Campus Connection February 2021 

TVCC Student Leadership Making a Difference

The ASG and Student Program teams have been working vigorously this year even through the COVID-19 pandemic to find creative ways to make the year the best it can be while ensuring the appropriate COVID protocols and precautions are in place.

Student Programs dedicated this year to supporting the community as well as current TVCC students. They have successfully partnered with many local businesses to help promote and support them.  To date, the student leadership team held extremely successful community-partner based events with Kiwi Loco, Ogawa’s, Plaza Inn, and The Coffee Cactusso.  The team also held a very successful Clothing and Food Drive last fall, where over 300 items were donated to local non-profit organizations.

In addition, ASG has been working hard to keep students engaged even at a distance by utilizing social media for events, give-a-ways, and challenges. Lastly, Student Programs has been able to provide Student Discount Cards to TVCC students with the participation of 20 local businesses. ASG and Student Programs are looking forward to supporting students and the community throughout the rest of the school year.

TVCC Faculty Improving Excellence Through Quality Matters (QM)

TVCC received Quality Matters certification for its online Biology 101-OW course.  Kudos to Instructor Arwyn Larson for her effort and dedication to achieve QM certification.

According to Title III Institutional Designer Nicole Baird, six more courses are currently being worked on to achieve QM certification, which involves adjusting the course design to match research-based online teaching standards. 

This is what QM had to say: "Quality Matters, a nationally recognized, faculty-centered, peer-review process that certifies the quality of online courses, has recognized this course for its commitment to quality assurance by designing courses that meet Quality Matters Standards." 

Quality Matters developed a widely respected set of Standards for the design of effective online courses and a rigorous, faculty peer review process for applying these Standards to existing courses. Through this process, reviewers provide instructors and instructional design teams with insights and recommendations that increase learner engagement, retention, and satisfaction, and, ultimately, learner achievement.  QM is an excellent way for instructors to improve their online and blended courses to meet industry standards and guarantee an excellent online learning experience for our future students.

Staff Highlight - Director of Athletics Andy Ward

Congratulations go out to Director Andy Ward who recently completed his Master of Sports Science in Sports Management.  Ward graduated with Honors from the United States Sports Academy located in Daphne, AL.  What is great about the United States Sports Academy is it allows students to obtain their degree completely online which fit well with Ward’s busy and ever-changing schedule.   The program was extremely beneficial and relevant to the work Director Ward currently performs at TVCC and has prepared him to provide student athletes a positive college experience.  Congratulations Director Ward!

Baseball Orange & Apple Fundraiser Update

Last November, due to the pandemic, the annual TVCC Baseball Orange and Apple Sale changed their approach from selling door-to-door to going virtual. The virtual format was able to net over $5,000 which will help support and off-set future travel expenses for the TVCC baseball team.  Although there was a shorter campaign period and alternative sales approach, many people were still able to place their orders for the 20lb. boxes of California Navel Oranges and locally grown Fuji apples.  Chukar Baseball would like to thank everyone for their continuous support!

Students Succeed at SRCI

Despite the obstacles caused by the pandemic, the staff and faculty in the Snake River Correctional Institute (SRCI) Education Department, worked diligently to recognize students in the GED program for their hard work to reach completion.  Since the last graduation ceremony through October 2020, 187 students completed their GED.

To reach this level of student success, the department had to be extremely flexible in how they provided services because of the inability to hold classes from mid-March through May. When classes started back in June, classroom instruction did not last long when the institution moved to Tier 4 status due to COVID.  As a result, instructors decided to bring the classroom to the students and began work in the housing units to provide “cell-side” instruction. In addition, the test administrator was able to get approval for remote testing.  These combined efforts made it possible for the department to continue their mission to provide education opportunities to a population often overlooked and underserved.

In December of 2020, many small and separate celebrations were held at SRCI to honor and recognize the students’ achievements.

Everyone at SRCI is proud of the graduates and hopes their success will make a positive impact in their future as they return to society.

John J. Easly Memorial Gymnasium

Thanks to the assistance and funding by the TVCC Chukar Booster Association, the TVCC Associated Student Government, and TVCC Athletic Department, several projects were coordinated to improve the appearance of the gymnasium and aerobic room.  These projects included new LED lighting and fresh coats of paint in the gym, updated signage, new flooring in the aerobic room and a redesign of the gym floor.

Coming this Summer!

Spinning!  If you have never heard of a spinning class, it is a fun workout experience for individuals to get the health and fitness benefits of indoor cycling by riding a stationary bike under the instruction of a certified spin instructor.  Spinning includes both endurance and cardio training and the advantage is individuals can set their own pace.  At this time, classes are anticipated to start summer term.  Stay tuned for class times and registration information or changes to the program.

Chukar Kudos!

"I’d like to give a special shout out to Rosa Rodriguez who has done such a great job helping keep Student Services clean during the day. Not only does she find all the dust in nooks and crannies, but in the past, she has been a huge help to the admissions office with Trisha Kessler by keeping the gym looking great before, during, and after the Emerging Leader’s Summit event.” - Chase Van Weerdhuizen.

TVCC Board of Education

The Treasure Valley Community College District is governed by an elected seven-member board.  In this particular year, four of the seven members will be up for reelection. The four members are John Hall, Darlene McConnell, Betty Carter, and Roger Findley.  The deadline for incumbents or anyone interested to file is March 18, 2021 for the May 18 Special District Director Election.  At TVCC, we appreciate and value the different perspectives and experiences each of our board members bring to the college as we work to fulfill our mission to be a comprehensive community college dedicated to promoting student success. We appreciate the time and energy you contribute to the community’s college!

Chukar Trivia! Did You Know......

In June of 1964, the first singing of the College’s school song was conducted. The school song was written by former TVCC Dean of Instruction Ed Haynes and Dr. Sam Pobanz.  Music Director Rebecca Replogle sang the song last during the college’s 2013 50th Annual Commencement.   “Our college stands for the best, in knowledge, in youth, and in the right; with strength and hope we reach our quest, the sunrise of orange and white. The Chukars who fought on the fields and encouraged our spirits in strife, the challenge we met in the class, will live in our memories through life.  The Treasure Valley we love will stay in our hearts to the last; her future we always will honor, for the meaning she gave to our past.”