NVC Public Relations, Author at NVC Voice

Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society

Posted on May 20, 2015May 17, 2017 by NVC Public Relations

NVC’s Phi Theta Kappa chapter, Beta Lambda Upsilon, prides itself on providing opportunities for members to gain a competitive edge when transferring to universities or applying for jobs.

PTK recognizes academic achievement, leadership, service and campus engagement and has been serving students for over 90 years; today there are over 2.5 million members. This academic year, Northwest Vista College had 480 students join our college chapter and over 600 active members.

Phi Theta Kappa National/International organization and the NVC chapter, Beta Lambda Upsilon, offer transfer and non-transfer scholarships. Members are able to apply for over $87 million in scholarship opportunities from partnering foundations and universities. For spring of 2015, NVC PTK members were awarded over $188,000 worth of scholarships and this year NVC’s chapter awarded 18 different chapter scholarships!

For more information about NVC honor societies, go here.

Male Success Initiative Helping Men to Succeed

Posted on May 12, 2015June 14, 2017 by NVC Public Relations

H. Stillwater; J. Rosas; K. Washington; E. Alvear; M.Uresti

Juan Rosas knows what it takes to make it. He knows what he is up against and he knows how to arm himself with the best possible weapon to fight what confronts him. What confronts him is failure.

Society and statistics say that Juan, as a man of color in college, will fail. Men of color earn community college degrees and certificates at disproportionately lower rates. Ironically, community colleges enroll more men of color than any other type of higher learning institution. Mr. Rosas has a plan though. His plan is being there for other men of color who are, statistically, going to fail through the Male Success Initiatve or MSI. His goal is to support men who are in community colleges and want positive influences to help guide them through the mind field of life.

In San Antonio, only 9.3 percent of the population has an associate’s degree while only 24.6 percent has a bachelor’s degree. These stats only show what both genders have earned but men are not going to be the ones that boosted those meager numbers up by a lot. This is where MSI comes in to assist those on the edge, if only those on the edge would reach out instead of taking what is voluntarily given to them.

All you have to do is sign up, go to a meeting and see for yourself what positivity is. That positivity will translate on the road to success and towards earning a degree, which will translate so much more in a man’s life. This is the focus of the Male Success Initiative – how to be a better man.

Most men in community colleges need guidance and, believe it or n

Recent MSI event where male students talked with faculty, staff, community leaders

ot, high expectations. Mr. Rosas and the MSI members cannot help with high expectations but they can help with guidance and positive influence. Juan exudes positivity and it’s genuine. His enthusiasm is derived from actually caring and knowing that he, and those around him, need each other to guide them onto that path of success and that path starts at Northwest Vista.

That path also starts with a man’s outlook on life and how focused they are towards their goals and achieving those goals. Those things are not easy. Yet, surrounding yourself with positive people who want to see you succeed, who want to see you grasp your goals and surmount your aspirations will give young men that extra push to make it.

While both men and women could always use a little motivation, men of color are the ones that have the most to lose and the most to gain when they succeed. The Male Success Initiative is a great starting point to make that difference. To learn more about MSI, visit this link.

By NVC Student Emiliano Saldana

NVC Cross Country Team DOMINATE Local Races

Posted on May 8, 2015May 18, 2017 by NVC Public Relations

Alamo City Run Fest- February 22, 2015

In the debut race of the Spring 2015 semester, 11 NVC Cross Country runners participated in the Alamo City Run Fest. Running in the 5k race was Mercedes Rodriguez and Micah Florence. Micah finished the 3.1-mile race in a time of 19:59 placing first in his age group. Mercedes placed 3^rd in her age group and ran a time of 30:22.

Competing in the 10k race was Vincent Del Pino, Norby Salazar, Sean Perry, Aaron Beattie, and Toni Lindsay. Vincent, Aaron, and Sean dominated their age group placing first, 2^nd, and 4^th running times of 39:45, 43:42, and 45:51 respectively. Norby placed 2^nd in his age group running a time of 49:21. Toni placed 3^rd overall in her age group running a time of 49:21.

Racing in the half marathon race was Sergio Luera, Patrick Gonzales, Karla Cortez, Vienna Garcia, and Rhea Migdalski. Sergio placed 2^nd in his age group running a time of 1:30:25. Karla, Rhea, and Vienna swept their age group finishing 1-3 running times of 1:37:18, 1:42:25, and 1:44:37 respectively. Patrick took 2^nd in his age group with a time of 1:43:38.

Revenge of the Nerds-5k

On February 28, the NVC Cross Country team braved the rain and extreme Texas cold weather to run in the campus 5k race: Revenge of the Nerds. Karla Cortez took the overall women’s winner position with a time of 21:39. Rhea Migdalski finished first in the 15-19 female division with a time of 22:01. Toni Lindsay won the Engineering division with a time of 23:39. Mercedes Rodriguez finished third in the 20-29 age group with a time of 30:15, followed by Raquel Rodriquez with a time of 46:31. Vince Del Pino finished first for the men’s team and won the 1^st place age group award for 15-19 year olds. Vince ran a time of 18:33. Sergio Luera finished second in the 15-19 age group with a time of 19:42. Norby Salazar won the 20-29 age group with a time of 21:22 followed in second place by Patrick Gonzales with a time of 22:36.

Alamo College Wellness 5k

The Northwest Vista Cross Country team dominated the competition at the Alamo College Wellness 5k on March 28. Sergio Luera and Norby Salazar took second and third overall running times of 18:46 and 19:29, respectively. The ladies were led by Karla Cortez who took first overall with a winning time of 21:25. Rhea Migdalski was hot on her heals, finishing second overall female with a time of 21:29. Colleen Rojas and Toni Lindsay finished fourth and fifth for the women recording times of 23:25 and 23:43, respectively. Vince Del Pino ran the race as well. He was in first place and was led the wrong direction, therefore not technically qualifying as first overall.

SARR Fiesta Mission 10k and 5k

On April 18, the NVC men and women’s Cross Country team participated in the Fiesta Mission 5k and 10k. Racing for NVC in the 5k was Vienna Garcia and Samantha Castillo. Vienna took second female overall with a time of 22:01. Samantha ran 10^th overall and 1^st in her age group with a time of 25:36.

In the men’s 10k division, Vince Del Pino was the fastest male running a time of 35:27. David Gonzales placed 1^st in his age group running a time of 43:30. Aaron Beattie place second in his age group with a time of 45:49. In addition, placing second in his age group, Robert Barrasa ran a time of 46:16.

Running for the girls in the 10k were Karla Cortez and Rhea Migdalski. Karla and Rhea took first and second overall with times of 43:56 and 45:34, respectively.

UIW track meet

Four Northwest Vista College Students participated in the UIW track meet on April 10. Vincent Del Pino ran in the 1500m race finishing in a time of 4 minutes and 29 seconds. Rhea Migdalski, Karla Cortez, and Vienna Garcia all participated in the women’s 5000m race. Rhea and Karla both ran a personal record of 21:01 and 21:07 respectively. Vienna was close behind with a time of 21:28 in the 3.1-mile race.

Contributed by NVC Cross Country Coach Ashley McGee

Time Management: Keep a Calendar!

Posted on April 30, 2015June 14, 2017 by NVC Public Relations

It’s the last few weeks of school before summer and I took on a lot of new opportunities this semester, and I’ve already agreed to take on a few more next semester, but that’s kind of the point isn’t it? Well, for me it is.

This is where that growth from living life on my own terms and paycheck to paycheck becomes full of meetings, classes, fundraisers, more meetings, New Student Orientations, homework, presentations, more meetings, and so forth. You can’t always do your first choice, even if it’s your favorite thing in the world. Instead you have to set very specific goals, because in the end this is where all the skills required for that dream career are built.

Trust me, there is no satisfaction to be gained from living paycheck to paycheck. Or I should say, no long-term satisfaction. It’s fine for a little while, but then you’ll wake up when you’re 29, like I did, and realize this is not what you had in mind.

Fortunately I figured it out real quick, and am now in a situation where every minute of my day must be accounted. Time management is the only way this works, and the best advice I can give is keep a calendar. Also, make sure you use it not just every day, but throughout the day. Whenever you’re presented with a choice, choose very carefully, and make absolutely certain it is the right choice. Once the decision’s been made that’s it; you’ve committed.

By NVC Student Bryan McCluggage

New Psychology Honor Society

Posted on April 17, 2015May 17, 2017 by NVC Public Relations

Northwest Vista College has a newly created chapter of a Psi Beta Honor Society – a national honor society for psychology students.

On Thursday, April 16th, the charter members of this honor society were inducted in a candlelight ceremony which featured guest speaker – Don “Dr. Don” Lucas, Ph.D, professor of Psychology and coordinator of NVC’s Psychology department. Inductees were presented with certificates, pins, and honor cords to be worn at graduation.

Jennifer Fox and Cynthia Jacox are the faculty advisors for this new organization which recognizes the academic achievements of NVC psychology majors.

Tips & Advice to Make it to the Finish Line

Posted on April 6, 2015June 14, 2017 by NVC Public Relations

We have rolled over the half-way hill this semester at Northwest Vista College and now we’re going for the finish line.

For some of you, graduation may be waiting. For others, Maymester, summer classes, or the fall semester is waiting. Where are you standing right now? By that I mean, how are your grades? If your grades aren’t so good right now, here are tips and advice on how to give that extra mile.

Are you having trouble in math?

Please keep in mind that NVC has a Math Lab for Cooperative Learning located in Juniper Hall room 316. There are tutors that help you with any math question you have. From experience, I can say that these tutors are excellent.

Are you behind in a subject?

Find any little time you have to get caught up. Exchange the time you use to watch TV, play video games, surf the internet, go out with friends and work on your homework.

Let your professor know that you have acknowledged that you are behind and you are working your hardest to get caught up. If you don’t let your professor know that you’re working on assignments, he or she might think you’re not trying in the class and may drop you after 3 absences (if any).

Get to know your classmates if you haven’t already! Don’t be afraid to ask someone for help or what their thoughts were with assignments; just don’t copy their work, of course.

Are you failing or think you’re going to fail?

I believe the key solution is to communicate with your professor. Ask him or her if you can redo assignments and do any possible extra credit.

Good luck!

By NVC Student Tamara Davida-Lopez

Get Involved – Be a Leader!

Posted on March 31, 2015June 14, 2017 by NVC Public Relations

The second best decision I’ve ever made, right behind the one that got me in college, was the decision to become involved. I remember in 2008 seeing a picture of a bunch of protestors upset about the bank bailouts and not being able to find a job. One person held a sign that said, “I have $80,000 in debt, a 4.0 GPA, and no job. Where’s my bailout?”

My first impression was that there was definitely a number of logical fallacies in play here, which could be an entire essay in itself. One of them, however, was that I knew it was somehow the former student’s fault and certainly not the government’s. After that, I wondered how someone could get into that much debt. Then I thought about what it would take to have that great a GPA, and yet have no job? What was this person’s degree?

I did some research and came to the conclusion that it was a very complicated process, and while I understood this process, I didn’t really have a personal connection to it. Then I got here and began to see it all for myself. I realized that not just anyone can get great grades, but plenty of students can.

The truth is often quoted, it is as true today as it was in that former student’s time in college, and will continue to be true going forward. If a student doesn’t demonstrate the willingness and ability to extend themselves beyond the classroom by taking on leadership roles, then there’s a near perfect certainty that when they go up against someone who did, they’re going to lose.

The reality is harsh, and too few students fully understand the weight of its meaning. It’s trying to teach a lesson to someone who has no grasp of possible ramifications, nor the perspective necessary to see beyond the moment.

College is an opportunity to expand what is called ‘human capital’ in economics. It’s the idea that you build your potential through education, work, training, and so forth. This is what the former student holding the sign missed.

My resume will shine, and when I’m ready to find a real job, I’ll hopefully have one waiting for me before I ever step across that stage. Why? Because I got involved.

By NVC Student Bryan McCluggage

Finding My Niche

Posted on March 30, 2015June 14, 2017 by NVC Public Relations

fbcover nvcsign — Northwest Vista College

I am an adult learner, returning to school after completing a bachelor’s degree, raising a family and having over 20 years of work experience.

I want an associate’s degree from NVC in order to build upon my skill set and to make myself more marketable for a career. When I graduated from college 15 years ago, experience was the most important trait employers looked for.

Today, employers are caught up in the letters and numbers following your name. They want to see degrees and certifications. While I want an associates from NVC, I have to pay for the entire degree out of my own pocket because there is not any financial aid for going backwards in school degree levels.

I returned to school, beginning with a certificate at NVC, in order to determine what would be my best route for continuing my education. While a master’s degree seems like the logical next step for someone who holds a bachelors degree, it isn’t always feasible. Graduate school is expensive. In the science fields, a master’s degree is often a stepping stone to a doctorate, but it it often does not help a person increase their salary value. Who wants to spend two years of their life and thousands of dollars to be worth the same rate they were worth with a bachelor’s degree?

Then there is determining which degree to pursue. Do I want to be a medical doctor, a pharmacist, a nurse, a professor or teach at a two-year school like NVC? Do I want to continue being a research scientist or administrator? Do I want a MBA? The questions are numerous.

I have taken multiple aptitude tests over the years. One skill that regularly appeared was working with computers. I was raised by computer engineers and software programmers. I have considered computers my evil step siblings.

NVC offered a Web Design course and I enrolled in it. I decided I might as well prove I was either good with computers or rule out that idea. Guess what? I fell for it. Web design is challenging and very rewarding when I create a properly functioning and aesthetically pleasing website. Then I took a programming class. Wow. This fully allowed me to get very technical and very specific. Programming is control! My lifelong love of building puzzles has now been translated into a skill set I can utilize for a rewarding career. The drawback to discovering computers after completing my bachelor’s degree is that many jobs, and most advanced degree programs, require a bachelor’s degree in computer science. I am not interesting in reinventing the wheel for my career.

Now, I finally have a much more finite focus. I am very well versed in the science of biology and healthcare. I have over four years of professional medical research experience. This is a skill set that I want to build upon. I have finally found a program that combines all of my career interests and a decent salary when completed. I am applying for a Master of Public Health program that focuses on Public Health Informatics. This is where I can see myself being happy and productive, applying my skill set to a field that helps many people live healthier and more productive lives. I am grateful for NVC being available and affordable enough for me to sort through my interests and discover my marketable talents, even after I completed my associates degree.

By NVC Student C. Kalyn Reim

Two Stress Relieving Massages to Give Yourself

Posted on March 23, 2015June 14, 2017 by NVC Public Relations

Its half-way through the semester! Are you feeling stressed out with homework and studying? Here are two massages you can easily do yourself to help with tight muscles and headaches.

Hand Massage

Your hand can definitely need a good massage from writing papers or typing documents. It could use a “recharge” on energy to write that mid-term paper.

How to do it:

Use your opposite hand and place your thumb with the nail facing upwards on the palm of your other hand.
Press gently and work your way up to the tip of your pinky finger. Start over from the middle of your hand to your pinky again, but this time, apply medium pressure. Then start over again, but use hard pressure.
Repeat the steps you did for your pinky finger, but apply them to the rest of your fingers. Then switch hands and start the whole massage over.

Neck and Shoulder Massage

Your neck is the No. 1 place to hold the entire stress of your body. If you have a constant problem with headache, massaging your neck is the answer to relieve the tension in those muscles.

How to do it:

Place both of your hands on your shoulders on the bottom of your neck. Gently squeeze and hold for about three seconds. Continue to do this up to the top of your neck where your skull is, making little circular movement with your fingers. The muscles right under your skull is mainly where tension headaches come from, so make sure you massage them well.

If these instructions didn’t work for you, here a video you can follow.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-DtnHFvpL0

As you do these massages, please don’t apply too much pressure as you can harm your muscles instead of relaxing them.

By NVC Student Tamara-Davida Lopez

The Challenge of Going Back to College

Posted on March 19, 2015May 12, 2017 by NVC Public Relations

If you think it’s hard enough going to college at your young age, think twice.

As a mom of two kids and wife of a wonderful husband, let me share my story…

Twenty-four years ago, we came to the USA with a 3-week old baby and a 2 year-old little girl, with the idea to stay only 3 years while my husband finished his training.

In my country, I had a wonderful career, which I had decided to put on hold for 3 years. After the first three years, another three years of training came, and then, after those 3 years, my husband received a good job offer. We decided that I would stay at home and raise the kids.

Time passed by and the kids began going to the school. Sadly, I considered myself being retired from my previous career and decided to take a new path or at least take the classes that have always interested me. I began a new professional adventure. But, everything was different now…and I had to confront many hurdles.

First, money. We already had to take out sizeable tuition loans for our children, so I could not even ask for my own loan. Otherwise, I would have to essentially sell my soul to the bank.

Second, my memory – Have you had those memory lapses where you don’t know what you were going to do or where you left your phone? OK, well, let me tell you that, at this point in my life, they are not momentary lapses anymore. They are always happening to me. Most of the time, I need to ask someone to call me to find my phone, to take a photo to remember where I parked my car or to use my phone just to add reminders. God bless you, iPhone!

And third, my accent – Sometimes when I am tired, it is very hard to speak English for me (it is my second language) and added to my heavy accent, it is the perfect storm of miscommunication. Sometimes when I am exhausted and talking with someone in English, I begin to see their eyes widen, as if to shout “what the heck is she trying to say?!” At this point, my mind begins to blocking out all coherent thoughts and no word comes out of my mouth. Then, I need to calm myself down, listen to what I am saying, and retake control of the situation.

As you can see, it is not easy to return to college, be a foreign student and a mom at the same time. But for me it does not matter, because every time that I come to school, I am so excited because I am going to learn new tools that are going to help me outside in the real world.

By NVC Student Martha Aceves