Author: Christie Williams

Writing & Communication Center Faculty Coordinator Named SWCA President

Janine Morris, Ph.D., Halmos College of Arts & Sciences Assistant Professor and NSU Writing and Communication Center (WCC) Faculty Coordinator, was elected 2020-2022 President of the Southeastern Writing Center Association (SWCA). The SWCA’s mission is to “advance literacy; to further the theoretical, practical, and political concerns of writing center professionals; and to serve as a forum for the writing concerns of students, faculty, staff, and writing professionals from both academic and nonacademic communities in the southeastern region of the United States.” Morris served as the SWCA Florida State Representative from 2018-2019 and SWCA Vice President from 2019-2020.

In the WCC, Morris oversees graduate student writing support and initiatives, including professional development and writing workshops for students across the disciplines and a weekly writing group for graduate and professional students. Morris has worked with graduate and professional students across the Halmos College of Arts & Sciences; College of Pharmacy; Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine; Dr. Pallavi Patel College of Health Care Sciences; Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice; and the College of Psychology. Along with supporting graduate and professional students, she is also the faculty advisor for the WCC’s social media (@nsuwcc).

To learn more about the Southeastern Writing Center Association, visit https://southeasternwritingcenter.wildapricot.org/

 

 

Register Your Vehicle for 2020-2021 Parking

NSU’s new parking registration system is now available online. The contact-free system makes it easy for you to register your vehicle online. Decals are required and can be picked up in the One-Stop-Shop when it is convenient for you. Additionally, the new platform offers more flexibility—especially for those individuals who are coming to campus less often these days.

Please register your vehicle using our Parking Portal by Monday, September 21, 2020. Parking citations will be suspended until September 30 in order to allow you time to get registered and affix your decal to your vehicle.

Key features available include:

  • Vehicle registration for students and employees (employees can purchase permits on an annual or payroll basis)
  • Guest parking permits (pre-pay annual, monthly, or daily)
  • 24/7 access to vehicle information
  • Pay or appeal parking citations

The NSU Parking Portal is a mobile-friendly system that provides enhanced reliability and an overall better experience for you.

We are excited to bring this streamlined service to you and appreciate your cooperation during this transition. Please email parkingservices@nova.edu for more information or visit our website https://www.nova.edu/publicsafety/parking to view FAQs.

NSU Distinguished Alumnus from College of Computing and Engineering wins Global Award for his Pioneering Career in Cybersecurity


Dr. John “Jack” Freund ‘12 was recently honored by (ISC)², the world’s largest nonprofit association of certified cybersecurity professionals, at their 2020 (ISC)² Global Achievement Awards. This award recognizes and celebrates the most outstanding achievements by cybersecurity professionals around the world and recognizing only one honoree per region. Freund is the honoree chosen from North America in the (ISC)² Senior Professional Award category.

Freund is recognized “for his work with the NIST Applied Cybersecurity Division on behalf of the nonprofit FAIR Institute to map together the NIST CSF Risk Assessment and the Risk Management Strategy domains to the OpenGroup’s FAIR risk taxonomy and risk analysis standards.”

The cybersecurity pioneer, and martial artist, was an engineer for a tech company when the 9/11 attacks happened. “This [9/11] made me dive into the field of cyber security and risk management,” he said.

“There were not many options at the doctoral level in an adaptive non-traditional format for students like me,” he said. “NSU was a pioneer, had its own pedigree of success, in delivering quality doctoral degrees online even before the now popular online format was used by other schools,” he continued.

Being a mostly online doctoral student at NSU, Freund confirmed that “success comes from the way that you commit to a goal and push yourself to achieve it,” reflecting on taking a non-traditional approach to his education and profession at the time.

Freund leveraged the foundational projects that he worked on at NSU to better understand what businesses need from a security program, rationalize the tradeoff between security and practicality, and eventually co-authoring a book on quantifying cyber risk so that business leaders can understand their exposure.

“I gained a discipline for writing during my Ph.D. that I did not have before. I would not have this skill if it weren’t for my experience at NSU,” said Freund referring to his time as a doctoral student in the NSU College of Computing and Engineering. “I learned to not be so emotionally attached to my work and take criticism as a tool to make it better,” he continued.

And while Freund is a true pioneer in the field of quantitative methods for cyber risk management, he is very candid in reminding current students and recent graduates that “so much of success hides so much of the failures that led up to it.”

“In ways that people may not recognize, current and potential students really look at what alumni have done after graduating from NSU. They view our trajectory as a reflection of what their paths could look like,” he said.

Freud, who earned his Ph.D. in Information Systems, was honored with the Distinguished Alumni Achievement award in 2018. He continues to be involved with his alma mater and shares his pride of being a Shark.

As for advice to current students and young professionals?

“Stay connected to make an impact,” he concludes.

 

College of Psychology names Charles Golden as its Professor of the Year

Charles Golden, Ph.D.

The College of Psychology has selected Professor Charles Golden, Ph.D., as its 2019-2020 Professor of the Year. Golden has a long and distinguished career. He has published over 500 books, chapters, and peer reviewed journal articles. His work has been cited just under 20,000 times, earning him an h-index of 52. He has published two neuropsychological tests, the Luria Nebraska Neuropsychological Battery and the Stroop Color and Word Test, which have had a major impact on the field. He also collaborated on publishing a frequently used test of emotional intelligence.

He is a Past-President of the National Academy of Neuropsychologists, Past-President of Section 9 of the APA Division of Clinical Psychology, and has served on numerous committees related to Neuropsychology at the national level. Golden has attained the status of Fellow of the American Psychological Association, as well as the National Academy of Neuropsychologists. He is Board Certified in Clinical Psychology, Clinical Neuropsychology, and Psychological Assessment, and is currently co-editor of two major encyclopedia projects, as well as guest editor of a volume of Aggression and Violent Behavior. He is Editor of the Archives of Psychological Assessment, an associate editor of multiple neuropsychological journals, and a reviewer for over a dozen journals.

Golden has co-authored publications with over 300 NSU students and graduates. He has been the director of the Neuropsychology Concentration within the doctoral programs since 1996, and has consistently mentored approximately 30-40 doctoral students per year.

NSU Psychology Double Alumnus Shares Suicide Prevention Tips in Coalition with September’s National Suicide Awareness Campaign

 

Mark DeSantis, M.S., Psy.D. has garnered the reputation of being known as a “double shark” through his education at NSU. He earned his master’s degree in counseling and clinical psychology and graduated in 2001 with a Psy.D. in the Clinical Psychology program. During DeSantis’ Psy.D. program, he studied neuropsychology and behavioral medicine with adults and pediatrics specialty.

DeSantis recently retired from the office of Veterans Affairs as a Suicide Prevention Coordinator after being a part of the program for 12 years. Now he works as an independent consultant for suicide prevention and assists with local law enforcement. During his time with the VA, DeSantis was awarded the Secretary of Health Award for Outstanding Community Outreach in 2017. This award is given yearly and only three applicants are chosen out of the VA for their unique impact within the community. Alongside receiving his award, DeSantis’ suicide prevention outreach program in the VA was also selected to be distributed nationally by the Secretary of Health.

“It’s important to be educated, even at the classroom level on all aspects related to suicide. Your job is to help the individuals who work with you and people in the community. Guidance overall is part of an administrator’s position,” said Dr. DeSantis.

In addition to his time with the VA,  DeSantis has presented at many conferences such as the Department of Defense/Department of Veterans Affairs Suicide Prevention Conference, the U.S. Psychiatric and Mental Health Congress, and many more. Likewise, he was a faculty member at multiple universities and taught as an adjunct professor at NSU’s College of Psychology.  

“NSU had wonderful professors, and they’re all very personable and some became my mentors throughout the program. It prepared you because there so much diversification,” he said. “Specializing in areas is where I thought the program really excelled. Plus, teaching at the university opened up doors at different schools.”

From being in the mental health field since his start at NSU, DeSantis created his legacy on dealing with situations pertaining to suicide. It is important to be cognizant of tell-tale signs for individuals who are suicidal. One tip that DeSantis always advises to do is to ask about suicide.

“Look for the warning signs – initially someone may deny it, but if they’re going through difficult times, those are the kind of things you want to look out for. Meanwhile with children, they won’t always show the same signs normally, instead they will appear as irritable,” expressed DeSantis.

He also recommended talking with a loved one because relationship building is key when conversing with someone who may be suicidal. Whether it’s asking someone what’s on their mind or asking how much sleep they’ve been getting, it’s key to negate away from statements that may inhibit them from being honest with you. DeSantis advocated for people to ask questions and wants them to have conversation, not an interrogation.

“CDC reports death rates annually and since the 1920s, suicides have been continually increasing. These rates matter because populations are always increasing. Suicides are the 10th leading cause of death in this country and with 18-30-year-olds, it’s the second leading cause of death,” he said.

According to DeSantis, mental health is important no matter the time, and with September being Suicide Awareness month, knowing the signs and aiding those around you can make an even bigger impact. Furthermore, DeSantis’ biggest takeaway from his time at NSU and his career in suicide prevention was understanding that everything is a learning experience.

The final words of advice he shared were, “Keep your mind and heart open, observe everything and never stop learning. You continue to learn and never stop learning to help others in your life.”

Education Alumna Appointed President, Keiser University, Ft. Myers Campus

Amy Teprovich, Ed.D

Amy Teprovich, Ed.D., graduate of NSU’s Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice has been appointed President at Keiser University’s Ft. Myers Campus.

Teprovich has over twenty years of experience in higher education. Her career began in Residence Life and Student Activities positions.  She came to Fort Myers, Florida in 2004 and served as the Director of Campus Involvement at Florida Gulf Coast University.  She served as the Dean of Students at Edison State College and then the Academic Dean at Rasmussen College before joining Keiser University.  In addition to her administrative roles, she has taught many courses and has served on dissertation committees.

She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in both Mathematics and Economics, as well as a Master of Science in College Student Personnel Administration from Canisius College in Buffalo, New York, and a Doctor of Education with concentrations in Organizational Leadership and Conflict Resolution from NSU in 2011.

Education Alum Starts Telemedicine Consulting Firm to Reach Underserved Populations

Shelley J. Cooper, Ed.D.

Shelley J. Cooper, Ed.D., graduate of NSU’s Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice, founded Diversity Telehealth in 2015, a telemedicine consulting firm located in Kansas City’s historic 18th & Vine Jazz District that specializes in bringing healthcare to underserved populations in diverse communities.  Diversity Telehealth has formed relationships with area healthcare and civic organizations that are attempting to revitalize a culturally rich, but underserved groups within its urban core.

Cooper is a 25-year veteran educator who became interested in continuing her dedication to service by studying telemedicine and earning her Doctorate degree in Education with NSU’s Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice in 2014. Her dissertation, “Opinion Leaders’ Perspective of the Benefits and Barriers in Telemedicine: A Grounded Theory Study of Telehealth in the Midwest” laid the foundation for the establishment of Diversity Telehealth.

She also provides no-cost telehealth services for families in need through her 501c3 organization, Diversity Telehealth Community Network, Inc. She is currently introducing her SureShow app, a patent-pending, revenue generating app that reduces clinical no-shows by infusing telehealth options. Most recently she was featured in the Kansas Medicine, The Journal of the New Kansas City Medical Society; she has also contributed to KC Our Health Matters, Diversity in Action Educational Journal and multiple telehealth webinars.

You may find her contribution to the Journal of the New Kansas City Medical Society on page 26, by clicking here.

To learn more about Diversity Telehealth, please visit https://www.diversitytelehealth.com/.

WCC Peer Consultants Win SWCA Scholarship

NSU Writing and Communication Center (WCC) peer consultants Melissa Vas-Ayez (Halmos and Mikayla Ruiz (Halmos College of Arts and Sciences) were awarded the Tom Waldrep scholarship to attend the 2020 Southeastern Writing Center Association (SWCA) conference in Birmingham, AL., February 20-22.

Each year, the Southeastern Writing Center Association (SWCA) offers scholarships for writing center professionals and consultants to help the cost of conference participation. The scholarships are named in honor of the organization’s cofounders, Gary A. Olsen and Tom Waldrep. The 2020 SWCA conference was hosted by University of Alabama-Birmingham in Birmingham.

According to WCC undergraduate consultant Melissa Vas-Ayez, “Attending SWCA was one of the most rewarding experiences of my undergraduate career. Although I was nervous about what to expect at my first conference, the atmosphere of kindness and friendship was extremely inviting. It was encouraging to be surrounded by so many people that were truly interested in what I had to say about our Biology Fellows Program and wanted to take this newly learned information back to their own institutions. Attending the conference was more than fulfilling, but I was incredibly thankful to have received the Waldrep Scholarship as well. Receiving this award reassured me that what I was dedicating so much of my time and effort to was worth it, and it inspired me to further dive into and develop my work at the NSU WCC.”

To learn more about the NSU Writing & Communication Center, visit https://www.nova.edu/wcc/

College of Pharmacy COVID Kit Distribution

In preparation for the return of the NSU College of Pharmacy Sharks, the Student Government Association (SGA) of the College of Pharmacy purchased and prepared a COVID kit for distribution to every student, faculty, and staff. Each kit contained a pencil pouch, a personal bottle of hand sanitizer, and a specially designed NSU College of Pharmacy facemask.

The kits were distributed at the Palm Beach campus on Monday, August 17th, and at the Fort Lauderdale campus on Wednesday, August 19th, and Saturday, August 22nd.  The COVID kits were distributed at the Puerto Rico campus during the week of August 17th.

SGA representatives set up a table outside the entrance of the Palm Beach building and the Terry Administrative Building in Fort Lauderdale to distribute kits to students. To allow for social distancing, students were instructed to drive up to the entrance, wear a mask, and remain in their vehicles. Each student showed their Shark ID to pick up their gift. This was a great event to start off the new school year and have students on campus while also being safe.

 

 

Halmos Biology Faculty Helps Lifelong Learners Protect Their Feet

As the heat of summer continues into September, Life-Long Learning members learned about how to protect their feet from the summer heat last month. Halmos faculty member Mark Jaffe, DPM, MHSA presented a Zoom seminar entitled, “All Toes on Deck: Tips for Protecting Feet from the Summer Heat”. In this seminar, Dr. Jaffe talked about how your feet are vulnerable in the summer sun. It included useful tips and a check list that would keep feet safe.

When on vacation it is important to remember that your feet need as much sunscreen as your neck and arms! It is important to have an on the go foot gear check list that includes the right foot gear for the right environment, a first aid kit for feet, and to keep you and your feet well hydrated.

The Lifelong Learning Institute (LLI) is longstanding at Nova Southeastern University (NSU). Founded in 1977, the LLI serves lifelong learning passions of retired adults. The LLI, which is a center within the College of Osteopathic Medicine, is located on NSU’s Fort Lauderdale East Campus. The LLI was founded to complete the NSU dream of education spanning a whole lifetime, from preschool to older-adult learning.

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