Ovation Magazine 2019

GRADUATING WITH HONORS SHAPING THE GLOBAL WORKFORCE POMP & CIRCUMSTANCE

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REACHING FOR THE STARS Emily Yardumian

LET MOTLOW LAUNCH YOUR CAREER

May 2019

THE MTSU PROMISE

A seamless path to MTSU with your Motlow degree Motlow provides a great start, and MTSU is a great place to finish!

MTSU promises Motlow students: · Guaranteed admission and a $3,000 per year scholarship for qualified students · A smooth and easy process with access to our advisors for academic inquiries · Superior service from MT One Stop for all enrollment questions

mtsu.edu/mtsupromise

0419-7550 / Middle Tennessee State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, or disability. See our full policy at www.mtsu.edu/iec.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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Achieving the Dream

Motlow State Ovation Magazine volume one, issue one | May 2019

Student-Focused Model

E D ITO R Terri Bryson

Our Heritage

ART D IR E CTO R Kyle Henn

Motlow Leaders NIXLA Certified

W R ITE R S Scott Shasteen Davis Seal Tammy O’Dell

Motlow State Top Performing College in Tennessee REACHING FOR THE STARS Let Motlow Launch Your Career

Motlow Team Wins National Award for Student Intervention GRADUATING WITH HONORS SHAPING THE GLOBAL WORKFORCE

P HOTO GR AP HE R Christian O’Grady S ALE S Buddy Bumpus CO NTR IBU TO R S Michelle Cox Kathy Parker Brenda Cannon Andrea Best

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POMP & CIRCUMSTANCE Wearing of the Costume Recognizing Faculty Excellence Industrial Robotics Training

4-days to Certification / 2-years to Degree

Join the Ed-Venture High Impact Experiences for Students Rachel Gamble Memorial Scholarship Sparta on the Rise

May 2019

ACHIEVING THE DREAM Student-Focused Model

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STRATEGY & PLANNING TEACHING & LEARNING ENGAGEMENT & COMMUNICATION EQUITY POLICIES & PRACTICES LEADERSHIP & VISION DATA & TECHNOLOGY The stories in this edition of Ovation have been selected to share with you how Motlow is helping students Achieve the Dream.

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entral among several of Motlow’s new initiatives is its commitment to Achieving the Dream (ATD). ATD is a multiyear, cross-disciplinary project designed to ensure equitable, accessible, and relevant educational experiences for all students.

Participation in ATD is by invitation only and requires a significant pledge of time and resources by any college invited to join.

Achieving the Dream leaders help colleges across the nation better shape programs and services so that more students can graduate on time with marketable credentials.

Our ATD Team is pictured below.

ATD is a resource to help Motlow be its best self for all students. It focuses on Strategy & Planning, Teaching & Learning, Engagement & Communication, Equity, Policies & Practices, Leadership & Vision, and Data & Technology.

LEADERSHIP & VISION

Our Heritage

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or 50 years, Motlow State Community College has proven to be a student-centered institution that promotes academic excellence as well as personal and professional growth. With thousands of Motlow alumni throughout middle Tennessee, the cultural and economic impact of the College over the past half-century is significant.

Motlow is a public, multi-campus college in southern middle Tennessee offering associate degrees, certificates and flexible learning pathways.

For 50 years, Motlow State has proven to be a student-centered institution that promotes academic excellence as well as personal and professional growth.

The original campus opened in Moore County in 1969 on 187 acres of land donated by the late Senator Reagor Motlow and family. Motlow now offers instruction at campuses in Moore County, Fayetteville, McMinnville and Smyrna; a teaching site in Sparta, and at the Middle Tennessee Education Center in Shelbyville. The College serves more than 600,000 citizens in the College’s 11-county service area including: Bedford, Cannon, Coffee, DeKalb, Franklin, Lincoln, Moore, Rutherford, Van Buren, Warren and White.

Motlow opened with 500 students in 1969 and its enrollment now serves more than 6,500 students setting enrollment records for the last four years.

May 2019

EQUITY

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MOTLOW LEADERS NIXLA CERTIFIED T

he National Inclusive Excellence Leadership Academy (NIXLA) recently certified five Motlow staff members as diversity and inclusion leaders. NIXLA is an intensive inclusion leadership development program. It is among the foremost qualifying organizations in its field. Its curriculum is designed to promote thinking strategically about how to cultivate institutional change agendas. The Motlow staff members completing NIXLA certification include (photographed from l-r): Brenda Cannon, Executive Director of Community Relations; Robin Keel, Human Resources Analyst;

OVAT I O N M AG A Z I N E

Dr. Phyllis Adams, Communications Professor; and Kirsten Moss-Frye, Dean of Students.

(Not pictured): Laura Jent, Executive Director of Human Resources & Equity Officer.

The stated vision of NIXLA is to help participants disrupt the status quo at their institutions and become innovative game changers around issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion. NIXLA’s goal is to build a cohort of leaders across the country who work to collectively transform the landscape of higher education.

STRATEGY & PLANNING

M OT LO W STAT E

TOP PERFORMING College in Tennessee M

otlow State Community College is the top performing institution among all colleges and universities in The College System of Tennessee, according to the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC).

The data affirming this recognition are a product of a review of the state’s higher education performance funding formula that was published this spring. Based on Motlow’s stellar performance, THEC recommended the College receive an increase of 16.6 percent for the 2019-2020 academic year in order to further its proven service to a growing number of students.

Motlow was No. 1 in the state in: • Enrollment growth from 2014-18 • Three-year graduation rate • THEC performance funding • Dual Enrollment Responding to the good news, Motlow President Michael Torrence said, “I continue to awake with excitement every day about where Motlow is, and more importantly, where we are going in terms of leading our students, faculty, staff, administrators, and our engaged community of supporters. We continue our momentum toward outcomes that empower our collective future.”

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(continued on page 32)

SPRING ASSEMBLY May 2019

TEACHING & LEARNING

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I have become a completely different person; more confident in my abilities and more competent as a leader.

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Reaching for the Stars LET MOTLOW LAUNCH YOUR CAREER

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eet Emily Yardumian, Motlow 2018 graduate wunderkind and genuine delight. Emily personifies precisely what one hopes college will do for any student. By her own testimony, she came to college cautiously hoping for the best, yet left Motlow confidently reaching for the stars—quite literally. Emily arrived sweet, gracious, and clearly musically inclined. She graduated with a bold plan to pursue a doctorate degree in physics.

Emily will tell you that her timid high school persona vaporized as the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Honor Society showed her how to lead, and Motlow’s Ambassador program gave her steady leadership practice. Under the guidance of supportive faculty mentors, she found opportunities to hone her servant’s heart into meaningful work, also producing measurable outcomes for the sociology club and tutoring at the writing center.

She arrived at Motlow as a National Merit Scholar, ready to learn and happily challenged by the introduction of computer programming languages. Emily’s charm added a wonderful bliss to a host of projects she embraced. She joined, explored, helped, and shared repeatedly.

She will tell you that she gained more than she gave; symbolizing the give-and-gain that is at the heart of the college experience.

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Researchers, educators, and academicians call it student engagement (see page 30). It is a measure of meaningful student involvement throughout the learning environment, and it is a huge predictor of student success. The higher the engagement, the more likely a student will be academically successful.

On the higher education involvement scale, Emily earned a perfect score for college engagement. If you had to pick one term to describe the central feature that unites all of Emily’s interests, it would have to be service to others. Along with learning, meeting new people, and trying new things, service to others fuels her intrinsic motivation.

At Motlow, Emily listened, learned, got involved, made great grades, won awards, landed an internship, and quite literally got her money’s worth in her Tennessee Promise scholarship and college experience. In two years she covered a lot of territory. (continued next page)

May 2019

“My Motlow years put me in contact with professors and staff who encouraged me both academically and personally,” Yardumian said.

“I have become a completely different person; more confident in my abilities and more competent as a leader. I don’t believe that either of these things would have happened had it not been for Motlow.”

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We are honored to share Emily’s story with you, because in many ways she symbolizes the story of Motlow - transforming lives through the lasting power of a relevant and engaging education experience led by caring staff and faculty.

Emily’s 4.0 GPA and computer science degree from Motlow have already served as an Emily also credits Motlow’s Dual Enrollment amazing launch pad, jettisoning her forward in program (see page 15) for breathing life into her new aspirations in electrical engineering and aptitude and passion physics as a scholarship for math and science. student at the University Emily wants to work for NASA, She sings the praises of Alabama-Huntsville. of Motlow’s co-op SpaceX or some other heavenly Why did this Tennessee program for opening the gal head to Alabama? reaching organization. door to an internship Emily wants to work experience at Micro for NASA, SpaceX or Craft, where Emily explored programming and some other heavenly reaching organization. At network security. That’s right, on top of being some point she hopes to work on her doctorate. delightfully engaging, Emily speaks fluent geek.

She is also telescoping in on opportunities at There’s still a nerd inside her, but there’s a the University of Tennessee Space Institute. As Motlow-fueled electrifying aura that emanates anyone can see, Emily’s got a lot more space from her now. to cover.

FEMALES IN STEM • O NLY 10% OF H I GH SCHO OL GI R L S A R E INTERESTED I N STEM. • 80% O F FUTUR E J OB S REQ UI R E A STEM EDUCATI ON • PEO PL E I N STEM J OB S EARN A L MOST D OUB L E PER H OUR STEM: Science, Technology, Engineering & Math

OVAT I O N M AG A Z I N E

Transform your organization.

We want to hear from local business and industry to learn more about your employee development and training needs. As we learn more from you, we will work to leverage Motlow’s resources and customize

training for your team members.

Our goal is to deliver high-impact, low-cost workforce training and development solutions to support and strengthen our local economy.

POLICIES & PRACTICES

MOTLOW TEAM WINS

NATIONAL AWARD FOR STUDENT INTERVENTION

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The ultimate goal is student retention, based on intervening as early and as often as we can to help students be successful.

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otlow’s Crisis Assessment and Risk Evaluation (CARE) Team was recognized as a nationwide model for institutional impact for student safety and wellbeing by the National Behavioral Intervention Team Association (NaBITA). The award focused on the team’s in-house development of a crisis prevention and response process and its wellreceived workshopped launch.

The NaBITA award reflects the quality and substance in Motlow’s CARE Team plan aimed

at ensuring student access to support services that promote and improve their well-being. “The ultimate goal is student retention, based on intervening as early and as often as we can to help students be successful before a crisis occurs,” said Kirsten Moss-Frye, dean of students at Motlow and CARE Team chairman.

Motlow’s CARE Team focused on resource identification, process development, and ongoing communication of available services. “If the community your BIT (behavioral intervention team) serves doesn’t understand how to access it, then its existence is

moot,” said Moss-Frye, adding, “we believed that our communication plan was as essential as our interventional design.”

Motlow’s CARE Team represents a cross-section of the college, and each member of the group brought knowledge of their domain’s ideals to the table.

Thus, the college created a roster of interdisciplinary best practices drawing upon insight from student services, instruction, safety, counseling, diversity, compliance, advising, and disability services. Members of the CARE Team are (pictured l-r facing page): Ray Higginbotham, Dr. Phyllis

Adams, Belinda Champion, Kirsten Moss-Frye, Kyle Macon and Sydney McPhee.

The group’s primary objective is prevention. It approaches the student body as a whole and plans for the wellbeing of the entire learning environment while standing ready to respond on the individual level.

NaBITA is a nationwide professional association for the support and development of behavioral intervention team members. Its awards are intended to recognize model practices that have been shown to have significant evidence-based impact and can be replicated by other organizations.

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May 2019

ENGAGEMENT & COMMUNICATION

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raduating with honors is a notable achievement. Motlow State offers robust student honors and leadership experiences through nationally recognized programs such as honors courses, Psi Beta, and Phi Theta Kappa. These programs offer academic rigor, faculty mentoring, team building, leadership development, and service-learning to help prepare students to be informed citizens, skilled workers, capable leaders, and scholarly four-year transfers.

In addition to developing research, writing, leadership, and critical thinking skills, students who participate in these programs cultivate relationships with peers and

program that champions a community of emerging scholars who have a passion for learning and a drive to seek academic excellence. Honors students enjoy small class sizes and enhanced learning through co-curricular and extracurricular trips, conferences, and community service projects. Motlow honors graduates wear the green-ribboned medallion as part of their commencement attire.

PTK GRADUATES Motlow State is home to the award-winning Alpha Xi Pi chapter of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Honor Society. PTK develops leadership and service, fosters intellectual exchange

Graduating with

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HONORS

inspiring faculty members that last well beyond the completion of their Motlow degree. Participation also opens doors to financial assistance for students through academic scholarships.

HONORS GRADUATES Our honors degree track is a nationally recognized, three-time award-winning

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of ideas, lively fellowship, and stimulates academic excellence. Motlow students have been recognized by PTK International for service to others and serve as elected officials, directing regional business for the organization. Motlow PTK graduates wear gold stoles and may wear other ribbons based on specific honors or distinctions as part of their commencement attire.

PSI BETA GRADUATES Psi Beta is the national honor society in psychology for community colleges and is an affiliate of the Association of College Honor Societies. The mission of Psi Beta is to encourage professional development and psychological literacy of all students at two-year colleges through promotion

...a nationally recognized, three-time awardwinning program that champions a community of emerging scholars... and recognition of excellence in scholarship, leadership, research and community service.

Psi Beta honor graduates wear gold stoles and blue and gold medallions as part of their commencement attire.

All Motlow campuses host engaging honors programs. As you encourage those in your circle of influence to pursue their degree dreams, challenge them to explore Motlow’s awardwinning honors options.

Let Emily Inspire Your Family’s Dual Enrollment Exploration In Emily Yardumian’s story (see page 8), she noted that Dual Enrollment (DE) was an important introduction to college for her. When a high school student earns college credits while still working toward a high school diploma, they are said to be dual enrollment students; enrolled in high school and college simultaneously.

DE is a very valuable pathway to college, and Tennessee supports high schoolers interested in DE by offering scholarships for up to three courses. Motlow also offers DE students a scholarship for their fourth class. Why DE is important:

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• Dual Enrollment scholarships help further reduce the cost of attending college • Allows students to first experience college coursework in an environment (high school) where they are accustomed to learning • Reduces the time required to finish college • Helps students move into gainful employment sooner

To learn more about scholarships for Dual Enrollment students, go to www.mscc.edu/dualcredit

May 2019

DATA & TECHNOLOGY

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r. Khalid Tantawi embodies Achieving the Dream’s (ATD) institutional capacity building through his daily work as an Assistant Professor of Mechatronics at Motlow State. Since joining the faculty in 2012, Dr. Tantawi has emerged as an institutional leader in many areas of the College. Mechatronics is technology that combines electronics and mechanical engineering.

Shortly after arriving at Motlow, Dr. Tantawi founded a SkillsUSA Student Chapter that actively competes in state and regional competitions each year. SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers, and industry working together to create a skilled work force by helping students excel in their respective area – in Motlow’s case, Mechatronics. Dr. Tantawi also founded our Student Chapter of the American Chemical Society. In addition to serving as the advisor for these student organizations, Dr. Tantawi performs leadership roles for a variety of professional organizations,

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National Science Foundation GRANT WINNER DR. KHALID TANTAWI OVAT I O N M AG A Z I N E

why MECHATRONICS? Above average starting salaries High job placement rates High growth industries Earn as much as $65-70,000 with three years of experience Nationally accredited program with hands-on curriculum Short-term training and 2-year degree pathways Multiple 4-year degree articulation options with partnered universities

including the Tennessee Academy of Science, where he recently served as the Chairperson and the European Commission’s Erasmus Mondus Association amongst others.

Last summer, Dr. Tantawi took his vision for Motlow to become a leader in Mechatronics training and won significant grant funding from the National Science Foundation. This threeyear grant funds the creation of curriculum and workforce development tools, while developing a learning repository that serves as a knowledge base

SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry working together to ensure America has a highly skilled workforce.

SkillsUSA empowers students to become worldclass workers, leaders and responsible American citizens. SkillsUSA improves the quality of our nation’s future skilled workforce through the development of a framework of skills that include personal, workplace and technical expertise grounded in academics.

for industry and education. Dr. Tantawi’s work through this project will ultimately position Motlow as a national hub for Smart Manufacturing and Advanced Manufacturing training, both of which will (continued on page 32)

May 2019

POMP & GRADUATION T R ADI T IO N

The Faculty Council Chair joins the stage as a

The American Council on Education seated a Committee

of diplomas. The Vice President for Academic Affairs

on Academic Costumes and Ceremonies in 1959 which

presents the candidates to the President for the

prepared an academic ceremony guide that continues

conferral of degrees.

to inform graduation planning across the United States.

College graduation ceremonies begin with a formal Procession—which is the march of participants entering the ceremony. Institutions have wide latitude in observing the ceremony guidelines, and there is much variation in customs concerning academic Processions.

T H E ACADEMI C P R O C E S S IO N Until students receive their degrees or diplomas, they are considered Candidates. The robed and ordered entry into the graduation ceremony hall is called the Procession. The line-up and march of dignitaries and candidates often includes a presentation of colors representing various divisions of the school. The procession allows participants and guests to gain a sense of the scope of both the institution’s work and its student success. Motlow’s Procession is annually led by its Faculty of Excellence Award Winner. For the College’s 2019 ceremony, that is Misty Griffith.

representative of faculty, assisting with the presentation

T H E C EREMO N Y Historically, graduation ceremonies open with a welcome from college leadership and an insightful delivery from a special guest or revered faculty member. This is referred to as the Commencement Address. Dr. Belle Wheelen was selected as Motlow’s 2019 Commencement Address Speaker. At the close of the commencement address, it is customary for a college’s most senior academic leader to present the candidates to the college president for the conferring of awards. The formality and ritual of the ceremony is intended to demonstrate honor for the academic accomplishment each student has earned. Historically, a quiet reverence is observed to convey respect for each candidate’s reception to the platform. Applause is held until the final student completes his/her walk across the stage and the College President then pronounces all collectively as: Graduates.

T H E P L ATFORM PARTY

REC ES S I O N

At Motlow, the President, Regents, President’s Cabinet,

The Platform Party and Faculty usually leave the hall

and Platform Party members begin the Processional.

leading out the graduates.

CIRCUM

O VAT I O N M AG A Z I N E

Wearing of the Costume The American Council on Education publishes a summary called Wearing of the Costume for guidance on proper Academic Dress and Regalia. It is the foundation upon which academic dress and commencement traditions are built.

Here are a few excerpts from that reference that speak to today’s symbols of tradition.

CA P S

Those wearing Academic Dress always wear their caps in academic processions and during the ceremony of conferring degrees. Faculty holding doctoral degrees traditionally wear a six-pointed velvet tam.

Others wear a ten-inch square mortarboard and a gold metallic bullion tassel.

HOO DS

The hood coloring and size represents the type and subject of degree earned, as well as the institution from which it was awarded.

G OW N S

It is proper for participant’s to wear styles of gowns in keeping with the highest degree attained.

Gowns traditionally are designed to be worn closed. Associate and bachelor’s degree gowns have open, pointed sleeves. The gown for the master’s degree has an oblong sleeve, open at the wrist. The gown for the doctor’s degree has bell-shaped sleeves.

TRIMMINGS

Gowns for the associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees are untrimmed. For the doctorate degree, the gown is faced down the front with black velvet. Three bars of velvet are used across the sleeves.

The colors of the facings and crossbars are distinctive of the disciplines to which the degree pertains.

TA SSE LS

The gesture of moving the tassel from the left to the right of the cap symbolizes the individual’s movement from candidate to graduate.

OTHER ADORNMENTS

Other items, such as cords and stoles, represent various academic achievements and are worn at the discretion of degreegranting institutions. Shoes and other articles of visible apparel worn by graduates should be of dark colors that harmonize with the academic costume.

Nothing else should be worn on the academic gown.

MEDALS/MEDALLIONS — When worn around the neck, medals and medallions should not be in conflict with appropriate display of the hood. Exceptions are made for special regalia for a chief marshal and the university or college president, such as medallions symbolizing the office (not academic achievement).

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HONOR CORDS — Honor cords usually consist of twisted cords with tassels on both ends. They are sometimes awarded for various academic achievements or to members of honor societies. Sashes, stoles, or medallions are also awarded in place of cords. These items can also be worn without academic attire.

STANCE Excerpted from Eugene Sullivan, American Council on Education, reprinted with permission from American Universities and Colleges, 15th Edition, ©1997 Walter de Gruyter, Inc.

May 2019

EXCELLENCE

TEACHING & LEARNING

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Recognizing Faculty

MISTY GRIFFITH

PETER DOWD

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isty Griffith, Motlow associate professor of biology, and Peter Dowd, Motlow adjunct biology instructor, were awarded the 2019 Motlow College Foundation’s Faculty Excellence Awards.

Griffith was one of nine full-time faculty members nominated. Pictured, seated from left, are nominees Dayron Deaton-Owens, associate professor of psychology and sociology; Andrea Green, English instructor; Fran Marcum, vice chair Motlow College Foundation; Kate Benson, psychology instructor; and Dr. Phyllis Adams, communications professor. Standing, from left, are Christie Gillespie, speech instructor; Adjunct Faculty Excellence Awardee Peter Dowd; Dr. Michael Torrence, Motlow president; Faculty Excellence Awardee Misty Griffith; Tamara Jones, English instructor; and Charles Whiting, mass communications instructor. The nominating committee was made up of representatives from all academic disciplines and councils, as well as the Student Government Association.

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LEADERSHIP & VISION

4-days to Certification / 2-years to Degree

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hat’s right. Four Days. Most of the industry-recognized certification courses now available in robotics can be completed in less than a week. Motlow’s Automation and Robotics Training Center (ARTC) in McMinnville is a new economic engine for the region’s industry. It is also a great resource for shaping careers of aspiring master craftsmen and women. A degree in Mechatronics with a concentration in Robotics can also be completed in two years.

ARTC BUILDING

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Learn more to earn more.

Training programs that were once only offered by robot manufacturers on state-ofthe-art robots are now available right here in middle Tennessee. Now, area students can learn robotics through hands-on, short-term training and 2-year degrees that lead to high-paying jobs.

Motlow’s program is particularly unique in that it provides training for three of the world’s leading robot manufacturers.

According to Terri Bryson, Vice President of Workforce Innovation, the umbrella division of the College’s short-term robotics training program, “At the ARTC our near-term objective is to provide a highly skilled work force that is second-to-none in robotics, automation, and advanced manufacturing systems. This will attract new and expanding businesses into our region. Ultimately, our long-term mission is to create new employment opportunities for our students by literally growing the number and quality of jobs available to them.”

The new 12,500-square-foot facility opened in 2019 with six teaching laboratories that include industrial robots from ABB, FANUC and Motoman. The robots provide the capability to teach robotic welding, material handling and work cell design. Additionally, there is an expanding array of automation and PLC equipment to provide training to meet the needs of our industry partners.

Certification class sizes are by nature very small because of the one-on-one training necessity, and the fact that each student must have individualized time to develop and demonstrate competencies on the robot trainers. Larry Flatt, Executive Director of the ARTC, noted, “Motlow’s instructors are certified by the manufacturers. We teach the same courses available directly from the robotics manufacturers. We can also customize courses for our industry clients.”

Dr. Michael Torrence, Motlow president, continues to reach out to industry and community partners to keep this program growing. “The ARTC’s launch was funded through a Drive to 55 grant,” said Torrence.

“It is a collaboration between the State of Tennessee, the Tennessee Board of Regents, Motlow State, and regional business leaders.

Sustainment and growth of the program will depend on future corporate and philanthropic support. We built this together, we must sustain it together.”

The Drive to 55 grant the group collaborated on was guided by Motlow’s nationally

recognized mechatronics leader and Dean of Career and Technical Programs, Fred Rascoe.

Dean Rascoe leads the 2-year degree pathway that now offers a concentration in robotics. The Motlow mechatronics program is accredited by the Association of Technology, Management and Applied Engineering. Members of McMinnville’s Business Round Table (BRAC) have been steadfast advocates and champions for Motlow’s mechatronics and robotics projects.

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To learn more about Motlow’s 2-year nationally accredited mechatronics degree or shortterm robotics certification courses, go to RoboticsTraining.com.

MOTLOWTRAINED Tennessee has more jobs than workers.

That is a challenge Motlow is tackling through a new program - MotlowTrained. This shortterm credentialing program offers a variety of training and work-based learning options.

All are designed to prepare new workers for existing jobs, or to help existing workers advance. (continued on page 32)

May 2019

STRATEGY & PLANNING

Join The

ED-VENTURE M

eaningful community, industry, and civic partnerships are integral to the success of any organization, especially Motlow State. Research continues to demonstrate that the surest pathway to earning livable wages is a college degree. Research also indicates that only 38 percent of adult Tennesseans have college degrees.

That means 62 percent of Tennesseans still deserve the benefit of higher education - a number that requires collaborative effort.

Motlow is always eager to partner with others who have needs or interests that intersect with our mission to serve others through the lasting power of education.

Our partnership with Achieving the Dream (see page 4) is an example of work with a national organization to improve college access and completion while building Motlow’s capacity to do more.

Private donors make it possible for us to offer scholarships (see page 31), build new classrooms, update technology, and

ensure that our most financially challenged students have basics like groceries and textbooks.

Articulation agreements with other colleges and universities is another key area of partnerships that benefits our students.

An articulation agreement is

a formal agreement to honor and ease the transfer of credits from one institution to another. Articulation agreements assure students have clear education paths and encourage students to successfully progress toward advanced degrees. (continued on page 33)

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TCAT SHELBYVILLE

ARTC GROUNDBREAKING May 2019

ENGAGEMENT & COMMUNICATION

HIGH IMPACT EXPERIENCES FOR STUDENTS

R

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esearch reveals that college student engagement and activity, in and out of the classroom, has a direct impact on academic success and subsequent readiness for the workplace. Study after study has established that students who just attend class, without getting involved in campus life, are less likely to graduate. Further, the CMT EMPOWERING EDUCATION deeper a student is engaged with college life, the more meaningful his or her college experience is, and the greater the likelihood that he/she will persist through to graduation.

Motlow State places a premium on ensuring that students have ample opportunity to be involved in a variety of programs. In fact, Motlow participates in assessments that measure the depth and value of its student engagement. We offer a variety of student engagement opportunities in order to achieve high-impact experiences for our students.

We do this because campus life fosters future successful workplace relationships.

Motlow student engagement plans begin with thought-provoking and challenging in-class group assignments that require increased levels of critical thinking and student teamwork. Other engagement resources include student support services that are designed to ensure students connect successfully with the learning environment.

At Motlow, these include engaging libraries,

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SPRING FLING writing labs, math labs, tutoring, and early-alert systems that address student performance issues.

Critical to positive student outcomes is a successful completion coach relationship.

Motlow freshman students are assigned a completion coach who serves as a resource for support for the student, and provides mentoring as the student navigates the first year of college.

BABES IN TOYLAND

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SOCCER CELEBRATION Additional support services offered to our students are: access to a licensed counselor, financial aid assistance, Adult College Express program, Weekend College, online classes, prior learning assessment and a technical help desk, among others.

Interventional support efforts such as counseling and disability services are integral to ensuring a healthy, encouraging, and equitable college-life experience for all students. (continued on next page)

1406 McArthur St. Manchester, TN 37355 New Tullahoma Hwy/Hwy 55

(across from the Coffee Co. Admin. Building)

(931) 728-9898

clowerautomotive@gmail.com Ronald Clower • Cyndi Clower • Jay Crouch May 2019

(continued from previous page)

Motlow’s approach to engaging learning-support activities include competitive recognition, scholarships, writing for publication, student social events, volunteer opportunities, travel, co-ops and internships, and community service projects.

Many of these programs and activities are products of student academic and social organizations recognized and sponsored by the College.

Most student clubs are sponsored by volunteer faculty who use these extra and co-curricular organizations to extend the learning environment and foster strong student-faculty relationships.

As you graduate today, we encourage you to reflect upon the engaging activities that helped ensure your college success. Please encourage your returning classmates, or incoming family and friends considering Motlow, to be sure and make student engagement an important part of their college plan.

Ideas for your

Student Engagement • International Study Abroad • Mr. & Ms. Motlow • Athletics • Clubs • Theatre Productions • Student Art Exhibits • Student Concerts • Spring Fling • Skills USA • Therapy Dogs • Student Government • The Mosaic

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Maria Nunez-Mendiola Lipscomb Biology Major 2017 Motlow Graduate

Transferring made simple.

As the only Phi Theta Kappa Honor Roll university in Middle Tennesse, we work with hundreds of students each year who are ready to complete their bachelor’s degree. Just like with Maria, we’re here to make your next step an easy one.

lipscomb.edu/transfer OVAT I O N M AG A Z I N E

ENGAGEMENT & COMMUNICATION

RACHEL GAMBLE Memorial Scholarship

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he Motlow College Foundation recently received a new scholarship gift in memory of Rachel Gamble, a former Motlow State student and softball player.

The scholarship is made possible through the generosity of Rachel’s parents, Susan and Mike Gamble, and dear family friend, Jan Gilliland.

Rachel was from Chattanooga where she was an outstanding softball player in high school – making all-conference three times.

She brought her athletic talents to Motlow and played on our softball team for two years.

Rachel was an adventurous spirit and had a servant’s heart. She loved music, animals, and the beach. She cherished her many friends, especially those at Motlow. Above all, her greatest joy was spending time with her family. Rachel passed away on April 29, 2018, at the age of 22, following a brief illness.

To share memories of her with others, the Foundation will award a Rachel Gamble Memorial scholarship each year for the next five years to a Motlow softball player who best embodies Rachel’s spirit of service, encouragement, kindness, team spirit, teachability and joy for life. The scholarship celebrates Rachel for the wonderful human being she was – someone who enjoyed watching others succeed more than relishing her own success. The Foundation is honored to celebrate the life of Rachel Gamble and many others through memorial scholarships.

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RACHEL GAMBLE

May 2019

Learn & Earn

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Emily Yardumian (see page 8) had a great internship experience during her Motlow years. You can too. Motlow works with area industries to develop work-based learning opportunities that support a student’s academic and financial success. Work-based learning is the overall term for apprenticeships, internships, job-shadowing, and coop work. Work-and-learn opportunities help students gain practical skills, practice classroom learning, and testdrive career paths. Many are paid positions. Non-paid positions often count as class credit or offer highly flexible hours so that students can gain career experience that fits their class schedule.

Students in work-based learning programs can earn industry recognized credentials, earn work experience that puts them ahead of the competition for post-graduation jobs, and help themselves graduate debt-free. Many work-based learning students get hired by their sponsoring company and most start out at higher wages than graduates without experience. Research indicates that they also advance faster in their career. If you are interested in these benefits, call Motlow’s Workforce Innovation staff at 931-3931760.

(continued from Motlow State Top Performing College in Tennessee, Page 7) Through outcome-based funding, the state ensures that limited public money successfully produces a growing number of Tennessee students graduating on time with marketable degrees and industry-recognized certificates.

Specific areas where Motlow outperformed peer institutions include dual enrollment, associate degree graduates, and job placements.

“When Motlow performs well, the state is willing to more deeply invest in our proven patterns of success by increasing our state appropriations,” said Hilda Tunstill, Motlow vice president for finance and administration.

“Motlow then invests the additional funding in expansion of student services through new or enhanced programming, equipment and building upgrades, or additional faculty and staff.

This, in-turn, allows us to better serve more citizens in our 11-county service area.”

Being at the top is nothing new for Motlow. The College has consistently been a leading performer with impressive enrollment growth and graduation rates for the last four years.

Tennessee’s higher education funding model was launched as part of a comprehensive reform agenda in 2010 called the Complete College Tennessee Act. The state’s formula accounts for 100 percent of taxpayer dollars spent to operate public colleges and universities. The formula rewards colleges for improvements across a range of student outcome categories and is designed specifically to incentivize programs that support the success of adults without degrees and students from low-income families.

(continued from Shaping the Global Workforce, Page 17) play a key role in the future of the global workforce.

Dr. Tantawi’s educational background includes a PhD in electrical engineering and Master’s degree from the University of Alabama in Huntsville, as well as a Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering from Institut Superieur de l’Aeronautique et de I’Espace, France and a Bachelor’s degree in Mechatronics Engineering from the University of Jordan. In 2017 Dr. Tantawi was the winner of the prestigious Faculty Excellence Award and last fall he was awarded tenure by the Tennessee Board of Regents.

(continued from Industrial Robotics Training, Page 25) According to Kathy Parker, Executive Director of MotlowTrained, “Research indicates that certifications are the fastest-growing college credential in America. Short-term training is a fast way for students to get a credential that will help them land a better paying job.”

MotlowTrained offers a variety of industry-recognized certification courses. It also develops customized training programs to meet the needs of business and industry in Motlow’s service area.

Our in-field course instructors ensure high quality real-world experience to help prepare job seekers, career advancers, and entrepreneurial launchers for a new career, or to help seasoned professionals prepare for the next step in their professional life.

(continued from Join the Ed-Venture, Page 27) Partnerships with industry ensures our curriculum remains marketrelevant, that Motlow students enjoy an array of internships and high-wage job opportunities. Our relationship with Bridgestone Americas helped lay the foundation for Motlow’s nationally recognized Mechatronics program.

Interests and opportunities shared with Nissan North America, Calsonic, Copperweld, Frito Lay, and Yorozu Corporation of America fueled Motlow’s move into robotics training. Motlow also collaborates with Murfreesboro Fire and Rescue, TN Department of Correction, TN Department of Transportation, our local workforce development boards, and chambers of commerce to provide vital professional development training to keep our regional workforce safe, effective and competitive.

When our community consistently produces highly skilled workers, we can better attract new highwage jobs into the region. More good jobs means more of our neighbors make livable wages— who in turn help fuel the local economy. This community college and industry partnership pursuit is a type of Ed-Venture critical to the success of a variety of connected missions. If your church, club, non-profit, board, or company would like to partner with us, email tbryson@mscc.edu.

of Applied Science degrees at Motlow: Business, Medical Office Concentration; and Computer Information Technology, Cyber Defense Concentration.

• Tennessee State University (TSU) for Mechatronics Technology and Aeronautical and Industrial Technology • University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) for Honors and Dual Admissions.

NEW ARTICULATIONS AGREEMENTS: • Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) for Promise transfer.

• Murray State University (MSU) for Business Administration.

• TCAT Shelbyville fosters the progression of their Administrative Office Technology graduates into two Associate

Motlow will celebrate its 50th graduating class in May 2020.

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May 2019

LEADERSHIP & VISION

SPARTA ON THE RISE S

parta and White County elected officials, Motlow State leaders, and civic authorities met for an informational breakfast session to reaffirm the community’s commitment to post-secondary education and to chart a course that will expand those opportunities in White County through partnership with Motlow.

The gathering also inaugurated an advisory board for the Motlow Sparta Teaching Site to advance higher education opportunities for White County. The mission and purpose of the Advisory Board is to: • Assist in fundraising for the Motlow Sparta site • Support and facilitate planning for the site

34 •

Serve as a liaison role between Motlow and the community

• Assist in exploring the changing needs of the community and support the College for educational opportunities that will assist in high-paying jobs and growth for White County.

Pictured are advisory board members, front row from left, Beth Ann Swallows, Motlow Sparta Site coordinator; Melody Edmonds, Motlow interim vice president for academic affairs; Jody Sliger, community development director, Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development; Cain Rogers, First National Bank and White County commissioner; and Tara Ray, attorney.

Back row from left, Kurt Dronebarger, White County director of schools; Jim Payne, Motlow College Foundation trustee and Sparta Housing Authority executive director; Dr. Michael Torrence, Motlow president; Robert Officer, guidance counselor, Sparta alderman and Motlow adjunct instructor; Gary Morgan, Motlow Foundation chairman; Mark Farley, Upper Cumberland Development District executive director; and Paul Sherrell, District 43 state representative. Not pictured, Terri Douglas, White County School District academic/career coach.

ADVISORY BOARD Motlow State Community College does not discriminate against students, employees, or applicants for admission or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, age, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or any other legally protected class with respect to all employment, programs and activities sponsored by Motlow State Community College. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Laura Jent, ljent@mscc.edu, P.O. Box 8500, Department 200, Lynchburg, TN 37352, 931-393-1544. MKT-0004-0419

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