MCC Happenings - 2022 Winter Edition

TWO THOUSAND TWENTY - TWO WINTER EDITION

IT’S ABOUT OUR STUDENTS

I am very excited to announce that the Madisonville College Foundation will be reviving the annual gala this spring for the first time since November 2019. The event will look a little different in that it will be a spring event rather than a fall event, but after our “pandemic break,” we are ready to bring the celebration back to MCC! While we are planning a great Derby Day Celebration, I always keep in mind why we are doing this. It’s about our students.

The faculty and staff of the college work every day to help our students find their better lives through the gift of knowledge and education. From the time students click on a link or make a phone call, our Enrollment staff is there to answer questions, meet in person or virtually, and assist students with the admission process to get enrolled. We always keep in mind that even though we walk through these doors every day with no hesitation, for many of our students that step through the door can be filled with uncertainty. We will be there with smiles on and a hand extended to help them start the great journey of education.

Because it’s about our students, we offer our Learning Space, Student Support Services, Advisors, and Success Coaches to assist our students throughout their time with us. Classes are offered in a variety of modalities so students may choose the way they learn best. Our faculty spend time working with students who may need an extra boost. The Student Services Division stocks food pantries to assist our students who may need a meal or two. Through donations we also have a student emergency fund to help students in times of unexpected need. This assistance is not a handout. Rather we are giving a hand up to support students as they find their success. I truly believe their success is our success.

Because it’s about our students, our Academic and Workforce Divisions have worked to offer programs that will allow students to complete a credential in as little as 5 weeks and be ready for a good-paying job. They may also complete an associate degree and be ready to enter an industry or healthcare job. There are so many possibilities here for our students.

Even as affordable as MCC is, it is still financially difficult for many to commit to completing their training or degree. For this reason, we come together with our Foundation to ask for your support. It is about our students. It is about seeing them build confidence in their abilities. It is about hearing their stories. It is about seeing their eyes as they walk across the stage for their diploma. It is about the next best chapter of their lives.

So, on May 6, 2023, the Madisonville College Foundation will be presenting the Derby Day Celebration. It will be an afternoon filled with the best of Kentucky traditions. Ladies will be decked out in pretty hats and the gentlemen can sport their nicest spring wear. There will be a silent auction, a live auction, and of course, there’s that little race we will be sure to include. I know the dinner will be a culinary treat! It will be a great day of fun and fundraising. I hope you will come and support the efforts of the Foundation to ensure that our college is financially accessible for anybody walking through our doors.

It is about our students and for them, education is their run for the roses.

Dr. Cindy Kelley, President

FALL 2022 COMMENCEMENT CELEBRATION

Madisonville Community College (MCC) celebrated graduates on Thursday, December 8, 2022, at the Glema Mahr Center for the Arts.

According to MCC Registrar Casie Richardson, 76 students walked across the stage to receive their diplomas or degrees from MCC President, Dr. Cindy Kelley. These students were summer and fall 2022 graduates. This semester the college had 154 degree candidates, 7 diploma candidates, and 543 certificate candidates.

Dr. Cindy Kelley addressed the graduates: You are to be commended for your perseverance and your commitment to finding a better life through education. As you move into your next chapter, be it the workforce or additional study, please know that our faculty and staff are immensely proud of you and will always be in your corner no matter whatever your future endeavors you pursue.

MCC RECOGNIZED BY CCCSE FOR FOOD PANTRY

The CCCSE (Center for Community College Student Engagement) conducted a study on the role of community colleges in meeting students’ basic needs. This study addresses the impact that food insecurity has on students, as well as the impact of other student emergencies. The goal is to call attention to the means in which colleges can provide direct assistance to their students in need.

MCC Director of Advancement, Austin Tarkington, states, “Food insecurities and unforeseen emergencies can be a challenge to many of our student’s daily lives. At MCC our student food pantries and student emergency funds not only provide a helping hand to our students, but they also foster a sense of community and compassion throughout our campuses. By helping meet these basic needs for our students we strive to eliminate many of the day-to-day worries they might face while, at the same time, providing them with a community fully committed to their success and achievement.”

MCC President, Dr. Cindy Kelley added, “I am pleased that CCCSE has recognized the importance of the effort we make to ensure that the needs of our students are met. We strive to aid our students in difficult times. The college has worked hard to provide support to students who are experiencing obstacles that can negatively impact their academic success”.

A list of approaches that colleges are currently using to meet their students’ basic needs is provided with this study. The first example of providing food assistance states, “Madisonville Community College (KY) has food banks on three campuses and a $40,000 fund for student emergencies. The college also asks for and receives anonymous feedback from students and uses that feedback to make improvements”.

KUDOS TO OUR FACULTY!

COOKIN’ FOR KIDS

Cookin’ For Kids is a fundraiser benefiting the youth of Hopkins County Family YMCA and the Madisonville Rotary Club. Celebrity chefs of Hopkins County compete to win the coveted “Golden Spatula” by whipping up their favorite dish. The award goes to the team with the most tips. Other awards of the night included best dessert, best appetizer, best entree, best booth, and more. The event also offered raffles, games, and entertainment. Overall, Cookin’ for Kids raised nearly $50,000 this year to benefit the youth of Hopkins County!

During the annual KUDOS ceremony, the college recognized the achievements of faculty who have received promotions through the faculty ranks. As a part of this recognition, faculty members are asked to select a book with a personal meaning to them to be added to the library’s collection. Mike Deal, professor in our AIT/Fermentation Science program, selected The Factory Man by Beth Macy. Dr. Brooke Edens, nursing professor, chose The Checklist Manifesto by Atul Gawande. What Are the Odds?: From Crack Addict to CEO by Mike Lindell was recommended by Matt Luckett, AIT professor. Dr. Joy Menser, radiography professor, fittingly chose Radioactive: Marie & Paul Curie: A Tale of Love and Fallout by Lauren Redniss. Mathematics Associate Professor, Patricia Fouse, named One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez as her addition to the library.

Dr. Kelley and Dr. Hill, with the help of LaShunda Hill, served chocolate covered strawberries and strawberry bunt cakes. The MCC team was the first to sell out. These desserts were a crowd favorite and the judge’s favorite, resulting in the team winning the best dessert award out of 43 teams.

GLEMA MAHR CENTER FOR THE ARTS

The Glema Mahr Center for the Arts hosted the artists of Cornbread & Tortillas for several days in October, fulfilling the center’s second artistic residency of the season.

folk dance of Mexico. Nearly 2,300 students and teachers attended or participated in the programs.

“It always feels good to have phenomenal artists from across the globe in our schools,” said Glema Center director Brad Downall. “The biggest takeaway for me, and I hope for the kids, is this: be proud of your story and where you are from, and where others are from. Being from Kentucky is an honor!”

October 18 through 21, the group visited all eight public elementary schools in Hopkins County, presenting a mix of all-encompassing assemblies and focused workshops on the topics of Appalachian clogging and flatfooting, Andean folk culture and instruments, and the

In addition to Cornbread & Tortillas, the Glema Center presented nine ticketed events from September

to December, including installments in the Chamber Music, Coffeehouse, and Family Series as well as a Hopkins County High Schools musical production and three Center Stage concerts. The center also hosted several Hopkins County Schools musical performances involving choral and band programs from four middle and high schools which were free and open to the community.

FACULTY SPOTLIGHT

Sharon Fugate, Professor of Biology

Where are you from originally and where did you attend college?

Eastern Kentucky near Hazard, KY. Alice Lloyd College for Bachelors degree and Morehead State University for Masters degree.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I have always been fascinated by living things and biology and science have always been classes I enjoyed. I did want to become a nurse so that I could help others but couldn’t handle blood. Biology teaching has been my favorite and I believe that I came to be where I should be. I also worked in an environmental lab testing water for 20 years.

Who has been a major influence in your life?

I would say my mother, Gearldine Whitaker who was kind to everyone and she had a wonderful giving heart.

What hobbies do you pursue?

Genealogy, reading and travel.

If you were stranded on a deserted island, what one band or musician would help keep your sanity?

One Republic, Maroon Five, Charlie Puth

If you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?

I really don’t know if I could just eat one food for the rest of my life. There are so many good choices. I do like fried green tomatoes though. Catfish is a good choice too.

If you could have dinner with one person, living or dead, who would it be?

Edgar Allan Poe. I love his poetry.

What do you love about Madisonville Community College?

Actually everything – the atmosphere, the attitude, the ability to make a difference in students’ lives, the colleagues that work at MCC, the MCC Lions Club and the opportunity to enjoy the artistic part of life with the Glema Mahr Center.

STUDENT OF THE MONTH

Haley Hopper, Interdisciplinary Childhood Education

Madisonville Community College has recognized Haley Hopper as the December 2022 Student of the Month. Hopper, and Interdisciplinary Childhood Education major, was nominated by Ms. April Grace, Professor/ IECE Program Coordinator.

When describing Haley, Ms. Grace stated “She continuously gives 110% every day to her studies. She is a staple amongst her peers, always willing to help others understand concepts they may not have been able to get otherwise”. Hopper is currently employed in her field of study while attending classes in the evening and online.

Drew Boslooper, Biomedical Technology Systems

MCC has recognized Drew Boslooper as the first 2023 student of the month. Drew is a student in the Biomedical Technology Systems program. He grew up in Harper Woods, Michigan before moving to Madisonville during his high school years. In the future, he hopes to pursue a career in the Biomedical Equipment Management field.

Drew is described as being an engaging and professional student by the program coordinator, Joey Jones. Jones compared having Boslooper in class to having a lab assistant, “because he is always willing to help the other students with resolving equipment issues in the lab that involve troubleshooting practices.”

DR. CINDY KELLEY NAMED WOMAN OF THE YEAR

Madisonville Community College President, Dr. Cindy Kelley, was named Woman of the Year by the Hopkins County Business and Professional Women’s Club.

The Hopkins County BPW has honored the contributions of working women and employers who support working women and their families since 1954. Their goal is to applaud women for their contributions in the workplace, promote equality for all women, and help to create better conditions for working women through the study and advocacy of social, educational, and economic issues impacting women in the workplace.

President of the Hopkins County BPW, Raegina Scott, comments, “The Hopkins County BPW Club was extremely pleased to present Dr. Cindy Kelley with the Woman of the Year award during KY Professional Women’s Week. She has done so much for the club since joining in 2016 just shortly after accepting the presidency at MCC. Not only is she a tremendous asset to the college but to the surrounding communities as well”.

Hopkins County Judge Executive, Jack Whitfield, proclaimed October 16th through October 22nd, 2022, to be Kentucky Professional Women’s Week. The annual Professional Women’s Week Awards Banquet was held on October 18th, where Dr. Kelley was named Woman of the Year for her achievements and contributions to Hopkins County.

ABBY MCGREGOR - MULLEN EARNS CERTIFIED APPRECIATIVE ADVISOR STATUS

Abby McGregor-Mullen, MCC Retention Specialist/Advisor, recently completed the Fall 2022 Appreciative Advising Academy, offered by Florida Atlantic University. The Appreciative Advising Academy is a 6-week intensive professional development experience where participants dive deep into the experiences of students on academic probation and how the theory-practice Appreciative Advising framework can be applied to this specific population. Participants in the Academy will utilize the knowledge they have about Appreciative Advising to create resources and practices for working with students on academic probation.

Participants attended 6 weekly online sessions, with hands-on instruction and interactive activities within small groups led by a trained facilitator. Participants created an electronic portfolio of resources, including academic plans and worksheets, communication and outreach plans, assessments, and intentional questions and resources to use with target students.

Participants presented their portfolios and findings to colleagues and guests nationwide during their last class session.

Abby was named a Certified Appreciative Advisor by FAU in September 2021 and works with academic probation students, providing guidance and resources to help them have a positive college experience.

DR. MARSHA WOODALL NAMED NURSE OF THE YEAR

The Kentucky Nurse’s Association named MCC Nursing Profess, Dr. Marsha Woodall, as the Nurse of the Year. The criteria for this honor included evidence that the individual’s leadership has motivated other members in the field of nursing education, population health, or clinical practice.

The President of Kentucky Nurses Association, Donna Meador, stated the following: Marsha has made great strides in building KNA membership, where she’s known as a cheerleader who wants everyone involved. In the community, she has personally stepped up to help communities in times of crisis: For example, following deadly tornadoes last year, she collected money and supplies and delivered those to the Dawson Springs Tornado shelters. During the pandemic, delivered hand sanitizer and masks to members. She is the first to volunteer and she inspires other to make a difference, too.

Her colleagues describe her as “a shaker and a mover”. In her acceptance speech, Marsha remarked, “I am so thankful for all of my Kentucky Nurses Association colleagues and am thankful this wonderful organization has afforded me the opportunities to join others in making a difference in our community and our state”.

KNA was established in 1906 and is the only full-service organization for the state’s entire nurse population. The group promotes the essential role of registers nurses in the healthcare system and advocates for quality patient care in all settings.

PHYSICAL ASSISTANT THERAPIST PROGRAM AT MCC EARNS REACCREDITATION

The physical therapist assistant program at Madisonville Community College was recently reaccredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). Students in the program complete a number of general education courses before applying to the program. Once admitted their focus shifts to specific courses that train the assistants in providing support to a wide range of patients who need physical therapy treatment. Physical Therapist Assistants are among the top 10 fastest-growing jobs in the Commonwealth of Kentucky according to the Kentucky Department for

Employment Services, Research and Statistics Branch.

Accreditation by CAPTE involves a rigorous review process to assess the quality of the program, including the curriculum, faculty, and clinical experiences offered. Accreditation helps to ensure that the program meets the standards set by the physical therapy profession. This, in turn, ensures that graduates of the program are well-prepared to work in a variety of physical therapy settings and provide high-quality care to patients.

USDA DELTA HEALTH CARE SERVICE GRANT TO STUDY NURSING PROFESSION

Madisonville Community College is the recipient of the USDA Delta Health Care Service Grant. The primary goal and first objective of this grant is to deliver a resiliency and retention program to incumbent nurses. MCC will design and implement a nurse mentoring program with the purpose of fostering a positive workplace culture where nurses have a sense of belonging, feel supported in their professional role, and feel valued as a person.

Program Director, Sara Jane Jones, will work directly with hospital staff to deliver “train the trainer” instruction. In the future, the design and results of this program will be shared with other communities of interest in the Delta region. Jones states, “It is our

hope that a mentoring program will create a ripple effect far beyond the arms of the program and provide needed support to enhance the resiliency of our healthcare workforce.” MCC will partner with Baptist Health Deaconess Madisonville, Owensboro Health Muhlenberg Community Hospital, Jennie Stuart Health, Caldwell Medical Center, and the West Area Health Education Center to implement this project.

A fraction of the grant will also benefit MCC’s simulation lab. MCC has one of three healthcare simulation programs in Kentucky that is accredited by the Society for Simulation in Healthcare and the only one accredited for interprofessional healthcare education.