Communities: Fall 2007

• Researcher Charlene Allison and Mel Cossette, director of materials science, have been studying Proven Practices for the Recruitment of Woman and Girls into STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) Careers. They wrote a paper, "Three Theories of Career Development and Choice." The National Science Foundation is funding their research.

• Edmonds Community College established a student chapter of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers, which was recently recognized at a celebration held at the Future of Flight Aviation Center in Mukilteo.

• Cathie Agor is the director of diversity recruitment -- a new position in the human resources department. She will work to connect diverse members of the workforce to jobs at the college. Previously, she worked in the human resources division of Seattle Public Utilities.

• Joan Penney, the new dean for humanities and social science, also serves on the Washington State Arts Commission. She most recently directed the Bellingham Festival of Music and previously worked at Skagit Valley College.

• John Michaelson is the interim vice president of college relations and advancement. After nine years at Edmonds CC, Susan Kostick left to begin Susan Kostick and Company, LLC, a strategic communications business in Edmonds.

• New York's Institute of International Education ranked Edmonds Community College 25th in the nation among community colleges in numbers of international students served. The college served 677 international students in 2006 -- and 800 enrolled this fall.

• Horticulture Instructors Carrie Becker and Bob Lilly and alumna Susan Carter coauthored “Perennials: The Gardener’s Reference” published in March of this year.

• English Instructor Lela Hilton received the 2007 Humanities Washington Award for excellence in the public humanities. She has also received national recognition for bringing liberal arts education to low-income adults.

• This summer Claudia Levi, business instructor, attended a discussion of best practices in project management at the 7th International Workshop in Strategy, Programme and Project Management at the oldest business school in France.

• Communications and Marketing Directo Sharron Sellers was recently named Communicator of the Year at the National Council of Marketing and Public Relations District VII conference for her excellence and leadership in public relations at the college and throughout the Northwest region. The college also earned two top awards for outstanding publications and the college relations’ team gave a presentation on best practices in Web marketing.

• Johnny Robbins was one of 350 students nationwide to earn a $1,000 scholarship from the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation for academic success and community service. He has served as college’s honor society president and participated in community service-learning projects. He plans to transfer to University of Washington for a bachelor’s degree in anthropology.

• The Center for Families recently received a $20,000 grant to partner with the Foster Grandparent Program of King County to serve children with special needs.