Broward UP™ Capitalizes on Free Comic Book Day to Change Reading Literacy Narrative
Shortly before the event she had scheduled at the Martin Luther King Community Center in Hollywood, Fla., was about to begin, Eileen Santiago wanted to make sure she left no stone unturned. The Broward College professor grabbed one of her undergraduate students by the arm and hurriedly set out to promote for one last time the virtues of Free Comic Book Day, a national event she planned to piggyback on to get local kids excited about reading.
Up and down N. 24th Avenue they drove, pulling down the car window to tell residents about a chance to take home a free comic book, watch a Spiderman movie and munch on some cookies and snacks. Standing outside her home a block away from the community center, Patricia Travis was thrilled when the silver Toyota scion pulled up to her yard.
“We hardly ever get to go to the movies,” said Travis, who was doing what she normally does on a Saturday afternoon, watching her eight grandchildren. “This was perfect. We would have been just sitting home. I can’t afford to take my grandchildren to the movies, not this many of them.”
This type of out-out-side of the box programming designed to break down barriers to education in communities with limited incomes is what Broward College President Gregory Haile envisioned when he established Broward UP™. The UP meaning “unlimited potential” -- is for Broward College ambassadors to go directly into neglected neighborhoods to develop grass-roots partnerships that, in the end, improve the quality of life for residents in zip codes where little exposure to postsecondary opportunities has existed. For Santiago and her student teachers, their strategy centered around comic books.
“We had to bring something different to the table to promote literacy,” said Santiago. “Something like a comic book is fun. It’s the best feeling in the world to know at least when they leave this event, these kids are going to go home with a book to read.”
Agents for Change
And her undergrads in the Teacher Education pathway at Broward College who served as ambassadors as well, learned of both the personal and professional rewards from developing “fun things” to engage and identify kids struggling with reading comprehension while, at the same time, energizing the community to assist children who most need their support.
Alyssa Fino was happy to be an agent for change. As a student teacher, she had spent the past few years fine-tuning her skills at Nova Eisenhower Elementary in Davie and McArthur High School in Hollywood. The 26-year-old would be graduating in a few days from Broward College with a bachelor’s degree in exceptional student education. But instead of getting her nails done for the commencement ceremony, she was giving kids at comic book day the one-on-one help with reading that they are often not afforded in regular classroom settings.
“As I enter education, I recognize that it’s so important to get students more interested in reading,” said Fino. “Some students can’t get the help they need. They may have a cognitive disability that prevents them from keeping up, or teachers may be too busy in a classroom of 25-30 students to determine who needs help.”
‘Something Called College’
Professor Santiago is devoted to changing that narrative and wants her students to follow her lead. She grew up in a poor neighborhood in Miami and was unaware of college until her second year in high school. From her initial exposure, she went on to earn a degree in teacher education at Broward College and a master’s from Nova Southeastern University.
“All along I never knew about college,” she said. “My goal is to teach my students to teach their students that, no matter where they are, there’s something called college to continue your education.”
For Santiago and her Broward College students, that outreach began by connecting with students like Latoya, a 12-year-old at Attucks Middle School student who found herself reading comic books instead of shooting baskets at the community center.
“I liked the comic books,” said Latoya, who hopes to be a teacher herself someday. “They had more action and drama than the regular books I’m used to and a lot of different words that I could learn.”
If you are dedicated to promoting opportunity and pushing residents of Broward County to achieve their highest potential, Broward UP™ is a county-wide movement for you to get behind. Here’s how you can partner.
Get to Know Dr. Deborah Posner, Key Presenter at the Continuous Improvement Conference
Dr. Deborah Posner has an unwavering passion for education. The associate vice president for the Office of Institutional Planning and Effectiveness has used her innovative approach to guide Broward College on a successful path to accomplishing its goals. Her experience comes from years of working in academia and corporate business, and she’s excited to share her knowledge at the upcoming Continuous Improvement Conference being hosted by her department in July.
Passion for Education
The South Florida native has taught middle school, high school and at the college level for more than 20 years. As a professor, she specialized in math, advertising, marketing and financial management. She was drawn to the field of education by her parents, both math teachers with more than 30 years of experience.
Even though she enjoyed the classroom, Deborah had a desire to do more. She transitioned to administration as an associate dean, dean, district director and then her current role at the College. Along the way, she spent time in the corporate and government realm as a senior business analyst in project management and quality assurance. She enjoyed the challenge of working for private institutions, but fell in love with the community college model of open access and affordability.
#BCProud
Deborah takes pride in leading the strategic planning process by setting the right goals and measures. She and her team are there to support each department as they work to ensure the College provides the best programs and services to students. Once strategies are implemented, the focus turns to the continuous improvement cycle in the never-ending search for ways to do even better.
Her favorite part of her job is what she does with FAST (Find, Analyze, Sort, Transform) teams. This is where she puts the Lean Six Sigma principles into practice through the formation of cross-functional teams. Lean Six Sigma is a globally recognized methodology for maximizing operational efficiency as well as an enterprise-wide business strategy with direct bottom line impact. A certified black belt within the program, Deborah will offer her Lean Six Sigma white belt workshop for free to conference attendees. The program normally costs $199 to take through the Continuing Education department.
Deborah is always looking for opportunities to share her vast acumen to an assortment of audiences. She has presented across the country including to the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) with President J. David Armstrong, Jr. and in an airplane hangar filled with aviation executives at the Lean Summit in Tampa.
The Continuous Improvement Conference
She is excited to see her vision for a Continuous Improvement Conference realized at Broward College. The Continuous Improvement Conference is designed to help industry professionals achieve operational and performance excellence. Deborah is among a list of successful business leaders who will share best practices and expertise on issues related to establishing and achieving strategic goals to leadership.
The conference will be hosted at the A. Hugh Adams Central Campus and will begin with a welcome social event on Sunday, July 23 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. A day-and-a-half of program will follow on Monday, July 24 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Tuesday, July 25 from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Breakfast and lunch are included. Registration is $300 and limited to 70 attendees.
To register and for more information, visit www.browardcic.com
Day in the Life of a Crime Scene Investigator
Blood splatter, bullet casings and fingerprints are some of the evidence Gary Cortolillo, a certified crime scene investigator for the Davie Police, gathers on the job. No day is the same for the Broward College alumnus.
Gary’s shift runs from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday. He is also rotating on-call with two other investigators during the weekends. Gary usually starts the morning with paperwork, finishing up reports from the previous day, or processing existing evidence.
Sometimes, he’ll get dispatched to a crime scene either by his direct supervisor, the investigation division or a sergeant from the department. His unit is typically involved in major crime scenes or property and residential burglaries where there is a large amount of cash, firearm, jewelry or drugs in the case.
Gary also works on homicides, officer-involved shootings and other similar scenarios. During a homicide he joins fellow investigators on site. They are briefed by the lead detective or the sergeant supervising the scene. Then there is a quick walk-through to point out evidentiary areas and items that need processing. Next comes the first stage of documentation. Gary will take lots of photographs of varying distances, as well as photos of each individual piece of evidence. The department also uses 360 photography, a technique similar to what realtors use when they are trying to sell a house.
Ultimately, Gary says they’re attempting to reconstruct the events that occurred during the incident to help assist the detectives. He also takes notes with general measurements of the scene so that a crime scene sketch can be done. Gary will look at the points of entry like doors and windows, as well as mirrors and drawers. If it’s a homicide, he will look at every surface of the house. Once the fingerprint is taken, he and fellow investigators will look at bloodstain patterns and conduct bloodstain pattern analysis to get an idea of what happened. If shots were fired, then they look at the bullet trajectory.
Who is an ideal candidate for a crime scene investigator?
Gary recommends that those interested in the field should:
- Be detail oriented.
- Have very good observational skills
- Be able to think outside the box and put themselves in the shoes of an offender.
He credits his love for his career to the education he received at Broward College and, particularly, to Professor Jack Hackett.
“The classes that I took under Professor Hackett really prepared me for what I was about to face on the streets and in the real world,” Gary said. “I had the ability to gain textbook knowledge, but also what you are actually going to see in a real life situation. I really hit the ground running early on…So I was pretty well prepared for what I was going to face on the job.”
If you love playing Clue and you’re interested in pursuing a career in crime scene investigation or criminal justice, visit the Broward College Institute of Public Safety page.
Do you feel you have a compelling story to tell or know someone from Broward College who does? Let us know by emailing a short description to [email protected].
#ForeverBCProud by Rachel James – Alumna and Employee - Guest Blog Post
For the next few weeks we will feature guest posts from some of our students and graduates as they share their experience about what has made them proud to attend Broward College. Our first post is from Rachel James, a 2015 graduate and part-time employee with the Office of Advancement. Rachel has just completed her bachelor’s in Communication from Florida Atlantic University (FAU).
Broward College has made me a leader and my experience here has paved the way for me to fulfill my dreams. I got my feet wet with college leadership when I enrolled in 2012 and started volunteering. One of my first accomplishments was becoming a new student orientation leader. The next year, I found my true passion when I volunteered with the Office of Volunteering and Leadership and then became the lead representative for the organization. I didn’t stop there, and I got involved with the Latin American Student Association, the Campus Activities Board, and became a Student Ambassador.
My role serving as an ambassador for Broward College continued when I was recommended by President J. David Armstrong, Jr. to participate in the Aspen Institute Prize Ceremony in Washington, D.C. as a panelist and representative of the College’s successful transfer students. Through this opportunity, I have been offered a summer internship in Washington, D.C. with the College Excellence Program! This internship will allow me to gain additional exposure to the field of higher education by working alongside and being mentored by higher education industry experts.
I can honestly say that, without the support of all the generous donors who funded my scholarships, and the faculty and staff, I wouldn’t be a first-generation college student. After graduating, I transferred to FAU. With two tassels down (high school and college) and two more to go, I am determined to pursue my upcoming degree in higher education with hopes of following my dream to become a college professor and, someday, a college president!
The support that I’ve received, has been such a blessing and that’s what makes me a proud Broward College alumna. Though I’ve faced some challenges, those factors thrust me forward and encourage me daily to become a change agent in my family and community. I’d like to encourage other students to reach out to advisors, professors, and student leaders. Seize every opportunity to interact or get support because building relationships is vital in any field. Get involved, believe in yourself and be proud to be a part of an institution that cares about your success. I am Rachel James, and I am #ForeverBCProud.
Let us know what makes you #ForeverBCProud by posting with the hashtag on social media.
If you have a compelling story to tell or know someone from Broward College who does? Let us know by emailing a short description to [email protected].
Debbie Brecker: A Model for Bold Beauty
Lights, makeup, costume changes, the flash and click of the camera all characterize Debbie Becker’s six-hour photo shoot. It’s her first time as a model and she’s excited. It’s more work than she anticipated but it will be worth it.
Debbie isn’t your ordinary model posing for famous designers or a fashion catalogue – using canes due to having cerebral palsy, she’s doing the shoot to empower women.
“I had a hard time as a teenager,” she recalled. “I didn’t feel attractive, desirable or that I was getting the same attention from young men as my peers. I carried a lot of those negative feelings with me for a long time.”
Debbie is featured in the exhibition of the Bold Beauty Project at the North Regional Library on the Broward College North Campus from May 29 to August 31. The exhibit focuses on women with varying disabilities as seen through the lenses of award-winning photographers. The goal is to elevate and celebrate the strength, sensuality, and spirit of resilience and courage of women. For participants as well as viewers, it creates a transformative experience while expanding the concept of what it means to be beautiful.
Using Her Uniqueness as Purpose
Debbie became involved in the Project after seeing the exhibit twice. She was impressed by its message and contacted the organizers. They responded and asked her to be part of the Broward College exhibit, which is coincidentally where she also works as a Student Affairs specialist and counselor. The experience, she says, changed how she views herself.
“I started to view my body differently, not focusing on the parts that don’t work which is what I used to do but on my beauty as a person, and as a woman. I’ve realized that the limitations really don’t matter; it’s how I feel about myself and what I project from the inside.”
She is already using her experience to encourage students in her role at the College. On her office wall are photos showing her athletic accomplishments. Among them, adaptive snow skiing in New Zealand, a shot of her crossing the finish line in a 10K walk for cerebral palsy in Australia, and skydiving.
“I reference those pictures when I work with students [when] I can tell their self-esteem is low or when they are getting impatient because they want to progress more quickly through their degree. I let them that ‘what matters is that you finish the race and not how long it takes you to get to the finish line.’”
More about the Bold Beauty Project
The Bold Beauty Project was founded by Shelly Baer, a Tedx speaker who engages in dialogue on the beauty of disability. For Debbie, there is no greater reward than helping others see their beauty. “I want people who come to see the exhibit to walk away realizing that as human beings we all have something beautiful about ourselves and when we chose to focus on the negative, they become hidden, but when we acknowledge our beautiful traits then they can be appreciated and acknowledged.”
The photography exhibits have been featured at major international art shows in different parts of the country, including Art Basel Miami. The Bold Beauty Project has plans for growth, with a replication model in the works so that other cities can reproduce the project. The South Florida team behind the Bold Beauty Project is an all-volunteer team of diverse professionals supporting the non-profit.
To learn more about the Bold Beauty Exhibit at Broward College visit the Eventbrite page.
2017 Spring Commencement Success Stories
Graduation is a time of celebration at Broward College. The culmination of years of hard work and sacrifice. Although each student wears the same cap and gown, the path they took to get to commencement is unique and each graduate comes from a different set of circumstances to reach this important milestone.
Below are just a few student success stories from the 2017 Spring Commencement:
Christina McMillan
When 37-year-old Christina McMillan crossed the platform, she took with her a unique perspective as an employee and a student. McMillan, an executive assistant with the Institutional Research department has been with the College since January 2008. She had earned her associate degree at the College years earlier, so choosing to return to her studies with the institution she loved was a “no-brainer.” This month, Christina graduated with Bachelor of Applied Science in Supervision and Management.
Studying as an employee has given her a greater passion for her job. Her experience has shown Christina just how much of a difference employees make in the lives of students. “Sometimes I interact just as a student, and I’ve experienced wonderful faculty and staff members who offer so much help. The model that we preach - that we are an institution for people who want to advance themselves - is true because it’s something I’ve personally experienced.”
Married with two children, Christina knows the true meaning of balance and attributes her success to perseverance. She hopes to pursue an MBA and continue to evolve her career right here at Broward College.
Scarlett Rocha
Scarlett Rocha is a first-generation college success story. The 20-year-old star athlete is credited with helping the Seahawks women’s basketball team to the state championship the last two years. However, basketball is just one of her talents - Scarlett boasts a 4.0 GPA and has been the recipient of numerous academic awards and scholarships.
Born to Bolivian immigrants, Scarlett’s success has not been a fairy tale. After her parents’ divorce, she moved back to Bolivia with her mom where she stayed until age 9. Scarlett then returned to the states to be with her dad and the father and daughter moved across several states until they finally settled in South Florida.
Just when they thought things were going right, they faced financial setback when her dad was laid off and the determined youngster took on a part-time job in high school to help out. Scarlett, who credits her dad as her greatest inspiration and support, describes herself as having a competitive spirit. “When I get on the court or in the classroom, I forget everything else because I want to win,” she said.
She will graduate with an associate in Biomedical Sciences and wants to pursue a bachelor’s in Neuroscience. Now, her biggest challenge is trying to determine if she prefers an academic or sports scholarship to one of the 16 universities to which she has applied.
Patricia Gallagan
Patricia Gallagan is only 20, but she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Exceptional Student Education (ESE) and is one of the first graduates of the 10K Degree Program.
Patricia has always been extremely motivated. She was a dual enrollment student at Broward College and liked her experience so much that she hadn’t even considered pursuing her bachelor’s anywhere else. She developed her love for teaching after a few elective courses in education, so she enrolled in the Teacher Education Program (TEP) that fall.
A semester after starting her bachelor’s, she received an email telling her she met all the qualifications to participate in the 10K Program. Broward College offers 11 bachelor’s degree programs that meet Governor Rick Scott’s 10K degree challenge to the Florida College System, which provides a four year bachelor’s degree to students for no more than $10,000.
Patricia completed the application and the program paid for her remaining three semesters, even providing additional funding for some of her books. “What could be better than leaving school debt free? This is a great program, I tell everyone about it,” she said.
Even better, Patricia has already secured a job at Griffin Elementary School in Cooper City. She will begin teaching there in August.
Looking for more student success stories from the 2017 Spring Commencement that inspire? Visit: The BC Blog!
Do you have a compelling story to tell or know someone who does? Let us know by emailing a short description to [email protected].
Day in the Life of…a Pilot
Carlos Orta takes to the sky each day as a First Officer pilot for ExpressJet Airlines. His workspace is a 50-seat Embraer 145, where he flies passengers to major hubs throughout the United States. The military veteran received his Associate of Science in Professional Pilot Technology from Broward College in 2015, then became a flight instructor, earning the required hours of experience needed for employment at an airline.
If Carlos has a flight at 7 a.m. he will get up at 4 a.m. to get to the airport. The pilot normally has to get there around an hour before the flight, but he likes to get there sooner so he has time to look at the weather and flight plan and not rush. Next, comes the preflight inspection where he walks around the aircraft to make sure everything is in order.
By the time boarding begins, he is in the cockpit checking the system. Carlos inputs the flight plan, makes sure there is the right fuel balance, and final preparations take place before departure. Once they takeoff, it’s pretty routine but there can be challenges to work around such as bad weather. There have been rare occasions when an airplane changed course and was flown to an alternate airport. “You prepare for everything,” he said.
Carlos is always on the go, managing between four and five flights a day. Based in Houston, he will fly to Newark, then Newark to Chicago, and Chicago 
to Atlanta before heading back to Houston.
One thing he shares was the amount of hard work you have to put into your studies. Classes like aerodynamics required constant extended review sessions, but he got through them by applying himself. Carlos stresses how important it is to develop good study habits early on. He says that alone will pay off in the long run and improve chances for success.
“A pilot never stops studying. If I [want to] go to American Airlines or another major company, you have to study again. There are new procedures to know. It’s almost like starting over,” he says.
If you are looking to take flight with an aviation career, get more information on the programs offered by visiting the Emil Buehler Aviation Institute at Broward College.
Do you feel you have a compelling story to tell or know someone from Broward College who does? Let us know by emailing a short description to [email protected].
Graduation a Family Affair at Broward College
Graduation is especially meaningful all of our students who walk the stage at the 2017 Spring Commencement. But there’s another group who share their educational journey with someone special – a family member. Below are some of the students who have made graduation a family affair.
Sister Act
Quratulain and Sana Abida Amin are twin sisters graduating with their Associate of Arts. They were born in Karachi, Pakistan before moving at age seven to Dubai. The siblings then ventured to South Florida after graduating high school and stayed to continue their education in the states.
Quratulain looks to transfer to University of Miami to pursue a bachelor’s in Biomedical Engineering. Her ultimate goal is to become a cardiac surgeon as she is fascinated by chemistry and biology. Sana Abida will attend Florida International University with plans to major in Computer Engineering. Even though she was one of a few girls in technology classes in Dubai, her never wavered.
The sisters were active members of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society at the Robert ‘Bob’ Elmore Honors College. They credit the experience for helping them overcome shyness and giving them the confidence to become leaders. Sana Amin served as vice president of scholarship for the Phi Theta Kappa Omega Phi chapter at North Campus while Quratulain was vice president of leadership. During their time they took charge on events to draw awareness on important topics as Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO’s).
Their hard work in academics and student life paid off in the form of numerous scholarships and accolades. They both were named to the Florida College System 2017 All-Florida Academic Team. Quratulain earned a prestigious Jack Kent Cooke scholarship, which provides up to $40,000 to top community college students with plans to continue their education.
Brothers for Education
R
obert and Riste Sekuloski were brought to the United States in 2004 from Macedonia by their mother. She had arrived a few years earlier with $500 in her pocket, no friends or family, and a dream to see her sons succeed. This graduation, her dream will come true when both sons will graduate with degrees from Broward College.
Robert Sekuloski 21, will receive his Associate of Arts in Business Administration with certifications as an Accounting Technician. He had received a number of scholarships, including the Willis Holcombe scholarship and the Honors College Hermes scholarship, so his two years of study cost his family nothing. He hopes to pursue a career in political science and developmental economics.
Riste Sekuloski, 25 will earn his bachelor’s in Information Technology Management. He is already an entrepreneur, working full-time as a graphic design artist so he can provide for his mom and brother. However, his dreams have just begun. Riste wants to pursue a career in entertainment law and will take the LSAT in June with a plan to attend FIU. “We have had some rough times but it has been worth it. You can be anything you want to be in this great country,” he said.
The one thing these sibling have in common is how they have motivated the other to succeed, pushing and encouraging each other every step of the way. Soon, Quratulain and Sana Abida and Robert and Riste will celebrate their respective accomplishments on graduation day together.
These are just some of the great student stories in this year’s graduating class. For more, read about how father and son Francis and Samson Fagunleka moved from Nigeria to start a new life. Visit:
http://www.sfltimes.com/news/local/father-and-son-make-graduation-a-family-affair.
Celebrating EMS and Nurses Week
Some of the biggest real-life heroes aren’t found on a summer movie screen or in a comic book, but inside a hospital or in an ambulance. These unsung men and women are celebrated each May during National Nurses Week (May 6-12) and EMS Week (May 21-27).
Going through life, it’s impossible not to have been assisted by a nurse or a member of EMS personnel. They impact the world around us and save lives on a daily basis. In celebration of National Nurses Week and EMS Week, below members of the Broward College family share messages of appreciation and personal experiences.
“When I was on my deathbed, nurses saved my life in 1995. I had leukemia and was given a bone marrow transplant. They would give me the motivation to continue fighting and to never give up. I told myself if I survived, I would somehow go to school and become a nurse. More than 20 years later now I can say I am doing just that.”
-Patrick Myton, Broward College Associate of Science in Nursing graduate
“My earliest experience of wanting to be a nurse came about when I was in eighth grade sitting in my Home Economics class. My classmate, who shared the same work table, was missing for a week. Upon inquiring of their whereabouts, I was told that she had died from meningitis. I had never heard of the disease or hardly any at that point in my life. From then on, I have never stopped learning about diseases and how I can make it better for someone else so that death would not overtake them.”
-Dr. Linda Washington, Broward College RN-BSN associate dean
“I became a health care worker because at 19, and a P.E. major, I had a tonsillectomy and almost died. I was in critical care for more than 24 hours. I decided to go into health care to help individuals. I started in radiology and went on from there.”
-Jacqueline Stawicki, Emergency Medical Services associate dean
“I worked in the healthcare field for a period of time, but it never really hit me what these professionals go through until one day in 2008. I was working in the Cancer Center at Broward Health and knew many of the patients and physicians well. One day, a beloved patient passed away and the entire department was in a somber mood and no one was more upset than his stoic oncologist. It was then I learned he cried for each patient who would pass away, write their names on his board, and vow to give the next patient just one more day than that one. I have never been more in awe of someone’s compassion, kindness and determination.”
-Lesli Franco, Director of Communications and Public Relations
The Nursing and EMS programs at Broward College continue to build on their stellar reputation for providing the workforce with highly skilled graduates to hire. Many have even come circle and return to the College to teach.
For more information on entering either career, visit the Health Sciences page.