Monthly Archives: June 2012
Thursday, June 28
Fort Steilacoom, Puyallup
Both main campuses close at noon on Fridays through the summer. Have a great weekend!
Pierce College libraries earn national attention
Deb Gilchrist's white paper brings Pierce libraries national attention.
Pierce College’s libraries are receiving national attention thanks to a white paper written by Deb Gilchrist for the National Institute for Learning Outcomes Assessment (NILOA). The white paper has been published on the NILOA website and is available to educators all over the world.
Gilchrist, Pierce Fort Steilacoom’s vice president of learning and student success, was asked to write the white paper by George Kuh, the director of NILOA and the founding director of the Center for Postsecondary Research and the National Survey of Student Engagement.
“When I saw his email in my inbox with this invitation, I stared at it for quite a while. He is quite the mover and shaker in higher ed, and I was shocked that he knew of my work,” said Gilchrist. “It has been a delight working with him and Stan Ikenberry, his collaborator at NILOA…I love the fact that these two men, who could do absolutely anything in higher ed, have devoted their time, influence, energy, and wisdom to outcomes and student learning.”
Nursing instructor helps nurses treat a rare lung injury
Becky Piper
It’s not taught in class. It’s rarely mentioned in textbooks. In fact, it’s so rare that most nurses will never need it in their careers. But, Becky Piper is ensuring more nurses are prepared to treat it.
It’s called TRALI, a potentially fatal, acute lung injury that can follow a blood transfusion, and Piper, who teaches nursing at Pierce Puyallup, has created a training simulation to help nurses learn how to treat it in patients. The simulation has been published on the University of Washington’s website (scroll down to TRALI Simulation about two-thirds of the way down the page), where it’s accessible to nurses and students all over the world.
Thankfully, you need not be a nurse to understand and appreciate Piper’s TRALI simulation, particularly the PowerPoint presentation.
“It’s accessible to a wide, diverse audience. It’s pretty close to being basic information,” explained Piper, who earned tenure this year. “But, because TRALI is so rare, a lot of nurses are not even aware of it.”
TRALI can be lethal if not treated correctly and promptly. Piper’s simulation has the potential to save lives.
Additionally, helping other nurses and having her work displayed publicly is a huge honor for Piper. She’s always been passionate about simulations; now she gets to share that with the world.
“It’s a really cool thing, a big deal, for me,” she said. “Between getting tenure this year and having this published, life is good right now.”
Piper’s simulation supports the Pierce College mission to provide quality education opportunities for learners to thrive in an evolving world. Her work aligns with the institutional outcomes of access (by making the simulation online and open to all), excellence (by supporting professional development), and contributing to the community.
Pierce Puyallup welcomes a familiar face as interim president
Colette Pierce Burnette
Pierce College District Chancellor Michele Johnson has announced that Colette Pierce Burnette has been chosen to be the interim president of Pierce College Puyallup.
Pierce Burnette currently serves as the vice president for administration and finance and chief financial officer of Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio. She previously worked at Pierce College starting in 1997 as a tenure-track faculty member in the computer information systems program, and was appointed dean of institutional technology shortly after her arrival at the college. She left Pierce at the end of 1998, when her husband accepted a job out of state. She has a bachelor’s degree in engineering from Ohio State University and a master’s degree in business administration from Georgia College.
She will assume the interim presidency at Pierce College Puyallup on July 1.
“I’m excited about this opportunity to return to Pierce College,” said Pierce Burnette. “At Pierce College, students are embraced by an environment rich in values and overflowing with possibilities. I look forward to joining the entire campus community working to continually enrich the lives of our students.”
Pierce Burnette recently received the Chief Information Officer of the Year Award from the Thurgood Marshall Fund and was a finalist for the Chief Financial Officer of the Year Award from the Dayton Business Journal. At Central State University, her responsibilities included budget and financial planning, business services and capital development, facilities management, and human resources.
“I am excited to have someone with Colette’s level of talent and ability, who is also familiar with Pierce College,” said Chancellor Johnson. “She will provide stability during this time of change. Known for her strong collaboration, communication, and people skills, I am confident Colette will provide solid direction and leadership for Pierce College Puyallup and will be a welcomed addition to the campus and district.”
Pierce Burnette replaces Patrick Schmitt, who served as college president since July 2010.
Chancellor Johnson will conduct a national search for the permanent president later in the year.
Tuesday, June 26
Fort Steilacoom, Puyallup
There’s still time to add summer quarter classes. No instructor signature is required through Wednesday.
Monday, June 25
Fort Steilacoom, Puyallup
Summer quarter classes start today! Welcome, summer students!
Friday, June 22
Fort Steilacoom, Puyallup
Summer quarter classes start Monday, June 25.
Have a great weekend!
Thursday, June 21
Fort Steilacoom, Puyallup
Week Zero for online learning starts today.
Summer quarter classes start Monday, June 25.
Tuesday, June 19
Fort Steilacoom, Puyallup
Spring quarter grades will be posted to transcripts today.
Summer quarter classes start Monday, June 25.
Monday, June 18
Fort Steilacoom, Puyallup
Today is the first day of summer break. Summer classes start June 25.
