July/August 2008

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Software Training Day Coming Soon

"Computers in the future may weigh no more than 1.5 tons."
Popular Mechanics, forecasting the relentless march of science, 1949

A huge thank you to all those who responded to the “Software Needs” survey! After tallying the results, Professional Development and Evaluation staff members are scheduled to conduct workshops covering the top picks during our August 1st Software Training Day at HBC. The workshops to be offered are:

Click here for workshop descriptions and the day’s schedule. Enrollment begins Monday, July 7. Space is limited, so be sure to login at https://www3.austincc.edu/it/workshops and enroll early. We will also provide various software workshops throughout the fall semester, so please check the Workshop & Event Registration Database frequently.

Fall General Assembly

Please mark your calendars for ACC’s Fall General Assembly, scheduled for August 22, 2008 at the Hyatt Regency Austin hotel.  The morning events will include the State of the College Address by ACC president Dr. Steve Kinslow, awards presentations, and an overview of Service Learning and Civic Engagement by Dr. Rudy Garcia.  Dr. Garcia is the Dean of Students at Central New Mexico Community College and is a service learning and civic engagement consultant for the American Association of Community Colleges, the National Campus Compact, and the Corporation for National and Community Service.  Afternoon professional development workshops and activities will be held at the Highland Business Center.

As the date draws closer, we will send out email announcements with specific agenda details and the link to the event's website. If you have any questions about the event or would like to offer an afternoon professional development workshop, please call the office of Professional Development & Evaluations Programs in Human Resources at 223-7997 or email Ms. Nicole Bell at nbell2@austincc.edu.

In addition to our usual offerings, the list below previews workshops being offered this summer. Just click on the name of the workshop to get more information or enroll.

Why is Everybody Juicing: Healthy Confessions of a Juicer
7/9/2008, 12:00pm-1:00pm, NRG 2240

Blackboard Advanced Testing Options for PCM Classes
7/11/2008, 2:00pm-4:00pm, RVS FRC Room 1119

HR: Adjunct Group Benefits Enrollment Sessions PY 2009
7/12/2008, 9:00am-11:00am, HBC 218
7/16/2008, 1:00pm-3:00pm, HBC 212
7/23/2008, 5:00pm-7:00pm, HBC 212
7/24/2008, 2:00pm-4:00pm, HBC 212

EHS: Skillful Lifting and Manual Material Handling
7/15/2008, 7:30am-8:30am, SVC 168

Smoking Cessation
7/18/2008, 12:00pm-1:30pm, RGC 125

Fast and Fantastically Healthy Lunches
7/25/2008, 12:00pm-1:00pm, RGC 125

LIB: Can You Hear Me Now: How to Make a Podcast
7/30/2008, 9:30am-12:30pm, HBC 209.0
7/30/2008, 1:30am-4:30pm, HBC 209.0

Increasing Your Energy 300%
7/31/2008, 12:00pm-1:00pm, CYP

STARLINK: Developmental Education: Ensuring Academic Success

Building upon the strategies put forward at the November 2005 National Developmental Education Summit, this teleconference deals with actionable ideas to improve your developmental education program. The seminar, which will be available 24/7 all through July, will feature video examples from several exemplary college programs. Video interviews with additional national experts will also be included. Log on to the workshop database to enroll.

ACC has access to Starlink's library of resources. Monthly and Annual Streaming Videos (Best of) and Ideas on Teaching can all be accessed from the Starlink website with the password "biblioteca."

Workshop & Events Registration Database News

As you may recall, employees have an extra month this year to complete their professional development requirement. Since the database has been synchronized with the fiscal year, activities completed during the month of August will count toward this fiscal year’s requirement.

The deadline for entering all completed activities will be September 15. Watch for a reminder near the end of the fiscal year.  After that deadline, the database administrator will close the database briefly to calculate and post banked hours.

Don’t forget that FAQs about the professional development requirement may be found at http://www.austincc.edu/hr/profdev/overview.php#faqs. The database is available at https://www3.austincc.edu/it/workshops and can be accessed using your ACCeID and password. If you have any questions, please call 223-7997.

Wellness Coaching free to Blue Cross Blue Shield participants

Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) now has a program called Blue Care Connection which offers free lifestyle management support for quitting smoking and losing weight. This means that you can qualify to receive personal coaching, online tools, access to an Audio Health Library, as well as discounts for wellness-related products and services. You can call 866-412-8795 or send an email to Ask a Nurse through the Personal Health Manager after you log on to the BCBS website.

Melissa Richardson

Professional Development and Evaluation Programs is rapidly changing faces these days! We welcome Melissa Richardson, who is settling into the role of Professional Development Coordinator, filling the vacancy created by Pietro John Caporusso’s retirement. Melissa’s background includes an eight-year sojourn as an English Professor at Central Texas College, serving as editor of NISOD’s online journal Hook ‘Em Up, and employment in the world of public relations.

Melissa brings to her position a rich academic background, with an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from Texas State University and current work as a doctoral student in Educational Administration at UT, work she plans to complete within the next year. She has also co-authored a book called The Creative Community College: Leading Change through Innovation, published last spring by Community College Press.

And speaking of change, in her “spare time,” Melissa is getting married and becoming a new stepmom  in September. Her five-year-old son Evan seems quite excited about the changes, including the brother he will acquire—plus the new dog, Bailey. When free time returns to her life, Melissa looks forward to revving up her recreational passions -- like geocaching, hiking, and hopefully relaxing about town. Please join us in welcoming a very busy Melissa to our team!