Our spring semester is off to a great start with Northwest Vista College faculty and staff coming together with donations of winter clothing and other essentials for the NVC Student Advocacy & Resource Center. In less than an hour, right before the start of the Spring Convocation, Vista employees filled five large boxes with winter gear for our students, and since then, more has been contributed.
On the first day of classes on Jan. 16 when morning temperatures were in the 20s, the NVC Advocacy Center Team welcomed students with warm tacos, hot chocolate, coffee, and other food items. Students were invited to select winter coats, gloves, hats, and shoes from the donated items. Throughout the campus, NVC leaders, representing all college areas, were present in each building as they welcomed students and helped them find their classrooms.
I am privileged to work within a community of faculty and staff who know that food, shelter, and a sense of belonging are critical foundations for learning.
Thank you for being flexible and compassionate toward our students during our first week of classes, and your continued support of students throughout the academic year.
I also appreciate the incredible attendance and engagement we had during NVC’s Spring Convocation where we viewed our new 2024-2026 Strategic Plan, developed under the leadership of the NVC Director of Strategic Initiatives Dr. Janie Scott and the NVC Director of Institutional Research Planning & Effectiveness Dr. Eliza Hernandez. I appreciate the leadership and guidance of the NVC Strategic Planning Steering Team along with input from students, faculty, and staff from across the college. This input has resulted in a $1 million investment in new faculty and $1 million investment in Vista’s on-campus student experience that all of you will help us allocate in the coming year.
Our priorities have been both simplified and amplified so that we can focus on two things: Belonging and Mobility for our students as well as employees. Our student speakers at Convocation: Lilly Weaver, president of the NVC Student Government Association and Sam Gorzell, member of the NVC President’s Student Advisory Council appreciate the dedication and mentorship of their beloved faculty and the support and commitment of staff members. They also value the opportunity to be engaged, participate in NVC decision-making, and are thrilled with the direction we are taking towards strengthening student success!
Since the Spring Convocation, I have heard enthusiasm from several college areas that are engaging in building new 2024 SMART goals and Institutional Effectiveness performance measures that align with our new NVC Strategic Plan.
I welcome the opportunity to visit with you. Please let me know if you would like for me to visit your classroom or activity and/or would like a team or one-on-one conversation.
