"Voices of CState" speaker series begins Feb. 19

Voices of Cincinnati State, a new speaker series featuring members of the Cincinnati State community, will launch on Wednesday, Feb. 19.

The first presentation, "Voices of LGBTQ," will be a moderated panel discussion with three students who will share stories about unique aspects of their identity.

Voices of Cincinnati State takes place from 11 to 11:50 a.m., in Conference Center Room 342.

Professor Zach Litton, the facilitator for the Voices of Cincinnati State series, said the goal is to showcase the diverse nature of our College community.

Two more presentations are planned for Spring semester, with "Voices of Autism" on Mar. 19 and "Voices of Recovery" on Apr. 16. (For details, click the poster above.)

Voices of Cincinnati State is seeking student, faculty, and staff volunteers to join the speaker series during the 2020-21 academic year.

Speakers can tell their stories "on their own" and then take follow-up questions from a moderator, or conduct the entire session in a moderated question-and-answer format.

"We will accomodate each speaker's comfort level," Zach said.

Volunteers also are welcome to serve as moderators/interviewers for future Voices of Cincinnati State sessions.

If you'd like to participate, but aren't sure what you might talk about, Zach suggests these starting points:

• Survivor stories:
• Have you ever survived a difficult or dangerous experience?
• What are your "secret survival strategies"? How have they affected your life?
• Who are your heroes, and are they survivors?
   
• Close Encounters stories:
• Have you ever had a weird encounter with a stranger that changed your life?
• Can you tell a story about a time that you experienced something spooky/frightening/paranormal?
   
• Trailblazer stories:
• Have you ever had a change of course (personally or professionally)? What did you learn from this experience?
• Can you tell a story about an act of rebellion that shaped your life or the lives of others?
• How did you start doing something you love? How has this affected your life?

If you have questions, ideas, or would like to volunteer as a future Voices of Cincinnati State speaker or moderator, please contact Zach (zachary.litton@cincinnatistate.edu).

Academic Calendar for 2020-21 is approved

At the January Board of Trustees meeting, the Board approved the academic calendar for 2020-2021:

• Fall Semester begins Aug. 24, 2020, and ends Dec. 12, 2020
   
• Spring Semester begins Jan. 19, 2021, and ends May 3, 2021
   
• Summer Semester begins May 10, 2021, and ends Aug. 21, 2021

Click the image above to download the 20-21 calendar.

A College-wide Calendar Committee is in process of being established, with members appointed by the College administration and the Faculty Senate.

This committee is expected to produce a set of calendar recommendations that will start with the 21-22 academic year, and cover the next 3 to 5 years.

Printer connections are changing (and you need to reconnect)

If your desktop or laptop computer is on Clifton, Harrison, or Evendale campus, and you print documents, your connection to the "print server" is changing.

• A print server is the device that connects your computer to a printer, via a Cincinnati State computer network.
   
  
• Information Technology Services (ITS) is moving these connections to a new server-- so 5 to 10 minutes of your time is needed (while you are logged into your computer) to make the change for each desktop or laptop device.

Therefore, beginning Wednesday, Feb. 19, ITS Helpdesk staff will be contacting-- by phone or in person-- every College employee who has an assigned desktop or laptop computer, so the connection to the new print server can be completed.

Your cooperation in accomplishing this task is appreciated.

OTA students gain media attention for Seven Hills service project

Students in Cincinnati State's Occupational Therapy Assistant program are working with the Seven Hills Neighborhood House in the West End during Spring semester to help provide resources and services for children, teens, seniors, and families.

Elements of the student service project include:

• creating baby care and child care areas at the Neighborhood House
   
• leading activities related to nutrition, health, and wellness
   
• helping to support the Neighborhood House mission to "improve the quality of life, prosperity, and health of our neighbors"

On Feb. 10, WKRC TV (Local 12) broadcast a story about the student project.

Occupational Therapy student Ashley Kroger said in the story that a project goal is to create a place where "parents can bring their kids and know that they are safe."

The OTA students are collecting donations to assist adults and children who use the Neighborhood House. Needed items include clothing for adults and children, and hygiene products such as:

• Toothbrushes & toothpaste
• Body wash, shampoo, & conditioner
• Deodorant & lotion

Items needed for the Baby & Child Centers include:

• Diapers, baby lotion, & baby wash
• Bottles, sippy cups, & forks/spoons
• High chairs, cribs & cots, plus sheets & pillows
• Other child-friendly furniture
• Toys, puzzles, & games

To donate or for more information, contact Ashley (amkroger@cincinnatistate.edu) or OTA Program Chair Claudia Miller (claudia.miller@cincinnatistate.edu).

(Photo source: https://local12.com/news/local/gallery/cincinnati-state-students-to-help-provide-child-care-in-the-west-end#photo-1)

Black History Month events include Drum/Dance performance on Feb. 18

The Bi-Okoto Drum and Dance Theater will perform a traditional sabar (dance event) on Tuesday, Feb. 18, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in "The Spot" (ATLC First Floor near the bookstore) on Clifton Campus.

Bi-Okoto is a Cincinnati-based group established in 1994 to preserve, promote, and share the rich cultural heritage of Africa and Africans using drums, music, dance, and other arts. It is the only authentic African dance company in the tri-state.
 
Bi-Okoto has performed in 48 states as well as internationally, and was selected by U.S. Armed Forces Entertainment for European tours of U.S. and United Nations bases.

Psychology Club presents "Harm Reduction & Dealing with Drugs" on Feb. 19

The Cincinnati State Psychology Club invites all members of the College community to the presentation "Harm Reduction: The Missing Link in Dealing with Drugs," with guest speaker Dr. Perilou Goddard.

The presentation takes place Wednesday, Feb. 19, from 11 to 11:50 a.m. in the ATLC Auditorium (ATLC 211).

Harm Reduction is a set of practical strategies aimed at reducing the negative consequences associated with drug use. Topics of discussion include:

• Recognizing key principles and benefits of Harm Reduction practices
   
• Contrasting the traditional U.S. approach to substance use problems with the Harm Reduction approach
   
• Examining examples of how Harm Reduction practices can be applied to smoking, alcohol use, and opioid use

Dr. Goddard has been a professor of psychological science at Northern Kentucky University since 1989. Her research and teaching specialties are in drug policy, and she has presented her research across the U.S. and in six other countries.

Since 2014, she has worked with residents of the greater Cincinnati region to address the opioid crisis.

In addition to sponsoring guest speakers, the Cincinnati State Psychology Club meets every other Wednesday from 1 to 1:50 p.m. in Main 180 on Clifton Campus. The next meeting is Feb. 26.

All students with an interest in psychology and "the exploration of people" are welcome to attend.

All Psychology Club meetings and events are open to the College community-- you don't have to be a club member to attend.

Other Club-sponsored events scheduled for Spring semester include:

• Conflict Resolution Workshop - Mar. 17, 10-11:15 a.m. - Dean Geoffrey Woolf
   
• Careers in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities - Apr. 13, 10-10:50 a.m. - Dr. Ilka Riddle, Director, University of Cincinnati/Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities
   
• Mindfulness Workshop - Apr. 16, 1-2:15 p.m. - Professor Ryan Shadle

For more information, contact Psychology Club advisor Dr. Heather Hatchett (heather.hatchett@cincinnatistate.edu).

Happy Valentine's Day...

Image source: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/43628690112481520