23 January ICC celebrates STEM Week with special speakers, events January 23, 2025 By Thomas, Donna S. General 0 Itawamba Community College is celebrating February 3-6 as STEM Week with special events through its organization. They include STEM Club meetings featuring Ole Miss representatives, Feb. 3 and Mississippi State University representatives, Feb. 4; debut of ICC’s planetarium in the John S. Crubaugh Education Building, Feb. 5; and Community College Innovation Challenge, Feb. 6. Although the special events will take place at the Fulton Campus, they are open to all members, including those from both the Tupelo Campus and Belden Center. The STEM Club connects students with an interest in STEM-related fields. Members have an opportunity to attend events with speakers from different fields, network with other students in similar fields of study, meet representatives from universities and local companies, discover and engage in new technologies and support ICC’s five-county district through community service. For more information, including membership for ICC students, email stemclub@iccms.edu. Related Articles ICC celebrates STEM week with proclamation signing Itawamba Community College President Dr. Jay Allen signed a proclamation designating Feb. 6-10 as STEM Week. The event signals the start of an amplified focus on the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math at ICC, which is offering an innovative way for involvement and exploration of those areas with the creation of a STEM Club as well as a new course, Introduction to STEM Professions. Multiple activities are planned for the week including presentations by representatives of the University of Mississippi and Mississippi State University, a STEM panel and the Mississippi Science Olympiad. STEM Club members Rosy Davis, Emma Grace Allen, Payton Atkins, Abraham Garcia and Tyler Hatfield and STEM Club sponsors Heather McCormick, mathematics division chair; Bradley Howard, computer science division chair; and Dr. Jada Mills, natural science division chair, joined Dr. Allen for the special event. ICC STEM project receives MentorLink grant Itawamba Community College has been selected as one of the winning colleges in the American Association of Community College’s MentorLinks: Advancing Technological Education program. Part of a national initiative supported by the National Science Foundation, the MentorLinks is an AACC member benefit. “Itawamba Community College is extremely grateful to the AACC for the opportunity and awarding of this significant grant that will make a difference in the lives of many of our students who soon will be able to explore STEM areas,” said ICC President Dr. Jay Allen. “We expect this interest to translate into more majors and ultimately more graduates in these fields.” The goals for ICC’s project, entitled Full STEM Ahead: Promoting Pathways in STEM, include increase enrollment and retention in STEM courses and career education programs, increase the number of graduates in STEM fields and career education programs and to facilitate student transfer in STEM fields. The two-year $20,000 grant for the period of October 1, 2021-November 30, 2023 will include salaries, benefits, travel, materials or resources and equipment. ... ICC's Public Health Technology program to join in national celebration with local events Itawamba Community College’s Public Health Technology program will join those in the profession in celebrating the week of April 1 as National Public Health Week. According to program director Cassie Alexander, the theme is “Protecting, Connecting and Thriving: We Are All Public Health.” She said the commemoration recognizes the contributions of public health in improving the physical condition of the people of the United States and for ICC’s Public Health Technology program, the residents of Mississippi, specifically those in Chickasaw, Itawamba, Lee, Monroe and Pontotoc counties; and achieving health equity. “Community health workers are the backbone of public health, bridging the gap between healthcare systems and the communities they serve, ensuring that no one is left behind in the pursuit of well-being and equity,” said Caroline Newkirk, ICC adjunct instructor and Evaluation Specialist with the Mississippi Public Health Institute. “ICC’s Public Health Technology program fills a critical gap in Mississippi by offering a curriculum that prepares its students exceptionally well with the knowledge and skills to be invaluable community health workers. In a state that is medically underserved, ... ICC School of STEM receives $15,000 contribution from TVA Itawamba Community College’s School of STEM will benefit from a $15,000 contribution from the Tennessee Valley Authority. “Because of TVA’s generosity, ICC’s students, who are majoring in STEM-related areas, can experience a weather balloon experiment and a mobile planetarium, both significant additions to our curriculum and opportunities that will enhance learning,” said Dr. Jada Mills, Natural Science division chair and one of three lead contacts for the School of STEM. “Our mission at TVA is to improve the lives of those in our region,” said Carolyn Ward, Community Relations specialist. “One of the ways we are able to make an impact is funding contributions through our partnership with Tombigbee Electric Power Association, and we are incredibly thankful for their support. We know that STEM learning prepares students to be the workforce of tomorrow – preparing them for steady, good-paying careers that will see them through a lifetime of prosperity right here in Mississippi. I am proud that TVA played a role in bringing STEM exposure to Itawamba Community College, which will help to ... ICC launches partnership with TimelyMD to connect faculty, staff, students with mental and physical health resources Itawamba Community College has launched a partnership with TimelyMD to connect full-time faculty and currently-enrolled students to the support and resources in both mental and physical health they need to succeed. TimelyCare provides on-demand 24/7 service that offers virtual health and well-being to currently-enrolled students and full-time faculty and staff for free, according to Dr. Brad Boggs, vice president of Student Services, including mental and emotional support, health literacy guidance and crisis management by masters-level behavioral health professionals. “It also provides a dedicated phone line for full-time faculty and staff to reach the TimelyCare team for guidance and support in cases of student distress.” Those covered may choose the visit modality that works best for them - video, phone or video chat. The simple, flexible scheduling enables students to choose their provider, day and time as well as cancel a visit and select the next available time that works best for them. Also, students can choose to add a parent, translator or even an adviser to the conversation. According to TimelyMD, “A modern virtual care platform starts with the technology that ... ICC celebrates 75th anniversary with Sept. 28 community tailgate Itawamba Community College will host a 75th anniversary celebration and community tailgate, Sept. 28, prior to the Indians’ football game with Northwest Mississippi Community College. The schedule includes 4 p.m., Indian Spirit Walk (cheer the football team on their way to Lambert Stadium); 5 p.m., community tailgate with food trucks and free Kids’ Zone activities; 6:30 p.m., pregame show with the ICC All-American Marching Band; and 7 p.m., kickoff at Eaton Field. According to event organizer Nina Strother, director of Marketing and Community Engagement, a designated area will be set up for tailgating, however, those who wish to participate must be set up before 3:30 p.m. One table and two chairs are available per 10 x 10 tent. All events are open to the public. For more information, contact Strother at 662.862.8242 or njstrother@iccms.edu. Comments are closed.