This Week@NCC - Norwalk Community College

This Week@NCC
April 14, 2015
Volume 29, Number 12
I N T HIS ISS U E
Page 2
CDLS Awarded $61,000 Grant
Recent Events
Page 3
The Voices in My Head
2015 Spring Fling
Faculty Luncheon
Free Movie-of-the-Month
Make a Dent
Page 4
Animal Abuse, Child Abuse and
Domestic Violence: The Connection
Environmental Sustainability
freshcheckday™ Events
Page 5
freshcheckday™ Outdoor Fair
Musical Production: Avenue Q
Euro Club Sponsors NYC Trip
Page 6
Ethics Across the Curriculum
News and Announcements
Page 7
Faculty and Staff News
NCC Annual Report
Wins Gold Again!
For the second consecutive year, Norwalk Community College has won the first
place Gold Paragon Award from the National Council for Marketing and Public
Relations (NCMPR) for the 2013-2014 College and Foundation Annual Report.
NCMPR’s Paragon Awards competition recognizes outstanding achievement in
communications at community and technical colleges in the U.S. and abroad. It’s
the only competition of its kind that honors excellence exclusively among marketing
and PR communicators at two-year colleges.
The competition is held annually to recognize outstanding achievement in
print and electronic communications, social media, advertising, photography and
graphic design. The competition is judged by an external panel of communications
professionals from the private sector.
“This is a great example of what an effective annual report should look like.
We really liked how the school and foundation information is combined in a single
report. Outstanding use of photography and pull-out quotes,” the judging panel
wrote. “The simplicity of the photos and the writing make it easy for the reader to
follow and compelling for the possible donor.”
As one of the fastest-growing affiliates of the American Association of
Community Colleges, NCMPR has more than 1,550 members from more than
1,200 community colleges across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom,
Bermuda, the Bahamas, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands,
Federated States of Micronesia,
Republic of Palau, Republic of
2013 - 2014 Annual Report
the Marshall Islands and Territory
of Guam.
Winners hail from large,
multi-campus districts to small
institutions, from large staffs with
healthy budgets to one-person
shops with limited resources.
In 2014, NCC won the Gold
Paragon Award for its 2012-2013
College and Foundation Annual
Report; and also won the Bronze
Paragon Award for its electronic
newsletter, “This Week at NCC.”
Winners in this year’s
competition were announced on
March 24 at the 2015 national
conference in Portland, Oregon.
Norwalk Community College / Norwalk Community College Foundation
S U B M ISSI O N S
to Karen Hart
[email protected]
Next issue published:
April 21, 2015
Deadline for submissions:
April 16, 2015
This Week @ NCC is published
by the Public Relations Office of
Norwalk Community College
Copy Editor and Writer
Karen Hart
[email protected]
Copy Editor and Writer
Madeline Barillo
[email protected]
Graphic Designer
Cindy Zaref
[email protected]
NCC Awarded $61,000 Grant
for CDLS
NCC’s Early Childhood Education program has been
awarded a $61,000 grant from the State Department
of Education and the Office of Early Childhood for
improvements to the Child Development Laboratory
School (CDLS).
Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk)
recently announced that the CDLS is one of five programs
in Norwalk to have been approved for state grants that
fund facility improvements and capital repairs for school
readiness programs and state-funded day care centers.
“This is a grant to remodel the CDLS kitchen, make
some aesthetic improvements to the playground, and
build an interior hallway between the lab school and our
Discovery Room, an additional room where children
have the ability to do large projects such as science
experiments,” said Joan Parris, NCC Director of Early
Childhood Community Education, who wrote the
proposal for the grant.
R e c e nt
“The grant enables us to expand teaching opportunities
for our students,” said Parris. “They’ll be able to see activities related to nutrition and we’ll have a remodeled kitchen
in compliance with health and safety measures. The hallway
to the Discovery Room will allow us to have an exterior
entrance, and the improvements to the playground will support children’s gross motor skills and let our students see a
variety of physical activities for three- and four-year-olds.”
The NCC Child Development Laboratory School
offers quality early care and education for children ages
six months to five years. The facility offers half-day or fullday care to children of NCC students, staff and families
from the nearby community. The school is a laboratory for
the Early Childhood Education Program and offers a
developmentally appropriate program which is individualized to meet the needs of each child.
“This funding strengthens the providers and educators
who make a real difference in the daily lives of our young
children,” said Duff. “Early childhood education is the
foundation of a successful future, and these programs
strive to provide that for all of Norwalk’s children.”
E v e nt s
Career Expo 2015
On April 7, NCC held a Career Expo 2015 on the East
Campus. Twenty-eight vendors were on hand to provide
information about their companies and accept resumes.
The event was organized by Kiran Somaya, Director
of NCC Career Services. Vendors included: Advanced
Computer Technologies Inc., AXA Advisors, LLC,
Charter Oak Communities, New York Life, ICON
International, Lowe’s Home Improvement, Verizon,
Viridian Energy, W.B. Mason Company, Whole Foods
Market, Robert Half, Norwalk Police Department,
Companions and Homemakers and more.
A representative
from AXA Advisors,
LLC meets with a
student and reviews
his resume.
Women of Promise and
Distinction
On April 8, Norwalk Community College named 26
students as Women of Promise and Distinction at
the annual dinner held in the College’s Culinary Arts
Dining Room. President David Levinson welcomed and
congratulated the women on their achievement. Guest
speaker Cheryl DeVonish, NCC’s Chief Diversity Officer
and Title IX Coordinator delivered the keynote address.
Students honored at the dinner were: Solange Anoh,
Joyce Cha, Luisa Chacon, Marzena Collins, Sarah Emigh,
Samantha Farmer, Staci Genovese, Reenu Gupta,
Rishonda Holley, Loretta Horton, Guerline Joseph, Rafca
Mercilus, Kimberly Miller, Victoria Partin, Elvisa Pervic,
Yazmin Ramos Cardenas, Diamond Sead, Emma Shtufaj,
Dina Silberman, Valentina Stefanidis, Natividad Torres,
Katherine Uzar, Jennifer Valerio, Stacie Van Deusen,
Nia Walcott-Ruffin and Jasmine Williams.
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U p com i n g
E v e nt s
The Voices in My Head:
An Evening with Dr. Eleanor
Longden
Tuesday, April 14, 1 to 3 p.m.
East Campus, Gen Re Forum
Guest Speaker Eleanor Longden
discusses her long journey back
to mental health after being
diagnosed as a schizophrenic and
Dr. Eleanor Longden
spending time being hospitalized and heavily medicated. She makes the case that it
was through learning to listen to her voices that she was
able to survive.
This talk is for “voice hearers” and their family
members, clinicians, students and the general public. To
see Dr. Longden’s TEDTalk, go to http://www.ted.com/
talks/eleanor_longden_the_voices_in_my_head.
All are invited to attend and admission is free. For
more information call toll-free (855) 810-5924.
2015 Spring Fling
Free Movie-of-the-Month:
The Band Wagon (1953)
Thursday, April 16, 6:30 p.m.
East Campus, Gen Re Forum
The Band Wagon, a 1953 film stars Fred Astaire as a
washed up movie star who tries his luck on Broadway.
Musical highlights include such memorable songs as
“Dancing in the Dark,” “Shine on Your Shoes,” “That’s
Entertainment” and “The Girl Hunt.” The film was
directed by Vincent Minelli.
A post-screening discussion will follow hosted by
film expert Byron
Matthews of NCC’s
Extended Studies
Program. All are
invited to attend and
admission is free.
For additional
information, contact
Professor Gary
Carlson at gcarlson@
norwalk.edu.
Wednesday, April 15, 11 a.m.
to 4 p.m.
East Campus Front Parking Lot
All are invited to come and enjoy
music, games, food, dancing, caricature
artists and more at the annual Spring Fling
that will be held on the NCC East Campus.
Rain date: Wednesday, April 22.
Faculty Luncheon
Wednesday, April 15, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
West Campus, Culinary Arts Dining Room
The Center for Teaching and Learning invites all faculty
to a luncheon which promises to be a great way to enjoy
good food and camaraderie while getting excellent tips on
teaching. Everyone is welcome, but first-come, first-served.
To reply, please go to: https://docs.google.
com/forms/d/1oBti43HTX9QRD337CDSNHUmPEW1beM98jV9X2uibSY/viewform?c=0&w=1.
Making a Dent: Saving
Money by Saving Energy Best Practices
Thursday, April 16, 6 to 9 p.m.
West Campus, Room W126
The public is invited to an in-depth, homeowner-focused
presentation and discussion about home energy efficiency
and residential solar systems.
This event is jointly sponsored by the Building
Efficiency and Sustainable Technology (BEST) programs
at NCC, the U.S. Green Building Council Connecticut
Chapter, and the Mayor’s Energy and Environment Task
Force (MEETF).
The presenters will be Kerry O’Neill, Director of
Residential Programs, The CT Green Bank; Craig Clark,
Program Administrator, Eversource Energy (CL&P);
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and Eric Gribin, Director of the Building Efficiency and
Sustainable Technology (BEST) Programs at NCC.
The registration fee is $20. Space is limited.
Pre-register at: https://www.online.commnet.edu/
flexibleregistration/institution/D/catalog/DCATALOG/
Type in “Save Money, Save Energy,” or call (203) 8577237 weekdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Attendees may also register at the door the night of
the event. Only personal checks made out to “Norwalk
Community College” will be accepted.
Animal Abuse, Child Abuse
and Domestic Violence:
The Connection
Monday, April 20, 2 to 3 p.m.
East Campus, Gen Re Forum
The NCC Veterinary Technology
Program will present a program on
animal abuse and its connection to domestic violence.
Dr. Lorna Grande DVM, Coordinator of “Haven, the
Human/Animal Violence Education Network,” and
Kelly Kemp, JD, Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice
at Berkshire Community College and former Chief
Prosecutor at the Berkshire County District Attorney’s
Office, will be the guest speakers.
This program is made possible by the generous support
of the Norwalk Community College Foundation and the
Center for Teaching and Learning.
The NCC Veterinary Technology Associate Degree
Program is made possible by Connecticut Health & Life
Sciences Career Initiative. Connecticut Health & Life
Sciences Career Initiative is 100% funded by a $12.1
million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor,
Employment & Training Administration (TAACCCT).
Panel Discussion:
Environmental Sustainability
Across the Curriculum
Tuesday, April 21, 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.
West Campus, Room W217
The Center for Teaching and Learning has put together
a panel of professors who have found fascinating ways to
integrate themes of sustainability into their widely diverse
courses. Steve Dashefsky, Jonathan McMenamin-Balano,
Lois Aime, Robert Emigh, and others will be sure to
inspire you.
To reply, please go to: https://docs.google.
com/forms/d/1oBti43HTX9QRD337CDSNHUmPEW1beM98jV9X2uibSY/viewform?c=0&w=1.
freshcheckday™ Kick-Off:
Therapy Dog Presentations
Tuesday, April 21, 10 to 11 a.m.
and 12 to 1 p.m.
East Campus Art Gallery
Come observe and interact with
these special animals who make a
positive difference in people’s lives
every day. Therapy dogs and their
handlers will be on hand to meet
with the audience.
freshcheckday™ Mental Health
Panel Discussion: Emotional
First Aid
Tuesday, April 21, 10 to 11 a.m. and 5:30 to 7 p.m.
East Campus, Gen Re Forum
The audience will have a chance to dialogue with a panel
of distinguished professionals who will answer questions
on how to maintain total wellness of mind, body and soul. The following presenters will be on hand to discuss
ways to stay mentally and physically sound: Tyler Griese,
NCC Wellness, Certified Yoga and Meditation Instructor;
Paula Santos, Nutritionist; Jessica N. Bass, LMSW, Day
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of Birth LLC; Dr. Ann Asunto, MD, Family Medicine
Practitioner from the Day Street Community Health
Center Inc.; Dr. Tichianaa Armah, MD, Psychiatrist from
the Day Street Community Health Center Inc.; Dr. David
Hashemipour, M.D., Practitioner of Integrative and
Chinese Medicine; Jeffery Hodnicki, LCSW and State of
CT Psychiatric Social Worker; and Sara Jenkins from the
South West Regional Mental Health Board.
freshcheckday™ Outdoor Fair
Wednesday, April 22, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
East Campus Parking Lot
Come and enjoy a celebratory, fair-like event that promotes wellness and mental health awareness by combining
information along with fun, free food, interactive booths,
live music, prizes and giveaways. If you visit five booths,
you will be entered for a chance to win a grand prize!
A Can for a Cupcake
Support the NCC Food Pantry by bringing a can or other
non-perishable food item in exchange for a delicious
cupcake. This is a sweet way to help stock the shelves of
the NCC Student Pantry.
NCC’s First Broadway Musical
Production: Avenue Q
Preview: Wednesday, April 22, 7:30 p.m.
Performances: Thursday, April 23 and Friday,
April 24, 7:30 p.m.
East Campus, PepsiCo Theater
Avenue Q, the 2004 Tony Award winner for Best Musical,
Best Score and Best Book, is a musical where humans
interact with puppets. Avenue Q is a coming-of-age
The NCC cast
of Avenue Q
comedy that satirizes all those anxieties that escalate in
college and life beyond college. The show is free, but reservations are strongly
encouraged since there is limited seating. To make a
reservation, please sign up on the bulletin board at room
E108. Tickets will be held until 5:30 p.m. on the day of
the performance. No late admission.
NCC is performing the School Edition of Avenue Q,
but it still includes adult themes, so please contact
Christine Mangone at [email protected] if you
have questions.
Euro Club to Sponsor
NYC Spring Trip
Saturday, April 25, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
(Bus leaves from the West Campus at 8:30 a.m. sharp)
The Euro Club is sponsoring a spring trip to New York
City which will feature visits to the Natural History
Museum and the High Line. The fee is $20.
There will be only one bus for this trip and seats are
expected to fill quickly.
Reserve your seat by calling Professor Estelle Datollo
at (203) 857-7356, or email [email protected].
VOYA Representative
To Be on Campus
Wednesday, April 29, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
East Campus, Room E118
Marilyn Timbers of VOYA Financial Advisers, LLC will
be on campus to meet with new and current employees for
the Spring 2015 semester to review the following plans:
• Alternate Retirement Plan
• State of Connecticut 403(b)
• Roth 403(b)
• 457 (Deferred Compensation)
She will answer your financial questions, reallocate portfolios, and enroll new and current employees.
If you are interested in setting up an individual meeting, please contact Marilyn Timbers at (203) 539-6233
or [email protected]. She will confirm all
appointment times, the meeting place, and recommend
what information to bring to the meeting.
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Panel Discussion: Ethics
Across the Curriculum
NCC Employee Health Benefit
Open Enrollment Fair
Thursday, April 30, 1 to 2 p.m.
West Campus, Room W248
Tuesday, May 12, 9 to 11:30 a.m.
East Campus Atrium
The Center for Teaching and Learning offers faculty
an interesting panel discussion and a great way to take
a break from grading! Whether it’s addressing sensitive
issues in your course or helping students navigate ethical
dilemmas in their lives in or out of the classroom, this
panel will offer practical advice based on their vast store
of knowledge and experience. Professors Lia Barone, Ed
Grippe, and June-Ann Greeley will comprise the panel.
To reply, please go to: https://docs.google.
com/forms/d/1oBti43HTX9QRD337CDSNHUmPEW1beM98jV9X2uibSY/viewform?c=0&w=1.
Save the date for NCC’s 2015-16 open enrollment fair
for full-time employee benefit plans.
The health, dental, and pharmacy carriers, as well as
our supplemental vendors, will be attending to answer
benefit plan questions and distribute related handouts. Our Health Enhancement Program (HEP) vendor,
Care Management Solutions (CMS), will also be
attending the fair. They will be available to answer general
questions about HEP requirements for 2015 and the
HEP web portal, and will be able to provide educational
information regarding the HEP chronic conditions.
N e w s
and
A nnounc e m e nt s
Faculty Help Needed for
NCC Live!
On Friday, May 1, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., 12 to 15
area high schools will be attending “NCC Live!” Faculty
volunteers are needed to run three, half-hour workshops.
If you can help by running a workshop, please reply to
Robin Morris at [email protected].
Spring 2015 Course Evaluations
Available Online April 16
Course evaluations will be available at www.mycommnet.
edu from Thursday, April 16 until the last day of class on
Monday, May 11. Students will be sent an email of these
dates with instructions on how to access the evaluation.
The instructions will also be available on the website.
Since the evaluation process for on-campus courses
changed in Spring ‘10 from an in-class paper and pencil
process to an online survey, there has been a significant
decrease in our response rate from students. We need to
make every effort to increase this response rate. Please spend a few minutes in your class encouraging
your students to participate in this evaluation process and
reminding them that their feedback is important. The
evaluation results are anonymous and only provided to the
faculty member as a composite total for the entire class.
If you need directions to inform your students on how
to access the evaluation, please email Phyllis Fitzpatrick at
[email protected] or access this link on the NCC
website: www.ncc.commnet.edu/courseevaluations.
NCC Continuing Notice of
Non-Discrimination
Norwalk Community College does not discriminate on
the basis of race, color, religious creed, age, sex, national
origin, marital status, ancestry, present or past history
of mental disorder, learning disability or physical disability,
sexual orientation, gender identity and expression or
genetic information in its programs and activities. In
addition, the College does not discriminate in employment
on the basis of veteran status or criminal record. The
following persons have been designated to handle inquiries
regarding the non-discrimination policies: Chief Diversity
Officer and Special Advisor, Cheryl DeVonish, Title IX
Coordinator at (203) 857-7016 or [email protected];
or Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Coordinator
Fran Apfel at (203) 857-7192 or [email protected].
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F acult y
and
Staff
N e w s
NCC Names New Chief
Diversity Officer
Cheryl DeVonish has been named the new NCC Chief
Diversity Officer and Special Advisor. She holds a B.A.
in Psychology from Binghamton University and a J.D.
from Albany Law School. She comes to us with more than
nine years of experience in labor and employment law,
organizational leadership and diversity. DeVonish previously served as EEO (Equal Employment Opportunity) Director for the City of New York
Department of Parks and Recreation, and will be overseeing
NCC’s EEO, Affirmative Action and Title IX programs. As Chief Diversity Officer and Special Advisor,
Devonish will report directly to President David Levinson
and will serve as a resource for faculty, staff and students. Any member of the NCC community who has questions
or concerns regarding NCC’s equity programs should
contact Cheryl at (203) 857-7016 or schedule time to
meet with her in her office in Room E312.
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