Podcast - Bobcat Chat

00:00:00,100 --> 00:00:24,760 [Michelle Harris]
[upbeat music] Welcome, everybody, to this week's edition of Bobcat Chat. My name is Michelle Harris. I'm the Director of Marketing here at HCC. And this week, I have the pleasure of sitting down with Tim Scapin. He is our instructional designer and media specialist. Welcome, Tim. 

00:00:24,760 --> 00:00:26,820 [Tim Scapin]
Hey. Thanks for having me. 

00:00:26,820 --> 00:00:31,060 [Michelle Harris]
So let's start off a little bit and just have you tell us what it is you do here at HCC. 

00:00:32,200 --> 00:00:53,780 [Tim Scapin]
Well, I, uh, am the instru- instructional designer, and I've been working here for the last two years in that role. And as of June 1st, I've taken on an additional role of media specialist, um, and basically transferred my operation into the library to be more accessible to students and faculty and staff. 

00:00:53,780 --> 00:00:57,160 [Michelle Harris]
So I'm sure everyone's wondering this. What is an instructional designer? 

00:00:57,160 --> 00:01:15,640 [Tim Scapin]
Ah, yes. So the [chuckles] the textbook description is I work with instructors to create engaging activities, meaningful materials, um, quality assessments that all support learning objectives. So when you go into class, everything you do is there for a reason. 

00:01:15,640 --> 00:01:15,960 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:01:15,960 --> 00:01:23,560 [Tim Scapin]
It supports what you're supposed to learn and the skills that you're supposed to attain once the class is over. 

00:01:23,560 --> 00:01:25,820 [Michelle Harris]
So kind of like a little bit of interactivity- 

00:01:25,820 --> 00:01:25,930 [Tim Scapin]
Yes 

00:01:25,930 --> 00:01:34,740 [Michelle Harris]
... and taking what you've learned, just a l- a little bit of a next level of, you know, the hands-on piece or how to, how to see it in a different way. 

00:01:34,740 --> 00:01:45,740 [Tim Scapin]
Yeah. Yeah, so it's basically just taking all those methods of instruction and teaching people, whether that be, you know, everything from the book to hands-on activities. Like if you're doing nursing or- 

00:01:45,740 --> 00:01:45,810 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm 

00:01:45,810 --> 00:01:55,600 [Tim Scapin]
... um, work in forestry or even, like, welding and, uh, taking those and making them where they connect to deeper learning. 

00:01:55,600 --> 00:01:55,850 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:01:55,850 --> 00:02:03,860 [Tim Scapin]
'Cause there's, you know, methods and practical, uh, ways we can do that. So it's working with instructors, teaching them how students think and learn- 

00:02:03,860 --> 00:02:04,180 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah 

00:02:04,180 --> 00:02:05,280 [Tim Scapin]
... and, uh, create those 

00:02:06,360 --> 00:02:12,240 [Tim Scapin]
kind of more in-depth and, uh, comprehensive learning opportunities for our students. 

00:02:12,240 --> 00:02:14,329 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah, and everyone learns so differently. 

00:02:14,329 --> 00:02:14,400 [Tim Scapin]
Yes. 

00:02:14,400 --> 00:02:16,470 [Michelle Harris]
Visual versus conceptual versus- 

00:02:16,470 --> 00:02:16,470 [Tim Scapin]
Mm 

00:02:16,470 --> 00:02:22,920 [Michelle Harris]
... you know, all those different ways, so it's nice to have a variety to be able to provide for instructors, so we're sure that everyone gets it. 

00:02:22,920 --> 00:02:27,940 [Tim Scapin]
Yeah. So we wanna diversify our offerings too so we're, our offerings are fully accessible- 

00:02:27,940 --> 00:02:28,090 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah 

00:02:28,090 --> 00:02:35,440 [Tim Scapin]
... for all students r- regardless of any kind of learning challenge they're experiencing. So, uh, learning works for everyone. 

00:02:35,440 --> 00:02:42,920 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. Great. Um, so now let's get to know you a little bit more. Um, you were once a community college student. 

00:02:42,920 --> 00:02:48,670 [Tim Scapin]
Yeah. So as an adult, uh, I decided my... Well, my wife is an elementary school teacher. 

00:02:48,670 --> 00:02:48,859 [Michelle Harris]
Okay. 

00:02:48,860 --> 00:02:59,549 [Tim Scapin]
So she's in education. I say her love for learning kinda rubbed off on me. Um, so as an adult, I went back to a local community college in Florida, and I was kinda apprehensive. 

00:02:59,549 --> 00:02:59,690 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:02:59,690 --> 00:03:23,400 [Tim Scapin]
Um, wasn't always, like, the best student, kinda had anxiety about being in a classroom. So, uh, went back, had some outstanding... had an outstanding advisor. And the first co- uh, semester, I took a public speaking course. And if it wasn't for that outstanding experience with that instructor, uh, I don't think I'd continue on to be where I am today, even working in education. 

00:03:23,400 --> 00:03:23,900 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:03:23,900 --> 00:03:38,820 [Tim Scapin]
So yeah, as a community college student, I see the value in a place like HCC and what we have to offer in a more intimate community, you know, setting. Um, and, uh, I just, yeah, a big fan of community colleges as a whole. 

00:03:38,820 --> 00:03:43,590 [Michelle Harris]
And you mentioned, you know, going back to school. So I take it you're currently in school. 

00:03:43,590 --> 00:03:43,640 [Tim Scapin]
Yeah. 

00:03:43,640 --> 00:03:45,120 [Michelle Harris]
Tell us a little bit about what you've got going on. 

00:03:45,120 --> 00:03:47,049 [Tim Scapin]
I just, I just kinda kept going. Um- 

00:03:47,049 --> 00:03:47,840 [Michelle Harris]
[laughs] 

00:03:47,840 --> 00:04:11,600 [Tim Scapin]
So when I went back to the community college, there was a, a four-year un- university that kinda used some space, um, in that facility, and I got my bachelor's degree. So then I took a couple years off, and I started thinking about, uh, transferring into a career in education. I worked in public safety for 18 years. So, um, 

00:04:12,740 --> 00:04:17,820 [Tim Scapin]
you know, this, this love for learning, I figured, well, I can help others, pe- uh, people learn, you know? And, um, 

00:04:18,899 --> 00:04:25,600 [Tim Scapin]
so I went to, uh, App State and earned a master's in educational media- 

00:04:25,600 --> 00:04:25,710 [Michelle Harris]
Uh-huh 

00:04:25,710 --> 00:04:34,120 [Tim Scapin]
... which is basically like instructional technology. And, um, at that point, I s- thought, "Let's just keep going." So I'm working on my doctorate right now. 

00:04:34,120 --> 00:04:34,840 [Michelle Harris]
Amazing. 

00:04:34,840 --> 00:04:42,960 [Tim Scapin]
So I'm in my, um, a few semesters left of coursework, and then we start the dissertation. So then I don't have to go to school after that. [laughs] 

00:04:42,960 --> 00:04:43,000 [Michelle Harris]
[laughs] 

00:04:43,000 --> 00:04:48,440 [Tim Scapin]
So once I'm done, I'm done. But, um, yeah, that love for learning that I got, 

00:04:49,600 --> 00:04:52,980 [Tim Scapin]
you know, from my great experiences, I keep going back to community college. 

00:04:52,980 --> 00:04:53,240 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:04:53,240 --> 00:04:55,820 [Tim Scapin]
And that's why I'm h- I, I love working here. 

00:04:55,820 --> 00:04:56,080 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:04:56,080 --> 00:05:05,720 [Tim Scapin]
I have a passion for working here because I know the great things that we can do for our students. So yeah, that's kind of the spectrum of my educational journey. 

00:05:05,720 --> 00:05:10,500 [Michelle Harris]
I love hearing people's journeys with education 'cause they're all so different, and yet they're all so meaningful. 

00:05:10,500 --> 00:05:10,900 [Tim Scapin]
Yeah. 

00:05:10,900 --> 00:05:28,380 [Michelle Harris]
And like you just said, you know, it hel- helps us find where we are today and brings us on that path. Um, so you and I have also touched a little bit on, on this next question we have. Um, you are an immersive technology researcher. Let's talk about that for a second. 

00:05:28,380 --> 00:05:43,530 [Tim Scapin]
Yeah. So during my master's studies, um, I had an outstanding professor, uh, Dr. Patrick O'Shea, in, uh, at App State, and he... I just, I have an interest in doing research. I'm kinda weird- weirdly wired like that. 

00:05:43,530 --> 00:05:43,599 [Michelle Harris]
[laughs] 

00:05:43,600 --> 00:05:50,180 [Tim Scapin]
I like reading academic-y stuff and looking into it, but it also marries technology, which I think is pretty cool. 

00:05:50,180 --> 00:05:50,700 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:05:50,700 --> 00:06:01,680 [Tim Scapin]
So, um, I got with him, and I was like, "I wanna do some research. I wanna get some, some papers published." Um, and he's like, "All right. Cool. Let's go." So we landed on augmented reality- 

00:06:01,680 --> 00:06:02,240 [Michelle Harris]
Okay 

00:06:02,240 --> 00:06:18,696 [Tim Scapin]
... which if, if people have heard of virtual reality, it's kinda like the, the baby brother of-VR is AR, the aug-augmented reality. So, you know, people may be wondering what's, what that is. Well, if you're using like Snapchat or Inst- or Instagram, those filters- 

00:06:18,696 --> 00:06:18,996 [Michelle Harris]
Sure 

00:06:18,996 --> 00:06:25,576 [Tim Scapin]
... the face filters where they, it superimposes something digital on your physical being, that's augmented reality. 

00:06:25,576 --> 00:06:25,976 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:06:25,976 --> 00:06:32,416 [Tim Scapin]
So there's a lot of applications companies use, like Amazon, their app, you can see what a couch is gonna look like in your living room. 

00:06:32,416 --> 00:06:33,196 [Michelle Harris]
Right, yeah, yeah. 

00:06:33,196 --> 00:06:39,356 [Tim Scapin]
So, um, that's a, that's a element of that technology, but you can also use in educational settings. 

00:06:39,356 --> 00:06:40,355 [Michelle Harris]
Okay. 

00:06:40,355 --> 00:06:45,736 [Tim Scapin]
So, um, yeah, that research started with him probably like four years ago now. 

00:06:45,736 --> 00:06:49,596 [Michelle Harris]
Okay. And is it something you just are continuing to do? 

00:06:49,596 --> 00:06:49,636 [Tim Scapin]
Yeah. 

00:06:49,636 --> 00:06:54,116 [Michelle Harris]
Are, are you, you know, to help publish papers, just to help yourself? Like what, what's the next step for that? 

00:06:54,116 --> 00:07:05,316 [Tim Scapin]
Yeah. So we've had two papers published up to this point in, uh, peer-reviewed academic journals. And also we're, um, we have a website. 

00:07:05,316 --> 00:07:05,506 [Michelle Harris]
Okay. 

00:07:05,506 --> 00:07:09,276 [Tim Scapin]
It's, it's kind of a long one. It's augmentedrealityeducationalapps.com. 

00:07:09,276 --> 00:07:10,016 [Michelle Harris]
[laughs] 

00:07:10,016 --> 00:07:12,835 [Tim Scapin]
So, so ba- we call it the AREA. It's A for- 

00:07:12,835 --> 00:07:13,546 [Michelle Harris]
Oh, right, right 

00:07:13,546 --> 00:07:14,956 [Tim Scapin]
... we love a- we love acronyms. So, 

00:07:16,176 --> 00:07:30,256 [Tim Scapin]
um, we research, a foundation of kind of our research is we looked at over 500 apps, uh, augmented reality apps on, um, in the Apple Store and the Google Play Store, and we reviewed them. 

00:07:30,256 --> 00:07:30,896 [Michelle Harris]
Okay. 

00:07:30,896 --> 00:07:38,736 [Tim Scapin]
So we have all our findings on our website. So if a teacher, say, in a fifth grade classroom anywhere- 

00:07:38,736 --> 00:07:39,016 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah 

00:07:39,016 --> 00:07:42,956 [Tim Scapin]
... in the world, um, can look if they're looking for an app about the solar system. 

00:07:42,956 --> 00:07:43,656 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:07:43,656 --> 00:07:50,176 [Tim Scapin]
Instead of them sitting there and downloading 10 apps, we already downloaded a bunch- 

00:07:50,176 --> 00:07:50,256 [Michelle Harris]
Okay 

00:07:50,256 --> 00:07:55,356 [Tim Scapin]
... looked at them, and basically reviewed them to say, "This one, this one works. These don't." 

00:07:55,356 --> 00:07:55,626 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:07:55,626 --> 00:07:57,076 [Tim Scapin]
"This actually looks decent." 

00:07:57,076 --> 00:07:57,336 [Michelle Harris]
Right. 

00:07:57,336 --> 00:08:06,766 [Tim Scapin]
So we're trying to help educators and practitioners to be informed about what apps are out there and what ones, kind of the low-hanging fruit. 

00:08:06,766 --> 00:08:06,775 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:08:06,776 --> 00:08:11,276 [Tim Scapin]
This one's easy to pick. This is gonna work for you. So you can save time instead- 

00:08:11,276 --> 00:08:11,496 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah 

00:08:11,496 --> 00:08:15,836 [Tim Scapin]
... of spending, you know, nobody, teachers don't have a lot of time for planning anyway. 

00:08:15,836 --> 00:08:15,896 [Michelle Harris]
Right. 

00:08:15,896 --> 00:08:18,476 [Tim Scapin]
So, um, that's kind of a cornerstone of our work- 

00:08:18,476 --> 00:08:18,836 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah 

00:08:18,836 --> 00:08:19,936 [Tim Scapin]
... with, with those apps. 

00:08:19,936 --> 00:08:27,016 [Michelle Harris]
That's awesome. That's really great. Um, okay, so rumor has it you were just overseas. 

00:08:27,016 --> 00:08:28,175 [Tim Scapin]
[laughs] Yes, rumor. Yes. 

00:08:28,176 --> 00:08:29,076 [Michelle Harris]
Rumor has it. 

00:08:29,076 --> 00:08:29,856 [Tim Scapin]
Thank you, Michelle. Yes. 

00:08:29,856 --> 00:08:30,546 [Michelle Harris]
You're welcome. 

00:08:30,546 --> 00:08:31,796 [Tim Scapin]
You let the cat out of the bag. 

00:08:31,796 --> 00:08:33,136 [Michelle Harris]
[laughs] So let's talk about- 

00:08:33,136 --> 00:08:33,406 [Tim Scapin]
Yes 

00:08:33,406 --> 00:08:34,696 [Michelle Harris]
... this trip you just had. 

00:08:34,696 --> 00:08:44,256 [Tim Scapin]
Yeah. So, um, basically it, I don't wanna say it didn't culminate. It, the catalyst for this, 'cause I still wanna go other places too, [laughs] 

00:08:44,256 --> 00:08:44,496 [Michelle Harris]
[laughs] 

00:08:44,496 --> 00:09:16,296 [Tim Scapin]
Uh, was our, my work with Dr. O'Shea, and we teamed up with the University of Westminster in London to work on kind of take our work to the next level. So a professor there, we teamed up with him and some computer science students, and they're really project-based learning, um, s- kind of initiatives over there. So two of the students created an application that basically integrated our work of taking a look at apps and gamified it. 

00:09:16,296 --> 00:09:17,036 [Michelle Harris]
Interesting. 

00:09:17,036 --> 00:09:23,496 [Tim Scapin]
So it takes the review process and made a game so anyone can review apps- 

00:09:23,496 --> 00:09:24,326 [Michelle Harris]
Okay 

00:09:24,326 --> 00:09:27,116 [Tim Scapin]
... beyond like leaving it a star in the App Store. 

00:09:27,116 --> 00:09:27,756 [Michelle Harris]
Right. Right. 

00:09:27,756 --> 00:10:21,856 [Tim Scapin]
Thinking of other users say, "Hey, I looked at this, I think this is good." Um, we also have like a s- a categorization system we created. Um, without going too deep into that, but we kinda had the infrastructure there, teamed up and, uh, did some research as far as kinda taking the, everything to the next level. Um, also, it was, it was a great professional development opportunity. I talked with faculty and staff about everything from artificial intelligence, how they're looking at that technology as far as it, uh, its implications in education. Um, you know, just student motivation, how we can best reach our students and deliver instruction and meet their needs and expectations. So yeah, it was a great overall professional development opportunity. I wanted to thank the foundation. They helped, uh, support part of this, uh, effort as well. 

00:10:21,856 --> 00:10:24,565 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. That's really cool to be able to collaborate with people. 

00:10:24,565 --> 00:10:24,675 [Tim Scapin]
Mm-hmm. 

00:10:24,675 --> 00:10:31,776 [Michelle Harris]
And I'm sure you guys, you know, were obviously in touch prior to this trip, and just technology being able to bring literally the world together- 

00:10:31,776 --> 00:10:32,005 [Tim Scapin]
Yes 

00:10:32,005 --> 00:10:33,526 [Michelle Harris]
... to do that is really neat. 

00:10:33,526 --> 00:10:33,526 [Tim Scapin]
Yeah. 

00:10:33,526 --> 00:10:35,315 [Michelle Harris]
And then you're there to do it in person. 

00:10:35,316 --> 00:11:01,636 [Tim Scapin]
Oh, yeah. I mean, it was cool. And, and this is leading to bigger things where, uh, through the, um, Immersive Learning Resur- Research Network, it's an interna- international group, we've taken this n- uh, this initial connection between HCC, App State, and the University of Westminster, and we're expanding it to include other institutions that are interested in collaborating on professional development and research. 

00:11:01,636 --> 00:11:01,656 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:11:01,656 --> 00:11:08,336 [Tim Scapin]
So HCC is a- an anchor point for that bigger initiative, so I'm kind of excited about that. 

00:11:08,336 --> 00:11:08,755 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:11:08,756 --> 00:11:17,106 [Tim Scapin]
Um, also, yeah, just the travel, um, being able to see things, you know, uh, that, you know, just historically significant. [laughs] 

00:11:17,106 --> 00:11:17,136 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:11:17,136 --> 00:11:18,366 [Tim Scapin]
Something old here is like- 

00:11:18,366 --> 00:11:18,376 [Michelle Harris]
Right 

00:11:18,376 --> 00:11:20,396 [Tim Scapin]
... the 1800s, something old there- 

00:11:20,396 --> 00:11:20,406 [Michelle Harris]
[laughs] 

00:11:20,406 --> 00:11:28,276 [Tim Scapin]
... you know, is throw on a- another, uh, you know, 800 years that's old for them. So it was a pretty cool opportunity. 

00:11:28,276 --> 00:11:33,836 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. So did you, um, were you able to do, um, some sightseeing while you were out there? 

00:11:33,836 --> 00:11:38,376 [Tim Scapin]
Yeah. I tacked on another, um, week. It was over spring break. 

00:11:38,376 --> 00:11:38,816 [Michelle Harris]
Okay. 

00:11:38,816 --> 00:11:44,976 [Tim Scapin]
So I was able to travel. They've, they're... I wish we had the train systems they- 

00:11:44,976 --> 00:11:45,896 [Michelle Harris]
I've heard that. 

00:11:45,896 --> 00:11:46,196 [Tim Scapin]
Yes. 

00:11:46,196 --> 00:11:46,516 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:11:46,516 --> 00:11:48,056 [Tim Scapin]
You can hop on a train and just be anywhere. 

00:11:48,056 --> 00:11:48,456 [Michelle Harris]
[laughs] 

00:11:48,456 --> 00:11:57,416 [Tim Scapin]
So, um, yeah, took a train over to the, the Netherlands and, uh, rented a car and actually, being everything's closer [laughs] 

00:11:57,416 --> 00:11:58,316 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:11:58,316 --> 00:12:05,996 [Tim Scapin]
Uh, um, went to part of Germany and also, um, kind of scooted into Belgium a little bit. So- 

00:12:05,996 --> 00:12:06,496 [Michelle Harris]
Okay 

00:12:06,496 --> 00:12:17,668 [Tim Scapin]
... but yeah, I got to see Anne Frank's house in Amsterdam. Uh, went to a, uh-A memorial at a concentration camp. So did some culturally significant things. 

00:12:17,668 --> 00:12:17,748 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:12:17,748 --> 00:12:29,527 [Tim Scapin]
Um, went to a, this thing called Keukenhof. It's the largest, or one of the largest gardens in the world where the tulips were, were blooming. So yeah, it was, it was a lot of cool things I- 

00:12:29,528 --> 00:12:29,648 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah 

00:12:29,648 --> 00:12:31,867 [Tim Scapin]
... got to see. It ma- it makes me wanna go back. 

00:12:31,868 --> 00:12:33,758 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. I bet you got the bug now, huh? 

00:12:33,758 --> 00:12:35,088 [Tim Scapin]
Right a- right away. 

00:12:35,088 --> 00:12:35,988 [Michelle Harris]
[laughs] 

00:12:35,988 --> 00:12:37,048 [Tim Scapin]
Yeah. Yes. 

00:12:37,048 --> 00:12:41,448 [Michelle Harris]
So talk about what's next with your research. I know you talked about this collaboration- 

00:12:41,448 --> 00:12:41,458 [Tim Scapin]
Yeah 

00:12:41,458 --> 00:12:43,888 [Michelle Harris]
... but where do you see this all going? 

00:12:43,888 --> 00:12:53,388 [Tim Scapin]
Well, I think just, yeah, continuing to plug away in what we've started. Um, you know, we're, we focus seems primarily on the augmented reality part, but, 

00:12:54,548 --> 00:12:58,128 [Tim Scapin]
you know, there is a lot more going on there than kind of people think 'cause you hear VR and- 

00:12:58,128 --> 00:12:58,608 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah 

00:12:58,608 --> 00:13:19,278 [Tim Scapin]
... um, but like, even yesterday, Apple released a new, uh, immersive headset that is kind of in the AR/VR realm. So, you know, there's, it's still up and coming technology and immersive, uh, emerging technology. So, you know, we can always... We can do anything, basically. [laughs] 

00:13:19,278 --> 00:13:19,808 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:13:19,808 --> 00:13:25,008 [Tim Scapin]
Since we're not r- like, mandated by anybody, we just see something cool, and we can pursue it. 

00:13:25,008 --> 00:13:25,128 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:13:25,128 --> 00:13:29,868 [Tim Scapin]
That's kind of the neat thing about, about researching. Whatever interest you have- 

00:13:29,868 --> 00:13:30,348 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm 

00:13:30,348 --> 00:13:38,268 [Tim Scapin]
... you can pursue. I also have an interest in, um, you know, uh, creating, uh, inclusive environments for all students, like the accessibility part. 

00:13:38,268 --> 00:13:38,748 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:13:38,748 --> 00:13:40,348 [Tim Scapin]
So you can tie that into technology. 

00:13:40,348 --> 00:13:40,358 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:13:40,358 --> 00:13:44,348 [Tim Scapin]
How can technology be used to bring e- all learners in- 

00:13:44,348 --> 00:13:44,488 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm 

00:13:44,488 --> 00:13:52,028 [Tim Scapin]
... and give them quality educational experiences? So yeah, the sky's the limit as far as what we can do next. 

00:13:52,028 --> 00:14:10,438 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. And, you know, with you, you know, now kind of dual role with the library, um, you and I have chatted a little bit prior to today just about the support that you'll be able to provide our students here with research. Talk a little bit about, you know, s- maybe some of the, the, um, realms of how students here- 

00:14:10,438 --> 00:14:10,438 [Tim Scapin]
Yeah 

00:14:10,438 --> 00:14:13,268 [Michelle Harris]
... might need to do research and what skills you could help them with. 

00:14:13,268 --> 00:14:25,728 [Tim Scapin]
Yeah. So the library's provided this outstanding support, uh, in prior years as far as students come in as part of their coursework, and we offer them guidance on how to perform research. 

00:14:25,728 --> 00:14:25,788 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:14:25,788 --> 00:14:40,188 [Tim Scapin]
Just basically how to find, uh, s- resource- sources we have through our library resources, um, our online, uh, offerings, uh, even, you know, physical books in the library, and then also how to find quality- 

00:14:40,188 --> 00:14:40,968 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah 

00:14:40,968 --> 00:14:45,788 [Tim Scapin]
... um, information, how to discern if it's, you know, a reliable- 

00:14:45,788 --> 00:14:45,808 [Michelle Harris]
Yes 

00:14:45,808 --> 00:14:49,508 [Tim Scapin]
... source as far as just, you know, like, we're not gonna Wikipedia. 

00:14:49,508 --> 00:14:49,548 [Michelle Harris]
Right. 

00:14:49,548 --> 00:14:50,728 [Tim Scapin]
It's good for certain things. 

00:14:50,728 --> 00:14:51,228 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:14:51,228 --> 00:15:05,448 [Tim Scapin]
But like a Google Scholar may be more applicable if you're doing a, um, an academic paper. So yeah, we provide that s- support for students. Plus, you know, if, if any student has any kind of technical issue, we have outstanding support otherwise. 

00:15:05,448 --> 00:15:06,148 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:15:06,148 --> 00:15:17,228 [Tim Scapin]
But yeah, I think it's cool since I'm physically in the library now, uh, if somebody, if a student pops in, I always, you know, love working with them, being student facing now. 

00:15:17,228 --> 00:15:17,498 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:15:17,498 --> 00:15:20,358 [Tim Scapin]
Uh, allowing myself to, to help out any way I can. 

00:15:20,358 --> 00:15:20,368 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:15:20,368 --> 00:15:24,068 [Tim Scapin]
And that's kind of what I really enjoy is helping students. 

00:15:24,068 --> 00:15:27,848 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. So you're kind of right in the middle. You're helping instructors, and you're helping students. 

00:15:27,848 --> 00:15:28,828 [Tim Scapin]
Yes. I help everyone. 

00:15:28,828 --> 00:15:29,728 [Michelle Harris]
You help everyone. 

00:15:29,728 --> 00:15:30,988 [Tim Scapin]
Everyone, Michelle. 

00:15:30,988 --> 00:15:31,038 [Michelle Harris]
[laughs] 

00:15:31,038 --> 00:15:32,668 [Tim Scapin]
No one's left out. 

00:15:32,668 --> 00:15:33,628 [Michelle Harris]
I love it. 

00:15:33,628 --> 00:15:34,088 [Tim Scapin]
Yes. 

00:15:34,088 --> 00:15:43,068 [Michelle Harris]
I love it. Um, well, I really appreciate you sharing all that with us. Um, it's good for people to just get an insight, and you can, you know, your ability to just talk about what you're going through- 

00:15:43,068 --> 00:15:43,398 [Tim Scapin]
Yeah 

00:15:43,398 --> 00:15:49,948 [Michelle Harris]
... you know, with your education and your research, and it's just neat for people to hear where they can also go as an inspiration. 

00:15:49,948 --> 00:15:56,248 [Tim Scapin]
Yeah. I mean, I would've never thought, even before I went to school, back to school, that I'd be where I am. 

00:15:56,248 --> 00:15:56,568 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:15:56,568 --> 00:16:01,948 [Tim Scapin]
But it's just good experiences, and that's why I like being here because I know our faculty and staff 

00:16:02,968 --> 00:16:05,848 [Tim Scapin]
do their best to create those good experiences- 

00:16:05,848 --> 00:16:06,248 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm 

00:16:06,248 --> 00:16:15,128 [Tim Scapin]
... for students. Because that one little thing you do extra can be a launchpad for the student's next step- 

00:16:15,128 --> 00:16:15,178 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah 

00:16:15,178 --> 00:16:17,058 [Tim Scapin]
... and, you know, next step. 

00:16:17,058 --> 00:16:17,078 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:16:17,078 --> 00:16:20,908 [Tim Scapin]
And, you know, getting a degree is not for everyone because we offer a lot of- 

00:16:20,908 --> 00:16:21,068 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah 

00:16:21,068 --> 00:16:23,228 [Tim Scapin]
... cool stuff like our construction program. 

00:16:23,228 --> 00:16:23,468 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:16:23,468 --> 00:16:27,668 [Tim Scapin]
You know, and I know our motto used to be like, "Education changes everything." Well, it can. 

00:16:27,668 --> 00:16:28,127 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:16:28,127 --> 00:16:30,408 [Tim Scapin]
That's not just like a cliche and a bumper sticker. 

00:16:30,408 --> 00:16:30,668 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:16:30,668 --> 00:16:35,958 [Tim Scapin]
Um, if you take on a new skill, you learn, you know, come to our, one of our arts programs. 

00:16:35,958 --> 00:16:35,988 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:16:35,988 --> 00:16:39,688 [Tim Scapin]
It can open a door for something that you wanna do and have a passion for it, so. 

00:16:39,688 --> 00:16:40,048 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:16:40,048 --> 00:16:44,688 [Tim Scapin]
That's the cool thing about us especially, um, we offer such a diverse array of things- 

00:16:44,688 --> 00:16:44,968 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm 

00:16:44,968 --> 00:16:49,588 [Tim Scapin]
... for people to do and the tools to add to the toolkits to change their lives, so. 

00:16:49,588 --> 00:16:50,408 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. Yeah. 

00:16:50,408 --> 00:16:51,288 [Tim Scapin]
It's, it's a cool thing. 

00:16:51,288 --> 00:16:52,918 [Michelle Harris]
That's all amazing. Um, 

00:16:53,928 --> 00:16:55,928 [Michelle Harris]
so before we get into rapid fire- 

00:16:55,928 --> 00:16:56,788 [Tim Scapin]
Oh. 

00:16:56,788 --> 00:16:56,968 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:16:56,968 --> 00:16:57,708 [Tim Scapin]
I'm not prepared. 

00:16:57,708 --> 00:16:59,798 [Michelle Harris]
You... I know. You're not supposed to be, right? 

00:16:59,798 --> 00:17:00,208 [Tim Scapin]
Oh. [laughs] 

00:17:00,208 --> 00:17:16,068 [Michelle Harris]
That's, that's the goal of rapid fire. Um, most people don't know this, but you actually help with the podcast. Every other week, you do the editing, so you may or may not have heard these questions before. Um, but I'm hoping you haven't. That way, it'll be a surprise. 

00:17:16,068 --> 00:17:17,088 [Tim Scapin]
Uh, well, we'll find out. 

00:17:17,088 --> 00:17:17,688 [Michelle Harris]
Okay. 

00:17:17,688 --> 00:17:20,248 [Tim Scapin]
Yes, I hope that... [laughs] Now you let the cat out of the bag. 

00:17:20,248 --> 00:17:20,328 [Michelle Harris]
I did. 

00:17:20,328 --> 00:17:21,868 [Tim Scapin]
If the editing was poor- 

00:17:21,868 --> 00:17:22,048 [Michelle Harris]
Yes 

00:17:22,048 --> 00:17:23,108 [Tim Scapin]
... do not- 

00:17:23,108 --> 00:17:23,218 [Michelle Harris]
[laughs] 

00:17:23,218 --> 00:17:25,448 [Tim Scapin]
... forward all letters to Michelle. 

00:17:25,448 --> 00:17:26,568 [Michelle Harris]
[laughs] 

00:17:26,568 --> 00:17:29,688 [Tim Scapin]
Um, yes. Yeah. I'm, but I'm ha- happy that I got to help out with- 

00:17:29,688 --> 00:17:29,788 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah 

00:17:29,788 --> 00:17:31,608 [Tim Scapin]
... or continue to help out with the podcast. Yeah. Thanks. 

00:17:31,608 --> 00:17:36,328 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. That's awesome. Okay. So this is, like, your gut reaction to these questions, right? 

00:17:36,328 --> 00:17:36,368 [Tim Scapin]
Oh, boy. 

00:17:36,368 --> 00:17:38,728 [Michelle Harris]
All right. Dogs or cats? 

00:17:38,728 --> 00:17:41,088 [Tim Scapin]
I'm allergic to cats, so dogs. 

00:17:41,088 --> 00:17:41,848 [Michelle Harris]
Favorite color? 

00:17:41,888 --> 00:17:43,308 [Tim Scapin]
Do you want my eyes to just- 

00:17:43,308 --> 00:17:43,998 [Michelle Harris]
[laughs] 

00:17:43,998 --> 00:17:45,228 [Tim Scapin]
... burn with the cat hair? 

00:17:46,308 --> 00:17:48,738 [Tim Scapin]
I'm sorry, lightning. These are slow rolls for me. 

00:17:48,738 --> 00:17:49,388 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. We gotta go- 

00:17:49,388 --> 00:17:49,468 [Tim Scapin]
Okay. 

00:17:49,468 --> 00:17:50,218 [Michelle Harris]
We gotta go quick. 

00:17:50,218 --> 00:17:50,328 [Tim Scapin]
Okay. 

00:17:50,328 --> 00:17:52,028 [Michelle Harris]
Rapid fire. 

00:17:52,088 --> 00:17:52,878 [Tim Scapin]
Favorite color? 

00:17:52,878 --> 00:17:52,888 [Michelle Harris]
Favorite color. 

00:17:52,888 --> 00:17:53,928 [Tim Scapin]
Red. 

00:17:53,928 --> 00:17:55,728 [Michelle Harris]
Favorite pasta? 

00:17:55,728 --> 00:17:58,548 [Tim Scapin]
Ugh. I like angel hair pasta. 

00:17:58,548 --> 00:18:01,628 [Michelle Harris]
That's a good one. Do you have any musical talents? 

00:18:01,628 --> 00:18:03,988 [Tim Scapin]
I pretend to play the drums. 

00:18:03,988 --> 00:18:05,388 [Michelle Harris]
Sweet or unsweet tea? 

00:18:08,108 --> 00:18:10,188 [Tim Scapin]
Unsweet mixed with lemonade. 

00:18:10,188 --> 00:18:10,788 [Michelle Harris]
Love it. 

00:18:10,788 --> 00:18:11,248 [Tim Scapin]
Yes. 

00:18:11,248 --> 00:18:13,308 [Michelle Harris]
What's your go-to birthday cake flavor?

00:18:14,724 --> 00:18:16,804 [Tim Scapin]
I used to be into that Funfetti 

00:18:16,804 --> 00:18:17,264 [Announcer]
Yes 

00:18:17,264 --> 00:18:20,434 [Tim Scapin]
Not like it has any extra flavor. [laughs] 

00:18:20,434 --> 00:18:20,543 [Announcer]
[laughs] 

00:18:20,544 --> 00:18:22,044 [Tim Scapin]
It was just fun. 

00:18:22,044 --> 00:18:23,424 [Announcer]
It is, hence the name. 

00:18:23,424 --> 00:18:24,044 [Tim Scapin]
Yes. 

00:18:24,044 --> 00:18:26,824 [Announcer]
Uh, what's your go-to wake-up beverage? 

00:18:26,824 --> 00:18:29,744 [Tim Scapin]
Uh, I'm trying to cut caffeine, so tea. 

00:18:29,744 --> 00:18:30,663 [Announcer]
Coke or Pepsi? 

00:18:33,204 --> 00:18:34,674 [Tim Scapin]
I... Can I pick a third? [laughs] 

00:18:34,674 --> 00:18:36,104 [Announcer]
[laughs] No. 

00:18:36,104 --> 00:18:37,304 [Tim Scapin]
Coke. 

00:18:37,304 --> 00:18:39,304 [Announcer]
Favorite day of the week? 

00:18:39,304 --> 00:18:39,624 [Tim Scapin]
Um, 

00:18:40,864 --> 00:18:41,544 [Tim Scapin]
hmm. 

00:18:43,284 --> 00:18:45,724 [Tim Scapin]
I guess S- Saturday. 

00:18:45,724 --> 00:18:47,844 [Announcer]
I agree with that one. Uh, what's your favorite holiday? 

00:18:51,004 --> 00:18:52,424 [Tim Scapin]
I don't wanna go the easy one here. 

00:18:53,844 --> 00:18:59,784 [Tim Scapin]
Uh, I guess, yeah, I guess, I guess Christmas holidays, yeah. 

00:18:59,784 --> 00:19:02,013 [Announcer]
If you had a superhero power- 

00:19:02,013 --> 00:19:02,013 [Tim Scapin]
[laughs] 

00:19:02,013 --> 00:19:06,083 [Announcer]
... would you prefer invisibility or super strength? 

00:19:06,084 --> 00:19:06,404 [Tim Scapin]
Um, 

00:19:08,484 --> 00:19:12,144 [Tim Scapin]
shoot. Probably, I guess invisibility. 

00:19:12,144 --> 00:19:14,164 [Announcer]
Favorite muffin type? 

00:19:14,164 --> 00:19:15,544 [Tim Scapin]
Oh, man. I love muffins. 

00:19:15,544 --> 00:19:16,744 [Announcer]
[laughs] 

00:19:16,744 --> 00:19:17,124 [Tim Scapin]
Um, 

00:19:18,244 --> 00:19:21,364 [Tim Scapin]
like a blueberry with, like, real blueberries. 

00:19:21,364 --> 00:19:21,704 [Announcer]
Yeah. 

00:19:21,704 --> 00:19:25,404 [Tim Scapin]
Not like those artificial blue 40 pellets they stick in there. [laughs] 

00:19:25,404 --> 00:19:27,804 [Announcer]
Right. Um, beach or mountains? 

00:19:28,864 --> 00:19:31,043 [Tim Scapin]
Oh, it depends. 

00:19:32,064 --> 00:19:34,103 [Tim Scapin]
A beach in the mountains. 

00:19:34,103 --> 00:19:34,314 [Announcer]
[laughs] 

00:19:34,314 --> 00:19:35,024 [Tim Scapin]
Um, yeah, I guess, 

00:19:36,104 --> 00:19:37,624 [Tim Scapin]
I guess beach. 

00:19:37,624 --> 00:19:39,344 [Announcer]
Veggies or fruits? 

00:19:39,344 --> 00:19:41,204 [Tim Scapin]
Mm, fruits. 

00:19:41,204 --> 00:19:42,764 [Announcer]
Mayo or Miracle Whip? 

00:19:42,764 --> 00:19:45,804 [Tim Scapin]
[laughs] I gue- yeah, mayo. 

00:19:45,804 --> 00:19:48,344 [Announcer]
Are you a morning person or a night person? 

00:19:48,344 --> 00:19:48,824 [Tim Scapin]
Hmm. 

00:19:50,544 --> 00:19:51,524 [Tim Scapin]
Well, I've become more of a, 

00:19:52,744 --> 00:19:54,624 [Tim Scapin]
more of a morning person. 

00:19:54,624 --> 00:19:55,324 [Announcer]
Okay. 

00:19:55,324 --> 00:19:55,864 [Tim Scapin]
Yes. 

00:19:55,864 --> 00:19:59,374 [Announcer]
That's good. Tim, thank you so much for joining us this week. 

00:19:59,374 --> 00:19:59,544 [Tim Scapin]
That's- 

00:19:59,544 --> 00:20:00,694 [Announcer]
I really appreciate it 

00:20:00,694 --> 00:20:00,794 [Tim Scapin]
... no more? 

00:20:00,794 --> 00:20:01,094 [Announcer]
No, that was it. 

00:20:01,094 --> 00:20:01,664 [Tim Scapin]
That's it? 

00:20:01,664 --> 00:20:03,054 [Announcer]
We got to know you. 

00:20:03,054 --> 00:20:03,084 [Tim Scapin]
Oh. 

00:20:03,084 --> 00:20:05,684 [Announcer]
And the way to Tim's heart is apparently muffins. 

00:20:05,684 --> 00:20:06,424 [Tim Scapin]
Blueberry- 

00:20:06,424 --> 00:20:06,574 [Announcer]
So- 

00:20:06,574 --> 00:20:09,224 [Tim Scapin]
... real blueberry muffins. Now, if you wanna stop at a library- 

00:20:09,224 --> 00:20:09,824 [Announcer]
[laughs] 

00:20:09,824 --> 00:20:11,814 [Tim Scapin]
... some real blueberry muffins. No, thanks, Michelle. 

00:20:11,814 --> 00:20:23,924 [Announcer]
Yeah. Thanks for your time this week. We really appreciate it. It's great to get to know you. Everyone, you'll see Tim around, say hi, ask for help, give him a pat on the back. Thank you for, uh, supporting our instructors and our students here at HCC. 

00:20:23,924 --> 00:20:25,864 [Tim Scapin]
Thank you. [upbeat music] 

00:20:25,864 --> 00:20:47,844 [Announcer]
Thanks for listening to another episode of Bobcat Chat. Haywood Community College is located in Clyde, North Carolina. If you would like to learn more about our great school, head over to www.haywood.edu. That's H-A-Y-W-O-O-D.E-D-U.

00:00:00,080 --> 00:00:27,640 [Michelle Harris]
[upbeat music] Hello, everybody. Welcome to this week's edition of Bobcat Chat. My name is Michelle Harris. I'm the director of marketing here at HCC, and I have the pleasure of sitting down with Tammy Hall-McDowell, who is a member of our board of trustees. And today, we are talking about Black History Month. And Tammy, welcome to the show. 

00:00:27,640 --> 00:00:31,360 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
Thank you, Michelle. I appreciate the opportunity to be here. 

00:00:31,360 --> 00:00:36,739 [Michelle Harris]
Wonderful. So let's get to know you a little bit first. Um, are you a local to the area? 

00:00:36,740 --> 00:00:46,269 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
I am. I am a resident of Canton. I grew up, um, in Canton, went to Pisgah High. Go Bears. Um- 

00:00:46,269 --> 00:00:46,269 [Michelle Harris]
[laughs] 

00:00:46,269 --> 00:00:51,460 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
... I left after I graduated and then moved back, um, years later, so. 

00:00:51,460 --> 00:00:54,680 [Michelle Harris]
Sure. It's such a beautiful area. It's kinda easy to move back. [laughs] 

00:00:54,680 --> 00:00:59,620 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
It certainly is, and there's no place in the whole world like these mountains, so yeah. 

00:00:59,620 --> 00:01:10,560 [Michelle Harris]
Totally agree. Um, so you've been on our board for a little while, so how many years have you been on our board, and what's the value you find in being on that board? 

00:01:10,560 --> 00:01:11,220 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
Um, I 

00:01:12,780 --> 00:01:20,580 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
have been on the board since, uh, 2020, um, which was the year of- 

00:01:20,580 --> 00:01:20,700 [Michelle Harris]
The year 

00:01:20,700 --> 00:01:23,560 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
... COVID, yeah. So, um, 

00:01:25,220 --> 00:01:37,700 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
so the first, you know, the first year or whatever, we were, um, online or something. So, um, but yes, I've been on it since 2020, and I think, um, 

00:01:38,720 --> 00:01:43,940 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
there are a lot of things. I mean, this is a great opportunity for me, um, obviously, um, 

00:01:45,420 --> 00:01:58,800 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
professionally and, and, and in many ways. But I think I've enjoyed just, um, meeting different people and getting to understand, um, and learn about higher education. 

00:01:58,800 --> 00:01:59,480 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:01:59,480 --> 00:02:02,780 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
So I think those are the... That's the big takeaway from it. 

00:02:02,780 --> 00:02:03,460 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:02:03,460 --> 00:02:03,480 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
Yeah. 

00:02:03,480 --> 00:02:05,800 [Michelle Harris]
That's great. It's such a unique world. 

00:02:05,800 --> 00:02:07,210 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
It certainly is, yeah. 

00:02:07,210 --> 00:02:09,910 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. So, um, well, thank you for serving on the board for us. 

00:02:09,910 --> 00:02:09,970 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
Oh, thank you. 

00:02:09,970 --> 00:02:11,039 [Michelle Harris]
We appreciate that. 

00:02:11,039 --> 00:02:12,420 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
It's my pleasure. 

00:02:12,420 --> 00:02:29,620 [Michelle Harris]
Um, and you have also helped the community in other ways. You served on the Haywood Martin Luther King Jr. Committee. So I wanted to take a moment and just talk about that, like what your role was, what you did, the value you found in that, and bringing that to the community here. 

00:02:29,620 --> 00:02:38,140 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
Um, I have been involved with the, um, Haywood County MLK Committee, oh, for probably 20 years. 

00:02:38,140 --> 00:02:39,240 [Michelle Harris]
Wow, that's awesome. 

00:02:39,240 --> 00:02:47,520 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
Yeah. Um, when I first moved back to this area, um, the committee was already functioning and, and, uh, 

00:02:49,060 --> 00:03:04,600 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
was doing, uh, having the breakfast, not, um, in the same capacity, but they were having it. Um, so I kinda... You know, at that time everybody was like, "Oh, well, you can come help with this," and so I got involved. Um, 

00:03:05,640 --> 00:03:16,060 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
I ended up co-chairing with the chair at that time, and then eventually I became the chair, and I was supposed to serve two years. 

00:03:16,060 --> 00:03:17,040 [Michelle Harris]
Okay. 

00:03:17,040 --> 00:03:19,560 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
And two years turned into, 

00:03:20,620 --> 00:03:24,300 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
I think, 15, 16 or something like that. 

00:03:24,300 --> 00:03:24,760 [Michelle Harris]
Wow. Wow. 

00:03:24,760 --> 00:03:29,900 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
Um, so I... It has been an absolute, um, joy 

00:03:31,060 --> 00:03:33,780 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
to serve. Um, it is a whole lot of work. 

00:03:33,780 --> 00:03:34,860 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:03:34,860 --> 00:03:38,180 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
It's, it's a lot of work, but I, um, 

00:03:39,300 --> 00:03:44,140 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
I'm happy to do it. When it's all over, I'm happy. [laughs] I'm happy for the outcome. 

00:03:44,140 --> 00:03:44,820 [Michelle Harris]
Right. 

00:03:44,820 --> 00:03:45,680 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
But, um, 

00:03:47,020 --> 00:03:55,910 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
and I think the, you know, the, the takeaway that I get from it is, is, you know, Dr. King was... had the ability to bring 

00:03:57,700 --> 00:04:05,200 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
a diverse group of people together, and that w- that... There aren't many people who were as gifted at doing that as he was. 

00:04:07,460 --> 00:04:07,490 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:04:07,490 --> 00:04:23,600 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
Um, so it brings me great joy, even if it's once a year, to see Haywood County and its diversity, even if it's just for one morning for breakfast. So that, that's, um, that gives me, that gives me joy, and it gives me hope- 

00:04:23,600 --> 00:04:24,340 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah 

00:04:24,340 --> 00:04:29,020 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
... for our, for this, this community, this country. It gives me hope. 

00:04:29,020 --> 00:04:46,180 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. That's great. Well, I appreciate all those years of work, and I'm sure the community does as well, so [laughs] thank you for that. Um, and then kind of, again, diving in, getting to little, uh, getting to know you a little bit more, have there been any impactful books or readings that you have found very memorable? 

00:04:47,440 --> 00:04:47,760 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
Um, 

00:04:49,020 --> 00:04:53,040 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
the most recent, obviously, um, 

00:04:54,440 --> 00:04:56,060 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
would be Dear Martin. 

00:04:56,060 --> 00:04:57,060 [Michelle Harris]
Okay, sure. 

00:04:57,060 --> 00:04:57,400 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
Um, 

00:04:59,680 --> 00:05:09,680 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
and I think that that book came out, obviously, at the, the most opportune time because of everything that was going on already, um, in our country with, um, 

00:05:12,160 --> 00:05:17,340 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
with all the names. I can't even think of all the names now, but George Floyd and- 

00:05:17,400 --> 00:05:17,410 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm 

00:05:17,410 --> 00:05:18,180 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
... all of them. 

00:05:18,180 --> 00:05:18,539 [Michelle Harris]
Yes. 

00:05:18,540 --> 00:05:26,479 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
Um, so I think that book came out at, at the, the perfect time. Um, there was some controversy, as you know. 

00:05:26,480 --> 00:05:26,690 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:05:26,690 --> 00:05:28,460 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
I think the, the author was here- 

00:05:28,460 --> 00:05:28,910 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm, yes 

00:05:28,910 --> 00:05:30,020 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
... at the college. Um, 

00:05:31,440 --> 00:05:31,760 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
but, 

00:05:33,060 --> 00:05:46,380 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
you know, the, the controversy is, you know, we're... I'm not gonna, I'm not gonna, uh, address it, but what the book, the foundation of the book and what the book was talking about is, is real. 

00:05:46,380 --> 00:05:46,750 [Michelle Harris]
Sure. 

00:05:46,750 --> 00:05:55,340 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
And it, the story needs to be told. It may not have been told in the way that people want it d- you know, the pretty way or the- 

00:05:55,340 --> 00:05:55,580 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm 

00:05:55,580 --> 00:05:59,500 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
... but the story needs to be told, and it needs... Obviously, it's still going on. 

00:05:59,500 --> 00:06:00,240 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:06:00,240 --> 00:06:08,036 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
So, um, I think that's the most recently controversial one that, um-That I would suggest. 

00:06:08,036 --> 00:06:08,346 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:06:08,346 --> 00:06:08,346 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
Yeah. 

00:06:08,346 --> 00:06:10,396 [Michelle Harris]
And that made an impact on you, which is- 

00:06:10,396 --> 00:06:12,676 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
It, it made an impact on a lot of people. 

00:06:12,676 --> 00:06:12,856 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:06:12,856 --> 00:06:18,756 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
Um, not just me per se, but, um, my grandson read the book. 

00:06:18,756 --> 00:06:18,836 [Michelle Harris]
Okay. 

00:06:18,836 --> 00:06:21,256 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
So he's 14. 

00:06:21,256 --> 00:06:21,996 [Michelle Harris]
Okay. 

00:06:21,996 --> 00:06:24,336 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
Um, and unfortunately 

00:06:25,436 --> 00:06:32,536 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
that's something that he needs, he needed to read, he needs to understand. Um, and that's sad. 

00:06:32,536 --> 00:06:32,606 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:06:32,606 --> 00:06:33,856 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
That saddens me- 

00:06:33,856 --> 00:06:34,396 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm 

00:06:34,396 --> 00:06:39,686 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
... that, you know, his parents and I, we have to, we have to teach him that. 

00:06:39,686 --> 00:06:39,716 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:06:39,716 --> 00:06:42,155 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
We have to teach him to be careful- 

00:06:42,156 --> 00:06:43,176 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm 

00:06:43,176 --> 00:06:46,736 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
... and to protect himself, and that these things could happen to you- 

00:06:47,796 --> 00:06:47,806 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm 

00:06:47,806 --> 00:06:50,456 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
... just because the color of your skin, just because of what you look like. 

00:06:50,456 --> 00:06:51,155 [Michelle Harris]
Right. Right. 

00:06:51,156 --> 00:06:52,516 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
Um, so, 

00:06:53,756 --> 00:06:58,776 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
you know, in the most, uh, you know, in the last couple years, that would be the book. 

00:06:58,776 --> 00:06:58,975 [Michelle Harris]
Sure. 

00:07:00,036 --> 00:07:00,496 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
Yeah. 

00:07:00,496 --> 00:07:05,336 [Michelle Harris]
Okay. Um, and then do you have any role models or mentors? 

00:07:06,836 --> 00:07:10,716 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
I have so many, so many. Um, 

00:07:12,776 --> 00:07:23,086 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
first of all, I'm blessed to have, to have had wonderful parents. Um, my brothers and sisters and I, you know, my mother taught us compassion. 

00:07:23,086 --> 00:07:23,116 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:07:23,116 --> 00:07:34,395 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
She taught us how to give back, and my father taught us strength. He taught us, you know, all the things that we need s- to know to be strong and to also protect ourselves. 

00:07:34,396 --> 00:07:34,996 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:07:34,996 --> 00:07:47,136 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
So I had the best of both worlds and, and both of them live, um, both of those pieces of them live in me. And, um, but 

00:07:48,456 --> 00:08:00,096 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
I have so many, um, men- mentors and role models. Um, obviously Dr. King is at the top of that list. 

00:08:00,096 --> 00:08:00,656 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:08:00,656 --> 00:08:07,556 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
And as we talked earlier, it's because, um, I just admire his amazing, um, 

00:08:08,736 --> 00:08:14,556 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
the, the amazing way that he brought so many people across the world together. 

00:08:14,556 --> 00:08:14,786 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:08:14,786 --> 00:08:17,946 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
Um, and he did it, um, just out of love. 

00:08:17,946 --> 00:08:18,245 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:08:18,245 --> 00:08:24,816 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
Just, just basically teaching us to love each other. But then there's, I mean, there's, um, 

00:08:26,076 --> 00:08:30,306 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
people that I, um, admire that are role models or that have, 

00:08:32,076 --> 00:08:39,336 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
that have done different things throughout my life for different reasons or different seasons. I mean, there are all the firsts. 

00:08:39,336 --> 00:08:39,376 [Michelle Harris]
Right. 

00:08:39,376 --> 00:08:45,176 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
I mean, there's the Jackie Robinson, there's the, um, Ella Fitzgerald, and um, 

00:08:46,416 --> 00:08:49,096 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
you know, all the firsts, Michelle Obama. 

00:08:49,096 --> 00:08:49,196 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:08:49,196 --> 00:08:52,905 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
President Obama. Um, I could just go on and on and on. 

00:08:52,905 --> 00:08:52,916 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:08:52,916 --> 00:09:00,356 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
But all those firsts broke down barriers for other people, barriers and doors for other people to walk into. 

00:09:00,356 --> 00:09:00,876 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:09:00,876 --> 00:09:01,676 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
So, um, 

00:09:02,916 --> 00:09:04,755 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
I just admire, I admire, um... 

00:09:05,816 --> 00:09:20,656 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
I received my bachelor's and master's from Montreat College, and that experience was transforming. So there were teachers and profes- well, professors not teachers, but there were professors that, 

00:09:21,976 --> 00:09:29,596 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
um, not only taught me academically, but they also taught me how to, um, to think spiritually- 

00:09:29,596 --> 00:09:30,336 [Michelle Harris]
Sure 

00:09:30,336 --> 00:09:37,066 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
... and to bring those two together. And until that time in my life, I had not been able to do that. 

00:09:37,066 --> 00:09:37,556 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:09:37,556 --> 00:09:47,166 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
So I think it, it transformed me and it, it opened up so many doors, and, and it opened up my mind and my heart. So, um, 

00:09:49,096 --> 00:09:55,556 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
and I can't, you know, there was, there's a pro- African professor, his name is... Well, we called him Dr. O. 

00:09:55,556 --> 00:09:56,116 [Michelle Harris]
[laughs] 

00:09:56,116 --> 00:10:08,296 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
And he was the most jolly man, and he had the most [laughs] he had the funniest laugh. Um, but it was people like that who have, you know, taught me many things. So 

00:10:09,316 --> 00:10:10,996 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
I have a long list. 

00:10:10,996 --> 00:10:14,786 [Michelle Harris]
That's great, 'cause not everybody can say that. So [laughs] 

00:10:14,786 --> 00:10:14,796 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
Yeah. 

00:10:14,796 --> 00:10:15,716 [Michelle Harris]
That's great. 

00:10:15,716 --> 00:10:18,736 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
Yeah. So, um, I can't just name one. 

00:10:18,736 --> 00:10:19,336 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:10:19,336 --> 00:10:21,296 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
Um, and they're, you know, 

00:10:23,276 --> 00:10:28,295 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
they are role models or mentors for different reasons. 

00:10:28,296 --> 00:10:29,136 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:10:29,136 --> 00:10:31,336 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
So, and all of them, um, 

00:10:32,636 --> 00:10:34,696 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
played a different role in my life, so. 

00:10:34,696 --> 00:10:36,416 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. That's amazing. That's great. 

00:10:36,416 --> 00:10:36,596 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
Yeah. 

00:10:36,596 --> 00:10:40,756 [Michelle Harris]
Thank you for sharing that. Um, do you have a personal mantra? 

00:10:43,196 --> 00:10:43,756 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
Yes. Dr., 

00:10:45,736 --> 00:10:47,776 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
um, Maya Angelou, 

00:10:49,416 --> 00:10:49,956 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
um, 

00:10:51,476 --> 00:10:55,876 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
says to do the best you can until you know better, 

00:10:57,176 --> 00:10:59,796 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
and then when you know better, do better. 

00:11:00,976 --> 00:11:02,956 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
And, um, 

00:11:04,686 --> 00:11:11,816 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
that is one of my favorite mantras, and it's, it's, um, I think about, um, the ancestors that walked before me. 

00:11:11,816 --> 00:11:12,436 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:11:12,436 --> 00:11:15,666 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
Um, and they did the best that they can with what 

00:11:16,876 --> 00:11:17,536 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
they had. 

00:11:17,536 --> 00:11:18,396 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:11:18,396 --> 00:11:18,716 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
Um, 

00:11:19,876 --> 00:11:40,466 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
you know, a- and I think that my generation and the generations after me, and even the generations before me, as we evolved, as we became smarter, as we became, um, wealthier, that, um, that we did just what Dr. Angelou said, "When you know better, you do better." 

00:11:40,466 --> 00:11:40,506 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:11:40,506 --> 00:11:47,776 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
And we have to, we have to honor our ancestors, and we have to keep giving back. And 

00:11:48,816 --> 00:11:52,376 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
the smarter that we become, the wealthier that we become, whatever it is- 

00:11:52,376 --> 00:11:52,896 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm 

00:11:52,896 --> 00:11:55,916 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
... um, the doors that are open that I've just told you about- 

00:11:55,916 --> 00:11:55,926 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah 

00:11:55,926 --> 00:12:00,576 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
... the first, we have to keep opening doors, and we have to keep doing better. 

00:12:00,576 --> 00:12:01,656 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:12:01,656 --> 00:12:01,716 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
Yeah. 

00:12:01,716 --> 00:12:08,476 [Michelle Harris]
I love it. I love it. Um, so what is something you would tell your younger self? 

00:12:08,476 --> 00:12:21,432 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
Hmm.Oh my goodness, I would tell my [laughs] younger self so many things. But for the purpose of this, um, just to, to be yourself. 

00:12:21,432 --> 00:12:21,622 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:12:21,622 --> 00:12:25,592 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
To be the person that God made you. Um, and I, 

00:12:26,872 --> 00:12:47,332 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
you know, I grew up thinking that I wanted to be this, I wanted to be that, and, you know, um, you know, living into whatever s- I thought was what people wanted me to do. Um, and I wish I had of listened more to just Tammy. What does Tammy want? 

00:12:47,332 --> 00:12:48,332 [Michelle Harris]
Right. 

00:12:48,332 --> 00:12:52,792 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
You know, and then, you know, you get married, you have children, and then you just get 

00:12:54,072 --> 00:12:54,852 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
in the circle. 

00:12:54,852 --> 00:12:55,932 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. 

00:12:55,932 --> 00:13:00,812 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
And, um, I wish I just had of told my younger self to just stop 

00:13:02,572 --> 00:13:04,672 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
and, um, listen to myself. 

00:13:04,672 --> 00:13:04,682 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:13:04,682 --> 00:13:12,212 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
And to be the... You know, I encourage anybody to be who... To, to be true to yourself. If you wanna sing, sing. 

00:13:12,212 --> 00:13:12,972 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:13:12,972 --> 00:13:15,072 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
If you wanna dance, dance. 

00:13:15,072 --> 00:13:15,732 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:13:15,732 --> 00:13:19,872 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
Um, whatever the thing is, to just be true to yourself. Um, 

00:13:21,072 --> 00:13:21,562 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
and then, 

00:13:23,112 --> 00:13:23,492 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
um, 

00:13:25,352 --> 00:13:31,372 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
you know, I would also say that the, that people are gonna give you advice throughout your life. Some of it's gonna be good, 

00:13:32,952 --> 00:13:40,072 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
and take that good advice and do something positive with it. But then there are also people who are just gonna give you bad advice. 

00:13:40,072 --> 00:13:40,972 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:13:40,972 --> 00:13:46,552 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
And, you know, being able to balance that a- and, and knowing the difference between the two, 

00:13:47,792 --> 00:13:49,772 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
um, is priceless. 

00:13:49,772 --> 00:13:50,492 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:13:50,492 --> 00:13:51,912 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
It's priceless. Um, 

00:13:53,492 --> 00:14:04,212 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
so those are... And then the only other thing, um, is, um, that it's not easy to stand up and speak out for what's important to you. 

00:14:06,672 --> 00:14:07,282 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:14:07,282 --> 00:14:15,282 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
Um, but you will be amazed at how empowering, um, and important it can be if you do. 

00:14:15,282 --> 00:14:16,052 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:14:16,052 --> 00:14:23,912 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
So those are, those are a few things that, um, I try to think about daily and live by and- 

00:14:23,912 --> 00:14:24,252 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm 

00:14:24,252 --> 00:14:25,072 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
... yeah. 

00:14:25,072 --> 00:14:30,092 [Michelle Harris]
I think those are all excellent advice, especially for our students that might be listening to this. Like, take those three things- 

00:14:30,092 --> 00:14:30,102 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
Yes 

00:14:30,102 --> 00:14:40,432 [Michelle Harris]
... that she just said [laughs] and put them in your brain and act on them because it is, it is true. You know, being true to yourself and listening to yourself can just be transformational. 

00:14:40,432 --> 00:14:41,452 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
Right. Yeah. 

00:14:41,452 --> 00:14:41,892 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:14:41,892 --> 00:14:45,472 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
I mean, we all have... You know, I'm not saying you shouldn't have... You should have goals. 

00:14:45,472 --> 00:14:45,692 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:14:45,692 --> 00:14:50,572 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
But, you know, sometimes we get caught up in, um, what other people want us to be. 

00:14:50,572 --> 00:14:52,492 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. Yeah. 

00:14:52,492 --> 00:14:52,792 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
So. 

00:14:52,792 --> 00:14:53,212 [Michelle Harris]
Easy to do. 

00:14:53,212 --> 00:14:56,812 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
And we spend a lot of time wasting energy. 

00:14:56,812 --> 00:14:57,872 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:14:57,872 --> 00:14:59,692 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
So, yeah. 

00:14:59,692 --> 00:15:13,152 [Michelle Harris]
Very good in- insight. Um, so kind of circling ba- back to Black History Month, what would you suggest is a good way for everyone to just sort of take some time and reflect this month, um, in February? 

00:15:14,752 --> 00:15:27,072 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
Well, obviously, it's Black History Month, so, um, I encourage everyone, um, not... I mean Black, whites, 

00:15:28,612 --> 00:15:36,042 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
whatever, and I... a- not just because it's Black. I encourage, so there's also Native American. So I encourage all of us to, 

00:15:37,172 --> 00:15:45,572 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
to learn about each of our cultures and our, our, um, our diversity and, and to be able to celebrate who we all are. 

00:15:45,572 --> 00:15:46,192 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:15:46,192 --> 00:15:48,452 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
Um, but because this is Black history, um, 

00:15:50,012 --> 00:15:53,412 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
I, we, I was not taught Black history in school. 

00:15:53,412 --> 00:15:53,932 [Michelle Harris]
Sure. 

00:15:53,932 --> 00:15:56,482 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
Um, so whatever... And I'm 

00:15:58,052 --> 00:16:00,532 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
not really sure if it's being taught now. Um, 

00:16:01,692 --> 00:16:13,822 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
that's probably gonna get me in trouble, but I don't, I don't think it's being taught the way that it should be taught. Um, Black Americans have played, um, a role in the history of this country 

00:16:16,072 --> 00:16:17,632 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
f- for, since slavery. 

00:16:17,632 --> 00:16:18,592 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:16:18,592 --> 00:16:26,232 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
Um, so, and then the story's not told, and I get it. Some of the story is, is a hard s- it's, it's not easy. It's not pretty. 

00:16:26,232 --> 00:16:26,892 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:16:26,892 --> 00:16:29,252 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
Um, but it still needs to be told. 

00:16:29,252 --> 00:16:30,642 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:16:30,642 --> 00:16:34,192 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
Um, if we don't learn from our history, history will repeat itself. 

00:16:34,192 --> 00:16:34,932 [Michelle Harris]
Right. 

00:16:34,932 --> 00:16:44,232 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
So, um, so I encourage everybody to just, you know... I, I encourage you to, to look at three different things. I encourage you to, 

00:16:45,252 --> 00:16:47,992 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
to find out something from the past. 

00:16:47,992 --> 00:16:48,512 [Michelle Harris]
Sure. 

00:16:48,512 --> 00:16:49,672 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
The dreadful past. 

00:16:49,672 --> 00:16:49,852 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:16:49,852 --> 00:16:50,752 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
It's dreadful. 

00:16:50,752 --> 00:16:51,392 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:16:51,392 --> 00:16:52,312 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
But it happened. 

00:16:52,312 --> 00:16:52,772 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:16:52,772 --> 00:16:56,292 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
Um, and then, you know, find out something that's going on, 

00:16:57,332 --> 00:16:57,652 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
um, 

00:16:58,852 --> 00:17:00,392 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
you know, in the present. 

00:17:00,392 --> 00:17:01,092 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:17:01,092 --> 00:17:04,512 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
The challenging. Um, 'cause there are still challenges. 

00:17:04,512 --> 00:17:05,272 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:17:05,272 --> 00:17:15,442 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
And then, um, always like to end on a good note, so I, I encourage you to look at some of the, you know, the generation, the newer generation or, and the things that they're doing. 

00:17:15,442 --> 00:17:15,551 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:17:15,552 --> 00:17:24,012 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
Because they are, they're the future, and they, they give me hope. So those are three things that, you know, the past, the present, and the future. 

00:17:24,012 --> 00:17:24,812 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:17:24,812 --> 00:17:27,342 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
So, um, and encourage everybody to just 

00:17:28,532 --> 00:17:34,852 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
find one person out of all those, you know, in those, all those areas and just learn. 

00:17:34,852 --> 00:17:36,272 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. Yeah. 

00:17:36,272 --> 00:17:38,292 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
That's it. So, um, and just, 

00:17:39,632 --> 00:17:41,072 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
you know, be able to, um, 

00:17:42,392 --> 00:17:47,032 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
I don't know, celebrate, I mean, celebrate the, the, the Black American culture- 

00:17:47,032 --> 00:17:47,632 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm 

00:17:47,632 --> 00:17:49,092 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
... um, in some way. 

00:17:49,092 --> 00:17:49,292 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:17:49,292 --> 00:17:52,392 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
Or at least, uh, look into it. 

00:17:52,392 --> 00:17:53,152 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:17:53,152 --> 00:17:53,902 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
Yeah. 

00:17:53,902 --> 00:18:01,432 [Michelle Harris]
That's a great advice because sometimes when you start to do y- your research, something triggers you, you're like, "That's really interesting. I'm gonna keep digging." 

00:18:01,432 --> 00:18:01,822 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
Yeah. 

00:18:01,822 --> 00:18:12,481 [Michelle Harris]
And, you know, with those three points, you know, past, present, future, you can kind of take a look at, you know, your area of choice, whatever that might be for the listener today, um, and really sort of dig in- 

00:18:12,481 --> 00:18:12,642 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
Mm-hmm 

00:18:12,642 --> 00:18:14,972 [Michelle Harris]
... and really learn something that they didn't already know. 

00:18:14,972 --> 00:18:15,352 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
Right. 

00:18:15,352 --> 00:18:24,672 [Michelle Harris]
Um, which is really interesting to me. Like, "Oh, I didn't know that. That's good to know." Or, you know, it... And it can also change your life and change your perspective on things, too, depending on what it is. 

00:18:24,672 --> 00:18:25,312 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
Yes. 

00:18:25,312 --> 00:18:25,402 [Michelle Harris]
Yes. 

00:18:25,402 --> 00:18:33,656 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
Yes. I think that, um, in order for-For any change to happen, you know, we have to, we have to face it, whatever it is. 

00:18:33,656 --> 00:18:34,316 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:18:34,316 --> 00:18:39,276 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
Um, so I think Black History Month is, um, 

00:18:40,396 --> 00:18:44,436 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
the opportunity for us to do that- 

00:18:44,436 --> 00:18:44,746 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah 

00:18:44,746 --> 00:18:46,076 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
... as a country. 

00:18:46,076 --> 00:18:46,866 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:18:46,866 --> 00:18:46,876 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
So, yeah. 

00:18:46,876 --> 00:18:55,596 [Michelle Harris]
Totally agree. Well, thank you so much for all of that. I, I really appreciate your time today. Um, we are gonna go into what I like to call rapid fire. 

00:18:55,596 --> 00:18:56,355 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
Okay. 

00:18:56,356 --> 00:19:02,116 [Michelle Harris]
So these should be fairly easy questions, um, just to get to know you a little bit more. 

00:19:02,116 --> 00:19:02,796 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
Okay. 

00:19:02,796 --> 00:19:05,776 [Michelle Harris]
Okay, here we go. Dogs or cats? 

00:19:05,776 --> 00:19:06,896 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
Dogs. 

00:19:06,896 --> 00:19:09,176 [Michelle Harris]
[laughs] What's your favorite color? 

00:19:10,356 --> 00:19:11,276 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
Blue. 

00:19:11,276 --> 00:19:12,796 [Michelle Harris]
What's your favorite pasta? 

00:19:14,076 --> 00:19:15,516 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
Ooh, angel hair. 

00:19:15,516 --> 00:19:20,116 [Michelle Harris]
Mm. If you order pizza, pineapple or no pineapple? 

00:19:20,116 --> 00:19:22,886 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
No pineapple. [laughs] 

00:19:22,886 --> 00:19:24,456 [Michelle Harris]
What is your favorite season? 

00:19:26,516 --> 00:19:29,096 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
S- oh, do I have to... Fall. 

00:19:29,096 --> 00:19:29,556 [Michelle Harris]
Fall. 

00:19:29,556 --> 00:19:30,286 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
Yes. 

00:19:30,286 --> 00:19:32,016 [Michelle Harris]
Do you have any musical talents? 

00:19:34,095 --> 00:19:37,386 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
None to, none, none to mention. [laughs] 

00:19:37,386 --> 00:19:41,756 [Michelle Harris]
Check. Um, sweet or unsweet tea? 

00:19:41,756 --> 00:19:42,356 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
Sweet. 

00:19:43,456 --> 00:19:45,276 [Michelle Harris]
What's your favorite birthday cake flavor? 

00:19:47,936 --> 00:19:49,376 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
Chocolate. 

00:19:49,376 --> 00:19:51,536 [Michelle Harris]
What's your go-to wake-up beverage? 

00:19:51,536 --> 00:19:53,696 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
Coffee. [laughs] 

00:19:53,696 --> 00:19:55,316 [Michelle Harris]
Coke or Pepsi? 

00:19:55,316 --> 00:19:56,475 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
Dr. Pepper. 

00:19:56,476 --> 00:19:58,036 [Michelle Harris]
Oh, you're after my own heart. 

00:19:58,036 --> 00:19:58,076 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
[laughs] 

00:19:58,076 --> 00:20:01,496 [Michelle Harris]
Me too. Oh, my goodness. Um, dawn or dusk? 

00:20:03,516 --> 00:20:04,796 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
Dusk. 

00:20:04,796 --> 00:20:05,976 [Michelle Harris]
Cake or pie? 

00:20:05,976 --> 00:20:06,876 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
Cake. 

00:20:06,876 --> 00:20:08,256 [Michelle Harris]
Beach or mountains? 

00:20:08,256 --> 00:20:09,536 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
Beach. 

00:20:09,536 --> 00:20:11,396 [Michelle Harris]
Book or movie? 

00:20:11,396 --> 00:20:12,516 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
Mm, movie. 

00:20:13,616 --> 00:20:15,416 [Michelle Harris]
Veggies or fruits? 

00:20:15,416 --> 00:20:16,656 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
Veggies. 

00:20:16,656 --> 00:20:18,676 [Michelle Harris]
Mayo or Miracle Whip? 

00:20:18,676 --> 00:20:19,576 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
Mayo. 

00:20:20,936 --> 00:20:23,516 [Michelle Harris]
Vacation or staycation? 

00:20:23,516 --> 00:20:24,836 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
Vacation. 

00:20:24,836 --> 00:20:26,856 [Michelle Harris]
And are you a morning or a night person? 

00:20:26,856 --> 00:20:27,376 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
Night. 

00:20:27,376 --> 00:20:28,096 [Michelle Harris]
Night. [laughs] 

00:20:28,096 --> 00:20:30,736 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
Definitely not morning. [laughs] 

00:20:30,736 --> 00:20:32,176 [Michelle Harris]
Oh, that was fun. Thank you, Tammy. 

00:20:32,176 --> 00:20:32,616 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
You're welcome. 

00:20:32,616 --> 00:20:40,496 [Michelle Harris]
Um, again, thank you so much for your time today. Really appreciate you being here, and thank you for all you do for the school. Um, everyone really appreciates that as well. 

00:20:40,496 --> 00:20:43,876 [Tammy Hall McDowell]
Thank you. Thank you for, for allowing me to be here. 

00:20:43,876 --> 00:20:44,256 [Michelle Harris]
Yes. 

00:20:46,016 --> 00:20:47,716 [Michelle Harris]
[upbeat music] 

00:20:47,716 --> 00:21:09,696 [Announcer]
Thanks for listening to another episode of Bobcat Chat. Haywood Community College is located in Clyde, North Carolina. If you would like to learn more about our great school, head over to www.haywood.edu. That's H-A-Y-W-O-O-D.edu. 

00:21:10,916 --> 00:21:12,036 [Announcer]
[bobcat growls]

00:00:00,080 --> 00:00:10,000 [Announcer]
[on-hold music] 

00:00:10,000 --> 00:00:24,840 [Michelle Harris]
Hello, everybody, and welcome to this week's edition of Bobcat Chat. My name is Michelle Harris. I'm the Director of Marketing here at HCC, and this week I have the pleasure of sitting down with Susannah High, the Director of Wellness on campus here. 

00:00:25,980 --> 00:00:29,220 [Announcer]
Yes. Hello. Thanks for inviting me. I'm glad to be here. 

00:00:29,220 --> 00:00:49,519 [Michelle Harris]
Yes, and we chatted last year, and it's so nice to have you back again, um, on a new topic, which is great, um, 'cause we're always looking to expand offerings to our students, and we have some exciting news to share. So first off, can you provide an overview of this new service that's now available to our students and what it's called? 

00:00:49,520 --> 00:01:21,259 [Announcer]
Yes, absolutely. We are very excited. So TimelyCare, um, is brand new here at HCC, and what TimelyCare is a virtual health and wellbeing platform, and it is available twenty-four seven, so always, it's always available. And it is for our Haywood Community College students and our employees, which is super cool. So basically, it's gonna encompass our whole HCC family. Any enrolled student or current employee can use TimelyCare. Very excited to have this come in here. 

00:01:21,260 --> 00:01:27,120 [Michelle Harris]
Um, and what makes you most excited about this new offering? 

00:01:27,120 --> 00:01:39,030 [Announcer]
It's hard to answer. Um, so thinking around that, a lot of points, um, really get me excited about this, but probably my, my, my point that I would key in on the most is the accessibility. 

00:01:39,030 --> 00:01:39,039 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:01:39,040 --> 00:01:52,340 [Announcer]
The new platform is allowing us to more fully and more comprehensively meet the needs of our HCC family. So I'll probably speak to the accessibility as, um, the thing that I'm most excited about. 

00:01:52,340 --> 00:02:05,500 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah, that's great. Um, like you just said, twenty-four seven is wonderful. Um, so before we dive into some of the details about the app, first, let's tell everybody how much this app costs to them. 

00:02:05,500 --> 00:02:07,980 [Announcer]
Right. The most important question, right? 

00:02:07,980 --> 00:02:08,489 [Michelle Harris]
[chuckles] 

00:02:08,489 --> 00:02:20,420 [Announcer]
There is no cost, which is amazing. So to any enrolled Haywood Community College student or current employee, it is completely free. So this is pretty huge. 

00:02:20,420 --> 00:02:33,540 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. That's an amazing, um, ability for us to be able to offer, and with you, I'm really excited. Um, so let's talk a little bit about what the app offers, um, and what services we can get through that app. 

00:02:33,540 --> 00:02:51,020 [Announcer]
Yeah, absolutely. So with TimelyCare, um, you would have free twenty-four seven access to providers from anywhere in the United States, regardless of your insurance status. So you'll never have to spend time or money looking for care, whether you're on or off campus. 

00:02:51,020 --> 00:02:51,190 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:02:51,190 --> 00:02:54,520 [Announcer]
That's kind of speaking back to that accessibility piece. 

00:02:54,520 --> 00:03:21,100 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. And so the services through the app, um, focus in on, um, health and also wellbeing, um, and then also some, um, self-guided options, yoga, meditation, things like that. Um, so as far as the, um, care and the wellness, can you speak to that a little bit as far as the types of things people could call in for? 

00:03:22,480 --> 00:03:33,310 [Announcer]
Yes. Um, so in regard to the wellness, um, they do have, uh, a lot of, um, self-guided resources, 

00:03:34,360 --> 00:03:40,260 [Announcer]
um, that for instance, uh, yoga and meditation that someone could explore independently. 

00:03:40,260 --> 00:03:40,820 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:03:40,820 --> 00:03:47,660 [Announcer]
Um, and these are helpful tools and also just some pieces of information, and they're offered kind of in bite size- 

00:03:47,660 --> 00:03:47,670 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm 

00:03:47,670 --> 00:04:04,590 [Announcer]
... is how it's been explained, and I really am kind of following that language trail because I like it. It's really just things that can be-- can someone can grab and take kind of in their own time, and it's really empowering because I think it allows users to explore their areas of interest or their area of need- 

00:04:04,590 --> 00:04:04,960 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm 

00:04:04,960 --> 00:04:09,300 [Announcer]
... in that moment, um, on their, on their own time and at their own pace. 

00:04:09,300 --> 00:04:09,530 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:04:11,030 --> 00:04:22,710 [Announcer]
Um, uh, which again, that going back to that accessibility piece, um, it really is an empowering to a user to maybe try something new like yoga or meditation. Um, or if they're really, um, 

00:04:23,900 --> 00:04:41,580 [Announcer]
feel like they're struggling or having a, a challenge point, um, they could dive into a little knowledge base or some helpful tools. For instance, um, anxiety, if they're in a tough place with that, there's some, uh, helpful tools and information out there for that. 

00:04:41,580 --> 00:05:03,510 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. And those tools, um, are a great supplement to the on-call, um, doctors and registered clinicians that are part of this app. Um, so people can call in for basic healthcare needs, such as like a sinus infection, I think was on, on one of the documents you and I were kind of looking at as we- 

00:05:03,510 --> 00:05:03,510 [Announcer]
Mm-hmm 

00:05:03,510 --> 00:05:36,039 [Michelle Harris]
... were onboarding this process. Um, so they can call in for physician assistance. They can also call in for counseling support. Um, and you kind of reiterated that or mentioned this in the, one of your previous answers, but the insurance part of this. So you know, for me example, I'm an employee here. You know, I'm like, "Oh, I'm not feeling so great. Not sure if it's cold or fu- flu. Just wanna call and talk to someone real quick." Um, but as an insurance holder, how do those two sort of play in together as far as services through the app versus insurance? 

00:05:36,040 --> 00:05:38,430 [Announcer]
Yeah. So there's no impact, um- 

00:05:38,430 --> 00:05:38,430 [Michelle Harris]
Okay 

00:05:38,430 --> 00:05:48,750 [Announcer]
... which is pretty cool on someone who has or doesn't have insurance benefits because a lot of our students, um, certainly are all, all across the spectrum with, um- 

00:05:48,750 --> 00:05:48,920 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm 

00:05:48,920 --> 00:06:09,600 [Announcer]
... they may have insurance, they may not. So with TimelyCare, um, that, that student, also our employees would have free twenty-four seven access, um, to providers regardless of insurance status. So basically, whatever your status is as of this moment, it's not gonna have an impact on your ability to use TimelyCare. 

00:06:09,600 --> 00:06:09,910 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:06:09,910 --> 00:06:23,140 [Announcer]
Um, anyone is able to hop on there, um, if you are, um, currently a student or a current employee, um, and it's gonna have no impact. So it's, it's really kind of levels the playing field and allows access to everybody. 

00:06:23,140 --> 00:06:41,876 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm.Great. And so I guess I like hypotheticals today. Um, so if I call in, let's say, with an illness, and the physician on the line wants to prescribe something to me, can we talk for a second about how prescriptions might work, um, as a supplement to this app? 

00:06:41,876 --> 00:07:16,656 [Announcer]
Yeah, that's a great question. That's something that's come up. Even just myself, I've wondered how [chuckles] that would work with a virtual care platform. So if deemed clinically appropriate, a TimelyCare provider can issue a prescription for you for whatever they feel is needed, um, after your visit. Um, and while prescription costs are not covered, so meaning the cost of that prescription that your provider feels like you need, the cost of the prescription's not covered, but discounts are available for the prescriptions. Um, and so that's pretty cool, and your app can help you explore those discounts. 

00:07:16,656 --> 00:08:15,056 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. And when I was scoping it out a little bit, what I thought was neat too is, you know, for any of the services that they offer, um, you could just call in, just be like, "I need to call right this second," and, you know, be on hold for a very short time. I think they were thinking like five to seven minutes is the max hold time just to call in. Or you can schedule an appointment, which I thought was really neat. So if you're like, "Okay, well I'm off work at 5:00. If I wanna schedule something at 5:15." So having both of those options available for people, I just thought was a huge benefit. Um, and we know, you know, people might use them at different times and for different needs. Um, but one of the things I wanna be sure that you and I talked about today was how this new app with the, you know, physician support and the, um, uh, you know, mental wellness support and things along those lines, how that's a supplement to what we are already offering, continue to offer, and the great work that you and your team do. 

00:08:15,056 --> 00:08:28,156 [Announcer]
Yes, absolutely. Um, and I'm, I'm so happy. That medical piece is something that we've, we've never had and we've never been able to offer, and even just thinking about resources in the community- 

00:08:28,156 --> 00:08:28,536 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm 

00:08:28,536 --> 00:10:17,836 [Announcer]
... um, that, that aren't so readily available. This is amazing. Um, speaking to just health and the medical support, um, that's new, and so that's something that we're able to put out there and support for students. In terms of wellness, uh, therapeutic support, and counseling, this is an amazing supplement. Um, but I definitely wanna take the opportunity to talk about how they can... the two can kind of complement each other. Um, so I'll, I'll kinda give a refresh, um, from our last podcast about what student wellness does. Um, so we are here. Uh, student wellness is here to support students through disability services, and so that's where we help students with accommodation supports if they're here with a certain area of disability that leads to challenges or barriers in the classroom. We're also here to offer therapeutic support as well. We're here to offer counseling in our own right. Uh, we also have something called Clyde's Cupboard, which is super cool. It's an on-campus food pantry. Uh, and then we do a lot to connect students to resources in the community. There's a lot out there, but it can be very overwhelming, and students may not know that what they need is out there necessarily, so we try really hard to stay up-to-date on what is out there, what are the resources, um, that's in the community that might... could help our students and, and, and just being that connector piece. Um, so that's another thing that we do, kind of resource and referrals. And we're right here on campus, and we're free as well. Um, so certainly we're accessible, um, meaning during regular business hours, usually that's 8:00 to 4:00. Um, we're in student services, and so we're, we're accessible as well. And so it really works as a good complement because we want to meet students where they are, and we realize that sometimes in person, 

00:10:18,876 --> 00:10:55,596 [Announcer]
uh, on campus is what a student might be seeking. They want someone here, you know, in the moment, and they want someone that's HCC family, and so that's us. And so we, it just works as such a great complement because in those times where maybe we can't be here, maybe it's after business hours, um, or someone just needs support right then and we can't be there right then, um, that would be an, an amazing moment where TimelyCare could come in there, um, through that virtual care platform and be there right in the moment for that five to seven, um, minute wait time, as you mentioned. 

00:10:55,596 --> 00:11:30,076 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. And that's great, and I agree 100%. Um, I think both of these are just so complementary of each other. Um, being able to have options, you know, in person with you guys, virtual or Zoom, or just audio with TimelyCare and the medical piece with TimelyCare. But I'm with you, like that one-on-one, walk in the door, sit down, and just be like, "This is what's happening. How can you help?" Um, is always a great thing for us to be able to offer to our students. Um, okay, so students know how to find you guys now. How can they sign up for TimelyCare? 

00:11:30,076 --> 00:11:33,796 [Announcer]
Yeah. So it's super easy. I've done it myself, so I can definitely verify. 

00:11:33,796 --> 00:11:33,806 [Michelle Harris]
[laughs] 

00:11:33,806 --> 00:11:47,366 [Announcer]
It is easy, and it's free. So you can visit timelycare.com or you can just get on your phone and you can download the TimelyCare app for free, and that's how you start the process, and it really walks you through it. 

00:11:47,366 --> 00:11:48,026 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:11:48,026 --> 00:12:13,496 [Announcer]
Um, once you, once you download it, it kinda goes step by step in registering, and then you have it from there on and can, can, um, kinda access that through your student, um, login information that you would use for anything else here on campus. Um, so that's, that's really it. Pretty simple, um, and it's set up to be that way so that, um, there's, there's no additional barriers. It's meant to be easy and easy access. 

00:12:13,496 --> 00:13:09,176 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. And the app is very easy. Um, easy on the eyes, easy to navigate, um, which makes things a lot easier. And just to reiterate what you mentioned with the student credentials, when people are logging on, they need to use their haywood.edu email address, um, because behind the scenes, that's how TimelyCare knows that you're an HCC student or an HCC employee-And are able to offer these services for free. Um, so, uh, Susanna and I have been working hard on the website, um, to provide more information on Timely Care. And so we're gonna be getting that up on the student wellness page, uh, momentarily. Well, once, once the graduation and all that ends for us. Um, but that'll be up and ready and easily accessible just to provide additional information, um, to students and employees, um, about Timely Care, some FAQs, and things along those lines. Um, anything else about Timely Care, um, that you wanted to sort of bring up, Susanna? 

00:13:09,176 --> 00:13:41,636 [Announcer]
I think that we've hit on it. I think gonna kind of circling back to the beginning is just that accessibility piece. It, it, it's the thread that, that weaves throughout the whole, um, conversation. It's something that we are able to offer to our students and our employees, just our whole HCC family, which is amazing, and I just feel proud to be part of that, um, in making this happen so that more folks can get the care that they need all around. It's, it's really cool, and I'm, I'm, I'm happy to be part of that. 

00:13:41,636 --> 00:13:53,466 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah, I agree. This is such a great new opportunity for our students and employees, and I'm excited about it too. Um, so traditionally on Bobcat Chat, we go through rapid fire. But we've already done that with you. 

00:13:53,466 --> 00:13:53,496 [Announcer]
[laughs] 

00:13:53,496 --> 00:13:56,976 [Michelle Harris]
We, we know the, the story of Susanna, so to speak. 

00:13:56,976 --> 00:13:57,596 [Announcer]
Yes. 

00:13:57,596 --> 00:14:19,036 [Michelle Harris]
Um, so I thought since this is almost on a wellness topic, uh, with Timely Care and, and what you provide for the, the college here, um, just talking a little bit about wellness between the two of us and, you know, what you have maybe seen that's helpful to yourself or to other people, and just, uh, sort of have a conversation around that. 

00:14:19,036 --> 00:14:51,145 [Announcer]
Yeah, absolutely. So always try to have some type of goal that I'm working towards. Right now it's walking for me. Um, so that's my personal goal that I'm taking on, and I think it's a great time of the year to get outside. Um, and actually at HCC, we have a new trail system that I'm really looking forward to exploring. Um, there's countless health benefits to walking and also to getting outdoors. I'm really leaning into those things. As far as other people, I've really seen a lot of others, uh, lean into that. Um- 

00:14:51,145 --> 00:14:51,516 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm 

00:14:51,516 --> 00:15:32,916 [Announcer]
... through our Living Well program here, I've seen a lot of colleagues and, um, just folks all across campus getting out, um, walking the paths around campus, walking in groups, so kind of adding a social element to that and maybe walking with folks they don't normally get to see or have conversations with that often. It's wonderful. Um, and so I think that's something that our campus here really affords and, um, that's really supported here. So, um, you know, as, as a kind of community together, but also just me personally, um, walking is something I'm really leaning into as we, as we head toward this summer. I feel like that's a realistic goal- 

00:15:32,916 --> 00:15:33,205 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm 

00:15:33,205 --> 00:15:35,916 [Announcer]
... uh, for me, so that's, that's my focus. 

00:15:35,916 --> 00:15:38,696 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. What are your favorite walking areas? 

00:15:38,696 --> 00:15:40,696 [Announcer]
I really like the rhododendron garden- 

00:15:40,696 --> 00:15:40,716 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah 

00:15:40,716 --> 00:15:46,636 [Announcer]
... just because it, it's, it's, it's right in the middle of campus, but you almost feel like you're not once you get in it. 

00:15:46,636 --> 00:15:47,126 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:15:47,126 --> 00:16:09,236 [Announcer]
And the rhododendron kind of hides you, and you feel like you're lost in this little maze, and it's wonderful because usually there's always something blooming in there. Um, with the different times and the different seasons, there's something to look at, and just a good place to kind of take pause, and there's some benches and things. So it's a, it's a good place if you need a, need a break or need a breath- 

00:16:09,236 --> 00:16:09,506 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm 

00:16:09,506 --> 00:16:11,776 [Announcer]
... from work. That's a good spot. 

00:16:11,776 --> 00:16:19,446 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. And I would agree. It's so cool to see more people out and about on campus walking. Um, but you and I have even had a walking meeting before. 

00:16:19,446 --> 00:16:19,456 [Announcer]
Oh, yes. 

00:16:19,456 --> 00:16:21,356 [Michelle Harris]
And I just love that idea because we're walking- 

00:16:21,356 --> 00:16:22,425 [Announcer]
So productive. [laughs] 

00:16:22,425 --> 00:17:24,316 [Michelle Harris]
... and just that fresh air and getting out behind the computer screen or the telephone is, is really, really good. Um, I remember a few years back, I did a walking event where it was actually... It was either a 10K or a half... I forget. It was, it was long, but the premise of the event was only walking. Like, if you were gonna run, don't even come. And I just thought, how cool because, you know, everyone's at different levels, and the expectation was to walk, and they had like brownie stations and pizza stations and, you know, throughout the trail, and it was just fun, and you just go through these winding trails, and you see the trees, and you might be on a road for a little bit, and I just love that concept, and I've always like... It's like a walking race that would just, you know, you could just put together because the expectations are just a little bit different, and I think it just takes, I don't know, a little bit of the anxiety out because, I mean, you're still gonna do your best. You're still gonna go for it. It's still strenuous on you, and it's still a goal, but it was just a completely different vibe, and I've just always loved that idea. 

00:17:24,316 --> 00:17:25,146 [Announcer]
Oh, that's awesome. 

00:17:25,146 --> 00:17:25,156 [Michelle Harris]
Uh- 

00:17:25,156 --> 00:17:27,506 [Announcer]
Well, maybe we carry that into something next year. 

00:17:27,506 --> 00:17:27,836 [Michelle Harris]
Maybe. I don't, I haven't thought. 

00:17:27,836 --> 00:17:31,616 [Announcer]
Because we are in planning stages for Living Well '23, '24. 

00:17:31,616 --> 00:17:32,276 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:17:32,276 --> 00:17:32,816 [Announcer]
So. 

00:17:32,816 --> 00:17:37,566 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. I agree. Walking, it's so many benefits, um, and so many opportunities in our area. 

00:17:37,566 --> 00:17:37,596 [Announcer]
Mm-hmm. 

00:17:37,596 --> 00:18:23,296 [Michelle Harris]
You know, if you take it into a little bit of hike, great. You know, just the lake. Even sometimes just walking around downtown, you're like, "Oh, wow, I just actually walked for half an hour and didn't even realize it." And sometimes that's even cool too, is, you know, you don't feel like you've exercised, but you did. And then sometimes, like for me personally, I'll do like audio walks where they're like, "Okay, for the next 30 seconds, go a little bit faster," and then, "Okay, now slow it down." And I just think it makes the time go so fast, and it al- also pushes myself a little bit where I'm like, "Oh, okay. Yeah, I'm gonna do this for a minute," and, you know, gets your heart racing just a little bit more and just, it's just different, and there's so many opportunities for walking out there that I agree wholeheartedly. What a, what a great goal. 

00:18:23,296 --> 00:18:32,616 [Announcer]
There, yeah, there, there are so many opportunities, and I think one thing that I try to be mindful about with goals in general is making them realistic. 

00:18:32,616 --> 00:18:33,116 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:18:33,116 --> 00:18:45,436 [Announcer]
Um, because then it's, it's, it can be attainable for us because often with goals it's easy to have a great idea but it not be attainable, and then we, you know, find ourself possibly in a place of frustration. 

00:18:45,436 --> 00:18:45,446 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:18:45,446 --> 00:18:53,376 [Announcer]
So I'm trying to grab something that's, I feel, realistic for myself and for others. That's, that's often a good idea as well. 

00:18:53,376 --> 00:18:53,876 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:18:53,876 --> 00:19:04,756 [Announcer]
Um, and walking, like you said, there's so many opportunities and just stepping outside, you've achieved the goal of walking because you can generally do that as long as it's safe pretty much anywhere. 

00:19:04,756 --> 00:19:05,035 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:19:05,036 --> 00:19:08,836 [Announcer]
Um, so, and, and this is a great time of the year to get outside. So- 

00:19:08,836 --> 00:19:09,096 [Michelle Harris]
Yes 

00:19:09,096 --> 00:19:10,636 [Announcer]
... yeah, it's a good one to grab. 

00:19:10,636 --> 00:19:16,816 [Michelle Harris]
Awesome. Well, thank you so much for sharing. Um, nice getting to know you a little bit, a little bit more. 

00:19:16,816 --> 00:19:16,936 [Announcer]
Of course. 

00:19:16,936 --> 00:19:25,386 [Michelle Harris]
Um, always, always good. Um, and I'm sure this will not be our last podcast together 'cause there's always fun things on the horizon here at HCC. 

00:19:25,386 --> 00:19:26,696 [Announcer]
Yes, always. 

00:19:26,696 --> 00:19:28,956 [Michelle Harris]
So I really appreciate your time today, Susanna. 

00:19:28,956 --> 00:19:31,216 [Announcer]
Yes, absolutely. Thanks for having me. 

00:19:31,216 --> 00:19:32,896 [Michelle Harris]
Yep. Thank you, everybody. 

00:19:34,336 --> 00:20:01,786 [Susannah High]
[outro music] Thanks for listening to another episode of Bobcat Chat. Haywood Community College is located in Clyde, North Carolina. If you would like to learn more about our great school, head over to www.haywood.edu. That's H-A-Y-W-O-O-D.edu. [growls]

00:00:00,420 --> 00:00:21,430 [Michelle Harris]
[upbeat music] Welcome everybody to this week's edition of Bobcat Chat. My name is Michelle Harris, and I'm the director of marketing here at HCC. And this week, I have the pleasure of sitting down with Ethan Hall, who is our coordinator of student life. Welcome, Ethan. 

00:00:21,430 --> 00:00:22,680 [Ethan Hall]
Hey, it's nice to be here. 

00:00:22,680 --> 00:00:38,540 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah, happy to have you. Um, so you are brand new to HCC, and we're so excited you've joined our team and our family. Um, but you are an alum of HCC, so I wanted to kinda get a little bit of your experience here on campus from your perspective. 

00:00:38,540 --> 00:00:57,040 [Ethan Hall]
Yeah. So I was a student here from 2018 to 2020. Um, I didn't know what I wanted to do with my life at 18 years old, [chuckles] understandably so. So I decided to come here and, um, get general studies out of the way before I transferred somewhere and pay more money. Um- 

00:00:57,040 --> 00:00:57,620 [Michelle Harris]
Right. 

00:00:57,620 --> 00:01:04,459 [Ethan Hall]
So yeah, I went through several majors before I landed on communication and, uh, and transferred to Lenoir-Rhyne after that. 

00:01:04,460 --> 00:01:11,360 [Michelle Harris]
Okay. And we always say that there's, you know, the instructors are here to help, and the class sizes are great. Tell us if we're true. [chuckles] 

00:01:11,360 --> 00:01:27,780 [Ethan Hall]
Yes, yes. That's absolutely true. Um, I felt like I was more than just a student here. Um, and I felt seen. I wasn't just a number. And I actually saw after that, um, in the four-year university that I decided to, to go to- 

00:01:27,780 --> 00:01:27,940 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm 

00:01:27,940 --> 00:01:31,660 [Ethan Hall]
... was a similar environment. So I really enjoyed it here. 

00:01:31,660 --> 00:01:45,060 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. Great. Well, we love to hear that. Um, so whether it was here at HCC or perhaps at your four-year institution, uh, what types of things were you involved with as a student to kinda keep your interest outside of the classroom? 

00:01:45,060 --> 00:02:14,140 [Ethan Hall]
Yeah. So when I was here at HCC, I was the, um, I was a student ambassador, so I was part of the SGA team. Um, so that gave me a glimpse behind the scenes a little bit. Uh, I felt, like I said, uh, I felt like more than just a student, so I wanted to be more than just a student. Um, and I was involved in that. I was on, um... There's, there's several SGA positions, um, and I got to give tours and, and really pour back into the community that poured into me. 

00:02:14,140 --> 00:02:14,470 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:02:14,470 --> 00:02:16,640 [Ethan Hall]
So, you know, I really enjoyed that as well. 

00:02:16,640 --> 00:02:21,560 [Michelle Harris]
And I'm assuming you met new friends and people that you don't always see in the classroom during that time. 

00:02:21,560 --> 00:02:25,020 [Ethan Hall]
Yeah. There was a lot of people, uh, from different, 

00:02:26,060 --> 00:02:29,960 [Ethan Hall]
I guess different m- not majors at HCC- 

00:02:29,960 --> 00:02:29,970 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm 

00:02:29,970 --> 00:02:31,840 [Ethan Hall]
... but different curricular studies. 

00:02:31,840 --> 00:02:32,240 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:02:32,240 --> 00:02:41,380 [Ethan Hall]
Uh, like, uh, natural resource people, nursing people, just all came together and put our, our thoughts and, and ideas together. 

00:02:41,380 --> 00:02:47,500 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. What a fun way to meet other, uh, other people around campus and kinda cross-connect. 'Cause sometimes life goes full circle- 

00:02:47,500 --> 00:02:47,510 [Ethan Hall]
Yeah 

00:02:47,510 --> 00:03:07,000 [Michelle Harris]
... and you just never know when you're gonna meet them again, so it was good to kinda cross-pollinate, uh, with other students. Um, so you've been here a little while at HCC, and you know a little bit of history as far as involvement and student activities and things like that. So what's some of the things that you're looking to, uh, looking forward to the most? 

00:03:07,000 --> 00:03:33,580 [Ethan Hall]
Being here as a staff member now, I really am looking forward to serving the students in the same way that I was served. Um, so I'm excited to learn what the students need and bring that to the table 'cause it's a whole another landscape now after COVID. Um, being a student during that, it changed dramatically, so I'm excited to get in and really figure out what people need and bring that. 

00:03:33,580 --> 00:03:41,880 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. And I think that's one of the really cool dynamic pieces of your role, is you can ask them what they want and more often than not do it. 

00:03:41,880 --> 00:03:42,060 [Ethan Hall]
Yeah. Yeah. 

00:03:42,060 --> 00:03:49,380 [Michelle Harris]
Um, because you wanna do what, um, engages the students, and we have the flexibility to do that. So I agree, I think that's gonna be really cool. 

00:03:50,980 --> 00:03:59,820 [Michelle Harris]
Um, so what is one thing that you have learned from the behind-the-scenes perspective now that you are staff and no longer a student here? 

00:04:01,140 --> 00:04:07,100 [Ethan Hall]
The biggest thing I've learned is how much work staff and faculty put into the experience that students have. 

00:04:07,100 --> 00:04:07,500 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:04:07,500 --> 00:04:21,860 [Ethan Hall]
You don't see that necessarily as a student if you don't get super involved. So, uh, the welcoming culture is not by accident. It's, it's very, um, on purpose, and there's a lot of work that goes into that from our end, and it's really cool to be a part of that now. 

00:04:21,860 --> 00:04:28,590 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. Yeah. I think that's spot on. Um, okay. So everyone likes food. 

00:04:28,590 --> 00:04:28,620 [Ethan Hall]
Yes. [chuckles] 

00:04:28,620 --> 00:04:37,520 [Michelle Harris]
We were actually just talking about food before we hit the record button today. Um, most people don't know this, but you are the one that coordinates food trucks on campus. 

00:04:37,520 --> 00:04:37,960 [Ethan Hall]
Yes. 

00:04:37,960 --> 00:04:43,330 [Michelle Harris]
Um, those are available to students and employees or anyone that happens to be on campus during that time. 

00:04:43,330 --> 00:04:43,340 [Ethan Hall]
Yep. 

00:04:43,340 --> 00:04:51,280 [Michelle Harris]
Are there any new, um, trucks that might be coming this semester that you can give us a sneak peek to already? And more importantly, is Fuego coming back? 

00:04:51,280 --> 00:04:56,060 [Ethan Hall]
So, uh, I'm in contact with a few trucks I'm trying to add to the rotation- 

00:04:56,060 --> 00:04:56,190 [Michelle Harris]
Great 

00:04:56,190 --> 00:05:03,460 [Ethan Hall]
... um, but that's not confirmed yet, so I can't say yes. And Fuego is actually going brick-and-mortar, so they don't have a food truck right now. 

00:05:03,460 --> 00:05:04,180 [Michelle Harris]
Interesting. 

00:05:04,180 --> 00:05:11,060 [Ethan Hall]
So that's not my fault that they won't be here. [laughing] Um, but yeah, they're going brick-and-mortar, which is super cool. Um- 

00:05:11,060 --> 00:05:11,180 [Michelle Harris]
Great 

00:05:11,180 --> 00:05:14,520 [Ethan Hall]
... but if they bring their food truck back, I will be in contact with them for sure. 

00:05:14,520 --> 00:05:29,000 [Michelle Harris]
That sounds good. Um, yeah. So like you just said, there's a lot that goes into this. So there's scheduling, there's coordination, there's location, there's power, no power. Like, there's a lot that goes into just having something like that here on campus. So ahead of time, thank you for putting the hard work into that. 

00:05:29,000 --> 00:05:29,200 [Ethan Hall]
Of course. 

00:05:29,200 --> 00:05:44,420 [Michelle Harris]
Um, I know we like that, students like that. Just something different and something fun, uh, to bring to campus, so thanks for that. Um, so speaking of fall, any sneak peeks into what students might expect this fall as far as engagement activities? 

00:05:44,420 --> 00:05:47,920 [Ethan Hall]
Absolutely. We have Week of Welcome the second week of class- 

00:05:47,920 --> 00:05:48,010 [Michelle Harris]
Okay 

00:05:48,010 --> 00:06:11,308 [Ethan Hall]
... 'cause we don't wanna overwhelm students on the first week. Uh, so second week of class, I believe that's the 21st through the 24th of August. We'll have Week of Welcome, which there'll be a ton of merch giveaways and, uh-I'm excited for that. So we'll have a big white tent set up pretty much right outside of the library that, uh, everyone can come check out and say hi. Um, other than that, kickball is coming back- 

00:06:11,308 --> 00:06:12,008 [Michelle Harris]
Yay 

00:06:12,008 --> 00:06:14,688 [Ethan Hall]
... for the fall semester in October. 

00:06:14,688 --> 00:06:15,248 [Michelle Harris]
Great. 

00:06:15,248 --> 00:06:18,027 [Ethan Hall]
Yes, that's the two next big things coming up. 

00:06:18,028 --> 00:06:21,428 [Michelle Harris]
Great. I love those big events because it's just a way to meet more people- 

00:06:21,428 --> 00:06:21,618 [Ethan Hall]
Yeah 

00:06:21,618 --> 00:06:37,568 [Michelle Harris]
... um, at a time, and then it's cool to see crowds, so that's very, very exciting. Um, so we're having kickball in fall. So one of the questions now on everybody's mind is gonna be: Do you think the staff is gonna pull it out this year and win against the students? 

00:06:37,568 --> 00:06:39,268 [Ethan Hall]
Uh, personally, I'm Team Students. 

00:06:39,268 --> 00:06:39,278 [Michelle Harris]
[laughs] 

00:06:39,278 --> 00:06:51,468 [Ethan Hall]
I'm still in my student mindset, so I don't know. There's a lot of, um... There's usually a lot of athleticism in the student, uh, side of things. But I'm a staff member now, so they might have some more competition. 

00:06:51,468 --> 00:06:52,498 [Michelle Harris]
I like it. I like it. 

00:06:52,498 --> 00:06:52,508 [Ethan Hall]
[laughs] 

00:06:52,508 --> 00:07:00,388 [Michelle Harris]
I know there was talk last year about, you know, forming teams on the, you know, staff side and, um... But regardless, it's such a fun event- 

00:07:00,388 --> 00:07:00,498 [Ethan Hall]
Yes. Yeah 

00:07:00,498 --> 00:07:04,188 [Michelle Harris]
... um, all around. Um, I haven't participated on the field. 

00:07:04,188 --> 00:07:05,227 [Ethan Hall]
We'll get you on the field. We'll get you. 

00:07:05,228 --> 00:07:08,848 [Michelle Harris]
Um, my excuse is I have to take photos, you know? 

00:07:08,908 --> 00:07:09,198 [Ethan Hall]
I can do that for you. [laughs] 

00:07:09,198 --> 00:07:18,888 [Michelle Harris]
[laughs] But it's just a fun vibe, and, um, the cheerleaders that come out from the different program areas just to show support, uh, super, super fun. 

00:07:18,888 --> 00:07:20,068 [Ethan Hall]
Yeah. 

00:07:20,068 --> 00:07:29,128 [Michelle Harris]
Um, so what is some advice that you would give students that might be hesitant to attend an event, um, or don't really know anyone to bring with them? 

00:07:29,128 --> 00:07:40,288 [Ethan Hall]
Yeah, absolutely. I would advise that college is about education, number one, but then it's also about experience as well. That's something that I did not put a lot of focus on as a student myself, and I wish I would've. 

00:07:40,288 --> 00:07:40,728 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:07:40,728 --> 00:08:05,808 [Ethan Hall]
Um, because two years in, COVID happened, and I couldn't-- I didn't have that option for almost two years. So I really wish I would've leaned in on the experience side of things. Uh, so I would encourage anyone that might be, um, not, not want to come or might be a little hesitant to just to try it and see if you like it for an event or two and, um, and come, come see a bunch of other people and get connected. You might find some new friends. 

00:08:05,808 --> 00:08:07,888 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah, I agree, and then you'll be there, too. 

00:08:07,888 --> 00:08:08,568 [Ethan Hall]
I'll be there. Yeah. 

00:08:08,568 --> 00:08:08,668 [Michelle Harris]
So- 

00:08:08,668 --> 00:08:09,568 [Ethan Hall]
You can come say hello. 

00:08:09,568 --> 00:08:20,088 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. They have someone to talk to, you know, that's been here, done that sort of a deal. Um, you know, like you just said, kind of through COVID, so interesting times. Um, so they can just come and say hi to you. 

00:08:20,088 --> 00:08:20,298 [Ethan Hall]
Yeah, absolutely. 

00:08:20,298 --> 00:08:20,988 [Michelle Harris]
That sounds great. 

00:08:20,988 --> 00:08:22,248 [Ethan Hall]
I'll be there. 

00:08:22,248 --> 00:08:26,948 [Michelle Harris]
Um, so how can students stay up-to-date on things that you've got going on this semester? 

00:08:26,948 --> 00:08:45,058 [Ethan Hall]
There's several avenues of communication. I would say if you're a student, uh, you probably have social media, so you can follow our HCC socials. I believe we're pretty much everywhere. I know we're on Instagram, um, and follow us there for sure. Other than that, for student and wellness, we have a Moodle page on your- 

00:08:45,058 --> 00:08:45,058 [Michelle Harris]
Okay 

00:08:45,058 --> 00:08:48,208 [Ethan Hall]
... uh, course description. It looks like a class, but it's not. 

00:08:48,208 --> 00:08:48,548 [Michelle Harris]
[laughs] 

00:08:48,548 --> 00:09:00,708 [Ethan Hall]
Uh, you can get in there, and that's probably the quickest way that I'm able to communicate with you. So if a student is interested in that, I would definitely check in on that page once a week or so to, to see everything. 

00:09:00,708 --> 00:09:03,468 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah, I think that's great, and there's also a page on the website- 

00:09:03,468 --> 00:09:03,478 [Ethan Hall]
Yes 

00:09:03,478 --> 00:09:19,368 [Michelle Harris]
... that you're gonna be working hard at this year, too, and, um, just kind of the vibe. And hopefully we're, you know, spreading the word, um, through all the right channels so people can, um, pick up on something that they wanna do or talk with their friends about it and, you know, find a buddy and, [laughs] and come sort of a deal. [laughs] 

00:09:19,368 --> 00:09:20,228 [Ethan Hall]
Absolutely. 

00:09:20,228 --> 00:09:30,508 [Michelle Harris]
Well, I'm really looking forward to an exciting semester, and we're so happy that you're here at HCC. Um, before we jump into rapid fire, was there anything else that you wanted to share with our listeners today? 

00:09:30,508 --> 00:09:50,648 [Ethan Hall]
Yeah. Uh, if you have any inputs as a student, you don't have to be on the SGA team to give me feedback. I would love for you to email me or, or however you wanna communicate with me. My office is in the Hemlock building, 1527. Come say hello. I would love to hear your thoughts and hopefully kind of get the ball rolling, if I can, on what you need. 

00:09:50,648 --> 00:10:00,388 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. That sounds great. That's a wonderful invite. Um, so Ethan, now we're gonna move into what we call rapid fire, and these are just super gut check, uh, type questions- 

00:10:00,388 --> 00:10:00,398 [Ethan Hall]
Okay 

00:10:00,398 --> 00:10:06,528 [Michelle Harris]
... uh, to get to know you a little bit better and, and have that warm, warm, fuzzy vibe for our listeners. So we're gonna jump right in. 

00:10:06,528 --> 00:10:07,548 [Ethan Hall]
All right. 

00:10:07,548 --> 00:10:08,628 [Michelle Harris]
Dogs or cats? 

00:10:08,628 --> 00:10:09,888 [Ethan Hall]
Definitely dogs. 

00:10:09,888 --> 00:10:11,288 [Michelle Harris]
Favorite color? 

00:10:11,288 --> 00:10:12,068 [Ethan Hall]
Forest green. 

00:10:13,078 --> 00:10:15,948 [Michelle Harris]
Mm. Um, if you order pizza, pineapple or no pineapple? 

00:10:15,948 --> 00:10:17,708 [Ethan Hall]
No pineapple. [laughs] 

00:10:17,708 --> 00:10:19,728 [Michelle Harris]
What is your favorite season? 

00:10:19,728 --> 00:10:20,968 [Ethan Hall]
Fall. 

00:10:20,968 --> 00:10:23,248 [Michelle Harris]
Uh, do you have any musical talents? 

00:10:23,248 --> 00:10:25,327 [Ethan Hall]
Uh, I can play the piano a little bit. 

00:10:25,328 --> 00:10:25,528 [Michelle Harris]
Okay. 

00:10:25,528 --> 00:10:27,207 [Ethan Hall]
And the guitar, but nothing crazy. 

00:10:27,208 --> 00:10:31,208 [Michelle Harris]
Okay. Um, rainbow sprinkles or chocolate chips? 

00:10:31,208 --> 00:10:32,448 [Ethan Hall]
Chocolate chips. 

00:10:32,448 --> 00:10:33,778 [Michelle Harris]
Road trip or plane trip? 

00:10:35,368 --> 00:10:36,908 [Ethan Hall]
Plane trip. 

00:10:36,908 --> 00:10:38,588 [Michelle Harris]
Crunchy or smooth peanut butter? 

00:10:40,048 --> 00:10:43,938 [Ethan Hall]
Um, I lean towards crunchy, but it deplend- depends on the application. [laughs] 

00:10:43,938 --> 00:10:47,468 [Michelle Harris]
[laughs] Very fair statement. Um, dawn or dusk? 

00:10:47,468 --> 00:10:49,708 [Ethan Hall]
Ooh, dawn. 

00:10:49,708 --> 00:10:52,548 [Michelle Harris]
Hard shell or soft shell taco? 

00:10:52,548 --> 00:10:53,688 [Ethan Hall]
Soft. 

00:10:53,688 --> 00:10:55,308 [Michelle Harris]
Sweet or salty? 

00:10:55,308 --> 00:10:56,588 [Ethan Hall]
Usually sweet. 

00:10:56,588 --> 00:10:59,088 [Michelle Harris]
What's worse, laundry or dishes? 

00:10:59,088 --> 00:11:00,488 [Ethan Hall]
Dishes. 

00:11:00,488 --> 00:11:01,468 [Michelle Harris]
Cake or pie? 

00:11:02,948 --> 00:11:03,708 [Ethan Hall]
Cake. 

00:11:03,708 --> 00:11:05,028 [Michelle Harris]
Hamburger or hotdog? 

00:11:05,028 --> 00:11:06,668 [Ethan Hall]
Hamburger, for sure. 

00:11:06,668 --> 00:11:08,388 [Michelle Harris]
Veggies or fruits? 

00:11:08,388 --> 00:11:09,448 [Ethan Hall]
Veggies. 

00:11:09,448 --> 00:11:11,928 [Michelle Harris]
Plans or a surprise? 

00:11:11,928 --> 00:11:14,628 [Ethan Hall]
I think plans are always a good thing. [laughs] 

00:11:14,628 --> 00:11:16,368 [Michelle Harris]
Mayonnaise or Miracle Whip? 

00:11:16,368 --> 00:11:17,738 [Ethan Hall]
Oh, mayonnaise. Duke's, man. 

00:11:17,738 --> 00:11:17,778 [Michelle Harris]
[laughs] 

00:11:17,778 --> 00:11:19,808 [Ethan Hall]
I'm from the South. [laughs] 

00:11:19,808 --> 00:11:21,828 [Michelle Harris]
Are you a morning or a night person? 

00:11:21,828 --> 00:11:23,568 [Ethan Hall]
Naturally a morning person. 

00:11:23,568 --> 00:11:31,808 [Michelle Harris]
Wonderful. Uh, thank you so much for your time today, Ethan. We cannot wait to see you out and about at all the fun events this semester and look forward to what we've got in store for the students. 

00:11:31,808 --> 00:11:32,888 [Ethan Hall]
Thanks for having me. 

00:11:32,888 --> 00:11:56,668 [Announcer]
[outro music] Thanks for listening to another episode of Bobcat Chat. Haywood Community College is located in Clyde, North Carolina. If you would like to learn more about our great school, head over to www.haywood.edu. That's H-A-Y-W-O-O-D.E-D-U.

00:00:00,080 --> 00:00:24,460 [Michelle Harris]
[upbeat music] Welcome everybody to this week's edition of Bobcat Chat. I'm Michelle Harris, the director of marketing here at HCC, and this week I have the pleasure of sitting down with two guests at one time. We have Hannah Moore and Elan Richards, both in our Student Life and Wellness department here on campus. Welcome, ladies. 

00:00:24,460 --> 00:00:24,820 [Hannah Moore]
Thank you. 

00:00:24,820 --> 00:00:25,340 [Elan Richards]
Thank you. 

00:00:26,360 --> 00:00:42,780 [Michelle Harris]
I am so excited about the topic for this week, 'cause we are talking about the spring calendar of events for students and employees, ways to get out there, get engaged. Um, so first of all, before we jump, jump into the calendar, let's learn just a little bit about you guys. Hannah, tell us about what your role is here at HCC. 

00:00:42,780 --> 00:00:59,519 [Hannah Moore]
Okay. So my official title is coordinator of student life. So I plan, um, with the assistance of Elan here, we both plan all of the, uh, student activities on campus. We also oversee student clubs, um, as well, and SGA. 

00:00:59,520 --> 00:01:00,340 [Michelle Harris]
Great. Alanne? 

00:01:00,340 --> 00:01:25,399 [Elan Richards]
Yeah. And, um, my official title is Student Life and Wellness Specialist, so I do the same thing as Hannah with events and student clubs. Um, and I also work partly with student wellness, which is, like, um, accommodations and counseling and, um, wellness-related activities. Um, so yeah. 

00:01:25,400 --> 00:01:29,460 [Michelle Harris]
Great. Both very integral parts here. Thank you in advance for all you do here. 

00:01:29,460 --> 00:01:29,560 [Hannah Moore]
Thank you. 

00:01:29,560 --> 00:01:37,140 [Michelle Harris]
Um, so let's talk about the 2023 spring calendar. First of all, what's new this semester? 

00:01:37,140 --> 00:01:47,980 [Elan Richards]
New. Yes, we're super excited. Um, we do have a couple new events coming up. Um, let's see. One of the new ones is going to be Clyde's Birthday Bash. 

00:01:47,980 --> 00:01:48,610 [Hannah Moore]
Whoo-hoo. 

00:01:48,610 --> 00:01:48,880 [Michelle Harris]
Whoo. 

00:01:48,880 --> 00:01:52,340 [Elan Richards]
Yes. He, um, his birthday is February 22nd. 

00:01:52,340 --> 00:01:52,980 [Hannah Moore]
Yeah. 

00:01:52,980 --> 00:01:56,060 [Elan Richards]
Um, and I won't talk too much about this, but- 

00:01:56,060 --> 00:01:56,310 [Hannah Moore]
Right. [laughs] 

00:01:56,310 --> 00:01:56,360 [Michelle Harris]
Right 

00:01:56,360 --> 00:01:58,970 [Elan Richards]
... he, um... That makes him a Pisces. 

00:01:58,970 --> 00:01:58,970 [Hannah Moore]
[laughs] 

00:01:58,970 --> 00:01:58,980 [Michelle Harris]
[laughs] 

00:01:58,980 --> 00:02:08,360 [Elan Richards]
And so he is, um, very sensitive, creative, intuitive, um, and it's one of the most sympathetic of all the- 

00:02:08,360 --> 00:02:08,620 [Michelle Harris]
Okay 

00:02:08,620 --> 00:02:21,060 [Elan Richards]
... zodiac signs, um, sun signs, that is. And so Clyde, um, we, we're just really excited for his first birthday here. We're, um, as far as, like, actual activities we're going to have- 

00:02:21,120 --> 00:02:21,800 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm 

00:02:21,800 --> 00:02:37,290 [Elan Richards]
... um, we're going to have pizza and, like, cupcakes from Candy's, um, all to celebrate Clyde, because we wanna make him feel special. And, um, so that's gonna be on the 22nd, and you'll be able to find out more about that in your email or- 

00:02:37,290 --> 00:02:37,670 [Michelle Harris]
So fun. 

00:02:37,670 --> 00:02:37,670 [Hannah Moore]
Yes 

00:02:37,670 --> 00:02:39,000 [Elan Richards]
... you know, as we get closer. 

00:02:39,000 --> 00:02:39,060 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:02:39,060 --> 00:02:41,440 [Hannah Moore]
There's also gonna be presents at Clyde's birthday. 

00:02:41,440 --> 00:02:41,660 [Elan Richards]
Ooh. 

00:02:41,660 --> 00:02:42,109 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:02:42,109 --> 00:02:52,400 [Hannah Moore]
Yes. So presents for students, so they're gonna definitely wanna be there to get in on all that, uh, Clyde's gonna be giving away on his birthday. 

00:02:52,400 --> 00:02:53,290 [Michelle Harris]
Love it. Great twist. 

00:02:53,290 --> 00:02:54,740 [Hannah Moore]
Yeah. That's because he's a Pisces. 

00:02:54,740 --> 00:02:54,760 [Elan Richards]
Yes. [laughs] 

00:02:54,760 --> 00:02:57,480 [Hannah Moore]
They're so giving and loving. Yeah. 

00:02:57,480 --> 00:02:58,460 [Elan Richards]
That's perfect. 

00:02:58,460 --> 00:02:59,440 [Hannah Moore]
That's Clyde. 

00:02:59,440 --> 00:02:59,920 [Elan Richards]
Yeah. 

00:03:00,100 --> 00:03:02,260 [Michelle Harris]
What else do you have on the hopper this semester? 

00:03:02,260 --> 00:03:05,660 [Hannah Moore]
All right. So another new one that we're doing this year is Pi Day. 

00:03:05,660 --> 00:03:05,980 [Michelle Harris]
Okay. 

00:03:05,980 --> 00:03:10,240 [Hannah Moore]
So what day is that? Uh, you a math, are you a math person? 

00:03:10,240 --> 00:03:11,410 [Michelle Harris]
I'm not a math person- 

00:03:11,410 --> 00:03:11,410 [Hannah Moore]
No 

00:03:11,410 --> 00:03:15,440 [Michelle Harris]
... but I think the average person and I are very similar. It's 3.1418. 

00:03:15,440 --> 00:03:17,049 [Hannah Moore]
Yes. Great job. 

00:03:17,049 --> 00:03:17,100 [Michelle Harris]
Good job. 

00:03:17,100 --> 00:03:30,200 [Hannah Moore]
So March 14th we're gonna be celebrating Pi Day. We're gonna be hooking up with some of the math instructors to bring some fun things that day, um, in the form of, like, actual pie. 

00:03:30,200 --> 00:03:30,280 [Michelle Harris]
Ooh. 

00:03:30,280 --> 00:03:34,060 [Hannah Moore]
So yeah. Should be a tasty day. [laughs] 

00:03:34,060 --> 00:03:34,690 [Michelle Harris]
Yes. 

00:03:34,690 --> 00:03:34,720 [Elan Richards]
Yeah. 

00:03:34,720 --> 00:03:35,600 [Michelle Harris]
Yes. 

00:03:35,600 --> 00:03:39,160 [Hannah Moore]
Um, and then another new one that we're bringing, uh, on is Field Day. 

00:03:39,160 --> 00:03:39,350 [Michelle Harris]
Okay. 

00:03:39,350 --> 00:03:40,420 [Hannah Moore]
So we'll talk more about that. 

00:03:40,420 --> 00:03:40,460 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:03:40,460 --> 00:03:40,790 [Hannah Moore]
But yeah. 

00:03:40,790 --> 00:03:40,800 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:03:40,800 --> 00:03:42,620 [Hannah Moore]
We're excited for that. 

00:03:42,620 --> 00:03:46,020 [Michelle Harris]
Great. So what are w- the ones that you guys are looking the most forward to? 

00:03:47,500 --> 00:03:48,160 [Elan Richards]
Oh, um. 

00:03:48,160 --> 00:03:48,620 [Hannah Moore]
Yeah. 

00:03:48,620 --> 00:03:54,930 [Elan Richards]
Well, one that we didn't mention, it's not... It started last semester, so it's not a new one, but Snacks and Crafts. 

00:03:54,930 --> 00:03:54,980 [Hannah Moore]
Yes. 

00:03:54,980 --> 00:04:09,380 [Elan Richards]
I'm super excited to do that again. Um, I actually missed the first one because I was sick, but I heard it was a blast, and everybody got to do beautiful paintings that they could hang up, um, once they were done. And so we're going to do that again- 

00:04:09,380 --> 00:04:09,470 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm 

00:04:09,470 --> 00:04:24,920 [Elan Richards]
... um, on January 25th, and then again on March 22nd. So you can find out more about that in your email and Moodle. Um, and additionally, that we are requiring people to sign up ahead of time again. 

00:04:24,920 --> 00:04:25,790 [Hannah Moore]
Sure. Yeah. 

00:04:25,790 --> 00:04:40,460 [Elan Richards]
So, um, students can get the Google Forms link in their email or in the HCC newsletter, um, or they can, employees can also email hcc-wellness@haywood.edu. 

00:04:40,460 --> 00:04:41,680 [Michelle Harris]
Awesome. 

00:04:41,680 --> 00:04:46,400 [Hannah Moore]
All right. Yeah. And the one I always look the most forward to is Grad Day. 

00:04:46,400 --> 00:04:46,840 [Michelle Harris]
Okay. 

00:04:46,840 --> 00:05:07,920 [Hannah Moore]
Yes. It is just a fun party for all the graduates. They've worked so hard to get to this point, and it's just fun to have them come out. We just have a big meal, dessert. Um, it's, it's a good time, and I love just seeing almost the relief on their faces that they've made it this far. So it's one of my absolute favorite events that we do every year. 

00:05:07,920 --> 00:05:14,000 [Michelle Harris]
That's great. Um, and which one on here, or maybe two or three or four, who knows, is the student favorite? 

00:05:15,280 --> 00:05:19,480 [Hannah Moore]
Student favorite I'm gonna say is definitely HCC Night at Tube World. 

00:05:19,480 --> 00:05:19,740 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:05:19,740 --> 00:05:28,190 [Hannah Moore]
That has been the most requested event to bring back to the calendar, mainly because if you were to take your family... Um, oh, and, uh, it is a family event. 

00:05:28,190 --> 00:05:28,260 [Michelle Harris]
Right. 

00:05:28,260 --> 00:05:36,120 [Hannah Moore]
So it's not only open to just faculty, staff, students. Um, they can bring their families. That is gonna be another event that we do require signups ahead of time. 

00:05:36,120 --> 00:05:36,450 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:05:36,450 --> 00:05:53,100 [Hannah Moore]
So of course, as we always say, watch your email to sign up for that. But yes, students love the opportunity to bring their, their kids out or their friends and have a free night, um, tubing, so it's a lot of fun. It can be cold, so you have to bundle up, but, um, it's a good time always. 

00:05:53,100 --> 00:06:04,480 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. I've heard great things about that event, and appreciate you guys working with them to bring it back. Because like you said, it's just a family-friendly event, and it's great to have those on our calendar. Um, just kind of broadens the scope of everything we're able to offer. 

00:06:04,480 --> 00:06:04,719 [Hannah Moore]
Yeah.

00:06:05,496 --> 00:06:12,356 [Elan Richards]
And I think you're ... I don't know if you mentioned, but if you were to take your family there on another night, it can be pretty expensive- 

00:06:12,356 --> 00:06:12,366 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah 

00:06:12,366 --> 00:06:18,096 [Elan Richards]
... um, to take, like, your whole family. So it's really a great deal if you get to go for free. 

00:06:18,096 --> 00:06:24,496 [Michelle Harris]
Yes, exactly. Great. Okay, so I know you briefly mentioned field day, and I'm excited for this day. 

00:06:24,496 --> 00:06:24,795 [Elan Richards]
Yes. 

00:06:24,796 --> 00:06:34,916 [Michelle Harris]
For a, a ... Step back a moment in time here. At growing up, what was each of your favorite field day events as a kid when you were in elementary or middle school? 

00:06:34,916 --> 00:06:45,376 [Elan Richards]
[laughs] We were, we were thinking about this earlier, and I... We actually talked about this when we were planning the event 'cause I am f- I grew up in Maine, and I guess our field days were slightly different. 

00:06:45,376 --> 00:06:45,916 [Michelle Harris]
[laughs] Okay. 

00:06:45,916 --> 00:07:00,636 [Elan Richards]
Um, because it was, it's not that warm up there. Um, and obviously we did this, like, when it was warmer, but we didn't have all the same things. Like, we used to do... [laughs] I was asking Hannah, like, potato sack races. 

00:07:00,636 --> 00:07:00,816 [Michelle Harris]
Potato sack races. 

00:07:00,816 --> 00:07:01,286 [Hannah Moore]
Oh, wow. 

00:07:01,286 --> 00:07:02,786 [Elan Richards]
I was like, "Did you guys do that?" 

00:07:02,786 --> 00:07:02,796 [Michelle Harris]
[laughs] 

00:07:02,796 --> 00:07:04,666 [Elan Richards]
And she was like, "What?" 

00:07:04,666 --> 00:07:04,666 [Hannah Moore]
[laughs] 

00:07:04,666 --> 00:07:06,976 [Elan Richards]
And I'm just like, oh, maybe that's a Maine thing. 

00:07:06,976 --> 00:07:07,016 [Michelle Harris]
[laughs] 

00:07:07,016 --> 00:07:09,506 [Elan Richards]
I don't, I don't know. But that wasn't my favorite. 

00:07:09,506 --> 00:07:09,536 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:07:09,536 --> 00:07:18,466 [Elan Richards]
We also had, like, a slip and slide on a big hill, and, um, that was super fun. But I really remember those potato sack. I don't know why. 

00:07:18,466 --> 00:07:18,496 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:07:18,496 --> 00:07:19,886 [Elan Richards]
Maybe we should do that. [laughs] 

00:07:19,886 --> 00:07:20,846 [Hannah Moore]
Maybe we should. 

00:07:20,846 --> 00:07:20,936 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. You never know. 

00:07:20,936 --> 00:07:49,076 [Hannah Moore]
I mean, you never know. I guess for me a field day around here was just always water. Everything, like, surrounded with water. So water balloons, um, water slides, all, all the fun things that you just go out and get absolutely drenched. And, you know, you have, your parents have to pack you that change of clothes because you're soaked afterwards. But it's just so fun to just splash around in the water. So we, we do have big plans for field day that we can't exactly reveal just yet. 

00:07:49,076 --> 00:07:49,416 [Michelle Harris]
Right. 

00:07:49,416 --> 00:07:52,256 [Hannah Moore]
But it, it's coming. It's gonna be a great day out field. 

00:07:52,256 --> 00:07:55,676 [Michelle Harris]
It's gonna be so much fun. And, you know, that whole concept of being a kid again, and- 

00:07:55,676 --> 00:07:56,086 [Hannah Moore]
Yes. 

00:07:56,086 --> 00:07:56,086 [Elan Richards]
Yeah 

00:07:56,086 --> 00:07:57,006 [Michelle Harris]
... I'm, I'm excited for this one, too, guys. 

00:07:57,006 --> 00:07:57,766 [Elan Richards]
I love all that. 

00:07:57,766 --> 00:07:58,606 [Hannah Moore]
It's great. 

00:07:58,606 --> 00:07:58,616 [Michelle Harris]
Yes. 

00:07:58,616 --> 00:08:10,276 [Elan Richards]
Every time we do something, like, even, like, coloring with crayons or Play-Doh, like, it just brings back the peace and carefree vibes that you felt, like, when you were a kid- 

00:08:10,276 --> 00:08:10,286 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah 

00:08:10,286 --> 00:08:13,835 [Elan Richards]
... and you didn't have bills to pay and taxes and homework and... 

00:08:13,835 --> 00:08:13,996 [Michelle Harris]
[laughs] 

00:08:13,996 --> 00:08:15,345 [Elan Richards]
It's just lots of fun. 

00:08:15,345 --> 00:08:15,426 [Michelle Harris]
All the things. 

00:08:15,426 --> 00:08:15,576 [Elan Richards]
Yeah. 

00:08:15,576 --> 00:08:29,336 [Michelle Harris]
So true. So true. So we have a great calendar set, okay? So there might be some students that might be a little apprehensive about attending some of these events. What's your advice to get people out and enjoying some of these things? 

00:08:30,416 --> 00:08:36,136 [Elan Richards]
Yeah. Um, I can totally understand feeling nervous. I'm an introvert, and so- 

00:08:36,136 --> 00:08:36,566 [Michelle Harris]
[laughs] 

00:08:36,566 --> 00:08:52,246 [Elan Richards]
... like, to go out, especially if you're going by yourself, like, it might feel really nerve-wracking. But, um, all I can say is it's, it's just such a fun time. No matter what we do, we always meet new people, and students, um, can get to know people that are maybe not in their program- 

00:08:52,246 --> 00:08:53,396 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm 

00:08:53,396 --> 00:09:17,306 [Elan Richards]
... or not in most of their classes, and you could meet some of your best friends that way. So I think that, that should be a huge part of what college is, is, you know, meeting new people and building lifelong friendships. And, um, just try, try to just, you know, push yourself out of your comfort zone, and there's always, always fun people there. And most, most of all, you get free food. So even if you [laughs] 

00:09:17,306 --> 00:09:18,256 [Michelle Harris]
And we're there. 

00:09:18,256 --> 00:09:18,836 [Elan Richards]
And we're there. 

00:09:18,836 --> 00:09:19,206 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:09:19,206 --> 00:09:19,236 [Elan Richards]
So- 

00:09:19,236 --> 00:09:21,396 [Michelle Harris]
I mean, we're the most fun people- 

00:09:21,396 --> 00:09:22,036 [Elan Richards]
We're always there 

00:09:22,036 --> 00:09:22,256 [Michelle Harris]
... of all. 

00:09:22,256 --> 00:09:23,166 [Elan Richards]
[laughs] 

00:09:23,166 --> 00:09:23,196 [Michelle Harris]
Uh, yeah. 

00:09:23,196 --> 00:09:25,856 [Hannah Moore]
So come hang out with us if you have no one else to hang out. 

00:09:25,856 --> 00:09:25,926 [Elan Richards]
Yeah. 

00:09:25,926 --> 00:09:53,426 [Hannah Moore]
Yes. Um, yeah, I would say the same thing. We, we always try to make the environment feel welcoming, and, um, I think once you come, once you, like, push yourself and you go, and you get there, you have a fun time, and then you've kind of just, I don't know, you break that ice, uh, and then you come to all the events after that. But getting to your very first one is probably the hardest thing to do, so just come out, grab the free, I don't know whatever we get. We just, we could b- we do biscuits and donuts, that kind of thing. 

00:09:53,426 --> 00:09:53,436 [Elan Richards]
Yeah. 

00:09:53,436 --> 00:09:58,216 [Hannah Moore]
So just come out. Um, and I'm sure you'll be, um, excited to be there once you're there. 

00:09:58,216 --> 00:10:01,456 [Elan Richards]
Plus, like, lots of people are there by themselves. Like- 

00:10:01,456 --> 00:10:01,716 [Michelle Harris]
Right 

00:10:01,716 --> 00:10:12,405 [Elan Richards]
... if you stop by in between class or something, like, a lot of people will, will be on their own, and, and so it's not, it's not like you're going to be put on the spot and asked to give a speech or something. 

00:10:12,405 --> 00:10:12,435 [Michelle Harris]
[laughs] 

00:10:12,436 --> 00:10:15,405 [Elan Richards]
Like, it's just chill, and everybody's kind of in the same boat. 

00:10:15,405 --> 00:10:15,435 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:10:15,436 --> 00:10:19,286 [Elan Richards]
So that's a perfect time to, to test the waters. 

00:10:19,286 --> 00:10:34,876 [Michelle Harris]
And have you guys seen firsthand, like, people that might seem shy at first in an event start to slowly, you know, warm up or maybe meet someone new, and kind of reflect on that as an outsider for you guys looking into student interaction? What, what's your kind of favorite thing around that? 

00:10:34,876 --> 00:11:19,116 [Hannah Moore]
Oh, yeah, we love that. We love when we see students interacting with other students. Um, obv- obviously, that's the goal of, of why we plan student events. We know that when they're in the classroom, and they're, you know, they're either, like, head down taking notes from a PowerPoint or they're listening to lecture kind of thing. So we want to just create a, an environment that is fun, inviting, and just to where they can chat with each other because they might not necessarily get the opportunity to do that when they're in the classroom. So once they're out and we see them just chatting, laughing, you know, most of the time we'll have, like, cornhole boards out, so they're meeting, they're teaming up and playing each other. So, um, it's just re- it's really great to see everyone come together for a fun, uh, break from the stress, I guess, of class and homework and all that. 

00:11:19,116 --> 00:11:28,986 [Elan Richards]
Yeah. And I think another cool thing is they get to see another side of their instructors or even, like, other s- like, staff on campus, um, I feel like- 

00:11:28,986 --> 00:11:29,496 [Hannah Moore]
Kind of let loose. 

00:11:29,496 --> 00:11:30,076 [Elan Richards]
Yeah. 

00:11:30,076 --> 00:11:30,106 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:11:30,106 --> 00:11:45,536 [Elan Richards]
You, you ... They're not as serious maybe, um, as they have to be sometimes in the classroom when obviously they're teaching. So it's, it's fun. It's a cool way to get to know your teachers better, and, um, it's just a really, we hope, a great opportunity people will take advantage of. 

00:11:45,536 --> 00:11:56,686 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. That's an excellent point. Um, so we've got a full slate. How can students stay up to date? Because you know, Hannah, just as much as I do, we never wanna hear, "I didn't know about this." 

00:11:56,686 --> 00:11:56,716 [Elan Richards]
Ugh. 

00:11:56,716 --> 00:12:02,156 [Michelle Harris]
So how, how can students look for information from us this semester so they can stay engaged and do the things? 

00:12:02,156 --> 00:12:04,096 [Hannah Moore]
All right. So email. 

00:12:04,096 --> 00:12:04,756 [Michelle Harris]
Yes. 

00:12:04,756 --> 00:12:55,984 [Hannah Moore]
Not just your focused email. You have to click over into your other email sometimes to get those. But, so be checking-All the inboxes, um, and we, we always send out email notifications of events coming up. We also have a course in Moodle. So everyone should be able to log into their Moodle dashboard, scroll down to the very bottom, and then they'll see the Student Life and Wellness Get Involved. You can click on that air quotes, course, and all of our, um, events and information, all the, like, details of the events are gonna be listed, um, there. So Moodle, obviously social media. We post on social media, so make sure that, that you're following, um, on Facebook and Instagram for sure. We keep up there. We do the, the marketing. You all do the newsletter. So you can find out that, and then the website. So the calendar on the website shares everything as well. So 

00:12:57,184 --> 00:13:00,464 [Hannah Moore]
lots of different outlets to find out what's going on. 

00:13:00,464 --> 00:13:13,934 [Elan Richards]
Oh, and, and we usually print out a paper calendar as well. Um, so if they haven't gotten that, um, Spring '23 calendar, just stop by, what are they? At the library in, in Student Services. 

00:13:13,934 --> 00:13:13,984 [Hannah Moore]
Student Services. 

00:13:13,984 --> 00:13:18,864 [Elan Richards]
If you, if you're more... you know, you want it in your notebook or planner, then we have that too. 

00:13:18,864 --> 00:13:19,824 [Hannah Moore]
Mm-hmm. 

00:13:19,824 --> 00:13:20,694 [Michelle Harris]
All the options. 

00:13:20,694 --> 00:13:20,694 [Elan Richards]
Yeah. 

00:13:20,694 --> 00:13:21,444 [Hannah Moore]
All the options. 

00:13:21,444 --> 00:13:35,844 [Michelle Harris]
All the options. Um, so this has been great to kind of understand what's going on and what students have to look forward to. Is there anything else about the clubs or even on your side of the house, Alanah, just different resources available to the students that they can look for this semester? 

00:13:35,844 --> 00:13:37,234 [Elan Richards]
Yeah, um, well, 

00:13:38,424 --> 00:14:38,544 [Elan Richards]
same as, as other semesters, we offer free counseling for students if you need a little extra support. Um, and that's myself and Susanna High, who's the director of student wellness. Um, and, um, we also have... we do accommodations for students with disabilities. If, um, students need a little bit of extra support, um, they might know that as, like, an IEP in high school or earlier grades. Um, but we, we can help students get established with us for those supports. Um, and then we, we try to do different events, like the snacks and crafts that we mentioned. Um, so same as Hannah said, that's also in Moodle in our Student Life and Wellness Get Involved page. It's on the main website. Um, we've, we've done a, a lot of work to update the website, um, with tons of information about accommodations, about how to get in touch with us, and also about our, um, relatively new food pantry- 

00:14:38,544 --> 00:14:38,574 [Hannah Moore]
Mm-hmm 

00:14:38,574 --> 00:15:04,164 [Elan Richards]
... Clyde's Cupboard. Um, and we've got a ton of, of food and hygiene supplies in there that, that we... You know, all you have to do is ask. So, um, to find out more about that, either go online, or you can email the hcc-wellness@haywood.edu email. Um, and you can get both Susanna and myself. So, um, you ju- you just really need to reach out and ask, and we are happy to help. 

00:15:04,164 --> 00:15:05,344 [Hannah Moore]
Yeah. Yep. 

00:15:05,344 --> 00:15:05,624 [Michelle Harris]
Great. 

00:15:07,184 --> 00:15:14,204 [Michelle Harris]
All right, thank you, guys. So we are gonna move into one of my favorite parts of our podcast called Rapid Fire. 

00:15:14,204 --> 00:15:14,873 [Hannah Moore]
Oh, here we go. [laughs] 

00:15:14,873 --> 00:15:17,264 [Michelle Harris]
Here we go. Um, so Hannah's done this before. 

00:15:17,264 --> 00:15:17,604 [Hannah Moore]
I have. 

00:15:17,604 --> 00:15:20,204 [Michelle Harris]
So we're gonna do this a little different. We're gonna start with you, Alanah. 

00:15:20,204 --> 00:15:20,564 [Elan Richards]
Okay. 

00:15:20,564 --> 00:15:27,064 [Michelle Harris]
So we're gonna have you answer the question, and then Hannah is either gonna agree or disagree with what you say. 

00:15:27,064 --> 00:15:27,504 [Elan Richards]
Okay. 

00:15:27,504 --> 00:15:27,944 [Michelle Harris]
Okay? 

00:15:27,944 --> 00:15:28,864 [Elan Richards]
I think I'm ready. [laughs] 

00:15:28,864 --> 00:15:32,684 [Michelle Harris]
Here we go. Alanah, dogs or cats? 

00:15:33,984 --> 00:15:36,644 [Elan Richards]
Cats, but I like dogs too. 

00:15:36,644 --> 00:15:39,074 [Hannah Moore]
Right, and I'm just not that much of an animal person. 

00:15:39,074 --> 00:15:39,164 [Elan Richards]
Yeah. 

00:15:39,164 --> 00:15:40,124 [Hannah Moore]
We, we talked about this last time. 

00:15:40,124 --> 00:15:40,274 [Elan Richards]
[laughs] 

00:15:40,274 --> 00:15:43,734 [Hannah Moore]
And I like... So what do I... I'm supposed to disagree, say agree, or disagree? 

00:15:43,734 --> 00:15:43,963 [Elan Richards]
Agree or disagree. 

00:15:43,964 --> 00:15:45,364 [Hannah Moore]
Okay, just, you know, disagree. 

00:15:45,364 --> 00:15:45,804 [Elan Richards]
Okay. 

00:15:45,804 --> 00:15:45,874 [Hannah Moore]
[laughs] 

00:15:45,874 --> 00:15:47,493 [Elan Richards]
That's fine. I will not hold that against you. 

00:15:47,493 --> 00:15:48,604 [Hannah Moore]
Okay, thanks. 

00:15:48,604 --> 00:15:49,344 [Michelle Harris]
Favorite color? 

00:15:50,744 --> 00:15:51,204 [Elan Richards]
Uh, 

00:15:52,404 --> 00:15:54,624 [Elan Richards]
purple and turquoise. 

00:15:54,624 --> 00:15:55,664 [Michelle Harris]
Ooh, those are good. 

00:15:55,664 --> 00:15:56,004 [Elan Richards]
Thanks. 

00:15:56,004 --> 00:15:57,044 [Hannah Moore]
I like pink. 

00:15:57,044 --> 00:15:58,104 [Elan Richards]
Yeah. Yeah, pink's cute. 

00:15:58,104 --> 00:15:59,184 [Hannah Moore]
So I would be a disagree. 

00:15:59,184 --> 00:15:59,614 [Elan Richards]
Yeah. [laughs] 

00:15:59,614 --> 00:16:00,924 [Hannah Moore]
Disagree. 

00:16:00,924 --> 00:16:03,164 [Michelle Harris]
What's your favorite spot on campus? 

00:16:03,164 --> 00:16:14,743 [Elan Richards]
Oh, um, gosh. There's, um... I really love the Rhododendron Garden, and there's, like, picnic tables in there. So in the warmer months, it's, I like to go there and, like, have lunch and stuff. 

00:16:14,744 --> 00:16:15,644 [Hannah Moore]
Yeah, agree. 

00:16:15,644 --> 00:16:17,084 [Elan Richards]
Oh my gosh. [laughs] 

00:16:17,084 --> 00:16:21,744 [Michelle Harris]
When you order pizza, would you order pineapple or no pineapple on it? 

00:16:21,744 --> 00:16:24,844 [Elan Richards]
Um, this is, like, a really controversial question. 

00:16:24,844 --> 00:16:24,904 [Michelle Harris]
At all. 

00:16:24,904 --> 00:16:31,924 [Elan Richards]
But, um, I do actually like Hawaiian pizza, but I'm really super boring with pizza, and I usually just get cheese. 

00:16:33,324 --> 00:16:34,904 [Hannah Moore]
I do... I, I agree with the pineapple. 

00:16:34,904 --> 00:16:35,074 [Elan Richards]
Okay. 

00:16:35,074 --> 00:16:35,483 [Hannah Moore]
I like pineapple. Yeah. 

00:16:35,484 --> 00:16:36,494 [Elan Richards]
Oh my gosh. 

00:16:36,494 --> 00:16:36,844 [Hannah Moore]
Yeah. I know. 

00:16:36,844 --> 00:16:38,024 [Michelle Harris]
Uh, for the record, me too. 

00:16:38,024 --> 00:16:38,974 [Elan Richards]
Oh my gosh. 

00:16:38,974 --> 00:16:39,014 [Hannah Moore]
Yes. 

00:16:39,014 --> 00:16:40,864 [Elan Richards]
It's not controversial for us. 

00:16:40,864 --> 00:16:40,904 [Hannah Moore]
And for us. 

00:16:40,904 --> 00:16:42,454 [Michelle Harris]
So I know what we're doing for lunch today. [laughs] 

00:16:42,454 --> 00:16:42,704 [Hannah Moore]
Okay. [laughs] 

00:16:42,704 --> 00:16:44,084 [Elan Richards]
Buying. [laughs] 

00:16:44,084 --> 00:16:44,344 [Hannah Moore]
That's great. 

00:16:44,344 --> 00:16:46,724 [Michelle Harris]
Um, do you have any musical talents? 

00:16:46,724 --> 00:16:47,964 [Elan Richards]
No, I do not. 

00:16:49,074 --> 00:16:51,644 [Hannah Moore]
[laughs] She, as she looks at me. 

00:16:51,644 --> 00:16:52,234 [Elan Richards]
[laughs] Um, I do. 

00:16:52,234 --> 00:16:53,144 [Hannah Moore]
You do. Yeah, I play the piano. 

00:16:53,144 --> 00:16:54,384 [Elan Richards]
Yeah, you're very talented. 

00:16:55,444 --> 00:16:55,584 [Hannah Moore]
Yeah. 

00:16:55,584 --> 00:16:57,884 [Michelle Harris]
Sweet or unsweet tea? 

00:16:57,884 --> 00:17:03,504 [Elan Richards]
Um, neither actually. I'm not a tea person. I didn't even know what it was when I moved here. 

00:17:03,504 --> 00:17:05,384 [Hannah Moore]
And I agree. I'm not a tea person either. 

00:17:05,384 --> 00:17:06,144 [Michelle Harris]
Me either. 

00:17:06,144 --> 00:17:07,464 [Elan Richards]
Oh my gosh. 

00:17:07,464 --> 00:17:08,204 [Michelle Harris]
Wow. 

00:17:08,204 --> 00:17:10,554 [Elan Richards]
We're triplets. [laughs] 

00:17:10,554 --> 00:17:10,584 [Hannah Moore]
[laughs] 

00:17:10,584 --> 00:17:12,784 [Michelle Harris]
What's your go-to wake-up beverage? 

00:17:12,784 --> 00:17:13,984 [Elan Richards]
Coffee, 100%. 

00:17:13,984 --> 00:17:15,604 [Hannah Moore]
Yeah. Agree. 

00:17:15,604 --> 00:17:16,304 [Michelle Harris]
Coke or Pepsi? 

00:17:18,264 --> 00:17:22,924 [Elan Richards]
If I had to pick, it would be Coke, but I'm more of a Diet Dr. Pepper person. 

00:17:22,924 --> 00:17:24,603 [Hannah Moore]
Same, Diet Dr. Pepper. 

00:17:24,604 --> 00:17:25,044 [Elan Richards]
Yep. 

00:17:25,044 --> 00:17:25,944 [Michelle Harris]
Dawn or dusk? 

00:17:27,424 --> 00:17:30,884 [Elan Richards]
Um, dusk. Yeah, I'm not a morning person either. 

00:17:30,884 --> 00:17:31,824 [Hannah Moore]
Yeah, dawn for me. 

00:17:31,824 --> 00:17:34,543 [Elan Richards]
Yeah, she's very efficient in the morning, and I'm like- 

00:17:34,543 --> 00:17:34,954 [Hannah Moore]
[laughs] 

00:17:34,954 --> 00:17:37,704 [Elan Richards]
... I haven't even finished this coffee yet. 

00:17:37,704 --> 00:17:37,764 [Hannah Moore]
[laughs] 

00:17:37,764 --> 00:17:39,164 [Michelle Harris]
Cake or pie? 

00:17:39,224 --> 00:17:40,744 [Elan Richards]
Oh, um, 

00:17:42,204 --> 00:17:47,844 [Elan Richards]
dang, I don't know. I like both, but, um, probably cake. 

00:17:47,844 --> 00:17:48,844 [Hannah Moore]
Agree. 

00:17:48,844 --> 00:17:50,064 [Michelle Harris]
Book or movie? 

00:17:50,064 --> 00:17:51,904 [Elan Richards]
Book, 100% book. 

00:17:51,904 --> 00:17:53,924 [Hannah Moore]
Movie, 100%. 

00:17:53,924 --> 00:17:53,984 [Elan Richards]
[laughs] 

00:17:53,984 --> 00:17:55,984 [Hannah Moore]
So I disagree there. 

00:17:55,984 --> 00:17:57,044 [Michelle Harris]
Veggies or fruits? 

00:17:58,104 --> 00:17:58,484 [Elan Richards]
Um, 

00:17:59,804 --> 00:18:04,444 [Elan Richards]
I love fruit, but I'm, I'm actually allergic to several different fruits, but- 

00:18:04,444 --> 00:18:04,824 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah 

00:18:04,824 --> 00:18:07,914 [Elan Richards]
... like apples. So random, but- 

00:18:07,914 --> 00:18:07,914 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm 

00:18:07,914 --> 00:18:09,444 [Elan Richards]
... I do like fruits. Yeah. 

00:18:09,444 --> 00:18:11,024 [Hannah Moore]
Yeah, agree, fruit. 

00:18:11,024 --> 00:18:11,904 [Michelle Harris]
What's your favorite cookie? 

00:18:13,144 --> 00:18:14,184 [Elan Richards]
Chocolate chip. 

00:18:14,184 --> 00:18:14,504 [Hannah Moore]
Oh, yeah. 

00:18:14,504 --> 00:18:15,344 [Elan Richards]
Pretty boring, yeah. 

00:18:15,344 --> 00:18:16,904 [Hannah Moore]
Yeah, chocolate chip. 

00:18:16,904 --> 00:18:19,884 [Michelle Harris]
And vacation or staycation? 

00:18:19,884 --> 00:18:22,483 [Elan Richards]
Oh, I know what Hannah would put on this one. 

00:18:22,483 --> 00:18:23,144 [Hannah Moore]
[laughs] 

00:18:23,144 --> 00:18:31,684 [Elan Richards]
I, I mean, I'm not against vacations, but I find staycations to be more relaxing as an introvert. [laughs] 

00:18:31,684 --> 00:18:33,983 [Hannah Moore]
Yeah, a hardcore disagree on that one. [laughs] 

00:18:33,984 --> 00:18:36,364 [Elan Richards]
She's an extrovert. [laughs] 

00:18:36,364 --> 00:18:37,603 [Hannah Moore]
Give me the vacay. So- 

00:18:37,604 --> 00:18:48,924 [Elan Richards]
But, I mean, if I was like... We were talking about this earlier. If I could go to, like, the south of France and, like, be in, like, a countryside cabin or something, I would totally pick vacation. 

00:18:48,924 --> 00:18:49,384 [Hannah Moore]
Right. 

00:18:49,384 --> 00:18:50,824 [Elan Richards]
If it was, like, paid for. 

00:18:50,824 --> 00:18:51,094 [Hannah Moore]
Would skip it all. 

00:18:51,094 --> 00:18:51,214 [Elan Richards]
Yeah. [laughs] 

00:18:51,214 --> 00:18:53,954 [Hannah Moore]
Well, there's that. [laughs] 

00:18:53,954 --> 00:18:53,964 [Elan Richards]
[laughs] 

00:18:53,964 --> 00:18:56,104 [Michelle Harris]
Well, you guys, thank you so much for your time today. 

00:18:56,104 --> 00:18:56,134 [Elan Richards]
Thank you. 

00:18:56,134 --> 00:18:56,134 [Hannah Moore]
Thank you. 

00:18:56,134 --> 00:19:05,624 [Michelle Harris]
It's great getting back in the groove at the start of the spring semester. Students know what to look forward to. They've got some great resources between the two of you, so thank you so much for your time today. 

00:19:05,624 --> 00:19:05,954 [Elan Richards]
Thank you. 

00:19:05,954 --> 00:19:08,024 [Hannah Moore]
Thank you. [upbeat music] 

00:19:08,024 --> 00:19:31,324 [Announcer]
Thanks for listening to another episode of Bobcat Chat. Haywood Community College is located in Clyde, North Carolina. If you would like to learn more about our great school, head over to www.haywood.edu. That's H-A-Y-W-O-O-D.edu. [animal growls]

00:00:00,080 --> 00:00:09,880 [Announcer]
[on-hold music] 

00:00:09,880 --> 00:00:25,460 [Michelle Harris]
Welcome to this week's edition of Bobcat Chat. My name is Michelle Harris. I'm the Director of Marketing here at HCC, and this week, I have the pleasure of sitting down with two guests. First, we have, um, Doug Burchfield, who is our Dean of Workforce and Industry. Welcome, Doug. 

00:00:25,460 --> 00:00:28,840 [Dough Burchfield]
Thank you. I appreciate you inviting me to come talk today. 

00:00:28,840 --> 00:00:35,960 [Michelle Harris]
You bet. And we also have Liz Epps, and she is the Coordinator of Continuing Education Compliance. Welcome, Liz. 

00:00:35,960 --> 00:00:38,120 [Liz Epps]
Thank you, Michelle. Thanks for having us. 

00:00:38,120 --> 00:00:42,480 [Michelle Harris]
Absolutely. So Doug, how long have you been with HCC? 

00:00:42,540 --> 00:00:49,620 [Dough Burchfield]
So ten years as of April first. So, um, I still wait for somebody to show up with a box at my desk saying, "April Fool's" leave. 

00:00:49,620 --> 00:00:49,650 [Michelle Harris]
[laughs] 

00:00:49,650 --> 00:00:51,089 [Liz Epps]
[laughs] 

00:00:51,089 --> 00:00:58,860 [Dough Burchfield]
So, uh, no, I'm just kidding. So it's been, it's been a great ten years. It's a great place to work, so, uh, I've enjoyed my time here so far. 

00:00:58,860 --> 00:01:01,020 [Michelle Harris]
Wonderful. And Liz, you're relatively new to the team. 

00:01:01,020 --> 00:01:07,200 [Liz Epps]
I am, yes. I have been here for about nine and a half months. Yes, I came last summer. 

00:01:07,200 --> 00:01:09,020 [Michelle Harris]
Okay. So almost a year, not quite. 

00:01:09,020 --> 00:01:09,540 [Liz Epps]
Yes. 

00:01:09,540 --> 00:01:10,980 [Michelle Harris]
Well, we're happy to have you here. 

00:01:10,980 --> 00:01:12,140 [Liz Epps]
Thank you. 

00:01:12,140 --> 00:01:38,000 [Michelle Harris]
So we're here to talk about, um, a special week, and that is Public Service Recognition Week. And did a little homework on this, and it was established in nineteen eighty-five to honor the people who serve our nation as federal, state, county, local, and tribal government employees. So that's what we're talking about today, and I wanted to just get a little insight from you guys. What does public service mean to you? 

00:01:39,940 --> 00:02:27,500 [Dough Burchfield]
You know, so y-you kinda summed it up with the, with the folks that you talked about there. But there are so many folks out there that, uh, that maybe don't get seen and heard from all the time. You know, we, we know our officials fairly well. Uh, we understand how, uh, our government works a lot of times. But the folks we don't see a lot of times are gonna be your law enforcement officers, your, your firefighters, your EMS personnel, and all those folks. So they're out there every day, uh, protecting us and keeping us safe. And, uh, it's pretty easy to tell they're the first ones that show up on the scene of a wreck. Uh, they all three show up every time, so... And then, of course, you've got your, uh, your folks in the healthcare industry. A lot of times those are, uh, those are included in that group because they, they do a great public service in what they do for us every day, so. 

00:02:27,500 --> 00:02:33,180 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. And Liz, you had the fun idea to have an appreciation day during this week- 

00:02:33,180 --> 00:02:33,190 [Liz Epps]
Yes 

00:02:33,190 --> 00:02:43,060 [Michelle Harris]
... which is actually next week, and it's the second week in May, I believe. Um, so kind of ta-talk us through a little bit of how that came to mind and, and what you're hoping to get out of this day. 

00:02:43,060 --> 00:03:38,980 [Liz Epps]
Yeah, absolutely. So this is just a no-brainer opportunity to me to recognize our instructors and our coordinators. Um, I see every day kind of what they do on the back end of things as far as building the training. Um, as the paper pusher [laughs] of the group, I see, you know, what it looks like on the grade side of things. And, um, I also see people like Crystal, our EMS coordinator, who is on shift, you know, sometimes when she's running by to grab papers or to talk about things, and I thought, "Gosh, we really need to recognize the hustle that these people have and, um, just all the ways they serve and protect our community." I don't think they get enough recognition. I don't think that we c- we ever really can give them enough. So if we have a reason, then I'm all for it. 

00:03:38,980 --> 00:04:03,000 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. And I think, you know, weeks like this that are recognized at a national level really helps us, you know, ca-clutch onto that and bring it to life and do what we can for the team that we have and the team that we support. Um, so I know public service is a phrase we hear. So what do you guys feel is a common misconception of, of that category of people, and what truly is public service? 

00:04:04,720 --> 00:05:14,560 [Dough Burchfield]
So I think a lot of times people, uh, people wanna look at government and, and some of the, the entities that fall under there and think that they're, uh, they're staffed heavily and, you know, there's a lot of things that, uh, you know, that happen that maybe, uh, at times we, we just kinda scratch our head about. But at the end of the day, when you look at law enforcement, when you look at EMS, you look at firefighters, uh, these folks are not overstaffed. They're working hard every day. You know, they're taking on extra shifts, um, just because their friend may be sick or whatever. So there, there's no overstaffing there. Um, the-these folks are working hard every day, and, and I appreciate what they do. You know, so, uh, you know, what does it mean to me? It means I get to sleep at night. You know, at the end of the day, that's really what it means to me, is I get to go to sleep every night and I don't have to worry about what's going on in my community because we have a great group of, group of folks here in Haywood County that are protecting us and, and doing the right thing for us. And so I don't have to worry about, uh, some of my family members that are growing older. I know they're gonna be taken care of. You know, so that's, that's always a just good peace of mind. You know that, you know, no matter who shows up, they're gonna be, uh, they're gonna be great, um, to take care of you or your family in a, in a time of need. So- 

00:05:14,560 --> 00:05:15,140 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm 

00:05:15,140 --> 00:05:19,140 [Dough Burchfield]
... so that's my, that's... I guess that's my meaning for public service. 

00:05:19,140 --> 00:05:55,940 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. That's an excellent point of that, that sense of security, just knowing that we're all taken care of should something come up. Um, yeah, that's great. Um, so I... When I was looking into this week and, and getting ready for today's podcast, um, I felt like a lot of this terminology really came to light during COVID. We talked a lot about, um, you know, essential workers, and these are those people, in addition to many others in our community, but these are those people that were truly essential workers on the front lines. And would you guys kind of agree with that, that that's really when it started to come to light and people remember what it is they're doing every day? 

00:05:57,160 --> 00:06:04,186 [Dough Burchfield]
Yeah, absolutely. You know, that's, uh, one of the first things we done, um-Uh, from, from the college standpoint is we looked at it and said: How can we help? 

00:06:04,186 --> 00:06:04,196 [Liz Epps]
Mm-hmm. 

00:06:04,196 --> 00:06:20,946 [Dough Burchfield]
You know, so we, we took the bay down in the public services facility, and we, we opened it up for them to have, uh, overflow for any storage of supplies and all those things. And they, they kinda set up a, uh, a base there for, for people to come to and drop off supplies. And so it's just part of how we could help, you know? 

00:06:20,946 --> 00:06:20,976 [Liz Epps]
Mm-hmm. 

00:06:20,976 --> 00:06:24,096 [Dough Burchfield]
During that entire time, you know, I never missed a day. 

00:06:24,096 --> 00:06:24,176 [Liz Epps]
Mm-hmm. 

00:06:24,176 --> 00:06:42,766 [Dough Burchfield]
So, uh, myself and, uh, Mr. Scott Sutton, uh, we both worked, uh, every day to make sure that the building was open, these folks had a place to train. They were able to continue training. It was, it was important. You know, you, if you're not, uh, if you're not practicing and honing those skills on a regular basis, those are, those are perishable skills, so you need to- 

00:06:42,766 --> 00:06:42,766 [Liz Epps]
Mm-hmm 

00:06:42,766 --> 00:07:03,256 [Dough Burchfield]
... you need to be doing the things that you, you can to make sure you're up to date on those skills. So, you know, essential workers, you know, first off, I'd like to think that everybody's essential, so. But, you know, when it comes to, to taking care of your community in a pandemic, of course, these folks are on the frontline. They're out there working every day, and, and they're having to see the bad side of the things that we didn't have to see. 

00:07:03,256 --> 00:07:03,486 [Liz Epps]
Mm-hmm. 

00:07:03,486 --> 00:07:08,226 [Dough Burchfield]
Uh, you know, at least most of us didn't. So, uh, you know, a big thank you for that. You know- 

00:07:08,226 --> 00:07:08,226 [Liz Epps]
Mm-hmm 

00:07:08,226 --> 00:07:21,036 [Dough Burchfield]
... they took care of, uh, my family members, a lot of folks that I know and their family members and, and, uh, we were very fortunate here in Haywood County, uh, throughout this entire, uh, pandemic to, to say that we had a good group of folks taking care of us. 

00:07:21,036 --> 00:07:22,116 [Liz Epps]
Mm-hmm. 

00:07:22,116 --> 00:07:26,716 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah, and these are the folks too that, Liz, I think we're inviting to this event next- 

00:07:26,716 --> 00:07:26,836 [Liz Epps]
Yes 

00:07:26,836 --> 00:07:36,916 [Michelle Harris]
... next week. It's not... I mean, in addition to our own staff and our own volunteers and people that help, we're also extending an invite out to some of our community partners. Can you talk a little bit about that? 

00:07:36,916 --> 00:07:48,416 [Liz Epps]
We are, yes. Um, absolutely. I mean, public service is not just within our college here in our community, so we want those people to feel like they have a spot to just come have fun- 

00:07:48,416 --> 00:07:48,896 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm 

00:07:48,896 --> 00:07:55,796 [Liz Epps]
... and know that somebody within their community is celebrating them and appreciates them. I think, um, 

00:07:56,976 --> 00:08:12,836 [Liz Epps]
go- uh, to kind of elaborate on the pandemic, I think it's important that we understand that, you know, while we could all kind of tuck away and, and hide from it, they're not only first responders, but they were responding to the most dangerous- 

00:08:12,836 --> 00:08:13,116 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm 

00:08:13,116 --> 00:08:27,636 [Liz Epps]
... situation every single day. Um, and I don't think I really realized kind of what their every day looked like within that. So I hope they can all kind of see we're, we're getting out of that a bit- 

00:08:27,636 --> 00:08:28,585 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm 

00:08:28,585 --> 00:08:29,896 [Liz Epps]
... and, um, just come have some fun. 

00:08:29,896 --> 00:08:30,276 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:08:30,276 --> 00:08:30,936 [Liz Epps]
Yes. 

00:08:30,936 --> 00:08:53,696 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. And again, I love that we have these national events and special days, but I have a question for you guys. So let's say next week comes and goes, and we're like, "Great, everyone felt appreciated." What happens in, like, October when someone is like, "I just wanna say thank you again"? Like, what can a random community member do to show thank you to this group of people that support us day in and day out? 

00:08:55,016 --> 00:09:31,576 [Dough Burchfield]
So I think some of the things you see in, in the community now is, is kind of the pay it forward, uh, thing that happens. You know, if you see somebody, say thank you. You know, that's, that's important. But also, I think from the college's standpoint and how you can say thank you there is, you know, there's opportunities all the time to provide scholarships for folks. And so those things are important because not everybody, uh, is financially able to, to come and take a class. So we would like to, you know, make sure that in the future, that everybody has that opportunity, and we, we would ev- hate to ever turn somebody away that, uh, they, they couldn't do that. So I mean, there, there's a lot of different ways to say thank you. 

00:09:31,576 --> 00:09:31,896 [Liz Epps]
Mm-hmm. 

00:09:31,896 --> 00:09:43,236 [Dough Burchfield]
You know, so, uh, to, um, for whatever you can do. If it's just walking up and saying thank you, great. If you have the financial means to support somebody through a class, by all means, I would encourage anybody to do that, so. 

00:09:44,296 --> 00:09:46,596 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. The spoken word goes a long way. 

00:09:46,596 --> 00:09:47,395 [Dough Burchfield]
Absolutely. 

00:09:47,396 --> 00:09:48,216 [Michelle Harris]
That is for sure. 

00:09:48,216 --> 00:09:53,916 [Liz Epps]
It does. And, you know, you think about military personnel or veterans, they have their hats on, and- 

00:09:53,916 --> 00:09:54,096 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah 

00:09:54,096 --> 00:09:57,305 [Liz Epps]
... you see them out and about, and what are you gonna do to them? 

00:09:57,305 --> 00:09:57,356 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:09:57,356 --> 00:09:59,216 [Liz Epps]
You're gonna say, "Thank you for your service." 

00:09:59,216 --> 00:09:59,356 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:09:59,356 --> 00:10:18,606 [Liz Epps]
And I think it should be the same to, um, police officers or paramedics, you know, um, firefighters, nurses, anyone you come across, uh, our custodians, anyone who's doing a public service for you, to thank them. I think it, it does, it goes a long way. 

00:10:18,606 --> 00:10:19,115 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:10:19,115 --> 00:10:19,776 [Liz Epps]
So. 

00:10:19,776 --> 00:10:33,656 [Michelle Harris]
Yep. I agree 100%. Um, so as people might want to potentially explore a career in public service, what do you think it means as, as a person in public service to them personally? 

00:10:36,036 --> 00:11:30,036 [Dough Burchfield]
So I think everybody you talk to kinda has the same philosophy on it. You know, they're not, they're not there to do a job for them. They're there to serve the people in their community. And, and so there's a lot of pride in that. And, uh, these folks, uh, they, they actually sh- should take pride in, in what they do every day because, you know, not everybody has that, uh, that capability. You know, from, from, from me, you know, I've been an EMT Basic before. Uh, I kinda understand a little bit, but I've done that, uh, for a job, you know? So these folks don't get into it for the same reasons. We have a, a group of firefighters here in our county that mostly consists of volunteers. Now, to say that you're gonna volunteer to walk into a burning building, or you're gonna volunteer to go take care of somebody when they're sick or any of those things, that, that takes a special person. So, you know, that's, you know, every day we wake up, we should say thank you to these folks. You know, whether, whether they get to hear it or not, we should be thankful that they're in our community and doing the jobs that they do. 

00:11:30,036 --> 00:11:30,936 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:11:30,936 --> 00:11:31,236 [Liz Epps]
Sure. 

00:11:31,236 --> 00:11:39,756 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah, I agree. It's that personal touch that, and the feeling that they have that makes them want to get up every day and do that and serve and be proud of it and enjoy it. 

00:11:39,756 --> 00:11:48,696 [Dough Burchfield]
Yeah. Absolutely. I mean, you know, some, a lot of these folks work a 9:00 to 5:00 job or maybe they're working shifts, and i- in their, uh, downtime, they're out answering calls. 

00:11:48,696 --> 00:11:48,956 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:11:48,956 --> 00:11:52,576 [Dough Burchfield]
You know? So that takes a special person to do that, so. 

00:11:52,576 --> 00:12:07,716 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah, definitely. So I would be remiss if I didn't talk about us and what we have to offer for anyone that might want to go into a public service, uh, field or career. So why should they choose us if they're looking to explore an opportunity?

00:12:09,740 --> 00:12:25,740 [Dough Burchfield]
You know, I think the reasons we're sitting here is why they should choose us. You know, we, we do appreciate the folks that are out there doing this in our communities, and, and we think that we can treat you like family. Uh, you know, we want you to be successful. We're gonna do everything we can to make you s-successful. So, uh, you know... 

00:12:27,730 --> 00:12:36,200 [Dough Burchfield]
Uh, and I think we're good at it, to be quite honest, you know? I mean, I, I don't say that often, but, uh, I f- I really feel like, uh, this is something we do well, so. 

00:12:36,200 --> 00:12:36,940 [Liz Epps]
Mm-hmm. 

00:12:36,940 --> 00:12:41,240 [Dough Burchfield]
And, uh, uh, I think we can probably get you where you want to go. 

00:12:41,240 --> 00:12:41,679 [Liz Epps]
Mm-hmm. 

00:12:41,679 --> 00:12:42,660 [Dough Burchfield]
So. 

00:12:42,660 --> 00:12:45,920 [Michelle Harris]
Well, and we have the expertise in our instructors too, and, you know- 

00:12:45,920 --> 00:12:46,440 [Liz Epps]
Yes 

00:12:46,440 --> 00:12:48,300 [Michelle Harris]
... they're, they're doing it and teaching it. 

00:12:48,300 --> 00:12:48,970 [Liz Epps]
Mm-hmm. 

00:12:48,970 --> 00:12:58,740 [Michelle Harris]
And, um... Or they have done it for quite a while, and now they're teaching it, and I think that does go a long way. And just our partnerships that we have, um, still blow me away every time we talk about something like that. 

00:12:58,740 --> 00:13:05,020 [Dough Burchfield]
Yeah. And I think that expertise, uh, i- in our instructional faculty is the reason that I have the confidence to say that we- 

00:13:05,020 --> 00:13:05,030 [Liz Epps]
Mm-hmm 

00:13:05,030 --> 00:13:08,240 [Dough Burchfield]
... we, uh, are the best at what we do, so. 

00:13:08,240 --> 00:13:09,200 [Liz Epps]
Mm-hmm. 

00:13:09,200 --> 00:13:16,230 [Michelle Harris]
I love it. Um, before we go into our rapid fire questions, is there anything else you wanted to share with our listeners today? 

00:13:17,520 --> 00:13:28,130 [Dough Burchfield]
Just thank you. Just, uh, a lot of gratitude, a lot of thanks for doing the things you do every day, and, uh, thank you for letting me sleep at night. 

00:13:28,130 --> 00:13:29,180 [Liz Epps]
Mm-hmm. 

00:13:29,180 --> 00:13:30,040 [Michelle Harris]
Very well said. 

00:13:30,040 --> 00:13:30,300 [Liz Epps]
Absolutely. 

00:13:31,440 --> 00:13:34,200 [Michelle Harris]
So Liz, we're gonna jump into rapid fire with you. 

00:13:34,200 --> 00:13:34,860 [Liz Epps]
Okay. 

00:13:34,860 --> 00:13:42,600 [Michelle Harris]
And Doug, what I'm looking for is if you completely don't agree with what Liz has to say, we wanna hear it. 

00:13:42,600 --> 00:13:43,060 [Liz Epps]
Okay. 

00:13:43,060 --> 00:13:44,280 [Michelle Harris]
Okay? We'll have some fun with this. 

00:13:44,280 --> 00:13:44,960 [Liz Epps]
Let's do it. 

00:13:44,960 --> 00:13:48,300 [Michelle Harris]
Let's do it. Okay. Dogs or cats? 

00:13:48,300 --> 00:13:49,420 [Liz Epps]
Dogs. 

00:13:49,420 --> 00:13:50,060 [Dough Burchfield]
Absolutely. 

00:13:50,060 --> 00:13:50,840 [Liz Epps]
Every time. 

00:13:50,840 --> 00:13:51,420 [Michelle Harris]
Every time. [laughs] 

00:13:51,420 --> 00:13:51,820 [Liz Epps]
Yes. 

00:13:53,240 --> 00:13:56,960 [Michelle Harris]
Um, so if you order pizza, pineapple or no pineapple? 

00:13:56,960 --> 00:13:57,920 [Liz Epps]
No pineapple. 

00:13:57,920 --> 00:14:01,290 [Dough Burchfield]
No, I disagree. Pineapple is great on a pizza. 

00:14:01,290 --> 00:14:01,290 [Liz Epps]
Oh, geez. 

00:14:01,290 --> 00:14:01,340 [Dough Burchfield]
So- 

00:14:01,340 --> 00:14:03,160 [Liz Epps]
This might cause an issue later- 

00:14:03,160 --> 00:14:03,260 [Dough Burchfield]
... so- [laughs] 

00:14:03,260 --> 00:14:03,520 [Michelle Harris]
I know 

00:14:03,520 --> 00:14:04,940 [Liz Epps]
... because I really don't understand it. 

00:14:04,940 --> 00:14:05,180 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. [laughs] 

00:14:05,180 --> 00:14:05,920 [Liz Epps]
But okay. 

00:14:05,920 --> 00:14:08,340 [Dough Burchfield]
That is the actual... The only pizza I will eat- 

00:14:08,340 --> 00:14:08,470 [Michelle Harris]
[laughs] 

00:14:08,470 --> 00:14:10,260 [Dough Burchfield]
... is pineapple and ham pizza, so- 

00:14:10,260 --> 00:14:10,530 [Liz Epps]
Oh, no 

00:14:10,530 --> 00:14:11,000 [Dough Burchfield]
... I'm, I'm good. 

00:14:11,000 --> 00:14:12,260 [Liz Epps]
All right. [laughs] 

00:14:12,260 --> 00:14:14,300 [Michelle Harris]
So sweet or unsweet tea? 

00:14:15,560 --> 00:14:17,180 [Liz Epps]
I don't like tea. 

00:14:17,180 --> 00:14:18,039 [Michelle Harris]
I'm with you, sister. 

00:14:18,039 --> 00:14:18,319 [Liz Epps]
Okay. 

00:14:18,319 --> 00:14:21,760 [Dough Burchfield]
Sweet tea. I grew up with my grandmother making it, and I love it to this day. 

00:14:21,760 --> 00:14:22,169 [Liz Epps]
Oh. 

00:14:22,169 --> 00:14:22,200 [Michelle Harris]
Love it. 

00:14:22,200 --> 00:14:24,540 [Liz Epps]
I can make it, but I don't want it. [laughs] 

00:14:24,540 --> 00:14:25,780 [Dough Burchfield]
[laughs] 

00:14:25,780 --> 00:14:33,040 [Michelle Harris]
So if you had a superhero power, would it be invisibility or super strength? 

00:14:33,040 --> 00:14:35,060 [Liz Epps]
I have super strength, I think. 

00:14:35,060 --> 00:14:35,300 [Michelle Harris]
Okay. 

00:14:35,300 --> 00:14:36,360 [Liz Epps]
So invisibility. 

00:14:36,360 --> 00:14:36,520 [Michelle Harris]
Okay. 

00:14:36,520 --> 00:14:37,780 [Liz Epps]
I'd like to take that. 

00:14:37,780 --> 00:14:37,860 [Michelle Harris]
Invisibility. 

00:14:37,860 --> 00:14:38,640 [Liz Epps]
Yes. 

00:14:38,640 --> 00:14:40,280 [Dough Burchfield]
Uh, I'll take super strength. 

00:14:40,280 --> 00:14:40,620 [Michelle Harris]
Okay. 

00:14:40,620 --> 00:14:41,960 [Dough Burchfield]
Yeah. All day, every day. 

00:14:41,960 --> 00:14:44,360 [Michelle Harris]
[laughs] Dawn or dusk? 

00:14:47,080 --> 00:14:47,900 [Liz Epps]
Dusk. 

00:14:47,900 --> 00:14:49,260 [Dough Burchfield]
Dawn. 

00:14:49,260 --> 00:14:50,280 [Michelle Harris]
Sweet or salty? 

00:14:52,100 --> 00:14:53,060 [Liz Epps]
Salty. 

00:14:53,060 --> 00:14:54,140 [Dough Burchfield]
Agree. 

00:14:54,140 --> 00:14:55,680 [Michelle Harris]
Cake or pie? 

00:14:55,680 --> 00:14:56,540 [Liz Epps]
Pie. 

00:14:56,540 --> 00:14:57,600 [Dough Burchfield]
Agree. 

00:14:57,600 --> 00:14:58,740 [Michelle Harris]
Beach or mountains? 

00:15:00,020 --> 00:15:01,160 [Liz Epps]
Mountains. 

00:15:01,160 --> 00:15:03,220 [Dough Burchfield]
All day long. 

00:15:03,220 --> 00:15:04,200 [Michelle Harris]
Book or movie? 

00:15:05,740 --> 00:15:06,420 [Liz Epps]
Movie. 

00:15:06,420 --> 00:15:07,760 [Dough Burchfield]
Book. 

00:15:07,760 --> 00:15:09,040 [Michelle Harris]
Veggies or fruits? 

00:15:09,040 --> 00:15:09,480 [Liz Epps]
Fruit. 

00:15:10,720 --> 00:15:13,080 [Liz Epps]
I'll take the pineapple now. 

00:15:13,080 --> 00:15:13,250 [Dough Burchfield]
Yeah. Come, come- 

00:15:13,250 --> 00:15:13,650 [Michelle Harris]
[laughs] After the fact 

00:15:13,650 --> 00:15:15,800 [Liz Epps]
... but we're in the fruit category 

00:15:15,800 --> 00:15:19,340 [Dough Burchfield]
... so. So I grow about a half acre garden every year, so I'm gonna say veggies. 

00:15:19,340 --> 00:15:22,360 [Michelle Harris]
Veggies. Well then, now we expect some veggies on our desk. 

00:15:22,360 --> 00:15:22,550 [Liz Epps]
Yes. 

00:15:22,550 --> 00:15:22,550 [Dough Burchfield]
Absolutely. 

00:15:22,550 --> 00:15:24,220 [Michelle Harris]
So we're just saying, Doug. 

00:15:24,220 --> 00:15:24,320 [Liz Epps]
Yes. 

00:15:24,320 --> 00:15:26,340 [Michelle Harris]
Um, mayo or Miracle Whip? 

00:15:26,340 --> 00:15:26,760 [Liz Epps]
Oof. 

00:15:28,080 --> 00:15:28,780 [Liz Epps]
Neither. 

00:15:28,780 --> 00:15:29,419 [Michelle Harris]
Neither. 

00:15:29,420 --> 00:15:29,620 [Liz Epps]
Yes. 

00:15:29,620 --> 00:15:32,780 [Dough Burchfield]
Mayo. Duke's mayo. 

00:15:32,780 --> 00:15:33,820 [Michelle Harris]
[laughs] 

00:15:33,820 --> 00:15:33,829 [Liz Epps]
[laughs] 

00:15:33,829 --> 00:15:35,560 [Dough Burchfield]
That's it. The rest of it is not mayonnaise. 

00:15:35,560 --> 00:15:37,290 [Michelle Harris]
Not sponsored by Duke's. I'm just kidding. [laughs] 

00:15:37,290 --> 00:15:37,460 [Dough Burchfield]
[laughs] 

00:15:37,460 --> 00:15:40,880 [Michelle Harris]
Um, vacation or staycation? 

00:15:43,540 --> 00:15:49,560 [Liz Epps]
I'd like to vacation. I staycation more, but I think I'd like a vacation. 

00:15:49,560 --> 00:15:50,180 [Michelle Harris]
I think that sounds great. 

00:15:50,180 --> 00:15:51,000 [Liz Epps]
Mm-hmm. Yes. 

00:15:51,000 --> 00:15:52,000 [Dough Burchfield]
A vacation. 

00:15:52,000 --> 00:15:52,540 [Liz Epps]
Yes. 

00:15:52,540 --> 00:15:54,160 [Michelle Harris]
And are you a morning or a night person? 

00:15:55,300 --> 00:15:58,340 [Liz Epps]
Night. And what will he say? 

00:15:58,340 --> 00:15:58,940 [Michelle Harris]
What will he say? 

00:15:58,940 --> 00:15:59,460 [Liz Epps]
Morning. 

00:15:59,460 --> 00:16:01,220 [Michelle Harris]
Morning? Is that true? 

00:16:01,220 --> 00:16:08,480 [Dough Burchfield]
That's right. Yeah, I've grown to be more of a morning person. I used to be a night person, and, uh, now I'm actually more of a morning person. That's why I like dawn. 

00:16:08,480 --> 00:16:09,070 [Michelle Harris]
[laughs] 

00:16:09,070 --> 00:16:09,180 [Liz Epps]
[laughs] 

00:16:09,180 --> 00:16:12,320 [Dough Burchfield]
It lets me know that it's a new day, and anything's possible, so. 

00:16:12,320 --> 00:16:13,980 [Liz Epps]
That's right. [laughs] 

00:16:13,980 --> 00:16:16,250 [Michelle Harris]
Well, I'm glad you guys ended up agreeing on some things- 

00:16:16,250 --> 00:16:16,260 [Liz Epps]
Yes 

00:16:16,260 --> 00:16:20,330 [Michelle Harris]
... 'cause I don't know if I would wanna be at your potlucks, 'cause there would be a lot of random things- 

00:16:20,330 --> 00:16:20,330 [Liz Epps]
Yes 

00:16:20,330 --> 00:16:21,990 [Michelle Harris]
... because no one seemed to agree on any of these food things. 

00:16:21,990 --> 00:16:22,700 [Liz Epps]
That's right. 

00:16:22,700 --> 00:16:22,720 [Michelle Harris]
[laughs] 

00:16:22,720 --> 00:16:23,720 [Liz Epps]
We have to plan them out. 

00:16:23,720 --> 00:16:24,160 [Michelle Harris]
That's right. 

00:16:25,280 --> 00:16:29,250 [Dough Burchfield]
But, but it means everybody's welcome, and there's something there for everyone. 

00:16:29,250 --> 00:16:29,320 [Liz Epps]
That's right. 

00:16:29,320 --> 00:16:30,550 [Michelle Harris]
Yes, mayonnaise or not. 

00:16:30,550 --> 00:16:30,579 [Liz Epps]
[laughs] 

00:16:30,579 --> 00:16:31,810 [Michelle Harris]
There's something there for everyone. 

00:16:31,810 --> 00:16:32,160 [Liz Epps]
Right. 

00:16:32,160 --> 00:16:32,300 [Michelle Harris]
Something for everybody. 

00:16:32,300 --> 00:16:35,040 [Dough Burchfield]
Just like with public services, there's something there for everybody. 

00:16:35,040 --> 00:16:36,700 [Liz Epps]
Yeah, that's true. [laughs] 

00:16:36,700 --> 00:16:44,110 [Michelle Harris]
Well, thank you guys so much for your time today. Um, this is gonna be great just sharing the thank you out and getting the word out about the event that we've got planned for next week. 

00:16:44,110 --> 00:16:44,140 [Liz Epps]
Yes. 

00:16:44,140 --> 00:16:51,340 [Michelle Harris]
Hopefully, this will be an annual thing. Um, and just to reiterate, thank your public service worker. So thank you guys so much- 

00:16:51,340 --> 00:16:51,450 [Liz Epps]
Please do 

00:16:51,450 --> 00:16:52,060 [Michelle Harris]
... for your time. 

00:16:52,060 --> 00:16:52,680 [Liz Epps]
Yes. 

00:16:52,680 --> 00:16:52,720 [Dough Burchfield]
Yes. 

00:16:52,720 --> 00:16:54,460 [Liz Epps]
Thank you, Michelle. Thanks for having us. 

00:16:54,460 --> 00:16:56,860 [Dough Burchfield]
Thanks for having us. [outro music] 

00:16:56,860 --> 00:17:18,800 [Announcer]
Thanks for listening to another episode of Bobcat Chat. Haywood Community College is located in Clyde, North Carolina. If you would like to learn more about our great school, head over to www.haywood.edu. That's H-A-Y-W-O-O-D.edu. 

00:17:20,010 --> 00:17:21,140 [Announcer]
[bobcat roaring]

00:00:00,080 --> 00:00:08,600 [Announcer]
[on-hold music] 

00:00:08,600 --> 00:00:20,740 [Michelle Harris]
Welcome everybody to this week's edition of Bobcat Chat. My name is Michelle Harris, and this week I have the pleasure of sitting down with one of our instructors in our Natural Resources Department, Andrew Eisenhower. Andrew, welcome. 

00:00:20,740 --> 00:00:22,840 [Andrew Eisenhower]
Thank you. It's a pleasure to be here. 

00:00:22,840 --> 00:00:36,840 [Michelle Harris]
So we had Andrew on a little bit ago talking about the program, um, but this week we're gonna do something a little bit different. We're gonna be a little bit more loose with this episode and hopefully have some fun. Um, so Andrew, tell us a little bit about what we're doing today. 

00:00:37,860 --> 00:00:47,890 [Andrew Eisenhower]
Uh, so my main area of focus, uh, at least from a master's research and then now teaching is ornithology, which is the study of birds. Uh, and birds are weird. 

00:00:47,890 --> 00:00:47,900 [Michelle Harris]
[laughs] 

00:00:47,900 --> 00:01:06,920 [Andrew Eisenhower]
And bird, bird people are weird. I tell my students that all the time. I'm weird 'cause I like birds so much. The things that I like so much, they're also really weird. Uh, and birds make a lot of weird noises. They do a lot of [clears throat] excuse me, do a lot of odd things. Um, so today I thought it'd be just kinda neat to come in here and, and listen to some of the weird sounds that birds make. 

00:01:06,920 --> 00:01:11,140 [Michelle Harris]
You're not giving any, like, secrets away to your students, right? They're still gonna have to learn all this. 

00:01:11,140 --> 00:01:12,610 [Andrew Eisenhower]
Oh, they're still gonna have to learn all of it. 

00:01:12,610 --> 00:01:12,640 [Michelle Harris]
[laughs] 

00:01:12,640 --> 00:01:21,830 [Andrew Eisenhower]
Some of these are on their list, so they could listen to this episode a few times and, and practice. Um, but, uh, yeah, this... I'm not giving anything away that, uh- 

00:01:21,830 --> 00:01:21,830 [Michelle Harris]
Okay. 

00:01:21,830 --> 00:01:23,040 [Andrew Eisenhower]
-that's a secret, so- 

00:01:23,040 --> 00:01:24,030 [Michelle Harris]
[laughs] 

00:01:24,030 --> 00:01:25,700 [Andrew Eisenhower]
-um, this will be good information for everybody. 

00:01:25,700 --> 00:01:39,920 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. I'm, I'm really excited about this. Um, and so Andrew and I are able to kind of take a look at these birds, too, um, while we're showing, uh, this episode and, um, listening to this episode and we're just gonna start from the top. So take it away. 

00:01:39,920 --> 00:01:44,910 [Andrew Eisenhower]
Yeah. And I've got a PowerPoint here. It's got sound files on it. It's also got some pictures like Michelle mentioned. 

00:01:44,910 --> 00:01:44,920 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:01:44,920 --> 00:01:48,150 [Andrew Eisenhower]
There may be a few of these that I tell you all to, to, to look up- 

00:01:48,150 --> 00:01:48,150 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:01:48,150 --> 00:01:50,280 [Andrew Eisenhower]
-'cause you might just wanna see a picture of it. 

00:01:50,280 --> 00:01:50,320 [Michelle Harris]
[laughs] 

00:01:50,320 --> 00:01:54,980 [Andrew Eisenhower]
It's a weird looking bird or it's whatever, um, I might tell you to look it up. Do give it a Google. 

00:01:54,980 --> 00:01:56,130 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:01:56,130 --> 00:02:15,859 [Andrew Eisenhower]
Um, but, uh, otherwise I'll be playing. We'll be focused on the sounds instead of what they actually look, look like. Uh, and we're gonna start with a really common bird. Uh, it's typically the first bird that I teach my students for sounds. It's a really good one for learning, um, learning, uh, mnemonics. So the, the mnemonics are putting words to sound. 

00:02:16,980 --> 00:02:28,120 [Andrew Eisenhower]
Um, and that's a great way to learn your bird sounds. If you're an ornithology student and you've got a hundred and fifty sounds that you need to know, [clears throat] and they all say, "Peep, peep," or, "Cheep, cheep," or- 

00:02:28,120 --> 00:02:28,130 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:02:28,130 --> 00:02:37,320 [Andrew Eisenhower]
-or whatever, "Tweet, tweet," that doesn't make much sense in your brain. At some point all that's gonna get real jumbled. So if you start putting words, making sentences into the sounds, then it helps. 

00:02:37,320 --> 00:02:37,740 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:02:37,740 --> 00:02:49,430 [Andrew Eisenhower]
Um, I wanna preface this by saying that everyone hears differently. Everybody has a different set of ears on them, and we all interpret sound differently. So some of these, maybe you won't hear the same thing that I hear. 

00:02:49,430 --> 00:02:49,560 [Michelle Harris]
Sure. 

00:02:49,560 --> 00:03:16,420 [Andrew Eisenhower]
Um, and I'll often tell my students to make up their own mnemonics 'cause if you make up your own, you're more likely to remember it. But some of these fit really well. Uh, the classic example is for the eastern towhee, which is a really common bird we have here in the southeast. It's a sparrow. It's one of our largest sparrows. Um, they're black on the back. They've got kind of a rusty, uh, patch on their, on their sides, their flanks. They look, uh, uh... My students often confuse them with orioles. 

00:03:16,420 --> 00:03:16,870 [Michelle Harris]
Oh. 

00:03:16,870 --> 00:03:23,010 [Andrew Eisenhower]
Um, but they're, they're not as brightly colored as orioles are. Um, the female is like brownish, the male is blackish. 

00:03:23,010 --> 00:03:23,060 [Michelle Harris]
Okay. 

00:03:23,060 --> 00:03:28,500 [Andrew Eisenhower]
That's the way to tell the difference. Uh, also important to know that typically when you hear a bird singing, it's a male. 

00:03:28,500 --> 00:03:28,800 [Michelle Harris]
Oh. 

00:03:28,800 --> 00:03:36,570 [Andrew Eisenhower]
Um, all birds make sounds. The females make sounds too, but the song that the bird actually sings, like we're about to hear from the towhee here, that's always a male. 

00:03:36,570 --> 00:03:37,790 [Michelle Harris]
Hmm. 

00:03:37,790 --> 00:03:42,840 [Andrew Eisenhower]
So for the eastern towhee, it's got a very easy mnemonic. It says, "Drink your tea, 

00:03:43,860 --> 00:03:45,100 [Andrew Eisenhower]
drink your tea." 

00:03:47,620 --> 00:04:00,140 [Andrew Eisenhower]
[bird singing] So I think that one fits really well. 

00:04:00,140 --> 00:04:00,300 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:04:00,300 --> 00:04:07,200 [Andrew Eisenhower]
That's a good one to start with, um, with students and, and anybody who's trying to figure out mnemonics, that one fits really well. 

00:04:07,200 --> 00:04:07,210 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:04:07,210 --> 00:04:25,280 [Andrew Eisenhower]
"Drink your tea." Uh, it gets a little more complicated when you start listening to the notes that are not songs. So, so, uh, eastern towhees... All birds make a lot of noises. Uh, that was the song of the male eastern towhee that we just heard. [clears throat] Uh, they will also do an abbreviated version where they just go, "Drink, 

00:04:26,580 --> 00:04:26,940 [Andrew Eisenhower]
drink." 

00:04:31,240 --> 00:04:37,700 [Andrew Eisenhower]
[bird chirping] And you'll often hear that in the evening. 

00:04:37,700 --> 00:04:37,780 [Michelle Harris]
Okay. 

00:04:37,780 --> 00:04:48,750 [Andrew Eisenhower]
Mornings and evenings are the best times to hear birds sing. Um, and that's one that I hear very often in the evening. The, "Drink, drink," just, uh, I think they're talking to each other right before bedtime maybe. 

00:04:48,750 --> 00:04:49,780 [Michelle Harris]
[laughs] I love it. 

00:04:49,780 --> 00:05:26,370 [Andrew Eisenhower]
[clears throat] Next up, we've got a super common bird that most folks should be familiar with, especially here in North Carolina. It's our state bird, the northern cardinal. Uh, it's got one of the easiest scientific names to learn, cardinalis cardinalis. Um, the male's bright red, of course. Most folks know the male. The female is, um, is drab brown. She's got some reddish color on her wings and on her crest. She's even got a red bill like the male. [clears throat] It's surprising how many people don't know what a female cardinal is, even in the state of North Carolina, where it's on all of our road signs and everything else. 

00:05:27,660 --> 00:05:33,420 [Andrew Eisenhower]
But I've had friends text me and be like, "What's this crazy bird?" And I will respond with, "That's a female cardinal." 

00:05:33,420 --> 00:05:33,430 [Michelle Harris]
[laughs] 

00:05:33,430 --> 00:05:35,960 [Andrew Eisenhower]
That's a... That's one of the most common birds in the United States. 

00:05:35,960 --> 00:05:37,240 [Michelle Harris]
[laughs] 

00:05:37,240 --> 00:05:44,380 [Andrew Eisenhower]
Um, but cardinals are famous for just making a wide variety of noises. They make a whole bunch of different sounds. They're also- 

00:05:44,380 --> 00:05:45,930 [Michelle Harris]
So does that make it easier or harder to 

00:05:46,980 --> 00:05:49,580 [Michelle Harris]
identify them if there's so many from one species? 

00:05:49,580 --> 00:05:56,350 [Andrew Eisenhower]
It can. Uh, particularly cardinals, there's some of their sounds sound a lot like other birds, like Carolina wren- 

00:05:56,350 --> 00:05:56,350 [Michelle Harris]
Okay. 

00:05:56,350 --> 00:06:06,844 [Andrew Eisenhower]
-and northern cardinal can often be two that are really tough for our students to, to parse out. Um-And typically when I'm teaching the class, I make my students learn the breeding call. 

00:06:06,844 --> 00:06:06,864 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:06:06,864 --> 00:06:16,444 [Andrew Eisenhower]
So I make them learn the typical call that the, that the male is gonna make. But there are hundreds of other noises, and I don't make my students learn all of the noises. 

00:06:16,444 --> 00:06:17,154 [Michelle Harris]
[laughs] 

00:06:17,154 --> 00:06:26,543 [Andrew Eisenhower]
So, uh, ornithology is a lifelong passion, so I always tell them, you know, "I'm not gonna teach you everything in the world about birds. I couldn't possibly do that in a semester. So take this information and take it further- 

00:06:26,544 --> 00:06:26,854 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm 

00:06:26,854 --> 00:06:35,044 [Andrew Eisenhower]
... and go learn other stuff." [coughs] So practice those other sounds, uh, outside of class. Or when we hear them in class, I point them out when we're out in the field. 

00:06:36,464 --> 00:06:56,924 [Andrew Eisenhower]
Uh, but yeah, cardinals are, are a particularly tough one because they do have such a wide variety of, of sounds. Their most common sound is they do this... They're very loud, so if you're ever sitting and you hear a really loud bird and you're like, "Man, what is that?" It's probably a cardinal. If you're ever watching the Masters or any golf tournament and you hear this, "Cheer, cheer, cheer, cheer," that's a cardinal. 

00:06:56,924 --> 00:06:56,954 [Michelle Harris]
[laughs] 

00:06:56,954 --> 00:07:00,394 [Andrew Eisenhower]
They're almost always pumping in cardinal sounds on, on golf tournaments. 

00:07:00,394 --> 00:07:00,564 [Michelle Harris]
[laughs] 

00:07:00,564 --> 00:07:01,404 [Andrew Eisenhower]
You just hear them. 

00:07:02,624 --> 00:07:11,444 [Andrew Eisenhower]
Um, but so the cardinal does this, "Cheer, cheer, cheer," is the first part of the, the sound. And the second part, it sounds like a science fiction laser beam. 

00:07:11,444 --> 00:07:11,684 [Michelle Harris]
Oh. [laughs] 

00:07:11,684 --> 00:07:22,484 [Andrew Eisenhower]
It's really... It's weird. It's odd. At least it does to me and, and some folks. If it doesn't to you, well, come up with something else, is what I always tell my students, but I think it, it fits pretty well. So first you got the, "Cheer, cheer, cheer." 

00:07:24,454 --> 00:07:26,374 [Andrew Eisenhower]
[cardinal chirping] Then the laser beam. 

00:07:26,374 --> 00:07:27,824 [Michelle Harris]
[laughs] Yes. I love it. 

00:07:30,294 --> 00:07:51,084 [Andrew Eisenhower]
[clears throat] [cardinal chirping] It's kind of like an old sci-fi movie where they would have shown some sort of laser beam. That would've been a weird sound effect that maybe they would've played. That just fits in my brain. Some, some of these things click in the brain, some of them don't. Just like I said before, it just depends on who you are and how your ears and brain works. 

00:07:51,084 --> 00:07:53,644 [Michelle Harris]
So do they always do those two together? 

00:07:53,644 --> 00:07:54,294 [Andrew Eisenhower]
Not always. 

00:07:54,294 --> 00:07:54,344 [Michelle Harris]
Okay. 

00:07:54,344 --> 00:08:02,484 [Andrew Eisenhower]
In fact, cardinals usually go, "Birdy, birdy, birdy. Cheer, cheer, cheer. Birdy, birdy, birdy, birdy, birdy, birdy." So there's a, there's a lot of mix. 

00:08:02,484 --> 00:08:02,764 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. Yeah. 

00:08:02,764 --> 00:08:07,504 [Andrew Eisenhower]
They've also got a really hard... Uh, we heard that drink note that the towhee did. 

00:08:07,504 --> 00:08:07,574 [Michelle Harris]
Oh. 

00:08:07,574 --> 00:08:16,904 [Andrew Eisenhower]
Uh, cardinals have something similar. Um, I don't have a good mnemonic for it, but it's a really sharp, crisp note, and you can tell it's a cardinal just, just by that. 

00:08:16,904 --> 00:08:17,584 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:08:17,584 --> 00:08:19,524 [Andrew Eisenhower]
Um, so yeah. So 

00:08:20,624 --> 00:08:21,694 [Andrew Eisenhower]
they'll, they'll mix it up. 

00:08:21,694 --> 00:08:21,704 [Michelle Harris]
Okay. 

00:08:21,704 --> 00:08:32,813 [Andrew Eisenhower]
They, they'll do a variety of sounds at the time, and it's... You know, they're trying to attract a mate. So whichever male sings the best song that's appealing to that female that's sitting there, that's, that's the one that's gonna get the mate. 

00:08:32,813 --> 00:08:32,864 [Michelle Harris]
Right. 

00:08:32,864 --> 00:08:34,944 [Andrew Eisenhower]
So they, they try a variety of things. 

00:08:34,944 --> 00:08:35,744 [Michelle Harris]
Right. 

00:08:35,744 --> 00:09:22,164 [Andrew Eisenhower]
[clears throat] Another fun common bird is the eastern bluebird. Most folks are very familiar with bluebirds. They see them at their houses. They're, they're very common in our neighborhoods. Um, a lot of folks might know that you, you put up boxes for bluebirds. We, we often install these houses for bluebirds to live in. Uh, in fact, we have to install bluebird boxes, or the bluebirds would go extinct. Uh, and that is because of an invasive species called the European starling, uh, also the house sparrow. Uh, they were both introduced to the United States in the early nineteen hundreds. The starling was introduced, uh, because a gentleman living in New York wanted to have all the animals from Shakespeare's plays here in North America. So he intro... He started with the European starling, and he introduced a certain amount into Central Park. 

00:09:23,284 --> 00:09:48,634 [Andrew Eisenhower]
Um, from there, they have expanded all the way to California, uh, down into South America even. The house sparrow has expanded even further. Uh, it was released into Central Park to control grain inchworms, and then they spread out beyond Central Park and have now gone all the way down to the tip of South America and all the way up almost to Alaska. Um, and they are... They're the common bird that you see at Lowe's in the garden center. 

00:09:48,634 --> 00:09:48,724 [Michelle Harris]
Oh, yeah. 

00:09:48,724 --> 00:09:57,724 [Andrew Eisenhower]
We call them the garden center bird. They go, "Cheep, cheep, cheep, cheep." Those are house sparrows. Uh, so those are European, and so are the European starlings obviously. 

00:09:57,724 --> 00:09:57,934 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:09:57,934 --> 00:10:00,484 [Andrew Eisenhower]
And what they do is they tend to take over bluebird cavities. 

00:10:00,484 --> 00:10:00,694 [Michelle Harris]
Oh. 

00:10:00,694 --> 00:10:06,454 [Andrew Eisenhower]
So bluebirds live in cavity nests in trees, and starlings and house sparrows show up in big numbers. 

00:10:06,454 --> 00:10:06,484 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:10:06,484 --> 00:10:09,244 [Andrew Eisenhower]
And then they chase the bluebirds off, and they take the cavity. 

00:10:09,244 --> 00:10:09,644 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:10:09,644 --> 00:10:13,623 [Andrew Eisenhower]
So because of that, we now have to install bluebird boxes to keep our bluebirds. 

00:10:14,684 --> 00:10:14,724 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:10:14,724 --> 00:10:18,464 [Andrew Eisenhower]
So if you ever see a bluebird box or anything like that, that's what it's up for. 

00:10:18,464 --> 00:10:18,504 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:10:18,504 --> 00:10:30,214 [Andrew Eisenhower]
It's just to keep our bluebirds around. And if you're interested in building a bluebird box, you should do that. There's lots of plans online, and it is a great thing to do to help our, our little bird friends. But anyway, the bluebird is a very pretty bird. 

00:10:30,214 --> 00:10:30,224 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:10:30,224 --> 00:10:40,024 [Andrew Eisenhower]
It's all blue on the back. It's kind of rusty red on the front. The male is, is more brightly colored than the females. That's typical of birds. But they've got a very similar pattern. 

00:10:41,184 --> 00:10:41,194 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:10:41,194 --> 00:10:48,044 [Andrew Eisenhower]
Um, and this, this mnemonic's a fun one that, um, when I was a student, one of my fellow students came up with this one, and it stuck in my brain. 

00:10:48,044 --> 00:10:48,054 [Michelle Harris]
[laughs] 

00:10:48,054 --> 00:10:56,424 [Andrew Eisenhower]
And it's always worked. The bluebirds have, uh, have always been a tough, um... It's just been a tough call for me when I was a student for whatever reason. 

00:10:58,164 --> 00:11:06,104 [Andrew Eisenhower]
The bluebirds, um, the mnemonic that my friend came up with, he goes, "Check out. Oh, my God. Check out. Oh, my God." 

00:11:07,483 --> 00:11:17,284 [Andrew Eisenhower]
[bird chirping] I always felt like that fit pretty well. 

00:11:17,284 --> 00:11:17,324 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:11:17,324 --> 00:11:23,914 [Andrew Eisenhower]
So I've used that for myself, and, and I give it to my students as well as that's a really good mnemonic. It works. 

00:11:23,914 --> 00:11:23,944 [Michelle Harris]
[laughs] 

00:11:23,944 --> 00:11:37,044 [Andrew Eisenhower]
So again, that's a good example of if you come up with it on your own, and if it's funny, if it makes you laugh, you're really gonna remember it. So that's a good one. Every time I do that one in front of my students, that's, that gets a good laugh in the classroom. 

00:11:37,044 --> 00:11:38,434 [Michelle Harris]
[laughs] 

00:11:38,434 --> 00:11:45,204 [Andrew Eisenhower]
[clears throat] We'll move on to another common bird, the American goldfinch. Uh- 

00:11:45,204 --> 00:11:45,394 [Michelle Harris]
They're pretty. 

00:11:45,394 --> 00:11:56,364 [Andrew Eisenhower]
They're very pretty. They're bright yellow. They're, they're probably our most common bright yellow bird. They've got black wings. The male has a black, uh, cap on the front of his face. 

00:11:56,364 --> 00:11:56,423 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:11:56,424 --> 00:12:00,684 [Andrew Eisenhower]
The female is a drab version of the male, so she's kind of olive brownish color, 

00:12:01,744 --> 00:12:02,764 [Andrew Eisenhower]
not as bright yellow. 

00:12:02,764 --> 00:12:03,064 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:12:03,064 --> 00:12:06,604 [Andrew Eisenhower]
But she's got the sa- similar pattern. She doesn't have the black on her, on her face- 

00:12:06,604 --> 00:12:06,614 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm 

00:12:06,614 --> 00:12:10,642 [Andrew Eisenhower]
... but she's... Everything else is very similar.Goldfinches, 

00:12:11,652 --> 00:12:22,272 [Andrew Eisenhower]
uh, eat thistle seeds typically. They eat a lot of different seeds, but they really love thistle. Uh, so if you're wanting to have goldfinches around, plant thistle or allow thistle to grow on your property or, or put thistle in your bird feeders. 

00:12:23,292 --> 00:12:32,592 [Andrew Eisenhower]
[clears throat] But they have a really complex sound. They, they make a lot of noises in their call, and it's really tough to parse out. Um, I'll play that complex song. 

00:12:35,912 --> 00:12:43,482 [Andrew Eisenhower]
[goldfinch singing] So I don't have a good mnemonic for that. 

00:12:43,482 --> 00:12:43,512 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:12:43,512 --> 00:12:45,372 [Andrew Eisenhower]
It's a, it's a lot of [laughs] noise. 

00:12:45,372 --> 00:12:47,572 [Michelle Harris]
I feel like they're, like, saying a full sentence. [laughs] 

00:12:47,572 --> 00:12:55,572 [Andrew Eisenhower]
Yeah. And well, maybe they are. And if, um... and when, whenever I come up with a mnemonic or if someone gives me one, one day maybe I'll- maybe it'll be a full sentence. 

00:12:55,572 --> 00:12:55,812 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:12:55,812 --> 00:13:04,172 [Andrew Eisenhower]
There are some of these that I do have... uh, it's more of a long sentence form. Um, but I have not come up with a good mnemonic for the goldfinch yet. 

00:13:04,172 --> 00:13:04,192 [Michelle Harris]
[laughs] 

00:13:04,192 --> 00:13:07,532 [Andrew Eisenhower]
What is really easy is their secondary call. 

00:13:07,532 --> 00:13:07,552 [Michelle Harris]
Okay. 

00:13:07,552 --> 00:13:16,812 [Andrew Eisenhower]
That one there is a very good mnemonic for it. If you listen to that complex song long enough, you'll hear this part mixed in, and that's... for me, that's the key that I always listen to. 

00:13:16,812 --> 00:13:16,852 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:13:16,852 --> 00:13:26,352 [Andrew Eisenhower]
We have two different... or we have three finches that commonly come through here. Uh, the house finch and the American goldfinch are the two that breed, uh, here in the southeast and in North Carolina. 

00:13:27,412 --> 00:13:41,872 [Andrew Eisenhower]
So they're the two that actually are singing. Um, and they can be very similar sound wise, but the goldfinch, the American goldfinch always says, "Potato chip." At some point in its call, it goes, "Potato chip." It's a bird after my own heart. I love, I love crunchy, salty potato chips. 

00:13:41,872 --> 00:13:42,472 [Michelle Harris]
I'm with you. [laughs] 

00:13:42,472 --> 00:13:54,822 [Andrew Eisenhower]
And so does this bird. It, it, at some point... So it does this complex sound, and then in the middle of there somewhere, you gotta listen real close when you're listening to birds, somewhere in there it's gonna say, "Potato chip." And here's just the potato chip picked out. [goldfinch singing] 

00:13:58,852 --> 00:13:59,552 [Andrew Eisenhower]
Potato chip. 

00:14:00,752 --> 00:14:02,452 [Andrew Eisenhower]
Potato chip. He enunciates a lot. 

00:14:02,452 --> 00:14:02,482 [Michelle Harris]
[laughs] 

00:14:02,482 --> 00:14:06,632 [Andrew Eisenhower]
Potato chip. [goldfinch singing] Potato chip. 

00:14:08,412 --> 00:14:11,882 [Andrew Eisenhower]
Again, that's something if you hear it and it works great for you, then it works great. 

00:14:11,882 --> 00:14:11,892 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:14:11,892 --> 00:14:14,412 [Andrew Eisenhower]
For a lot of students, that's a com-complicated one. 

00:14:14,412 --> 00:14:14,892 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:14:14,892 --> 00:14:20,511 [Andrew Eisenhower]
American goldfinch was one that I think I didn't really master the sound until I became a profe- [laughs] a teacher- 

00:14:20,511 --> 00:14:20,521 [Michelle Harris]
Nice 

00:14:20,521 --> 00:14:26,282 [Andrew Eisenhower]
... and was teaching it every couple weeks. Um, so that... but that's a, that's a good one though. That potato chip I think- 

00:14:26,282 --> 00:14:26,282 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah 

00:14:26,282 --> 00:14:28,452 [Andrew Eisenhower]
... is pretty unique and funny. 

00:14:29,652 --> 00:14:46,032 [Andrew Eisenhower]
Another common bird we have here, at least during the breeding season, is the gray catbird. Um, it's a very pretty bird. It's almost all gray, uh, but it's got a black cap and it's got a rusty brown patch under its, uh, tail. They are a mimic, so they mimic the sounds of other birds. 

00:14:46,032 --> 00:14:46,912 [Michelle Harris]
Okay. 

00:14:46,912 --> 00:14:48,512 [Andrew Eisenhower]
Uh, very similar to a mockingbird. 

00:14:49,712 --> 00:15:17,232 [Andrew Eisenhower]
Uh, we have three mimics here in the southeast. We have mockingbird, the brown thrasher, and the gray catbird. Uh, the mockingbird typically repeats phrases three or more times. It, it doesn't have to. Some phrases it'll just say once or twice, but it'll typically repeat three or more times, and it's usually doing a lot of other birds' sounds. The brown thrasher will also mix up its sounds, and it does some mimicking, but not as much as the mockingbird. And it typically repeats its phrases twice. 

00:15:18,612 --> 00:15:18,652 [Michelle Harris]
Okay. 

00:15:18,652 --> 00:15:35,932 [Andrew Eisenhower]
The catbird typically doesn't repeat its phrases at all. It just does... very similar to the kind of what we just heard with the goldfinch. It's just a jumble of sounds. It just goes from one thing to the next, um, where it just does this real mix of sounds. [catbird singing] It's not repeating 

00:15:37,232 --> 00:15:40,232 [Andrew Eisenhower]
anything. It's just doing one phrase and then moving on to the next. 

00:15:41,472 --> 00:15:49,021 [Andrew Eisenhower]
[catbird singing] But it does something that makes it very obvious that it's a catbird. In fact, this is where it gets its name from. It meows like a cat. 

00:15:49,021 --> 00:15:53,372 [Michelle Harris]
This is interesting. [catbird meowing] [laughs] 

00:15:53,372 --> 00:16:06,212 [Andrew Eisenhower]
Yeah. Very much, very cat-like. [catbird singing] To the point you might think there's a cat in your bushes. 

00:16:06,212 --> 00:16:09,412 [Michelle Harris]
You know, now that I hear that, I feel like I've heard this by my house. 

00:16:09,412 --> 00:16:09,422 [Andrew Eisenhower]
You probably have. 

00:16:09,422 --> 00:16:14,312 [Michelle Harris]
'Cause I always am like, "Where is this cat?" I know there's not a cat, and it's probably this bird. 

00:16:14,312 --> 00:16:37,042 [Andrew Eisenhower]
It probably is. They're, they're pretty common during the spring and summer, uh, and even up to the early fall. So they're around. They'll be making that, that cat noise. They make that a lot. So if you just randomly hear that meow in the middle of the day, it's probably a catbird unless you know there's a cat around. [clears throat] Uh, next up we've got an interesting bird. This is the brown-headed cowbird. They're- 

00:16:37,042 --> 00:16:38,112 [Michelle Harris]
Does it sound like a cow? 

00:16:38,112 --> 00:16:39,282 [Andrew Eisenhower]
It does not sound like a cow. 

00:16:39,282 --> 00:16:39,291 [Michelle Harris]
Okay. 

00:16:39,292 --> 00:17:07,052 [Andrew Eisenhower]
They're called cowbirds 'cause they're, um, they're... historically, they were found out west, um, in, in the prairie, the Great Prairies, uh, and they were often around bison. And then when Europeans came and removed most of the bison, we replaced them with cows, so the cowbird was around the cows, so we called it a cowbird. Um, but they don't sound like a cow. Uh, they sound nothing like a cow, and we'll talk about that in a second. Visually, they're... the male is pretty obvious. He's got a brown head and the rest of his body is black. 

00:17:07,052 --> 00:17:07,692 [Michelle Harris]
Oh, yeah. 

00:17:07,692 --> 00:17:37,822 [Andrew Eisenhower]
[clears throat] The female is, is... doesn't look anything like the male, and she's pretty tough. She's a, what we call just a drab brown bird. We call them little brown jobs. They're these little brown birds that are just very tough to distinguish, so at some point you just give up. You say, "I don't know what it is. It's a little brown job." [clears throat] So the female is very different from the male, but the male's easy to distinguish. They're, they're very interesting in that they are what's called a brood parasite. So the female will lay her eggs in another bird's nest. 

00:17:37,822 --> 00:17:37,832 [Michelle Harris]
[gasps] 

00:17:37,832 --> 00:17:41,392 [Andrew Eisenhower]
And then that bird, uh, when the, when the young hatches, 

00:17:42,532 --> 00:17:48,552 [Andrew Eisenhower]
that, the nest, whatever bird owned that nest will typically raise that, that chick as its own. 

00:17:48,552 --> 00:17:48,622 [Michelle Harris]
Okay. 

00:17:48,622 --> 00:18:03,052 [Andrew Eisenhower]
Often brown-headed cowbird, uh, chicks are bigger than the, than the birds that... the host bird. So it kicks the babies of the host bird out of the nest, and then that little bird winds up raising a brown-headed cowbird and only a brown-headed cowbird. 

00:18:03,052 --> 00:18:03,832 [Michelle Harris]
Oh, sneaky. 

00:18:03,832 --> 00:18:04,992 [Andrew Eisenhower]
Yeah. [clears throat] Um, 

00:18:06,112 --> 00:18:18,536 [Andrew Eisenhower]
other things that happen is, um-So what typically happens is that the, the female, the mother, winds up being smaller than the brown-headed cowbird chick that it's raising. 

00:18:18,536 --> 00:18:18,556 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:18:18,556 --> 00:18:31,256 [Andrew Eisenhower]
So there's all these funny... Or not funny, but there's pictures online where you can find this little tiny warbler, like a, a, a Wilson's warbler, a hooded warbler, um, that is, uh, feeding a giant chick that's like twice its size- 

00:18:31,256 --> 00:18:31,376 [Michelle Harris]
Right 

00:18:31,376 --> 00:18:32,576 [Andrew Eisenhower]
... 'cause it's a brown-headed cowbird chick. 

00:18:32,576 --> 00:18:33,376 [Michelle Harris]
Right. 

00:18:33,376 --> 00:18:39,386 [Andrew Eisenhower]
Some birds have figured this out, and they'll notice a brown-headed cowbird egg. They'll poke a hole in it or they'll push it out of the nest. 

00:18:39,386 --> 00:18:39,396 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:18:39,396 --> 00:18:42,016 [Andrew Eisenhower]
But a lot of birds don't... They haven't figured it out yet, and they're- 

00:18:42,016 --> 00:18:42,026 [Michelle Harris]
Right 

00:18:42,026 --> 00:18:56,466 [Andrew Eisenhower]
... just dealing with it. So, uh, brown-headed cowbird moved east as we cleared land, as European settlement began here in, in the United States or North America. We cleared a lot of land. That made room for the cowbirds. They just kinda moved east as we cleared more land. 

00:18:56,466 --> 00:18:56,496 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:18:56,496 --> 00:19:15,795 [Andrew Eisenhower]
So they're fairly new here to the Eastern United States. Um, you know, they've been around for 150, 200 years, but that's pretty new in the grand scheme of time. Um, and so they're... We're still figuring out how to deal with them, but they don't seem to actually be, you know, having too big of an effect on our, our bird populations. But they can, if they're, if they get out of control- 

00:19:15,795 --> 00:19:15,806 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm 

00:19:15,806 --> 00:19:16,876 [Andrew Eisenhower]
... they can affect them. 

00:19:16,876 --> 00:19:17,816 [Michelle Harris]
Hmm. 

00:19:17,876 --> 00:19:34,056 [Andrew Eisenhower]
Um, but they have a really interesting sound. So they sound like, uh, like dropping a, a drop of water into a bucket full of water. So, um, if you just listen to this, a very wet sounding call, and it does sound like a water drop. [bird chirping] At least that first part of the call. 

00:19:37,876 --> 00:19:47,056 [Andrew Eisenhower]
[bird chirping] There it was again. 

00:19:50,096 --> 00:20:03,116 [Andrew Eisenhower]
[bird chirping] This little water 

00:20:04,296 --> 00:20:05,406 [Andrew Eisenhower]
drop. [bird chirping] It's very water sounding. 

00:20:05,406 --> 00:20:05,416 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:20:05,416 --> 00:20:06,836 [Andrew Eisenhower]
Actually, it's, it's kinda neat. It's just- 

00:20:06,836 --> 00:20:08,556 [Michelle Harris]
Almost like if you're clicking your tongue as it came in. 

00:20:08,556 --> 00:20:09,786 [Andrew Eisenhower]
Yeah. Yep. Mm-hmm. 

00:20:09,786 --> 00:20:09,796 [Michelle Harris]
I don't know. 

00:20:09,796 --> 00:20:21,416 [Andrew Eisenhower]
Yeah. Just a different sound, and not one that you notice immediately when you're outside 'cause there's a whole bunch of other noise going on, and that's not particularly loud. But if you, if you pay attention, you'll hear that from time to time. 

00:20:21,416 --> 00:20:21,756 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:20:21,756 --> 00:20:25,036 [Andrew Eisenhower]
Particularly if you're in an open area next to some forest. 

00:20:25,036 --> 00:20:25,276 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:20:25,276 --> 00:20:26,876 [Andrew Eisenhower]
[clears throat] 

00:20:29,196 --> 00:20:36,495 [Andrew Eisenhower]
So we're sticking with our fairly common birds. [clears throat] We're about to start hitting some rarer birds. But we've got a... This is a very common bird called the great blue heron. 

00:20:36,496 --> 00:20:36,616 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:20:37,676 --> 00:20:58,316 [Andrew Eisenhower]
I get picture texts and calls and questions all the time. "What's this giant crane standing in the middle of the creek out here?" [clears throat] Well, if you're here in North Carolina, it's probably not a crane. Uh, cranes, uh, are farther west than here. They're in Tennessee, so it could be a crane. Sometimes they wander over the mountain. But more likely than not, what you're looking at is a great blue heron. 

00:20:58,316 --> 00:20:59,136 [Michelle Harris]
Hmm. 

00:20:59,136 --> 00:21:12,376 [Andrew Eisenhower]
So they're our largest wading bird here in the southeast, uh, outside of the two cranes, um, which are not common here in North Carolina, at least in the mountains. Um, they're whitish on the head. They've got a black stripe through their eye. 

00:21:13,386 --> 00:21:30,296 [Andrew Eisenhower]
Their body overall is fairly grayish. Again, they're a pretty tall bird. Uh, they're actually in the same family as pelicans, or same order as pelicans, the same family. Um, and that is because they're placed in that order because they have what we call a gular sac. That's that big thing that's under a pelican's bill. 

00:21:30,296 --> 00:21:30,736 [Michelle Harris]
Yes. 

00:21:30,736 --> 00:21:46,716 [Andrew Eisenhower]
It's called a gular sac. Well, herons have that too, it's just covered in feathers, so it's not as obvious. But you can see I've got a picture here, and Michelle can see, and you all could, could Google this. Great blue herons eating large fish. This one we're looking at is trying to eat a carp that's probably two or three times the size of its head. 

00:21:46,716 --> 00:21:47,316 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:21:47,316 --> 00:22:04,856 [Andrew Eisenhower]
And so it's just gonna... And it's, it's gonna swallow it down, no problem. Their neck is super stretchy. And they get that, but they're just closely related to pelicans, so they have that same stretchy patch, patch of flesh there. Uh, and they've got a, a, a neat sound. Um, I think it sounds like a broken trumpet. 

00:22:04,856 --> 00:22:04,906 [Michelle Harris]
[laughs] 

00:22:04,906 --> 00:22:07,876 [Andrew Eisenhower]
Like you, you smashed a trumpet and then you tried to play it anyway. 

00:22:10,036 --> 00:22:19,155 [Andrew Eisenhower]
[bird squawking] I mean, at some point you give up 'cause [laughs] this is not working. 

00:22:19,156 --> 00:22:20,736 [Michelle Harris]
Uh, yeah, I can definitely hear that. 

00:22:22,896 --> 00:22:25,016 [Michelle Harris]
[bird squawking] 

00:22:25,016 --> 00:22:29,016 [Andrew Eisenhower]
So, uh, I, I always thought that fit pretty well, broken trumpet for a great blue heron. 

00:22:31,736 --> 00:23:04,936 [Andrew Eisenhower]
Trying to hit the keep button. And we also have, uh, our next bird, the American woodcock, which is a very funny bird. They're, um, they're closely related to snipes. So if you didn't know, there is such a bird as a snipe. When I was a, a little kid in Boy Scouts, they used to take us snipe hunting, which really meant we'd just take you out in the middle of the woods and leave you, and leave you with a pillowcase or something, waiting for a snipe to show up. Uh, snipe aren't typically on mountaintops in the middle of the woods. They are typically around agriculture fields, uh, or early successional areas with some, with some kind of creek or wet area running through them. 

00:23:06,036 --> 00:23:16,966 [Andrew Eisenhower]
Um, but woodcock are very closely related. [clears throat] They're a snipe. They've got a long bill. They're a shorebird. They, they use that bill to probe into the ground. Uh, they're a shorebird that's not typically at the shoreline. 

00:23:16,966 --> 00:23:16,996 [Michelle Harris]
Hmm. 

00:23:16,996 --> 00:23:33,156 [Andrew Eisenhower]
So they're an upland shorebird, very similar to the snipe, who's also an upland bird. Uh, woodcocks are typically found in alder thickets next to some sort of open area, and they use that open area as a display ground, uh, which we call a lek. L-E-K, lek. 

00:23:34,196 --> 00:23:57,336 [Andrew Eisenhower]
Um, and what they do on this display ground is the males, uh, right, right at sunset, so right when it's just getting almost too dark to see, you can barely see the bird, the male walks out to this, uh, open area in a grassland, and he starts to do this weird little dance that I've got a video here on the, on the, uh, screen. So if you wanna look up woodcock dancing, uh, you will not- 

00:23:57,336 --> 00:23:57,356 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:23:57,356 --> 00:23:58,446 [Andrew Eisenhower]
You will not be disappointed. 

00:23:58,446 --> 00:23:58,476 [Michelle Harris]
[laughs] 

00:23:58,476 --> 00:24:14,476 [Andrew Eisenhower]
They, they do this funny little shimmy, uh, as they walk. And then the male will begin to fly. He'll, he'll fly straight up into the air, and he'll start doing these really big circles. And circling, and the circle gets smaller and smaller and smaller as he falls to the ground. So they're kind of making this funnel shape. 

00:24:14,476 --> 00:24:14,756 [Michelle Harris]
Sure. 

00:24:14,756 --> 00:24:24,876 [Andrew Eisenhower]
So straight up, big circles, smaller, smaller, smaller, smaller, smaller until they get to the ground.As they're flying through the air doing these circles, their wings make this whistling noise. 

00:24:27,816 --> 00:24:30,846 [Andrew Eisenhower]
[bird whistling] And then some sort of like hissing sound. 

00:24:33,956 --> 00:24:36,176 [Andrew Eisenhower]
[bird hissing] 

00:24:37,596 --> 00:24:41,475 [Andrew Eisenhower]
So that's all just their wings. That's literally their wing feathers doing that. 

00:24:41,536 --> 00:24:41,726 [Michelle Harris]
Interesting. 

00:24:41,726 --> 00:25:02,736 [Andrew Eisenhower]
And then once they hit the ground, they're gonna start walking around their lek area, and they're gonna start doing what they call a peent, where they just go, "Peent, peent." [bird peenting] So very odd-looking bird. 

00:25:02,736 --> 00:25:02,746 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:25:02,746 --> 00:25:04,166 [Andrew Eisenhower]
It makes a very odd sound. 

00:25:04,166 --> 00:25:04,196 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:25:04,196 --> 00:25:10,936 [Andrew Eisenhower]
So it makes that peent sound with its mouth, but that whistling noise comes from its wing. They have a modified feather on the outside- 

00:25:10,936 --> 00:25:10,976 [Michelle Harris]
Huh. 

00:25:10,976 --> 00:25:17,096 [Andrew Eisenhower]
-edge of their wing that makes it whistle like that. The males do. The females, the females are sitting in the bush watching. 

00:25:17,096 --> 00:25:18,376 [Michelle Harris]
Right. Right, right. 

00:25:18,376 --> 00:25:19,476 [Andrew Eisenhower]
[clears throat] 

00:25:23,016 --> 00:25:35,226 [Andrew Eisenhower]
All right, so we're gonna get out of the southeast a little bit. We're gonna head west into the plains, where we have, uh, a sandpiper called the upland sandpiper. So typically you think about sandpipers being at the beach. Um, 

00:25:36,296 --> 00:25:54,016 [Andrew Eisenhower]
upland sandpipers are found in the Great Plains. They're out in, um, in big grasslands. Typically, you'll see them standing up on fence posts or, uh, or, uh, dead trees or any sort of elevated area where they can. Um, and we... I mentioned earlier when you hear birds sing, they're typically trying to attract a mate. 

00:25:54,016 --> 00:25:54,836 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:25:54,836 --> 00:26:02,136 [Andrew Eisenhower]
Uh, well, upland sandpipers do that in a very similar way to human males. Uh, they whistle at their ladies. 

00:26:02,136 --> 00:26:11,516 [Michelle Harris]
Hmm. [bird whistling] 

00:26:11,516 --> 00:26:13,326 [Andrew Eisenhower]
So they, they like to catcall the women. 

00:26:13,326 --> 00:26:13,356 [Michelle Harris]
Oh, gosh. 

00:26:13,356 --> 00:26:15,836 [Andrew Eisenhower]
That's, you know, not appropriate, but that's what they do. 

00:26:15,836 --> 00:26:16,296 [Michelle Harris]
Yep. 

00:26:16,296 --> 00:26:31,876 [Andrew Eisenhower]
Uh, and so they stand there, and they do this whistle, uh, all day long. It's really neat if you're ever out in the prairies to just kinda hear that, uh, coming out of the grass. It is just a really neat sound. That was the upland sandpiper does that, uh, that whistling. Like, like they're whistling at a person they find attractive. 

00:26:31,876 --> 00:26:32,565 [Michelle Harris]
Right. Right. 

00:26:35,276 --> 00:26:42,336 [Andrew Eisenhower]
Next up, we're back in the southeast. We've got another, uh, southeastern bird, uh, the wood duck. So ducks typically quack, right? 

00:26:42,336 --> 00:26:42,576 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:26:42,576 --> 00:26:51,356 [Andrew Eisenhower]
That's what most people associate ducks with quacking. Uh, in reality, only a few ducks quack. Um, and a lot of ducks actually do a whistling sound. 

00:26:52,636 --> 00:26:58,736 [Andrew Eisenhower]
Wood ducks are one of those that whistle. Uh, they're called wood ducks, uh, because they live in tree cavities. 

00:26:58,736 --> 00:26:58,776 [Michelle Harris]
Oh. 

00:26:58,776 --> 00:27:15,816 [Andrew Eisenhower]
So they're, they're, they're a duck that lives up in trees. Um, and it's really funny if you've ever seen the nature documentary, the chicks will literally just fling themselves out of the hole when it's time to, time to leave the nest. They'll literally just jump out of the tree. Um, they may be over water. They may just be over ground. 

00:27:15,816 --> 00:27:16,996 [Michelle Harris]
Oh my goodness. 

00:27:16,996 --> 00:27:21,135 [Andrew Eisenhower]
Um, luckily they don't weigh very much, so even if they're over ground, they don't get hurt- 

00:27:21,136 --> 00:27:21,356 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:27:21,356 --> 00:27:28,736 [Andrew Eisenhower]
-when they hit the... when they land. Um, but they will just literally jump right out of a twenty, thirty foot tall tree and just, "Ah." 

00:27:28,736 --> 00:27:30,136 [Michelle Harris]
How we all learn to swim, right? 

00:27:30,136 --> 00:27:30,476 [Andrew Eisenhower]
Skydive off. Yeah. 

00:27:30,476 --> 00:27:31,796 [Michelle Harris]
Someone just pushed us in the pool. 

00:27:31,796 --> 00:27:36,536 [Andrew Eisenhower]
[laughs] Pretty much. What happens is the mother typically flies down to the ground, and she starts calling up- 

00:27:36,536 --> 00:27:37,446 [Michelle Harris]
Oh, sure. Like, "It's time." 

00:27:37,446 --> 00:27:40,026 [Andrew Eisenhower]
-to the, to the chicks. Like, "Come on. Come on down." 

00:27:40,026 --> 00:27:40,026 [Michelle Harris]
[laughs] Okay. 

00:27:40,026 --> 00:27:44,696 [Andrew Eisenhower]
And then eventually the chicks will all stand there and watch, and then eventually one of them will get brave enough to jump. 

00:27:44,696 --> 00:27:45,296 [Michelle Harris]
Oh, boy. 

00:27:45,296 --> 00:27:46,496 [Andrew Eisenhower]
And then the rest follow. 

00:27:46,496 --> 00:27:46,916 [Michelle Harris]
[laughs] 

00:27:46,916 --> 00:28:31,416 [Andrew Eisenhower]
Um, there's, there's lots of really good videos on that online if, if anyone wants to give that a Google. Duckumentary is a, is, uh, one of the good ones that shows that very, very, uh, well. But anyway, so like I said, a lot of ducks actually whistle instead of quack, quack, and wood ducks are one of those. They've kinda got this, uh, kinda crazy slide whistle type sound. [duck whistling] 

00:28:33,116 --> 00:28:34,456 [Andrew Eisenhower]
Hard to imagine that's a duck. 

00:28:34,456 --> 00:28:34,696 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:28:34,696 --> 00:28:43,626 [Andrew Eisenhower]
But that is. That's a, a wood duck, and they do a whistle. Um, like I said, there's actually a lot of ducks that, that do more of a whistle than they do a, a, a quack. 

00:28:43,626 --> 00:28:43,856 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:28:43,856 --> 00:28:45,806 [Andrew Eisenhower]
Mallard is the typical quacking duck. 

00:28:45,806 --> 00:28:45,816 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:28:45,816 --> 00:28:58,356 [Andrew Eisenhower]
There's also, um, uh, the, um, uh, pin-- northern pintails do a pretty good quack. Uh, some of the others. Gadwalls might quack a little bit. Um, but most, a lot of ducks whistle. 

00:28:58,356 --> 00:28:58,956 [Michelle Harris]
Hmm. 

00:28:58,956 --> 00:29:00,516 [Andrew Eisenhower]
Wood ducks are a good example of that. 

00:29:03,996 --> 00:29:41,116 [Andrew Eisenhower]
We're getting close to the end here, but next up we've got the barn owl. Uh, the barn owl is a fun one that I like to tell my, my students a little story. So I say, uh, go back in time. Imagine you're a settler first arriving to this country. Uh, or you've, you've come from the city, and you've decided you're gonna build your... a, a log cabin out in the middle of the forest or out in the grassland or wherever. You're gonna go build a, a cabin. And you've built your cabin, and you hear some sort of noise coming, uh, from the barn one night. You built a barn out by your cabin. One night you hear some noise coming from it. So you take your lantern. You walk out in the pitch black. Remember, we're talking pre, uh, electricity. We're talking settlement.

00:00:00,080 --> 00:00:20,700 [Michelle Harris]
[upbeat music] Welcome, everybody, to this week's edition of Bobcat Chat. Welcome to the new year. I'm so excited to kick off 2023, uh, with Bobcat Chat and our very own president, Dr. Shelley White. Welcome. 

00:00:20,700 --> 00:00:21,900 [Dr. Shelley White]
Hello. 

00:00:21,900 --> 00:00:21,920 [Michelle Harris]
Um. 

00:00:21,920 --> 00:00:22,800 [Dr. Shelley White]
Happy New Year. 

00:00:22,800 --> 00:00:24,340 [Michelle Harris]
Yes, I can't believe it. It's crazy. 

00:00:24,340 --> 00:00:24,370 [Dr. Shelley White]
Yes. 

00:00:24,370 --> 00:00:34,880 [Michelle Harris]
We're starting the new semester, and holidays are behind us, and I- it's hard to believe but very exciting times. Celebrating the new year, kicking off with resolutions, seeing what's on the horizon. 

00:00:34,880 --> 00:00:37,000 [Dr. Shelley White]
Yes, absolutely. 2023, here we come. 

00:00:37,000 --> 00:00:37,640 [Michelle Harris]
Here we come. 

00:00:37,640 --> 00:00:38,400 [Dr. Shelley White]
Yes. 

00:00:38,400 --> 00:00:51,420 [Michelle Harris]
Um, so this is a great opportunity to sort of look back and look forward, and we thought it was great to have you on board with this conversation. So we'll just sort of kick right off, 'cause everyone knows who you are now. They've listened to our very first episode of Bobcat Chat. [laughs] 

00:00:51,420 --> 00:00:53,560 [Dr. Shelley White]
Yes. I'm happy to be back. 

00:00:53,560 --> 00:01:02,720 [Michelle Harris]
So looking back, um, at this past year, what was one of your favorite events or happenings around campus that you really enjoyed? 

00:01:02,720 --> 00:01:26,120 [Dr. Shelley White]
So I would say, thinking back over the last semester or even the last year, so 2022 was... It was an exciting year for us at the college. I think, um, for many events, it was a return to whether it was in person or offering the event again for the first time in several years, so there was a lot of excitement around those in-person events. Um, thinking back to fall semester, 

00:01:27,160 --> 00:02:24,960 [Dr. Shelley White]
one of the things that I really enjoyed was our STEM Speaker Series. That was a really great addition. I had the opportunity to personally attend two out of the three of those and just found them to be very insightful and educational, and just such a neat opportunity for our own students, but also we had the opportunity to bring over some high school students for those sessions. And it was just a really creative, um, uh, speaker series. So I look forward to having opportunities like that in the future. And I can't, um, miss, uh, the opportunity to, uh, share the continued excitement that we had about the ribbon-cutting for our health sciences education building back in November. That was a hi- a historic day for the college to be able to open that building. Uh, what a great partnership with the Haywood Healthcare Foundation and our county. Um, just looking ahead to the future of 

00:02:26,040 --> 00:02:43,540 [Dr. Shelley White]
nursing education here and the technology that we now have available for our students who will be starting, you know, in that building this semester, um, which is just gonna be a really great opportunity for this next generation of nurses and science students, um, here at the college. 

00:02:43,540 --> 00:02:51,010 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah, I think that's great, and it's interesting, those two events. Like, with the speaker series, we brought in high schoolers, which are hopefully our future students. 

00:02:51,010 --> 00:02:51,329 [Dr. Shelley White]
Mm-hmm. 

00:02:51,329 --> 00:02:56,800 [Michelle Harris]
And then we have the health education sciences building, which is our current students, who will eventually go out in the community. 

00:02:56,800 --> 00:02:57,180 [Dr. Shelley White]
Yes. 

00:02:57,180 --> 00:02:59,240 [Michelle Harris]
And it's kind of like full circle last year. 

00:02:59,240 --> 00:03:11,329 [Dr. Shelley White]
Yes, absolutely. And along that same line, so it was a little bit further back in the year, but in May, another event from last year that I was really excited about was the STEM night, the science night- 

00:03:11,329 --> 00:03:11,329 [Michelle Harris]
Yes 

00:03:11,329 --> 00:03:40,660 [Dr. Shelley White]
... that we had here on campus in May of '22, and it was a family night and just a fun activity-driven kind of event for, for students just to spark their interest. And we had such great feedback from the community who attended. And, and again, it's like setting that spark. Hey, you know, there's some, you know, fun things to do in the sciences, and just to get those, um, interests, um, piqued and, and hopefully carry that through with their education as they continue on. 

00:03:40,660 --> 00:03:42,000 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah, very fun. 

00:03:42,000 --> 00:03:43,380 [Dr. Shelley White]
Yeah. It was great. 

00:03:43,380 --> 00:03:45,700 [Michelle Harris]
So taking a look back for a minute- 

00:03:45,700 --> 00:03:46,100 [Dr. Shelley White]
Mm-hmm 

00:03:46,100 --> 00:03:50,280 [Michelle Harris]
... what was one of the greatest challenges in 2022? 

00:03:50,720 --> 00:04:32,400 [Dr. Shelley White]
So I think, um, kind of looking at, you know, kind of looking here locally but also thinking globally about the impacts within higher education over the past few years, and specifically this past year. Because as I mentioned before, it's like, you know, things are kind of coming back to normal, and things are settling out to kind of that new normal that people are talking about. Um, and what's evident nationally and is definitely impacting us here locally is that there has been a shift in attitudes, um, in interest around higher education. And, you know, and what I mean by that is there's definitely been a, a decrease, a decline in, um, in enrollment in higher education nationally but also in interest. 

00:04:32,400 --> 00:04:32,680 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:04:32,680 --> 00:05:27,170 [Dr. Shelley White]
And so that's, it's, that's, it's a trend that had been happening but certainly accelerated over the past few years. And as the economy kind of continued to improve, um, post-pandemic, there's so many job opportunities available and then so many other competing needs, uh, within, you know, people's lives that, um, college, higher education has, has seemed to start to kind of take a backseat or become a, a lower priority for, for folks. And so here locally, I think for us, the, the big question is how do we continue to respond to the needs of not only our current students but also our future students or our potential students. You know, what, what do we need to do? Where do we need to be putting resources to help, um, you know, support them in their journey, help make the, you know, the decision easier to come to college? 

00:05:27,170 --> 00:05:27,180 [Michelle Harris]
Right. 

00:05:27,180 --> 00:05:40,890 [Dr. Shelley White]
You know, is that how classes are structured? Is it offering more things online or flexibly? And there seems to be trends towards our students choosing, if there's a in-person option or an online option, they seem to be choosing online more. 

00:05:40,890 --> 00:05:40,900 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:05:40,900 --> 00:06:05,680 [Dr. Shelley White]
And so it's really looking at those trends and being as responsive as we can to those trends so that we can continue meeting the needs of students and fulfilling our mission, while at the same time just making sure that we're in step with, with that, uh, with those needs and, and issues so that we're, um, you know, not losing any ground when it comes to, to serving our community. 

00:06:05,680 --> 00:06:07,120 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. And that relevancy. 

00:06:07,120 --> 00:06:07,170 [Dr. Shelley White]
Mm-hmm. 

00:06:07,170 --> 00:06:09,020 [Michelle Harris]
Sure, we're here and relevant with them. 

00:06:09,020 --> 00:06:28,408 [Dr. Shelley White]
Yeah. Absolutely.Um, and along with that, just so you know, we're gonna be talking about challenges, is that, you know, because we've seen, um, enrollment impacts here, um, there's, there's definitely, um, now more national attention around what's been termed an enrollment cliff- 

00:06:28,408 --> 00:06:28,538 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm 

00:06:28,538 --> 00:06:38,387 [Dr. Shelley White]
... in higher education that's kind of looming out there because of a decline in population post-recession, and we're talking about recession from 2008- 

00:06:38,388 --> 00:06:38,768 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah 

00:06:38,768 --> 00:06:57,438 [Dr. Shelley White]
... '9, '10, that fewer, um, children were born during that time. And so, you know, fast-forward to 2023, and there's fewer students, you know, in the high school pipeline. Um, interestingly, here in Haywood County, we have, we have seen those trends start to decline earlier than- 

00:06:57,438 --> 00:06:57,438 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah 

00:06:57,438 --> 00:06:59,088 [Dr. Shelley White]
... kind of projected nationally. 

00:06:59,088 --> 00:06:59,168 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:06:59,168 --> 00:07:25,408 [Dr. Shelley White]
So in working with our county schools and kind of looking at those trends, we're actually needing to go ahead and respond to kind of an enrollment cliff now, um, because we are seeing fewer students in that pipeline. So, you know, that coupled with the impacts of the pandemic and just all the things we were just talking about with student needs, um, that does... You know, it relates to what, what are students' needs, but then also how does that impact how we operate- 

00:07:25,408 --> 00:07:25,418 [Michelle Harris]
Right 

00:07:25,418 --> 00:07:39,308 [Dr. Shelley White]
... and, and our, and our budget, 'cause we're funded through our state primarily, um, based on our enrollment. And so looking at how do we continue to meet the needs, again, um, with k- a reduced budget. So that's certainly- 

00:07:39,308 --> 00:07:39,318 [Michelle Harris]
Mm 

00:07:39,318 --> 00:07:41,348 [Dr. Shelley White]
... a concern as well as we move forward. 

00:07:41,348 --> 00:07:50,338 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah, definitely some challenges, but you said also some opportunities. Like, we look back at the pandemic, and there was a lot of challenges coming out of it, quote, unquote. 

00:07:50,338 --> 00:07:50,348 [Dr. Shelley White]
Mm-hmm. 

00:07:50,348 --> 00:07:52,208 [Michelle Harris]
There's a lot of things that stuck. 

00:07:52,208 --> 00:07:52,388 [Dr. Shelley White]
Yes. 

00:07:52,388 --> 00:07:58,238 [Michelle Harris]
And there are now opportunities for us to kind of reshift things or how we work, how we operate- 

00:07:58,238 --> 00:07:58,238 [Dr. Shelley White]
Mm-hmm 

00:07:58,238 --> 00:07:59,948 [Michelle Harris]
... which have been more on the positive side. 

00:07:59,948 --> 00:08:00,928 [Dr. Shelley White]
Sure. Yeah. 

00:08:00,928 --> 00:08:01,848 [Michelle Harris]
So yeah. 

00:08:01,848 --> 00:08:10,988 [Dr. Shelley White]
Yeah. I think that, like, a flexible work schedule, flexible working environment, that's something that definitely stuck. Um, having access to technology- 

00:08:10,988 --> 00:08:11,368 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm 

00:08:11,368 --> 00:08:19,948 [Dr. Shelley White]
... to be able to do work remotely if needed, and thinking about our students and their access to technology and to a more flexible schedule if needed. 

00:08:19,948 --> 00:08:19,958 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:08:19,958 --> 00:08:24,228 [Dr. Shelley White]
So, I mean, at... That's something that's definitely stuck it feels like. 

00:08:24,228 --> 00:08:24,408 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:08:24,408 --> 00:08:25,308 [Dr. Shelley White]
You know? 

00:08:25,308 --> 00:08:26,768 [Michelle Harris]
So we'll see what sort of opportunities- 

00:08:26,768 --> 00:08:26,797 [Dr. Shelley White]
Yes 

00:08:26,797 --> 00:08:28,008 [Michelle Harris]
... come from those challenges- 

00:08:28,008 --> 00:08:28,808 [Dr. Shelley White]
Absolutely 

00:08:28,808 --> 00:08:29,528 [Michelle Harris]
... that you just went through. [laughs] 

00:08:29,528 --> 00:08:31,028 [Dr. Shelley White]
Very g- yes, very true. 

00:08:31,028 --> 00:08:36,588 [Michelle Harris]
So on the flip side, here we are, 2023, what is something that you are excited about? 

00:08:37,628 --> 00:08:39,258 [Dr. Shelley White]
Okay. So, so many things. 

00:08:39,258 --> 00:08:39,258 [Michelle Harris]
[laughs] 

00:08:39,258 --> 00:09:12,528 [Dr. Shelley White]
And there's... It... That's what's the, the great thing about, uh, working here at Haywood is that we always have, um, you know, visions for the future and opportunities for, um, new programs, new excitement. Um, so I'm very excited about the momentum that we're seeing, uh, with our High Tech Center and the construction trades programs. Um, if you'll remember, you know, a coup- about a year and a half ago, we received, um, some, some pretty large grants to help start some short-term training programs in the construction trades areas. 

00:09:12,528 --> 00:09:13,128 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:09:13,128 --> 00:09:28,498 [Dr. Shelley White]
And we are... Um, you know, we've launched that last year with construction, and then this coming year, or this year, 2023, to offer plumbing education, which is not something that's been available in western North Carolina, as well as HVAC technician. 

00:09:28,498 --> 00:09:28,898 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:09:28,898 --> 00:09:39,218 [Dr. Shelley White]
Um, those will be coming online pretty soon. And then, um, looking ahead to later this year, um, starting truck driver training and line worker training. 

00:09:39,218 --> 00:09:39,218 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:09:39,218 --> 00:10:01,568 [Dr. Shelley White]
And so these are opportunities that students can come in, take a short-term training program. It may be several weeks. It may be a few months. But just to get in and get the skills and then head to the workforce and get jobs. Um, and these are great paying jobs. They're plentiful, and they're in our region. And so I think this is a really good focus- 

00:10:01,568 --> 00:10:02,368 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm 

00:10:02,368 --> 00:10:17,188 [Dr. Shelley White]
... um, to, again, kind of speaking to what are the needs of students right now. And I know, um, having a good paying job that's close to home is definitely something that is, um, a top priority for folks right now. And these are great. These are gonna be great opportunities. 

00:10:17,188 --> 00:10:17,758 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. I agree. 

00:10:17,758 --> 00:10:17,868 [Dr. Shelley White]
Mm-hmm. 

00:10:17,868 --> 00:10:18,668 [Michelle Harris]
Very exciting. 

00:10:18,668 --> 00:10:19,458 [Dr. Shelley White]
Yes. 

00:10:19,458 --> 00:10:19,468 [Michelle Harris]
Very exciting. 

00:10:19,468 --> 00:10:22,228 [Dr. Shelley White]
Yeah, a lot of great momentum and support for these projects. 

00:10:22,228 --> 00:10:30,688 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. So what is something that we're currently doing that you are excited to carry forward in 2023? 

00:10:30,688 --> 00:11:21,238 [Dr. Shelley White]
So this is... I'm excited to talk about this because we have had some great momentum here internally with, um, a couple of new committees that have been formed over the past year plus. Um, the first that I wanted to mention is, you know, interest in continuing our focus on sustainability. Um, we have... Like, last year we started the, um, sustainability committee, which was an employee-driven initiative, and it's been exciting to see that group, um, and how we've really adopted and embraced some new, um, behaviors related to how we can contribute to a more sustainable society. And so I'm interested in us continuing to take that forward just, you know, from s- what you would consider maybe small things. But, but those are really things that do have a big impact. 

00:11:21,238 --> 00:11:21,268 [Michelle Harris]
Yes. 

00:11:21,268 --> 00:12:03,748 [Dr. Shelley White]
Like how we choose to not use, for example, single-use plastics, um, in our community or campus events, um, that's something that we've had a focus on. How we've been, um, trying to centralize recycling and trash collection to, to be a bit more proactive about separating and to reduce, you know, the number of plastic bags that we're using and things like that. Um, whereas those small things kind of add up to bigger things that we could look at as we're looking at new building designs and solar, um, options perhaps for new buildings, um, as well as integrating those new technologies into our training programs- 

00:12:03,748 --> 00:12:04,208 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah 

00:12:04,208 --> 00:12:22,340 [Dr. Shelley White]
... like our automotive program and thinking about the future of electric vehicles and how we might integrate that training into our, um, existing programming to help our students be more prepared for that more sustainable, uh, career, um, in their-... program of study. 

00:12:22,340 --> 00:12:22,440 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:12:22,440 --> 00:12:27,480 [Dr. Shelley White]
So I think it's really exciting to see, and I'm excited to see us continue with an effort on that. 

00:12:27,480 --> 00:12:30,140 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. Yeah. Lots of good stuff in the works. 

00:12:30,140 --> 00:12:30,180 [Dr. Shelley White]
Absolutely. 

00:12:30,180 --> 00:12:31,660 [Michelle Harris]
I can attest to that. [laughs] 

00:12:31,660 --> 00:12:33,520 [Dr. Shelley White]
Yeah. And I appreciate your help with it. 

00:12:33,520 --> 00:12:42,780 [Michelle Harris]
Yes, ab- [laughs] my pleasure. It's been cool. And just, you know, seeing all the different, you know, viewpoints of what's, what to focus on and how we can make a difference right here locally- 

00:12:42,780 --> 00:12:43,110 [Dr. Shelley White]
Mm-hmm 

00:12:43,110 --> 00:12:46,580 [Michelle Harris]
... and then the communication side, and engagement, and Earth Day events, and it's just- 

00:12:46,580 --> 00:12:47,170 [Dr. Shelley White]
Yes 

00:12:47,170 --> 00:12:49,920 [Michelle Harris]
... all around, just a really good, good, um, initiative. 

00:12:49,920 --> 00:12:53,900 [Dr. Shelley White]
And there's been a lot of momentum. I think it's been exciting to see the student interest. 

00:12:53,900 --> 00:12:54,120 [Michelle Harris]
Yes. 

00:12:54,120 --> 00:13:02,860 [Dr. Shelley White]
You know, we're definitely having the, the employee interest, and kind of seeing that, like, grassroots effort. But then also to see the excitement from the students- 

00:13:02,860 --> 00:13:03,000 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm 

00:13:03,000 --> 00:13:12,840 [Dr. Shelley White]
... uh, for the, you know, their, um, leadership, uh, environmental leadership committee that they have, or club, excuse me. Um, and just all of the great work that they've done, and volunteerism- 

00:13:12,840 --> 00:13:13,340 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm 

00:13:13,340 --> 00:13:16,060 [Dr. Shelley White]
... and yeah, their connection to, to all of that has been wonderful. 

00:13:16,060 --> 00:13:16,820 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. I agree. 

00:13:18,080 --> 00:13:20,480 [Michelle Harris]
And then there was another, um, committee that we have- 

00:13:20,480 --> 00:13:20,490 [Dr. Shelley White]
Yeah 

00:13:20,490 --> 00:13:21,720 [Michelle Harris]
... the Living Well committee- 

00:13:21,720 --> 00:13:21,800 [Dr. Shelley White]
Mm-hmm 

00:13:21,800 --> 00:13:23,500 [Michelle Harris]
... which I'm also excited about. [laughs] 

00:13:23,500 --> 00:13:34,240 [Dr. Shelley White]
Yes. And so that, you know, we've had I guess now about a year and a half of that committee as well, and it's been, um, a really great effort to help support the wellness of our employees. 

00:13:34,240 --> 00:13:34,780 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:13:34,780 --> 00:14:06,919 [Dr. Shelley White]
And certainly wanna see that continue into the new year. Um, just as we've mentioned, you know, through this, um, discussion about some of the challenges that we've faced, it's so important to remember balance and focusing on our own personal wellness and, you know, whether that's thinking about, like, making sure you're drinking your water, or getting your steps in, or having a opportunity to talk to a, a friend or one of your coworkers, or just to take a moment and have a, you know, a wellness moment or some kind of reflection. I think it's, it's so important. 

00:14:06,920 --> 00:14:15,080 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. And I can just speak to the fact that, you know, with these committees and all these new initiatives, you know, I hear the buzz around campus about culture- 

00:14:15,080 --> 00:14:15,280 [Dr. Shelley White]
Mm-hmm 

00:14:15,280 --> 00:14:19,170 [Michelle Harris]
... and how we're just building this culture where we can explore these things. 

00:14:19,170 --> 00:14:19,180 [Dr. Shelley White]
Sure. 

00:14:19,180 --> 00:14:24,220 [Michelle Harris]
And it's okay to take a little break and, and take a walk on our gorgeous campus, I will add. 

00:14:24,220 --> 00:14:24,230 [Dr. Shelley White]
Yes. 

00:14:24,230 --> 00:14:31,420 [Michelle Harris]
Put that plug in there. Um, and just, I just think the, you know, the great place to work sort of vibe starts to bubble up when we have these types of things. 

00:14:31,420 --> 00:14:31,789 [Dr. Shelley White]
Mm-hmm. 

00:14:31,789 --> 00:14:38,180 [Michelle Harris]
And I know, um, you know, the folks on these committees and the people that are benefiting are excited to kinda carry these on and keep moving forward- 

00:14:38,180 --> 00:14:38,240 [Dr. Shelley White]
Yes 

00:14:38,240 --> 00:14:39,360 [Michelle Harris]
... and see what we can do next. 

00:14:39,360 --> 00:14:48,000 [Dr. Shelley White]
Yes. And it's so important. I think one of the things, and I can't remember the exact saying, but it's like, you know, taking care of yourself so that you can be a better person to help take care of others. 

00:14:48,000 --> 00:14:48,400 [Michelle Harris]
Right. 

00:14:48,400 --> 00:15:03,020 [Dr. Shelley White]
And I do think that's so important as we, if we think about how much we do focus on supporting the needs of our students and all of that, but we've gotta step back and remember that, you know, to take care of our own, um, health and wellness, uh, so that we can be our best self for- 

00:15:03,020 --> 00:15:03,260 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah 

00:15:03,260 --> 00:15:04,700 [Dr. Shelley White]
... for our students and for each other. 

00:15:04,700 --> 00:15:06,670 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. Absolutely. 

00:15:06,670 --> 00:15:06,740 [Dr. Shelley White]
Yeah. 

00:15:06,740 --> 00:15:10,030 [Michelle Harris]
So let's talk for a second about students. So everyone's coming back. 

00:15:10,030 --> 00:15:10,040 [Dr. Shelley White]
Yes. 

00:15:10,040 --> 00:15:15,260 [Michelle Harris]
We're all excited for the new semester. Any advice you can give to some of the students coming back- 

00:15:15,260 --> 00:15:15,410 [Dr. Shelley White]
Oh 

00:15:15,410 --> 00:15:15,960 [Michelle Harris]
... or all the students coming back? 

00:15:15,960 --> 00:15:31,580 [Dr. Shelley White]
Sure. Absolutely. So I think probably along those same lines of the, the wellness, the health and wellness, and thinking about supporting, um, supporting your needs. And I would say for our students, um, probably my biggest piece of advice would be, um, to ask for help if you need it. 

00:15:31,580 --> 00:15:31,620 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:15:31,620 --> 00:16:02,380 [Dr. Shelley White]
So, you know, whether that's, um, "I need help with, you know, finding this information on my Moodle s- class," or, "I'm having a hard time, you know, connecting with someone," or, "I'm not really sure about this assignment," or, "I can't seem to manage, um, you know, all the things that are coming at me," we've got so many great resources here at the college to support you in your journey. And so if you have, um, if you have a question, if you have a need or a concern, or if you just need help, or just somebody to talk to- 

00:16:02,380 --> 00:16:02,390 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah 

00:16:02,390 --> 00:16:03,140 [Dr. Shelley White]
... to reach out- 

00:16:03,140 --> 00:16:03,150 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm 

00:16:03,150 --> 00:16:10,370 [Dr. Shelley White]
... because we have, we do have, we have a great, um, counseling staff, we have great, uh, resources for tutoring- 

00:16:10,370 --> 00:16:10,500 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm 

00:16:10,500 --> 00:16:16,080 [Dr. Shelley White]
... and for support. So yeah, absolutely, um, that would be my biggest advice for students. 

00:16:16,080 --> 00:16:21,140 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah, I agree. Just, just ask. You know, it's, it seems so simple, but it can be very hard- 

00:16:21,140 --> 00:16:21,340 [Dr. Shelley White]
Mm-hmm 

00:16:21,340 --> 00:16:23,020 [Michelle Harris]
... you know, personally, to do that. Um- 

00:16:23,020 --> 00:16:23,300 [Dr. Shelley White]
Yeah 

00:16:23,300 --> 00:16:33,480 [Michelle Harris]
... so yeah. 100% agree. Um, so let's talk about New Year's for a second. We, you know, we just went past New Year's. Do you have a New Year's tradition? 

00:16:33,480 --> 00:16:35,000 [Dr. Shelley White]
So this is an interesting question. 

00:16:35,000 --> 00:16:35,320 [Michelle Harris]
[laughs] 

00:16:35,320 --> 00:16:52,220 [Dr. Shelley White]
Um, uh, I would say yes, for the past several years, um, with a couple of exceptions. Um, my husband and I, we, we will host a, a get-together with our friends on New Year's Eve. Um, unfortunately, like, one year that was derailed because of an ice storm. 

00:16:52,220 --> 00:16:52,230 [Michelle Harris]
Oh, geez. [laughs] 

00:16:52,230 --> 00:16:54,830 [Dr. Shelley White]
I think we had to cancel at 6:00. 

00:16:54,830 --> 00:16:54,890 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:16:54,890 --> 00:17:02,370 [Dr. Shelley White]
And, and, you know, folks, we had one person that was planning to be there early, and they started, like, sliding on the road, and they were like, "I think we're gonna have to cancel this." 

00:17:02,370 --> 00:17:03,110 [Michelle Harris]
[laughs] Oh, no. 

00:17:03,110 --> 00:17:10,240 [Dr. Shelley White]
So, um, unfortunately that. But, um, but yes, I think that's an exciting time, and it's just fun to get together with friends, and- 

00:17:10,240 --> 00:17:10,260 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah 

00:17:10,260 --> 00:17:12,740 [Dr. Shelley White]
... um, so we really enjoy doing that and just having a good time. 

00:17:12,740 --> 00:17:13,340 [Michelle Harris]
That's fun. 

00:17:13,340 --> 00:17:14,380 [Dr. Shelley White]
Mm-hmm. 

00:17:14,380 --> 00:17:23,330 [Michelle Harris]
Um, okay. So speaking of resolutions, I heard that you just made a New Year's resolution with Clyde for 2023. So how was that? [laughs] 

00:17:23,330 --> 00:17:32,130 [Dr. Shelley White]
So very interesting. So I- I'm kind of surprised. It was a lot of fun. And if, it felt strangely competitive. 

00:17:32,130 --> 00:17:32,180 [Michelle Harris]
Hmm. 

00:17:32,180 --> 00:17:32,640 [Dr. Shelley White]
You know? 

00:17:32,640 --> 00:17:32,940 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:17:32,940 --> 00:17:38,260 [Dr. Shelley White]
We sat down together, and then it felt like we were trying to say, like, who has the best resolution this year. 

00:17:38,260 --> 00:17:38,640 [Michelle Harris]
[laughs] 

00:17:38,640 --> 00:17:42,830 [Dr. Shelley White]
But, but it was a lot of fun, and I really enjoyed the opportunity to sit down with Clyde. 

00:17:42,830 --> 00:18:06,660 [Michelle Harris]
[laughs] I love it. Um, so we have this segment posted on our YouTube channel for anyone that's interested in watching it. Uh, it was a great time. Um, so for our rapid fire session this time around, we are switching it up a little bit, keeping with the New Year's theme. So the questions to you are, um, these items. Are you gonna leave it in the past, so you're gonna leave it in 2022, or are you gonna bring it forward in 2023? 

00:18:06,660 --> 00:18:07,839 [Dr. Shelley White]
All right. So leave it or bring it. 

00:18:07,840 --> 00:18:08,880 [Michelle Harris]
Leave it or bring it. 

00:18:08,880 --> 00:18:08,920 [Dr. Shelley White]
Okay. 

00:18:08,920 --> 00:18:09,540 [Michelle Harris]
Okay. 

00:18:09,540 --> 00:18:09,640 [Dr. Shelley White]
Ready. 

00:18:09,640 --> 00:18:11,680 [Michelle Harris]
Games on your phone. 

00:18:11,680 --> 00:18:13,420 [Dr. Shelley White]
Hmm, I'm gonna leave it. 

00:18:13,420 --> 00:18:13,820 [Michelle Harris]
Good. 

00:18:13,820 --> 00:18:14,940 [Dr. Shelley White]
Leave it, yep. 

00:18:14,940 --> 00:18:17,120 [Michelle Harris]
Uh, binging TV shows. 

00:18:17,120 --> 00:18:21,190 [Dr. Shelley White]
Okay, I'm gonna leave it, but I feel like I need to quant- like, to give a little more details. Okay. 

00:18:21,190 --> 00:18:21,820 [Michelle Harris]
Okay, let's hear it.

00:18:23,232 --> 00:18:38,552 [Dr. Shelley White]
You know, I'm all about a binging on a TV show. I mean, I think there's some great TV shows out there you can just watch, like, all six episodes in one. However, I've learned that, like, that slow burn or whatever, you know, just to, "Let's, let's just watch one or two." 

00:18:38,552 --> 00:18:38,642 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:18:38,642 --> 00:18:42,562 [Dr. Shelley White]
And it just help... You know, it's like going back to maybe more of old school of- 

00:18:42,562 --> 00:18:42,702 [Michelle Harris]
[laughs] 

00:18:42,702 --> 00:18:51,852 [Dr. Shelley White]
... you know, let's watch one a, a week or, or something. But yeah, I, I feel like I like to savor, especially a really good show. I wanna savor it instead of, like, binging it. So a lesson learned. 

00:18:51,852 --> 00:18:55,251 [Michelle Harris]
[laughs] And it's so weird that now we even have that option. 

00:18:55,252 --> 00:18:55,421 [Dr. Shelley White]
Right. 

00:18:55,421 --> 00:18:56,992 [Michelle Harris]
That we can just sit down for a whole afternoon- 

00:18:56,992 --> 00:18:57,002 [Dr. Shelley White]
Yes 

00:18:57,002 --> 00:18:58,112 [Michelle Harris]
... and watch a whole series. 

00:18:58,112 --> 00:18:58,132 [Dr. Shelley White]
Right. 

00:18:58,132 --> 00:19:04,072 [Michelle Harris]
It still blows my mind. Um, okay. So are you gonna leave it or bring it? Multiple cups of coffee. 

00:19:04,072 --> 00:19:09,532 [Dr. Shelley White]
I'm gonna leave it. Um, so a couple years ago I switched to, I switched to decaf. 

00:19:09,532 --> 00:19:10,432 [Michelle Harris]
[laughs] 

00:19:10,432 --> 00:19:12,592 [Dr. Shelley White]
Um, so coffee is not as fun as it used to be. 

00:19:12,592 --> 00:19:12,952 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:19:12,952 --> 00:19:20,952 [Dr. Shelley White]
But this, just over this past few weeks that I've had a little bit of a cold, um, I've switched to tea, and I'm really excited about that. 

00:19:20,952 --> 00:19:21,272 [Michelle Harris]
Ooh. Okay. 

00:19:21,272 --> 00:19:25,132 [Dr. Shelley White]
So I think I might be drinking a little more tea, so I'm gonna, I'm gonna leave the coffee cup the decaf. 

00:19:25,132 --> 00:19:26,212 [Michelle Harris]
And then we're gonna bring tea. 

00:19:26,212 --> 00:19:26,972 [Dr. Shelley White]
And we're gonna bring tea. 

00:19:26,972 --> 00:19:27,511 [Michelle Harris]
Sounds good. 

00:19:27,512 --> 00:19:27,731 [Dr. Shelley White]
Yeah. Mm-hmm. 

00:19:27,732 --> 00:19:30,672 [Michelle Harris]
Sounds good. Uh, drinking your water? 

00:19:30,672 --> 00:19:32,022 [Dr. Shelley White]
Bring it. Yes. 

00:19:32,022 --> 00:19:32,052 [Michelle Harris]
[laughs] 

00:19:32,052 --> 00:19:34,732 [Dr. Shelley White]
I'm all about, about, about drinking the water. 

00:19:34,732 --> 00:19:36,412 [Michelle Harris]
Um, and eating out? 

00:19:36,412 --> 00:19:37,212 [Dr. Shelley White]
I'm gonna bring it. 

00:19:37,212 --> 00:19:37,652 [Michelle Harris]
Okay. 

00:19:37,652 --> 00:19:38,172 [Dr. Shelley White]
Yeah. 

00:19:38,172 --> 00:19:38,182 [Michelle Harris]
Good. 

00:19:38,182 --> 00:19:41,022 [Dr. Shelley White]
'Cause I'd like to try some new restaurants this year, I think. 

00:19:41,022 --> 00:19:41,022 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:19:41,022 --> 00:19:41,032 [Dr. Shelley White]
Yeah. 

00:19:41,032 --> 00:19:42,842 [Michelle Harris]
That sounds like a great plan. 

00:19:42,842 --> 00:19:43,362 [Dr. Shelley White]
Yeah. Mm-hmm. 

00:19:43,362 --> 00:19:49,872 [Michelle Harris]
Well, thank you so much for your time today. We really appreciate it. We hope everyone got a little bit of insight into 2023 thoughts and- 

00:19:49,872 --> 00:19:50,002 [Dr. Shelley White]
Yes 

00:19:50,002 --> 00:19:53,732 [Michelle Harris]
... some student help, and a quick look back, and obviously some fun with Clyde. 

00:19:53,732 --> 00:19:56,012 [Dr. Shelley White]
Absolutely. Yes, and Happy New Year. 

00:19:56,012 --> 00:19:57,212 [Michelle Harris]
Yes. Thank you, Dr. White. 

00:19:57,212 --> 00:19:58,372 [Dr. Shelley White]
All right. You're welcome. 

00:19:58,372 --> 00:20:22,492 [Announcer]
Thanks for listening to another episode of Bobcat Chat. [upbeat music] Haywood Community College is located in Clyde, North Carolina. If you would like to learn more about our great school, head over to www.haywood.edu. That's H-A-Y-W-O-O-D.edu. [tiger growls]

00:00:00,080 --> 00:00:28,400 [Tim Scapin]
[upbeat music] Hello, welcome to Bobcat Chat. My name's Tim Scapin, the instructional designer here at HCC, as well as one of your co-hosts for our podcast. Today I'm joined by two extremely special guests that I do know. They're outstanding people, but they will go ahead and introduce themselves. So Meredith? 

00:00:29,640 --> 00:00:35,560 [Meredith Carpenter]
Hi, Tim. Thanks so much for having us. Uh, my name is Meredith Carpenter, and I am a business administration faculty member. 

00:00:36,940 --> 00:00:43,980 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
And I am Jodi Wijewickrama, and I'm the health, human, and business services dean here at HCC. 

00:00:45,660 --> 00:00:50,860 [Tim Scapin]
All right. So, um, Meredith, how long have you, you been here at HCC? 

00:00:50,860 --> 00:00:53,680 [Meredith Carpenter]
So I am wrapping up my 15th year- 

00:00:53,680 --> 00:00:54,020 [Tim Scapin]
Okay 

00:00:54,020 --> 00:00:57,020 [Meredith Carpenter]
... teaching. Yeah. Right alongside with Jodi, right, Jodi? You have- 

00:00:57,020 --> 00:00:57,400 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
Yes 

00:00:57,400 --> 00:00:58,220 [Meredith Carpenter]
... yeah, we started 

00:00:59,440 --> 00:01:00,280 [Meredith Carpenter]
the same day. 

00:01:00,280 --> 00:01:00,300 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
Same week. 

00:01:00,300 --> 00:01:02,240 [Meredith Carpenter]
Or two days apart or something like that. 

00:01:02,240 --> 00:01:02,390 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
Yes. 

00:01:02,390 --> 00:01:02,440 [Meredith Carpenter]
Yeah. 

00:01:02,440 --> 00:01:03,720 [Tim Scapin]
Oh, wow. Okay, cool. 

00:01:03,720 --> 00:01:04,040 [Meredith Carpenter]
Yeah. 

00:01:04,040 --> 00:01:05,440 [Tim Scapin]
So you can share anniversaries. 

00:01:05,440 --> 00:01:06,900 [Meredith Carpenter]
Yeah, we onboarded together. 

00:01:06,900 --> 00:01:07,260 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
Yeah. 

00:01:07,260 --> 00:01:08,410 [Tim Scapin]
On- yes. [laughs] 

00:01:08,410 --> 00:01:08,740 [Meredith Carpenter]
[laughs] 

00:01:08,740 --> 00:01:15,580 [Tim Scapin]
Love the word, uh, word onboarding, yes. We all get onboarded. Um, so Jodi, we're, uh, 

00:01:17,060 --> 00:01:29,080 [Tim Scapin]
you- this is a fairly kind of new-ish position as dean. So what was your, your focus area of instruction prior to becoming a dean? 

00:01:29,080 --> 00:01:44,020 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
So yes, um, I became dean of HHBS in August of 2022 after having 15 years of experience in program manager and instructor at medical office administration here at the college. 

00:01:44,020 --> 00:01:53,520 [Tim Scapin]
All right, cool. So for those that don't know what a dean does, like in a, what's the nickel tour version of what deans do? 

00:01:53,520 --> 00:02:49,520 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
So being a dean, we have multiple hats. One, we are here for the students if they have any questions, uh, regarding, uh, their courses. Um, if they're unable to, uh, get the information from their instructors, we are here to help them. For faculty, um, I am their biggest cheerleader. I try to empower them, uh, both faculty and staff, to reach their full potential, giving them the resources that they need to be successful, because if our faculty and staff are successful, then our students will be successful. On a day-to-day basis, um, our duties do change depending on what type or what time in the semester it is, whether it's making course deadlines, working on the course catalog, um, excellence plans. We have a lot of administrative duties that, um, we bring to the table, uh, each semester. 

00:02:51,140 --> 00:02:55,320 [Tim Scapin]
Very cool. So you, you help keep the ship afloat. 

00:02:55,320 --> 00:02:56,210 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
Yes, we do. 

00:02:56,210 --> 00:03:00,160 [Tim Scapin]
Yes. [laughs] Yes. I like to use nautical terms for things for some reason. 

00:03:00,160 --> 00:03:00,640 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
[laughs] 

00:03:00,640 --> 00:03:00,680 [Meredith Carpenter]
[laughs] 

00:03:00,680 --> 00:03:01,140 [Tim Scapin]
So, um, 

00:03:02,400 --> 00:03:19,230 [Tim Scapin]
so today we wanted to also chat together, uh, specifically about a new tourism program that HCC is offering this fall. So Meredith, how does this fit into the business program HCC currently offers? 

00:03:20,400 --> 00:03:42,540 [Meredith Carpenter]
That's such a great question. So I think the reason that I love studying business and teaching business, interacting with business owners, um, this topic never gets old for me because it is everywhere and it touches every corner of our lives. The breakfast that you ate this morning was, you know, someone had to 

00:03:43,700 --> 00:04:25,790 [Meredith Carpenter]
have the farm, someone had to turn the grain into flour, someone had to bake the cereal or the croissant or whatever it was. Um, all of, all of these are businesses, individual businesses. And so when we really stop and think about the multiple interactions that we have with various businesses throughout the day, it's way more than just where we work and where we get a paycheck from. I mean, it really is what allows our society to move forward. And so to help students understand all the different facets, um, that business is involved in, the way that it touches our lives, everything is a business, even tourism. And I think, you know, for those of us that grew up here, we kind of take it for granted 'cause it's our own backyard. 

00:04:25,790 --> 00:04:26,180 [Tim Scapin]
Yeah. 

00:04:26,180 --> 00:04:44,820 [Meredith Carpenter]
But there are a lot of people out there who want to come to our area for vacation. It is, it is a, um, maybe a place of great memories for them, um, tradition. Maybe they love the outdoors. Maybe they just want to experience a different topography or culture or temperature. [laughs] 

00:04:44,820 --> 00:04:44,980 [Tim Scapin]
Yeah. 

00:04:44,980 --> 00:06:05,360 [Meredith Carpenter]
Um, but our, our tourism industry in Haywood County is significant. Uh, it plays a major role in our local economy. And so for a long time, HCC has really focused on helping small businesses because that is the backbone of our local economy. Our general business program has a small business focus, and we want to branch that out into other focuses. So a few years ago, we integrated more marketing classes into the program. We have a marketing certificate. And we listened to our community and to our students, and they all said, "We want something with tourism." And so we are responding to that need in the community. Um, Jodi can, can maybe hit on that a little bit. Um, but ultimately, we have a business program that has multiple concentrations within it, and you get to decide what you're most interested in and what you wanna focus on. So you can have a more general business concentration. Um, you can do like a marketing certificate if you want. And now we're excited to introduce this new tourism concentration, um, all under the umbrella of business, um, but weaving business through various industries and the specific needs of various industries, whether it's a startup business or now tourism.

00:06:06,504 --> 00:06:09,004 [Tim Scapin]
You, um, you mentioned croissants- 

00:06:09,004 --> 00:06:09,324 [Meredith Carpenter]
Mm-hmm 

00:06:09,324 --> 00:06:10,483 [Tim Scapin]
... and food. 

00:06:10,484 --> 00:06:10,683 [Meredith Carpenter]
Yeah. 

00:06:10,684 --> 00:06:13,924 [Tim Scapin]
I, I, um, I, I totally blurred out everything else you said. 

00:06:13,924 --> 00:06:14,663 [Meredith Carpenter]
[laughs] 

00:06:14,664 --> 00:06:15,444 [Tim Scapin]
No, I'm kidding. [laughs] 

00:06:15,444 --> 00:06:17,524 [Meredith Carpenter]
Everything is a business, Tim. 

00:06:17,524 --> 00:06:17,874 [Tim Scapin]
Everything's a business. 

00:06:17,874 --> 00:06:18,744 [Meredith Carpenter]
Everything is a business. 

00:06:18,744 --> 00:06:22,804 [Tim Scapin]
I- if anybody on here, uh, talks about food, I just wanna talk about food, and I start- 

00:06:22,804 --> 00:06:22,814 [Meredith Carpenter]
[laughs] 

00:06:22,814 --> 00:06:36,804 [Tim Scapin]
... become hungry and I start to doze. No, I'm kidding. Um, but yeah, I mean, it's pretty cool. It's how, you know, y- you can kind of tailor your journey or your experience and focus on things that you have a particular interest in or particular desire- 

00:06:36,804 --> 00:06:36,984 [Meredith Carpenter]
Yeah 

00:06:36,984 --> 00:06:42,364 [Tim Scapin]
... to pursue. So I think that's kind of... I mean, that's a good feature if I'm a student considering these- 

00:06:42,364 --> 00:06:43,233 [Meredith Carpenter]
Well, and we know- 

00:06:43,233 --> 00:06:43,904 [Tim Scapin]
... these options 

00:06:43,904 --> 00:06:55,724 [Meredith Carpenter]
... you know, e- experience from years of teaching tells us, the literature tells us, the research shows us, when people study something that they're interested in, it just sticks better. 

00:06:55,724 --> 00:06:55,864 [Tim Scapin]
Mm-hmm. 

00:06:55,864 --> 00:07:33,604 [Meredith Carpenter]
I mean, that's not a complicated concept. Um, there's always gonna be a class that you're, you know, less inclined to over others. Um, we all have things we love over other subjects, and that's okay. But if you, for example, are very passionate about the outdoors, well, there's an entire ecotourism industry that is booming in western North Carolina. Everything from, you know, zip lines, to, to glamping, um, to white water rafting, uh, climbing guides, fishing guides. But it's not enough to just be 

00:07:34,764 --> 00:07:46,454 [Meredith Carpenter]
a qualified, you know, climbing instructor or a great fisherman, or, um, someone who knows all the trails. You have to be able to run a business because you have to be able to pay bills. 

00:07:46,454 --> 00:07:46,463 [Tim Scapin]
Mm-hmm. 

00:07:46,464 --> 00:07:53,924 [Meredith Carpenter]
And so combining something you're passionate about with the skill set to make a living doing what you love, I think that's really powerful. 

00:07:53,924 --> 00:08:00,174 [Tim Scapin]
Yeah. I mean, it's definitely, I just know for, um, the mental health aspect, to do something that you enjoy. 

00:08:00,174 --> 00:08:00,183 [Meredith Carpenter]
Yes. 

00:08:00,184 --> 00:08:06,104 [Tim Scapin]
But also to kind of maximize your ability to sustain that as, you know, a business. 

00:08:06,104 --> 00:08:06,354 [Meredith Carpenter]
Mm-hmm. 

00:08:06,354 --> 00:08:16,684 [Tim Scapin]
But to have those tools to, you know, elevate and improve your business model and everything, I mean, that certainly helps, uh, as far as just existing. 

00:08:16,684 --> 00:08:16,924 [Meredith Carpenter]
Yeah. 

00:08:16,924 --> 00:08:17,464 [Tim Scapin]
So- 

00:08:17,464 --> 00:08:22,304 [Meredith Carpenter]
And if you're just looking for an opportunity, you're not super committed to- 

00:08:22,304 --> 00:08:22,644 [Tim Scapin]
Yeah 

00:08:22,644 --> 00:08:34,304 [Meredith Carpenter]
... you know, a specific area, um, one of the things is to figure out, you know, where the market is. And there, there's always gonna be a need for things like, um, 

00:08:35,364 --> 00:08:52,954 [Meredith Carpenter]
you know, working on s- septic systems. So if you can get that skill set to know how to pump a septic system, um, or put in new septic lines, and then you combine that with a business skill set, you're g- you're gonna do well. Because when someone needs their septic tank pumped [laughs], they've gotta have it right then, and they're willing- 

00:08:52,954 --> 00:08:53,044 [Tim Scapin]
Right 

00:08:53,044 --> 00:08:54,044 [Meredith Carpenter]
... to pay to have it done. 

00:08:54,044 --> 00:08:54,284 [Tim Scapin]
Yeah. 

00:08:54,284 --> 00:09:11,644 [Meredith Carpenter]
So, you know, you can go, you can go that route, just looking where the market is. And all of our industry research shows us that one of our largest emerging markets right now, uh, in Haywood County, in western North Carolina, is tourism. So if you're just simply looking for an opportunity to grab ahold of, um, you know, something in tourism- 

00:09:11,644 --> 00:09:11,824 [Tim Scapin]
Mm-hmm 

00:09:11,824 --> 00:09:13,744 [Meredith Carpenter]
... might be worth taking a look at. 

00:09:13,744 --> 00:09:34,104 [Tim Scapin]
Yeah. It's, it's pretty, uh, it's a pretty good point. So, um, and Jodi also, so or if you could share, kind of give a glimpse into some classes that are being offered as part of this program. So what classes or a handful are you most, um, excited about us offering? 

00:09:36,084 --> 00:09:44,294 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
So this tourism concentration will actually have six unique courses, um, that will, uh, 

00:09:46,184 --> 00:10:17,304 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
be in this associate degree. Now, we also wanna remind everyone that you can get just a certificate in tourism, or you can get the associate degree. So there are two different ways, um, to obtain this. But we have, one of the first classes that we have is Intro to Hospitality and Tourism, and this is gonna be an exciting way to get our students interested in the program. Uh, this program was actually, um, 

00:10:18,684 --> 00:11:12,154 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
brought up through industry leaders in our area. They actually approached, um, Dr. White and, and explained that they needed to have some way to help promote their current employees, let them still work, but still be able to get, earn a degree in hospitality tourism so that they can advance in their facility. So, um, as we are moving forward with these new degrees, we are finding industry leaders who are actually coming forward to want to teach in these areas so that they can bring real-life, um, examples to the classroom. Um, but some of the courses, Intro to Hospitality and Tourism, we're gonna have a training and development course specific to tourism, and one of the most exciting, 

00:11:13,544 --> 00:11:46,094 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
um, classes that I, that we will have is a work-based learning class. And what this will be is the students will actually, uh, work in a site, whether it be a hotel, um, it could be a country club. They will be able to earn credit for, um, learning on-the-job training. And this helps for those that are currently working in the field. They can still, uh, get paid while earning their degree. 

00:11:46,094 --> 00:11:46,144 [Tim Scapin]
Mm-hmm. 

00:11:46,144 --> 00:12:13,624 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
So again, these were... Um, this program is also a online program, again, at the request of our industry leaders, because they really wanna help their, um, employees, um, be able to promote them up to the next level. And to be able to have a degree in this area is gonna bring the credibility, um, that they understand tourism and that they're ready to take it to the next level.

00:12:14,340 --> 00:12:20,160 [Tim Scapin]
So Meredith, are there any particular courses or a course that really kind of, uh, you're excited about being involved with? 

00:12:20,160 --> 00:12:23,380 [Meredith Carpenter]
Absolutely. Um, for me, I just love, 

00:12:25,060 --> 00:13:03,969 [Meredith Carpenter]
if I could use the term, nerding out. [laughs] You know, I just... To me, it is so exciting to see the, the inner workings of a specific, um, industry a- or to just take general business concepts and make them relatable to something as specific as tourism. So I'm really excited about the class, "The Business of Tourism." Um, now of course, that is supported still within the remaining courses of that associate degree. You're gonna have an accounting class. You're gonna have, um, a personal finance class, make sure your personal ducks are in a row. Um, you know, your own finances are in a row, especially if you're trying to get a bank loan or something to start your own tourism company. 

00:13:03,969 --> 00:13:04,110 [Tim Scapin]
Yeah. 

00:13:04,110 --> 00:13:28,660 [Meredith Carpenter]
But, um, as we're, as we're looking at the business of tourism in conjunction with all the other supportive business classes in the degree, I, I think that really is gonna be pretty powerful. Um, but then also I'm really excited about the people skills class that we're adding. This is something that every single time we talk to employers, they tell us, you know, soft skills, soft skills, people skills. 

00:13:28,660 --> 00:13:28,940 [Tim Scapin]
Yeah. 

00:13:28,940 --> 00:13:59,680 [Meredith Carpenter]
And that will be in conjunction with a course that's already in the business program, um, which actually is from a marketing perspective, but it's a customer service course. So those two classes combined I think are gonna be stellar, just really, really powerful as far as marketability, um, as far as having the soft skills that you need to be in that industry, because ultimately, um, a very large percentage of what that industry does is just simply serve people and interact with people. 

00:13:59,680 --> 00:14:00,060 [Tim Scapin]
Mm-hmm. 

00:14:00,060 --> 00:14:10,140 [Meredith Carpenter]
Help people have a good vacation, a good experience. Um, and so it... those are not skills that are innate. They're something that have to be developed- 

00:14:10,140 --> 00:14:10,440 [Tim Scapin]
Mm-hmm 

00:14:10,440 --> 00:14:36,520 [Meredith Carpenter]
... in all of us, and they have to be developed intentionally. So to be able to put that class in the program in conjunction with the existing customer service class, I'm really excited about. And then Jodi already mentioned this one, but I personally just have a heart for training and development. It's why I love teaching, 'cause I love building content. Um, so to, to help people if they wanna be in, in management, for example, in the hospitality industry, uh, we've talked a lot about tourism, tourism and hospitality- 

00:14:36,520 --> 00:14:36,760 [Tim Scapin]
Yeah 

00:14:36,760 --> 00:15:05,100 [Meredith Carpenter]
... kind of combined. So in the hospitality industry, uh, if you wanna be in management, being able to train the people that you're responsible for, um, adequately, um, help... We talked about onboarding, you know, with that onboarding process, but also to develop people into the best employees that they can possibly be. That's a huge responsibility for managers, and so we want to equip our graduates with as many of those skill sets as we possibly can. 

00:15:05,100 --> 00:15:11,870 [Tim Scapin]
I mean, I think it's pretty cool 'cause a lot of these skills are just, uh, kind of transferable to your personal life, like the personal finance. 

00:15:11,870 --> 00:15:12,120 [Meredith Carpenter]
Oh, absolutely. 

00:15:12,120 --> 00:15:35,460 [Tim Scapin]
I mean, plus they're for, like, resume builders. If, you know, I'm a prospective employee and the employer sees on my resume I've taken these essentially soft skill courses to develop it, um, you know, it's... I mean, definitely as an employer I'd be more receptive to seeing that, um, that the employee, the prospective employee to actually have that on their resume- 

00:15:35,460 --> 00:15:35,660 [Meredith Carpenter]
Right 

00:15:35,660 --> 00:15:42,620 [Tim Scapin]
... and be able to demonstrate it at that, in real life in the workplace, and to have that experience. I mean, that's, that's, uh, invaluable. 

00:15:42,620 --> 00:15:54,060 [Meredith Carpenter]
So I say all the time, um, the, the beauty and the difficulty of a business program, of, of being a, a business student or being a, a business faculty member, is that 

00:15:55,580 --> 00:16:03,529 [Meredith Carpenter]
everyone is going to apply it differently, y- you know, into different careers. All of our students are gonna step into different areas and different careers. 

00:16:03,529 --> 00:16:03,560 [Tim Scapin]
Yeah. 

00:16:03,560 --> 00:17:03,310 [Meredith Carpenter]
It's not like we are training students on a specific piece of equipment to do a specific job. You know, if, if you go through the nursing program, you are coming out to be a nurse, and that entails X, Y, and Z. With business, it's so broad, and the opportunities are just really vast and unlimited to whatever you, you know, want to do with it. And, but with that comes the challenge of making sure that students have tools in the toolbox, because we don't know exactly where they're gonna land. We don't know exactly where they're headed, which to me is the exciting part of it. Um, but we're also trying to, um, prepare students for jobs that may not even exist yet, because our society, our, our, our world, uh, businesses, technology, it's all changing so fast. So you want a degree that is going to, um, really pay dividends over decades, you know- 

00:17:03,310 --> 00:17:03,310 [Tim Scapin]
Yeah 

00:17:03,310 --> 00:17:22,440 [Meredith Carpenter]
... in your life and in your career. So things like people skills, soft skills, critical thinking, these are, these are critical for business students. I mean, accounting is not gonna change. Debits and credits are debits and credits. Those are skills you can learn, put in your toolbox. Um, but a lot of it is employers, to some extent, 

00:17:23,840 --> 00:17:31,380 [Meredith Carpenter]
will... There are some things that only they can teach you once you're in the job. So if we can prepare students to 

00:17:32,400 --> 00:17:56,640 [Meredith Carpenter]
take advantage of the opportunities in front of them, and to adapt to the new things that they have to learn, um, the... You know, the days of learning something and that thing being all that you need for a 40-year career, those days are over. We all are students of life, and we have to, you know, continuously learn and grow. And so when we were thinking about building this program, a lot of time and attention, 

00:17:58,020 --> 00:18:00,500 [Meredith Carpenter]
you know, was given to that, and Jodi can speak to that. 

00:18:00,500 --> 00:19:59,636 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
Well, and to piggyback on the, how employers want to be able to train their, um-... current staff. That is what is unique with this program is because, you know, with work-based learning, if you're currently employed in the tourism industry, you are working at a different level with your employer. And so they are able to, you know, the st- the student or employee is getting the benefit and the satisfaction of, of getting this degree, and the employers are there to help facilitate it and are wanting them to do this. So they are going to make sure that they are successful. Um, the other part that has really been a great asset to this program is it's because the industry partners are the ones that brought it to us. So this was something that they felt they wanted us to do, and they are right beside us every step of the way, including having instructors that are in the industry will be teaching these courses. So, um, one thing that we pride ourself on in the HHBS department is, you know, we have all worked in the industries that we teach, and that gives us credibility with the students to say, you know, "Hey, you know, this is... We're here because we have the passion for it." And the instructors we're bringing in for this, um, degree are gonna be the same. So, you know, we are very excited, um, you know, to build off of a, a well-established business program, um, and being able to c- also offer our students another concentration. Um, those that have our, that already have a business degree, they have the opportunity to come back, take these six courses, and have another associate degree. 

00:19:59,636 --> 00:19:59,936 [Tim Scapin]
Oh, wow. 

00:19:59,936 --> 00:20:13,156 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
So it's, you know, we designed this in order to help our students succeed in multiple areas. So, um, you know, it, it's, it's exciting. Um, 

00:20:14,256 --> 00:20:41,116 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
and I think, I, I really feel that the, the most exciting part of this is how our industry partners are really on the forefront of this, and they're helping us facilitate. They're there for questions. They're gonna help teach, uh, you know, help teach the courses. So, um, it's definitely, um, the true definition of a community college, um, because the community is definitely, um, a huge part of this, uh, development. 

00:20:41,116 --> 00:21:16,346 [Tim Scapin]
Yeah. It sounds like you're kind of creating this ecosystem 'cause, you know, taking the subject matter experts, those folks actually working in the industry, bringing them in, bridging that knowledge and experience to facilitate the learning with the students, and then producing well, you know, uh, suited students for the workplace, then can enter the workforce in the places that, you know, these industries, those folks, the teachers work in. So it's like this cycle of, you know, knowledge sharing and production and productivity and just, I mean, yeah, it's like a little ecosphere kind of thing there. 

00:21:16,346 --> 00:21:17,825 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
And that, that's a great way to put it. 

00:21:17,825 --> 00:21:17,855 [Tim Scapin]
Mm. 

00:21:17,856 --> 00:21:18,556 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
It's a great word. 

00:21:18,556 --> 00:21:20,336 [Tim Scapin]
You can, you can use that- 

00:21:20,336 --> 00:21:20,636 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
We, we can- 

00:21:20,636 --> 00:21:22,346 [Tim Scapin]
... freely. Yeah. I give you permission- 

00:21:22,346 --> 00:21:23,356 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
[laughs] 

00:21:23,356 --> 00:21:50,076 [Tim Scapin]
... use, to use that. No, but it's exciting because, I mean, you're, you're really... I mean, I think you have more credibility also, you know, having people that worked in the industry to come in and share their knowledge and experience. And people, I mean, at least, you know, I found here that have a passion for teaching. They, you don't teach 'cause like, "Oh, I'm gonna go teach." No, you do it for a reason 'cause you're driven to do this and share your knowledge. So, um, yeah, I mean, this sounds like an outstanding opportunity. 

00:21:50,076 --> 00:22:04,336 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
Well, and, and it's nice because, you know, our community believes in u- in our college for them to bring it to us. To bring it to us, let us be their, uh, you know, to be part of their team. 

00:22:04,336 --> 00:22:04,696 [Tim Scapin]
Mm-hmm. 

00:22:04,696 --> 00:22:43,576 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
And, um, you know, again, that's another thing that I think HCC is so well known for is coming together, um, for the benefit of our students. And I think that this is just another great example of meeting the community needs, uh, you know, and, and meeting the students' needs. A lot of our students have to work. They can't take classes in the classroom. They need online courses. But to know that you can actually be working in the industry is gonna bring more credibility and, uh, retainments of the material because you're actually working in it. Um- 

00:22:43,576 --> 00:22:44,616 [Tim Scapin]
Yeah, you're applying that knowledge. 

00:22:44,616 --> 00:22:45,126 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
Yes. 

00:22:45,126 --> 00:22:45,176 [Tim Scapin]
Yeah. 

00:22:45,176 --> 00:22:47,576 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
And so it, it's, um... You know, 

00:22:48,656 --> 00:23:12,916 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
from my experience, you know, I worked in the hospital before I did medical office, and, uh, you know, I was excited for every class I taught because I also knew how it fit into the big scheme of things, and that's where, um, this program, you know, like Meredith said, every class is strategically put in there from the accounting to the personal finance to the computers. You know, 

00:23:14,136 --> 00:23:37,386 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
we have to take... It takes time to, uh, develop a program. And, um, there's many different levels that we have to go through. Um, whether it's, you know, curriculum committees here locally, and then taking it up to the North Carolina Community College system for the final approval. Um, it, it takes time. 

00:23:37,386 --> 00:23:37,676 [Tim Scapin]
Mm. 

00:23:37,676 --> 00:23:49,745 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
And this, uh, program has been in works, uh, you know, for at least a year, trying to get all those pieces in place, and we're just really excited to launch it, uh, fall of '23. 

00:23:50,956 --> 00:24:26,364 [Tim Scapin]
Yeah. I mean, I can see definitely the passion folks here have, y'all have for this program starting it up. And I think it's exciting just to be able to diversify the offerings we have for students to give them more options. And, um, yeah, it's about practicing that knowledge, and it just reinforces that learning that... So it's... Yeah, I mean, there's nothing but benefits involved with that, with that process.So, uh, I guess coincidentally, registration for summer and fall classes is now open. So can you tell us, uh, how someone could register for this program or others? 

00:24:28,364 --> 00:24:41,304 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
So, um, this is part of the business, um, ad- administration program we currently have. And so, uh, Meredith will be the advisor for, um, 

00:24:42,704 --> 00:25:12,844 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
both programs at this time. Um, I will be the backup if, um, the numbers, um, you know, increase if she's not here. I- I'm her backup with this, uh, because a- again, everything we do is, is teamwork, um, because we wanna make sure that our students get, um, the information that they need. We get them into the system. Uh, something else that's exciting about this we have not mentioned is we actually have a CCP through our high school. 

00:25:12,844 --> 00:25:12,884 [Tim Scapin]
Mm-hmm. 

00:25:12,884 --> 00:25:19,984 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
So Tuscola and Pisgah students can actually get a certificate in tourism. 

00:25:19,984 --> 00:25:20,044 [Tim Scapin]
Oh, cool. 

00:25:20,044 --> 00:25:20,464 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
Um- 

00:25:20,464 --> 00:25:20,474 [Tim Scapin]
Yeah 

00:25:20,474 --> 00:25:51,704 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
... and we actually have some, uh, numbers going into that, so we're really excited. Um, so again, um, as far as advising, they will put an application in. They will go through our success coaches. Once they have been onboarded, um, to the point where we can look at courses, they will then be transferred over to, um, our services, and then we will work with them, um, until they graduate. 

00:25:51,704 --> 00:26:02,174 [Tim Scapin]
Yeah, I think especially it's important with the offering this to high school students, which are in those early stages of considering what they wanna do for, you know, the rest of their lives or- 

00:26:02,174 --> 00:26:02,184 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
Mm-hmm 

00:26:02,184 --> 00:26:36,604 [Tim Scapin]
... or a portion of their lives, and having the opportunity to explore this space. Um, I mean, that's, that seems a va- I wish there was something like that when I was [chuckles] ... I say this a lot. I wish there was a lot of things we're doing here that are really cool that I wish I would've had when I was younger, um, at least to just kind of consider. Plus, if you're h- if you're a, a high school student that is acquiring these skills from these courses, um, I mean, that's gonna help you even, like when I got my first job bagging groceries at the grocery store. Like, I'm certain it would've helped if I would've had more exposure to, like, soft skill stuff or, you know- 

00:26:36,604 --> 00:26:36,613 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
Mm-hmm 

00:26:36,613 --> 00:26:42,484 [Tim Scapin]
... just like that. [laughs] But because tho- once again, those are transferable to everyday life, so. 

00:26:42,484 --> 00:27:11,104 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
And, and also transferable to the business, uh, tourism associate degree, and that's something that every class that if it's someone either gets the full certificate or the CCP, those courses actually roll into the associate degree. So they have that opportunity to get a certificate in high school or a certificate, work a little bit, then they can come back and actually get their associate degree. 

00:27:11,104 --> 00:27:11,584 [Tim Scapin]
Sure. 

00:27:11,584 --> 00:27:17,044 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
Um, so again, we design our programs as a stepping stone. 

00:27:17,044 --> 00:27:17,173 [Tim Scapin]
Mm-hmm. 

00:27:17,173 --> 00:27:38,864 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
And so if you get a certificate, um, you can then move it to possibly a diploma, then into an associate degree. So, um, you know, we are, again, we focus on student success, and we want them to be able to feel like they're accomplishing every step as they go through the process. And so there are different levels that they can look at. 

00:27:38,864 --> 00:27:44,864 [Tim Scapin]
Yeah, I know personally when I was younger, younger, years and years ago, decades- 

00:27:45,304 --> 00:27:46,524 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
Mm-hmm 

00:27:46,524 --> 00:28:16,084 [Tim Scapin]
... um, I got a certificate at the local community college, and I, you know, was able to take a bunch of those credits and apply towards my bachelor's at one point, 'cause a lot were science-related. Um, but yeah, I used that as a tool to enter a specific work area. Um, so but I, I think it's cool that you can take these things and it... All this was well-developed on the, on the front side to allow students to have these stepping stones and earn and grow and build upon- 

00:28:16,084 --> 00:28:16,654 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
Mm-hmm 

00:28:16,654 --> 00:28:19,744 [Tim Scapin]
... um, what they've already worked on. So yeah, Meredith, do you wanna- 

00:28:19,744 --> 00:28:24,084 [Meredith Carpenter]
I would just add to that, you know, we love acronyms in higher education. [chuckles] 

00:28:24,084 --> 00:28:25,673 [Tim Scapin]
Oh, of course. 

00:28:25,673 --> 00:28:25,714 [Meredith Carpenter]
So, so if you're not familiar- 

00:28:25,714 --> 00:28:27,564 [Tim Scapin]
Please share. You need at least three acronyms in this episode. 

00:28:27,564 --> 00:29:26,094 [Meredith Carpenter]
[laughs] So if you're not familiar with CCP, that is Career and College Promise. That is basically our, um, program that we have for currently enrolled high school students, and that can be at our local high schools, like Jodi mentioned, also for homeschool students. Um, there's so many options. I would just encourage you to reach out if you're curious at all. We are here to help you. Um, you do not have to be able to navigate all of this on your own. Um, it is a lot of terminology that maybe you just haven't come into contact with before, and that's okay. Um, we're here to help. So whatever your interest is, wherever you are in life, even if you are a, you know, working adult who wants to just take a different path in life or who wants to re-skill, um, there, there is not a right or wrong type of community college student. We are here- 

00:29:26,094 --> 00:29:26,124 [Tim Scapin]
Mm-hmm 

00:29:26,124 --> 00:29:37,544 [Meredith Carpenter]
... for our community. So, um, if this is something that interests you, if you just want to... You used the word explore several times earlier. I love that word. If you want to just explore and kind of- 

00:29:37,544 --> 00:29:37,934 [Tim Scapin]
You can use that word 

00:29:37,934 --> 00:29:38,894 [Meredith Carpenter]
... get a feeler for something- 

00:29:38,894 --> 00:29:38,944 [Tim Scapin]
Yes. [laughs] 

00:29:38,944 --> 00:29:41,364 [Meredith Carpenter]
I can, I can trademark that one too. Um, so 

00:29:42,544 --> 00:29:51,724 [Meredith Carpenter]
the, the thing about the way that we have designed these programs is that a student can say, "I know I'm interested in business, but I don't know what that looks like yet." 

00:29:51,724 --> 00:29:52,704 [Tim Scapin]
Mm-hmm. 

00:29:52,704 --> 00:30:12,424 [Meredith Carpenter]
Well, you can start taking a few classes without committing to, you know, the general business concentration or the hospitality and tourism concentration, um, because there's so many other supportive classes within those concentrations that kind of surround them that build the whole program. Um, so, you know, you can kind of 

00:30:13,864 --> 00:30:27,208 [Meredith Carpenter]
try a couple of things, see what sticks, see what lands, see what's interested for you, um, interesting for you, and, and just go from there. Um-There's so many different paths at this point in higher education. 

00:30:27,208 --> 00:30:38,188 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
A- a- and also, I think a lot of times when people come to school, the way that we have our programs laid out, typically five semesters, two years. 

00:30:39,308 --> 00:30:47,988 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
But you don't have to go full-time. You don't have to have 15 to 16 hours a semester. You can do two classes. You can move it out a year. 

00:30:47,988 --> 00:30:48,408 [Meredith Carpenter]
Mm-hmm. 

00:30:48,408 --> 00:30:55,538 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
Yeah, um, you know, one of the other things too, this is an online program, but we are here. 

00:30:55,538 --> 00:30:55,617 [Meredith Carpenter]
Mm-hmm. 

00:30:55,617 --> 00:31:13,768 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
We will make appointments to meet anyone one-on-one, face-to-face. Um, actually, we, we like to have that because we can explore all the different options. But I think a lot of times people look at the schedule and they think, "How in the world am I gonna do five classes?" 

00:31:13,768 --> 00:31:13,778 [Meredith Carpenter]
Mm-hmm. 

00:31:13,778 --> 00:31:27,968 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
"How am I going to get the kids to practices, and how am I gonna do this?" You don't have to. You can actually just take it... One of our big things in the HHBS department, quality over quantity. 

00:31:27,968 --> 00:31:28,308 [Meredith Carpenter]
Mm-hmm. 

00:31:28,308 --> 00:31:33,368 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
We'd rather you take fewer courses, understand the material, and be successful, 

00:31:34,568 --> 00:31:36,808 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
and not try to get out of here- 

00:31:36,808 --> 00:31:37,288 [Meredith Carpenter]
Mm-hmm 

00:31:37,288 --> 00:31:38,468 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
... in five semesters. 

00:31:38,468 --> 00:31:38,568 [Meredith Carpenter]
Mm-hmm. 

00:31:38,568 --> 00:32:02,708 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
And we have a lot of students that do that, and this is n- this is not an exception. You know, we as instructors are here to help our students and help guide them and be, um, you know, the, the contact point. So, um, you know, again, it's, it's just important to know that we will meet you where you are, um, and develop a plan accordingly. 

00:32:02,708 --> 00:32:33,207 [Tim Scapin]
And I think the support that we offer from every step, from applying to financial aid, to su- su- success coaches, to you all as, uh, faculty, um, that support students along the whole path. I know I returned to community college as an adult learner. I had a really good advisor to help keep me on track. And I, I like how you mentioned, Meredith, about exploring, well, once again, exploring. Um, when I was at our, you know, my local community college and went back, uh, I considered nursing- 

00:32:33,207 --> 00:32:33,448 [Meredith Carpenter]
Mm-hmm 

00:32:33,448 --> 00:32:35,558 [Tim Scapin]
... for some reason. [laughs] 

00:32:35,558 --> 00:32:35,588 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
[laughs] 

00:32:35,588 --> 00:32:59,997 [Tim Scapin]
So I took a couple nursing classes for a semester and then learned that this wasn't for me, so then I went back on and did something else. So yeah, I mean, community college is a nice, um, local, affordable way to explore what you wanna do if you really don't know. And our students come in all ages and, I mean, it's... We have such a diverse pool of students. 

00:32:59,997 --> 00:33:00,028 [Meredith Carpenter]
Mm-hmm. 

00:33:00,028 --> 00:33:23,328 [Tim Scapin]
And like the online or... You know, we have busy lives. I mean, I went back, I had a... I was-- I happened to go full-time, but I was having... You know, I had, uh, family and a full-time job, and you got a lot to balance. But we know that 'cause we connect well with students and get to learn their challenges and their strengths and how we can best serve them, so. And I think we do a pretty good job, and you all have a passion for it. 

00:33:23,328 --> 00:33:23,358 [Meredith Carpenter]
Right. 

00:33:23,358 --> 00:33:23,388 [Tim Scapin]
So- 

00:33:23,388 --> 00:33:26,048 [Meredith Carpenter]
It is a privilege to get to do this job. 

00:33:26,048 --> 00:33:26,118 [Tim Scapin]
Yes. 

00:33:26,118 --> 00:33:26,408 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
Yes. 

00:33:27,568 --> 00:33:37,538 [Tim Scapin]
Um, so we're, uh, this is Michelle, the cur- or the, the usual regular scheduling host. She has these rapid fires- 

00:33:37,538 --> 00:33:37,548 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
[laughs] 

00:33:37,548 --> 00:33:41,368 [Tim Scapin]
... that I am contractually obligated to do. 

00:33:41,368 --> 00:33:41,448 [Meredith Carpenter]
Oh. 

00:33:41,448 --> 00:33:54,268 [Tim Scapin]
So I, my rapids don't turn out to be so rapid. Usually, it's a slow roll. So I guess, uh, Jodi, I'll, I'll ask you, and Meredith can either, uh, agree or disagree, apparently- 

00:33:54,268 --> 00:33:54,638 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
[laughs] 

00:33:54,638 --> 00:33:56,348 [Tim Scapin]
... with, with this, with your answers. 

00:33:56,348 --> 00:33:56,848 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
All right. 

00:33:56,848 --> 00:33:57,178 [Tim Scapin]
So let's- 

00:33:57,178 --> 00:33:57,508 [Meredith Carpenter]
Let's do it. 

00:33:57,508 --> 00:34:00,268 [Tim Scapin]
Uh, so, uh, dogs or cats? 

00:34:00,268 --> 00:34:02,967 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
Dogs, preferably German Shepherds. 

00:34:02,968 --> 00:34:04,788 [Tim Scapin]
Okay. Yes, do you- 

00:34:04,788 --> 00:34:08,748 [Meredith Carpenter]
I, I can't disagree because I knew her German Shepherd well- 

00:34:08,748 --> 00:34:08,758 [Tim Scapin]
Oh 

00:34:08,758 --> 00:34:15,828 [Meredith Carpenter]
... and had a German Shepherd myself. But, um, I love, I love to travel, so cats are, um, 

00:34:16,868 --> 00:34:17,567 [Meredith Carpenter]
cats are- 

00:34:17,628 --> 00:34:17,638 [Tim Scapin]
Yes 

00:34:17,638 --> 00:34:18,508 [Meredith Carpenter]
... are more well-suited- 

00:34:18,508 --> 00:34:18,518 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
Easier [laughs] 

00:34:18,518 --> 00:34:21,978 [Meredith Carpenter]
... for that. Yeah, you can, you can leave them for a few days and, and they're fine. 

00:34:21,978 --> 00:34:23,308 [Tim Scapin]
Oh, I thought you just stick them, like, in the overhead bin. 

00:34:24,388 --> 00:34:24,418 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
[laughs] 

00:34:24,418 --> 00:34:24,848 [Meredith Carpenter]
[laughs] 

00:34:24,848 --> 00:34:26,648 [Tim Scapin]
Oh. No, okay. You mean leave behind. 

00:34:26,648 --> 00:34:26,908 [Meredith Carpenter]
Yes. 

00:34:26,908 --> 00:34:27,568 [Tim Scapin]
Yes, they're- 

00:34:27,568 --> 00:34:29,348 [Meredith Carpenter]
Cat, cat. I'm a, I'm a cat person. 

00:34:29,348 --> 00:34:30,368 [Tim Scapin]
They're independent livers. 

00:34:30,368 --> 00:34:31,168 [Meredith Carpenter]
Yeah. 

00:34:31,168 --> 00:34:34,248 [Tim Scapin]
Um, so is there a favorite spot on campus? 

00:34:36,888 --> 00:34:38,588 [Tim Scapin]
Other than your office. 

00:34:38,588 --> 00:34:40,377 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
Yes. I don't get out of that much. 

00:34:40,377 --> 00:34:40,447 [Tim Scapin]
[laughs] 

00:34:40,448 --> 00:34:42,577 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
Um, I've... You know, 

00:34:43,668 --> 00:34:45,488 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
the dri- Uh, it's not- 

00:34:45,488 --> 00:34:45,828 [Meredith Carpenter]
Mm-hmm 

00:34:45,828 --> 00:34:49,288 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
... it, it, the drive in through the gates. 

00:34:49,288 --> 00:34:49,388 [Meredith Carpenter]
Yep. 

00:34:49,388 --> 00:34:54,888 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
Um, whether it is winter, whether it is spring, whether it is fall. I 

00:34:56,108 --> 00:35:03,588 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
drive in and w- and, and realize how blessed I am to work at the facility, but such a beautiful campus. 

00:35:03,588 --> 00:35:05,008 [Meredith Carpenter]
Yeah. That tree-lined drive- 

00:35:05,008 --> 00:35:05,137 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
Yeah 

00:35:05,137 --> 00:35:06,928 [Meredith Carpenter]
... coming in with the mill pond and- 

00:35:06,928 --> 00:35:10,118 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
Well, and I'll say Veterans Day when they put the flags- 

00:35:10,118 --> 00:35:10,668 [Meredith Carpenter]
Flags, yeah 

00:35:10,668 --> 00:35:10,688 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
... up. 

00:35:10,688 --> 00:35:10,707 [Meredith Carpenter]
Give chills. 

00:35:10,708 --> 00:35:15,998 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
It just makes me realize how fortunate and blessed I am. Um, 

00:35:17,228 --> 00:35:22,868 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
so I mean, the whole campus is beautiful, but there's something about the drive in that- 

00:35:22,868 --> 00:35:24,668 [Meredith Carpenter]
100% agree. She nailed it. 

00:35:24,668 --> 00:35:24,848 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
Thank you. 

00:35:24,848 --> 00:35:32,088 [Meredith Carpenter]
Shameless plug, our campus is a designated arboretum. And, um, I mean, who gets to go to work every day- 

00:35:32,088 --> 00:35:32,108 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
Yeah 

00:35:32,108 --> 00:35:33,378 [Meredith Carpenter]
... at a designated arboretum? [laughs] 

00:35:33,378 --> 00:35:33,387 [Tim Scapin]
No. 

00:35:33,388 --> 00:35:36,258 [Meredith Carpenter]
Yeah. The, the dahlia garden when it pops up every year- 

00:35:36,258 --> 00:35:36,258 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
Oh 

00:35:36,258 --> 00:35:43,468 [Meredith Carpenter]
... is, I mean, there's... I could answer that so many ways. The new, the... Well, we've had a great trail system. The new expanded trail system that they're in the process of building now. 

00:35:43,468 --> 00:35:43,568 [Tim Scapin]
Yeah. 

00:35:43,568 --> 00:35:45,008 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
One of my favorite time of year- 

00:35:45,008 --> 00:35:45,598 [Meredith Carpenter]
So excited about 

00:35:45,598 --> 00:35:47,668 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
... is when maintenance comes around with the dahlias. 

00:35:47,668 --> 00:35:47,808 [Meredith Carpenter]
Yes. Wreaths. 

00:35:47,808 --> 00:35:51,368 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
And, and they'll give everybody... When they have to trim them back- 

00:35:51,368 --> 00:35:51,528 [Meredith Carpenter]
Mm-hmm 

00:35:51,528 --> 00:35:53,728 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
... they'll... And, and it just- 

00:35:53,728 --> 00:35:54,348 [Meredith Carpenter]
Yes 

00:35:54,348 --> 00:35:54,648 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
... it- 

00:35:54,648 --> 00:35:59,448 [Meredith Carpenter]
Oh, and the, the maple trees on the auditorium side- 

00:35:59,448 --> 00:35:59,588 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
Yes 

00:35:59,588 --> 00:36:04,767 [Meredith Carpenter]
... of Hawthorne. There's, there's a magical, like, 10-day period every year when those trees just- 

00:36:04,768 --> 00:36:05,228 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
Just 

00:36:05,228 --> 00:36:06,528 [Meredith Carpenter]
... light on fire- 

00:36:06,528 --> 00:36:06,538 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
Yeah. Yeah 

00:36:06,538 --> 00:36:08,708 [Meredith Carpenter]
... with these leaves that are incredible. So 

00:36:10,348 --> 00:36:11,637 [Meredith Carpenter]
we're just... The whole campus. 

00:36:11,637 --> 00:36:11,708 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
We love campus. 

00:36:11,708 --> 00:36:12,788 [Meredith Carpenter]
Is that an answer? [laughs] 

00:36:12,788 --> 00:36:13,887 [Tim Scapin]
The, the whole place. 

00:36:13,887 --> 00:36:14,548 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
[laughs] 

00:36:14,548 --> 00:36:17,148 [Tim Scapin]
I thought it was our building 'cause we all work in the same building, so. 

00:36:17,148 --> 00:36:18,128 [Meredith Carpenter]
That's what I meant. That's what I meant. 

00:36:18,128 --> 00:36:19,448 [Tim Scapin]
You can, you can stop by and say hello. 

00:36:19,448 --> 00:36:20,768 [Meredith Carpenter]
Yeah. [laughs] 

00:36:20,768 --> 00:36:29,032 [Tim Scapin]
Um, so, so pizza, pineapple or no pineapple?Do you have any strong, people have strong feelings on this? 

00:36:29,032 --> 00:36:34,412 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
Yeah, you know, I, I could eat it, but I prefer no pineapple. 

00:36:35,692 --> 00:36:36,532 [Meredith Carpenter]
I have very strong- 

00:36:36,532 --> 00:36:36,912 [Tim Scapin]
If- 

00:36:36,912 --> 00:36:37,682 [Meredith Carpenter]
... feelings on this 

00:36:37,682 --> 00:36:42,511 [Tim Scapin]
... if, if some- if it were to be offered at a place, say it was a last pizza on earth- 

00:36:42,512 --> 00:36:42,732 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
I would eat- 

00:36:42,732 --> 00:36:43,222 [Tim Scapin]
... and it had pineapple 

00:36:43,222 --> 00:36:44,472 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
... I would eat pineapple. 

00:36:44,472 --> 00:36:44,932 [Meredith Carpenter]
[laughs] 

00:36:44,932 --> 00:36:46,502 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
Pizza is pizza. [laughs] 

00:36:46,502 --> 00:36:46,632 [Tim Scapin]
It was- 

00:36:46,632 --> 00:36:50,322 [Meredith Carpenter]
So I have very strong feelings on this. Alex, if you're listening, web- 

00:36:50,322 --> 00:36:52,192 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
I will not eat ham, though. [laughs] 

00:36:52,192 --> 00:36:54,112 [Tim Scapin]
Oh, no. Okay. All right. 

00:36:54,112 --> 00:36:59,972 [Meredith Carpenter]
Alex, if you're listening, I apologize in advance. My college roommate loved, loved, loved 

00:37:01,072 --> 00:37:02,682 [Meredith Carpenter]
ham and pineapple pizza. 

00:37:02,682 --> 00:37:02,692 [Tim Scapin]
Yeah. 

00:37:02,692 --> 00:37:04,512 [Meredith Carpenter]
And I ate enough of it- 

00:37:04,512 --> 00:37:04,592 [Tim Scapin]
Okay 

00:37:04,592 --> 00:37:08,412 [Meredith Carpenter]
... in the years that we lived together [laughs] to last me a lifetime. 

00:37:08,412 --> 00:37:09,202 [Tim Scapin]
[laughs] 

00:37:09,202 --> 00:37:21,472 [Meredith Carpenter]
And, um, but when I do eat it, I very, I very fondly and sweetly think of, of her and that group of friends sitting around in the dorm room, you know, eating our, our entire- 

00:37:21,472 --> 00:37:21,481 [Tim Scapin]
Pineapple pizza 

00:37:21,481 --> 00:37:26,712 [Meredith Carpenter]
... yeah, uh, just lots of pineapple pizza, yeah. So I'm good. 

00:37:26,712 --> 00:37:27,872 [Tim Scapin]
So it brings back memories. 

00:37:27,872 --> 00:37:28,412 [Meredith Carpenter]
It does. 

00:37:28,412 --> 00:37:31,771 [Tim Scapin]
So yeah, I like things that have... Well, we're talking about food again, so now I'm hungry. 

00:37:31,771 --> 00:37:33,382 [Meredith Carpenter]
[laughs] It is a business workshop. 

00:37:33,382 --> 00:37:39,492 [Tim Scapin]
So now I'm hungry. I can't do this anymore. Um, so, uh, let's see. So is there any particular morning 

00:37:40,512 --> 00:37:41,732 [Tim Scapin]
beverage that you consume? 

00:37:42,992 --> 00:37:43,712 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
Oh, as soon as- 

00:37:43,712 --> 00:37:44,202 [Tim Scapin]
You like a coffee in the person? 

00:37:44,202 --> 00:37:45,092 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
... I get out of the shower, it's coffee. 

00:37:45,092 --> 00:37:47,092 [Tim Scapin]
Okay. Any type of coffee? 

00:37:47,092 --> 00:37:47,102 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
Yeah. 

00:37:47,102 --> 00:37:48,532 [Tim Scapin]
I like to talk about coffee, too. 

00:37:49,612 --> 00:37:51,932 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
I like my Dominican coffee- 

00:37:51,932 --> 00:37:51,942 [Tim Scapin]
Oh 

00:37:51,942 --> 00:37:53,852 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
... but I drink it black. 

00:37:53,852 --> 00:37:54,292 [Tim Scapin]
Oh. 

00:37:54,292 --> 00:37:55,502 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
Um, but it's- 

00:37:55,502 --> 00:37:55,602 [Tim Scapin]
Just the pure, pure 

00:37:55,602 --> 00:37:57,752 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
... that's something that's... Yeah. 

00:37:57,752 --> 00:37:59,252 [Tim Scapin]
You like to actually taste the coffee? 

00:37:59,252 --> 00:38:00,042 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
Yes. Yes. 

00:38:00,042 --> 00:38:00,652 [Tim Scapin]
Instead of sticking with the artificial. 

00:38:00,652 --> 00:38:05,252 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
Well, I used to drink lots of vanilla creamer. 

00:38:05,252 --> 00:38:05,432 [Tim Scapin]
Yes. 

00:38:05,432 --> 00:38:11,772 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
Um, but my husband and I decided we were drinking too much of the vanilla creamer- 

00:38:11,772 --> 00:38:11,791 [Tim Scapin]
Yeah, more creamer 

00:38:11,791 --> 00:38:11,822 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
... less coffee. [laughs] 

00:38:11,822 --> 00:38:14,152 [Meredith Carpenter]
Do you drink a little bit of coffee with your creamer? 

00:38:14,152 --> 00:38:14,492 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
Yes. 

00:38:14,492 --> 00:38:15,252 [Tim Scapin]
Yeah. It was creamer with coffee. 

00:38:15,252 --> 00:38:26,192 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
My mother-in-law always made fun of me 'cause when we would go to the Dominican, I would bring like three individual packs and just set it on the counter when we got there the first day. 

00:38:26,192 --> 00:38:26,202 [Meredith Carpenter]
Nice. 

00:38:26,202 --> 00:38:29,072 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
And, and she would just shake her head and laugh. 

00:38:29,072 --> 00:38:30,212 [Tim Scapin]
That's fun. That's funny. 

00:38:30,212 --> 00:38:42,302 [Meredith Carpenter]
So I, um, travel... Well, let me back up. So my beverage of choice, morning, noon, night, doesn't matter, is sweet tea, and I travel with gallons of Chick-fil-A sweet tea. 

00:38:42,302 --> 00:38:43,252 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
Oh, that's what... Yeah. 

00:38:43,252 --> 00:38:45,072 [Tim Scapin]
You, you can't check that through- 

00:38:45,072 --> 00:38:45,402 [Meredith Carpenter]
No. [laughs] 

00:38:45,402 --> 00:38:46,032 [Tim Scapin]
... the TSA. 

00:38:46,032 --> 00:38:46,712 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
Well, s- 

00:38:46,712 --> 00:38:47,072 [Tim Scapin]
'Cause [laughs] 

00:38:47,072 --> 00:38:48,472 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
So like, for example- 

00:38:48,472 --> 00:38:48,482 [Meredith Carpenter]
Travel. Travel 

00:38:48,482 --> 00:38:50,922 [Tim Scapin]
You really can have three ounces of sweet tea on the plane 

00:38:50,922 --> 00:38:52,022 [Meredith Carpenter]
For example, I have- 

00:38:52,022 --> 00:38:52,102 [Tim Scapin]
I know 

00:38:52,102 --> 00:39:01,772 [Meredith Carpenter]
... an amazing group of, of girlfriends, and we take a, a girls trip together every year. And, um, you know, it's not worth trying to, like, make tea on vacation, you know, in a- 

00:39:01,772 --> 00:39:02,232 [Tim Scapin]
Oh, no 

00:39:02,232 --> 00:39:09,381 [Meredith Carpenter]
... condo or rental house or hotel room, whatever. So yeah, they just, they just know that, like, they need to reserve a shelf in the refrigerator 

00:39:10,452 --> 00:39:13,052 [Meredith Carpenter]
for my, uh, my sweet tea from Chick-fil-A. 

00:39:13,052 --> 00:39:13,312 [Tim Scapin]
Sweet tea. 

00:39:13,312 --> 00:39:14,492 [Meredith Carpenter]
By the gallon. 

00:39:14,492 --> 00:39:16,912 [Tim Scapin]
That was, uh, not a sponsor of this episode. 

00:39:16,912 --> 00:39:18,132 [Meredith Carpenter]
[laughs] 

00:39:18,132 --> 00:39:20,932 [Tim Scapin]
But, but Chick-fil-A could potentially sponsor- 

00:39:20,932 --> 00:39:21,252 [Meredith Carpenter]
Yes 

00:39:21,252 --> 00:39:21,402 [Tim Scapin]
... sponsor us. 

00:39:21,402 --> 00:39:22,512 [Meredith Carpenter]
Reach out, Chick-fil-A- 

00:39:22,512 --> 00:39:22,632 [Tim Scapin]
Yes 

00:39:22,632 --> 00:39:23,532 [Meredith Carpenter]
... if you would like a- 

00:39:23,532 --> 00:39:24,492 [Tim Scapin]
Please ship us over- 

00:39:24,492 --> 00:39:25,532 [Meredith Carpenter]
... sweet tea endorsement. [laughs] 

00:39:25,532 --> 00:39:32,512 [Tim Scapin]
Some... The, the busiest place in town, speaking of businesses, seems to be Chick-fil-A. I wish I owned stock or a franchise or something. But, um- 

00:39:32,512 --> 00:39:34,652 [Meredith Carpenter]
Everything is a business, Tim. 

00:39:34,652 --> 00:39:34,672 [Tim Scapin]
Yes. 

00:39:34,672 --> 00:39:35,142 [Meredith Carpenter]
Everything is a business. 

00:39:35,142 --> 00:39:35,432 [Tim Scapin]
Everything's a business. 

00:39:35,432 --> 00:39:36,272 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
Yep. 

00:39:36,272 --> 00:39:36,732 [Meredith Carpenter]
Yep. 

00:39:36,732 --> 00:39:42,712 [Tim Scapin]
So our, our final, let's see, uh, let's pick a good one here. Uh, da, da, da. Well, I was gonna ask Coke or Pepsi, but Meredith, I see- 

00:39:42,712 --> 00:39:43,532 [Meredith Carpenter]
Sweet tea. 

00:39:43,532 --> 00:39:44,112 [Tim Scapin]
Yeah, sweet tea. 

00:39:44,112 --> 00:39:45,352 [Meredith Carpenter]
It's not Coke or Pepsi. It's sweet tea. [laughs] 

00:39:45,352 --> 00:39:47,932 [Tim Scapin]
Oh, sweet tea. Never mind. I wasn't listening apparently. 

00:39:47,932 --> 00:39:50,792 [Meredith Carpenter]
He's gonna fi- try to find one that has, like, a one-word answer- 

00:39:50,792 --> 00:39:50,802 [Tim Scapin]
Let's see 

00:39:50,802 --> 00:39:51,772 [Meredith Carpenter]
... 'cause you and I have [laughs] 

00:39:51,772 --> 00:39:55,312 [Tim Scapin]
Is there anything involving... Oh, here. Okay, another food one. I have to go with this one. 

00:39:55,312 --> 00:40:03,992 [Meredith Carpenter]
We might be in North Carolina, but we're only a couple hours north of Atlanta, so it's Coke, right? Or RC Cola, personally, but, um- 

00:40:03,992 --> 00:40:05,932 [Tim Scapin]
I like a good grape soda. 

00:40:05,932 --> 00:40:08,411 [Meredith Carpenter]
I am Sprite zero now. 

00:40:08,412 --> 00:40:09,062 [Tim Scapin]
Like a grape Sprite. 

00:40:09,062 --> 00:40:09,952 [Meredith Carpenter]
Yeah. Okay. All right. 

00:40:09,952 --> 00:40:10,172 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
Yeah, that's my drink of choice. 

00:40:10,172 --> 00:40:15,652 [Meredith Carpenter]
Well, but I should also use this opportunity, if we're talking soda- 

00:40:15,652 --> 00:40:15,661 [Tim Scapin]
What? 

00:40:15,661 --> 00:40:18,712 [Meredith Carpenter]
... to mention our very own alumni, the Waynesville Soda Jerks. 

00:40:18,712 --> 00:40:18,752 [Tim Scapin]
Oh, yes. 

00:40:18,752 --> 00:40:20,152 [Meredith Carpenter]
Speaking of grape soda, their- 

00:40:20,152 --> 00:40:20,522 [Tim Scapin]
Oh, craft soda 

00:40:20,522 --> 00:40:23,932 [Meredith Carpenter]
... Concord grape soda is my favorite of all of their flavors. 

00:40:23,932 --> 00:40:26,452 [Tim Scapin]
Is it just straight grape, or do they stick, like, something else in it? 

00:40:26,452 --> 00:40:28,302 [Meredith Carpenter]
No, um, they work with local farmers- 

00:40:28,302 --> 00:40:28,342 [Tim Scapin]
Oh 

00:40:28,342 --> 00:40:32,972 [Meredith Carpenter]
... to get all of the, the produce, and they take Concord grapes. They have their own recipe. 

00:40:32,972 --> 00:40:33,032 [Tim Scapin]
Oh, wow. 

00:40:33,032 --> 00:41:05,602 [Meredith Carpenter]
It's magic. And they, for- forgive me, Megan and Chris, they cook the grapes, for lack of a better word. Um, and again, they have their own recipe, and so they make the s- the syrup, which they then combine with, you know, carbonated water to make the sodas. And, um, they came through the business program. They have worked really, really hard for, gosh, I think they've been in business about 10 years now, and, um, it's such a joy to go out in the community and see their sodas. I keep them on a shelf in my office. 

00:41:05,602 --> 00:41:06,192 [Tim Scapin]
Yeah, I saw it in your office. [laughs] 

00:41:06,192 --> 00:41:07,872 [Meredith Carpenter]
Yeah, you can't have them. They're for display. 

00:41:07,872 --> 00:41:08,371 [Tim Scapin]
Oh, darn. 

00:41:08,372 --> 00:41:13,352 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
I tried, I tried to get the blueberry 'cause my son loves it. Anytime we are somewhere, we have to- 

00:41:13,352 --> 00:41:20,072 [Tim Scapin]
Well, I know 'cause I know, like I mentioned, uh, I was asking, 'cause I know they combine some cool, like, do they have like a basil and something? 

00:41:20,072 --> 00:41:21,392 [Meredith Carpenter]
Yeah, they have a blueberry basil. 

00:41:21,392 --> 00:41:22,172 [Tim Scapin]
Yeah. 

00:41:22,172 --> 00:41:22,642 [Meredith Carpenter]
They have a- 

00:41:22,642 --> 00:41:25,292 [Tim Scapin]
Things that you wouldn't normally consider flavor profiles of 

00:41:25,292 --> 00:41:26,592 [Meredith Carpenter]
... lavender lemon. 

00:41:26,592 --> 00:41:27,991 [Tim Scapin]
And then like an apple one too. 

00:41:27,992 --> 00:41:29,861 [Meredith Carpenter]
Mm-hmm. They have some seasonal ones. 

00:41:29,861 --> 00:41:29,871 [Tim Scapin]
Okay, yeah. 

00:41:29,872 --> 00:41:35,252 [Meredith Carpenter]
There's a, um, I think there's a sriracha one if I'm not mistaken. 

00:41:35,252 --> 00:41:35,272 [Tim Scapin]
Oh. 

00:41:35,272 --> 00:41:37,152 [Meredith Carpenter]
There's, there's a hot one. I can't remember exactly- 

00:41:37,152 --> 00:41:37,162 [Tim Scapin]
Okay 

00:41:37,162 --> 00:41:38,902 [Meredith Carpenter]
... what pepper or whatever. 

00:41:38,902 --> 00:41:38,912 [Tim Scapin]
Sriracha. 

00:41:38,912 --> 00:41:41,412 [Meredith Carpenter]
But, um, yeah, so check 'em out. Waynesville Soda Jerks. 

00:41:41,412 --> 00:41:42,782 [Tim Scapin]
That's in Waynesville, North Carolina. 

00:41:42,782 --> 00:41:44,462 [Meredith Carpenter]
In Waynesville, North Carolina. Locally owned. 

00:41:44,462 --> 00:41:46,472 [Tim Scapin]
Not a sponsor, but could be. 

00:41:46,472 --> 00:41:47,052 [Meredith Carpenter]
Yes. 

00:41:47,052 --> 00:41:47,572 [Tim Scapin]
[laughs] Yes. 

00:41:47,572 --> 00:41:49,012 [Meredith Carpenter]
Very, very proud of the Waynesville Soda Jerks. 

00:41:49,012 --> 00:41:49,032 [Tim Scapin]
Yes. 

00:41:49,032 --> 00:41:50,832 [Meredith Carpenter]
We have some amazing alumni. Um- 

00:41:50,832 --> 00:41:56,472 [Tim Scapin]
Well, that's an example of how you all actually made a positive impact- 

00:41:56,472 --> 00:41:56,642 [Meredith Carpenter]
Mm-hmm 

00:41:56,642 --> 00:42:01,952 [Tim Scapin]
... on folks that are, you know, pillars of our local business community now- 

00:42:01,952 --> 00:42:02,282 [Meredith Carpenter]
Yes 

00:42:02,282 --> 00:42:08,032 [Tim Scapin]
... that are success stories. I mean, I think that's, nothing's quite like that actually being an example. 

00:42:08,032 --> 00:42:08,882 [Meredith Carpenter]
It's just fun and- 

00:42:08,882 --> 00:42:10,432 [Tim Scapin]
And they make tasty stuff 

00:42:10,432 --> 00:42:11,572 [Meredith Carpenter]
... excellent people to know. 

00:42:11,572 --> 00:42:11,912 [Tim Scapin]
Yes. 

00:42:11,912 --> 00:42:12,392 [Meredith Carpenter]
Just fantastic people. 

00:42:12,392 --> 00:42:14,432 [Tim Scapin]
We just need like a pie shop next. 

00:42:14,432 --> 00:42:14,991 [Meredith Carpenter]
[laughs] 

00:42:14,992 --> 00:42:17,431 [Tim Scapin]
And then, yeah, I can just... Anyway, I crusade myself. 

00:42:17,432 --> 00:42:22,772 [Meredith Carpenter]
Well, another alumni, go, go check out, uh, Coffee Cup Cafe and get you some lunch down there. 

00:42:22,772 --> 00:42:23,552 [Tim Scapin]
Oh, yes. 

00:42:23,552 --> 00:42:25,452 [Meredith Carpenter]
Yeah. Those are some HCC business alums as well. 

00:42:25,452 --> 00:42:27,372 [Tim Scapin]
They have good break- they have good breakfast wraps- 

00:42:27,372 --> 00:42:27,732 [Meredith Carpenter]
Mm-hmm 

00:42:27,732 --> 00:42:28,642 [Tim Scapin]
... right down the street

00:42:29,112 --> 00:42:30,172 [Meredith Carpenter]
And good sweet tea. 

00:42:30,172 --> 00:42:35,632 [Tim Scapin]
Yes, good sweet tea. [laughs] It's Meredith approved. We just need like a little seal of approval on all the sweet tea- 

00:42:35,632 --> 00:42:36,332 [Meredith Carpenter]
Absolutely 

00:42:36,332 --> 00:42:45,592 [Tim Scapin]
... vendors in the, in the area. So, um, wrapping up, do y'all have anything you'd like to fi- any final thoughts you'd like to share? 

00:42:48,872 --> 00:42:50,652 [Meredith Carpenter]
For me, it would be, um, 

00:42:52,712 --> 00:43:35,332 [Meredith Carpenter]
to just pass along a spirit of positivity and enthusiasm. And, you know, what that looks like for us is constantly reevaluating, are we providing what students need? Are we providing what our community needs? Are we anticipating the needs of our community? Are we anticipating what the, the business sector is gonna look like in two, five, 10 years? Um, things change so rapidly, you know, no one has a crystal ball. But when I look at the investment, the capital investment that is being made just in our local community, but Western North Carolina in general, um, into hospitality and tourism management, um, into new types of manufacturing, uh, into, you know, 

00:43:36,892 --> 00:43:38,152 [Meredith Carpenter]
medical, you name it. But 

00:43:39,432 --> 00:43:46,542 [Meredith Carpenter]
since this discussion today is about hospitality and tourism, when I look at the capital investment that's being made just in Haywood County alone in that sector, 

00:43:48,072 --> 00:43:56,062 [Meredith Carpenter]
these, these businesses and these entrepreneurs are making massive investments in our area for a reason. 

00:43:56,062 --> 00:43:56,852 [Tim Scapin]
Mm-hmm. 

00:43:56,852 --> 00:44:20,752 [Meredith Carpenter]
They know the potential that is here. Um, when we look at younger demographics, um, people in their, you know, 20s and 30s, 40s, they love to travel. Um, they would rather spend money on experiences than on things. And when you combine generational trends, um, with 

00:44:21,912 --> 00:44:24,212 [Meredith Carpenter]
economic development, capital investment, 

00:44:25,332 --> 00:44:44,832 [Meredith Carpenter]
you have a recipe for success, and that's what I believe we're, we're looking at here. And so HCC is more than, um, than happy, and it is a, a privilege and an honor to provide, um, the education and skill set that is needed to feed into those industries and those opportunities for people. 

00:44:46,532 --> 00:44:47,412 [Tim Scapin]
Well said. 

00:44:47,412 --> 00:44:47,672 [Meredith Carpenter]
Thank you. 

00:44:47,672 --> 00:44:49,442 [Tim Scapin]
So Jodi, any, any final, final thoughts? 

00:44:49,442 --> 00:45:21,632 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
And of course, I agree with everything Meredith said. And, you know, it's also been, um, a wonderful journey partnering with our industries. And I know for Meredith and I, when we came in many, many years ago, um, our programs were already here. And so for us to be able to be part of the change and, and, you know, being part of making this new, uh, concentration has been, uh, 

00:45:22,892 --> 00:45:35,052 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
very beneficial. Um, because I think it's also going to help us learn how to reach out to other industry leaders, look at other programs, other ways to help our community. I think that we're, um, 

00:45:36,152 --> 00:45:37,292 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
you know, it, it's... 

00:45:38,332 --> 00:46:16,892 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
Everybody is in this together, um, many different levels. Um, but to see how we can make an impact in our community with those, our community leaders, has just been, um, a great process and a great journey. So we are looking forward to the launch of this, um, program, and we just wanna encourage everybody. Meredith and I are usually, you know, here. Um, if one isn't, the other one is. Um, but we are here to help you, um, with questions that you might have. And even if, you know, there's questions outside of this, we, um, are definitely here to help you succeed. 

00:46:16,892 --> 00:46:38,902 [Tim Scapin]
Yeah, exactly. I mean, we encourage you to stop by the campus. It is, you know, the Arboretum, it's, it's a beautiful place to visit and work or just take a hike on our new trail that's, that's being developed. Or stop by in, uh, student services and to learn about how to apply or financial aid and whatnot, if you have any questions. So, uh, thank you, Jodi and Meredith. Thank you for joining us. And, uh- 

00:46:38,902 --> 00:46:39,662 [Meredith Carpenter]
Thanks for having us. 

00:46:39,662 --> 00:46:39,672 [Tim Scapin]
Yeah. 

00:46:39,672 --> 00:46:40,582 [Meredith Carpenter]
This has been fun. 

00:46:40,582 --> 00:46:40,942 [Jodi Wijewickrama]
Yes, thank you. 

00:46:40,942 --> 00:46:42,252 [Tim Scapin]
Thank you. Look forward to the program. 

00:46:43,712 --> 00:47:06,832 [Tim Scapin]
[outro music] Thanks for listening to another episode of Bobcat Chat. Haywood Community College is located in Clyde, North Carolina. If you would like to learn more about our great school, head over to www.haywood.edu. That's H-A-Y-W-O-O-D.edu. 

00:47:08,031 --> 00:47:09,031 [Tim Scapin]
[bobcat roar]

00:00:00,100 --> 00:00:21,640 [Michelle Harris]
[upbeat music] Welcome, everybody, to this week's edition of Bobcat Chat. My name is Michelle Harris, and I'm the director of marketing here at HCC. And this week, I have the pleasure of sitting down with Hylah Birenbaum, who is the director of our foundation. Welcome, Hila. 

00:00:21,640 --> 00:00:23,690 [Hylah Birenbaum]
Hello. I'm so happy to be here. 

00:00:23,690 --> 00:00:29,340 [Michelle Harris]
And we're glad to have you back. Uh, I think you're gonna be, like, a regular guest with all the fun things you have going on- 

00:00:29,340 --> 00:00:29,400 [Hylah Birenbaum]
Yes 

00:00:29,400 --> 00:00:32,200 [Michelle Harris]
... in your area to support our students and employees. 

00:00:32,200 --> 00:00:35,400 [Hylah Birenbaum]
Thank you. Yeah, we have a lot of stuff planned for the new academic year. 

00:00:35,400 --> 00:00:36,050 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. Great. 

00:00:36,050 --> 00:00:37,180 [Hylah Birenbaum]
So excited to share. 

00:00:37,180 --> 00:00:44,380 [Michelle Harris]
So let's first talk about the upcoming event in September, which is the Dahlia Ridge Trail Run. Super exciting. 

00:00:44,380 --> 00:00:44,640 [Hylah Birenbaum]
Yes. 

00:00:44,640 --> 00:00:46,960 [Michelle Harris]
Um, how did you come up with this idea? 

00:00:46,960 --> 00:00:49,400 [Hylah Birenbaum]
Um, well, basically, I run. 

00:00:49,400 --> 00:00:50,059 [Michelle Harris]
[laughs] 

00:00:50,060 --> 00:00:51,360 [Hylah Birenbaum]
And we have a trail. 

00:00:51,360 --> 00:00:51,690 [Michelle Harris]
There you go. 

00:00:51,690 --> 00:01:03,800 [Hylah Birenbaum]
So I put the two and two together, and I... Actually, I talked with other foundation directors, and she said, "You know, why don't you just utilize the campus and use things that you already have?" I'm like, "Duh. What a great idea." 

00:01:03,800 --> 00:01:03,840 [Michelle Harris]
[laughs] 

00:01:03,840 --> 00:01:08,520 [Hylah Birenbaum]
Yeah. So bring people to campus, and let's just have a fun 5K trail run. 

00:01:08,520 --> 00:01:11,420 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. It's a very unique experience to trail run. 

00:01:11,420 --> 00:01:11,600 [Hylah Birenbaum]
Yes. 

00:01:11,600 --> 00:01:13,080 [Michelle Harris]
So this is gonna be exciting. 

00:01:13,080 --> 00:01:14,360 [Hylah Birenbaum]
Definitely, yes. 

00:01:14,360 --> 00:01:15,620 [Michelle Harris]
So how did you map out- 

00:01:15,620 --> 00:01:16,080 [Hylah Birenbaum]
[laughs] 

00:01:16,080 --> 00:01:18,280 [Michelle Harris]
... the trail so that way it's actually a 5K? 

00:01:18,280 --> 00:01:24,480 [Hylah Birenbaum]
Um, so I, I, I have the, uh, what is it? Map Your Run or something, whatever app that is. 

00:01:24,480 --> 00:01:24,490 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:01:24,490 --> 00:01:39,200 [Hylah Birenbaum]
Um, so I had that, and then I've done many, many loops trying to find a 5K, which is 3.1 miles. Um, but then I also reached out to Kevin Fitzgerald, who is the cross-country coach for the high school, 'cause he has a wheel with an odometer on it. 

00:01:39,200 --> 00:01:39,680 [Michelle Harris]
Oh, sure. 

00:01:39,680 --> 00:01:49,300 [Hylah Birenbaum]
So once I found the final path, he came with me, and we walked the entire thing together to make sure it was pretty accurate, and it ended up being just perfect, so. 

00:01:49,300 --> 00:01:49,310 [Michelle Harris]
Great. 

00:01:49,310 --> 00:02:00,020 [Hylah Birenbaum]
But yeah, it took many days of running and going back and forth to say, "All right. Is this exactly..." And I was short, like, 2.8, and then I was 3.5, but we finally got it down pat, so. 

00:02:00,020 --> 00:02:02,030 [Michelle Harris]
It's a great way to get your exercise in, huh? [laughs] 

00:02:02,030 --> 00:02:10,359 [Hylah Birenbaum]
Yes. Yes, yes. But I, I'm happy that the trails is, is perfect, and I think everyone's gonna really enjoy the, the starting course and, and how it goes around campus. 

00:02:10,360 --> 00:02:11,320 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. That's great. 

00:02:11,320 --> 00:02:11,970 [Hylah Birenbaum]
Mm-hmm. 

00:02:11,970 --> 00:02:17,720 [Michelle Harris]
Um, so in addition to the run, um... And you know what, Hila? Before we forget, what is the date of the run? 

00:02:17,720 --> 00:02:22,720 [Hylah Birenbaum]
It is Saturday, September 16th, and we're doing a later start, so the race will actually start at 10:00 AM- 

00:02:22,720 --> 00:02:22,820 [Michelle Harris]
Okay 

00:02:22,820 --> 00:02:23,640 [Hylah Birenbaum]
... which will be great. 

00:02:23,640 --> 00:02:24,240 [Michelle Harris]
Yes. 

00:02:24,240 --> 00:02:28,380 [Hylah Birenbaum]
Um, but if you have not registered before, you can come early at 8:00 AM to register. 

00:02:28,380 --> 00:02:41,080 [Michelle Harris]
Okay. Wonderful. Um, so as part of this event, we have some fun stuff, and we'll be talking about that in a second, but you also have some sponsors that have supported us for this event. What, uh, what are those people? 

00:02:41,080 --> 00:02:43,820 [Hylah Birenbaum]
Um, great question, and we always have to give love to our sponsors. 

00:02:43,820 --> 00:02:44,060 [Michelle Harris]
Yes. 

00:02:44,060 --> 00:02:57,970 [Hylah Birenbaum]
So our top sponsors, we have Haywood Regional Medical Center, and we have Catalucci Ranch. Harrah's Casino has also sponsored us, as well as Spark Smith and Jack Bishop, um, at Edward Jones. 

00:02:57,970 --> 00:02:58,060 [Michelle Harris]
Okay. 

00:02:58,060 --> 00:03:03,160 [Hylah Birenbaum]
Um, and I'm forgetting one, of course, and it will come to me in a moment. [laughs] 

00:03:03,160 --> 00:03:05,359 [Michelle Harris]
Sounds fine. We'll sneak it in as we can. 

00:03:05,360 --> 00:03:05,920 [Hylah Birenbaum]
Yes. 

00:03:05,920 --> 00:03:08,799 [Michelle Harris]
Um, so this is a fun run, and it's not timed. 

00:03:08,800 --> 00:03:09,049 [Hylah Birenbaum]
Correct. 

00:03:09,049 --> 00:03:22,120 [Michelle Harris]
So it's just out there to have a good time. And if you're new to running or trail running, this is a great opportunity to get out there and try something new. So if someone's new to this, do you have any advice to offer them? 

00:03:22,120 --> 00:03:24,340 [Hylah Birenbaum]
Uh, do not start off at the front of the pack- 

00:03:24,340 --> 00:03:24,900 [Michelle Harris]
Okay 

00:03:24,900 --> 00:03:30,520 [Hylah Birenbaum]
... um, would be one. And then also, depending upon how you wanna do it, you can also walk the, the trail. 

00:03:30,520 --> 00:03:30,760 [Michelle Harris]
Sure. 

00:03:30,760 --> 00:03:39,140 [Hylah Birenbaum]
So we're gonna have two categories, uh, one for runners and then one for walkers. But if you do wanna run it, I would just kinda let the, the heavy runners go first- 

00:03:39,140 --> 00:03:39,150 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm 

00:03:39,150 --> 00:03:45,840 [Hylah Birenbaum]
... get their speed in there, and then kind of come at the end. And then the walkers will come up behind you. Maybe the walkers will catch you. 

00:03:45,840 --> 00:03:46,670 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:03:46,670 --> 00:03:46,670 [Hylah Birenbaum]
Who knows? 

00:03:46,670 --> 00:03:46,760 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:03:46,760 --> 00:03:49,850 [Hylah Birenbaum]
But it's just also just taking your time. I mean, there's switchbacks. 

00:03:49,850 --> 00:03:49,880 [Michelle Harris]
Okay. 

00:03:49,880 --> 00:03:54,600 [Hylah Birenbaum]
There's, um, some nice steps, and it's just enjoying, enjoying the moment. 

00:03:54,600 --> 00:03:54,769 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:03:54,769 --> 00:03:59,880 [Hylah Birenbaum]
And yep, and breathing in those mountain air and scents of the woods and everything, so. 

00:03:59,880 --> 00:04:01,160 [Michelle Harris]
Yes. Enjoy your surroundings- 

00:04:01,160 --> 00:04:01,310 [Hylah Birenbaum]
Enjoy the surroundings 

00:04:01,310 --> 00:04:07,420 [Michelle Harris]
... 'cause sometimes you get so focused in on your steps or your pace and all those things. I mean, it's so pretty here. 

00:04:07,420 --> 00:04:09,100 [Hylah Birenbaum]
Yes. But then also to watch your footing- 

00:04:09,100 --> 00:04:09,250 [Michelle Harris]
Yes 

00:04:09,250 --> 00:04:11,060 [Hylah Birenbaum]
... 'cause there are... You know, it is in the woods. 

00:04:11,060 --> 00:04:11,360 [Michelle Harris]
Yes. 

00:04:11,360 --> 00:04:19,060 [Hylah Birenbaum]
So there are rocks and tree stumps and, you know, tree branches. Um, hopefully a lot will be cleaned up, but still, it is part of nature. 

00:04:19,060 --> 00:04:19,380 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:04:19,380 --> 00:04:22,960 [Hylah Birenbaum]
So you just have to be aware of your surroundings, so you don't trip over something. 

00:04:22,960 --> 00:04:23,380 [Michelle Harris]
Yes. 

00:04:23,380 --> 00:04:23,780 [Hylah Birenbaum]
Mm-hmm. 

00:04:23,780 --> 00:04:25,000 [Michelle Harris]
I'm always afraid of that part. 

00:04:25,000 --> 00:04:25,099 [Hylah Birenbaum]
Yeah. 

00:04:25,100 --> 00:04:26,539 [Michelle Harris]
I'm like, "I'm gonna roll an ankle." I know. 

00:04:26,540 --> 00:04:27,000 [Hylah Birenbaum]
Exactly. 

00:04:27,000 --> 00:04:30,030 [Michelle Harris]
It's that just keeping your eyes on everything is essential. 

00:04:30,030 --> 00:04:31,080 [Hylah Birenbaum]
Yes. Mm-hmm. 

00:04:31,080 --> 00:04:41,460 [Michelle Harris]
So, uh, we have the sponsors lined up. We also have proceeds from the race. Can you remind us what the proceeds from this race will benefit? 

00:04:41,460 --> 00:05:35,820 [Hylah Birenbaum]
Absolutely. So we, um, all the proceeds are gonna go to Haywood Strong. And as you know, Haywood Strong is our scholarship that we created for displaced mill workers. Um, so whether you worked at the mill, you had a business associated with the mill, or your family member was at the mill, um, Haywood Strong is helping those mill workers come back to college, either through curriculum or Con Ed classes. Um, it's up to $1,000 per semester, and if you're curriculum, then up for two years. Um, or if it's Con Ed, then whatever the, the program is, whether it's phlebotomy or BLET or construction. Um, so we're really excited to get that going again, um, generate some more revenue. We've given out probably about 37 scholarships for our fall semester. Um, [clears throat] excuse me, and that's about $45,000 when you look at curriculum-wise fall and spring. 

00:05:35,820 --> 00:05:36,160 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:05:36,160 --> 00:05:42,100 [Hylah Birenbaum]
So we definitely need more money to, you know, continue on this path for our mill workers. 

00:05:42,100 --> 00:05:42,960 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. That's great. 

00:05:42,960 --> 00:05:43,070 [Hylah Birenbaum]
Mm-hmm. 

00:05:43,070 --> 00:05:48,500 [Michelle Harris]
And that's such a great way to benefit, um, the whole community and get people on the right track with their education. 

00:05:48,500 --> 00:05:49,040 [Hylah Birenbaum]
Yes. 

00:05:49,040 --> 00:05:53,090 [Michelle Harris]
Um, so I know we wanted to circle back a little bit on the sponsors that are supporting- 

00:05:53,090 --> 00:05:53,090 [Hylah Birenbaum]
Mm-hmm 

00:05:53,090 --> 00:05:56,680 [Michelle Harris]
... this scholarship. Um, so let's kinda regroup on that full list. 

00:05:56,680 --> 00:06:23,400 [Hylah Birenbaum]
Yes. All right. Thank you. Uh, we have Haywood Regional Medical Center, Catalucci Ranch, Harrah's Casino-Sparksmith, uh, Boyd Green Real Estate, um, which is part of the Beverly Hanks Tate Group. Of course, our media sponsors are Smoky Mountain News, WPTL, and The Mountaineer, um, are our s- are sponsors for this race. So we're excited to have them, and they are covering the hard costs of the race. 

00:06:23,400 --> 00:06:23,760 [Michelle Harris]
Sure. 

00:06:23,760 --> 00:06:27,920 [Hylah Birenbaum]
So then all of, like, the ticket sales will go to Haywood Strong, which is wonderful. 

00:06:27,920 --> 00:06:28,140 [Michelle Harris]
Great. 

00:06:28,140 --> 00:06:29,000 [Hylah Birenbaum]
So yes. 

00:06:29,000 --> 00:06:33,380 [Michelle Harris]
Great. Um, so let's talk a minute about how to register. 

00:06:33,380 --> 00:06:34,300 [Hylah Birenbaum]
Ah, great. 

00:06:34,300 --> 00:06:34,700 [Michelle Harris]
[laughs] 

00:06:34,700 --> 00:07:06,880 [Hylah Birenbaum]
Um, you can register ... So you can either go to our website, haywood.edu, and search, uh, for the Dahlia Ridge Trail, and that will link you to Eventbrite, or you can go directly to eventbrite.com and search Dahlia Ridge Trail, and you can buy a ticket for that. Um, it is $35 up until Thursday, September 14th, and then the price will go up on Saturday, the day of the event. So you can register that day as well. Um, you can run, you can walk, and you can actually bring your dog- 

00:07:06,880 --> 00:07:07,140 [Michelle Harris]
Nice 

00:07:07,140 --> 00:07:09,340 [Hylah Birenbaum]
... and register your f- your dog for $10. 

00:07:09,340 --> 00:07:09,360 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:07:09,360 --> 00:07:12,650 [Hylah Birenbaum]
Of course, the well vac- well-behaved, vaccinated dogs are- 

00:07:12,650 --> 00:07:12,650 [Michelle Harris]
Yes 

00:07:12,650 --> 00:07:17,700 [Hylah Birenbaum]
... are wonderful. Um, you are guaranteed a T-shirt up until August 30th. 

00:07:17,700 --> 00:07:17,919 [Michelle Harris]
Okay. 

00:07:17,920 --> 00:07:25,540 [Hylah Birenbaum]
So if you register before next Wednesday, you are definitely guaranteed a T-shirt. We will have T-shirts there, but we might not have your size. 

00:07:25,540 --> 00:07:25,680 [Michelle Harris]
Sure. 

00:07:25,680 --> 00:07:29,320 [Hylah Birenbaum]
So if you are an unusual size, I would probably say register now- 

00:07:29,320 --> 00:07:29,400 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm 

00:07:29,400 --> 00:07:31,410 [Hylah Birenbaum]
... before the August 30th deadline. 

00:07:31,410 --> 00:07:32,620 [Michelle Harris]
'Cause who doesn't love a shirt? 

00:07:32,620 --> 00:07:34,110 [Hylah Birenbaum]
Exactly, and they're great shirts. 

00:07:34,110 --> 00:07:34,120 [Michelle Harris]
Right? They're great shirts. 

00:07:34,120 --> 00:07:38,540 [Hylah Birenbaum]
And they have a beautiful ... I mean, the logo is amazing. It's a great footprint. 

00:07:38,540 --> 00:07:38,570 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:07:38,570 --> 00:07:44,280 [Hylah Birenbaum]
And then our, our logo for the Dahlia Ridge, um, so it's a wonderful shirt that you can wear out and about. 

00:07:44,280 --> 00:07:48,680 [Michelle Harris]
Yes. I will say, when I was doing things for the marketing side of this event- 

00:07:48,680 --> 00:07:48,690 [Hylah Birenbaum]
Mm-hmm 

00:07:48,690 --> 00:07:51,480 [Michelle Harris]
... um, searching for this race on Eventbrite was so easy. 

00:07:51,480 --> 00:07:51,900 [Hylah Birenbaum]
Yes. 

00:07:51,900 --> 00:07:54,300 [Michelle Harris]
Um, and then we've also created a Facebook event- 

00:07:54,300 --> 00:07:54,470 [Hylah Birenbaum]
Mm-hmm 

00:07:54,470 --> 00:08:01,780 [Michelle Harris]
... as well for this, so that way it's kind of out there. Racers and people that just wanna get outside can hopefully find it and, and get registered. 

00:08:01,780 --> 00:08:02,660 [Hylah Birenbaum]
Yes. Yes. 

00:08:02,660 --> 00:08:09,840 [Michelle Harris]
Um, so we are gonna move into rapid fire. But the rapid fire this time around, since we already know a little bit about you, Hila- 

00:08:09,840 --> 00:08:10,220 [Hylah Birenbaum]
Mm-hmm 

00:08:10,220 --> 00:08:12,660 [Michelle Harris]
... um, it's gonna be about the race itself. 

00:08:12,660 --> 00:08:13,080 [Hylah Birenbaum]
Okay. 

00:08:13,080 --> 00:08:17,800 [Michelle Harris]
So we're gonna run down these questions, and then we'll tie this up with a bow and make sure we didn't miss anything. 

00:08:17,800 --> 00:08:19,300 [Hylah Birenbaum]
Okay, great. 

00:08:19,300 --> 00:08:20,720 [Michelle Harris]
So can you bring a dog? 

00:08:20,720 --> 00:08:21,420 [Hylah Birenbaum]
Yes. 

00:08:21,420 --> 00:08:22,660 [Michelle Harris]
Can you bring a stroller? 

00:08:22,660 --> 00:08:23,260 [Hylah Birenbaum]
No. 

00:08:23,260 --> 00:08:24,800 [Michelle Harris]
Will this race be timed? 

00:08:24,800 --> 00:08:25,599 [Hylah Birenbaum]
No. 

00:08:25,600 --> 00:08:29,020 [Michelle Harris]
Will, uh ... Will there be food available to purchase at the end? 

00:08:29,020 --> 00:08:29,680 [Hylah Birenbaum]
Yes. 

00:08:29,680 --> 00:08:30,180 [Michelle Harris]
What is it? 

00:08:30,180 --> 00:08:39,319 [Hylah Birenbaum]
Okay. [laughs] We have, uh, Josie's Ice Cream Truck is coming, and then Squeeze Your Lemons, which is a great lemonade stand. Um, they will be available for purchase after the race. 

00:08:39,320 --> 00:08:42,060 [Michelle Harris]
Wonderful. Will there be a water stop? 

00:08:42,060 --> 00:08:44,080 [Hylah Birenbaum]
Yes, at the halfway mark. 

00:08:44,080 --> 00:08:46,879 [Michelle Harris]
Uh, when can participants pick up their swag bag? 

00:08:46,880 --> 00:08:56,580 [Hylah Birenbaum]
They can come on Friday to our office here in the Balsam Building on campus from 8:00 to 4:00, or the morning of on Saturday, um, from 8:00 until 10:00. 

00:08:56,580 --> 00:09:00,220 [Michelle Harris]
Great. And have you ever personally done a trail run? 

00:09:00,220 --> 00:09:04,380 [Hylah Birenbaum]
Not ... I've run on a trail, yes, but not as a race. 

00:09:04,380 --> 00:09:04,640 [Michelle Harris]
Okay. 

00:09:04,640 --> 00:09:05,080 [Hylah Birenbaum]
No. 

00:09:05,080 --> 00:09:05,480 [Michelle Harris]
Okay. 

00:09:05,480 --> 00:09:05,900 [Hylah Birenbaum]
Yes. 

00:09:05,900 --> 00:09:11,080 [Michelle Harris]
And what do you think about the difference between running on a trail versus your typical pavement-type run? 

00:09:11,080 --> 00:09:12,800 [Hylah Birenbaum]
You have to concentrate more on a trail- 

00:09:12,800 --> 00:09:12,810 [Michelle Harris]
Yes 

00:09:12,810 --> 00:09:13,800 [Hylah Birenbaum]
... in my opinion. 

00:09:13,800 --> 00:09:13,940 [Michelle Harris]
Yes. 

00:09:13,940 --> 00:09:24,440 [Hylah Birenbaum]
And d- and d- also the different shoes. I know y- sometimes there are trail shoes versus road shoes. Um, but definitely more concentration of just making sure you don't trip. 

00:09:24,440 --> 00:09:24,580 [Michelle Harris]
Yes. 

00:09:24,580 --> 00:09:26,520 [Hylah Birenbaum]
So, um, yeah. 

00:09:26,520 --> 00:09:27,440 [Michelle Harris]
Yes. Agreed. 

00:09:27,440 --> 00:09:31,480 [Hylah Birenbaum]
But, but I love, I love just the, the ... what's available out there. 

00:09:31,480 --> 00:09:31,490 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:09:31,490 --> 00:09:36,020 [Hylah Birenbaum]
I mean, just the uniqueness and what you see and just being out in the woods. 

00:09:36,020 --> 00:09:38,740 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. And I think with our trail, we have some great variety- 

00:09:38,740 --> 00:09:39,090 [Hylah Birenbaum]
Mm-hmm 

00:09:39,090 --> 00:09:42,000 [Michelle Harris]
... where you've got some gravel, you've got some packed. You might hit a little pavement. 

00:09:42,000 --> 00:09:42,500 [Hylah Birenbaum]
Yes. Yes. 

00:09:42,500 --> 00:09:46,430 [Michelle Harris]
Um, so that'll be a really nice feature for runners and walkers and hikers as well. 

00:09:46,430 --> 00:09:49,120 [Hylah Birenbaum]
Mm-hmm. Yeah, we're actually gonna start at the JM West Center- 

00:09:49,120 --> 00:09:49,400 [Michelle Harris]
Okay 

00:09:49,400 --> 00:09:59,280 [Hylah Birenbaum]
... and then go clockwise with the Bobcat Col- with the Bobcat Loop into Kingfisher, Copperhead, and then the Wildflower Loop, and then loop back to Bobcat again. 

00:09:59,280 --> 00:09:59,580 [Michelle Harris]
Sure. 

00:09:59,580 --> 00:10:04,210 [Hylah Birenbaum]
So I think the map ... Not I think. The map is available on our Eventbrite page. 

00:10:04,210 --> 00:10:04,220 [Michelle Harris]
Great. 

00:10:04,220 --> 00:10:08,819 [Hylah Birenbaum]
So if you want a sneak peek of the map, um, you can check that out on our Eventbrite page. 

00:10:08,820 --> 00:10:10,680 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah, that's great. People like to know where they're going. 

00:10:10,680 --> 00:10:11,230 [Hylah Birenbaum]
Yes. 

00:10:11,230 --> 00:10:12,140 [Michelle Harris]
[laughs] So very helpful. 

00:10:12,140 --> 00:10:16,010 [Hylah Birenbaum]
And we'll have mile markers throughout so you know you're at mile one or mile two or whatnot. 

00:10:16,010 --> 00:10:16,040 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:10:16,040 --> 00:10:19,060 [Hylah Birenbaum]
And then the water station's at, like, pretty much the halfway mark. 

00:10:19,060 --> 00:10:20,499 [Michelle Harris]
And we'll have signs along the trail- 

00:10:20,500 --> 00:10:20,800 [Hylah Birenbaum]
Yep 

00:10:20,800 --> 00:10:22,060 [Michelle Harris]
... so people know they're not getting lost. 

00:10:22,060 --> 00:10:22,380 [Hylah Birenbaum]
Exactly. 

00:10:22,380 --> 00:10:23,340 [Michelle Harris]
They're going the right way. 

00:10:23,340 --> 00:10:23,429 [Hylah Birenbaum]
Right. 

00:10:23,429 --> 00:10:28,630 [Michelle Harris]
I think that's every racer's [laughs] nightmare is to get out there, whether it's a road run or a trail run- 

00:10:28,630 --> 00:10:28,630 [Hylah Birenbaum]
Mm-hmm 

00:10:28,630 --> 00:10:29,840 [Michelle Harris]
... and they're like, "Am I even going the right way?" 

00:10:29,840 --> 00:10:30,580 [Hylah Birenbaum]
Correct, yes. 

00:10:30,580 --> 00:10:30,630 [Michelle Harris]
[laughs] 

00:10:30,630 --> 00:10:35,400 [Hylah Birenbaum]
Yeah, there definitely will be markers. Um, and at the end, along with our food trucks, we're actually gonna have music. 

00:10:35,400 --> 00:10:35,920 [Michelle Harris]
Oh, fun. 

00:10:35,920 --> 00:10:45,840 [Hylah Birenbaum]
So Asheville Junction is gonna perform. It's kind of like blues, pickin', you know, good music, so they will be performing, so like a post-race party. That will probably be until noon or so. 

00:10:45,840 --> 00:10:46,240 [Michelle Harris]
Okay. 

00:10:46,240 --> 00:10:50,140 [Hylah Birenbaum]
So you can race. You can have some ice cream, some lemonade, just sit and relax- 

00:10:50,140 --> 00:10:50,150 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm 

00:10:50,150 --> 00:10:52,520 [Hylah Birenbaum]
... listen to some music, and enjoy our campus. 

00:10:52,520 --> 00:10:53,780 [Michelle Harris]
That sounds so great. 

00:10:53,780 --> 00:10:54,280 [Hylah Birenbaum]
Yeah. 

00:10:54,400 --> 00:10:57,480 [Michelle Harris]
Um, anything else you wanted to be sure to tell our listeners about this race? 

00:10:57,480 --> 00:10:59,320 [Hylah Birenbaum]
Um, tell your friends. 

00:10:59,320 --> 00:10:59,520 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:10:59,520 --> 00:11:05,280 [Hylah Birenbaum]
Register. We've put posters up, so spread the word. Let everyone know, um, because it's all going to a good cause. 

00:11:05,280 --> 00:11:05,410 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:11:05,410 --> 00:11:13,760 [Hylah Birenbaum]
It's helping out, you know, the displaced mill workers with Haywood Strong. Um, but then it's just a fun way to just come on campus and enjoy our new trail. 

00:11:13,760 --> 00:11:14,470 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. I agree. 

00:11:14,470 --> 00:11:15,660 [Hylah Birenbaum]
So we're excited about it. 

00:11:15,660 --> 00:11:18,180 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. I am too. So September 16th. 

00:11:18,180 --> 00:11:18,499 [Hylah Birenbaum]
Yes. 

00:11:18,500 --> 00:11:19,220 [Michelle Harris]
10:00 AM. 

00:11:19,220 --> 00:11:19,660 [Hylah Birenbaum]
Yes. 

00:11:19,660 --> 00:11:21,100 [Michelle Harris]
Register on Eventbrite. 

00:11:21,100 --> 00:11:21,150 [Hylah Birenbaum]
Mm-hmm. 

00:11:21,150 --> 00:11:24,250 [Michelle Harris]
Super easy. A lot of us are familiar with that website already. 

00:11:24,250 --> 00:11:24,660 [Hylah Birenbaum]
Mm-hmm. 

00:11:24,660 --> 00:11:26,980 [Michelle Harris]
And we're looking forward to a really, really great race. 

00:11:26,980 --> 00:11:29,600 [Hylah Birenbaum]
Absolutely, and then, again, if you sign up before August 30th- 

00:11:29,600 --> 00:11:29,820 [Michelle Harris]
Yes 

00:11:29,820 --> 00:11:31,100 [Hylah Birenbaum]
... you are guaranteed a T-shirt. 

00:11:31,100 --> 00:11:32,420 [Michelle Harris]
Yes. Get the shirt, people. 

00:11:32,420 --> 00:11:33,050 [Hylah Birenbaum]
Get the shirt. 

00:11:33,050 --> 00:11:33,530 [Michelle Harris]
Get the shirt. 

00:11:33,530 --> 00:11:33,989 [Hylah Birenbaum]
Yes. 

00:11:33,989 --> 00:11:34,020 [Michelle Harris]
Yes. 

00:11:34,020 --> 00:11:36,020 [Hylah Birenbaum]
You still get a shirt, but it might not be the right size. 

00:11:36,020 --> 00:11:36,460 [Michelle Harris]
Right. 

00:11:36,460 --> 00:11:37,280 [Hylah Birenbaum]
But it's still okay. 

00:11:37,280 --> 00:11:39,040 [Michelle Harris]
You wanna sport that shirt out and about- 

00:11:39,040 --> 00:11:39,500 [Hylah Birenbaum]
Definitely 

00:11:39,500 --> 00:11:41,500 [Michelle Harris]
... after you do an accomplishment like three miles. 

00:11:41,500 --> 00:11:42,559 [Hylah Birenbaum]
Mm-hmm, in the woods. 

00:11:42,560 --> 00:11:43,480 [Michelle Harris]
In the woods. [laughs] 

00:11:43,480 --> 00:11:47,600 [Hylah Birenbaum]
Yes, definitely. Yeah, I think, I think we've covered all the bases then. 

00:11:47,600 --> 00:11:54,440 [Michelle Harris]
Wonderful. Well, we hope this helps and get people registered and excited about this new trail. It's a great excuse to come check it out- 

00:11:54,440 --> 00:11:54,610 [Hylah Birenbaum]
Mm-hmm 

00:11:54,610 --> 00:11:57,210 [Michelle Harris]
... on hopefully what's gonna be a wonderful weather, sunny day. 

00:11:57,210 --> 00:11:57,220 [Hylah Birenbaum]
Yes. Yes. 

00:11:57,220 --> 00:11:59,750 [Michelle Harris]
We're all gonna do some good weather dances ahead of time. 

00:11:59,750 --> 00:12:01,080 [Hylah Birenbaum]
Yes, definitely need that. Mm-hmm. 

00:12:01,080 --> 00:12:04,640 [Michelle Harris]
And, uh, we just encourage everyone to get signed up and look forward to a great time. 

00:12:04,640 --> 00:12:06,020 [Hylah Birenbaum]
Wonderful. That sounds great. 

00:12:06,020 --> 00:12:07,380 [Michelle Harris]
Thank you for your time today, Hila. 

00:12:07,380 --> 00:12:08,060 [Hylah Birenbaum]
Thank you for having me. 

00:12:09,200 --> 00:12:32,640 [Announcer]
[outro music] Thanks for listening to another episode of Bobcat Chat. Haywood Community College is located in Clyde, North Carolina. If you would like to learn more about our great school, head over to www.haywood.edu. That's H-A-Y-W-O-O-D.E-D-U.

00:00:00,080 --> 00:00:08,330 [Karen Hoyle]
[on-hold music] 

00:00:08,330 --> 00:00:27,140 [Michelle Harris]
Welcome everybody to this week's edition of Bobcat Chat. My name's Michelle Harris, and I'm the Director of Marketing and Engagement here at HCC. And this week, I have the pleasure of sitting down with two members of the team at our childcare facility that we have here on campus, and I am chatting with Denise and Karen. Welcome, ladies. 

00:00:27,140 --> 00:00:27,410 [Denise Worley]
Thank you. 

00:00:27,410 --> 00:00:28,120 [Karen Hoyle]
Thank you. 

00:00:28,120 --> 00:00:31,300 [Michelle Harris]
Uh, why don't you start by introducing yourselves and what it is you do at the center. 

00:00:32,480 --> 00:00:36,060 [Denise Worley]
So I'm Denise Worley, and I'm the Program Director at the center. 

00:00:36,060 --> 00:00:37,120 [Michelle Harris]
Okay. 

00:00:37,120 --> 00:00:41,040 [Karen Hoyle]
I'm Karen Hoyle, and I'm the Education Coordinator at the center. 

00:00:41,040 --> 00:00:46,760 [Michelle Harris]
Great. Very important roles, so thank you in advance for everything you do for our kids, um, in our community. 

00:00:46,760 --> 00:00:47,060 [Denise Worley]
Thank you. 

00:00:47,060 --> 00:00:59,960 [Michelle Harris]
Um, so first let's start off with, I know I always say childcare center, but technically it has a name, and it is called the RCAC. So let's start off by telling us what on earth that even stands for. 

00:00:59,960 --> 00:01:04,580 [Denise Worley]
RCAC stands for the Regional Center for the Advancement of Children. 

00:01:04,580 --> 00:01:10,250 [Michelle Harris]
And I think that word advancement is so key to childhood development. Can you speak for a second about that? 

00:01:11,520 --> 00:01:27,640 [Denise Worley]
So from the time children are born until the time they leave us to go to kindergarten, they're constantly learning. And the teachers and the staff at the center work really hard to, to help advance that learning and help the children take steps towards 

00:01:28,880 --> 00:01:38,040 [Denise Worley]
where they need to be developmentally. But, you know, also social emotional skills and language skills and all of that combined together. 

00:01:38,040 --> 00:02:03,800 [Michelle Harris]
That's great. And I think the social part is so important. I mean, I know once I sent my child to childcare, just his personality and how he interacted with others, you could tell really stemmed from the experience he was getting at the, at the place he was at, so that's a great key point. Um, so we'll continue to chat about the facility for a second here. So this center is a five-star facility. Tell everybody what that means. 

00:02:03,800 --> 00:02:44,700 [Denise Worley]
It is a five-star facility, and we're really happy and excited about that. What that means is that our teachers have a certain level of education. Um, it also means that as in our classrooms, we have to have a con... environmental rating scale conducted every three years. And what that scale does is it assesses the classroom, the, the daily routine, the toys, the interactions that the teachers have with the children, all of that combined together into one score. That score, coupled with the staff education points, um, creates a score that determines how many stars that our center receives. And then we-- And so we are a five-star center. 

00:02:44,700 --> 00:03:02,180 [Michelle Harris]
That's so great. I mean, that's just a whole bunch of hard work and great services offered to our community, all bundled up in, up into one rating, and that's just awesome. So great job on that. Um, so how does the center, since it's on campus, how does it tie into the work that the college does? 

00:03:02,180 --> 00:03:42,200 [Denise Worley]
So we are very fortunate at the center to be on the college campus, and I feel like the center is also an asset to the college because our center is set up in a way to where we have observation rooms that were built into the center when the children was... when the center was built. Um, and so early education students from the college, nursing students, um, natural resource programs, those, um, students through the college are able to use our facility to enhance their learning. So we can work as a team and pull it together. It's a really cool collaboration, um, that, that we try to pull together as much as we can. 

00:03:42,200 --> 00:04:10,220 [Michelle Harris]
There's nothing better than that hands-on, first rate observation ability, um, so that's great that you're able to support the students that way. You know, I always joke that, you know, our campus is like, you know, it- its own, its own, uh, classroom outside. Um, and that's just another piece of this, is it, it's like another classroom out of their regular two hundred building or three hundred building that they're go- able to go to and sort of observe how the teachers are acting, how the child responds- 

00:04:10,220 --> 00:04:10,270 [Denise Worley]
Yes 

00:04:10,270 --> 00:04:11,430 [Michelle Harris]
... all those key elements. 

00:04:11,430 --> 00:04:11,440 [Denise Worley]
Yeah. 

00:04:11,440 --> 00:04:16,540 [Michelle Harris]
So that's really good to know, and I feel like something that not everybody really realizes. 

00:04:16,540 --> 00:04:20,980 [Denise Worley]
Absolutely. And we consider our children the college's youngest students. 

00:04:20,980 --> 00:04:21,310 [Michelle Harris]
[laughs] Yeah. 

00:04:21,310 --> 00:04:27,840 [Denise Worley]
And so we refer to them that way occasionally. Um, but that's, you know, it's, it's kinda cool to look at it that way. 

00:04:27,840 --> 00:04:34,540 [Michelle Harris]
That's so wonderful. Uh, so what makes the partnership so special and unique? 

00:04:34,540 --> 00:04:50,410 [Denise Worley]
I don't think that there's that type of collaboration at other childcare facilities. I don't-- And it's not because, you know, I don't think it's 'cause they don't wanna have that collaboration. They're just not really set up for it, whereas we are very fortunate to be set up for it- 

00:04:50,410 --> 00:04:50,420 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm 

00:04:50,420 --> 00:04:58,900 [Denise Worley]
... to where we are right here on campus. The campus does, you know, foster these, these learning programs with the college students, and we're right there. 

00:04:58,900 --> 00:04:59,030 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:04:59,030 --> 00:05:06,260 [Denise Worley]
And so when the students are right there, it's just a really cool setup, the way that we're able to be just all one little community- 

00:05:06,260 --> 00:05:06,540 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm 

00:05:06,540 --> 00:05:07,600 [Denise Worley]
... here at the college. 

00:05:07,600 --> 00:05:21,310 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. That's great insight. Um, so you guys both have or bringing a wealth of knowledge to your roles here, um, at the center. Is there anything specifically in the past that you've done that's really helped you to get to where you are today? 

00:05:22,820 --> 00:05:25,690 [Denise Worley]
I feel like I have personally. Um, 

00:05:26,800 --> 00:05:47,410 [Denise Worley]
so when I started out in childcare over thirty years ago, I started out as a substitute teacher. And so from being a substitute teacher, I moved up to an assistant teacher, and then I was a lead teacher, and then I was a program coordinator, and then a director. So I've, I've had experience in all those areas, so I know, I know where the teachers are. 

00:05:47,410 --> 00:05:47,460 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:05:47,460 --> 00:06:01,910 [Denise Worley]
I know how they feel. I know where they're coming from. I know where they struggle. I know what helps them, and I try to use that in my job as the program director here at RCAC to support our teachers now. 

00:06:01,910 --> 00:06:03,995 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah.Great insight. 

00:06:03,996 --> 00:06:36,176 [Karen Hoyle]
I have worked in childcare for over three years now, and I have kinda done lots of different facets. I've started out in the classroom with working one-on-one with the children. I have done the office work, I have been a lead teacher, and now in my position that I'm in, I feel like I can help the teachers better because I have seen all of the different aspects of it. So it's... now I can see how the children are developing and, and be able to help the teachers to see what they need to do to help that advancement. 

00:06:36,176 --> 00:06:58,556 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. Um, talk about walking a mile in their shoes, right? You guys have all done it, so you get it, and you really have that close connection with them. And I think as any leader, that's so important. Um, so that's great that you guys have kind of followed that path to get to where you are. Um, so what's one big thing you want potential adults to know if they are looking for childcare? 

00:06:59,616 --> 00:07:02,676 [Karen Hoyle]
The number one thing is to start early. 

00:07:02,676 --> 00:07:02,725 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:07:02,725 --> 00:07:30,596 [Karen Hoyle]
Because pretty much every center has a waitlist. Uh, especially like we are very fortunate to have infant care. Not all centers have infant care. We have parents, as soon as they find out that they are pregnant, they will start looking, and that's fantastic because then they can get put on that waitlist. But take tours, you know, don't just pick one center. Y- you might think it's wonderful from what you've heard, but until you go into it, you won't know if it's the right fit or not. 

00:07:30,596 --> 00:07:31,776 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:07:31,776 --> 00:07:46,486 [Denise Worley]
That is very true. We actually got a phone call from a parent. Well, it was the grandparent. Um, she called and she said, "Okay, I know we're on the wait list, but I just wanna let you know she's in labor [laughs] and she's fixing to have the baby." It's like, okay, that was a first. 

00:07:46,486 --> 00:07:46,496 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:07:46,496 --> 00:07:48,256 [Denise Worley]
But it, it was really cool. So- 

00:07:48,256 --> 00:07:48,556 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:07:48,556 --> 00:08:24,396 [Denise Worley]
But yeah, and, and do their homework. You know, do their research. Look and see, you know, ask for tours, ask for information. Go online. Um, you can go to nccchildcare.ncdhhs.gov, and you can pull up childcare centers on there, and you can see their compliance scores, you can see, um, visits that they've had from the state of North Carolina. Um, just do your homework. Make sure you know the type of facility and the environment that, that you are potentially leaving your child in. It's very important. There's a lot of centers out there, and so you have to be really careful. 

00:08:24,396 --> 00:08:49,876 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. Um, and it's so stressful. I mean, I remember when I put my child in child care right before, you know, going back to work, and it was, it's stressful, it's emotional. There's a lot going on. And so to have that peace of mind knowing that you selected the best place for your child is so critical. Um, so those, those are all great tips. Um, so speaking of waitlists, what's the best way for people to find out about availability in each of the classrooms? 

00:08:49,876 --> 00:08:51,336 [Karen Hoyle]
Just give us a phone call. 

00:08:51,336 --> 00:08:51,896 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:08:51,896 --> 00:09:09,096 [Karen Hoyle]
Our phone number is eight two eight-five six five four zero five zero. That is the front desk, and you will speak usually to Mackenzie McMahan. She's the third part of our administration team. She's the one that makes all of the students, uh, put them in the right classrooms. 

00:09:09,096 --> 00:09:09,156 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:09:09,156 --> 00:09:12,336 [Karen Hoyle]
So she takes care of the waitlist, keeps it in line. And 

00:09:13,796 --> 00:09:24,316 [Karen Hoyle]
maybe you're, like I said, you might find out, okay, you're pregnant, you're thinking about childcare. Even if you don't know exactly when you want it, you've got that waitlist going, and 

00:09:25,516 --> 00:09:35,036 [Karen Hoyle]
when it comes available, then it might be time. You might have to wait, you might not. But she's the one that takes all of that into consideration and puts the kids where they need to be. 

00:09:35,036 --> 00:09:37,256 [Michelle Harris]
Great. So just call, basically. 

00:09:37,256 --> 00:09:37,716 [Karen Hoyle]
Yep. 

00:09:37,716 --> 00:09:38,076 [Michelle Harris]
I love it. 

00:09:38,076 --> 00:09:39,116 [Karen Hoyle]
Give us a phone call. 

00:09:39,116 --> 00:09:40,556 [Denise Worley]
Give us a call. 

00:09:40,556 --> 00:09:49,536 [Michelle Harris]
Um, so we are also an NC Pre-K, uh, facility. So let's talk about exactly what that is for a minute. 

00:09:49,536 --> 00:10:06,936 [Denise Worley]
So NC Pre-K used to be More at Four. It started out twenty-five years ago, I guess, maybe a little longer. So it's, it's a long time running. And what that is, is NC Pre-K has children in it that are fixing to go into kindergarten the following year. 

00:10:06,936 --> 00:10:07,476 [Michelle Harris]
Okay. 

00:10:07,476 --> 00:10:25,656 [Denise Worley]
But... And there's some qualifiers for NC Pre-K. Um, there's some military family qualifiers, there's income qualifiers. Um, if the child has any type of special need or special services in place, um, there, that can be a qualifier. So there's several different ways to get into the program, and the program is free. 

00:10:25,656 --> 00:10:26,156 [Michelle Harris]
Okay. 

00:10:26,156 --> 00:10:42,336 [Denise Worley]
It is seven thirty to two thirty, Monday through Friday. We do have wraparound care available for the parents that need it. Um, and then those children could stay until five thirty. Um, but yeah, it's a really neat program. The, it's, it's operated very much like a kindergarten classroom. 

00:10:42,336 --> 00:10:42,776 [Michelle Harris]
Okay. 

00:10:42,776 --> 00:10:47,366 [Denise Worley]
And it, in fact, does get the children ready for kindergarten, and that's, that's its sole purpose. 

00:10:47,366 --> 00:10:47,376 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:10:47,376 --> 00:10:58,466 [Denise Worley]
That's the whole purpose of the whole program. And, um, Ms. Jessica Willett is the teacher in that classroom, and she has her licensure to teach, and she is just phenomenal. 

00:10:58,466 --> 00:10:58,706 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:10:58,706 --> 00:11:04,916 [Denise Worley]
But registration for NC Pre-K typically begins around March of each spring. 

00:11:04,916 --> 00:11:05,696 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:11:05,696 --> 00:11:26,116 [Denise Worley]
And it, it tends to fill up fair- fairly quickly. And so, you know, if that's a program that anyone is interested in, they would need to call again and talk with Mackenzie. And, um, then when the time comes, we would get some applications to you and to fill out. It, it, it's a little different, but, um, it is just, it's a phenomenal program. 

00:11:26,116 --> 00:11:30,796 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. That's great. I felt like structure to go into a school- 

00:11:30,796 --> 00:11:30,986 [Denise Worley]
Mm-hmm 

00:11:30,986 --> 00:11:54,456 [Michelle Harris]
... like kindergarten or whatever is so important for children. So they can kinda see that transition themselves of the room that they've been in, you know, for childcare and then slowly transitioning into this a little bit more structured, a little bit more, you gotta be in your seat, you know, a little bit more on that side of things. Um, so it's a great transition opportunity for students, and it's so cool that we have it available as part of our other programs. 

00:11:54,456 --> 00:11:59,295 [Denise Worley]
It is, it is really cool. And to see the children... 'Cause it is, it is a structured classroom. 

00:11:59,296 --> 00:11:59,306 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:11:59,306 --> 00:12:19,882 [Denise Worley]
It's not a typical childcare classroom. It is very structuredAnd again, it gets them ready for k- that kindergarten experience. And we've seen children when they first come into that classroom, and then we see them at the end of the year, and it's just amazing the difference that developmentally that they have just leaps and bounds. 

00:12:19,882 --> 00:12:19,892 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:12:19,892 --> 00:12:22,872 [Denise Worley]
And they even have their own little graduation ceremony- 

00:12:22,872 --> 00:12:22,882 [Michelle Harris]
Aw. 

00:12:22,882 --> 00:12:30,232 [Denise Worley]
-in May, which is really cool. They do caps and gowns, and it's just so much fun. It is just a really, really cool program. 

00:12:30,232 --> 00:12:36,472 [Michelle Harris]
That's great. Um, so what is one of your favorite parts of working at the center? 

00:12:37,592 --> 00:12:40,192 [Karen Hoyle]
My favorite part is the children. 

00:12:40,192 --> 00:12:40,232 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:12:40,232 --> 00:12:43,972 [Karen Hoyle]
They are just so fresh, and everything is new to them. 

00:12:45,252 --> 00:12:48,292 [Karen Hoyle]
Every day you will have a story to bring home with you. 

00:12:48,292 --> 00:12:48,512 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:12:48,512 --> 00:12:56,412 [Karen Hoyle]
It might be something like, "I can't believe they said that," or, or something really hilarious. But they just help you to look at the world with fresh eyes. 

00:12:56,412 --> 00:12:57,032 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:12:57,032 --> 00:12:59,082 [Karen Hoyle]
Just to watch them learning. 

00:12:59,082 --> 00:12:59,112 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:12:59,112 --> 00:13:00,812 [Karen Hoyle]
And that makes it... That's why we're here. 

00:13:02,982 --> 00:13:03,112 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:13:03,172 --> 00:13:03,412 [Denise Worley]
I think- 

00:13:03,412 --> 00:13:03,432 [Michelle Harris]
That's so good. 

00:13:03,432 --> 00:13:12,352 [Denise Worley]
I think it's really... Yeah. What, what she, she is so right. The, the kids j- they come in, and sometimes they'll come in with a frown, you know, they want mommy and daddy, and- 

00:13:12,352 --> 00:13:12,362 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:13:12,362 --> 00:13:16,082 [Denise Worley]
You know, by the time mom and dad make it to the front door, they're happy and playing. 

00:13:16,082 --> 00:13:16,132 [Karen Hoyle]
[laughs] 

00:13:16,132 --> 00:13:20,062 [Denise Worley]
You know, but they... It's just so much fun watching them grow. 

00:13:20,062 --> 00:13:20,131 [Michelle Harris]
For sure. 

00:13:20,132 --> 00:13:36,042 [Denise Worley]
And, you know, when I started at the center, we had some... There was some infants in the infant room, and, and watching them grow, some of them are, are two, you know, they're pushing two now. And just, just looking back and thinking, "Oh, I remember when you used to do this," it's just so much fun. 

00:13:36,042 --> 00:13:36,072 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:13:36,072 --> 00:13:41,632 [Denise Worley]
And working at the center for me personally is also really cool because it's attached to the college. 

00:13:41,632 --> 00:13:42,072 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:13:42,072 --> 00:13:59,112 [Denise Worley]
And it is such an incredible group of people, from grounds to, to development, to HR, to student services, to the whole, the whole thing. It's just amazing to me, the collaboration with all the programs at the college. Just- 

00:13:59,112 --> 00:13:59,152 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:13:59,152 --> 00:14:01,342 [Denise Worley]
There are days where it j- it just blows me away. 

00:14:01,342 --> 00:14:01,352 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:14:01,352 --> 00:14:03,832 [Denise Worley]
It's, it's amazing. It's really cool. 

00:14:03,832 --> 00:14:10,752 [Michelle Harris]
That's so great. Um, so before we dive into rapid fire, is there anything else that you wanna share with our listeners today? 

00:14:14,172 --> 00:14:15,611 [Denise Worley]
I don't think so. 

00:14:15,612 --> 00:14:17,392 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. That was a great overview. 

00:14:17,392 --> 00:14:17,432 [Denise Worley]
I think we covered a lot. 

00:14:17,432 --> 00:14:32,852 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. Great overview of what we have to offer. Uh, we do have a webpage on our w- our main website, haywood.edu. Um, so kind of a little bit of what we talked about today is also on there for parents to reference. Um, some great contacts and phone numbers are on there as well. 

00:14:32,852 --> 00:14:33,112 [Denise Worley]
Mm-hmm. 

00:14:33,112 --> 00:14:44,932 [Michelle Harris]
Um, but yeah, just give a call whenever someone's ready or, or needs... You know, something changes in their life, and now they need childcare, and maybe they didn't before, you know, we could be an option, um, based on availability. 

00:14:44,932 --> 00:14:45,192 [Denise Worley]
For sure. 

00:14:45,192 --> 00:15:02,832 [Michelle Harris]
Um, so again, thank you all for everything that you do. Um, so we're gonna dive into rapid fire, and we'll kinda alternate, get to know both of you a little bit better. Um, so Denise, we're gonna have you start with the first question here. Um, and this is just your, your gut reaction. Um, dogs or cats? 

00:15:02,832 --> 00:15:04,451 [Denise Worley]
I'm a dog person. 

00:15:04,452 --> 00:15:05,032 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:15:05,032 --> 00:15:05,892 [Denise Worley]
For sure. 

00:15:05,892 --> 00:15:07,452 [Michelle Harris]
Karen, what's your favorite color? 

00:15:07,452 --> 00:15:07,752 [Karen Hoyle]
Blue. 

00:15:08,912 --> 00:15:12,992 [Michelle Harris]
Denise, if you order p- uh, pizza, do you put pineapple on it or not? 

00:15:12,992 --> 00:15:14,472 [Denise Worley]
I love pineapple, yes. 

00:15:14,472 --> 00:15:17,992 [Michelle Harris]
Great. Karen, do you have any musical talents? 

00:15:17,992 --> 00:15:20,472 [Karen Hoyle]
I played the clarinet for many, many years. 

00:15:20,472 --> 00:15:23,232 [Michelle Harris]
Great. Sweet or unsweet tea? 

00:15:23,232 --> 00:15:24,532 [Karen Hoyle]
Sweet. 

00:15:24,532 --> 00:15:26,652 [Michelle Harris]
Rainbow sprinkles or chocolate chips? 

00:15:26,652 --> 00:15:26,662 [Karen Hoyle]
Chips. 

00:15:26,662 --> 00:15:28,232 [Denise Worley]
Chocolate chips. 

00:15:28,232 --> 00:15:29,132 [Michelle Harris]
Coke or Pepsi? 

00:15:30,292 --> 00:15:31,532 [Denise Worley]
Coke. 

00:15:31,532 --> 00:15:33,552 [Michelle Harris]
Road trip or plane trip? 

00:15:33,552 --> 00:15:34,072 [Karen Hoyle]
Road trip. 

00:15:35,232 --> 00:15:37,112 [Michelle Harris]
A paper book or a Kindle? 

00:15:37,112 --> 00:15:38,592 [Denise Worley]
Paper book. 

00:15:38,592 --> 00:15:40,332 [Michelle Harris]
Crunchy or smooth peanut butter? 

00:15:40,332 --> 00:15:41,912 [Karen Hoyle]
Definitely smooth. 

00:15:41,912 --> 00:15:43,192 [Michelle Harris]
Waffle or pancake? 

00:15:44,212 --> 00:15:45,692 [Denise Worley]
Ooh. 

00:15:45,692 --> 00:15:45,731 [Karen Hoyle]
[laughs] 

00:15:45,732 --> 00:15:48,192 [Denise Worley]
Pancake. [laughs] 

00:15:48,192 --> 00:15:50,252 [Michelle Harris]
Karen, what's worse, laundry or dishes? 

00:15:51,652 --> 00:15:53,312 [Karen Hoyle]
Well, I have a dishwasher, so laundry. 

00:15:53,312 --> 00:15:54,012 [Michelle Harris]
There you go. 

00:15:54,012 --> 00:15:54,921 [Karen Hoyle]
[laughs] 

00:15:54,921 --> 00:15:55,012 [Denise Worley]
[laughs] 

00:15:55,012 --> 00:15:56,592 [Michelle Harris]
Uh, cake or pie? 

00:15:56,592 --> 00:15:56,832 [Denise Worley]
Cake. 

00:15:58,072 --> 00:16:00,532 [Michelle Harris]
Crossword or Sudoku? 

00:16:00,532 --> 00:16:01,832 [Karen Hoyle]
Sudoku. 

00:16:01,832 --> 00:16:03,072 [Michelle Harris]
Hamburger or hotdog? 

00:16:03,072 --> 00:16:03,932 [Denise Worley]
Hamburger. 

00:16:03,932 --> 00:16:05,672 [Michelle Harris]
What's your favorite ice cream flavor? 

00:16:05,672 --> 00:16:06,312 [Karen Hoyle]
Rocky Road. 

00:16:07,432 --> 00:16:09,272 [Michelle Harris]
Mayo or Miracle Whip? 

00:16:09,272 --> 00:16:10,492 [Denise Worley]
Mayo. 

00:16:10,492 --> 00:16:12,852 [Michelle Harris]
Do you like plans or do you like a surprise? 

00:16:14,532 --> 00:16:16,552 [Karen Hoyle]
Usually plans. [laughs] 

00:16:16,552 --> 00:16:27,252 [Michelle Harris]
So this last question is for both of you, 'cause I think it fits our conversation perfectly. Sorta random and out there, but here we go. Um, if you had to eat a crayon- 

00:16:27,252 --> 00:16:27,281 [Karen Hoyle]
[laughs] 

00:16:27,281 --> 00:16:29,531 [Michelle Harris]
... what color would you choose? 

00:16:29,531 --> 00:16:31,632 [Karen Hoyle]
[laughs] 

00:16:31,632 --> 00:16:34,232 [Denise Worley]
[laughs] Orange. [laughs] 

00:16:34,232 --> 00:16:35,152 [Karen Hoyle]
I'd say yellow. 

00:16:35,152 --> 00:16:37,732 [Michelle Harris]
Yellow? [laughs] Wonderful. 

00:16:37,732 --> 00:16:39,122 [Denise Worley]
[laughs] 

00:16:39,122 --> 00:16:51,172 [Michelle Harris]
Um, thank you guys so much for sharing a little bit about the center with us today. Hopefully anyone interested in, um, having a child get enrolled will find this helpful. Also, just having people understand what it is you guys do all day. 

00:16:51,172 --> 00:16:51,352 [Denise Worley]
Yeah. 

00:16:51,352 --> 00:16:58,132 [Michelle Harris]
Um, and the close tie that the center has to the college, which is... makes us really, really unique. So thank you again for your time. 

00:16:58,132 --> 00:16:58,482 [Denise Worley]
Thank you. 

00:16:58,482 --> 00:16:59,552 [Karen Hoyle]
Thank you so much. 

00:16:59,552 --> 00:17:22,872 [Announcer]
[outro music] Thanks for listening to another episode o- of Bobcat Chat. Haywood Community College is located in Clyde, North Carolina. If you would like to learn more about our great school, head over to www.haywood.edu. That's H-A-Y-W-O-O-D.edu. 

00:17:24,072 --> 00:17:26,012 [Announcer]
[bobcat roar]

00:00:00,080 --> 00:00:26,060 [Michelle Harris]
[upbeat music] Welcome everybody to this week's edition of Bobcat Chat. My name is Michelle Harris. I'm the Director of Marketing here at HCC, and this week I have the pleasure of sitting down with Robert Blanton, who is our jewelry instructor in the Professional Crafts program here on campus. 

00:00:26,060 --> 00:00:26,940 [Robert Blanton]
Right. 

00:00:26,940 --> 00:00:27,939 [Michelle Harris]
Welcome, Robert. 

00:00:27,940 --> 00:00:30,540 [Robert Blanton]
Thank you. Thank you. I'm, uh, looking forward to this. 

00:00:30,540 --> 00:00:31,500 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah, it'll be fun. 

00:00:31,500 --> 00:00:32,080 [Robert Blanton]
Yeah. 

00:00:32,080 --> 00:00:37,180 [Michelle Harris]
Um, so what brought you to Western North Carolina, and are you a native of the area? 

00:00:37,180 --> 00:00:39,780 [Robert Blanton]
I'm not a native of the area. I am a native of North Carolina. 

00:00:39,780 --> 00:00:40,100 [Michelle Harris]
Okay. 

00:00:40,100 --> 00:00:45,940 [Robert Blanton]
Um, from the central part of the state, uh, not too far from Charlotte. Uh, what brought me here was the position. 

00:00:45,940 --> 00:00:46,620 [Michelle Harris]
Okay. 

00:00:46,620 --> 00:00:54,580 [Robert Blanton]
I had applied for this position, um, and fortunately got it, and so the family and I moved to Western North Carolina. 

00:00:54,580 --> 00:00:57,019 [Michelle Harris]
And can I ask how many years ago that was? 

00:00:57,020 --> 00:00:59,820 [Robert Blanton]
I'm in my twenty-first year here at HCC. 

00:00:59,820 --> 00:01:10,660 [Michelle Harris]
That is amazing. I just love that. Um, so how did you kinda come across this career path in general of wanting to teach this wonderful skill? 

00:01:11,000 --> 00:01:13,120 [Robert Blanton]
Uh, I actually stumbled into it. 

00:01:13,120 --> 00:01:13,539 [Michelle Harris]
Okay. 

00:01:13,540 --> 00:01:31,380 [Robert Blanton]
Uh, my undergraduate degree is in history with minors in art history and religion. And, um, I had planned on, uh, doing architectural research, historical research, uh, and had a, a grant-funded position or job lined up right out of college, and that fell through. 

00:01:31,380 --> 00:01:32,300 [Michelle Harris]
Okay. 

00:01:32,300 --> 00:01:51,210 [Robert Blanton]
So I kind of meandered for a few months and, um, literally stumbled onto a metal piece. It was a handmade, uh, ladies belt, a high fashion belt. Um, and I started looking at it and I thought, "I think I could do that." [laughs] 

00:01:51,210 --> 00:01:51,660 [Michelle Harris]
[laughs] 

00:01:51,740 --> 00:02:02,520 [Robert Blanton]
And so I kinda self-taught for a while and stumbled, and then I started making these and other things and, uh, selling them. It's wearing all the different hats. 

00:02:02,520 --> 00:02:03,180 [Michelle Harris]
Okay. Yes. 

00:02:03,180 --> 00:02:10,109 [Robert Blanton]
Um, you know, working four days a week making, and then the fifth day I would deliver. I would go, uh, try to create accounts. 

00:02:10,109 --> 00:02:10,199 [Michelle Harris]
Sure. 

00:02:10,199 --> 00:02:12,800 [Robert Blanton]
Uh, boutiques, uh, small, um, 

00:02:13,900 --> 00:02:17,160 [Robert Blanton]
uh, gallery type shops and that thing in the Charlotte area. 

00:02:17,160 --> 00:02:18,500 [Michelle Harris]
Okay. All right. 

00:02:18,500 --> 00:02:18,980 [Robert Blanton]
Yeah. 

00:02:18,980 --> 00:02:21,850 [Michelle Harris]
And then what kinda led you down the teaching path? 

00:02:21,850 --> 00:02:32,240 [Robert Blanton]
Well, I had just met, uh, shortly after I began, I met my now wife, and she was teaching, um, at Central Piedmont Community College. 

00:02:32,240 --> 00:02:32,980 [Michelle Harris]
Okay. 

00:02:32,980 --> 00:02:52,380 [Robert Blanton]
And said that they had some jewelry classes and, um, you know, maybe I should check into 'em. It might be helpful. I did. Uh, they didn't have a jewelry program, but they had, uh, there were curriculum, uh, college transfer jewelry classes. Everybody that, uh, was an art major had to take at least one three-dimensional class. 

00:02:52,380 --> 00:02:52,590 [Michelle Harris]
Okay. 

00:02:52,590 --> 00:03:08,400 [Robert Blanton]
It could be clay, metals, um, wood, that kind of thing. And so, uh, I s- signed up and started taking those classes, and I took... Uh, we were on the quarter system back then, and so I took four quarters, and then they asked me to come back and teach. 

00:03:08,400 --> 00:03:09,250 [Michelle Harris]
Oh, wow. [laughs] 

00:03:09,250 --> 00:03:09,260 [Robert Blanton]
Yeah. 

00:03:09,260 --> 00:03:10,380 [Michelle Harris]
That is so cool. 

00:03:10,380 --> 00:03:19,040 [Robert Blanton]
Yeah. And, uh, even though I didn't have a degree in jewelry or metals at the time, uh, I had an undergraduate degree and then I had experience. 

00:03:19,040 --> 00:03:21,220 [Michelle Harris]
Right. Yeah. That is so neat. 

00:03:21,220 --> 00:03:23,780 [Robert Blanton]
So, and I taught there 17 years as an adjunct. 

00:03:23,780 --> 00:03:24,160 [Michelle Harris]
Wow. 

00:03:25,220 --> 00:03:41,820 [Michelle Harris]
Great. Um, so our Professional Crafts program here at HCC is very unique, and I know you are very familiar with the history of it because I've sat in on some of your presentations personally. Can you just sort of give us a little bit of a history lesson about the program here for everybody? 

00:03:41,820 --> 00:03:46,680 [Robert Blanton]
Sure. Um, it was developed in full in 1977. 

00:03:46,680 --> 00:03:47,080 [Michelle Harris]
Okay. 

00:03:47,080 --> 00:03:54,620 [Robert Blanton]
Uh, there had been some clay classes prior to that, um, but not really... It, it wasn't a program- 

00:03:54,620 --> 00:03:54,760 [Michelle Harris]
Sure 

00:03:54,760 --> 00:03:58,940 [Robert Blanton]
... a professional crafts program. And originally it was called Production Crafts. 

00:03:58,940 --> 00:03:59,600 [Michelle Harris]
Okay. 

00:03:59,600 --> 00:04:37,060 [Robert Blanton]
Uh, the name changed some 20 years later. But, um, there was a, uh, a trustee member, a board member who, um, Ms. Mary Cornwell, who was from the area, I think actually maybe from Tennessee, but had settled here, and was a big proponent of Appalachian craft, uh, Western North Carolina craft, and she and some of the others, um, felt that that was going away, and this was in the early '70s, that it wasn't being passed on to future generations. And the few people that were still doing it weren't really, uh, receiving the kind of, uh, 

00:04:40,140 --> 00:04:40,400 [Robert Blanton]
pay- 

00:04:41,820 --> 00:04:42,140 [Robert Blanton]
[laughs] 

00:04:42,140 --> 00:04:42,150 [Michelle Harris]
Sure 

00:04:42,150 --> 00:04:44,969 [Robert Blanton]
... uh, that they should have been for the work they were producing. 

00:04:44,969 --> 00:04:45,460 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:04:45,460 --> 00:04:50,260 [Robert Blanton]
So, uh, her idea, along with, uh, some other administrators, um, and a faculty member, 

00:04:51,340 --> 00:05:07,280 [Robert Blanton]
was to put together these four programs, and they would, uh, not only teach design skills and process and technique, but also, uh, they would incorporate, uh, some marketing and business- 

00:05:07,280 --> 00:05:07,580 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm 

00:05:07,580 --> 00:05:07,580 [Robert Blanton]
... 

00:05:08,810 --> 00:05:09,980 [Robert Blanton]
uh, craft photography- 

00:05:09,980 --> 00:05:10,320 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm 

00:05:10,320 --> 00:05:15,200 [Robert Blanton]
... craft history, uh, portfolio making- 

00:05:15,200 --> 00:05:15,560 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm 

00:05:15,560 --> 00:05:32,180 [Robert Blanton]
... uh, business. They would incorporate all of these auxiliary classes, and that is what really makes us unique. Um, we've been credited with being the first college in the nation to have all of this put together. I honestly don't know of any other that have it yet. 

00:05:32,180 --> 00:05:32,530 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:05:32,530 --> 00:05:43,120 [Robert Blanton]
Uh, a few of them have maybe introduced, um, through, um, uh, different venues, introduced some marketing, but it's not a part of an overall program. 

00:05:43,120 --> 00:05:52,080 [Michelle Harris]
Right. And I think those are such key things 'cause back to how you started, you said your fifth day was, you know, hitting the pavement, and that's the business side of things and the marketing side of things. 

00:05:52,080 --> 00:05:52,420 [Robert Blanton]
Exactly. 

00:05:52,420 --> 00:06:00,400 [Michelle Harris]
And photography piece to sell online or just to incorporate into your portfolio, um, is just all very key to being successful in this. 

00:06:00,400 --> 00:06:01,350 [Robert Blanton]
Right. It is.

00:06:01,936 --> 00:06:05,376 [Michelle Harris]
Um, so how have you seen the program evolve over time? 

00:06:05,376 --> 00:06:15,916 [Robert Blanton]
Uh, the biggest change I have seen, uh, we all have seen, the other, uh, craft faculty as well, is, uh, the online marketing, online presentation- 

00:06:15,916 --> 00:06:15,926 [Michelle Harris]
Sure 

00:06:15,926 --> 00:06:17,856 [Robert Blanton]
... online selling. Um, 

00:06:19,036 --> 00:06:26,926 [Robert Blanton]
that everybody has a website. You know, we have students that come into the program that aren't really making anything yet, and they've got a website. [laughs] 

00:06:26,926 --> 00:06:27,556 [Michelle Harris]
[laughs] Right. Right. 

00:06:27,556 --> 00:06:27,596 [Robert Blanton]
Yeah. 

00:06:27,596 --> 00:06:28,576 [Michelle Harris]
They're ahead of the game. [laughs] 

00:06:28,576 --> 00:06:49,966 [Robert Blanton]
Exactly, they're ahead of the game. Uh, that's definitely the, the biggest change, uh, and evolution I- I've seen. Um, other than that, I mean, the, the skills are still the same. Uh, they're-- we introduce at the beginning level ... And that's another thing that's intru- interesting about our classes is, um, the student population is very diverse, uh- 

00:06:49,966 --> 00:06:50,016 [Michelle Harris]
Right 

00:06:50,016 --> 00:07:02,436 [Robert Blanton]
... in age, uh, in background. Um, we, it's not unusual to have somebody in there that has a master's degree. Um, I've had PhDs [clears throat] before, and then I've had people who just graduated from high school. 

00:07:02,436 --> 00:07:02,916 [Michelle Harris]
Right. 

00:07:02,916 --> 00:07:03,776 [Robert Blanton]
Literally. 

00:07:03,776 --> 00:07:03,836 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:07:03,836 --> 00:07:04,416 [Robert Blanton]
So, um, 

00:07:05,556 --> 00:07:13,256 [Robert Blanton]
uh, all of that, we, we start at level one, and I kind of evaluate within a couple of weeks where everybody is. 

00:07:13,256 --> 00:07:13,266 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:07:13,266 --> 00:07:18,196 [Robert Blanton]
Some people have some background. Some people have been doing the, uh, the craft as a hobby- 

00:07:18,196 --> 00:07:18,396 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm 

00:07:18,396 --> 00:07:26,276 [Robert Blanton]
... for years, and they just wanna take it to the next level. Um, some people just find it very romantic, and that sometimes falls away, but [laughs] 

00:07:26,276 --> 00:07:29,796 [Michelle Harris]
Right. Right, right, right. [laughs] I can see that. 

00:07:29,796 --> 00:07:30,576 [Robert Blanton]
Yeah. 

00:07:30,576 --> 00:07:36,886 [Michelle Harris]
Um, so when you're in s- in, you know, the teaching environment, what would you say is your favorite aspect about teaching? 

00:07:37,936 --> 00:07:40,256 [Robert Blanton]
Hands down, it's the relationships that you build. 

00:07:40,256 --> 00:07:40,776 [Michelle Harris]
Okay. 

00:07:40,776 --> 00:07:53,076 [Robert Blanton]
Um, relationships with the students, of course, but with fellow faculty members. We've got a really good group over there, and, and I've been very fortunate to have been, uh, surrounded by a good group ever since I've been here. 

00:07:53,076 --> 00:07:53,176 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:07:54,526 --> 00:07:58,776 [Robert Blanton]
Um, I replaced the first, uh, person from the original faculty. 

00:07:58,776 --> 00:07:59,096 [Michelle Harris]
Okay. 

00:07:59,096 --> 00:08:00,416 [Robert Blanton]
The founding fathers- 

00:08:00,416 --> 00:08:01,875 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah 

00:08:01,875 --> 00:08:02,636 [Robert Blanton]
... and daughter. 

00:08:02,636 --> 00:08:04,176 [Michelle Harris]
[laughs] 

00:08:04,176 --> 00:08:11,095 [Robert Blanton]
Um, anyway, so yeah, it's, it's building these relationships. We're face to face with these students literally all week long. 

00:08:11,095 --> 00:08:11,276 [Michelle Harris]
Right. 

00:08:11,276 --> 00:08:18,216 [Robert Blanton]
Um, uh, formally, it's a, a minimum of 19 hours [clears throat] a week in the studio or in the classroom. 

00:08:18,216 --> 00:08:19,116 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:08:19,116 --> 00:08:29,536 [Robert Blanton]
Uh, but actually, our studios are open, um, uh, into the evenings and on Saturdays. Uh, on Fridays when there aren't any classes, the studio is open- 

00:08:29,536 --> 00:08:29,576 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm 

00:08:29,576 --> 00:08:38,336 [Robert Blanton]
... so the students can come and work. And so we are, we're there with them, interacting. You know [clears throat], you know who's having a bad day. 

00:08:38,336 --> 00:08:38,836 [Michelle Harris]
Right. [laughs] 

00:08:38,836 --> 00:08:39,406 [Robert Blanton]
You know who's- 

00:08:39,406 --> 00:08:39,406 [Michelle Harris]
Right 

00:08:39,406 --> 00:08:40,266 [Robert Blanton]
... struggling. 

00:08:40,266 --> 00:08:40,396 [Michelle Harris]
Right. 

00:08:40,396 --> 00:08:42,336 [Robert Blanton]
Uh, you know who's on top of the world this week. 

00:08:42,336 --> 00:08:42,866 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:08:42,866 --> 00:08:53,056 [Robert Blanton]
And, and, um, by the time they graduate, and that's a two-year, two-year commitment, by the time they graduate, uh, you've really developed a family-type relationship- 

00:08:53,056 --> 00:08:53,916 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm 

00:08:53,916 --> 00:08:55,156 [Robert Blanton]
... with, uh, with most of them. 

00:08:55,156 --> 00:08:58,906 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. Um, and what do you think they get the most excited about? 

00:09:00,036 --> 00:09:05,776 [Robert Blanton]
[clears throat] Um, I would say every time we start a new technique- 

00:09:05,776 --> 00:09:05,786 [Michelle Harris]
Okay 

00:09:05,786 --> 00:09:19,216 [Robert Blanton]
... there's a, a certain excitement about it. And that's interesting because, uh, while we introduce a lot, or I introduce in, in the metals and the other faculty in their areas as well, we introduce a lot of different skill sets. 

00:09:19,216 --> 00:09:19,676 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:09:19,676 --> 00:09:20,956 [Robert Blanton]
Uh, and 

00:09:22,736 --> 00:09:24,036 [Robert Blanton]
some of them, um, 

00:09:25,816 --> 00:09:29,796 [Robert Blanton]
the, the students don't find to be as rewarding or as much fun. 

00:09:29,796 --> 00:09:30,136 [Michelle Harris]
Fair. 

00:09:30,136 --> 00:09:31,436 [Robert Blanton]
And, right. Exactly. 

00:09:31,436 --> 00:09:31,445 [Michelle Harris]
[laughs] 

00:09:31,445 --> 00:09:34,256 [Robert Blanton]
And I totally understand that, but it, they're exposed. 

00:09:34,256 --> 00:09:34,716 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:09:34,716 --> 00:09:54,496 [Robert Blanton]
And, uh, and they have the opportunity to, uh, spend the whole first year being introduced to a number of different techniques, developing their basic skills, and starting to move forward with that, learning design skills, and, uh, [clears throat] developing, developing their own artistic voice. 

00:09:54,496 --> 00:09:54,856 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:09:54,856 --> 00:09:56,696 [Robert Blanton]
You know, the, their aesthetic. 

00:09:56,696 --> 00:09:57,276 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:09:57,276 --> 00:10:01,396 [Robert Blanton]
And I really start seeing that happen by end of summer- 

00:10:01,396 --> 00:10:01,716 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm 

00:10:01,716 --> 00:10:09,656 [Robert Blanton]
... af- of their first year. Um, but yeah, I would say as we move on, as they are introduced to something new, there's a, a lot of excitement. 

00:10:09,656 --> 00:10:22,516 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. So let's expand a little bit on the business side, 'cause we touched on that, and I mean, obviously, the skill is the biggest thing to hone in. Like you said, find your voice, find what you're good at, find what you like to do. 

00:10:22,516 --> 00:10:23,036 [Robert Blanton]
Exactly. 

00:10:23,036 --> 00:10:31,056 [Michelle Harris]
Um, but then as a two-year program, there's this business model side of it. And so what kind of, um, things do they go over in those types of classes? 

00:10:31,056 --> 00:10:54,186 [Robert Blanton]
Okay. Uh, well, there are two, um, distinct classes, uh, that deal with marketing and business. Uh, the marketing class is in the fall of the, uh, second year, and all four of the faculty, the crafts faculty, teach that class. We team teach it. Uh, one of us is a presenter each week, and the other three are backup. [clears throat] 

00:10:54,186 --> 00:10:54,476 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:10:54,476 --> 00:11:00,995 [Robert Blanton]
And, um, it's a really good class. All the students from all four areas come together for that class. 

00:11:00,996 --> 00:11:01,236 [Michelle Harris]
Oh, amazing. 

00:11:01,236 --> 00:11:12,936 [Robert Blanton]
So, um, you're, you're in there with, by now, friends that you've met, uh, in other areas, and, uh, it's just a, it's a great class. We cover, um, everything 

00:11:14,356 --> 00:11:18,315 [Robert Blanton]
that's necessary for them to complete a marketing plan- 

00:11:18,316 --> 00:11:18,556 [Michelle Harris]
Okay 

00:11:18,556 --> 00:11:21,256 [Robert Blanton]
... uh, by the end of the semester. 

00:11:21,256 --> 00:11:21,336 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:11:21,336 --> 00:11:53,376 [Robert Blanton]
Um, it's laid out very, uh, structurally, very methodical, and so they know from day one the expectations for each week. Uh, they have homework weekly, and by doing their homework, they, they turn it in the next week, and all four of us, uh, look at the homework. We divide it up, and we look and make notes and comments. And as they collect this series of homework through the semester, they're con- uh, collecting all the components of their marketing plan. 

00:11:53,376 --> 00:11:53,916 [Michelle Harris]
For real. 

00:11:53,916 --> 00:11:54,496 [Robert Blanton]
For real. 

00:11:54,496 --> 00:11:54,776 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:11:54,776 --> 00:11:54,976 [Robert Blanton]
Yeah. 

00:11:54,976 --> 00:11:55,055 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:11:55,056 --> 00:11:55,696 [Robert Blanton]
Exactly. 

00:11:55,696 --> 00:11:56,096 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:11:56,096 --> 00:11:59,946 [Robert Blanton]
And, uh, so by the end, if they've done their homework- 

00:11:59,946 --> 00:12:00,066 [Michelle Harris]
[laughs] 

00:12:00,066 --> 00:12:11,648 [Robert Blanton]
... and they've looked at their comments, and then they just, it's just a matter of rewriting and editingAnd putting together a marketing plan. The most difficult thing that we find, uh, 

00:12:13,228 --> 00:12:20,968 [Robert Blanton]
almost with every class, uh, marketing class, is the students, they've been in here for a year, 

00:12:22,028 --> 00:12:36,368 [Robert Blanton]
uh, and they're starting to learn their way, uh, learn the things that they like to do and their aesthetic, that kind of thing. But most of them don't want to be forced to zero in on a p- a product- 

00:12:36,368 --> 00:12:36,538 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm 

00:12:36,538 --> 00:12:46,628 [Robert Blanton]
... or a, um, uh, production products or, you know, whatever. They, they, you know, to, to make a commitment- 

00:12:46,628 --> 00:12:46,788 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm 

00:12:46,788 --> 00:12:49,148 [Robert Blanton]
... to one thing to write this marketing plan on. 

00:12:49,148 --> 00:12:49,478 [Michelle Harris]
Right. Right. 

00:12:49,478 --> 00:12:54,128 [Robert Blanton]
And that's what we try to express to them is, "This is not the rest of your life." [laughs] 

00:12:54,128 --> 00:12:54,768 [Michelle Harris]
Exactly. [laughs] 

00:12:54,768 --> 00:12:57,168 [Robert Blanton]
You know? And, and I, I know how that feels. 

00:12:57,168 --> 00:12:57,568 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:12:57,568 --> 00:13:03,828 [Robert Blanton]
Uh, but, but you're gonna, gonna have to commit to something. That can change the day after this class is over. 

00:13:03,828 --> 00:13:03,848 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:13:03,848 --> 00:13:06,548 [Robert Blanton]
But so that you've got... We're giving you the tools- 

00:13:06,548 --> 00:13:06,798 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm 

00:13:06,798 --> 00:13:20,088 [Robert Blanton]
... to put together a marketing plan. That's all this is. Um, you, you walk away with the real thing. You may never stick with this, uh, you know, or it may become the foundation for your lifelong vocation. 

00:13:20,088 --> 00:13:20,608 [Michelle Harris]
100%. 

00:13:20,608 --> 00:13:21,348 [Robert Blanton]
Your business. 

00:13:21,348 --> 00:13:21,727 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:13:21,728 --> 00:13:24,348 [Robert Blanton]
Um, and we see it work out like that. 

00:13:24,348 --> 00:13:24,828 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:13:24,828 --> 00:13:28,478 [Robert Blanton]
But once, once we can convince them that, you know, they're not signing their life away- 

00:13:28,478 --> 00:13:28,918 [Michelle Harris]
[laughs] 

00:13:28,918 --> 00:13:30,948 [Robert Blanton]
... by saying, "I'm gonna write this plan- 

00:13:30,948 --> 00:13:31,038 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah 

00:13:31,038 --> 00:13:33,168 [Robert Blanton]
... about this particular line of work"- 

00:13:33,168 --> 00:13:33,508 [Michelle Harris]
Right 

00:13:33,508 --> 00:13:35,648 [Robert Blanton]
... um, then, then it goes smoothly. 

00:13:35,648 --> 00:13:48,728 [Michelle Harris]
That's really cool. I mean, and again, it's back to the take your craft that you love and then make a life out of it. Like, do what you love to do, and I just, the whole concept of higher education in general of finding your passion and being able to work for it- 

00:13:48,728 --> 00:13:49,038 [Robert Blanton]
Exactly 

00:13:49,038 --> 00:13:50,088 [Michelle Harris]
... is just really neat. 

00:13:50,088 --> 00:13:52,087 [Robert Blanton]
Yeah. It is. It's awesome. 

00:13:52,088 --> 00:13:57,628 [Michelle Harris]
Um, so what is your favorite event of the year that students participate in? 

00:13:58,888 --> 00:14:04,048 [Robert Blanton]
There's several, but without a doubt, my favorite is the graduate exhibition. 

00:14:04,048 --> 00:14:04,428 [Michelle Harris]
Yes. 

00:14:04,428 --> 00:14:31,898 [Robert Blanton]
Um, the second years, it's kind of the carrot that we dangle out there whenever people come and look at the program, uh, and when we talk about, uh, we have a graduate exhibition. It's held annually at the Folk Art Center, uh, which is up on the Parkway, uh, in the Asheville area. Uh, it's a wonderful gallery space, and they have, uh, fantastic curators that just do a, a really good job of putting the show together every year. Um, 

00:14:32,968 --> 00:14:37,068 [Robert Blanton]
and the students have an opportunity for more people to see their work 

00:14:38,108 --> 00:14:40,898 [Robert Blanton]
than have ever seen my work. [laughs] 

00:14:40,898 --> 00:14:43,528 [Michelle Harris]
[laughs] You should sneak a piece in and be like- 

00:14:43,528 --> 00:14:43,658 [Robert Blanton]
Right 

00:14:43,658 --> 00:14:44,588 [Michelle Harris]
... "Here's something from the instructor." [laughs] 

00:14:44,588 --> 00:14:51,148 [Robert Blanton]
Exactly. But it's truly, um, it, it's truly sending them off in a professional manner. 

00:14:51,148 --> 00:14:51,348 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:14:51,348 --> 00:14:58,148 [Robert Blanton]
They're exposed to... Well, uh, we had a, a, I think it was the summer before COVID, 

00:14:59,618 --> 00:15:04,517 [Robert Blanton]
uh, we actually had a head count. They, they, uh, keep a head count of everybody that comes through the doors- 

00:15:04,517 --> 00:15:04,628 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm 

00:15:04,628 --> 00:15:14,068 [Robert Blanton]
... at the Folk Art Center of 70,000 people that went through during a three-month span of summer when the show was up, and the show is up for three months. 

00:15:14,068 --> 00:15:14,608 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:15:14,608 --> 00:15:17,448 [Robert Blanton]
Um, my graduate exhibition was up for two weeks. 

00:15:17,448 --> 00:15:17,988 [Michelle Harris]
Oh, goodness. 

00:15:17,988 --> 00:15:18,188 [Robert Blanton]
[laughs] 

00:15:18,188 --> 00:15:19,648 [Michelle Harris]
Right. Yeah. Yeah. 

00:15:19,648 --> 00:15:24,788 [Robert Blanton]
So I, I don't think that they really understand until they get there- 

00:15:24,788 --> 00:15:24,988 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah 

00:15:24,988 --> 00:15:34,668 [Robert Blanton]
... until they, we have the reception. We have an opening reception, uh, generally on a, on a Saturday mid-May, and, um, right after our graduation here in April. 

00:15:34,668 --> 00:15:36,418 [Michelle Harris]
Oh, sure. Sure. 

00:15:36,418 --> 00:15:46,498 [Robert Blanton]
Yeah. Um, and they get there. They're usually in awe of how professional everything looks and how good the body of work looks across the board from every area. 

00:15:46,498 --> 00:15:46,568 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:15:46,568 --> 00:15:57,248 [Robert Blanton]
Um, the, the portfolio that they've completed in portfolio class in the spring, it's displayed along with their work. Um, and then they see all these people- 

00:15:57,248 --> 00:15:57,408 [Michelle Harris]
Right 

00:15:57,408 --> 00:15:58,288 [Robert Blanton]
... coming through. 

00:15:58,288 --> 00:15:59,128 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:15:59,168 --> 00:15:59,418 [Robert Blanton]
Um, so it- 

00:15:59,418 --> 00:16:00,308 [Michelle Harris]
A proud moment. 

00:16:00,308 --> 00:16:05,188 [Robert Blanton]
Exactly. Very proud, and very proud for parents and, and, uh, families- 

00:16:05,188 --> 00:16:05,198 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah 

00:16:05,198 --> 00:16:06,108 [Robert Blanton]
... uh, as well. 

00:16:06,108 --> 00:16:06,338 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:16:06,338 --> 00:16:09,008 [Robert Blanton]
Yeah, they seem to really enjoy that. Um, 

00:16:10,188 --> 00:16:17,868 [Robert Blanton]
and I, I will have to qualify this a little bit. I'm sure that 70,000 people didn't come to the Folk Art Center with the intent- 

00:16:17,868 --> 00:16:18,318 [Michelle Harris]
[laughs] 

00:16:18,318 --> 00:16:25,377 [Robert Blanton]
... of going up and looking at Haywood's professional craft show. But they usually end up meandering about. 

00:16:25,377 --> 00:16:25,427 [Michelle Harris]
Totally. 

00:16:25,427 --> 00:16:39,348 [Robert Blanton]
A lot of tourists go through there. A lot of tourist buses, uh, you know, as well as locals. And then they, we do have a, a really good follow, following of people that, um, intentionally come to the show, come to the reception every year- 

00:16:39,348 --> 00:16:39,688 [Michelle Harris]
Yes 

00:16:39,688 --> 00:16:42,248 [Robert Blanton]
... and, and look at the new crop of work. 

00:16:42,248 --> 00:16:58,108 [Michelle Harris]
Well, and again, back to just the exposure for the students, um, I mean, we have a beautiful gallery here, and we're able to showcase, but it might not be as visible as a, as a place like that, where your average person can just walk in whenever they want, and not only see that, but see what else that the center has to offer. 

00:16:58,108 --> 00:16:59,108 [Robert Blanton]
Right. Exactly. 

00:16:59,108 --> 00:16:59,578 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:16:59,578 --> 00:17:02,398 [Robert Blanton]
And I will say that it's been a really good recruiting tool for us. 

00:17:02,398 --> 00:17:03,048 [Michelle Harris]
Sure. Yeah. 

00:17:03,048 --> 00:17:10,528 [Robert Blanton]
Uh, yeah, we usually, uh, get calls within a few weeks of the show going up, and then the fact that it is up for three months- 

00:17:10,528 --> 00:17:10,788 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm 

00:17:10,788 --> 00:17:16,548 [Robert Blanton]
... and all these people have an opportunity to see it. Uh, yeah, we get calls, uh, with, you know, "How do I get into this program?" 

00:17:16,548 --> 00:17:16,698 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:17:16,698 --> 00:17:19,828 [Robert Blanton]
"And exactly what's involved and, and what do you guys do?" 

00:17:19,828 --> 00:17:20,058 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:17:20,058 --> 00:17:21,168 [Robert Blanton]
That kind of thing. 

00:17:21,168 --> 00:17:26,668 [Michelle Harris]
So is there any student success story that sort of pops out in your brain in all your years of teaching? 

00:17:27,828 --> 00:17:31,648 [Robert Blanton]
Yes. Uh, there, fortunately, there, there are a lot of them. 

00:17:31,648 --> 00:17:32,088 [Michelle Harris]
Good. 

00:17:32,088 --> 00:17:32,937 [Robert Blanton]
Uh, yeah. 

00:17:32,937 --> 00:17:32,988 [Michelle Harris]
[laughs] 

00:17:32,988 --> 00:18:17,284 [Robert Blanton]
And, um, but there is one, uh, it's a young man. His name is Jason Genno, and he was in my first class, uh, here. Um, he had been, uh, in construction. He was actually a foreman for a large construction company in Asheville, and he was in his mid to later 20s at the time, and had started playing with jewelry, uh, in high school. And he is a sportsman, a hunter, and a fisherman, and so he spends lots of time outdoors and collecting, uh, river stones and things like that. And he had madeVery crude jewelry, uh, out of some of this work. And he just suddenly one day got up and said he didn't wanna be in construction anymore. 

00:18:17,284 --> 00:18:17,684 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:18:17,684 --> 00:18:25,964 [Robert Blanton]
So he heard about the program, um, interviewed and, and got in, and, um, never stopped. 

00:18:25,964 --> 00:18:26,764 [Michelle Harris]
Oh, wow. 

00:18:26,764 --> 00:18:54,864 [Robert Blanton]
Uh, he, he said he... We introduce, I introduce everybody the first day or, or everybody introduces themselves and gives a little five-minute blurb on why they're there and, uh, their background. And when he introduced himself, he, he said that he really felt that he would do well in this, uh, field, uh, but that he didn't necessarily want to change the materials and the concepts, uh, of his work, but he wanted to refine them- 

00:18:54,864 --> 00:18:55,324 [Michelle Harris]
Sure 

00:18:55,324 --> 00:18:59,684 [Robert Blanton]
... and broaden the scope of what he was doing, and that's exactly what he's done. 

00:18:59,684 --> 00:19:00,284 [Michelle Harris]
Wow. 

00:19:00,284 --> 00:19:19,574 [Robert Blanton]
Um, he, within three years out of the program, uh, he became a member of the Southern Highland Guild. He is now president of the board of trustees of the Southern Highland Guild. Uh, his wife, uh, he married a few years after, after graduation. His wife is a potter. 

00:19:19,574 --> 00:19:19,624 [Michelle Harris]
Okay. 

00:19:19,624 --> 00:19:35,124 [Robert Blanton]
So both of them are full-time craftspeople. That's how they make their living. Um, they are both, uh, Southern, uh, Highland Guild members, and so they do the shows, uh, at the civic center, or, uh, Paris. 

00:19:35,124 --> 00:19:35,584 [Michelle Harris]
Yes. 

00:19:35,584 --> 00:19:35,864 [Robert Blanton]
Yes. 

00:19:35,864 --> 00:19:36,514 [Michelle Harris]
Yes. 

00:19:36,514 --> 00:19:36,524 [Robert Blanton]
Right. 

00:19:36,524 --> 00:19:37,063 [Michelle Harris]
I enjoy. 

00:19:37,064 --> 00:19:45,464 [Robert Blanton]
Yeah. Uh, so they do those shows, uh, other shows. Um, he, he ha- has a website, obviously. 

00:19:45,464 --> 00:19:45,544 [Michelle Harris]
Right. 

00:19:45,544 --> 00:19:49,304 [Robert Blanton]
And, uh, he now, uh, is a co-owner of a gallery in Weaverville. 

00:19:49,304 --> 00:19:50,204 [Michelle Harris]
Wow. 

00:19:50,204 --> 00:19:53,424 [Robert Blanton]
And so he's, you know, up to his ears in- 

00:19:53,424 --> 00:19:53,454 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. [laughs] 

00:19:53,454 --> 00:19:56,604 [Robert Blanton]
... craft, [laughs] and we're-- still wearing a lot of different hats. 

00:19:56,604 --> 00:19:57,704 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. Yeah. 

00:19:57,704 --> 00:19:58,004 [Robert Blanton]
Yeah. 

00:19:58,004 --> 00:20:04,304 [Michelle Harris]
It is interesting. I'm sure that training that he had as a foreman in keeping things organized and on track, I mean, that skill set- 

00:20:04,304 --> 00:20:04,314 [Robert Blanton]
Right 

00:20:04,314 --> 00:20:05,944 [Michelle Harris]
... can bring you into anything. 

00:20:05,944 --> 00:20:06,774 [Robert Blanton]
Right. Exactly. 

00:20:06,774 --> 00:20:07,264 [Michelle Harris]
And, yeah. 

00:20:07,264 --> 00:20:12,284 [Robert Blanton]
Yeah. Uh, but I get very excited every time I, I, I think about his success. 

00:20:12,284 --> 00:20:12,864 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:20:12,864 --> 00:20:25,184 [Robert Blanton]
And, uh, and we are still very good friends. He taught my sons how to fly-fish and, uh, took 'em hunting and, and spent a lot of time, uh, in areas that I don't spend a lot of time in. [laughs] 

00:20:25,184 --> 00:20:25,334 [Michelle Harris]
Right. 

00:20:26,544 --> 00:20:28,084 [Robert Blanton]
But, uh, he's a good family friend. 

00:20:28,084 --> 00:20:37,244 [Michelle Harris]
Oh, that's amazing. I love it. I just love it. Um, so now we are going to move into a section of our podcast called Rapid Fire. 

00:20:37,244 --> 00:20:37,614 [Robert Blanton]
Okay. 

00:20:37,614 --> 00:20:40,353 [Michelle Harris]
And these are very simple questions for you. 

00:20:40,353 --> 00:20:40,424 [Robert Blanton]
Okay. 

00:20:40,424 --> 00:20:48,684 [Michelle Harris]
Um, so just go with your gut reaction, and we're gonna get to know you a little bit better with these. [laughs] So dogs or cats? 

00:20:48,684 --> 00:20:49,684 [Robert Blanton]
Dogs. 

00:20:49,684 --> 00:20:51,383 [Michelle Harris]
What's your favorite color? 

00:20:51,384 --> 00:20:52,544 [Robert Blanton]
Silver. 

00:20:52,544 --> 00:20:53,824 [Michelle Harris]
What's your favorite pasta? 

00:20:55,324 --> 00:20:56,804 [Robert Blanton]
Uh, fettuccine. 

00:20:56,804 --> 00:20:58,424 [Michelle Harris]
Sweet or unsweet tea? 

00:20:59,864 --> 00:21:02,004 [Robert Blanton]
Uh, unsweet. I don't drink tea. 

00:21:02,004 --> 00:21:02,534 [Michelle Harris]
Me either. 

00:21:02,534 --> 00:21:02,544 [Robert Blanton]
Okay. 

00:21:02,544 --> 00:21:03,124 [Michelle Harris]
So we're good there. 

00:21:03,124 --> 00:21:03,814 [Robert Blanton]
All right. Yeah. 

00:21:03,814 --> 00:21:07,204 [Michelle Harris]
Yep, yep. Uh, what's your go-to wake-up beverage? 

00:21:07,204 --> 00:21:08,204 [Robert Blanton]
Coffee. 

00:21:08,204 --> 00:21:09,484 [Michelle Harris]
Dawn or dusk? 

00:21:11,744 --> 00:21:13,624 [Robert Blanton]
Mm, dusk. 

00:21:13,624 --> 00:21:14,704 [Michelle Harris]
Sweet or salty? 

00:21:16,564 --> 00:21:17,724 [Robert Blanton]
Sweet and salty. 

00:21:17,724 --> 00:21:19,124 [Michelle Harris]
[laughs] That was a great comment. 

00:21:19,124 --> 00:21:19,864 [Robert Blanton]
[laughs] 

00:21:19,864 --> 00:21:21,624 [Michelle Harris]
Uh, beach or mountains? 

00:21:23,464 --> 00:21:30,764 [Robert Blanton]
Has always been, uh, the mountains, but in the last few years we've had the opportunity to spend some time at the beach and, and we enjoy it. 

00:21:30,764 --> 00:21:32,644 [Michelle Harris]
Good. Uh, book or movie? 

00:21:35,024 --> 00:21:36,584 [Robert Blanton]
Both. I do both. [laughs] 

00:21:36,584 --> 00:21:38,264 [Michelle Harris]
Uh, fries or tater tots? 

00:21:38,264 --> 00:21:39,524 [Robert Blanton]
Tater tots. 

00:21:39,524 --> 00:21:40,964 [Michelle Harris]
Mayo or Miracle Whip? 

00:21:42,304 --> 00:21:43,804 [Robert Blanton]
Uh, mayo. 

00:21:43,804 --> 00:21:45,564 [Michelle Harris]
Vacation or staycation? 

00:21:47,244 --> 00:21:48,644 [Robert Blanton]
Uh, both. 

00:21:48,644 --> 00:21:48,704 [Michelle Harris]
[laughs] 

00:21:48,704 --> 00:21:50,624 [Robert Blanton]
I'm, I'm so ambiguous. [laughs] 

00:21:50,624 --> 00:21:52,934 [Michelle Harris]
You're just up for whatever. [laughs] 

00:21:52,934 --> 00:21:53,004 [Robert Blanton]
Yeah. 

00:21:53,004 --> 00:21:54,924 [Michelle Harris]
Um, and then are you a morning or a night person? 

00:21:56,544 --> 00:21:57,624 [Robert Blanton]
Um, morning. 

00:21:57,624 --> 00:21:58,064 [Michelle Harris]
Morning person. 

00:21:58,064 --> 00:21:59,144 [Robert Blanton]
Yeah, yeah. 

00:21:59,144 --> 00:21:59,394 [Michelle Harris]
Great. 

00:21:59,394 --> 00:22:00,184 [Robert Blanton]
Morning person. 

00:22:00,184 --> 00:22:02,864 [Michelle Harris]
Well, that was fun. Robert, thank you so much for your time today. 

00:22:02,864 --> 00:22:02,994 [Robert Blanton]
It was my pleasure. 

00:22:02,994 --> 00:22:04,204 [Michelle Harris]
We really appreciate it- 

00:22:04,204 --> 00:22:04,214 [Robert Blanton]
It was my pleasure 

00:22:04,214 --> 00:22:13,944 [Michelle Harris]
... getting to know you, getting to know about the Professional Crafts program in general. As a reminder for everybody, we have jewelry, wood, um, pot- clay, excuse me, and fiber. 

00:22:13,944 --> 00:22:14,264 [Robert Blanton]
Mm-hmm. 

00:22:14,264 --> 00:22:19,204 [Michelle Harris]
And, uh, more information on our website, of course, and thank you so much for all you do for our students here at HCC. 

00:22:19,204 --> 00:22:21,684 [Robert Blanton]
Oh, no problem. It's my pleasure. Thank you. 

00:22:21,684 --> 00:22:44,964 [Announcer]
[upbeat music] Thanks for listening to another episode of Bobcat Chat. Haywood Community College is located in Clyde, North Carolina. If you would like to learn more about our great school, head over to www.haywood.edu. That's H-A-Y-W-O-O-D.E-D-U. 

00:22:46,184 --> 00:22:47,094 [Announcer]
[bear growls]

00:00:00,080 --> 00:00:08,550 [Announcer]
[on-hold music] 

00:00:08,550 --> 00:00:22,180 [Michelle Harris]
Hello, everybody, and welcome to this week's edition of Bobcat Chat. My name is Michelle Harris. I'm the Director of Marketing here at HCC, and this week I have the pleasure of sitting down with Bridget Selmeyer. Welcome, Bridget. 

00:00:22,240 --> 00:00:24,120 [Bridget Settlemyer]
Thanks for having me, Michelle. 

00:00:24,120 --> 00:00:28,280 [Michelle Harris]
So let's just dive right in. Tell us what you do here at HCC and how long you've been here. 

00:00:28,280 --> 00:01:13,480 [Bridget Settlemyer]
Okay. Well, I have been at HCC about a year and a half now, and I am a success coach. I'm specifically the success coach for non-degree seeking and special credit students. Um, those students, um, would be people who maybe just need one or two classes. They're not going to, um, declare a program of study with us. They maybe, um, are at another, um, college or university, and they're trying to graduate on time, so they need to fill in some gaps where maybe their school is... doesn't have those classes for them. Um, a lot of my students also are taking a class for, um, their job. Um, so they might just have one class that they have to take, um, to, 

00:01:14,520 --> 00:01:24,830 [Bridget Settlemyer]
to be, um, a lead teacher in a North Carolina, um, childcare center. I have a lot of those students. Um, and so those are the students, um, that I work with primarily. 

00:01:24,830 --> 00:01:37,420 [Michelle Harris]
So I feel like that's kind of the terminology when we say upskill sometimes. Like you, you know what you're doing, but you just need a little bit more training or different type of a certification or class, um, to be able to maybe progress more at, at their employer. 

00:01:37,420 --> 00:01:39,100 [Bridget Settlemyer]
Yeah, I do get a lot of those. Yes. 

00:01:39,100 --> 00:01:45,980 [Michelle Harris]
That's great. Um, so talk us through how you support those students beyond just getting them in their class. 

00:01:45,980 --> 00:02:12,180 [Bridget Settlemyer]
Okay. Well, a lot of times, um, I start with, um, giving them information. A lot of times I will have someone call me and just say, "Hey, my director at, you know, the childcare center that I work at said to call you 'cause I have to take EDU 119," and that's our intro to early childhood development. EDU 119 is a class that anyone who's gonna be a lead teacher at a North Carolina childcare center needs to take. They have to take it. It's a state, um, requirement. 

00:02:12,180 --> 00:02:12,820 [Michelle Harris]
Okay. 

00:02:12,820 --> 00:02:27,680 [Bridget Settlemyer]
And it's also a prerequisite for a lot of our other classes in early childhood education. Um, so those students, a lot of times, um, they have never taken a college class before, and some of them don't actually understand sometimes that they're gonna earn college credits for this class. 

00:02:27,680 --> 00:02:28,579 [Michelle Harris]
Sure. 

00:02:28,580 --> 00:02:33,940 [Bridget Settlemyer]
Um, and so I walk them through the application process. Sometimes that is brand new to them. 

00:02:33,940 --> 00:02:34,420 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:02:34,420 --> 00:02:44,920 [Bridget Settlemyer]
Um, they're not sure, you know, what they need to do. And so it starts with them saying, "Hey, when is this class? When can I take it?" Um, and giving them information about that. 

00:02:44,920 --> 00:02:45,420 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:02:45,420 --> 00:02:59,840 [Bridget Settlemyer]
So it starts there. I'll help them with their applications. I help them with onboarding, uh, creating their, um, their school, their student account, setting up their emails, um, understanding what, um, Moodle is, 'cause these are... a lot of these are online classes. 

00:02:59,840 --> 00:02:59,880 [Michelle Harris]
Sure. 

00:02:59,880 --> 00:03:01,940 [Bridget Settlemyer]
Most of my students are distance learners. 

00:03:01,940 --> 00:03:02,540 [Michelle Harris]
Okay. 

00:03:02,540 --> 00:03:22,940 [Bridget Settlemyer]
Um, because usually they're at, like I said, they're at another college. Um, a lot of the students that take those, um, those classes for the childcare centers, um, they're like from Greensboro or they're from, you know, all the way across the state, all over the place. Um, and so I walk them through that. They need a lot of help sometimes with the technology- 

00:03:22,940 --> 00:03:23,520 [Michelle Harris]
Sure 

00:03:23,520 --> 00:03:27,760 [Bridget Settlemyer]
... um, and sort of learning how to navigate, um, being an online student. 

00:03:27,760 --> 00:03:42,840 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. So then, you know, they get in, they get started in class, but they can always still reach out to you later on if they need... uh, they have a question on something or they need guidance on something. So you're there in a support role with them as well as the faculty member o-on their journey. 

00:03:42,840 --> 00:03:56,020 [Bridget Settlemyer]
Yes. Yeah, absolutely. Um, from the time that they... that I get their application and I reach out to them, usually that same day, um, I am with them until they, and they com- the-- until they complete their class. 

00:03:56,020 --> 00:03:56,460 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:03:56,460 --> 00:04:08,440 [Bridget Settlemyer]
Um, and so I check in with them, make sure that they understand what's going on, um, ask if they've got any questions, anything like that, and I try to just kind of keep up with them and let them know that I'm there to support them. 

00:04:08,440 --> 00:04:35,510 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. That's great. That's great. So I know you talked a little bit about sometimes technology being a barrier, and sometimes it's 'cause it's new and we're all like, "What is, what is this thing we have to do our schoolwork in?" And it's kind of a big deal because that's how we get graded and can progress through, um, everything we need to progress through. But what are the other challenges you see students coming in with, um, and what can you go ahead and tell them as far as ways to overcome some of those challenges? 

00:04:35,510 --> 00:04:39,290 [Bridget Settlemyer]
Well, a lot-- like I said, a lot of times they haven't been in school in a long time- 

00:04:39,290 --> 00:04:39,290 [Michelle Harris]
Right 

00:04:39,290 --> 00:04:58,800 [Bridget Settlemyer]
... or they have never been in school. Um, and so just kind of navigating the whole process, um, can be difficult for them. They might not understand, uh, what Moodle is, or they might not understand how to use, um, Cengage, you know, one of the, the programs we have where you do your homework. 

00:04:58,800 --> 00:04:59,210 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:04:59,210 --> 00:05:00,900 [Bridget Settlemyer]
Um, so a lot of times, um, 

00:05:02,040 --> 00:05:06,870 [Bridget Settlemyer]
I, I really encourage them to utilize, um, campus resources. 

00:05:06,870 --> 00:05:06,880 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:05:06,880 --> 00:05:45,200 [Bridget Settlemyer]
And whether or not they're on campus, they can still ulili- like utilize those resources. Um, the, the learning center with, uh, Dr. Ham, they can get help there. Um, really, you know, I just encourage them to reach out if they, if they need, um, anything with those resources. Um, it can be anything from, uh, our, our food pantry, Clyde's Cupboard. If they need to talk to somebody with, um, student wellness, um, the library. You know, if they need help with, um, technology, like maybe they need a hotspot or maybe they don't have a computer or their computer broke, those kinds of things. 

00:05:45,200 --> 00:05:56,110 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. Yeah, and I think it's just some of those things that people don't always think about when they're like, "Yes, I need this class," or, "I want this class," then they get into it and they're like, "Oh, there's a, there's a few nuances to be successful at this." 

00:05:56,110 --> 00:05:56,400 [Bridget Settlemyer]
Mm-hmm. 

00:05:56,400 --> 00:06:19,760 [Michelle Harris]
And I think something I've seen over time is just making sure that they reach out before something becomes a problem. So like you mentioned, you know, our learning support s-services, you know, get tutoring help or homework help or, you know, essay help.Before things might, you know, go a different way and the grades maybe not be as successful, and I think that's really key. And it's cool that we can do it all remote. 

00:06:19,760 --> 00:06:20,200 [Bridget Settlemyer]
Mm-hmm. 

00:06:20,200 --> 00:06:21,500 [Michelle Harris]
That's a really nice service. 

00:06:21,500 --> 00:06:25,760 [Bridget Settlemyer]
Yeah. Getting ahead of those things is, is really important. Um- 

00:06:25,760 --> 00:06:25,800 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:06:25,800 --> 00:06:31,500 [Bridget Settlemyer]
So I try to keep in touch with them pretty regularly just to kind of check in and see how things are going. 

00:06:31,500 --> 00:06:35,539 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. That's great. Um, so 

00:06:36,860 --> 00:06:57,960 [Michelle Harris]
in addition to, like, tutoring and essay support, is there anything else that kind of helps keep them on track and focused? 'Cause I'm sure some of online students, we see a lot are balancing things like work, family, things like that. So is there anything else that we offer or that you reach out to to help keep them on track after they've started their classes? 

00:06:57,960 --> 00:07:12,600 [Bridget Settlemyer]
Well, they definitely-- most of my students definitely work. They usually work full-time. A lot of them have families. Um, and I really... I encourage them to, um, to really have a lot of, um, time management. 

00:07:12,600 --> 00:07:12,790 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:07:12,790 --> 00:07:27,340 [Bridget Settlemyer]
And if they don't have kinda an idea of that, you know, I encourage them to have, you know, get a planner or do something online, whatever's more comfortable with them. If they need to see a Post-it note or they need to have, like, a planner with cute little stickers or- 

00:07:27,340 --> 00:07:27,830 [Michelle Harris]
[chuckles] 

00:07:27,830 --> 00:07:37,620 [Bridget Settlemyer]
... if they, you know, need to set their, um, their phone to tell them when it's time to, you know, "It's time for class, I need to have this pocket of time." 

00:07:37,620 --> 00:07:37,690 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:07:37,690 --> 00:07:41,970 [Bridget Settlemyer]
Um, so that's one of the things I really encourage them to say, and I tell them from the beginning, 

00:07:43,100 --> 00:07:51,610 [Bridget Settlemyer]
"Don't wait until the last minute, you know. Make sure that you are, you know, setting aside this time to do your classwork." 

00:07:51,610 --> 00:07:51,679 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:07:51,680 --> 00:07:54,060 [Bridget Settlemyer]
Because it is still-- it's a college class. 

00:07:54,060 --> 00:07:54,080 [Michelle Harris]
Right. 

00:07:54,080 --> 00:08:12,690 [Bridget Settlemyer]
This is a college. Um, it's not something you breeze through. It's not super easy. They are still gonna, you know, need to, to do that. And also encouraging them always, always to communicate with, um, with their instructor, with me, with their advisor. Um, always have those open lines. Ask for help when you need it. 

00:08:12,690 --> 00:08:21,500 [Michelle Harris]
Yes. Yeah, I agree. And time management is such a, a good thing, um, to share with them, and I totally agree. Um, so you're, you're a college graduate yourself. 

00:08:21,500 --> 00:08:21,780 [Bridget Settlemyer]
Yeah. 

00:08:21,780 --> 00:08:35,540 [Michelle Harris]
We were actually just chatting about that before we hopped on this, uh, recording today. What are the top three pieces of advice that you could give our listeners as they prepare for college, whether it's one class or many? 

00:08:35,540 --> 00:08:38,730 [Bridget Settlemyer]
Well, the first one is that, is that time management thing. 

00:08:38,730 --> 00:08:38,820 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:08:38,820 --> 00:09:04,900 [Bridget Settlemyer]
Um, I've got two kids in college right now, um, and they're always like... I'll hear them saying like, "Oh, I've got this thing due tomorrow." And I'm just like, "You cannot [laughs] you cannot wait till the last minute." Um, and that was something that I struggled with, um, in school sometimes, was not managing my time the right way. So, so time management, that's huge. The, the communication, um, I always tell the students, "Read your emails." 

00:09:04,900 --> 00:09:05,040 [Michelle Harris]
Yes. 

00:09:05,040 --> 00:09:12,340 [Bridget Settlemyer]
"Read your student email account or your student email, uh, read it every day. Um, and read the emails all the way through." 

00:09:12,340 --> 00:09:12,850 [Michelle Harris]
[laughs] 

00:09:12,850 --> 00:09:15,889 [Bridget Settlemyer]
Um, 'cause I know a lot of times, you know, they get skimmed, and I am... 

00:09:16,900 --> 00:09:24,270 [Bridget Settlemyer]
I'm bad to do that too sometimes. I'll skim over something, and then you miss something, and then you ask a question, and then you feel terrible because it was in that email. 

00:09:24,270 --> 00:09:24,300 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:09:24,300 --> 00:09:54,220 [Bridget Settlemyer]
So I do tell them, you know, "Read your emails. Check those emails. Um, read them all the way through, um, and read those, um, kind of seemingly random announcements that you might get also," because there's always, um, sometimes there's helpful hints, there's, um, information about, um, things going on at the school, um, sometimes there's even cool opportunities that you might find. Um, so that's really important. Um, and I also really encourage students to get familiar with our website. 

00:09:54,220 --> 00:09:54,800 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:09:54,800 --> 00:09:59,500 [Bridget Settlemyer]
Um, a lot of times questions that I get sent, um, 

00:10:00,580 --> 00:10:08,620 [Bridget Settlemyer]
a quick search finds those things. And also you might find stuff that you find interesting, like if you are a student and you, like, maybe don't know what our mission is- 

00:10:08,620 --> 00:10:08,630 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm 

00:10:08,630 --> 00:10:17,670 [Bridget Settlemyer]
... or maybe you don't know about, um, you know, where some of your, um, your instructors came from. You might, you know, listen to a Bobcat Chat- 

00:10:17,670 --> 00:10:17,790 [Michelle Harris]
[laughs] 

00:10:17,790 --> 00:10:20,850 [Bridget Settlemyer]
... and, and find out about how the new trails got built here. 

00:10:20,850 --> 00:10:20,900 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:10:20,900 --> 00:10:35,140 [Bridget Settlemyer]
Or find out about, you know, our president, Shelley White, and you know, what kind of-- like, what her goals and focus is. Um, so I really, I do encourage them to, to kind of get to know the website 'cause it's a wealth of information and, and it saves a lot of time too. 

00:10:35,140 --> 00:10:35,150 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:10:35,150 --> 00:10:38,820 [Bridget Settlemyer]
If they've got questions on the weekend that I can't answer, they'll probably find them there. 

00:10:38,820 --> 00:11:08,060 [Michelle Harris]
Right. Yeah. Very good. Um, so I know we kind of touched a little bit about, um, some of the students that you support could potentially be online, but what are... I wanted to kind of get your thoughts is, as students start coming to HCC, whether, you know, it's someone you're supporting or someone straight from high school, um, just kind of your thoughts on getting involved and doing things on campus and, and stretching outside the box of a class or a program and kind of that social aspect about HCC. 

00:11:08,060 --> 00:11:11,370 [Bridget Settlemyer]
Okay. Well, I, I am by nature a social butterfly. 

00:11:11,370 --> 00:11:11,420 [Michelle Harris]
[laughs] 

00:11:11,420 --> 00:11:20,220 [Bridget Settlemyer]
So, um, anything that someone's like, "Hey, we're gonna do this," or, "This is happening," I am, I am there. I'm like, "Yes, absolutely. I might make a new friend." 

00:11:20,220 --> 00:11:20,670 [Michelle Harris]
[laughs] 

00:11:20,670 --> 00:11:42,700 [Bridget Settlemyer]
"Like, I might find something interesting." And I realize that not everyone is like that. What I, what I think is, like, the greatest thing ever might give people a lot of anxiety. But I, but I encourage them to do it because it's a great way to make connections, um, maybe find people that have the same interests as you. You might find people that are also introverts, and you can start your own introvert club. 

00:11:42,700 --> 00:11:44,240 [Michelle Harris]
[laughs] 

00:11:44,240 --> 00:12:19,448 [Bridget Settlemyer]
Um, but I think those things are really important 'cause it's, it kind of starts with networking, to kind of use a buzzword. But, like, the more people you know, the more opportunities come up, the more you can be like, "Hey, I can make this connection. I know this person. Um, oh, I talked to that person, and they took us on a, um-"... on a tree tour of, of the school, so they know about, you know, this program that my friend might be interested in, or I think I might be interested in that. So it is important, I think, to, to get involved in stuff like that just, you know, for nothing else to, to find out if there's stuff that, that might be new that you're interested in. 

00:12:19,448 --> 00:12:48,348 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. And I think it's just part of that college culture too, um, and really doing something different because everyone has their social networks, you know, before they come to a college campus, and it's important to meet new people and get involved and do something maybe that they haven't before, um, which I think is a good opportunity at any college. Um, and I know our student life area does a great job of, of keeping, um, students involved in different things. Um, so on a personal note, what was your favorite thing about college? [chuckles] 

00:12:48,348 --> 00:12:58,268 [Bridget Settlemyer]
Well, I had a little bit of a unusual college experience. Um, I did not get my first, um, college credit till I was almost 26 years old. 

00:12:58,268 --> 00:12:59,068 [Michelle Harris]
Okay. 

00:12:59,068 --> 00:13:59,068 [Bridget Settlemyer]
Um, I dropped out of eight different community colleges without ever earning a credit. Um, I just wasn't very focused, and there was no support. So, um, in my 50s, and so this was like late 80s, and there just wasn't for community colleges, there was not a support system for students. So if I decided the beach was more interesting than going to my class, that's where I was gonna go, and nobody really paid attention if I was... And so it was a lot different. We have so many more, um, wonderful support services now. So, so I ended up, um, not really having that college experience that most people have. I actually did end up going and getting my first college credit, which was really exciting. Um, and then I was really fortunate, and I got a scholarship to go to a college in... I lived in Southern California, and it was kind of a little bit of like a groundbreaking concept. I went to National University, and it was a college that was based on adults that have full-times jobs- 

00:13:59,068 --> 00:13:59,168 [Michelle Harris]
Okay 

00:13:59,168 --> 00:14:04,608 [Bridget Settlemyer]
... and, and, and families. And this was back before there was online classes. 

00:14:04,608 --> 00:14:04,758 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:14:04,758 --> 00:14:18,048 [Bridget Settlemyer]
So I went to work every day, um, all day, and then two nights a week, I went and drove to another city, and I sat in class for about three hours and then two weekends a month, all day long on a Saturday. 

00:14:18,048 --> 00:14:18,768 [Michelle Harris]
Okay. 

00:14:18,768 --> 00:14:28,118 [Bridget Settlemyer]
And, and, and that was my college experience. We didn't have clubs. We didn't have sororities. Um, it was-- The other students were people like me- 

00:14:28,118 --> 00:14:28,248 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm 

00:14:28,248 --> 00:14:39,108 [Bridget Settlemyer]
... that, you know, already had jobs or they had families, and this was really the only way at that time to get a college education if you were, you know, if you were already working. 

00:14:39,108 --> 00:14:40,278 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:14:40,278 --> 00:14:46,898 [Bridget Settlemyer]
Um, and so in that aspect, um, the thing I loved the most about that was the connections that I made. 

00:14:46,898 --> 00:14:47,488 [Michelle Harris]
I bet. Yeah. 

00:14:47,488 --> 00:15:20,628 [Bridget Settlemyer]
Um, I still have friends that was, you know, 26 years later, I still have friends that I made in those classes. I had amazing, um, instructors and professors that would let me bring my toddler on a Saturday if I didn't have childcare. And so it was a, it was a really good experience for me, and I'm so grateful that there are other ways now for people, you know, adults, people with kids, people that work full-time to get their education, you know, by doing online classes. But back then it was really difficult. So yeah, I don't have any great like, "I was in a sorority" or- 

00:15:20,628 --> 00:15:20,937 [Michelle Harris]
[laughs] 

00:15:20,937 --> 00:15:24,668 [Bridget Settlemyer]
... or, you know, "I really loved, you know, being on the snowboarding team"- 

00:15:24,668 --> 00:15:24,848 [Michelle Harris]
Right 

00:15:24,848 --> 00:15:41,308 [Bridget Settlemyer]
... or anything like that. But I did make wonderful connections and really great friends that were supportive, like other single moms like me, um, that, you know, we would, you know, babysit each other's kids if we had like a different schedule or something. So it was those connections that were really the best part of school for me. 

00:15:41,308 --> 00:16:00,318 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. And I think that's such a powerful word, and I feel like that's kind of the theme of our podcast is connections and networking. And no matter where you're at with your coursework, whether, again, it's one class or many, um, just networking and, and meeting people, whether it's in your cohort or outside of, of the classroom, and if... You just never know where it can take you. 

00:16:00,318 --> 00:16:00,328 [Bridget Settlemyer]
Yeah. 

00:16:00,328 --> 00:16:04,808 [Michelle Harris]
And I just think that's really, really cool. Um, and it kind of gives that college vibe and that college life. 

00:16:04,808 --> 00:16:05,368 [Bridget Settlemyer]
Yeah. 

00:16:05,368 --> 00:16:05,548 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:16:05,548 --> 00:16:21,948 [Bridget Settlemyer]
For sure. And that's why, I mean, I love working here, here because I get to... And I've worked at a few different community colleges and, and I get to kind of like experience the stuff that, you know, I didn't experience before. So if there's like a kickball game or, you know, movie night- 

00:16:21,948 --> 00:16:21,958 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah 

00:16:21,958 --> 00:16:25,208 [Bridget Settlemyer]
... or, you know, anything like that, I, I'm gonna be there. 

00:16:25,208 --> 00:16:25,328 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:16:25,328 --> 00:16:28,828 [Bridget Settlemyer]
I'm gonna be like, "I'm here. I'm old enough to be all your mother, but I'm here." 

00:16:28,828 --> 00:16:51,047 [Michelle Harris]
[laughs] I love it. Um, so before we hop into our rapid fire questions, is there anything else you wanna kind of share with our listeners that are about to enter the college world? Um, and just any kind of tips or information or, um, things you've seen that you think would be interesting to share, um, with some of the students that you've been working with? 

00:16:51,048 --> 00:17:16,568 [Bridget Settlemyer]
Well, first of all, um, for them to know that they're not alone. I try and like let them know, you have got a wealth of support. Um, we have, you know, great advisors. The success coach team is really great. That's all we do is, you know, we're there five days a week to support students. There's, you know... We-we're not, um, also instructors, and we don't have-- What's on our plate is to support students. 

00:17:16,568 --> 00:17:16,728 [Michelle Harris]
Right. 

00:17:16,728 --> 00:17:21,588 [Bridget Settlemyer]
And so to reach out to us, absolutely. And to reach out to, you know, their, um, 

00:17:23,008 --> 00:17:35,788 [Bridget Settlemyer]
their advisors, their instructors, keep clear lines of communication with instructors. Ask for help when you need it. Um, those are really important I think, you know, especially asking, asking questions. 

00:17:35,788 --> 00:17:36,078 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:17:36,078 --> 00:17:44,797 [Bridget Settlemyer]
Asking for help is huge 'cause it can be difficult and you can feel like, "Oh, you know, I feel dumb for asking this question." Um, but just to know that you're supported- 

00:17:44,797 --> 00:17:45,188 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm 

00:17:45,188 --> 00:17:51,288 [Bridget Settlemyer]
... and that, you know, we have like a whole team that's there, and their only job is to make sure that you're successful. 

00:17:51,288 --> 00:17:54,128 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. That's a great point. Thank you so much. 

00:17:54,128 --> 00:17:54,508 [Bridget Settlemyer]
Sure. 

00:17:54,508 --> 00:18:02,568 [Michelle Harris]
So we're gonna get to know you a little bit more here with these rapid fire questions. Um, they're supposed to be a, a gut reaction to the answers for the- 

00:18:02,568 --> 00:18:04,638 [Bridget Settlemyer]
That can be dangerous. [laughs]

00:18:05,780 --> 00:18:08,060 [Michelle Harris]
All right. Dogs or cats? 

00:18:08,060 --> 00:18:08,980 [Bridget Settlemyer]
Dogs. 

00:18:08,980 --> 00:18:11,640 [Michelle Harris]
Where's your favorite spot on campus? 

00:18:11,640 --> 00:18:13,540 [Bridget Settlemyer]
Uh, rhododendron garden. 

00:18:13,540 --> 00:18:14,650 [Michelle Harris]
Your favorite season? 

00:18:16,200 --> 00:18:17,150 [Bridget Settlemyer]
Summer. 

00:18:17,150 --> 00:18:18,920 [Michelle Harris]
Do you have any musical talents? 

00:18:21,400 --> 00:18:22,410 [Bridget Settlemyer]
No. [laughs] 

00:18:22,410 --> 00:18:22,780 [Michelle Harris]
[laughs] 

00:18:22,780 --> 00:18:24,640 [Bridget Settlemyer]
Had to think about that. Nope. [laughs] 

00:18:24,640 --> 00:18:26,700 [Michelle Harris]
What's your go-to wake-up beverage? 

00:18:28,600 --> 00:18:29,180 [Bridget Settlemyer]
Oh. 

00:18:30,780 --> 00:18:35,320 [Bridget Settlemyer]
Well, it used to be coffee, but, you know, it makes my blood pressure rise. 

00:18:35,320 --> 00:18:35,520 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:18:35,520 --> 00:18:35,960 [Bridget Settlemyer]
So- 

00:18:35,960 --> 00:18:36,860 [Michelle Harris]
There is that 

00:18:36,860 --> 00:18:39,420 [Bridget Settlemyer]
... so yeah, water probably- 

00:18:39,420 --> 00:18:39,430 [Michelle Harris]
Water 

00:18:39,430 --> 00:18:41,240 [Bridget Settlemyer]
... with some Propel. It's really boring. [laughs] 

00:18:41,240 --> 00:18:45,460 [Michelle Harris]
There you go. [laughs] Road trip or plane trip? 

00:18:45,460 --> 00:18:46,460 [Bridget Settlemyer]
Road trip. 

00:18:46,780 --> 00:18:47,880 [Michelle Harris]
Favorite day of the week? 

00:18:49,580 --> 00:18:53,240 [Bridget Settlemyer]
Oh, gosh. I like Sundays. 

00:18:53,240 --> 00:18:54,640 [Michelle Harris]
Paper book or Kindle? 

00:18:56,440 --> 00:18:58,160 [Bridget Settlemyer]
Um, audio because- 

00:18:58,160 --> 00:18:59,520 [Michelle Harris]
Audio. Oh, good one. 

00:18:59,520 --> 00:18:59,850 [Bridget Settlemyer]
Yeah. 

00:18:59,850 --> 00:18:59,880 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:18:59,880 --> 00:19:01,640 [Bridget Settlemyer]
My eyes aren't great anymore. 

00:19:01,640 --> 00:19:01,860 [Michelle Harris]
[laughs] 

00:19:01,860 --> 00:19:03,920 [Bridget Settlemyer]
And so a- audio, yeah. 

00:19:03,920 --> 00:19:05,940 [Michelle Harris]
I love it. Dawn or dusk? 

00:19:08,980 --> 00:19:10,120 [Bridget Settlemyer]
Dawn. 

00:19:10,120 --> 00:19:12,050 [Michelle Harris]
What's worse, laundry or dishes? 

00:19:13,560 --> 00:19:14,940 [Bridget Settlemyer]
Dishes. 

00:19:14,940 --> 00:19:16,240 [Michelle Harris]
Beach or mountains? 

00:19:16,240 --> 00:19:17,520 [Bridget Settlemyer]
Mountains. 

00:19:17,520 --> 00:19:19,320 [Michelle Harris]
Plans or a surprise? 

00:19:19,320 --> 00:19:20,680 [Bridget Settlemyer]
Surprise. 

00:19:20,680 --> 00:19:22,580 [Michelle Harris]
Vacation or staycation? 

00:19:24,300 --> 00:19:24,800 [Bridget Settlemyer]
Oh. 

00:19:26,820 --> 00:19:29,039 [Bridget Settlemyer]
Well, if it's a staycation, I'll end up doing laundry. 

00:19:29,039 --> 00:19:29,620 [Michelle Harris]
[laughs] 

00:19:29,620 --> 00:19:30,780 [Bridget Settlemyer]
So vacation, for sure. 

00:19:31,880 --> 00:19:34,760 [Michelle Harris]
And if you had to eat a crayon, what color would you choose? 

00:19:34,760 --> 00:19:35,640 [Bridget Settlemyer]
Periwinkle. 

00:19:35,640 --> 00:19:37,060 [Michelle Harris]
There we go. [laughs] 

00:19:37,060 --> 00:19:38,480 [Bridget Settlemyer]
[laughs] 

00:19:38,480 --> 00:19:50,850 [Michelle Harris]
Bridget, thank you so much for your time today, just sharing some of the resources we have available for new students coming into HCC, no matter what their journey looks like, um, and all the support that we have to offer them, and to get to know you a little bit better. 

00:19:50,850 --> 00:19:52,140 [Bridget Settlemyer]
Awesome. Well, thanks for having me. 

00:19:52,140 --> 00:20:16,060 [Announcer]
[upbeat music] Thanks for listening to another episode of Bobcat Chat. Haywood Community College is located in Clyde, North Carolina. If you would like to learn more about our great school, head over to www.haywood.edu. That's H-A-Y-W-O-O-D.E-D-U. 

00:20:17,280 --> 00:20:18,409 [Announcer]
[animal growls]

00:00:00,080 --> 00:00:27,140 [Michelle Harris]
[upbeat music] Welcome everybody to this week's edition of Bobcat Chat. My name is Michelle Harris. I'm the director of marketing here at HCC, and this week I have the pleasure of sitting down with Todd Branham. He's with Long Cane Trails, and we are talking about the new trail system here at HCC. So welcome, Todd. 

00:00:27,140 --> 00:00:28,700 [Todd Branham]
Thanks. Good to be here. 

00:00:28,700 --> 00:00:32,660 [Michelle Harris]
Great. So tell us just a little bit about yourself and about your business. 

00:00:32,660 --> 00:00:47,840 [Todd Branham]
Okay. Uh, my business is Long Cane Trails, and, um, we are based now out of Brevard, North Carolina. Um, and we are in our twenty-second year now of business. Twenty years as part of the Professional Trail Builders Association. 

00:00:49,160 --> 00:00:53,260 [Todd Branham]
So pretty cool, pretty good milestone. Um, we are one of 

00:00:55,180 --> 00:01:00,200 [Todd Branham]
fifty-nine trail builders now, I think, professional trail builders within the United States and more- 

00:01:00,200 --> 00:01:00,210 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm 

00:01:00,210 --> 00:01:01,820 [Todd Branham]
... so with that certification. 

00:01:01,820 --> 00:01:04,120 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. And that's all you guys do. 

00:01:04,120 --> 00:01:04,679 [Todd Branham]
That's all we do. 

00:01:04,680 --> 00:01:06,030 [Michelle Harris]
All you do is build trails. 

00:01:06,030 --> 00:01:06,080 [Todd Branham]
Trails. Yeah. 

00:01:06,080 --> 00:01:16,220 [Michelle Harris]
I love it. I love it. So talk to us a little bit about your career path and how you got where you are today. It's so unique that I'm sure everyone wants to know. [chuckles] 

00:01:16,220 --> 00:01:49,960 [Todd Branham]
Well, it's a great story. So, um, I had another business that I recently sold here, um, last year. It was Blue Ridge Adventures, and it was a bicycle racing production company. And how I got into trail building, um, and getting into paid trail building is a very interesting story. So back in 1998, '99, uh, 2000, I would write these checks these first few years of owning this business, and it would go to California to the US Forest Service, and I asked the local Forest Service here, "Where does that go?" 

00:01:49,960 --> 00:01:50,160 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:01:50,160 --> 00:01:57,140 [Todd Branham]
"They go anywhere in the United States that they need it." I go, "Well, that's a bummer. What can I do to directly impact Pisgah National Forest?" 

00:01:57,140 --> 00:01:57,700 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:01:57,700 --> 00:02:03,640 [Todd Branham]
And they threw their arms in the air and go, "Well, that's easy. You gotta do trail work. It's all volunteer driven." "Sign me up." 

00:02:03,640 --> 00:02:04,250 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:02:04,250 --> 00:02:23,079 [Todd Branham]
"I like being outside." So I got on a volunteer crew, and we started, you know, maintaining trails. Well, I had a buddy that I knew from college that had started a trail company, Long Cane Trails, down in Augusta, South Carolina, Augusta, Georgia area. And he said, "Man, I see you're up there doing that. You should come down here. I can pay you." 

00:02:24,100 --> 00:02:24,109 [Michelle Harris]
Oh. [laughs] 

00:02:24,109 --> 00:02:25,760 [Todd Branham]
That's how it started. 

00:02:25,760 --> 00:02:26,600 [Michelle Harris]
So there you went. 

00:02:26,600 --> 00:02:29,840 [Todd Branham]
Yes, there I went. So I started, and then one thing led to another, and- 

00:02:29,840 --> 00:02:30,020 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah 

00:02:30,020 --> 00:02:37,080 [Todd Branham]
... now we, we actually-- I own the business fully, and we're up here, and we concentrate almost entirely in western North Carolina. 

00:02:37,080 --> 00:02:40,240 [Michelle Harris]
That's so cool. And what a unique business. 

00:02:40,240 --> 00:02:40,350 [Todd Branham]
It is. 

00:02:40,350 --> 00:02:42,170 [Michelle Harris]
Like, you just don't hear about that every day, you know? 

00:02:42,170 --> 00:02:46,620 [Todd Branham]
You know, I hear all the time people say, "You know, I just had no idea that people actually did this." 

00:02:46,620 --> 00:02:46,710 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:02:46,710 --> 00:02:48,260 [Todd Branham]
"I Googled it, and then there you were." 

00:02:48,260 --> 00:02:48,960 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:02:48,960 --> 00:02:49,200 [Todd Branham]
[chuckles] 

00:02:49,200 --> 00:03:05,260 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. It's true. It's like you walk on a trail, and you just... You sort of like, "Oh, this is cool. I wonder how it got made," and then you're off on your hike, and you don't really think much of it again. But, um, so unique, and I, I just love it. So let's talk about your work. How many trails do you think you've worked on or developed? 

00:03:05,260 --> 00:03:08,329 [Todd Branham]
So currently we're trying to inventory everything we've done. 

00:03:08,329 --> 00:03:08,340 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:03:08,340 --> 00:03:16,660 [Todd Branham]
And we are about seventy-five percent through the process, and we have over four hundred miles we've designed- 

00:03:16,660 --> 00:03:17,300 [Michelle Harris]
Wow 

00:03:17,300 --> 00:03:20,200 [Todd Branham]
... and just over three hundred that we've actually constructed. 

00:03:20,200 --> 00:03:21,030 [Michelle Harris]
Wow. That's amazing. 

00:03:21,030 --> 00:03:23,640 [Todd Branham]
And that's international, too. We've gone to- 

00:03:23,640 --> 00:03:23,980 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah 

00:03:23,980 --> 00:03:26,240 [Todd Branham]
... Costa Rica to do work, Guatemala to do work, 

00:03:27,260 --> 00:03:27,520 [Todd Branham]
so... 

00:03:28,800 --> 00:03:38,440 [Michelle Harris]
That is really cool. Well, I guess, you know, if you're one of fifty-nine, they've got to pick someone that has the, you know, great experience like you guys to help wherever, wherever the world takes you. 

00:03:38,440 --> 00:03:44,340 [Todd Branham]
Yeah. And if you're looking for that great experience, I think that's what a professional trail builder brings to the table is- 

00:03:44,340 --> 00:03:44,360 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah 

00:03:44,360 --> 00:03:47,040 [Todd Branham]
... you know, the experience from start to finish. 

00:03:47,040 --> 00:03:47,280 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:03:47,280 --> 00:03:49,800 [Todd Branham]
You know, how it connects you to nature, how it feels- 

00:03:49,800 --> 00:03:50,320 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm 

00:03:50,320 --> 00:03:51,680 [Todd Branham]
... the grades, that type of thing. 

00:03:51,680 --> 00:03:56,660 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. Yeah. Yeah. So what was your favorite project to work on? 

00:03:58,040 --> 00:04:04,380 [Todd Branham]
Actually, I think my favorite one we just got off of in Great Falls, South Carolina. It was probably the most challenging project. 

00:04:04,380 --> 00:04:05,280 [Michelle Harris]
Okay. 

00:04:05,280 --> 00:04:08,560 [Todd Branham]
But is a, uh, project we worked with Duke Energy on. 

00:04:08,560 --> 00:04:09,060 [Michelle Harris]
Okay. 

00:04:09,060 --> 00:04:10,280 [Todd Branham]
And it's on an island. 

00:04:10,340 --> 00:04:11,040 [Michelle Harris]
Okay. 

00:04:11,040 --> 00:04:15,270 [Todd Branham]
So we had to transport our machines on a barge to the island. 

00:04:15,270 --> 00:04:15,270 [Michelle Harris]
Oh my gosh. 

00:04:15,270 --> 00:04:23,050 [Todd Branham]
And they were locked on an island for six months, and we had to boat over to the island, and you had to really sharpen your pis- p- pencil logistically- 

00:04:23,050 --> 00:04:23,900 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah 

00:04:23,900 --> 00:04:27,700 [Todd Branham]
... to do this, because if you forgot a tank of gas, you know. 

00:04:27,700 --> 00:04:28,620 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. Yeah. 

00:04:28,620 --> 00:04:37,340 [Todd Branham]
Um, but it was extremely rocky, extremely tough. Um, and in the end, only two miles, but it took us six months- 

00:04:37,340 --> 00:04:37,350 [Michelle Harris]
Wow 

00:04:37,350 --> 00:04:38,900 [Todd Branham]
... to construct this thing. 

00:04:38,900 --> 00:04:40,060 [Michelle Harris]
Interesting. 

00:04:40,060 --> 00:04:47,140 [Todd Branham]
But I think in the end, it-- I have the most pride about myself in this project. It is stunning. 

00:04:47,140 --> 00:04:48,060 [Michelle Harris]
Oh, that's amazing. 

00:04:48,060 --> 00:04:51,500 [Todd Branham]
Absolutely stunning. Some of the work we did between the rocks. 

00:04:51,500 --> 00:04:52,020 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:04:52,020 --> 00:04:54,650 [Todd Branham]
I don't know how the machines even... I don't know how we did it. [laughs] 

00:04:54,650 --> 00:04:55,020 [Michelle Harris]
[laughs] 

00:04:55,020 --> 00:04:56,020 [Todd Branham]
It's, it's a miracle. 

00:04:56,020 --> 00:04:57,440 [Michelle Harris]
Wow. That's so cool. 

00:04:57,440 --> 00:05:00,290 [Todd Branham]
And I think if you walk it, you would go, "How did they do this?" 

00:05:00,290 --> 00:05:00,540 [Michelle Harris]
[laughs] 

00:05:00,600 --> 00:05:02,220 [Todd Branham]
Like, this is... I mean, dynamite? 

00:05:02,220 --> 00:05:02,360 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:05:02,360 --> 00:05:05,700 [Todd Branham]
And we never cut a rock. We just moved everything- 

00:05:05,700 --> 00:05:05,750 [Michelle Harris]
That is- 

00:05:05,750 --> 00:05:06,900 [Todd Branham]
... and placed dirt. 

00:05:06,900 --> 00:05:07,880 [Michelle Harris]
That is amazing. 

00:05:07,880 --> 00:05:09,100 [Todd Branham]
It was incredible. 

00:05:09,100 --> 00:05:14,240 [Michelle Harris]
I love it. So what's one of the biggest challenges you've had on a project? 

00:05:15,820 --> 00:05:24,920 [Todd Branham]
Um, you know, in two decades it's changed. Um, w- I, you know, currently, um, getting people to help. 

00:05:24,920 --> 00:05:25,800 [Michelle Harris]
Sure. Yeah. 

00:05:25,800 --> 00:05:27,420 [Todd Branham]
Um, it's hard labor. 

00:05:27,420 --> 00:05:27,450 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:05:27,450 --> 00:05:33,900 [Todd Branham]
People underestimate. They have no idea how hard and physical building trails can be. 

00:05:35,620 --> 00:05:35,630 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:05:35,630 --> 00:05:36,960 [Todd Branham]
Um, it's very demanding. 

00:05:36,960 --> 00:05:37,370 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:05:37,370 --> 00:05:39,720 [Todd Branham]
Um, that's been currently the hardest problem. 

00:05:39,720 --> 00:05:39,860 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:05:39,860 --> 00:05:45,400 [Todd Branham]
We've gone back and forth with that, but, um, I mean, you know, back in the day, it was finding jobs. 

00:05:45,400 --> 00:05:45,560 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:05:45,560 --> 00:05:57,295 [Todd Branham]
Because, you know, no one knew there were trail builders, and you would run all over the place trying to find trails, and now-It seems to have seeded everybody nose trails, and we find enough work right here- 

00:05:57,296 --> 00:05:57,606 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:05:57,606 --> 00:05:59,536 [Todd Branham]
-so we can sleep in our beds, which is nice. 

00:05:59,536 --> 00:06:00,455 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:06:00,455 --> 00:06:00,676 [Todd Branham]
[chuckles] 

00:06:00,676 --> 00:06:08,115 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah, exactly. I think, you know, that interests you too. Like you said, it's very demanding, but so rewarding. Like to see- 

00:06:08,116 --> 00:06:08,126 [Todd Branham]
Um- 

00:06:08,126 --> 00:06:11,196 [Michelle Harris]
-the project when it's done, it's got to just feel so good. 

00:06:11,196 --> 00:06:19,126 [Todd Branham]
Yeah. Well, you know, the mystery of trails, when you first meet anybody, no matter how educated they are on the trails, they kinda look at you like, "So you're the guy." 

00:06:19,126 --> 00:06:19,686 [Michelle Harris]
[chuckles] 

00:06:19,686 --> 00:06:28,706 [Todd Branham]
Like, "What are you gonna do?" And then halfway through, their shoulders are a little lower, and they're looking at you in the eyes like, "Wow, this is cool." And in the end, they're just thanking you. They're like- 

00:06:28,706 --> 00:06:28,706 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:06:28,706 --> 00:06:37,136 [Todd Branham]
..."This is the coolest thing I've ever seen. I can't believe how talented you guys are, the vision you have, like the hard work ethic. It's amazing." 

00:06:37,136 --> 00:06:37,245 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:06:37,245 --> 00:06:39,196 [Todd Branham]
"It was amazing to watch you guys." 

00:06:39,196 --> 00:06:40,176 [Michelle Harris]
That's so awesome. 

00:06:41,736 --> 00:06:55,995 [Michelle Harris]
Um, okay, so here's my question. I'm sure most people have this question, too. How do you map out the paths? And like, how do you look at the different considerations like drainage and nature and rocks? Like how do you just... how do you figure all that out? 

00:06:55,996 --> 00:07:01,326 [Todd Branham]
Um, well, you know, all that's done on the f- there's four phases to the trail completion. Uh- 

00:07:01,326 --> 00:07:01,436 [Michelle Harris]
Okay. 

00:07:01,436 --> 00:07:03,756 [Todd Branham]
It's first, first is gonna be the design. 

00:07:03,756 --> 00:07:04,296 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:07:04,296 --> 00:07:12,616 [Todd Branham]
And then once you complete the design, there will be preparing it for the machines, which is chainsawing and getting things out of the way, cutting things about knee height- 

00:07:12,616 --> 00:07:12,806 [Michelle Harris]
Okay. 

00:07:12,806 --> 00:07:18,496 [Todd Branham]
-so we have, um, something to pluck out of the way. And keep in mind, it is a trail, so the only thing- 

00:07:18,496 --> 00:07:18,506 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:07:18,506 --> 00:07:21,256 [Todd Branham]
Like the biggest thing we would cut is about as big as our arms. 

00:07:21,256 --> 00:07:21,656 [Michelle Harris]
Okay. 

00:07:21,656 --> 00:07:22,696 [Todd Branham]
Not very big. 

00:07:22,696 --> 00:07:23,196 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:07:23,196 --> 00:07:28,196 [Todd Branham]
Um, 'cause we can weave in and out of the trees. And in fact, we wanna take the trail through the trees- 

00:07:28,196 --> 00:07:28,346 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:07:28,346 --> 00:07:29,046 [Todd Branham]
-and under the trees. 

00:07:29,046 --> 00:07:29,756 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:07:29,756 --> 00:07:57,476 [Todd Branham]
Um, and then the third process would be the construction with the machines, and then the final process would be the landscaping, cutting all the roots, getting the dirt sculpted exactly like you want it. Um, you know, and then l- taking a blower and blowing leaves on each side, so none of the erosion goes away. Um, but the design is the key piece. The design is where it's at, um, in the fact that when you're doing that, you're walking the land. Um, I'll run you through the process. 

00:07:57,476 --> 00:07:57,936 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:07:57,936 --> 00:07:59,636 [Todd Branham]
So basically, um, 

00:08:01,256 --> 00:08:05,556 [Todd Branham]
like on Haywood Community College, the first thing that we wanna do is get your boundaries- 

00:08:05,556 --> 00:08:05,745 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:08:05,745 --> 00:08:45,556 [Todd Branham]
-and then figure out what's available, what canvas do we have to work with, if you will. Um, this was an amazing piece of canvas because it had so much green space behind the buildings that we could work with. It was like, "Oh, wow." Um, so what we do is we, we basically walk the boundary of the property and look within it, identifying the boundaries, which is our frame, if you will. Um, and then we dissect and walk through the middle. And what we're doing is we're trying to find interesting features such as rocks, trees, plant life, um, even where the sun kinda comes over a hill, you know, it perches a big cliff, anything, and we GPS those points. 

00:08:45,556 --> 00:08:45,596 [Michelle Harris]
Okay. 

00:08:45,596 --> 00:09:13,216 [Todd Branham]
And then when we design it, the land dictates how up, you know, quickly you can go up or go down, and where you take it. If it's wet, you don't wanna go there. Uh, we try to avoid extensive trails with a lot of bridges and, you know, you can stay away from those areas. So then we kinda craft the trail to try to link sustainably to all these features, creating that nice experience, bringing you to all these... We like loops- 

00:09:13,216 --> 00:09:13,516 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:09:13,516 --> 00:09:20,756 [Todd Branham]
-versus out and back, so we try to do a loop. Um, but it's all about the experience and the grades of the trail. 

00:09:20,756 --> 00:09:26,996 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. So do you use a special like program to help with the GPS part of it? 

00:09:26,996 --> 00:09:30,536 [Todd Branham]
Um, there are some tools that you can use to make sure that the grade's okay. 

00:09:30,536 --> 00:09:30,856 [Michelle Harris]
Okay. 

00:09:30,856 --> 00:09:36,376 [Todd Branham]
Um, a clinometer is what I use, and that just basically, it's a grade tool, and it shows you what the slope is. 

00:09:36,376 --> 00:09:37,196 [Michelle Harris]
Okay. 

00:09:37,196 --> 00:09:44,176 [Todd Branham]
Um, and then knowing the machine, I think, is a big advantage. Knowing how you can manipulate the earth and the dirt- 

00:09:44,176 --> 00:09:44,206 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:09:44,206 --> 00:09:47,576 [Todd Branham]
-um, and knowing where to put the drains, being very, very sensitive- 

00:09:47,576 --> 00:09:47,636 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:09:47,636 --> 00:09:49,736 [Todd Branham]
-to water and what it's gonna do. 

00:09:49,736 --> 00:09:50,226 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. Sure. 

00:09:50,226 --> 00:09:59,025 [Todd Branham]
And what you're gonna do, because you don't... You're controlling dirt. You don't want it to slide down a hill. You know, when you're, you're going across where water crosses sometimes. 

00:09:59,025 --> 00:09:59,036 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:09:59,036 --> 00:10:01,436 [Todd Branham]
So your trail has to be aligned correctly. 

00:10:01,436 --> 00:10:01,995 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:10:01,996 --> 00:10:04,736 [Todd Branham]
Um, micro-engineering is the word. 

00:10:04,736 --> 00:10:04,956 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:10:04,956 --> 00:10:19,916 [Todd Branham]
It's really... When you look at a trail, you don't see all these things, but the 5% out slope, the little dips that are on trails, the curving left and right, the serpentine of the trail, those are all engineered techniques to shed water. 

00:10:19,916 --> 00:10:20,316 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. 

00:10:20,316 --> 00:10:23,096 [Todd Branham]
Water doesn't like to turn, nor does it like to go uphill. 

00:10:23,096 --> 00:10:23,676 [Michelle Harris]
Right. 

00:10:23,676 --> 00:10:27,296 [Todd Branham]
So if you're constantly doing that... And then that's creative to the user. 

00:10:27,296 --> 00:10:27,756 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:10:27,756 --> 00:10:29,796 [Todd Branham]
You know, it's not a straight line through the woods. 

00:10:29,796 --> 00:10:30,556 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:10:30,556 --> 00:10:39,336 [Todd Branham]
So and if you can link that to cool trees and rocks and corners, the experience is top-notch. 

00:10:39,336 --> 00:10:43,456 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. So, okay, so you cut stuff to knee height, you said. 

00:10:43,456 --> 00:10:43,916 [Todd Branham]
Yeah. 

00:10:43,916 --> 00:10:46,476 [Michelle Harris]
What are these machines? Like, I'm envisioning these- 

00:10:46,476 --> 00:10:46,486 [Todd Branham]
Okay. 

00:10:46,486 --> 00:10:48,906 [Michelle Harris]
-massive bulldozers, and I know they don't fit back there. 

00:10:48,906 --> 00:10:48,936 [Todd Branham]
No. 

00:10:48,936 --> 00:10:50,076 [Michelle Harris]
So what are these machines? 

00:10:50,076 --> 00:10:54,556 [Todd Branham]
So they're, they're pretty cool. So they're, they're very common. They're mini excavators. 

00:10:54,556 --> 00:10:54,916 [Michelle Harris]
Oh, okay. 

00:10:54,916 --> 00:11:02,656 [Todd Branham]
We use a lot of it, and then mini skid steers with a blade. Um, we do have a specialty tool that we used here that is my favorite tool. 

00:11:02,656 --> 00:11:03,616 [Michelle Harris]
[chuckles] 

00:11:03,616 --> 00:11:07,316 [Todd Branham]
And it is called a Sutter, S-U-T-T-E-R. 

00:11:07,316 --> 00:11:07,715 [Michelle Harris]
Okay. 

00:11:07,716 --> 00:11:19,696 [Todd Branham]
It's made in Reno, Nevada. Um, it's, uh, 100% American-made. It is made for the Forest Service to build trails specifically. It's a four-foot wide bulldozer. 

00:11:19,696 --> 00:11:19,716 [Michelle Harris]
Okay. 

00:11:19,716 --> 00:11:27,776 [Todd Branham]
It's 10,000 pounds with metal tracks, with a six-way articulating blade and a winch off the back. 

00:11:27,776 --> 00:11:29,596 [Michelle Harris]
Wow. 

00:11:29,596 --> 00:11:44,116 [Todd Branham]
So it makes trail, uh, look super easy to construct because of the power. You're pushing dirt versus spreading dirt. Um, it's a little bit more messy than the other machines, but the speed- 

00:11:44,116 --> 00:11:44,636 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:11:44,636 --> 00:11:49,666 [Todd Branham]
Um, you can clean up pretty easy after it. Um, it is a wonderful machine. 

00:11:49,666 --> 00:11:49,696 [Michelle Harris]
Okay. 

00:11:49,696 --> 00:11:56,665 [Todd Branham]
It is my favorite machine to run.And it's, yeah, it's a special, it's a special machine. 

00:11:56,665 --> 00:11:56,676 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:11:56,676 --> 00:12:01,576 [Todd Branham]
But when you talk about the special machine, that's really the only special machine out there. 

00:12:01,576 --> 00:12:02,276 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:12:02,276 --> 00:12:05,516 [Todd Branham]
Uh, most people construct a trail with an excavator. 

00:12:05,516 --> 00:12:07,196 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. Wow. 

00:12:07,196 --> 00:12:09,836 [Todd Branham]
You know, just digging the right, kind of move the dirt and- 

00:12:09,836 --> 00:12:10,066 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah 

00:12:10,066 --> 00:12:11,756 [Todd Branham]
... the right depth and- 

00:12:11,756 --> 00:12:11,946 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah 

00:12:11,946 --> 00:12:14,816 [Todd Branham]
... scraping the back slope so it's nice. 

00:12:14,816 --> 00:12:20,126 [Michelle Harris]
You're right. That's just also interesting. And everything looks so packed down when you're, when you're do- you know, like on the- 

00:12:20,126 --> 00:12:20,126 [Todd Branham]
Yeah 

00:12:20,126 --> 00:12:23,716 [Michelle Harris]
... trail, I'm like, "How does this happen?" [chuckles] It's all packed down and great to walk on. 

00:12:23,716 --> 00:12:25,166 [Todd Branham]
It's the machines, a lot of it. 

00:12:25,166 --> 00:12:25,176 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:12:25,176 --> 00:12:36,856 [Todd Branham]
And like if you were-- and that's the other advantage to the Sutter machine we're talking about, is it's 10,000 pounds with steel tracks. If you roll over the full tread, you're compacting it there. 

00:12:36,856 --> 00:12:37,396 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:12:37,396 --> 00:12:43,156 [Todd Branham]
When you're doing it with an excavator, there's one more step you have to do. Run a compactor over the entire trail. 

00:12:43,156 --> 00:12:43,496 [Michelle Harris]
Sure. 

00:12:45,056 --> 00:12:49,066 [Todd Branham]
It's the same in the... In the end, it's all the same. It just takes a bit longer- 

00:12:49,066 --> 00:12:49,066 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm 

00:12:49,066 --> 00:12:53,916 [Todd Branham]
... with the excavator. This particular project, you know, being over three miles, 

00:12:55,176 --> 00:12:56,296 [Todd Branham]
that would've taken a while- 

00:12:56,296 --> 00:12:56,525 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah 

00:12:56,525 --> 00:13:02,376 [Todd Branham]
... you know, with the excavator. So, um, the Sutter was what we used for most of that. 

00:13:02,376 --> 00:13:12,446 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. That's so cool. Um, and so they, that compacts. And then you mentioned earlier, like, trying not to, um, disturb any of the natural landscape. 

00:13:12,446 --> 00:13:12,476 [Todd Branham]
Mm-hmm. 

00:13:12,476 --> 00:13:20,556 [Michelle Harris]
So how do you navigate trees and rocks and things like that as you're constructing-- as you're visioning it and as you're doing it? 

00:13:20,556 --> 00:13:24,796 [Todd Branham]
Well, anything that's rocky, we, we actually head towards. We wanna be in the rocks- 

00:13:24,796 --> 00:13:24,806 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm 

00:13:24,806 --> 00:13:28,655 [Todd Branham]
... 'cause, 'cause our machine can move that, manipulate 'em, and put 'em where they want. 

00:13:28,656 --> 00:13:28,666 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:13:29,916 --> 00:13:32,616 [Todd Branham]
Um, you know, the trees, we're looking for the big cool trees. 

00:13:32,616 --> 00:13:32,636 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:13:32,636 --> 00:13:38,776 [Todd Branham]
We always wanna go on top of the trees, the big trees, so we're not going underneath and interfering with the root system. 

00:13:38,776 --> 00:13:39,496 [Michelle Harris]
Oh, sure. Yeah. 

00:13:39,496 --> 00:13:44,716 [Todd Branham]
So if you walk the trail next time, you'll notice that the trail is anchored on top of big trees. 

00:13:44,716 --> 00:13:44,866 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:13:44,866 --> 00:13:53,456 [Todd Branham]
Never goes under any trees. Um, but yeah, I mean, I think just, you know, that nature of the trail, bringing it and connecting it to nature- 

00:13:53,456 --> 00:13:53,636 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm 

00:13:53,636 --> 00:13:56,976 [Todd Branham]
... I mean, that's the real key to the trail design. 

00:13:56,976 --> 00:13:59,516 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. Working with it, not against it. [chuckles] 

00:13:59,516 --> 00:14:01,436 [Todd Branham]
Working with it, yeah. Yeah, 'cause you can't work against it, you know? 

00:14:01,436 --> 00:14:01,856 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:14:01,856 --> 00:14:05,976 [Todd Branham]
You know, I said this already, I think the ter- the terrain dictates where you can take a trail. 

00:14:05,976 --> 00:14:06,656 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:14:06,656 --> 00:14:09,836 [Todd Branham]
You can't just run straight up and down hills. 

00:14:09,836 --> 00:14:10,056 [Michelle Harris]
Right. 

00:14:10,056 --> 00:14:12,196 [Todd Branham]
It just won't, it won't stay around. 

00:14:12,196 --> 00:14:12,716 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:14:12,716 --> 00:14:23,365 [Todd Branham]
So sustainably... And you know, the other thing too is if you notice the technique here, when you're going uphill, let's just talk about going uphill. There's never just a straight uphill here at Haywood Community College. 

00:14:23,365 --> 00:14:23,376 [Michelle Harris]
Oh, that's true. 

00:14:23,376 --> 00:14:26,796 [Todd Branham]
It goes up, and then it breaks, and it's flat, or in fact goes down a little bit. 

00:14:26,796 --> 00:14:26,896 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:14:26,896 --> 00:14:40,056 [Todd Branham]
Then it goes back up, and then it breaks and goes flat. And there's a reason behind that. The reason is a couple. O-one, you don't want water, you know, there's, it shedding the water. The other thing is when you're walking uphill, it gives you a little break. 

00:14:40,056 --> 00:14:41,326 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. [chuckles] True. 

00:14:41,326 --> 00:14:42,706 [Todd Branham]
You know? It gives you a little breathing time. 

00:14:42,706 --> 00:14:42,826 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:14:42,826 --> 00:14:45,585 [Todd Branham]
It helps you... It, it makes that experience better. 

00:14:45,585 --> 00:14:45,596 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:14:45,596 --> 00:14:46,876 [Todd Branham]
It feels better. 

00:14:46,876 --> 00:14:47,636 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:14:47,636 --> 00:14:49,326 [Todd Branham]
You know? You can feel it. 

00:14:49,326 --> 00:14:49,776 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:14:49,776 --> 00:14:52,336 [Todd Branham]
You know, one of the great analogies I like to use is this: 

00:14:53,356 --> 00:14:59,486 [Todd Branham]
you know a trail is right if you and I could go and walk a trail and take someone that's blind and hold their hand- 

00:14:59,486 --> 00:14:59,486 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm 

00:14:59,486 --> 00:15:01,585 [Todd Branham]
... and walk the trail and go, "How did you feel?" 

00:15:01,585 --> 00:15:01,585 [Michelle Harris]
Yes. 

00:15:01,585 --> 00:15:02,886 [Todd Branham]
"How was it?" 

00:15:02,886 --> 00:15:02,956 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:15:02,956 --> 00:15:07,576 [Todd Branham]
If they say, "That was fantastic," they didn't see anything. They felt it. 

00:15:07,576 --> 00:15:08,576 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:15:08,576 --> 00:15:09,356 [Todd Branham]
That's a good trail. 

00:15:09,356 --> 00:15:11,036 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. That's impactful. Yeah. 

00:15:11,036 --> 00:15:11,896 [Todd Branham]
It's a feeling. 

00:15:11,896 --> 00:15:18,536 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. And I've noticed that too, just walking, like, the blue trail is harder one way versus the other way. 

00:15:18,536 --> 00:15:18,546 [Todd Branham]
Exactly. 

00:15:18,546 --> 00:15:22,006 [Michelle Harris]
And you kinda gotta, you know, what exercise mode are you ready for? 

00:15:22,006 --> 00:15:22,016 [Todd Branham]
Yeah. 

00:15:22,016 --> 00:15:23,766 [Michelle Harris]
And to your point, it's all about the terrain. 

00:15:23,766 --> 00:15:23,796 [Todd Branham]
Yeah. 

00:15:23,796 --> 00:15:26,936 [Michelle Harris]
I mean, we have this great topography here that we're working with. 

00:15:26,936 --> 00:15:27,276 [Todd Branham]
Yeah. 

00:15:27,276 --> 00:15:29,496 [Michelle Harris]
Um, and it makes it just very interesting- 

00:15:29,496 --> 00:15:29,506 [Todd Branham]
Yeah 

00:15:29,506 --> 00:15:30,996 [Michelle Harris]
... whichever way you go. 

00:15:30,996 --> 00:15:32,716 [Todd Branham]
Yeah. And it looks different. See- 

00:15:32,716 --> 00:15:32,726 [Michelle Harris]
Yes 

00:15:32,726 --> 00:15:34,176 [Todd Branham]
... you know, the journey is, is- 

00:15:34,176 --> 00:15:35,076 [Michelle Harris]
Yes. 

00:15:35,076 --> 00:15:41,256 [Todd Branham]
And the other thing I would say is, like, one will be harder one way than the other, but we always ask people, "Which way is better?" 

00:15:41,256 --> 00:15:41,266 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:15:41,266 --> 00:15:45,296 [Todd Branham]
If they can't say, like, "Oh, that's a really good one," then if you can't tell... Particularly on a loop. 

00:15:45,296 --> 00:15:45,576 [Michelle Harris]
Yes. 

00:15:45,576 --> 00:15:47,876 [Todd Branham]
Like, do you like it clockwise or counterclockwise? 

00:15:47,876 --> 00:15:47,886 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:15:47,886 --> 00:15:50,055 [Todd Branham]
"Hmm, let me think about it. I don't know." 

00:15:50,056 --> 00:15:50,496 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:15:50,496 --> 00:15:54,956 [Todd Branham]
That's great. We love it. You know, 'cause in both ways, the experience is really good. 

00:15:54,956 --> 00:15:55,996 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. That's true. 

00:15:55,996 --> 00:16:00,156 [Todd Branham]
There's never a corner that's like, "Oh, counterclockwise, that corner's kinda weird. I don't really- 

00:16:00,156 --> 00:16:00,356 [Michelle Harris]
Right 

00:16:00,356 --> 00:16:01,276 [Todd Branham]
... wanna bike." 

00:16:01,276 --> 00:16:01,736 [Michelle Harris]
Right. 

00:16:01,736 --> 00:16:07,476 [Todd Branham]
Um, or it just feels, uh, uh, it looks better going the other way. I like the way the sun hits. 

00:16:07,476 --> 00:16:08,196 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:16:08,196 --> 00:16:10,236 [Todd Branham]
You know, we don't really get that too much, so- 

00:16:10,236 --> 00:16:10,416 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah 

00:16:10,416 --> 00:16:12,876 [Todd Branham]
... again, there's a lot of hidden in the design- 

00:16:12,876 --> 00:16:13,096 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah 

00:16:13,096 --> 00:16:14,176 [Todd Branham]
... inside this thing. 

00:16:14,176 --> 00:16:20,216 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. I can, I can tell that now. Okay. So how long did it take you to plan our trail here? 

00:16:21,816 --> 00:16:29,436 [Todd Branham]
Um, so, you know, looking at the boundaries and then actually marking it, um, and getting my head wrapped around everything, I feel like I spent 

00:16:30,976 --> 00:16:34,216 [Todd Branham]
probably five to six days mapping it out. 

00:16:34,216 --> 00:16:34,536 [Michelle Harris]
Okay. 

00:16:35,666 --> 00:16:38,476 [Michelle Harris]
Okay. I thought it'd be longer. That's interesting. 

00:16:38,476 --> 00:16:38,846 [Todd Branham]
No, because- 

00:16:38,846 --> 00:16:40,576 [Michelle Harris]
Well, like you said, if it tells the story... 

00:16:40,576 --> 00:16:43,696 [Todd Branham]
Well, you know what tells the story is I have great maps before. 

00:16:43,696 --> 00:16:44,416 [Michelle Harris]
Oh, okay. 

00:16:44,416 --> 00:16:46,176 [Todd Branham]
So with topography lines. 

00:16:46,176 --> 00:16:46,855 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:16:46,856 --> 00:16:51,926 [Todd Branham]
So the only thing you can't see there is wet areas, cool trees, and rocks. 

00:16:51,926 --> 00:16:51,936 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:16:51,936 --> 00:16:53,956 [Todd Branham]
But that, and you can see the boundaries. 

00:16:53,956 --> 00:16:54,355 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:16:54,356 --> 00:16:56,416 [Todd Branham]
There's some great apps now that- 

00:16:56,416 --> 00:16:56,736 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah 

00:16:56,736 --> 00:16:59,036 [Todd Branham]
... digital to show you, you know, hey, here's the boundary. 

00:16:59,036 --> 00:16:59,496 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:16:59,496 --> 00:17:05,606 [Todd Branham]
Um, so that part's easy. But, you know, no, I mean, having... I came in with a great plan. 

00:17:05,606 --> 00:17:05,616 [Michelle Harris]
Great. 

00:17:05,616 --> 00:17:08,415 [Todd Branham]
And I think sometimes you can't do that. 

00:17:08,415 --> 00:17:10,066 [Michelle Harris]
[chuckles] Sorry. 

00:17:10,066 --> 00:17:16,156 [Todd Branham]
And we have cell reception all around the campus. [both laughing] That was a bonus. Let me tell you. 

00:17:16,156 --> 00:17:18,316 [Michelle Harris]
So the tools really help your process. 

00:17:18,316 --> 00:17:18,556 [Todd Branham]
Yeah. 

00:17:18,556 --> 00:17:18,776 [Michelle Harris]
Yes. 

00:17:18,776 --> 00:17:22,516 [Todd Branham]
It, it, yeah. If those tools weren't around, I'd have to break out another set of tools. 

00:17:22,516 --> 00:17:22,816 [Michelle Harris]
Right. 

00:17:22,816 --> 00:17:24,616 [Todd Branham]
And then that gets a little interesting, so. 

00:17:24,616 --> 00:17:25,076 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:17:25,076 --> 00:17:26,696 [Todd Branham]
It's nice having a signals. 

00:17:26,696 --> 00:17:26,976 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. [chuckles] 

00:17:26,976 --> 00:17:28,746 [Todd Branham]
I say that. [both laughing] 

00:17:28,746 --> 00:17:28,756 [Michelle Harris]
Agreed. 

00:17:28,756 --> 00:17:31,516 [Todd Branham]
Where am I? [both laughing] 

00:17:31,516 --> 00:17:37,136 [Michelle Harris]
So what was one challenge you faced, um, that was specific to building our trail here? 

00:17:37,136 --> 00:17:37,816 [Todd Branham]
Rain. 

00:17:37,816 --> 00:17:38,456 [Michelle Harris]
Rain. 

00:17:38,456 --> 00:17:38,536 [Todd Branham]
Yeah. 

00:17:38,536 --> 00:17:39,246 [Michelle Harris]
Oh, the rain. 

00:17:39,246 --> 00:17:41,196 [Todd Branham]
'Cause we did it through the winter, and it was such- 

00:17:41,196 --> 00:17:41,356 [Michelle Harris]
Oh 

00:17:41,356 --> 00:17:42,176 [Todd Branham]
... a wet winter, and- 

00:17:42,176 --> 00:17:43,096 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah 

00:17:43,096 --> 00:17:44,266 [Todd Branham]
... yeah, it was tough. 

00:17:44,266 --> 00:17:44,266 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:17:44,266 --> 00:17:50,056 [Todd Branham]
'Cause we, we, we jumped out and we got everything prepared before, and then we just were on hold- 

00:17:50,056 --> 00:17:50,066 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah 

00:17:50,066 --> 00:17:52,696 [Todd Branham]
... 'cause you can't move dirt when it's wet. 

00:17:52,696 --> 00:17:53,016 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:17:53,016 --> 00:17:59,006 [Todd Branham]
You just can't do it. And right when it would get dry, we would mobilize and get ready, and it's like, "Tomorrow it's gonna rain." 

00:17:59,006 --> 00:17:59,016 [Michelle Harris]
[chuckles] 

00:17:59,016 --> 00:18:02,124 [Todd Branham]
And it would rain again.It was really tough. 

00:18:02,124 --> 00:18:03,244 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:18:03,244 --> 00:18:03,474 [Todd Branham]
Yeah. 

00:18:03,474 --> 00:18:03,564 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:18:03,564 --> 00:18:06,304 [Todd Branham]
So really one of the more wet winters I remember. 

00:18:06,304 --> 00:18:06,944 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:18:06,944 --> 00:18:08,144 [Todd Branham]
No snow, just- 

00:18:08,144 --> 00:18:08,624 [Michelle Harris]
Right. Yeah 

00:18:08,624 --> 00:18:09,724 [Todd Branham]
... just wet. 

00:18:09,724 --> 00:18:12,834 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. We didn't have any snow days. [laughs] 

00:18:12,834 --> 00:18:12,884 [Todd Branham]
Yeah. 

00:18:12,884 --> 00:18:16,644 [Michelle Harris]
So what was one of your favorite parts about working on our trail here? 

00:18:17,664 --> 00:18:25,204 [Todd Branham]
Um, by far, um, dealing with Breck and Ian, and knowing what was gonna come out of this. 

00:18:25,204 --> 00:18:25,844 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:18:25,844 --> 00:18:43,904 [Todd Branham]
And those guys were kind of like looking, you know, like, "So, you know, it's just another trail system." I'm like, "This is not another trail system. This is very cool. This is amazing, one, that a school campus has the ability to do this, and two, the way we dissected this thing into the blue loop and the purple loop-" 

00:18:43,904 --> 00:18:44,694 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:18:44,694 --> 00:18:52,904 [Todd Branham]
"... there is a variety of different options you can take here." And I did my research before we even did this trail, and I sat in the parking lot and us- looked at the user. 

00:18:52,904 --> 00:18:53,314 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:18:53,314 --> 00:19:01,164 [Todd Branham]
The user is mainly people of campus walking around, and people after work parking here and getting their exercise. 

00:19:01,164 --> 00:19:01,664 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:19:01,664 --> 00:19:06,403 [Todd Branham]
And I watched them, and they c- there was no proper loop. Like, the yellow loop is the proper inside- 

00:19:06,403 --> 00:19:06,644 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm 

00:19:06,644 --> 00:19:20,464 [Todd Branham]
... loop that was already... Half of it was already here. I just added to it to make it a loop, and then we signed it. There were eight versions of that loop, and now if you watch people, there's one version, the version that they, that we've mapped out for them because it feels good. 

00:19:20,464 --> 00:19:20,604 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:19:20,604 --> 00:19:40,224 [Todd Branham]
It feels safe. It feels good. It all connects right. But off of that, there's so many options, and I feel like the user here, they get outside a little bit. That, the, the person that I'm talking about that pops in here after work, the reason they're doing that is because they live somewhere where it's not available to them. 

00:19:40,224 --> 00:19:40,404 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:19:40,404 --> 00:19:45,804 [Todd Branham]
You know, a safe place to walk, uh, a trail infrastructure, a sidewalk infrastructure. 

00:19:45,804 --> 00:19:45,914 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:19:45,914 --> 00:20:00,324 [Todd Branham]
None of that's available, um, when you're living in the country, let's say. Um, but not that they don't get in the woods, but this is a... You know, it's interesting how it step stones into, you're in concrete, you're around buildings, a little bit of woods. 

00:20:00,324 --> 00:20:00,644 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:20:00,644 --> 00:20:02,944 [Todd Branham]
And then the back stuff's a little mix more- 

00:20:02,944 --> 00:20:03,164 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm 

00:20:03,164 --> 00:20:05,824 [Todd Branham]
... and the back, back stuff, you're totally in the woods. 

00:20:05,824 --> 00:20:06,044 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:20:06,044 --> 00:20:07,704 [Todd Branham]
But you're still close to campus. 

00:20:07,704 --> 00:20:08,504 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:20:08,504 --> 00:20:19,324 [Todd Branham]
So, you know, it's a great trail system for a beginner, intermediate person that doesn't feel so comfortable outside under the trees alone, uh, women, kids. It's wonderful for them- 

00:20:19,324 --> 00:20:19,334 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm 

00:20:19,334 --> 00:20:24,734 [Todd Branham]
... because it gives you that outdoor feeling, but you're not so far away from things. 

00:20:24,734 --> 00:20:24,744 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:20:24,744 --> 00:20:32,964 [Todd Branham]
And it's quiet. You don't hear anything. Um, it really could boost, um, you know, someone to get outside more often- 

00:20:32,964 --> 00:20:32,974 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah 

00:20:32,974 --> 00:20:36,064 [Todd Branham]
... and go explore, and, you know, what's next? What's in the parks? 

00:20:36,064 --> 00:20:36,084 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:20:36,084 --> 00:20:37,684 [Todd Branham]
What's in Pisgah? What's in DuPont? 

00:20:37,684 --> 00:20:38,134 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:20:38,134 --> 00:20:40,104 [Todd Branham]
Um, so- 

00:20:40,104 --> 00:20:40,424 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah 

00:20:40,424 --> 00:20:41,804 [Todd Branham]
... I think, I think it's cool in that respect. 

00:20:41,804 --> 00:20:49,824 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. I would agree. I love the mix as well. Um, yeah, it's just great. Um, okay, so how often do you go hike? 

00:20:50,924 --> 00:20:58,884 [Todd Branham]
Um, well, so every day I'm out, and I'm hiking the, you know, up and down the trail working. Um, but at least every weekend, you know- 

00:20:58,884 --> 00:20:58,933 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah 

00:20:58,933 --> 00:21:01,324 [Todd Branham]
... I like to get out and do something. I'm a cyclist, so I like- 

00:21:01,324 --> 00:21:01,373 [Michelle Harris]
Okay 

00:21:01,373 --> 00:21:07,104 [Todd Branham]
... to cycle a lot. But, um, yeah, I, I mean, hiking, I hike at least once a week. 

00:21:07,104 --> 00:21:07,444 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:21:08,644 --> 00:21:08,684 [Todd Branham]
I mean... 

00:21:08,684 --> 00:21:15,264 [Michelle Harris]
It's so cool 'cause everything is so different. Even like you said, even if you do clockwise and counterclockwise, it's different than the day before. 

00:21:15,264 --> 00:21:15,624 [Todd Branham]
Oh, yeah. 

00:21:15,624 --> 00:21:18,824 [Michelle Harris]
And it's just so cool to look at and just be out in nature, and- 

00:21:18,824 --> 00:21:25,044 [Todd Branham]
Well, and in our area too, you know, like, you know, to your point, if you're hiking once a week, well, then you're hiking a lot. 

00:21:25,044 --> 00:21:25,504 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:21:25,504 --> 00:21:31,524 [Todd Branham]
And I'm telling you, the inventory of trails in western North Carolina are rather hard. 

00:21:31,524 --> 00:21:32,454 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:21:32,454 --> 00:21:34,944 [Todd Branham]
That's what's so special about this campus trail. 

00:21:34,944 --> 00:21:34,964 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:21:34,964 --> 00:21:35,844 [Todd Branham]
They're not so hard. 

00:21:35,844 --> 00:21:36,744 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:21:36,744 --> 00:21:37,864 [Todd Branham]
You know, they're challenging- 

00:21:37,864 --> 00:21:37,874 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm 

00:21:37,874 --> 00:21:39,524 [Todd Branham]
... but they're not so hard. 

00:21:39,524 --> 00:21:40,084 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:21:40,084 --> 00:21:45,963 [Todd Branham]
And because they are in pieces, you can add or subtract whatever you want. 

00:21:45,964 --> 00:21:46,014 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:21:46,014 --> 00:21:48,414 [Todd Branham]
Make it as long or as short as you want it to be. 

00:21:48,414 --> 00:21:48,464 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:21:48,464 --> 00:21:55,144 [Todd Branham]
Do multiple loop. I mean, it's, it's cool. Where sometimes the stuff I do, you know, it's like, okay, here we go. It's an eight-mile loop. 

00:21:55,144 --> 00:21:55,164 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:21:55,164 --> 00:21:56,844 [Todd Branham]
Once you start going- 

00:21:56,844 --> 00:21:56,854 [Michelle Harris]
[laughs] 

00:21:56,854 --> 00:22:00,074 [Todd Branham]
... that's it, and it's 3,000 feet of climbing. [laughs] 

00:22:00,074 --> 00:22:00,124 [Michelle Harris]
[laughs] 

00:22:00,124 --> 00:22:01,624 [Todd Branham]
Up to 6,000 feet. 

00:22:01,624 --> 00:22:01,914 [Michelle Harris]
Oh. 

00:22:01,914 --> 00:22:02,683 [Todd Branham]
In the... 

00:22:02,684 --> 00:22:04,504 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. It's true. 

00:22:04,504 --> 00:22:04,534 [Todd Branham]
It's so- 

00:22:04,534 --> 00:22:05,264 [Michelle Harris]
I know, and- 

00:22:05,264 --> 00:22:06,804 [Todd Branham]
And the footing can be difficult- 

00:22:06,804 --> 00:22:07,004 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah 

00:22:07,004 --> 00:22:12,284 [Todd Branham]
... in Pisgah, and these are nice and wide, smooth. Someone coming the other way, you can pass. 

00:22:12,284 --> 00:22:12,304 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:22:12,304 --> 00:22:14,724 [Todd Branham]
You can walk side by side and talk. 

00:22:14,724 --> 00:22:15,044 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. 

00:22:15,044 --> 00:22:15,204 [Todd Branham]
Um, 

00:22:16,724 --> 00:22:17,484 [Todd Branham]
I like these trail- 

00:22:17,484 --> 00:22:17,494 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah 

00:22:17,494 --> 00:22:22,963 [Todd Branham]
... I like that type of trail, you know. My favorite place is DuPont because all the trails are like this. 

00:22:22,963 --> 00:22:23,303 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:22:23,304 --> 00:22:25,704 [Todd Branham]
They're all a little bit wider. They're smoother. 

00:22:25,704 --> 00:22:26,324 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:22:26,324 --> 00:22:26,544 [Todd Branham]
Um, 

00:22:27,604 --> 00:22:31,184 [Todd Branham]
you know, it feels safe too to be able to see around the trails. 

00:22:32,364 --> 00:22:32,674 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:22:32,674 --> 00:22:32,904 [Todd Branham]
Like that. 

00:22:32,904 --> 00:22:45,724 [Michelle Harris]
Well, and to your point, if you're tired, you just can stop and go back to your car relatively easily. And then if you're like, "Oh, hey, I have an extra 10 minutes before I have to, you know, pick up my child from daycare," or whatever it might be, "Let me hop on this other one real quick." And so it- 

00:22:45,724 --> 00:22:45,734 [Todd Branham]
Yeah 

00:22:45,734 --> 00:22:49,804 [Michelle Harris]
... allows you that flexibility as you're looking at your exercise for the day. 

00:22:49,804 --> 00:23:29,204 [Todd Branham]
Yeah. Yeah, and if you actually look at this, and you take... and look at that lower loop, the yellow, and then you look at the blue, and the one... It's something called a stacked loop system, is the definition of exactly what, how this was designed. And what that means is, is someone can start at the lower one, the smaller, easier loop, and then once they wanna do more, they can step up to that next stack, that upper stack. And then once they get more adventurous, they can go to the upper stack. And three... A, a couple things happen there. One, you get more elevation gain, so your elevation, you know, that's gonna work you out more. Plus, you have more steps. I mean, it's a longer distance. Um, and it should be a different experience. 

00:23:29,204 --> 00:23:29,894 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:23:29,894 --> 00:23:35,134 [Todd Branham]
And I feel like we achieved that on these three different loops, primary loops we have here. 

00:23:35,134 --> 00:23:35,144 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:23:35,144 --> 00:23:40,534 [Todd Branham]
They're all very different experiences. You know, when you get on that purple back there, I mean, it feels like a little mountain. 

00:23:40,534 --> 00:23:40,534 [Michelle Harris]
[laughs] 

00:23:40,534 --> 00:23:42,304 [Todd Branham]
And you look up, and you're like, "Man." 

00:23:42,304 --> 00:23:42,644 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. [laughs] 

00:23:42,644 --> 00:23:54,184 [Todd Branham]
You look down the hill, and you just see... You know, 'cause you can see the bottom, and you could go down really fast. But the way they've designed, it kind of goes around the mountain to the backside that you don't see, and then pops back over. 

00:23:54,184 --> 00:23:54,904 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:23:54,904 --> 00:23:55,884 [Todd Branham]
It's very playful. 

00:23:55,884 --> 00:24:09,664 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. Yeah. Yeah. I love it. So as we have visitors on our trails, what tips would you give to them to ensure that our trails stay well-maintained and, you know, just good, good trail, um, stewards?

00:24:10,780 --> 00:24:14,759 [Todd Branham]
Um, the main thing is just stay off the trails after a rain. 

00:24:14,760 --> 00:24:15,200 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah. 

00:24:15,200 --> 00:24:27,880 [Todd Branham]
You know, they are natural surface trails. Um, typical rule of thumb is if you, um, are driving in and the pavement on the roads are still wet, you should not be on the trails. 

00:24:27,880 --> 00:24:27,940 [Michelle Harris]
Okay. 

00:24:27,940 --> 00:24:44,730 [Todd Branham]
It's usually about an hour after the pavement heals, you know, from, from a rain, it's dry. You can be on the trails then and be okay. But if you get out there and it's slippy and slidey, just, just don't. Um, the other thing is if you get out there and you see a tree down- 

00:24:44,730 --> 00:24:44,760 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:24:44,760 --> 00:24:50,280 [Todd Branham]
You know, report it to the campus, so we can get out and we can make the experience for the next user better. 

00:24:50,280 --> 00:24:50,430 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:24:50,430 --> 00:25:09,000 [Todd Branham]
And get out there and get it. Because all these trails, you know, something nice that I'd like to talk about too is, you know, that part of it. The trails are wider for a couple reasons. One, to do maintenance. Uh, the other thing, and it's very crafty, is the signage out here, and you notice that there's numbers on the trees. 

00:25:09,000 --> 00:25:09,030 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:25:09,030 --> 00:25:25,260 [Todd Branham]
One, two, three. All that is emergency exits. So if you were to get hurt in between, you would say, "I'm between 19 and 20." They know, EMS and fire know where that's at and come in and can get you in between these on the trail with a UTV. 

00:25:25,260 --> 00:25:26,100 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:25:26,100 --> 00:25:34,820 [Todd Branham]
So it saves that time of walking in with a basket and walking out. "Well now, where at?" You know, on the turn on the blue, there's 95 turns. Where's that? 

00:25:34,820 --> 00:25:35,460 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:25:35,460 --> 00:26:10,170 [Todd Branham]
They know exactly where you're at. So again, it's a very safe trail. It should feel safe. Um, and the biggest tip is when you show up at the trailhead, take a picture of the trail. So when you're out there on the kiosks, so you know where you're at, because all these numbers, and colors, and turns, and junctions, and kiosk trailheads, you can't get lost. It's very simple to find your way around. And in fact, look at a map and walk and go, "I know exactly where I'm at. I feel comfortable out here." 

00:26:10,170 --> 00:26:10,180 [Michelle Harris]
Mm-hmm. 

00:26:10,180 --> 00:26:15,320 [Todd Branham]
And again, that's another comfort feeling that these trails offer that some trails don't. 

00:26:15,320 --> 00:26:24,340 [Michelle Harris]
Yeah, I would agree. I would definitely agree. So is there anything else you wanna share with our listeners today about our trail system or what you do, or any of the above? 

00:26:25,420 --> 00:26:44,720 [Todd Branham]
Um, th-this is, uh, this is really a fantastic trail system. And again, um, if you're a beginner or intermediate to getting outside, if you just want to experience something new, I highly recommend these trails over here. They're, they're very attainable to any age group. Um, 

00:26:46,560 --> 00:26:58,200 [Todd Branham]
I think they're fantastic. I mean, they're... And, and again, you know, when you look at most trails around our area, they're pretty hard. These are not that hard. They're very attainable to get to, so come check 'em out. 

00:26:58,200 --> 00:27:06,060 [Michelle Harris]
Great. I love it. So we have a couple minutes, um, to get to know you a little bit better with what we call our rapid fire questions. 

00:27:06,060 --> 00:27:06,660 [Todd Branham]
Okay. 

00:27:06,660 --> 00:27:14,930 [Michelle Harris]
So these are meant to be simple questions, um, kind of your gut reaction. Um, and I just think they're kind of fun. So are you ready? [laughs] 

00:27:14,930 --> 00:27:16,000 [Todd Branham]
Okay. Let's do it. Okay, yeah. 

00:27:16,000 --> 00:27:17,440 [Michelle Harris]
Dogs or cats? 

00:27:17,440 --> 00:27:18,060 [Todd Branham]
Dogs. 

00:27:18,060 --> 00:27:19,500 [Michelle Harris]
What's your favorite color? 

00:27:19,500 --> 00:27:20,340 [Todd Branham]
Blue. 

00:27:20,340 --> 00:27:23,150 [Michelle Harris]
If you order pizza, pineapple or no pineapple? 

00:27:23,150 --> 00:27:23,150 [Todd Branham]
Pineapple. 

00:27:24,360 --> 00:27:26,660 [Michelle Harris]
Do you have any musical talents? 

00:27:26,660 --> 00:27:27,550 [Todd Branham]
Wish I did. [laughs] 

00:27:27,550 --> 00:27:30,020 [Michelle Harris]
[laughs] Sweet or unsweet tea? 

00:27:30,020 --> 00:27:31,120 [Todd Branham]
Unsweet. 

00:27:31,120 --> 00:27:33,580 [Michelle Harris]
What's your go-to birthday cake flavor? 

00:27:33,580 --> 00:27:34,900 [Todd Branham]
Chocolate. 

00:27:34,960 --> 00:27:36,560 [Michelle Harris]
What's your wake-up beverage? 

00:27:36,560 --> 00:27:37,680 [Todd Branham]
Coffee. 

00:27:37,680 --> 00:27:39,280 [Michelle Harris]
Dawn or dusk? 

00:27:39,280 --> 00:27:40,100 [Todd Branham]
Dusk. 

00:27:40,100 --> 00:27:41,720 [Michelle Harris]
Sweet or salty? 

00:27:41,720 --> 00:27:42,680 [Todd Branham]
Salty. 

00:27:42,680 --> 00:27:44,560 [Michelle Harris]
Favorite muffin type. 

00:27:44,560 --> 00:27:46,040 [Todd Branham]
Blueberry. 

00:27:46,100 --> 00:27:48,440 [Michelle Harris]
Mayo or Miracle Whip? 

00:27:48,440 --> 00:27:49,380 [Todd Branham]
Neither. 

00:27:49,380 --> 00:27:50,860 [Michelle Harris]
[laughs] 

00:27:50,860 --> 00:27:50,900 [Todd Branham]
I use- 

00:27:50,900 --> 00:27:54,440 [Michelle Harris]
Are you a, [laughs] are you a morning or a night person? 

00:27:54,440 --> 00:27:54,860 [Todd Branham]
Uh, 

00:27:55,940 --> 00:27:57,400 [Todd Branham]
more days now morning. 

00:27:57,400 --> 00:27:58,500 [Michelle Harris]
Okay. 

00:27:58,500 --> 00:27:58,510 [Todd Branham]
Yeah. 

00:27:58,510 --> 00:28:01,100 [Michelle Harris]
And vacation or staycation? 

00:28:01,100 --> 00:28:02,990 [Todd Branham]
Vacation. [laughs] 

00:28:02,990 --> 00:28:03,230 [Michelle Harris]
[laughs] Well- 

00:28:03,230 --> 00:28:04,740 [Todd Branham]
Work hard and play hard. 

00:28:04,740 --> 00:28:18,340 [Michelle Harris]
That's right. I love it. I love it. Todd, thank you so much for your time today. This has been so great. I'm so excited to have these on our campus now, and now we're able to share a little bit more behind the scenes with our listeners and visitors, and we just appreciate all the work you've done. 

00:28:18,340 --> 00:28:20,540 [Todd Branham]
Thank you, Michelle. This has been great. 

00:28:20,540 --> 00:28:43,640 [Announcer]
[outro music] Thanks for listening to another episode of Bobcat Chat. Haywood Community College is located in Clyde, North Carolina. If you would like to learn more about our great school, head over to www.haywood.edu. That's H-A-Y-W-O-O-D.E-D-U. 

00:28:44,850 --> 00:28:45,850 [Announcer]
[bobcat roar]