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 Administrative Updates
As LSC-Montgomery continues planning for its future, some recent administrative changes have occurred. Interim (and former) dean Deborah Ellington is providing excellent leadership for our TEAM division with the departure of Dr. Lawrence Brandyburg to LSC-University Park. If Dr. Brandyburg were to become the permanent vice president at our sister campus, we will begin an immediate, extensive search for a permanent replacement. We should know in the next few weeks if this is the case. A change was also made with our leadership at LSC-Conroe Center. With Dr. Roberto Rodriguez moving to LSC-North Harris as its new director of continuing education, Becky Duncan-Ramirez has assumed the interim director role at LSC-Conroe Center. We are excited about the skills that Becky brings to Conroe Center. Finally, in the NASH division, a recent leadership change was made. Dr. Ann Kirch, our vice president of instruction, is assessing a plan for NASH moving forward. During this transition, we are fortunate to have strong leadership in NASH's workforce program anchors such as nursing, radiologic technology (see item below), and physical therapist assistant, in addition to NASH's departmental chairs. |
Perfect Pass Rate for Rad Tech
 Speaking of strong leadership, a special congratulations to Dr. Francis Ozor and our radiologic technology program students, faculty and supporting staff. For the seventh year, the program's graduating class captured a perfect image--a 100 percent first-attempt pass rate on the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam. All 22 students passed the national board exam with an average score of 90, well above the national average score of 85.1. Not only do our students perform well on the exam, they get jobs, with close to 100 percent placement over the ten-year history of the program. Outstanding!
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Road Maps in the Works!
 It is often said that without a map, it's hard to tell where you're going. At LSC-Montgomery, we've been very intentional about planning so that our road map is clear and concise. Our efforts with visioning, Foundations of Excellence, Unit Effectiveness Planning, and student learning outcomes have laid a solid foundation for our road map. Later this semester, our campus will receive our three-year strategic plan document, as well as The Maverick Way, a more detailed road map that covers our academic planning, enrollment management plan, and our campus master plan. What's in the plan? Here's a preview: Academic Plan: The heart of "The Maverick Way" is the academic plan, which includes our development of student learning outcomes, prioritization of faculty hiring, focus on section management, faculty and staff professional development initiatives, enhancement of program advisory committees, dual credit emphasis, and more.
Strategic Enrollment Management Plan: The core of this plan involves seven critical points for enrollment management, including: 1) Building a College-Going Culture; 2) Point of Entry; 3) 1st Six Weeks; 4) Recruit Back; 5) End of 1st Year; 6) Transition; and 7) Alumni Involvement. Ongoing initiatives for each critical point, whether it be programs at the junior high school level for point #1, or communication with our recent graduates for point #7, give this plan sustainability and help to make sure that we are meeting enrollment, retention and transfer goals that we set. Campus Master Plan: This plan contains campus building/construction priorities (based largely on input from our fall visioning session), traffic flow, capital improvement (equipment/furniture) cycle, and more. |
Heights of Excellence-Nominate a Fellow Faculty or Staff Member (or Team) for a Star Award!
It is important that we recognize excellence in our ranks. One way to do that is to nominate a colleague (or group of colleagues) for the Shining Star or Rising Star awards. The Shining Star Award recognizes achievements made toward our 10 Systemwide goals found in the strategic plan. The Rising Star Award recognizes new faculty and staff (hired with the past 24 months) who have made significant contributions toward our goals. You can begin nominating today by filling out the nomination form. Honorees will be recognized, along with our faculty/staff excellence recipients, service award winners, and the Students' Star recipients, and the President's Star selections at the 3rd annual Heights of Excellence Award Ceremony on Friday, May 4, in the Performing Arts Center (Bldg. D). A 1:30 reception will be followed by the awards ceremony at 2 p.m. |
Spreading our Success: Faculty, Staff and Administrators Take Our Show on the Road!
It's always rewarding when our hard work, dedication and focus is recognized beyond the campus walls. Indeed, quite a few of our initiatives and successes will be featured this spring at several higher education conferences throughout the U.S. Whether it's visioning, Foundations of Excellence, our Developmental Education Demonstration Grant, or something else, it is rewarding to tell others about the good things that are happening in Maverick Country. Here is a listing of some upcoming presentations that our faculty, staff and administrators will give (or have already given) this spring. |
Sabbatical Requests Add Up to a Trio of Math Professors
Three LSC-Montgomery math faculty were selected for sabbaticals in the upcoming 2012-13 academic year. Alison Carter (3rd from right), Jeffrey Groah (2nd from right) and Yvonne Stallings (far right) will select either the fall or spring semester to spend some time away from teaching to experience professional development. Carter's sabbatical project is to create a non-course based remediation program for developmental math. This program will help students move through the developmental math sequence at a faster pace. Groah will work on the completion of a manuscript concerning the mistakes math students make. The dissemination of the manuscript will be the goal after the sabbatical. Stallings, who will take her sabbatical in the fall, will focus on developing an interactive lab based online course for our education students taking Math 1350 and 1351.
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Making a Difference - Student Essayist Highlighted at Chancellor's Breakfast
 Last month, LSC-Montgomery student Kyle Muhle, a member of the college's Fire Science Academy, presented his essay on "How Lone Star College Has Influenced My Life" at the annual LSC Foundation Chancellor's Breakfast. Muhle's emotion-filled essay was selected among all of the entries for LSC-Montgomery, and it covered a range of topics, including his lifelong struggle with dyslexia. By the time he finished reading his essay, there wasn't a dry eye in the audience. Kyle also credited his wife Christie, as well as a multitude of college staff and faculty who have encouraged him to remain focused on his goal of becoming a firefighter. Kyle is a shining example of the difference all of us can make in our students' lives. His essay was so powerful that I wanted to share it with you in this Update.
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Food Drive Yields BIG Results
Big things happen when the campus pulls together for a single cause. That was evidenced last week when faculty, staff and students from across Maverick Country focused on collecting canned food items for the Montgomery County Food Bank. Spearheading the effort was Karen Buckman, professor of psychology, and the Psychology Club. However, many others joined in to make a difference for those less fortunate in our service area. By the end of Tuesday, more than 2,700 cans and other food items were collected. Our radiologic technology program alone collected 800 pounds of food! Cash donations were also received, and these will be paired with the food for delivery to MCFB. BIG job well done, Mavericks!
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Black History Month Celebration
This week, the college will hold several events in recognition of Black History Month. On Monday, February 20, at 2:30 p.m. in the Recital Hall (H102), Dr. Craig Livingston, professor of history, will give a speech on the Tuskegee Airmen: "You are Fighting Men Now: The All-Black 332nd Tuskegee Fighter Pilot Group of World War II." Livingston will recount the story of the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II. Black pilots faced segregation and German fighters with equal courage. Livingston's speech tells the origins of the Tuskegee Airmen, examines their combat record, and highlights their legacy. At speech's conclusion, Livingston will give away a flying model of a "Red Tail" P-51 Mustang. On Wednesday, February 22, Gerald Irons, Sr., local businessman, community leader and original "Hometown Hero" of The Woodlands, will present his personal journey - from college student to NFL football player to successful businessman. This presentation, co-sponsored by Brothers and Sisters With Positive Attitudes, will take place from noon-1 p.m. in the Health Science Center (B102). Other activities for students, faculty and staff are planned throughout next week, including a Fat Tuesday celebration with free food and a Zydeco band in the Commons (Tuesday, Feb. 21, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.), and a International Student Organization co-sponsored event on Thursday, February 23, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. featuring a Steel Drum Band & Carribean cuisine in the fountain courtyard area. Concluding the week on Friday will be the showing of a documentary film titled "For the Love of Liberty: The Story of America's Black Patriots," from 11 a.m-3 p.m., with free popcorn and candy for all in attendance. |
Chancellor's Faculty Technology Innovation Grants
LSC-Montgomery was well represented when the Chancellor announced the recipients of this year's Faculty Technology Innovation Grants. Here is a summary of the two proposals that were awarded:
The first, iPad2s and Artistic Software, is a collaborative effort across four campuses. It will respond to the changes in traditional artistic media and technological advances that impact the field of fine arts. Our art department, with leadership from Carlos Landa, professor of art, will partner with the art departments at CyFair, Kingwood, and North Harris to implement innovative technology in the classroom with the purchase and use of iPad2 and artistic software. Participating Drawing I & II, Design I & III and Painting I & II students will respond to and create visual imagery through the use of this digital tool. The iPad2 along with software programs such as Brushes, Sketch Book Pro and Painter allow artists to brainstorm and complete preliminary sketches, manipulate photos in innovative ways, and create new effects quickly and efficiently. These images can then be used a starting points for traditional drawings, design and paintings, or as completed works of art.
The second, iPad-centric Instruction, Collaboration and Efficacy, is 100 percent LSC-Montgomery! This initiative also uses iPads and will focus on four distinct areas: Collaboration among students and with faculty as a means to master content; Innovative group work both inside and outside the classroom; Student projects involving collaboration, group work, and in-depth application of key concepts; and Bookless, paperless, and mobile course structure. Instructors in Sociology, Government and English have redesigned their classes so they are iPad-centric. All readings, assignments, recordings, and projects will be completed using the iPads. Intensive student collaboration is part of the course redesign and will facilitate technology support for each other as they learn to use the iPads, explore applications, and collaborate on assignments. |
Faculty Spotlight
Simone Rieck, Professor of English
 "My favorite part of teaching here is the students," said Simone Rieck, professor of English. "Even more than the other colleges at which I've taught, LSC-Montgomery has an incredible mix of students and faculty alike."
Rieck joined LSC-Montgomery full time in August of 2009 after teaching at College of the Mainland, North Central Texas College, and Brookhaven College. She recently received the Faculty Excellence Award.
"Being rewarded for serving my students is by far my greatest accomplishment," she said.
In class, Rieck does what she can to make students feel comfortable and confident, even if that means completely changing her approach with a new group of students.
"'What do they enjoy? What gives them inspiration? How can I serve as a constant reminder of why they chose to take the step toward a college education?' These are things I ask to appeal to their senses and emotions," said Rieck. "This is my dream job, and I feel very blessed to be a part of this college and community." |
Staff Spotlight
Barbara Holman, Division Assistant, TEAM
 As a self-proclaimed "life-long learner," Barbara Holman, a division assistant in the TEAM division, truly enjoys working at LSC-Montgomery.
"I enjoy the fact that LSC-Montgomery continually encourages and provides opportunities for faculty, staff, and students to learn and grow," Holman said. "I love working with the division to serve the students, the community, and each other."
Holman came to work at LSC-Montgomery in 2005 and recently was honored with the Staff Excellence Award.
"Winning that award was a complete surprise," she said. "I feel honored."
Holman is the vice president for the Professional and Support Staff Association (PSSA) and serves on the Faculty/Staff Lounge Committee and the Lyceum Speakers Series Committee.
She received her bachelor of liberal arts degree from Our Lady of the Lake University in December of 2010. |
Maverick Spirit Fridays in Effect!
Don't forget to show your Maverick pride on Fridays. Each Friday, LSC-Montgomery faculty and staff are encouraged to wear a shirt with the LSC-Montgomery or Maverick logo. This can be accompanied with nice, dressy jeans or casual slacks. We want to show our LSC-Montgomery Maverick pride for our students and campus visitors to see.
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Open Forum with the President
Reminder: Don't forget to attend the first Open Forum of the spring semester, which will be held on Thursday, February 23, from 3-4:30 p.m. in the General Academic Center (G102). I will provide a college update, followed by a question-answer session with you! |
Communication Vital to Our Success
It's been said that the single biggest illusion with communication is that it has taken place (George Bernard Shaw). We live in a fast-paced world with communication coming at us from every direction. To help keep us on the same page, we utilize communication tools such as this newsletter, as well as the new "Student Success Insider" (courtesy of Wendell Williams, VP of student success), "News from Instruction" (courtesy of Dr. Ann Kirch, VP of instruction), and the "Communicator" faculty/staff newsletter (courtesy of Steve Scheffler and the college relations team). Combined with e-mail notifications, campus flyers, restroom ads, our website, etc., as well as our deans being responsible for communication in various forms, the goal is to break through the clutter and provide you with the latest news that you can use. If you have suggestions on how we can improve our communication, please pass them along to Steve Scheffler, dean of college relations, and we'll do our best to incorporate your ideas. |
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