Tansey Topics: A weekly look at what's happening at BCCC | Eastern North Carolina Now

    While students, faculty and staff here at BCCC were dealing, once again, with snow last week, I was honored to be part of a Southern Association of Colleges and Schools accreditation team that visited the Jakarta campus of Lone Star Community College. Although the trip was tiring  -  we spent 48 hours in transit, 48 hours on the ground in Jakarta and 30 hours in airport waiting areas  -  I learned a lot and came back with some great ideas on how we can improve our operations. Watch for more about this trip in the March edition of Campus Connections. Also, thanks very much to my team for taking care of the college during my absence.

    Here's a quick look at just some of the activities this week at BCCC:

    BCCC Foundation News

    • The BCCC Foundation Board of Directors met earlier this week and discussed a range of issues of importance to the non-profit organization. Foundation Director Judy Jennette reported that the Foundation's day-trips to the Durham Performing Arts Center have been profitable this year. The board agreed that profits from these trips be added to the Foundation's Emergency Grants Program. The Foundation's last trip for the season is Saturday when a group will be attending a performance of Book of Mormon at DPAC. A Foundation-planned trip this spring to London has also been well-received, according to Jennette.

    Business and Industrial Technology

    • Planning continues for Advanced Manufacturing Career Week at BCCC during the week of April 7 through 11. Among the events on the calendar are an Advanced Manufacturing Open House for current and prospective students and their parents, a Career Fair, industry tours by BCCC students and Free Day at BCCC, a chance for those interested in attending college to sample classes here at BCCC free of charge. Thanks to N.C. Advanced Manufacturing Alliance Coordinator Darwin Richards and NCAMA Recruiter Juanita Gardner and their team for organizing this outreach.

    Career Center

    • Career Center Director Sandy McFadden reports that BCCC's Career Fair, scheduled for 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, April 8, in the Multi-purpose of Building 10, will have a new look. McFadden says participants will be able to spend more time with potential employers in a more relaxed environment. The Career Fair is continuing to accept registrations from local business and industries that would like the chance to meet with potential employees. For more information, contact Sandy at 252-940-6353.

    Continuing Education

    • Registration is now under way for BCCC's Commercial Truck Driving Program. Classes will begin Monday, March 10 and continue to Thursday, August 14, in the program that trains students to drive a tractor-trailer and help them obtain their Class-A Commercial Driver's License. Thanks to Vice President of Continuing Education Chet Jarman, Director of Workplace Initiatives Lou Stout and Heavy Equipment and Transport Technology Instructor Haywood Broome for their hard work in continuing the program following the loss of David Crosby.

    Distance Learning

    • Learning Resources Center and Distance Learning Director Penny Sermons is excited to share that BCCC will be migrating soon to Blackboard Managed Hosting. This will provide cloud-based, reliable and effective hosting around-the-clock for the Blackboard Learning Management System. The implementation of this project is under way with plans to go live during the summer term. Watch for more information about this change and thanks to Penny and her team for their work on this move.

    Great Eight Late-Start Classes

    • Registration will begin next week and continue through Monday, March 10 for several eight-week classes that will give those interested in enrolling in college or those who would like to add an additional class a chance to do so. And about 80 percent of these eight-week courses are available online as part of BCCC's continuing effort to serve those students who live at a distance from the college. The eight-week classes begin Tuesday, March 11. Thanks to Vice President of Academics Crystal Ange and her team for putting together this selection of classes.

    Student Services:

    • North Carolina native Ben Jones, best known for his portrayal of Cooter on the television show Dukes of Hazzard will appear from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the BCCC Auto Technology Club Car Show set for Saturday April 5 on the BCCC campus. He will sign autographs and pose for photographs with event attendees free of charge. The car show is part of Gullfest, a new event at Beaufort County Community College, to benefit BCCC's Student Government Association and our campus-based clubs. Three local bands  -  K-Os, Lo-Lock and the Flatland Zingers  -  are scheduled to perform during the festival. Thanks to Automotive Technology Instructors Richie Alligood and Bryan Van Gyzen for their work on the car show and Student Activities Coordinator Theresa Edwards and her team for arranging music for the event. Watch for more information about all the activities that day!

    Personnel and Personal Notes

    • BCCC has a new "doctor in the house!" Congratulations to Associate Degree Nursing Instructor Millie House on the completion of her Doctoral of Nursing Practice. On Monday, Millie presented her oral capstone defense of her research titled, "Cardiac Medicine Thirty-Day Reduction Strategies in an Academic Medical Center."

    • Thanks to Vice President of Institutional Effectiveness and Research Jay Sullivan for his work at the recent Wildlife Arts Festival and Decoy Carving Championship in Washington. Jay is one of the many dedicated volunteers who help bring this wonderful event to the community each year.

    And in the coming weeks, watch for the following:

   •  February 21  -  TRIO/Student Support Services visit to Barton College in Wilson.

   •  February 22  -  FAFSA Day, financial aid counseling, 9 a.m. to noon, Room 927, Building 9.

   •  February 22  -  BCCC Foundation trip to see Book of Mormon at the Durham Performing Arts Center.

   •  February 24  -  Allied Health Programs Information Session for Medical Laboratory Technology, noon, Room 1204/06, Building 12.

   •  February 25  -  Recognition ceremony for "BCCC's Best," noon, Student Lounge, Building 9. Seventeen students will be cited for the characteristic "respectful."

   •  February 25  -  Student Government Association meeting, noon, Student Lounge, Building 9.

   •  February 25  -  Clickers in the Classroom presentation by Dr. Bethann Fine of East Carolina University, noon to 12:50 p.m., Auditorium, Building 12. Sponsored by the Faculty Senate.

   •  February 25  -  NCLIVE Advanced Workshop for librarians, 1 to 4 p.m., sponsored by the state library.

   •  February 27  -  Breaking Every Chain, Black History Month celebration, 6 p.m., Multi-purpose Room, Building 10.