Tech Services installs snazzy new phone system

VC’s Tech Services staff pose with the DataVox technicians after installing VC’s new phone system at all VC locations.

September/October 2012

New telephones have now been installed and activated at all Victoria College locations. VC’s Technology Services Department, with the help of six DataVox technicians, installed over 500 phones in just five days during the last week of August. The new phone system offers a number

of upgrades, including video phone capability, an easy-to-use directory, caller ID, and call history information. It is also now possible to reach anyone at any VC location by dialing only the four-digit extension. “The new phone system also offers improved voicemail access options,”

said Andy Farrior, Director of Technology Services. “Because the phones are connected through a computer and each phone is tied to an individual, voicemail messages are accessible via e-mail as well as on the phone.”

These features also make it much easier to locate anyone calling in to get HelpDesk assistance, he added. The most important new feature is emergency notification capability. Within the next few months, 21 speakers will be installed outdoors throughout the main campus. Those speakers, combined with the speakers on each of the 525 new phones, will be able to broadcast emergency messages. The new system also allows for more precise location information for 911. “We have the Enhanced 911 feature,” said Farrior. “This means that if someone were to call 911 from one of these phones, emergency response personnel will be able to pinpoint the building from which the call is being made and our Campus Police will be able to pinpoint the exact room.”

Cathy Ivie: $25 Visa Gift Card

Information Booth Volunteer Drawing WinnersCynthia Vivian & Kevin Flowers: VC Mug

Renee Deaver: M&M Popcorn Bucket

Melissa Chadd, Bill Byers & Cara Frederick: Pirate Stress Reliever

Quick Facts• 525newphonesinstalled• 634extensions• 3,000newcableconnections• 6DataVoxtechnicians• 8VCTechServicespersonnel• Installedin5days

Victoria College’s Division of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences includes art, drama, economics, English, geography, government, history, music, psychology, sociology, Spanish, and speech. Cindy Buchholz, who has been with VC for 17 years, has been dean of the division for the past nine years. Sandy Drozd is the division secretary and has been with VC for over 20 years. Because this divison covers a broad

scope of the core curriculum, Buchholz said the division represents a microcosm of college. The division also sees a diverse cross-section of students as many of the departments within the division include gateway courses that students must pass in order to obtain a degree or certificate. According to Buchholz, one of the things that distinguishes her division—and is a hallmark of VC as a whole—is the level of personal involvement she sees from instructors. “We see a lot of students in our classrooms who never thought they’d be able to come to college,” said Buchholz. “Helping these students and seeing them succeed is inspirational for us as educators and for new students just starting in college, whether they’re just out of high school or coming to college years later. Once they see that they can be successful here, they gain the confidence to be successful in everything they do.”

Cindy Buchholz and Sandy Drozd enjoy helping students reach their highest potential.

Compared to other colleges Jeff Hubbard has taught at, Victoria College takes the cake when it comes to academic integrity. “There’s a great deal of emphasis placed on academic integrity here, and that’s really important to me,” said Hubbard, VC’s newest Government in Texas Professor. “There’s a good level of student participation and eagerness to learn that I have not always seen during my teaching career.” Hubbard’s department colleagues have made him feel at home since first meeting him at VC’s Fall Convocation. “I didn’t know anybody when I walked into the auditorium at the Welder Center for Convocation,” he said. “It wasn’t more than a few seconds before one of the professors came to me and said, ‘Come on, you’re with us.’” So far, Hubbard has enjoyed attending community events, such as Goliad’s Market Days and a Victoria Symphony concert. He is looking forward to attending Turkey Fest in Cuero and Bootfest in Victoria. Hubbard was previously a professor

at Coastal Bend College and at Frank Phillips College in the Texas Panhandle.

Employee spotlight: Jeff Hubbard

Jeff Hubbard is VC’s newest government professor.

Division of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences

Employee News If you have not already completed the SANS “Securing the Human” security awareness training video, please note that it is still available for you to access online. The training consists of 27 modules, each averaging three to four minutes in length. The topics include items such as:• UsingEmailSecurity• UsingYourBrowserSafely• Passwords• SmartphoneSecurity• WirelessActivity• SocialNetworking

New Health Plan Benefits

Pirate Portal

Have you checked out the new Pirate Portal? Yourlogininformationwillbethesameas the old portal. Be sure to leave feedback if you find anything that needs to be modified or corrected.

UsethePiratePortalforservicessuchas:

Test drive your new Pirate Portal at:http://myvc.victoriacollege.edu

Division Highlight

• For marketing, send an Event Promotion Request Form

• For technical help, send a Technology Services Request or call 2509 to speak to someone at the HelpDesk

• For help with maintenance, send a Maintenance Request Form

• Enter your timesheet

• Access the Job Classification and Compensation Study documents

Did you know you can get lots of great discounts through the new HealthSelect insurance plan?

Get 10-25% off on health and wellness services such as:

Access more information about the discount program through the Employees Retirement System of Texas website at: http://www.ers.state.tx.us/Employees/Programs/Discounts/

• Weight management programs

• Nutrition counseling

• Fitness clubs

• Fitness equipment and apparel

• Natural products & foods

• Stress reduction and relaxation resources

• Smoking cessation programs

Employee News

Cool Facts about Jeff Hubbard • Did not begin college until age 45

• Has more than 30 different kinds of hats

• Is an avid scuba diver• Is a numismatist (look it up)

• WhileatOhioStateUniversity,was awarded a scholarship for his outstanding singing ability

Employees make a difference

“The Division of Allied Health had five office personnel moving their offices around. I would like for you to know that Edward Gonzales, Paul Janacek, and Aaron Migl were very efficient and got the job done in a timely manner. We were really astonished as to how smoothly the moves went on July 10. We would like to make sure they get the appreciation they deserve. We would like to say thank you, and we really appreciate the hard work they put into these moves.” - Karen Duffie, Administrative Assistant, Division of Allied Health

Compliments from one VC employee to another

“I would like to extend my gratitude for the hard work and dedication of Della Salinas. She is appreciated for the work that she performs with enthusiasm and dependability. Della does not hesitate when it comes to hard work; she arrives very early in the morning to assure the building is clean and ready for faculty and students. She cleans every corner of the building with the upmost attention to detail and provides what seems to be an unending roll of paper towels. But Della is more than a hard worker; she cares about the facility as well as the people inside. She shares her smile and pleasant greeting with every one passing in the hall. Della is always friendly and responsive to help whenever a situation arises. It is apparent that Della takes pride in Victoria College and the work she accomplishes. Our school is better because of her. Thank you Della. - from Keith Blundell

After the moves, computer techs Eric Sanchez, Hank Pahmiyer, and Preston Mitchell came in and moved all the computers to the new offices. They were just as efficient as the maintenance crew and they made sure that the computers worked before leaving. They did an outstanding job, and we would like to say thank you, and that we appreciate the hard work they put into moving the computers.”

- Karen Duffie, Administrative Assistant, Division of Allied Health

Look who we saw at Fall Convocation

New Employees

Felix Appelt Chief of Police

Deb Butler Curriculum &

Instruction Specialist

Birthdays

October 2—Terri Kurtz2—Kathy Kaminski5—Charles Ross7—Donald McLain7—Chris Kallus8—Jaime Nobles9—Sharon Hyak11—Ceci Oldmixon12—Elaine Everett-Hensley12—Melissa Robinson12—Karen Williams12—Elizabeth Ramirez13—Melissa Nieto16—Florinda Correa17—Sherri Pall17—Lori McBride18—DeAnna Alvarez18—Jo Anne Settles18—Eric Martinez19—Miroslava Gonzales

23—Marilyn Powell24—Margaret Janowski-Bell25—Magali Silva26—Felix Appelt30—Joe Dahlstrom30—JenniferYancey

November2—Eric Sanchez4—Belinda Pena4—Michael Farris5—Dan Murphy5—Cary Voss6—Tisha Sternadel11—Daniel Garza11—Melinda Mendoza12—Dannie Ladet13—Pam Price13—Barbara Sanderson15—Elena Sanderson18—Betsy Crane18—Robert Reyes19—David Martin

Ledie CheramieBookstore Customer

Service Rep.

Michael FarrisAdmissions Analyst II

Jeff HubbardGovernment Instructor

Kathy KaminskiVN Instructor,

Gonzales Center

Terri Kurtz, EditorKaty Long, Copy EditorJulian Cavazos, Graphic Designer

VC Campus Connection is a publication of Victoria College.

©Victoria College

Sheryl Kosler Chemistry Instructor

Tempi McLeod Director of Quality Enhancement Plan

Tammy MikulikPTA Program Coordinator

of Clinical Education

Mandi OverbyFinancial Aid Counselor II

Madelyn PsencikAssistant Registrar

Eric Ray Curator, Museum

of the Coastal Bend

Carrie Rodriguez Admissions Analyst I

Christy Rowley Financial Aid Counselor I

Carol RussellCustodian,

Gonzales Center

Debbie DrozdCollege Success Instructor

Janna Driskell VN Instructor, Hallettsville

21—Vivian Llamas21—Kim McClure22—Matt Wiley22—Jack Mullins23—Debbie Rains24—Dave Sulak24—Michelle Truncellito24—David Dunham26—Janice MacFarlane27—Debbie Pena28—Bobby Cubriel 30—Dave Swickheimer