Greene Publishing, Inc. Photo By Carole Mitchell, December 1, 2016
The members of the NFCC MSP Advisory Team, from left to right, are: Taneeka Barfield, Shirley Mattair, Jim Rowe, Pastor Octavious Tookes, Edna Haynes Turner, Candida M. Atkins and Marvin “Merv” Mattair.
Carole Mitchell, Greene Publishing, Inc.
Building a bridge of success that no one has to cross alone is the motto for the North Florida Community College (NFCC) Minority Success Program (MSP). It was also the theme of the MSP kick-off dinner for the 2016-17 school year.
The MSP aims to help NFCC minority students succeed at every step of their academic journey, from admissions to graduation. Students have access to academic and student support programs, along with NFCC campus resources. The NFCC MSP is open to minorities from NFCC’s six-county service district, which includes Hamilton, Jefferson, Lafayette, Madison, Suwannee and Taylor counties.
The dinner, which included fried chicken, mashed potatoes and green beans, was held at the NFCC Student Center and was one of the many gifts provided to attendees. MSP Advisory Team member, Martin “Merv” Mattair gave an energetic welcome to the community members, NFCC students and their family members.
Mattair was thrilled that close to 20 members of the community had volunteered to partner with NFCC MSP as mentors. He introduced the mentors in attendance as: Rhonda Moore, retired educator and wife of county commissioner Ronnie Moore; Katrina Aikens, retired educator; Mildred Jonas; Velma Petty; Quanisha McGhee; Geneva Thomas; Georgia Deitz, NFCC staff member; and Joi Collins, educator at Greenville Elementary School.
The room was filled with the collective excitement of a purposeful plan with a supportive hand when Mattair began introductions of the “untraditional” mentors in attendance: Quanesha McGhee and her mother, Irish Glee. Glee is the student and her daughter is her mentor!
Delanye Martin and her mother Velma Petty were also spotlighted as “untraditional.” Martin is a NFCC student who’s happy to have her mother, Petty, as her mentor. The two drove all the way from Perry, Fl. to attend the kick-off event.
Pastor Octavious Tookes from Revelation Missionary Baptist Church in Madison gave the opening prayer and was the speaker for the evening. Tookes is also a member of the MSP Advisory Team.
An intentional approach to greatness was the event topic for Tookes’ inspiring words. “You must plan purposefully for your success. This means you have to plan and make a plan for how you will meet your goals,” Tookes told the students. He continued by encouraging students to look at themselves and their plans for future success: “be intentional; know your desires and create a road map for success. Being intentional and purposeful means you are striving to move forward. The future is in your hands. It is your time to step up and shine. I am here to support you,” Tookes concluded.
Mattair acknowledged the women who prepared and served the delicious meal including Tamara Johnson, Health Educator with the Madison Health Department; Tina Atkins and Gwen Bivens. He presented them with gift bags in appreciation for volunteering to provide a wonderful meal without hesitation or complaints.
Johnson, who assisted with the meal, said, “ I am always happy to assist Merv and NFCC students with achieving their goals.”
NFCC gym bags filled with goodies were given to all students. Everyone in attendance was also invited to carry home a styrofoam box with a meal inside.
The MSP is humbled by the partnership with NFCC that provides the use of campus service, facilities and offices. Donations are kindly accepted and sincerely appreciated for the MSP to continue to assist Big Bend NFCC students with their paths toward excellence.
The NFCC Minority Success Program is currently accepting applications for students interested in joining the program. Please contact Marvin “Merv” Mattair at (850) 673-1003 or via email at lifeinhd@gmail.com.