Vol. 3, Issue No. 16                                                                                                                                                
September 18, 2015   
From the Hawk's Nest is distributed twice a month, and 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, ebelcher@newriver.edu or Kelly Taber, ktaber@newriver.edu. The deadline for the next issue is 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 30. 
EDET Program Participates in Watershed Education
 
Students in the Electric Distribution Engineering Technology (EDET) program recently participated in WV Department of Environmental Protection's Watershed Education for Teachers, providing schools an opportunity to learn various subjects related to watersheds.

The EDET class was one of eight learning stations that school groups rotated through; other stations included snakes, butterflies, and water quality.

EDET student Larry Barns demonstrated how a family can save as much as $417.00 over the life of a light bulb by switching to LED (Light Emitting Diodes) bulbs. He also pointed out some environmental hazards with CFL's (Compact Fluorescent Light) bulbs. For example, if you would happen to drop and break a CFL bulb, you should leave the room for at least 15 minutes to allow any escaping dust to settle, then clean up and dispose as a hazardous material. One CFL could poison up to 6,000 gallons of water.

EDET Instructor Mike King used the new High Voltage demonstrator and discussed electrical safety.

The EDET program created displays to promote courses available at the Advanced Technology Center and to give students a chance to learn valuable skills.

The EDET class presented on Sept. 10 in Fayette County near Beckwith, on Sept. 11 in Montgomery, and Sept. 17 in Nicholas County.
Dakota Fox, EDET and Line Service Mechanic student, at Carnifax Ferry on September 17.
Larry Barnes answers questions from Fayette County students.





 
Smart Money Lunch and Learn Workshops

The change to 26 pay periods per year beginning November 14, 2015 will impact the amount of money you receive with each paycheck. 

To assist you with budgeting and planning for this change, we are working with the WVU Extension Service to bring the Smart Money Series to you as a Lunch and Learn session at each New River CTC campus.   

The Smart Money Series is a program developed by the Finance Department at the WVU College of Business & Economics, in partnership with WVU Extension, wvOASIS, and the Office of State Auditor Glen Gainer.

Watch for an Outlook invitation to attend a Smart Money Lunch and Learn workshop in October.

Dr. DeSonia Selected for Prestigious Institute

Dr. Amy Sue DeSonia, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost, has been selected by a national review panel as one of only 36 community college leaders to attend the prestigious Executive Leadership Institute sponsored by the League for Innovation in the Community College.

Dr. DeSonia is the only representative chosen from West Virginia. All of the 36 participants hold senior-level leadership positions in community colleges throughout the United States.

Gerardo E. de los Santos, president and CEO of the League for Innovation, said, "The review panel was extremely impressed with the quality of the applicants, which speaks well for the future vitality of the community college."

The institute, to be held in Phoenix, Arizona, December 13-17, 2015, provides an opportunity for potential community college presidents or those in transition to review their abilities and interests, to refine their skills, and to participate in discussions on leadership with an outstanding array of faculty drawn from among nationally and internationally recognized community college leaders. These include community college chief executive officers, experts in leadership development, community college trustees, presidential search consultants, members of the League for Innovation board of directors, and other prominent figures.

This is the Executive Leadership Institute's twenty-seventh year preparing senior-level community college administrators to successfully fill the presidential role.

The League is an international association dedicated since 1968 to catalyzing the community college movement. The League hosts conferences and institutes, develops web resources, conducts research, produces publications, provides services, and leads projects and initiatives with member colleges, corporate partners, and other agencies in a continuing effort to make a positive difference for students and communities.

'Meet and Greet' Media Appreciation Days Held  

Media Appreciation Days were held on all campuses Sept. 9 - Sept. 14, providing an opportunity for local media to meet with senior administration on each campus and to thank local media representatives for their coverage of College events and news.

 
Jenni Canterbury, Public Relations Manager, met with WVVA News Anchor Greg Carter and Jason Reed with WV Media at the Mercer County Campus.
Roger Griffith, Greenbrier Valley Campus Regional Director of Operations, and President L. Marshall Washington met with representatives from Mountain Messenger newspaper in Lewisburg, Sarah Mansheim and Peggy Mackenzie.  


 
Student Veteran 5-Star Challenge Accepted!     
 
New River CTC has been recognized for stepping up efforts to support the needs of West Virginia's student veterans. The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission and West Virginia Community and Technical College System established the "5 Star Challenge" as a call to action for the state's public colleges and universities to adopt a set of exemplary standards that support student veterans and their families.

The challenge is a tribute to the military tradition of issuing "challenge coins" to service members who exemplify the values and standards of their military units. Colleges and universities that accept the challenge will be presented with a "5 Star Challenge Coin" during ceremonies to occur the week of Veterans Day.

Institutions that accept the challenge signify their support for: 1) signed commitments from college and university presidents, 2) a focus on increasing access and affordability to higher education for student veterans, 3) increased academic support, 4) enhancing social networks for veterans on campuses, and 5) greater collaboration with community organizations working to meet the needs of military service members.

A detailed outline of the challenge can be found by visiting cfwv.com, the state's free college- and career-planning website.

Look for more information soon about Veteran's Day activities at the College.

One Room University in Marlinton Celebrates 5 Years    

One Room University celebrated its fifth year of operation with an Open House on Sept. 10. Following the Open House, President Washington was the keynote speaker at the Marlinton Rotary Club's Annual Dinner.

Elaine Diller, ORU Coordinator, sent photos from the Open House and from classes at the location, which is a collaboration between Pocahontas County Commission, City National Bank, and New River CTC.

ORU students in IVN SPCH 208 with Dr. Nancy Wemm.

Local leaders attended ORU's Open House including (l-r) William Beard, Pocahontas County Commission President; Eugene Simmons, Pocahontas County Prosecutor; Dr. Washington;  Linda Simmons, Chamber of Commerce; Melinda Dilley Gabe, Pocahontas County Seneca Health Director.











Student (left) in IVN Acct 250 class with Bryan Seldomridge; Student (right) taking IVN SOCS 236 class with Dr. Kelli White.















Tickets Available for Murder Mystery Dinner Theater 

Tickets are available for College employees to attend "Murder at the Art Gallery" Murder Mystery Dinner Theater and Art Auction to be held at the Mercer County Campus on Sept. 25.

Tickets are $40, a discounted price for faculty and staff.

The Foundation also is seeking volunteers to help with the event.

Find out who murdered Ronnie McIntosh! Enjoy dinner and an art auction while raising money for student scholarships at the Mercer County Campus. For more information, call 304-929-1042 or email kharvey@newriver.edu or jporter@newriver.edu.

Save the Date! Business Marketing Workshop and Conference Sept. 21 - 22

Kara Gray, business marketing expert, will lead a workshop and conference at Raleigh County Campus on Oct. 21 and 22. 
Kara Gray, Marketing Consultant and Owner of New Horizon Consulting in Wheeling, is an experienced public relations strategist, marketer, and copywriter who will lead a workshop "Controlling the Chaos: How to Achieve Work/Life Balance Without Losing Your Mind " from 6 to 8 p.m. on Oct. 21 at Raleigh County Campus. In this candid conversation, she will talk about how being "super busy" negatively affects your health and relationships, and some simple strategies for getting things a little more under control. Participants will have the opportunity to swap stories, share tips and learn from each other how to stop being a victim of chaos and instead orchestrate our lives like master conductors.

Ms. Gray also will be the keynote speaker at the "Marketing Makeover: Tactics that Really Work" conference from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 22. Topics will include social media, marketing to a lender, product development and target marketing. The conference will open with registration at the Erma Byrd Higher Education Center Auditorium. Lunch, breakout sessions, and a business-to-business expo will be held at New River CTC.

For more information, contact tparrish@newriver.edu.  
 
The event is being planned by the Office of Workforce Education and is co-sponsored by New River Gorge Regional Development Authority, BB&T, and Beckley-Raleigh County Chamber of Commerce. 
 
New Hires and Promotions


Ann Nagye, MBA and CFE (Certified Fraud Examiner), is Instructor of Hospitality/Tourism at Raleigh County Campus. She previously worked as Assistant Professor of Business at Mountain State University from 1998 - 2012. In 2013, she worked as an adjunct at University of Charleston and as an adjunct instructor at New River CTC and tutor in the Student Success Center. Since December 2014, she has worked at Region 1 Workforce Development Board as Program Coordinator for Bridging the Gap.
Kenny Smith has been promoted to HR Payroll Assistant III from his previous Administrative Secretary Senior position at Raleigh County Campus.













Welcome Ann!
Congratulations Kenny!