Graduates should have the ability to break the mold in devising solutions to problems. Specifically, graduates should be able to
a. devise creative solutions to complex problems;
b. utilize multiple resources in designing programs and policies;
c. articulate a vision and marshal support for its pursuit.
Evidence One
Co-Coordinator of NVC Day
As a member of the Outreach committee, I actively sharing my vision, ideas and recommendations to increase student enrollment and retention. Over the last few years, every spring I would share the student affairs concept of welcome weekends and on-campus student orientations. I had the group envision the disappoint high school seniors, who planned on staying close to home and attending NVC, must of felt when other seniors were being invited to weekend orientations at four-year universities and they only received a course schedule reminding them to register.
In spring 2007, the Outreach committee decided to try out my idea. By summer, I was appointed to co-coordinate the first welcome orientation for new and returning students. We called the event NVC Day. I organized and lead weekly planning meetings. I created and assigned jobs for the Outreach committee members. I coordinated the entertainment, food and the student panel workshop. Before NVC Day, I had organized large events with students. NVC Day gave me the opportunity to show managers and other staff members my leadership style, and my ability to arrange and maximize other people talents. Click here to view the poster: 2007 NVC Day flyer distribute
Evidence Two
“Higher Education’s Critical Role in the GI Bill”, ijournal article
During the CSA 581 Foundations of Higher Education course, I was given the assignment to research and write about a critical issue facing higher education. I chose the critical issue of increased presence of returning Veterans on college campuses. While writing the paper, I received a request to submit an article in the Winter 2008 Addition of IJournal Insight in Student Services developed by the CSSOs of California Community Colleges. The theme was going to be creative ways to serve students. After I finished my Critical Issue paper, I felt that my research, argument, and creative solutions were strong enough to be considered for the IJournal. Within in a few days, I heard back from the editor. He shared that my identifying the critical role higher education plays in serving Veterans was an excellent topic to share with my colleagues around the state. My first published article! Click here to read the article: “Higher Educations Critical Role in the GI Bill
Evidence Three
NVC’s Annual African American Celebration Dinners
Since working at Napa Valley College I have implemented annual campus events such as CLUB RUSH, Student Government Elections and Spring Earth/Art Festival. One event that I am most proud of and have learned the most from is the Annual African American Celebration Dinner. It was my first cultural event at the college. It started out as a pot-luck with fifty people and a guest speaker. Now the event has grown into a 200 + catered dinner with entertainment. I have made an effort to utilize multiple resources when designing cultural programs. Through out the years, different clubs, academic divisions and the Diversity Task Force have been part of the planning of the dinner.
Each year, the dinner reminds me how important it is to offer chances for students to integrate and experience cultural differences and similarities. One day, I envision our campus having a cultural programming board that works together to plan multiple cultural events such events as the annual African American Celebration dinner. Click here to read the program from the 2007 Annual African American Celebration Dinner