Hello, and welcome to the Innovation Lab! This is a virtual lab … a digital makerspace where we ask a lot of questions, experiment, and play. Our first project is an asynchronous workshop series: How to Design a Successful Innovation Grant. The first step in the series begins on this blog today, and it will end in March 2022, the same month Innovation Grant proposals are due. Hopefully this approach will help you slowly explore your ideas — on your own time, at your convenience — as you continue to juggle your regular to-do list. If you are serious about pursuing an Innovation Grant, I would suggest you start this journey with us in September, but you can always catch up anytime before the March deadline. And please join us if you’re just curious, or some of your ideas are half-baked. That’s what this process is for! No commitments necessary. Last week, I shared Lab Lesson #1: Grant proposals are not time wasted … even if you FAIL. So let’s boldly move forward, straight to Lab Lesson #2: Know the rules of the game. Yes, I do approach grant applications like a game (or a “Project Runway” challenge), which makes writing grants much… Continue Reading Innovation Grant Lab series: Let’s put on our Thinking Caps (September)Read More
Image from Pixabay I’m so excited to launch Virginia Western’s own Innovation Lab. Of course, this will be a virtual lab … a digital makerspace where we ask a lot of questions, experiment, and play. Our first project is an asynchronous workshop series: How to Design a Successful Innovation Grant. What are Innovation Grants? These annual grants are awarded by the Virginia Western Community College Educational Foundation. We took a break in 2021 due to COVID, but the Foundation plans to award another round in Spring 2022. The maximum award is $10,000, and projects are expected to be finished in about 10 months (May to March). All members of Virginia Western faculty and classified staff, including adjunct faculty and part-time employees, are eligible to submit proposals. The deadline for applications is always the very end of March. Why I love Innovation Grants An innovation grant project can amplify your strengths and what you love most about your job.They can be a way to solve a problem that you have long complained about.Grants are professional development — not only will they stretch you and your collaborative skills, but they will get you noticed on campus, in the community, and if it’s… Continue Reading Welcome, innovators! The Innovation Grant Lab opens Sept. 1Read More
As you probably know, I’m a big fan of the Future Trends Forum with Bryan Alexander. Every Thursday afternoon, Alexander hosts some really fascinating higher education authors/leaders in a virtual forum that encourages questions from the audience. Back in March, I blogged about his conversation with Dr. Paul LeBlanc, president of Southern New Hampshire University. Years ago, Alexander introduced me to the work of Dr. Tressie McMillan Cottom — author of “Lower Ed: The Troubling Rise of For-Profit Colleges in the New Economy.” Since then, Dr. Cottom has received a MacArthur “genius grant” award … and now she’s a New York Times columnist! So what I’m trying to say is that I always learn something cool when I tune into the forum. And here’s a bonus tip: If you can’t join the live conversations, Alexander posts YouTube recordings here. I usually carve some time out on Fridays to watch any forum recordings I’ve missed. On Thursday, Sept. 16, the forum will host Kelly M. Mack, Ph.D., who will help explore the question: How can we best support underrepresented populations in STEM study? Below are the details, followed by my roundup of free professional learning opportunities for September. And don’t forget about our “How to Design a Successful Innovation Grant” virtual… Continue Reading September: Free professional learning opportunitiesRead 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