Colleagues -

Our February Board meeting was lively and upbeat as the Board conferred the award of tenure to five professors. A newly tenured Dr. Thomas cited the renovated laboratories as one important reason leading to his professorship at PSC. Each professor gave a riveting testimony of their career leading up to tenure at PSC.

Congratulations to our newly appointed tenured faculty members: Ms. Rebecca Buckle, Assistant Professor, Dental Hygiene; Ms. Laura Guill, Assistant Professor and Coordinator, Adult Basic Education and Secondary Education; Mr. Michael Massengill, Assistant Professor, Economics; Dr. Johnson Thomas, Assistant Professor, Biology, Ms. Denita Williams, Assistant Professor, Certified Nursing Assistant and Nursing. We applaud you for this excellent achievement.

Jan Bonavia, director, Institutional Effectiveness, Planning, and Accreditation presented the strategic plan, including progress on academic and administrative initiatives. The nature trail project and the hybrid vehicle trainer program were enthusiastically approved by our Board.

Truck Driving training will commence when over-the-road training is authorized. We have identified an instructor and have the curriculum. We will generate credit hour reimbursement from the state using this approach.

I want to encourage employees in areas that are being re-envisioned and consolidated to consider those positions in areas critical to the future at PSC, including those internal positions in ITR, instructional technology, and student services. This is where we need staff, and growth is occurring. For example, in ITR, we are finishing the implementation of Ellucian Analytics ( robust dashboard and much more), Target X (client /student relationship management system), moving single sign-on to the cloud, and the wireless upgrade taking place now. Also, please visit the new PSC Online learning webpage authored by Lirim Neziroski and the IT committee.

Relative to fall classes, we are considering the requirements and importance of easing back into face-to-face instruction and in-person services. As always, we will put safety first. More on this is forthcoming.

Relative to the Atrium project, we are going to start with the student entrance. Currently, we are deploying welcome center staff there along with our Police and other student-focused staff members. Our students often require a personal connection to stay enrolled, especially during the pandemic. Students who are used to a social environment may feel disconnected. It is often the resources at PSC that lead students to success and completion. Please remember, as we deploy our financial aid awards this fall, students often choose the first college from which they receive a financial award. We want to make that college PSC!

Black history month was filled with exceptional events hosted by our faculty and staff! Just yesterday, the college hosted an African American Read-In and welcomed Dr. Vay of Waterloo University, who came to our virtual campus to speak about his scholarship in sociolinguistics and his work in the field of code-meshing. During this week’s Board meeting, a caller gave high reviews for the Divine Nine event -- a conversation about the Black Greek experience -- and thanked the college for the opportunity to attend. Thanks to everyone who played a role in hosting these important events. What a great way to keep our students and community engaged in the celebration of black excellence.

I plan to host a Town Hall in March. At this meeting, I will discuss the State of the College, including a budget update and re-opening plans. All those in attendance will get the chance to ask questions. An invitation will be sent soon.

Below you'll find updates, announcements, and more.

Have a great weekend -

Thomas D. Saban, Ph.D., Interim President