BIG Read “Confronting Biases”
Click here for the recording of the event; you will need to request access to view the file.
Spring 2026 Events
BIG, Booked & Beyond: Book Club
January 29 | 12-1 p.m. | CH 160*
This year, the book club will be traveling with fun snacks and hosted by several different offices, where we will learn about neurodiversity through the book selected and discuss how the host office can better support neurodiverse students.
Like all BIG Read (TBR) events, the traveling book club is open to all students, faculty and staff and aspires to foster empathy and deepen understanding through shared conversations and diverse perspectives.
The host of this book club is Student Life. We will discuss: Chapter 10, learn about the benefits of yoga, and learn some yoga with James Zeller, Coordinator of Student Life.
If you don’t have a chance to read it all, come anyway; there is a lot to learn and the discussions are so great!
*If you are on the Findlay Campus, reach out to Paul Weaver or use this link to join.
Documentary Film Showing: Disability Downloaded (2023)
Feburary 4 | 12-2 p.m. | CH 100 & Livestreamed (Only the discussion will be livestreamed.)
Join us for a powerful and insightful film that explores disability etiquette using best practices.
A live discussion with the film maker, Dawn Bentley, and participants in the film, will follow the film; the discussion will begin around 1 p.m. Jodi Gore, Instructor of Social Work, will lead the online discussion.
BIG, Booked & Beyond: Book Club + Opening Celebration of Multi-Sensory Room in HEC
February 18 | 12-1 p.m. | HEC Open Lounge Area*
This year, the book club will be traveling with fun snacks and hosted by several different offices, where we will learn about neurodiversity through the book selected and discuss how the host office can better support neurodiverse students.
Like all BIG Read (TBR) events, the traveling book club is open to all students, faculty and staff and aspires to foster empathy and deepen understanding through shared conversations and diverse perspectives.
The host of this book club is Department of Nursing. We will discuss: Chapter 11.
If you don’t have a chance to read it all, come anyway; there is a lot to learn and the discussions are so great!
*If you are on the Findlay Campus, reach out to Paul Weaver or use this link to join.
BIG, Booked & Beyond: Book Club
February 25 | 12-1 p.m. | CH 154*
This year, the book club will be traveling with fun snacks and hosted by several different offices, where we will learn about neurodiversity through the book selected and discuss how the host office can better support neurodiverse students.
Like all BIG Read (TBR) events, the traveling book club is open to all students, faculty and staff and aspires to foster empathy and deepen understanding through shared conversations and diverse perspectives.
The host of this book club is Strategic Marketing and Communications. We will discuss: Chapter 16.
If you don’t have a chance to read it all, come anyway; there is a lot to learn and the discussions are so great!
*If you are on the Findlay Campus, reach out to Paul Weaver or use this link to join.
Autism Awareness Week
March 30-April 3, 2026
April is the United States Autism Awareness Month and the month begins with National Autism Awareness Day on April 2.
Please join the Humanities, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Counseling Services, the Disability Resource Center, Career & Transfer Services and Admissions departments as we bring awareness to this neurotype. There will be numerous activities to help educate.
Autism Awareness Discussion Panel: March 30
11 a.m. | Location: CH 100 & Livestreamed
Neurodivergent-Friendly Networking Expo: March 31
11 a.m.- 1 p.m. | Location: VE 201
The Expo event will provide neurodivergent individuals the opportunity to network with transfer institutions and employer partners.
Autism Awareness Week Film Showing: April 1
11 a.m. | Location: CH 100 & Livestreamed
Autism Awareness Workshop: April 2
2-3:30 p.m. | Location: CH 100 & Livestreamed
BIG Read “The Faces Of” Art Exhibit–April 3-May 3 | Lounge-Area in the 1st floor in HH
This year’s BIG Read explores neurodivergence. “Coined by Judy Singer in 1997, the concept of “neurodiversity” acknowledges the differences in the human brain. Instead of saying people with neurodevelopmental differences—such as autism, ADHD, or dyslexia—are “broken” or need to be “fixed,” neurodiversity accepts that natural differences occur. People think, learn, communicate, and process things differently, and there’s nothing amiss in that,” as noted by Sheldon Reid from Help Guide.org.
We will honor and celebrate the neurodivergence by sharing the stories of neurodivergent individuals in an exhibit in the spring.
To participate in this powerful exhibit, please email Jen at jennifer_hazel@owens.edu
To have your class participate, please see The Face Of Exhibit Assignment Guidelines and the talent-release (2).
Email Jen at jennifer_hazel@owens.edu with questions.
BIG Read “The Faces Of” Art Exhibit Reception–April 3 | 12-1 p.m. | Lounge-Area in the 1st floor in HH
Join us for the opening of this powerful exhibit.
Bookmark Sale–April 21
Come and get your very own bookmark with a free copy of A Little Less Broken. Cost is $16 and you get a free copy of the book! Cash and checks only.
CFPA Theatre: 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Findlay-Hancock Library: 7:00 to 7:30 p.m.
BIG Read Author Visit–April 21 | 10 a.m. | CFPA Theatre (Toledo-area Campus) and Livestream; click here.
6:00 p.m. | Findlay-Hancock Library
Do not miss the opportunity to hear Marian Schembari discuss her book and have your copy signed following the discussion.
“Let’s Talk BIG w/ Jane & Jen”
Thursdays, Fall & Spring Semesters | 7 a.m. | 10 a.m. | 7 p.m. | 10 p.m. | Owens Community College Radio , RSS.com, or the OCCR YouTube Channel.