IPS Conferences

IPS coordinates conferences focusing on the history and present state of the nation and the Commonwealth of Virginia. All conferences are open to the College and the public. After the national elections in 2012, IPS conducted a conference analyzing the election results, coined the “Post-Election Conference.” Since that time, IPS has held a Post-Election Conference every year. Panelists include nationally known scholars, journalists and political leaders along with NOVA faculty, discussing the significance of electoral events.

Upcoming Conferences

• 2017 Post Election Conference

Working with NOVA faculty from various disciplines, IPS invites prominent elected officials, political experts, journalists and community leaders for guest lectures to promote dialogue on issues of importance to our students and the public. In 2013, IPS hosted lectures by the Speaker and the Minority Whip of the Virginia House of Delegates. Both of these events were followed by luncheons that brought the officials together with members of the College Board, NOVA administrators, local school superintendents, faculty and students.

Every year, NOVA IPS holds various faculty-focused seminars. In October, they host "Teaching About Global Conflict and Peacebuilding", a national community college seminar at the Alexandria Campus. This seminar is designed to support part- and full-time faculty and administrators as they strive to develop relevant and innovative approaches to teaching about global conflict and peacebuilding. The program seeks to bring together a multidisciplinary array of community college professionals in order to support their efforts with students. Attendees include Washington, DC, based experts from the U.S. government, nongovernmental organizations, international organizations, academics and practitioners who learn about global conflict, peacebuilding and approaches that can be used with students.

The MATURALS  (Mature Adult Learners) program was established in 1985 to provide lifelong learning opportunities to older adults at the Alexandria Campus and in the community at large through lectures, seminars and/or discussions on a range of topics not normally addressed through traditional college coursework. The program strives to enrich the classroom experience of students of all ages within the community.

Every Fall and Spring semester, MATURALS hold seminars on Friday afternoons from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Alexandria Campus. There are typically six sessions each term. All the sessions are FREE and open to the public. In addition, free parking is provided and the room is handicap accessible.

For more information about this semester's sessions or to read about past sessions, visit the MATURALS Blog.

If you are interested in attending a session or want more information, please contact Linda Campos at 703.933.8099 or lcampos@nvcc.edu.

IPS is a proud supporter of the NOVA Forensics Team. The Forensics Team features an impressive roster of talented NOVA students. Students compete in platform speaking, literature performance and debate events. All students work with coaches to stay informed on worldwide aspects of literature, economics, drama, politics or social issues to excel in their craft. 

In late October 2013, the NOVA Forensics team traveled to Cedar Crest College and won awards in Impromptu Speaking and Dramatic Interpretation. In November 2013, at the Seton Hall University Tournament and the West Chester University tournament NOVA won 1st place in Parliamentary Debate and a variety of final round finishes in Impromptu Speaking and Dramatic Interpretation. In December 2013, the team faced its greatest challenge at the Suffolk Community College tournament held in Selden, NY. In addition to many local powerhouse colleges like James Madison University that attended, the competition included last year’s community college National Championship team from Harper College in Illinois and El Paso College in Texas. NOVA students rose to the challenge and took home trophies in Impromptu Speaking (2nd place) and Extemporaneous Speaking (5th place).

Beginning in 2013, IPS co-sponsored the Richard J. Ernst Debate Tournament in which the NOVA Forensics Team hosted other schools from the league to compete at the Alexandria Campus. IPS will continue to sponsor this tournament for years to come.

Model United Nations (UN) is an extra-curricular activity in which students role-play delegates of the UN and simulate UN committees. Each year the IPS coordinator works with faculty members from various disciplines to select students to represent NOVA at national Model United Nations Conferences. Model UN is an excellent opportunity for NOVA students to challenges themselves and develop their research, writing, and speaking skills. In addition, students become familiar with the field of diplomacy and negotiations in the most political city of the world, right in their backyard.