Carrie Besnette, Metro State VP of Institutional Advancement, on bringing the call center in house

Metro State now houses its call center in house rather than outsourcing. This means that students talk directly with alumni & friends of the College, which makes the interactions more meaningful. The call center is already on its way to paying for itself with an 820% in cash in the door between last year and this year for the call center. On Oct. 18, the staff of Institutional Advancement challenged students to a staff vs. student call night. The students whooped the butts of the staff, raising $1950.64 to the staff's $185. In this video, VP of Institutional Advancement Carrie Besnette talks about the benefits of bringing the call center in house.

Metro Alumni Business Brief: Eric Peterson Cruises Into the New Year

The Metropolitan State College of Denver Office of Alumni Relations profiles and/or reviews alumni-owned businesses each month as a part of its outreach efforts. Businesses will be highlighted on the blog and in the Office of Alumni Relations enews. Please email escully@mscd.edu if you have a business or know of someone who has a business we should consider profiling.

By Lizzy Scully

After spending 150 nights at sea, including a four-month educational odyssey across the globe, Metro State alumnus Eric Peterson ('99, marketing) has developed a passion for the sea that runs deep. And because his work in the mortgage industry slowed significantly due to increased regulation, he opted to do what he loves best—plan cruises. But instead of arranging all the trips for himself, he started another business, Denver-based Cruise Planners in January, and will now help others chart their dream tours across the ocean.

“The ability to sell and plan cruises provides me with all of the passion and excitement that I missed working as a mortgage agent,” he explained in a recent email. And that enthusiasm, he adds, translates to an ability to really dial in to what his clients are looking for.

“Knowing that I have cruised around the world and continue to seek out new cruising adventures will help my clients to feel confident that buying a cruise from my agency was the right decision,” Peterson explains. There are a lot of people in the industry who never travel via cruise ship. Not Peterson. He’s been to dozens of ports of call, from Japan to Vietnam and Egypt to Cyprus. When his clients book a trip, he likely has first-hand knowledge about the ships and ports of call they are interested in.

“I believe I can truly recommend the vacation that best suits their needs,” he says. He can also offer them deals just as good as ones they would find online, but without the hours of searching. As a franchise of Cruise Planners/American Express, Peterson has relationships with every cruise line in the industry.

And, to keep up with the ever changing industry, Peterson will regularly scout new opportunities. He goes to Mexico on a five-day reconnaissance mission this spring, and regularly travels around on his 28-foot Lancer sailboat, “the amiga”.
In addition to traveling often to keep his business perspective fresh, Peterson one day hopes to regularly charter an entire ship and to create and maintain several themed cruises.

Traveling by ship, he says, “is an experience of a lifetime. Why not share it with as many other people as possible?”



Eric Peterson’s most memorable time at sea…

My junior year at Metro State, I spent the entire Fall Semester (1997) on Semester at Sea, which is a globe-circling educational odyssey that takes 600 students around the world over a four-month period. We spent one week each in Japan, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Vietnam, India, Egypt, Cyprus, Greece, Spain and Morocco. I spent countless hours staring over rail at the sea with amazement. Ever since that journey, each time I get on a ship, the excitement level never wanes.

September of that year, it took us 15 days to cross the Pacific between Vancouver, BC and Kobe, Japan. During that voyage, we encountered two typhoons, and sea conditions that were unfathomable to me. Watching our ship take on 50-70 foot waves was frightening and fascinating at the same time. We were stuck indoors for five days because the winds were too dangerous to be on the decks of the ship. While sitting in class one day, a rogue wave hit the side of our ship and all of us fell over in our desks. The chalkboard rolled across the classroom and shattered into pieces as it slammed against the wall. Luckily, I was not seasick. Several of my classmates could not leave their cabins for days. I learned to respect the sea and to never underestimate it.

Natural Veteran Duber-Smith Honored by Wall Street Journal

Excerpt from Happi.

Lauded for integrating practical business tools into the classroom.
The Dow Jones Company has presented natural products industry veteran and marketing professor Darrin C. Duber-Smith with the 3rdannual Wall Street Journal Distinguished Professor 2009 award. Duber-Smith, president of Green Marketing, Inc. and marketing professor at Metropolitan State College in Denver, CO, was chosen among nine other professors out of 1,000 candidates who were nominated nationally to receive the honor for integrating practical business tools and experiences into the classroom.

Duber-Smith had held marketing management positions with ZAND Herbal Formulas, Nature’s Apothecary, and Natural Business Communications (the founders of the LOHAS market segmentation) prior to forming Green Marketing, Inc. in 2000.

"I am truly thrilled to have the unique opportunity to work with clients, publish, speak at conferences, and bring it all directly into the classroom,” said Duber-Smith. “It’s a nice balance for all of us."

Read more here.

Learn all you need to know to find that new job

Learn how to dress right for a job interview, how to write resumes, or just discuss your career path at Metro State College of Denver's Office of Career Services.

Metro State Office of Career Services
(303)-556-3664 www.mscd.edu/~career

Upcoming Spring 2010 - Events and Workshops

Events

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BECKER PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION INFO BOOTH
Dates: January 27th & 28th, 2010 (10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.)
Location: North Classrom (South Entrance)
Description: Becker provides world-class web-based and live in-house continuing professional education for accounting and finance professionals.
More Info: Log on to Metro State Joblink through www.mscd.edu/~career for further updates
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FEMA INFORMATION SESSION
Dates: Wednesday, January 27th, 2010 (12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.)
Location: 1020 Ninth Street Park
More Info: Log on to Metro State Joblink through www.mscd.edu/~career for further updates ******************************************************************************
WORKING IT OUT: GLBT CAREER PANEL
Dates: Wednesday, March 10th, 2010 (2:00 p.m.)
Location: Tivoli Rm 640
Description: A panel of professionals will discuss GLBT issues in the workplace and provide helpful hints.
More Info: Log on to Metro State Joblink through www.mscd.edu/~career for further updates
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SPRING JOB FAIR 2010
Dates: Tuesday, April 6th, 2010 (10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.)
Location: Tivoli Turnhalle
Description: Employers from several career fields will be hiring students and alumni, so students should dress professionally and bring their resume!
More Info: Log on to Metro State Joblink through www.mscd.edu/~career for further updates
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2nd ANNUAL SUSTAINABLE STYLE SHOW
Dates: Tuesday, April 27th, 2010 (1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.)
Location: Tivoli Food Court
Description: Students will learn how to dress professionally and save money on a business wardrobe.
More Info: Log on to Metro State Joblink through www.mscd.edu/~career for further updates
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FACULTY/STAFF OPEN HOUSE
Dates: May 5th, 2010 (10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.)
Location: Career Services Office, Tivoli Rm 215
Description: Join us for refreshments and information about the services we offer Metro State students and alumni.
More Info: Log on to Metro State Joblink through www.mscd.edu/~career for further updates
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CULTURES & CAREEERS: STORIES FROM ASIAN AMERICAN PROFESSIONALS
Dates: May 6th, 2010 (Times: TBA)
Location: TBA
Description: In honor of Asian Pacific American Heritage month, Asian American Professionals come to Metro State to discuss their career paths & career-related stories.
More Info: Log on to Metro State Joblink through www.mscd.edu/~career for further updates
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CULTURAL COMMUNICATOR CONTEST
Essay Deadline: April 23rd, 2010
Description: Office of Career Services will select and send three students to the Adcolor Awards in October 2010. To enter, an essay must be submitted and turned in by April 23, 2010! For further information come by the Office of Career Services in Tivoli Rm 215 or call 303-556-3664.
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WORKSHOPS
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SII INTERPRETATION WORKSHOPS
Description: Receive interpretation of your Strong Interest Inventory (SII) Career Assessment you must complete the assessment prior to attending the workshop.
Date/Time: Thursday, January, 28th 2010 (3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.)
Date/Time: Tuesday, February, 2nd 2010 (1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.)
Date/Time: Monday, February, 8th 2010 (2:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m.)
Date/Time: Wednesday, February, 17th 2010 (11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.)
Date/Time: Tuesday, March, 9th 2010 (2:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m.)
Date/Time: Thursday, March, 18th 2010 (1:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m.)
Date/Time: Wednesday, April, 7th 2010 (11:00 a.m.-12:30 a.m.)
Date/Time: Tuesday, April, 20th 2010 (11:00 a.m.-12:30 a.m.)
Date/Time: Wednesday, April, 28th 2010 (3:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m.)
Date/Time: Tuesday, May, 4th 2010 (12:00 p.m.-1:30 p.m.)
Location: Auraria Campus; Tivoli 215
More Info/Register: Log on to Metro JobLink or call 303-556-3664
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MBTI INTERPRETATION WORKSHOPS
Description: Receive interpretation of your Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) Career Assessment you must complete the assessment prior to attending the workshop.
Date/Time: Tuesday, January, 26th 2010 (2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.)
Date/Time: Monday, February, 1st 2010 (12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.)
Date/Time: Wednesday, February, 10th 2010 (3:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m.)
Date/Time: Tuesday, February, 23rd 2010 (2:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m.)
Date/Time: Thursday, March, 11th 2010 (1:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m.)
Date/Time: Friday, March, 19th 2010 (11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.)
Date/Time: Wednesday, March, 31st 2010 (11:00 a.m.-12:30 a.m.)
Date/Time: Tuesday, April, 13th 2010 (11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.)
Date/Time: Wednesday, April, 21st 2010 (3:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m.)
Date/Time: Monday, May, 3rd 2010 (2:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m.)
Location: Auraria Campus; Tivoli 215
More Info/Register: Log on to Metro JobLinkor call 303-556-3664
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WRITING YOUR FIRST RESUME
Description: This workshop is designed for people who have never written a resume.
Date/Time: Tuesday, February, 16th 2010 (11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.)
Date/Time: Monday, March, 8th 2010 (4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.)
Date/Time: Tuesday, March, 30th 2010 (12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m.) *Presented by Kraft Foods
Date/Time: Friday, April, 16th 2010 (9:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m.)
Location: Auraria Campus; Tivoli 215
More Info/Register: Log on to Metro JobLink or call 303-556-3664
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ADVANCED RESUME WRITING
Description: This workshop is designed for people who have written resumes and need help maximizing them for job applications in a tight job market.
Date/Time: Thursday, February, 25th 2010 (1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.)
Date/Time: Wednesday, March, 17th 2010 (9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.)
Date/Time: Wednesday, April, 28th 2010 (11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.)
Location: Auraria Campus; Tivoli 215
More Info/Register: Log on to Metro JobLink or call 303-556-3664
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INTERVIEWING WORKSHOP
Description: Learn how to prepare for an interview and market your strengths to prospective employers.
Date/Time: Tuesday, March 16th 2010 (1:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m.)
Location: Auraria Campus; Tivoli 215
More Info/Register: Log on to Metro JobLink or call 303-556-3664
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JOB SEARCH STRATEGIES
Description: This workshop is designed to provide information on how to conduct a job search and the importance of maintaining a professional image throughout the process.
Date/Time: Monday, April 5th 2010 (2:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m.)
Location: Auraria Campus; Tivoli 215
More Info/Register: Log on to Metro JobLink or call 303-556-3664
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GRADUATE SCHOOL WORKSHOP
Description: This workshop is for people who are considering graduate school now or in the future. Learn what to consider when making the decision to go to graduate school and what to expect during the application process.
Date/Time: Monday, April, 26th 2010 (11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.)
Location: Auraria Campus; Tivoli 215
More Info/Register: Log on to Metro JobLink or call 303-556-3664
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CAREER FAIR PREP WORKSHOP
Description: If you plan to attend a career fair you will want to make the most of it! Come get tips on how to best prepare for a career fair.
Date/Time: Monday, March, 29th 2010 (10:00 a.m.-10:30 a.m.)
Date/Time: Thursday, April, 1st 2010 (11:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.)
Date/Time: Monday, April, 5th 2010 (4:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m.)
Location: Auraria Campus; Tivoli 215
More Info/Register: Log on to Metro JobLink or call 303-556-3664
******************************************************************************

Metro State College of Denver student teacher shares experiences on blog

I couldn't find this student's name anywhere obvious on this blog, but I thought it would still be nice to share her/his experiences with aspiring teachers and/or alum teachers. This student is really enjoying the first few days of teaching. Click here to read the blog.

Math Department to host Celebration of Law's Legacy at the Cork House

The Mathematics Department and the Colorado Council of Teachers of Mathematics is hosting a "Celebration of Lew's Legacy" at the Cork House Wine Restaurant at 4900 E. Colfax Ave. in Denver from 3 to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 23. The Metro State community is invited.

Mathematics Professor Lewis Romagnano passed away on Monday, Jan. 11, 2010. He was diagnosed with cancer in October. Visitors to the celebration are encouraged to bring an item to be included in a book of celebrations.

Two funds have been established in his memory.

To provide assistance to Ellen J. Helberg, Romagnano's wife, go to: http://www.drbrookeevans.com/

To contribute to the Lewis Romagnano scholarship fund at Metro State, go to http://www.mscd.edu/giving/alumnifriends.shtml. Once on the page, click "Donate Now," and follow the instructions. Be sure to specify his name in the "comment" field.

Also, checks can be mailed to:
MSCD Foundation
PO Box 17971
Denver CO 80217-9812

Indicate on the memo line of your check that your gift is in memory of Lewis Romagnano.

For questions about the scholarship fund, contact Jaime Livaditis at 303-556-5119.

For questions about the "Celebration of Lew's Legacy," contact Mathematics Professor Jim Loats at 303-556-3109.

Fun and refined, Metro State College of Denver alumni Sean Brown's art delivers smiles

Sean Brown hopes his artwork will make you smile. The playful colors, shapes and textures of each of his unique, handmade pieces of jewelry and framed art are sure to make you crack a grin.

Brown creates one-of-a-kind fired ceramic clay and mixed-media jewelry, as well as larger works to brighten the walls of any home's décor. Contemporary and compelling are both appropriate adjectives for Brown's work. The “C” words come from his creative use of form and juxtaposition of textures.

Brown is well known for his works depicting dogs, cats and, especially, birds. Each animal is whimsically shaped by hand with ceramic clay. This is just the beginning of Brown's elaborate process. Next, vibrant colors of underglazes are applied, and the pieces are fired in a kiln at temperatures reaching 2,000 degrees. After a second firing, Brown uses special pens and fine brushes to apply an overglaze of 22-karat gold. The pieces are placed back into the kiln a third time, with some works receiving up to five firings.

After the pieces cool enough to handle, Brown thoroughly inspects each one and occasionally sandblasts them to give a rich, matte finish. Certain pieces are adorned with more elements, typically 14-karat gold beads, sterling silver and semi-precious stones. Brown's birds receive soft, natural parrot and pheasant feathers to soften the slick glazed look of the fired clay.

Each material in Brown's work adds yet another layer of visual interest. The arduous processes and strict attention to details and materials used gives Brown's work a very distinct personality. The end results are always both fun and refined. Whether the finished product is a piece of wearable art or a delightful find for your home, Sean Brown's work brings joy.

Brown has been showing off his work publicly since 1989 and has used his art to support such important organizations as the Denver SafeHouse, Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities and more. He holds a fine arts degree from the Metropolitan State College in Denver and still calls the city home. Brown is trekking up the mountain this weekend to host a demonstration and show off his newest works at the Art on a Whim gallery in Breckenridge.

President Jordan addresses funding crisis at town hall meeting

On November 19, President Stephen Jordan presented to more than 200 faculty and staff an overview of the most current information regarding the higher education funding crisis and its impact on Metro State. To read more, click here.

To learn how your voice can make a significant impact on the higher education funding crisis, click here.

Join our Metro State College of Denver -- Alumni & Friends Fan Page on Facebook!

If you haven't done so already, join our Metro State College of Denver -- Alumni & Friends Fan Page.

1976 Alum Steve Tracy has art work featured in NC Gallery

While surfing the web I came across information about MSCD graduate and artist Steve Tracy. Exploring further, I discovered photos of his artwork online. He is an incredible artist. I have no skills in the area of assessing artwork, but as I scrolled through the pages I kept saying to myself, "Wow."

Steve graduated from Metro State in 1976. Since then he has won countless awards for his art. Among other places, his work is now featured the gallery, A Boy & His Dog Fine Art, in Asheville, NC. To check out the work at this gallery, click here.

You can also go directly to his website for more information. Like I said, "WOW." It is worth checking out.

MSCD Radio Show

I just found this facebook page for an MSCD radio show. Check it out. Or visit the website by clicking here.

MSCD Master Teacher in Child Development featured on "Regarding Nannies" blog

1998 INA Nanny of the Year Cynthia Wilkinson

Cynthia divides her time between her nanny career and her career as a professional musician. In 2000, Cynthia released her first children's CD called Jumpin' Up to the Moon and in 2003, she released Jumpin' On Down the Road. Cynthia is still very involved as a nanny for her 5 year old charge, Blake, and has enjoyed serving as a nanny mentor for INA. In 2004, she launched her website, jumpinwithcindy.com, where she can now market her CD's to a national audience. Cynthia is also a faculty member of the Swallow Hill Music School and the Denver Center Theatre Academy, as well as an Artist in Residence with Young Audiences and the director of the children's choir, "Sound Seekers". Her work with children also includes serving as Master Teacher for the Metropolitan State College of Denver's Child Development Center and presenting at conferences throughout the country.

How receiving the NOTY™ award has impacted her career: Cynthia says "It was a wonderful experience to serve the nanny profession as NOTY™. One highlight was being featured on a local PBS program. I was not filmed or interviewed, but journalists from the Denver area discussed a story about me that was written in the Denver Post. They focused on my high level of education and professionalism. It was such an honor to be treated with respect by the press and not to be involved in a "tabloid level" of reporting. I was proud to be able to spread the word that there are many true professionals who have chosen to become career nannies."

What is she doing now? Cynthia is working as a nanny in the Denver area for an 18 month old girl and is celebrating her 10th year as a member of the faculty at the Denver Center Theatre Academy. In her spare time, she assists with a children's choir, and recently performed with the choir on her hammered dulcimer. Cynthia also enjoys being active in INA and writes for the associations newsletter, INAVision. Cynthia hopes to release her first lullaby CD, Jumpin' Into Dreamland, this spring.

Words of wisdom: Be creative in finding new ways to make your nanny career interesting. Look "outside the box" for new avenues to travel on your nanny journey.

To read more, click here.

Metro Prof featured in "Star of Mysore" online, an evening daily in India!

Economies rally round in India, China: Prof. Kulkarni

Mysore, Dec. 17 (SH)- Even as global recession continues to bug the western countries, the economies of India and China are showing signs of rallying round, opined Economist Prof. Kishore G. Kulkarni, Metropolitan State College of Denver, USA. He was delivering the Prof. S. Bisalaiah Endowment Lecture under the auspices of Department of Economics, University of Mysore, here on Tuesday. To read the full piece, please visit Star of Mysore online.

Check out this YouTube Video on MSCD Athiests

I appreciate the diversity on this campus and that fact that MSCD promotes the full gamut of political and religious perspectives. The young, soon-to-be graduates highlighted in this video are encouraging athiests to be proud of their perspective on life. Click here to watch the video.

MSCD aviation student competes in National Intercollegiate Flying Association competition

Are you an aviation fan. Metropolitan State College of Denver students compete in National Intercollegiate Flying Association (NIFA) competition events. In this video, a student demonstates a power on short field landing competition. Click here to watch.

Stray cat strolls into Metro student's home via social media

This fun Denver Post article documents the story behind a Metro State College student's adoption of a pet tabby after discovering it via Reddit.com, a social news aggregator.

Sandra Lawrence, a "Redditor" who regular contributes to Reddit.com, posted a note about the kitty referencing the term, "Om Nom Nom." According to the article, "'Om Nom Nom' — slang for enthusiastic dining — is a hot Internet meme (a bit of pop culture propagated via e-mail, word of mouth and links) derived from Lolcats, another wildly popular Internet meme featuring digital images of cats, with quirky captions." The post elicited numerous responses and an ensuing discussion and resulted in the adoption of the kitty by Ben Jones.

To read the full and quite entertaining article by Denver Post writer, Claire Martin, please click here.