Innovation Connections is a monthly newsletter that features Instructional Innovation Division updates and college-wide innovation and collaboration. Contact Luann Crosby, Director of Library Services, if you wish to contribute to the content.

As recent winter storms dropped heavy snow in Northeastern Arizona, class cancellations and campus closures presented challenges to teaching, learning and other campus operations. At NPC, although we have developed some solid infrastructure for distance and flexible learning over the past decade, factors such as pandemic and inclement weather continue to test our readiness for emergency response and instructional support and innovation. As a division that provides and facilitates support, innovation and partnerships, we continue to work with faculty and staff in response to the needs of the academic community...

Click below to read about nominations for 2023 NPC Innovation of the Year Award, a Moodle tip, Instructional Design Inside Wire: Using Service Design to Transform Your Course, and more on the ITCS March newsletter.

The Early College Team held a special full team meeting on 2/1/23, which included Drs. Hazelbaker and Solomonson as well as various internal stakeholders who are focused on increasing communication, transparency, and consistency within the college community related to the department and the college's strategic plan. More specifically, Drs. Hazelbaker and Solomonson shared their vision with the team and there was a productive discussion about the path moving forward. The next full team meeting is scheduled for 4/5/23.

Due to predicted inclement weather conditions, the Early College Team rescheduled the HS Partners’ Convocation Day to 4/12/23 from 11 am to 2 pm at SCC. The team plans to host a morning session with various college department updates, lunch, and several concurrent breakout sessions in the afternoon for NAVIT, Dual, and TALON colleagues to attend. The final agenda and invitations for invited participants will be sent out shortly.

Currently, the team is finalizing the TALON course scheduling this month for next academic year with the various high schools and college academic divisions.

Here are some upcoming meetings, activities, and/or events for March that the Early College Team plans to participate in –

• NACADA training (at SCC on 3/28 and 3/29 from 9 am to 2 pm)  

• Various high school visits/tours in college service areas (on-going) including DualEnroll Demo, where possible

As of 3/1/23, Stephanie Arrazola officially started a new full-time position as the Assistant to the Campus Manager at SCC. She previously served as the Early College Office Assistant for over one year. Please help me in congratulating Stephanie on her new position! She served Early College well and the team wishes her all the best going forward! In the interim, Cassie Dows will be assisting the team in the Early College Office Assistant position.

Fun fact: Early College student enrollment accounts for about 46% of NPC’s total student enrollment for the current spring semester.

Thank you and have a great spring semester!

Coming soon - Laptops for students and faculty to check out from any NPC Library! Click to visit our March newsletter and learn more details! And while you're there, you can see photos of some recent library displays and learn about upcoming NPC Library events.