Update from the President
by Dr. Shanna L. Jackson
Greetings,
As the holiday season begins, my wish for you is to find time to rest and do something you enjoy. The end of the semester is near, and it will require energy and patience to provide our students with the support they need to finish strong. I know this time of year can be challenging for many. Remember our new Mascot and motto – Nashville State Falcons fly together! It is ok not to be ok. If you find yourself needing additional support, your college is here for you. You are not alone. Please see more information about employee support and other updates from the Office of the President below:
Employee Support
Our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offers services 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.
Student Support
As we prepare for the final weeks of the semester, you can make a difference for our students. When you see a student in need, please help connect them to the most appropriate office. As a reminder, you can find more information to best direct students by visiting the Student Support Services webpage for resource information and the Care Team Referral Form.
Professional Learning Workshops
Celebrating the Good! Our LEADS Core Value Learning is critical to our efforts to build a Culture of Excellence in People, Programs, and Places. Special thanks to the Teaching Center and the Professional Learning team for a fantastic semester of professional learning opportunities. Every member of the Nashville State community is highly encouraged to participate in the sessions provided. For more information, contact theteachingcenter@nscc.edu or Professionallearning@nscc.edu.
Dickson Campus
We are thankful to the City of Dickson for the three-year agreement to use of the Senior Center for our Dickson Campus. Special thanks to Facilities and TSD who are spending countless hours to get the space ready for Spring 2023 classes
Enrollment Update
Retention of our current students is our highest priority. There have been several innovative campus and department led activities to bolster early registration like Clarksville’s Pizza with a Professor. Everyone is encouraged to share and support the efforts being made.
As a reminder, Spring 23 registration started a month earlier than previous years. Therefore, we do not have an accurate point to point comparison to prior spring terms. You can view the enrollment dashboard here. Our amazing Institutional Research team will adjust the dashboard next month to align the Spring 21 and 22 data to the start of class.
Fantasy Football
Two teams PrOfessOr_Cha0s (Peter Ortner) and Online Dr. J (Jamie Edwards) have only 1 loss after week 10. We are heading into the final games before the playoffs are decided. Of course, I am still in the playoff hunt with a 6-3 record. Each week we send out the Division standings to the league. Please send an email to FantasyFootball@nscc.edu if you would like to be included in the updates.
SOAR Award update
For the fourth year in a row a Nashville State student is a SOAR Award FINALIST! Please join me in congratulating our amazing student Sara Thaher who was selected as a finalist to compete in the State competition in March from the Middle Tennessee Region. Best wishes to Jay Chambers and April Robinson who will soon compete in the regional competition.
Hoping each of you and your families enjoyed a restful and safe Thanksgiving.
Nashville Flex Host Meet and Greet
by Tom Hayden, Associate Vice President, Office of Communications and Marketing
College students benefiting from Nashville Flex, student success and Foundation staff, and student champions from the Tennessee College Access and Success Network held a casual and fun meet and greet Wednesday evening November 18 to connect and enjoy each other’s company and share a meal.
NSCC Faculty Earn ACUE Microcredentials
by Amy S. Bryant, Associate Professor of Communication Studies and Director, The Teaching Center
22 NSCC faculty have earned the ACUE Microcredential in Creating an Inclusive and Supportive Learning Environment. During the fall semester, these faculty have engaged in professional learning about creating inclusive and supportive learning environments, implemented inclusive and supportive practices in their courses, reflected on the impact of these practices, and planned for how to use these practices in their teaching moving forward. Teaching practices included focusing on leading the first day of class, promoting a civil learning environment, engaging underprepared students, helping students persist in their studies, embracing diversity in the classroom, checking for student understanding, and providing useful feedback.
- Amy Blum
- Bir Bohara
- Laura Burridge
- David Edgington
- Melissa Fleck
- Michael Glenn
- Jennifer Goncalves
- Beth Gorham
- Jeff Green
- Thomas Holmes
- Janessa Jacobs
- John Knox
- Rachel Lewis
- Landon Mason
- Aggie Mendoza
- Emily Naff
- Maayan Ornath
- Kassidy Schmidt
- Michele Singletary
- Leah Welker
- Donna Whitehouse
- Robin Cooper-Wilbanks
Congratulations!
Nashville State Community College Announces
Director of Nursing
by Tom Hayden, Associate Vice President, Office of Communications and Marketing
Nashville State Community College’s Nursing program has a new director. Elizabeth Youngblood, RN, WHNP, BC, CNE, Ed.D., is leading the highly-respected associate degree-level program.
“I am exceptionally proud to say that Nashville State Community College Nursing is a highly-regarded program, having educated leaders in the field for years, with expert instructors who have years of clinical experience and a vast network. Beth has a tremendous amount of experience in academia and on the clinical side, which will serve the program well as it continues to maintain its level of excellence and possibly expand.”
Dr. Carol Rothstein
The director of Nursing provides leadership and coordinates the educational, administrative, and financial affairs within the program, while creating an environment that supports faculty in producing continuous improvement and ensuring programs are high quality, and relevant to student’s goals and ensuring student success.
“Healthcare is a critical service in our daily life. I am honored to lead and be part of a high-performing team that produces successful program outcomes and leaders in clinical settings.”
Dr. Elizabeth Youngblood
Youngblood brings a blend of academic and clinical experience to her new role.
A registered nurse with certifications as a women’s health nurse practitioner, nurse educator, and basic cardiac life support, Youngblood worked at Lipscomb University School of Nursing, Belmont University School of Nursing, Columbia State Community College, and Vanderbilt University School of Nursing. Some of her clinical experience includes time at Brentwood Primary Care, Staggs and Burch, Tennessee Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Maury Regional Hospital.
Youngblood earned an Associate of Science in Nursing and Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Belmont University, Master of Science in Nursing from Vanderbilt University School of Nursing, and a Doctorate in Professional Practice from Trevecca Nazarene University.
Nashville State’s Nursing Associate of Applied Science degree program has an NCLEX licensure exam six-year average pass rate of 97% and a job placement rate of 99.5%. The program has full approval status by the Tennessee Board of Nursing and is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
Office Halloween Décor Contest
by Kelsey Johansen, M.Ed., Director of Student Life
Thank you to all who participated in the Office Halloween Décor Contest. We had nine submissions showcasing festive fall doors, cubicle homages to horror movie classics, and true falcon spirit!
We were truly in awe of the time and thought put into these decorations (I mean, the Library Resource Center’s architecturally accurate skyline of London? Woah!). But our favorite part was the excitement for spooky season and comradery shared among our staffs. Nashville State really showed up in true spirited fashion and it was wonderful to witness.
Winners of the hauntingly epic skeleton and pumpkin trophies are as follows:
- Best Overall: Admissions & Records “Haunted Records Office”
- Most Creative: The Learning Resource Center “The Staff Who Never Wouldn’t Grow Up: Neverland at Nashville State”
- Best Theme: Southeast Faculty “Heart of the Falcon”
NSCC Selected as an Education Partner for Amazon’s Career Choice Program
by Tom Hayden, Associate Vice President, Office of Communications and Marketing
Amazon’s Career Choice program provides pre-paid tuition to learn new skills for career success at Amazon or elsewhere
Nashville State Community College has been selected as an education partner for Amazon’s Career Choice program. This allows Amazon’s eligible hourly associates to receive pre-paid tuition, book, and fee assistance while pursuing an associate degree or technical certificate at the College.
The College provides direct support, such as laptops, advising, food assistance, and transportation, for student success and offers more than 80 educational pathways in such industries as healthcare, logistics, business management, and information technology.
Students who earn an associate degree, a technical certification, or complete a workforce program are prepared for success when transferring to a university or advancing career opportunities. Students can attend classes on-campus, virtually, and online. Some are offered as 7-week term classes.
“Amazon’s Career Choice program aligns with Nashville State’s commitment to eliminating inequities in educational attainment and increasing economic mobility. The College is committed to forming strategic partnerships to provide access while supporting completion and post-completion success for our graduates.”
Dr. Carol Rothstein, Vice President of Academic Affairs
Amazon’s Career Choice program is an educational benefit that empowers employees to learn new skills for career success at Amazon or elsewhere. The program meets individual learners where they are on their education journey through a variety of education and upskilling opportunities including pre-paid college tuition, industry certifications designed to lead to in-demand jobs, and foundational skills such as English language proficiency, high school diplomas, and GEDs. There is no limit to the number of years that the benefit may be used as long as the associate is employed by Amazon.
Amazon’s program has a rigorous selection process for third-party partner educators, choosing partners that are focused on helping employees through their education programs, assisting them with job placements, and overall offering education that leads to career success.
“We’re looking forward to Nashville State Community College coming on board as an education partner for Career Choice, adding to the hundreds of best-in-class offerings available to our employees. We’re committed to empowering our employees by providing them with access to the education and training they need to grow their careers, whether that’s with us or elsewhere. We have intentionally created a partner network of third-party educators and employers committed to providing excellent education, job placement resources, and continuous improvements to the experience.”
Tammy Thieman, global program lead of Amazon’s Career Choice program
Amazon associates wanting to apply for admission to Nashville State can start the process by visiting: http://www.nscc.edu/amazon.
NSCC Historical Minute: The Clement Building
By Faye Jones, Ph.D. Dean, Learning Resource Center
In 1980, Nashville State Technical Institute (NSTI) opened a new building named after former governor, Frank Clement, who was instrumental in creating the community college system in Tennessee. The new building was to keep NSTI on the cutting edge of technology education.
It also contained an auditorium, which was the meeting place of faculty and staff for years until the recent addition of the H Building. Generations of employees gathered at the beginning of each school year for convocation, for all staff meetings, and talent fundraising shows.
That’s right. In the 90s, each year, faculty and staff came together to display various degrees of talent. It was both fun and horrifying.
NSCC Student Success Veteran Advisor Presented with TBR Award
by Tom Hayden, Associate Vice President, Office of Communications and Marketing
Dawne Moore, a retired U.S. Army Master Sergeant and current Nashville State Community College student success veteran advisor at the Clarksville campus, has been awarded a Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) Chancellor’s Commendation for Military Veterans.
Moore was honored during a Nashville State’s Veterans Day celebration at the Clarksville campus. Nashville State’s White Bridge campus also held a celebration honoring veterans.
TBR Chancellor Flora W. Tydings established the commendation in 2020 as a system-level award to honor military veterans’ service, bravery, and sacrifices. The 39 Chancellor’s Commendation honorees for 2022 include 14 students, 14 faculty members and 11 college staff members who served in the military. Eighteen recipients served in the Army, eight in the Marine Corps, eight in the Navy, three in the Air Force, one in the Coast Guard and one in the National Guard.
Moore enlisted into the Army on July 26, 1989, upon graduating from high school, and retired on July 31, 2017, after a distinguished and faithful career of 28 years. She was born in Anguilla, West Indies, and grew up in St. Thomas, USVI.
Her awards and decorations include the Army Achievement Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserved Medal, and numerous service awards along with the Noncommissioned Officer’s Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, and Drill Sergeant Badge.
Upon retiring, Dawne still had a passion for helping and guiding fellow veterans and military personnel in some capacity. She worked with the Army’s Career Skills Program, assisting soldiers as they transition out of the military to find their next careers. After filling this position for two years, she joined Nashville State in September 2019. As a student success advisor, she works directly with veterans who are students, making sure they have support along with connecting them to services provided by the College.
Upon retiring, Dawne still had a passion for helping and guiding fellow veterans and military personnel in some capacity. She worked with the Army’s Career Skills Program, assisting soldiers as they transition out of the military to find their next careers. After filling this position for two years, she joined Nashville State in September 2019. As a student success advisor, she works directly with veterans who are students, making sure they have support along with connecting them to services provided by the College.
As Tennessee Board of Regents institutions, community and technical college presidents were able to nominate candidates for the Chancellor’s Commendation. Moore was nominated by Nashville State President Dr. Shanna L. Jackson.
The commendation is a special challenge coin. Giving a challenge coin is often viewed as a sign of respect in the military.
Nashville State earned the distinction as a Veterans Education Transition Support (VETS) Certified Campus from the Tennessee Higher Education Commission.
As a VETS Campus-certified institution, the College prioritizes outreach to veterans and delivers the services necessary to create a supportive environment where student veterans can prosper while pursuing their education. Dawne embodies that supportive environment.
Nashville State is among a couple of dozen military-friendly institutions throughout Tennessee that have earned this distinction.
Human Resources News November 2022
by Janet Dennis, Personnel Assistant, Human Resources
New Hires:
| Name | Position | Department |
|---|---|---|
| Adele Miller | Testing Technician II | Testing Center |
Separation
| Name | Position | Department |
|---|---|---|
| Stephanie Flores | NashGRAD Coordinator | Student Success Center/ NashGRAD |
| Mary Kate Allen | HR Analyst | Human Resources |
Chudzik Officially Sworn in as Chief of Police and Security
by Tom Hayden, Associate Vice President, Office of Communications and Marketing
Walter Chudzik, who was hired as Nashville State’s Chief of Police and Security at the beginning of the Fall 2022 semester, was recently officially sworn into his position.
TBR Chief of Police and Assistant Vice Chancellor for Campus Safety and Security Michael Williams joined Dr. Jackson and several Nashville State security officials for a short oath ceremony on the White Bridge campus.
Chudzik came to Nashville State after most recently serving as a U.S. government contractor. The majority of his law enforcement career was with the Chicago Police Department where he spent nearly 23 years as an officer tasked to several units, detective, sergeant, and lieutenant. A Marine, Chudzik was in the Corps for nine years, having served as a tactical vehicle operator, REACT security team, and artillery crew member.
Student Life’s November Recap
by Kelsey A. Johansen, M.Ed., Director, Student Life
Greetings Nash State!
Please see Student Life’s November Photo Recap: November Recap for the Voice (Link goes to SharePoint server)
Professor Turner Recognized for 15 Years of Service at PTK Advisor
by Tom Hayden, Associate Vice President, Office of Communications and Marketing
Nashville State Professor of Philosophy Donald Turner has been recognized for 15 years of service as advisor of the Alpha Xi Psi Chapter, Phi Theta Kappa—the international academic honor society for two-year colleges.
Turner says that dialogue with students in the classroom is his favorite part of the job. Additionally, Turner serves with colleague Janusz Polanowski as advisor to the Nashville State Philosophy Club.
Nashville State Librarian Has Article Published
By Faye Jones, Dean/Director, The Learning Resource Center
Nashville State’s newest librarian, Maryellen Nash, recently had an article published in College & Research Libraries, a research journal of the Association of College & Research Libraries, a division of the American Library Association.
“Together, Apart: Communication Dynamics among Academic Librarians during the Covid-19 Pandemic” was born out a feeling at the onset of the pandemic. At that time, Maryellen, who was working as a librarian at the University of South Florida, said instead of feeling more separated, the library staff felt more cohesive as a team.
She has said that this feeling was likely due to the fact that USF is a geographically distributed university with three separate libraries that was (at the time) being united under a single administrative unit.
“We found that our productivity levels increased and our team dynamic improved. We wondered if that might be the experience of other academic library teams, so we decided to create a survey and distribute it to the major online academic library listservs to see if our experiences were similar to others. Mostly they were not, but it made for an interesting study!”
Maryellen Nash
“We found that our productivity levels increased and our team dynamic improved. We wondered if that might be the experience of other academic library teams, so we decided to create a survey and distribute it to the major online academic library listservs to see if our experiences were similar to others. Mostly they were not, but it made for an interesting study!”
To read the study, visit: https://crl.acrl.org/index.php/crl/article/view/25010
Facilities Management Department Report
by Christopher Saunders, CFM, Executive Director of Facilities Management
We have enclosed with this month’s report is a picture of the sign at our New Dickson Campus. All the teams are feverishly working on getting it ready for the opening in January.
Our NSCC Projects are:
Clarksville
- LED Lighting and Cameras upgrade – COMPLETE
- 10 Anniversary – COMPLETE
- New Campus 1st Design Meeting with Senior Management: COMPLETE
- New Campus TBR Designer Selection – NSCC – TBR – State Architect: COMPLETE
Dickson
- Lease signed 11-01-2022 – COMPLE
- FM -TSD – Contractors – Fast Tracking Conversion – UNDERWAY
North Davidson
- Conference Room – Bathroom Door Locks – COMPLETE
- HOAR hoods Certification – UNDERWAY
- Electrical Issues – UNDERWAY
- AIA Punch – UNDERWAY
- Parking Visitor Signage: COMPLETE
- Classroom Evacuation Signs: COMPLETE
- Lab Equipment Installation: COMPLETE
- Roof Repairs: UNDERWAY
South East
- Building Refurbishment Project – Signage being installed – UNDERWAY
- Chiller Replacement Installation – COMPLETE
- Chiller Testing – UNDERWAY
- Second Floor Storage Clean Up – Restore Store Pick up – COMPLETE
- Thanks to all who actively participate in these Projects.
Waverly
- Labs Case goods – UNDERWAY
- ED Furniture Transfer – WEEK of 11.14.2022
White Bridge Road
- LED Lighting Retrofit – UNDERWAY
- H – Building Health Sciences Renovation Project Budget and Construction Drawings -UNDERWAY
- Lab Review – UNDER REVIEW
- HVAC Central Plant Upgrades and TBR Designer meeting with FM: COMPLETE
- Planning and Pricing of Repairs: UNDERWAY
- Clean Up – NSCC Surplus to Restore Store: COMPLETE
- TBR Refurbishment Project Designer preparing Bid Package: UNDERWAY
Thanks to all who actively participate in these projects.
The NSCC Voice
Founded 2017
Cliff Rockstead, Managing Editor
David Gerth, Assistant Managing Editor
Dale Rogers, WordPress Wrangler and Layout Editor
Isabella Putman, on assignment
October Contributors
Amy S. Bryant
Walt Chudzik
Janet Dennis
Tom Hayden
Dr. Shanna L. Jackson
Kelsey Johansen
Dr. Faye Jones
Christopher Saunders