In our fall listening sessions, employees made this point clear. Decisions weren’t being communicated in an effective and timely manner; feedback wasn’t being solicited; and messages changed as they traveled through departments, divisions, campuses and the college overall. The result? Confusion, frustration and a sense of being left out of important conversations.

So, we have introduced the NOVA Brief – a decision-making roadmap that ensures everyone gets the same message, regardless of their role, campus, division or department.

The NOVA Brief asks two simple questions: “What change do I want to make?” and “Who needs to be involved in/informed of this change?” This straightforward approach requires leaders—at every level—to think through the scope and effects of proposed changes before implementation. It builds transparency into the process, providing employees with an opportunity to give feedback and receive clear messaging on implementation. NOVA has now included language in every supervisor’s Employee Work Plan requiring them to regularly solicit employee input on decisions.

The NOVA Brief isn’t for every situation or decision. It’s designed for substantial changes that would significantly impact how employees work or deliver services. This includes:

• cross-departmental or divisional changes that affect employees beyond the originating group
• changes with significant impacts on work schedules, processes or procedures

All resources needed to use the form will be centralized on NOVAnet, including how-to guides, FAQs, consultation grids, and communication protocols. You will also be able to view both active and closed NOVA Briefs.

The NOVA Brief represents a cultural shift toward transparency and inclusion—a shift you called for and that we have made in response. By formalizing the decision-making process and building in feedback mechanisms, NOVA is ensuring that you have a voice in and understand college-determined changes that affect your work. No more “telephone” game.

Kind regards, Anne

The 2024 Richmond Fed Survey of Community College Outcomes (SCCO) provides new insights into how NOVA contributes to workforce development, student persistence and degree attainment. The study was conducted by the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond’s Community College Initiative. 

Their research, and the report they specifically made for NOVA, highlights a broader definition of student success—one that better captures the reality of our students’ journeys. Instead of focusing solely on associate degree graduation rates of our full-time students only (like the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System, or IPEDS, does), the Richmond Fed Success Rate recognizes the multiple pathways students take, including workforce credentials, continued enrollment and transfer to four-year institutions. Additionally the method they used includes our part-time students’ journeys. 

A more inclusive view of success 
Traditional graduation rates, like those reported through IPEDS, do not fully capture the success of community college students, especially given our high number of part-time, working and transfer-bound students. The Richmond Fed Success Rate expands the definition by including:

• students who transfer before earning a credential;
• students who complete a workforce-recognized credential;
• students who are still enrolled in good standing after four years .

For NOVA, this broader approach makes a significant difference in how we understand student outcomes.

Success metric table

• IPEDS graduation rate for NOVA:  37.3%
• Richmond Fed Success Rate for NOVA:  53.6%    

This means that when looking beyond just degree completion, over half of NOVA’s students achieve a meaningful success outcome—a powerful testament to the impact of our programs. 

More key findings from the report: 
Dual enrollment continues to be a critical pipeline for future NOVA students, particularly in Virginia where participation is among the highest in the region. With statewide policy changes affecting funding for dual enrollment, faculty and staff play a crucial role in ensuring these students remain engaged and transition successfully to college-level coursework at NOVA. 

While traditional degree pathways remain important, short-term, career-aligned workforce programs are helping more students move directly into high-demand jobs. However, compared to neighboring states, expanding access to these programs or transfer programs will help meet regional employer demand while providing alternative success pathways for students. 

How NOVA faculty and staff can use this data to support student success 
The Richmond Fed Success Rate reinforces what we already know—student success is about more than just graduation rates. As faculty and staff, you play a key role in shaping how students progress toward their goals. Here’s how you can help:

1.  Encourage Students to Think About Their Long-Term Goals. 
2.  Discuss workforce credentials and degree pathways early and often.
3.  Connect students to career and transfer advising as part of your courses or interactions. 
4.  Help students understand how earning an associate degree before transferring can improve their career outcomes. 
5.  Highlight structured transfer options to ensure students are making informed decisions 

In short, every data point represents a student with a unique story and individual aspirations. By thinking about this new success metric, provided by the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond’s Community College Initiative, we gain a clearer understanding of how NOVA is fulfilling its mission to provide equitable access to affordable, high-quality education. 

This article is part of the @DataYouCanUse series, where we bring data insights that drive action. To explore NOVA’s institutional data in more detail, visit the Office of Strategic Insights page on our website. For more questions please connect with Dr. Nathan Carter or Sam Shi, associate vice president, Office of Strategic Insights.

—Dr. Nathan Carter, chief institutional effectiveness & inclusion officer, Office of Care and Inclusion

What is a virtual computer lab?
A virtual computer lab (VCL) is an online platform that allows students to access specialized software and computing resources from anywhere using their own devices. Unlike traditional labs, which require physical space, a virtual lab provides remote access to applications required for a range of courses at NOVA, not just technology courses. This ensures that all students, regardless of their field of study, can use the tools they need without being limited by location or personal device capabilities.

Programs supported by the VCL
Today, the VCL provides computer and software resources for the following academic programs and offices:

• Medical Education
  • Dental Hygiene 
• Information and Engineering Technologies
  • Cybersecurity
  • Essentials (ITE)
  • Programming (ITP)
  • Networking (ITN)
  • Database (ITD)
• Student services (kiosk for student registration)
• Library services (standard computer lab software)
• Various applications including AutoCAD, Revit, Maple, SPSS and Multisim

During peak periods, NOVA’s VCL averages 200 concurrent student sessions per weekday, with an average of 8,000 sessions per month. There are plans to expand the VCL to the divisions of Mathematics, Science, Technologies & Business (MTSB) and Languages, Arts and Social Sciences (LASS) when the Seefeldt building on the Woodbridge Campus reopens in Fall 2025.

Benefits of a VCL
The college has realized both operational and cost efficiencies through the VCL, including the replacement of more than 700 physical computers with cost-effective Raspberry Pi thin clients.

Beyond the college’s savings on hardware, however, students benefit from ubiquitous access to critical computer lab resources. The centralized management of virtual desktops allows for streamlined patching, which strengthens security protocols, and rapid provisioning and deprovisioning facilitate on-demand deployments and improved resource allocation. 

What’s next for the VCL?
As virtual desktop technology evolves, College Computing at NOVA will continue to focus on innovative solutions, including exploring Desktop as a Service (DaaS) options and collaborating with the VCCS to assess its VCL offerings.

Learn more about NOVA’s virtual computer lab and give it a test drive! You can log in using your myNOVA credentials. If you have any questions, please contact Shelly Ryan, director of IT Enterprise Operations.

—Dr. Chad Knights, vice president, IET and College Computing

The centralized nature of Business Engagement and Career Services allows employers in the community — and even beyond the Northern Virginia region — to connect with NOVA and its vast talent pool in a simple, straightforward and effective manner. Employer partners register for a free account on Career Connection, the college’s career services management platform. The Business Engagement team personally vets all employers, along with their job and internship postings, to ensure employer needs not only align with NOVA’s credit and noncredit programs but also lead to economic mobility for our students. Once an employer has successfully created a Career Connection account, the NOVA team develops a “menu” of engagement opportunities tailored to a company’s specific recruitment, training and philanthropic goals. The team also works directly with faculty and student groups to further customize opportunities.

Business Engagement and Career Services helps students access career development resources, counseling appointments and workshops. All NOVA students have a Career Connection account, to which they maintain access for the duration of their program and even as a graduate. Career coaches at each campus are available online and in-person for 1:1 appointments to provide individualized guidance; coaches also offer regular workshops and classroom presentations to promote general awareness of the career development tools and resources available at NOVA.

Business Engagement and Career Services provides opportunities for direct engagement with employers and programs that prepare students for careers. This semester, our team is hosting more than 60 events and workshops. Here are just some of the events you can encourage your students to attend this spring:

• Future of Work: How Artificial Intelligence Is Shaping Careers: Wednesday, March 19, 11 a.m.
• What’s Your Worth? Negotiating Your Salary: Tuesday, March 25, 1 p.m.
• Writing Standout Resumes and Cover Letters: Wednesday, April 2, 1:30 p.m.
• Skilled Trades Career Fair, Woodbridge Campus: Tuesday, April 8, 4:30-7:30 p.m.
• All Industries Career Fair, Annandale Campus: Wednesday, April 16, 12-3 p.m.
• Certifications: Learn About NOVA Workforce: Wednesday, April 23, 4 p.m.

Students, faculty and staff can access Career Connection and contact Business Engagement and Career Services at novacareerservices@nvcc.edu.

—Dana Fallon, director, Business Engagement and Career Services
—Brent Via, associate director, Career Planning and Development

How does it work? NOVA Tutoring leverages the following educational frameworks: metacognition, active study techniques, higher-order critical thinking skills and a growth mindset. Tutors and students work together to set reasonable goals for each tutoring session. Tutors identify student needs, focus on higher-priority concerns, adapt to diverse learning preferences, clearly and patiently explain concepts, ask questions, encourage discussion and verify students’ comprehension through follow-up and practice. 

Tutoring at NOVA is free for our students who may make two tutoring appointments per week per class. Our staff is composed of student tutors, academic professionals, writing consultants, math support specialists and volunteer professors. NOVA students are welcome to use the tutoring centers at any campus or schedule virtual appointments.  

Whom do we serve? NOVA Tutoring seeks to engage first-year students, returning students, military veterans, international students, first-generation students, adult learners, dual-enrollment students, aspiring transfer students, degree-program students, certificate students, College Steps students and any member of the NOVA family who wants to learn. All are welcome! 

For students who need more flexibility in scheduling tutoring services, NOVA provides access to Tutor.com via Canvas. This outside service allows students to access support 24/7. Although the interactions are less personal than with NOVA tutors, Tutor.com offers flexibility and convenience for busy students. Students can reach out directly to tutor.com for support.

Why does it matter? Effective tutoring is key to student success. It helps students increase their understanding and knowledge of a subject, which can improve their grades. Students meet one-on-one or via a group, which can build strong personal connections. Tutoring also provides face-to-face interactions and immediate feedback, allowing students to work through challenges, build confidence and improve their study habits. Finally, it can offer students accountability and support to stay on track academically. 

NOVA students are discovering the value of our tutoring services. More than 95% of students who received tutoring would recommend our services to a peer. Demand for on-campus tutoring has shown strong, steady growth and is now returning to pre-pandemic levels:

*Data based on Navigate results across all campuses.

It is expected that demand for in-person tutoring will continue to increase. A common refrain among visitors to our on-campus Tutoring Centers is that they are “Zoomed out” and want in-person interaction. Further, pandemic learning loss has resulted in an increased need for support services that are accessible, engaging, and compassionate. This is where Tutoring shines as we continue to meet our students’ needs at NOVA.

Students can sign up for tutoring by logging into myNOVA and accessing the EAB Navigate Student app. For more information, visit the Tutoring homepage, stop by a campus Tutoring Center or email tutoring@nvcc.edu

The campus provosts extend our deep appreciation to the tutoring staff, the Office of Academic Affairs and our faculty for their commitment in support of the academic success of all NOVA students.

If you or your students have questions about tutoring, reach out to NOVA’s tutoring coordinators.

—Dr. Annette Haggray, provost, Alexandria Campus

Student success isn’t just about what happens in the classroom—it’s also about creating an environment where students feel connected, supported and engaged. Campus Recreation plays a critical role in this effort, offering opportunities for students to build friendships, stay active and develop essential life skills that contribute to their academic and personal success.

With a broad range of activities—from intramural sports and fitness programs to e-sports and wellness initiatives—Campus Recreation is a proven engagement strategy that helps students feel a greater sense of belonging, improves well-being and fosters leadership and teamwork.

Why Campus Recreation Matters for Student Success

Engagement outside of the classroom is a key factor in student retention and achievement. Recreation programs are designed to:

• Cultivate Personal Growth – Students develop leadership, teamwork and problem-solving skills.
• Enhance Academic Performance – Recreation reduces stress, boosts focus and improves time management.
• Support Health and Well-Being – Physical activity is linked to better mental and emotional resilience.
• Shape a Stronger Sense of Community – Students who feel connected to campus are more likely to persist and succeed.

Faculty and staff play a vital role in encouraging students to participate. A simple conversation about recreation opportunities or directing a student to the right resources can make a big difference in their engagement and well-being. Campus Recreation: By the Numbers

NOVA Recreation has expanded allowing more students to participate across a variety of activities, including:

• Intramural Sports: Basketball, Soccer, Volleyball, Kickball, Flag Football, Ultimate Frisbee

• Casual & Competitive Games: Pickleball, Cornhole, Badminton, Spikeball, Table Tennis
• Fitness & Wellness: Group fitness sessions, “Soulful Stretch” mindfulness programs, Wellness Webinars

• Esports: One of the fastest-growing programs, bringing students together through digital competition

 Expansion of recreational services for students has generated high interest in both intramural and recreational events. Students are actively engaging and participating in our general activities as showcased below:

 
Campus Highlights

• Annandale and Loudoun lead in intramural participation, with soccer, basketball, and volleyball as the most popular sports.
• Esports growth has been significant, particularly in Alexandria and Woodbridge, where students are forming competitive teams.
• Medical Education Campus is expanding wellness-based activities such as fitness challenges, stress-relief events, and interactive games like Trashketball.

The Expanding Role of Esports
Esports has quickly become one of the most effective ways to engage students, particularly those who may not participate in traditional athletics. With low barriers to entry and a strong social component, competitive gaming has created a space where students can connect, collaborate and develop valuable skills in a way that feels both accessible and inclusive.

For many students, esports is more than just a recreational activity—it’s a community where they find confidence and belonging. The structured yet flexible nature of competitive gaming provides an opportunity for students to engage in teamwork, practice strategic thinking and hone problem-solving skills in real-time. These are the same critical skills that translate into academic success and future career readiness.

Esports is also breaking down barriers, attracting students from diverse backgrounds and including those from underrepresented groups. By providing an alternative to traditional athletics, esports ensures that more students can experience the benefits of competition, collaboration and campus engagement.

To continue growing esports participation, NOVA is expanding opportunities through collaborative events with student organizations and academic departments, offering beginner-friendly gaming nights to welcome new players, and empowering student leaders to promote recreation through peer advocacy. These efforts ensure that more students can experience the benefits of teamwork, competition and community—both on and off the screen.

How Faculty and Staff Can Help
Campus Recreation is a valuable tool in student success efforts, and faculty and staff are key partners in making students aware of these opportunities.

Here’s how to help:

• Encourage students to get involved – A quick mention of intramurals, fitness classes or esports could spark interest.
• Refer students who need support – Physical activity and recreation can be beneficial for students struggling with stress or engagement.
• Collaborate with Campus Recreation – Explore ways to integrate wellness and recreation into academic or student success initiatives.

Campus Recreation is a vital part of supporting student engagement and success. Together, we can go boldly and help students thrive!

If you have any questions regarding Campus Recreation, please reach out to Cecil “CJ” Jackson, Associate Director of College Recreation, at Cecijackson@nvcc.edu 

Student Affairs Leadership looks forward to continuing to share and present to the NOVA community what Student Affairs is accomplishing @NOVA every second Tuesday of the month.

—Dr. Joel Frater, vice president of student affairs

Key date: New equivalencies apply to AP scores received on or after April 1, 2025.

What’s not changing: AP credits awarded before April 1, 2025, will not be retroactively adjusted, as the VCCS lacks the resources to manually update past credits, and former equivalencies may have already impacted students’ academic planning and financial aid.

One open question: Discussions are ongoing about allowing students to opt out of applying certain AP scores. For example, a student hoping to transfer into a university pre-med program may not want their score of a 3 for AP Biology applied, but may instead want their score of 5 for AP History used toward program requirements. The VCCS is investigating the options for a system-wide approach to this.

Why it matters: This change ensures consistency and faster credit processing, but some details are still being finalized. Stay tuned for updates!

—Eun-Woo Chang, Ph.D., vice president of academic affairs and chief academic officer

All program placed NOVA students (30,960) received the survey via an email from Vice President for Student Affairs Joel Frater on Feb. 4 and 5, in two administrations, with reminder emails on Feb. 10 and 11 to the two groups. A final reminder was sent on Feb. 28 (the date the survey closed).

1,080 students responded to the survey, a response rate of 3.5%.

Of those responding, 86% indicated that they intend to enroll in fall 2025 classes.

• 586 (65%) indicated they would be taking most of their classes in-person on a NOVA campus
• 174 (19%) indicated they would be taking most of their classes remotely via Zoom
• 141 (16%) indicated they would be taking most of their classes through NOVA Online

The students’ responses on modality align favorably with the direction of actual student enrollment last fall, which was approximately 57% in-person, 15% Zoom and 28% NOL. While the return rate was small, one possible inference from the survey results is that some of the NOL enrollment last fall may have come from students who would have preferred on-campus classes but could not find such sections.

Asked when they planned to take their classes, students indicated a continuing preference for primetime 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. classes, but showed a fairly strong interest in late afternoon and evening courses, too:

• 8 – 11 a.m. – 468
• 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. – 570
• 2 – 5 p.m. – 322
• 5 – 8 p.m. – 304

(Note: Because students could select more than one time block, the response numbers above exceed the total number of student participants.)

As I committed to the Teaching Faculty Caucus Executive Committee, the results of the survey have been shared with the provosts and academic deans to help inform the development of the fall 2025 schedule. The survey results will be used alongside data on fall 2024 course fill rates and cancellations; the Fall 2024 Semester Look Back Report previously shared with the NOVA community through The Daily Flyer; and insights from Ad Astra analyses of NOVA’s fall 2024 course schedule.

In the past, NOVA has declined to survey students on their enrollment plans due to concerns about low participation. Given that the response rate to this semester’s survey was just 3.5%, I have asked the provosts to work with the academic deans to give their feedback on the usefulness of the results before we run the survey again next fall.

Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions you would like to see answered in the monthly @NOVAPresident column.

Kind regards, Anne

Why General Studies Needs an Even Stronger Career Focus: General studies has long been a flexible transfer degree choice for students exploring different academic interests. However, recent data suggests that many students in this program may need more intentional guidance to reach their goals.

Declining Enrollment: As reported in the NOVA Fact Book, general studies enrollment at NOVA has dropped from 8,280 students in fall 2019 to 4,473 in fall 2023. This is reflective of broader community college enrollment trends and underscores the importance of retention and engagement strategies.

Transfer Without Completion: According to the Office of Strategic Insights (OSI), each year approximately three-quarters of NOVA students that transfer to a four-year institution do so without obtaining a NOVA credential. While transfer is a key pathway, leaving without a credential or awareness of social mobility factors can limit career opportunities and financial stability.

Statewide Changes to General Education Transfer: Virginia’s Uniform Certificate of General Studies (UCGS) aims to ensure that a 30-31 credit package transfers fully to any public four-year institution. This means that NOVA students may no longer need a general studies degree to ensure transferability and could be better served if we guide them toward credential completion in career-aligned pathways that map to the college and VCCS strategic plan.

Equitable Access: National data from the Community College Research Center indicates that Black, Hispanic and Pell-eligible students are overrepresented in most general studies degree programs, which often do not lead directly to careers in high-wage, high-demand fields. To address these disparities, early career advising is essential to help students transition from general studies to fields with stronger labor market outcomes.

The Role of Faculty and Staff: Moving Students from Exploration to Action: Northern Virginia’s economy is evolving rapidly. Employers are looking for candidates with technical skills, industry certifications and clear credentials; students should be guided toward these opportunities. Here’s how we can help:

Shift the Focus from Exploring to Deciding: Many general studies students start their journey uncertain about their career path. Faculty and staff can help them make informed decisions early by:

• encouraging career exploration in the first semester, through advising, career services and employer partnerships;
• using real-time workforce data to show students what jobs are available and what credentials they need;
• highlighting high-demand career options and integrating career advising into classroom discussions.

Promote Completion Before Transfer: Leaving NOVA with a degree or credential strengthens students’ earning potential and career prospects. Faculty and staff can help by:

• using classroom discussion to advise students on the benefits of completing their associate degree before transferring;
• leveraging the Uniform Certificate of General Studies (UCGS) as a structured transfer tool while ensuring students take courses relevant to their intended major;
• referring students to NOVA Workforce programs and FastForward credentials that provide accelerated career opportunities.

Stay Connected & Share Your Ideas: This article is part of the @NOVA series, where we bring insights to drive action. To learn more about how NOVA is advancing student success, visit the Accelerate Opportunity Dashboard. For more on the DataYouCanUse@NOVA series, please reach out to Dr. Nathan Carter, chief institutional effectiveness & inclusion officer, or Sam Shi, associate vice president in the Office of Strategic Insights.

—Dr. Nathan Carter, Chief Institutional Effectiveness & Inclusion Officer

College Computing has embarked on an ambitious project to transition to an Enterprise Service Management (ESM) platform, applying IT Service Management (ITSM) methodologies to streamline and improve processes in various business functions. This initiative involves migrating all forms, processes and workflows to the new system, TeamDynamix, providing staff with a one-stop shop for all requests while delivering essential data to track performance and efficiency. Our approach is designed to advance the project with minimal disruption to the daily operations of college departments.

CETSS, CIS, NOVACard and Parking Services have moved their ticketing functions from SmarterTrack to TeamDynamix for ESM services. This prioritizes critical functions, laying a strong foundation for future project phases such as training and support.

We are modernizing all college forms using TeamDynamix, enhancing interfaces, streamlining workflows and removing duplicates. The chart below shows our progress to date. Launched forms are available in TeamDynamix. Forms in the Ready Bin await final departmental approval. UAT forms are in User Acceptance Testing and we are currently engaged with departments on forms In Development. Currently, we are collaborating with Human Resources and Finance and Administration to focus on forms in these units.

Forms Modernization Status update:

You can find a dashboard detailing our forms migration project here.

Our team consists of skillful, talented professionals, including software architects, project managers, business solutions analysts and developers. Comprising state employees and contractors, we bring extensive experience to drive the project forward. With this skilled team, we are confident in successfully implementing TeamDynamix to enhance efficiency and improve service delivery across the college. This project underscores our commitment to continuous improvement and excellence in service management.

Dr. Chad Knights, VP, IET and College Computing