Summer is here, and so is your opportunity for summer reading to keep up with the latest insights by Virginia scholars. The newest issue of Inquiry: The Journal of the Virginia Community Colleges (Vol. 28, Issue 1), published digitally in early April, features six research-based contributions from colleagues across VCCS and beyond:

• Julie Eng, Heather Umphlett, Jocelyn Gilchrist, Alicia Howell, Mary Ann Howell, Wendy Miller-Edwards, and Laurel Pope (Camp Community College) review how generative AI has impacted their instruction in biology, business, early childhood education, English, history, mathematics, and nursing and share what they each have found useful for co-existing with GenAI in their classes.

• Wayne Carter and Carol Gruber (Gwynedd Mercy University) study the differences in motivation between students who participated in dual enrollment versus those who did not. Their important findings may play a role in the continued growth and development of dual enrollment programs in our VCCS institutions. 

• Richard Gilbert Jr. and Michael Asbach of Shenandoah University explore how green spaces can mitigate burnout and stress for practicing providers and those studying in medical fields. 

• Amy J. Richardson and David B. Knight (Virginia Tech) share significant findings on credit loss that occurs for engineering students transferring to Virginia Tech and what this means for degree pathways and articulation agreements, conversations still occurring among Transfer VA participants. 

• Jorge Grajales-Díaz of Piedmont Virginia Community College examines how our institutions can learn from the UVA in Valencia Summer Program 2019/2021 in designing and strengthening our study abroad programs. 

• W. Alex Foxworthy and William “Bill” McCarter of Eastern Shore Community College share a Notes in Brief contribution on self-directed learning. Their submission finds that academic performance increases in students with increased activities that foster intrinsic motivation. Foxworthy and McCarter advocate for more self-driven inquiry to encourage students to become lifelong learners.

This open access issue is available to read online now. The cover art features a painting of Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley by Russell Mardon, a student at Northern Virginia Community College.

We also encourage you to consider submitting your own scholarship to Inquiry. Even if you’re at the beginning stages of a manuscript or curious about your options for publishing to the journal, you can reach out to Managing Editor Tom Geary at tgeary@tcc.edu or Student Success member Kenyetta Galiote at kgaliote@vccs.edu and read our Aims & Scope online. 

Inquiry would like to hear about your latest teaching strategies, projects, concerns, policies, and research on issues in two-year colleges and higher education, and we will work closely with you to make your work publishable.

- Dr. Tom Geary

Tidewater Community College

June 17, 2025

2:00 - 3:30

Virtual via Zoom

Click here to register!

This meeting will bring together academic advising leaders from Virginia's Community Colleges to share advising models, build collaborative relationships, and discuss strategies for providing quality academic support to students, including the use of student success platforms.

June 20, 2025

9:00 - 4:00 

Virtual via Zoom

Course 1: Foundations of Connection – What Shapes Us and Why It Matters

Ready to shift how you see and respond to the challenges in your classroom, workplace, or community? This powerful 6-hour Community Resilience Initiative (CRI)certification course introduces the science behind behavior and offers actionable tools to foster resilience and meaningful connection.

What You’ll Gain

• Insight Into the Human Experience: Learn how stress, adversity, and trauma shape behavior—and how we can respond with understanding instead of judgment.

• Practical Tools That Work: Walk away with strategies you can immediately apply to support students, colleagues, and clients in ways that are grounded in science and compassion.

Participation Requirements

• Full Engagement Required: To receive certification, participants must attend the entire course and participate fully. Make-up sessions are not available.

• Clear Your Schedule: Protect this time to be fully present for yourself and your learning community.

Why This Course Matters
This training is a valuable investment in your personal and professional growth. Join a network of committed individuals who are building environments where people feel safe, connected, and ready to thrive.

When: June 23 & 24

Where: Brightpoint Community College – Chester Campus

Designed to bridge the gap between technology and various departments, providing a platform for student facing front-line staff to enhance your technological skills navigating the platforms you use in support of students.

Lunch will be provided for both days of the event by the Student Success Center. Depending on your campus, lodging may be covered as well!

Spots are filling up fast, and we are capping attendance for the inaugural event at 150, so check it out and join us if you can! Visit the Funky Tech Website for more information and to register. Check out “Summer Summit” in the navigation menu at the top!

This first-time in-person event is brought to you by Academic and Workforce Programs' Student Experience Team and the Student Success Center Team.

When: June 27

Where: Virginia Western Community College - Roanoke

Join faculty colleagues from across the region for a one-day exploration of meaningful, modern teaching. This year’s conference celebrates the evolving craft of teaching in an age where connection matters more than ever, whether face-to-face or through a screen.

Click the button to learn more!