#YoNOVA - You Oughta NOVA

We may not have all of the creature comforts of the Loudoun Recording Studio but You Oughta NOVA is back! We understand that during this uncertain time, we all need our community now more than ever. Host, Mike McMillon wishes you all well and is excited to be back to share stories with and have discussions alongside our fellow Nighthawks as well as the greater Northern Virginia community. Produced by the NOVA Sound and Music Recording Tech Program (http://www.loudounsound.com). Wanna study in the program? Give us a holler -- we'll set up a tour with our program director Sanjay Mishra. Show music copyright Sanjay Mishra/Akar Music.

With hundreds of classes in dozens of disciplines, online learning at NOVA has been around long enough to know what's up - and continues to evolve to meet demand. So, what does it mean to take classes online? Is it right for everyone? Is there a way to assess how compatible or successful a student might be with online learning? How do online students take tests? Join us in studio with two NOVA virtual superstars to break down what "NOVA Online" is, what the student experience and online community is like, and how anyone can take a full course-load online from anywhere in the world (with an internet connection) or supplement on-campus classes with those offered online. NOVA Online's Kristin Hagan, Student Success Coach, and Charlotte Lombardo, Student Life Coordinator, share how today's online learning's neither "old school" nor "new school," but in fact your "what-works-for-you school." Mentioned links: Smarter Measure tool - nvcc.smartermeasure.com [http://nvcc.smartermeasure.com] Virtual Student Union - https://online.nvcc.edu/studentlife/#vsu [https://online.nvcc.edu/studentlife/#vsu] This episode is produced by the NOVA Sound and Music Recording Tech Program, with students and program head Sanjay Mishra.

Did you know that NOVA has a Rugby Team? If you haven’t heard, this is the perfect opportunity to learn more about them! We welcome a handful of the players who make Nighthawks Rugby such an incredible and exciting part of our NOVA Community. Team Captain Bridgette as well as players Karina, Meg and Lindsey tell us more about themselves, the sport and the team that has become their family.

Did you know that NOVA has a ton of multi-faceted varsity sports, recreation, fitness and wellness opportunities for students, faculty and staff? We get the skinny (pun not intended) on NOVA Athletics, Recreation and Fitness from Assistant Athletic Director, CJ Jackson. With his boundless energy and enthusiasm, CJ oversees recreation and intramurals across all six campuses and maintains an instructor role in fitness at the Annandale campus. CJ discusses all things health and feeling good at NOVA, both inside and out!

Winter break is over, the New Year is here ...and we're back! If you drove out of town - or really, anywhere - over the break, you probably listened to a podcast or two (or more). We know WE did! We dug 'em all but one episode in particular struck us and we bring an idea from it, to you. It's a simple tool to recognize your value (both to yourself and others) each day! Big shout out to The Marie Forleo Podcast, specifically Ep. 300 (with entrepreneur and author Kate Northrup) for all its amazing info - and helping us resolve to realize and share our value. Happy New Year!