{"id":4775,"date":"2025-09-03T19:53:10","date_gmt":"2025-09-03T19:53:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ww2.nscc.edu\/thensccvoice\/?page_id=4775"},"modified":"2025-09-04T18:17:43","modified_gmt":"2025-09-04T18:17:43","slug":"august-2025-volume-9-issue-1","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/ww2.nscc.edu\/thensccvoice\/august-2025-volume-9-issue-1\/","title":{"rendered":"August 2025 Volume 9 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

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

A new academic year is underway, and it is great to have students back on campus. For the first time in several years, I am back in the classroom. This fall, I am teaching our First Year Experience Course NSCC 1010 to gain a deeper understanding of the opportunities and challenges we have inside and outside the classroom to support our diverse communities of learners.  We must continue to strive for excellence in how students navigate the college, how we support learning and how we support one another. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Convocation \u2013 <\/strong>I want to thank the Dream Team Convocation Committee for putting together an outstanding day for the college! There were so many great moments including the Falcon video<\/a> \u201cEducation is a Team Sport,\u201d our keynote speaker, and celebrating our fellow Falcons. Congratulations to our Outstanding Staff member Karina Davis, Outstanding Administrator Courtney Woodard and Outstanding Faculty Dr. Jessica Rabb. I also want to recognize three individuals who celebrated grand milestones of service: Jeff Myers, Security Officer, with 40 years to the state of Tennessee; Howard Ivy, Shipping\/Receiving Clerk, who has been faithfully serving for 45 years; and Evelyn, Hadley, Director of Career and Transfer, who marked 50 years of service! They have and continue to be dedicated Falcons and I am grateful we have them on our team. If you would like to watch the Convocation video, you can find it at the video link here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nashville State turns 55!<\/strong> \u2013<\/strong> Nashville State Technical Institute was established in 1970 and became a Community College in 2002.  Although we have been called several names over the years, the essence of our mission remains constant. You can watch a wonderful video that commemorates our 50th<\/sup> anniversary here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Waverly Flood<\/strong> \u2013<\/strong> I will never forget August 21, 2021, the Saturday before fall classes began. The community is still recovering from the devasting flood that impacted our shared community in Humphreys County.  Our Falcon family and many of our students suffered great loss. We continue to be committed to helping the community recover and rebuild.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unlocking Opportunity<\/strong> \u2013<\/strong> I am excited to share that Nashville State was selected for the competitive Unlocking Opportunity network through the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program. We believe our participation will strengthen, support and accelerate our Vision 2030 efforts. It is not a new initiative, but rather a data informed approach to better refine, communicate and implement strategies that will have the greatest impact on Vision 2030.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fantasy Football Season 4<\/strong> \u2013<\/strong> This year we have more than 90 Falcons participating in our Fantasy Football league! Commissioner Jackson is setting up our divisions and the season starts September 4.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Clarksville Update<\/strong> \u2013<\/strong> We are in the final months of construction of the new building on the Clarksville Campus.  For a sneak peak at the project, click here.<\/a>

Fall Enrollment Update \u2013<\/strong> Pre-purge, Fall headcount is up 10% and FTE is up 11%. Continuing students remain the most significant area of growth and are up almost 500 students from the previous year. I will continue to stress that this is a testament of the great work happening inside and outside the classroom. Stay data informed by visiting the Data Access Page<\/a>. Please contact Institutional Research if you have any questions.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wellness \u2013<\/strong> A focus of Convocation was on wellness. (You can access the Convocation PowerPoint here<\/a>.) Our speaker gave us several tools and resources for preventing burnout. I also want to remind you of the wellness benefits available online through Partners for Health and Emotional Wellbeing Solutions (formerly EAP) for support services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Convocation, I shared that Accelerating Success<\/em> is my theme for the year. Our college continues to Move Forward<\/em> toward our bold Vision 2030: A Student Ready College plan. We are indeed the Dream Team, and together nothing shall be impossible. I am grateful to serve with each of you for the important life-changing work we do each day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Congratulations to…<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Evelyn Hadley<\/strong>
Director of Career and Transfer, who marked 50 years of service<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Howard Ivy<\/strong>
Shipping\/Receiving Clerk, who has been faithfully serving for 45 years<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Jeff Myers<\/strong>
Security Officer, with 40 years of service to the state of Tennessee<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Coming This Fall: New Learning & Development Opportunities<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

By TaShunda Franklin, Manager, Professional Learning & Development, <\/em>Human Resources<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019re excited to share that new professional learning and development opportunities are on the horizon! The fall experiences will kick off in late September with hopes that we are more settled into the semester by then. The offerings will focus on relevant workplace topics that aim to equip NSCC employees with knowledge and tools to thrive at work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With learning in mind, we would also like to offer a Learning & Development-focused newsletter that keeps you informed, engaged, and inspired with helpful resources to navigate your day-to-day work life. The newsletter would include a listing of professional learning and development sessions offered at Nashville State, suggested resources such as books, articles, podcasts, and self-paced learning, as well as tools, tips, and best practices for meeting the demands and challenges of work life in general.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are interested in helping to shape the future of professional learning at Nashville State, we\u2019d love to hear from you. Click here<\/strong><\/a> to take a brief, 3-question survey to help us gauge your interest.<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the meantime, stay tuned for the announcement of our fall learning and development schedule.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On behalf of Human Resources,<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

TaShunda Franklin<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Academic Affairs & Workforce Development Update<\/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

As another academic year begins, our campuses are once again alive with the energy of students returning, faculty reconnecting, and the shared excitement of a new semester. Convocation offered a chance to reflect, celebrate, and look ahead, while the Teaching Center provided valuable resources to strengthen our teaching and learning practices for the year to come. We also welcomed the following new employees to the Academic Affairs & Workforce Development division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Paul Atuahene<\/strong>\u2013 Instructor, Biology
\u2022 Candace Battles<\/strong> \u2013 Sterile Processing Trainer
\u2022 Jared Bratten<\/strong> \u2013 Instructor, History
\u2022 Aletha Cole<\/strong> \u2013 Instructor, English
\u2022 Thea Cole<\/strong> \u2013 Assistant Dir., High School Initiatives
\u2022 Fayeja Easmin<\/strong> \u2013 Instructor, Math
\u2022 Mitchell Furtner<\/strong> \u2013 Instructor, Business
\u2022 Steven Hancock<\/strong> \u2013 Instructor, English
\u2022 David Henry<\/strong> \u2013 Technical Director and Auditorium
\u2022 Benjamin Hillerman<\/strong> \u2013 Instructor, History
\u2022 Scott Hopkins<\/strong> \u2013 Instructor, English
\u2022 Julie James<\/strong> \u2013 Instructor, Accounting
\u2022 Saxton Keitt<\/strong>\u2013 Student Success Advisor
\u2022 LaFrance Knox<\/strong> \u2013 Instructor, Psychology
\u2022 Francis Makamu<\/strong>\u2013 Instructor, Economics<\/td>		\u2022 Shane McCoy <\/strong>\u2013 Instructor, English
\u2022 Angela McDaniel <\/strong>\u2013 Instructor, Nursing
\u2022 Shreya Nagar<\/strong> \u2013 Instructor, Biology
\u2022 Alyssa Nunez<\/strong> \u2013 Instructor, Sociology
\u2022 Taylor Petty<\/strong> \u2013 Laboratory Assistant
\u2022 Nicholas Plowman<\/strong> \u2013 Instructor, Math
\u2022 Kimberly Potter<\/strong> \u2013 Instructor, Nursing
\u2022 Carson Prevatte<\/strong>\u2013 Instructor, Chemistry
\u2022 John Smith<\/strong> \u2013 Instructor, Art
\u2022 Keith Steffens<\/strong> \u2013 Instructor, Cybersecurity
\u2022 Barry Von Deylen<\/strong>\u2013 Instructor, Accounting
\u2022 Zeke Yarbrough<\/strong> \u2013 Tutor Navigator
\u2022 Megan York<\/strong> \u2013 Instructor, English
\u2022 Tammy Young<\/strong> \u2013 Instructor, Nursing<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Looking forward, Academic Affairs & Workforce Development will continue advancing initiatives that create rewarding pathways for student success. Highlighted at convocation were a few of the priorities that will shape our work this year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Faculty Development & Support<\/strong>: In addition to increasing the professional development budget so that more faculty can travel, present, and participate in high-quality learning experiences, we are excited to start the hiring process for a full-time director of the Teaching Center. This position is designed to give the Teaching Center Director dedicated time to focus entirely on supporting faculty 12 months out of the year. The Teaching Center will be housed in the Department of Online Learning and Teaching Innovation so that all faculty support services, whether for classroom teaching, online pedagogy, or course design are in one place.  While the structure evolves, the heart of the Teaching Center remains unchanged. It will continue to be faculty-centered and faculty-driven. At the same time, the Learning Resource Center will serve as a hub for student support, offering a new Math Lab, plans for a Writing Lab, tutoring, technology loans, and comprehensive library and resource support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Workforce Development Center Growth:<\/strong> Our Workforce Development Center is brimming with training opportunities for our community, and the demand continues to grow. Looking ahead, we are committed to expanding the Center\u2019s impact by adding new course offerings, strengthening partnerships, offering more industry-recognized certifications, and building clear non-credit to credit pathways that open doors for even more learners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Collegewide AI Initiative:<\/strong> Nashville State is implementing a collegewide AI initiative that will guide the development of a coordinated, inclusive, and mission-aligned approach to the integration of artificial intelligence across teaching, learning, operations, and workforce preparation. The initiative is based around the guiding question: What kind of teaching and learning environment do we want to create as AI becomes a transformative presence in education and work? <\/em>An interdepartmental AI taskforce has been convened to support the initiative. The AI Task Force is charged with leading Nashville State\u2019s AI initiative by exploring opportunities to support faculty, staff, and students while promoting responsible, ethical, and effective uses of AI that align with the college\u2019s core mission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Academic Affairs & Workforce Development will also focus on prioritizing initiatives that align high-value program offerings with regional industry needs as well as strengthening the effectiveness, efficiency, and accessibility of the Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) processes to promote and increase credit attainment for learners with relevant experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s going to be a great year!<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Basadur Profile Invitation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Donna Whitehouse, MHA, OTR, Dean, School of Health Sciences<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Hello Nashville State!<\/em><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019re bringing back the Basadur Profile \u2014 a working style survey that shows how you individually approach problem solving and innovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n