Vol. 7, Issue No. 12
June 10, 2019
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From the Hawk's Nest, New River CTC's employee newsletter, is distributed twice a month, and we need your input!
Have story ideas or photos for From the Hawk's Nest? Send them to
the
Office of Communications
for the next edition.
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"There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure."
—
Colin Powell
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Around campus and in our communities
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Ron Moreland was recently recognized for his service with the APTA at the “PTA turns 50” event hosted by the WVPTA last month.
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Becky Kuhn, Sarah Pitzer and
Heike Soeffker-Culicerto
attended the semi-annual CFO/CPO conference hosted by the WV HEPC/CTCS for all state four-year and two-year colleges and universities. It took place at Oglebay Resort in Wheeling, WV, from May 30 and 31.
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WV Student Leadership Conference
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Alisha Bragg, Wanda Johnson, Amanda Adkins and Rebecca Jett on the first day of the WV Student Leadership Conference.
More than 70 student government leaders attended the event. New River CTC's Alisha Bragg was quoted in the
WV Metro News
story on the event.
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John Hamon, Ronnie Collins and Justin Foster have been hard at work on the NCC. The campus is sparkling!
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The NCC Maintenance Team is preparing the grounds for summer. Ronnie Collins works on cutting back the brush.
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New River CTC Foundation Scholarships were awarded at Pocahontas County High School on May 15, 2019.
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New River CTC completes HLC Persistence and Completion Academy
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Submitted by Dr. David J. Ayersman
The HLC Persistence and Completion Academy team from New River recently completed the final roundtable event in Chicago. The event was the culmination of a five-year project focused on improving persistence and completion at the College. Those who participated were: Steven A. Lacek, Joycie R. Wawiye, Mary Jane Floyd, Peter N. Hoeman and David J. Ayersman. Although Dara S. Fann didn’t travel with us on this trip, she has been a contributing member of the New River team.
A summary of some key successes from this effort include:
- We implemented an Early Alert Solution (DropGuard) to better identify at-risk students, improve communication among students, instructors, and advisors, and to track attendance. We recently improved DropGuard so that instructors can better report on student participation and satisfactory progress (two key requirements for financial aid).
- We collaborated with the Registrar’s office to track the reasons that students withdraw by having students who withdraw complete a brief survey. The data is then shared and reviewed to provide insights needed for making improvements.
- Identified key metrics to track related to completion (graduation rates) and persistence (withdrawal data). The issues revealed in the data have required College-wide collaboration to better understand and resolve. One interesting result from the data is that while enrollment has declined approximately 50% from 2011 to 2018 there has been a concomitant increase in certificates and degrees awarded during this same time (also about 50%), indicating that the College is operating at a much higher level of efficiency.
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Defensive Driving: Sun Glare
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Fleet Management provides monthly driving tips to provide agencies with a way to promote good defensive driving techniques ensuring the safety of state vehicle operators. For June 2019, Fleet is providing information on sun glare.
A beautiful afternoon drive can take a sharp turn for the worse as soon as the sun sinks below your visor. Driving into the sun is sometimes unavoidable and almost never enjoyable thanks to eye searing sun glare.
When the sun is low in the horizon, the angle of the direct sunlight creates a strong glare across the windshield. The bright light can cause temporary blindness that distorts traffic control devices and makes it difficult to see the cars around you.
Next time you find yourself squinting into blindingly bright sunlight, use the tips below to overcome the sun glare and stay safe.
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Slow down when the sun is in your eyes.
The first rule of driving through a sun glare is to slow down - way down. Lack of visibility inhibits your ability to react quickly, so going a bit slower can help you avoid an accident. Slow down to the speed you would drive if you were in a rainstorm or driving through thick fog.
Put more room between yourself and other vehicles.
When visibility is reduced it’s also important to stay a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you. It’s going to be difficult to see what is going on around you and there’s a greater risk that other drivers will hit the brakes suddenly.
Tint the windows.
If you were thinking about tinting your vehicle’s windows, reduced sun glare could be one of the benefits. In states that don’t allow darkened windshields you can still use a clear film that blocks UV and infrared light to cut down on glare.
Keep the windshield clean & the dashboard free of clutter.
Dirt on the windows can scatter light making it even more difficult to see when there’s a sun glare. Before you head out make sure the windows are clean inside and out. Wipe the windshield down to remove any remaining residue and finish with a coat of white vinegar to minimize residue build up. Items laying on your dashboard also inhibit your vision with the sun glaring in and should be removed and stored elsewhere.
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Coming to the Chuck Mathena Center
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Join the Chuck Mathena Center and Community Connections for the first annual Food Truck Frenzy on June 29, 2019 from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. This event includes all day live music, food truck vendors and a craft beer garden sponsored by the Rotary Club of Princeton.
The all-day lineup includes Blue Oyster Cult, Hinder, Scott Bartlett from Saving Abel, CJ Johnson of American Idol fame, Smile Empty Soul and many more. Food truck vendors will be dishing out your favorite foodie fair all day. Vendors include Shark Shack, Ol’ Skool Concessions, It’s the Pits, The Snack Shack and JD Concessions. Mason Dixon Boys LLC will be set up to wow the crowd as they create art with just a log of wood and a chainsaw.
The Rotary Club of Princeton hosts the craft beer garden with selections from local and regional breweries, including Princeton’s own Sophisticated Hound Brewing Co. For a full list of beer vendors and music lineup, head to
Food Truck Frenzy
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This event is made possible through partnership with A4 Media, Community Connections, King Pin Event Promotions, Memorial Funeral Directory, Mix 102.9, Recycle WV, the Rotary Club of Princeton, Star 95, WVNS and WVVA.
General admission tickets are $10 in advance; children 12 and under receive free admission. GA beer garden tickets are $20 and include eight 4 oz. samples of your choosing from the beer garden; VIP beer garden tickets are $30 and include ten 4 oz. samples and access to the VIP tent and private port-a-potty. Beer Garden tickets are a separate cost from festival admittance; guests must be 21+ to enter the beer garden with no exceptions. All ticket prices will increase by $5 on the day of the event. Tickets can be purchased online or by calling the CMC Box Office 304-425-5128 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
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June is National Safety Month
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A hazardous substance splashes onto a chemical plant operator taking a sample. The worker is not seriously injured, and the ensuing investigation focuses on training, personal protective equipment and the particulars of the sampling station.
Identifying and mitigating exposures to occupational hazards before work begins is the objective of all safety and health professionals. NIOSH offers a basic outline through its interpretation of the Hierarchy of Controls:
- Elimination – Physically remove the hazard
- Substitution – Replace the hazard
- Engineering controls – Isolate people from the hazard
- Administrative controls – Change the way people work
- Personal protective equipment– Protect the worker with PPE
For more Hazard Recognition please take a look at the links below:
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How do slips and trips happen? “Both slips and trips result from some kind of unintended or unexpected change in the contact between the feet and the ground or walking surface,” the Canadian Center for Occupational Health and Safety notes.
Slips occur when too little friction or traction is present between a worker’s footwear and the walking surface, CCOHS states, adding that common causes of slips include wet or oily surfaces, weather hazards, loose rugs and mats, and flooring that lacks traction.
Trips occur when a worker’s foot makes contact with an object, resulting in a loss of balance and a fall. Common causes of tripping include poor lighting, obstructed views, uncovered cables, uneven walking surfaces and lower drawers being left open.
Housekeeping tips from CCOHS include:
- Keep floors mopped and debris swept up.
- Remove obstacles and clutter from walkways and stairways.
- Clean up spills immediately.
- Secure mats, rugs and carpets that don’t lay flat.
- Keep file cabinet or storage drawers closed.
- Cover cables that cross walkways.
- Keep working areas and paths well-lit.
Wearing the correct footwear is another way to help prevent slips and trips.
For more information on slips, trips and falls please click the links below:
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New River CTC does not discriminate in its educational programs or in admission to, access to, treatment in, or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, marital status, veteran or military status, disability, or genetic information or any other status or condition protected by applicable federal or state laws. The following office has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the College’s non-discrimination policies relating to disabilities, sex or other forms of discrimination: Amanda Baker, Director of Human Resources, 304-929-6717.
New River CTC Foundation Scholarships were awarded at Pocahontas County High School on May 15, 2019.
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