The digital magazine for faculty, staff, students and friends of Pensacola State College
March 13, 2020
When Miriam Villa first moved to the United States in late 2017, she was worried about her English language skills. But the German native enrolled at Pensacola State College the next spring, and became one of the College’s model students, even serving as a leader in the PSC chapter ( Theta Chi) of the Phi Theta Kappa honor society. Villa – who now speaks perfect English – graduated from PSC in fall, 2019, and was recently selected as a 2020 Coca-Cola Academic Team Gold Scholar. She received a $1,500 scholarship from the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation to continue her education at the University of West Florida, where she is currently enrolled and studying Biomedical Sciences in preparation for an eventual career as a dentist. Villa is just a few months removed from PSC, but still credits the College with any success she has garnered. Troy Moon spoke with Villa and brings us this profile.


Pensacola State College COVID-19 Update from President Ed Meadows
To Pensacola State College Faculty, Staff, and Students:

The health and well-being of Pensacola State College students, faculty, staff, and the community are always the most important priority of the PSC administration. PSC is in constant communication with local county health officials as well as state agencies regarding the COVID-19 virus, and we are continually monitoring the situation.  

As of today, we will resume operations and classes following the spring break on Monday, March 23, 2020. Should the situation change during the spring break (scheduled for March 16-March 22) by order of the Governor or a decision by the PSC Board of Trustees, we will alert faculty, staff, and students through the PSC Alert system, email, text messages, social media, and the local media. The College administration recognizes that consideration should be given to individuals with special health circumstances and will address these situations on a case-by-case basis.  

We are asking any employees, faculty and staff who return from travel to China, Iran, Italy, Japan and South Korea or any other areas affected by COVID-19 to self-isolate and not return to campus for 14 days after their return.

Additionally, the College is not approving college-sponsored out-of-state travel until further notice.  

Effective immediately, the NJCAA, which is our national athletic association, has suspended all athletic competition until April 4. 

Other college events will be assessed on a case-by-case basis for the next several weeks.  

We are asking that PSC students, faculty and staff check their emails and other information sources during spring break to get updates from the College administration that may change the decision to open on Monday, March 23, 2020.

Ed Meadows
President
PSC graphic design majors are eager recipients of Addys at recent gala
An impressive number of PSC graphic design majors brought home the gold and silver at the American Advertising Awards gala presented March 7 by the Pensacola Chapter of the American Advertising Federation.

Gold award winners were Devin Bonner, Elizabeth Carver, Aaron Cleveland, Alana Cox, Mindy Cramlet, Kylie Crowell, Jay Dunham (also a Judge's Choice Award winner), Katherine Ford, Courtney Goodman (also a Judge's Choice Award winner), Sarah Goolsby, Lindsi Hicks, Karli Kimmons, Darwin Martinez, Sandra Morris, Lam Nguyen (also a Judge's Choice Award winner), Omar Forty, Cheryl Sturges, Bailey Walker and Kayla Wood.

Silver award winners were Jared Barrow, Renee Bates, Devin Bonner, Derek Breaux, Kristian Breeze, Nicholas Bridges, Spencer Clark, Mindy Cramlet, Kylie Crowell, Daniela de Castro Sucre, Jonathan Dunham, Courtney Goodman, Sarah Goolsby, Karli Kimmons, Sandra Morris, Danny Nguyen, Lam Nguyen, Amanda Schmidt, Eileen Torres Medina, Bailey Walker and Kayla Wood.
Best way to experience 'Dark Side of the Moon'? In the PSC Planetarium
The PSC Planetarium will be offering several showings of the special visual spectacle set to Pink Floyd’s "Dark Side of the Moon" at the end of April, during the week just before finals. 

Shows are scheduled for 1 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, April 22 and 23 , and 2 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday, April 27 and 28 .

In the 40-minute visual joyride, you can lose yourself in the return of Pink Floyd’s legendary 1973 rock ’n’ roll masterpiece, enhanced by all of the capacities of the planetarium's high-definition, full-dome video system. Surround sound and mesmerizing images create an unforgettable experience. It’s not just a laser show; it’s a totally new digital revolution in sight and sound, surrounding you, immersing you, losing you in the "Dark Side of the Moon." This unique video experience is provided by Starlight Productions.

Students, faculty, and staff can attend these shows at no cost. Just show a current College ID at door. More information about the planetarium can be found on the planetarium website, pensacolastate.edu/planetarium .
FITT & WELL Club is ready to help when you return from Spring Break
When you get back from Spring Break, remember to get back into the fitness swing of things with the FITT & WELL Club's regular "Tuesdays @ 2 -- Try Something New" fitness program.

FITT & WELL features different activities each week to give attendees an opportunity to experience and learn the proper and safe techniques of a new physical exercise.

"Every Tuesday we do something different," says club adviser Paul Swanson. "So, one Tuesday it might be aerobic dance, one Tuesday it might be kickboxing. We're just trying to get students and faculty to get active and be fit."

The FITT & WELL Club -- FITT stands for Frequency, Intensity, Time, Type -- hopes that once attendees try a particular activity, they'll want to continue it on a regular basis.

Here's the spring meeting and activity schedule. All activities take place at 2 p.m. in the Student Center, Building 5.

  • March 24 - STRONG by Zumba
  • March 31 - ZUMBA - Dance
  • April 7 - Krav Maga (Self Defense)
  • April 14 - NIA (Expressive Cardio)
  • April 21 - Hip-Hop for Beginners

In addition, the FITT & WELL Club will set up shop at the Lumberjack Festival, 10 a.m. Saturday, March 28, at the Milton Campus; and the Pirate Fest, with free health screenings, at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 11, at the PSC Track.

For more information on the FITT & WELL Club, call 850-484-2538 or go to pensacolastate.edu/fitt-well-club.
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance sites to be closed until further notice
Because of the COVID-19 virus, all VITA -- Volunteer Income Tax Assistance -- sites will be closed until further notice. If you have already scheduled an appointment, we will notify you once we reopen. You may also do your taxes for free at MyFreeTaxes.com . More info: https://www.uwwf.org/taxhelp .
There's never an idle moment at Pensacola State College, whether you're into art, athletics, drama, music, science, technology, engineering, dance, movies, books or just plain socializing. Make plans to make plans with our online Calendar .

There's more PSC news online! Find it here!