Academic Affairs Student Connection Number 3

MAY 2020 |

VOL 1, ISSUE 1

the student

connection

Celebrating Students of Southwest Tennessee Community CollegeÂ

Congratulations Class of 2020!

Celebrating the Students of Southwest

In this Issue...

3

students with SECOND CHANCES

students who COMPETE

8

students who PERFORM

students who STRIVE

12

5 10

students who WORK

students who SHINE

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In the fall of 2019, the Department of Communications, Graphic and Fine Arts launched two new degrees in Communication at Southwest. Since that time, more than 70 students have enrolled in the new program. With these new degrees came three new courses - Intro to Mass Communication, Communication Inquiry, and Intro to Media Writing.

The Southwest Student Connection was originally created to provide students in Intro to Media Writing with the opportunity to showcase their new skills, while highlighting and recognizing amazing students that make up our college.

In light of the recent COVID-19 pandemic, we felt the need to bring students together now, more than ever. We hope this publication will shine a light on just a few of students who make up the many unique faces of Southwest. Â

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the student

connection Editors: Lane Roberts, MSC, APR Bill Turner, MA Dr. Tracy McLaughlin Layout/Design: Lane Roberts, MSC, APR Contributing Student Writers: Krystal Calvin Trelewis Carter Derrick Dailey Daniel Ecos Robyn Edwards Trey Furnas Brooks Gengenbach Derrick Holmes Dominique Jones Andre Lacy Byram Maxwell Desmond Norman Kenya Perry Molly Short Brittany Wallace Send story ideas to: lroberts2@southwest.tn.edu copyright 2020

students with

second chances

Age is Just a Number

77-year-old Student Continues to Strive Toward Degree

by Robyn Edwards and Andre Lacy

Education and learning have no restrictions on one’s age. For Christine Smith, a 77-year-old student at the Maxine Smith Center, age hasn’t slowed down her willingness to learn.

Southwest student Christine Smith

Smith’s story began when she dropped out of school at age 13 because she was pregnant. She later married and had six more children. She always had a desire to return to school to earn her high school diploma and tried many programs. It wasn’t until Smith returned to Memphis from Chicago and enrolled in HopeWorks, a local charity, that she was able to obtain her dream of obtaining her GED in 2017.

Smith was then motivated to continue her education. “I don’t want to be sitting up, settling, and not doing anything with my brain,” said Smith. So, she enrolled at Southwest in the fall of 2017. Smith says she always liked school, and her greatest challenge returning to the classroom was discovering her peers were young people.

A determined Smith said, “I’ve learned that I can do whatever I want to. I have good professors and support at Southwest.” Smith has received free tutoring at the Academic Support Center at the Maxine Smith Center.

“Christine Smith is one of my favorite students of all time,” said Elizabeth Perry, a math tutor in the Academic Support Center. Perry began working with Smith in the spring of 2019. “Everyone who meets Ms. Christine is impressed with her and she is a wonderful role model for younger students,” said Perry.

“She brightens up the world, and I can't wait to see her again once we can return to Southwest.”

Online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic quickly brought many challenges for students. Smith said her professors have assisted her with navigating this new online environment. While the transition has been difficult, her goal is to complete the semester and move on towards earning a degree in criminal justice.

Smith is determined to continue her education during this trying time of social distancing. “I do miss working in the classroom and being around other people every day,” she said. “I wouldn’t have chosen an online class at my age, but I’ve got to keep on going.”

To learn more about free tutoring offered by the Academic Support Center available to students at Southwest, please CLICK HERE.

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students with

second chances

Finding Your Passion at Any Age

by Dominique Jones & Kenya Perry

It is never too late to find your passion. Marsha Sherrod, a 67-year-old retired Infections Control Specialist, will graduate in May from Southwest with a criminal justice degree.

The injustices in the court system and her interest in political affairs motivated Sherrod to go back to school after working 45 years in the healthcare industry. The Memphis native, mother, grandmother, and recent great-grandmother earned a 4.0 GPA, works in Student Affairs, and is an intern at Probation Management Group.

Sherrod also had the opportunity to study abroad with the college to Peru. “It was an exciting and enjoyable experience to meet new people and to experiment with new culture and history, exploring the old city of Cusco and the modern city of Lima," said Sherrod.

"My favorite life quote is - to whom much is given, much is required."

- Marsha Sherrod

Sherrod says attending college has been a roller-coaster ride for her with many highs and lows. She feels that adapting to online learning in PAWS was the most challenging throughout her college career. “To whom much is given much is required,” is a life quote that she says has kept her moving forward.

Due to COVID-19 the Spring 2020 Commencement has been postponed until further notice. Sherrod said, “I am hopeful that sometime in the future, we can still have a graduation ceremony.

There is nothing set in stone that says graduation has to be in May.” Sherrod said after obtaining her degree she plans to work as an advocate in probations for offenders that are reentering society.

Congratulations, Marsha!

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Southwest 2020 graduate, Marsha Sherrod.

(Photo submitted by Marsha Sherrod.)

students who

compete Basketball Players Share Future Plans During COVID-19 Challenges

by Daniel Ecos and Trelewis Carver

Three members of the Southwest Saluqi women’s basketball team —Breundria Ward, Stephanie Gregory, and Jaelyn Royal, have greatly contributed to the success of the Women’s Basketball team this season.

Head Women’s Basketball Coach Andres Matre highlights the players’ best qualities. “Royal had a real good season for us. Gregory played a big part in our program, and made the Dean’s list.

Ward played several positions and learned a whole lot in a short amount of time, while also making the Dean’s list.”

Freshman Breundria Ward serves as point guard for the team and grew up in Lepanto, Arkansas.

After graduating from East Poinsett County High School, she became a Saluqi in the fall of 2019, majoring in general studies. After Southwest, she plans to continue her education and study physical therapy.

Sophomore point guard Stephanie Gregory was born and raised in Houston, Texas. After graduating from Yates High School, she transferred to Southwest in fall 2019. After Southwest, she plans to study computer engineering.

Southwest Basketball player Breundria Ward works to keep up her skills during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo submitted by Breundria Ward.)

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Continued from page 6

“We’re not just sitting back, waiting on school to start. We’re acting as if we’re coming to work every day.”

A

- Coach Andres Matre

From the left, Assistant Coach Mary James, Stephanie Gregory, Jaelyn Royal, Coach Andres Matre, and Derinshia Taylor during “Sophomore Night” in the Veries Gymnasium. (Photo submitted by Stephanie Gregory.)

Sophomore guard Jaelyn Royal is from Las Vegas, Nevada, and came to Southwest in fall of 2018, to major in criminal justice. Royal stays in shape from workouts consisting of push-ups, squats, sit ups, and finishes with a run.Royal hopes to continue playing basketball for another university.

Although the Women’s season ended after the Regionals at Columbia State, Coach Matre brings up challenges caused from the current COVID-19 pandemic. “The problem is the recruiting.” said Coach Matre, “Not being able to have a face-to-face visit or on campus visit has caused a problem. Because kids can’t come to school, meet the players, come in for a workout. Those are the things we’ve been affected by.”

Despite the conventional schedule being interrupted, students still receive workout plans from Coach Matre in preparation for next season. “They get two or three workouts a week.” she said. “We’re not just sitting back, waiting on school to start. We’re acting as if we’re coming to work every day.”

To learn more about women’s Saluqi basketball program CLICK HERE.

Issue 27 | 234

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students who

compete Students Win Big at SkillsUSA Competition

by Derrick Dailey and Brittany Wallace

Biotechnology and forensic science students triumphantly represented Southwest at the recent SkillsUSA competition in March.

Alex Workman, Dorothy Johnson and Hunter Ward, at the direction of Dr. Juliann Waits, professor of Natural Sciences, competed in the “Crime Scene Investigation” team event.

SkillsUSA is a nationwide organization geared toward preparing students to enter the workforce through training and skill-based competitions.

The team won multiple awards including a gold certificate in the Crime Scene Observation test, and a silver medal in Practical Crime Scene Analysis category. Dr. Waits and Workman competed together in the five-part, mixed competitions and were awarded “Grand Champion Winners.”

Workman noted many challenges arise within the scope of work in the field of forensics, and students must remain dedicated to their studies. Balancing academics, co-curricular, and extra-curricular activities is an integral part of the academic journey and it demonstrates focus and discipline among student. “It was difficult for me to balance the study time and my preparation time,” she stated. “However, the competition provides a very robust framework on which to test one’s knowledge.”

Overall, Workman’s experience at the competition is an excellent example of enhancing one’s skills and knowledge and predicting a foundation for their future professional practices.

“The thing that the SkillsUSA competition helped me with the most was giving me confidence in my knowledge,” said Workman.

“It also allowed me to talk to professionals in the field of work that I wish to pursue.”

To learn more information on Southwest’s Biotechnology – Forensic Science program CLICK HERE.

Southwest students pose for a selfie at the SkillsUSA competition. From the left: Alex Workman, Dr. Juliann Waits, Dorothy Johnson, Hunter Ward (Photo by Dr. Waits)

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students who

perform

Living the Dream with No Limitations

by Derrick Holmes

A dream may seem impossible to a lot of people, but not to Andre Johnson.

The 21-year-old Southwest student is making his dreams become a reality, one step at a time. This uniquely talented student is working to pursue a career as an actor and storywriter. What makes his story even more inspirational is that he didn’t let his disability stop him from doing something he loves.

Johnson was born with cerebral palsy in his left leg.

Growing up, his disability would hinder him from trying any sport or extracurricular activities. However, he quickly found a new love and passion in theater. Around age five, his inspiration for the theater came from the great Tyler Perry, whom later he would get the chance to meet in person.

At age 12, he wrote his first production entitled, “My Family Comes Home,” raising around $1,500 that he humbly donated to his church. In 2015, he wrote another stage play entitled, “A Family Torn Apart”. The following year, he was successfully able to perform a three-night encore of that same play at The Evergreen Theater, complete with a full cast, band, and a set designer.

After graduating high school, Johnson felt Southwest was his best choice. At Southwest, Associate Professor Levi Frazier of the Communications, Graphic and Fine Arts department quickly saw his potential.

"Some actors are known as triple threats, meaning they can act, sing, and dance. As a theatre artist, Andre, at such a young age, is a quadruple threat,” said Frazier. “He can perform, write, direct and produce, and he can do each very well.”

Andre Johnson, theatre artist (Photo submitted by Andre Johnson.)

Frazier has encouraged him to keep going with what he is doing, “even through hard times.” Johnson continues to work toward making his dreams become a reality. “I see myself in the next 10 years writing my own stage plays and leaving a legacy not only for myself, but for my family.”

To learn more about theatre programs at Southwest, CLICK HERE.

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students who

perform

Music Major Contines to Shine

by Byram Maxwell and Brooks Gengenbach

Dane Mull has proven to be a versatile virtuoso for Southwest. A gifted musician, Mull has been a student at Southwest since the fall of 2018. A multi-instrumentalist maestro, he plays the piano, clarinet, and guitar with ease and grace.

Mull’s mother signed him up for piano lessons at age of eight, and he has never looked back. He picked up the clarinet in the fifth-grade band class, and fell in love with it. By 15, he started playing the guitar. “I feel like the piano was a great foundation to start with,” said Mull. “Once you learn one, the others just follow.”

Dane Mu ll, musicia n (Photo su bmitted b y Dane

Some of Mull’s musical inspirations include classical composer Fredrick Chopin and the rock group MGMT. Their album, “Congratulations” is one of his favorite albums of all time.

Mull.)

Mull is now composing his own symphonic work, and hopes to continue to play at recitals and various campus functions once social distancing restrictions are lifted.

Mull has been asked to perform for Southwest at many public events including last year’s “Live Off Beale,” a musical benefit held for Southwest music majors.

“I have found Dane to be a dedicated and conscientious young man. Dane never misses class,” said Dr. Charles Pender, music professor at Southwest. “He is very punctual and responsible, and continues every task until it is complete.”

Dr. Pender said Mull has become an “unofficial leader” on campus, which comes as no surprise since he is also a full-time store manager, husband, and father of two. “He is such a delight to work with,” Pender said.

To learn more about the music programs at Southwest, CLICK HERE.

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students who

strive

Single Mom of Eight Completes Degree, Starts New Career

by Krystal Calvin

One Southwest student merged the gap between motherhood and education when she decided to get serious about providing a better life for her family.

By choosing Southwest, Tammy Kimble is now progressing in the field of Immunohematology. A graduate of Kingsbury High School in North Memphis, Kimble started adulthood at the tender age of 16 when she became a mother. After high school, Kimble was a stay-athome mom who knew deep down she desired to receive a college education. Lacking motivation, she would begin college but paused her education due to pregnancy.

The mother of eight began to get serious about her education when she realized $14 an hour was not enough to provide for her family.

She also wanted to teach her children the lesson of completion.

After facing numerous obstacles, Kimble feels grateful and blessed to attend Southwest Tennessee Community College a second time to complete her studies.

“The quality I appreciate the most in her is that she never gave up,” says Desai Shilpa, assistant professor of Allied Health and one of Kimble’s instructors at Southwest. “She was one of the first students to take and pass the National Board Exam to get her Tennessee State medical technician license.”

Kimble presently works in the field of Immunohematology for Regional One Health in Memphis. Her next steps to accomplishing her goals are seeking to obtain a Bachelor of Science in medicine and working to earn a Specialist in Blood Bank Technology certification.

“You've got this.

You can do whatever your heart desires.

Do not let anyone talk you out of the blessings that God has for you.

A quality education is within your reach."

- Tammy Kimble

Kimble has a message for single mothers. “You’ve got this, you can do whatever your heart desires. Do not let anyone talk you out of the blessings that God has for you,” she said. “A quality education is within your reach.”

To learn more about medical laboratory degree programs at Southwest CLICK HERE.

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Southwest graduate, Tammy Kimble at her new job with Regional One Health.

(Photo submitted

by Tammy Kimble.)

students who

strive

Project M.O.S.T. Continues to Make College Dreams a Reality

by Trey Furnas

Nationwide, the college graduation rate among AfricanAmerican males remains dismally low. Fortunately, that rate is improving thanks to grant-funded programs like Southwest’s Project M.O.S.T. (Men of Southwest Tennessee), now in its ninth year.

This program is designed to provide opportunities for first year African-American male students to attend college, while promoting retention and graduation rates. New and returning M.O.S.T. students must maintain a 90% attendance rate, work closely with an advisor, and serve 16 hours of community service per semester. They must also remain in good academic standing with a 2.5 GPA, and follow a strong, “grit” attitude towards graduation.

Terry Mack, a student involved with the program since 2018, has been named a “Grit” award winner this year.

Mack joined the program as a way to advance his academic success in college. “I'm still a member of the organization because they care about the progress of their students,” said Mack. “They let us know if we need to improve in certain subjects, and they have the most amazing tutors to assist us in subjects that we struggle in.”

Project M.O.S.T. continues to help build confidence and leadership. “What made me want to join the program was I heard a lot of nice things” Mack stated. “They really care about the academic progress of their students.”

Congratulations to the following Project M.O.S.T. award winners for 2020: 2020 All-M.O.S.T. Award - Safari Love 2020 Grit Award Winners – Andre’ Johnson, Terry Mack, and Dorminic Thomas To learn more about Project M.O.S.T., CLICK HERE.

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students who

work

Working to Keep Others Safe During COVID-19

by Desmond Norman

Southwest student Sabrina Taylor perseveres to keep Kroger employees safe and productive on the front lines of this pandemic crisis.

Three days after Mayor Strickland enacted the “Safer at Home” order, Kroger was in the local spotlight when a worker tested positive for coronavirus at the local distribution center. After brief mediation, Kroger employees went back to work with new safety standards and “hero bonuses.”

Taylor, an EMT and wellness coordinator at the Kroger Delta Distribution Center, said, “I consider it my personal mission to keep our employees safe and free from Covid-19.” She feels “a sense of pride” in knowing she is trained and ready to “handle it all.”

Prior to this situation Taylor said, “My work life consisted of waiting for someone to get hurt with lots of down time for school.” Now she works “tiring hours” starting at 5 a.m. and struggling to get her course work done online when she gets home.

After 16 years of being an EMT, Taylor came to Southwest in the Fall of 2019 to earn her Associate of Science degree in Sociology. She plans to use her future degree to better understand people and help them professionally.

Taylor’s busy schedule doesn’t allow much personal time. “I have pep talks with myself everyday - you got this - only one more week.”

Taylor will continue to persue her degree, while working tirelessly to protect the workers of Kroger as they supply the essentials for nearly one million Shelby County residents during this global pandemic.

EMT and Wellness Coordinator at the Kroger Delta Distribution Center, Sabrina Taylor, demonstrates how to apply a tourniquet during her informative speech course on a fellow employee.

(Photo submitted by Bill Turner.)

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TN Reconnect Program Helps Business Professional Seek Degree

by Molly Short

Computer-savvy Southwest student, Patrick Siglin, proves that it is never too late to come back to school, and real world experience does count for something.

After leaving Christian Brothers University almost 30 years ago, and despite being gainfully employed without a degree, Siglin had the impetus to return.

Part of his motivation came from the creation of the Tennessee Reconnect Grant, a last-dollar scholarship that came out of former Gov. Bill Haslam's Drive to 55 initiative. Both programs are meant to enable 55% of Tennesseans equipped with a college degree or certificate by the year 2025.

Beyond the grant, Siglin was also able to apply his experience to nearly half of his degree through Southwest’s Prior Learning Assessment (PLA Program). Siglin reported that he had already achieved the Computing Technology Industry Association A+, Network+, Security+, and CASP certifications.

By Spring 2021, Siglin will earn his Computer Information Technology, Systems Administration & Management, A.A.S. Siglin says due to his PLA he, “will most likely get a second degree in networking."

Siglin currently works for Alliance Healthcare Systems, the largest comprehensive behavioral health provider in Shelby County, as one of their Senior Vice Presidents. He says his job “doesn't ever end” since he is in charge of "an IT department for a company of 450 users and a 24/7 operation.”

Due to his busy schedule, Siglin only takes two online courses a semester. He said, “I usually have 2 hours to study at night.”

Upon graduation from Southwest, he plans to further persue his bachelor's and master's degrees.

Southwest student Patrick Siglin (right) and his wife, Yu Fukuda, with their son. (Photo submitted by Patrick Siglin.)

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Registration is now open for summer and fall 2020!

Early registration is free, and gives you the best option to secure the classes you need to meet your degree requirements.

Helpful Links: Student Services Online How to Register for Class Schedule Online Advising Appointment Financial Aid Online COVID-19 Emergency Assistance for Students