Live. Learn. Grow. Repeat.
Heather Rae Thomas,
RDH, BS, M.Ed
Dental Hygienist, Educator, Artist, Athlete, Musician, Mom, Writer, Sports Reporter, Innovator...
Media Projects
Below are some of the media projects I created as a master's candidate at Northern Arizona University, along with a description of the project and why it is meaningful to me. Click on the link to open the file, PowerPoint presentation, or view the movie.
“Develop a passion for learning. If you do, you will never cease to grow.”
~Anthony J. D’Angelo
This student affairs project was created for CCHE 620-Access and Opportunity in Higher Education. The goal was to research a specific need for at-risk students and create a student services program to address the need. With this in mind, I developed INTEGR8TE, a program that matches participating students with a series of eight mini-internships within the student’s field of interest over the course of one academic year, and is worth 3 credits per semester. What makes INTEGR8TE different from traditional internships, is that it is encouraged earlier in the academic plan when a student has first declared his or her major, and facilitates multiple partnerships. The aim is to increase student retention by developing cognitive connections between the student's classroom education and real-world application, while fostering positive networking in their field of study.
The project includes a vision statement, mission statement, objectives, strategic plan, budget, outcomes, and program evaluation. As well as providing engagement, encouragement, and real-world experience, INTEGR8TE will build lasting partnerships between the university and community businesses, which also benefit from the relationship. This project serves as an example of my ability to creatively innovate to solve real-world issues.
This student affairs project was created for CCHE 688-College Teaching, and focuses on the unique population of students under the age of 18. This presentation is meaningful to me because it showcases my ability to understand, address the needs of, support, and reach specific student populations. This is pertinent in today's society where there is an increasingly diverse student population, many of which fall into at-risk categories for non-completion, and may require a high degree of cultural intelligence from their educators.
This PowerPoint presentation was created for CCHE 580-The Community College, and explores the ranges and variations in qualifications, minimum requirements, and salaries for teaching positions accross the country in a variety of demographics and schools. It displays a creative way of examining the profession of education.
This student affairs project was created for CCHE 580-The Community College. This PowerPoint presentation compares and contrasts the mission statements of several community colleges accross the country with varying demographic information. This project exemplifies the importance of an institution's mission statement and how it reflects the leadership and working environment, which is paramount in today's academic climate.
Navigating the Future of Leadership: A New Torch, is a PowerPoint presentation detailing my personal beliefs and philosophy of leadership statement that I apply as an educator, both now and in the future. This project was created for CCHE 600-Leadership Skills, and is reflective of not only my preferred theories of leadership, but of the passion I have for reaching out to others, and making a difference in the world.
This innovative program, called The Greenhouse Affect, was designed for CCHE 650-Social Entrepreneurship in Higher Education, and was co-created with team members Jeremy Byrd, Kirby Henningsen, Hannah Lee, Samantha Lodygowski, and Del Skinner. The Greenhouse Affect is a greenhouse system integrated into a student’s on-campus living community to cultivate community within residential housing, promote healthy lifestyle and eating habits with the consumption of fresh, organic fruits and vegetables, and assist students in setting roots in the university environment. The Mission Statement of The Greenhouse Affect is to increase student retention and satisfaction by cultivating community, strengthening student interpersonal connectivity, and improving overall health and wellbeing through an integrative residential housing greenhouse system. This project provides an excellent example of teamwork and social innovation and entrepreneurship!