SPRING 2021
ISSUE 01
CULTURAL DIVERSITY NEWSLETTER
All Are Welcome!
ISSUE 01
Contents 3
DIVERSITY STATEMENT
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GO FEMALES
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SAFE, GLOBAL STUDIES
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STUDENT: JANET PEREZ
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ALUM: WAQAR AHMED
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DID YOU KNOW?
Services
Counseling Center Provides advising, counseling, and student development activities to promote student success. Contact Barb Tipmore to schedule an appointment barb.tipmore@kctcs.edu Experiential Learning Center (ELC) The ELC helps students in exploring majors, careers, and experiential learning opportunities. Experiential learning is a “hands-on” approach to education that is personally relevant and connected to your academic learning objectives. Students take part in job shadowing, mentorships, internships, and course embedded Experiential Learning Opportunities (ELOs). Send an email to octc.elc@kctcs.edu to schedule an appointment.
Clubs
SAFE (Students Aligned for Equality) See page 5 for more info. Student Government Association Have fun participating in & facilitating campus events. Gain leadership experience & professional skills. Contact: Rosa Richards, rosa. richards@kctcs.edu
GIRL’S INC., CCWT
DID YOU KNOW?
T. Rice Speech and Debate Society Express yourself in more powerful ways by joining the OCTC Speech and Debate Society. Contact: Dr. Bob Glenn, bobj.glenn@kctcs.edu
Scholarships
Eastern Kentucky University EKU is committed to recruiting and retaining students from all segments of society, including African American, American Indian, Alaskan Native, Asian, Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, Hispanic, or Latino. To fulfill this commitment, EKU has developed the Dr. Rodney T. Gross Scholarship. The Dr. Rodney T. Gross Diversity Scholarship program provides scholarships to applicants based on a holistic evaluation of academic achievement, including high school/college grade point average and test scores, a personal essay, extracurricular activities and letters of recommendation. Awards range from $1,000 to $3,000 per year, and are applied to student’s tuition and fees. Northern Kentucky UniversityNKU believes that a diverse student body enhances the quality of the campus living and learning environment. NKU has developed the Educational Diversity Scholarship. Students applying for the Educational Diversity Scholarship will need to write an essay on how aspects of their identity, life experiences, special skills or values equip them to make a positive contribution to help ensure the NKU community is rich with diversity. Contact Katie Ballard for scholarship questions at transfer institutions: 270-686-4529 or Katie.Ballard@kctcs.edu
Events
SAFE Club Movie Night Wed., April 7 @ 4:30 p.m., RSVP to Julie.Embry@kctcs.edu Real World Experiences in Culturally Challenging Times Live, remote event, see back cover for details. April 16, 2 p.m. Contact: Sharmy Davis, sharmy.davis@kctcs.edu
Cornerstone Campus Ministry Serve and connect OCTC students through faithbased fellowship, Bible study, and community outreach. Contact: Dr. Meredith Skaggs, Meredith.Skaggs@kctcs.edu Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) PTK is the international honor society for 2-year colleges. OCTC’s Alpha Xi Gamma Chapter is active in academic and community projects. Students are invited to join PTK after reaching a minimum 12 number of hours with a 3.5 GPA, students are expected to maintain a minimum of a 3.0. There is a $70 one-time membership fee and applicable students are awarded honor cords, and may wear a PTK stole at graduation. Membership includes the option of participating in hallmark projects selected at the local level and inclusion in scholarship awards.
CCWG
Cultural Competency Work Group Dr. Scott Williams established the group this past year, to identify both overt and latent bias, and systemic inequality that may exist on OCTC’s campuses, and propose solutions. The group has focused on programming that promotes cultural competency and encourages selfanalysis and a recognition that we are often unaware of our own inherent biases. The CCWG has revamped the diversity component in FYE 100 (Strategies for College Success) classes, producing a library of short videos dealing with implicit bias/microaggression. The videos are accessible as part of a module emphasizing cultural competency. The co-chairs of the Cultural Competency Work Group are Matthew Alschbach, Associate Professor of History and Allyson Sanders, Industry Program Coordinator.
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OCTC ADOPTS DIVERSITY STATEMENT
In March 2021, the OCTC College Assembly approved the revised Diversity Statement. The revision of the statement was handled by the Diversity Committee, made up of both faculty and staff members. The Diversity Committee worked diligently over several months to ensure the statement promoted the services on campus that welcome and protect students. The list of services, organizations, and policies will be updated as needed to keep the information current.
Owensboro Community and Technical College embraces the diversity of its faculty, staff, and students as well as the region it serves. All are welcome. Recognizing that all individuals contribute to a rich, broad education, the college is committed to fostering a learning community where students feel supported and encouraged to explore ideas and share experiences in ways that connect us and challenge us to grow. To that end, the college offers the following services, student organizations, and policies: Anti-Harrasment & Discrimination Counseling Center Disability Services Military and Veterans Multicultural Association Office of Diversity Programs SAFE LGBTQ Title IX *TRiO
*The TRiO program offers academic and personal support for students with disabilities, those who are first-generation college students (meaning neither parent graduated with a 4-year degree), or individuals who are income eligible.
All Are Welcome!
We are excited to share what OCTC has to offer relating to Cultural Diversity. It has been a big topic on our campus and we want you to know about all the opportunities there are to get involved. The Office for Diversity and International Student Services supports the campus community in promoting and celebrating multiculturalism and provides all members with the opportunity to contribute to and participate in the enrichment of the multicultural experience at OCTC. The Office for Diversity is located in the Pathfinder Den in the Campus Center (lower level). Come by and see me, reach out for a virtual meet, call or text me with any questions. I am here to help! Contact: Sharmy Davis, MBA, MPA Interim Director of Cultural Diversity 270-852-8159
Sharmy Davis 3
GO FEMALES by Sheri Plain
Right: The GO Females group at Unifirst, learning skills and rocking a 3.8 cumulative GPA!
The collaboration of local and state industry, workforce, and educational partners led to the design and launch of the GO Females initiative to “skill up” female incumbent workers for advancement in the manufacturing industry. This initiative was funded in part by a National Science Foundation’s Advanced Technological Education (ATE) program grant (Grant No. 1903117) awarded to Owensboro Community & Technical College (OCTC) in 2018. OCTC launched the first GO Females cohort in 2019 in partnership with UniFirst. Twenty female incumbent workers from UniFirst Corporation were selected to participate. By stepping forward as the first GO Females employee
All Are Welcome!
champion, UniFirst ensures that employees gain personal and career opportunities that were previously unattainable. UniFirst supports the GO Females initiative by paying participants fulltime wages and benefits throughout the program and providing them eight hours of paid time off each week to attend classes. GO Females provides working adults unprecedented access to education by eliminating financial and accessibility barriers. As a true “work and learn” model, GO Females brings college to the workplace. Classes are held onsite and labtraining equipment is set up at the worksite near UniFirst’s actual production equipment. This allows 4
instructors to connect teaching to “real world” application. It also allows the students to learn, practice, and apply skills relevant to what occurs on the job. The GO Females cohort completed their first semester with a 3.8 cumulative GPA. Currently, the students are progressing on schedule with the six courses (15 credit hours) they are taking during the spring 2020 semester. In August 2020, GO Females launched a second cohort open to other manufacturing employers. For more information on GO Females program, or how to participate in the next group, please contact sheri.plain@kctcs. edu.
OCTC SAFE Club
GLOBAL STUDIES
Students Aligned For Equality
Students Aligned for Equality (SAFE) is the student LGBTQA club at Owensboro Community and Technical College. SAFE works to promote awareness of LGBTQ issues in order to foster cultural understanding and acceptance of members in the LGBTQ community and their supporters.
Join the Global Solutions Conversations virtual exchange with students to engage in cross-cultural collaboration and share ideas on improving sustainability in a global community.
The club seeks to provide a safe environment for exploration of sexuality and to fight discrimination, harassment, and violence in higher education. Faculty, staff, and administrators at OCTC support the efforts of all students to learn in an environment that fosters growth, an open discussion of ideas, and self-confidence. Among the many events sponsored by SAFE are the OCTC Safe Spaces program, the SAFE Panel Discussion held on March 17, 2021, and the SAFE movie night on April 7, 2021, which will take place in the Advanced Technology Center, room 107 at 4:30 p.m. This will be a socially-distanced event, and food will be served.
What is it? A five-week virtual exchange conversation series. Who can participate in the program? Community college students in the US and university students and faculty in Jordan and Iraq. What is required? Attend five Zoom sessions with your binational team. No work outside the calls is required. What will occur during the calls? Engage in a conversation with a student group from another country and learn about another culture, discuss sustainability in your community, and practice the human centered design process. When will this occur? The binational calls will occur weekly during March and April 2021. Questions? Contact Jim Johnson at jim.johnson@kctcs.edu
For more info please contact SAFE president, A.J. Payne at apayne0069@ kctcs.edu or faculty advisor, Julie Embry at julie.embry@kctcs.edu.
All Are Welcome!
WOMEN FOR GIRLS
Wed., April 14@4:15 p.m.
Women for Girls is a community of women committed to empowering one another as well as younger girls through connection and education. By providing opportunities to share experiences, challenges, and solutions, Women for Girls seeks to invest in today and tomorrow’s women leaders by working with Girls, Inc. The following OCTC employees are participating in this event: Sharmy Davis, Interim Director of Cultural Diversity; Courtney Duvall, Sr. Admissions Advisor; Celestina Munoz, Employer Liaison/Student Success Coach; Allyson Sanders, Industry Program Coordinator; and Katie Vincent, Director of Workforce Partnerships; If you are interested in participating please contact, Sharmy.Davis@kctcs.edu. 5
Student Profile
JANET PEREZ
by Cadie Underwood
All Are Welcome! Janet Perez has only a few weeks left as an OCTC student as she prepares to graduate this spring! Her goals do not end with earning her associate’s degree though. Janet has already started talking to Western Kentucky University in Owensboro to transfer and start a program where she can earn her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in three years. Her plan is to earn her master’s degree in Social Work as her main goal is to help kids. She truly enjoys working with children, and in the past, had the opportunity to work at a preschool for a couple of years where she was a teacher’s assistant and translator for students who spoke Spanish. Janet is not the oldest sibling, but was the first of her four sisters to go to college and has encouraged them to do the same. She said, “I told my sisters to start college also as it is a huge step toward your future. It impacts your future even if you don’t realize it.” Janet is proud that she took those steps to enroll at OCTC and start working towards a college education. We are honored that she chose us and have no doubt that she will continue to make a difference in countless lives.
Got a story idea or want to contribute to the Cultural Diversity Newsletter? Contact sharmy.davis@kctcs.edu.
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All Are Welcome! Notable Alumni
Waqar Ahmed by Cadie Underwood
Waqar Ahmed’s first college experience was at OCTC, and last fall, he graduated with his Associate in Science. Today, he is working hard at the University of Louisville on his Bachelor of Science in Nursing. He actually began taking classes at the University of Louisville in the Fall 2020 semester as he finished his classes at OCTC. Waqar is preparing for his future and has plans to continue his education through his doctorate. His ultimate goal is to become a Nurse Practitioner or Nurse Anesthetist who works at a hospital and possibly in the ICU Unit. We are truly proud of Waqar and humbled he chose to come to OCTC. He was very involved as a student serving as a member, as vice president of the Student Government Association, as a student represetntative on the OCTC Board of Directors, and on the Student Appeals Board. As he reflected on his classes, he mentioned instructors and staff that had made a difference for him such as Misty Gish, Biology Professor. He also praised Rosa Richards, Success Coach, who greatly assisted him each semester, helped him prepare a resume, and was amazing to work with. This summer he plans to return to OCTC to earn his Kentucky Medicaid Aid certification. 7
GETTING STARTED!
REAL WORLD EXPERIENCES: In culturally challenging times.
3-D PRINTING ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE AGRICULTURE AIR CONDITIONING TECH. ASSOCIATE IN ARTS ASSOCIATE IN SCIENCE ASSOCIATE IN FINE ARTS AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGY BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION COMPUTER & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES COMPUTERIZED MANUFACTURING & MACHINING CRIMINAL JUSTICE DIESEL TECHNOLOGY ELECTRICAL TECHNOLOGY EMS/PARAMEDIC ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY
Friday, April 16 @ 2PM Live, remote event Featuring Special Guests
Joplin Johnson
You know her from the news as a Mom defending her son from an accusation over a “stolen” iPhone. But Grammy nominated artist Kat Rodriguez is an incredible saxophonist, singer and educator. She traveled the world with Beyonce for 10 years as her Saxophonist. She has also worked with many artist Like Keyon Harrold, The Chicks, Jay-Z, Robert Glasper, George Michael’s etc. Kat has graced many stages as a singer sharing her rhaspy classic voice through her own album Mockery. Kat has a passion for teaching and passing the knowledge that she has accrued during the years. She is currently the Director of the Instrumental Department at Young at Arts which serves over 200 students in the Weschester county passing on the torch with pride and love! Kat has discovered a passion for speaking against racial & LGBQT injustice.
He was on the front line during the protests in Louisville surrounding Breonna Taylor’s death.
Welcome to OCTC! Getting started at OCTC is as easy Thank for your interest in Owensboro Community as you picking your program from theand Technical College. If you are new to our college or returning afterbe sitting out a list above, some credentials can semester, you will be contacted after your application is processed. earned in a little as 6 weeks. If you questions, please contact us at 270-686-4518, Fill have outany the application online at toll-free at 866-755-OCTC (6282), or at octc.info@kctcs.edu. owenbsoro.kctcs.edu and select ForAPPLY, more information, online!stop by the START or yougocan Center in the Campus Center on www.owensboro.kctcs.edu/admissions our Main Campus at 4800 New Hartford Road and we can help Youyou may also stop by The or START Center,us located in the upper level of in person, drop an email theat Campus Center. octc.STARTcenter@kctcs.edu or call 270-686-4527 with the times you Student are ID#________________________________ available and we can help you virtually! ________________________________
Joplin Johnson, has been with Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) since 2016. He currently works in the 6th division, which is in the center of the city. Johnson is a member of the Special Response Team (SRT) that responds to incidents requiring crowd control/ management, including natural disasters, and other major events. Prior to becoming a police officer, Johnson worked at OH HealthPark in Owensboro as a personal trainer.
OCTC is an equal educational and employment opportunity institution. 3/2021
Kat Rodriguez
FAST TRACK AUTO FAST TRACK CARPENTRY FAST TRACK PLUMBING FIBER OPTICS FIRE SCIENCE HEALTHCARE FACILITIES INTER. EARLY CHILDHOOD ED. INDUSTRIAL MAINTENANCE MEDICAL ASSISTING MEDICAL INFORMATION NURSING NURSE AIDE KY MEDICATION AIDE PARAMEDIC RADIOGRAPHY SKILLTRAIN-ADULT ED SURGICAL TECHNOLOGY TECH X VETERINARY TECHNOLOGY WELDING TECHNOLOGY
Hear from these newsmakers, in their own words, how it felt to be in the spotlight with the whole world watching. You think you know how you would react, what you would say, but what would you do? Does your response vary if your skin was a different color? Does your response vary if you are male versus a female?
Click here to join the meeting
owensboro.kctcs.edu
Cultural Competency Work Group
OCTC is an equal opportunity employer and education institution. 4/2021
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