A rainy morning did not dampen the spirits of faculty and staff during QCC’s All College Day, held on September 6, in the Hebert Auditorium. The day started with a boxed breakfast, complete with juice, coffee, and great camaraderie. All College Day has become a tradition at QCC, and each semester administration, faculty and staff gather to start the year off on a positive note.
During the All College Day presentation, the college heard from Guest Speaker Dr. Faby Gagne who talked about understanding the future of learning, particularly as it relates to the Gen Z population. Dr. Gagne noted that the Gen Z population has been the most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and high schools and colleges are seeing the devastating effects of this through learning loss, low test scores, and an exodus from higher education. She suggested that the college take a long-term thinking approach to teaching and learning and then apply that thinking to current programs in an experimental/pilot format.
In talking about trends of the future, Dr. Gagne discussed how video gaming platforms have become a way for students to socially engage, which was exacerbated during the pandemic and suggested eight tactics that the college should consider in attracting the next generation of college students. These include:
- Join online communities
- Form a Student Advisory Board and discuss emerging technologies
- Build and promote an event in the metaverse
- Experiment and promote a digital autonomous organization
- Play with artificial intelligence
- Consider an augmented reality “billboard”
- Build e-sports teams
She also reminded everyone that “inherently human interactions must be valued above all, and we must fix what is broken...kindness is what is needed.”
QCC President Dr. Luis G. Pedraja ended the event with an empowering address to close out the All College Day presentation reiterating the college’s mantra of 100 percent student success.
“If our students can learn and succeed in careers and get good jobs, we’ve accomplished our mission,” President Pedraja said, adding that keeping and retaining students, and personalizing the college’s services should be the focal point. “A one size fits all model doesn’t work.”
President Pedraja also addressed the “doubling down” of community partnerships such as the recent ones with Goya Foods and UniCare.
“Community is at the heart of our name,” he said.
After the formal All College Day presentation, an All Academic Affairs Mini-Conference program was held in Surprenant Hall.
The day culminated with a food truck lunch for faculty and staff, as they prepared for the start of the Fall 2022 Semester.
A huge shout out to the All College Day Committee who put on a stellar All College Day event.