#LIBRARYMADE

banner for #librarymade promotion for national library weekToday’s libraries are more than just books. Increasingly, they are places of creativity where people can meet to share a hobby, use a 3D printer, edit a video, or use software to record their own music. Libraries offer access to the tools and technology essential to the economic and cultural lives of their communities.

Help us demonstrate the Unlimited possibilities available @ your library by sharing what the library has helped you to create.

Did you research or write your book, learn how to make a hand-knitted scarf or culinary creation? Have you used the library’s 3D printer or produced a video? Did the library help you find a new job or get your small business off the ground? Or perhaps the library’s homework help service made a difference in your child’s last report card.

Join in the fun. Promotion begins Monday April 13 at noon CT and ends Friday, April 17 at noon CT.

Share a photo or link to your creation on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram using the hashtag #librarymade for the chance to win a $100 gift certificate to Maker Shed or Amazon. Photos can also be added to our Unlimited possibilities Flickr group. If 140 characters isn’t enough, add your story to the collection here on the I Love Libraries website.

Follow the fun during National Library Week on the #LibraryMade Hashtag Wall.”1

Official Rules: http://ilovelibraries.org/librarymade. Take a look at some of the things you can learn from NOVA’s libraries: http://blogs.nvcc.edu/elife/2014/12/23/hobby/. Have fun and good luck!

 


1. Text from http://ilovelibraries.org/librarymade

This week at NOVA Online

ThinkstockPhotos-179335356Summer registration is currently open for all students and fall priority registration opens this week. Access NOVAConnect to identify your fall priority registration date. Fall open registration for all students begins on May 5. Check the schedule of classes in NOVA Connect and follow this tutorial to help you search for online classes through NOVA Online. Make sure you change the date to reflect the term you are looking to register for (summer ’15 or fall ’15).

Are you thinking about an online course through NOVA Online, but not sure if it is right for you? Review our Furthering your education with NOVA Online recording to see if online learning is a right fit for your current educational needs. You could also take the Smarter Measure assessment to see how your personal learning styles will work with online courses.

All Week- Pedometer Challenge. Participate in the NOVA Online Pedometer Challenge through our Health and Wellness Interest Group! Compete and share experiences with other students by tracking your average daily steps for a month as well as create personal health and wellness goals. Request to join the Google Community to connect with fellow NOVA Online students. Any questions – email NOVA OnlineStuLife@nvcc.edu.

All Week- NOVA Online Book Club. Join NOVA Online’s Book Club! This semester we will read “How I Live Now” by Meg Rosoff. After you sign up, you will gain access to the book club’s discussion board. We will end the book club with a live viewing of the movie adaptation! So, don’t wait and sign up today! Register here.

Wednesday – Spring Fling & NOVA Online Birthday Celebration – MA – 11-2pm. The Extended Learning Institute is turning 40! NOVA Online will be visiting all six campuses and invite students to join us in celebrating 40 years of online learning at NOVA! This week we will be at Manassas and joining the Spring Fling Festivities! Stop by and learn more about NOVA Online!

Resource of the Week – Stress Management and Coping Skills Support Group – Access Hope is offering free group counseling services for students at the Alexandria campus. The group is open to all NOVA students. Contact Ms. Grace Gray at ggray@thewomenscenter.org for more information.

The Red Flag Campaign

red_flag_dayThe Red Flag Campaign is a public awareness campaign designed to address dating violence and promote the prevention of dating violence on college campuses. The campaign was created using a “bystander intervention” strategy, encouraging friends and other campus community members to “say something” when they warning signs (“red flags”) for dating violence in a friend’s relationship. What are some of those red flags?

  • Constant phone calls, texts, e-mails, or messages throughout the day or showing up unexpectedly
  • Telling you how to dress or act
  • Take your money or take advantage of you in other ways
  • Try to isolate you and control whom you see or where you go
  • Blame you for how they treat you, or for anything bad that happens.

Dating/partner violence is about power and control. Research indicates that in 21% of college dating relationships, one of the partners is being abused. College aged women (16-24) experience the highest per capita rate of intimate partner violence. Recognize a red flag in a friend’s relationship? Violence and abuse in relationships usually continues and often gets worse over time if no action is taken to stop it. You can help your friend by being honest about your concerns. Say something!

If you are in need of services or have questions regarding red flags in a relationship, please contact NOVA SAS at nova.sas@nvcc.edu or text/call 703-338-0834 (24 hours / 7 days a week). We can help you approach a friend to let them know that you are concerned and help guide them to resources.

-Written by: Angela Acosta, Sexual Assault Services (SAS) Outreach Specialist, NOVACares Office 

Being an Advocate for your Success

As a student there really is no one better to ensure your success but you. Therefore, there is no better advocate for your success than you! Students have the ability to shape their educational experience by using their voices to speak on their own behalf. When a situation calls for self advocacy, it is always good keep the following tips in mind:

Start with your instructor. Many issues can be handled by simply reaching out to your instructor (i.e. grading, difficulty with course material, problems submitting exams and assignments, etc.). Try to facilitate a dialogue of mutual respect and avoid using abrasive, accusatory, or otherwise aggressive language in all communications with instructors. Review tips on emailing your instructor.

Don’t be intimidated and understand that your voice matters. Sometimes speaking up can be an intimidating task. Students may fear being unjustly persecuted by an instructor if they raise an issue against the instructor. Sometimes it’s more comfortable to rely on others to handle matters or to ignore issues completely, but there are times when you are the person from whom action is required and pretending the problem does not exist does a disservice to you and your education.  If the difference between enduring maltreatment and having an enriching learning experience is you speaking up for yourself, then it’s time to be vocal and let your needs be heard.

Be knowledgeable of your role, responsibilities, and rights as a student. Students have a responsibility to be knowledgeable of the student handbook, codes of conduct, student grievance policy, course policies, etc. When situations arise, you need to be clear on all rules, regulations, and policies related to your issue. You wouldn’t want to raise a stink that could have been avoided by researching school policy. An informed student is an empowered student.

Access your resources. Any time you are not sure how to approach a situation, are uncertain who to address your concerns with, etc., reach out to your support staff for advice, resources, and assistance.  Contact the NOVA Online Success Coach team and they can point you in the right direction at 703-764-5076 or elisuccess@nvcc.edu.

Understand that  not all change is instant and not everything will have the outcome you desire. However, remember that your education is a cause worth advocating for. Namaste.

-Jennifer, NOVA Online Success Coach

#NOVA OnlineBookClub Meeting Dates

Book and movie posters for "How I live Now" by Meg Rosoff

Here are some important dates for the book club:

April 16 @ 6:30 p.m. EST: We will discuss the book online using Google hangouts.

April 23 @ 6:30 p.m. EST: We will watch the movie adaptation online.

Instructions for accessing each event will be posted on the book club website.

There is still time to sign up for the book club! Register here: http://goo.gl/forms/uJu6FlJA03. After you sign up, you will gain access to the book club’s discussion board. All you need is your NOVA e-mail address! #NOVA OnlineBookClub

It’s Advising Week!

career road signs
Advising week is offered every fall and spring semester at NOVA as a time for students to reflect upon their academic goals and career development in preparation for planning and evaluating their schedule for next semester.   Advising week for the Fall 2015 semester will be held from April 6 – April 10. Get the most out of advising week by following the steps below:

  1. Attend a Getting Ready for Your Next Semester webinar. Learn more about the webinar and register for an upcoming session here.
  2. Use the Student Success Planner to build your academic plan and compare your plan to program requirements.
  3. Review your Advisement Report.   Access NOVAConnect to view your report.
  4. Take a moment to reflect upon your career planning.  If you need more information about career options or would like to learn about a resource to help you build a career plan consider attending a Focus on Your Career Planning webinar.  Learn more about the webinar and register for an upcoming session here.
  5. Communicate with your advisor about your academic and career goals.  Be sure to take a moment to review your plans for both the summer term (registration is occurring now) and the fall semester.  Plan to have your academic plan,  advisement report, and/or career plan handy when communicating with your advisor.

If you have not declared a program of study or are not pursuing a specific program at NOVA connect with an NOVA Online counselor for assistance.  Priority registration for the fall semester will begin on April 14.   All current students will be assigned a priority registration date.   During advising week access NOVAConnect to identify your priority registration date. Open registration begins on May 5.

Tip of the week: Figure out a calendar system that works for you! Are you using a paper calendar or electronic calendar? Do you set alerts on your phone or computer? Do you keep a to-do list on your paper calendar? Try out a few different ways to see what works best for you! You have a lot to keep track of as you get registered for your classes, and then once classes start! Get organized. Let us know what works best for you! Tell us in the comments.

SAAM KICK OFF!

ThinkstockPhotos-180121101April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM)! The goal of SAAM is to raise public awareness about sexual violence and to educate communities on how to prevent it.  Sexual violence is a major public health, human rights and social justice issue. We need everyone’s help to end it. The NOVA Community can help make a difference!

NOVA Sexual Assault Services (SAS) would like you to get involved during SAAM! NOVA SAS is hosting several events this month:

April 6th – April 10th: Red Flag Campaign Week (Annandale Campus)

April 9th: Red Flag Info Table (Annandale Campus – CF Quad)

April 9th: Walk a Mile in Her Shoes (Annandale Campus – CF Quad)

April 13th – April 17th: Red Flag Campaign Week (Medical Education Campus)

April 14th: Jackson Katz: “Violence Against Women-it’s a men’s issue” Roundtable (Alexandria Campus – Women’s Center)

April 16th: Red Flag Info Table (Medical Education Campus – 1st Floor)

April 16th: Student Government Association (SGA) Benefit Concert   (Annandale Campus – Ernst Theater)

April 20th – April 24th:  Red Flag Campaign Week (Loudoun Campus)

April 21st: Red Flag Info Table (Loudoun Campus – Front of LR)

April 21st: Take Back the Night (Loudoun Campus – Side entrance of LW)

April 28th: Bystander Intervention Roundtable (Alexandria Campus – Women’s Center)

April 29th: Denim Day (Annandale Campus – CF Quad)

If you would like more information regarding these events, please contact Angela Acosta at aacosta@nvcc.edu or 703-323-2406 or like us on Facebook

If you are in need of services, please contact NOVA SAS at nova.sas@nvcc.edu or text/call 703-338-0834 (24 hours / 7 days a week).

-Written by: Angela Acosta, Sexual Assault Services (SAS) Outreach Specialist, NOVACares Office 

NOVA Sexual Assault Services (SAS)

ThinkstockPhotos-1793353561 in 5 college women will experience sexual assault during their college career.  In spite of this, sexual assault is a crime that is rarely talked about and even more rarely reported.  Anyone in our NOVA community can be a victim, not just students.

Sexual assault survivors are not alone. NOVA Sexual Assault Services (SAS) aims to address issues of sexual assault, stalking, and dating/partner violence by providing free confidential support and services to any member of the NOVA family.  We assist students as well as faculty, staff, and immediate family members, regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, gender, or sexual orientation. Victims need support during and after such a crisis and we are here to help.

NOVA SAS provides the first line of contact for members of our community experiencing these difficulties. Besides offering telephone or in-person crisis intervention and support, we can accompany victims to police and/or court interviews as well as to the hospital or academic meetings.

Contact NOVA SAS at 703-338-0834 or by email at NOVA.SAS@nvcc.edu. We are available to help or support a victim in the best and safest way possible 24 hours a day. NOVA SAS is a program of the NOVACares Office.

-Written by: Angela Acosta, Sexual Assault Services (SAS) Outreach Specialist, NOVACares Office 

Planning Ahead for Next Semester

The end of the semester will be here before you know it and there is no time like the present to start prepping for next semester. The longer you wait, the likelihood of you encountering roadblocks increasing drastically, so resist the urge to put it off. When you start thinking about the courses you want to take next semester, keep these tips and tidbits of information in mind to avoid missing out on the courses you need.

Plan ahead. Speak to an advisor (elicounselors@nvcc.edu) to make sure you are taking the necessary courses toward degree/certificate completion. Read over NOVA’s course repeat policy and speak with an advisor if you are taking a course for the 3rd time. Make sure your finances are in order to pay your tuition on time. If you are using Financial Aid, call 1-855-323-3199 to check on your status.

Register for classes early. Please make note of NOVA’s On-Time Registration policy that does not allow enrollment into a class after 11:59pm the day before the class is scheduled to begin. Enrolling in the course early will help you avoid many unnecessary headaches, i.e. courses being closed, full, or unavailable (huge migraines!).

Be aware of your course start and end dates. NOVA offers courses that vary in length (16, 12, 8, and 4 week sessions) and that start at different times during the semester. You wouldn’t want to think the course starts and ends at the wrong time (disaster!). Also pay attention to the course’s critical dates that inform you of deadlines for refunds and withdrawals.

 Getting into a closed course. If the course you want is closed, and it is before the start date you may still be able to get into the course by emailing the instructor to request permission to be allowed into the course. The instructor has authority to grant or deny such a request. Once granted permission, have the instructor forward that email to elireg@nvcc.edu, or you can forward it yourself, and NOVA Online Registration will enroll you in the course.

If you miss the registration deadline. NOVA offers students different sessions throughout the semester with different start dates. If you are unable to get into a course because you missed the registration deadline, search for a later starting session for the same course and enroll in that session, if available. However, if taking a later starting session is not an option for you, you can complete and send a Permission to Enroll During the First Week form to NOVA Online Registration (elireg@nvcc.edu) to try to get in that session. Please note that there is no guarantee that you can get into the class after the start date so registering early is highly encouraged!

If you have any questions about the enrollment process, call NOVA Online Registration at 703-323-3368 or elireg@nvcc.edu.

Social Media in Your Job Search

social media 2Social media is a great way to stay in touch with friends and relatives, but it also can be a useful tool in your job search. Employers are using social media sites like LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube to both promote their organizations and connect with potential job candidates.

While social media can help you research employers (critical to your job-search success), be sure to use it more actively—as a way to connect with potential employers. By following a few basic tips, you can use social media to get in front of hiring managers.

Get Noticed

There are a few key points to keep in mind when using social media as a job-search tool.

Create a Profile That Gives a Positive Impression of You Think of it as your online resume: What do you want it to say about you? Hiring managers can get a stronger sense of who you are, and if you’re a potentially good fit for their company, through your profile.

Be Aware of the Keywords You Include in Your Profile This is particularly true for sites focused on professional networking, such as LinkedIn. Many employers do keyword searches to find profiles that contain the skill sets they’re seeking in potential hires.

Don’t Include Photos, Comments, or Information You Wouldn’t Want a Potential Employer to See

Don’t Mix Personal With Professional The social media you use in your job search has to present you as a potential employee—not as a friend. Follow the rules for writing a resume.

Make Sure Your Profile Is Error-Free You wouldn’t offer up a resume rife with misspellings, would you?

Choose Appropriate Contact Information Your e-mail address or Twitter handle should be professional—a simple variation on your name, perhaps—rather than suggestive or offensive.

Connect Many organizations have embraced social media as an extension of their hiring practices, and provide information that you can use to research the organization and connect with hiring managers and recruiters.

    • Check your college/university’s social media groups: Many times, employers join such groups.
    • Check social media groups that are focused around your field of interest or career.
    • Search for the social media pages, profiles, and videos of organizations that interest you. Many organizations post job descriptions, information about salaries, and more.
    • Ask questions. Even something as broad as “Is anyone hiring in [industry]?” may bring responses, and asking questions about a specific organization—“What’s it like to work at Company X?” can give you insight into the organization and its culture.

Stay Connected Keep in touch with recruiters or other decision makers you may interact with in cyberspace.

There may not be an available opportunity at their organization right now, but that could change, and you want to be considered when it does.

Finally, in addition to maintaining your network, use social media to build your network. Don’t just establish a social media presence—work it. Reach out. Interact. You will get out of social media what you put into it.

Courtesy of the National Association of Colleges and Employers