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| Officials from Denmark’s Social- Og Sundhedsskolen (Basic Health Care College) who recently visited Southwestern Community College included, from left: Dr. Hanne Helleshøj, president; Hans-Henrik Johansen, director of simulation and internationalization; and Vicky Asmussen, director of retention, evaluation and quality assurance. |
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| SCC library director Dianne Lindgren (left) shows visitors from Denmark around the Holt Library on Monday, Nov. 17. Beside Lindgren in the foreground are officials from Denmark’s Social- Og Sundhedsskolen (Basic Health Care College), from left: Dr. Hanne Helleshøj, president; Hans-Henrik Johansen, director of simulation and internationalization; and Vicky Asmussen, director of retention, evaluation and quality assurance. In the background are, from left, Sherry Fox; Dr. Thom Brooks, executive vice president for instruction and student services; and Cheryl Contino-Conner, executive director of student success. |
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| Dr. Hanne Helleshøj, president of Denmark’s Basic Health Care College, takes notes during a meeting with SCC officials on Tuesday, Nov. 18, at Southwestern’s Jackson Campus. |
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| Officials from Denmark’s Social- Og Sundhedsskolen (Basic Health Care College) who recently visited Southwestern Community College included: Dr. Hanne Helleshøj, president (seated at right); Hans-Henrik Johansen, director of simulation and internationalization (standing at right); and Vicky Asmussen, director of retention, evaluation and quality assurance (seated at left). Dr. Don Tomas, SCC president, is seated in the center. Standing beside Johansen are, from left: Lynda Parlett, director of institutional development; Curtis Dowdle, dean of public safety training; Dr. Thom Brooks, executive vice president for instruction and student services; Sonja Haynes, dean of workforce innovations and economic development; Dr. Phil Weast, dean of student services; Dr. Barbara Putman, dean of arts and sciences; and Bethany Emory, dean of learning support. |
While attending a conference in Washington D.C., last year, representatives of a Danish college sat in on a presentation by Southwestern Community College officials.
The foreign visitors were so impressed by what they heard that they felt SCC merited a closer look.
So last week (Nov. 17-18), Dr. Hanne Helleshøj – president of Denmark’s Social- og Sundhedsskolen (Basic Health Care College) – and two other officials spent two days touring SCC’s facilities in Jackson, Macon, Swain Counties and the Qualla Boundary. The international visitors learned more about Southwestern’s programs and retention efforts.
They also participated in a number of idea-sharing sessions and expressed an interest in partnering with SCC on future endeavors, including the possibility of faculty and student exchanges.
“To say it shortly, I’m so impressed,” said Dr. Helleshøj when asked to reflect on the visit. “What I noticed was more on the professional side. They provided exquisite hospitality and food and extraordinary openness. I like cooperating with people who have a sense of humor.
“The reception when we arrived, the way everyone was lined up to welcome us, it was so in line with the values of this college,” added Dr. Helleshøj, who was joined by Hans-Henrik Johansen, director of simulation and internationalization; and Vicky Asmussen, director of retention, evaluation and quality assurance.. “I hope we continue this relationship and cooperate in areas where we can. I hope there will be an opportunity for SCC representatives to visit our college in Denmark. We hope this will evolve into a larger partnership.”
Besides visiting Harrah’s Cherokee Casino and Harris Regional Hospital, the Danish visitors toured the Jerry Sutton Public Safety Training Center in Franklin and got the opportunity to drive a “skid car” – a vehicle used to prepare public safety professionals on how to manage treacherous driving conditions.
They also took advantage of a rare chance to handle a Glock handgun in SCC’s “Use of Force Simulator.” Firearms are illegal in Denmark.
“I had never fired a weapon before,” Dr. Helleshøj said with a grin. “I think I could be quite good at it with some practice.”
The original SCC presentation Dr. Helleshøj attended in Washington covered SCC’s approach to student retention.
That’s when she met Dr. Don Tomas, SCC’s president, along with Dr. Thom Brooks, now executive vice president for instruction and student services, and Cheryl Contino-Conner, executive director of student success.
Along with their stop in Western North Carolina, the Danish contingent also made stops at colleges near Orlando, Fla., (Seminole State) and Buffalo, N.Y. (Genesee Community College).
“We’re so honored that our good friends from Denmark thought so highly of what we’re doing here that they would take the time to spend two days touring our various sites and meeting with our faculty, staff and students,” Dr. Tomas said. “We greatly enjoyed learning their perspective on education, and it was a great opportunity to take a fresh look at the ways we’re serving our region.”
For more information about SCC, visit southwesterncc.edu, call 828.339.4000 or visit its Jackson Campus, Macon Campus or Swain Center.
