NOVA-MA Karen Todd Wins VCCA Communications Award

As a VCCA (Virginia Community Colleges Association) member, former High School Outreach Coordinator (WO) and current Campus Community Relations Coordinator (MA) Karen Todd was voted as a winner of the VCCA “Excellence in Communications Award.” Todd was named as a winner after review of over 100 entries and multiple submissions from all participating schools in the VCCS. The entries covered the categories of marketing, design and print professionalism.

Karen’s original newsletter design of “NOVANotes,” an electronic email publication, won 2nd place in the category of “Best Newsletter Publication Design.” She explained that she first created the newsletter in February 2020, as a communication tool serving high schools within the NOVA Woodbridge Campus service area. However, due to the pandemic and growing need for consistent and streamlined communication with all 81 high schools in the region, NOVANotes was recognized by the College VP of Student Success and expanded for circulation to all six campuses to distribute to their high schools as well. The new collaboration of information and resources ensured that every high school in the NOVA service area could stay informed of the rapidly changing policies and procedures that impact the onboarding and enrollment steps for NOVA’s new and matriculating students.

NOVANotes became a bi-monthly publication in the summer of 2020, then went on hiatus during the summer of 2021. Following the creation of the new Office of Recruitment & Admissions (ORA), plans to revive the newsletter as a ongoing resource for our high school partners and their students are under discussion.

Karen will be attending the VCCA’s 38th Annual Conference in October at Virginia Beach to accept her award. Please join us in congratulating her.

Since its inception in 1983, the VCCA has served as an agent for the professional growth and development of all faculty, staff and administrators within the Virginia Community College System (VCCS). In recognition of its members, the VCCA holds an annual conference to expressly prioritize the networking, sharing of information and showcasing of the programs, skills and services of its many members.

Membership in the VCCA offers great opportunities to participate in the many informative and network building opportunities for staff development, legislative advocacy, and the building of great friendships with other colleagues in the VCCS. If interested, please email your NOVA VCCA college contact and VCCA President Elect, Donna Minnich (dminnich@nvcc.edu) for more information. 

Submitted by:
Molly Lynch, MA-Provost, MLynch@nvcc.edu