On Tuesday, Aug. 25, Washington State Community College will move to a single sign-on portal. MyWSCC will allow faculty, staff and students to access WebAdvisor, WebMail, and e-Learning, from one location, using a single username and password to access all three.

Student e-mail addresses will change. On Tuesday, Aug. 25, you will have to go through the first time user process to reset your password and to gain access. You will need your student identification number which can be found on your student ID card, schedule, business office receipts, or bookstore receipts. The process will be simple. On Aug. 25 you will go to our Web site, www.wscc.edu, click on MyWSCC, and then follow the on screen instructions.

Watch your mail. On Tuesday, Aug. 18, the college will mail a postcard to students, faculty and staff, announcing the conversion to MyWSCC. The postcard will provide the same information above along with the action steps to take on Aug. 25.

Faculty and staff e-mail addresses will not change.

In the coming weeks more information will be coming to you. Please watch for it in your Student OnCampus, Collage, table tents, posters and postcard. The Help Desk will be field any challenges students, faculty or staff may have during the conversion. The Help Desk can be reached at 740.374.8716, ext.1182 and they are located in the Arts & Sciences Center, second floor.

Washington State Community College has applied for continuing accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA).

The Higher Learning Commission is one of six accrediting agencies in the Unites States that provides institutional accreditation to evaluate an entire institution and accredits it as a whole. Accreditation is voluntary, but Washington State has been continuously accredited since 1979. As part of the process, the college is seeking written comments from alumni, constituents and general public.

A team representing the NCA will review Washington State’s ongoing ability to meet the Commissions Criteria for Accreditation, which includes a comprehensive visit and review of the public’s comments. Comments should address substantive matters related to institutional quality or academic programs and be sent directly to the commission at the address below. Comments must be signed and include the writer’s name, address and telephone number. All comment s will be a part of public record. Comments must be sent by Sept. 15, 2009 to:

Public Comment on Washington State Community College
The Higher Learning Commission
30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2400
Chicago, IL 60602-2504

Washington State is now hosting the Washington County's Adult Basic Literacy Education (ABLE) classes for those who need basic skills training.

ABLE classes teach the basic skills for reading, math, science, social studies and language arts. Instruction and free test waivers are provided for all students needing to earn their General Equivalency Diploma (GED). ABLE also provides instruction for anyone learning English as a second language (ESL).

ABLE classes are held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. in room B203 of the Main Building at Washington State Community College. New student orientations will be held every Friday beginning Aug. 7, 2009 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

LearnMore: 740.568.1960

Student Services is pleased to once again offer students assistance filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). David Scheimann will be available on Monday mornings at 9am in the Compass Testing Center inside Student Services to help students complete the online FAFSA. Student can contact Tiffany English at 374-8716 extension 1402 to schedule an appointment.

On Aug. 12 at 1 p.m. the WSCC Marketing Department will host a Webcast by Academic Impressions titled “Coverting Adult Inquiries to Applicants through Information Meetings.”

As the face of the higher education student changes, more colleges and universities have instituted information meetings as a recruiting tool for adult students. While these meetings often draw a number of adult prospects, institutions struggle to convert these engaged prospects into applicants.

This webcast will walk you through the planning process to design and execute a successful information meeting based on Guilford College’s model, which yields a 90% applicant rate from these meetings. We will walk you through:

• The necessary meeting preparation.
• Who should attend and what their roles should be.
• How you can evaluate and improve these meetings on a continuous basis.

If you are interested in attending this Webcast, please contact Jeri Knowlton, Director of Marketing and Communications, at 740.375.8716 ext. 1723.

A brochure for the Webcast can be found by clicking here. (.pdf)

Washington State Community College’s 2009 graduates of the respiratory therapy program had a 100 percent pass rate on their certification exam.

Upon successful completion of the program, graduates are eligible to sit for the exam to become a Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT). Washington State’s 100 percent pass rate consistently tops the national average of 79 percent of graduates passing the certification exam on their first try. Six of the nine Washington State respiratory therapy graduates secured employment opportunities prior to graduation.

Graduates with an Associate of Applied Science degree in respiratory therapy technology who received their CRT include: Jeremy M. Britton, Andrea Greynolds, Jessica D. Hill, Shannon B. Hyde, Starr L. Jones, Lindsey N. Maggi, Rosalee E. Swallow, Ashley N. West, Deanna M. Wilt.

Submitted by: Gail Reynolds

Washington County Department of Job and Family Services (WCDJFS) recently increased the number of Washington State Community College academic programs eligible for full tuition scholarships.

More than one scholarship may be awarded quarterly.  The amount of the award covers the cost of program specific credit hours (courses required for completion of the applicant’s declared major) and is credited to tuition as long as the student maintains acceptable course grades.

Originally open only to students enrolled in Associate Degree Nursing, Practical Nursing Education, and Physical Therapist Assistant, students enrolled in any of the following programs now may apply for this grant-in-aid scholarship:

• Associate Degree Nursing
• Practical Nursing Education
• Respiratory Therapy
• Radiologic Technology
• Physical Therapist Assistant
• Emergency Medical Technician
• Medical Laboratory Technology
• Massage Therapy
• Automotive and Diesel Truck Systems Technology
• Automotive Technology (Automotive Service Major)
• Diesel Truck Systems Technology

WCDJFS established this scholarship to support the academic pursuits of students who meet certain family income levels, have a minor child living at home, are not qualified for any form of public or private financial assistance, are not qualified for WIA assistance, are residents of Washington County, meet entrance and academic criteria, have a FAFSA on file in Financial Aid, and agree to remain in Washington County to work for at least one year after graduation.  A complete list of applicant criteria is on the application forms located at the Foundation or Financial Aid office.

Students may apply for the WCDJFS scholarship at any time during the year.  Although the scholarship is available through the Washington State Foundation, review of applications and determination of scholarship winners is made by WCDJFS. 

For more information, contact Gail Reynolds at greynolds@wscc.edu or 740-568-1490.

• College Tuition Freeze lifted (WTAP.com)
• WSCC Hosts Small Business Seminar - Video (WTAP.com)
• Short-term classes can create new opportunities (Marietta Times)
• Washington State reduces energy usage (Marietta Times)