state-ofthe-art

Jefferson Receives 10 Year
Accreditation by the Middle
States Commission on Higher
Education
Jefferson is pleased to announce that the
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
acted to reaffirm the accreditation of
Jefferson Community College on June 25,
2015. A 10-year cycle, JCC’s accreditation is
extended through 2025. The Middle States
Commission on Higher Education is an
institutional accrediting agency recognized
by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the
Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
The Middle States evaluation team recognized
numerous significant accomplishments
of Jefferson Community College
beginning with campus-wide collaboration
in developing the mission, vision and
strategic goals which identified student
success, completion and enhancement
of educational opportunities as primary
objectives. Specifically, the evaluation
team commended the College for fostering
a positive and collegial environment
throughout campus, the quality and
implementation of the facilities master
plan including the realization of substantial
energy savings, the establishment of
the Collaborative Learning Center and
increased student services, the development
of on-campus housing and ability to
recruit students from new markets, efforts
to advance the community by developing
academic degree programs of local interest
(such as agri-business) and workforce
development initiatives ( such as allied
health certifications) through the College’s
Continuing Education Division, and for
the Center for Community Studies which
provides students with applied learning
experiences. In particular, Jefferson was
commended for the variety of assessment
activities campus-wide including efforts
to assess student development, student
satisfaction and student services. Jefferson
was further commended for its ability
to meet the needs of the military, family
members and veterans. JCC was initially accredited
by the Middle States Commission
on Higher Education in1969.
JCC Designated ‘Fit Friendly’
Worksite
In July, Jefferson was recognized for maintaining
its gold-level fit friendly designation
by the American Heart Association. To
receive fit friendly designation, worksites
must implement programs to encourage
physical activity and promote good health.
The college offers numerous fitness and
wellness activities for employees including
a free membership to the McGrann Fitness
Center; zumba, piyo and spinning classes;
and opportunities to hike, bike, run and
cross country ski nature trails that span
more than two miles on campus. This is the
3rd consecutive year Jefferson has received
the Fit Friendly designation.
NEWS
F R O M
A R O U N D
THE CAMPUS
Retirees Reunion Luncheon held in June
Jefferson’s annual retiree luncheon was held on June 25 at the Italian American Club in
Watertown. Retirees and guests in attendance include (left to right): front row - Judy
Pearson, Klaus Ebeling, John & Mary Jo Deans, Lorraine & John Henderson, Twyla Cushman,
Pat Pearson; second row - Kate Fenlon, Sue Wadhams, Elva Lacomb, Barb Gaskin, Dick
& Jan Young, John Cecil, Mary Newman, Terry Heagle, Toni Scordo, Sister Janice Peters,
Marie Hess, Sharon Lasker, Ellen Childs, Bob Bookser, Cathy & Kim Davis; third row - Mary
Lou Bertrand, David & Karen Carr, Roberta Lockwood, Carol Doe, Susan Sprague, Bill Doe,
Bob Lacomb, Pat Barbalich, (behind Pat) Karl Van Voorhis, Dick & Chris Boyanski, Rod Esley,
Camie & Jim Baker, John Phillips, Tom Walker.
Jefferson Insider - Volume 13 • 6
Meet Jefferson’s Student
Resident Assistants 2015-2016
Front row: (l-r) Kristin VanBrocklin of Henderson,
Allison Shrewsberry of Gouverneur, Rachel Ellingsworth
of Carthage
Back row: (l-r) Cordel Brouty of Croghan, Thomas
Gitlin and Gavin Davidson of Theresa, Keishon Reid
of Laurelton, Stacie Burdick of Mexico
$1.1 Million Grant Fuels JCC ‘s
TRiO Student Support
Services
Jefferson was recently awarded another
TRiO Student Support Services grant from
the U.S. Department of Education of just
over $1.1 million dollars spread over the
next five years. The funding is designated
to provide academic support and assistance
for JCC students who meet certain
eligibility criteria relating to disability or income
or who are ‘first-generation,’ meaning
neither parent nor guardian has earned a
bachelor’s degree. The goal of the Student
Support Services grant is to assist and
motivate students towards the successful
completion of postsecondary education.
The TRiO grant is administered through
Jefferson’s STAR (Strategies To Achieve
Results) Program, a student success initiative.
The STAR Program helps students
adapt successfully to the college environment,
succeed academically, define career
goals, graduate from Jefferson Community
College, and/or transfer to a four–year
institution.
New Student
Trustee
Cailey M. Burrows,
Watertown, has been
elected by the JCC student
body to serve as
the student member
of the Jefferson Community
College Board
of Trustees for the 2015-2016 academic
year. Her term began in July 2015.
Cailey is 2014 graduate of Watertown High
School where she was a member of the
National Honor Society. At Jefferson, she is
enrolled in the mathematics and science
associate of science degree program with
a concentration in allied health. Cailey is
planning to pursue a career in the healthcare
field and recently completed certified