The digital magazine for faculty, staff, students and friends of Pensacola State College
January 26, 2021
|
|
Emma Hamrick, a Pensacola State nursing student, completes an assignment on her laptop. In the "Best Online Bachelor's Programs 2022 Edition” listing, Pensacola State’s online RN to BSN Program was ranked second among Florida College System institutions, fifth among all Florida colleges and universities and among the top 50 in the nation. |
|
For the fourth consecutive year, the College’s online RN to BSN Program has moved up in U.S. News and World Report’s rankings. In the publication’s “Best Online Bachelor’s Programs 2022 Edition,” the program was ranked second among Florida College System institutions, fifth among all Florida colleges and universities and among the top 50 in the nation.
“At a time when qualified nurses and other health care workers are needed more than ever, we’re doing some great work here at Pensacola State College. This is outstanding!” Pensacola State President Ed Meadows said of the rankings.
Meadows said the acceptance of applicants year-round, transfer students and affordable tuition were some of the factors in the rankings. The College also offers diverse online learning technologies, career guidance, support structures and learning assistance to students.
To calculate the rankings, U.S. News and World Report assessed schools based on four categories: engagement (35 percent), services and technologies (25 percent), faculty credentials and training (20 percent), and expert opinion (20 percent).
Dusti Sluder, Dean of Health Sciences, attributed the online RN to BSN Program’s success to “a remarkable community of faculty educators, students and partnered clinicians.”
“We are educating future health care practitioners and leaders, at a complex time for the profession,” she added. “It is nice to receive such recognition for the commitment and passion that we dedicate to the program.”
PHOTO: Pensacola State College President Ed Meadows
|
|
PSC African-American Student Association hosts African Diaspora commemoration as part of Black History Celebration |
|
Legendary author Alex Haley’s monumental and nation-gripping 1976 book “Roots: The Saga of an American Family” tells the story of young 18th century African Kunta Kinte and his capture by slave traders and his life in bondage.
The novel also tells the story of his descendants up to modern times and the ongoing struggle to nourish the roots that connect African Americans to their ancestral home.
It’s a story that connects African Americans and people of African heritage who are now scattered across the continents. It is the story of the African Diaspora – the collection of people across the globe which are descended from native Africans or who are from Africa.
Pensacola State College will commemorate the African Diaspora with a cultural event set for 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 16, in the Delaino Student Center, Building 5, on the Pensacola campus. The event will feature African food, African dance, African drumming and vendors selling African items and African-inspired goods.
The “Celebration of the African Diaspora” is part of PSC’s Black History Month commemoration and is sponsored by the PSC African-American Student Association.
“Our theme is “our Heritage – Now and Forevermore,” said Tonie Anderson-Steele, PSC African American Student adviser. “We celebrate and recognize our past, present and future. There’s no changing what happened – the past is the past. But there were so many trials and tribulations for us that we can’t ever forget. We have to build on the past and go forward.”
The African Diaspora – “diaspora” means scattering and originally referred to the exile of Jews and their dispersion across the globe – is defined by the African Union as “people of native African origin living outside the continent, irrespective of their citizenship and nationality and who are willing to contributes to the development of the continent and the building of the African Union.”
The African Union is a union of 55 member states located in Africa.
“We weren’t slaves – we were free people who were then enslaved,’’ Anderson-Steele said. “We want to honor our ancestors and the culture and legacy that they helped establish.”
The February event also will feature various speakers, including Pensacola pediatrician Dr. Michelle Grier-Hall and Dr. Marion Williams, a former Escambia County School District administrator and local historian. Lepoleon Williams will lead a group of dancers and drummers in a performance. Food at the event will include jerk chicken, peas and rice, baked plantains and more.
— Troy Moon
|
|
Pensacola State College's Theta Chi Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa is sponsoring “Encounters of Hope,” a live performance presented by the Chaddah Dance Company. The performance tells the true stories of human trafficking victims through powerful imagery and dance. Encounters of Hope engages minds, breaks hearts and activates individuals to join others in their community to unite in the fight against human trafficking. All proceeds from this event go to support the PTK Transformation Through Education Scholarship at the Pensacola State College Foundation. This scholarship assists survivors of human trafficking to pursue their educational goals at Pensacola State College.
This performance will be 6:30 p.m. Saturday, February 5, at the Jean and Paul Amos Performance Studio on the Pensacola Campus. Tickets are $14 each and are available online here.
|
|
Military Appreciation Night: Free admission to Feb. 9 men and women’s basketball games for all military members, veterans |
|
If you’re an active duty military service member or veteran, Pensacola State College invites you to the Feb. 9 Pirates men and women’s basketball games against Panhandle Conference rivals ─ Gulf Coast State College.
Wednesday, Feb. 9, is “Military Appreciation Night” at Hartsell Arena on the Pensacola campus. The PSC women’s team plays at 5:30 p.m. and the men’s team plays at 7:30 p.m.
“We have had a ‘Military Appreciation Night’ event in the past,’’ said Hailey Lotz, PSC Executive Director for Development, Alumni and Athletics. “We weren’t able to do it last year because of COVID-19, so we’re excited to welcome our military back this year. This is such a huge military community and we just wanted to show our support and appreciation.”
A military color guard will “present the colors” before the game, and guests from the Pensacola chapter of the Order of the Purple Heart will meet and speak with game attendees.
PSC will have an information booth at the game with representatives from the College’s three federally-funded veterans support groups at PSC – Veterans Student Success Center, Veterans Upward Bound and Veterans Student Support Services.
“Since I’ve been at PSC, I’ve enjoyed seeing how the College has evolved in its support and prioritization of veterans and their concerns," said Rob Gregg, PSC Veterans Upward Bound Project Director. “We’re putting veterans at the forefront.”
PSC’s women’s basketball team has a 15-3 record. The men’s team is 9-12.
— Troy Moon
|
|
Employers looking for workers at PSC Multicultural Job Fair |
|
We’ve all seen the headlines. Closer to home, we’ve seen the “Help Wanted” signs.
Employers nationwide are hungry for workers. More than two dozen regional employers will be seeking employees at the Pensacola State College Multicultural Job Fair set for 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, Feb. 5, in the Delaino Student Center, Building 5, on the Pensacola campus.
“Come dressed professionally and with a resume,’’ said Jo McArthur, PSC Business and Outreach Coordinator. “They (employers) will be ready to hire and will be presenting great opportunities.”
McArthur said anywhere from 25 to 30 regional employers will be present for the job fair. Companies and agencies that will take part come from various fields, ranging from engineering and education to local and state government agencies, food and hospitality and more.
“Many of them offer benefits and tuition reimbursement,’’ McArthur said. “These are good jobs with good salaries.”
Last year’s job fair was presented online due to COVID-19.
“This is our first year back,’’ McArthur said. “I’m also thrilled we have a few different companies that are participating. There will be plenty of opportunities for anyone looking for a job or career.”
|
|
Construction begins on Phase II of PSC Technology complex |
|
Work is underway on Phase II of a construction project that replaces the 60-year-old Mary Ellison Baars Building. Phase I was the construction of the $15 million Baars Technology Building, which opened in April, 2021. That 23,839-square-foot building is home to PSC STEM programs such as cybersecurity, computer science, math and other high-tech fields of study.
The Phase II building will be 45,000 square feet. It will be also be home to cybersecurity classes, math, advanced technology and other STEM programs. Construction also will include a third-floor connector linking both Phase I and Phase II buildings.
A completion date for the building project has not been announced, however a timeline of 18 to 20 months is expected.
|
|
HEY PIRATES! Join the fun from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, January 28, in Hagler Auditorium, Building 2, for Student Government Association Disney Karaoke Night. Come sing your heart out to all of your favorite Disney classics and meet your SGA! See you there!
|
|
Learn how you can support students like Antoinette:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
