Marthon Gimre

Honor Pin recipient

DEA Students Attend National Conference

Student members of the Delgado Education Association (DEA) attended the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) conference in Anaheim, California in mid-November.  The trip was made possible through fundraisers held by members of the DEA and the City Park SGA.  NAEYC provides training and valuable information to early childhood students and educators.  Early Childhood Education faculty advisor Barbara Thomas also attended the conference.

Pictured attending the NAEYC conference are (left to right) DEA officers: Akira LeBlanc, past president; Vicki Smith, treasurer; and Beth Storm, president.

LCTCS Board Supervisor Packer Nationally Recognized

Delgado Provided Training for Tulane Law Students

Delgado’s West Bank Campus and the U. S. Navy Join Forces 

Students from the Delgado Community College West Bank Campus teamed with the U. S. Navy in its marketing campaign to promote careers in the Navy.  The West Bank Campus student-group, Dolphin Creative Concepts, coordinated two on-campus recruitment events that drew large crowds of students.  The student-group was part of the Navy’s marketing and recruiting internship program.  EdVenture Partners was the intermediary marketing education consultancy that brought the Navy and the West Bank Campus student-group together.  At the end of the campaign, EdVenture Partners presented campaign student-coordinators with a check to Delgado Community College.  The project was initiated by Ernest Fitzgerald, Dean of Business and Technology.  Jessica Rupp, Delgado instructor, supervised the marketing campaign.

(Standing, left to right) Dr. Donna Alley, Provost of the West Bank Campus, Ted Riene, Peter Nguyen, Richard Rousselle, Anh Nguyen, Randy Fox, Kevin Gauthier, Katie Victoriano, Tien Nguyen, Caroline Collier of EdVenture Partners, and Lisa Mitchell.  Pictured kneeling, left to right, are Ashton Kline and Jessica Rupp, instructor.  Pictured sitting, left to right, are: Tiffany Theriot, Susie Hebert, Kristal Robino, Kristina Kulp, Michael Wright, Joshua Newsom, Wendy Mahl, Van Bui and Rishaun Bruce. 

Comments from convocation counterpart sessions

Cindy Siegrist of the Office of Faculty and Staff Development recently shared comments that were made at the debriefing of the Counterpart Sessions held during the Spring Convocation.  Siegrist said that “the excitement, energy and fellowship could be felt in the room. By reading the following comments, I promise you will feel proud of the work you and your colleagues are doing,” she added.

The following are some of the notable discussions, decisions, or accomplishments from each group.   

Math completed their process of revising the master syllabi in accordance to Bloom’s Taxonomy.

General Business appreciated the time to share with colleagues.

Nursing talked about putting a mandatory syllabus test on Blackboard.

Languages, Reading, and Education shared ways to improve learning by employing techniques that appeal to various learning styles.

CMIN and Office Technology worked on college-wide outcomes and objectives for the Computer Literacy Course. 

Technology affirmed their practice of learning-centered instruction.  They worked on their objectives to include, “At the end of this course, you will be able to…” statements and measurable outcomes.  They also discussed faculty perceptions and dispositions toward students.  Finally, they considered the “47 page” syllabus.

Biology compared syllabi employed at the various campuses and planned follow-up meetings. 

Humanities and the Arts “hold learning-centered instruction in (their) hearts” and discussed the nature of student responsibility within this approach.

After assessing student performance on departmental tests, Adult Client Nursing identified the area of “decreased cardiac output” as needing to be taught in a way that is incorporated across the curriculum.

English wants to put the language of learning-centeredness into their syllabi and work on new objectives. E.g.: You will be able to communicate effectively in writing in ways that enhance your professional, academic, and personal lives.

Allied Health talked about the importance of objectives that speak to the affective domain of the patient and addressed professionalism and integrity at every level.

The Learning Labs emphasized the value of communication between the faculty members and lab personnel and the importance of tracking students who have come in for help.

Culinary talked about the alignment of competencies with “real life” situations and expectations. (ie most students who graduate as “chefs” must start out in entry-level line cook positions.)  They are rewriting their syllabi to reflect that reality.

Biology talked about their perception of themselves as “feeders” into the Nursing and Allied Health Programs and getting rid of academic jargon.

Physical Science finalized their master syllabi.  They also explored team teaching, the adoption of a grade-analysis sheet to be included in their syllabi, and departmental assessments for each final exam in order to determine the consistency and effectiveness of instruction.

Arnel Cosey talked about having regular via compressed video to promote the one-college concept.

From the Floor:  The need for support in identifying and dealing with students with learning disorders was mentioned.  Having an on-campus consultant was suggested.  Making a Community Resource Booklet available for those dealing with social problems was also recommended.

It was recommended that objectives on master syllabi that use phrases such as “ the student will know”, “become aware of,” “understand,” “become familiar with” be reworked to tell what the student will be able to DO at the end of the course.  To this end, the handout on Bloom’s taxonomy would be helpful. 

An appealing “hook” may be considered for individual course syllabi that are already learning centered.  The syllabus should make the student glad that he/she selected the course.

Dr. Johnson recognized the on-campus talent we have and said that guest speakers are invited so that we can affirm that we are on the cutting edge.   He emphasized that the one-college concept is not meant to weaken the individual identity of each campus but to promote collaboration and strengthen the college as a whole.

Faculty and Staff Achievements...

Delgado Community College was selected as a finalist for the 2005 Community College Futures Assembly Bellwether Award.  Delgado’s entry, entitled “A Commitment to Student Education: The Evolution of the Promissory Note” was presented by Arnel Cosey, dean of Students and interim provost of the Delgado City Park Campus, and Judy Terrell, controller, at the assembly in Orlando, Florida on January 31.  Delgado’s entry is one of the top 10 finalists in the Instructional Programs and Services category.

Patricia Egers, dean of the Charity School of Nursing, received the Nursing School Administrator of the Year Nightingale Award.  The award, sponsored by the Louisiana Nurses Foundation and the Louisiana State Nurses Association, was presented at the Awards Banquet in Baton Rouge on January 22.  The Charity School of Nursing received the Nursing School of the Year Award from the same organization last year. 

Patricia Egers, dean of the Charity School of Nursing,

Deborah B. Evers, DNS, RN, CPN, received her doctorate in nursing from Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center School of Nursing on December 9.  Her dissertation was titled, “The Effectiveness of a Formal Training Program on Child Care Providers’ Knowledge and Practices Regarding Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.”  Evers was recently named Continuing Education Director/Assistant to the Dean of Academic Affairs at Charity School of Nursing.  In addition, Evers received the “F.A. Davis Excellence in Writing Award” and was recognized in “Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges.”

Deborah B. Evers, Continuing Education director/assistant to the dean of Academic Affairs, Charity School of Nursing

Delgado Chancellor Dr. Alex Johnson represented LCTCS President Dr. Walter Bumphus at the Cultural Economy Conference, sponsored by Lt. Governor Mitch Landrieu’s Office of Culture, Recreation & Tourism, held at the New Orleans Convention Center, December 10.  Johnson participated in the closing panel discussions on “The Relationship of the Cultural Economy Sector to the Larger Economy.”  Each panelist had 5-7 minutes to discuss their interest in, and connection to Louisiana’s new cultural economy initiative. Johnson focuses his presentation on education/workforce development.   Perspectives from Tourism, Arts, Finance, Education and Economic Development were represented.   In addition, Dr. Johnson was part of a presentation on “Film and Digital Video” at a morning session.

Chef Karl Tipton,  professor of culinary for Delgado Community College, was named “Chef of the Year” for 2004 at the American Culinary Federation (ACF) New Orleans Chapter “Chef of the Year” awards banquet held at the Marriott Hotel in New Orleans, December 5.  In addition, two Delgado culinary arts students received awards.  Kathy Isaacson was named “Apprentice of the Year” and Amelia Martin was named “Junior Member of the Year.”   Pastry Chef Jon Petrie, adjunct Delgado professor, is the president and Dr. Mary Bartholomew is the secretary of the ACF New Orleans chapter.  

Jeffery Smith, interim vice chancellor for Learning and Student Development, was appointed by Dr. Walter Bumphus to serve as a Louisiana Community and Technical College System representative to the Louisiana Optional Network Initiative Management Council.

Kathleen Mix, vice chancellor for Workforce Development and Education, made a presentation entitled, “Workforce Training Solutions” to the Board of Regents on December 8.  The presentation provided information on workforce training solutions projects for Region I. Topics discussed were solutions to the current state of the region, business and industry challenges and workforce training solutions.

Dr. Sandra Wright, dean of Liberal Arts, was honored with membership to City Park Campus’ Omega Nu Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa at the organization’s Induction Ceremony held November 19.  Each fall, the City Park chapter presents a PTK honorary membership to a Delgado faculty or staff member who has demonstrated support to the organization. Others honored in past years include, Melaine Deffendall, Janet Gautier Stevens and Mercedes Munster.

(left to right) Kim Russell, Louisiana State Representative and advisor assistant for PTK; Patrice Moore, interim assistant dean for Liberal Arts; Dr. Sandra Wright, dean of Liberal Arts; and Rita Mack, president of Omega Nu Chapter.

Rene’ Harvey, service manager for Banner Ford in Mandeville, is the new president of the Delgado Community College Ford ASSET Advisory Committee.  Banner Ford has been hiring and training ASSET students since Delgado’s program began in 1988.  ASSET is a college based technician training program sponsored by Ford Motor Co.

Kevin Duet, service manager of Bryan Chevrolet, Mitsubishi, Suzuki in Metairie, is the president of the Delgado Community College General Motors ASEP Advisory Committee.  Bryan Chevrolet has been hiring and training ASEP students since Delgado’s program began in 1990.  ASEP is a college based technician training program sponsored by General Motors.

Randy Brien, associate professor of English and Department Head of Languages, and Pat Roux, professor of mathematics, conducted a workshop on “Developmental Education” at Nunez Community College’s Faculty Institute, January 10.

Connie Boudoin, Resources Development associate for the Provost’s Office, City Park campus, had represented the West Bank Campus as part of the Federal Funding Task Force investigating funding, grants, fellowships and internships available to community colleges.  The three day task force was sponsored by the Council for Resource Development in Washington, D. C.  Sixty-one people from community colleges across the country participated.  Teams were formed for the specific task of interviewing representatives from numerous governmental agencies regarding potential alternate funding sources.  Their findings will be included in a report that will be sent to community colleges in 2005.

(left to right)  Suzi Ball, Resource Development Coordinator, Seminole Community College; Connie Boudoin, Executive Assistant to Provost, Delgado Community College; Sandra Narva, Director of Scheduling & Exhibitions Relations Smithsonian Institutions; and Dr. Patsy Joyner, VP for Institutional Advancement, Paul D. Camp Community College

Andre D. Harris, career counselor, received “Project Focus Team Player” award presented by Arnel Cosey, interim provost of the City Park Campus and dean of Student Affairs, on January 11.

Editor: Deborah A. Kohler, APR, Asst. Director, Public Relations