Faculty Accomplishments
Academic Year 2016-2017
- "Fostering a Mindset of Completion: From AAA to Catalyst" conference presentation on September 23, 2016 9-10am at the Two-Year First-Year Conference (Denver, CO) - Presenters: Denise Pearson, Rachel Veretto & Ty'Ray Thompson
- The Center for the First-year Experience (FYE) at Aims Community College has embraced the concept of Growth Mindset (Dweck, 2006, 2012) as the underlying epistemological foundation for all curricular and co-curricular offerings. The pedagogical practices in our three-credit FYE course Advancing Academic Achievement which enrolls 900 students annually and required for all developmental education students, our academic-focused iFocus programming which engaged 1466 students last academic year, the second semester/year retention and completion program Catalyst currently boosting 65 active members, and our new initiatives including a Men and Women of Color student communities and FYE course peer coaches, are all informed by the asset-based concept of Growth Mindset. We teach students that with the proper tools, support, and efficient practice college success is attainable. At our Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI), students are validated (Rendón, 1994) as learners with the capacity to be successful. Our FYE program offerings seek to embrace the diversity of students though leveraging life-experiences to help deepen learning and career trajectory clarification. Finally, we employ data-informed decision making with intentional feedback-loops to embrace a spirit of continuous improvement for all of our programs, courses, and services.
- Aims Conversation Day Break-out Sessions (Francie Rottini & Denise Pearson) February 3, 2017
- Beyond Class Schedules and Degree Requirements: The Post-Traditional [or Adult Learner] Student Experience (Julie Smith and Francie Rottini) | Adult learners expect entirely different things from their institution than do traditional 18-25 year old students. This session will provide a student panel sharing about their unique needs and personal transformation at Aims as post-traditional learners. Conversation will include: » Understanding what adult learners are after in terms of student experience » How faculty can help adult learners navigate higher education » Communication that works for adult learners
- Reset Your Mindset for Success! (Denise Pearson and Shawna Lee Washam) | Learn about mindset, a powerful tool that can help you enjoy learning, boost your confidence, persist through obstacles and improve your self-worth. You’ll get a self-test checklist and tips for developing a growth mindset for yourself, students with whom you interact, colleagues, and even your family members/loved ones.
- Aims Conversation Day Poster Session February 3, 2017
- Winner of the "Most Informational" award
- FTLC Teaching Matters, Conference & New Faculty Orientation (Denise Pearson)
- New Faculty Orientation Fall 2016: "Teaching Note-taking Strategies" August 16, 2016
- Faculty Matters Fall 2016: "Higher Scores = Happier Students: Helping Students Succeed in Preparing for Tests" September 9, 2016
- Faculty Conference Fall 2016: “Knowing Ourselves and Our Students through True Colors” September 24, 2016
- New Faculty Orientation Spring 2017: "Planning for the First Week Engagement” January 11, 2017
- Faculty Matters Spring 2017: "Keeping Up the Momentum - We’re off to a good start: Now what? " January 27, 2017
- Nadia Navarro (AAA Part-time Instructor) received the AFA Part-Time Instructor of the Year (Spring 2017)
- Teaching, Learning & Technology (TLT) Conference Presentation: Standard Navigation (Francie Rottini & Vinnie Augden), May 18, 2017
Academic Year 2015-2016
- Francie Rottini (AAA Faculty) was selected for the Aims FYE Advocate award Spring 2016
- Part-time AAA Instructors Nadia Navarro & Robert Garcia attended the AACU Diversity, Learning and Student Success conference “Shifting Paradigms and Challenging Mindsets” March 17-19. 2016.
- Rachel Veretto (Assistant Director – FYE& Part-time AAA Instructor) attended the League for Innovation in the Community College Innovations conference March 19-23, 2016
- Denise Pearson (Chair & Assistant Professor) co-authored an article with Paula Yanish and Alan Obert featured in the Signature Magazine. Click here to read the article Signature Magazine Article Spring 2016 - Teaming Up for Success.pdf.
- Francie Rottini (AAA Instructor) co-authored an article with Richard Hanks and Ryan Barone featured in the Signature Magazine.
- Denise Pearson (Chair & Assistant Professor) and Francie Rottini (AAA Instructor) attended the 2016 Rocky Mountain Peer Leadership Conference on March 12, 2016 along with three student peer coaches (Dawn Boll, Nicole De La Fuente & Noehli Batres)
- Francie Rottini (AAA Instructor) attended the eLearning Consortium of Colorado conference, April 13-15, 2016
- Denise Pearson (Chair & Assistant Professor) presented twice at the FTLC Spring Conference April 23, 2016 “Understanding Dyslexia to Support Students” and “Empowering Your Students with a Growth Mindset.”
- Francie Rottini (AAA Instructor) was selected for the Aims FYE Advocate award (nominated by a former student) Spring 2016
- Janet Chase (AAA Part-time Instructor) received the Distinguished Colleague award for March 2016. Janet received two nominations by students, Diana Cera and Ashleigh Flores for this award. http://www.aims.edu/about/departments/hr/ripples/distinguished/2016/march16.
Prior Fall 2015
- Ryan Barone (Director of Student Leadership & Development, Former AAA Part-time Instructor) and Denise Pearson (AAA Assistant Professor) presented at the FTLC Spring Faculty Conference, “Create, Collaborate, Evaluate” on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2015 “Bridging the Gap: Guiding Unprepared Students to Achieve Success.”
- Ryan Barone (Director of Student Leadership & Development, Former AAA Instructor) and Rachel Veretto (Assistant Director of FYE and Part-time AAA Instructor) presented at the League for Innovations – Learning Summit in June 2015 “Fostering a Mindset of Completion: From AAA to Catalyst” Specific to AAA the integration of the Growth Mindset into the curriculum was shared.
- Shannon McCasland (Associate Dean of Student Services; Former AAA Part-time Instructor) presented at the CCSSE High Impact Practices Institute in 2015 “Fostering a Mindset of Completion: From AAA to Catalyst.”
- Francie Rottini (Full Time AAA Instructor) presented "Berthod High School Nights" with the Aims Recruitment Office in 9/2014
- Janet Chase (AAA Part-time Instructor) has developed and facilitates the following workshops for the iFocus Academic workshop series offered to students.
- “Study Strategies for Biology” (Fall 2013 - Present) Description: Does your biology class seem overwhelming? Come to this workshop to get some tips, tricks and tools to help you study and master the subject of biology.
- “Exploring Healthcare & Help Careers” (Spring 2016) Description: Are you interested in a healthcare career but may not be a candidate due to the highly competitive nature of some program admission standards? Hear this panel of experts to explore other healthcare-related careers with similar general education requirements for a parallel path to your future.
- Francie Rottini (Full Time AAA Instructor) has developed and facilitates the following workshops for the iFocus Academic workshop series offered to students.
- “Self-Care 101”(Spring 2015 – Present) Description: Did you know that nearly 30% of all college students report feeling "so depressed that it was difficult to function" at some time in the past year? When it comes to your mental health, it is better to be proactive rather than reactive. Come to this session to learn the basics of self-care and how these techniques and strategies can help you manage the everyday stress of being a student.
- “Revolutionize Relationships” (Spring 2015 – Present) Description: Who are you? Why are you the way you are? What can we do to improve human interaction? Explore these questions via two TED Talks followed by group conversion.
- Denise Pearson (AAA Chair & Assistant Professor) has developed and facilitate/facilitated the following workshops for the iFocus Academic workshop series offered to students.
- “Build Grit & Grow Your Mindset ” (Fall 2015 – Present) Description: How do grit and mindset impact your success? Join us for a lively discussion following the viewing of TED Talks featuring experts Carol Dweck and Angela Lee Duckworth sharing their important research.
- “Reset Your Mindset for Success” (Fall 2014-Spring 2015) Description: Improve your grades and get more out of school and life by adopting a set of attitudes based on growth and opportunity. You’ll get a self-test checklist and tips for moving from a “fixed” to a “growth” mindset.
- “Portfolio Power” (Fall 2014-Spring 2015) Description: More than a resume, a portfolio can be your best lifelong self-marketing tool! This fun-filled workshop will explore the new way to showcase your job skills, experiences, and college coursework. You’ll see portfolio samples created by real Aims students.
- “Stress-Proofing Yourself” (Fall 2013 – Fall 2014) Description: Are you tired of feeling stressed and overwhelmed? Do you want to feel more relaxed despite the pressures in your life? Come to this workshop and learn simple ways to reduce your stress through diet and lifestyle. Your health and success in college will thank you!
Recognition
- Rachel Veretto (AAA Part-time instructor) received the Distinguished Colleague award for March 2017.
- Janet Chase (AAA Part-time Instructor) received the Distinguished Colleague award for March 2016. Janet received two nominations by students for this award.
- Francie Rottini (Assistant Professor) was selected for the Aims First-Year Experience (FYE) Advocate award (nominated by former student) Spring 2016
- Shannon McCasland (Associate Dean of Student Services; Former AAA Part-time Instructor) was selected as an Outstanding First-Year Student Advocate by the National Resource Center for the First-Year Experience, February 2015
- Shannon McCasland (Associate Dean of Student Services; Former AAA Part-time Instructor) was selected as a Faculty for the Institute on the First-Year Students Success in the Community College, Nov 6-8, 2016 at the University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC
- Denise Pearson (AAA Chair & Assistant Professor) was selected for the Aims FYE Advocate award (nominated by a former student Nicole Suttle) Spring 2015
- AAA Instructors and students in Catalyst received a Team Award at the President’s Reception Spring 2015
- AAA was recognized by the State of Colorado’s Colorado Completes! campaign in October 2014 as a best practice across the state as a completion initiative. http://www.aims.edu/about/departments/marketing/news?id=436
Conference Attendance: AAA Instructors attended the following local and out of state conferences to expand their knowledge and share with other AAA instructors during meetings.
- Nadia Navarro & Robert Garcia (Part-time Instructors) attended AAC&U’s 2016 Diversity, Learning and Student Success conference - “Shifting Paradigms and Challenging Mindsets.” March 17-19, 2016 in Philadelphia, PA
- Nadia Navarro & Robert Garcia (Part-time Instructors) attended the Student Retention Symposium, April 10-11, 2017 in Charleston, SC
- Francie Rottini & Erika Chomina-Carter (Full-time Instructors) attended the eLearning Consortium of Colorado Confeerence in Breckenridge, CO, April 11-14, 2017
- Denise Pearson & Rachel Veretto attended the Two-Year First-Year Conference (Denver, CO) - September 23, 2016
- Part-time AAA Instructor Linda Zamora: HACU Latino Higher Education Leadership Conference www.hacu.net/hacu/ October 11-13, 2015
- Chair & Assistant Professor Denise Pearson: AAEEBL Western USA Regional Conference Harnessing the Power of the ePortfolio: Transformative Practices in Pedagogy and Assessment April 8-9, 2014
- Rachel Veretto (Assistant Director – FYE & Part-time AAA Instructor) attended the Institute on First-Year Student Success Nov 6-8, 2015 at the University of South Caroline, Columbia, SC
- Full Time AAA Instructor Francie Rottini: 26th Annual eLearning Consortium of Colorado Conference “Reach the Peaks: Scale to New Heights” April 15-17, 2015, CCCOnline’s CONNECT to Excellence Conference “Cultivating Excellence” October 16, 2015, 2-2 Faculty Conference, 9/25/2015 at Pueblo Community College