Congratulations to the 52 Men and Women who are Graduating from the Nursing Program Today!

Posted on May 15, 2012 by Saddleback College

On Tuesday, May 15th at 7:00 p.m., 52 graduates of the Saddleback College nursing program will be honored with a traditional candlelight pinning ceremony held at McKinney Theatre at Saddleback College.

The ceremony will begin with a welcome from Tammy Rice, assistant dean of health sciences and human services and director of the college’s nursing program. Graduating student Ed Page will give the “Remember When” speech.  Professor Diane Pestolesi will then formally present the class. Professors Phillis Kucharski and Pat McGinley will honor each graduate with the time-honored nursing pin, a symbol of a nurse’s service to others, and their induction into the nursing profession.

Graduating student Emily Crick will present the class pledge, which will be followed by acknowledgements from Rice.  Graduating student Barbara Wright will give the Farewell Address to represent the end of their journey as students and the beginning of their journeys as nurses.

Saddleback College Professors Betsy Brewington and Janine O’Buchon, together with graduating student Tasha Gates, will preside over a candle lighting ceremony, which has symbolized the passing of knowledge from one generation to the next since Florence Nightingale first brought enlightenment to the nursing profession in the 19th century.

The graduating class of Spring 2012 is proud to include:
(All listed in alphabetical order with their city)

Continue reading for complete list.

Continue reading →

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More than 100 People attend Transfer Celebration

Posted on May 11, 2012 by Saddleback College

The Transfer Center’s annual celebration was once again a huge success. More than 100 students, faculty, staff, administrators, parents, and friends came out to support students who are transferring to colleges and universities. The celebration is a time for students to mingle with future classmates and meet representatives from their transfer colleges. This year Saddleback transferred more than 2,000 students to colleges and universities all over the world!

A couple of transfer facts:

  • Saddleback College is 12th out of 112 California Community Colleges in transfers to UCs and CSUs.
  • Saddleback College is ranked third in the state in the number of transfers to UCI
  • We are ranked third in the number of transfers to CSUF and CSULB
  • Saddleback is the highest in Orange County for transfers to San Diego State University, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Chico State, CSU San Marcos, Humboldt State, and San Francisco State

For a list of students and their transfer colleges, please keep reading.

Continue reading →

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The Great Scholarship Giveaway

Posted on May 11, 2012 by Saddleback College

Saddleback College is selecting one graduating senior from all 32 high schools in South Orange County to win a scholarship to Saddleback worth $650! The deadline to apply s June 1, visit http://www.saddleback.edu/fao/HighSchoolScholarship.html or click on the flyer for more information.

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Saddleback Faculty Honored by Former Students

Posted on May 10, 2012 by Saddleback College

Each year, University of California, Irvine holds an Educator Recognition Reception and Award Ceremony during which their honors students have the chance to identify someone from their community college who was critical in helping them successfully transfer. On May 7th, five Saddleback College faculty were honored for their dedication to their students.

This year’s honorees:

  • Dr. William Alston, Organic Chemistry Professor, recognized by Seyed Pairawan
  • Dr. Scott Fier, Chemistry Professor, recognized by Arshan Ferdowsian
  • Dr. Carmen Hernandez-Bravo, Spanish Professor, recognized by Ashley Santellan
  • Elizabeth Ininns, Microbiology/Anatomy Professor, recognized by Sabrina Tamme
  • Dr. Kris Leppien-Christensen, Psychology Professor, recognized by Morgan Zisch

Honorees, students, and supporters!

Everyday our faculty work tirelessly to help their students meet personal goals, whether that is transfer, career training, or self-improvement and I am extremely proud of the professors who have been honored at this event. Because of your dedication, your former student are doing great things at UCI and are sure to be successful following completion of their degree.

I would also like to thank those who made it out to UCI to support our faculty - Gary Poertner, Chancellor, South Orange County Community College District; Dr. Don Busche Acting Vice President for Instruction; and Dr. Bob Cosgrove, President Elect, Academic Senate.

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Saddleback College Recognizes Professors of the Year

Posted on May 3, 2012 by Saddleback College

Saddleback College named Dr. David DiLeo, a history instructor, Ken Lee, a landscape design instructor, and Rob Henry, a consumer health issues instructor in the college’s Emeritus Institute, as the 2012 Professors of the Year.  All three professors were nominated by their students and were honored at the April 30th meeting of the South Orange County Community College District Board of Trustees.

Saddleback College has so many exceptional professors that it is always difficult to narrow it down, but the student feedback spoke volumes for Professors DiLeo, Lee, and Henry. Students sang their praises and it’s clear that these superb professors  have very positively influenced many lives.

Dr. DiLeo Addresses his History Class

Dr. DiLeo Addresses his History Class

Professor of the Year Dr. David DiLeo teaches history and has been a full-time professor at Saddleback College since 1993 and was praised by his students for being one of the most devoted and kind professors they have ever learned from. He was also commended for providing an inclusive learning experience that broadened their minds and pushed them to learn new ideas.

“I am honored to represent the entire Saddleback staff and faculty as the 2012 teacher of the year recipient. It is most certainly a privilege to do what we do. The pursuit of knowledge, and its cousin, understanding, is a necessary and worthy endeavor,” said Dr. DiLeo. “My hat is off to a tireless support staff, a dedicated board and administration, and my talented colleagues.”

Associate Professor of the Year Ken Lee

Associate Professor of the Year Ken Lee

Associate Professor of the Year Ken Lee began teaching landscape design classes at Saddleback in 2000. Lee’s nominating students called him their mentor and expressed appreciation for inviting them to his landscape design business for a glimpse into practical applications of their studies. Lee was described as professional, welcoming and down-to-earth.

“As a teacher and a mentor for a young generation, I believe that teaching should be a passion, not just a job. All teachers should be passionate about what they do. Without it, it would be impossible to influence the next generation to become better. Passion from a teacher, about any subject, is contagious, spreading out to everyone in the classroom,” stated Lee.

Emeritus Professor of the Year Rob Henry

Emeritus Professor of the Year Rob Henry began teaching for the Emeritus Institute in 2005 after teaching in the Division of Health Sciences and Human Services since 1987 and was  been nominated by his students an astounding 40 times! His emeritus students say he is an outstanding example of what an educator should be and his class is a “must” for everyone.

“I spent 18 years instructing traditional students on campus.  It wasn’t until I began teaching emeritus classes as well that I became fully fulfilled as an instructor,” said Henry. “The exchange of ideas and knowledge is truly rewarding.”

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Online Learning Student Success Rate Increases by Three Percent in One Year!

Posted on April 12, 2012 by Saddleback College

Thanks to all of the hard work by the entire Distance and Online Education Program Team, success rates for online courses increased by almost 3% since fall 2010. This is the largest success rate increase for any instructional method.  Success is defined by a student earning a grade of A, B, C, or Credit/Pass.

There has also been a steady increase in the number of students taking online courses throughout the last ten years. In fall 2001, 1,858 students were enrolled in online courses; this number has grown to 11,704 students in Fall 2011.

College Efforts Leading to Increased Student Success in Online Classes

How to Succeed in Online Classes Workshops:  In Fall 2011, the program initiated a grant-funded pilot program that included a series of four-hour workshops.  Professors Claire Cesareo-Silva, Christina Smith, Elizabeth Horan, and Christina Nigrelli facilitated these workshops. In Fall 2011, there were three workshops with a total of 32 students in attendance.  In Spring 2012, they doubled the offerings to six workshops and nearly quadrupled their attendance to 123 students!

Reconfigured Center for Instructional Design and Distance Education (CIDDE) to be more conductive to faculty training.

Student Technical Support Taskforce:  In Fall 2011, a Taskforce on Student Technical Support was formed that included campus and district faculty, staff, and administrators.  In a year the task force has

  • Revitalized the Student Technical Support Website
  • Created information cards
  • Established a technical help email address (scstudenthelp@saddleback.edu)
  • Worked closely with the district to update MySite
  • Developed and implemented new associate faculty orientations in CIDDE
  • Strengthened student support in the Information Booth, Village 4 computer lab, and the IMC Lab
  • Created new student tutorials that will be launched this summer

Thank you to the Dean of Online Education and Learning Resources, Dr. Patti Flanigan, and her entire support team for helping our students succeed! Special thanks to those who supported this effort: Jane Rosenkrans, Leslie Humphrey, and Craig Connor for their support and input on the taskforce, Claire Cesareo-Silva, Christina Smith, Christina Nigrelli, and Elizabeth Horan for their efforts on the workshops, Jenny Langrell for her support as the DE faculty coordinator, Valerie Senior, Vivian Nguyen, and Thomas McKenzie for their role in faculty training in CIDDE, Dr. Don Buschè for his support on reconfiguring CIDDE, and Matt Miller for his work on the student tutorials.

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Saddleback Student Wins Outstanding Abstract Award at Statewide Honors Conference

Posted on April 12, 2012 by Saddleback College

Learon Inbar speaks to the plenary about her research

At the Honors Transfer Council of California’s (HTCC) annual statewide conference, Saddleback College student Learon Inbar was named as one of four winners of the Outstanding Abstract Award and took home a  $500 scholarship prize. Learon is in her second year at Saddleback and is studying a mix of art and theater, with an ultimate goal of becoming a theater costume and set designer. She is hoping to transfer to UCLA or Berkeley in the fall and, eventually, attend graduate school so she can teach and conduct research, in addition to theater work.

The HTTC conference took place at UCI on March 31 and involved students from member schools who were chosen by the council to present research in their field of choice. Learon presented the 400-word abstract and the results of her research to the council during the conference.

“I had taken the Honors Humanities 10A class with Professor Chattopadhyay and Professor Rosenberg, and that particular semester we had focused on the art and intellectual development of the Middle Ages in Europe; this led to my chosen time period for my research,” Learon said about her paper’s inspiration. She wrote about what textiles meant for people in the Middle Ages and found interesting connections between levels of power and a person’s evidence of wealth.

Two more students, Jonathan Fisher and Austin Burrow, were also honored as Exemplary Achievement scholarship winners at the event. Congratulations to all of our award-winning honors students!

Two of our students, Jonathan Fisher and Austin Burrow, are among these Exemplary Achievement scholarship winners

The Saddleback College Honors Program is an interdisciplinary effort to develop exceptional talent, ability, and scholarship in highly motivated students. It is not a club, service organization, or even a recognition of past academic achievement. It is, rather, a path to further and higher achievements. Any Saddleback College student may enroll in any Honors class. No special permission is required. If you would like more information about the Honors Program, visit http://www.saddleback.edu/honors/.

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Student Donates Award Winnings to the Emeritus Institute

Posted on April 5, 2012 by Saddleback College

Emeritus Director Sandra Marzilli, Elizabeth Busick and President Tod Burnett

Emeritus Institute student Elizabeth Busick took the money she received when she was named a winner of the California Senior Leaders Award from UC Berkeley’s School of Public Health and put it right back into education – she donated it to the Saddleback College Emeritus Institute.

Earning the award was a real honor for Ms. Busick, who was one of 30 seniors selected among nominees throughout the state.  The award has earned her a spot on the California Senior Leaders Alliance for the next two years, in addition to $500, which was to be put toward a non-profit program of her choice.  We are glad and thankful that Ms. Busick chose to donate the funds to the Emeritus Institute.

Ms. Busick, a resident of Mission Viejo and a Saddleback College student for 38 years, believes strongly in the importance of the Emeritus Institute and the difference it has made in the lives of so many seniors.  She said, “I am a strong advocate of life-long learning.  That’s part of the reason I chose to give the Emeritus Institute the $500 I won from the UC Berkeley School of Public Health. The classes the Emeritus Institute offers help seniors remain active, alert and independent and function as vital members of their community rather than dependents of their families or the State of California. These classes…are vital to keeping seniors mentally and physically fit. I can attest to their validity having taken a variety of the stimulating classes.”

She’s not exaggerating when she says she has taken a variety of classes.  Just some of the classes Elizabeth has completed include Pilates Conditioning, Birds of the World, Intro to Opera, Beginning Digital Photography, and Intro to Philosophy. She looks forward to taking Tai Chi, Aquatic Fitness,  and Jewelry Metal Fabrication in the near future.

Saddleback College thanks Ms. Busick for her generous gift, which will help other seniors gain valuable experiences in the Emeritus Institute!

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Classified Employee Outstanding Service Award Recipient and Nominees

Posted on March 26, 2012 by Saddleback College

Presenting Valerie Senior with her Classified Employee Outstanding Service Award

I am pleased to congratulate Valerie Senior who was selected as this year’s recipient of the Saddleback College Classified Employee Outstanding Service Award.  For those who many not know Valerie (though this is doubtful), she is an Application Specialist II in our acclaimed Center for Instructional Design and Distance Education (CIDDE).  I am thrilled that Valerie has received this much deserved honor, and commend her for her excellent work for our students, employees, and college.  I also commend her many nominees for recognizing the excellent job she has done for us.  Here is just some of the praise for Valerie her colleagues offered on their nomination forms:

“I truly respect what an incredible asset she is to CIDDE.  She has been a terrific mentor to me.  Her suggestions, recommendations and insights all come from a position of respect and kindness.”

“Valerie conceived and implemented the 2011 iPad project, which tracked faculty members taking the educator online courses and their success in the program.”

“Valerie has been an employee of Saddleback College for over 16 years, but her drive, enthusiasm, energy and fresh ideas are indicative of a new hire.”

“Valerie is excellent at her job.  She’s reliable, thorough, and patient when working with faculty one-on-one.  She conducts training sessions with professionalism, and shows not only her extensive knowledge, but also her dedication to the success of the faculty in teaching.”

“She’s smart, efficient, witty, friendly, and quick.  As a professional, she’s reliable, organized, and knowledgeable.  In sum, Valerie is a top-notch employee, and I am grateful to have her as a colleague.”

“I have witnesses Valerie make appointments for as early as 7:00 a.m. to accommodate faculty schedules.  She is ready to work from the moment she steps through the door with back-to-back appointments throughout the day.”

“Valerie collaborated with faculty to create the curriculum and the program for the online educator certificate program, which has been instrumental in increasing the quality of online education and promoting student-centered learning environments.”

“Valerie has not only taught technology to us at Saddleback, but has shown us her special traits that through generosity, a positive attitude, and by being friendly, helpful, and accommodating, there are ways to combat work-related stress and be more productive at work.”

As you can see, Valerie has many fans, and deservedly so.  Congratulations again to Valerie for this well-deserved recognition of her many accomplishments!

I also would like to congratulate several other outstanding individuals who were nominated by their colleagues for the Classified Employee Outstanding Service Award:

Barbara Benavides, Senior Transfer Center Specialist

Matt Brodet, Video Production Specialist

Linda Hall, Senior Administrative Assistant, Division of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Mira Manchik, Senior Administrative Assistant, Division of Business Science and Economic and Workforce Development

Don Mineo, Career Guidance Officer

Brooke Sauter, Senior Administrative Assistant, VETS Center

My Troung, Admissions and Records Specialist II

Marlene Weintraub, Senior Administrative Assistant, Division of Liberal Arts

All of our nominees are much deserving and thanks to all who took the time to give their colleagues recognition for their hard work and dedication to Saddleback College.

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Annual President’s Chat

Posted on March 23, 2012 by Saddleback College

This week I held a President’s Chat, where all college employees are invited to ask questions about any topic in an informal setting.  I was very pleased with the turnout and was happy to see that all of our governance groups were well represented.

The first question allowed me to address a topic that is of interest to many: smoking on campus. Saddleback allows smoking on campus, except inside a building or within 25 feet of a building’s entrance.  I was asked if there was any way to make our campus smoke-free. Currently, Associated Student Government (ASG) is conducting a survey to gauge the mood of their peers and will decide on a plan of action when they get the survey results. Once ASG provides its recommendation, college administration will determine the next steps.

In light of recent reports about the Cal State System’s enrollment freeze, the group voiced their concerns about how this would affect students. The sad news is that higher education cutbacks have already begun to affect our students, we are more impacted than ever and even our highly-qualified transfer prospects are finding it increasingly difficult to get into a CSU or UC.  Despite all of this, there are some positive things — we have secured new TAG agreements to CSU and UCs, and our top feeder school, CSU Fullerton, is one of the few that is still accepting spring transfers.  It is our responsibility to make our transfer students as competitive as possible, which is something that everyone in the Saddleback community is dedicated to doing.

As the state budget continues to deteriorate, it will be interesting to see how the community college system adapts and at least one school is already taking drastic steps to serve their students:  Santa Monica College has proposed a tiered pricing systems. This topic was raised at the chat and it is something that we are definitely watching.

I also provided a library and learning resource center update.  The new building is expected to be ready for services at the start of the fall semester and we will begin moving stacks and personnel during the summer. A grand opening event is expected to occur during the fall semester.

Other topics included the Student Success Task Force update and the ATEP campus. The task force recommendations are currently going through the legislative process, but the good news is that we are already doing many of the recommended steps to improve student success. The SOCCCD Board of Trustees recently approved a proposal for ATEP, which will give Saddleback and IVC the opportunity to develop on the land. We are very excited about the Allied Health Center for Innovation and Healthcare Education, which will be the leading healthcare training center in the country. More details will be coming about the site, including industry and educational partners.

I want to thank everyone who participated in the President’s Chat and please keep an eye out for future invitations!

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