14 July ICC spring online retention rate, success rates higher July 14, 2020 By Thomas, Donna S. General 0 Itawamba Community College’s transition to online classes immediately following spring break due to the COVID-19 pandemic did not adversely impact the class retention rate, according to Denise Gillespie, dean of eLearning. In fact, spring retention for online classes was 87.6 percent, which is above the approximate average of 85 percent. “The rate is only two-to-three percent lower on average than the on-campus classes, and the national average is that online has 10-20 percent lower retention rate than traditional classes,” Gillespie said. “There was a big jump in success rates for online classes in the spring with 95 percent of students completing the semester with a ‘C’ or better average.” She noted that the average rate always ranges from 80-85 percent. Gillespie said that she believes that ICC’s 19-1 student-teacher ratio has a significant impact. “Local faculty and eLearning support staff on campus are invested in the success of local students at a lower price than some options.” Another factor could be ICC’s new remote proctoring system, which allows for students to take proctored exams 24/7 with no appointment. “This investment from the College means that the fee is not passed on to the student. Also, accessibility is definitely an advantage because students can test safely from home.” ICC has more than 20 years’ experience offering online classes. In the 2020 spring semester, there were 356 online sections with 7,017 enrollments. Of that figure, 573 students were enrolled for dual credit, so many students already have experience with ICC classes, Gillespie said. When the onset of COVID-19 in Mississippi forced ICC to suspend nearly all in-person operations, including face-to-face instruction, faculty members had to shift their delivery system to online. “This was a challenging decision; however, we were prepared for the transition to online instruction due to our nationally-recognized eLearning Department and our dedicated faculty,” said ICC President Dr. Jay Allen. During the 2019 fall semester, 68 percent of ICC’s students took at least one online class, and 27 percent of students were fully online. “The 95 percent total is huge because almost all of our students were already acclimated to the online delivery system,” Gillespie said. “Unique to ICC is that we use a concept of model shells within each content area, which basically means that the online course is designed by a teacher with expertise in the content along with the technical skills to design for online learning,” Gillespie said. “That one course is then deployed into all sections so that all students are receiving a consistent experience.” Gillespie said that the last data available in the Mississippi Virtual Community College Enrollment Tool was for 2016-17, and that ICC was second in classes offered and third in enrollment. Related Articles OnlineU selects ICC as 2024 Best Online Community College in Mississippi for affordability Itawamba Community College has been selected the 2024 Best Online Community College in Mississippi for affordability by OnlineU. “Mississippi offers many online degrees through its network of online community colleges,” said representatives of OnlineU. “These online degrees combine convenience with strong academic standards while maintaining low tuition costs for budget-minded students.” ICC takes the top spot for its affordability with an annual tuition of $2,750, placing it among the most cost-effective schools in the country, according to OnlineU. Additional highlights of its selection of ICC included 99 percent of students receive financial aid support through federal loans or grants and a support system that helps in managing educational expenses effectively. Adding to its appeal, ICC enrolls over 1,323 online students, which is within the top 31 percent of schools offering popular online programs. “We are honored to be recognized by OnlineU as we strive each semester to teach our students the most relevant skills and provide the foundational knowledge that they will need to be successful as they either continue their educational journey or to enter the workforce,” said ... ICC among state community college enrollment leaders for spring 2024 Itawamba Community College ranks among the leaders in the state in full-time enrollment for the 2024 spring semester, according to figures recently released by the Mississippi Community College Board. With spring enrollment at 4,476 at the end of the 10-day reporting period, figures from spring ‘23 to spring ‘24 show a 7 percent increase in headcount and a 9.7 percent increase in FTE with a second-place ranking. However, ICC had the largest percentage increase than any other community college in the state when reviewing combined FTE increases for fall ’23 and spring ‘24. The increase can be attributed to multiple factors, according to ICC President Dr. Jay Allen, including the addition of state-of-the-art Magnolia Hall for honors students and student leaders, an enhanced emphasis on activities, expanded free personal orientation sessions and the transition to the schools of approach to enable student connections both to their field of study and their peers. “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 ... Three years later...Neither ICC nor TPSD could have imagined magnitude of Middle College success Three years ago, neither Itawamba Community College nor the Tupelo Public School District could have imagined the magnitude of success of its Middle College partnership. The accelerated journey to simultaneously achieving diplomas from both institutions has grown significantly, according to Brittany Terrell, transition counselor. “When reflecting on the past three years of the Middle College program, I am proud of the success these students have shown. I have witnessed students come out of their shell and find confidence in their academic abilities. Not only have they blossomed academically, but they are heavily involved with ICC’s extracurriculars, clubs and organizations.” Jay Salters of Tupelo, who received both his Tupelo High School and Itawamba Community College diplomas last spring, was president of the Tupelo Campus Student Government Association, one of only 12 members selected by faculty and staff members to the prestigious Hall of Fame and a member of the ICC Indian Delegation and a THS Ambassador. He was invited into membership in both Phi Theta Kappa (ICC) and the National Honor Society (THS). However, he’s not the only example. Austin Acosta, currently a ... 2018 Spring Graduates Several area residents were among those who earned Associate of Arts or Associate of Applied Science degrees or certificates at the conclusion of the 2018 spring semester at Itawamba Community College. They include: Abbeville – Constance N. Kesler, A.A.; Aberdeen – Morgan N. Barrett, A.A.; William D. Beasley, A.A.S.; Megan J. Booth, A.A.; Jenna L. Burdine, A.A.; Jaesha R. Cunningham, A.A.; Kandice M. Davis, A.A.; Alexis S. Gates, A.A.; Brittany N. Griffith, A.A.; Darius D. Haughton, A.A.; Sherell N. Hinton, A.A.; Katelynn D. Jackson, A.A.; Jamiah S. Jones, A.A.; Amyah N. Lee, A.A.; Kelly R. Linley, A.A.; Katelyn K. Matthews, A.A.; Cody R. McClantoc, A.A.S.; Brandy N. Morris, A.A.; Brittany N. Murphy, A.A.; Stanley Richard Ostrowski II, A.A.S.; Trent T. Pace, A.A.; Jaisha Perkins, A.A.; Walker E. Plunkett, A.A.; Brennan A. Robinson, A.A.; Jaylin D. Rowe, A.A.; Mackenzi J. Ryals, A.A.; Cheyenne K. Schrock, A.A.S.; Megan K. Schrock, A.A.; Haley D. Smathers, A.A.S.; Brianna M. Smith, A.A.; Tykee J. Smith, A.A.; Lauren E. Threadgill, A.A.; Bryon K. Williams, A.A.; Kimberly Alexis Bettye Young, A.A.; Amory – Stephanie L. ... ICC releases honors lists for 2020 spring semester Officials at Itawamba Community College have released the honors list for the 2020 spring semester. Named to the president’s list, which includes those students with a 3.8-4.0 grade point average were Aberdeen – Sydney Thomas Allmond, Jaden M. Buchanan, Ashley Gordon Cullum, Michaela Shea Johnson, Treviaris D. Key, Nolan R. Koehn, Nathan A. Mize, Caleb B. Schrock, John Nathan Snider, Ashley Tayte Stevens, Donovan Lewis Turner, Ben Foster Carr, Austin C. Fulgham; Ackerman – Molly E. Oswalt; Amory – Jessica L. Anderson, Peyton Michael Avery, Joseph Allen Axton, Megan A. Ballard, William Stephens Bishop, Jeffrey B. Brown, Karrigan McKenzie Callihan, Paxton Ross Cantrell, Abby Kathryn Clement, Kaylen Elizabeth Colbert, Andrea Claire Crosby, Lauren Riley Crouch, Pamela LaCheryl Dankins, Farrah Eve Fowlkes, Staci Suzanne Fox, Lukecia Lashelle Freeman, Mackenzie Lea Gallop, Marco A. Garza, Logann Michelle Griffith, Kurt Robert Hendrix, Abigail Elizabeth Hitt, Dylan S. Johnson, Cole Andrew Kent, Mattie Lian Knox, Cameron Michael Koehn, Allie Brooke Lindsey, Corbin J. Martin, Makensie Wade Monaghan, Katherine Elizabeth Morgan, Seth Parker Morgan, Bryce Alexander O’Fallon, William Cody ... ICC officials release spring 2021 honors list Officials at Itawamba Community College have released the honors list for the 2021 spring semester. Named to the president’s list, which includes those students with a 3.8-4.0 grade point average were Aberdeen – Elizabeth C. Coker, Miranda P. Flippo, Stormie Jeffries, Michaela Shea Johnson, Klarissa Kaitlynn Lee, Stetson C. Lochala, Hannah B. McNeese, Caleb B. Schrock, Jonathan K. Schrock, Ashley Tayte Stevens, Connor L. Stevens, Emma A. Walker; Ackerman – Paige B. Beasley, Lillie Grace Ford, Molly E. Oswalt, Kanden L. Utley; Amory – William C. Oliver, William Stephens Bishop, Emily P. Booth, Karrigan McKenzie Callihan, Paxton Ross Cantrell, Carli Kathryn Cole, Kailey L. Cox, Pamela LaCheryl Dankins, Marley L. Edwards, Sydney G. Elkin, Marco A. Garza, Logann Michelle Griffith, Rachyl Carol Hill, Abigail Elizabeth Hitt, Ariana D. Jones, Charles Conner King, Mattie Lian Knox, Allie Brooke Lindsey, Madeline C. Martin, Seth Parker Morgan, David Brad Odom, Tristen L. Phillips, Mikayla Paige Powell, Jacob Ryan Ray, Leigh Kathryn Reynolds, Brooke L. Roberts, Charles Blake Rowland, Luke Alton Stephens, Justin C. Tollison, ... Comments are closed.