Students present work at annual Florida Benthologists Association meeting

Six students and Monica Lara, Professor, Natural Sciences, Clearwater Campus, recently attended the Florida Benthologists Association (FAB) Annual meeting in Apalachicola.

Students heard a variety of presentations by scientists in the field about their research with benthic invertebrates such as coral, oysters, polychaeye worms, aquatic insects and parasitic flatworms.

“Attending a professional meeting as an undergrad student was a stimulating experience,” said Daniela Adams, a biology major. “I attended the meeting because I wanted insight into the different fields of marine science. I went with the hope that I would find a specific specialization in the marine science field.

“I found myself interested in all the presentations and specialties. This trip introduced me to many other fields of biology that I had no idea existed,” Adams said.

Three of the students, Grant Trier, Charles Lutz and Jessica Small, also had work to present at the meeting. The students have been conducting research on the effects of the presence of artificial reefs on the benthic invertebrate community in the sediments adjacent to the structures. It appears these structures increase the coarseness of the sediments by contributing shells and other components. The enhancement increases the abundance and diversity of invertebrates. This is important because these invertebrates are part of the bottom of the food chain in these offshore communities and support these communities as an important food source.

Research students Lutz, Small and Trier presented two posters on their research. The posters tied for best poster award. They also recently attended a four-day workshop put on by FAB to learn to identify Polychaete worms.

“Graduate level workshops don’t come around very often to undergrads and can be rather intimidating, but as a student looking to go into the field (of biological research) I think it’s a great eye-opener to what we can expect down the road,” Small said.

To attend the meeting, the students presented a proposal to the college’s Student Government Association to obtain funding for themselves and three more students. Lara received a CETL travel grant to fund her attendance.

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Two SPC employees selected for leadership development programs

Laura Smith

Todd Smith

Two St. Petersburg College employees will represent the college in area leadership development programs. Laura Smith, Academic Chair of Communications at the Tarpon Springs Campus, has been accepted into the Leadership Tampa Bay Class of 2013. Todd Smith, Director, Financial Assistance Services at District Office, also has been accepted into the Leadership St. Pete Class of 2013.

SPC employees responded to the call for candidates for each leadership development program. A review team consisting of representatives from the Faculty Governance Organization (FGO), Career Service Employee Council (CSEC) and Provost/Dean Council convened to select the SPC candidates. The SPC candidates then pursued the application process in order to be accepted to their respective programs.

Each year, the Office of Professional Development in Human Resources supports leadership development opportunities for SPC employees by funding application and tuition fees. Among the programs sponsored are Leadership Pinellas, Leadership Tampa Bay and Leadership St. Pete.

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Hope, inspiration themes at SPC graduation

SPC Fall 2012 graduation ceremonies

The student speakers at SPC’s 120th Commencement ceremonies spoke about dreams, aspirations and hope. Their words earned cheers and, in one case, a standing ovation.

About 600 students walked out of the First Baptist Church of Indian Rocks with diplomas on Saturday, Dec. 15.

Melissa Dohme

Among them was Melissa Dohme, the survivor of a brutal domestic violence attack earlier this year. Dohme earned an associate degree and graduated with high honors. She didn’t talk in detail about what had happened to her. Instead she focused on her recovery, being named Clearwater campus’ student of year and the future.

Dohme told the audience that she went from learning how to walk again to being able to walk across the stage at the ceremony. She did it in high heels and without a cane. The crowd responded by getting to their feet and applauding.

It is these moments that define who we are and what we can become, Sam Frontera told his fellow graduates during the 9:30 a.m. ceremony. He received a bachelor’s degree in Technology Management. During the afternoon ceremony, Health Services Administration graduate Patricia Colin and Ryan DeJesus, who earned an associate degree, addressed the crowd. “It is never too late to reinvent yourself,” Colin said. “Aspire to leave your own legacy. Don’t strive to be the next Steve Jobs. Be the next you,” DeJesus said.

SPC President Bill Law congratulated the graduates and their families during the commencement ceremonies. But, before the diplomas were handed out, he talked about the shooting at an elementary school in Newton, Conn. Twenty-six people were killed including 20 children.

“These are all of our children,” Law said. “We should all hug each other a little tighter today.”

Area news agencies were at the morning commencement ceremony and reported on Dohme’s graduation including Bay News 9, the Tampa Bay Times, ABC Action News and 10 News – WTSP.com.

Watch the morning and afternoon graduation ceremonies on the college’s YouTube channel or see photos on SPC’s Facebook page.

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Panel to discuss FCAT, Common Core Standards at Village Square dinner event

On Wednesday, Jan. 23, a panel representing four key stakeholder groups will discuss changes to the Florida Comprehensive Achievement Test (FCAT). The event will be 6-8 p.m. at the Seminole Campus Conference Center and is part of the college’s Village Square initiative. To attend, register online.

Since the late 1990s, the FCAT has been the standard for measuring classroom and student success. As the test evolved, teachers and principals felt increasing stress as performance evaluations and grades of individual schools were based on FCAT results.

Gov. Rick Scott vowed to make education a priority in the 2013 session of the Legislature and to stop making changes to education. “The system is tired of change, just constant change,” he said. He also declared his intention to put a hold on new testing requirements for students and promised there would be “no war on teachers” next year.

A panel representing four key stakeholder groups will offer a timely examination of this issue. The group includes:

• Michael A. Grego, Superintendent, Pinellas County Schools
• Joanne McCall, Vice President, Florida Education Association
• Mindy Haas, President-Elect, Florida PTA
• Douglas Tuthill, President, Step Up for Students.

Bill Heller, Dean of the College of Education at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg, will serve as moderator.

Village Square programs begin with dinner, followed by the featured presentation and conclude with a question-and-answer session. Registration is required. $30 for Village Square members and educators, $40 for non-members.

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Accrediting group gives SPC Dental Hygiene program high marks

The Commission on Dental Accreditation for the American Dental Association conducted a site visit recently at the School of Dental Hygiene in the College of Health Sciences at the Caruth Health Education Center and the results were excellent.

Joan Tonner

“The site visitors stated that they have never given such a short report with no recommendations or suggestions in their 15 years of site experience with the Commission on Dental Assistance (CODA),” said Rebecca Ludwig, Dean, College of Health Sciences. “It is truly an amazing and well-earned accolade for Joan Tonner (program director) and her faculty and staff.”

“All standards and criteria were met or exceeded, and the site visitors were extremely complimentary,” said Phil Nicotera, Provost, HEC. “We recognize the commitment, support and efforts of all involved.”

“The Commission on Dental Accreditation for the American Dental Association has a site visit once every seven years for the accreditation of the program,” Tonner said. “The Commission is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education. The current accreditation status of approval without reporting requirements remains until final review of the report by the Commission in July 2013.”

The team determines recommendations if specific standards are not being met, which the program has to address and report back to the Commission in order to remain accredited in a stated number of days, or they can determine that suggestions were made for changes that the program is not required to report to the Commission but should address before the next site visit.

There are six standards the team focused on:

• Institutional Effectiveness
• Educational Program
• Administration, Faculty and Staff
• Educational Support Services
• Health and Safety Provisions
• Patient Care Services

The Dental Hygiene Program students serve more than 2,500 patients at HEC　Dental Hygiene Clinic and in total more than 3,000 patients through affiliations with the　University of Florida at Seminole Campus, Johnnie Ruth Clarke Clinic, the Department of Health Public Health Units and Homeless Emergency Project extra mural rotations.

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BOT Strategic Workshop looks at past, future

Board of Trustees Workshop

The Board of Trustees met Tuesday morning for a Strategic Workshop in the Collaborative Labs at the EpiCenter. The accomplishments of 2012 and the plans for 2013, including the beginning of the budget process, were featured. President Bill Law and members of the college’s Executive Leadership team made presentations and answered questions from the board in the three-hour session.

• Workshop Agenda
• Workshop Video

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SPC 2012: A Year in Highlights

Every year brings new goals and resolutions to complete. Before heading into 2013, let’s look at what was accomplished in 2012:

December

The Suncoast Regional Emmy Award

SPC Graduation to feature student who survive brutal attack. Melissa Dohme, 20, received 18 deep stab wounds to her head, face and neck during an attack by her ex-boyfriend in January. Despite the challenges she has faced, she graduates Dec. 15 with an Associate in Arts degree and shares her message of perseverance and determination as commencement speaker.

Away: A Story of Trash wins Suncoast Regional Emmy Award. SPC and local PBS station WEDU received the Suncoast Regional Emmy Award for the 30-minute television documentary about what happens to garbage after it has been discarded. This was the third collaborative project with WEDU involving SPC Digital Media Production students.

November

Gov. Rick Scott announces $10,000 degree challenge at Clearwater Campus.

Students finish SPC’s first Study Abroad practicum in Jamaica. A group of College of Education students participated in the first SPC Study Abroad program that counted toward a required practicum experience.

Governor announces challenge to make college more affordable. Gov. Rick Scott announced the “Governor’s $10,000 Degree Challenge” at the Clearwater Campus, which outlined his challenge to state colleges to create a $10,000 degree program targeted a making education more affordable.

SPC ranked 15^th nationwide as “most veteran-friendly” among four-year colleges by Military Times. The Military Times Edge publication nationally ranked SPC as the 15th “most veteran friendly” among four-year colleges. Last year, SPC was ranked No. 47.

October

An artist’s rendering of how SPC Midtown will look.

Students learn about international diplomacy at Model U.N. Conference in Washington, D.C. Members of SPC’s Model United Nations team participated in the National Model U.N. Conference in Washington, D.C. Students Wayne Nealy and Daniel Rojas were voted Outstanding Delegates in Committee for their work on the Human Rights Council representing Mauritius.

New online student radio station hits the airwaves Oct. 22. MYRA, the Make Your Radio Active student-run online radio station, launched at the St. Petersburg/Gibbs Campus.

Midtown Center construction expected to begin in May. The Board of Trustees approved plans for a new SPC Midtown facility and budgeted $14 million for the project, which is slated to begin May 2013.

My Bridge to Success receives Chancellor’s Best Practice Award. My Bridge to Success, a program in developmental writing, reading and mathematics designed to reduce the amount of remediation time and tuition costs for students, was one of three statewide recipients of the 2012 Chancellor’s Best Practices Award by the Florida Department of Education.

Florida Lottery visits SP/G

College shares in Community Policing Award for Operation Graduation. SPC was part of an International Association of Police Chiefs Community Policing Award in partnership with the Clearwater Police Department, United Way of Tampa Bay and Pinellas County Schools.

Florida Lottery hosts Ice Cream Social at SP/G Campus. The Florida Lottery visited 14 colleges and universities to highlight the benefits of Bright Futures scholarships. Since 1997, SPC has received $30.2 million to help educate 23,481 students.

College of Ed celebrates 10 years with open house. The college celebrated the 10-year anniversary of the College of Education. Alumni reflected on how their time at SPC prepared them for their careers in education.

September

President Barack Obama visits the Seminole Campus.

SPC awarded $700,000 federal grant aimed at biotech training. SPC received about $700,000 in federal grant money to specifically provide biotechnology training and education as part of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Trade Adjustment Assistant Community College and Career Training program.

SPC and partners get $15 million federal workforce grant. A consortium headed by SPC received $15 million in grants as part of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training grants, which total $500 million.

More than 11,000 jam Seminole Campus to hear President Obama. President Barack Obama hosted a grassroots event at the Seminole Campus, which drew more than 11,000 supporters. This marked the college’s first visit by a sitting president.

August

The Collaborative Center for Emerging Technologies opens at Clearwater Campus

Politics takes the stage at the Palladium. The Palladium Theater hosted a taping of Washington Week. The taping event was the primetime news and public affairs program’s special election 2012 edition.

College receives $43,750 from state foundation. The Florida State College Foundation presented the college with $43,750 to use for scholarships.

College opens Collaborative Center for Emerging Technologies at the Clearwater Campus. The grand opening of the new Collaborative Center for Emerging Technology was attended by politicians and business owners in the manufacturing community.

First Public Policy and Administration students graduate. SPC’s first Public Policy and Administration graduates, Trinity Anzur and Amy Griffith, crossed the stage at the end of the summer term. The four-year PPA program launched in fall 2010.

July

The Task Force on State High Education meets at EpiCenter

Task Force on State Higher Education Reform meets at EpiCenter. The Florida Blue Ribbon Task Force on State High Education Reform met at the EpiCenter to discuss ideas for future plans and to brainstorm.

Kickoff Institute makes it official: SPC now part of Achieving the Dream program. SPC became part of Achieving the Dream, a program that consists of about 200 colleges nationwide.

June

SPC places high in national community college rankings. Community College Week reported SPC is ranked No. 13 in the nation for the number of associate’s degrees awarded in the 2010-11 academic year.

Jenkins recognized as Educator of the Year by national technology association. Brad Jenkins, now Associate Dean of Engineering Technology, was named the 2012 Educator of the Year by the National High Impact Technology Exchange Association.

The College Experience Institute aims to improve graduation rate. Three out of 10 students graduate within five years. SPC rolled out  The College Experience Institute, a series of mandatory employee training sessions that kicked off at the beginning of June. The goal is to introduce employees to tools and strategies for helping students finish what they have started.

May

Former Gov. Bob Graham serves as keynote speaker at The Village Square.

Gov. Bob Graham kicks off The Village Square launch. Former Gov. Bob Graham serves as the keynote speaker at the kickoff dinner event for The Village Square. The non-partisan organization serves as a public educational forum for civil discussion and debate.

Clearwater student one of 20 on USA Today’s All-USA Academic Team. Alistair Glover, an Honors College student, made USA Today’s 2012 All-USA Community College Academic Team. He was one of 20 winners from more than 1,700 nominees nationwide.

Almost 1,200 graduates participate in spring commencement. The 118th commencement ceremony on May 8 holds the record of the highest number of graduates to walk in the college’s history. A total of 2,322 students earned a certificate or degree.

April

The SPC Madrigalians perform at Carnegie Hall.

Rep. Castor visits Midtown to make case against rate rise on student loans. U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor addressed the proposed rise in student loan interest rates at SPC Midtown, which were scheduled to double from 3.4 to 6.8 percent on July 1.

College selected among best workplaces in Tampa Bay. SPC was named in the Tampa Bay Times Top Workplaces, a compilation of the best places to work in the Tampa Bay area. Evaluation was based on feedback from 1,242 employee surveys.

Tarpon Springs student receives Army ROTC Cadet of the Year award for SPC. Cadet Capt. Daniel Thomas received the SPC Army Reserve Officer Training Corps’ Certificate of Achievement as Cadet of the Year for the Suncoast Battalion.

Speech faculty member named in The Princeton Review’s ‘Best 300 Professors’. Tony Smith, Instructor of Communications, was named among the Best 300 Professors by The Princeton Review in a collaborative project with RateMyProfessor.com.

Madrigalians’ performance at Carnegie Hall receives standing ovation. The SPC Madrigalians, a 16-voice ensemble at the St. Petersburg/Gibbs Campus, performed as part of a 200-voice chorus at Carnegie Hall in New York City.

March

Billy Joel shares experiences, inspires SPC community

SPC Foundation receives $200,000 grant from Able Trust. The Able Trust gave the college a $200,000 grant to help students with disabilities, including disabled student veterans.

Dollars for Scholars 5k event draws more than 200 participants in first year. The inaugural Dollars for Scholars Scholarship Hustle kicked off at Fred Howard Park in Tarpon Springs. Proceeds from the 5K run will go toward student scholarships.

Technology education students place second in national competition. Carissa Miller, Chris Mulesky and David Reth placed second in the Technology Education Collegiate Association Communications Challenge as part of the International Technology and Engineering Educators Association Conference in Long Beach, Calif.

SPC Foundation celebrates awarding $1 million in scholarships. The SPC Foundation’s 13th annual luncheon celebrated the awarding of $1 million in scholarships to students in the 2011-12 academic school year.

Bill Joel details his inspiration for SPC crowd. Musical sensation Billy Joel inspired a sold-out crowd of 850 SPC students, staff and faculty at the Palladium. Joel has been touring the country speaking to college students about what it is like in the music industry.

Eta Nu chapter receives five awards at PTK international convention. The Eta Nu chapter at the St. Petersburg/Gibbs Campus received five awards at the 2012 Phi Theta Kappa International Convention in Nashville, Tenn. The chapter also received the Most Distinguished Chapter Award at the PTK Regional Convention in Jacksonville.

February

Jonathan Carelli was selected as NARA Aerospace Scholar.

SPC student selected as a NASA Aerospace Scholar. Jonathan Carelli, a pre-engineering student, was selected as a NASA National Community College Aerospace Scholar. He gained hands-on engineering experience at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.

Student offered internship after speaking before the Belleair Town Commission. Danielle Zupansic spoke to the Belleair Town Commission regarding the future of the Belleview Biltmore Hotel. The presentation led to an internship with the town in an ongoing project.

SPC’s Paralegal Program receives seven-year re-approval by American Bar Association. The Paralegal Program, which is part of the College of Policy and Legal Studies, received re-approval for seven years by the American Bar Association. It is only one of three approved programs in the state.

Meier to receive Phi Theta Kappa Lifetime Achievement Award. Steve Meier, who served as advisor for Phi Theta Kappa’s Eta Nu chapter, was recognized for his 32 years of service and leadership. This marked the first year the Lifetime Achievement Award is presented and Meier is one of two people to receive the honor.

SPC is first state college to join Florida Institute of Oceanography. SPC is the first Florida state college to be named an associate member of the Florida Institute of Oceanography, a research-based institute at the University of South Florida.

January

Tonjua Williams, Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs.

Collegiate High School ranks No. 1 in county, No. 8 in state. St. Petersburg Collegiate High School was ranked No. 1 in Pinellas County and No. 8 best high school in the state by the Florida Department of Education.

Williams honored as Junior Achievement Educator of the Year. Tonjua Williams, Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs, was named the 2011 Educator of the Year for Pinellas County by Junior Achievement of Tampa Bay.

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SPC Midtown walks for health and campus promotion

Cynthia Jolliff-Johnson, Midtown Associate Provost and Heather Disler, SPC Downtown/Midtown Wellness Advisory Board member, organized the 1st Walk with the Provost event at SPC Midtown on Dec. 7.

While in the surrounding Midtown neighborhood they dropped off door hang tags and talked with residents about the upcoming Midtown Open House planned for Dec. 13. Representatives from Enrollment Management, Advising, Financial Aid, Career Services, Learning Resources and Student Life & Leadership will be on hand to answer students’ questions and help them enroll at SPC!

Read more about the walk on the SPC Wellness blog.

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New exhibit showcases Foundation’s art collection

The College Collection at the St. Petersburg/Gibbs Music Center Gallery

A new exhibit, “Introducing the College Collection,” highlights the best of the SPC Foundation’s public art collection at the St. Petersburg/Gibbs Music Center Gallery. The exhibit unveils 14 new acquisitions and celebrates Florida artists and fine craftsmen from the Gulf Coast Museum of Art collection, as well as internationally renowned artists Robert Indiana, Sam Gilliam and Miriam Schapiro. On display through February, this selection of 27 works provides a visually impressive overview of the Collection in a wide range of mediums, including painting, photography, mixed media, drawing, sculpture and printmaking.

This exhibit is just one portion of nearly 100 works currently on display throughout SPC’s campuses. A directive of SPC President Bill Law was established in 2011 to utilize the newly developed College Collection under the umbrella of the SPC Foundation to have a stunning increase of art on campuses and enhance the college experience.

About the College Collection

The College Collection contains 4,110 contemporary works and outdoor sculptures meant to engage and inspire students, scholars and the community. At its core is a portion of the Gulf Coast Museum of Art Collection, acquired by SPC in 2009 when the museum closed. The Collection is integrated into many facets of the college community, making art accessible through public display, exhibitions and loans, campus and classroom experiences, scholarly research and programming. Through donations, new acquisitions continue to build on the strengths of this stellar collection.

In addition, six other works from the Collection can be seen at the Gibbs campus including an outdoor sculpture by Tampa artist Charles Parkhill, as well as paintings in the Administration and Library buildings, including the Foundation’s newest acquisition by St. Petersburg Times illustrator Jack Barrett.

Take a tour of this exhibit and the College Collection on campus by visiting the SPC Foundation website Flickr gallery.

For more information on the College Collection or to make an appointment to see this exhibit, please contact Christine Renc-Carter, Curator of the College Collection at (727) 341-7914 or carter.christine@spcollege.edu.

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Carver named new CETL Lead Faculty Associate at SPC

How to become a CETL Faculty Associate Full-time faculty can apply on the website for CETL Faculty Associate positions representing the Clearwater Campus and Epi Center, as well as the Caruth Health Education Center. To apply, read the requirements and speak with your Program Director or Dean, then complete the online survey application.

Eric Carver

Dr. Eric Carver, an instructor in Health Information Management at the Caruth Health Information Center, has been named the new Lead Faculty Associate for the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL). He will start the new position at the Clearwater Campus on Monday, Jan. 7.

Carver has served as HEC’s CETL Faculty Associate since January 2011, acting as a point person to campus faculty and assisting the Lead Faculty Associate in implementing the organization’s initiatives.

In addition to serving as an SPC instructor for more than seven years, he has 19 years of leadership experience in the U.S. Air Force Reserves, where he serves as captain. He is excited about the new position as Lead Faculty Associate and will serve for two academic years.

“It’s a new opportunity to bring some previous talents and strengths from my experiences gained from teaching both here and at other institutions,” said Carver, who has taught at various levels, including lower and upper division, master’s and even doctoral classes. “I can see how that continuity of education comes through and want to work with deans and administrators to provide faculty with resources, insight, guidance and support.

“I’ve got a lot of ideas I want to bring forward and look forward to seeing how those ideas evolve,” he said.

Carver will succeed Li-Lee Tunceren as Lead Faculty Associate when her term ends Dec. 17. Tunceren, who will return to her previous full-time position as Professor of Communications and English as a Second Language at the Clearwater Campus, will remain an active member of the CETL Board of Directors for at least a year.

“I definitely want to stay involved with CETL,” Tunceren said. “It’s in my blood now!”

Tunceren and Carver began working at CETL within weeks of each other. “He has been the CETL associate for HEC the entire time I’ve been the Lead, so we’ve worked through the past 2 years very closely,” she said. “He has a really good handle on our CETL mission and goals and implementation. I know he will do well!”

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