For immediate release:                 May 7, 2012

Contact:
Jamie Chacon
307-686-0254
jchacon@sheridan.edu

Two Students from GEAR UP Wyoming at NWCCD Named Recipients of Daniels Scholarship

[Sheridan/Gillette, WY] – GEAR UP Wyoming at NWCCD announced today that two students involved in its program have been named recipients of the Daniels Scholarship and will be attending colleges and universities across the United States in the fall. Ransom Bearden of Sheridan and Jordan Largent of Kaycee were nominated for and received this prestigious scholarship.

Daniels Scholarship recipients are selected based on strength of character, leadership, a record of accomplishment in community service, and other qualities.

The Daniels Scholarship is not “full ride,” but is supplemental to all other financial aid resources available to the student. After other financial aid resources have been applied, the Daniels Scholarship covers all required tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies and a variety of other miscellaneous expenses. Students also receive a laptop computer and a printer.

Bill Daniels, a cable pioneer known for his kindness and generosity to those in need, established the Daniels Fund to provide grants and scholarships in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming. When he died in the year 2000, his estate transferred to the Fund, making it the largest foundation in the Rocky Mountain West.

GEAR UP Wyoming is a statewide program that serves 2,000 7^th-12^th grade income-eligible students each year. Wyoming’s seven community colleges provide services to these students and encourage them not only to complete high school, but to enter and succeed at a post-secondary institution. The GEAR UP Wyoming program also supports students through their first year of college.

For more information about GEAR UP Wyoming at NWCCD, call Jamie Chacon, Site Coordinator, at 307-686-0254, extension 1433, or Denise Scammon, Assistant Site Coordinator, at 307-674-6446, extension 2010.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                                                                    May 7, 2012

Contact:       Wendy Smith (307) 686-0254 ext. 2801/Email wsmith@sheridan.edu

       Dennis Jacobs (307) 686-0254 ext. 2802/Email djacobs@sheridan.edu

Approx. 180 students will graduate from GC Friday

Gillette College’s 22^nd Annual Commencement Ceremony will begin at seven o’clock at the Cam-plex Heritage Center on Friday, May 11.  Nearly 180 students will complete their degree requirements at Gillette College this year.  Other graduates being recognized at GC Commencement are those earning General Education Diplomas as well as Bachelor and Master degree candidates.

“Graduation represents a milestone in our students’ lives,” said Gillette College Vice President, Mark Englert.  “Congratulations to the class of 2012.”

The Commencement Ceremony will include performances by the Colorado Celtic Pipes and Drums, the presentation of the GC President’s Award, and a commencement address by United States Senator, Mike Enzi.

The event is free to the public.

For more information, contact Gillette College at 686-0254.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                                                                          April 20, 2012

Contact:       Wendy Smith (307) 674-6446 ext. 2801/Email wsmith@sheridan.edu

Ruth Benson (307) 674-6446 ext. 1303/Email rbenson@sheridan.edu

NWCCD receives third Department of Labor grant award

Officials at the Northern Wyoming Community College District received official word Wednesday, April 18, that a proposal to participate in their third Department of Labor Grant program had been approved. The program is the DOL’s Trade Adjustment Act Community College Career Training program and the award is for a total of $2,701,203 over three years.

The project is unique, in that it is a partnership between NWCCD and two other Wyoming community colleges; Central Wyoming College and Western Wyoming Community College. NWCCD is the coordinating participant in the project.  According to the Department of Labor’s earlier release, the grants to community colleges are for “targeted training and workforce development to help economically dislocated workers who are changing careers.”

NWCCD, CWC and WWCC’s combined service area includes eleven of Wyoming’s 23 counties.  “The models developed and implemented in this project will have a large impact on the state of Wyoming and how education is delivered to adult students,” said Dr. Paul Young, NWCCD President.

The U.S. Department of Labor announced awards to 32 grantees in September 2011 and has been working with several other grantees to finalize their awards.  The application NWCCD, CWC and WWCC submitted in April 2011 was revised and approved for the $2.7 million award.  The Consortium will use the grant to address the unique needs of adult learners to help them overcome time and place hurdles, recognize prior learning, provide effective advising and increase the likelihood of them persisting to completion of their goals.

According to Dr. Mark Englert, Vice President for Gillette College, this grant funded project will build on progress made with several other state and federal grants to meet the demand industry has for highly skilled people in the workforce.  This is the third grant NWCCD has received from the U.S. Department of Labor.  The first grant awarded in 2005 provided funding to start up the Industrial Electric program among other accomplishments.  The second grant, awarded in 2008, funded the Mining Technology program offered at Gillette College.

The three year project will be coordinated by Director Ruth Benson.  In addition to leading the NWCCD portion of the project, she will coordinate project activities with the other two colleges.  According to Benson, the three colleges will share best practices specifically in the area of learning for adult students, coordinate on curriculum for certificate and degree programs and target short term certificates for adult learners to become successful entrepreneurs, secure employment or earn promotions with Wyoming employers.

The colleges will develop or modify existing curriculum to offer certificates of completion and degrees in Industry Supervision, Mining Supervision, and Entrepreneurship/Innovation.  As the lead partner and fiscal agent, NWCCD plans to spend about $1 million with CWC and WWCC budgeting $817,000 each.

“Helping students who already have significant experience earn college awards in a short amount of time is an important aspect of this project,” said Young.  “This grant will help Wyoming’s community colleges do our part to increase the number of adults with college certificates and degrees and will help meet industry’s demand for a trained workforce.”

For more information, please contact Benson at (307) 674-6446, ext. 1303.

Additional references:

DOL’s press release dated September 26, 2011  http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20111409.htm

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                                                                                                      March 30, 2012

Contact:              Wendy Smith (307) 674-6446 ext. 2801/Email wsmith@sheridan.edu

Dennis Jacobs (307) 674-6446 ext. 2802/Email djacobs@sheridan.edu

Gillette College announces Spear-O-Wigwam Mountain Campus schedule

Gillette College is looking forward to the second season of activity at the Spear-O Wigwam Mountain Campus.

“The purpose of our Mountain Campus is to enhance existing academic programming as well as provide new opportunities for students and the community,” said Campus Director, Micah Olsen.  “In addition to the menu of courses and lectures open to the public we are thrilled to have included in our full schedule groups of students and educators from our region coming to Spear-O for various educational activities. This is exactly the intent and we can’t wait for the summer to arrive.”

Events happening throughout the summer include a full menu of Learn Outdoors courses open to the public, leadership workshops, small group activities, a series of three mountain lectures, educational retreats and skills training.

“We are excited about the menu of courses available this summer,” said Learn Outdoors Coordinator, Julie Davidson. “We had so much positive feedback after our short season last year; it was easy to craft this year’s menu . We invite everyone to surrender to what nature can teach you; embrace the experience of learning out of doors – enjoy the absence of a computer and a desk and let the experience be your textbook!”

Registration is now open for the following classes:

Course Title                                                     Instructor                                          Dates

Dutch Oven Cooking                                      Sue Scott                                           July 6-8

Photography                                                    Adam Jahiel                                      July 6-8

Landscape Painting                                        Joel Ostlind                                       July 14-15

Intro to Rock Climbing                                  Tom Johannesmeyer                      July 14-15

Wilderness Survival Retreat                         Mark Andersen                                 July 18-22

Watercolor for Hikers & Travelers              Randy Stout                                      July 20-22

Intro to Night Sky & Telescopes                  Tom Johannesmeyer                      July 20-21

Horse Packing                                                 Dave Clarendon                               July 25-29

Map, GPS & Geocaching                               Rob Livingston                                 August 4

LASER of Consciousness                               Valerie Collins                                  August 4-10

Women’s Retreat                                           Karen St Clair                                    Sept 14-16

To register for classes, please visit www.spearowigwam.com or contact Davidson directly at 686-0254, ext. 8350.

We look forward to seeing you this season!

Gillette College student, Cody Friedlan, has been selected as the 2012 Student Leadership Award Winner

Gillette College student, Cody Friedlan, has been selected as the 2012 Student Leadership Award Winner by the Wyoming Association of Community College Trustees.  This distinction was announced during the WACCT award dinner and banquet in Cheyenne last Thursday.  Cody is a business major who has also been recognized for his commitment to excellence by earning a spot on NWCCD’s All-Wyoming Academic Team.  Cody has shown great potential and demonstrated outstanding leadership during his time at Gillette College, and his involvement with various on- and off-campus service organizations have bettered the college community and the larger community that surrounds Gillette College. One of Cody’s most visible roles on campus is his leadership position with the Alpha Nu Psi chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, the national honor society for two-year colleges. Inducted in 2010 and elected president for the 2011-2012 school year, Cody has dedicated countless hours of time and energy to make Phi Theta Kappa a highly visible organization to not only the students at the college, but to the local community and even to the state.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                                                                    Feb. 27, 2012

Contact:  Wendy Smith (307) 686-0254 ext. 2801 Email wsmith@sheridan.edu

Jessica Bank (307) 686-0254 ext. 2352 Email jbank@sheridan.edu

Gillette College students host blood drive

The Programming Board, a student activities group at Gillette College, is hosting a blood drive on Monday, March 5 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. in the Technical Education Center.  This event is one of several at the college celebrating the 2012 Rodeo Week themed, “Tough Enough.”  The blood drive, known at the college as the “Are you tough enough to give blood” drive, is something the students feel strongly about.

“The students are passionate about this activity,” said Student Life Coordinator, Jess Bank.  “They are hoping to fill all the slots and offer a service to the community by hosting a blood drive.”

Donors can log on to www.bloodhero.com to schedule an appointment or contact Bank at 686-0254, ext. 2352, or jbank@sheridan.edu to make an appointment.  Walk-ins are also welcome.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                                   February 16, 2012

Contact:         Wendy Smith (307) 674-6446 ext. 2801/Email wsmith@sheridan.edu

Dennis Jacobs (307) 674-6446 ext. 2802/Email djacobs@sheridan.edu

2012 Gillette College Financial Aid Workshop

A workshop to sign up for 2012-13 financial aid and scholarships will be held February 22^nd on the Gillette College campus from 3-7:00 PM. The event will be held in the Main Building room 152. To complete the paperwork onsite please bring in your 2011 W2’s or federal taxes if you have filed.

Event coordinators invite everyone to come and receive help filling out FAFSA and scholarship forms. “Financial Aid can be a difficult and confusing thing for many people. This is why we are inviting anyone to come in for assistance, regardless of the college they will be attending,” says Amanda Steinmetz, Gillette College Director of Financial Aid Services.

The workshop will allow attendees to receive guidance when filling out their 2012-13 FAFSA and when applying for scholarships from Gillette College using the STARS application. As well as receive valuable information about paying for college and have the opportunity to ask experts their questions.

An onsite drawing will be held for those students who attend and fill out their 2012-13 financial aid. The drawing will be for a $250 book voucher good anywhere in Wyoming. Students will also be entered into a statewide drawing for a Challenge Access Grant valued at $1000.

“We would like to remind everyone that priority deadline for Gillette College scholarships is March 1^st,” says Steinmetz. “So please come in and receive guidance through these very important application processes!” For more information contact the Financial Aid office at 307-686-0254 ext. 1420.

The workshop is free of charge and everyone is welcome to attend. Refreshments will be provided.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                                                                                                         February 3, 2012

Contact:       Wendy Smith (307) 686-0254 ext. 2801/Email wsmith@sheridan.edu

Jessica Bank (307) 686-0254 ext. 2352/Email jbank@sheridan.edu

Gillette College and City partner in RecycleMania

Beginning February 5, Gillette College will be teaming up with the City of Gillette to participate in an international recycling tournament known as RecycleMania. The effort is led by the Gillette College Programming Board, which is a club made up of students from Gillette College, along with Michael Foote, the City of Gillette Sustainability Coordinator.

“The City is excited about this extra effort and opportunity for us to encourage responsible stewardship,” said Foote.  “We appreciate the commitment and energy that college students bring to programs like these and look forward to seeing what impact we can make.”

The City will be providing additional recycling containers throughout the duration of the event.

According to the RecycleMania web site, some of the goals for the event include:

• Increase recycling participation by students and staff
• Lower waste generated on-campus by reducing, reusing, and recycling
• Heighten awareness of schools’ waste management and recycling programs
• Use the competition to act as a catalyst for colleges and universities to build and expand waste reduction programs on campus

Gillette College will be hosting a kickoff celebration on Monday, February 6 at 11 a.m. in the GC Main Building Commons.  Refreshments will be served.

“We are looking forward to this event, and hope that we can raise awareness and generate interest in expanding programs such as this,” said Jessica Bank, Gillette College Student Life Coordinator.

For more information, contact Jessica Bank at 686-0254 ext. 2352.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                                                                                                         January  19, 2012

Contact:       Wendy Smith (307) 674-6446 ext. 2801/Email wsmith@sheridan.edu

Dennis Jacobs (307) 674-6446 ext. 2802/Email djacobs@sheridan.edu

NWCCD receives good news regarding accreditation

At a December 19, 2011 meeting, the Institutional Actions Council of the Higher Learning Commission-North Central Association voted to continue the accreditation of the Northern Wyoming Community College District through the Academic Quality Improvement Process (AQIP) with the next reaffirmation in 2018-19.

“This is a significant milestone for our college district,” said President Paul Young.  “We have accomplished a great deal since becoming an AQIP member institution back in 2005 and I am extremely proud of our Trustees, staff, faculty and students.  We simply have an amazing institution and this reaffirmation helps to highlight that fact.”

According to the Higher Learning Commission web site found at www.ncahlc.org, AQIP provides an alternative evaluation process for institutions already accredited by the Commission.  AQIP is structured around quality improvement principles and processes and involves a structured set of goal-setting, networking, and accountability activities.

The reaffirmation is one step in a continuous seven year cycle, explains Young.  “This progressive concept is valuable to our District and will help us continue to meet the rapidly shifting needs of the students, employers, and communities we serve,” said Young.

Part of the AQIP accreditation cycle includes the creation of a dynamic document called the Systems Portfolio.  This document includes an organizational overview as well as specific information on how the institution meets key requirements for accreditation.  It outlines key strategies, goals, challenges, and opportunities the institution faces. This information as well as information about all NWCCD AQIP projects can be found on the web site at www.sheridan.edu/about/aqip.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                                               January 18, 2012

Contact:          Wendy Smith (307) 674-6446 ext. 2801/Email wsmith@sheridan.edu

Dennis Jacobs (307) 674-6446 ext. 2802/Email djacobs@sheridan.edu

NWCCD announces WACCT award nominee

The Northern Wyoming Community College District (Sheridan College and Gillette College) is pleased to announce their nominees for this year’s Wyoming Association of Community College Trustee Leadership Awards.

The Colleges will send a combined six people who were nominated by their peers to this year’s WACCT conference, which will be held in Cheyenne, Feb. 23. One winner in each category will be chosen at the state level, and awards will be presented during the conference.

Faculty and staff were asked to nominate who they thought had “gone the extra mile” in showing support for the goals and overall mission of the college in the following categories: student, classified employee, professional employee, faculty member, trustee leadership, and foundation volunteer.

Criteria for the awards are different for each category, but all the criteria involves excellence in their chosen area, contributions to their community college, service in the community, innovative change and improvement of the college.

The nominee for Student of the Year is Cody Friedlan, a business major at Gillette College who has also been recognized for his commitment to excellence by earning a spot on NWCCD’s All-Wyoming Academic Team.

According to Carol Garcia, NWCCD Dean of Students, “Cody has shown great potential and demonstrated outstanding leadership during his time at Gillette College, and his involvement with various on- and off-campus service organizations have bettered the college community and the larger community that surrounds his campus.”

NWCCD’s Classified Employee of the Year award nominee is Carol Clark, SC Administrative Assistant.  According to her nominating packet, Carol plays a vital role in the positive atmosphere at Sheridan College.  She is in charge of the Information Desk located in the Whitney Building on the SC campus and therefore she is often the first point of contact for anyone with a question.

NWCCD Dean of Enrollment Services, Sharon Elwood, said, “Sheridan College is fortunate to have someone who never seems to have a bad day, always has a smile to share, and is willing to help others.  Carol is always ready with a hot cup of coffee, a warm smile, and an extra bit of energy.”

Beth Walker, Gillette College Director of Advising Services, is NWCCD’s 2012 Professional Employee nominee. Walker also serves as Alpha Nu Psi chapter advisor for the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and is an adjunct instructor in education and leadership courses.

“Beth is an outstanding example of a professional staff member who is committed to helping students fulfill their potential in achieving their educational and personal goals. Beth leads by example and actively advocates on behalf of others through her tireless work with students, the Phi Theta Kappa organization, and the American Cancer Society,” said Dr. Mark Englert, Vice President of Gillette College.

The Faculty Member of the year award nominee for NWCCD goes to Josh Michelena, Construction Technology Instructor.  According to the nomination packet, Michelena’s construction technology classroom exemplifies a dynamic, highly transformative student-centered learning environment.

“Josh Michelena’s enthusiastic leadership is the driving force behind this remarkable program.  He continues to work tirelessly to make NWCCD an outstanding institution,” said Dr. Jon Connolly, Vice President for Academic Affairs.  “Many of his students and colleagues around the state already recognize Josh’s impressive efforts.  He has set himself apart as an outstanding, committed instructor and leader.”

The nominee for the WACCT Trustee Leadership Award is Bruce Hoffman.  Hoffman served as an employee and men’s basketball coach for 35 years prior to his retirement.  He has since served on the board of trustees for 12 years, serving as an officer for eight of those years.

“Bruce has never forgotten his perspective as a teacher and a coach and he brings these to every challenge faced by the board.  He is always the first to raise the question ‘how will this affect students,’” said NWCCD President, Paul Young.

Anne Nickerson, Center for a Vital Community Board Member, is NWCCD’s Foundation Volunteer of the Year nominee.  According to her nomination packet, Nickerson’s skills in providing leadership, offering non-profit support, furthering community initiatives and engaging citizens has made the CVC, Sheridan College and the Sheridan community a better place to live.

“Through the CVC, and Anne’s leadership and vision, Sheridan College furthers our outreach, impact and involvement in the success of the community that is so supportive of our institution,” said CVC Executive Director, Amy Albrecht.