14 June ICC, TPSD sign MOU for innovative Associate Degree Nursing Preferred Candidacy Middle College program to begin this fall June 14, 2023 By Thomas, Donna S. Career Center, General 0 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 completing a professional program an opportunity to start early and achieve their goal in a timely manner,” she noted. “We are always excited to expand our partnership with ICC and increase opportunities for our students as they prepare for life after high school,” Picou said. “We look forward to deepening our partnerships, not only with ICC, but the entire business community as we create career academies that lead to great opportunities. We feel especially compelled to respond to the community and the hospital’s need for nurses. Our students are uniquely talented and capable to fill this shortage of nurses in our community.” The early entry program has the potential to increase the quality of the applicant pool as well as to allow students to connect with ICC’s nursing faculty during the early phase, Walker said. “As members of the Associate Degree Nursing Preferred Candidacy Middle College program, students can engage in activities with ICC’s faculty before being admitted to the program as well as have a better understanding of the ‘hands-on’ portion of the program. Some students are accepted into ICC’s nursing program without knowing the conditions of ‘hands-on’ patient care and realize the profession isn’t for them. With the early entry program, students will be required to spend time in a clinical setting shadowing a nurse.” “This agreement is an exceptional opportunity for ICC’s Associate Degree Nursing program to attract the BEST of the BEST healthcare workers of the future,” Allen said. “We look forward to working with the Tupelo Public School District to enhance the college experience of those students who will participate in this program, providing a realistic view of this occupation to ensure that it is the best fit for those who choose this career.” Related Articles 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 ... 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 ... 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 ... 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 ... 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 ... TPSD, ICC partner to form middle college In a historic move to provide additional educational opportunities for students, a joint agreement was codified between the Tupelo Public School District and Itawamba Community College on Tuesday to create an innovative Middle College. The first of its kind in North Mississippi, this program will allow qualified Tupelo High School students to graduate with both a high school diploma and an associate’s degree from ICC. Launching in August, an initial pilot cohort of THS juniors will attend classes at the ICC Tupelo campus for the majority of the school day while also taking class at THS. Both entities spent the spring aligning their respective school’s calendars and planning a course of study options. “This is a great opportunity for our students to get ahead and graduate high school with two years of college under their belts,” said TPSD Superintendent Dr. Rob Picou, who also implemented a similar program while in Alaska. “The Middle College isn’t designed for every student, but for those who qualify, it’s the perfect model to graduate high school and enter college as a junior. From the parents I’ve ... Comments are closed.