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Outreach News Archive: Feb 04 - May 04
Outreach News - May 17, 2004

Summer Camps Abound on Our Campus
There will be a "plethora" of camps at TAMU-CC this summer. Children looking for a way to productively occupy their time this summer and their parents should check out the list of camps on the Outreach website at www.outreach.tamucc.edu/youthdevhome.html. Offerings vary from studying the stock market to playing sports to engineering projects. Leo de los Santos can tell you more at 5967.

Head Start Learns about Air Quality and Young Children
The Pollution Prevention Partnership held an air quality workshop for 45 Head Start staff in April. A sensitive population that needs to take special precautions on high ozone days as well as under conditions of poor indoor air quality includes the very young and asthmatics. Since the Pollution Prevention Partnership informs the community about air quality, ozone action days, and sensitive populations that need to take special precautions, it was a natural for Head Start staff to learn from Gretchen Arnold. The workshop informed Head Start staff about air quality issues and special precautions they could take, as well as provided them resources for staff to continue to be informed about their "special populations". Gretchen can do the same for your group--just call her at 3070.

AutoCheck Debuts in the Community
AutoCheck will hold the first in a series of car care events beginning May 18; on that day, AutoCheck will be at Academy Sports at 4914 SPID from 8:00-10:00 am and again from 12:00-2:00 pm, providing automotive tune-up and maintenance information to the public and employees of Academy. Similar services will be offered at the Neuces County Courthouse on May 19 and 21. AutoCheck is a state-of-the-art auto engine analyzer capable of measuring the exhaust of passing vehicles to determine the health of the engines. Featuring a large, colorful roadside sign, AutoCheck can be programmed to display messages to motorists in a fun and proactive way to alert them to the air pollution they are creating. To learn more, call Alex McNair at 2197.

Spohn Employees Go Back to College
Carole Peterson, Director of Workforce Development, and Pat Hill, Admissions Counselor, kicked off Spohn's new educational program designed to assist hospital associates further their college education. A variety of entry level credit and non-credit courses are being offered on-site at Memorial Hospital by Del Mar College and TAMU-CC. Dr. Shawn Wahl in Communications is piloting the first TAMU-CC course at Spohn; this course which began May 4 involves interpersonal communications and is customized to the needs of Spohn personnel and their work environment. Students taking the class which ends July 1 are giving Dr. Wahl "rave reviews". Carole can answer your questions at 5966.

Family Life Center Ends School Year with a Bang
During the month of May, participants in the Family Life Center at Haas Middle School engaged in activities ranging from awareness of sexually transmitted diseases to cultural and diversity celebrations to suicidal issues which are often faced by adolescent students. University mentors worked with the middle schoolers, as well as staff from Planned Parenthood. Haas students examined the history and significance of Cinco de Mayo and were allowed to break a pinata as well. University mentors performed a skit on teen suicide and involved the middle school students in a discussion following the skit. You can find out more about this federally-funded after-school program for at-risk students by calling Chris Kowalski at 994-6992.

AutoCheck Makes a National Appearance
AutoCheck made a successful appearance at the Tenth Annual National Clean Cities Conference in Ft. Lauderdale on May 2-5. Parnell USA, the maker of AutoCheck, used TAMU-CC's AutoCheck system to demonstrate how the technology works, as well as the efforts of the Pollution Prevention Partnership. Participants at the Clean Cities Conference ranged from the general public to Clean Cities Coordinators who have as their mission advancing the nation's economic, environmental, and energy security by supporting local decisions to adopt cleaner burning fuels like propane and natural gas. AutoCheck received many compliments on its technology, as well as its ability to run 100% on propane, a clean fuel. Alex McNair has more information--just call him at 2197.

Professional Development Opportunities
Three opportunities exist to expand your professional skills and knowledge; you may contact Carole Peterson at 5966 or at Carole.Peterson@mail.tamucc.edu for more information and for registration. Registration forms are also available at http://cob.tamucc.edu/tder/developmentprograms.htm:

HOW TO ACHIEVE EXCELLENT CUSTOMER SERVICE will be offered on June 4 from 9:00 am-3:00pm. This workshop is based on Peter Drucker's approach to creating and keeping customers, teaching the "why's" and "how's" of excellent customer service. Non-TAMU-CC personnel pay fees of $199, which includes all materials. Group rates are available.

FranklinCovey's SEVEN HABITS OF HIGHLY EFFECTIVE PEOPLE begins on June 8 and runs for 3 weeks on Tuesdays from 9:00 am-4:00 pm. This three-part leadership program examines seven habits which are based on a single premise: effective leadership starts from the inside out. Non-TAMU-CC personnel pay fees of $350, which includes all materials. Group rates are available.

NOW, DISCOVER YOUR STRENGTHS is scheduled for June 11 from 9:00 am-3:00 pm. This revolutionary program uses Gallup's StrengthsFinder to teach you how to develop your unique talents and strengths, as well as those of the people you manage, to achieve exceptional performance. Non-TAMU-CC personnel pay fees of $225, which includes all materials plus the StrengthsFinder profile. Group rates are available.

Outreach News - April 15, 2004

Don't Miss Earth Day/Bay Day
Community Outreach invites everyone to join them for the fun and festivities at Earth Day/Bay Day at Naval Air Station-CC on April 17, Saturday, from 10:00 am-4:00 pm. This regional earth-friendly festival features displays, performances, birding, and other nature-based recreational activities. Community Outreach will be there with its kayak fleet, providing free guided trips. For more information, contact either Jim Needham at 2708 or Carole Peterson at 5966.

AutoCheck Travels to Florida Conference
The Pollution Prevention Partnership's auto engine analyzer system, otherwise known as AutoCheck, is travelling to Ft. Lauderdale for the 10th National Clean Cities Conference on May 2-5. By invitation of ParnellUSA, an Australian-based company responsible for AutoCheck's conversion to dedicated propane fuel use, AutoCheck will be on display for thousands of environmental professionals over the period of this four-day conference. ParnellUSA is the only vehicle conversion company currently working on new Chevrolets. This conference offers the company an opportunity to show off their work and gives the Pollution Prevention Partnership a chance to show off its technology which is one-of-a-kind internationally. Alex McNair will be in Florida at the conference to share information about AutoCheck, present the accomplishments of the Pollution Prevention Partnership, and answer questions; if you have questions, call Alex at 2197.

Spring Adopt-a-Beach Clean-Up
April 24 marks the day for the Spring Adopt-a-Beach Clean-Up from 9:00 am-12:00 noon. Community Outreach is sponsoring the clean-up, along with the Padre Island Kiwanis Club, on Mustang Island and Padre Island from the State Park to the National Seashore. Volunteers will check in at 8:30 am at the Balli County Park Headquarters next to Bob Hall Pier. All supplies will be provided; the Kiwanis Club is giving out free lunch at noon at the Balli County Park Headquarters Pavilion. Jim Needham can give you more detail at 2708.

Public Schoolers Learn about Coastal Ecology
Jay Tarkington of Center for Coastal Studies and Jim Needham recently completed a series of nine coastal ecology field trips for junior and senior high school science classes from around the region. Over 300 students and 30 teachers and administrators participated in the program which combined kayak-based exploration of coastal wetlands with a trip aboard Sea Grant's floating classroom "Karma". This experience is one of several components of the EPA-funded "Gulf Coast Environmental Education Program". Jim can tell you more at 2708.

Professional Development Courses Still Available
You can still register for the professional development courses
listed here by calling Carole Peterson at 5966 or e-mailing her at Carole.Peterson@mail.tamucc.edu; also registration forms are available at http://cob.tamucc.edu/tder/developmentprograms.htm.

Outreach News - March 15, 2004

TAMU-CC Students Recruit High School Students
TAMU-CC through Community Outreach is proud to announce the formation of a Collegiate G Force Chapter. The focus of the G Force is to encourage TAMU-CC students to mentor high school students and share information about going to and getting through college. Eleven local high schools (Moody, West Oso, Alice, Robstown, Mathis, A. C. Jones in Beeville, H. M. King in Kingsville, Flour Bluff, Odem, Sinton, and Aransas Pass) are in the process of establishing their own GO Centers and G Forces. The goal of the statewide campaign is to establish a GO Center in every high school in the state and enroll 300,000 more Texans into higher education than would enroll if current trends continue. If you know of a college student who enjoys working with high schoolers, is an advocate for education, and is willing to share some of his/her time, please have that student contact Leo De Los Santos at 825-5967. Scholarships and stipends are available to college students which is a nice way for students to supplement their incomes. The organization will commence its activities this spring, and faculty and staff assistance would also be appreciated.

Needham Wins Statewide Award from Texas General Land Office
Texas General Land Office Deputy Commissioner Greg Pollock was in Corpus Christi on March 10 to present Dr. Jim Needham with the OSPRA Award for 2003. This award was given for "excellence in oil spill preparedness, prevention, and response" by the Oil Spill Prevention and Response Division of TGLO. Jim's work in designing, constructing, and placing 6 portable oily bilgewater pumpout stations in various locations in the Coastal Bend was recognized by TGLO as a statewide example of how creativity and partnerships can solve environmental issues and prevent oil spills. You can get more information from Jim about his unique oily bilgewater units by calling him at 825-2708.

Communications Students Connect with the Community
Dr. Shawn Wahl and a group of 14 TAMU-CC sophomores successfully launched a pilot project this spring to help Northside community residents learn to use computers. The students are working in teams at the Access Business & Technology Training Center across from Miller High School to provide classroom and individualized instruction to the community learners. This pilot project, which lasts 10 weeks, is currently serving a full class of 8 adult learners, with students rotating the teaching responsibilities. Congratulations to Dr. Wahl and his students!

All America City Decals
You may begin to notice All America City decals on cars and windows around town soon. Gretchen Arnold and the Pollution Prevention Partnership coordinated the funding and distribution of the new decals, after Gretchen's successful participation last summer in the competition which won Corpus Christi the designation as an All America City. The decals remind all of our citizens that as an All America City, Corpus Christi does a great job of working together to address our local needs. The air quality efforts of the Pollution Prevention Partnership were a major deciding factor in the All America City designation for Corpus Christi. If you would like a decal to display, contact Gretchen at 825-3070.

Family Life Center Kicks off a Busy Spring
The after-school, federally grant-funded Family Life Center at Haas Middle School has begun its spring with a bang. The 60+ at-risk youngsters served at the Center learned about advocacy for one's positions by completing projects which centered on some concerns the students held: changing the school cafeteria food, implementing a school recycling program, installing a weight room facility at the school, collecting shoes and clothes for the needy, and organizing a sports program for sixth-grade students. In all groups, the FLC participants circulated petitions, typed requests, and contacted others to garner information and support for their ideas. Each group presented their ideas through speeches, posters, graphs, and surveys to wider audiences. This hard work was rewarded by a field trip to watch the San Antonio Spurs play in San Antonio!

In preparation for Spring Break, the Corpus Christi Police Department was invited to the FLC to conduct a lesson on the dangers of alcohol abuse. Students viewed a video of real stories of victims of drunk driving crashes. Then students experienced the effects of intoxication on vision, coordination, and judgment through "drunk goggles". To learn more about the FLC, contact Chris Kowalski at 994-6992.

Earth Day/Bay Day 2004
Community Outreach invites you to join them and the Naval Air Station-Corpus Christi on April 17 for fun and festivities at Earth Day/Bay Day. The regional festival which reminds all of us to be earth-friendly will be held from 10:00 am until 4:00 pm at NAS-CC and will feature kayaking, birding, and other nature-based recreational activities.

Upcoming Professional Development Courses
Carole Peterson at 825-5966 is working with the Office of Employee Relations, Training, and Development to open up the following courses to the business and general public:

NOW, DISCOVER YOUR STRENGTHS on March 26 from 9:00 am-3:00 pm is a revolutionary program using Gallup's StrengthsFinder™ to teach participants how to develop their unique talents and strengths, as well as those of the people they manage, to achieve exceptional performance. The fee of $350 includes all materials and the StrengthsFinder™ profile. Group discounts are available.

BUILDING TRUST on April 16 from 9:00 am-4:00 pm is a powerful one-day workshop from FranklinCovey™ that teaches managers how to build trust and create sustained positive change in their organizations, resulting in more effective and cohesive work teams. The fee is $275, inclusive of all materials, and space is limited. Group discounts are available.

SHRM ESSENTIALS OF HUMAN RESOURCES begins on April 28 and ends on May 1. This course, developed by the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM), helps human resource professionals learn how to better manage the company's most valuable resource--its people. The essentials of human resource management are introduced, including employment law, effective recruiting, compensation, orientation and training, and ensuring quality performance. Classes are to be held on Wednesday-Friday from 6:00 pm-9:30 pm and conclude on Saturday from 9:00 am-4:00 pm. The fee is $475 including all materials and with group discounts available. SHRM members receive a 20% course discount.

WHO MOVED MY CHEESE?™ is being offered on May 14 from 9:00 am-3:00 PM. According to Peter Drucker, "Every organization has to build the management of change into its very structure". This one-day workshop presents a fun and simple way for individuals and organizations to manage change more effectively. The $325 fee includes all materials, and group discounts are available.

Outreach News - February 13, 2004

Math Counts
The Regional Math Counts competition was held on campus at TAMU-CC on Saturday, February 7. Thirteen middle schools from the region participated in this math contest sponsored by Outreach and the National Society of Professional Engineers. The purpose of Math Counts is to foster advanced math skills of middle school youngsters. Funding and volunteers from Naismith Engineering, Flint Hills Resources, Citgo, Valero, and the Port of Corpus Christi helped to make this competition possible. Winning teams from Flour Bluff Junior High and the Baker Middle School Athena Program will compete at the state level in March; the team from Hamlin Middle School took third place at the regional level and will go to state if one of the two top teams is unable to compete.

National Workforce Development Forum
On March 3-4, "Preparing a Rural Workforce for a Changing Society" will be the focus of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) workforce development forum being held at Texas A&M University-Kingsville. Key themes for the 2004 conference include:
1) regional comprehensive strategic planning,
2) building successful partnerships in rural workforce development,
3) growing an educated rural workforce, and
4) technology innovations in developing a workforce.
This national conference is co-sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor. For more information or to register for the conference, contact Cecilia Rhoades at
cecilia.rhoades@tamuk.edu or Carole Peterson at 5966.

Pollution Prevention Partnership Presents at EPA National Conference
The Pollution Prevention Partnership's air quality and community outreach program has been included by invitation in an EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) national conference in Baltimore on successful air quality programs. Because of P3's local success story, Gretchen Arnold has been asked to share how a variety of public education activities like small business assistance, clean air fairs, lawn mower trade-ins, and teacher workshops have positively impacted the air quality in Corpus Christi. To learn more, call Gretchen at 825-3070.

Covey Professional Development Courses
7 Habits of Highly Effective People begins on February 17 and will run for 3 weeks on Tuesdays from 9:00 am-4:00 pm at TAMU-CC. This three part leadership program examines seven habits which are based on a single premise: effective leadership starts from the inside out. Registrations will be accepted through February 16; the cost is $350 for non-TAMU-CC personnel, including all material costs. Contact Ann Benford at 825-5826 or at
Ann.Benford@mail.tamucc.edu.

4 Roles of Leadership starts on March 11 and runs for 3 weeks on Thursdays from 9:00 am until 3:00 pm at TAMU-CC. This 3-day workshop emphasizes the principles, processes and tools for effective leadership and is taught by a Covey-certified instructor. Cost for non-TAMU-CC personnel is $475; contact person is Ann Benford at 825-5826 or at Ann.Benford@mail.tamucc.edu.

Aligning Goals for Results is a powerful one-day workshop that teaches managers how to focus on the real priorities and then how to use tools and processes to bring a team into alignment with those priorities. For $275, non-TAMU-CC personnel can participate on March 12 from 9:00 am until 3:00 pm; for more information contact Ann Benford at 825-5826 or at Ann.Benford@mail.tamucc.edu.

Human Resource Training
SHRM Essentials of Human Resources and SHRM Learning Systems PHR/SPHR Certification Prep Course are two opportunities to earn Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) recognition for professional development. SHRM Essentials of Human Resources begins on March 4 and will be taught for 6 weeks on Thursdays from 6:00-9:30 pm at TAMU-CC. This is the introductory course teaching the essentials of HR management, employment law, effective recruitment, compensation, orientation and training, and ensuring quality performance. The course costs $475 for non-TAMU-CC personnel with group rates available. Carole Peterson can give you more information at 825-5966 or
Carole.Peterson@mail.tamucc.edu.

Beginning March 6 and proceeding for 6 weeks on Saturdays from 9:00 am until 4:00 pm, SHRM Learning Systems: PHR/SPHR Certification Prep Course prepares HR professionals for the PHR and SPHR certification exms. Using interactive instruction, this 36-hour course is available to non-TAMU-CC personnel for $575. Carole Peterson is the contact at 825-5966 or Carole.Peterson@mail.tamucc.edu.