Quarterly Meeting Held in Columbia

(COLUMBIA, Tenn. - June 22, 2015) - - - Columbia State Community College hosted the Tennessee Board of Regents quarterly meeting at its Columbia Campus Thursday and Friday, bringing regents, community college and university leadership, Tennessee College of Applied Technology leaders, legislators and other guests to the campus.

"We are proud to show off Columbia State to our guests," said Janet F. Smith, Columbia State president. "Columbia State is about people working together to make things happen, whether it's in the classroom or outside the classroom, and it's a pleasure to share our campus with all of these great people."

Thursday included TBR standing committee meetings, and a reception and dinner for guests. In addition, students led campus tours and showcased their organizations, including the President's Leadership Society and the Student Government Association. A performance by the commercial entertainment students and alumni closed the evening.

William Sannella, a pre-engineering major and STEM Club member at Columbia State, brought quadcopters and a 3-D printer to demonstrate for visitors. Sannella, a Nashville resident, is currently serving as an intern for Tennessee Valley Authority Nashville.

"This was a great networking opportunity," Sannella said. "It was great to meet everybody and share what we do here at Columbia State and how we set ourselves apart from others."

Student Government Association president and business administration major, Lyric McGloffin was invited to sit on the panel during the TBR standing committee meetings. She commented to the board that her role as president was to make sure that everyone, students, faculty and staff included, felt comfortable and welcome.

"I think it is really good for everyone to have the chance to be able to go to school and be supported financially as well as through the other programs," McGloffin said. "Columbia State is not just for young people; it's for older students as well, so everyone is supported at the same time."

McGloffin said she was glad to be invited to join the panel and involved in the conversation. She noted that she learned a lot and that it was an experience she'll never forget.

"I really enjoyed myself," McGloffin expressed. "I got a lot of practice for SGA this year, and I got to know what to expect for the upcoming year."

On Friday, Smith welcomed visitors with an overview of Columbia State and shared that the college will celebrate its 50^th anniversary this upcoming academic year, as well as the integration of technology, support programs and educational opportunities offered by the college.

"We concentrate on the growth of our students and their success, Smith said. "We do that through programs that lead to degrees and certificates that allow students to have a career. We also focus on citizenship and responsibility. Those are the keys to any individual being successful."

Smith spoke of the different college initiatives, such as the Healthy College Initiative, the smoke and tobacco-free campus initiative that was effective Jan. 1, and new safety and security measures to keep the campus safe. Smith also noted that Columbia State was recognized by the American Association of Community Colleges as a finalist for the 2014 AACC Awards of Excellence in Advancing Diversity.

Smith said that Columbia State looks to provide a safe and secure environment, and that change is viewed as continuous, so "we must look outside our college as we build the future."

"Columbia State creates new income, supports local jobs and sustains a skilled workforce," Smith said. "In addition, it increases a student's lifetime income, expands the state's economic base and improves the quality of life."

Photo Caption: President's Leadership Society representatives spoke about the benefits of PLS and how the program focuses on helping students develop and apply their unique leadership skills. Pictured, left to right: Amy Hubbard (Columbia), sociology major and spring 2015 graduate; Savannah Palfy (Summertown), K-6 teaching major and spring 2015 graduate; Angelia Reynolds (Columbia), sociology major; and Sondra Wilson-Martin, SGA and PLS Coordinator.

Photo Caption: Gay Straight Alliance representatives spoke to visitors about starting their third year of the organization and how they are building membership as well as promoting a safe atmosphere for the LGBT community and their supporters. Pictured, left to right: Triskal deHaven (Cornersville), psychology major and spring 2015 graduate; Angelina Anselmo (Spring Hill), psychology major and spring 2015 graduate; and Jennifer Crow (Lewisburg), general transfer major.

Photo Caption: The 2015-2016 Student Government Association officers were on hand at the TBR quarterly meeting to talk with visitors about plans for the upcoming academic year. Pictured, left to right: Lyric McGloffin (Mt. Pleasant), president; Hillary Allen (Columbia), vice president; and Caitlyn Turner (Primm Springs), treasurer and secretary.

Photo Caption: Pictured, left to right: Dearl Lampley, Columbia State dean of science, technology and mathematics, and William Sannella, pre-engineering major.

Photo Caption: William Sannella talks to Caitlyn Turner about the Tarot X-6, which has six motors and propellers.

Photo Caption: Respiratory Care Club officers Jennifer Brown (Lewisburg) and Ryan Nutt (Columbia) spoke to visitors about fundraising activities that they do throughout the year such as the Lungs of Steel 5k that raises money for them to attend the respiratory care state convention, which helps them prepare for the national licensing exam they have to pass in order to become a licensed respiratory therapist after they complete the program.

Photo Caption: Student Nursing Association officers showcased their organization and shared activities such as the Easter baskets they donated to the King's Daughters School for Autism in the spring. One of their goals this year is to increase membership and community involvement by incorporating more activities, such as a possible Zumbathon. Pictured, left to right: Rachael Waters (Leoma), public relations and marketing; Josephine Yrabien (Columbia), vice president; Natalie Anderson, secretary; and Alyssa Harvey (Columbia), president.

Photo Caption: Matthew Stooksbury, Columbia resident and mass communication major gave a campus tour to regents and guests during the Tennessee Board of Regents quarterly meeting Thursday.

Photo Caption: Columbia State commercial entertainment students and alumni performed for guests during the dinner Thursday evening in the newly remodeled Jones Student Center.

Photo Caption: Lawrenceburg resident, Kiana Sealy is a sophomore pre-chemical engineering major who plans to transfer to Tennessee Technological University after she graduates from Columbia State. She is a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, is the secretary for the STEM Club, a recipient of the Tennessee Community College Space Grant Consortium scholarship, holds a 3.81 GPA, and currently interns at W.R. Grace in Mt. Pleasant, a worldwide chemical manufacturer with facilities in 40 countries and a community stewardship program with a focus on STEM education. Pictured, left to right: Patrick Kieffaber, W.R. Grace operations manager, Mt. Pleasant; Dr. Janet F. Smith, Columbia State president; Kiana Sealy; and Dearl Lampley, Columbia State dean of science, technology and mathematics.

Columbia State is a two-year college, serving a nine-county area in southern Middle Tennessee with locations in Columbia, Franklin, Lawrenceburg, Lewisburg and Clifton. As Tennessee's first community college, Columbia State is committed to increasing access and enhancing diversity at all five campuses. Columbia State is a member of the Tennessee Board of Regents, one of the largest higher education systems in the nation. For more information, please visit www.columbiastate.edu.

Tennessee's Community Colleges is a system of 13 colleges offering a high-quality, affordable, convenient and personal education to prepare students to achieve their educational and career goals in two years or less. We offer associate degree and certificate programs, workforce development programs and transfer pathways to four-year degrees. For more information, please visit us online at tncommunitycolleges.org.