Congratulations, Graduates
The Center for Students with Disabilities is proud to announce that nineteen students registered with the Center achieved their dream when they graduated with a degree from El Paso Community College May 9, 2008.
Claudia Varela, CSD Student Assistant I from Valle Verde Campus, received a Bachelors degree from UTEP in Special Education during the May 10, 2008 graduation ceremonies. Futhermore, she now has her Texas Teaching Certification in Special Education.
Ivonne Badillo, CSD Sign Language Interpreter, received an Associates of Applied Science degree from EPCC May 9, 2008 during the graduation ceremonies.
Congratulations to Alma Valadez, Valle Verde CSD Campus Representative, who graduated December 2007, from Webster University with a master's degree: Counselor (with an emphasis in mental health).
Gerry Perez, CSD Campus Representative,completed teaching a sign language course for parents and children at Northwest Campus.
Who's Who at CSD
Congratulations to Luisa Lazalde, CSD student at Rio Grande Campus, who received $2,000 from the AARP Foundation Women's Scholarship for the Academic Year 2008-09.
Congratulations to Valerie Simone, Student Assistant I, who was elected Vice-President of the El Paso Community College Student Government Association for the 2008-09 academic school year.
Congratulations to Selene Soria, student, whos poem was published in this years Chrysallis. Congratulations also to Mary Ojeda, Student Assistant I, whose poety and art were also putblished and to Joyce Whiteside, CSD Instructor, whose photo was included on the back cover of this years Chrysallis.
Congratulations to Amada Marquez, CSD Sign Language Interpreter and Lead Interpreter, who was named the April Employee of the Month at Valle Verde.
Adriana Garcia, CSD Sign Language Interpreter, received the March 2008 El Paso Star Award for her reliability, efficiency, and excellent customer service.
The Cambridge Who's Who has accepted Joyce Whiteside, Instructor for the Center for Students with Disabilities, as a member and will include her in the 2007-08 edition of Who's Who.
The art and poetry of Mary Ojeda, Student Assistant I at Mission del Paso, and the photography of Joyce Whiteside, CSD Instructor, are again published in Chrysalis, the College Literary Journal.
CRLA Renews Certification for CSD Tutoring Program
The College Reading and Learning Association have re-certified the Center for Students with Disabilities tutor training program till June 30, 2012. CSD is authorized to issue CRLA International Tutor Certification at the Regular, Advanced, and Master Levels to tutors who complete the Center's tutor training requirements.
Where Are They Now?
Sheila O Kelly, who wrote Sometimes I Feel Like Writing, is becomming a freelance writer for a major magazine, Slate and Style, that caters to visually impaired persons. Her article will appear in the August 2008 issue. At UTEP, she is also hosting a radio show for people with disabilities. Right now, she is also helping youg people at her church do a show for teens with disabilities.
Paloma Vargas, former CSD Student Assistant, tutored math and science. She is now a Ph.D. candidate at NYU, where she received her Masters of Sciene degree in 2008 from a combined Master/Ph.D. program. She plans on graduating with her Ph.D. in molecular biology from NYU in 2010.
Opportunities
Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities
Email
kruger@gmail.com for more information about this program which provides experiential training in entrepreneurship and small business management to veterans disabled as a result of their service supporting operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. Scholarships for this program are available.
Paso del Norte Youth Leadership Forum
The Paso del Norte Youth Leadership Forum is looking for college level students with disabilities students and volunteers to participate in year round activities. Contact Jill Gomez at 449-4723 (
jillgomez@sbcglobal.net ) or Michelle Robbins at 373-3285.
El Paso Rehabilitation Center Training Tomorrow's Mentors Today
Would you like to mentor high schools tudents with disabilities? The Center is looking for adults 18 years or older that have a disabilitie and are interested in mentoring. For more information contact Lucila Lozano, M.A., LPC at 544-8484 ext. 144.
On May 12, 2008, The Center for Students with Disabilities joined with fellow Student Serices Departments for a one day training on the theme "Students First." The guest speaker was Darrell "Coach" Andrews, noted consultant, speaker, and author. Six new tutors received a day of training on May 13th ,and six tutors ready for the master level training received training on May 14th.
Video Relay Services
Video Relay is available at the Center for Students with Disabilities and at all the campus libraries to facilitate phone calls for the deaf community. It is a video telephone. Deaf persons can contact each other and sign into a camera to communicate. They can also use video relay to communicate with hearing persons. The hearing person calls 1-866-327-8877 and gives the name and number of the deaf person they want to call. An interpreter comes on the screen who signs what the hearing person is saying and, in turn, voices what the deaf person is communicating.
New Faculty Development Expo
Jan Lockhart, CSD Director, Joyce Whiteside, CSD Instructor, and Michelle Adjemian, student and CSD Lab Assistant, provided information about the Center of Students with Disabilities for new instructors at the New Faculty Development Expo held January 8, 2007. During the evening sessions, Joyce Whiteside and Jan Lockhart, CSD Director, acquainted new instructors with the services provided by the Center for Students with Disabilities.
EPCC Starts Driver's Ed for Students with Disabilities
In July 2007, EPCC started driver's education for students with disabilities. Ms. Annette Sar is the first student to learn how to drive using a car equipped with hand controls for students who are wheelchair users.
CRLA Tutor Certification
On May 13, 2008, Nine tutors earned the CRLA Advanced Level II Tutor Certification. Congratulations to Jessica Flores, Laura, Gomez, Kelcey Harris, Jesus Llamas, Georgina Ruiz, Ruben Terrazas, Mike Trejo, Rodolfo Viado, and John Webber. Also, on May 13, 2008, six tutors earned the CRLA Regular Level I Certification. Congratulations to George Moech, Sylvia Morales, Janie Seeber, Valerie Simone, Diane Vargas, and Jualian Velasquez.
Student Received Job Through Workforce Recruitment
Eraclio Diaz, who participated in the Workforce 2007 Recruitment Program, was hired at Ft. Bliss by the Department of Defense in the Army. Mr. Diaz is continuing his employment while attending classes full time at EPCC. He works at the Moral Welfare Recreational Division which provides recreational services to military families and community. He has met wonderful people and enjoys working with them. Mr. Diaz says that the WRP program played a big role in placing him in this job and would encourage all students with disabilities to apply. He thinks it will give students an opportunity to grow while possibly opening doors for their future. He has recently been moved into a permanent position as an administrating clerk.