New Student Orientation Module 6: Student Health

Video on drug and alcohol abuse and facts about date rape and HIV.

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Below is a link to the Office of Civil Rights publication, Sexual Harassment: It's not Academic

New Student Orientation Module 5: Student Success

The videos in this module are as follows:
Video 1 - Student Success Center
Video 2 - Study Skills
Video 3 - Library
Video 4 - TriO Program
Video 5 - Intramural Sports

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New Student Orientation Module 4: Advising

Video 1 - SSCC advising process
Video 2 - Admission information for Athens State

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New Student Orientation Module 3: Financial Aid

Video 1 - Introduction to Financial Aid
Video 2 - Maintaining Financial Aid Status
Video 3 - How to check financial aid status
Video 4 - Admissions and Records (how to drop a course, verify enrollment, transcripts)

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New Student Orientation Module 2: Accessing Blackboard

Video covers how to log in and access Blackboard 9.1.

New Student Orientation Welcome from Dr. Exley

New Student Orientation Module 1 - Accessing SSCC Online

Video 1 - how to log in to SSCC online,
Video 2 - how to access records,
Video 3 - how to check final grades and print a student's schedule,
Video 4 - how to register for classes,
Video 5 - how to log in to SSCC student e-mail

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Enroll now at Snead State

There's still time to register for Summer Mini II classes, and the fall semester is right around the corner. Now's the time to see what is waiting for you at Snead State!

Congratulations to the 2011 Marshall County Youth Leadership Class

Twenty-nine local high school juniors successfully completed the 2010-2011 Marshall County Youth Leadership Program hosted by Snead State Community College.

The students were recognized during a graduation banquet on Thursday, June 9, at the Guntersville Town Hall.

Guntersville Mayor Bob Hembree served as the event’s keynote speaker. 

“I appreciate the time and energy Snead State Community College has poured into the Marshall County Youth Leadership Program,” said Mayor Hembree. “I am a member of the Marshall County Leadership Class of 1994, and it was my class that came up with the vision of MCYL. I am proud to see it continuing to this day.”

Mayor Hembree shared a few “simple truths” to the graduates and their families.

“Your most important asset is your likeability. You control it, and it can open lots of doors. With the exception of health, your problems are by choice and are products of the decisions we make. The quality of our problems is what’s important and what we should consider. For instance, many of you will have to make the decision of where to go to College while others are deciding where they are going to live and how they are going to feed their families. Finally, it’s never wrong to do what’s right, and it’s never right to do what’s wrong. Your reputation takes years to build, but it only takes seconds to lose.

“I know many of you will come back home after College, and several of you will be scattered across the world. It’s a great big world of tremendous opportunities. But you will be hard pressed to find a place better than Marshall County. I never truly understood this until all of our communities came together on April 27 in the wake of devastation. Wherever you end up, I encourage you to continue your involvement with the community you choose to live in. Savor this time right now, and pursue your dreams. Go for it with all you have, and strive for excellence in everything you do.”

Marshall County Youth Leadership is a program that involves juniors from Albertville, Arab, Asbury, Boaz, Brindlee Mountain, DAR, Douglas, and Guntersville High Schools. The students learn more about government and the resources available in Marshall County as well as experience opportunities to develop their leadership skills. This year was the third year for Snead State Community College to host the program.

“I want to thank each of you for celebrating this great occasion with us today. Graduates, I want you to know that education can totally change your future. I came from a poor family that College was not a part of. A community college changed my life. Whatever your dream is, you can achieve it. There are no limits. And I know you will all achieve great things,” said Dr. Exley.

Throughout the year, the students participated in programs featuring healthcare, education, leadership, etiquette, industry, communication and public speaking, and government. They sponsored children through the Marshall County Christmas Coalition as their service project, and they traveled to Montgomery and met with the Marshall County Legislative Delegation.

“We are delighted to have the opportunity to sponsor Marshall County Youth Leadership,” said Dr. Exley. “Marshall County Youth Leadership is a wonderful experience for Snead State as we provide a small opportunity to our future leaders of Marshall County to make a big difference. I encourage our graduates today to never limit your dreams. Hopefully, you have realized your ability to lead by serving the others around you.”

MCYL Director Teresa Walker also expressed her gratitude toward the graduates.

“It has been a great pleasure serving as the Director of MCYL this year,” said Mrs. Walker. “I’ve enjoyed meeting and spending time with all of you, and I hope that all of you have enjoyed and learned from your experience as well. I also want to recognize the advisors from each of the schools. They have done a fantastic job working as the liaison between the students and me. I also want to thank our principals and superintendants for allowing Snead State to be a part of the learning experience for your students.

“Finally, I want to thank Dr. Exley for allowing me the opportunity to work with this amazing program this year. He is an excellent leader, mentor, visionary, and role model for all the students he is around. He believes in our youth – their present and their future.”

The 2010-2011 Marshall County Youth Leadership class includes:

Albertville High School

·              Rylei Collier

·              Hope Kennamer

·              Kelley McCranie

·              Megan Powell

·              Taylor Taunton

Arab High School

·              Caroline Hestley

·              Taylor Alice Mays

·              Hannah-Rose Rutherford

·              Hope Shirley

·              Will Vickers

Asbury High School

·              Mercedes Alita

·              Destin McClendon

Boaz High School

·              Catariana Cantu

·              Ryan Erkine

·              Max Jeter

·              Megan Richards

Brindlee Mountain High School

·        Matthew Jordan

·        Jonathan Kopp

DAR High School

·              Meghan Dennis

·              McKayla Edmonds

·              Riley Jones

·              Christian Wilson

Douglas High School

·              Hollie Dobbins

·              Kyle Kubik

·              Josh Williams

Guntersville High School

·              Victoria Aughinbaugh

·              Bryneth Buckner

·              Leanne Cornelius

Katarina Rice

Parson Days, Fall 2011

Parson Days is the orientation event for new students to Snead State Community College. During Parson Days, new students receive valuable information on topics such as admission, financial aid/scholarships, testing, campus engagement, and advisement. They will have opportunities to learn the campus and receive their parking decal and student IDs. And just as importantly, they will be prepared to register when Fall Registration Opens for New Students on Saturday, July 16.

When is Parson Days?
Students living in the Guntersville, Arab or surrounding areas may attend Parson Day at the Arab Center located at 261 South Main Street, Arab. The Arab Center will host Parson Day on Thursday, July 7, from 4:30-6:30 p.m.

Students may also attend Parson Days at the Boaz campus. Parson Days will be held in the McCain Student Success Center located at 102 Elder Street, Boaz. Parson Days will be held on Monday-Thursday, July 11-14, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 4:30-6:30 p.m.; Friday, July 15, from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m.; and Saturday, July 16, from 8 a.m. until noon.

Students attending Parson Days at the Boaz campus should come on the day specified below according to their major program of study. If you are undecided on a major, there is also a day set aside for you during which Snead representatives will aid you in selecting a program a study.

• July 11: Mathematics and Science
• July 12: Humanities and Social Sciences
• July 13: Nursing/Health Science and Technology
• July 14: Business and Fine Arts
• July 15: Undecided Majors
• July 16: All majors

What is important about July 16?
Registration for the fall semester opens for new students on July 16. Attending Parson Days will help to prepare students for online registration. Any students who would like assistance with the online registration process may come to the McCain Student Success Center on July 16 from 8 a.m. until noon to receive assistance from the Snead State Parson Days team.

What should I do before Parson Days?
There are three steps new students should take prior to attending Parson Days. Following this checklist will make the Parson Days experience a more efficient experience for new students.

• Apply for financial aid and complete your FAFSA at http://www.fafsa.gov/.
• Take the COMPASS test (if needed). Click here for more information about the COMPASS test, including requirements, scheduling, and practice exams.
• Finalize your financial aid paperwork by completing and returning any forms sent to you by Snead State. For more information, contact the Financial Aid Office at financialaid@snead.edu.

For more information about Parson Days 2011, visit Snead's website at http://www.snead.edu/ or e-mail the Student Services Office at studentservices@snead.edu.

Teaching with Impact

Courtesy of Lionel Green

The Sand Mountain Reporter

Nothing exploded Tuesday but the teachers participating in IMPACTSEED appeared to expect a blow-up anytime soon.

Especially when Snead State instructor Jarrod Shields took a step or two (or three) back from the scientific demonstrations of Jacksonville State physics professor Nouredine Zettili.

Shields assisted Zettili with a number of experiments involving electricity, magnetic forces and other science-based demos in an effort to ignite learning in high school classrooms.

“I’m not here to make a speech,” said Zettili, gesturing to a table of tools for experiments. “I’m here to play with these toys.”

About 30 educators, including teachers from Albertville, Boaz and Douglas high schools, are spending two weeks of their summer vacation involved in a unique training opportunity at Snead State Community College in Boaz.

The training is called IMPACTSEED. The acronym stands for Improving Physics and Chemistry Teaching in Secondary Education. The grant-funded project is offered through the Alabama Commission on Higher Education.

Zettili’s demonstrations snapped, crackled and popped as he showed the teachers how hands-on experiments bridge the gap between the chalkboard and technology.

“Desktop demos give you flexibility with your teaching,” said Zettili, director of IMPACTSEED. “In order to capture the attention of our students, you need to be creative. Have them use their hands. They will remember it for the rest of their lives.”

Steve Owens, a chemistry and physics teacher at Albertville High School, is impressed with the program so far.

“I want to make sure that I give all my kids as much opportunity as I possibly can to learn the basic concepts of chemistry and physics,” he said. “They have some great hands-on demonstrations that I believe I’m going to pick up from here. They’ve actually given us some money to go buy more equipment for our individual classrooms. I just think it’s an all-around good program to be able to do that sort of thing.”

Jennifer Reed-Taunton, a physical science teacher at Albertville High School, agreed.

“Anytime you can further your education and learn something new, it’s great,” she said. “Especially when you can bring it back to the classroom and show the kids and try to get them excited. Getting the actual physics equipment that we can use in the classroom is going to be good. It’s going to enrich the curriculum, I think.”

Jeri Martin, who teaches physical science and biology at Albertville High School, is excited about bringing lively demonstrations to her classroom.

“What I want to get from this is to be able to explain things a little better to my students,” Martin said. “I’m fairly new. I’m finishing up my first year of teaching physical science, so I really wanted to add a little bit more shock and awe to it.”

The IMPACTSEED summer professional institute ends June 17. However, the program continues to provide teachers support with five chemistry and physics technology workshops on Saturdays during the 2011-12 academic year as well as year-round support.

Teachers receive continuing education unit certificates for completing the summer institute and the five technology workshops.

IMPACTSEED programs are free of charge. Teachers who finish the summer institute receive free teaching kits and modules valued at $3,100 for their classrooms.

Zettili emphasized the “terrible shortage of scientists” in the U.S. and the declining number of Americans majoring in the sciences.

Zettili said secondary education teachers are vital to helping reverse the trend by recruiting students to the sciences via creative instruction in the classroom.

“You are the real heroes,” Zettili told the teachers.

Snead State Impacted by Tuition Increase

Snead State is one of 22 community colleges affected by the tuition increase approved by the State Board of Education on Thursday, June 9

The State Board of Education voted to increase tuition by about 16 percent, which is expected to raise more than $30 million in additional revenue at a time when state funding has been cut but enrollment has remained steady or increased.
Statewide, tuition will go up from current rate of $92 per credit hour to $107 per credit hour starting this fall.
“It’s never an easy decision to increase tuition, but with the decrease in state appropriations over the last few years, it was imperative that more revenue be generated so the services available to students through Snead and the other community colleges could continue. Since 2008, Snead State has had a 25 percent reduction in state appropriations.
“At other colleges where I have worked, local revenue support was available that we just don’t have here. We have no local tax support to offset any appropriation reductions. We have no local tax support for building upgrades and maintenance. We have no local tax support for necessary equipment,” said Snead State President Dr. Robert Exley.
The Alabama Community College System reported a loss in appropriations of $100 million because of proration. Funding is off more than $124 million since 2008.
Even with the tuition increase, community colleges continue to be the most affordable option for students seeking a quality education. Tuition at four-year colleges can range from $300 or more per credit hour for student.

Snead State also strives to provide students with access to any financial aid support that is available – from scholarships to grants – so the effect of the tuition increase is minimized for students. Students with questions about available financial aid can contact the Financial Aid Office at 256.840.4210 or financialaid@snead.edu.
The system has 22 community colleges and four technical schools statewide with about 125,000 students enrolled in courses for credit. Snead State’s enrollment averages about 2,400 students.