Bridgewater College plans to launch a new technology-focused master's program in January 2019 focused on theoretical and practical understandings of new technologies, giving graduates an advantage in many professional spheres. The 39-credit-hour graduate program includes courses in communication, writing, design and technical production, electives from multiple disciplines and a culminating service-learning master's project completed for a local organization.
"Our goal was to develop a program that would help students build a solid multi-media portfolio, but that would also be consistent with our liberal arts commitment to critical thinking, interdisciplinary perspective taking and experiential learning," said Dr. Michele Strano, associate professor of communication studies and director of the new graduate program.
According to Prof. Benjamin Erickson, instructor in communication studies and the new program's coordinator, the master's project courses will pair students with businesses and non-profit organizations so that students can apply their theoretical knowledge to solve real-world communication problems.
Prospective students or local organizations who would like to be partners in our student service-learning projects should contact Dr. Michele Strano at
mstrano@bridgewater.edu.
(While the MDMS has been approved by the Bridgewater board of trustees, the program is pending approval by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Bridgewater's accrediting body.)
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July 22, 2018 (Harrisonburg, VA)
The GO Virginia Region 8 Council announced today that economic and business development consultant Faith McClintic was hired as the GO Virginia Program Director for Region 8 starting August 1, 2018. She will coordinate, direct and implement
the Council's activities and s
erve as the main point of contact for GO Virginia in the region.
McClintic, who is principal and owner of Spectrum Growth Solutions, LLC, brings years of diverse experience relevant to GO Virginia programs to the position, most recently as Senior Manager
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Economic Competitiveness with the Virginia Economic Development Partnership and Director of the Office of Economic Development in Albemarle County. Prior to that, she worked in the economic development offices of Chesterfield and Stafford counties. She is a graduate of James Madison University where she holds a B.S. in Public Administration.
"
The exciting opportunities GO Virginia provides for increasing regional collaboration and leveraging resources into a more fertile and diverse economy is just one reason
I'm looking
forward to digging into this effort. Working with all the enthusiastic professionals that are advancing economic opportunity in the Shenandoah Valley is definitely an added bonus,
"
said McClintic about stepping into the new position.
Region 8 Council Chairman George Pace commented on McClintic's selection: "We are thrilled
to have Ms. McClintic joining the GO Virginia Region 8 program. Her professional experience and expertise will assist us in building a strong GO Virginia effort in t
he Shenandoah Valley."
The Virginia Initiative for Growth and Opportunity (GO Virginia) is a business-led initiative that was formed to foster private-sector growth and diversification across nine economic development regions in the Commonwealth. State financial incentives designated for regional projects that
encourage collaboration between private sector companies, workforce, education, and government are administered by the Virginia Growth and Opportunity Board.
Region 8 represents the Shenandoah Valley and includes the counties of Augusta, Bath, Clarke, Frederick, Highland, Page, Rockbridge, Rockingham, Shenandoah, and Warren; and the cities of Buena Vista, Harrisonburg, Lexington, Staunton, Waynesboro, and Winchester. The Regional Council consists of 28 members and is supported by the Northern Shenandoah Valley Regional Commission (NSVRC); the Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission (CSPDC); and the Shenandoah Valley Partnership (SVP).
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The Startup Experience is an intensive hands-on workshop for future entrepreneurs and social innovators. During the program over 200 students, grades 10-11, from five Shenandoah Valley school systems will immerse themselves in the magical startup world and learn what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur.
They will learn about Startup team formation, problem definition, user analysis, idea creation, business model innovation, customer development, prototyping, web development, fundraising and professional pitching, and get hands-on experience with the tools they need to create a successful startup company!
Through entrepreneurship education, these young innovators will learn organizational skills, including time management, leadership development, and interpersonal skills, all of which are highly transferable skills sought by employers.
Recent national studies report other positive outcomes of youth entrepreneurship programs including:
- improved academic performance, school attendance, and educational attainment
- increased problem-solving and decision-making abilities
- improved interpersonal relationships, teamwork, money management, and public speaking skills
- job readiness
- enhanced social psychological development (self-esteem, ego development, self-efficacy), and
- perceived improved health status
Additionally, ongoing research commissioned by the National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) to evaluate the effectiveness and impact of youth entrepreneurship programs found that when youth participated in entrepreneurship programs:
- interest in attending college increased 32%
- occupational aspirations increased 44%
- independent reading increased 4%
- leadership behavior increased 8.5%
- belief that attaining one's goals is within one's control (locus of control) increased
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Be an active SVTC member! Tell us what sort of programming, topics, or site visits would you like to participate in September 2018 through June 2019. What tech topics are on your mind? What makes a techie's heart skip a beat? Is there an organization, program, team, or business location you'd like to hear from or visit?
Crack open the survey, below, and select which topics you'd like to hear about. Or, -- add one!
Please note that we are a not-for-profit, so we look for speakers from the Valley with minimal or no travel or other expenses.
Love SVTC events and programming? How about joining the Events and Programming Committee? Send Nicky an email,
info@svtc-va.org, to join.
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Each year, the Shenandoah Valley Technology Council sponsors three new FIRST Lego League (FLL) teams from the Shenandoah Valley. Approximately half of the start-up cost of a new team is reimbursed, up to $350.
Eligibility: Teams must be located in the footprint of the Shenandoah Valley Technology Council's area of operation and intend to participate in the FLL competition within one year of receiving the grant. This grant can be used towards any equipment required for competition in FIRST LEGO League, including one or more LEGO robotics kits, a competition practice table, and an FLL field setup kit.
If you are interested in applying for the FLL Start-Up Grant, please complete the following form, and follow the steps as indicated on the form:
About FLL
FIRST LEGO League (FLL) was created through a partnership between FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) and the LEGO company and inspires future scientists and engineers. it is an international competition that challenges young participants to think like scientists and engineers. Every year FLL introduces kids to a real-world scientific topic, and teams are challenged to find a solution. They also build a robot and compete in a friendly, FIRST-style robotics event specially designed for their age group.
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Battle Drone Bash for Kids | Staunton (7/28)
July 28, 2018 | 10 am - 12 pm
Staunton Innovation Hub | $50 per drone
Build, Fly, and Battle with us at the Staunton Innovation Hub!
Encourage STEM skills in your child. Satisfy your curiosity. This is a very attainable drone building kit that you can build and fly in under an hour.
Then the GAMES begin!!!
This is for kids of all ages though children under the age of 13 must be accompanied by an adult.
Only 15 spaces available.
$50 per drone
+$10 we'll have a bag lunch waiting for you.
Special Guest Andrei Dacko from Valley Career and Technical Center in Fishersville!
Sponsorships available.
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Maker City Boot Camp: 3D Modeling with Tinkercad (8/8)
August 8, 2018 |6 pm - 8 pm
Explore More Discovery Museum, Harrisonburg
Members Free | Visitors $7.00 admission fee
Takes place on August 8th from 6 - 8 pm.
Learn the basics of Tinkercad, a 3D modeling program that allows you to transfer online designs into physical objects using the 3D printer. You must be 8 years of age or older to take this workshop.
This event will be occurring again on August 17 from 10 AM - Noon.
Prerequisite: Before taking any Boot Camp Series workshop, you must first complete a brief Intro to Maker City session. If you have not previously completed, Maker City will contact you with more information.
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Code and Coffee Study Group | Harrisonburg (8/9)
August 9, 2018 |5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
Black Sheep Coffee, Harrisonburg
Join us for Code & Coffee Study Group! Whether you're looking to keep practicing what you learned in your last class or are in the midst of a project, your community is here to help!
This will be an informal event where members can meet each other and collaborate. TAs will be there to help troubleshoot and brainstorm ideas with you!
Have a project idea and some skills, but haven't attended a GDI event yet? Want to focus on helping others with their projects? You're welcome too!
This is also a great event for first time attendees who just want to socialize and learn more about GDI.
As a group, everyone will hold each other accountable for completing our projects, and provide on-going support and feedback.
Bring a laptop and something to work on. It's okay if you don't have a project! Feel free to come by for the whole thing or drop in when you have time.
Register for August 9, 2018 Code and Coffee Study Group
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Valley Business Summit 2018 | BRCC, Weyers Cave (8/12)
August 13, 2018 |1:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Robert E Plecker Workforce Center, BRCC
Join Valley business owners and managers for the Keynote Address from Secretary of Education Atif Qarni,
Business Panel and Entrepreneurial Stories, and Q&A with Local Legislators.
Full agenda and details will soon be announced!
Registration is now open. Please note that membership is NOT required to register. When registering as a non-member, under "Not a member" select "Click here to continue your event registration."
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SCCF Tuesday Tip Workshop - Just Canva It (8/14)
August 14, 2018 |
12 pm - 1 pm | $20
Staunton Creative Community Fund
Graphics make or break your credibility when potential customers are browsing online. Come learn about the amazing online tool of Canva! Canva helps you create great looking graphics without breaking your budget.
Register for August 14, 2018 SCCF Workshop
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Maker City Boot Camp: 3D Design with Inkscape (8/16)
August 16, 2018 |10 am - 12 pm
Explore More Discovery Museum, Harrisonburg
Members Free | Visitors $7.00 admission fee
Use graphic software to create your own 2D designs and then learn the basics of uploading to the laser cutter or vinyl cutter. Laser cutters are capable of three main operations - Vector Cutting, Vector Engraving and Raster Engraving. You must be 8 years of age or older to take this workshop. Free with your paid admission or membership.
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SCCF Workshop - Getting Started with Google Analytics (8/28)
August 28, 2018 |
12 pm - 1 pm | $20
Staunton Creative Community Fund
If you don't know what Google Analytics is, haven't installed it on your website, or have installed it but never look at your data, this workshop is for you! This workshop will look at Google Analytics from the absolute beginner's point of view. Why you need it, how to get it, how to use it, and workarounds to common problems.
Register for August 28, 2018 SCCF Workshop
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SAVE THE DATE: Techsters | September 8, 2018 | Harrisonburg
September 8, 2018 | Harrisonburg
Formed in 2013, TECHSTERS is an after-school program for middle school aged girls dedicated to inspiring young women to pursue their interests in STEM fields. Since the program's first day event with robotic balls called Spheros, TECHSTERS has served over 1,100 students in the greater Richmond region. In 2017, Capital One used the TECHSTERS model to host ten regional coding programs for middle school girls all across the Commonwealth. The outcome was spectacular as they reached over 900 students in two days.
This year, using the best practices and lessons learned from Capital One in conjunction with the long-standing TECHSTERS
program, the many technology and innovation business councils of the Commonwealth will work together to host a statewide "Capture the Flag" event on Saturday, September 8 that will expose the girls to the cybersecurity industry in a fun and interactive game style.
Be on the lookout for more information soon!
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SAVE THE DATE: SVTC's Fall Tech Mixer
September 27, 2018 | Harrisonburg
Save the date for SVTC's Fall Tech Mixer. You know we'll have yummy grub and good libations - stay tuned for details! Free to all tech users and creators from near and far - especially those attending ValleyTechCon the next day.
Pre-registration will open
August 2018.
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Highlighting Renewing Level I Member:
Bridgewater College is an independent, private liberal arts college founded in 1880 and was the first
private coeducational college in Virginia. Located only two ho
urs southwest of the Washington, D.C. metro area, Bridgewater has a total enrollment of more than 1,800 students and offers bachelor of arts and bachelor of science degrees in more than 60 majors and minors, along with pre-professional programs such as medicine and law, dual degree programs and teacher certification. Learning at Bridgewater reaches far beyond the classroom...and far beyond the academic. Students develop not only intellectually, but also socially and ethically. Grounded in the liberal arts, students at Bridgewater College learn about a variety of disciplines, enabling them to become articulate, analytical and assertive. They are challenged by rigorous academics in a close-knit community and collaborate with faculty to create personalized and unique learning experiences. Bridgewater is committed to cultivating the full potential of its students to excel in all areas of life. Academic excellence, service, ethical values and a strong community shape the Bridgewater experience.
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Highlighting Renewing Level I Member:
Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport
Shenandoah Valley Airport (SHD) offers the Valley convenient access to
United's global network of flights through two major hubs - Washington Dulles (IAD) and Chicago O'Hare (ORD). Both routes are operated by United's regional partner, SkyWest Airlines, utilizing a 50-seat seat Canadair Regional Jet (CRJ200). With just one stop, passengers have access to hundreds of domestic and international destinations while enjoying a hassle-free travel experience.
All flights to/from Shenandoah Valley Airport can be booked on United.com from beginning to final destination in one simple transaction. On the day of your flight enjoy FREE parking close to the terminal, a quick check-in process and not touching your checked luggage again until you reach your final destination. Members of United's Mileage Plus loyalty program will accrue Mileage Plus Miles for every flight segment from start to finish of their trip. Travel from the Shenandoah Valley Airport is a far more convenient and cost effective option than driving to a larger airport to catch a flight!
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Shenandoah Valley Open Tech Jobs
GOT ADDITIONAL JOBS THAT SHOULD BE PUBLICIZED
? SEND US A NOTE AND WE'LL PUBLICIZE THEM.
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Participate in the local tech conversation: Rocktown Tech (Slack)
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SVTC MEMBERS INVITATION: DISPLAY YOUR MEMBERSHIP STATUS
Membership Badge Available
Use our new graphic on your own website (and remember to link back to our website
www. svtc-va.org
!)
Choose the graphic file of your choice:
Let us know when you incorporate this graphic and we'll mention your site in return!
Examples:
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The Shenandoah Valley Technology Council does not endorse the companies, organizations, teams, or events mentioned, or take a stand on any of the articles or notices or events included.
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>> Ready to become a member, too? Membership
Benefits & Prices >> How have you benefited from participating in our activities and/ or from membership? Tell us! Info@svtc-va.org |
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Contact Us
Shenandoah Valley Technology Council
800 S. Main Street MSC 3615
Harrisonburg, Virginia 22807
540-568-7882
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