The digital magazine for faculty, staff, students and friends of Pensacola State College
July 9, 2021
|
|
Pensacola State College has $11 million in grant money for new and returning fall students |
|
Pensacola State College has $11 million in student emergency relief grants that can be awarded to students to help them attend the College. The funds are Federal Relief Grant dollars through the CARES Act. PSC has already awarded $6 million in previous CARES Act allotments to students since June 2020.
Students who receive grants can use the funds for tuition, books/supplies, housing/utilities, food, childcare, transportation and any other items or services needed to stay enrolled in their program of study. The grants are available to new and returning students, full time or part time. These are not loans. Students will not have to pay back an awarded Federal Relief Grant.
“Every single student should be applying for this money,’’ said Debbie Douma, PSC Dean of Grants and Federal Programs.
A survey of previous Federal Relief Grant awardees showed that 71 percent needed money for food and nearly 60 percent needed additional funds for housing and 65 percent of students needed additional funds for utilities.
“If you know there’s food to put on your table for your kids or that your tuition is paid and you’re not having to pay for college on your credit card or take out a loan, that’s a huge relief,’’ Douma said. “You look at the food insecurity numbers – this is why we have things like food pantries. These funds can help students alleviate many of their financial concerns regarding attending college.”
Applications to apply for the student emergency relief funds will tentatively open on Monday, July 12. If you have previously received a CARES Act emergency grant you are eligible to receive another grant award but must reapply to be considered.
-- Troy Moon
|
|
PSC Student Affairs, Student Services to open on Saturday, July 17 |
|
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
|
|
PSC Student Affairs, Student Services offices resume regular hours |
|
The Pensacola State College Student Affairs and Student Services Offices on all campuses and centers have resumed their five-day work week as of June 28.
They are open 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. on Friday.
The offices will be open 7:30 a.m-6 p.m. for Fee Pay Days – Aug. 2 and Aug. 9 and during the first week of fall semester - Monday through Thursday, Aug. 16 - 19.
The Cashiers Office will be open to process payments or provide payment information.
Registration is ongoing for the fall semester. Fall sessions A and B begin Monday, Aug. 16. Fall semester options include:
- Session A: Aug. 16 – Dec.10
- Session B: Aug. 16 ¬– Oct. 11
- Session C: Sept. 7– Dec. 10
- Session D: Oct. 12 – Dec. 10.
-- Troy Moon
|
|
Beth Smithers spent decades providing students with books to succeed |
|
Beth Smithers got into the bookstore business because she loved books and wanted “to do something in literature.”
But after spending 30 years working in the Pensacola State College Bookstores on the Warrington and Pensacola campuses – she realized it was more business than literature.
Still, it was a rewarding career as Smithers helped deliver tools of knowledge and academic success – books – to thousands upon thousands of students.
“It was more of a business,’’ she said. “But it’s important. It could be stressful – especially during Rush Week. But our job is to help the students.”
Smithers started at the Warrington campus bookstore in 1991 and moved to the Pensacola campus in 2006.
“I loved working with the students, especially the new students,’’ she said. “That’s what I’m going to miss the most – the students and my coworkers.”
Her coworkers and colleagues surprised Smithers on her last day of work, June 30, with a little surprise party in the Delaino Student Center, located near the Pensacola campus bookstore.
There was a cake and cupcakes, but more importantly, there was camaraderie as colleagues shared stories about Smithers.
“She’s a fun person and great to work with,’’ said Debbie Bailey, who has worked with Smithers since the mid-1990s. “We’ve become quite a family. She always made it a fun place to work.”
Colleague Missy Ordis said that Smithers always seemed to have a smile on her face. But you can’t always judge a book or bookstore manager by the cover.
“She smiles even when she’s mad,’’ Ordis said. “She was mad at me before and smiling and it freaked me out. Why are you smiling at me when you’re mad at the same time? She was always the nicest person. We’re definitely going to miss her.”
Among those who came to honor Smithers at her retirement party was Eunice Carr – the PSC Bookstore manager before Smithers.
“She’s done a great job,’’ said Carr, who has been returning to help Smithers and the rest of the Bookstore associates during Rush Week each year. “It is always fun to come back and work with her.”
Smithers’ plans now?
“To have fun – not that I wasn’t having fun before,’’ she said. “I’m going to do some traveling. But I will definitely miss everyone here.”
-- Troy Moon
|
|
Pensacola State once again named a ‘Best for Vets’ school |
|
It’s no surprise, but Pensacola State College has once again been chosen as one of the best colleges for veterans by Military Times.
Pensacola State was named the 27th best public college or university in the southeast by Military Times in the publication’s 2021 “Best for Vets: Colleges” edition.
Nationally, the College was ranked 97th among public schools in the United States for its service and commitment to veterans. PSC has been named a “Best for Vets” college by Military Times for many years.
“Our ability to serve veterans and their dependents, as well as active military service members and their families has been a long-standing tradition of service that we pride ourselves in providing,’’ said PSC President Ed Meadows. “The Military Times survey is validation that we are continuing the tradition of exemplary service to veterans and active military service members and their families.”
More than 300 colleges and universities participated in the 2021 Best for Vets: Colleges” survey, which included more than 70 questions seeking details about the school’s costs, programs, policies and services that impact military-connected students. Earlier this year, PSC was named a “Military Friendly School” by Viqtory Media, which has honored PSC with the distinction for 12 consecutive years.
Pensacola State College normally has a veteran population of about 7 percent, said Robb Gregg, director of PSC’s TRIO Veterans Upward Bound program, which helps veterans prepare to enter college. Veterans Upward Bound provides free classes, workshops and tutoring for veterans hoping to enroll in college classes.
Another TRIO program, TRIO Veterans Student Support Services, helps veterans who are enrolled in college. The program offers tutoring, advising, counseling, financial aid assistance, peer mentoring and more.
“I think we just provide a good atmosphere for veterans,’’ Gregg said. “But not just for veterans, but their dependents and families as well.”
Gregg said Pensacola State also benefits from having an active Student Veterans Association.
“It gives veterans that camaraderie that they’re accustomed to in the military,’’ he added. “It’s a way they can support each other and be active in the community.”
U.S. Army veteran Dustin Reddin, president of the PSC Student Veterans Association, said the organization is a “tight-knit community.” He said PSC offers numerous resources for veterans to help them be successful in college.
“You have these TRIO programs that help veterans and their dependents with the resources they need,’’ said Reddin, who hopes to earn his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Management in summer 2022. “PSC will help you prepare for college and then succeed in college.”
Reddin is succeeding in college himself and is a scholar in the Robinson Honors Program.
“Most of the veterans in college are really committed,’’ Reddin said. “And PSC gives us all the resources we need to continue that success.”
-- Troy Moon
|
|
PSC Visual Arts crew to ‘take over’ First City Art Center’s Gallery 1060 |
|
In the spring, they came here. This month, we go there.
The Pensacola State College Visual Arts Department and the First City Art Center always have had a strong relationship. That bond was strengthened this year with two different exhibits showcasing the work from both institutions.
Eight members of the Pensacola State Visual Arts Department are currently exhibiting their works in Gallery 1060 at the First City Art Center at 1060 N. Guillemard Street. A reception featuring the PSC artists will take place at 5:30 p.m. on July 22. The exhibit runs through July 31.
Artists from First City Art Center exhibited at PSC’s Anna Lamar Switzer Center for Visual Arts from late February through early April.
The upcoming exhibit at First City is titled “PSC Faculty Take Over,” and features work by seven PSC instructors and PSC Visual Arts department head Alaina Plowdrey.
PSC Visual Arts instructors who are featured in the exhibit are:
• Micah Cain, ceramics
• Keith Wall, graphic design
• Kristen Regan, photography
• Chris White, photography
• Jimmy Rhea, sculpture
• Paula Work, foundations
• Julie McGrath, art history/illustration
“I think these collaborations enhance our arts community,” Plowdrey said. “It’s nice to exhibit in different environments and maybe reach a different audience.”
Photography instructor Chris White has three pieces in the “PSC Faculty Take Over” exhibit – two are traditional photographs while a third piece is a multi-media piece.
“It’s always good for the faculty to display work locally so the community knows what a great resource we have, both academically and professionally,” White said. “It’s an expression of the relationship that the Visual Arts department has had with First City since its creation. We’ve worked closely with them over the years.”
First City Arts Center events manager Kelly Leitermann said the collaboration benefits both groups.
“Anytime you can branch out and show your work in a different location is always beneficial,” she said. “The PSC Lamar Studio is stunning, but not everyone knows about it. It’s the same with Gallery 1060. So, the trade-off is pretty nice.”
-- Troy Moon
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
