I’m just days away from a proper summer vacation, and I’m excited about my beach reads: “High Conflict: Why We Get Trapped and How We Get Out” by Amanda Ripley: In a July interview with the American Press Institute, Ripley talked about how journalism can help hyperpolarized communities find common ground. I was intrigued by her thoughts, so I immediately ordered her book. “The Business of Belonging: How to Make Community Your Competitive Advantage” by David Spinks: I’m hoping to apply any insights from this book to the fledgling idea of cultivating “career communities” here at Virginia Western. “Super Courses: The Future of Teaching and Learning” by Ken Bain: John Warner, who writes the “Just Visiting” blog on Inside Higher Ed, has raved about Bain’s book, “What the Best College Teachers Do,” so I figured I would read his latest release. I just finished “Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World” by David Epstein, which emphasized the value of general education alongside vocational skills — which made me feel really good about my undergraduate degree in “integrative studies.” This was just the latest book in my quest to better understand creativity. What are you reading this summer? I would… Continue Reading What are you reading? (Comments are open)Read More
Virginia Western Community College faculty and staff are invited to our first Adult Learner Summit during fall in-service (the week of Aug. 16). Details coming soon!Read More
As much as I want to eat healthy, so much comes down to convenience. For me, cooking is more of a chore than a creative act. This is why I loved “Meals that Heal,” a cookbook that showed me how to eat more anti-inflammatory foods. Author Carolyn Williams (PhD, RD) recommends having easily accessible, minimally processed meal components ready to go. She calls these “simple staples,” and for my kitchen, that means eggs and canned pinto beans for quick tacos; frozen berries for smoothies; and pre-cut veggies for … everything. Make it tasty, make it easy. This is exactly the thinking behind our Co-op Quick Meal Cards grant project, which was made possible by the Virginia Foundation for Community College Education (VFCCE). Student Activities Coordinator Natasha Lee came up with the concept, wrote the proposal, and managed the six-month project, which was funded by the Anthem Foundation Hunger Relief Grant Program. With this $5,000 award, the college commissioned more than 60 laminated “quick meal cards,” which will be displayed in the Virginia Western Student Co-op, fueled by Kroger. The recipes were created and curated by registered dietitians, including Evita Huang, a 2016 VWCC alumna who recently graduated with a master’s… Continue Reading 6 summer recipes: Transform pantry staples with Co-op Quick Meal CardsRead 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
- Why Try An LOI? May 10, 2024
- Grant Nerds Unite! March 12, 2024
- The Power of Collaboration November 17, 2023
- Time to Innovate October 4, 2023
- How to tackle grant season? August 14, 2023