A Helping Hand...

Students in Jefferson State's Construction and Building Science Program recently helped Disability Rights and Resources with the construction of a wheelchair ramp for a person in need in Helena.

The Construction and Building Science Program has committed to building one wheelchair ramp every semester.

Retired Instructor Passes Away

Retired Jefferson State Instructor Richard T. Krayer passed away on May 13 after complications following surgery.

 

He taught English at Jefferson State from 1972 until 1996. A memorial service is planned for Sunday, June 1, at 3:00 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church of Trussville.

Gang Investigators Conference

The Alabama Gang Investigators Association (AGIA) held their annual training conference
at Jefferson State’s Shelby-Hoover Campus on May 21-22. The conference was hosted by Jefferson State Criminal Justice Program Coordinator Cecilia Tubbs and Troy State Criminal Justice Chair Dr. Jeffrey Rush.

Over the two-day training period, approximately 100 attendees received current information on gangs, gang- related behaviors, recruitment, detection, enforcement, etc. from local and national leaders in the field.

AGIA is comprised of law enforcement, corrections and probation officers as well as investigators from around the state including major municipalities, county sheriff's departments, district attorney offices and others. AGIA membership encompasses local, state and federal levels of law enforcement.

For more information on Jefferson State's Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Program, click here: www.jeffstateonline.com/programs/law-enforcement.

Single Moms Receive Pharmacy Technician Training

ABC 33/40 - Birmingham News, Weather, Sports

The Women’s Fund of Greater Birmingham recently awarded $25,000 toward Jefferson State and St. Clair County’s Head Start Job Readiness and Childcare for Single Mothers.

The grant is now providing Pharmacy Technician Certification preparation training for single mothers of children served by St. Clair County’s Head Start. This effort hopes to move single moms into higher wage jobs with transferable, credentialed skills.

“Our initiative, Stepping Up, provides educational, housing, and childcare support to women who have taken the first step to achieving financial independence for themselves and their children,” said Women’s Fund President and CEO Jeanne Jackson. “We assist with the second step.”

This $25,000 grant is one of nine grants totaling $278,000 given by The Women’s Fund of Greater Birmingham’s in 2013. This is the largest level of grants given in the organization’s history.

A Partnership Between Jeff State and Spain Park High School

 

Jefferson State Partners with Spain Park High School in EMS Program

Spain Park High School has secured a grant totaling more than $200,000 from the Alabama State Department of Education (Office of Career and Technical Workforce Development). This grant will allow Spain Park High School to begin offering an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) track within the school’s existing Health Sciences Academy.

The EMS program was developed in response to student interest as well as demand from the local area’s emergency services, who have indicated a need for developing potential in this high demand field. The program will partner with Jefferson State to provide instruction and training until existing staff are trained and certified.

This approach will allow the program to eventually be self-sustaining. Many of the course offerings will offer dual enrollment credit and completion will allow students to sit for the licensure exam and become credentialed. A pathway for matriculation into Jefferson State will allow students to go beyond basic credentials and develop a career track in the field.

The program works closely with the Hoover City EMS and Hoover Fire Department for development, shadowing, and potential post-graduation job placement. The program’s goal of 75 percent passing the credential exam will have a noticeable and measurable impact. This program addresses a strategic need for the region’s employers and will develop students into a 21st century workforce.

Spain Park High School anticipates offering EMS 118 and EMS 119 to senior-level students in the 2014-15 school year.  The grant money will allow the school to purchase equipment necessary to set up realistic labs and training areas to execute the new EMS courses, as well as provisions for staff development. For additional information, please call (205) 439-1400.

Dr. Janice Roberts & Dr. Jo Marshall Honored

33 Former Phi Theta Kappa Advisors Named Advisors Emeriti

Thirty-three former advisors have been named Advisors Emeriti by the Phi Theta Kappa Foundation and were recognized during the Advisors Luncheon at NerdNation 2014, Phi Theta Kappa’s annual convention in Orlando, Florida, April 24-26.


Among the Advisors Emeriti honored at NerdNation 2014 were (from left to right) Barbara Blair, Debbie Chaffin, David Elder, Dr. Joan Fedor, Joanie Keller, Marvin Langsam, Dr. Jo Marshall, Joe Millas, Helen Smith and Steve Meier, pictured with Phi Theta Kappa's Executive Director and CEO Dr. Rod Risley.


Established by the Phi Theta Kappa Foundation, the Advisor Emeritus program is a select group of retired or retiring advisors who, after providing extraordinary leadership and achieving success, are invited to continue their engagement and support of the Society based on their interests and expertise in Phi Theta Kappa's programs. They must be nominated by a Phi Theta Kappa headquarters staff member. Then, an Advisor Emeritus Nominating Committee makes an annual recommendation to the Phi Theta Kappa Foundation Executive Committee for approval, and an announcement is made at the Association of Chapter Advisors Luncheon at Convention each year.

To be selected, the advisor must meet a majority of the following criteria:

• Retired/retiring from serving as an advisor
• Length of service of five years or greater
• High level of contributions or engagement (Board Member, Regional Coordinator, Association of Chapters Advisors officer, Faculty Scholar, Honors Program Council, Advisor Continued Excellence Award, international distinguished chapter awards)
• Extensive knowledge and expertise of Phi Theta Kappa and its programs
• Desire to continue the Phi Theta Kappa Experience
• Commitment to improving opportunities for community college students
• History of providing financial support of programs

The 2014 Phi Theta Kappa Advisors Emeriti are:

• Leigh Bessey, retiring Colorado Regional Coordinator; advisor of the Alpha Pi Pi Chapter, Community College of Aurora, Colorado
• Barbara Blair, retiring advisor of the Eta Beta Chapter, Southwest Texas Junior College, Texas
• Debbie Chaffin, former advisor of the Alpha Zeta Iota Chapter, Northwest Shoals Community College, and the Alpha Psi Xi Chapter, Bevill State Community College; Alabama
• Jeff Edwards, former headquarters staff member; former advisor of the Beta Lambda Mu Chapter, Lone Star College-CyFair, Texas, and the Kappa Alpha Chapter, Holmes Community College-Goodman Campus, Mississippi
• David Elder, retiring Illinois Regional Coordinator; advisor of the Phi Phi Chapter, William Rainey Harper College, Illinois
• Dr. Janice Freeman, Foundation Trustee; former advisor of the Zeta Xi Chapter at Wharton County Junior College and the Epsilon of Texas Alumni Association at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, Texas
• Dr. Joyce Freeman, Foundation Trustee; former advisor of the Zeta Xi Chapter at Wharton County Junior College and the Epsilon of Texas Alumni Association at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, Texas
• Dr. Joan Fedor, former regional coordinator of Greater Northwest Region; advisor of the Pi Sigma Chapter, Highline Community College, Washington
• Dr. Erica Hastert, former advisor of the Sigma Phi Chapter, Arapahoe Community College, Colorado
• Dr. Betsy Hertzler, former advisor of the Omicron Beta Chapter, Mesa Community College, Arizona
• Dr. Duane Hood, former advisor of the Psi Zeta Chapter, Western Texas College, Texas
• Leanne Jardine, former New York Regional Coordinator; advisor of the Upsilon Upsilon Chapter, Herkimer County Community College, New York
• Joan Keller, former Carolinas Regional Coordinator; advisor of the Alpha Epsilon Omicron Chapter, Trident Technical College, South Carolina
• Marvin Langsam, former advisor of the Mu Epsilon, Miami Dade College, Florida
• Dr. Humphrey Lee, former Alabama Regional Coordinator; President of Northwest Shoals Community College, Alabama
• Dr. Anne Levig, former Minn-Wi-Kota Regional Coordinator; advisor of the Alpha Delta Upsilon Chapter, Anoka-Ramsey Community College, Minnesota
• Dr. Jo Marshall, Foundation Trustee; former Alabama Regional Coordinator; former advisor of the Pi Pi Chapter, Jefferson State Community College, Alabama; President of Somerset Community College, Kentucky
• Dr. Lillie McCain, former advisor of the Alpha Omicron Iota Chapter, Mott Community College, Michigan
• Linda McGuirt, former advisor of the Omicron Upsilon Chapter, President of Central Alabama Community College, Alabama
• Steve Meier, former advisor of the Eta Nu Chapter, St. Petersburg College, Florida
• Joe Millas, retiring advisor of the Delta Omicron Chapter, Palm Beach State College, Florida
• Dr. John Modschiedler, former advisor of the Phi Beta Chapter, College of DuPage, Illinois
• Dr. Henry Moreland, former Board Member; former advisor of the Upsilon Eta Chapter, Florida State College at Jacksonville-Kent Campus, Florida
• Barb Murray, former Headquarters staff member; former Minn-Wi-Kota Regional Coordinator, advisor of the Alpha Rho Alpha Chapter, Rainy River Community College, Minnesota
• Hattie Nunnery, former advisor of the Omicron Upsilon Chapter, Central Alabama Community College, Alabama
• Tom Obee, former Michigan Regional Coordinator; advisor of the Lambda Mu Chapter, St. Claire County Community College, Michigan
• Ann Parks, former Missouri Regional Coordinator; advisor of the Alpha Tau Chapter, Moberly Area Community College, Missouri
• Ruth Randall, former Kansas Regional Coordinator; advisor of the Alpha Iota Gamma Chapter, Johnson County Community College, Kansas
• Dr. Janice Roberts, former advisor of the Pi Pi Chapter, Jefferson Community College, Alabama
• Richard Rouillard, former advisor of the Alpha Theta Alpha Chapter, Oklahoma City Community College, Oklahoma
• Kristi Sather-Smith, former advisor of the Gamma Lambda Chapter, Hinds Community College-Raymond, Mississippi
• Dr. Betty Scott, former advisor of the Alpha Xi Beta Chapter, College of Southern Nevada, Nevada
• Helen Smith, retiring Arizona Regional Coordinator; advisor of the Alpha Eta Delta Chapter, South Mountain Community College, Arizona

Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, headquartered in Jackson, Mississippi, is the largest honor society in higher education with 1,285 chapters on college campuses in all 50 of the United States, plus Canada, Germany, the Republic of Palau, Peru, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, the British Virgin Islands, the United Arab Emirates and U.S. territorial possessions. More than 2.5 million students have been inducted since its founding in 1918, with approximately 135,000 students inducted annually.

Commencement Address

In commencement speech to Jeff State graduates, Spencer Bachus stresses value of giving

By Madison Underwood
al.com

The advice Jesus Christ gave to his disciples that "it is more blessed to give than to receive" was at the center of the advice U.S Rep. Spencer Bachus, R-Vestavia Hills, gave to hundreds of graduates, parents and supporters who attended the Jefferson State Community College commencement Friday afternoon at the Cathedral of the Cross on Center Point Parkway.

The parking lot for the commencement was overflowing, and friends and family of the 250 attending graduates filled much of the church. Audio problems plagued the early parts of the ceremony, but the sound leveled out as Bachus -- who is retiring after 22 years in Congress at the end of this term -- began to speak.

After inviting the graduates to stand and thank the parents, siblings, spouses, and others who had attended with applause, Bachus began in an unusual way: by describing the Sea of Galilee.
"It teems with fish," Bachus said. "It is an amazing, amazing thing. It is full of numerous species. And every drop that it gives ... it flows out of the Jordan River, and it enters the Dead Sea. It gives away everything that it receives. It gives. It's a giver."

He compared the Sea of Galilee to the Dead Sea.

"There's not one living animal or plant in the Dead Sea," Bachus said. "I've actually stood near the shore and the smell even repels. It is an inhospitable place. It retains every drop of water that it receives, but it doesn't give that to anyone, and it doesn't share that with anyone."
"My message to you to today is to be a giver, not a receiver," Bachus said.

"People don't want your money," Bachus said at one point. "They want you to care. They want your time."

He created an unintentional moment of levity when he suggested that when parents walk down to greet their new graduates after the ceremony, the graduates won't want a hundred-dollar bill, they'll want a hug and love. The graduates began to laugh, prompting Bachus to say, "Well, they may want your money." He recovered quickly.

"Believe you me, you will remember the tears in your parent's eyes or your spouse's eyes, and the joy of that day, but you won't remember that one hundred dollars," Bachus said.

Imparting upon the graduates the fact that not everyone will be thankful of giving, Bachus referenced the Biblical story of the ten lepers who came to Jesus and asked for help. In the story, Jesus sent the lepers to the priests, and were cleansed as they left. Only one, a Samaritan (a foreigner, Jesus notes) returned to thank Jesus and praise God.

"You can make people's lives better, and they may never know it, they may never return and say thanks," Bachus said. "But, as Christ said, 'You have made yourself whole.'"

Culinary Bakes Massive Apple Pie

Jefferson State's Culinary Staff and Students participated in "Celebrate Hoover Day" on Saturday May 3 by baking a very large, very tasty apple in Veteran's Park on Valleydale Road.

Each year our culinary staff and students bake the enormous apple pie for this community event. The event is free to the public and draws more than 10,000 people of all ages each year.

 

Jefferson State Helps Single Moms at Head Start

They come from different backgrounds but the women sitting in the classroom have one thing in common - they are single mothers trying to improve life for themselves and their children.

“My girls mean everything to me, and I want to provide them with a better quality of life,” said Kia Patton, 31, of Pell City.

Patton is one of 16 single mothers whose children are served by the St. Clair County Head Start. It is one requirement for these mothers to attend the Pharmacy Technician Certification Preparation program taught by Jefferson State Community College at St. Clair County Head Start.

The program is funded through a $25,000 grant from The Women’s Fund of Greater Birmingham.

Patton cares for her three children, works full time and is now attending classes twice a week where her twin daughters attend school, the St. Clair County Head Start.

“I have a lot on my plate,” she said.

Patton said when she was in her 20’s she attended college. At the time, she struggled with depression and eventually left college.

“I work full time, but I also have bills,” she said. “So with this grant becoming available, God was giving me a second chance at something I thought I would never be able to do, and that’s continuing my education. …”

Carla McEwen, who is a pharmacist, is the instructor for the pilot program that offers single mothers a chance to improve their lives through education.

She said her students are highly motivated.

“We haven’t lost anybody, which is awesome,” McEwen said.

The course began in February and all 16 students are expected to complete the program May 16.

The student will then take a test to receive certification as a pharmacy technician.

“I’ve learned a lot,” said Melanie Jones, 33, of Pell City.

Jones, who is a graduate of the Alabama School for the Deaf in Talladega, has two daughters. One daughter attends St. Clair County Head Start program.

“I hope in the future that I can work as a pharmacy technician,” Jones said.

Some students are taking the course to find jobs, while others are just looking to advance their careers and make more money with their current employees.

Patton currently works as a patient care technician at a hospital.

“I want to work in the hospital pharmacy,” she said.

The women attending the 11-week program range in age from 21-31, and live in various communities throughout St. Clair County.

“We aren’t training them for a certificate but to go to work,” said Latoya Orr, executive director for the St. Clair County Head Start program.

She said people have asked her why she wants to prepare these women to become pharmacy technician.

Orr said she found 72 pharmacy technician positions advertised in the surrounding areas, including Birmingham, Shelby County, Talladega and Pell City.

She said most of the jobs advertised pay $12 or more per hour, well above minimum wage.

Orr said by having the program offered at Head Start, the child and parent are being educated simultaneously.

She said the parents do not have to worry about their children.

“We make sure their child is getting quality care,” Orr said.

Orr said she gets emotional just thinking about the women, many of whom were her students at Pell City High School before she became executive director of the Head Start program.

She said when children pass the classroom and see their mothers inside learning, it teaches them the importance of an education.

“It’s inspirational,” Orr said. “It’s an excellent example for their children to see.”

Orr said The Women’s Fund of Greater Birmingham approved another $25,000 grant for the program next fall, which she said helps combat poverty through the two-generation approach.

She said the Alabama Career Center will help these women find jobs once they complete their certification.

Orr said First United Methodist Church in Pell City also provides lunches for the mothers when they attend the Pharmacy Technician program on Wednesdays and Fridays.

“It’s a big community effort,” she said.

She said this program could encourage some of these women to continue their education and eventually earn college degrees.

“These young women are extremely motivated,” Orr said. “They just needed an opportunity.”
As for Patton, she looks to the future, toward a better life for her and her children.

“I want to be able to eat and pay my bills without government assistance one day,” she said. “And this program is the beginning to that end.”

Story By David Atchison
The Daily Home

My Story... By Jefferson State Math Instructor Robert Wallace

My two brothers and I were raised by my mother, who was a single parent. Both my mother and my youngest brother had significant health issues and required a lot of time and care as I was growing up. Because my mother was not able to work full-time, we depended heavily on government assistance to make ends meet.

When I turned sixteen, I dropped out of high school for a number of reasons but primarily to help support my family. My mother took a few classes at Jefferson State, which was how I became familiar with the college. Even though she was not able to complete her program of study due to her health problems she did always emphasize to us the necessity of a good education in order to succeed.

When I was old enough, I took the GED exam. I was concerned that I would not be able to do much with the GED unless I had some college to go with it. By the time I took the GED, we were living in Pinson, Alabama so I applied for admittance to Jefferson State because it was close enough that I could walk to school. At the time I had not entirely decided upon my course of study, but I was leaning toward medicine since I thought at the time that it might allow me to help my mother and my youngest brother.

I found the college environment profoundly more conducive to learning than that of high school and as a result I excelled in almost all of my classes. After a couple of terms I started to work in the math lab as a tutor and developed a strong working relationship with many of the faculty. My chemistry instructor realized one day that I was having trouble seeing the board and she made an appointment with her optometrist for me to get glasses. She and a couple of other faculty members paid for the visit and the glasses out of their own pockets since they knew that I could not afford to pay for it myself.

By the time I had finished the calculus series I had developed an affinity for mathematics and physics. An instructor in the math department took an interest in me and began to help me with my independent study of various topics in mathematics. One of my coworkers in the math lab was a graduate student at UAB and she realized that much of what I was teaching myself was material similar to what she was doing in her graduate courses. She spoke to one of her professors about me and I was invited to visit the math department UAB.

Several of the faculty members at Jefferson State arranged for someone to drive me to the meeting at UAB since I did not have transportation at the time. The math department at UAB was in the process of building a new PhD program in applied mathematics and they were recruiting new talent for the program. I was offered financial aid and scholarship money to complete my undergraduate degree in mathematics at UAB and I was strongly encouraged to apply for this new program in mathematics.

In order to get started at UAB several of the faculty at Jefferson State and UAB loaned me money for books and other expenses. During my first semester at UAB I started with advanced undergraduate courses and then later progressed to mostly graduate courses in mathematics during my subsequent semesters at UAB as an undergraduate. During my junior and senior year as an undergraduate I completed nearly enough graduate hours to satisfy the requirements for a Master’s degree. However, I counted most of these hours toward the completion of my undergraduate degree.

Once I completed my bachelor’s degree, I did apply for admittance to graduate school in the math department. I continued to excel in all of my classes and I was the first at UAB to successfully pass the qualifying exam for the PhD program in applied mathematics and I was also the first at UAB to complete the program and complete my PhD in applied mathematics.

Because I was still taking care of my mother and my youngest brother, I needed to remain in the Birmingham area. I taught at a few local colleges before going back to UAB as a professor. I eventually moved to Jefferson State, where I have served as a full-time faculty member since September of 2000.

Graduation Photos!

Check Out Photos from Jefferson State's Graduation!

Go to this link to view hundreds of photos: http://alturl.com/6ynkj.

Real Housewives of Atlanta Cast Member Graduates from Jefferson State

Kandi Burruss Celebrates with New Jefferson State Graduate Phaedra Park

Phaedra is a celebrated entertainment attorney who lives in the prestigious Buckhead area with her husband Apollo Nida and their two sons toddler Ayden and baby Dylan.

She is the Managing Partner of The Parks Group, P.C., an Atlanta-based boutique law firm that caters nationally to entertainers and athletes. An active member of the community and church, Phaedra, a self-proclaimed “Southern belle,” sits on numerous boards and is involved in multiple charities.

Not missing a beat during her second pregnancy, Phaedra successfully dished to fans her secrets in achieving a "PHINE BODY" in her first two Amazon Best Seller fitness videos with an upcoming video focusing on prenatal workouts.

She has continued her studies as a full-time student to receive her degree in Mortuary Science being dubbed the “Vera Wang” of funerals, all while recently completing her no-nonsense guide to life Secrets of a Southern Belle, which releases on November 12th.