18 March ICC continues to elevate student experience with construction of Connection Center, Chick-fil-A March 18, 2024 By Thomas, Donna S. General 3 Plans to elevate the ICC Experience continue with the announcement of the construction of The Connection Center, a multi-use conference center space, and a Chick-fil-A on the Fulton Campus. According to Tyler Camp, Chief of Staff, the facility, which will be built in the front portion of the Band Hall parking lot, is expected to open during the spring 2026 semester. Following the announcement, Camp said that initial estimates for the project have been received, but bids will be accepted within the next 45 days. Capital from unexpended plant allocations or local monies with an injection of funds from Sodexo, ICC’s dining services provider, which will operate Chick-fil-A, will be used for construction of the facility. “We have been in negotiations with Sodexo and Chick-fil-A over the past three years,” Camp said. “We are continuously looking at ways to expand our experiences for our students, employees and the communities that we serve. CFA is a household name and exemplifies the customer service and experience we always strive for at ICC. We also knew CFA was something the local Fulton community was missing in its rolodex of food options.” The 9,900-square-foot facility will include approximately 6,200-square-feet for the multi-use meeting space and roughly 3,000-square-feet for the Chick-fil-A. “The Chick-fil-A will look, feel and operate as a traditional CFA,” Camp said. “It will have inside seating for approximately 80 and a covered outside area.” There will be no drive-thru. The meeting space can be configured as one large room or two smaller ones. It will include all presentation AV, modular tables and chairs and a catering prep kitchen that services the space. “Ideally, this will become the new hub for community meetings, sessions and small events by both on- and off-campus groups,” Camp noted. “Our Student Activities team will be able to use the space for some programming events, and CFA can provide catering for events onsite.” Its hours will be the same as traditional Chick-fil-A restaurants. The architect for the project is PryorMorrow. Related Articles 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 partners with USM for 2+2 program for construction management degree Itawamba Community College has entered into a partnership with the University of Southern Mississippi for a 2 + 2 program to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in construction management. ICC’s Construction Management Technology is an instructional program designed to prepare technicians for employment within the construction industries and firms in mid-level management operations as estimators, planners, project managers, layout specialists or other construction opportunities. Upon completion of the two-year curriculum, students are awarded the Associate of Applied Science degree. According to Scott Emison, instructor and director of ICC’s Construction Management Technology program, the program allows his students to transfer to the University of Southern Mississippi to complete degree work in two years. “This collaboration is a new and a slightly more direct route for ICC’s students to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in construction management at Southern Miss,” Emison said. “This 2 + 2 option allows our ICC students the opportunity to fully transfer credit of 60 hours and to seamlessly enter the third-year cohort with the rest of the USM-BCM track students. The four semesters ... Metallica's All Within My Hands grant significantly impacts lives, futures of ICC students A $50,000 grant from Metallica’s All Within My Hands foundation is significantly impacting the lives and futures of more than 50 Itawamba Community College career education and health sciences students. They were selected based on an application process, which included information about the difference that receiving the scholarship will make in continuing their educational journey, according to Dylan Baldwin, dean of Career Education, who wrote the grant proposal. “This significant opportunity is making the difference in enabling many of the recipients to continue enrollment in their programs,” Baldwin noted. “Sometimes we don’t realize the struggles that students have to overcome to earn their ICC degrees to ensure a better future not only for themselves, but also in many instances, their families.” Among the student stories are, “My husband and I are struggling with money because of doctor bills…I am a 40-year-old veteran, 80 percent disabled trying to do something different with my life, something that’s not as physically hard labor as I’m used to…I am a 4.0 honor roll student, have maintained a 4.0 GPA since being in college ... ICC enrollment increases again - continues to rank among state's leaders Itawamba Community College ranks among the leaders in the state in full-time enrollment increase, according to figures released this week by the Mississippi Community College Board. With fall enrollment at 4,476 at the end of the 10-day reporting period, figures from fall 2023-fall 2024 show a 4.1 percent increase, nearly double the state average. In addition, enrollment was up 7 percent the last two semesters, statistics show. The continuing increase over the last two reporting periods can be attributed to multiple factors, according to ICC President Dr. Jay Allen. They include the addition of significant housing opportunities tailored to student needs with the opening of Magnolia Hall last fall and the reopening of Sheffield and Monroe Halls with spaces designed to accommodate the ICC student of today at the beginning of this semester, and an enhanced emphasis on activities. “This is very exciting news,” Allen said. “The increase in the number of students that ICC is serving is significant because we have additional opportunities to provide a solid educational foundation and the best start ... Registration continues for ICC orientation sessions for students who plan to enroll in the fall Registration is continuing at Itawamba Community College for orientation sessions for students who plan to enroll for the 2023 fall semester. 2023 high school graduates are required to participate in one of the sessions, which are scheduled for the Fulton Campus – Apr. 21 and 28, June 13 and 15 and July 11 and 13, 8:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.; and the Tupelo Campus – June 14 and July 12, all at 1 p.m. A special honors orientation for those with a 24 ACT or higher is scheduled for Apr. 12 at 1 p.m. at the Fulton Campus. Students can attend a session regardless of the location they plan to attend. However, all students, including adult learners are invited. “Among the advantages of attending an orientation session are scheduling classes early and choosing from a wide variety of options, including days, times and instructors,” said Michael Holloway, director of recruitment and orientation. “Participants will have an opportunity to connect with other new students as well as to learn more about student life at ... ICC's Forestry program, Student Activities to celebrate Arbor Day with special Feb. 13 ceremony Itawamba Community College’s Forestry Technology program and Student Activities will celebrate Arbor Day at 9 a.m., February 13, with a special ceremony on the Fulton Campus. The public is invited. “Thanks to the Mississippi Forestry Commission and Walton’s Greenhouse, three 15-gallon trees, including an Eastern Redbud, Chinese Fringetree and Sweet Bay Magnolia will be planted to replace those that have been removed because of weather damage or age,” said Emily Loden-Jones, Forestry Technology instructor. The event will be in front of a ceremonial tree of love, a large water oak in the courtyard area between the eLearning Building and Community Relations. Loden-Jones said that students, faculty, staff, alumni and Early Learning participants are invited to complete Valentine Day hearts including why they love ICC or if they met their sweethearts at the college, and they will be collected and hung on the tree. Those who attend from the community will have an opportunity to complete a heart onsite at the ceremony. “ICC is working toward achieving Tree Campus USA recognition with the Arbor Day Foundation,” Loden-Jones said. “A ... Comments are closed.