New Year, New Name

This week starts the new year at Immokalee Technical COLLEGE.  Today we celebrated our name change with an official ceremony.  Check out the coverage in the Naples Daily News here:  http://www.naplesnews.com/news/education/a-school-by-any-other-name_38052334

UPDATE:  Check out the video from the CCPS communications department:

http://www.collierschools.net/Page/5697

We have been busy in the Technology Programs overhauling the classroom.  Out with the old and in with the new.  So busy, in fact, that we do not have any pictures yet.  Stay tuned for updates on the exciting projects we will be working on in class.

If you are interested in helping us set the direction of our studies, please consider joining us for our Advisory Luncheon and Meetings.  Save the dates:

September 23rd, 2015 12pm to 2pm

April, 12th, 2016 12pm to 2pm

As always, we will have a wonderful lunch created by our culinary program and great conversation.  Thank you in advance for your support!

Finally, I am looking for people who are willing to come in and visit my students as guest speakers.  This is a tremendous way for students to connect their classroom experience to the real world.  Please consider sharing your time and experience with some truly appreciative young minds.  I will be posting more information soon.  But if you are too eager to wait, feel free to contact me via email: mcmula@collierschools.com.

As always, we are looking forward to a spectacular school year!

This Is What You Are Missing

If you are unplugged like me, or if you don't have Comcast, or if you aren't watching TV at the times iTech is advertising:

If you remember Vo-Tech, or think that vocational school (correction, TECHNICAL COLLEGE) is for students who can't make it in "real college":

I have news for you.

I have had the pleasure of teaching some of the most talented and educated students in the past three years.  I have had students with associate degrees, bachelors degrees, masters degrees, and experience in real life.  Some have dedicated up to two years of working full-time with me and at their regular job, while juggling family obligations to get ahead in their careers.  While in my class, they have mentored students just out of high school and still in high school to learn the curriculum and be the best people/employees they can be.

In the end, that is our end goal.

So, I want to share with you the commercials that iTech's Multimedia students created for my two programs.  They are first class.  Done on a deadline, and truly show the passion of my students and our school.

Computer Systems and Information Technology



Applied Cyber Security

Immokalee Technical College

      In case you did not stay up until 10:30pm this past Wednesday evening, I am happy to announce that Immokalee Technical Center will be renamed to Immokalee Technical College.

      This change has been a long time coming and is a better representation of our school as an institution.  Our programs reflect post-secondary learning in career trades and are comparable to what similar schools are called in other states:  Technical Colleges.

      Among some of the advantages Immokalee Technical College and Lorenzo Technical College have over traditional public state and for-profit colleges:

• Simply the lowest tuition rate around:  $2.92 per scheduled hour.
• Faster completion time:  Most programs can be completed in a year.
• Articulation agreements with area colleges:  The courses and certifications you complete her will count towards credit towards more advanced degrees.

    Add to that our instructors with many years of real world experience, our state of the art lab facilities for students to gain hands on experience with the latest equipment being used in the workforce, and superior student support services; our students are well prepared for the workforce and local employers reap the benefits.

      One of my students, Kris Kasten, was interviewed by the Naples Daily News and had this to say about the name change:

"                    "A lot of students look forward to attending college after high school.   However most students don’t know where to attend or what they want to focus their studies on.   Attending Immokalee Technical College is a great way for them to get their foot in the door and decide on a career path and learn skills and trades with direct hands-on real-world experience that will help them further their careers and lives.   It allows the students/adults to know that the work that they complete here can transfer over to college.       " With this name change comes greater credibility not only to the school and the programs it offers but also to the community and future employers looking for graduates who have acquired specific skills and certifications in their perspective fields.   It will also bring a better perception of the work that the students do to complete their courses."   

For more information, check out the article in the Naples Daily News:

http://www.naplesnews.com/news/education/whats-in-a-name-change-more-students-and-more-appeal-technical-school-officials-hope_97530075

When I Grow Up

     
      Rest assured, I have no plan to grow up anytime soon.  However, I came across this little "book" that I found much less cheesy than I thought it would be at first glance and I thought I would share.  For future me, in case I ever do grow up.

Advisory Luncheon Menu

We are looking forward to a great Advisory Meeting on Friday.  Hope you can make it!

You are Invited!

This event is open to all members of the local IT community.  Please join us at Immokalee Technical Center for a wonderful lunch and the opportunity to help drive the curriculum of the Computer Systems and Information Technology and Applied Cybersecurity programs.

Your input is invaluable to our students.  I hope you can attend.

RSVP to Martha Mendoza at 239-377-9903 or email MendozMa@collierschools.com
You may also email Amy McMullin McMulA@collierschools.com