Lauren Kent Math and Science Major Travels to Africa See her story on page 4

December Nurses Pinning
Jefferson held a Pinning Ceremony for
weekend option graduates of the College’s
nursing program on December 17, 2015 in
the College’s Robert R. <strong>and</strong> Jean S. Sturtz
Theater. Seven c<strong>and</strong>idates for the Associate
in Applied <strong>Science</strong> (A.A.S.) degree in nursing
were eligible <strong>to</strong> take part in this special
program.
Front row (l-r): Chika F. Egorho, Stephanie S. Lopez,
Jenifer D. Lewis, Amber D. Gorham.
Back row (l-r): Elizabeth M. Cranker, Shyleigh M.
Gushlaw, Gabrielle R. McClain
Nursing Program at JCC
Ranked In Top 100 Best
Nursing Schools
Among two- <strong>and</strong> four-year colleges located
in the Eastern Region of the U.S., Nurse-
Journal.org ranked Jefferson’s nursing
degree program #74 out of a pool of 1,189
academic institutions. Ranking criteria is
based on 20 metrics across five categoriesquality,
affordability, convenience, satisfaction
<strong>and</strong> value.
Jefferson’s nursing associate in applied science
(A.A.S.) degree is available in a traditional
daytime format as well as a weekend
option. In the past four years, 99% of JCC
graduates have passed the NCLEX (National
Council Licensure Examination) on their
first attempt! JCC’s nursing program is accredited
by the Accreditation Commission
for Education in Nursing, Inc. (ACEN). At
the conclusion of spring <strong>and</strong> fall semesters,
students who successfully complete the
nursing program at JCC are honored at an
annual Pinning Ceremony held in May <strong>and</strong>
December.
Learn more about Nurse Journal at http://
nursejournal.org/articles/americas-bestnursing-schools/.
Visit www.sunyjefferson.edu <strong>to</strong> learn more
about the JCC academic programs.
Center for Community Studies
Conducts 1st Annual
St. Lawrence County Survey
In December, the Center for Community
Studies at JCC released the findings of the
1st Annual St. Lawrence County Survey of
the Community. The primary goal of the
survey is <strong>to</strong> collect data regarding quality
of life issues of importance <strong>to</strong> local citizens.
Working under the supervision of the Center’s
research staff, JCC statistics students
completed 442 telephone interviews on
both the l<strong>and</strong>line <strong>and</strong> cellular phones of St.
Lawrence County adult residents during
the evenings of June 29-30, 2015. A similar
study has been completed annually by the
Center in Jefferson County since 2000, <strong>and</strong>
in Lewis County since 2007. For results of
the survey, visit the College’s website at
www.sunyjefferson.edu under “Community
& Business” <strong>and</strong> then Center for Community
Studies.
Annual surveys of the North Country communities
are sponsored by the Nort<strong>her</strong>n
New York Community Foundation <strong>and</strong>
the Development Authority of the North
Country.
NEWS
F R O M
A R O U N D
THE CAMPUS
Jeri Fairman Appointed
Associate Vice President of
Liberal Arts
Jefferson welcomes Jeri Fairman <strong>to</strong> the
position of Associate Vice President (AVP) of
Liberal Arts. Jeri joined Jefferson in 1989 as
a faculty member <strong>and</strong> advanced <strong>to</strong> the rank
of professor. In 2010, she served the college
as Dean of Curriculum <strong>and</strong> in 2013, she
was appointed the Dean for Instructional
Support, Assessment <strong>and</strong> Accreditation
during academic restructuring. In 2001, she
received the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for
Excellence in Teaching. She holds a bachelor’s
degree <strong>and</strong> master’s degree from
SUNY Albany.
SBDC Advisor Receives
National Recognition
Maria Contreras-Sweet (left), Administra<strong>to</strong>r of the
U.S. Small Business Administration, <strong>and</strong> Robin
Stephenson, SBDC Advanced Certified Business
Advisor
The New York Small Business Development
Center (SBDC) at JCC <strong>to</strong>uts one of their
own who received national recognition in
November. Robin E. Stephenson, advanced
certified business advisor, was bes<strong>to</strong>wed
the 2015 Boots <strong>to</strong> Business Instruc<strong>to</strong>r of
the Year Award by the U.S. Small Business
Administration (SBA).
Out of 200 c<strong>and</strong>idates nationwide, Robin
was 1 of only 5 selected <strong>to</strong> receive the
prestigious Boots <strong>to</strong> Business Instruc<strong>to</strong>r
of the Year designation. C<strong>and</strong>idates of the
Boots <strong>to</strong> Business Instruc<strong>to</strong>r of the Year
Award are given consideration based on
best practices, planning <strong>and</strong> preparation,
instructional methods, evaluation <strong>and</strong> leadership
<strong>and</strong> management of a class.
Boots <strong>to</strong> Business is a training course for
transitioning military service members who
choose <strong>to</strong> use their skills obtained in service
<strong>to</strong> start a business. Robin presents the
Boots <strong>to</strong> Business program at Fort Drum on
a monthly basis through the Soldier for Life
<strong>and</strong> Transition Assistance program. Prior <strong>to</strong>
the Boots <strong>to</strong> Business program, the SBDC
offered a 3-hour entrepreneurship training
seminar at Fort Drum. When the Boots
<strong>to</strong> Business program rolled out in 2013,
Robin was able <strong>to</strong> make the transition go
smoothly, allowing Fort Drum <strong>to</strong> have the
new program go live more than a full year
ahead of many ot<strong>her</strong> locations.
“This is the second time that the Water<strong>to</strong>wn
SBDC at JCC has received national
recognition,” says Eric F. Constance, regional
SBDC direc<strong>to</strong>r. “The first time was in 2010
when we received <strong>to</strong>p honors as being the
#1 SBDC in the nation out of over 1,000
SBDCs <strong>and</strong> then <strong>to</strong>day, Robin Stephenson
being selected as one of the <strong>to</strong>p 5 instruc<strong>to</strong>rs
across the nation.”
Jefferson Insider - Volume 14 • 6