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TO:
DCCCD Board Members
FROM:
Dr. Wright L. Lassiter, Jr.
DATE:
December 20, 2013
RE:
Weekend Memo #355
TO ACHIEVE YOUR DREAMS,
REMEMBER YOUR ABC’s
I was privileged to offer remarks at the 5th annual scholarship program sponsored by the
Southeast Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Following the conclusion of the event, several
persons asked for a copy of the “ABC’s” that concluded my remarks. These may be useful to my
DCCCD colleagues.
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A-void negative sources, people, places, things, and habits.
B-elieve in yourself.
C-onsider things from every angle.
D-on’t give up and don’t give in.
E-njoy life today; yesterday is gone; and tomorrow may never come.
F-amily and Friends are hidden treasures. Seek them and enjoy their riches.
G-ive more than you planned to give.
H-ang on to your dreams;
I-gnore those who try to discourage you.
J-ust do it!
K-eep on trying, no matter how hard it seems. It will get easier.
L-ove yourself first and foremost.
M-ake it happen.
N-ever lie, cheat, or steal. Always strike a fair deal.
O-pen your eyes and see things as they really are.
P-ractice makes perfect.
Q-uitters never win and winners never quit.
R-ead, study, and learn about everything important to your life.
S-top procrastinating.
T-ake control of your own destiny.
U-nderstand yourself in order to better understand others.
V-isualize it.
W-ant it more than anything.
X-cellerate your efforts.
Y-ou are unique of all God’s creations. Nothing can replace you.
Z-ero in on your target and go for it!
The Road Map for Success
There is a curve called failure,
A loop called confusion,
Speed bumps called friends,
Red lights called enemies,
Caution lights called family.
You will have flats along the way,
But . . .
If you have a spare called determination,
An engine called perseverance,
Insurance called faith, and
A driver called God,
You will make it to a place called success.
This, my friends, is your road map for safe traveling.
North Lake College
Our Students — The North Lake College Gallery is currently displaying “An Unconceptual
Introduction” — an exhibition of photographs by students in Photo 4 classes. The exhibit runs
through January 8th. On December 11th, a reception was held to celebrate the wonderful artwork
of this talented group of student artists.
Our Community — On December 4th, North Lake College held its annual Santa Bucks event. Santa
Bucks is an operation of support, collaboration and care. Students received $30 in play money to
shop for items donated by their classmates, instructors and members of the community. These
items, including gently used clothing, food and toys, could each be purchased for one Santa Bucks
dollar. “Students in our Journalism Club sponsor the event, while our government classes collect
food, and the Serving Learning Club gift wraps [items] and folds clothes,” stated Kathleen
Stockmier. This year’s event served approximately 300 individuals. Stockmier is student
publications manager at North Lake College, and the event coordinator for Santa Bucks.
Our Employees — North Lake College Educational and Administrative Technology staff members
Jeffrey Williams and William Zelada, and District Director of Human and Organizational
Development George Marquez attended the 9th Annual Texas Community College Technology
Forum on November 15th at Collin College. The presentations focused on new trends that will
influence higher education, including mobility, wireless technology, security and the “internet of
things” (the world of physical devices connected to the network/Internet).
On November 21st, North Lake College’s Mary Ciminelli, vice president, student services and
enrollment management; Lynda Edwards, dean, student support services; Marissa Kirk, director,
dual credit; and Lesly Castillo, coordinator, student recruiting, attended the Carrollton-Farmers
Branch (C-FB) ISD Educational Foundation’s Unsung Heroes Teacher Appreciation
Breakfast. Twenty-three teachers from the C-FB ISD were nominated for the Unsung Heroes
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Teacher Award. The keynote speaker for the event was Dr. R. Gerald Turner, president of
Southern Methodist University.
Cedar Valley College
Our Students — On December 14th, Alpha Zeta Omicron, the Phi Theta Kappa chapter at Cedar
Valley College, held its semiannual induction ceremony. The officers and advisors welcomed 43
new inductees into the chapter. Special guests included Troy Alley of the Alley Foundation, who
spoke on scholarship opportunities; the honored speaker for the ceremony was DCCCD Chancellor
Dr. Wright Lassiter.
Our Students’ Success — Members of the Cedar Valley College Health Professionals Club helped raise
$440 to donate to the Red Cross for the Philippines’ Typhoon Haiyan Relief Fund. The fundraiser
was held during the month of December; items donated by several members of the club were sold,
including hot chocolate, reindeer candy canes and cookies, and also two raffle baskets. Faculty
member Jennifer Siemantel and college nurse Mari Brock are advisors for the Cedar Valley College
Health Professionals Club.
Our Sustainability — On November 14th, Cedar Valley College hosted “Photo Scavenger Hunt:
Take Pictures of Nature and Win Prizes” as part of its Sustainability Awareness Campaign. The
event, organized by the Sustainability Office, was promoted for service-learning hours by the
Student Leadership Institute. The program included a brief presentation about the concept of
sustainability and tips on how to take great photos by Daniel Mirabal. The three winning
photographs were taken by Cedar Valley College students Timothy Minor, Sydney Spann and
Gabriel Penaloza. The first-place photo showed a group of ducks flying over Cedar Valley College
Lake; second place - a student walking and texting in the middle of nature; and third place - a
beautiful landscape (photograph) of Cedar Valley College Lake and its surroundings.
Our Community Outreach, Staff and Students — On December 14th, Cedar Valley College participated in
the 60th Annual City of Lancaster Parade of Lights parade and festival. Members of the Student
Government Association, Student Ambassadors organization and Brother 2 Brother Male Initiative
organization joined staff members Dr. Ryan Thornton, Jarlene DeCay, Miyoshi Holmes, Candace
Rucker, Bob Stewart, Henri Dally, Steve Barrett and Krasi Kolarov in the parade. Also, Mr. Cedar
Valley College, Timothy Minor, and Miss Cedar Valley College, Bernadette Washington, participated
on the school’s hayride parade float, which was designed by the Athletic Department.
Richland College
Sustainable Community Building — Members of the Richland College Professional Support Staff
Association (PSSA) recently adopted two, single-parent, Richland College Working Wonders student
families who needed assistance in providing a Thanksgiving meal. Through the generosity of these
PSSA members, each family was provided a 14-pound turkey, a ham and a basket full of side dishes,
desserts, rolls and drinks; they also received gift cards, which helped both students provide their
families a stress-free, nourishing dinner for the holiday.
Student Success — Congratulations go to five talented Richland College instrumental music students
for earning places in the 2013-14 Texas Community College All-State Symphonic Band, which will
perform at the 2014 Texas Music Educators Association Convention in San Antonio in February.
Competing against instrumentalists from two-year colleges across the state, the students earned the
following places in the prestigious, all-state performance ensemble: Jorge Gaundique - bassoon, 2nd
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in state; Desiree Gonzalez - clarinet, 17th in state; Wladimir Herrera - flute, 12th in state; Briana
Perez - flute, 2nd in state; and Kerri Shomette - flute, 3rd in state.
Employee Success — Jen Rose, Richland College art visiting scholar, is coordinating the Rose Award
for Ceramic Innovation, a new district-wide juried show to highlight ceramics and sculpture; it is
being funded through a foundation grant established in her name by an anonymous donor. This
year’s show will be held in March at the Janette Kennedy Gallery at South Side on Lamar; all seven
DCCCD colleges are invited to submit three works to be displayed in the exhibition. Both
sculptural and functional pieces will be juried, but first-, second- and third-place awards will be given
for artwork exhibiting the most innovation. Amy Halko, successful California ceramicist, will jury
the show and conduct a three-day workshop for Richland College art students.
Institutional Effectiveness — Richland College is launching its new Honors Academy and is currently
admitting Honors students. Staff of the Office of Planning, Research, Effectiveness and
Development has provided support for targeted e-mail communications management messages to
qualifying students and developed electronic application forms to assist in the launch. The Honors
Academy Steering Committee has also provided an orientation session and course planning support
for the first cadre of Honors Academy instructors. Honors students are now being enrolled in
sections of core courses, including Biology 1407, English 1302, Government 2305 and Psychology
2301. Additional information may be obtained on the Richland College Honors Academy web page,
http://www.richlandcollege.edu/honors/.
Brookhaven College
Employee Success — Winners of the annual art drawing (to support the adjunct art instructors
development fund) were announced at Brookhaven College’s holiday party. Chong Chu and Lisa
Ehrich, Brookhaven College art professors, each donated a piece for the drawing. Students and
employees could donate to the fund and have a chance to win Chu’s drawing or Ehrich’s ceramic
basket. The winners of the drawing are two art students: Kenya Diaz and Larry Spencer.
Interestingly, each is a student of the instructor who created the piece she/he won! The drawing
raised $620, which will allow the Brookhaven College Art Department to offer three adjunct art
instructors a grant of $200 each for staff development.
Institutional Effectiveness — Brookhaven College has submitted its application for becoming a Tree
Campus USA college. Tree Campus USA is an Arbor Day Foundation program that recognizes
college and university campuses for effective management of their trees. The application requires
the development of a cross-functional campus tree advisory committee, a tree care plan, observance
of Arbor Day and a dedicated annual budget for tree care. There is also a required component for
service learning. Students in the Brookhaven College Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
program created a visualization of the campus’s tree canopy with the three landscape zones of the
campus. Another GIS class used field measurements to collect data for a tree inventory.
District Office
The DCCCD District Office Department of Outreach presented a workshop at the annual Dallas
ISD Own the Turf: College-Career Conference held at the University of North Texas at Dallas on
December 17th. Staff members spoke to almost a hundred Dallas ISD elementary school
counselors about programs and services offered by the department, which help connect young,
future students and their parents to DCCCD. A portion of the workshop was devoted to gathering
a “wish list” of tools and resources that would be useful for counselors as they promote the
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importance of higher education to students and their families. This information will be used by the
district’s outreach staff as they develop future partnerships with elementary schools.
Benefactors and mentors for three DCCCD Foundation scholarship programs visited with their
scholars at separate holiday gatherings this week. On December 16th, DCCCD Foundation board
member Mike Myers and his wife, Sammye, hosted their traditional holiday dinner in their home for
past and present scholarship recipients of the LeCroy Scholars program. Myers created the program
in 1988 to honor the late Dr. R. Jan LeCroy, who served as DCCCD chancellor from 1981-88. Dr.
Nancy LeCroy, the former chancellor’s wife, and Dr. Mary Brumbach, senior executive,
development and foundation affairs, also attended the gathering. Myers serves as a mentor for
scholarship recipients, who are selected based on their leadership qualities and high academic
standards. On December 19th, John and Lyn Muse (DCCCD Foundation board member) joined
Muse scholarship recipients for dinner at Opus restaurant and for the Dallas Symphony Orchestra’s
(DSO) annual Christmas Celebration concert at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center. Muse
scholarships are awarded to high-achieving students who demonstrate community leadership, a
strong sense of purpose, a deep work ethic and clear educational goals. Also attending the DSO
Christmas performance were former and current scholarship recipients of the Erin Tierney Kramp
(ETK) Encouragement Scholarship and several board members from the ETK Encouragement
Foundation. Created by venture capitalist Michael Brown, Tierney’s former friend and colleague,
this scholarship is awarded to deserving DCCCD students who demonstrate courage and
perseverance in the face of adversity.
The DCCCD Office of Public and Governmental Affairs has been notified that the American
Council on Education (ACE) will publish a cover story about accountability in higher education in
its February edition of The Presidency (the organization’s magazine). The comprehensive story
includes information about DCCCD’s accountability and completion efforts, plus comments from
Anna Mays, Cedar Valley College vice president for student services and enrollment management;
Dr. Jennifer Wimbish, Cedar Valley College president, also provided input for the story. DCCCD
information and sources were coordinated by Ann Hatch, district director of media relations. The
story has been posted online at http://www.acenet.edu/the-presidency/Pages/Winter-2014.aspx.
Mountain View College
Mountain View College students Taylor Souryachak and Eric Torbellin have been selected as
nominees for the All-USA and the Coca-Cola Community College Academic Team scholarship
programs. Students’ applications are scored based on grade point average, participation in honors
programs, honors and recognitions received, service to their college and community, and two essays
that they write regarding their academic achievements and how they employ their leadership
skills. Only two students from each DCCCD college are nominated. Souryachak and Torbellin will
be judged at the state level against nominees from community colleges across Texas. A special
thanks to the Mountain View College Scholarship Committee members: Kristin Seale, Dee Shaw,
Celina Vasquez, Aaron Sanchez, Jessica Waldrop, Luisa Ortiz-Aguayo and Rosa Rosales.
Trinidad “Trini” Garza Early College High School at Mountain View College
On October 16th, Trinidad “Trini” Garza Early College High School at Mountain View College
welcomed a new principal for the day! Garrett Boone, chairman emeritus of The Container Store
and chairman of The Boone Family Foundation, experienced a day in the life of a high school
principal. Boone visited science labs and English literature classes, and reviewed Garza Early
College High School data. Most importantly, he met with the Garza Student Leadership Team (class
officers from 9-12th grades) to take questions from the students about leadership. Among the
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questions asked were: “How do you get unity among the group you lead?”; “When did you decide
to go into business for yourself?”; “How do you suggest we communicate our message?”; “How can
you become an entrepreneur?”
LeCroy Center
Serving our Employees — The LeCroy Center celebrated the holiday season with its annual Holiday
Luncheon and White Elephant Gift Exchange on December 19th. All employees — past and
present — were invited to the festive luncheon, where there was plenty of food, fun and
laughter. The gift exchange offered lots of frivolity with the usual funny gag gifts, including a Dallas
Cowboys gnome and a knitted holiday hat. Years of Service Recognition Awards were presented to
Miasha Alexander (Business Services) and Gayle Baugh (eCampus) for 15 years of service; and
Nathaniel Steptoe (eCampus Training), Joe Stumpo (Help Desk), Marvin Littlejohn (Help Desk) and
Felicha Stanley (Dallas Colleges Online) for 5 years of service to the DCCCD. The 15-year
awardees will be honored by having their names engraved in a commemorative brick and placed in
the LeCroy Center courtyard.
Eastfield College
Meet Community Educational Needs — The Eastfield College School Outreach Department hosted its
fourth annual High School Counselor Update on December 12th. Dean of Student Success and
Outreach Dina Sosa-Hegarty welcomed more than 30 high school counselors from Mesquite,
Garland and Dallas ISDs, and several private and charter schools. Eastfield College School
Outreach Director Shaunyale Canada introduced new Dual Credit Director LaQuesha Foster and
new School Outreach Associate Che Bunch. The event included updates from various college
departments, including student services, academic programs and career programs (accounting,
computer aided drafting, sciences and honors program). The updates provided new information to
help counselors be better informed as they advise students about Eastfield College. Walter
Lancaster from the DCCCD Health Careers Resource Center shared information about health
career options. The highlight of the event was the recognition of Dr. Charles Magill, service area
high school counselor from Spruce High School, for his dedication and hard work and continued
partnership with Eastfield College.
The Teaching Assistant program offered at Eastfield College Pleasant Grove Campus launched its
first cohort in fall 2013 with 17 students. At the request of the Pleasant Grove Campus Advisory
Council, the program was developed to become one of two anchor programs dedicated to the
Pleasant Grove Campus. Of the 17 students, 2 were hired by Dallas ISD before completing the
program. Existing and anticipated Dallas ISD bilingual and general teaching assistant job demands
have positioned the program to place an estimated 75 percent of students who obtain certification.
Currently, there is a waiting list of 30 for the spring cohorts beginning in January. The second
anchor to be developed (at the request of the community) is the Certified Nursing Assistant
program, which will begin in the spring.
Advance Student Success — Eastfield College School Outreach Director Shaunyale Canada and several
students from the G-Force Mentorship program participated in Dallas ISD’s Own the Turf:
College-Career Conference on December 17th at the University of North Texas at Dallas. The
conference, attended by more than 300 Dallas ISD counselors, included workshops, a book fair and
a mini college fair.
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El Centro College
Representatives from El Centro College were present at the grand opening of the Klyde Warren
Park ice rink, which will remain open through January 2014. The college is a sponsor of Community
Skate Day, which offers free skating (no charge for skates) every Tuesday. For more information,
visit http://www.klydewarrenpark.org/Things-To-Do/events/kelly-and-norman-green-skatingrink.html. (See attached photographs.)
El Centro College’s recent exhibition, “Jackie and Main Street,” was mentioned in the online
versions of both The New York Times (see “DALLAS - In Style”) http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/22/us/gtt.html?_r=0 and Texas Monthly (see “DALLAS - Style
Guide”) - http://www.texasmonthly.com/story/six-jfk-events-november-22.
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