Shortly after opening the doors of the Don Tomas Health Sciences Center back in 2021, Southwestern Community College developed a strategy for not only filling the area’s tremendous healthcare workforce needs – but also providing a promising future for soon-to-be high school graduates.

Dubbed Project SHIFT (SCC Health Initiative For Teens), the program supports area high school students by providing career exploration and advising. Project SHIFT aims to tackle the region’s healthcare workforce shortages by uniting area high schools, healthcare providers and nonprofit agencies.

Dogwood Health Trust recognized the potential and provided funding to launch Project SHIFT in 2023, and the results speak for themselves. More than 350 students participated in Project SHIFT within its first two years, and nearly all of SCC’s 17 Health Sciences programs enjoyed a surge in applications and enrollment.

That level of success prompted Dogwood Health Trust to fund a two-year extension in the form of a $500,000 Collaboration and Innovation grant. In addition to continuing Project SHIFT’s collaborative work with our area high schools, the program is taking on a new collaborative and innovative project in partnership with NC Health Talent Alliance to further our shared mission of filling critical workforce gaps in healthcare within WNC.

“We are extremely grateful for Dogwood Health Trust’s continued investment in Project SHIFT,” said Dr. Don Tomas, SCC president. “This effort is essential for building a sustainable healthcare workforce pipeline that will benefit all of Western North Carolina.”

According to a recent report from the NC Center on the Workforce for Health, one in eight Registered Nurse positions and one in five Certified Nursing Assistant positions are unfilled in this state. Many other healthcare professions are experiencing similar workforce shortages, which severely strain existing medical staff and compromise the quality of care across the region.

The Project SHIFT model aims to provide a sustainable solution to the workforce issue by identifying future healthcare professionals while they’re still in high school. These students gain intensive exposure to healthcare fields through events, workshops, field trips, career fairs internships and coaching.

“When students come here and see our facilities and the quality of our equipment, they are always saying: ‘I didn’t know Southwestern had so many different healthcare career options,’” said Pamela Judson, SCC’s Director of Pre-Health Sciences. “It opens their eyes, and they realize they can have lifelong and fulfilling careers without having to leave this region that they love so much.”

As part of the grant extension, SCC will collaborate with the NC Talent Alliance and Mountain Area Health Education Center with the goal of expanding and possibly replicating the Project SHIFT model to reach beyond SCC’s service area to other parts of Western North Carolina.

For more information about Project SHIFT, contact Judson at 828.339.4198 or pjudson@SouthwesternCC.edu(link sends email).

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ABOUT SOUTHWESTERN COMMUNITY COLLEGE …

For more than 60 years, Southwestern Community College has served Jackson, Macon, Swain Counties, and the Qualla Boundary in Western North Carolina by providing a wide range of educational options for residents in all stages of life. SCC has been ranked among the nation’s Top 10 community colleges six times in the last 15 years – including a No. 1 ranking in BestColleges.com’s listing of the “Best Community Colleges & Trade Schools of 2020.”Through a supportive learning environment, Southwestern offers more than 40 degree programs (including more than 90 credentialing options, 28 of which are offered online) in Health Sciences, Arts and Sciences/College Transfer and Career Technologies. A variety of community resources – including the Small Business Center, Workforce Continuing Education and Career Services – are also available.

ABOUT DOGWOOD HEALTH TRUST

Dogwood Health Trust is a private foundation based in Asheville, North Carolina with the sole purpose of dramatically improving the health and wellbeing of all people and communities of 18 counties and the Qualla Boundary in Western North Carolina. Dogwood Health Trust focuses on innovative and equitable ways to address the many factors that contribute to overall health and wellbeing. With a focus on housing, education, economic opportunity and health and wellness, Dogwood Health Trust works to create a Western North Carolina where every generation can live, learn, earn and thrive, with dignity and opportunity for all, no exceptions. To learn more, please visit www.dht.org.

If you’ve ever watched an ambulance speed by on its way to an emergency and felt a desire to help those in need, Southwestern Community College has a wide variety of options to help you get started this spring.

Starting on Monday (Jan. 12), SCC is offering classes for multiple ways you can join the Emergency Medicine career field. Whether you are able to take classes anytime throughout the week, only on the evenings and weekends or mostly online, SCC has options that work for your schedule:

• Emergency Medical Technician (traditional seat-based classes, 6-10 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays through May 16 at the Jerry Sutton Public Safety Training Center in Franklin; also some Saturdays)
• Emergency Medical Technician (hybrid classes of both online and in-person at the Jerry Sutton Public Safety Training Center in Franklin)
• Paramedic 1 (Traditional seat-based classes from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays through May 16 at the Jackson Campus in Sylva)
• Paramedic 4 (Traditional seat-based classes from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on Tuesdays through May 15 at the Jackson Campus in Sylva).
• Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (traditional seat-based classes from 5-10 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays through July 22 at the Jackson Campus in Sylva).

SCC is also offering an Emergency Medical Responder option starting on Feb. 2. That class will meet in the evenings, from 6-10 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays through May 9 at the Jerry Sutton Public Safety Training Center in Franklin.

For more information, fill out this form or contact Eric Hester at ehester@SouthwesternCC.edu or 828.339.4277.

By Caroline Roddy, SCC Public Relations Intern

AJ Trimble, a Southwestern Community College graduate, published his debut novel Psyborg in October.

Psyborg is a sci-fi novel that features John Boyd, a black belt with visions for what’s to come, and Joei, an inventor with a grandfather whose story is similar to Boyd’s. This story highlights an unlikely duo who has to work together to stop an alien invasion.

Trimble earned his Associate in Arts degree from SCC along with his high school diploma from Macon Early College in 2023. During his time at Southwestern, AJ found his passion for writing through a career class and a creative writing course.

“The book started as an idea in 2020.” said Trimble, who lives in Franklin. “After the first few dozen chapters I started to get serious about what I was writing.”

Trimble, who is 21, credits former SCC professor, Rebecca Brandon, for supporting him throughout the process of writing Psyborg. Brandon assisted early on in the editing process and provided numerous resources to help Trimble connect with professionals in the writing community.

“AJ has always shown remarkable drive and creativity, and seeing him publish a book at such a young age fill all of us at Southwestern with tremendous pride. His accomplishment is a testament to his talent and determination, and it’s truly inspiring to see an alumnus achieve something so impactful,” said Dr. Barbara Putman, Trimble’s dean during his time at SCC. “AJ’s success reflects the spirit of curiosity, creativity, and resilience that we celebrate at Southwestern, and we couldn’t be prouder of all he has achieved.”

When giving advice to aspiring writers, Trimble recommends to push through writer’s block when it occurs and to not let it to stop you from doing what you love.

For more information about AJ’s book, visit Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Books-A-Million. You can also find physical copies of the book in Cozy and Content in Franklin.

By Caroline Roddy, SCC Public Relations Intern

SYLVA – For individuals with an interest in helping contribute to the ongoing training of public safety professionals, the Contracted Civilian Public Safety Role Player Program at Southwestern Community College is seeking applicants.

Through this unique program, community members actively assist during the training of current and future law enforcement, EMS and fire-rescue public safety personnel through SCC’s Jerry Sutton Public Safety Training Center in Franklin.

“I feel the program experience has been invaluable for myself and the community,” said Debra Martin, graduate of SCC’s National Park Service – Park Ranger Law Enforcement Training program. “The role player program has brought a lot of value to the rangers who are training, and I have the highest recommendations for those interested in joining.”

Part-time role players are essential in representing diversity and realism within the controlled training environment as public safety students develop and apply their knowledge, skills, abilities and mindset during dynamic training scenarios under the guidance and direction of a certified PSTC instructor/evaluator.

Scenarios may include a law enforcement simulated apprehension and arrest, responding to a lost hiker or missing person, EMS casualty simulation, homeowners/occupants at the scene of a working structure fire or drivers, passengers and witnesses related to a multi-vehicle collision during a multidisciplinary response within PSTC’s Law Enforcement Operations Urban Terrain training facility.

Applicants must be at least 18 years of age (21 years of age for assignment to the Law Enforcement Standardized Field Sobriety Testing Laboratory). A valid driver’s license is preferred as some scenarios may involve the operation of a motor vehicle.

The Public Safety Role Player Program offers flexible hours for applicants, and hours are generally assigned in eight- and four-hour training increments depending upon contractor availability.

Participants must be able to complete a full-day or half-day of assignments. Compensation for full day training is $130 and half day training is $65.

If you are interested in applying for the Public Safety Role Player program contact Mitch Boudrot, Law Enforcement Training Program (LETP) Director, at m_boudrot@SouthwesternCC.edu, or Matthew Reynolds, LETP Scenario Training Coordinator, at mreynolds@SouthwesternCC.edu or visit https://tinyurl.com/yc54benp.

Every year, Southwestern Community College’s fundraising gala draws large, generous crowds that are passionate about helping students achieve their dreams.

This year was no exception.

The 11^th annual “Boots, Blue Jeans & Bling” completely filled the Event Center at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort and raised more than $165,000 – a record-breaking amount that will entirely support student scholarships.

“Our gala planning committee members are incredibly passionate about supporting our students; their energy and enthusiasm is contagious,” said Dr. Don Tomas, President of SCC. “We are also extremely blessed and fortunate to have so many generous folks in the community who come out and support our students. Every year, we have a wonderful time. It’s a lot of fun, and it’s all about creating opportunities for our students to have a brighter future.”

This year’s event got a significant boost from several unique silent auction items, including an autographed baseball and memorabilia from Jackson County native and Seattle Mariners’ star Cal Raleigh.

More than 450 guests were also treated to a gourmet meal prepared by the chefs at Harrah’s, an energetic concert by the versatile house band Crocodile Smile and a 360 video booth. As always, though, the primary highlight was midway through the evening when a couple of students took the stage to tell their stories.

Shaughn Harrington and Geilsha Diaz addressed the crowd, telling of the obstacles they’ve been able to overcome thanks in large part to the gifts and generosity of those who’ve given to the SCC Foundation over the years.

“Students are the reason we do this,” said Wendy LeMay, who co-chairs the Gala Planning Committee along with Charles Wolfe. “Every year, I read the scholarship applications from students who are needing a hand up in order to improve their lives. Being able to say, ‘Yes’ to more of those students every year is extremely rewarding, and the growth of this gala over the years is a huge reason for that.”

Added Wolfe: “When I think back to some of the earliest galas I attended, it’s hard to believe we’ve grown this much and that we’re able to raise this much money for our students. It’s humbling to see the spirit of generosity in that room.”

The 12^th annual gala will be held on Sept. 26, 2026, at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort.

For more information about the Gala, the SCC Foundation or how you can support Southwestern’s students, visit www.SouthwesternCC.edu/gala or contact Allison Kaserman at 828.339.4227 or a_kaserman@SouthwesternCC.edu(link sends email).

Walking across the same stage on which they’ll one day receive their college degrees, seventh graders from Jackson, Macon and Swain Counties were inducted into the New Century Scholars program on Wednesday, Nov. 12 in Myers Auditorium on Southwestern Community College’s Jackson Campus.

Made possible entirely by the generosity of private donors, the New Century Scholars program guarantees support and last-dollar tuition assistance to a total of 30 inductees this year (10 from each county).

“Every year at the New Century Scholars induction ceremony, it’s a privilege to meet so many future SCC students,” said Dr. Don Tomas, SCC’s President. “We are extremely thankful to every single donor who’s made this program so successful over the years.”

Established in 1995 by the late Dr. Charles McConnell, who was superintendent of Jackson County Schools, and then-SCC President Dr. Barry Russell, New Century Scholars is designed to improve academic readiness, bolster student persistence toward high school graduation and increase the college attendance rate.

More than 2,500 students have been inducted into the program over the years.

For more information about the program and how to support it, visit www.SouthwesternCC.edu/new-century-scholars.

Twenty Southwestern Community College students were inducted into the National Technical Honor Society during a ceremony on Nov. 13 on the college’s Jackson Campus.

Inductees must hold at least a 3.5 Grade Point Average, be nominated by a teaching faculty member and rank among the top 20 percent of active students in their respective programs.

“It’s not easy to maintain high grades in these programs, and many of these students are juggling jobs, families or both,” said Dr. Barbara Putman, SCC’s Executive Vice President for Instruction and Student Services. She also serves as Southwestern’s NTHS advisor.

“We’re extremely proud of every single one of these inductees,” Dr. Putman added. “They are working hard and putting themselves in a position to be successful in their future careers.”

Following is a complete list of fall inductees into SCC’s chapter of the National Technical Honor Society:

BUNCOMBE COUNTY

Fairview: Kimberly Buff,

candler : Lindsey Harmon,

CHEROKEE COUNTY

Murphy: Timothy Cunningham and Allison Wells.

GRAHAM COUNTY

Robbinsville: Brinley Holder.

HAYWOOD COUNTY

Clyde: Geilsha Diaz Collazo.

Waynesville: Carolina Evans.

JACKSON COUNTY

Cherokee: Stephanie Catt and Erin Shuler.

Cullowhee: Weston Fancher, Araceli Gunnels and Demario Miller.

Webster: Amy Coggins.

Whittier: James Roland.

MACON COUNTY

Scaly Mountain: Kassie Bradley.

Franklin: Stephanie DuChemin, Annie Jenkins, Kassidy Mixer, William Rowland and Kyla Smith.

For more information about SCC and the programs it offers, explore this website, call 828.339.4000 or drop by your nearest SCC location. The spring semester will start on Jan. 12.

Over the past 60 years, Southwestern Community College has hosted literally hundreds of graduation celebrations.

None of those are filled with more inspiring stories than our High School Equivalency (HSE) ceremonies.

One by one, nervous yet determined graduates approach the microphone and tell a crowded room how they overcame addiction, abuse, poverty or countless other challenges to start building better lives for themselves, their loved ones and ultimately the communities in which they live.

If you can identify, if life “happened” and interrupted your high school experience, and if you’re ready to make a change in your life – this is the perfect time to get your educational goals back on track.

Besides comeback stories, the other thing all our HSE grads have in common is praise for the teaching and support they receive from our team of instructors and advisors – and our team is ready to do the same for you!

For more information about our High School Equivalency prep classes, contact Heather Stephan at 828.339.4272 or h_stephan@SouthwesternCC.edu(link sends email).

Southwestern Community College is offering seven sewing classes for students this fall at the Swain Center.

Following the establishment of a new, dedicated sewing classroom at SCC’s Swain Center, the Heritage Arts program has added sewing to its extensive list of classes offered and continues to develop new workshops and courses.

“We are building the classes from the ground up,” said Chelsea Sperger, SCC Heritage Arts instructor. “We have had a lot of interest from students, and are excited to offer different workshops and classes.”

Students without previous sewing experience will start at Intro to Machine Sewing and will work their way through Machine Sewing I and II. Students with previous experience can start further in the program with instructor permission.

Six-week classes start in November and cost $70, and one-day workshops will be held throughout the semester at a cost of $59.

Among the classes being offered are a Zipper Workshop, Holiday Gift Workshop, and Intro to Machine Sewing.

For more information visit https://tinyurl.com/2vm6782a or contact Sperger at 828.366.2000.

Before this fall, Southwestern Community College’s Emergency Medical Students got most of their hands-on training in a cutting-edge ambulance simulator that resides inside their classroom.

The only ambulance on wheels at SCC’s Jackson Campus was more than 25 years old – so EMS Program Coordinator Eric Hester and Clinical Coordinator Robert Grover have long sought an upgrade.

It finally arrived just in time for the fall semester, and it’s a beauty.

The fully certified 2025 model cost $215,000, was paid for by state equipment funds and is equipped with the same medical and trauma care equipment in use by all of SCC’s surrounding EMS agencies.

“In another role, our new ambulance could very well be used for actual EMS calls,” Grover said. “It’s a real game-changer for us.”

Added Hester: “We’ve always found ways to make sure our students are fully prepared to provide life-saving care from the moment they graduate. This ambulance just makes our jobs so much easier and allows our students to train on the exact equipment and in the same type of vehicle they’ll be using in the field.”

Among the specific features that make the new ambulance ideal are:

• An “Auto-Load” stretcher system that loads and unloads the stretcher automatically, so that paramedics don’t have to manually lift the stretcher and patient.
• Simulated blood products similar to emergent release blood that is part of cutting-edge prehospital medicine.
• A Lucas mechanical CPR device that increases CPR consistency and helps maintain manpower during emergency resuscitations.
• Body-mounted, point-view capture equipment used during simulation and teaching to allow for in-depth critique and better learning outcomes.
• Physio Lifepack 15 monitors, Baxter IV pumps and more.

Through Southwestern’s EMS program, students can earn their EMT-Basic to Advanced Certification, an EMS Certificate and an Associate in Applied Science Degree.

Most paramedics working in SCC’s service area (Jackson, Macon, Swain Counties and the Qualla Boundary) received their training and regularly get continuing education from Southwestern.

“We’re extremely proud of the training and preparation Robert and Eric provide to our students, and we’re proud of the work our graduates do in the same communities we serve,” said Dr. Don Tomas, SCC’s President. “I’m thrilled we were able to secure this ambulance to help train the next generation of paramedics who will be serving all of us, and our loved ones.”

For more information about the EMS program at Southwestern, contact Eric Hester (ehester@SouthwesternCC.edu(link sends email)or 828.339.4277) or Robert Grover (r_grover@SouthwesternCC.edu(link sends email)or 828.339.4309).