Update from the President
by Dr. Shanna L. Jackson
Greetings,
This month officially begins my fourth year as President of Nashville State! I still have the same excitement about our future as I had in 2018. It is indeed my honor to serve our college, our employees, our students and our communities. I find joy, even in the most challenging times, because our work is making a difference. In fact, I feel more committed than ever to finish the road we are paving to lead the nation in achieving equitable outcomes for our diverse community of learners.
Below are a few updates from the Office of the President:
Sharing the Good – I am pleased to share a submission that is a reason for all of us to celebrate! We set a Spring semester record by awarding over 700 certificates and degrees! Special thanks to Kevin Thomas, Lisa Shaw and Kirstie Boyd for recognizing the significance of this achievement and Sharing the Good! The efforts to improve persistence and completion at Nashville State are starting to show in our outcomes. Please use this form to recognize an individual (faculty, staff, or student), department, program, or group that has had a significant accomplishment or made a difference.
Constituency Leadership Changes – The summer is a time of transition for leadership in Faculty Senate, Administrative Assembly and Staff Assembly. I want to extend a special thank you to Derek Smith, Jennifer Byrd and Drew Kovacs for their outstanding leadership during the unprecedented and challenging year. They served on President’s Cabinet and provided leadership on key initiatives for the college. In addition, I appreciated their counsel throughout the year. I consider the constituency leaders a key component of shared governance as they represent the voices of our faculty and staff.
Please join me in welcoming and congratulating our new leaders Jessica Rabb, Katrina Dupree and Rene Johnston that will take their new roles over the course of the summer. All three served and on the College Planning Council providing leadership and input during the year. We will have three new appointments representing each constituency group serving on the Council this Fall.
Enrollment – At census for summer term, we were up 6.1% headcount and 6.3% FTE. Special thanks to all involved and particularly the Faculty and Online Learning who work diligently over the year to increase online, hybrid and Zoom options for students. On June 22nd, we were up 7.1% headcount and 5.2% FTE over Fall of last year. We are closing the gap on 2019 as we are now down 11.7% headcount and 15.1% FTE. Below are the links to the fall daily enrollment reports:
Fall 2021 to Fall 2019 ETR Comparison Dashboard
Budget – TBR approved our FY22 Budget at the June Quarterly Board meeting. As a reminder, Nashville State’s budget is based on a 2% increase in fall enrollment, 4% increase in spring and a 1.5% tuition increase. Last year there were no increases in tuition and fees, this year TBR approved an increase in tuition for all Community Colleges of 1.98%.
In addition, TBR approved two new fees for Nashville State, a $1 SGA fee and $2 Student Life fee. I want to congratulate SGA President Darrell Chambers and the SGA Officers who led this effort. They engaged our students to support a fee increase during a pandemic because they believe these funds will further support student development and retention at Nashville State.
Office of the President Search – Please join me in congratulating Evon Wood who is departing for a wonderful new opportunity. I wish Evon well and appreciate her contributions to the college over the past two years. We will be searching for a new Executive Administrative Assistant to the President this summer.
Nashville State is 50 years old and we stand on the accomplishment of many who are still here and those who have served before us. Our mission is worth the time, effort and investment that it will take to improve persistence, retention and close the equity gaps for students. Our communities need us and we will continue to be a beacon of light and hope for the generations yet to come. When Nashville State LEADS our students SUCCEED!
Maxine Smith Fellows
by Tom Hayden, Associate Vice President, Office of Communications and Marketing
Professor Richard Garvin, Jr. Selected for
Maxine Smith Fellows leadership program Class of 2021-22
(June 5, 2021) — Assistant Professor of Psychology Richard Garvin, Jr. from Nashville State Community College is among the 21 faculty and staff members from colleges and universities across Tennessee selected to participate in the 2021-22 Class of the Maxine Smith Fellows program.
The Maxine Smith Fellows program provides professional development, training and advancement opportunities for participants from traditionally underrepresented groups at Tennessee’s locally governed public universities and the community and technical colleges governed by the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR). Members meet monthly for a year, starting in June 2021.
In addition to the professional development of class members, the program stimulates increased collaboration among institutions, development of a statewide network for program participants, and an overall increase in the diversity of ideas, thoughts, and experiences within senior leadership ranks at Tennessee public higher education institutions.
“Maxine Smith Fellows alumni have advanced to senior leadership positions, including seven Fellows who have gone on to serve as presidents at colleges and universities in Tennessee and in other states. Many of them have said that the Maxine Smith Fellows experience contributed to their success,” said Dr. Wendy J. Thompson, the program’s administrator and TBR vice chancellor for organizational effectiveness.
“One essential component of the program’s success is the continued support and engagement of college and university presidents, as well as other higher education leaders from across the state of Tennessee,” Thompson said. Presidents nominate eligible faculty and staff from their campus for consideration for the program.
“I am thrilled that Dr. Garvin was selected for this incredible opportunity,” said Nashville State Community College President Dr. Shanna L. Jackson, a 2005-06 Maxine Smith Fellow. “The program will strengthen Professor Garvin’s leadership skills while giving him an avenue to contribute outside of the classroom to the advancement of public higher education in Tennessee.”
The program is named in honor of the late Maxine A. Smith, who headed the Memphis Branch of the NAACP for 33 years and was a member of the Tennessee Board of Regents from 1994 to 2006. The Class of 21-22 is the program’s 15th cohort.
Members of the Maxine Smith Fellows Class of 2021-22 are:
- Antija Allen, Pellissippi State Community College
- Charria Campbell, Tennessee Tech University
- Sean Chism, Tennessee Board of Regents system office
- Richard Garvin, Jr., Nashville State Community College
- Daniel Green, Middle Tennessee State University
- Quincy Jenkins, Chattanooga State Community College
- Kiana Johnson, East Tennessee State University
- Brelinda Johnson, Middle Tennessee State University
- Shayla Kolheim, Southwest Tennessee Community College
- Deidre’ Kyle, Walters State Community College
- Erica Lee, Motlow State Community College
- Tongai Maodzwa, Northeast State Community College
- Adrian Montague, Jackson State Community College
- Arlene Nicholas-Phillips, Tennessee State University
- Barbara Scales, Motlow State Community College
- Cheryl Seay, Tennessee State University
- Tanya Shephard, Roane State Community College
- Eric Stokes, University of Memphis
- Sharron Taylor Burnett, Dyersburg State Community College
- LaNeeca Williams, Austin Peay State University
- Johnny Wyatt, Columbia State Community College
Welcome Jande Royalty to the NSCC Family!
by Matt McLean, Director, Dickson Campus
Join us in welcoming Jande Royalty! She started last week as the new Student Services Specialist 2 for the Dickson Campus. Jande’s main emphasis will be recruiting and building relationships with prospective Nashville State students in the community and assisting them through the enrollment process.
She is coming to us from the Williamson County Performing Arts Center where she was the Event Promotion Specialist and managed their website content and marketing campaigns.
You may reach her at 615-740-5998, ext. 5002 or via email at: jande-phyl.Royalty@nscc.edu ,.
Jande-Quick Facts:
Born: Monrovia, Liberia
High School: Brentwood Academy
College: Union University
Etc: Has lived in 5 countries (Liberia, Sierra Leone, Switzerland, South Korea), and visited 18 other countries, studied ASL French, Korean
First Student Shoppers Visit the Career Closet
by Nicole Hubbs, Director, Career Services
In May, the first student shoppers visited the Career Closet to find professional clothing. Koti Tunuguntla and Wilma Dumas, both CIT students with a concentration in Cyber Defense, came to select outfits. Koti was shopping for a virtual interview for an internship. Wilma, who is job searching, wanted an outfit to wear for attending career fairs.
As a reminder, the Career Closet is in the Career Services Office at White Bridge Road. This service is open to all students. More information can be found at www.nscc.edu/career-closet.
Koti Tunuguntla 
Wilma Dumas
Sharing the Good!
Compiled by Cliff Rockstead, Managing Editor, Nashville State Voice
From Kevin Thomas, Interim Registrar, Records Office
Lisa and Kirstie shared the following with me this morning! This is what it’s all about! We broke our record and awarded over 700 credentials for Spring….and counting. Lisa and Kirstie have been working very hard processing and reaching out to students to help them finish their requirements and get their credential. Kevin, As you know, it takes a couple of weeks after we go through all of our graduates for some of our students to clear holds or finish the exit exam. (We will finalize Spring 2021 graduation on Friday, June 18th.) As of this morning, we have 700 Spring 2021 diplomas awarded!!! We have NEVER had so many awards in a single semester! Last spring was our previous record high at 687. Woot!!!
From Dr. Julie Williams, Director, Student Success Center
In June, Nashville State Community College received notice that we are now classified as a Tennessee VETS Campus by THEC pursuant to the Tennessee Veterans Education Transition Support Act.
And
Nashville GRAD has been approved by Metro-Davidson County City Council for the 21-22 academic year.
From Kevin Thomas, Interim Registrar, VA SCO, NSCC Veterans Services Office, 615.353.3211
New information and assistance for our veterans.
Download the Veterans Request for Deferment
Download the Veterans Request for Certification
Please visit our Nashville State Community College Veterans Services Website
For information on applying for VA Education Benefits click here
Please read the Nashville State Community College Catalog
Nashville State Community College Workforce Solutions Partner
to Booming Tech Industry
by Tom Hayden, Associate Vice President, Office of Communications and Marketing
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Monday, June 7, 2021) – With more tech companies flocking to the Nashville area and employers in every industry needing to fill job positions with skilled IT professionals, Nashville State Community College has stepped in to be a key workforce solutions partner.
“Nashville State Community College prepares today’s students to be future leaders in their chosen field,” said Dr. Shanna L. Jackson, president of Nashville State. “As a workforce solutions partner, we will continue to seek innovative ways to make sure our employers have skilled professionals and our students’ lasting careers.
The 2020 Middle Tennessee Workforce Study stated that job growth in the region grew 25 percent from 2009 to 2018 while tech job growth was 47 percent. By 2028, the Nashville MSA projects overall job growth of 16 percent, while tech jobs are anticipated to grow by 22 percent.
With entry-level salaries for IT professionals averaging $55,000 per year, this field is extremely lucrative with a high potential for career growth.
There are multiple opportunities for Nashville area residents to level up to an exciting information technology career through Nashville State.
Computer Programming Certificate Offered
In May 2019, the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce launched a project with financial support from JPMorgan Chase focused on building competency-based education (CBE) courses aimed at advancing all adults, targeting specifically those living in Nashville’s Promise Zone, toward careers in information technology. The Chamber is working specifically with Nashville State Community College and Columbia State Community College.
A competency-based education offers students an online environment to complete a degree or credential at their own pace. The format is meant to remove barriers to higher education.
A two-month-long marketing campaign called “You Deserve More” created by the chamber of commerce has kicked off to promote an IT pathway for interested individuals. The campaign is focusing on driving interest to Nashville State’s Computer Programming Technical Certificate, which can be earned in a matter of a few months and provides a baseline level of knowledge.
“We are grateful to JP Morgan Chase Foundation for this investment to innovatively upskill our workforce,” said Laura Ward, the Chamber’s senior vice president of Talent Development. “IT continues to be one of the fastest-growing career pathways. By connecting talent to training, and then to good-paying jobs, the pipeline is strengthened and we are connecting our neighbors to good-paying jobs and opportunities for career growth.”
Learning basic IT skills will position students to secure an introductory-level role, and from then on, the opportunities are endless. To learn more about the Computer Programming Technical Certificate and other programs, visit nscc.edu/tech.
New Nashville State Coding Bootcamps
Nashville State has recently partnered with two full-service software development organizations to provide area residents with affordable coding education, industry networking, and hands-on experience.
“Nashville State is looking to provide the best education and an affordable price to area residents while aligning program curriculum and what we offer to industry needs,” said Dr. Carol Rothstein, Nashville State’s vice president of Academic Affairs.
CodeX Academy programs include Front-End Developer (24 weeks part-time) and Full-Stack Developer (48 weeks part-time). Students may accelerate their progress as the CodeX programs are self-paced. CodeX provides a comprehensive curriculum, personal mentors and daily touchpoints and classes.
Promineo Tech provides Front End and Back End Software Development Bootcamps. These 18-week programs are divided into three 6-week courses accompanied by weekly lectures and assignments in a cohort-based delivery model.
The technologies covered in both programs are designed to prepare the students with the practical skills that hiring managers are looking for when filling software development positions.
To learn more about Nashville State’s Coding Bootcamps, visit nscc.edu/ITBootcamps.
Additional Nashville State Information Technology Programs
The Computer Programming Technology Certificate and coding bootcamps are two of several IT programs of varying levels offered by the College. Others include:
- Computer Information Technology A.A.S. with concentrations in
- Systems Administration and Management
- Cyber Defense
- Programming
- Systems Analyst
- Networking
- Computer Science A.S.
- Information Security Technical Certificate
- Information Systems A.S.
Programs are Tennessee Promise and Tennessee Reconnect eligible, with Nashville State providing free laptops and hotspots to those who need them.
Industry Partnerships
Nashville State has been working with area employers to provide a pipeline of skilled professionals while providing an education and career pipeline for students.
The College has established a successful Learn and Earn internship program with Tractor Supply Company, where students receive dedicated classroom instruction and get real-world hands-on experience while getting paid. Graduates have gone onto full-time employment with Tractor Supply. Additionally, last spring Nashville State developed the first-of-its-kind in the state of TN customized apprenticeship program. Over the course of 10 months, Nashville State delivered the curriculum to five Asurion incumbent workers who are now Associate Software Engineers.
Contact:
Tom Hayden
Nashville State Community College
thomas.hayden@nscc.edu
615-353-3584
Stephanie Coleman
Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce
scoleman@nashvillechamber.com
615-630-5522
NSCC vs. Disneyland
by Christopher Saunders, CFM, Executive Director of Operations & Facilities
A question that is not in the front of all our minds: “What does NSCC and Disneyland have in common?”
When the kids arrive with their parents at the theme park early in the morning they are all excited with of the prospects of the food, toys, seeing Mickey and going on all the rides.
What most people don’t see is, as the families exit the “Happiest Place on Earth”, the little ones are generally sleeping or crying, their folks have $100+ of stuff per child wrapped around their necks, and their credit cards are tapped out.
Now fast forward to NSCC, when all the students arrive for the 1st time at our campuses, they are generally encouraged by their families with the prospects of a brighter future, the potential of making new friends, getting new books, and buying clothing (without Mickey) with an NSCC logo.
At the end or the day or the 1st week, all the students have a tired look on their faces, need to figure out – change their class schedules, coordinate their outside jobs hours accordingly, and need to catch up on sleep.
All the staffs and teams that support a Disney theme park are committed to providing a lasting experience for the families/customers. Not unlike NSCC Faculty, Staffs, the Book Store, TSD, Security, Janitorial – Facilities Teams, Contractor, Vendors etc. are all here to make our students/customers remember this experience for the rest of their lives.
So, I leave you with this challenge, we can make this NSCC experience for our students the front entrance of the “Happiest Place on Earth,” or the back exit which leaves the students and us all tired and with a lot more than $100 out of pocket.
We have one chance to get this right, with or without Mickey and Mini Mouse.
I love Disneyland, and as their staff say to everyone: “Have a Magical Day!”
QEP Update
by Jessica Rabb, Ph.D., Professor of Biology
In fall 2018, Nashville State started the implementation of a Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) to improve the first-year experience for our students. The QEP impact will be evaluated by our accreditor SACSCOC in fall 2023. To improve our students’ first-year experience, our QEP proposed amplifying and connecting first year experiences such as New Student Orientation, Career Planning, Advising, and the First Year Experience Course, NSCC 1010.
The QEP impact report will include data on changes in first year student success. For example, the report will show the difference in degree completion for first year students required to take NSCC 1010 that did take it and those that did not.
Table 1. Average Degree Completion Percent* After First Year
| Group | QEP Year 1 Cohort 2018-19 | QEP Year 2 Cohort 2019-20 | QEP Year 3 Cohort 2020-21 |
| Experimental Group: Passed NSCC 1010 in first semester | 32% (n =842) | 40% (n=985) | 38% (n=645) |
| Control Group: Did not take NSCC 1010 | 22% (n=123) | 19% (n=237) | 16% (n=204) |
Table 2. Average Number of Credits Applied to Degree After First Year
| Group | QEP Year 1 Cohort 2018-19 | QEP Year 2 Cohort 2019-20 | QEP Year 3 Cohort 2020-21 |
| Experimental Group: Passed NSCC 1010 in first semester | 17 (n =842) | 15 (n=985) | 15 (n=645) |
| Control Group: Did not take NSCC 1010 | 13 (n=123) | 6 (n=237) | 5 (n=204) |
Ideally, there would be no control group, every student that needs to take NSCC 1010 would take it in their first semester. NSCC 1010 is a graduation requirement for our first-time college students. Encourage these students to take NSCC 1010 as soon as possible.
In NSCC 1010, students make a degree plan in Degree Works that is 25% of their grade. If you would like to help a student make a degree plan that was not in NSCC 1010, or if you would like to revise a plan made in NSCC 1010, here is guide that can help advisors and students use the Degree Works plan page.
Articulation Agreement Between Nashville State Community College and TCAT Dickson-Clarksville
by Tom Hayden, Associate Vice President, Office of Communications and Marketing
Leaders from Nashville State Community College and TCAT Dickson-Clarksville met at TCAT Clarksville to sign an articulation agreement allowing eligible TCAT students in digital graphic design to transfer credits towards an Associate degree in visual communications at Nashville State.
“Nashville State Community College is focused on working with our partners to provide an easy path for students to reach their education and career goals,” said Dr. Carol Rothstein, Nashville State’s Vice President of Academic Affairs.
This follows an announcement earlier this year between Austin Peay State University and Nashville State allowing a student who completes their Associate degree to be granted admission to select undergraduate programs at APSU.
Industrial Process Control Technology Program Expands to Clarksville
by Tom Hayden, Associate Vice President, Office of Communications and Marketing
The Industrial Process Control Technology (IPCT) program is expanding to our Clarksville campus. The program has been available at the Humphreys County campus for years, where it has been successful in creating a pipeline to a career while fulfilling local industry needs.
The program allows students to work as part of a team that plans, analyzes, and controls the creation of products, from the raw materials all the way to distribution.
“With Clarksville and Montgomery County’s fast-paced growth, Nashville State Community College is working to make sure we continue expanding program offerings in career fields that match local needs,” said Kathleen Akers, Nashville State’s Clarksville campus director.
Beginning the Fall 2021 semester at the Clarksville campus, students can earn an Associate of Applied Science degree, with concentration on Process Technology. The degree is designed to be completed in two years
The program is also available as a technical certificate: Process Operator. The certificate is designed to be completed in one year.
The IPCT program is accredited through the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER). It is designed to train technically skilled students in the trade crafts such as Welding, Electrical, Instrumentation, Programmable Logic Control, Pipe fitting, and Millwright.
Students enrolled in the program can apply and participate in the federally registered IPCT apprenticeship program. Students selected for the paid apprenticeship program will work with our local industry partners to gain hands-on training while getting paid and earning their degrees. As of December 2020, the IPCT program has successfully placed 100% of apprenticeship applicants with employers and 100% of apprentices have gained employment after graduation.
Nearly every industry needs process control technicians and maintenance technicians including chemical, food and beverage, pharmaceutical, power generation, pulp and paper, refining, and wastewater treatment.
The 2020 median pay for an industrial technician is $57,320, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor.
To apply, visit nscc.edu/apply. If anyone has questions about the program, contact dianna.shanks@nscc.edu.
Human Resources News
by Janet Dennis, Personnel Assistant, Human Resources
| Employee | Title | Department | Date |
| Danielle Bestfelt | Coordinator | Learning Center | 6/16/2021 |
| Jande Royalty | Student Services specialist 2 | Dickson Campus | 6/16/2021 |
Staff Assembly Needs You!
by Renee Johnston, Staff Assembly Chair
Are you a full time or part-time non-faculty staff member? Consider joining Staff Assembly! Staff Assembly is important because it is here staff members:
- Discuss matters of concern to the college
- Represent staff concerns to the College Administration
- Inform and advise the College Administration on matters of mutual concern
Staff Assembly is a place where you will learn of new college efforts, cast your vote on matters that concern staff, and learn of professional development opportunities specifically for staff members. Staff Assembly is an important part of the shared governance process of the college. This is also a place where we get to know one another and learn about each other’s roles and skill sets.
If you are a member of Staff Assembly, invite a fellow staff member to attend our next Staff Assembly Meeting on the third Wednesday of the month at 2:00 pm. If you want to be a part of Staff Assembly, please email renee.johnston@nscc.edu. I will make sure you receive the invitation to our next meeting.
Membership is open to staff on every campus. Please join us and ….
Share your voice! Cast your vote! Make a Difference!
Achieving the Dream Update
by Donna Whitehouse, Associate Professor, OTA Program Coordinator, NSCC Achieving the Dream Project Manager, Office of the President
Each year the national Achieving the Dream networks asks each participating college to complete an annual reflection addressing how the college is progressing towards meeting its student success goals. See ATD Reflection Report for this year’s report.
It is no secret that this past year was a struggle for our students, and our college-wide efforts in student success fell short of our hoped outcomes.
We did have some great success as we created new resources for our students, learned new ways of conducting old business, and stretched our muscles in recruitment, retention, and teaching strategies.
This next year we will be focusing our efforts in three areas:
- Advising: an ad hoc committee has been working since this past spring to develop a proposal to redesign college wide advising. Their work has utilized the ATD resource “Holistic Student Supports Toolkit” as a guide, and has been meeting regularly with our ATD Coaches Dr. David Hartleb and Dr. Rene Garcia as it incorporates best practices into the proposal.
- Equity: The college revised and refocused our Equity and Diversity committee. This group has been working this summer to review and revise the college equity statement, and is making plans for important professional development activities for the whole college. This professional development will deepen our understanding of who our students are and how all can best support students for success.
- Teaching and Learning: we are in the process of establishing new goals in this area, but our work will continue in developing culturally responsive teaching practices and exploring HIP’s (High Impact Practices) in work-based learning.
All of the above strategies continue to point our work towards our overall goals:
- Increase the overall first-time, full time (FTFT) fall to fall retention of students. Baseline = 45%. Goal = 51%
- Eliminate the first time, full time (FTFT) fall to fall retention gap between African American/Black and White students. Baseline = 15 points, Goal = 0 points
- Decrease the percent of the FTFT students earning 0 credit hours in first term. Baseline – 18%, Goal – 10%
- Eliminate the gap between African American/Black and White students earning zero credit hours their first term. Baseline – 14 points. Goal – 0 points.
Information about our current progress towards those goals can be found in the attached/linked report.
Maintenance and Operations Department Report
by Christopher Saunders, CFM, Executive Director of Operations & Facilities
Summer is here, the Pandemic concerns have been reduced, and the NSCC Campuses Projects are well underway.
Pay close attention to some of the projects:
- White Bridge Road:
- Campus hallway floors, classrooms, open areas, offices chairs, and carpet being cleaned and disinfected
- New landscaping contractors work is underway
- Welcome Center Construction to start mid-July, to be completed in November
- LED Light Replacement Project for the W – S Buildings Being Bid
- Pressure washing the campus sidewalks and partial buildings
- South East: Long overdue HVAC repairs underway
- Clarksville
- Modular Buildings Lease approved – Installation to start in July
- LED Lighting – Camera Project Being Bid
- North Davidson: The “Jewel” of the NSCC Campuses, to be completed in November
We appreciate the support and interest the NSCC Family provides us in these efforts.
