Cynde Puckett
In Motion Staff Writer
The Leadership Exploration and Development Academy is a professional development program at Daytona State College, with 22 employees currently enrolled. Last month, LEAD Academy members were welcomed to Board of Trustees meeting as part of an immersion initiative to get them more involved on campus.
Board members also were advised at the Oct. 15 gathering to review a draft of 2016 legislative priorities. A motion was approved to add the word “pregnancy” into a statute on equal opportunity. This was recommended based on federal and state laws.
Three new advisers have been hired, are being trained, and will be attending departmental meetings. Grades First, a software system that promotes communication between faculty and students, was also discussed. It has an early alert tool that allows faculty to notify the administration of at-risk students. Struggling students who have been contacted as a result of Grades First have responded favorably to being noticed and cared about.
A land purchase for a parcel near White Street was approved and discussion was held about the value of using the land as rental property until a further use for it is determined. For many years, Daytona State College has been purchasing available property around the college as it anticipates future growth and parking concerns.
When speaking of operating expenses from 2014-15 to 2015-16, Vice-President and Chief Business officer Isaline Montgomery said, “We’re doing good in monitoring our budget again this year.”
Shannon Murdock, with the Career Development Association, made a correction to her presentation from September. She explained that $650 was divided by three students for scholarships, not $650 per student. She also introduced a new program to raise money for the Student Awards Fund through the sale of 24-ounce cups.
Faculty Senate President, Richard Vollaro introduced Charlene Latimer, Department Chair for the School of Student Life Skills, as faculty of the month.
Vollaro said, “Charlene Latimer has worked at Daytona State for 23 years. She teaches SLS 1122-Managing Life Skills and SLS2301-Career Development online and face-to-face. She received her BS from Binghamton University, MS from Hunter College and an EDS from the University of Florida. I serve on the retention committee with Charlene and she is the most positive, wonderful person to work with.”
In a Student Government Association report, president Austin Albro, spoke about campus endeavors to promote breast cancer awareness. One such event is being led by the cosmetology school, which is offering $10 manicures and pedicures with all proceeds going to Halifax Health for the 386-425 Pink Project.
Dr. Locklear also noted that financial aid has been approved for the Culinary Arts Certificate program. And development of a vocational credit certificate in Building Trades and Construction Design Technology was also passed.
Dr. Alycia Ehlert is the new Associate Vice-President for Arts and Sciences. Prior to DSC, she was most recently affiliated with Volunteer State Community College in Tennessee.
A Foundation report announced two donations from a private local foundation of $75, 000 each for the purchase of a birthing simulator and a human patient simulator to be used in medical and health programs. The same donor has given almost $80, 000 in scholarship donations.
The report also indicated the recent collaboration of the Photography department and Southeast Museum of Photography to exhibit work from alumni was a success, with alumni panelists speaking, and 70 alumni in attendance. The department is also working in partnership with the community by creating a student project to collect photos to be used in the Vince Carter Sanctuary Gallery. The gallery will feature photographic portrayals of hope. The sanctuary assists mothers who are struggling with addictions, offering rehabilitation and housing for the mothers and their children.