February 2025 Updates

February 2025

February is not just a month for chocolate hearts and valentines. It is also Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) Month, National Library Lover's Month, National Self-Check Month, and American Heart Month, to name a few. These themes perfectly align with our commitment to fostering innovative teaching and learning, strengthening our educational partnerships, and ensuring a healthy educational experiences.  

Free and Open Source Software has become a cornerstone of creative and cost-effective solutions in education. The concept is rooted in various philosophical, ethical, and practical theories associated with freedom, collaboration, innovation, and control in the digital age. From Richard Stallman’s launch of the Free Software Movement in the 1980s (one of my favorite topics in CIS 150 Digital Culture—a course I taught many years ago), to the Open Education and Open Educational Resources (OER) movements such as MOOCs and Creative Commons, to the emerging open-source AI models we see today, higher education institutions continue to explore FOSS as a tool to enhance curriculum design, support our educators in creating interactive, learner-centered experiences, reduce costs, and empower our community with adaptable, collaborative technologies.  NPC has a long history of using FOSS. For example, Moodle, our Learning Management System (LMS), is open-source software. Our math faculty have been utilizing LaTeX and GeoGebra for teaching and learning. Our Instructional Technology and Curriculum Support (ITCS) Department conducts workshops on FOSS tools like H5P—an open-source tool that allows instructors to create, share, and reuse interactive HTML5 content such as quizzes, presentations, videos, and games. In addition, FOSS is increasingly being used in the development of OERs at the college. If you are interested in learning more about these tools (and related topics such as OER and AI), please reach out to our ITCS team and check out their training calendar.  

February is National Library Lover’s Month—a perfect opportunity for us to acknowledge the critical role of our Library Services. Our libraries are much more than repositories of books. They are dynamic hubs for research, collaboration, and lifelong learning. This month, consider exploring resources on NPC LibGuides, attending a library-hosted event (Fiber Folke, Fantastic Books, or Discovery Nest), or simply spending time in our study spaces. Your engagement helps us continue to build a rich learning environment.  

National Self-Check Month and American Heart Month remind us of the importance of self-care and personal well-being. In education, as in life, maintaining a balanced approach is key to success. Our Office of Accessibility and Inclusion (OAI) is committed to providing resources and support that empower every student and staff member to thrive. The department works closely with the NPC CARE Team to "ensure the well-being and safety of the NPC community while maintaining dignity and respect for all." In addition to the free telecounseling services we provide for students, the college also has a Mental Wellness Club that “fosters an understanding of behavioral and mental health with community, professional, and social awareness.” Whether it is through wellness initiatives, accommodations, or innovative support programs, we encourage everyone to take a moment to check in on themselves and their colleagues.  

The Early College department continues to work with our internal and external stakeholders to build pathways that create seamless transitions for high school and college learners. One of the key events scheduled for this month is our High School Appreciation Day, an annual tradition that celebrates the longstanding partnerships the college has fostered over the years. It is a great opportunity for our high school partners and the NPC team to engage in discussions about breaking barriers and providing seamless pathways for our students.  

I invite you to continue to read this month's newsletter and participate in the various events and initiatives planned for this month. Together, let’s explore new tools, share innovative practices, and continue building a community that values work-life balance, partnerships, and lifelong learning.

Wei Ma, PhD
Dean of Instructional Innovation
Read previous Messages from the Dean