ENGAGE Magazine: 2020 Year in Review FlipSide

State College

2020 YEAR IN REVIEW

MAGAZINE

ENGAGE

F

riends & Colleagues,

From a world-wide pandemic and civil unrest to devastating natural disasters that just kept coming, the year 2020 flipped everything upside down – our homes, our schools, our way of life. In-person classes were quickly shifted online, Zoom rooms took the place of face-to-face meetings, digital strategy huddles and conference calls replaced in-person meetings, business operations occurred remotely, but one constant remained – Our Commitment to Student Success.

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In just 2 weeks, 149 instructors shifted 499 classes to virtual platforms;

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NWF Online LIVE offered live-streamed morning, afternoon and evening classes; and

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From March – May, the Student Success Navigators conducted 623 Zoom advising sessions, 1,048 chat sessions and answered 5,442 phone calls.

This unprecedented year caused us to become more adaptable, empathetic and ultimately resilient.

Northwest Florida State College elected to face the challenges of 2020 by coming together. Coworkers helping co-workers; professors streamlining courses; and community members rallying to assist students in need. We never wavered in our responsibility to improve lives.

We chose to juxtapose our traditional year-in-review accomplishments with a flip-and-reverse cover, so as to visually represent the dramatic effect 2020 had on our community. Northwest Florida State College recently launched our 2020-2023 Strategic Plan: Engage NWFSC. Make sure to flip the magazine over and read about our impacts in the Classroom, Campus and Community.

As we look forward to the coming year with great anticipation, we must never lose sight of the goodness around us. Together we will Make a Difference and continue to gain momentum into 2021.

ENGAGE

Northwest Florida State College

COMING TOGETHER

The

Flipside

COMING TOGETHER 2-7

Feature: 2 Section Jany Youngs - Hometown Heroes Begin Here

donates Personal Protective Equipment 3 NWFSC COVID testing sites 4 Virtual Insanity - Commencement & 5 Convocation PUBLISHER

Dr. Devin Stephenson EDITOR

6 NWFSC Celebrates Diversity and inclusion 7 Hurricane Sally Response

Julie Schrodt CONTRIBUTING WRITERS/PHOTOGRAPHERS

Andrew Bowman Wes Johnson Savannah Vasquez DESIGNERS

Erin Jenkins Jonelle Lewis

2020

Year in Review

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HOMETOWN BEGIN HERE HEROES

northwest florida state college

Nursing Student

joins the front lines of COVID-19 fight

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ooking to make a career change around 2012, Jany Youngs completed NWFSC’s EMT program. After becoming an RN in 2018, she is now nearing completion as a member of NWFSC’s online Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program while working full-time at a medical clinic in town. In early April, she accepted a short-term contract position in New York City to care for patients with COVID-19, while continuing her online studies. Jany told her professor, “Dr. Norton, I’m going because the nurses in New York need help…they are completely worn out and I can help them, but, I am no hero, I feel fortunate to have received an education that allows me to serve with confidence under these circumstances.” Jany was assigned to Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center – Bronx, a 347-bed hospital, now a COVID-19 (only) hospital.

Jany is not the exception but rather the norm when you look around our classrooms, which are filled with students committed to bettering their lives, and who leave with the knowledge, skills and credentials resolved to make a greater difference in our world.

Pictured: Jany in front of the Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center in New York during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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ENGAGE

Northwest Florida State College

COMING TOGETHER Pictured Below: Dr. Charlotte Kuss, right and NWFSC Sergeant Jo Culberson deliver surplus PPE to the Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County’s Emergency Support Function in March.

Health Sciences programs

donates PPE When the College moved to an online platform in March, many of our health science programs were left with a surplus of personal protective equipment (PPE). Supplies such as exam gloves, sterile gloves, masks and gowns were gathered from the Emergency Medical Technician/Paramedic, Dental Assisting, Radiography and Nursing Programs and donated to the Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County’s Emergency Support Function – 8 (ESF-8).

COVID

Coordinating efforts with ESF-8 ensures these supplies will be dispersed to agencies with the greatest need. “We are all in this together,” said NWFSC President Dr. Devin Stephenson. “I am proud of our health sciences department under the leadership of Dr. Charlotte Kuss and their willingness to put community first with this donation of PPE to our local health department. We are prepared to do all we can to protect those who are on the frontline of the COVID-19/Coronavirus pandemic.”

testing sites

Throughout the Summer and into the Fall, Northwest Florida State College partnered with the Okaloosa County Department of Public Health to provide free and efficient COVID-19 drive-thru testing on both of the Niceville and Fort Walton Beach campuses.

Our Campus Safety and Security team also assisted with Walton County’s drive-thru COVID-19 testing site at our South Walton Center. We were honored to do our part in flattening the curve and keeping Okaloosa and Walton Counties safe.

2020

Year in Review

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VIRTUAL IN Virtual

Commencment

celebrates NWFSC & Collegiate HS graduates The 55th Annual Commencement Ceremony looked different this year as a result of the social distancing guidelines put into practice in efforts to flatten the curve against COVID-19. To honor the accomplishments of our graduates in real time, college leadership produced NWFSC’s first Virtual Commencement Ceremony which aired on May 2. The virtual ceremony was uploaded to the College’s YouTube Channel, website and social media accounts.

“As challenges unfold in real time around us, our thoughts are with each of our graduates and their families, especially on this momentous day,” said NWFSC President Dr. Devin Stephenson. “With this virtual ceremony, we honor the students who are completing their studies this academic year under extraordinary challenges, and we hope this virtual ceremony gives them the opportunity to celebrate all they have achieved.”

The 2020 Collegiate High School Virtual Graduation Ceremony aired on our YouTube Channel, website, and social media accounts on May 21. The College extended a special invitation all 2020 graduates to attend the 56th Commencement Ceremony in Raider Arena on May 8, 2021.

Pictured Left: The EMT program graduates received their certificates in a drive-thru completion ceremony.

Right: J.R. receives his diploma during our first ever virtual commencement ceremony.

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ENGAGE

Northwest Florida State College

SANITY

COMING TOGETHER

Pictured Left: The President’s charge for the upcoming academic year: ENGAGE was rolled out Above: Live stream Convocation was staged in the Arena.

First Virtual Convocation

This year’s Convocation was unlike any NWFSC has had before. On Aug. 17, we hosted our first-ever virtual convocation to launch the 2020-2021 academic year and rolled out the 2020-2023 Strategic Plan: Engage NWFSC. We also heard from the illustrious Reverend Cecil Williams (pictured left) on the importance of implementing diversity and inclusion in all aspects of life, specifically in the realm of higher education.

“Inclusion provides an opportunity for ALL individuals to be part of ‘the team’ thus, motivating them to employ their talents and fully contribute to the organization and its mission.”

Reverend Cecil Williams

Director of Diversity and Inclusion at Eglin AFB

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Year in Review

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NWFSC CELEBRATES

DIVERSITY & INCLUSION

To improve lives by providing a high-quality, globally competitive education that is a catalyst for cultural, civic, and economic development throughout the region, Northwest Florida State College supports an environment where differences are valued, treatment is equitable, and individuals feel empowered to effect change. Our ability to thrive in a multicultural world depends on our respecting differences and dismantling barriers.

We are committed to bringing an increased awareness to the systemic injustices occurring at this critical juncture in our nation’s history and are working together toward a peaceful way forward. NWFSC administrators, faculty, and staff reaffirm our commitment to building a unified community reflecting justice for all. 2021.

Pictured Above: Artwork from the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Oratorical and Poster Contest held at NWFSC on January 18.

DIVERSITY BEGIN HERE UNITY COMMUNITY

northwest florida state college

(850) 502-2895 | nwfsc.edu Northwest Florida State College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate and baccalaureate degrees. Contact the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Northwest Florida State College. Northwest Florida State College is committed to equal access/equal opportunity in its programs, activities, and employment. Materiales de la Universidad son disponibles en Española llamando a la Oficina de Admisiones de Northwest Florida State College al 850-678-5111.

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ENGAGE

Northwest Florida State College

COMING TOGETHER

HURRICANE SALLY

RESPONSE

Top: Baseball team helped remove debris from Hurricane Sally at Olive Baptist Church in Pensacola.

Far Left: FL DOE Deputy Director of Facilities Planning & Budget Alex Jordan, FCS Chancellor Kathy Hebda and PSC President Dr. Ed Meadows meet with Dr. Stephenson and the leadership team post-Hurricane Sally.

Left: Members of the NWFSC leadership team share lunch with Pensacola State College after Hurricane Sally.

“Coming together is the beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is success.

If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself.“ Henry Ford

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2020

Year in Review

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Northwest Florida State College

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