NCC Connect - June 2015

On May 14th, New Century College (NCC) celebrated the graduation of its class of 2015. NCC’s convocation ceremony was held in the Center for the Arts and celebrated the achievements of the graduating class while honoring two storied faculty members retiring in the coming year.

Raquel Friedmann, 2015 Senior of the Year, credits her parents with teaching her that every action has an impact. Part of that credo included being good environmental stewards in their home in southern California. Composting, recycling, and gardening were part of the family’s routine. Friedmann has carried that legacy forward through environmental education and advocacy.

For twenty years, New Century College has been a model of interdisciplinary and experiential education. Two founders —John O’Connor and Michael Randy Gabel—are retiring and NCC celebrates their years of dedication and critical service to the college.

On April 30, New Century College Professor Al Fuertes and students from his NCLC 475 Human Trafficking and the International Community course presented at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Blue Campaign event, “Engaging Education Stakeholders to Raise Awareness of Human Trafficking.”

On April 30, 2015, New Century College students presented original research and innovative projects at the Symposium for Engaged Scholarship. The half-day event was held in the Hub with projects displayed in the ballroom and five neighboring meeting rooms.

To many people, New Century College (NCC) alumnus Mandi Fisher, BA Integrative Studies '08, demonstrates the lasting versatility of her NCC studies. With a concentration in family studies, and a minor in social work, Fisher is now the program supervisor for Northern Virginia Family Service’s Healthy Families Prince William program.

This fall, students can begin their studies in an interdisciplinary master’s degree (MAIS) in Social Justice and Human Rights.

In the upcoming academic year, New Century College will celebrate 20 years of educational innovation and also bids farewell to two founding faculty members, Professors John O’Connor and Michael Randy Gabel. To honor their commitment and service, the NCC Founders Scholarship has been created with matching funds of up to $15,000.