< Previous49FTCC ANNUAL REPORTWWW.FAYTECHCC.EDUOur Corporate & Continuing Education Department’s courses teach the basic principles in many fields such as masonry, pictured above, used in construction. Students learn a range of skills such as blueprint reading, mixing mortar, and laying block and brick construction in the hands-on training course, providing them a step closer to pursue a career in building and construction. The college also offers an associate’s degree in Building Construction Technology where masonry is part of the curriculum. Popular fields of choice for program graduates include architecture, construction, and construction management. Hands-On Training51FTCC ANNUAL REPORTWWW.FAYTECHCC.EDUThe Honors College, a new program that provides rigorous educational opportunities beyond the standard curriculum for students striving for academic excellence, celebrated two achievements in 2018. First, the Honors College completed its inaugural year. The program is for students pursuing an associate’s degree in the following areas: arts, science, engineering, fine arts, and health and fitness. The program requires students to maintain a 3.5 GPA – or if they are a recent high school graduate, a 3.2 GPA unweighted - or higher in addition to completing a “portfolio” while enrolled. The portfolio consists of multiple parts such as self- assessments, resume, cover letter, transcripts and an approved research proposal accompanied with a multi model presentation focused on a social topic. The program’s coordinator, Dr. Valeria Russ, said bringing an Honors College to FTCC was a yearlong process. Russ, who also serves as a coordinator for the Psychology Department, said the honors program is for students “wanting to learn.” “Often times, when we look at community colleges, we focus on the underprivileged students or those who want to be in the trades,” she said. “The Honors College Program focuses on high-achieving students. This program identifies those students who can step right into a four-year university or a workplace.” Thirteen students participated in the Honors College as of July 2018. Russ wants the program to expand with roughly 40 to 50 students involved by spring 2019. FTCC Dean of Arts and Humanities Dr. Antonio Jackson, who oversees the Honors College, shared his vision for future students in the program. “Additionally, we want Honors College and its students to be seen as ambassadors for the college as well as academic leaders,” he said. “We want students to walk away from Honors College feeling prepared for the next phase in their academic career.” Secondly, the program produced its first graduate, Jared Hamlin. When Hamlin came to FTCC, he was unsure of the experience he would take away. He attended a previous community college in Idaho. A negative experience at the college prompted the recent U.S. Army veteran to drop out before the end of his first year. He also detached from society and immersed himself in the mountainous Sawtooth Range in the same state with his late Bullmastiff, Jackie, for roughly a year. Coming to terms with becoming a civilian again and leaving the college in Idaho made Hamlin realize after 12 years in the military, he suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder. “I was taking a break from myself in a way,” Hamlin, now 37, said. “I was able to process and come to terms with some issues I was having. I went back to college because of my partner, Molly. She pushes me to do things I necessarily don’t want to do but need to do. We’ve been together for about six years.” Honors College completes its inaugural year in 2018Stepping Up52FTCC ANNUAL REPORTHamlin enrolled into FTCC in 2016. His opinion of a higher education remained low after his experience in Idaho. “College seemed so unnecessary,” he said. “If you have internet connection and a library card, you could teach yourself on the Internet. Being 35/36 [years old], I knew nothing about school.” But Russ knew something about Hamlin. He had a high GPA. He was also pursuing a double major in arts and science. Those qualifications made Hamlin an ideal candidate for the Honors College. Russ contacted Hamlin. He enrolled. The science enthusiast chose anthropogenic – meaning anything caused by human activity - climate change as his research topic. Russ and Hamlin’s program advisor, language instructor David Young, made themselves available to guide him and answer any questions the veteran had as the project progressed. Hamlin’s interest and work on his honors project paid off. He received an A grade. Russ said the panel who reviewed and analyzed Hamlin’s project enjoyed his work. Russ called it “phenomenal.” “I was very impressed with the research he conducted for his final project,” Jackson added. He sat on the presentation panel. “The quality of the work and the level of rigor represent what the Honors College is all about.” Hamlin soon started to see how the program became more than just a stepping-stone for completing a project. Russ noted part of the program’s process—such as self-assessments and completing a resume—aids students in narrowing their interests and future goals. He didn’t know what field of science he wanted to pursue until he joined the honors program. “I want to do graduate work, pure science,” Hamlin said. “I don’t want to work for a pharmaceutical company. I’ve been working on a side project to my research that shows how carbon dioxide affects the rate of cooling of an object. I want to pick a field that will be used for the betterment of people, not take advantage of them or fuel someone’s political career.” In addition to understanding what he wants to pursue in science, Hamlin said his impression of FTCC now feels more genuine since he graduated.Pictured is Jared Hamlin, the first graduate from FTCC’s Honors College. Hamlin double majored in arts and science and is a U.S. Army veteran. He plans to apply to North Carolina State University to complete his bachelor’s degree and study chemistry, specifically a field that will benefit others. HONORS 53FTCC ANNUAL REPORTWWW.FAYTECHCC.EDU“I really had a wonderful experience at FTCC, and that’s directly a result from having a world-class academic staff; that’s the easy answer,” he said. “And also the way the [Veteran Services] staff interfaces with the veteran population here, it’s world class. My experiences here have broadened my interests. I felt very well taken care of.” Russ also hopes the Honors College can extend that level of care to future students. The program now offers a scholarship students can apply for through the FTCC Foundation. The Honors Program hopes to extend its membership to students studying other disciplines, including business and criminal justice. Hamlin said FTCC’s Honors College is for students wanting to do more than learn. “When they’re doing a topic that interests them and it spills over into their personal life – like mine – it’s a good program for that sort of person that wants to push themselves academically and mentally,” he said. “And using the things you’ve learned so far and applying them. It’s not an easy thing, but it was a really good experience. That’s what I would want them to know.” The Honors College has found new ways to expand its footprint. Fayetteville State University agreed to accept any student who graduates from FTCC’s Honors College into the HBCU’s (Historically Black College or University) Honors and Undergraduate Research Program, Russ confirmed. Russ also noted she wants the Honors College to have similar partnerships with other four-year institutions in the coming years. Jackson said the perception of community colleges through the years has seen a change. Programs such as an Honors College are a reason for that. “For most students, attending our institution prior to attending a four-year college is an economic decision,” he said. “People throughout the United States are beginning to see the tremendous value that community colleges offer beyond trades/technical programs. In fact, for many four-year colleges throughout the country, a growing percentage of their student population are transfer students.” Jared Hamlin, FTCC Honors College’s first graduate, sketches a project he’s creating inside a campus science lab in Lafayette Hall. The project will show how carbon dioxide affects the rate of cooling of an object in connection to climate change. Hamlin has sketched the project using an old compass drafting set used by his late grandfather. His late grandfather was a plumber and used the same tools to create layouts for his profession. 54FTCC ANNUAL REPORTTell us about the purpose of the NCMBC and how it impacts our community. The North Carolina Military Business Center (NCMBC) is a business development entity of the North Carolina Community College System, headquartered at Fayetteville Technical Community College (FTCC).The mission of the NCMBC is to leverage military and other federal business opportunities to expand the economy, grow jobs and improve quality of life in North Carolina. The NCMBC’s goal is to increase federal revenues for businesses in North Carolina. The Department of Defense has an annual impact of $66 billion and is the second largest sector of North Carolina’s economy (12% GDP). With six major military bases, 116 National Guard and 40 Army Reserve facilities and the third highest number of uniformed military personnel in the country, the State of North Carolina created the NCMBC to leverage opportunities with these installations, Department of Defense commands, and federal agencies operating worldwide.What was the most definitive event or occurrence at this year’s Annual Defense Tradeshow? Annually, the Defense Trade Show builds relationships between senior representatives of the Congressional delegation, the Department of Defense, other federal agencies, and numerous defense contracting firms, including North Carolina small businesses.These connections are important to build when it comes to federal contracting – whether a company is pursuing work as a prime contractor or a subcontractor. In your own words, could you describe what being involved with the NCMBC and the military community means to you.The NCMBC is about helping businesses win contracts and grow jobs. Helping the Q&A with North Carolina Military Business Center Executive Director Scott DorneyMILITARY CENTRIC55FTCC ANNUAL REPORTWWW.FAYTECHCC.EDUmilitary get the products and services they need is professionally rewarding. Did we have any guests of honor or VIPs at the trade show? We saw quite a few guests of honor at the Annual Defense Trade Show this year. These included United States Senator Thom Tillis; Richard Holcomb, Deputy to the Commanding General; US Army Special Operations Command (USASOC); Colonel Kyle Reed, Garrison Commander, Fort Bragg; Lieutenant General Charles D. Luckey, Chief of Army Reserve and Commanding General; and US Army Reserve Command and Secretary Larry Hall, North Carolina Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.President Dr. J. Larry Keen (Center) chats with guests during the Annual Defense Trade Show brunch. Every year, the Military Defense Trade Show brings service members, contractors and businesses to network and connect.MILITARY FOCUSHOVER UP | LifeLINK Air of Cape Fear Valley Medical Center visited Fayetteville Technical Community College’s Spring Lake Campus in February 2018. The medical team flew in an Airbus H135 medical helicopter. It’s equipped to assist with quick-response patient transport, according to Cape Fear Valley Health. The team met with students from our Transition Tech’s EMT Basic program, Womack Paramedic, and 44th Medical Brigade. Students toured the helicopter, which can carry a crew of three and a patient, at speeds of 173 mph. The medical team on the helicopter includes a critical care transport nurse, paramedic, and a pilot. Cape Fear Valley Health says its LifeLINK Air service covers 150 nautical miles. 58FTCC ANNUAL REPORTFTCC recognizes outstanding service with the 2017-2018 Excellence in Teaching and President’s Distinguished Staff Award Winners FACULTY FOCUSA JOB WELL DONEIt is with great pride that we recognize the 2017-2018 award winners for the Excellence in Teaching and the President’s Distinguished Staff Awards. These faculty and staff members were nominated by their peers and selected by the Faculty and Staff Councils as our representatives for this academic year. The award recipients in each category were recognized at the Faculty and Staff meeting in May and presented with a plaque and monetary gift. Also, they each received a reserved parking spot for the next academic year. The overall winners for the Excellence in Teaching and the President’s Distinguished Staff Award will be representing FTCC to further compete in the North Carolina Community College System awards. Cheryl Campbell Business Administration Campbell’s time at FTCC began as an accounting specialist/employee benefits representative in February 1998. A little more than five years later, Campbell began teaching Business Administration/Human Resource Management in the Business Administration program area. Outside of the classroom, she has served on the college’s Staff Council once and Faculty Council twice.Larry VickCriminal Justice Instructor, Public Service One of Vick’s lasting impressions at FTCC is the Mock Trial courtroom with a judge’s bench, jury box, counsel tables and seating for the public. Vick used the courtroom to teach FTCC students and prepare high school students for local and statewide mock trial competitions. Vick taught at FTCC from 1997 until 2018 in the Criminal Justice Department. He also served as a faculty advisor to the Criminal Justice Association. Margaret Silverest Printshop Illustrator, Operational StaffMargaret Silverest provides one of the most important visual voices for FTCC by creating various print and digital materials the college uses to promote programs, departments, events and more. She joined FTCC in 2004 as a Print Shop Illustrator/Typesetter. Silverest enjoys making cards and spending time with her dog, Faith, in her spare time. Next >