Access in Action: Accommodative Testing at MVCC
Presenter(s): Nikki Benton
This workshop provides an overview of accommodative testing procedures at MVCC, including
scheduling, faculty responsibilities, and the role of the Test Center. Learn how faculty
and Test Center staff work together to support equitable access while maintaining
academic integrity. Highlights include communication expectations, best practices,
and common questions related to the accommodative testing process.
Onsite: WH116
From Assignment to Program
Presenter(s): Hillary Forbes, Bradley Dixon
Meaningful assessment requires more than collecting data—it requires understanding
what the data actually represent. This session presents a practical framework for
aligning
course-level Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs), Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs), assignments,
and assessment measures to create meaningful program evaluation.
Through a Human Services case study, participants will explore how thoughtful alignment
and data disaggregation transformed assessment findings, revealing that many outcomes
initially classified as "not met" reflected student disengagement and assignment non-submission
rather than deficiencies in learning. Participants will leave with practical strategies
for designing aligned assessments, interpreting results more accurately, and using
assessment data to guide program improvement rather than simply document compliance.
Onsite: PH102
Finding Connection Through The Mail
Presenter(s): Breanne Rathbun
People today are looking for connection, and sending mail through the post is a fun
way to build kinship with others seeking the same thing. One way is through Postcrossing,
which is a website that matches you with another member to exchange postcards around
the world. I have been a member since January, and have received more than 50 postcards
from places like China, Germany, Iceland, and South Korea! ll show you how the website
works, how you can sign up, and bring materials for those who want to start! Feel
free to bring your own cards, stickers, and materials if you want to. Everyone is
welcome to join!
Onsite: WH150
Small Business Fundamentals
Presenter(s): James Willey, Ujjwal Rai, & Ryan Miller
This session is to help you understand what the Mohawk Valley Small Business Development
Center does, who we help and what we can offer to anyone that owns a small business
or a new entrepreneur looking to start one. This information can also be helpful to
pass down to your students.
Onsite: WH119
Eight Ways to Empower Students
Presenter(s):Erin Severs
In this workshop, plan to share ways that you empower your students by getting to
know them, letting them get to know you, helping them know themselves and their biases,
making them feel seen and valued, helping them make connections, giving them choices
about how they learn and what they write, creating a positive classroom dynamic, and
holding high expectations. These eight ideas are the take-aways I discuss in the Conclusion
of my book, "Empowering Students Through Storytelling."
Onsite: WH116
MV Makers Crafting Circle
Presenter(s): Milo Cameron
MV Makers is an informal crafting group for MV faculty/staff that meets weekly all
year. Bring your own project or learn something new in this session designed to promote
relaxation, build confidence, strengthen social ties, and foster productivity.
Onsite: WH117
How & Why to raise Alerts in Ellucian Advise
Presenter(s): Patti Antanavige
Faculty play a critical role in student success, and timely intervention can make
all the difference. This presentation will provide an overview of how and why to raise
Early Alerts in Ellucian Advise, including when to submit an alert, the types of concerns
that warrant intervention, and the steps for creating an alert within the system.
Participants will learn how Early Alerts connect students with support services, promote
engagement, and help improve retention and academic outcomes. By working together
through the Early Alert process, faculty and student support staff can identify challenges
early and provide students with the resources they need to stay on track and succeed.
Onsite: WH119
Title II Compliance in Word 365 - WH 150
Presenter(s): Bobby Rogan
In this session, we'll explore ways to make your Word documents fully compliant with
Title II; how to properly export your documents to PDF, and how to use SensusAccess
to remediate a non-compliant PDF.
Onsite: WH150
Hooked on Crochet: Practice & Support
Presenter(s): Shaina Stafford
Come continue to learn to crochet or keep practicing with hands on help! If you have
any questions or would like to learn a different stitch, please reach out before institute
day!
Onsite: WH149
Slow Violence: Advocating for an Equitable Education
Presenter(s): Milo Cameron
Using Rob Nixon's "Slow Violence and the Environmentalism of the Poor" as a framework,
this session will discuss the ways in which seemingly small systemic issues can become
major barriers for our students. Together, we'll think of ways to build an equitable
environment and correct normalized patterns of discrimination in the classroom.
Onsite: WH117
Sustainability at MVCC
Presenter(s): Marissa Ohl & Michael Sisti
TThis session highlights Mohawk Valley Community College's ongoing commitment to sustainability
and environmental responsibility across campus operations, academics, and community
engagement. Drawing from the work of the Facilities & Sustainability Committee, this
presentation will provide an overview of current sustainability initiatives, including
energy efficiency projects, waste reduction efforts, and campus-wide educational initiatives.
Onsite: WH119
Mental Health First Aid Training Day 1
Presenter(s): Steph Roberts, Krystal Smith, & Michelle Burdick
Mental Health First Aid training gives you the skills to recognize when someone is
facing mental health or substance use challenges and what you can do to help them.
This is a 2-day training : Day 1: 12pm-4pm and Day 2: 9am-1pm Presented by trained
MVCC employees.
Onsite: WH225
Food Systems, Equity, and Sustainability
Presenter(s): Marissa Ohl
"This session explores the complex social justice issues connected to food systems
in the US with a focus on how current food systems intersect with food insecurity,
public health outcomes, and economic inequality. Participants will examine how access
to nutritious food is influenced by systemic factors such as poverty, geographic location,
and disparities in resources, and how these challenges contribute to long-standing
inequities in health and well-being.
The presentation will also highlight the environmental and economic dimensions of
food production, including how land use, water access, and industry influence shape
the availability and distribution of food globally.
Through this session, participants will gain a deeper understanding of how food systems
connect to social justice, sustainability, and equity, while being encouraged to reflect
on how individual choices, institutional practices, and policy conversations can contribute
to meaningful change."
Onsite: WH117
Transfer Talk
Presenter(s): Rachel Simonds
Learn from the Transfer Team and the SUNY Transfer Liaison about practical strategies
to help students transfer, the revised SUNY transfer pathways, and upcoming emplementation
of SUNY’s Equitable Grading policy
Onsite: WH150
Watermark/ APR Process
Presenter(s): Brad Dixon & Robert Huyck
Learn how to use Watermark to assist in writing your APR. Faculty with an upcoming
APR due should attend.
Onsite: WH117
Low Threshold, High Ceiling
Presenter(s): Beth Dubeck
How can we design experiences that are easy to get started, but allow for complexity?
For the past few years I have been using the Circuit Playground Express, a microcontroller
with several built in sensors and outputs as part of an Intro to Computers class.
I will share examples of student projects, we will have a short introduction to the
Circuit Playground Express, and then have a chance to program with them. The circuit
playground express uses a drag and drop programming interface, so no previous programming
experience is required
Onsite: WH115
Top Under 10 Gold Standard Healthy Habits
Presenter(s): David Gould
8-9 very simple things everybody can do on a daily basis to improve health, efficiency,
and performance via evidence based supplementation, nutrition, and lifestyle modification.
Onsite: WH116
2040 is Here-If We Look More Closely
Presenter: Randy VanWagoner
Review signals in our environment that we see today and explore how they might evolve
to shape 2040 scenarios. This interactive session will help us consider how we might
alter our thinking and work to better
position MVCC for whatever 2040 brings.
Onsite: PH102
