Today’s the Day! NOVA Convocation, 9 a.m. -11 a.m.

August 16, 2021 / Uncategorized

NOVA’s Fall Convocation is today! It is open to all faculty and staff and it will be held at NOVA Alexandria Campus Schlesinger Center from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. or Online via Zoom.

Convocation Program Schedule:

  • Opening Welcome  – Dr. Anne Kress
  • Update on NOVA’s Inclusive Excellence DEI Strategic Plan & Introduction of Keynote – Dr. Nathan Carter
  • Keynote – Dr. Tia Brown McNair – From Equity Talk to Equity Walk: Utilizing Data for Equity-Minded Sense-Making 
  • Student Perspectives on Equity – Dr. Frances Villagran-Glover
  • SACSCOC Visit Update – Dr. Pam Hilbert
  • NOVA’s Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) – Dean Jen Daniels
  • President’s State of the College Address – Dr. Anne Kress 
  • Closing Inclusive Excellence Video  
  • Covid-19 Update and Planning Q&A – Thomas Mayhew

From Equity Talk to Equity Walk: Utilizing Data for Equity-Minded Sense-Making  
How do we accelerate broad-scale innovation and institutional change to advance evidence-based educational strategies that prioritize the creation of equity-minded environments where students can thrive? How can educators ensure that students are fully prepared for life, work and productive global citizenship? What changes need to be made in an institution’s policies, practices, partnerships and culture to make excellence inclusive for ALL students? This presentation will discuss the practical strategies outlined in From Equity Talk to Equity Walk for examining and establishing equity goals to promote student engagement and success and to strengthen data-informed continuous improvement efforts. 

Face coverings are required for all in-person attendees.

10 Tips for returning to the classroom  

  1. Be patient with the ever-transitioning procedures, face covering mandates and social distancing policies affecting students, faculty and staff.
  2. Stay open and empathetic. Accept students where they are now and be sensitive to varied challenges and needs during and after the pandemic.
  3. Rise to the Challenge of Equity and Inclusion. The disruptive impacts of the pandemic have exposed an urgent need to address pervasive achievement and opportunity gaps.
  4. Provide timely constructive formative and summative feedback. Optimize the use of academic tools like Canvas to provide up-to-date information and timely feedback on progress/grades to students.
  5. Recognize and report concerning behavior. Share Information on holistic student support services offered at NOVA.
  6. Incorporate active learning assignments and authentic assessments to engage students more fully in the teaching and learning process.
  7. Embrace free and open tools and resources that promote and support more and diverse voices and perspectives.
  8. Model healthy practices that support a safe learning environment and promote a culture of care.
  9. Collaborate. You are part of a team of colleagues and a community of learners who contribute to a diverse and resilient institution.
  10. Your classroom environment matters. Create a shared sense of belonging in the classroom by encouraging social interaction while being conscious of social anxiety.

Submitted by:
W. Preston Davis, Director of Academic Affairs, WDavis@nvcc.edu