August President's Perspective

State College

PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE

AUGUST 2021

Welcome Back NWFSC!

O

ne of my favorite times of year is fall semester on the college campus! It is the culmination of what our personnel have been working towards all summer. Our first day of classes is August 18, and it is with great anticipation that we welcome back our faculty and students to campus. We are striving toward a safe, healthy campus environment so we can continue to offer high-quality education and fulfill our mission of improving lives in Northwest Florida.

Our college has seen many exciting changes this year amid the challenges brought on by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, but remaining steadfast is our strong commitment to student success. This fall we are launching several new programs including an associate degree program in Professional Pilot Technology and industry-recognized certificates in Aviation Airframe Mechanics in our brand new Aviation Center of Excellence in Crestview. Furthermore, we will launch nine career-based programs at the new Walton Works Training Center of Excellence at the Chautauqua Center in DeFuniak Springs. There are still a few seats left in the inaugural Medical Laboratory Technician Program based at our Fort Walton Beach Campus. If you are interested in this program, I encourage you to email MLT@nwfsc.edu. We are continuing to strengthen our industry partnerships to provide a future workforce that enhances community and economic development in our region.

I am pleased to report that NWFSC’s Reaffirmation of Accreditation process (continued on next page)

VO LUME 5, NO. 07

PUBLIC SAFETY MEMORIAL UNVEILING On a perfect July morning, members of the local community joined Okaloosa and Walton County Officials, NWFSC Board of Trustee members along with College personnel to pay tribute to our local fallen public safety professionals from both Okaloosa and Walton counties – law enforcement officers, fire fighters and first responders. Northwest Florida State College’s Public Safety Memorial is the first of its kind in the panhandle region and provides a tranquil space to honor and remember those who so bravely gave their lives, the ultimate sacrifice.

Construction for the external brick boundary wall started more than eight years ago with an initial gift campaign, but the space came to life in early 2019 with a generous donation from Ms. Dotty Blacker, who specified that her gift must go toward honoring our local first responders because “they don’t receive the recognition that they deserve.” Thus, the idea for a statue symbolizing each service branch, a tower that incorporates military service members and plaques characterizing each of the fallen service members in Okaloosa and Walton counties was born.

“The names on this memorial rest in their place of honor to help heal the hearts and souls of the families and coworkers of the fallen and to serve as a reminder of the great sacrifices made daily by our service men and women,” said NWFSC President Dr. Devin Stephenson. “I encourage everyone to make a visit to the NWFSC Public Safety Memorial on our Niceville campus to gain strength and resolve from the legacy of those who will live on forever.”

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concluded last week with a highly successful onsite followup visit. Tasked with verifying the report from the College’s virtual site visit conducted in October 2020, Ms. Karen Brunner, SACSCOC Committee Chair, completed a multi-site visit to the Niceville Campus, the Fort Walton Beach Campus, and the Chautauqua Center/DeFuniak Springs to interview students, faculty, and administrators and review supporting documentation that confirmed the College’s compliance with U.S. Department of Education guidelines.

In her exit interview with senior leadership, Chair Brunner shared outstanding feedback about our College and the exemplary work of our faculty, staff, and administration. She emphasized students’ rave reviews about their instructors and the impressive variety of services the College provides.

Chair Brunner observed a theme across interviews: NWFSC’s unparalleled commitment to student success and continuous improvement.

The lights are back on Broadway! We have missed our patrons and this season we have big things to celebrate! Not only have we cultivated an exceptional season, but this year

PUBLIC SAFETY GRADUATES

marks the 25th Anniversary of the Mattie Kelly Arts Center at Northwest Florida State College. From Broadway and gallery events to concerts, artist series and speakers, we have something for everyone!

Our student-athletes have been on campus this summer hitting the books and the weight room preparing for championship play in all sports again this season. We are looking forward to another exciting year of competition from all teams!

Lastly, our administrative team is continuing to develop the strategic path forward for our college. With student success as our primary goal, we are focusing on ways that we can improve higher education in Northwest Florida. Our mission remains resolute, to improve lives in Northwest Florida, and we will do that one student, one opportunity, and one possibility at a time.

#thebestisourstandard Dr. Devin Stephenson, President

NWFSC SCHOLAR ATHLETES

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34 The Law Enforcement Academy has been at Northwest Florida State College since 1974, providing Okaloosa and Walton Counties with a Regional Training Center for both Basic Recruit Training for new Law Enforcement and Corrections officers and Advanced/Specialized for current Law Enforcement and Corrections Officers.

The Training Center typically produces three Law Enforcement Academy classes per year, providing a fresh hiring pool for Law Enforcement Agencies in the region and across the state. Traditionally, these classes will see an estimated 75% of the class hired by agencies shortly after program completion and the successful completion of the State Officer Certification Exam (SOCE). Many agencies wouldn’t even look at a candidate unless they had taken and passed the SOCE. That trend has changed significantly.

Our most recent Graduating Class, the first from the Walton Works Expansion, graduated with 100% of the class either employed by a Law Enforcement Agency or having a Conditional Offer of Employment from a Law Enforcement Agency.

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athletes made Academic All-Conference (3.0 GPA or higher)

athletes made NJCAA National athletes made All-Academic Honors Academic All-State (3.3 GPA or higher)

2021-2022 SeaSon

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th ng i g o f Br i n

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MATTIE KELLY Northwest Florida State College

IN THE SPOTLIGHT FACULTY FELLOWS Each year, the Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning offers a Faculty Fellows Program, a professional development experience designed to prepare and inspire faculty to develop and teach online courses that model best practices in the fields of instructional technology and online education.

This year’s focus was on active and engaged learning.

During the program, the participants attended professional development training, set personal goals for enhancing teaching skills, and were invited to hear from other faculty colleagues on best practices in active and engaged learning in the online environment. The program culminated in the development of an actual lesson plan intended to demonstrate these new ideas.

This year’s Faculty Fellows will now join the ranks of the Faculty Fellows Mentors group, and will be a valuable resource to colleagues moving forward.

Applications for 2021-22 Faculty Fellows program will be taken from September 1, 2021 through September 15, 2021. Please be on the lookout for further information on how to apply.

The Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning is proud to recognize the following faculty members who have completed the 2020-21 Faculty Fellows Program

Pictured from left: Clint Mahle, Skylar Smith, Tracy Mank, Allison Godwin, Dr. Cynthia Davis, and Dr. Bilas Pal. Not pictured: Dr. Yemi Adeniji and Dr. Anne Brinton.

NWFSC STUDENT WINS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP AT SKILLSUSA After four years of encouragement, Northwest Florida State College Early Childhood Education student, Christina Walden finally joined SkillsUSA. She said looking back, she doesn’t know what took her so long to join, but she’s glad she was talked into it.

SkillsUSA is a national workforce preparation association whose goal is to produce the most highly skilled workforce in the world by focusing on training in technical, personal and workplace skills. Competitions drive SkillsUSA and push members to show what they have learned through practical application in job skills including electrical, plumbing, early childhood education and many more.

Walden submitted a written lesson plan along with a video showcasing her role-playing her lesson to SkillsUSA, for both the state and national competition. Usually competitors travel to state and national competitions and also take part in hiring fairs and networking groups while at the event, but this year’s awards ceremony was presented virtually.

When her name was announced as the gold medalist in the Early Childhood Education category, Walden said she was grateful

Pictured: NWFSC Early Childhood Education student and Mary Lou O’Connor Child Development & Education Center teacher Christina Walden wins gold at the virtual SkillsUSA National Competition

for the opportunity and looks forward to the future. She said she plans to pursue a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Leadership and wants to continue working with children along the way.

For more information about the Northwest Florida State College’s Early Childhood Education program, please contact Dr. Sandy Arteaga at (850) 729-5341 or arteagas@nwfsc.edu.

NWF STATE COLLEGE BOARD OF TRUSTEES Lori Kelley, Chair Shane Abbott, Vice Chair Craig Barker Charlotte Flynt Graham Fountain

Reynolds Henderson Maj. Gen. Don Litke, USAF Ret. Maj. Gen. Thomas “Rudy” Wright, USAF Ret. Dr. Devin Stephenson, President

State College

100 College Boulevard, East Niceville, FL 32578

FOUNDATION EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Ken Wampler, Chair Bo Arnold, Vice Chair Alan Wood, Treasurer J.D. Peacock, Past Chair

Cristie Kedroski, Secretary Maj. Gen. Don Litke, USAF Ret., Trustee Liaison Dr. Devin Stephenson, President

FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS Christie Austin James Bagby Marek Bakun Destin Cobb Cindy Frakes Michelle McGee Freeman Todd Grisoff Tyler Jarvis

Dave Jefferson Bernard Johnson Heather Kilbey Gordon King Kim Kirby Vincent Mayfield Jonathan Ochs Brian Pennington

Steve Rhodes Ashley Rogers Hu Ross Rhonda Skipper Cecil Williams Steve Wolfrom Alan Wood

FOUNDATION DONALD E. HOOD ENDOWMENT The Donald E. Hood Theater Arts Scholarship Endowment was established on March 24, 2021 totaling $25,000. The endowment is a tribute to Donald E. Hood, a loving husband, Air Force Veteran, enthusiastic boater & ardent traveler, but locally remembered best for his work in Stage Crafters Community Theater and his comedic timing.

Don was involved in every aspect of Stage Crafters, both on and off the stage. A consummate performer, he performed in 17 musicals and 9 plays enjoying memorable roles as the Sheriff in “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas”, the dentist in “Little Shop of Horrors”, Captain Brackett in “South Pacific, Chief Bromden in “One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest” and was hilarious as Max the chauffer in 2001’s “It’s a Scream!”. He served on the Executive Board of Stage Crafters for 10 years and was President in 1996. In his later years, he enjoyed playing guitar for the musicals “Smoke On The Mountain”, “Sanders Family Christmas” and “Is There Life After High School”. Over the years he received many awards, most notable was the Stage Crafters Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006.

Don’s wife Jean was an enthusiastic partner, participating with Don in all his productions. She worked behind the scenes, mainly as assistant stage manager.

In between shows, the couple traveled extensively and one of their favorite activities was attending community productions. The Hoods had a rich and fun-filled life that revolved around the theater. The Donald E. Hood Theater Arts Endowed Scholarship is Jean Hood’s tribute to her

Pictured (L to R): NWFSC President, Dr. Devin Stephenson; Donald E. Hood’s Wife, Jean Hood; NWFSC Director of Development, Carla Reinlie; NWFSC Chair – Clint Mahle

husband’s legacy. Her hope is to provide scholarship support to students in the Northwest Florida State College Theater Department who share his calling and passion for theater arts.