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Division NewsLetter
Division NewsLetter
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.
Message FROM THE DEAN
Message FROM THE DEAN
Last month, I attended the 2025 Arizona Community College Administrators Conference (ACCAC). As always, the conference is a great reminder of how much Arizona’s community colleges are accomplishing and how much possibility lies ahead. The sessions reflected a common purpose across the state: expanding access, strengthening equity, and building the workforce Arizona needs for the future. One highlight for me personally was the privilege of joining my colleagues from Yavapai College, Mohave Community College, and Pima Community College on a panel presentation about how we are moving Open Educational Resources (OER) from isolated, individual initiatives to sustainable, institution-wide strategies...
meet our staff
meet our staff
Jayda Halverson, Testing Center Proctor
Jayda Halverson, Testing Center Proctor
Where are you from originally and/or currently?
I’m originally from New Mexico. I moved to the beautiful White Mountains in 2001.
What is your educational background?
I recently graduated from the Massage Therapy program through NPC.
What do you love doing the most in your work?
I love that I get to help our wonderful students that have accommodation, missed exams or whatever the circumstances, still be able to complete their exams.
If you were to take a course in something, what would it be?
I’m planning on taking business class.
What are your favorite things to do/eat/read?
My favorite thing to do is to free write while enjoying a cup of coffee and sitting at one of our local coffee shops.
What goal are you dreaming about completing?
I want to open a holistic spa. Where I can customize different balms, oils, and locations for clients to help with whatever ailment they might be suffering from.
LIBRARY SERVICES
LIBRARY SERVICES
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 choose a favorite banned book and have their picture taken in front of a "Wanted for Reading Banned Books" backdrop. Many participants also enjoyed discussing why the books had been challenged or banned.
Visit the November 2025 Library Newsletter to see photos of participants and a list of the books they chose.
STUDENT ACCOMMODATION SERVICES
STUDENT ACCOMMODATION SERVICES
October was another busy month for SAS. Students requesting support for disability-related needs while attending NPC continues to increases with each semester. This is great news as it shows that the effort going into raising awareness is paying off! The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accommodations provided by SAS supports retention, completion and enrollment numbers each year. We hope through continued outreach, faculty and staff awareness and attending both NPC and community events, SAS will continue to increase student numbers.
As part of increasing awareness at NPC, I would like to share a bit about an accommodation need that does not get enough attention. During the month of November, we bring awareness to things like Thanksgiving and Veteran’s Day, both are very important to acknowledge. But did you know that during the month of November there are other days focused on awareness to things like COPD, diabetes, epilepsy, lung cancer, and pancreatic cancers? Because I did not know that November was considered awareness month for all of these medical conditions, I thought it would be good to share why I mention it to you now. SAS not only supports disability needs, but medical conditions, whether they are long term or temporary, are also covered under the American’s with Disabilities Act (ADA) because they impact activities of daily living and therefore must be accommodated in an academic setting. So, if you have a student sharing about a medical condition that impacts their lives, you might want to get them connected with SAS so we can provide accommodations for their NPC classes.
department of Instructional Support
department of Instructional Support
Hello all! This is just a quick update from the Department of Instructional Support. As we navigate major transitions in the department, a more detailed update is forthcoming in December.
Please see our upcoming events on our training calendar. You may view past trainings on our Training Videos and Resources page. Professor Andi De Bellis continues her important work with the Blackboard transition. A big thank you to her and you for working on that.
Dr. Michael Broyles has transitioned to a new role as Faculty in Instructional Support/Department Chair. He is still fulfilling the routine Curriculum Coordinator duties. Throughout the spring semester, he will be meeting with various groups to provide information regarding the Department of Instructional Support.
TEstinG cEnter
TEstinG cEnter
A Testing Center email has been created to schedule testing requests. The email goes directly to the testing manager, both proctors and Dr. Ma. The email is testing.center@npc.edu.
We are actively working to hire a third part-time proctor. If you know someone who is looking for part-time work, please have them contact Tony Rhineheart at tony.rhineheart@npc.edu.
Due to the limited capacity of the testing center team, the testing center can only proctor makeup exams. Course exams need to be administered by the instructor during class time.
A testing center council has been created to help develop policies and help guide the growth of the program. We are grateful for the willingness to provide time and energy to support the testing center.
A big thank you to the librarians and campus administrators who support the testing center by providing spaces for testing, keeping testing materials safe, and often proctoring exams at our outlying campuses.
ODds and Ends
ODds and Ends
Millions of people across the United States will sit down to a traditional Thanksgiving meal, including turkey, potatoes, squash, corn, and cranberries. These foods have become synonymous with Thanksgiving, but how did they end up on tables from Maine to California?
The Smithsonian also has other Thanksgiving-related articles and Thanksgiving-themed art available to view on their site.
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