4 November ICC School of STEM, Trading Post to benefit from $20,000 TVA contribution November 4, 2024 By Thomas, Donna S. General 0 Itawamba Community College’s School of STEM and its Trading Post will benefit from a recent $20,000 contribution from the Tennessee Valley Authority. “The School of STEM is very excited about the TVA donation,” said Heather McCormick, Mathematics Division chair and STEM lead. “Through field trips, student research and special speakers, this donation will support our study of clean water and energy as we explore conservation in our area and encourage our community to be good stewards of our natural resources.” “TVA is proud to support both the Itawamba Community College School of STEM and the Trading Post,” said Amy Tate, regional executive for the Southwest Region of TVA. “This investment in the future workforce is invaluable, and we are incredibly grateful to partner with ICC in preparing our students for future job opportunities and success right here in Mississippi.” The School of STEM will use its gift to support students through a variety of activities such as field trips, speakers, research and campus/location projects and STEM student support. ICC’s School of STEM includes programs for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, STEM Club and experiential learning. Funds designated for the Trading Post will allow the student-led resource to fully restock supplies to serve ICC students in need. It has evolved from a food pantry to provide essential items to students at Fulton, Tupelo and Belden, where they can request in advance and pick up from specified lockers. “This generous gift from TVA will play a vital role in our Trading Post’s ability to serve our community,” said Nathan Ward, coordinator. “The Trading Post is a cornerstone resource for our college, and this support will help us continue meeting the important needs of our ICC students.” “It’s an honor for Tombigbee (Electric Power Association) to partner with our communities to try to better the way of life for those around us,” said Scott Hendrix, chief executive officer for Tombigbee Electric Power Association. “This has been our mission from the beginning to enrich lives through power, fiber or in this case, outreach. We are proud to work with TVA to support ICC. What better thing than to invest in our youth?” “Itawamba Community College is extremely grateful to the Tennessee Valley Authority and Tombigbee Electric Power Association for this significant contribution that will make a difference in the lives of many of our students who are now able to explore STEM areas and are now seeing evidence of its translation into more majors and more graduates in these fields,” said ICC President Dr. Jay Allen. “And the gift to ICC’s Trading Post will immediately impact the lives of our students who struggle with food insecurity and need the basics of living to succeed.” Last year’s support from TVA allowed the School of STEM to create a special studies course with a Weather Balloon research opportunity as well as the purchase of a planetarium for use by STEM courses. In September 2021, ICC was selected as one of the winning colleges in the American Association of Community Colleges’ MentorLinks: Advancing Technological Education program, which was the catalyst for STEM activities. Related Articles 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's Health Sciences Division to host Code Blue and Red event for students from 12 area schools Itawamba Community College’s Health Sciences Division will host a Code Blue and Red event from 8:30 a.m.-noon, Feb. 10, in the Health Science Education Center at the Tupelo Campus. Students from 12 area schools will be on campus in two shifts (8:30 and 10:15 a.m.) to view simulations of three real-life scenarios, said Michael Holloway, director of recruitment and orientation. A North Mississippi Medical Center ambulance will arrive, and the students will see first-hand the need for and the role healthcare professionals play in the process. “It will be an impactful program,” Holloway said, “Our hope is that these students see the ‘real-life’ expertise used by the graduates of ICC’s programs.” Participating programs include students and faculty from Associate Degree Nursing, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Emergency Medical Sciences, Health Information, Occupational Therapy Assistant, Physical Therapist Assistant, Practical Nursing, Public Health, Radiologic Technology, Respiratory Care and Surgical Technology. Dean of Health Science Instruction Tonya Vaughn said that this event will be an exceptional interprofessional education opportunity. “IEP is a new emphasis area in healthcare education. The goal of these efforts is to develop knowledge, ... ICC's ADN, PN programs to benefit from $40,000 Women's Foundation of Mississippi Grant Students in Itawamba Community College’s Associate Degree Nursing and Practical Nursing programs again will have an opportunity to benefit from a significant grant from the Women’s Foundation of Mississippi. For the second consecutive year, the $40,000 Access to Opportunity – Training and Graduating a Healthcare Workforce for Mississippi grant will be divided between the ADN and PN programs based on relative program enrollments, said Tonya Vaughn, dean of Health Science Instruction. Last year, 31 ADN and 19 PN students received funds. During 2021-22, recipients of the grant money expressed their appreciation for their selection. Among the uses for the funds included purchase of a new computer that was compatible with technology used in the nursing program, payment for the NCLEX review and application, vehicle tires for less hazardous travel to and from school and clinicals and childcare to enable continued enrollment. Students in their final year/semester of their nursing program will be informed of this grant during the beginning of the fall semester, Vaughn said. Those who would like to be considered for the grant will complete an ... ICC's Nursing students have opportunity to benefit from Women's Foundation of Mississippi grant Students in Itawamba Community College’s Associate Degree Nursing and Practical Nursing programs will have an opportunity to benefit from a significant grant from the Women’s Foundation of Mississippi. The $40,000 Access to Opportunity – Training and Graduating a Healthcare Workforce for Mississippi grant will be divided between the ADN and PN programs based on relative program enrollments, said Rilla Jones, dean of Health Science Instruction. This year, 31 ADN and 19 PN students will receive funds. Students in their final year/semester of their nursing program will be informed of this grant during the beginning of the fall semester, Jones said. Those who would like to be considered for the grant will complete an application and sign a consent form for FAFSA data to be accessed. Selection will be based on lowest estimated financial contribution and income level and the most number of dependents. Students who are selected will be awarded $800. “This targeted, need-based funding will allow students near graduation to be able to pay for expenses, such as NCLEX review courses, licensing exams ... Respiratory Care Technology program joins schools from across the nation in Oct. 22-28 celebration Itawamba Community College’s Respiratory Care Technology program is joining schools from across the nation in honoring and recognizing the invaluable contributions of respiratory therapists to patient care during a week designated in their honor. “Respiratory Care week is an outstanding opportunity to recognize the essential work and dedication of respiratory care professionals as well as to promote awareness for lung health,” said Adam Denton, program director. Additionally, it provides a platform for sharing the multifaceted impact of respiratory therapists from collaborating with executive leaders to serving as advocates for patients and engaging with local communities. ICC’s Respiratory Care is a two-year (five-semester) program. Graduates will receive an Associate of Applied Science degree and will be eligible to take the national credentialing exam to become a Registered Respiratory Therapist (Respiratory Care practitioner). “Respiratory Therapists apply scientific principles to prevent, identify and treat acute or chronic dysfunction of the cardiopulmonary system,” Denton said. “Their knowledge of the scientific principles underlying cardiopulmonary physiology and pathophysiology, as well as biomedical engineering and technology, enables them to effectively ... Nine graduate from ICC's prestigious Leadership Development Institute Nine members of Itawamba Community College’s faculty and staff have graduated from its prestigious Leadership Development Institute. They include C.J. Adams of Fulton, assistant director of marketing; Terry Bland of Mooreville, financial aid director; Josh Gammill of Fulton, continuing education director; Adam Gore of Fulton, sports information and media relations director; Holly Gray of Fulton, library director; John Wayne Harris of Fulton, director of physical plant operations; Chris Stevenson of Fulton, dean of academic instruction; Dr. Dana Walker of Tupelo, Associate Degree Nursing program director; and Steven West of Mantachie, systems analyst and programmer. “The LDI was extremely beneficial and helped me broaden my vision for ICC, both as a college and our nursing program,” Dana Walker said. “The sessions on leadership styles from Dr. (Jay) Allen (ICC President) and others helped foster new ideas on how to use the college’s strategic plan and goals for decision making at my level. The LDI motivated me and made me feel connected to ICC and especially aware of how my decisions impact ICC and the ... Comments are closed.