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Community and Economic Development
Statement of Purpose
The office of Community and Economic Development coordinates and administers special credit and non-degree continuing education and vocational courses, which are delivered by the Institute for Business and Industry, the office of Corporate Business Solutions, the office of Continuing Medical Education, Community Service Programs and the Greeneville-Greene County Center for Technology adult program. The programs offered are consistent with the mission of Walters State Community College and are designed to meet the needs of individuals, government, industry and the business community. Continuing Education Units (CEU’s) and certificates of achievement are used as a means of recognizing and recording the efforts of individuals who enroll and satisfactorily complete the college’s non-degree activities. These CEU’s carry no credit for degree programs and are separate and distinct from the college’s credit program, which leads to the associate degree. The recording of the CEU’s provides a permanent record of an individual’s participation in non-degree activities and on request a transcript can be provided.
Continuing Medical Education
Continuing Medical Education courses, seminars and conferences are offered to physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners and other health care professionals in the ten-county area served by Walters State Community College. Working in collaboration with area doctors, hospitals, EMS agencies and other health care providers we offer courses, seminars and conferences that are designed to refresh, upgrade existing skills, teach new skills and disseminate up-to-date information on current topics and treatments. Some clinical and general courses offered include Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Medical Terminology, National Registry Refresher Courses for EMT’s and Paramedics, and Basic Spanish for Health Care Professionals, and in most cases, can be taught on-site. Training can be provided for individuals to become Certified Nurse Aids and Registered Dental Assistants. The Continuing Medical Education office will also assist in medical conference planning.
Community Service Programs
General interest, personal development and enrichment classes are offered through Community Service Programs. Courses, workshops and programs are scheduled for both adults and children, as appropriate. Serving students from the surrounding ten county area, The Talented and Gifted Program for Children (T.A.G.) has been offered to students, grades five through eight, since 1983. The T.A.G. Program presents approximately 36 different courses geared for and designed to challenge these students in a wide array of subjects, including, but not limited to: chemistry, biology, physics, astronomy, theater, computers, news casting and foreign languages. The Tennessee Legislature, starting January 2001, mandated the Parents, Children and Divorce education seminar. Divorcing couples, with minor children, are required to attend a parent education seminar. The Parents, Children and Divorce seminar is an approved four-hour parent education seminar meeting the requirements of this law. This program is offered in Greeneville, Morristown and Sevierville. Our objective is to meet and exceed the needs and interests of the communities served by Walters State Community College and we offer a diverse selection of course subjects. A few courses that the office of Community Service Programs offers are: Motorcycle Rider Education, Beginning Driver’s Education, Dog Obedience, Permit to Carry a Firearm, Scuba Diving, Auctioneering, Parents, Children & Divorce, various art classes and an assortment of other courses and field trips designed for area youth.
Continuing Education Units
Walters State Community College uses Continuing Education Units (CEU’s) as a means of recognizing and recording the efforts of individuals who enroll and satisfactorily complete the college’s non-degree activities. These CEU’s carry no credit for college degree programs and are a separate and distinct operation from the college’s credit program which leads to the associate degree. The recording of the CEU’s will, however, provide a permanent record of an individual’s participation in non-degree activities.
The Continuing Education Unit is defined as follows: 10 contact hours of participation in an organized continuing education activity under responsible sponsorship, capable direction and qualified instruction. Continuing Education Units (CEU’s) will be computed on the basis of one CEU for each 10 hours of contact. Units will be recorded to one decimal point. Thus a student enrolled in a non-degree activity which meets for a total of 12 hours would earn 1.2 CEU’s.
On request, the department of Admissions and Registration Services will mail students an official transcript. In cases where an enrollee drops an activity after it has started or otherwise fails to complete it, this report will indicate an unsatisfactory (U) grade. If an enrollee chooses to officially withdraw, the request must be made to the dean of Community and Economic Development. Only in cases of official withdrawal will an enrollee receive a grade of (W) withdrawal. Enrollees satisfactorily completing a CEU course will receive a grade of (S) Satisfactory.
The value of the CEU is recognized nationally.
Institute for Business and Industry
Reflective of a strong commitment to serving the needs of East Tennessee business and industry with relevant training on state-of-the art equipment, technical assistance, and highly qualified employees, Walters State has the Institute for Business and Industry to coordinate the delivery of educational services packaged to meet the unique and exacting needs of this important constituency.
Corporate Business Solutions
By contracting with companies at convenient times and locations, the Institute for Business and Industry provides customized training packages for traditional classroom, on-site facilitation, or on-line delivery. Industrial training packages are offered in technical certifications, supervisory and leadership training, lean manufacturing, computer applications, workplace Spanish, conversational German, mechanical engineering technologies, drafting and design, and other topics. Consulting and training is available to our small business constituents in areas of start-up, web development marketing, managing employees, legal issues, and valuing a business. The staff can also provide on-site consulting on issues of software installation, network troubleshooting, database development, programming, software application assistance and others.
Industries should contact the director of Community and Economic Development to setup an appointment time to discuss training needs. While the standard outlines are available, this office provides customized corporate training solutions designed to maximize your return on investment.
Industries considering expanding or locating within the State of Tennessee are also encouraged to contact the director of Community and Economic Development. Our office is committed to providing resources needed within the community to assist our corporate customers with expansion and growth within our communities.
The Community and Economic Development director will be working closely with area Chambers of Commerce, Manufacturing Associations, Industrial Associations, Human Resource Associations and other groups to provide customized training for needs identified by the association. If your organization would like to discuss potential partnerships, please contact our office at 423-318-2740 to schedule a speaker for your next meeting.
Through a contract with Profiles International Products our office can provide pre-employment evaluation and assessment products that meet the requirements of the EEOC and ADA. Participants can be assessed for hiring, promoting, managing, and on-going evaluation. A product called the Step-One Survey offers pre-employment screening indexes for Integrity, Work Ethic, Dependability and Substance Abuse. Interviewing questions will be generated based upon the applicant’s responses that meet EEOC guidelines. In addition, a product called the Profile Measures Learning Style, Interest Style, and Thinking Style. Other products can provide a 360-leadership evaluation and on-line or on-site training programs. Staff members set up assessments, develop job studies and provide training for your staff in utilizing this technology for your employees. For individuals seeking a direction, a Career Coach can be generated to match a participant’s learning abilities, interest areas, and behavioral traits to the Department of Labor’s National Job Database and will generate a report for career matches. To schedule a demo, or for more information, please contact our office at 423-328-2740 or come by the Dr. Jack E. Campbell College Center, Room 230.
Several exam preparation programs are offered such as the CPS, PHR, SPHR, Residential Contractors Limited License, and others.
General Business and Industry Related Courses
The Institute for Business and Industry provides quality non-credit continuing education training courses is business and industry related topics to help students advance in business knowledge, earn continuing education units, and to gain professional certifications and/or licensing. The Institute for Business & Industry works in cooperation with national and state organizations to provide up-to-date testing capabilities. General business topics include management, leadership, telephone communication, accounting/bookkeeping, residential and electrical contractors, human resource, financial planning, real estate principles, office administration skills and more.
Certified Professional Secretary (CPS)
Walters State Community College is a testing site in cooperation with the International Association of Administration Professionals (IAAP) and proctors the international exam on the first Saturday of May and the first Saturday of November. The Institute for Business & Industry offers the CPS Exam Review Courses to assist in preparing a candidate to take the CPS Examination. The exam includes Part 1 - Office Systems & Technology; Part 2 - Office Administration; and Part 3 - Management. Anyone interested in applying to take the CPS Exam should review the eligibility requirements on the IAAP web site at www.iaap-hq.org and submit the exam application by the required application deadline. For more information, call 423-585-2675 or come by the continuing education office in the Dr. Jack E. Campbell College Center, Room 224.
Computer Technology
Computer training and certification programs are available for the general public as well as exclusive customized training programs for industries. Popular application software instruction can be delivered in any of the computer training labs located in Morristown, Sevierville, Greeneville, Tazewell, and the Greeneville-Greene County Center for Technology. Participants will receive training in programming environments, operating systems, and specialized technical programs. The instructors can deliver programs designed for certification programs as well as customize instruction to meet the needs of the participants. Some of the application software taught includes Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Outlook, FrontPage and Project. Our programs for Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Project and FrontPage utilize the Microsoft Official Curriculum and provide certified instructors for assistant students. When Microsoft introduced the Office User Specialist programs, (M.O.S.), WSCC led the State of Tennessee in instructor certification and has continued staying current as new exams are released. The Institute for Business and Industry is designated as the IQ Center for administering the MOS exams. Some programs offer training that will lead to computer industry certification programs such as CompTIA’s A+, Networking +, I-Net+, and others.
The Institute serves as the CISCO Regional Academy Program leaders in the upper East Tennessee area for the CISCO networking program. As the Regional Academy, the Institute for Business and Industry serves as the contact for the local high school programs. Currently, local academies have been established in high schools in Greene, Sevier, Hawkins, Grainger and Sullivan counties. The staff can train students as well as train teachers to become CISCO Certified Authorized Instructors. For more information on establishing a local academy for your high school or for more information on becoming a certified instructor, contact the office at 423-318-2740 or visit our office in the Dr. Jack E. Campbell College Center, Room 230.
In addition to training programs for popular accounting software packages such as Quickbooks, our staff members can provide on-site consulting in computer or accounting issues. Staff members participate in the Certified Pro Advisor program with Intuit.
Testing Center
As a LaserGrade/Sylvan Prometric Authorized Testing Center, the Institute for Business and Industry offers certification exams provided by the software vendors such as Microsoft, CompTIA, Linux, CISCO, Adobe, and many others. The testing center hours are from 8 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. and is located in the Dr. Jack E. Campbell College Center in Room 224. Exams may be scheduled by calling the office at 423-585-6756. Exams may also be scheduled online at each vendor’s respective web site. In many of our classes, students will receive the certification exam voucher as a part of the class registration fees. Our objective is to provide the total package for the students’ convenience in their personal technical development.
Hospitality Programs
In partnerships with area Chambers of Commerce, the office of Community and Economic Development has developed a series of specialized hospitality training seminars. Our programs are designed for all guest contact personnel as well as top level management teams. These seminars will teach participants what service is and how they can implement ways to exceed guest expectations and keep the customer coming back. In addition, this training will also be offered in Spanish.
Non-Credit Certificate Programs
The Institute offers non-credit certificate programs for students to prepare for careers in less than six months in the areas of Professional Administrative Assistant, Accounting Clerk, Drafting Specialist, Human Resource Specialist, Networking Technician, Medical Office Technician, Residential Electricity Technician, Certified Nurse Aide Training (C.N.A.), Construction Technology, Bookkeeping Technology, CNC/Setup Operator, Registered Dental Assistant, Banking Clerk, Industrial Maintenance.
Student’s schedules are planned on classes subject to availability. When students are scheduled for an average of 12 hours per week, they are considered full-time in the non-credit continuing education division.
Approvable programs are designed to meet the requirements for a WIA and TRA/TAA participant.
For more information, call 423-585-2677 or visit the Dr. Jack E. Campbell College Center, Room 238.
Greeneville/Greene County Center for Technology
Vocational and Technical Courses
In April 2004, Walters State Community College entered into a contract with the Greeneville-Greene County Center for Technology to provide vocational and technical courses at the Greeneville-Greene County Center for Technology location for the adult continuing education program. Programs developed offer vocational and technical courses to business, industry, and the general public. The center is currently offering a variety of classes and program in areas of Business and Office, Health/Medical, Special Interest, Trade and Industry, and Certificate Programs. The certificate offerings include Industrial Maintenance Technician, CNC Operator/Setup Operator, Welding Technician, Residential Electricity Technician, Registered Dental Assistant, Heating and Air Conditioning. The center also has Medical Terminology, Medical Coding, Medical Transcription, Workplace Spanish, Floral Arranging, Computer Aided Drafted, Commercial Wiring, Certified Nursing Assistant, and Computer Repair. Some certification courses include PHR, CPS, MOS, IC3 and A+. Consulting and contract instruction is also available through the Center for Technology in conjunction with the corporate training solutions. For more information, call 423-585-2677 or 423-639-3790.
Facilities Use Procedures and Policy
The purpose of this policy is to provide a uniform basis by which Walters State can regulate the use of campus property and facilities by affiliated and non-affiliated groups, organizations, and individuals. This policy provides a framework to provide orderly conduct of activities on campus property and in campus facilities and to prevent uses of campus properties and facilities that are contrary to federal, state, or local laws or TBR policies.
Each semester the office of Academic Affairs assigns classrooms for all academic classes held on the Morristown campus of Walters State Community College. Continuing Education and C.E.U. classes are also scheduled using facilities not being used by academic classes. The remaining facilities are available for use with priority given to student activities, then faculty/staff activities, and finally outside groups.
The office of Community and Economic Development coordinates the scheduling of facilities for all activities other than academic classes. The following are procedures for scheduling community service classes, student activities, faculty/staff activities, and outside group activities at Walters State Community College.
- Continuing Education and C.E.U. Classes
When the office of Community and Economic Development schedules non-credit and C.E.U. classes that will meet on a regular or temporary basis or offers non-credit seminars or conferences, the individual scheduling the activity must submit an Internal Application for Use of Facilities Form, this form may be obtained at intranet.ws.edu or www.ws.edu/ibi and select Facilities, to the office of Community and Economic Development for approval by the dean of Community and Economic Development. On Friday of each week a Weekly Activity Report will be sent by e-mail in snap shot format providing information regarding the following week activities to Campus Police, Plant Operations, Public Information, Food Services and other departments requesting notification of campus activities. An electronic and hard copy will be kept on file in the office of Community and Economic Development.
- Student Activities
Any student group desiring the use of campus facilities must fill out an Internal Application for Use of Facilities Form. This form must be completed and signed by the vice president for Student Affairs and forwarded to the office of Community and Economic Development. The office of Community and Economic Development will determine the facility’s availability and will sign the form confirming the same. On Friday of each week, a Weekly Activity Report will be sent by e-mail in snap shot format providing information regarding the following week activities to Campus Police, Plant Operations, Public Information, Food Services and other departments requesting notification of campus activities. An electronic and hard copy will be kept on file in the office of Community and Economic Development.
- Faculty and Staff
Faculty and staff desiring to use campus facilities must fill out an Internal Application for Use of Facilities Form, which may be obtained in the office of Community and Economic Development or at intranet.ws.edu or www.ws.edu/ibi. The office of Community and Economic Development will determine the facility’s availability and will sign the form confirming the same. An approved copy will be returned to the requesting party. On Friday of each week, a Weekly Activity Report will be sent by e-mail in snap shot format providing information regarding the following week activities to Campus Police, Plant Operations, Public Information, Food Services and other departments requesting notification of campus activities. An electronic and hard copy will be kept on file in the office of Community and Economic Development. Campus faculty and staff are responsible for making any and all requirements and arrangements needed in support of their activity with Public Information, Plant Operations, Computer Services, Food Services, Campus Police, etc.
- Outside Groups
Groups not related to the college or community service activities who desire to use campus facilities must secure an External Application for Use of Facilities Form, which may be obtained in the office of Community and Economic Development or at www.ws.edu/ibi. This form should be completed, signed, and returned. The dean of the office of Community and Economic Development will confirm the availability of the facility, assign a rental fee and with the approval of the President, sign to approve the activity. Any arrangements for food services must be made directly with Food Services or with Culinary Arts. Other special arrangements will be made by the office of Community and Economic Development. A copy of the form will be mailed as confirmation of approval of use for the activity. On Friday of each week a Weekly Activity Report will be sent by e-mail in snap shot format providing information regarding the following week activities to Campus Police, Plant Operations, Public Information, Food Services and other departments requesting notification of campus activities. An electronic and hard copy will be kept on file in the office of Community and Economic Development.
- TBR Policy
This policy is intended to comply with TBR Policy 03-02-02-00, Use of Campus Property and Facilities. In the event of a conflict between this Walters State policy and the TBR policy, the TBR policy will control. See TBR Policy on pages 219-223 of this catalog.
Fitness Center
The Fitness Center is a modern well-equipped and well-maintained facility designed to serve Walters State students, faculty and staff.
Priority use of the Fitness Center shall be given to instructional, athletic, and other scheduled college activities. All activities in the Fitness Center require an appropriate supervisor (i.e., instructor, coach, fitness center specialist) to be present.
Once the instruction schedule is established and other college activities are approved, additional activities may be scheduled following authorization through the completion of the “Use of Facilities” form, which would include the requirement of a qualified supervisor during the specified time of use. Use of the Fitness Center is permitted with the understanding that necessary safeguards are to be taken to protect both the individual user and the equipment.
During weekdays (Monday through Friday) when college classes are in session and the Fitness Center is not scheduled for instruction or activities, the Fitness Center may be open, with supervision, for faculty, staff, and students on an unscheduled basis from 7 a.m. until 9 p.m., Monday through Thursdays, and 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Fridays.
All individuals using the Center must provide the following information on a “Records of Use” form: the date of use, a signature upon entering the facility, the status of the user (employee, student), and time entered and time exited.
The privilege of personal use extended to college employees does not grant the right to invite outside groups to use the Center on an unscheduled basis. However, the employee may invite individual guests up to two. For purposes of this policy, a retiree from Walters State will be treated as an employee of the college.
In accordance with these procedures, the Campus Police Department should receive appropriate documentation showing that an activity for the Center has been approved.
Workforce Investment Act Program
Center for Workforce Development
Walters State Community College plays a leading role in the implementation of training and job placement services authorized in the Workforce Investment Act (WIA). This federal statute authorizes services for job seekers and area employers.
The college was selected as the Local Area 2 administrative entity by the Consortium of Local Elected Officials, comprised of the county mayors in the college’s ten-county service area: Claiborne, Cocke, Grainger, Greene, Hamblen, Hancock, Hawkins, Jefferson, Sevier and Union. As such, the college is responsible for administering the program.
The Workforce Investment Board has both policy making and program oversight responsibilities. A majority of the WIB members are private business or industry representatives appointed by county mayors. The WIB also includes representatives from cooperating agencies, including the Career Center partners, education, labor and economic development agencies.
Walters State’s Center for Workforce Development provides a variety of services through a network of eight career centers located throughout the service area and through youth providers in each county. Walters State has also received a waiver allowing it to serve as a WIA-approved training provider.
Tennessee Career Centers
The Center for Workforce Development provides many services through the Tennessee Regional Career Center at Talbott and eight affiliate centers located throughout the ten-county area. Services available for job seekers include career counseling, referral services and job training programs. Employers can access economic statistics, receive pre-screening assessment services and participate in subsidized training programs.
Career Center partners include other non-profit and governmental agencies like the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Adult Education, and Vocational Rehabilitation. Both employers and job-seekers benefit from this one-stop approach to providing services.
WIA Youth Services
Over 500 youth in Local Area 2 are served each year throughout the WIA Youth Program. Eligible students currently in school receive tutoring, career counseling, referral services and other assistance designed to help them earn a high school diploma and either enter the job market or pursue post-secondary education. Youth who are no longer in school receive assistance in obtaining a high school diploma or a GED and services to help them find employment or pursue higher education.
In 2007, the WIA Youth Program hosted a Summer Career Camp at the college that brought students from ten counties together to explore career options. |