Happy Friday.

Kirk has submitted an article (below) for the next ACC newsletter:

"The National Council for Continuing Education & Training (NCCET) has awarded ACC's Continuing Education Game Development program with a 2008 NCCET National Exemplary Program Award. This Exemplary Program Award recognizes outstanding programs and promotes replicable best practices nationally in the area of workforce development. The success of this continuing education program over the past few years has led to the creation of ACC's Game Development Institute now housing three college credit programs as well as an 'incubator' where education and industry can work together to develop the gaming industry talent needed in central Texas. Representatives from ACC's Continuing Education department will accept the Exemplary Program Award at the 2008 NCCET Annual Conference this October in Cleveland, Ohio."

Kudos to Bob and Kirk for a really successful transition to credit. Bob gets to pick up the award, and now that Bob is not retiring right away, the question is: "What's next, Bob?"

Kudos to Karen Duncan for being the top sales staff in Customized Training for the 2007-08 Academic year.

Kathy Walton is working on a Project Management position for Customized Training. The department has been working with so many grants, it is important to have staff who can handle those projects. There will be a full time and a half time position. It will be vital that the grants are numerous enough to support the salaries. It is a good problem to have and it takes specialized skills. So our staff will be growing again. Watch for further updates.

We will probably be moving our truck driving program to San Marcos. Gary Job Corp is interested in partnering with us in this program and, as you know, it is not easy to park six to ten 18-wheelers. Gary Job Corp has the space and the classroom, so the partnership comes at a good time for us. I believe that Mary Elton will be officed in San Marcos as well, since she needs to be close to the program. It is possible that this move might also bring a few more students to the program.

The Round Rock Campus is in the final planning stages. Mike Davis and I had one last meeting with them to finalize our space plans. I am looking forward to seeing the reality of the plans.

Have a great weekend, and see you on Monday

Sandy

I just wanted to write a quick newsletter to bring you all up to date on some things that are happening.

I am leaving on vacation Thursday, August 28 and will return on September 8, 2008. Kirk will have my signature authority while I am out of the office.

We saw a few of our CE staff honored for their years of service at General Assembly: Mike Davis, 20 years; Vickie Swist, 25 years; and Linda Morrison, 35 years. Congratulations to everyone for their contributions to the college and to Continuing Education.

Mike Davis received a card of congratulations from the College Board, for ACC being among the Top 100 Test Centers in the country in the administration of CLEP(R) exams in 2007-2008. Congratulations to Mike and his staff for all their hard work.

Have a great week and a half. I'll see you when I get back.

Sandy

First-day registration numbers were down a little from last year; however, the registration area is still very busy, so we'll see how the numbers play out over the next few weeks. There will be some impact from the video gaming program moving into credit. We will just have to watch and see how that plays out. There are some exciting new programs in the development stage and that will help to improve registration numbers over the next semester.

Be sure that your calendar has the All CE Retreat listed for August 15th. We will be at the Eastview Campus. Lots of people have been working really hard on this event. I think it will be a great time for everyone.

I am sure that you are all aware by now that the budget for the next year has been passed by the ACC Board of Trustees and there is a 4% raise across the board for employees.

Another date to remember is August 22nd for College-wide Assembly, which will be held at the Hyatt Regency hotel. Linda Morrison will be recognized for 35 years of service. I believe that Dr. Kinslow's slide show is one not to be missed this year as we celebrate ACC's 35th anniversary.

Plans continue for the first phase of the new Round Rock campus. I have been very pleased with the support and understanding that the architects have shown for Continuing Education. They want to be sure the space is designed for us and for our needs. This is the first time that CE has been so recognized for our uniqueness and importance to the college mission. I am really encouraged by their questions and desire to "get it right"!

Stay cool and have a great weekend.

Sandy

I have been out of the office this week, but will return on Monday. Hope you have all had a great week and that the weekend will be even better.

General Assembly will be held on August 22, at the Hyatt Regency on Barton Springs Drive. I will be receiving my 30-year award. It is amazing to me how fast the years have flown by. I have grown up in this College. Let me know if any of you will be receiving an award.

Congratulations to Dr. Naomi Carroll for being nominated for Outstanding Teacher of the Year. This is a nomination by her students, and she was recognized in a letter from President Kinslow.

The Marketing group has assembled a committee to work on the 35th Anniversary of the College. I am on that committee and we are looking for any memorabilia that anyone might have from the early years of ACC. There will be an exhibit of those items assembled and a permanent archive will be created to save our history. Any pictures that you might have will not be kept, but scanned and your picture returned. There are not too many of us who have been around that long, but there are a few.

It is with joy and sadness that I tell you that Dr. Donetta Goodall will be leaving ACC for a Vice-Chancellor position with Lone Star Community College, Montgomery. Dr. Goodall has been with ACC for a very long time and she began in Nursing and also spent some time in Continuing Education. This will be a fabulous opportunity for her and I know that you join me in wishing only the best for her in her new position.

Have a great weekend and I will see you on Monday.

Sandy

Happy Friday!

I hope you all have had an opportunity to review our financial report for the month of May. Fortunately we are doing very well, this close to the end of the year. We just have to get through the next three months keeping our expenses down and our income in a positive flow. Thanks to all of you for the great job you do.

I am very excited about the CE Retreat scheduled for August 15th at the Eastview Campus. I think it will be fun and engaging. Be sure you all have it on your calendars.

As you know, Round Rock voted to join our taxing district and the College has been working on plans for the new campus. There will be three phases for the build-out. CE will be involved in all phases; we will begin small and grow as the campus grows. Our first phase will include a Coordinator, Administrative Assistant, Customized Training Account Exec., registration staff, computer labs, three classrooms, lab tech, server room, GED testing and a small testing office. It will be a great beginning from which to expand, and also will be our first time to actually have our own space in one of our campuses. What an opportunity for growth in CE! The plan is for the campus to open in Fall 2010, and I will keep you updated as plans progress.

Stay cool and have a great weekend.