Education news

First C-STEP students transfer to UNC

In 2018, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Southwestern Community College partnered to increase the number of students transferring to and graduating from UNC-Chapel Hill. The Carolina Student Transfer Excellence Program (C-STEP) is designed to guarantee admission to the university from community colleges around the state.

Two SCC students, Puja Patel and Trevor Cole, are scheduled to graduate with associate degrees this fall, becoming SCC’s first cohort to transfer. Cole was a high school senior who applied before he graduated, while Patel joined C-STEP the fall she entered SCC.

Principal Chief Richard Sneed from the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians was instrumental in securing SCC’s partnership, making SCC the 11th community college to do so. In 2019, C-STEP received a $1.1 million grant from GlaxoSmithKlein to enhance STEM mentorship for their students.

For more information about C-STEP, visit SCC’s website or email deanne@southwesterncc.edu.

Jackson schools receive blue ribbon

The North Carolina School Public Relations Association recently honored Jackson County Public Schools at their annual Blue Ribbon Awards ceremony for excellence in communications.

The district earned nine Gold awards and one Silver award for outstanding and effective communication in three categories including digital media engagement, electronic media, and photography.

JCPS Chief Communications Officer David Proffitt has worked for his hometown school district for nearly 32 years and said he is honored to play a role in telling the story of Jackson County Public Schools.

“Amazing things happen in our schools every day,” Proffitt said. “Having the opportunity to build a new communications program and share those amazing stories with the community has been the best part of my career.”

Haywood takes FAFSA Challenge

Haywood County Schools has officially accepted North Carolina’s First in FAFSA Challenge to help send more local high school seniors to college.

Tuscola High School is competing against hundreds of other high schools across the state to increase their FAFSA completion rates.

MyFutureNC, along with Carolina Demography, College Foundation of North Carolina, College Advising Corps, the Hunt Institute, and the John M. Belk Endowment are sponsoring the NC First in FAFSA School Challenge to motivate students to take full advantage of free federal aid to help them pay for college.

Schools compete in the Challenge with schools of similar size and type, with winners earning a $500 grant in each of the following categories: • Highest percentage of completed FAFSAs • Highest percent increase in FAFSA completion rate • Best FAFSA completion strategy

The Challenge will conclude on June 30, 2021 with winners announced by July 31.

Starting kindergarten in Macon

Macon County Schools will be holding kindergarten orientation days by appointment in the next month. Contact the school for more details. • Cartoogecheye Elementary — Friday, April 23 and Friday, April 30 • East Franklin Elementary — Friday, May 7 • Iotla Valley Elementary — Friday, April 23, and Friday, April 30 • Nantahala Schools — Friday, April 23

Register for Kindergarten in Jackson

Kindergarten registration for the 2021-22 school year is now open in Jackson County Public Schools. Children who will be 5 years old on or before Aug. 31, 2021, are eligible to enroll.

The registration form is available online at www.jcpsnc.org/enroll. A photo or scan of the child’s birth certificate, proof of residency, and a medical report will be requested during the enrollment process. Families that do not have internet access can request a paper form by contacting Kelli Bumgarner at 828.586.2311, extension 1939.

Registration should be completed no later than May 12 so screenings and school visits can be scheduled.

SCC neighbors endow scholarship

For nearly five decades, Hart and Sara Goodson have lived next door to Southwestern Community College.

Their children grew up exploring and playing on SCC’s campus. The Goodsons have seen Southwestern grow from two buildings to nine and they’ve personally known all but one of the college’s presidents.

The Hart and Sara Goodson Endowed Scholarship will be awarded annually to Jackson County residents who maintain a GPA of 2.5 or higher.

Dr. Don Tomas, SCC’s president, said new endowments like the Hart and Sara Goodson Endowed Scholarship Fund are a huge reason the SCC Foundation set all-time records by awarding support of more than $200,000 to 142 students in the current academic year.

Higdon named ‘Beginning Teacher of the Year’

Emilee Higdon, a high school English teacher at Union Academy in Macon County Schools, was named the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching 2021 Prudential NC Beginning Teacher of the Year in a special ceremony.

The award was presented for the second time with finalists from across the state in attendance. Higdon was described as a beacon of positivity. Her principal noted: “her unrelenting courage to embrace opportunities to help her students grow makes her an ideal example of a leader.” A student said her style of communication makes the learning process feel more collaborative. The classroom works together as a group and she hears what each of student has to say.

The NCCAT Beginning Teacher of the Year prizes include s $5,000 cash prize, participation in a GoGlobal NC trip, and Instructional supply funds for the teacher’s school. pdp.wcu.edu and click on “Certificate Programs” or call 828.227.7397.

SCC program earns reaccreditation

The Medical Laboratory Technology (MLT) program at Southwestern Community College recently received confirmation of its reaccreditation by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science.

The NAACLS provides external peer review and grants public recognition to education programs that meet established education standards in clinical laboratory science disciplines, such as SCC’s MLT program.

“The MLT program reaccreditation virtual site visit went flawlessly,” said Mitch Fischer, SCC’s Dean of Health Sciences. “The site visitors commented on the professionalism of our students and the high level of satisfaction students had for the education they received in that program.”

For more information, contact Andrea Kennedy at andrea@southwesterncc.edu.

WCU offers Cherokee language course

Western Carolina University’s Office of Professional Growth and Enrichment will be offering a four-week online Introduction to Conversational Cherokee language course May 17 through June 11 with live Zoom meetings on Monday and Wednesday evenings from 6-7 p.m.

Fluent Cherokee language speaker Louise Brown will serve as co-instructor.

Topics that will be covered include introductory vocabulary, weather terminology, and conversations about family and emotions.

Registration fee is $225. EBCI members may register for $200.

For more information and to register, visit http://learn.wcu.edu/language or call 828.227.7397.

WCU offers online change management certificate

Western Carolina University’s Office of Professional Growth and Enrichment will be offering a live two-day online Effective Organizational Change Management Certificate, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Friday, May 21 and Wednesday, May 26.

Todd Creasy, director of Accounting, Finance, Information Systems and Business Law, in WCU’s College of Business and Betty Farmer, professor of communication at WCU and communications consultant, will serve as workshops instructors.

This two-day workshop will include a big picture view of change management on the first day with proven pathways, ideas and tips to make your change effort successful.

Registration fee for the program is $549. For more information and to register, visit

Family endows scholarship at SCC

Over the past 14 years, Duane Earle Young regularly mentored and guided aspiring physical therapist assistants through his role as clinical manager for Pardee Memorial Hospital’s Rehab and Wellness Center.

After he passed away in September of last year, his wife Sherri and daughters Cassie and Courtney wanted to find some way for Duane’s legacy to continue touching lives of those entering the profession. That’s why they decided to create the Duane Young, MSPT, Endowed Memorial Academic Excellence Scholarship Fund at Southwestern Community College.

The new endowment is among more than a halfdozen to be created this academic year through the SCC Foundation, which last year awarded a record number of scholarships to students who might otherwise not have been able to attend college.