Soaring Above in North Carolina

SOARING ABOVE IN NORTH CAROLINA

Of the 27 members accepted throughout the entire North Carolina Community College system, CVCC is proud to have six faculty members participate in the inaugural cohort. NC3MI is a year-long commitment to enhance teaching practices and contribute significantly to the educational experience of our students. Throughout the remainder of the year, our faculty will travel to on-site discussions regarding pedagogy, classroom technology, and fostering a strong network between the community college system.

Prior to coming to CVCC, Dr. Kristen Smith taught in boarding schools and International Baccalaureate programme schools in Connecticut, Hawaii, and North Carolina. She actively advocates study abroad programs and coordinates all programs available to CVCC students. Dr. Smith has also represented CVCC at events such as the NC Community College Biology Instructors state meetings, CVCC professional development opportunities, the West Hub of NC, and the SPARC Conference at Gaston College. “I love making connections with students and bringing a study abroad program to CVCC…I am a firm believer in having a growth mindset, and I hope that our participation in NC3MI will help me become a better instructor for our students along with finding new ways to contribute to CVCC.”

Nichole Wells has been a member of CVCC Nursing faculty since January 2022. Before working in higher education full-time, she held the field experience as a bedside nurse and clinical educator. Nichole is passionate about student success and believes that CVCC is a perfect place for studentcentric teaching. As she participates in NC3MI, Nichole anticipates researching best practices that support student outcomes, including the use of flipped classrooms and hands-on simulated learning. “We know students each learn differently, and it can be a challenge to find a way that engages them,” she says. “I want to work with other outstanding faculty members [in NC3MI] to improve our pedagogy and enhance the student environment.” Nichole is most excited to discuss health equity and the ways that future nurses can help facilitate safer environments for all patients.

McKinsey Poarch came to CVCC in 2022 as a CNA Assistant Coordinator. Before her current role as Nursing Faculty Member, Poarch taught CNA courses and several Health Education curriculum courses. “The fact that six out of the 20 participants statewide are from CVCC, and three from the Nursing Department, shows a lot about our college and our program,” Poarch shares. She is most passionate about finding new ways to enhance CVCC’s Continuing Education programs and how to make each course more cohesive with the curriculum side. “We have implemented pathways like CNA to nursing, CNA to healthcare, etc., but I hope to find new ways to bridge the gap,” she shares. “I think that being around other professionals within the community college system is the best way to find fresh ideas that we can implement at CVCC.”

Dr. Elizabeth Braun has spent more than a decade of her career at CVCC. In addition to her current role as Department Chair of Rhetoric & Composition, Dr. Braun has participated on Faculty Senate for eight years, designed an english course for adjunct faculty, participated in the state level redesign of Developmental Education, and helped establish CVCC’s rubrics and data collection processes for General Education outcomes. Dr. Braun is excited to participate in the NC3MI cohort, especially when it comes to networking and bringing a sense of community back to the classroom. “The NC3MI cohort model will make a huge difference—it’s like a new level of a professional learning community. I’m excited about showcasing what our department accomplishes in the classroom. I want to learn not just what to teach, but how to help our students learn.”

Ramie Robinson is a role model within the School of Career and Technical Education. He continuously encourages students to apply themselves in the field and through community service projects, whether that be wiring houses for Habitat for Humanity or gaining work experience through the Catawba Apprenticeship Network. Throughout the years, Robinson has been instrumental in the creation and implementation of the Career and College Promise Electrical Systems pathway at three high school campuses. His recent recognition as the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) Manager at the college has allowed CVCC to expand the ways in which its students can articulate high school credit to the college level. “I’m very interested in learning more about dynamic classroom structures and teaching styles,” says Robinson. “And, as I continue to strengthen my understanding of the ways that students learn, I am finding it easier to reevaluate and refine the way that I teach.”

Katy Geymont became part of college faculty in 2016, and since that time, she has been a positive leader for the Nursing Department. Geymont has taught students in nearly every Nursing course offered through CVCC. She is an advocate for making use of simulations in an academic environment, and she is passionate about helping students navigate challenges so that they are better prepared for the future. “My greatest privilege is knowing that I have helped people to become nurses, which in turn has helped my community,” says Geymont. “I love to see our graduates in their roles and learn about what they are doing to help patients. I’m excited about bringing the content and strategies [from NC3MI] to the whole Nursing Department, so that all of our faculty members can benefit. It’s nice to create a safe space where students can make mistakes and talk through that process. I love the idea that students are immersed in the content and specifically put into the position of caring for patients.”