APR.1 SEXUAL ASSAULT CONFERENCE: The Naugatuck Valley Community College Human Services Club will host its Seventh Annual Sexual Assault Awareness Conference on Mon., April 1 from 6 – 7:30 p.m. in the Ruth Ann Leever Atrium of the Fine Arts Center, 750 Chase Parkway in Waterbury. This year’s conversation will focus on “How Can We Help: Helping Loved Ones Help Survivors of Sexual Assault.” The event is co-sponsored by Save Haven of Greater Waterbury. Speakers and panelists include Debbie Mitchell of Jane Doe No More, a sexual assault survivor; Judith DosSantos, Esq., retired prosecuting attorney; and counselors from Safe Haven of Greater Waterbury. Additionally, representatives from Wellmore, Family Services of Greater Waterbury, The Children’s Trust Fund and NVCC Women’s Center will provide educational resources and networking opportunities. For more information contact Christine Cocchiola-Meyer at 203-575-8284 or ccocchiola-meyer@nv.edu.
APR.3 NVCC MUSIC FACULTY RECITAL: The Naugatuck Valley Community College Music Department will perform a music faculty recital on Wed., April 3 at 8 p.m. in the Mainstage Theater, 750 Chase Parkway in Waterbury. The performance will feature the Chunchu Trio, which includes professors Nayeon Kim, Shinae Kim and Richard Gard. Tickets are $3. Additional donations will benefit the NVCC Music Scholarship Fund. For more information, contact Dr. Richard Gard at 203-575-8039 or rgard@nv.edu.
APR.3 WOMEN IN SCIENCE: Naugatuck Valley Community College has invited six accomplished women to discuss science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) careers at the fifth annual Scott Lawrence Pond Memorial Women in Science Seminar on Wed., April 3, from 11 a.m. – 12:20 p.m. in Room E440 of Ekstrom Hall, 750 Chase Parkway in Waterbury. There is no charge to attend and the event is open to the general public. For more information, contact Dr. Myrna Watanabe at 203-575-8065 or mwatanabe@nv.edu.
APR.5,12,26 GEAR UP STUDENT VISIT: One hundred fifty GEAR UP students from North End, West Side and Wallace Middle Schools and their parents will visit Naugatuck Valley Community College and tour the campus on April 5, 12 and 26 beginning at 9 a.m. in the Technology Hall Atrium, 750 Chase Parkway in Waterbury. The GEAR UP program is a seven-year state-funded grant program designed to significantly increase the number of low-income students who are prepared to enter and succeed in college by providing early intervention, a seamless diagnostic test system, academic advising and academic and social support. Students are mentored weekly at each of the three schools on topics ranging from study skills to self-esteem building and social development. For more information, contact David Celotto at 203-575-8007 or decelotto@nv.edu.
APR.6 & 7 CT CACTUS & SUCCULENT SOCIETY SHOW: Two Naugatuck Valley Community College horticulture students will receive $500 scholarships when the Connecticut Cactus and Succulent Society holds the 30th Annual Show and Sale in Café West, Student Center, 750 Chase Parkway. The event runs from 10:00 – 5:00 p.m. on Sat. and 10:00 – 4:00 p.m. on Sun. Admission is free and plants will be given away to the first 50 families each day. The free show will feature displays, auctions, educational exhibits and lectures on a variety of topics such as “Cacti and Succulents 101,” and “Hardy Cacti for the CT Garden.” Last year the show gathered well over 1,000 attendees. Parking information and directions are available at nv.edu/maps. For more information, visit www.ctcactusclub.com or call 860-489-8356.
APR. 11 BOOK DISCUSSION: Naugatuck Valley Community College Professor Steven Parlato will discuss his recently published young adult novel, “The Namesake” (Merit Press Books, 2012), on Thurs., April 11 from 10 a.m. – noon in the NVCC Playbox Theater, 750 Chase Parkway in Waterbury. The event will include readings from the book framed by a discussion of Steve’s writing process and his journey toward publication. Q&A and informal conversations will follow with light refreshments. Attendance is free and open to the public. Other April Readings by Steve include Wed., April 17 from 6 – 8 p.m. at the Waterbury Barnes and Noble and Sun., April 21 at 4 p.m. at Byrds Books in Bethel.
APR.16 CONFLUENCIA: Join Naugatuck Valley Community College for Confluencia, a poetry reading, on Wed., Apr. 16 at 5:30 p.m. in the Playbox theatre, 750 Chase Parkway in Waterbury. This free event will feature readings by four poets whose adventurous biographies have inspired deeply human insights. It will also include an open mic, light refreshments and musical accompaniment by NVCC music majors led by Professor Richard Gard. Featured poets include: Sherezada Luisa Chiqui Vicioso, Richard Duffee, Odette Casamayor-Cisneros and Bill Buschel. Although the program is offered free of charge, reservations are requested by calling 203-575-8044 or 203-575-8083 to reserve your seat.
APR.19 WRITER’S CONFERENCE & WORKSHOP: Fresh Ink, Naugatuck Valley Community College’s literary magazine, will host the Fresh Ink Writer’s Conference on Fri., April 19 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. in the Ruth Ann Leever Atrium, 750 Chase Parkway in Waterbury. Professional and studying literary enthusiasts are invited to share their works and learn from local professionals at the all-day conference, which will include breakout sessions on fact-to-fiction writing, poetry, editing/publishing and writing for a niche audience hosted by area experts. It will also include the announcement of this year’s Fresh Ink submission winners, readings by local writers, book signings, networking and an open mic. Registration for the free event is requested by contacting Greg Harding at freshink@nvcc.commnet.edu or calling 203-596-8763.
APR.19 IRON CHEF COMPETITION: Students from local high schools will compete in a culinary contest at Naugatuck Valley Community College on Fri., Apr. 19, beginning at 9:00 a.m. in the Technology Hall Dining Room, 750 Chase Parkway in Waterbury. In keeping with the popular “Iron Chef” TV show, students will be given a mystery ingredient around which to craft and prepare an appetizer. Competitors will be judged by a panel of local professional and local chefs. The winning team will receive a monetary award for their program. For more information contact Karen Rotella at krotella@nv.edu.
APR.24 PHI THETA KAPPA INDUCTION: Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), the International Honor Society of Two Year Colleges, is having an induction ceremony for new Naugatuck Valley Community College members on Wed., Apr. 24 at 6:00 p.m. in the Mainstage Theater, 750 Chase Parkway, Waterbury. Membership into PTK is an opportunity for students to engage with other motivated and successful students and foster academic achievement and civic and social responsibility. PTK offers scholarship, leadership, educational and transfer opportunities to its members. For more information contact Lisa Kaufmann at ekaufman@nv.edu or 203-596-2111.
APR.28 20 YEARS OF DANCE: Naugatuck Valley Community College will celebrate 20 years of dance on Sat., April 27 at 8 p.m. in the Mainstage Theater, 750 Chase Parkway in Waterbury. The performance will include choreographed pieces by students and faculty to the theme of “Our Stories, Our Words,” which is based on the mixed media art of NVCC professor and artist Florin Firimitã. Tickets will be available at the door. For more information contact Elena Rusnak at erusnak@nv.edu or 203-575-8179.
APR.28 NVCC OPEN HOUSE SPONSORED BY KISS 95.7 AND DUNKIN DONUTS 1249 WEST MAIN STREET: Naugatuck Valley Community College will host the first annual Spring Open House Sponsored by Kiss 95.7 and Dunkin Donuts 1249 West Main Street on Sun., April 28 from 1 – 4 p.m. in the Ruth Ann Leever Atrium, Fine Arts Center, 750 Chase Parkway in Waterbury. Student services staff and professors will be on-hand to talk with prospective college students about applying to and attending NVCC. Tours of the campus will also be available. Attendees can enjoy free donuts, coffee and prize giveaways. For more information, call the Admissions Office at 203-575-8080.
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Naugatuck Valley Community College serves Beacon Falls, Bethel, Bethlehem, Bridgewater, Brookfield, Cheshire, Danbury, Middlebury, Naugatuck, New Fairfield, New Milford, Newtown, Oxford, Prospect, Roxbury, Sherman, Southbury, Thomaston, Washington, Waterbury, Watertown and Woodbury. The College is located on a 110-acre campus at 750 Chase Parkway, Waterbury, Conn., and in Danbury at 183 Main Street. The College is one of 17 institutions governed by the Connecticut Board of Regents for Higher Education. Visit nv.edu for more information.