One of my favorite places I have volunteered recently is the NVC cooking program. This is a recreational class for students who are beginners or advanced who want to learn to cook new meals. This is a class separate from college classes and you pay a low fee.

I went to help out for several Saturdays. I was glad I could help out by being the chef’s assistant and there were many tasks that I could do. When I got there I started helping by cleaning up the countertops. Then I set up each station with kitchen equipment such as knives, pots, tasting utensils, and a cutting table. I also put an apron and a cooking hat on each station. After each student arrived the chef would have them smell and taste 3 different types of salts and explain the differences. Then he would explain what they were going to prepare that day. For example, one day it would be pasta, another it would be soups or other meals. I would then hand out recipes to each student and had other tasks, such as grating the cheese, rinsing dishes, cutting an onion or bringing out more tasting utensils. I would also taste the food as it was being prepared. When the food was done everyone got to eat their food. The best part was that the chef would always leave me food and I got the chance to eat it.

I have learned culinary knowledge and cooking tips such as how to use a cutting knife the right way or how to cut a chicken properly. I was helping out for six hours and the time flew by fast. If you become a NVC student ambassador next semester, this is a great place to volunteer. You learn new cooking skills, have a great time and receive a free meal.

– Jolene Rodriguez
NVC Ambassador

I am a Northwest Vista College student ambassador and I recently helped out at the NVC Hunger Banquet on Nov. 17. This was a great experience. They had a couple of sessions going on throughout the day. When I got there I was given a stack of paper cards that were supposed to be separated into three statuses. The statuses were high class, middle class, and lower class. When students came to the entrance they handed me cans or other items of food to donate at the Hunger Banquet. Six students were instructed to sit at the elegant table which had a nice table cloth and candles. If students received a middle class card they were to sit in the middle of the room with plain tables and chairs. There were more middle class students than higher class students. The third status which had the most students was lower class and they were to all sit on the floor with no tables and chairs.

The banquet spokesperson had someone volunteer from each status to read their card. The card contained who they were, what job they had, the location where they lived and other details. The spokesperson asked students how they felt about who they were and their income. Then the spokesperson went on explaining how hunger is “the silent killer” and that “every 4 seconds someone dies of hunger.”

Then food was given to all three of the statuses. Volunteers from the lower class were told they had to be nice and serve the higher class their food. A deli sandwich, cookies and refreshments was given to the high class students. Beans, rice, water and silverware was given to the middle class status. Only rice and water and no silverware were given to the lower class. After they finished the spokesperson asked everyone how their meal was. The lower class said the food was cold, but they ate it. Some of the middle class did not even taste their food. A student from the higher class group gave half of her sandwich to the lower class, but it was difficult to decide who to give it to.

What stuck with me is this phrase that was said at the event: “What is everyone going to eat today?” We get a choice of what we get to eat, but not everyone has that same luck. The spokesperson mentioned “they (lower class) do not care about what they are going to eat,” but what “they care about is whether they are going to eat today.” This is sad, but it is a reality. It is good for this banquet to give awareness to hunger and I am glad I got the opportunity to attend and help out.

– Jolene Rodriguez
NVC Ambassador

Last week while I was on campus for a meeting, I stopped by the advising desk and inquired about the date to apply for graduation for spring 2012 semester.

After answering my question, I was asked by the smiling face behind the desk if I had done a degree audit yet. I had thought that was something I would do next semester in preparation for graduating and transferring, but my sweet helper said I really should do it now. I went ahead and got one of the pagers and waited for my turn to see an advisor. My wait wasn’t too long (it was a Wednesday afternoon) and I was called back.

Ken greeted me at the door with a smile and we walked back to his desk. Once there, he asked me a few questions as to what I was in need of and got started right away going through my transcript and verifying everything per my degree plan. This is where my story takes a somewhat dramatic turn.

You see, I pride myself in being super organized and planning everything out. I hadn’t worried about getting a degree audit because I had followed my degree plan exactly as it was printed. But when Ken started asking me certain questions I got very worried. As per my plans, I would only have to take two classes next semester in order to graduate with my transfer associates degree and head to UTSA. But after checking and recalculating everything on my transcripts, Ken found a very big error.

First off, I will need four more classes, not the two I had so carefully planned on. And furthermore, one of the classes I thought I needed in order to graduate, I didn’t even need. Had I waited till next semester, after already registering and beginning classes, my goal of graduating in May would not have been possible. I will admit that I was a little dumb-founded and in shock when I left Ken’s office. But after going home and sleeping on the news I had just received I was incredibly thankful not only for Ken and the news he had delivered to me, but for the advice given to me when I approached the advising desk asking one simple question.

So the moral of my story is this, GET YOUR DEGREE AUDIT!!! At least try to do it once a year to make sure you are on track. Even the most organized and well planned out intentions can go off of the intended path! We are blessed to have wonderful advisors and staff here at Northwest Vista, so please visit them.

– Dawn Thomas
NVC Student and NVC Ambassador

By: Jennifer Cardwell
Reprinted from: http://points-of-vista.posterous.com/courtesy-patrol-to-the-rescue

The Northwest Vista College (NVC) campus community has grown tremendously and getting around when you have classes at opposite ends of the campus is tough.

So, who do you call? Courtesy Patrol! At NVC, there is a department that is dedicated to servicing faculty and students. The Courtesy Patrol is part of Teaching and Learning Facilitation (TLF). This department was originally designed to assist students around campus.

“Courtesy Patrol has been around for about eight years,” says Mike Wright from the Courtesy Patrol team, in the Mountain Laurel Hall (MLH) building. He has worked on the NVC campus for five years and says that he enjoys meeting and helping students and faculty get around.

The Courtesy Patrol used to give rides to anyone who wanted a lift, but due to budget cuts, new service guidelines were established. Now Courtesy Patrol is only offered to students who have a recognized disability according to the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) and register for disability services at the Access Office located in the Cypress Campus Center (CCC).

“I wish University of Texas San Antonio (UTSA) had this service when I went to college there,” said a courtesy patrol user assisted by Mike from her car to the number four stop by Rbud Learning Center last week.

There are several designated locations on campus used as pick up stations. The stations are identified by the numbers 1-9. Students needing assistance who call the courtesy Patrol office are told to wait by the pickup station, which has also helps the courtesy patrol identify the students needing their service.

“The Courtesy Patrol is busy during class changes throughout the day,” said Patricia, another NVC campus employee. Unfortunately the weather can affect the patrol services. For instance, the patrol services were suspended during a heavy rain storm which brought pea size hail. “Escorts were suspended due to safety issues” Patricia said.

The Courtesy Patrol is also responsible for enforcing parking regulations. For example, cars must park in one designated parking spot, which means parking in between the white lines. Some students with new cars or big trucks take up more than one space which makes parking on NVC campus more difficult.

The Courtesy Patrol also monitors students’ use of parking permits and write tickets to vehicles without a visible hanging tag.

“I don’t care where you put the decal, as long as I can tell that it is for NVC parking,” said Mike, when asked about students who use sun visors which block the parking decal.

Other services offered by the Courtesy Patrol are assistance with battery issues, assistance in locating your car in the event that you have forgotten where you parked, lost and found, and basic first aid. For more information visit the Courtesy Patrol website.

Being a parent along with being in college seems like an unlikely feat. I have known a lot of people who have thought that having a child means their lives are over. I am living proof that this is a fallacy. I work nineteen hours a week. This semester I am taking Anatomy and Physiology I, Chemistry Lecture and Lab I, American Literature, Art History, Spin Class I, and Community Health. I am participating in the Student Leadership Institute Tier II and Student Ambassadors to gain good extracurricular activities on my university applications. My days on campus usually last ten to eleven hours and as any parent knows, do not end until I fall asleep. A lot of the time I feel like the stress is going to get to me, but then I remember my 2 year-old daughter is depending on me to make her life better. This is why I decided to come up with a plan to keep me from giving up. The plan consists of five steps:

1. Constantly plan my dream future. I envision my future home, job, and friends daily.
2. Look to friends and family for support. I do not hold back when I say I am having problems. I know that if I hold it in, no one will know how to help me. I always ask for help and I have quit trying to be super woman. I understand that my family and friends will lend me a hand without thinking I am a failure.
3. Make time for studying and family. I plan everything using my planner. This ensures none of my homework is ever late and I can plan family outings on the weekends by finishing homework in between classes or early in the morning on weekends.
4. Get lots of rest. I know it is hard to get to bed in time for eight hours of sleep. I did not believe it helped until I actually got eight hours of rest. Sleeping for at least eight hours has definitely made me feel more competent and less likely to give into stress meltdowns.
5. Turn everything into a positive. When things go wrong in my life, I look at them as learning opportunities. I try to react in a positive way towards all stressors. I admit, that sometimes I do not and end up having panic attacks or little melt downs. I do not, however, let those negative things get in my path. I allow myself some time to cope with major problems, and then I attack them head on by taking small steps to solve them.

My plan may not be fail proof, but it has helped me change my life from complete stress to manageable stress. Being a parent has made me more focused on finishing my education, so my child can have a better life than I did. Whether I like it or not, I am my child’s role model. She will look at my actions, past and present, to help her to decide her future path. I have learned that as a parent, you have to find your motivation and keep in mind that every situation is temporary.

By NVC Ambassador Mariah Rodriguez

Abuzz with over 400 students, the Fall 2011 orientation for The National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS) was an upbeat introduction to what this nationally recognized honor society is all about – leadership from the inside out!

Founded in 2001, NSLS has helped many students in becoming greater leaders and contributing members of their communities.  Students are invited to become members of Alpha Sigma Pi based on a minimum GPA of a 3.0.    

To become full-fledged members of Alpha Sigma Pi, there are four membership components that the student must complete after accepting the invitation to join and paying the one-time fee for a lifetime membership. 

–  The first requirement is to attend orientation. 
–  The second requirement is to attend three Speaker Events, which are seminars by renowned individuals who embody where leadership can take you.
–  The third requirement is to participate in three Success Networking Team Meetings, in which the student becomes a part of a group that holds one another accountable to accomplish personal goals. 
–  The fourth requirement is to attend a Leadership Training Day Workshop, in which, as its name suggests, the process of learning how to be an effective leader is accomplished. 

Upon completion of the four requirements for joining, the student receives an invitation to attend the Induction Ceremony, where they are formally welcomed as lifetime members of the organization.  

Should the student want to go further in advancing their leadership skills, there are steps to earning The National Excellence in Leadership Award.  These steps include the basic requirements for membership as well as three additional Speaker Events, three additional Success Networking Team Meetings, and five hours of community service. 

The benefits for students who become NSLS members are many.  Certain scholarships and awards are available only to members of Alpha Sigma Pi.  Other benefits include access to an online job bank, personalized letters of recommendation, leadership certification, resume enhancement, and personal success coaching. 

So are YOU ready to change your life, learn how to be the leader you were always meant to be, and become more active in your community?  Then take a look into becoming a member of the NVC chapter of The National Society of Leadership and Success!        

– By NVC Student Kimberly Redgate

By NVC Student Kimberly Villarreal

Northwest Vista College has a beautiful new feature that will keep the community active. The new half-mile fitness trail stretches along the outskirts of the campus and is outlined with beautiful landscape.

The trail is open during daylight hours and begins just north of the boardwalk between parking lots 7 and 8. It can be used for running, jogging, and walking. The path is connected by crosswalks as it curves through the wooded area near the Live Oak parking lot, comes around the back side of the Mexican Persimmon Physical Plant building, runs parallel behind Palmetto Center of the Arts and ends by connecting to the pedestrian sidewalk on the south side of the Palmetto Center.

The fitness trail is not only for students, but for the entire surrounding community. The purpose of the trail was to establish a feature that would be appreciated by the community. Individuals can now enjoy fitness activities outdoors while in a safe and peaceful environment. This new addition to the campus is part of Northwest Vista’s continued promotion of a safe, clean environment.

Today marks my last day at Northwest Vista College. In a couple of days, I will be among the 1,000 plus students walking the stage at NVC’s graduation ceremony. I realize it’s not the most momentous occasion in the world, but it means a lot to me, and for that I want to extend my personal thank you to NVC.

I began taking classes here in 2008 at age 16 as a dual credit student. I didn’t think much of it at the time, and almost didn’t want to because the classes I took were online which initially scared me, but in the end I’m grateful I was a part of the Dual Credit program at NVC. Because of it, I learned critical thinking skills at a young age, so by the time I enrolled full time in 2009, I already knew what to expect in college.

In a way I can say I’ve literally grown with the college. I remember when MZH was the CCC. Wow, I hadn’t realized I have been here this long! It has been an amazing journey though, and one I’ll never forget.

My first year seems as though it flew by fast. The first semester at NVC, I remember feeling a bit nervous and apprehensive because I was afraid I’d be alone, as many of my friends from high school went to different colleges and universities. That changed the first few days when I met up with many old friends and rekindled old friendships while developing new ones. Along the way, I also took classes with the best teachers who really shaped me to where I am today.

My second year, I was blessed to be a part of a student leadership program, also known as College Ambassadors (it’s one of the reasons I’m writing this blog J ). The ambassador experience has truly been a wonderful one. I’ve gained much leadership experience and worked with amazing people. Our ambassador group truly is like a second family to me. Our ambassador supervisor, Darryl Nettles, has encouraged us all to reach towards our potential and made volunteer work around campus a blast! Special thanks to Darryl and also Kelly Blanco for giving me opportunities to gain ambassador hours while working with the Cat Crew as well.

With all the leadership experience and education I’ve gained, as well as the friendships and memories made here at Northwest Vista, these past two years truly have been some of the best of my life. Whoever said that the best years of your life are in high school obviously never took advantage of the college experience. Thank you Northwest Vista for making my first college experience a great one!

Marisa Luna
NVC Ambassador
Class of 2011

Well students, it’s here. The end of the semester is upon us, and for some it’s the end of an era. Whether it’s surviving your first year of college or completing a degree program, all of us are at a milestone in our quest for higher education. The advent of finals is the biggest indication of that, but for some students, finals can be pretty scary. Especially if your grade depends on it, then preparing for one can be a nightmare!

But finals aren’t all bad. Yes, a lot hinges upon them, but you’ve made it this far already without dropping the class (given that you are in the class and/or dealing with finals). Perhaps you aced the tests all year and are exempt from taking the final, if so, good for you! You’ve worked hard and deserve it! If not, don’t give up so easily. I know finals can turn even the most confident student into a nervous wreck.

If you are indeed nervous about how the fate of this past semester fares, the best advice I can offer you is don’t doubt your abilities. If you truly don’t think you can ace the final, or get at least what you need to pass the course, talk to a teacher or tutor about any accommodations you may need. The labs here at NVC (writing, math, science, etc.) are here for the sole purpose of helping students succeed. Get together with friends/classmates, do whatever you have to do to ensure you make the most of your opportunity.

Also, don’t forget to study! I know that may sound like I’m stating the obvious, but if you’re like a lot of people (myself included), studying for tests usually gets relegated to the day before the test. If you’re the type that fares well this way, congratulations! Even still, you may want to give finals preparation a little more dedication.

Good luck on your finals, students! I hope you all do the best that you can on them!

Marisa Luna
NVC Ambassador

By NVC Student Kimberly Redgate

Do you know how the Access Office at Northwest Vista College can help students?

“Creating Equal Opportunities for Students with Disabilities” is the mission statement of NVC’s Access Office, which specializes in providing services to students who have physical, learning, mental, and psychological disabilities. The Access Office serves students with these disabilities by providing accommodations to help achieve academic standards in the classroom.

Sharon Dresser, Special Services manager of the Access Office, said the most commonly used accommodations are to allow students more time for exams, use a volunteer note taker or use a recording device. Depending on the specific disability, other services may be included in accommodating the student, such as a sign language interpreter, larger chairs or screen-reading software for those who are visually impaired.

Sharon said that not all of the estimated 700 students on campus who have confirmed disabilities come to the Access Office each semester to request accommodations. She believes some of the major reasons why this occurs are because students may be too embarrassed, in denial or don’t realize they have a disability.

Sharon recommends that students with disabilities visit the Access Office’s webpage to see what services are offered.

Based on the results of a recent Access Office survey, the majority of students who sought help from the Access Office ranged in age from 17-25 with the ratio of males to females being about even. They reported their experience to be very good in regards to how friendly the staff was, how helpful their services were, and how well their needs were met. In addition, their accommodations contributed greatly towards their learning, desire to continue college, and goal to graduate.

For more information concerning NVC’s Access office, visit its homepage or you can reach the office at (210) 486-4466 or through email at [email protected].