PTK Answers the Question: 'Where Are You Wearing?'

Ever wonder who made the socks you’re wearing? Ever wonder how much it cost to make your favorite shirt? Snead State Community College’s chapter of Phi Theta Kappa has not only researched the answers to those questions; they are also informing students about “Where Are You Wearing?”

Each year the Phi Theta Kappa national organization selects a topic for a study project that’s referred to as the Honors in Action project. The purpose of the program is to encourage lifelong learning and allow members to explore real world issues. Members are given a topic, and it is their responsibility to research and create an event that brings attention to the topic.

This year’s Honors in Action topic addresses the economy, so the PTK officers decided to develop a “Where Are You Wearing” project that sheds light on the origin of the clothing people wear such as where the clothing was made, how much was spent to make the clothing, and how much the worker was paid to make the clothing. The group presented the information to Snead students on Dec. 7.

“The program is based off of economics relevant to our everyday economic standing,” said Director of Campus Engagement Brittany Wilborn, who also serves as the PTK sponsor. “The officers chose this particular program because they were curious to learn about the origin of their clothes. They were amazed with what they learned.”

Phi Theta Kappa strives to maintain a five-star chapter status with the national organization, and completing an Honors in Action project is one requirement to meet the status. Last year, the group’s Honors in Action project was a political forum, which earned them an award at the PTK Regional Conference.

 Currently, the group is raising money to cover expenses to the regional and international conferences in the spring. They also plan to participate in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life in the spring.

Phi Theta Kappa has recognized academic excellence in the two-year college since 1918 and has become the largest and the most prestigious honor society serving two-year colleges around the world. To become a member of the Phi Theta Kappa one must have completed a minimum of 12 hours and have a 3.5 GPA.

The 2011-2012 officers are President Hannah Jimmerson, Vice President of Leadership Zach Fraiser, Vice President of Scholarships Colton Campbell, and Vice President of Fellowship Seth Harbison.

Snead State Concert Choir Performs at ACDA Choral Festival

The Concert Choir

The Concert Choir from Snead State Community College participated in the Alabama chapter of the American Choral Directors Association Collegiate Choral Festival on Nov. 10.

The group was one of 18 groups representing two and four-year colleges and universities from North and Central Alabama. The Festival is open to any college choirs whose directors are members of the American Choral Directors Association.

The Festival was held at the Canterbury United Methodist Church in Mountain Brook. The group performed William Billings Easter Anthem and Bradley Harris’ arrangement of “How Can I Keep from Singing” for Dr. Lori Hetzel, who is on the music staff at the University of Kentucky.

“The Festival is an opportunity for the choirs to perform for each other. In the morning session, we had nine choirs, so around 200 to 300 collegiate choral singers plus another possible 50 people heard and enjoyed our program,” said Director Sara Markham.

The Concert Choir is comprised of both music majors and non-majors from Snead State. Anyone can join the choir, which meets Tuesdays and Thursdays at 2 p.m.

Lady Parsons Finish Fourth in State

2011 Lady Parsons Volleyball Team

The Snead State Community College volleyball team wrapped up its 2011 season over the weekend at the Alabama Community College Conference State Championship at Gadsden State. The Lady Parsons finished fourth in the State.

“I am incredibly proud of how my girls playing during the tournament and how they finished the season,” said Coach Lisa Murray. They played with so much heart and determination. We finished 21-12 – the current program best for Snead State. This was really a great group of girls, and they achieved a lot during this season.”

During the tournament, the Lady Parsons defeated Faulkner State and Wallace Selma 3-0 but suffered a 3-0 loss to Wallace Hanceville during game two. The Parsons were defeated 3-2 in a tight final match against Faulkner State.

Snead State vs. Faulkner State (Snead 3-0)

Match Scores: 25-23, 25-16, 25-15

• Sophomore Kali Lake of Addison – 24 assists, 9 digs, and one ace
• Sophomore Katelin Gray of Guntersville – 16 digs
• Freshman Courtney Redington of Guntersville – 13 digs
• Sophomore Justina Craft of New Hope – eight kills, one block
• Freshman Bailey Gamble of Grant – eight kills, one block
• Freshman Adele Woodall of Guntersville – five kills, one block
• Sophomore Kirsten Croghan of Boaz – four blocks, five kills

Snead State vs. Wallace Hanceville (Wallace Hanceville 3-0)

Match Scores: 26-24, 25-17, 25-21

• Kali Lake – 20 assists, six digs, and one ace
• Katelin Gray – 16 digs
• Courtney Redington – 18 digs
• Justina Craft – eight digs, five kills
• Bailey Gamble – 5 kills, 3 blocks
• Adele Woodall – 11 kills, 3 blocks

Snead State vs. Wallace Selma (Snead 3-0)

Match Scores: 25-16, 25-17, 25-15

• Kali Lake – 27 assists, two digs
• Katelin Gray – eight digs
• Courtney Redington – five digs
• Justina Craft – three kills, four digs
• Bailey Gamble – six kills
• Adele Woodall – ten kills
• Kirsten Croghan – four kills

Snead State vs. Faulkner State (Faulkner 3-2)

Match Scores: Snead 25-16, 25-20 and Faulkner 25-21, 26-24, 15-11

• Kali Lake – 33 assists, 11 digs, three blocks, three digs
• Katelin Gray – 29 digs
• Courtney Redington – 20 digs
• Freshman Jamie Blair of Addison – 10 digs
• Justina Craft – nine digs, six kills
• Bailey Gamble – eight kills, four digs, four blocks
• Adele Woodall – 13 kills, three blocks
• Sophomore Kaylea McGuire of Fayette – four kills, three blocks
• Freshman Lydia Vick of Moulton– six kills
• Kirsten Croghan – three kills, three blocks

Following the tournament, four Lady Parsons were named to the All-Region First Team: Adele Woodall, Kali Lake, Bailey Gamble and Katelin Gray. Justina Craft was named to the All-Region Second Team. Kali Lake and Adele Woodall were also named to the All-Tournament Team.

“Not only have these athletes excelled on the court, but they are also excelling in the classroom,” said Athletic Director Mark Richard. “On this year’s team, there are seven sophomores, and every one of them is on track to graduate this spring or this summer. They have a combined grade point average of 3.62. This not only shows their hard work and dedication to our volleyball program but to completing their degree as well.”

Welcome to the New Human Resources Director

It has been a period of adjustment for Arlene Brown since she began her position as Human Resources Director for Snead State Community College.

Ms. Brown began Nov. 1 in the position left vacant by the retirement of HR Specialist Barbara Kilpatrick. The Auburn University at Montgomery graduate earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in August 2007. Two months later she was hired by Jefferson State Community College as a personnel specialist. She moved from Jeff State to Snead State as advancement to her career in Human Resources.

“I am thankful I had a great boss while I was at Jeff State. She was great to keep me informed on different aspects of HR, and that helped to prepare me to step into the job at Snead State,” she said.

She also recently earned her Master of Business Administration from AUM to add to her qualifications for the Director position. Her challenge has been learning the administrative software used by Snead – Alliant, but she has experience using the software that Snead will be implementing in the near future – Banner.

“Because I worked in the two-year college system, I am already familiar with the policies and procedures. I am also familiar with the Students First Act, but I still have some aspects of the Human Resources position that I need to learn,” she said.

Ms. Brown said she applied at Snead because not only did it give her the opportunity to move her human resources career to the next level, but also give her a job in a comfortable setting. Snead allowed her to stay in the two-year community college system. She worked in a four-year institution for a couple of years and immediately noticed a different atmosphere than the community college environment.

“Community colleges have a different atmosphere. The staff feels like family,” said Ms. Brown.

With the adjustment of learning her new role, Ms. Brown is anxious to meet and get to know her co-workers. She has already encouraged them to stop by, introduce themselves, and offer questions or suggestions they may have about the Human Resources office.

Snead State Hosts Visit from Alabama Leadership Academy

Twenty participants with the 2011-2012 Alabama Leadership Academy visited Snead State Community College on Thursday, Dec. 1.

Snead President Dr. Robert Exley and members of the President’s Cabinet provided an overview of key initiatives at the College including the development and implementation of the Campus Master Plan, the Strategic Planning process, and the development of the Student Success and Career Center (SSCC@SSCC).

“The Alabama Leadership Academy involves up-and-coming leaders in community college education. We appreciate the opportunity to share with them our efforts to promote student success through our planning process and our programs,” said Dr. Exley.

The group toured the Norton Social Sciences Building and the SSCC@SSCC before dining in the cafeteria.

Established in 2000, the Alabama Leadership Academy is co-sponsored by the University of Alabama Colleges of Continuing Studies and Education in cooperation with the Alabama Community College System, the University of Alabama System, and the Alabama Commission on Higher Education.  The mission of the Alabama Leadership Academy is to prepare community college leaders by enhancing their leadership and management skills for an environment of change and to promote active partnership within postsecondary education.