you can sponsor taste…

As the foundation previously blogged, A Taste for Learning returns Saturday, April 2, 2011 to the Rosen Shingle Creek – thank you Rosen for hosting our event for a third year now!

an international wine sampling & auction

This joint philanthropic event between Valencia Community College and University of Central Florida will benefit our 2+2 scholarships for DirectConnect, which guarantees Valencia graduates a seat at UCF.

This event is truly a remarkable social event. Vintners from around the around the globe bring their finest wines and spirits (thank you ABC Fine Wine and Spirits) local donor chefs fire up the grills to provide their best cuisine, and hundreds of supporters gather for an evening of fellowship and shopping for gifts, trips and experiences. The formula unites partners who donate every product for the event, including the venue, media, décor, food, wine and auction items. The result? 100 percent of all sponsorships, tickets and auction receipts will go directly to scholarships and is eligible to earn dollar-for-dollar match through the state of Florida First Generation in College matching grant program, doubling a donor’s investment.

Please join us by inviting friends and colleagues, sponsoring a table and contributing auction items.

Become a Sponsor    
Become  a Service-In-Kind Sponsor   
Become a Silent Auction Gift-In-Kind Sponsor

Tickets go on sale soon! Check out www.valencia.org/taste or call 407.582.3150 for more details.

We hope to see you April 2!!!

Remember: 100 percent of each dollar given for tickets, auction items and sponsorships goes to scholarships and is eligible to earn dollar-for-dollar match through the state of Florida First Generation in College matching grant program, doubling your investment.

reminder: carousel at valencia (last weekend!)

CAROUSEL
October 28-31, 2010

Book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II
Music by Richard Rodgers
Based on Ferenc Molinar’s play “Lilion” as adapted by Benjamin F. Glazer
Performing Arts Center on Valencia’s East Campus

(The Saturday, Oct. 30 performance will be American Sign Language interpreted.)

Regular ticket prices are $10 for students, seniors, Valencia faculty and staff and $12 for general admission. Tickets can be purchased by calling the box office at 407-582-2900, or at www.redchairproject.com.  Performances are at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 28, 29, and 2 PM Oct. 31, at the Performing Arts Center on East Campus.

See the full schedule of Arts and Entertainment events at www.valenciacc.edu/arts.

announcing the get schooled college affordability challenge

We’re pleased to announce the Get Schooled College Affordability Challenge — a national competition created in partnership with MTV for current and aspiring college students to reengineer the financial aid process.

The goal of the Challenge is to receive proposals for new digital tools that will help simplify the task of acquiring financial aid, particularly for low- and middle-income college students. This project underscores our commitment to provide innovative solutions that connect students to college success.

Singer and education advocate John Legend announced the challenge at Howard University on Sept. 16, while serving as a “stand in” professor for the day. MTV has since broadcast mtvU “Stand In” to more than 750 college campuses.

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan participated in a press conference with the College Board and MTV on Oct. 4 to discuss the critical importance of higher education, a new study on the value of a college diploma, and the Challenge.

MTV General Manager Stephen Friedman said, “MTV is proud to join forces with the College Board to leverage our reach with young people nationwide to harness their creativity and make financial aid more accessible … Our hope is that this Challenge will empower students to take advantage of opportunities that can open doors to higher education.”

The Challenge’s call for submissions will run from Sept. 16 to Dec. 17, 2010. We’ll be represented on the panel of judges for the winning designs. In late January, we’ll unveil the three finalist concepts. These finalists will have the opportunity to work with world-class innovation firm frog design to iterate their ideas during a two-week period of intense creative collaboration. The winning individual or team will be rewarded with $10,000 and see their idea brought to life by MTV, the College Board and the Gates Foundation, with a development budget of up to $100,000. The final winning design will be announced in the spring of 2011.

dance on display

Valencia to Showcase Student Choreography

Valencia will present the 12th annual Choreographers’ Showcase on Friday, November 19 and Saturday, November 20 at 8:00 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center on Valencia’s East Campus, located at 701 North Econlockhatchee Trail in Orlando.

The event provides a creative outlet for Valencia dance students to showcase their choreography in a variety of genres. In addition, dancers from the University of Florida School of Theatre and Dance will join Valencia students on the stage this year.

Ticket prices are $8 for the general public and $6 for senior citizens and Valencia students, faculty and staff. To order, please call the Performing Arts Center Box Office at 407-582-2900 between the hours of 11:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Source:  Marketing & Strategic Communications

degree choice: AA or AS

Want to understand the difference between Valencia’s degree acronyms?  Continue reading or check out the video below for highlights of our AA, AS and AAS academic degree abbreviations.

The A.A. / general studies degree prepares you to transfer to a Florida public university as a junior. As an A.A. student, there are ways to focus in on your intended major. You can follow a transfer plan or choose a pre-major which will help you meet most upper division pre-reqs.

The A.S. degree prepares you to enter a specialized career field. It also transfers to the B.A.S. (Bachelor of Applied Science) program offered at some universities. If the program is “articulated,” it will also transfer to a B.A. or B.S. degree program at a designated university.

The A.A.S. degree prepares you to enter a specialized career field. This degree does not transfer to a university.

 

To receive more information about Valencia, please choose the category that best describes you from the list below. If you would like to complete an application for admission, please click here.

First Time in College
International Student
Transfer Student

endowed chair program

Valencia educators are encouraged to remain current and continually improve discipline knowledge. The endowed chair program at the Valencia Foundation, with support and resources from many community partners, provide Valencia faculty the opportunity to examine the effectiveness of their teaching, counseling, librarianship and assessment techniques as they influence student learning. 2009-2010 overview of winners:

Meet This Year’s Endowed Chair Distinguished Professors

Developing for the Droid
Dr. Colin Archibald, Computer Programming

Always one to embrace new technology, “Dr. A” is working on ways to incorporate smart phones into his coursework. Currently, he’s learning how to program for the Android operating system so that he can create online teaching materials, including screen-casts, for smart phones. He is also working on programming his own application to be sold on the Android market.

 

Bringing Feature Films to Valencia
Ralph Clemente, Film Production

Ralph Clemente is a well-known name in the Florida film scene. As director of Valencia’s film program for more than 20 years, he’s brought over 35 feature film projects to Valencia, giving students the opportunity to work on-set, right alongside industry professionals. Each year, the Valencia Film Celebration showcases the latest Valencia film project as well as a variety of short subject films produced by students.

Managing Online Math Courses
Dr. Fitzroy Farquharson, Mathematics

Dr. Farquharson is currently developing a web-based program that will help students determine whether or not they are prepared to take math courses online. This way students will know what to expect from an online math course as opposed to one taught in the classroom and can decide if it’s the right mode of instruction for them. Dr. Farquharson also serves as a mentor for Valencia’s Bridges to Success program and has been named to Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers.

Researching the Holocaust

Richard Gair, English and Reading

To bring first-hand experience to his course, Multimedia Literature and the Holocaust, Professor Gair has traveled the world to areas impacted by the Holocaust, including leading students on a study abroad trip to Poland and the Czech Republic. This past summer, he went to Israel to study at Yad Vashem, the world center for documentation, research, education and commemoration of the Holocaust, and to serve for the third time as a volunteer for the Israeli Army.

Taking Hospitality Students to NYC

Jim Inglis, Hospitality Management

This fall, Professor Inglis will take a group of 12 hospitality students to the International Hotel and Restaurant Show in New York City where they will get to meet industry experts, witness culinary competitions and tour several hotels and restaurants. Inglis, who is on the Board of Directors for the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, also took 100 students to the Florida Restaurant Show this year. He is currently helping to start a student chapter of the FRLA at Valencia.

Creating Creative Writers

Dr. Ilyse Kusnetz, English

To teach students in her Composition I and II classes about different elements of literature, Dr. Kusnetz has them write their own poems and stories. This way, students don’t just learn to identify elements such as figurative language, symbolism, setting, and allusion, but to use them as well. Dr. Kusnetz is also exploring the possibility of launching an A.A. degree in creative writing at Valencia.

Putting the App in Apple

Dr. Lisa Macon, Information Technology

Dr. Macon is currently helping to create a new certificate program in mobile applications programming. The program will teach students how to create and distribute iPhone and Android applications. Dr. Macon, who represents the Apple side of the project, is currently learning more about the process by developing her own iPhone and iPad applications to be distributed on the iTunes App Store. Dr. Macon also specializes in online learning, virtual worlds, and technology careers for women.

Adding More Multimedia Offerings

Robert McCaffrey, Digital Media Technology

Professor McCaffrey teaches several of the production, motion graphics and post-production classes at Valencia and also serves as the program chair for Digital Media. He has produced and written several short films, as well as a feature-length horror film, “Vampire Rock.” Currently, he is working to create a web development specialization to be offered through the Digital Media program.

Taking Chefs to Chicago

Pierre Pilloud, Culinary Management

Swiss-born and trained, Chef Pierre is a phenomenal chef and instructor who is also known for his sense of humor. In addition to helping students hone their skills in the kitchen, he teaches them about the restaurant industry as a whole. In 2011, he’ll take a group of students to the National Restaurant Association show in Chicago to attend seminars, meet industry professionals and learn about the restaurant business.

Crossing Borders in Education

Dr. Yasmeen Qadri, Education

To help students gain cross-cultural and inter-faith understanding, Dr. Qadri will take two of them to Pakistan for a week to visit schools built by author and humanitarian, Greg Mortenson. Since 1994 he has established over 180 schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan, providing an education to over 51,000 children, with an emphasis on girls who have very few educational opportunities.

Bringing Guest Dancers to Valencia

Dr. Suzanne Salapa, Dance

To expose students to innovative and diverse choreographic approaches, Dr. Salapa likes to bring renowned guest artists to Valencia to both perform and teach. This year’s guest artist is Robert Battle, founder of Battleworks Dance Company, who will teach a series of master classes focusing on the heritage and history of his dance company.

Combining Culture with Language

Richard Sansone, Portuguese

Professor Sansone believes that learning about a people’s culture goes hand-in-hand with learning their language. To help students gain a better understanding of both, he leads study abroad trips to Brazil and also organizes the annual Valencia Brazilian Film Festival. Next up, he is planning a trip to Portugal and the Portuguese-speaking African country of Cape Verde, where he will study the language and culture, collect audiovisual materials and gain first-hand experiences to share with students.

congratulations

Congratulations to our Valencia Foundation President and CEO, Geraldine Gallagher for receiving the Women’s Achievement Award in Education at the 39th annual Women’s Executive Council luncheon.

 

Additional kudos to Ilene Wilkins, President UCP of Central Florida for her dedication and volunteer service she received Central Florida Woman of the Year.

With thanks to all of the 2010 honorees for your support within of our community: 

– Hillary Bressler, .Com Marketing, Inc., Founder and CEO

– Christi Ashby, Editor, Owner of Orange Appeal Magazine

– Elinor Steele Zegelbone, VP Global Comm and PR, Tupperware Brands

– Leigh Ann Horton, Advantage Integration Technology

– Eva Krzewinski, Pearls for Women

– Geraldine Thompson, Representative District 39

– Geraldine Gallagher, President and CEO, Valencia Foundation

– Laura Lee Shields, Bodiford Law Group

WEC’s first annual Women’s Achievement Week was held in 1972 honoring women in the categories of Arts & Science, Business, Community Service, Education, Government, Communications and Downtown Woman of the Year.  The program was expanded in 1987 to include awarding of scholarships to deserving students enrolled in our local colleges.

The 2010 Women’s Executive Council scholarship recipients included Valencia students Deborah Bukowski and Francoise Kogan with additional community scholarships to Randi Alberry, Traci Campana, Jaquelyne Fulco, Alice Pham Le, Tracey Oliver, Marie Sabbagh, Lynn Slivinski and Haydee Torres.  We wish you all great success as you pursue your academic goals!

author richard bausch to speak at valencia west campus

Richard Bausch, prize-winning novelist and short story writer, will read from his works on October 14 from 1 to 2 p.m., followed by a book signing, in the West Campus Library at Valencia Community College.

The event is free and open to the public.

Bausch currently serves as the Moss Chair of Excellence in the writing program at The University of Memphis. He is the author of 11 novels and eight collections of stories. His novels include “Rebel Powers,” “In the Night Season,” “Hello to the Cannibals,” “Thanksgiving Night” and “Peace;” and the story collections “Spirits,” “Someone to Watch Over Me,” “The Stories of Richard Bausch,” “Wives & Lovers: 3 Short Novels,” and most recently, “Something is Out There.” His novel, “The Last Good Time,” was made into a feature-length motion picture that was directed by Bob Balaban starring Armin Meuhler-Stahl, Maureen Stapleton and Lionel Stander, and released in April 1995.

An acknowledged master of the short story form, Bausch’s work has appeared in The Atlantic Monthly, Esquire, Harper’s, The New Yorker, Playboy, The Southern Review, The Best American Short Stories, O. Henry Prize Stories and The Pushcart Prize Stories. He has won two National Magazine Awards, a Guggenheim Fellowship, a Lila-Wallace Reader’s Digest Fund Writer’s Award, the Award of the American Academy of Arts and Letters, the 2004 PEN/Malamud Award for Excellence in the Short Story, and for “Peace,” the Dayton Literary Peace Prize.

For information, contact Nichole McPherson at 407-582-3121 or nmcpherson@valenciacc.edu. Bausch’s appearance is part of Visions and Voices, the college’s distinguished artist series.

The West Campus is located at 1800 S. Kirkman Rd. in Orlando.

Source: Marketing and Strategic Communications, Valencia Community College; Valencia News; http://news.valenciacc.edu

it’s official!!!

an international wine sampling & auction

A Taste for Learning returns Saturday, April 2, 2011 to the Rosen Shingle Creek.

Vintners from around the world will donate and pour their finest wines, thanks to ABC Fine Wine & Spirits. Hundreds of wines will be available. Please join us by inviting friends and colleagues, sponsoring a table and contributing auction items.

This joint philanthropic event between Valencia Community College and University of Central Florida will benefit our 2+2 scholarships for DirectConnect, which guarantees Valencia graduates a seat at UCF.

Remember: 100 percent of each dollar given for tickets, auction items and sponsorships goes to scholarships and is eligible to earn dollar-for-dollar match through the state of Florida First Generation in College matching grant program, doubling your investment.

For more information, please visit www.valencia.org/taste or call the foundation at 407.582.3150.

And as an added bonus,  when you buy select products during the month of October, ABC Fine Wine & Spirits will donate to the Valencia Foundation. See ABC stores for product information.

congrats to Valencia culinary and pastry students

Congratulations to all of our Valencia Culinary and Pastry Students who participated in the ACF State Competition this year at the Restaurant and Lodging Show (September 12-14). Valencia was well represented and we are proud of everyone! Thank you to all of the Chef’s that helped coach our students and let them shine!

Individual Student Pastry Category: Jessica Laconis, 1st place, gold medal; Rosanda P. Williams, 2nd place, silver medal; Alexia Votaw, 3rd place, bronze medal, Caitlin Shelby, certificate; Claudia (last name unknown), certificate.

Junior Team Competition: 3rd place, silver medal – Jill Holland (Captain), appetizer; Michael Smith, salad; David Santiago, entrée; Rosanda P. Williams, dessert; Amanda McGlothlin, alternate.

Professional Category-Signature Beef Competition: Jill Holland, 6th place, silver medal; Amanda McGlothlin, certificate.

Again, Congratulations to all that participated!

Source: The Bulletin, Tuesday October 4, 2010

enjoy the music of Carousel

The Valencia Character Company will kick off its 2010-11 theater season with the classic, award-winning musical, “Carousel,” with book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II and music by Richard Rodgers.

“Carousel” tells the story of mill worker Julie Jordan and her ill-fated love affair with carnival barker Billy Bigelow. The tale is told with the help of a brilliant score of music which includes the songs, “If I Loved You,” “You’ll Never Walk Alone” and the delightful “June is Busting Out All Over,” among others. Composer Richard Rodgers deemed the score his personal favorite of the many he created.

The musical opens on Friday, Oct. 22, with additional performances on Oct. 23, 24, 28, 29, 30 and 31. Curtain time is at 7:30 p.m. for Thursday, Friday and Saturday performances and at 2 p.m. on Sundays.

 The performance on Saturday, Oct. 30 will be American Sign Language interpreted, and there will be a special section of seating reserved for the hearing impaired.

 All performances take place at the Performing Arts Center on Valencia Community College’s East Campus, located at 701 N. Econlockhatchee Trail in Orlando.

 Ticket prices are $12 for general admission and $10 for students, seniors and Valencia staff and alumni. For reservations and further information, please call the Box Office at 407-582-2900. Tickets are also available online at http://www.redchairproject.com. Season tickets for 2010-11 are still available, and can be purchased at the Box Office.

 Valencia’s Artistic Director, Julia Allardice Gagne, will direct the production, with musical direction by Alan Gerber and Tim Hanes and choreography by Lesley Brasseux Rodgers.

For the first time, the resident Valencia dance company will be performing in a Valencia musical. They, with Ms. Brasseux Rodgers, will be recreating some of the original choreography by world renowned and groundbreaking choreographer, Agnes DeMille.

Source: Valencia Marketing & Strategic Communications

Valencia?

WHY VALENCIA??

Are you or someone you know interested in attending Valencia? Perhaps you’re asking yourself, why Valencia?

Well, let’s see…

• Valencia’s tuition is 40% less than a state university’s.
• Valencia is the #1 producer of associate degrees in the U.S.
• Average starting salary for our A.S. and A.A.S. grads is $44,680.
• Valencia is accredited by the Southern Association for Colleges and Schools.
• More than 50,000 students attend Valencia each year.

The Valencia Difference

At Valencia, you’ll get the same quality education available at a state university, only at about half the cost. And, with smaller campuses and classes, you’ll get more support along the way. You’ll also have the flexibility to take classes when and where you want – day, night or weekend at any of our four campuses, or online. And with Flex Start, courses are starting all the time. Then, when you’re finished, you’ll be ready to go straight into a high-skill, high-wage job or transfer to a four-year university as a junior with guaranteed admission.

How’s that to start?

Click here to learn more about student life, get answers to some of our most frequently asked questions, meet some of our faculty and to schedule a campus visit.

We look forward to seeing you on campus!