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 Welcome to Our Last Quarter
Welcome to spring quarter, our last official quarter before we transition to semesters. As we indicated during winter quarter All Employee Learning Day, the Q2S transition team is working to ensure all the proper pieces are in place to make this a smooth and effective transition.
Within the next few weeks, students will begin receiving communications encouraging them to complete their Student Educational Plan (SEP.) This is a function of WebAdvisor that essentially outlines the entire plan for a student from the first semester to graduation. It also requires frequent communication with faculty advisors each term. A tutorial has been added to the Hocking College Q2S page on the website enabling students to walk through building their plan. At this point, all faculty advisors should be comfortable walking through the SEP creation with their advisees.
The final step in the transition process is the creation of the autumn semester course schedule. Additional assistance has been brought in to help in putting all the pieces together to build the schedule from scratch. This is well underway and should be completed in the next few weeks.
Please contact Joe Wakeman at ext. 6098 if you need additional training, or have any questions.
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ABLE Pilot Project Offers Contextualized Instruction with Impressive Results
Two Hocking College faculty members, Scott Mong, Fire Science, and Kathy Pittman, Arts and Sciences, have been teaching collaboratively with contextualized instruction since fall quarter 2009. The goal is to raise retention rates for Fire Science students in both their technical program and in a Communications I (COMM) course by providing academic instruction with a student based approach.
Pittman uses the EMT/Fire Science text and other resources to teach reading, writing, and technical vocabulary skills to first-year Fire Science students. Mong and Pittman work closely together to coordinate instruction and monitor student progress. Students are required to complete all coursework and write a well-developed 650-word essay, graded by a COMM. faculty committee, at quarter's end. All 15 Fire Science students successfully completed the COMM. I course in fall 2009.
In fall 2010, Lancaster/Fairfield Community Action, Hocking County Job Services Center and Hocking College combined resources to establish a unique Adult Basic Literacy Education (ABLE) pilot project involving the Fire Science/COMM. I contextualized learning class. Amy Guda and Sue Hendley, ABLE instructors, taught math and study skills to the Fire Science students, individually and in small groups. Thirteen out of 15 students, an 86 percent success/retention rate, successfully completed all COMM. I requirements.
The pilot project continued in fall 2011. The ABLE instructors began teaching two math classes, using Fire Science math texts with the students. The goal is for students to have an opportunity to review and strengthen math skills before they actually enroll in college-level math courses. Seventeen students participated in the math classes and were pre and post tested with the Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE). All students who participated showed growth, but seven students raised their math skills significantly enough to enable them to now enroll in math courses above the developmental level.
As for fall 2011 COMM. I, 19 students regularly attended the Fire Science contextualized learning class; 16 students successfully completed all COMM. I requirements. The course success/retention rate for fall 2011 was 84 percent.
Student reviews of the pilot program have been favorable, with many Fire Science students requesting that a COMM. II contextualized learning class be developed. Hocking College administrators and faculty are currently planning to increase the number of Fire Science students to be served in autumn 2012 and hope to expand contextualized instruction to other program areas as well in the near future.
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 Music Students Attend South by Southwest
This year Hocking students enjoyed a keynote address by the Boss, Bruce Springsteen, and over half the group won tickets to his exclusive performance later that night. Each day and night, South by Southwest showcases thousands of musical acts from every genre on nearly 100 stages and off-site showcases. Hocking student attendees gained VIP access privileges to all of these shows, as well as all of the exclusive panel discussions, interviews, and mentoring sessions that took place in the conference center.
Many of our students had the opportunity to network and build relationships with numerous industry professionals. As one Hocking student noted in their video blog, "South by Southwest changed my life. I now feel like my eyes have been opened to what the music industry is really like."
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 Instructor Earns Fellowship as Holocaust Educator
Sue Fletcher, communications instructor, joined sixteen other educators from across the United States on an educational tour of historical sites in Poland and Israel beginning March 24, 2012.
The instructors have all been selected from across the United States to receive fellowships for this opportunity through the Memorial Library of New York City. The educators, whose backgrounds and faith all vary, are specialists in teaching about the Holocaust, other genocides and issues of social justice. They are part of the Holocaust Educators Network, a group of more than 100 middle school, high school, and college faculty who have participated in summer seminars, also offered by the Memorial Library.
"Little did I know that I have been preparing for this journey for some time. I have always been fascinated with memoir writing. I am especially drawn to Holocaust survivor stories as a way to look at the very personal side of injustice," Fletcher commented.
Fletcher and the rest of the group are traveling together with Professor Sondra Perl of Lehman College of the City University of New York and members of the Memorial Library board, on a journey to Poland and Israel, where they will spend 10 days visiting historical sites related to the Holocaust and important to contemporary Jewish life. They will then bring their firsthand experience of these places back to their classrooms and communities.
"Now, I will be able to visualize these stories, gain the added context of place and engage all of my senses. That can only add to my teaching when I bring these stories into the classroom and to our satellite seminar I will be leading with local area teachers this June," Fletcher said.
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District Scholars Information Night Offered
High seniors and recent graduates can learn about the Hocking College District Scholars Tuition Assistance program, offering thousands of dollars in tuition funding exclusively to residents in a six-county area, by attending one of three information sessions on April 3, 2012 at 6:30 p.m.
All three locations of Hocking College, the main campus in Nelsonville, the Logan Campus and the Perry Campus in New Lexington, will host a District Scholars Information Night at the same time. This tuition assistance program is available to eligible 2011 and 2012 high school graduates of Athens, Fairfield, Hocking, Perry, Pickaway and Ross Counties.
Admissions counselors and financial aid staff will also be on hand at the Information Night to provide an overview of Hocking College, steps to apply for admission and answer questions about completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
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 Mailroom Update
Please note: The first run will be the only pick up that will be mailed for that day, and anything on the second run will not be mailed until the following business day. If you miss the first mail run, a drop-off box will be located in the mailroom. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact mailroom supervisor Melissa Conkel at 753.7133.
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And the Biggest Loser is...
Congratulations to the Biggest Loser wellness program winning team of Kraig Curry, Myles Burggraf, Anita Weisenbach and George Petrovay! The second place team included Sally Lozada, BJ Heidelbaugh, Giles Lee, Karen Stalder, Chad Kopenski and Sarah Baldwin.
Kudos to everyone who participated. To us, you are all "big losers!" |
 TRiO Exceeds Annual Objectives
The Annual Performance Report for the Hocking College TRiO Student Support Services project has been successfully submitted for the 2010/2011 academic year. The Learning Connection (TLC) not only met, but exceeded all objectives for the year. Additionally, faculty and staff assisted with their support of TRiO efforts to help low-income and first-generation college students achieve success at Hocking College.
TRiO SSS (TLC) at Hocking College is funded to serve 190 students each year, at least 2/3 or 66.67 percent of whom must be first-generation and low-income college students. 158 or 83.15 percent of the 190 students served during the 2010/2011 academic year met both first-generation and low-income criteria.
The goal for persistence from fall 2010 to fall 2011 is 70 percent. Of the 190 students served, 76.31 percent returned for fall term 2011, graduated, and/or transferred to a four-year institution during the reporting year.
The stated objective for good standing is that 70 percent of all project participants served by the SSS Project will meet the performance level required to stay in good standing at Hocking College. During the 2010/2011 reporting year, 93.15 percent of students served achieved and remained in good academic standing at Hocking College.
The goal for graduation and transfer is 12 percent of new participants served each year will graduate with an associate's degree or certificate within four years. The cohort group use for graduation and transfer was for the academic year 2007/2008. Of the 106 new TLC students in the cohort year 2007/2008, 51 graduated with an associate's degree or certificate - 48.11 percent graduated within four years.
The second part of the graduation and transfer objective relates to transfer to a four-year institution. The goal is 10 percent of new participants served each year will transfer with an associate's degree or certificate within four years. Of the 106 new TLC students in the 2007/2008 cohort, 18.86 percent transferred to a four-year institution upon graduating from Hocking College.
Congratulations to TLC staff members for their exceptional work in supporting the neediest students at Hocking College!
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Board of Trustees Meeting
As a reminder, the Hocking College Board of Trustees will hold their monthly meeting March 27, 2012 in Oakley 305 at 6 p.m.
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 Athens Student Action Launches Initiative
Students can find out about upcoming events and news about service opportunities in the community via the Athens Student Action website and social media pages.
The initiative was created to help students make the most of their time in Athens County. Volunteering can give students a way to connect with the Athens County community, do something that is emotionally fulfilling, and get the work experience that is so important to future success. Please help us spread the word about Athens Student Action to your students.
Students can visit the website at www.AthensStudentAction.org, or connect with Athens Student Action on Facebook and Twitter.
For additional information on this new initiative, see the Athens News article.
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Seminar Shares Energy Cost Saving Ideas
Looking for a way to save significantly on energy costs, especially if you have a home propane tank? Jeff Persons of Geo Source One will teach participants how to save 75 - 80 percent on their heating, cooling and hot water costs using renewable geothermal energy systems during his seminar at the Hocking College Energy Institute at 6 p.m. on April 18, 2012.
Attendees will also learn how to benefit from a 30 percent Federal Energy Tax Credit by installing a geothermal heating and cooling system. Tours of the Hocking College Energy Institute's LEED Platinum geothermally-heated and cooled building will be provided.
This seminar registration fee is $10 and is part of the Hocking College Logan Campus 2012 monthly Community Seminar Series. Contact Jestinah McDonald at 740.380.9315 ext. 6601 for reservations.
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Wayne National Forest Seeks Volunteer PhotoNaturalists
 The Wayne National Forest is looking for volunteers to become a Wayne PhotoNaturalist. This program is for people that enjoy the outdoors and taking photographs.
An hour long informational meeting for becoming a Wayne PhotoNaturalist will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 31 at the Wayne National Forest Headquarters Office located off US Hwy 33 between Nelsonville and The Plains.
Athens Ranger District wildlife biologist, Lynda Andrews, is heading up the PhotoNaturalist effort for the second year, and encourages anyone with a digital camera and a love of the outdoors and wildlife to participate.
Andrews said, "We had such success with our first year that we are wishing to continue this volunteer program. The idea is to photo document various species of wildlife and wildflowers taken on the Wayne National Forest."
Last year the effort documented a state endangered dragonfly that was previously unknown to occur on the Forest.
Follow the Wayne National Forest on Twitter: @waynenationalfs
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Mission
Hocking College provides a unique, innovative, and quality education in a supportive experience- based learning environment, preparing students for employment and transfer education opportunities, while teaching the value of lifelong learning, promoting diversity and developing citizens who are engaged in their local and global communities.
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Former Hocking Student Becomes Deputy
| Phoebe Leber, a former Hocking College Ranger Services student, was recently sworn in as a deputy of the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department (JCSD) in West Virginia.
Leber studied at Hocking College and the National Ranger Training Institute before spending three years with the Cincinnati Police Department and one year at a correctional facility in Pennsylvania. Leber is the 26th member, and second female member, of the JCSD's current law enforcement personnel. She was one of approximately 80 applicants for the position.
For more information, check out the article in The Journal.
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| Hocking Culinary Grad Executive Chef at New Columbus Restaurant
Noah Yates, a 2006 Hocking College Culinary Arts graduate, has been named the Executive Chef at Dempsey's Restaurant a new restaurant in downtown Columbus, that opened March 15. The restaurant, open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily, offers a full menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Yates said he has had a passion for cooking his entire life. "This is where my passion is at," Yates said. "This is something I have always wanted to do, so now every day I look forward to going to work."
Although this is Yates' first executive chef role, he has worked at restaurants such as Frog, Bear & Wild Boar and the Refectory Restaurant & Bistro, both in Columbus.
"Our chef worked for many years at one of the nicest restaurants in Ohio and is young and ambitious. He has very creative ideas and has really exceeded our expectations. We took a huge chance on him and he really has knocked it out of the park," restaurant owner Mark Dempsey commented about Yates.
Kudos to Noah on your excellent representation of Hocking College!
For more information, see the article in Columbus SNP.
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