Selmer Center relies on success for progress

UTM Selmer Center is expecting great things in 2014.

The UTM Selmer Center is a success in progress, with over 250 students graduating from this center and other programs in the works.

Deidra Beene, director of the UTM Selmer Center, is proud of the success that the center has made.

“One of our first graduates is now working border patrol for the FBI. We are so pleased that we see so many of our education graduates now as successful teachers in local classrooms,” said Beene.

“Three students are now finishing law school who graduated through our center. We also have a previous education student who finished his Master’s degree at Vanderbilt and is now working in New York City. These are but a few of the stories of success that began here.”

However, where there is success, there is also more progress. Beene said that the center added the generalist degree in Criminal Justice in the fall of 2009, and now, next fall, a Psychology degree will be offered to all centers off campus.

“I am excited about offering the Psychology degree this upcoming fall. I have been hoping, working and planning for it for several years. I want to bring opportunities to our students,” said Beene.
Along with the new Psychology degree, the center will also be opening a Writing Center this spring. Since the main campus is about two hours away, Beene thinks it is important for Selmer Center to have a Writing Center.

“For many years we have needed a Writing Center. The main campus has one, but it is difficult for our students to travel the distance to attend. Our full-time English faculty member, April Elam-Dierks, has established our own Writing Center, “ said Beene.

“She offers sessions in the areas that have been shown to cause challenges for our students. She is also working with our other faculty to provide the needed tools for students to have successful paper writing skills.”

Beene is also looking forward to updating the kitchen area and adding more courses and degrees at off-campus centers.

She said that although there is distance between the main campus and the Selmer Center, it’s all UTM.

“Distance is a challenge. Most of the centers are at least two hours away from the main campus. We have events for students that help to emphasize the fact that we are all UTM students. It’s not a case of us versus them,” said Beene.

“We encourage our students to travel to the main campus for ballgames and other events. This remains a challenge. The off-campus centers do a great job at sending items of interest to be included in our campus publications.”

Beene is very proud of the UTM Selmer Center and feels blessed to be the director.

“I am blessed to be the director of the Selmer Center. I have seen remarkable transformations and success. I work with an incredible team every day that are also devoted to helping our students realize their goals and dreams,” said Beene.

For more information on the UTM Selmer Center, visit www.utm.edu/departments/selmer.