Whether you find yourself in a caregiver role for an ill parent, work with the elderly and need a refresher or want to work in an assisted living environment, you can become a certified caregiver through a course at GateWay Community College in Phoenix.
The “Certified Caregiver Training” course is offered separate from a larger caregiver training and development initiative at GateWay. The class will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., from Jan. 23 - Feb. 1. It is open to anyone who is over 18 years of age.
“This class is specifically tailored for individuals who want to work in an assisted living facility as a certified caregiver as mandated by the Arizona Department of Health,” said Jan Davie, director of the program. “However, anyone interested in learning more about care giving is welcome.”
The course is designed for individuals who want to work as a direct care worker, or someone who cares for individuals with disabilities or a chronic illness that require assistance.
The fees for the course tuition and books are $270. To inquire about the program, ask for the Certified Caregiving/section #44110 class. For information and registration, call (602) 286-8157 or send an email to caregiving@gatewaycc.edu. GateWay Community College is located at 40th and Washington and has a light rail stop on campus.
There is still time to sign up for GateWay Community College’s New Student Orientation (NSO) or the Student Conference for Success. These events help new and returning students start the semester off strong.
Students and their families are encouraged to attend one of two New Student Orientations held this week. The first session is scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m., Jan. 11, and the second session is from 10 a.m. to noon, Jan. 14. Both orientations will be located in the auditorium of the Center for Health Careers Education (CHCE) Building, Room 1106. If you can’t make either session, an online orientation also is available.
NSO highlights campus resources, services and programs in an effort to familiarize students with GateWay to help them be successful academically, personally and professionally.
Students can register for the New Student Orientation via their Online Student Center or by calling (602) 286-8600.
Also planned for returning and new students is the Student Conference for Success, set for Jan. 11. The bi-annual Student Conference for Success will help you gain the edge you need this semester. The all-day event features a variety of workshops that focus on everything from time management skills to financial aid tools in an effort to help new and returning students adjust to college. A special keynote address from a guest speaker will cap off the day’s festivities; lunch is provided. Registration begins at 8 a.m., with the program starting at 8:30 a.m. Student ID number and photo ID required.
For information about the conference, contact Jennifer Bradley at (602) 286-8735.
Start planning for 2012 now. GateWay Community College in Phoenix has a number of activities that are open to the public and could be solutions to help with your new year’s resolutions.
Student Conference for Success Set for Jan. 11
Start the spring school semester off right by attending the bi-annual Student Conference for Success, Friday, Jan. 11. The all-day event will feature a variety of workshops that focus on everything from time management skills to financial aid tools in an effort to help new and returning students adjust to college and familiarize themselves with GateWay resources. A special keynote address from a guest speaker will cap off the day’s festivities; lunch is provided. Student ID number and photo ID required. For more information, contact Jennifer Bradley at (602) 286-8735.
Bowl for Books for Student Athletes, Jan. 21
Get some exercise and support a local athlete by bowling. Gateway Athletics through the Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation is hosting a Bowling for Books event, 11 a.m., Jan. 21, at AMF Scottsdale Lanes on Thomas Road. A silent auction and free childcare are available. Cost for a single is $40, $80 for double and $160 for a foursome. Registration includes shoe rental and lunch. For each participant, $22 is tax deductible through the Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation. For information, contact athletics@gatewaycc.edu.
Water Resources Open House Highlights “Green” Careers, Jan. 30
The Water Resources Technology program at GateWay will be holding an open house from 6 to 8 p.m., Jan 30, in the Main (MA) Building. Come learn about the exciting, and growing, profession of water and wastewater treatment and also interact with professional representatives from the U.S. Geological Survey, Global Water, the City of Surprise, and other valley municipalities, all of whom may be looking for the next generation of hydrologic technicians and operators! For more information, call (602) 286-8613.
Workshops Offer Auto Basics in February
For a small fee, you can register for one of GateWay’s automotive workshops offered in February and gain hands-on experience from expert automotive faculty. “Overview for Beginners,” which covers engine components and explores routine maintenance tasks, will be held on Feb. 11, 2012; “Service Basics” will be held the following week, Feb. 18, 2012, and allows participants to get under the hood and learn how to perform inspections, oil changes and small repairs. The workshops are $10 each, presented in English and Spanish and are held from 8 a.m. to noon. For information on how to register, contact Linda Jensen at (602) 286-8672. Seating is limited, so register today!
High School Students Explore Careers in March
High school students from around the Valley are invited to attend GateWay Community College’s spring Career Exploration Day, March 1. The students will learn about the college and potential careers as part of Career Exploration Day. The bi-annual event will feature an extended tour of the campus with GateWay representatives highlighting many of the college’s 125 programs as well as its cutting-edge labs and facilities. After the tour, students will be able to meet with local employers and learn about potential career options as well as how GateWay can help fulfill their academic and professional aspirations. Prior employer participants have included the Phoenix Fire Department, Wells Fargo, Verizon Wireless and Boeing. To learn more, contact Lina Scott at (602) 286-8050.
Medical Radiographers Earn CEUs at March Seminar
GateWay Community College in Phoenix is hosting “Critical Issues in Digital Imaging: A Seminar to Promote Dose Reduction”, tailored for those in the medical radiography industry. The day and a half seminar is planned for March 3-4. Topics will include information about the latest software, tools and technology in the field; ways to reduce patient radiation doses; imaging best practices; and the future of the industry. For information, contact Janey Buri at (602) 286-8546 or visit gatewaycc.edu/Info/Imaging.
The annual iLead Conference represents an opportunity for students to develop their leadership skills and interact with other emerging leaders in the community. However, for GateWay Community College students Josefina Blas and Michelle Ray, it is also an accumulation of a lifetime’s worth of overcoming hardship in order to succeed.
During the conference, held Oct. 22 at Arizona State University’s Downtown Phoenix campus, both young women were recognized as recipients of the Nina Mason Pulliam Legacy Scholarship, a scholarship program that provides financial and outreach assistance to individuals who face barriers in their pursuit of higher education learning.
“It is very exciting to have these two inspiring young women earn their place among the Nina scholars,” said Emily Bluestein-Taylor, Disability Resources and Services manager at GateWay.
“It is not only a testament to their character, their perseverance, and their drive both personally and academically, but it is also a celebration of those things.”
For both Blas and Ray, both of Phoenix, the road has not been an easy one.
Blas’ life changed in July 2008 when she was in a car accident and suffered a traumatic brain injury. Although the accident rendered the entire left side of her body severely weak – a condition known as “hemiplegia” – and left her blind in one eye, she has refused to let it deter her.
“I do not consider myself disabled,” said Blas, a graduate of Cesar Chavez High School. “I am different only because I do not follow the crowd.”
Indeed, Blas has carved out her own path to success; she is the vice president of GateWay’s Inter-tribal Club, the vice president of public relations for the Phi Theta Kappa International Honors Society, and she established the college’s first-ever creative writing club “Out of Ink”. With the help of the Nina scholarship, she will be able to finish her associate of arts degree in social work this fall.
“Everyone deserves one opportunity to be someone great, and this scholarship has given me that opportunity. Without Nina, I would not be attending college,” she said.
Similarly, Ray, a nursing student, has faced a multitude of challenges in her life. Diagnosed with diabetes as a young girl and mother to a four-year old child, she has worked hard to balance her physical needs with the financial demands of college and parenthood.
“I think you take it day by day and try to keep a positive attitude,” she said. “Don’t let yourself get too overwhelmed and don’t think for a second that the support is not there for you because it is.”
Find information about the Nina Mason Pulliam Legacy Scholarship Program online.
To learn more about the resources available for GateWay students with disabilities, visit Disability Resources online or contact Emily Bluestein-Taylor at (602) 286-8170.
The local Alpha Alpha Epsilon chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa International Honors Society recently inducted 15 new members into the prestigious ranks of the student organization during a special ceremony held Nov. 3.
Established in 1918, Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society is the largest honor society in American higher education. It promotes the academic achievement of the two-year college student and provides growth opportunities through honors, leadership and service. As part of their induction into this elite membership, each student received a white rose to symbolize purity and lit a ceremonial candle to represent knowledge and wisdom prior to being sworn in by PTK leadership.
The honor is especially meaningful for two GateWay students.
A few years back, Maha Alduhi packed up her belongings and moved her family – including her two teenage children – to Arizona. Alduhi, who relocated from Yemen, immersed herself in her schoolwork as a nuclear medicine technology student at GateWay to offset the dramatic transition in her life, and it paid off with her induction into PTK.
“I’m very proud for what I’ve accomplished,” she said. “Being able to attend school in the U.S. and work incredibly hard to earn a spot in this honor society has set a great example for my two kids.”
For Audrey Copeland, her health provided a temporary setback, requiring her to quit school in 2006, with no real plans to return. However, inspiration hit when she was exposed to the profession of physical therapy. In 2010, she began taking classes at GateWay Community College to obtain her associate of arts degree and will pursue a bachelor’s degree through the MCCCD Connect2NAU program. But for now, Copeland is simply enjoying the ride.
“I’m really excited to join the Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society because it’s been a long struggle to get to this point,” she said. “I guess you could say I’ve come back with a vengeance.”
Their fellow inductees include:
Berenice Buenavida
Marilyn Combo
Luis Garcia
Hassan Hassan
DeAnna Jurek
Walter Norman
Kristi Nowicki
Carolyn Purcell
Jeramy Reid
Caitlyn Scanlon
Osman Varela
Ingrid Vazquez
Candace Velasco
For more information or to learn how to apply for membership, visit PTK online or contact Ferdinand Hunter at (602) 286-8732.
In an effort to show its commitment to environmental sustainability and responsibility, GateWay Community College recently joined the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE), an organization dedicated to helping colleges around the world effectively pursue, implement and share environmental initiatives and ideas.
In 2009, the Maricopa County Community Colleges District (MCCCD) signed the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment, making a district-wide pledge to practice and promote sustainability now and in the future. In January of this year, GateWay Community College extended this pledge by creating its own Climate Action Plan to highlight the eco-friendly projects being established on campus as well as possible future endeavors.
Christine Taccone, science lab coordinator and Go Green GateWay committee chair, felt the college’s membership in AASHE would only enhance these pursuits.
“We want students to know we take sustainability seriously,” she said. “By joining AASHE we are showing them that we care about the vitality of our environment while simultaneously gaining valuable information from other colleges on what works when it comes to green initiatives.”
The college is already making impressive strides in reducing its carbon footprint. Some of the projects toward this goal include:
1. Compressed work schedules for employees during summer months.
2. More online and hybrid course offerings.
3. Conversion of approximately 30,000 square feet of grass landscape to xeriscape with low water plants and drip irrigation.
4. Diversion of over 47,000 pounds of recyclable materials from landfills in 2009 as part of GateWay’s ongoing recycling program.
5. Installation of several high efficiency chillers and cooling towers to reduce pump electrical use.
Additionally, GWCC will be participating in a district-wide paper reduction campaign, which kicked off Oct. 26. The goal of the campaign is to accumulate 10,000 signatures from faculty, staff and students from across the Maricopa Community Colleges and commit to reduce overall paper usage by 10% during the next year.
Students and staff can make their pledge at the district’s Sustainability page. Activities and other events will be held on GateWay’s campus throughout the year in an effort to increase awareness for environmental issues, which is exactly what Taccone believes is necessary in order to institute real change.
“Our biggest goal is to begin changing the hearts and minds of our students, faculty and staff,” Taccone said. “We need to educate one another on the value of a sustainable future and how we can accomplish it together so that it becomes a way of life for all of us.”
She also encourages students interested in learning about and improving green initiatives on GateWay’s campus to join the college’s Go Green GateWay Club, which offers field trips, meetings, guest speakers and other volunteer opportunities.
For information about sustainability at GateWay Community College, visit www.gatewaycc.edu/about/sustainability or contact Christine Taccone at (602) 286-8694.
GateWay Community College student Zintia Martinez-Gonzalez has spent the better part of four years working toward her associate’s degree in nursing – with minimal financial assistance – and immersing herself in campus life and community service. So when she learned that she had been awarded a $2,000 scholarship through the Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation she could not believe it.
“It was exciting for me because this was the first real scholarship I received,” she said. “When I applied through the foundation, I never expected to even be nominated for such a prestigious award.”
Martinez-Gonzalez was one of four MCCCD students recognized as inaugural collegiate scholarship recipients during the fifth-annual “40 Hispanic Leaders Under 40” conference, which celebrates Latino leaders in business, government, non-profit and the arts.
All four students were nominated by the director of student life and leadership at their respective schools, according to Steve Helfgot, vice president and CEO of the Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation. The foundation – in partnership with Univision, Wells Fargo, Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Arizona, and Chicanos por la Causa – awarded the $2,000 scholarships following a highly-competitive selection process.
“These students represent the next generation of young Latino leaders that have the potential to make a positive difference in our communities,” said Helfgot, who also noted that the scholarship program will remain a permanent addition to future “40 Hispanic Leaders Under 40” events.
Martinez-Gonzalez has already made an impact through her pursuits at GateWay. In addition to participating in the Hispanic Student Organization (HSO), she has been a student ambassador for the Geckos in Action Club, which promotes community service and leadership as well as student success. She also holds two positions at the college in Veteran’s Services and in Recruitment and Outreach.
She believes the scholarship is not only recognition for her hard work thus far at GWCC but is motivation to continue to strive for greatness.
“This scholarship represents a great opportunity for me to continue on in my education and encourages me to apply for more scholarships so that I can be as successful as possible in the future,” she said.
Learn more about the Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation and available scholarships online.
As part of a celebration of the Great American Smokeout, the Maricopa County Community College District today formally launched Maricopa BreatheEasy, a healthy-living initiative that will result in smoke free and tobacco free properties on July 1, 2012. On that date, the 10 Maricopa Community Colleges will join more than 500 other colleges and universities that have become smoke free, tobacco-free, or both.
As an educational institution, it’s our job to lead the way for the members of our community,” said Chancellor Rufus Glasper. “We recognize that making our properties smoke free and tobacco free will mean that some employees and students will have to change their habits, and we want to help them do so.” Among other things, the District will provide a robust schedule of smoking cessation programs and has asked school stores to offer nicotine gum and lozenges for sale.
Dr. Glasper said the District is announcing the policy change well in advance of its implementation to give students and employees who use tobacco products plenty of time to decide how to adjust to this change. On July 1, 2012, employees and students who continue to use tobacco will have the choice of not using it on District property, or taking breaks off-property.
Dr. Glasper gave Maricopa students and employees a preview of BreatheEasy in a video announcement Oct. 17. Since then, the campaign has been the topic of extensive – and at times heated – discussion across the Maricopa community.
Today's launch is being held in conjunction with the 36th annual Great American Smokeout, a national event sponsored in part by the American Cancer Society. It's a time when smokers and other tobacco users are encouraged to use the day to create a plan to quit the habit, or to plan ahead and begin their tobacco-free life that day. The day is based on the fact that tobacco is the single largest preventable cause of disease and premature death in the United States.
Because more than half the smokers in the country have tried to quit for at least a day, the Cancer Society and other supporters publicize programs and resources that can help smokers kick the habit. All the Maricopa Community Colleges will hold events marking the Great American Smokeout, some of which will encourage students and employees to pledge to quit their tobacco habits. Some will be led by students from campus chapters of IGNITE (Influence, Guide, Network for Inter-Collegiate Tobacco Education), a program that helps college students practice advocacy and integrate tobacco control messages into their projects and activities. The district also announced that nicotine gum and lozenges will be available for sale at campus bookstores to help students, employees and visitors who are fighting nicotine cravings.
As part of today’s announcement, the District unveiled new web pages that contain information on tobacco use and smoking cessation for employees and students. Resources for students will be found on a variety of locations on the websites of the individual colleges, while those for employees and interested members of the community can be found at www.breatheeasy.maricopa.edu.
GateWay Community College has several events in November that are open to the public, some are even free. Here is what’s being offered:
AZBio’s Economic Round Table - Nov. 15, 1 to 3 p.m., FREE
AZBio presents The Center for Entrepreneurial Innovation at GateWay Community College is hosting the Economic Gardening Round Table in the Center for Health Careers and Education CH1106/Auditorium. The event is free, but registration is required at http://economicgarden.eventbrite.com. Seating is limited, so register soon. For information, call (602) 286-5953.
Phoenix Symphony Orchestra - Nov. 21, 7 to 8 p.m., FREE
As part of the GateWay to the Arts series, a quintet from Phoenix Symphony Orchestra will perform classical music from Baroque to Renaissance, with some modern and holiday music thrown in, at GateWay Community College, Main Building 1100N/S. The concert is free and open to the public. No registration required. For information, call (602) 286-8487.
Market on the Move Produce Distribution - Nov. 26, 8 a.m. to Noon, $10 buys 60 pounds of produce
GateWay Early College High School is working with Market on the Move to distribute thousands of pounds of produce over the Thanksgiving Day weekend. All are welcome to purchase 60 pounds of produce for $10. Produce varies and you are able to split a purchase between multiple families and/or friends. Distribution will occur in the northwest parking lot near Van Buren. For information, call (602) 286-8759.
More than 400 high school students from around the Valley will descend upon GateWay Community College campus, Nov. 3, to learn about the college and potential careers as part of Career Exploration Day.
The bi-annual event will feature an extended tour of the campus, with GateWay representatives highlighting many of the college’s 125 programs as well as its cutting-edge labs and facilities. For Lina Scott, manager of recruitment at GateWay, this represents an opportunity to display GateWay Community College as an innovative place to learn.
“GateWay has some of the most well-respected programs in the state, including Nursing, Medical Radiography, and Automotive Technology, all of which have state-of-the-art facilities,” she said. “Career Exploration Day allows hundreds of young high school students to learn about them and show them why GateWay is a great option for them, career-wise.”
After the tour, students will partake in a career fair, where they will be able to meet with local employers and learn about potential career options as well as how GateWay can help fulfill their academic and professional aspirations. Prior employer participants have included the Phoenix Fire Department, Wells Fargo, Verizon Wireless and Boeing.
“We have had tremendous support from local businesses, which is great,” Scott said. “Students can hear directly from employers about new and exciting job opportunities and what it takes to enter those fields.”
However, it is not just a day of exploration, there is also plenty of time for fun. After the career expo, students can eat lunch and listen to music in the campus amphitheater as well as participate in games and raffles where they can win GateWay prizes.
To register your school for Career Exploration Day, please visit www.gatewaycc.edu/info/careerday.
For information, contact (602) 286-8050.
In an economic downturn, one of the best ways to stay competitive or to learn new skills quickly is through non-credit, continuing education units (CEUs). GateWay Community College provides workshops and classes in nursing, caregiving, construction, solar technology, as well as business and industry classes through UGotClass.
GateWay has a comprehensive variety of non-credit classes ranging from one-day workshops to full-semester courses, both in-house and through third party vendors, like UGotClass.
These non-credit classes provide skills for the 21st century, according to Nance Harris, program director for UGotClass at GateWay.
“For working adults, certificates are fast-paced and flexible, with course delivery available day or night as well as online and in hybrid formats, and often the material is not covered in traditional classes,” said Harris.
Some examples of the UGotClass offerings include social media like Facebook for business, eMarketing essentials, creating cell phone apps for your business, meeting planning, supervisory and leadership, and so many other options.
These programs are a simple and affordable way to either keep your skills fresh or provide you with a solid understanding of an unfamiliar subject matter. And often, employers require employees to take CEU classes to stay current with the latest trends in a particular field or industry.
These classes run throughout the year. For the full UGotClass schedule, visit http://www.gatewaycc.edu/Workforce/BIT/UGotClass.aspx.
Separately, nursing, caregiver, construction and solar technology classes are also available throughout the year. Classes start on an ongoing basis, with several starting in October.
For information about offerings and schedules, visit http://www.gatewaycc.edu/Community/NonCredit/.
GateWay Community College is celebrating the arts the week of Oct. 24 with a number of performances, some even spooky, and all are family friendly, free and open to the public.
Desert Dance Theatre will host a special performance at GateWay, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Oct. 24, in the Main (MA) Building, Room 1100 N/S. For information, contact Susan Mills at (602) 286-8487 or visit Desert Dance Theatre online.
Later in the week, it will be a night of comedy, cars and costumes on Oct. 28, as GateWay Community College hosts Night at the BOOvies, an extension of the “Silent Saturdays” silent film features, and a collaboration among GateWay’s Liberal Arts Division, Center for Student Life and Phi Theta Kappa.
The Halloween-themed evening will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the northeast parking lot outside the Center for Health Careers Education (CHCE) Building. Festivities planned include a car show, a trunk or treat for children and a costume contest where participants are encouraged to show off their scariest or most creative attire for a chance to win prizes.
Then at 7 p.m. a screening of two Buster Keaton silent comedies, “The Haunted House” (1921) and “Sherlock Jr.” (1924), which will be shown in the Auditorium of the CHCE Building, Room 1106. Acclaimed musician Ron Rhode will serve as house organist during the films.
For information, contact Jessie Palacio at (602) 286-8141 or Don Hall at (602) 286-8730.
Both events are part of the GateWay to the Arts series, which strives to bring a diverse, enriching lineup of performances, exhibits and workshops to GateWay’s students and surrounding communities.
GateWay Community College and Goodwill of Central Arizona have joined forces to present the Fall 2011 Job Fair, from 9 a.m. to noon, Oct. 14, at GateWay in Phoenix.
GateWay holds these career fairs for students, but this year the new director of the Career and Employment Services wanted to partner with a national organization that has been recognized as a leader in making a difference in the lives of so many.
“The partnership with Goodwill allows us to reach a deeper pool of local employers who have immediate hiring needs,” said Kerry Sanderson, director of Career & Employment Services at GateWay. “Job seekers are inundated with hiring events throughout the Valley, so our goal is to provide as many job opportunities as possible for our students and community in one event.”
The partnership between GateWay and Goodwill has gone back a few years, where the two have worked together in the area of computer and customer service training classes, workplace readiness seminars, and basic computer skills for those 55 years of age and above to aid in job searches.
“Goodwill of Central Arizona is delighted to partner with GateWay Community College on the upcoming job fair,” said Doug Mayes, Goodwill business services specialist. “Both organizations passionately believe in serving our local communities by improving access to great jobs. We believe that collaboration between like-minded service providers is one of the most efficient ways to get the Valley working again.”
The upcoming Career Fair event will feature local and national employers who are hiring in a wide variety of industries from seasonal jobs to full-time, high-level opportunities.
GateWay will hold two workshops at 9 a.m. on Oct. 10 and Oct. 13 to help those interested prepare for the Career Fair on Oct. 14. These workshops are free and open to students and the public.
There is no entry fee. Come prepared and dress for success. GateWay Community College, is located at 108 N. 40th St., Phoenix.
For information, contact Career Services at (602) 286-8500.
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