Three Rivers College has selected faculty members Elizabeth Deken, Professor of Engineering Technology, and Dr. Michael Malone, Adjunct Instructor in the Information Technology Specialist program, as the College’s Teacher of the Year and Adjunct Teacher of the Year. The awards were presented at the Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce Teacher of the Year Banquet.

 

“We’re proud to honor these educators who prepare the leaders of our community,” said Steve Halter, President of the Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce. “We believe it’s important that education and business work together to train the future workers for our businesses.”

 

In the technical classes and math classes that she teaches at Three Rivers, Deken said she focuses on helping students learn problem-solving skills in addition to subject skills.

 

“Learning is a lifelong process and helping students to see that education is important and doesn’t end with a degree or certificate is an important part of my approach to teaching,” said Deken, who has taught at TRC for 20 years.  “Treating students with respect and setting learning expectations so that each student is challenged is also important in the approach I use with all of my classes.”

 

Deken holds a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education, Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering, and Master of Science in Industrial Management.

 

Malone has taught at Three Rivers for three years. He teaches classes in the Information Technology Specialist program, including Server Administration and Programming.

 

“I focus on three things: (1) prepare, prepare, prepare; (2) don’t be afraid to admit you’re wrong; and (3) if you don’t know something, admit it, say you’ll find out, and follow through,” Malone said.

 

Malone said he likes the small class sizes at TRC and the College’s focus on teaching.

 

“At large institutions it’s difficult to build relationships between students and faculty. Here, the faculty’s focus is on teaching, not research,” he said.

 

Malone holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Software, a Master of Science in Computer Information Science, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Organization and Management, with a specialization in Information Technology Management.

 

“Both of these instructors are committed to providing the best educational experience possible for our students,” said Dr. Justin Hoggard, TRC Dean of Instruction. “They have a passion for helping students achieve their dreams and goals for college, career and life.”

 

“We’re extremely proud of the work that Liz and Mike have done in our classrooms,” said Dr. Wesley Payne, President of Three Rivers College. “They are examples of the excellence that all of our instructors display and the kind of high-quality education that our students receive.”

 

Three Rivers College is committed to contributing to the quality of life in Southeast Missouri with quality, affordable higher education opportunities and community services that support and encourage the economic, civic, and cultural vitality of the region. For more information about college and workforce programs and upcoming events, visit trcc.edu.

In approving a new tuition and fee schedule, the Southeast Missouri State University Board of Regents today approved a 2.1 percent increase, the allowable percentage increase in the consumer price index in accord with Senate Bill 389.

The Regents then waived all but one percent of that increase that will be charged to students as part of an agreement with state legislators that would reduce higher education funding cuts proposed by Gov. Eric Greitens.

Dr. Carlos Vargas, president of Southeast Missouri State University, said, “We have worked very hard to keep tuition increases at a minimum, and we remain steadfast in our mission to offer access to quality academic programs and services at a reasonable cost. Despite our funding challenges, Southeast is committed to keeping costs affordable for students and serving them well.”

Under the new fee schedule, per credit hour rates beginning fall 2018 are as follows:

    Missouri resident undergraduate: $247.25

    Non-resident undergraduate: $438.50

    Online only-undergraduate: $284

    Resident graduate students: $315.50

    Non-resident graduate students: $555

    Online only-graduate: $347.25

Tuition and general fees for lower division courses at the regional campuses will increase $5 per credit hour, bringing that rate to $175 per credit hour, which is consistent with area community college rates.

Included in the new tuition and fee schedule is a Student Government recommended three-year phased general fee increase of $7.40 per credit hour. The portion charged beginning in fall 2018 will be $5.40 per credit hour and includes reallocations to better support information technology and student wellness.

This change, along with the one percent tuition increase, will amount to a total tuition and fee increase of $7.75 per credit hour for resident undergraduate students in fall 2018.

In related action, Board also approved special course fees to take effect with the fall 2018 semester. These fees cover the cost of consumable supplies or expenses unique to a course making them higher than average in cost to deliver per student credit hour generated or on courses using electronic course materials directly from a publisher. The Regents also eliminated some previously approved special course fees and discontinued an electronic course fee for eight courses.

         

Crystal Thomas of Poplar Bluff has received the Ozark Federal Credit Union Scholarship to attend Three Rivers College.  Thomas is married to Sedrick Thomas and is the daughter of Mark Willyard Sr. of Pierre Part, La., and Patricia Martin of Wappapello.  She is a 2004 graduate of Puxico High School.  Thomas plans to obtain an Associate of Applied Science degree in Nursing while at Three Rivers.

 

Ozark Federal Credit Union awards up to two $500 scholarships each year.  To be eligible for the OFCU scholarship, the student must be a current OFCU member, in good standing, and planning to attend Three Rivers College.  The scholarship is open to both traditional 1st-year students and non-traditional students.  OFCU scholarships are determined based on merit.  Funds are awrded yearly and disbursed between two semesters for the amount of $250 per semester.  The scholarship is for one year only and the student must maintain a 2.0 GPA and remain a full-time student for the entirety of the year in which the scholarship is awarded.   

 

Three Rivers College, recognizing outstanding academic achievement as well as financial need, has a number of established institutional and endowed scholarships to assist students in realizing their educational goals. To apply for scholarships and other financial aid at Three Rivers College, visit trcc.edu/financialaid. For information on contributing to scholarships at Three Rivers, contact the College Development Office at 573-840-9077.

 

Three Rivers College offers a wide variety of college transfer and career/technical programs on its main campus in Poplar Bluff; at locations in Sikeston, Kennett, Dexter, and Cape Girardeau; and online. For additional information, visit the college website at www.trcc.edu or call toll-free 877-879-8722.

 

Pictured: Crystal Thomas (center) receives scholarship from Danielle McFadden of Three Rivers College (left) and Davine Conover of Ozark Federal Credit Union (right). 

Front Row - Lillian Kyle, Alecia McKissack, Prestyn Tidwell, Gracie Edwards, Khloe Hale, Ashton Holden, PETE, and LeeOnnah Kestner.

Middle Row - Lanie Grey Mills, Emily Rivera, Kameron Goodman, Jaycie March, and John Parker Tarbutton.

Back Row - Adriannah Owens, Kale Midget, Carson Bomar, William Cooper, Victoria Justice, Mrs. Fees, Michael Webb, and Sadie Long.