cONTRIBUTORS Office of The President College Operations Office Communication Services Continuing Education Dean of Health Sciences Student Services Talent Relations Trustee
IN THIS
ISSUE
02
OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
04
C O L L E G E O P E R AT I O N S O F F I C E
06
C O M M U N I C AT I O N S E RV I C E S
07
C O N T I N U I N G E D U C AT I O N
08
D E A N O F H E A LT H S C I E N C E S
10
S T U D E N T S E RV I C E S
13
TA L E N T R E L AT I O N S
14
TRUSTEE
Promising Days Ahead
We’re Back!
Celebrating 50 Years
Center for Healthcare Professionals
In Front of The Pack
Delivering Quality Service Each Time
Performance Management Tips
Our Students, Equity and Economic Mobility
VOL. 01, ISSUE 04 | JUNE 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 President Promising Days Ahead by Dr. Phillip Nicotera, M.D., M.S.Ed. President
Do we see the daylight from the pandemic? Looking statistically, COVID-19 infection rates and hospitalizations are decreasing. That is very promising. As the situation continues to improve, we have been hard at work planning our return to campus. Beginning in the summer for all of HCC, a minimum of 30% of classes will return to inperson learning; for the fall semester, that will increase to 60%. As we see more students on campus, we will need to increase our student support presence to assist with the influx. Therefore, we will begin to bring back services to serve students on a programed basis. Each department developed and shared with their respective staff the plan as we begin to return in May. At Coleman College, we have had students, faculty and some staff on campus since August of 2020, and we have been very successful in managing our on-campus activities. I want to 02 | JUNE 2021
take a moment to compliment College Operations staff, faculty and the students working collaboratively to continue assisting in the continuation of the educational process under difficult circumstances. As you re-enter the campus this summer, you will see some changes cited below:
Welcome Back Plan
• Enforce 2 Ws: wash your hands and watch your distance • Pre-screening will be limited to self-admit with Green QR code and wrist band • Both buildings will be open o Health Science Tower: program labs/ classes, shared services as determined by schedule o Main building: limited to Student Services, Dental Hygiene and Medical Assistant programs and any other identified support teams
Promote Self-Responsibility and Self-Cleaning • Ensure enough cleaning supplies in
classrooms/labs, offices and general areas to self-clean • College Operations will work with housekeeping to ensure sufficient cleaning supplies are in areas being used and that the cleaning needs of everyone are met • Resume normal operations: restrooms,
• Monitor limited food services for the safety sale of pre-packaged food, i.e., sandwiches and salads Additional services such as testing and computer testing areas, tutoring and library access will open on a limited basis. Over the next few weeks, we will share the specific schedules with the campus community. It has been a long year and each one of us
elevators, stairs, atriums, lobbies and
has been impacted both personally and
study areas
professionally and we persevered. As we return,
• Watch atriums and lobbies for social
our world will be somewhat different than it was
distancing. Students may study in groups no
14 months ago, and as we always have, we
larger than four to avoid congregation.
will adapt.
• Break rooms may be used; ice machines are still off limits
I would like to close on a positive note. Coleman
• Closed services: gym and water fountains
students from Nursing, LVN and Medical
• Resume normal mail delivery, housekeeping
Assisting have participated in vaccination events;
services, building temperature controls,
our ADN students have participated in seven of
campus security and campus safety
these. Kudos to our students and faculty, who in the time of need, rose to help our community. 03 | JUNE 2021
College Oper ations We’re Back! by Dr. Diana Castillo, Ed.D. College Operations Officer
HCC and Coleman College for Health Sciences
faculty, staff and students, plus in classrooms/
are back. We are guided by the principles that a
labs to keep areas clean.
company is stronger if it is bound by love rather than fear. And so, the HCC leadership team forges forward helping everyone adapt to the idea that we are moving ahead to continue our
Managing Expectations Upon On-Campus Arrival
mission towards student success. Chancellor
The following is designed as a quick reference
Maldonado encourages us to move to an
guide for students, faculty and staff as we
abundant thinking model as we communicate
reopen for Summer 2021. Established COVID-19
with students, faculty and staff. Thanks to several COVID-19
protocols for students,
Success is not final. Failure is not fatal. It is the courage to
vaccine events, more than 50% of our faculty and students
continue that counts. –Winston Churchill
have been vaccinated. HCC’s
faculty and staff testing positive remain in place. Individuals testing positive
must quarantine for 10 days after first symptoms and have no reported fever for 24 hours before
Operational Debriefing Team has created a
returning to campuses. Students and employees
responsive plan for reopening all HCC locations
will continue COVID-19 self-reporting.
for summer and fall reopening. Coleman College for Health Sciences will continue to play a major
• Employees: call 713.718.8400
• Students: call 713.718.2300, Opt. 4
role in safely helping our students, faculty and staff continue to safely navigate both in-person
Our campuses will be staffed with greeters who
activities and encourage personal responsibility
will welcome students, faculty and staff, and
using the self-clean model. Everyone will wipe
issue PPE, if needed. Campuses will require
down their work surfaces and all cleaning services will be eliminated in between classes. Campus services will provide sanitizing wipes to 04 | JUNE 2021
observation of the 2 Ws (wash your hands and watch your distance).
Students are encouraged to use the following
Students attending classes are encouraged to be
areas available on campus for eating lunch, if
vaccinated, but it is not required.
they comply with the established standards. Services include: campus food vending, microwaves, lounges, atriums and lobbies. Eating lunch and snacks in classrooms and labs is
Reopening Guidelines for Summer 2021
discouraged. Ice machines and water fountains
May 24: Start of Protocols for Employees
will not be in use, but students may bring their
• Return to work-place locations
own water. Adhere to strict hand-washing
• All college campuses and shared services
hygiene and comply with social distancing in
• Revised Check market guidelines will be sent
classrooms, meeting rooms and elsewhere. Elevators and stairs may be used in line with
to employees to self-screen and monitor • Employees: call 713.718.8400
social distancing guidelines in place. Campus
June 7: Start of Protocols for Students
ventilation and air circulation will exceed Centers
• First day of class
for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.
• Revised Check market guidelines and email
Students will be asked to wear college-issued
links will be sent to students on how to
I.D. badges. Those who do not have a badge
self-screen and advocating for personal
can obtain one at designated campus locations.
responsibility
No appointments required.
• Students: call 713.718.2300, Opt. 4
Inspiration exists, but it must find you working. –Pablo Picasso
05 | JUNE 2021
Comm unication Services HCC Celebrates 5 0 Ye a r s by Adrena Dow Director of Communications HCC celebrates 50 years of serving excellence in education to the Houston community. Congratulations to our dedicated faculty, staff and students who are pioneers in academic instruction and advancement leading to professional careers.
Commemorative events are being held systemwide at each campus over the next coming months. If you would like to show your support, please check for event details and updates at hcc50years.com/50-year-celebration.
In honor of this historic milestone, Coleman College for Health Sciences will share some of our best moments spanning the last decades in an exclusive commercial. Stay tuned to major network channels in the month of July to watch how HCC Coleman has provided exceptional training and education to thousands of allied health care professionals across the nation.
Have a specific marketing request? Coleman Communications welcomes the opportunity to collaborate and promote your programs. Click here or visit hccs.edu/colemanrequests to submit a request.
Let’s Collaborate
Follow Us
Don’t forget to follow us on social media. We’re always posting the latest information about
You can also view well wishes from some of our city’s prominent leaders and business partners in the community. Click here to listen to congratulatory messages from City of Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, Gallery Furniture owner and business entrepreneur James McIngvale (widely known as “Mattress Mac,”) and Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez. 06 | JUNE 2021
Coleman programs, events and campus updates. www.facebook.com/hcccoleman www.instagram.com/hcccoleman www.linkedin.com/in/adrena-dow226793184
Continuing Education Center for Healthcare Professionals by Prashant Harjai Program Manager
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 and organizations. Here are just a few of the 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 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. Sterile Compounding and Aseptic Technique/ ACPE IV Training (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. 07 | JUNE 2021
Dean Of Health Sciences In Front of The Pack by Dr. Jeff Gricar, Ed.D., CPhT, PhTR. Dean of Health Sciences
Dean’s Message
normal includes bringing staff back on campus
I hope that everyone had a successful spring
summer. So, as our faculty continue to teach
Dear Coleman Family,
for at least two or more days a week during the
semester!
on campus, we now will be able to offer on-site
As we move into the summer semester, Coleman
limited tutoring services.
will begin to return to what many refer to as our “new normal.” As a system, our goal is to offer at least 30% of courses in a face-to-face format
administrative support, computer lab testing and
Below are highlights of some of the great accomplishments and projects within the
for summer and 60% in the fall. As you know,
instructional division.
Coleman is always ahead of the curve. That is
Congratulations!
part of what sets our college apart. As health care professionals and to ensure our students are first, our faculty didn’t want to wait out the pandemic. Our team jumped in feet first as soon as we possibly could and successfully began offering face-to-face classes in October. So, while many of our colleagues are just now facing the challenges of returning students and faculty to campus, Coleman is already out in front of the
For the eighth consecutive year, the Respiratory Therapist program has been recognized by their accrediting body, Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC), with the Distinguished RRT Credentialing Success Award. Objective criteria based on key accreditation metrics were used during the selection process, which included 1) holding accreditation without
pack. Way to go Coleman team!
progress reporting; 2) documenting RRT
Another part of that transition into our new
3) meeting or exceeding established thresholds
08 | JUNE 2021
credentialing success of 90% or more, and
for credentialing success and retention. Congratulations to Teddy, Herbert, James and Ebong for their continued excellence in respiratory education!
Accreditation News
The Dental Assisting program successfully navigated their accreditation site visit in April by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). Program director Kay Jukes’ self-study report received rave reviews. At the end of the visit, the program received no deficiencies or recommendations and will receive full reaccreditation with no reporting. Congratulations to Kay and Mohanned on a job well done! The Radiography program reaccreditation site
New Partnerships
In January, the Harris Center came to HCC Coleman with a $45,000 grant to train current employees to become registered medical assistants. Working with a short time frame and partnering with Prashant Harjai and team in the Continuing Education department, Cyndee Lundgren, program director for the Medical Assistant program, managed to put together a fast-track training program in record speed. We were even able to get the MOU fully executed in less than 30 days, thanks to Dr. Ramon Villegas. This exceptional teamwork will allow HCC to meet the needs of Harris Center in transitioning their employees into medical assistant positions within the next year.
visit is scheduled for July 2021.
09 | JUNE 2021
Student Services Delivering Quality Service Each Time by Dr. Patricia Ugwu, Ph.D. Dean of Student Success & Engagement
Dean’s Message
Speaking of improving student experience at
I came across this statement, “Life is all
HCC Coleman, I am happy to report that HCC
about choices,” and it made me think about
Coleman Student Government Association (SGA)
the choices we make as employees of HCC.
won the Student Organization of the Year award.
In our daily work, do we choose to deliver
Congratulations to Que Han Tran, Nieves Garcia,
quality service each time, or do we do the
April Hoyns and Maria Rivera!
minimum acceptable standard? Do we accept responsibility to make things right, or
Division Highlights
do we not? When it is within our scope of
Testing
responsibility to make a decision that could
HCC Coleman is currently testing remotely via
improve the lives of students or the people we
Proctor U for HESI A2 Admissions Assessment
work with, do we act now to meet the need of
Exams. The number of HESI tests conducted
the moment, or do we delay?
was 2,900. Testing will soon resume on campus beginning June 15, with tests conducted every
As we continue to recover from the COVID-19
Tuesday and Thursday. For more information,
pandemic and return to campus, I commend
contact the Testing Center at 713.718.5170, or
those who already deliver quality services to
via email at coleman.testing@hccs.edu.
students, faculty and staff, and invite others to join in the practice of delivering quality service to all; to choose to take responsibility to make things right; to choose to act now rather than later. By intentionally choosing to make the right choices as a daily practice, we will continue to improve student experience at HCC Coleman.
10 | JUNE 2021
Advising Advising has been very busy on campus as well as on Zoom. Here are a few highlights of their accomplishments from January-April: • 1,215 HCC Coleman applications processed • 2,885 students advised
• 395 graduation applications processed
The partnership was a great success! The
• 1,526 FA course alerts
students benefited greatly from this flexible ebb and flow of progression, and there was a lot of
We’ve also added more expertise to our team.
interest in learning more about health-related
Please join us in welcoming two new advisors.
issues as a result of this innovative approach to nursing education.
Priscilla Garcia is responsible for advising
At the height of the pandemic when student
students in Dental
accommodations were needed due to COVID
Assisting, Dental Hygiene,
restrictions, Vise was quick to advise and support
Occupational Therapy and
UHD students. “Your department was one of the
Respiratory Therapy.
first who identified the contribution our nursing students could make for Coleman students,”
Esperanca Rosa advises
stated Dune.
students in the Medical Laboratory Technician,
They worked with two groups of students and
Histologic Technician,
hosted two different virtual events: Healthy Body,
Nuclear Medicine and
Healthy Mind and Let’s Weigh-In: Information,
Health Information
Knowledge and Helpful Ways to Eating Healthier.
Technology programs.
The students were given a strict timeline to
Joining Forces for Success
follow. They had to come up with a presentation and title, learn ADA guidelines, submit a request
Before COVID-19 hit last year, Jana Vise, Student
for marketing, research Coleman demographics,
Life coordinator, worked with Dr. Linda Dune,
create and send out a survey to Coleman
director of nursing, at University of Houston
students and present on their designated dates.
Downtown (UHD), to bring nursing students to Coleman for a face-to-face health information fair
With the success of going virtual, both Coleman
on various health and wellness topics.
and UHD are excited to continue their work and once again have two groups of students to
The Coleman/UHD partnership began with the
present on health topics. Both parties are looking
inception of the UHD RN-BSN program in Spring
forward to continuing their collaboration in the
2018. The joint enrollment program was an
future.
idea developed between the dean of nursing at HCC and the nursing administration at UHD that would allow HCC nursing students to advance to an early BSN completion date.
11 | JUNE 2021
STUDENT SERVICES [CONTINUED]
Know Who To Contact
Need to refer a student or have questions for an advisor? Here’s a cheat sheet to help you remember who to contact for specific programs. David Pereida
Shawana Harris
713.718.5060
713.718.7240
david.pereida@hccs.edu
shawana.harris@hccs.edu
• Radiography
• Medical Assistant
• Diagnostic Medical Sonography
• Surgical Technology
• Computed Tomography
• Sterile Processing
• Pharmacy Technician
• Endoscopy
• Human Service Technology
• Physical Therapist Assistant
Esperanca Rosa
Priscilla Garcia
713.718.8747
713-718-7082
esperanca.rosa@hccs.edu
priscilla.garcia@hccs.edu
• Medical Laboratory Technician
• Dental Assisting
• Histologic Technician
• Dental Hygiene
• Nuclear Medicine
• Occupational Therapy
• Health Information Technology
• Respiratory Therapy
Regina Ricks 713.718.7430 regina.ricks@hccs.edu • Licensed Vocational Nursing • Associate Degree Nursing
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
12 | JUNE 2021
co.studentlife@hccs.edu
co.sga@hccs.edu
Talent Rel ations Performance Management Tips by Elizabeth Semien Senior Partner
Sometimes we see performance evaluations as
IMAGE
a part of compliance. A performance evaluation is much more. The process allows supervisors and employees to have open conversations regarding accomplishments, feedback, coaching, engagement and a look forward to the next year. The performance evaluation should focus on all aspects of an employee’s performance. Points
• Professional development accomplishments
to focus on during the performance discussion
for the current year and plans for the
include:
new year
• How does the employee perform their job or accomplish their goals? These points should be specific and not just generalizations.
Finally, please remember all PEPs must be completed by June 30 and 9-month faculty PEPs completed by June 1.
• What skills or job competencies have you developed that will enhance your ability to
Have questions? Please visit the Performance
perform your job?
Excellence Program (PEP) page or contact your
• Are you continually improving your job and personal knowledge skills? If so, which
senior partner in Talent Relations, Elizabeth Semien, at 713.718.5749.
ones and how will this help your overall performance?
13 | JUNE 2021
Trustee Our Students, Equity and Economic Mobility by Dr. Reagan Flowers, Ph.D. District IV Trustee
Coleman College for Health Sciences offers vital paths to economic mobility for thousands of Houstonians. It is a well-known fact that
IMAGE
community colleges educate one out of three students who pursue postsecondary education. At HCC, we are a diverse institution, with more than half of the students we serve being Black and Latino. Many of them are working learners
source HCC students to fill in-demand jobs and
who must overcome challenges that threaten to
for our students to achieve career advancements.
prevent them from completing their education and career training.
The economic recovery of Houston is a priority for our students and families as we power
As Trustees, we work hard at keeping
through the highest unemployment resulting
students top of mind in addressing learning
from the COVID-19 pandemic. In March 2021,
and enrollment gaps. Seeing students
Georgetown University Center on Education and
successfully cross the finish line is a priority.
the Workforce reported unemployment levels
Coleman’s students understand that there
reached their peak as a result of the pandemic—
are more significant career opportunities and
19.2 percent of people with just a high school
earning potential with a secondary degree or
education were unemployed, compared with
certification. The staff, faculty and leadership
13.9 percent of people with associate degrees
team at Coleman set high-value targets for
and 8.5 percent of people with bachelor’s
our students in many high-growth health care
degrees. Providing a path to economic mobility
industries and sectors facing skilled labor
for HCC students requires equitable investments
shortages. We want employers to continue to
and seamless transitions. It is mission-critical that
14 | JUNE 2021
we continue to champion the implementation of
listen. Our students at HCC are no different.
proven student success intervention programs
They seek understanding, guidance and listening
and services that provide access, support
adults to overcome challenges they face in
completion and yield better career outcomes.
making progress with their education and career. Because many of our students work, we must
As a first-generation high school and college
keep top of mind that our students appreciate
graduate, my journey to where I am today was
paid apprenticeships, internships and other
not without social and economic challenges.
forms of work-based learning that support them
Through the challenges, I understood that
academically, financially and build their resume
being reluctant to spend time and resources
for career opportunities.
on a degree threatened the future I desired for myself and my family. The National Student
It is essential that the entire learning journey
Clearinghouse Research Center reported in
for HCC students, particularly Black and Latino
March 2021 the decline in first-time enrollment
students, includes equity-based solutions
of Black (28.4%), Hispanic (27.5%) and Native
and interventions that meet their needs from
(29.3%) students as being three times that of the
enrollment to career and eliminates completion
overall community college drop. Having been a
gaps. When equity is at the core of what we
working student and understanding that money
do, the solutions we provide help our students
is a tool to achieve whatever comforts you want
access economic opportunity and achieve
in life, postsecondary education is a necessary
mobility.
means to an end. There should never be regrets when you embark upon a new learning journey,
The further development of more inclusive
even in the current environment of increased
pathways for students to enroll and complete
virtual learning and less in-person interaction.
their education at HCC provides the fuel that powers equitable recovery, improves our
For those of us who have completed degree
economic health and leads to prosperity.
programs, we must sometimes be reminded
HCC provides the talent that fuels the Houston
that we were once students who visualized the
economy, and Coleman College for Health
solutions we needed and were often challenged
Sciences is at the epicenter.
with finding an adult at our institution who would
15 | JUNE 2021
Inside Coleman Internal Quarterly Newsletter Publication HCC Coleman College for Health Sciences Produced by Communication Services Summer, June 2021 Vol. 01, Issue 04