Celebrating Ramer Renovations and SACS

Vol State faculty and staff gathered for a non-alcoholic toast on Friday to celebrate a successful SACS accreditation process. It was also an occasion to tour the offices involved in a large renovation project: Advising, Human Resources, Public Relations, and Admissions. It's part of the effort to make the Ramer Building a one-stop-shop for people considering college.

Charles Alexander was the winner of two tickets to the Grand Ole Opry and Human Resources had some excellent baked goods on offer. Thanks to everyone who participated.

Respiratory Care Week

Respiratory Care Week began on October 20th. The Respiratory Care students celebrated the week by providing information about smoking cessation, COPD education, and Hands-Only CPR to the campus community. Dr. Jerry Faulkner joined the group on Wednesday, as they sponsored a one-mile Walk for Lung Health around the square. Kim Kermeen, the Director of Respiratory Care at Sumner Regional Medical Center, delivered lunch to the group to show appreciation for the patient care that is provided by the students during clinical rotations. Applications for the upcoming cohort of students are still being accepted. For more information go to https://www.volstate.edu/academics/health-sciences/respiratorycare/application or contact Kim Christmon, Program Director, at 615-230-3329. #RCWeek19

National Radiologic Technology Week

The Vol State Radiologic Technology Program is celebrating National Radiologic Technology Week next week. NRTW is celebrated annually to recognize the vital work of Radiologic Technologists across the nation. The celebration takes place each year during the week that includes Nov. 8th to commemorate the discovery of the x-ray by Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen on Nov. 8, 1895.

The week-long celebration calls attention to the important role medical imaging and radiation therapy professionals play in patient care and health care safety. NRTW 2019 will be celebrated Nov. 3-9.

Celebrating First-Generation College Students

First-Generation college students are a big part of Volunteer State Community College. They represent people who have embarked on a college career without, perhaps, the same level of knowledge about the college-process, as other students. November 8, 2019 is being marked as a day to celebrate First-Generation college students. Vol State is taking it a step-further with an entire week of events, sponsored by TRIO and Student Services.

This is our definition of a First-Generation College Student:

A First-Generation college student is defined as a student whose parent(s) did not complete a bachelor's degree and who is resilient, determined, driven, persistent, tenacious, hopeful, supportive, AND is a trailblazer who inspires others!

Please spread the word. There are ways for everyone, including those who are not First-Generation college goers to show support. There will be pledge cards, t-shirts and buttons. Info on how to get those and for the activities is below. If you have a question please contact the TRIO Office at 3732.

Monday, November 4           The Well Tables

Get your First-Gen t-shirts and for faculty and staff. “I Pledge to Support First-Gen College Students” pledge cards and buttons available. Hosted by Student Engagement.

Gallatin: 9:15-9:45AM and 11:00-11:30AM, SRB 2nd floor hallway. (Refreshments)

Highland Crest: 9:15-11:00AM

Tuesday, November 5           First-Gen and Information Tables

Get info on services from TRIO, The Access Center, Diversity and Inclusion, and Adult Learners and Veteran Affairs. First-Gen t-shirts and “I Pledge to Support First-Gen College Students” pledge cards and buttons will be available.

Gallatin: 9:00-11:00AM, Wood, Mary Cole Nichols Dining Room A. (Refreshments)

Adult Learners and Veterans Affairs, Information and First-Gen Table for evening students

Gallatin: 4:30-6PM, Mattox Hallway. (Refreshments)

Wednesday, November 6      Lunch/Learn: What’s Next after Vol State?

A discussion of university transfer and workforce decisions. Hosted by Diversity and Inclusion and TRIO.

Gallatin: 11:15AM Wood, Mary Cole Nichols Dining Room B. (Lunch)

Highland Crest: 11:15AM Zoom Only, Room 146. (Lunch)

Livingston: 11:15-1:00PM Zoom, Room 109, plus First-Gen Table (student lounge area). (Lunch)

Adult Learners and Veterans Affairs, Information and First-Gen Table for evening students

Gallatin: 4:30-6PM, Wallace North Hallway (Refreshments)

Thursday, November 7         First-Generation Student Celebration

A discussion with first-generation college students, faculty, and staff hosted by President Faulkner. Everyone is encouraged to wear their First-Gen t-shirt and/or button. Prize drawings for gear and book scholarships for students.

Gallatin: 12:45PM Mary Cole Nichols Dining Rooms A and B. (Lunch)

Highland Crest: 12:45 Zoom, Room 146, 12:00-3:00PM First-Gen Table (Lunch)

Cookeville: 8:00-3:30PM, First-Gen Table only (Atrium) (Lunch)

Irish Visitors on Monday, October 28

We have visitors from Ireland coming to the Gallatin campus on Monday, October 28 and you can hear them perform in the Ramer Great Hall at 10am.They are 48 students and 7 faculty and staff from The Presentation School, Thurles, County Tipperary, Republic of Ireland. The students will be performing choral music in the Great Hall about 10AM and visiting with Vol State students and faculty during the day. Vol State has worked with, and visited, the Presentation School in Ireland a number of times in the past ten years. Our Education and Music students have done performances and visited the school classes in Ireland a number of times. Please join us in welcoming them to Vol State!

Work Based Learning Partnerships

Vol State team members Thomas Ekman-dean of Math & Science; Pat Kiley- Mechatronics instructor; Rick Parrent- administrator of Work Based Learning; and Nick Bishop- vice president for Economic and Community Development, recently met with officials from Beretta to discuss  plans for a Work Based Learning (WBL) partnership between Vol State and Beretta.  It will provide WBL opportunities for Mechatronics students starting in January 2020, with opportunities in other programs to soon follow. 

Beretta has also provided support to Vol State’s Mechatronics program through the recent donation of equipment, as well as providing subject matter experts to serve on the Mechatronics advisory board.

Vol State in the News

The Tennessean sent a photographer to the Fall Fiesta on Saturday and put up this picture gallery from the event.

Vol State recently signed the MTSU Promise agreement. WGNS radio has the story.

This Warf reopening celebration story was in the Gallatin News. We appreciate their coverage of Vol State events.

Gregory Promoted to Dean of Academic Support

Rhonda Gregory has been promoted to the position of dean of Academic Support at Volunteer State Community College. The newly created role supervises academic support programs, Distributed Education, and International Education at the college. She had been director of Distributed Education at Vol State since 2015.

“Academic support is so important to the college mission. This position is really about promoting student success,” Gregory said. “The Learning Commons is a one-stop-shop for student academic support. We’ve integrated faculty advisory groups to help give direction in that effort and worked to create even more synergy with the great Learning Commons staff.”

Gregory also worked in higher education at Greenville University in Illinois. She held several positions there over nine years, including director of Instructional Technology, adjunct instructor, academic advisor, instructional technologist, and Online Learning Program coordinator. She holds a bachelor of science degree from DeVry University and a master of arts degree from Greenville College. She also has an Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Memphis.

Vol State in the News

Gallatin High School has a new Fire Science Dual Enrollment program in conjunction with Vol State. The Gallatin News has the story.

Mike McDonald Honored

Current adjunct faculty member and professor emeritus of Communication, Mike McDonald, was presented the 2019 “Communicator of the Year” award at the annual meeting of the Tennessee Communication Association recently. He is shown here being congratulated by Vol State  Communication Department chair, Melva Black. Mike was honored for his lifetime of service to communication education, both as a college professor and as a tireless proponent of communication and higher education while representing Sumner County in the Tennessee General Assembly.

Vol State in the News

Everyone is invited to the Grand Reopening of the Warf Math and Science Building on Friday, October 18 from 11am to 1pm. We are inviting the community to take a look at our new facilities, as well. It's important to show people our commitment to Math and Science education and our wonderful new home for the Mechatronics program. Help us get the word out. Here is the story in the Hendersonville Standard.