TCC Magazine - Winter 2020 Issue

Down to the Last DollarNew Iowa Program Impacts Lives Tyson: Investing in Employees and Changing the Future America’s Test Kitchen Parties at Culinary Arts Center

Watch Me Fly Making an Impact Through Music

© Quinn Kirkpatrick-dphilms

WINTER 2020

THE Community's College | MAGAZINE

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C O N T E N T S

WINTER 2020 4 STRAIGHT A’S

College earns top accreditation

5 ON THE ROAD WITH THERESA College counselor earns state recognition

5 INVESTING IN THE FUTURE Tyson Foods donates equipment to college

8 WATCH ME FLY

Student overcomes addiction to pursue dream

M AGA Z I N E

12 IT’S A PARTY

WQPT-PBS celebrates at culinary center

13 COMMUNITY COLLEGE MONTH

Celebrate with free classes

14 A HUMBLE PRESIDENT Vickers retires from CCC

15 NEW IOWA TRANSFER AGREEMENT

Universities and community colleges partner on new agreement

10 IOWA’S LAST DOLLAR State program will pay college tuition

EDITOR'S NOTES As we close out one year and look forward to a new one, it’s a time of celebration and reflection.

This issue of TCC Magazine celebrates a few of those things making THE Community’s College such a vibrant and rewarding college. We’re certainly celebrating receiving the highest accreditations possible from state and national agencies. And, we literally celebrated with local PBS station WQPT as it marked the 20th Anniversary of America’s Test Kitchen.

As always we celebrate our students, such as Rhiannon Bell, who overcome tremendous personal challenges to make a new life for themselves. We’re just as excited about Iowa’s Last Dollar program and donations from Tyson Foods that will help many more students achieve their dreams.

We’re also taking time to reflect on the devoted and impactful career of retiring Clinton Community College President Karen Vickers, the humble leader who devoted 23 years to serving the college and community. We’re confident she would say she is just one of the many, many faculty and staff committed to our students’ success.

COVER STORY

Watch Me Fly SCC student, faculty member and local musician join forces to make an impact through music

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Whether celebrating or reflecting, there are a countless number of stories to tell. We offer those in this issue as examples of the many shining moments occurring every year within Eastern Iowa Community Colleges.

It is the policy of Eastern Iowa Community College District not to discriminate in its programs, activities, or employment on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, creed, religion, and actual or potential family, parental or marital status, as required by the Iowa Code §§216.6 and 216.9, Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. §§ 2000d and 2000e), the Equal Pay Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. § 206, et seq.), Title IX (Educational Amendments, 20 U.S.C. §§ 1681-1688), Section 504 (Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. § 794), and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (42 U.S.C. § 12101, et seq.).

If you have questions or complaints related to compliance with this policy, please contact Debora J. Sullivan, Equal Employment Opportunity Officer/Equity Coordinator, Eastern Iowa Community College District, 101 West Third Street, Davenport, Iowa 52801, 563-336-3487, djsullivan@eicc.edu or the Director of the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, Citigroup Center, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1475, Chicago, Illinois 60661-7204, phone number 312-730-1560, fax 312-730-1576, OCR.Chicago@ed.gov.

When we say we’re THE Community’s College – it’s not just a saying.

It’s a fact.

This fall we even got the report card to prove it, a successful accreditation trifecta - straight A’s from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), the Iowa Department of Education and the National Association of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships (NACEP).

STRAIGHT

A’S

EICC RECEIVES HIGHEST ACCREDITATION MARKS 4

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It’s an accomplishment few colleges achieve and an effort that took teamwork and dedication across the Eastern Iowa Community Colleges.

“You walk away with a real sense of pride that you work at an institution that’s of great quality and being recognized both nationally and across the state for its education.

You can’t help but smile,” said Joan Kindle, Vice Chancellor for Education and Training. “You think, ‘wow that’s really great.’”

The prep work for each accreditation process took years, with each agency reviewing different aspects of the college. NACEP reaccreditation happens every seven years and evaluates the college’s concurrent enrollment offerings.

Meanwhile, the HLC reviewed more than 600 submitted documents and a 35,000-word, evidence-based essay called an assurance argument.

While the full HLC reaccreditation process happens every ten years, the college must submit documents demonstrating how we meet HLC standards at the four-year mark.

“It’s a very big undertaking,” said Kindle. “It takes the entire district to do that – all three colleges

are involved, the administrative office, the board, the finance office, physical plant, academics inside the classroom, student development, activities, advising and more. It’s a very major review.”

As if that wasn’t enough to take on in one year, the college welcomed a visit from the Iowa Department of Education. The organization visits colleges every five years, with the ten-year mark including a comprehensive visit that incorporates dozens of interviews, material reviews, campus tours and more. As it so happens, an equity visit also fell in this period.

That’s where representatives from the Iowa Department of Education evaluate whether the college meets equal access standards.

“The typical things the state looks at is everything the HLC does not concern themselves with,” said Cheryl Welsch, Dean of Curriculum and Accreditation. “They look at faculty qualifications, faculty load, career and technical program reviews, how we use Perkins grants to purchase equipment for our programs, etc. They conduct interviews with faculty, staff and students.

“I think the state was really impressed with how enthusiastic and knowledgeable everyone was,” she said.

Both Kindle and Welsch agree all three accreditation processes falling within the same year is unusual, but receiving top-notch marks from all three organizations at once has been very rewarding.

“It makes it feel like all the preparation and work was so well worth it. I think it’s just made us pay even more attention to what we’re doing. Taking a look at these things helps us remember to be better all the time,” Welsch said.

“It’s really a statement to the public that we had three major accreditations and all three said we’re doing great. That’s definitely not something colleges experience all the time,” Kindle said. “It shows we’re ethical, have quality education, have qualified faculty and staff, and we’re at the top of the class.”

“She pushes us to be the best versions of ourselves.”

ON THE ROAD WITH THERESA

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or most of us, having to work out of three different offices located easily 25 miles apart, would drive us crazy.

Theresa Putnam-Genz wins statewide awards for it.

Putnam-Genz’s typical week includes two days working in the Columbus Community School District in Columbus Junction, another pair of days with the Louisa-Muscatine Community School District, and finishing up with her Fridays at Muscatine Community College (MCC).

It’s all part of her job as a College and Career Counselor for the college. A job she was recently recognized for as the 2019 Iowa Multi-Level School Counselor of the Year, awarded by the Iowa School Counselor Association.

“Teaching students about college and career options, driving them to scholarship opportunities, talking to parents in the evenings, communicating with graduates and much more is what Ms. Putnam-Genz does (in her) new and innovative counseling program,” said Louisa-Muscatine Community School District Superintendent Mike Van Sickle.

One of the unique aspects of her job, and the reason she splits time between three different offices, is funding for her position is shared equally by the two school districts and the college. She works for MCC but spends the majority of her time at the schools, helping students discover what’s possible for them after high school.

“The program really serves as an example for the rest of the state and it’s because of Theresa that it all works,” said MCC President Naomi DeWinter. “We are so proud of her.”

Putnam-Genz works hand-in-hand, sometimes literally, with students, guiding them to see the possibilities past high school. Together, they start by exploring careers that interest them and then she helps them understand the training they will need. From there she lays out the next steps they need to take to get those careers. She is really helping put them on the path to a successful life.

“Mrs. Putnam-Genz is the most passionate counselor I have ever encountered and she has been very helpful to multiple students,” said one of her former students, Jennifer Fernandez-Miranda. “I know this because of the community she helped create at Muscatine and the connections she still has with Columbus students.”

“She pushes us to be the best versions of ourselves,” Fernandez-Miranda said. “She encourages students to take opportunities that we may not have had the guts to take on our own.

She is there to comfort us during our difficult times and to celebrate with us during the best of times.”

Her work is especially important because so many of the students she encounters are “firstgeneration.” They are in families where no one has continued their education past high school, so they are the first generation to go onto college or career training.

Understanding the process of enrolling, applying for financial aid, choosing classes and everything else connected with going to college is unknown to them. Having Putnam-Genz on their side makes the process all that much easier to navigate.

Putnam-Genz didn’t set out to become a high school counselor when she first entered college herself, but soon found her passion.

“I started out to be an orthodontist but while in college became interested in becoming an academic advisor,” she said. “I talked to some of my academic advisors and found out they had all started as high school counselors.”

From that, she volunteered to help at Louisa-Muscatine and fell in love with the school, and with counseling. And, as the adage goes, the rest is history. She’s never looked back and is still doing the job she loves, where she loves to be.

It’s just that now her love is spread between three different places.

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donates more than $50,000 in equipment to Eastern Iowa Community Colleges

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f you’ve enjoyed chicken, beef or pork lately, whether from the grocery store or maybe your favorite restaurant, there’s a good chance your dinner was produced

by Tyson Foods. After all, Tyson produces one in five pounds of all chicken, beef and pork in the United States. Last year, the company boasted 40 billion in sales.

To keep up with that kind of demand, a well-trained workforce is paramount and there is no better partner to provide that training than Eastern Iowa Community Colleges (EICC). EICC and Tyson have been collaborating for years to train employees, so when Tyson saw a need for new mechanical and hydraulic trainers the company stepped right in with a generous donation.

“They donated mechanical benches and hydraulic benches, as well as equipment used for mechanical alignments, bearings and shafts,” said Mike O’Brien, EICC’s Business Training Solutions Talent and Curriculum Manager. “They’re used everywhere in manufacturing.”

“We strive to ensure our team members are prepared and properly trained on skills necessary for their positions and have opportunities to continue to learn and grow,” said Brent McElroy, Plant Manager of Tyson’s Louisa County facility. “This donation allows us to more adequately provide a sufficient amount of training equipment needed for students’ hands-on learning and also better aligns with the training materials for specific programs in our facilities.”

The new equipment is located at the college’s Blong Technology Center and Muscatine Community College’s Columbus Junction Center. Students enrolled in EICC’s and Tyson’s 1 + 2 program are already using the trainers to prepare for jobs as industrial maintenance technicians. The ninemonth, 580-hour program trains Tyson workers from both the company’s Columbus Junction, Iowa and Joslin, Ill. plants, providing workers with no experience the opportunity for growth and advancement. Graduates agree to work with the company for two years and earn wages that are more than double the average per capita income for the county.

Since the program’s inception in

2016, Tyson has begun building a new, skilled workforce from their current, local employees.

“This donation proves the product we’re putting out there is worthy of their financial investment in us.”

“We’re changing people’s lives,” said O’Brien. “This program has allowed people to get better paying jobs and health insurance. We’re able to do something positive for the community and the company.”

The trainers are also mobile, which means EICC can take the training anywhere including other businesses and facilities.

O’Brien said the donation is a testament to the high quality programming EICC provides for not only Tyson, but hundreds of local companies.

“We’ve established good working relationships with businesses,” O’Brien said. “Whether Tyson, Sterilite or MidAmerican, companies are comfortable with our training and we’re filling the skills gap which is critical for all companies. This donation proves the product we’re putting out there is worthy of their financial investment in us.”

“We are proud to have invested with EICC, in funding and equipment, to drive technical education,” McElroy said.

Opportunities in Manufacturing We have a number of programs available for those interested in starting a new career at the college’s Blong Technology Center, as well as Clinton and Muscatine Community Colleges. Programs include: • Engineering Technology + Automation + Electromechanical + Process Control • CNC Machining • Mechanical Design • Welding eicc.edu/tccmanufacturing

Business and Industry Training Solutions @ eicc.edu/businesstraining

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usic has a way of expressing how we feel in a way words alone simply cannot.

And, when cranked up loud for all to hear, it has the power to amplify – both literally and figuratively. A single lyric or melody can catch fire, spreading until its reverberations are felt throughout an entire community.

This is the idea behind United Way’s recent fundraising campaign – Amplify the Quad Cities: The Soundtrack. United Way Quad Cities is an organization dedicated to improving the education, health and income of all Quad Citizens. To meet their 2020 goal, leadership presented a new, innovative approach for their yearly campaign – storytelling through music.

Six people, each impacted by United Way in different ways, shared their story for one purpose: to make the Quad Cities even stronger.

Rhiannon Bell was one of the six whose story was transformed into a song, co-written by Scott Community College (SCC) English Instructor

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Amy Foley and local musician Mo Carter no less. Titled “Grow,” the lyrics describe how Bell went from battling a drug addiction that left her running from the law, to SCC student conquering her classes.

“Drug addiction is like being on a merry-goround that’s going really fast that you can’t get off unless you jump. It’s a huge step to jump off and try to change,” Bell said.

But as the lyrics in the song point out…she did.

Through the labyrinth By 2018, Bell had hit rock bottom. Her addiction had taken over her life, leading from one bad situation to another.

“I did a lot of things I wasn’t proud of, I didn’t like to be living like that because it was scary,” she said.

She knew something had to give. So, she bravely turned herself in to her probation officer fully expecting to go to prison. To her relief, the courts had something else in mind. Instead of

handing down a punishment, she was given a second chance.

“I was offered drug court, which is a highly intense probation program and with that I was housed at One-Eighty.”

Toward the garden From that moment, Bell’s life began to change for the better. One-Eighty, located in downtown Davenport, provided Bell a safe place to live, emotional support, job training, and most importantly, faith.

“I didn’t know what to expect. I knew it was a faith-based program and I was just coming into my spirituality, so I was very open to what they had to offer. I expected good things because it is such a long program and the people there are just really awesome. It opened my mind and my eyes to a lot of things.”

Among those things, Bell discovered the power of education. Carter and Foley captured the emotion of this discovery in one single lyric.

Watch Me Fly SCC student, faculty member and local musician join forces to make an impact through music

“The part where she says ‘it wasn’t school where I hit the books, but when I did the ground beneath me shook,’ that’s so true.”

“School was not my thing; I dropped out and didn’t understand anything. Now that I have started college I have so much more confidence in myself and my future. I can do this.”

Making things grow Today, Bell is blooming. She completed the program, is taking business classes and even manages a caramel and candle company through One-Eighty called Inspired Sweets. Life is not easy, and every day she must work to cultivate this new beginning, but she’s doing it. Thanks to her partnership with United Way, and Foley and Carter’s talent, she’s even planting seeds of hope that will grow far beyond her own backyard. This opportunity to positively impact the community has been a moving experience for all three women.

“Your story is traveling outward to other people who can feel and identify with your story,” Foley said to Bell during our interview. “That’s why stories are so powerful. When we share them we can connect and

feel inspired and moved by them. We can feel like there’s hope.”

“I remember one thing you said is that you needed to go through what you did to make a change. That’s where the lyric ‘I went through the labyrinth to reach the garden,’ kind of came from,” Carter said. “We wanted to touch on your past, but the song needed to be an inspiration beyond.”

“It made me very emotional,” Bell told Carter and Foley. “You can tell someone your story and they can hear it, but when you hear it in music, you can feel it.”

“I hope somebody who hears the song sees an opportunity for themselves or someone they may know who needs help.”

Not everyone gets the help to stand

Not everyone gets a second chance

Hear the song, learn more about United Way and listen to a podcast featuring Carter, Foley and Bell @eicc.edu/grow The three reunite for the first time since the song was recorded, sharing behind the scenes details of the project, including how Scott Community College is helping Bell both discover her potential and stay focused on recovery.

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Alix Crawford, “I have a very high chance of being offered a position.”

When Muscatine Community College (MCC) student Alix Crawford was contemplating career choices shortly after high school, working with animals was her number one priority.

So, she headed off to college and studied wildlife ecology with the hopes of working in a zoo. After graduation, she was able to secure part-time work as a zookeeper, but full-time jobs were few and far between.

STUDENTS

“I loved what I was doing, but just the availability of jobs was difficult,” she said. “A lot of things are part-time and they want you to volunteer or do an internship for free before they even offer you a full-time position. With all the other things I had to pay for to live I couldn’t afford to do all of that.”

How Iowa’s new Last Dollar Program is helping students make a better life.

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his fall the state of Iowa did something big. So big, in fact, it has affected more than 360 Eastern Iowa Community Colleges’ (EICC) students and led to the distribution of more than half a million dollars in funding!

Unable to secure a full-time job in her field, Crawford began looking into other career paths. That’s when she decided to pursue her Associate’s Degree in MCC’s Veterinary Technology program, an in-demand field where she could continue to work with animals. She said receiving the Last Dollar funding has been a tremendous weight off her shoulders.

“It helps me focus on my studies and not worry like I did the last time I was in school. My goal has been to get through the program without loans, and this is helping me do that.”

She’s even already started her career with a part-time job at a local veterinary office and an upcoming vet tech internship with Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium.

“Now, with this internship and the fact I’m already working at a clinic, I have a very high chance of being offered a position,” she said.

That’s a lot of moolah going straight toward students’ tuition.

The large sum is all thanks to Iowa’s new Last Dollar Program, which covers the cost of tuition for students earning a Certificate, Diploma or Associate’s Degree in one of Iowa’s high-demand fields. EICC offers more than 25 of the qualifying programs and for hundreds of students, receiving this scholarship has made all the difference.

CAREERS

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Tamara Cooper, “Every dollar I receive through others is an unexpected blessing.”

Tamara Cooper, a business management student at Scott Community College, enrolled in classes after her job search was leading her nowhere.

“I was a hairdresser by trade, but when my husband was injured I took on full-time caregiving for him and I was caregiving for my parents,” she said.

“I was putting out applications, but because I am older I was having a hard time getting jobs. I am willing to learn anything, and I got tired of being turned down.”

Determined to build her resume, Cooper put her energy and focus into her classwork. She was excited to start something new, but the cost of college weighed heavily on her mind. A key to her success and ability to pursue her education has been scholarships. That’s why when she received $250 through the Last Dollar Program this fall she was incredibly grateful.

“That took care of everything, the last bit. I was extremely happy I received it and others have received it. It’s easier to believe in something when you see it,” Cooper said.

Grant Forsythe, “It was a relief.” >>>>> When Grant Forsythe started taking concurrent classes with EICC in high school, he had no idea it would lead to a future career.

After he took a few CNC machine classes at the college’s Blong Technology Center, the recent high school graduate was eager to learn more.

DETAILS The new Iowa Last Dollar Program can cover the cost of tuition in 25+ different programs.

“I just really liked it,” he said. “I thought I would see what other platforms they use it on.”

He never looked back. Forsythe is now well on his way to his Associate in Applied Science Degree and has even secured a part-time job making gaskets for a local company. He’s positioned to move into a full-time position once he completes his degree and will do so without incurring any student loan debt.

“It’s a great opportunity,” he said. “Hopefully it encourages more people to look into these programs.”

In fact, he’s considering earning a degree in welding as well, so he will be even more marketable to future employers. Welding is one of the 25+ qualifying Last Dollar programs EICC offers.

“It’s just really encouraging,” said Forsythe.

“It’s a great opportunity.

Hopefully it encourages more people to look into these programs.”

<<<<<<

1 BLESSING

All you need to do is fill out the FAFSA and the Last Dollar Program fills in the gap.

To view student interviews, see the full list of eligible programs and learn more about applying, visit eicc.edu/last$

DID YOU KNOW? We have dozens of other scholarships as well!

There is something for everyone, not just the top of the class.

The deadline to apply is March 1

APPLY NOW @ eicc.edu/scholarship

Megan VenHorst, “I won’t have such a big amount of student loans looming over my head.”

Megan VenHorst has always had a caring heart. So, when she lost her job as a recreational therapist when the local healthcare company she was working for decided to make cuts, she knew she wanted to enroll in Scott Community College’s nursing program.

“I have always been in a healthcare setting,” she said. “After I lost my job due to difficulties within the field of recreational therapy, I knew nursing was what I wanted to continue to grow and develop.”

However, the idea of going back to school and incurring more student loans was a little scary.

Receiving the Last Dollar funding alleviated those fears.

“It’s huge,” she said. “It’s helpful knowing in the future I won’t have such a big amount of student loans looming over my head.”

Now she can focus on her studies and work toward not only achieving her own personal goals, but also filling a void in a field where caring, compassionate and skilled workers are really needed.

“It’s exciting,” she said. “It helps make it all worth it.”

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LEARN MORE @ eicc.edu/culinaryclasses Or at least it ‘was’ a party!

And a great one at that as nearly 200 people turned out for the America’s Test Kitchen 20th Anniversary celebration at Scott Community College’s (SCC) Culinary Arts Center.

Guests to the free event had the pleasure of sampling a wide variety of foods, sitting in on demonstrations and getting the chance to win a host of prizes provided by local PBS station WQPT. The event was the brain child of WQPT Director of Education and Outreach, Michael Carton. Carton lives near the college and knew the Culinary Arts Center would be the perfect location for WQPT’s celebration of the America’s Test Kitchen anniversary.

“We were excited to celebrate the 20th Anniversary with the Culinary

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Arts Program at SCC,” said WQPT Director of Education and Outreach, Michael Carton. “America’s Test Kitchen is all about inspiring confidence, community and creativity in the kitchen, and this event was sure to do the same.”

For the uninitiated, each America’s Test Kitchen episode shares two kitchen-tested recipes while educating the audience by explaining equipment, ingredients and common problems that can occur when preparing the recipes or ordering them at a restaurant.

That’s exactly what the college replicated at the big anniversary party. In addition to the food samplings, the evening featured ongoing demonstrations of knives, and knife-cutting skills, an overview of the different varieties of cheese

and their uses in cooking, along with representatives from Coastal Seafood company answering just about any seafood-related question the attendees could dream up.

such a success,” she said. “Working alongside the local public television station like this really shows what it means when the college says it’s the community’s college.”

Highlighting the night were a pair of live cooking demonstrations by college instructors featuring shrimp scampi, the dish selected by the show’s fans nationally as the favorite recipe of all time.

The event is part of a concerted plan by the Culinary Arts Center to open the building up and invite more of the public in to see just what a tremendous facility it is. That plan includes, for the first time, offering a number of unique cooking classes area residents can enroll in through the college’s Continuing Education department and held in the center’s labs. Upcoming classes include such titles as Catalan Beef Stew, Ragu alla Bolognese, Perfect Pizza at Home and Get Happy, Get Healthy that covers essential tips for diabetic-friendly foods.

“It couldn’t have been a better evening,” said Diane Stanley, Department Coordinator for SCC’s Culinary and Hospitality Programs.

“Our culinary students were on hand to help with the demonstrations, we had a tremendous turnout and everything went perfectly.

“We really want to thank Michael and everyone at WQPT for reaching out to us and helping us to make it

“

april is

COMMUNITY COLLEGE MONTH W

hile we pride ourselves on being THE Community’s College year round, during the month of April, we get to shout it from the rooftops!

That’s because April is community college month, and it’s the perfect time of year to celebrate all Eastern Iowa Community Colleges has to offer. We can think of no better way to do that than inviting you to attend a class free of charge. It’s just our way of thanking the community for your support, and to introduce you to the many great Continuing Education classes we have available.

“Number one, we are THE Community’s College,” said Deb Goodall, Dean of Continuing Education. “We just want people to visit campus and experience the great teaching that goes on here from our faculty as well as adjuncts.”

Classes will be offered during a variety of times at Clinton, Muscatine and Scott Community Colleges, as well as at Scott’s Urban Campus.

“Last year was the first year we did this and it was really well-received,” said Goodall. “We’re excited to provide this opportunity again as a way to give back to the community and show our appreciation.”

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A wide variety of classes are scheduled, with a number of times available. Each session will run anywhere from one hour to 90 minutes long. Whether you’re interested in improving a skill or just want to explore something new, we have a class sure to spark your interest and curiosity.

A sampling of free classes includes: • Identify Theft • Caring for your Pet (Provided by Veterinary Technology Program) • Augmented and Virtual Reality • Drug Epidemic and Narcan • Management/Leadership • Soft Skills (Communication, Problem Solving, Time Management etc.)

• Verbal Judo • Plus much more!

To learn more and view a full list of free classes, visit eicc.edu/freeclasses You can also browse through all of our excellent Continuing Education offerings at eicc.edu/cec THE Community's College | MAGAZINE 1313 THE Community's College | MAGAZINE

s r e k c i V Brian Kelly named new CCC President

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f you meet Karen Vickers you quickly learn how proud she is of Clinton Community College (CCC), its students, faculty and staff. She is always happy to share stories about them, their goals and their accomplishments. You leave knowing just how special of a place the college is. What she probably never mentioned though, is that she’s the college president.

Vickers retired in December after 35 years of service, 23 of those as president.

“Karen always said, ‘I’m just a worker, we all have jobs that are critically important to how the college runs and we all need to do what we can to make it run as best it can,’” said retired Dean of the College Ron Serpliss, who worked alongside Vickers for 21 of her 23 years as president. “She rarely introduced herself as president, but would humbly say, ‘I serve the college and the students.’”

Vickers also served as Vice Chancellor for Academic Leadership for Eastern Iowa Community Colleges (EICC). CCC is one of three colleges, including Muscatine and Scott Community Colleges, that are a part of EICC. In that position she guided instructional planning, offerings and new program development for all of EICC’s colleges and centers.

“Karen has positively touched the lives of a countless number of students during her time at Clinton Community College,” said EICC “I feel blessed to Chancellor Don Doucette. “She has been a force not only for the college and have served with driving EICC, but the entire Clinton community.

On behalf of all of the students who have such amazing passed through the college’s doors, as colleagues and am well as the many faculty and staff with she has worked, I want to express proud of the work we whom my tremendous gratitude for all she has accomplished.” do with

our students.”

Many things changed in the more than two decades she led the college.

People came and went, new additions, and even buildings, were added along the way. But the one thing that never changed was her commitment to people.

“She loved the staff and faculty and mentored us to say it is about the people,” he said. “What is good for them?

What do they need? Finding ways to make things work.

Going the extra mile when we were in need.”

Vickers joined Clinton Community College in 1984 as a career development counselor and was soon named Assistant Dean for Adult and Community Education.

From there she moved on to become Dean of the College before being appointed President.

As President, she saw the college literally grow and expand, adding new chemistry and physics labs, and opening a new Maquoketa Center. eicc.edu/tccmagazine 14 eicc.edu/tccmagazine

As Vickers closed the door to her office one last time, she was asked to reflect on her storied career. Her words sum up better than anyone could, what she represented for the college.

“I began with CCC and EICC over 30 years ago and did not think at the time that this would become my home and my career,” she said. “It has been such a privilege to serve the college and its students, faculty and staff, and constituents. I feel blessed to have served with such amazing colleagues and am proud of the work we do with our students.”

There is little doubt the pride President Vickers has for the college and its people will continue even though she has now retired her duties. There is just as little doubt anyone meeting her today, tomorrow or anytime in the future will learn from her what a special place CCC is, and never hear her say she was once the President.

Eastern Iowa Community Colleges (EICC) has appointed Brian Kelly as the new President of Clinton Community College (CCC). He previously served as Vice President of Planning, Institutional Effectiveness and External Affairs at Lane Community College in Eugene, OR. He began his duties in Clinton on February 1.

Kelly’s roots are in the Midwest. He graduated from Kishwaukee Community College, just 80 miles west of Clinton in Illinois. He earned his Bachelor’s eicc.edu/culinaryclasses Degree from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, his Master’s from Marylhurst University in Oregon and is a Doctoral candidate at Creighton University in Omaha.

“I am very excited to be joining the team at Clinton Community College,” Kelly said. “It was a pleasure to have the opportunity to meet so many great people during my recent visit. I look forward to working collaboratively with the faculty, staff, students and the community to move the institution forward and focus on the success of our students.”

Kelly earlier served as Vice President for College Services at Lane. Prior to that, he was Lane’s Division Dean of Conference and Culinary Services. In the community, he served on Oregon Governor Kate Brown’s Campus Safety Work Group, the technical advisory committee for the City of Eugene’s Sustainable Business Initiative and was active in the Lane County Food Distribution plan.

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Associate’s Degrees, Diplomas and Certificate options College Location Key

C,M,S - program available at all colleges C - Clinton Community College M - Muscatine Community College S - Scott Community College CE - Continuing Education program

Programs of Study AGRICULTURE, FOOD AND NATURAL RESOURCES

Agribusiness Equipment Technician - M Agribusiness Equipment Sales and Service - M Agribusiness Management - M Agribusiness - Precision Ag - M Agribusiness Sales and Service - M Agriculture - M Agriculture Systems Technology - M Agronomy - M Conservation - M Environmental, Health and Safety - C, M, S Farm Management - M Renewable Energy Systems Specialist - S Turf and Landscape Management - M

ART AND COMMUNICATIONS

Art - C, M, S English - C, M, S Graphic Arts Technology - C Journalism/Communications - C, M, S Music - M Speech - C, M, S Theatre - M, S

BUSINESS, MANAGEMENT AND SUPERVISION

Accounting Management - C, M, S Administrative and Office Support - C, M, S Banking - C, M, S Business - C, M, S Entrepreneurship - C, M, S Management Supervision - C, M, S Marketing - C, M, S Small Business Management - C, M, S

GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

History - C, M, S Political Science - C, M, S Pre-Law - C, M, S

HEALTH SCIENCE

Cancer Information Management - S Certified Nursing Assistant - CE Community Dental Health Coordinator - C, M, S Dental Assisting - S Dental Hygiene - C, M, S Emergency Medical Services - C, M, S Health Information Technology - S Medical Assistant - C, M, S Mortuary Science - C, M, S Nursing, Associate's Degree - C, S Practical Nursing - C, M, S Pre-Chiropractic - C, M, S Pre-Health Professional - C, M, S Radiologic Technology - S Respiratory Care - C, M, S Sonography - S Surgical Technology - S Veterinary Technician - M

HOSPITALITY AND TOURISM

Culinary Arts - M, S Hospitality Management - M, S Event Management - M, S

HUMAN SERVICES

American Sign Language - S Early Childhood Education - M, S Education - C, M, S Physical Education and Recreation - C, M, S Psychology - C, M, S Social Work - C, M, S Sociology - C, M, S

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Augmented and Virtual Reality - S Cybersecurity - C, M, S Networking for Cybersecurity - C, M, S Networking for Systems and Security - C, M, S Programming - C, M, S Security and Forensics - C, M, S Web Development - C, M, S

MANUFACTURING

CNC/Machining - S CNC Programming - S Manual Machining - S Engineering Technology - Automation - C, M, S - Basic Electricity - C, M, S - Basic Electronics - C, M, S - Electrical Systems - C, M, S - Electromechanical - C, M, S - Process Control Technology - C, M, S Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning - S Mechanical Design Technology - C, M, S Technical Studies - C, M, S Welding - C, M, S

SCIENCE, ENGINEERING AND MATHEMATICS

Biology - C, M, S Chemistry - C, M, S Environmental Science - C, M, S Mathematics - C, M, S Physical Science - C, M, S Pre-Engineering - C, M, S

TRANSPORTATION, DISTRIBUTION AND LOGISTICS

Auto Collision Repair Technology - S Automotive Technology - S Diesel Technology - S Supply Chain and Logistics - C, M, S Truck Driving - CE

TRANSFER

Liberal Arts - C, M, S

COMMUNITY COLLEGES UNVEIL NEW TRANSFER MAJORS It’s been two years in the making and thanks to a lot of hard work by Iowa’s community colleges and the state universities, new statewide transfer majors will soon be a reality.

The two groups joined forces to develop detailed majors for specified disciplines, that all have agreed to. It’s always been easy for community college graduates to continue their education at the universities, once they graduate locally, and this just makes it all that much more convenient.

What the agreements do is provide guided pathways for students in each specified major.

Students will know which classes to take each step of the way as they move from their Associate Degree to the Bachelor Degree.

The specified majors vary by community college, with each college expected to add to the list as time goes on. The current list for Eastern Iowa Community Colleges (EICC) includes: Agriculture Business Agriculture Education Agronomy Animal Science Biology Business Chemistry Criminal Justice Early Childhood Teaching Elementary Education Mathematics Physics Psychology Secondary Education Sociology Of course, this doesn’t change the significance of the many transfer agreements EICC has in other areas and with many private colleges. Those colleges have worked closely with EICC to sign those agreements so our students can transfer, without worry, to their colleges as well.

It also doesn’t mean students don’t have the option of studying in a long list of other areas not included in the current transfer majors list.

Because community college students complete what are known as general education classes, those classes required in the first two years of a four-year degree, it means they can start here and go there, in just about any field.

More information will be coming soon regarding the statewide project. We will be updating that on our website at eicc.edu/transfermajors

List is subject to change as new programs become available.

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f you like what you see here, there’s even more online! In partnership with our THE Community’s College Magazine in print form, we also have an online edition with expanded content and video features.

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Check it out at eicc.edu/TCCMagazine eicc.edu/social

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