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
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
Setting Goals and Expectations
Safely Bringing Students Back on Campus
Making the Pledge
Center for Healthcare Professionals
Leading the Way to Our New Normal
Word of the Month: Responsibility
VOL. 02, ISSUE 01 | SEPTEMBER 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 Setting Goals and Expectations by Dr. Phillip Nicotera, M.D., M.S.Ed. President
As we begin the new academic year, we have a lot to be thankful for, we have had great success in staying safe and returning to campus to help our students reach the finish line. As with every year, it is essential that we have goals that will guide us throughout the year. I ask the question – what is the most important function of Coleman College? For me, the answer is obvious – to educate our students. That’s right, our students are essential. Without students, Coleman College would not have purpose. With that said, it should be no surprise our two goals are enrollment and retention. Enrollment and retention are everyone’s business and requires the ultimate collaboration between every department and every employee at the college. Each program has a target enrollment. The target enrollment was determined in a meeting with me five years ago by the program director. The targets were developed collaboratively with realistic expectations. 02 | SEPTEMBER 2021
I cannot stress enough that meeting target enrollment is of the utmost importance to minimally sustain our activity. We must not begin a term with unfilled seats. Over the past four years, we averaged 11% unfilled seats. We can do better; we must do better. A few weeks ago, I sent a memo detailing Dr. Villegas’ leadership role to assist in achieving enrollment and retention goals. In that memo the retention goal is 85% for each program. This is a reasonable goal for the programs at Coleman. We must work together utilizing the resources available, such as the district curriculum office, the Early Alert program and learning support. I look forward to your continued collaboration as we strive to meet our goals this year.
College Oper ations Safely Bringing Students Back On Campus by Dr. Diana Castillo, Ed.D. College Operations Officer
Harris County recently increased its COVID-19
not easy and preparation and key insights are
threat level back to “red.” So, HCC’s objective
essential building blocks to planning. This is
for Fall 2021 term is to carefully gauge student,
no easy task given that we are all still facing
faculty, staff and campus’ needs. Fall 2021 is
uncertainty with legal and political complications
here, and all colleges find themselves planning
around vaccination, remaining flexible amidst
for a semester unlike any other. The incentives
the pandemic and focusing on fostering student
for bringing students back to campus have been
success despite the blurriness of managing
many, and the outlook for getting COVID-19
student, faculty and staff needs during difficult
under control looks bright. However, it is the
times.
Delta variant virus on the rise and unknown factors that make planning a challenge.
The excellent part is that we do have a plan that we have crafted to keep everyone as safe as
For college operations officers and campus
possible. One of the key elements to everyone’s
management, it has meant quickly learning that
safety will be the wearing of ID badges at a time
our “new normal” is not normal anymore. It
when we are all tasked to be vigilant about our
is all about being able to pivot back and forth
surroundings, even on campus. It is a fact that
to prepare our buildings and ensure diligent
crime is 40% up in Harris County and we must all
practices are efficient as we can to help students,
work together to keep vigilant about where we
faculty and staff to safely navigate the semester
are and who may be around us.
with the Delta variant spreading like wildfire. In addition, although we cannot mandate This has meant that the campuses have had
the mask, the mask is making a comeback.
to restock on PPE and ensure that we are well
Many colleges and HCC are reinstating the
equipped with all items needed to help everyone
encouragement of mask mandates to help
stay safe while in school. The transitions are
curb the spread of the highly contagious Delta 03 | SEPTEMBER 2021
COLLEGE OPERATIONS [CONTINUED]
variant. Here are some ideas about how HCC
if they are sick, notify their professors, or
will manage our spaces amidst this growing
supervisors, etc.
concern. Our summer pre-screening model may
• PPE is available (sanitizing wipes, cleaning
potentially move away from the self-regulation
supplies in all classrooms/labs, support
model and personal responsibility to one where
service areas).
we will begin to scan for the Green QR code. Here is what you can expect.
Fall Pre-Screening Standards
• Encourage mask wearing in classes, labs and all indoor spaces regardless of vaccination status. Exceptions will be allowed when people are alone or are actively eating or drinking. • Each campus will identify and prepare two or three centralized entrances for screening
• Teaching stations are equipped with Plexiglas barriers for classroom/lab, shared and support service areas to avoid last minute requests by faculty. • Bottled water is available upon request at reception/greeting stations. • External leases involving large groups may be postponed. • Monitor Student Life activities and ensure small group activities. • Faculty members already adapt their teaching
students, faculty and staff, visitors, contractors
to the times. And, even as we continue
and vendors depending on the campus
to hope that the pandemic eases, we are
location.
confident that the most forward-thinking
• Screening protocols will be reinstated to scan
colleges will seize on lessons learned over
students, faculty and staff into the building
the past year to improve both in-person
(iPads will be used to scan people in with a
and online learning environments and
Green QR Code, we will issue wrist bands,
their administrative operations. The future
encourage 3 Ws: wear masks, watch distance,
success of forward-thinking colleges greatly
wash your hands).
outnumbers the ones that try to return to
• Promote campus culture that reinforces the wearing of a visible ID badge (all HCC employees should gently encourage and remind everyone to wear ID badges). • If you notice anyone without a wrist band, reroute them to a screening station. • Encourage mindful safety behaviors (ID
business as usual. • Faculty and administrators already understand that flexibility is not limited to the classroom. • The “new normal” is about colleges that embrace innovation and lean on technology to enhance teaching — whether by involving outsiders in instruction or by recording
badges necessary, be aware of surroundings,
classes for further review. Faculty members
vigilance).
will recognize that, even if the pressures on
• Pre-screening check market link will be slightly
students seem to abate, there is no reason
modified with language that clearly prompts
to reduce the humanity they might show as
employees and students to stay at home
teachers.
04 | SEPTEMBER 2021
COLLEGE OPERATIONS [CONTINUED]
• Another challenge is understating flexibility beyond the classroom, especially when it involves other college support service areas. The question on everyone’s mind is: Do we really need our staff to return to five days and 40 hours a week in the physical workplace when so many of them can reallocate their commuting time to a more productive purpose — either in doing their jobs better or in keeping their sanity? We have certainly learned a lot of lessons over the past year and have shown that some areas can perform remotely and the key to this is being able to measure remote work accountability.
Self-Reporting Form
You can access the form at the following link: https://forms.hccs.edu/PerfectForms/ PresentationServer/Form.aspx/Play/ RkhAggYi?f=RkhAggYi
Students who test positive should be reported by instructors using the faculty report form. Students who test positive for COVID will need to be cleared by Risk Management prior to returning to campus. HCC Risk Management is not authorized to move a class to fully online or to cancel class because of positive COVID cases. HCC will not require others in the classroom to quarantine
Self-Reporting Procedures Instructions for Faculty, Staff and Students
unless they are exhibiting symptoms.
Always encourage students and employees to
• Employees: 713.718.2300, option 4
stay home if sick before returning to work/school.
Summary
Beginning with the summer session 2021, HCC
COVID Self-Reporting Numbers • Students: 713.718.8400
is no longer collecting contact tracing data and
In conclusion, we have learned many lessons
we are not sending out notices following positive
over a past difficult year, but these are propelling
cases. We are still restricting individuals who test
us forward as faculty and support staff. All our
positive and maintaining a log of cases.
efforts have not been in vain. It is not business as usual, and collaboration will continue to play an
Please direct staff to complete the Employee
integral part to our success.
Self-Report Form and call Talent Engagement (TE) at 713.718.2300, option 4. Employees who test positive for COVID must self-report. The employee will need to be cleared by TE prior to their return to work on campus.
05 | SEPTEMBER 2021
Comm unication Services Making the Pledge by Adrena Dow Director of Communications As we return to in-person instruction, Coleman students and staff are doing their part to help keep our campus safe and prevent the spread of COVID-19. To champion these efforts, students received a surprise visit from President Nicotera and HCC’s superstar mascot, Swoop. On Thursday, Sept. 9, Dr. Nicotera, the deans and Swoop strolled the halls and classrooms of our campus handing out fliers and encouraging everyone to take the HCCSoarSafe pledge. To add to the excitement, vouchers for free t-shirts were handed out to those adhering to safety protocols and demonstrating the 3 Ws: wear masks, watch distance and wash your hands. Don’t miss your chance to win a free t-shirt and see Dr. Nicotera, the deans and Swoop at our next HCCSoarSafe event on Monday, Oct. 11 from noon-1 p.m. #HCCSoarSafe pledge is a shared commitment to one another to take all necessary precautions 06 | SEPTEMBER 2021
to ensure a safe environment for our HCC community. To help prevent the spread of COVID-19, we strongly encourage and recommend you take the pledge to protect yourself and others. The commitment is easy, and with a simple act you can make a big difference! All you have to do is vow to wash your hands, wear a mask, watch your distance, stay home if ill and get vaccinated. To make your pledge, visit hccs.edu/soarsafe. If you missed the fun, check out all the great photos captured from the event by clicking here.
Continuing E ducation 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. Online Simulation Educator Training: Foundations (click here to navigate) Are you a health care educator that uses simulation to teach? We are offering formal training for free! Click above to learn more about this one-hour online, self-paced course in Foundations: Simulation Educator Training. Registered nurses receive 1.0 hour CNE that can be used to renew their licenses.
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 | SEPTEMBER 2021
Dean Of Health Sciences Leading the Way to Our New Normal by Dr. Jeff Gricar, Ed.D., CPhT, PhTR. Dean of Health Sciences
Dean’s Message Dear Coleman Family,
I hope that everyone had a successful summer semester and that you were able to take some much-deserved rest and relaxation time for
Everyone should be proud about how we continue to navigate the pandemic while always keeping our students in the forefront and
yourself!
championing for their success. While we know
As we move into the Fall 2021 semester,
challenging, everyone always manages to step
Coleman will continue to have its students on campus not only for laboratory classes, but also for some lecture courses. In fact, approximately 80% of the courses being offered at Coleman have some type of face-to-face component. Coleman’s continued move towards face-toface offerings continues to show how we lead the way into our new normal. With that said, however, while the pandemic continues to cause disruption with the recent uptick in cases, it is important that we encourage faculty, staff and students to protect themselves while on campus. Both faculty and staff play an important role in the education and success of our students. 08 | SEPTEMBER 2021
that it has been difficult and will continue to be up to the plate for our students. And for that, I am thankful! In closing, I came across a quote that I feel sums up health science faculty and staff as they traversed their curriculum, students and every changing environment over the past 18 months. “Resilience is accepting your new reality, even if it’s less good than the one you had before. You can fight it, you can do nothing but scream about what you’ve lost, or you can accept that and try to put together something that’s good.” – Elizabeth Edwards I wish everyone a great fall semester. Stay safe and continue to take care of each other!
Below are some highlights from the instructional division.
Congratulations!
Pharmacy Technician faculty, Roderick Dunn, graduated with his doctoral degree in Educational Leadership from Michigan State University in July 2021. Congratulations, Dr. Dunn! Health Sciences were allocated three faculty for the visiting faculty program. Dental Assisting, Pharmacy Technician and Medical Assistant programs were each approved to receive one temporary faculty position to assist with their planned expansion.
Welcome to the Coleman Family Welcome to the new faculty in the Associate
Degree Nursing program. Dr. Bernadette Pollard, Michelle Kirkpatrick, Tracey Canada and Dr. Lori Evans started full time with Coleman in June. To their credit, each of them hit the ground running and have already made great contributions to the nursing team. Welcome! We are excited to have each of you on board!
Farewell
Ludivina Alanis, administrative assistant, retired after 25 years at Coleman at the end of July. We wish Ludy the best in the next chapter of her life! Catherine Nobles retired after almost 30 years as a valued Radiography faculty member at the end of July. We wish Cathy the best of luck in life’s next phase!
Pinning Celebrations
Although the pandemic prevented Coleman from having their traditional pinning ceremonies, programs were creative and held “drivethrough” or “mobile pinning” celebrations. Even with this untraditional approach, students were very excited to celebrate their accomplishments. Participating in the mobile pinnings included ADN with 168 graduates in May and 120 in August, HITT with 13 graduates, PTHA with 29 graduates and MDCA with 26 graduates in April and 15 graduates in July. Congratulations to all our Coleman graduates on a job well done!
09 | SEPTEMBER 2021
Student Services Word of the Month: Responsibility by Dr. Patricia Ugwu, Ph.D. Dean of Student Success & Engagement
Dean’s Message
My first job at HCC was in 1996 when I was hired as a program manager for a federal grant program known as “YouthBuild.” In the program, we recruited high school dropouts 18-24 years of age. Participants were given the opportunity to earn their GED and continue to community college where applicable. The program focused on leadership development and partnered with relevant non-profit organizations to teach marketable construction trade skills. The goal was to see young people rebuild their lives as they rebuilt housing in low-income
their family and to the community at large. Applying YouthBuild’s definition of responsibility at HCC would mean that each of us – whether we are responsible for a class, caseload, staff, department, division or college – take ownership of our role ensuring that “right” things happen
neighborhoods.
to the people that we are responsible for. In the
One of the things that I learned and have carried
I also see the responsibility as progressive and
with me is YouthBuild’s definition of leadership. In YouthBuild Houston, leadership was defined as “Taking responsibility to make sure that things go ‘right’ for you, your family, your program and your community.” The definition may be simple, however, I like that participants were taught that a true leader is not only accountable to oneself, but they are also accountable to the program,
10 | SEPTEMBER 2021
context of YouthBuild’s definition of leadership, reciprocal. It is solution-focused, meaning what needs to be done, gets done, because each of us agrees to be responsible and accountable to one another. Responsibility as included in YouthBuild’s definition of leadership also goes beyond individual responsibility and incorporates collective responsibility, which is necessary for any community to thrive.
Meet Our New SGA Officers
Serving Our Students
welcoming Coleman’s new Student Government
on campus and remotely. All new students
Association (SGA) officers.
are required to attend orientation as part
As the new school year begins, please join us in
Student Services staff is serving students both
of onboarding to HCC and HCC Coleman, Jasmine Johnson, President
specifically. The Student Services orientations for
Hometown: Milwaukee, WI
fall semester were hosted by Kimberly Joyner
Degree: Occupational Therapy
and included presentations from 10 other
Assistant
departments in a holistic presentation approach. Out of the expected 829 students who accepted
Ana Alvarado, Vice President
the invitation, 589 students attended. A makeup
Hometown: Houston, TX
orientation opportunity was offered Aug. 11
Degree: Medical Assistant
to accommodate students who were unable to attend previously scheduled orientations.
Monse Galvan, Treasurer Hometown: Houston, TX
To date, Student Services has hosted three
Degree: Medical Assistant
orientations. Due to the unique opportunity virtual presentations offer, these meetings have
Karina Correa, Historian
been the largest orientations Coleman has
Hometown: Houston, TX
held. In the follow-up surveys, the orientations
Degree: Medical Assistant
received an overall score of 4.71 out of a
Coleman in the Community
5.0 scale. When asked if in-person or virtual orientations were preferred, 80% of the students
With a mission to “Connect, Engage and Serve,”
said they preferred virtual orientations. As
HCC partnered with Bridging the Digital Divide
we seek opportunities to improve, students’
Organization and participated in the Wesley
feedback and recommendations will be
Square Community Day event on Saturday, July
incorporated to enhance future orientation
17. This was an exclusive event for the residents of
presentations.
the Wesley Square Apartment Complex and very well attended. While residents enjoyed games, free food, music and prizes, HCC COE recruitment
Thank you & Farewell
Shardae Shaw, HCC Coleman recruiter, accepted
booths and our Coleman representatives
a new position at HISD and bid farewell to HCC
delivered resources, showing them how they can
on August 13. She served HCC with enthusiasm
reach their new academic goals. Check out the
and excellence. We wish her the best on her
photos and video from the event.
future endeavors!
Photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/ hccphotos/albums/72157719607168010 Video: https://youtu.be/xkqtSLYWkJg
11 | SEPTEMBER 2021
Inside Coleman Internal Quarterly Newsletter Publication HCC Coleman College for Health Sciences Produced by Communication Services Fall, September 2021 Vol. 02, Issue 01