Vol. 3, Issue No. 11                                                                                                                                                
July 7, 2015   
From the Hawk's Nest is distributed on the first and third Friday of each month. We need your input!  Please send your ideas for stories on upcoming events, reports on attendance at conferences, awards and honors received, photos or information on outstanding employees or students to Elizabeth Belcher, [email protected] or Kelly Taber, [email protected]. The deadline for the next issue is 4 p.m. on Wednesday, July 15. 
ATC To Host Open House On July 16

 

The Advanced Technology Center (ATC) will host an Open House for prospective students from 5 - 7 p.m. on July 16. Programs offered at ATC include automotive technology, commercial driver's license (CDL), electric distribution engineering technology (line service mechanic), heavy equipment operation, industrial technology (manufacturing), and welding (general, pipe, and structural).

A high-voltage unit, constructed by staff and students at ATC, will be on display. It is capable of 15,000 volts of electricity that form an electrical arc similar to a manufactured lightning bolt. This demonstration will focus on the importance of safety and protective gear when working with electricity. A CDL truck will be available to test-drive. Also, anyone with an interest in alternative energy is encouraged to attend a discussion and demonstration of solar, wind, and hydro-electric power generators. An electric vehicle, solar panels, and a hydro-electric generator will be on display.

All other New River CTC campuses are hosting Open Houses this Thursday, July 9 from 5 - 7 p.m. Time to show off the College to new students! 

Cosmetology Program Revises Curriculum

The Cosmetology program, started in 2012 as an Associate of Applied Science, has undergone a curriculum revision to be a Certificate of Applied Science -- graduation in four semesters with 52-credit hours as opposed to five semesters with 72-credit hours. The two-semester, 30-credit Esthetics program and the one-semester, 14-credit (previously 18-credit) Nail Care Technician program also are accepting new students through July 30 at the Greenbrier Valley Campus.

"These certificate programs are going to be more cost-effective and time-effective, to enable our students to be ready for work sooner," said Lisa Brown Carter, Program Coordinator for Personal Services at New River CTC.

General education classes Math 101 and English 101 are no longer required for completion. Instead, math and English are included within course material. For example, students will write a research paper on a Cosmetology-related subject. Similarly, math skills are an integral component of the curriculum, especially related to measurement and business practices.

New River CTC Cosmetology graduates work in salons across the region, including The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, Body and Sol Salon and Day Spa in Lewisburg, and Tangled Salon and Nail Spa in Summersville.

Lisa Brown Carter, Program Coordinator for Personal Services at New River CTC, instructs Cosmetology Student Diana Hefner.
   

Recent Bridging the Gap Grant Successes  

 

West Virginia's Bridging the Gap Consortium is led by Bridgemont Community and Technical College and consists of nine community and technical colleges, including New River CTC. Amanda Sauchuck, New River CTC's Bridging the Gap Institutional Transformation Leader, sent recent news from Bridging the Gap grant activities.

 

 

 

Tricia Hoover and Brian Testerman have been awarded Bridging the Gap professional development funds to become certified Quality Matters Peer Reviewers. Quality Matters (QM) is an international organization representing collaboration and a shared understanding of online course quality. QM's quality assurance processes have been developed to improve and certify the design of online and blended courses.

 

Once certified, Tricia and Brian will be become part of New River CTC's QM team to review courses within their area of study.  In addition, two of our Computer Science: IT courses, COSC 130 and COSC 131, are going to be officially reviewed by Quality Matters experts. 

 

Also, student services employees (academic counselors, peer coaches, career counselors, faculty, recruiters, etc.) recently received Veteran training from Renada Snodgrass, Veterans' Education Coordinator for the WV Bridging the Gap Consortium from WVCTCS. Topics included Veterans special circumstances as well as credit for military experience.  

Jacqueline "Jackie" Robertson has accepted the role as Veteran Peer Coach. Jackie hopes to use her new role as Veteran Peer Coach to bring "a better sense of togetherness" for Veteran students.

 

Robertson hopes to be a mentor to Veteran students and keep them on the right track. 

 

"When Veterans first get out, the transition from military to civilian life does not always click. And it can be difficult for them. If they have someone like me that has been in school as well as a Veteran, I can help make the transition easier. I hope to see that we can bridge the gap," she said.   

 

American Red Cross Blood Drives  

   
American Red Cross hosted a blood drive at Raleigh County Campus on July 1. American Red Cross also will be at Advanced Technology Center on July 16.
New River CTC Foundation Receives Donation

 

The first gift of the fiscal year for New River Community and Technical College Foundation arrived at the Advanced Technology Center on July 1.  

 

A. James and Dawn Paine, of Daniels, donated a 2007 Suzuki Firenza to the Automotive Service Technician program.  

 
Sara Baca, right, delivered the keys to the car, which was towed by Eric Mackey (left) of Beverage's Towing of Beckley. Receiving the gift are Karen Harvey (second from left), VP for Institutional Advancement, and Stuart Gimblin (second from right), Instructional Specialist of Automotive Technology.  
 

For information on donating a car, running or not, to New River Community and Technical College Foundation, please contact 304-929-1042 or [email protected].  
What do you live for? National Safety Month Asks
  

The motto for National Safety Month this year was #ilivefor. "Everyone has something they live to see or experience. No matter what your passion is, we engage in safe behaviors so we can live for what matters to us," according to the National Safety Council website. 

  
Nicholas County Campus staff (l-r) Roger Spinks, Mary Igo, and John Hamon joined the National Safety Month conversation with their own something to live for. 
Zelinsky Retires from ORU
  

Elaine Diller, Coordinator at One Room University in Marlinton, announced the retirement of LyAnn Zelinsky, who served a long career as a public school teacher in Pocahontas County and an adjunct faculty member with New River CTC.

Mrs. Zelinsky became a very important figure at the ORU as she taught math courses to our students from 2013-2015. "Mrs. Z" was instrumental in the success of the ORU and we will miss her enthusiasm and dedication to her field of math. During her short time at the ORU, thirteen of her students were able to fulfill their math requirements to continue in programs of study which will lead to a degree or certificate. 
 
Support New River CTC Foundation At Amazon
  
As a reminder, the Foundation has an account with AmazonSmile, which donates 0.05% of eligible purchases back to the Foundation. For more information, visit http://www.newriver.edu/foundation-and-alumni/alumni-news.
 
New Hires



Deena Ritchie, Financial Aid Manager, started work at Raleigh County Campus on June 23. Ritchie graduated from Concord University in 1998 with a degree in Accounting. Her past work experience was at Glade Springs Resort for 7 years, Consol Energy for 10 years, and Concord University for 2½ years.

Welcome Deena!