Vital Signs ALSO IN THIS ISSUE - President Eddinger interviews Peggy Fogelman of the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum - Bunker Hill Community College
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Spring 2020
Bunker Hill Community College Magazine
Vital Signs
Nursing faculty revive pulse of
BHCC's Nurse Education Program
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE
President Eddinger interviews
Peggy Fogelman of the Isabella
Stewart Gardner Museum
Discover BHCC
BHCC offers 100+ associate
degree and certificate
programs in Boston’s fastest
growing industries – from
health and biological sciences
and engineering to paralegal
studies and communication.
Below, a BHCC-branded taxi
crosses Boston’s Copley Square
as part of the College’s NCMPR
award-winning Discover
campaign. Learn more about
the awards and the College’s
participation in the District 1
Conference on Page 6.
Winter Sessions
in this issue campus news
A Message from the President
10 BHCC Courses Go Online
Winter Sessions pilot prepares
BHCC for remote learning
Dear Bunker Hill Community College Friends and Partners, The Interview
In light of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the spring 2020 President Eddinger discusses BHCC offered its first ever online winter session
semester looks very different at Bunker Hill Community College than inclusivity and community January 2-17 over winter break, allowing
engagement in the arts
we had planned. This outbreak challenges us as an institution of students to complete a full course in just over
with the Gardner Museum’s two weeks. As part of the pilot project, BHCC
learning and throws the inequities already existing in the community
Peggy Fogelman. offered a limited number of courses in English,
college system into high relief. We are fighting hard for academic
Career Development, Personal Finance and
continuity as our students’ lives are upended. Basic needs of food
14
Accounting. These economical offerings
and shelter loom large, and remote instruction exacerbates the lack
were open to current BHCC students to fulfill
of WiFi access and computers in students’ homes.
prerequisites or gain personal enrichment
As serious as our current situation is, I am in awe of the resilience we’ve seen in our students as well as guest students interested in taking
– matched only by the commitment of our faculty and staff – to equity and student success. I Vital Signs courses to transfer back to their institutions.
The success of BHCC Winter Sessions eased
have witnessed staff working tirelessly to prepare faculty and students with equipment and Nursing faculty revive pulse
the College's transition to remote learning this
instructions for mobile learning and provide them with support. of BHCC's Nurse Education
spring as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-
Program.
I have seen kindness from strangers and friends, from the BHCC Foundation’s donation of 400 19) pandemic. In just a few short weeks BHCC
Chromebooks for home learning to the creation of emergency funds and continued resources faculty and staff worked tirelessly to move
20
from the DISH Food Pantry. Kindness has also come in notes of gratitude and encouragement 1,700 course sections to a remote format and
continue providing advising, student support,
from faculty and staff reaching out to students, and in the joining together that springs from
and tutoring through BHCC Chat. The College
remote meetings, greetings, and remote work. I am grateful for this sense of community that
will continue virtual coursework through the
no virus can take away.
Integrating Arts, Equity summer sessions.
Prioritizing the health and wellness of our community during this crisis has also led us to and Community through
Teaching and Learning
reconsider important questions for the future. We now look at building infrastructure projects
with fresh eyes, and initiatives such as the expansion of remote learning and technology take Learning Communities Boston’s Commissioner of Veterans’ Services Tours Veterans Center
on new dimensions and spark new avenues of inquiry. Institute encourages
Commissioner Robert Santiago meets fellow veterans and military service members at College Veterans Center
expression across cultures.
As we weather this crisis, we look to the unchanging Mission and Values of our College. We
Robert Santiago, is a member of the leadership team for with their transition to BHCC. At the
will continue to center our work on inclusive and affordable education, and enrich workforce
Commissioner of the Homes for the Brave Initiative, which end of the visit, Santiago gave the student
development with general and global education to ensure our students are civically engaged.
Veterans’ Services for is part of the Mayor’s Challenge to end veterans “challenge coins” bearing
From the technology and STEM sectors to health sciences and the creative economy, we will the City of Boston, Veteran Homelessness. the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
emerge from this experience stronger with innovative ways to support students and faculty. visited the College’s Santiago met with BHCC students who seal in recognition of his visit. In the
Veterans Center. The first Puerto Rican use the services of the College’s Veterans military, challenge coins may be given
With optimism and gratitude, and LGBTQ Veterans’ Commissioner in Center. The Center provides veterans, by high ranking officials to recognize an
the City’s history, Santiago joined the active-duty military, Guard members/ individual’s excellent performance or
Mayor’s Office last spring after serving 20 reservists, and their eligible dependents participation at a special event. Santiago
years in the Navy. As Commissioner, he varied support services to assist students encouraged BHCC’s student veterans to
reach out to him for any additional
Pam Y. Eddinger, Ph.D. D E PA R T M E N T S
support they may need.
President
3 o learn more about the Veterans Center,
T
Campus News visit bhcc.edu/veterans
Bunker Hill Community College Magazine | Spring 2020 | Vol. XV, No. 1
8
(left to right) Will Cribby, Assistant Dean of
Hunger Update
Students; BHCC President Pam Eddinger;
BHCC Magazine Online Commissioner Santiago; James Canniff, Provost
Visit bhcc.edu/magazine for exclusive web extras and a more in-depth look into our featured articles. 27 and Vice President, Academic and Student Affairs;
Misael Carrasquillo, Veterans Center Program
Arts & Culture Coordinator; and Julie Elkins, Dean of Students
2 BHCC Magazine BHCC Magazine 3
campus news campus news
Partnerships with Amazon and Facebook Empower Small Business Culinary Maverick Elle Simone Scott on Saying ‘Yes’
Owners to Succeed in a Digital Economy Chef shares journey and legacy recipes with Culinary Arts students
Chef and "America’s mentoring, resource building, business loved. She credited her success with
Through new partnerships with Amazon Small Business offering a series of new courses geared towards small Test Kitchen" Food development, and food justice as the the determination to say “yes” to all
Academy and Facebook Community Boost, BHCC’s business owners to help them grow their businesses Stylist Elle Simone founder and CEO of SheChef Inc., opportunities that came her way. “I got
Division of Workforce and Economic Development is online and launch digital marketing campaigns. Scott visited BHCC a professional networking organization where I am today by basically saying ‘yes’
as part of the for women chefs of color and allies. to every job, legal and within reason, in
College’s Black Speaking to the BHCC community, the culinary industry. I also got here by
History Month Scott chronicled her journey from an experiencing hardship,” said Scott.
programming and out-of-work social worker to an on-air Before the presentation, Scott
Compelling Conversations series. Always chef. When she was laid off from a prepared a kale dish with the College’s
drawn to creative food culture, Chef Scott social work position, she leaned into Culinary Arts students, demonstrating
has been dazzling the culinary world since her night job working in the restaurant various techniques of food preparation
2003 with food styling and production. But industry. Unmoored from her day job while recounting her inspiring story of
her endeavors don’t stop there. Outside and planned path, she decided to commit overcoming hardship to become the
of the kitchen, she shares her passion for to the culinary field and do what she accomplished professional she is today.
Amazon Small Business BHCC Launches Facebook
Academy at BHCC Marketing Course A passion for mentorship runs in the
One of six community college partners Through a partnership with Facebook Media Marketing course provided family. Chef Scott was introduced to
across the United States, BHCC’s new Community Boost, a new social media students with strategies for finding students at the event by her mother,
partnership with Amazon Small Business marketing course was offered this fall to digital marketing jobs from social media Cheryl Price, who joined BHCC last
Academy is helping entrepreneurs, help meet the growing demand for digital coordinator to email marketer, updating year as the director of the College’s
startups and business owners harness marketing skills in today’s economy. resumes and using LinkedIn. TRIO Student Success program.
the power of the internet to reach more Created by Facebook and supported by The grant-funded program provides
customers, build their brands and grow the College’s Academic Innovation and o learn more about BHCC’s
T a strong and supportive learning
sales. Created in partnership with the Distance Education Innovation Lab, Corporate Learning & Professional environment to students who have
National Association of Community students learn how to create a digital Development opportunities, visit demonstrated an academic need and
bhcc.edu/corporatetraining
College Entrepreneurship, these digital advertising campaign in just seven weeks. are first generation college students,
business courses are set to begin in Designed with input from digital meet federal income guidelines, or
June and will cover the fundamentals marketing professionals from a variety have a documented disability.
of online business strategy, marketing, of industries, the hybrid (online and
merchandising, inventory management in-person) course employed a project- L earn more about TRIO at
and more. based learning model that guided students bhcc.edu/studentsuccessprogram
The new initiative offered through through each step of planning, creating
BHCC’s Division of Workforce and and building a marketing plan for a
Economic Development strengthens company of their choice. Students went
Amazon’s commitment to small businesses through all of the steps to launch a social
which make up 99.9 percent of all U.S. media campaign for their company or an
businesses and employ almost 60 million employer-partner company – including
people nationally. receiving a $50 Facebook advertising credit
Cheryl Price, Director, Scott high-fives College’s aspiring chefs
to launch a real ad at the end of the course. TRIO Student Success following cooking demonstration.
Since 2014, the number of digital Program, with daughter
marketing jobs has increased by 17 and Compelling
Conversations speaker
percent every year; that is twice the Elle Simone Scott.
amount of digital marketing jobs available
today than five years ago. With many
jobs demanding these skills, the Social
4 BHCC Magazine BHCC Magazine 5
campus news campus news
BHCC Wins Big at Regional Marketing
and PR Conference
Association awards BHCC communications and marketing initiatives, Among the nine accolades BHCC BHCC was also awarded four Silver
Medallions in the categories of:
In addition, IMC garnered two Bronze
Medallions in the Print Advertisement
Transforming to
nine medallions for marketing received at the awards ceremony were
Advance Equity
and for our work to be recognized by
three Gold Medallions, which convey the • Logo Design, for the branding of the Series and Folder categories for the
communications other practitioners in our industry is truly
College’s Discover BHCC marketing
an honor,” said Karen Norton, executive highest honor, in the following categories: BHCC Athletics Bulldogs Mascot, created
BHCC’s Integrated Marketing and in conjunction with the College’s Athletics campaign and visually engaging admissions
director, IMC. “It provides validation that • Specialty Publication, for the Material
Department by Phoenix Design Works; collateral, respectively.
Communications (IMC) division brought we’re succeeding in our mission.” Consequences exhibition catalog;
NCMPR conferences provide
home nine awards from the National • Special Event or Fundraising, for • Microsite, for the College’s online
professional development opportunities
Council for Marketing and Public Relations collateral created for the College’s second Curriculum Maps, which outline clear
to share best practices and stay current
(NCMPR) 2019 District 1 Conference held annual Center for Equity and Cultural pathways within individual programs
BHCC Integrated Marketing and with the trends in the marketing and public
in Providence, Rhode Island, in November. Wealth Institute “Power and Place: of study;
Communications Goals relations industry within the community
NCMPR is a professional development Valuing Cultural Wealth to Advance • Specialty Publication, for the Pao Arts college and higher education sector.
association for communication • Build awareness and enhance Equity in Higher Education;” and Center Shango Unchained exhibition BHCC prepares for 10-year
professionals working at two-year the BHCC brand. • Magazine, for the Fall/Winter 2019 catalog; and
o view the College's communication
T
NECHE accreditation
community and technical colleges. • Increase enrollment for new edition of BHCC Magazine. • Flyer, for an admissions-focused awards, visit bhcc.edu/imc/awards
“Our team aims to advance the College’s students. infographic highlighting the College’s BHCC recently completed its
goals and values through major strategic Fast Facts. self-study in preparation for the
• Support efforts to increase
College’s 10-year comprehensive
retention and persistence for
current students. evaluation by the New England
Commission of Higher Education
• Support and promote institutional
(NECHE), the regional organization
initiatives and events.
that sets the standards for
educational institutions. An
Discover BHCC evaluation team will visit the
Power
Power Welcome to BHCC
100+ Associate Degree and College for a series of meetings
and
and Place
Certificate Programs
with faculty, staff, students and
Place
Valuing Cultural Wealth
Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) is a vibrant, challenging and supportive place to get
an education. With more than 19,000 students enrolled each year, we offer all of the resources
of a big college, but the personalized services and small class sizes of a small college.
Take a look at our student body.
bhcc.edu/discover community members before
to Advance
Where Equity in
is Equity making a recommendation to
Higher Education
and Cultural Wealth 66% nearly
55%
people of color 2 3 the Commission on the status
in Higher Education?
out of receive
first in family financial
aid
May 28–30, 2019 to attend college
May 28–30, 2019 of accreditation.
more than nearly students
75 900 come from nearly
100 The self-study engaged
languages
on campus international
students
countries
“
students, faculty, staff and
“ BHCC is the most affordable way to get
the training I need and I can easily transfer administrators from across
bhcc.edu
to complete my four-year degree.
Equity and Cultural Wealth Institute
Center for Equity and Cultural Wealth
–Indy, Engineering Major
the College in an in-depth
PB
reflection of BHCC’s work
to build an institution that
empowers and inspires
members of the College
community and affirms
Shango
My Heart is a Red Journey of Thunder and Light
BHCC’s commitment to
educational equity.
IMC022119_4819
o read BHCC’s 2020 NECHE Self-
T
Study and learn more about the
@BHCCBoston
College’s accreditations, visit
bhcc.edu/academics/accreditation
6 BHCC Magazine BHCC Magazine 7
hunger update hunger update
DISH Food Pantry Opens Hansen with Will Cribby, Assistant Dean of Students, James F. Canniff,
Provost and Vice President, Academic and Student Affairs, and student
Educate. Serve. Advocate.
Donors recognized at formal opening of pantry staff members Fabiola Mayen and Jacob Abeka. BHCC participates in Hunger &
At a ribbon-cutting she described how the College’s early Massachusetts State Legislature.
Homelessness Awareness Week
ceremony marking work on food insecurity led to programs Since opening its doors, the DISH To raise awareness of hunger and
the opening of the now in place at BHCC to feed students, Food Pantry has enrolled over 1,182 homelessness, BHCC’s Office of
DISH (Delivering which, in turn, led to advocating for the students, fulfilled more than 2,884 orders Community Engagement, Single
Information, need to address the widespread issue of and distributed over 21,163 pounds of Stop and DISH Food Pantry
Sustenance and Health) hunger among college students. Outreach non-perishable and perishable food and hosted a series of events for the
pantry, BHCC President Pam Eddinger by Eddinger and others led to a national hygiene products. BHCC community on and off
thanked donors and key people who study by the Government Accountability campus as part of the National
were instrumental in the College’s work Office, and, as a result, to three bills o learn more about the DISH Food
T Hunger & Homelessness
supporting food-insecure students. There, before Congress and one bill before the Pantry, visit bhcc.edu/dishfoodpantry Awareness Week including a
donation drive for the DISH Food
Pantry, pantry recipe workshop and winter coat drive.
Over the course of the week, the College community
participated in volunteer opportunities with Food
for Free and the Greater Boston Food Bank, hosted
civic engagement fairs on campus to raise awareness
of campus and community resources and held a
professional development workshop for faculty
on advising students to be public problem solvers
and community advocates. The week closed with
a screening of the eye-opening documentary on
homelessness “Us and Them.”
21,163*
POUNDS DISTRIBUTED
11,678 POUNDS
Non-Perishable
Food Products
6,817 POUNDS
Fresh/Frozen Products
48 POUNDS
Gluten-Free Products
923 POUNDS
Hygiene Products
231 POUNDS
Baby Food/Products
(Above) Student staff member Jacob Abeka
with Food Pantry Coordinator Molly Hansen.
954 POUNDS
(Right) Marshall Carter; Shawn Lynch, Stop & Frozen Meals and Holiday
Shop; Giulio Caperchi; Kalina Philalom, Liberty Dinner Products
Mutual; Bob Hildreth; Melissa Balla, Student
Government Association President
* as of March 31, 2020
8 BHCC Magazine 9
THE INTERVIEW
BHCC President Pam Eddinger Interviews
Peggy Fogelman of the Isabella Stewart
Gardner Museum
Part of an occasional series of conversations with local
and national leaders about issues and trends in community
college education.
As leaders of their respective institutions, BHCC President
Pam Eddinger sits down with Peggy Fogelman, the Norma
Jean Calderwood Director of the Isabella Stewart Gardner
Museum in Boston, to explore their role in developing
inclusivity and community engagement in the arts.
This interview was conducted prior to the Museum's current,
temporary closure in response to COVID-19.
Pam Eddinger (PE):
All of your paid internships have been with BHCC—
thank you! This is a very unusual commitment. Could
you share your thoughts on this?
Peggy Fogelman (PF):
For the Gardner to thrive in the 21st century, it’s critical
for us to build meaningful relationships with young
people in Boston, and we want students to see the
Gardner as a valuable resource throughout their lives.
BHCC’s commitment to local students—with 35 percent
residing in the city of Boston and 84 percent within 10
miles of campus—makes this a natural partnership, and
it’s been a rewarding way to build on our commitment of
engaging young, local audiences with the arts.
10 BHCC Magazine BHCC Magazine 11
PE: Developing Citizen
The Gardner Ambassador program with during her lifetime. Most people Arts institutions have collaborators, and members of McKeller's
Artists Through a
BHCC started in January of this year and know about Isabella’s eccentricity and sometimes been perceived family. This inclusive interpretation
is a paid internship program embedding artistic patronage, but fewer know how as elite or out of touch strategy is a new step for our museum
Unique Partnership
students across the museum and our progressive and active she was in civic with the larger community. How does and one that will continue to inform
gallery spaces. Students spend one day a causes within Boston to make this a the Gardner Museum address that how we think about engaging with
week with a staff mentor, four hours of it better place to live and work. perception and ensure it’s a place all communities previously underserved by
in the galleries with a visitor experience feel welcome? the museum.
In developing the strategic plan, it was
mentor, and a few hours each week in a
PF:
to be a renewal of Isabella’s promise And finally, we want to be top-of-
seminar led by our academic programs Museums should be for
that the museum be a place for ‘the mind for young people looking for arts
manager, where they learn about various everyone. Thankfully we’re
education and enjoyment of the public and culture experiences in Boston.
aspects of the Gardner, the museum experiencing a moment
forever.’ So quite literally, this museum This means finding ways to make our
field, and career pathways. The goal of where museums and cultural institutions
exists explicitly for the enjoyment and collection relevant to them, and creating
the program is not only to build affinity are examining their role within the
enrichment of the people that call new programming with an emphasis
for the arts among students, but also cultural fabric with more openness and
Boston home. That of course includes on contemporary artwork, social issues,
develop career-ready skills and comfort honesty, and across the country we’re
BHCC faculty, staff and students. music and performance.
with museum environments. There’s seeing museums everywhere doing more
also an emphasis on personal goal We also want to evolve what an art to be truly representative of the people We’re open late every Thursday night, so
setting and measuring your own success, museum can be within a community. they serve. visitors can grab a drink and enjoy music
which we know are deeply held values in Many people know us for our incredible in the courtyard. And we’re continuing Compelled by a mutual desire to
BHCC’s approach to education. historical collection, but to grow and
The Gardner is no different. For all to feel
to build our popular Third Thursday provide equity and access in the arts
engage those we want to reach we need
welcome, all need to see themselves here
nights, which are themed evening events and encourage students to be active
addressed issues of violence against
There’s no requirement for a particular
to think of our collection as our catalyst—
and see programming and experiences
featuring a range of interactive activities participants in contemporary society, a
women. Botticelli, like a modern
major or background to be an Ambassador.
an entry point for exploring current social
they relate to. This goes back to the role
and performances, food, drink and music. rich partnership developed between BHCC
graphic novelist, envisioned episodic
Students may not realize how many
issues, and test new models of
community plays in being a partner to the and one of Boston’s cherished cultural
stories with multiple scenes featuring
PE:
careers and professional paths are
collaboration.
museum and informing our exhibitions
The Gardner has also institutions, the Isabella Stewart Gardner
the same protagonist. In that spirit, we
encompassed in a museum like ours— and programs. We’re also committed
expressed in its strategic Museum. Since 2016, this partnership has
commissioned a cartoonist to respond
everything from studio arts and We do that through a range of initiatives, to ensuring broader representation of
plan an emphasis on allowed faculty from various disciplines
to Botticelli’s seminal works for the
performance to horticulture and facilities including our Neighborhood Salon women, people of color, and non-Western
connecting the past with the present at to use the Gardner as their extended
exhibition. Just as Botticelli offered a
management to marketing and HR. It’s Luminaries program, which works artists in historical and contemporary
the museum. How are you doing that? classroom—providing opportunities for
modern vision of ancient stories, the
our hope that through this experience, closely with local artists and creatives exhibitions and performance programs. professional development and support for
artist created up-to-date interpretations
PF:
the students may begin to consider to collaborate in developing museum
This February we opened Boston’s As a museum with a building curriculum.
careers in museums like the Gardner. programs and also serves as a platform of the painter’s Renaissance masterworks.
for artistic network building and
Apollo: Thomas McKeller and John Singer historic collection, we His pen and ink drawings provided frank Through the collaboration, BHCC staff,
PE:
The Gardner has recently sharing their own work and creative
Sargent. The exhibition, along with have an imperative to commentary on these complex tales for faculty, and student leaders learned the
gone through strategic output. Luminaries and community
concurrent contemporary installations demonstrate the continuing relevance the #MeToo moment. Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS) method,
planning that included collaborators work closely with us in
from Adam Pendleton and Lorraine of artworks of the past. These historic a rigorous discussion approach that
And next winter, our upcoming Titian:
identifying key elements of your developing our expanded Thursday
O’Grady, all center on themes of race and objects and works bear witness to helps students develop critical thinking
Women, Myth & Power exhibition will
mission. One of them is community programming, and offerings like free days
representation, exploring Black and Brown timeless commonalities—universal and study skills through the integration
challenge visitors to question gender and
engagement. Could you talk more held multiple times throughout the year.
lived experiences to expand the story of human stories of love, life, spirituality, of reflective practice in classrooms and
power dynamics both past and present.
about that value and how it aligns with
American art. and death—and timely, complex workplaces. By allowing students to learn
the Gardner’s work?
The Gardner is very much a part of
In developing Boston’s Apollo, we agreed
issues in our own society. We’re always It’s our job to keep this art alive, and it’s how to closely observe art, they develop
Boston, so we want to find as many
we would need multiple voices to tell this
creating new opportunities to infuse our only alive if people connect with it. the ability to apply that skill to other
PF:
Community is our purpose
points of engagement as possible. We
story in an authentic and respectful way.
collection with contemporary relevance. areas of study.
learn from the community, including
and was very much a
the students that live here, and hopefully
These diverse voices included academic In addition to Boston’s Apollo, the recent For video highlights from The Interview, The Gardner has been teaching VTS to
part of Isabella’s legacy contributors, a network of community Botticelli: Heroines + Heroes exhibition visit bhcc.edu/magazine educators within Boston Public Schools
together we make one another better.
for more than a quarter century through
its “Thinking Through Art” curriculum.
BHCC faculty report that students
who have learned VTS are more active
participants in classroom discussions and
demonstrate greater synergy and respect
when working within a team.
12 BHCC Magazine BHCC Magazine 13
2019 Nursing program graduate Tong Mei Lin
delivers neonatal care in BHCC’s SIM Skills Lab.
Vital Signs
Nursing faculty revive pulse of
BHCC's Nurse Education Program
Moving full speed ahead, the Bunker Hill
Community College Registered Nursing
Program is celebrating a new milestone:
100 percent of its 2019 graduates passed the
National Council Licensure Examination
for Registered Nursing (NCLEX-RN).
The perfect licensure rate is a big
achievement for a program that had been in
danger of losing its accreditation from the
Accreditation Commission for Education in
Nursing (ACEN) and losing approval from
the Board of Registration in Nursing (BORN).
It directly reflects the collaborative efforts of
leadership and faculty: in 2016 they put the
brakes on the program and with renewed
energy and steadfast commitment built a
high-quality curriculum that better equips
graduates to meet the growing demands of
the nursing field.
The Nursing Program transformation
was led by Director of the Nurse Education
Department Elizabeth Tobin, Assistant
Dean of Health Sciences Donna Savino and
14 BHCC Magazine BHCC Magazine 15
“Part of this process required aligning
faculty so we could capitalize on our
strengths to improve overall student
learning. We needed to identify our Chairperson Kristen Wenger, under including BHCC President Pam
champions in these areas, so that we
the stewardship of the Dean of Health Eddinger and James F. Canniff, Ed.D.,
Sciences Maryanne Atkinson and Provost and Vice President, Academic
could move forward.”
interim Dean of Health Sciences and Student Affairs; they provided the
Laurie McCorry, Ph.D. They revised resources for rebuilding and guided
The NOELLE® 575 obstetrics manikin, the curriculum by streamlining Tobin and Savino every step of the way.
a versatile childbirth birthing patient —Donna Savino, Assistant Dean, Health Sciences syllabi and outlining unified course “President Eddinger and Dr. Canniff
simulator, makes it possible for students objectives and outcomes to ensure never expected this program would
to complete their maternity clinical students receive the same level of be turned around in as short of a
practice in the College’s state-of- instruction and experience across time as it was,” said Savino. “But Dr.
the-art simulation lab. With NOELLE faculty and sections. “Consistency was Canniff knocked down barriers for the
students gain experience to the same key to our success,” said Tobin. program, and he guaranteed us the
diagnostic tools they’d encounter in the Savino attributes much of the funding we needed. Our success is
clinical setting while developing skills in program’s achievement to faculty and truly a reflection of the administration
managing antepartum complications, staff who were willing and ready to put and their investment in the program.”
routine and high-risk deliveries and in the extra time and effort to improve In 2019, BHCC’s nursing program
postpartum emergency scenarios. it, working extra hours over the course secured its accreditation from
of a year to rebuild from the bottom up. ACEN and approval from BORN.
“Part of this process required aligning “BHCC’s nursing program is
faculty so we could capitalize on our not alone – a number of nursing
strengths to improve overall student programs in the region are currently
learning,” she said. “We needed to making improvements to secure
identify our champions in these areas, accreditation,” said Canniff. “To take
so that we could move forward.” a program with a low passing rate and
The Nursing Program revamp was achieve 100% passing rate in a short
made possible by the investment and period of time is remarkable, and I
support of College administration, hope that our program can serve as
Journey to Practitioner Meet graduate Joanne Smith
At the December 2019 Registered Nurse Pinning Ceremony, class speaker and fellow
graduate Joanne Smith compared the experience of attending nursing school to riding on
a rollercoaster without a seatbelt that’s been set on fire. “There are an infinite number of
correct ways for you to get off the rollercoaster,” she said. “However, in order to exit, you
must know which one is most correct.”
In nursing, students learn quickly there are always two answers – but one is the better
answer. “It’s a place where you spend hours upon hours studying often to be met
with the most ambiguous of test questions,” said Smith. She went on to say her
experience at the College inspired her to become more than she possibly thought
she could be and to be unhindered by failure.
At the ceremony Smith thanked the Nursing department faculty and staff for
their dedication to the program. “Thank you for being available every time
that we needed you,” said Smith. “The passion with which you shared your
knowledge is contagious and inspiring. There are no words that can truly
express our gratitude for your patience and passion and unwavering
support these past two years.”
Instructional technologist Andrew Camerato
instructs 2019 Nursing graduate Maria
Maldonado on maternal clinical treatment.
16 BHCC Magazine BHCC Magazine 17100+67
+33Y 93
+Y
“Our program was in trouble, and we had to faculty. “Faculty are constantly refocusing
and retesting,” said Tobin. “The faculty
100% 2/3
not only address problems with students,
rebuild. As we rebuilt, we started these initiatives
93%
they’re their cheerleaders who push them
through the virtual review and encourage
them to wait to get the ‘green light’ to take
and we found that with each one, our students the exam.”
As students work through their
were getting stronger and stronger.”
virtual review, they are retested on their
knowledge, and as they pass each section,
they move further along toward the graduates passed the pursue a B.S. job placement as a
“green light,” the point at which they’ve NCLEX-RN in Nursing Registered Nurse
—Elizabeth Tobin, Director, Nurse Education Department demonstrated they are prepared to take
the NCLEX-RN.
Through the support of College network the lab’s simulation manikins calculation. A Perkins grant enabled the
a guide for others who wish to transform now feels more confident in their skills review to help students prepare for a virtual administration and a grant awarded by and equipment. The change also had the College to purchase laptops for nursing
their program.” and is better prepared to be active in review typically taken before taking the Pearson Education, the Nursing Program benefit of giving faculty more time to focus students to take all exams online. Training
The program looks very different than the workplace.” NCLEX-RN. Prior graduates were not always has been able to offer $200 vouchers to on their teaching. was offered for students to understand
it did before the revamp. Today, program Out of the curriculum revision grew completing their virtual review before students who get the “green light.” This Faculty also saw the need for more the new testing process and allowed
curriculum is mapped to the NCLEX- a series of initiatives that achieved taking the exam. Now there is time built incentive has helped to decrease the medical-surgical clinical practice, so students to gain familiarity with a format
RN detailed test plan as well to program immediate results for graduating students. into the final semester for students to work timeframe in which students complete the students now experience it in every that simulates the NCLEX Exam. This all
concepts. The curriculum undergoes One such initiative is the NCLEX Student on their virtual review on campus where virtual review, increasing their likelihood semester. “We wanted to produce a contributed to the success of the program
continuous review and evaluation by Success program, which provides support faculty are available to them as a resource. of passing the NCLEX-RN. graduate who felt confident not only and increase in pass rates.
faculty and staff, who use a technology- to students following graduation as they “Previously, there was no one to Changes to how students complete academically, but also confident in the Together, these wide-ranging
based assessment tool to follow patterns in prepare for examination. Faculty work in intervene with students,” said Tobin. “By their required clinical practice have clinical setting,” said Tobin. improvements led to the remarkable feat
student learning outcomes. small groups with students for an eight- having students work on their review in also enhanced the Nursing Program. In More improvements were made by of every graduate passing their NCLEX-RN
“Each semester, faculty look for week period, a timeline based on the the College’s computer suite, their teachers 2018, the College moved maternity and establishing boot camps and more use last year. “Our program was in trouble, and
trends in how students are performing premise that the best strategy for success can be in the room helping to guide them pediatric clinical practice to a state-of- of online resources. Boot camps held the we had to rebuild,” Tobin summed up. “As
on the classroom exams as well as their is to take the NCLEX-RN within 60 days and answer questions.” the-art simulation lab on the Charlestown week before the semester starts offer time we rebuilt, we started these initiatives and
standardized exams,” explained Tobin. of completing coursework. After the eight The goal is to have students complete Campus, hiring instructional technologist for students to brush up on how to use we found that with each one, our students
“Faculty report back to us on what they weeks, faculty check in with their assigned 50 percent of their virtual review before Andrew Camerato to maintain and online products, study skills and drug were getting stronger and stronger.” n
are seeing and what areas need more graduates on a weekly basis. graduation. The remaining 50 percent is
attention. The graduate who leaves us Another initiative is a three-day live done on their own with the support of
o learn more about Nurse Education
T
at BHCC, visit bhcc.edu/nursing
2016 2017 2018 2019
78% of graduates pass Nursing Department faculty Administration secures Maternity and pediatric Nurse Education faculty celebrate program
NCLEX-RN. come together to rebuild grant to award vouchers to clinical practice moves to success. (top, left-right) Crispina Capitulo-
curriculum and strengthen graduates who complete Charlestown Campus. Ampane; Karen Murray; Kristen Wenger, Chair;
Program is put on warning by Elizabeth Tobin, Director; Olga Sullivan; Margaret
program. virtual review.
ACEN and BORN. 100% of graduates pass Cifuni. (bottom, left-right) Betty Cheng; Paula
Perkins grant allows College 93.8% of graduates pass NCLEX-RN. Hayes; Deborah Westaway; Robert Fleagle.
to purchase laptops for NCLEX-RN. Faculty not present: Donna Bishop; Phanny
online testing. Program secures Chhoeun; Thomas Scully; Barbara Spracklin;
Program earns approval accreditation from ACEN. Jennifer Cocio-Thompson.
NCLEX-RN Student Success from BORN.
Program launches.
18 BHCC Magazine BHCC Magazine 19Distinguished Artist and Scholar in Residence Rhina Espaillat
introduces audience to the “nine muses” and what they bring to
one’s creative and/or teaching process.
Integrating Arts, Equity
and Community through
Teaching and Learning
Nearly 50 full-time and adjunct faculty members from
BHCC attended “Empowering Learning through the
Arts,” the Learning Communities January Institute at
the Pao Arts Center, BHCC’s Chinatown location. A
partnership between BHCC and the Boston Chinatown
Neighborhood Center (BCNC), the Pao Arts Center
serves as the neighborhood’s first community-based
arts, culture and education center. BHCC offers
courses at the center, providing faculty and students
the opportunity to use Chinatown and its history and
culture to design and engage in culturally responsive
curriculum and pedagogical practices.
At the Institute, a team of faculty members who serve
as advisors for Learning Communities organized the
two-day event, which encouraged faculty to employ
arts-informed pedagogy that recognizes student
strengths and encourages expression across cultures.
20 BHCC Magazine BHCC Magazine 21Left: Institute participants created artwork
inspired by the Pao Arts Center exhibition
Neighborhood Threads, an interactive
installation by young students from BCNC's
Red Oak After School Program, in which
found sticks and branches were wrapped
with textile materials and tied with notes
to express hopes for the future. Below:
Associate Professor Ashley Paul leads
workshop on Visual Thinking Strategies.
he Institute brought together
artists who work with the Office
of College Events and Cultural Planning
and the Mary L. Fifield Art Gallery with faculty to
learn from each other and to discover how artists’
work can infuse the curriculum with creativity.
“A critical part of the work that we do is to create the gallery to learn with Huacuja. Johnson asked, “Is there an artist
deeper opportunities for academic engagement,” in everyone?” Responses from faculty fortified the belief that there is.
said Director of College Events and Cultural Huacuja closed the event by connecting the work of artists to that of
Planning Kevin Wery. “The Institute provided educators, saying, “The key to teaching is to listen. Pay attention to
an excellent opportunity for faculty to interface directly with who you’re talking to and everything changes.”
artists, writers and thought leaders who were part of our planning In her workshop on “Visual Thinking Strategies,” Ashley Paul,
last year and to be introduced to those who will be new creative Associate Professor of English, encouraged the use of open-ended
collaborators for 2020-2021 with the goal of curricular alignment.” questions and paraphrasing techniques to encourage group
The questions guiding the Institute, built on the strong
foundation of the 2019 Center for Equity and Cultural Wealth
DAY 1: Stimulating Creative Thinking dialogue, evidence-based reasoning, and validation of prior
knowledge in teaching. Cynthia Woo, the inaugural Pao Arts
Institute, “Power and Place: Valuing Cultural Wealth to Advance Yvette Modestin, a poet, activist and founder and executive director Center Director, discussed the history, resources and upcoming
Equity in Higher Education,” included: of Encuentro Diaspora Afro in Boston, was the keynote speaker events at the Pao Arts Center.
• How do we empower learning through the arts? on day one. Her highly interactive presentation, “Unmasking After lunch, organizers set up an “Idea Fair,” during which
• How can we employ community-oriented, place-based Through the Arts,” began with a poem celebrating Blackness. She participants could move around seven tables to learn about
teaching activities that integrate arts into any discipline? then challenged the BHCC community to recognize the centrality different approaches to integrating arts into the curriculum Top: Poet and activist Yvette Modestin invites BHCC faculty to speak openly
of identity in our work. Modestin spoke of the power of art to make through small group and one-on-one conversations with about their identities and their experiences. Above: BHCC faculty Naoko
• What opportunities can we find to lay the groundwork Akai-Dennis and Bhanumathi Selvara connect in conversation during a
people—even those who are resistant to our messages—listen, experienced practitioners. Representatives from the Office of
for future collaboration with artists and colleagues? workshop session.
because art can be a non-threatening medium that compels people Community Engagement and the Office of Learning Communities
• What tools do we need to use art to support the to engage and pay attention. Faculty spoke openly about their own along with arts faculty members Yong Chen (Visual Art) and Riikka
development of identity, cultural wealth and cultural identities and experiences. Modestin then led a writing exercise on Pietilainen-Caffrey (Performing Arts) shared their resources and
competence in ourselves and with our students? the prompt “I want to go where….” and facilitated a group poetry offered hands-on creative activities. Faculty members from other
The first day of the Institute focused on encouraging participants reading. She culminated the workshop as she began it, by departments discussed artifacts of their arts-integrated teaching
to think creatively about the many ways the arts can open up spaces performing one of her inspiring poems. and learning. Shana Berger, Aurora Bautista, Jackie Kerstner,
for teaching and learning, honoring the experiences and strengths Workshops that followed Modestin’s keynote echoed and further Robert Whitman, Ashley Paul and John Fiske each explained how
students bring. The second day challenged participants to plan developed her themes. Maddu Huacuja, whose artwork was featured place-based learning, field study, collaboration with artists, and arts-
activities, assignments, and syllabi that connect arts to equity this winter in the Mary L. Fifield Art Gallery, and Lloyd Sheldon informed pedagogy shape learning in their courses. Arts integration
outcomes by recognizing that arts can facilitate a deep and honest Johnson, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus, Psychology and English, spoke specialist Marianne Adams from Lesley University’s Center for
sharing of identity. on “Opening the Way to Learning in Gallery Spaces,” sharing their Advanced Professional Studies gave helpful advice on professional
collaborative experiences when Johnson brought his students into development in arts-integrated teaching at every level and in
22 BHCC Magazine BHCC Magazine 23“How you move and
planning a mock learning community cluster or seminar, based on
some “on the spot” brainstorming. Faculty members had a lively and
interactive discussion, and several mentioned they had an idea for a
proposal after this exercise. how you sound, your
Cheryl Hamilton offered her workshop on “Suitcase Stories”
during both of the morning sessions. Suitcase Stories® is a program laugh, your smile, how
of the International Institute of New England that aims to raise “the
profile of refugees and immigrants while strengthening community
through the art of storytelling,” according to its website. Hamilton
you greet people—are
used her workshops to engage faculty in storytelling exercises, which
demonstrated how combining art and the personal narrative can be
all artistic expressions.
a powerful tool in the classroom.
Rhina Espaillat, BHCC’s 2019-2020 Distinguished Artist and Look for these as ways
to connect to people,
Scholar in Residence, delivered the second keynote. After retiring
from teaching English at the secondary school level in New York
City’s public schools, Dominican-born Espaillat has devoted herself
to writing poetry, short stories and essays in both English and to your students.”
Spanish, translating between both languages, running workshops
for students and adults, and serving as visiting poet at colleges and —Yvette Modestin
other cultural centers.
Espaillat’s presentation explored what she called the “nine
muses.” After distributing a handout describing each muse and
what it might bring to one’s creative or teaching process, she asked
participants to think about which muses they might “invite” to their
class and what each one would provide to students. Espaillat also
discussed how thinking of academic disciplines as arts or science is
a relatively modern phenomenon, and suggested it might be useful
to think of all classes—even history and physics—as arts.
every discipline. The format allowed participants to make concrete After the keynote, the rest of the afternoon was offered as
connections to their teaching in the upcoming semester and to the unstructured time for faculty to collaborate and discuss potential
themes of the second day. ideas, courses and assignments. Learning Community Think Tank
members were available for advice and assistance, and many
faculty members used the time to engage in informal discussion.
DAY 2: Ideas into Plans
The second day began with a series of back-to-back workshops,
each building on and expanding the themes of the previous day.
Power of the Arts
The first, “Connecting Culture and Equity Outcomes,” was an Top: Espaillat delivers Day 2 Keynote The Institute provided faculty with many opportunities to engage
on the “Nine Muses.” Above: Cheryl
interactive panel discussion and presentation led by Shana Berger, with the primary guiding ideas of incorporating arts- and place-
Hamilton presents “Suitcase Stories”
Yong Chen, Jackie Kerstner and Isaias Sarmiento, and facilitated on the experiences of refugees and based learning, and developing ideas of cultural wealth, cultural
by Aurora Belina Bautista. In this session, panel members immigrants in the U.S. Left: English competence, and identity in our students and ourselves. The
discussed concrete ways they integrate outcomes related Professor Laura Carty Barrett keynote speakers reinforced these ideas and inspired faculty to
participates in writing exercise
to cultural wealth and equity in their classrooms and specific think of new ways to integrate the arts into their classes and to
during Modestin’s Keynote.
assignments. Each briefly presented a lesson from their course interact with students and each other. The workshops provided
and provided an opportunity for participants to ask questions. hands-on experience and the opportunity to engage with more
The varied backgrounds of the presenters—mathematics, English, seasoned Learning Community faculty, and the Idea Fair encouraged
ESL, and visual arts—was helpful in demonstrating how cultural participants to explore areas of personal interest in an informal and
wealth and equity can be integrated into classrooms of every more intimate manner. The unstructured collaboration time at the
discipline. Bautista pointed out these ideas are also part of end of the institute allowed everyone to reflect on the previous days
BHCC’s Institutional Learning Outcomes. events and presentations and apply the ideas to their assignments
Also that morning, Laura Carty Barrett led “Learning or syllabi, to invite the muses into their teaching.
Communities 101,” a presentation and discussion for faculty who Espaillat concluded her talk with a reading of her poem “Calculus,”
have not yet taught a learning community cluster or seminar. Barrett which reminds us of the connecting power of the arts.
provided a brief overview of learning communities and how they are Article contributed by Jenne Powers, Director, Learning Communities, and
implemented at BHCC. The bulk of the workshop was devoted to Laura Carty Barrett, Professor, English.
24 BHCC Magazine BHCC Magazine 25arts & culture
arts & culture
In 2019, BHCC continued its longstanding tradition of experience, research and ideas. Their mediums were
hosting nationally recognized thought leaders, scholars a mix of onstage conversations, literary readings,
and artists to engage, challenge and inspire students, performances, gallery exhibitions and compelling
faculty, staff and community. lectures that expanded and challenged the College
Over the course of the Fall Semester, these special community’s awareness of contemporary issues.
guests partnered with the College to share their
Hometown: Re-presenting Boston’s Chinatown
as a Place of People – Then and Now
Calculus
Wen-ti Tsen’s multimedia exhibition “Hometown” explored one of Boston’s most
"Look," said my son, "think of it as a line dynamic and historic neighborhoods through a series of photographic portraits of today’s
looped back and forth to bridge an open space Chinatown residents, workers and visitors posing in front of a backdrop of Harrison
unbridgeable at last, but narrowed fine Avenue, Chinatown, as reproduced from a postcard of the location circa 1910s.
Designed to draw attention to gentrification and other developments of the last 40 years,
and finer with each passing of the lace
Wen-ti Tsen the project emphasized to the community and the public at large the importance
almost to zero, which can never be." of maintaining a home for Asian Americans in the Northeast.
"Why not?" said I. "That would be certainty,
absence of error. It would be too much
to hope for." "Then you orbit round your aim,
seeking, like Moses, what you'll never touch;
or like a poet, hunting for the word Building Connections on Campus
to reproduce a song he thinks he heard Director of Learning Communities Jenne Powers
and send it hunting in the hearer's mind."
Jenne Powers brings more than a decade of experience in
"Right," laughed my son, we play the self-same game.
program design, assessment and faculty development to her
Sometimes I think the game is all we find, role as Director of Learning Communities at BHCC. She served
whether we search for song, or sign, or zero." as both Director of the Writing Center and First Year Seminar
coordinator at Wheelock College. In those roles, she oversaw a
In the still house we talked into the night
comprehensive assessment of Writing across the Curriculum
before I left him, stalking, unafraid, and redesigned the First Year Seminar around interdisciplinary
some stubborn truth flicking its dragon tails approaches to social and economic justice, including equity-
across the page before him... my young hero oriented student success models that integrated both advising
so thinly armored in the flesh I made, and academic support into general education classes. In her
role at BHCC, she hopes to strengthen the already robust
my small moon gone so far and grown so bright
Learning Communities program through greater interdisciplinary
above my gaze, lighting his awesome skies
connections as well as program and discipline-specific learning
where I can wield no sort of telescope. opportunities. In both of these areas, she hopes that students
will see themselves and their experiences reflected in Learning
Pondering now what love could be, that fails,
Community themes and faculty. Co-organizing the January
as fail it must, to seize the flying prize Institute “Empowering Learning Through the Arts” afforded
and yet endures, cradling the heart like hope, Jenne a fantastic opportunity to showcase the work our faculty
I tell my son, "Think of it as a line are doing around integrating arts and equity outcomes into
weaving between your orbiting and mine." their teaching.
Jenne also brings experience as a faculty member who
has taught college writing classes, Russian and transnational
–Rhina P. Espaillat
literature, and social action writing classes at Wheelock as well
“Calculus.” Lapsing to Grace: poems and drawings by
as Boston University and Bentley University. Jenne has a Ph.D. in
Rhina P. Espaillat, 1992. Used with permission of the author.
Russian literature and taught English in Russia before beginning
her career in higher education.
26 BHCC Magazine BHCC Magazine 27arts & culture arts & culture
Compelling Conversations
Hosted in partnership with BHCC’s Center for Equity and Cultural Wealth,
Fall 2019 speakers supported an ongoing college-wide exploration of power
and place, equity and cultural wealth – themes that served as the focus of the
College’s Equity and Cultural Wealth Institute last May.
Adam J. Foss, criminal justice reform advocate and former assistant district
attorney in the Juvenile Division of the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office
Samantha Wickman, Do No Harm, Porcelain, glaze, in Boston, shared his views on redefining the role of prosecutors in helping
underglaze, oxides, gold luster and mixed media. to end mass incarceration with students studying corrections and criminal
justice at the College.
Certain Dark Things In celebration of Massachusetts STEM Week, Obama-era U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Gina McCarthy spoke to
A group exhibition in the College’s students on the importance of innovation and community-based solutions
Library & Learning Commons brought in solving climate change. For 35 years, McCarthy has dedicated her career
together women artists to celebrate to environmental protection and
the power of fantasy, femininity and public health. Her leadership and
loss. Artists included Roya Amigh, perseverance has led to federal,
Left to right: Deborah Spears Moorehead, Seaconke Pokanoket Wampanoag Tribe;
Teresa Gifford, Woomin Kim, Vanesa state and local actions on critical Larry Spotted Crow Mann, Nipmuc Nation; Shealani LeBeau, Cheyenne River Sioux
Pacheco, Stephanie Schorow, Susan environmental issues. Pequot Nation; Hector LeBeau, Cheyenne River Sioux Nation; Brittany Walley,
Thompson and Samantha Wickman. Nipmuck Nation; Andre Strong Bear Heart Gaines, Nipmuck Nation.
A companion exhibition titled Things
Left Unsaid is set to open soon When the Land Speaks
in the space.
Featuring cultural educator and proud member of the
Above: Adam Foss shares
Nipmuc Tribe of Massachusetts Larry Spotted Crow Mann,
his experiences with faculty,
staff and students at a BHCC celebrated Indigenous Peoples' Day with drumming,
luncheon in his honor. storytelling and performances exploring the dynamic
Right: Foss engages relationship between land, people and nature through
Criminal Justice students the eyes of Native Americans in New England.
in the classroom.
Left: Gina McCarthy urges
members of the College
audience to get involved
in efforts to better our
environment, both locally
and globally.
In Residence:
Rhina P. Espaillat
As BHCC’s 2019-2020 Distinguished Artist Scholar
in Residence, Dominican-born poet and educator
Rhina P. Espaillat has fostered creative and collective
dialogue about the place of poetry in academia across
disciplines and advanced the cause of cultural
exchanges through a series of multilingual readings
Songs of Children
and workshops on the process of translation. Thus far The BHCC College Choir, under the direction of Associate Professor Riikka
in her residency, Espaillat’s endeavors have included Pietilainen-Caffrey, collaborated with Assistant Professor Shana Berger
a conversation with writer and former Poet Laureate and students from her English class on an evening of music, poetry and
of Colorado David Mason, a College-wide celebration spoken word on the theme of resistance, resilience, remembrance and
of World Translation Day, and a Massachusetts STEM hope. The program included selections from composers Robert Convery,
Week presentation on poetry with mathematician Jeanie Brindley-Barnette, U2 and others; with poetry performance text
Pedro Poitevin and fellow philosopher and poet comprised of BHCC student reflections and writings by children held in
Emily Grosholz. the Terezin Concentration Camp.
28 BHCC Magazine BHCC Magazine 29You can also read
