NW-SCC – Shoals Insider

NW-SCC moving forward with plans for new Advanced Manufacturing Center

Staff — Tue, 06 Nov 2018 20:28:57 +0000

MUSCLE SHOALS — Northwest-Shoals Community College (NW-SCC) President Dr. Glenda Colagross met with representatives from the Alabama Community College System and Lauderdale County Schools last week to discuss the new Advanced Manufacturing Center to be located in Lauderdale County off U.S. Highway 72.

“The new center in Lauderdale County will provide a seamless transition for career technical high school students through the Dual Enrollment/Dual Credit program,” said Colagross. The location of the new Advanced Manufacturing Center will allow for dual enrollment partnerships with Lauderdale County Schools and Florence City Schools as well as other high schools in the area.

In last week’s meeting, Lauderdale County Schools Superintendent, Jon Hatton, stated, “Helping our students is the main focus for us daily. Pursuing career technical education and workforce development opportunities is something we are excited to be involved with because it expands their future real world job possibilities.”

A three-way path from high school through Northwest-Shoals and on to the University of North Alabama (UNA) is currently being developed in some programs; therefore, UNA will also have a presence in the proposed center. ”These paths will help ensure that students complete an education and move into high wage/high demand careers,” Colagross stated.

In addition to dual enrollment opportunities, the proposed center will provide flexible training for business and industry. The high wage/high demand programs offered will include electrical, machine tool, industrial systems, welding, and robotics. Additionally, the college plans to offer a machinist apprenticeship program on-site. Also, plans are underway to start a Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education (FAME) program. The FAME program allows students to earn a wage and gain work experience while pursuing an advanced manufacturing degree.

A portion of the funding needed to construct the proposed center has already been secured. Due to the efforts of Senator Tim Melson and Representative Lynn Greer, in 2017, Governor Kay Ivey set aside four million dollars for the project, and in 2018, the Shoals Economic Development Center earmarked an additional five million dollars for the project.

NW-SCC college bowl team finishes third in first tournament of the year

Staff — Tue, 23 Oct 2018 20:37:54 +0000

(pictured from left to right) Mack Elkins (from Phil Campbell, Ala.), Cameron Vandiver (from Russellville, Ala.), Jarrod Lasseter (from Russellville, Ala.) and Carly Weeks (from Phil Campbell, Ala.)

PHIL CAMPBELL, ALA. – The Northwest-Shoals Community College (NW-SCC) college bowl team recorded a third-place finish in their first tournament of the 2018-2019 academic year last Saturday (10/20) at Coastal Alabama Community College in Gulf Shores, Ala.

NW-SCC students, Mack Elkins (from Phil Campbell, Ala.), Cameron Vandiver (from Russellville, Ala.), Jarrod Lasseter (from Russellville, Ala.) and Carly Weeks (from Phil Campbell, Ala.) competed against 15 colleges and universities from three different states. The team was coached by Sharon Watson, NW-SCC Mathematics instructor.

NW-SCC team captain, Jarrod Lasseter, received the award for being the 3rd highest scorer. Approximately 70 students competed in the tournament.

NW-SCC sees increase in fall enrollment due to distance learning

Staff — Wed, 03 Oct 2018 14:45:46 +0000

MUSCLE SHOALS & PHIL CAMPBELL, ALA. — Northwest-Shoals Community College (NW-SCC) enrolled 3,543 credit students for the fall 2018 semester, which is an increase of 101 students, or just under three percent, from fall 2017 figures (3,442).

According to NW-SCC President Glenda Colagross, in order to continue to grow, the College must continue to listen to the needs of traditional and non-traditional students in the area. “It is always exciting to see growth in our student population, but to continue this growth, we have to be flexible,” said Colagross. “The needs of our students have changed so much through distance education. Many of our traditional and non-traditional students prefer taking classes online instead of in the classroom. It is all about flexibility and convenience.”

The largest increase in student enrollment came from students taking only distance education courses. From fall of 2017 to fall of 2018, NW-SCC saw a 65% increase in the distance only students. Students taking at least one distance course increased by 47%.

“Our students are more technology driven now than ever before,” said April Cookson, Director of Distance Education. “For the first time this fall, we took our capacity limits off our distance course offerings, and you can see that there is a growing student population that prefers the online format.”

Also, NW-SCC reports significant enrollment increases in high school dual enrollment and nursing. The dual enrollment student population increased approximately 28%, and Associate Degree Nursing students increased approximately 17%.

According to Tom Carter, Assistant Dean of Admissions/Recruitment, much of the increase in high school dual enrollment can be attributed to new high school partnerships. “So many high school students are seeing the benefit of taking college courses while in high school,” stated Carter. “Our high school partners are doing a great job making sure their students have access to Northwest-Shoals to fast-track their college experience and be successful.”

The 3,543 credit student headcount is an unofficial student census following the registration of all dual enrollment high school students. Credit student enrollment does not include students who may be auditing a class or enrolled in non-credit workforce training courses. Fall semester enrollment numbers are not official until verified by the Alabama Community College System (ACCS) at the end of the semester.

NW-SCC receives highest marks following on-site reaccreditation visit

Staff — Mon, 01 Oct 2018 20:41:13 +0000

President Colagrass

MUSCLE SHOALS – Northwest-Shoals Community College (NW-SCC) was found to be in complete compliance, with no findings or recommendations, at the conclusion of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) on-site reaffirmation of accreditation visit recently.

The College received the best possible review, with the 10 person committee finding NW-SCC in compliance with all standards and offering no recommendations for the Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP), IN-SYNC: Improving Distance Learning, Support, and Success.

“This is a testament to our faculty and staff and the amazing job they do providing our students with the best possible educational experience,” said NW-SCC President Dr. Glenda Colagross. “This reaffirmation of accreditation is a tedious process and to receive the best possible review from the committee is extremely gratifying for the whole Northwest-Shoals family.”

SACSCOC accreditation ensures that the college’s quality of education and facilities are deemed up to the necessary standards and allows NW-SCC to participate in federal (Title IV) and state financial aid programs.

As part of the reaffirmation process, NW-SCC submitted a Compliance Certification, a report totaling almost 400 pages. The Compliance Certification covered over 80 SACSCOC Principles of Accreditation, demonstrating the College’s compliance. Following the initial off-site review of the compliance document in April, 15 standards were identified as needing more information for review. The College then developed a Focused Report, to clarify the College’s compliance with those standards, and submitted the QEP. The QEP gives NW-SCC an opportunity to identify an area of the institution to enhance its overall quality and effectiveness. Through the QEP, the College focuses on an issue that is important to improve student learning at NW-SCC.

NW-SCC is scheduled to receive its official 10-year reaffirmation of its accreditation at the June 2019 SACSCOC Board of Trustees meeting.

Sheffield Street Party to benefit scholarship fund

Staff — Tue, 08 May 2018 20:56:01 +0000

The Temptations Review with Theo Peoples

SHEFFIELD — The eighth annual Sheffield Street Party will be held Saturday, May 19th, in downtown Sheffield (on Montgomery Ave.). The concert will benefit the Northwest-Shoals Community College (NW-SCC) Foundation scholarship fund.

The concert will feature Otis Redding III, Eddie Floyd, and The Temptations Review with special guest Theo Peoples. Gates will open at 6:30 p.m. with music starting at 7:30 p.m.

The Temptations Review creates unforgettable memories while entertaining audiences worldwide. Formerly known as The Temptations Review featuring Dennis Edwards, (who was one of four of original members of the Temptations born in Alabama,) the group has toured extensively around the globe for over two decades. Prior to Edwards’ death in 2018, Edwards hand-picked former Temptations member Theo Peoples to fill in and continue the band’s legacy. For nearly two decades, Peoples’ voice has been critical to the legacy of not just one but two of Motown’s iconic groups – the ‘Temptations’ and ‘The Four Tops’!

This Grammy Award-winning group of musicians is now hitting the road with a roster of beloved multiplatinum hits including “My Girl”, “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg”, “Get Ready”, “Just My Imagination”, “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone”, “The Way You Do the Things You Do”, and many more.

General admission tickets are available for $25 in advance and $30 at the gate. Tickets are available at the following sponsors: First Metro Bank (all locations), Valley Credit Union (all locations), Zoey Belle’s Boutique, and The Rock. Tickets are also available at www.djpevents.com.

NW-SCC Phi Theta Kappa Receives 17 Alabama Regional Awards

Staff — Fri, 09 Mar 2018 12:10:19 +0000

NW-SCC Shoals Campus chapter officers receive eight (8) awards at Alabama Regional Phi Theta Kappa Convention. Pictured (left to right): Desiree South, Shoals Campus Advisor; Cyntonia Carroll (of Tuscumbia, Ala.), Tuesday Richey (of Sheffield, Ala.), Diane Peeples (of Muscle Shoals, Ala.), Dr. Glenda Colagross, NW-SCC Interim President; David Lugo-Barrera (of Russellville, Ala.), Emma Bratton (of Tuscumbia, Ala.), Crystal Reed, NW-SCC Assistant Dean of Student Success (Distinguished Administrator Award recipient), and Jacque Jefferys, Shoals Campus Advisor.

MUSCLE SHOALS & PHIL CAMPBELL, ALA. — Northwest-Shoals Community College’s (NW-SCC) Phil Campbell Campus (Alpha Zeta Iota chapter) and Shoals Campus (Alpha Sigma Beta chapter) recently received 17 awards at the 2018 Phi Theta Kappa Alabama Regional Convention at Enterprise State Community College in Enterprise, Ala.

The Phil Campbell and Shoals Campus Chapter was recognized with the following awards:
Shoals Campus
Competitive Edge Award
Distinguished Administrator Award – Crystal Reed
Distinguished Chapter Advisor(s) Award – Jacque Jefferys and Desiree South
Distinguished Chapter Advisor Team Award – Jacque Jefferys and Desiree South
Distinguished Chapter Member Award – Cyntonia Carroll
Distinguished Chapter Officer – Tuesday Richey
Five-Star Chapter Award
Reach Award (for increasing membership)
Phil Campbell Campus
Continued Excellence Award
Distinguished Chapter Officer Team Award
Distinguished Honors in Action Project Award
Distinguished Honors in Action Theme Award
Distinguished Chapter Member Award – Leah Gunderman
First Alternate, Most Distinguished Chapter Award
Five-Star Competitive Edge Chapter Officer Awards
Five-Star Chapter Award
Reach Award (for increasing membership)

Phil Campbell Campus Officers are: Shirley Acosta (of Haleyville, Ala.), Lauren Belcher (of Lynn, Ala.), Josh Pinkard (of Russellville, Ala.), and Luke Stanford (of Vina, Ala.). Advisors for the Phil Campbell (Alpha Zeta Iota) chapter are Pam Peters and Rachel Trapp. Melissa Harris, a Phil Campbell chapter member, was selected as the new Alabama Regional Officer for District 1.

NW-SCC Phil Campbell Campus chapter officers receive nine (9) awards at Alabama Regional Phi Theta Kappa Convention. Pictured (left to right): Lauren Belcher (of Lynn, Ala.), Josh Pinkard (of Russellville, Ala.), Luke Stanford (of Vina, Ala.), Dr. Glenda Colagross, NW-SCC Interim President; Shirley Acosta (of Haleyville, Ala.), Layne Boyd, 2018-19 Phil Campbell Campus chapter officer; and Rachel Trapp, Advisor.

Shoals Campus Officers are: David Lugo-Barrera (of Russellville, Ala.), Emma Bratton (of Tuscumbia, Ala.), Diane Peeples (of Muscle Shoals, Ala.), and Tuesday Richey (of Sheffield, Ala.). Advisors for the Shoals chapter are Desiree South and Jacque Jefferys.

Both chapters will attend the Phi Theta Kappa International Convention April 19-21, in Kansas City, Mo.

Phi Theta Kappa, the International Honor Society of the Two-Year College, has recognized academic excellence in the two-year college since 1918.

NW-SCC to Celebrate Black History Month

Staff — Thu, 22 Feb 2018 14:22:02 +0000

MUSCLE SHOALS & PHIL CAMPBELL – Northwest-Shoals Community College (NW-SCC) will feature an I Have A Dream! concert on the Phil Campbell and Shoals campus in celebration of February as Black History Month.

Thursday, February 22, 2018, the NW-SCC Cultural Affairs Committee will hold an I Have A Dream! concert on the Phil Campbell campus at 12 p.m. in the Student Center. The concert will feature the NW-SCC Chorale and Jazz Band, Jayla Green and Elizabeth Harris.

Tuesday, February 27, 2018, the NW-SCC Cultural Affairs Committee will hold an I Have A Dream! concert on the Shoals campus at 12 p.m. in the Hospitality Center. The concert will feature the NW-SCC Chorale, Jayla Green, Harvey Thompson, Theron Brown Jr., and Howell Sledge (son of music legend, Percy Sledge).

Events on each campus will conclude with a “Soul Food” tasting.

For more information on any of the events, contact Casey Eggleston at (256) 331-5357, NW-SCC Cultural Affairs Committee.