The digital magazine for faculty, staff, students and friends of Pensacola State College
July 16, 2021
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Pensacola State College brought home two gold medals in the 2021 National SkillsUSA Contest, presented in a virtual ceremony on June 24.
Lateisha Hughes won her gold in the field of esthetics, while Amelia Moore was a winner in photography.
Hughes' adviser in the SkillsUSA journey was Sonja McCall-Strehlow. Moore's instructor was Mark Francis.
PSC fielded two other Florida SkillsUSA winners in the national competition: Patrick Newburn, instructed by David Langham, in the field of commercial baking; and Ashlyn Cain, instructed by Joni Verlin, in restaurant services.
The SkillsUSA Championships feature more than 6,500 outstanding career and technical education students –– all state contest winners –– competing hands-on in 107 different trade, technical and leadership fields. Students work against the clock and each other, proving their expertise in occupations such as electronics, computer-aided drafting, precision machining, medical assisting and culinary arts.
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, this year students competed before the judges via video conferencing technology.
"SkillsUSA is one of the most difficult competitions that you can endure," said Jennifer Ponson, coordinator of Student and Program Outreach for PSC and regional coordinator for SkillsUSA Florida. "State level is huge, but only the first-place winners go to nationals."
"Wow!" said Hughes after the ceremony. "It was a long process, and I learned a lot during that process. Patience, endurance. I learned a lot about myself. My classmates thought I could do it, so I did it."
"I got this young lady out of the classroom and told her that her skills and talent were amazing, and I wanted her to compete," said McCall-Strehlow. "It was like pulling teeth a little bit to get her to compete, but once she took off with regionals, she fell in love with it. She shined at state level and then we were determined to get this national gold medal."
So impressive were Hughes' accomplishments, McCall-Strehlow said, that she has been offered an adjunct instructor position at PSC.
Hughes, the owner of A Nu' Reign Beauty esthetics, wellness and haircare center in Pensacola, said the SkillsUSA gold medal is a sign that her career is about to take off.
"People like me — African American women — are so underrepresented in the esthetics industry," she said. "We're forced to go to people who don't understand our skin care. More than anything I would love to mentor young women like myself, would love to bring awareness that we're wanted in this industry."
-- Mike Suchcicki
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Application fee to PSC is FREE at special Saturday, July 17, event |
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REGISTER TO WIN A SCHOLARSHIP TO COVER THE COST OF ONE CLASS!
So many Pensacola State College students work during the weekdays and take classes online or in the evening. Not every student can make it to a PSC campus during business hours.
That’s one of the reasons the PSC Student Affairs and Student Services Offices on the Pensacola campus will be open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 17.
New and returning students are invited to attend. College staff will be on hand to answer questions, assist with applying for college, accept necessary paperwork to complete financial aid filings, help with scholarship applications, advising and registration, schedule testing and more. The Cashiers Office will also be open to process payments or provide payment information.
Application fee is free to those who apply to attend Pensacola State College during the event on July 17.
“We’re doing this so our current students and new students can take care of business,’’ said PSC Dean of Student Affairs Kathy Dutremble. “Some students work during the week and just aren’t able to make it during the week. We’re hoping this weekend event will offer students greater flexibility.”
During the Saturday event, students can register for free gift drawings – students won’t have to be present to win. Refreshments will also be available.
Registration is ongoing for the fall semester.
Fall sessions A and B begin Monday, Aug. 16.
Fall semester options are:
- Session A: Aug. 16 to Dec. 10
- Session B: Aug. 16 to Oct. 11
- Session C: Sept. 7 to Dec. 10
- Session D: Oct. 12 to Dec. 10.
Students may register at www.pensacolastate.edu or visit any PSC location.
Dutremble said Student Affairs and Student Services will also be open on Saturday, Aug. 7, though details have not yet been finalized. But Dutremble said the Aug. 7 event could take place at various PSC campuses or centers.
Normal hours for PSC Student Affairs and Student Services are from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 7:30 to 4 p.m. on Fridays.
-- Troy Moon
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PSC Warrington to present Teens Health Science boot camp |
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Pensacola State College is launching two new endeavors to reach young people in Northwest Florida.
The Warrington campus will host a Teens College Health Sciences Boot Camp July 19-23. The Century Center will host its own Kids College with weeklong camps set for July 19-23 and July 26-30.
The 31st annual Kids College at the Pensacola campus began June 7 and runs through July 30. Registration for Kids College at Pensacola campus is full.
“The Kids College in Century has been a pet project we have wanted to do for a while,’’ said Deven Walther-Thead, the College’s Coordinator of Continuing Education. “COVID sidetracked us last year, but we decided to move forward with it this summer.”
The Teens College Health Sciences Boot Camp is an endeavor to reach middle and high school students – all potential Pensacola State students within the next few years.
“We wanted to do something for the teenagers,’’ Walther-Thead added. “We’ve never done a Teens College before. They’re going to learn all aspects of (the Health Sciences Department).”
The Century Center Kids College is open to children 6 to 12 years of age, with separate classes for children 6 through 8 years of age, and children 9 to 12 years of age. Children at the camp will learn the basics of STEAM – Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics, and will participate in various sports and games. The camps cost $50 for a
half day per week or $100 for a full day per week.
Teens College Health Science Bootcamp is $175 for the weeklong camp.
“I think we have a lot to offer and showcase,’’ said Mitzie Sowell, Health Sciences department head. “We’ll pretty much be showing them everything we have. We’ll start off with basic anatomy and physiology. We’ll have them look at x-rays and ultrasounds and get hands-on exposure.”
-- Troy Moon
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PSC Warrington campus hosts Military Family Expo |
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U.S. Navy sailor Taimark Bogan discovered a treasure trove of resources just for him at Pensacola State College’s Warrington campus on Thursday.
“I noticed everything that was going on and decided to walk through,” said Bogan, an attendee of the Greater Pensacola Chamber Military Family Expo held from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. in the Student Center.
“I’m glad I did. There are so many great resources here for military service members and their families.”
Bogan made a stop at the Navy Federal Credit Union exhibit and worked his way around the student center which was filled with more than 30 vendors.
“We have 32 vendors from the healthcare, workforce, financial, real estate and services sectors, the VA and education ranging from PreK to secondary colleges and technical colleges,” said Debi Graham, vice president of armed services at the Greater Pensacola Chamber.
“We held the Military Family Expo to reach out to young military members and their families and show them the services and resources available in our community as well as on base (Naval Air Station Pensacola). We hope to make it an annual event.”
This was the first year the Pensacola Chamber sponsored the expo.
ServPro North Pensacola was the expo’s lead sponsor. Other sponsors included the Pensacola News Journal, First Command, Navy Federal and Bill Booth Realty. Pensacola State College provided the venue.
Vendors ranged from the USO to the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, Main Street Properties, CareerSource ESCAROSA, area hospitals, VetCV, Escambia County School District and more.
-- Mary Mabins
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PSC ranked No. 2 for the Best Affordable RN-to-BSN Degree |
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Pensacola State College has been ranked No. 2 for the Best Affordable RN-to-BSN Degree by University HQ.
"Our research covers the more practical factors. We look at each RN to BSN program's educational statistics, the gross and net price, as well as other important features. Included in the educational statistics is each school's retention rate. That number shows how many first-time, full-time students return for a second year. Researchers consider a high retention rate an indication that students and their families are happy with the school's curriculum, faculty, campus resources, and more. A high retention rate also tells students that the cohort they meet in the freshman dorms is likely to remain into their second year. This statistic then can be compared with the graduation rate and the transfer-out rate. When a high retention rate is found along with a high graduation rate, students can be assured of a cohesive college experience. The transfer out might seem negative, but it can indicate that students are prepared by that school to gain admission in a more competitive school from which they will likely graduate."
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AFC June Member Spotlight: Alonda Jones of Financial Aid |
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AFC is happy to introduce to you this month’s AFC Spotlight Member Alonda Jones.
Jones is an Associate Coordinator with Financial Aid at PSC and has been employed at the College since 2017. She has been an AFC member for four years and counting.
Throughout her four years, Jones has held many positions with the local chapter and state level in roles such as Publications Re-Elect, Publications Rep, Vice President of Membership-Elect, Region 1 Co-chair, Community Service Regional Rep and currently holds the position of Vice-President of Membership.
She is currently completing her Certified College Professional (CCP). She has attended several general membership meetings and social gatherings sponsored by the association. Jones loves the interaction with the other State Colleges in Florida through AFC, meeting new people, and learning from others that hold the same position as her. Most of her AFC memories involve the conferences, workshops, and webinars that are held by AFC. She believes that AFC members are an awesome individuals and inspirational leaders.
Obi Kalu, current PSC-AFC Chapter President, said, “Alonda is the type of person who enjoys being involved, networking, and giving her time to community and service organizations. I remember meeting Alonda at an AFC-PSC Chapter “meet and greet” meeting and after learning more about AFC decided she wanted to be involved. I am so glad she did and has been willing to take on leadership roles to continue to learn and grow. Alonda is appreciated and makes those she meets feel welcomed.”
If you would like to nominate a member for the monthly spotlight, please contact Ms. Obi Kalu at okalu@pensacolastate.edu
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Old-timer Troy finishes PSC before he can get a share
of the $11 million in FREE MONEY available to students
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Th(3x)is lit(4xsquared)tle sentence is (-6x+2y)just a test to sh(-6yx)ow how silly it is to comb(16^x-4y)ine letters and nu(3.5x + -3y)bers.
Not that my math teacher would think so. Because she understands math (we’re very vigilant about that kinda thing at Pensacola State College) which is why she’s perfectly comfortable assigning algebra assignments to a bunch of liberal arts knuckleheads. OK, at least one liberal arts knucklehead. I’m sure my fellow classmates are much more well-rounded.
Yes, I’m taking Math for Liberal Arts II this summer semester. I took Liberal Arts I first two years ago, so I knew what I was getting into this term. And that’s real math.
I’ll be honest. I thought Math for Liberal Arts Majors would be tailored for liberal arts majors. You know: “You need $2.50 for a sage stick to purify your room before you make signs to protest the 2030 presidential election, because you like to plan ahead. Your roommate left 45 cents on top of the turntable, and she won’t mind if you take it because she doesn’t believe in private property. How many quarters and how many pennies do you have to find under your couch cushion to afford the sage stick?” That seems hard enough, right?
We started off easy enough ─ ancient numeral systems from Egyptians to Romans (us oldsters know our Roman numerals. And yes, I’m old. I was born in MCMLXII. So yeah.)
Various base systems were a little difficult to my pea brain. You know, base 10 to base 7 and vice versa. I mean, I’m holding an average in the XCs right now, so I’ve done OK to this point. But we’re on algebra now and I’m struggling. Plus, I have a big test on Wednesday and I’m worried that my overall grade might drop into the LXXs. I’d like to do a bit better than that.
I’d like to finish strong. Yes, this is my last class at PSC. I’m finally going to earn my A.A. completing a journey that began in 1986, two year after I left the U.S. Army. (I left on good terms. We’re still friends.) Yep, I started at PSC a long time ago to study journalism and was hired – I’ve told this story before, but for those who are first-timers here – by the Pensacola News Journal. I left college then since I was already employed in the business I was majoring in – and retired from the PNJ two years ago. Now I’m in PSC’s marketing department and finishing up my associate degree. Next is finishing my pursuit of a bachelor’s degree from the University of West Florida. I took a bunch of classes there in the 1980s as well, so I have a bunch of credits toward my B.A.
But now I’m wondering if I want to keep pushing for that journalism degree or go for something else. I’m considering history, because it’s a passion. But I need to find out how many more credits that would require than would my journalism degree pursuit. We all have a time limit and I’m close to expiring – I turn LIX in August. So, I can’t add too many extra classes to my full plate. (I’ve got to find time for family and disc golf, and yes, most likely in the order. Most likely.)
So, my PSC adventure is ending next month, and I’ll get to walk in a cap-and-gown ceremony for the first time since graduating from Coral Shores High School in 1980 – Go Hurricanes!
Why did I put myself through it? Why will I keep putting myself through it at UWF? No real career-oriented reason. I’ve had a career. I know this is a little vain, but I’m doing it for my own sense of accomplishment and achievement. I’d like to be a “College Graduate.” So, I’ll keep chugging along. Though I would love to stay at PSC if I could. I mean did you hear the news?
Pensacola State has $11 million in FREE MONEY to give away to students hoping to attend the College in fall or the upcoming spring. The funds can be used for tuition, books, housing, food, transportation, childcare, utilities and anything else a student needs to get enrolled and stay in school. PSC must give the money away by March 2022, so there’s really no excuse not to apply if you have any desire to attend PSC. The grants are for new and returning students, part-time or full-time and pretty much everyone who applies is expected to get some type of grant.
You can find the application link at www.PensacolaState.edu/Cares.
Seriously, do it. I know what I’m talking about. I went to College.
-- Troy Moon
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Did you know that Pensacola State College has free financial incentives for you to attend college?
In a partnership between the Florida Department of Education and Helios Education Foundation, the Now. Not Tomorrow. initiative was launched to open the door to college for all students. The thoughtful action behind this initiative will jumpstart the future of students and create a pathway to comprehensive success with less debt. The 28 colleges within the Florida College System, including Pensacola State College, have financial incentives available for students to enroll immediately.
Apply Today! More than $30,000 in scholarships is available. 850-484-2000
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