The Great Books Series Continues On Oct. 7  

The Great Books series presents its next mini-lecture on “The Namesake” by Jhumpa Lahiri on Oct. 7.  

Sponsored by the English and Journalism Common Read Program, Great Books hosts monthly faculty-led presentations open to the public on a variety of fiction and nonfiction “watershed texts.” Presenters discuss the books for their story, major themes, and legacies. Sessions run from 12 to 1 pm in the CoLab. Zoom links are available, and organizers archive past lectures.  

October’s meeting, presented by the Director of the Writing Center, Kara Kynion, will explore the nuances of immigrant experience through “The Namesake.”. Lahiri’s debut novel follows the Gangulis, a Bengali family adjusting to life in the United States. The novel was named a New York Times Notable Book following its 2003 publication, and its movie adaptation also received numerous awards. 

Interested in the upcoming session? Follow the Great Books Campus Labs page for more information and updates.  

– Aneesah Jameel  

College Visits 

Colleges will visit JCCC soon in  COM 153, outside of the food court. The events are being hosted by the Career Development Center.  

The University of Kansas is coming to JCCC on Sept. 29 from 10a.m. – 1p.m. Rockhurst University will visit on Oct. 1st from 11a.m. – 1p.m.  Washburn University arrives on Oct. 14 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., followed by the University  of Nebraska- Lincoln on Oct. 20 from 11a.m. – 1p.m.  

Learn about transfer opportunities and requirements Ask about their programs and the things they have to offer. 

Click here to learn more about transferring: https://www.jccc.edu/student-resources/transfer/  

– Asia Gulley 

Harvest Days 

JCCC’s annual Harvest Days highlights sustainability, agriculture, local food and community involvement through a series of events held during the month of October. The 2026 program gives students, employees, and community members opportunities to learn more about sustainable practices while participating in seasonal activities across campus. 

A major part of Harvest Days is the Stu Shafer Open Petal Farm, which serves as a hands-on space for learning about food production, gardening and sustainability. Events connected to the farm help demonstrate how growing food and caring for natural resources can become part of everyday community life. 

This year’s Harvest Days schedule includes Cider and Sunset on Oct. 13 at the Open Petal Farm and the Harvest Lunch on Oct. 14 in the COM Dining Room. 

Harvest Days provides JCCC with an opportunity to bring people together around food, agriculture and sustainability while showcasing the college’s ongoing environmental initiatives. The events also give students a chance to engage with sustainability beyond the classroom in a social and hands-on setting. 

–  Jasmine Wols 

Pack your Backpacks and Study Abroad! 

Johnson County Community College gives students the opportunity to take their education outside the classroom and into the world through its Study Away program. Students can participate in programs lasting from two weeks to an entire semester and can study in countries such as Japan, Iceland and Ecuador. 

One of the biggest benefits of the program is the availability of scholarships and financial aid. JCCC offers study-away scholarships that can help students cover the cost of their programs. Scholarship awards vary depending on factors such as financial need, program length, program cost and academic merit. Students can also apply for the Benjamin A. Gilman International ScholarshipLinks to an external site., a federal scholarship for students with financial need. Eligible students can receive up to $5,000 to help pay for an approved study-away program. 

Students interested in studying abroad can visit the Global Engagement Office in COM 201. Faculty and staff members can help students learn about programs, applications, financial aid and scholarship opportunities. Feel free to contact any of them for further information. 

– Rowell Manolo Yniguez