Dean`s Note - Tacoma Community College

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Tacoma Community College 6501 S. 19th St., Bldg. 11 Tacoma, WA 98466
Center for Academic Support and Achievement
TRIO SSS/MECA (253) 566-5025
WINTER QUARTER
2008
Tacoma Community College
Dean’s Note
Greetings. As we complete yet another quarter
at the college, I am always amazed at the level of
commitment that I see in CASA and MECA students. It
shows as I watch you studying in the labs and in your
interaction with Center staff; but also in other ways. Take
for instance, the emails that you send me updating your
status, the students who go on the university visits, or the
other activities such as the potlucks and the recent lecture
we attended at Pierce College. I am mentioning this because
it is important to understand what it means to be active in
both programs, and guess what, it does not take much. Sure
some students have more time in their schedules or lives
than others to be more active in the programs and services,
but that does not mean that less active students are still not
benefiting. We provide many services, but there are some
that are more important than others and are the core of what
we do. Our first priority is advising or educational planning,
and academic support and resources. In order for us to do
this effectively, we must meet with you at least once a
quarter.
I get messages from students apologizing for not being as
active in the program and worrying about being dropped.
Our policy is to give a student two quarters of inactivity
before we exit you from the programs. Inactivity for CASA
and MECA is defined as not checking in with a staff
member and updating your progress at least once each
quarter, as per your student agreement. Working in the labs
or participating in activities and events does not meet this
requirement; you must meet with a staff member at least
once each quarter, with the exception of summer. The most
important thing for us is that you are progressing with your
studies toward degree completion and or transfer. We want
to assist you in that process as much as we can without
adding burden or stress. Of course if I could have my way, I
want you here studying every single day you are on campus,
but that’s just me. You have to do what works for you and
your success here at the college. I am just glad that CASA
and MECA are part of that journey and happy to be working
with you.
FAFSA/Scholarships—Victoria Hill
Thurs, 01/10 @ 3:30p - Bldg. 7, Rm. 5
VISTA/Portal—Eric Domazlicky
Thurs, 1/10 @ 2:00p—Bldg 7, Rm. 21
Word—Christopher Sean
Tues, 1/08 @ 10:30a—
Transfer Plan—Sam Loftin
Tues, 10/23 @ 3:30p—Bldg. 7, Rm. 5
Reduce Your Stress—Katrina Robinson
Thurs, 1/17 @ 11:00a—
Portfolios—Valerie Robertson
Mon 1/14 @ 1:00p—Senate Rm.
Budgeting—Lynn Carnegie
Tues, 1/22 @ 1:30p—Senate Rm.
Personal Statements—Heather U.
The repeat of these workshops will be posted on the billboard in
various buildings, or check with CASA/MECA programs.
Brought to you by The Center, The Writing and Tutoring Center,
Developmental Studies, MARC, and Information Systems.
Volume 2, Issue 2
January 02, 2007
Inside this Issue:
CASA Supplemental Grant
Salutations from Margaret
CASA / MECA Upcoming Events
Scholarship Recipients
Page 2
Page 2
Page 3
Page 3
Article on Associate Degree
Photo Highlights
Page 3
Page 4
Valerie Robertson, Dean
January is Middle Eastern Heritage
Awareness month.
People of Middle Eastern heritage have
influenced the cuisine, art and architecture
of our country and have contributed to its
rich cultural mix .
February is Black History Month. It
was originated in 1926, and first started
as Negro History Week. The month of
February was selected in deference to
Frederick Douglass and Abraham
Lincoln who were both born in that
month.
March is Women's History Month.
Before 1970, women's history was rarely
the subject of serious study. Today, almost
every college offers women's history
courses and most major graduate programs
offer doctoral degrees in the field.
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The CASA Program currently offers quarterly supplemental grants
for CASA program participants to help offset educational costs not
covered by financial aid. The supplemental grant is funded by the
United States Department of Education and is subject to federal
financial aid guidelines. The CASA Supplemental Grant Program
currently has a large number of grants still available for spring
quarter 2008. In order to apply for a grant you must meet the
following requirements:
Eligibility Criteria
Be in the second quarter of CASA program enrollment
Be receiving a Federal Pell Grant through the Free Application for
Federal Student Aid Program (FAFSA)
Satisfy program participation requirements by completing a
quarterly check-in with a CASA advisor, and/or regular usage of
the CASA Instructional Center (IC), participation in the TCC Free
Student Workshop Series, cultural trips, campus tours, or regular
involvement with the CASA Club.
Grant Distribution and Notification
Grant aid is distributed in awards of $400 per quarter. It is
included as part of a financial aid package. The Financial Aid
Office will determine if students qualify or have room in their
budget. Students must reduce their loans or work-study to be
eligible for supplemental funding. They will be contacted by the
TCC Financial Aid Office. Students awarded supplemental grant
funding will be notified in writing by the CASA Program and
Financial Aid Offices. Our goal is to notify students by the end of
the quarter in which the application was submitted, and in time for
the quarter in which the funds are requested. If a student is not
selected to receive funding, we encourage students to reapply for
subsequent quarters.
How to Apply for Spring Quarter 2008
Participants must complete and submit an application, along with
an essay in order to demonstrate a need for supplemental grant
assistance. These materials are available in Leone’s office.
Application materials for spring quarter are to be turned in at
Leone’s office on or before Advising Day which is Thursday,
February 28th by 5:00 PM. Participation and contacts must be
complete by this deadline; no exceptions or extensions. Students
must reapply each quarter. Funds are distributed until the grant has
been expended. In the event more applications are received than
funds are available, funding will be awarded based on need and
potential to benefit as demonstrated in the essay.
Welcome back to all of my MECA and Achievers Scholars students.
Congratulations for a successful Fall quarter, and I’m expecting even greater
things from you this quarter; as we work together towards your success here at
Tacoma Community College.
As a reminder, MECA ( The Center for Multi-Ethnic and Cultural Affairs) provides
programs and support services designed to promote the academic persistence,
success and graduation of our diverse student body.
Attention Achievers Scholars:
You have all been assigned mentors. Please make sure to check in with
your mentors during the month of January; just to say hello and to
introduce yourselves. If you do not know who your mentor is, please
contact myself or Michelle Wagner.
Don’t forget that we are here for you. Please remember to check in with us
occasionally to let us know how you’re doing. This is of particular importance to
my ACHIEVERS Scholars; who are mandated to meet with me (the Achievers
Coordinator) every month as a requirement of your scholarship. Your success
is our success!
Have a great quarter !
Margaret Robinson, BA
Coordinator, Achiever Scholars
Coordinator/ Retention Specialist, MECA
Tacoma
Community
College
Cultural Heritage
Calendar
2007—2008
January - Middle Eastern Heritage
Awareness Month
February - African - American
History Month
March - Women’s History Month
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Campus Tours
Evergreen State College—Olympia
Friday, February 01 @ 1:00—4:00 pm
Pacific Lutheran University
Friday, February 22 @ 1:00—4:00 pm
Western Washington University
Thursday, March 6 @ 9:00—5:00 pm
Reserve your spot with Leone (Bldg 11 - 1st Floor)
as soon as possible.
TCC Events
January 10th
Murad Kalam
11:30am-12:30pm
Student Center, Bldg. 11
January 18th
Martin Luther King, Jr. Documentary
All Day
Student Center, Bldg. 11
January 23rd
Belly Dancing Performance and Class
12:00pm
Student Center, Bldg. 11
February 7th
damali ayo
11:30am-12:30pm
College Auditorium, Bldg. 3
February 13th
Love Shots!
10:30am-12:30pm
Senate Room, Bldg. 11
February 27th
Break-Dance / Hip Hop Competition
4pm
Student Center, Bldg. 11
March 5th
Beth Shulman
11:30am-12:30pm
Student Center, Bldg. 11
March 7th
Destination Tranquility
10:30am-1:30pm
Student Center, Bldg. 11
March 8
Seattle Asian Art Museum
Vans leave @ 10am
Every last Friday of the month
MECA Cultural Month Celebration Potlucks
11:30am-1pm
CASA/MECA, Bldg. 11
The following CASA/MECA students were recognized and received
scholarships at the 2007 Scholarship & Grant Recognition Dinner on
Nov. 14th. Congratulations to the following:
CASA
CASA 1st Gen.
MECA
Tricia Reed
Nam Tran
Adele George
Kristi Flynn
Renee Hudson
Leslie Ellis
Son Nguyen
Corinna Cisneros
Duane Collins
Jin Hui McDaniel
Miguel Ortiz
Rene Cournoyer
Natalia Iasan
Chi Choi
Shaylene Depina
Karen Hoover
Silvia Iasan
Samantha Leamen
Casey Nunes
Pastora Uscanga
Betty Wani
Cory Warner
Betty Wani
Miguel Ortiz
Yvette Carter
Jamerika Haynes
Pamela Kinsey
Janel Middleton
Toru Matsushima
Colette Werner
Mildred Joseph
Renee Hudson
The following article appeared in the 2003 edition of the
United States Department of Labor data on college
graduates. According to statistics students who earn at
least an associate’s degree have greater earning capacity
and higher career status than those who do not earn a
college degree. The following graph illustrates this
compared to students who do not attend college degrees or
those who earn a bachelors degree.
Compared with workers whose highest level of
educational attainment was a high school diploma, workers
with an associate degree averaged an extra $128 a week in
2001.
[Chart data—TXT]
People with associate degrees also are more likely to find
jobs: the unemployment rate in 2001 was under 3 percent
for associate degree holders compared with over 4 percent
for high school graduates. And, according to several
academic studies, advantages in the job market might be
even greater for those just starting their careers and for
those who work in a career related to their degree.
An associate degree is a college degree awarded after the
completion of about 20 classes. It either prepares students
for a career following graduation or allows them to
transfer into a bachelor’s degree program. Associate
degrees are available from public community colleges,
private 2-year colleges, for-profit technical institutes, and
many 4-year colleges and universities.
Source: United States Department of Labor
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CASA/MECA
Tacoma Community College
6501 So. 19th St., Bldg. 11
Tacoma, WA 98466