THE ROCK

Phi Theta Kappa  Will Hold Orientation and Induction

RCC Students Take Part in Award-Winning Praise Band

Two RCC students will take their love of music to an outdoor stage later this month. Both are members of the “praise band,” Audience 41, and are the winners of local and regional competitions. Their band, Audience 41, will be playing at an outdoor showing of the new movie "Flywheel" at First Congregational Christian Church Sept. 20 at 5:00 pm. More information about the band is available at www.audience41.com

Jonathan Kuster, one of the band’s members, is in the college transfer program. He says, “I plan to transfer to Liberty University next fall (as much as I love RCC) to study Worship and Music Ministry.” Jonathan sings and plays guitar in Audience 41. Adam Underwood, a senior at RCHS who is taking MUS 110 at RCC, also performs with the band.

Audience 41 got started at a church missions trip a couple of summers ago. “None of us had ever played together,” said Jonathan, “or were thinking about being in a band or anything. The work camp that we were at was in need of a ‘praise band' to lead the songs for the first night. I have played guitar for a while (and had it with me on the trip) so I volunteered, but I told them I didn't really sing or anything. I mentioned Daniel (vocals and piano for A 41) and Adam (guitar for A 41) and said that they might be able to help on some songs.”

To make a long story short, Jonathan ended up singing for the first time that week, and the rest of the band played together for the first time. The director of the camp said that they were the best "band" that the camp had the entire summer. “I don't think he knew that we weren't really a band yet,” noted Jonathan.

Jonathan, Adam, and Daniel all attend First Congregational Christian Church. This past spring they competed in a Praise Band competition in Virginia. They won the local and region levels and traveled to New York to play this past summer.

New Databases Available For Online Research

Clubs and Students Enjoy the Welcome Back Celebration

Smith Will Perform “On Agate Hill” Sept. 30

Career Readiness Certification

RCC Designated as a CRC Site

     After receiving a $28,000 grant from the Northwest Piedmont Workforce Development Board, Rockingham Community College has recently been designated by the North Carolina Community College System as a Career Readiness Certification (CRC) site.  As such, RCC can provide career readiness education, job profiles, WorkKeys assessments and certificates.  Two local women have already earned gold certificates through the site.  More are poised to earn their certificates as well.

     Career readiness is a concept used in about half of the states in the U.S.  It is a tool that helps match the right person to the right job.  Certificates earned through the program indicate an employee’s skill level in applied mathematics, reading for information, and locating information. 

     The CRC certificate is determined through three WorkKeys assessments.  Developed by ACT, Inc., WorkKeys test an individual’s ability to perform various mathematical functions, comprehend words and ideas, and find information.  In ACT’s database, hundreds of jobs are listed with the corresponding minimum skills needed for each job.  After taking the WorkKeys tests, individuals can be matched to jobs based on the results of the tests.  In addition, each person can determine areas in which he may need to improve in order to have the minimal skills necessary for a particular job. 

     The state of North Carolina then issues a gold, silver or bronze career readiness certificate.  The type of certificate is based on the individual’s ability to perform increasingly complex skills.  Gold certificate recipients have achieved the highest skills available in CRC.

      Sandi Alford of Reidsville, 38, and Veronica Gauldin of Eden, 37, are RCC’s first career readiness certificate recipients. Both received gold certificates.  They, along with others poised to receive certificates, will soon be honored with a reception highlighting their achievement.

             Gauldin recently obtained employment as an apartment complex site manager in Madison.

“On the interview, I showed the manager my certificate,” she said.  “After I explained the program he was impressed.  I had been looking for work for two years with no success.  I was hired at the first place I interviewed with after earning the certificate and finishing an HRD class at RCC which teaches you how to interview.”

Due to upcoming surgery, Alford plans to look for full-time work after she has fully recovered. 

Early Childhood Educator Receives Award for Excellence 

      Juliette Jackson, associate professor of early childhood education at Rockingham Community College, has received the excellence in teaching nomination for the past academic school year.

     “I’m delighted,” said Jackson.  “It signifies that our students value the rigorous activities utilized in our learning experience.”

     Jackson said her joy in being the nominee for RCC springs from the fact that so many of her students – both those who had her for one or multiple classes – submitted her name for the honor.

Excellence in teaching nominees must be full-time faculty members.  RCC provides the nominee with the opportunity to attend the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) International Conference on Teaching Excellence held each spring in Austin, Texas.  There, he/she is awarded the NISOD Excellence in Teaching award.

Involving students in thought-provoking topics is Jackson’s primary teaching method.  Her personal goal as an instructor is to help students clearly understand that as early childhood educators, they are professionals.

“Many come to me saying, ‘I want to be in this curriculum.  I’ve always enjoyed babysitting.’”

The curriculum, however, requires students learn the stages of child development from birth through 8-years-old, health and safety topics, nutrition, child guidance, special needs, creative activities, and the relationships with and between children, families, and the community.

     Jackson has a Bachelor of Science in Childhood Development and a Masters of Education, both from N.C. A&T.  She has been in the field of childhood education for over 30 years as both teacher and administrator.  It was her role as administrator that made her want to become a college instructor.

     “After years of interviewing and hiring individuals in the field, I realized there were things I wanted them to know.  I thought maybe I could go to the class room and help.”

Help Clean Up State Highways and Waterways

  Volunteers Needed for Big Sweep

Celeste Allis and Lori French are planning to lead a group of volunteers to participate in Big Sweep, the statewide cleanup of highways and waterways on Friday, September 26 from 1 pm until 3 pm.  Volunteers will meet in front of the Whitcomb Student Center and clean up trash along Highway 87 near the college.

If you are interested in participating, please contact Allis or French in the Science Building and let them know of your interest. They will send details about the cleanup to all participants the week of the cleanup.

Thanks in advance for your participation and support of Big Sweep!

Small Business Center Seminar Series Resumes

     The Tuesday series of Rockingham Community College Small Business Center free seminars, scheduled for 6-8:30 p.m., resumed Sept. 9 with “Effective Communication to Motivate Others.”

     In this seminar, participants learned from presenter Tasha Shaffer how others interpret an individual’s message and how to adjust communication styles for specific audiences in order to maximize results.

     On Sept. 16, Ronnie Bullins will present the seminar “How to be a REAL Success.”  REAL (relationships, equipping, attitude and leaders) can be used to ensure a company is operating at its prime.  This means understanding the importance of internal and external relationships, ensuring one’s personnel are trained adequately and are the right fit for their tasks, understanding the importance of attitude, and realizing everyone can be a leader and representative within and for their company.

     “Anger, Friend or Foe?” is the topic for the Sept. 23 seminar presented by Bob Quindlen. Consider these questions:  Is anger working for you or against you?  Does it control you?  Is it destroying your health, marriage, relationships and/or career?  What is the difference between healthy and toxic anger?  What purpose does anger serve?  Learning the answers can change a person’s life.

     L. Diane Wolfe will present “Bashful to Bold: Uncovering the Leader in You,” on Sept. 30.  Wolfe will outline the steps required to become an effective and dynamic leader.  She will show how to apply leadership principals to one’s life – from overcoming shyness to developing communication skills.

     On Sept. 25 from 6-8:30 p.m., Thomas Bean, an employee with the NC Department of Revenue, will conduct a special “Sales & Use Tax 101” seminar which will answer questions concerning sales and use tax regulations.  This seminar is ideal for any business that sells a product or service to a consumer.

     A 10-week Small Business Class will be held on Monday evenings from Sept. 8-Nov. 10.  This course is for those who are exploring the idea of starting a business as well as for individuals already in business.  The course provides tools needed to create or finish a business plan, a basic requirement of any small business.  After successfully completing the course, individuals are eligible to apply for a North Carolina Microenterprise loan.  Submission of a loan application does not guarantee a loan.  Cost for the course is $55.

RCC Campus Fund Drive: 

We CAN (AND DID) Make a Difference! 

By Gaye Clifton

     As a part of the RCC Foundation's annual Campus Fund Drive and in answer to a need for food at the Rockingham County Chapter of the American Red Cross, the college participated in an effort to collect food as well as funds. 

While contributing to the Foundation's "We CAN Make a Difference" campaign to raise unrestricted monies for college projects and programs, divisions and departments challenged each other to see who could raise the most food.  The contest yielded 2,901.6 pounds of nonperishable goods to help restock the Red Cross shelves. 

     At the drive's celebration luncheon on August 28, Campus Fund Drive chair Coe Ann Trent introduced Bobbie Seagraves, executive director of the Rockingham County Red Cross, to accept the items contributed by RCC faculty and staff.

     “Our pantry was almost bare,” said Seagraves.  “Now we have food!  This is the largest single donation of food we have ever received from any organization in the history of our food bank.  I want you to know you have helped a senior citizen from having to choose between buying medication and food.  Because of you, a child will not go to bed hungry.”

     "RCC employees can be proud of the fund raising results, too," said Campaign Chair Trent.  She announced that the college had exceeded the drive's $15,000 goal with contributions totaling $16,242 from 74% of the faculty and staff. 

Trent also announced that the Administration Division had collected 48.6 pounds of food per person to win the campaign's "MPP"—Most Pounds/Person" contest.  The winners will receive "Chocolate at Chinqua Penn"—a dessert buffet featuring chocolate desserts, European cheeses and fresh fruits served on the porch of Chinqua Penn Plantation. 

The Community and Workforce Education Division brought in the most pounds of food—808 pounds which translated into just over 36 pounds per person and that division will receive a dessert tray delivered to their building.

RCC Student Becomes Member of NC State Board of Community Colleges

     In the fifth-grade, Jeana ElSadder of Reidsville remembers doing homework while her father, Majdi, struggled with his own.  At the time, Majdi ElSadder was attempting to earn an associate degree in Arts from Rockingham Community College.  A native of Jordan, English was not his native tongue.  Reading and writing it was difficult.

     Majdi ElSadder worked hard and earned his associate degree as well as a degree in Engineering from North Carolina A&T University.  Today, he is a linguist for the U.S. Army in Iraq, a position he has held for the past five years.  Jeana’s visits with him are restricted to two weeks every year when he is able to leave Iraq for the states.

     With this background, it is not surprising that Jeana is inclined to feel the community college system owes it to all children – undocumented or otherwise – to honor their open door policy which states “…any person, whether a high school graduate or non-graduate, who is 18 years old or older and who is able to profit from further formal education will be served by the institution.”  (RCC Catalog 2008-2009).

     “To punish children for what their parents did is wrong,” she said.  “If they want an opportunity to learn, they should have it.”

     As current president of N4CSGA, the state student government association for community colleges, Jeana automatically is an ex officio (nonvoting) member of the NC State Board of Community Colleges.  She was officially sworn in at the board’s August 15 meeting.  Dr. Robert Keys, president of RCC, held the Bible as she took her oath.

     “I was honored,” she said.

During the ensuing meeting, board members were dealing with the issue of allowing/not allowing undocumented aliens into the community college system.  In the past, the open door policy was interpreted to mean undocumented individuals could enroll.  Currently, that interpretation is being questioned and the resulting debate has caught the attention of politicians statewide.  The board asked Jeana for her opinion.

“I knew the N4CSGA delegates were split on the issue and I made that clear to the board.  But since they asked for my opinion, I gave it to them.”

Jeana is comfortable in leadership roles and giving her opinion.  From sixth to twelfth grade she served continuously as class president.  At RCC she served last year as Student Government Association vice-president knowing she would become president during the 2008-09 year.  However, during elections at the spring N4CSGA conference in March, nobody ran for the vice-presidency.  Several people approached Jeana asking her to consider taking the position.  She eventually agreed and in April was appointed to the position.  Then, newly elected president, Shannon Overman of Alamance Community College, suddenly stepped down and Jeana became president.

“This is something I didn’t foresee,” she said.  “I’m ecstatic and nervous.  I realize I am the voice of over 800,000 community college students and I want to represent them to the best of my ability.”

Under the load of her new responsibilities, Jeana had to step down from president to vice-president at RCC.  But at the state level, she has already impressed board members and others, including Dr. Michael Taylor, president of Stanley Community College and liaison to the board from the community college President’s Association.

“He sent a warm note thanking me for speaking up about the illegal immigrant issue,” she said.

SGA Announces Plans for the Fall

Egypt:
Travel with RCC to the
Land of the Kings

WIN A $50 CERTIFICATE!

What do you know about the Constitution?

Enter RCC’s “Constitution Day” Contest to qualify for the $50 drawing!  Look for the Blue boxes around the RCC Campus.  Enter before September 18!

RCC Travel Video Series

See the world during your lunch hour...
September 23 - Turkey
October 7 - Switzerland
October 21 - Denmark
November 4 - Antarctica
January 20 - Great Cities of Europe
February 3 - Ukraine
February 17 - Finland
March 17 - Ireland (St. Patrick’s Day)
March 31 - Mexico City

Videos begin at 1:00 p.m. Attendees are welcome to bring a bag lunch. There is no admission charged for the travel video series. All videos are one hour and are presented in the Advanced Technologies Building; room 111.