October 2023

We are so proud of Dr. Diane Best's students for hosting an event for full-time faculty and staff of CEPS to welcome everyone to the new facility and showcase the new culinary space. Provost Shelton and some of her guests, including the new DA for Calhoun County, were in attendance as well.

Everything was prepared and hosted by students enrolled in Dr. Best's FCS 325 Quantity Food Production course. They formulated the menu, created a budget, prepped and cooked all the food, and decorated the tables.

Our Early Childhood Block preservice teachers just wrapped up their "Big Ideas for Early Childhood Math" studies with a math scavenger hunt around Jacksonville! They ventured throughout the town, applying their newfound knowledge and, of course, having a blast along the way. From diving deep into sets, number sense, and counting, to exploring number operations, patterns, and measurement - this semester has been a whirlwind of learning and growth!

Dr. Priscilla Wilson's class had a guest from the Alabama Board of Examiners in Counseling, Ms. Cindy Edgar. They had a great session about licensure and taking the National Counseling Exam.

Totally Awesome Teaching, ACAP Tech Enhanced Items, Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science, Engagement, Environment, Empowerment!

On behalf of the Jacksonville Garden Club (JGC est. 1931) club president Dr. Sheila Anne Webb presented the business 2023 Beautification Award to mayor Johnny Smith and city employees for beautification of the town square, The beautification award for residual property for 2023 was awarded to Daisy and Gary Stanley for their pollinator gardens.

Dr. Webb is a faculty member in the Professional Counseling and Leadership department.

Our preservice teachers and Mrs. Amiee Weathers shared the magic of Fairy Tale STEAM day at the Alabama Literacy Association Conference, showing how literacy and STEAM education can ignite young minds. This service learning project was so much fun and we are looking forward to our next STEAM day coming up November 30th.

Erin Hightower and Davalyn Walker are both seniors in the ECP program. Erin is from Centre, AL and Davalyn is from Pell City, AL. They have been SAEA members since the beginning of their education program. They attended the 2023 SAEA State conference on March 4th in Birmingham and were elected as the 2023-2024 SAEA State Officers. They were invited to attend the NEA for the Aspiring Educators Conference in Orlando, FL this summer and presented their conference experiences during the SAEA chapter meeting at CEPS Complex on September 7th. They are pictured with Dr. Kyoko Johns, faculty advisor for SAEA at JSU.

Transition University enjoyed a treat when they were on campus October 6.

A Little Something Extra ice cream truck visited the CEPS complex. Learn all about this inspiring company and entrepreneur at this link: https://extraicecream.com

Transition University is a project designed to cultivate relationships between high school students with intellectual and severe disabilities and JSU Special Education Collaborative Teacher Candidates. Transition University meets on the JSU Campus during Fall and Spring semesters. You may see the Transition University faculty, teacher candidates, and high school students riding on campus transit, taking a nature walk on campus, or eating in the Jack Hopper Dining Hall. Typical Transition University activities include:

• Pairing SPE Teacher Candidates with high school students with intellectual and severe disabilities
• Instructional opportunities that focus on social skills, navigating campus transportation, social time in the Jack Hopper Dining Hall, tours of JSU departments, and trips to local businesses

by: Brett Buckner

The US Department of Education has awarded JSU a $1.5 million grant to provide flexible childcare options to the university’s Pell Grant recipients.

The Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) program will offer low-income students with young children the support they need to pursue their degrees, knowing their child is receiving a strong educational and social foundation at the Child Development Center on campus.

“When the expanded center opened a year ago, we knew it would meet the needs of many of our students, faculty and community, but there were still options we hoped to one day be able to offer,” said Dr. Christi Trucks, department head of Career Technical Education and Professional Studies and program director on the grant. “The CCAMPIS grant will allow for flexible childcare options for JSU students. For example, if a student only needs childcare on Tuesdays and Thursdays, that will be an option.”

Lynn Garner, assistant director in the Office of Sponsored Programs, wrote several sections of the grant to help secure the funding.

“When I analyzed the data for the project need and looked at our Pell eligible students, I knew that it was time to put in the application,” Garner said. “Our parent student population has increased, and these students need quality childcare while completing their degrees.”

In 2022, 3,762 JSU students were awarded Pell Grants, representing 39 percent of JSU’s undergraduate and graduate students. According to recent data, 17 percent of people in the Jacksonville area are living in poverty, which is higher than both the Alabama average – 16 percent – and the national average – 14 percent.

JSU’s Office of Sponsored Programs, working with the JSU Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness, recently distributed a Childcare Center Needs Assessment to the JSU community. According to the survey, 58 percent of respondents said they needed childcare for their children, and more than 63 percent said they needed childcare during normal business hours.

The survey also found that 84 percent of JSU students who are single mothers are more than likely to use the Child Development Center and its services. That is why the need for the resources provided by the CCAMPIS grant program proved to be so important, explained Jennifer Mead, coordinator of post award in Sponsored Programs.

“JSU students who are parents can enroll their child in the quality programs provided by the Child Development Center, which will create a lifelong impact to be felt in their family for generations,” Mead said.

The grant, which will be phased in over the next three years, will begin offering support to students in Fall 2024. More information and applications will be available in the spring.

“We are thrilled to be able to support more students than ever before,” Trucks said. “This will not only include childcare options, but also provide parenting classes and resources to student parents. The CCAMPIS grant is a big win for JSU and the CDC.”

See below from Trey Landman-

Getting to host a conference was something I never thought I would do. It was an amazing experience that will help @alafcs_ student unit grow and expand in the years to come. I would like to thank all of our student unit as well as University of Montevallo’s for helping make this a phenomenal event that will better our organization. I hope this will build a relationship between our schools to grow and prosper.

Dr. Priscilla Wilson volunteers with the Day of Reading by sharing stories with children in a preschool setting.

Hi, My name is Timberly Skidmore and I am currently working on my Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Jacksonville State University. I graduated from First Assembly Christian School in 2019 and then attended Southern Union State Community College. I received my associate degree and then transferred to Jacksonville State University where I received my Bachelor of Science in Psychology.

As a first generation college student, I was nervous about attending a big university, but I became a part of many organizations during my undergrad years at JSU that really made the campus feel like a second home.

When I am not working on school work, I enjoy spending time with my husband and our Border Collie. I also enjoy reading, writing, crocheting, video games, and marveling at God’s creation. After obtaining my Master’s degree, I pray that I am able to help people overcome what they are struggling with and believe that this is the work that God is calling me to do.

Happy birthday to our CEPS employees celebrating birthdays in October!

Barbie Norvell

Jane Cobia

Maria Rogers

Sheila Anne Webb

Christie Calhoun

Gloria Gidley

Kelly Whaley

Front Row (left to right): Abbie Tripp, Ryleigh Hevner

Back Row (left to right): Emily Davenport, Barrett Pirkle, Taylor, Smith, Briar Fowler, Anna Hoblitzell, Riley Dooley, Reece Roberts

Not Pictured: Jaden Handley, Anna Patterson

Ms. Hardy’s FCS 232 Textiles class got into the Halloween spirit by dressing up for their Tuesday class. With appearances by Dolly Parton, Glinda the Good Witch, the Cat Lady, Blippi, Slytherin and Gryffindor students, Soulja Boy, a badminton birdie, and a pink ghost, the class was not short on entertainment.

Throughout the semester, the students have been examining the textile industrial complex from fiber to finished garment. Students have conducted lab experiments to analyze the flammability and solubility of various fibers to determine how natural (cellulosic and protein) and manufactured (regenerated cellulosics and synthetics) behave when introduced to an open flame as well as common household products such as sodium hypochlorite (bleach), acetone (fingernail polish remover), and acetic acid (white distilled vinegar).

As the semester comes to an end, the students will conduct a final microscopy lab to identify various fibers based on their physical properties and/or a dye lab to test the dye affinity of fabrics with differing fiber contents and will present their collaborative sustainability assignments addressing the 3 goals of sustainability in the textile and apparel industries; economic sustainability, social, sustainability, and environmental sustainability.

The CEPS team took 3rd place in the costume contest at the President's Fall Fest! Costumes were school supplies.

Lori is originally from upstate New York but has called Alabama her home for over 25 years. Lori joined the JSU family in 2019 and is currently the Data Specialist in Teacher Education Services. Prior to this, she was employed with the Anniston Army Depot Incinerator Project and the Alabama Department of Public Health. Lori is an avid reader and on many of her days off, you will find her on her patio with her nose buried in a book. She also loves the arts and she and her husband Everett enjoy going to the theater, and concerts and spending time with family and friends.

Thanks to the CEPS team who volunteered at the recent United Way Day of Action by boxing food items. Pictured: Courtney Christopher, Deanna Bohannon, Kimberly White, Kelly Murray, Linda Mitchell. Not pictured: Alicia Parton.

Email: bohannon@jsu.edu
Website: https://www.jsu.edu/education/index.html
Location: 115 College Street Southwest, Jacksonville, AL, USA
Phone: 256-782-8200
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JSUEducation/
Twitter: @JSU_SoE