In the previous issue of La reVista, I wrote about Northwest Vista College investing $1 million in new full-time faculty positions which we announced during Spring Convocation. During that gathering, we also announced $1 million investment in the student experience on campus. Both of these plans are part of NVC’s 2024-2026 Strategic Plan which focuses on student success built from creating a sense of belonging and validation as well as creating opportunities for mobility for our students.
Since I joined NVC in July, I’ve been meeting with students regularly and seeking their feedback on their Vista experience. Students tell us that they need more places to eat, to gather, and to collaborate outside of the classroom and lab settings. NVC’s current renovations and upgrades have already been in motion and funding has been allocated for the Cypress Campus Center, part of the Capital Improvement Projects. We have recently intensified our efforts to bring these plans to the forefront.
Thank you for your questions and feedback recently during our Cypress Campus Center Open Forum on February 9. Students also had the opportunity to view the first architectural drawings of the Cypress Campus Center. They asked questions and shared their feedback at a meeting with Overland Partners on February 2.
The new $1 million funding is in addition to our planned Cypress renovation. Physical space is one of the key components of belonging for our students. Providing intentionally-designed, student-focused spaces is one way we are working to create an environment of belonging and connectedness between our students and Vista. Our first areas of focus for renovation include reconsidering the first floor of Huisache Hall where we house the Student Life division, a new café, and bookstore, as well as redesigning the open atrium in Desert Willow Welcome Center to be warmer, more inviting, and to assist students with navigating the building.
I appreciate the thoughtful input provided by the faculty and staff who work in these areas and to those of you who are looking around your own spaces and thinking about minor modifications that would make the campus more welcoming to students. I encourage you to take ownership of this beautiful space we share. Small things like removing old flyers and signs (I recently found information displayed on 2015 registration) and alerting our college operations team to furnishings that are torn or need minor repair will help us demonstrate to our students and one another our care and pride not only in our physical spaces but in one another.
