Oak Ridge Today

Roane State partners with Bellevue University, grand opening set for Tuesday

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Roane State Community College Logo

Roane State associate degree graduates and those with 60 credit hours can obtain a bachelor’s degree in 18 months under an innovative new partnership between Roane State Community College and Bellevue University.

In the program, 100 percent of associate degree credits transfer to the fully accredited, non-profit, four-year university located in Bellevue, Nebraska. Credits aren’t lost, and classes don’t have to be retaken.

A grand opening celebration for Bellevue will be held on Tuesday, April 17 from
11 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Atrium at the Oak Ridge campus, which is at 701 Briarcliff Avenue. All are invited, a press release said.

Students who attend the grand opening will have the opportunity to enter to win one of two $1,000 grants. Free refreshments will be provided. [Read more…]

Former ambassador to discuss Syria at Roane State on Wednesday

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Margaret Scobey

Margaret Scobey

Former Ambassador Margaret Scobey will discuss Syria at Roane State Community College in Oak Ridge on Wednesday. Her talk is titled “Syria: Challenges to U.S. and Regional Interests.”

The community lecture is sponsored jointly by ORICL (Oak Ridge Institute of Continued Learning) and Roane State. It is free and open to the public.

Scobey’s appearance will begin with a reception at 2:15 p.m. Wednesday in the Visitor’s Lobby of the Coffey/McNally Building, a press release said. Following the reception, Scobey will speak in the City Room, A-111, of the same building. After her presentation, Ambassador Scobey will respond to questions from the audience.

Scobey retired as career minister from the U.S. Foreign Service following a 32-year career, the press release said. She served as U.S. ambassador to the Arab Republic of Egypt from 2008 until July of 2011. Prior to that, she served as the U.S. ambassador to Syria from late 2003 until early 2005, when she was recalled in protest to the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri. Her last assignment in the Foreign Service was as deputy commandant of the Industrial College of the Armed Forces at the National Defense University in Washington, D.C. [Read more…]

Interested in teaching career? Go to Roane State Education Department’s open houses

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The Roane State Community College Education Department will host a pair of open houses April 24 and April 26 for those interested in pursuing careers in K-12 education.

Current students, incoming freshmen, and members of the community are welcome, said Stacie Bradshaw, associate professor of education.

One event will begin at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 24, in Room 336 of the Goff Building on the Oak Ridge campus, 701 Briarcliff Avenue.

The second open house will begin at 6 p.m. on Thursday, April 26, in Room O-224 of the O’Brien Humanities Building on the Roane County Campus, 276 Patton Lane, Harriman. [Read more…]

Roane State forum on Wednesday will discuss learning, immersive technology such as virtual reality

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A HoloLens, worn here by Roane State director of EMS programs David Blevins, is one of the immersive learning technologies that will be discussed at an April 25 forum at Roane State’s Oak Ridge campus. (Submitted photo)

A HoloLens, worn here by Roane State director of EMS programs David Blevins, is one of the immersive learning technologies that will be discussed at an April 25 forum at Roane State’s Oak Ridge campus. (Submitted photo)

 

How immersive technology such as virtual reality can enhance learning will be the topic of Roane State Community College’s Social and Behavioral Sciences Forum on Wednesday, April 25, at the Oak Ridge campus at 701 Briarcliff Avenue.

Stephanie Shipley with Roane State’s Center for Teachings Arts and Technology will present the topic “Learning in 3D: Adding a New Dimension.” The forum will be from 3-4:30 p.m. in the City Room (A-111) of the Coffey-McNally Building.

A new generation of virtual reality headsets and software promises to revolutionize learning in the classroom, a press release said. During this presentation, participants will be introduced to concepts of virtual reality, augmented reality, and mixed reality that will include important technological and educational considerations and implications in all learning environments.

Pedagogical concepts and principles will be discussed, as well as how immersive technologies can be utilized in specific courses and disciplines, the press release said. Additionally, this presentation will include a demonstration of various immersive technologies such as VR headset apps and the Microsoft HoloLens, the release said. [Read more…]

Under way: Roane State Oak Ridge hosts Open House, Reconnect Ready

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RSCC Coffey McNally Building Oak Ridge

The Coffey/McNally Building is pictured at the Oak Ridge campus of Roane State Community College. (Photo by Roane State)

 

Prospective students of all ages are extended a cordial invitation to an Open House at the Oak Ridge campus of Roane State Community College, which is at 701 Briarcliff Avenue in Oak Ridge.

The event is being held on a Saturday, April 14, in the atrium of the campus’s Coffey-McNally Building. It began at 10:30 a.m. with check-in.

Jim McDaniel, director of student enrollment and recruitment, said the Open House is for “anyone who wants to go to college.”

Information about the admission process and financial aid scholarships will be available. Faculty members will be on hand to discuss the college’s academic programs. [Read more…]

Comedy group Einstein Simplified at UT Arboretum for May 6 fundraiser

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Einstein Simplified

Einstein Simplified

 

Enjoy an early Mother’s Day with comedy group Einstein Simplified

The University of Tennessee Arboretum Society again presents an evening of laughter and live improvisational comedy with Einstein Simplified during a fundraiser on Sunday, May 6.

The fundraiser is scheduled from 5 to 7 p.m. May 6 at the UT Arboretum on South Illinois Avenue in Oak Ridge.

“Come enjoy the fun as this well-known Knoxville area comedy improv group entertains us with original, unrehearsed improv,” a press release said. “If you like ‘Second City’ and ‘Saturday Night Live,’ this show is for you! Given today’s roller coaster political climate, we expect a very funny show. Don’t miss it!”

Due to popular demand in 2017, the group is returning to the Arboretum for the second year, the press release said. [Read more…]

Cybersecurity expert shares career opportunities with Roane State students

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Cybersecurity expert Rob Ashcraft of Sword & Shield Enterprise Security discusses career opportunities with Roane State students. (Submitted photo)

Cybersecurity expert Rob Ashcraft of Sword & Shield Enterprise Security discusses career opportunities with Roane State students. (Submitted photo)

 

By Bob Fowler, Roane State staff writer

In this era of online hacking and ransomware, jobs in cybersecurity are booming, and they pay extremely well, an expert in the field told Roane State Community College faculty and students.

Rob Ashcraft, with the state’s largest firm of its kind—Sword & Shield Enterprise Security of Knoxville—recently gave an overview of the various positions available in the profession.

The demand for those jobs is growing 350 percent faster than other information technology positions, and those with the appropriate certifications can make as much as $55 an hour.

“I think you made a good choice,” Ashcraft told students now enrolled in Roane State’s new cyber defense program, which was launched in the fall 2017 semester. “It’s a great career, and it’s a lot of fun.” [Read more…]

Roane State launches office, website to help parents stay engaged with students

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Roane State’s new parent portal is online at www.roanestate.edu/parents. The portal offers parents access to campus news and deadlines, personalized newsletters, alerts, and insights into students’ progress and financial details. (Submitted image)

Roane State’s new parent portal is online at www.roanestate.edu/parents. The portal offers parents access to campus news and deadlines, personalized newsletters, alerts, and insights into students’ progress and financial details. (Submitted image)

 

By Bob Fowler, Roane State staff writer

There’s a new office promoting family involvement and providing ways for families help their students succeed at Roane State Community College.

It’s called the Office of Parent and Family Engagement. An integral part of this new office is providing a “parent and family portal” developed by CampusESP. The portal is online at www.roanestate.edu/parents.

The portal, available on any device, allows parents to learn more about their children’s college experience, from campus news and events to notices about tuition and grade-point averages.

Students will be able to determine what access is given to parents or guardians through the new portal. [Read more…]

Altrusa to award scholarships for women, apply by March 30

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Altrusa International of Oak Ridge is offering scholarships starting at $1,000 to deserving women to support their pursuit of education and/or training, a press release said.

The Sarah Ketron Scholarship is intended for women who are non-traditional students and have interrupted their studies for work or family obligations and are returning to school to complete their education. It is named in honor of the late Sarah Ketron, Altrusa president in 1973-74. She was for many years a school counselor in Oak Ridge as well as a community leader and volunteer.

The Altrusa Scholarship is available for women who are continuing their education, post-high school, at an institution of higher learning, such as a university, community college, or technical college, the press release said.

Altrusans seek to encourage and support women who are striving to complete their education, search for jobs, and become financially independent. “One of the key goals for selection is to award scholarships to those who show significant financial need,” said Kesha Waters, co-chair of the Scholarship Committee. [Read more…]

Roane State Success Coach program honored

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Roane State Community College Logo

Roane State’s success coach program won a statewide certificate for excellence and has become a benchmark for programs throughout the state’s 12 other community colleges.

“Roane State has been a leader in developing student success opportunities,” said Kim Harris, the college’s director of workplace training and placement.

Harris nominated Roane State’s success coach program for the award, and it won out over other nominees among Tennessee’s community colleges.

The recognition was bestowed by the Tennessee Alliance for Continuing Higher Education. The organization is comprised of continuing education professionals. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge High School wins Department of Energy Tennessee Science Bowl

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Winning first place in the 2018 Tennessee Science Bowl is an Oak Ridge High School team that is pictured above, from left to right with their trophy: Steven Qu, Henry Shen, Melody Guo, Joe Andress, and Batu Odbadrakh. (Submitted photo)

Winning first place in the 2018 Tennessee Science Bowl is an Oak Ridge High School team that is pictured above, from left to right with their trophy: Steven Qu, Henry Shen, Melody Guo, Joe Andress, and Batu Odbadrakh. (Submitted photo)

 

ORHS team advances to National Science Bowl

After months of training, studying, and improving their competition skills, 59 high school teams from across the state of Tennessee gathered this weekend to test their knowledge in broad science disciplines including chemistry, biology, physics, and energy.

Oak Ridge High School placed first in the annual competition and received an all-expenses-paid trip to the U.S. Department of Energy National Science Bowl in Washington, D.C., held April 26-30, as well as a $1,000 cash prize and a first-place trophy, a press release said.

The Tennessee Science Bowl is the nation’s third-largest regional competition. Held at Pellissippi State Community College’s Blount County Campus, the regional bowl prepares students to compete nationally with other exceptional students from schools across the country, the press release said. [Read more…]

Tuition-free college for adults is here; Get Reconnect Ready at Roane State on March 1

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Roane State Community College’s Oak Ridge campus is a great place for adult students to reconnect with their education, a press release said.

And the timing has never been better. Beginning this fall, the Tennessee Reconnect grant will provide eligible adults with the opportunity to attend Roane State tuition-free.

To learn more about Reconnect, come to Roane State’s free Reconnect Ready event at the Oak Ridge campus, 701 Briarcliff Avenue, on Thursday, March 1, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. [Read more…]