Monthly Archives: October 2024

Career Skills, Community Partnerships, Data Center Operations, ET Career Scholars, In-Demand Technology Pathways, Industry Partnerships, Interpersonal Skills, Mentoring, Microsoft

NOVA ET Career Scholars Meet with Microsoft Professionals

During a session of speed mentoring, scholars gain insight into real-world workforce expectations.

This month we had the honor of having Microsoft visit our Engineering Technology Career Scholars at the NOVA Fab Lab for engaging sessions of speed-mentoring! Microsoft brought 13 team members to help guide our scholars through what it takes to be a professional both at Microsoft and the tech world in general.

2 scholars at a time went to each station to learn from a different mentor, and it was an excellent opportunity for them to ask questions and gain valuable interpersonal experience with accomplished tech professionals.

Here’s what mentors and scholars had to say in response to the session:

“Being able to contribute to the NOVA ET Career Scholars Program as a mentor was as rewarding as it was inspiring, and I look forward to seeing these students in our talent pipeline!”
~ Olivia Brown – Data Center Program Manager, Microsoft

“The speed networking event was amazing! Getting to chat with Microsoft professionals and hear firsthand about their experiences was super inspiring. I walked away with great insights and some awesome new connections that I’m excited to build on!”
~ Ali Pekdemir, ET Career Scholar

“I left the NOVA ETCS Program feeling extremely energized and excited about our future talent in the Northern VA market!”
~ Mauve Davidson, Sr – Global Talent Acquisition, Microsoft

“Our ETCS program provides fantastic opportunities like this, fostering a supportive atmosphere where we can connect and grow. Meeting the Microsoft professionals was definitely the highlight. I’m grateful they took the time out of their busy schedules to meet with us and share valuable insights about their roles and career journeys. Their advice on interview preparation was especially helpful, and after our brief chats, I felt more confident about my future prospects. The connections I made during the event are incredibly valuable, I’m excited about the possibility of becoming a Microsoft intern. Knowing I can reach out to these industry leaders for advice and support is reassuring.”
~ Ulises Chavarria, ET Career Scholar

“I loved the opportunity to connect directly with our local community and help build the next generation of datacenter operators!”
~ Givon Forbes – Data Center Operations Manager, Microsoft

“It was great to see that although the volunteers had different jobs and came from different backgrounds, they all stated that culture and core-values were highly prioritized in Microsoft. I think that it was an amazing opportunity overall.”
~ Jordan Ky, ET Career Scholar

We’ll be assembling another cohort of ET Career Scholars next year. For more info click here.

ETCareerScholarsNOVA EngineeringTechnology DataCenterOperations SoftSkills

ATE PI Conference 2024, BUILD Welding NSF Grant, Conferences, Data Center Operations, DCO PD NSF Grant, DCO Professional Learning Fellowship, Design Thinking, Digital Fabrication, Fabrication, In-Demand Technology Pathways, NSF Grants, PDI NSF Grant, Product Design Incubator (PDI)

Promoting NOVA Grant Funded Programs at the ATE PI Conference in DC

3 grant award programs showcased at the annual DC event

The 2024 NSF ATE PI (Principal Investigator’s) Conference successfully wrapped up this month in Washington, D.C., gathering over 850 ATE (Advanced Technical Education) grantees and partners from across the U.S.

The event provides a valuable opportunity for sharing innovations and fostering collaboration among educators in advanced technological education. Teams from NOVA SySTEMic and NOVA IET attended, as well as students from NOVA’s Product Design Incubator (PDI) program, to actively raise awareness about National Science Foundation (NSF) grant-funded initiatives through presentations, spotlight sessions, and networking events.

NOVA highlighted 3 different NSF grant award programs in spotlight sessions and through ATE Connects, a hub for networking and collaboration where ATE projects are showcased with posters, materials, and discussion.

The 3 highlighted NSF grant awards were:

  1. Data Center Operations Program Development (DCO PD), which seeks to support colleges across the country in developing programs, courses and content to increase capacity for data center education through 3 components; A DCO Professional Learning (PL) Fellowship for educators, An awareness and recruitment campaign through ACTE’s national conferences, and a Data Center Education Digital Resource Hub. More info about DCO PD can be found here. 
  2. The Product Design Incubator (PDI), which prepares community college students for success in digital fabrication through a product design challenge, guiding them from ideation to final presentation. PDI’s goals are to increase industry engagement, foster interdisciplinary collaboration, and produce IET workers with strong communication, collaboration, and critical thinking skills – all highly valued by regional employers. To date, PDI has completed 2 cohorts at NOVA. In 2025, we plan to accept our last cohort of 24 students and increase collaboration with our industry and academic partners. More about PDI here.
  3. BUILD: Futures in Welding and Fabrication. The NSF BUILD grant is a new and developing program that will enhance welding instruction at NOVA by redesigning and restructuring courses to align with industry demands, addressing the regional need for a new generation of skilled welders in an aging workforce. BUILD will offer additional support resources to welding students, boosting their competitiveness in the job market. BUILD has 4 goals: to rebuild and modernize the welding credential, to develop a welding fabrication capstone course, to improve access to welding co-curricular support, and to increase outreach to High School students. More about NOVA’s welding program can be found here.
Business Engagement, Career & Leadership Readiness Institute, Career & Technical Education, CLRI, Community Partnerships, Cybersecurity, Data Center Operations, Data Centers, Industry Partnerships, Mentoring, Networking, NOVA IET

CLRI Wraps Up Fall Cohort with Executive Mentoring and Networking Event

 

The Fall 2024 IET Career and Leadership Institute (CLRI), led by M. Andy Chaves and Sedrick Settle, concluded on October 24, 2024, with an Executive Mentoring and Networking event at the Woodbridge campus.

This season, 14 students completed the CLRI program, finishing a five-week journey that began in September. Participants completed six workshops covering critical topics such as leadership, effective communication, building your personal brand, how to write a technical resume, and trends in IT careers.

The Fall 2024 CLRI cohort also participated in site tours and a mock interviewing event coordinated with AWS. Through these robust and enriching experiences, students gained interpersonal skills, practiced networking—many through LinkedIn connections—and built confidence.

The program concluded with an executive networking event featuring 11 leaders from top companies, including Amazon Web Services (AWS), CoreSite, Digital Realty, Google, Iron Mountain, Meerkat Cyber, Red Hat, Suffolk Construction, and U.S. Transactions Corp.

To cap off the event, mentors and students received recognition, and participants stayed an extra hour to connect with industry professionals.

Student Feedback on CLRI

CLRI students shared their excitement for the program:

  • “The CLRI is an amazing experience. It opened my eyes to many new ideas and opportunities.”
    —Ilham Data Center Operations
  • “CLRI is a great foundation for students—it gives clear direction, teaches new skills, introduces people from diverse backgrounds, and offers unique experiences. I highly recommend it.” —Anchinalush, Cybersecurity and Health Science
  • “The program is very exciting. I’m glad I joined after Andy and Sedrick introduced it to our class. It was my first time experiencing data centers.”
    —Jack, Data Center Operations
  • “CLRI was fantastic. I’ll graduate in December, ready to apply everything I’ve learned. Andy and Sedrick bring together amazing people to support us.”
    —Mary, Cybersecurity
  • “This experience has been invaluable for my first semester at NOVA, providing me with valuable connections.”
    —James, Data Center Operations 

Insights from Industry Professionals

CLRI also granted students valuable perspectives from experienced leaders:

  • Steve Jolly, Data Center Cluster Manager, Amazon Web Services:
    “A great attitude is everything. Technical skills can be taught, but attitude and behavior are much harder to change. Curiosity, self-improvement, and a bias for action truly make a difference.”
  • Chris Haigh, CEO & Certified CMMC Assessor, Meerkat Cyber, LLC:
    “Find something that fascinates you, pursue certifications, and engage with it daily. Always keep learning.”
  • John Limbacher, Market Technical Manager, Digital Realty:
    “Building gigawatt campuses and working with high-tech solutions for companies like Nvidia—there’s a lot of excitement in the data center industry.”
  • Miguel Ramos, Sr. Data Center Manager, CoreSite:
    “At CoreSite, we train interns in security, telecom, and facilities—critical components of our operations.”
  • Todd Byington, Critical Facilities Manager, Iron Mountain:
    “Data centers offer roles in everything from facilities operations and project management to sales and security, providing a wide range of opportunities.”
  • Wade Tetsuka, President of U.S. Transactions Corp:
    “Our software company collaborates with Microsoft partners. For those considering entrepreneurship in IT or software, it’s a rewarding path.”

Congratulations to the students and thank you to the executives who contributed to the success of the program.  We hope to see more students in the Spring ’25 CLRI program.

Data Center Operations, Data Centers, Employee Spotlight, Engineering Technology, NOVA IET

NOVA DCO Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Amir Mehmood

“We started the DCO program with single rooms at the Loudoun and Manassas campuses. Now, we’ve built full facilities at both locations, as well as at Woodbridge and discussing facilities at Alexandria and Annandale. I want to thank and applaud the entire NOVA team for making this happen.”

Balancing Roles in Academia and Industry

Calling Dr. Amir Mehmood “busy” hardly captures the full picture. Since joining NVCC in 2019, he has led the DCO program while also teaching in the Engineering Technology and DCO departments. On top of his full-time role at NOVA, Amir took on a second significant position in 2022 as a Senior Customer Success Engineer at Amazon Web Services (AWS). Balancing both worlds, he skillfully connects academic insight with industry expertise.

“My passion for engineering began with my love for math, fostered by my teachers and my natural inclination toward technology,” he shares.“For those who enjoy solving technical problems, engineering is a perfect fit. I chose electrical engineering and electronics because, in the mid-90s when I entered the field, technology was evolving at a rapid pace. Now, computers are a fundamental part of our daily lives.”

In collaboration with Dr. John Sound, Amir launched NOVA’s DCO initiative in 2019. As head of the program, he handles everything from organizing the schedule for 20 to 22 classes per semester to managing faculty and resources. Beyond his administrative responsibilities, he also teaches five to six courses each term, including Building Automation and Energy Management Systems, Electrical Machines, Electric Motor Control, Fiber Optic Technology, Power Distribution Systems, and Programmable Logic Controllers.

His dedication to teaching is evident in his interactions with students. He values their input and takes pride in their achievements. “It’s fulfilling to see students excel in such a hands-on field,” he says.

The DCO curriculum emphasizes practical learning. In the fiber optics course, for instance, students practice terminating, splicing, and testing—critical skills in the industry. In motor control classes, students use electrical trainers to perform tasks related to power distribution, and since building a full lab for power distribution is difficult, students also visit local data centers.

Since its inception, the DCO program has grown significantly. “We began with just baseline UPS systems, a few racks, and some basic equipment,” he recalls. “Each year, we’ve made strides to upgrade with newer technology.” Recently, NOVA invested in a state-of-the-art $6 million lab at the Woodbridge Campus, featuring the latest racks, UPS units, and power distribution systems.

In addition to his academic responsibilities, Amir continues his work at AWS, where he helps clients in Northern Virginia and emerging markets. His role involves addressing training needs, troubleshooting virtual systems, and advising data center communities. His industry experience brings valuable insight back to his students.

For those interested in DCO, he offers encouraging advice: “If you love technology—even if math isn’t your strongest subject—this is a fantastic field to explore. Data centers are here to stay, offering a stable and growing career path.”

The demand for DCO graduates is high. “Since 2018, the number of data centers in Northern Virginia has nearly tripled,” he notes. “While space here is limited, the industry is expanding to places like Florida, California, Oregon, Texas, and even internationally, in Europe and Asia.”

Data Center Operations, Data Centers, NOVA IET, NOVA to Workforce, STEM Careers, STEM Workforce, Student Success, Student to Workforce

DCO Student to Workforce Spotlight: Mike Dexter

“I highly recommend NOVA’s Data Center Operations (DCO) program to anyone entering the field. NOVA laid the groundwork I needed, which I built on through hands-on experience at Iron Mountain Data Centers.”

Mike’s career began in law enforcement as a corrections officer, but after the birth of his son, he transitioned to security. Six months into his role as a safety and security officer at Iron Mountain, he became fascinated with the critical facilities side of the business. His natural curiosity and hands-on learning style made this shift feel seamless.

In 2021, Mike joined Iron Mountain as a facilities technician, on the condition that he would enroll in a data center operations program. That year, he began NOVA’s one-year certificate program. Reflecting on his time here, Mike appreciates the professors’ expertise and support. “The professors are knowledgeable, approachable, and genuinely care about helping you succeed,” he says. “They have direct industry experience, which adds depth to the lessons.”

He credits two professors in particular for shaping his journey. “My first class with TJ Ciccone was pivotal. Without him, I might not have completed the program or entered the field,” he shares. “Amir Mehmood is another favorite. I faced family issues during school, and his support was crucial in helping me stay on track. He allowed me to do make-up work online, which made a huge difference.”

In addition to NOVA’s curriculum, Mike encourages students to explore other resources like The Engineering Mindset YouTube channel and free webinars from Schneider Electric, which bridge classroom learning and real-world application. He also promotes the AFCOM internship  program affiliated with Iron Mountain, which recently hired three of its interns.

Like many in the industry, Mike began on the night shift. Though offered a day shift, he remained on nights for a while, taking advantage of the higher pay to save for a house and using the quieter hours to further his learning. Having worked night shifts as a corrections officer, the schedule suited him. Recently, he transitioned to the day shift, working from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., five days a week.

“A typical night shift involves monitoring alarms, conducting rounds, and ensuring everything is operating smoothly,” he explains. “Day shifts are busier. We handle repairs, complete projects, and respond to customer needs.”

Switching to days after 10 years on nights was challenging. Mike had to adjust his body clock and expand his skillset to handle the more customer-facing aspects of the job, such as managing contractors, understanding contracts, and liaising with vendors. “It took some getting used to,” he says. “For the first few months, leaving work and seeing daylight was a strange feeling.”

Today, Mike serves as a Critical Facilities Engineer II in VA-2, one of the three operational buildings on Iron Mountain’s campus. He speaks highly of his team, emphasizing their talent and collaboration. “I make sure projects are completed and handle much of the paperwork in our building,” he says. “I also know most of the paperwork across the campus.”

Mike underscores the importance of communication, particularly when working with customers and vendors, as well as the need for organization, teamwork, and strong customer service skills. “If a customer needs something, and it’s within the contract, you make it happen,” he says.

Looking to the future, Mike aims to lead a team in one of the buildings, further develop his skills, and eventually take on a management role.

Career & Technical Education, General Program Info, IET Recruitment, NOVA IET, NOVA IET Career Pathways

NOVA Hosts Adult Learners Meeting to Showcase Pathways to Continued Education

On October 18, NOVA hosted an adult learners meeting to discuss opportunities for continuing education. Emphasizing its teaching-first approach, NOVA provides a unique environment distinct from many four-year universities, where research typically takes priority. At NOVA, students benefit from direct engagement with faculty, free from reliance on teaching assistants, ensuring that each learner receives personalized guidance tailored to their educational journey.

To meet the diverse needs of its student body, the college provides several class formats: in-person, live online via Zoom, self-paced online, and hybrid models. This flexibility allows individuals to shape their education around their schedules and personal preferences.

NOVA supports both academic advancement and immediate workforce entry through a variety of routes.Strong partnerships with Virginia’s four-year institutions, especially George Mason University, create smooth transitions for students pursuing bachelor’s degrees. Through guaranteed admission agreements and the “Advance” program, students can be dually enrolled as Mason students.

The college’s applied degrees and certificates prepare individuals with industry-relevant skills in fields like HVAC, engineering technology, and welding. Curricula are designed with input from industry advisory boards, ensuring graduates are ready for employment demands in Northern Virginia and beyond.

NOVA has broadened its technical offerings, including programs in HVAC, engineering technology, and automotive technology. Collaborations with companies such as Micron and General Motors enhance practical learning, with Micron recently contributing $4 million to develop an engineering simulation lab. NOVA also highlights inclusivity in the trades, with growing female participation in traditionally male-dominated areas like welding and automotive repair.

Recognizing the value of prior knowledge, NOVA allows students to apply previous experience toward their degrees, facilitating a quicker path to completion. Stackable credentials, like the OSHA 10 safety certification, provide clear steps for professional growth, while flexible course options such as evening and online classes make it easier for working students to continue their education.

With Northern Virginia’s expanding data center industry and the rise of AI, NOVA has introduced specialized programs in data center operations, computer science, cybersecurity, and AI and data analytics, preparing individuals for high-demand sectors. These programs equip students with skills needed for immediate employment in rapidly growing fields.

NOVA’s health sciences offerings, including dental hygiene, nursing, and radiography, support both those entering the workforce and those planning to transfer. The college’s short-term workforce development courses also facilitate career transitions, with certifications that make students job-ready within weeks or months in areas like healthcare and IT.

Programs like Fast Forward and FANTIC enhance the accessibility of NOVA’s technical credentials, offering partial or full tuition coverage for eligible residents.Additionally, the college provides financial aid through FAFSA for credit programs, reducing the financial burden on students.

The college’s commitment to student success extends beyond academics, with offerings such as free tutoring, counseling services, and a variety of extracurriculars. Clubs, like a unique knitting and crocheting group, foster community, while the Career and Leadership Readiness Institute (CLRI) helps students develop crucial skills in resume writing, interviewing, and leadership.

In his closing remarks, Dr. Richmond Hill, NOVA’s Provost, welcomed attendees to consider joining the “Nighthawk family.” He highlighted the extensive support available, including tutoring, library services, and faculty engagement hours. The meeting concluded with tours of NOVA’s Woodbridge campus, giving attendees a chance to explore student services and advising facilities.

With an array of programs and resources, NOVA emphasizes flexibility, lifelong learning, and strong community support, preparing students not only for immediate career opportunities but also for ongoing academic growth and personal enrichment.

Community Partnerships, Mentoring, Women in STEM, Women's Mentoring

Nvolve Tackles Gender Divide in STEM Fields

On Friday, September 13, Faye O’Brien and Judy Marouf presented “From Disparity to Opportunity: Addressing the Gender Divide in STEM Fields” via Zoom. They discussed their work with Nvolve, a nonprofit organization founded in 2020 dedicated to increasing the participation of women in technology, engineering, life sciences, and health careers by overcoming gender, racial, and socioeconomic barriers. Nvolve operates virtually and is entirely volunteer-run, supported by a team of 100 volunteers.

Recently, Nvolve partnered with NOVA on a National Science Foundation (NSF)-funded project aimed at recruiting women and minorities into the biotech industry. The project is led by Professor Fernandez.

Faye O’Brien, the founder and director of the Nvolve Scholars Program, has been a mentor and role model for many female NOVA STEM students since 2016. Originally from Iran, Faye’s career spans over 30 years, including roles as a statistician, clinical study leader, research publisher, and executive in multinational companies before retiring.

Judy Marouf, a spring 2024 NOVA graduate with associate degrees in computer science and business, is the outgoing president of NOVA’s Women in STEM Club, which has over 270 members. She is also an Nvolve Scholar and is currently attending George Washington University, majoring in computer science with minors in business and management.

The 2023 NSF study on diversity in STEM, which included data through 2021, revealed a significant gender disparity. The study examined the U.S. labor force population ages 18 to 74. While the total labor force is split evenly between men and women, the STEM workforce is 65% male and 35% female. The gap is wider in science and engineering, where 72% of employees are men. Even with equal education, men in science and engineering earn a median salary of $100,000, compared to $75,000 for women.

“We are committed to empowering women to pursue careers in STEM,” Faye explained. “We work with our academic and industry partners to address gender, racial, and socioeconomic barriers by offering structured mentoring, professional skill-building, and experiential learning opportunities that prepare students for life after graduation.”

Nvolve is currently seeking recommendations and nominations from college faculty and staff for its program. The organization admits college sophomores and juniors, who typically stay in the program for three to six semesters until they graduate. Nvolve is a multi-year program, and once admitted, students remain for two to three years until they complete their bachelor’s degree.

To date, Nvolve has admitted 105 students and awarded over 220 stipends and scholarships. Seventeen percent of participants are from NOVA.

Students are required to attend mentoring sessions twice a month and complete a semester-long tech or science project. The program also includes weekly leadership development “huddles,” which feature instructional sessions, group discussions, honors seminars, workshops, or guest speakers. These mentoring sessions focus on setting STEM goals, developing leadership skills, and solving STEM-related problems.

Reflecting on her experience, Judy said, “The weekly cohort huddles are the heartbeat of the Nvolve program. Two topics that especially resonated with me were perfectionism and time management because I’ve struggled with both. After completing the curriculum, I noticed a big improvement in those areas.”

Judy also appreciated the variety of topics covered, such as artificial intelligence, project management fundamentals, salary negotiation, and assertive communication. She credited her mentor with helping her craft a resume, expand her network, and guide her through her undergraduate journey.

“I love that Nvolve pairs us with someone who stays with us throughout our entire undergraduate experience,” she said. “It truly feels easier when you have someone to rely on.”

In addition to the mentorship, Judy completed several projects, including a podcast series on computational chemistry, creating an AI chatbot, and developing websites.

Applications for the spring 2025 cohort are now open, offering more students the opportunity to join this impactful initiative. For more information, visit www.nvolveme.org.