CTC to host Town Hall Meeting

The Central Texas College (CTC) Student and Employee Assistance Program/Substance Abuse Resource Center will host a Town Hall Meeting on Wednesday, September 17 in the Anderson Camps Center (Bldg. 156). Held in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (SAMHSA), the program is entitled, “How Can We Create a Better Future for Our Youth?” and will focus on the problem of underage drinking. The meeting will be from
12 – 2 p.m.

Event coordinator, Dr. Gerald Mahone-Lewis, director of the CTC Employee-Student Assistance Program, noted “the event will bring the youth of the community and their caregivers together with Central Texas College leadership, educators, substance abuse resource center and representatives from local community centers.”

Guest speakers for Town Hall Meeting include Tori Lineberry, Texas RED program coordinator. Her program targets juvenile (ages 15 – 19) who have exhibited risky behavior while driving. She helps educate young drivers about the path of injury following a motor vehicle crash and what they can do to drive sober, silent and secure.

Dr. Bryan Davis, a retired Temple police officer who has helped with the Shattered Dreams programs in schools. He has also served as a chaplain for more than 30 police, fire, EMS, military and communication centers in Bell County.

Reita Hill from Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) – the nation’s largest non-profit agency working to protect families from drunk driving and underage drinking.

“This is a great opportunity for us all to raise awareness about this important issue, emphasize healthy choices and support each other in making a meaningful difference in our own lives, our children’s lives and our community,” added Mahone-Lewis.

To help ensure there is enough space and seating, anyone interested in attending must R.S.V.P. to Mahone-Lewis at 254-526-1166 by September 5 and they will then receive a ticket for the event.

Mayborn Science Theater offers Labor Day matinees

The Mayborn Science Theater, located on the campus of Central Texas College, will host a matinee tripleheader on Labor Day, Monday, September 1. Matinee tickets are $4 per person, per show.

The matinees open at 10 a.m. with “One World, One Sky: Big Bird’s Adventure.” The show is designed as an introduction to astronomy for young children. It will engage and nurture their natural sense of the night sky as the audience joins the furry friends of “Sesame Street” on an imaginary trip to the moon where they discover how different it is from Earth. The travelers also learn how to find the Big Dipper constellation and the North Star. There’s also a sing-along of “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.”

At 11 a.m. is the laser light show “Spirit of America.” This patriotic show features an eclectic mix of inspirational orchestral, country and good old rock and roll music with artists such as Aaron Copeland, Lee Greenwood, Celine Dion, Brooks and Dunn, John Mellencamp, Garth Brooks and others.

Then at 12 p.m. is the full-dome show “Stars: Powerhouses of the Universe.” Narrated by Mark Hamill of “Star Wars,” the show takes the audience on a journey to the furthest reaches of the galaxy to experience both the beauty and destructive powers of stars. The show focuses on the lives of the stars, how they are born, how they die and how human understanding of the stars has changed over time. From Native Americans to Newton, from the electromagnetic spectrum to Einstein, audiences will explore nebulae, star clusters, pulsars, black holes and more.

In addition to weekday matinees, the Mayborn Science Theater offers weekend public shows on Friday and Saturday nights and an afternoon of matinee shows on Saturday starting at 11 a.m. Show schedules, descriptions, directions to the theater and membership information can be found at http://www.starsatnight.org.

CTC closed Labor Day

The central, Fort Hood and service area campuses of Central Texas College (CTC) will be closed Monday, September 1 in observance of the Labor Day holiday. Classes will resume and administrative offices will re-open Tuesday, September 2.

CTC Online High School earns continuing SACS CASI accreditation

Central Texas College (CTC) recently announced its online alternative high school, CTC Online High School, earned continuing accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI), an accreditation division of AdvancED. This action was taken at the AdvancED Accreditation Commission meeting held in Tempe, Arizona in June this year. CTC Online High School has been accredited since 1973.

SACS CASI provides nationally recognized accreditation for the purpose of continuous school improvement focused on increasing student performance. Accreditation is granted on a five-year term. To earn accreditation, schools must meet SACS CASI’s high standards, be evaluated by a team of professionals from outside the school and implement a continuous process of school improvement.

“Accreditation demonstrates to our students, parents and community we are focused on raising student achievement, providing a safe and enriching learning environment and maintaining an efficient and effective operation staffed by highly qualified educators,” said Larry Kruse, coordinator – CTC Online High School.

SACS CASI accreditation is recognized across state lines. This not only eases the transfer process as students move from accredited school to accredited school, but also assures parents the school is meeting nationally accepted standards for quality and successful professional practice.

Dr. Mark Elgart, president/CEO of AdvancED, the parent organization of SACS CASI, said, “SACS CASI accreditation is a rigorous process that focuses the entire school on the primary goal of creating lifelong learners. CTC Online High School is to be commended for engaging in this process and demonstrating a commitment to continuous improvement.”

Parents and interested community members can learn more about accreditation at http://www.advanc-ed.org.

About CTC Online High School
An alternative to traditional high school, CTC’s fully-accredited online high school offers students a choice of two excellent high school graduation programs. The Recommended Program consists of 26 credits and includes college-prep coursework. The Minimum Program consists of 22 credits and includes all essential high school coursework. It offers an online self-paced, open entry/open exit virtual high school program with a curriculum aligned with the standards set by the State of Texas. The CTC Online High School is available to prospective students worldwide and the online format provides the flexibility that many students look for, especially military personnel and their family members. It is accessible anywhere an Internet connection is available.

About AdvancED and SACS CASI
Dedicated to advancing excellence in education through accreditation, research and professional services, AdvancED is the world’s largest education community, serving and engaging 30,000 public and private schools and school systems in more than 70 countries and serving more than 16 million students. AdvancED is the parent organization of the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI), Northwest Accreditation Commission (NWAC) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI).
SACS CASI is a non-governmental, voluntary agency that accredits nearly 13,000 public and non-public institutions throughout the world.

CTC walk-in registration opens Monday, August 11

Walk-in registration for the fall 2014 semester at the Central Texas College (CTC) central campus begins Monday, August 11. New students who have not completed the admissions process, former students who have not completed the re-admissions process and returning students who either need placement advise or are unable to register online can register during this time at Student Services (Bldg. 119).

Walk-in registration will be held Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., and 7:30 – 11 a.m. on Friday. The last day of walk-in registration is Friday, August 22. Registration is based on the last four digits of the student’s Social Security Number and students should follow the pre-set walk-in schedule below. It can also be found online or in the printed schedule bulletin.

Date Last four SSN Time
Aug. 11 4890-7089 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Aug. 12 7090-9289 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Aug. 13 9290-2589 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Aug. 14 2590-4889 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Open registration dates are August 15-22 for any student who did not register during their appointed time and for any student who has yet to register.

Students who have academic holds and cannot register online through the CTC WebAdvisor system and those students who have not completed the academic advisement process should meet with an academic advisor.

The first day of classes is Monday, August 25. Late registration will be conducted August 25-28.

Returning students and all new students who have completed the admissions and advisement process can register anytime online through the CTC WebAdvisor system.

ATTN military veterans! If you used, or

ATTN military veterans! If you used, or are using, the GI Bill to fund your higher education, we want to hear your success story. Use the link to share your story. Deadline: Aug. 15. CTC celebrates GI Bill 70th anniversary; Friday, Aug. 22; 11:30 a.m.; library. Free and open to the public.
http://bit.ly/1s8J1eT

ATTN military veterans! If you used, or

ATTN military veterans! If you used, or are using, the GI Bill to fund your higher education, we want to hear your success story. Use the link to share your story. CTC will celebrate the 70th anniversary of the GI Bill Friday, Aug. 22 at 11:30 a.m. in the library. Free and open to the public.

http://ow.ly/A2Axm

CTC to host Fast Track Finale for new students and info session for parents

Central Texas College (CTC) will host a free three-day workshop for all 2014 high school graduates interested in attending CTC this fall. The Fast Track Finale will be held in the Fine Arts Building (Bldg. 112) August20-22 from 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. each day. The free workshop is designed to acquaint incoming CTC freshmen about the college and its services. Online registration for the event is open now at http://www.ctcd.edu/collegenow/fasttrack.html.

Fast Track Finale is designed to help incoming freshmen meet classmates, become better acquainted with the campus layout and the many students services offered by CTC. Students can get assistance with registration, guidance and counseling, establishing degree plans and financial aid during the event. “This is more than just a sit-down, hear a lecture type of event,” noted Kim Christian, event coordinator. “Students will be very active and enjoy energetic, upbeat team building activities and break-out sessions.”

During Fast Track, students will also get a tour of the Texas A&M-Central Texas campus (transportation will be provided). Students can also participate in a talent show, pep rally and other activities. Lunch will be provided the first two days. The third day will consist of a new student orientation to further acquaint students with campus services.

This is a great way for new students to receive valuable information about campus life, college readiness, the various campus clubs and organizations and school policies,” said Christian. “In addition to making new friends, students will also get to meet and develop a rapport with many of the people such as counselors, the financial aid staff and others who can help them become successful during their time here at CTC.”

Space in the Fast Track Finale is limited so students are requested to reserve their spot by registering online as soon as possible. Parents can also register online to attend the parent information session August 20 from 8:30 – 11:30 a.m. Questions about the Fast Track Finale can be directed to the CTC Recruiting and Retention office at 254-526-1104.

GeekFest wristbands on sale now

The fifth annual GeekFest, a celebration of all things gaming, fantasy, anime, technology and science fiction, will be held August 15-17 at the Mayborn Science Theatre and the Anderson Campus Center on the campus of Central Texas College (CTC). Featured attractions include gaming tournaments for cash prizes, “humans vs. zombies” game, costume, cake and anime contests, seminars and workshops, vendors and the traditional showing of “Rocky Horror Picture Show” with a live interactive cast accompanying the movie.

Wristbands for GeekFest went on sale August 1 and can be purchased during normal operating hours at the Mayborn Science Theater. Wristbands are required for all GeekFest patrons over the age of 12. With the wristband, patrons receive admission to all programs and dome activities (including “Rocky Horror Picture Show” and “The Lego Movie”), the vendor area and transportation between buildings. Advance wristband purchases are $10 for a three-day all-inclusive pass or $40 for a VIP pass which includes a t-shirt, VIP badge, swag bag and reserved seating for dome events. At-the-door purchases are $18 for a three-day all-inclusive pass, $12 for a one-day pass and $50 for the VIP pass. Discounts are available for door purchases for military personnel and family members.

The event opens Friday, August 17 at 6:30 p.m. with a family-friendly “Harry Potter Yule Ball” Costumes are encouraged for the event. Also on Friday more adult activities are scheduled at the Mayborn Science Theater starting at 6:30 p.m. with music, LAN and console gaming and a showing of “Rocky Horror Picture Show” at 10 p.m. The show features a live shadow cast by the Austin Queerios. Seating begins at 9 p.m.

Saturday’s festivities begin at 10 a.m. with the Humans vs. Zombies competition and a Quidditch demonstration and tournament for all ages. Numerous workshops, costume contests for kids and adults, anime contests, a cake decorating contest, prize drawings, robotics demonstrations, film screenings, Magic tournaments and gaming tournaments will be held throughout the day. Movie presentations include “The Princess Bride” at 6 p.m. and “Rocky Horror Picture Show” featuring a local shadow cast at 10 p.m. in the Mayborn Science Theater. Sunday’s movie is “The Lego Movie” at 4 p.m.

Several of the workshops and seminars on the agenda include cosplay, Dungeons and Dragons, Heroscape, LARPing, role play gaming, Star Trek trivia and a variety of different Star Wars and Harry Potter-themed subjects. A variety of new seminars have been added this year.

For a complete schedule of events, workshops, film screenings and more, visit online at http://www.starsatnight.org/geekfest.

CTC second most popular school for soldiers using tuition assistance; third overall among all military

Central Texas College (CTC) moved up one ranking to become the second most popular school chosen by active-duty soldiers who use tuition assistance (TA) to pay for their higher education. In a survey compiled by Military Times magazine for fiscal year 2013, CTC was second after ranking third for the past two years. Four-year, for-profit school American Military University (AMU) of the American Public University System ranked first while last year’s number two school the University of Maryland-University College, a public institution, finished third for soldiers.

Military Times requested tuition assistance data on students, course enrollments and funds from all branches of the military including the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Army National Guard and Coast Guard. Among the other military branches, CTC ranked third for Marines using TA and seventh for Navy personnel. Overall, CTC was the third most popular school for all military personnel using TA with 21,662 students using TA taking 50,297 courses.

CTC reported more than 16,300 soldiers using TA to pay for their college education last year. The school also reported a graduation rate of 11 percent. More than 2,200 Marines used TA through CTC with a graduation rate of 11 percent. The Navy reported 1,941 sailors used TA at CTC also with an 11 percent graduation rate.

In total, the Army logged 81,433 TA students in fiscal year 2013 among the list’s top 10 schools. The top 10 schools for the Air Force reported 69,514 TA students, while the Navy had 26,547 TA students. The Marine Corps reported 18,234 students and the Coast Guard had 4,618 TA students among the top 10 schools on the list.

“Military Times” began tracking the most popular colleges for active-duty students in 2009. Since then it has seen a sharp increase in those choosing for-profit colleges. Among the top 10 TA schools for soldiers, five of the schools were for-profit, three were private institutions and two were public schools.

CTC offers both online and classroom options for military members with sites on 27 military installations across the continental U.S., Alaska and Hawaii. CTC has sites in 14 countries and three continents covering Europe and the Middle East; 30 sites in the Pacific Far East including Korea, mainland Japan and Okinawa; and Naval ships at sea. In addition to classroom and online classes, CTC also offers alternative education delivery methods such as hybrid or blended courses, courses on compact discs (CDs) and personal digital assistants (PDAs).