I have a degree but I don't know what I want to do...

 Sometimes, you can spend two years at a college, do all the things for a degree, graduate, and still not be sure of what you want to be when you grow up.  Regardless of your age.  But you know what?  That's okay.  Because a degree doesn't necessarily mean you have all the answers, it means you have the ability to find answers when you need them and you can learn.  Those are powerful skills to have.  But, let's face it, we also need to figure out a career path so we can live out the dream of having the car, the house, the food, the family, the pets, and whatever else it is you desire.

A Liberal Arts Degree from a Community College is sometimes a catch-all for students who aren’t quite sure what career they want to pursue.  For others, it’s a way to complete general education requirements before continuing on to a four year institution (and beyond) for more focused study.  Regardless of why a Liberal Arts degree is chosen, the path from that degree to a job and a career is sometimes a meandering one and sometimes leads in unexpected directions.  Join three alumni of FLCC as they talk about the choices they made and the places it led and is still leading them.

Cheyenne works as a social services assistant at the VA and lives in Geneva.  She has done various things in between her graduation and her current position.  Jeff is the Assistant Director of Online Learning and adjunct faculty at FLCC.  After earning his liberal arts degree here, he went on to get his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees from Buffalo State.  He currently lives in Fairport with his family.  Mandi Brown is currently a Technology Clerk for the Launch Pad at Buffalo & Erie County Public Library.  She, too, has done several other things between graduating and what she does now.  She currently lives in Buffalo.

Meeting info....

Meeting link:  https://flcc.webex.com/flcc/j.php?MTID=m85da077bc750c6e39c57d95800caa78a

Password:  LibArtsRox4!

Say Cheese!

Did you know that 'photography' literally means 'drawing of the light'?  That said, why not cast some light on the history of photography itself?  Especially through the lens (I know, I know, bad pun) of the role of women both as the subject, and creator, of photographs.

Long before the age of selfies and filters, photography still fascinated men and women alike for as long as it has been around.  Collectors and enthusiasts continue to be enthralled by the stories captured on film and the laborious process the taking and producing of photos once entailed.  It wasn't as easy as picking up your phone tapping a button.  Taking photos took a long time and involved a complicated series of steps.  The chemicals used could be dangerous and the equipment wasn't folded into everyday products like it is today.  What this means is that early photographers were dedicated to their craft in a way that perhaps we don't think as much about these days.  There weren't really casual photographers and even the hobbyists had a level of dedication that we don't really have to think about.  Photography is still absolutely an art form, but much has changed and some of those changes might lead us to forget - or not even know - the history of how we got here when it comes to capturing moments in time.

From carte de visites (CDVs) and daguerreotypes to post-mortems and tintypes, the story of photography is as varied and fascinating as the story of humankind itself.  And through it all, women were there.  Not just the subject of angelic poses, tasteful nudes, or severe depictions of propriety, but as the photographers themselves.  The story of women in photography is the story of history itself, of storytelling through image, the story of art, and the story of the struggle of women to be recognized as equals.  Come hear part of that story with Josh Heller, Professor of Sociology. 

This one is in person because there are going to be actual vintage photos to look at and that is super hard to do with the remote option.  I hope to see you there:  THIS FRIDAY at 12:00 in room 1480.  It's worth an hour.  Trust me.

And PLEASE don't forget that we have the HONORS DINNER on 10/25 from 4:00 - 6:00 in Stage 14.  The T-shirts are in and look AMAZING.  The giveaways are here and they are super fun.  The pasta bar is ordered and the room is reserved.  All we need is YOU!

Another Honors Ta....SQUIRREL!!

Now that I have your attention, I will say this:  the title for this blog makes light of something that is not funny, really.  It's a tongue-in-cheek silly take on something that, for many, is far from being silly.  So much more than just being overactive or easily distracted, ADHD can be a serious hinderance to social, educational, and career pursuits.  And, like many mental challenges facing people these days, we don't talk about it nearly enough.

ADHD - formerly known as ADD - stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and effects around 6 million children in the US alone, according to the CDC.  We use the term a lot, but what does it mean?  It goes beyond the scope of this blog and its author to go into all the specifics of ADHD, but you can take a quick look at the criteria according to the DSM-V (the core manual of psychology here in the states) if you'd like to know some more about it.

In short, the CDC says that "[i]t is normal for children to have trouble focusing and behaving at one time or another. However, children with ADHD do not just grow out of these behaviors. The symptoms continue, can be severe, and can cause difficulty at school, at home, or with friends."

So much has been said and researched when it comes to identifying, treating, and working with children that have ADHD - but what about adults?  It is not something that just 'goes away' as the rambunctious play of childhood gives way to bills and household chores.

The National Institute for Mental Health reports that something like 4.4% of adults in the United States suffers from ADHD, and it is more common amongst men than it is amongst women.  But, what does the world look like for an adult with ADHD?  What is it like to function in college and in a career when you are suffering from this disorder?  What is it like to find out LATER in life that this label applies to you?

Well, the best way to answer those questions - and many more - is to talk to someone who is walking that path.  Join us as soon-to-be-doctor Dawn Langdon tells us what it has been like to receive her diagnosis at the age of 45 and how she has navigated a career and the pursuit of a post-graduate degree while managing her ADHD.

What: "But I Can't Have ADHD, I'm an adult!"

Who:  Dawn Langdon, Director of Financial Aid at Hobart & William Smith

When:  October 12, 4:00 - 5:00

Where:  Room 1480 or on Webex

October is ADHD Awareness month....come learn more, ask questions, and share your own experiences.  You are not alone.

Dreaming and Streaming....

 Our first talk of the semester!

Kris Wiedemann, an FLCC alum, coming back to campus to have a chat with us about his experiences since his graduation - specifically in regards to following his dreams and seeing what he can accomplish on Twitch.  He's been playing Nobody Saves the World, Cult of the Lamb, Valorant, Hunt: Showdown, and occasionally Minecraft.  Here's what he has to say about what he wants to talk about with us...

I graduated from FLCC with a degree focusing on American Sign Language with the intentions of transferring to NTID with FLCC’s well developed ASL program. Life had other plans, however, and today I work in the field of Graphic Design. In early 2021 I tried streaming and quit shortly after. But, the idea was living in my head. Then in 2022 I reevaluated life and realized I needed to give it an honest shot to know whether I would succeed or if it was a lost cause. Six months later I made affiliate and ended a 25 hour stream with nearly 250 people at the max viewership and the channel is still growing.

So, come join us!  We would love to have you come and listen to Kris' experience and answer any questions you might have!  Room 1480 is 'under' the library...take the stairs to the right BEFORE the entrance and the hallway is to your left at the bottom of those stairs.  Or you can pop into my personal WebEx room by following the QR Code below!

Building Community with Pasta

Community comes from a Latin word (communis) meaning "common, public, general, shared by all or many."  It is a word that we hear a lot around here and one the drives much of what we are trying to do at a community college.  We would love to see students find a sense of belonging here, a sense of home.  Within this larger community of FLCC, I am forever trying to create a sense of community within Honors as well.  So many students who find their way to Honors are in need of a support network and a group of like-minded people that they can rely on to really reach their potential.  I say Honors students, but I think we all need that.

We all need to find our people.

It is an amazing thing when it happens, and it invigorates me mentally, emotionally, and (forgive me if this does not apply to you), even spiritually.  In short, it makes me remarkably happy and hopeful about the future - my own and that of the larger world around me.

But there is a problem.

It is a problem I have encountered in varying degrees for as long as I have been teaching, and it has only grown more pronounced since I took over Honors.  It's not always something I worry about and it isn't something that I always HAVE to think about, but it lurks.

Community cannot be forced.

One thing I have learned over the years is that a sense of community cannot be forced.  It also cannot be created by one person alone.  It must grow organically through shared experience, shared interests, and mutual respect.  So, as we embark on the settling in of this new semester, I want to invite you to help me grow this community of which you are now a part.  Become involved in what we are doing.

It is so easy to do so.

First, join our Discord.  I will create a special place for just your class so you can chat with your classmates specifically as well as with the Honors community as a whole.  I'll put a QR code you can scan at the bottom.

Second, go Like our Facebook page.  I don't post there as much as I should because I don't know as anyone reads it....but it's another place where we can have interactions.

Third, come to our events.  We will have talks this semester - I will post a schedule soon.  Topics range from cool things in the world of gaming, to cool things in history, to things we struggle with and need to overcome.  And there is one event that is already scheduled.  The Honors Dinner.

When:  10/25 at 4:00

Where:  Stage 14

What:  Conversation and shirts and giveaways and PASTA

Build community with us.  Be part of something that will last beyond this one semester and beyond these walls.  We cannot do it without you.

Falling Back In

 Hello!

Well, a new semester is upon us and that means so many different things.  Summer is coming to an end, fall is around the corner with all its crunchy leaves and spooky vibes.  People are excited and anxious about new classes, new people, new experiences, new teachers.  We are seeing friends and acquaintances in the hallways and noting that some of them are gone.  Everything is new, but some things will never change.  Here are ten things I know to be true (borrowed from a TED talk by Sarah Kay).

1. Faculty are excited to be teaching you.
2. Things you never thought you could do will be accomplished.
3. You will succeed at so many things.
4. You will fail at some, too.
5. You will surprise yourself.
6. You will get more out of your experiences here if you become involved.
7. Honors might change your life.
8. You matter to someone on campus.
9. You will have great days and bad days.
10. You have survived 100% of the days you've been here and that's impressive!

Honors is important to me, and I hope it becomes something important to you, too.  No matter what, though, I hope you have a fantastic semester that is filled with more of #3 and less of #4.  But for every #4, I hope you come out of it better and stronger and wiser.

Be curious.  Stay curious.

Welcome home.

CowCat, Mascot of Honors and Queen of Everything

Call Together

Convocation

from Latin convocare, from con- ‘together’ + vocare ‘call’.

Consider this your call - your call to come together to celebrate the incredible work that Honors has folded within it.  May is always a time of celebration as we reach the end of the semester and we are beginning to really see the fruits of our labors.  COVID pushed us all apart and so I haven't been able to call us together for what feels like forever.

But this year - we can do so.

This year, this semester, we can celebrate Honors.  It may look a little different, it may sound a little different, we may be figuring out different ways of doing things, but it should feel as it always has.

Celebratory.  Inclusive.  Congratulatory.

So, what IS Convocation?

Well, it is a two part event.  The first part is open to all students who have taken an Honors course this academic year.  All you have to do is make a poster that showcases something you learned in your Honors course.  Something big or small, life-changing or interesting, exciting or inspirational - anything.  We are going to have posters from several classes so far - Introduction to Reading Literature.  Myths and Monsters.  World Literature I.  Composition II.  Environmental Science. Why not join them?  Just make a poster and come to Convocation at 4:00 on Thursday, May 5th in Stage 14.

The second part is the celebration of work in Honors from four students who have been asked to share their work.  So, this is what you will see and hear...

Amanda Brockner ('22) sharing a presentation and poetry about mothers that she did in Myths and Monsters last semester.  Nicholas Muscato ('23) sharing his memoir from Composition I.  Alicia Nolan ('22) will share her experiences with an Honors contract she did for Introduction to Psychology.  Last but not least, Connor Bateman ('22) will demonstrate a lab relating to water quality from Environmental Science.

This part of Convocation will take place from 5:00 - 6:00 in Stage 14.

So, this is your call to gather with us.  Two hours of your time - come and celebrate Honors!

Honors Convocation

Poster Session:  4:00 - 5:00

Presentations:  5:00 - 6:00

Stage 14

Thursday, May 5, 2022

Ask Them Anything - Nonbinary, Storytelling, Gaming Extraordinaire

They will argue with this title, but I'm still using it because they are a pretty amazing human and they are willing to come share their amazingness with us.  I hope you will come.

Meet Ro Williams (they/them), Narrative Writer at Riot Games.

Ever wonder what it was like to work on video games?  Ever have a burning question about the industry and no one to ask it of?  Well, here is your chance.  

Ro is once again willing to 'come' chat with us for an hour, answering questions and telling us what it has been like to be first a woman...and then a nonbinary person in a world that is largely dominated by men.  Trends, industry news, how to get started, indies vs. triple As, what it's like from the inside - you can ask it all and Ro will share what they know.  This is a great opportunity for those looking to break into that world, those curious about nonbinary spaces out in the so-called 'real world', the use of an English or writing degree, and so much more.  Because what do all of theses things have in common?

Stories.

Ro will tell stories about how they have made a living out of telling stories to countless gamers across the country and around the world.  

When:  Wednesday, April 27, 2022

Time:  5:00 - 6:00

Where:  Webex Link

Password:  GamersRock!

POSTERS and Pizza

 

TL:DR

April 12 (Laker Day) - poster planning and creating from 11:00 - 1:00 in room 4245

May 5 - poster session with Q&A from 4:00 - 5:00 in Stage 14 followed by presentations from Honors students from 5:00 - 6:00

So, what am I talking about? This...

Are you doing something amazing in your Honors class this semester? Have you been working on a project or a paper that you are really putting your all into? Are you thinking a lot about some issue or topic that you are especially fascinated by?

Did you do any of those things last semester in your Honors class?

If so, why not make a poster for Honors Convocation? We are bringing back this special event in the hopes that it will help showcase the amazing things that Honors students do in their classes. Rather than trying to recreate the wheel, here is what I said about the third Convocation (I said more for this one than the others, and I like what this says) about posters and their role in academia:

Poster sessions are a staple of student and faculty conferences and research across all disciplines and in all sorts of contexts. It's more than just a chance to be creative and colorful, it's also an opportunity to think about what is truly significant and important about the work you are doing. Showcasing this work celebrates the importance of intellectual rigor and taking the value of your learning beyond the walls of the classroom. Faculty at North Carolina State University describes this kind of poster as a "[a] source of information, [a] conversation starter, [an] advertisement of your work, [and a] summary of your work" (Hess, Tosney, Liegel). To be effective, a poster has to be a "visual communication" so that you can "get your main point(s) across to as many people as possible" (Hess, Tosney, Liegel). We aren't a formal conference and you won't be judged on your poster, which makes this the perfect place to practice a skill that will serve you well as you move on in your academic career. So, plan a poster!

• “Creating a Successful Poster” – Brown University (even more links on this page)
• “Creating a Poster” – University of Wisconsin-Madison (more in-depth steps here)
• “Poster-making 101” – Bates College (some technical help here, too)
• “An Effective Poster” – North Carolina State University

Want to work on ideas together?  I will be in room 4245 from 11:00 - 1:00 on Laker Day with some poster board, markers, colored pencils, crayons, rulers, pencils, and erasers.  Oh, and pizza.  Come hang out and talk posters and let's be crafty together!

To sum up:

April 12 (Laker Day) - poster planning and creating from 11:00 - 1:00 in room 4245

May 5 - poster session with Q&A from 4:00 - 5:00 in Stage 14 followed by presentations from Honors students from 5:00 - 6:00

Want to do a digital poster?  Send me an email and let's talk about it: trista.merrill@flcc.edu

CowCat has begun gathering materials for HER poster.  Your turn!

Come for the Tacos....Stay for the Poetry

 On Thursday, March 31, an exciting thing is happening...

The return of the Honors Dinner.  

This per-semester event is one of my favorites when it comes to my Honors commitments.  The chance to gather together in a relaxing environment and celebrate learning, curiosity, passion, and community.  How can you beat it?

Well, mostly with tacos.  And shirts.  And the secret prizes that I always have.

And what ISN'T made better with tacos and free stuff?

On a serious note for a moment...I know the pandemic is not really over and COVID is not gone, but things have calmed down enough so that many of us can come together - carefully - and share in each other's company.   Isolation can have lasting impacts on our mental health and even if you've been strong throughout, it's still nice to have a get-together with like minded people now and then.  The dinner is a chance to do that, not just for Honors students, but for any student who is interested.

That's right...you don't have to be an Honors student to join us, but you have to want to hear stories of the Honors experience.  But don't worry, it's mostly students talking about how their semesters are going and what they love about the Honors class or classes they are in or took in the past.  You also have to want to hear about Honors offerings next semester and   

Someone almost always cries...for the best reasons.  There is a lot of laughter and some gentle encouragement of those who are hesitant to share - but no one is every forced to say anything.  It's all very laid back and casual.

This year, it is going to be made even more special by the fact that directly following the dinner, in the same location, is an Open Mic hosted by Prism, the LGBTQ+ club on campus.  You don't have to be a member of that community to take part as a reader or an audience member - all are welcome.  Come listen to your fellow students share their work or the work of someone they love.  

I'm looking forward to both events and I hope you will join us.  Here is the formal information:

Thursday, March 31, 2022

Dinner from 4:00 - 6:00

Open Mic from 6:00 - 8:00

Stage 14

Come for as much as you can - you are not remotely required to stay for all of either event.  Schedules are busy, so do what you can for as long as you can!  I also want to take this opportunity to share the rest of our events this semester so far:

• "Sheep!  From Wooly to Wearable" with Lydia Garafalo - 4/13 from 1:00 - 2:00 (location TBD, but in person and remote)
• Deaf Culture event - 4/13 from 3:00 - 4:00 in Stage 13
• "Working is not Like Colleging" with Brianna Smith - 4/19 from 6:00 - 7:00 (Virtual)
• "AMA about Working in the Gaming Industry" with Ro Williams of Riot Games - 4/27 from 5:00 - 6:00 (Virtual)
• Trail and Arboretum Cleanup with John Bateman - TBD

Join us....please?  Cowcat would like this.

Take A Deep Breath....For Yourself

Have you ever noticed how hard to can be to take some time for yourself?  To really sit down and rest for a moment?  To give your mind and your body and your heart and (if you believe in such things) soul time to really breathe?  I mean, REALLY breathe.

We just had a glorious spring-like day yesterday - and it brings me hope that warmer days really are coming.  There are so many things going on in the world and I, for one, desperately need all the help I can get in keeping myself feeling as positive and as relaxed as I can.  It helps me to deal with everything going on in the world; it helps me sleep better and generally have the energy to keep smiling and helping others.  But I need help with that...and I bet you do, too.

Those warm spring days aren't here just yet and as much as I love the sun, I suspect many of us are likely probably going to still be struggling then, too.  At least a little bit.  The semester and the world will continue doing what it does, and our lives will still be asking things of us that sometimes feel like more than we can deal with.  So, let's take some time to learn how we can take care of ourselves so we can better handle any kinds of stress thrown our way.

How?  Well, by being taught and guided through some mindful meditation.  Did you know we have a room on campus dedicated to that?  Did you know that we have a certified mindfulness coach who is amazing at teaching others how to not only understand this kind of practice, but can also lead us through a session.  This fellow is a math professor, so I am not surprised he needed to learn how to settle his mind.  I also cannot stress (no pun intended) enough how special this event will be.

Or maybe pun intended.

Anyway....this week's Honors talk is a little more present in that we are going to meet in person for it.  I will have my personal Webex open for people who want to listen in, but we are going to gather in person for a little deliberate practice and fellowship.

And I hope you can join us.

Wednesday, 3/9:  1:00 - 2:00

Room:  2064

SAVE THE DATE - March 31.  Taco Bar.  You know you want tacos.

What Is Honors? An Invitation.

"What IS Honors, Anyway?"

We have lots of new folks in Honors courses and it just may be that you don't even know what Honors is.

It's not about the smart kids.

It's not about grades.

It's not about outshining or outperforming.

It's not about more work.

Rather, it is a way of being in the classroom and a way of sharing in the energy of those learning around you.  It's a different way of teaching and learning that is meant to encourage curiosity and passion when so often the schooling system doesn't invite that at all.

It's how learning SHOULD be.

Though, I might be biased.

It's also a lot of things like points and paperwork, contracts and events.  And you may very well have questions.

Come chat with us about Honors.  Ask questions about everything I've talked about here.  Maybe hear from some Honors students who have done the things you are curious about.  Talk about your own experiences in Honors and what it has come to mean to you.  If anything.

And I hope it does.

You have SO much to offer your classes and your classmates, your college and your community.  And Honors can help you do that.  So, join us.  

Tomorrow, Wednesday, March 2, at 1:00, virtually.

Meeting link to join.

Join us, or fear Cowcat's wrath.  Okay, she's yawning...but still!

We Are Back; We Got Your Back

Hello, friends!

I have been struggling.  I feel like I am always tired and some of the things that usually bring me joy and excitement don't as much anymore.  Maybe it's a little depression, maybe it's the weather, maybe it's the ongoing pandemic, maybe it's the troubles in Ukraine and elsewhere.  Whatever it is, though, I know that I am not alone in how I feel.  I also know that there is hope in so many places and that things will continue onward and I need to look to spring and the renewal of life all around me.  The energy will change, and I am ready.

I'm also ready to direct some of that renewal to Honors.  We DO have talks this semester!  They maybe have been slow in starting, but we have them!  This is the schedule so far:

Trista Merrill	What is Honors Anyway?	3/2 from 1-2	Virtual
Sean Maley	Mindfulness and De-Stressing	3/9 from 1-2	2064
Lydia Garofalo	Sheep!  From Wooly to Wearable	4/13 from 1-2	In person; TBD
			Virtual
Brianna Smith	Work is Not Like College	4/19 from 6:00 – 7:00	Virtual
Ro Williams	AMA about working in gaming and the gaming industry	TBD	TBS

That's right - our first session is next week, via Webex.  The idea is to talk about Honors and what it actually means because we have so many new Honors students.  If you're NOT new, come and talk about your experiences in Honors to show the new folks what Honors can bring them if they stick with it!  I may have a few veterans come join us for just that reason.

What else do you want to hear about this semester?  We plan to also bring back the Honors Convocation in May to celebrate the work you do in your Honors class this semester.  Stay tuned for more info!

Remember, you are not alone and we have your back.  Come chat and hang out with us on the Discord:

https://discord.gg/yJvGYcSduu

Let's make a space together, yeah?  We all need more fellowship and community these days.

Chat soon,

-T