CHATFIELD COLLEGE GIVES SPECIAL CARE TO STUDENTS DURING PANDEMIC TO KEEP DREAMS OF A COLLEGE EDUCATION ALIVE

2021. Chatfield College made the decision last fall to continue offering classes on-campus while expanding online courses for those students who needed to continue their education but unable to attend in-person. Special care was given to in-person instruction while keeping the safety of the student and staff a priority. All students, faculty, and staff were required to have daily temperature checks, a daily log was kept of who entered the building, masks were required, and learning and work stations were spaced at least six feet apart. As a result, the college could continue an entire semester in person and did not have one instance of a Covid-19 outbreak.

“Our mission is to meet students where they are. Many of our students come from economically challenged environments, and our campus provides a haven. Our students prefer in-person instruction and small class sizes to thrive. We’re an extension of their family, and they know their success is our number one priority,” said Robert Elmore, President.

Classes for the Spring semester began on January 25, 2021. Chatfield has been able to continue offering on-campus instruction as well as online courses. Chatfield plans to move ahead with the same model for the Summer and Fall 2021 semesters.

Another safety feature available to students, faculty, and staff is LiveSafe, a leading mobile platform for safety and security risk reporting, emergency communications, and Covid-19 concerns. This mobile platform provides real-time updates for safety and health concerns.

In addition to safety and health precautions, Chatfield has promoted George TenEyck, former Coordinator of Volunteers, to Coordinator of Student Success. In this role, TenEyck helps connect students with the resources they need to be successful. Chatfield recently added an internal process, Chatfield Cares, to address student concerns ranging from attendance, technology issues to financial aid concerns. Each enrolled student received a phone call from the Chatfield Cares team the weekend before the spring semester to ensure students were set up for success.

Chatfield is also mindful that Covid-19 has created anxiety for many students. The Cincinnati campus, located in Over-the-Rhine, added a new course, “Art 130: Exploring Art Therapy,” for the Spring 2021 semester. Avery Blair-Wilson is teaching this course. She is a Registered Art Therapist (ATR) and obtained her Masters in Art Therapy at the School of Art Institute in Chicago. Blair-Wilson also has a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Ohio University. Students in Chatfield’s “Exploring Art Therapy” course will learn the history of art therapy, demonstrate how art therapy is utilized in various spaces, and teach students different art-making techniques.