(Bluefield)—The term "interim" has been removed Jamaal Jackson's position title, and after one season as interim head coach of the Bluefield State College men's basketball team, Jackson is now the team's head coach. The College conducted a formal search for the position, and Jackson was selected from a field of applicants. His selection was announced recently by BSC. After arriving at BSC last October just a few days before the start of preseason practice, he will now have an opportunity to work with the program for an entire off-season leading into the 2012-12 campaign.

"I'm really looking forward to adding several new players to the student-athletes who will be returning from last season," he said. "I want the depth and level of talent on the roster to create a healthy competition for playing time." With three commitments already for the coming season, Jackson anticipates a more up-tempo style of play. "We will have more size and athleticism," he projected. "It should permit us to play more of a fullcourt style, challenging passes and creating opportunities offensively with steals and deflections. The WVIAC is a very high scoring conference, probably one of the highest in the nation. We averaged 76 points a game last year and were ranked last in conference scoring."

Prior to his arrival at BSC, Jackson's basketball coaching background included an internship with The Ohio State University men's basketball program and assistant basketball coaching positions at Kentucky State University and Stillman College.

"My first year as a head coach here last season taught me how to be a better coach," he reflected. "I'm thankful for the opportunity to continue as we seek to put the basketball program at Bluefield State on the right track."

(Bluefield)—Dr. Betsy Steenken, Interim Dean/Bluefield State College School of Education, attended the recent Historically Black Colleges & Universities, Hispanic Speaking Institutions, and Tribal Colleges/Native American Institutions Invitational Conference "Many Cultures, One Common Thread" in San Antonio, Texas.

The conference was sponsored by Educational Testing Service (ETS) and featured presentations on topics relevant to educators and administrators from minority institutions with teacher preparation programs. Current research and initiatives being sponsored by ETS include students' math achievement, academic effects of bilingual and English language learners, test regeneration and score setting of PRAXIS exams, impact of PRAXIS I scores on PRAXIS II, and ensuring fairness and equity in test development.

Keynote speakers addressed legal and legislative issues that currently affect HBCUs and Hispanic serving institutions, achievement gaps, and recruiting and hiring highly qualified teachers in high risk school districts.

"The conference provided a wonderful opportunity for faculty and administrators to share strategies and discuss common issues and problems," Dr. Steenken noted. "We are all dedicated to producing within teacher education the best candidates—individuals who will be able to meet the challenges of helping all students learn. We must be sure that, as 'Institutes of Higher Education,' we provide the knowledge and most effective strategies to accomplish this goal. "

(Bluefield)—Relying on a teamwork approach, Bluefield State College alumni and friends worked with the BSC Foundation and the College's basketball coaches to raise funds for the purchase of an innovative basketball shooting machine. The new 6000 series "Gun by Shoot-A-Way" will help the Lady Blues and Big Blues to maximize their shooting practices. The Gun returns basketballs to shooters, teaches proper trajectory, and enables players to increase the number of shots they can take per minute.

"This was a great fundraising project that engaged the coaches, the BSC Foundation, alumni, and friends," observed Karen Harvey, BSC Foundation Executive Director. "Working together, we have acquired equipment that will help our student-athletes improve their skills to match the enthusiasm they have demonstrated on the court. It was a wonderful team effort."

"We are very pleased with the energized effort and enthusiasm the BSC alumni and supporters displayed in assisting us in making this dream come to fruition for our respective programs," stated J.J. Oliver, BSC women's basketball coach. "The Gun is a great improvement tool that will certainly do much to enhance our student-athletes' shooting skills."

"The amount of shots that our players will get up during workouts throughout the year will increase dramatically, and our field goal percentages and free throw percentages in the coming seasons will show the results," said Jamaal Jackson, BSC men's basketball coach. "Our alumni and supporters have shown that they are willing to do what it takes to help us take our program to another level."

Both BSC coaches expressed appreciation to the vital role played by Karen Harvey, BSC alumni, including Ergie Smith and Lillian Holley, and to everyone who supported this initiative.

(Bluefield)--A Bluefield State College student and faculty group took part in the Dr. Lonnie E. Mitchell HBCU Behavioral Health Policy Academy, March 1-4 in Houston. The theme for this year's academy was "Behavioral Health in a Changing World." BSC students on the trip included Senior Social Science major, Erica Meade, Senior Education major, Gregory Aiken, and Sophomore Pre-Med major Samuel Dennah. BSC faculty member Dr. Tamara Ferguson and staff member E. Lacy Watson were also in attendance.

The Policy Academy gave students and faculty an opportunity to learn strategies to educate students on the facts, as well as tailor curricula and activities for BSC. "Only a few people consider seeking treatment for behavioral health issues on our campus," noted Greg Aiken, a BSC student peer educator who seeks to inform students about the risks and how to prevent HIV/AIDs infections, high-risk drinking, and suicide. Participants learned through the Policy Academy that a successful campaign on campus can lead to positive changes throughout the community.

"Bluefield State was mentored by Dr. Sharon Chappel, who helped develop strategies for grant implementation and project sustainability," Dr. Ferguson explained. "This academy prepared the students and advisors to begin their spring campaign for behavioral health education, federally funded by SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) and Morehouse (GA) School of Medicine."

(Bluefield)—A free beginning computer workshop for adults who have very little, or no, prior experience using computers will be presented at Bluefield State College each Tuesday during April, beginning April 3. The workshops will be held in Room 303, Conley Hall, from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Enrollment is limited to the first 15 applicants.

"These workshops will be for adults who haven't quite mastered using the computer," explained Terry Thompson, BSC Campus Manager/Counseling Center. "If these workshops are successful and are found to be helpful, I am sure there will be more to come. I find it very fulfilling when given the opportunity to give back to our community."

To enroll, contact Terry Thompson at 304-327-4424.

(Bluefield)—Dr. Thomas McDowell will deliver Bluefield State College's Spring 2012 Convocation message. A Bluefield State College graduate (1986), Dr. McDowell is the Lead Pastor at Christ/St. Andrew's United Methodist Church. The convocation will begin at 11 a.m., March 28, in the Basic Science Auditorium and will focus on the theme, "A Hope-Filled Future."

"Dr. McDowell has very strong ties to this area," noted Dr. Felica Wooten Williams, BSC Executive Director of Academic Outreach Programs and advisor of the BSC Campus Ministries student organization. "As an undergraduate at Bluefield State College, he was the student editor of the college newspaper, 'The Bluefieldian.'" His community service activities included participation in the Bluefield, West Virginia Rescue Squad, the Mercer County Domestic Violence Task Force, the Mercer County Drug Abuse Task Force, and the Mercer County Family Resource Network.

"I am really looking forward to returning to my alma mater to deliver the Convocation message," Dr. McDowell said. "My most enjoyable time is when I have opportunity to share words of hope and encouragement in group settings or with those who find it difficult dealing with the chaos of living."

(Bluefield)—Bluefield State College has received formal notification from the Higher Learning Commission that the HLC's Institutional Actions Council (IAC) has voted to continue the College's accreditation, with the next comprehensive evaluation to be set in 2021-2022.

The IAC also approved the initiation of distance education, up to 20% of Bluefield State College's total degree programs. This approval will allow the College to offer four of its total degree programs by distance delivery. The institution must return for approval to expand distance education as defined in Commission policy.

Dr. Thomas E. Blevins, Bluefield State College Interim President, received the formal notification in a letter from HLC President Sylvia Manning, following the Commission's February 21, 2012 meeting. Bluefield State College hosted a site-visit from a team of HLC evaluators last September. The College conducted a comprehensive self-study that spanned approximately two years, submitting its self-study report to the commission several months before the September 2011 visit by its evaluators.

"Bluefield State College is certainly very pleased to receive Higher Learning Commission approval of our accreditation status," observed Dr. Blevins. "We are also extremely gratified to have the Commission's approval to offer four degree programs by distance learning delivery."

"Many BSC faculty, staff, students, and administrators were involved in the College's accreditation effort, and we are grateful for the time, talent, and energy they invested," he said.

(Bluefield)—A six-student delegation from Bluefield State College participated in the 52nd Midwest Model United Nations, February 15-18, in St. Louis. The BSC student contingent represented the Eastern European country of Belarus. They joined more than 700 students from 80 delegations, representing colleges and universities throughout the nation.

"The conference is designed to furnish a structure and forum for students to work with the most pressing international issues from a perspective outside of the classroom, and thus broaden their awareness of the world of politics," explained BSC Model UN Advisor John White. "Representing the role of another nation's delegation to the United Nations, students further realize the difficulties and complexities of international relations."

The BSC students sought to present the perspective of Belarus on topics that included "Convention on the prohibition of the development, production, and stockpiling of bacteriological and toxin weapons and their destruction," and "Minimizing the impact of natural disasters on national and regional economies.

While at the conference, the BSC delegates met Minister Counselor Maciej Pisarski, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of the Republic of Poland.

(Bluefield)—Seventy Bluefield State College Associate Degree Nursing students and several nursing faculty members attended the West Virginia Nurses Association's "Unity Day" at the State Capitol in Charleston in mid-February.

"Unity Day provides an opportunity to show our second-year nursing students the political influence they can have by promoting the work within their profession," observed Sandra Wynn, Director of the BSC Associate Nursing program. "Nursing is one of the most trusted professions in the nation, and policymakers rely upon nurses for their expertise when establishing policies that impact the health of their constituents. Our goal is for students to remain politically active for their entire careers."

The BSC students attended lectures on the Health Care Reform Act and on state and federal legislative processes. They also witnessed a national nursing agenda speech by Janelt Haebler, MSN, RN, Associate Director/State Government Affairs, American Nurses Association. State Senator Mark Wills recognized the BSC Nursing students during his remarks on the Senate floor at the start of the day's regular legislative session. In the students' meetings with state elected officials, they stressed that one in 43 West Virginians is a nurse.

Poster presenters were selected from each campus to promote the "Nurse's Role in Health Promotion and Prevention."

"A highlight of the day occurred when the 942 nurses in attendance, all of whom were wearing their white coats, marched from the Cultural Center to the Rotunda in a show of unity," Wynn continued. "The line spanned more than a block in length."