Education that Adapts: Facing COVID-19
Shelton State Community College began monitoring the COVID-19/Coronavirus pandemic in the spring semester of 2020. With the health and safety of students, faculty, and staff as its priority, the College began operating based on guidance issued by the Alabama Department of Public Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Office of the Governor of the State of Alabama, and the Alabama Community College System Chancellor.
The College’s Emergency Response Team met regularly to review and update safety regulations. Protocols and procedures were fluid during this unprecedented time and were adjusted according to the previously mentioned entities.
To maintain a consistent flow of information, the College created a living COVID-19 Plan document. This continually updated document served the following objectives:
- To establish a timeline of phases allowing the safe return to SSCC campuses
- To educate SSCC employees, students, and community members on protocols and procedures designed to help mitigate risk
- To ensure the health and wellness of each SSCC employee, student, and visit
- Provide information and resources regarding health and wellness
- Detail implementation measures and disinfection protocols
- Communicate social distancing and personal protection equipment (PPE) procedures
In addition to meeting the needs of its students, Shelton State Community College (SSCC) worked to meet the needs of the West Alabama community. Medical supplies from the College’s health services programs were made available to local agencies during the COVID-19/Coronavirus outbreak. Donated items from the College’s simulated healthcare settings included N95 masks, surgical masks, face shields, gowns, and gloves.
A complete look at the College’s COVID-19 efforts can be found by visiting Shelton State’s COVID-19/Coronavirus webpage.
The Community College Policy Fellowship program is a ten-month professional development program sponsored by the Mississippi Community College Board and the Alabama Community College System. The curriculum focuses on four national program pillars: policy, leadership, networking, and advocacy. In October 2019, Andrea Bowden-Evans completed this program.
As a trusted part of the West Alabama community, Shelton State assisted the state with census efforts through 2020.
On Monday, July 27, 2020, Shelton State Community College (SSCC) and the University of West Alabama (UWA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) establishing clearly defined transfer information for SSCC students who wish to continue their education at UWA.
According to the terms of the MOU, the University of West Alabama will guarantee admission to all SSCC students based on a 2.0 GPA and forty-five transferable credit hours or completion of an associate degree. Pre-transfer advising will be provided along with opportunities for academic and housing scholarships.
The MOU is intended to assist both institutions in their efforts to better serve students.
The first of three consecutive years that the College will host the tournament, College officials were excited about this opportunity to showcase ACCC basketball and the Martin Campus.
In order to meet the changing needs of the West Alabama community during the COVID-19 pandemic, Theatre Tuscaloosa shifted from their planned “Hollywood on Stage” season lineup, to the virtual “Sharing Joy.”