15 January ICC initiates innovative Bloom program January 15, 2025 By Thomas, Donna S. Career Center, General 0 With the beginning of the 2025 spring semester, Itawamba Community College has initiated an innovative Bloom program, which is for neurodivergent students who need extra support although they either have a high school diploma or certificate or looking to gain work credentials through career education. Areas of assistance include, but are not limited to, social skills lessons, extra tutoring help with navigating college life and all Bloom support opportunities. This week, the College announced that Andrea Hardin of Corinth has been employed as the program’s coordinator. The Bloom Academy, which consists of a four-day orientation and customized four-semester program, focuses on developing essential life, academic and career readiness skills. Hardin said that each student will be evaluated and transitioned to a high school equivalency path or provided enhanced assistance with daily life skills. “We will meet the students where they are and help them meet their full potential.” One of the goals for the program, Hardin said, is to create employment-ready individuals who take great pride in their jobs/careers. “We are anticipating partnerships with area companies to ensure we are meeting their needs for future employees as well as making a significant difference in the lives and futures of our Bloom program participants.” She is currently scheduling appointments with area employers to learn about the specific needs of transitioning students and how ICC can support these students more effectively. The program’s first cohorts will be on the Tupelo Campus. Hardin earned the associate’s degree from Northeast Mississippi Community College and both the bachelor’s degree and master’s degree (school counseling) from Freed-Hardeman University. She has taught seventh-ninth grade English, twelfth grade technical English and special education and has served as a high school counselor and a positive behavior specialist. She is a member of the Foote Street Church of Christ in Corinth. Hardin has four children and one grandchild. For more information about Bloom, visit www.iccms.edu/bloom. Related Articles ICC, TPSD sign MOU for innovative Associate Degree Nursing Preferred Candidacy Middle College program to begin this fall Itawamba Community College and the Tupelo Public School District signed a memorandum of understanding today to announce the innovative Associate Degree Nursing Preferred Candidacy Middle College program, which will begin this fall. The agreement, which was signed by ICC President Dr. Jay Allen and TPSD Superintendent Dr. Robert Picou in a formal ceremony, will promote early entry into the two-year nursing program. Qualified applicants will begin this track in their junior year. “Graduating seniors are often attracted to the idea of ‘going away’ to experience the first year of college,” Allen said. “Many of those graduates return home for various reasons and do not have a degree. If we can attract graduates early, we can educate them and give them an opportunity early that will open unlimited doors.” “Nursing offers a variety of job opportunities, both locally and beyond,” said Dr. Dana Walker, director of ICC’s Associate Degree Nursing program. During recent years, nursing programs across the nation have experienced a decline in qualified applicants. “The early entry opportunity would offer high quality students who are focused on ... ICC reopens key health program this fall using innovative instructional delivery method Itawamba Community College is reopening a key health science program this fall using an innovative instructional delivery method. Diagnostic Medical Sonography will combine an in-person boot camp/lab session at the beginning of both the fall and spring semesters, clinical rotations and online didactic courses. DMS will begin as a one-year (three-semester) program in general sonography, according to instructor Amanda Stone. Graduates will earn an Associate of Applied Science degree and will be eligible to take the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography examinations, including Principles and Instrumentation to become a Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer in Abdominal and Obstetrics/Gynecology. There will also be an option for students to continue into a second year of Cardiac and Vascular Sonography. Beginning in the fall of 2023, licensed professionals may enter that option. The program format will offer an opportunity for potential students from outside ICC’s geographical area to participate as long as clinical sites are approved, Stone said. “We are excited to offer an innovative curriculum that encompasses both in-person labs and clinicals with online didactic courses,” Stone ... Application deadline approaches for ICC health science programs Itawamba Community College’s School of Health Science programs are designed to prepare individuals for employment in the healthcare field, and the application deadline for fall 2025 is rapidly approaching for 10 of the 11 programs. Students interested in ICC’s Associate Degree Nursing, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Health Information Technology, Occupational Therapy Assistant Technology, Physical Therapist Assistant Technology, Practical Nursing, Public Health Technology, Radiologic Technology, Respiratory Care Technology and Surgical Technology must submit their online application and meet the requirements by May 1. According to Tonya Vaughn, Dean of Health Science Instruction, the only exception is Emergency Medical Sciences, which has an application deadline of Aug. 1 for the fall class. “Those who complete ICC’s health science programs earn either a certificate of completion or an Associate of Applied Science degree at the conclusion of their programs,” Vaughn said. “With our sophomores in all programs nearing the end of their study and preparation to enter the workforce, it is both a sad and happy time. We are excited for them as they take their place ... ICC signs preferred candidate program agreement with MHP; only community college in the state selected Itawamba Community College signed a Memorandum of Understanding for a Preferred Candidate Program with the Mississippi Highway Patrol, Jan. 26, at the Tupelo Campus. The initiative is a pilot program that will be implemented at ICC, the only community college in the state selected. “Itawamba Community College is more than excited about this partnership with the Mississippi Highway Patrol,” said ICC President Dr. Jay Allen. “According to research, having successfully completed a college degree substantially improves the knowledge and abilities of officers on a vast range of areas from the criminal justice system to conceptual and managerial skills.” The agreement will allow those who are enrolled to pursue either an A.A. or A.A.S. degree in ICC’s Criminal Justice program, meet with an MHP recruiter and apply for the MHP Preferred Candidate Program to skip weeks of the Mississippi Highway Patrol Academy. In order to graduate from the MHP Preferred Candidate Program, students must complete one or more semesters of the MHP Candidates on Rapid Entry curriculum, earn the associate’s degree from ICC, meet the C.O.R.E. Patrol School PT requirements ... ICC students can take advantage of Mississippi Works Career-Tech Scholars Program Itawamba Community College students who enroll in one of 18 career education programs this fall can take advantage of a new scholarship program. The Mississippi Works Career-Tech Scholars Program, administered by the Mississippi Community College Board, has been established to serve as a state-assisted tuition scholarship program for eligible community and junior college students by providing tuition financial assistance to those who enroll in approved, in-demand Career Education certificate and Associate of Applied Science degree programs identified through sector analysis to meet the workforce demands of the state, according to Emily Tucker, ICC adviser and recruitment coordinator. Programs at ICC include Emergency Medical Tech-Paramedic, Health Information Technology, Occupational Therapy Assistant, Physical Therapist Assistant, Practical Nursing, Public Health Technology, Radiologic Technology, Respiratory Care Technology, Surgical Technology, Computer Networking Technology, Industrial Maintenance Technology, Precision Manufacturing and Machining Technology, Welding and Cutting Technology, Computer Programming Technology, Diesel Equipment Technology, Electrical Technology, Automotive Technology and Collision Repair Technology. To be eligible for the program, students must be legal residents of Mississippi, admitted to an approved Mississippi Works ... ICC's Paralegal Technology program is in the nation's top 10 Itawamba Community College’s Paralegal Technology program has been selected as one of the top 10 online Paralegal degree programs in the nation by BestColleges. ICC offers two degrees in paralegal studies: an online Associate of Applied Science degree in paralegal technology and an Associate of Arts degree in general studies with a paralegal studies emphasis. The two-year A.A.S. degree in paralegal technology includes coursework in legal research, civil litigation and legal writing. Coursework in wills and estates, family law, torts and real property introduces students to subsets of the legal field while providing information about legal principles and procedures, according to program director Jamie Hall. Students gain the analytical, communication, research and technical skills needed to work alongside legal professionals. The program also includes an internship during which students apply learned concepts. ICC’s online paralegal technology program prepares students for entry-level positions as paralegals and legal assistants in law firms, government agencies and businesses. Students can complete the 61-62 hour credit program in two years. “ICC’s general studies associate degree with an emphasis ... Comments are closed.