TMCC Wins Gold National Council for Marketing and Public Relations Award
It feels good to take home the gold, doesn’t it? Well, that’s exactly what TMCC’s Marketing and Communications (MCO) team did at the prestigious National Council for Marketing and Public Relations (NCMPR) Paragon Awards conference earlier this month.
Recognizing outstanding achievement in design and communication at community and technical colleges, TMCC won the top honor in the “Communication Success Story or Crisis Communication Campaign” category.
TMCC won for its exceptional coverage surrounding Dr. Jill Biden’s media showcase event in March 2022. To prepare for Dr. Biden’s visit–and in just under a week–the MCO team supported the seemingly endless preparations and prepped a high-profile event with a separate tour for the national media, which required tremendous support from one another. With exemplary dedication and cross-division collaboration, the crew helped make Dr. Biden’s visit one for the TMCC history books. Now, that incredible narrative has been solidified in a marvelous, transparent, obelisk-shaped trophy for all time.
Elena Bubnova, Associate Vice President of Research, Marketing, IT and Web Services, was there to accept the award, but also experienced firsthand the benefits that attending the NCMPR conferences can have on certified professionals in this evolving industry. She completed her certification in the NCMPR Leadership Institute, which builds strong leaders who can take on the unique challenges that community colleges face in the areas of marketing, public relations, enrollment management, and institutional advancement.
“The ten months I spent studying at the Leadership Institute offered by the National Council for Marketing and Public Relations have been incredibly rewarding and helpful. It was a unique opportunity to learn more about leadership and experiences from colleagues around the nation, take a deeper dive into my leadership style, and reflect on it,” Bubnova said.
"The discussions were rich, reflections deep, and the friendships and camaraderie built were engaging and fun. I feel that I grew as a leader and learned a lot of new and exciting information, which I can apply to my daily work at TMCC!” Bubnova continued.
New Adaptive Ceramics Pottery Wheel Offers Accessibility to Students
There should be nothing in the way of your educational aspirations, whether it be in an emotional, mental, or accessible space. TMCC has the resources to provide you with steadfast support, and we’re always looking for new means to improve our services.
Diane Clarkson uses the ADA wheel for the first time.
That’s why we’re thrilled to announce the latest addition to our Visual Arts Program, an adaptive Brent Pottery Wheel that will empower students with disabilities to have the same ease of throwing clay and shaping their own creations.
Candace Garlock, Professor of Visual Arts, has long strived for the inclusion of this device, advocating for those who have been artistically hindered in bringing their visions to life.
“We have tried to get this wheel for three years now but kept losing funding for it. Many students cannot work on a traditional wheel because of back issues or chronic illness conditions, so we knew that this was a necessary piece of equipment. Now everyone can have access and learn how to throw on the wheel!” Garlock said.
Doesn’t it just bring a smile to your face? Genuine progress is attainable throughout all walks of life, and the unifying trait of our humanity means that nobody deserves less. Much like the milky mud spinning through their fingertips on the table, it’s what makes the world go round.
“I have to thank Ron Marston, our department chair who wrote the Resource Allocation Process (RAP) request last semester and finally secured the funds for us. He works so hard for our division! I wrote the curriculum and got a dedicated wheel-throwing class passed through the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) last semester, and now we can offer an actual pottery class starting in Spring 2024. This ADA wheel is the start to making ceramics more accessible to everyone,” Garlock said.
Wizard’s Warehouse Receives Sustainability Grant
Wizard’s Warehouse has recently teamed up with the Desert Farming Initiative (DFI) to bring fresh, organic produce to its shelves through a project known as “Farm to Pantry.” After having applied for a sustainability grant and acquiring the funding, the goal has been to cultivate a community of growers and volunteers who help preserve healthy foods for routine use.
Katie Paul, Counseling Coordinator, is thrilled about this partnership and her role in retaining support for students, faculty, and staff by distributing renewable agricultural resources.
“DFI engages in Climate Smart farming practices and promotes environmental sustainability. While Wizard’s Warehouse already partners with the Food Bank of Northern Nevada for all of our dry goods and fresh produce, DFI will be able to supplement what is unavailable through the food bank, and provide greater access to sustainably-grown foods for our students, staff, and faculty,” Paul said.
How much do we waste on a daily basis? It’s a question that not many of us would like to know the answer to. Ignorance is bliss, as they say. The Farm to Pantry strategy intends to rescue those provisions that would otherwise be discarded, and deliver it to those who are in need. A champion cause that promotes sustainable practices we could all learn a thing or two from.
Wizard's Warehouse refrigerators stocked with sustainably grown produce.
Earth provides us with an abundance of nourishment, and by saving and sharing locally-grown, natural food, we can create a system in which everyone will have access to nutritional meals. Grateful students embody our commitment to heal the planet through our elimination of food waste, and in the process, entrust future generations to continue safeguarding a greener planet.
“Food access is a long-running issue that impacts our campus greatly; it’s impossible to do well in school or work if basic needs aren’t being met. Everyone has the right to healthy food that is grown sustainably. The partnership with DFI is extremely valuable in bringing these healthy options, and offering a variety of local produce we may not receive otherwise,” Paul said.
Baby’s Bounty: Diapers for Diplomas Program Assists Parenting Students
Baby’s Bounty, a Nevada-based nonprofit, has partnered with Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) institutions across the state to aid parenting students who are planning to resume or return to higher education in pursuit of a degree or certificate. As an expression of goodwill, their “Diapers for Diplomas” program will provide a full calendar year of free diapers and wipes for eligible students with children. Schools involved in this collaboration include:
- Truckee Meadows Community College
- College of Southern Nevada
- University of Nevada, Las Vegas
- University of Nevada, Reno
- Nevada State College
If you are a TMCC student and also a parent of a young child, all you need to do is fill out an application form, provide proof of your enrollment, order from the specified Baby’s Bounty locations, and progress through your curriculum while you receive their services.
Dr. Chad Venters, Educational Partnership Programs Coordinator, was excited to learn that Baby’s Bounty had touched down in northern Nevada to offer its benefits for college students with kids.
“Baby’s Bounty is a phenomenal organization that has provided millions of diapers and wipes in Nevada, and with their expansion into Reno, TMCC is thrilled to partner with them. TMCC and Baby’s Bounty both work toward removing barriers and helping families in need as they pursue their goals and dreams,” Venters said.
There’s nothing quite like the unconditional love devoted to a newborn, and Baby’s Bounty wishes to express appreciation for those who actively value their education as much as raising their kiddos. After all, hard work today means a better tomorrow for them. Children allow us the opportunity to see them become something greater than ourselves, and perseverance in your studies will be worth fighting for that dream to come true.
“Baby’s Bounty is going to do incredible work here, as they have been doing in southern Nevada for years. I am personally overjoyed that TMCC has a relationship with this community partner that will assist many of our students with the essentials to care for the precious miracles they are raising, while they navigate the challenges of education and work,” Venters said.
For more information, please visit the Wizard’s Warehouse, Baby’s Bounty, Marketing and Communications, and Art/Fine Arts websites.