Daytona State College Magazine - Spring/Summer 2020

DAYTONA STATE COLLEGE MAGAZINE

Vol. 6 • No. 1 • SPRING/SUMMER 2020

RISING TO THE CHALLENGES OF A VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENT

Vol. 6 • No. 1 • SPRING/SUMMER 2020

CONTENTS

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Cover Story

Daytona State continues to provide multiple degrees in a variety of formats, even as it accelerates online teaching and learning.

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In Honor of Mary Brennan Karl

College of Workforce and Continuing Education renamed in recognition of a legendary leader in education.

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Daytona State News

Learning Scene

Student Life

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President Tom LoBasso receives national award from PTK for strong support of student success.

Community Partnerships

Halifax Health and Daytona State create historic partnership to benefit healthcare students and medical professionals.

BS in Accounting launches this fall as Daytona State’s 12th bachelor’s degree program.

Spring Sports

Women’s basketball finishes as MidFlorida Conference runner-up, and cross-country teams earn national academic accolades.

Scenes of campus events that brought students together for the start of spring semester.

Meet the Faculty

Professor Harun Thomas helps faculty achieve more through Daytona State’s WAC/WID Program.

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Arts & Culture

Commencement 2020

Alumni Profiles

Vets Create program gives military veterans and their families a chance to learn, engage and express themselves through art.

Daytona State hosted its first-ever virtual Commencement, which recognized its 60th graduating class comprised of more than 3,400 new alumni.

Graduates of three bachelor’s degree programs have followed different paths to where they are today.

PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE Dr. Thomas LoBasso

The last few months have been challenging for all of us, and like each of you, I welcome a return to normalcy. Our daily lives have been altered in nearly every conceivable fashion and “unprecedented” is a word that’s often been used to describe what we’ve experienced.

Simple things – such as a visit to the beach, a night out with family and friends, a trip to the grocery store and, yes, even going to class – are no longer taken for granted as we see many things in a different light.

During this difficult time, the College has been faced with balancing the personal health and safety needs of our students, faculty and staff while continuing to provide high-quality education. Classroom instruction, labs, meetings, group projects and more were moved from the physical world to the virtual, all within a week’s time, and it was inspiring to watch everyone come together for this enormous undertaking. The effort put forth on behalf of our students truly embodies what Daytona State represents and I have never been more proud to be part of this College.

As we move into summer, and the world continues to battle the COVID19 virus, adaptability and flexibility will remain our mantra, weaved into the commitment to our students and local communities. It’s as strong today as it ever has been, and we are prepared to meet whatever challenges the future holds. The doors to a better future are still open through education, led by a team of professionals who stand ready to bring the College into our new future.

I know each of us has been affected by this crisis in different ways, and our sense of community has been tested. I hope the stories you read in this magazine are a reminder that, like the College itself, our community is not defined by a physical location but the people who comprise it, wherever they may be.

I wish all of you well as we continue to meet the challenges we face.

DAYTONA STATE COLLEGE MAGAZINE DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES Dr. Randy Howard, Chair Betty J. Holness, Vice Chair Bob Davis Sarah Dougherty Randy Dye Lloyd J. Freckleton Mary Ann Haas Robert Lloyd Garry R. Lubi

___________________________________ DAYTONA STATE MAGAZINE STAFF Publisher Dr. Thomas LoBasso Editor Timothy A. Norton Managing Editor Chris Thomes Senior Writer Tim Carpenter Art Director/Graphic Design Lisa Deignan AS ’92 Production Manager Alison Ryan Photography Aldrin Capulong AS ’08, Alan De Castro, and DSC Staff Cover: Ren Morrison The Daytona State College Magazine is published for alumni, friends and supporters of Daytona State College and the DSC Foundation.

Homecoming Save the date for

October 9-10, Daytona Beach Campus

Alumni &Friends Alumni.DaytonaState.edu

DaytonaState.edu/Homecoming

For more information, call the Alumni & Friends Association (386) 506-4506 or email: Alumni@DaytonaState.edu

At the heart of all we do as a Foundation Board, we remain focused on student success in the classroom, the lab, the playing field, the stage or as a part of the many other venues where student success is demonstrated.

Without a doubt, this spring has been a time of challenge for all of us as we have sought to face down the seemingly impossible pandemic that has gripped our world. But we do not lose heart. And, we have much to celebrate!

Last fiscal year, the Daytona State College Foundation enjoyed some great strides including finishing the year with record assets and a clean, no notations audit from James Moore & Co.

Denis Shelley DSC Foundation Board Chair

I have great confidence that we will all return to normal – yes, likely a “new” normal – and when we do, we will continue to serve the students we’ve proudly served as a Foundation since 1974, and the College will continue to provide the stellar education it provides for 25,000-plus students.

Thank you for your continuing support of Daytona State College students through your generous contributions to the Foundation, and with your involvement in Foundation-sponsored initiatives. I hope to see you this fall at our 28th annual Gala on Thursday, October 22.

FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS Denis Shelley, Chair Zina Grau, Vice Chair Bill Lenssen, Secretary Michael J. Duranceau, Treasurer Bobby Thigpen, Immediate Past Chair Jeff Abbott Mary Boyd Dan Francati Michele Goeb-Burkett Dr. Beverly McMurtry-Grissom Mary Ann Haas John Hodgson Rufus Johnson Frank Molnar David Sacks Louis Seno Gregory Snell Greg Sullivan Maggie Thompson

EMERITUS BOARD Sally Gillespie Cherie Keemar Dirinda Maddy

EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS Dr. Thomas LoBasso, President

The Foundation’s 2019 In Review • Received $2.3 million from generous donors – an

increase of 48% over 2018 and an increase of 288% over 2017

Isalene Montgomery, Senior Vice President/ Chief Business Officer

Timothy A. Norton,

Vice President of Advancement/ Executive Director, Daytona State College Foundation

• Awarded more than $1.8 million in scholarships

to students and program support to College programs

• Hosted more than 650 people at two signature

Support the Foundation Donate.DaytonaState.edu (386) 506-3110

events, our 27th annual gala and a new event, the food and wine festival, resulting in revenue of $189,127 • Finished the year with record assets of

$34,087,402

Daytona State College 1200 W. International Speedway Blvd.

Daytona Beach, Florida 32114 (386) 506-3000 • DaytonaState.edu

DAYTONA STATE NEWS

President Tom LoBasso is the recipient of the Shirley B. Gordon Award for support of student success Daytona State College President Dr. Tom LoBasso has been selected by the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society (PTK) as the recipient of the Shirley B. Gordon Award of Distinction, presented to college presidents who have shown strong support of student success by recognizing academic achievement, leadership, and service among high-achieving students. Dr. LoBasso is one of 13 presidents who was formally recognized.

“I want to thank Daytona State PTK Advisor Lori Lemoine and her students for nominating me,” said LoBasso. “Receiving the Shirley B. Gordon Award is a tremendous honor, but it would not have been possible without the amazing support from the District Board of Trustees, faculty and staff. They work hard every day to ensure our students have the best opportunity to succeed in the classroom and beyond, and this award reflects that.”

The Dr. Shirley B. Gordon award is PTK’s most prestigious accolade for community college presidents and is named in honor of Phi Theta Kappa’s longest-serving Board of Directors Chair, and a founder and long-time president of Highline Community College in Washington. Recipients are nominated by students on their campus and are only eligible to receive the award once over the course of their career.

was able to construct the new L. Gale Lemerand Student Center, featuring student offices for PTK officers, dedicated meeting space and the ability to host inductions on campus in the new Events Center. He has also worked with and supported the PTK officers in the creation of a first-year students’ mentoring program and college survival kits for first-year students.”

“To maintain contact and communication with our students, each year Dr. LoBasso meets with the Mu Rho officer team to help identify issues and concerns for the College Project and help them develop their Honors in Action Case Study. His dedication to student learning and engagement, and passion for supporting students has made a tremendous impact at Daytona State for the last 18 years and will continue to change lives for many years to come.”

Phi Theta Kappa recognizes the academic achievement of college students and provides opportunities for its members to grow as scholars and leaders. Established in 1918, PTK has a presence on nearly 1,300 community college campuses in 11 countries.

“Under Dr. LoBasso’s leadership, Daytona State College has made many notable advancements,” said Lemoine. “Among them, DSC

DSC Awarded $2.1 million Title lll Federal Grant Daytona State College was awarded a competitive $2.1 million Title III Strengthening Institutions Program Grant from the U.S. Department of Education. Daytona State was one of only 31 colleges or universities to receive the grant out of 590 applicants.

2. Proactive advising services that include integrated career pathway planning, and

The grant supports a new initiative called “Learner Engagement, Navigation and Support,” or LENS. This five-year project is designed to improve retention and graduation rates of first-time-in-college (FTIC) students who are in Daytona State’s associate degree programs and expand the College’s capacity to serve low-income students.

“Our philosophy is to create a supportive, inclusive and engaging environment for students, especially in the first semester,” said Dr. Amy Locklear, Provost and Title III Project Director. “We will promote a mindset that keeps vulnerable students in school, goal-focused and motivated to complete their studies all the way through to graduation.”

Though LENS is designed as a single project, it involves three strategies that focus on enriching the college environment through:

The College is committing an additional $1.5 million to ensure the initiative is well supported. In addition to target goals for FTIC retention and graduation rates, other areas of the initiative include providing additional work-based learning experiences such as internships and apprenticeships, and addressing students’ knowledge of personal finances.

1. Heightened cultural inclusion and community connection among students

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3. Enhanced online instruction and support to increase student engagement and success.

Anonymous Donor Provides $10,000 Gift for Daytona State College Adult Education Students Daytona State Assisting Local Hospitals in the Fight Against COVID-19 Daytona State College has partnered with local hospitals to support the growing need for medical equipment and supplies in central Florida related to the COVID-19 crisis. To date, DSC has donated nearly 3,000 critical items from its own College of Health & Public Services to aid in the treatment and recovery of patients affected by the virus.

“Daytona State has always had a strong partnership with area hospitals and we’re happy to provide any support we can give during this crisis,” said DSC President Dr. Tom LoBasso. “It’s another way to fulfill the mission of a state college, which includes service to the local community.”

Items donated include 1,975 surgical masks, 375 dust masks, 300 surgical masks with shields, and 118 N95 masks. In addition to those items, six boxes of gloves and approximately 20 gowns were donated.

The College has also loaned its teaching lab ventilators and respirators, which can be converted to much-needed ventilators.

Daytona State College’s School of Adult Education (AE) received a gift of $10,000 from an anonymous donor that will provide student support for AE programs offered by the College. The funds are available for students who need financial assistance in order to attend GED® Prep, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), and Adult High School (AHS) classes. Students must enroll in and commit to attending at least 80 percent of the classes.

“This support will enable us to waive fees for hundreds of students, as well as to assist in covering costs associated with the GED test, thereby reducing a major barrier to accessing education and credentials,” said Kathryn Clark, Director of DSC’s School of Adult Education. “We are immensely grateful for this valuable contribution, and we are eager to help our students reach their education and employment goals.”

The School of Adult Education serves more than 2,000 students annually with varying educational needs, including adults with elementary academic levels through those preparing to take the GED. It also prepares students who have advanced degrees from other countries to communicate and actively participate in work, as well as in responsible citizenship activities, including helping their children be successful in school.

Day, evening and online classes are available on DSC campuses in Daytona Beach, Deltona, DeLand, and New Smyrna Beach/Edgewater. Classes are also offered at various off-campus sites through partnerships at CareerSource in Orange City, the Volusia County Correctional Facility, and Food Brings Hope in Pierson.

Enrollment is open now.

For more information on the DSC School of Adult Education, contact Kathryn Clark at Kathryn.Clark@DaytonaState.edu or visit: DaytonaState.edu/Admissions to enroll in the program.

DAYTONA STATE MAGAZINE • SPRING/SUMMER 2020 | 7

LEARNING SCENE

Mascot ‘Flies’ South for Climate Change Research Nearly all of Daytona State’s faculty and staff had to adjust to working remotely during the COVID-19 crisis, but our own Freddie Falcon has gone more remote than any of us, travelling to the far reaches of the planet for deployment into the Southern Ocean as part of the Southern Ocean Carbon and Climate Observations and Modeling (SOCCOM) project. It’s all in the name of science and part of research being conducted by DSC’s Institute of Marine and Environmental Studies, led by Dr. Debra Woodall.

Daytona State “adopted” one of the organization’s ocean floats that collects data on climate change. Students named the float and are following its progress through blogs written by their paired SOCCOM scientists. Artwork of Freddie further identifies the float for a little personality.

“While taking my undergraduate research students to the AGU Conference in San Francisco last December, I met with this group and decided that joining their efforts would be a great benefit to students learning about climate change,” said Dr. Woodall. “I also like to do things that I think will draw attention to the many great and innovative things we do here at DSC.”

with other institutions of higher education. Among its objectives is educating a new generation of ocean scientists trained in both observation and simulation.

The floats are measuring carbon, nutrients and oxygen levels.

The research will contribute to the understanding of climate change’s implications on ocean ecosystems. Freddie can be followed on his journey through the polar seas at https://soccom. princeton.edu/content/adopt-float-program, and selecting Map Room under the Observations drop-down menu. An interactive map will reveal Freddie’s location by searching for Float #18097.

Because of the harsh conditions in the Southern Ocean, traditional measurements of ocean properties made from ships are few and far between. Researchers must rely on other means to collect the data they need, and Freddie Falcon is one of about 200 similar floats being used by SOCCOM in the seas surrounding Antarctica.

The observations and modeling carried out by the floats will help researchers better understand the inner workings of the Southern Ocean and how it impacts Earth’s climate and biosphere.

The SOCCOM project is administered by the Princeton Environmental Institute at Princeton University in collaboration

Bachelor of Science in Accounting Approved for Fall 2020 Following a presentation to the State Board of Education by President Dr. Tom LoBasso, Daytona State was granted approval to offer the Bachelor of Science in Accounting, beginning this August 2020. It brings the total number of bachelor’s degrees offered by DSC to 12 and is poised to become as successful as the other baccalaureate programs.

“This presents students in our service area an affordable option to acquire highly specialized, well-paying skills that will set them on a career path that will be fulfilling and rewarding,” said Max Nagiel, Chair of the School of Applied Business. “The program also aims to close an existing gap in the supply of BS Accounting graduates and the local and regional demand in our service area. Data from the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) projects 1,007 accounting job openings in our service area over the next eight years, or 126 per year.”

Daytona State already offers an AS in Accounting Technology that provides the principles and practices necessary for a successful career in the accounting profession or for transfer 8 | DAYTONA STATE MAGAZINE • SPRING/SUMMER 2020

into a bachelor’s degree program. The College also offers two AS Certificates that are embedded within the AS degree program or may be pursued separately. Students will be able to enter the BS in Accounting from the AA, the AS in Business or the AS in Accounting.

“DSC seeks to meet employers’ needs with high quality, accessible and affordable programs that link directly with jobs in our community,” said Dr. Amy Locklear, DSC Provost. “This degree is a result of almost two years of research, community surveys and conversations with local businesses and higher education colleagues. Our research showed that the near future will bring more jobs than can be filled by current accounting graduates in our region.”

Daytona State offered its first bachelor’s degree in 2005 in Applied Science in Supervision and Management. Since then, the College has added bachelor’s programs in Engineering Technology, Information Technology, Elementary Education, Secondary Education (with specializations) and Nursing.

Three Daytona State College Students Named to 2020 All-Florida Academic Team Three Daytona State College students have earned spots on the 2020 All-Florida Academic Team announced by the Florida College System. The award recognizes outstanding students who are enrolled in associate degree or certificate programs for their academic achievement, leadership and service to the community. Representing Daytona State are Hana Anderson, Zoey Gurvich and Kyle Ryan.

Students are nominated by their respective colleges through the All-USA Academic Team competition sponsored by Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) International Honor Society.

To be eligible, a student must be enrolled through December 2019 in a minimum of six semester credit hours of associate degree, college-level coursework at the time of nomination. They must also hold a

minimum 3.50 grade point average on all college-level coursework completed in the last five years and be on track to earn an associate degree, bachelor’s degree, career or technical certificate prior to fall 2020.

Anderson graduated from DSC in December after earning her AA degree and now attends Stetson University where she is pursuing a bachelor’s in Social Science.

During her time at Daytona State, she volunteered with Strong Heart International and Habitat for Humanity, and was involved in Volusia County’s sea turtle lighting workshops through PTK. Anderson also served as a peer tutor in the DSC Writing Center in the fall of 2019.

spring with her AA degree. She has plans to transfer to the University of Florida with a future goal of becoming a veterinarian.

Gurvich, who serves as president for the Daytona State chapter of PTK, volunteers at Ravenwood Veterinary in Port Orange and the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens.

Ryan completed his AA degree this spring and is planning to transfer to Florida State University in pursuing his goal of becoming a pediatric orthopedic surgeon. Ryan serves as a youth leader in his local church and has been involved with multiple volunteer programs in high school and during his time at Daytona State.

Gurvich, who attended DSC’s New Smyrna Beach/Edgewater Campus, graduated this

Florida’s Inaugural FAME Chapter Launched at Daytona State College Daytona State College has become home to Florida’s first chapter of FAME (Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education), a collaborative effort between DSC and local manufacturers designed to match students in the AS Engineering Technology program with job opportunities in the community.

The first cohort is expected to start classes in the fall of 2020.

FAME is a collaborative group of manufacturers and other employers of technical workers whose purpose is to implement dual-track, work-based learning education that will create a pipeline of the most highly skilled new workers. It currently has more than 25 chapters in 13 states, nearly all of them in conjunction with junior or community college associate degree programs.

Four companies in Flagler and Volusia counties have joined to create the local FAME chapter and committed to sponsor at least one student each in the first cohort.

Those companies are American Radionics in Palm Coast, Boston Whaler, Inc. in Edgewater, Dougherty Manufacturing in Edgewater, and Hudson Technologies in Ormond Beach.

Daytona State will use its AS degree in Engineering Technology, Mechatronics specialization, as the academic home of the FAME program. Industry experts provided input into course selection and sequencing to customize this degree for the workplace. The students will attend class two days a week and work at their sponsoring companies three days a week. The curriculum has a strong focus on professional behavior and lean manufacturing principles following the Toyota model of the original FAME chapters.

early July. Employers will have the choice of hiring students before the fall semester begins or waiting until classes officially start in August.

Students finishing the program are wellgrounded in both their technical and professional skills, have relevant work experience in their field and often finish with little or no student debt. Additionally, the program will have an aligned articulation to the BS in Engineering Technology offered at DSC and other colleges and universities in Florida, providing access to continued career, personal and professional growth.

For more information about the program, please contact Dante Leon, Associate Vice President, College of Business, Engineering and Technology at: Dante.Leon@DaytonaState.edu.

Recruiting will be led by local industry leaders and a “Signing Day” will be held in DAYTONA STATE MAGAZINE • SPRING/SUMMER 2020 | 9

STUDENT LIFE

2 s t n e v E g n i r p S

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COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS

Halifax Health and Daytona State are Partnering for Community Health & Education In a historic sponsorship agreement, Halifax Health and Daytona State College have partnered together to offer tremendous benefits for healthcare students and medical professionals in the region. The new agreement provides $500,000 in scholarship funding for DSC students in nursing and other health-related fields while guaranteeing post-graduate employment for all scholarship recipients.

Over the next five years, Halifax is contributing $100,000 annually to the newly created Halifax Health Scholarship Fund, with half that total providing scholarship money for employees of Halifax Health who are also students in Daytona State’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program. Another $35,000 annually will be for students in either the BSN or AS nursing programs, and $15,000 will be allocated for DSC students in other health related fields.

The scholarship will pay the full amount of tuition and fees for each semester awarded.

“This is a partnership that has tremendous benefits for students at Daytona State and future employees of Halifax Health,” said Dr. Tom LoBasso, DSC President. “By working

together to provide both educational and employment opportunities, we’re able to address the needs of our local communities by filling critical healthcare positions with home-grown talent.”

Health Softball Stadium” for a term of 25 years and designates Halifax as the “Official Healthcare Provider of Daytona State College Athletics” for five years.

“Halifax Health represents opportunity to so many in our area,” said Jeff Feasel, Halifax Health President and CEO. “Every year we provide scholarships for our team members to enhance their education. This program with Daytona State College, ‘Education to Employment’, is a great way for us to build a sustainable pipeline of life-saving care givers and increase the economic vitality of our area.”

All scholarship recipients will be selected

by Daytona State College and may be either full- or part-time students. They must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and be a resident of Volusia, Flagler or Brevard counties.

Scholarship recipients must enter into a separate agreement with Halifax or a Halifax affiliate regarding their future employment with Halifax or one of its affiliates.

In recognition of the agreement, the College renamed its softball facility the “Halifax

DAYTONA STATE MAGAZINE • SPRING/SUMMER 2020 | 11

SPRING SPORTS ! s n o c l a 2020Go F Men’s Basketball The Falcons, who were in their first season under new head coach Martin McCann, wrapped up their season with a 17-13 record, led by sophomore guard Marco Morency’s 17.6 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. Sophomore guard Dante Moses averaged 13.7 points and another sophomore guard, Kam’Ron

Cunningham scored 10.9 per game. All three made more than 50 3-pointers and were selected First Team All-Mid-Florida Conference. Freshman Issa Muhammad and sophomore Adong Makuoi were Second Team selections.

Women’s Basketball The DSC women’s basketball team went 18-12 with a runnerup finish in the Mid-Florida Conference and a No. 8 ranking in the NJCAA Region 8 Coaches’ Poll. The Falcons were led by sophomore guard Cherelle Washington, an All-State and First Team All-Mid-Florida Conference selection who averaged 15.7

points per game and topped 30 on two occasions. Freshman forward Kianni Westbrook (12.7 ppg., 9.4 rebs.) and sophomore guard Paris Williams (12.0 ppg., 4.0 rebs., 5.4 asts.) joined her asFirst Team All-Conference selections and sophomore guard/ forward Carrie Lee (8.1 ppg., 5.8 rebs.) was second team.

Cross-Country Academic Awards The NJCAA Cross Country Coaches Association announced its 2019 Scholar All-America awards, honoring both individuals and teams for excellence in the classroom during the fall semester. Four members of the DSC women’s team earned that award (Kylie Dedeo, Jenny Enslin, Kristina Gray and Hannah Offenback) and four men were also on the list (Adam Mastrobuono, Andy Martinez, August Healy and Tyler Baker). In the team category, the Falcon women’s team ranked No. 2 in the nation with its 3.829 GPA for the fall semester and the men ranked 12th with a 3.678 GPA.

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Softball The softball team went 9-17 before its final 26 games were cancelled. The Falcons’ top two hitters were freshmen Latricia Richardson and Laura Axson, who both hit well over .400.

Richardson posted a .455 batting average with a .533 on-base percentage, 12 doubles, two home runs and 23 RBI, and Axson

hit .444 with a .512 on-base percentage. Sophomore Giavonna Auricchio clubbed seven home runs, drove in a team-high 31 runs and hit .357. In the pitcher’s circle, sophomore Ashley Greene led the Falcons with six wins.

Baseball The DSC baseball team finished 10-12 before the remaining 20 games were cancelled by the NJCAA. Freshman Jace Wilson led the Falcons with a .379 batting average and .528 on-base percentage, while sophomore Lawson Schumacher hit .375 with a .500 on-base percentage, three home runs and 15 RBI.

Sophomore Bobby Sparling led the team with 21 RBI while batting .300 with eight doubles and three home runs. Freshman relief pitcher Brody Maynard went 2-0 with three saves while striking out 33 batters in 23.1 innings and not allowing a single run.

Women’s Golf After playing five tournaments during the fall portion of the schedule, the DSC golf team was able to complete three of its spring tournaments, all while competing against exclusively NCAA Division I competition. The Falcons had a strong showing in all of them, highlighted by a sixth-place finish from sophomore

Jessica Bailey at the UNF Collegiate hosted by the University of North Florida. They also received an 11th-place finish from Symone Henriques at the Lake Oconee Invitational, who put together an outstanding freshman campaign that included a win at the Stetson Hatter Fall Classic in October.

DAYTONA STATE MAGAZINE • SPRING/SUMMER 2020 | 13

MEET THE FACULTY

“There were a lot of Daytona State College folks who took me Huran Thomas under their wing or mentored me through the whole process.”

Harun Thomas has been a member of the Daytona

State College faculty since 2008 as a professor in the English department and when it comes to the state of Florida’s educational system, he’s got it covered. A graduate of Port St. Lucie High School on the Treasure Coast, Thomas earned his AA degree close to home at Indian River State College before collecting two bachelor’s degrees, a master’s and a Ph.D. from the University of Florida. His insight and personal experience moving step-by-step through the system make him a valuable resource for students, as well as other faculty members through his position as Coordinator of Daytona State’s WAC/WID Program.

WAC/WID stands for Writing Across the Curriculum/Writing Across the Disciplines and is a program that was created for professional development. Essentially, it’s a class for faculty, led by faculty, which emphasizes the link between writing and learning in all disciplines, not just those that focus on composition, literature and English.

“The program is designed to help professors and instructors encourage more student engagement in their classrooms through the use of writing,” said Thomas, who has been involved in WAC/ WID either as a participant, facilitator and now its coordinator.

In his role with WAC/WID, Thomas supports faculty as they design and revise course material and teach students how to write in their respective disciplines, which may include specialized vocabularies.

Studies have shown students tend to have greater mastery of the subject if exposed early to that discipline’s unique writing form. In a sense, it’s writing to learn instead of learning to write.

“For many years I had already incorporated writing in my own classroom, but WAC/WID really encouraged me to figure out new ways to make my class more cohesive, and scaffold things more efficiently and effectively.”

Though he’s now a professor in the School of Humanities and Communication, Thomas was at one time a math major. “I had already been doing a lot of writing, so when I came back to Florida, I decided to switch majors and chose journalism. I wanted to try my hand at some 14 | DAYTONA STATE MAGAZINE • SPRING/SUMMER 2020

type of professional writing. I ended up minoring in English and got my second bachelor’s because I was only a few credits shy.”

The years in Gainesville were a busy time for Thomas, who was juggling restaurant jobs, playing in multiple bands and attending graduate school, all while starting a family when he was married in 2000. It was around that time he realized he wanted to be a teacher.

“I think the first day I taught as a teaching assistant at UF was when I knew,” Thomas said.

Having successfully transitioned into teaching at the University of Florida, and armed with a Ph.D., Thomas and his young family relocated to Daytona Beach in 2008 to be closer to his wife’s family.

He landed a job at Mainland High School, but really wanted to teach at the collegiate level. Conveniently, Daytona State College presented Thomas with the opening he was seeking, even though he had been at Mainland High School less than four months.

Though he’d been there only a short time, Thomas was still dedicated to his job at Mainland and wanted to end things there in such a way that it didn’t create any additional challenges. So, for about two weeks, Thomas taught at both schools, starting his day at Mainland and running across the street to teach night classes at Daytona State.

“It was something I didn’t have to do, and my principal at Mainland didn’t expect me to do that either. I just felt like I could finish up that half of the school year. They realized this was a great opportunity for me.”

When he got to DSC, Thomas immediately noticed how talented his colleagues were and it provided inspiration as he adjusted to a place he has now called home for 12 years and counting.

Thomas continues to draw inspiration from his students and enjoys hearing from those who have graduated and found their own success. “I think the growth of the College is absolutely amazing.

The way the community is continuously coming together to do the right things, and looking forward in a progressive way is something that keeps me going.”

ARTS & CULTURE

Daytona State College Vets Create Through a grant from the Margaret McCartney & R. Parks Williams Foundation, military veterans and their families have been given the opportunity to enroll in a variety of studio art courses at Daytona State as a means of expression, social reintegration, healing and engagement, as well as learning. The program, titled “Vets Create” began during the spring semester but was suspended due to COVID-19. Hopefully, the program will be able to continue through the Fall 2020 semester as conditions warrant.

“When I came out of the military, I kind of disappeared and went through a lot of things that affected me emotionally. This program has allowed me to come back from all of that.”

The Vets Create grant is the second awarded to the DSC Studio Arts Department in the last four years. The special funding allows veterans, their spouses and dependents to enroll in ceramics, drawing, painting, or design courses. The grant provides scholarship funds to cover course credits, all lab and required fees, tool kits and art supplies specific to each course.

“I’m the type of person who typically stays home and doesn’t go out to mingle, but this class has brought me out to be part of the community again. At first, I didn’t think I would be accepted because I’m older. I thought it would be for the younger vets who are coming back from combat overseas. But I found out there’s a community made up of all ages here, and I haven’t met a single person who doesn’t really enjoy what they’re doing.”

James Burke served as a medic in the military but developed a deep interest in art as a child. The grant has allowed him to enroll in Daytona State’s ceramics program and pursue an art degree, and it’s also given him the chance to meet other veterans with similar experiences.

“It’s giving veterans an opportunity to better themselves, and a release from the stress that comes from things the military can bring upon you. Some people don’t even realize they have it. But when you work with the clay, it does something to you. When you mold it, and all this energy goes into it, all of that stress is released, and you go to another level.”

Just as Burke did at a young age, Beasley dabbled in art growing up and is free to explore those interests again. She credits the program with getting her out of the house and helping her interact with people again after becoming too reclusive.

The program has had a profound effect on Andres Montenegro, DSC’s ceramics instructor, too. “I see the energy they have, and the hard work and humbleness that comes through their experiences in the military. I think it gives them a vision and an appreciation for these things and it’s a great example for younger people. It shows them how hard work and discipline can help them achieve their goals.”

Burke and Beasley both emphasized how important it was for other veterans to take opportunities like Vets Create and use them to their full advantage. They encouraged vets to seek out everything the College offers and explore the possibilities.

It’s more than just the hands-on work with the clay too. The entire environment is part of the program, including the type of music played in the background.

“These are dedicated people who want you to learn and feel like you’re a part of the program,” said Burke. “I’ve met so many wonderful people here and it’s a true community.”

“It relaxes you, calms you and helps kindle the spirt,” Burke said. “You have this environment with other people and other vets who can relate to each other, and you can talk about things with an understanding of what we share. I want to see more vets join this program.”

“I hadn’t been using my benefits as a veteran,” Beasley said. “Most female vets have had some of the same issues I’ve had. So many of us experienced death and a lot of other things, and you don’t realize how much it affects you until you get home. I hope other women see this and do it, too.”

Diana Beasley is another member of the Vets Create program. She served as an air traffic controller in the United States Navy and worked at a weapons center but through an unfortunate accident, became disabled.

“I’m glad I had this privilege,” Beasley added.

DAYTONA STATE MAGAZINE • SPRING/SUMMER 2020 | 15

CONVOCATION

Daytona State Honors Students and Employees On April 9, in what would have been the annual Outstanding Student Awards Convocation this week, Daytona State College honored 175 students along with three employees.

“During this unprecedented time, I think it’s important to continue the tradition of acknowledging our academic award winners as they make greater accomplishments and advance along their career pathways. These hard-working students are focused on their success and we are honored to highlight their achievements,” stated President Tom LoBasso.

Students are recognized for their academic, community service and athletic achievements. Among the award winners, 25 were named to the Falcon Engagement Award program and 14 were inducted into the College’s Hall of Fame - the highest honor the faculty can bestow upon a student.

Induction into the College’s HALL OF FAME is based on the highest standards of excellence in scholarship, leadership and citizenship. The 2020 inductees are: Giavanna Auricchio, Hannah Baker, Tammy Cruz, Elizabeth Dilger, Carla Hernandez, Alex Moker, Melinda Moscoso, Breanna Nax, Heather Osterhouse, Maylin Rodriguez, Sue Small-Kreider, Hilton Smith, Peyton Thompson and Paris Williams.

Selection to the FALCON STUDENT ENGAGEMENT AWARD program is based upon academic excellence as well as contributions to the College and the community. Students selected for 2020 are: Hannah Baker, Brooke Boccuzzo, Charles Brand, Elizabeth Dilger, Wendy Eagle, Carla Hernandez, Fonda Howell, Skylar Jenkins, Nicholas LeBlanc, Angel Limardo, Rylee McKenzie, Stephen Miksits, Breanna Nax, Tamara Peterson, Meghan Quartier, Juan Quintana, Maylin Rodriguez, John Schulten, Sue Small-Kreider, Hilton Smith, Casey Sommer, Emma Strand, Alexis Thompson, Peyton Thompson, Emanuel Torres and Paris Williams.

Students honored for athletic or scholastic achievement or for their service to the College are: DIVISION OF STUDENT LIFE Student Government - Maylin Rodriguez Student Publication: Interactive Media In Motion - Kyra Lieberman Phi Theta Kappa - Breanna Nax DIVISION OF INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS Men’s Baseball - Jordan Barnett Men’s Basketball - Adong Makuoi Men’s Cross Country - Andy Martinez Men’s Soccer - Shandel Senior Women’s Basketball - Paris Williams Women’s Cross Country - Kristine Gray Women’s Golf - Symone Henriques Women’s Soccer - Makenna Gottschalk Women’s Softball - Giavonna Auricchio Women’s Volleyball – Carla Hernandez COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES Quanta - Alex Moker Dan Stout Award - Hussein Al-Sada Outstanding Mathematics Madison Freeman Geography - John Schulten History - Colton Eschbach Philosophy - Timea Kovac Political Science - Abigail Barber Psychology - Camille Hinds Sociology - Marisa Sanders Chemistry - James Crossman, Jr. Environmental Science Technology - Elizabeth Harwood Marine Biologist - Katelyn Digirolomo Physics - Angie Trang Photographic Technology - Philip Huss Student Life Skills - Melinda Moscoso Speech - Eric Imlach Spanish - Nicholas Moraites Digital and Interactive Media Production - Adam Rickard Elementary Education - Bachelor of Science - Roianna Miller Exceptional Education - Bachelor of Science - Shane Story Educators Preparation Institute Lesly Louis-Marc Personal Narrative - Sharon Clark Argumentative Category - Landry Tindal| Poetry Category - Isabella Griffin General Research Category - Ashley Alier Literature Analysis Category Caitlynn Lawler Multimodal Web Composition - Lily Lanagan

16 | DAYTONA STATE MAGAZINE • SPRING/SUMMER 2020

Short Fiction - Grace Neal Music Production Technology Nicholas Parray Outstanding in Instrumental Music - Jonathan Fisk Outstanding in Theater - Gabriel Barnert Outstanding in Choral - Heather Osterhouse Outstanding in Studio Arts 3D Sarah Holcomb Outstanding in Studio Arts 2D - Carol Makky COLLEGE BUSINESS, ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY Bachelor of Applied Science Augusta Thomas Bachelor of Applied Science Michael Wilson-Stovall Bachelor of Applied Science (Hospitality Concentration) - Brittany Fraginals Culinary Management (AS) - Rex Parkins Hospitality Management (AS) Christine Forrest Culinary Operations-Baking and Pastry Specialization - Alysa White Accounting Technology (AS) - Robert Zink Accounting Technology Management - Matthew Marquard Business Management (Certificate) - Gabriel Padilla Business Operations - Entrepreneurship - Richard Lane Business Administration (AS) Jedadiah Matheson Broadcast TV Production (Certificate) - David Phillips Broadcast TV Production (AS)- David Rojas Industrial Management Technology - Mitchell Townsend Office Administration (General) Deborah Murano Office Administration (Medical) Nicole Conway Office Management - Midalkis Morales Marketing, Sales, and Service - Entrepreneurship - Ilianix Bello Olomo Paralegal Studies (Legal Assisting) - Elisabeth Demers Project Management - Kim Crayne Television Studio Production (Certificate) - Cameron Becker Architectural and Building Technology - Ryan Amsel AutoCAD Foundations (Architectural) - Nathan Crouch AutoCAD Foundations (Engineering) - Lawrence Russell Drafting and Design Technology (CAD) - Jason Moore

Drafting and Design Technology (Certificate) - Madison Rogers Interior Design Technology Melissa Robinson Computer Aided Design and Drafting - JaLynn Moreland Computer Engineering Technology Travis Archer Computer Information Technology Iliana Sejdolli Computer Programming (Certificate) Scott Ownbey Computer Programming and Analysis (Software Engineering Technology) Mark Jackson Cybersecurity and Cyberforensics William Gerardi Electronics Engineering Technology Blake Wantuch Engineering Technology - Christopher Vera Engineering Technology Support Specialist - Luis Moreno Information Technology Analysis Guy Heidemann Network Server Administration Justin Daniels Simulation and Robotics Technology - Micah Williams Web Development Specialist - Kalee Wagner Web System Software Development - Eugene Borts Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology (BSET) - Shirley Garcia Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology- Electrical Engineering Technology Concentration Ahmad Baradaran Bachelor of Science in Information Technology (BSIT) - William Gerardi COLLEGE OF HEALTH & PUBLIC SERVICES Dental Hygiene - Sabrina Rosario Dental Assisting - Brooke Myers Criminal Justice Technology Bridge - William Nunziato Correctional Officer Recruit Training (Certificate) - Steven Bordas Emergency Medical Technician (Certificate) - Dylan Curtis Fire Fighter (Certificate) - Mikayla Laks Florida Law Enforcement Academy - Michael Anderson Paramedic (Certificate) - Manuel Matute Early Childhood Education - Cornella Nalls Health Information Management Kimberly Daniels Occupational Therapy Assistant Audean G. Miceli Physical Therapist Assistant Katelyn Blushiy Radiography - Adrienne Hunt

Respiratory Care - Aubrey Renwick Massage Therapy - Sharlene Dufford Medical Assisting - Kennisha Spearman Surgical Technology - Brianna Bobbitt Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) - Denise White Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) - Patrick Schill Nursing - Cora Loxton

DELAND CAMPUS Outstanding Service to Campus Landon Bach Associate of Arts - Anna Whitaker Nursing - Chelsea Wade Nursing - Megan Costa Academic Support Center: Peer Tutor - Natalia Markham Writing Center: Peer Tutor - Ray Jacobs

MARY KARL COLLEGE OF WORKFORCE & CONTINUING EDUCATION Advanced Welding - Christopher Reichard Air Conditioning, Refrigeration and Heating Mechanic - David Wooldridge Automotive Collision Repair and Refinishing - Travis Garry Automotive Service Technology Steven Winchester, II Barbering - Saul Oropeza Building Trades and Construction Design Technology - Jacob Temple CNC Machining - Cecil Legons Cosmetology - Brittany Robinson Early Childhood Education Apprenticeship - Karetta Watts- Roundtree Electrical Apprenticeship-Union - Ted Moore Welding Technology (Applied) - Jorge Dean General Education Development Degree - David Herrera English to Speakers of other Language - Nora Gonzalez

DELTONA CAMPUS Outstanding Service to Campus Hilton Smith Associate of Arts Livan Hernandez Fernandez Associate of Arts - Hailey Echevarria Academic Support Center: Peer Tutor - Kayla Perryman Writing Center: Peer Tutor - Edward Torres

ACADEMIC SUPPORT AND COLLEGE WRITING CENTER Supplemental Instruction Leader of the Year: Science - Benjamin Ewers Supplemental Instruction Leader of the Year: Math - Abdurrahim Birik Academic Support Center: Peer Tutor (Daytona Beach Campus) Veronica Mayor Academic Support Center: Peer Tutor (Daytona Beach Campus) - Hannah Oliver Writing Center: Peer Tutor Alondra Cruz-Lamboy Writing Center: Peer Tutor - Elizabeth Brown SERVICE LEARNING Exceptional Achievement in Service – Learning - Lynda Latulip Exemplary Reflective Activity - Vicki Whitley Shining Example of a Service Learner - Tammy Cruz ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY COLLEGE Outstanding Service to Campus Kaesha Roy

FLAGLER/PALM COAST CAMPUS Academic Support Center: Peer Tutor - Matthew Tindell Outstanding Service to Campus Genifer Rock Associate of Arts - Kyle Ryan Computer Science - Darren Treco Dual Enrollment - Brittany Elman Writing Center: Peer Tutor - Melissa Garner NEW SMYRNA BEACH/EDGEWATER CAMPUS Outstanding Service to Campus Heather Hanger Dual Enrollment - Gabriel Peck Associate of Arts - Matthew Lubinski Associate of Arts - Megan Brown Academic Support Center: Peer Tutor - Taylor Draper In addition, three employees were recognized.

Since 1999, a faculty member has been selected to receive the PRESIDENTIAL TEACHING EXCELLENCE AWARD. This year’s recipient is Dan Biferie, chair and senior professor, School of Photography, who has been with the College since 1975.

Will Dunne, Dean of the School of Health and Wellness and Athletic Director, and Tara DeBloom, Administrative Assistant, Academic Affairs, received EMPLOYEE EXCELLENCE AWARDS.

DAYTONA STATE MAGAZINE • SPRING/SUMMER 2020 | 17

HOMETOWN HERO

HONORING DBPD CHIEF CRAIG CAPRI have demonstrated notable community involvement while expressing a clear, relevant impact of their college experience on their success.

Daytona Beach Police Chief Craig Capri, a 1989 graduate of Daytona State College’s Law Enforcement Academy, was honored as the 2019 LeRoy Collins Distinguished Alumni Award winner presented by the Association of Florida Colleges (AFC). The AFC is the professional association for Florida’s 28 state colleges, boards and employees.

Nominees in the Hometown Hero category must have achieved a measure of success within the nominating college’s district and

After graduating from the academy, Capri joined the Daytona Beach Police Department in October 1990 and worked in every major division over the next three decades, including patrol, criminal investigations and narcotics. He progressed through the ranks while moving into leadership positions in narcotics, rapid response and SWAT, to name a few, and after serving as deputy chief, Capri was sworn in as Daytona Beach Police Chief in January 2017. He now leads a force of some 450 full- and part-time officers and civilian employees.

Under his leadership, DBPD launched an Advanced Technology and Cybercrimes Unit that targets sex crimes and white-collar criminal activity such as identity theft. He initiated an Unmanned Aerial Systems unit, primarily for search-and-rescue operations, and his department was among the first in

Florida to make body cameras a standard practice for patrols.

Capri’s time at DSC was not limited to the Law Enforcement Academy. In 1997, he returned to the College and earned his Associate of Arts degree before continuing his education at the University of Central Florida where he earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Criminal Justice.

Capri is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy as well as the Police Executive Research Forum’s Senior Management Institute and is an expert on de-escalation tactics in modern policing.

In 2018, DSC’s Alumni & Friends Association recognized Capri’s accomplishments with the Alumni of the Year Award, noting his 100 percent commitment to the community that he serves and his progressive approach to law enforcement. An adjunct instructor at DSC’s School of Emergency Services, Capri remains active in the community, working with high schools and neighborhood watch programs, and continuing his longtime relationship with the Police Athletic League.

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18 | DAYTONA STATE MAGAZINE • SPRING/SUMMER 2020

DSC ALUMNI CLASS NOTES

Dr. LoBasso presents Dolly LaNell DeLoach with her long awaited diploma.

Daytona State College Formally Recognizes 1960 Graduate Dolly LaNell DeLoach Clerical error prevented her from walking in the College’s inaugural commencement ceremony Sixty years after graduating from what was then known as Daytona Beach Junior College, Dolly LaNell DeLoach formally received her diploma from President Dr. Tom LoBasso. Dolly was a member of the College’s first graduating class in 1960, but a clerical error in the registrar’s office prevented her from walking in the ceremony.

Though she had already purchased her cap and gown and was prepared to walk in the graduation ceremony, the College informed her she would not be able to participate because she fell just short of having the required number of hours.

“Somehow a mistake was made, and they had me listed as withdraw/failing from a class,” Dolly explained. “They couldn’t rectify the situation at the time and told me I could not walk across the stage. I wanted my mother to see me graduate because she was so proud, and I was very disappointed for my mother’s sake.”

Less than three weeks later, Dolly received a letter from the College registrar informing her the transcript error had been found and corrected, and that they sincerely regretted she was unable to participate in graduation

activities. Dolly also received her diploma, dated June 10, 1960, which conferred her AA degree.

Now in 2020, wearing a new cap and gown, Dolly formally received the diploma she originally obtained in the mail from the hands of Dr. LoBasso, who presented her with it on February 27. Her two sons, Dale and Deane, both of whom also attended Daytona State, were on hand to witness the presentation.

“It was very kind of the College and Dr. LoBasso to do this,” Dolly said. “It’s something they really didn’t have to do, but I am so happy they did.”

was in the Marine Corps. When her mother learned a new college was opening in their hometown, they returned to the United States so Dolly would have the chance to further her education. She was given a $25 scholarship to help with the cost of attendance and began taking classes to earn her Associate of Arts degree.

Dolly’s husband, Art, is also a graduate of the College and went on to serve in the military. The couple now lives primarily in Lewisville, North Carolina.

“It was a pleasure to award her degree in cap and gown since she was unable to do so when she earned it,” said LoBasso. “She was beaming with pride as were her two sons. To think 60 years have passed and she seemed as excited as any other graduate would be was gratifying to all of us.”

After graduating from Mainland High School in 1956 and also attending the Mary Karl Vocational School, Dolly moved with her mother to Japan where her brother

SEND YOUR CLASS NOTES TO ALUMNI@DAYTONASTATE.EDU DAYTONA STATE MAGAZINE • SPRING/SUMMER 2020 | 19

IN HONOR OF MARY BRENNAN KARL

Daytona State College Renames College of Workforce and Continuing Education in Honor of Mary Brennan Karl Mary Brennan Karl was one of Volusia County’s early leaders in education, compiling a long list of accomplishments during her career. As a teacher and administrator with the public school system in the 1930s during some of the darkest days of the 20th century, she founded Volusia County’s first vocational school, the forerunner of what is now known as Daytona State College. To honor the woman whose efforts changed the lives of so many young men and women, DSC renamed its College of Workforce and Continuing Adult Education to the “Mary Karl College of Workforce and Continuing Education” during a ceremony on January 23 at DSC’s Advanced Technology College.

“It’s no stretch to say that Daytona State would not even exist, if it were not for the efforts of Mary Karl, whose passion for education in Volusia County changed the lives of so many young men and women,” said Dr. Tom LoBasso, DSC President. “It’s amazing that what she started in the ‘30s and ‘40s, vocational training in plumbing, welding, carpentry, electric, and automobile engine repair, are skilled trades that we’re still teaching today at Daytona State.”

With the aid of friends and colleagues such as U.S. Senator Claude Pepper, Mary McLeod Bethune, the founder of BethuneCookman University, and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, Karl was able to secure property from the federal government for the expansion of her school and its further development as a junior college. Her vision became a reality in 1957 when the Florida State Legislature authorized the creation of Daytona Beach Junior College from the pre-existing vocational school. The College has since gone through two name changes, but the property acquired by Karl is still the present-day site of DSC’s Daytona Beach Campus.

“This means a lot to us as a family, to have her name remembered,” said Rick Karl, grandson of Mary Karl and Director of Aviation and Economic Resources for Volusia County. “Mary and her husband lost everything in the Depression, so she was not

a person of wealth, but her passion is what carried this on. I think of my grandmother and Mary McLeod Bethune taking the train together to the White House to meet with Eleanor Roosevelt, who picked up the phone and called the Pentagon to get this rolling.

This is a story of three women collaborating in the 1940s and how a single person, not of wealth, but with tenacity, set out to make this happen.”

Programs offered through the Mary Karl College of Workforce and Continuing Education include Welding, Air Conditioning, Refrigeration & Heating Mechanic (HVACR), Automotive Service Technology, Automotive Collision Repair & Refinishing, Building Trades & Construction Design Technology, Machining, Plumbing, Welding Technology, Cosmetology, and Barbering.

After moving from Michigan to Daytona Beach in 1921, Karl became a teacher at Mainland High School before she was named Director of the Opportunity School in 1931. Her crusade to broaden, strengthen, and enhance the opportunities available to students, along with her tenacious determination, became the driving force behind what evolved into the Volusia County Vocational School. After initially providing training in vital workforce programs during the Great Depression and World War II, the school later retrained veterans for work in civilian jobs.

Pictured above, left to right: Dr. Randy Howard, Chair, DSC District Board of Trustees, Dr. Tom LoBasso, DSC President, Rick Karl, Erin Brennan Karl, Kerry Karl, Dr. Sherryl D. Weems, Mary Karl College of Workforce & Continuing Education.

20 | DAYTONA STATE MAGAZINE • SPRING/SUMMER 2020

Despite the ongoing crisis that continues to unfold across the country, Daytona State College went to great lengths to ensure the class of 2020 still got a proper send-off. Though circumstances did not allow for a normal commencement ceremony, the College’s 60th graduating class was recognized in a virtual ceremony that honored more than 3,400 students for their academic accomplishments.

Coordinated by several different departments within the College, the massive undertaking and all its moving parts came together for a ceremony that was presented on its originally scheduled date of May 11, giving graduates and their families a chance to celebrate. Traditional elements were included too, with Pomp and Circumstance played for the processional, gonfalons (academic banners), flags and flowers on the stage, speeches from dignitaries and an outstanding rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner, sung by student Veronica Colon. It took place at Daytona State’s News-Journal Center and was produced by WDSC TV15.

Since its founding in 1957 as Florida’s first comprehensive community college, Daytona State has awarded more than 100,000 degrees and certificates.

The class of 2020 included more than 1,300 Associate of Arts degree graduates and more than 500 from one of Daytona State’s Associate of Science programs.

Many of them will be continuing their education in one of DSC’s nationally recognized bachelor’s programs, which had 419 graduates this year. There were also nearly 600 students who earned certificates through DSC’s various workforce programs, 217 who earned associate degrees or certificates as dual-enrolled students while still attending high school, and 358 adult education graduates.

Nearly 1,800 members of this year’s class graduated with honors and 481 did so with high honors. Among them are 14 new members of the Daytona State College Hall of Fame, which is the highest honor the faculty can bestow upon a student.

“Commencement is one of the most important events in the life of a student, and although circumstances prevented us from coming together in person, this was still the special occasion it always has been,” said President Dr. Tom LoBasso. “Ceremonies such as these serve to remind us we are part of a larger

community and provide a connection we all need. No other graduating class in the history of this College has had to endure the hardships they have, and it makes what they have done even more impressive and all the more rewarding.”

The unique nature of the ceremony was also noted by Dr. Randy Howard, chair of the DSC District Board of Trustees.

“The format may have changed, but it was still a formal celebration honoring the graduates and their accomplishments.” Howard said. “This is a day that can only come through hard work, resolve, and perseverance, three components needed to build a successful career.”

While the students were unable to walk across the stage and shake hands with the president as they normally would, they were still able to hear their names called out by Dr. Erik D’Aquino, Vice President of Enrollment Management, as individual slides flashed across the screen. The graduates submitted pictures and a short personal statement in advance of the ceremony, and College staff worked tirelessly to produce a presentation that went off without a glitch. Graduates will receive their degrees, printed commencement program and 2020 keepsake tassels in the mail this summer.

Stephen Miksits, president of the DSC Student Government Association and one of the graduation speakers, was pleased with the outcome, saying it was important for students to realize their accomplishments have not gone unnoticed by friends and family, or administrators and faculty at Daytona State.

“The commencement ceremony is a rite of passage, rich in tradition and symbology,” said Miksits.

“It presents an opportunity to acknowledge the successes of the graduates, but more importantly symbolizes the graduates’ transition into the next phase of their lives, whether that is more education, a new career, or applying their newly acquired knowledge to their current careers. The tenacity and grit they have shown to persevere through uncertainty and new challenges proves they have the ability to handle difficult situations well. The pandemic may have closed our campuses and canceled our events, but it didn’t stop us from achieving the goals we set.”

DAYTONA STATE MAGAZINE • SPRING/SUMMER 2020 | 21

RISING TO THE CHALLENGE

Transforming Teaching and Learning: We are #DSCNimble

By Tim Norton

nimble

[ nim-buhl ]

adjective quick and light in movement or action; agile

A ttributed first to 4th century B.C.

philosopher, Plato, and popularized as an English proverb, the saying, “necessity is the mother of all invention,” is being put to the test on multiple fronts here at Daytona State College and around the world.

DSC students, faculty and staff returning from a week of Spring Break 2020 on March 15 found their pursuit of teaching and learning turned upside down. And they sprang to action putting together plans for continuation of the spring semester by converting what had been traditional classroom, and in some cases hybrid classroom, experiences to fully online learning environments.

“The week following spring break was exemplified by teams of faculty, in particular, working to deliver the promise we make to our students: that you will get a quality education at Daytona State that rivals any place in the country. I couldn’t be prouder of how so many faculty and staff stepped up to collaborate and create a new way of teaching and learning.”

—Amy Locklear, Provost

Within one week, 100% of all classes for spring had gone fully online, and students and their professors were learning together again.

“The kind of disruption we experienced on a national level as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the anxieties we have all experienced, At the same time, the offices of enrollment, certainly had an immediate impact on our advising, records, business, facilities, human entire College family. But, as Americans we are resilient and we are recovering. resources and the many other functions The work of our DSC family has been required of a college serving just shy of 25,000 students were preparing, while at the truly remarkable, and I am extremely same time implementing, work from home proud of what we are doing together.” operations for what has turned out to be an —Tom LoBasso, DSC President extended period of time.

Online Ready Without a doubt, Daytona State’s giant strides in online education over the past 22 years – including recognition from U.S. News & World Report of Best Online Bachelor’s Programs, which named Daytona State College as the nation’s #1 College Program and #29 of 353 Colleges and Universities in the nation – proved invaluable as DSC students awoke on March 23rd to a fully online environment for the spring semester.

Just as it did when it first started online classes in 1998, Daytona State is preparing for a new wave of online pedagogy, while at the same time working to support today’s needs.

Professors are growing in their comfort with the technologies that support the learning environment, learning new ways of delivering course materials and continually seeking new avenues for involving each student under their tutelage.

“Today’s online learning experiences will continue to evolve with advances in digital technology in ways that seek to engage students beyond our imagination. We have to remember – and we do – that technological advances challenge us to be intentional in engaging students and teachers in ways that create pathways for, rather than barriers to, learning.”

On-Campus Experienced While focusing a significant amount of energy on the online environment – rightfully so in this period of uncertainty – the College senior leadership team has been engaged in discussions on how and when to once again deliver a stellar teaching and learning face-to-face environment on our six campuses.

Without entering a debate about modality of teaching and learning, it can be said that some learners prefer and likely perform better in a classroom where interaction is natural, ideas are vetted in the group setting and the teacher’s intuition is put to use to assist learners.

Some instruction simply cannot be delivered online. Think of practicing a skill as a dental hygienist, conducting an experiment in the chemistry lab, testing skills as a law

Cheryl’s image here

—Cheryl Kohen, Director, Division of Online Studies 22 | DAYTONA STATE MAGAZINE • SPRING/SUMMER 2020

Photo by Tim Norton

enforcement professional on the gun range, rehearsing and performing a play or musical and more.

Daytona State’s wide array of offerings, designed to meet the demands of a workforce that is growing and evolving as the region changes, necessitates a certain ability to remain agile – “nimble” if you will – in order to provide what is required by the communities served by the College.

As the College prepares for the future, the environment and modality of learning required for the best outcome for students is at the forefront of planning and execution of both on-campus and online learning.

#DSCNimble Since 1957, Daytona State College has sought to prepare students for careers that offer hope for the future in terms of employability, contributing to one’s community and providing for a world that is becoming more interconnected with each passing day.

Over the past 63 years, Daytona State has provided its educational services out of necessity for employers in the region, in response to opportunities for economic development and to meet the demands of an ever-changing milieu of arts, business, culinary management, education, healthcare, manufacturing and more. And, it can be

reliably predicted that this present challenge will not be the last faced by Daytona State and the communities served by the College as it seeks – as the DSC mission statement says – to provide access to a range of flexible programs from community enrichment to the baccalaureate degree, emphasizing student success, embracing excellence and diversity, as well as fostering innovation to enhance teaching and learning.

Daytona State College’s history is replete with examples of facing challenges – head-on, clear eyed and ready to act with agility and confidence – as opportunities for impact, from Volusia and Flagler counties to the rest of the world, come our way.

We are #DSCNimble DAYTONA STATE MAGAZINE • SPRING/SUMMER 2020 | 23

COVER STORY Tom LoBasso Since early March when it was apparent that Daytona State College, indeed the whole world, was in for an unexpected journey, President Tom LoBasso has led the College to think strategically and focus intently to utilize every resource of the College in support of continuing the College’s educational mission, always keeping the safety of the entire College community at the forefront of his mind.

Working from his office in the Wetherell Administration & Student Services Building on the Daytona Beach campus, LoBasso has held daily meetings with campus leaders whose responsibilities and experiences are critical in monitoring and managing the College’s preparedness for navigating the uncharted territory created by the pandemic.

Dr. LoBasso has convened meetings with faculty and staff, as well as the College’s Board of Trustees and community leaders. And, as he drilled down on every vital service offered to students and in support of faculty and staff, Dr. LoBasso has led with head and heart.

Leaders from across the wide spectrum of the College’s organization have used words like imaginative, determined, compassionate, flexible and optimistic to describe President LoBasso’s leadership in this time of challenge; all beneficial traits of a good leader, especially in times of uncertainty.

Having served Daytona State for more than 19 years, from his first job as Director of Admissions and Recruitment to today, five years into his role as president, “Tom” – as he is known to campus leaders and the community – has proven himself uniquely qualified to lead in this time of disruption and uncertainty. Indeed, the future is bright for Daytona State under the leadership of Dr. LoBasso.

Amy Locklear Thoughtfully, calmly guiding every aspect of the transition from face-to-face and hybrid delivery of 1,589 class sections to a fully online environment in a short oneweek timeframe beginning on March 16, Dr. Amy Locklear has demonstrated her talent and the skills required to lead the vast academic enterprise that is Daytona State College.

24 | DAYTONA STATE MAGAZINE • SPRING/SUMMER 2020

Assuming the role of Provost, the chief academic officer of the College, in 2014, Dr. Locklear has built a team of highly capable professionals who under her direct guidance lead more than half of the College’s human resources. The transition to 100% online learning required training 227 faculty who had not previously taught online, which was made possible, in large measure, by deploying 200 faculty members who were experienced online educators as mentors.

During this time of interruption in normal life, Locklear has done most of this work from home where – like so many others in this extraordinary time – her number one priority has been as a parent, followed closely by her determination to demonstrate excellence as she carries out her responsibilities.

From the faculty to the 13 Associate Vice Presidents and Deans – who manage everything from institutional research to biology labs to the Small Business Development Center to the athletics program and much more – Locklear has worked long hours to ensure that Daytona State’s faculty have the resources they need to continue supporting Volusia and Flagler counties with educational resources for economic development and for bright futures for the next generation.

Erik D’Aquino As the Vice President of Enrollment Management, Dr. Erik D’Aquino has, by necessity, guided his team from a model that is traditionally focused on personal, face-to-face interaction, to supporting the College’s almost 25,000 students remotely.

“During the same period of time last year, our Admissions, Advising, Financial Aid, Records and Student Accounts professionals served approximately 23,000 students who walked through our doors for guidance and assistance,” said D’Aquino. “And, though the virtual customer service experience simply cannot be the same, our teams have done a remarkable job in serving students.”

Among the features that has made it possible to serve our students so well is the ‘Live Chat’ feature installed by the College last Fall.

Since early March, engagement by way of Live Chat has increased by over 1000%, and the feedback from students using this service has been very encouraging. “Our student-focused staff is anxious to re-engage face-to-face as soon as possible,” reported D’Aquino. “The reason we chose our careers in higher education is out of a desire to make a positive impact in the lives of students. “When the time is right, and our campus offices are open to receive students, we will be better prepared than ever before to serve our students as they pursue their dreams.”

Hilton Smith (Student) As Vice-President of DSC’s Student Government Association representing the Deltona Campus, Hilton Smith experienced a wide range of emotions and experiences during the sudden transition to online learning. He had taken hybrid classes but never one fully online, leaving him to wonder how his science courses and associated labs would be handled, but the virtual assignments created by professors helped keep things going.

He also discovered an unexpected benefit.

“What I liked most were the online video lectures. You could stop them and take notes, where in class you only have limited time.”

Hilton knew professors and students alike were experiencing their own individual challenges and found himself trying to reconcile his own thoughts and feelings with the many people who were sick and dying, some of whom he knew personally. There were program glitches and spotty internet to contend with too, but his service provider developed a plan to help home-bound students by offering free internet during the pandemic. Through it all, Hilton knew it was important to keep a positive attitude in his leadership position with SGA, and with that in mind, helped organize online events for students such as Spirit Week and a Virtual Party.

“Many of us were first-time graduates in our families so we were caught in between our dreams of walking across the stage and being considerate that many people were dying from this virus.

Ultimately, we all knew as a nation we had to come together in love and support.”

Zina Grau DSC ‘03 As if welcoming a new son just before the turn of the new year wasn’t enough, Zina Grau DSC ’03, has adjusted the realities of parenting and the other responsibilities of family life, while at the same time working from home.

Zina’s responsibilities as a Private Risk Advisor with Brown & Brown Insurance – the sixth largest independent insurance brokerage in the nation founded in 1939 in Daytona Beach, and listed on the NYSE (BRO) – require her to connect regularly with her insurance customers.

From providing tech tools for working remotely in support of thousands of teammates in hundreds of locations, to delivering exceptional service and solutions to its customers, “Brown & Brown,” said Zina, “is proud to demonstrate ‘The Power of We’ and ‘Culture of Caring.’”

In April, the Brown & Brown Relief Center was opened for anyone in need; current customer or not. “Brown & Brown has a long-standing history of dedication to the people and communities in which we live, work, and play,” commented Brown & Brown President and Chief Executive Officer, Powell Brown. “We feel it is critical to do all we can to help those in our communities during this complex and unprecedented time.”

Grau and her Brown & Brown teammates have continued their focus on providing customers with solutions and teammates with remarkable support during the pandemic, even as they do so in a virtual environment.

JULEEN DALEY (Assistant Professor, School of Nursing) Because of her experience as both a student and teacher in an online environment, Juleen Daley was confident in her abilities to transfer her entire course online even on short notice. However, there were still challenges, most notably finding additional critical thinking and clinical decision-making online activities for students no longer able to ask and answer questions in a face-to-face classroom setting.

Juleen also needed to continue motivating students who faced their own challenges, such as additional childcare duties or problems connecting to online material. But she credits the support she received from her department chair and colleagues for helping her work through those situations. She noted too how the crisis has shed new light on ways everyone can improve to be better equipped for future challenges such as this.

“I am confident my colleagues and I did an extraordinary job with our students this semester, just as we did in previous semesters.

We will continue to motivate our students until the very end so we are able to put out nurses who will provide competent, culturally congruent nursing care, ultimately, changing healthcare for the better!”

DAYTONA STATE MAGAZINE • SPRING/SUMMER 2020 | 25

COVER STORY

BRITTANY JONES (Head Women’s Soccer Coach) Although the college soccer season is played exclusively during the fall, coaches are still involved with their teams year-round and women’s head coach Brittany Jones was faced with the challenge of keeping her student-athletes engaged athletically and academically with no personal contact. She also had to adjust to a different style of recruiting.

“We hosted individual video meetings on a weekly basis to discuss their classes, goals, struggles and successes. A large part of these meetings centered around coping strategies to deal with such an emotional time and the uncertainty we all face. Being able to talk through their struggles and share other ideas has been invaluable.”

Brittany and Assistant Coach Maggie Manville developed a weekly video trivia game, utilized social media to challenge players with fitness activities and developed other unique ways to keep the team engaged.

Among them was a cleverly edited video that featured players juggling and passing rolls of toilet paper, and Takeover Tuesdays that allowed individual players to be the voice of the program on social media, sharing information and answering questions about the team.

Another positive aspect was how the players learned to selfmanage and be flexible, and Brittany compared the period to a reset button many people didn’t known they needed. “I have found space for things of importance – people, health, and personal/spiritual growth. I’ve also let go of expectations that do not serve the highest purpose of my profession – to meet people where they are and help them get where they didn’t think they could go.”

MARC CAMPBELL (Chair and Senior Professor, School of Mathematics) When Marc Campbell, Chair of the School of Mathematics learned all of Daytona State’s classes would be moved to a virtual format after spring break, he had minimal concerns about the faculty in his department. He estimated nearly 87 percent were already involved in some form of remote learning and 100 percent were well-versed in Falcon Online, the primary platform the College used to deliver its courses online. He was more concerned about the students.

26 | DAYTONA STATE MAGAZINE • SPRING/SUMMER 2020

“In a classroom setting, we can see a confused look on a face, or we can see when their attention is wandering, so without a word from them, we rephrase, give another example or do something to get their attention. In an online environment, we can’t see them, so the only way to give them the individual attention they need is for them to tell us. The challenge on both ends was the communication.”

Marc was also aware that people choose face-to-face classes over the online version for a variety of reasons, so faculty had to be mindful of how that segment of the student body was impacted.

That meant professors had to make a greater effort in helping those students become comfortable with a system they had never planned on using. Whether it was scheduling Skype meetings or using tutors from the Academic Support Center, Marc and his faculty were prepared to do whatever was needed in order to ease the transition and provide peace of mind.

“I know it sounds a little crazy, but we would call it a face-to-face class with an online delivery.”

KATHY CLARKE (IT Tech Support Manager) Kathy Clarke has been at Daytona State for 20 years and the COVID-19 crisis presented her and her staff its greatest challenge yet. With nearly the entire College community suddenly teaching online, working from home or taking classes at home, Kathy and her staff had the difficult task of managing all the logistics that went into such a move. And they had less than a week to get it done. They did get lucky in one regard.

The College had just received 85 new laptops prior to spring break for the yearly mobile refresh plan, but it still took almost four days getting them ready for distribution.

“It was a little stressful on my team to get them all imaged and ready as soon as possible. We knew we’d be getting many requests from employees that needed a mobile device in order to do their work from home, but I am very happy with the outcome, and very appreciative that my staff rose to the task at hand.”

It wasn’t just faculty and staff who needed assistance. There were also students who didn’t have a laptop or computer at home, and Kathy found additional laptops to help them as well. She coordinated a system that would allow students to make an appointment, arrive at a designated parking lot, and receive the equipment they needed.

“The students were very grateful, and some tearful, that they were able to receive a laptop and thanked us for letting them finish their schoolwork at home.”

DARIUS MOHSENI (Student) As a non-traditional student who graduated from high school in 2009, Darius Mohseni already had a different worldview than the typical college student, so he was expecting changes when classes resumed after spring break. He had been following news of the pandemic for some time and recognized the repercussions it would have, including what it meant for his own educational pursuits. So, when DSC made the switch to fully online classes, Darius was prepared.

“The transition was very easy for me since I had already taken several online courses in the past and was taking one online class for math this semester.”

Darius, who is part of the DirectConnect to UCF program, acknowledged that although there are benefits to being on campus that students might not get by taking classes strictly online, there are ways to help make the online experience more personal and engaging. As a member of the science club, he helped move the group online by creating a voice and text chat channel through Discord. It was a way he could help himself and others stay involved and active while also relating to his planned major, biomedical sciences.

IVELISSE PAGÁN (Student Services Advisor, Admissions/Recruitment) As part of Daytona State’s admissions team, Ivelisse Pagán often provides potential students with their first impression of the College.

That means customer service is part of her everyday job, whether it’s in-person or remotely, and that didn’t change after the College moved everything online after Spring Break.

“I was amazed at how well our students adapted to the changes and they were thankful to know that we are still here for them, able to provide them with all of the resources they need and assist them with the enrollment process.”

Even though the nature of the job remained the same, Ivelisse said she missed the face-to-face interaction with prospective and current students, as well as her colleagues. But she also admitted it was good to have her family’s support throughout the day and credits them for helping her adjust to the remote working. Skype

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meetings and support from Daytona State’s Help Desk and IT team were other things that were important parts of her virtual work experience.

“We are truly a family at Daytona State College, supporting each other during this outbreak to serve our students efficiently and effectively. I have grown through this crisis and am thankful to have a job I love with amazing colleagues and students. We have all risen to the challenge!”

NASHALEE SANCHEZ-VERA (Student) The move from in-person to online classes may have caught some off-guard, but Nashalee Sanchez-Vera already had experience with that type of sudden change.

As a high school student in Puerto Rico, she went through a similar transition following Hurricane Maria in 2017.

In college, Nashalee was already taking a mix of online and traditional courses, which also helped, but she still needed to regain her footing in some areas.

“I’ve taken most of my humanities and other elective courses online, but when it comes to math and science courses, I always prefer to take them in a traditional classroom. Because this is where my major is focused, I know that I learn much better with a hands-on experience where I will be kinetically working along the professor.”

Nashalee also admitted having to break some old habits again, such as using her bed as a place to do homework instead of a more natural setting on campus or at a local café. She instead moved to other parts of the house where she felt she could better focus on her studies. Those type of adjustments helped Nashalee complete her A.A. degree and remain on track to transfer to UCF. “At the beginning of the semester, I had believed getting up early to go to classes was a chore, but after the outbreak, I realized how motivating it was to sit in an educational environment.”

Interested in helping a student continue at Daytona State this fall?

Student scholarship support will be needed more than ever in the coming academic year. If you’re interested in making a gift in support of students, please visit the DSC Foundation’s secure online giving portal at Donate.DaytonaState.edu or call (386) 506-3407.

DAYTONA STATE MAGAZINE • SPRING/SUMMER 2020 | 27

ALUMNI PROFILES

28 | DAYTONA STATE MAGAZINE • SPRING/SUMMER 2020

Nicole Baker ’10 ’18 ’19: Following the Path Wherever It May Lead Ask Nicole Baker what she wants to do with her life, and she’ll tell you with absolute certainty she’s doing it right now. Never mind that she took a round-about path, the important thing is, she got there.

“It was definitely tough, but I had help with in-home daycare. Both my parents had passed away at that point, and even though my brother and sister were here, they had their own kids and their own life.”

As account services coordinator with Community Partnership for Children, Nicole works as a part of the team that is designing, implementing and managing the child protection system for Volusia, Flagler and Putnam Counties. With her own experience in foster care, she’s uniquely qualified for the position.

Eventually putting her degree to use as a preschool teacher, Nicole was unsettled about fully pursuing her bachelor’s degree in education which led her to find another degree program that was more suited to her goals and interests.

“Being a part of this type of organization from the other side and seeing all the different stories, rather than just the one that’s moving me from home to home, has helped me. It’s almost a type of therapy to learn all the ins and outs and the whys,” said Baker.

Nicole’s knowledge is a mix of life experience and multiple degrees from Daytona State College; all of which, when combined, put her in the right place at the right time. The road she took to get there, however, has been a challenging one with quite a few starts and stops along the way, not the least of which was seven years in at least seven different foster homes in the Daytona Beach area.

Moving from Volusia County north with her father at the age of 8, Nicole spent her teens in a “quaint little town,” Browns Mills, NJ. But things did not go as planned, and with a child on the way at the young age of 17, she was unable to finish high school. Undeterred, she attempted to earn her diploma by attending night school, but that, too, was foiled when her father passed around the same time.

Life, so it seemed, was unraveling.

Picking up the pieces of what seemed insurmountable odds, Nicole returned to Florida where her older brother and sister were living.

She decided that once she found a job and things settled down, she would get her GED at Daytona State, which she did in 2009. That closed the book on her high school education and allowed her to pursue her next goal, which was becoming the first member of her family to attend college.

“I always knew I wanted to go to college, but I really didn’t know what I wanted to do or what type of career path I wanted to take.”

In fact, Nicole was in a good place to begin figuring out what path she should take, and Daytona State – with its many options – allowed her to dabble in whatever interested her. Ultimately, after more than one changed major, Nicole settled into the Associate of Science in Early Childhood Education program earning her first degree in 2010. She accomplished that while still working fulltime as a manager for a beachside restaurant and raising a young daughter; until the second child came along midterm of a semester when, she reports, her professor worked with her to make sure she could do the necessary work to stay on course.

“I was teaching all day and then coming home to my own kids. I found I didn’t have the time, energy or the patience to help with their homework or give them the attention they needed.”

That’s when she sought the guidance of an advisor at DSC who helped launch her in a different direction.

“They were very helpful. They talked to me about every program they had and helped me figure out exactly what I was interested in. I wanted to go into the legal field because I had previously gone through a divorce and helped other family members with filings in the clerk’s office. That’s what led me to the paralegal program.”

So, in the summer of 2016, Nicole started back in pursuit of another degree. She wanted to complete the program as quickly as possible too, so she returned as a full-time student while still working as a preschool teacher.

“It was very scary, especially knowing that I had all of these kids depending on me. But I knew the risk of less time with them was worth it because in the long run, it was going to better our future and not just mine.”

Ultimately it did.

With help from her supportive husband and professors at DSC, Nicole not only earned her AS in Paralegal Studies in 2018, but last fall she completed work and was awarded a Bachelor of Applied Science in Supervision and Management. She credits Dr. Linda Cupick, Assistant Chair of Paralegal Studies, for setting her on the right path when she returned to school and helping after Nicole lost her job as a preschool teacher while still working toward her degree.

“When I lost my job, she helped me with resumés and different networking opportunities. She’s the type of person that cares about every one of her students but still makes you feel like you’re the most important.”

After graduating, Nicole estimated she went to a dozen interviews at various law offices and received four job offers but declined all of them. She didn’t think she would be happy in that environment and though she wanted to take care of her family, did not want to settle for a job she wouldn’t like. Her patience paid off when her position at CPC opened, and she landed in the “spot that is a perfect fit.”

DAYTONA STATE MAGAZINE • SPRING/SUMMER 2020 | 29

30 | DAYTONA STATE MAGAZINE • SPRING/SUMMER 2020

ALUMNI PROFILES

Amy Gagliano ’05 ’12 ’15: Coming Full Circle Arriving each day to her office on the 3rd floor of Health Sciences Hall, DSC Assistant Professor of Nursing Amy Gagliano strides past a photo hanging just outside the elevator doors; a photo of herself as a member of the inaugural Class of 2015 graduates from Daytona State College’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program.

helpful in the long run. She was doing something she loved, her softball scholarship was paying for school and the possibilities for her career were expanding.

As if transported back to 2003, Amy’s back where – as she muses – much of her ‘adult life began,’ but where she now stands in the role of professor instead of student. As she remembers how her own career started and the lessons she learned in the same classrooms, Amy is also very aware that she’s training people who may one day be the nurses taking care of her.

Amy excelled athletically and academically at UNF. A two-year starter in the outfield, she was twice selected as the American Sun Conference Player-of-the-Week and was the first Osprey softball player to ever win that award after the move to Division I. She was also a President’s List student who graduated with honors, setting the stage for the next step in her education: a return to DSC in 2010 as part of the nursing program.

Amy is more than an instructor in the DSC School of Nursing, a role she took on earlier this spring. She continues as a working professional nurse. So, while she teaches during the week, she happily works weekends as needed at Halifax Health Medical Center.

Two years later, and with the Associate of Science in Nursing degree in hand, she was hired by Florida Hospital Memorial (now AdventHealth) in Daytona Beach as an ICU nurse. Not only did she have a job in the profession she loved, Amy was also in position to take advantage of DSC’s new BSN program.

“When I became a full-time member of the faculty here, I needed to cut back on my hours there, but I wanted to keep up my bedside skills,” Amy said. “I think it’s important to still do that and keep up with evidence-based practices, what’s going on now in the real world, and when you’re at the clinical site you’re up to date on the new equipment and medications that are coming out.”

“We were the guinea pigs for the program,” Amy said with a laugh.

“Most of the program is online now, but that first year some of it was on-campus and that made it hard for those of us who were already working full-time as nurses. But we made it through, and it was cool to be part of that first graduating class.”

Starting her college education in the dual enrollment program, at what was then Daytona Beach Community College (DBCC), while attending Flagler Palm Coast High School, Amy also earned a softball scholarship and played two years as an all-conference outfielder for the Falcons before transferring to the University of North Florida (UNF) in 2005.

However, her first stint at the College wasn’t as much about nursing as it was laying the groundwork for her future.

“I always wanted to go into the healthcare profession, but I wasn’t sure exactly what I wanted to do. While I was playing softball, I knew I wouldn’t be able to get into nursing right away because we were traveling a lot, and I wasn’t able to do clinicals. I just needed to get started with my AA and prerequisites.”

Her arrival at UNF coincided with the transition of that school’s athletic program NCAA Division II status to Division I, and the travel she experienced at DBCC was nothing compared to UNF. The trips were longer both in distance and duration, which meant Amy had to take a detour on her road to becoming a nurse. So instead she earned a bachelor’s degree in education, knowing it would be

Upon completion of the BSN and with four years’ experience in the ICU at AdventHealth under her belt, Amy sought a change and moved to join Halifax Health as part of its trauma team in the Emergency Room. At the same time, she was also working on her master’s degree, which she needed in order to become a nurse educator. She earned that degree from Jacksonville University in 2019, and it was the final step on the road that led her full circle back to where it all began. Armed with her Master’s in Nursing degree, she was hired to teach nursing at DSC. Making the move from Halifax – where Gagliano was named the ER’s 2019 Employee of the Year – wasn’t easy because, as she says, ‘everyone there was family’ – the “HaliFam.” But the opportunity to teach at Daytona State gave her the chance to share her knowledge and experiences with young men and women preparing for their own career in nursing; and that’s a great reward.

“It’s such a great feeling to know that I started from the ground level here at Daytona State, and have reached exactly where I wanted to be.”

DAYTONA STATE MAGAZINE • SPRING/SUMMER 2020 | 31

ALUMNI PROFILES

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Amanda Talton ’12 ’16: An Inspiring Story of Persistence On a late Friday afternoon of a warm spring day, Palm Terrace Elementary School in Daytona Beach is a quiet place. The students have gone for the weekend but a few teachers and staff members remain; preparing lesson plans, grading papers or taking care of other duties that ensure the school runs as smoothly as possible.

Amanda Talton is one of the remaining teachers, sitting in a classroom that looks exactly how you would expect one to look when young children are the normal occupants. Even empty, with small tables, scaled-down chairs, and decorations covering the walls, there is still a sense of life.

Talking about what led her to this place, Amanda recounts the life-changing moments and the decisions she had to make, some more difficult than others. She smiles at some of the memories and reminisces about the people who helped her along the way. There also seems to be a feeling of well-deserved pride at what she’s accomplished, not the boastful type that screams “look at me”, but the quiet kind that only comes from the satisfaction of a job well done, and of living the life she was meant to live.

Now an exceptional student education (ESE) teacher, Amanda worked extremely hard to get where she is today. Her Associate of Arts (AA), completed in 2012, and the Bachelor of Science (BS) in Exceptional Student Education, completed in 2016, provided the credentials required to teach, but without the determination to fight through everything else, she would have never made it as far as she has.

Amanda’s story began in Daytona Beach where she was born and raised, and though she’s back home now, she had a couple of other stops in between. Upon graduation from Spruce Creek High School in 1998, she briefly attended Florida A&M University before returning to Daytona Beach. She had two children and began working full-time at a local Walmart before moving again in 2006, this time to Charlotte, North Carolina where she enrolled at Piedmont Community College.

“I originally wanted to be an occupational therapist, but as time went on, and as a single mother with two children, I had to make some decisions,” Amanda said.

A keen interest in working with people with developmental disabilities led to a new career path in human services even as she

persisted toward an occupational therapy career. In 2008, however, Amanda decided to return once more to Florida so she could be closer to family and Walmart transferred her back to Daytona Beach.

It was at that point, Amanda’s plan for her life came into focus.

“When I came back, I really had to really think about what was most important. I still wanted to work with people who had disabilities, but I’ve always been good with children, too.”

So, a year later, Amanda enrolled at DSC in pursuit of her AA. At the same time, her young daughter was having difficulties in school.

And through that process, Amanda learned more about children who are diagnosed with different disabilities, how they received services, and the ESE field in general. This experience sealed it, and she became focused on pursuing the BS through DSC’s School of Education.

As a single mother with two children, attending classes, studying, working and parenting were serious challenges. However, with her family’s support the inconveniences were simply roadblocks pushed aside.

“I was blessed with managers [at Walmart] who understood my goal so I was able to juggle my schedule and work on the days when I didn’t have class. I had one or two semesters where I was on the third shift, so I would work overnight, and my kids would stay with my mom. Then I’d go to school during the day while they were in school, too, and I’d try to sleep and study afterward. It was a challenge, but it was worth it.”

Coming close to graduation, her student teaching internship required changes – including a leave from Walmart – to complete requirements for her degree and certification. Amanda credited a “close-knit group” of supportive fellow student-teachers.

After all of the challenges and struggles to get through college, Amanda has much to appreciate, much to celebrate.

Meeting Amanda, one gets the sense that she knows the meaning of the word persistence as a lived experience, and that this will serve her and her students very well for as long as she remains in the classroom.

DAYTONA STATE MAGAZINE • SPRING/SUMMER 2020 | 33

FOUNDATION UPDATE

DSC News-Journal Center, January 31, 2020 Critically acclaimed singer/songwriters Anthony Smith and Jeffrey Steele, who have together written more than 100 country music top-10 hits, performed a concert benefitting the Daytona State College Foundation on January 31, at the DSC NewsJournal Center. Steele, a three-time BMI Songwriter of the Year and winner of CMA’s

Triple Play Award, wrote “My Wish” and “What Hurts the Most” by Rascal Flatts, as well as “The Cowboy in Me” by Tim McGraw.

Smith’s songs include George Strait’s “Cowboys Like Us” and hits recorded by Blake Shelton, Taylor Swift, Kenny Chesney, Faith Hill and many others. Together they wrote Trace Adkins’ hit, “Chrome.”

34 | DAYTONA STATE MAGAZINE • SPRING/SUMMER 2020

Guests enjoyed a meet and greet with the artists and a beer and wine reception with heavy hors d’oeurves.

Proceeds are helping to provide financial support for students attending Daytona State.

THE 28TH ANNUAL GALA BENEFITING THE DAYTONA STATE COLLEGE FOUNDATION

0 2 0 2 a l a G

THE DAYTONA STATE COLLEGE FOUNDATION

Honoring Inspiring Women Behind Our Success

SAVE THE DATE Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020

For more information on tickets or to become a sponsor, see Foundation.DaytonaState.edu or call (386) 506-3195.

Meet Kristen Hanson, Director of Alumni Engagement & Development Kristen Hanson has joined Daytona State College as a part of the Foundation team as Director of Alumni Engagement & Development.

In this role, Kristen will develop a program of alumni engagement with a goal to extend the College’s reach through alumni and other friends of the College, and to raise additional financial support for scholarships and programs in support of student success.

“Initially recommended by longtime DSC Athletics Director, Will Dunne, and confirmed over the course of many conversations with community leaders who know Kristen, I was absolutely convinced that she is exactly what we need right now as we seek to build a sustainable program of alumni and friend engagement,” said Tim Norton, Vice President for Advancement and Executive Director of the Daytona State College Foundation.

A native of Yorkshire, New York, Hanson came to DSC from LPGA International, one of Daytona Beach’s premier golf

clubs, where, over more than 13 years as the club’s membership and tournament sales director, she won acclaim for her successes and praise from club members who know her.

“Kristen is an energetic, peoplefocused person with ‘personality plus’,” said Bobby Thigpen, Immediate Past Chair of the DSC Foundation Board of Directors.

“From her attention to detail to her ‘get it done’ attitude and drive, I have no doubt she will make a great impact in our community for Daytona State.”

A former student athlete, Hanson played Division I basketball at the University of Oklahoma where she received her bachelor’s degree in communication in 1993.

“I’m really excited to be joining the Advancement and Foundation team at Daytona State, and I can’t wait to get more connected to alumni and friends who have an interest in growing relationships that will provide long-lasting benefits for our students,” said Hanson.

To reach Kristen Hanson, please email alumni@daytonastate.edu or call (386) 506-4506.

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Scrubbed and Ready.

Don’t let your small health problem become your BIG health problem. Early diagnosis and treatment provides for better outcomes and a better quality of life. Halifax Health follows all of the CDC guidelines in place to prevent the spread of Covid-19. We are continually updating our procedures when any updates to the guidelines are announced.

If you need medical care, don’t wait. We are scrubbed and ready for you.

Our commitment to our patients: Hand Washing: All staff and visitors are encouraged to use the hand cleaning devices located all over our campuses

Social Distancing: All staff and visitors are encouraged to adhere to keeping person to person contact to 6 feet apart

Disinfecting: Our staff are disinfecting all surfaces on our campuses throughout the day and night

Temperature Screening: All staff are temperature screened before their shift

Masks: All staff and visitors are encouraged to wear a mask in common areas

Non-Covid-19 Emergency Hotline: For more information on our Emergency Department preparedness please call 386.425.SAFE

| halifaxhealth.org