Students attended OCTC's annual holiday kick-off event, Hanging of the Green. This event is sponsored by the Student Government Association and features music by the OCTC Chorus.

OCTC's Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society Chapter is hosted a conference: Transforming Higher Education One Student at a Time: Issues in Food and Nutrition on November 9.

This workshop focused on ways to avoid overspending during the holidays. Suggestions include setting a budget, using price comparison before buying, making gifts, reducing the number of people one gives gifts, and creating personlized coupon books for services the giver can provide, such as babysitting, cooking a meal, running errands, etc.

This workshop covered the basic interview skills: the importance of customizing the resume and cover letter, the need to dress appropriately for the interview, and ways to showcase their strengths and skills during the interview.

At our annual bonfire, we shared scary college stories, explaining what could happen if students don't meet with an advisor or choose not to listen to advice on what courses to take, the horrors of wasting financial aid monies, the negative impact of not applying for FAFSA early, the consequences of not registering for classes early, and the dreaded failing classes or low GPAs due to not seeking help through tutoring and other academic resources.

TRiO members who will be graduating soon shared their personal stories on how they were successful, informing attendees what resources they took advantage of and providing ecouragment to other TRiO participants.

Brescia University representatives hosted an information session, discussing programs available, scholarships, and campus life.

Students attended a presentation with OCTC's Dr. Bob Glenn discussing: Leaving Las Vegas: Examining the Growth and Multiple Paradoxes of America's Adult Playground.

Students attended a presentation featuring transfer representatives from local higher education institutions including University of Louisville BSN, Kentucky Wesleyan College, Western Kentucky University and more!

Students attended an open house event at the WKU Owensboro campus. The event included transfer information, building tours, and information about the programs and services offered on the campus.

Students attended Faithfest with OCTC's Dr. Court Lewis, of Court & the Jesters.

We may meet people every day who are helpless and hopeless, some with thoughts of suicide. Students attended a presentatiion about learning how to recognize the warning signs that everyone should know, how to ask the "suicide" question, how to find local resources, how to keep the person at risk safe and get them help. Taught by a US Army suicide intervention Master trainer and veteran. Sponsored by OCTC Common Reading.

Students attended a session on how to locate healthy relationships, how to avoid unhealthy relationships (both intimate and professional), and learn practical behaviors for dealing with negative individuals.

Students attended an OCTC faculty led presentation titled: Time Management: Tracking & Analyzing Time.

Students attended a workshop with Dr. Jim Glenn regarding personal finance and managing money.

Students created a vision board that displays what they value and what their goals are in areas such as relationships, career and finances, home, travel, personal growth, and health. The purpose of the vision board is to bring everything on it to life.

We Are Called to Rise, by Laura McBride, is the Fall '19 Common Reading novel. The novel is set in Las Vegas, Nevada and follows four divergent narrators with interwoven plot lines. The characters include CASA workers, a young veteran with PTSD, a divorcee, and an immigrant family. The central cataclysmic event in the novel was inspired by a real life event the author only knew of, but was deeply affected by, and used it as a catalyst for this fictional novel. Students attended a presentation by Ms. McBride on OCTC's Main Campus.

Attended a student discussion with OCTC President Dr. Scott Williams. Sponsored by the OCTC Student Government Association (SGA).

Students will understand the importance of following the guidelines of the specific academic plans to ensure they are completing classes that fulfill degree requirements.

Attended the 4-Year College and University Transfer Fair sponsored by OCTC's Pathfinder Den on the Main Campus, October 1, 2019. Representatives from over twelve different universities and colleges spoke with students about transfer opportunities.

Participants were able to relax, unwind, and be creative with a painting session.

Students attended the FESTO Training Demonstration & Manufacturing Careers Presentation on OCTC's Downtown Campus in the Innovation Lab.

Students attended a presentation sponsored by OCTC's Counseling Center titled "Aubrey's Song." The presentation covered eating disorders, increasing healthy body image and local resources for those in need. The session included a nutritionist that covered healthy lifestyle habits and warning signs. This event is designed educate, endorse treatment, and promote prevention of unhealthy behaviors concerning food.

OCTC's Associate Professor of Sociology Chad Gesser, Executive Director of the Hager Educational Foundation Keith Sanders, and Partnership Specialist with the U.S. Census Bureau Molly McCarroll presented on the importance of completing the Census and its relationship to the U.S. Constitution. Students attended the session in honor of the annual Constitution Day celebration.

The Owensboro Community and Technical College (OCTC) Common Reading selection for the fall 2019 semester is, We Are Called to Rise, by Laura McBride. The novel is set in Las Vegas, Nevada and follows four divergent narrators with interwoven plot lines. The characters include CASA workers, a young veteran with PTSD, a divorcee, and an immigrant family. The central cataclysmic event in the novel was inspired by a real life event the author only knew of, but was deeply affected by, and used it as a catalyst for this fictional novel. One of the events related events include identical presentations from local Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children (CASA) on "The Power of One Caring Adult to Build Resilience" on Monday, September 16, and on Thursday, September 19, both at 11 a.m. and in OCTC's Advanced Technology Center's Chandler Conference Center (ATC 107). In conjunction with the presentations the college is accepting donations for CASA for children at the events. Donations sought would be appropriate for those children who have been experiencing a crisis. These include handwritten notes of encouragement, or new stuffed animals. Other items might include packaged small toys such as: earbuds, coloring books, crayons, or lego kits. Donations may be brought to the CASA presentations or to OCTC by October 21, 2019. For more information about CASA please visit casaov.gov. The author of We Are Called to Rise, Laura McBride, will visit OCTC on Thursday, October 3 in Blandford Lecture Hall to do a presentation and book signing. Blandford Lecture Hall is located in the Humanities building at 4800 New Hartford Road, Owensboro. All OCTC Common Read events are free and open to the public. We Are Called to Rise is available at the OCTC Bookstore. For more information about the OCTC Common Read program please contact tonya.northenor@kctcs.edu. To keep up with pertinent Common Read events follow facebook.com/octc.commonread

Students attended a session hosted by OCTC's Nature Commitee. Dr. Micah Perkins talked with students about monarch butterflies and the tag and release process that takes place each fall.

Students attended a presentation sponsored by the Teaching & Learning Center titled "Managing Test Anxiety."

Students attended a presentation sponsored by the Teaching & Learning Center titled "How to Improve your Time Mangement Skills."

Managing one's time is not as easy as it sounds. A day planner can be an essential tool because it allows a place to keep short-term and long-term schedules. Learning to effectively use a planner can benefit students because they can remember their responsibilities, manage their time, stay organized, and plan. Students who attended this workshop received an academic planner and were instructed on how to make the most of using it.

Members heard from a panel of faculty members about faculty expectations, the importance of being engaged in class, and how to self-advocate. Following the panel, members heard from Becky Hodskins concerning what it means to be a member of TRiO Student Support Services and the various services and opportunities available to members. Lindsey Greer provided a list of important academic dates relating to financial aid and registering for next semester.