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... 2023 Fall Science Poster Symposium AbSCIENCE 299 Independent Research Abstract Booklet Science 299 projects are semester-long independent research projects done by students pursuing an A.S. in Science. Students complete this course as a requirement for graduation. Students complete their research under the guidance of PVCC science faculty mentors. 1 Mara Cox-Geology 299 Origin of breccia in Antietam Formation, western Blue Ridge, Virginia A crushed-up rock, breccia, marks the western front of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Breccia is formed through the fracturing of another rock type and cementation of the resulting angular fragments. Pieces of the fractured rock are called clasts, and the material cementing them together is termed matrix. This study examines breccias formed within Cambrian-aged quartzite of the Antietam Formation. Two compositions of matrix can be found in these breccias: a silica matrix and one made from iron and manganese oxides. Research geologists have theorized that these breccias were formed through faulting and are therefore fault breccia. However, some breccias show textural characteristics which are inconsistent with faulting alone, including a texture where many large clasts float untouching, separated by wide zones of matrix. I decided to test the hypothesis that these samples are fault breccias. I observed bedrock outcrops and collected samples at three locations: (1) south of Elkton, Virginia, (2) in the bedrock streambed of Naked Creek south of Stanley, Virginia, and (3) adjacent to a stream northeast of Luray, Virginia. These samples were then compared to the common characteristics of fault breccias and other documented breccia textures, which included breccias formed through hydraulic fracturing. I visited the United States Geological Survey in Reston, Virginia to speak with researchers there. In consultation with Dan Doctor, I was able to examine thin sections of Antietam breccias, and to document key microtextural characteristics via photography. We were able to clearly differentiate four different generations of matrix, which we were able to correlate across samples. Will Odom shared Ar/Ar dates of one mineral from the most recent generation of Fe/Mn cemented breccia, the potassium manganese oxide cryptomelane. Odoms dates were surprisingly young, ranging from 36 to 2 Ma (million years ago). This is far more recent than the putative faulting which emplaced Blue Ridge rocks atop Valley & Ridge carbonates during the Alleghanian Orogeny (~300 to 250 Ma). Odoms cryptomelane forms only in the uppermost 100 meters of the crust, where meteoric water is capable of oxidizing iron and manganese. We created a multistage model for the formation of various cements within these samples. The model involves both the grinding action of traditional faulting as well as low-pressure implosion sites, dubbed rhombochasms, where slight jogs along the fault trace opened up zones of dilation. The breccias with textures featuring clasts touching one another are interpreted to have formed along the tabular stretches of the fault, while the clasts floating texture is interpreted as having formed due to hydraulic fracturing within the rhombochasms. Initially, both textures would have been cemented by silica gel. Later, as uplift removed the overlying rock mass, the Antietam breccias got closer to Earths surface. Once they got within 100 meters of the surface, meteoric water was able to soak into the breccias and replace the silica cement with iron and manganese oxides. This happened at least twice, based on the evidence of multiple distinct iron/manganese oxide cements. The youngest cement has been dated (36-2 Ma) and constrains the timing of when the Antietam breccias rose to that depth. The initial hypothesis of these being fault breccias was still plausible, though a fuller picture has now emerged that accounts for variations in texture due to slight variations in the orientation of the fault zone and variations in cement via multiple cycles of fluid infiltration, dissolving and replacing breccia cements. Faculty Advisor: Mr. Callan Bentley 2 Gwynyth Hansen Biology 299 Qualitative Analysis of Endophytic Fungi Composition Based on Morphology in Live Leaves versus Dying (Red) Leaves of White Oak and Red Maple Endophytes are microscopic organisms, usually bacteria, fungi, or protists that form a symbiotic relationship inside a larger organism. Foliage Endophytic Fungi are fungi that live inside of a plants leaf and are known to produce secondary metabolites that can de-stress a plant or protect it from other potential microbial pathogens. This allows the plant to live in more stressful conditions. Currently, there is no published research on the Endophytic Fungi belonging to central Virginias native plants. Many of the trees native to Virginia are deciduous; their leaves change colors, die, and abscess from the tree during autumn. Since there are fungal endophytes living in the leaves, the question is how the composition of the fungal endophytes changes between a healthy green leaf, and a dying leaf prior to abscission. The hypothesis of this experiment is that there is a difference in the morphological growths of fungi cultured between living and dying leaves collected from the same tree at the same time. This was tested by surface-sterilizing sampled leaves from Acer rubrum and Quercus alba and plating the leaves on agar that promotes fungal growth. The morphological features of the fungal growths cultured were then categorized to observe potential differences. It was found that the dying leaves had a more diverse array of fungal growths, indicating there was a difference between the composition of fungal endophytes depending on leaf health. It was also found that in the White Oak, there was a significant difference in the number of fungal growths per plate, with the dying leaves having more growths on each plate compared to the living leaves. This supports the hypothesis and is a first look into the fungi that help support our native trees of central Virginia. Faculty Advisor: Dr. Marlena Yost Andrew Hazelwood Biology 299 Evaluating the Effects of Collagen Peptides on Glutamate-induced Hyperactivity in Planarians (Schmidtea mediterranea): A Behavioral Analysis Freshwater planarians, increasingly recognized in brain research for their regenerative abilities and relevance in drug abuse studies, were utilized to explore the potential neuroprotective role of collagen in mitigating hyperactivity induced by glutamate. The study aimed to replicate previous findings that demonstrate increased activity in planarians in response to glutamate and assess the neuroprotective effects of collagen peptides, hypothesizing that pretreatment with collagen peptides would reduce glutamate-induced hyperactivity. Planarians exposed to glutamate exhibited increased hyperactivity, while pretreatment with collagen peptides appeared to mitigate this effect. The results suggest a potential protective role of collagen against glutamate-induced hyperactivity. Planarians, due to their straightforward centralized nervous system, are less susceptible to confounding variables and serve as an excellent model for evaluating pharmacological agents. Future studies could concentrate on specific types of collagen peptides 3 and investigate additional compounds for neuroprotection in planarians. Thanks are extended to Professor Anne Allison and Ms. Gwyn Puckett for their guidance in this research project. Faculty Advisor: Dr. Anne Allison Andrew Holstein Chemistry 299 Analysis of Nitrogen Dioxide Pollution in Fairfax, VA: Pre-, During and PostCOVID Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is a member of oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and one of the common air pollutants. High concentrations of NO2 adversely impact both human health and the surrounding environment. This research investigates NO2 pollution levels over Fairfax, Virginia, focusing on the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on emissions in 2020. Given Fairfax's significance as a major trucking hub, as well as a route for government officials heading to Washington DC, this data analysis explored whether lockdown measures influenced NO2 emissions. Utilizing publicly available data collected from EPA ground-based measurements, we have presented the summary of NO2 pollution trends (years 2019, 2020, and 2021) in the form of line graphs and box-and-whisker plots. Python software, JupyterLab and Microsoft Excel were used as data analysis tools and one-way ANOVA (Analysis of Variance) test was used for statistical analysis. The results revealed a significant difference in 2020 emissions compared to both 2019 and 2021 (P-value ~ 0.07), rejecting the null hypothesis. The mean NO2 levels in 2020 were also notably lower than the lower quartiles of the surrounding years. This underscores the impact of reduced human activity; especially in a pivotal supply hub, on lowering emissions, providing valuable insights for environmental policies and sustainable practices. Faculty Advisor: Dr. Harish Subedi Lee Joyce Biology 299 Efficacy of Cosmetic Applicators Antibacterial Properties to Staphylococcus aureus Americas thriving cosmetic industry has made efforts since the pandemic to market antimicrobial products, but there is currently no regulation to confirm the validity of these advertising claims. Beauty enthusiasts recommend routine cleaning of common makeup applicators, such as brushes and beauty blenders, as these can become saturated with microbial growth due to repeated contact with skin and cosmetic products. Bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli predominately thrive on these surfaces, as well as viruses and fungi. Given this knowledge, the cosmetic industry has introduced antimicrobial properties to products, but it is unknown whether these steps are effective in preventing microbial growth. The hypothesis 4 is that the sponges with antimicrobial advertising will not inhibit the growth of S. aureus. The intention of this work is to use the studies from microbiology to investigate real product claims relevant to consumer interest. This study tested three make up sponges, known as beauty blenders, to assess their individual antibacterial properties against the application of S. aureus, a grampositive pathogenic bacterium commonly found on human skin. Two of the sponges are composed of absorbent plant-based material; The Uv products specific composition of antimicrobial property is not described by the manufacturer, but the ecotools product is comprised of bamboo infused with silver nanoparticles to inhibit microbial growth. The third product is a generic silicone sponge consisting of a hydrophobic surface to prevent microbial adhesion. Testing followed similar procedures as demonstrated in other studies to investigate bacterial loads of makeup sponges, differing in that one unused product was quartered into pieces by a sterile scalpel to create four criteria for testing. These four groups were an initial control testing for pre-existing bacteria directly out of packaging, a saline control set for contrasting culture results after 30 hours, and two pieces, one damp and one dry, with applied culture for analyzing after 30 hours elapsed. Microbial loads were calculated using spectrometry and serial dilution to apply approximately 100,000 cells of S. aureus. Each sponge piece was placed in sterile saline to extract bacteria by vortex, then diluted to obtain countable plates, and distributed on nutrient agars in set amounts for incubation. A lack of growth present after incubation led to the conclusion that the sponges were in fact antibacterial in property and further investigation was performed to ensure the quality of these results by ensuring that the culture was not desiccating on the sponges. Only one colony forming unit was discovered on the damp ecotools applicator and one plate was contaminated due to human error, thereby not providing enough data for statistical analysis. Future testing may elaborate on this investigation by centrifuging the entire saline extraction to check for the possibility of overdilution and also include a generic sponge without antimicrobial properties as an additional control. Faculty Advisor: Dr. Melinda Clark Isabella Mays Biology 299 Callosobruchus maculatus Larval Cells as a Mechanism for Coliform Detection in Water Concern for the water quality of the James River and its watersheds has increased with the amount of deforestation and development of the surrounding areas. Unfortunately, commercial water quality testing may be cost-prohibitive for continuous water monitoring. Therefore, a biomonitor was proposed as a cost-effective alternative to investigate the water condition of the James River and two of its tributaries in Nelson County, VA, the Tye and Rockfish Rivers. Cells of Callosobruchus maculatus, or bean beetles, were subjected to water samples from each river as well as sterile saline and then exposed to Trypan blue dye to distinguish dead from living cells and determine the average percent cytotoxicity as a measure of contamination. These results were then compared to results from commercially available water kits to determine the effectiveness of the biomonitor. It was hypothesized that since all 3 river sources are connected, the average percent cytotoxicity and coliform numbers for each river would be similar. Results showed a significant difference in average percent cytotoxicity of the Tye and Rockfish rivers (t= 4.158, df= 4, p= 5 0.014). Although all river water samples tested positive for coliforms, a significant difference was found between the James and Rockfish rivers. The nitrate and ammonium levels of each water sample were obtained using Ion-Selective Electrodes. The nitrate and ammonium levels were found within safe guidelines using Virginia standards for river water contaminants. More trials and tests need to be conducted for conclusive results. Faculty Advisor: Dr. Virginia York Bianca Rosson Biology 299 The collection of Drosophila between ripened and rotten Golden Delicious Apples Drosophila melanogaster are a diminutive species of fly, that are yellowish-blackish flies that have red eyes and/or stripes that cover their abdomens. These flies are attracted to rotten and over-ripe fruits and vegetables (Rosado, 2022). They gorge themselves on bacteria and sugar that come from the decomposing fruits but can also live in household sink drains. The decaying fruit also allows these flies to have a breeding ground, because of the chemicals that are released from the fruits which helps attract males in which they become overly excited and start to reproduce expeditiously over a small amount of time in these types of environments (Potter, n.d.) This study was conducted to test if Drosophila melanogaster prefers rotten over ripe Golden Delicious apples. One rotten vs one ripe Golden Delicious apple was placed in homemade fruit fly traps and pairs of traps were hung from 2 -3 feet off the ground from these trees Carter's Mountain Orchard Trees. Trap collection was from noon until 4pm the next day, for a total of 28 hours. After each collection, fruit flies were identified using a dissecting microscope and the Encyclopedia of North American Drosophilids Volume 1: Drosophilids of the Midwest and Northeast. While a variety of fruit fly species were collected, the results of this experiment did not show a statistically significant preference for either fruit. (Chi-Square value of 9.047, df=6, p=0.171) This rejects the hypothesis that fruit flies would prefer rotten fruit. These data suggest that the attraction of fruit flies to ripe vs rotten fruit is similar regarding Golden Delicious apples. Further studies may be needed to ensure the ripe vs rotten fruit chosen were sufficiently different in ripeness to rule out that the ripe vs rotten used were not too similar in the aging process. Faculty Advisor: Dr. Donna Hoefner Megan Spradlin - Biology 299 Trap Type Preference of Drosophilae with Golden Delicious Apples in Carter Mountain Orchard Drosophilae, commonly known as fruit flies, are known as agricultural pests because of their attraction to fruits and vegetables and their ability to negatively affect them by ovipositing and bringing bacteria, contaminating fruits and vegetables. This is an issue because these negative effects can reach orchards, companies, farms, and homes all over the world (Hahn et al. 2023). To manage fruit flies, traps can be used to control populations and reduce damages to fruits and 6 vegetables (Manrahkan et al. 2017). This study was conducted to test if a homemade trap with naturally rotting apples would be more effective than a commercial Terro Fruit Fly Trap with the provided liquid. This would be beneficial because a trap could be improvised in the home if fruit flies become an issue, without the need of going out to purchase a commercial trap. In addition, it explores fruit fly attractants and their effectiveness. It was hypothesized that fruit flies will have a preference for the homemade traps over the commercial traps. The homemade traps contain naturally rotting golden delicious apples that fruit flies use for food and reproduction. One of each type of trap was placed on the same tree and this was repeated on four different golden delicious apple trees for two weeks during October. Both the homemade and commercial traps were put out on the lower branches at the same time and collected at the same time. The collected flies were identified using a dissecting microscope and the species identification book The Encyclopedia of North American Drosophilids Volume 1: Drosophilids of the Midwest and Northeast. Using chi-square analysis, the results showed no statistically significant preference for either trap type and this rejects what was hypothesized since there was no preference for the homemade traps. Chi-squared analysis results were X(5, N=336) = 1.123 p= 0.952). The results suggest that the commercial Terro Trap attractant closely mimics the vinegar odor of the naturally rotting fruit, therefore the flies appear to be attracted to both trap types equally. Further research can be done comparing just the baits individually, the trap types individually, and different vinegar concentrations to determine the best possible method for trapping these pests. Faculty Advisor: Dr. Donna Hoefner Special thanks to the following laboratory staff for facilitating student projects: Dr. Mark Little (Chemistry) Gwyn Puckett (Biology) Tiana Wyant (Biology) 7  ...

... 2022 Fall Science Presentations Absorbance Science 299 independent research projects are semester-long independent research projects that students pursuing an A.S. in Science are required to complete prior to graduation. Students carry out their research under the guidance of a PVCC science faculty member as mentor. The Abstracts of projects completed in Fall 2022 are included in this booklet. 2 1.6 1.2 0.8 0.4 0 300 330 360 390 420 450 480 510 540 570 600 Wavelength (nm) 1 0 ppm 4 ppm 15 ppm 20 ppm 10 ppm Special thanks to the following laboratory staff for facilitating student projects: Mark Little (Chemistry) Pam Schoppee Bortz (Biology) Dareen Aloudeh Biology 299 The Effect of Phosphorus and Potassium on Germination and Growth of Calendula Seeds Agriculture is essential to human survival, but farmers are forced to use chemical fertilizers instead of organic fertilizers due to climate change. Calendula is an annual flower and is a self-seeding plant which is quite interesting. Calendula flowers grow in southern Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean area and thats where it originated and can survive the winter season in mild climates. Calendula can be grown in the Fall or in Spring. The scientific name for the The Calendula seed is Calendula officinalis (Jagdish) and its a member of the Asteraceae family. The purpose of this experiment is to determine if phosphorus (triple superphosphate) and potassium chloride affect the germination and growth of Calendula seed compared to water (control). I hypothesized that triple superphosphate and potassium chloride affect Calendula seed germination and growth. Therefore, I used two different fertilizers (Potassium Chloride) and (triple-superphosphate) to cultivate the flowering calendula plant. For my research, I dissolved the treatments in water and applied it separately. During the first four weeks of seed germination, seeds were watered using a filter. In week five the plant was treated with fertilizer. The plants were exposed to the same temperature of 25.5 Celsius when they were treated with water, triple superphosphate, and potassium chloride. Furthermore, during the germination and growth stages, the plants received periodic illumination of 12/12. After five weeks, the plant that received triple-superphosphate had the highest growth rate compared to the plants that received potassium chloride and water. It was also observed that plants treated with potassium chloride had more leaves and healthier roots. The plant treated with water however showed fewer leaves, weaker roots, and is shorter in height than the other fertilized plants. It can be concluded from the experiment that potassium chloride fertilizer and triple superphosphate promote the germination and growth of Calendula seeds. Variation analysis showed that there were significant differences in seed plant height and leaf number among different treatments. Significant differences were noted between seeds exposed to triplesuperphosphate, and potassium chloride solutions. Seeds exposed to triple-superphosphate grew earlier and had more abundant flowers and buds. Triple-Superphosphate, and (KCl) fertilizers are added during the vegetative growth stage, the germination energy is 99%, and the seed yield is 2 the highest (Dangi, et al., 2019). There was no significant difference in the average height of plants, the number of leaves, and the height of roots. P-value > 0.05. Faculty Advisor: Dr. Donna Hoefner Nazanin Bayani Biology 299 The Influence of Amount and Time of Mung Bean Exposure to Caffeine on Bean Beetle Reproduction As bean beetles, Callosobruchus maculatus, are agricultural pests, I wanted to study factors that may influence their reproduction and movement using 4 performance parameters: oviposition, number of hatchlings, percentage of hatches and movement. Adult female bean beetles lay (ovipost) fertilized eggs on seed beans, such as mung or adzuki beans, which then hatch with the larvae pupating into a mature adult within 3-4 weeks. After reading how caffeine influences the mating behavior of male red flour beetles Tribolium castaneum, causing caffeine exposed flour beetles to more quickly court, mount and inseminate, I hypothesized that caffeine may increase performance parameters for bean beetles (Nishi, 2010). Additionally, I wanted to see if exposing beetles to light could increase their performance on the parameters as well. To test these hypotheses, I exposed bean beetles to mung beans soaked for 1- and 24-hours in 2 common caffeinated drinks: Nescafe and Red Bull and compared their performance parameters to beans soaked for 1- and 24-hours in water and dry beans. I also exposed bean beetles to light and soaked beans for 1- and 24-hours in water. Results show a statistical significance for the average number of hatchlings on the dry beans versus the beans soaked in red bull for 24 hours. The percent hatchlings for beans soaked in Red Bull for 24 hours was twice that of the dry beans and the beans soaked in water and the distance traveled by hatchlings from beans soaked for 24 hours in Red Bull and for 1 hour in both caffeinated substances was significantly greater when compared to the hatchlings from the water-soaked or dry beans. These results suggest that while the substances used to soak the beans, soaking beans, and the time the beans soaked, did not affect oviposition, soaking the beans for 24 hours in Red Bull did increase the average number and percent hatchling. Movement of the hatchlings was also affected by the caffeinated substances. The light study showed an inverse relationship between the amount of time the beans soaked and the exposure of the beans to light. Faculty Advisor: Dr. Virginia York 3 Sydneye Bronson Biology 299 Growth Habits of Brassica rapa under biotic and abiotic stress The cost of produce is directly related to how easy or difficult it is to produce and ship to a nonnative areas. Crops require specific conditions to be successful and as global temperatures rise it becomes increasingly difficult to maintain the balance needed for the most bountiful and cost effective harvest. Research on how plants respond to changes in the environment is an important part of our ability to feed populations at reasonable cost. Brassica rapa is related to cabbages, broccoli, and other herbaceous vegetables that are consumed worldwide and is a good model for experimentation. This study was conducted to examine the effect of drought and bacterial infection of Pseudomonas aeruginosa on the development of B.rapa. Two groups were planted: group A planted on 9/30 and group B planted on 10/27. Two seeds per cell were planted in the water wicking trays with two 14-14-14 fertilizer pellets. Once germinated the seedlings were pruned to 1 plant per cell totaling 16 per treatment. All cells were kept between 70c and 80c and watered 2x a week with tap water. Control and bacteria cells were provided 500ml; drought was given 300ml. Group B was inoculated on planting day, group A was inoculated on 10/27. A serial dilution ranging from 1:1 to 1:106 was used to determine the ideal cell density necessary for inoculation without overwhelming the soil. Groups were observed for 3 additional weeks post inoculation. The experiment resulted in plants that were deprived of water exhibited stunted growth but had an higher average of leaves.The infected plants, although full size, were more brittle than the uninfected control groups. The findings support the hypothesis with both groups having statistically significant different height as compared to the control group and a slightly significant increase in leaf production which was unexpected. This leads me to conclude that height is the indicator for leaf production which in turn is an indicator for flower production. A plant under stress would sacrifice maximum height in an effort to make sure it can produce a set of flowers. There seems to be a minimum height a plant must reach in order for flowers to develop but not a maximum height. These are promising results as it shows that plants are resilient and adaptive enough to survive immediate stress and still grow flowers and ultimately fruit. Faculty Advisor: Dr. Marlena Yost James Chambers Geology 299 Micrometeorites on PVCC Campus Micrometeorites are pieces of space debris broken off from asteroids and comets that have fallen to Earths surface. Micrometeorites are usually gathered for study from Antarctic ice, but recent studies have shown urban locations to be a viable location for micrometeorite capture and analysis. This project aims to assess the presence of micrometeorites found in the drainage pipes 4 around the PVCC campus and to test if there is any significant difference in the number of micrometeorites captured at various locations around campus. We collected micrometeorites by first collecting sediment from various locations around campus and washing away any organic material and letting the samples dry. The samples were then separated via sieving to split the samples into distinct size groups. These new samples were sifted through using a magnet to further separate the magnetic material to be analyzed for micrometeorites. The final separation of samples was analyzed under microscope and any micrometeorites found were retrieved and placed into separate containers. The results of this experiment showed that micrometeorites could be found at all locations surveyed in this experiment and in multiple size ranges, with most micrometeorites staying within the 250 to 125 micrometer size range. Some locations and sizes ranges, however, contained no micrometeorites. Ultimately, this experiment is inconclusive as to whether certain locations are more likely to capture micrometeorites as the calculated masses of micrometeorites captured at each location contained a large degree of error due to the nonstandardized mass of the petri dishes used to store the samples. Faculty Advisor: Callan Bentley Erica Evans - Biology 299 Essential Oils as an Oviposition Deterrent in Drosophila melanogaster and Zaprionus indianus Fruit Flies Fruit flies are a notorious agricultural pest that ruin fruit production all over the world. Chemical repellents pose a threat to both human and environmental health. Essential oils provide a more natural and healthy method of repellant. Citrus essential oils contain a natural chemical called Linalool. Linalool has a toxic, oviposition-deterrent property to it. Previous studies have shown that the application of higher linalool concentrations caused fewer eggs to be laid on those apples. I hypothesized that if an essential oil is applied to a piece of fruit then the fruit flies will be repelled from eating, mating, and laying eggs on said fruit. Making the flies attracted to the control apple. Flies were caught at Carter's Mountain Orchard, Albemarle County, Va on October 20 and November 3, 2022, in the Fuji row. Flynap chemical was added into vials for inhalation and incapacitation. Flies were sexed and species identified under a microscope. Peppermint oil, orange oil, and water were put onto the three apples which were replicated in all four containers. Flies and apples were put into their containers for one week for mating and laying eggs. After one week, eggs were counted, and apple slices were put into their own vials for two weeks to hatch. No emerged adults were found but the data suggests the overall preference for the control apple with 53% of the total counted eggs being laid on these slices. The data suggest that citrus oil repels the flies relative to the control, but results are inconclusive and future trials should be conducted. The peppermint oil had 26% of total eggs while the orange oil only had 21% of eggs but future studies with larger sample sizes are needed to determine the differential effects of the two oils. The importance of this experiment is the new methodology and set-up created that will be used for future students to build off. Faculty Advisor: Dr. Joanna Vondrasek 5 Hadya Faqirzai -- Chemistry 299 Determination of the Healthiest Olive Oils Many of our foods contain various essential elements including proteins, carbohydrates, and oils which constitute a significant source of dietary lipids. Selecting healthy oils and learning how these oils affect our health has become a priority for many people. In addition to having a high concentration of monounsaturated fatty acids, olive oil is a food that also contains a number of compounds with biological benefits. Antioxidants, such as chlorophyll and carotenoids, included in olive oil may help the body protect itself against cellular aging, which can lead to a variety of ailments and health issues. The objective of the following experiments was to compare the relative fatty acid and antioxidant content of five olive oils (Africa, Black, Light, Garlic, and lemon) in order to find the healthiest oil. Three trials were performed for each oil and the amount of free fatty acids in each oil was determined using an alizarin yellow indicator. A spectrophotometer was used to measure the amount of chlorophyll in five oils. The absorbance spectra of all five oils show the Lemon and Garlic oils were likely the healthiest oils because these oils had a higher amount of antioxidants. All five of these oils showed the presence of chlorophyll in their fluorescence spectra, with African oil showing a higher amount than lemon or garlic. All of the oils had free fatty acids as shown by Alizarin yellow test. African oil had a higher price compared to garlic and lemon but did not have significantly improved concentrations of any major antioxidants. It is important to use the healthiest oil for our foods, and the price is not always indicative of quality. Faculty Advisor: Dr. Frances Rees Madina Faqirzai - Chemistry 299 Comparing Vitamin C Content in Fruit Juices and Supplements Maintaining excellent health requires daily consumption of numerous vitamins and minerals. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has provided guidelines describing the recommended amounts a healthy individual should consume each day. Medical conditions may arise if proper vitamin levels are not maintained. One of the earliest diseases to be linked to a vitamin deficiency was scurvy, which was brought on by a lack of vitamin C. In this project, two methods were used to determine the Vitamin C content of fruit juices and supplements. The first method involved titrating dilute solutions of pure vitamin C stock, fruit juice, or vitamin supplements with an iodinestarch indicator. The second method involved titrating similar vitamin C solutions with a dichloroindophenol indicator. The analyte solutions were titrated to determine and compare the concentrations of Vitamin C within commercially available fruit juices and over-the-counter supplements. For the juices, the amount of vitamin C in 40 mL was found to be an average range of 1.31 to 11.49 mg and 2.5 to 5 mg for the iodine and dichloroindophenol titration, respectively. 6 For the supplement, the amount of vitamin C was found to be an average range of 1.18 to 1.32 mg and 6.7 to 8 mg for the iodine and dichloroindophenol titration, respectively. This experiment demonstrated that oranges contained the highest vitamin C content of the fruits, while the concord grape had the lowest amount of Vitamin C. From the supplements, Nature Bounty had the highest vitamin C content. This experiment demonstrates that dietary sources of vitamin C, such as orange juice, a far more potent sources of vitamin C than their over-the-counter supplement counterparts. Overall, it can be stated that it is often "better" to drink one cup of orange juice, than it is to take three pills of vitamin C supplements. Faculty Advisor: Dr. Frances Rees Athiya Hajii Mohamed -- Biology-299 Bean preference and Degree of Oviposition for Callosobruchus maculatus with and without pesticide In the tropical and subtropical countries of Asia and Africa, the bean beetle creates huge financial losses because these areas are heavily reliant on agriculture. Beetle larvae burrow inside and feed on crop nutrients until pupating and destroys crops. The aim of this research is to determine bean beetle preferences in order to reduce financial loss to the farmers and minimize crop damage. I hypothesize that the bean beetles will show a preference (specifically adzuki bean) for untreated beans and those treated with pesticide will exhibit lower fertility by less oviposition. I used 10 grams of each adzuki, soy, lentil and mung beans treated with neem oil pesticide and without pesticide treatment with mating pairs of female and male beetle. Pesticide trail and non-pesticide trail beetles preferred adzuki bean on average amount of oviposition compared to other beans but these results were not statistically significant. No viable hatchlings were found on the soy bean or lentils in both treated and untreated trails, no hatchling were produced on pesticide trails. The only statistically significant oviposition difference was between treated and untreated soybeans. This suggests the use of neem oil as a pesticide may create a hospitable environment for oviposition and so not an appropriate method to control the beetle population. Statistically the p-Value did not support my hypothesis since the level of oviposition in the pesticide trails is contrary to the original hypothesis. Faculty Mentor: Dr. Virginia York 7 Ean Huang Chemistry 299 Determination of Fluoride Levels in Different Types of Toothpaste Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral found mainly in water, soil, plants, and rocks. There are different types of fluorides that have different uses. Fluoride is commonly used in dentistry to strengthen enamel. It helps to prevent cavities. In addition, fluoride is used in many oral hygiene products such as toothpaste and mouthwash. Among many fluorides used are tin(II) fluoride (commonly known as stannous fluoride), sodium fluoride, amine fluoride, and sodium monofluorophosphate, all of which are biologically and chemically unique. Amine fluoride provides bacterial protection and reduces plaque buildup in teeth. Experiments were carried out to determine if there is any difference in fluoride levels in different types of toothpaste samples. Three types of toothpastes were used: Sensodyne Extra whitening, Sensodyne Sensitivity, and Sensodyne Mint. Small amounts of each toothpaste sample (0.200 g) were dissolved in 0.100 M KCl and the solutions were boiled for 2-3 minutes. The suspensions were filtered by using gravity filtration process. The fluoride samples were mixed with Fe(III)SCN complex in 1:3 ratio and absorbance was measured using spectroscopy. The dark red color from Fe(III)-SCN complex bleaches once the fluoride solution is mixed. A calibration plot of absorbance at 480 nm versus fluoride concentration (ppm) was created (Figure 1). Similar steps were repeated for toothpaste solutions. The data analysis shows that all types of toothpaste samples tested have similar concentrations of fluoride. Faculty Advisor: Dr. Harish Subedi Leukas Koczan Chemistry 299 Is There Fertilizer Runoff at Spring Creek Golf Club? Fertilizer runoff can cause harm to local waterways. Excess amounts of fertilizer in water can kill native plants and even cause toxic algal blooms. Excess fertilizer in water can not only be detrimental to aquatic ecosystems, but larger vertebrates and humans that use them. This study was conducted in order to determine if there is fertilizer runoff at Spring Creek Golf Club. The golf course has been understaffed for most of the recent year. As a result, less runoff prevention practices such as aeration and verticutting have been done. In this research project, various samples were collected from the ponds located on holes 18 and 16 of the golf course both before and after rainfall, as well as a private pond where no fertilizers are used in the surrounding areas. The samples were then taken to the lab and analyzed using Vernier ion specific electrodes to determine the concentration of ammonium (NH 4 +), calcium (Ca2+), nitrate (NO 3 ), and potassium (K+). The concentrations of the ions were significantly higher in the ponds located on the golf course than the control pond (Figure 1). This supports the hypothesis that there is fertilizer runoff at Spring Creek Golf Club. However, there was no significant difference in the concentrations of ions in the water samples collected before and after rainfall. Faculty Advisor: Dr. Harish Subedi 8 Alyssa Pittington Biology 299 Smell Preference of Fruit Flies by Species and Sex Fruit flies are a common pest when it comes to fresh produce. There are many types of fruit flies in the United States, including Drosophila melanogaster, Drosophila immigrans, and Zaprionus indianus. Finding out whether different species or sexes of fruit flies are more attracted to different scents can be important for determining ways to both keep food away from them and to get rid of the invasive Z. indianus. Flies were collected from Carter Mountain Orchard in Albemarle County on October 27, 2022. The smell preference of the flies was tested against water, vinegar, sugar, and Splenda to try and determine if flies preferred or avoided certain scents. Using gated traps with a scented filter paper circle and apple inside of them, Z. indianus (n=10), female Drosophila (n=5), and male Drosophila (n=5) were given time to select a trap. Due to few flies entering the traps, the data was inconclusive; however, it showed possibilities that flies avoid sugar and Splenda. Future studies could use these methods to further determine the smell preferences of different sex and species of fruit flies. Faculty Advisor: Dr. Joanna Vondrasek Amber Thompson Biology 299 Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) Activity Morning Versus Evening in Rural and Urban Areas The Northern Cardinal, scientific name Cardinalis cardinalis, is known to reside in both rural and urban settings, but prefers dense shrubby areas, including backyards and open woodlands. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of urban and rural location and time of day on the activity levels of the Northern Cardinal. It was hypothesized that the Northern Cardinal would be more active in the morning in rural areas. Point counts were performed every morning from 8-9 AM and 4-5 PM. The urban location counts were performed on the PVCC campus outside of the Community Garden from Monday October 17th to Sunday October 23rd . The rural half of the study was performed along a powerline easement in Louisa County from Tuesday October 25th to Monday October 31st. Activity levels were monitored through the tracking of sightings and the tracking of calls by both ear and the use of the Merlin Bird ID App. There was an overall average of 12 sightings in the morning and 1 sighting in the evening. There was an overall average of 971 calls in the morning and 320 calls in the evening. It was found that the Northern Cardinal is more active in the morning in urban areas. This conclusion proved part of the original hypothesis wrong. While it was proved that the Northern Cardinal is more active in urban areas it was correctly hypothesized that the Northern Cardinal is more active in the morning. This study can be conducted again in different urban and rural areas to give more definitive proof that the Northern Cardinal is more active in urban areas. Faculty Advisor: Dr. Melinda Clark 9 This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant Number 1712724. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation. 10  ...

... Spring 2022 Science Presentations Science 299 independent research projects are semester-long independent research projects that students pursuing an A.S. in Science are required to complete prior to graduation. Students carry out their research under the guidance of a PVCC science faculty member as mentor. The Abstracts of projects completed in Spring 2022 are included in this booklet. 1 Gordon Alexander Geology 299 Applying lichenometry to the dating of PVCC campus surfaces Determining the age of rocks is essential in geology as it allows scientists to construct timelines that inform scientific theories and discussions. There are many effective and reliable methods of dating; however, these trustworthy practices are not available in many regions where geologists conduct field work. One of these more field-methods is lichenometry. Lichenometry is the practice of employing lichens on a given surface to determine how long the surface has been exposed. Lichenometry is controversial because of the potentially wide margins of error when conducting lichenometry experiments, including the misidentification of lichen species, the true age of the control surface, as well as the unknown period between a surfaces exposure and the point when a lichen anchors onto it. Despite this, the intention of this study was to establish a consistent rate of growth for Flavoparmelia caperata, or the common greenshield lichen, across different surfaces on Piedmont Virginia Community College (PVCC) campus. If a consistent rate of growth can be identified, then the rate of growth can be established to rock surfaces on campus to date their dates of exposure. Data was collected by measuring the diameter of the six largest lichens at each of the twenty-nine identified lichen-bearing sites between the canvas banners that were hanging in the campus parking lot, the PVCC Main Building and the Dickenson building. Additionally, these groups were delineated into subgroups based upon the cardinal direction in which they face to glean influence that facing, which effects daylight exposure, has on lichen growth. The calculated rates of growth, from largest to smallest were lichens on the banners, lichens from the Dickinson Building, and followed closely behind by those on the Main Building. On average, the lichens on the parking lot banners were much larger than those found elsewhere. With this in mind, as well as knowing that the banners are the youngest of all the included lichen-bearing surfaces, it is apparent that a consistent rate of growth between each of the surfaces would be unobtainable, although, there is vivid correlation between rate of growth from northern and western facing lichens found on the Dickenson (0.165 cm per year) and Main (0.15 cm per year) buildings. Despite this affirming relationship, these similar rates of growth are made null by the lack of correlation between any other surfaces. Faculty Advisor: Mr. Callan Bentley Brandon BickleyBiology 299 The Effect of Antennae Removal on the Frequency of Oviposition on Occupied Seeds by Callosobruchus maculatus Females Callosobruchus maculatus, commonly referred to as the bean beetle, is a pest of stored legumes. The female beetle lays her eggs on the surface of legumes and the hatched larvae burrow inside and use the seed as a food source during development. Bean beetle females have evolved to preferentially lay eggs on unoccupied beans to limit larval competition. With each egg laid, the female places a chemical marker that deters subsequent oviposition. Female bean beetles have been observed passing their antennae over beans prior to oviposition. Because insect antennae have tactile and chemoreceptive functions, it was hypothesized that clipping females antennae would increase the frequency of 2 oviposition on occupied seeds by reducing the females ability to recognize eggs. It was also hypothesized that the increased frequency of second eggs would reduce adult beetle emergence rates due to increased larval competition. Ten petri-dishes were filled with 150 green mung beans and one breeding-pair of beetles was added to each dish. Five of the breeding pairs had unclipped females and five had clipped females. The breeding pairs were kept on the beans for seven days then the number of beans with one and two eggs were counted. All beans were returned to their dishes and left for 28-35 days, after which emerged adults were counted. Of four unclipped females who laid any eggs, only one laid an egg on an occupied bean. All five clipped females laid at least one egg on an occupied bean. A Mann-Whitney U-test showed the difference in the frequency of second eggs for the unclipped and clipped groups to be significant at the 0.05 alpha level. No statistically significant difference was found between unclipped and clipped emergence rates. The results of this experiment support the hypothesis that clipping female bean beetles antennae will increase the frequency of oviposition on occupied seeds. The results did not support the hypothesis that eggs laid by clipped females would have lower rates of adult emergence. Considering previous findings that second eggs have a lower survival rate it is possible that a decrease in emergence rates from eggs laid by clipped females would have been found with a larger sample size. Better understanding of the functions served by insect antennae in egg laying could reveal information useful for pest control and improving food security. Faculty Advisor: Dr. Anne Allison Valentin Burguener Biology 299 Ascertaining Role of PLK4 in Megakaryocyte Morphogenesis via Centrosomal Inhibition Megakaryocytes are polyploid cells that form platelets. Polyploid cells have more than one pair of homologous chromosomes. For megakaryocytes, the mechanism of polyploidization involves duplication of the centrosomes by PLK4 (Polo-Like-Kinase 4). Centrinone is an inhibitor of centrosomal amplification that was used in this experiment. The hypothesis is that centrinone will inhibit the megakaryocyte morphogenesis. During this experiment, light, IF and confocal microscopy as well as flow cytometry were used to examine megakaryocytes exposed to centrinone to determine its effects on polyploidization. The results indicated that at day 0 polyploidization was inhibited by centrinone. The cells were larger in size & more granular, but had less centrosomes. However, in the cells that were incubated on day 3, the cultures showed evidence of amplified polyploidization. The cells were not only larger and more granular, but they also had significantly more entrosomes. While the data gathered from day 0 incubations is in support of the hypothesis, the data gathered from day 3 incubations, while seemingly contradictory, suggests that the mechanism responsible for egakaryocyte morphogenesis cannot be explained using a single disrupted enzyme. Faculty Advisor: Dr. Virginia York 3 Glenn Coleman Geology 299 Virginia Pines Record a Dendrochronological Timescale for Albemarle County As the glaring issue of climate change looms large over our planet, scientists have turned to dendrochronology. Dendrochronology is defined as the analysis of a trees wood growth rings, to extract a natural record of a region's climatological history. A fuller understanding of the past better positions us to predict future change. At first, dendrochronology was conducted using saws, which are harmful to living trees. However in 1889, the introduction of the increment borer revolutionized the field, allowing dendrochronologists to extract a drinking straw-shaped sample of wood tissue with relative ease. This projects goal was to constrain the climatological history of Albemarle County through a dendrochronological study of tree rings of the Virginia Pine (Pinus virginiana). By collecting, preparing, and documenting the pattern of tree rings in multiple samples, I sought to establish a dendrochronological timescale. Using a chainsaw and increment borer, I took twelve samples from Virginia pines in six different locations across the county, and used the cross dating methodology to objectively compare the record of each tree through analysis of individual rings. Samples obtained with a chainsaw were sanded, while samples obtained with an increment borer were coated in white chalk to enhance the definition of the rings. Once the samples were prepared, I used the imaging software ImageJ to count and measure the rings of each sample. Patterns in the widths of wood ring growth changed over time. Prior to 1995, wood growth rings showed a pattern where for two years, the wood growth rings would show growth two standard deviations above average, and then the following year, would show growth around one standard deviation below average. This pattern was broadly reproduced across the sampled trees. For the next fifteen years, wood growth ring widths alternated year to year from being a standard deviation above and below average. The past decade at first showed consistent growth one to two standard deviations above average, and then for the second half of the decade, showed growth two to three standard deviations below average. A correlation test using Pearsons method showed very strong and positive correlation between trees, though there were numerous outliers, attributable to local perturbations in temperature or moisture - for instance, by a neighboring tree falling, exposing the sampled tree to more sunlight. Despite these idiosyncratic deviations from a common script, the sampled population of trees showed a broad, statisticallyvalidated agreement in recording regional climatic fluctuations over the past century. Faculty Advisor: Mr. Callan Bentley Brock Davis Chemistry 299 Water Quality Analysis of Bodies of Water in Crozet, Virginia Lakes are some of the most important, fertile, productive, and diverse ecosystems in the world. They provide nearly half of the global renewable freshwater and play a large role in the economic development of human welfare. The surface water of lakes generally contain municipal and industrial waste, agricultural runoffs, and weathering rocks. Lakes and ponds serve as a habitat for many species of fish and other aquatic organisms. The decline of the quality of water in our lakes not only poses major health risks for aquatic life, but also human health. Knowing the quality of water in our lakes 4 and ponds is important for the health of the environment and the prevention of diseases. In this experiment three bodies of water were tested in Crozet Virginia to evaluate water quality. The properties used to determine water quality were pH, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, turbidity, nitrates, and copper. If four out of the six determinants display good water quality, then the body of water is considered safe. Vernier sensors were used to gather information about the different bodies of water. Samples were collected from each water source. Dillard Pond had an average pH of 6.3, turbidity of 11.6 NTU, dissolved oxygen content of 20.0 mg/L, conductivity of 119.43 mg/L, nitrates of 10.0 ppm, and copper value of 0.83 ppm. The first lake had an average pH of 6.3, turbidity of 3.8 NTU, dissolved oxygen content of 18.7 mg/L, conductivity of 27.23 mg/L, nitrates of 6.67 ppm, and copper value of 0.33 ppm. Finally, the second lake had on average pH of 6.0, turbidity of 25.3 NTU, dissolved oxygen content of 18.8 mg/L, conductivity of 32.53 mg/L, nitrates of 6.67 ppm, and copper value of 0.0 ppm. All results fell within acceptable values. The data support my hypothesis as all three bodies of water are considered healthy. Faculty Advisor: Dr. Frances Rees Luca Gett Biology 299 Amoeba proteus and the Development of Antimicrobial Resistance in Shigella sonnei Shigella sonnei is a Gram-negative bacillus bacterial species and a causative agent of diarrhea. Worldwide, increases in economic development are reflected in a rise in the ratio of Shigella sonnei infections to infections caused by other members of the Shigella genus. There are many speculations for how Shigella sonnei is advantaged when faced with improved methods of water treatment and medical care. Among them is the commensal relationship between this bacterial species and Acanthamoeba castellanii, a species of freshwater amoeba. One way in which Shigella sonnei is supposedly benefited by this relationship is by the accelerated development of antimicrobial resistance through access to a genetic reservoir inside of the amoeba. This research project sought to explore any similar relationship between Shigella sonnei and Amoeba proteus, another species of freshwater amoeba. It was hypothesized that Shigella sonnei would see increased resistance in the presence of these amoebae. To test this, ampicillin-resistant Escherichia coli and non-resistant Shigella sonnei broth cultures were grown before being combined in a specialized saline solution. One coculture contained only the mixed bacteria, while live Amoeba proteus were added to the other. The cocultures were incubated and plated on ampicillin-infused Luria-Bertani agar. A sample of fifty resulting colonies were taken from each plate and differentiated using catalase testing. This differentiating test determines the presence of the catalase enzyme, an enzyme produced by some bacterial species that degrades superoxidative agents. Plates inoculated with the coculture containing the amoebae presented more colonies overall. It was found that resistant Shigella sonnei colonies were present on plates made from both cocultures. However, the coculture containing the amoebae presented more of these colonies, with the difference being statistically significant (p = 0.03). There was additional evidence suggesting that the bacteria were phagocytized by the amoebae. The results showed that Shigella sonnei was able to develop antimicrobial resistance more readily in the presence of the Amoeba proteus. These findings supported a hypothesized relationship between this bacterial and freshwater-dwelling amoebic species. This research project demonstrated the existence of just one of many ways in which Shigella sonnei can outcompete other members of the Shigella genus when faced with the improved sanitation that comes with economic development. Faculty Advisor: Dr. Marlena Yost 5 Emma Glover Biology 299 Comparison of Sweetgrass oil and Pyrethrin Spray effectiveness upon Wingless Fruit Flies Chemical pesticides are used all over the world on our plants and produce. However, these chemical pesticides have warning labels on them about the dangers of ingestion, inhalation and skin contact. A new repellent is needed that has the same efficiency as a chemical pesticide but without the harmful effects. Native Americans, such as the Flatheads and Blackfoot, used sweetgrass fumes to repel flying insects. Sweetgrass was also used for medicinal purposes and has no harmful effects. Pyrethrin spray, a widely used pesticide, was used to test the efficiency of sweetgrass oil. If sweetgrass oil was an effective repellent by Native Americans, then it should be an effective and preferred repellent over pyrethrin spray on fruit flies when applied to grape tomatoes. The sweetgrass oil was tested against pyrethrin spray and water, the control, on organic grape tomatoes. The grape tomatoes were sponged with their assigned liquid and placed into jars with 10 fruit flies (D. melanogaster) of each sex. The jars were covered, and the number of dead fruit flies was tracked and counted every day. Sweetgrass oil followed the same pattern of death as pyrethrin spray. To ensure that age was not a disrupting factor, old and young fruit flies were tested, and no difference was found. To attain even more precise treatment effects, the interval was changed to every 10 minutes. Sweetgrass oil again followed pyrethrin spray in this third run. It was determined that sweetgrass oil could be a sustainable substitute for pyrethrin spray. With this conclusion, instead of using harmful chemical pesticides on our plants and produce, using natural repellents like sweetgrass oil could be an effective and safe alternative. Faculty Advisor: Dr. Donna Hoefner Cory Greene Geology 299 Changes in the Proportion of Magnetic Sediment Along the Upper Moormans River, Virginia The Moormans River flows principally across a single bedrock unit, the Neoproterozoic greenstone of the Catoctin Formation where magnetic detrital magnetite is a primary accessory mineral. Large quantities of magnetite can be found in the sediments of the Rivanna River of which the Moormans is a tributary. In stream water, magnetic oxides undergo hydrolysis and form goethite (rust), which is not as magnetic, potentially decreasing magnetic river content downstream. Magnetite is the most magnetic of all minerals and denser than most common Virginia minerals. Heavy minerals settle more quickly out of river currents and bars onto placers in river bottoms compared to lighter weight minerals in sand like quartz or feldspar. This study quantifies magnetic fraction of sediment from the Upper Moormans River; explores the relationship between sediment sample position along the length of the stream and the magnetic fraction of sediment collected there; and determines if this relationship varies by sediment size. It was hypothesized that magnetically susceptible fraction of the sediment would be higher in 6 upriver samples compared to downriver samples and that there would be more magnetically susceptible pebble fraction of the sediment in upriver samples compared to downriver samples. Ten, one-cup sediment samples were collected from sand pockets of the North Fork Moormans River streambed beginning four miles above Sugar Hollow Trailhead. Samples were air-dried then sieved and separated into eight particle size categories. A neodymium disc magnet was used to extract magnetic sediment. As expected, samples contained significant quantities of magnetic sediment. Contrary to expected results, the proportion of magnetic sediment was greater downstream, specifically in larger to medium-sized sands. Among sands, larger sands have the potential for more magnetic crystals than smaller sands, silt and clay, which may lose more magnetic grains through oxidation caused by the weathering process. While pebbles have even more magnetic potential due to their volumetrically unweathered interior, there were more pebbles overall in the upstream samples than downstream. Pebbles may drop out of currents more quickly due to heavier weight compared to smaller sediments. Size of sediment may be a greater factor than magnetic content in causing sediment to drop out of river currents. Further study is needed. Faculty Advisor: Mr. Callan Bentley Samuel Hess Biology 299 Prompted Formation of Colonies by Unicellular Algae Understanding the genesis of multicellular life is a key component of gaining insight into how individual cells stick together, collaborate, and specialize which has broad implications in biology. This study was conducted to investigate the link between colony formation in the Volvocine family of spherical green algae and how pressure from a predator may affect their rates of being single cellular or in a colony form. The Volvocine family include two of the species tested, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and Eudorina elegans which vary in complexity with C. reinhardtii being viewed as mainly remaining in a single celled form while E. elegans has been seen to form colonies of up to 64 cells. These species of algae were tested separately using Daphnia magna as the predator. These are small planktonic crustaceans which use green algae as a food source. Trials were completed by placing a sample of the species of algae with multiple D. magna in a covered beaker under natural sunlight for 24-hour intervals. Data collection was then performed using a light microscope to count the instances of single cells versus colonies of four or more cells in organized groups. The results for the experimental group following the 24-hour interval showed an increase in the colony count for E. elegans but little to no colony formation was observed with C. reinhardtii. This experiment illustrates a repeatable method for inducing colony formation in E. elegans which can be expanded on to investigate the same effect in other species of the plant adjacent protists as well as the long-term effects of colony formation. Faculty Advisor: Dr. Anne Allison 7 Sarah Johnson Biology 299 Kitchen Nightmare: The Efficacy of Cleaning Chemicals on Countertop Samples and Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilms Interest in green cleaning products (GPCs) has been growing over the past several years. Consumers are moving away from conventional cleaners, seen as potentially dangerous or bad for the environment. Despite this growing market, these products have not been extensively studied. This two-pronged experiment sought to examine the antimicrobial properties of several common household cleaners: Granite Gold (a conventional store-bought cleaner), Method All-Purpose (a storebought GPC), and a homemade cleaner. I hypothesized the commercial cleaner (Granite Gold) would demonstrate greater antimicrobial properties. This experiment looked at cleaners both on dry surfaces of countertops and on biofilms. For the countertop potion of the experiment, Dawn and water was also tested. First, a pair of countertop samplesone quartz and one granitewas exposed to kitchen hazards for one week. The countertop samples were swabbed for microbes before and after cleaning and the results compared. The cleaners were sprayed onto the countertop and immediately wiped away according to the instructions of the substances. Only two cleaners, Dawn and Granite Gold, demonstrated a reduction in number of colony forming units (CFUs). All other cleans resulted in an overall increase; however, only Dawns results were statistically significant when compared to the control alone. For the biofilm potion of the experiment, Pseudomonas aeruginosa was grown in a nutrient broth with glass slides inserted to allow the bacteria a surface to cling to. After that, the slides with the biofilm were exposed to their respective test substance and were stained. Using a spectrometer, the absorbance of both the broth and the de-stain were taken and compared. Every substance, including the control, demonstrated a reduction in biofilm. The differences between the results were not statistically significant. Therefore, it was not possible to say one product outperformed another; future research is needed to determine the efficacy of these products. There were many factors which may have contributed to the results, including the low exposure time and the variety of organisms present on the countertop samples. Increasing exposure time and focusing on a specific organism would help clarify the results found in this experiment. Faculty Advisor: Dr. Marlena Yost Marcus McCrea Biology 299 The Effect of L-Ascorbic Acid, Caffeine, and Vitamin A Acetate on Planaria Regeneration Rate Planaria are flatworms of the Class Turbellaria. They are known for their incredible regenerative capabilities. Even when divided into over 200 tiny pieces, each piece can fully regenerate into a whole organism. This incredible regenerative capability is due to the Planarian stem cell system. Planaria have an abundance of stem cells called neoblasts in their bodies, which allows for rapid cell differentiation. In connection with cell growth, L-Ascorbic Acid and Vitamin A Acetate are two vitamins vital to human cell health and growth. Additionally, Caffeine has been observed to aid in the regeneration rate of planaria. Therefore, it is hypothesized that L-Ascorbic Acid, Caffeine, and 8 Vitamin A Acetate will aid in the regeneration rate of planaria when compared to a control of Spring Water. To test this, three different solutions were prepared, one for each substance. The planaria were cut just below the head, and the bodies were placed in four different petri dishes of spring water, 15 planaria for each. Small amounts of the solutions were individually added to three out of four of these dishes, leaving the fourth dish with only Spring Water as a control. The planaria were monitored for the next two weeks, with pictures being taken and measurements taken using the ImageJ software. Spring Water had the greatest positive effect on growth rate, followed by Caffeine, then L-Ascorbic Acid, and lastly Vitamin A Acetate. This is contrary to the original hypothesis, as all three substances performed worse than Spring Water. From these results, it is possible to conclude that at a 10 micromolar concentration, L-ascorbic Acid and Vitamin A Acetate are detrimental to the regeneration rate of planaria. It is possible that these concentrations are too high, or that these substances are toxic to planaria. It is also possible that these results are due to measurement errors. While Caffeine has been observed to increase the regeneration rate of planaria, it is possible that L-Ascorbic Acid and Vitamin A Acetate, while vital to humans, may not necessarily benefit planaria in the same way, particularly at these concentrations. More trials testing different concentrations of these substances and minimizing outside interference and errors would be required to make more definitive conclusions. Faculty Advisor: Dr. Donna Hoefner Lucas McNamara Chemistry 299 Extraction and Determination of Caffeine from Tea Varietals of Camellia sinensis The stimulating effects of caffeine, an alkaloid, make it one of the most globally consumed psychoactive drugs, mainly through tea. While it is commonly thought that caffeine content varies depending on the tea varietals oxidation process, evidence suggests that brewing conditions such as steep time and temperature are the driving factors behind different caffeine concentrations. In this experiment, caffeine from samples of oolong and black tea varietals from Camellia sinensis were extracted under the same conditions to determine if a difference in caffeine content was due to the oxidation process or differing brewing conditions. It was hypothesized that if brewed under the same conditions, the caffeine content of the black and oolong samples be statistically similar. The samples first underwent a solid-liquid extraction at 100 for 10 minutes in 100mL of water and 2 g of sodium carbonate. The extracted samples were then partitioned using dichloromethane. The dichloromethane layer was dried using sodium sulfate and boiled with petroleum ether to form a caffeine precipitate. The extracted caffeine was weighed, and a melting temperature analysis was performed to verify the solid as caffeine. The experiment produced an average extracted caffeine concentration of 0.0072 g per gram of black tea leaf and 0.0067 g per gram of oolong tea leaf. The melting temperature ranges varied from 231.8-238.7C, characteristic literature values for caffeine. After statistical analysis, no significant differences in caffeine content between the two varietals when extracted under the same conditions were found, supporting the null hypothesis. Further experimentation on other varietals, such as white or green teas, is necessary to determine if conclusions hold for all varietals from C. sinensis. Faculty Advisor: Dr. Frances Rees 9 McKenzie Moore Biology 299 The Medicinal Effects of Onion tested on Klebsiella pneumoniae & Staphylococcus aureus Antibiotics, also known as chemotherapeutic agents, have not shown to be successful in fighting off all mutated forms of bacteria. While many individuals rely on antibiotics to fight off infections/diseases caused by bacteria, some still rely on more natural remedies (Shaheen, G., et al., 2019). Allium cepa, more commonly known as onions, are known to have many active components which aid in the killing or slowing the growth of bacteria. For example, two components found in onions that aid in this impact are quercetin, which is found in the dry skin of onions, and allicin, which is a chemical produced when an onion is cut (Ciardi, et al., 2021). It was hypothesized that the medicinal effects of the onion would have a greater impact on S. aureus compared to K. pneumoniae because it is smaller in size and its lack of an outer membrane. These effects were tested in both a liquid broth tube as well as on agar plates. The bacteria were exposed to 1 mL and 3 mL of onion extract within a broth tube for 24 hours and growth was then measured using spectrophotometry. For the plate experiment, the bacteria was tested against both the dry skin as well as a piece of raw onion using a modified Kirby Bauer method. Results showed that the onion had a much larger effect on S. aureus than on K. pneumoniae in both tests. They also showed that a greater concentration of onion extract had a larger effect on S. aureus; however, the 1 mL concentration had a larger effect on K. pneumoniae. Based on the p-values, there is sufficient evidence to support the claim that onion is effective in killing/slowing the growth of K. pneumoniae and S. aureus. These findings also support the initial hypothesis that the medicinal effects of the onion would have a greater impact on S. aureus than K. pneumoniae. Faculty Advisor: Dr. Melinda Clark Milo Penzell Biology 299 Interactions between a pathogenic fungus, Candida albicans, and a bacterium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Polymicrobial infections cause significant harm to an individual by complicating infections and prolonging therapies. Candida albicans is a fungal opportunistic pathogen and Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a bacterial opportunistic pathogen; both are part of normal human microflora. In studies, they have been shown to form biofilm together and hyphal C. albicans cell death occurs when P. aeruginosa is present. This study observes if P. aeruginosa will inhibit hyphal C. albicans growth in a dual cultural agar medium and if P. aeruginosa will limit C. albicans biofilm forming ability. This study incorporated the use of a dual-culture agar assay where 4 drops of P. aeruginosa culture were placed on C. albicans-lawned agar plates and observed for zones of inhibition after incubation. This study also incorporated the use of a coverslip-biofilm formation analysis in which glass coverslips were suspended in a liquid broth inoculated with P. aeruginosa and C. albicans. After 24h and 69h, samples of both were measured for absorbance at 600nm and the coverslips were stained with crystal 10 violet and destained with gram destainer which was then measured for absorbance at 580nm. The ratio of these two values was used to determine the biofilm formation of these cultures. There were no fungal zones of inhibition observed in my dual-culture assay yet, larger zones of bacterial growth were observed with full concentration bacterial compared to 1:10 diluted culture. The linear analysis of the biofilm formation showed that the mixed cultures as well as the P. aeruginosa showed peak biofilm development at 24h with a decrease at 69h. In contrast, C. albicans had zero biofilm development at 24h with only marginally more at 69h. My results did not support my hypothesis as there were no zones of inhibition apparent and its unclear whether the bacteria reduced fungal cell biofilm formation. The biofilm analysis, although shedding light on the different growth patterns of the mixed cultures compared to the controls, was inconclusive as far as how introducing them together may cause any cell death. Although these experiments did not replicate the inhibition of C. albicans observed in other studies, they were insightful in demonstrating that the conditions which may lead to this phenomenon are narrow and have large ties to time and yeast/hyphal cell type. Faculty Advisor: Dr. Melinda Clark Najla Rashedi Chemistry 299 Evaluation of Browning of Apple Slices with Color Analysis Lite App Fruits and vegetables are the important components of daily diet. Browning of fruits and vegetables is a problem because it can negatively affect the color, taste, and nutrition value of the food. Therefore, it is important to protect fruits and vegetables from turning brown and prevent food waste. Browning can be a challenge in food products during the preparation, processing or storage of foods. Browning in foods can be divided into two types: enzymatic browning and non-enzymatic browning. Enzymatic browning in the chopped fruits is related to polyphenol oxidases enzyme (PPO). When we cut fruits such as bananas and apples, PPO enzyme in the fruit is exposed to oxygen and changes the color of the fruit into brown (commonly called browning). There are various chemical methods available for preventing enzymatic browning reactions and evaluating the degree of browning. However, in this research project, some inexpensive materials such as lemon juice (citric acid), baking soda (sodium hydrogen carbonate), and vinegar (acetic acid) were used to evaluate browning activity in freshly cut apple slices stored in the refrigerator at 4C. Three different types of apples Granny, Opal, and Washington were used. Percent browning was determined every 2 days using d using the images taken by smartphone and Color Analysis Lite app. Commercially available light box was used to maintain the consistency in lighting conditions while taking images. The results showed that lemon juice was the most effective at preventing browning in apple slices. It could be due to the chelating effect of ascorbic acid (commonly known as vitamin C) present in lemon juice. Future studies may include the replacement of oxygen with nitrogen or carbon dioxide gas and analytical detection methods such as spectrophotometry. Faculty Advisor: Dr. Harish Subedi 11 Ezra Staengl Biology 299 Comparison of Northern Cardinal Diet between an Urban and a Rural Park in Central Virginia Northern cardinals (Cardinalis cardinalis) are generally more abundant in cities than surrounding rural areas. The causes of this discrepancy are unknown, but diet may be an important factor. Cardinals are omnivorous but are known to consume mostly plant material during the winter, including the seeds of common native trees and shrubs such as tuliptree (Liriodendron tulipifera), wild grape (Vitis sp.), dogwood (Cornus sp.) and sumac (Rhus sp.). I investigated cardinal diet at an urban site (Greenbrier Park, 38.064057, -78.475611) and a rural site (Walnut Creek Park, 37.929144, -78.590378) in Central Virginia during the late winter period between February and March. I expected to see a difference in diet between the two sites in accordance with the hypothesis that differences in diet may be partly responsible for the urban vs. rural abundance disparity. Furthermore, I expected the urban birds to eat more nonnative plant material because cities generally have greater variety and higher densities of nonnative plants. I expected no difference between the diets of male and female cardinals. Diet observations were made in ten-minute intervals, during which I watched a cardinal and recorded everything it ate. Sixteen ten-minute observation sessions were conducted at each site, split evenly between male and female cardinals. Cardinals ate significantly more nonnative plant material at the urban site than at the rural site (X2 (1, N = 256) = 28.00, p < 0.001). Additionally, the diets of male and female northern cardinals did not differ (X2 (4, N = 257) = 4.43, p = 0.35). Diet consisted almost entirely of plants, most frequently tuliptree (Liriodendron tulipifera) at both sites. Other than tuliptree and wild grape, there was very little overlap in diet composition between the sites. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that differences in diet (specifically nonnative plants) may be a factor contributing to cardinals larger urban populations. However, the data do not indicate a causal link. More broadly, this study corroborates previous findings about the importance of plant material to cardinals winter diet and provides a list of important local winter food sources, as well as information about urban vs. rural diet differences. Faculty Advisor: Dr. Joanna Vondrasek Ryan Thacker Biology 299 The Effects of Creatine Anhydrous on the Movement of Callosobruchus maculatus Supplemental creatine has become a major supplement for gym enthusiasts and athletes around the world over the past decade. Creatine phosphate is an important molecule in the production of ATP, keeping energy levels high in the muscle temporarily until aerobic respiration can predominate. Although it has been deemed safe for human consumption, does supplemental creatine really enhance athletic performance? To answer this question, I tested the effects of varying levels of creatine on Callosobruchus maculatus. C. maculatus, better known as the bean beetle, is a common pest in parts of Africa and Asia. Cultured on cowpeas, bean beetles were divided into three groups, exposed to different concentrations of creatine. Groups A and B showed significantly more movement in the first two days of testing compared to the beetles that had no creatine exposure. However, by the last day of testing, my results showed no difference between the groups. This suggest that while creatine phosphate may contribute to increased movement initially, its effects are short-lived. Faculty Advisor: Dr. Virginia York 12 Special thanks to the following laboratory staff for facilitating student projects: Mark Little (Chemistry) Pam Schoppee Bortz (Biology) Joshua Sprouse (Biology) This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant Number 1712724. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation. 13  ...

... 2021 Fall Science Presentations Science 299 independent research projects are semester-long independent research projects that students pursuing an A.S. in Science are required to complete prior to graduation. Students carry out their research under the guidance of a PVCC science faculty member as mentor. The Abstracts of projects completed in Fall 2021 are included in this booklet. 1 Special thanks to the following laboratory staff for facilitating student projects: Mark Little (Chemistry) Pam Schoppee Bortz (Biology) Joshua Sprouse (Biology) Feby Abraham Biology 299 Altitude Preference of Drosophilds at Carter's Mountain Orchard Analyzing the distribution of fruit fly species (Drosophilidae) with respect to elevation within an ecosystem can uncover essential natural history information that could be of use to the agricultural industry. Consistent fluctuation in environmental conditions can cause stress which can impact the fitness of fruit flies. Altitude is one among other environmental factors that can affect the fitness of drosophilids. My hypothesis is that drosophilid species distribution will differ with elevation at high and low sites at a single apple orchard (Carter Mountain Orchard, Albemarle County, Virginia), which might suggest some species are better adapted to the different conditions. Fruit flies were collected using insect nets from high elevation (350.5 m) as well as low elevation (321.6 m) sites within the orchard on four days (09/30/21-10/22/21). The collection continued until roughly the same number of flies were caught from both elevations each day. The collected samples were frozen at -20C and a dissecting microscope was used to differentiate between species. The prevalence of the five most common fly species was compared at the two elevation sites. The results show a significant difference in the species distribution between low and high altitudes (X2 (4, N = 2389) = 195.9777, p = < 0.00001). Zaprionus indianus was found to be the most prevalent at the higher altitude. However, Drosophila melanogaster was the most prevalent at lower altitude, supporting the original hypothesis. Drosophila robusta, Drosophila suzukii, Chymomyza amoena, Leucophenga varia, and Unknown(black) were some other species that were found while analyzing the flies. Broader study regarding species distribution with respect to temperature could also be a factor to consider for further studies. Faculty Advisor: Dr. Joanna Vondrasek 2 Han Dang - Chemistry 299 Determination of Copper Ion Concentrations in Drinking Water Using Spectrophotometric Method There is an expansion of global population due to increased industrialization. Industrial procedures are responsible for excess discharge of heavy metals into the environment. While low copper concentration in the human body causes copper deficiency, higher amounts cause copper toxicity. Both copper deficiency and copper toxicity can lead to serious health issues. The purpose of this project was to determine the concentrations of copper ions using spectrophotometric method. Two commercially available filters (Brita and PUR) were used to remove the copper ions. In addition, home-made filters made up of banana peels and apple peels were also used. The copper concentrations were measured before and after the filtration process. Copper reagent was added to each of the Cu2+(aq) standard to form a pink colored solution and absorption at 560 nm was measured using spectrophotometer. A calibration plot of absorbance versus Cu2+ concentration (ppm) was created. Among the four filters, PUR filters were most efficient at removing Cu2+ ions (83% removal) from solutions. Brita filters removed 70% of Cu2+. Home-made filters were not as efficient as commercial filters, but filters made from apple peels were more efficient (25% copper removal) than those made from banana peels (25% copper removal). Research on making inexpensive home-made water filters would be helpful for the people from the developing countries who cannot afford expensive water filters. Faculty Advisor: Dr. Harish Subedi Kyle Monroe Chemistry 299 Determining the Quality of Raw Spring Water: Safe or Unsafe to Drink? Spring water is water that flows from an aquifer to the earths surface. When safely sourced, spring waters are considered the healthiest waters to drink on account of their associated mineral profiles which help vitalize our bodies. However, springs which are unregulated may become contaminated in a number of ways. In this project, several unregulated springs were located, sampled, and then tested for common known sources of contamination. It was hypothesized that if between 6-8 springs were tested, then at least one of them would prove positive for contamination; in other words unsafe to drink. Samples from six springs were collected, and each was put through a series of tests to determine if they were contaminated, in terms of (1) coliform bacteria and/or (2) unsafe levels of the following elements and compounds: lead, fluoride, iron, copper, total chlorine, nitrite, nitrate, hydrogen sulfide, sulfate, zinc, sodium chloride, manganese, and ammonium. The specific tests performed were: test strips in the form of multi-panel and bacteria, ISE (Ion-Selective Electrode) test for Ammonium, and Spectroscopy for the presence of Copper. All samples proved negative for the presence of bacteria, copper (via spectroscopy), and ammonium. Based on the multi panel strips, all samples tested within safe 3 levels of all other elements and compound with the exception of two; the Wayside Spring sample tested above the safe level for Nitrate, and the Hickory Spring sample tested above the safe level of Lead. Although this proves the hypothesis, future seasonal testing, as well as professional licensed testing is needed to verify these findings. Faculty Advisor: Frances Rees DeMya Preston Chemistry 299 Which Is More Effective? Store-bought Natural Shampoo or Shampoo Made at Home There are so many bad chemicals found in shampoos sold in stores like sodium chloride, parabens, and sodium lauryl sulfate to name a few. As many know, natural shampoos are sold in stores now. Many have switched to natural store-bought shampoo, but you can also make shampoo out of products you may already have in your home or can find at your local store. In this experiment I tested the effectiveness of three different shampoos, two made in the lab and one bought from the store that is considered natural. The shampoos made in the lab where a Coconut Milk shampoo and a Castile Herbal shampoo, the store-bought shampoo was Trader Joes Tea Tree Tingle shampoo. The ingredients in the coconut milk shampoo were 1 can coconut milk, 2 tbsp honey, 1 tsp jojoba oil, 1 tsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tsp olive oil, and 1 tsp lemongrass essential oil. The castile herbal shampoo contained 4 oz of water infused with an herbal tea bag, 2 oz castile soap, 0.5 tsp jojoba oil, and 1 tsp lemongrass essential oil. I chose lemongrass as the essential oil because of its anti-dandruff properties. Simple lab procedures and simple math was preformed to make solutions and conduct test. Four tests were conducted a pH test, grease removal test, foam test, and a dirt dispersion test. The castile herbal shampoo was proven to be the most effective shampoo. Faculty Advisor: Frances Rees Kayla Scott - Biology 299 How Specification Distributions of Drosophila Varies Over A Season Drosophila, commonly referred to as a small fruit fly, is more than just the household pest that invades fermented rotten fruit, decaying produce, and garbage cans. These tiny poikilothermic organisms depend on external sources to achieve optimal body temperature due to their inability to regulate body temperature on their own. The collected data is essential to study evolutionary biology based on how well Drosophila species adapt to their surroundings. This study aims to determine how Drosophila species distribution varies over a season. In autumn, as the average temperature decreases due to seasonal changes, the diversity of Drosophila species will increase. Drosophila species samples were collected bi-weekly from September 10th to November 22nd at Carter Mountain (Latitude N 37 59 19.791, Longitude W 78 28 28.66) in Albemarle County, Charlottesville, Virginia. All Drosophila species samples were captured with a BioQuip Drosophila Net, placed into various BioQuip 59 ml (77 x 32mm) clear styrene collecting vials, 4 properly euthanized, and then separated in the individual species classification under a Nikon SMZ645 Dissecting Microscope. Only three specific Drosophila species were observed and recorded after this study; Drosophila Melanogaster / Simulas, Drosophila Indianus, and Drosophila Suzuki. The temperature stayed consistently within 60-70 degrees until midNovember. At 43 degrees, there was no sign of Drosophila or any other Insecta activity. As a result, data confirmed species distribution did not vary significantly throughout the collection, ultimately rejecting the original hypothesis. Nonetheless, interestingly when temperature records dropped drastically, the sudden activity of all Drosophila species or any other Insecta vacated. Evaluating how these species distributions relate to temperature allows for researchers to obtain a comprehensive understanding of how organisms adapt to their environment changes to maintain homeostasis. Faculty Advisor: Anne Allison Angel Stanley Biology 299 Generational Resistance of Klebsiella pneumoniae To Natural Agents Honey and Salt The bacteria Klebsiella pneumoniae is bacillus shaped and has been studied in the medical field for infections as it is the second most common gram-negative pathogen. Its resistance is on the rise with antibiotics. This brings out question of if there are other possible antibiotics that could be more effective; especially natural agents, such as salt and honey which are known to be preservatives. The hypothesis of this work is that K. pneumoniae would development of resistance over time and that the rate of resistance would be the same between both the inorganic agent, salt, and the organic agent, honey. The methods for this experiment were mainly the Kirby Bauer method and an LB Broth. The Z.o.I.s was measured by a ruler using centimeters from one edge of the zone to the other. Resistance was analyzed over a total of 3 generations and the entire experiment was done twice. The results show that all except the sugar plates had no change whatsoever, while the sugar appeared to induce growth except for right next to the filter paper. The trial of LB Broth had shown growth in all but the sugar broth, possibly due to the caramelization of the sugar. In conclusion, Klebsiella pneumoniae did not show any significant susceptibility to the honey or salt; looking back at the hypothesis, these results show a rejection of it. This can be related back to what is known about these subjects, showing that perhaps further testing is needed. Faculty Advisor: Melinda Clark 5 Celina Vasquez Biology 299 Drosophila Biodiversity in Fuji versus Jonagold Apples in Carters Mountain The difference in Drosophila biodiversity composition between Fuji and Jonagold apples was investigated by comparing the prevalence of the five most common fruit fly species found in Carters Mountain. Fruit flies are a common pest in orchards. Understanding their behavior and fruit preference would give insight into possible ways to manage them. The type of fruit that fruit flies use for their sustenance also determines the nutrition their offspring receive, as fruit flies lay their eggs on the fruits. In previous studies, fruit flies have been shown to be attracted to yeast production. Sugars and antioxidants in the fruits help facilitate yeast production. Fuji and Jonagold apples have different nutritional values, with Fuji apples having more sugar and antioxidant levels. It was hypothesized that due to these nutritional differences, there would be a greater variety of fruit fly biodiversity composition in Fuji versus Jonagold apples when comparing the five most common fruit fly species. Fruit flies were collected from Carters Mountain in separate vials labeled Fuji and Jonagold. The fruit flies were euthanized by freezing them at -20. They were examined under a dissecting microscope and were counted and separated by species. Utilizing data from the five most common species, a Chi-square analysis was used to determine if there was difference in species prevalence between Fuji and Jonagold apples. It was found that D. melanogaster were more prevalent in Fuji apples, whereas D. hydei and Z. indianus were more prevalent in Jonagold apples. A statistical difference in prevalence of the other two species, D. robusta and D. suzukii, was not found. Future research will be needed to further confirm these results and to gain a better understanding as to why in certain species there is a difference in prevalence in Fuji and Jonagold apples. Faculty Advisor: Dr. Donna Hoefner 6 This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant Number 1712724. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation. 7  ...

... Fall 2023 Piedmont Virginia Community College Peek Beyond the Office Door, Pages 12-13 PVCC and GMU: A Match Made for Transfers Sarah Cate Nordman, staff writer On Oct. 9, PVCC added a new member to its list of guaranteed transfer options for its students. George Mason University joined the ranks of the University of Virginia and James Madison University as guaranteed options for PVCC students after they complete their associate degrees. Students looking to work towards a bachelor's degree can seamlessly transfer to GMU after they graduate from PVCC. This partnership is making pathways possible for our students, remarked PVCC President Dr. Jean Runyon. PVCC is committed to providing as many options as possible for students to succeed, even after graduation. The new ADVANCE Piedmont | Mason program will be especially exciting for students who wish to participate in research projects in specific areas of study, including health sciences, sustainability research, and criminal justice. GMU also boasts an impressive roster of sports teams and is the alma mater of two Nobel laureates and three Pulitzer Prize winners. This kind of path guarantees that if they come in, and they want to follow a certain path, and they stay at a level with their grades, and are supported by coaches along the way, that they can come right into George Mason. They wont have to reapply, they will be automatically admitted, said Dr. Janette Muir, vice provost for academic affairs at George Mason. Looking to graduate this Fall and transfer to George Mason from PVCC? Contact an adviser today about what your next steps to success will look like. In This Issue Dr. Muir and Dr. Runyon sign the ADVANCE program into action. Photo courtesy of PVCC Marketing & Media Relations PVCC Events -pg. 2 SGA Update -pg. 3 One Book -pg. 5 Services Events -pgs. 8-15 Music -pg. 14-15 Reviews Classifieds -pgs. 6-7 -pgs. 16-23 -pg. 24 DATES TO REMEMBER Editors Note Benjamin Marcus, editor Pet Therapy Dog on Campus* Mondays, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., East Patio Yoga Class * Fridays at noon, Fitness Center One Book Event: Human Nature Screening * Oct. 18, noon to 2 p.m., M229 SFRC Health and Wellness Event * Oct. 19, noon to 1 p.m., Bolick Student Center Documentary Filmmaking Workshop with Ty Cooper * Oct. 20, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Dickinson Building Main Stage Films Talk Back: Good Work: Masters of the Building Arts with filmmaker Paul Wagner * Oct. 20, 7:30 p.m., Dickinson Building Main Stage International Food Sale Oct. 23, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Bolick Student Center Halloween Social * Oct. 31, noon to 1 p.m., Bolick Student Center One Book Trivia Contest * Nov. 1, noon to 1 p.m., North Mall Meeting Room One Book Photography Contest Deadline * Nov. 3 Election Day Nov. 7, All Day, No classes Charlottesville Ballet: Salute ^ Nov. 11, 3 p.m. Dickinson Building Main Stage Autumn Origami Workshop * Nov. 16, 6 p.m., North Mall Meeting Room Gallery Exhibition Opening Reception * Nov. 17, 5-7 p.m., Dickinson Building Galleries *Free Event ^Student Vouchers Available I grew up surrounded by writing. Both my parents had jobs as editors at various points during my childhood my father in particular spent time working as the editor of an economic journal. My parents homeschooled me and gave me access to plenty of books and audiobooks, so it was natural for me to be drawn toward writing in my early years. I wrote frequently while in my pre and early teens, and much of what I wrote benefitted from my fathers editorial rigor. When I enrolled in PVCC in the fall of 2021, I was very fortunate that the first class I attended was a composition class taught by Dr. Tamara Whyte, professor of English and the faculty adviser for The Forum. Dr. Whytes teaching style and curriculum were an excellent introduction to academic pursuit. After having taken both Composition I and II with Dr. Whyte, I still wanted to learn more from her. In the fall of 2022, I enrolled in a class that taught a style of writing I had barely considered for myself: journalism. It wasnt until that class that I began to properly connect with PVCC beyond my classes. I got to know the college much more deeply as the need for article topics led me to interview faculty members and attend events I may not have even known about otherwise. Beyond tuning my skills and teaching me new ones, journalism helped me gain a deeper appreciation and connection to PVCC as a whole. Now, as I start the last year of my degree, I am once again pursuing journalism, this time as an editor. I intend to further explore PVCC as I discovered it in that journalism class a year ago and to both share my own discoveries about PVCC and help other aspiring writers do the same through The Forum. Page 2 Student Government Association News Meet Your Officers!!! President: Mara Cox Vice-President: Kea Leshoe Secretary: Savannah Brown Treasurer: Alex Hartford Public Relations: Sam Facio If your club needs funds to host an event for the student body submit a request to the SGA! We will provide funds and any help you might need! Forms can be found outside the STUDENT LIFE office in the SGA-sponsored folder outside the door! (Same protocol for budget requests!) Events weve done so far: GET OUT TO VOTE done with civic sense LOTERIA done with student engagement Page 3 PVCC Student and Faculty Publish a Story Sarah Cate Nordman, staff writer turned out to be a portable stove burner. She was so ecstatic, to have the opportunity to give her Almost every PVCC student has taken ENG mother this amazing present, she sprinted all the 111. Many of them have written a narrative way home. Her mother was irate that she had left assignment. Not many of them have had their without telling her where she was, but her anger narrative assignment published in a renowned faded when she saw what her daughter had childrens magazine, but Linda White has. brought her. Gratitude overcame her and she Adjunct Assistant Professor of English Kathy began to cry. That night, they put the new burner May read her to work and had a narrative, a story barbeque feast to about Whites celebrate Maejas childhood in 1980s victory. South Korea, and When May read was so moved by it Whites story, she that she knew it knew it had to be had to be published. I published. submitted it to two Our house or three different didnt have a publishers, and washing machine, they all rejected it, White began as she said May. It was Linda White with students after reading her story Maeja described her rejected by book Keeps On Walking. Photo courtesy of Linda White story. So we publishers, but then always had to do laundry by hand we also only I thought, Ill try magazines. Spider Magazine is had one stove burner in our house. So when my the most prestigious childrens magazine in the mom cooks, she cooks one food at a time. country for the literary arts They accepted it! It Everything was that way. Everything was normal. took them a couple months, but then we didnt We were not poor, but that was normal for hear anything for years! everyone. I always walked to school with my Spider Magazine experienced issues due to sisters. And also, I always helped my mom with the coronavirus and the resignation of their Editor laundry, dishes, grocery shopping and anything -In-Chief. The editors, a year ago, said, we want One day I saw the flame car said there was a it, we love it, we dont know when its going to walking contest to the mountain, and the prize be published, but we need to work on it some was a washing machine. I really wanted to do that more, said May. for my mom, even though my mom said that was After nearly 10 years of revisions, by both not going to happen. White and May, and a couple changes for the In the story, Whites mom encourages her to magazine, Maeja Keeps On Walking was be realistic about winning the race. In real life, published. White, who works as a literary she did not tell her mom at all. resource teacher in Fairfax County, shares her The race started from downtown and then story with her students. She even has had students progressed through the city, the park, and finally, say to her that they have the magazine she was the mountain. Maeja, or White, left after eating featured in at home. breakfast and didnt make it home until after three Dont give up and always start with a good in the afternoon. She remembers the race as heart. I wasnt a good writer in real life. I wasnt a utterly exhausting, but worth it when she thought good reader. I told [my students] that you always about the joy it would bring her family. She never have to keep trying. You never know whats thought she was going to win, but she was proud coming, she said. to place fourth. Linda Whites story Maeja Keeps On Although disappointed she didnt secure the Walking can be found in the March 2023 issue washing machine, the prize for fourth place of Spider Magazine. Page 4 Hearing The Song of the Cell Benjamin Marcus, editor This semester, the One Book Program invites PVCC students and faculty to learn the mechanics and history of cellular biology and how it promises to revolutionize medicine and what it means to be human. Every year, the PVCCs One Book Program chooses a single book to make available for the entire college for free. This year, that book is the New York Times bestseller The Song of the Cell: An Exploration of Medicine and the New Human, by Siddhartha Mukherjee. The Song of the Cell was one of three One Book candidates chosen by the Committee for this year the other two being The Compassionate Instinct: The Science of Human Goodness, edited by Dacher Keltner, Jason Marsh, and Jeremy Adam Smith and The Undoing Project: A Friendship That Changed Our Minds by Michael Lewis. Once we have our list of three, we send it out to the entire college community, faculty, staff, students, and everybody gets to vote, and the winner of that becomes the One Book for the following year, said Crystal Newell, director of library services and co-chair of the One Book Committee. The Song of the Cell was actually a runaway winner. It crushed the other two. Indeed, more than half of the 206 respondents who voted for this years One Book chose The Song of the Cell. The Song of the Cell centers around the topic of cellular biology, its history, and how it is shaping the future. It discusses the role of cells as the fundamental units of life and how our understanding of them allows us to engineer and modify cells to fit our own purposes. The books themes will be incorporated into many events this semester, including Animalcules of PVCC, a microscope activity sponsored by the science department which was held on Oct. 2; a screening of the documentary Human Nature on Oct. 18 at noon; a One Book Trivia contest on Nov. 1 at noon; Our Invisible World, a photo contest sponsored by the art department, where students, faculty, or staff are prompted to look small, think big, with submissions closing Nov. 3; an art gallery exhibition opening on Nov. 17; and at least one guest speaker. The Song of the Cell hardcover. Photography by Benjamin Marcus Page 5 TimelyCare Provides Mental Health Support Josh Black, staff writer Dealing with mental health problems is never easy, and finding qualified, affordable care in a timely fashion is nearly as difficult. TimelyCare, which PVCC students can access free of charge, is a telehealth company aimed at connecting students with mental health professionals to talk about anything, anytime. After signing in with a school email, TimelyCare requests some personal information: sex, gender identity, race and preferred language (English, Spanish, or Chinese). TimelyCare grants access to many features immediately, but to use TalkNow 24/7 mental health/emotional support or to schedule an appointment with a licensed counselor, new users are required to enter medical information and history. There are two kinds of phone support: ondemand and scheduled. TalkNow is available 24/7 and connects users to a mental health professional quickly; once a reason for the visit is selected, a provider will call the users phone number ASAP. Scheduled appointments are available with many providers. Their names, faces, titles, qualifications, languages spoken, areas of focus, and bios are displayed to help users choose someone they feel comfortable with. TimelyCare also has a service to help students meet their basic needs. Click Get Assistance and select an option from legal, work, family Image courtesy of TimelyCare care, finance, transit, housing, and food. Patient care advisors will connect students with local government agencies, non-profit organizations, and/or programs on their campuses that will help with their in-the-moment needs Actual examples include helping multiple students find low-rent housing, identifying local support groups for the student-parent of an autistic child, and connecting a student in an unstable relationship with a safe shelter, according to TimelyCares website. The community page is a place to anonymously speak ones mind; posts subjects include anxiety and coursework, family and friends, LGBTQ+ and relationships, and more. Tag filtering allows users to find posts from others who might share their experiences. Anyone can respond to posts in the live feed to offer advice, encouragement, or simply sympathies. Under the Explore tab, there are guides for learning about self-care and becoming equipped to deal with mental health challenges. Many videos feature Dr. Andrew Kim, a board-certified psychiatrist, teaching concepts like how to set healthy boundaries or improve stress management. Other videos include yoga instruction, guided meditation, and healthy meal preparation. Students can sign into their free TimelyCare account by going to Student Affairs on the PVCC website and selecting Mental Health Services. Access TimelyCare here Page 6 Helping Students Succeed in Life Kritagya Gurung, staff writer The Student Success Office has some helpful advisors who assist PVCC students academically. adviser, and make a plan. The student needs to make a weekly planner and go to the Student Success Office every month in the semester to talk and to plan for the coming semesters. If a student is considering dropping courses, they need to come to the student success office to talk to the advisor. The office may know some resources that can help the student make an important decision. In some cases, students withdrawing from their courses is a good thing, so the students have to come to the student success office to speak with an adviser, and the adviser will help evaluate their options. If the student failed a class or received a low grade on the class, the student needs to speak to an adviser as soon as possible. The student can repeat the class to replace the old grade in the GPA, and thats always the best option. Adviser Debbie Ashby said, The PVCC Student Success Office can help students in different ways. Mostly we work with students who are struggling academically to find ways to reach success whatever that means to them. We listen and provide suggestions for support through the college. Student Success Office advisers can also help students make appointments. The Student Success Office can help you make appointments for the Tutoring Center, Writing Center and more. Student Success Adviser Debbie Ashby. Photography courtesy of Debbie Ashby Page 7 A Geologic Adventure on the Askja Volcano Eavan Murphy, staff writer On Sept. 20, the geology club had the pleasure of talking to Dr. Jessica Ball, a physical volcanologist who recently took a three-week trip to Iceland to study the Askja volcano. Dr. Ball was able to share several stories and photos from her journey via Zoom. Askja, which means box in Icelandic, refers to the series of nested calderas (large volcanic depressions) located along the surrounding Dyunjufll mountains. The volcano first became known through its devastating phreatoplinian eruption in 1875, but it has most likely been active for at least 7,000 years. Even though it last erupted in 1961, Askja is still classified as an active volcano and continues to be closely monitored by scientists. Ball is the associate scientist-in-charge for Hazard Assessment and Communication at the United States Geological Survey (USGS) California Volcano Observatory. This summer, she and her team traveled to Askja to study volcanic rocks and deposits that are created from an interaction with water and magma known as phreatomagmatic volcanism. Ball spent most of her time examining a scoria cone that switched A landscape of the Askja volcano. Photo courtesy of Jessica Ball A caldera on Askja volcano. Photo courtesy of Jessica Ball between phreatomagmatic and magmatic. The Askja volcano and the calderas are what can only be described as a geologists playground. According to Ball, You can spend your entire trip in a caldera and never see the same thing twice. Other notable geological features in the area include shield volcanoes, lava flows, and hyaloclastites (pyroclastic rocks containing large amounts of glassy shards). While the expedition was certainly enlightening, there were many challenges that Ball and her team faced along the way. Due to the remote location, bumpy terrain, and many river crossings, it was extremely difficult to travel to the volcano. Once they were in the Vatnajkull National Park, they had to hike everywhere as driving was prohibited. Not only that, but the team had to sleep under layers of blankets and make countless cups of hot chocolate to stay warm in the harsh Icelandic climate. As Ball showed images of the beautiful landscapes and geologic formations from her trip, it was clear that many of the geology club members wanted to conduct fieldwork themselves, but werent sure if they were capable. To that, Ball responded, Field work can be accessible to everyone, even when it's in these rough, rugged places. Page 8 PVCC Movie Night: Walking El Camino Gaby Felipe, staff writer the walk to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. We are introduced to a mom who On Friday, Sept. 15, PVCC held a movie wants to take the walk with her brother so that he night in the Dickinson Theater and presented a can find some sense of purpose, an American documentary called Walking El Camino: Six woman who wants to understand the culture and Ways to Santiago. The documentary talked about why people take the walk, and two other women traveling from France to Spain over the course of who are trying to find a new purpose and meaning several days. The walk consists of multiple days of life. We meet two other men; one of the men is on foot where you can arrange when you start, trying to get over the loss of his wife, and the where you are going to sleep, and how far you are other is doing the walk for fun. As we follow going to walk on any given day. The walk them, we see how they grow in a spiritual way consisted of over 764 kilometers from France to and let go of everything that they have held on to. Spain and 828 kilometers from the North way to We also see their struggles with how it affects Spain. their physical and mental capacity. The travelers We follow six individuals, who each have either abandon the walk when they cant go any different motivations on why they are going on further, or find more to life than they expected. After the documentary, Professor of Spanish Dr. Jorge Grajales-Diaz took part in a Q&A where he talked about his experience walking El Camino. He has been on the walk three different times, twice taking the walk from France to Spain called El Camino Francs and once taking El Camino Del Norte to Spain. He talked about how El Camino Francs has fewer paved roads and has more dirt roads which makes the walk more challenging while El Camino Del Norte is more paved and is more beginner-friendly. Grajales-Diaz also said that even though the documentary didnt show it, there is technology being used in El Camino, but there are mixed emotions about it. He talked about how El Camino is a very social walk and it is hard to avoid interactions with other people. It is also a time to be exposed to new languages and cultures. He also explained that using reallife examples like El Camino is also a great way to expand his students vocabulary. This gives them a chance to apply their vocabulary to a real-life situation. Grahales-Diaz also talked about how there are programs for students to walk and explore El Professor Jorge Grajales-Diaz talks about his experience Camino. walking El Camino. Photography by Gaby Felipe Page 9 CureFest USA: Finding Hope Amidst Tragedy Ellie Rose Killinger, staff writer Every year, on the third weekend in September, thousands of people impacted by childhood cancer rally in D.C. for an event called CureFest. This year, in a last-minute pivot due to the torrential downpour that struck the DMV area, hundreds of people gathered inside the JW Marriott Ballroom on Pennsylvania Avenue to advocate for more funding for childhood cancer research. In place of the traditional outdoors Nights of Golden Lights event, an advocacy session was held by members of the childhood cancer and medical community. The event was co-hosted by Grace Wethor, a social media icon and childhood cancer fighter, and Hannah Adams, another member of the childhood cancer community. The night opened with two childrens singing groups, Studio Bleu, singing the National Anthem, and Loud and Clear, performing a cover of The Climb by Miley Cyrus. Several childhood cancer fighters and survivors spoke, including Ally Anderson, a fivetime childhood cancer fighter, who talked about her battle with PTSD and the long-term mental effects that cancer has on a child. One of the main points that was brought up throughout the night was that childhood cancer only receives four percent of funding from the National Cancer Institute (NCI), despite children making up nearly a quarter of the U.S. population. As cancer survivor Rikita Arora pleaded, We deserve more than four percent! In addition to the fighters and survivors, several siblings of those lost to childhood cancer spoke, including Ava Santhuff, who started Avas Avengers, an organization that provides support for siblings of kids with cancer. Finally, several members of the medical community spoke out at the event. As Adam Resnick, MD, CBTN said, [Childhood cancer] isnt a journey, its a war. Finally, Catharine Young, Ph.D., member of the Biden administrations Cancer Moonshot, an initiative that seeks to decrease the cancer death rate in the U.S., spoke about the progress that the Biden administration has made towards ending all cancers. The Cancer Moonshot is building a world where the word cancer loses its power, where a diagnosis isnt a death sentence, where we prevent cancer before it starts, or where we catch it early enough so that kids and people can live long and healthy lives, said Dr. Young. Five time childhood cancer fighter, Ally Anderson. Photography courtesy of Mike Gillette Page 10 Need Hope? Fork Union Day Nate Estes, staff writer When asked what Fork Union Day is about, Academic dean of Fork Union Military Academy and candidate for Fluvanna County Board of Supervisors Mike Goad said that people should know Fork Union does have a future. He pictures Fork Union as a phoenix rising from the ashes. He is right about one thing: Fork Union is struggling. They have lost a bank and a restaurant in the past few years. That may not seem like much, but Fork Union is already small. The military academy is staying afloat but has Terrie Wood and her setup. Photography by Nate Estes dropped in attendance. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, they had about Sals Italian Restaurant, some for politicians, and 470 students in 2005. However, USnews.com some for local businesses. The words Need shows they only have 305 students this school Hope? caught my eye. year. I met a woman named Terry Wood, a teacher Fork Union Day took place on Saturday, Sept. at Fluvanna County High School. When asked 16, and it did not have a great first impression. what she was doing to spread hope, she answered, There was an inflatable slide and a connect-four Im offering hope through Christ. She treated game, along with a few other minor attractions set me like family and was happy to answer up outside Fork Union Baptist Church. However, questions. It was evident she cared about this the atmosphere was like a friendly family get community. Goad stated that Fork Union is a together, and nobody was scared to talk to you. good place to raise children. The kids running Then came a parade. It started with candidates around and the adults laughing with each other for the upcoming local elections. There were showed the great sense of community in Fork candidates for Fluvanna County treasurer, the Union that he described. Board of Supervisors, and the School Board. When driving down Route 15, all you may see Afterwards, there was a glimpse of mobile is a few abandoned buildings and a couple small businesses in Fluvanna County, mostly black- grocery stores and restaurants, but there is much owned. They showed off a local realtor, Marthas more here. There is a deep, rich history that Lawn Care, and local DJ Markie Mark, and a brings people together. There is a strong few others. A surprising addition was local community that may be undermined by the motorbike gang Tha Pack MC. withering economic health of Fork Union. And After the parade was the main attraction. whether you get it from Christ or from new fiscal About 40 tents were set up in the parking lot of policies, there is hope. Page 11 A Glimpse Beyond the Office Door Benjamin Marcus, editor Just as inspiration for art can be found in the last places you might think to look, artists possessed of great creativity and skill can be found walking many paths not traditionally associated with artistic pursuit. PVCC is home to several such artists, members of faculty and staff outside of the art department, and this semester the PVCC community and the world at large have the opportunity to see their works. Sept. 15 marked the opening of two new gallery exhibitions in the Dickinson Building. The Annual Faculty Exhibition, displaying new works in painting, sculpture, and more from the art department faculty, was in the South Gallery. While, in the North Gallery was Beyond the Office Door, an exhibit exclusively displaying art from the PVCC faculty and staff who are not part of the art department. As Fenella Bell, chairperson of visual and performing arts, explained in her curator statement for the gallery, In their day jobs, you will find these artists teaching biology, math, or economics. Or they may be the person from Information Technology who helps solve your computer problem. They may even be the person you pay your tuition to! The variety of the art on display matched the variety of the artists and included paintings in a wide variety of styles, photographs, ceramics, and even pieces made in the 3D rendering software Blender. On Sept. 15, there was an open-to-the-public reception for the galleries opening, where visitors could meet several of the artists and learn more about the origins and techniques of their art. Some of the artists have been making art for a long time now, like Dr. Keith Nabb, associate professor of mathematics, who started painting in 2001 and makes paintings as gifts to his friends and family. Others, like Dr. Sushma Shukla, associate professor of economics, began more recently. Shukla started painting during quarantine, learning from Bob Ross videos. She said, As an economics professor, my professional life often involves analytical thinking and data-driven research, which can be intellectually stimulating but sometimes mentally demanding. Painting allows me to step away from numbers and theories, giving me the freedom to express myself and explore my imagination. Beyond the Office Door is open for the PVCC community to come to see for themselves pieces for PVCCs previously hidden artists, until Nov. 4, when both exhibitions close. On Sept. 15, visitors and artists gather in North Gallery to see the new exhibition Photography by Benjamin Marcus Page 12 From Left to Right: All Systems Go, Naiad, & After the Fte, by Anni Wilson Photography by Benjamin Marcus Natures Harmony by Sushma Shukla Photography by Benjamin Marcus Bengal Tiger by Lesley Wood Photography by Benjamin Marcus Plate by Matt Shifflett Photography by Benjamin Marcus Pure Joy by Keith Nabb Photography by Benjamin Marcus Page 13 Karaoke Night at Blue Ridge Cafe William McAuliffe, staff writer Thursday Sept. 21, there was a karaoke event at Blue Ridge Cafe on 8315 Seminole Trail in Ruckersville. The karaoke plays on the patio, and you can watch people sing from 7-10 p.m. while you have your dinner. During these events, the hosts give guests a QR code to scan on their phone, and they can submit any song they want to sing for the visitors to watch. You can also have duets where you and another friend can sing together. At 9 p.m., visitors under 16 years old are prohibited from being on the patio since there will be a lot of people drinking alcohol. When I went to the karaoke event for the first time, I found it to be very fun to visit. I was able to see a lot of people that I knew from high school and watch them sing. I learned about the Thursday karaoke by watching it on several of my friends Snapchat stories. The library of music has a variety of songs with different genres such as country, rock, classic, and music from the past decades. When you sing the song, there is a screen in front of the singer where it displays the lyrics so you can sing the song in front of many people. The lighting at night on the patio during karaoke is beautiful. Ive been to Blue Ridge Cafe multiple times, and they serve good food. Appetizers consist of a variety of fried food with dips such as ranches and barbeque which range from $7-$15. Salads and soups are a maximum of $10 each. They also serve steak and burgers with a variety of prices that range between $10 and $40. They also serve entrees and sides such as vegetables like green beans, potatoes, and broccoli along with french fries and chicken tenders. Overall, it was a great experience, and I would definitely recommend it for people who love to go out to bars and watch people sing. I also recommend going to Blue Ridge Cafe overall as its a really good restaurant to have dinner at whenever you hang out with friends and family. Kyle LaTorre, a William Monroe student. Photography by William McAuliffe Page 14 Photo courtesy of Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats Rocks Cville Josh Traynor, staff writer On Sept. 15, at around 8:45 p.m., the lights of the Ting Pavilion on the Downtown Mall in Charlottesville dimmed as a band of eight men walked on stage. A red glow illuminated the stage, and a loud, bassy sound filled the air, demanding the audiences undivided attention. Fans who were previously seated got to their feet at once and cheered as the pavilion erupted with bright lights and mirthful music. The band had arrived, and they wanted you to know it. Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats is a band of many genres, most notably rhythm and blues, folk, and Americana. The band was created in 2013 in Colorado by its frontman, Nathaniel Rateliff, and several other collaborators. Nathaniel Rateliff created the band in 2013 with several long-time collaborators, and The Night Sweats skyrocketed to popularity with the release of their self-titled debut album in 2015. This album contained the bands most popular song, S.O.B., which caught the attention of Jimmy Fallon, and later thousands of viewers when the band performed it live on The Tonight Show. Despite how popular the band is, I had never heard of them before the performance in Charlottesville. However, when I worked at the Ting Pavilion that night, I quickly realized just how much I was missing out on. Immediately, the pavilion was blasted with the sound of powerful drums and brassy trumpets as the band broke out into a lighthearted tune. As he sang, Rateliffs twangy voice was clear and soulful, complimenting the sound of the guitar and keyboard and creating a melody that sounded like a mixture of old 60s blues and newer folk music. Each song had its own distinct sound, ranging from slow and mild, like Hey Mama and A Little Honey, to the upbeat, bold, and fast-paced S.O.B. S.O.B. was truly the shows magnum opus, and the entire crowd was stomping their feet and clapping to the catchy rhythm. The song opened with Rateliff humming a tune that sounded very similar to the vocals from Thurston Harris Little Bitty Pretty One, accompanied by a thump-clapthump-clap beat. The pace kicked up suddenly as the drums joined in, and Rateliffs voice rang even more powerfully than ever as he nearly howled the lyrics. The whole crowd erupted into song and sang with him. Even I clapped along as I scanned the crowd during the moments when I wasnt preoccupied with helping patrons find their seats or telling them not to stand in the ADA area. While the Night Sweats arent in Charlottesville anymore, they aren't done touring yet, and you can still get tickets to their upcoming performance in Washington DC on Nov. 4. Their albums are also released on YouTube, as well as music streaming platforms such as Spotify, and Apple Music. If you cant attend one of their next concerts but still want to feel what its like to be there, they also have music videos and videos of their performances on their site at www.nathanielrateliff.com/update. The author of this article is a member of RMC Events, a company that provides event staffing services to all Ting Pavilion events. Page 15 At Jack Browns, You Cant Have Enough Fernando Monjes, staff writer where you can just kick back and relax. The staff is extremely friendly, knowledgeable, and always ready to help navigate through their extensive, delicious menu. So if you ever find yourself wandering around downtown, make sure you swing by Jack Browns. Theyre open every day, seven days a week from 11 a.m. to midnight on SundayWednesday and 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. on ThursdaySaturday, so you're in no rush! Trust me, you will not be disappointed. Jack Browns Beer and Grill is a hidden gem of a place. Located in the heart of Charlottesville, Jack Browns is a go-to place for beer enthusiasts and burger lovers. Lets begin with the star of the show, the burgers. Jack Browns takes burger perfection and variety to an entirely new level. The flavorful patties are cooked to perfection, and don't get me started on the toppings. The delicious toppings range from the old but gold bacon and cheese to creative combinations like peanut butter and jelly. Now, you cant talk about burgers without mentioning fries. The fries are made to a crisp, golden color, and with the combination of Jack Browns signature sauce; I can't think of much that can compete. There is something for everyone to enjoy, extremely nourishing and financially friendly. The hamburgers begin at $8.49 and cheeseburgers at $8.99. The prices can vary depending on your toppings. What are burgers without fries? A side of fries will run you $3.50 and $4 for sweet potato fries. Their beer selections are also top-notch. While I dont personally drink alcohol, they have an extensive variety of craft beers to choose from for the beer lovers out there. They range from local brews to popular national favorites. Whatever youre into, no doubt they have you covered. The atmosphere at Jack Browns is laid back and very comforting. When entering, the first thing you'll notice is the unique accessories on their walls such as dollar bills, clocks, shirts, articles, stickers, bottles, toyStickers, paintings, and many more trinkets at Jack Browns. mounted animals, I could go on Photo courtesy of Eva Maria T forever. Its the kind of place Page 16 Will it gelato? Splendoras says, Yes. Josh Black, staff writer Splendoras Gelato serves all the staple frozen treat flavors. Vanilla, chocolate, mint chip and ghost pepper honey raspberry? Never mind sublime takes on the ordinary, its the extraordinary flavors that make Splendoras, located at Stonefield, a must-try. Colorful walls and pleasant servers welcome Stonefield shoppers who enter Splendoras. Charming crochet critters adorn the countertop. Chalkboard calligraphy lists prices for gelato (scoops, pints and quarts) and drinks from the espresso bar. Its $5.25 for a two-scoop small, $6.25 for three and $7.25 for four. Two should be plenty, though the other options are great for sharing or for the indecisive. On Fridays and Saturdays, the owner bakes homemade cupcakes that go for $3.25 each, but come for leftovers on Sunday for a dollar off. The cupcakes are vegan, and there was a gluten-free option when I visited. Even those averse to weird and wonderful flavors might name Splendoras their favorite frozen dessert spot. Fruit-lovers will enjoy the tangy lemon, the juicy mango or the tart raspberry. Combine said raspberry with a scoop of chocolate for a wonderful balance of sweet and sour. Anyone offended by vanilla used interchangeably with default has a rich, creamy gelato waiting for them. The real star of the show, however, is the creativity displayed by the nonstandard varieties. My ideas just come from eating so much, says the owner, P.K. Ross. Every time I try something new, I cant help asking myself: Will it gelato? Ross tells of making a fish sauce caramel gelato for a Feast of the Seven Fishes themed fundraiser dinner hosted by Lampo. Dining at Broadcloth (a fine dining restaurant located in The Wool Factory) led to the ginger kabocha flavor, inspired by the sauce served with the cobia. Kabocha is a squash, also called Japanese pumpkin in the U.S. not an ingredient a layman would consider for gelato. After many samples, I chose one scoop of banana leaf pandan pawpaw and one of spicebush plum (the ghost pepper honey raspberry was too much for me, alas). Both were divine. The first was mild, somehow vanilla-y, coconutty and fruity banana, of course, and mango all at once. The second balanced the sweet acidity of plum with warming autumnal spices. Splendoras is where never tried becomes all-time favorite. You wont just go for dessert, youll expand your culinary horizons. Adventurous customers need not fear running out of new flavors; the menu rotates weekly, and Ross is always innovating. Gelato isnt the only option; the homemade vegan cupcakes similarly include staples and inventive flavors. I tried ginger pawpaw and gluten-free plum almond chocolate. The ginger pawpaw was like a coconut cake made mildly fruity, and the plum almond chocolate was dense, with a great balance of flavors. Near the cupcakes, there is often another baked-good oddity to try, such as pandesal a traditional Filipino bread roll. Splendoras can be found in the Shops at Stonefield and is open Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday from 12-8 p.m. and 12-9 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Cupcakes and gelato. Photography by Josh Black Page 17 Thai Fresh Celebrates 9 Years of Fine Dining Owner Tom Pramoonjago in Thai Fresh. Photo courtesy of Attaya Pramoonjago Ellie Rose Killinger, staff writer waitress. Attaya promptly took my order spicy Pad Thai ($7). The restaurants open floor plan Searching for a delicious and affordable bite then allowed me to watch as Tom Pramoonjago to eat? Look no further than Charlottesvilles own prepared my meal. In under five minutes, I Thai Fresh. With reasonably priced dishes, received my dish, a medley of thin rice noodles fantastic customer service, and an exceptional sauteed with strips of chicken, egg, bean sprouts, atmosphere, Thai Fresh has become my go-to spot peanuts, and scallions. As a frequent eater of Thai food, I can confidently say that Thai Fresh has when craving a home-cooked meal. perfected their recipe; their Upon entering the variation of Pad Thai is restaurant for the first time, undoubtedly the best I have I was kindly greeted by the ever tried. owner, Tom Pramoonjago, On my second visit, over a and his daughter, Attaya. bowl of steaming fried rice Having first moved from ($7), I conversed with Attaya Thailand to the U.S. in and her father, asking them 2007, Tom Pramoonjago about their experience in started out as a dishwasher. Charlottesville. Never having cooked The people here are very before, he began to study nice, said Tom under the head chef at an Pramoonjago. Due to the authentic Thai restaurant. many other Thai restaurants In 2014, Pramoonjago in the area, competition has opened his own restaurant, been a struggle. We have Thai Fresh. many regular customers, After graduating high though, said Attaya. Few school in Thailand, Attaya customers even come every moved to the U.S. to help day. her father run the family Thai Fresh is open business. A full-time Monday through Saturday student at PVCC, Attaya Outside View of Thai Fresh. from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and is works at the restaurant Photo courtesy of Attaya Pramoojago closed on Sundays. every day after school as a Page 18 Marco & Luca: Tried and Fried Marc and Luca storefront downtown. Photography by Tamara Whyte Hugh Hubbard, staff writer Charlottesvilles beloved dumpling shop Marco and Luca Dumplings is practically a downtown landmark. Serving only a handful of well-honed dishes, it has cemented itself in the hearts and stomachs of students, locals, and tourists alike. This humble family-owned chain has expanded to include multiple locations within and around Charlottesville. Founded in 2001 by Sun Da and his wife Dragana and named after their two children, Marco and Luca was granted critical and popular praise soon after opening. Now, over 20 years later, the praise stays the same, and the business flourishes However, it has not been easy for this restaurant to thrive. In 2008, the financial crash prevented Sun Da from acquiring much-needed loans for his long-planned expansion to the Seminole Square shopping center, causing the expansion to be delayed to the winter of 2010. In more recent times, COVID-19 lockdowns and inflation hit the business hard. This caused management to increase the price of all listed dishes by an average of ($1.50) . This caused a semi-ironic backlash among Marco and Luca fans online. The restaurant stands today as a testament to many things, including that a business can prosper with a good product and loyal consumers, and that the very same business can stay aloft during times of hardship. The quality of the food has stayed the same for decades, and that is the true reason for its popularity. The food, of course, is a somewhat authentic play on East Asian street food. Its primary dish is the fried pork dumplings that come in batches of six ($5.75). The real star in this dish is the rich tangy sauce the dumplings are smothered in. Some detractors of Marco and Luca complain that this sauce is the only exceptional thing they serve, and that the dumplings and buns served with it are subpar by themselves. Though I strongly disagree with this statement, I have to agree that I would not go to Marco and Luca if not for this sauce. In all truth, I have many times tried to recreate this sauce from scratch, with various degrees of success. The secondary dishes are just as well made as the dumplings. A particular favorite is the hot and sour soup ($4). With a rich broth and tofu, this is a surprisingly filling soup. Both the hot buns ($2.25) and sesame noodles ($4) are decidedly less ordered than both dumpling and soup, but are no less delicious. All of these recipes are prepared in house, and according to a 2013 article on The Hook, the noodles themselves are made at the Seminole location and sent to the other locations. Page 19 MarieBette: Delicious, but Expensive Eavan Murphy, staff writer Since its opening in 2014, MarieBette Caf & Bakery has become a Charlottesville favorite. Its a rare occasion to not see customers lined out the door during the early morning hours. So, as someone who recently moved to Charlottesville, I naturally had to check out this local phenomenon for myself. Along with a large variety of homemade pastries and breads, MarieBette serves breakfast, lunch, and coffee. I ordered a Hanover Sandwich ($10) with a small side of greens ($4) from the lunch menu as well as a caf au lait ($4) and a chocolate almond croissant to take home ($4.50). The sandwich consisted of fennel salami, mozzarella cheese, roasted tomatoes, arugula, and balsamic glaze on a toasted baguette. The food was delicious as the produce and bread were very fresh. However, the sandwich was a lot smaller than what I was expecting and the side of greens was basically just Caf au lait. Photography by Eavan Murphy Hanover Sandwich, BLT, & greens. Photography by Eavan Murphy overpriced arugula with sherry dressing. The caf au lait, on the other hand, was sublime, and I appreciated the small complimentary cookie that was served with it. I also enjoyed the chocolate almond croissant, but I thought the layer of chocolate was a bit thin. I really enjoyed the atmosphere and the overall look of the place. I went at around noon on a Friday, but it was still buzzing with customers. The seating was limited but comfortable, the music was good, and the staff was very friendly. However, the service was slow, and it took over twenty minutes for me to receive my food. Overall, I enjoyed my first experience at MarieBette. While its not somewhere I could afford to frequent for a meal, I believe the pastries and coffee are more moderately priced. MarieBette Bakery & Cafe is located 11 minutes away from campus at 700 Rose Hill Drive. During the week, the bakery is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and the kitchen from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. On weekends, the bakery opens at 8:30 a.m. and closes at 4:30 p.m. while the kitchen hours are 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Page 20 Why Barbie is Equally Pro Men and Women Sarah Cate Nordman, staff writer Due to the popularization of streaming services and the recent coronavirus pandemic, it is difficult for movies to pack a theater. It is a challenge for them to even fill a couple of rows. But a few weeks ago, when my friends and I went to see Barbie, we sat in a sold-out cinema. The film started at 5 p.m., and we waited in line starting at 4:30 p.m. and missed the previews. We were joined by equally excited girls and women of all ages who had donned their head-to-toe pink attire for a celebration of girlhood. However, except for the few dads and brothers, there were hardly any male viewers. It is no secret that Barbie was a film marketed to and made for women. Little girls are pulled in by the pink and glittery aesthetic as well as learning the backstory of their favorite toy. While the same can be true for women, they are able to grasp the deeper topics throughout the film frank discussions on feminism set in a cotton candy wonderland which are easy to swallow for all ages. It also has a relatability that attracts female viewers. I cannot count on two hands the amount of times the exact exchange of having a man explain to me how to use the select tool on Photoshop has happened to me. Although the film champions women in unique ways, it also acknowledges the struggles that men face due to the patriarchy. Throughout the film, both Barbie and Ken go through changes driven by self-discovery and the establishment of self-reliance. Ken begins the film with his entire life centered around Barbie and her approval. Every choice he makes hangs on the question, Will this make Barbie like me more? As the story progresses, and Barbies lack of romantic feelings towards Ken becomes more apparent, his resentment towards her has dire consequences that affect all of the Barbies and Kens. Finally, as she rejects him one last time, Ken attempts to take his own life. As Barbie talks him down, she tells him that he needs to be able to make his own happiness and strive only for his own approval. This message about not giving someone else the power to sculpt your self-image is important for everyone to learn. But Kens lack of emotion and eventual breakdown are specifically vital for men. Toxic masculinity in all cultures is having detrimental impacts on our own world. According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, most people who choose to commit are middleaged white men. Additionally, the rate Photo courtesy of of suicide among men Warner Bros. Pictures is 3.9 times more than women. The stigma around getting help for mental illness, or just general stress, is apparent for everyone, but it is especially strong for men. Kens song Im Just Ken dives deep into his struggle between his overwhelming emotions towards and about Barbie. He sings, Is it a crime? Am I not hot when Im in my feelings? In order to keep what little affection from Barbie he feels he has, he must be the strong, masculine man that he believes she wants. Is it my destiny to live and die a life of blonde fragility? This line is especially important because it explains the shame that men feel when talking about their emotional issues. Feeling not good enough for Barbie, feeling upset that she does not reciprocate his affection, all led to feelings of shame. For women, although not always in a positive way, showing emotion is normal. For men, it is a sign of weakness that should never be shown. At the end of the song, Ken and the rest of Kens unify and stop their fight over the Barbies attention. They hold hands and sing, Im just Ken (and Im enough). And Im great at doing stuff Put that manly hand in mine. So, hey, world check me out, yeah Im just Ken. Not only do the Kens resolve their conflict, they are proud to do so. That manly hand in mine, is a crucial line because it shows that men can show their emotions as well as discuss them with others, and still be masculine. Ken, just by himself, is enough. He does not need Barbie to let him live another day, he can give himself the permission he needs. Both lessons of self-reliance and showing emotion could lead to a lower male suicide rate. Barbie depicts both of these and may just be one of the components that could lead to a better tomorrow for all genders. Page 21 Unraveling a Not-so-perfect Life Something is going on in the life of Alice Chambers. Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures Eduardo Ortiz, staff writer Don't Worry Darling takes place in a suburban desert town called Victoria where everything appears to be perfect. From the very beginning, the viewer is thrown into the life of Alice Chambers (Florence Pugh), which seems complete. There is a good community, calm climate, consistent schedules, and a perfectly symmetric way of life, painting the image of the flawless suburban life. The vibrant colors that draw the viewer's eyes highlight the sense of fulfillment. The opening scenes are filled with what can only be described as blissful and emotionfilled moments. The music played in the background gives the viewer a sense of the excitement and exhilaration that comes from experiencing the characters' lifestyles. All this, however, begins to change rather quickly as the film progresses. What had appeared to be a flawless portrait of the perfect lifestyle begins to show little cracks on its stainless glass cover revealing something very different from its perfect surface. The viewer is thrown into an experience of unsettling emotions that are constantly changing at a moment's notice. The colors begin to fade into the dullness and emotionless tone that comes with the film's use of black and white. The scenes begin to digress into more and more disorder and confusion, leaving the viewers wanting more in order to reveal the full picture. The music makes the viewer hold their breath in suspense, adding to the eerie feeling that comes as the story unravels. Don't Worry Darling is a film with unending suspense that leaves the viewers wanting to see how the story unravels. A combination of its colors, music, and scenes that change throughout the film tells a story of a not-so-perfect lifestyle. New to Netflix and setting itself apart from other thrillers, this film brings about the idea of a desirable future but quickly has the viewer rethinking the storyline that unravels in its own unique way, ultimately making it a film worth watching. Page 22 Haunted Mansion: A Scary, Mysterious, and Fun Movie for the Family to Watch on Halloween William McAuliffe, staff writer The film is about a single mother named Gabbie, who is portrayed by Rosario Dawson, One of the movies that I saw in theaters is along with her 9-year-old son Travis, who is Disneys new film Haunted Mansion. It lasts 2 portrayed by Chase W. Dillon. The family moves hours and 3 minutes, and the film is rated PG-13 into an antique home. As they spend the night for thematic and horror action. I think it was very there, it becomes clear the house is actually the interesting, and I found it to be a fun and scary titular haunted mansion due to the many restless experience. The movie currently has a ranking of spirits. Travis and Gabbie recruit a group of a score of 37% on Rotten Tomatoes, a 6.2/10 on friends to help them solve the mystery of the IMDb, and a 3/5 on Common Sense Media. haunted mansion and rid the mansion of the evil However, I would rate the movie to be higher ghosts. The group includes an astrophysicist than those scores as I believe it is a very good named Ben Matthias, who is portrayed by movie with very good Halloween and haunted LaKeith Stanfield, a priest named Father Kent, who is portrayed by Owen Wilson, a medium elements. I would rank it a B or an A. The film is a remake of The Haunted named Harriet, who is portrayed by Tiffany Mansion, a similar film that was released in 2003, Haddish, and an expert at haunted house history two decades before this movie was released in named Bruce Davis, who is portrayed by Danny theaters. The film is also inspired by the DeVito. In my opinion, this is a really good movie Disneyland haunting-themed attraction of the same name, which opened at Disneyland on Aug. because it comes from Disney and has many cool 9, 1969. The attraction also exists at the Magic and exciting moments. I also really like the Kingdom and Tokyo Disneyland. As the opening casting of the characters in the film. Danny spiel says on the ride, We have nine hundred and DeVito and Tiffany Haddish are my favorite ninety-nine happy haunts here, but there's room portrayals in the movie because they have played a lot of good characters and Im more familiar for a thousand. Any volunteers? with them as I find the two actors very talented. What I like a lot about the film is the various battles against the ghosts and the soldier statues that come to life in the film. If you want to see Haunted Mansion, it is still in theaters in its final showtimes. The movie is playing at Regal Westchester Commons at Midlothian and Regal Virginia Center at Glen Allen. The showtimes mostly come from 12:50 p.m. at the earliest and 8:50 p.m. at the latest. Its also scheduled to come to Disney+ and Digital DVD on Oct. 4. I recommend this movie if you are a Halloween fanatic who loves The main characters of Haunted Mansion. spooky and mysterious stories. Photo courtesy of The Walt Disney Co. Page 23 Classifieds Contact Us The Forum 501 College Dr. Charlottesville, VA 22902 twhyte@pvcc.edu www.piedmontforum.com The Forum offers classified space to the PVCC community free of charge. Please send announcements along with full name, email, and phone number to: twhyte@pvcc.edu. The Forum Staff (Listed alphabetically) Editor Benjamin Marcus Staff Writers/Copyeditors Josh Black Nate Estes Gaby Felipe Sasha Goins Kritagya Gurung Hugh Hubbard Ellie Rose Killinger William McAuliffe Micaiah Meadows Fernando Monjes Eavan Murphy Jackson Murphy Sarah Cate Nordman Eduardo Ortiz Josh Traynor Comic Artist Lauren Cottrell Check us out on social media @PVCCForum The Forum is a voice for all students. Accordingly, materials published in The Forum, including any opinions expressed, should not be interpreted as the position of the VCCS, Piedmont Virginia Community College, or any stakeholder thereof. The paper welcomes letters to the editor, guest columns, questions, photography or any other ideas or submissions one may have for the upcoming publications. Please contact twhyte@pvcc.edu with any questions. Faculty Advisor Dr. Tamara Whyte  ...

... 3rd Place: "The Peanut Farmer" by Jory Woods The dimly lit Oval Office seemed to close in around me, and the secrecy within the room, even here, weighed heavily on my shoulders. As the intelligence community representatives began their revelation, my heart raced, expecting the benign truth of benevolent extraterrestrial beings. But what I was about to hear proved to be far more sinister and unsettling. They meticulously explained that major religions, including Christianity, were simply tools constructed by extraterrestrial beings to control and manipulate all of humanity. My faith, my very core, was being torn asunder by ten scared men in black suits. They revealed layers of deception I could never have fathomed. As they continued, I somehow felt nothing and everything all at once. The knowledge that our religions were mere tools in a cosmic experiment was numbing. The belief that these beings created us, shaping our history and guiding our destiny, obliterated any true role or responsibility I held as President. But the most harrowing part of the briefing was still yet to come. The intelligence representatives leaned in closer, their voices hushed and their expressions cold. They revealed that the extraterrestrial beings responsible for these manipulations had a message for me. As the words were spoken, a sharp pain shot up my spine. These beings, the architects of humanity, had orders for me. I was to keep this knowledge hidden from the world, to maintain the secrecy that had veiled their existence. In the days that followed, I was plagued by nightmarish visions and vivid dreams. I would wake in the dead of night, bathed in cold sweat, my mind haunted by unknown faces, cryptic symbols, and the deaths of millions of innocent people. It was as if they were watching me, inspecting my thoughts, and instilling a sense of fear that was inescapable. My nightmares soon gave way to a more sinister reality. I began to receive strange messages, encoded in symbols and patterns. They appeared in the most unexpected places on my breakfast plate, etched into my bathroom mirror, and scrawled across the pages of classified documents. It was clearly a reminder of my obligation to stay in line. Even with their threats, I knew I needed to take action. However, before I could even begin to think of a plan, the symbols, once mere abstractions, took on a more corporeal form. I would wake to find my body covered in intricate patterns, marked by an otherworldly force. I began seeing my own body more alike to the crop circles I saw back home than anything resembling that of a healthy human body. The pain that accompanied these markings was excruciating, a torture that left me gasping for breath each and every morning. It was a message from the beings, a painful reminder of the consequences of betraying their trust. I became a puppet in their theater, a pawn in a game I could never comprehend. The walls of the Oval Office seemed to appear darker with each passing day, suffocating me with a truth never to be revealed. As I write these words, I am no longer the man I once was. I am trapped in a nightmarish existence, humanitys chief prisoner. My campaign promise, to reveal the truth about UFOs, became a distant memory. Miraculously, as my hope dwindled, my body healed. The truth, as I have come to realize, is far more terrifying than I could have ever imagined, and I am to accept my new role, for anything else is certain death for who knows how many.  ...

... Strategic Plan 2018 1 Introduction The Piedmont Virginia Community College (PVCC) strategic plan identifies institutional priorities and provides a foundation for annual planning that guides budgetary decision-making. It is an integral part of PVCCs institutional effectiveness process. The last PVCC Strategic Plan was published in 2015. The 2015 strategic plan was developed in conjunction with updates to the Colleges mission, vision, and value statements. The College made progress in achieving priority goals and objectives outlined in the previous strategic planning cycle. In spring of 2016, PVCC began the strategic planning process to develop the 2018 Strategic Plan. In developing the plan, the Planning and Budgeting Committee took a multifaceted approach by conducting environmental scanning, implementing surveys, and inviting faculty, staff, students, the College Board, and community leader stakeholders to provide input. The committee examined state and national initiatives that focused on increasing the number of college completers, transfer to four-year institutions, credential completion, employment success, and the strategic direction of the Virginia Community College System from Complete 2021. The resulting 2018 PVCC Strategic Plan was developed by the Planning and Budgeting Committee, approved by the President on July 9, 2018, and approved by the local College Board on September 5, 2018. The plan addresses the following institutional priorities: 1. 2. 3. 4. Student Success Access to Education Economic and Workforce Development Resources to Support the Colleges Mission, Vision, and Values Similar to previous strategic plans, the 2018 PVCC Strategic Plan is enterprising and progressive, responding to state and national priorities, the needs of current and future students, and community insights. The 2018 PVCC Strategic Plan follows the Colleges mission, vision, and values. The plan places a premium on attainment of institutional effectiveness standards, institutional priorities, and desired outcomes. The institutional priorities depict the strategies and critical tasks necessary to achieve each priority. PVCCs Office of Institutional Research, Planning, and Institutional Effectiveness will prepare annual progress reports to be presented to the Planning and Budgeting Committee, Presidents Staff, and the College Board. 2 Vision, Mission, and Values Who We Are Piedmont Virginia Community College (PVCC) is a comprehensive, public institution of higher education that awards associate degrees and certificates. As part of the Virginia Community College System, PVCC serves the City of Charlottesville and the counties of Albemarle, Buckingham, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, and Nelson. Vision Piedmont Virginia Community College seeks to be a leader and innovator in post-secondary education. PVCC will be the college of choice for students to advance their education and career goals and pursue lifelong learning. Mission Piedmont Virginia Community College offers accessible, affordable, high-quality educational programs that promote student success and community vitality. Our mission is achieved through: Transfer programs that prepare students for admission to four-year colleges and universities and successful pursuit of a baccalaureate degree. Workforce programs that prepare students for employment or promotion in a career and promote a skilled regional workforce by meeting the training and educational needs of employers. Rigorous coursework and a full range of academic and student support services that assist students in achieving their educational and career goals. Developmental studies courses that prepare students for college transfer and career and technical programs. Community service that promotes community involvement, educational access, and opportunities for residents of the region. 3 Values Piedmont Virginia Community College values: Access to high quality, affordable education to prepare students for transfer to baccalaureate degree programs, as well as for entry into or advancement in the workforce. A college education should be available to all. Academic Rigor to develop each individual to his or her full potential. We insist on rigorous standards while providing a supportive environment in which students can achieve. Student Success. We are committed to helping our students succeed. We measure our success by the skills and abilities of our students when they leave, rather than by their standing when they enter. Community Impact. We develop innovative programs to meet the changing needs of our students and the business community while contributing to the economic, civic and cultural vitality of our region, the Commonwealth of Virginia, our nation, and the world. Professionalism. Our dedicated and knowledgeable faculty and staff are experts in their disciplines, excel at instruction, and are committed to helping students achieve their goals. Intellectual Vitality. We engage our students and each other in well-reasoned inquiry, creative thinking, problem-solving, and the exchange of ideas. Diversity and Inclusion. We value and support the diversity of our students, faculty, and staff. We seek to promote an understanding and appreciation of differences by creating an inclusive environment embracing individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and aspirations. 4 Attaining Institutional Effectiveness To fulfill the Colleges mission, vision, and values, Piedmont Virginia Community College is focused on four institutional priorities that are measured regarding 19 strategic performance indicators. Institutional Priorities Strategic Performance Indicators Increase Student Success Student Success as measured by: Access to Education Economic and Workforce Development Resources to Support Colleges Mission, Vision, and Values Student academic standing by GPA Persistence to graduation o Retention rates o Graduation rates Transfer to a four-year college or university Career attainment success within six months of degree attainment Workforce credential attainment Degree completion Student Enrollment as measured by: Headcount Full-time equivalency Retention fall to spring and fall to fall Underserved populations Service region Community Impact as measured by: Partnerships and programs with and for the community Employers served The number of peers and employers participating in the Community Self-Sufficiency Programs Regional labor force impact Resource Capacity as measured by: Capacity/space adequacy for facilities Master plan progress External support Human capacity 5 Priority I: Increase Student Success Research has shown that individuals who complete a degree or certificate have a higher standard of living than those that do not.1 As a result, both state and federal governments have placed a high emphasis on student success (specifically degree, certificate attainment, and workforce credentials). The Virginia Community College System has also placed an increasing emphasis on student success (specifically by increasing the goal for students graduating, transferring, or completing a workforce credential). In response, PVCC seeks to increase the number of students who earn a degree, certificate, industry certification, or licensure that enables them to obtain employment and subsequent educational opportunities. Goal 1: Increase Student Success and Completion Strategies Critical Tasks Implement a comprehensive Student Success Plan Implement the revised VCCS General Education Outcomes in all degree programs Increase the number of students who transfer to a four-year college Increase the number of students who receive a workforce credential Expand the award of credit for prior learning 1 Implement mentoring, advising focused on career planning, and mandatory intervention for at-risk students. Implement a faculty professional development program to enhance teaching for student success. Redesign developmental and gateway mathematics courses to increase student success Incorporate in all degree programs and assess student learning outcomes in civic engagement, critical thinking, quantitative reasoning, communication, professional readiness, and scientific reasoning. Implement Meta Majors and Guided Pathways. Create transfer pathways from high school to PVCC to baccalaureate programs. Start a Registered Apprenticeship Program. Monitor regional employment needs and develop new programs to meet employer needs. Develop and offer academic and workforce programs to meet employer needs. Implement the Credit2Careers portal, a tool that allows students to upload their Joint Services Transcripts to see how many academic credits their work experience could translate to. Develop a process and procedure for evaluating and awarding credit for prior learning in an efficient manner reducing the time to notification. Pew Research. (2014) The Rising Cost of Not Going to College. February 11, 2014. http://www.pewsocialtrends.org/2014/02/11/the-risingcost-of-not-going-to-college/ 6  Convert traditional classrooms to active learning spaces Create a more inclusive campus culture 7 Develop a model active learning classroom. Convert 2-4 classrooms per year into active learning classrooms for the duration of the current strategic plan as budget allows. Provide professional development to prepare faculty to utilize these new spaces. Develop a diversity plan. Recruit and retain a more diverse faculty, staff, and student body. Increase opportunities that advance student, faculty, and staff understanding of diversity. Maximize programs that support first-generation, international, underrepresented, and nontraditional students to increase student success as measured by GPA, degree completion, or workforce credential. Priority II: Access to Education PVCCs mission is to provide a high-quality, affordable education that is accessible to everyone. To ensure access, PVCC will reach out to the community and continue to focus on underserved and nontraditional populations. PVCC will provide access by offering educational opportunities in a variety of instructional modes while utilizing the Colleges off-site locations of the Eugene Giuseppe Center and the Jefferson School Center. Finally, PVCC will provide financial assistance to students who otherwise could not afford a college education. Goal 1: Increase Enrollment in Academic and Workforce Programs Strategies Critical Tasks Simplify application and onboarding to increase application yield Increase enrollment and retention of underserved and nontraditional populations. Increase fall to fall retention 8 Implement the new VCCS application and EAB Navigate. Engage high school career coaches in recruitment training and establish recruitment goals. Organize annual education and career resource fair for prospective adult students. Evaluate current scholarship inventory and implement new strategies for utilizing scholarships as a recruitment tool for prospective students. Every semester contact students who apply but do not register to promote registration opportunity. Develop and implement a strategic enrollment management plan that targets recent high school graduates, adult students, underrepresented populations, and uncommitted students. Explore and develop pathways for students to complete with either a degree or workforce credential between Thomas Jefferson Adult Career Education (TJACE), English as a Second Language (ESL), Workforce Services, and academic programs. Identify and reduce access barriers for all prospective students. Create a mentoring program for students who are at-risk of not being retained or completing. Evaluate current scholarship inventory and implement new strategies for  Explore ways to make a PVCC education more affordable. Provide access to education through financial assistance. 9 utilizing scholarships as a retention tool for current students. Increase computer access for students by exploring the expansion of the G.O.A.L program. Conduct a feasibility study for a Piedmont Promise program to be funded locally or by the Commonwealth. Explore ways of reducing textbook and course material costs for students. Create and support a financial assistance center. Increase contributions to the Kathy Hudson Student Emergency Fund to increase the number of students served by this fund. Explore ways to increase financial funding to incentivize enrollment, retention, and graduation. Improve and augment existing financial assistance programs and services to better assist students with educational costs, particularly costs beyond tuition and fees. Goal 2: Increase the Percentage of the Service Region Population Pursuing and Easily Accessing Education or Training Through PVCC with a Focus on Underserved Populations. Strategies Critical Tasks Address community needs 10 Develop an effective marketing plan for the Giuseppe Center and its programming and determine an appropriate anchor academic or workforce program to be housed at Giuseppe. Increase course availability to urban and rural communities using online offerings, the Jefferson School, and the Giuseppe Center. Develop a marketing campaign highlighting the benefits of the selfsufficiency programs with special focus on rural counties. Target marketing to individuals in the service region who can benefit from workforce credentials. Expand the Early College Program. Priority III: Economic and Workforce Development PVCC continues to be committed to various partnerships in the interest of contributing to the economic, civic, and cultural vitality of the region. To facilitate positive community impact, PVCC seeks to provide quality programs that respond to regional employer needs and student aspirations; strengthen relationships with the community and constituents; and utilize resources to benefit the community further. Goal 1: Develop a Workforce that Meets Regional Employers Needs Strategies Critical Tasks Collaborate with stakeholders to promote a workforce network that fosters innovation and establishes a seamless connection among the community college, K-12, universities, and business and industry partners. 11 Identify and engage employers and relevant sources of data in determining high-demand occupations, program demand within the current labor market, and expected occupational earnings. Partner with local high schools, universities, and workforce development entities to engage with employers and industry associations to identify workforce needs, establish educational and training programs, and collaboratively and comprehensively create a workforce ready pipeline. Expand the peer network in Community Self-Sufficiency Programs to reach more potential students with a focus on outlying communities. Market the N2Work App with employers and peers to allow more recruitment of individuals into FastForward programs that lead to sustainable employment. Engage Greene County leadership to identify local and regional educational and training needs. Increase program offerings in areas of regional need. Engage the University of Virginia Medical Center and Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital in identifying additional careers leading to employment that require a credential and create academic and workforce programming.  Offer relevant, high-quality instructional programs that meet the needs of business and industry for existing and future jobs. 12 Provide accessible, affordable, and high quality professional development to faculty and staff to stay informed about the labor market and student support trends. Develop faculty capacity to conduct program review and learning outcomes assessment to promote continuous improvement of programs. Create programming that engages outstanding teaching faculty to improve teaching and learning. Integrate critical employability skills into all programs of study to better prepare students for todays work environment. Priority IV: Resources to Support Colleges Mission, Vision, and Values PVCC is committed to providing facilities, technology, personnel, financial resources, and communication tools that support the strategic actions listed above. Without appropriate resources, the College will not make significant progress on student success, college completion, educational access, or excellence in instruction and services. The following objectives reflect the Colleges resource needs in support of strategic expansion and improvement of programs and services. Goal 1: Expand College Facilities Strategies Critical Tasks Make focused investments in facilities that directly advance our mission Plan for the Advanced Technology Center and generate funding support from the Governor and General Assembly for the Advanced Technology Center. Explore partnerships with the community to expand the physical space of the Library. Renovate main building to meet programmatic needs for the college community. Explore, develop, and implement a child care option for students. Goal 2: Maximize New and Existing Funding Sources Strategies Critical Tasks Maximize external funding to support the mission of the College. 13 Implement a fundraising campaign for the Advanced Technology Center. Increase efforts for donor cultivation and development. Increase the number of private sector grant opportunities. Increase the number of corporate partnerships and sponsors. Increase the number of planned giving participants. Support the Colleges strategic plan by pursuing grant opportunities aligned with the plans priorities and desired outcomes. Apply for and acquire funding from GO Virginia. Goal 3: To Enhance Accountability and Transparency by Focusing on Results Strategies Critical Tasks Continuously assess and refine accountability indicators to produce desired outcomes Increase the number of faculty and staff using data for decision making by developing interactive dashboards in the area of student achievement, access, economic impact, and workforce development. Utilize data-driven marketing to increase public knowledge of PVCC in the community. Successfully complete SACSCOCs reaffirmation of accreditation process to include the development and implementation of the Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP). Goal 4: Strategic Expansion of Human Capital Strategies Critical Tasks Ensure that PVCC continues to have high-quality faculty and staff to support the mission. 14 Increase full-time faculty and staff by four per year (two each) in addition to replacements as budget allows. Evaluate compensation, allocation, and the appropriate alignment of roles and responsibilities, for faculty and staff for retention purposes. Increase faculty and staff salaries. Appendix A: Strategic Planning Process The Planning and Budgeting Committee The Planning and Budgeting Committee is one of six standing committees at the College, it is the formal structure through which recommendations for strategic directions and funding priorities are made. This committee is made up of the following: Representation Area At-large classified staff At-large faculty Faculty from Humanities Dean Faculty from Health & Life Sciences Staff from Finance & Administrative Services Faculty from Business, Math & Technologies Workforce Development Representative Chief Information Officer* Vice President, Institutional Advancement & Development* Director of IRPIE, Chair* President* Vice-President for Finance & Administrative Services* Vice-President for Instruction & Student Services* Student Services Representative Grants Officer* Note: *Standing Appointment 15 Context and Resources for Planning PVCCs Mission, Vision, and Values PVCCs mission, vision, and values were used in developing the 2018 Strategic plan and can be found in the beginning of this document. PVCC 2015 Strategic Plan The 2018 PVCC Strategic Plan retains some of the 2015 goals and establishes new goals which are responsive to emerging needs, priorities, and trends. Internal Perspective in Planning Stakeholder Information Sessions The Planning and Budgeting Committee held twelve information sessions with the College. These sessions included the College Senate (which includes student representatives), Professional Association of Support Staff (PASS), the Faculty Senate, the Student Government Association. These groups were given updates on the strategic planning process and asked for their input with regard to the Colleges strengths and weaknesses, opportunities for improving programs and services, and what the College should be doing to support our students, employers, and the community. Input from these groups was provided to the Planning and Budgeting Committee for consideration in planning. Presidents Perspective In February 2018, President Friedman met with the Planning and Budgeting Committee to discuss his ideas and suggestions for priorities in the next Strategic Plan. External Perspective in Planning Environmental Scanning During Spring 2016, members of the Planning and Budgeting Committee scanned the educational literature as well as local, regional, and national media for articles related to trends and issues in community college education. The Office of Institutional Research, Planning, and Institutional Effectiveness collected data on trends in enrollment and service region demographics. In addition, the office collected information on national and state policies, plans, and initiatives that would influence PVCCs strategic plan. Community Leaders Survey In Spring of 2017, PVCC invited more than 230 individuals to participate in its Community Leaders Survey. The survey is part of PVCCs strategic planning process in which the College seeks input from individuals affiliated with one or more external stakeholder groups (including schools, businesses, notfor-profit organizations, government, and advisory boards). The survey had an overwhelming response rate with 55% (131) of stakeholders replying. The purpose of the survey was to gather data on: the 16 communitys perceptions of PVCC and its effectiveness; what PVCC is doing well; how PVCC can be more responsive to the communitys needs; and the trends in business, education, service, workforce, etc., that PVCC should consider in planning for the next three to five years. Results of the survey were provided to the Planning and Budgeting Committee for consideration in planning and were presented to the PVCC College Board. The PVCC College Board In Fall of 2017, a portion of the PVCC College Board meeting was devoted to discussion of the Community Leaders Survey results and strategic planning. Board members discussed the results of the Community Survey, as well as trends in key areas including demographics/population, education, technology, economy, community, workforce, and media. The Boards comments were summarized and provided to the Planning and Budgeting Committee. Structure and Approval of the Strategic Plan In 2016-17 and 2017-18, the Planning and Budgeting Committee held an organizational meeting and several work sessions. During these sessions, the Planning and Budgeting Committee reviewed input from internal and external stakeholders, identified and came to consensus on four institutional priorities, developed a rationale for each priority, drafted actions to address priorities, assigned leadership responsibility for each action, and agreed on the desired outcomes to be achieved. On May 4, 2018, the Planning and Budgeting Committee voted to approve the content of the 2018 PVCC Strategic Plan. The plan was submitted to the President and his leadership team on June 26, 2018 for review and revision. The plan was revised based on the Presidents feedback, approved by the President on July 9, 2018 and then submitted to the PVCC College Board for approval on September 5, 2018. 17  ...

... Strategic Plan 2015 Introduction The Piedmont Virginia Community College (PVCC) strategic plan identifies institutional priorities and provides a foundation for annual planning that guides budgetary decision-making. It is an integral part of PVCCs institutional effectiveness process. The last PVCC Strategic Plan was published in 2011. The 2011 strategic plan was developed in conjunction with the Colleges mission, vision, and value statements being updated. The College made tremendous progress in achieving priority goals and objectives set forth in the previous strategic planning cycle. 1 In spring of 2013, PVCC began the strategic planning process to develop the 2015 Strategic Plan. In developing the plan, the Planning and Budgeting Committee took a multifaceted approach to this process, conducting environmental scanning and surveys while inviting faculty, staff, students, the College Board, and community leader stakeholders to provide input. The committee examined state and national initiatives that focused on increasing the number of college completers and the strategic direction of the Virginia Community College System from Achieve 2015. The resulting 2015 PVCC Strategic Plan, developed by the committee, approved by the President on October 6, 2014, and the local College Board on November 5, 2014 address the following institutional priorities: 1. 2. 3. 4. Student Success Access to Education Resources to Support the Colleges Mission, Vision, and Values Economic and Workforce Development Similar to previous strategic plans, the 2015 PVCC Strategic Plan is enterprising and progressive, responding to state and national priorities, the needs of current and future students, and community insights. The 2015 PVCC Strategic Plan follows the Colleges mission, vision, and values and places a premium on attainment of institutional effectiveness standards, institutional priorities, and desired outcomes. The institutional priorities depict the rationale, actions, and College leadership responsible for each action. Desired outcomes, expressed as a set of four priorities, can be found in the body of this document with an appendix that provides details of the strategic planning process. It is the responsibility of the leadership identified in the strategic plan to use the annual planning and budgeting processes to refine and implement the plans strategic direction. PVCCs Office of Institutional Research, Planning, and Institutional Effectiveness will prepare annual progress reports that will be presented to the Planning and Budgeting Committee, Presidents Staff, and the College Board. 1 2011 Strategic Plan Progress Report Years 1-3 PVCC Strategic Plan 2015 2 Vision, Mission, and Values Who We Are Piedmont Virginia Community College (PVCC) is a comprehensive, public institution of higher education that awards associate degrees and certificates. As part of the Virginia Community College System, PVCC serves the City of Charlottesville and the counties of Albemarle, Buckingham, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, and Nelson. Vision Piedmont Virginia Community College seeks to be a leader and innovator in post-secondary education. PVCC will be the college of choice for students to advance their education and career goals, and pursue lifelong learning. Mission Piedmont Virginia Community College offers accessible, affordable, high-quality educational programs that promote student success and community vitality. Our mission is achieved through: Transfer programs that prepare students for admission to four-year colleges and universities and successful pursuit of a baccalaureate degree. Workforce programs that prepare students for employment or promotion in a career and promote a skilled regional workforce by meeting the training and educational needs of employers. Rigorous coursework and a full range of academic and student support services that assist students in achieving their educational and career goals. Developmental studies courses that prepare students for college transfer and career and technical programs. Community service that promotes community involvement, educational access, and opportunities for residents of the region. PVCC Strategic Plan 2015 3 Values Piedmont Virginia Community College values: Access to high quality, affordable education to prepare students for transfer to baccalaureate degree programs, as well as for entry into or advancement in the workforce. A college education should be available to all. Academic Rigor to develop each individual to his or her full potential. We insist on rigorous standards while providing a supportive environment in which students can achieve. Student Success. We are committed to helping our students succeed. We measure our success by the skills and abilities of our students when they leave, rather than by their standing when they enter. Community Impact. We develop innovative programs to meet the changing needs of our students and the business community, while contributing to the economic, civic and cultural vitality of our region, the Commonwealth of Virginia, our nation, and the world. Professionalism. Our dedicated and knowledgeable faculty and staff are experts in their disciplines, excel at instruction, and are committed to helping students achieve their goals. Intellectual Vitality. We engage our students and each other in well-reasoned inquiry, creative thinking, problem solving, and the exchange of ideas. PVCC Strategic Plan 2015 4 Attaining Institutional Effectiveness In order to fulfil the Colleges mission, vision, and values, Piedmont Virginia Community College is focused on four institutional priorities that are measured in terms of 17 strategic performance indicators. Institutional Priorities Enabling Student Success Access to Education Resources to Support Colleges Mission, Vision, and Values Economic and Workforce Development PVCC Strategic Plan 2015 Strategic Performance Indicators Student Success as measured by: Student Academic Standing by GPA Persistence to Graduation o Retention Rates o Graduation Rates Transfer to a four year college or university Career Attainment success within six months of degree attainment Degree Completion Student Enrollment as measured by: Headcount Full-time Equivalency Retention Fall to Spring and Fall to Fall Underserved populations Service Region Resource Capacity as measured by: Capacity/Space Adequacy for facilities Master Plan Progress External Support Technology Plan Progress Human Capacity Community Impact as measured by: Partnerships and programs with and for the community Employers Served Regional Labor Force Impact 5 Priority I: Enabling Student Success Research has shown that individuals who complete a degree or certificate have a higher standard of living than those that do not. 2 As a result, both state and federal governments have placed a high emphasis on student success (specifically degree and certificate attainment). The Virginia Community College System has also placed an increasing emphasis on student success (specifically by increasing the goal for students graduating, transferring, or completing a workforce credential). In response, PVCC seeks to increase the number of students who earn a degree, certificate, industry certification, or licensure that enables them to obtain employment and subsequent educational opportunities. To improve student success, PVCC will: Enhance writing through the current Quality Enhancement Program (QEP). Increase retention and success rates in all courses with emphasis on developmental math, developmental English, and any course with a high failure and/or high withdrawal rate. Explore strategies to promote readiness for college in the high school student population. Provide incentives for full-time student enrollment to encourage completion and student success. Align student services with national best practices for community colleges o Enhance the advising process by ensuring : The development of a structured intake process that incorporates a student success plan and ensures that each student meets with an advisor at targeted points in their curriculum to ensure successful completion. o Develop strategies to promote awareness and increase utilization of academic and student support services. Continuously improve the quality of academic programs including: o Assessment of the student core learning experience through student learning outcomes. o Assessment of the Colleges current Quality Enhancement Plan. (see http://www.pvcc.edu/QEP) o Increased retention and success rates. o Creating value added opportunities for students so that student learning is enhanced in academic programs i.e. honors, study abroad, and learning communities. o Expand scholarship opportunities for honors program students. . Recruit and retain excellent faculty and staff. o Increase the number of full-time faculty and full-time student support staff to provide adequate and relevant academic programs and support services. o Develop and implement a new mentoring program for adjunct faculty. o Develop an evaluation process of adjunct faculty. 2 Pew Research. (2014) The Rising Cost of Not Going to College. February 11, 2014. http://www.pewsocialtrends.org/2014/02/11/the-rising-cost-of-not-going-to-college/ PVCC Strategic Plan 2015 6 o o Increase professional development opportunities for faculty and staff to enhance student success. Conduct a professional development needs assessments for faculty and for staff. Monitor and if necessary revise the teaching faculty development and evaluation plan. To improve student success in the areas of graduation, transfer, or completion of a workforce credential, PVCC will: Implement the SAILS At-Risk Intervention system to promote retention and student success. Obtain funding and build a Student Success Center that will allow students to have a one stop location for enrollment management services and increase student support services including the library, academic advising, financial aid, student activities, and study zones. Implement a process of mandatory conferral of degrees and certificates. To prepare and facilitate students for career attainment success, PVCC will: Align job placement services with national best practices in the conversion of the career services office to a job placement center. Provide direct job placement assistance to graduating students. Outreach to area employers to expand job opportunities. PVCC Strategic Plan 2015 7 Priority II: Access to Education One of PVCCs values, Access, is providing a high-quality, affordable education that is accessible to everyone. To ensure access, PVCC will reach out to the community by continuing its focus on underserved and nontraditional populations. PVCC will provide access by offering educational opportunities in a variety of instructional modes while utilizing the Colleges off-site locations of the Eugene Giuseppe Center and the Jefferson School Center. Finally, PVCC will provide financial assistance to those students who otherwise could not afford a college education. To increase enrollment and retention of underserved and nontraditional populations, PVCC will: Increase college readiness of incoming high school students. o In partnership with local school systems and private schools create a defined program in the high school where students are tested for college readiness. o Provide increased opportunities for college-ready high school students to take concurrent or dual enrollment courses and to earn an associates degree while in high school. o Working with high school and PVCC faculty, create an opportunity for high school students who are not college ready to become college ready by graduation. Develop and implement a comprehensive outreach program for underserved populations o Develop an outreach plan specific to the following underserved populations. Adults with some college credits. Low income, underemployed or unemployed adults. Foster care youth. o Develop partnerships with social service agencies, public housing, the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) One Stop, correctional facilities and other community organizations that promote educational opportunities at PVCC. o Market PVCC to the community. Conduct a review on the effectiveness of our current marketing plan for the College. Conduct an analysis to determine how to market the college to specific targeted populations. To provide access to education through financial assistance, PVCC will: Explore, develop, and implement a process for reducing student textbook costs, specifically by faculty use of Online Electronic Resources (OER). o Train and support the faculty in using open educational resources in their courses. o Provide textbook cost information and information on the availability of e-textbooks to the faculty. PVCC Strategic Plan 2015 8  Review current Financial Aid processes and policies and establish new ones that increase the financial support for students. o Review the types of financial aid available (grants, loans, work study, scholarships) and develop policies and procedures that ensure that aid is going to the greatest number of students who have need. o Promote the availability of financial aid to potential students and the broader public. Develop partnerships with community entities that can assist with promoting the availability of financial aid. Increase the amount of work study aid and encourage more students to take advantage of on-campus work study opportunities. o Increase the number and amount of need-based and merit-based scholarships available for potential students. o Increase the availability of financial aid to current and potential students participating in high school early college programs. To increase access to a high-quality affordable education that is accessible to everyone, PVCC will: Expand the Shared Distance Learning partnership with Northern Virginia Community College. o Increase the number of courses offered at PVCC through the partnership. o Offer one or more PVCC courses and/or programs to other colleges. Develop educational programs that develop mid-level skills and that lead to middle to high paying jobs. o Conduct feasibility studies on creating credit programs in the following areas: Advanced manufacturing (mechatronics) Cyber security Central Sterile Processing Pharmacy Technician Hospitality management Retail o Conduct feasibility studies on creating non-credit programs in the following areas: o Health and Wellness Retail Welding & Small Engine Repair Hospitality Advanced Manufacturing CPR/First Aid Youth Programs Special Programs and Events Customized Training Review and revise as needed the following existing CTE programs: Information Systems Technology Management PVCC Strategic Plan 2015 9  Increase enrollment at all locations (Main Campus, Giuseppe Center, and Jefferson School Center). o For each location, develop a course scheduling plan that would allow students to complete most or all degree requirements in one of the transfer programs. o For each location develop a marketing plan to promote the availability of courses and programs to the public. Implement the Workforce Enterprise System (WES) to facilitate increased customer service and efficiencies in enrollments for non-credit courses. Seek a partnership to create a campus child care center. PVCC Strategic Plan 2015 10 Priority III: Resources to Support Colleges Mission, Vision, and Values PVCC is committed to providing facilities, technology, personnel, financial resources, and communication tools that support the strategic actions listed above. Without appropriate resources, the College will not make significant progress on student success, college completion, educational access, or excellence in instruction and services. The following objectives reflect the Colleges resource needs in support of strategic expansion and improvement of programs and services. To ensure high-quality facilities for programs and services, PVCC will: Continue to plan for the construction of a student success center on campus. Ensure adequate parking and traffic flow while developing the plan for the student center. Incorporate best practices for campus safety and security in the conversion to a public safety. To ensure adequate personnel resources to support the programs and services, PVCC will: Increase full-time faculty and staff by four per year (two each) in addition to replacements as budget allows. Hire new public safety personnel as needed to ensure safety and security across campus. Evaluate compensation, allocation, and the appropriate alignment of roles and responsibilities, for faculty and staff for retention purposes. Implement a web based faculty profile including facultys basic information: name; contact information; rank; education; and courses taught. To ensure adequate financial resources for facilities, programs and services, PVCC will: Continue efforts to generate funding support from the Governor and General Assembly for the Student Success Center. Increase faculty and staff salaries. Develop a comprehensive and integrated financial plan. o Use best practices for internal controls, investment, and audit practices for the financial health of the institution. o Explore possible cost saving through greater efficiency. Increase philanthropic gifts to increase opportunity. o Develop and implement a campaign plan to help fund a new Student Success Center. o Increase efforts for donor cultivation and development. Increase the amount of grants generated by the college. Increase the number of private sector grant opportunities. Increase the number of corporate partnerships and sponsors. o Develop and implement an effective planned giving program. Support the Colleges strategic plan by pursuing grant opportunities aligned with the plans priorities and desired outcomes. PVCC Strategic Plan 2015 11  Establish contact with alumni and educate them about opportunities to become involved with and support the College, so that alumni giving will increase 5% per year and alumni will be represented on the PVCC Educational Foundation Board. Secure start-up funding for new academic and student services programs as identified by feasibility studies. To ensure current and reliable information technology infrastructure, resources, and related business processes to support instruction, day-to-day operations of the College and communications, PVCC will: Complete a comprehensive analysis of information technology needs and develop a five-year technology plan for meeting technology and infrastructure needs. Increase knowledge base of faculty and staff in the use of administrative computing software, including SIS and Blackboard. Install lecture capture technology in classrooms and train faculty to use the technology. Automate and outsource business processes and student support services as appropriate. Implement Workforce Enterprise System (WES) to support Workforce Services and identify metrics for student completion and success in Workforce Services noncredit programs that can be consistently tracked and reported using the new system. Analyze policies, procedures and business processes to implement improvements and efficiencies through technology as appropriate. To ensure adequate resources that will facilitate the delivery of consistent and unified messages appropriate to respective audiences about college programs and services in support of the Colleges institutional priorities, PVCC will: Conduct a thorough review and make subsequent improvements of communications and communication methods with regard to prospective students, current students, Financial Aid, employers, and the community. Analyze target markets and develop a comprehensive marketing plan based on the review. PVCC Strategic Plan 2015 12 Priority IV: Economic and Workforce Development PVCC continues to be committed to various partnerships in the interest of contributing to the economic, civic, and cultural vitality of the region. To facilitate positive community impact, PVCC seeks to provide quality programs that respond to regional employer needs and student aspirations; strengthen relationships with the community and constituents; and utilize resources to further benefit the community. To utilize PVCC resources to further develop the community, PVCC will: Conduct a feasibility study for the construction of a joint use CATEC/PVCC career and technology building on the PVCC campus. Complete the curriculum integration plan between CATEC and PVCC. Use the Dickinson Theater and other resources to further develop community and revitalization projects. To respond to regional employer needs for workforce development programs efficiently and effectively, PVCC will: Conduct a baseline work readiness analysis of the regional workforce. Initiate a dialogue with regional economic development organizations. Increase the number of employers served by Workforce Services over the previous year. To develop agreements, partnerships, and outreach programs that will strengthen relationships with the community and constituents, PVCC will: Engage the community through initiatives such as Breakfast with the President to learn of business and industry needs. Develop an active alumni association with chapters in each locality of PVCCs service region. Utilize the alumni association to increase the colleges visibility, awareness, reputation, donations, legislative initiatives, and enrollment while offering benefits to alumni and continuing the sense of involvement and pride as part of the PVCC family. Partner with the Workforce Investment Board and localities for funding. Partner with nonprofits and social service agencies to recruit underrepresented students. Secure funding (grant or otherwise) from at least one corporate/business sponsor to be used for academic program development. Establish an effective and on-going planned giving program. PVCC Strategic Plan 2015 13 Appendix: The PVCC Strategic Planning Process The Planning and Budgeting Committee The Planning and Budgeting Committee is one of six standing committees at the College, it is the formal structure through which recommendations for strategic directions and funding priorities are made. The table below shows the membership for the 2013-2014 committee: Representation Area At-large classified staff At-large faculty Faculty from Humanities Dean Faculty from Health & Life Sciences Staff from Finance & Administrative Services Faculty from Business, Math & Technologies Workforce Development Representative Chief Information Officer* Vice President, Institutional Advancement & Development* Director of IRPIE, Chair* President* Vice-President for Finance & Administrative Services* Vice-President for Instruction & Student Services* Student Services Representative Grants Officer* Name Sherice Paige Mark Fitzgerald Ben Sloan Kathy Hudson Jane Anderson Marie Melton Yanina Goddard Val Palamountain Shivaji Samanta/Tom Ruggeri /Sue Haas Jim Ross Jolene Hamm Frank Friedman Stephen Parker John Donnelly Mary Lee Walsh Bob Antrobus Note: *Standing Appointment PVCC Strategic Plan 2015 14 Planning Timeline The timeline below provides a detail of major activities for the production of the PVCC 2015 Strategic Plan. Date Spring Convocation Week 2013 Spring 2013 Activity Announce planning cycle and Spring 2013 planning-related activities Environmental Scanning workshop and assignments for Planning and Budgeting Committee members Review of PVCC Mission, Vision, Values Responsibility Chair, Planning and Budgeting Committee Planning and Budgeting Committee January 2013 May 2013 Environmental Scanning June 2013- July 2013 Presidents survey(s) of community leaders and partners in education, business, government, and friends of the College Summer 2013 PVCC Board: Planning Retreat Spring Convocation Week 2014 Planning and Budgeting Committee reviews environmental scanning, presidents survey results, and board recommendations. Makes plans to gather input from internal stakeholders. February 2014March 2014 Gather and Compile stakeholder input from faculty, staff and students. Committee Members April 2014 Planning and Budgeting Committee Drafts priorities and actions for Strategic Plan May 2014-June 2014 2014 Strategic Plan finalized, reviewed by Planning and Budgeting Committee July 2015 August 2014 October 2014 November 2014 Submitted to President and Board for Draft Review and Revision Fall Convocation Week Sounding Forum: Presentation of draft to faculty and staff for insight Draft of Strategic Plan final read through and edits prior to submission to Board Board Receives draft of strategic plan PVCC Board reviews & approves 2015 Strategic Plan Planning and Budgeting Committee members Planning and Budgeting Committee Sub committee Chair President December 2014 Annual Unit Plans developed and linked to 2015 Strategic Plan September 2014 PVCC Strategic Plan 2015 Planning and Budgeting Committee Tara Atkins-Brady, with survey subcommittee of Planning and Budgeting Committee Presidents staff, ISS Planning and Budgeting Committee Chair, Planning and Budgeting Committee PVCC Board PVCC Department / Division Admin. 15 Context and Resources for Planning PVCCs Mission, Vision, and Values PVCCs mission, vision, and values were used in developing the 2015 Strategic plan and can be found in the beginning of this document. PVCC 2011 Strategic Plan The 2011 Strategic Plan contained 73 actions and 43 desired outcomes that addressed four institutional priorities. As of June 2014, the College had completed 58 of the 73 actions. Noteworthy progress was made in several areas. The first was the establishment of two off-campus locations, the Jefferson School Center in Charlottesville and the Eugene Giuseppe Center in Greene County. Addition progress includes the Peer Mentoring program, successfully implementing the Student Assistance and Intervention for Learning Success System (SAILS), the Financial Aid Back Office Model, the developmental education curriculum redesign, and the culinary arts associates degree. Finally, PVCCs Educational Foundation has raised more than one million dollars per year. The 2015 PVCC Strategic Plan retains some of the 2011 goals and establishes new goals which are responsive to emerging needs, priorities, and trends. Internal Perspective in Planning A part of the Colleges planning process is receiving input from internal stakeholders. These stakeholders include faculty, staff, students, and administrators. During Spring Convocation of 2014, President Friedman conducted an insight session that identified the needs for the strategic plan. In addition, members of the Planning and Budgeting Committee met with internal stakeholders and invited their input into the planning process. Stakeholder Information Sessions The Planning and Budgeting Committee held information sessions with members of the College Senate (which includes student representatives), Professional Association of Support Staff (PASS), the Faculty Senate, and the Student Government Association. These groups were given updates on the strategic planning process and asked for their input with regard to the Colleges strengths and weaknesses, opportunities for improving programs and services, and what the College should be doing to support our students, employers, and the community. Input from these groups was provided to the Planning and Budgeting Committee for consideration in planning. Presidents Perspective In February 2014, President Friedman met with the Planning and Budgeting Committee to discuss his ideas and suggestions for priorities in the next Strategic Plan. These included increasing graduation and transfer rates, increased success rates in developmental math and English, obtaining funding for building a Student Success Center, and continuing to foster partnerships across the service region. PVCC Strategic Plan 2015 16 External Perspective in Planning Environmental Scanning During Spring 2013, members of the Planning and Budgeting Committee scanned the educational literature as well as local, regional, and national media for articles related to trends and issues in community college education. The Office of Institutional Research, Planning, and Institutional Effectiveness collected data on trends in enrollment and service region demographics. In addition, the office collected information on national and state policies, plans, and initiatives that would influence PVCCs strategic plan. These included initiatives such as the College Affordability and Transparency Center College Scorecard, the federal focus on educational attainment, the VCCS Strategic Plan (Achieve 2015 Take Two which focuses on access, affordability, student success, workforce, and resources), the state focus on accountability through degree completion, and the Chancellors expectations for technology enrichment. Community Leaders Survey In June, 2013, PVCC invited more than 4,500 individuals to participate in its Community Leaders Survey (an increase from 1400 individuals surveyed in 2010). The survey is part of PVCCs strategic planning process in which the College seeks input from individuals affiliated with one or more external stakeholder groups (including schools, businesses, not-for-profit organizations, government, advisory boards, donors and alumni). Two Hundred and twenty-two (222) surveys were returned, for an overall response rate of 5%. The purpose of the survey was to gather data on: the communitys perceptions of PVCC and its effectiveness; what PVCC is doing well; how PVCC can be more responsive to the communitys needs; and the trends in business, education, service, workforce, etc., that PVCC should consider in planning for the next three to five years. Results of the survey were provided to the Planning and Budgeting Committee for consideration in planning and were presented to the PVCC College Board. The PVCC College Board In July 2013, a portion of the PVCC College Board summer retreat was devoted to discussion of the Community Leaders Survey results and strategic planning. Board members reviewed the VCCS Strategic Plan and discussed the results of the Community Survey, as well as trends in key areas including demographics/population, education, technology, economy, community, workforce, and media. The Boards comments were summarized and provided to the Planning and Budgeting Committee. In July 2014, the PVCC College Board summer retreat was devoted the theme of What do you want to see the College achieve? At this retreat, the College Board provided robust discussion of the draft of the strategic plan and brainstorming as to the needs of the service region. The College Boards comments were summarized and incorporated into the draft of the Strategic Plan to be provided to the Planning and Budgeting Committee. PVCC Strategic Plan 2015 17 Structure and Approval of the Strategic Plan In 2013-14, the Planning and Budgeting Committee held an organizational meeting and several work sessions. During these sessions, the Planning and Budgeting Committee reviewed input from internal and external stakeholders, identified and came to consensus on four institutional priorities, developed a rationale for each priority, drafted actions to address priorities, assigned leadership responsibility for each action, and agreed on the desired outcomes to be achieved. On August 29, 2014, the Planning and Budgeting Committee voted to approve the content of the 2015 PVCC Strategic Plan. The plan was submitted to the President and his leadership team on September 5, 2014 for review and revision. The plan was revised based on the Presidents feedback, approved by the President on October 6,, 2014 and then submitted to the PVCC College Board for approval on November 5, 2014. PVCC Strategic Plan 2015 18 Enabling Student Success Provide incentives for full-time student enrollment to encourage completion and student success Align student services with national best practices for community colleges Continuously improving the quality of academic programs Recruit and retain excellent faculty and staff Implement the SAILS Intervention system to promote retention and student success Obtain funding and build a Student Success Center that will allow students to have a one stop location for enrollment management services and increase student support services including the library, academic advising, financial aid, student activities, and study zones. Implement a mandatory conferral of degrees and certificates process Align job placement services with national best practices in the conversion of the career services office to a job placement center Provide direct job placement assistance to graduating students Outreach to area employers to expand job opportunities PVCC Strategic Plan 2015 X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X Library X Arts Administrator X Manager, Job Placement/Career Services X Manager, Grants X Manager, Outreach X Coordinator, Academic Support Services Manager, Marketing and Media Relations X Coordinator, Advising and Transfer X Registrar X Director, Financial Aid X Director, QEP X Police Chief X Dean, Student Services X Dean, Business, Mathematics and Technology X Dean, Health and Life Sciences X Chief Information Officer X Vice President, Institutional Advancement and Development X Vice President, Finance and Administrative Services X Dean, Workforce Services Vice President, Instruction and Student Services Dean, Humanities, Fine Arts, and Social Sciences Increase retention and success rates in all courses with emphasis on developmental math, developmental English, and any course with a high failure and/or high withdrawal rate. Explore strategies to promote readiness for college in the high school student population. Director, Institutional Research, Planning and Institutional Effectiveness Enhance writing through the current Quality Enhancement Program President Item/Person Responsible Responsibility Reference Table X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 19 X Develop and implement a comprehensive outreach program for underserved populations Explore, develop, and implement a process for reducing student textbook costs, specifically Online Electronic Resources (OER) Review current Financial Aid processes and policies and establish new ones that increase the financial support for students. Expand Shared Distance Learning partnership with Northern Virginia Community College X X X X Resources to Support College's Mission, Vision, and Values Library Arts Administrator Manager, Job Placement/Career Services Manager, Grants Manager, Outreach Coordinator, Academic Support Services Manager, Marketing and Media Relations Coordinator, Advising and Transfer Registrar Director, Financial Aid X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X Ensure adequate parking and traffic flow while developing the plan for the student center X X Increase full-time faculty and staff by 4 per year (2 each) in addition to replacements. X Hire new public safety personnel as needed to ensure safety and security across campus. Evaluate compensation, allocation, and the appropriate alignment of roles and responsibilities, for faculty and staff for retention purposes Implement a web based faculty profile including facultys basic information: name; contact information; rank; education; and courses taught PVCC Strategic Plan 2015 X X Implement the Workforce Enterprise System (WES) to facilitate increased customer service and efficiencies in enrollments for non-credit courses Continue efforts to generate funding support from the Governor and General Assembly for the Student Success Center Director, QEP X X Increase enrollment at all locations Continue to plan for the construction of a student success center on campus. Incorporate best practices for campus safety and security in the conversion to a public safety Police Chief X X Develop educational programs that develop mid-level skills and that lead to middle to high paying jobs Seek a partnership to create a campus child care center Dean, Workforce Services Dean, Student Services Dean, Business, Mathematics and Technology Dean, Health and Life Sciences Dean, Humanities, Fine Arts, and Social Sciences Director, Institutional Research, Planning and Institutional Effectiveness Chief Information Officer Vice President, Institutional Advancement and Development Vice President, Finance and Administrative Services Vice President, Instruction and Student Services President Item/Person Responsible Access to Education Increase college readiness of incoming high school students X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 20 PVCC Strategic Plan 2015 Library Arts Administrator Manager, Job Placement/Career Services Manager, Grants Manager, Outreach Coordinator, Academic Support Services Manager, Marketing and Media Relations Coordinator, Advising and Transfer Registrar Director, Financial Aid Director, QEP Police Chief Dean, Workforce Services Dean, Student Services Dean, Business, Mathematics and Technology Dean, Health and Life Sciences Dean, Humanities, Fine Arts, and Social Sciences Vice President, Institutional Advancement and Development X X X X X X X X X X X X X X Automate and outsource business processes and student support services as appropriate Implement Workforce Enterprise System (WES) to support Workforce Services and identify metrics for student completion and success in workforce services noncredit programs that can be consistently tracked and reported using the new system. Analyze policies, procedures and business processes to implement improvements and efficiencies through technology and implement as appropriate. Conduct a thorough review and make subsequent improvements of communications and communication methods with regard to prospective students, current students, Financial Aid, employers, and the community. Director, Institutional Research, Planning and Institutional Effectiveness X X X X X Complete a comprehensive analysis of information technology needs and develop a five-year technology plan for meeting technology and infrastructure needs Increase knowledge base of faculty and staff in the use of administrative computing software, including SIS and Blackboard Install lecture capture technology in classrooms and train faculty to use the technology. Vice President, Finance and Administrative Services Vice President, Instruction and Student Services X Chief Information Officer Support the Colleges strategic plan by pursuing grant opportunities aligned with the plans priorities and desired outcomes. Establish contact with alumni and educate them about opportunities to become involved with and support the College, so that alumni giving will increase 5% per year and alumni will be represented on the PVCC Educational Foundation Board. Secure start-up funding for new academic and student services programs as identified by feasibility studies. President Item/Person Responsible Increase faculty and staff salaries Develop a comprehensive and integrated financial plan Increase philanthropic gifts to increase opportunity X X X X X X X X X X 21 X X X X X Develop an active alumni association with chapters in each county of PVCCs service region. X X X Library Arts Administrator Manager, Job Placement/Career Services Manager, Grants Coordinator, Academic Support Services Manager, Marketing and Media Relations Coordinator, Advising and Transfer Registrar Manager, Outreach X X X X X X X X X Secure funding (grant or otherwise) from at least one corporate/business sponsor to be used for academic program development PVCC Strategic Plan 2015 Director, Financial Aid X X Partner with the Workforce Investment Board and localities for funding Partner with nonprofits and social service agencies to recruit underrepresented students to achieve an annual increase over the previous academic year Establish an effective and on-going planned giving program. Director, QEP X Increase the number of employers served by Workforce Services over the previous year Engage the community through initiatives such as Breakfast with the President to learn of business and industry needs. Police Chief X Use the Dickinson Theater and other resources to further develop community and revitalization projects. Initiate a dialogue with regional economic development organizations Dean, Workforce Services Dean, Student Services Dean, Business, Mathematics and Technology Dean, Health and Life Sciences Dean, Humanities, Fine Arts, and Social Sciences Director, Institutional Research, Planning and Institutional Effectiveness X Conduct a baseline work readiness review of the regional workforce Economic and Workforce Development Chief Information Officer Vice President, Institutional Advancement and Development Vice President, Finance and Administrative Services Vice President, Instruction and Student Services President Item/Person Responsible Analyze target markets and develop a comprehensive marketing plan based on the review. Conduct a feasibility study for the construction of a joint use CATEC/PVCC career and technology building on the PVCC Campus. Complete the curriculum integration strategic plan between CATEC and PVCC. X X X 22  ...