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.
I am pleased to share with you an overview of the key insights and reflections from the recent Artificial Intelligence Teaching and Learning Summit held at Chandler-Gilbert Community College. This summit, a gathering of community college representatives from 28 states, served as a vibrant platform for discussing the various stages of AI integration in education, from initial exploration to the implementation of comprehensive AI degree programs...
Where are you from originally and/or currently?
I am originally from a small town in Illinois called Batavia. I’ve also lived extensively in Madison, Wisconsin and Fort Myers, Florida.
What is your educational background?
I have a BGS from Northern Illinois University but I’m currently taking business classes here at NPC.
What do you love doing the most in your work?
I love meeting with the students in person! I love to see the ambition in the student’s face when talking about careers after they graduate high school. Some of the kids here in this area are really passionate about what they want to focus on, which is so refreshing! Until our Early College department speaks with some of them, they don’t realize they could possibly earn their associate degree before they graduate high school!
If you were to take a course in something, what would it be?
I would love to take some more art courses. I would like to learn how to “throw” pottery on a wheel and to sculpt by hand. I love to paint as well. Anything “artsy”.
What are your favorite things to do/eat/read?
I love to go to flea markets, swap meets and to thrift stores. This is where I get a lot of ideas for my own artwork and craft ideas. My favorite meal is a nice slice of prime rib and baked potato. I also like quiche. There are so many variations of it and it’s so fun to make!
What goal are you dreaming about completing?
I want to complete my BAM (Bachelor of Applied Management) degree.
I’ve already lived “off-grid” for almost two years here in Snowflake, so I can say I’ve done that (and won’t again, voluntarily).
I would like to learn Spanish, since I feel it’s almost necessary at this point.
My ultimate goal before I cash in all my chips would be to visit New Zealand; it’s such beautiful country!
The Library hosted a booth at NPC's recent Eagle Fest held at the Painted Desert Campus. Participants who visited the booth were invited to participate in a Bookface Challenge. The challenge is completed by matching up your face or other body part with a book that has a face or body part on the cover and snapping a picture. Here's one photo taken at the event to let you see how it works.
Click to visit our newsletter and see all the photos taken for the challenge!
I can’t believe that October has come to an end and we are on our way into November, it seems like just yesterday we were welcoming each other back to the Fall 2023 semester. It has been a whirl wind for me as I work to ensure that OAI is supporting not only students needs but also encourage faculty and staff to reach out with questions and concerns as I begin to implement updates and changes for OAI to ensure that we are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. As these updates and changes fall into place I want to invite each of you to share any questions or concerns you have. I do not wish to blind side anyone as I go, it is important that we work together to support our students as they work to achieve their academic goals.
Last month I mentioned the need to update the OAI webpage, but after a deep dive with Marketing the plan is a complete rebuild. The webpage is not easy to navigate at this time, I would like to provide information to all who use it in a more orderly fashion with a focus on who the information impacts and why. This is going to take a bit more time then I originally thought, but I am okay with that, as long as the end result is a seamless process and ease of access.
OAI has had a chance to reconnect with our Supporting Inclusive Practices in Colleges (SIP-C) partners from Northern Arizona University, this is a grant funded program and offers students with disabilities an opportunity to have access to the full college experience, they do this by working to remove barriers so all students feel included on college campuses. On the evening of October 26, 2023 together we had a dinner and learn for students who are currently supported by OAI, the turnout was small but the information shared was great! We are planning another event in the near future. If you are interested in learning more about SIP-C and how the can help support our students let me know and I will invite you to our next event
I also attended my first Eagle Fest on Friday, October 27 and had a wonderful time! Even with the lovely wind we had that afternoon. It was amazing to connect with the students in our community, some of our community partners and of course get out and meet a number of faculty and staff. I learned a number of different ideas for combating the wind and gained a few insights into how I would like to share information about OAI when we have these events. I am excited and looking forward to the next one.
OAI booth at Eagle Fest
Click below to find curriculum updates, information about National Distance Learning Week, an AI checklist to help students, and Instructional Design Inside Wire: Get Ready to Build Your Moodle Courses for the Spring Semester by Andi De Bellis on the ITCS November newsletter.
Early College is having a great fall season, so far. We are done with TALON class building for SP24 and are progressing with Dual and NAVIT class building and should be ready to register Spring students soon. Josh Jeffery and Todd Wilcox went to NACEP conference in St. Louis and brought back some great ideas to increase and improve the Early College program. And we are very happy to announce that Summer Rudolph, Early College Specialist, will be increasing her hours from 19 to 29 hours to help her better support her advising case load. Let us know how Early College can help you!
Shaped like baskets, carpets, and fish, you won’t believe these buildings are real.