An Endowed Chair Recipient takes a Seat

An Endowed Chair Recipient takes a Seat

Our generous donors must know how valuable it is to start the conversation on special needs students of all styles with faculty.  Many students at the community college simply cannot afford the testing needed to get OSD services.  So, many instructors (administrators and staff) need to serve these students regardless of paperwork proving their needs.  More than 70 participants and 10 key leaders/stakeholders at the college joined in my "Building Bridges for OSD and Faculty" experiences during my 2013-2014 William C. Demetree, Jr. Endowed Chair for Special Needs year.  Further, it pleases me that I served students by providing a technological advantage to taking their final exams in a similar format to other non-OSD students using our testing centers. 

Karen Cowden checking in Instructor, Denise McKnight

Instructors discuss a student scenario and create solutions

Originally, with my $3400 most of the funds were set aside for hiring interpreters to produce the Interpreted Testing videos and production. However, in the spirit of collaborative design and internal, invested partners, I only had to expend $1300 for the interpreters, and the production was generously donated by the college through "Valencia Productions" (thank you, Michael Maguire).  These partnerships allowed me to fund not only one, but two "Learn with OSD and Faculty" sessions, but also, to purchase 8 "Live Scribe ECHO" pens for student use housed within the West Campus OSD offices. As a special treat I was able to provide all participants of the training sessions a Valencia pencil and pen with all resources copied and placed in a Valencia College shopping bag (generously donated by the west campus bookstore).

Deborah Larew, Ed. Director of Office with Students with Disabilities, sums-up the experience, nicely, “I cannot tell you how much I appreciate your support of the OSD in your “Welcome Back” yesterday.  Your grant has come along beside us, and has really opened doors that we could never open alone.  I was skeptical that we would have many faculty members attend but was shocked at the huge turnout. I know that is due to your support and involvement.” 

Collaboration between Librarians and Faculty

Thank you to the William C. Demetree, Jr. family.  It pleases me you entrusted my skills to serve students, faculty, administrators, and staff by providing a space to hold crucial conversations, to forge solutions for our students, and collaborate at the college.

Presenters: PHOTO ON LEFT: Karen Cowden, (Endowed Chair Recipient and Faculty Member)
Deborah Larew, Ph.D. (OSD Director), Stephanie Crosby (OSD Staff) Trish Anderson (OSD Staff), Crystal Smith, (English Instructor) and Mary Ashbury (OSD Staff) PHOTO ON RIGHT: Chris Cuevas (OSD Staff)

Instructors sharing a meal and building bridges.