New Student Handbook Format

The Student Handbook is online and in a new user-friendly zMag format. Note: To open file it requires Flash.

Check out the cool zMag features:

• Table of Contents - leads you directly to the first page of each section in the handbook
• Binoculars - allow you search the handbook by key word(s)
• Envelope - use to share content by email
• Arrows - allow you to navigate through the pages quickly
• Printer - use to print the document
• PDF - convert the file so you can view it in .pdf format
• Crop Box - allows you to crop a section of a page then save it as a file or email it
  

When you’re on a page your cursor turns into a little magnifier icon that you can use to make the text appear larger or smaller and then scroll the page. You can now breeze through the Student Handbook pages with ease and find the information you're seeking.

2010-2011 College Catalog

The new online 2010-2011 College Catalog is now available. The Catalog is a great centralized resource for campus specific information, general NOVA details, instructional programs, programs of study, course descriptions, faculty and staff listings, curriculum codes and much more.

Here is a small sampling of what you'll find:

• Campus Addresses
• College Calendar
• Educational Support Services
• Admission Requirements
• Financial Aid Information
• Counseling Services
• Disability Services for Students
• Types of Degrees and Certificates
• Transfer Information
• Workforce Development and Continuing Education
• Allied Health and Nursing Programs
• Description of Courses
  

You can conveniently view the online version of the comprehensive 2010-2011 College Catalog at home, work, school -- anywhere you have computer access.

Attention First Year Students

The new First Year Experience (FYE) website is a must-read for all first year students at NOVA. If provides a wealth of information on:

• About FYE
• Get Started
• Discover Resources
• Become Involved
• Contacts

There are three user-friendly buttons on the FYE home page. One button will lead you to a welcome letter from the deans, another will take you to our new convenient online sign up for FYE form and the third will lead you to an activities page that covers convocation, peer mentoring and more.

On the Get Started page you'll find a handy student checklist that you can print out and take with you on the go. The list contains links to key college offices like financial aid, parking services and NOVAConnect. The Discover Resources page is divided into three sections: advising, transfer and explore career services. Each section contains extensive details organized in an easy to read format with buttons to other relevant Web pages.

If you are a new student at NOVA you will not want to miss clicking through and reading the FYE website!

WDCE - Annandale Has a New Look

Looking to take a class or program for fun or to enhance your professional development? Visit the redesigned Workforce Development and Continuing Education – Annandale Campus website.

The site was updated to consistently match the look of the NOVA College website. The content is presented in a way that’s easier to navigate. On the home page you’ll find …

• a boxed section at the top for announcements
• two button features – one that links to the NOVACEAnnandale Twitter page and on that quickly leads you to the most recent edition of the catalog, where you’ll find listings for hundreds of great classroom and online courses
• boxed sections with lists of links for your convenience to Upcoming Classes and Featured programs and classes.

In the green navigation section on the right you can access categorized information about WDCE, customized training, facilities rental, maps, contacts and much more!

Essential Info for New Students

Visit our New Student Orientation (NSO) and SOAR website!

Within this website, you’ll find lots of valuable new information on everything you need to know before you register for classes -- broken down into easy to find and read sections.

At New Student Orientation, you’ll be provided with an opportunity to meet fellow students, faculty and staff. You’ll learn more about our resources for academic success, career/transfer information and our First Year Experience program. You can now sign up for orientation directly online. Click on the NOVA campus of your choice to view session dates and times, then click on the Sign Up link, fill out the form and press submit.


SOAR sessions are designed for student participants who are first-time college students. You can now view online SOAR sessions by clicking on the NOVA campus location convenient to you. The panel will expand revealing detailed steps along with a button leading you to session dates and times. With this information, you can then go to the Student Services Center closest to you to register in person for a session.

Career Services Web Renovations

Check out our greatly improved Career Services website!

The main page is divided into four block sections tailored to our target audiences – students, employer/community, faculty and staff and alumni. Simply click on the image for the category you wish to access.

On the student page there is a dynamic color-coded looping graphic that leads you through the four easy steps of the Career Development Process. The four steps include Understanding Self, Exploring Careers, Making Decisions and Finding Employment. When you click on one of these steps you are taken to a matching section that reveals informative and valuable content organized in tab format.

There are links to many internal and external resources such as NACElink, a national recruiting network that provides Web based recruiting and career services automation tools serving the needs of colleges, employers and job candidates. There are also links to a variety of helpful assessment tools for students and faculty.

Blackboard Update

Blackboard Web pages have been added to the NOVA website for students and faculty.

The new student page reveals how to obtain information and instructions on using Blackboard for online, hybrid or classroom courses.

The new faculty page explains how Blackboard can improve communication, make important information easier to share and support student learning for online and classroom courses. There is also a list of Blackboard resource links:

• Bb 9 Intro Video
• What's New in Bb 9 Quick Guide
• Bb Quick Guide
• VCCS Bb Tutorials (video and print)
• VCCS Bb 9 Tutorials (print)
• Bb Quick Tutorials Library
• USC Bb 9 How to Movies
• UT Bb Support Page