Education
Smoky Mountain News
18th for social mobility and 25th overall in regional universities, public and private, in the South. The listing of ninth as a regional best value is especially telling, as the university’s previous ranking of 14th did not fully reflect NC Promise, which reduces the cost of tuition to $500 per semester for North Carolina residents and $2,500 per semester for students from out of state.
SCC to host state debate In September, students in Dr. Bucky Dann’s Social Problems class hosted debates featuring candidates for national and local office. Following the Sept. 24 event featuring candidates for Jackson County Board of Commissioners, students will now delve into statewide issues in preparation for a debate between Joe Sam Queen (D) and Mike Clampitt (R), candidates for N.C. House of Representatives, Dist. 119. That debate will take place at 7 p.m. on Oct. 8 on Southwestern’s Jackson Campus. Due to COVID-19 and related statewide restrictions, the public will not be able to physically attend. Instead, SCC will provide live streaming video at livestream.com/southwesterncc/nchouse119. The final debate of this campaign season will be at 7 p.m. on Oct. 22 featuring Kevin Corbin (R) and Victoria Fox (D) - candidates for N.C. Senate, District 50.
Register for fall at HCC Registration is still open at Haywood Community College for classes this fall. Online courses for an eight-week session will start in October. Choose from classes such as art and biology to humanities and music. Work from the safety of your home while saving money on your education. According to Wendy Hines, HCC Vice President of Instruction, “HCC has increased our eight-week offerings this fall to assist students with their educational journey. A variety of courses are being offered to meet individual student needs and interests. We’re offering these courses online to allow students to be enrolled in college while balancing their family and work demands.” Classes start on Oct. 13. For more information, call 828.627.2821, email hcc-advising@haywood.edu or visit www.haywood.edu.
WCU offers beginning German class Western Carolina University’s Office of Professional Growth and Enrichment will be offering a five-week online beginning German language course Oct. 12 through Nov. 13. “This is a self-contained, conversation-based beginning German course designed for adults and built around high-quality, original electronic materials,” said instructor Dr. Will Lehman, associate professor of German at WCU. Lehman designed the electronic materials himself and they are available to students at no additional cost. Topics to be covered include: formal and informal introductions, origins and hometowns, shopping, traveling, eating, clothing and colors, among others. The cost for registration is $79. For more information and to register, visit learn.wcu.edu/language or call 828.227.7397.
Stuff the Bus for Jackson schools Heroes 2 Legends Wrestling is partnering with Jackson County Public Schools, the Jackson County Rescue Squad and Dr. Clifford Mault Family Medicine to bring “Staff The Buss 2020” to the Jackson County Rescue Squad in Sylva. Last school year, while 1 in 35 school-aged students in Jackson County experienced homelessness, many others were on the brink of losing their homes if not for the support of community organizations just like this one. The Stuff The Bus program uses money donated to purchase needs that include: hygiene products, clothing, school supplies, and food, while also helping families in need reach out to other programs in the county for more long-term stability. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the bell time is at 6:30. All tickets are $5 at the door. Seating is first-come, first-serve.
SCC gets funding for Nurse Aide program Enrollment in Southwestern Community College’s Nurse Aide program just got a lot more affordable. The North Carolina Community College’s System has recently awarded grant money to support students enrolled in the Nurse Aide Program at SCC. The North Carolina Targeted Assistance Program (NCTAP) is a state grant program designed to increase enrollment for high-demand occupations. This year, the grant will be providing scholarships to eligible students in SCC’s Nurse Aide program to cover costs for their spring 2021 tuition. SCC’s Nurse Aide program prepares students to become certified nursing assistants (CNAs). CNAs help care for physically or mentally ill, injured or disabled individuals in hospitals, nurs-
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Perry recognized as top professional
ing and personal care facilities and mental health settings. Working under the supervision of nurses, CNAs perform much-needed daily tasks such as serving meals, making beds and helping patients eat, dress and bathe. For more information on the Nurse Aide program, contact Conner at d_conner@southwesterncc.edu or by calling 828.339.4459.
WCU to delay spring semester start Western Carolina University has announced plans for the 2021 spring semester that include delaying the start of classes by two weeks, eliminating the traditional weeklong spring break and providing an abbreviated midterm break. Instruction for spring 2021 will continue to be offered through a blend of face-to-face, online and hybrid course delivery. An abbreviated mid semester break has been scheduled to coincide with the Easter holiday, with no classes to be held Thursday, April 1, through Monday, April 5. The last day of classes for the spring semester is Friday, May 7, followed by final exams Saturday, May 8, through Friday, May 14. Spring commencement ceremonies are tentatively set for Friday, May 14, and Saturday, May 15, although those dates are subject to change.
WCU in top listings of universities The annual U.S. News & World Report rankings of colleges and universities for 2021 places Western Carolina University firmly in an upper echelon of institutions of higher education. WCU is among the top 10 in two categories — 10th among public universities in the South and ninth as a best value university in the South. The university also is listed as 13th best for veterans,
April Perry, an associate professor in the College of Education and Allied Professions at Western Carolina University, has been named to the Standout Blue Ridge Class of 2020 by the Carolinas’ chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. The 15 honorees exemplify leadership qualities, are active in volunteer roles and have excelled in their chosen profession and community, with those selected deemed among the most prominent, influential and successful in Western North Carolina. As an honoree, Perry will participate in opportunities to network with her fellow class members, learn more about cystic fibrosis, help spread awareness about the disease and raise critical funds for research, drug development, and care and support programs. “I feel incredibly honored to be selected as a Standout young professional for the Western North Carolina region,” Perry said. “The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is doing amazing work and research to help those in need in our community. I’ve learned so much about CF through this experience, and I’m excited to continue to bring awareness to others.” Perry will be formally recognized for her achievements during a virtual celebration on Nov. 5.
• With the wrap up of Summer Learning and the beginning of a new school year, Marianna Black Library thanks this year’s participants for the Imagine Your Story Summer Learning Program of 2020. Congratulations to two well accomplished readers — Daingr Rowlan, 8, and Oskar Rowlan, 5 — they are this year’s top reader and received grand prizes for Summer Learning.
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• Southwestern Community College is launching an “Enroll Anytime” selection of classes this semester. Students can earn as much credit as they can fit into their schedules, and new sections begin every week from Sept. 8 through Nov. 2. All classes end on Dec. 4. A complete list of course offerings is available at www.SouthwesternCC.edu. • Lisa Leatherman, Nantahala District Manager for Duke Energy Carolinas, has begun serving as Chair of the SCC Foundation Board. Leatherman, who has helped the SCC Foundation raise more than $22,000 since 2015, recently secured an additional $5,000 from the Duke Energy Foundation toward the New Century Scholars (NCS) program.
