Meridian Community College MIPCC Grant Proposal Narrative

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3 Meridian Community College MIPCC Grant Proposal Narrative In the heart of Mississippi, Meridian Community College (MCC) struggles with a high rate of unplanned pregnancies that threaten the success of many of our students. Statistics from the MS Dept. of Health for 2008 show that in Lauderdale County, 77% of all births were to mothers aged (n=937); of that number, 65.5% (n=615) were to single mothers. This suggests a high percentage of unplanned pregnancies in teenage mothers, and through their twenties. The added burden of so many unplanned pregnancies interrupts high school and college studies and contributes to local poverty. MCC has a retention program in place that seeks to personalize the services provided to students who are mothers with financial and educational difficulties; these services are provided by a special counselor. The opportunity to combine our efforts under the umbrella of the Make It Personal: Complete College project seems tailor made for MCC s students. The funds provided under this grant will help us meet not only our local students needs, but also to produce replicable methods and materials that will contribute to community colleges efforts throughout our country. Success will mean decreasing unplanned pregnancies among young women learning to engage in healthy relationships and more students of both genders who complete college to become good parents and productive citizens. Program Design: By December, 2010, MCC s MIPCC project is designed to produce three outcomes: students will increase their knowledge of the consequences of pregnancy during college studies; fewer students will express positive attitudes about pregnancy during college; and more students will express behavioral intent to avoid pregnancy in college. In order to bring about these outcomes, a two phase dual focus program has been designed involving the creation of new curricular content/materials aimed at avoiding pregnancy while building healthy relationships and discussion guides aimed at postponing pregnancy among young parents. These outcomes will lead students to focus on making career choices. The new curricular materials will be distributed on a limited basis during the spring semester, then on a campus wide basis during the fall semester. Detailed Action Plan and Time Line: In the first phase, instructors will be informed about MIPCC on January 5 at a workshop conducted by Kim McNeel, Project Director. Both the Project Director and Assistant, Deborah Nettles, will attend the AACC planning conference in Washington, DC, on January 22. Mrs. McNeel and Mrs. Nettles will meet in focus groups with student leaders during the week of February to inform them about the MIPCC project and elicit their ideas and support. During the spring semester, curricular content and materials will be developed by Master s degree instructors in three courses: Michele Smith in HPR 1213 Personal and Community Health, Suzanne Gibson in PSY 1513 General Psychology, and Kim Coward in SOC 2143 Marriage and Family. These materials will be written using the latest

4 research on pregnancy prevention, the consequences of unplanned pregnancy, and developing healthy relationships. Deadline for the curricular materials is March 31. Students in these courses will actively engage in a service learning project to inform other students about the new knowledge they have gained. Each student will tell two other students what they have learned, then write an account of what they said and how the two students responded, with a deadline of April 9. Deborah Nettles, retention counselor who is also Assistant Project Director, will hold individual sessions with the students about career choices available to them during the semester. Pre and post project evaluation surveys will be administered by the Institutional Research Office at the beginning and end of the semester (January 13 14, May 3 4). With input from Mrs. McNeel and instructors of the three courses, Graphics Design students, led by instructor Cassandra Spidle, will produce color brochures and posters as well as discussion guides and materials to help students who are already parents to be used during the fall campaign. The deadline for production is April 15. These materials will be submitted for approval to AACC during the week of April 19. During the month of June, results of the spring survey will be analyzed by a social science instructor, Diann Sollie who is skilled at focusing campaigns designed to change attitudes and behavior. Any changes made to written materials will be submitted to AACC for approval. The second phase of the project will occur during the fall semester, beginning with cooperation of Dr. Annie Burns, Language and Literature chair, and all instructors of English Composition courses ( students). Students in these classes will have discussions of curricular materials (developed during the first semester) on pregnancy prevention and consequences as well as healthy relationships and career choices. Their writing exercises will be focused on these topics throughout the semester. Pre and post project surveys will be administered by the MCC IR Office (August 25 26, December 1 2). Two informational and fun events are scheduled by Project Director during the fall: a September 23 student forum with student musicians, door prizes, and a talk by Dr. Susan Eaves, local psychologist, on the benefits of pregnancy postponement; an October 24 student leader booth in the Ivy Mall where students gather between classes with fruit and various merchants prizes to be given away along with publicity information about pregnancy prevention and healthy relationships. These two events will generate much buzz, to be reported on the MCC Facebook page, the MCC website, on the MCC produced local Comcast show, and in the school newspaper, The MCC News. The instructors who developed materials during the spring semester will continue with their service learning projects to engage their students as ambassadors with the mission of making sure that every student at the college receives information about pregnancy

5 prevention, developing healthy relationships, and good career paths. Their service learning projects will be designed to produce these outcomes, both for the students delivering the information as well as for increased numbers of students who receive it. Various other instructors have expressed interest in using these topics as discussion and reflection topics in their journaling and other class assignments. It is expected that additional social science instructors will use materials generated by MIPCC in the fall semester, supported by Social Science chair, Diann Sollie. As the project draws to a close in 2010, plans will be finished by the Director and Assistant Director to move the project out into the community through the city and county school systems, Boys and Girls Clubs, Wesley House, Weems Mental Health Center, Care Lodge, Salvation Army, Psychology Associates, and Vocational Rehabilitation. Project Director and Assistant Director will attend the final MIPCC conference in Washington, DC, in December, During 2010, project outcomes will be monitored by Cathy Parker, Director of Assessment and Accreditation, Dr. Baxter, and Dean of Academic Affairs, Michael Thompson. The strictest controls will be in place to ensure compliance with AACC s and The National Campaign s expectations about quality monitoring, evaluating goals, assessing project outcomes, and reporting at midyear and for the final progress report. Innovation and Replicability: With good outcomes results, it is believed by the planners of this grant project that the materials developed, the methods of delivery (in core courses, through service learning projects, by electronic communication media such as Facebook and the internet), and the assignment of a special retention counselor to provide the personal connection to students represent substantial innovation and replicability which can be exported to other community colleges. Instructors who develop curricular materials during the spring semester are experienced teachers of the subject matter that is the focus of the grant. It is expected that these materials will contain the latest available best practices and data in this field. This will make it accessible to other community college instructors and easily adaptable to a wide range of courses.

6 Institutional Capacity: Meridian Community College has a history of service learning dating from the early 1980 s which continues today. Focused work on promoting student success was begun in the mid 1990 s and continues today. Beginning this year, the president of MCC added the Retention Counselor (Assistant Project Director) to deal specifically with student difficulties stemming from the problems of pregnancy and unhealthy relationships. There is a firm commitment by college administration to assign college resources to this project, not only during the coming year, but also in the future as a way of better preparing students for college and successful completion of their studies. The methods used by MCC in this grant can easily be adapted to junior high and high schools in the area, various teen clubs with large memberships, and organizations that serve at risk young populations, as well as the disabled. By moving the project out into the community, it is expected that fewer teen and later pregnancies will occur, thus enabling students to pursue educational goals through college, make better life partner choices, become better parents later and better, productive citizens. MCC also has a long history of grant administration under the strictest accounting rules available. The Dean of Fiscal Affairs, Amy Brand, holds a CPA license as well as an MBA degree in Accounting/Finance. The college has never had sanctions by state or federal authorities for its financial practices. The Assistant to the President for Grants and Governmental Affairs, Kathy Harmon Baxter, holds the Ph. D. degree in Political Science and will serve as the overseer of the MIPCC grant, with long experience in this field. The college uses the Banner system of record keeping for all its financial activities including grants. The college financial system includes strict internal controls, cost analysis, and audit trails. All expenditures must be justified by receipts, tickets, or additional evidence, by state law. Dean of Student Services, Soraya Welden, and Director of Advising and Retention, Adam Stewart, both serve as supervisors of the Project Director and Assistant Project Director. They will have daily contact with Mr. Stewart who reports to Dean Welden. Weekly reports of the project progress will be channeled through Mr. Stewart to Dean Welden, Dean Brand, and Dr. Baxter. Thus, plans have been made for sufficient direction and oversight to assure quality control during the course of the grant year.

7 MIPCC College Proposed Budget January 1, December 31, 2010 College Name Meridian Community College Project Director Name Kim McNeel Financial Contact Name Amy Brand Date Submitted Dec Project Staff Salaries $ 3, Benefits Operating Costs Curriculum Development 5, Supplies Evaluation 1, Production/Promotion 4, Travel 4, Other (specify in budget narrative) Administrative Costs 1, TOTAL $ 20,000.00

8 Project Staff Meridian Community College MIPCC Budget Narrative The Project Director will receive a stipend of $1000 and the Assistant Director, $600, for administration of the grant. One Social Science instructor will be paid an overload to work with the prepost campaign surveys after the spring semester to analyze results and adapt the campaign to focus it for the fall semester for better attitude, knowledge acquisition, and behavioral intent changes, at a cost of $1600. Total project expenses for project staff are $ Operating Costs Curriculum Development: This category includes $1500 for a faculty workshop in the spring and an all student forum in the fall semester; $3000 in mini grants to each of the three instructors who will deliver curricular units on the project ($500 per semester): HPR 1213 Personal & Community Health (150 students), SOC 2143 Marriage and Family (120 students), and PSY 1513 General Psychology (180 students); and $1000 in books, reference materials, videos, and DVD s to guide curriculum development and prepare for distribution through the MCC website, in online classes, through the MCC Facebook pages, and on campus. Total expenses for curriculum development are budgeted at $ Supplies: This category includes $300 for duplication of materials for distribution to students. Evaluation: The MCC Institutional Research Office will handle the distribution and collection of the pre and post program surveys in the spring and fall semesters. Since this office has personnel experienced in confidential surveys, it is best equipped for this function. An estimate of these services comes to $1000, payable to MCC. Production/Promotion: The sum of $1000 covers the cost of printing (4 color) posters to be placed throughout the college featuring slogans and information about the negative consequences of unplanned pregnancy during college studies. Four color brochures describing the MIPCC project, its purposes, and expected outcomes are budgeted at $500. Student stipends include $100 for each of thirty student leaders active in service learning ($3000). Total production/promotion costs are $ Travel: Because of its location, air transportation costs from Meridian are high. The maximum $1000 is budgeted for both Project Director and Assistant Director to attend the two conferences in Washington, D.C. The college will cover any additional, uncovered necessary costs of the conference trips. Total travel costs are budgeted at $ Administrative Costs To calculate the college s costs of handling the salaries and mini grants to faculty (a total of $6200 in costs), 7.65% is paid by the college in Social Security taxes, 12% in retirement benefits before July 1, 2010 and 13.56% in retirement benefits after July 1, 2010 are paid by the college matching program. These college paid taxes total $ , to which was added $ in overhead costs, making a total in administrative costs of $ Total costs of grant: $20,000.00

9 Kim L. McNeel Special Populations Coordinator 469 Ponta Hills Road West Meridian Community College Meridian, MS Highway 19 North Meridian, MS OBJECTIVE Seeking a position as Project Director for Meridian Community College s Make it Personal: College Completion Grant Meridian Community College Special Populations Coordinator EMPLOYMENT HISTORY Meridian, MS 1996 to Present Lauderdale County Schools Meridian, MS Special Education instructor / Local Survey Committee Chairman Special Populations Coordinator Jackson County School District Ocean Springs, MS Special Education Instructor Magnolia Middle School Meridian, MS Special Education Instructor/Local Survey Committee Chairman EDUCATION Mississippi State University, Meridian, MS Masters degree in School Counseling Mississippi State University, Meridian, MS Special Education Certification K-12 Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS Bachelor of Science Degree, Social Studies Education Mississippi Gulf Coast Jr. College (Jackson County Campus) Gautier, MS PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS Served as a mentor for the American Association of Community Colleges for Project Reach, Served on the Ms-AHEAD Executive Board was instrumental in the development of Ms- AHEAD. I chaired the committee for the By-laws. I served as State Treasure for Ms-AHEAD Member of the Association of Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD) Community College Rehabilitation Career Member of the American Counseling Association Member of Ms-AHEAD , ,

10 DEBORAH K. NETTLES th Avenue Meridian, MS (601) CAREER PROFILE College professional seeking to obtain the Project Associate position for the Make It Personal: College Completion grant to improve student retention and support student success initiatives. WORK EXPERIENCE Meridian Community College Meridian, Mississippi Career and Retention Advisor (October 2009 to Present) Assist students in education and career planning and monitor student progress through program placement. Provide career exploration assistance through the use of CHOICES career interest assessment primarily for undecided students, but also for the student population at large. Make contacts with students who have excessive absences and students with a grade point average below 2.0 to increase student retention. Monitor the progress of students and identify problems which inhibit the achievement of educational objectives and to provide assistance in resolving those problems. Serve as the assigned advisor for the Industrial Technology Division of Career and Technical Education. Meridian Community College Meridian, Mississippi Job Placement Coordinator/Career Center Director/RCCI Coordinator (August 1997 to October 2009) Manage the daily operations of job placement services for students and graduates. Meet with employers to determine personnel needs, promote use of service, and monitor progress of placed individuals. Collect and record information from employers regarding job opportunities. Coordinate job interviews, career fairs and hiring events. Instruct clients in resume writing, job search, and interviewing skills. Prepare budgets, productivity reports and purchase requisitions. Maintain and install computer software and equipment in the career lab. Hired as RCCI Coordinator to coordinate the implementation of MathFirst, a grant-based rural community college initiative (RCCI) to increase mathematics and computer literacy in Lauderdale County (1997). AFLAC (American Family Life Assurance Company) Meridian, Mississippi Employee Benefit Specialist/Sales Representative (September 1994 to August 1997) Marketed and sold employee benefit plans to area businesses and individuals. Arranged payroll payment plans to accommodate the needs of business owners and employees. Mutual Savings Life Insurance Company Meridian, Mississippi Sales Representative (August 1991 to September 1994) Marketed and sold life, health, cancer, and homeowner s insurance. Collected payments, maintained the accounting of daily receipts and submitted claims for processing. Sears, Roebuck & Company Meridian, Mississippi Sales Supervisor (May 1989 to August 1991) Supervised and trained employees in the Children s department. Handled exchanges, returns, price changes, inventory control, sales promotions and special events. EDUCATION Master of Business Administration Degree; Mississippi State University Meridian Campus (May 1994) Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration; University of Southern Mississippi (May 1989) REFERENCES Professional and personal references available upon request