Member Spotlight
Southeastern Community College in West Burlington & Keokuk, Iowa, stands out as a leader in healthcare education and a valued member of the ILN community. With a strong commitment to preparing future professionals in nursing, public health, radiography, medical laboratory science, and other health‑focused fields, Southeastern Community College plays a vital role in strengthening Iowa’s workforce.
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Their dedication to hands‑on learning, academic excellence, and community service reflects the values we celebrate across the ILN network. We’re proud to highlight Southeastern Community College this month and recognize the impact they continue to make across the state.
Click the picture for an exciting tour of the Nursing Facilities
Community Matters
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SCC provides job‑skills training and economic development resources that directly benefit the Great River Region, helping residents prepare for new careers and supporting local employers.
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SCC’s alumni publication highlights graduates who have become advocates for intellectual freedom and community enrichment, showing the college’s long-term impact on civic engagement.
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​The SCC Nursing program offers scholarship opportunities to all students with the support of generous donors that facilitate equipment purchases, nursing student conference attendance, and NCLEX-PN and NCLEX-RN licensure prep courses and examination fees.
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College Events
Annually, the college hosts a Nursing Day on the Keokuk campus and a Health-Expo on the West Burlington campus. These are days set aside specific to nursing and career exploration that invite high school students, current students, and local health care businesses.
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Students in SCC's nursing programs are eligible to receive $8,000 from Great River Health while they are in the program. Students must simply commit to work for Great River Health at any of its facilities in the region.
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Scholarly Advances
Becky Johnson, MSN Ed., RN, and Cecillie Vinson, MSN Ed., RN, recently presented on using AI to Support Curriculum Alignment at SCC Professional Development Day.
Cara Blow, MSN Ed., RN, CNE-pv, recently participated in the NLN Certified Academic Practical/Vocational Nurse Educator (CNE-pv) pilot exam testing and is one of the first nursing educators to receive this designation in the country.
Collaboration is Key
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The SCC Nursing Program Clinical Coordinators (faculty) work closely with the PN/ADN nursing faculty at both campuses and maintain excellent communication with clinical affiliates.
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The benefits are immense, with a variety of clinical learning opportunities in the tri-state region of Iowa, Illinois, and Missouri!
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Educator Spotlight:
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Dr. Tiffany West exemplifies unwavering dedication to nursing education and consistently elevates the learning experience for students and colleagues alike. Her leadership in simulation-based education has transformed the Practical Nursing program’s approach to clinical preparation, ensuring students gain realistic, high‑quality practice opportunities. She brings a rare blend of clinical expertise, academic rigor, and genuine passion for student success that strengthens the entire SCC nursing community.
Dr. West’s professional versatility and adaptability set her apart. With a background spanning emergency care, forensic nursing, flight nursing, corporate education, and academic leadership, she brings a depth of real‑world experience that enriches every learning environment she touches. Her flexibility is matched by a strong professional aptitude; she not only masters new roles but also elevates them. Whether she is teaching in the classroom, facilitating simulation, guiding students in clinical settings, or mentoring through the Student Nurse Association, she approaches each responsibility with intention, curiosity, and a growth‑oriented mindset.
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Her commitment to advancing simulation education is especially noteworthy. After earning her CHSE certification, she became a driving force behind strengthening SCC’s simulation programming. Her recent presentation at the National Student Nurses Association Mid‑Year Conference highlights her dedication to scholarly advancement and her desire to contribute to the broader nursing education community. Dr. West’s completion of her DNP in Nursing Education further demonstrates her pursuit of excellence and her belief in lifelong learning.
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Students and colleagues consistently describe her as approachable, supportive, and deeply invested in helping learners become practice‑ready nurses. Her service as Secretary of the Iowa League for Nursing Education reflects her broader commitment to shaping the future of nursing education across the state.
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Dr. West stands out because she embodies what it means to be both an educator and a leader, continually learning, innovating, and inspiring those around her.
Educator Spotlight:
Professor Trisha Thomann’s long-standing dedication to the Practical Nursing program at Southeastern Community College is evident in every facet of her work. Since joining SCC in 2008, she has demonstrated remarkable commitment to the Practical Nursing courses, consistently championing student success and program excellence. Her longevity at the institution reflects not only her loyalty but also her deep belief in the mission of community college nursing education. She has played a vital role in shaping the program’s direction, supporting curriculum development, and contributing to scholarly initiatives that strengthen nursing education at both the local and national levels.
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Professor Thomann is known for her exceptional engagement with students and her approachable, steady presence in the classroom and clinical environment. She excels at building meaningful connections with learners, creating a supportive atmosphere where students feel comfortable asking questions, seeking guidance, and growing into confident nursing professionals. Her consistency, both in her teaching style and her expectations, provides students with a sense of stability that is especially valuable in the fast-paced, high-stakes world of nursing education.
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Her student-centered philosophy is evident in the way she personalizes learning experiences across face-to-face, hybrid, and online formats. She is deeply invested in helping her learners succeed and takes pride in watching her students evolve into professional colleagues. Many of her former students have gone on to earn advanced degrees, a testament to the strong foundation she helps them build.
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Beyond the classroom, Professor Thomann contributes meaningfully to the broader nursing profession. Her involvement in multiple professional organizations and her role as SCC’s Faculty Site Research Coordinator for a national study on the impact of COVID‑19 on nursing education highlight her commitment to scholarly advancement and evidence-based practice. Her clinical background as a Registered Nurse and Clinic Manager further enriches her teaching, grounding her instruction in real-world experience and practical insight.
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Professor Thomann stands out because she brings together consistency, compassion, and academic rigor, qualities that make her not only an outstanding educator but also a trusted mentor and colleague.
