Warhawk Weekly 6-25: Nursing apprenticeship program; Impact Academy fellow
Apprenticeship program offers unique opportunity for nursing students
An apprenticeship program launched by the College of Nursing & Health Sciences in collaboration with Baptist Health and Jackson Hospital helps AUM nursing students earn while they learn while also addressing the state’s growing demand for nurses.
The program, which welcomed its first cohort in December 2023, is administered through partnerships with the Alabama Office of Apprenticeship and the Alabama Board of Nursing.
AUM nursing students are eligible to apply for the apprenticeship program in their second semester in the nursing program at AUM. Working with Baptist Health and Jackson Hospital, AUM places students at one of the healthcare facilities to work directly with a nursing mentor.
Once accepted into the program, apprentice applicants must obtain a permit from the Alabama Board of Nursing, which remains valid for the duration of their enrollment in AUM’s nursing program or until graduation. Apprentices may work approximately 24 hours per week, with hours involving paid work, paid clinical experience, or a combination of both.
Junior nursing major Chase Madrid said he was drawn to AUM’s nursing apprenticeship program for the opportunity to gain paid clinical experience and work under the mentorship of nursing professionals.
“The experience I’m gaining through this apprenticeship goes beyond what a classroom can offer,” said Madrid, who is completing his apprenticeship at Jackson Hospital. “The biggest reward is the wealth of knowledge.”
Smith selected as Impact Academy fellow
Derrick Smith, dean of the College of Education at Auburn University at Montgomery, has been named a 2024 Impact Academy fellow through the national non-profit organization Deans for Impact (DFI).
“It is a great honor to be counted among this year’s DFI cohort,” Smith said. “This year’s cohort is composed of academic leaders from around the country, and I look forward to growing professionally along with them.”
Smith joins a cohort of leaders selected for their dedication to enhancing educator preparation. He is among 17 leaders named in the fellowship’s ninth cohort, which includes leaders primarily from minority-serving higher education institutions.
“As a new dean, this fellowship will allow me to learn and network with other successful deans,” said Smith, who joined AUM in January 2024. “The fellowship is composed of a diverse group of leaders from many different types of universities and institutions, and I look forward to learning from them all.”
Women’s basketball program turns to Phillips
After a breakthrough season that included 20 wins and a postseason win for the first time as an NCAA Division II member, AUM’s women’s basketball program will try to build on the momentum with a new head coach.
AUM Director of Athletics Erik Maas recently announced the hiring of Ashlee’ Phillips as the program’s new head coach. Phillips served as the team’s assistant coach last season and will replace Jon Plefka, who joined the coaching staff at NCAA Division I Stony Brook (N.Y.).
“I could not be more excited to move over a seat and remain a Warhawk,” said Phillips. “It is an honor to be a part of AUM and I am thankful for the opportunity to continue to build more history for this program. I want to thank Chancellor Dr. Carl Stockton, A.D. Erik Maas, Associate A.D. Amber Rae Childress, Assistant A.D. Tim Lutz, and the entire athletic department, who have been so welcoming and loving.”
The Warhawks went 20-10 (17-7 record in the Gulf South Conference) and earned the No. 4 seed in the conference tournament. AUM earned its first-ever GSC postseason victory with a 74-70 win over the University of West Florida to earn a berth in the GSC semifinals.
With Phillips on staff last season, the Warhawks climbed as high as No. 7 in the NCAA South Region rankings for the first time in school history. AUM posted an 11-3 record at home and a 9-5 mark on the road.
“I want to extend a thank you to my supportive family and friends who have helped and allowed me to be a great person and coach,” Phillips said. “I also want to thank Coach Jon Plefka for his guidance over the past few years. I am inspired to continue to compete at a high level. It is a great time to lead our student-athletes in finding their passion on and off the court. We will strive to stay in the present and be where our feet are planted. It is a wonderful time to be a Warhawk!”
Apply for Provost-sponsored scholarships
Are you interested in expanding your academic experience and exploring your academic discipline more fully? Would you like to strengthen your written and oral communication, critical thinking, technical skills, and information literacy and build a learning community with faculty and fellow students?
The Office of the Provost is sponsoring one-credit-hour tuition scholarships for students interested in research or teaching fields.
Research scholarship
To encourage undergraduate students to participate in research and internships, a one-credit-hour scholarship is available. To be eligible for the scholarship, students must be:
- Registered for an approved internship or research course.
- If you are not registered for a course or need help locating one, contact your advisor.
- Be an undergraduate student
- Apply by August 26 for the fall semester
The research-based scholarship does not apply to internship and research courses that are required as part of their program requirements.
AUMTeach scholarship
If you want to determine whether a teaching certificate is right for you, the Office of the Provost is sponsoring one-credit-hour scholarship to encourage students to take an AUMTeach course. To be eligible for the scholarship, students must be:
- A junior and senior majoring in a STEM field (College of Education majors are not eligible).
The AUMTeach minor consists of eight classes. The scholarship will pay $750 towards your first two AUMTeach minor classes.
Please note that incorrect or incomplete information in the application can delay the award or exclude you from eligibility. Apply by August 26 for the fall semester.
For more information, email Molly Belew at [email protected] or visit the AUMTeach minor webpage.
Basketball camp offers training for high school players
The Coach Cheaney Basketball Academy Elite Camp is open to high school students in grades 9-12 (as of Fall 2024). The cost of the camp is $54 and will take place on June 29 at the AUM Athletics Complex.
At the camp, players will work directly with AUM basketball staff and players in drills and structured 5-on-5 games.
Receive safety updates via AUM Alert
There’s an easy way to receive time-sensitive updates about public safety matters that may affect students, faculty and staff. Sign up for AUM Alert to receive emergency notifications via text message, email and voice calls.
AUM Alert is utilized in the event of emergencies that pose an imminent threat to individual safety or university operations.
Keep up with campus events
There’s an easy way to keep up with all of the fun events offered on our campus. Enroll in AUM365 and get the 4-1-1 from Curtiss The Warhawk himself. Text curti$$ to 334-398-6025 to receive reminders about upcoming happening.
