Issue Highlights:
MARICOPA News from the Maricopa Community College Retirees’ Association
Message from the Chancellor Dear MCCRA members, In late January 2014, the Maricopa Community Colleges received some great news: Six of our 10 colleges had been nominated to the Aspen Institute’s list of the 150 best community colleges in the United States. That’s out of more than 1,000 community colleges nationwide. In a nutshell, this honor means that we’re excelling in helping our students be more successful every day, across every college. Student success means creating more and better ways for students who want a baccalaureate degree to transfer to four-year institutions. It also means providing the best education possible during those students’ first two college years. A focus on student success means partnering with universities such as ASU, with which we’ve created the nationally-acclaimed MAPPS program. Students with a specific goal in mind can take a predetermined series of courses at their community college and, with good grades, are guaranteed admission to the degree program of their choice with reduced tuition. That same relentless focus on student success also means creating new programs to help students who want to attend our colleges, but who are not ready for college-level work. About 60 percent of students entering our colleges need to bring reading, math or English skills up to college level. As a result, we’re developing innovative ways to get them the help they need. Student success also means a focus on programs that prepare students for jobs. Did you know that the Maricopa Community Colleges offer classes in 90 percent of the jobs identified by the State of Arizona as having the highest demand for new workers in the next 10 years? We are the largest provider of workforce training in Maricopa County. Our new Corporate College only enhances our ability to serve as an engine for the county’s economic growth. Message From the Chancellor Continued—Page 3
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If Only I Knew Gold Nuggets Mentoring Board Highlights OLLI Classes Scholarship Fund
February 2014
Come to Your Retiree Annual Meeting on April 17 The MCCRA Annual Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 17 from 9 am – noon at the Rio Salado Conference Center in Tempe. The purpose of the Annual Meeting is to explore issues of interest to current and potential retirees of the Maricopa Community Colleges. For the first time last year, MCCRA invited MCCD employees approaching retirement to attend. The overwhelming response by employees made it a huge success. So again this year, we are inviting potential retirees to join us at the meeting. If you have former colleagues still working in the college district, ask them personally to join you at the annual meeting to discuss the benefits of retirement. The agenda will include experts in retirement issues from Maricopa Community Colleges and the Arizona State Retirement System. Valuable information and handouts will aid in financial planning for healthy retirement.
Check Out Our New Look Like the new Maricopa Gold newsletter design? We do, too. Thanks to Carol Diego, (MCCCD's Director of Marketing) for designing the new format and for helping in the newsletter production. Also, we are grateful to Andrew Tucker (MCCCD Communications & Marketing) for his support to the MCCRA Board. Thanks to Chancellor Rufus Glasper and his assistant Dr. Sue Kater for their continued commitment to the retirees’ association and for recognizing the contributions of former long-time employees. Maricopa Gold is published in print and online four times a year: February, April, September and November. In 2015, we plan to move to an onlineonly format. Send Jim Hogan (jhoganaz@msn.com) your email address to stay on our distribution list.
If Only I Knew “Retirement is eluding some blue-collar workers” According to an Associated Press article published on Jan 6, 2014, many people who have worked at low-wage jobs for years say they have a hard time envisioning an affordable retirement. The concerns are greatest among blue-collar baby boomers – some 78 million Americans born between 1956 and 1964. Check out the article at: www.azcentral.com/business/ free/20140106retirement-elusive-blue-collar-workers.html
Obama’s MyRA Plans
President Obama announced plans to create a new “MyRA” retirement account to help millions of American start building a nest egg. These plans were revealed at the January 28 State of the Union address. The accounts would be targeted to lowand middle-income workers who don’t have access to employer-sponsored retirement plans, which includes approximately half of all workers and 75% of part-time workers.
Q: Why don’t retirees mind being called seniors? A: The term comes with a 10% discount. Check out the many discounts and special pricing for seniors, some starting as young as 55. Numerous restaurants, hotel, movies theaters, sporting events, entertainment venues and other businesses offer senior discounts. Don’t be afraid to ask.
Greetings MCCCD Retiree Association! The Faculty Association would like to work with the Retiree’s Association to form an engaged partnership to make the most of our members’ experience and talent to identify ways we can fulfill our shared interests. Some of those areas are: Governing Board elections, healthcare, pensions, retirement concerns, membership drives, political awareness, and student mentoring. We are excited to work with you to identify ways to improve the District and help students we have served and continue to serve. We look forward to meeting many of you soon. Sincerely, Dr. Patricia Finkenstadt, Faculty Association President
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Gold Nuggets The American Cancer Society has been leading the way to transform cancer from deadly to preventable for 100 years. The City of Beverly Hills observed its Centennial on January 28, 2014. March is Women’s History Month and March 3rd marks 100 years since 5,000 suffragists marched on Washington with demanding the right to vote. Their “national procession,” staged the day before Woodrow Wilson’s presidential inauguration, was the first civil rights movement to use the nation’s capital as a backdrop, according to their Pinterest board. They were successful, as the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution giving women the right to vote was passed by Congress in 1919 and ratified in 1920. TV’s General Hospital has been on the air for 50 years and has won 11 Daytime Emmy Awards. The Beatles invade America – It was 50 years ago on February 9th that the shaggy haired British rock quartet appeared on “The Ed Sullivan Show.” Celebrating its 50th anniversary this year is the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue recently honored with an NBC television special.
February is Black History Month Black History Month events are planned at the Maricopa Community Colleges, check the district office and college websites for details. With the 50th anniversary of the 1964 Civil Rights Act in America, many sources are observing Black History events including: www.africanamericanmonth.gov
www.history.com
www.biography.com
www.aarp.org
Mentoring: You are Needed
Valley of the Sun United Way
Ann Oehmke, MCCRA President
As you see, MCCRA sets goals and meets them! • $100,000 scholarship endowment fund. • Retirement planning programs • Keeping abreast of retirement and health care issues Now it is time to initiate another goal —MENTORING.
If retirees are the history of Maricopa Community Colleges, maybe it’s time for us to become a working partner in the future of the Maricopa Community Colleges! Can we do this? Your MCCRA board says YES. We are In the process of initiating a mentoring program. Could we depend on you to join us?
Scottsdale President Jan Gehler and her assistant Donna Cole once again spearheaded this successful effort. They recruited a dedicated team that brought in great results. The outcomes speak highly of everyone who participated, and bode well for future campaigns with Valley of the Sun United Way.
Research has proven that students who are connected and feel comfortable at an institution of higher learning are more likely to graduate. As we all know, unemployment, poor housing, inadequate preparation, child care needs, discrimination and low expectations are among the issues that hamper our students from becoming successful students.
Governing Board Meeting Highlights —January 2014
The goal of this mentoring program would be to retain and support students through graduation and admittance to a four-year institutions or completion of certificated programs that lead to the continuation of life-long learning. What would you do? • A mentor helps students get from point A to point B as determined by your mentee with your guidance and support.
• Help them in accessing college support services.
• Be their cheerleader. • Develop a meeting schedule convenient to both mentee and mentor. Mentoring is a unique experience, from one human being to another, starting as strangers and sharing with them that you care about and will stand by them. Please call Ann Oehmke 602.265.9497 or email aoehmke@cox.net for further information.
Contributions by Maricopa Community Colleges’ employees exceeded the annual goal, raising $231,586.02. This figure represents an 11% increase from last “We must all take a moment year. More than to acknowledge what this 750 employees participated in the means for our community. It campaign, a 20% also signifies our employees’ deep and lasting commitment increase from 2012 and a 41% to ensure Maricopa County increase from children and youth succeed.” 2011! —Rufus Glasper, Chancellor
• The Governing Board elected Dana Saar as its President for 2014 and Randolph Lumm as its Secretary. • State legislators have proposed a bill that would, in effect, allow guns on campus. The law would allow people to carry guns in “public establishments” that do not provide gun lockers in which guns could be stored. Message From the Chancellor Continued—Front page
All in all, student success means our students achieve their goals, whatever they may be. Some students come for just one or two courses, for personal enrichment or to improve specific skills. Others take a handful of courses to achieve a certificate of completion, or to train for a better job. Still others want an Associate’s Degree, or to go on to a four-year institution. We are proud that our colleges are flexible enough to help all achieve their goals. Thank you for your lasting dedication to the Maricopa Community Colleges. I look forward to continuing to work with you to ensure our students succeed.
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2411 W. 14th Street Tempe, Arizona 85281
Thanks to You, We Hit the $75,000 Mark The MCCRA Scholarship fund has reached the ¾ mark, thanks to donations from retirees like you. We welcomed the the new year with almost $80,000 in the scholarship fund. With a goal of $100,000 for an endowed scholarship fund for students, the retiree’s association is on track to reach its target. Please make your contribution for this worthy cause for future generations. Request a donation form by emailing: mhoganaz@msn.com
CELEBRATING the ARTS of the MARICOPA COMMUNITY COLLEGES
ARTISTS of PROMISE
STUDENT PERFORMANCES and ART EXHIBIT WEDNESDAY, APRIL
9th ORPHEUM THEATER
Art Exhibit 6:00; Performances 7:00 p.m. 203 W. ADAMS ST., PHOENIX
FREE EVENT and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
www.maricopa.edu/arts Sponsored by the Maricopa Center for Learning and Instruction (MCLI), District Fine Arts Programs, Division of Academic and Student Affairs
Enjoy ASU’s OLLI Spring Classes The Spring class schedule for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute is available at: www.lifelonglearning.asu.edu March is Women’s History Month and many workshops cover topics such as Women Artists thoughout History and Through Women’s Eyes: 20th Century U.S. History. Other highlights include: Nobel Prize for Literature Winner Alice Munro: Master of the Contemporary Short Story will be taught by MCCD’s own Barb Fahey at the Maravilla Scottsdale location. The workshop meets on the four Tuesdays in March from 10 am – noon and the fee is $35. The World of Downton Abbey: History behind the PBS hit on Wednesday, March 19 from 1:30-3:30 pm. The location is Tempe Connections and it costs only $10. 4
The Maricopa County Community College District is an EEO/AA institution and an equal opportunity employer of protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.
MCCRA Board Needs YOU Join the MCCRA Board to share your concerns, ideas and solutions. The Constitution of the Maricopa Community Colleges Retirees’ Association calls for a board composed of 15 board members, with 5 members elected annually for a 3-year term. Ballots reflect nominations from the four basic work identification categories for MCCCD – MAT/CEC, M&O/Crafts/Public Safety, PSA and Faculty. It’s not too late. Join us in serving other MCCD retirees. Send your name to Ann Oehmke aoehmke@cox.net. MARICOPA GOLD
Maricopa Community College Retirees’ Association MCCRA • 2411 W 14th Street • Tempe, AZ 85281-6942 Ann Oehmke, President • aoehmke@cox.net • 602.265.9497 Patti N. Johnson, Newsletter Editor, patti.n.johnson@cgc.edu MCCCD Marketing, Newsletter Production carol.diego@domail.maricopa.edu Send your email address to jhoganaz@msn.com Join us on facebook https://www.facebook.com/maricopa.edu.retirees