H igh-risk drinking is considered one of the most serious health risks facing young adults. This behavior includes “binge drinking, under-age drink-

ing, drinking and driving, and drinking in combination with the use of other drugs,” as defined in the grant application “High Risk Drinking Prevention Services: Community College Settings”. While much attention has been focused on drink-ing at four-year institutions, research shows that high-risk drinking is also an issue at community colleges. But how many young adults engage in high risk drinking, what kind of high-risk drinking, and what factors lead to this behavior?

The Orange County High-Risk Drinking Prevention Program is attempting to find out using a non-traditional grant funded by the County of Orange Health Care Agency Alcohol and Drug Education and Prevention Team.

In Phase One, surveys were conducted in Spring 2006 among 1,500 students across the SAC and SCC campuses. Phase Two will be to identify and implement strategies to reduce high-risk drinking among our current students and to raise awareness designed to reduce these behaviors among future students.

“Helping faculty and staff obtain grants that can impact the lives of our students is truly gratifying. These are real-life issues that are fundamental not only to our students’ academic success, but also to their success in life,” says Janie Marcus, director of Resource Development/Grants.

Connection “ P r o m o t i n g s t u d e n t s u c c e s s a n d c o m m u n i t y v i t a l i t y ”

RSCCD EDUCATIONAL SERVICES

S ince it was formed in 2001, the Educational Services Division has continued to “promote student success and community vitality” by being

a resource for YOU, our faculty and staff. We are here to support your efforts and to facilitate YOUR successes.

From students and instructors whose art brighten our halls to the talents of innovative RSCCD faculty and staff who are pursuing non-traditional grants, and also to colleges preparing for re-accreditation, we are here to serve you and the learning community.

D I V I S I O N C E L E B R AT E S TA L E N T S A N D O P P O R T U N I T I E S

I n October, Susan Wahl was named the 2006 Story Reader Preschool Teacher of

the Year for California. Wahl is Santa Ana College’s (SAC) Centennial Child Development Center’s assistant director.

This is one of four RSCCD Child Development Centers, located in Santa Ana and Orange, serving approximately 600 children.

“Our staff nominated Susan for this award because of her willingness to help and the inspiring role model that she provides,” said Veronica MacKenney, Director of SAC’s CCDC.

In August 1996, Wahl joined the Centennial Child Development Center as assistant director/head teacher where she plans the educational program for 45 two-to-five-year-olds, trains, mentors and supervises student assistants and teachers, conducts parent conferences, and helps promote a positive self-image in children.

Pre-School Teacher Susan Wahl Wins Prestigious Award

L ooking for fine art and unique gifts? Check out the multi-media art exhibit “On the

Wall in the Hall” installed in the corridors of the Educational Services Division on the third floor of the RSCCD District Office at 2323 N. Broadway.

The exhibit, which opened on Oct. 23, showcases some of the finest work of SAC and SCC students! And while you’re on the third floor, head over to the new Decision Room to view the Santa Ana College photography exhibit assembled by SAC photography instructor Phil Marquez.

EDUCATIONAL SERVICES Connection Page 2

D r o u g h t - r e s i s t a n t p l a n t s :

Laurel Sumac

Golden Currant

Black Sage

Desert Willow

Wild Lilac

Scarlet Larkspur

Coyote Mint

Coral Bells

Child Development Services is pioneering a new program at the Orange Education Center to help improve parenting skills and increase parental involvement in their child’s education.

Parents participating in this pilot program spend at least three hours every month in their child’s class-room. Increasing the level of parental involvement is a priority of the new Family Services Manager Gina Villarraga and her interns (clockwise) Veronica Chavez, Jeremy Quiambao, and Gloria Perez.

Resource Development (Grants Department) and the

colleges are pursuing a variety of non-traditional grants

that offer exciting benefits and opportunities.

Successes to date include a “city makeover” that will

help create a drought-resistant demonstration garden at

SCC, grants to reduce high-risk drinking among college

students and encourage tobacco-free communities, and

an Americorps grant to mentor foster youth.

Do you see a need or have an idea that could benefit our

learning community? Let’s “think outside the box”—there

may be a grant for that!

The Research Department will be surveying all SAC faculty and staff this spring to assist in self-study preparations for accreditation, which will take place at both colleges in 2007-08. The accrediting commission has slightly advanced SCC's self-study calendar to coincide with that of SAC, and both colleges will be visited by accreditation teams in fall '08. Look forward to receiving a survey in March!

. . . B R E A K I N G N E W S . . . B R E A K I N G N E W S . . . B R E A K I N G

SAC SCC Full re-accreditation

received

“Abbreviated” Self-Study

Self-Study

Accreditation Visiting Teams at each college

Full re-accreditation received

Page 3 EDUCATIONAL SERVICES Connection

Existing space in the business incubator at the new Digital Media Center is almost filled to capacity, says Director Bart Hoffman. Since the DMC opened in September, businesses like Clupedia (right) have expanded into several spaces and others are also seeking admission.

“We are moving forward to build out the incubator to meet growing demand as quickly as possible,” Hoffman says.

The regional Center for Excellence, hosted at RSCCD, is developing a website where California businesses can get information about the statewide economic and workforce development program and resources delivered through the California community colleges.

The website is currently under construction.

The Workplace Learning Resource Center (WPLRC) now offers a “Continuous Performance Improvement” certificate to those who complete four workshops that are designed to improve and enhance employee skills.

International students applying to colleges and universities in the U.S. can take the required TOEFL test at our ACT Center. This is one of a growing number of innovative, fee-based learning and testing services available through the multi-faceted ACT Center, which also offers distance learning and workplace/employment-targeted assessments.

Come and meet some of our helpful staff: Jason Linnen, Gregg James, and Quang Vu.

. . . N E W S . . . B R E A K I N G N E W S . . . B R E A K I N G N E W S . . .

T he Educational Services Division

includes six departments with

complementing areas of expertise

and focus. The Division is structured to

encompass programs created to serve our

growing community of learners.

Since it was formed in October 2001 under

the leadership of Assistant Vice Chancellor

Julie Slark, the Division has demonstrated

its ability to be flexible and to accommo-

date new opportunities, changes, and

challenges.

Assistant Vice Chancellor Slark also

works with the colleges to help them

maintain accreditation, facilitates district

planning , and maintains the board

policies and administrative regulations

of the District.

Page 4 EDUCATIONAL SERVICES Connection

Previous issues can be found at : http://www.rsccd.org/

EdNewsletters

...(WpLRC) is part of a state-wide network that provides employee assessment and customized training for the employees of all types of businesses and companies.

www.rsccd.org/wlrc

...provides business development education, leadership, and resources for creating innovative digital media businesses.

www.dmc-works.com

...works closely with the Orange County community colleges to assess local workforce needs and to market the community college business support services within the region.

www.rsccd.org/COE

...conducts research to provide decision-making support to the District, colleges, and depart-ments. Regularly evaluates measures of student success, student enrollment and demographics, and population trends. Responds to government-mandated compliance reporting.

www.rsccd.org/Research

...helps those seeking grants to develop competitive proposals and manage grants effectively after receiving funding.

www.rsccd.org/ResourceDevelopment

...provides child care at four centers for children six months through five years of age. Priority is given to college students. Fees are based on income and service needed.

www.rsccd.org/ChildDevelopmentServices

O U R P R O G R A M S A T A G L A N C E

Resource Development

DISTRICT OPERATIONS CTR SUITE 350 2323 NORTH BROADWAY SANTA ANA, CA 92706-1640 Phone: 714-480-7460 Fax: 714-796-3921

We welcome your comments/questions/ visits. Email: slark_julie@rsccd.org

R S C C D

E D U C A T I O N A L

S E R V I C E S

Functioning as a corporate university within the WpLRC, the nationwide ACT Center network delivers computer-based testing and provides online training services to individuals, employers, and professional organizations.

www.rsccd.org/ACTCenter