Uncategorized Archives - Page 8 of 13 - Grants Development & Special Projects at Virginia Western

Nov

Bring joy to your coworkers … with Outlook?

November 18, 2019Uncategorized

OK, so when I use the word “joy” in this headline, I don’t necessarily mean obvious, delicious joy, like, surprising everyone with their favorite candies or work snacks or flowers … (but you can do that with a joy survey). I have broadened my definition of joy-bringing to include making our lives easier. Case in… Continue Reading Bring joy to your coworkers … with Outlook?

Nov

My next Halloween party will be fa-boo-lous thanks to ‘The Fifth Discipline’

November 5, 2019Uncategorized

With as much as we talk about pathways, I have to admit I love my totally non-linear approach to books. Sometimes I find books through random recommendations that float through my Twitter stream … sometimes it’s what’s on the “New in Nonfiction” shelf at the public library (my favorite shelf!) … and sometimes it’s because… Continue Reading My next Halloween party will be fa-boo-lous thanks to ‘The Fifth Discipline’

Oct

How to get the engagement conversation started: Are you in?

October 22, 2019Uncategorized

Engagement is a choice. This is the main takeaway from “Engagement Magic: Five Keys for Engaging People, Leaders, and Organizations,” the book I’ve mentioned in a previous post, where I described the five key drivers of engagement: Meaning, Autonomy, Growth, Impact and Connection. “Engagement Magic” is the latest book on my reading list, which is… Continue Reading How to get the engagement conversation started: Are you in?

Oct

How to make grant magic

October 4, 2019Uncategorized

A couple of weeks ago, I spoke at a conference hosted by the North Carolina Council of Resource Development (NC CORD). My presentation was titled “How to Make Grant Magic,” and I livened up my slides with photos of the Mill Mountain Star, plenty of Harry Potter references, and a GIF of the bewitching Debbie… Continue Reading How to make grant magic

Sep

Joyful, creative learners have this habit in common

September 3, 2019Uncategorized

I’m still on my joy ride, and I just finished another book: Chief Joy Officer: How Great Leaders Elevate Human Energy and Eliminate Fear. ICYMI … over the summer, I read a Harvard Business Review article that argued that all organizations should prioritize joy. This HBR article clicked with me like no other in quite… Continue Reading Joyful, creative learners have this habit in common

Aug

What does joy look like for our students?

August 20, 2019Uncategorized

Image from “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” (Warner Bros.) When my daughter first started preschool, I posted this iconic movie scene on Facebook with a quip: “First days at school should always feel like this.” I want her school experiences to be as magical as arriving at Hogwarts for the first time. I’m hoping… Continue Reading What does joy look like for our students?

Jul

G3 update: We’re seeking feedback on 4 prototypes

July 25, 2019Uncategorized

Perhaps you saw the headlines last week, like this one: “Free tuition coming to Virginia community colleges under service program” ( Read the story ) Gov. Ralph Northam said a formal announcement would be coming in a few weeks, but he was talking about the G3 program that community colleges across the state — including… Continue Reading G3 update: We’re seeking feedback on 4 prototypes

Jun

Have you tried this magical trick in your classroom?

June 19, 2019Uncategorized

I love to read … and my rising first-grader is learning how to read … so lately I’ve been reading books about sharing the love of reading with kids. *Cue the “Inception” music* Before she was even born, I was designing my daughter’s life around books. For her baby shower, I didn’t want registry gifts… Continue Reading Have you tried this magical trick in your classroom?

May

G3 update: What’s the ‘secret sauce’ for student success?

May 3, 2019Uncategorized

What’s the “secret sauce” for student success? You may already have a hunch. Because it came up time and again during the first design thinking session facilitated by the Education Design Lab on April 30. About 30 faculty, staff, and administrators from the college (including Dr. Sandel) gathered in the Natural Science Center for a… Continue Reading G3 update: What’s the ‘secret sauce’ for student success?

Apr

How to have more fun with your coworkers

April 19, 2019Uncategorized

I’m a collector of ideas. I read a crazy amount of books and reports and Twitter threads … and I’m always ready to share useful or inspirational tidbits. Here a few ideas that might bring our campus teams together (which gets the creative juices flowing …. and the grant projects popping). 1. Lunch clubs. I’m… Continue Reading How to have more fun with your coworkers

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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.