17 November ICC launches innovative "Schools of" initiative November 17, 2022 By Thomas, Donna S. Career Center, General 0 Itawamba Community College is launching an innovative determination of majors method that is designed to enable students to connect better with their selected field of study as well as with their cohorts in the same area. All academic majors at ICC are now being grouped into schools, which are tailored to the institution to which students plan to transfer or career fields in which they wish to work, according to Dr. Michelle Sumerel, vice president of instructional services. In addition, this transition creates strong cohorts of students within the schools to provide peer support and more intensive preparation for college and career success. Sumerel said that ICC is the only community college in the state that uses the Schools of reference; however, others are utilizing a similar approach. ICC’s Schools include arts, business, both career and general education, general studies, health sciences, health-related, humanities, legal studies and STEM, Sumerel said. Division chairs or selected faculty have been designated as points of contact for each area. Sumerel said that about four years ago, ICC’s Business Division, under the leadership of Dr. Edana Nail, began its conversion to a School of and has served as the model for this initiative. The pilot program, which continues to serve as a pathway from orientation to graduation, has been extremely successful, Nail said. “We have seen tremendous growth in majors and graduation rates, which has allowed us to expand by offering internship opportunities starting in the spring semester. We have also developed a multipurpose lounge to serve as a collaborative space to be used for purposes such as meetings with industry partners, school of business events/presentations and peer tutoring.” Nail emphasized that the center includes expanded technology to enable students to work with each other as well as on research projects. “We are giving the students a real collegiate experience and a seamless transition to either a university or the workforce.” Nail said that several local schools have reached out to tour ICC’s business department as a result of the transition. “We are connecting with workforce, industry and students quicker, which is incredible.” “The division into schools will be especially beneficial to those students who are underprepared or struggling and repeating courses because through the ACCESS initiative, ICC will provide the tools necessary to be successful in college,” Sumerel said. The first semester for the ACCESS student will focus on writing, reading comprehension, computer skills, the college experience and an introduction to their prospective schools. Students will have a specific ACCESS adviser, who will also serve as a mentor, to monitor them throughout the semester. Once they have completed their Enhanced ACCESS semester courses, they will be transitioned to their “School of” adviser. “Itawamba Community College has been looking at schools of arts for a couple of years, and students have actually inquired about this, which is exciting that they want to have a sense of belonging to their area of study and their career pathway that would be reflected on their transcript and graduation diploma,” said President Dr. Jay Allen. “The Schools of Academics are connected to their career pathway to give ICC’s students an opportunity to be cohorted because they will see each other in the classrooms and at meetings and in other areas where we can pair them with industry partners and professionals; in essence, to come in and share with them about the profession they are looking at, internships, opportunities to shadow those professionals and to do observations that many times are needed, and especially with pre-health professionals in order for them to be a candidate for that program of study. We’re just excited to bring our students another opportunity to gain interest, knowledge and understanding of the profession that they are looking to go into.” “We pride ourselves in giving students engagement opportunities both in and out of the classroom, and our student activities are often where we find engagement. There are those in the academic arena as well. This will be an enhanced version where what they are doing in the classroom will also be paired with industry professionals that they are going to hear from and an opportunity to develop relationships across the whole college, all locations. They may find a study or internship partner, develop leadership skills and see the long-term outcome of what they are studying. Our industry partners will also benefit because they can come in and invest in what could be their future workforce.” ICC Dean of Advising Mande Miller said that the Schools of will help ICC’s students align their college expectations to their future goals “based on their personal career aspirations. We met with students in focus groups as we were discussing Schools of, and they were so excited because they would have connections in their program of study, peers to collaborate with and establish the opportunity for study groups, which hadn’t been possible.” Miller said that all information on each School of is available at www.iccms.edu, which also links to advising. Related Articles Itawamba Community College receives $100,000 and joins 41 other schools across the US as All Within My Hands' Metallica Scholars Initiative expands in year five Metallica’s foundation, All Within My Hands, continues its multimillion-dollar investment in critical workforce programs at community colleges nationwide. Among the schools, Itawamba Community College was selected from a competitive pool of applicants to receive $100,000 to transform the futures of students in the community. “It is a tremendous honor for Itawamba Community College to be selected as one of the recipients of the prestigious All Within My Hands grant, which will significantly impact our career education programs, providing funding for students to pursue a pathway and their best start,” said ICC President Dr. Jay Allen. “It is another indication of the success of the College and reinforcement of the mission that students and their success are our top priority.” The Metallica Scholars Initiative (MSI) was launched in 2019 by Metallica’s foundation, All Within My Hands (AWMH), in partnership with the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC). The workforce initiative marks its fifth year with an ambitious expansion into new curricula. MSI now directly supports 42 community colleges across 33 states, and by the end of this year, it will have helped ... Itawamba Community College joins national initiative on College Cost Transparency Itawamba Community College has joined the College Cost Transparency Initiative, a coalition of more than 360 higher education institutions that have voluntarily committed to follow a set of principles and standards that ensure transparency, clarity and understanding around student financial aid offers, which was announced this week. Together, these institutions serve more than 3.5 million college students in the United States. “Choosing to attend college is one of the most significant financial aid decisions a student or family can make,” said ICC President Dr. Jay Allen. “Knowing how much it will cost up front is crucial, and ICC is committed to providing students clear and accurate financial information. We are proud to be a partner in this work.” The monumental commitment comes as lawmakers, think tanks and government entities continue to scrutinize the financial aid offers that colleges and universities present to students. The principles and standards recommended by the CCT – a task force composed of the leaders of 10 higher education associations representing college presidents, financial aid offices and admissions and school counselors which originated ... ICC to offer four innovative scheduling options for fall With classes set to begin Aug. 17, Itawamba Community College is one of the only two-year institutions in the state to offer four innovative course schedule offerings for the fall semester. “In an effort to allow for physical distancing in the classrooms and assist with enhanced cleaning procedures, classes will be taught using one of the four instructional methods,” said Dr. Michelle Sumerel, vice president of instructional services. The offerings include face-to-face only, face-to-face hybrid, face-to-face Zoom and online only. These instructional methods ensure that all students who registered for a face-to-face class will have 50 percent or more of that class taught in that delivery system each week. Face-to-face only courses are delivered in a traditional format on Mondays and Wednesdays or Tuesdays and Thursdays at all three of the College’s locations, Fulton, Tupelo and Belden. Sumerel said that all classrooms have been reconfigured with desks positioned six feet apart, and typically larger classes have been relocated to spaces that will accommodate more students to enable physical distancing. All face-to-face classes continue to be ... 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 ... Insight Luncheon showcases ICC/TPSD Middle College initiative An Insight Luncheon, Dec. 16, at Itawamba Community College’s Belden Center showcased and highlighted its partnership with Tupelo High School and the success of its Middle College as well as recognized individuals who have been instrumental in both implementing and continuing its significant journey. “Today we gather to celebrate an incredible partnership and program that is making a meaningful impact in our community,” said ICC President Dr. Jay Allen. “We are honored to host many distinguished guests today, including educators, administrators, community leaders and supporters who share our vision for empowering students and shaping the future. Your presence here speaks volumes about your commitment to education and your desire to invest in the success of our young people.” Among those Allen recognized was Stewart McMillen, who before she joined the CREATE Foundation staff, assisted with the original coordination of Middle College in her role with the Tupelo Public Schools. During the luncheon, attendees heard inspirational stories of success, learned about the program’s achievements and witnessed firsthand the transformative impact the program has had on the students, their families and ... First students complete academic dual enrollment initiative Two New Albany High School students Jill Gafford and Joseph Fennell are the first completers of an academic dual enrollment initiative between the CREATE Foundation, Itawamba Community College and Northeast Mississippi Community College. According to the agreement, the students were selected on the basis of applications, which were evaluated by a joint committee of ICC and NEMCC personnel. Among the eligibility requirements were minimum overall 3.0 GPA on a 4.o scale on all high school courses and with successful completion of at least 14 core high school units or a minimum of a 3.0 GPA on all high school courses and a minimum composite ACT score of 30 or the equivalent SAT score. Both Gafford and Fennell will receive postsecondary credit for their coursework. The initiative offered both health- and computer-related pathway options. Gafford and Fennell, who both chose the health-related path, completed Introduction to Health Professional I at Northeast, and Medical Terminology in Allied Health and Personal Community Health at ICC. They have enrolled every term since the MOU was established in ... Comments are closed.