August 2015

Volume 1, Issue 2

Chaffey College Honors Program

SSA 122

Welcome Back! Greetings Chaffey College! The Honors Program is excited to embark on another year here at Chaffey. This newsletter is a snapshot of our accomplishments last semester (Spring 2015), and also serves to offer more information about the Honors Program for future students. If you are faculty, please encourage your students to consider joining the Honors Program, as it is a unique opportunity to help students achieve their goals. Did you know that universities across the nation have created Honors Programs and Honors Colleges? Our program has alliances with many of these schools, and can facilitate student transfers to these schools. Students benefit from this advantage, especially in the face of competitive admittance rates.

Looking Back: Spring Semester 2015 The Honors Program had a hugely busy semester last Spring. Last semester, we hosted our bi-annual Welcome Ceremony, the annual symposium, facilitated our students presenting and moderating at the Honors Transfer Council of California annual research conference, and wrapped up the year with our Honors Program banquet, where we honored our graduates. Read more about these events in this newsletter.

Looking Forward: Fall Semester 2015 This fall, we are excited to welcome two new student workers to the office. Tiffany joined us last semester, and we are currently interviewing another possible candidate. Swing by to the office to meet our team. We are also expecting a busy year, with many student workshops, our welcome ceremony, and our annual UCLA trip. Please see our dates/deadlines on page 8.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Program benefits ..................... 2

Professor Insights .................... 2

Spotlight on alumnus .............. 3

Spotlight on Panthers .............. 4

Spotlight on Panthers .............. 5

Chaffey Symposium................. 6

HTCC Conference .................... 6

Honors Banquet ...................... 7

Fall 2015 Deadlines ................. 8

Honors Program Staff

Julie Song, PhD Director

Dotty Nevarez Administrative Assistant II Tiffany Garcia Student Assistant

WE CREATE THEM We don’t find Honors Students

‘Students are offered opportunities to ensure obtaining their dreams through their own hard work, dedication, and commitment to their

Honors transfer agreements with designated universities guaranteeing priority consideration or acceptance

Preparation for University level work, with an emphasis on pursuing individual research projects.

Small classes that encourage creative interaction

Dynamic professors interested in enriching students’ academic experience

Participation in local, state, and national research conferences

Opportunities to publish original work in honors journals

University library access and invitations to special events

Scholarships and internships available upon application and verification of honors program status

Distinctive transcript notations indicating the honors course and grade

Certificate of completion of the honors program and acknowledgment at a special graduation ceremony

HONORS PROGRAM BENEFITS FOR STUDENTS

The Honors program affords students a unique pathway in assisting them to pursue their goals and dreams. Along their pursuit, the Honors program helps students to become a more well-rounded individual, not only as a student, but also as a member of the community. When one is looking to obtain their goal(s) to the best of their abilities, students are offered opportunities to ensure obtaining their dreams through their own hard work, dedication, and commitment to their futures by helping out their communities on and off campus simultaneously.

Upon completing the Honors program, not only do students then have an advantage of priority registration upon transfer to the university, but they are also able to

build their resume with the community work they have so generously devoted their time and themselves to helping to improve the lives of others. I also enjoy working with Honors students because they are better prepared for the university workload ahead of them as well as being exposed to community work. By students working in groups and having a sense of accomplishment of not only helping others, but also passing the rigors of the Honors program, they are able to speak to their accomplishments and have them on their transcripts and resume for their successful futures. Joining the Honors program is a wonderful asset to anyone’s future. We look forward to working with you!

2

PROFESSOR CARRIE VEAZEY SHARES WHY SHE

WORKS WITH HONORS STUDENTS

MARIO GIRON

“I went to Chaffey in 2013 after returning from serving a two year mission for the Latter Day Saint Church. Little did I know that Chaffey College would become the foundation for the success I have achieved and will achieve. While at Chaffey, I joined Phi Theta Kappa, became supplemental instruction leader, and most importantly completed the honors

program. Through the help and inspiration of the professors there, I was able to research subjects in literature that mattered to me most. I was able to present at the Chaffey symposium and get into prestigious due to my participation in the honors program. The Honors Program helped me become a TAP recipient at UCLA as well led to do more research as a Research Fellow and achieve Departmental Honors in the English Department. I plan to continue this path of research to become an English Professor. “

UCLA

TRANSFER ALLIANCE

PROGRAM

Chaffey College Honors

Program students are

uniquely qualified for the

UCLA Transfer Alliance

Program. This program

gives priority consideration

to community college

applicants to UCLA.

Typically, only about 20%

of applicants are admitted

to UCLA. However, last

Fall, over 70% of TAP

students were accepted.

Chaffey College has sent

many panthers to UCLA,

who have carved out

communities of former

panthers there. This year,

we have over 20 applicants

who are hopeful to attend

UCLA in the Fall.

Mario Giron, Chaffey College Alumni, is a cur-

rent student at UCLA, and the recipient of the

Tap scholarship

3

SPOTLIGHT ON ALUMNUS In their own words

Our Recent

Graduates

To the right are two of our

Honors Program graduates.

We are so proud of all of our

recently graduated

panthers! Below is a list of

our Honors Students who

graduated in the Spring,

2015. We wish you the best!

Gienne Behnke

Victor Bocanegra

Brianna Cammarano

Jasmine Colorado

Tonnia De La Cruz

Thompson Ebeigbe

Logan Graham

Sarah Hernandez

Andre Holguin

Yijie Huo

Laura Isais

Dina Lopez

Ashley Martinez

Eric Meikle

Janely Mendoza

Steven Moctezuma

Tania Mora-Salazar

Nima Moravedje-Torbaty

Jeffrey A Navarro De La

Cruz

Juliana Nicolas

Rocio Perez

Syed Maroof Rizvi

Danielle Rodriguez-Donovan

Tina Sayegh

Bryan Stapleton

Tianwei Tang

Peter Torpey

Ann Tran

Hibba Umar

Isabela Ybanez

NIMA MORAVEDJE-TOBARTY

I actually feel as though there are

two individuals that have influenced

me in ways that have inspired me to

really chase what I want. These two

individuals are Professor Charles

Williams and Professor Bonnie

Spears. They both bring intelligence

and an intuitive learning structure to

the classroom. And it goes without

saying how considerably passionate

they are about what they teach. If I

am ever to become a professor of

English one day I believe it wise to

follow the example that they have

set.

The Honors Program has helped me

in many ways. It has made me more

serious about the work I do in

school. It has motivated me to do

more on campus and pursue

different methods of not only

gaining experience, but helping

other people along the way. Not to

mention that it has really helped me

in my writing skills, which I am

extremely thankful for.

My experience with the volunteer

work that I do has helped me gain a

taste of what it is like to be a

teacher. I tutor children at the Biane

Library at Victoria Gardens in

reading and writing, and I often find

4

SPOTLIGHT ON PANTHERS In their own words

“Chaffey College’s Honors Program has sharpened my

academic and leadership skills that have help me grow in my

educational journey”

I actually feel as though there are

two individuals that have influenced

me in ways that have inspired me to

really chase what I want. These two

individuals are Professor Charles

Williams and Professor Bonnie

Spears. They both bring intelligence

and an intuitive learning structure to

the classroom. And it goes without

saying how considerably passionate

they are about what they teach. If I

am ever to become a professor of

English one day I believe it wise to

follow the example that they have

set.

The Honors Program has helped me

in many ways. It has made me more

serious about the work I do in

school. It has motivated me to do

more on campus and pursue

different methods of not only

gaining experience, but helping

other people along the way. Not to

mention that it has really helped me

in my writing skills, which I am

extremely thankful for.

My experience with the volunteer

work that I do has helped me gain a

taste of what it is like to be a

teacher. I tutor children at the Biane

Library at Victoria Gardens in

reading and writing, and I often find

Chaffey College’s

Honors Program

has sharpened my

academic and

leadership skills

that have help me

grow in my

educational

journey; plus, it

has allowed me to

work with the

wonderful faculty

members.

The primary factor that the Honors

Program offered me to excel at Chaffey

College was to use the research tools that

have help me better assess the world

around me. The Honors Program requires

all of their students to do research papers

in classes that the students want honor

credit for. Aside from doing the research I

am required to do within the classes, I

always find myself doing additional

research whether it be for personal usage

or out of curiosity. I am sure that part of

incorporating research into my life has

been attributed to the tools that I have

obtained through the Honors Program.

Learning how to deconstruct an idea

through research has allowed me to

evaluate a subject or an area with a better

understanding.

Another thing that the Honors program has

offered me is the opportunity to become a

leader in various places. As part of my

community hours’ requirement, I am

responsible to give of my services to my

community. Although I have volunteer

outside of school, my favorite place to give

back is Chaffey College. This year I have

been able to be part of the Honors

Committee Board and the Election

Committee of the Associate Student of

Chaffey College. I very much have

enjoyed representing the honors population

in both of these committees.

The program has also allowed me to work

with Dr. Neil Watkins a reliable instructor

who helped me come up with a good

research proposal for my honors paper and

presentation in his class. Plus, his teaching

style kept the lectures interesting. After I

finished English 1B, I still kept a close

educational relationship with Dr. Watkins.

He enlightened me with his knowledge on

English Literature when I needed help

understanding a literary composition. Also,

during the transfer process, Professor

Watkins became my guide. He revised my

personal statement many time, and he

explored with me what were the best UC

schools for English majors. Definitely, Dr.

Watkins has played an important role in

my educational path not only as a

professor but as a mentor. Overall, part of

my success here at Chaffey College has

been to the various opportunities that the

Honors Program has provided for me.

TANIA MORA-SALAZAR

5

SPOTLIGHT ON PANTHERS In their own words

SPRING SEMESTER 2015

HIGHLIGHTS

Welcome Ceremony, February 2015

Chaffey College Symposium, February 2015

HTCC Conference, March 2015

Honors Banquet, May 2015

The Honors Program was thrilled to host our annual symposium on February 20, 2015. The symposium is our annual research conference where students are invited to present their research projects to faculty and peers. We had several students who presented their research and participate in a discussion of their research:

Danielle Rodriguez-Donovan: “Therapeutic Effects on Aphasia: A Case Study”

Karina Hernandez: “Educational Advancement in Mathematics & Technology”

Amy Tims: “Neck Mobility in Ancient Hominids” Isabela Ybanez: “Abortion: The Hidden Reasons”

Kara Kothari: “The Saffron Era: An Emerging Political Situation in India”

Quintin Gaddy: “Opiate Addictions in America” and “”Nuclear Fusion: A Projected Timeline”

Rukmini Ravi: “Mechanical Characterization of an Adhesive Tape”

Roger Hooper: “Orbital Mechanics & Space Flight”

Andre Jose Holguin: “Discussing God’s Existence Between the Extremes of Faith & Reason”

Eric Meikle: “God’s Critic: Analysis of ‘Letters From Earth,’ and its Place in Anti-Clerical literature.

Jasmine Colorado: “Under the Brightest Star: The Worship of the Sun in Various Cultures” We hope that we will host another wonderful symposium this year with more interesting research! Additionally, the Honors Program would like to thank faculty members Kevin Cameron and Charles Williams, Dean Cory Schwartz, and Board Member Paul Gomez for taking time out of their busy schedules to come to the symposium.

CHAFFEY COLLEGE SYMPOSIUM

HTCC CONFERENCE SPRING 2015

6

Last semester, our program was proud to

be a part of the 15th annual Honors

Transfer Council of California (HTCC)

conference. The HTCC is a statewide

organization of Honors Programs in

California community colleges. Every year,

there are over 1200 applicants, and only

about 25% of applicants’ papers are

accepted to be presented at this

competitive conference. The conference is

held at UC Irvine, and students have the

opportunity to: present their research,

learn about others’ research projects, and

network with students and faculty from all

over the state. Chaffey was so proud of the

following students who presented at the

Honors Transfer Council of California

conference:

Quentin Gaddy

Danielle Rodriguez-Donovan

Amy Tims Additionally, the following students volunteered to be moderators:

Tania Mora-Salazar

Nima Moravedje-Torbaty

Logan Graham We hope that Chaffey College students will present and moderate at this year’s conference as well. For more information about the HTCC conference, please visit http://htcca.org/

Chaffey students and Program Director Julie Song at

the HTCC conference

Chaffey College Honors Students enjoying lunch at the HTCC

Conference

“It is incredible to see so many passionate students working on such interesting research projects! It is inspiring to be here!” -Danielle Rodriguez-Donovan at the HTCC conference

Quentin Gaddy presents his research on nuclear

fusion at the HTCC conference

Every year, The Honors Program honors our

graduates at our banquet, held on our Chino

Campus. It is a special evening, where our

graduates, their family members, faculty and

administrators come together to celebrate all that

our Honors Students have achieved during their

tenure at Chaffey College,

This year, we hosted a party of nearly 100,

including our graduates, family members, faculty

members, and board members. After a delightful

dinner, graduating students were honored one by

one.

Two of our students received scholarships.

Honors Students are invited to apply for

scholarships by writing essays about how the

Honors Program has helped them while at

Chaffey College. After undergoing a rigorous

application and review process, Isabela Ybanez

was awarded a $1,000 scholarship from the

Honors Program. Isabella is a budding teacher,

and is off to UC Riverside, where she plans to

major in Sociology.

Danielle Rodriguez-Donovan was awarded the

Carol Sayles scholarship, also for $1,000.

Danielle is also transferring to UC Riverside,

where she will be majoring in Psychology. She

plans on continuing her education by earning her

Master’s degree, and becoming a counselor in the

future.

If you are a graduating student, remember to

look out for your invitation towards the end of

the year. We are looking forward to honoring

you!

7

WE CREATE THEM We don’t find Honors Students

HONORS BANQUET SPRING 2015

From L-R: Professor Thierry Brusselle, Professor Ardon Alger, Professor Dave Karp, Board

Member Gary George, Board Member Paul Gomez

Chaffey College Honor Students and their friends/ families being honored at the banquet

FALL 2015 DEADLINES & EVENTS

Chaffey College Honors Program

Chaffey College

SSA 122

5885 Haven Avenue

Rancho Cucamonga, California 91737

Phone: 909-652-6263

E-mail: honors.program@chaffey.edu

Date Event/Deadline Location Time

9/9/15 Student Workshop: How to Write a Strong

Contract & Research Proposal

MACC 208 12:30-2:00pm

9/11/15 Honors Applications & Fast Track 1

Contracts Due

9/14/15 Honors Committee Meeting AD 151 12:30- 2:00pm

9/16/15 Student Workshop: "Why Do Honors?" MACC 208 12:30-2:00pm

10/9/15 Regular Semester Contracts Due

10/14/15 Student Workshop: How to Write a Strong

Abstract

MACC 208 12:30-2:00pm

10/19/15 Honors Committee Meeting AD 151 12:30-2:00pm

10/21/15 Welcome Ceremony MACC 208 12:30-2:00pm

10/23/15 UCLA Transfer Alliance Program

Conference

UCLA 8:30am-

3:00pm

11/13/15 Fast Track 2 Contracts Due