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NASA award pushes 2015-16 grant total to more than $3.5 million

2015-10-12
Photos of SCC staff, students and partners
Vance Waggener (kneeling, in sunglasses), mathematics instructor at SCC, watches as student Justin Long of Cherokee prepares a rocket for launch during a class activity last fall. Looking on are, from left, Kevin Kelsey of Whittier, Nicole Miler of Franklin, Candyce Owen of Bryson City, Taylor Parks of Sylva, Coleman Watson of Cullowhee, Andrew Madden of Andrews, Cody Rodgers of Franklin and Joseph Johnson of Whittier. SCC and its partners recently received a $1.4 million grant from NASA to raise awareness of STEM education throughout the Smoky Mountains.

By receiving a seven-figure award from NASA last month, Southwestern Community College has now secured more than $3.5 million in grant funding since July 1.

News of the NASA funding ($1,415,038) arrived just days after Southwestern was designated $710,589 for its part in a “First in the World” grant from the U.S. Department of Education.

Other SCC programs to receive awards include TRIO’s Student Support Services ($1,386,050), A NASA High-Altitude Ballon effort through N.C. State University ($22,859), a Minority Male Mentoring program through the N.C. Community College System ($17,608) and a $1,000 career counseling grant from Western Carolina University’s College of Education.

“So many of these grant awards are centered around science, and we’re elated at the opportunity to work with an earth-changing agency like NASA,” said Dr. Don Tomas, president of SCC. “This latest NASA grant will have a positive impact on the communities we serve for years to come.”

Lynda Parlett, executive director of institutional development at SCC, prepared the grant application on behalf of the college and its partners in the Smoky Mountains STEM Collaborative: the Jackson, Macon, Swain County and Cherokee Central school systems; Appalachian State University; Great Smoky Mountains National Park; NASA Marshall Space Center; and Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute.

The partners are already planning a public viewing and literacy event for the 2017 total solar eclipse in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park – one of the prime locations for observing the rare phenomenon.

“I am thrilled that Southwestern Community College has been selected as one of only 27 Science Education awardees in the country and is the only community college among such a prestigious group,” Parlett said. “We have a fantastic partnership that is well positioned to raise the awareness of STEM education throughout the Smoky Mountains and to increase the academic performance of students from kindergarten through college.”

Serving as principal investigator for the project will be Matt Cass, science department chair and physics instructor at SCC. Co-principal investigators are Dr. Tracie Salinas at Appalachian State and mathematics instructor Vance Waggener of SCC.

“The Smoky Mountains STEM Collaborative is about bringing together educators and students to create a pathway from the elementary, middle, and high schools into a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics program at a university,” Cass said. “Southwestern is situated as an essential stepping stone in bridging the gap between the K-12 environment and senior institutions.”

Southwestern, which WalletHub ranks among the Top 10 community colleges in the nation, serves Jackson, Macon, Swain Counties and the Qualla Boundary. For more information about SCC and the programs it offers, visit www.southwesterncc.edu or call 828.339.4000.
 
What they’re saying … comments from SCC’s partners in the Smoky Mountains STEM Collaborative:
"We congratulate Southwestern Community College on the receipt of this grant. We are excited to be a part of a special project that will allow local youth to have a more in-depth learning experience in Great Smoky Mountains National Park."
--Cassius Cash, superintendent of Great Smoky Mountains National Park
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“This is an exciting collaboration for Western North Carolina and beyond. The Smoky Mountain STEM Collaborative brings more high-quality science and mathematics engagement opportunities to western NC and exemplifies the developing partnerships between Appalachian State University and our NC Community College colleagues. In particular, this grant allows us to strengthen our connections with Southwestern and acknowledges the vital role that community colleges play in cultivating STEM majors and students for STEM careers. Our faculty colleagues at the community college will also be able to enhance their capacity in science and mathematics through the offering of graduate coursework in those areas.”
--Anthony Calamai, dean, College of Arts and Sciences at Appalachian State University
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“The Smoky Mountains STEM Collaborative  brings together many of the best activities in STEM education - partnerships, research experiences, rich professional development.  We congratulate Southwestern Community College on its receipt of this prestigious grant funding and look forward to working with all partners to grow STEM education and engagement in our region.”
--Tracie McLemore Salinas, director of secondary teacher education & engagement, College of Arts and Sciences at Appalachian State University
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“The NASA grant will allow our teachers to promote critical thinking skills, creativity and problem solving skills in our classrooms through activities that involve science, technology, engineering, and mathematic concepts. These activities prepare our students for jobs of the future and they make learning exciting and fun. Our students, community and ultimately our region, will also benefit from the enhanced partnership and collaboration between our high schools and Southwestern Community College promoted through the NASA grant.”
--Dr. Chris Baldwin, superintendent of Macon County Schools
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“This grant greatly expands STEM opportunities for ALL students (k-12 and community college) served within SCC's 3 county area, and just allows access to so much AMAZING cutting edge science. To be in partnership with NASA lends more credibility to our future STEM programs and grant endeavors. We appreciate the leadership from Southwestern Community College on this project.”
--Regina Gilchrist Ash, STEM director for Swain County Schools
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“In order for Western North Carolina to emerge as a viable competitor in STEM related industries, it is increasingly important for us to look at engaging students early in their school careers in science, technology, engineering and math. Collaborating with our partnering counties, SCC and NASA in this grant, we will be able capitalize on our collective power to bring high quality, high-tech curriculum and resources to our students.”
--Angela Dills, CTE director for Jackson County Schools
 

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