Student Support Services
In The News
2022 Prep for Success Academy
By William S. "Chip" Pate, CCCC Marketing Correspondent
SANFORD - Everyone was transfixed on the computer monitor as Danielle Bruner gave a tour of the mouth.
Using a specialized camera embedded in a foot-long white wand -- with one of her students as her patient -- the dental hygiene clinical coordinator for Central Carolina Community College circled through the mouth and around teeth, stopping now and then to point out oral anatomy and even a tiny piece of lettuce left over from lunch.
Along the journey, Bruner answered plenty of questions. She talked about what she would tell her patient based on what she was seeing. She gave her perspective about what it's really like to work as a dental hygienist. There were plenty of stories along the way, too; some were funny and others, well, let's just say they were not for the squeamish.
This hour-long session on intraoral photography was part of Prep for Success Academy, a four-day, summer initiative designed to introduce prospective students to careers in dental assisting and dental hygiene -- especially students representing various minority groups who are sorely needed in dental professions.
All of the students packed around the dental chair for this intraoral photography introduction are current CCCC students selected through an application process, complete with an essay and letter of recommendation. Once admitted, they get to participate all week in free workshops on a broad range of dental topics, techniques to become more successful in college and how best to navigate CCCC's competitive application process for dental programs.
Think of Prep for Success Academy as a mix of dental education, academic counseling and college recruiting.
Amy Gustavson, who delivered a one-hour session the previous day on time management and self-advocacy, said many of the participants are first-generation college students trying to navigate a highly competitive academic program. More than 100 students applied for 18 seats in CCCC's dental hygiene program last year, she said, and were selected based on a points system that rewards academic preparation and tangible activities demonstrating that students are serious about enrolling in college dental programs. By understanding intricacies of the process, they can maximize their chance of admission.
But it's not just about exploring dental professions and gaining admission. As its name suggests, Prep for Success also helps students build a sense of community with each other and make connections with college faculty and staff that will help them succeed on campus.
Linette Hernandez Rodriguez is entering her second year at CCCC and applied to Prep for Success after receiving an invitation by email -- a message sounding so good that she almost dismissed the opportunity as some sort of scam. Though she's just halfway through the four days, Hernandez Rodriguez said the experience has already intensified her interest in dental hygiene. She's now focused on finishing one prerequisite class, continuing to build that all-important network for success and refining her application to submit in March.
In the back of her mind, she's playing with the idea of eventually becoming an orthodontist. Right now, though, she's focused entirely on preparing to work as a dental hygienist.
LeeAnn Lilly had already applied to study dental assisting and enrolled in Prep for Success after someone in the dental school called to see if it's something she'd like to try. The answer was a resounding yes. From the time she had a good experience with braces as a child, she thought this might be something she'd enjoy as a career. It matched her interests and her personality. Plus, as she puts it, "The whole mouth-thing never bothered me." But this was a chance to see for sure.
For Lilly, the experience was captivating from the start. Going into the week, she expected to be fascinated by the "ins and outs" of dentistry. What she didn't anticipate was loving all of the dental instructors and students who have given their time to come through the classroom, get to know the participants and then share real encouragement and insight. "It's definitely given me more interest," she said, "and a drive to do better."
TRiO Student Support Services Director Jessica Rogers, who organized Prep for Success Academy, said this is the first time it has been offered, but won't be the last. Already, plans are under way to offer this introduction to dental professions again next year -- with the same hands-on labs, higher-education workshops and success coaching.
On the other hand, there could be even more to offer next year: insight from any incoming dental students who got inspired by what happened during this week. Because these students are already seeing themselves as part of a community.
After the intraoral photography clinic and just before the day ended, Bruner gathered students together in a circle. They went around, one by one, each student saying something she was thankful for. And then they put their hands into the center and counted, "One. Two Three. Go team!"
For more information on CCCC TRiO Student Support Services, visit www.cccc.edu/trio/sss. For more information on CCCC Dental programs, visit www.cccc.edu/curriculum/majors/dental.
2021 First-Generation College Celebration
The First Generation College Committee and TRIO Student Support Services hosted the annual First-Generation College Celebration on November 30th through December 2nd, 2021 on all three curriculum campuses. These events were held to celebrate the annual National First-Generation College Celebration to honor the anniversary of the signing of the Higher Education Act of 1965 on November 8th. Being a first-generation student means that neither one of your parent/s completed a bachelor's degree.
We are excited to announce that we celebrated over 200 CCCC first-generation faculty, staff, and students through recognizing their hard work, perseverance, and determination of being the first in their family to achieve/seek a higher education degree!
First-Generation Celebration 3-day event kicked off at the Lee Main Campus in the Student Center located in Hockaday Hall, the celebration then made its way to the Chatham Main Campus in the Holmes Room located in the Library, and wrapped up at the Harnett Main Campus in the Multipurpose room located in the Miriello Building. As CCCC faculty, staff, and students trickled in, they were greeted with hot cocoa and apple cider made with care and local chocolate chip and sugar cookies from a local bakery in Sanford. The events were decked out with whimsical holiday music, sounds of a crackling fireplace, and a magnificent balloon arch that participants could take pictures under. As participants stepped through the golden streamers in the doorway, they were greeted by event volunteers with warmth and excitement ready to celebrate.
Our shimmering photo booth station captured the moment with a polaroid camera. They say a picture is worth 1000 words, but nothing compared to the inspirational messages left behind on the hand cut-outs that each participant wrote about “What does being first-generation mean to me” or “I support first-generation students because”. We couldn’t let participants walk away with only holiday cheers, so we offered them the chance to “Step Right Up and Spin the Wheel”! Participants were happily surprised with various gift cards, prize cups filled with goodies, college supplies, and much more!
Can you believe that some of our participants showed up to support first-generation students and found out that they too were first-generation? It was clear that this event sparked feelings of being supported, welcomed, and recognized at CCCC. We are happy to report that new connections, support systems, and experiences were shared throughout these few days. We even had a group of students that formed new friendships with one another!
To bring meaning to the event, TRIO Student Support Services will honor the first-generation participants by displaying all of the inspirational messages and polaroid photos that were taken at the event. This “First-Generation Wall of Honor” will be located in Hockaday Hall, Student Center to raise awareness and continue to celebrate CCCC’s first-generation faculty, staff, and students who have overcome barriers and successfully navigated the world of college.
TRIO Students Support Services would like to thank all of the CCCC faculty and staff that helped accomplish these events.
First, we would like to thank the First-Generation Committee that helped plan and bring this event together through their continuous passion and support: Anthony Farrior, Bianka Stumpf, Constance Boahn, Dane Peterson, Candice Solis, Denise Martin, Falecia Simmons, Jennifer Dillon, Jairo McMican, Jessica Rogers, Jennifer Servi-Roberts, Kelvin Hunt, Katy Jones, Lauren Black, Princess Lane, Maryann Aucompaugh, Ryan Breeden, Scott Byington, Suzannah Palumbo, and Veronica Harrison.
We would especially like to acknowledge the volunteers who made the day of activities come to life and ensure this event felt special: Jessica Rogers, Ryan Breeden, Suzannah Palumbo, Veronica Harrison, Falecia Simmons, Jennifer Babb, Amy Gustavson, Seth Buchanan, Bianka Stumpf, Dean Heather Willett, Jennifer Dillon, Princess Lane, Candice Solis, Scott Byington, Jennifer Servi-Roberts, Holly Schofield, Lincoln Frye, Dane Peterson, Consuela Blaizes, Katy Jones, Cindy Page, Chef Regina Minter, and Chef Kelly Burton.
Thank you to Lauren Black, Tiffany Needham, and Kelly Brucker who helped facilitate conversations and awareness of recognizing the health science building students, faculty, and staff through requesting flyers and cookies to be passed out in order to help the people in those buildings feel special and celebrated.
Lastly, we deeply appreciate the special appearances made by Provost Mark Hall and Provost John Mathews and thank Dr. Chapman for her consistent support of CCCC’s first-generation faculty, staff, and students.
TRIO Student Support Services offers academic coaching, university transfer assistance, career counseling, financial literacy, cultural trips, grant aid, and so much more to currently enrolled students at CCCC. If you know a current CCCC student who is a first-generation college student, TRiO Student Support Services accepts and welcomes referrals through our website or by clicking this Faculty/Staff Referral Form. We also are open to visiting your class in person or virtually to speak to your students about TRIO SSS’s services. If you are interested in TRIO SSS visiting your class please sign up using this link: TRIO SSS_Spring 2022 Class Visit Form.