Update from the President
by Dr. Shanna L. Jackson
Greetings,
On May 10, Nashville State held our 58th Commencement Ceremony, the first in-person Commencement since 2019. It was a joyous occasion with more than 400 graduates, surrounded by their family and friends, participating in the ceremony. We will award more than 1,000 Associate Degrees and Technical Certificates to students before the academic year is complete!
As I watched each graduate cross the stage, I could not help but think about those who were left behind. Whether they are taking the long journey to completion or dropped out coming short of the goal. We know there are many reasons that students do not complete. Several are outside anything that we can control. However, there are things we can do to become A Student-Ready College.
That ties into our fifth LEADS Core Value: Student-Centered: We are responsible for creating a culture of student success. A key to being a Student-Ready College is being student-centered. You may be asking, what is the difference between the two? From my perspective, being student-centered means that each employee understands how their position is connected to supporting students because, without students, there is no Nashville State.
Being Student Ready puts being student-centered into action by providing or connecting each student to what they need to succeed. It means at Nashville State we stand ready to meet students where they are and work with them to eliminate barriers to completion. Our Vision 2030 targets of 10,000 students, 90% persistence, 60% retention, and 30% graduation rates are the North Stars to keep us focused on our completion efforts.
To achieve Vision 2030: A Student Ready College, we have to continue the transformation away from focusing on whether or not a student is “college-ready” and start preparing to be ready to serve our students where they start. While it is not realistic to think every student who attends Nashville State will complete, our data indicates we certainly have the opportunity to significantly increase the number who do.
Sharing the Good
Every day I hear about amazing things that are happening at Nashville State, and we want to share those with all of you. I encourage you to send me stories of students, faculty, and staff, or great on-campus experiences by using the Good News Submission Form.
Commencement
I once again want to extend a special thanks to Evelyn Hadley, the Commencement Committee, and the faculty and staff who worked the event for an outstanding job. Our new venue Lipscomb University was amazing and Lipscomb’s President Dr. Candice McQueen gave an inspiring and personalized address to our graduates.
Budget Update/Salary Increases
The Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Budget has been submitted to the Tennessee Board of Regents for approval. As previously mentioned we have a $3.6 million shortfall. However, we still submitted a 4% across-the-board salary increase for all eligible employees. The TBR Quarterly meeting will take place June 16-17. If approved, a special notification about eligibility and new salaries will be provided. It is imperative that we remain focused on increasing enrollment and gaining efficiencies to reduce expenses.
Application Dashboard
There is a new Application Dashboard that has been created by our talented team in Institutional Research. Please see below the link along with other enrollment dashboards.
- Application Dashboard
- Summer 2022 Enrollment Dashboard
- Fall 2022 Enrollment Dashboard
- TBR Enrollment Dashboard
Summer Virtual Fridays
All Nashville State campuses will shift to primarily virtual work hours on Fridays starting June 10 and ending July 29. For those whose work can only be done on campus, supervisors will direct where employees report to work on the specified Fridays. To provide consistency in communication across offices, the college will begin using Microsoft Teams for instant messaging. Zoom will still be used for virtual instruction. More information on the use of Microsoft Teams and communication to students will be shared prior to June 10.
Support
Please remember EAP services are offered at no cost to all benefit-eligible employees and eligible family members. Visit Here4tn.com for more information. In addition, the United Way of Greater Nashville provides free financial counseling. You can make an appointment by calling 615-748-3620.
Executive Director for the College Foundation Search
We are completing the first round of interviews for our next Executive Director and plan to bring candidates to campus for final interviews in June.
Nashville State, I believe we are making positive strides on our journey to being a Student-Ready College in all that we do. While we have a long road ahead, we must continue to center ourselves around our “why.” As an open-access college, we cannot simply select who we want to attend Nashville State. It is indeed a challenge to serve students who are not academically prepared and/or have barriers to overcome to be successful. Together we can do anything! We can and we will create an environment where students can thrive and complete college. Our students deserve our best! Embracing our five Core Values will help us learn and grow together so we can achieve the level of support each student needs to succeed.
Nashville State Provided Working Mom More Family Time and Bridge to Career
by Tom Hayden, Associate Vice President, Office of Communications and Marketing
As the College regularly says, ‘Start Here, Go Anywhere.’
This could not be truer for graduate Kimberly McKillop, who earned an Associate of Science in Allied Health as the first step in achieving her personal, educational, and professional goals.
At Nashville State, Kimberly was able to complete her prerequisites at an affordable cost. She would go to her full-time job during the day and attend night courses while trying to create a schedule that would still allow time with her growing family.
During her three years at the Southeast campus, Kimberly ran through the gamut of college life challenges that all students face. However, she feels that the level of one-on-one attention and encouragement that she received from staff and faculty at NSCC gave her the support she needed to overcome those challenges and graduate.
Adding to the other challenges she faced as a working student, a personal tragedy occurred early one semester when her step-daughter unexpectedly passed away. Her Anatomy and Physiology professor at the Southeast campus “helped in allowing me to grieve and letting me know that she was there if I needed anything. At that time, it meant so much to me.”
Kimberly had worked in many professional fields as an adult but there came a point when her career wasn’t going anywhere and she felt like if she stayed in her job she would have no options to better her work environment, salary, and professional growth.
“I finally made the decision I would attend college to get the degree I always wanted to have. It wasn’t just for myself. It was to prove to my kids and other women my age you are never too old to attend college and go after what you want in life.”
“I received so much more than a college education. I received life lessons, friendships, mentoring, and more that I will cherish for a lifetime.”
After graduating, Kimberly earned a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Food Science, with a minor in Psychology from MTSU.
Since September 2021, she has been the West Nashville territory nutrition services field manager for Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools (MNPS). She manages, monitors, and evaluates 20 plus cafeteria programs while supervising and hiring staff and providing professional support.
“The valuable information and lessons I received while attending Nashville State provided me with the knowledge I use daily in my role as a leader in this field.”
Multimedia Students Successfully Create Another High Impact Project
by Dale R. Rogers, Assistant Professor, Multimedia Design
Each spring semester, the students in the Multimedia Practicum class take on a project. The projects are designed to give them an actual client where they can use the skills they have acquired to solve a design problem. In 2021 we created the page that teaches students how to use the Campus Cupboard for the Nashville State Foundation. You can find that project at https://www.nsccf.org/campus-cupboard/
In 2022 we partnered with Jay Chambers, Assistant Professor of Surgical Technology. The challenge was to create a tutorial that would help students use an online resource called MyRecordTracker® for preparing their health documents as they prepare for internships in clinical settings. Our design team consisted of:
- Brianna Humphries
- David (Drew) Harrison
- Layne Eastes
- and myself
We met with Jay who described what he needed. We narrowed that need down to what the team could successfully develop within a 10-week timeline. We then outlined a proposal, developed online copy, scripts, and storyboards, and created audio, video, and graphic assets. We created voice-overs, recorded screen activity, and produced animated presentations. I coded the webpage using Bootstrap so we could ensure it was mobile-friendly. The results of our efforts can be found at https://ww2.nscc.edu/multimedia/projects/myrecordtracker/. I also created a shortened URL, https://bit.ly/NSCC-myRecordTrackerTuts
The Multimedia students demonstrated all of the skills in our program outcomes and have a project they can use for their portfolios. A faculty member has a resource that will significantly reduce his student scaffolding overhead. The tutorial is also being used by the nursing program which also uses the MyRecordTracker®.
Initial feedback has been positive. Graduates of the Surgical Technology program were shown the tutorial. They mentioned that the process would have been much easier had they had access to the tutorial when they were going through the program. I call that a win for everyone. The results of high-impact teaching at its best.
Angie Brown Promoted to Director of Custodial Services for White Bridge and North Davidson
by Tom Hayden, Associate Vice President, Office of Communications and Marketing
Angie Brown was recently appointed director of custodial services for the White Bridge and North Davidson campuses.
Many faculty and staff will most likely recognize and know Angie from her years of service at the College as a supervisor. She is a longtime employee of SCC Services for Education.
After taking classes offered through Workforce and Community Development between June and November 2021, Angie applied for the directorship and was offered the position.
Facilities Management Manager Bill Houston said “Nashville State is lucky to have such a dedicated, hardworking individual working for us. Thanks, Angie.”
Meet the Admissions and Records Office
by Kevin Thomas, Director of Admissions and Records
The Admissions and Records office officially merged on July 1, 2021, to create the Admissions and Records Office. A few of our tasks are:
- Admissions applications and related paperwork
- Coordinate graduation evaluations and events, international student certifications, and VA Certifications
- Set up registration and related processes each semester
- Articulate transfer students’ coursework from other institutions and coordinate evaluations of previous coursework with the NSCC Deans
- Serve Alumni and former students by fulfilling transcript requests, degree and enrollment verifications, and letters of good standing
- Ensure census reporting compliance to TBR, National Student Clearinghouse, and the VA.
- Term setup and end of term processing
While we fulfill many purposes for the college, it’s our team that makes this possible. The team is listed below, with a brief introduction of those who have joined the team since the merge.
- Tiarra Cantrell – Secretary II – Tiarra joined the team on 8/2/2022. She is a former student worker and alumna of Nashville State
- Cyndi Moore – Front Desk and TBR A – G Transcript Clerk
- Ashley Campbell – A-C Transcripts, A – J Graduation Specialist – Ashley was already part of the Admissions and Records Office as an Admissions Clerk when was promoted to Graduation Specialist on February 16th
- Misti Meeks – D – G Transcripts, K – Z Graduation Specialist – Misti was already part of the Admissions and Records Office as a Records Clerk when she was promoted to Graduation Specialist on February 16th
- Sue Bernard – H – N Transcripts
- Jayla Crawford – O – Z Transcripts, Change of Majors – Jayla is a current student at Nashville State and worked previously as a student worker in the Welcome Center at Riverside City College in Riverside, California. She joined the Admissions and Record team on 4/1/2022.
- Coming Soon – VA School Certifying Official
- Janice Beasley – A – F Admissions Applications and processes
- John Miller – G – N – Admissions Applications and processes
- Adriane Gordon – O-Z Admissions Applications and processes, Admissions Lead Worker, International Students (SEVIS)
- Taryn Butler – Assistant Director of Records – Taryn joined the Admissions and Records team by way of Nebraska on 4/1/2022 where she worked in the Admission and Records Office of Metropolitan Community College as an Enrollment Specialist.
- Miranda Inman – Assistant Director of Admissions – Miranda was already part of the Nashville State family as the Peer Mentor Manager when she joined the Admissions and Records Office on 12/16/2022. Before becoming the Peer Mentor Manager, Miranda worked in the Nashville State Admissions Office
- Kevin Thomas – Director of Admissions and Records
I am very proud to be part of the Admissions and Records team. We have learned much in the past year and look forward to finding new opportunities to serve NSCC faculty, staff, alumni, and most importantly – students!
Clarksville Campus Renovation and Expansion Funded in 2022-23 State Budget
by Tom Hayden, Associate Vice President, Office of Communications and Marketing
$34,080,000 for the renovation and expansion of Nashville State Community College’s Clarksville campus, creating a community-based Center for Higher Education, was appropriated in the recently approved state budget for the fiscal year 2022-23. The Tennessee General Assembly overwhelmingly approved the budget with a requirement to match a portion of the funds.
Initially, Gov. Lee included the collaborative project between Nashville State and TCAT Clarksville campus when he submitted his budget request in January.
Leading up to the governor unveiling his budget and its recent passage by the legislature, the Tennessee Higher Education Commission had placed the project among its top capital funding requests after the Tennessee Board of Regents submitted it as one of its top three priorities. Mayors Jim Durrett and Joe Pitts made it the number two priority for Clarksville-Montgomery County.
“With the Tennessee General Assembly funding the governor’s request, we are well on the way to making the renovation and expansion a reality,” said Nashville State President Dr. Shanna L. Jackson. “The College is grateful to our legislators and local champions for seeing the value of what this expansion will mean to Clarksville-Montgomery County and surrounding communities.”
Nashville State has been a dedicated member of the Clarksville-Montgomery County community since 2012. The campus opened with 257 students and enrollment has grown to more than 900. By 2017, the campus had exceeded its capacity for serving students, and a four-classroom modular structure was installed to accommodate demand. With the planned expansion, an additional 800 students will be served.
“At Nashville State, you can start here and go anywhere, meaning a degree or certification will be a gateway to an exciting career or, after graduation, you can transfer to a four-year institution to continue your education,” said Clarksville campus Director Kathleen Akers. “Between TN Promise, TN Reconnect, the numerous scholarships offered, and supports provided such as laptop, tutoring, and food and transportation assistance, Nashville State is here to support students from admissions to graduation and beyond.”
Nashville State has plans to bring new academic programs in high-demand career fields to the Clarksville campus, such as an associate degree in Nursing, Secondary Education, Computer Programming, and Industrial Process Control. The expanded Clarksville campus will also have added modern spaces for workforce training.
Additional resources to support student success will also be created or expanded, such as a dedicated lounge for veterans who are students, a Welcome Center to better assist with admissions and enrollment, a new bookstore, a Campus Cupboard food pantry, a testing space for industry certifications, an ADA testing center, a library and study area, and tutoring support rooms.
As a result of the expansion, the community-based Center for Higher Education will be able to strengthen strategic partnerships with TCAT, CMCSS, Ft. Campbell, and APSU to better meet the needs of the area.
As such, TCAT has plans to offer a Licensed Practical Nursing program on-site, opening up much-needed space at the TCAT campus for their technical and workforce programs.
In addition, Austin Peay will have space on the expanded Clarksville campus for advisors to work with Nashville State students who plan to transfer upon graduation, making the transition for the students simpler and more seamless.
To foster greater collaboration, communications, and financial support within the community for this impactful expansion, the College has established a Clarksville Advisory Committee, which includes governmental, non-profit, and corporate leaders.
Commencement Speech
by Jessica Rabb, Ph.D., Faculty Senate Chair and Professor of Biology
Hi,
For this month I am submitting my commencement speech!
It is my honor to be on this stage for faculty, to proudly and gratefully and a little nervously represent faculty, your teachers, for once sitting in the back of the room. Hello, faculty.
I teach introductory biology: cells, DNA, and photosynthesis. Biology was my college degree, eventually. The reason I am wearing all of this.
I also teach the first-year experience class, a class intended to help you get used to being a college student. This class is required when you start college at Nashville State. Graduates, if you think, wait, I never took that class: shhh. It’s OK, there are exceptions. You would not be here if you had not taken everything you need to take. Our Records staff, also here today, make sure of that. As luck would have it, for me, as I thought about writing this speech, there are student learning expectations in the Nashville State first-year experience class that apply to the Nashville State graduation experience.
First, in the first-year experience class, we expect that being in college supports what you value. If, for example, you value your family, your friends, and yourself, then being at Nashville State and all the time and effort it requires should support your family, your friends, and yourself. Now that you have graduated, what you do with your time and effort should continue to support what you value.
Second, in the first-year experience class, we expect that you will grow here, in your mind, and here, in your heart. We expect you will get better at college, at being a student, at just being. Now that you have graduated, remember a growth mindset. When you encounter a new challenge think: I haven’t figured this out, yet.
Third, in the first-year experience class, we expect that you will persist. We know it takes determination to be a college student, now more than ever. Now that you have graduated, that grit is your superpower. Never let it, grit, go.
Three things so far: (1) value (2) grow (3) persist.
Fourth, one striking characteristic of the first-year experience class is it is short and so then is this speech. A+ for graduating, from me to you. Goodbye graduates.
Graduate Comes Back as Staff to Assist Students
by Tom Hayden, Associate Vice President, Office of Communications and Marketing
Adele Miller has a sincere desire to help others. A combination of her upbringing and own experiences in life have shaped Adele’s outlook on life.
Diagnosed at age 3 years old with Autism Spectrum Disorder, which she has “struggled with on and off throughout her life,” has made her keenly aware of the struggles of others.
Coming to Nashville State after graduating high school, Adele worked closely with the Access Center while a student, “that created such a positive experience.”
The Access Center provides accommodations to students with documented physical, emotional, or learning barriers. Staff also provides reasonable accommodations to community members attending College events.
Graduating in 2017 with an Associate of Arts in Speech Communication, Adele “became a very confident speaker and writer; a game-changer for me.”
Shortly after graduating, Adele transferred to a four-year university to continue her education, but ultimately decided she wanted to put her new skills and confidence to use in the professional workplace.
She honed her speech communication craft for the next two years as a tour guide at the world-famous Ryman Auditorium. A job she enjoyed immensely.
While at the Ryman she began thinking of changing career paths for additional challenges and she began eyeing a return to Nashville State, but this time as professional staff, with the hope of providing students the direct support she was given.
“It would be great if I could help people in a way like I was assisted,” she said.
Since August 2020, Adele has been working in the Access Center as a Reader/Scribe, where she provides support in the classroom and during testing. She also provides administrative support for the Access Center throughout the week.
I sought this position, “because it was the best fit given my degree.”
Access Center Director Katrina Dubree said of Adele, “she is organized, has keen attention to detail, is reliable, and is student-centered.”
As a former Access Center student, Adele has “been there,” and brings that experience, connection, and understanding.
“I have grown so much in this position. This is exactly what I wanted to do in (in terms of) challenging myself.”
“I empathize with the students that struggle because I have been there. I reassure them to say, you can do this. Let me help.”
NSCC Faculty Earn Certificate in Effective College Instruction
by Amy S. Bryant, Associate Professor of Communication Studies and Fellow of the Teaching Center
Forty-two NSCC faculty have earned a nationally recognized teaching credential through the Association of College and University Educators (ACUE). They have earned the Certificate in Effective College Instruction from the Association of College and University Educators and the American Council on Education.
They have demonstrated their commitment to teaching excellence and to ensuring that our students receive the best education possible by completing ACUE’s rigorous, 25-module course in Effective Teaching Practices, which required them to implement evidence-based teaching practices in their classes. These teaching practices are proven to help students learn more, stay engaged, and graduate in higher numbers, as well as close equity gaps. Please join The Teaching Center in celebrating these faculty’s accomplishments.
Jesmin Akther
Valerie Belew
Amy Bryant
Kurstin Bush
Genevieve El Chaer
Jay Chambers
Jill Cooksey
Audrey Cross
Valencia Darnell
Christie Ferguson
Desiree Genter
David Gerth
Doug Godwin
Gail Harris
Mark Helm
Karen Kendrick
Gracie King
Robert Ladd
Robyn Lear Leda Longwood
Devora Manier
Connie Matthews
Roslyn Mize
Cynthia Morgan
Jennifer Paulk
Harlan Pease
Nikki Pergram
Marla Perry
Janusz Polanowski
Karen Powers
Jessica Rabb
Anna Richards
Elizabeth Schoenfeld
Piper Sesnan
Neely Ann Sheucraft
Yvonne Simerman
Maria Smith
Kathy Sorenson
Ruth Elizabeth Stein
Don Turner
Rhonda Watson
Mary Elizabeth Wilson-Patton
Humphreys County Receives ThreeStar Certification
by Tom Hayden, Associate Vice President, Office of Communications and Marketing
Humphreys County recently received its ThreeStar Certification from the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development.
This important designation allows counties and cities within the county in state programs and to receive specific grants. ThreeStar serves to promote economic and community prosperity through collaboration.
Humphreys County campus Director Kim Zills, along with other local leaders, participated in acceptance of the certification.
NSCC Foundation News!
by Chelsea Spence, Director of Development, NSCC Foundation
The Big Payback!
This year we had the highest participation rate among our faculty and staff for the Big Payback – THANK YOU!
It’s because of you that we were able to be so successful. We had 15 faculty/staff members create personal fundraising pages and many more who donated! Your effort helped create awareness about all the ways that students can come to Nashville State and be supported.
Having faculty and staff who believe in what we do, allowed us to be successful and reach our goal of $50,000!
The Foundation is beyond grateful! This is going to go a long way in supporting our students!
Chi Boule Foundation
The NSCC Foundation would like to thank the Chi Boule Foundation for their commitment to Closing the Gap.
Chi Boule contributed $25,000 so students who need financial assistance can persist and succeed in college. They provided a $25,000 match gift during the Big Payback – altogether we came together and raised an impressive $50,000! A sincere thank you to each of you for your support. You are helping students realize their dreams to create a brighter future for themselves and their families.
Strategic Data Project (SDP) Convening
by Tom Hayden, Associate Vice President, Office of Communications and Marketing
Nashville State’s Associate Vice President for Planning and Research Charles Clark recently attended the annual Strategic Data Project (SDP) Convening in Boston.
Charles is an alum of the SDP-CTE Fellowship program, an initiative of the Center for Education Policy (CEPR) at Harvard University, sponsored by the ECMC (Educational Credit Management Corporation) Foundation.
The annual SDP Convening brings together data strategists, education leaders, and research faculty to exchange knowledge and share what works in making evidence-informed change.
Charles brings back to Nashville State learned best practices and an expanded network that will be helpful as the College continues working on being student-ready. The College is continuously identifying and removing barriers to success for the students it serves and meeting them where they are. Nashville State’s vision is to lead the nation in achieving equitable outcomes for our diverse community of learners.
Facilities Management Department Report
by Christopher Saunders, CFM, Executive Director of Facilities Management
Here is a summary of NSCC Facilities Management’s current efforts campus by campus:
- Clarksville: Lighting and Camera Project – bidding awarded, scheduling the installation.
- Dickson: Supplying boxes for their pending relocation.
- Southeast: Clean-up of the second floor, salvage underway, permanent chiller in August, roof repairs underway, refurbishment project defining scope.
- Humphreys County: FEMA documentation wrapping up, BELFOR – Travelers Insurance decisions pending for the Lab case goods and cabinetry. Office doors are to be replaced in July, and new roof work is to begin shortly.
- White Bridge: Welcome Center signage being installed, Special Events completed, the H-Building Medical Renovation Programming completed.
Human Resources News
by Janet Dennis, Personnel Assistant, Human Resources
New Hires
| 5/16/2022 | Jacob Ludden | Help Desk Support Technician | TSD |
Changes
| 5/1/2022 | James Shrum | Manager of Communications Services | TSD |
Separations
| 5/31/2022 | Eli Alvarado | Assistant Professor, Healthcare Management | Business, Management, and Hospitality |
| 5/10/2022 | Michael Bates | Associate Professor, Computer Network Technology | Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics |
| 5/31/2022 | Kirstie Boyd | Financial Aid Counselor | Financial Aid |
| 5/27/2022 | Katrina Dubree | Director of Access Center | Student Affairs |
| 5/10/2022 | Aaron Hawley | Testing Technician | Testing Center / Student Affairs and Enrollment Management |
| 5/1/2022 | Mario Hussey | Police Chief | Police and Security Services |
| 4/30/2022 | Robin Jones | Secretary II | Marketing and Public Information |
| 5/13/2022 | Paul Kaminsky | Director, Technology Services | TSD |
| 5/10/2022 | Eric Limbird | Instructor, Biology | Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics / Humphreys County Campus |
| 5/10/2022 | Dana (Dee) McGraw | Instructor, English | English, Humanities, and Creative Technologies |
| 5/30/2022 | Vicki Mendenhall | Computer Technician II | TSD |
| 5/31/2022 | Eric Morgan | Student Success Advisor | Student Success Center / Nashville GRAD |
| 5/10/2022 | Elizabeth Schoenfeld | Instructor, Biology | Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics |
| 5/10/2022 | Keith Steffens | Instructor, Computer Information Technology | Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics |
The NSCC Voice
Founded 2017
Cliff Rockstead, Managing Editor
David Gerth, Assistant Managing Editor
Dale Rogers, Web Developer and Word Press Wrangler
Isabella Putman, Web Layout Editor
May Contributors
Amy S. Bryant
Janet Dennis
Tom Hayden
Dr. Shanna L. Jackson
Dr. Jessica Rabb
Dale R. Rogers
Christopher Saunders
Chelsea Spence
Kevin Thomas