SCC President's Report, May 2013

PRESIDENT’S REPORT | May 2013

College celebrates 25th Commencement Exercises

More than 840 students were eligible to graduate at SCC’s 25th annual commencement exercises held Saturday, May 18. Some 240 graduates received the “honors,” “high honors” or “highest honors” distinction, many of them are members of

Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society of community colleges. Rod A. Risley, Ph.D., executive director and CEO of Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society of the two-year college, served as the keynote speaker.

Mercy Hospital resident physician receives SCC Distinguished Alumni Award The St. Charles Community College Foundation selected Dr. Natalie Greene, a resident physician at Mercy Hospital, to receive the college’s 2013 Distinguished Alumni Award. The award was presented at the 25th annual SCC commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 18.

Greene, 44, of St. Peters, had aspirations to become a doctor, and decided to pursue a college education to accomplish her dream.

With her husband, Greene created a plan for her education, and SCC was the first step.

“SCC gave me confidence that I was moving in the right direction,” said Greene. “It really prepared me for the rest of my education.”

Greene contributes her leadership skills to the experience she gained at SCC as an active member of the Student Senate. She served as Student Senate president and was also a member of PTK while at SCC. “I loved being involved,” said Greene. “It was important to me to be a strong voice for

Nursing student uses classroom skills at scene of recent accident

President Ron Chesbrough (right) and Chris Breitmeyer recognize nursing student Michelle Hess (center left) and nursing professor Amy Koehler for their dedication.

On Michelle Hess, SCC 2013 associate degree nursing graduate, recently found herself the first person on the scene of a horrific head-on collision in Troy. She soon heard her professor, Amy Koehler, in her head repeating, “Assess the situation. Don’t pull anyone out of the car unless they are in immediate danger. Assess for LOC. Stay calm.”

She did just that. Assessed the situation and took action in a calm manner. She was soon assisted by an off-duty EMT and the ambulance and police arrived just 10 minutes later.

See “Nursing Alumna,” p. 2

A Thank You From the President the students. It was my way of giving back.”

She graduated in May 2001 and was selected to speak at the commencement ceremony.

After SCC, Greene went on and earned her bachelor’s degree at University of Missouri – St. Louis and doctorate at Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine – A.T. Still University. She is finishing her residency at Mercy Hospital, where she provides care to the community while supervising medical interns.

Greene has accepted a position as the medical director and physician for Macoupin County Health Department of Illinois to begin after the completion of her residency.

“Debra Crank-Lewis has served as Faculty Senate President for two years, encompassing all of my time here. It has been an honor and a privilege to work with Debra in this role. I look forward to working with our new Faculty Association President, Darren Osburn.”

DEBRA CRANK-LEWIS Recently completed second year as Faculty Senate President

Long-Range Planning teams begin work SCC’s Long-Range Steering Committee has wrapped up their work on the strategic plan and components were rolled out to the campus community in early May, including six strategic directions, new mission and vision statements and updated values, according to Kasey McKee, vice president for college advancement.

Cross-departmental teams are already working to address the first of five rounds of plan objectives. Round One is expected to end later in the fall just as Round Two begins. All objectives will be addressed by spring 2017.

State audit update Representatives from the Missouri State Auditor’s Office began conducting an audit of the college on April 9 and are expected to remain on campus through June or later.

SCC was selected arbitrarily and not as a result of a concern or complaint. The two- to three-member team is focusing on the college’s controls, processes, policies and matters of compliance, according to Todd Galbierz, SCC vice president for administrative services.

Interviews with departments are underway as they continue their on-campus work. The full report is not expected until the end of the calendar year.

Nursing Alumna Continued from page 1 On the cusp of graduation, Michelle found herself in an unexpected emergency situation, something, that coincidentally, was part of a class exercise just days before the accident.

On her drive home from the accident, Michelle said “I just kept thinking about how everything I did at the scene, all the knowledge I had, was because you (Amy Koehler) taught it to me. Not only did you teach it, you taught it well, and I remembered everything you said.”

Michelle’s experience is just one example of the impact our faculty make on the lives of SCC students and, by extension, the community. Michelle and Amy were recognized by President Ron Chesbrough at a recent Cabinet meeting for their work.

College takes time to thank employees From celebrating employees for their work throughout the year or sending long-serving faculty and staff off with kind reflections, May brought together the SCC family in celebration.

On May 2 and May 16, receptions were held to honor some 15 faculty and staff who are retiring from the college this summer.

Colleagues shared memories and thanks for the work and dedication of the retirees. Just one day after Cinco de Mayo, the Special Events Committee planned a Mexican-themed Employee Appreciation lunch. A carefullycrafted menu, decorations, nametags and games were all a part of the festivities held in the campus plaza on a bright and brisk afternoon.

CAMPUS ABUZZ WITH SPRINGTIME ACTIVITIES

L to R – Karen Vossenkemper, Kevin Patton, Tana Burton, Hal Berry, Terri Borger and Candace Cundiff at the May 2 retirement celebration.

L to R – Chris Scherer, Dennis Fleming and Floretha Johnson at the May 16 retirement celebration in the College Center.

Spring is a busy time on any college campus and SCC is no exceptions. Whether a Center Stage Theatre production, Rhythm & Ribs, RUN. LIVE. LEARN. or a National Crime Victims’ Rights Week tree planting, there was no shortage of things to do or people to see!

Check out various event photos on the top of page one and to the right.

Karen Jones named Dean of Arts, Humanities and Social Science education transfer curriculum for Karen Jones, an original the state’s community colleges. Her member of the SCC faculty hired in leadership in developing and supervising 1987, has been named the dean of the college’s semester abroad program arts, humanities and social science.

She has served as interim dean at Canterbury, England, continues to since August 2012, and prior to her give students rich opportunities for interim appointment SCC professor personal growth and greater global of English and coordinator of understanding. assessment and planning for the In 2012, Jones was awarded the KAREN JONES English Department.

Missouri Humanities Exemplary Dean of Arts, Humanities Jones’ vision and dedication Community Achievement Award for and Social Science helped establish St. Charles her dedication both in and out of Community College in 1986. Jones served on the classroom. In 2011, she was named one of the statewide Department of Higher Education Streetscape Magazine’s “The Top 50 Among the Best committee that developed a common general Business Leaders” for her work at SCC.

Development efforts under way for Center for Nursing and Allied Health Visits with area healthcare organizations have begun with the goal to raise funds that will enhance academic programs and establish endowed scholarships in support of the college’s move to the new Lindenwood UniversitySt. Charles Community College Center for Nursing and Allied Health Sciences at the former Barat Academy in Dardenne Prairie.

SCC President Ron Chesbrough and Kasey McKee, vice president for college advancement, have led the charge to encourage support of the effort that also includes naming rights for SCC’s new Virtual Hospital housed in the center that is slated to open in August.

For more information, contact Kasey McKee at kmckee@stchas.edu/636-922-8472.

Herbel named 2013-14 Faculty of the Year by her peers Vicky Herbel, associate professor of sociology, has been named SCC Outstanding Faculty Member of the Year.

The honor was announced at the annual Faculty Celebration held VICKY HERBEL Associate Professor of Psychology, on May 17. Herbel 2013-14 Faculty of the Year has been a full-time faculty member since 2006.

In 2011, Herbel received the Missouri Community College Association’s Global Educator Award. The award was presented in recognition of Herbel’s service to SCC and to the mission of community colleges throughout the state.

Herbel initiated the college’s first celebration of Black History Month in 2008, and since then she has brought donations in from the community to support dynamic, fun, educational programming to celebrate other heritage months.

She worked with student activities staff to establish a collaborative campus multicultural programming committee.

Partnership provides grants for area schools Programs from area schools received more than $3,500 in spring 2013 mini-grants from the St. Charles County Alliance for Business, Learning and Education (ABLE), a partnership between local businesses, education organizations and SCC. The following programs received funding.

Messiah Lutheran School received $500 for students in fourth and fifth grades to use Legos to learn science, math and technology.

DuBray Middle School (Fort Zumwalt School District) received $440 for a fourday STEM Rocket Camp where students will learn problem-solving skills, critical thinking skills, motivation and the ability to work collaboratively in groups. The sessions will be taught by science, mathematics and technology teachers and volunteers from Boeing will assist students with their projects.

St. Charles West High School received $500 to provide booklets to eighth grade students to put together their personal plan of study and align it with their career pathway of interest.

Orchard Farm Middle School received $270 for students to learn how to create a commercial, and about careers in marketing/ entrepreneurship.

Orchard Farm Middle School received $448 for the career/life skills readiness program, Eagle Explorers, which gives students with limited functional fine motor skills the ability to independently access career exploration websites and participate in activities that encourage social and life skills for future success.

Orchard Farm High School received $375 for surveying equipment to create a plot drawing from data collected, learning about careers in engineering, construction and landscaping.

Discovery Elementary School (Orchard Farm School District) received $500 toward its career fair, where elementary students will learn career information from parents and the community.

Francis Howell High School received $408 for Science Career Day, open to sophomores, juniors and seniors enrolled in a science course.

Boone Trail Elementary (Wentzville School District) received $250 for its career day, where they will visit with professionals and learn work habits.

The purpose of the ABLE Mini-Grants for Schools Program is to provide funds and support to teachers in participating school districts for school enrichment programs that focus on career development, career exploration and career readiness skills. For details, contact Tammie De Los Santos at 636-922-8342 or TDeLosSantos@stchas.edu.

New outreach program and other college and career readiness efforts implemented at SCC thanks to College Access Challenge Grant St. Charles Community College welcomed 76 high school students to visit and learn about the college April 24-26, as part of the new Smart Start to Success Outreach Program. The program was made possible by the Missouri Department of Higher Education’s College Access Challenge Grant, a grant that challenges students to pursue post-secondary educational opportunities.

“The new program provided students with information, strategies and resources to help make a successful transition to college, many of whom might face a variety of obstacles,” said Tammie De Los Santos, SCC manager of workforce development initiatives.

Students from Orchard Farm, Winfield, Elsberry and Wright City schools participated in the event, and nearly all of the students were able to register for fall classes at SCC the same day of the visit.

While on campus, students had the opportunity to take a portion of their placement test, meet with counselors to determine their schedule, utilize SCC’s Smart Start online

Two students from Wright City High School meet with Brian Legate and Sara Brodribb in the Enrollment Services Department to register for classes at SCC.

program and register for classes. The day also included presentations on financial aid, the A+ Schools Program and SALT, a financial literacy program. Students took tours of the campus and had lunch with SCC’s Phi Theta Kappa honor students.

The program was one of several college and career readiness initiatives in 2012-13, funded with the $98,675 MDHE College Access Challenge Grant. The grant served the students of Orchard Farm, Winfield, Elsberry, Wright City and Montgomery County school districts.

CDC children celebrate the season The Child Development Center hosted its annual Spring Celebration May 3 in the theater of the Donald D. Shook Fine Arts Building. Children and their teachers shared music, movement, songs and stories with their families and friends. More than 450 people from the campus and community attended the show and stayed for refreshments afterward.