Meet: Mitzie Sowell

Department: Biological Sciences

How you came into this subject matter/profession: It took me a little while to figure out what I wanted to be when I grew up. As an Exercise Physiologist in Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehab, I conducted a great deal of patient education. The more I taught, the more I loved it and realized that was my calling.

Favorite class to teach: That is a tough decision because I love teaching Anatomy and Physiology because I am fascinated that our body functions considering what we put into it and how we treat it. I guess I have come to love Non-Majors Biology - it is applicable to every student and it is a challenge to get non-majors interested in Biology!

How long you’ve been at PSC: That is complicated – since 2003 in some capacity.

Hobbies: Running, gardening/yard work, water sports, traveling

Favorite book/movie: The Old Man and the Sea/Steel Magnolias

Favorite place on campus: The brand new labs at the South Santa Rosa Center.

Why you joined the Union: I joined to be a part of an association that supports my profession.

Meet: Bobby "Doc" Roberson

Department:  Physical Sciences

How you came into this subject matter/profession:  When I was an undergraduate at Auburn University I participated in a National Science Foundation Summer Research Program for Undergraduates by working in a biochemistry laboratory.  After completing my B.S. degree and returning from Vietnam, I decided to apply to graduate school to work with the professor who directed my NSF project.  In graduate school, I was training to become a research biochemist.  When I was within 3 months of completing my Ph.D., my plans changed due to the sudden death of my father.  I had accepted a postdoctoral fellowship at Purdue University but decided to stay closer to home for a while.  I was hired at a junior college in northwest Alabama and fell in love with teaching.  I taught and served as a Division Chair and as Distance Learning Administrator for a 4-campus college for 25 years.  I retired from that position and accepted the position of Administrative Director of Academic Programs at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis for a few years.  And even though I thoroughly enjoyed the position and the challenge, I always felt that something was missing.  Even my former students continued to encourage me to come back to the classroom.

How long you’ve been at PSC:  When I learned about the opening for a chemistry faculty member at Pensacola State College for the fall of 2006, I decided to apply.  I was fortunate to get the position and feel that I am once again home.  I work with some wonderful people in this department.  I was selected to be the Outstanding New Faculty member in 2006-2007 and was selected to be inducted into the Academy of Teaching Excellence in 2009-2010.

Hobbies:  I enjoy photography, physical fitness and astronomy.  In addition, I read a lot.

Favorite book/movie:  My favorite book is “The Prophet.”  My favorite movie is “The Grapes of Wrath.”

Favorite place on campus:  My favorite place on campus is definitely in front of my chalkboard.

Why you joined the Union:  I feel that the Union provides opportunities for professional development and interaction with other faculty members.  And it also presents faculty issues and concerns to the administration.

Meet: Deborah McClintock

Department:  Collegiate High School

How you came into this subject matter/profession: History has always interested me.  Even as a child, I preferred to watch Daniel Boone rather than Looney Tunes.  Fortunately, my parents feed my interest by taking family vacations every summer that included visiting historical sites throughout the United States.  So it was no surprise that I wanted to major in history when I went to college, but what did I want to do with all of this accumulated knowledge and excitement about history?  Share it!  So I became a teacher.

Favorite class to teach:  United States Government is probably my favorite class to teach because so many Americans know so little about our government.  My goal is for each of my students to know how our government works, to be responsible citizens and active participants in our democratic processes.  I want them to feel empowered to make a difference and prepared to assume their role in our country’s future.

 

How long you’ve been at PSC: I was an adjunct from 2005 to 2007, and have been a full time faculty member since 2007.

Hobbies: I enjoy cooking and spending time with my family, and traveling any time I can.

Favorite book/movie: I don’t have any recent favorite books or movies because my grad school classes take up so much of my time.  But way back when . . . I enjoyed books by Patricia Cornwell and Robert B. Parker, and my all-time favorite movies are The Sound of Music, The Ten Commandments, and Gone With the Wind.

Favorite place on campus: My classroom, whether in class or out, is my favorite place to be when I am on campus because of our great technology and the constant flow of students.

Why you joined the Union: As a historian and a “yankee,” the role and power of unions is very important to me.  I acknowledge and am grateful that unions strive for the advancement of all workers everywhere, but as a recipient of union gains, I believe it is my responsibility to support our union and I am proud to be a member.    

Meet: Rodney Whatley

Department: Music & Theatre

How I got into this profession: My first play was in the 7th Grade, I was the “Ghost of Christmas Future,” and the screams and cries of horror stricken children in the audience hooked me with the sheer power of live theatre.  I auditioned for scholarships first at Jefferson Davis over in Brewton, then at the University of Montevallo, and was successful both times.  University of Montevallo changed my life and made me the artist I am today, but it was when I taught my first class at FSU as a graduate teaching assistant that I decided I wanted to be in the college classroom for life.  Working as a professional actor has its ups and downs, and the constant search for the next gig is exhausting.  Even when working, you feel as though you are unemployed because each gig is a limited run engagement.  That’s not easy, but I really enjoyed it.  While at my master’s program at Lindenwood University, I handled various duties but the most rewarding was taking new/transfer students and directing them in a studio production to integrate them into our department’s practices and policies. While it was not officially a class, it was my first real teaching experience, and led me to apply to FSU’s Ph.D. program. I love theatre and I love education, so I’m here to stay. I used to say that when I die I’d like to come back as a squirrel on a college campus, but now I just want to come back as another educator.

Favorite Class: Directing I. Watching actors transform themselves into directors and apply the philosophies and practices to their real lives is a most rewarding experience.

How long at PSC: I started as an adjunct in 2002, and became Director of Theatre in 2005.  I’ve been promoted to Asst. Professor and granted tenure, so once again, here to stay!

Favorite book/movie: Favorite book is “The Color of Light” by William Goldman, and favorite movie is “Forrest Gump.”

Favorite place on campus: Ashmore Auditorium

Why joined the union: Because Stan Dean told me to.  Administrators are fine and dandy, heck, I’m half administrator (Program Coordinator) and half teacher, so I love administration. However, teachers and their relationships with students, what happens in the classroom is what college is really about. We deserve whatever we get the leaders to give us.

Meet: Tamares Cockfield

Department: Developmental Studies

How you came into this subject matter/profession:  Initially, I believe I first became interested in teaching by watching my grandfather, who has only an 8th grade education, teach Sunday school with passion and conviction.  As I completed my graduate work, I had the opportunity to teach college success classes when I worked as an academic advisor at a prior university and community college.

Favorite class to teach: College Success.  I love equipping students with the tools that are needed to successfully matriculate through college and life.

 How long you’ve been at PSC:  I'm in my 2nd year.

Hobbies:  I love traveling, watching movies, working out, and spending time with my family and friends.

Favorite movie:  The Antwone Fisher Story, Denzel Washington was phenomenal in his role as a psychiatrist.     

Favorite place on campus:  The classroom, of course.

Why you joined the Union:  Growing up with a parent who is a member of the Duval County teacher’s union, I understood at an early age the importance of having a professional support system and camaraderie with fellow colleagues.  

Meet: Jennifer Brahier

Department: Mathematics

How you came into this subject matter/profession: I am an accidental mathematician. Like too many of my students, when I first entered college I thought that I couldn’t do math and I didn’t want to learn. The thing is though, I’ve always been extremely attracted to the sciences and spend a great deal of my time reviewing research. So, I finally accepted that I needed to at least attempt some extra math classes so that I could open the doors to harder science classes. And then, after a few math successes I found myself looking forward to math classes and couldn’t get enough. Since then, my goal has been to help others get over their math obstacles so that they can achieve what they want without math standing in their way.

Favorite class to teach: Statistics-it is very applicable and allows students a real hands on experience for a math class.

How long you’ve been at PSC: 1997-2005 as an adjunct and fulltime since 2005

Hobbies: My current favorite “hobby” would be spending time with my little granddaughter Clementine. I also enjoy gardening and am particularly attracted to native plants and medicinal herbs.

Favorite book/movie: My first response to this question is To Kill A Mockingbird, however, on second thought the book I’ve purchased the most times to give as a gift and recommend to everybody  is The Tao of Pooh –so maybe it’s my favorite book!

Favorite place on campus: In the classroom with my students!

Why you joined the Union: In a perfect world unions wouldn’t be needed, however….you know the rest. Unions help us hold up our profession and participate in shared governance. Heck, I think even SAC’s mandates shared governing. I don’t feel obligated to be a member, on the contrary, I am grateful to have the right to honor my professional responsibility and stand united with my colleagues.

Meet: Rita Thrasher

Department: Biological Sciences

How you came into this subject matter/profession: I have been fortunate to always live near the gulf or Atlantic Ocean so I was fascinated with all types of life from a young age.  I also started working at the hospital at a young age and so in college I couldn’t choose so I specialized in both and haven’t been happier.  Who else gets to teach about the vast complexity of the human body and then at night teach about Cnidarians (jellyfish)? Me, that’s who!

Favorite class to teach: that is like asking which child is your favorite.  If I had to choose just one I would have to say Zoology lab because we dissect and do microscopy work and the students absolutely love this lab!

How long you’ve been at PSC: January 2006

Hobbies: spending time with my family

Favorite book/movie:  Pride & Prejudice, National Treasure

Favorite place on campus: The rock garden on the Milton campus

Why you joined the Union: To have a collective voice to speak for the betterment of the faculty.

Meet: Edward Pate

Department: English/Communications

How you came into this subject matter/profession: During my original career as an attorney in New York City, I learned value of creating lasting connections with other people. Teaching, I’ve found, is a more effective and rewarding way for me to make those connections. Literature and writing have been two of my greatest teachers, so through those disciplines, I strive to pass on my learning and the lessons my students continue to teach me.

Favorite class to teach: English Composition 1102 because it’s a literature and writing intensive course

How long you’ve been at PSC: Since August 2012

Hobbies: Movies, art, horticulture, dining out, and traveling

Favorite book/movie: Because I appreciate so many, favorite, for me, means the books I’m reading now or the most meaningful film I recently experienced. In regard to books, I especially enjoy short stories and historical novels. Currently I’m reading Tenth of December by George Saunders and The Sunne in Splendour by Sharon Kay Penman. Lincoln, which I saw during winter break, is the most recent movie I’ve seen that continues to resonate with me.

Favorite place on campus: My classrooms

Why you joined the Union: Initially, I became a PSCFA member to better understand my responsibilities and rights as a PSC instructor. Since joining, I’ve discovered other benefits. For example, PSCFA has helped me to gain insight into the larger learning environment of PSC beyond my classroom setting, a perspective invaluable to becoming a better, more effective instructor. Finally, PSCFA has facilitated my interaction with faculty and staff from all of our campuses, and these interactions have given me a deeper appreciation for the quality, scope, and commitment of the talented people at PSC.

Meet: Cindy App

Department:  Visual Arts

How you came into this subject matter/profession:  I was about 22 and doing some soul searching, trying to figure out what I wanted to do when I "grew up".  I knew it had to involve working with people, having fun and learning.  I chose television production because there would always be demand for video, it involved working with people from all walks of life and it was ever changing so it would keep my attention. Besides, it's fun to start with nothing and end up with cool art. I started teaching as a grad student and realized I truly enjoyed my students and watching them learn and succeed.  Being able to combine teaching and video came about as kind of a happy accident.

Favorite class to teach:  Media Law.  I love teaching students about their rights and responsibilities as artists and the content has a direct bearing on their ability to practice their professions.

How long you’ve been at PSC:  I'm in my 11th year.

Hobbies:  Travel, sailing, snow skiing, camping, hiking, biking, going to music festivals and hanging out with friends, family, my husband and my dog.

Favorite book/movie: I like anything written by Carl Hiaasen and my favorite movie is "Harold and Maude". 

Favorite place on campus:  The Visual Arts Building

Why you joined the Union:  Because it was the right thing to do and it provides me with protections I wouldn't have otherwise. PSCFA is "the" faculty voice here at PSC and we are lucky to have this union, especially given our current managerial, political and economic climates.

Meet: Charlotte Sweeney

NOMINEES FOR PRESIDENTIAL SCREENING COMMITTEE NAMED

The PJCFA Executive Board will nominate Dr. Jimmy Hightower (Business/Legal Assisting), Mr. Keith Prendergast (English/Communications) and Ms. Charlotte Sweeney (LRC) as the faculty members to be appointed to the Presidential Screening Committee. The nominees must be confirmed by the Pensacola Junior College Board of Trustees.

IDEAS FOR CONVOCATION?

PJCFA has been asked to hold a session during Convocation from 8am - 10:30am. What a time slot! So go grab some coffee and pastries and head in to see what we've been up to. Right now the topics we have planned to cover are: CBA update, Initial Credentialing, Portfolios for Promotion, and Benefits of Membership. What else would you like to know more about? Presidential Search? Just let us know!

TRUST AND RESPECT

We "think" we finished with this year's negotiations on Monday. Both sides hope that whatever is left to be done can be tweaked by email without requiring us to go to the table again.

Earlier this summer, Dr. Samuels said (perhaps tongue in cheek) that the reason we have a contract is that neither side trusts the other. I guess that statement will soon be put to the test.

The language that we have finally agreed on will allow faculty and department heads to agree on a schedule that gives faculty members "flexibility" in scheduling their office hours.

If the department head trusts the faculty to work as a professional and respects the faculty as a professional, all should be well. After all, doesn't the faculty member better know the time required to teach, administer and oversee the course successfully? Doesn't the faculty member better know when students need assistance and how the students prefer to receive that assistance - in the office, by email, or online in a chat room?

On the other hand, we recognize that the department also needs the faculty to be an active part of the department.

If the faculty member respects the needs of the department and trusts the department head to have the best interests of the department as well as interests of the student and the faculty member at heart, there should be no problem in creating a schedule that accommodates the needs of the student, the faculty, and the department.

Utopia, right? We'll see.

PRESIDENTIAL SCREENING COMMITTEE

Over the summer, I have been serving on the PJC Presidential Search Process Committee. This committee had 5 charges from the Board of Trustees: to recommend (1) the job description for the new PJC President, (2) the required and preferred qualities of the new president, (3) a tentative schedule for the search process, (4) a proposed screening committee list and (5) a list of search firm consultants.

At the June Board of Trustee's meeting, the Board accepted the recommendations. Now the real work begins!

PJCFA has been asked to nominate 3 full-time faculty to serve on the Presidential Screening Committee. This will be a very serious undertaking which will demand a great deal of time and attention from each committee member.

The schedule calls for the first meeting of the screening committee to be held September 14th. There will be three or four public hearings in September to get input from PJC faculty and staff as well as the Pensacola area community. Committee members are expected to attend these.

The first viewing of the applications will be at mid-November. The expectation based on previous searches is that there will be from 30-50 applicants who will make it through the initial screening process and will be considered by the committee. Each committee member will have to review and score each application. There will be committee meetings to discuss the application reviews as well as committee assignments.

On December 3rd, the committee will recommend 4-8 applicants to the Board of Trustees.

That's a lot of work to be done in a short time, but very important work.

If you are interested in serving on this committee or would like to nominate a faculty member (with his or her permission), please let me know by July 16th. My email is csweeney@pjc.edu. The PJCFA Executive Board will be meeting on July 18th to discuss the nominations.

Collective Bargaining

This year's bargaining team has been negotiating two main issues - distance learning and salaries. We'll be negotiating again tomorrow (June 20th) in Room 416 at 1:00 and the sessions are open. Just a reminder....the chief negotiator does the talking :->

It seems that we are close to agreement on both Article 15 and Article 18. Of course, the article of greatest interest to most faculty is salaries. The administration has offered a 5% increase to the base and a $3 increase to the overload. PJCFA has asked that the administration look at increasing the initial hire salary by 5% and increasing the salary of all returning faculty by a higher amount to keep salary compression from taking place.

Patricia Reppenhagen and Pete Falzone have both presented position pieces addressing salary issues to the team and Dr. Samuels.

Members of this year's team are Chief Negotiator Tom Grow, Paige Anderson, Cynthia App, Rich Cacace, Pete Falzone, and Patricia Reppenhagen. If you are interested in serving on next year's team, please let me know. There will be training opportunities coming up throughout the year and PJCFA would like for those interested in serving as negotiators to be able to attend.

What's new? This blog!

In an effort to keep the PJC faculty aware of news that affects or may be of interest to them, I'm going to try blogging. You will be able to read the blog by going to it directly or by linking from the PJCFA website at www.pjcfa.org. If you have a question or a topic for discussion, please post it and we'll see what happens.