6 August ICC to offer four innovative scheduling options for fall August 6, 2020 By Thomas, Donna S. General 0 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 taught Monday-Thursday since ICC transitioned to a four-day instructional calendar to offer a three-day weekend last year. Additional options are face-to-face hybrid and face-to-face Zoom. Sumerel said that face-to-face hybrid courses are taught in both traditional face-to-face and online formats. Students meet in the classroom either on Monday or Wednesday or Tuesday or Thursday, and on the other day, they will work on online assignments. The face-to-face meeting day will be assigned based on if students’ last names begin with A-M or N-Z. Sumerel said that face-to-face Zoom meeting day will also be assigned based on last names beginning with A-M and N-Z. Students meet one day in the traditional classroom, while the second meeting is via Zoom, for which attendance will be recorded upon login. Scheduling options include Mondays and Wednesdays and Tuesdays and Thursdays. Online only courses are taught solely online via ICC eLearning, Sumerel said. All ICC classes will have a livestream component so that if quarantine is necessary, students can view lectures remotely and still complete their assignments, Sumerel noted. Class assignments are currently available on student schedules. ICC’s eLearning Department was instrumental in the successful transition to online classes when COVID-19 impacted completion of the spring semester. Spring retention for online classes was 87.6 percent, which is above the 85 percent average, Sumerel said. “We are excited to offer these four options to our students to ensure that they have a successful college experience at ICC. Their success is our success.” More information is available www.iccms.edu/innovativescheduling. Related Articles 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 ... ICC offers career pathway options in October Registration is underway for several career pathway classes offered during October at Itawamba Community College. Both online and face-to-face options are available. Students who meet eligibility requirements may qualify for tuition assistance. They include Electrician Assistant, a face-to-face class offered at the Belden Center. It begins Oct. 19, will meet from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday, through Nov. 9. The program provides the foundational knowledge of basic math and safety rules; the use of hand, measuring and power tools; basic electricity and residential wiring. Online training options and their start dates are Medical Spanish Series (Oct. 14), Medical Terminology (Oct. 14 and Nov. 11), Microsoft Word 2019/Office 365 Series (Oct. 14), Microsoft Excel 2019/Office 365 Series (Oct. 14), Introduction to Microsoft Outlook (Oct. 14 and Nov. 11), Accounting Fundamentals with Quickbooks (Oct. 14), Manufacturing Fundamentals (Oct. 14 and Nov. 11) and Manufacturing Applications (Oct. 14 and Nov. 11). ICC also offers online training in forklift operation and ... 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 offers innovative Senior College beginning Jan. 16 at Belden Center Itawamba Community College has an answer for those who are retired and looking for something fun to do. Its innovative Senior College will begin Jan. 16 at 9 a.m. with Jack Reed Jr. hosting the kickoff. He will share excerpts from his recently released book, “A Time to Listen,” which includes the best of thoughts collected from theologians, ministers, teachers and inspirational role models and have become the building blocks of the architecture of his own theology and philosophy. “With ICC’s new Senior College, we wanted to offer something that will appeal to the diverse interests of people living in retirement,” said Josh Gammill, director of Continuing Education. “The sessions will offer wonderful opportunities for community members to learn more about topics specific to our area, stay active in the community and engage with other participants who share the same enthusiasm and zest for life and learning as they do.” Additional programs include Feb. 20, Chair Yoga; Mar. 20, Clark Richey with the Claude Gentry Theatre in Baldwyn and lunch at Tom’s Soda Shop (transportation provided); ... ICC's MiBEST program to offer 11 additional pathway options beginning in January Beginning in January 2022, participants in Itawamba Community College’s MiBEST program will have 11 additional pathway options. Currently, students can choose from Heating and Air Conditioning Technology, Certified Nursing Assistant and Welding and Cutting, according to Linzy Patterson, director of Adult Education at ICC. Additional programs will include Automotive Technology, Business Office Specialist, Commercial Truck Driving, Diesel Equipment Technology, Electrician Assistant, Food Service Pathway, Hospitality Management Technology, Manufacturing Basic Skills, Pharmacy Tech, Phlebotomy and Introduction to Welding and Cutting. The Mississippi Integrated Basic Education and Skills Training program is a workforce and economic development initiative that transitions low-skilled, non-credentialed Mississippians from the economic sidelines into careers earning family-sustaining wages, according to Patterson. The program is intended for individuals who did not earn a traditional high school diploma, those in low-wage jobs or other nontraditional students. Those enrolled in the MiBEST program at ICC are assigned a Navigator to guide them through each step of the program, including filling out an application, completing their coursework and transitioning into the labor market, Patterson said. Navigators ... Adult learners enrolling at ICC this fall have scholarship options Adult learners who plan to attend Itawamba Community College in the fall have two scholarship opportunities for financial support. They include ICC’s Adult Learner Incentive and the statewide Complete 2 Compete. ICC’s Adult Learner Incentive scholarship, which provides $2,000 ($500 per semester for full-time students and $250 for part-time), is designed to provide an incentive for returning or new students, age 21, or older to pursue a degree at ICC. Criteria for selection include enrollment in a minimum of 12 hours (scholarship can be reduced to $25o per semester for part-time – six hours – status), meeting admission requirements and in good standing at ICC. The application deadline is Aug. 15, and the form is available at www.apply.iccms.edu. To find out more about the Adult Learner Incentive scholarship, contact Candace Thomas, assistant director of Financial Aid, at cdthomas@iccms.edu or call (662) 862-8261. Qualification requirements for the C2C grant include at least 21 years of age but no greater than 59, Mississippi residency and U.S. citizenship, household income that meets the Grant Household Income ... Comments are closed.