SECO News Podcast Channel with seconews.org

http://seconews.org/page/2805 Otero’s President’s Leadership Program Accepting Scholarship Applications

The President’s Leadership Program (PLP) at Otero College is currently accepting applications for the 2022 – 2023 academic year. Scholarships may be awarded to leadership scholars who are selected through a competitive process for the program. To apply online visit the Otero website at www.otero.edu. The deadline for scholarships at Otero this year is April 1, 2022.

Samme Ormiston, Otero business faculty, is director of the leadership program. According to Ormiston, the goal of the PLP is to develop and train emerging leaders at Otero College through an academic leadership program that is focused on field experience, service, and experiential learning. Students accepted into the program will earn an academic certificate in Leadership Studies in conjunction with an associate’s degree.

The Certificate in Leadership Studies includes 12-credit hours of study that includes two 3-credit hour core leadership courses and two additional elective courses from a wide-variety of academic programs on campus. The required 3-credit leadership core courses taught by Ormiston will include:

Management 224: Leadership – offered Fall Semester

 

Management 287: Cooperative Education/Leadership – offered Spring Semester

 

“In addition to earning a certificate in Leadership Studies at Otero, we have also been able to align our program with similar programs at four-year colleges in Colorado, thus creating the opportunity for students to seamlessly transfer into those programs and minor in leadership after leaving here,” said Ormiston.

The second aspect of the Leadership Certificate is service-learning experience. “The program places an emphasis on community service and civic engagement in order to help scholars develop a social awareness, civic responsibility and interconnectedness,” explained Ormiston.

“To me PLP means becoming stronger in spheres I’ve always been weak at. I have learned to be more confident as a person and accepting of others and myself. I have had a lot of opportunities to grow not only as a person, but also as a leader doing community service. One of the most meaningful experiences for me was helping in the nursing home. I felt like I was doing something good, something significant,” stated PLP member, Evgeniia Komarova.

Ormiston believes scholars have ample opportunity to participate in experiential learning activities. PLP scholars will learn about leadership through numerous hands-on experiences. Experiences will vary each year and could include such activities such as leadership workshops, lectures from recognized leaders and opportunities for leadership positions on campus and in the community. “This year members had the opportunity to work with leaders from across the world,” said Ormiston.

Scholarship selection will be based on leadership potential, intellectual curiosity, commitment to something outside one’s self and successful interview participation. A minimum of a 3.2 cumulative high school or college grade point average is recommended. Scholars must have the intent to earn an Associate of Arts or an Associate of Science degree at Otero. All scholars will be chosen based upon:

Completed written application that includes an essay question and examples of leadership and service experiences

Two letters of recommendation

High School or college unofficial transcripts

Personal interview

 

PLP member Ryanna Pruett says, “My advice to those interested in the program would be, APPLY, APPLY, APPLY! Take that step in growing. Choosing to apply has been one of my best decisions ever. PLP is not only a place to learn new leadership skills and create a new family, but it also allows you to be heard and use your voice.”

For more information, contact: Samme Ormiston, President’s Leadership Program Director, 1802 Colorado Ave., La Junta, CO 81050, 719-384-6850 or [email protected].

http://seconews.org/article/2803 Otero College received almost half a million dollars to be used over the next two years through scholarship awards to qualifying recipients. COSI Finish What You Started Grant Helps Students Pay to Finish Degree

By: Sarah Petramala

 

In late 2021, Otero College received a grant that will help students return to school to complete the degree they started. The Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE) Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative (COSI) launched Finish What You Started (FWYS), a program providing wraparound support services to obtain college credentials or degrees.

Otero College received almost half a million dollars to be used over the next two years through scholarship awards to qualifying recipients. If you have ‘Some College, No Degree” you may qualify to receive some of this money.

Jane Wheeler, the Success Coordinator for the Finish What You Started grant commented, “I have been working with individuals that range in age from 20 to 75 years old. It’s never too late to finish your college degree.”

FWYS can provide students with financial assistance and support services. The academic financial assistance can be used for tuition, books and other costs associated with enrollment. It can also provide non-academic financial assistance. The scholarship funds can be used for the costs of everyday living. Ex. Travel, daycare, utility, rent expenses. The support services include one on one guidance and tutoring to assist with academic challenges. It can also help locate resources the student may need, either at Otero, or in the community. Ex. Mental health services, transportation services, food banks.

“We want to remove the barriers that have prevented students from finishing their degrees. It might be a financial hold on the student’s account that’s preventing them from enrolling, or the student may need extra financial support to cover the cost of day care or travel expenses,” Wheeler shared.

Interested students must plan to enroll or be enrolling at a Colorado public college or university. They must be pursuing their first higher education certificate or degree (previous degree holders are ineligible). Undergraduate, in-state students who fit one of the following two categories:

Have "Some College, No Degree": Defined as students who earned some postsecondary credits from a public/private higher education institution but did not complete a credential or degree before deciding not to enroll for two or more consecutive semesters.

Are "First-time Students": Defined as students who were admitted to a public institution of higher education as a first-time student for the 2019-2020 or 2020-2021 academic year but did not enroll at any institution for the 2020-2021 academic year. Admitted between Spring 2019 to Summer 2021 but did not enroll (at a Colorado public or private institution)– did not start classes for the 2020-2021 academic year.

All students served by the program must have experienced economic loss due to the COVID-19 pandemic and must attest to that.

According to Angela Moore, Associate Vice President of Enrollment and Marketing, “It is Otero’s commitment to our students to assist with both academic and financial support to ensure they are successful that prompted the decision to apply for the COSI FWYS grant. The funds Otero received allows us to stay true to that commitment by hiring a Success Coach and providing scholarships to help our students return to college and reach their goal of completing.”

For any questions about the COSI: Finish what you started grant, please contact Jane Wheeler at 719-384-6802 or email [email protected].

About The Valley: Bent's Old Fort New Touchscreen Exhibit Room

In this episode of About The Valley Bent's Old Fort explains the new Touchscreen Exhibit Room, Fort activities throughout the year, and opportunities for public input regarding new programs at the fort.

 

Related Content:

About The Valley: Bent's Old Fort New Park Pass March 2022

Letter of Thanks To La Junta Community & 9/11 Committee

November 25, 2021

From: Susan Rosenblum, Coral Springs Florida

Dear citizens of La Junta Colorado, Otero and Bent Counties, The La Junta Chamber of Commerce, and the 9/11 Committee,

I cannot begin to express my overwhelming feelings of gratitude upon receiving your beautiful Tribute to my Son Joshua "Rosie" Rosenblum.

So often I have been asked "how did, do you get through this unspeakable nightmare?" My answer was and continues being the same. Being touched by people who reached out to me; strangers who live thousands of miles from Florida. It is this that gives me the strength to keep going. That an individual, and in this case an entire community took the time to gather the information and picture of Josh, prepare this beautiful tribute, and then "track" me down allows me to believe that goodness continues to exist.

I had hoped 9/11 would have provided us with the lesson that hatred and mistrust can and did manifest itself in this unspeakable way. Unfortunately, this has not been the case. The divisiveness in our great country and around the world has only grown worse. And then I received your letter containing so many signatures and your commitment to never forget the 9/11 victims. It not only touched my heart and soul, but has given me hope for the future.

Saying Thank You doesn't express my feelings of gratitude, but they are the only words I have. I hope you will accept this small donation to help in purchasing the rescue equipment for the local Sheriff's Department. Please know your kindness greatly added to the things I am grateful for.

Wishing you all a Happy, Peaceful, and Joyous Holiday.

Best,

Susan Rosenblum

See The SECO News Event Coverage Here:

La Junta Chamber of Commerce Early Settler's Day Patriot Day Ceremony - 9/11 20th Anniversary

Listen To More SECO News Podcasts Here:

seconews.org/podcasts

Interview with Park Ranger Alicia LaFever at Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site about the new Park Pass available at Bent’s Old Fort beginning March of 2022.

Interview with La Junta City Manager Rick Klein about Actions Taken by La Junta City Council on Monday, March 7, 2022. http://seconews.org/page/2757

2021 City of La Junta Fire Department and EMS Report to La Junta City Council http://seconews.org/article/2750

The Baler Fundraiser details at Clean Valley Recycling are discussed in this episode of About The Valley. Learn about the curbside Recycling Program and more. http://seconews.org/page/2698

We Spoke With Arkansas Valley Hospice Director Anita Potter about the recent vandalism at their building. Links to the official release requesting info from the LJPD and the Hospice Calf Auction Fundraiser are included. http://seconews.org/article/2689. http://seconews.org/page/2691

Another Vandal has struck at the La Junta Cemetery, this interview originally aired July 19, 2021, but most information is still accurate. If you have any information or see our Cemetery being vandalized contact the La Junta Police Department at 719-384-2525.