Paradise Valley Community College
Virtual Living Library
Virtual Living Library
Virtual book schedule with links
April 6, 2021
All times are in Mountain Standard Time (MST), Phoenix
12:05- 12:35 pm
catherine lockmiller (she/her) is a health science librarian at Northern Arizona University. She completed her masters degree in English literature in 2011, and went on to complete a secondary masters degree in library information science in 2017. The best parts of her work involve researching and writing about critical theory in information science, and how it can build a resistance politics rooted in transformative justice. she gave a TEDx talk in 2018 on the harm done by sex assignment at birth, and in 2019 received a grant from the National Network for Libraries of Medicine to create an online course that details the lived realities and healthcare challenges of transgender and intersex athletes. catherine has recently started working with a colleague on organizing libraries and academic institutions in order to combat climate change and biodiversity collapse. In her spare time, she enjoys endurance running, backpacking, and weird video games.
12:05- 12:35 pm
Have you ever been in a situation where you feel like you were destined to be in a certain place at a certain time? To hear a certain song? To eat a certain food? To experience something that felt like luck or something that felt like it happened by chance? This feeling is the concept of a Cosmic Coincidence, which Jay was fortunate to learn about from his dear Social Studies Methods course professor, Dr. Barbara Veltri. This concept has played a major role in how Jay has experienced life as a Diné individual who has been granted opportunities that span as far back as a Pre-School: show-and-tell. Join Jay in exploring the various Cosmic Coincidences that have made his academic achievement and personal growth possible, as well as the role of the Diné wellness philosophy and belief system, known as Hózhó, has played in finding purpose of his walk through life on Mother Earth.
Jay is a Diné future educator currently attending Northern Arizona University (PVCC Statewide Campus) in a dual-certification program for special and general education as an Arizona Teachers Academy Scholarship recipient. He has had a passion for teaching from a very young age, even if it was at the expense of giving homework to his cousins while playing pretend school. Jay is also the current Teacher Development Center Coordinator at Paradise Valley Community College where he serves as a support for PVCC EDU students, as well as participates and helps organize outreach events carried out by the Club Ed Leadership Board. Prior to his role as TDC Coordinator, Jay was an avid participant in Club Ed where he developed leadership skills and relationships with individuals who were also passionate about education and teaching.
12:05- 12:35 pm
Although rainbows only appear for a while, their presence has a lasting impact on those who see it! I have spent most of my life chasing dreams that I was told were impossible for a Black girl. Dreams so big that they kept me up at night, looking towards the stars for guidance. Stars that continued to shine bright, despite the circumstances or the millions of miles that separated them from Earth. That is when I decided that I too, could shine as bright and help others realize that potential within themselves. My story is about giving back and not giving up. Poetry and theatre are the tools that aid me in my mission to slay demons and reimagine a world where the word “impossible” is simply a matter of perspective.
12:05- 12:35 pm
Alexandra Rowland | Stranger in the Family
Born in Uzbekistan. Graduated from the University with MA in Philology at age of 21. Worked as a school teacher, journalist and reporter. Came to the United States 17 years ago. Got a degree in Library Science from U of A. Married and have three children. Play guitar and piano. Love reading, literature and freedom of choices.
12:05- 12:35 pm
Senadz Lubovac immigrated to the United States in mid ‘90s, following the war in ex-Yugoslavia. He has been a GateWay Community College employee for many years. Although he is an IT employee, he participated and presented in a number of events at GateWay explaining the life changes and adjustments he went through during and after the move from Europe.
12:05- 12:35 pm
Navah Tores | What the &$%#! Happened to Me?
My book will reveal my amazing weight loss journey and how I went from over 350 to 150 pounds. My name is Navah and I am currently studying to be a social worker. I have two more classes to take then I can graduate and hopefully transfer to Arizona State University.
12:05- 12:35 pm
I plan to tell a story about growing up half Mexican. I hope to tell a series of small stories that I have observed pertaining to this aspect of my life.
12:05- 12:35 pm
Being a type one diabetic comes with many highs and lows, whether it be because of my blood sugar or the misunderstandings of the world around me, these eight years since my diagnosis have been quite a ride. With my story, I hope to educate others about diabetes, and how sometimes well-intentioned misunderstandings can do more harm than good, making you
Sedona (Sol) Jerome is an 18 year old student at PVCC. They have been a type one diabetic for eight years, and are also a part of the lgbt+ community. When not eating snacks and taking insulin, they enjoy spending time with their bearded dragon, playing video games, and doing projects with their partner!
12:45- 1:15 pm
catherine lockmiller (she/her) is a health science librarian at Northern Arizona University. She completed her masters degree in English literature in 2011, and went on to complete a secondary masters degree in library information science in 2017. The best parts of her work involve researching and writing about critical theory in information science, and how it can build a resistance politics rooted in transformative justice. she gave a TEDx talk in 2018 on the harm done by sex assignment at birth, and in 2019 received a grant from the National Network for Libraries of Medicine to create an online course that details the lived realities and healthcare challenges of transgender and intersex athletes. catherine has recently started working with a colleague on organizing libraries and academic institutions in order to combat climate change and biodiversity collapse. In her spare time, she enjoys endurance running, backpacking, and weird video games.
12:45- 1:15 pm
Have you ever been in a situation where you feel like you were destined to be in a certain place at a certain time? To hear a certain song? To eat a certain food? To experience something that felt like luck or something that felt like it happened by chance? This feeling is the concept of a Cosmic Coincidence, which Jay was fortunate to learn about from his dear Social Studies Methods course professor, Dr. Barbara Veltri. This concept has played a major role in how Jay has experienced life as a Diné individual who has been granted opportunities that span as far back as a Pre-School: show-and-tell. Join Jay in exploring the various Cosmic Coincidences that have made his academic achievement and personal growth possible, as well as the role of the Diné wellness philosophy and belief system, known as Hózhó, has played in finding purpose of his walk through life on Mother Earth.
Jay is a Diné future educator currently attending Northern Arizona University (PVCC Statewide Campus) in a dual-certification program for special and general education as an Arizona Teachers Academy Scholarship recipient. He has had a passion for teaching from a very young age, even if it was at the expense of giving homework to his cousins while playing pretend school. Jay is also the current Teacher Development Center Coordinator at Paradise Valley Community College where he serves as a support for PVCC EDU students, as well as participates and helps organize outreach events carried out by the Club Ed Leadership Board. Prior to his role as TDC Coordinator, Jay was an avid participant in Club Ed where he developed leadership skills and relationships with individuals who were also passionate about education and teaching.
12:45- 1:15 pm
Although rainbows only appear for a while, their presence has a lasting impact on those who see it! I have spent most of my life chasing dreams that I was told were impossible for a Black girl. Dreams so big that they kept me up at night, looking towards the stars for guidance. Stars that continued to shine bright, despite the circumstances or the millions of miles that separated them from Earth. That is when I decided that I too, could shine as bright and help others realize that potential within themselves. My story is about giving back and not giving up. Poetry and theatre are the tools that aid me in my mission to slay demons and reimagine a world where the word “impossible” is simply a matter of perspective.
12:45- 1:15 pm
It was summer 2013, and she truly believed she "had it all"-- that successfully juggling a traveling spouse, two teenagers and her own career had been so worth it -- even if that personal price came with a lot of stress and anxiety.
But what she never could have imagined is that a sudden brain injury would shift her world dramatically – and that surviving, and recovering from it, would deliver an inner peace and happiness she had never known.
Kristine McIver has worked as a librarian at PVCC since 2016. Born and raised in New Jersey, Kristine has called Arizona home ever since. She is a proud Sun Devil (undergrad) AND Wildcat (grad school), who considers raising two great humans into adulthood her greatest accomplishment so far. In her spare time, Kristine enjoys reading, doing pilates, dining out, volunteering, and spending time with family and friends.
12:45- 1:15 pm
Forgiveness and Redemption are not just theory. Come hear one man's journey to demonstrate forgiveness and earn redemption under extraordinary circumstances.
Ronald D. Simpson-Bey is a national leader in the movement to decarcerate America, currently working as the Director of Outreach and Alumni Engagement for JustLeadershipUSA. (JLUSA) He is also a 2015 Leading with Conviction (LwC) Fellow with JLUSA. Ronald is an LPI Trained Leadership Coach and is a contributing author to the book, Smart Decarceration: Achieving Criminal Justice Transformation in the 21st Century. Ronald serves as the Vice-Chair for the ABA Criminal Justice Section Victims Committee; he serves as a Special Advisor for the ABA Criminal Justice Section council; he serves as a board member for the National Legal Aid & Defender Association (NLADA); as a board member of the Michigan Council on Crime and Delinquency (MCCD); as a steering team member of the Michigan Collaborative to End Mass Incarceration (MI-CEMI) and Nation Outside organizations. He is an engaged, thoughtful, and creative leader, founding many enrichment programs rooted in transformation, redemption, and self-accountability. Ronald attended Eastern Michigan University, Mott Community College, and Jackson Community College. @BeySimpson, ronald@jlusa.org.
12:45- 1:15 pm
My journey started when I was 49, only six months after I relocated from Vietnam to the U.S. On this journey, I have had a chance to meet many “friends”: language barriers, lack of social and cultural norms, anxieties, reliefs, and delights. These “special friends” forced me to be a more endurable, perseverant, humble, and grateful person. I have also met precious companions who have given me their great support and encouragement. They are my family, supervisors, colleagues, professors, tutors, and classmates. It has been more than five years since I started this journey. The more I move forward, a wider and brighter world I can experience, and the more closely my “American Dream” will come true.
Born and grew up in Vietnam. Migrated to the U.S.A. in 2015. Married with two grown-up children. Came back to school in 2015 with my kids. Got emotional memories of being my children’s classmates and walking on the graduation stage with them. Finished our bachelor’s degrees and U.S. naturalization during the 2020 Covid pandemic. Continue my life-long learning journey at Thunderbird School of Global Management. Love reading books and cooking. Feel great after finishing a semester, building up a good habit learned from books, and helping others.
12:45- 1:15 pm
Ernest Hemingway once wrote, “Write hard and clear about what hurts.” Many people don’t realize the positive effects writing can have on one’s confidence, or in helping them to better understand themselves. Writing can be used to find solace, to cope with emotional stress, to put reason to certain emotions and allow the author to examine the events of his or her life through a different perspective. How is this so? The written word carries truth from internalized thought to a page. It documents everything happening around us and provides us with a tool for personal growth. Ideas that are harder to say aloud are easier to say with a pen. It gives even the most timid of individuals a voice.
Life is built on the little things. We live, we make mistakes, see beautiful things, meet inspiring people, we doubt ourselves, we study art, we learn to create something out of nothing. At the center of it all is language, in all of its forms. This is what Sarah Speight aims to one day teach English students of her own.
12:45- 1:15 pm
I wanted to deeply examine the complexities of my relationship with my best friend throughout high school and how my online appearance at times bore similarities but often juxtaposed reality.
Leila Saklou is a first-year student at Paradise Valley Community College. Leila attended high school in Houston, Texas, but hopes to pursue a degree at Arizona State University eventually. Leila is attending college for a double major in Political Science and Psychology.
12:45- 1:15 pm
"I've Got Your Crazy" is a personal story about dealing with depression, anxiety, and burnouts that come with being a young college student. This story takes place primarily in a mental recovery institution, or as the author often refers to it, a psych ward. This tale follows the life of Kristy, who experienced first hand what it's like to go through that sort of trauma, and how she bettered herself because of it.
Kristy Lopez is a sophomore at PVCC and she is currently studying social work. She has gone through all the ups and downs you can think of and she believes it has only made her stronger and her life more interesting. In her personal life, she enjoys music, writing, and anything artistic. Despite all the hardships she's gone through, she looks at it in a positive light. "Well, at least this will make a great story." As she always says.
April 7, 2021
All times are in Mountain Standard Time (MST), Phoenix
12:05- 12:35 pm
Although rainbows only appear for a while, their presence has a lasting impact on those who see it! I have spent most of my life chasing dreams that I was told were impossible for a Black girl. Dreams so big that they kept me up at night, looking towards the stars for guidance. Stars that continued to shine bright, despite the circumstances or the millions of miles that separated them from Earth. That is when I decided that I too, could shine as bright and help others realize that potential within themselves. My story is about giving back and not giving up. Poetry and theatre are the tools that aid me in my mission to slay demons and reimagine a world where the word “impossible” is simply a matter of perspective.
12:05- 12:35 pm
Have you ever been in a situation where you feel like you were destined to be in a certain place at a certain time? To hear a certain song? To eat a certain food? To experience something that felt like luck or something that felt like it happened by chance? This feeling is the concept of a Cosmic Coincidence, which Jay was fortunate to learn about from his dear Social Studies Methods course professor, Dr. Barbara Veltri. This concept has played a major role in how Jay has experienced life as a Diné individual who has been granted opportunities that span as far back as a Pre-School: show-and-tell. Join Jay in exploring the various Cosmic Coincidences that have made his academic achievement and personal growth possible, as well as the role of the Diné wellness philosophy and belief system, known as Hózhó, has played in finding purpose of his walk through life on Mother Earth.
Jay is a Diné future educator currently attending Northern Arizona University (PVCC Statewide Campus) in a dual-certification program for special and general education as an Arizona Teachers Academy Scholarship recipient. He has had a passion for teaching from a very young age, even if it was at the expense of giving homework to his cousins while playing pretend school. Jay is also the current Teacher Development Center Coordinator at Paradise Valley Community College where he serves as a support for PVCC EDU students, as well as participates and helps organize outreach events carried out by the Club Ed Leadership Board. Prior to his role as TDC Coordinator, Jay was an avid participant in Club Ed where he developed leadership skills and relationships with individuals who were also passionate about education and teaching.
12:05- 12:35 pm
Alexandra Rowland | Stranger in the Family
Born in Uzbekistan. Graduated from the University with MA in Philology at age of 21. Worked as a school teacher, journalist and reporter. Came to the United States 17 years ago. Got a degree in Library Science from U of A. Married and have three children. Play guitar and piano. Love reading, literature and freedom of choices.
12:05- 12:35 pm
Senadz Lubovac immigrated to the United States in mid ‘90s, following the war in ex-Yugoslavia. He has been a GateWay Community College employee for many years. Although he is an IT employee, he participated and presented in a number of events at GateWay explaining the life changes and adjustments he went through during and after the move from Europe.
12:05- 12:35 pm
I will be highlighting my first time going to Japan and how it impacted my life and how it shaped who I am as a person to this day. This trip to Japan influenced how I am, since this was one of the first times I had been fully immersed into another culture, completely different to my own. This immersion into a different culture resulted in me becoming increasing adventurous as well as increasing my curiosity of different cultures. In conclusion, this trip to Japan completely shifted my perspective on different cultures.
Jacob Shenfield graduated from Desert Mountain High School and is now attending PVCC. He works in the retail store, Sprouts, under in various departments and has been working there for over a year. He is currently pursuing a degree in business and plans to work in the business field. Some fun facts about Jacob include the fact that he speaks Russian fluently as well as the fact that he has traveled to over fifty countries.
12:05- 12:35 pm
Life is both beautiful and impermanent. Living in a world full of beauty can be breathtaking. However, dealing with life’s impermanence can feel suffocating. Death is something universally shared by the living. Despite this, the grief that follows the loss of a loved one can feel overwhelming. This story follows the perspective of a child learning how to deal with grief. The lessons they learned will hopefully encourage others to grow stronger from their loss.
Stories have helped shape how I see the world. The heroes I saw during my childhood helped me grow into the person I am today. After being inspired by the heroes in my life, I decided to make it my quest to make the world a better place than how I found it.
12:05- 12:35 pm
Joe will reveal his take on role models.. who he used to think was his role model, and how growing up altered his ideas on what makes a good role model.
Joe Valenzuela is a 18 year old Business major freshman at PVCC! He likes to workout, hang with friends, and try new things and experiences.
12:45- 1:15 pm
Have you ever been in a situation where you feel like you were destined to be in a certain place at a certain time? To hear a certain song? To eat a certain food? To experience something that felt like luck or something that felt like it happened by chance? This feeling is the concept of a Cosmic Coincidence, which Jay was fortunate to learn about from his dear Social Studies Methods course professor, Dr. Barbara Veltri. This concept has played a major role in how Jay has experienced life as a Diné individual who has been granted opportunities that span as far back as a Pre-School: show-and-tell. Join Jay in exploring the various Cosmic Coincidences that have made his academic achievement and personal growth possible, as well as the role of the Diné wellness philosophy and belief system, known as Hózhó, has played in finding purpose of his walk through life on Mother Earth.
Jay is a Diné future educator currently attending Northern Arizona University (PVCC Statewide Campus) in a dual-certification program for special and general education as an Arizona Teachers Academy Scholarship recipient. He has had a passion for teaching from a very young age, even if it was at the expense of giving homework to his cousins while playing pretend school. Jay is also the current Teacher Development Center Coordinator at Paradise Valley Community College where he serves as a support for PVCC EDU students, as well as participates and helps organize outreach events carried out by the Club Ed Leadership Board. Prior to his role as TDC Coordinator, Jay was an avid participant in Club Ed where he developed leadership skills and relationships with individuals who were also passionate about education and teaching.
12:45- 1:15 pm
It was summer 2013, and she truly believed she "had it all"-- that successfully juggling a traveling spouse, two teenagers and her own career had been so worth it -- even if that personal price came with a lot of stress and anxiety.
But what she never could have imagined is that a sudden brain injury would shift her world dramatically – and that surviving, and recovering from it, would deliver an inner peace and happiness she had never known.
Kristine McIver has worked as a librarian at PVCC since 2016. Born and raised in New Jersey, Kristine has called Arizona home ever since. She is a proud Sun Devil (undergrad) AND Wildcat (grad school), who considers raising two great humans into adulthood her greatest accomplishment so far. In her spare time, Kristine enjoys reading, doing pilates, dining out, volunteering, and spending time with family and friends.
12:45- 1:15 pm
Forgiveness and Redemption are not just theory. Come hear one man's journey to demonstrate forgiveness and earn redemption under extraordinary circumstances.
Ronald D. Simpson-Bey is a national leader in the movement to decarcerate America, currently working as the Director of Outreach and Alumni Engagement for JustLeadershipUSA. (JLUSA) He is also a 2015 Leading with Conviction (LwC) Fellow with JLUSA. Ronald is an LPI Trained Leadership Coach and is a contributing author to the book, Smart Decarceration: Achieving Criminal Justice Transformation in the 21st Century. Ronald serves as the Vice-Chair for the ABA Criminal Justice Section Victims Committee; he serves as a Special Advisor for the ABA Criminal Justice Section council; he serves as a board member for the National Legal Aid & Defender Association (NLADA); as a board member of the Michigan Council on Crime and Delinquency (MCCD); as a steering team member of the Michigan Collaborative to End Mass Incarceration (MI-CEMI) and Nation Outside organizations. He is an engaged, thoughtful, and creative leader, founding many enrichment programs rooted in transformation, redemption, and self-accountability. Ronald attended Eastern Michigan University, Mott Community College, and Jackson Community College. @BeySimpson, ronald@jlusa.org.
12:45- 1:15 pm
My journey started when I was 49, only six months after I relocated from Vietnam to the U.S. On this journey, I have had a chance to meet many “friends”: language barriers, lack of social and cultural norms, anxieties, reliefs, and delights. These “special friends” forced me to be a more endurable, perseverant, humble, and grateful person. I have also met precious companions who have given me their great support and encouragement. They are my family, supervisors, colleagues, professors, tutors, and classmates. It has been more than five years since I started this journey. The more I move forward, a wider and brighter world I can experience, and the more closely my “American Dream” will come true.
Born and grew up in Vietnam. Migrated to the U.S.A. in 2015. Married with two grown-up children. Came back to school in 2015 with my kids. Got emotional memories of being my children’s classmates and walking on the graduation stage with them. Finished our bachelor’s degrees and U.S. naturalization during the 2020 Covid pandemic. Continue my life-long learning journey at Thunderbird School of Global Management. Love reading books and cooking. Feel great after finishing a semester, building up a good habit learned from books, and helping others.
12:45- 1:15 pm
“Hate the Addict, Love the Person” is a personal story taking place in a big audience of many different people as they watch the performance of a magician in the bright spotlight of their addiction. In fact, many people have experienced, heard, and/or been a witness to this performance. As the magicians come up onto the stage, one at a time, they are performing their senseless behaviors, raw emotions, guilt, urge to use, and causes and effects of their chemical dependency. Meanwhile, the audience member, a loved one, witnesses these acts of the magician, in which they are overcome with emotion, rage, struggle, and loss. This performance takes both points of view from the magician and audience member to a place of hardship, control, different perspectives, and ultimately, walking away with what they have gained or learned and lost or accepted throughout the acting and watching the ordinary show of the
There are acts that portray a lot more behind the scenes in the world of Angela Costa’s life, knowledge, and experiences. Even though some people may view this act as negative, a breath of fresh air, or an uncontrollable urge, these acts have shaped the person that Angela Costa is, but in a different view. From an outsider’s point of view, many people may describe Angela as a female, student, leader, and motivator, and some people may call her their friend, daughter, or sister. However, these people may view Angela as someone who has been through it all; grief, loss, and acceptance. She has experienced hardships as a loved one who has witnessed their loved ones destroy themselves to substance abuse and chemical dependency. Now, Angela is on the path to overcoming this grief, loss, and sadness to accept and bring awareness to what she has seen, discovered, and learned to accept.