APSU Mondays: Observatory night, medical assist course, Latinx Heritage Month
Here's the latest news from Austin Peay State University.
Free observatory viewing scheduled for Oct. 21
The Department of Physics, Engineering and Astronomy announced its next free public observation nights for the fall semester is set for Saturday, Oct. 21.
Doors will open at 7 p.m., and the event will begin at 7:30 p.m. at the university’s observatory, housed at the Farm and Environmental Education Center, 1991 Pickens Road.
Each event will feature the university’s 20-inch Ritchey-Chretien telescope, which has the same optical design as NASA’s Hubble Telescope. Professors and students also will be eager to help visitors scan and learn about the night sky.
In case of inclement weather or excessive cloud cover, professors will lead indoor educational activities.
Those wishing to attend the free observation are encouraged to sign up at the event registration page. Each observation will be limited to 30 attendees, although those wishing to sign up for an observation who are unable to do so will be wait-listed and given priority for future observations. Please dress warmly as temperatures could drop during the event.
Medical assisting certification course offered for fall
The Professional and Workforce Development Center announced a new healthcare certification course in medical assisting starting this fall.
The program is scheduled to begin on Nov. 7, and will continue through Feb. 27, 2024, with classes held from 6-9 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Students in the program must be at least 18 years old and hold a high school diploma or GED equivalency.
By completing the course, students will learn the skills necessary to become professional medical assistants dedicated to patient care management and receive a National Healthcare Association’s Medical Assistant Certification (CCMA).
A CCMA equips entry-level medical assistants to help physicians with examinations and treatments, take medical histories, perform select diagnostic tests, sterilize instruments and supplies, assist with minor surgery and administer medications.
This program does not qualify for federal financial aid. However, it is eligible for assistance through the state-funded Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) grant, as well as MyCAA military spouse benefits. Students interested in the WIOA program should reach out to the American Job Center at Workforce Essentials to see if they qualify.
Inaugural Leadership Exchange program partners with Fort Campbell
The university hosted eight senior leaders from Fort Campbell, Kentucky on Sept. 6 during its inaugural Leadership Exchange, a University-level initiative to strengthen community partnerships.
While visiting campus, the soldiers learned about the new Military and Veterans Affairs Division, the Institute for National Security and Military Studies, the University’s in-state tuition rates for all military-affiliated students and other opportunities for service members.
“The concept is to open our doors to the community and bring in leaders who have control over their organizational strategies,” said Dannelle Whiteside, APSU’s vice president for Legal Affairs and Organizational Strategy. “We want those leaders to come to our campus so we can think about ways to create new partnerships or expand existing ones.”
Whiteside said Austin Peay and Fort Campbell already have a strong connection, which made them an ideal partner for the first Leadership Exchange.
APSU plans to host two Leadership Exchange programs each semester to reach participants from across the community. The next event will focus on the arts and is scheduled for Nov. 14.
Latinx Heritage Month kicks off this week at Austin Peay
The Latino Community Resource Center (LCRC) kicked off a celebration of Latinx Heritage Month on Sept. 15 to highlight culture and contributions from the community.
“This month offers a great opportunity to learn more about an important part of the Austin Peay community — our Latinx students, faculty and staff,” said Yanaraliz Barnes, director of the LCRC.
The festivities planned for the Latinx Heritage Month include workshops, exhibits, craft activities, including a piñata making workshop on Tuesday and an event honoring Latino military heroes on Oct. 12.
“The Latino Community Resource Center is proud to celebrate the cultures, contributions and resilience of Latinx, Hispanic and Latino-identified communities worldwide,” Barnes said. “We hope the Austin Peay and Clarksville communities will join us in honoring this vibrant part of our campus and society.”
In 2021, education non-profit SCORE reported that Austin Peay “served the highest percentage of Hispanic students of any four-year institution” in Tennessee.
The continuing schedule of Latinx Heritage Month events can be found below and at the LCRC website, www.apsu.edu/lcrc.
Aventura Cultura: Piñata Making
WHEN: 12:30-2 p.m. on Tuesday
WHERE: MUC 115
Clarksville Pride at the LCRC
WHEN: 12:30 p.m. on Oct. 5
WHERE: MUC Room 115
Crafts and Cuentos
WHEN: 6 p.m. on Oct. 10
WHERE: MUC Room 111
Honoring Latino Military Heroes
WHEN: 1-2 p.m. on Oct. 12
WHERE: MUC Ballroom
LCRC Student Retreat
WHEN: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
WHERE: The Press, 200 Commerce St.
APSU Mondays content is provided by submissions from APSU News and Communications department.
This article originally appeared on Clarksville Leaf-Chronicle: APSU Mondays: Observatory night, medical assist course, Latinx Heritage
