Podcasts about maricopa community college district

The demographics of many communities are shifting. As we emerge from the global pandemic, we are witnessing trend shifts in who is attending college and who is not. In this episode, Dr. DeHay discusses the role of community colleges in providing access for diverse communities. He is joined by Dr. Maria Harper-Marinick, a Senior Fellow for the College Excellence Program at The Aspen Institute and a Guided Pathways Coach for the Texas Success Center. Dr. Harper-Marinick served the Maricopa Community College District for almost 30 years in a variety of leadership roles, including as Chancellor for the system. She is a leader and a strong advocate for access to opportunity, equity, and student success. Thanks for joining us! 

Dr. Sian Proctor is a geoscientist, explorer, space artist, poet, and astronaut. She was a finalist for the 2009 NASA Astronaut Selection Program and, in 2021, served as the mission pilot for the SpaceX-operated, all-civilian orbital mission, Inspiration4. In addition, she is an analog astronaut who has completed four analog missions and was one of the all-women participants of the SENSORIA Mars 2020 analog mission at the Hawai'i Space Exploration Analog Simulation Habitat. An esteemed science communicator and educator, Sian worked as a geology professor for over 21 years before her career as an astronaut, teaching sustainability and planetary science at South Mountain Community College in Phoenix, Arizona. She is also a continuing NASA Solar System Ambassador. Currently, she serves as the Open Educations Resource Coordinator for the Maricopa Community College District and a member of the Explore Mars Board of Directors and the National Science Teaching Association's Aerospace Advisory Board. Sian joins me today to share her journey from teaching geology at a community college and being an analog astronaut to become a spacecraft pilot for SpaceX's Inspiration4. First, you'll hear about her early life and how her childhood interests shaped her path to being a pilot and astronaut. Then, she explains how working as a geology professor in a community college led her to become a finalist in NASA's 2009 astronaut selection program. She also shares her vision for the future of commercial spaceflight and underscores what it means to live life through an explorer's lens. “I didn't need to discover something new for humanity—as long as I was discovering something new for myself, I was an explorer.” - Sian Proctor This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores: What it was like for Sian to watch SpaceX's launch of Crew-5 Sian's upbringing and early life in Guam Why Neil Armstrong stopped signing autographs Where Sian's early passion for flight and aviation came from Her experience studying Environmental Science at Edinboro University and why she decided to go to graduate school Sian's journey to Arizona State University for graduate school What an “analog” astronaut is and Sian's path to becoming one What meals on Mars would look like Becoming a space artist and poet and the story behind Sian's selection into SpaceX's Inspiration4 How Sian trained for Inspiration4 and her responsibilities as a mission pilot The future of private spaceflight and what will drive commercial space exploration Our Favorite Quotes: “Women working together—to talk about exploration and how you can do amazing things right here on earth—make a difference for themselves, the people around them, and the planet.”- Sian Proctor “In my entire life, I felt like I was chasing space. It was no formal plan, but more like exploring here and there until, one day, I flipped one rock and finally found it.” - Sian Proctor Connect with Sian Proctor: Sian Proctor Website Email: meals4mars@gmail.com Sian Proctor on Instagram Sian Proctor on Facebook Sian Proctor on Twitter Spaceship Not Required  I'm Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean. I'm an explorer, and that doesn't always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action. In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required. Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores. Visit my website at kathysullivanexplores.com to sign up for seven astronaut tips to improve your life on earth and be the first to discover future episodes and learn about more exciting adventures! Don't forget to leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts! Spotify I Stitcher I Apple Podcasts I iHeart Radio I TuneIn I Google I Amazon Music.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you're looking for an inspiring human being, it would be hard to beat Dr. Sian Proctor. Dr. Proctor is a geoscientist, and also an artist and poet who uses her afro-futurist space art to encourage conversations about women of color in the space industry. For 21 years, she taught geology, sustainability, and planetary science. She also happens to be an astronaut(!), and was the mission pilot for the Inspiration4 all-civilian orbital mission to space. Her call sign “Leo” was eaned from her crewmates, who consider her a modern-day Rennaisance woman in the mold of Leonardo DaVinci. This special episode of the Design Better Podcast was recorded at an internal event for InVision, where we brought Dr.Proctor in to speak to our team. After her inspiring presentation, we had the chance to interview her, and we spoke about topics ranging from imposter syndrome, to learning to speak the language of your collaborators, to the natural synthesis between art and science. Bio Dr. Proctor is a geoscientist, explorer, space artist, and astronaut. She is the mission pilot for the Inspiration4 all-civilian orbital mission to space. She is also one of The Explorer's Club 50: Fifty People Changing the World. Her motto is called Space2inspire where she encourages people to use their unique, one-of-a-kind strengths, and passion to inspire those within their reach and beyond. She believes that we need to actively strive for a J.E.D.I. space: a just, equitable, diverse, and inclusive space as we advance human spaceflight. Dr. Proctor spent 21 years as a professor teaching geology, sustainability, and planetary science at South Mountain Community College, Phoenix, Arizona. She is currently the Open Educations Resource Coordinator for the Maricopa Community College District. She has a B.S. in Environmental Science, an M.S. in Geology, and a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction: Science Education. She recently finished a sabbatical at Arizona State University's Center for Education Through Exploration creating virtual field trips. She did her 2012-13 sabbatical at the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Emergency Management Institute developing their science of disasters curriculum. She has appeared in multiple international science shows and is currently on A World Without NASA and Strange Evidence. You can follow her on social media @DrSianProctor.  

This week we are excited to welcome Dr. Sian Proctor, Inspiration4 Mission Pilot, to the Weekly Space Hangout. On September 16, 2021, the Inspiration4 all-civilian orbital mission to space launched from Kennedy Space Center's Launch Complex 39A atop a Falcon 9 launch vehicle. Dr. Sian Proctor is a geoscientist, explorer, space artist, and astronaut. She is also an analog astronaut and has completed four analog missions including the all-female SENSORIA Mars 2020 mission at the Hawai'i Space Exploration Analog and Simulation (HI-SEAS) Habitat, the NASA funded 4-months Mars mission at HI-SEAS, a 2-weeks Mars mission at the Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS), and a 2-weeks Moon mission in the LunAres Habitat. Through art and Space2inspire (https://myspace2inspire.com/) Sian encourages people to use their unique, one-of-a-kind strengths, and passion to inspire those within their reach and beyond. Her goal is to help create a Just, Equitable, Diverse, and Inclusive space (J.E.D.I. space) for all of humanity as we advance human spaceflight. Sian spent 21 years as a professor teaching geology, sustainability, and planetary science at South Mountain Community College, Phoenix, Arizona. She is currently the Open Educations Resource Coordinator for the Maricopa Community College District. Sian has a B.S. in Environmental Science, an M.S. in Geology, and a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction: Science Education. She recently finished a sabbatical at Arizona State University's Center for Education Through Exploration creating virtual field trips. She did her 2012-13 sabbatical at the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Emergency Management Institute developing their science of disasters curriculum. She has appeared in multiple international science shows and is currently on A World Without NASA and Strange Evidence. You can learn more about Sian by visiting her website (http://www.drsianproctor.com/). To view (and purchase) Sian's art, visit Space2inspire (https://myspace2inspire.com/). And of courdse be sure to follow her on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/Dr.Sian.Proctor/), Twitter (https://twitter.com/drsianproctor), and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/drsianproctor). **************************************** The Weekly Space Hangout is a production of CosmoQuest. Want to support CosmoQuest? Here are some specific ways you can help: ► Subscribe FREE to our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/cosmoquest ► Subscribe to our podcasts Astronomy Cast and Daily Space where ever you get your podcasts! ► Watch our streams over on Twitch at https://www.twitch.tv/cosmoquestx – follow and subscribe! ► Become a Patreon of CosmoQuest https://www.patreon.com/cosmoquestx ► Become a Patreon of Astronomy Cast https://www.patreon.com/astronomycast ► Buy stuff from our Redbubble https://www.redbubble.com/people/cosmoquestx ► Join our Discord server for CosmoQuest - https://discord.gg/X8rw4vv ► Join the Weekly Space Hangout Crew! - http://www.wshcrew.space/ Don't forget to like and subscribe! Plus we love being shared out to new people, so tweet, comment, review us... all the free things you can do to help bring science into people's lives.

https://youtu.be/lQ0-s-Zsdoc [I still don't know why we have audio dropouts. I'm totally baffled. Bandwidth issues, probably, but that's just a wild arse guess! It's ones & zeros all the way down! - Rich] Host: Fraser Cain ( @fcain )Special Guest: This week we are excited to welcome Dr. Sian Proctor, Inspiration4 Mission Pilot, to the Weekly Space Hangout. On September 16, 2021, the Inspiration4 all-civilian orbital mission to space launched from Kennedy Space Center's Launch Complex 39A atop a Falcon 9 launch vehicle.   Dr. Sian Proctor is a geoscientist, explorer, space artist, and astronaut. She is also an analog astronaut and has completed four analog missions including the all-female SENSORIA Mars 2020 mission at the Hawai'i Space Exploration Analog and Simulation (HI-SEAS) Habitat, the NASA funded 4-months Mars mission at HI-SEAS, a 2-weeks Mars mission at the Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS), and a 2-weeks Moon mission in the LunAres Habitat.   Through art and Space2inspire (https://myspace2inspire.com/) Sian encourages people to use their unique, one-of-a-kind strengths, and passion to inspire those within their reach and beyond. Her goal is to help create a Just, Equitable, Diverse, and Inclusive space (J.E.D.I. space) for all of humanity as we advance human spaceflight.   Sian spent 21 years as a professor teaching geology, sustainability, and planetary science at South Mountain Community College, Phoenix, Arizona. She is currently the Open Educations Resource Coordinator for the Maricopa Community College District.   Sian has a B.S. in Environmental Science, an M.S. in Geology, and a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction: Science Education. She recently finished a sabbatical at Arizona State University's Center for Education Through Exploration creating virtual field trips. She did her 2012-13 sabbatical at the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Emergency Management Institute developing their science of disasters curriculum.   She has appeared in multiple international science shows and is currently on A World Without NASA and Strange Evidence.   You can learn more about Sian by visiting her website (http://www.drsianproctor.com/).   To view (and purchase) Sian's art, visit Space2inspire (https://myspace2inspire.com/).   And of course be sure to follow her on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/Dr.Sian.Proc...), Twitter (https://twitter.com/drsianproctor), and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/drsianproctor). Regular Guests: Dr. Nick Castle ( @PlanetaryGeoDoc ) C.C. Petersen ( http://thespacewriter.com/wp/ & @AstroUniverse & @SpaceWriter ) Dave Dickinson ( http://astroguyz.com/ & @Astroguyz ) This week's stories: - Dark voids and solar flares! - SpaceX booster is gonna hit the Moon! - Mars, Mars and more Mars! - Earth's 2nd Trojan asteroid, 2020 XL5. - A cool mission on SLS/Artemis 1. - Is there life on Mars?   We've added a new way to donate to 365 Days of Astronomy to support editing, hosting, and production costs.  Just visit: https://www.patreon.com/365DaysOfAstronomy and donate as much as you can! Share the podcast with your friends and send the Patreon link to them too!  Every bit helps! Thank you! ------------------------------------ Do go visit http://www.redbubble.com/people/CosmoQuestX/shop for cool Astronomy Cast and CosmoQuest t-shirts, coffee mugs and other awesomeness! http://cosmoquest.org/Donate This show is made possible through your donations.  Thank you! (Haven't donated? It's not too late! Just click!) ------------------------------------ The 365 Days of Astronomy Podcast is produced by the Planetary Science Institute. http://www.psi.edu Visit us on the web at 365DaysOfAstronomy.org or email us at info@365DaysOfAstronomy.org.

When you think of people who are working hard to make their community the best it can be, Susan Bitter Smith's name quickly comes to mind. Susan is one of Scottsdale's behind-the-scenes movers and shakers, working to promote the city and help it prosper. She also has served in a number of public sector roles, and currently is on the governing board of the Maricopa Community College District. Find out what inspires her to be such an outstanding citizen in our community.

Dr. Maria Harper-Marinick, a Dominican Republic native, holds a Master and Ph.D. degrees in education from ASU. She has been a teacher and a mentor to many, is a national leader in higher education and a strong advocate for access to opportunity, equity, and student success. In this episode she discusses her background, what drives her and provides life advice. Dr. Harper-Marinick served the Maricopa Community College District for almost 30 years in a variety of leadership roles, including as Chancellor for the system. She is a Senior Fellow for the College Excellence Program and The Aspen Institute. She is very committed to service in the community and has actively engaged in national and local boards including American Association of Community Colleges, Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, and many others. She currently serves on the Boards of Excelencia in Education, Creighton University, and numerous others. In addition, Dr. Harper-Marinick has been the recipient of various awards and recognitions, including: 2017 Valley Leadership Woman of the Year, and 2017 One of the Valley's Most Admired Leaders, to name a few. Dr. Harper-Marinick was featured in Diverse: Issues in Higher Education magazine as one “25 women who have made a difference in the world by tackling some of higher education's toughest challenges and exhibiting extraordinary leadership skills”. Dr. Maria Harper-Marinick shares about her life of service, the discrimination she has faced and how she defines success. She mentions, "life is about choices and smiles are free!" She also provides a bit in Spanish, "es una sola vida, no la desperdicies, y tenemos que empoderar a nuestros jovenes latinos a desarollarse!

Episode Type: Special Edition Welcome to another special edition of the Share Life podcast. We're in an ongoing podcast series, as part of the discovery process for my next book project, From The Garden to the Cross: How Jesus' Harrowing Mission Shows Us The Way. In this discussion, we're reflecting on Jesus' final moments on the cross, the three hours of darkness, the cry of dereliction, and the immediate consequences of Jesus' finishing work. Fellow Conversation Participants Traci Rhoades is an author, Bible teacher, writer, listener, and follower of Jesus who cares deeply about church unity, church history, everyone reading God's word, and engaging with others on Twitter - which is where we originally connected. Join her email newsletter here, check out her book (Not All Who Wander Are Lost) here, or follow her on Twitter here. James Rowell is the lead pastor and co-founder of Generations, an Acts 29 network church in the metro Atlanta area, a husband and father of six kiddos with a master's degree in conflict management, and a friend and former pastor to me and my family. Greg Goodrich is residential faculty in the Maricopa Community College District in Phoenix, Arizona (south of Flagstaff where we originally did church community together years ago) with a focus on showing the clarity of God's existence, the need for redemption by Christ, and application of these truths in cultures. For additional links, episode highlights, and the Biblical excerpt, visit the following URL >>> https://www.jasonscottmontoya.com/personal/faith/580-jesus-dereliction-finished-thirst --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/sharelife/support

Are you always playing by the rules? Want to play your own game?  Want to overcome biases and microagressions? Women leaders are often the victims of micro aggressive actions at work, such as hidden biases. These biases are nothing but opinions from different perspectives and are actually opportunities for us to maximize our skills and unleash our full potential. We shouldn't let these biases limit us. Dina Preston-Ortiz is currently serving as a residential faculty member within the Maricopa Community College District in the area of Business and IT. She is a recent recipient of the 2019 AACC Dale P. Parnell Faculty Distinction Recognition. In 2018, she was recognized with the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development Excellence Award. Dr. Preston-Ortiz has travelled and worked in 43 countries through her business, DEO Entertainment Group contracting entertainment and production for various corporate and government clients, such as the Department of Defense. Dina recently launched a book called, "31 Cents to 43 Countries: Hardcore Tips to Increase Profits". As an entrepreneurial expert, she envisions this book as an instrument to empower leaders in various industries. Dr. Preston-Ortiz has a heart for global entrepreneurship and believes that everyone can achieve their maximum potential. In this episode, Dina shares her insights on how to maximize your leadership potential and make the most of your skills. She also talks about microaggression and how to battle the biases  women experience in work and life.   What you will learn from this episode: Discover how to find your internal compass that can help you be at your maximum potential Learn about microaggressions and why you should be aware of them Learn more about why you should play your own game in work and in life   “Play your own game, and do it better by leveraging your own talents, and continue to get educated.” - Dina Preston-Ortiz   Valuable Free Resource: How you can find your internal compass and be at your maximum potential: Visit com or be the first to email her to get a FREE book   Topics Covered: 02:45 - Challenge is being in an industry or workplace that does not want to acknowledge their ability to lead which affect their careers, their status, oftentimes, their lifetime earning potential and lead to losing self-confidence 03:27 - Underestimating their talents and skills, as well as, being a victim of microaggression: the common mistakes business women leaders make in their industry or workplace 05:26 - One free and actionable tip you can do to hone your skills and overcome microaggression: Find your internal compass, scan the environment, be resilient, play your own game, and do it better by leveraging your own talents and continue to get educated and continue your training. I really believe in lifelong learning 07:31 - One valuable resource to help you find your internal compass and be at your maximum potential: Visit deospeaks.com or be the first to email her to get a FREE book 08:40 - Q: What role can mentorship play in breaking through some of the barriers that we face, especially when it comes to the glass ceiling? A: I think that women are often reluctant. And having a mentor can help you navigate both the political landscape and also provide you feedback to help champion yourself and your interests   Key Takeaways: “Find your internal compass, and I can't tell you how important that is because, oftentimes, you may not get selected for something that you're very qualified to do, but you have to play your own game.” - Dina Preston-Ortiz “By playing my own game and continuing to do it better than anyone else, by improving my talents, I continue to get educated, I continue to get training, and I continue to focus on my goals, and being aware of the moment, oftentimes, opportunities will present themselves.” - Dina Preston-Ortiz “Scan the environment for opportunities that might be outside the box.” - Dina Preston-Ortiz “Your actual internal compass and your unique talents will give you your competitive advantage over your competition.” - Dina Preston-Ortiz “It's really important for us as women to be resilient until the right opportunity presents itself. We have to keep moving forward, even if they're small steps. So, if we take two steps backward, we need to take one step forward, and being resilient allows us to do that.” - Dina Preston-Ortiz “Having a mentor can help you navigate both the political landscape and also provide you feedback to help champion yourself and your interests.” - Dina Preston-Ortiz   Ways to Connect with Dina Preston-Ortiz Website: https://deospeaks.com/ Website: https://dinaprestonband.com/ Email: deoentertainmentgroup@gmail.com   Ways to Connect with Sarah E. Brown Website: https://www.sarahebrown.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/knowguides LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahebrownphd/

In 2020, Intel and the Maricopa Community College District issued a joint press releases announcing their partnership to launch the first associate degree program in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. Carlos Contreras with Intel notes a sense of urgency around this technology because of the speed at which it is being adopted by a wide variety of industry sectors. Partnerships between educational institutions and industry provide a collaborative model that is custom-built to address the speed of the transition in the region. Working together, the colleges and Intel hope to bring the U.S. workforce up to the AI skill level of countries such as South Korea, India, Singapore. In this episode, Bassam Matar from Chandler Gilbert Community College describes the design and roll-out of their AAS degree and certificate program, both of which have no prerequisites for entry and are designed to expand digital readiness for the future of work. Ultimately, says Contreras, as a company, Intel's goal "by 2030 is to reach 30 countries, 30,000 institutions and get 30 million students skilled in artificial intelligence."

In 2020, Intel and the Maricopa Community College District issued a joint press releases announcing their partnership to launch the first associate degree program in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. Carlos Contreras with Intel notes a sense of urgency around this technology because of the speed at which it is being adopted by a wide variety of industry sectors. Partnerships between educational institutions and industry provide a collaborative model that is custom-built to address the speed of the transition in the region. Working together, the colleges and Intel hope to bring the U.S. workforce up to the AI skill level of countries such as South Korea, India, Singapore. In this episode, Bassam Matar from Chandler Gilbert Community College describes the design and roll-out of their AAS degree and certificate program, both of which have no prerequisites for entry and are designed to expand digital readiness for the future of work. Ultimately, says Contreras, as a company, Intel's goal "by 2030 is to reach 30 countries, 30,000 institutions and get 30 million students skilled in artificial intelligence."

Carrie started her dental career in Orange County California at the age of 17. She was hired as a dental assistant for a new doctor straight out of dental school and fell in love with the dental field. In 1998 she graduated from Sinclair College's EFDA course in Dayton Ohio, completing her state boards later that year. After settling in Arizona, her dental focus shifted to education. She worked for over 12 years with Maricopa Community College District dental programs, and in 2017 accepted the newly formed position “Coordinator for Expanded Function Dental Auxiliaries." Carrie was the first Certified EFDA in the State of Arizona. She helped lead the first graduating class of EFDA students and under her guidance, Phoenix College accounts for the most Certified EFDAs in the State of Arizona. Join the community on Dentaltown at https://www.dentaltown.com

Community colleges are often described as the gateway to higher education because they are often the most affordable option. But they’re also the gateway to careers because of the many internship, certificate and shadowing programs that are typically arranged with local organizations. The Maricopa Community Colleges District, which serves 200,000 students on ten campuses in Arizona, is a poster child for this kind of community-based access and career training. Two leaders in the Maricopa system join Raise the Line host Shiv Gaglani to share how the system rallied to retain students thrown off-course by COVID, describe new partnerships spurred by the Black Lives Matter movement, and talk about the innovations in their nearly 50 healthcare programs to keep learning on track despite a reduction in clinical training opportunities.

Analog astronaut. Chef. Explorer. Pilot. Geologist. Artist. Professor. Author. STEM Communicator and…Cowgirl!? In short, Dr. Sian Proctor is just…. Incredible! You will want to get to know this impressive woman beyond the Casual Space conversation with Beth, so here are some links to Dr. Sian’s TedX Talks, videos, cookbooks, artwork and more! START HERE: https://www.drsianproctor.com/ TEDx Talks: https://www.drsianproctor.com/media/ Space2Inspire (Dr. Sian’s Artwork): https://www.drsianproctor.com/space2inspire/   Support Sian here: https://www.patreon.com/drsianproctor About Sian: Dr. Proctor is a geoscientist, explorer, space artist, and science communication specialist with a passion for space exploration. Her motto is called Space2inspire where she encourages people to use their unique, one-of-a-kind strengths, and passion to inspire those within their reach and beyond. She uses her AfronautSpace art to encourage conversations about women of color in the space industry. She’s an analog astronaut and has completed four analog missions including the all-female SENSORIA Mars 2020 mission at the Hawai’i Space Exploration Analog and Simulation (HI-SEAS) Habitat, the NASA funded 4-months Mars mission at HI-SEAS, a 2-weeks Mars mission at the Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS), and a 2-weeks Moon mission in the LunAres Habitat.  She believes that when we solve for space, we also solve issues on Earth. She promotes sustainable food practices used in space exploration as a way to reduce food waste on Earth. She has a TEDx talk called Eat Like a Martian and published the Meals for Mars Cookbook. Dr. Proctor was a finalist for the 2009 NASA Astronaut Program and got down to the Yes/No phone call which came from Astronaut Sunita Williams. She is an international speaker who enjoys engaging in educational outreach. She is a continuing NASA Solar System Ambassador and serves on the Explore Mars Board of Directors, JustSpace Alliance Advisory Board, the Science in the Wild Advisory Board, the SEDS USA Advisory Board, and the National Science Teaching Association’s Aerospace Advisory Board. In 2019, she was the science communication outreach officer on the JOIDES Resolution Expedition 383 and spent 2-months at sea with researchers investigating the Dynamics of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current. She also participated in the 2-week faculty development seminar Exploring Urban Sustainability in India. She was a 2017 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Teacher at Sea, a 2016 Astronomy in Chile Educator Ambassador (ACEAP), and a 2014 PolarTREC Teacher investigating climate change in Barrow, Alaska. She is a Major in the Civil Air Patrol and serves as a member of the Arizona Wing Aerospace Education Officer.   Dr. Proctor spent 21 years as a professor teaching geology, sustainability, and planetary science at South Mountain Community College, Phoenix, Arizona. She is currently the Open Educations Resource Coordinator for the Maricopa Community College District. She has a B.S. in Environmental Science, an M.S. in Geology, and a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction: Science Education. She recently finished a sabbatical at Arizona State University’s Center for Education Through Exploration creating virtual field trips. She did her 2012-13 sabbatical at the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Emergency Management Institute developing their science of disasters curriculum. She has appeared in multiple international science shows and is currently on A World Without NASA and Strange Evidence. You can follow her on social media @DrSianProctor.

Shaweta 'Shay' Vasudeva, MA (Pyschology), MS (Kinesiology), NFPT-CPT, NASM-CPT-CES, THSA-CNT, and Tai Chi & Black Belt Karate Instructor is a teaching professional, speaker, published author, coach, and cat lover! Her passion is to help people become the best version of themselves by using an interdisciplinary and holistic approach, bringing 10+ years of experience in Psychology, Personal Fitness Training, Corrective Exercise, Nutritional Coaching, Cranial Sacral Work and teaching Karate & Tai Chi classes to her business, ShayTheCoach. Shay teaches classes at Maricopa Community College District as an Adjunct Professor. Some her published work can be found at  https://www.nfpt.com/blog/author/svasudeva   For more information visit her personal webpage: www.shaythecoach.com

Today’s episode focuses on a higher education issue that we have talked about before at USACollegeChat, though not recently--that is, the pros and cons of attending a community college, which is a marvelous institution in theory, but a somewhat more disappointing institution in reality. At least, that has been our position in the past. When I read a recent article about where community colleges find themselves these days, I thought we might look at them one more time. If you are the parent of a senior, we will offer some recent facts that might affect your decision to send your own teenager to a community college next fall. If you are the parent of a junior, these same facts might affect your wanting to use a community college as your teenager’s safety school option or as your teenager’s only option during the application process next year. 1. The Funding Picture The article I read was written by Jeffrey R. Young and disseminated online by EdSurge. EdSurge is an organization that, in its own words, “report[s] on [the] latest news and trends in the edtech industry to help . . . entrepreneurs who build new products and businesses; educators who use these tools; [and] investors and others who support companies and schools” (quoted from the EdSurge website). So, here is some background for our discussion, thanks to Mr. Young and EdSurge: Nationwide, enrollments in community colleges have been declining for several years, in part because the job market as a whole has been improving, so fewer people have felt the need to . . . [head] back to school. And even as some states and cities propose efforts to make two-year colleges free to students, the broader trend is that many state governments have scaled back public support for community colleges in recent years. In Arizona, for instance, the state funding for two major community college districts [Maricopa Community College District and Pima Community College District] is down to zero. “Like all public higher education support, the funding is going down,” says Sandy Baum, a senior fellow at the Urban Institute. “It’s worse in some ways at community colleges,” she adds, because the total amount that community colleges spend per student has been decreasing, according to The College Board’s Trends in College Pricing. “They just don’t have the money to serve students the way they did,” she adds. “That’s a reason to be very concerned.” (quoted from the article) Yes, that is a reason to be concerned--for sure, if you live in the Phoenix-Tempe-Tucson area, where funding is “down to zero,” and presumably if you live in other community college districts in similar financial trouble. We have read plenty in the news over the past year about public four-year universities that are living in a world of declining state funding and, often, that are raising tuition to make up for that loss, much to the anger of the state residents. But, if you thought that public community colleges could be your fallback position, perhaps it is time for you to think again. Because what happens when state and local governments cut back on their funding of their community colleges? Clearly, the community colleges are going to have to raise their tuition--which, to be fair, is typically very low--or they are going to have to reduce educational and support services to their students. Unfortunately, there’s no free lunch, even at community colleges. For some students, whose only viable option is their local community college, either choice that a community college is forced to make will be a serious blow. 2. The Pros of Community Colleges: A Review Let’s review quickly some of the pros and cons about community colleges, also referred to as two-year colleges. Here’s a list of reasons to put two-year colleges on your teenager’s list of colleges to apply to (these reasons are conveniently taken from our first book, How To Find the Right College: A Workbook for Parents of High School Students): Two-year colleges offer associate’s degrees, which can be enough for some careers, including high-paying technical careers. Later, if the student wants to do so, the credits earned for an associate’s degree can be transferred to four-year colleges and applied toward credits needed for a four-year bachelor’s degree.   (In fact, some two-year colleges in some states are now authorized to offer bachelor’s degrees, especially in technical fields where workers in the labor force are in short supply. Students pursuing those bachelor’s degrees would need to stay at the two-year college longer, of course.) Two-year colleges offer students who have struggled in high school a chance to improve their academic record and gain the fundamental skills and study habits they will need to succeed in more advanced college study. After doing well at a two-year college, such students can get into a better four-year college than they could have gotten into right out of high school. Two-year colleges can be a good choice if a student is undecided about an academic field of study in college and/or about a future career. Trying out different academic majors and different programs leading to different career paths is cheaper and likely easier to do at a two-year college than at a four-year college. Two-year colleges offer their students core liberal arts courses (which can often be transferred to four-year colleges later) and/or technical training in many different fields at a very low price. Putting two-year colleges on your teenager’s list of college options is a reasonable decision if paying for college—either right away for a two-year degree or eventually for a four-year degree—is a critical concern for your family. Let’s underline that last point, which, I think, is the primary point for the kids who head to a community college right out of high school. The fact that it is so much cheaper than any four-year option is sometimes irresistible. We know that students can get financial aid of all kinds from four-year colleges, which could make their time there essentially free, but none of those deals is a sure thing. Paying the very low tuition at a community college, especially with whatever financial aid is available, is a sure thing. Let’s also acknowledge that we understand that there might be family reasons to keep a child close to home and within commuting distance and that a community college might fit those circumstances very nicely. Sometimes it is hard to argue against family reasons like that. 3. The Cons of Community Colleges: A Review So, what’s the downside of going to a community college? As we have said before at USACollegeChat, the choice of a community college for students coming right out of high school is quite different from that same choice being made by adults returning to college or starting college for the first time. But, we are focused here on students coming right out of high school, just like your own teenager. Here is what Mr. Young’s article says about one very important college statistic: … [T]he truth is that community colleges don’t always pay off for students. Completion rates are notoriously low--only about 38 percent of students who started at a community college in 2009 completed a two- or four-year degree within six years. And students who take out even small loans to attend can end up with crippling debt if they end up with no degree to show for their efforts. As [Sandy Baum, senior fellow at the Urban Institute] puts it: “You really can’t pay back anything if you’re working at the minimum wage.” (quoted from the article) That is a sobering statistic: Not even half of community college students complete any college degree in six years--not even a two-year associate’s degree. Admittedly, that statistic includes all kinds of students who attend community colleges--from bright kids right out of high school who need to save money to returning adults who have been out of school for a decade to kids who struggled in high school and couldn’t get into a more selective college. Nonetheless, we quoted evidence many episodes back that said that students are more likely to graduate if they go to a more selective college, for many reasons. You have to put that in the scale as you weigh college options for your teenager. In addition to that seriously low completion rate, the transfer rate of students from community colleges to four-year colleges to earn bachelor’s degrees is also shockingly low, as we reported back in Episode 64, based on an article in The Hechinger Report. Here is that statistic, which was taken from a report from Teachers College, Columbia University: . . . 80 percent of entering community college students say they intend to earn a bachelor’s degree, but only about a quarter actually make the transfer and 17 percent eventually get the degree. (quoted from the article) So, as parents, you need to think hard about whether your teenager is different from the typical community college student--smarter, harder working, more motivated, more goal oriented, or something. Because, otherwise, the statistics are telling you that he or she is likely not to graduate with even an associate’s degree and is likely not to transfer to that more expensive four-year college you say you are saving up your money for. We all think our own kids are different and, maybe, better. But how much are you willing to gamble on that? 4. What Is the Answer? Mr. Young’s article also noted that community colleges are trying out a few ideas in the hope of improving those statistics, and that’s a good thing. Let’s look at two of them. The first idea is something that community colleges are calling “guided pathways,” and the idea really couldn’t be simpler. Here it is: The metaphor for the traditional community college is a “cafeteria” of course offerings, says Melinda Karp, assistant director of the Community College Research Center at Columbia University’s Teachers College. “We’ve since realized that too much choice is actually overwhelming,” she adds, “and too many students are unable to put together a program of study that gets them where they want to go.” John Hamman, a dean at Montgomery College, agrees. “What we need to do is help and talk to students about, what do you want to do?” Many community college students who struggle with subjects like mathematics, for instance, might prefer a different track that requires less math—but may not know the option exists. . . . And we don’t do a good enough job helping students [take] those smart pathways.” (quoted from the article) Well, this problem exists at all levels of schooling and can be solved, at least partly, by intelligent and experienced advisors. Certainly, we had to serve in that capacity at the high school we co-founded in NYC. It was clear that we had to be vigilant to make sure that students were taking what they needed to take in order to graduate--and, in our case, to graduate early in three years. But, it is also true that four-year college advisors need to pay attention to course selection and graduation counseling--especially, as we just said in our last episode (Episode 112), if students are trying to do four years of college in three years. In this case of community colleges, given their low graduation rate, they absolutely need “guided pathways” to make sure that students get onto a track as soon as possible and stay on track to finish the courses needed to earn a degree. If you are looking at a community college for your teenager, it would be wise to check out whether it has these pathways spelled out and this kind of academic advising available. The second idea aimed at improving community college statistics is making online coursework more available. Here is what the article said: Community colleges are . . . starting to do more to offer online courses, says Rufus Glasper, president of the League for Innovation in the Community College. But they are more likely to offer blended programs and require at least some in-person attendance, rather than set up all-online programs, he adds. “Community colleges need to do more with online so that we can have lower price-point options for our students as well,” he says. That can be especially tough for two-year colleges, though, since they often don’t have the resources to invest in new online infrastructure that it takes to start fully online programs. (quoted from the article) On the other hand, I am wondering whether the fact that community colleges often offer blended courses instead of fully online courses is actually a plus. Quite recently, in Episode 107, we discussed the pros and cons of online courses for various groups of students. We remained concerned at the end of that episode about the ability of most freshmen to take important introductory or foundational courses online (like Calculus I or Composition 101 or Introduction to Sociology or Spanish I or Biology 101) and get everything out of them that they would get if they were in a classroom with a professor two or three times a week. Offering courses fully online to save the student money may backfire if the student cannot complete the course with a satisfactory grade or with a satisfactory amount of knowledge. We are going to remain concerned that fully online courses might not, in the long run, improve a community college’s graduation rate or successful transfer rate. 5. Where Does That Leave Us? Toward the end of Mr. Young’s article, he again quotes Ms. Karp, of the Community College Research Center at Columbia University’s Teachers College: “This is their moment because [community colleges] are the access and equity engines of higher education,” argues Karp. . . . “In this age when we’re talking about how do we open up access to higher education but also make sure our labor force is prepared for . . . jobs of the future, they’re in an ideal position.” (quoted from the article) Community colleges might indeed be in an ideal position in theory, but they are going to have to improve their results in practice. Those results are what continue to worry us as seniors choose their first step into higher education. Let me simply repeat what I said a few minutes ago: Unless you think your teenager is smarter, harder working, more motivated, and more goal oriented than the typical community college student, your teenager is likely to have some difficulty graduating from a community college and/or transferring to a four-year college. So, talk with your teenager and think hard about your choice. Ask your questions or share your feedback by... Leaving a comment on the show notes for this episode at http://usacollegechat.org/episode113 Calling us at (516) 900-6922 to record a question on our USACollegeChat voicemail if you want us to answer your question live on our podcast Connect with us through... 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I am assuming that this new feed will work now, so we can hope. Here's the transcript file below as well.This is Devon Adams and today is July 24th 2009. Welcome to the first AP Language & Composition podcast. The purpose of these podcasts is to relay information about the AP Language class at Basha High School. My goal is to get these out weekly or biweekly depending on the materials being covered in class. Welcome juniors to AP English. This year prepares you for the AP Language & Composition exam administered by the College Board in May 2010. Today’s topic is the AP Examination and Dual Enrollment. This time of the year I get a lot of questions about the difference between taking the AP Examination and taking this class for dual enrollment, so I am focusing this entire podcast on this one question. First of all, let’s talk about each separately. Many of you took a test called the Asset Test in the spring time in our cafeteria. You should have received a copy of those scores already, but if not I have them in my class. This is NOT the AP Exam; that is completely separate. This is a placement test used for the Maricopa Community College District colleges (including Mesa Community College and Chandler Gilbert Community College) to confirm that you have met certain academic requirements to be accepted into a college English program. Once you have scored high enough on this test, you are invited by me to take AP English 11 for dual enrollment credit. This means you’d pay the MCC tuition for 3 credits, which I believe is approximately $230.00. This payment would enroll you in English 101 at MCC, and you would take AP English 11 for both college credit and high school credit. You do the same exact work as all of your classmates and you do not have to go to MCC at all. At the end of the Fall 2009 semester, you would be awarded 3 college credits at MCC with the same grade you receive in semester 1 of AP English 11. MCC’s credits transfer directly to BYU, ASU, U of A, and also NAU. NAU is the only school that also requires you to complete the second semester of freshman college English (called English 102), and you can take that online or through my MCC course anytime before you graduate from Basha. If you are considering an out of state school, it is your responsibility to check with the admission office to see if they would accept your Freshman Composition (Eng 101) credit through dual enrollment. If you choose to dual enroll, you will sign up through me in August. The dual enrollment option has absolutely nothing to do with the AP Examination in May 2010. The AP Examination is the culminating assessment for AP Language & Composition. This is an internationally recognized test that is accepted (for varying scores) at universities through the entire world. Payment for the examination is approximately $86.00 and nothing is paid until second semester. Information on testing is given to you to take home to your parents. It is expected that most of you do take this test. The AP Examination is what we will prepare for all year in AP Language. Unlike dual enrollment, there is no guarantee to pass this examination but the AP Exam is recognized in more schools. Some people ask why should we dual enroll when we’re testing at the end anyway. This is a good question and there’s no easy answer. Dual Enrollment tuition is much cheaper than university credits would cost, but if you’re going out of state your school may not accept these credits. But three credits in dual enrollment is guaranteed (as long as you pass the class) while passing the AP Examination is not a guarantee. I have seen students go to schools like ASU after doing dual enrollment and taking AP Exams and walking in there as sophomores. It all depends on so many variables. I would personally recommend taking dual enrollment since you’re sitting in the class anyway and doing the same work as everyone else. If you are financial unsound and need assistance is paying for the course, MCC does have a scholarship program. Basha also has a scholarship program for the AP Exam fees in the spring time. Ok, I hope this initial podcast has answered all of your questions about AP exams versus dual enrollment. Up next time will be a discussion of the summer readings, which I am sure you have all completed.

Introduction: Mike Lesiecki is the Founding Director and PI for theMATEC ( http://matec.org ), an NSF national center. With its partners in education and industry, MATEC develops programs, materials, and training that enables students, faculty, and technicians to continuously master the evolving competencies in science, mathematics, technology, and communications required by the workforce of the semiconductor, automated manufacturing, and electronics industries. MATEC is located in Tempe, Arizona.Mike Q: Mike, what is the history of MATEC and how has it evolved over the course of its funding?MATEC was established in 1996 as the 7th ATE center (today there are 33.) The center is a member of the division of academic affairs at the college. Initially founded in close collaboration with the semiconductor manufacturing industry the center made a strategic decision to expand to electronics and highly automated manufacturing to better serve its users.Today MATEC is an umbrella organization with distinct strategies to develop relevant materials, provide faculty professional development and to encourage awareness for high tech fieldsThe center houses the MATEC national resource center called MATEC Networks as well as projects in highly automated manufacturing and electronics funded by the NSF. Industry sponsors a unique career awareness program called high tech U that is produced by the center. The SAME-TEC national conference will be held for the 11th year this summer in Dallas.As you can see the center has evolved fro m a single focus to a multiple project, multiple funding source model all designed to support technical education at the community college levelFirst 10 years to develop material, next 4 years after that to disseminatematerial, what has he done to make sure MATEC was successful in both of those endeavors. First and foremost was the use of industry subject matter experts coupled with our own instructional design and media people this insures relevancy.Just building the materials and electronic delivery system does not mean people will come.     o    We sponsored workshops and conferences for professional            development and we stressed incorporation of our materials into            existing programs     o    Our delivery system was web based from the beginning and            adaptableNetworks, our resource center, now is designed for access to these resources as well as national resources to help faculty find what they need  in a one stop fashion.We seek strategic linkages with industry through SEMI, SIA, TPIC and partners such as Intel and TIGordon: What are the products and services that make up the MATECOrganization now?We have adopted a modular approach and our core materials comprise 50 semiconductor, 24 electronic and 7 highly automated manufacturing modules.Skill standards - Our NRC features these resources and others in a customized experience for faculty that includes unique opportunities for faculty externships.Industry accesses our materials through a partnership with Semizone- 10th and 11th graders experience high tech u- Contracted expertise in curriculum development (SCME)- Same-tec conferenceMATEC's funding sources are wide, from NSF grants to industry projects.Mike Q: How do all of those fit together to achieve MATEC's vision: to be the worldwide leader in education and industry collaboration, supporting the ongoing development of a highly skilled workforce?I think the real key is the diversity of funding sources. We do not depend on any single source. For example the Maricopa colleges fund about 28% of our operations, grants about 50% and sales of products and materials plus revenue from conferences and industry specific projects provides the other 25%. That's the money side.To support the ongoing development of the workforce it is all about      partnerships. Let me give you examples     o    Albany NY     o    HTWI     o    WRE     o    HTUAlso for partnership development our Resource center, MATEC Networks under Kim Grady, has led the formation of a network of ATE resource centers to help leverage their work and joint efforts.In the end what does it mean to be a leader in this area? It means to convene a partnership or to take on an initiative that no one school or educational institution could do alone. And do this for the benefit of all.Gordon:  What is the rationale of Maricopa Community College District, a local community college, for supporting a national center in a localenvironment?We are very fortunate here, MATEC enjoys one of the highest level of financial support given to a center by a host college. This is due in part to the vision of the founding Chancellor and vice Chancellor, now both retired, who felt a college could and should reach outside its service boundaries and offer leadership on a national level. Today we have a new administration and finances are tighter yet the commitment to MATEC as an exemplary model is still very strong. There are political questions that surround the roles and mission and mission creep of a community college also.This challenges us in turn to always look for ways to return value to our college.In the end the administration sees it as the right thing to do. For that we are very thankful.Mike Q: What's on the horizon?Our national advisory board has nudged (well pushed) us towards the topic of community college pathways to engineering degrees. This idea is getting a lot of play and we hope to garner some significant foundation support launch a national five year project. Stay tuned!