Zoom links can be found next to each session title. Hover over and click “Zoom Link”

Session 3 – 2:45 pm – 3:30 pm

Sophie Greenfield, CCCS
Sophia Greenfield

Successful Scholarship Writing | Zoom Link

Sophie Greenfield, Colorado Community College System

The competition for scholarships is steep. While many applicants may have similar grades, goals, and activities, the scholarship application essay offers a chance to make your application stand out from the crowd and convince funders that you are a good investment. In scholarship essays, students have an opportunity express strengths and goals to draw outside support and funding to make these goals into reality. This presentation will cover strategies for writing a compelling essay and completing a competitive scholarship application. Participants will learn about the application evaluation process and have the opportunity to apply the lessons by reviewing sample applications.

Sophie Greenfield joined the Foundation for Colorado Community Colleges in 2014 and serves as the Assistant Director of Foundation Programs and Operations. In this role, Sophie oversees a wide range of programmatic, administrative and fundraising responsibilities. Before joining the Foundation, Sophie was a grant writer for the Women’s Employment Network in Kansas City. Prior to that, she oversaw a mini-grant program and network of patient support groups for the Pulmonary Hypertension Association. Sophie received a Bachelor’s degree in English from Grinnell College.

Suzanna Spears

Recruiting a Diverse Student Body and Enhancing Curriculum Through Community Enrichment Activities | Zoom Link

Suzanna Spears, Morgan Community College

In 2011 Morgan Community College launched its Center for Arts and Community Enrichment. The mission of the program is “…to enhance life through artistic, cultural, social, and intellectual activities.” CACE has evolved as a strong link with the community by offering over thirty events each year that reflect and enhance the many facets of Morgan County’s diverse populations. College faculty and staff work with community volunteers to plan an annual schedule. Faculty enhance classroom learning by encouraging students to take advantage of the events, and attendees at the events learn about the diverse programming offered by Morgan Community College.

Suzanna Spears has worked within the CCCS for many years. Now in retirement, she works part-time for Morgan Community College. As the Coordinator for its Center for Arts and Community Enrichment, Ms. Spears uses her experiences from former positions including full-time faculty, Division Dean for Extended Studies, and as an Academic Officer to join forces among college faculty and staff and community volunteers to plan annual events for MCC communities. Activities include cultural experiences from Authors and Speakers, Community Arts, Performing Arts and Visual Arts. Events are free and open to the public thanks to corporate and individual sponsors.

Ayelet Zur-Nayberg, CCCS
Ayelet Zur-Nayberg

Adult Students at CCCS – What We Learned During the First Year of CCCS Foundation’s Lumina Grant | Zoom Link

Ayelet Zur-Nayberg, Colorado Community College System

In August 2021, CCCS Foundation received an almost $1M grant to focus on increasing credential attainment for adult learners of color. Specifically, the grant targets 25-64-year-old Black/African American, Hispanic, and Native American students. This session provides an overview of what we learned during the first year of this grant.   

Dr. Ayelet Zur-Nayberg is the Director of Adult Student Success at CCCS. She holds an Ed.D. in Leadership for Educational Equity in Higher Education from the University of Colorado, Denver. Before joining CCCS, Ayelet was a Dean of Academic Affairs at RRCC and a Faculty member at FRCC for over a decade.

Krissy Trujillo, PPSC
Krissy Trujillo
Tassandra Rios-Scelso, PPSC
Tassandra Rios-Scelso

Student Services Communication: Engaging with Students Throughout the Enrollment Funnel | Zoom Link

Krissy Trujillo and Tassandra Rios-Scelso, Pikes Peak State College

At Pikes Peak State College, we are continually improving communication with prospective and admitted students. We have developed detailed communication plans that provide timely and relevant information to students. During this session, we will walk you through some communication strategies we use at each enrollment funnel stage including segmentation, personalization, integrating different types of communication, and reengaging with students. We will also guide you on an exercise designed to help you think through your own communication strategies and plans.

Krissy Trujillo: I have spent most of my professional career in higher education. Most recently, I have been at  Pikes Peak State College for four years. I joined the Pikes Peak team as a Communication Specialist after I earned my BBA with an emphasis in Marketing and an MBA from Colorado Mesa University. I am now the Student Services Communication Coordinator at Pikes Peak State, where I get to create strategic communication plans that help break down barriers for students. When I’m not doing that, I’m likely trying to make a dent in my “to be read” pile, or just buying new books to add to it.

Tassandra Rios-Scelso: I am a student-centered higher education professional with over seven years of experience in several student services areas. I am currently the Student Services Communication Specialist at Pikes Peak State College, which I took on after transitioning from a Recruitment role at Pikes Peak. I completed my BA at San Diego State University, and my MS in Intercultural Leadership and Management from SIT Graduate Institute. In my spare time, I love exploring dog parks and new trails with my husband and two fur babies.

Kathy Gamble, FRCC
Kathy Gamble

Taking a short walk in their shoes–inclusive, collaborative strategies that support student learning | Zoom Link

Kathy Gamble, Front Range Community College

Experience it for yourself—a short simulation (in English) to help you better understand some of the many challenges facing students who struggle.   The audience will then participate in sample activities we are currently implementing in ENG 0092. Although this course is designed to support ELLs, 1st gen students, and those who lack confidence in their ability to succeed, these activities support ALL students, take minimal preparation and are easily modified for different disciplines. Participants will be encouraged to pair/share at least one activity they will integrate into their classes. Additional resources will be provided.

Kathy Gamble earned her MA from CU Boulder in Curriculum and Design.  She has taught middle school Reading and ESL in BVSD, worked with pre-service teachers at CU, and has spent 16 years at FRCC as Director of ESL and TESOL.  Currently Department Chair for Social & Behavior Science & Education, she is also co-facilitator of the Equity Academy for instruction and a member of the HSI taskforce at FRCC.  The common thread through all of these experiences is a passion for supporting students who struggle with learning, and teachers who want to create successful opportunities for those students.