April 18, 2006

International Women's Visit

Yesterday, SCC hosted 22 International Women from countries including Egypt, Israel, Botswana...and many others. We were contacted by the US State Department as part of the women's 5 week stay in the United States. All of the women are in powerful positions in their home countries and were here to learn more about the role of women in the US. To say that it was an incredible experience for all of us is an understatement. We hosted them at the College during the day which featured lunch with our Diversity Council; and then partnered with WESH and the Orlando Chamber of Commerce to host a reception and live newscast viewing last evening. Approximately 40 women from the community attended the reception for some one-on-one time. My understanding is that Dr. Annye Refoe was a huge hit when she greeted each of the women in their native language! Thank you, Dr. Refoe, and the other staff members who made the women's visit so memorable.

Student Achievement

Fatima Abdulhussein, a SCC student who is taking classes with Professor Kenna Noone, was accepted into the University of South Florida's Globalization and Community Health Field School which will take place this summer. During this summer study, she will examine global issues as they impact rural and urban communities and also health problems, particularly documenting the social path of the spread of HIV. This is an exceptional honor since Fatima is the only community college student in a group of 16 upper division and graduate students to be accepted for this summer's program. Fatima is a mother of three, married, and is originally from Tanzania.

Honors Students

Several SCC Honors students were presenters at the 34th Annual Southern Regional Honors Council held on April 6-8 in Orlando. Adam Houck spoke on "An Analysis of the Roman Code of the Twelve Tables;" Justin Rubich spoke on "An Analysis of the First Christianities: Before Orthodoxy;" and Frank Albritton, Stephen Summers, Lalita Booth, and Sarah Anderson recounted their experiences at the Salzburg Institute last May and the "Globalization of the Community College Curriculum."

High School EMT

In August 2005, SCC's Fire Science/EMS department began a new dual enrollment program at Seminole High School. The EMT program is a college credit program that enables students to receive their Florida certification as an Emergency Medical Technician while still in high school. The initial enrollment was 20 students; 39 students are currently registered for next fall's program. Plans are also in the works for a similar program at our Oviedo Campus that would enroll students from the other high schools in the County. Congratulations to Department Head Rob Holborn and his team! Also, thanks to the Central Florida Auto Dealers Association, our EMT program just received four "dolls" for use in CPR training.

Phi Beta Lambda State Leadership Conference

Twenty-one SCC students competed in the PBL State Leadership Conference. The students won: 10 First Place, 8 Second Place, 7 Third Place, 2 Fourth Place, and 2 Fifth Place awards. They competed against students from universities such as FSU, UF, UCF, FAU, and various community colleges. The Chapter was recognized as a Gold Seal Chapter and won First Place for having the most professional members in the organization in the State. Sixteen students have qualified to represent SCC at Nationals in Nashville on June 24-27. Special thanks goes to Tom Walker, Jordan Camenker, Patricia Cason, and Terri Meta for their help in mentoring the students. Congratulations to the students, Sherry Jenkins, PBL Advisor, and to all of the faculty who worked with the students!

Kudos

Professor Lucia Dzikowski was selected as one of three finalists for the Florida Association of Community Colleges 2006 Professor of the Year Award. Lucia will compete with two other professors at the FACC Annual Convention in Tampa in November. Congratulations, Lucia!

Professor Kay Delk gave a presentation in San Francisco at the Thomson Course Technology's 11th Annual Conference entitled, "Telecomuting Best Practices by an Online Professor." Congratulations, Kay!

Congratulations to Matthew Hodge, Executive Director of the Foundation. Matt successfully defended his dissertation at the University of Central Florida and will receive his Ph.D. in Public Affairs from the College of Health and Public Affairs at UCF on May 4th. Congratulations, Dr. Matt!

Student Athetes Rita Grayson, Tamara Layton and Tiffany Scott were named to Who's Who Among Students in American Junior Colleges. Congratulations to our Basketball Lady Raiders and to Coach Tara Gibson!

District Board of Trustees Scholarship Awards

Thank you to each of the Board members and to the Executive Team members who have agreed to present the DBT Awards at the local high schools. You should have your folder with the details at your place.

Graduations

If you haven't rsvp'ed for the May Graduations, please let Linda know if you plan to attend. GED Graduation is May 3 at 7:30 p.m.; AHS Graduation is May 4 at 7:30 p.m.; and Commencement is May 5 at 8:00 p.m., preceded by a Graduation dinner at 6:30 p.m. in the Multipurpose Room with our Outstanding Alumnus and speaker, Don Fisher, Acting Seminole County Manager.

Student Statistics

Last month the Board asked for an update on our international students. Dr. James Henningsen has prepared that information.

Board Workshop Date

The Board Workshop will be held on Wednesday, May 10, from 12:00 - 4:30 p.m., in the Board Room.

Did you know?

SCC is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.