Uncategorized Archives - Page 10 of 13 - Grants Development & Special Projects at Virginia Western

Oct

3 brief bits about one big issue: Poverty

October 1, 2018Uncategorized

Last year, Roanoke’s newspaper reported on a New York Times analysis that ranked Roanoke in the bottom 10 in the nation for economic mobility. Just today — Oct. 1 — the Census Bureau and researchers at Harvard and Brown universities published the Opportunity Atlas, which maps searchable, nationwide data about the outcomes of adult children… Continue Reading 3 brief bits about one big issue: Poverty

Sep

Calling all Virginia Western superheroes

September 14, 2018Uncategorized

That’s me dressed as “Social Media Butterfly” … with “Captain Classified” … at a “Superheroes of Journalism” party years ago. Guess who suggested the party theme. Have you ever thought about what kind of superhero you would be? Like, if you assembled with the Avengers or Justice League or Guardians of the Galaxy, what would… Continue Reading Calling all Virginia Western superheroes

Sep

Idea seeds: Humanities + Biology + Camping trip

September 7, 2018Uncategorized

For the past few years, a creative team at VWCC has pulled together proposals for a competitive federal grant through the National Endowment for the Humanities. This program encourages the blending of humanities with other disciplines at community colleges ( details here ). So far, we have been unsuccessful … but I thought I would… Continue Reading Idea seeds: Humanities + Biology + Camping trip

Aug

Paul Lee professional development grants due Sept. 15

August 24, 2018Uncategorized

What ideas are exciting you lately? Anything you want to learn? Anything our campus should be talking more about? Don’t hold back … your ideas could turn into reality. The VCCS offers two types of professional development grants for projects you would like to see happen in Spring 2019: The Paul Lee Professional Development Grant,… Continue Reading Paul Lee professional development grants due Sept. 15

Aug

How might we design a “robot-proof” education?

August 21, 2018Uncategorized

Back in March, when a state grant paid to bring Diane Mulcahy to Virginia Western to speak about the gig economy, I had the good fortune to be seated right next to the author during our group lunch at Cedars in downtown Roanoke. I asked Mulcahy which schools were doing it right — who was… Continue Reading How might we design a “robot-proof” education?

Aug

The money book I wish I read in college

August 2, 2018Uncategorized

During the summer after I graduated from George Mason University — almost 20 years ago — I remember buying exactly three books to signify my passage into adulthood. I was wise enough to know that my new bachelor’s degree did not address some important life skills, like cooking and managing money. One of those books… Continue Reading The money book I wish I read in college

Jul

3 numbers that blew my mind about online learning

July 17, 2018Uncategorized

So two related things happened this past week: I finished a book by Harvard business professor Clayton Christensen — “Competing Against Luck: The Story of Innovation and Customer Choice,” — one of the books recommended during the Data-Driven Innovation Boot Camp at RAMP, the new business accelerator in downtown Roanoke. I wrote about my top… Continue Reading 3 numbers that blew my mind about online learning

Jun

The most important lesson from Innovation Boot Camp

June 21, 2018Uncategorized

So I’ve probably mentioned that I have an “Idea Shelf” in my office. This is a whiteboard where I collect all kinds of random ideas as they might relate to this community college, ranging from outdoor preschools to a trades academy for historic renovation to a “Made in Roanoke” fair. I love ideas. I *live*… Continue Reading The most important lesson from Innovation Boot Camp

May

5 teaching tips to boost student completion and retention … what are yours?

May 4, 2018Uncategorized

I love practical tips … and I love lists, especially short ones. I couldn’t resist sharing this story from the Chronicle of Higher Education, which I’m constantly reading for grant ideas: The 5 Tips for Student Success That a Longtime Instructor Swears By Tony Holland The tips are from Tony Holland of the Alabama Community… Continue Reading 5 teaching tips to boost student completion and retention … what are yours?

Apr

Why we must collaborate, inside and out

April 24, 2018Uncategorized

If it seems like I’m a little obsessed with the buzzword “collaboration,” it’s because a bunch of grant funders are, too. Let me give you two recent examples: 1. GO Virginia You may have heard about the GO Virginia program, which has funded some economic development projects in the Roanoke region, including the RAMP business… Continue Reading Why we must collaborate, inside and out

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Shelley Lyons is glad to be back on campus as she is a Virginia Western alum, and has served as the Administrative Officer for Grants Administration at Virginia Western since early 2022. Prior to VWCC, her career focus was within the Human Services and Arts fields. She wrote her first grant in 1996 on a whim and has continued to plan and learn since that time. She most enjoys seeing a well-planned project come to fruition, where funder, project manager and beneficiaries can all feel success and see impact.