TRICIA NEAL
Somerset Commonwealth-Journal

Somerset Community College President Dr. Jo Marshall says the 2005-2006 school year has been a success.

Students at SCC can prepare themselves for a career in two years, or can complete the first half of a four-year degree. More than 300 associate's degree, diploma, and certificate options are available in nearly 70 academic and technical programs.

And all of this is available at one of the lowest tuition rates in the region.

With enrollment at her institution now topping 6,000, Marshall took some time to reflect on some of the reasons for SCC's success.

New Programs

The college system has just obtained funding for a new allied health building at its London campus. In McCreary County, programs in criminal justice and forensics and in the culinary arts are gearing up. And in Clinton County, a practical nursing program has begun.

Here in Somerset, a cosmetology program is now available, having previously been available only in London.

SCC's surgical tech and radiography programs are now fully accredited, Marshall said.

The college also now has a full time art program. To enhance the program, the new East End Gallery in Stoner Hall features constant exhibits of the work of SCC students, local high school students, and community members.

Expanding Opportunities

SCC is constantly striving to expose its students to a variety of educational and cultural opportunities.

"We want to help improve our students' work skills so they can get better jobs, and also develop our arts and cultural programs so that part of people¹s lives are enriched, too," Marshall explained.

The college held its first John Sherman Cooper Lecture Series with guest speaker U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell.

"We will continue this next year, featuring an individual with knowledge and involvement in public policy," Marshall said.

Students were also able to learn from Kentucky Poet Laureate Sena Jeter Naslund at the fourth annual Harriet Simpson Arnow Writers¹ Conference in April.

The college's music program is continuing to expand. The SCC choir traveled to Verona, Italy earlier this year, competing at the international level under the direction of Professor Bob Hekel, and earning a bronze medal.

"(Traveling abroad) has brought more opportunities into students' lives outside the boundaries they already know," Marshall said of the choir's trip.

Marshall also boasted the merits of SCC's theater department.

"Our theater department has a long-standing record of excellence," she said. "The highlight for me this year was the department's performance of 'The Tempest.'" It was an outstanding production."

Global Awareness

"We are concentrating this year on educating our community on diversity and global awareness," Marshall said. "We are striving to have a better understanding of all of our community members, and to understand Somerset Community College¹s place in the global society."

Natalie Gibson has been hired as full time director of diversity and minority enrollment.

The college recently held a Hispanic Heritage festival, and it offers several programs with an emphasis on African-American culture.

Career Pathways

A new program called "Career Pathways" allows students to complete a nursing degree in a non-traditional format. Courses are held in the evenings so that those in the workforce don't have to adjust their work schedules in order to improve their skills.

"If an LPN wants to become an RN, he or she can work a regular schedule and achieve the RN level," Marshall explained.

Administrators hope to incorporate the Pathways method of education into many of the degree programs offered at SCC.

"It's an accelerated avenue so that a student¹s new degree or skill enhancement can be accomplished faster," Marshall said.

Leadership Development

"We are very pleased to have a formal class in leadership development," Marshall said.

Students are taught leadership skills, such as conflict resolution and goal setting. The class is led by Dr. Marshall and Natalie Gibson. Seventeen students enrolled in the class last year.

"We'll take up to 20 students," Marshall said. "We hope it will grow into a leadership program. It meets on Monday evenings in the fall. Students have to interview with one of us in order to get into the class."

Online Availability

Students can register for SCC classes online after they have visited with an advisor. Additionally, each year, more and more classes are becoming available online.

"Our goal is to have each area offer at least one course online by the end of next year," Marshall said.

Partnering with Industry

Quick Quarters employees trained and worked on the SCC campus for about six weeks while the business was settling in the area.

Employees of newcomer company UGN also received training at the SCC campus before going to work at the company's plant.

"We feel like we are truly becoming a partner in the process of recruiting and working with new industries," Marshall said.

Campus Development

"We've begun our first step in building our connector bridge," Marshall said. "We've purchased the land and cleared the area. When it is complete, it will allow for pedestrian traffic and light vehicular traffic, connecting the south and north campuses for students and employees."

The bridge should make inner-campus travel easier, and ease traffic on Monticello Street. The project is being funded by a grant obtained by Congressman Hal Rogers.

A Campaign for Advancement

"We have a major gifts campaign underway. We've received many commitments of major gifts to support the college," Marshall said.

- Fulfilling the Promise Campaign funds have increased from $2.3 million to $2.9 million in the last year.

For more information about Somerset Community College, visit www.somerset.kctcs.edu or call (606) 679-8501.

Did you know...?

Somerset Community College offers associate's degrees in the following areas and more:

- Aviation Maintenance Technology
- Criminal Justice
- Education
- Physical Therapist Assistant
- Respiratory Care
- Surgical Technology

Diplomas can be earned in the following areas and more:

- Auto Body Repair
- Aviation Maintenance
- Carpentry
- Cosmetology
- Electronics Technology
- Medical Transcriptionist
- Visual Communications
- Welding Technology

This year, several SCC students and faculty members have made many personal accomplishments:

- Student Tara Conner of Russell Springs was named Miss USA 2006.

- Student Kara Couch, editor of the SCC's newspaper, became the first community college student ever to receive the Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award.

- Art teacher Darlene Libbey is currently working in Kenya in an artist¹s exchange program.

- SCC President Dr. Jo Marshall was selected as a finalist for the 2006 Martha Layne Collins Leadership Award.

- Science Professor Dan Rogers will be studying at Oxford University in England this summer.

- Professor Loris Sherman was selected as the KCTCS Distinguished Faculty Member at the New Horizons annual conference.