon is a workshop to discuss what was learned and how we can incorporate it in our teaching or interactions with students. Two institutes will be held in June.

Institute 1: June 6, 7, 8, 9

Institute 2: June 13, 14, 15, 16

Limited space is available. Email bandrews@valenciacc.edu for more information or to sign-up.

Valencia Spring Dance Concert

The community has long enjoyed this springtime staple of dance and spectacle here at Valencia. Designed to highlight guest artist and faculty works at the end of the Spring term each year, the program features student, faculty and guest artist dancers. Held in the Performing Arts Center, each year Valencia joins forces with Rollins College to make this a memorable evening of dance.

Performance Dates:

Friday, April 8, 2005, 8:00 p.m.

Saturday, April 9, 2005, 8:00 p.m.

East Campus Performing Arts Center
Box Office: 407-299-2900
Tickets: $5.00 General Admission/VCC students free

The latest from Leadership Valencia

ILP Review Panel - This workshop is designed to help prepare Individualized Learning Plan (ILP) Review Panelists for the second review of tenure candidates ILP work. Panelists will examine the elements and requirements of the pre-tenure portfolio. Panelists will then develop a shared understanding of what constitutes a quality portfolio by assessing sample artifacts using the Portfolio Evaluation Rubric. Note: All panelists serving on Year-2 Panels must attend this workshop. If you have already attended a workshop on the Year-2 ILP meeting, you do not have attend again. FIVE DATES TO CHOOSE FROM: 1) Monday, April 4, 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., East Campus, Room 5-112, registration code LILPR10; 2) Monday, April 4, 2:30 - 4:30 p.m., West Campus, Room 6-202, registration code LILPR6; 3) Tuesday, April 5, 1:30 - 3:30 p.m., West Campus, Room 6-202, registration code LILPR7; 4) Wednesday, April 6, 2:30 - 4:30 p.m., East Campus, Room 5-217D, registration code LILPR8; 5) Thursday, April 7, 1:30 - 3:30 p.m., East Campus, Room 5-217D, registration code LILPR9.

What is WebCT? The Office of Information Technology is pleased to present WebCT, an integrated course management system that will allow you to easily create an online presence for your course. If you're not familiar with WebCT, this short demonstration will highlight the many features and options that WebCT gives those just getting started, and prepares those who are ready to take the next step in distance education. This workshop will be presented by Matt Ames on Monday, April 4, 2:00 - 3:00 p.m., West Campus, Room 6-220, registration code TWCT404.

Getting Started with WebCT - Excited to get involved with WebCT, but not sure where to start? Join this beginner class to start your online success with WebCT. Topics include course planning, home page customization, syllabus creation, and using the WebCT file manager. This workshop will be presented by Matt Ames on Wednesday, April 6, 2:00 - 4:00 p.m., West Campus, Room 6-220, registration code TWCT406.0

Open Doors...Open Minds: Valencia's ALLIES Program - This on-going Leadership Valencia offer will seek to raise the awareness of the college community (faculty, staff, and administrators) to topics relevant to the GLBT student population. The purpose and goals will be to promote understanding, awareness, and support for GLBT persons in order to foster an atmosphere that celebrates diversity and inclusivity for all members of the Valencia Community College community. This workshop will be presented by Jeff Manges and Katie Shephard on Wednesday, April 6, 4:00 - 6:30 p.m., West Campus, Room 6-221, registration code GGLBT.

Lifespeak: Living From the Inside Out (Formation) - Why not take time out of your busy schedule to become reacquainted with yourself? You are invited to join your colleagues in the second session of this three-part series to discuss Parker Palmer's book, Let Your Life Speak, which explores finding ones authentic vocation. This workshop is not designed to place additional demands on our already busy schedules. Rather, it is an opportunity to delight our spirits. This workshop will be presented by Mary Allen and Jane Renfroe on Thursday, April 7, 2:00 - 5:00 p.m., Winter Park Campus, Room 224, registration code LFORM4.

Introduction to JAWS, Zoomtext, & Dragon Naturally Speaking - This workshop is an introduction to these three software programs. The JAWS program focuses on the minimum skill set needed by students who are blind to successfully navigate web pages. Other topics include identifying the basic features of a screen reader; using functions of the screen reader to navigate the Windows XP environment; and becoming familiar with using the screen reader in MS Word. The Zoomtext program is screen magnification software used by students with disabilities. The topics covered will include the basics of navigating; how to activate and deactivate as well as exit the software as well as navigate the help system; identify and change basic magnification levels; and many other aspects. The Dragon Naturally Speaking program is voice recognition software. The topics covered will include creating a voice profile; navigating menus by voice; surfing the Web by voice; exploring materials used to teach DNS to students; and learning the difference between the different levels of DNS. This workshop will be presented by Kirsten Olson on Friday, April 8, 1:00 - 3:30 p.m., Winter Park Campus, Room 225, registration code TJAWS.

Who Cares for the Caregiver? You were doing the best you could managing your career, family and personal development .and then Charley came, followed by Ivan, Frances and Jeanne. Do you feel like you need a long rest but can't quit running even though you're falling behind every step of the way? I know how you feel! And I also know how important it is to learn to manage stress. Join in a morning of fun and games and learn some easy, fun stress busters. This workshop will be presented by Catherine Madden on Friday, April 8, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., West Campus, Room 9-128, registration code GWCFC.

E-Bay for Everyday - This session will cover basic E-bay use for new and interested users. Sponsored by American Association for Women in Community Colleges (AAWCC). This workshop will be presented by Priscilla Gray on Friday, April 8, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m., Winter Park Campus, Room 134, registration code GEBAY.

How Full is Your Bucket? How did you feel after your last interaction with another person? Did that person -- your spouse, best friend, co-worker, or even a stranger -- "fill your bucket" by making you feel more positive? Or did that person "dip from your bucket," leaving you more negative than before? How Full Is Your Bucket? reveals how even the briefest interactions affect your relationships, productivity, health, and longevity. Organized around a simple metaphor of a dipper and a bucket, and grounded in 50 years of research, this workshop will show you how to greatly increase the positive moments in your work and your life -- while reducing the negative. This workshop will be presented by Joanna Branham on Friday, April 8, 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., Winter Park Campus, Room 226, registration code GHFYB.

To register for any Leadership Valencia workshop, mail a completed registration form to DTC-1, fax to ext 3134, or register online at http://valenciacc.edu/leadership/regstr.asp . For additional information please e-mail Heather Coxe at hcoxe@valenciacc.edu .

Please consider supporting Valencia student in need

One of Valencia's outstanding students, Colette Mitchell-Ruff, has recently been diagnosed with Renal Cancer. On March 4th, 2005 Colette was admitted into Florida Hospital to have a kidney removed and has since discovered that her cancer is in stage three of four stages. This means she will require chemotherapy as her cancer has begun to affect surrounding tissues. Although Colette has insurance that covers 70% of approved medical expenses, the bills are expected to be far greater than what her household income can afford.

Colette has three children, ranging from ages 13-18, and a husband who works overtime to help make ends meet. Colette has been a successful student at Valencia and has been very involved and instrumental in the success of the Graphic Design Group, where she has served as the President and Vice President in previous semesters and is also a member of Phi Theta Kappa honor society. Colette is scheduled to graduate this upcoming May.

If you have any questions or would like to assist in fundraising efforts for Colette please contact Barbara Peterson via email at bpeterson@valenciacc.edu or by phone, 407-582-2361. Anyone willing to offer a donation may do so at either of the graphics labs on East (1-215) and West (5-130) Campus. If preferred, donations can also be mailed or given directly to Barbara Peterson, Graphics Technology Program Director (Valencia Community College; 701 N. Econlockhatchee Tr.; Mail Code 3-2; Orlando, FL; 32825). All donations should be made payable to Colette Mitchell-Ruff.

Although the Graphic Design Group as well as her family and friends have generously contributed towards an established trust fund, more financial assistance is needed to help support Colette during these difficult times. Any donation small or large will be greatly appreciated by Colette and her family. For those who cannot afford to contribute, her family and friends ask that you please keep her in your prayers for a quick recovery and a total remission of her cancer.

Hello and Goodbye.

A warm Valencia welcome is extended to Jeannette Martinez, Staff Assistant, Criminal Justice Institute, mc 3-9, ext. 2663.

Kudos

Dr. John Hughes, Professor of English, East Campus, has published his book, The Novels and Short Stories of Frederick Barthelme, with The Edwin Mellen Press of New York.

Kay Smith, Professor of Communications, West Campus, recently attended the Popular Culture/American Culture Association Conference in San Diego, where she chaired a panel and presented a paper entitled "Cramped Cranial Closeness: Richardson's Claustrophobic Setting in the 1969 Hamlet."

Thank you.

To all of our fantastic LRC staff on West Campus,

A big thank you from myself and from all of my psychology students for helping meet our APA term paper requirements. According to the students, most of them had never set foot in the LRC and they now plan to use it for all their classes. Some of the students' comments were: "We have the best LRC staff ever!"; "They helped me find needed resource material for my paper"; "I was able to ask questions and get real answers..."; "They helped me meet my goals by making suggestions beyond what I knew about"; "They were friendly and did not treat me like I was stupid for asking questions." I am grateful for your support.

                            -Dr. Nadine Vaughan
                             General and Developmental Psychology

Are you ready for A Taste for Learning?

If you like wine and you want to help students in need, Valencia Foundation has your ticket! "A Taste for Learning," the foundation's first signature fund-raising event, is slated for April 30, from 7 to 10 p.m., and promises to be a spectacular evening of wine and epicurean delights at the Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center in Kissimmee, FL.

A Taste for Learning will feature dozens of vintners from around the world, who will gather to serve more than 500 of their finest wines. Their samplings will be complemented by gourmet taste treats from Gaylord Palms chefs. In addition to great food and wine, there will be a silent auction featuring trips, signed memorabilia, dinners, spa packages and other appealing items. All proceeds from the evening benefit scholarships for Valencia Community College students. Tickets are $75 per individual, and $125 for couples, and can be ordered by calling the Valencia Foundation at 407-582-3150, or by visiting www.valencia.org and clicking on the A Taste for Learning logo.

Last year, the foundation provided more than 750 scholarships to students who would not otherwise have had the opportunity to attend college. The demonstrated demand of financial need is easily ten times that. Gifts to the general scholarship fund for students in need have allowed the foundation to make education possible for thousands of students.

A Taste for Learning has already garnered lead sponsorship support from ABC Fine Wine & Spirits, Aegis Financial Advisors, Agilysys, Inc., American Ad Specialties, Central Florida Hotel and Lodging Association, Clear Channel Outdoor, Chastang, Ferrell, Sims & Eiserman, LLC, C.T. Hsu Group, Darden Restaurants, Freeman, Co., Gaylord Resort & Convention Center, Glatting Jackson Kercher Anglin Lopez Rinehart Inc., Helman Hurley Charvat Peacock Architects Inc., McCree Inc., Raymer and Dean Maguire, Orlando Business Journal, Park Square Homes, Publix Supermarkets Charities, Inc., SunGard Collegis, Universal Orlando Resort, Walt Disney World Co., Welbro Building Corporation, and the Williams Company.

For more information, please contact the Valencia Foundation at 407-582-3150, or visit www.valencia.org.

Submissions to the Bulletin are encouraged, so please e-mail your achievements, awards, recognitions, and relevant information for the college community to Mary Jane Jones, Staff Assistant in Marketing and Media Relations. Deadline for submission is 5 p.m. on the Tuesday preceding each Friday's distribution. Mary Jane can be reached at ext.1017, or mjjones@valenciacc.edu.