New Human Patient Simulation Center
KCC launches Peer Advocate Program
Students feel stimulus impact, but not much
Academy for Leadership Development
KCC rededicates front steps, W.K. Kellogg quote
New Human Patient Simulation Center
William Cook
Staff Writer
| A new Human Patient Simulation Center (HPSC) isscheduled to open here at KCC during spring semester 2010. The center will be used by nursing students and potentially the EMS/EMT students as well, according to Theresa Dawson, Director of KCC’s Nursing Education Program. “The school was dedicated to making this happen” says Dawson. The Human Patient Simulation Center will be located in the newly renovated C-building and will consist of two rooms and a control center. Dawson says the center will use innovative, computer-based, high fidelity technology. |
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| The center will contain the latest, most advanced wireless human patient simulator mannequins, known as I-STANs. The new technology is extremely expensive, and “the total cost for the initial development of the HPSC is approximately $200,000” according to an article published by the Morning Star. Dawson says KCC already has raised nearly $57,000 in grant money for the development of the center, but the mannequins alone cost approximately $26,000. Dr. Haring told the Morning Star that “we [KCC] are looking for other funding sources to assist us with this innovative development, which is essential if we are to meet the current and future demand for skilled nurses.” Many agree with Dr. Haring’s remarks. “I am extremely excited that this new technology is coming to KCC, and that I will be able to take advantage of it,” said one KCC nursing student. Dawson says one of the advantages of the center is that the new technology will put the students in real and practical clinical settings, training the students to work with different types of situations without endangering an actual patient. But this is just one of many advantages. According to both Dawson and the Morning Star the Human Patient Simulation Center will the increase of the quality of nursing education and the quantity of students, as well as the amount of nursing graduates The Morning Star reports the new technology could increase the number of admitted students by 20 percent. Although, the center is scheduled to open during the spring semester of 2010 the lab may not be fully operational until the fall of 2010. “It will take time to train the faculty on the new equipment.” Dawson said. Overall, faculty and students alike say they are very excited to see Kellogg Community College continue to strive for new and revolutionary technology including ways to instruct the students and prepare them for their future and future careers. |
KCC launches Peer Advocate Program
Liz McCord
Editor-in-chief
Kellogg Community College launched a new peer advocate program this semester to facilitate support, safety, and substance abuse education among students. The mission of the program is to provide a safe place where students can receive confidential support and guidance.
The program, called Peer Advocates for Healthy Lifestyles, has three peer advocates so far, and plans to expand the number before the end of the school year.
The advocates are current KCC students who are employed to work five to 15 hours per week. In preparation for the program, they attended training sessions to harness skills such as, listening, red flag identification, and learning substance abuse information, resource and referral systems, campus departments and responsibilities, and confidentiality.
The current peer advocates are Kahyl Stevenson, Nicole Way, and Brad Elliott. All three are majoring in Human Services although all students are welcome to apply for a position.
“We looked for students with good people skills, who were interested in resource and networking, who knew of community resources, and who were interested in helping people make healthy choices,” said Sherry Rial, KCC adjunct counselor and one of the organizers of the program. “The three advocates we have are wonderful and we are hoping to find more like them for the other open positions.”
The idea for the program came from KCC’s partnership with Prevention Abuse Substance Services, who approached the college to conduct a survey about substance abuse. In August 2008, the college conducted a face-to-face survey of 250 students regarding drug use and alcohol abuse.
The results indicated that approximately half of the students surveyed were unaware of college drug and alcohol policies. Sixty percent of the respondents also agreed that the campus is concerned about the prevention of drug and alcohol abuse.
“The results of the survey showed us that we needed to do something in regards to drug and alcohol prevention on campus,” said Dr. Marshall Washington, vice president of Student Services at KCC. After working with its partners, the college decided to move forward with grant money and develop the Peer Advocates for Healthy Lifestyles program.
The program is just beginning, but has already experienced some success. On October 30, 2009, the peer advocates and friends gathered outside in front of campus to celebrate that more than 100 students that pledged to not abuse alcohol or drugs. The peer advocates celebrated this first victory by planting a red tulip bulb for each student. The bulbs will bloom in April, Alcohol Abuse Awareness Month. They also planted white tulip bulbs in honor or memory of those hurt by substance abuse.
Student advocates are available from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday at an office located in the Learning Place on the third floor of the Ohm Information Technology Center on KCC’s main campus. For more information, please contact Sherry Rial at (269) 965-3931 Ext. 2604 or rials@kellogg.edu.
| Left to Right: Nicole Way and Brad Elliott | Photo by Nicole Finkbeiner |
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Student feel stimulus impact, but not much
Ron Davis
Advisor
A November 2009 survey of KCC students revealed that most are working, but are also concerned about earning a livable wage.
Sixty percent of the 95 KCC students interviewed reported they are currently employed. Right now the national unemployment rate is the highest it has been in recent memory, well above 9 percent.
The non-scientific survey sought to measure the impact of the recession upon students, and to note any students who had gained employment related to recent Federal stimulus money provided to Calhoun County.
More than 60 percent of respondents are aware of someone who has, or they themselves have, lost employment during the recession. However, only 41 percent believe that any of the Federal stimulus money is helping.
Nearly 40 percent of 25-44 year old students indicated that they believe the Federal stimulus money has “helped create” more jobs, but this has helped only a little bit, say over nearly 70 percent of them.
Supporting that belief, of the 95 surveyed, fewer than 10 percent were working at a job actually “created or saved” by stimulus money.
Though 60 percent were working, only 45 percent of the respondents believed they were earning a livable wage with which they could support themselves or their family.
The recent Michigan State University 2009 Hiring Trends survey painted a bleak picture for job prospects for graduates. The report indicated that flexibility and entrepreneurship may be the way for most graduates to prepare for post-graduate employment.
The KCC survey was conducted as part of a class assignment by the English 152.02, Fall semester 2009. The data revealed knowledge and attitudes about recent Federal stimulus money and how it impacts KCC students. Over 60 percent of all respondents actually know what the stimulus money is.
Academy for Leadership Development
Liz McCord
Editor-in-chief
Five Kellogg Community College employees have completed a year-long program designed to broaden their understanding of leadership. Rick Scott, Paula Puckett, Barbara Sudeikis, John Jones, and Nicole Finkbeiner recently graduated from the Mesa Community College’s Academy for Leadership Development.
The Academy for Leadership and Development offers opportunities to acquire, broaden, and understand major research and theoretical developments in leadership. The mission of the program is to design and promote world-class training programs and services to advance academic and administrative leadership for post-secondary institutions world-wide in an era of change.
Participants had the opportunity to develop knowledge and skills in selecting, integrating, and recognizing behavioral styles and how to correctly approach these issues. They were also taught how to address leadership problems through a system designed to raise morality and motivation among participants.
Paula Puckett, chair of the Arts and Communications department said, “The Leadership Academy experience was beneficial for several reasons: it provided insights about the importance of focusing on strengths of individuals, teams, and the organization. It challenged me to have crucial conversations with people and it made me more appreciative of the friends I have at the college. Each one of these reasons made it worthwhile, but combined with the feedback I received from three people in my department and my supervisor about my strengths and what I need to work on, it was priceless.”
Participants attend day-long sessions for two weeks at the beginning and end of the one-year program. Throughout the year they use a professional development plan crafted for each individual participant. Each participant is involved in a mentoring program that offers three supervisors and peer evaluations. During the one year period they journal and undertake a reflective practice. They also receive graduate credit at the completion of the program. Topics covered include: understanding self and others, leading and managing effective teams, strategic planning and scenario thinking, managing conflict productively and engaging in crucial conversations, appreciating diversity, coaching and developing for exemplary performance outcomes, and many more.
Rick Scott, Chief Financial Officer, said, “The Chair Academy has been beneficial for a number of reasons. The most important was having a professional development plan documented that outlined certain things that needed to be accomplished in order to complete the academy. And in completing these tasks, I believe our department is improving its communication and finding solutions to problems or issues in a more pro-active manner than before. It also brings you to a cognitive level about who you are and how you act, and react, in certain situations. And it gives you tools to recognize and understand other individuals’ behavior styles, which will help in ensuring communication with those individuals is as productive as possible.” For more information about The Academy for Leadership and Development, visit www.chairacademy.com.
| Barbara Sudeikis, John Jones, Paula Puckett, Richard Scott, Nicole Finkbeiner | Photo by Penny Rose |
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KCC rededicates front steps, W.K. Kellogg quote
Liz McCord
Editor-in-chief
On November 17, Kellogg Community College employees, along with representatives from the Battle Creek community, rededicated the front steps and the W.K. Kellogg quote that now graces the front steps.
The renovations to the front steps include the addition of an Americans with Disabilities Act ramp, a student drop-off point away from the main flow of traffic, and a complete renovation of the steps. “The goal of this project was to allow for easier access to our campus. When the steps were built 50 plus years ago, the original design did not include accommodations for those who need handicapped access, those using strollers for young children, and our students using the rolling backpacks. This new design will make it much easier for everyone to have access to the front of campus,” said Mark O’Connell, Kellogg Community College’s Vice President for Administration and Finance.
In addition, the college wanted to place more emphasis on the W.K. Kellogg quote located on the steps. The quote reads “Education offers the greatest opportunity for really improving one generation over another” W.K. Kellogg. The quote was originally behind the waterfall portion of the front steps, but the college decided to relocate it to increase the emphasis on the quote. “The thoughts of W.K. Kellogg expressed on the front entrance to the college captures the feelings and beliefs of our KCC faculty and staff,” said KCC President, Dr. G. Edward Haring. “We all believe that we change lives for the better every day here at Kellogg Community College.”
Approximately 30 KCC employees attended the event. They were joined by KCC Board Chairman Jonathan Byrd, KCC Board Vice-Chair Jill Booth, Sterling Speirn, Jim McHale, and Reggie LaGrand from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, Linda Wendt from the Battle Creek Community Foundation, Jason Kopp from Skanska, Thomas Mathison from Tower Pinkster, and Woodrow Isaacs III from Site Design Solutions.
Construction management for the project was by Skanska, architectural design and electrical engineering was completed by Tower Pinkster, and Site Design Solutions finalized the project by designing the landscape. The funding for the renovation came from the college’s Maintenance and Replacement Fund, a fund specifically designated for campus facility improvements and maintenance.
For more information, please contact Kellogg Community College at (269) 965-3931 or visit www.kellogg.edu.
| Photo by Nicole Finkbeiner |
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| From left to right: Mark O’Connell (KCC Vice President of Administration and Finance), Reggie LaGrand (W.K. Kellogg Foundation), Sterling Speirn (W.K. Kellogg Foundation), Jill Booth (KCC Board Vice Chair), Jonathan Byrd (KCC Board Chair), Dr. Edward Haring (KCC President), Woodrow Isaacs III (Site Design Solutions), Thomas Mathison (Tower Pinkster), Jason Kopp (Skanska), and John DiPierro (KCC Director of Institutional Facilities and Public Safety) |
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