The North Central Missouri College Foundation announced the award of faculty and staff mini grants named for Dean Emeritus William “Bill” Ausmus at the NCMC annual employee awards and recognition ceremony. Two applications were selected for funding by the NCMC Foundation.
TRIO Director Tocarra Williams submitted an application for a project titled Enhancing Comfort for Neurodivergent Students in the TRIO Learning Lab. Many students with neurodivergences, such as ADHD or autism struggle with traditional seating which can impact their ability to focus and remain engaged in academic activities. “By offering seating that meets the sensory and physical needs of neurodivergent students this project will promote better concentration, reduce discomfort, and encourage longer periods of study and engagement,” wrote Williams. The $300 award will purchase two crisscross chairs and one wobble chair that will be used in the Learning Lab. There are long-term benefits of this grant Williams shares, “This initiative demonstrates NCMC’s commitment to disability accommodation and student well-being. Investing in accessible and adaptive furniture enhances the overall learning environment.”
Anatomy Instructor Annette Wilbur submitted an application titled Expansion of Science Department Classroom Set-Up. As Health Sciences Programs expand, NCMC has seen an increase in the demand for the pre-requisite courses for these degrees and certificates. Wilbur submitted a request for classroom set up (models and long-term dissection supplies) for a new instructor. Wilbur commented, “These supplies (models, dissecting equipment) will be a one-time purchase to enhance hands-on learning for students; it will facilitate being able to offer multiple anatomy courses in the same time frame.” She also pointed out that this support to the classroom would free up classroom budget money to be used on new technology, lab supplies to keep the curriculum up to date. The $450 award will be used to purchase dissecting trays to support active student engagement in the classroom.
The Ausmus Faculty/Staff Mini Grants are expected to be awarded during the fall and spring semesters to benefit programs and departments with equipment or programing that would not normally be provided for in the operating budget of the College. Those interested in contributing to the Ausmus fund or have questions regarding the NCMC Foundation can contact Executive Director Alicia Endicott at (660) 357-6403 or [email protected].
Photo: Left to right
Tocarra Williams, Director of TRIO; Kristi Varner, Grant Writer/Scholarship Coordinator; Holly Hernandez, TRIO Academic Advisor; John Wilbur, TRIO Learning Specialist; Annette Wilbur, Science Faculty