Resources
One of the things I have been so in awe of during our transition to remote delivery is the large number of resources that have been built and shared in this short amount of time. I want to remind you and encourage you to keep referencing these tools.
- Tips for learning remotely from Kellie Campbell [video]
- VTC IT Support, including training schedule [Canvas/portal log in]
- Remote tutoring [Center for Academic Success site]
- Career Services [Karry Booska: 8AM-4:30PM, Monday-Friday by email]
- Student Resources FAQ
- Employee Resources FAQ
Strategic Planning
Despite the disruption to many aspects of our regular operations, I am happy to report that progress continues to be made with strategic planning. We held a number of planning committee meetings to revise our objectives for the “6th year” of our rolling five-year planning window. They were included in February’s All College Update on Tech Talk. Our team crafted tactical plans in support of each objective, which were reviewed and updated. We have postponed our most recent meeting to confirm the plans while the COVID-19 dust settles a bit, but will return to complete this last step soon. I am thankful to the team for their hard work on keeping the strategic plan a living document.
Commencement Committee
We are all heartbroken about Commencement not being held on the regularly scheduled weekend this year. That is not stopping our intrepid Commencement Committee from imagining other plans about how to honor our graduates and celebrate this important milestone. They have created an email for collecting ideas and plan to develop a survey to test alternatives. Look for more communication from this team and provide input, please!
New Employees!
During Assessment Day, there were many great ideas generated with a theme about improving communications. One included sharing the names of new employees each month to broadcast in this email. Please welcome your new colleagues with our inaugural issue of ‘Who’s New at VTC’:
- Jackson Jenkins, full-time Public Safety Officer
- Russell Patton, Science Technician
- Erik Lightbody, Senior Desktop Support
- Jason Kuhn, full-time Public Safety Officer
- Donald Ferris, part-time Public Safety Officer
- Ian Oatway, Administrative Assistant in Admissions
#VTCfromhere
While I still see some faces through a daily docket of Zoom and Teams meetings, we are all much more far-flung than ever before. The Marketing team created “campus signage” to help us all continue to feel like part of the college no matter where we sit. Take a moment to download a sign, enter your hometown’s name, print it off, and share a picture with me and/or your social media sites. I hope you’ll make it a selfie so I can see your face too!
Extending Access
Because students were so diligent in responding to our early readiness surveys, with faculty and staff also making referrals for students with technology needs, I am happy to report that we have been able to help over 20 students with varying technology (think laptops and MiFi devices) to support remote learning. In addition, IT set up close to 100 students with remote access to our labs. This has enabled them to continue their work using specialized software and resources. If there is anyone else who is struggling with access, please do let us know. We want to make sure you have what you need to be successful. Submit a work order with a request.
Gratitude
I wanted to take a moment to thank everyone for their resilience. If you think I am not talking to you, personally, because you have not felt resilient at times, know that happens to all of us. But we are all still here, doing great work and maintaining the high quality education for students as they dig into these new ways of connecting. It is not easy to work and study during a crisis. I hope you are all taking time to care for yourselves.