PRESIDENT’S REPORT – May 2019
SCC provides new career opportunities through annual Job Fair SCC hosted some 251 employers representing 124 companies and organizations at the 26th annual community Job Fair on May 3 in the College Center. The event provided opportunities for more than 365 job seekers to find job leads, obtain job training and job search information; receive resume critique/job coaching; get professional headshots taken; and benefit from networking opportunities. “We could not have had such a successful job fair without the help and support of Catering, Housekeeping, Maintenance, Public Safety, the Help Desk/IT, Advising/Enrollment Services, the Fitness Center, Cashier’s Office, Purchasing, Marketing and anyone who shared our flier, mentioned the Job Fair to someone or spread the word some other way,” said Jenny Hahn Schnipper, career services manager. “Additionally, special thanks to Admissions and Recruitment, Human Resources, and Workforce Development for hosting tables so our job-seekers could learn about all the wonderful things SCC has to offer.” Volunteers participated from SCC, the Missouri Job Center of St. Charles County, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and the Lewis and Clark Chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management.
SCC ranked among safest colleges in America SCC was named among Alarms.org’s list of safest colleges in America. The Safest Colleges in America study ranked SCC 52 of the nearly 500 colleges with safety scores based on a number of factors, including FBI crime data, reports from local law enforcement and police adequacy. “For parents sending their children off to college, safety is usually a top concern,” according to the Alarms.org website. “It is often the first time that their kids are on their own, living independently outside of the home. Choosing a school with a solid reputation
for security and low potential for dangerous threats allows moms and dads to breathe easier once their kids ship off to earn a higher education.” See the full ranking at alarms.org/safestcolleges/. “We know that one of the main priorities for any college is keeping students and faculty safe and feel that this is a good opportunity to make your campus crime statistics and safety resources available to prospective and current students,” said Robyn Avery, media relations at Alarms.org.
MARK THE CALENDAR
Spring Finals Week Tuesday-Monday, May 14-20 Summer Foundation Book Scholarship Application Deadline: Wednesday-Tuesday, May 15-21
Center Stage Theatre Auditions Catch Me If You Can Tuesday-Thursday, May 21-23 | FAB Theatre SOAR 8:30 a.m. & Noon Thursday, May 30
Board of Trustees Meeting Monday, May 20
Summer Classes Begin Monday, June 3
2nd 8-Week Classes End Monday, May 20
SOAR 8:30 a.m. & Noon Wednesday, June 12
Summer Early Start 5-Week Classes Begin Tuesday, May 21
Food Truck Frolic 5 p.m. Friday, June 21 | Red Parking Lot
For more information and additional events, including SCC athletics, visit stchas.edu/calendar.
Dr. Kavalier joins Governor Parson, state legislators to discuss economic development Governor Mike Parson gathered community and government officials early this month at Wentzville City Hall to discuss his Economic Development Package. Barbara Kavalier, Ph.D., SCC president, was among the leaders invited to participate in the round-table discussion introducing the plan. The Economic Development Package is a comprehensive strategy for growth across Missouri. In it, Parson revealed a General Motors: A Real-Time Case Study initiative that
is encouraging GM to invest nearly $1 billion in its Wentzville location. According to Parson, such an investment will safeguard the longevity of the plant as a whole, ensuring that production remains in Wentzville over the long term and that Missouri doesn’t lose jobs to other states. Dr. Kavalier joined the Governor again at the capitol the following week to participate in a meeeting regarding this bill. The Senate approved the bill on May 14 and it was sent to Gov. Parson for his signature.
Dave Leenhouts named SCC Vice President for Student Services
in Texas, Georgia and Colorado. “Mr. Leenhouts’ skills and experiences align with many of the traits and areas of expertise identified by the employees in enrollment management,” said Barbara Kavalier, Ph.D., SCC president. “Based on multiple assessments, he emerged as the top candidate.” Leenhouts holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from Hope College in Holland, Mich. He received a Master of Arts degree and in general psychology from Central Michigan University in Mt. Pleasant, Mich., and a Specialist degree in psychological services with an emphasis in school psychology from Central Michigan University. Leenhouts’ first day will be July 1, 2019.
St. Charles Community College has selected Dave Leenhouts as the next vice president for student affairs. Leenhouts brings more than seven years of experience as a vice president of student services at Wharton County Junior College in Wharton, Texas, and additional experience as the director of student life, director of financial aid, and director of special services for disadvantaged students. He has worked at community colleges
Sizemore awarded first Pinnacle of Excellence Dr. Barbara Kavalier, SCC president, announced Amanda Sizemore, assistant vice president for corporate and community development, as the recipient of the first SCC Pinnacle of Excellence Award. “Amanda has been instrumental in developing and expanding our Workforce and Corporate and Community Development Division,” Kavalier said. Her notable accomplishments include expanding welding to a credit program; writing the MoExcel grant for $1.5 M which was approved in the House budget bill; contributing to expanding SCC’s service area to include Warren County; conducting a survey of business and industry and identifying the most needed technical programs; developing and implementing new technical programs; and, in collaboration with Dean Amy Koehler, contributing to the establishment of the new Dardenne Creek Campus.
Faculty attend annual celebration
Graduating ADN and PN students take part in SCC’s annual pinning ceremony
Colonel Christopher H. Robertson from U.S. Army Transportation Command
SCC holds medaling ceremony for graduating veterans Medals were presented on May 13 to graduating military veterans and service members in recognition of their achievement. The event’s guest speaker was Colonel Christopher H. Robertson from the U.S. Army Transportation Command. Barbara Kavalier, Ph.D., SCC president, provided a welcome and assisted with the presentation of medals. “This medaling ceremony has become a meaningful tradition at SCC,” said Andrew Gates, SCC coordinator of veterans services. “It demonstrates to our
SCC breaks ground for new student housing facility
SCC Housing Partners, LLC, and SCC broke ground Monday, April 29, on a new student housing facility.
St. Charles Community College and SCC Housing Partners, LLC, broke ground Monday, April 29, on a new student housing facility,
students and community that we appreciate the service of these men and women.” The medals were presented before the May 18 commencement ceremony so they could be affixed to the graduates’ attire. “We recognize that they have achieved something worth celebrating, and it’s an honor to acknowledge them during commencement time,” Gates said.
as the college begins to make its transition to a residential campus. The new facility will house 130 students, spread among various unit configurations, and it will offer co-ed housing opportunities for SCC’s students. Apartments will be fully furnished, with full kitchens, and utilities will be included in the cost of the unit. According to college officials, SCC formed a public-private partnership with SCC Housing Partners, LLC, to allow the college to begin offering students on-campus housing while saving taxpayers the significant cost of building it. The partnership follows a successful development for student housing implemented at Lewis and Clark Community College in Godfrey, Ill.
The annual nursing pinning ceremony for SCC’s Associate Degree Nursing and Practical Nursing graduates included speakers, pledges, pins and candlelight at the May 15 event held in the College Center Gymnasium. Forty-four students were eligible to take part in the ceremony in front of family and friends. An introduction was given by John Bookstaver, Ph.D., vice president for academic and student affairs, and a welcome was given by Barbara Kavalier, Ph.D., SCC president. Amy Koehler, campus dean and dean of nursing and allied health, shared a ceremony overview, and Jen Bussen, Ph.D., associate professor of nursing and Nursing Department chair, provided program overviews. Student speakers were Folasade Orebiyi and Caroline McElya. Following the presentation of pins, the graduates recited the Nightingale Pledge and took part in a candle lighting ceremony which represents the “Passing of the Lamp of Knowledge.”
College administrators believe that oncampus student housing will be an advantage for its student-athletes and international students as well as any local students seeking the traditional four-year college experience. “What started with a phone call turned into a really nice partnership on campus, largely due to the progressive thinking of the college,” said Brad Barnard, managing member of SCC Housing Partners, LLC. “We expect this development to help create a more active campus life.” The location for the housing is on the west side of campus, across from the Purple Parking Lot. Students are expected to move in at the start of the spring semester in 2020.
(Left to right) Barbara Kavalier, Ph.D., SCC president, Sherry and Sergio Espinoza, Art McCoy, Ph.D., CEO/superintendent of Jennings School District and founder/president of SAGES 501c3, LLC.
SCC honors highachieving students at awards banquet SCC’s annual Student Awards Banquet was held at Whitmoor Country Club April 30. Nearly 60 students were honored with departmental and club leadership awards. A welcome was provided by Heather McDorman, vice president for marketing and student life; an introduction of the speaker was given by Drew Bowdish, student government president. The keynote speaker was Art McCoy, Ph.D., CEO/superintendent of Jennings School District and founder/president of SAGES 501c3, LLC. The presentation of awards was given by Pam Cilek, Board president, and Barbara Kavalier, Ph.D, SCC president. The Maria Espinoza Presidential Leadership Award and scholarship was awarded to Drew Bowdish and The President’s Rising Star Award and Scholarship was awarded to Grey Rische.
SCC leadership holds Planning and Budget Retreat Nearly 30 administrators and faculty members gathered to review college priorities and plan for the next fiscal year for a day and a half in late April. The annual Planning and Budget retreat, hosted by college President Barbara Kavalier, Ph.D., and led by Todd Galbierz, vice president for administrative services, focused on budget planning within the framework of the college’s new strategic plan. In addition to Cabinet, senior administrators and faculty members who represented Student Services, Faculty
Art McCoy, Ph.D., CEO/superintendent of Jennings School District and founder/president of SAGES 501c3, LLC.
Student Government President Drew Bowdish (center) was congratulated by the Maria Espinoza Presidential Leadership by Sergio and Sherry Espinoza.
Student Government Treasurer Grey Rische received the Rising Start Award by Dr. Barbara Kavalier, SCC president.
Association, the President’s Council, the Resource Allocation Committee and the Strategic Planning Committee were invited. “I am grateful for the participation of all those who attended the annual retreat,” Kavalier said. “This collaborative approach to planning and budgeting serves the college well.” Participants took part in group exercises meant to encourage strategic thinking and to learn more about the importance of diversity in our college culture. Lunchtime also allowed for teambuilding activities through a circuit of outdoor challenges. Work from the retreat was reviewed by the President’s Council at its May 9 meeting.
The annual Faculty Celebration took place May 2. Vicky Herbel received the Emerson Teaching Award, Marvin Tobias was recognized for having received the Governor’s Award for Teaching Excellence and Joe Baumann, Ph.D., was selected as Faculty of the Year. The faculty members who received promotion to assistant professor include Baumann, Cathy Daugherty, Garrett Foster, Ph.D., and Rachel McWhorter-Rush, Ph.D. Faculty who received associate professor status included Charles DeBord, Ph.D., Sylvia Malta, LeeAnn Nelson and Stacey Thater. The rank of professor was awarded to Jen Bussen, Ph.D., Aaron Proctor and Lynne Snyder. Additionally, the following faculty who will be retiring this year were recognized including Cal Chandler, Ph.D., Joe Hartnett, Karen Jones, Michael Kuelker and Jane O’Donnell. “This was a wonderful opportunity to recognize faculty accomplishments,” said Dr. Barbara Kavalier, SCC president. “Congratulations to the faculty who were recognized at this successful event.” Other accomplishments worth noting include Baumann receiving the Rose Warner Prize for Prose by Freshwater Review and Christina Gant being recognized for 15 years of service as a Phi Theta Kappa club advisor. Mary Horner, adjunct faculty in communications, was recognized for being invited to read her fiction and poetry writing during the Crossroads Arts Council 2019 Spanning the Generations Show at the Wentzville Community Club in March.
Team “We’re #1” was crowned victorious following the lunchtime challenge competition. Team members (from left) included: Courtney Barrett, Lindy McGuire, Amanda Sizemore and Martha Garcia Kampen.