(Bluefield)—A scholarly paper co-authored by Bluefield State College faculty member Dr. Peggy Johnson was presented at the recent Southwest Texas Academy of Medicine annual meeting in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

"The Collaboration of Not-for-Profit Hospitals and Public Health Departments to Perform Community Needs Assessments that Meet PPACA Requirements, summarized original research conducted by Dr. Johnson (Assistant Professor and Director of the Health Services Management Program at the W. Paul Cole, Jr. School of Business) and Drs. Tina Fields and Jeff Hatala (School of Health Administration, Texas State University.

"The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) has created an opportunity for not-for-profit hospitals and health entities to work together to implement community needs assessments," Dr. Johnson explained. PPACA requirements have served as a catalyst for bringing public health and medical professionals together, she noted. "Additionally, not-for-profit hospitals also recognize the necessity for collaboration because they now must meet PPACA requirements to maintain their tax-exempt status."

"The community health needs assessment may be a successful process that can serve not-for-profit hospitals/organizations and public health agencies to present their unique strengths and develop mechanisms to identify and meet health care needs in a community," she added.

(Bluefield)—A "Transforming Lives, Every Age, Every One" Seminar presented recently at The Erma Byrd Higher Education Center featured the research of Bluefield State College Beckley Campus students. The students, members of Dr. Robert Hayes' Life Span Development Class, explored a wide range of topics related to Developmental Psychology.

"The students conducted research as if they were working with 'real world' clients like those utilizing help from the women's resource center or the homeless shelter," Dr. Hayes explained. The exercise was designed to remind students that, because all human beings are vulnerable, it is each student's responsibility to give back to others, according to Dr. Hayes.

Topics covered during the seminar included "Anorexia," "Drug Abuse & ADHD," and "Prenatal Care and Marijuana Use." Students and peers voted "OCD—Normal or Not," designed by Cassandra Patterson," and "The Effects of Play in Childhood Development," developed by Autumn Smith, as "Best Display, Overall," and "Best Presentation of Facts," respectively. Students explained their research initiatives for a steady stream of observers throughout the seminar.

The Life Span Development class explores the impact upon our lives of biological, psychological, and sociological influences. "Just 'learning the facts' is not enough," Dr. Hayes concluded. "Our goal is to educate well-rounded and dynamically educated professionals.

(Bluefield)—Dr. Peggy Johnson, Director of Bluefield State College's Health Services Management Program will be a featured presenter at the New Frontier in Aging Conference at West Virginia University, June 6.

Dr. Johnson's topic, "Protecting the Elderly in Rural Areas During Disasters," will focus on helping those who deliver care to vulnerable older adults in rural communities during emergency and disaster situations.

"Some characteristics of older adults put them at greater risk of illness and death during many types of emergencies," Johnson noted. "Limitations like impaired mobility and diminished sensory awareness are often more prevalent in the frail elderly. Additionally, emergencies and disasters can disrupt vital support systems that older adults rely upon. This workshop will provide practical strategies for preparedness planning in rural communities."

Topics to be covered during the workshop include developing disaster plans in rural areas, building community partnerships, leveraging the influence of area agencies on aging, and using technology to plan for meeting the needs of older adults.

The New Frontier in Aging Conference is sponsored by the WVU Division of Social Work.

(Bluefield)—Bluefield State College Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (RASP) staff members Lisa Saunders and Julie Kalk traveled on April 5 to Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) in Elizabeth City, NC to observe operations in the highly successful ECSU Office of Sponsored Programs. The BSC delegation was welcomed by ECSU Director of Sponsored Programs Patricia Gibbs and her staff.

The BSC representatives were introduced to how the major components of grant application and management—pre-award services, post-award services, and compliance—are handled at ECSU, after which they met with each of the ECSU sub-units to discuss details.

"It was an opportunity for me to confirm that the issues we have in RASP are universal and to learn some techniques for dealing with those issues," said Saunders. "It was also nice to see that they have been able to grow their office from 2-3 staff and $1.5 million in grants to 10-11 staff and $15 million in grants in the last decade."

ECSU was chosen as a mentor institution because of a broad overlap in mission and activities between it and BSC. Both ECSU and BSC are Historically Black Colleges & Universities that identify themselves as teaching institutions and serve similarly-sized communities. ECSU is a past recipient and BSC a current recipient of the National Institutes of Health Extramural Associates Research and Development Award (EARDA), which is intended to strengthen sponsored programs infrastructure.

Additionally, Dr. Kalk and Dr. Tesfaye Belay are participating in the ECSU Minority Science and Engineering Improvement Program (MSEIP) which uses technology and critical thinking to improve student outcomes in science and engineering courses. A delegation from ECSU MSEIP will be visiting BSC on April 19 to provide training in the use of a Smart Board that was purchased for BSC through the program.

"We hope that establishing strong ties with ECSU in a range of areas will make both institutions stronger," noted Kalk. "If the reception and acceptance we experienced at ECSU is indicative of future events, this relationship is bound to be a success."

(Bluefield)—An information session focusing upon career options in psychology will be presented at Bluefield State College on May 2, 4 p.m. in Room 106/Basic Science Building on the BSC campus.

The session, organized by Dr. Robert Lowinger/BSC Assistant Professor of Psychology, features Sandra S. Stroebel, Associate Professor and Program Director of the Marshall University School Psychology Program, Kristi Williams Dumas, Staff Psychologist and Black Affairs Program Director at the Federal Bureau of Prisons in Beckley, WV, and Amy Dent, a 2012 BSC Psychology graduate and West Virginia State University master's degree candidate in Social Work.

"The presenters will cover topics that are extremely relevant for individuals who are, or may be, considering careers in Psychology," noted Dr. Lowinger. The information session is open, free of charge, to both the college community and the public. It provides a wonderful opportunity to learn more about career opportunities and talk to experts in the field. Individuals seeking additional information are encouraged to contact Dr. Lowinger by phone (304-327-4291) or e-mail (rlowinger@bluefieldstate.edu).

(Bluefield)—A scholarly article written by Dr. Robin Ware, Bluefield State College Beckley Campus Coordinator, has been published in the Virginia English Journal.

The article, “Living, Learning, Teaching (with) Language:  An Idiolectical Autobiography of a Lawn Guylander,” was published in the Virginia English Journal’s Vol. 62, Number 2.  “One of the greatest achievements in academia, after receiving one’s doctorate, is getting an article published in a peer-reviewed journal,” Dr. Ware noted.  “I wrote this autobiography about how some people react when hearing my ‘Lawn Guyland/Long Island’ accent.  I hope that this essay will help non-New Yorkers be kinder to those of us who are out of our element!”

The Virginia English Journal is the Virginia Association of Teachers of English refereed journal.  It is published twice each year, and contains articles of interest to teachers of English, those who teach teachers of English, and others concerned with the teaching of English.

Twenty-nine students and Bluefield State College President Marsha Krotseng were inducted recently into the Bluefield State College chapter of Phi Eta Sigma, the national freshman honor society. Those present during the ceremony included (seated, left-to-right) Kayla D. Davis, Trinity Caitlin Welch, Natalie Suzette Toney, Laura Faith Stevens, Kendria Alexas Perkins, Allyson M. Lambert, Jeremiah Levi Poff, Pamela Steers, (standing, left-to-right) Ralph Patsel (chapter co-advisor), Dr. Marsha Krotseng (honorary inductee & BSC President), Charles W. Surface, Brooke Noel Miller, Morgan Deborah Farley, Courtney Danielle Marcus, Felicia Dawn Redden, Melissa D. Johnston, Karson L. Terry, Carolyn Kirby (chapter co-advisor), and John Cardwell (chapter advisor).

(Bluefield)— The Bluefield State College chapter of Phi Eta Sigma, the national honor society for freshmen, inducted 29 students into the Society during a recent ceremony at the College. This achievement places these students in the top two percent of all freshmen at Bluefield State.

Dr. Marsha V. Krotseng, Bluefield State College President, was an honorary Phi Eta Sigma inductee during the ceremony.

The induction ceremony was conducted by Past Chapter Advisor John Cardwell, retired Vice President for Student Affairs & Enrollment, as well as Past Chapter co-advisor Ralph Patsel and Chapter Advisor Carolyn Kirby.
This year's Phi Eta Sigma inductees (by hometown) included:
Melissa D. Johnston - Ballard WV
Salena Gale Adkins - Beckley WV
Nathaniel Ian Blankenship - Bluefield WV
Katherine Anne Hahn  - Bluefield WV
Kristen Faith Hutchinson - Bluefield WV
Brooke Noel Miller - Bluefield WV
Jeremiah Levi Poff- Bluefield WV
Charles W. Surface - Bluefield WV
Laura Faith Stevens - Bristol VA
Trinity Caitlin Welch - Bristol VA
Makenzie Long - Cool Ridge WV
Felicia Dawn Redden - Cool Ridge WV
Candice Brooke Hall - Covel WV
Natalie Suzette Toney - Crab Orchard WV
Courtney Danielle Marcus - Fayetteville WV
Tripp Lennon - Hattiesburg MS
Pamela Steers - Hinton WV
Michael Adam Sifers - Meadow Bridge WV
Jessica Evelyn Murray - Midway WV
Morgan Deborah Farley - Mount Hope WV
Autumn Dee Smith - Mt. Hope WV
Morgan E. Roark - Oak Hill WV
Karson L. Terry - Peterstown WV
Kayla D. Davis - Princeton WV
Allyson M. Lambert - Princeton WV
Ulana D. Mack - Princeton WV
Kendria Alexas Perkins - Princeton WV
Amber Shirley - Roderfield WV
Amanda Sue Cokeley - St. Mary's WV

Bluefield State College students (left-to-right) Matt Halsey and Matt Fullen talk to VIKA, Inc. Senior Associate and BSC alumnus Frank Jenkins (a civil engineer and construction forensic expert) about career opportunities during the 2013 Employment and Recruitment Fair at Bluefield State College.

"This year's event attracted a large contingent of job seekers, as well as a sizeable group of employers and recruiters, and that's particularly encouraging because of the challenges faced by business and industry in today's economy," noted Tom Harrison, BSC's Director of Career Services. "The Fair brings employment networking opportunities to students approaching graduation, along with recent graduates. It also provides a laboratory-type learning experience for freshmen, sophomores, and juniors who get to meet and talk to future prospective employers." The 2013 Fair also saw a welcome increase in the number of graduate and professional schools that attended and provided admissions information for candidates seeking advanced degrees.

Each attendee taking part in the Employment & Recruitment Fair received a vendors' map, noting the location of each recruiting organization, as well as the academic areas of emphasis sought by each recruiting organization.

Harrison observed that several former students who met with prospective employers at prior Fairs returned this year in the role of recruiters for the organizations with which they are now employed. "This year's event will be remembered as one of the best we've ever hosted at Bluefield State College, and it has set the bar very high for next year's Employment & Recruitment Fair, which will take place on Wednesday, April 2, 2014."
He also expressed special appreciation to all the individuals that are vital to the success of this annual event. "Many people worked many long hours together to make this project happen," he said.

(Bluefield)—A "Job Readiness Workshop" will be presented by the Bluefield State College "enactus" student organization, April 5, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in Room 309, Mahood Hall, W. Paul Cole, Jr. School of Business on the BSC campus.

Topics to be covered include resume building, business cards, cover letters, LinkedIn Profiles, and a session on interviewing skills. A community of student, academic, and business leaders, the BSC chapter of enactus has conducted several initiatives during the current academic year with an emphasis upon using the power of entrepreneurial action to enable human progress.

Interested individuals are encouraged to call (304) 952-9861 for additional information.

Bluefield State College students are pictured with House of Delegates member John Shott (center) during the annual “Higher Education Day at the State Legislature” at the State Capitol, March 21.

(Bluefield)—A contingent of 15 Bluefield State College students, along with faculty, staff, and administrators participated in the annual "Higher Education Day at the State Legislature," March 21. The BSC delegation made the trip to Charleston to meet state legislators, attend State Senate and House sessions, and discuss issues of importance and concern to the College. The students, all of whom are enrolled in Dr. Colin Cavell's political science classes this semester, also visited the State Supreme Court of Appeals. There, they learned about the history of West Virginia's highest court and they engaged in a question/answer session with Rory Perry, the Clerk of the State Supreme Court.

BSC President Marsha Krotseng took part in Higher Education Proclamation presentations in the Governor's Reception Room and the House and Senate chambers. "Higher Education Day provides an important focus on the difference West Virginia's colleges and universities make in individual lives and in the state as a whole," noted Dr. Krotseng. The BSC president also cited Higher Education Day as an opportunity for BSC students to see democracy in action.

"Higher Education Day helps connect state policymakers, prospective students, and the general public with our institutions and showcase our programs of excellence," she added.