Now that midterms grades are in, it's getting easier to identify students who may have projects that should be presented to the College and the community at the "Student Excellence Expo" on April 9. Perhaps inviting a student to participate will provide the necessary encouragement to make an strong project a powerful presentation. Remember: The Student Excellence Expo features work that teachers recognize as excellent among their students, so faculty must be prepared to start the process by inviting students to participate.

Faculty are also expected to mentor participating students. This means providing whatever guidance is necessary to turn excellent course work into an excellent presentation. In some instances, this takes very little effort; after all the work is excellent to begin with, and it may only be necessary to prepare and time the presentation. Also, mentors are asked to attend the Expo so that they can introduce their students.

Students take away from the Student Excellence Expo an experience that helps them prepare for presentations they are likely to make in their professional careers. They also have an opportunity to present their ideas to a broader audience than the classroom offers. And they get a publication to list on their transfer applications and resumes. But like so many other things, it all starts with a teacher.

For further information, please see http://cms.montgomerycollege.edu/edu/department.aspx?id=2117#Expo or contact John Hare, john.hare@montgomerycollege.edu or 7-7869.