As I’ve emphasized before, ideas — our imagination — are the real power behind grants. And I collect rando ideas like some people collect Star Wars action figures. I read like a maniac because it helps stuff my brain with as many ideas as possible — and then, like magic! — some joke or frustration or grant RFP will spark a connection. Before we peel off for holiday break, I wanted to give you just one link to click. Just one! And it’s an easy list to skim. These are the best community college innovations of 2017, as chosen by the League of Innovation in the Community College … and you can find them here. My hope is that just one of these innovations will get your attention … something might spark an idea. And it might not be immediately. Just skim it … no heavy lifting here. I want to put our unconscious selves to work … because while we are sleeping late and reading for fun and traveling and celebrating over the break, our brains will rest. And a rested brain makes the magic happen. If we’re really lucky, an entire string of idea bulbs will light up… Continue Reading Wait! Before you log off for winter break …Read More
Before we get bogged down in the details of the Paul Lee Professional Development Grant, I thought I’d expound on an idea that I mentioned in a previous blog post. In “The Power of Moments,” authors Chip Heath and Dan Heath introduced me to the Course Design Institute (CDI), a week-long workshop offered at the University of Virginia. “The dirty secret of higher education is that faculty aren’t taught how to teach,” said Michael Palmer, an associate professor of chemistry who started the CDI at UVa in 2009. Here’s a passage from the book that explains the power of this program: [Palmer] puts the following question to his audience of 25 to 30 professors: “Imagine you have a group of dream students. They are engaged, they are perfectly behaved, and they have perfect memories … Fill in the sentence: 3-5 years from now, my students still know _________. Or they are still able to do _____________. Or they still find value in _________.” After some brainstorming and listing answers (very few of which are content focused), Palmer then asks the professors to pull out the syllabus they brought to the institute. “How much of your current syllabus will advance your… Continue Reading Here’s an idea for the Paul Lee Professional Development Grant. What are yours?Read More
Pictured: The Instructional Technology Mini-Conference at Virginia Western in July 2016. I’m hoping you’re as excited about professional development as these folks are, because the VCCS offers two types of professional development grants: The Paul Lee Professional Development Grant, with a maximum stipend of $2,500 for the summer. The Paul Lee Workshop Mini-Grant, with a maximum award of $1,500. Today, I’ll spotlight the VCCS Paul Lee Workshop Mini-Grant. Dr. Carrie Halpin, Virginia Western’s Instructional Designer and Technologist, has been awarded this workshop mini-grant for the past few years … they have funded her successful summer Instructional Technology Mini-Conferences, which she raved about in our YouTube video, 7 Ways Grants Have Transformed Virginia Western. The grant pays up to $1,500 to host a workshop that must involve at least two or more VCCS colleges. The next deadline is Feb. 1 for projects proposed for the 2018 summer semester. The VCCS suggests the following topics to get your ideas percolating: Innovations in technology, professional activities, and shifting community college roles Future directions for the community college Articulation with public schools and 4-year colleges International education Mentoring part-time employees Student development, assessment, or retention Complete 2021-related topics New relationships between and among community… Continue Reading Got a workshop idea for the summer? VCCS Paul Lee grant applications due Feb. 1Read More
About Shelley
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.
Recent Posts
- Have you heard? October 28, 2024
- The Game of Life – Innovation Edition! August 29, 2024
- Why Try An LOI? May 10, 2024
- Grant Nerds Unite! March 12, 2024
- The Power of Collaboration November 17, 2023