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MILESTONES
MILESTONES COLLEGE LANDSCAPE EXPANSION TO ENHANCE SERVICES AND PROGRAMS
Chattahoochee Valley Community College President Jackie Screws is proud to announce that the College has acquired Troy University’s Adams Building located immediately across the street from the College on College Drive in Phenix City, Alabama. Acquiring this building will provide an opportunity for the College to relocate administrative functions, expand instructional offerings, and enhance services to students.
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“We endeavor to create a one-stop Student Success Center and provide additional instructional space,” shared Screws. “We are grateful that Chancellor Jimmy Baker and the Alabama Community College System Board of Trustees saw our vision for the project and approved our proposal. This venture is a plus for our students, faculty, staff, and the entire community.”
Currently, enrollment services and the business office functions are located in three separate buildings at the College (Brassell, Wallace and Wilson Halls). Having all of these services under one roof will provide a higher level of customer service as students navigate their way through the on-boarding and registration process.
College administrators are extremely excited about what acquiring the Adams Building means in terms of the enhancement and expansion of programs at CVCC. The Public Safety Division, which consists of Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Fire Science, and Criminal Justice, will be greatly impacted. These programs are currently located in two separate buildings on campus (Key and Brassell Halls). The move to the Adams Building will enable the College to locate them in the same space and will enable them to have adequate classroom space to support program growth. This will also provide sufficient office space for each instructor to interact with students. experience a growth in interest as there is usually a waiting list, particularly for entry into the nursing programs. In addition, the College is eager to meet the need of local medical providers to train students in the field of Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) as there is a critical shortage. The acquisition of the Adams Building will free up space in IPAC to enable the College to designate space for the addition of a stand-alone LPN program. IPAC currently houses other health sciences programs (Associate Degree Nursing, Certified Nursing Assistant, and Medical Assistant Technology).
Other areas of improvement that will take place across the campus include implementing a designated space for maintenance, relocating the Information Technology Department, providing additional space for a CVCC student technology help desk, designing more space for math learning support, creating quiet study areas for students, and designating an enhanced area for veteran services and support.
The request to acquire the Adams Building was approved by the Alabama Community College System’s Board of Trustees on July 8, 2020. The project was legally finalized in November.
The Health Sciences Division is located in the Instructional and Performing Arts Center (IPAC) and continues to
Chattahoochee Valley Community College partnered with Auburn University of Montgomery (AUM) on a new articulation agreement. The arrangement was signed and finalized by AUM Chancellor Carl A. Stockton and CVCC President Jackie Screws on January 28,2020.
CVCC SIGNS ARTICULATION AGREEMENT WITH AUBURN AT MONTGOMERY
Students at Chattahoochee Valley Community College now have access to scholarships and other opportunities at Auburn University Montgomery (AUM) thanks to a new agreement.
Students transferring from CVCC with a cumulative grade point average between 3.0 and 3.49 will receive a $1,000 per year scholarship, and students with a grade point average of 3.5 or higher will receive $2,500 per year. There’s no limit to the number of transfer students who may receive the scholarship money.
Students are also eligible for AUM’s Presidential Scholarship, which covers full tuition and fees. It will be awarded to one CVCC transfer student each year. The articulation agreement signed by AUM Chancellor Carl Stockton and CVCC President Jackie Screws on January 28, 2020, guarantees admission to AUM for students who meet specific requirements; such as earning an associate degree in arts or science while maintaining a grade point average of 2.0 or higher in core courses during their time at CVCC. Leaders of both colleges praised the opportunities this shared partnership creates for students.
“This agreement is one of several that we are aggressively seeking to offer students opportunities to transfer seamlessly to a four-year college in the state of Alabama,” said CVCC President Jackie Screws.
MILESTONES CVCC AND LOCAL CHAMBER CELEBRATE NEW TECHNOLOGY AQUISITION
CVCC President Jackie Screws prepares to cut the ribbon at a special open house event while standing with local, state, College, and community leaders.
On January 15, 2020, Chattahoochee Valley Community College (CVCC) in partnership with the East Alabama Chamber of Commerce celebrated the installation of two new computer labs with a ribbon cutting and open house. The College has incorporated new technology to offer students a more hands-on approach to learning. With the help of Vizitech Solutions, the College has two new computer labs with zSpace computers. These computers change the way students learn by providing 3D, augmented reality, and virtual reality learning programs and technology. Each virtual reality desktop computer with 3D glasses and a stylus allows students to interact with a virtual object or environment.
“Learning through this kind of technology allows students the capability to apply what they learn in real-life settings,” stated Dr. Bridgett Jackson, Health Sciences Director. “They can dissect different anatomy that may be included in their lesson. It gives them a real-life depiction of what can go wrong, and then they can better understand the disease processes that may occur.”
Jackson says the labs are used throughout the Health Sciences program with nursing and medical assisting students. The new technology is also being utilized through the Science Department. The science lab is set up to be used with all biology, chemistry, and physical sciences courses.
“The Science Department is very fortunate to have the Vizitech lab at CVCC,” said Merry Cuervo, Science Division Chair. “It adds another dimension of instruction for our students. They are able to visualize more with the 3D technology than before with our other lecture and laboratory experiences.”
Chattahoochee Valley Community College received a $250,000 grant from the Alabama Community College System to implement the labs. The College was one of two in the system to receive the funds. College administrators say the new technology also helps students to better transition from the local K-12 schools that use the same resources.
“With Phenix City Schools already using this technology, it was essential that CVCC have a zSpace to continue the interactive learning experience that these students have experienced in their secondary education,” explained Dr. Chantae Calhoun, Dean of Instruction. “Now they experience the technology on a collegiate level. Working in partnership with our feeder schools that use this resource is a plus for everyone.”
The ribbon cutting included remarks from Mayor Eddie Lowe and was attended by Senator Billy Beasley, Representative Berry Forte, Councilman Robert Day, and other local community leaders. The activities included an interactive demonstration in which attendees had an opportunity to try the technology first-hand.
ACCS Asprie 2030 is an Alabama Community College system-wide initiative in which all 24 institutions will develop ten-year capital improvement plans. Throughout the summer and fall 2020 terms, President Jackie Screws led the charge and initiated stakeholder meetings to hear from internal and external voices throughout the Chattahoochee Valley area. A strategic plan for renovation and infrastructure needs was then developed based on the feedback from those various meetings.
“Hearing from all of our stakeholders was the best part,” said Screws. “It’s important to get input from various perspectives: students, faculty, staff, and community and business partners.”
Screws indicated she is confident the plan will guide College efforts in addressing needs critical to the success of CVCC
ACCS Chancellor Jimmy Baker visited CVCC for an update on the ASPIRE 2030 plan. Standing with him are Business Manager Christer Sanks, President Jackie Screws, Associate Dean of Student Development and Success Vickie Williams, and Dean of Instruction Dr. Chantae Calhoun.
and the community it serves. CVCC’s Aspire 2030 plan has been submitted to the Alabama Community College System for review and approval.
Chattahoochee Valley Community College is proud to announce the Alabama Department of Public Health Office of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) has accredited and recognized the College’s EMS program as being in compliance with all established rules and regulations set forth by its office. The status is effective immediately and is valid until October 31, 2024.
The official site visit report reads, “Overall, the team was very satisfied that CVCC provides a quality education for those seeking an education in the field of EMS. The program offers more than adequate facilities and equipment. This team recommended the approval of accreditation by the OEMS.”
The report includes potential for growth and accolades for the EMS program’s leadership and staff. EMS Lead Instructor Mark Boisclair said he is excited about the future of the program.
“The accreditation helps propel us forward as we look to the future of our program,” said Boisclair. “We are expanding our curriculum offerings in the spring 2021 to include Emergency Vehicle Operations Course (EVOC) as part of the EMS program. The course is currently offered only in continuing education. There is such great opportunity to expand, and we hope to be able to share other additions soon.”
“This is excellent news for CVCC,” said President Screws. “We are positioned to provide opportunities for students interested in this growing field, and we are grateful to the Alabama Department of Public Health Office of EMS for recognizing our program’s value and importance. We truly provide quality instruction, and it is evident in our accreditation success.”
CVCC offers short certificates in Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and Advanced EMT upon successful completion of program requirements. These EMS certificate programs are designed to provide specialized skill sets for immediate employment, to upgrade skills for job advancement, or to earn a degree in Fire Science. The certificate programs can be completed within one to two semesters, and all of the certificate courses can be applied toward the Associate of Applied Science degree in Fire Science.
Mark Bosclair, EMS Lead Instructor
