Education News

SCC’s Health Science Center ready this fall

As workers apply the last few coats of paint and other finishing touches this summer, Southwestern Community College officials are making sure everything’s ready to open at their new Health Sciences Center to students this fall on the Jackson Campus.

By the time the new school year begins on Aug. 16, SCC will be able to accept 144 more health sciences students than it could have a year ago. Existing programs are able to take additional students, and two new programs are being added: Surgical Technology and Opticianry.

Built at a cost of approximately $21 million, the 55,411-square-foot building will allow SCC to expand enrollment and instruction in each of its 14 existing programs and add two new ones (Surgical Technology and Opticianry), pending SACSCOC approval.

A number of programs will offer free community clinics in the new building as an essential part of the learning process, including Medical Assisting, Medical Laboratory Technology, Medical Sonography, Nursing, Occupational Therapy Assistant, Physical Therapist Assistant, Pulmonary Function Testing and Rehabilitation, Substance Abuse Counseling and Recovery and Therapeutic Massage.

Funding sources for the project include more than $13 million from Jackson County, $5.4 million from the ConnectNC bond and more than $2 million will be covered by an Economic Development Administration grant secured by SCC and Jackson County.

WCU offers online financial planning

Western Carolina University will offer a new online option for students seeking a bachelor’s degree in finance with a concentration in financial planning, beginning in the fall semester 2021, for both traditional and nontraditional students. Students who complete the concentration are then eligible to take the Certified Financial Planner Certification exam and pursue careers in financial planning, stock brokerage, insurance and other financial services.

WCU has been listed among the nation’s best providers of online degree programs by U.S. News & World Report and is the only Certified Financial Planning Board-certified bachelor’s degree program in the state. The Certified Financial Planner concentration is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

For more information or to register, contact the finance department at 828.227.7412 or business@wcu.edu.

Gala to raise funds for SCC scholarships

A sure sign life’s returning to normal is the return of Southwestern Community College’s annual fundraising gala.

The seventh “Boots, Blue Jeans & Bling” is scheduled for 6 p.m. on the second Saturday in September at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort.

Since SCC’s first gala in 2014, the annual event has raised nearly $400,000 to support student scholarships, including more than $40,000 that was given last year despite the college being unable to hold the gala.

Individual tickets are $150, and table sponsorships start at $1,500. Everyone who attends will enjoy a meal crafted by Harrah’s chefs. Providing the music will be Crocodile Smile, a versatile dance band from Asheville.

There will also be a number of activities including corn hole, a best-dressed contest, a silent auction, wine pull in addition to a new “Best Boot Contest.”

Tickets are now available at www.SouthwesternCC.edu/gala. For more information, contact Kathy Posey at 828.339.4227 or k_posey@SouthwesternCC.edu.

Farmer earns coaching certification

Betty Farmer, professor of communication at Western Carolina University and business consultant and trainer, has earned a Social and Emotional Intelligence Coaching Certification from the Institute for Social and Emotional Intelligence.

Farmer joins the ranks of approximately 1,200 ISEI certified coaches worldwide.

“I’m thrilled to have completed this certification course. Emotional and social intelligence is absolutely essential in the workplace, and I enjoy helping people develop their skills in this area. It’s work that makes a difference,” said Farmer.

Emotional intelligence encompasses many skill sets, such as empathy, stress management, resilience, effective conflict management, catalyzing change, teamwork and collaboration and inspirational leadership, among others.

This certification enables Farmer to administer the Social and Emotional Intelligence Profile, which is the most comprehensive, fully validated and statistically reliable social and emotional intelligence instrument on the market today. After completing the SEIP, individuals receive a 40-page report with scores on and tips for developing 26 emotional and social intelligence competencies.

Farmer provides workshops and training on a variety of managerial and leadership topics both as an independent consultant, as well as through WCU’s Office of Professional Growth and Enrichment. Contact Farmer at bfarmer@wcu.edu or visit pdp.wcu.edu for upcoming workshops.

Scholarships awarded to WNC students

The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina recently approved scholarships totaling $410,250 to 91 WNC students in 60 schools in 19 counties.

Top recipients include Maya Cruz from Cherokee High School who was awarded the Clyde and Mildred Wright Endowment Fund Scholarship valued at $20,000 over four years and Delaney Rodriguez from Smoky Mountain High School, who was awarded the Gene and Lee Meyer Scholarship valued at $12,000.

Devin Bryson of Blue Ridge School, Emma Budden of Jackson County Early College High School, Ella Day of Blue Ridge School, Aaron Hough of Haywood Early College High School, Abigail Nichols of Highlands School and Natalie Parris of Smoky Mountain High School were also awarded.

Scholarship endowments can have broad eligibility criteria or can be focused on a particular school or county, offered to students pursuing a degree in a stated field or available to those who will attend a designated college or university.

Learn more at www.cfwnc.org.

SRCA appoints new chairwoman

The Shining Rock Classical Academy Board of Directors recently elected Melanie Norman to serve as board chair and finalized an agreement for a three-year contract extension for Head of School Joshua Morgan.

Norman said this was the first multi-year contract in SRCA’s history.

“Shining Rock is beginning a new phase of public charter school development. We’re starting a PreK and a high school program this year. We are moving into our permanent facility in a few weeks and significantly increasing our enrollment. To ensure the school’s ongoing success, the board felt it was vital to maintain the strong leadership offered by Mr. Morgan,” she said.

Morgan has served at SRCA since June 2018 and became the Head of School in 2019. During his tenure as school leader, he has conducted successful outreach and grown the school’s enrollment by 67%. He’s also partnered with the board to complete all of the necessary steps to open the doors to its beautiful permanent home this coming school year. The terms of the contract are for three years with a base salary of $90,000.

Norman is beginning her third year as a member of the SRCA board. During her time on the board she has served as the secretary and vicechair before being nominated to serve as chair.

HyFlex allows for hybrid classes

Many are breathing a sigh of relief as normalcy begins to return, and students eagerly await their return to traditional classes.

For those who may still be anxious, however, Southwestern Community College is offering opportunities to pursue their education from the comfort of students’ homes so that they may feel safe. This fall, SCC instructors will be offering courses through HyFlex, a course delivery system where instructors teach on campus while students attend class remotely.

While SCC will still be returning to normal functions, this new method gives students the option to attend class in a way that feels safest for them. Every semester after classes begin, SCC offers a selection of courses to allow new students an opportunity to enroll and current students can increase their course load.

A camera and microphone will track instructors as they teach, allowing students to learn in real time and access recordings at a later time. SCC’s E-Learning Department will be providing support to ensure that the technology works properly and the instructors can use it at its full potential.

For more information about HyFlex, contact Bethany Emory at b_emory@southwesterncc.edu or 828.339.4261.