Dr. Sharon L. Blackman
It’s that time again where we intentionally engage our students through conversations about pursuing their dreams. I’m talking about “Take Care of Business Week.” This week faculty and staff members are sharing information about various careers, reminding students to seek guidance from advisors, encouraging students to assess their college course plans, urging them to complete financial aid paperwork, and to get their business in order. Most of all, we talk with students about returning to Brookhaven to continue their higher education pursuits. This is more crucial than ever before, because we want to continue the strong enrollment that we have received from our northern communities. We must strengthen these ties now before North Lake’s North Community Campus opens.
We must also dialogue with our students, but most importantly with our Hispanic students about why Brookhaven College was their college of choice and why they should continue with Brookhaven as their college of choice. The Farmers Branch immigration issue surrounds us and we must let our students know that our doors are open and we want them to receive their education from Brookhaven College.
Last week I invited our area principals to meet with me to discuss how we can continue and increase our partnerships. The principals were pleased to learn more about our programs and initiatives. They are interested in opportunities for their students to have more connections with the college, as well as staff development opportunities for their instructors and ours to work together to improve students’ skills and abilities.
A special meeting was conducted for faculty to learn more about the Course Redesign initiative that came out of the 79th legislative action. I want to thank Associate Vice Chancellor of Educational Affairs, Richard McCrary and President Pam Quinn and Bob Crooks from the LeCroy Center for Telecommunications for coming and sharing with our faculty. Although there are several projects underway, the state is at the beginning of this initiative and there will be more to come.
The Brookhaven Nursing faculty, Executive Dean Juanita Flint and I met with Mountain View College President Felix Zamora and members of his staff to address the BHC/MVC home/host arrangement. Due to position vacancies, it was agreed that we will postpone the start of the Mountain View program until the Spring 2008 semester. There were well over 100 applications for the 40 slots at Mountain View. However, we need to ensure program quality and excellence that has been the hallmark of our Brookhaven program, but we cannot do that when we have a staffing deficit. We are all hopeful that we will be able to move forward in the future.
Faculty searches are in progress in the music, history and English disciplines. Plans are for the recommendations to go to the June Board for approval.
Over the last several weeks I have met with members of the Student Services area to discuss plans for the successor of our retiring Vice President Claude Caffee. Although decisions are not finalized, staff members have shared with me the characteristics they would like to see in the person that would fill that role. Currently, I am considering having an interim for about a year and conducting an external search.
Last week I had my annual dinner with student leaders and their advisors. These are students who serve as officers of our student organizations including Brookhaven Courier staff. This is always a great time as we celebrate those graduating and those looking forward to another year of service. Students shared their transfer aspirations, their enjoyment about their participation in student organizations, and their appreciation of their advisors. We had a great time and I look forward to the next time we are together, which will be at some student activity no doubt!
Speaking of activities, the Brookhaven Fun Factor committee has some great activities planned for college members to get to know others outside of our daily work routines. The first one is coming on Friday, April 20 from 5-7 p.m. at Gloria’s on Beltline. It’s difficult to know all the members of our family, and this will allow you to do so on a smaller scale and in a different environment. So, come join us as we relax at the end of the week with some good food and fun.
Congratulations to the Literary Contest Award winner students. What a great achievement and wonderful recognition of your hard work.
As I shared with you before, we must submit to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Brookhaven’s Quality Enhancement Plan in the summer of 2008. We will have a collegewide committee that will be working on selecting the topic of our QEP during the next academic year. The group will have a kick-off meeting before the end of the semester and will have some required work to do during the summer to be prepared for the committee work next year. Members of this committee also will be invited to attend a summer QEP institute hosted by SACS. Look for the official call for nominations soon.
We are about a month away from graduation. Those students graduating are looking forward to beginning the next chapter in their lives. All of you have helped them to move on to this next step and for that, you should be proud. Continue to have a good semester and I will see you at the All-College Meeting on April 12.
