October 2020 President's Perspective

State College

PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE

O CT OB E R 2 0 2 0

VO LUME 4, NO. 07

NWFSC Celebr ates Nationa l Higher Education Month Northwest Florida State College is a change agent – a vibrant, dynamic community of educators and learners dedicated to engaging with every organization, entity and industry possible for the purpose of opening doors of opportunity. Our successes come from building collaborative partnerships throughout our region; being responsive to the needs of our communities, local businesses, and industry; and providing innovative delivery options for our academic, career education, and health sciences programs.

October is designated by the National Education Association as National Higher Education Month and seeks to highlight the pathways between the K-12 education system and postsecondary education.

According to Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce, 65% of all jobs in the economy require postsecondary education and training beyond high school. At Northwest Florida State College, we are proud to offer diverse educational programs and services, including two and four-year degrees in high-demand industries along with vital industry credentials and certifications. We also understand the importance of laying a solid foundation for a specialized education only attainable through transfer to a four-year university.

This past year, we grew our 2+2 transfer agreements from three to nine with the addition of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Northcentral University, Troy University Online, University of Central Florida, Western Governors University and the University of South Alabama. These (continued on next page)

Active & Engaged Learning The QEP, Engage NWFSC, is a campus-wide endeavor that re-imagines how the College can best serve today’s NWFSC student by focusing on faculty development and promoting active and engaged learning opportunities across all instructional methods. This project aims to positively influence student success and improve the student experience as the College becomes a more present, visible, and active partner in students’ paths toward academic success.

Academic Affairs hosted a New Faculty Workshop Series last month.

In this session the topic was “Accreditation Matters.”

INQUIRIES Department: Center for Innovative Teaching & Learning (CITL) Primary Contact: Dr. Williams-Shuford, QEP Director Phone: 850-678-5111, ext. 6199 Email: william3@nwfsc.edu

SOCIAL MEDIA ENGAGEMENT #EngageQEP @nwfsc

@nwfstatecollege

@nwfstatecollege

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2+2 agreements create seamless transfer opportunities and many include wrap-around support services to assist with a successful transition for our students.

At the end of the day, it’s not about buildings or campuses; it’s about students and caring and compassionate employees.

It’s about what goes on within the walls of our buildings and at home through online learning. It’s about success. It’s about the smile on the face of graduates as they walk across the stage. It’s about the challenging journey to that point, including stories of overcoming obstacles much like you will read about on page two and three of this publication.

The year 2020 has not been without its challenges - from the ongoing global pandemic to continuing crucial conversations on diversity, equity and inclusion to wide-spread natural disasters. In the midst of all these challenges come great possibilities; possibilities for a brighter future filled with hope and promise.

I am choosing to look forward to the great opportunities that lie ahead, and I truly believe that higher education is the gateway to the American dream. Come see for yourself at Northwest Florida State College. #FuturesBeginHere Dr. Devin Stephenson, President #TheBestisOurStandard

IN THE SPOTLIGHT Active & Engaged Learning-

Active and engaged learning looks different across all of Northwest Florida State College’s departments. Here is a glimpse into some of the creative methods used to encourage active learning engagement in the classroom.

• Virtual escape rooms are used as an effective method to reinforce public safety methods.

• Microteaching of single lessons is used with education students to practice teaching skills between peers.

• Health sciences students participate in clinical rotations and internships as well as engage in hands-on activities in the classroom.

• Food Production I students prepare recipes and then present to a public audience for taste testing and critiques.

• Dining Room Management students run the front of the house for Seagrass Restaurant in the spring semester, working hand in hand with culinary students to serve the public five-course themed dinners. Students are rotated through restaurant positions.

ESOL OPENS DOORS AT NWFSC

Higher Education opens the door to new and improved opportunities in many career fields. Here are some testimonials from some of our continuing education students who participated in the English to Speakers of Second Language classes in Crestview.

Meseret Baldwin, Ethiopia - Started ESOL classes in 2012. Earned her GED in 2014. Obtained LPN certificate in 2018 and is now pursuing her RN degree at NWFSC.

“I am back to school at NWFSC where I am working on my RN, Registered Nursing Degree and I know I am not going to stop here. Thank you, Mrs. Carmen Murphy for all the help and encouragement and thank you NWFSC!”

Nicole Mojica, Germany -

Gained her GED in 2012. Graduated from the Police Academy at NWFSC in 2013. Sworn into Crestview Police Department in 2014. Continued to work on Criminal Justice Degree at NWFSC until 2019. Currently attending University of Miami for a Cyber Security Certification.

“I remember my first day of school like it was yesterday. I was pregnant with my second child and the first thing I ask my teacher who at this time was Mrs. Sarah Wiley, if I could eat during class due to being pregnant. She smiled at me and said absolutely. I started class and I struggled. I had tests and I failed. Mrs. Wiley believed in me and supported me. Mrs. Wiley did not let me give up and provided me with everything I needed to succeed, which I did. The point I am trying to get across is that it all starts with getting your GED. This will open up so many doors for anyone in life.”

NWFSC PROFESSOR BRINGS HISTORY TO LIFE Northwest Florida State College History Professor Victoria Stewart is making history more interactive for her students this year. A pop-up display showcasing the ratification of the 19th Amendment in 1920, which gave women the right to vote in the United States of America is located outside of her classroom on the Niceville campus.

Stewart secured the display, entitled, “Rightfully Hers,” by submitting an essay to the U.S. National Archives explaining how the display would benefit the College and her students.

The Rightfully Hers cardboard cube depicts scenes and information outlining the struggle, political change and eventually the expansion of the vote to millions of women leading up to and celebrating the passage of the 19th Amendment in 1920. Stewart was awarded one of only 2,500 pop-ups that were distributed in partnership with the Women’s Suffrage Centennial Commission to museums and places of higher learning nationwide in celebration of the 100th anniversary of women’s right to vote.

The Rightfully Hers Pop-up Display is currently housed outside the NWFSC English/Communications and Social Science office suite in building 420 through December 2020.

JOB CORPS SCHOLARS LAUNCHES AT NWFSC The Job Corps Scholars Program, now in its third month of operation, is focused on extending the reach of higher education through effective pathways that support not only educational success, but also career and personal success among populations that have been underrepresented and frequently underserved.

The Job Corps Scholar (JCS) team currently consists of one Program Director (Valerie Rojas), two Personal Counselors (Rhonda Springfield & Tony Chavez), and one Career Counselor (Cecilia Trevino).

The financial support this program is able to provide for students is key. The JCS program provides tangible assistance with tuition and fees, school supplies, a lunch program in the cafeteria, gas and grocery cards, and food and fresh produce (provided by the Salvation Army). However, a significant impact has been the non-monetary support and encouragement provided to students from families with little to no experience with higher education. Each student is assigned a personal counselor who conducts weekly one-on-one meetings and check-ins.

The launch of this program has also presented new opportunities for community collaboration. The JCS team engaged in an extensive outreach effort which included a mix of government agencies, local businesses, and community and faith based organizations. Partnerships were formed with Chick-Fil-A, who sponsored New Student Orientation, and the FWB - Salvation Army, who recently provided food and fresh produce for our students. JCS is also in the process of forming a partnership with Men’s Warehouse through the Delivering Good partnership, where they will donate professional business attire for any students enrolled in workforce and job readiness programs. This will help prepare students for the interview process and entry into the workforce. There are currently 17 students enrolled in the fall cohort and applications are currently being accepted for Spring 2021.

The feedback received from students enrolled in the program has been positive. Comments from the students include: “You just don’t know how much this is going to help me.” – Layla A. “My grandmother and I were so surprised to get this help; we think we are going to cry.” – Kamari B. “You all have helped me so much; I really didn’t know what I was going to do.” – Janaisha W. For more information please e-mail jcscholars@nwfsc.edu.

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

ARTS AND COMMUNITY Sarah Thomas, who claims the fame of first female NFL official, spoke at NWFSC September 24. The evening was inspirational and empowering.

Sarah Thomas is a woman of many firsts – she was the first female official to ever work a major college football game, the first woman to officiate a bowl game, and the first to officiate in a Big Ten stadium. She is also the first permanent female NFL official and made post-season history during the Patriots/Chargers 2019 AFC Divisional championship.

2020 DIY INTERNATIONAL COASTAL CLEANUP The Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance is teaming with Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup to ensure swimmable, fishable, trash-free waters in our beautiful estuary.

Choctawhatchee Bay is the center of our community whose economy depends on her beautiful waters and abundant marine life. Whether you’re a fisherman, birder, paddle boarder, or restaurant owner, you understand the importance of our watershed. We’re empowering volunteers to hit sites in their community where trash is overlooked or misplaced. We welcome everyone in the Panhandle region to participate, as this will be a “Do-it-yourself” cleanup between September 20 and October 31. Register with CBA for your own International Coastal Cleanup. How will you #CleanOn in 2020?