MORAINE VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE STUDENT NEWSPAPER WWW.MVCCGLACIER.COM APRIL 25, 2014 VOLUME 47, ISSUE 15
ACEN accreditation achieved By Ashley Meitz News Editor
The Accreditation for Education in Nursing (ACEN) has granted Moraine Valley’s Nursing Program accreditation that will last until the commission’s next site visit in 2018, when the college is up for re-accreditation. The ACEN promotes nursing education and nursing practice through recognizing educational institutions or programs that have been found to meet or exceed standards of educational quality. The specialization in accrediting such programs follows a common core of criteria and seeks to strengthen educational quality, promote peer review and better prepare individuals for employment. “Because of its rigorous curriculum, Moraine Valley’s Nursing Program has a history of producing highly qualified nurses whose skills are noted by universities where our graduates attend to earn a bachelor’s degree and are demonstrated in healthcare facilities across Chicago. We are proud
the ACEN finds our program meets the standards to earn this accreditation that will benefit our Nursing students,” said Dr. Sylvia Jenkins, college president. A news release from earlier this month states, “The commission issues a common core of standards and assists programs with evaluation processes, functions, publications and research.” Moraine Valley’s comprehensive health science programs combine classroom instruction and hands-on laboratory training in order to provide students with strong employment prospects, making the college a smart choice for those interested in health care. The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation as well as the Higher Learning Commission licenses and approves Moraine Valley’s Nursing Program. Due to such accreditations, Nursing graduates are enabled to sit for the NCLEX board exam, which allows them to become licensed while securing stable employment.
According to a news release, “In 2013, 88 percent of nursing students passed the exam compared to 83 percent nationwide.” Moraine Valley continuously strives above national ranking. “It [the accreditation] benefits the college in many ways. We’ve always known the program was an excellent one, but with all of our career programs, the college wants us to look for national accreditation. Having this specific accreditation means having the national stamp of approval as well as state’s and community’s,” stated Dr. Peggy Machon, Dean of Career Programs. For more information about Moraine Valley’s Nursing Program, contact Lydia Falbo, director of Nursing, at (708) 9745242. Ashley Meitz can be contacted at news@mvccglacier.com.
Nursing Director Lydia Falbo takes pride in the recent national accreditation achieved through Accreditation for Education in Nursing. [Erica Sinnott]
Overcoming through education By Yosef Eby Staff Writer John DiGangi, Coordinator of the Addictions Studies Pro-
gram at Moraine Valley, hosted the 6th Annual Drug and Alcohol Awareness Health Fair. Moraine Valley’s Addictions
Studies Program is a 44 credit hour certification cirriculum which seeks to prepare students to become effective alcoholism/substance abuse
Students Mary Nieminski and Rory Rowe offered candy as prizes to participants willing to test their knowledge of effects different drugs have on the human body. [Erica Sinnott]
counselors who are able to work in a variety of settings in the addiction field. It is recognized through this program that treatment of addiction must be comprehensive, treating the whole person rather than merely symptoms. In attendance at the fair were many students studying to become certified Drug and Alcohol Counselors through DiGangi’s program. “April is drug and alcohol awareness month so we hold this fair in honor of April,” explained DiGangi. “The more information people have about drugs and alcohol, the better choices they will be able to make. This event provided
people with accurate, updated information.” A 2010 report listed by the Department of Justice named Chicago the “number one destination throughout the United States for shipping of heroin.” A booth titled “The Heroin Highway,” led by Moraine Valley student and recovering heroin addict, Robbie Jesk, explained the process by which the Mexican drug cartel smuggles heroin into Arizona in order to prepare for shipment. The cartel made a deal with Chicago’s DEA which enabled 80 percent of total heroin distributed throughout the city. DRUGS | page 6
IN THIS ISSUE ENTERTAINMENT American English invade Dorothy Menker Theater. SOCIAL PAGE 1
SPORTS Regional tournament starts for Men’s Tennis. PAGE 12
FEATURES Celebrating Easter inside the U Building with an egg hunt. SOCIAL PAGE 1