March 26, 2012
OTAP receives $20,000 grant
From left, President Harrison accepts the $20,000 grant with State Representatives Nancy Garland, Michael Stinziano and Michael Kehoe, vice president, AT&T.
AT&T executives recently came to campus to present a $20,000 check to the Orientation to Trade and Apprenticeship Program (OTAP) for Youth. The grant from the global communications company helped provide program costs for 34 current students in OTAP. The program is offered by the Community Education and Workforce Development division and provides technical training for teenagers and adults in skilled trades such as plumbing, carpentry, masonry, electrical, roofing, construction and more.
“One of the key lessons they learn in OTAP for Youth is that they can’t make it to the trades unless they earn a high school diploma first,” said President Harrison. “And that was where the connection was made with AT&T. They are focused on helping to confront the high school dropout crisis, so OTAP pursued and was awarded a $20,000 AT&T grant that is helping provide training supplies for several dozen of our OTAP for Youth students.”
Of the first 302 students who completed OTAP for Youth, 75% had perfect attendance once they enrolled in the program. “Our students are typically a group who are at high risk of dropping out,” said Carol Higgins, OTAP supervisor.
“We and the AT&T Foundation see that OTAP doesn’t only advance education; OTAP provides needed workforce preparation, and that strengthens our community overall,” said Michael Kehoe, vice-president of AT&T Ohio. “We are happy to support OTAP, and encourage others in our community to consider providing whatever support they’re able to offer to this worthwhile program.”
In-Service Day information and meal reservations
In-Service Day will be held Friday, April 20 on the downtown campus from 7:45 a.m. – 5 p.m. No day classes will be held April 20. Following a general session with President Harrison, breakout sessions for each of the vice presidents’ areas will be offered. After lunch, departments/divisions will coordinate their own professional development activities for employees. Both meals will be held in the ground level of the Parking Garage to allow enough space and avoid weather-related issues. You are reminded to RSVP for meals during In-Service by registering at the links below by April 13.
In-Service Day Schedule
7:45 – 9:00 a.m. – Continental breakfast, ground level Parking Garage
You may RSVP for breakfast here: http://web.cscc.edu/is/EmployeeTraining/register.asp?C=398&D=2532
9:00 a.m. – Welcome and morning session with President Harrison
11:00 a.m. – Breakout sessions with each Vice President (locations to be announced in General Session)
12:00 noon – Lunch served, ground level Parking Garage
You may RSVP for lunch here: http://web.cscc.edu/is/EmployeeTraining/register.asp?C=399&D=2533
2:00 – 5:00 p.m. – Professional Development activities coordinated by Departments/Divisions. (Locations to be announced by Department/Division supervisors)
Please send your RSVPs for breakfast and lunch by Friday, April 13 so we may complete the food order.“Day of Silence” to be held April 19
The Day of Silence is a student-led national event that brings attention to anti-LGBT name-calling, bullying and harassment in schools. Students from middle school to college take a vow of silence in an effort to encourage schools and classmates to address the problem of anti-LGBT behavior. The national event is held April 20, but due to In-Service Day, Columbus State will hold the event on Thursday, April 19.
During the Day of Silence, students can take a vow of silence to bring attention to effects of bullying behavior. Faculty and staff members can participate by signing posters on campus supporting the effort, and by creating classroom activities that allow participation without speaking. Contact Kim Brazwell in the Office of Diversity Initiatives at ext. 2426 for more information.
See highlights of the Winter Quarter graduation ceremony
Dasia Castergine was the class valedictorian and the 4.0 Surgical Technology student gave a heartfelt speech. See a video of her speech plus a recap of the ceremony online here!
Health & Wellness online now
In the latest issue of the Health & Wellness newsletter from USI insurance, you can read two important articles on traumatic brain injuries and colon cancer prevention.
Hills Market Downtown to survey customers
The new Hills Market Downtown has created a survey to learn more about their customer base for the new grocery store. If you’d like to participate, go online here: http://survey.constantcontact.com/survey/a07e5oyybz0gzlho30k/start
Ward to exhibit
Susan Ward, office associate in Modern Languages, will have a solo exhibit at the Columbus Cultural Arts Center titled Color and Form, which will be displayed from March 28 through April 29. The opening reception is on March 31 from 6-9 p.m.
Bike-fixing kit now available
Got a flat tire, or just need some air? There’s now a bike-fixing kit located at the Student Activities office in Nestor Hall 116.
The kit includes tube patches, some new tubes, a pump, and other bike fixing tools. Students and employees can borrow items by showing ID. The kit also includes information on local bike shops if you need more help.
The kit is just one way to make Columbus State more accessible to cyclists. Fear of mechanical problems is one thing that can keep people from bike-commuting.
Items were donated by Columbus State’s informal biking community and B1 Bicycles, a downtown bike store at 124 E. Long Street. If you use an item, please consider making a donation back to the kit.
Columbus State is a charter member of 2 by 2012, an initiative to get residents to make two trips by bicycle every month. President Harrison signed the 2 by 2012 pledge in January 2011.
For more Columbus State bicycling information, click to: www.cscc.edu/bike/ .
Fidelibus testifies in Ohio Senate
Dianne Fidelibus, assistant professor and program coordinator in MH/AS/DD, provided supportive testimony to the Ohio Senate Health, Human Services and Aging subcommittee Wednesday, March 21. Her testimony was regarding Senate Bill 287 on behalf of the Ohio Coalition of Associate Degree Human Service Educators. According to Fidelibus, the bill makes many adjustments to the current licensure law allowing for a more reasonable pathway for professional development. “It will have a positive impact on our graduates earning their associate degree in MH/AS/DD,” said Fidelibus. Details of this pending legislation can be found at www.ocdp.ohio.gov.
Volunteers needed for half marathon
This year on Saturday, May 5, the Capital City Half Marathon will run through our campus. Columbus State students and employees will work one of the official water stations and organizers are looking for volunteers to help out the morning of the race. As a token of appreciation the race organizers will supply custom, technical-fabric, zip t-shirts for all volunteers. Contact Evan Jablonka or Brock Porter if you would like to volunteer.
April 12 Innovate Conference focuses on teaching and learning
The Ohio State University invites faculty and staff to attend Innovate 2012, the annual conference featuring the best uses of technology in teaching and learning across the nation.
The conference will be held Thursday, April 12, at the Nationwide and Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center on Ohio State's campus.
This year's theme, transformation, highlights the ways that technology can promote dramatic changes in the ability to engage students in the classroom and impact research and field study opportunities across the globe.
Special guests this year include keynote speaker Karen Cator, director of the Office of Education Technology, U.S. Department of Education, and Joe Lambert, founder of the Center for Digital Storytelling. New this year, will be an emphasis on faculty-led presentations about transformative approaches to teaching, research and outreach in a wide range of disciplines.
The conference is free for university faculty, students, and staff. You can register through March 30 here elearning.osu.edu.