Author: Christie Williams

Class Of 2021 Alumna Spotlight: Raquel Muniz

Raquel Muniz will graduate with a Doctorate of Education from NSU this May. As a deaf student, she has overcome many obstacles and continues to lead by example.

Raquel Muniz began pursuing her Doctorate of Education in Higher Education Leadership from the Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice (FCE&SCJ) in 2012.

As a deaf student, who also cared for her aging maternal aunt, and is a mother of four wonderful children, Raquel has faced unique challenges. However, through faith and perseverance, Raquel managed to earn her degree and will graduate Summer 2021 from Nova Southeastern University (NSU).

Being a learner with a severe hearing disability, while also balancing a busy home life, Raquel’s successful graduation is the culmination of nine years of blood, sweat, and tears.

She continues to prove that her obstacles do not define her, but rather show how strong and determined she really is. Raquel’s experiences taught her to focus on helping others overcome their own challenges and barriers.

As she continues her career path, she is keen on leadership and empathy, and shares that it’s her way of honoring those who have helped her along the way.

Raquel is very grateful to all the professors at NSU, her Chair, Dr. Packer-Muti, Professor Dr. Reeves, her Academic Advisor, Dr. Stevens, and the committee members who were instrumental in ensuring that students, like Raquel, receive the necessary help and support required to reach their academic potential.

Raquel appreciated the support that students receive through facilities such as the CART captioning system, note taking, and ASL interpreters.

Congratulations to Raquel and all NSU 2021 graduates on accomplishing this amazing milestone! You have been given the power to unlock the potential not only for yourselves, but for the people you are going to serve.

Fins Up to each of you!

HCAS Student Presents at the Florida Political Science Association Annual Meeting

Andrea Angel Riano

 

Andrea Angel Riano, a student in the Halmos College of Arts and Sciences and Guy Harvey Oceanographic Research Center (HCAS) presented a research paper at one of the 14 panels of the Florida Political Science Association Annual Meeting.  She is a senior, majoring in Legal Studies and Political Science.

The 2021 FPSA Virtual Conference had over 40 participants and featured presentations from 35 different institutions. This Conference encourages faculty and students to conduct meaningful research on a subject of their interest, while providing them with the opportunity to present and share their work among peers and faculty mentors.

Riano’s paper is entitled “The relationship between mining, forced displacement, and territorial and economic conflicts in Colombia,” and the research was performed under the guidance of Ransford F. Edwards, Jr., Ph.D., Assistant Professor in the Department of Humanities and Politics. The paper aims to illustrate the relationship that exists between the extractive industry and its economic implications and forced displacement in Colombia, which is a country characterized by a strong political, social and armed conflict.

According to Riano, “having the opportunity to work on a research project and sharing it with my mentors and peers, not only helped me to develop my writing and public speaking skills; but also showed me that with dedication and the right system of support even the hardest tasks become possible.”

 

NSU’s Chapter Alpha Alpha Zeta of Alpha Mu Gamma Hosts the Second Induction

NSU’s Alpha Alpha Zeta chapter of Alpha Mu Gamma: National Collegiate Foreign Language Honor Society held its second induction ceremony welcoming eight new members. The chapter is housed in the Department of Humanities and Politics (DHP) in the Halmos College of Arts and Sciences and Guy Harvey Oceanographic Research Center (HCAS).

Founded in 1931, Alpha Mu Gamma is the oldest and largest national collegiate foreign language honor society in the United States. AMG is dedicated to promoting languages studies, cultural events, and community outreach. There are many scholarships offered through this honor society and being active in Alpha Mu Gamma is a great networking tool.

Alpha Mu Gamma celebrates all foreign languages, honors those who excel at them and seeks to encourage others to expand their cultural knowledge. In addition to hosting annual cultural events, there are added benefits to joining our organization, such as scholarships that could aid in your foreign language studies. By joining A.M.G., you become a member for life. The faculty advisor is Yvette Fuentes, Ph.D., faculty in DHP. For more information about fall recruitment, please contact Fuentes at yf60@nova.edu  For information about the honor society, see https://www.amgnational.org/

Fuentes welcomed the attendees, chapter president Emma Heinemann explained the ritual of initiation and listed the names. Catherine Weber, chapter secretary conducted the induction of the students with their pledges, and provided the history of the organization. All of the members participated in the reading of the Alpha Mu Gamma poem “The Golden Bough.” The ceremony concluded with closing remarks by Fuentes.

New members and the languages studies included:

  1. Samruddhi Ayachit – Spanish
  2. Marie Theolene Johnson- English
  3. Samirah Khan- Spanish
  4. Esther Natal -Spanish
  5. Anjli Patel-Spanish
  6. Briana Ramnauth- French
  7. Kathryn Macias- French
  8. Samantha Sigler- Spanish

 

Dr. Pallavi Patel College of Health Care Sciences Living with Low Vision Continuing Education Unit (CEU) Event

 

Raquel Van Der Biest, B.S., OTR/L, CLVT, occupational low vision therapist, and Miami Lighthouse Academy student work on fine motor skills.

 

On March 13, 2021, Miami Lighthouse and Nova Southeastern University (NSU) brought occupational and physical therapists from around the United States together for an engaging continuing education seminar on living with low vision.

For the past 13 years, Miami Lighthouse has educated professionals in the fields of occupational and physical therapy on low vision. In 2021, NSU collaborated with Miami Lighthouse to continue this tradition.

Participants logged in via Zoom for a day of innovative presentations on topics­ – Orientation and Mobility/Fall Prevention, Cortical Visual Impairment, and Adaptive Aids for those living with low vision; additionally, a panel of teachers of the visually impaired shared their expertise on how to educate children with visual impairments and the strategies they use in the field. Nova Southeastern University’s optometrists – Hua Bi, O.D., Ph.D., FAAO, gave an informative presentation on visual processing within the central nervous system and Samantha McIntosh, O.D., provided a presentation on common eye conditions/diseases and their effect on function.

Participants remarked that the day was informative, engrossing, well organized and they would look forward to participating in future continuing education unit (CEU) events.

Outcomes

  1. 100% of CEU seminar participants reported being either very satisfied or satisfied with the organization of the conference.
  2. 98% of CEU seminar participants reported being very satisfied or satisfied with the relevance of the topics chosen for the conference.
  3. 98% of CEU seminar participants reported being either very satisfied or satisfied with the relevance of conference to their current work.
  4. 98% of CEU seminar participants reported that the content of the seminar matched the course objectives.
  5. 98% of CEU seminar participants reported satisfaction with the extent they acquired information.
  6. 100% of CEU seminar participants were satisfied with the expertise of the presenters.
  7. 98% of CEU seminar participants were satisfied with the information they acquired during the seminar.
  8. 98% of CEU seminar participants were satisfied with their ability effectively work with low vision clients.

Pre/Post Test

  • 100% program participants improved in their pre/post

For additional information please contact, Helene Lieberman, M.S., OTR/L, clinical instructor, at 954-262-1216 or 954-262-4186, or Carol Brady-Simmons, COMS, chief program officer, at 786-362-7480.

 

 

 

 

NSU University School Senior Earns National Recognition as 2021 Coca-Cola Scholar

Peyton Ronkin

NSU University School is proud to announce that senior Peyton Ronkin is a 2021 Coca-Cola Scholar and the recipient of a $20,000 college scholarship. From 99,403 applicants nationwide, Peyton is among 150 students to be selected for this highly competitive award, making history as the first USchool student to receive one of the top honors in the country. In addition to exemplifying superior leadership, service, and academics, Coke Scholars are change agents, positively impacting others in their community. We are so proud of Peyton for this extraordinary accomplishment.

NSU Writing and Communication Center Graduate Assistant Coordinator Featured as Keynote Panelist at 2021 Southeastern Writing Center Association Conference

 

Adara Cox, NSU Writing and Communication Center (WCC) Graduate Assistant Coordinator, was featured as a keynote panelist for the 2021 Southeastern Writing Center Association (SWCA) virtual conference, February 11-13, 2021. Cox is a graduate student in the Composition, Rhetoric, and Digital Media (CRDM) master’s program in the Halmos College of Arts and Sciences (HCAS).

The keynote panel was dedicated to elevating the voices, experiences, and practices of undergraduate and graduate tutors who identify as Black/African American. The panel was moderated by Dr. Talisha Hatiwanger Morrison, Director of the University of Oklahoma Writing Center and the Expository Writing Program, and Assistant Professor of Writing. Panelists also included Chanara Andrews-Bickers, doctoral student at the University of Georgia; Genevieve Onyiuke-Kennedy, Georgia Tech alumna; and Micah Williams, undergraduate student at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

According to Cox, “As a second-year attender of the SWCA conference, speaking with an all-Black panel was the highlight of my experience this year! The feeling of having willing listeners from writing centers across the southeastern region listen to my story as a Black consultant made me feel like my voice mattered. Although there is still work to be done, I am honored that I was a part of a panel that allowed me to continue breaking social barriers.”

 

According to SWCA President and WCC Faculty Coordinator, Janine Morris, Ph.D. (HCAS Department of Communication, Media, and the Arts Assistant Professor), “This year’s conference theme, ‘Trauma and Transformation,’ recognized that the COVID-19 pandemic, racial injustice, social unrest, natural disasters, and significant changes in the structure and leadership of higher education have greatly accelerated the pace of change, prompting all of us in the writing center field to reconsider many aspects of our work.”

In addition to presenting on the Keynote, Cox was an individual and co-presenter on several other panels throughout the conference.

To learn more about the CRDM Program, visit https://hcas.nova.edu/academics/graduate/masters/composition-rhetoric-digital-media.html

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

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

 

 

 

 

A Message from the President: Countdown to May Graduations

Our plan to honor our 2021 graduates at the Hard Rock Stadium was designed to protect the health, safety, and welfare of our students, families, faculty, and staff members. I am pleased to inform you that we will move forward with the commencement ceremonies and I’m glad that we will be able to celebrate together in-person and online worldwide.
The dates for the ceremonies and access to the day-of livestream via web will be available at: nova.edu/commencement.

Along with this good news, I must also share the bad news, which is that the positivity rates in the state of Florida overall—as well as the individual rates in Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach counties—are ranging between 7 and 8.25 percent, which is well above the 5 percent rate we had all hoped for back in January. The safety of all participants is our paramount concern, so we must limit the number of guests at the in-person commencement ceremonies.

After consulting with our NSU health care experts, we will be capping the maximum number of guests each graduate may invite to up to 4 people and each graduate’s guests will be seated together in their own respective “pod” to maintain social distancing. In line with CDC guidelines, such as wearing a face covering, pods will be spaced out with at least 6 feet of distance between them. Concessions cannot be offered due to the high positivity rate, so all attendees should plan accordingly. We will make complimentary bottled water available, as well as full-length ponchos for the graduates in the event of inclement weather. Access to public areas, such as restrooms, will be carefully managed to allow for social distancing.

This last year has been difficult, and I look forward to celebrating our new Shark graduates’ accomplishments. While we cannot accommodate unlimited guests as originally intended, I am delighted that we can celebrate your achievements together, in the presence of family and friends worldwide via livestream.

Congratulations to the 2021 STUEYs Winners

NSU’s Division of Student Affairs proudly introduces the winners of the 23rd Annual Student Life Achievement Awards (most commonly referred to as the STUEYs). This annual celebration recognizes students, faculty, staff, corporate partners, and alumni who have contributed to building a greater sense of community and campus life.

The virtual ceremony can be viewed here. 

Please join us to congratulate this year’s winners and they are:

 

Administrator of the Year

Office of Business Services

ADEE SHEKAR, M.B.A.

 

Alumni of the Year

Halmos College of Arts and Sciences

WILFORD MIRANDA, B.S.

 

Athletic Team of the Year

2019 – 2020 NSU WOMEN’S SWIMMING TEAM

 

Co-Curricular Adviser of the Year

Division of Student Affairs

MICHELLE MANLEY, Ph.D.

 

Corporate Partner of the Year

College of Pharmacy

CLEVELAND CLINIC FLORIDA

 

Executive of the Year

Facilities Management

BETH WELMAKER, M.S.

 

Graduate Organization of the Year

NSU Tampa Bay Regional Campus

TBR PEDIATRICS CLUB

 

Professor of the Year

College of Computing and Engineering

SUMITRA MUKHERJEE, Ph.D.

 

Regional Campus Student of the Year

NSU Orlando Campus

STEPHANIE COLLADO

 

Staff Person of the Year

College of Psychology

CAVELL VASSELL

 

Student Government of the Year

Shepard Broad College of Law

STUDENT BAR ASSOCIATION

 

Undergraduate Organization of the Year

Division of Student Affairs

BLACK STUDENT UNION

 

Juan Pablo Correa Memorial Scholarship

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice

ABDRRAZEK (ABDOU) AZLAG

 

Student of the Year by Academic Unit

  • Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice: MICHELLE RODRIGUEZ
  • College of Computing and Engineering: PAULA VERAS DE LA ROCHA
  • College of Dental Medicine: MYRIAM GLAVASH, D.M.D.
  • College of Optometry: VERONIA MARIE ABADEER
  • College of Pharmacy: ASHLEY DABALSA, B.S.
  • College of Psychology: ALISON DATOC
  • Kiran C. Patel College of Allopathic Medicine: WASEEM WAHOOD, M.S.
  • Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine: JOSHUA BERKO
  • Pallavi Patel College of Health Care Sciences: SARAH WILLIAMS, B.S.
  • Farquhar Honors College: NAZIBA AKTHER
  • Wayne Huizenga College of Business and Entrepreneurship: NATALIE RAMIREZ CARVALLO, B.S.B.A.
  • Halmos College of Arts and Sciences: VIJAY PATEL
  • Ron and Kathy Assaf College of Nursing: LAUREN ALEXANDER
  • Shepard Broad College of Law: CAMELIA CRACIUN
  • NSU University School: HENRY HUROWITZ

 

Overall Student of the Year 2021

College of Pharmacy

ASHLEY DABALSA, B.S.

 

NSU Names Michael Mominey Associate VP of Advancement, Remains University’s Athletic Director

In a first-of-its-kind move in the history of Nova Southeastern University (NSU), Michael Mominey has been appointed to a cross-disciplinary role, serving as the Associate Vice President of Advancement while maintaining his duties as NSU’s Director of Athletics. Mominey will work in tandem with Terry Mularkey, NSU’s Vice President of Advancement and Chief of Staff, to create collaborative interactions in a team-oriented approach to fundraising, advancement and development.

“Michael’s meaningful relationships with alumni and student athletes who have played on our fields as well as his admirable reputation among the athletics community will continue to move NSU’s mission forward,” said Dr. George L. Hanbury, president and CEO of NSU. “This cross-disciplinary and blended approach will serve the university well and will provide opportunities for the NSU coaching staff to work more closely alongside the advancement team.”

You can read the full press release ONLINE. Enclosed is a high-resolution photo of Michael Mominey.

NSU Community To Commemorate Lives Lost During COVID-19 Pandemic With Tree Planting Ceremony

 

 

NSU’s Office of Facilities Management will host a tree planting and dedication ceremony on Thursday, April 22 at 2:00 p.m. at Gold Circle Lake to commemorate the NSU community lives lost during the Covid-19 pandemic. The ceremony will also celebrate Arbor Day.

During the tree ceremony, a member from the Office of Facilities Management will place the tree and fill it in with dirt as a ceremonial display. There will be a commemorative plaque, speech, and moment of silence as a homage to those lives lost. CDC guidelines, including physical distancing and masks wearing will be required as part of the ceremony.

Prior to the tree planting ceremony, there will be an Environmental Organization Fair from noon – 2 p.m. in the Alvin Sherman Library Quad. During the fair, student groups will have informational tables for attendees to walk through, student art will be on display, RadioX will be present, and as a destress from finals, students will be able to chalk the sidewalk with nature art.

NSU has been designated as a “Tree Campus” by the Arbor Day Foundation. As part of this designation, NSU has committed to planting a tree each year. With the campus community directly impacted by Covid-19, this year’s ceremony will be in remembrance of the NSU community lives lost during the pandemic.

 

 

1 … 3 4 5 6 7 … 113