Update from the President
by Dr. Shanna L. Jackson
Greetings Fellow Falcons,
The spring semester is behind us, and as our Falcon graduates leave the nest, I am confident that the work you do each day has made a difference in their lives. Spring Commencement, pinning ceremonies and the student honors convocation always affirm the “why” I do this work. I know many of you can also see the full circle moments that make it all worth it.
One of those moments was seeing Luemettrea Williams, who was the first student to enroll at our North Davidson campus when it opened in 2022, graduate with her nursing degree. She was a single parent who was working two jobs. The location of the campus made it possible to get her child back and forth to school while taking classes. She told us then that she wanted to be a nurse.
Three years later, this Spring we celebrated that accomplishment when she was pinned during our nursing ceremony and it was announced she had already accepted a position. And of course, I had to hug her as she crossed the stage during Commencement! The access created by the North Davidson campus as well as the holistic support we provide and our efforts to become a student-ready college make it possible for students just like her to become economically mobile and create a new path for their families.
Below are a few updates from the Office of the President:
Commencement – Our 61st Commencement was extraordinary! Over 600 Students participated in the May 13 ceremony! A special thanks to Evelyn Hadley for her outstanding leadership, the Commencement Committee, Facilities, Security and the host of volunteers that ensured everything went smoothly. I am also thankful to Dr. Jo Williams for reading each name with clarity and quickly. Considering the number of students who crossed the stage, we were still able to complete the entire ceremony in two hours.
Please know we are exploring the addition of a December Commencement. The Spring Commencement would recognize spring graduates, and the added Fall Commencement would recognize summer and fall graduates. We believe this would help reduce the length of the ceremony and would encourage more Fall graduates to participate.
Spring Enrollment Update – Based on unofficial data on the Enrollment Dashboard, we had a 14.7% increase in Headcount, which is over 900 more students than Spring 24 and an increase of 17.1% in FTE. While we will have to wait for the end of term data for official results, these significant increases should be celebrated! In addition, this Spring 902 students made the Deans list (3.5-3.99 GPA) and 1,156 students made the Presidents list (4.0 GPA). This is a testament of the individual and collective commitment to Excellence! Never forget that each number is a real student with real lives, hopes and dreams. And your efforts are making a positive impact!
Summer/Fall Enrollment Update – Registration is underway for summer and fall. As of 5/22, we are up 1.2% in headcount and 5.7% for summer. Fall is off to a strong start. Stay data informed by visiting the Data Access Page. Please contact Institutional Research if you have questions.
BNA 5k on the Runway – The Nashville International Airport annual 5K that was designed to provide a donation to Nashville State was cancelled due to rain. As it would have been my first 5k, I am challenging myself to find another one before the year ends. Please feel free to send suggestions for other 5k’s to my attention by email.
Fall Convocation – While we are just starting our summer term, we are already looking ahead to Fall. On Thursday, August 14 we will officially kick off the new academic year at Fall Convocation. Fall Convocation will be an in-person event on the White Bridge Road campus from 8am to 4pm. All full-time and regular part-time staff are expected to attend unless otherwise directed by your supervisor; temporary or adjunct employees are welcome to attend. Our theme is SPORTS SUPER FANS, which you know is right up my alley. Join me in wearing spirit wear from your favorite sports team or sport. We are planning a great day for our Falcon super fans, including lunch sponsored by the Foundation and some great afternoon activities. More details to come soon.
Wellness – Always remember, it is ok not to be ok. Each of us must make a commitment to being our best, which requires a holistic focus on our health. I will continue to encourage you to review Partners for Health’s online wellness benefits and Emotional Wellbeing Solutions (formerly EAP) for support services. The Engagement Committee will continue to share tips in The Voice.
The nursing graduate I mentioned earlier is one of many students for which Nashville State becomes their bridge to opportunity. Our work matters – you matter! That is why we want to continue to focus on our health and professional development. Nashville State is a beacon of hope! I am grateful to do this work with you.
Falcons Come Together to Celebrate Recent Retirees
By Tom Hayden, Associate Vice President, Office of Communications and Marketing
In a warm and heartfelt gathering, Falcons from across the college community came together in the Health Sciences (H) Building on the White Bridge campus to honor and celebrate the careers and contributions of recent and soon-to-be retirees.
The event welcomed employees, friends, and family members for a joyful afternoon of connection, reflection, and gratitude.
The celebration was filled with laughter, shared stories, and heartfelt well-wishes, as attendees paid tribute to the dedication and impact of these valued colleagues.
Refreshments were enjoyed, and memories—both funny and meaningful—were exchanged, highlighting the deep sense of community that defines the Falcon spirit.
The retirees:
Vicki Bissinger
Assistant Professor, Nursing
School of Health Sciences
Michael Christensen
Instructor, Mathematics
School of STEM
Fred Frazier
Student Success Advisor
Student Success Center
Paul Koulakav
Associate Professor, Accounting
School of Business and Professional Studies
Phillip Lee
Associate Professor, Accounting
School of Business and Professional Studies
Andrea Regg
Technical Clerk
Southeast Campus
Sally Robertson
Librarian
Learning Resource Center, Mayfield Library
Congratulations to our retirees, and thank you for your lasting impact on the Falcon family!
Nashville State Chief Information Officer Charvis Rand’s Remarks During Academic Honors Ceremony
By Tom Hayden, Associate Vice President,Office of Communications and Marketing
On May 2, 2025, Charvis Rand delivered short, but powerful remarks during the academic Honors Ceremony on the White Bridge campus.
Going from Vision to Implementation, Becoming an Opportunity Manager, Having an innovative mindset.
We all have a common enemy in the room. The enemy is called average. The world may say that we are in a recession, but since you went to Nashville State, you’re equipped to go towards a better direction.
I have some principles you can apply to your professional development.
1. Never leave an open door closed
Many of us take what is possible and turn it into impossible. It is because of our natural mindset makes simple complicated. An open door means for you to upgrade your mindset to new opportunities that could change your lifestyle and make it impact in society.
2. No one is a stranger
Do your homework before you meet people. Come up with good topics based off your research. Engagement is the product that can lead to new relationships and opportunities.
3. Don’t Make Simple Complicated
Every day, we deal with different challenges in our lives, and we tend to make things complicated. In fact, most of the time the answers are right there in front of us, and it’s simple.
4. People you need to surround yourself with
Initiator, facilitator, collaborator, negotiator, educator, motivator, and innovator.
5. Your individual movement is not just a thing; it is a lifestyle
Connecting resources to an opportunity
6. Take the R. out of Free and Pay the fee
Your personality is what you look like, but your character is what you smell like.
There are a lot of pretty ugly people in this world.
7. Time sometimes is not a bad thing
Think
Implement
Manage
Execute
Everyone wants a microwave solution, but they are in a stove situation.
Finally, greatness is discovered, but potential has to be trained. Which one are you?
Human Resources Update
By Connie Daniel, Sr. Administrative Assistant, Human Resources
| NAME | TITLE | DEPARTMENT |
| Johanne Higginson-Rollins | Sr Administrative Associate | Office of Human Resourcess |
| Scott Jones | Security Guard | Office of Police and Security |
| Sheelan Mohammed | Student Success Advisor | Office of Welcome Center |
| Aaron Ray | Maintenance Technician | Office of Facilities Management |
| Thea Cole | Assistant Director | Office of High School Initiatives & Dual Enrollment |
| NAME | TITLE | DEPARTMENT |
| Christie Ferguson | Dean | School of Business & Professional Studies |
| NAME | TITLE | DEPARTMENT |
| Bonnie Campbell | Institutional Research Analyst | Office of Strategic Analytics & Planning |
| Budhi Rai | Security Guard | Office of Police and Security |
Student Life Events!
by Kelsey A. Johansen, M.Ed., Director, Student Life
Student Life is excited to share photos from Student Life for April!
Remember, you can also stay informed through the Wednesday What’s Happening sent through Campus Announcements and posted to @NashstatestudentLife on Instagram and Facebook.
Workforce Minute: The Ready to Reconnect Grant Continues to Empower!
by Sherri Barnhart, Recruiter/Completion Advisor, The Center for Workforce Development and Continuing Education
The Center for Workforce Development was honored to deliver once again The Ready to Reconnect scholarship for High Beginning ESL to fifteen students, ages 18 to 34, who are from seven different countries. These students are determined to establish productive careers in the United States. For the majority of these pupils, this class was their first step in learning English within an educational setting.
Most of the students have lived in the United States for only a year or less with little to no family members and have relocated for safety reasons. From their native countries, these courageous and enterprising students are comprised of 2 medical doctors, 1 pharmacist, 1 accountant, 1 engineer, 1 computer science specialist, and several recent high school grads.
These students received Certificates of Completion as they enjoyed a celebration luncheon with their friends, family, Nashville State teachers and administrators. Their combined goal is to continue to increase their knowledge of English in grammar, reading, writing, listening, and speaking, so they may continue their studies at NSCC. The Spring 2025 RTR ESL Cohort students are an inspiration to all!
Sherri Barnhart, Recruiter/Completion Advisor and Julie Griggs, Instructor, congratulating a student.
Spring 2025 Ready to Reconnect High Beginning ESL Cohort celebrates their success!
Falcons in Focus
by Tom Hayden, Associate Vice President, Office of Communications and Marketing
Nashville State’s Office of Communications and Marketing, the President’s Office, Student Life, and the Nashville State Foundation have been partnering to highlight current and former Falcons who have helped shape our college into the outstanding institution it is today.
This recognition may be featured on nscc.edu, social media, and other internal and external communications.
To make sharing and collecting these inspiring stories easier, nominations for deserving Falcons can now be submitted online: https://apply.nscc.edu/register/falconsinfocus. This link is also available on the faculty/staff webpage at nscc.edu.
Lunch and Learn Workshop
By Karina Davis, Student Support Specialist I, Staff Assembly Committee Chair 2024/2025
The Nashville State Community College Staff Assembly Committee hosted a Lunch and Learn Half-Day on April 25, 2025.
The workshop emphasized the importance of being intentional in enhancing student success.
Kelsie Huffman conducted a fantastic training session centered on fostering student growth. She incorporated two interactive activities that kept participants deeply involved and filled with euphoria.
The key takeaway from the event aligns with our CORE values: Learning, Equity Driven, Accountability, Data-Informed, and Student-Centered (LEADS).
Staff Assembly Committee Highlight
By Karina Davis, Student Support Specialist I, Staff Assembly Committee Chair 2024/2025
Our March 2025 Employee of the Month is Cyndi Moore!
Cyndi Moore
Records Clerk, White Bridge Campus
This is what nominators had to say:
I’m nominating Cyndi Moore for Employee of the Month. Cyndi is the backbone of the Admissions and Records Office. Need help evaluating a transcript? What about getting that enrollment verification? Trying to find your official transcript from back when we were called Nashville State Technical Institute? Cyndi can help you with that. She’s the first to volunteer when help is needed and is always willing to go the extra mile to help a student. I can think of no one more deserving of this recognition than Cyndi Moore!
Cyndi, thank you for your exemplary performance, hard work, and dedication to our Nashville State Community College.
Survival of the Multitasked: A Half-Hour in the Life of the Registrar’s Office
By Kevin Thomas, Director of Admissions and Records/College Registrar, and VA School Certifying Official (SCO)
Between 10:30 and 11 AM on May 30, 2025—during what is supposed to be a “slow” time on campus in the summer semester—I found myself once again navigating the daily whirlwind that is the Registrar’s Office. These details have not been embellished, for they need no embellishment. This brief yet action-packed half-hour is sponsored by Dynamic Forms, Outlook, Co-Pilot, Slate, and the never-ending stream of Teams notifications. And while I was dealing with my own whirlwind, Records and Admissions Team Members were tackling their own equally relentless half-hour—responding to frantic students, updating records, processing forms, and troubleshooting technical issues, all while fighting against the never-ending tide of emails and Teams notifications.
It all started by diligently filling out an HR Dynamic Form while juggling emails. I went into the portal to retrieve the form, only to be intercepted by a Teams message. Not now, Teams—I’m in the zone (or at least trying to be).
Just as I noticed ten Change of Grade forms had mysteriously appeared, another Teams message popped in. Time to power through those forms before circling back to emails, VA Student certifications, and refund appeals. But wait—another Teams notification.
Back to Change of Grade forms—or so I thought. Enter a Teams call! A Records and Admissions Team Member had a student on the phone who was at an army base and needed an enrollment verification immediately to obtain a military ID and secure their military benefits. While coaching the team member through this one-off scenario (which may never happen again, but hey, knowledge is power), another Teams message popped in, just to keep me on my toes.
By now, I had successfully derailed myself from emails, certifying VA Students, refund appeals, and grade changes—but hold on! A staff member from another office needed assistance. Oh, is that yet another Teams notification? I wonder if I’ve been assigned any emails in Slate? Laughs in workplace exhaustion.
This isn’t just a Registrar’s Office phenomenon—every office on campus faces similar relentless demands, proving that the so-called “slow” summer semester is anything but.
For the record, —I’m properly citing my source. Co-Pilot wrote this article about our chaotic half-hour in the Registrar’s Office into something readable, proving that even AI can’t escape the need for proper attribution. Consider this my official footnote, Deans!
The Admissions and Records Team annual graduation pic at commencement 2025. Missing team Members: Addison Morgan, and our 4 vacant positions
Falcons’ News on NSCC.edu
by Tom Hayden, Associate Vice President, Office of Communications and Marketing
Nashville States Eligible for $10,000 Scholarships from Fisk University
https://nscc.edu/news/nashville-state-graduates-eligible-for-10000-dollar-scholarships-from-fisk-university.php
Nashville State Announces Spring 2025 Academic Honors
https://nscc.edu/news/nashville-state-announces-spring-2025-academic-honors.php
Paralegal Studies Returns to Nashville State Clarksville Campus for In-person Instruction
https://nscc.edu/news/paralegal-studies-returns-to-nashville-state-clarksville-campus-for-in-person-instruction.php
Nashville State Leads Conversation on Community Colleges as Talent Pipelines
https://nscc.edu/news/nashville-state-leads-conversation-on-community-colleges-as-talent-pipelines.php
Nashville State Students to Benefit from New “Folded with Care” Laundry Program, Thanks to Nashville Predators Foundation and United Way of Greater Nashville Grants
https://nscc.edu/news/nashville-state-students-to-benefit-from-new-folded-with-care-laundry-program.php
Nashville State’s Mateso and Flatt Awarded Scarlett Family Foundation Scholarship to Continue Studies
https://nscc.edu/news/mateso-and-flatt-awarded-scarlett-family-foundation-scholarship-to-continue-studies.php
New Partnership Between UT Martin and Nashville State Offers Students Affordable Pathway to Bachelor’s in Agricultural Business
https://nscc.edu/news/ut-martin-and-nashville-state-offers-students-affordable-pathway-to-bachelors-in-agricultural-business.php
Academic Excellence Celebrated at Nashville State
https://nscc.edu/news/academic-excellence-celebrated-at-nashville-state.php
24 Nashville State Students Celebrate Milestone in Grow Your Own Teacher Training Program
https://nscc.edu/news/24-nashville-state-students-celebrate-milestone-in-grow-your-own-teacher-training-program.php
Falcons Comes Together to Celebrate Recent Retirees
https://nscc.edu/news/falcons-come-together-to-celebrate-recent-retirees.php
MNPS Students Thriving with Early College Opportunities through Nashville State
https://nscc.edu/news/mnps-students-thriving-with-early-college-opportunities-through-nashville-state.php
The NSCC Voice
Founded 2017
Cliff Rockstead, Managing Editor
David Gerth, Assistant Managing Editor
Kevin Woods, Layout
May 2025 Contributors
Sherri Barnhart
Connie Daniel
Karina Davis
Tom Hayden
Dr. Shanna L. Jackson
Kelsey A. Johansen
Kevin Thomas