Spotlight on Collaboration and Inclusion at Maricopa

The First Annual Maricopa Picnic Sponsored by MCBAA and
The First District-wide Professional Development Days

 

On March 29, 2008 the Maricopa Council on Black American Affairs sponsored an "end of the year celebration" picnic event at Encanto Park.

The Picnic served as an opportunity for all MCCCD students, employees and their families to enjoy a day of fun with games and food including barbecue, hotdogs, homemade brownies made by Board Member Linda Rosenthal, homemade macaroni salad prepared by Vice Chancellor Debra Thompson, home cooked greens prepared by Mrs. Erma, and many other food items donated by everyone.  Community agencies such as the Ebony House, Black Nurses Association and the Phoenix Police department were present to share information.

Mesa College President Dr. Pan congratulated the winner of the Basketball Tournament which consisted of employees from each of the 10 college campuses.  Black Greek Fraternities and Sororities entertained everyone with "Steppin".  Children enjoyed face painting along with adults who participated in water balloon tossing and line dancing.

Congratulations to MCBAA for taking the initiative to bring us all together to appreciate the good people who work and learn at Maricopa. We hope this is the first of many picnics to come!

(Content and photos contributed by Carnella Hardin, Michelle Traveller and Brachelle Broom)

And speaking of firsts! APIA and PSA initiated two Professional Development Days for Maricopa employees in collaboration with Employee and Organizational Learning and District Employment. They were supported by all of the other Constituency Groups and Policy Groups, Wellness Maricopa and the Diversity Advisory Council.

The events took place on April 2nd at GCC and April 4th at Rio and included:

• Movin' On Up -- presented by Dr. Christine Hall, Director of Employment -- a workshop to help MCCCD employees learn effective strategies in applying for positions within the organization.
• Career Connections -- presented by Dee Dee Tapson, Coordinator with Employee and Organizational Learning Team -- a workshop to learn how to keep your career at Maricopa satisfying and meaningful.
• Panel presentation on Career Advancement at Maricopa.

All of the sponsors had tables to educate folks about the different groups and to encourage membership and of course, there was food and opportunities to network, reconnecting with old friends and making new ones.

The response was so great that additional sections of the workshops were added to meet demand. Congratulations to Kacie Takata and Chris Hoeffler for taking the lead on this successful project. What will we do next year?