Greetings from Daytona State College

 

Fall is always an exciting time at Daytona State College. This fall, with enrollment higher than projected, thousands of students filled our campuses, well met by hundreds of faculty and staff primed for the new year.

The start of the school year also brought a series of important benchmarks you’ll read about in Communiqué. They begin with the glowing report from a site-visit team as part of our reaccreditation – a process that occurs every 10 years. I’m proud to say the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) committee gave us a positive review of our compliance, as well as our Quality Enhancement Plan called Learn to SOAR.

We’ll also tell you about our new academic programs designed to meet in-demand workforce needs: the Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Bachelor of Science in Information Technology will launch in January 2014.

Speaking of new beginnings, we’re celebrating the start of construction for a 24,000-square-foot multi-use facility at our Flagler/Palm Coast Campus. Much needed for our highest-growth campus, it will be amazing, outfitted with 21st century classroom technology. On top of these key successes, our gala fundraiser honoring Lesa France Kennedy brought in some $100,000 for scholarships – what a marvelous event.

All this good news – Daytona State is an institution on the move! I’m delighted to update you and share our stories in this issue of Communiqué.

Sincerely,

Carol W. Eaton, President
Daytona State College

Daytona State earns positive accreditation review

An on-site visit Sept. 24-26 by a review team representing Daytona State’s regional accrediting body, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), concluded with a positive report to move forward on reaffirming the college’s accreditation.

“I want to congratulate you on where you are today,” Dr. Claudette Williams, vice president, SACSCOC, told college officials in wrapping up the visiting team’s report. “You have done an outstanding job. Well done.”

The visiting team commended the college in a number of areas, including its institutional effectiveness, planning process and institutional research model. The only recommendation from the committee referred to SACS requirements for faculty credentials, which is believed to relate to one or two specialized professionals hired as adjunct instructors based on their in-depth experience rather than academic credentials.

The 12-member review committee’s findings placed the college in a strong position to move forward.

“This is a proud day for our college community, beginning with the District Board of Trustees, whose guidance and support are crucial to our success,” said Daytona State President Carol W. Eaton. “I salute all of our teammates who have dedicated themselves to teaching and learning, from our faculty and academic support staff who constantly look for that teachable moment, to our admissions and maintenance crews who strive to create a helpful, welcoming environment.
“Throughout this entire reaffirmation process,” she added, “it has been unmistakably certain that Daytona State College is dedicated to working in the best interest of our students.”

The SACSCOC review process included two major components: Daytona State’s compliance with more than 90 of the regional accrediting body’s academic and administrative standards, and the effective implementation of a Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP).
Equally positive was the committee’s review of Daytona State’s QEP, an institution-specific strategy designed to enhance student learning, which all colleges and universities undergoing SACSCOC reaffirmation must develop. The committee commended several aspects of the QEP’s development process.

Called “Learn to SOAR,” Daytona State’s QEP focuses on increasing student success in the so-called “gateway” course, Freshman Composition. At its core is a first-semester, one-credit hour course called College Resources to initially be taken by first-time-in-college associate of arts degree students at risk of failing Freshman Composition. Taken concurrently with the composition course, students will learn how to navigate and use the resources available to them in Daytona State’s Academic Support Center, library and College Writing Center. Both independent and college research shows that students who take advantage of such resources are more likely to succeed in Freshman Composition and beyond. The course will be piloted on the Daytona Beach Campus in January 2014 and expanded over five years to include all students who may benefit and all college instructional sites.

The on-site review committee met with members of the college’s District Board of Trustees, administrators, faculty, support staff and students at each campus during the three-day visit that began on Tuesday, Sept. 24. It will now draft a preliminary report and allow the college to respond prior to what is expected to be formal reaffirmation of the college’s accreditation next summer by the SACSCOC Board of Trustees.

“The reaccreditation process strengthens our community and our focus on the mission of student success,” says Dr. Thomas LoBasso, chief operating officer and provost. “The site-visit team’s positive review validates our work and affirms we’re on a progressive path.”
For nearly three years, hundreds of Daytona State faculty, administrators, support staff and students have been immersed in the reaffirmation initiative, a process that institutions accredited by the SACSCOC must undergo every 10 years. In the first phase, the off-site review, college officials last spring submitted to SACSCOC a 400-page compliance report that included nearly 2,000 pieces of supporting evidence documenting the institution was meeting or exceeding accreditation standards.

The SACSCOC on-site review team’s task was to verify information the college provided in its compliance report to ensure the institution was meeting accreditation standards.
President Eaton lauded the close-working fabric of the college and the team that led Daytona State through the process. “In my long career in collegiate leadership, I’ve never seen a more dedicated faculty and staff working together to give students the best, most comprehensive education possible.”

Two new bachelor’s degrees on tap starting January 2014

Daytona State College adds two new programs to its growing repertoire of bachelor’s degrees beginning spring 2014 semester.

The State Board of Education in September approved the college’s application to offer the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and the Bachelor of Science in Information Technology (BSIT).


The BSN will give licensed registered nurses in Volusia and Flagler counties a new pathway to earn the credential, which is seeing increased demand in the health-care industry. The program will be offered on the college’s Daytona Beach Campus, with clinical components at six area hospitals. Students who opt for the Daytona State program will save over 30 percent on the cost of tuition compared to the most price-competitive area BSN program.

A shortage of nurses, particularly those who hold a BSN credential, has been endemic in the health-care industry nationwide for years, due, in part, to limited nursing school capacity. Dr. Linda Miles, chair of Daytona State’s School of Nursing, noted that more than 50 percent of qualified students in Florida are turned away because of limited BSN program capacity. “By offering a convenient and affordable pathway from the Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) to the BSN degree for Volusia and Flagler County students, we are helping to meet a need that has been specifically expressed by the local health-care community.”

Daytona State President Carol W. Eaton lauded the partnerships that supported the college’s new degree offering to help fill the need for BSN-credentialed nurses.

“Addressing critical workforce needs requires critical partnerships,” said Dr. Eaton. “We’re very grateful for the support of our District Board of Trustees, our many community leaders and our partner hospitals and universities. Each of us clearly sees the value in opening new paths for economic growth and community wellbeing. By adding Daytona State as an option for the BSN degree, we’re taking another crucial step against health-care shortages in the region.”

The new Information Technology program will admit graduates and associates degree students for a “2+2 program” of study that will allow them to finish the degree within two years. Graduates of the college’s associate of science degrees in Computer Information Technology, Computer Programming and Analysis (Software Engineering Technology), Internet Services Technology and Network Systems Technology will enjoy a seamless transition into the new baccalaureate program, which will be offered online and at Daytona State’s Advanced Technology College.

“This is a program that prepares our graduates with the know-how to solve real-world IT challenges for business and industry,” Eaton said. “It also supports our goal of having more STEM graduates who can boost the economic competitiveness of our region.”

The new degree includes course work in networking, security and computer systems, as well as IT project management.

Graduates may find employment as computer programmers, computer software engineers, systems analysts, network and computer systems administrators and database administrators, to name a few. The U.S. Department of Labor estimates IT-related job growth to expand by more than 50 percent through 2018, with salaries for baccalaureate degree holders who have experience averaging in the $70,000 range and expected to climb in many areas by as much as 6 percent annually. The department projects there will be 496 openings for BSIT graduates over the next five years in Volusia and Flagler counties.

The BSN and BSIT degrees bring to 11 the number of bachelor’s degrees being offered by Daytona State beginning in January 2014. Daytona State currently offers a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology, Bachelor of Applied Science in Supervision and Management and seven bachelor’s degrees in education.

The Insider View: Articles by guest authors on issues affecting the college

A glimpse into the legislative process

By Sharon Crow, Senior Vice President for Government Relations

Sharon Crow

To help understand how legislation – such as developmental education reform and dual-enrollment funding – that affects higher education comes into play, it’s key to know the basics of the process. The results each year can acutely affect a college’s operations and services to students.

Timeframe and funding lay-out

The Florida Legislature holds its 60-day session in March and April every year, except when reapportionment occurs with completion of the U.S. Census every 10 years. The regular session usually adjourns at midnight the Friday of the first week of May, wrapping up the chaotic last few weeks as members and committees work diligently to push through “must pass” bills and amendments. At the same time, budget conference committee meetings are added to an already hectic Floor schedule. 

When the budget conference subcommittees meet, they each have a budget allocation and must work within the parameters of those allocations. In Florida, the major silos of funding for public education include the PreK-12 sector, the Florida College System (FCS) and the State University System (SUS). During the conference process, in a positive economic climate, additional funds may be added.

Primary areas of concern for each college include securing – competing for – operating funds in the Florida College System Program Fund (FCSPF) and lottery funding, formally known as the Education Enhancement Trust Fund. Special project funding may be included for individual institutions and Public Education Capital Outlay (PECO) is the source for capital project funding in most cases.

Once the conference report is agreed upon by both the House and the Senate, each Floor must present the report to its members and provide enough time for the mandatory 72-hour “cooling off” period prior to final passage of the appropriations act. This gives all members and the public an opportunity to review items in the budget prior to debate and passage. At this point, the conference report can only be voted “up” or “down” on each Floor – no amendments can be made at this time in the process.  Generally, the budget will pass and when it is officially sent to the Governor, he reviews it and has line- item veto power for issues in the budget. The Governor’s veto(es) can only be overturned by a 2/3 majority vote by each chamber and this is very rare.

The FCS’s budget allocation this year was increased by over $30 million for “compression” to bring the lowest-funded eight FCS institutions up to the system average. Another $13 million was provided via the formula which takes into account enrollment growth as one of many factors. The majority of new funds were distributed to the eight FCS institutions and the colleges that continued to have enrollment growth in the last year. Additionally, funds that were appropriated for construction projects via the Florida College System Program Fund in 2012 were backed out. The net effect to Daytona State College was a reduction of about $1.5 million to our recurring funds from the 2012 Legislative Session.

Legislation and its repercussions

In addition to the budget, there were significant substantive education bills passed in the 2013 Legislative Session. Developmental Education, also known as remedial education, saw significant reform.  Institutions now have more options for advising and placing students into courses, labs or programs that will help them attain the skills needed to successfully complete college level gateway courses. Most graduates who entered Florida public high schools after 2003-04 and active military personnel do not have to participate in placement testing, but may opt to do so. They cannot be required by the college to test or enroll into traditional developmental education courses.

Given that a high number of students need developmental education in math, conversations took place last summer about whether or not all majors should require the same math gateway courses. A major focus of the 2013 reform was to provide options for all degree-seeking students to successfully complete an appropriate college-level math gateway course.

To accomplish this, the legislation established “Meta-majors” – sets of related majors that have similar academic and skill requirements for different yet similar careers in specific fields. Students going into Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) or similar programs would still be required to take College Algebra as the gateway math course, for example. While non-STEM program students could still take College Algebra as their gateway course, they would also have the option of taking Liberal Arts Math or Elementary Statistics, for example. College curriculum experts are looking at the levels of required math for each Meta-major.

Daytona State is planning ways to implement developmental education reform. Recently Dr. Eaton convened a meeting with representatives from the college’s Communications and Math faculty, Student Services, Adult Education, internal SACS workgroup, Institutional Research and others to assure successful college-wide implementation of the developmental education reform. Faculty and administrators are hard at work deciding what changes will be needed in process, advising and teaching parameters.

On another topic, recognition of “industry certification” is gaining in popularity across the country as state education systems prepare students for the workforce. In Florida, public K-12 career academies and career technical centers operated by local school districts have been offering industry certification programs for several years. The mandate for Florida’s College System institutions was formalized in Senate Bill 1076 in 2013. Incentives for industry certifications in specified areas include colleges earning performance funds for specified industry certifications completions.

In other benchmarks, a major Dual Enrollment funding policy passed in 2013. The Florida Constitution provides that every student shall have access to a free primary and secondary public education. This prohibits colleges from charging tuition to students for dual-enrolled courses since these courses count toward high school graduation. Dual enrollment has increased significantly statewide in recent years and now that college students pay nearly 50% of the cost of their education in tuition, colleges were recognizing a significant loss in revenue through the increased dual enrollment students. The Legislature’s solution was to require the public school system to pay the tuition. Dual Enrollment Articulation Agreements are still being drawn up to reflect the statutory changes.

Several other pieces of passed legislation included authorization for:

·         upper division course fee waivers in order to offer a $10,000 baccalaureate degree;

·         a requirement that career dual enrollment must lead to industry certifications;

·         implementation of action steps to employment for Adult General Education students;

·         creation of new high school diploma designations;

·         revisions to education preparation programs; and

·         other miscellaneous laws impacting the operations of our institutions.

As the Florida Colleges along with the Department of Education have begun implementation of the 2013 Legislative Session changes, issues are being identified for the 2014 session. There are “glitches” that need to be fixed due to unintended consequences of major legislation passed in the current year. There are member and committee bills that failed the 2013 session that will likely come back in the 2014 session. Studies and interim projects are being monitored to determine what potential legislation may be proposed based on findings. Members have been filing new bills for the 2014 session. Colleges are gathering data and tracking and researching those potential legislative issues that may impact students, faculty, staff and operations of the Florida Colleges. Positions are being developed and amended as public hearings gather input from concerned individuals and groups. 

Here we are - the cycle has begun again. Stay tuned.

Classroom of the Future blends old-school teaching with high-tech learning

One of the biggest experiments taking place at Daytona State College is not happening in a science lab. Rather, it’s in Davidson Hall, room 216, where students and faculty are stepping into the future, the Classroom of the Future, that is.

Daytona State's Classroom of the Future

While Davidson Hall was the first building constructed on the Daytona Beach Campus in 1959, make no mistake about it, this is not your grandparent’s old classroom. Not your parent’s either. It’s not even your big sister’s, even if she just graduated last year! 

The Classroom of the Future leverages best practices in the use of educational technology, according to Robert Saum, executive director of instructional resources. This fall semester, faculty began using the classroom in three-week blocks, after training, to sample how effective they can be in this high-tech teaching environment. It’is a grand experiment that may ultimately become a template for all classrooms at the college; although, with the speed of technology changes, that template is sure to evolve.

One thing is certain. A committee Saum co-chairs with English Professor Ben Graydon has developed a prototypical teaching environment that leverages the ability of teachers and students to incorporate mobility, collaboration and flexibility into their classroom experience.

“The message we got from the faculty in our group, as well as other faculty, was that they wanted a collaborative space where they were untethered and can move about and teach from anywhere in the classroom, rather than at a board or a bunker,” he said.

The team of college technology professionals and faculty convened in early 2012 to form Daytona State’s EXCITE (Excellence in Curriculum and Instruction through Technology Enhancement) Committee. Their mission: To study, evaluate and recommend new ways to incorporate technology into the academic process that will result in continuous quality enhancement.

Among those initiatives was the Classroom of the Future, which has now gone from concept to reality.

It features an interactive smart projector flanked by two 55-inch smart TVs on either side hardware to capture lectures on high-definition digital video that can be repurposed for online classes or to stream to other classrooms. Touch-screen panels have replaced those old-fashioned whiteboards.

Gone are the traditional-style desks, replaced by configurable work stations that allow students to collaborate in groups. These students come to class with their own mobile devices rather than textbooks and notepaper. They make their presentations by logging in to the Wi-Fi system and streaming their work to one or more of the classroom’s digital screens. Gone, too, is the notion that the instructor must stand at the front of the classroom to present the day’s lecture. In the Classroom of Future, the instructor can move about the room with a tablet device and stream a presentation onto the digital screen or directly onto the student’s own mobile device.

Wall outlets support various electronic equipment, including charging stations for mobile devices.

Pedagogically speaking, the use of technology in the classroom has always had its hawks and doves. On one side are the traditionalists, who question how effective such technology immersion enhances student learning. Others view the trend as mere glitz.

Graydon, who co-chairs the EXCITE Committee, holds the alternative view. “It certainly puts more demands on the instructor than the more traditional classrooms do,” he said. “You have more choices to make, but you also have more options on the table at every decision point in terms of daily classroom activities. I believe it lends to more creativity. It places the teacher in the process of continuous reinvention. For some of us, that’s motivating.”

Committee member and professor Max Nagiel agrees, saying the fundamentals of teaching and learning do not change when one steps into the Classroom of the Future. “Often, people think that technology in the classroom is just a gimmick or that it will replace the teacher,” he said. “The fact is, we’ve seen technology evolve, but how learning has taken place for hundreds of years remains the same. It’s the communication between individuals. It happens to be best when it’s face to face, where there is some bond between the student and the teacher. We know as instructors that if we want our students to do well, they need encouragement. They need to be inspired to go out and learn. The reality is that behind all this technology is still the concept of ‘chalk and talk’ that will lead to effective teaching and learning.”

What has changed are the demands placed on teachers and the expectations of students, he added.  “These changes involve issues of time, both for students and instructors. Students want it now, and they want to be entertained in the way they acquire information. That is the new expectation. It’s a matter of student engagement.”

Since this summer 350 students already have used the Classroom of the Future. And another 165 are using the QUANTA (cross-curricular learning) classroom, which opened this fall.

Hundreds turn out to honor Speedway chief and support DSC during Foundation’s annual gala

The Daytona State College Foundation’s annual gala honoring International Speedway

Corporation CEO Lesa France Kennedy on Sept. 19 was a fabulous soirée that helped raise thousands of dollars for student scholarships and college growth initiatives.

“Lesa France Kennedy and International Speedway Corp. have been longtime benefactors of Daytona State,” said President Carol W. Eaton, “providing valuable internships for our students, and supporting our Foundation scholarship fund and college growth initiatives. It was a pleasure to have her as our honored guest during what certainly was a delightful evening for all who attended. We’re grateful for Lesa’s leadership in recognizing the value of our mission.”

The nearly 350 guests who attended the sellout affair, among the area’s premier charity events, were treated to a festive French theme that featured delicious hors d’oeuvres and exquisite French haute cuisine paired with wine par excellence. Entrée selections were carefully prepared by Daytona State culinary students under the guidance of their award-winning instructor and master chef, Costa Magoulas.

The evening also included live and silent auctions, offering a variety of quality items and services donated by the local community, such as fine jewelry and vacation packages.

The Foundation estimates the event helped raise nearly $100,000.

View a photo gallery of the event.

Daytona State breaks ground on new Flagler/Palm Coast Campus building

Daytona State College will celebrate the expansion of its Flagler/Palm Coast Campus on Oct. 10 with a ceremony marking the start of construction of a new 24,000-square-foot building.

“This marks yet another milestone in the history of this campus and Daytona State College,” said  President Carol W. Eaton. “With the strong support of our District Board of Trustees, our legislature and community partners, this much-needed state-of- the-art facility is now underway. We are grateful for all the support  we’ve received to make this day a reality, and we look forward to better serving the higher education needs of our Flagler area students.”

Construction of the $7.6 million, two-story building is expected to be completed in fall 2014. It will feature a state-of-the-art, “next-generation” teaching-and-learning environment that will include 13 multimedia classrooms, offices, a conference room, lecture hall, bookstore, Internet café and student lounge. Modeled after a faculty-driven design dubbed the “Classroom of the Future,” the new facility’s classrooms will sport a focus on collaborative learning that leverages digital and Wi-Fi technology, and encourages students to use their own mobile devices as learning tools.

Also planned are additional parking and renovation of existing buildings on the campus, including relocating the  testing center, expanding academic support areas, adding a chemistry lab and building new faculty offices.

The new building will accommodate projected enrollment increases, mitigate a 60-plus mile round-trip commute for many Flagler residents who must attend classes in Daytona Beach, and open opportunity for new programs and course offerings in areas such as marine sciences, health care and business.

The Flagler/Palm Coast Campus is among Daytona State’s fastest growing regional instructional sites. It originally opened in 1979 as the Flagler County Center, with three classrooms housed in the Palm Harbor Shopping Center, offering 33 college-credit courses to 335 students. In 1980, ITT Community Development Corp. donated 100 acres to the college, which, in 1983 helped with the cost of constructing the first building on the  current site at 3000 Palm Coast Parkway Southeast. A second building, which tripled the size of the campus, was constructed in 1995.

Over the past 10 years, the Flagler/Palm Coast Campus has had an average enrollment of nearly 2,500 students.

DSC heats up fall athletics

Women's volleyball wins inaugural match

The Daytona State women’s volleyball team hosted and won its first-ever home match early this fall in the L. Gale Lemerand Center on the Daytona Beach Campus.

Prior to the match vs. Indian River State College, Olympic gold medalist Lloy Ball and his father, American Volleyball Coaches Association Hall of Famer Arnie Ball, gave a free presentation regarding their experiences on the court.

Under the leadership of Coach Laura Stegall, the college’s inaugural volleyball team looks forward to a competitive season. “As a first-year NJCAA team, we have a lot of talent, but we’re young, with all freshmen,” she said. “I expect that we will be tested against some of the more established teams. But it will be good for us, and I’m confident in everyone’s desire to win.”

Daytona State Athletic Director Will Dunne said he’s looking forward to seeing this young team compete. “Their work ethic is tremendous,” he said. “They have a good bit of talent. They’re going to work hard and good things are going to happen. It’s very exciting.”

The home volleyball matches are free to Daytona State students and employees. Tickets for the general public are $5. The season’s final home game is Nov. 1, followed by regional and national tournaments.

New men’s hoops coach expects high standards on court and in classroom

Ryan Ridder

As the Daytona State College men’s basketball team readies to kick off the season Nov. 1 with an 8 p.m. home game against Southwest Academy, first-year Coach Ryan Ridder is looking forward to the journey and seeing how his Falcons stack up against the competition.

“Obviously, our goal is to compete for a conference championship and give ourselves a chance to play in the post season,” the soon-to-be 29-year-old coach said. “But what’s more important is that we have a good group of guys who not only are talented basketball players, they also are committed to high academic standards and doing good in the community.”

Ridder looks forward to revitalizing a Falcons program that has a history of success in the past, with the exception of going 6-25 last season. He is rebuilding a team that includes six freshmen and just two returning sophomores out of a 13-man roster. He will attempt the turnaround with the help of Assistant Coach Dominique Taylor, Volunteer Assistant Coach Blake Touchard and Director of Basketball Operations Patrick O'Grady.

“The coaching staff is looking forward to seeing a lot of defensive force and a lot of rebounding this season from our players,” Ridder said. “They’re bringing a positive attitude every day, and it reinforces the players and their focus on the game.”

Prior to joining Daytona State, Ridder served three years as assistant coach at NCAA Division I school, Campbell University, where he was responsible for overseeing players’ academic enhancement, workouts, recruitment and scouting. He also directed the school’s highly successful Campbell Basketball School.

Prior to that, he was a volunteer assistant coach at his alma mater, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, serving as an assistant under his father, Steve Ridder, and helped ERAU reach the quarterfinals of the NAIA national tournament.

A Father Lopez High School graduate, Ridder earned his bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Studies from ERAU in 2008 and a master’s degree in Sports Management from California University of Pennsylvania in 2009.

For more information about Daytona State Athletics, visit: http://www.daytonastate.edu/athletics.

Fall arts season offers something for all tastes

From Shakespeare to contemporary drama and the symphony to good ol’ rock ‘n’ roll, Daytona State’s cultural arts programs have something for everyone this fall, culminating with our traditional Yuletide Feast and Holiday Matinee in December.

The season kicks off with the irreverent, hilarious and fast-paced romp, The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged), slated for Oct. 11-12 and Oct. 18-19 at 7:30 p.m., and Oct. 13 at 2:30 p.m.

The Daytona State Symphonic Band performs Oct. 20 at 2:30 p.m. Performances are held at the News-Journal Center located at 221 N. Beach St. in downtown Daytona Beach.

On the other end of the music spectrum, you won’t want to miss Music Production Rocks!, a culmination of a semester-long course in the contemporary performance aspects of modern rock, pop, blues and country music performed and produced by our very own students.

View our cultural arts calendar for complete list of fall programming, locations and ticket information.

DSC alum goes from dropout to future doctor

Therese Jeter

While many Daytona State College students have made the most of their college experience, Therese Jeter is a standout. It may be common for college students and graduates to focus on their career pursuits; less common are those whose passion and drive stem from a calling in life, a clear purpose.

An aspiring doctor now in her third year of medical school at St. George’s University in Grenada, West Indies, Jeter has come a long way since dropping out of school and leaving her family’s Connecticut home at age 15 in search of something she couldn’t even really define.

She spent four years traveling across the United States, visiting 47 states and meeting people from all walks of life. While living in Atlanta, Ga., in 1997, she decided to earn her GED (General Education Development) certificate.  Later, she moved to Daytona Beach and in 2004 began attending Daytona State. It was here that she found a passion for science and her purpose in life – to become a medical doctor. 

At DSC, Jeter consistently was named to the President’s List, Dean’s List and Honor’s List. She earned an associate of arts degree with a perfect 4.0 grade point average.

“The more I got into science, the more I realized how much I enjoyed learning and that I was really good at it,” she said.

During downtime, Jeter likes to work with local
school children.

Outside the classroom, Jeter was involved as an officer in a variety of health and community service-related student clubs. She also volunteered to tutor fellow students in anatomy, physiology, molecular biology and microbiology. She was a top-notch microbiology lab assistant under the tutelage of Dr. Ram Nayar, one of Daytona State’s most experienced and respected science professors. Her work earned her the college’s Outstanding Performance in Science Award upon graduation in August 2006. She then attended the University of Central Florida, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Molecular Biology and Microbiology. 

In 2010, Jeter was awarded the prestigious Margaret Crumley Award for Distinguished Achievement in Science, an annual award presented to an outstanding alum of Daytona State’s College of Science. Award recipients are nominated and selected by science faculty, who take into consideration the nominee’s past academic performance as well as evidence of continuing commitment to scientific research and community service. In presenting the award, the selection committee cited Jeter’s volunteer work as a counselor at Camp Boggy Creek, a haven for chronically ill children, among the examples of her commitment to community service.

Today, Jeter is one step closer to realizing her dream of becoming a cardiovascular surgeon or pediatrician. Despite the grueling nature of medical school studies, she still finds time to reach out and help others, particularly children. Recently, between studying for finals she visited a Grenada elementary school with her flute and violin to give the students an impromptu music class. “They don’t hear much live music, much less get to try an instrument themselves,” she said. “You can imagine how exited they were. Our classroom consisted of some chairs dragged under a building that was still under construction after being damaged in 2004 by Hurricane Ivan.”

She believes this and other life experiences will make her a better doctor.

“All the things that I’ve picked up along the way molded me into the person I am today,” she said. “There’s a reason I had all those experiences. I have the drive to put them to use, to excel in medical school and to become a surgeon. I will be able to relate well with my patients. Between what I’ve done, the places I’ve been, and the different people I’ve interacted with, all these experiences I’ve collected will enable me to be a better doctor.”

Notables. . .



Costa Magoulas

The School of Hospitality Management’s dean, Costa Magoulas, received two awards this fall for his leadership in the hospitality industry and for outstanding contributions to local schools and the community: The Volusia County Hotel and Lodging Association presented him with the Tom Staed Hospitality Award; and Volusia County School Career Academies honored him with the Outstanding Business Partner award.

Dr. Kelly Duffy, a professor in Daytona State’s School of Nursing, will be published in the journal, Health Topics, a leading peer-reviewed health-care administration publication. Her collaborative article focuses on concept-based curriculum. Duffy is a graduate of Daytona State’s nursing program, having earned her associate of arts degree in math and science along with an associate of science degree in nursing. She has been a licensed nurse for the last 19 years and also volunteers as a community health nurse with the Volusia County Health Department (14 years). Duffy also holds a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in nursing, and a doctorate in education from the University of Phoenix. She became a nursing instructor at the college in 2005.

Daytona State’s School of Emergency Services has received a perfect audit from the

 

Florida Department of Health’s Bureau of Emergency Management Services. In addition to overall program management and oversight, the college received commendations for numerous aspects of its EMS and Paramedic programs, including quality of training equipment, staff support, verification of clinical hours, use of ambulances for realistic training and innovation in education delivery, according to Patricia Mahr, assistant chair of the EMS program.

“We’re very pleased with our perfect score,” Mahr said. “We take our responsibility very seriously, and it’s awesome to have our efforts validated by the state of Florida.”

The audit report notes the respect program staff and faculty have earned within the EMS community, and points to their effectiveness in working with clinical sites and EMS providers to produce “well-prepared and marketable graduates.”

Daytona State offers emergency medical technician (EMT) and paramedic certificate programs, as well as the Associate of Science in Emergency Medical Services degree at its Advanced Technology College located off Williamson Blvd. in Daytona Beach.

Earlier this month, the EMT program was recognized by
Fire Science Online for providing a high return on investment (ROI) for graduates.

Addressing the growing need for EMTs and public safety providers in the region and state, the college graduates more than 240 emergency medical technicians, 72 paramedics annually.

Sean Robbins

Sean Robbins, a student enrolled in Daytona State’s Bachelor of Applied Science in Supervision and Management program, recently published a book, Invisible Killer: The Monster Behind the Mask. Co-authored with New York Times bestselling author and true-crime writer Diana Montane, the book focuses on Charlie Brandt, the man behind a trail of gruesome murders throughout the Sunshine state over a period of nearly 20 years. In addition to detailed accounts of the crimes, the book also includes insights from an FBI profiler and forensic psychologist, victims' friends and relatives and the unique writings from victims before their deaths.

The book was released Sept. 30 by Titletown Publishing and is available for purchase at Amazon.com.

Lindsey Roseboom Hall

Three graduates of Daytona State’s Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education program, who now teach at Westside Elementary School in Daytona Beach, recently received  Volusia Futures mini-grants to enhance their classroom instruction. Lindsey Roseboom Hall was awarded a grant to purchase materials that will enhance her students’ understanding of the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) disciplines.

In addition to the grant award of up to $1,000, the Daytona State alumna also has teamed up with students and professors in the college’s science department. “They will visit my class to encourage my students to pursue science and help them make real-world connections with what they’re learning in my classroom,” she said. “The DSC students will oversee my class doing mini-STEM lab experiments that correlate with the text they’re reading. And DSC professors will speak with the students to share how they became interested in science.” 

Roseboom-Hall noted her goals are to ignite a passion for science and math in her students and to encourage them to follow their dreams.

Margaret Haller received a grant award for a project called Amazing Anchor Charts, which allows students to effectively communicate and reflect upon mathematical strategies displayed throughout the classroom.

Aimee Shank also earned a grant award for her classroom project called Stellar Circles, which focuses on literacy, math and science.

Milestones abound with Class of 2013

A packed Ocean Center rocked with applause time and time again during two commencement ceremonies celebrating more than 4,200 new Daytona State College graduates on May 13.

More than 4,200 students were added to the ranks of Daytona State alumni. Ab additional 552 candidates who are expected to graduate by summer’s end also were recognized.

President Carol W. Eaton opened the exercises and addressed the candidates, citing their smart choices, hard work, family support and many accomplishments. Noting that each class makes its own mark on the history and tradition of the institution, she said “the Class of 2013 is no exception.”

This year's commencement honored 410 bachelor’s degree recipients, along with another 71 expected to complete their degree this summer. Among them are 269 graduates of Daytona State’s Bachelor of Applied Science in Supervision and Management degree, marking a milestone of over 1,100 students who have earned the credential since it was launched in 2006 as the college’s first baccalaureate degree offering. Since then, Daytona State has added eight additional bachelor’s degrees in Education and Engineering Technology.  Commencement also brought to nearly 1,500 the number of graduates who have earned a bachelor’s degree at Daytona State, including candidates for summer semester graduation, since the institution transitioned from a community college to a four-year-degree-granting state college.

The Class of 2013 also features nearly 2,000 associate of arts graduates, including seven who were named to the state’s All-Florida Academic Team. More than 2,100 students, including candidates for summer 2013 graduation, earned their associate of science, associate of applied science or certificate credentials.

Of the 828 veterans who were enrolled at Daytona State this past year, 198 earned their academic credentials during commencement.

This year more than 1,500 graduated with honors, including 300 with high honors, and 110 were inducted into the international honor society Phi Theta Kappa, based on their leadership skills, scholarship and community service.

Twenty-four Falcons this spring were named to Who’s Who Among Students in American Junior Colleges, and 16 students were inducted into the Daytona State College Hall of Fame, the highest honor that faculty can bestow upon a student.

Since its founding in 1957 as Florida’s first comprehensive community college, Daytona State has awarded more than 86,000 degrees and certificates.

See more commencement photos and videos at DaytonaState.edu.

Daytona State leading cyber security consortium

Hacking, phishing, viruses, identity theft and cyber stalking are the nemesis of technology users and developers, and when these often devastating cybercrimes are committed, it’s time to call on a cyber forensics expert to come to the rescue.

Daytona State College is the lead institution in a consortium whose goal is to advance cyber forensic education in the southeastern United States. The consortium is comprised of nine colleges from Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas, and operates as the Southeastern Advanced Cybersecurity Education Consortium (ACE). Its work will be funded by a National Science Foundation grant totaling $1,834,931 over four years.

“The principal goal of this project is to develop online course materials to train students in core knowledge, skills and competencies involved with digital forensics,” said Dr. Philip Craiger, associate professor in the college’s School of Engineering Technology and one of the principal investigators for the grant. “This core is being developed from multiple sources, including the Department of Defense Cyber Crime Center, National Institutes of Standards and Technology, and existing ATE (Advanced Technological Education) Cyber Security Centers.”

Cyber forensics is a means to gather, process, interpret and use digital evidence related to cybercrime. Evidence gathered in cyber forensics investigations often is used in criminal prosecutions. The field also involves the study of evidence from attacks on computer systems to learn what has occurred, how to prevent them from recurring and the extent of the damage.

Dr. Mark Pollitt, also a Daytona State engineering technology faculty member and principal investigator for the grant along with Craiger, said consortium schools will offer an associate-level course in digital forensics, as well as four baccalaureate-level courses, including introductory and advanced digital forensics, incident response and network forensics, and Linux administration.
Information technology professionals in need of continuing education or retraining also are able to take advantage of the online courses, which provide hands-on experiences through the use of video demonstrations and desktop virtualization technologies.

Daytona State already teaches the courses as part of several associate of science degrees and its Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology. The goal is to make the courses consistent among each consortium school, which also includes Macon State College, South Piedmont Community College, Trident Technical College, Armstrong Atlantic State University, Brevard Community College, Hillsborough Community College, Pensacola State College and St. Johns River State College.

Craiger and Pollitt are among the nation’s leading experts in cyber forensics. Pollitt is a 30-year veteran of the United States Marines, Coast Guard and FBI, where he was chief of its computer forensic unit and director of the Regional Computer Forensic Laboratory Program. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences. Prior to joining Daytona State, Craiger was assistant director of the University of Central Florida’s National Center for Forensic Science. He also is a member of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences.

More details about the grant can be found at www.DaytonaState.edu/ace.

Center for Interdisciplinary Writing and Research publishes journal

A new issue of the Journal of Florida Studies has been released this spring at Daytona State College.

The journal, published by Daytona State’s Center for Interdisciplinary Writing and Research, is a peer-reviewed electronic publication dedicated to the study and appreciation of Florida. It features an eclectic mix of research articles, poetry, fiction, photography and other digital arts that reflect on some facet of the Sunshine State’s past, present and future.


The themed Spring 2013 issue, called “CONTACT,” commemorates the 500th anniversary of the European encounter with Florida. In 1513, Juan Ponce de León set foot on the east coast of our state, instigating a long and complicated relationship between Spain and Florida, according to the journal’s editor-in-chief, Dr. Casey Blanton.

“The journal interprets ‘contact’ widely, offering historical articles on a range of topics: the tricky relationship between white settlers and Seminoles in 1859, Florida’s ghost towns and the brutal Matanzas massacre of 1564, when hundreds of French settlers were mercilessly slaughtered by Spanish soldiers,” she said.

Scientific essays explore Florida’s battle with invasive, non-native species such as the Brazilian pepper tree and, perhaps more insidious, the exotic fungus Raffaelea lauricola, which is quickly killing red bay trees up and down our coast.

In addition to these academic articles, this issue offers poetry, photography and book reviews.
For more information, contact Blanton, BlantoC@DaytonaState.edu, or Managing Editor Michael Flota, FlotaM@DaytonaState.edu.

Women’s Golf Team Captures 6th NJCAA National Championship

Daytona State College Women’s Golf Team captured the 2013 NJCAA National Golf Championship, edging Redlands Community College by 11 strokes and Seminole State College of Florida by 16 shots with a 1211 team score in the four-round tournament held at Longbow Golf Club in Mesa, Arizona.   This is the sixth NJCAA title for the women’s golf program, as the Lady Falcons have now won the championship in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2010, 2011 and 2013.

“This group of young ladies really dug deep and fought hard for this win”, said head coach Laura Brown.  “I am extremely proud of this team and their hard work and dedication this year paid off in the end when it counted.  They had a great time in Arizona and our focus was to simply enjoy the competition and stay in the moment and they did that really well.”

Daytona State’s goal going into the tournament was to bring back the National Championship to Daytona at the end of the week.  “The key was to stay consistent with our scores and remain in contention”, said Laura Brown.  Daytona State finished the first round with a team score of 303 which landed them in a tie for third place, but just two shots off of the lead.  Daytona State posted a 305 in the second round which was good enough to tie them for the lead.   With a third round of 300, DSC moved into first all alone with a nine stroke advantage over defending national champions, Redlands Community College.   DSC’s final round of 303 gave the Lady Falcon’s an eleven shot team victory, as they edged Redlands by another two strokes on the final day.

So Young Hwang, DSC’s standout freshman from South Korea finished second individually with scores of 78-73-71-72.  “So Young has been such a consistent performer for us this year and she really delivered for us when we needed her”, said Coach Brown.   Erin Selfridge finished 7th overall with scores of 72-79-75-78.  The sophomore from Fleming Island, FL was instrumental in this win, as her scores were consistent and she turned her final round around when DSC needed her to.  “I had found out that Erin was seven over par through eight holes in the final round and that the team competition was getting a little tight.  I went up to Erin and told her I really needed her to grind it out and it was time to step it up and she did just that.  She was one under par on the remaining eleven holes”, Coach Brown stated. 

Freshman, Mary Dawson finished third in the line-up for DSC and in a tie for eighth in the tournament.  She posted scores of 75-77-77-77.  “I’m very proud of Mary and of her scores in the tournament, said Laura Brown, “this was a very impressive showing for a freshman and will help with her confidence heading into next season.“  Sophomore Megan Garland posted scores of 78-77-77-76 and finished in 10th place individually and rounded out Daytona State’s top four players.  “These four players were the key to our success all year”, stated Brown, “they were my top four all year and proved their strength at the national level.   I am so happy for them and proud of their accomplishments.  They truly deserve the honor of being National Champions.   Sophomore Callie Kitchens rounded out Daytona State’s top five with scores of 83-78-82-83.

The Lady Falcons return two players from this group for the 2013-2014 including So Young Hwang and Mary Dawson.  Both players earned All-American Honors, with Hwang earning first team honors and Dawson earning second team honors.

Daytona State goes tobacco-free

It’s official. Daytona State College’s District Board of Trustees has prohibited the use of tobacco products on all college property effective Aug. 1.

The new college policy, which follows a national trend in higher education, notes that the ban is a matter of Daytona State’s responsibility to provide a “safe, healthy and productive learning environment for students, employees and visitors.” Individuals still may smoke in their personal vehicles parked on college property.

Melanie McDonough, program director for the respiratory program, was among many college employees and students who advocated for a tobacco- free campus policy.  She noted that the ban was not an attempt to penalize tobacco users. "Seventy percent of American smokers want to quit,” she said. “Most are just unable. This policy is about educating. It’s about not enabling. We need to be a part of the reason for people to quit.”

According to the American Non-Smokers’ Rights Foundation, as of April 5 this year there are at least 1,159 college campuses nationwide that have gone 100-percent smoke-free. Of these, 783 have gone entirely tobacco-free, with still more considering their own policies. Among them are nearly all institutions in the Central Florida region which have already adopted tobacco-free campus policies or are considering them.