SWCC sees summer enrollment increases, reloads with new faculty

Southwestern Community College (SWCC) saw an increase in enrollment for its first summer session of 4.4 percent, totalling to 526 students taking 2,763 credit hours. That’s 5.6 percent more credit hours than last year’s first summer session.

“I love to stand in front of you and talk about enrollment increases. So today’s a great day,” SWCC Dean of Student Services Beth Kulow said during Tuesday’s SWCC Board of Directors regular meeting.

But the college isn’t just growing its student population. The board also approved the employment of six new instructors, about whom SWCC Vice President of Instruction Bill Taylor said, “I think we’ve got a tremendous group coming in. A group with good experience and some very good qualifications.”

“We always seem to land on our feet,” Taylor continued. “We hate to see people go, but it seems like we always have some quality applicants. And it’s no different this year.”

In order of board approval, these are SWCC’s six new hires.

Tim Phillips has been approved by the board as history instructor for the 2017-18 academic year. Phillips recieved a Master of Arts in history from the University of Iowa, and expects to receive a Master of Science in political science from the University of Nebraska-Omaha in Dec. 2017. He previously worked as adjunct professor for Muscatine Community College and the Iowa Community College Online Consortium.

Wendy Pringle has been approved by the board as nursing instructor for the 2017-18 academic year. Pringle received a Master of Science in nursing education from Chamberlain College. She previously worked as facility administrator for DaVita Dialysis in Creston.

Nicole Dullard has been approved by the board as nursing instructor for the 2017-18 academic year. Dullard received a master of science in nursing from the University of Phoenix. She previously worked as adjunct instructor for Kaplan University and pediatric registered nurse for Unity Point Clinic in Waukee.

Heather McLain has been approved by the board as nursing instructor for the 2017-18 academic year. McLain received a master of science in nursing from Western Governors University, and expects to receive a doctor of nursing practice from Walden University in Aug. 2017. She previously worked as adjunct instructor for SWCC and quality improvement director for Ringgold County Hospital.

Kindra Booth has been approved by the board as biology instructor for the 2017-18 academic year. Booth received a master of science in biological science from Clemson University. She previously worked as adjunct instructor for SWCC and science teacher for Lenox Community School.

Dr. Grant Knotts has been approved by the board as chemistry instructor for the 2017-18 academic year. Knotts received a master of science in physics from the University of Missouri-Columbia, and a Ph.D. in physics from the University of Missouri-Columbia. He previously worked as part-time instructor for Grand View University.

In other SWCC news:

• The board ratified the collective bargaining agreement between the Southwestern Community College Education Association and its faculty, which included a 2 percent increase in base pay for all faculty.

• The board approved the writing-off of $121,616.41 in uncollectable accounts, an amount that represents 2.1 percent of the college’s tuition and fees. These lost funds are largely from students who were initially awarded financial aid but did not earn some or all of their aid because they stopped attending, or because they were unable to complete a payment plan.

• The board approved the extension of contract and 2 percent increase in salary for Vice President of Instruction Bill Taylor and Assistant Vice President of Instruction Lindsay Stoaks. The board also approved a 2 percent increase in salary for SWCC President Dr. Barbara Crittenden.

• The board approved the resignation of Rumy Kabir, information technology systems networking instructor, effective at the end of his current contract. Kabir was employed by SWCC for six years.

• The college’s summer commencement ceremony will be held 7:30 p.m. June 30 in the Student Center Gymnasium.