30 September ICC's Public Health Technology ranked fifth in the nation September 30, 2021 By Thomas, Donna S. General 0 Itawamba Community College has been named one of 2021’s best schools for online programs and courses in healthcare education by EduMed.org. ICC’s Public Health Technology program is ranked fifth in the nation. “Itawamba Community College appreciates this ranking and recognition by EduMed.org,” said ICC President Dr. Jay Allen. “It is validation that ICC provides flexible, affordable and student-centered programs. Our students are our top priority, and their success is our success.” Only eight percent of U.S. postsecondary institutions earned a ranking position, according to EduMed.org, which researched and analyzed more than 7,700 accredited schools using data from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) and from the schools themselves. The website’s data science team then applied a proprietary algorithm to rank all qualifying schools for each healthcare discipline. Primary data points include number of online programs in subject area, online program tuition and fees, access to academic counseling and career placement services, number of online students and percentage of students with institutional aid. Wes Ricketts, founder of EduMed.org said that schools with the best combinations of online learning opportunity, affordability and student support earned top honors. Eligibility was based on active regional accreditation and at least one partially online program in the ranking subject. “We set out to find schools that are making online education a priority. Each school in our rankings has a winning combination of flexibility, affordability, academic rigor and student support. This is a tall task in a field that leans on face-to-face interaction and hands-on training.” “It is an honor to receive this recognition,” said ICC Public Health Technology Director Cassie Alexander. “We have been working diligently to raise awareness of this online program, both locally and nationally. Right now, public health awareness is increased, and this recognition by Edu.Med.org couldn’t have been more timely for our program, which focuses on both health navigation and community health.” ICC’s Public Health Technology program features a four-semester curriculum that can be completed in one-and-a-half years of full-time study. All didactic coursework is accessed and completed online. However, all students are required to complete in-person field experiences of eight hours per week during the second and third semesters of the program when they interact and collaborate with public health professionals in real practice settings, Alexander said. Admission requirements include a high school diploma or equivalency and ACT scores. Students who complete the program earn an Associate of Applied Science degree in Public Health Technology. ICC’s recognition comes at a time when students across the country are taking more of their courses either fully or partially online. According to data from the Education Department’s National Center for Education Statistics, enrollment in online courses increased by 93 percent between fall 2019 and fall 2020. Nearly two-thirds of college students took at least one online course in 2020. “COVID-19 forced many schools to rapidly expand their online program catalogs to meet increased student demand,” Ricketts said. “The colleges that offer accredited online courses in the widest variety of disciplines stand to benefit the most from the mass transition to higher education online.” Related Articles ICC's Public Health Technology program joins in Apr. 7-13 national celebration Itawamba Community College’s Public Health Technology program will join those in the profession in celebrating April 7-13 as National Public Health Week. According to program director Cassie Alexander, the theme is “It Starts Here.” She said the commemoration recognizes the contributions of public health in improving the physical condition of the people of the United States and for ICC’s nationally-recognized Public Health Technology program, the residents of Mississippi, specifically those in Chickasaw, Itawamba, Lee, Monroe and Pontotoc counties; and achieving health equity. “Public health starts with each of us making a difference in our homes and communities,” Alexander said in summarizing the information provided by the American Public Health Association. “It’s how the places we live, work and play affect our well-being. It’s the way we are all stronger – and healthier – together through the efforts of organizations like the APHA and others that advocate for healthy communities.” Alexander, who serves on the Mississippi State Department of Health Community Health Worker Taskforce, is excited about recent legislation that will help advance the educational and career opportunities for ... ICC's Public Health Technology program to join in national celebration with local events Itawamba Community College’s Public Health Technology program will join those in the profession in celebrating the week of April 1 as National Public Health Week. According to program director Cassie Alexander, the theme is “Protecting, Connecting and Thriving: We Are All Public Health.” She said the commemoration recognizes the contributions of public health in improving the physical condition of the people of the United States and for ICC’s Public Health Technology program, the residents of Mississippi, specifically those in Chickasaw, Itawamba, Lee, Monroe and Pontotoc counties; and achieving health equity. “Community health workers are the backbone of public health, bridging the gap between healthcare systems and the communities they serve, ensuring that no one is left behind in the pursuit of well-being and equity,” said Caroline Newkirk, ICC adjunct instructor and Evaluation Specialist with the Mississippi Public Health Institute. “ICC’s Public Health Technology program fills a critical gap in Mississippi by offering a curriculum that prepares its students exceptionally well with the knowledge and skills to be invaluable community health workers. In a state that is medically underserved, ... ICC's Paralegal Technology program is in the nation's top 10 Itawamba Community College’s Paralegal Technology program has been selected as one of the top 10 online Paralegal degree programs in the nation by BestColleges. ICC offers two degrees in paralegal studies: an online Associate of Applied Science degree in paralegal technology and an Associate of Arts degree in general studies with a paralegal studies emphasis. The two-year A.A.S. degree in paralegal technology includes coursework in legal research, civil litigation and legal writing. Coursework in wills and estates, family law, torts and real property introduces students to subsets of the legal field while providing information about legal principles and procedures, according to program director Jamie Hall. Students gain the analytical, communication, research and technical skills needed to work alongside legal professionals. The program also includes an internship during which students apply learned concepts. ICC’s online paralegal technology program prepares students for entry-level positions as paralegals and legal assistants in law firms, government agencies and businesses. Students can complete the 61-62 hour credit program in two years. “ICC’s general studies associate degree with an emphasis ... TAG Truck Center Tupelo facilitates rolling chassis donation to ICC's Diesel Equipment Technology program TAG Truck Center Tupelo (TAG Tupelo) recently facilitated the donation of a rolling chassis training aid to the Itawamba Community College Diesel Equipment Technology program for hands-on training while studying chassis repair during its core diesel curriculum. The chassis, originally used in Daimler Truck North America’s Service Training Academy, was in Tooele, Utah and was due for placement at a college or school which applied for it and would use it for training purposes. TAG Tupelo provided the logistics and transportation costs to have it delivered to ICC’s diesel shop. “Our program’s partnership with TAG Tupelo is strong, and we thank them and Higgins Logistics for facilitating this donation. It will allow for practical hands-on experience for our Diesel Equipment students, which is vitally important for their knowledge growth,” said Jason Gholston, director of ICC’s Diesel Equipment Technology program. ICC’s Diesel Equipment Technology program, which was created in 1985, is an instructional program that prepares students with competencies required to maintain and repair a variety of industrial diesel equipment. The program includes instruction in inspection, repair and maintenance of engines, power trains, ... ICC's Paralegal Technology program ranks second in the nation Itawamba Community College’s Paralegal Technology program has been ranked second in the nation by College Values Online. ICC has been identified as having one of the top most affordable accredited online paralegal certificate programs, according to ICC President Dr. Jay Allen. “The elite ranking is a testament to the innovative programs that ICC offers as we ensure that our students have the best start in their careers.” The ranking considered tuition and return on investment. College Values Online’s mission is to provide assistance in selecting the best college for each individual situation by offering rankings of schools and various degree programs in addition to information on numerous career options from a value perspective. Its list of the top 20 affordable online accredited paralegal certificates began with certificate programs with costs under $13,000 (based on tuition reported to College Navigator). The programs were then ranked according to the quality of the program based on graduation rate and student-to-teacher ratio. ICC offers two degrees in paralegal studies: an online Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal ... Donations to enhance instruction for ICC's Robotics/Automation Technology program Significant donations to Itawamba Community College’s Robotics and Automation Technology program will enhance instruction for students in the career pathway. On behalf of Red Lion, which is based in York, Pa., Barry Turner of Tupelo, technical business development manager for the company’s industrial data controls in Mississippi, donated an edge controller, which will enable students to learn about data acquisition, data monitoring and remote access to computerized industrial automation platforms. In addition, Kevin McCool, regional manager of Automated Dynamics Corp., presented Banner Sx5-B6 laser scanners. “The laser scanners will be integrated with the program’s FANUC robots to create a safety barrier around the work area,” said Dr. Doug Ferguson, program director and instructor. “Students will use the scanners to learn how to set up and monitor safe workspaces around automated equipment to protect people working around the robotic equipment.” “ICC appreciates Jack Cameron, owner of Automation Resources of Sherman, for arranging these significant donations and keeping ICC and our students in the forefront of industrial automation data acquisition and safety,” said Dylan Baldwin, ICC dean of Career Education. ... Comments are closed.