A Newsletter for the Students, The Alumni, Faculty, Staff & Friends SH RTER of Shorter College May REPORTER 2019 P.02 Believing in Possibilities Shorter College facilitates courses for individuals through Arkansas Community Correction and the Arkansas Department of Correction to obtain a college degree while incarcerated. P.02 P.04 Learning with Innovation A Journey of Faith Shorter College launches its newest “On this journey, I have always told myself learning tool platform: eBooks. I would give my kids the opportunities that I didn’t have and pave the way for them.” The The 2 Shorter Shorter 3 Reporter Reporter TABLE OF Believing in Possibilities Letter from the Editor and Second Chances CONTENTS By Kim Lockhart Second Chance Pell Editor Page 2 Shorter College believes in second chances, and through its Special Projects and Sponsored Programs, many lives are trans- Building Technology formed. Stormy Cubb oversees these divisions where initiatives, Page 2 such as the Second Chance Pell Grant, offer incarcerated men and women an afforded opportunity to achieve a lifelong goal. Shorter College is one of three HBCU’s and one of sixty-nine Letter from the Editor institutions to participate in the national experiment, allowing Page 3 268 men and women incarcerated at five Arkansas Correctional facilities through the Arkansas Community Correction and the A Journey of Faith Arkansas Department of Correction to obtain a college degree Page 4 while incarcerated. On November 30, 2018, Shorter College held its first Second The Path of Possibility Chance Pell commencement ceremony at the Arkansas De- Page 5 Greetings to the entire constituency of road may have appeared unleveled at times partment of Correction’s Wrightsville Unit, honoring 25 men and Shorter College! and the light seemed dim, but through it all, women with an Associate of Arts Degree. Arkansas Governor Latino Destination Campus It is that time of year again where we watch you persevered, holding on to that dream and Asa Hutchinson gave the commencement address, who accord- Page 6 the perennials and sunflowers bloom from perhaps your faith, for this is what brought ing to Cubb, “initiated Act 1190, which is a re-entry initiative to a long winter’s dormant; we watch the you through, over and out. Stay humble and help guide a person’s release to continue resources and services An HBCU Experience graduating class as they shuffle across seek God’s face in all that you aspire. to continue success in the free world.” Page 7 the campus to finalize those last minute Congratulations to the 2019 Mr. and Miss Shorter College Board of Trustees (BOT), institutional executive Governor Asa Hutchinson and Shorter requisites. We celebrate the efforts of our Shorter College. For this role is designed leaders, administrators, faculty and staff, along with the College President O. Jerome Green Student Poll Default Management Taskforce resulting to socially and professionally shape your Page 8 in a preliminary decreased cohort default perspectives and guide you in modeling Continued Second Chances on pg. 11 rate (CDR). We witness and marvel at new the 4 C’s — Competency, Character, Culture beginnings, as faculty and administrators Living Legacy and Citizenship. strategize and plan for the new 2019- Page 9 2020 academic year. We are elated by the Shorter College continues to experience outpouring of support from Little Rock and success through partnerships and outreach Literacy Corner Shorter College North Little Rock city leaders, local and state initiatives. We celebrate the efforts of Page 11 agencies, neighboring communities, the administrators of Sponsored Programs, the builds a future Shorter College Board of Trustees and the achievements of men and women graduates 2019 Calendar African Methodist Episcopal Church for their at Arkansas Community Correction and the using technology Page 12 support of the College’s upward mobility. We Arkansas Department of Correction. We thank you! anticipate the unveiling of robust technology By Cekita Mason, Literacy Staff From year to year, we strive to achieve advancements and innovations spearheaded and Sergio Garcia, Feature Writer institutional goals, ensuring every Shorter by the department of Academic Affairs for the College student has received the best guidance 2019-2020 academic year. We can all agree that the world is changing and are equipped with the instructional at an incredible speed. We live in an era of Nevertheless, all of these achievements frameworks necessary to conquer the next knowledge and innovation, and Shorter College would not have been possible without stage in life. Whether the graduate will attend a help from the most high, who granted the is following in pursuit. In the fall 2018 semester, four-year institution, launch that business plan, Stay Connected collaborative team effort and the engagement Shorter College launched its newest learning serve as a Chaplin or public service official, or of every division, department, faculty tool platform: eBooks. Students were also provide for family and children to some degree, member and student working together issued a 10” Lenovo tablet to ensure they have we are hopeful that each student utilizes all to fulfill the mission of the institution and their faculties and continues to pursue life’s the needs of our constituents. Continued Tech on pg. 10 journey with vigor. Thank you, Congratulations to our 2019 graduates! We salute you on your road to possibility. The Kim Lockhart The The 4 Shorter Shorter 5 Reporter Reporter A Journey of Faith Access to the Path of Possibility “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the By Kim Lockhart take time to get there,” said McCoy. evidence of things not seen” Hebrew 11:1(KJV) Editor Yet he aims to infuse training through institution at orientation courses and Davon McCoy spearheads the Office of host events, such as ‘mixers’ where stu- By Kim Lockhart Career Services, and he is no stranger to dents can engage and get involved. “In- Editor organizing and advocating for the good corporating effective speakers that can It is her faith walk that keeps Kanesha Oates’ of people and their communities. He is come in and are attractive that students eye on the prize. Miss Oates is a single mother an experienced community and political may say, ‘That may be someone I can sit to her son, Reggie, and daughter, Karlei, who advocate, having served for a number of down and talk with and possibly work it, are the center of her life. Before her arrival to political leaders and city and state agen- and they continue to stay in the session.’” Shorter College, she had experienced all the ca- cies in the Central Arkansas region. Mr. veats of defeat, from losing her job and home- goal is that each one of our students has Essentially, students who commit to the McCoy believes in the future of Shorter an opportunity to move into an intern- Barack Obama stead, to living in her car, but it is undoubtedly program will receive a dual certification 44th President of the United States her faith and spiritual enlightenments that kept College and hopes to add to the success ship with a company that is within their from each entity in which they have her grounded and focused. “On this journey, I of the institution by unveiling resources field or a potential job opportunity,” said invested time and energy. The Arkan- have always told myself I would give my kids and services that cater to the needs of McCoy. sas Disability, Department of Arkansas the opportunities that I didn’t have and pave the the College and its constituents. of the McCoy directs the program single Workforce and Goodwill Career Services Quotes way for them,” said Oates. Those concentra- Career readiness of college graduates handedly and makes himself accessible are current partners that contribute to tions proved worthy as she is well on her way “Through my experience, I realized Month that everything I went through is an important issue in higher educa- to students and members of the College our career readiness training. “Of course, to making a huge impact for her two children, was for a reason.” Kanesha Oates, tion, the labor market, and the public through an open door policy and campus all of our students will go through and “If you’re walking down the herself and the world at large. Shorter College Sophomore arena. Making life altering connections presentations. He understands that for receive a Career Readiness Certificate, After graduating from Shorter College, she right path and you’re willing and engaging with students is pivotal most college students, securing that and having received that training and cer- plans to attend the UAMS dental school to to keep walking, eventually will allow me to go after my dreams. When I to that success, primarily as it ties into dream job after graduating is one of the tification makes them more competitive become a doctor of dental surgery. Her quest to was growing up, I always had a fascination with in the job market. Collectively, we see this you’ll make progress.” become a dental surgeon is at arm’s reach; she student learning and degree attainment. facets of degree attainment, and having as a double win for students and each recently was awarded the Single Parent Schol- going to the dentist,” she said. Last year, she According to McCoy, preparedness is an acute program to connect students entity,” said McCoy. “Change will not come if arship, a comprehensive scholarship program participated in a two-week, hands-on experi- part of the plan. “We see a future where is an integral goal career services. “Our ence at UAMS where she served as an assistant you wait for some other in Pulaski County founded on the principles our students are trained in the field of alumni is definitely a good base for us The Office of Career Services is tempo- of providing scholarships, nurturing families to dental residences.