The Communicator - 08/31/09
Posted on August 31, 2009
Filed under Communicator
OCCC Hits Record Enrollment
As the fall 2009 semester began, it was evident that enrollment at Oklahoma City Community College is one for the record books. More than 14,000 students are in class at OCCC this semester, representing roughly an 18 percent increase over last year. Counting all students who will attend this coming year, the college expects the annual enrollment to top 20,000–continuing as the fifth largest college or university in Oklahoma.
Dr. Paul Sechrist says the spike is mostly due to the tightening job market. “OCCC is one of the most affordable options for college in the state of Oklahoma. We have a solid reputation of providing excellent preparation for either transferring students to a university or into a profession that requires additional education beyond a high school diploma,” Sechrist said.
OCCC students are excited about seeing so many people on campus. “It means that more people are bettering themselves,” Melyssa Ray, a sophomore at OCCC, said. “An education changes everything for you; you can do so much more with your life once you have a college degree.”
In the 37 year history of OCCC, the school has seen similar increases in enrollment, mostly during times of economic crisis, but this fall semester’s increase is the largest in more than two decades.
Normally, OCCC’s enrollment numbers increase in the weeks following the start of semester as more working students are able to adjust their schedules for classes, but the college is already reaching capacity. “We were seeing our classes fill up in the first few days of enrollment,” said Max Simmons, OCCC Dean of Science and Mathematics. “When the semester started Monday, we had literally only a few open seats left.”
Dylon Sisson was among those who started at OCCC this fall. He is studying Aviation and Business Management. “I’m here for a career change. I attended college after high school, but that was a long time ago. There’s a lot more you need to know today. Many of my friends are running into the very same problem. I’m glad to be back and I’m motivated by opportunities a career change will allow.”
“I love this school; I’d get my master’s degree here if I could,” said sophomore nursing student, Casey Cody. “I’ve been here for nearly three years and I love seeing the coffee shop area and the hallways packed.”
In recent years, OCCC has expanded, adding new buildings and facilities. Last year, the college unveiled two new buildings, the Health Professions Center and the Visual and Performing Arts Center.
Even with the new facilities, Sechrist says OCCC may be nearing capacity. “The deans, faculty, and staff have worked very hard to handle this historic increase in students, but we may have reached our limit. To continue this growth, OCCC needs a significant increase in facilities, faculty, and staff.”
Along with other state colleges and universities, OCCC did not raise tuition or fees for this academic year, and was able to retain and add staff members thanks to an infusion of federal stimulus money in the higher education budget, a tight fix that is working for now.
Fall Fitness Lineup; All Ages Welcome
The Recreation and Fitness Department at Oklahoma City Community College has announced a new fall lineup of fun fitness classes for adults, kids and the entire community.
For active senior adults, a variety of classes have been planned including Active Adults Strength Training; Walk Fit Club; Zumba Gold; and Water Exercise (shallow and deep water).
Daily function improves with exercises that target flexibility and range of motion. With the work out designed in the Strength Training class at OCCC, individuals will receive functional stretching lessons, and strengthening and core exercises to get the day started right.
ZUMBA Gold, OCCC’s hottest new Latin flair dance class is also intended for active adults and will include lots of laughs and dancing for seniors in and around a stationary chair.
New classes for the energetic, self-motivated adults include Total Body Work Out, Spin Class, Walk Fit Club, Zumba and Holiday Boot Camp.
The Total Body Workout class will build lean muscle, help boost the metabolism and burn calories. Exercisers can expect to work the entire body with squats, crunches, steps, pushups, weights and more. This four week class is an upbeat way to achieve your exercise goals. Join the class and start shedding stubborn pounds, building muscle and toning your trouble zones by finding the right moves for your body.
OCCC’s Wellness Center recently acquired Official Spinning Center status. As well, OCCC spinning enthusiasts will enjoy this fun way to work out. Enroll early to reserve your bike for class.
Let’s not leave out the youngest members of the family. Because childhood obesity has both immediate and long-term health impacts, now is the time to engage children in activity that is good for the body and the mind. The Kids Fitness Series at OCCC includes Tiny Tot Tumbling, Kid Fit, Recess, Vitamins and Vegetables and Yoga/Pilates.
For complete class times, costs and how to enroll, please log on to http://www.occc.edu/RF, or call the Recreation and Fitness Department at ext. 7860.
Arts and Crafts and Music, Oh My
Hand-made crafts, talented vocal performances and mouthwatering menu specialties are all on tap for the 31st annual Arts Festival Oklahoma (AFO), scheduled for Labor Day weekend, Sept. 5 - 7, here on campus.
A celebration of visual, performing and culinary arts, the festival will include more than 100 visual artists, non-stop entertainment, a wide variety of food booths, and a children’s tent with hands-on arts and crafts.
Visual artists from all over the country will combine to offer a diverse collection of pottery, sculptures, paintings, photography, glasswork, jewelry, woodwork and many other handmade crafts. As well, look forward to the broad variety of performing artists that will grace two separate stages over the three-day festival.
Bring the kids and come hungry. The children’s tent will keep little hands busy with interactive crafts, while 12 different food vendors cook up something for every palate.
Festival hours are Sat., Sept. 5 and Sun., Sept. 6 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Mon., Sept. 7, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For more information, call 405-682-7576 or visit the Arts Festival Oklahoma web site at www.occc.edu/afo.
Angel is Here to Help
A new semester brings an upgraded version of the college’s learning management software, ANGEL 7.4. For the first time, ANGEL sections will also be available for all classes, online and on campus.
To meet the increased need for training, OCCC has subscribed to Evergreen Training. The online format provides access to both full-time and adjunct faculty on an as-needed basis. ANGEL’s website indicates that each Evergreen Training module features a variety of teaching methods in order to meet the needs of different types of learners, including:
If you need assistance locating or using the online training, contact Bill Hill at bhill@occc.edu .
This Week’s Training Sessions
Take advantage of professional development opportunities provided through the college’s training program. Please be aware of the following training sessions scheduled for August 18-21, 2009.
Datatel Retention Product
Course Number: TEC-1007-002
Date: Tuesday, September 1
Times: 9:30 AM-10:30 AM
Location: LB - 101
Presenter: Turner, Mary A
Datatel Retention Product
Course Number: TEC-1007-003
Date: Wednesday, September 2
Times: 11:00 AM-12:00 PM
Location: LB - 101
Presenter: Turner, Mary A
Datatel Retention Product
Course Number: TEC-1007-004
Date: Thursday, September 3
Times: 3:00 PM-4:00 PM
Location: LB - 101
Presenter: Turner, Mary A
A comprehensive catalog of the training sessions can be found on http://www.occc.edu/wow.
GET TO KNOW…
Margy Davis
Position:
Secretary
Department:
Cultural Programs - Community Development
How long have you worked for OCCC:
18 Years
Previous Jobs:
Sonic, Mazzios, Being a Mom
Family:
Spouse, Joe; Children; Sherri Lynn and Steven Alan; Grandkids; Dale, Bre, Braeden and one on the way
Pets:
Trixie, a Maltese/Shitzu/Pembrook Welch Corgi
Hobbies:
Reading, spending time with family, reading, camping and more reading!
Famous Favorite Saying/Quote:
“Old age ain’t no place for sissies!”
- Bette Davis
Happy Birthday
Kimberly Collins - 8/31
Brenda Breeding - 9/1
Jennifer Wood - 9/2
Kristal Cantwell - 9/2
Sarah McElvany - 9/4
Rhonda Cantrell - 9/5
Robert Lane - 9/5
Anita Philipp - 9/7
Paige Landreth - 9/7
Vicky Davidson - 9/7
