{"id":4146,"date":"2024-09-05T18:30:58","date_gmt":"2024-09-05T18:30:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ww2.nscc.edu\/thensccvoice\/?page_id=4146"},"modified":"2024-09-06T12:46:30","modified_gmt":"2024-09-06T12:46:30","slug":"august-2024-volume-8-issue-1","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/ww2.nscc.edu\/thensccvoice\/august-2024-volume-8-issue-1\/","title":{"rendered":"August 2024 Volume 8 Issue 1"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Update from the President<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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

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Greetings Fellow Falcons,  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Fall semester is underway!  I spent the first day of classes walking the campus greeting students, dropping into classrooms and offices.  Whether the students were on campus for the first time or returning, excitement and anxiousness was in the air.  Our Falcon Family has worked hard all summer to get students enrolled and set up for success.  Now the work begins inside and outside the classroom (on-ground and\/or virtual) to foster an environment where they can learn and thrive which is why Vision 2030: A Student Ready College<\/em> continues to be our North Star.  Below are a few updates from the Office of the President.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Convocation<\/strong> \u2013 Fall Convocation was a wonderful start to the new semester! Our speaker, Dr. David Caudel from Vanderbilt University was amazing.  The sessions were informative.  And it was simply a lot of fun!  Special thanks to Natalie Olsen, the Convocation Committee, the Engagement Committee, TSD, Facilities, Security and the host of volunteers who made it a very special day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Enrollment Update <\/strong>\u2013 We started the first day of classes with 7,163 students enrolled, which is up 10.5% in headcount and 13.6% in FTE from the previous year.  For comparison, the last time Nashville State enrolled more than 7,000 students was in Fall 2020.  There is still work to be done with students that have balances, but it is exciting to see the growth.  Stay data informed by visiting our new Data Access Page<\/a>. Please contact Institutional Research if you have questions.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Fantasy Football is back!<\/strong> \u2013 We have over 70 Falcons signed up for Season 3 of Nashville State\u2019s Fantasy Football team.  Special thanks to our Commissioner Ron Jackson for hosting the league. We will have seven divisions competing for the title of Champion.  Games start September 5.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Committees and Constituency Groups<\/strong> \u2013 Governance at Nashville State is shared through active participation in our committees and the three employee Constituency Groups: Faculty Senate, Administrative Assembly and Staff Assembly. I encourage you to engage regularly with your constituency group.  Your voice matters! Visit the Committees SharePoint<\/a> site to learn more about the various committees. If you are interested in serving, please reach out to the Committee sponsor noted on the Committees Roster.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Support <\/strong>\u2013 Just as we want to create a system of support for our students, I want each of you to know there is support available for you.  Human Resources will continue to share available benefits through email.  You can also reach out directly for EAP services that are offered at no cost to all benefit-eligible employees and eligible family members. Visit Here4tn.com<\/a> <\/em>for more information. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As I said during Convocation, I find over and over again at Nashville State that the real difference comes down to the people who make up our College community.  There is something special here, and each year we are learning how to better harness our strengths to improve our outcomes.  My word for this academic year is Breakthrough!  I see it in increased applications, enrollment and in the improvement of processes and communication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nashville State is on the move! <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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From The Desk of Academic Affairs<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

By Dr. Jo Williams, Vice President of Academic Affairs & Workforce Development<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Welcome to a new and vibrant academic year. Our first weeks back have been filled with the energy and excitement of faculty and students returning to campus. Convocation gave us an opportunity to connect and share while the enriching learning opportunities provided by the Teaching Center equipped us with the tools we need to have a successful academic year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a new school year begins, we will continue to create and foster relevant and rewarding opportunities that support the success of our students. Several initiatives are planned for academic affairs this year. The following were highlighted during convocation:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

New Programs and Partnerships<\/strong>: In a continuing effort to support local industry needs and provide our students with degree programs and continuing education opportunities that lead to high wage, high demand jobs, we are pursuing immediate and long-term opportunities to develop and enhance our credit and non-credit program offerings.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Affordable Textbook Costs:<\/strong> Textbook costs continue to be a barrier for our students. Exploring how we can reduce this burden is a current priority. The adoption of Zero Cost Textbooks or Open Educational Resources is a great way to decrease financial barriers for our students and guarantee that they will have the learning resources they need to be successful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Increased Academic Supports:<\/strong> Providing strong academic support for our students is crucial to their success and can impact persistence and retention. We are exploring new ways that the College can best utilize resources to provide academic supports to students in the most efficient and accessible way possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

LEADS:<\/strong> During convocation, we celebrated many employee achievements including ACUE certifications, tenure & promotion, and the completion of new degree and certificate programs. These achievements highlight our commitment to the L (learning) and A (accountability) in LEADS. Employee growth equals college growth and I look forward to celebrating future accomplishments of our faculty, staff and students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I wish everyone a rewarding academic year!<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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People You Meet In the Hall<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

By Gracie Andrews King, Ph.D., Associate Professor<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Meet Eloizah (Ell-oh-EEZ-ah) Brizuela. She is a student you may have seen walking around the hall this summer. She is quiet, shy, and dedicated to achieving her educational goals, even if that meant giving up fun time this summer to be in class and study for difficult tests. Sometimes progress means making short term sacrifices for long term gain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Have you lived anywhere other than Nashville? If so, where have you lived?<\/strong>
Yes, I am originally from the Philippines.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have moved to Nashville from somewhere else, what circumstances brought you to Nashville?<\/strong>
My family brought me here so I could live with them and pursue my studies. Moving to Nashville was a big change, but having my family here has made it easier to adapt and focus on my education.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Why is getting a college education important to you?<\/strong>
Getting a college education is important to me because I believe it will provide more opportunities and a better job in the future<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Why did you choose to take classes at Nashville State Community College?<\/strong>
I chose Nashville State Community College because when I started college, I couldn’t drive, and this is the closest campus that offers a nursing program, which is my field of study. Studying 2 years here before transferring to MTSU is more convenient for me and more affordable.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What are two things that get in the way of doing better in your classes or make it very hard to get the grades that you want to get?<\/strong>
Due to work commitments that prevent me from studying as much as I would like to and the fact that I had to take more classes than [other students] in order to make up for lost time as an ESOL student, I find it challenging to obtain the grades I want. It’s difficult managing an intense education and work, but I’m motivated to get past these difficulties.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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What keeps you motivated to wake up every morning and go to school, even if you are tired? What do you tell yourself when you feel like it is too much and maybe you want to quit?<\/strong>
Knowing that I must continue because I have already begun this journey and have a goal to accomplish motivates me. I always remind myself of the end lead and the value of dedication when things feel too much. I consider how far I’ve come and that everything I’ve worked so hard to achieve would be lost if I quit. I remind myself that each step I take toward my goal.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Describe two good experiences that you have had since you have been taking classes here.<\/strong>
Two good experiences I\u2019ve had are making good friends, as the students here are really nice, and having understanding teachers, which makes it easier for me to continue. These positive interactions have created a supportive environment that encourages me to keep pushing forward.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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If you were granted three wishes and you could wish for anything you wanted, what are three things that you would wish for that would help you achieve your goals at Nashville State? (*You can wish for ANYTHING, no matter how crazy. If having a personal chauffeur to drive you around would help you, wish for that, for example. \ud83d\ude42<\/strong>
If I had three wishes, I would wish to pass all my classes, receive free tuition, and have free school supplies, including books. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Who is your favorite musician\/band?<\/strong>
My favorite musician is Rex Orange County.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What is your favorite movie or TV show?<\/strong>
I don\u2019t have a favorite movie or TV show as I\u2019m not particularly interested in them.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Is there anything else you would like to share about yourself? Maybe something you think makes you unique or what your plans are for the future?<\/strong>
I plan to become a nurse in the future. I have one more semester left at Nashville State, and then I will transfer to MTSU. Becoming a nurse has been my dreams since I was a kid because I want to help others and make a difference in their lives.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Celebrating Fall Flourish!<\/strong><\/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

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Congratulations to the 36 employees who earned the Fall Flourish: Refreshing our Teaching Toolbox badge during August. These NSCC employees attended at least 8 sessions during Fall Flourish. Please join The Teaching Center in celebrating their accomplishments.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Jesmin Akther
Halley Andrews
Ren\u00e9 Bataille
Bir Bohara
Kristen Bradley
Amy Bryant
Kurstin Bush
Audrey Cross
Brian Curtis
Howard Doty
James Edwards
Genevieve El Chaer<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Pamela Esposito
Todd Gannon
David Gerth
Michelle Gillis
Doug Godwin
Hannah Hurdle
Karen Kendrick
Helen Kunkel
Robert Ladd
Emily Lewis
Rachel Lewis
Jonathan Murray<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Maryellen Nash
Harlan Pease
Marla Perry
Janusz Polanowski
Jessica Rabb
Amelia Rinehart
Cliff Rockstead
Piper Sesnan
Flora Setayesh
Neelyann Sheucraft
Yvonne Simerman
Elizabeth Slade<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Student Life Events for Fall Semester! <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

by Kelsey A. Johansen, M.Ed., Director, Student Life<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Facilities Management Projects Update<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

by John Truong, Executive Director of Facilities<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s what\u2019s the Business & Finance Department had to say about Christopher Bledsoe, Facilities & Operations Manager in the Facilities & Maintenance Department.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Mr. Bledsoe does a great job keeping our maintenance department running smoothly throughout all campus. He is respectful by always letting administrators and staff know if anything needs to be done for events on campus. He goes above and beyond his job description to help his colleagues and does it with a smile. He and his team had to put in a lot of effort to fulfill all requests, organize all activities, and execute it all at a high level. Specially, he has been working on H, A, C, and K projects. We are proud of his achievement, and we look forward to seeing him carry out many more of our projects in the future. Thank you for being such a distinguished professional.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Congratulations from all of us at Nashville State Community College!<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Meanwhile, the Facilities & Maintenance Department has several projects that are on-going as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n