New Year, New Name, New Look!
by Cliff Rockstead, Managing Editor
Greetings Nashville State!
We are starting calendar year 2021 with an updated name and a new design. The name is being changed to align with our new branding campaign to improve name recognition for Nashville State. Yes, we did contact Pam Gadd, the winner of the “Name the Newsletter Contest” (August 2017) and she supports our update to the name. Thank you Pam!
As you can imagine there are a lot of folks involved in making this happen. So, a thank you to Darrell Chambers, Visual Communications Multimedia student; Dale Rogers, Assistant Professor, Web and Multimedia Design; Ellen Zink, Director Marketing & Creative Services; Tom Hayden, Associate Vice President, Communications & Marketing; and of course, Robin Jones, Voice Production Editor. I know you are asking, so here is the answer: Darrell is earning Cooperative Education course credit to work on the design of the Voice and Professor Rogers is his coordinator and instructor. Life is good!
We hope you will like our new look and will continue to submit articles and recommendations for articles. Please send comments, questions, articles, and or ideas to me.
Best regards,
Cliff Rockstead
Managing Editor
cliff.rockstead@nscc.edu
Update from the President
by Dr. Shanna L. Jackson
Greetings,
I start each new year full of hope and anticipation of the road ahead. Even though many of the unprecedented challenges of 2020 still linger, I am still excited about what 2021 will bring. That is because I know when we work together for a common purpose, Nashville state can accomplish anything. You are who makes us Nashville State Strong!
One major goal for this year is to finalize and launch Vision 2030: A Student Ready College. There are several pieces coming together to lay a strong foundation to secure our future. One is the creation of our Core Values Nashville State LEADS. We will continue to build on those values: Culture of Learning, Equity Driven, Accountability, Data informed and Student Centered throughout 2021.
For 50 years we have been Building Bridges and Changing Lives. We are right now improving how we get students TO and THROUGH Nashville State because of your dedication, creativity and innovation. Even in the midst of a pandemic, we have made significant improvements to how we holistically support our students, enhanced teaching and learning, and gained efficiencies through online operations. Let us continue to celebrate the good while we keep Moving Forward! Following are a few updates from the Office of the President:
Enrollment
Day 1 of the spring semester compared to last year, we were down 12.5% headcount and 11.2% FTE. The TBR average for the first day is a decrease of 13.6% headcount and 14.8% FTE. COVID continues to impact enrollment across the system. We anticipate our FTE decrease will grow but remain hopeful it will be within the budgeted 13% decrease.
Vice President of Business and Finance
The search for the next Vice President is underway. The search committee members include: Tammy Thorne, Jennifer Byrd, Karen Powers, Angela Fountain, Chris Saunders, Henry Ho, Jill Ferrand, Mark Hodges and Ginger Hausser.
Celebrating the Good!
This is your monthly reminder to us this form to recognize an individual (faculty, staff, or student), department, program, or group that has had a significant accomplishment or made a difference.
This is our time to get Back to Basics by keeping the student at the center of everything we do at Nashville State. Together, we can make a difference not just for students but for the communities we serve. I believe in our mission. I believe in each of you, I believe in who we are together, I believe in Nashville State!
Nashville State Welcomes Dr. Carol Rothstein as VPAA
by Tom Hayden, Associate Vice President, Office of Communications and Marketing
After a competitive national search, Dr. Carol Rothstein has been hired as our new vice president of academic affairs. She started January 4, 2021. She serves as the Chief Academic Officer and provides college-wide leadership as a member of senior staff and the president’s cabinet.
“During the interview process, Dr. Rothstein exhibited an ability to listen, discern, lead, innovate and create, which is further reflected in her prior experiences. The priorities are ensuring our academic programs meet the existing and emerging needs of the workforce and that students and faculty have the support they need to enhance teaching and learning inside and outside the classroom.”
Dr. Jackson
The Office of Academic Affairs provides professional development, innovation in academic support services, and promotion of dynamic learning environments, with a distinct focus on ensuring equity across the board, among other priorities. All division priorities will fit into the strategic plan that the college is currently developing.
“I could not be more excited to join Nashville State Community College at this point in its history. The College is focused on student achievement and equity initiatives, and is perfectly positioned for continued success. Even more, we have an innovative president, talented faculty, and dedicated staff, all of whom are committed to ensuring a quality education and supportive environment for students. I am honored and humbled to be a part of the Nashville State community.”
Dr. Rothstein
Dr. Rothstein’s professional experience covers several areas of community college operations: including strategic planning, academic affairs, grants management, and student services.
Prior to joining Nashville State, Dr. Rothstein served as the Dean of Instruction at Hagerstown Community College in Maryland and was previously the Acting Vice President of Academic Affairs and Chief Academic Officer.
Dr. Rothstein began her higher education career as an Admissions Counselor, eventually transitioning to a full-time faculty member, where she was an Assistant Professor at Blue Ridge Community and Technical College (BRCTC) in West Virginia. Rothstein was selected to be the founding director of a new campus location of BRCTC in her hometown of Berkeley Springs. In addition to successfully building both credit and non-credit programs at the center, she partnered with the local school board to create the first early-college high school program in Morgan County.
Before entering higher education, Dr. Rothstein was a finance and human resources manager for a non-profit that provided specialized care for young women who had experienced a variety of challenges in their home environment.
Dr. Rothstein holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership, with a concentration in Higher Education Administration from Frostburg State University in Maryland. She also has a master’s degree in Management and Leadership and a bachelor’s degree in Education, minoring in Accounting.
The first in her family to go to college—beginning her education at a community college—Dr. Rothstein is passionate about equity, serving students and ensuring their educational success. She enjoys spending time outdoors, usually hiking or biking, with her husband, Gary, and their three children, Logan, Payton, and Laurel. Dr. and Mr. Rothstein are avid University of Tennessee football fans.
Update from the Vice President for Academic Affairs
by Dr. Carol A. Rothstein
The year 2021 is finally here! I think we were all anxiously awaiting its arrival. While adding a one to 2020 may not magically end the pandemic and heal the world, a new year always brings excitement, energy, and a renewed commitment to change. Reflecting on the events of the past year may stir up emotions like fear, uncertainty, and sorrow; however, it is important to remember those same events also propelled us into an era of creativity, philanthropy, activism, and courage. I hope that we can continue to focus on the positives and use the crises of 2020 as catalysts for constructive change.
I am excited to share that the Tennessee Department of Health is funding a state-wide coronavirus vaccination effort. Nashville State and TCAT Nashville are partnering to host a clinic on the Nashville State campus. The clinics will begin early March and continue throughout the summer on a Saturday and Sunday 8:00 am to 4:00 pm schedule. Details of the event are being worked out and will be shared when confirmed. Many thanks to Cindy Waller, Chris Saunders, and Jennifer Rector for taking the lead in organizing the clinics.
Earlier this month, we welcomed Dr. James Edwards as the new Director of the Office of Online Learning. Dr. Edwards comes to us from the University of South Carolina, Aiken, and has extensive experience in designing and leading quality online learning experiences that support faculty and engage students. I would like to personally thank Heather Rippetoe for her work as Interim Director over the past several months. I am grateful for the support and leadership she provided during the height of the pandemic.
The pandemic is not over yet, but with the rollout of the vaccine we are beginning to see some light at the end of the tunnel. This is exciting news; however, it is imperative that we continue to adhere to all recommended safety precautions. We also need to remain vigilant in providing emotional support and encouragement to our colleagues and our students. It has been a tough year, one that has challenged us and made us grow, but we need each other to continue moving forward. I wish everyone good health and successful classes this semester. I look forward to all the good things 2021 will bring.
Amazon Makes $100,000 Contribution To Nashville GRAD Program!
by Tom Hayden, Associate Vice President, Office of Communications and Marketing
The $100,000 investment will ensure students have the wrap-around support needed to persist while in college.
“As Nashville’s Community College, we are focused on holistically supporting our students based on what they need to be successful. We are grateful for Amazon’s generous gift and collaborative partnership.”
Dr. Shanna L Jackson, Nashville State Community College President
Nashville GRAD (Getting Results by Advancing Degrees) complements the State of Tennessee’s programs for tuition-free college, Tennessee Promise and Tennessee Reconnect. GRAD provides resources beyond tuition, including a laptop, textbooks, transportation and food assistance, and a dedicated success advisor. In order to be eligible, applicants must be a full-time Nashville State student and reside full-time in Davidson County one year prior to completing the FAFSA.
“For students juggling work and life responsibilities, completing college can be challenging. By providing more students with support they need to secure their degrees, Nashville GRAD is opening doors of opportunity, right here, in Nashville. We’re honored to support this initiative and hope our investment will encourage other companies to deepen their involvement, as well.”
Courtney Ross, Amazon’s Nashville Senior Manager of External Affairs
The program is a public-private partnership being implemented through a financial assistance fund that includes investments from Metro Nashville Government and funding from local business partners including: HCA, Piedmont Natural Gas, Alliance Bernstein, the Tennessee Titans, Verizon Wireless, Nashville Chamber of Commerce, Bank of America, Memorial Foundation, and Southwest Airlines. Nashville GRAD was launched with its first cohort of students in Fall 2019 through the initiative of the Mayor and Metro Council.
“We are incredibly grateful to have the support of Amazon in our work to build an educated workforce through Nashville GRAD. This investment will enhance our strategic focus on improving successful outcomes for all our students.”
Lauren Bell, Nashville State Foundation Executive Director
More Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) graduates attend Nashville State than any other college.
To help more MNPS graduates prepare for, attend, and complete college, Dr. Jackson and Dr. Adrienne Battle, director of Metro Schools, launched a joint venture in early 2020 called Better Together. Nashville GRAD is a key element of Better Together.
“As we built out and worked to define Better Together, we quickly realized how critical the growth and success of Nashville GRAD is to ensuring MNPS graduates have not only a smooth transition from high school to college but also the support they need in college. GRAD has been helping students achieve their dreams of going to college and succeeding there, with the ultimate goal of graduating and going on to greater success.”
Dr. Adrienne Battle, director of Metro Schools
“I have never left a [Nashville GRAD] meeting with my advisor without feeling a sense of encouragement and of assurance that I am doing the right thing. Nashville GRAD is one of the best things I have ever signed myself up for, and I will always be
Jacqueline Peach, a McGavock High School graduate, who is studying psychology at Nashville State
thankful for the program and opportunity Nashville State has placed before me.”
“With the help of this program and my advisor I have met my goals. I became a straight A student with a 4.0 GPA on the Dean’s list my first semester of college.”
Dulce Davila, a graduate of Antioch High School, who is studying to become a surgical technician
50 Years of Success Challenge
by Lindsay Hager, Coordinator, Development and Communications, NSCC Foundation
Hey Nash State, as we continue to celebrate 50 years of success, we at the Foundation were looking back over the years through student, faculty, and staff pictures. We thought it would be fun to have a monthly challenge and be able to give away some cool academically appropriate swag!
Here is our first challenge of two photos including three questions:
Can anyone guess what year this Nashville State engineering student is working hard on the White Bridge Road Campus? Even better, can anyone name what this crazy tool is?
The Challenge Rules:
- Send your guesses to me at: Lindsay.Hager@nscc.edu
- First person to answer all three questions correctly (by email date and time stamp) wins the prizes.
Prizes this month are:
- NSCC notebook
- NSCC lanyard
- NSCC business card holder
- Mini legal pad from Staples
Winner takes all!
Faculty Senate Update
by Derek Smith, Ph.D., Professor of Mathematics, Faculty Senate Chair
As the calendar rolled over to the new year, there were several issues under consideration for Faculty Senate, including the formula used to calculate course load, the pre-term schedule piloted in January, and addressing equity issues in the master syllabi.
At our initial meeting for the spring semester, we welcomed our new Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dr. Carol Rothstein. She hosted a question-and-answer session that involved topics such as enrollment, class scheduling, and course load.
A new formula was piloted this term that used the average enrollment of classes taught by a faculty member in comparison with a minimum enrollment threshold to calculate course load. A subcommittee of Faculty Senate will evaluate the effectiveness of the pilot moving forward.
The pre-term schedule implemented in January reduced the number of hours faculty document on their door schedule from 60 to 48, and included 10 dedicated advising hours. On January 20, a link was emailed to faculty to provide feedback on the pre-term pilot experience. If you have not already completed the form, please do so to help Faculty Senate assess the efficacy of the pilot. Senate will vote on the Academic Affairs Leadership Team pre-term hours counterproposal, on which the pilot is based, later this spring.
Other items of note from the January meeting:
- A subcommittee was formed to examine edits to the master syllabi with attention given to equity principles.
- A proposed update to the NSCC promotion policy has been created that aligns our current policy with TBR policy and adds an appeal process. That proposal will be voted on at the February meeting.
- Faculty Senate has partnered with the Teaching Center to offer open faculty forums again this semester. The groups will alternate weeks hosting the forums and a notice will be sent at the beginning of each week that includes the day, time, and Zoom link for the open forum.
I hope everyone has a great start to the spring semester!
Let’s Meet Outside
by Jessica Rabb, Ph.D., Professor of Biology
Let’s meet outside to build community, enjoy nature, improve our health and the health of our environment, let’s meet outside.
Faculty, Staff, Administration
I am planning walks near our campuses this semester for faculty, staff, and administration. I will send information about these walks via email a couple weeks before the walk.
Past Walks
- Mill Creek Greenway, Antioch, December 2020
- Stones River Greenway, Donelson, January 2021
Mill Creek Photo by Jessica Rabb 
Stones River Photo by Jessica Rabb
Future Walks – so far
- Peeler Park Greenway, Madison, Saturday, February 6 @ 10am
- Clarksville (Probably Dunbar Cave State Park) Saturday, February 27 @ 10am
Students
The activities I am planning for students will involve community service from clean ups to the removal of invasive plants like honeysuckle. Faculty, staff, and administration are always welcome. Much of this service work will be in the Nashville metro area because that is where I live and work and have established connections to environmental organizations.
If you know of outdoor service opportunities near Clarksville, Dickson, or Waverly, please let me know. I am committed to supporting outdoor service work where the students live. I work with the Office of Student Life to approve and advertise these activities for students. If you would like to promote these activities with your classes, just send me an email, and I can share the information students need.
Future Activities – so far
- Richland Creek Greenway clean up, Nashville, Friday, January 29 @ 12pm
- Mill Creek Greenway clean up, Antioch, Friday, February 12 @ 12pm
Mill Ridge Park in Southeast Nashville
Mill Ridge Park is a new 600-acre park near our Southeast campus, and the process of opening the park just started in summer 2020. Mill Ridge Park is an opportunity for us to be involved in promoting equitable access to outdoor space, from the ground up (pun intended). I will be working with the Friends of Mill Ridge Park (https://www.friendsofmillridgepark.org/) this semester to bring students to the park regularly to participate in activities such as orchard and garden care, trail building, biological surveys, invasive plant removal, and cleanups. The park is not open to the public yet, only for events planned by the Friends of Mill Ridge Park. If you think your class might benefit from visiting the park, let me know. We can set up an outdoor classroom and/or guided tour.
Industrial Readiness Training Program Highlighted
by Larry Mangrum, Workforce Solutions Consultant
As many of you may know, each of our thirteen community colleges within in the Tennessee Board of Regents system have a Workforce Development Department. These departments focus upon the development and delivery of non-credit workforce specific, often short-term training programs. The Workforce Department designs its services to support local communities and their associated business and industry sectors with a skilled workforce and to build a talent pipeline with “speed to market” and innovation in mind.
Nashville State and specifically our Workforce and Community Development department has undergone a revitalization with the arrival of President Shanna Jackson and Ginger Hausser, VP of Economic and Community Development. The department has shifted its focus away from selling an employer, “a class” to building deeper relationships with employers, business groups (like chambers), state and local workforce systems, and nonprofits that work to support individuals getting back into the workforce. Workforce conversations are broader now and result in more collaboration with Deans, Career Services, and Campus Directors.
One such collaboration is the Industrial Readiness Training (IRT) Program that is funded through a state Governor’s Investment in Vocational Education (GIVE Act) Grant, entitled “BRIDGE to Work” awarded in December 2019 to the Northern Middle Tennessee Workforce Board and TCAT Dickson. This grant involves post-secondary partners: TCAT-Dickson, Nashville State and Austin Peay State University. It involves manufacturers: Bridgestone, Hankook Tire, Hendrickson Trailer, Kauffman Engineering, LG Electronics, Rainbow Tile, and Sanderson Pipe and K-12 systems from Houston, Montgomery, and Stewart Counties. The grant’s goal is to develop a pipeline of manufacturing workers for the Clarksville and surrounding areas. Nashville State is focused on getting adults short-term training to transition to work quickly and support graduating high school students with a manufacturing interest and no post-secondary plans transition to work shortly after graduation.
A primary goal of the IRT program is to enhance an individual’s knowledge base and skill set of the manufacturing process to qualify for entry-level production positions. Our instructor, John Churchill is a skilled engineer with extensive experience in the advanced manufacturing sector and workforce training. He developed the IRT program several years ago in response to major employers experiencing extremely high workforce turnover rates in Memphis, TN.
The Industrial Readiness Training Program is currently classroom based with instructional and hands-on components delivered in a 1.5-week time frame.
Components of the IRT program include:
- ACT/NCRC WorkKeys: Applied Math, Graphic Literacy, Workplace Documents
Pre-test / Post-test goal is to improve by minimum of one level in all three areas - Workplace Skills: Interactive lecture/discussion regarding basic skills needed for successful job performance and interaction within the workplace.
- DiSC Assessment
- OSHA 10 Certification
- Scientific Management Techniques (SMT):
Hands-on mechanical aptitude and knowledge assessment with pre-test / post-test. The students participate in group/team segments prior to post-test. - Employer Partners:
Employers meet with the IRT students to provide an overview of their specific company, application/hiring process, job position openings/duties/pay rate, etc. Some of the employers interview all IRT graduates. One employer interviews all IRT graduates and provides our IRT program flyer to rejected applicants. If the rejected applicant successfully completes the ITR program, they will re-interview the individual.
Shortly after the award of the BRIDGE to Work grant, the workforce board asked us to start two months early because a new Clarksville employer, AtlasBX needed workers in order to open. We began training for AtlasBX within one week and with the support of Campus Director, Kathleen Akers, Clarksville Police, and our NSCC police/security. We even conducted training during the college Christmas break. As a result, dozens of individuals are now working today at Atlas BX and the plant opened. To date, over 80 individuals have completed the training and are now working at Atlas BX, Bridgestone, LG, and other Clarksville employers.
The next session begins in mid-February and will continue to run every month. If you know of individuals interested in participating or looking to restart a career during this economically difficult time they can register at:
https://ww2.nscc.edu/wconnect/ace1/ShowSchedule.awp1?&Mode=GROUP&Group=IRT&Title=Industrial+Readiness+Training
Have questions about the program, reach out to Larry Mangrum at larry.mangrum@nscc.edu (423-802-4451 mobile/text).
To learn more about the BRIDGE to Work grant, see https://www.apsu.edu/bridgetowork/irt.php
Note: The IRT program is mobile and we can offer this program throughout the regions our campuses serve. We can deliver it from our campuses, from worksites, or other locations. This program is approved for Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA) funding which means the unemployed can work with their career counselor at an American Jobs Center to participate in the training at no cost.
In closing, our refocused efforts on maintaining and building community and employer relationships is providing continued benefits for Nashville State. The college is now routinely involved in grant partnerships, requested to participate in labor sourcing needs, participating in new employer recruitment, and consulted on workforce training programs.
Conjunction Junction, What’s your Function?
by Harlan Pease, Associate Professor of Communication, EHCT
“But my students won’t do it”
“But they don’t read”
“But administration won’t go for it”
I don’t attend administration meetings, but I’m guessing there’s a version of that sentiment there, something like “but faculty/staff won’t go for it,” etc.
Today I’d like to talk to you about “but,” that little word that sits at the center of our FANBOYS mnemonic (for, and, nor, BUT, or, yet, so), as if it’s the most important coordinating conjunction.
Let’s start with an imaginary alienated young teen – I swear I’m making this up – regaling the bedroom walls, “she’s perfect, but she’ll never go out with me!” That’s a nice mutually exclusive condition our teen has there. On the one hand, she’s perfect. On the other, she won’t go out with him. That teenager is probably lamenting the situation, wailing, “her eyes are so warm they cause the ice caps to melt, her smile gives me hypertension, and she doesn’t even see me, it sucks we live in a world that is stratified by who’s cool, and my parents are such dorks, and they don’t let me do anything, and I probably have an English degree in my future even though I don’t know it yet…”
Let’s leave our teenager alone for a minute to deal with that.
Obviously, sometimes “but” is very useful. The ability to exclude options can help us eliminate multiple things vying for our attention. For example, if I’m going to buy a car, and the most important thing to me is reliability, I can research and decide that brands X and Y are the most reliable cars. Now I can eliminate some of the noise of car shopping by saying, “yes, it’s a cool car, but it’s not brand X or Y.” Then I can use “but” to further eliminate options: “Yes, it’s a cool brand X or Y car, but it’s outside my price range,” and etc. This is a good way to eliminate options.
However, it can cause problems when we use “but” to exclude in ways that are unhelpful, that perpetrate ignorance and violence, etc. To put that into relief, consider the following: “Yes, Spud Webb is a great basketball player, but he’s only 5 feet 6 inches tall.”
When we look at this example, we can see the formula and how it can be destructive: yes, this may have value, but it doesn’t fit my predetermined criteria, so I will exclude it.
Fortunately, there’s a quick fix that helps us grow and learn. We can go back to our FANBOYS mnemonic and choose two other words: and; yet.
Let’s go back to our teenager and see how the thought changes: “she’s perfect, and she won’t go out with me.” Suddenly, we have to start finding ways to reconcile those two thoughts because they’re now connected. We might think, for example, “maybe I should stop trying to seek out an ideal of perfection, and find someone who’s actually interested in me,” or “maybe I need to work on myself so that I’m the kind of person I would want to date.” The specifics don’t really matter; what matters is that now a conversation is happening.
Let’s look at what happens if we substitute in yet: “she’s perfect, yet she’ll never go out with me.” That one might sting a bit. Again, though, it forces us to think about options, a multiplicity of explanations, of solutions. If she is indeed perfect and she’ll never date me, then clearly she’s not perfect – unless I’ve determined the perfect person wouldn’t be interested in me, and, well, “paging Dr. Freud.”
If we go back to Spud Webb, we have this: he’s a great basketball player, and he’s not as tall as basketball players are supposed to be. Now we’re forced to face that “this doesn’t fit my predetermined criteria, so I will exclude it” idea. We’re forced to face some hard questions: what’s more important, someone’s ability, someone’s merit, or their height? Expanding on that, what’s more important, someone’s value and merit, or their gender? Or age? Or race? Or any combination of these – and other – things?
Let’s go back to one of those beginning statements: but my students won’t do it.
If we substitute in “and,” we get: (that’s a good idea), and my students won’t do it.
Doing that doesn’t solve the problem, but it does create some interesting problem-solving questions. If it is indeed a good idea, and if it’s true my students won’t do it, then my job as a teacher is to figure out how to get my students to do it, because I want to use the most effective techniques to teach my students. And now I have a problem to solve.
Let’s look at “yet”: that’s a great idea, yet my students won’t do it. Again, I’m faced with reconciling these two thoughts, which leads to possible solutions, as opposed to just excluding with “but.” Maybe I need to present the idea in a better way. Maybe we as a college need to collectively work on changing students’ mindsets. Maybe it’s a good idea that would be appropriate later in the semester. What’s important is I’m not excluding the idea. I’m considering the options for solutions.
The point, I’m sure, is obvious: the next time we find ourselves defaulting to that “but” protestation, let’s pause for a minute and substitute the words “and” or “yet” and see how it feels, if it opens our minds to possible solutions and other options. Even if it doesn’t, it might be worth trying anyway; at least it invites open discussion about the idea. Perhaps there’s a solution someone else will find, if not today, then in some future, which is definitely better than just eliminating the idea.
We hear a lot about diversity, and I believe at its core, true diversity is a mindset, not a policy. One way we can start developing that mindset is by practicing not excluding ideas. It’s as simple as trying a conjunction change.
APSU and Nashville State Partner To Enhance College Options and Completion
by Tom Hayden, Associate Vice President, Office of Communications and Marketing
Austin Peay State University (APSU) and Nashville State Community College recently signed an agreement to help students complete their degree, or pursue additional degrees. The agreement formalizes the ability of a student who completes their associate degree at Nashville State to be granted admissions to select undergraduate programs at APSU.
“This is a win for the student, Nashville State and APSU,” said Dannelle Whiteside, interim president at APSU. “By guaranteeing admittance to select undergraduate programs, it encourages the student to keep moving their education forward. They can complete their associate through Nashville State and continue working toward completion of a bachelor’s, or advanced degrees.”
Additionally, the agreement establishes information sharing between the two institutions as well as reverse transfer, allowing students to receive their associate degree through Nashville State even if they transfer to APSU prior to completing their degree.
Each semester, Austin Peay will provide Nashville State with data from APSU for students who did not qualify for University admission but reside in Nashville State’s service area, as well as recommend Nashville State to those students. Additionally, Nashville State will provide APSU with information on prospective students who have earned a minimum of 30 credit hours, as well as upcoming graduates from Nashville State.
“This partnership is centered on the student. We are increasing access and providing a clear pathway to APSU through Nashville State.” said Dr. Shanna L. Jackson, president, Nashville State Community College. “While transferring to APSU is not new for our students, this new agreement removes barriers while building support for Nashville State graduates to successfully complete APSU.”
Austin Peay State University, named after a former Tennessee governor, is located on an urban campus that for over 180 years has been used for educational purposes and on which the buildings of five colleges have stood. The University, located in Clarksville, Tennessee, is a four-year public, masters level university offering two doctoral degrees, over 56 majors and 63 different concentrations.
Nashville State Community College has a Clarksville campus located at 1760 Wilma Rudolph Blvd. The College has five other campuses, with another under construction and expected to open Spring 2022 in the North Nashville community of Madison. Nashville State has more than 8o program offerings with flexible online options, where students can earn an associate degree or career ready credential, or transfer credits to a four-year institution.
Lunch and Learn Workshops!
by Emily Bush, Instruction Librarian
The Learning Resource Center will offer a series of Lunch and Learn workshops for students during the month of February.
- These workshops are meant to be short and ultra-digestible.
- Workshops will be offered Monday through Thursday at 12:30pm.
- Topics include MLA, calculator help, research, and grammar.
- A full list of topics with Zoom links can be found at: https://nscc.libguides.com/learningcenter/lrcworkshops
- A flyer to include in your courses can be found at the same link.
Nashville State White Bridge Campus LED Lighting Project
by Tom Hayden, Associate Vice President, Office of Communications and Marketing
Nashville State Facilities Maintenance, with Tennessee Board of Regents overview, has been busy leading a major environmentally-sustainable LED lighting project at the White Bridge campus.
Old ceiling light fixtures on the White Bridge campus in the College’s A, C, and K buildings are being replaced with LED, energy efficient, and longer lasting, brighter tubes.
In addition to the energy saved and reduced monthly expenses, the lights will last longer, reducing landfill waste. The life expectancy for a new LED light is approximately 8-10 years, which is a vast improvement over the incandescent bulbs, and the LED bulbs do not contain mercury.
“We were replacing lights at a rapid rate. TBR Construction Administrator Craig Eubanks, and our team conducted research and found that we would be saving the College money and keeping waste out of the landfill. It is a beautiful light, which really adds a freshness to the buildings.”
Bill Houston, Maintenance and Operations Manager, who is overseeing the project.
Facilities Maintenance also has a college-wide mass recycling program, led by Mark Morey, Maintenance Technician.
Cardboard, light bulbs and batteries are collected from all campuses. The cardboard recycling alone accounts for 20,000 lbs. annually, which is collected by a recycling firm every two weeks.
Nashville State Facilities Maintenance continues to examine inward to incorporate environmentally sustainable best practices where and when it can.
Recycling at Nashville State
Maintenance and Operations Department Report
by Christopher Saunders, CFM, Executive Director of Operations & Facilities
We closed out December with the below listed projects:
- Installed new protective chair rail in the H-317
- New lighting project began 12-07-20
- K-Building was completed with new lights prior to the holiday vacation
- New back splash was installed in the kitchen of the S – Bldg.
- New Alexa Pure Air, air purifiers were received, labeled, and delivered to the satellite campuses prior to holidays
- Two more loads of scrap metal were salvaged, estimated $2,400 total
- Janitorial staff began their winter cleaning of the White Bridge Road campus buildings
- Recycling is in full swing. Mark Morey recycled 95 large buggies of cardboard from the new lighting project
- We Delivered PPE equipment to all campuses
The LED Lighting Project, Recycling Program, PPE and Disinfecting of All Campuses started in earnest again in 2021.
We appreciate the Staff, Students, and Faculty is supporting our efforts to provide a safe learning environment for NSCC.
Nashville State Partners with CMCSS and Austin Peay on Teacher Residency Program
by Tom Hayden, Associate Vice President, Office of Communications and Marketing
Nashville State is partnering with Clarksville-Montgomery County School System and Austin Peay State University on a Teacher Residency Program. This program is available to CMCSS classified employees and graduating seniors, and Montgomery County residents.
Participants will enter an accelerated 3-year teaching program to become CMCSS teachers. The first year and a half will be with Nashville State’s K-5 Elementary Education A.S.T. program (https://www.nscc.edu/academics/degrees-certificates/k-5-elementary-education-a-s-t). Upon graduation from Nashville State, students will transfer to APSU and complete a Bachelor of Science in K-5 Education in a year and a half.
Resident students will be funded through TN Promise or TN Reconnect, if eligible, with CMCSS covering all additional fees. As a resident, you will work and be paid as an educational assistant in a CMCSS Title I elementary school.
Application deadline for community members are Feb. 10. High school seniors need to submit applications by March 5. All required paperwork and applications can be found on the CMCSS website: www.cmcss.net/trp.
Full announcement: https://clarksvillenow.com/local/teacher-residency-program-applications-now-open-in-clarksville-montgomery-county/
Announcement video:
