This summer I am honored to have the opportunity to spend eight weeks as a research assistant at Churchill Northern Studies Centre in the Subarctic.

The Churchill Northern Studies Centre is a nonprofit field station and research center. The center provides research facilities to aspiring and experienced scientists alike, as well as educational opportunities to the public for the purpose of enhancing the understanding and appreciation of the ecosystems and cultures of the North.

This opportunity would have been impossible without the continued support of the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, which, through their Summer Internship Stipend program, funds students to participate in unpaid internships and research opportunities at Non-Governmental Organizations. In many fields, competitive and engaging undergraduate experiences are often unpaid, leaving these invaluable experiences out of reach to people from low-income backgrounds. Growing up under the poverty line in the Twin Counties, I believed opportunities like this were always out of reach, like something that could only happen to “other people.” With its support, the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation has leveled the playing field and allowed me to break a glass ceiling as a first-generation college student and woman in science.

During my time in Churchill, I will work to measure the amount of methyl-mercury in the local ecosystem by collecting and processing vegetation and animal tissue samples. This research is important because methylmercury is a potent neurotoxin that is known to cause developmental issues in children, as well as neurological issues in adults.

Humans are most often exposed to methylmercury by the consumption of fish.

Methylmercury makes its way up the food chain through a process called biomagnification. Elemental mercury in an ecosystem can be transformed to toxic methylmercury by microorganisms. Small animals then consume plants like algae that have been exposed to methylmercury, and some of it accumulates in their bodies. When those animals are eaten by predators, the methylmercury then begins to accumulate in the predator, and the amount increases over time. This process is magnified up the food chain. Methylmercury biomagnification can have serious consequences for human health if fish with high levels of methylmercury are ingested by humans, specifically by women of child bearing age. This is why there are sometimes warnings against consumption of top predatory fish like tuna and swordfish. The larger and longer lived the predatory fish, the more likely they are to have toxic amounts of methylmercury in their bodies.

Due to human induced climate change, the Arctic is warming at a rate twice that of the global average. This has large impacts both for the local ecosystem, and globally. Frozen in the Arctic permafrost is the largest pool of naturally occurring mercury on the planet, estimated to be larger than all the mercury that has currently been released by human activities like mining and the burning of fossil fuels combined. Melting permafrost could potentially release significant amounts of mercury into the Arctic ecosystem, where it could make its way up the food web to humans. There are currently limited records of mercury accumulation in the subarctic region, so my study will be the first to measure baseline levels, so future research can track if there has been a change over time.

I am eager for this experience to add to my understanding of the challenges these precious ecosystems are facing so that I may become a strong, reliable voice for the environment in the future. I am forever grateful for my time at Nash Community College in Dr. David Beamer’s Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution Lab. My hands-on research experiences at Nash have snowballed into opportunities for both self and scientific inquiry I never thought possible. I am reminded almost daily of how special and rewarding my time in Dr. Beamer’s lab at Nash Community was, and can’t wait to see what the future holds as I get to explore the world through an ecological lens.

Submitted by NCC Alumna Kabryn Mattison

Holly Whistler

Nash Community College English instructor Holly Whistler is one of 12 educators selected from applicants across North Carolina to participate in a professional development and curriculum fellowship focused on using the Population Institute’s OVERBook.

The OVERBook Project on the Environment and Sustainability is an interdisciplinary professional learning opportunity which aimed to deepen educators’ understanding of contemporary global environmental and sustainability issues and resources for teaching about these issues.

“This fellowship was a natural marriage of my study of Hispanic literature in college, my doctoral work in curriculum at the University of North Carolina-Wilmington, and Nash’s focus on global perspectives,” Whistler said. “Past travel to Mexico and Belize further enhanced my curiosity as a scholar; and this fellowship facilitated that curiosity.  Working with other community college campuses while utilizing the resources that the UNC system and non-profit sector provided was an instructional utopia.”

Representing schools, districts and community colleges throughout North Carolina, the Fellows engaged in interdisciplinary, professional, collaborative learning beginning in the summer of 2018 and culminating in the creation of comprehensive study guides with educator resources for integrating these photos and themes into a variety of disciplines across the K-12 and community college spectrum. The six themes included climate change, consumption, human rights, nature’s rights, pollution and water.

Whistler’s culminating project included the creation of study guides and teaching resources focused on consumption and nature’s rights. The materials are available at:

Consumption of Resources; Consumption of News

Human Rights and the Rights of Nature

To find out more about the OVERBook Project on the Environment and Sustainability, visit the Fellows program page at  https://worldview.unc.edu/resources/world-view-fellows-resources/. World View’s 2019-2020 Fellowship Program and applications will be announced in May 2019.

World View, a public service program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, equips K-12 and community college educators with global knowledge, best practices and resources to prepare students to engage in our interconnected and diverse world. To learn about World View, visit https://worldview.unc.edu/

Nash Community College Student and Enrollment Services Staff, Dr. Daniel Wilson, Dean of Enrollment Services and Admissions and Sonya Small, Counselor/Career and Job Placement Coordinator have established the Wilson-Small First Generation Scholarship. The two employees hope to encourage first generation college students to pursue their educational and career dreams while supporting increased retention at the college. To be considered for the funds, applicants must be a first generation college student maintaining a 2.5 GPA with a Financial Aid application on file. The scholarship is available to students enrolled in any curriculum program, and is renewable for one consecutive year.

Pictured from left, Dean of Enrollment Services, Dr. Daniel Wilson; NCC Vice President of Advancement Pam Ballew; Counselor/Career and Job Placement Coordinator Sonya Small and NCC President, Dr. Bill Carver.

Thomas and Peggy Winstead recently provided support for Nash Community College Basic Law Enforcement Training cars to be painted. The Winsteads previously established a scholarship at Nash Community College for students enrolled in trades-related continuing education programs. Their son, J.T. Winstead, a NCC Basic Law Enforcement Training alumnus, serves the community as a Nash County Sheriff’s Office deputy, and adjunct instructor at NCC. Special thanks to Custom Car Trims and Capitol Ford of Rocky Mount. Pictured, from left: NCC Vice President, Corporate and Economic Development/Chief Economic Development Officer Wendy Marlowe, Thomas and Peggy Winstead, NCC President Dr. Bill Carver, NCC Director of Basic Law Enforcement Training Tim Mehus and NCC Vice President of Advancement Pam Ballew.

NCC Associate in Engineering students and members of the High Altitude Balloon Team (Luis) Felipe Caicedo, Bryan Holguin Herrera, and (George) Richard Green also presented their research predicting the landing point of their high altitude balloon payload at the NC Space Symposium held at North Carolina State University on Friday, April 5.

Following the launch on April 22, the team successfully recovered its payload just minutes after landing slightly southeast of Greenville. “We recovered it only 3.2 miles from where we predicted it would land,” Lawrence said. “The balloon and payload reached a maximum height of 91,750 feet and we captured some amazing pictures.”

After recovering the payload, and analyzing the data, the team members discovered a opportunity in their programming that could result in gaining more valuable data in the future. “Our students learned the importance of extensive testing prior to launch in order to make sure everything is working properly,” Lawrence said. “They will continue their research on predicting a landing zone, and adjusting weight and helium volume to gain maximum altitude as well.”

Grant funds for the project were provided by NC Space Grant and the NCC Foundation Mini-Grant.

The Nashtronauts are currently preparing a Post-Launch Assessment Report to submit to NC Space Grant that will include all of their findings. For more information, follow the @therealnashtronauts on Instagram.

National Society of Leadership and Success

Nash Community College students were inducted into the National Society of Leadership and Success on Thursday, May 2, 2019. The Society is the nation’s largest leadership honor society which honors students based on either academic standing or leadership potential. Candidacy is a nationally recognized achievement of honorable distinction.

In addition to honorable distinction, the Society provides a step-by-step program for members to build their leadership skills through participation at their campus or online. Upon completion of the program, members receive their leadership certificate and take their place among the top student leaders at their campus and across the country.

NCC Dean of Student Wellness, Marbeth Holmes, gave the keynote address during the ceremony. Holmes earned her Master of Social Work at UNC and a Master of Arts in English at Abilene Christian University. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, a Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist, and a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional.

Membership in the Society is lifelong and provides access to benefits including scholarships and awards, exclusive on-campus events, employer recruitment through an online job bank, and discounts on computers, textbooks, grad school prep courses, insurance and much more.

The following Nash Community College students were inducted into the National Society of Leadership and Success:

Samantha Anderson
Margaret Bentley
Mandi Dawes
Amberleigh Dornseif
Shannon Fleming
Ashleigh Glover
Callie Hall
Anna Hellard
David Jones
Laura Louie
Breanna McKnight
Kathryn O’Brien
Jeffrey Petrillo
Deborah Pittman
Ada Pridgen
Jessica Scollins
Elizabeth Tedder
Daniel Wooten
Trinity Arrington
James Davis
Monica De La Torre
Logan Edwards
Shamarra Gilbert
Curtis Griffin
Sylvia Hauter
Jesse Hower
Ashleigh Lamm
Dorian Mazur
Christopher Murray
Crystal Parker
Amber Phillips
Kaitlyn Pittman Finch
Raymond Russell
Jessica Spence
Ethan Wheeless

Students from Nash County, Franklin County, Vance County, Warrenton and Johnston County Sheriff’s Offices recently completed Detention Officer training at Nash Community College. The certification includes 179 hours of instruction designed to train qualified participants to function as officers in detention facilities. The course is governed by the North Carolina Sheriffs’ and North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commissions.

Students who completed the certification program are, front row, from left – Director, NCC Law Enforcement In-Service Training Jim Thomas, Paul Sunza, Brandi Burden, Nayeli Alejo-Mendoza, Janet Leonard, Jaron Teague; back row, from left – Hikeem Malone, James Hayes, Andrew Bussiere, Ryan Smith, Jacob Moody, Delshawn Hicks, and NCC Coordinator/Instructor Law Enforcement Training Reuben Crumpton.

The program is now accepting applications for the Fall 2019 C3 Cohort. Visit https://admissions.ncsu.edu/m/community-college-collaboration/ or contact Dr. Deana Guido at dlguido744@nashcc.edu for more information. Pictured above from left, Lauren Bennett and Jason Michaels attended a social held on the NC State campus for NC State Community College Collaboration (C3) students. 

Nash Community College HIS 111 World Civilizations I students recently built a kiln and made pottery using natural resources found on the campus. Members of the class made primitive bricks and learned about creating structural stability within a large clay mound similar to reinforcement bar that is found in modern concrete structures. They also built a second kiln using more modern materials including a large screen to accommodate a larger fire.

Participants experienced searching for, cleaning, working, and firing both red and grey clay found on campus. An assortment of techniques building kilns and making pottery were researched and utilized during this project.

At the end of the project, participants observed the differences between earthenware and stoneware/porcelain due to the temperatures available from only burning wood found around Nash Community College’s LiveWell and Learn Trail. The modern kiln sustained temperatures around 800 degrees Fahrenheit. Surprisingly the primitive kiln was able to sustain temperatures too high to measure with the heat gun available of over 1000 degrees Fahrenheit.

“The end result was some brittle dark brown and black pottery, while others were bright orange, similar to clay flower pots found at local shops,” Kent said.

Other topics discussed were the importance of pottery shards found in early bricks, building techniques in ancient Rome where small hollow pottery balls were thrown into Roman concrete to add stability while reducing weight, and voting in the ancient world on pottery ballots.

“Students worked many hours, staying on campus as many as eight hours, to keep the temperature up on the kilns, cooking breakfast and lunch over the vents,” Kent said. “I think projects like this are important to expose our students to the culture and lives of people we study in History class.”

For more information, please call 252-451-8289.

Nash Community College recognized three faculty members as Master Instructors for Higher Education in a ceremony held on Thursday, May 9, 2019 in the NCC Healthy Places Dining Room. Franchesca Battle, Amber Anders Greer and Katie Hoffer received the Master Instructor designation which was developed to identify Nash Community College instructors who exemplify excellence in three performance standards: educational professionalism, leadership and collaboration, and responsibility for student learning.

Franchesca Battle is a member of the English and Humanities and Social Sciences faculty and serves as a subject matter expert for Nash Online. She earned Bachelor of Arts degrees in English and Public Relations at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Master of Public Administration degree at East Carolina University. ​Franchesca holds graduate hours in English from East Carolina University. She has been employed at NCC for 14 years.

Amber Greer earned an Associate in Applied Science degree at Pitt Community College, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration Healthcare Management at Mount Olive College. She serves at NCC as Medical Assisting Practicum Coordinator and Instructor. Amber has been employed at NCC since 2012.

Katie Hoffer is an English and Humanities Instructor and co-director of the Global Scholars Program and Study Abroad. She earned Bachelor of Arts degrees in English and Anthropology and a Master of Arts degree in English from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Katie has been employed at NCC for five years.

The Master Instructor constantly and consistently reflects upon their practice to ensure academic excellence and improvement for themselves, their peers, colleagues, and the college. They take responsibility for the progress of all Nash Community College students to ensure they graduate and are competitive in the workplace. Master Instructors strive to improve campus-wide classroom instruction by creating a positive working environment and sharing best practices with colleagues. They know how to engage students, keeping them actively involved and motivated in the classroom, and are able to gauge students’ understanding of content and organize instruction to meet instructional goals.

Pictured from left, Franchesca Battle, Katie Hoffer and Amber Greer

Nash Community College celebrated its Electric Line Construction Technology program Third Class certificate graduates on Thursday, May 9, 2019 with a pole climbing rodeo, graduation ceremony and signing event.

“Attrition in the utility industry, resulting from retirement, has increased the urgency for NCC to train students in Electric Line Construction Technology. It is important for this college to invest in in training a highly-skilled workforce and to be a step ahead in responding to industry needs,” NCC President Dr. Bill Carver said. “These individuals are part of a premier program that takes pride in preparing students to operate safely and successfully as valuable members of utility teams.”

The day began at 8:30 AM on NCC’s utility pole training field as Electric Line Construction students competed in a rodeo demonstrating their skills in protected grounding, climbing obstacles and hurt man rescue techniques. With approximately 100 family members, friends and supporters looking on, the students earned points for safety, and were timed during the competition. Winners of the rodeo are: Jacob Zais (First Place), David McKeel (Second Place) and Matthew Miller (Third Place).

Nash Community College’s Electric Line Construction curriculum prepares students for line construction in rural and utility settings through laboratory and practical applications. NCC students master competencies including elements of electricity, overhead pole and electrical line construction, safety codes and applications, electric power system, transformer installations, and more. An emphasis on safety is embedded in Nash Community College’s program as students earn OSHA, CDL and CPR certifications during training.

“NCC’s program would not be what it is today without the foresight President Carver had more than twenty years ago, along with the integral role our utility partners play as we work together to create a program with a reputation of graduating skilled, safety minded, career-ready line technicians,” Vice President of Corporate and Economic Development and Chief Economic Development Officer Wendy Marlowe said.

Congratulations to the following Nash Community College Class of 2019 Electric Line Construction Technology – Third Class graduates:

• Joshua Boone of Benson
• Jonathan Bullard of Shannon
• Jared Butler of Wilson
• Tra Campbell of Tarboro
• Christopher Carlos of Clayton
• Turner Davis of Fuquay Varina
• Ryan Eagle of Willow Spring
• Cody Fisher of Fayetteville
• Dustin Gouldman of Henderson
• Sam Harper of Wilmington
• Jonathan Hillis of Rocky Mount
• David Langford of Spring Hope
• Logan Mazingo of Nashville
• David McKeel of Roanoke Rapids
• Matthew Miller of Dunn
• Raymond Powell of Wilson
• Brian Upchurch of Coats
• Jacob Zais of Clayton

During the career signing event, the following individuals made commitments to begin their careers with electric line and utility employers:

• Jonathan Bullard, PWC-Fayetteville
• Jared Butler, Pike
• Turner Davis, Pike
• Ryan Eagle, Four County Electric Membership Corporation
• Cody Fisher, Pike
• Jonathan Hillis, Forbes Brothers Timberline
• Logan Mazingo, Forbes Brothers Timberline
• David McKeel, Pike
• Matthew Miller, Pike
• Raymond Powell, Edgecombe/Martin Electric Membership Corporation
• Jacob Zais, Forbes Brothers Timberline
• Nicholas Fleming, 2018 graduate, of Nashville, City of Wilson
• Danny Radford, of Roanoke Rapids, Pike

For more information, please call 252-451-8379.

Nash Community College will recognize Donna H. Reams of Nashville, NC as the 2019 Outstanding Alumni Award recipient at the Curriculum Graduation ceremony Friday, May 17, 2019.

The annual award honors a graduate or student who is making outstanding contributions in their chosen profession and service to their community.

Donna Reams enrolled at Nash Community College in 1995 in the Physical Therapist Assistant program. A Dean’s List student, she was a member of Gamma Beta Phi Honor Society, secretary of the Physical Therapist Assistant Student Organization, was inducted into Who’s Who among Community College Students, and served as a tutor. Donna graduated from Nash Community College with an Associate in Applied Science degree in 1997, with honors.

Upon graduation, she began her career with Nash Health Care serving as a Physical Therapist Assistant and Clinical Instructor until 2005. Donna was promoted in 2005 to Rehabilitation Coordinator of Acute Care Services at the hospital where she assisted with operations, budgeting and staff leadership. Additionally, she oversaw collaboration with other departments within the hospital and in physical therapy settings. In 2012, she was promoted to supervisor.

Donna’s 22 years of clinical experience and dedication have been devoted to teaching best practices to countless Physical Therapist Assistant students. Her work ethic, strong interpersonal skills and leadership qualities have helped her excel in her career.

“Donna is a most deserving recipient of the Outstanding Alumnus Award. In addition to the professional advancement she has realized at Nash-UNC Health Care Systems, Donna has provided thousands of hours of valuable, and volunteer, service to the NCC Physical Therapist Assistant program as a clinical instructor since graduating over 20 years ago,” NCC Vice President for Instruction and Chief Academic Officer Dr. Tammie Clark said. “Considering the countless patients and students Donna has affected, her impact on the Rocky Mount community has been substantial.”

Donna Reams is actively involved in her church and community supporting causes such as the United Way, Adopt a Family and Relay for Life.

Pictured above, Donna Reams, NCC 2019 Outstanding Alumni Award Recipient

On Friday, May 3, Nash Community College President Dr. Bill Carver hosted a career luncheon for NRM-Early College High School “Super Seniors” graduating with the Class of 2019. The students took high school and college courses while enrolled in the Early College High School, a five-year high school located at NCC. On Friday, May 17 during NCC’s Curriculum Graduation Ceremony, the students graduated with both a high school diploma and either an NCC Associate Degree or two years of college credit transferable to a four-year institution.

Nash Community College celebrated Curriculum commencement Friday, May 17, 2019 recognizing 555 students for completion of 680 degrees, diplomas and certificates at the College’s fifty-first annual graduation ceremony.

North Carolina Senator Rick Horner delivered the keynote address at the ceremony held in Brown Auditorium. “This evening is important to our county and state,” Horner said. “We are all blessed to have an institution like Nash Community College that offers so many pathways. What you have done gives hope to others who look at you and know they can do it.”

“I believe with all of my heart,” Horner continued, “that we have an obligation to share our good fortune with others. I ask you as you make your way in life to reflect on how you can make your world a better place.”

NCC President, Dr. Bill Carver gave each graduate a two-dollar bill as they walked across the stage. “Hopefully, this will be the first $2.00 of the fortune you will make after leaving here to make your way in the world,” he said. Carver also announced the planting of three trees in honor of the Class of 2019. “You are the year of the peach. Mark your calendars for five years, maybe four,” he said, “when these trees mature and we will sneak a few.”

Student Government Association President and Student Trustee Amberleigh Dornseif also addressed the graduates. “Attending Nash my first two years has been beneficial to me for several reasons. The biggest one is, that deep down I knew, I wasn’t quite ready to move away from my hometown. The second more important reason was that I saved my parents a lot of money,” Dornseif said.

“Nash Community College is full of the most inspiring people I have ever met. I have made friends with students from around the corner and from other states. Having the privilege of serving as Student Trustee has allowed me opportunities and to connect with people I may not have otherwise known,” Dornseif said.

Following her speech, Dornseif presented a special plaque to President Carver. “As you all know, President Carver is retiring this year following a career serving the citizens of Nash County. As President, he has advocated for students, and created a welcoming academic environment of Blue Love that has prepared us for the future,” Dornseif said.

“On behalf of the Class of 2019, I present this plaque, custom-made by the NCC Machining Department, in recognition of your commitment to serving others, and your dedication in preparing students for lifelong success,” she said.

“Many dedicated people have played a part in the campus we have today,” President Carver said. “Since 1967, NCC leaders have advocated tirelessly for local training needs, and the critical contributions technical programs make in our state’s economy, many times meeting resistance, but never giving up. And as a result, along with supportive partners the college is able to provide an exceptional learning environment. Thank you for choosing Nash. Class of 2019, you are to be commended for your hard work.”

 

Nash Community College recently held orientation to welcome its Student Ambassadors for the 2019-2020 academic year.

Students are selected for the program based on application, letters of recommendation and an interview. They must be enrolled at Nash Community College as a full-time student, maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.0, and demonstrate a commitment to academic and career success.

Each semester, ambassadors complete 20 or more hours of service representing NCC on and off campus. Ambassadors participate in an orientation and leadership training session, serve as hosts for campus events, conduct campus tours and promote the college at events.

“We are excited to welcome this group of ambassadors as a representation of our campus in the community. The 2019-2020 Student Ambassadors bring a variety of experiences, and impressive energy and skillsets to help lead and support NCC initiatives,” Pam Ballew, NCC Vice President of Institutional Advancement said.

Pictured from left: NCC President Dr. Bill Carver and Vice President of Institutional Advancement Pam Ballew with 2019-2020 NCC Student Ambassadors, front row: Heather Haynes, Associate in Science, Rocky Mount; Phoebe Prezioso, Associate in Arts, Rocky Mount; Shannon Fleming, Associate in Arts, Rocky Mount; David Dickens, Associate in Engineering, Rocky Mount; Back row: Donovan Dickens, Associate in Engineering, Rocky Mount; Will Speight, Associate in Science, Elm City; Kathryn Davis, Associate in Arts and Associate in Science, Wilson; Angie Bennett, Broadcast Production Technology, Whitakers.

ESAP Professional Development Day, Peter Hans, NC Community Colleges president

Nash Community College hosted more than 200 leaders from North Carolina’s 58 community colleges for networking and professional development this week.

As the hub site for the “Employability Skills Alignment Project”, the college held a networking event at Rocky Mount Mills on Wednesday, June 5 where visitors enjoyed mill campus tours, local fare and networking opportunities. On Thursday, June 6, attendees discussed system-wide project implementation during professional development activities held in the NCC Brown Auditorium.

More than half of employers who responded to a 2018 statewide survey indicated a lack of employability skills among applicants when hiring. The North Carolina Community College System, committed to closing the gap between training and employer needs, seeks to address these needs through specific training provided by each community college in the Employability Skills Alignment Project.

“I have had the chance to visit all 58 community colleges in my first year on the job and I came away truly inspired by our faculty, staff and especially our students,” NC Community Colleges president Peter Hans said. “Today’s event represents what is so great about community colleges: aligning with the business community responding to the needs so that our students have the life skills that are so desperately essential to their success. Community colleges figure out a way to get it done time and time again. There is no better investment in North Carolina’s future for those 700,000 students that attend the 58 colleges.”

Using specially designed curriculum, North Carolina Community Colleges are offering soft skills training in the topics identified by employers including: critical and analytical thinking, problem solving and decision making, cultural sensitivity, interpersonal skills, oral, written and non-verbal communication, reliability and dependability, team work and time and resource management. The online training is non-industry specific and recommended for current and prospective employees in any sector.

The Employability Skills Alignment Project is led by the North Carolina Community College System, Nash Community College, an advisory team, team leaders and delegates representing each community college. Funding is provided by the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act 2006, NCCCS State Board Reserve and Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA-Title II).

“Dr. Carver has been a great leader for Nash, for the system,” Hans said. “He is recognized among his peers as one of the finest presidents in the system. And indeed across the country the work he has done here at Nash with a great team that you’ve assembled is tremendous.”

For more information, call 252-451-8273 or contact a North Carolina community college.