December 2025 Volume 9 Issue 5

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Since NSCC 1010 our First Year Experience course is a designated TBR High Impact Practice, TBR connected us to UVA’s Motivate Lab, a TBR collaborator that translates research on the psychology of learning into classroom practice. This partnership led to activities on learning mindset GPS (Growth, Purpose, and Sense of Belonging) that are an established part of the NSCC 1010 class and OER. The NSCC 1010 Value Discussion and Reflection are the basis for Motivate Lab’s Values Connection free resource.

I recently presented this resource with my Motivate Lab partners at the Complete College America Convening in November in Baltimore. Post-pandemic and now as we confront A.I.’s impact on education, there is widespread interest in igniting student engagement in learning – in developing their own mind.

Motivate Lab proposes that classes need the ‘psychological air’ of learning and so I propose we take learning mindset activities that work in NSCC 1010 and use them at the start of our academic classes. For example, we can show our students the connections between our classes and career readiness competencies they want to grow. This activity can serve as an icebreaker and promote a sense of belonging as we guide students to the purpose of our class beyond the class learning outcomes. Whether in a synchronous or asynchronous setting, students will know that our classes help them achieve their career goals.

I have started to take this message on the road too, as I like to do, most recently at the Assessment Institute in October in Indianapolis. Again, there is widespread interest in connecting students to the purpose of a class especially to a career purpose. If you are interested, teaching NSCC 1010 is one way to acquaint yourself with the activities or send me an email and I can share day one discussion and reflection guides.

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If you want to do some reading (and who doesn’t) during the break, remember NSCC is now part of the Tenn-Share Libby consortium.

Here are just a few of the newly-added books that you can read or listen to:

The Compound by Aisling Rawle.

Powerful Teaching by Agarwal and Bain

Everything is Tuberculosis by John Green

Big Dumb Eyes by Nate Bargatze

Future Boy by Michael J Fox

A Marriage at Sea by Sophie Elmhirst

Strong Ground by Brene Brown

Nobody’s Girl by Virginia Roberts Giuffre

To find these and more, go the library databases page under L:

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As 2025 draws to a close, Nashville State Community College’s Center for Workforce Development & Continuing Education celebrates a year of exceptional growth and measurable community impact. This year was especially significant as NSCC expanded its footprint, strengthened employer and community partnerships, and delivered record-setting levels of workforce training across Middle Tennessee. 

Opening its doors in January 2025, the Workforce Training Center at the East Davidson Campus quickly became one of NSCC’s most impactful workforce assets. In its inaugural year, the center established itself as a critical hub for short-term training, adult learner engagement, and community access. 

In its first 12 months, the East Davidson Workforce Training Center achieved: 

• Over 60,000 workforce contact hours delivered — the highest annual total in the history of NSCC workforce programs 

• More than 17,000 people served in partnership with the American Job Center and Adult Education through training, workshops, orientations, navigation services, employer engagement, and community events such as monthly job fairs and hiring events 

• An expansion of Ready to Reconnect outreach and onboarding for adult learners through Medical Assistant training and High Beginning ESL 

• A growing reputation as a frontline resource for individuals seeking upskilling, reskilling, and career pathways 

Another major milestone this year was the launch of the mobile classroom in October 2025. While the final quarter of the year served as an introduction and pilot phase, the mobile classroom has already shown tremendous promise as a tool for outreach, visibility, and hands-on engagement. 

In its first months, the mobile classroom supported demonstration events at East Davidson, workforce conferences and legislative forums, and hands-on opportunities for the public to experience training equipment, course offerings, and technology. 

With a full year ahead, the mobile classroom will unlock new possibilities in 2026, including: 

• Bringing short-term training directly to neighborhoods where transportation barriers are significant 

• Hosting employer-based workshops and micro-trainings on job sites 

• Creating pop-up learning environments in rural and urban communities 

• Supporting outreach for Ready to Reconnect, GED/HiSET on-ramps, digital literacy, and career exploration 

• Strengthening partnerships with community organizations, libraries, K–12 schools, and American Job Centers 

Partnerships continued to define NSCC’s workforce success. In 2025, the College expanded its collaborations with: 

• Regional employers such as Caterpillar Financial, Inc., Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Southern Gage, and others seeking customized training, professional development, and internship opportunities 

• Workforce partners, including American Job Centers and the Tennessee Department of Labor 

• Community-based organizations such as UpRise, supporting learner recruitment, wraparound services, and grassroots outreach 

• Local government and economic development agencies investing in workforce pipelines 

With a groundbreaking first year at East Davidson and strong regional momentum, NSCC enters 2026 poised for even greater impact. Key priorities include: 

• Expanding course offerings at the East Davidson center, including technical, healthcare, digital skills, and employer-driven training 

• Increasing mobile classroom utilization to engage more communities and employer partners 

• Growing Ready to Reconnect capacity to support higher enrollment and completion 

• Strengthening employer pipelines into high-demand occupations across Middle Tennessee 

• Deepening community engagement to ensure equitable access to training and resources 

The achievements of 2025 — including record contact hours, historic engagement at the East Davidson center, the completion and deployment of the mobile classroom, and expanded partnerships — reflect the dedication and passion of NSCC’s Workforce Development team, faculty partners, employers, and community collaborators. 

Thank you for a remarkable year of service, innovation, and commitment to the people of Middle Tennessee. Together, we are strengthening families, building community capacity, and preparing a workforce ready for the opportunities ahead. 

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Human Resources Update

By Connie Daniel, Senior Administrative Assistant, Human Resources

Please join us in extending a warm welcome to Nashville State’s newest employees!

NAME	TITLE	DEPARTMENT
Theresa Censoplano	EMS Program Director	School of Health Sciences
Mari Al Kanakri	Library Assistant II	Southeast Campus
Scott Morris	Police Officer, Clarksville	Office of Police and Security
Lawrence Morris	Project Reroute Coordinator	Office of the Associate Vice President of Student Affairs
Aneshia Smith	Sr Administrative Assistant	Office of the Vice President of Academic Affairs and Center for Workforce Development/Continuing Education

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Please join us in congratulating Nashville State’s employees who are in a new role! 

New Roles
NAME	TITLE	DEPARTMENT
Heehyun Kim-Son	Tutor Coordinator, Mathematics	Office of Learning Resources

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Please join us in saying farewell to these NSCC employees! 

Separations
NAME	TITLE	DEPARTMENT
Beverly Collins	Associate Professor	School of Business and Professional Studies
Julie James	Instructor, Accounting	School of Business and Professional Studies
Tammy Thorne	Sr Administrative Assistant	Office of the Vice President of Business and Finance
David Welch	Associate Professor	School of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

In 2025, the College welcomed 78 new employees, celebrated 35 employees moving to new roles and wished farewell to 34 employees. 

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Greetings Nashville State!

Thank you to everyone who assisted with these events!

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Dear Nashville State,

This year has certainly presented many interesting opportunities and challenges which working together we have found new creative solutions. Thank you for your continued support of our efforts to improve the progress and accomplishments of our students.

Be safe, spend some quality time with the ones you love, and enjoy the downtime provided by our break between semesters.

On behalf of the Voice staff: Kevin Woods, David Gerth, and all our article contributors we wish you a safe and very happy holiday season and a joyous New Year!

Sincerely,

Cliff Rockstead
Managing Editor

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