IN THIS ISSUE:


CCCC EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH!

Congratulations January Employee of the Month: Danielle Bruner

January Employee of the Month

Danielle Bruner is always willing to go above and beyond to assist students in achieving their educational goals. She often arrives early and stays late in order to meet with students and/or assist patients in gaining access to free dental care. Danielle volunteered to be a part of the QEP advising pilot in order to better advise her students and assist in their successful completion of the Dental Hygiene and Dental Assisting programs.

Danielle has been instrumental in creating a clinical partnership between CCCC and ECU Dental Programs where Dental Assisting and Dental Hygiene students will complete externship hours in service to patients within our service area.

Danielle was instrumental in identifying a cancerous lesion and providing a timely, life-saving referral for the patient. The patient was able to receive a biopsy, confirming cancer, while being provided with a plan to begin immediate treatment in an attempt to improve the outcome.

Danielle's faculty calibration was lauded by adjunct faculty during their monthly meeting as key to improving student outcomes and quality of instruction. She created an online evaluation that allows students to reflect on their patient treatment encounters in order to improve treatment outcomes. This online summary evaluation allows faculty to provide more timely feedback to students, and to see when students are in need of remediation.

Danielle Bruner, BS, RDH, CDA

Dental Hygiene Instructor

How long have you worked for CCCC?
It has been an honor and great fun to have worked at Central Carolina Community College since 2015.

What brought you to CCCC?
I am so grateful to be a CCCC dental hygiene alumni! It is truly an honor to be given the opportunity to teach in the very institution where I gained my dental hygiene "roots" and passion for the profession.

Describe what you do for CCCC.
I am the second-year dental hygiene course instructor. I prepare the students in their second year of dental hygiene school by helping them achieve their ultimate academic goals and dreams of becoming licensed registered dental hygienists. In addition, I enjoy teaching our first-year dental hygiene students. I teach a myriad of classes, but my favorite course is periodontology. Finally, I have the opportunity to teach dental health education with our dental assisting students. Let`s just say I love students and teeth! :)

Where were you born?
Raleigh.

Where did you grow up?
Raleigh and Angier.

Educational credentials?
BSDH, RDH, CDA.

Where do you live now?
Cameron.

Tell us about your family!
I am so lucky to have a wonderful husband Dan`l Bruner. Matthew Gray makes "Bruner party of three!" We are blessed to have celebrated our son's first birthday this month. In addition to Matthew, we have an energetic loving chocolate lab, Sadie Blaire Bruner.

What are some of your hobbies or other interest outside of CCCC?
I enjoy spending time at the beach. Ocean life is for me! In addition to my love for the ocean, I enjoy decorating and swimming. I have a real knack for refurbishing old decor and mixing it with new.

Which actor would portray you in a movie about your life?
I admire Will Smith in the movie, "Pursuit of Happiness." No matter the tides, Will Smith remains determined and driven to live his life dreams.

What is your favorite meal?
Chicken Parmigiana.

Anything else you'd like to share with the CCCC family?
Words cannot express the immense gratitude for the opportunity to work at Central Carolina Community College. The opportunity to help students fulfill their academic goals and dreams is profoundly rewarding. I look forward to a wonderful journey here at the college sharing many more SMILES!

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WOW! WHAT A TEAM!

Professional Development Day Success

Professional Development Day 1
Professional Development Day 2 Professional Development Day 3
Professional Development Day 13 Professional Development Day 14 Professional Development Day 15
Professional Development Day 4 Professional Development Day 5
Professional Development Day 6 Professional Development Day 7 Professional Development Day 8
Professional Development Day 22
Professional Development Day 9 Professional Development Day 10 Professional Development Day 16 Professional Development Day 17 Professional Development Day 18 Professional Development Day 23
Professional Development Day 24
Professional Development Day 11 Professional Development Day 12

Thank you to everyone that made PD Day such a wonderful day! Thank you to our PC members, the QEP Committee, Chef Hamm, our culinary team and students, Joel Oldham and Ben Rankin of maintenance, Billy Freeman Productions, The Chatham Agricultural Center, our industry partners (Cathy Swindell), The Social Committee, and my Professional Development Day committee:

  • Seth Buchanan
  • Susan Carlson
  • Patrick Kelly
  • Christa Mashburn
  • Rebecca Parker
  • Dr. Rodney Powell
  • Crystal Smith

I appreciate everyone's help with making this day such a success!

Thank you

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Red Clay Review

New Issue

The 2017 destination-themed issue of Red Clay Review is now available. The literary magazine showcases poetry and short stories from writers at the college and in the community. The digital edition is available at www.cccc.edu/redclayreview. Print copies can be obtained from Summerlin Webb at slpage@cccc.edu or (919) 718-7270.

2018 Red Clay Review Submission Guidelines

Red Clay Review is accepting submissions for its 2018 music-themed edition. Contributors can submit prose up to 1,500 words, up to three poems of up to 80 lines each, and/or up to three original images. Poetry and prose submissions must be sent electronically as .doc, .docx, or .rtf file attachments; images must be submitted as high resolution files. Submissions must be sent to rcr@cccc.edu and include the writer's name, mailing address, and phone number. Entries must be received by May 10, 2018.

Questions may be sent to the same address or contact Summerlin Webb at (919) 718-7270.

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Golf Classics 2018

Golf Classics


Mark your calendar! CCCC's annual Golf Classics are scheduled. Come join us!

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Golden Shovel Recipients

The Golden Shovels are traveling awards given annually in recognition of a person or team that goes above and beyond in support of one of the seven institutional Goals in our Learning First strategic plan. The thought behind the award is that in addition to saving many "starfish" students one at a time, sometimes we save them by the shovelful! The 2017 Golden Shovel recipients are:

Goal 1 Learning: Kaan Ozmeral
With his focus on student learning, students call him amazing, wonderful, great, awesome, above and beyond, and the "golden goose." They appreciate his advising help and note he's always willing to help even if he's not their designated advisor. He provides a crucial link for adjunct instructors and their students by publishing a regular and highly anticipated adjunct newsletter. He's always willing to serve on a committee, and will go to extreme lengths to help any initiative to succeed.

Goal 2 Access: Admissions Counselors
This year, the Admissions Counselors went above and beyond to support student access by conducting an extensive departmental self-examination to revamp and improve processes and procedures, establishing an appointment system for applicants and advisees, revamping our Nursing admissions process, and going "all in" to support the College's QEP.

Goal 3 Success: College & Career Readiness Instructors
In the first year of federal legislation with the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, our College and Career Readiness program exceeded the state performance target by 9.4 percent in the student Measurable Skills Gain (MSG) indicator. That's a lot of successful starfish in comparison with other NC community colleges!

Goal 4 Employees: R.V. Hight
R.V. Hight connects with, recognizes, and celebrates employees through an outstanding job in both external and internal communications. This year, R.V. distributed more than 200 news and feature articles, many of which focused on CCCC employees and their work. These articles appeared in our local service area, state and national publications, the college website and electronic newsletter, staff announcements, social media, and beyond. R.V. also hosts the 4C Visions television show where he interviews employees and highlights various areas of the college on a monthly basis. He also attends countless events and activities. In everything that he does, R.V. is a steadfast supporter of the college and all of its employees -- he greets everyone with a smile, provides a helping hand, and has even been known to dance on occasion.

Goal 5 Partnerships: Becky Parker and Phyllis Taylor, Dunn Center
Becky has nurtured community partnerships to build the Dunn Center into a vibrant hub of activity, which now hosts well more than 100 people each day in classes, labs, senior activities, and other events. She partners with the Dunn Chamber of Commerce (which named her Ambassador of the Year), Dunn Community Development Corporation, Harnett County Enrichment Center, Dunn Daily Record, local government officials, and local businesses; and serves as a Dunn-area liaison to the College's Foundation and Media/Public Relations teams. She uses her connections to recruit students for our programs and obtain internship sites for culinary students at local restaurants. She has made the Dunn Center the new "place to be" in eastern Harnett County, where everyone feels like a valued and welcome member of the community.

Phyllis serves senior citizens in the Dunn area as Director of Senior Activities Center. She plans, organizes, coordinates, and supervises the daily preparation and home delivery of lunch meals for homebound senior citizens in the community, as well as a variety of recreational, nutritional health and welfare programs. She also plans and provides exercise, nutritional and shopping assistance, health and welfare programs, as well as recreational fun activities...and yes, that includes Bingo. With decades of service to area seniors and collaborations with local agencies, Phyllis is an outstanding ambassador for the College.

Goal 6 Financial Foundations: Meghan Brown and Kelly Klug (and Honorary Grants Dept. Member Ashley Tittemore)
This dynamic duo (make that TrIO!) supported CCCC's Financial Foundations by bringing in 26 NEW grants this year totaling more than $6.2 MILLION new dollars, to bring our total grants portfolio to almost $22M! All grants support student learning, access, and success -- including Upward Bound (4 at over $1M each), Dreamkeeper, Career Coach funding, instructional equipment, STEM scholarships, and much more. They also work hard to make sure that every project is SUCCESSFUL and in compliance to assure that we will remain eligible and competitive for future grants.

Goal 7 Collegiate Environment: Business Services
Christa and her team go way above and beyond creating a collegiate environment for the many events they help plan and carry out. Students, faculty, and staff feel a real sense of community, kinship, and fun at the Christmas Tree Lightings, ACC Basketball Tournament parties, Welcome Back cookouts, Halloween Costume contests, and many other special events. Their heartfelt passion and devotion to CCCC shine through in the time and energy, creativity, and teamwork they bring to everything they do!

Golden Shovel Recipients 1 Golden Shovel Recipients 2 Golden Shovel Recipients 3 Golden Shovel Recipients 4 Golden Shovel Recipients 5 Golden Shovel Recipients 6

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Spring 2018 Registration Video

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Notes from Institutional Effectiveness & Research

CCCC Fact Book Trivia Challenge!
IER is excited for the College to use the first edition of the CCCC Fact Book! We're sponsoring a CCCC Fact Book Trivia Challenge for all faculty and staff to help introduce this great new resource!

CCCC Trivia

Answer the trivia questions using the CCCC 2017 Fact Book. Respondents with all of the correct answers will be entered into a drawing for a $15 CCCC Bookstore shopping spree! Winners (and correct answers) will be shared in next month's Cougar Bytes article!

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News From The Library

New Resource Highlights

Feature Films for Education: This new streaming films database features an exceptional array of content ranging from documentaries to Academy Award winners to literary adaptations. Films are easily embedded into Blackboard courses for round the clock access, and closed captioning ensures that content is accessible to almost all students. Browse approximately 600 movies by genre or by title including films such as Hidden Figures, The Crucible, 12 Years a Slave, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Runaway Jury, The Fault in Our Stars, The Sound of Music, and many more. Bring your class content to life with Feature Films for Education!

Mango Languages: There's never been a better time to learn a new language and forge cross-cultural connections. With the new Mango Languages resource, you can practice realistic everyday conversational skills, prepare for an upcoming trip, or just expand your cultural horizons. Mango's pronunciation helper and voice comparison technology will have you speaking a new language with confidence in record time. Choose from over 70 languages including Spanish, French, German, Italian, Chinese (Mandarin), English (ESL), Pirate, and more! Try it out today!

Library 1 Library 2 Library 3 Library 4 Library 5

Library Instruction & Embedded Librarians

Librarians are now scheduling library instruction sessions for your spring classes. You can also request an embedded librarian for your class (seated or online) to help your students throughout the semester, or a brief pop-in visit for an introduction or refresher on the library. We tailor our instruction to meet your needs! To request an embedded librarian, contact Nora Burmeister at nburmeister@cccc.edu. Faculty may request an instruction session for a seated class using our online form, or by contacting the librarian at your campus:

Accepting Book Order Requests

The library is accepting book order requests from faculty and staff through Feb. 28. Requests can be made online using the Library's Order Request Form, or by contacting the librarian assigned to your campus library.

Blind Date with a Book, Feb. 12-16

We all know that no one cuddles better than a good book. Stop by the Lee Main Campus Library Feb. 12 - 16 to go on a Blind Date with a Book. We will have a wide selection of books waiting for you and looking for love. Who knows? You may find a new (literary) love you never knew was out there!

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WHAT'S HAPPENING AROUND CCCC

Ambassadors for 2018-2019

Greetings Faculty and Staff,

It's that time of year to start our selection process for the 2018-2019 Student Ambassadors!

What is the CCCC Ambassadors Program?

The Central Carolina Community College Ambassador Program provides students with training and opportunities to develop values based leadership skills, collegiate service, and professional growth. Student chosen to serve as Ambassadors will be offered many opportunities to engage in college affairs, while being awarded a year-long academia scholarship. Candidates are nominated by faculty and staff and confirmed by a formal selection committee. Once selected, students are required to attend a leadership development course during the summer semester and serve for one complete academic year in various functions hosted by the College. As compensation, students are provided free tuition and fees (in-state rate), plus all necessary uniforms for the year.

The program awards 10 stellar students the opportunity to serve the College for one academic year. The criteria for selection consists of (1) a 3.0 cumulative GPA, (2) evidence of leadership, and (3) an interest in community service. Selected students must maintain a minimum of 12 semester hours during their term of service, a 3.0 semester GPA and the highest level of professionalism in order to maintain an active status in the program. Students who are part-time can be nominated if they can agree to enroll full-time, should they be selected. The Ambassador scholarship only covers the cost of in-state tuition and fees.

Please consider nominating one or more of your students by completing this short nomination form: 18-19 Ambassador Nomination Form.

Submit all nomination forms to Aaron Mabe by 3 p.m., Friday, Feb. 16. Thank you for your time and consideration.

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TRiO Student Support Services Mentor Program

On Dec. 6, TRiO Student Support Services and TRiO Student Support Services STEM & Health Sciences hosted an event for their Mentor Program. The Mentor Program was developed to link students to a CCCC faculty or staff member in their field of study or area of career interest to provide support, motivation, direction, coaching, and goal setting. At this event, participating TRiO students were introduced to their mentors and were given a general overview of our mentor program. The mentor and mentee pairs then discussed vision statements for the future, followed by SMART Goals, and created a vision notebook for goal setting and reflection.

The mentors participating in our program come from many different departments of CCCC, as our participating students come from all areas of study. If you are interested in serving as a mentor to our students, we would love to have you as part of this program! Interested mentors can email sss@cccc.edu for more information.

TRiO Student Support Services and Students Support Services STEM and Health Sciences are two federally funded programs through the U.S. Department of Education that provide specialized services for students who are low-income, first generation, or have a disability. If you know of a student that could benefit from our program's services, please refer them by e-mailing sss@cccc.edu or calling (919) 718-7567.

TRiO Student Services

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Share Your Experience

Survey

If you haven't already done so, please take a moment to complete the PD Day post-event survey to assist us with planning for next year. Thanks in advance and I look forward to seeing your responses!

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CCCC Scholarship Opportunities

SECU application

SECU Scholarship

CCCC joins SECU for a $750 scholarship opportunity to help remove financial barriers for students seeking to gain new and/or upgrade current job related skills. The scholarship has been established by CCCC, the State Employees' Credit Union, and the SECU Foundation.

The $750 award would be applied to the student's account to pay for registration and certification fees, books, course supplies, and other educational expenses.

SECU Scholarship Flyer and Application (pdf)

 

SECU application

Golden Leaf Scholarship

Residents in Harnett and Lee counties are eligible for up to $250 a semester for training in Occupational Education through Continuing Education at Central Carolina Community College.

The Golden LEAF Scholars Program at CCCC is open to Harnett and Lee students who are permanent residents of those counties, demonstrate financial need, and are enrolled in an occupational program of at least 96 hours or more that leads to a credential or certification.

Golden Leaf Scholarship Flyer and Application (pdf)

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Tax Filing Season This Year

While this isn't directly a community college issue, you may want to be aware that you could be indirectly affected by delays in the tax filing season this year. IRS will be delaying the start of the tax filing season until Jan. 29, 2018. No income tax returns, electronic or paper, will be accepted until that date. Plan accordingly. Here is a link to more information: www.irs.gov/newsroom/2018-tax-filing-season-begins-jan-29-tax-returns-due-april-17-help-available-for-taxpayers.

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In Case You Missed It: Complimentary Perks!

Tickets at Work

As we continue to look for new and innovative ways to show appreciation toward our employees, we are offering this complimentary perk that gives you access to 20 - 60% off on movies, hotels, shows, concerts, sporting events and more. We want you to create memories with your family and friends.

Please take two minutes today, and sign up for these complimentary perks.

  1. Click the link below
  2. Fill out the information to become a member (use your work email address)
  3. For Company Code, use "COUGARS18"
  4. ticketsatwork.com/tickets

We hope you enjoy this new great perk!

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CCCC on TV

4C Visions, Episode 21. In this episode, R.V. Hight interviews Dr. Emily Hare, Executive Director of the CCCC Foundation, and Dr. Rodney Powell, Executive Director of the Center of Academic Excellence.

View more CCCC videos online on the CCCC YouTube Channel.

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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT and RESOURCES

Professional Development Opportunities

The purpose of professional development is to support the mission of the college by helping employees enhance their job skills, obtain job-related knowledge and information, increase productivity and efficiency, and/or prepare for higher-level positions.

View upcoming professional development opportunities at www.cccc.edu/teaching-learning and register today.

Recorded Sessions

As always, we continue to record the sessions offered in the Smartrooms. You can view them by:

  • Using Internet Explorer to login into Blackboard at ccccblackboard.blackboard.com.
  • In the upper right corner, click on your name and select "Professional Development" from the drop-down menu.
  • Then select, Recorded Sessions from the left-side column.

Hope to see you all soon and please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns!

Daisha Gaines
dgain414@cccc.edu

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PERSONNEL NOTES

2018 Pay Dates

MONTHDUE DATEPAY DATE
JanuaryJan. 10, 2018 Jan. 31, 2018
FebruaryFeb. 9, 2018 Feb. 28, 2018
MarchMarch 9, 2018 March 29, 2018
AprilApril 10, 2018 April 30, 2018
MayMay 10, 2018 May 31, 2018
JuneJune 5, 2018 June 29, 2018
JulyJuly 10, 2018 July 31, 2018
AugustAug. 10, 2018 Aug. 31, 2018
SeptemberSept. 10, 2018Sept. 28, 2018
OctoberOct. 10, 2018 Oct. 31, 2018
NovemberNov. 8, 2018 Nov. 30, 2018
DecemberDec. 4, 2018Dec. 21, 2018

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Employee Assistance Program

Savings Center

Employee Assist Flyer

Through the Savings Center, you can now save on hotels, cars, flights, major appliances, technology, clothing, restaurants, movie tickets, and more! The Savings Center program offers a wide array of discounts from leading name-brand retailers. To take advantage of these discounts, log on to your work-life website, and click on the Savings Center tab in the right-hand column and use the company name "EAP." Find the username and password in the EAP flyer.

Financial Aid Assistance

Financial Assist Flyer

If you have questions about a financial issue, speaking with a financial expert can help. Our employee assistance program (EAP) provides you with confidential, free consultations with financial experts on everything from credit and debt, to purchasing a home, or saving for retirement. Experts are available without an appointment during regular work hours, and by appointment - even on Saturdays. Find more details and username and password in the Financial Assistance flyer.

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Employee of the Month Program

Please join me as we continue recognizing our full-time faculty and staff for their exceptional contributions and customer service. The purpose of this award is to:

  • Promote positive employee-to-employee and employee-to-student interactions on campus in order to further a learning first culture.
  • Increase employee engagement through recognizing positive employee behaviors.

The Employee Recognition Committee is currently accepting nominations. All nominations are due by the first Monday of the calendar month to be recognized the following month.

Read Employee of the Month Program Eligibility & Guidelines. To nominate a deserving colleague, please click: Employee of the Month Nomination Form.

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Welcome New Employees!

  • Lauren Braly, Student Learning Support Specialist

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Birthdays

Birthday Cake
1/26 Michael Murray
1/26 Mary Schmid-Carter
1/27 Benjamin Falero
1/27 Tina Godbey
1/27 Mark Hall
1/27 Joshua Johnson
1/27 Laura Musselwhite
2/1 Latoya Brower
2/1 Kathy Sheffield
2/3 Jessica Fink
2/3 Mary Parker
2/3 Karen Sasser
2/5 Vicky Clark
2/5 Leslie Matthews
2/6 John Lavere
2/9 Anjanette Porter
2/11 Kelly Klug
2/14 Gary Beasley
2/14 Barbara Campbell
2/15 Haley Thomas
2/16 Julia Herbon
2/16 Stanley Thompson
2/16 Mary Walker
2/17 Robin Smith
2/18 Adena Mitchell
2/22 Pamela Barefoot
2/24 Janice Heller
2/25 Heather McKenzie
2/26 Regina Minter
2/27 Sylvester King
2/28 Deborah Arnold
2/28 Tonya Francis
2/29 David Malenick

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News From The CCCC Family

We sadly want to inform everyone of the passing of Wendy Harrington's sister, Teresa C. Austin, 52, of Erwin died on Jan. 3. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking memorials be made to the Susan G. Komen Foundation in memory of Mrs. Austin.

We regretfully announce the passing of Nancy Matthews Hall, 82, passed away on Jan. 4. Nancy earned her BA Degree and Master's Degree from UNC Chapel Hill and was a member of the first School of Nursing graduating class at UNC. She started, and taught, the RN Program at CCCC, also taught at Sandhill's Community College and Durham Tech. Memorial may be made to Mooseheart, 155 S. International Drive, Mooseheart, Ill. 60539; or Shriners Children's Hospital, 950 W. Faris Rd, Greenville, S.C. 29605.

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MARK YOUR CALENDAR

Dates to Remember

Planner

Thursday, March 29: 5th Annual Harnett Golf Classic

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FACULTY AND STAFF ONLINE

COUGAR PETS

Cougar Pets News

Cougar Pets

My name is Oliver. I am a handsome neutered male that loves to be loved. I am very sweet and need lots of love. My sister Amelia and I are very close and would prefer to go to a home together. However, I know how to occupy my own time. Oliver is available for adoption!

All of our adoptable cats are spayed/neutered, microchipped, and up-to-date on all vaccines. In addition, they have had regular dental cleanings, blood work, and physical exams. We pride ourselves on the care that our cats and dogs receive during their stay. Contact us at www.cougarpets.org for more information on our colony cats and available dogs.

To make it easier for potential adopters to fill out applications, complete the online form at goo.gl/forms/qHJlwXF0h3d1rx472. Happy adopting!

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CCCC-BAY

Things Wanted, For Sale, or For Free!

CCCC-Bay is happy to post your unneeded, unwanted, or unused items in Cougar Bytes! Send an email (photos would be great) to Cristina Oliver at coliver@cccc.edu and we will feature in next month's publication.

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CONTRIBUTE

Contribute to Cougar Bytes

Cougar Bytes is happy to accept your February contributions. Cougar Bytes is a monthly newsletter focused on staff and faculty. We welcome any events, stories, photos, or shout-outs in each issue. Please submit your contributions to marketing@cccc.edu.

Our deadline for contributions is Feb. 21 for the February issue. Thank you!

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The next issue of Cougar Bytes will be Friday, Feb. 23, 2017.