Common Time encourages students to meet one another across the Department of Creative Arts and Media programs, build new relationships, discuss projects and learn about resources and opportunities.
Each Friday session meets virtually from noon – 1 p.m. at this link. Links to join are also below.
Friday, January 24, 2025 | Noon – 1 p.m.
Podcasting: How to Conduct and Record an Interview
Create your own podcast featuring an interview. Rob will cover the basic, and surprisingly easy technical elements, as well as how to conduct an engaging interview.
HOST: Rob Thomas is the Broadcast Media and Technology lead instructor and advisor for the Owens OutComm Student Media Center. He has over 35 years of experience as a multimedia producer in the broadcast, marketing, and communications industries, working with both for-profit and not-for-profit businesses.
Friday, February 7, 2025 | Noon – 1 p.m.
How to Use AI: Unlocking the Power of Artificial Intelligence in Your Daily Life
In this fast-paced, hands-on workshop, participants will explore the fundamentals of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and discover practical ways to apply AI tools and technologies in everyday life. The session will provide a clear understanding of how AI works and highlight the many ways it can simplify tasks, improve efficiency, and even add a fun element to work and personal routines.
HOST: Jen Hazel has been a Professor of English at Owens Community College for 18 years, and she hopes to be here for at least another 18!
In addition to her role as a Professor, she has led many projects and initiatives over the years such as revamping the advising program; creating a new student orientation experience; developing campus student mentoring; leading a team in the creation of a co-requisite Composition I course with workshops for educators; and most recently, in conjunction with the manager of tutoring, implemented an embedded tutoring pilot Jen designed; created the Oregon Road Film Series, which includes the ORFS Film Challenge, where Rob Thomas is the co-pilot; leads a team of faculty to publish The Silo, a creative work journal for students and faculty, every spring; and finally, with the Library Director, developed and leads The BIG Read, which raises awareness of different perspectives through literature and accompanying activities across campus and in the surrounding communities.
Jen is also the Humanities Dept. Faculty Fellow and designed three new certificates that began last fall — one of which is the Media Influencer Certificate! Even with all these projects, according to Jen, nothing is more amazing than working with students to help them find their “Ah-ha!” moment.
Friday, February 21, 2025 | Noon – 1 p.m.
Business of the Arts
Artists can spend their entire early career developing their art but struggle to transition into a business. Learn basic skills all artists need to start careers or leverage their artistic flair for success in non-arts fields.
HOST: Aimee Reid, MFA, has been the Executive Artistic Director for the Children’s Theatre Workshop since 2012. Previously she taught Arts Management at Bowling Green State University, and adjuncts for BGSU. She is the Treasurer for the American Alliance for Theatre and Education and sits on the board of directors for the Village Players Theatre (Toledo) and Talespinner Children’s Theatre (Cleveland). She was named one of Toledo’s 20 under 40 in 2023 for her work in restoring the Ohio Theatre in north Toledo.
Friday, March 7, 2025 | Noon – 1 p.m.
Spark Summit De-Briefing
Join us for a discussion about your experiences at the March 6th Spark Summit.
HOST: Denise Grupp-Verbon is the Internship Manager for the School of Liberal Arts. She has placed over 200 students in internship experiences. She is a working harpist and has published dozens of arrangements, compositions, and instructional books for the harp. She performs and records with her husband Michael in a harp and acoustic guitar duo called TAPESTRY.
Friday, March 21, 2025 | Noon – 1 p.m.
Finding Your Way
Join us as Lori guides us through the world of media and journalism. Her discussion will include skill diversity, paying attention to details, life-long learning and the process and importance of building your standout portfolio. You will also discover the importance of a personal mission and fostering teamwork.
HOST: Lori King is a retired military print journalist and retired Toledo Blade photojournalist. She is currently the editor-in-chief of the Toledo Free Press, a nonprofit, nonpartisan, hyperlocal online newsroom. She is also the National Press Photographer Association’s Visual Voice podcast host.
Her journalism career began in the U.S. Army as a print journalist when she was 18, serving eight years in the active Army, 10 years in the Ohio Army National Guard and three years in the Air National Guard. She retired from the 180th Fighter Wing in Toledo in 2000.
Lori was an adjunct photojournalism and multimedia instructor at the University of Toledo, Kent State University, Owens Community College and Wayne State University, and retired from the State Teachers Retirement System in August.
She holds a BS in photojournalism from Kent State and an MA in Journalism Education from Kent State. She is also a Defense Information School graduate.
Friday, April 4, 2025 | Noon – 1 p.m.
Career Paths that you may not have considered!
Join us for a discussion of David’s “less thought of” path working in the music industry and options that may work for you after graduation.
HOST: David Brehm graduated with honors from the Owens Music Business Technology program in 2017 and was part of the group that launched OCCR. After graduation, he started as a Sales Engineer at Sweetwater Sound for 2 ½ years before he took 2 years to run and then sell the family business. He is now a Merchandising Analyst at Sweetwater running the bundle team.
Friday, April 18, 2025 | Noon – 1 p.m.
Your Portfolio Career – What’s it all about?
Artists discover that they have many talents and interests, leading them to a career with a wide variety of income streams. What are yours? Uncover your Portfolio Career path while learning about Daniel’s professional journeys.
HOST: Daniel O’Connor has been a professional musician for most of his life. His career path has included performing, composing, managing and booking.