President's Perspective August 2020

State College

PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE

AUGUST 2020

Northwest Flor ida State College is Open for Opportunit y Northwest Florida State College personnel have been working diligently to prepare for campus re-opening and are striving toward a safe, healthy campus environment so that we can continue offering high-quality education and fulfill our mission of improving lives in Northwest Florida. The safety and wellbeing of our students, faculty and staff is my TOP PRIORITY. Working closely with our local Department of Health, the Florida Department of Education and other state government agencies, the College has developed an Opening for Opportunity Plan designed to increase students’ access to high quality instruction and wraparound support services that facilitate high rates of student success.

To further emphasize our commitment to the health and wellbeing of our entire college community, College safety personnel are conducting temperature checks on each and every individual entering campus. Additionally, masks must be worn while moving around campus and in spaces where social distancing is challenging, i.e. one-on-one office meetings. College personnel have masks available if you do not have one.

Raider Central is providing enhanced safety protocols for inperson admissions, registration and advising services at all campus and center locations. Our Navigators are spaced six feet apart and have a clear plexiglass shield in front of their open workstations. For the time being, access to our self-service computer terminals is restricted and use of personal computers is encouraged.

There are designated entrances, exits and seating areas to ensure social distancing guidelines are respected.

All student services are still being offered in a fully virtual format, and to (continued on next page)

VO LUME 4, NO. 05

NWFSC CELEBRATED WALTON WORKS TRAINING CENTER OF EXCELLENCE GROUNDBREAKING Pictured (left to right): Dr. Devin Stephenson, Bob Campbell, Bill Chapman, Larry Jones, Shane Abbott, Charlotte Flynt, Rudy Wright, and Lori Kelley simulate a groundbreaking for the Walton Works Training Center of Excellence

Members of the local community joined Walton County Officials, NWFSC Board of Trustee members and College personnel to celebrate the groundbreaking for the new Walton Works Training Center of Excellence at the Chautauqua Center in DeFuniak Springs. Originally scheduled for early April, this event had to be postponed to July 9 due to the uncertainty of the pandemic.

The Walton Works Center of Excellence will house 10 new workforce programs, preparing students to earn industry-recognized credentials including state licenses and certifications. The project will expand career education programs in public safety (law enforcement, fire, emergency medical technician (EMT), cybersecurity, drone technology and building trades (plumbing, electrical, welding, millwright and construction).

By 2024, a minimum of 1,570 industryrecognized certifications will be awarded, providing an expanded talent pool that will bolster northwest Florida’s economy.

Made possible by the commitment of $1.5 million of Walton County RESTORE Act funds approved by the Walton County Board of County Commissioners and endorsed by the Walton County Administrative team, this project received a substantial match needed to gain approval by the Triumph Gulf Coast Board. The Triumph Gulf Coast Board committed $2.7 million dollars of funds, recovered for economic damages to the Florida Panhandle that resulted from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon BP oil spill, to the Walton Works Training Center of Excellence. In addition, the Walton County Sheriff’s Office is partnering with the College to provide access to training facilities (firing range and driving range) in DeFuniak Springs for students in the Law Enforcement, Fire and EMT programs to develop skills, and CareerSource Okaloosa Walton will provide placement assistance to employers and job seekers. The site work for the new industrial trades and drone facilities is complete and the foundation is in position. Classes are expected to begin onsite in Spring 2021.

Guests toured buildings which will be a testing center, cybersecurity classroom, advising intake area and machining lab.

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further safeguard the health and wellbeing of our staff and students, we have established additional guidelines: • Appointments must be scheduled by phone or live chat.

• All students/guests will be encouraged to schedule virtual appointments.

• All in-person advising will be by appointment only and handled on a

case-by-case basis.

• In-person drop-in services are suspended until further notice.

• At the Fort Walton Beach Campus and all distance Centers, students/

guests will be required to wait in their cars for appointments. Waiting

rooms will be closed.

• Masks will be required during the entirety of each student and Navigator meeting.

• In-person appointments will be limited to one person at a time (other

family members must wait in their car).

• Students/guests will be encouraged to bring their own computers, if needed.

Decisions made for the Fall 2020 term move the institution forward with safety as the top priority. An expanded, more diverse slate of online and hybrid course offerings has been developed. This shift toward online and hybrid classes allows the College to better manage campus occupancy and support social distancing guidelines. Students who attend class in person will be required to follow safety protocols while on campus, including the wearing of face coverings during class meetings and while in transit on campus.

In all instructional methods, students will participate in learning activities, discussion and peer-to-peer engagement. NWFSC faculty are committed to delivering high-quality instruction that expands students’ opportunities for success. The Learning Commons provides library and learning resources services, free tutoring and testing complete with virtual options for connecting to resources and staff for additional support. The Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning is ready to assist students with technology, Blackboard and accommodations support. Our Student Success Navigators are standing by to answer questions and assist with degree planning. Futures Begin Here.

Dr. Devin Stephenson, President #TheBestisOurStandard

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*face coverings are required for in-person class meetings

IN THE SPOTLIGHT NEW PTA PROGRAM LAB SPACE IS TOP-NOTCH

The new Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Northwest Florida State College hosted an open-house last month to showcase their new space at the Fort Walton Beach campus. The space houses a newly renovated, dedicated lab space which can accommodate up to 24 students.

The room has been outfitted with a new multimedia desk, document camera, pulldown screen, projector and speakers.

Students have access to a wide variety of equipment commonly found in physical therapy clinics in our region. This includes different types of treatment tables and hilo mat tables, parallel bars, stairs, a wide range of exercise equipment, theraband station, traction table, as well as a variety of educational models.

ATHLETICS AND COMMUNITY NWFSC AWARDED A $1.5 MILLION DOLLAR DEPARTMENT OF LABOR YOUTH APPRENTICESHIP READINESS GRANT The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration (ETA) announced last month that Northwest Florida State College was awarded $1,497,320 to stand up the NWFSC Youth Apprenticeship Program. The Youth Apprenticeship Readiness grant aims to increase participation by youth, ages 16 to 24 years old, in new or existing Registered Apprenticeship Programs.

Currently, NWFSC offers three existing registered apprenticeship programs – in machining, plumbing, and carpentry. These registered apprenticeship programs were approved by the State Apprenticeship Director in October 2019. The College intends to use its existing apprenticeship programs to bolster our program capacity and produce completers, who in turn will work with the employers to create jobs within our local economy. Furthermore, NWFSC is expanding its current scope by proposing to offer HVAC, Paramedic, and Culinary apprenticeships. The Youth Apprenticeship Readiness Program participants will be able to earn certifications in the following career paths: Paramedic, Culinary Arts, Carpentry, Plumbing, and HVAC. For further information about the NWFSC Youth Apprenticeship Readiness Program, contact Bill Allison, Director of Professional and Workforce Training, at 850-7294995 or allisonb@nwfsc.edu.

NWFSC SCHOLAR ATHLETES

NWFSC’s Youth Apprenticeship Readiness program includes apprenticeship opportunities in construction trades, public safety and hospitality industries, with specific apprenticeship programs in the fields of Carpentry, Plumbing, HVAC, Paramedics and Culinary Arts.

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48

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

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

21

athletes made NJCAA National All-Academic Honors

NWF STATE COLLEGE BOARD OF TRUSTEES Brian S. Pennington, Chair Lori Kelley, Vice-Chair Shane Abbott Craig Barker Charlotte Flynt

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 J.D. Peacock, Chair Ken Wampler, Vice Chair Bo Arnold, Treasurer C. Jeffrey McInnis, Past Chair

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

FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS Eric Aden Marek Bakun Wayne Campbell Destin Cobb Cindy Frakes Todd Grisoff Chad Hamilton Walter Hooks Tyler Jarvis

Dave Jefferson Bernard Johnson Heather Kilbey Gordon King Michelle McGee Freeman Jonathan Ochs Dennis Peters Steve Rhodes

Donnie Richardson Ashley Rogers Hu Ross Rhonda Skipper Cecil Williams Steve Wills Steve Wolfrom Alan Wood

FOUNDATION Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emer ald Coast Guild ESTABLISHES SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT IN HONOR OF ROGER L. HALL Sacred Heart Hospital of the Emerald Coast Guild has elected to recognize Roger Hall’s significant contributions to the Northwest Florida region by creating the Roger L. Hall Legacy Scholarship Endowment at Northwest Florida State College (NWFSC) with a pledge of $15,000.

Hall has served as Regional President of Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast and Ascension Sacred Heart Gulf for 18 years. During his 30-year career in the healthcare industry, he was dedicated to raising the bar in healthcare in the Northwest Florida region. He joined Sacred Heart Health System in 2002 to lead the opening of Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast. Under his leadership, the hospital was recognized five times as a 100 Top Hospital® by Truven Health Analytics. In 2010, he led the opening of Ascension Sacred Heart Gulf.

Sacred Heart Hospital of the Emerald Coast Guild, a long-time friend of the NWF State College nursing program, has provided more than $55,000 in scholarship support since 2003 through their Sacred Heart Hospital Guild Scholarship.

The Roger L. Hall Legacy Scholarship will be used to make a tuition, fees and book award to a NWFSC student who is enrolled in a degree program in finance, business or health sciences. First preference shall be students who are in financial need.

Scholarship endowment established

IN MEMORY OF COACH ERNIE GREEN

Fort Walton Beach High School (FWBHS) alumni, faculty and other community members have joined together to establish the Ernie Green Memorial Scholarship Endowment through the Northwest Florida State College Foundation in memory of late FWBHS coach, Ernest Green.

Those who knew Ernest “Ernie” Green say that he was the consummate professional as a coach, teacher and administrator. In his 35 years of service to FWBHS, he influenced generations of students, parents and coworkers. Husband of longtime local educator Dr. Vivian Green and father to E.G. Green, former NFL wide receiver, Ernie was a true role model. His ability to challenge, encourage and empower students to be successful was the essence of his strength and character.

Maurice “Mo” Evans, one of Ernie Green’s first students and athletes rallied the support of the community to establish the Ernie Green Memorial Scholarship Endowment. The Ernie Green Memorial Scholarship will be used for a tuition, fees and book award to a NWF State College student enrolled in a STEM-related degree program.