{"id":2086,"date":"2022-10-27T14:25:19","date_gmt":"2022-10-27T14:25:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ww2.nscc.edu\/thensccvoice\/?page_id=2086"},"modified":"2022-12-02T01:10:08","modified_gmt":"2022-12-02T01:10:08","slug":"october-2022-volume-6-issue-3","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/ww2.nscc.edu\/thensccvoice\/october-2022-volume-6-issue-3\/","title":{"rendered":"October 2022 Volume 6 Issue 3"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Update from the President<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

by Dr. Shanna L. Jackson<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Greetings, <\/p>\n\n\n\n

October is my favorite month of the year!  It is the month I turn a year older and the month I stop to think about the years behind me and the years ahead from both a personal and professional lens.  When I reflect on my time at Nashville State and my hopes and dreams for the college, I am proud of the progress we are making at Nashville State toward Vision 2030: A Student Ready College<\/strong>. We are peeling back the complex layers of the college and getting to the heart of what is needed to keep Moving Forward<\/em>.  Conversations about how to unpack the barriers \u2013 not just for students but for us as a college \u2013 are increasing. Innovative solutions are being surfaced from all areas. I am excited about what is ahead! Below are a few updates from the Office of the President: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Staff Professional Development<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

wonderful Staff Professional Development Day! I have heard from several participants that the day was well planned, informative and inspiring! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Humphreys County Campus<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As the community continues to recover from the devasting flood in 2021, Nashville State is committed to supporting the educational needs of the community while being a good steward with our limited resources. Over the past several weeks, we have been having in-person conversations with internal employees and key external leaders regarding operational changes with the Humphreys County campus. Beginning January 3, our Humphreys County campus hours of operations will transition to Tuesdays and Thursdays. Kim Zills will oversee both Humphreys County and Dickson. A plan for faculty and staff to meet student needs and grow both locations is being finalized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Enrollment Update<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Spring 2023 Registration started a month earlier this year to give students more time to register before we move into the holidays.  Kudos to our Institutional Research team that continues to improve the application and enrollment dashboards so that we are Data-Informed. See the dashboard here: https:\/\/bit.ly\/NSCCSpringEnrollmentDash<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Budget Update<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Our October Revised Budget was sent to TBR on October 21st<\/sup>.  We are in a much better financial position headed into the Spring after factoring in the higher than projected fall FTE, removing 27 vacant positions, and carefully monitoring our operating spending. Please note that our budget remains dependent on spring enrollment and remaining diligent about containing expenses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also, in recognition of the dedicated service to our students by part-time faculty, we were able to build in an increase for adjunct faculty rates beginning Spring 2023.  We believe this investment will positively impact recruitment and retention.  A special thanks to the faculty led committee that provided the data-informed recommendation for senior staff to consider.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fantasy Football<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Week 7 is now behind, and a battle is brewing!  Every team has won a game and lost a game.  However, we have several 5-1 teams leading the way.  I am finally bouncing back from a series of losses and making a run to play for the championship!  The trash talking, frustration and crying continues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Employee Support<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Please remember we have an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) that offers services at no cost to all benefit-eligible employees and eligible family members. Visit\u202fHere4tn.com<\/a>\u202f<\/em>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.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Student Support<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

I want to remind you that regardless of your role, you can make a big difference for our students.  If you encounter students that have challenges, 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<\/a> webpage for resource information and the Care Team Referral Form<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nashville State, we are making progress all across the college!  Our outcomes are beginning to show that our efforts are making a difference. I believe investing in building a Culture of Excellence in People, Places and Programs will accelerate the great work taking place. As always, it is going to take all of us working together to make meaningful sustainable change. Together, we are Nashville State Strong!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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TnAchieves Inducts Dr. Jackson and 31 leaders into the Mentor Hall of Fame<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

by Tom Hayden, Associate Vice President, Office of Communications and Marketing<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Congrats to Nashville State President Dr. Shanna L. Jackson and 31 other leaders from across the state for being inducted into the TnAchieves Mentor Hall of Fame. Nashville State Foundation board member Greg Martz, a Humphreys County resident, was also inducted. This recognition is in honor of the 32 leaders who have routinely gone above and beyond supporting TnAchieves efforts in their communities.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Clarksville Campus’ 10th year Celebration<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The College celebrated the 10th<\/sup> anniversary of the Clarksville campus with our internal family and the community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

President Dr. Shanna Jackson, Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden, Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts, and Clarksville-Montgomery Schools Director Dr. Jean Luna-Vedder spoke glowingly about the Clarksville campus, Nashville State\u2019s mission, and the importance of partnerships. Notable state and local dignitaries including state Senator Bill Powers and state Representative Curtis Johnson, along with Clarksville city councilmembers attended.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Plans are in the works to renovate and expand the campus. Earlier this year, Governor Lee requested and the Tennessee General Assembly appropriated $34,080,000 that will create a community-based Center for Higher Education. Efforts are underway to raise additional funds from the community that will go towards this project, as required by the state.

Since opening its doors 10 years ago, Nashville State\u2019s Clarksville campus has served 7,072 residents. <\/p>\n\n\n

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For more information, please see https:\/\/www.nscc.edu\/press-releases\/2022\/nashville-state-clarksville-campus-10th-anniversary<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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NSCC Clarksville Campus wins \u201cBest of\u201d competition<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

by Sharley Ross, Admissions Clerk, Clarksville Campus<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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On Thursday, October 6, NSCC\u2019s Clarksville campus participated in the annual Best of Clarksville competition. Every year, a call goes out for nominations in various categories. The Nashville State Clarksville Campus was nominated in the category of Best Local College and faced off against other local schools, such as Austin Peay State University and Bethel University. During the live event, nominees set up booths to interact with community members and distribute information on their business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dyamond Williams and Jaclen Christan, Clarksville campus staff, stayed busy working at the event, talking with community members about Nashville State programs. They were fortunate to be assisted by a local resident and Southeast Campus Culinary, student Anthony Melbourne. Attendees to the event cast their votes for their favorite nominee during a specified time, with winners being announced at the end of the evening. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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After several hours of anticipation, the winners were announced, and the Clarksville Campus had once again won Best Local College. This is the third time that the Clarksville campus has won Best of Clarksville, the other two being in 2019 and 2021. We hope we will make this an annual tradition in the future.  This achievement was possible because of the support from our student body and the dedication of our faculty and staff.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Nashville Flex: Redesigning policies to better serve the part-time college student.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Submitted by Tom Hayden, Associate Vice President, Office of Communications and Marketing<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cIt\u2019s care. It\u2019s support. It\u2019s knowing that you are not just kind of on your own.\u201d <\/strong><\/p>\n\u2013 Shane, Flex student<\/strong><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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Note: the following article<\/a> is dated October 20, 2022 and was downloaded from the Tennessee College Access and Success Network.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Like community colleges nationally, more than half of Nashville State Community College\u2019s student body enroll part-time (56%). Part-time students face different financial, social and academic challenges than traditional students. Colleges face unique challenges engaging part-time students to help them persist and succeed to degree completion. Part-time students have much to offer to their communities, and higher education policies (federal, state, and institutional) need to pivot to address their needs if they are to succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coming from all walks of life, and despite their experiences and skill sets, part-time students are traditionally overlooked. Unlike full-time students who are seen as the fuel of college budgeting, recruitment, retention, and completion efforts \u2013 these efforts tend to focus on part-time students more as an afterthought \u2013 part-time students can be invisible since they pay less tuition and spend less time on campus. State policies and programs are often designed with the full-time student in mind, overlooking the part-time student. Scholarships, including \u201cPromise\u201d scholarships, often require students to be full-time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Like most other states, Tennessee\u2019s last-dollar promise scholarship known as the TN Promise Scholarship, is limited to students who enroll full-time. Recognizing these and other barriers, The TN College Access and Success Network (TCASN), Nashville State, the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, Vanderbilt University\u2019s Peabody College, and Kresge Foundation for Education made the decision to focus on the success of part-time students with a demonstration project called Nashville Flex<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPart-time students have the same affordability issues, and academic issues, as any other student.  In fact, probably more so. They are often trying to balance a job, family, kids, and college all at once. Since COVID, there has been a dramatic shift in college-going and we believe the future of postsecondary education will require a pivot to better serving the part-time student,\u201d said Bob Obrohta, executive director of TCASN.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNashville State is focused on being a student ready college. A critical piece is understanding what supports our students need to succeed,\u201d said Dr. Shanna L. Jackson, president of Nashville State. \u201cLike Nashville GRAD, Flex provides wrap-around services, helping remove financial barriers and providing social and emotional support to our part-time students as they persist and graduate.\u201d  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Flex is modeled after the successful Nashville GRAD program<\/a>. GRAD students\u2019 2-year graduation rate is nearly double that of other NSCC students, and GRAD students persist (84.5% vs. 68.5%) and are retained (57% vs. 45%) at higher rates than TN Promise students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNashville GRAD and Flex students frequently describe their interactions with program advisers as key to their success in college,\u201d said Dr. Carolyn Heinrich, Patricia and Rodes Hart Professor of Public Policy, Education and Economics in the Peabody College of Education and Human Development at Vanderbilt University. \u201cThey greatly appreciate the connections their advisers help them to make with financial supports that allow them to devote more time to their studies and with social workers and other services that help to ease their stress and support their social and emotional well-being.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As part of Nashville Flex, part-time students receive: $150 per semester for textbooks, $100 monthly for transit and\/or food, a loaner laptop, a strong peer network, and a dedicated advisor who provides mentoring and support. Flex students can also request emergency funds to help support them when unexpected financial challenges arise \u2013 such as car repairs or medical bills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Flex soft-launched in January with 11 students. With full implementation beginning this fall semester, the roster for the demonstration project has grown to 52 students. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMy students are so resilient,\u201d said Lindsay Hager, manager of peer mentoring and Flex student success advisor. \u201cThey are fighting so much, and yet they still prioritize their education. They prioritize it because they know it will better their future, no matter how hard it is right now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hager knows her role is crucial in the success of her students. \u201cThe mental health aspect of knowing you have someone you can trust and count on is key. Flex students know they can come to me with their problems, and I will help them troubleshoot them and find the right resource, if needed.\u201d <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Kyle, a Nashville Flex student, returned to college after a multi-year break to study nursing. He shared his worries about the transition back, \u201cIt was scary. I mean, I didn\u2019t really know what to expect.\u201d Kyle works full-time in a public service role so he can only take three classes a semester. Being connected to a success advisor has helped him feel more confident, \u201cAnd so having somebody that would, like, walk alongside me, throughout the whole thing is definitely comforting.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Antoinette, a Nashville Flex student, shared that her success advisor has played a huge role in supporting her during her first semester. She decided to pursue her college degree after a period of long-term incarceration and explained that going to college has been \u201coverwhelming.\u201d She currently works 30+ hours per week as a manager at a local business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m still always either on the phone or text to [advisor\u2019s name], because she\u2019s a lifesaver.\u201d After experiencing an emergency while enrolled, Antoinette shared that her advisor stepped up to assist her in completing tasks that enabled her to stay enrolled the following semester: \u201cShe registered me for this semester and next semester. I mean… she just did everything that I couldn\u2019t mentally do… She really put my mind at ease,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The financial supports provided through Flex help keep students from feeling forced to choose between employment or postsecondary. \u201cThe $100 a month is huge to these students,\u201d says Hager.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kyle explained that Flex\u2019s financial supports enable him to work less overtime, focus on his schoolwork, spend more time with his family, and achieve his degree goals. \u201cI\u2019m working full time and some overtime. But even working full time isn\u2019t really covering all of the bills, with everything being so high right now… I think if I wasn\u2019t in the Flex program, I would probably have to sign up for another one or two shifts,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shane, another Nashville Flex student, shared how the financial support has allowed her focus on her classes rather than work. \u201cI can work 8 hours less this week and still be able to get groceries. It really, really does give you this sense of comfort and this level of \u2018things are going to be okay,\u2019\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to the supports provided to Nashville State part-time students, Flex works in the Nashville Promise Zone neighborhoods to increase the number of students enrolling and re-engaging in higher education. More than half of households in Nashville Promise Zone neighborhoods report zero income, and residents have the city\u2019s lowest postsecondary education levels (28% have a degree), making upward mobility, affordable housing and employment more difficult to obtain. Flex has trained more than 100 community members as Reconnect Ambassadors. Reconnect Ambassadors are trusted individuals who live within the targeted communities who can help connect potential students to the individuals and resources they need to succeed at Nashville State and other college campuses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWorking adults face numerous barriers in their journey to gain upward economic mobility. The support of employers and community members is a critical component to successfully completing postsecondary education. That\u2019s why we train community organizations and employers to serve as Reconnect Ambassadors,\u201d said Stephanie Coleman, Chief Talent Development Officer at the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce. \u201cReconnect Ambassadors inspire employees and adults in their community to upskill or reskill to further their career opportunities. Ambassadors have the information needed to connect people to resources and navigation support that will allow them to successfully enroll, persist, and complete a degree or credential.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nashville Flex is funded through The Kresge Foundation\u2019s CoPro2.0<\/a> short for College Promise 2.0. CoPro2.0 funds research and programming innovations that help to scale and improve the next generations of equitable, financially sustainable College Promise programs, or \u201cfree college\u201d programs, working with community colleges across the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To learn more about Nashville Flex, please visit: https:\/\/www.nscc.edu\/admissions\/nashville-flex<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To learn about becoming a Reconnect Ambassador, please email Shohreh Daraei \u2013 sdaraei@nashvillechamber.com<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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NSCC Faculty Earn ACUE Microcredentials<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

by Amy S. Bryant, Associate Professor of Communication Studies and Director, The Teaching Center<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

13 NSCC faculty have earned the ACUE Microcredential in Creating an Inclusive and Supportive Learning Environment.  During the months of August, September, and October, 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 under-prepared students, helping students persist in their studies, embracing diversity in the classroom, checking for student understanding, and providing useful feedback.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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