President`s Newsletter - Madisonville Community College

MADISONVILLE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
President’s
Newsletter
Vol. 16, No. 8 - May/June 2014
Celebrating Our 45th Commencement Exercise
Judith Rhoads, Ed.D., President
May is always an exciting time of the year for faculty, staff, and students! Madisonville Community College
hosted over 2,000 guests during the college’s 45th commencement exercises on Friday, May 9. The 5:30 p.m.
ceremony featured Audrey Martin, a December 2013 MCC graduate, as the commencement speaker and graduates were awarded associate in arts, associate in science, and associate in applied science degrees and diplomas.
The 7:30 p.m. ceremony included graduates completing either the associate in applied science degree or the diploma in the remaining social science, technical, and allied health programs. The speaker was Dylan Melton, a May
2014 graduate of the Advanced Integrated Technology program. The MCC Singers, under the direction of Dr. Bill Thomas and acco mpanied by Angela Thomas, performed Look to This Day, For It is Life by Greg Gilpin and My Old Kentucky Home with lyrics by Stephen
Foster and arrangement by Robert Wagner at both ceremonies. MCC awarded 1,234 credentials (degrees, diplomas, and certificates) during the 2013-2014 academic year.
I was pleased to award Joe Ben Tucker of Muhlenberg County an Honorary Associate in Humane Letters degree during the first ceremony. Tucker is the third person in MCC’s history to
receive such a distinction; he joins the late 10th District State Representative Joseph “Eddie”
Ballard of Madisonville and the late MCC Associate Professor of History Dr. Bill Winstead of
Dixon. Mr. Tucker is owner and CEO of Tucker Funeral Homes of Central City, Sacramento
and Beechmont, and has been a college advocate and effective Madisonville College Foundation member for two decades.
Brook Blackburn of Madisonville and formerly of Caldwell County was selected by MCC faculty to receive the 2013-2014 Outstanding Student award. She has served as president of
MCC’s Students Investigating Math and Science club, was a Phi Theta Kappa honor society
Joe Ben Tucker (right) is pictured with
member, and received
John Peters and President Rhoads.
the outstanding humanities student in English award. Brook plans to transfer to the
University of Louisville this fall. Brook is pictured with MCC
Chief Student Affairs Officer Dr. Jay Parrent.
Dr. Robin West, History Instructor, was selected by MCC students
as the 2014 Outstanding Faculty Member. Dr. West has instilled
in students a thirst for knowledge and has inspired hundreds of
students to further study history. He is known to students as
someone who not only sets high expectations for learning, but
never fails to provide the time and individualized attention necessary for them to achieve at that level. Dr. West is pictured with
MCC Chief Academic Affairs Officer Dr. Deborah Cox.
Brook Blackburn
2014 Outstanding Student
Dr. Robin West
2014 Outstanding Faculty Member
Congratulations to all!
In this issue:
Page 2 - Employee News; Page 3 - New Horizons Employee & Student Awards; Page 4 - Biomedical Technology Systems Program; Page 5 - FSE & College Awareness Activities; Page 6 - Davenport Memorial Endowment Scholarships; Page 7 - Homeland Security Training; Page 8 - Clinical Simulation Drill; Page 9 - Kentucky Junior Coal
Academy; Page 10 - Personal Effectiveness Skills Initiative; Page 11 - Frymire Family Professional Award Series; Page 12 - Economic Growth & Education Luncheon plus
upcoming events.
KENTUCKY COMMUNITY & TECHNICAL COLLEGE SYSTEM
President’s Newsletter
2
Employee News
Shannon Allen, Nur sing Division Chair , attended a simulation conference at Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA, on
May 18-23.
Jeff Bidwell and Amy Crick, Sur gical Technology pr ogr am
faculty members, attended the 2014 AST (Association of Surgical Technologists) National Conference on May 26-30 in Denver, CO.
Tim Davis, Associate Pr ofessor in the Cr iminal J ustice pr ogram, attended the Kentucky State Fraternal Order of Police
State Memorial Service on May 5 in Frankfort, KY, and the
National Fraternal Order of Police Memorial Service on May
12-16 in Washington, DC.
Mike Deal and Darlena Gallegos, AIT faculty member s,
have been selected to present at STEMtech 2014 in Denver,
CO, on November 9-12.
Mike Deal, Assistant Pr ofessor in the AIT pr ogr am, ser ved
as a classroom volunteer for the Junior Achievement of West
Kentucky program at Muhlenberg North Middle School during
the 2013-2014 school year. In this role, he helped local students better understand financial literacy, work readiness skills,
and entrepreneurship.
Clarissa Hill and Kim Simons, PBL advisor s, tr aveled with
9 Phi Beta Lambda members to the National Leadership Conference held at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention
Center in Nashville, TN, on June 24-27. Representing MCC in
competitions at the conference, our students made it to the final
rounds and ranked among the top 15 in the nation.
Joey Jones, pr ofessor and pr ogr am coor dinator of the Biomedical Technology Systems (BTS) program, attended the
2014 Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) Conference and Expo held in Philadelphia, PA
from May 31 to June 2. During the 3-day event, Jones attended several general sessions, a variety of educational sessions, a
round-table discussion with other biomedical equipment technology instructors from across the country, and the expo. The
conference was intense in information but rewarding in content
as well as being able to network with others working in the
field. Many of the educational sessions focused on alarm management, interoperability, and cyber security. One of Joey’s
favorite educational sessions was titled “Transforming Care in
Non-ICU Settings through Disruptive Continuous Monitoring
Technology” presented by Sotera Wireless and focused on organizational readiness and the clinical and financial improvements that can be realized by adopting disruptive technology.
Joey will be submitting a proposal to present an educational
session at next year’s conference on the integration of science
and technology in clinical laboratory technology.
Octavia Lawrence, academic advisor in the Enr ollment
Center, was awarded the Wesley R. Habley National Academic
Advising Association (NACADA) Summer Institute Scholar-
ship. The award honors Lawrence for her contributions to the
improvement of academic advising. Lawrence attended the
2014 NACADA Summer Institute in Portland, Oregon, on June
22-27.
Lisa Lee, Associate Pr ofessor of Education, attended the
Kentucky Association of Teacher Educators Board meeting and
the Professional Growth and Effectiveness System workshop in
Frankfort on April 8.
Faith Lutz, Assistant Pr ofessor in the Nur sing pr ogr am, has
been accepted into the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program at Eastern Kentucky University.
Chandy Melton and Dr. Robin West, Histor y faculty members, have been working to restructure HIS 108 and 109 (the
American history survey courses) for three semesters. After
examining completion rates for those courses, they worked with
Greg Jewell, Teaching & Lear ning Coor dinator , to make
changes that will ensure consistency and increase completion. Competencies, written learning objectives, and designed
student activities centered on active learning and problembased learning were defined and a new textbook for the HIS
108/109 series was selected. A common assessment and rubric
are now in place for all HIS 108 students. The next step is to
analyze the results of the common assessments.
Sonya Shockley, Associate Pr ofessor in the CIS pr ogr am,
attended the Master Trainer Course in Jamestown, KY, on June
11.
Kim Simons, Pr ofessor in the Business Administr ation Systems program, represented MCC at “The Next Big Thing” competition held at Murray State University on April 28. Simons
also attended the Ice House Entrepreneurship Program Training
on June 2-5 in Kansas City, MO.
Marsha Woodall, Nur sing Pr ogr am Coor dinator , attended
the Kentucky Nursing Capacity Consortium meeting on June 6.
Jessica Fugate is the Office
Support Assistant for the
Workforce Connections/You
Make A Difference program.
She holds an Associate in Applied Science degree in Information Technology from MCC and a Bachelor of Science degree in Telecommunications Systems Management from Murray State University. Her start date was June 2.
President’s Newsletter
3
Our Outstanding Faculty and Staff
Nena Matheny, Britney Mitchell, and Dr. John Lowbridge were recognized for their leadership and significant achievements at the
KCTCS 2014 Faculty and Staff Awards of Excellence luncheon held on Monday, May 19, at the Owensboro Convention Center.
Nena Matheny
Senior Administrative Assistant
Britney Mitchell
Manager of Assessment & Testing
Dr. John Lowbridge
Associate Professor of Chemistry
KCTCS All-Academic Team Members
Jo Anna Cravens and Audrey L. Martin were honored as members of the Kentucky
Community and Technical College System’s 2014 All-Academic Team during the
13th annual KCTCS All-Academic Team Student Awards Luncheon held on May 20
at the Owensboro Convention Center in Owensboro, KY.
Martin and Cravens each received a $500 gift as well as scholarship opportunities to
continue their education from various Kentucky public and private universities.
The second phase of the Go KCTCS! Student service center formally launched on
June 2. Students can now call MCC’s
GoKCTCS! phone number (855.554.6622)
for all of their admissions, registration, records, financial aid, or password questions
and issues.
Audrey L. Martin
pictured with MCC President Dr.
Judith L. Rhoads
Jo Anna Cravens
Get your hands on
the new free KCTCS
app for iPhone,
Droid or Blackberry,
and you will have
Madisonville—and
all of the KCTCS
colleges—at
your
fingertips. Download now at the Apple
App Store, Android Market, and Blackberry App World or visit kctcs.edu/app
for more information.
President’s Newsletter
4
Mackey Takes First Place in
Pre-Shift Contests
David Mackey, team member on the Kentucky Coal Academy/Madisonville Community
College Mine Rescue Team, took 1st place in the 2014 West Kentucky Mine Institute
Annual Pre-Shift Contest held in Madisonville on May 22. Mackey also placed first in the
2014 Indiana State Pre-Shift Contest held on June 4-5 in Vincennes, Indiana.
Pre-Shift contests judge the ability of the “Mine Examiner” to find and correct any hazard
or condition that could affect the safety and health of coal miners. Mackey is employed
by KenAmerican Resources at the Paradise mine near Central City. He has been a KCA/
MCC team member for 4 years and currently serves as the mapman on the team.
Wolfe Attends Field
Stakeholder Seminars
on MSHA’s Final Rule
on Lowering Miners'
Exposure to Respirable
Coal Dust
MCC Mining Instructor Randy Wolfe attended a
Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA)
field seminar in Evansville, IN, on May 29 to gain
knowledge of the new requirements of 30 Code of
Federal Regulations Parts 70, 71, 72, 75 and 90.
The new requirements are a step forward in the effort to end black lung disease by issuing a final rule
to reduce miners’ exposure to respirable coal dust.
The new rule takes effect August 1, 2014 and accomplishes the following:
BTS Program Featured in
National Magazine
MCC BTS Program Coordinator Joey Jones
is pictured with the current issue of the 24x7
magazine in the BTS lab
MCC’s Biomedical Technology
Systems (BTS) program was recently featured in the May 2014
edition
of
the
nationallyrecognized magazine 24x7 for its
holistically-designed curriculum.
The BTS program trains students
how to repair, maintain, and manage all types of medical devices,
equipment, and systems utilized in
various healthcare sectors. The
holistic curriculum looks not only
at the medical technology itself
but also at the environmental
“external” factors which impact
the operation and performance of
the technology over its entire life
cycle.
Lowers the concentration of dust in the air that
miners breathe and improves sampling practices to better reflect actual working conditions
and protect all miners from overexposures;
Increases sampling and makes use of cuttingedge technology developed for the mining environment to provide real-time information
about dust levels, allowing miners and operators to identify problems and make necessary
adjustments instead of letting overexposures
languish. Requires immediate corrective action
for excessive levels of dust; and
Has a common sense phase-in over a two-year
period to give the industry the time it needs to
adjust to the new requirements, acquire monitoring equipment, and obtain compliance assistance from MSHA.
Besides its holistic approach to the overall care and safety of medical
equipment and systems, the MCC’s BTS program has several other
unique features:
 It is the only public program of its type in Kentucky with only
around 74 programs nationwide.
 It is highly accessible with its online delivery and one-day-a-week
lab sessions.
 It has 6 embedded certificates in the Associate in Applied Science
(AAS) degree option that give graduates added employability status.
Attending the seminar for the discussions provided
Wolfe with a better understanding of the extent and
interpretation of the laws for discussion in the classroom.
To find out more about the BTS program and/or schedule an appointment, contact Joey Jones at 270-824-1759 or e-mail joey.jones@kctcs.edu. Additional program information can be found on
MCC’s website at madisonville.kctcs.edu.



According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics provided by the US Department of Labor, the job outlook for the occupation of “medical equipment
repairer” is projected to grow 30% from 2012 to 2022, much faster than
the average for all occupations. Greater demand for healthcare services
and the use of increasingly complex medical equipment will drive employment growth. Those who have an associate’s degree in biomedical
equipment technology or engineering would have the best job opportunities.
President’s Newsletter
5
First Semester Experience Pilot Project
Logan Davenport, a senior at Dawson Springs High School, is pictured with Chris Woodall, MCC
Enrollment Center, during their advising session on April 29. Logan is one of 15 incoming freshmen who participated in a First Semester Experience pilot project this spring. The project, offered
with the cooperation of Dawson Springs High School, allowed seniors to receive an early one-onone new student orientation session in lieu of the traditional summer orientation. Students also
registered for classes and had the option to visit financial aid, records, the bookstore, and to receive
a campus tour.
College Awareness
Activities
With the help of MCC’s spring 2014
early college awareness activity volunteers, we welcomed over 1,300 elementary and middle school students,
their teachers, and chaperones for a
fun, engaging day on campus. Programs included “I’m Going to College” (Hopkins County 2nd & 5th
grade, Livermore kindergarten) and
“College Bound” (Muhlenberg County
6th grade).
Special thanks to Kathy Ordal, Donald
Frasier, and the maintenance staff for
their assistance and to the following
volunteers:
Bart Allen
Betsy Allen
Sharon Allen
Wes Ausenbaugh
Candace Bennett
Tate Bennett
Dawn Chumley
Martha Davis
Sharie Davis
Corey Downey
Marcia Evans
Jeff Florea
Katrina Florea
Sharon Fugate
Brittney HernandezStevenson
Kim Higgs
Lisa Howerton
Penny Jessup
Casey Johnson
Lori Johnson
Joey Jones
Octavia Lawrence
Elyssa Lear
Anna Leasure
Tracy Littlehale
Colin Magee
Silas Matchem
Nancy McClearn
Abby McGregorMullen
Britney Mitchell
Kim Morrow
Temesia Perdue
Roshun Radford
Janet Railey
Heather Roy
Dr. Mike Shifflett
Pam Smith
Jenny Summerford
Dr. Aseem Talukdar
Dawn Tillen
Dr. Scott Vander
Ploeg
Cathy Vaughan
Brenda Weber
Jennifer Welch
Dr. Robin West
Lydia Wilson
For more information about getting
involved in early college awareness
activities, contact Aimee Wilkerson or
Vincent Wilson.
Education Majors Receive Ethics Training
Cassie Trueblood, staff attorney for the Education Professional Standards Board, presented to local education majors on April 22. The training focused on the Professional Code of Ethics for Kentucky Certified School Personnel. The Code of Ethics establishes the ethical standards to which certified employees must adhere and the violation which may result in the revocation or suspension of their Kentucky teacher/
administrator certification. The presentation was quite informative, offering insight
into a critical aspect of their future careers as classroom teachers.
C.R.O.S.S. (Christ Reaching Out Saving Students)
by Connie Harralson, Campus Liaison
CROSS is the Baptist Collegiate Ministry organization for Madisonville Community
College. Although it is a Baptist sponsored ministry, the meetings are open to all students, faculty and staff regardless of church affiliation or denomination. Regularly
scheduled meetings during the fall and spring semesters were:
 Muhlenberg Campus – Mondays from 12:15-12:50 p.m. in room 101
 North Campus – Wednesdays from 12:15-1 p.m. in room 309/JHG Building
 Health Sciences Campus – Thursdays from 12-1 p.m. in room 214/215 Hatley Building
Meetings consisted of a time of fellowship, music, topic studies, videos, guest speakers
and community projects. We have enjoyed speakers from different churches and community businesses who have related how they use their faith in everyday jobs, especially the health field. Clint Clarneau with Creative for the Creator presented a message
while painting. Students and staff participated in the Salvation Army Bell Ringing
project for the second year, collected shoe boxes for Samaritan’s Purse Christmas project, acquired funding to help with Fall Student Fest meals on all three campuses, and
had a booth at the April 22nd Earth Day celebration featuring jewelry from Haiti which
is made by recycling cereal boxes. The Muhlenberg County CROSS acquired funding
for the purchase of a flag pole for the campus. Kristen Robertson, CROSS student
coordinator, worked diligently for two years on this project. CROSS dedicated the flag
pole and honored Air Force Master Sergeant Jerry & Charlene “Charlie” Grundy, sponsors of the project, on April 28 during an observance of the National Day of Prayer.
The North Campus CROSS had its National Day of Prayer observance on April 30 during the final meeting of the spring semester.
The reason I love going to CROSS is just the peace that comes from talking about all the things
God does for all his people and to know there are other students struggling with the same things
I am!
--Catherine Cobb, Health Sciences Campus CROSS
" ROSS is so uplifting and encouraging. I love the fellowship and the friendships that are created
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during each meeting. Also, the messages and short devotions are so uplifting. Each meeting helps
me get through the week by giving me peace and strength, especially when the stress level is
really high from my class work load."
--Alesha White, North Campus CROSS
" ROSS is such a wonderful blessing so we may keep GOD in our college experience and giving
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the glory to Him, who deserves it!"
--Kristen Robertson, Muhlenberg Campus CROSS
For questions regarding CROSS, please contact Connie Harralson, campus liaison, connie.harralson@kctcs.edu or (270) 824-8648.
President’s Newsletter
6
Graham Named Student of the Month
MCC announced the selection of Matt Graham as the Student of the Month for April. Graham, of Sacramento, was nominated by MCC Professor Clarissa Hill. Rated as outstanding in
academic performance, leadership, and community engagement, Hill shared that, “Mr. Graham has utilized his leadership skills as President of the MCC Phi Beta Lambda organization
and as KY State Phi Beta Lambda Treasurer for two years. Under his direction, the chapter
has excelled in membership activities, community service activities, and leadership conferences participation. He truly leads by example in both the organization as well as in the classroom. He is passionate about all he does and has served as an excellent ambassador to the
community and to our state as a student of Madisonville Community College.”
Graham was presented with a certificate and a Barnes & Noble gift card on May 5. Pictured (l-r) are MCC Chief Student Affairs
Officer Dr. Jay Parrent, Matt Graham, and MCC Professor Clarissa Hill.
Academic Writing
Contest Winner
Announced
Congratulations to MCC student Sara
Hernandez! She is the winner of the
2014 Trover Library Award for Excellence in Academic Writing contest. Her
submission of the research paper titled,
Poisoning the Earth: The Domino Effect of Radioactive Waste, earned a
$150 prize check.
Nursing Graduates Honored
MCC honored 76 graduates from the Integrated Nursing program
on May 8. The nursing pinning ceremony was held at the Glema
Mahr Center for the Arts with many family members and friends
in attendance.
Each graduate was presented with a nursing pin from MCC symbolizing the history and heritage of the nursing profession. It also
represents the movement from student nurse to a member of the
nursing profession. Graduates were encouraged to wear their pin
proudly as a testimony of their educational journey from novice to
professional nurse.
Pictured is Allison Townsend receiving her nursing pin from
MCC Nursing Program Coordinator Masha Woodall.
Davenport Memorial
Endowment Scholarship
Recipients Announced
Madisonville Community College is pleased to announce the first
scholarship recipients of the Dr. Lea Ann Davenport Memorial Endowment. For the 2014-2015 academic year, Makayla Yandell, of Manitou, has been awarded a $1,600 scholarship. Makayla is currently completing coursework towards an Associate in Science degree and anticipates graduating in spring 2015. She plans to transfer to either University of Kentucky or University of Evansville to pursue a Doctor of
Physical Therapy degree.
Pictured (l-r) are:
(seated) Kayla Zachary, Makayla Yandell;
(standing) Tate Bennett, Gail Hawkins, Jennifer Welch, Dr. Aseem
Talukdar.
Kayla Zachary, of Madisonville, has been awarded a $500 scholarship
for the fall 2014 semester. She is completing an Associate in Science
degree and anticipates transferring to Murray State University in spring
2015 to pursue a degree in Environmental Geology.
Dr. Lea Ann Davenport was honored on April 17, 2014 with the naming of a classroom in the Joe C. Davis Science and Mathematics
Building on the college’s North Campus. The Dr. Lea Ann Davenport Memorial Endowment was made possible through a planned
insurance arrangement that her parents, Ann and Bill Davenport, completed while their daughter was in college. The endowment
will provide scholarship awards to students majoring in the math/sciences areas and will also provide for faculty professional development funding.
The Davenport Memorial Endowment scholarship selection committee consisted of MCC faculty members Tate Bennett, Gail Hawkins, Dr. Aseem Talukdar, and Jennifer Welch (Chair).
President’s Newsletter
7
Homeland Security Training Held at MCC Muhlenberg Campus
MCC’s Muhlenberg Camps hosted the U. S. Department of Homeland Security’s National Counter-Improvised Explosive Device
(IED) Capabilities Analysis (NCCAD) Database training on Thursday, May 15. Led by Office for Bombing Prevention Security
Specialist Charles D. Leas, the session was attended by Homeland Security employees from the Bowling Green, Owensboro, and Paducah offices.
NCCAD is an assessment program that uses a consistent and repeatable analytical
methodology to assess and analyze the capabilities of bomb squads, explosives detection canine teams, dive teams, and Special Weapons and Tactics teams throughout
the United States. NCCAD assessments measure the capability elements of personnel, equipment, and training required for effective prevention, protection, and response to IED threats. This integrated information provides a snapshot of local, state,
regional and national counter-IED preparedness that informs decision makers on
policy decisions, resource allocation for capability enhancement, and crisis management. Readiness information is provided for use in planning as well as steady-state
and crisis decision support during threats or incidents.
National Civil Rights Museum Visit
By Brooke Bailey Archila, English Instructor
MCC English Instructor Brooke Archila and Communications Instructor Roshun Radford along with ENG 264 Major
Black Writers students Michelle Rhye, Brook Blackburn, Amber Scott, and Benjamin Ruby traveled to Memphis, TN,
on April 11 to visit the National Civil Rights Museum. The museum is located at the Lorraine Motel, the place where
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated, and serves as a beautiful tribute to the life of Dr. King as well as to the
many people throughout history who have fought for civil rights. The students had been studying in class about many
of the leaders represented at the museum. The museum visit helped increase their awareness of this historical movement as well as enhance their appreciation for diversity and equal rights for all human beings. The students also explored the famous Beale Street in Memphis as well as toured the Rock & Soul Museum to learn how music helped
bring cultures together. The trip was an excellent outside-of-class learning experience.
MSA Trip to the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
By Sylvia Chase, Multicultural Student Association President
MCC’s Multicultural Student Association (MSA) took a trip to Cincinnati, OH, to visit the National Underground Railroad Freedom
Center. We were amazed at the wealth of information and history that the museum has to offer. An actual slave cabin was toured
where African men and women were once chained, beaten, and, even killed. There was an undeniable odor that permeated the cabin;
some even had to step out because it was so strong. The fact that the smell lingers hints of the torment the slaves endured. As I reflected, I realized that not many people can say they know what struggle smells like, but we certainly can.
I felt such a spiritual presence, strength of resilience, and perseverance as we continued on our quest to learn more about the plight of slavery. The museum honors
those who established the Underground Railroad, a social network that allowed
slaves to escape to freedom. There is also a Quilt Exhibition which is the largest
exhibition of African American quilts in the country. The slaves created artwork
and depictions on the quilts to communicate secretly to one another. There was a
plethora of unique, well-preserved historical items that were explored. The MSA
group could not have been more appreciative of the opportunity. MSA would like
to give a very special thank you to our drivers, Patricia Fouse and Lydia Wilson,
as well as MCC President Dr. Judith Rhoads, Dr. Jay Parrent, and MSA advisor
James Bowles. We couldn't have done it without you!
From a personal perspective as MSA president, I would like to extend much gratitude to the members and contributors that we've
enjoyed for the last two years. I have learned a tremendous amount about leadership and the importance of embracing, accepting, and
forming relationships with people of different cultures and backgrounds. I will truly miss being a part of an organization that represents togetherness, understanding, and compassion for our fellow brothers and sisters. I would like to end my term with a quote from
Dorothy Height that says, "Greatness is not measured by what a man or woman accomplishes, but by the opposition he or she has
overcome to reach his goals."
President’s Newsletter
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Clinical Simulation Drill
By Shannon Allen, Nursing Division Chair
Clinical simulation has become a vital component to nursing education. Simulation gives the student the opportunity to practice essential nursing skills in a safe, nonthreatening environment. In our nursing program, we offer a variety of simulation activities that
will enhance student learning and critical thinking by providing “hands on” experiences. For example, we utilize both high- and lowfidelity simulation manikins. The high-fidelity manikins have vital signs, lung sounds, heart sounds and can communicate with the
student. We have one that will deliver a newborn. The low-fidelity manikins or “static” manikins are your typical educational manikins that allow the students to practice nursing procedural skills. When implementing high-fidelity simulation, the nursing student is
given a scenario based on patient information, health care provider orders, and medications. The student is then to work with team
members to carry out orders and manage patient care. Once the simulation scenario is complete, we then come together as a group to
debrief and discuss actions made during the scenario.
Sometimes we incorporate other healthcare disciplines into our scenarios as we did on April 10.
On this day the nursing, respiratory and paramedic students worked together to bring the patient
from an off-sight location to our simulated ER. Together as a team, all three disciplines worked
together providing ACLS – Mega Code to revive the patient. We also incorporated a live
“significant other” to help the scenario feel “real” to the students. It is important to enhance the
simulation scenario and environment so that it will feel real to the student. Patients are dressed
appropriately to match the scenario; make-up and wounds applied, supplies and equipment provided, and the environment staged.
Clinical simulation is still fairly new to nursing education, and there is much needed research to
determine the effects on the practicing nurse graduate. However, when you talk with the nursing
students following the simulation scenario, they are very appreciative and express how this experience has helped them tremendously.
It is my goal as the Nursing Lab Specialist to strengthen our clinical simulation activities so that our students will be more effective
in the health care setting.. I recently completed a Certification Course in Clinical Simulation at Drexel University, Philadelphia, and
look forward to creating new simulation experiences that will set our nursing division apart from the rest!
Test Item Writing, Test Construction & Item Analysis
By Sara Jane Jones, MSN, RN, PLNC, Assistant Professor of Nursing
The William A. Logan and Dr. Loman C. Trover Endowed Professorships of Nursing & Allied Health funded a
workshop for nursing and allied health faculty members presented by Dr. Linda Caputi on May 16 th in MCC’s
Business Synergy Lab. Nursing faculty from Hazard Community & Technical College were also in attendance.
Dr. Caputi is a nationally recognized innovative leader in nursing education. She has authored over 25 educational multimedia programs, nursing education books, produced and developed videotapes, and published multiple
book chapters and journal articles. Dr. Caputi has extensive experience working with nursing programs focusing
on student success, National Council Licensure Examination success, and effective teaching strategies in the
classroom, nursing laboratory and clinical environments.
Dr. Linda Caputi
We were excited about the opportunity to learn about factors associated with reliable and valid
summative assessments. As health care professionals, nursing and allied health faculty desire to
produce a high-quality, work-ready graduate who is able to make sound clinical judgments in the
provision of safe patient care. Dr. Caputi focused on purposeful test blueprinting, guidelines for
item writing, identification of cognitive levels of various items, and analysis of test items. With
implementation of strategies learned from the workshop, the nursing and allied health faculty
have a golden opportunity to enhance one of our most valuable assessment methods.
President’s Newsletter
9
Kentucky Junior Coal Academy
By Bart Allen, Mining Instructor
The mission of the Kentucky Junior Coal Academy (KJCA) program is to provide high school students with a pathway to a successful career in coal mining engineering, technology, and coal mining support industries. The Kentucky Junior Coal Academy helps to
train the mining and mining-related workforce of the future by preparing high school students for participation in the larger Kentucky Coal Academy. Students enrolling in the Junior Coal Academy will experience a rigorous and challenging curriculum, which
is a combination of both academic and career-technical offerings that will provide students with both the academic knowledge and
the technical skills needed for work in the coal industry.
The Kentucky Junior Coal Academy supports these major educational components for students pursuing mining engineering and
technology, as well as mining support industries:



High-Level Academic Courses
Advanced Technical Courses
Computer-Based Training Modules and Simulators
This exciting and innovative program will help broaden the training and employment opportunities for many high school students to
secure jobs immediately following high school graduation, or by assisting with students’ pursuits of an Associate Degree in Mining
Technology, completion of a technical training program in Industrial Maintenance, CAD, Diesel Technology, and other technical
program areas that support the mining industry, or through course transfer to a four-year mining engineering degree program.
High schools, technology centers, and KCTCS campuses that serve high school students in one of the four Kentucky Coal Academy
service areas (Big Sandy Community & Technical College, Hazard Community & Technical College, Madisonville Community College, and Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College) can enter into a Kentucky Junior Coal Academy agreement.
While students need to enter a qualifying career pathway as they enter the 9th or 10th grades and make satisfactory progress, the
Kentucky Junior Coal Academy will focus on senior students as they start the 12th grade. When a school enters into a signed agreement, qualifying students interested in participating, who have completed the training agreement with parent permission (if a minor),
will participate in cohort groups with similar minded students and receive in-school mentoring support including: detailed coal mining and support industry career options; support with signing up for financial aid; orientation to the selected KCTCS campus; the
opportunity to visit the KCTCS instructor and facility relating to the student’s career pathway; and the opportunity to apply for a
KCA scholarship (approximately 45-50 scholarships are awarded each year.)
Locally, Hopkins County Central High School has entered into an agreement with the Kentucky Junior Coal Academy and will be
offering mining classes in the 2014-2015 school year. Students will earn college level credit and have the opportunity to earn their
underground inexperienced miner card. Discussions are currently underway with multiple high schools and faculty on ways to include KJCA in their curriculum. MNG 265 Mining Methods is a new course offered to high school and college students and is transferable to the University of Kentucky and KCTCS colleges.
Girls Can Be Engineers, Too!
The “Girls in Engineering and Technology” program, hosted by Madisonville Community College and funded through a grant from the
Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), is changing the career mindset of 6th grade girls in Hopkins and Muhlenberg counties. Ranging in ages
of 11-13, there were 333 participants over the course of 5 program days. Activities included the simulation of the energy production process from the Western Kentucky coal mines to the TVA Power Plant to the households and businesses in our area. Working in teams, students were asked to construct a pipeline from the mine to TVA Paradise Plant with the end result being to light model homes and
schools. Nontraditional careers were highlighted by women who are already working in the field or who are studying at the high school/
college level.
At the beginning of each program day, the students were given a pre-interest survey asking if a career in engineering/technology would be
considered. The same question was asked at the end of the day in a post-interest survey. Tabulated results show that interest in engineering/technology career almost doubled – 80% of the post-survey responses indicated an interest as compared to 41% in the presurvey. “Providing the students with exposure to science and engineering through fun “hands-on” activities helps them to break down possible math and science barriers when considering high school courses,” shared MCC Director of Workforce Solutions Mike Davenport. Students from Browning Springs Middle School, James Madison Middle School, South Hopkins Middle School, Muhlenberg North
Middle School, and Muhlenberg South Middle School participated in the 2014 program.
As noted by futureengineers.com, engineering has been a male-dominated profession. However, universities and the engineering industry
are recognizing the need for women engineers and are actively recruiting young women at the high school level to enter the field. Engineers
are problem solvers who apply math, science, technology, and design to problems in business and government. Their skills are usually applied to high-tech, scientific, or industrial fields. Most engineers are specialists in computer, mechanical, chemical, software, or aerospace
engineering. An interest in mathematics and science is a prerequisite for a successful career in engineering.
President’s Newsletter
10
Personal Effectiveness Skills Initiative 2013-2014
by Felecia Johnson, Professor of Business Administration
The Personal Effectiveness Skills (PES) initiative began at the request of the Academic Cabinet of Madisonville Community College in response to
concerns expressed by local employers of MCC graduates. Our graduates possessed the skills needed to perform the job they were hired for but at
times demonstrated a lack of professionalism and soft skills. This is a nationwide trend according to the York College of Pennsylvania’s Center for
Professional Excellence. An annual workplace study among HR professionals nationwide revealed that about half believe that college graduates are
not professional their first year on the job.
The MCC Academic Cabinet defined personal effectiveness skills as “personal and professional attributes and behaviors that are necessary to be
successful in college and in the workplace. These skills include, but are not limited to dependability, initiative, integrity, effective oral and written
communication, teamwork, attendance, time management, and workplace ethics.” In May of 2013, a workgroup consisting of representation from
each academic division along with three professional and one classified staff members was formed. The group has continually and productively
met through April of 2014.
Classroom Rubrics Piloted—Standard Rubric to be Implemented Fall 2014
The workgroup broke into four separate groups to establish a classroom rubric that could be piloted in the Fall of 2013 to assess and develop the
personal effectiveness skills of our students. All faculty members in the workgroup were to utilize a rubric of their choice. During the fall semester, rubric discussions took place at monthly meetings. It was decided that standardization might work better in order to more consistently evaluate
and emphasize important PES skills. An idea generation session took place and an agreed upon rubric was developed by workgroup faculty members. In the Spring 2014 semester, all workgroup faculty were to pilot the standard rubric in at least one course. Results are being compiled and
recommendations for a standard classroom rubric will be presented to the entire faculty for use in the Fall 2014. Faculty training for the standard
rubric will take place during the fall kickoff in August. Success stories will be shared among division members.
Idea Generation Session—Four Questions to Consider
The workgroup participated in an idea generation session that began with fact finding, progressed with problem definition, and ended with four
challenges in the form of questions: 1) How might we reward and recognize good behavior for students? 2) How might we provide innovative ways
to make professionalism important to students? 3) How do we get buy in at MCC? and 4) How might we address our own personal effectiveness
skills issues as employees? Subcommittees were formed to answer these questions using brainstorming. These ideas were presented and discussed
before the entire group. Some ideas were expanded upon and some were transformed into more realistic opportunities that would work at MCC.
The following plans and activities were a result of the input received and evaluated by the workgroup.
Fall-Kickoff—National Speaker
The annual fall kickoff, to be held on August 8, 2014, will focus on the Personal Effectiveness Skills initiative and will feature Matthew Randall,
the Executive Director for the Center for Professional Excellence at York College of Pennsylvania. He will follow a local panel discussion on the
topic with a presentation on the 2013 survey results, our initiative at MCC, and a discussion of ways in which we can improve professionalism on
our campus, with and for our students. Along with Mr. Randall’s presentation, the kickoff will include breakout sessions with divisions, classroom
rubric training, and implementation of PES in an individual’s Performance Planning document.
Professional Portfolio—Graduate Designation and Recognition
A subcommittee was formed to encourage and reward professional behavior in our students. A series of professional documents and documented
activities compiled into a portfolio will award graduates with a special cord to be worn at graduation. Some of the required documents include resume, cover letter, application, references, and proof of membership and participation in civic or professional organizations.
Employee Support—Obtaining “Buy In”
This PES initiative will officially begin Fall 2014, but throughout the past year, professionalism has been a focus of several organized events
throughout the academic year—Fall 2013 Kickoff, Classified Staff meetings, Dual Credit meetings, and a panel discussion with the PES
workgroup. Recently a survey was conducted that evaluated the perception of MCC employees in the four categories that our students have been
evaluated on with the pilot rubrics—Communication, Commitment to Academic Learning, Responsibility, and Professional Behavior. The majority
of the responses were positive, but there is room for improvement and awareness on our campus. This point was made during both a staff and faculty meeting when PES workgroup members “acted unprofessionally” to increase interest among employees.
PES—From the Beginning of a Student’s Academic Career
In order to “begin with the end in mind,” students in the FYE 100 course (First Year Experience), will be required to submit a “beginner resume” in
order to develop a desire for the students to spend their college career involved and striving for good grades. It is hoped that their resume upon
graduation will be more impressive if a student realizes from their first class taken that what they do leading up to graduation does matter. Students
will also be required to take the National Career Readiness Certificate test as well as the NCRC Plus which measures soft skills. Knowing professionalism and soft skills are valued from the beginning will impact their development as a student and future professional. Students will also receive guidance on PES during their First Semester Experience advising session. Our PES statement will be printed on all student planners given to
incoming freshman.
PES—Infiltrating the Campus
A variety of PES strategies will assist in our mission to graduate professional students. A professionalism link on our MCC website which includes
a blog is being developed. A professionalism “statement of the week” will be sent through e-mail and given to faculty in advance in order to encourage PES as part of classroom activity/discussion/awareness. Local professionals will be invited to campus for various events. Employee recognition and student recognition on social media will also reward, encourage, and motivate all. Professional development sessions will take place all
year long.
At MCC, it is our mission to prepare students for the workforce—students who we are proud to call our graduates and who employers are confident
to hire.
President’s Newsletter
11
Frymire Family Professional Award Series 2014-2015
MCC’s Advancement Office, in partnership with the family of Richard and Phyllis Frymire, has announced that $11,700 in endowment income has been reserved to support college employee professional development projects during the 2014-2015 academic year
through the Frymire Family Professional Award Series. The Frymire Awards are intended to provide flexible spending options for
various academic endeavors, particularly activities associated with natural sciences, mathematics, humanities, nursing, and support
of employees pursuing higher education degrees. The maximum annual award per employee is $1,200.
Awards made for the upcoming academic year include funding for:
 Two nursing faculty to attend the Evidence-Based Teaching and Learning Conference
 Two nursing faculty to attend the Teaching Professor Technology Conference
 Four Humanities faculty to present an approved paper for panel discussion at the Southern Arts Popular Culture Conference.
 Two Muhlenberg Campus math faculty to attend the American Mathematics Association
of Two-Year Colleges conference
 Director of the Glema Mahr Center for the Arts to attend the Southern Arts Association’s
annual conference
 Four administrative coordinators to attend job-related training at various in-state conferences.
 Education Program Associate Professor to attend a related conference on transfer issues
in spring 2015.
Nursing faculty members (seated l-r) Tracie
Lear and Faith Lutz; (standing l-r) Loretta
Elder and Sara Jane Jones.
The Quality Endowment was established in 1999 with a specific percentage permanently reserved for the Frymire Family Professional Award Series in recognition of the work and generous gifts the Frymires have provided over two decades. The Endowment
also supports technology purchases for the Joe C. Davis Science Building and the Brown Badgett, Sr. Energy & Advanced Technology Center, tutorial wages at the P.A. and Pauline Shaver Center on the Muhlenberg Campus, and increased support for the Common
Reader Program.
Mini Professionalism Skills
Conference
Students in MCC’s BAS 250 Employability Skills Seminar
taught by Business Administration Professor Felecia Johnson had the opportunity to participate in a mini conference
on May 2 to develop their professionalism skills. The conference was held in MCC’s new Business Synergy Lab located on the 2nd floor of the John H. Gray Building.
Throughout the day, students heard presentations from:






“It’s the Little Things” - Brianna Pantano
Professionally Speaking and Body Language - Dr. Beth
Norton
Interview Preparation - Chris Woodall
Email Etiquette - Felecia Johnson
Linked In - Kim Simmons
Customer Service - Felecia Johnson
In conjunction with the
Interview Preparation session, students also participated in interviews - speed
dating style - with representatives from the City of
Madisonville,
General
Maye Stanley (left) interviews with
Electric,
First
United
Leslie Curneal of the City of
Bank, Madisonville ComMadisonville.
munity College, McCoy &
McCoy Laboratories, Inc., and Ruby Concrete Company.
AACC Plus 50 Grant Update
By Beth Moore
Madisonville Community College was chosen in November 2013
to join the Plus 50 Encore Completion Program offered by the
American Association of Community Colleges (AACC). Through
the AACC Plus 50 Grant Program, eligible adults age 50 and over
can complete degrees or certificates in high-demand fields in the
Human Services and Medical Information Technology programs
offered by Madisonville Community College.
During the 2014 spring semester, faculty members Natalie Cooper,
Felecia Johnson, and Brooke Archila attended the 17th Annual Association for Nontraditional Students in Higher Education Conference at Kennesaw State University. Additionally, Natalie Cooper
and Beth Moore attended the AACC Plus 50 Webinar on March 31
to learn adult learning strategies and specific techniques used in
other AACC Plus 50 colleges around the country.
Authors, Scott
Phillips and Jed
Ayres, signed
their books for
those attending
the Loman C.
Trover Library
Reading Series
on April 25.
MADISONVILLE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
President’s
Newsletter
The President’s Newsletter is an official
publication of Madisonville Community
College published 8-10 times annually.
Questions about the President’s Newsletter should be directed to Joyce Riggs,
Director of Public Relations, at (270)
824-8581.
MCC is one of 16 colleges in the Kentucky Community and Technical College System. MCC is a comprehensive
two-year college that prepares students
for careers, offering more than 167 associate’s degree, diploma, and certificate
options in over 20 academic and technical programs.
MCC has four campus sites:
North Campus
2000 College Drive
Madisonville, KY 42431
Health Sciences Campus
750 North Laffoon Street
Madisonville, KY 42431
Muhlenberg County Campus
406 West Everly Brothers Boulevard
Central City, KY 42330
ACE² and Assessment Center
100 School Avenue
Madisonville, KY 42431
For more information about MCC, call
(270) 821-2250 or visit online at
madisonville.kctcs.edu.
KCTCS does not discriminate based on
race, color, religion, national origin, sex,
disability, or age in its programs and
activities. The following person has
been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies:
Director of Employment, Affirmative
Action and Equal Opportunity, KCTCS,
300 North Main Street, Versailles, KY
40383, (859) 256-3264.
Economic Growth & Education Luncheon
Madisonville Community College in partnership with the City of Dawson Springs, City of
Madisonville, Hopkins County Fiscal Court, Madisonville-Hopkins County Chamber of
Commerce, Madisonville-Hopkins County Economic Development Corporation, and
Murray State University-Madisonville Regional Campus hosted a luncheon on June 12
featuring Kentucky Lt. Gov. Jerry Abramson.
Emphasizing the need to raise the educational
level of the region for future economic development, Abramson noted that I-69 provides an
opportunity to attract investments and create
jobs. Creating a strong, prepared workforce is
necessary for attracting business and industry
to Madisonville and to the region.
City and county officials, education leaders,
and community members also heard Abramson
stress the importance of capital investment for
the state’s community college system. Details
of the Kentucky Community and Technology
Lt. Gov. Jerry Abramson referred to the BuildSmart
College System’s BuildSmart campaign were
Case for Support during his presentation at the
Economic Growth & Education Luncheon on June 12
outlined. The 2014 legislative session permitat the Brown Badgett, Sr. Energy & Advanced
ted KCTCS for the first time ever to issue
Technology Center.
agency bonds to construct the top capital project for each of its sixteen colleges. Under the BuildSmart plan, each college is required
to fund 25% of the total scope of the approved project by June 30, 2016, in order for
KCTCS to authorized agency bonds. For MCC, this amounts to $5 million for construction of the Regional Postsecondary Education Center on the college’s North Campus. In
2006, $300,000 was allocated for project planning. As a result, Phase A and Phase B
planning is complete and the construction of the building can proceed quickly once the
local match is obtained. According to Abramson, with I-69 being built, the time is ripe to
increase the educational offerings of 2- and 4-year degrees in the region to be prepared for
the potential boost to the local economy that comes with a major roadway. MCC and
MSU have been strong educational partners for more than three decades and are now taking their productive partnership to new levels with the programming planned for the Madisonville Regional Postsecondary Education Center.
For more information about the Regional Postsecondary Education Center and/or the
BuildSmart campaign, call MCC President Dr. Judith Rhoads at (270) 824-8562.
Upcoming Events
July
1
Practical Nursing Pinning Ceremony (2 p.m. Byrnes Auditorium)
4
Independence Day (KCTCS Holiday)
14-17 Summer Youth College for students entering grades 1-6
31
Biomedical Technology Systems Program Open House - for more information,
contact Joey Jones at 270.824.1759
Glema Mahr Center for the Arts
Community Theatre presents
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
July 18 @ 7 p.m.
July 19 @ 7 p.m.
July 20 @ 2 p.m.
Anne P. Baker Gallery
2014 Juried Photography Exhibit & 2014 Juried Art Exhibit
July 19 - August 29
Reception and Awards Ceremony - July 19 @ 2 p.m.