Title V Projects, Faculty Featured in MCCCD 2011 Student Success Conference

The 23rd Annual MCCCD Student Success Conference, taking place October 7, will include opportunities for faculty, staff, and administrators to engage in meaningful and collaborative conversations about practices and strategies that positively impact student retention, persistence, and success.  Among the 24 select presentations, two have direct ties to the Phoenix College Title V grant; specifically, the development and use of online, supplementary resources for bioscience, information literacy, and mathematics.

In summer 2009, James Sousa created 18 short tutorial videos through a Title V mini-grant and developed some additional Open Educational Resources (OER) through his participation in the spring 2010 grant-funded professional learning community, Beta Boot Camp.  From these initial, grant-funded projects, James has continued, on his own time and at his own expense, to push the limits of this medium.  Two years have passed and James has published over 1,500 instructional videos which he hosts at a dedicated website, in addition to a dedicated YouTube channel with over 1,400 subscribers worldwide.  It is likely that his uploaded videos will reach 1 million views by the end of 2011.  Additionally, James continues to pioneer OER in the form of open platform courses, textbooks, and resources.

Do the math: Phoenix College's own James Sousa brings power to the people with 24/7, just-in-time support for mathematics students at every level, from arithmetic to calculus.  http://www.youtube.com/user/bullcleo1  

Robin Cotter led a team of colleagues in summer 2009 to develop a comprehensive series of online tutorials to promote student success and retention within the biological sciences.  The project, entitled "Biology Boot Camp," focused on helping students develop skills in the following areas: study and time management techniques, scientific writing, information literacy and critical thinking.  Modules were designed to contain clearly stated learning objectives, pre-assessment quizzes or surveys, presentation(s) of key concepts, and post-assessment quizzes or surveys.  The information literacy modules were developed by Kelly Lambert in Year 1 with additional development work in Year 3.  For additional information on this project see the following Title V blog page: http://pctitlev.blogspot.com/2011/06/fyi-literacy.html

Work on the information literacy modules will continue in Year 4, expanding work in bioscience and incorporating English (ENG101).

Select Breakout Sessions for the 2011 Student Success Conference

Form Follows Function: Building Information Literacy Skills One Click at a Time

Salon I: 10:45-11:45 a.m.
Track: Teaching Approaches and Strategies
Kelly Lambert and Robin Cotter, Phoenix College

In an attempt to increase student retention and success in gate- keeper Bioscience courses, a series of interactive ‘Biology Boot Camp’ tutorials were created to help students improve their infor- mation literacy, technical writing, and study skills. This presentation will focus on the information literacy portion of the Boot Camp. This portion of the project includes pre- and post-assessment as well as 8 mini-modules that provide content via audio, video, and interactive activities. Session presenters will share information on the successes and challenges of creating the modules including content covered, technologies utilized, student assessment, and user feedback. This project was funded through a Title V STEM grant at Phoenix College. 

http://mcli.maricopa.edu/success/2011/s15

Teaching Math with Free Textbooks and Online Resources

Salon I: 1:15-2:15 p.m.
Track: Teaching Approaches and Strategies
Paul Golisch, Paradise Valley Community College
James Sousa, Phoenix College

The session will provide the benefits and challenges of using Open Educational Resource (OER) materials. We will share what OER materials are currently being used to teach mathematics as well as where to find OER materials. OER materials are being used in a traditional classroom setting as well as a flipped model. Data will be provided on student perceptions and student progress.

http://mcli.maricopa.edu/success/2011/s07

Hispanic Career Forum: Mathematics

The second Hispanic STEM Career Forum was held on Wednesday September 21, 2011 at the Campus Vista Conference Room with approximately a dozen STEM students in attendance.  Three mathematics professionals addressed the students with messages of encouragement and a call to self-determination.

Crispin Zamudio is the director of e-Institute Charter Schools where he supervises six charter schools.  He traced his personal drive to succeed back to his days as a “campesino” (farm worker) at the age of four until his teenage years, along with his family.  He explained that the harsh conditions and the difficulties associated with this life motivate young Hispanics to aim higher and to be successful professionals.  He described his years in high school when he participated in the Joaquin Bustoz Math and Science Honors Program (MSHP) and how this was pivotal in his going on to study math at Arizona State University.  Mr. Zamudio said that it was through individuals who believed in him like Dr. Bustoz (who became his mentor) and his elementary teachers, who encouraged him to pursue a math career, that he completed his math degree.

The second presenter, Cinday Barragan, MSHP Senior Coordinator and math faculty at South Mountain Community College, shared her experience of navigating to and through college and her beginnings with MSHP also.  She noted that Mr. Zamudio was her counselor and that she, in turn, was the counselor for Laura Torres (who is the organizer of the Forum and also the Title V Interim Math and Science Specialist who oversees the STEM Scholars program) when Laura participated in MSHP.  Ms. Barragan echoed Mr. Zamudio’s sentiments and stressed the importance of support networks.  “Collaborate to graduate” and get connected with programs that will support your professional goals.  Ms. Barragan also recounted earlier experiences in which “well-meaning” instructors tried to dissuade her from pursuing her goals to study astronomy.  Ultimately, through a NASA internship, she determined for herself to shift from astronomy to mathematics.  Ms. Barragan conveyed to attendees that they, themselves, ought to decide their own future and not to allow anyone to dictate to them what they can or cannot do.

The third guest presenter was Cleopatria Martinez, math faculty at Phoenix College.  Ms. Martinez shared a few sections of her life story, which is depicted in the book she wrote along with nine other Ph.D.-level Chicana professionals.   She described how, throughout her schooling, she noticed much of the cultural differences but did not let them become a barrier in her success.  She said that she is very proud of her culture and she encouraged attendees to not let anybody put them down and to strive to do their best work.

Mr. Zamudio advised the attendees (as he does his students) to network “because it is not what you know, but who you know.”  He added, “if by the end of the forum you have not obtained a business card from me, you are at a disadvantage [because you are one person short from reaching your goal].”  Naturally, he distributed his business card to the students attending.  The aim of the Hispanic STEM Career Forum series is to provide students the opportunity to meet and network with inspiring Hispanic professionals.  Two more forums will continue in October 2011.

Hispanic Career Forum: Architecture, Engineering

On Thursday September 15, 2011 the STEM Scholars Program hosted its first in a series of Hispanic STEM Career Forums; this time with a focus on architecture and engineering careers.  The presenters were Monique de los Rios from, an architect originally from Peru, and Hilen Cruz, a civil engineer originally from Mexico.  The event was attended by a dozen STEM students.

De los Rios currently works as an architect for the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) and began by talking about her upbringing in a family of architects, the birth of her passion for the profession.  She explained that “architecture demands a lot from you and your work is always criticized. Therefore you have to have the commitment towards architecture and have a thick skin towards the harsh criticism you might get.”  That said, De los Rios say that she derives her reward from creating something new, that did not exist, and having her work recognized.  She detailed the various academic paths a student might take to achieve a degree and license in architecture and where such a career might lead.  She fielded questions about economic factors, globalization, technology and other aspects of the profession.  She commented on how technology has radically changed the face of the profession but she stressed that the most critical component of success is to be an effective communicator and be able to “sell” your ideas; and also to be open and flexible, to “have a plastic mind.”  She concluded by discussing her interests in solar energy and ecology and explained that her original inspiration for coming to Arizona and her motivation for staying was the work of Paolo Soleri.

Paolo Soleri's Arcosanti was the site of De los Rios's internship as a young architect.  It exemplifies the blend of architecture and ecology which inspires her professionally.  De los Rios encouraged students to pursue their passion.

Hilen Cruz, a Civil Engineer for Salt River Project (SRP) recounted how her initial studies were completed in Mexico and then she came to the United States to complete her MBA.  Inspired by her father, also a Civil Engineer and an instructor; she detailed how she navigated the world of work to advance her career and eventually come to work for SRP.  She discussed the value of being bilingual and stressed the importance of determination and good habits, organizational skills, and good communications skills to advance in this or any profession.  “Education offers you the opportunity to grow,” she summed up, and noted that she has since come to Phoenix College to study real estate for her own benefit.  Cruz is involved in SRP’s Women In Network (WIN), an organization which conduct various community service events to help women.  Cruz is the author of “Ponte las Pilas, Mexico” (Put On the Batteries, Mexico) , which “is an inspirational book that aims to motivate the Mexican community to pursue professional success through higher education.”  For more information, please visit: http://www.pontelaspilasmexico.com