cONTRIBUTORS Office of The President College Operations Office Communication Services Continuing Education Dean of Health Sciences Student Services
IN THIS
ISSUE
02
OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
03
C O L L E G E O P E R AT I O N S O F F I C E
05
C O M M U N I C AT I O N S E RV I C E S
06
C O N T I N U I N G E D U C AT I O N
07
S T U D E N T S E RV I C E S
11
D E A N O F H E A LT H S C I E N C E S
Reflecting on the Past Year
Major Efforts Underway
Lights, Camera, Action!
Center for Healthcare Professionals
Teamwork Makes the Dream Work
Continuing to Make Strides
VOL. 01, ISSUE 03 | MARCH 2021
C O L L E G E F O R H E A LT H S C I E N C E S
OFFICE OF THE PR ESIDE N T Reflecting on the P a s t Ye a r by Dr. Phillip Nicotera, M.D., M.S.Ed. President
As I write this, I am reminded that it has been almost one year since we had to leave campus on March 12, 2020. Perhaps like most of you, I thought this would have ended in about a month and normalcy would return. Wow, was I wrong... So, here we are still working our way through COVID-19. Our society has the most advanced medical care of the past century, but COVID-19 has challenged our health care system. We have witnessed the fastest development of a vaccine and are now faced with administering the vaccine as the pandemic continues.
the way we work to keep moving forward. The term “new normal” has been used to describe the adaptations we have made as a society and individuals.
I ask the question to each of you – will the vaccine bring us back to the way we were before COVID-19?
I ask you to reflect on the past year. How has your work life changed? Some of those changes and others will now shape how you work in the future. During the last town hall meeting, I asked all of you to begin thinking of how your job will be different as we move into the future.
The pandemic has irrevocably changed the world. We have all adapted the way we live and
I look forward to our discussions over the next few weeks.
02 | MARCH 2021
Coll e g e Ope r at ion s Major Efforts Underway by Dr. Diana Castillo, Ed.D. College Operations Officer Spring term 2021 got off to a good start with
person support five days a week beginning Feb.
most in-person teaching format and some on-
16. HCC is committed to supporting the success
campus student support to continue the mission
and needs of its students, so the college’s
of educating our health science workforce. The
business office will also provide these efforts
months of January and February were all about
with in-person support hours for our students
promoting the HCC One College concept.
Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Students
Although HCC is organized by six colleges,
will continue to have an opportunity to schedule
an online college and district, the COVID-19
an in-person appointment or continue to take
pandemic has created opportunities to better
advantage of the Zoom virtual support via the
organize us as a single college to maximize
virtual lobby, https://www.hccs.edu/applying-
efficient use of resources, and to provide
and-paying/virtual-lobby/. In-person student
a consistently high level of quality learning
services will vary slightly across the multiple
experiences across the district. Coleman College
campuses.
for Health Sciences will continue to play a major role in safely helping our students maximize
Along with this, HCC’s COVID-19 response
their didactic and face-to-face learning lab
team is in the process of defining the teaching
experiences.
modalities that can be expected for summer and fall with commitment to increased FTF
The two major efforts we are working on are
instruction, specifically driven by program
(1) gearing up for summer and fall enrollment
decisions as it relates to the most effective
and (2) completing the FY22 budget cycle
teaching modalities for specific disciplines. Like
process. To help support our efforts for
other colleges and universities across the U.S.,
increasing enrollment for summer and fall, the
after having to quickly roll out distance learning
Chancellors’ Executive Council is bringing back
for students in the spring semester of 2020, HCC
80% of student services to help provide in-
has spent almost a year planning for the FY21/22 03 | MARCH 2021
COLLEGE OPERATIONS [CONTINUED]
school year in a way that would keep students
measures already established will continue to
and faculty safe and healthy while still ensuring
protect students and faculty members.
that students felt engaged in their classes and community, no matter where they were learning.
As traditional student populations shrink, it is clearer more than ever that outreach and career
To this end, we will probably have an increase
preparation are very important variables. In this
in hybrid/lab presence, smaller in-class numbers
regard, HCC and Coleman College are doing a
to maintain and continue our support of CDC
fair share of work to support community college
guidelines to keep students safely distanced
needs that reside in continuing education by
whether they are in a classroom or lab. And,
expanding our outreach at multiple locations.
there will be some firm decisions, again based
We are learning a great deal from CEU as it
on program need in terms of what is best for
provides learning platform opportunities that
students, to keep certain academic, workforce
can foster local government, business and
and CEU components online as appropriate to
industry relationships. The enrollment shifts we
that discipline.
are facing, competition for space and demands of government fiscal agencies are signposts that
A continued challenge for safe reopening for
anticipate the changeover to greater access,
summer and fall includes considering the needs
which will assist HCC in obtaining new sources
of our online students. Students are telling us
of revenues, bringing new clients to the college,
that they miss seeing their classmates, studying
and providing linkages with local school boards,
in small groups and just being able to get away
business and industry, and community groups.
from home and go to a campus where they feel they are part of a learning community. We
And finally, our Coleman College Budget
know that students need to build relationships
Office has been working diligently with District
with their professors and classmates. So, the
Finance to complete our obligations, disclosing
challenge will be defining how to open aspects
by priority our major known commitments and
of the campus that are also essential to student
any new initiatives. For the most part, this work
life. What this new normal will look like is the
is finalized. Remaining for completion are the
work that remains as we complete our summer
actual budget entries by department that will be
and fall planning. We know for sure that safety
made in Workiva.
04 | MARCH 2021
COM M U N IC AT ION S ERV IC ES Lights, Camera, Action! by Adrena Dow Director of Communications As many of us remain out of the public eye
May 2. It is also
during the pandemic, some of our faculty and
available to view
staff are showing their faces in the community in
and share via
a different way – on the small screen.
social media by clicking here.
On Feb. 14, Coleman celebrated the special
As a reminder, Coleman Communications
day with a launch of its new commercial. The
welcomes your creative ideas to market your
community-centered piece hit the digital
programs. We encourage you to reach out to us
airwaves with an expression of gratitude and
and collaborate collectively toward our common
goodwill to our grassroot constituents. In just a
goal of increasing enrollment, recruitment and
few, yet powerful words, we deliver a heartfelt
retention of our students.
message to our faculty, students and community – “thank you.”
Click here or visit hccs.edu/colemanrequests to submit a request.
The new health sciences commercial is part of an institutional effort to engage with our community and build deeper and stronger connections
Follow Us
Don’t forget to follow us on social media. We’re
between the public and our college. It serves as
always posting the latest information about
a reminder that as we continue to feel the impact
Coleman programs, events and campus updates.
of COVID, together we can succeed. You can catch it live or streaming on multiple major networks until March 14, and again during the second flight beginning March 29 through
www.facebook.com/hcccoleman www.instagram.com/hcccoleman www.linkedin.com/in/adrena-dow226793184 05 | MARCH 2021
CON TI NU ING E DU CATION Center for Healthcare Professionals by Prashant Harjai Program Manager Did you know the Center for Healthcare Professionals (CHP) at Coleman College offers health continuing education (CE) to students and professionals working in the health care field? Our partnerships with credit programs are created to offer mirror courses and professional readiness courses that assist students in their educational goals. We also partner with organizations to develop and deliver education to meet health care continuing education needs of learners, organizations and the community. Here are just a few of the many classes we offer that you can refer to health care professionals: Differential Diagnosis for Physical Therapists and Physical Therapy Assistants (click here) If you’ve been approached by physical therapists or physical therapy assistants inquiring about approved continuing education, we can help. We offer two courses focusing on differential diagnosis that provide 16 hours and 17.5 hours of TPTA approved CCUs at $159 per course. Both are 100% online, anytime, self-paced courses that professionals can register for throughout the 06 | MARCH 2021
semester. This meets the educational requirement for physical therapists to treat without referral as outlined in House Bill 29 signed by Texas governor on June 14, 2019. These courses are offered to all physical therapists or physical therapy assistants across Texas and can be used to renew licensing for each occupation. Dental Assistant Registration Course and Exam (click here) Have you been contacted by a dental assistant who wants to take the Texas State Board of Dental Examiner (TSBDE) approved course and examination to become a registered dental assistant? We are offering an 8-hour course that is 100% online, anytime and self-paced. Registration is open throughout the semester. Upon successful completion, candidates can apply to TSBDE for registration as a RDA. This course is offered to all dental assistants across Texas.
Contact Us
Visit us online at www.hccs.edu/chp. Or, for inquiries or referrals, please email hcc-chp@hccs.edu, or call us at 713.718.7796.
S TUDENT SE RVIC E S Te a m w o r k M a k e s t h e Dream Work by Dr. Patricia Ugwu, Ph.D. Dean of Student Success & Engagement
Dean’s Message
One of the things I tell my Student Services team is to remember that what we do in Student Services matters. Prospective students who seek admission to any one of the many health science programs come through Student Services first. They count on us to guide them through testing, application submission, advising, enrollment, counseling, career services, etc. Selected students get additional guidance during Student Services Orientation. This is a major event that leverages the talents of staff representing Advising, Recruitment, Admission and Enrollment, Intake and Retention, Career Services, Counseling, Student Life/Recreational Sports, and Financial Coaching/Financial Services. The orientation also provides great opportunity to collaborate with Coleman COO’s Office, Office of Institutional Equity as well as HCC Coleman Instructional Division. One of the many joys I have as a dean is to see members of my team take responsibility to solve problems that if not solved could negatively impact students’ progression and success. Here are a few examples of how my team exemplifies the saying “Teamwork makes the dream work.”
Teaming Up to Help Students
Last summer, Student Life coordinator, Jana Vise, began speaking with Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTHA) program director, Angela Shepherd, and academic fieldwork coordinator, Tiffany Green, to discuss how they could work together to help students in the program graduate. Due to COVID-19, many students could not obtain fieldwork placements to earn their clinical rotation hours. After seeking solutions, students were able to get approval authorizing Vise to serve as their clinical coordinator and Maertz as their OTHA supervisor. This first-time collaboration focused on community engagement, stress management, parenting of non-disabled children as well as children with disabilities. Students were required to plan, collaborate, advertise and present virtually on mental health and academic readiness topics to 07 | MARCH 2021
STUDENT SERVICES [CONTINUED]
the HCC community. Each topic was presented twice to reach a variety of audiences totaling 12 presentations. Under the leadership of Vise, the OTHA student clinical experience was enhanced by incorporating other support service areas. Brandy Lerman, counselor, helped students with their presentations; Kimberly Joyner, advising manager, assisted with a survey; Christian Andrews, recreational sports specialist, aided with a Jeopardy presentation; and Daniel Scholls, financial coach, provided guidance to students when speaking to clients about finances and resources. The clinical rotations, which included mid-term and end-of-semester evaluations assessed everything from safety guidelines and procedures, to communication styles and teamwork. Staff is proud to report that all of the students passed their clinical rotations. The success of this program demonstrates that great opportunities can emerge under difficult circumstances through collaboration. This effort made it possible for students to meet the requirements of their program despite the limitations created by the pandemic. This spring, Vise and Maertz are hosting clinical rotations for a new cohort of students.
Radiography and Respiratory Therapy Students to Receive Scholarships Student Services extends its collaborative efforts to external partners. In October 2020, Coleman staff worked with Cruz Casiano, scholarship director with the Marvy Finger Family Foundation, to create a presentation for the foundation’s Board to consider offering scholarships to students interested in HCC Coleman’s Radiography and Respiratory Therapy programs. The proposal was passed in November 2020 with the potential to add an additional 20 students. In addition to providing scholarships, the foundation pays for all educational expenses, including parking, food and supplies.
Announcements, Schedules & Volunteer Opportunity Coleman Student Receives Scholarship
Congratulations to Maria Rivera, Occupational Therapy Assistant student and Student Government Association (SGA) treasurer! Rivera was one of the 10 recipients to receive the Hispanic Scholarship Council (HSC) $500 during the Fall 2020 semester.
08 | MARCH 2021
STUDENT SERVICES [CONTINUED]
Virtual Fitness for Students & Staff Need to give your mind and body a boost? Get fit virtually with these fitness classes! Sign up is free. Bootcamp Tuesday and Thursday 12-12:30 p.m. http://hccs.presence.io/event/Bootcamp-W-Duane Deep Stretching Monday and Wednesday 6-6:30 p.m. http://hccs.presence.io/event/Deep-Stretching Meditation & Yoga Monday and Friday 8-8:30 a.m. http://hccs.presence.io/event/Meditation-and-Yoga Twerk Fitness Friday 6-6:30 p.m. http://hccs.presence.io/event/Twerk-Fitness Zumba Tuesday and Thursday 5-5:30 p.m. http://hccs.presence.io/event/Zumba For more information, please contact christian.andrews@hccs.edu. You can also check us out on Instagram @hccsrecsports. Volunteers Needed Want to help our community? The Community Health Market Trailer, formerly known as the Houston Food Bank Distribution, is seeking volunteers. Click here to visit the link and sign up to volunteer. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090C4EA8A929ABFC1-communiity
09 | MARCH 2021
STUDENT SERVICES [CONTINUED]
Virtual and In-person Services
Need help? We have several options to help serve students. Connect To a Zoom Virtual Lobby Use the following links to access a specific campus: • Central (Friday): https://us02web.zoom.us/my/hcc.centralcollege • Northeast (Tuesday): https://zoom.us/j/91927399355 • Northwest (Thursday): https://zoom.us/j//86979507071 • Southeast (Monday): https://zoom.us/j/7149753105 • Southwest (Wednesday): https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87353032366 Zoom Hours of Operation Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. On-campus Services If a students chooses to visit with a staff member in person at Coleman, on-campus services are available by appointment only. To schedule an on-campus appointment, visit the Virtual Lobby link at https://outlook.office365.com/owa/calendar/ColemanStudentSupportService@o365.hccs.edu/ bookings/. Campus Hours of Operation • Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. • Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Emails and Phone Calls You may request a phone call or email from Advising and/or Enrollment Services by going to our Virtual Lobby at https://www.hccs.edu/virtuallobby. You can also email one of the departments below. Please allow 48 business hours for a response. • Advising: coleman.advising@hccs.edu • Enrollment Services: co.enrollment@hccs.edu
Ways to Stay Connected
Receive free event text alerts for Coleman. Text hccevents to 76626. Here are more ways to connect:
hccs.edu/student-life
10 | MARCH 2021
co.studentlife@hccs.edu
co.sga@hccs.edu
DEA N OF HEA LTH SC IE NC E S Continuing to Make Strides by Dr. Jeff Gricar, Ed.D., CPhT, PhTR. Dean of Health Sciences Dear Coleman Family,
having them enroll in CEC courses, we were able
We hope everyone’s spring semester has gotten
to provide students the opportunity to meet their
off to a great start!
12-hour requirement to maintain their status.
As instruction navigates the current environment,
Congratulations!
the Health Information Technology, Associate
The Human Service Technology program
Degree Nursing, and Human Service Technology
partnered with the mayor’s office last year
programs continue with all courses being taught
on a grant to train health care workers. The
through the online modality. All other programs,
Mayor’s Office of Education recently published
in addition to online lectures, continue to bring
a COVID-19 Community Health Education
students back on campus for their hands-on
Fellows (CHEFS) 2020 Report. In the report,
laboratory components. Most programs have
appendix A includes interviews of 19 fellows and
also been able to send students out into the
all 19 are from the HCC Community Healthcare
health care field to participate in their clinical
Worker (CHW) Program.
rotations. The instructional division also collaborated with
Accreditation & Curriculum
Although we have not had any accreditation
the Center for Healthcare Professionals and
site visits since the last newsletter, Coleman
International Student Office to assist Coleman’s
programs continue to vigorously work to
international students this spring semester. Due
complete accreditation self-studies. Respiratory
to the pandemic, many students are finishing
Therapy, Diagnostic Medical Sonography,
clinical courses incomplete, and therefore are
Radiography and Dental Assisting have all
not officially enrolled in classes this semester. By
completed a program self-study and are waiting 11 | MARCH 2021
to be notified of their site visit date. Medical Laboratory Technician faculty, Karlien Tebbetts, completed her Master’s in Educational Leadership from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. In addition, the MLAB accrediting agency NAACLS has officially approved Ms. Tebbetts to serve as program director. The Diagnostic Medical Sonography and Surgical Technician programs have had their new AAS degrees approved by HCC and are awaiting final approval from THECB & SACSCOC. In other news, our new Endoscopy Technician program start date has been pushed back again because of COVID to Fall 2021.
12 | MARCH 2021
Inside Coleman Internal Quarterly Newsletter Publication HCC Coleman College for Health Sciences Produced by Communication Services Spring, March 2021 Vol. 01, Issue 03
