Honors Weekly Bulletin, January 19, 2021

Opportunities and Information for Honors Students

Message from Honors Director, Anne Dotter

Dear Honors students,

In French high schools, to this day, we spend a full year studying World War II, how it came to be, what allowed for the rise of Hitler, and what eventually led to his downfall and brought peace in Europe. Both the language revolving around the invasion of the Capitol and images of the events reminded me of my high school history lessons in chilling ways. Governor Schwartzenegger’s short video goes well beyond my own experience; it contextualizes last Wednesday’s events in even more sobering terms.

So today, I will affirm the role of education, indeed its centrality to the wellbeing of a democracy and all its citizens. While a college degree is a passport to a better life and better paying jobs, it is first and foremost a unique chance to learn to distinguish between what is true and what is untrue. In effect, higher education will give you the tools to recognize opinions and unsupported claims when you see them and equip you with the tools to find information supported by evidence for yourself to understand the world you inhabit in all its complexity.

Now, you all know that it’s not quite that simple: in HON 100 we spend an entire semester thinking about members of our society who have simply been erased from books and therefore from what might be considered true.  Knowledge construction isn’t a straight line: Academics disagree on fundamental ideas. The books and articles we write in conversation with one another explore different sides of these ideas. We don’t throw punches. We never exert violence. Yet, engaging in the knowledge making process is deeply empowering.

Eighteenth century French philosopher Voltaire said: “Those who can make you believe absurdities, can make you commit atrocities.” Critical thinkers are not so quick to believe absurdities. Honors students are eager to ask questions and engage in the process of discovering tomorrow’s cures and today’s solutions. So while we are all shaken by January 6’s unsettling events, let’s make sure to select our classes wisely this spring, perhaps adding a history course, an anthropology seminar, a political science or a sociology class.

Be well and stay strong,

Anne

This Week in Honors:

          • Honors Hangout-1/21 at 3:00 PM

Welcome back! Let’s use this time to share stories from our respective breaks! I will give you a short preview: after not leaving our house since March, my two boys, partner and I took a couple of day trips. It felt so bold not to remain within our walls but to drive a few hours! I look forward to sharing our destinations and to hearing your holiday highlights!

https://jccc.zoom.us/j/96076425124

Other Opportunities:

          • Welcome Week: SWAG Bags for Students

Student Activities is preparing Welcome Week Swag Bags for students attending JCCC this spring!

Bags are available for pick-up at the below locations:

– Student Engagement Desk (Student Center 1st floor)
– Midwest Trust Center Welcome Desk
– Center for Student Involvement (COM 309)
– Academic Achievement Center (Library 1st floor)

Students who are not on campus and would like a bag mailed to them can RSVP using this link:  https://jccc.campuslabs.com/engage/event/6649413

          • JCCC Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats Session-1/28 2:00-4:00 PM via zoom

JCCC Strategic Planning is gearing up and YOUR input is needed. The goal of this session is to elicit honest, clear and concise feedback from students regarding the JCCC Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats. The SWOT analysis helps in ascertaining the factors that influence the efficiency and effectiveness of services provided by the College. These sessions will lay the groundwork for developing our goals and strategies to move JCCC forward into the future.” To participate sign up using this link.

          • COVID-19 Support

The impact of COVID has created a new world of stress for students and many do not know where to turn.  Please know that JCCC counselors are available to help and are trained to address the mental health needs of students. Counselors will assist students with on campus resources, finding community support, or a referral to our student assistance program for therapy. Additional resources can be found at https://www.jccc.edu/student-resources/personal-counseling/.

If you are personally struggling with a personal, academic, career or any other mental health concern, or know of another student who is struggling, JCCC counselors are available to assist with any questions or concerns and can be reached by either calling 913-469-3809 or sending an email to advise@jccc.edu

Please take action If you or someone you know is in immediate danger or having suicidal ideation and get help immediately:

              • Call the National Suicide Hotline:  1-800-273-8255
              • Call “911”
              • Johnson County Mental Health:    913-268-0156
              • The nearest hospital emergency room
              • Local police

Mark your Calendars:

          • Explore the World: Spring 2021 Global Speaker Series

The International Education Office is hosting the Explore the World Global Speaker Series again this semester. Join in online as speakers from around the world discuss the hidden gems of various countries, present on changing landscapes of travel and discuss what it means to be an international student. This weekly event is free and open to the public. Presentations will be recorded for easy online access for those that cannot attend live. All events are on Wednesdays and from 2-3 p.m., unless otherwise noted. See below for the schedule.

Sign up here to RSVP to as many presentations as you like.

                • 1/27:   Productive Disagreements: How to Have Civil Conversations
                • 2/3:      JCCC Travelers: Hidden Gems in the Americas (Colombia, Canada, Jamaica)
                • 2/17:   JCCC Travelers: Hidden Gems in Europe (France, Switzerland, Germany)
                • 2/24:   Don’t Abandon Hope, Ye Who Enter Here: Finding Courage in Climate Crises
                • 3/3:      JCCC Travelers: Hidden Gems in Asia (Japan, Pakistan, India)
                • 3/24:   International Student Panel
                • 4/7:      JCCC Travelers: Hidden Gems in the Americas (Brazil, Mexico, Peru)
                • 4/21:   JCCC Travelers: Hidden Gems in Europe (Iceland, Russia, Albania)

 

          • Discussion on Global Leadership & the Unsustainable Development Goals–January 28th 3:00 PM

Hogeschool van Amsterdam is hosting a global online event as part of the Knowledge Café Global Leadership 2021 program and will include student participants from around the world. To participate, scan the QR code in the flyer below.

What is a Knowledge Café? “The Knowledge Café is a conversational process that brings a group of people together to share experiences, learn from each other, build relationships and make a better sense of a rapidly changing, complex, less predictable world to improve decision making, innovation, and the ways in which we work together.” David Gurteen, founder of the Gurteen Knowledge Café, http://knowledge.cafe/david-gurteen/.

 

          • JCCC’s Great Decisions Series:

Prepare to discuss the world. Curious about the impact of recent developments in world economy, foreign conflicts and more? This is an opportunity to discuss important global issues that affect us all, gain a variety of new perspectives and engage with your fellow citizens. Mark your calendars for this semester’s sessions: 2/18, 3/18, 4/15 & 5/6.Sessions will be held via zoom from 2:00-3:30 pm. It is not necessary to attend all sessions.

The articles that are discussed can be found in the Foreign Policy Association’s Great Decisions briefing book. For a participant guide or for more details, contact Dessa Crum at iiss@jccc.edu.

Stay in the Know…

          •  Important Campus COVID-19 Information
            • All departments in Student Success and Engagement (plus Bursar and Bookstore) have an on-campus presence during regular hours of operation.
            • Students who need equipment for online learning or who are experiencing food or housing insecurity or other hardships should contact the Student Basic Needs Center.
            • See Student Resources for information about contacting admissions, financial aid, academic counseling and more.

 

Located on the first floor of Billington Library, the Academic Resource Center is your one-stop shop for free tutoring and assistance for your credit classes. It has a large study area, a library assistant who will help you find where you need to go, and the new Stacks Cafe serving coffee and snacks. Services are still on a limited in-person basis, but you can get help online or via Zoom appointments. Each resource center has different options. Learn more by watching the following video: https://youtu.be/VEtS5QCSIZs

Need sources to keep up on local and national news?  Did you know that your JCCC Library provides online access to the Kansas City Star, New York Times, Washington Post and more? Login to these resources with your MyJCCC username and student ID #.

Here are direct links to just a few:

https://jccc.zoom.us/j/92104299389?pwd=eXNLZkZJZVpWd0N3KzBFZXlFQ0I4Zz09

        •   Please join us in wishing the following honors students a happy birthday this week!
            • Talia Rowland 1/19
            • Shelby Winter 1/22

 

 

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