While attending classes is (arguably) the reason why you’re at TMCC, there are other free events on campus that can enrich your academic journey in unexpected ways. One of these kinds of events is a speaker series, which invite submit-matter experts to speak on a relevant or interesting topic. These are useful occasions to learn more about something that sounds interesting or to learn about a topic you know nothing about.
If you’ve never attended a speaker series event before, you’re in luck: this semester, TMCC is hosting several that range in topics from important moments in history, music, culture, society, sustainability, and ways to improve your own well-being.
In no particular order, we’ve included a brief description of each series, along with the times and dates of each event. We hope you take an hour out of your busy class schedules to attend one (or all!) of these talks.
1960s Library Speaker Series
TMCC’s Library Committee has organized a panel of faculty experts who will speak on topics that remember—and celebrate—the end of the 1960s. It might be hard to believe, but the decade of lava lamps, the Civil Rights Movement, The Flintstones, and go-go boots happened over fifty years ago. This speaker series is a celebration of that iconic decade from the perspective of faculty who will explore the music, cultural revolutions and science that shaped the 1960s—and by extension, where we are as a culture today.
- Thursday, Nov. 14, 2-3:30 p.m. in Vista 204: Suzanne Malik: The Beatles Yesterday and Today; Neil Siegal: Dylan: The Sounds They Are a Changing
- Monday, Nov. 18, 2-3:30 p.m. in Vista 205: Joe Domitrovich: The Civil Rights Movement: A Change is Gonna Come; Yevonne Allen: The Feminist and Gay Rights Movements
- Thursday, Nov. 21, 2-3:30 p.m. in Vista 204: Tom Cardoza: And it’s 1-2-3 What Are We Fighting For; Wade Hampton: Campus Unrest, Assassinations, and a Nation Divided
- Monday, Nov. 25, 2-3:30 p.m. in Vista 205: Rob Lively: Space is the Place: The Impact of the Race for Space on the Mediums of Fiction Writing, Television, and Movies
A Mindful Minute at the Learning Commons
They say taking a minute to just breathe can increase your mental clarity, focus and mood. The Mindful Minute Series is designed to do exactly that: staff from TMCC’s Counseling Center will lead you through a series of workshops that will show you easy tips and tricks to be more mindful in how you think and what you feel. The workshops will cover important topics, such as: overcoming test anxiety, managing your stress, developing effective communication skills, fostering healthy relationships and more! All workshops will be held in the Learning Commons at the Dandini campus.
- Monday, Sept. 23, Noon-1 p.m.
- Monday, Oct. 14, 2-3 p.m.
- Monday, Oct. 21, 1-2 p.m.
- Monday, Nov. 4, 3-4 p.m.
- Monday, Nov. 18, 10-11 a.m.
- Monday, Dec. 2, Noon-1 p.m.
Turning Points in History
In this exciting speaking series, faculty from several TMCC departments make their case for the most influential moments in U.S. History. The series kicked off on Oct. 2 with History and Humanities Instructor Joseph Domitrovich, whose presentation “We Hold These Truths” took an in-depth look at the writing and publication of the Declaration of Independence. This series is held in Sierra 108 from 2-3:15 p.m. on their respective dates.
- Oct. 2, Joseph Domitrovich
- Oct. 30, Scott Parker
- Nov. 20, Fred Lokken
TMCC’s Distinguished Speakers Series
TMCC’s Distinguished Speaker Series brings a broad range of speakers to the college to enrich the academic lives of students and community members. This year, Dr. Karen Gedney, author of Thirty Years Behind Prison Bars: Trials of a Prison Doctor will offer her presentation “Looking at Prisons through a Different Lens: A Holistic Approach to Prison Reform” on Tuesday, Oct. 22 in Sierra 108. Her presentation will cover her experiences working for the Northern Nevada Correctional Center as a doctor for the inmates housed there.
On Wednesday, Nov. 20, the Distinguished Speaker Series is also bringing a TMCC alumnus to campus for the International Education Symposium. The event will feature keynote George Mwinnyaa who will tell his story about immigrating from Ghana, enrolling at TMCC, completing an associate degree which enabled him to transfer to John Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Health Studies and where he is currently a Ph.D. student in Public Health. His presentation speaks to the themes of global exchange, empathy, and perseverance.
- Oct. 22, 7 p.m. in Sierra 108, Dr. Karen Gedney
- Nov. 20, 12:30 p.m. in the Student Center, George Mwinnyaa
International Coffee Hour
Are you interested in traveling, other countries, languages, and cultures? Learn about these exciting adventures from around the world as told by TMCC students, staff and faculty. Presentations can include photos or videos and commentary by the speaker. Presentations are followed by discussion, and free refreshments are provided at each coffee hour event.
“In an effort to create more global awareness we bring the college community together and connect with one another through our personal experiences traveling the globe, growing up in different cultures or in various parts of the world. It is also an opportunity for us to step out of our campus roles and connect with one another on a human to human level,” said series organizer Virag Nikolics.
As Anais Nin, the French-Cuban American writer, once put it, "We do not see things as they are, we see them as we are." International Coffee Hour aims to present diverse perspectives and foster acceptance and openness through conversation so we can reflect and broaden our horizons, so to see beyond who "we are." All presentations for this series happen in RDMT 114.
- Oct. 8, 1-2 p.m., Malaysia with Callista Ziewi Chim
- Oct. 23, 1-2 p.m., Argentina with Vanina Coudriet
- Nov. 6, 1-2 p.m., France with Rebecca Eckland
- Nov. 19, 1-2 p.m., Sweden with Tanja Hayes
- Dec. 4, 1-2 p.m., The Philippines with Arkitz Aldeocoatalora-Muniosguren
Let’s Talk Trash
Through a powerful partnership with Keep Truckee Meadows Beautiful (KTMB), the Let’s Talk Trash Series brings guest speaker and expert Kimberly Rios to TMCC for presentations on topics such as recycling, composting and other sustainability practices that can help to keep the Truckee Meadows beautiful. Rios, a Community Educator for KTMB, can answer all your questions on how to effectively implement sustainable practices in your home and neighborhood.
Hosted by TMCC’s Sustainability Champions Committee, the series is open and free to everyone. In addition to inspiring you to be “green” (and not just because you are a TMCC Lizard), each event includes a light lunch.
In addition to the topics listed below, the series will continue in the spring semester with topics that examine “recycling” and “water and life.” All Let’s Talk Trash events happen in RDMT 256 on the Dandini Campus.
- Oct. 22: Let’s Talk Trash: Rot
- Nov. 27: Let’s Talk Trash: Zero Waste Lifestyle