SSCC represented at One Voice legislative summit
Lead Summary
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Seven students represented Southern State Community College at the May 12 One Voice Legislative Summit in Columbus.
Sponsored by the Ohio Association of Community Colleges (OACC), the annual summit offers an opportunity to bring together legislators and the community college constituents of Ohio. The OACC represents the collective interests of the state’s community and technical colleges.
Attending on behalf of Southern State were students Danyelle Ramey of Brown County, Catalina Florea of Highland County, Justin Stich of Clinton County, Wotsa Klu of Highland County, Patricia Short of Brown County, Casey Tucker of Adams County and Steve Newby of Highland County.
“Southern State appreciates the strong interest among students and the commitment and cooperation among our faculty and staff who nominated them,” said James Bland, vice president of student services and enrollment management at Southern State. The student attendees were nominated by faculty and staff and are as follows:
Catalina Florea ( nominated by Brian Siemers) came to the United States from Romania in 2008. She chose Southern State because it was the closest college to her home with her mother, and because she felt it was a safe environment. She has found SSCC provides excellent services, adequate help from her instructors with her English and lessons and an affordable opportunity to further her education. Florea feels confident that she is ready to transfer to the University of Cincinnati. She maintains a 3.94 grade point average.
Wotsa Klu (nominated by Sherry MacDowell and James Bland) came to the United States from Togo, West Africa, after winning a visa through the Visa Lottery, a program created by the federal government for immigration to the USA. She moved by herself to Wilmington in 2007, where she knew of a friend from Togo. After two months, she branched out on her own, obtaining a job with ABX. Even though she had already earned an associate’s degree in executive assisting in Togo, she began English for Speaker of Other Languages (ESOL) classes at SSCC and then later AOC to improve her English. Klu now speaks three languages fluently and her goal is to be in some form of international business. She felt she should earn her associate’s degree in English, so she enrolled in SSCC’s OFIT program. “I couldn’t have made it through all my academic quarters without the school’s financial aid and scholarships,” said Klu. “Southern State is the best fit for my needs.” She maintains a 4.0 GPA.
Patricia Short (nominated by Sue Evans) is the mother of two grown children. She decided to return to college to fulfill her dreams and, in turn, help others. She said she believes Southern State has provided the opportunities that she needs to succeed in the human and social services field. Her goal is to earn a bachelor’s degree and open a homeless shelter in Brown County. Short maintains a 3.72 GPA.
Justin Stich (nominated by Don Storer) came to Southern State for the theatre program but soon learned of other opportunities; his interest turned to chemistry. He plans to further his education at Wilmington College for his bachelor’s degree and then later go on for his master’s. His goal is to become a chemistry teacher on the high school or college level. He believes Southern State has given him a solid foundation for his education and future. Stich states that Southern State “is a local, small, inexpensive and friendly environment” where he has made life-long friends. He maintains a 3.14 GPA.
Casey Tucker (nominated by Becky Storer) decided to attend Southern State because she wants her transition to a four-year college later to be easy. She would like to gain a master’s degree in counseling. “I feel people at this college actually care and will help anyone, any time, or find someone who can,” said Tucker, who also said she believes the service and convenience of services is wonderful. “Plus, I like the fact that the LRC has computers to use at any time.”
Seven students represented Southern State Community College at the May 12 One Voice Legislative Summit in Columbus.
Sponsored by the Ohio Association of Community Colleges (OACC), the annual summit offers an opportunity to bring together legislators and the community college constituents of Ohio. The OACC represents the collective interests of the state’s community and technical colleges.
Attending on behalf of Southern State were students Danyelle Ramey of Brown County, Catalina Florea of Highland County, Justin Stich of Clinton County, Wotsa Klu of Highland County, Patricia Short of Brown County, Casey Tucker of Adams County and Steve Newby of Highland County.
“Southern State appreciates the strong interest among students and the commitment and cooperation among our faculty and staff who nominated them,” said James Bland, vice president of student services and enrollment management at Southern State. The student attendees were nominated by faculty and staff and are as follows:
Catalina Florea ( nominated by Brian Siemers) came to the United States from Romania in 2008. She chose Southern State because it was the closest college to her home with her mother, and because she felt it was a safe environment. She has found SSCC provides excellent services, adequate help from her instructors with her English and lessons and an affordable opportunity to further her education. Florea feels confident that she is ready to transfer to the University of Cincinnati. She maintains a 3.94 grade point average.
Wotsa Klu (nominated by Sherry MacDowell and James Bland) came to the United States from Togo, West Africa, after winning a visa through the Visa Lottery, a program created by the federal government for immigration to the USA. She moved by herself to Wilmington in 2007, where she knew of a friend from Togo. After two months, she branched out on her own, obtaining a job with ABX. Even though she had already earned an associate’s degree in executive assisting in Togo, she began English for Speaker of Other Languages (ESOL) classes at SSCC and then later AOC to improve her English. Klu now speaks three languages fluently and her goal is to be in some form of international business. She felt she should earn her associate’s degree in English, so she enrolled in SSCC’s OFIT program. “I couldn’t have made it through all my academic quarters without the school’s financial aid and scholarships,” said Klu. “Southern State is the best fit for my needs.” She maintains a 4.0 GPA.
Patricia Short (nominated by Sue Evans) is the mother of two grown children. She decided to return to college to fulfill her dreams and, in turn, help others. She said she believes Southern State has provided the opportunities that she needs to succeed in the human and social services field. Her goal is to earn a bachelor’s degree and open a homeless shelter in Brown County. Short maintains a 3.72 GPA.
Justin Stich (nominated by Don Storer) came to Southern State for the theatre program but soon learned of other opportunities; his interest turned to chemistry. He plans to further his education at Wilmington College for his bachelor’s degree and then later go on for his master’s. His goal is to become a chemistry teacher on the high school or college level. He believes Southern State has given him a solid foundation for his education and future. Stich states that Southern State “is a local, small, inexpensive and friendly environment” where he has made life-long friends. He maintains a 3.14 GPA.
Casey Tucker (nominated by Becky Storer) decided to attend Southern State because she wants her transition to a four-year college later to be easy. She would like to gain a master’s degree in counseling. “I feel people at this college actually care and will help anyone, any time, or find someone who can,” said Tucker, who also said she believes the service and convenience of services is wonderful. “Plus, I like the fact that the LRC has computers to use at any time.”
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