Submitted by
Dee Loflin, SMT Writer

Poplar Bluff, Missouri - Three Rivers College is transitioning the way it serves students who need to strengthen the skills necessary to be successful in college-level courses.

“Three Rivers has been using a $2 million Strengthening Institutions grant to redesign the traditional classroom model of developmental classes. We have developed a Transitional model that uses computer modules and individualized instruction to help students master higher level skills more quickly and effectively,” said Three Rivers Math Instructor Kevin Wheeler. Wheeler is helping lead the team of college instructors and staff members using the federal Department of Education grant to develop innovative approaches to better prepare students for success.

Using ACT scores or computerized placement assessments, Three Rivers evaluates the math, reading, and writing skills of all new students. The Transitional courses will replace developmental courses for students whose scores indicate they need to boost their math, reading, and/or writing skills in order to be successful in college level courses, Wheeler said.

The Transitional courses provide a more individualized way of learning than the traditional classroom developmental model in which an instructor lectures and all students do the same homework problems, he said.

“The most important advantage is that the Transitional model helps students progress through developmental classes more quickly and can save students money,” Wheeler said.

He gave the example of a pre-nursing student who completed all three math classes in one semester. Because of the Transitional program, she was able to apply for the nursing program a year earlier than would have been possible with the traditional model.

The writing and reading Transitional classes are set up in a similar way to take advantage of computer modules. With writing, students work through grammar skills modules with writing skills taught using the traditional classroom model.

“Studies show that the more quickly students can progress through developmental courses, the more likely they are to persist to get a degree. This is part of our effort to help students reach their education goals,” Wheeler said.

The Transitional courses were offered in a pilot program at the Poplar Bluff campus during the Fall 2012 semester, with more being offered during Spring 2013, he said. The program will expand to Three Rivers centers and other off-campus locations in Fall 2013.

Three Rivers College offers quality, affordable college and career courses on campus, off-campus and online. For more information about the wide variety of programs offered, about enrolling and about financial aid, call (573) 840-9665 or visit trcc.edu.

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Submitted by
Dee Loflin, SMT Writer

Cape Girardeau, Missouri - Dexter Senior High School students are glad to hear that for the third consecutive year, Southeast Missouri State University has been ranked as the safest public four-year university in Missouri by StateUniversity.com, the leading website for college information.

Jessica Loflin, DHS senior stated, "I want to know that they are doing everything they can to keep the students and teachers safe.  There are a lot of my fellow classmates that will be going to SEMO and they don't want to have to worry about bad things happening on campus."

The Safest Schools findings are based on incidents of campus crime as reported by campus safety officials. The 2012 rankings are available online at http://www.stateuniversity.com/rank/safety_score_rank.html.

Doug Richards, director of the Department of Public Safety, said Southeast’s ranking as the safest public university in Missouri is the direct result of the University’s efforts over the past several years to put measures in place to ensure campus safety.

“We have 24/7 police patrols and a well-trained force,” Richards said. “We have technology in place with cameras across the campus providing ongoing video surveillance to help dispatchers monitor and record activities. We offer emergency text messaging for our students, faculty and staff, and we have an excellent outdoor warning system. We also have an urgent alert system to quickly send emergency communications to networked computers on campus. In addition, our campus has lighted corridors and a campus shuttle system running at night.

“We also have officers who provide A.L.I.C.E. (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter and Evacuate) training to our faculty, staff, and students, and area schools, employers and the public to help prepare them on how to handle intruder situations,” Richards added.

“Campus safety has been a major emphasis at Southeast,” he said. “The administration had the forethought many years ago to put the technology in place that we needed. This (ranking) did not happen by accident. We are very aggressive on campus safety, and the Department of Public Safety is constantly visible.”

Dr. Debbie Below, vice president for enrollment management and student success and Dean of Students, said, “Southeast Missouri State University continues to be one of the fastest growing universities in the Midwest. Campus safety is among the important factors families consider when evaluating colleges. The safety and security of students are of utmost importance to Southeast. Numerous people and resources on the campus and in the Cape Girardeau community are dedicated to the goal of providing a safe learning, working, and living environment for our student body.

“We encourage students to do their part as well,” Below added. “Students themselves play a vital part in helping to assure that the Southeast campus is a safe place. Throughout the year, students are exposed to a variety of safety and security topics through programs offered by numerous university departments including the Department of Public Safety, the Office of Residence Life, Counseling and Disability Services, the Dean of Students Office and others.”

The safety rankings are the latest in a series of rankings lists compiled by StateUniversity.com, including Top Ranked Schools Overall.