Presidential Scholars Reach New Heights

Eighteen students from Snead State Community College set off on an adventure to Berry College in Rome, Ga., as part of a retreat for the 2011-2012 Presidential Scholars. 

The group departed Aug. 11 as freshmen and sophomores who didn’t know each other very well. They returned Aug. 13 as a team ready to tackle their leadership roles as Presidential Scholars.

“Being named a Presidential Scholar is one of the most prestigious honors for students at Snead State,” said President Dr. Robert Exley. “The Presidential Scholars not only received full tuition scholarships, but they set the standard for educational excellence for all of our students. To enhance their experience at Snead State, we open leadership opportunities for them such as this retreat to Berry College.”

The students participated in Berry College’s outdoor challenge course called BOLD, which incorporates lessons in communication and decision making, leadership formation, team effectiveness, group identity, and conflict resolution.

The BOLD challenge course is an extensive, nationally renowned course that includes a variety of both low and high ROPES experiences.  ROPES stands for “reality oriented physical exercise system.”  The scholars began the experience on Thursday afternoon with an excellent orientation to both the BOLD program and an introduction to the history of Martha Berry and Berry College.  On Friday, the students completed a custom-designed experience beginning with several ground-based low elements and culminating with an extended set of high elements – some as much as 35-40 feet off of the ground.  Each participant learns the importance of teamwork, problem-solving, encouragement and persistence. 

Charlie Potter, a second year Presidential Scholar, spoke of the value of the experience in that he pushed himself to be more of a leader this year by challenging himself more physically and accepting more responsibility as a leader within the group.  The entire group spoke of their desire to make a difference in the lives of others at Snead State Community College this year.

In addition to the retreat, Presidential Scholars will also participate in Snead State-sponsored projects such as providing tutoring services through the new Student Success and Career Center.  Brittany Wilborn, Director of Campus Engagement, and Lindsey Beck, College Recruiter, accompanied the scholars and fully participated in the program.

“The experience that, not only students, but I personally gained from participating in this program is life changing. We achieved goals that seemed unimaginable,” said Ms. Wilborn.

Presidential Scholars must have a minimum 23 ACT score and a grade point average of 3.75 to receive the Presidential Honors Scholarship. However, the group of first-time scholars participating this year averages nearly 27 on the ACT and have an average GPA of 4.04.

This year, Snead State has 19 Presidential Scholars, including Cassandra Upton of Boaz, Holly Scott of Boaz, Jordan Shelton of Union Grove, Brianna Pullen of Sardis, Hannah Jimmerson of Boaz, Chelsey Gillilan of Boaz, Phillip Estes of Albertville, Landon Naylor of Sardis, Charlie Potter of Boaz, Brady Keel of Boaz, Ashley Clontz of Albertville, Kelsey Hawkins of Holly Pond, Keelie Wilkes of Collinsville, Elizabeth Shaw of Douglas, Erin Kelley of Arab, Ashley Gilbreath of Boaz, Jade Sanders of Albertville, Jessica Reece of Boaz, and Chera Whitney of Guntersville.

Snead State & Athens Form Collaborative Program for Religion



Athens State University and Snead State Community College entered into an articulation agreement regarding the transfer of students between the two institutions.  The articulation agreement allows students to have an uninterrupted transfer of the Associate’s Degree from Snead State to the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Religion at Athens State.



“We’re excited to offer this new opportunity for our students,” said Snead President Robert Exley.  “With Snead State and Athens both part of the Alabama Community College System, the partnership is a logical move that provides a seamless transition for our students who wish to transfer to Athens to earn their bachelor’s degree.  I foresee the development of the Religious Studies articulation program as the first of many occasions where Snead and Athens will join together to enhance learning for students.”

The associate’s degree is received by completing a course of study at Snead State to include History of World Religions, Survey of the Old Testament, Survey of the New Testament, and Introduction to Preaching Ministry.  Upon completion of these courses, students would matriculate to Athens State as a junior to complete the required coursework for a bachelor’s degree.



“Athens State has, since its inception, offered a curriculum option to serve students with an interest in the study of religion,” stated President Bob Glenn.  “This agreement with Snead State may be a launching pad, for both institutions, towards a more in-depth focus on the creation of specialized bachelor’s degrees.”

“I am delighted to be able to extend our partnership between our schools with this agreement. We have a wonderful relationship, and is another step we can take together for the benefit of students,” said Snead State’s Chief Academic/Student Services Officer Dr. Larry Miller.

The collaborative degree program is set to begin with the fall 2011 semester just now commencing at Snead State.  For more information, call 256-840-4125 or email:  djwatts@snead.edu.

Representatives from Snead State Community College and Athens State University met Thursday, Aug. 18, to sign the official articulation agreement to offer a collaborative program in Religion. On hand for the signing were, from left, seated, Dr. Robert Exley of Snead State Community College and Dr. Bob Glenn of Athens State University; standing, Religion Instructor Dr. Jonathan Watts and Chief Academic/Student Services Officer Dr. Larry Miller of Snead State, and Dr. Clarence Johnson, Dr. Tony Moyers and Dr. Robby White of Athens State.

Follow these instructions to register for fall classes

Internet Explorer Version 5 or Higher is REQUIRED to use the SSCC Online Registration website.

Step One

Access SSCC Online Registration.

Step Two
1. Enter your student number. Your student number is assigned by the Student Services Office.
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Step Five
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History Instructor Participates in Unique Opportunity

Snead State Community College History and Political Science Instructor Grover Kitchens (pictured at left in the Library of Congress) attended a National Endowment for the Humanities workshop on Thomas Jefferson in Washington D.C. in July.

The workshop is sponsored by the “We the People” grant from the federal government and has the idea that to truly understand history the participants must visit the “landmarks” of history. The “Thomas Jefferson: Legacies and Landmarks” workshop does just that.

Mr. Kitchens was chosen from community college instructors nationwide and was one of only 50 participants in this particular workshop. He had access to some of the most historic documents and items in the life of Jefferson.

“To be able to walk the paths of and view the products of Jefferson’s life was amazing,” said Mr. Kitchens.

Points of interest during Mr. Kitchens’ visit to Washington, D.C. included the Library of Congress, Monticello, and The University of Virginia. 

“All of these areas were greatly impacted by Thomas Jefferson. When the Library of Congress was burned by the British, the core of the new collection was from Jefferson,” said Mr. Kitchens.

He viewed the original collection from one of the founders and the writer of the Declaration of Independence. His tour of the Library included presentations by scholars and the author Peter Onuf, who wrote “The Mind of Thomas Jefferson.” 

According to Mr. Kitchens, the home of Monticello was full of innovations, books, and innovative architecture, and the culmination of those ideas was in the founding of the University of Virginia at Charlottesville, Va.

“The location of Monticello is a pivotal place in the life of Jefferson who loved to be there more than any other place,” said Mr. Kitchens. “Tours of Jefferson’s former home included information on his plantings, gardens, innovations (such as the dumb-waiter) and architecture. Here he welcomed many friends, entertained as a gentleman of the era would, enjoyed family life, and, most importantly to him, read and corresponded by letter. The large number of Jeffersonian letters provided the information for many of the lecture topics during the workshop.”

One of the workshop topics centered around something that was near and dear to Jefferson - education.

“He felt that education was not as free as it should be and was too tied to the church and the constricted views of certain religions. Being a man who was well read in all manner of literature, Jefferson wanted a college that had as a focal point not a chapel, but a chapel to the mind - the library.

“Today we hold this view of exploration and investigation as the cornerstone of education. Jefferson is, most probably, the founder of this idea in America. The University of Virginia was one of his proudest accomplishments and not only was it innovative in ideas but also in architecture as well,” said Mr. Kitchens. “It is considered to be innovative in layout and function, and many colleges in the future would look to it as an example of how a college was supposed to look.



Capitol Building



“Thomas Jefferson was an inventor, great thinker, excellent writer, and one of the most important men in our history, and it was a great experience to be in the places that he called home,’ said Mr. Kitchens. “I am extremely honored to again be chosen for a National Endowment for the Humanities workshop and feel that they add a great deal to my classroom instruction.”

Mr. Kitchens has previously attended workshop events in Savannah, Georgia, and Oxford, Mississippi.

Financial Assistance is Available for Students Affected by April Tornados

Students who were adversely affected by the April 27, 2011, tornados that ravaged the area may be eligible for financial assistance to aid them in pursuing their education.

A Disaster Relief Scholarship is available to those students who meet the requirements:

• Be enrolled full-time (a minimum of 12 credit hours) for the Fall 2011 semester.
• Possess a minimum 2.5 cumulative grade point average.
• Complete a FAFSA form and file it with the Snead State Financial Aid Office.

The deadline for the $500 scholarship is Wednesday, August 17. Applications are available in the Snead State Financial Aid Office. For more information, contact Financial Aid at financialaid@snead.edu.

In addition to the Disaster Relief Scholarship, there is another source for financial assistance available to tornado victims wishing to continue their education at Snead State. Through the authorization of the Alabama State Board of Education, Snead State may also provide assistance to students who were adversely affected by the April 27 tornados by providing a 50 percent tuition (excluding fees) waiver for students and displaced workers whose homes and businesses were destroyed during the tornado.

To be eligible for the tuition waiver, students must submit a SSCC admission applications, a completed 2011-2012 FAFSA and Financial Aid Policy form and documentation of loss of home or loss of employment related to the April 27 tornados. Students receiving funding through the Workforce Investment Act or other federal workforce assistance programs or receiving substantial tuition assistance from other sources are ineligible for the tuition waiver.

Fall registration is going on now. Classes begin Aug. 22.