{"id":4619,"date":"2025-05-07T13:37:48","date_gmt":"2025-05-07T13:37:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ww2.nscc.edu\/thensccvoice\/?page_id=4619"},"modified":"2025-05-09T13:02:17","modified_gmt":"2025-05-09T13:02:17","slug":"april-2025-volume-8-issue-9","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/ww2.nscc.edu\/thensccvoice\/april-2025-volume-8-issue-9\/","title":{"rendered":"April 2025 Volume 8 Issue 9"},"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,  <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We are in the final weeks of the Spring semester! Our graduating students are picking up their caps, gowns, and yard signs in anticipation of Commencement on May 13. This time of year always affirms my \u201cwhy\u201d I love this work.  It is because of your efforts that we get students to and through Nashville State. Yes, they must do the work, take the test, and write the papers but no one completes their journey alone.  We have been working so hard to identify and remove barriers for students, and our outcomes are beginning to reflect those efforts. Thank you for what you do each day \u2013 you are the difference makers that keep us Moving Forward<\/em>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Below are a few updates from the Office of the President:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dickson Campus<\/strong> \u2013 I am excited to share that the Topping Out for the Dickson Center of Higher Education will take place on May 1. This celebrates the completion of the structure with the placement of the final structural beam.  If you would like to sign the steel beam before it\u2019s put into place, please drop by the construction trailer on the building site on April 29 or April 30. The building site is located adjacent to the TriStar Natchez ER, which is located at 107 Natchez Park Dr., Dickson, TN 37055. The project is on track for completion in late spring\/early summer 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Retirement Celebration<\/strong> \u2013 Please join us on May 1 from 2-3pm as we honor the following retirees: Vicki Bissinger, Michael Christensen, Fred Frazier, Paul Koulakov, Phillip Lee, Andrea Regg and Sally Robertson. Refreshments, memories and well wishes will be shared in the lower lobby of the H Building outside the Art Gallery on the White Bridge campus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Commencement<\/strong> \u2013 Our 61st Commencement will take place on Tuesday, May 13 at 6pm at Lipscomb University\u2019s Allen Arena. This year we are celebrating our first class of Early College graduates from Whites Creek High School. In 2021, through a $306,000 gift by the PNC Foundation, we launched an Early College program with 40 students at Whites Creek High School \u2013 the first time we embedded an early college program in a high school. This year 21 White Creek High School students will receive their associates degree. Our guest speaker at Commencement is PNC Regional President Michael Johnson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Enrollment Update <\/strong>\u2013 Registration is underway for summer and fall, and we are off to a strong start. Stay data informed by visiting the Data Access Page<\/a>. Please contact Institutional Research if you have questions.  Budget Update<\/strong> \u2013 While the budget has not yet been finalized, I would like to provide an overview of the direction we are moving. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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For FY26, we are budgeting a 4% increase in Fall, 3% increase in Spring and flat summer enrollment. TBR has proposed a 3.5% increase for in-state tuition and fees and a 75% reduction for out-of-state tuition. The change in out-of-state tuition is good news for students who have not established Tennessee residency, but it comes with an impact on revenue. As we continue to rebound from the significant enrollment decreases during COVID, we now have an opportunity to start addressing critical staffing needs as funds allow. Currently, we are proposing to add 14 Faculty positions, 9 Staff positions and 8 Administrative positions. Current estimates, which are subject to change, are $66,789,300 in revenue and $64,545,200 in expenses. The college\u2019s proposed budget includes the governor’s proposed salary pool increase of 2.6%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

BNA 5K on the Runway<\/strong> \u2013 The Nashville International Airport is hosting its 5th annual 5K, and this year Nashville State is one of the organizations selected to receive a donation from the funds raised.  Therefore, I have officially signed up for my first 5K!  I am continuing to push myself to try new things on my fitness journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fall Convocation <\/strong>\u2013 Mark your calendars for Thursday, August 14 from 8am-4pm for an action-packed Fall Convocation! Fall Convocation will be an in-person event on the White Bridge Road campus. 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. We are planning a great day for our Falcon super fans, including lunch sponsored by the Foundation and some great afternoon activities. 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. More details to come soon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wellness <\/strong>\u2013 Wellness isn\u2019t just about physical health but also a more holistic focus on being our best.  It is not an easy or smooth journey and often it requires us to seek help. I encourage you to review Partners for Health\u2019s online wellness benefits and Emotional Wellbeing Solutions (formerly EAP) for support services. The Engagement committee will continue to share tips in the Voice article. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nashville State is on the move! We are forging forward to making our Vision 2030: A Student Ready College a reality. I am so proud of the work we have accomplished together and truly looking forward to continuing the journey with our amazing team of caring and professional Falcons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Advising Success Network Pitch Competition Winners!<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

By Justina Jones Rogers, Ed.D.<\/em> | Director of Student Success Center\/Nashville GRAD<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The Student Success Center at Nashville State Community College was awarded a total of $49,000 through the Advising Success Network\u2019s Pitch Competition. Three teams of Student Success Advisors collaborated to design and present innovative proposals aimed at addressing gaps in knowledge, expertise, and institutional support for holistic advising in higher education. Each winning pitch focused on enhancing student support through creative, research-driven approaches. Learn more about the funded projects below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Holistic Student Advising Support:<\/strong>
“Nashville State Community College has secured a $13,000 grant to strengthen its existing holistic advising model with robust data-driven foundations. The funding will support a comprehensive student needs assessment to better understand the multidimensional challenges facing our student population. These evidence-based insights will directly inform the development of enhanced advisor training, ensuring our advising team is equipped with the latest research-based practices to address students’ academic and non-academic needs effectively.” – Andrew Burton, Brain Lee, Haleigh Portillo and Janessa Graham.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ESOL Peer Mentoring<\/strong>
The ESOL Peer Advising Program at Nashville State Community College pairs students who have successfully completed the ESOL program with current ESOL students to provide academic and social support. Two trained peer advisors will offer one-on-one guidance, monthly workshops, and classroom supplemental instruction to help students navigate college life and language coursework. The program aims to reduce ESOL course refusals, increase progression rates through language levels, and foster a sense of belonging among multilingual students. The $20,000 awarded will fund advisor training, peer advisor compensation and monthly stipends for up to thirty participating students. Peer advisors will serve as cultural bridges between students and college resources, ultimately creating a model that can be shared with other institutions to support ESOL student success. – Jayme Hay, Kati Murphy, Michael Sostre and Renae Rakidzic<\/p>\n\n\n\n

AI & Student Text Bot<\/strong>
The Student Success Center has been awarded $10,600 to develop an AI-powered texting bot via SMS that will enhance student advising by providing 24\/7 access to essential academic guidance and resources. This innovative tool aims to allow advisors to focus more on holistic student success coaching while also meeting students’ preference for text-based communication and information gathering with the power of a custom-built knowledgebase for Nashville State students. The overall goal is to create an accessible platform that removes barriers to information that students often face – Andrew Burton, Haleigh Portillo and Janessa Graham.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Employees earn Certificates in Effective Online College Instruction<\/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

John Besser, Jamie Edwards, Hannah Hurdle, Eucretia Johnson, Emily Lewis, Maryellen Nash, and Gina Willis have earned a nationally recognized teaching credential through the Association of College and University Educators (ACUE).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These employees have earned the Certificate in Effective College Instruction from the Association of College and University Educators and the American Council on Education. They have demonstrated their commitment to teaching excellence and to ensuring that our students receive the best education possible by completing ACUE\u2019s rigorous, 25-module course in Effective Online Teaching Practices, which required them to implement evidence-based teaching practices in their classes. These teaching practices are proven to help students learn more, stay engaged, and graduate in higher numbers, as well as close equity gaps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Please join The Teaching Center in celebrating this accomplishment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Employees Earn Designing Learner-Centered Courses Certification<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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

26 NSCC employees have earned the ACUE Microcredential in Designing Learner-Centered Courses from the <\/strong>Association of College and University Educators (ACUE) and endorsed by the American Council on Education. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

These employees engaged in professional learning about establishing powerful learning outcomes, aligning assessments, activities, and assignments with course outcomes, developing fair, consistent, and transparent grading practices, developing and using rubrics and checklists, and preparing an effective syllabus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Teaching Center celebrates these employees\u2019 commitment to learning, implementing teaching strategies, and reflecting to continuously improve. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Jesmin Akther
Belkis Barrios
John Besser
Amy Bryant
Laura Burridge
Kurstin Bush
James Edwards
Melissa Fleck
Doug Godwin
Hannah Hurdle
Janessa Jacobs
Eucretia Johnson
Gracie King<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Robert Ladd
Emily Lewis
Rachel Lewis
Zachary Mills
Roslyn Mize
Cynthia Morgan
Maryellen Nash
Harlan Pease
Marla Perry
Jessica Rabb
Piper Sesnan
Leah Welker
Regina Willis<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Employees earn Inspiring Inquiry and Lifelong Learning
in Your Online Courses Certification<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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

26 NSCC employees have earned the ACUE Badge in Inspiring Inquiry and Lifelong Learning in Your Online Courses.  During this course, these employees have engaged in professional learning about motivating students online, providing clear directions and explanation in online courses, integrating visualization tools in online courses, using data and feedback to improve online teaching, using advanced questioning techniques in online courses, and developing self-directed online learners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They have implemented teaching practices in their courses, reflected on the impact of these practices, and planned for how to use these practices in teaching moving forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Jesmin Akther
Belkis Barrios
John Besser
Amy Bryant
Laura Burridge
Kurstin Bush
James Edwards
Melissa Fleck
Doug Godwin
Gary Grubb
Hannah Hurdle
Janessa Jacobs
Eucretia Johnson<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Gracie King
Robert Ladd
Emily Lewis
Rachel Lewis
Zachary Mills
Cynthia Morgan
Maryellen Nash
Harlan Pease
Marla Perry
Jessica Rabb
Piper Sesnan
Leah Welker
Regina Willis<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Faculty earn Advanced Certificate in the Effective Teaching Practice Framework<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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

Jesmin Akther, Belkis Barrios, Laura Burridge, Kurstin Bush, Melissa Fleck, Doug Godwin, Janessa Jacobs, Gracie King, Robert Ladd, Emily Lewis, Rachel Lewis, Zachary Mills, Cynthia Morgan, Harlan Pease, Marla Perry, Jessica Rabb, Piper Sesnan, Leah Welker, and Amy Bryant have earned the Advanced Certificate in the Effective Teaching Practice Framework from ACUE and endorsed by the American Council on Education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These faculty completed the Effective Online Teaching Practices course this spring and earned the Advanced Certificate for completing both the Effective Teaching Practices Framework and the Effective Online Teaching Practices Framework.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During the course, they learned about effective teaching practices, implemented effective teaching practices, and reflected on the impact of these practices and how to refine the use of these practices for the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Join The Teaching Center in celebrating these faculty members\u2019 accomplishments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Staff Assembly Committee Highlight<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

By Karina Davis, Student Support Specialist I, Staff Assembly Committee Chair 2024\/2025, <\/em>Student Success Center<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Our February 2025 Employee of the Month is Hurahman Hussain!<\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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Hurahman Hussain<\/strong>
Student Service Specialist 
Welcome Center\/Admissions (WBC)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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This is what nominators had to say:<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n