Social Work Pathway, GBCC open house: Education news

GBCC student receives Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship

PORTSMOUTH — Great Bay Community College announced that history major Kendall Brant has received the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship. Brant, who is on track to graduate in spring 2023, is studying in Taiwan this semester and hopes the experience will help launch a career in the foreign service.

The scholarship program is administered by the U.S. Department of State and is designed to help students improve their language skills and learn about diverse cultures. Brant is taking courses in history and political science, in English and Chinese, at National Taiwan University, a globally renowned research institute in Taipei.

Brant was raised in the United States and China. He is considering a career in the foreign service and chose Taiwan because of its democracy, position of global influence, and its status as a point of conflict in the sharpening political, economic, and military rivalry between the United States and China in a deglobalizing world.

Brant is among a small group of Gilman Scholarship recipients from two-year institutions. Of the 3,100-plus scholarships administered, 66 went to students from two-year schools. “I am grateful for all the opportunities that Great Bay has given me,” he said.

To learn more about Kendall Brant visit:  https://www.greatbay.edu/meet-kendall-brant/

CCSNH, UNH partner to create Social Work Pathway to meet growing workforce demands

CONCORD — The Community College System of New Hampshire (CCSNH) and the University of New Hampshire (UNH) College of Health and Human Services have partnered to create a universal transfer pathway in social work. This will enable community college students to seamlessly transfer college credits from an associate degree program into a bachelor’s degree program with a clear path for future coursework and degree attainment. This agreement is the first with the College of Health and Human Services; CCSNH currently offers pathways to 28 other UNH degrees.

Social work promotes social, economic and environmental justice to enhance quality of life for all and improve human and community well-being. Social workers help individuals, families, and community members with problems in their daily lives and advocate for those who need a voice.

Students will gain valuable, hands-on experience through a 40-hour human service experience at a social service agency and a 450-hour internship. Potential careers include case manager, family social worker, housing specialist, and peer support worker. Course mapping guides have been created that align courses at New Hampshire’s seven community colleges with degree requirements for each of the UNH pathways.

The N.H. Economic Labor Market Information Bureau 10-year employment outlook for social work occupations projects over 7,000 openings through 2030, indicating opportunity for job seekers. While the workforce demand continues to rise across the Granite State, social workers remain a critical part of helping communities and residents’ flourish.

Cultivating an Engaged Workplace – UNH Leadership Conference

DURHAM – UNH Professional Development and Training is hosting the semi-annual Leadership and Management Conference on Friday, April 25, from 9 a.m. to 4 pm at Wentworth by the Sea in New Castle, N.H.

“2023 Leadership & Management Conference: Cultivating an Engaged Workplace” will prepare leaders, managers, supervisors, and project managers to address the challenges facing today’s workforce. This conference supports development of realistic and timely engagement strategies for their organizations. Participants will hear from a dynamic roster of speakers on topics including hybrid work, employee retention, and inclusive and equitable engagement strategies.

The conference kicks off with a dynamic keynote address by Barry Roy from Robert Half. Industry experts David Lidell, Peter Hughes, James McKim, Aimee Blesing, Krystal Hicks, and Brylye Collins will lead sessions focused on retaining existing employees and attracting top talent. The main topics for the conference include succeeding in a hybrid work environment, organizational culture, retention issues, diversity, equity, and inclusion, hiring process improvements, and much more.

The conference cost of $359 includes a complimentary breakfast and lunch, free on-site parking, and all conference materials. For more information and to register, visit training.unh.edu/leadershipconference or call 603-862-7380.

Three New Hampshire educators finalists for Presidential Awards

CONCORD — Three Granite State educators have been chosen as the New Hampshire 2023 state finalists for the prestigious Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.

The finalists are:

• Joanne Goelzer, science teacher at Coe-Brown Northwood Academy in Northwood

• Karen McCallion, science teacher at Epping Middle School in Epping

• Sandra Swiechowicz, computer science teacher at Raymond High School in Raymond

“State finalists represent the most outstanding teachers New Hampshire has to offer, as they serve as both a role model and an inspiration to their students and fellow teachers,” said Frank Edelblut, education commissioner. “These three educators are highly engaging and motivational, and we commend them for their newest recognition and their ongoing allegiance to STEM learning and innovation.”

All three finalists will move forward to the national level and are eligible to receive a PAEMST national award – the nation’s highest honor for K-12 science, technology, engineering, mathematics and computer science teachers. The National Science Foundation, on behalf of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, administers the awards program.

Each national Presidential Awardee receives a certificate signed by the President of the United States, a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation and an all-expenses paid trip for an award ceremony in Washington, D.C. In addition, awardees join a national cohort of award-winning teachers, providing opportunities to impact teaching on a state and national scale.

GBCC to host April Open House at Portsmouth and Rochester Campuses

PORTSMOUTH/ROCHESTER — Great Bay Community College will host open houses in April at its Portsmouth and Rochester campuses. Admission counselors, academic advisors, professors, staff members, and others will talk with prospective students about career and academic opportunities available through a Great Bay education.

Open houses will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, April 6, at the Portsmouth campus, 320 Corporate Drive; and from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, April 13, at the Rochester campus, 5 Milton Road, Unit 32.

During the April open houses, students can explore the range of academic programs, meet faculty and staff, learn about the admissions process, and gain insight on all aspects of campus life, including opportunities in athletics. Great Bay is among the top transfer institutions to the University of New Hampshire, with a 90% acceptance rate among applicants from GBCC.  The College also has direct transfer pathways to many degrees at UNH including Bioengineering, Business Administration, Economics, and Hospitality Management.  Great Bay offers career programs in such high-demand fields as information systems technology, surgical technology, veterinary technology, and nursing, as well as technical skill programs in welding and auto and motorcycle repair.

The Open House event in Rochester provides information solely on technical skill programs offered through the Rochester campus including Welding, Computer Numeric Control (CNC), Automotive Technology and Motorcycle Maintenance and Repair. In addition to accessing program information, attendees can tour the college’s classrooms and new welding lab.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Social Work Pathway, GBCC open house: Education news