Oak Ridge Today

Roane State Internship Fair connects students to valuable opportunities

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Representatives of 15 area employers participated in Roane State Community College’s first Internship Fair, held Sept. 27, 2017, in the Coffey-McNally Building on the Oak Ridge campus. (Photo by Roane State)

Representatives of 15 area employers participated in Roane State Community College’s first Internship Fair, held Sept. 27, 2017, in the Coffey-McNally Building on the Oak Ridge campus. (Photo by Roane State)

 

By Bob Fowler, Roane State staff writer

There are numerous job internship opportunities available in the area, Roane State students learned during the college’s first Internship Fair.

Representatives of 15 employers answered students’ questions, took down contact information, and even conducted some interviews during the event, held last month in the atrium of the Coffey-McNally Building on the Oak Ridge campus.

“We want to match students with part-time, skill-building opportunities,” said Kim Harris, Roane State’s workforce training and placement director.

Too many graduates in the college’s non-healthcare fields come out of Roane State with a degree but no job experience, she said. Internships offer employers a chance to “test drive them (potential employees) before you hire them.” [Read more…]

Tennessee Higher Education Commission awards Roane State a Tennessee Promise Forward Grant

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Tennessee Promise Logo

The Tennessee Higher Education Commission has awarded a $91,940 Tennessee Promise Forward grant to Roane State Community College to develop and expand innovative student success and retention programs.

Through the grant, Roane State will work to enable more Tennessee Promise students to earn a post-secondary credential, a press release said.

“Across our state’s community colleges, great work is being done to ensure that the students who begin college with the Tennessee Promise go on to earn a credential,” said Mike Krause, executive director of Tennessee Higher Education Commission, or THEC. “Tennessee Promise Forward grants provide community colleges with the opportunity to expand successful programs and develop innovative student supports. From parent engagement pilots to service learning, THEC is excited to see the impact that this year’s Tennessee Promise Forward grants have on student success.” [Read more…]

Be ready for Reconnect: Get help filing your FAFSA at Roane State’s Oak Ridge campus Oct. 16

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Thanks to the Tennessee Reconnect Act, eligible adults can complete two years at Roane State Community College tuition-free beginning in fall 2018.

The first step, though, is to file a 2018-19 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Roane State’s financial aid staff will host special events to help you complete your 2018-19 FAFSA.

The FAFSA event at Roane State’s Oak Ridge campus, which is at 701 Briarcliff Avenue, will be held on Monday, October 16, from 5-7 p.m. [Read more…]

Street Painting Festival is Saturday at Roane State

Posted at
By 2 Comments

Photo courtesy Roane State Community College

Photo by Roane State Community College

 

The Street Painting Festival is Saturday at Roane State Community College in Oak Ridge.

Here is an event notice posted by Roane State.

Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Oak Ridge

When: [Read more…]

Employers, students invited to Roane State’s Sept. 27 internship fair at Oak Ridge campus

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

There are plenty of internships available each year for Roane State Community College students, with pay ranging from minimum wage to up to $18 an hour.

Many of these opportunities go unfilled, often because students are unaware of them, said Kim Harris, the college’s workforce training and placement director.

With that in mind, the college’s placement office is hosting its first Internship Opportunities Fair from 10 a.m. until noon on Wednesday, September 27, in the Coffey/McNally Building on the Oak Ridge Campus at 701 Briarcliff Avenue.

“This effort hopes to connect our students with area employers who have internship opportunities available throughout the year,” Harris said. [Read more…]

ORICL has 20th anniversary celebration Thursday

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Members of an early ORICL board are, standing from left, George Jasny, Janet Evans, and Martha Hobson; sitting from left, Jeannie Cole, Reeva Abraham, Harwell Smith, and Murray Rosenthal, founder and first board president. (Submitted photo)

Members of an early ORICL board are, standing from left, George Jasny, Janet Evans, and Martha Hobson; sitting from left, Jeannie Cole, Reeva Abraham, Harwell Smith, and Murray Rosenthal, founder and first board president. (Submitted photo)

 

In recognition of the 20th anniversary of the Oak Ridge Institute for Continued Learning (ORICL), a celebration will take place on Thursday (September 7) at its home base, the Oak Ridge Branch Campus of Roane State Community College (RSCC).

Tennessee Lieutenant Governor Randy McNally will read a proclamation in honor of ORICL’s 20 years of providing educational experiences for hundreds of retirees in and around Oak Ridge.

RSCC President Chris Whaley will speak on “Lifelong Learning: the Roane State Commitment to ORICL and Oak Ridge.” He will mention Tennessee Reconnects, the state-funded program that will start in fall 2018 to provide a free two-year education to willing adults in Tennessee who have no degrees. [Read more…]

Ribbon cut on TCAT facility in Andersonville

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Information from WYSH Radio

Wednesday morning, officials gathered at the new Tennessee College of Applied Technology–or TCAT—facility on Andersonville Highway for a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The new but temporary TCAT facility is expected to be a boon to local industries and prospective employees alike by offering courses geared toward the industries operating in this area.

The owners of the former Hensley’s grocery store donated the vacant 20,000-square foot building to the state to renovate and use as a temporary training facility for a period of about two years. The temporary facility will be needed while the state builds a new, premanent TCAT on land donated by SL Tennessee in the I-75 Industrial Park. [Read more…]

Roane State joins National CyberWatch Center as college grows high-tech cyber defense program

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

George Meghabghab leads Roane State's cyber defense program. The college is now part of the National CyberWatch Center. (Photo by Roane State Community College)

George Meghabghab leads Roane State’s cyber defense program. The college is now part of the National CyberWatch Center. (Photo by Roane State Community College)

 

By Bob Fowler, Roane State staff writer

In this era of widespread hacking, ransomware, and other cyberattacks, Roane State Community College is about to launch an educational counterattack.

Preparations are under way for the college to become a center for academic excellence in cyber defense.

George Meghabghab, professor of computer science and director of Roane State’s computer information technology program, recently unveiled the college’s long-range plan to expand its IT (information technology) curriculum.

“We’re going to begin a culture of cybersecurity,” he said. “Cybersecurity is a growing field, and our goal is to build a program that teaches the very latest technology and is closely aligned to industry needs.” [Read more…]

Roane State to offer extended business hours beginning Aug. 21

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Roane State Community College will offer extended business hours to help students get ready for the start of the new semester. Fall classes begin August 28.

Extended hours for the Roane County and Oak Ridge campuses are:

  • Monday, August 21-Thursday, August 24, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
  • Monday, August 28-Thursday, August 31, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.

The Roane County and Oak Ridge campuses will maintain usual business hours (8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.) on Fridays. [Read more…]

Roane State’s Collins named Paramedic Student of the Year

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Roane State Paramedic Student of the Year Russell Collins (center) is congratulated by Dr. Erik Geibig with TeamHealth Emergency Medicine (left) and Roane State paramedic program director David Blevins. (Photo by Roane State Community College)

Roane State Paramedic Student of the Year Russell Collins (center) is congratulated by Dr. Erik Geibig with TeamHealth Emergency Medicine (left) and Roane State paramedic program director David Blevins. (Photo by Roane State Community College)

 

Russell Collins with American Medical Response—Blount County has been named Roane State Community College’s Paramedic Student of the Year.

Dr. Erik Geibig with TeamHealth Emergency Medicine presented the award to Collins during Roane State’s annual Knoxville paramedic program luncheon. Students completing the paramedic program were recognized at the event, which was sponsored by TeamHealth.

Collins, of Maryville, has served with American Medical Response—Blount County for five years.

“It’s been extremely challenging, but very rewarding,” Collins said of his experience in Roane State’s program. “The schedule and the hours are tough, especially working full-time and having a family. The reward is the knowledge. You learn an immense amount in a short time.” [Read more…]

ORICL courses benefit seniors; register by Aug. 7 for fall term

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

ORICL members recently toured Mayfield Dairy. (Submitted photo)

ORICL members recently toured Mayfield Dairy. (Submitted photo)

 

By Carolyn Krause

As traditionalists and baby boomers age, they are looking for ways to be as productive, safe, healthy, and comfortable as possible. This September, the Oak Ridge Institute for Continued Learning, which will be celebrating its 20th anniversary, is offering many practical courses for seniors.

Sample topics are caregiving, movement improvement, maximizing the brain-body connection, aging in place, fall prevention, effects of normal aging on driving, and making lifestyle changes, such as downsizing and moving.

At ORICL, you can learn how to write a memoir, operate a computer, invest wisely in the stock market, and do estate planning. [Read more…]

Roane State paramedic alumni earn honors

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Anderson County EMS Director Nathan Sweet, right, presents Lt. Steve Seals, a graduate of Roane State's paramedic program, with an award naming him the EMS's "Officer of the Year." Sweet is also a Roane State paramedic program graduate. (Photo by Roane State)

Anderson County EMS Director Nathan Sweet, right, presents Lt. Steve Seals, a graduate of Roane State’s paramedic program, with an award naming him the EMS’s “Officer of the Year.” Sweet is also a Roane State paramedic program graduate. (Photo by Roane State)

 

Graduates of Roane State Community College’s paramedic program continue to distinguish themselves in their professions by earning honors bestowed by peers and supervisors, a press release said.

Two 2005 graduates of the paramedic program were recognized by Anderson County EMS during National EMS Week, held in late May each year.

Lieutenant Steve Seals was named “Officer of the Year,” while Millie Huddleston was recognized as “Paramedic of the Year.”

Co-workers and supervisors nominated them for the recognitions. In those nominations, Seals was described as exemplifying “our core values, including integrity first, service before self, as well as excellence in all we do,” the press release said. [Read more…]