Employment

We are delighted to welcome these ACC Employees who started October 4th!

• Mark Cortinas–Technician, Senior Computer Lab Support–RVS 
• Rose Dalip–Specialist, Financial Aid–HBC
• Thomas Mccune –Attendant, Building–EVC
• Michael Pacheco–College Police, Patrol Officer–SVC
• Robert Byrom–Adjunct, Instructional Associate–RVS
• Veronica Castillo–Specialist, Early College Start–HBC 
• Christine Aguilar-Rodriguez–Assistant, Testing–NRG
• Tracy Partin–Coordinator, Intramurals–RGC
• Malanie Soliz–Assistant III, Administrative–RRC 
• Jeanne Weise–Instructional Associate (II)–RRC
• Dale Bunton–Assistant, Senior Administrative–EVC
• Shin Yu-Hwang–Administrative Assistant III –NRG
• M. J. Shoeneman–Specialist, Floral Design and Horticulture–HBC

An Announcement from Mike Midgley, Vice President of Instruction

Director, International Programs
Please join me in welcoming Stephanie Amundson as the new Director of our International Programs Office.  Before joining ACC, Stephanie served in the U.S. State Department’s Diplomatic Service, specializing in public diplomacy, anti-human trafficking and drug control, and nuclear nonproliferation issues.  She served as Embassy Spokesperson in Lagos, Nigeria and Tirana, Albania and as a subject matter expert in Berlin, Germany and Washington, D.C.  Her last assignment as a U.S. Delegate to the United Nations in Vienna saw Ms. Amundson negotiating, on behalf of the U.S. Government, U.N. resolutions to stem the flow of drugs and human trafficking as well as nuclear proliferation.  Prior to her diplomatic service, Ms. Amundson was a Bosch Fellow working for the German Parliament and the European Aeronautic Defense and Space Company. To complement her graduate studies, Ms. Amundson also taught European Union Foreign Policy classes to U.S. and international military personnel at National Defense University, Washington, D.C.  Ms. Amundson is a graduate of St. Edward’s University, Austin, Texas (BA in International Studies) and of Georgetown University, Washington, D.C. (MA in German and European Studies).

Benefits

Dynamics of Domestic Violence Workshop
Wednesday, October 13^th, 12 to 1pm, in HBC 411.

Marlon Bailey’s, a volunteer at SafePlace, will do a presentation on domestic Violence.  The presentation will include what domestic violence is, the prevalence of this kind of abuse, the barriers to leaving an abusive situation.

Register at https://www3.austincc.edu/it/workshops/www/login.php

Reducing Stress Through Meditation
We live in a time of ever increasing change.  The stress we feel is taking its toll on our bodies, minds, and souls through illness, exhaustion, and a sense of isolation.  There are proven ways to reduce the stress we feel.  Through these meditation techniques you will learn to live a life that is more relaxed, purposeful, and connected.  Come spend an hour each week learning and practicing meditation techniques based on cognitive science principles.

Classes will begin on October 7, generally be held on Thursdays from noon to 1:00 pm, in HBC, Room 411. 

Register at https://www3.austincc.edu/it/workshops/www/login.php

Vice President’s Office

State Employee Charitable Campaign (SECC)
The State Employee Charitable Campaign runs October 1^st through October 31^st. Throughout the Campaign there will be campus events for employees to learn more about the Campaign and how to donate to your favorite charity. 

Questions?  Contact your Campus Coordinator or visit www.austincc.edu/hr/secc/index for more information.

Professional Development

Nominations for the Piper Professor Award
It is time for ACC full-time faculty to choose a nominee for the Minnie Stevens Piper Professor award, a statewide award for college faculty.  The prestigious award includes a $5000 prize.  The deadline for nomination is
October 15, 2010.

Start thinking of which colleague you would like to nominate.  Some criteria to consider when thinking of your colleagues include: 

•Current additional or administrative duties
•Service to the off-campus community
•Particular effectiveness in the classroom and in personal contact with students
•Unusual dedication to the profession of teaching

The Teaching Awards Committee, made up of ACC faculty, will select ACC’s nominee.  Information about the nominee and application is on the website:  http://www.austincc.edu/hr/profdev/teachingawards.php.  If you have any questions or would like more information please contact Christina Michura, Professional Development Coordinator, at 223-7564 or via email at [email protected]. 

Leadership Awards
You have a chance to recognize someone for the extra leadership they bring to our ACC community. An employee may be nominated for any of the following:

• Classified Employee of the Year Award
• Professional-Technical Employee of the Year Award
• Administrator of the Year Award, ACC Community Volunteer Award
• Student Success Award
• Servant-Leadership Award
• Bright Idea Award.

Nominations must be submitted by November 5, 2010.  In your nomination, please provide as many detailed examples as possible about why your nominee deserves the award. Winners will be chosen not on the number of nominations but on the content of the nomination. Nominating online only takes a minute.   Nominations will be reviewed by the Leadership Awards Committee and will be announced November 22, 2010.
More details for each award are posted on the website:  http://www.austincc.edu/hr/profdev/awards/leadership/index.php        

Interested in a Sabbatical leave?
Sabbatical leave is a privilege that is intended to benefit both the college and the employee. The President may grant this leave to staffing table employees.  Leave may be granted for the purpose of personal and/or professional improvement.

Sabbatical Applications for the 2010-2011 Academic Year are due on November 15 in the Professional Development Office, c/o Christina Michura.   You will find more information about Sabbatical leave, including requirements, a checklist, a timeline and the application on the website:  http://www.austincc.edu/hr/profdev/sabbaticals.php.  For questions about Sabbatical leave, contact Christina Michura at [email protected].

Celebration of Great Teaching
The Celebration of Great Teaching is now accepting applications for faculty participants.  This unique, faculty-focused event differs from most retreats in that the program is created by the participants themselves. The format often includes teaching clinics, panels, organized discussions, “hands on” workshops, and presentations by participants. It also features choices among activities. The exchange takes place not only in scheduled sessions but also informally and in conversations. The goals of the seminar include sharing methods and techniques, celebrating good teaching, creative and realistic problem solving, exploration of new ideas, and professional and personal renewal.

The retreat will be held April 1-3, 2011 at the Flying L Guest Ranch in Bandera, Texas.  

To learn more about the retreat and how to apply, please go to http://www.austincc.edu/hr/profdev/greatteaching/index.php

If you have any questions, please contact David Lydic at [email protected] or Terry Mouchayleh at [email protected].