��Ƶ State University News

8th International Veterinary Social Work Summit Coming to ��Ƶ

6003571 — Tue, 14 May 2024 14:38:52 +0000

The College of Health at ��Ƶ State University is proud to co-host the 8th International Veterinary Social Work (IVSW) Summit from Sept. 12 – 14 on ��Ƶ’s campus. The event is the premier platform for interdisciplinary collaboration among the global veterinary community, fostering innovative strategies at the intersection of veterinary medicine and social work.

The summit will feature keynote addresses from Drs. Aubrey Fine, Zenithson Ng and Angie Arora; panel discussions; workshops; and networking opportunities—all designed to explore the areas of animal welfare, human-animal bond enhancement, grief and loss support, animal abuse prevention and related topics crucial to promoting holistic well-being for both animals and humans.

In addition to the summit, ��Ƶ College of Health, School of Social Work is launching a certificate in Veterinary Social Work, further solidifying its commitment to pioneering initiatives at the nexus of animal and human welfare.

"This course represents a significant milestone in the evolution of veterinary social work education,” said Aviva Vincent, Ph.D., LSW of the School of Social Work. “By offering comprehensive training rooted in evidence-based practices, we empower graduates to make meaningful contributions to the profession by supporting the well-being of both animals and people."

With the support of Maddie’s Fund, a grant has been awarded to ensure textbook affordability. The first 40 students who enroll in the Veterinary Social Work course will have their textbooks provided at no cost.

Early bird registration for the IVSW Summit is available through May 31. For more information about conference details, hotel registration and continuing education credits, visit this page.

Student of Distinction: Abbey Safos

6003456 — Tue, 14 May 2024 13:15:28 +0000

��Ƶ State University celebrates graduating students who have overcome obstacles, made significant achievements or are fulfilling ��Ƶ’s mission in or outside the classroom.

Today, we celebrate Abbey Safos.

��Ƶ: Have you had any significant Internships/Co-ops/Careers while at ��Ƶ?

AS: Throughout my college career, I have been working on gaining experience in the professional world of psychology in order to enhance my skill set. I have been working as an undergraduate assistant in the Language Research Lab (LRL) at ��Ƶ State University under the supervision of Dr. Conor McLennan and PhD candidate Bethany Cox. I aided Cox on her thesis on “Spoken Word Recognition as a Function of Musicianship and Age” by organizing data into a master document and calculating the results. I then became certified through the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative to set up studies on my own. My experience in this lab has been so enriching. Math has never been my strong suit, but working with statistics pushed me to step outside of my comfort zone and grow more confident in my mathematical abilities. Through this, I gained more independence. I was able to conduct research related dialogue with my colleagues about the work we’ve been doing, which made me feel validated as a professional.

Another transformative experience of my professional life came from attending the Psychedelic Science conference in Denver, Colorado. Here, I attended the workshop “Guiding Psilocybin Therapy Sessions” led by Mary Cosimano of Johns Hopkins University where I learned about the primary therapeutic competencies necessary for psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. In her workshop, Cosimano said that “love is letting go of fear.” I will never forget that statement, as peace of mind for myself and others is my goal. I also had the pleasure of attending the “Meditation and Contemplative Science for Psychedelic Practitioners” workshop led by Jamie Beachy, Sara Lewis, Jordan Quaglia, and Carla Burns of Naropa University. This workshop stressed the importance of mindfulness and compassion in psychedelic therapy. Coming into this conference, I’ll admit, I was nervous. I was afraid that, because I am so young and inexperienced compared to everyone else who was attending, I wouldn’t have anything to offer. However, I proved myself wrong. I made connections with licensed professionals and was able to inspire them as much as they had inspired me. Being around so many people who are just as passionate about psychedelics as I am made me feel at home. It reassured me that this is what I was meant to do.

Finally, as a queer individual, LGBTQ+ activism has always been important to me. When I transferred to ��Ƶ State University, I became the treasurer of the Queer Student Alliance (QSA). The QSA provided a safe space on campus for LGBTQ+ students to be their true, authentic selves. This organization holds such a special place in my heart. Making connections with so many amazing queer people gave me a sense of community and belonging. I wanted to pursue these feelings outside of ��Ƶ State as well, so I started volunteering with the Trevor Project. This job sparks my queer joy and helps me give back in ways that I could have never imagined. For example, Trevor’s training process has prepared their volunteers to be able to quite literally talk someone off the ledge, but even though this job can weigh heavy on the heart, I recognize that the work that I’m doing is meaningful. Knowing that I could be responsible for saving someone’s life makes it all worth it to me. This is an outlook that will live within me forever.

��Ƶ: How would you describe the connections you have made with the faculty and staff at ��Ƶ?

AS: At ��Ƶ, the connections I've forged with faculty and staff have been instrumental in my academic journey and personal growth. Through regular interactions, I've cultivated meaningful relationships built on mutual respect, collaboration, and mentorship. The faculty members at ��Ƶ have been invaluable sources of knowledge and guidance, providing me with valuable insights and advice. Especially when exploring graduate school, Dr. Conor McLennan and PhD candidate Bethany Cox were extremely helpful in helping me navigate whether I wanted to pursue a master’s or doctoral degree. Whether through office hours or research collaborations, they have demonstrated a genuine interest in my success and have gone above and beyond to ensure that I have the resources and assistance needed to excel. Similarly, all my advisors and professors at ��Ƶ have played a crucial role in facilitating my educational experience. From administrative support to student services, they have been responsive, helpful, and dedicated to creating a supportive environment conducive to learning and growth.

��Ƶ: How has ��Ƶ State inspired you for your future?

AS: Transferring to ��Ƶ was one of the best decisions that I have ever made for myself. I’ve never felt so involved in or empowered by a community. Seeing how the university and its students navigate challenges and support each other has inspired me to approach my own goals with determination and a willingness to collaborate. The diversity of perspectives, experiences, and curriculum at ��Ƶ has also encouraged me to seek out new opportunities for growth and learning. I remember learning about psychedelic therapy in one of my neuroscience classes taught by Dr. Kristi Ninnemann. I shared with her my interest in psychedelic therapy, and she helped me get in contact with her friend who runs the ketamine lab at Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado. Now, everything has come full circle and I have been accepted into Naropa University for their Clinical Mental Health Counseling master’s program. If not for this experience and the many other meaningful connections I’ve made here at ��Ƶ, my future of pursuing higher education would have looked completely different and I might not have ever stumbled upon a graduate school that aligns so perfectly with my passions and values. I’m so grateful for my time here. ��Ƶ State really felt like home to me, and it's disheartening to know that my chapter here is coming to an end. However, thanks to ��Ƶ and all of the support they have provided me with, I am certain of my future success and I very much look forward to all that’s in store for me.

��Ƶ: How do you think you have fulfilled the ��Ƶ mission (empowering others, creating knowledge, engaging our community and shaping our world)?

AS: I’ve fulfilled the ��Ƶ mission because I am committed to empowering others, creating knowledge, engaging our community, and shaping the world.

Empowering Others: I’ve empowered others by actively participating in discussions, sharing my knowledge and experiences, and providing support and encouragement to those around me. Whether it's offering guidance, lending a listening ear, or collaborating on projects, my actions have helped empower individuals to achieve their goals and aspirations. A major outlet of these interpersonal skills for me lies within the connections I’ve made through the LGBTQ+ center on campus. This inclusive, safe space allowed me to participate in important discussions around topics that relate to the queer experience, not only allowing me to empower others, but to empower myself as well.

Creating Knowledge: Through my engagement in academic pursuits, research endeavors, and creative endeavors, I’ve contributed to the creation of knowledge. My academic achievements, innovative ideas, and artistic endeavors added to the collective pool of knowledge and inspired others to explore new ideas and concepts. My time spent with the NSLS reflects this perfectly. NSLS often hosts events, workshops, and seminars featuring guest speakers who share their expertise, experiences, and insights on a wide range of topics. These events can expose members to new ideas, perspectives, and areas of interest, thus expanding their knowledge base. With this, members are encouraged to initiate and lead projects that address community needs and promote social change.

Engaging Our Community: One of my most fulfilling experiences at ��Ƶ was organizing the 2023 student drag show during my time as treasurer of the QSA. To raise more money for our organization, I suggested the idea of making programs where we could sell advertisements from local businesses. Through fostering these connections, we were able to not only promote our show to these businesses but give them an opportunity to expand upon their clientele through our programs. However, I am most proud of the sense of belonging and connection within the community that me and the other QSA officers were able to build through this drag show. By giving folks the opportunity to express themselves freely without judgment, we created an overall community experience that left folks radiating with joy and celebration of authenticity.

Shaping Our World: Through my actions, advocacy, and leadership, my efforts have contributed to positive change and have helped make the world a better place. As someone who revolves her life around mindfulness and the practice of knowing and loving yourself, I feel it is my duty to make the world a better place through being an agent of kindness and compassion. Practicing these values has truly saved my life, and I want to be able to help others do the same by pursuing a career in counseling. After all, I firmly believe that the good I put out into the world holds the power to create a domino effect, giving humanity the structure it needs to build upon justice and harmony.

Congratulations, Abbey!

Student-Athletes, Research Assistants Among ��Ƶ’s Spring 2024 Valedictorians

6003456 — Thu, 09 May 2024 12:36:42 +0000

Valedictorians from five of ��Ƶ State University’s eight colleges will be acknowledged at the Spring 2024 Commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 11 for their excellence in their respective schools and beyond. Join us in congratulating them all!

Ashley Banas, College of Health
Banas worked as a research assistant for ��Ƶ's Departments of Anthropology and Health and Human Performance. She will graduate with a degree in health sciences with minors in anthropology, biology and English.

“In the future, I intend to pursue my master’s degrees in public health and information science,” said Banas. “Fundamentally, I am passionate about connecting communities with the resources, programs, and services they need to live well and be healthy—physically, mentally, and emotionally.”

Courtni Began, Levin College of Public Affairs and Education
Began currently serves as a development and experience intern at Destination ��Ƶ. In the past, she has worked as a student assistant for the College of Sciences and Health Professions, a student enrichment assistant for the Center for Public & Nonprofit Management and a major projects unit intern for Greater Partnership ��Ƶ, among other roles. Began, who is a member of the President's and Dean's Lists, will receive a Bachelor of Arts in Urban and Regional Studies with a concentration in urban and regional planning.

“Looking ahead, I am filled with optimism and a sense of purpose, thanks to the concrete support and unique opportunities I received from ��Ƶ State University,” said Began. “From mentorship by dedicated faculty to hands-on learning experiences, ��Ƶ provided me with the tools and experiences necessary for success.”

Jenna Deang, Monte Ahuja College of Business
Deang, who will earn her Bachelor of Business Administration Marketing, has worked as a commercial bank marketing intern at Huntington National Bank during her time at ��Ƶ State. She has also starred on the ��Ƶ softball team, earning two first-team All-Horizon League selections. The four-time Dean's List and three-time President's List selection was a Jack, Joseph and Mandel Scholars Program member from 2020-22.

“My collegiate journey has been one of personal growth, [and] I am forever indebted to ��Ƶ State University for granting me a wealth of knowledge, irreplaceable experiences, my best friends and lasting memories,” said Deang. “Undoubtedly, I will step into my new life journey post-graduation forever embodying the values of a ��Ƶ Viking.”

Cyenna Ulrich-Cech, College of Arts and Sciences
Ulrich-Cech worked as an office assistant and a success coach for TRIO/Student Support Services, a program offered through the U.S. Department of Education. Her research interests and specialties include anthropology, environmental science and environmental studies. She will receive bachelor's degrees in anthropology and environmental science while adding on a minor in environmental science and a Certificate in Urban Geographic Information Systems.

“I am eternally grateful to ��Ƶ for preparing and providing me with the confidence to take the next steps in my academic journey in pursuing a Ph.D.,” said Ulrich-Cech. “I am eager to contribute to the continued success and excellence of our institution as a proud Viking.”

Kierstin Clark, Washkewicz College of Engineering
Clark has experience as an undergraduate research fellow at the University of South Carolina and the Lerner Research Institute at ��Ƶ Clinic. She has spent four seasons with ��Ƶ's women's soccer team, earning her first career start during a 4-1 win over Saint Francis on Sept. 7. She was also a member of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, the Society of Women Engineers and Sisters in STEM, among others. Clark will graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering and a minor in mathematics.

“I am extremely thankful for my time at ��Ƶ State University,” said Clark. “Despite being 12 hours away from my hometown, I chose ��Ƶ for its unique blend of academic and athletic opportunities, allowing me to continue my soccer career while pursuing a degree in chemical engineering.”

Public Meeting Notices: ��Ƶ Board of Trustees (Week of May 13)

6003571 — Wed, 08 May 2024 17:59:21 +0000

The Governance Committee of the ��Ƶ State University Board of Trustees will meet on Monday, May 13 at 3:30 p.m. In accordance with state legislation and the Bylaws of the ��Ƶ State University Board of Trustees, this meeting will be fully virtual, and the public session will be available via livestream, which can be accessed here.

The ��Ƶ State University Board of Trustees will hold its annual meeting on Thursday, May 16 at 8 a.m. The meeting will be held in the Glasscock Family Ballroom on the third floor of the ��Ƶ Student Center, 2121 Euclid Ave. Some trustees and presenters will participate virtually in accordance with state legislation and the Bylaws of the ��Ƶ State University Board of Trustees. The public session of the meeting will be available via livestream, which can be accessed here.

The ��Ƶ State University Board of Trustees will hold a retreat and special meeting on Thursday, May 16 at noon and on Friday, May 17 at 8 a.m. at 6601 Euclid Ave. The board will adjourn into executive session to discuss personnel matters involving the employment and compensation of public employees and to discuss trade secret information required by law to be kept confidential. The entirety of the retreat and special meeting will be in executive session, and no action will be taken.

If you are a member of the media and are planning to view/attend any of the meetings, please notify the Office of University Marketing at pr@csuohio.edu so that we can ensure copies of the meeting materials are provided to you.

Student of Distinction: Jennifer DeCorte

6003456 — Tue, 07 May 2024 14:08:40 +0000

��Ƶ State celebrates graduating students who have overcome obstacles, made significant achievements, or are fulfilling ��Ƶ’s mission in or outside the classroom.

Today, we celebrate Jennifer DeCorte.

DeCorte, a full-time employee of ��Ƶ and student, has been waiting for this moment to finally come true for close to 25 years. Since graduating from high school in 1999, completing her undergraduate degree has been a work in progress. DeCorte, a Psychology major, will now graduate with honors at commencement and has received acceptance into ��Ƶ’s Adult, Professional, and Higher Education Master’s program, which begins in the fall. Her number one motivation in life? Her son, who she hopes will one day aspire to follow in her footsteps.

��Ƶ: Have you had any significant Internships/Co-ops/Careers while at ��Ƶ?

JD: As a full-time employee at ��Ƶ's bursar's office, I also volunteer on campus whenever possible for events like career fairs and other opportunities. Helping other students on campus also brings me tremendous joy since I often find that by sharing my struggles and experiences with my classmates, I can assist those who are going through similar struggles that I may have experienced on this journey. I have also signed up to be a mentor in the “Say Yes” program to give back to our community at ��Ƶ.

��Ƶ: How would you describe the connections you have made with the faculty and staff at ��Ƶ?

JD: The ��Ƶ staff and faculty are like family to me personally. We always consider what's best for the students. Working at ��Ƶ and soon to be an alum, I feel proud to be a Viking. Dr. Bloomberg emphasized "Be Kind" above all else in one of the first speeches I ever saw her deliver. That resonated with me. Even though I am a non-traditional student, I receive the same treatment in and out of the classroom. Although I was so anxious throughout one semester, I was treated like a regular student despite being 43 years old despite my classmates being in their late teens and early 20s, and my professor was 26. Learning and developing as a classroom and a community was the shared goal. It is the foundation of ��Ƶ.

��Ƶ: How has ��Ƶ State inspired you for your future?

JD: My inspiration to never give up comes from ��Ƶ State. I will always remember my first interaction with Adam Sikula, who oversaw setting up and speaking with students interested in the Lorain and ��Ƶ partnership while I was still a student at LCCC. I was working full-time then, so I was putting in as much time as possible on my coursework. When it came time to decide, I felt ��Ƶ was the right place for me after speaking with Adam. I explained I was non-traditional, and I had been back and forth to college a few times, so we did a transcript audit, and I said, 'Adam, I am a numbers person; just give it to me straight, how many classes do I need to graduate?’. Adam did just that. He gave me the number I needed. I didn’t have time to think about it, all I knew was that the time was now. I have always done some banking or working with numbers, so I needed to work with numbers and have a countdown, and the countdown I had now was my classes. He introduced me to who would later become the best advisor I could ever ask for as an adult learner in Rochelle Lappis, who also guided me to success. Adam and Rochelle inspire me to hopefully be able to give back to someone at ��Ƶ State and guide them as they guided me not that long ago.

��Ƶ: How do you think you have fulfilled the ��Ƶ mission (empowering others, creating knowledge, engaging our community and shaping our world)?

JD: By telling my story, showing my vulnerability, and being there for others whenever I can, I've succeeded in achieving the goals of ��Ƶ. In addition to working at ��Ƶ, I am incredibly fortunate to have graduated from ��Ƶ and been taught and guided by some of the top instructors in the country. Being able to give back to our communities and ��Ƶ is my goal. In the future, I want to use my talents at ��Ƶ for professional development, coaching, and advising. I want to be wherever the student needs me to be.

I also want to thank my supervisors and the ��Ƶ bursar's office team. One thing I tell everyone who I share my story with is that you should always keep going and that it's always possible to start over. How long it takes you is irrelevant as long as you finish, which is precisely what I am doing.

Congratulations, Jennifer!

Public Meeting Notice: ��Ƶ Board of Trustees (May 9)

6003571 — Fri, 03 May 2024 19:29:18 +0000

The Academic Affairs and Student Success Committee of the ��Ƶ State University Board of Trustees will meet on Thursday, May 9 at 8 a.m. In accordance with state legislation and the Bylaws of the ��Ƶ State University Board of Trustees, this meeting will be fully virtual, and the public session will be available via livestream, which can be accessed here.

The Financial Affairs Committee of the ��Ƶ State University Board of Trustees will meet on Thursday, May 9 immediately following the Academic Affairs and Student Success Committee or at 10 a.m., whichever is later. In accordance with state legislation and the Bylaws of the ��Ƶ State University Board of Trustees, this meeting will be fully virtual, and the public session will be available via livestream, which can be accessed here.

If you are a member of the media and are planning to view the meeting, please notify the Office of University Marketing at pr@csuohio.edu so that we can ensure copies of the meeting materials are provided to you.

A Quarter Century of MUST at ��Ƶ

2898067 — Thu, 02 May 2024 15:01:47 +0000

��Ƶ State University recently marked 25 years of preparing future educators with a commitment to teaching in urban schools.

Educators from across the ��Ƶ State community and beyond spoke during the 25th anniversary celebration of Master of Urban Secondary Teaching Residency Program (MUST), a 14-month accelerated program that includes a nine-month school-based residency.

Andratesha Fritzgerald, an international speaker and founder of the Building Blocks of Brilliance Education Consulting Firm, was named the keynote speaker for the festivities. The ��Ƶ State and MUST alumna spent 20 years with the East ��Ƶ City School District, where she built her way up to the director of Curriculum, Instruction and Innovation and director of Human Resources.

“When we talk about activating student voice, if there’s no place for the voice to be heard or treasured by those in authority, do we really hear those voices?” Fritzgerald said. “In the MUST program, I found that my voice was treasured. I was always invited to the conversations.”

Fritzgerald said community is the cornerstone of what she experienced during her time with the MUST program and the value that she tries to take into every educational space.

“There was space for each one of us to bring our expertise, but also to bring the things that we weren’t quite sure about and discuss those, have thought partners and really dig into deep and diverse issues without fear while keeping a sense of urgency,” she said.

The MUST program’s commitment to preparing the future generation of educators in mathematics, science, social studies, English and world languages helps students get the knowledge and experience they need to combat a shortage of secondary teachers and impact the ��Ƶ community and beyond. The affordable program requires a bachelor’s degree in English, history, science, mathematics or a related field for admission.

MUST also boasts a 93% job placement rate for its interns. It sports partnerships are with Saint Martin de Porres High School, Euclid City High Schools and with The Brilliance School based in Garfield Heights.

“We do a great deal of partnership so that teachers and students have a great understanding of how they can be inter-related and work together,” said Marketa Fuller-President, the coordinator for the MUST Program. “Students learn of opportunities during what would be a nine-month interview process.

The program was recognized by Ohio Rep. Shontel Brown and received a proclamation from ��Ƶ Mayor Justin Bibb, Fuller-President added. Its recognition, along with the several awards that were introduced during the recent ceremony, were fantastic opportunities to reward MUST’s students and ensure they understood the importance behind their work.

Fuller-President, who won a ��Ƶ Young Alumni Council Golden Apple Award in 2022, said she strives to continue to have an impact on learning spaces while improving the delivery of MUST’s services and the personal practices and education of those who wish to pursue a career in education.

“I look forward to when we can’t stop the number of people who want to become teachers,” she said. “I don’t think people understand how much joy there is in [teaching] if we’re able to collaborate and really affect change for students.”

“As much as possible, I want to be a part of reinvigorating the education landscape and making teaching the profession to go into, and I want to have fun as I do it.”

To learn more about ��Ƶ’s MUST program, click here.

Student of Distinction: Connor Brentar

6003456 — Tue, 30 Apr 2024 11:37:53 +0000

��Ƶ State University celebrates graduating students who have overcome obstacles, made significant achievements or are fulfilling ��Ƶ’s mission inside or outside the classroom.

Today, we celebrate Connor Brentar.

Faculty member Beth Nagy nominated Brentar, a second-year student in the Master of Urban Planning & Development program graduating this May. Brentar attended ��Ƶ for undergrad, majoring in Urban and Regional Studies, and graduated in May 2022.

“Connor is exceptionally bright, thoughtful, inclusive, and cooperative [and] he seeks to empower others in leadership roles, give voice to neighborhoods experiencing exclusivity from resources, and be an advocate for equitable planning and development in ��Ƶ,” said Nagy. “He is a genuinely good person who deserves recognition, and I can’t wait to see his future in the ��Ƶ planning community.”

��Ƶ: Have you had any significant Internships/Co-ops/Careers while at ��Ƶ?

CB: I’ve had two fantastic internships while at ��Ƶ. The first was in Spring 2022 with the university’s Grounds department; my role involved using geographic information systems (GIS) to help improve campus operations. My second internship was in Summer 2023; I was a part of the ��Ƶ Foundation internship program and was placed at Bike ��Ƶ, where I worked on street safety advocacy projects. I started my first full-time job this past January at Old Brooklyn Community Development Corporation, using many of the skills and connections that I built during my internships.

��Ƶ: How would you describe the connections you have made with the faculty and staff at ��Ƶ?

CB: I have made many meaningful connections with the faculty in the School of Urban Affairs over the last 6 years. It has been clear since I arrived that the faculty members are dedicated to public service, which is very refreshing. I consider many of them to be role models and mentors; they’re all really great!

��Ƶ: How has ��Ƶ State inspired you for your future?

CB: ��Ƶ has inspired me by creating such a hands-on learning environment that connects students to public officials and other public service professionals. Being in an environment full of other people dedicated to public service, especially over the course of my graduate career, has been extremely motivating.

��Ƶ: How do you think you have fulfilled the ��Ƶ mission (empowering others, creating knowledge, engaging our community and shaping our world)?

CB: I would like to think that I have been fulfilling the ��Ƶ mission through my commitment to continuing my education so that I can make an impact in my career. There are so many skills that I learned through my ��Ƶ curriculum that I’m now using in my job to directly benefit the community. ��Ƶ has produced so many of ��Ƶ’s public servants and I hope that I can make an impact as great as them someday.

I would also like to take this opportunity to recognize the great work taking place in the School of Urban Affairs! The work and learning that happens over there is so important and is actively helping to improve ��Ƶ. It's also fantastic, now that I am in the field of public service, to see many of my former and current ��Ƶ classmates making a difference in their roles.

Congratulations, Connor!

Things to Do in #TheLand in May

6003571 — Fri, 26 Apr 2024 19:11:02 +0000

��Ƶ is proud to be home to so many amazing cultures and nationalities. Our Asian/Pacific American community is a huge part of what makes us who we are. What better way to celebrate AAPI Month this May than to check out the ��Ƶ Asian Festival, May 18 – 19 in AsiaTown? This annual event features cultural dance, live music, shopping and more amazing food than you can possibly imagine.

For information on the ��Ƶ Asian Festival and other events happening in May, click here.

[Video] Watch the Student-produced ��Ƶ Conversations on YouTube

6003571 — Fri, 26 Apr 2024 19:00:01 +0000

In this episode, Brian Barren, president of business operations for the ��Ƶ Guardians, sits down with Jim Kahler, director of the Sports and Entertainment Management program at ��Ƶ State University, to discuss Progressive Field's future. Topics include how fan expectations have changed and challenges with business operations.

Video of Progressive Field Renovation Plans and Fan Experiences for Upcoming ��Ƶ Guardians Season.

Student of Distinction: My'Jia Brown

6003456 — Tue, 23 Apr 2024 12:23:00 +0000

��Ƶ State University celebrates graduating students who have overcome obstacles, made significant achievements or are fulfilling ��Ƶ's mission in or outside the classroom.

Today, we celebrate My'Jia Brown.

Brown is graduating with a degree in Health Sciences and a Bioethics certificate. She has been a regular on the Dean's List, appearing in Fall 2020, 2021 and 2023, while also serving as the student speaker at the annual TRIO First Generation Dinner.

��Ƶ: Have you had any significant Internships/Co-ops/Careers while at ��Ƶ?

MB: In the spring of 2022, I was accepted into the McNair Scholars Program, marking a significant milestone in my academic journey. During that summer, I seized the opportunity to conduct a systematic review examining health disparities among African Americans, specifically focusing on type two diabetes. Over a few months, I meticulously analyzed nearly 30 articles, synthesizing their findings to produce a comprehensive systematic review that delved into the social determinants of health affecting people of color.

Subsequently, I had the privilege of presenting my findings at ��Ƶ's annual Research Day. I'm proud to share that my poster was selected for display at the presidential inauguration, underscoring the significance of my research within our university community. Additionally, I am thrilled to announce that I presented my research recently at the annual McNair Scholars Conference in April, which took place at the University of Maryland. This opportunity further underscores the impact of my work and represents a culmination of my dedication to scholarly inquiry and academic excellence.

��Ƶ: How would you describe the connections you have made with the faculty and staff at ��Ƶ?

MB: My experience connecting with the faculty and staff at ��Ƶ has been incredibly rewarding. The university cultivates a supportive environment that encourages students to engage with professors and staff beyond the confines of the classroom. I consider myself fortunate to have crossed paths with such remarkable faculty and staff members, and I deeply value the relationships I've built. It all began with Shannon D. Tate, my Graduation Success Coach, during my first year at ��Ƶ. Coach Shannon played a pivotal role in my journey, from recommending me for a scholarship I've been fortunate to receive annually to helping me access resources on campus during a particularly challenging time following a traumatic loss in my family during my sophomore year.

The staff at TRIO exceeded my expectations, and I now consider many of them family. Individuals like Cullin, Hannah, and Jewel have provided invaluable support, which inspired me to become a Success Coach, eager to share my story and encourage fellow students, especially first-generation students. Throughout my time at ��Ƶ, I've forged various other connections, including with Dr. Gracyk, who has become my mentor and has guided me closely. Dr. Reyes, the director of the McNair Scholars program, has been instrumental in helping me pursue my post-graduation plans of attending graduate school.

I'm grateful to Dr. Banks and Mr. Petty for their guidance and advice as I navigate ��Ƶ and the broader world as a young African American woman with a strong sense of purpose. I'd also like to express my appreciation to everyone in the Africana Studies department for fostering a safe space for communication and mutual upliftment among students and faculty.

My connections with the faculty and staff at ��Ƶ have significantly contributed to my academic and personal growth. Their unwavering support and encouragement have empowered me to seize new opportunities, navigate challenges, and fully embrace my college experience.

��Ƶ: How has ��Ƶ State inspired you for your future?

MB: ��Ƶ State University has been a beacon of hope for my future journey. Attending college was a dream and a hope I held dear, and ��Ƶ has been where I've encountered challenges, shared laughter, shed tears, and discovered my passions. As I prepare to walk across the stage in a few months, the realization that I will be the first college graduate in my family fills me with gratitude and disbelief. What once seemed impossible has become a reality, thanks to ��Ƶ. It has instilled in me a sense of hope and faith that I can achieve anything I set my mind to.

��Ƶ: How do you think you have fulfilled the ��Ƶ mission (empowering others, creating knowledge, engaging our community and shaping our world)?

MB: I have made significant strides in fulfilling ��Ƶ's mission on and off campus. As a first-generation college student, I've encountered and overcome numerous challenges in pursuit of my academic goals. Each day, I strive to inspire and empower fellow first-generation students by sharing my journey and experiences. Serving in leadership roles within student organizations and mentorship programs, I actively support and uplift my peers, fostering a sense of empowerment within our community.

In addition to empowering others, I've also contributed to creating knowledge through my involvement in research projects and academic pursuits at ��Ƶ State University. Whether conducting research or connecting students with resources to further their knowledge in the field of medicine, I've played a role in advancing our collective understanding and insights.

Furthermore, my commitment to engaging with our community has been unwavering. Through active participation in community engagement initiatives, volunteer projects, and outreach programs, I've sought to positively impact and contribute to the well-being of those around us. Whether organizing events, providing mentorship, or dedicating my time to volunteering, I've remained dedicated to fostering meaningful connections and addressing community needs.

In conclusion, my journey at ��Ƶ has been marked by a steadfast commitment to empowering others, creating knowledge, and engaging with our community. I am proud to have contributed to these endeavors, and I look forward to continuing to make a positive impact as I embark on new challenges and opportunities in the future.

Congratulations, My’Jia!

"Empathy Building for the Refugee Experience" on April 26

6003571 — Fri, 19 Apr 2024 15:23:18 +0000

Join us on Friday, April 26 from noon - 1:15 p.m. for our next Courageous Conversation around Empathy Building for the Refugee Experience via Zoom. Our goal for this discussion, led by ��Ƶ's Center for Refugee and Immigrant Success, is to build empathy and understanding for the immigrant and refugee experience on our campus and in our community.

Click here to learn more and to register.

Register for ��Ƶ's TECH Hub AI Symposium on April 26

6003571 — Fri, 19 Apr 2024 15:16:03 +0000

Registration is now live for the TECH Hub AI Symposium on Friday, April 26. This free, day-long event is designed to engage the ��Ƶ community in discussions surrounding the use of generative AI in teaching, research and beyond.

The event will take place in the ballroom of Fenn Tower, 1983 E. 24th St. Lunch will be provided.

Check out our exciting lineup of sessions and speakers, and reserve your spot by April 22!

Studying abroad at ��Ƶ State University can provide life-changing experiences, competitive advantages

2898067 — Thu, 18 Apr 2024 14:36:06 +0000

For some, the idea of leaving home (and their comfort zone) to explore the world seems like a big leap—one that feels intimidating and risky. But for students at ��Ƶ State University, all it can take is one small step and the right guidance.

Dr. CK Kwai, ��Ƶ State’s director of the Center for International Services and Programs, called studying abroad a “life-changing experience” now more than ever.

“When I talked to parents 10 to 15 years ago, I would say it’s important to study abroad to be able to see things from a different perspective,” Kwai said. “As students graduate, they may end up working with folks from different parts of the world.

“But now, when someone graduates, it’s very likely they’re working for somebody who came from different parts of the world.”

Students can join the many who have chosen to enhance their degree at ��Ƶ by pursuing education abroad opportunities. Of the about 188,000 students who participated in U.S. Study Abroad programs for credit during the 2021-22 academic year, more than 6,000 were from Ohio, according to NAFSA. California, Texas and Pennsylvania-based universities all had 10,000 students or more study abroad during the 2021-22 academic year.

“These are value-added experiences that keep students on track for graduation, give them real-world experience, definitely through a different lens when learning about the content from different professors in different countries,” said ��Ƶ State Manager of International Programs Julie Good.

What’s Available at ��Ƶ?

��Ƶ works with a variety of third-party providers, including the Council on International Educational Exchange and School for International Training, to help set up its partnerships with affiliate programs and open its options for students who wish to study abroad in places like Botswana, Argentina, China, Japan, Germany, Ireland, Egypt and Australia, among many more.

��Ƶ’s exchange programs, whether national or international, give students the ability to experience a home away from home with unique academic opportunities. ��Ƶ State also offers reciprocal exchange options for undergraduate students who have been nominated by their home university. The exchange for most disciplines are taught at Chung Ang University, a private research university based in Seoul, Korea. The courses for reciprocal exchange options are taught in English.

What are the Costs?

University-led programs are seven-day –to –four-week programs that lead to in-residence credits. The Faculty-led Programs Abroad (FLPA) offer cost-effective options and courses led by ��Ƶ faculty members. The Spring 2024 program is based in Paris, France with travel dates from March 8-17. The program cost of just under $3,500 included roundtrip group airfare, a Paris Metro pass, a museum pass, airport transfers and more.

How Does Studying Abroad Give Students a Competitive Advantage?

Having the knowledge and skills students can gain from studying abroad can give them the advantage they need to compete in an ever-evolving workplace and in an increasingly interconnected world.

In 2019, more than 31 million job openings required skills that students can acquire while studying abroad, according to the NAFSA- Association of International Educators.

“The world is only getting smaller,” Good said. “The types of work that we’re going to be doing in the future means that we need to know how to work together, get along with other people, respect other people, to be able to navigate diverse differences. Studying abroad helps to lead to that.”

“When you are always in your own comfort zone, even though sometimes people acknowledge it’s important, they don’t go out of their way to find out, investigate or explore,” Dr. Kwai added. “Because you’re in your own comfort zone, you can always run back to it, close the door and you’re perfectly fine.

“It’s only when you’re away where you have to really learn about yourself and try to understand why the world is different or why your surroundings are different than you are.”

To learn more about ��Ƶ State’s study abroad programs, visit csuohio.edu/csuea.

Doris Webster: Perseverance Pays Off

6003456 — Thu, 18 Apr 2024 12:11:46 +0000

It was a moment Doris Webster wouldn't soon forget.

Following the end of her first year of high school, and after struggling in algebra, it was time to sit down with the guidance counselor to devise a plan of attack for the following school year. After briefly scanning her academic resume, the counselor looked at her and said very bluntly: "Doris, you are not college material."

She always remembered it.

Now, 44 years later, Webster, a 70-year-old retiree, will get the last laugh when she crosses the stage as part of ��Ƶ State's Spring 2024 commencement ceremony. While her journey to the Wolstein Center has been anything but ordinary, one thing has remained a constant: she wasn't going to give up when it came to achieving her goal of earning a degree.

Born in Detroit, Webster's father immigrated from Italy, and her mother hailed from German American stock whose lineage traced back to Oliver Harding, a patriot who served throughout the Revolutionary War. Webster, whose early life revolved around the local Lutheran Church and its companion parochial school, spent the first eight grades of her educational career there surrounded by family, friends and a supportive environment within the close community she called home.

When high school rolled around, things changed dramatically. Due to financial circumstances, Webster began her high school career at Finney High School, one of the largest schools in Detroit. What had once been a small, close-knit group had turned into a school so big it conducted graduations twice a year. It also came at a time when the Vietnam War, political activism and racial tensions created an environment that seemingly had everyone on edge, including Webster, which would later take a toll on her academic performance.

That's when the moment came to meet with her guidance counselor, and upon being told she wasn't college material, Webster was placed in a business prep curriculum, a line of studies to equip her with the tools needed to assume secretarial work upon high school completion.

“I was not aware of the implications of his assessment at the time, but his words have resonated deeply and disturbed me ever since,” she said. “I felt it was an indictment of my intelligence and potential, and it closed the door to a future open to my peers.”

While most of her friends headed off to college, Webster was quickly hired by Michigan Bell in a clerical position in their downtown headquarters. She married a ��Ƶer and relocated to Northeast Ohio, and as Webster settled into her new location, an employment agency matched her skills with the ��Ƶ Museum of Natural History. There, she managed an office that resembled Grand Central Station where a steady stream of scientists, researchers, students and media flowed through each day, serving as the gatekeeper to the Laboratory of Physical Anthropology and helping prepare manuscripts for submission to scientific journals such as Science and Nature.

As she continued to work in the lab, her desire to learn more about the natural world and the museum's scientific and educational work led her to explore college for the first time.

“In 1980, I enrolled in a class at Lakeland Community College on the ecology of Northeastern Ohio,” said Webster. "I enjoyed learning about the concepts and terminology of the sciences; [it] was my first college class, and I did very well!”

However, things would again change quickly, and any chance of continuing her education at Lakeland was put on hold following a divorce. A subsequent strain on her schedule and checking account meant she had to place her dreams on the back burner again to make ends meet. That setback didn't stop Webster from learning all she could at the museum when one of the curators who ran their wildlife center was recruiting volunteers to help raise orphan wildlife brought into the museum. Webster was immediately interested and soon learned how to raise baby raccoons and opossums.

Little did she realize that the curator would play an even more significant role in her life.

Also around this time, the CEO encouraged her to pursue the scheduling coordinator position open in the museum's Education Division, for which she was hired. Not long after, she married the curator with whom she'd worked so closely, and a son and daughter followed over the next four years. Webster had decided to switch gears and returned to Lakeland Community College, enrolling in evening classes that later led to an associate degree emphasizing early childhood education.

“In 1994, 14 years after that first college class, I walked across the stage at Lakeland and received my diploma,” said Webster. “It was a proud moment for me and my family [but I still] thought back to that guidance counselor who said I was not college material.”

That’s not exactly where Webster’s story ends.

With a degree in hand, she returned to work at the museum full-time, teaching youth classes while managing the children’s book section in the museum store. Later, she provided patrons with arguably the best natural history and science book selection in Northeast Ohio. But she didn’t rest on her laurels; a new opportunity was presented in 2002 when Webster’s journey took her to a boutique natural resources brokerage near her home as office manager. She happened to be peering out the window when something caught her attention.

“A major building project had taken place right by the workplace [when] The Holden University Center opened in 2011, directly across from Lakeland Community College,” said Webster. “I had admired the building and was curious about its function. I was intrigued that many area universities, including ��Ƶ State, offered courses that could lead to bachelor’s degrees [and] my curiosity was piqued.”

Following a successful 16-year stint at the brokerage, retirement beckoned in September 2018, and it was finally time to pursue her dream of furthering her college career. After transferring nearly all her credits earned at Lakeland, Webster enrolled at ��Ƶ and, over five years, plunged herself into the world of psychology and neuroscience.

She credits ��Ƶ with helping make the transition as easy as possible.

“��Ƶ helped me greatly achieve success, and it is because of one person: Barb Szigeti, my advisor,” said Webster. “She was patient with me even though I worked full time and was older; she embraced my dream with me.”

Now, on May 11, Webster will officially realize the dream that had eluded her for many years and become a ��Ƶ graduate, but only after lending advice to those in the same situation.

“The advice I would give others is to keep going and never give up,” she said. “If you have that desire to sign up for yet another course, even if you think you could never take another course in your life, just sign up, one course at a time. You will grow and enjoy the people you will meet, doing the same things you are.”

She quickly thanked her husband, Harvey, and their children, for sustaining her and being interested in what she calls her latest "adventure in neuronal synapses."

One thing is sure: she will have someone else in mind when she takes that journey across the stage.

“What the future holds, I am not certain,” she said. “But I do know when I take hold of my diploma, in my mind, I will be thinking back to ninth grade and the guidance counselor who thought I was not college material.”

If he could only see her now.

Dr. Bibo Li Receives New NIH Research Grant

6003456 — Tue, 16 Apr 2024 11:50:17 +0000

New R01 Award from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases May Lead to Better Treatment for Parasitic Infections

Dr. Bibo Li, a professor in the Department of Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences (BGES) and a member of the Center for Gene Regulation in Health and Disease (GRHD), has been awarded a new R01 research grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The 5-year, $2.16 million project is titled "Essential functions of Trypanosoma brucei RAP1." This is her second active R01 grant and reflects her prolific research activity; she was awarded another 4-year R01 grant, a 2-year R21 grant in 2022, and an R03 grant in 2021.

Li's research team investigates the structure and functions of telomeres, the regions at the ends of chromosomes that, together with associated proteins, act like aglets of a shoelace to maintain the genome stability and integrity. Her research interests are in the pathogenesis mechanisms of Trypanosoma brucei (T. brucei), a parasite that causes sleeping sickness in humans. T. brucei regularly switches its major surface antigen, VSG, to evade the human immune response and to establish a long-term infection. Genes encoding VSG proteins are located adjacent to the telomere, while work from Dr. Li's lab has shown that telomere proteins tightly regulate VSG expression and VSG switching.

Li's team has identified T. brucei RAP1, a telomere protein that suppresses VSG switching and is indispensable for proper VSG expression. The new research project will focus on how RAP1 specifically associates with the telomere and interacts with the VSG RNA and other proteins, which will contribute to better treatments for infections caused by T. brucei and similar kinetoplast parasites.

Li is an active member in training the next generation of bioscience researchers at the undergraduate and graduate levels. This year, undergraduate students Elaina Casteel, Delaney Brown, and Jillian Gady worked on a project titled Characterize TbRAP1 BRCT1 and Myb Domain Functions by Mutagenesis, funded by ��Ƶ's Undergraduate Summer Research Award (USRA) program.

The team won a best poster award at the annual USRA poster session in October.

She will be honored on April 18 as part of the College of Arts and Sciences Awards luncheon.

Public Meeting Notice: EADC Board of Directors (April 16)

6003456 — Fri, 12 Apr 2024 16:53:35 +0000

The Euclid Avenue Development Corporation (EADC) will hold a Board of Directors meeting on Tuesday, April 16, at 1 p.m.

The meeting will be held at 2300 Euclid Avenue, Room AC 208. There is also a Zoom option to those who cannot join in person, which is available here.

Spring Open House is April 20

6003456 — Thu, 11 Apr 2024 17:10:22 +0000

It only happens once a year! Don’t miss your chance to experience ��Ƶ State University in the heart of downtown ��Ƶ. Head to campus and find out why more students than ever are choosing ��Ƶ.

Click here to find out more and to register!

Spotlight On: ��Ƶ State University’s College of Arts and Sciences

2898067 — Thu, 11 Apr 2024 14:32:01 +0000

An education in the College of Arts and Sciences at ��Ƶ State University prepares students with broad knowledge and transferable skills and helps them not only find a place in the current economy, but also create new places for them as the economy grows and changes. The college focuses on educating future artists, performers, writers and researchers.

We invite you to watch this video and learn more about finding yourself in the “and” of Arts and Sciences.

Video of ��Ƶ College of Arts and Sciences

��Ƶ Hosts its First Black Maternal Health Equity Summit

6003456 — Thu, 11 Apr 2024 13:09:37 +0000

Update: Read more about the event on News 5 ��Ƶ.

In conjunction with Case Western Reserve University, the Black Maternal Health Equity Summit (BMHES) will take place at ��Ƶ State on Sunday, April 14, hosted by the Clinical and Transitional Science Collaborative of Northern Ohio (CTSC). The half-day event will convene stakeholders from diverse industries whose formal and informal education, along with lived and work experiences, will help drive conversations centered around finding evidence-based solutions to advance health equity for Black mothers and, consequently, all mothers.

Author Dr. Deidre Cooper Owens will serve as the keynote speaker. She is an award-winning historian, public speaker, and author of Medical Bondage: Race, Gender and the Origins of American Gynecology. She will set the stage for stories from local mothers, along with research and policy updates, challenges and opportunities. Participants can then apply their knowledge and share their own insights during a breakout session.

Dr. Joan Thoman is an Associate Professor in the School of Nursing, College of Health at ��Ƶ and leads the Community and Rural Research Partner on Development for this initiative as key personnel and serves on its Community Advisory Board. Colleagues at CWRU approached her regarding her contribution to this event, which resulted in offering ��Ƶ and the Student Center Ballroom as the venue (after consulting with Dean Stephanie Brooks).

That’s when the ball got rolling.

“I invited my nursing colleague, Dr. Heather Rice, to be a part of the planning committee due to the focus on pregnancy and women’s health, as both have collaborated in the past on funded research studies on these topics,” she said. “Dr. Rice and I have contributed and collaborated in the past in support of community events that align with research interests and raise awareness regarding health issues.”

The statistics prove why this is such an important topic and conversation. Thoman points out that in 2019, nearly 50 Black women died in Ohio for every 100,000 live births. Almost 40 percent of Black women experience maternal mental health symptoms, roughly twice the rate of all women. With that said, planning for the summit began in the fall of 2023, with 25 statewide stakeholders committed to participating and supporting this event, with ��Ƶ State University School of Nursing, College of Health as one of them.

“We have a lot of objectives for the event, but some of the major ones provided by the planning committee include raising awareness about the history and current state of maternal health, along with catalyzing collaboration and future interdisciplinary research opportunities in the maternal health space,” said Thoman. “We also hope to foster environments where various stakeholder groups can have shared learning experiences and discussion about maternal health challenges and solutions leading toward research project possibilities.”

This is the second such event, and while Thoman did not attend the fall event, she heard from others who did that it was well received and that the partners involved immediately began planning the second event, especially bringing back Cooper Owens.

“I obtained her book, which gives an account of how women in the United States were, in essence, experimented on without their consent regarding gynecological procedures and without anesthesia; many were slaves and given no choice, hence the term ‘medical bondage,’” said Thoman. “These women, however, helped to inform present-day advances and practices in the field that are used to this day.”

2024 Lake Erie Network Calibration Event Sheds Light on Benefit of Clean Water

6003456 — Thu, 11 Apr 2024 12:27:14 +0000

The ��Ƶ Water Alliance (CWA) and ��Ƶ State University are teaming up for the 2024 Lake Erie Sonde Network ��Ƶ Calibration event on April 17 in ��Ƶ’s MakerSpace (2121 Euclid Avenue), in which participants will be trained on how to properly clean and calibrate a multiparameter sonde.

A sonde is a self-contained submersible electronic device that collects data. Sondes have multiple sensors to look at things like pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature and total algae, amongst other factors. In this case, the sensors are installed in buoys to collect data from a specific location on Lake Erie or other waterways such as inland lakes.

“On ��Ƶ's side, we have environmental scientists who utilize data from sondes in their research,” said Director of Research Development and Ethics, Ben Ward. “Brice Grunert (Assistant Professor, Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences at ��Ƶ) is working on tying data collected from satellite images to "ground truth" data from sondes and from samples drawn from the lake, specifically things like dissolved phosphorous which can contribute to algal blooms.”

According to Ward, the event is designed to inform those in attendance of water quality sensors to ensure they understand the operation and calibration of their sondes and can have confidence that the water quality data they are collecting is accurate. A secondary benefit is that ��Ƶ researchers will be involved with the event with the hope of increasing awareness of the research and talent (students) available at ��Ƶ.

“��Ƶ has been working with CWA for a number of years, and our Center for Economic Development has performed economic impact studies for CWA. Meredith Bond (Vice President for Research and Innovation at ��Ƶ) has a seat on CWA’s board,” said Ward. "I am also on CWA’s program committee, which focuses on collaborative research grants, community engagement, and talent development. This is the second year ��Ƶ is serving as the host location for a sensor calibration event.”

Mehdi Rahmati is an Assistant Professor with Electrical and Computer Engineering Department. He agrees about the importance of the collaboration efforts, and believes the workshop has the potential to facilitate a productive dialogue among all attendees.

“This dialogue can foster a deeper understanding of the needs and interests of the various stakeholders, researchers, scientists, small businesses operating in the environmental field and other attendees,” he said.

One part of Rahmati's research is how to manage the data flow from a range of sondes because different sensors collect data at different rates (some send a lot of data, some send a little) and most have to use very low powered antennas but cover a very large area. Thanks to the deep commitment to environmental issues, particularly those impacting the water resources, he believes strides are being taken towards closing in on a solution.

“��Ƶ faculties demonstrate a deep commitment to environmental issues, and this path aligns perfectly with the College of Engineering's strategic plan, which prioritizes expanding research, education, and outreach on technologies related to water and its critical challenges,” he said. “This is much like the innovative work conducted by my research team at ��Ƶ. We leverage sensing technologies, data processing, communication, and computation – all crucial aspects of effective water quality monitoring and management in Lake Erie.”

Although great advances being made each day, there is still a lot to do which is why collaborations with external organizations are undoubtedly vital.

“��Ƶ Water Alliance and LimnoTech are two important players in the field, and we should leverage this collaboration, and by working together, ��Ƶ can leverage its faculty expertise and cutting-edge research to develop innovative solutions for the environmental challenges facing Lake Erie and the surrounding region to protect and restore this vital resource,” he said.

“In my opinion, collaborations like this hold great promise for positive environmental impacts.”

Unraveling Haiti’s Crises: Roland V. Anglin

6003571 — Tue, 09 Apr 2024 16:59:10 +0000

A Call for Reflection and Action

Amidst the breathtaking landscapes of Haiti lies a nation steeped in a history of resilience and struggle. To understand Haiti’s present challenges, one must look to its tumultuous history--and in light of the present challenges, the international community must engage in an honest conversation about Haiti’s future.

Read more in this opinion piece authored by ��Ƶ Professor Roland V. Anglin on ��Ƶ.com.

��Ƶ’s Jared Allyn Selected to Participate in Prestigious Worldwide Fellowship

6003456 — Tue, 09 Apr 2024 12:00:35 +0000

��Ƶ State University junior linguistics major Jared Allyn was recently accepted into the Public Policy and International Affairs Program Junior Summer Institute (PPIA) and was only one of 149 fellows selected in a pool of 1,300 applicants covering 94 universities, 33 states and 21 countries.

Taking place June 9 - July 28 at the University of Michigan, the PPIA Junior Summer Institute is a free, six-week rigorous summer program that prepares students for advanced schooling and careers in public service in both domestic and global affairs. Fellows were selected based on merit and their previous, current and stated dedication to public service. They will receive a stipend to assist with summer travel, food and other expenses to facilitate their participation in the Junior Summer Institute.

“I am super grateful and excited for this opportunity,” said Allyn upon receiving word that he had been selected to participate. “The program is fairly competitive, and I didn’t have much hope when I applied, but when I got the acceptance e-mail, I broke down crying from joy!”

Allyn’s journey towards participation in the fellowship started long before his acceptance date. After completing his undergraduate studies, he intended to pursue a master’s degree in international affairs and policy, with the ultimate goal of serving as a Diplomat with the U.S. State Department.

“Graduate school can be costly, and as a first-generation low-income student, navigating the complexities of graduate applications seemed daunting,” said Allyn.

That’s when he had to pivot and came across the PPIA program. Allyn said what appealed to him was that it was not only designed for college juniors but also offered intensive summer study complete with GRE test prep. It also allows the opportunity to work with top academics and government officials in their field while providing guaranteed and generous graduate school funding upon completion.

“I was also interested because of the programs' closely bonded alumni community, many of whom go on to serve in top leadership positions in their careers,” said Allyn.

An intense and lengthy application process followed, complete with multiple personal statements, transcripts, a resume, and letters of recommendation. The process is intended to mimic that of the graduate school application and is strategically designed to help students gain confidence once they do, in fact, apply to graduate school.

After learning he had been accepted, Allyn quickly focused on what he could gain from the program, which he could apply to his future endeavors as he continued his education.

“The program offers invaluable academic and networking opportunities and fantastic financial opportunities,” he said. “With the goal of increasing diversity for underrepresented and low-income students in the policy and international affairs fields, the fellowship offers generous financial aid.”

Upon completion of the program, Allyn will be on the receiving end of a stipend, with guaranteed graduate school funding and application fee waivers at all of the program’s host sites, which include, but aren’t limited to, the University of Michigan, Harvard, Carnegie Mellon University, Princeton, UC Berkeley, the University of Washington, and the University of Minnesota. The scholarships and fee waivers also apply to the programs of roughly 60 partner universities across the U.S.

“This program provides me with the opportunity to successfully apply to great graduate schools, secure funding, and excel in my graduate studies and eventual career without being weighed down by student debt,” said Allyn. Being awarded this fellowship is truly one of the most profound things that has happened in my life. In the future, I hope to be able to give back to the program one day and pass on this gift to the next generations of students.”

Following the fellowship and as Allyn continues towards his degree, he is confident that he will take many of the lessons learned throughout the summer and apply them to what appears to be a bright future ahead.

“I’m really excited about the graduate-level economics and statistics courses offered [as] most of my undergraduate studies are focused on literature, history, and foreign languages, so I’ll gain some much-needed quantitative skills,” he said. Also, the chance to make close connections within higher education and the government will be key in my future studies and career.”

He added:

“I hope fellow ��Ƶ students interested in Public Policy and International Affairs apply. The application process is a great experience; you never know what could happen! I aim to represent ��Ƶ State University well in this program.”

Public Meeting Notice: ��Ƶ Board of Trustees (April 9)

6003571 — Fri, 05 Apr 2024 18:20:09 +0000

The ��Ƶ State University Board of Trustees will hold a special meeting on Tuesday, April 9 at 9 a.m. The Board will consider a voluntary separation incentive program for faculty and staff and will consider the appointment of public officials. The meeting will be held on the third floor of the Parker Hannifin Administration Center, 2300 Euclid Ave., ��Ƶ. Some trustees and presenters will participate virtually in accordance with state legislation and the Bylaws of the ��Ƶ State University Board of Trustees. The public session of the meeting will be available via livestream, which can be accessed here.

If you are a member of the media and are planning to view or attend the meetings, please notify the Office of University Marketing so that we can ensure copies of meeting materials are provided to you.

Nominate a ��Ƶ State Student of Distinction

6003571 — Tue, 02 Apr 2024 17:41:43 +0000

��Ƶ State University wants to celebrate graduating students who have overcome obstacles, made significant achievements or are fulfilling the ��Ƶ mission in or outside of the classroom.

If you are a graduating student or know a student graduating who has a story that deserves recognition, please complete this nomination form. A member of the University Marketing team will reach out to connect with the graduating student directly.

Special Olympics and ��Ƶ State University College of Health Team Up for Second Basketball Clinic

2898067 — Tue, 02 Apr 2024 17:34:53 +0000

The ��Ƶ State University College of Health hosted its second integrated Special Olympics basketball clinic in March, five months after the college’s Special Olympics Unified Program, which taught individuals with disabilities and special needs about the basics of lacrosse, soccer and more.

“At the root of it, our department is training students to be in health and wellness-related fields,” said Jodi DeMarco, chair of ��Ƶ’s Department of Health Science & Human Performance. “What better way to really give them an engaged learning experience while also providing a great community service opportunity than to bring the students in and let them work with the kids right here on campus.”

The Special Olympics is an international organization that provides athletic opportunities to individuals with disabilities and special needs. Its Unified Sports Program promotes inclusion through sports and has garnered support from the National Basketball Association (NBA), Major League Soccer (MLS) and the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), among others.

Last year, the Special Olympics contacted ��Ƶ State to ask for support refereeing Unified Basketball, soccer and flag football games. ��Ƶ first brought the Special Olympics to its campus in Feb. 2023, when about 200-250 individuals with disabilities from different schools in the community learned how to play basketball. The ��Ƶ Cavaliers “Cavs Academy,” the youth basketball program of the NBA franchise, joined the integrated basketball clinic.

Over 100 volunteers attended the Feb. 2023 basketball clinic. DeMarco said it gained enough support to become a recurring event.

Brynna Mardis, a student-athlete on the ��Ƶ’s women’s golf team, said volunteering for the Special Olympics event is something she looks forward to every semester.

“Being able to interact with and put a smile on the kids’ faces brings me endless joy,” she said. “I, along with my fellow student athletes and SAAC members, enjoy teaching kids how to play new games and learning how to adapt to their needs so they can have a day full of fun.

“It's important that we give kids in the community an opportunity to try new things, while we also learn from the experience and become better leaders,” she added.

Stephanie Brooks, the inaugural dean of the College of Health, said the Special Olympics lines up with several of the department’s goals and values.

“We at the College of Health are not only about educating our students, but educating a workforce,” Brooks said. “For me, this is also a way of introducing our students to another group of individuals, clients or patients with whom they could possibly develop an expertise, work in and improve health outcomes as direct practitioners, researchers and scholars.”

The College of Health prides itself on inspiring innovation and inclusivity, promoting health equity and wellness and educating with excellence. It includes the Department of Health Sciences and Human Performance, which features pathways in health science and exercise science both at the undergraduate and graduate levels, among many more. The Special Olympics helps provide hands-on experience for ��Ƶ State students and speaks to the talents their students possess, DeMarco said.

“They’re amazing,” she said. “They’re great at communicating. They are just incredibly supportive of all these kids.

“I heard more cheering for every event, every activity, every drill, everything. Every little win was celebrated.”

To learn more about ��Ƶ’s College of Health, click here.

��Ƶ State University Society of Physics Students Highlight Solar Eclipse in Latest Outreach Project

6003571 — Tue, 02 Apr 2024 17:17:44 +0000

Long before the first total solar eclipse since 1806, which is set to cast ��Ƶ in complete darkness for nearly four minutes on April 8, ��Ƶ State University's chapter of the Society of Physics Students (SPS) was busy finding a way to shine a spotlight the upcoming phenomenon during its latest outreach project.

The University’s chapter of the SPS and Patrick Herron, its president and a ��Ƶ master’s student, were presented the national organization’s Marsh W. White Outreach Award in late January for physics outreach to K-12 students. It is the 12th Marsh White Award that ��Ƶ State’s SPS chapter has won since 2011, according to Herron.

Herron, who won Outstanding Physics Senior and the Undergraduate Physics Teaching Assistant Award from ��Ƶ State in 2023, said the significance of the Marsh White Award ultimately separated itself from the other awards he has won during his time at ��Ƶ.

“Even if it’s just a little fourth grader coming up to you and saying they want to be like you when they grow up, they want to be a scientist, they want to be a physicist, it’s really special,” he said. “The Marsh White Award is for our entire department at ��Ƶ State, and it’s the most far outreaching. It definitely means the most to me because of all of that.”

Past and Present

When ��Ƶ State’s chapter last received the award in 2022, it had partnered with BioMed Science Academy in Rootstown, Ohio, to coordinate a Spring semester program that focused on light waves and their applications in the bioengineering and biomedical fields. It was among a handful of chapters from across the country to receive the 2022 Marsh W. White award, including chapters from the University of Central Florida, Wofford College, Missouri Southern State University and Tuskegee University, among others.

This year’s project, “Outreach Totality: Eclipse based Outreach-Teaching Experience,” featured a partnership among the SPS, the ��Ƶ Public Libraries (CPL) and Hathaway Brown, a K-12 all-girls school based in Shaker Heights. In the first phase of the project, “First Sighting,” the SPS taught Hathaway Brown high school students how to teach about the solar eclipse before providing outreach to their first-grade students, Herron said, which included planetary models to show how the eclipse works and safe viewing practices.

“The outreach done at HB is powerful,” Herron said. “Not only are the students learning about the eclipse, but they also get the experience of teaching it to others.

“This not only gives them even more knowledge on the subject, but [it] can create even more students passionate about scientific outreach. This extends our outreach even further so we can spread our knowledge and joy of science with as many students as possible.”

Janna Mino, the director of Fellowships in Science Research and Engineering at Hathaway Brown, played a key role in training the 9-12 grade students in outreach techniques. The ��Ƶ physics and chemistry alumna and former SPS outreach coordinator highlighted how important events like this can be to getting students involved in and excited about science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) as a whole.

“For the kids who are experiencing and having fun with these outreach opportunities, I think it goes a long way just to show them that it’s fun, cool and interesting,” Mino said. “It shows them that they belong here, and they can do this.

“I think we are born scientists,” she added. “We are curious in our nature. When we can celebrate and have fun with it, I think that’s a really beautiful and important thing.”

A Student-led Effort

Dr. Kiril A Streletzky, a professor of physics and SPS chapter faculty advisor at ��Ƶ State, emphasized that the project was a student-led effort. Though he provides help where he can, he said the students are the ultimate driving force behind the ideas for the Marsh M. White Outreach projects through the years.

“I saw that it’s really inspiring to do that,” Dr. Streletzky said. “It really was important for the students [to own the outreach ideas], and it really became important for me as well.”

High school students from Hathaway Brown collaborated with ��Ƶ’s SPS to bring solar eclipse outreach to ��Ƶ students in the outreach project’s second phase titled, “Outreach Totality,” working through Friday after-school programs at five branches of the CPL. Tara Peppard, laboratory manager from ��Ƶ’s Department of Physics, organized the collaboration.

“This outreach unified the community in preparation and celebration of a rare and wondrous astronomical event,” Peppard said. “It was a great pleasure and honor to collaborate with the ��Ƶ Public Library and to witness such enthusiasm and dedication among the ��Ƶ State University Society of Physics Students and Hathaway Brown students presenting to and interacting with the public.

“If we could have reached all 27 neighborhood branches, we would have,” she said. “We look forward to future collaborations with the CPL where we can continue to inspire a greater understanding of the universe and a love of physics.”

The eclipse will be unique since the moon will be the closest to the Earth that it gets in its orbit, Herron said. He also stressed the importance of safety, including that viewers must always use safe solar viewing glasses or a handheld solar viewer when watching a solar eclipse directly with their eyes, according to NASA. It’s important to note that binoculars, cameras and telescopes require different solar filters and should not be used with solar viewing glasses or handheld solar viewers.

Highlight of Eight Epic Days in The Land

The eclipse can be an incredible opportunity to show what ��Ƶ has to offer, a point on which Streletzky and Herron agree.

“It’s important that we can all get behind science for a little while, even if only for a day, and all share that together and learn something,” Herron said. “That’s why we’re trying to do as much as we are this semester for it.”

The eclipse will serve as a highlight of eight epic days in #TheLand. Other events include the ��Ƶ International Film Festival at Playhouse Square, the NCAA women’s Final Four at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, the home opener for the ��Ƶ Guardians at Progressive Field and the 2024 ��Ƶ Thyagaraja Festival on ��Ƶ’s campus.

The College of Arts and Sciences will also host its own eclipse-related activities on the campus of ��Ƶ, organized by the Department of Physics and SPS. To learn more about what’s planned, click here.

��Ƶ Guardians Announce Addition of ��Ƶ Club Baseball to Guardians Nike RBI Program

6003571 — Tue, 26 Mar 2024 11:39:13 +0000

The ��Ƶ Guardians recently announced the addition of ��Ƶ State University (��Ƶ) Club Baseball to its 2024 Guardians Nike RBI program.

The Guardians Nike RBI program is part of Major League Baseball’s larger Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) youth outreach program, designed to increase participation and interest in baseball and softball for underrepresented and diverse communities. While the Guardians Nike RBI program is comprised of a majority of ��Ƶ Metropolitan School District (CMSD) students, the Vikings addition to the 2024 Guardians Nike RBI program stems from the professional club’s desire to increase support for athletics at ��Ƶ and provide local ��Ƶ youth with the opportunity to play baseball beyond the high school level.

“Our Guardians Nike RBI program has made significant leaps over the last three years. Led by a team of devoted coaches, our RBI players commit to year-round programming where we emphasize not just cultivating strong on-field athletes but building resilient citizens ready to take on life’s challenges,” says Raphael Collins, Assistant Director of Community Impact and Diversity Initiatives. “We’re thrilled to add such a strong institution like ��Ƶ State University into our RBI family.”

Read the full release on MLB.com.

Don't forget to join ��Ƶ Club Baseball on April 13 at League Park as they face off against Edinboro University. There will be free hot dogs, popcorn and pop for ��Ƶ students, and the first 100 students to attend will get an exclusive ��Ƶ x Guardians Jersey!

Public Meeting Notice: Euclid Avenue Development Corporation (March 25)

6003571 — Fri, 22 Mar 2024 20:30:04 +0000

The Euclid Avenue Development Corporation (EADC) will have a special Board of Directors meeting on Monday, March 25 at 2 p.m. to review and authorize a lease agreement with ��Ƶ State University involving Rhodes Tower.

The address for the meeting is 2300 Euclid Avenue, Room AC 208, ��Ƶ. There is a virtual option available for those who cannot attend in person.

��Ƶ at the Center of Eight Epic Days in #TheLand

6003456 — Thu, 21 Mar 2024 16:05:59 +0000

NCAA Women's Final Four, Solar Eclipse, Guardians Opening Day Among Highlights

April is ushering in an historic few days in ��Ƶ, with hundreds of thousands expected to descend on our city to experience the action first-hand. And at the epicenter of it all is ��Ƶ State University’s downtown campus.

From the NCAA women’s Final Four to the first total eclipse in Ohio in more than 200 years and the ��Ƶ Guardians’ home opener, there are plenty of history-making events throughout the week that will keep people talking for years—all within walking distance of ��Ƶ.

CLEVELAND INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL – BEGINS APRIL 3 AT PLAYHOUSE SQUARE

The 48th ��Ƶ International Film Festival will take place in person at Playhouse Square from April 3-13 and online from April 14-21. The festival’s in-person lineup will include more than 130 feature-length and 225 short films. In-person screening tickets will be $16 for CIFF members and $18 for non-members.

Distance from ��Ƶ: 8 minutes by foot / 1 minute by car

2024 WOMEN’S FINAL FOUR AND EVENTS – FROM APRIL 4 THROUGH 7 AT ROCKET MORTGAGE FIELDHOUSE

The top women’s college basketball teams ascend on The Land and Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse for a chance at the 2024 National Championship. There are plenty of events in town leading up to the big games with which everyone can get involved.

��Ƶ’s women’s basketball team, fresh off their first outright Horizon League Championship, is led by coach Chris Kielsmeier, who is excited that the city is hosting such a prestigious event.

“��Ƶ is a sports town, so they’re going to embrace the final four, embrace women’s basketball, ��Ƶ is anything you want it to be,” said Kielsmeier in an October interview with the marchmadnesswbb podcast. “People that are coming in from out of town will be able to script a day where maybe they’re walking on the beach one day and they’re skiing the next depending on how the weather is, so it’s an amazing city, and we are so thankful it’s coming here and we can showcase not only the city, but basketball at the highest level.”

��Ƶ last hosted the women’s Final Four in 2007, when the Candace Parker-led Tennessee Lady Volunteers defeated the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in the championship round. ��Ƶ was selected to be the host city in 2018. It joined San Antonio, Minneapolis and Dallas, which hosted the Final Four from 2021-23, respectively.

Distance from ��Ƶ: 17 minutes by foot / 3 minutes by car

WHEN THE SERPENT BITES THE SUN: HOW THE ANCIENT MAYA PREDICTED ECLIPSES (FREE LECTURE) - APRIL 4

Eclipses are mysterious, and while most of us can only dream of understanding them, even fewer can predict them. The ancient Maya seemed to crack the code, and one of their books contains a table that predicts eclipses anywhere in the world, just like the one we are about to experience in Northeast Ohio on April 8. How exactly did they do it? Dr. Peter Dunham, retired archaeologist from ��Ƶ's Anthropology program in the Department of World Languages and Cultures, will give you the inside scoop when he hosts a free lecture April 4 from 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. on the first floor of the Michael Schwartz Library.

Distance from ��Ƶ: On campus!

2024 WOMEN’S COLLEGE ALL-STAR GAME – APRIL 6 AT ��Ƶ

For the first time in 18 years, the women’s college basketball All-Star Game returns to ��Ƶ. It will be played on April 6 at 3:30 p.m. at the Wolstein Center and broadcast on ESPN 2. Tickets are available here.

The player watch list includes players from 11 different conferences, including the Big Ten, Big East and MAC. Four women’s basketball legends, including former ��Ƶ Rockers forward Janice Braxton, will join Dallas Wings forward Satou Sabally and Las Vegas Aces guard Kelsey Plum as coaches in the All-Star Game.

Distance from ��Ƶ: On campus!

TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE – APRIL 8

For the first time since 1806, Ohio will experience a total solar eclipse. More importantly, because ��Ƶ lies within the path of totality, it is expected that many people will travel to our region to enjoy the experience with us! A partial eclipse will begin at 1:59 p.m. and end at 4:29 p.m., but the totality will begin at 3:13 p.m. and end at 3:17 p.m.

There will be plenty of events on ��Ƶ’s campus leading up to the big moment, including an eclipse concert featuring eclipse-themed songs that will be held at the Student Center Atrium. Speaking of music, take a listen to this personalized playlist that is sure to get you amped up for the big event!

��Ƶ eclipse viewing glasses are now available at Viking Outfitters. Show a valid ��Ƶ ID at the register to receive your free pair. One per person, please.

Distance from ��Ƶ: On campus!

GREAT LAKES SCIENCE CENTER – FROM APRIL 6 THROUGH 8

Due to the ��Ƶ area being a prime spot to view the eclipse, NASA will set up shop and broadcast from the Great Lakes Science Center on April 8. From April 6-8, they will hold a free outdoor family-friendly science and arts festival featuring concerts, performances, speakers and hands-on science activities.

Distance from ��Ƶ: 29 minutes by foot / 6 minutes by car

CLEVELAND GUARDIANS HOME OPENER – APRIL 8 AT PROGRESSIVE FIELD

The Guardians could not have aligned (no pun intended) their home opener more appropriately with the eclipse, as they take on the Chicago White Sox at Progressive Field with a first pitch of 5:10 p.m. The gates will open at 2 p.m., and the team is encouraging fans to arrive early, as downtown is expected to resemble more of Grand Central Station.

Distance from ��Ƶ: 19 minutes by foot / 5 minutes by car

CLEVELAND THYAGARAJA FESTIVAL – BEGINS APRIL 10 AT ��Ƶ

The ��Ƶ Thyagaraja Festival, the largest Indian classical music festival outside of India, will begin on April 10. The 12-day event is supported in part through a public grant. A full schedule can be found here.

Distance from ��Ƶ: On campus!

��Ƶ Earns National Praise for Civic Engagement Action Plan

6003571 — Thu, 21 Mar 2024 12:25:57 +0000

��Ƶ State University is honored to have received the 2024 Highly Established Action Plan Seal by the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge.

��Ƶ is one of 93 campuses that has earned this recognition so far for the current election cycle. Our campus action plan has been recognized among the best in the country for building and fostering non-partisan civic engagement, and we’re proud to be #AllInToVote!

Learn more about how our Office of Civic Engagement (OCE) works with students, faculty and staff at ��Ƶ to encourage citizenship and strong communities by building partnerships within ��Ƶ, as well as with public and non-profit community-based organizations and governmental institutions.

Clothing Donations Needed for Upcoming Dress for Success Boutique on Wheels

6003456 — Mon, 18 Mar 2024 12:25:29 +0000

The Department of Career Development and Exploration is gearing up to host its annual "Dress for Success Boutique on Wheels" event this April providing students with free professional attire for students to wear to interviews, internships or jobs. The initiative takes place each semester and serves almost 500 students over a day and a half.

For the first time, ��Ƶ State is accepting clothing donations at Dress for Success ��Ƶ for this semester's event, including women's skirt suits, pantsuits, blazers, tailored blouses and dresses as well as men's suits, blazers, slacks, dress shirts and ties.

All donations can be dropped off between March 18 through 21 from 10 a.m.—3 p.m. at the Dress for Success ��Ƶ building at 2239 East 55 Street, ��Ƶ, OH 44103. Please do not bring clothing items to campus. Note that donations must also be hung on hangers and freshly washed or dry cleaned or they will not be accepted.

Director for Career Development and Exploration Brittany Wampler believes this is a tangible way to support our students and knows it makes an impact.

“This initiative started before CDE took it over in Spring 2022, but since then, we’ve done it every fall and spring semester,” she said. “Last fall, we supported almost 500 students over a day and a half. Access to professional attire can be a barrier for students, and this event celebrates finding professional attire for free for interviews, an internship, or a job. We want all students to find clothing that works for them so that clothing is not a worry or concern when they start their professional career journey.”

She added:

“Giving some professional attire to Dress for Success ��Ƶ that is timeless supports our students and their future.”

Schedule your donation drop off here.

Public Meeting Notice: ��Ƶ Board of Trustees (March 18 and 21)

6003571 — Thu, 14 Mar 2024 18:09:26 +0000

The Executive Committee of the ��Ƶ State University Board of Trustees will meet on Monday, March 18 at 8 a.m. In accordance with state legislation and the Bylaws of the ��Ƶ State University Board of Trustees, this meeting will be fully virtual, and the public session will be available via livestream, which can be accessed here. The Committee will recess into executive session to discuss personnel matters regarding the appointment of public officials and to discuss trade secret information required by law to be kept confidential. It is anticipated that the majority of the meeting will be in executive session, and there are no action items planned.

The ��Ƶ State University Board of Trustees will meet on Thursday, March 21 at 8 a.m. The meeting will be held in the West Wing on the fourth floor of the Gerald H. Gordon Conference Pavilion of the Wolstein Center, 2000 Prospect Ave. Some trustees and presenters will participate virtually in accordance with state legislation and the Bylaws of the ��Ƶ State University Board of Trustees. The public session of the meeting will be available via livestream, which can be accessed here.

If you are a member of the media and are planning to view or attend the meetings, please notify University Marketing so that we can ensure copies of meeting materials are provided to you.

School of Music's Head of Voice Captures National Award

6003456 — Thu, 14 Mar 2024 12:28:42 +0000

The National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) has announced the latest recipients of their prized NATS Emerging Leader Award and one of ��Ƶ’s own is amongst the seven recognized nationwide.

Nick Klein, DMA, who currently serves as a lecturer and the head of voice in the School of Music, was named a 2024 NATS Emerging Leader Award winner. The award is designed to recognize and support NATS teachers with no more than 10 years of teaching experience. According to the website, the grant enables selected recipients to attend sessions, network with colleagues, and enjoy all the benefits available at the NATS national conference, taking place in Knoxville, Tenn. from June 28-July 2.

Winners are announced every two years.

“It is a huge honor to be a recipient of the NATS Emerging Leader Award this year,” said Klein. “There are nearly 10,000 members in this organization, so to be selected as one of just seven people in the country to be recognized validates all the hard work I put into my teaching and my own professional development. There are so many renowned educators who have been previous recipients of this award, so being recognized in a category with such esteemed colleagues is super exciting!”

Klein earned a Bachelor of Music (2012) and Master of Music (2015) from Capital University and a Doctor of Musical Arts (2021) from the University of Washington. His teaching experience includes six years of classroom choral directing experience, 10 years of private voice lessons at all levels, nearly ten years of private piano and violin lessons at all levels, and a significant number of experiences in music directing and coaching for several local and regional theater productions.

His work outside of ��Ƶ speaks to his mission of helping others. Using the wealth of knowledge gained over the years, Klein has played a major role in helping many students at the high school level prepare for university level vocal study. Many have been admitted to several reputable institutions including The Capital University Conservatory of Music, The Ohio State University, Otterbein University, and Ohio University thanks to the coaching of Klein.

As an award winner, Klein will receive $750 to pay for expenses related to travel, housing, registration, food and other related costs for attendance. More importantly, it gives him the chance to continue to learn and grow both personally and professionally.

“This [conference] provides a fantastic opportunity for learning and professional development, as well as socializing and networking [and] there are a number of presentations and interactive workshops that happen throughout this conference covering a wide range of topics from Science-Informed Vocal Pedagogy to Teaching Transgender Singers, and more,” he said. “There are also several private concerts that registered conference attendees get to attend, like a concert by Lawrence Brownlee (a world-famous operatic tenor), plus a gala event where I will be recognized for this award at the Leadership Luncheon, which is an exclusive event for NATS National and Regional Level leadership.”

Despite his successes, he is quick to credit ��Ƶ for playing a major role in helping him get to this level, along with the support he has received along the way.

“��Ƶ has been a fabulous opportunity for me to effect change in a curriculum and voice program to better reflect current demands in the world of being a performing artist. When I came to ��Ƶ, the Voice Area and BM/MM Voice Performance curriculum had not seen many significant changes and improvements in several years, and I have since created an entirely new curriculum for BM and MM Voice Performance degrees, plus revamped the Opera Theater Workshop program to a newly designed program called Vocal Theater Workshop,” said Klein. “All of these changes have allowed me to dive into the intricacies of arts admin in a university setting and have also made our program more desirable to incoming students.”

Director of the School of Music, Dr. Heather Russell, says Klein winning the award is very well-deserved, one of the main reasons being he is someone who has not only brought new ideas but takes the next step and dedicates the time and energy to develop them into new and engaging experiences for the students.

“Nick has not only made change, he has given the School of Music new ways to expand our presence on campus and in the arts arena,” she said. “He expanded the program to include productions of full-length vocal theater works; [not to mention] his enthusiasm is contagious, and his work is inspiring collaboration—this coming fall, Nick and Dr. Victor Liva, ��Ƶ's Orchestra Director, plan to work together on a production of a Mozart opera.”

Klein’s mission to continue to put ��Ƶ on the map can be furthered with all the insight he hopes to gain at the conference. There, he plans on attending workshops and lectures on current and trending topics in vocal pedagogy, along with listening to keynote speakers and performances. Of course, there will be plenty of time to network with other voice teachers and professionals from around the country to see what kinds of things they are doing to make their respective institutions a success.

“This conference will be so beneficial to my work at ��Ƶ [as] I’m a huge believer in being a life-long learner,” he said. “I love going to professional development conferences and trainings to learn new skills to try and apply to my teaching in both my private voice studio and my classroom teaching. I always come home from these conferences with new tools and teaching methods in mind, and my students benefit from those things.”

Klein points to Russell as someone who has not only provided fantastic leadership but has been extremely supportive of the changes he has been making while at ��Ƶ.

“She has been a fabulous mentor to me,” he said. “I am confident that these significant changes I’ve made at ��Ƶ and the growth they have caused for me professionally are major contributors to me being selected as a recipient of this award.”

Russell said Klein is not only an excellent instructor, but he inspires the students to do their very best.

“Nick has invested in our vocal students beyond our expectations [and] has inspired our students to bring their very best selves to performances and modeled the dedication it takes to hone their skills,” she said. “His leadership has helped the School of Music attract and retain dedicated vocal students. He has helped our students stretch and grow, equipping them so they can experience success.”

Klein is excited to not only attend the conference but bring back some good ideas to make ��Ƶ’s School of Music even better.

“I’m really looking forward to attending the NATS National Conference and learning a ton of new things that I can bring back to share with the voice students at ��Ƶ,” said Klein. “I’m hopeful that this award will propel me in my involvement in NATS leadership and allow me to make even more significant contributions to the voice community.”

CIFF 2024 Features ��Ƶ School of Film & Media Arts Panels

6003571 — Tue, 12 Mar 2024 12:43:18 +0000

It's that time again! The ��Ƶ International Film Festival (CIFF) graces the city annually, celebrating the silver screen medium and those who make it magic.

From Wednesday, April 3 – Saturday, April 13, the 48th edition of the CIFF will feature five unique filmmaker panels at the School of Film & Media Arts, Idea Center, 1375 Euclid Avenue, Suite 600.

Click here to see the full agenda.

Public Meeting Notice: ��Ƶ Board of Trustees (March 14)

6003571 — Fri, 08 Mar 2024 20:29:54 +0000

The Financial Affairs Committee of the ��Ƶ State University Board of Trustees will meet on Thursday, March 14 at 8 a.m. In accordance with state legislation and the Bylaws of the ��Ƶ State University Board of Trustees, this meeting will be fully virtual, and the public session will be available via livestream, which can be accessed here.

The Academic Affairs and Student Success Committee of the ��Ƶ State University Board of Trustees will meet on Thursday, March 14 immediately following the Financial Affairs Committee or at 9:15 a.m., whichever is later. In accordance with state legislation and the Bylaws of the ��Ƶ State University Board of Trustees, this meeting will be fully virtual, and the public session will be available via livestream, which can be accessed here.

License Suspensions Could be Costing Ohio a Big Chunk of Its Workforce

6003571 — Thu, 07 Mar 2024 14:45:32 +0000

Suspending Ohioans’ drivers’ licenses over debts doesn’t just hurt those people. It also is likely taking a huge bite out of the state’s workforce, according to a study released last week by the Federal Reserve Bank of ��Ƶ.

According to the report’s more conservative estimate, a whopping 14.4% of the Ohio labor force could be at risk of leaving it in any given year due to such suspensions. That’s a big enough chunk to affect everybody, authors Kyle D. Fee and Brian A. Mikelbank of ��Ƶ State University wrote.

“Our analysis suggests that these suspensions, especially when combined with increasing driver’s license requirements, make finding and maintaining employment more difficult for a sizable portion of Ohioans, but that instability also affects the broader economy,” they wrote. “Fewer people in the labor force means fewer people to hire and fewer people to produce and consume goods and services.”

Read the full story from the Ohio Capital Journal online.

Things to Do on Weekends in #TheLand

6003571 — Thu, 07 Mar 2024 14:33:07 +0000

In The Land, we celebrate food. We celebrate artists. We celebrate film. We celebrate caterpillars (no joke). And get this: we even celebrate duct tape (for real).

The truth is, we don’t like to pass up the chance to celebrate. After all, this is The Land. And we know a thing or two about living it up.

Click here to find out what's going on in ��Ƶ over the weekend!

Get Ready for the Women’s Horizon League Tournament Game This Week!

6003456 — Tue, 05 Mar 2024 13:43:23 +0000

Watch the ��Ƶ State Women's Basketball team in the 2024 Barbasol Horizon League Basketball Tournament at the Wolstein Center this week! Tickets are on sale now for the Quarterfinal Women’s Basketball game on Thursday, March 7 at 7 p.m.

Gear Up for the Horizon League Tournament at Viking Outfitters!
Gear up and support our Vikings. From shirts and hats to foam fingers and Viking helmets, Viking Outfitters has you covered.

You can shop Viking Outfitters online or in person at the ��Ƶ Student Center. Student Center Location is open Monday - Friday from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Viking Outfitters Online

Women's Basketball || Quarterfinals vs. Northern Kentucky
Thursday, March 7 at 7:00 p.m.

Tickets are available for $10 in advance or $15 on the day of the game and include an All-You-Can-Eat and Drink package. The package includes unlimited hot dogs, popcorn, and sodas.

The first 250 fans will receive official ��Ƶ State Women's Basketball trading cards courtesy of Greenie Sports Cards.

Women's Basketball Captures Horizon League Regular Season Championship
For the first time in program history, the ��Ƶ State Women's Basketball team captured the 2023-24 Horizon League Regular Season Championship, with a program best 18-2 record.

All ��Ƶ students receive FREE admission to the game!

Go Vikings!

Public Meeting Notice: ��Ƶ Board of Trustees (March 6)

6003571 — Mon, 04 Mar 2024 22:14:09 +0000

The Real Estate and Facilities Subcommittee of the ��Ƶ State University Board of Trustees will meet on Wednesday, March 6 at 9 a.m. In accordance with state legislation and the Bylaws of the ��Ƶ State University Board of Trustees, this meeting will be fully virtual, and the public session will be available via livestream, which can be accessed here.

If you are a member of the media and are planning to view the meeting, please notify the Office of University Marketing and Communications at pr@csuohio.edu so that we can ensure copies of the meeting materials are provided to you.

��Ƶ Celebrates Women's History Month

6003456 — Thu, 29 Feb 2024 17:22:06 +0000

March is Women’s History Month, and ��Ƶ State University has plenty of special programming in store for the community in the coming weeks and beyond.

Friday, February 29 – Sunday, March 3: Catch Ancestra, a production that weaves together past and present women's rights issues, at the Outcalt Theatre at Playhouse Square, 7:30 p.m. performances with a 2 p.m. Sunday Matinee, Outcalt Theatre at Playhouse Square, 1501 Euclid Avenue.

Tickets can be purchased here. ��Ƶ students can use promo code STU��Ƶ to get tickets for $5.00, faculty and staff can use promo code FAC to get tickets for $10.00.

Friday, March 1: Courageous Conversation: Life at the Intersections, Black Womanhood, 12-1:15 p.m. via Zoom

Tuesday, March 5:

Black Women and the March on Washington in partnership with Africana Studies, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., Student Center Atrium, 2121 Euclid Avenue.

Pastry Chef Katherine will be making pizza as part of Women’s History Month chef spotlight, from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., Viking Marketplace, 2121 Euclid Avenue.

Thursday, March 7: Women’s HERstory Month Open House, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., Mareyjoyce Green Women’s Center, Berkman Hall, room 142, 2121 Euclid Avenue.

Thursday, March 21: Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Honors College Leadership Lecture Series featuring Cynthia Connolly, 4 – 5 p.m., Mather Mansion, 2605 Euclid Avenue.

Tuesday, March 26:

Ujima Writing Workshop, facilitated by Dr. Mary McDonald, in partnership with the Writing Center, 11:20 a.m. – 12:20 p.m., Berkman Hall, room 137, 2121 Euclid Avenue.

Pizzamaker Valorie will be making a pizza as part of Women’s History Month chef spotlight, from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., Viking Marketplace, 2121 Euclid Avenue.

Wednesday, March 27: Women’s HERstory Month Happy Hour, 5 – 7 p.m., Noble Beast Brewery, 1470 Lakeside Avenue E. Register here.

Thursday, March 28: Sankofa Screening of the film, Hidden Figures, featuring a discussion with Engineering students, 11:20 a.m., Berkman Hall, room 136.

Thursday, April 4: Our Bodies, Our Voices, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., Mareyjoyce Green Women’s Center, Berkman Hall, room 142, 2121 Euclid Avenue.

��Ƶ Awarded on the Forbes America’s Best Employers 2024 List

6003571 — Tue, 27 Feb 2024 17:38:24 +0000

��Ƶ State University has been awarded on the Forbes list of America’s Best Employers 2024. This prestigious award is presented by Forbes and Statista Inc., the world-leading statistics portal and industry ranking provider. The full list can be viewed here.

America’s Best Employers have been identified in an independent survey from a vast sample of over 170,000 U.S. employees working for companies employing at least 1,000 people within the U.S.

The final score is based on two types of evaluations:

Personal - Given by employees themselves, also known as direct evaluations.
Public - Given by friends and family members of employees, or members of the public who work in the same industry (also known as indirect evaluations) with a much higher weighting for personal evaluations.

The result is two sub-lists: one for “Mid” sized organizations (those with 1,000 to 5,000 employees) and “Large” sized organizations (those with more than 5,000 employees).

Based on the results of the study, ��Ƶ is ecstatic to be recognized on the Forbes list of America’s Best Employers 2024.

Statista publishes hundreds of worldwide industry rankings and company listings with high-profile media partners. This research and analysis service is based on the success of statista.com, the leading data and business intelligence portal that provides statistics, relevant business data, and various market and consumer studies and surveys.

Laura Bloomberg to Remain at ��Ƶ State University

6003571 — Mon, 26 Feb 2024 21:03:41 +0000

University of Minnesota Announces Results of Presidential Search

Laura Bloomberg, president of ��Ƶ State University, has not been selected for the position of president at the University of Minnesota, it was announced on Feb. 26. Bloomberg was a finalist for the position as part of a national search the University conducted.

“While I was not chosen for the role of president at my alma mater, the University of Minnesota,” said Bloomberg, “I was honored to be considered. At the same time, I am very happy to be here at ��Ƶ serving as the University’s eighth president and look forward to continuing to work with our board and the University’s senior leadership team to support our faculty and students.”

��Ƶ State University Board of Trustees Chair David Reynolds said that Bloomberg has the board’s full support and looks forward to continuing to work with her on the many critical initiatives underway at ��Ƶ, including the ongoing development of the University’s strategic plan.

“��Ƶ’s students remain our focus,” said Reynolds, “and we know Laura joins us in wanting to make sure we have the plans and programs in place to assure our University has the organizational resilience and financial stability to succeed in the future.”

Public Meeting Notice: ��Ƶ Board of Trustees (Feb. 28)

6003571 — Mon, 26 Feb 2024 18:41:19 +0000

The Executive Committee of the ��Ƶ State University Board of Trustees will meet on Wednesday, Feb. 28, at 8 a.m. In accordance with state legislation and the Bylaws of the ��Ƶ State University Board of Trustees, this meeting will be fully virtual, and the public session will be available via livestream, which can be accessed here. The Committee will recess into executive session to discuss personnel matters regarding the appointment and employment of a public official. It is anticipated that the majority of the meeting will be in executive session and there are no action items planned.

Public Meeting Notice: ��Ƶ Board of Trustees (Feb. 23)

6003571 — Thu, 22 Feb 2024 18:28:07 +0000

The Executive Committee of the ��Ƶ State University Board of Trustees will meet on Friday, Feb. 23, at 3 p.m. In accordance with state legislation and the Bylaws of the ��Ƶ State University Board of Trustees, this meeting will be fully virtual, and the public session will be available via livestream, which can be accessed here. The Committee will recess into executive session to discuss personnel matters regarding the appointment and employment of a public official. It is anticipated that the majority of the meeting will be in executive session, and there are no action items planned.

If you are a member of the media and are planning to view the meeting, please notify the Office of University Marketing at pr@csuohio.edu so that we can ensure copies of the meeting materials are provided to you.

[Video] “The House that Dr. Michael Schwartz Built”

6003456 — Thu, 22 Feb 2024 17:28:54 +0000

Video of ��Ƶ Honors the Legacy of Former President Dr. Michael Schwartz

The late poet Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, "Do not go where the path may lead. Go where there is no path and leave a trail."

That quote seems to epitomize the life of Dr. Michael Schwartz.

The former ��Ƶ State University and Kent State University president was no doubt smiling down on those gathered in his honor at ��Ƶ's Glasscock Family Foundation Ballroom on Feb. 8 to celebrate the life of a man who made a lasting impact on two great universities. However, if it weren't for the presence of a law professor at the University of Illinois named Rubin G. Cohn, the world may have never had the honor of knowing President Schwartz.

According to his son Kenneth Schwartz, who spoke at the celebration of life, Professor Cohn changed his father’s life, flipping a switch within the future university president and subsequently motivating his father to do an about-face by dedicating himself to changing lives in higher education.

THE EARLY YEARS

While Dr. Schwartz's pre-college life did not point to an academic career initially, he later found his calling while earning three degrees from the University of Illinois: a bachelor's degree in psychology in 1958, a master's in labor and industrial relations in 1959 and a doctorate in sociology in 1962 with an emphasis in social psychology.

"My father was an accomplished statistician; in the 1960s and 70s, his research was the cutting edge of transforming the study of social psychology from anecdotal methodologies, which are scientific and statistical methods," said Ken Schwartz. "He published more than 70 books and articles in his career, and he loved teaching statistics so much that he even found time to teach statistics while provost at Kent State."

In 1971, while chairing the sociology department at Florida Atlantic University, Dr. Schwartz won a distinguished teacher award and was later promoted to dean. Then, in 1976, he started his tenure in Ohio when he was appointed vice president of Graduate Studies in research at Kent State. Dr. Schwartz, appointed president of Kent State in 1982 and having served through 1991, was described as having set the golden standard when it came to being humble, approachable and someone who truly looked out for the students and always had time for his son, who was enrolled at Kent State himself.

"The students quickly realized how lucky they were; he was a great teacher, and I know," said Ken Schwartz. "In graduate school, when I was dealing with my own graduate statistics and was confused, I got some late-night tutoring from him while he was president at Kent State; he would pick up that phone late at night and walk me through it."

He also shared that when studying at the Kent State Student Center, students approached him with nothing but nice things to say about his father.

"Random students would walk up to me and say, 'Are you Ken Schwartz and is your father, President Schwartz?'" he said. "I would smile and say yes, and they would say without exception, 'I just want you to know that I think he's doing a great job;' that's a pretty special experience."

THE PEACEMAKER

Dr. Schwartz prided himself on being someone who could be counted upon to be a calming presence in the face of adversity. As a young professor and associate dean at Indiana University in the 1960s, Dr. Schwartz was personally approached by the university to negotiate with students who took over buildings on campus during Vietnam War protests. Not only did he successfully de-escalate those situations and help avoid violence, but he also returned the university to a late-1960s version of peace and civility, Ken Schwartz recalled.

Several years later, in 1977, Dr. Schwartz again took it upon himself to be the calming force necessary at Kent State University.

"While he was vice president and interim president at Kent State, protests unfortunately erupted on campus over the construction of a building near where some students were shot on May 4, 1970," said Ken Schwartz. "He successfully navigated protestors, politicians, courts and the community, but this experience launched him on a personal mission of education and healing that, with the help of many others, ultimately led to the establishment of the May 4 memorial dedicated to a sad American tragedy."

THE INNOVATOR

Although his presidency at Kent State would end on March 15, 1991, Dr. Schwartz used his retirement to return to the classroom, teaching graduate courses in higher education administration and statistical methods at Kent State. His legacy of outstanding leadership continued in 2002, when he served as ��Ƶ president until June 2009, spearheading projects that saw new student housing constructed while a new student center and administration buildings were built.

Friend, colleague and ��Ƶ Professor Emeritus William Bowen remembers when Dr. Schwartz first arrived on campus and was taken aback by how involved he wanted to be right from the very beginning.

"He went around and gave talks to introduce himself and to get to know some of the various student groups and faculty groups. Those talks were audacious, and they were inspiring," said Bowen. "I doubt that students had ever before heard someone in a position of academic authority describe the purpose of the university to them and tell them what they were supposed to be doing and what they were doing at the university."

Friend, colleague and ��Ƶ’s Vice President of Legal and Compliance Sonali Wilson remembers not only the kindness Dr. Schwartz exhibited to her, but also his deep appreciation for ��Ƶ and its students.

"I'll always remember all the impact that he had on all of us, on this community and this university; I'll always remember his wisdom and smarts, I will always remember his wit and humor, I will always remember his support and mentorship," she said. "And, of course, I will always remember his spirit and dedication to this university and the students he loved."

THE FRIEND

Current ��Ƶ President Dr. Laura Bloomberg would soon get to know Dr. Schwartz when she became ��Ƶ's eighth president in 2021. Even though he had been out of office for over a decade, Dr. Schwartz was more than willing to mentor her.

"When I was first introduced to him by his friend and fellow author Bill Bowen, we had lunch together, he told me to call him anytime,” Dr. Bloomberg recalled. “I took him up on that, and honest to goodness, I got more good advice from that man than I could ever possibly share with all of you."

She continued, "It always stands out to me that he took my calls whenever I called; he took my calls when he was sick, he was in pain, he was tired, he was in hospice—and he took my calls and answered my questions and pushed back and challenged me to think harder or deeper or longer about key issues, and I am so grateful for that.

"For all of us who knew Michael in his professional capacity, I extend on our collective behalf huge gratitude that you shared him with the world of higher education, with the world of ideas, with the world of the academy because I believe it comes at a bit of a pause to Michael, the family man, but I believe he had the heart for both, and we are so grateful for what he contributed," said Dr. Bloomberg.

Friend and ��Ƶ Board of Trustees Vice Chair Tim Cosgrove also paid tribute to Dr. Schwartz, echoing the sentiment that he always took the time to listen to students, colleagues and friends, and that his enduring legacy will live on through many, even those who didn't personally know him.

"You will live through the countless lives you've changed; you will live through those who never met you but benefit from your life's mission. Michael, it is appropriate that we are here today in the student center, a building that you built; outside of this room and throughout our campus and the Kent State campus, there are thousands of students whose lives will be changed and enriched because of you and what you built,” said Cosgrove.

THE LEGACY

Despite all of the successes Dr. Schwartz had as a university president, the lives he affected and the legacy he left, Ken Schwartz believes celebrating his father's life means acting to ensure the freedom to teach, research and study in search of the many truths that make us who we are and to combat meanness with kindness and education, just the way he did each day.

"It's to bring people together to celebrate our diversity and our differences," said Ken Schwartz. "When any of you do this, when we do this, I am sure Michael Schwartz is somewhere in the universe, he's coaching a little league game or casting a fly-fishing pole into those cosmic waters and he's smiling because another life has been changed."

To view the Celebration of Life in its entirety, click here.

��Ƶ School of Nursing to Release New Flexible Learning Options for Nursing Students Looking to Get Ahead

2898067 — Thu, 22 Feb 2024 16:11:57 +0000

The ��Ƶ State University School of Nursing in the College of Health is excited to announce the launch of several online nursing programs for the Fall 2024 semester.

The Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program will be a 16-month, full-time program with online coursework and two campus residencies. Preparation support for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), a nationwide exam to determine if students are ready to practice, will also be integrated throughout the program. Accelerated BSN programs can be completed over four semesters.

The School of Nursing will also launch two new MSN and post-graduate certificates for Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner programs. They will all be full-time. The MSN degrees can be completed in as few as two years. They will join the Nursing Education, Forensic Nursing, Clinical Science Leader and Specialized Populations MSN degree programs. The four part-time programs allow students to further enhance their skills and overall competencies with 100% online coursework.

The University’s Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner post-graduate certificates will be full-time programs that can be completed in one year and three months. Students who wish to go the extra mile to make a difference in their communities will have the opportunity to be better prepared for the FNP and PMHNP certification exams. The FNP program further connects students to the ��Ƶ and ��Ƶ community with one on-site residency.

��Ƶ State’s BSN and MSN programs can further prepare students for the rigors of an ever-evolving and highly specialized field and ensure they have the skills needed to excel in their nursing careers. 47.2% of Registered Nurses surveyed in the 2022 National Nursing Workforce Study credited a BSN as the degree that qualified them for their first nursing license in the United States, a spike from 41.8% in 2020 and 39% in 2015. The 2022 median pay for registered nurses was just above $81,000 per year and $39 per hour, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

To learn more about ��Ƶ’s online nursing, social work and law programs, visit onlinelearning.csuohio.edu.

Founded in 1973, ��Ƶ State’s School of Nursing prides itself on several core values, including accountability, civility, collaboration, diversity and inclusivity. The school has partnered with University Hospitals, the ��Ƶ Clinic and MetroHealth to offer clinical placements for its students. It provides a handful of undergraduate programs that fit a variety of student needs and flexibilities, including a traditional and accelerated path toward a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. An RN to BSN program is offered to students who hold an active Ohio Registered Nurse License.

Dr. Rama K. Jayanti Named Monte Ahuja Endowed Chair in Global Business

6003571 — Thu, 22 Feb 2024 13:56:31 +0000

��Ƶ State University and the Monte Ahuja College of Business are pleased to announce Dr. Rama K. Jayanti, professor of marketing, as the new Monte Ahuja Endowed Chair in Global Business.

In this role, Jayanti works with community partners, both public and private, to establish new research areas and develop leading-edge educational programs. She will also create new graduate programs that will both enhance the ��Ƶ learning experience and boost the university's visibility.

"A professor who holds an endowed chair is expected to serve as a beacon of energy that generates innovative thinking about important social problems," said Jayanti. "This energy creates ripples of impact by engaging students, provoking scholars and reaching out to the greater community. I hope to be instrumental in bringing this new energy to the endowed chair position and to the Monte Ahuja College of Business."

A member of ��Ƶ's faculty since 1992, Jayanti recently finished teaching and conducting research at Nanyang Business School at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore on a Fulbright grant. There, she explored consumers' learning in health communities, the threat to consumer health by pharmaceutical marketing and improving theories and methods in the health marketing discipline. Much of her recent work has also focused on the digital transformation of healthcare.

Jayanti has a strong portfolio of research published in top journals in the field of marketing such as the Journal of Management Studies, Journal of Consumer Research, Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, Journal of Macro Marketing, Journal of Business Research, Journal of Advertising Research and Journal of Public Policy and Marketing, among others. Her worldwide teaching experience spans the United States, Germany, India and Singapore.

She also actively serves several non-profit organizations, including Playhouse Square and Habitat for Humanity, and is an ardent champion of sustainability initiatives at the Monte Ahuja College of Business and campus-wide.

As a first-generation American and working mother, Jayanti feels fortunate to be part of a family-friendly culture at the Monte Ahuja College of Business and ��Ƶ. Having received multiple U.S. Fulbright awards, she has helped harness and clarify the capabilities of different regions through the world, which has in turn won her international recognition as a scholar.

"��Ƶ has been a steady home in my professional journey, and this appointment is a testament to my long-term efforts and commitment to ��Ƶ," she said. "I want to thank the Ahujas for their generous support in setting up this endowment. This recognition signals our top management's commitment to recognize faculty excellence in teaching, mentorship, research, governance and outreach efforts. The current leadership's extraordinary focus on diversity and inclusion makes me proud to be associated with ��Ƶ."

Protest to Progress Traces 60 Years of ��Ƶ and the Civil Rights Act

6003456 — Thu, 22 Feb 2024 13:39:45 +0000

View the exhibit online here!

A new exhibit commemorating 60 years of the Civil Rights Act in conjunction with 60 years of ��Ƶ State University can now be viewed on display in the first-floor atrium of ��Ƶ’s Berkman Hall—home to the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Honors College—through Feb. 29.

Protest to Progress reflects the tenor of tragedy and triumph from the 1960s to today. The first influx of Black students at ��Ƶ had a profound influence that helped create the diverse, inclusive and welcoming campus it is today.

Ron Kisner, ��Ƶ alumnus and founder of The Vindicator, said he hopes the Protest to Progress exhibit will help answer the question, “How did we get here?” through photos, newspaper clippings and commentary.

“The exhibit attempts to connect the history of ��Ƶ to events in the city and nation that shaped the University's early and future directions,” he said during the opening reception on Feb. 1. “It also highlights how the University's commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion evolved for it to become an urban university for all, reflecting [��Ƶ President] Dr. Laura Bloomberg's vision.”

“As you read through the exhibit, you will know that we didn’t get everything right in our history; there are many mistakes and setbacks,” said Dr. Bloomberg. “I hope you will also see that we wanted this to be portrayed honestly, setbacks and all; this is our story; we are proud of the whole thing, and I am so glad you are here to enjoy it.”

Vice President of Student Belonging and Success Dr. Tachelle Banks also commented on how the exhibit's unveiling demonstrates ��Ƶ’s significant contribution to diversity and the ��Ƶ community since its inception in 1964.

“What we’re doing at ��Ƶ is taking proactive steps on the institution we have to create welcome environments and affirming experiences that offer students a sense of belonging that they rightfully deserve,” she said. “To put it kindly, if you choose ��Ƶ as a student, we choose you. This is not an easy task at all, and it is not for the faint of heart. This work requires compassion and commitment to do what is right for our students. And now is the right time to do what is right for our students at ��Ƶ.”

Dr. Thomas Bynum chairs ��Ƶ’s Department of Africana Studies and pointed out that the department has long roots that stretch back to the founding of the Black Studies program at ��Ƶ under the leadership of Ralph Pruitt in 1969. That came less than one year after the first Black Studies department was founded at San Francisco State University. Over the last six decades, the department has continued to be a haven for students.

“With support from the University and community partners, the Department of Africana Studies will continue the legacy of providing a safe space for students to learn more about Black history and culture throughout the African diaspora,” said Dr. Bynum. “We are proud to be a part of this exhibit [and] we greatly appreciate President Bloomberg’s support, vision and leadership.”

Kisner also believes patrons will be interested in understanding the racial tensions that existed at ��Ƶ, and how “demands” of the first ��Ƶ President Dr. Harold Enarson resulted in new groundbreaking events on campus.

“The creation of the Black Studies Program, the first African American Homecoming Queen (under some duress); the seeding of the African American Cultural Center; and the founding of the Black student newspaper, The Vindicator, now a cultural magazine,” said Kisner. “Significantly, the exhibit portrays how an editorial cartoon in the Cauldron mocking the homecoming queen nod and other Black progress led to a burning of the newspaper's edition on campus.”

Kisner added:

“The exhibit traces ��Ƶ's growth out of ‘protest’ toward ‘progress’ that has led to creative, inclusive educational and cultural programs endemic of a university looking toward a robust future meeting the new needs of a multi-cultural student body and city.”

Public Meeting Notice: ��Ƶ Board of Trustees (Feb. 15)

6003571 — Wed, 14 Feb 2024 20:06:14 +0000

The Executive Committee of the ��Ƶ State University Board of Trustees will meet on Thursday, Feb. 15, at 4 p.m. In accordance with state legislation and the Bylaws of the ��Ƶ State University Board of Trustees, this meeting will be fully virtual, and the public session will be available via livestream, which can be accessed here. The Committee will recess into executive session to discuss personnel matters regarding the appointment and employment of a public official. It is anticipated that the majority of the meeting will be in executive session, and there are no action items planned.

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