Category: Academics

Education Professor to Present Research at Conference

Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice Assistant Professor Elizabeth M. Aguila, Ph.D., is slated to present at an upcoming conference this fall.

Elizabeth M. Aguila, Ph.D.

The title of Aguila’s proposal is “Developing Emergent Teacher Identity: A Study of a High School CTE Teaching Academy,” and she will present at the upcoming Florida Association of Teachers Educators (FATE) Conference.

The theme of the conference is “Be the Bridge” and it will run from Oct. 20 to Oct. 21.

In the description she submitted, Aguila said the proposal focuses on developing emergent teacher identity within a Career and Technical Education (CTE) teaching academy at Miami-Dade County Public Schools. The presentation will draw upon scholarly research, including research from Aguila herself.

“The role of this CTE teaching academy as a unique educational setting that fosters (teacher identity) formation through specialized criteria, mentorship, and authentic teaching experiences will be explored,” she said.

Emergent teacher identity is a continuous and constantly evolving process where educators build a sense of professional self. It is built up of a teacher’s beliefs, values, interactions, and experiences.

“As the teacher shortage increases in the United States, understanding how teacher identity develops and evolves may help leaders and teacher preparation programs create communities of practice that foster a developing professional identity and create resilient and reflective practitioners,” Aguila said.

Aguila said that by the end of the presentation, participants with have a better understanding of what builds the emergent teacher identity within, not only a Career and and Technical Education learning environment, but in their own educational settings.

Congratulations!

Posted 08/29/23

First Responder Program Battles Stigmas, Offers Trauma Support

By nature of their profession, first responders see more trauma than other citizens. The exposure to trauma takes its toll, but a stigma about asking for needed help exists among law enforcement officers, firefighters, dispatchers, emergency medical technicians, crime scene investigators, and other first responders. Vince Van Hasselt, Ph.D., is working to overcome that challenge through the First Responder Research and Training Program at the NSU College of Psychology.

“It’s estimated that at least 25 percent of first responders suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD),” Van Hasselt said.  “Now, you may say that means maybe 70 or 75 percent don’t. But when you look at civilian levels of problems like PTSD, substance abuse, anxiety, and depression, they’re almost consistently at or around 5 or 6 percent.”

Vince Van Hasselt, Ph.D.

A member of the NSU faculty team for more than 30 years, Van Hasselt joined the staff because NSU was very supportive of the College of Psychology and wanted faculty members who were willing to teach and conduct research. When he began working with first responders as a consultant, his audience was appreciative of his effort but also informed him that unless he did the job, he wouldn’t understand it.

“Frankly, I got tired of hearing that,” Van Hasselt said. “I thought, let me go through the academy. Let me get certified. They were right. I tell my students they don’t have to become a police officer or a firefighter to work with them. But they sure better get a pretty good understanding of the nature of their jobs.”

After graduating from the police academy, Van Hasselt became a part-time officer of the City of Plantation Police Department while maintaining his full-time job at NSU. His on-the-job experience opened up possibilities in terms of mental health applications with law enforcement. Over the years, his work expanded to include fire rescue personnel, crime scene investigators, emergency communication operators, as well as detention deputies.

The first responder program focuses on two primary areas—assessment and prevention. NSU offers behavioral health training to help first responders prevent major mental health issues—anxiety, depression, substance use, sleep problems, post-traumatic stress disorder, and suicide risk.

Van Hasselt’s First Responder Research and Training Program also offers an Optimizing Performance Program, with a focus on sports-oriented diet, nutrition, health, and exercise. There is also a research component that studies all first responders. Each and every one of them has significant trauma exposure, putting them at particularly high risk for mental health problems. What’s traumatic for a police officer or a firefighter is going to be different from a crime scene investigator or dispatcher.

“Part of our goal is to educate and encourage first responders to feel more comfortable opening up, seek help when necessary, and to fight back against that culture and stigma,” Van Hasselt said.

Students in the College of Psychology play a large role in the first responder program. Doctoral candidates in clinical psychology serve as trainers in the behavioral health and peer support workshops. They learn how to engage the first responders and not rely solely on statistics, numbers, and PowerPoint slides. Students are encouraged to participate in ride-a-longs with police officers, fire rescue personnel, and EMS trucks to interact with first responders and better understand their jobs. Stress management training—the ability to debrief first responders after a critical incident such as the death of a child or a serious injury in the line of duty—is another component students experience.

Van Hasselt’s First Responder Research and Training Program also collaborates with agencies and organizations to provide peer support and conduct research opportunities, including a recent effort with the Broward County Sheriff’s Office that offered peer support training to corrections officers. The First Responder Program also completed a recent project with the U.S. Marshal Service on the National Wellness Survey for Public Safety Personnel. That effort involved 14 different first responder groups, including professional and volunteer firefighters, wildlife firefighters, dispatchers, homicide detectives, and EMS.

 “I’m very grateful for my experience at NSU,” Van Hasselt said. “There’s always been a lot of support and encouragement for the work I’m doing.”

For more information on how you can support the First Responder Research and Training Program at Nova Southeastern University, contact Susanne Marshall, executive director of development, at (833) 310-2112 or msusanne@nova.edu.

Posted 08/27/23

Osteopathic Medicine Dives Into Immersive Learning

As the health care profession continues to evolve, immersive virtual learning has become an integral part of the educational experience. In a recent question/answer session, I reached out to Dr. Elizabeth Oviawe, NSU’s Director of Division of Institutional Technology with the Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, to get her insight on NSU’s cutting-edge approaches to training the doctors of the future.

How many osteopathic medicine students received the Meta Quest 2 headsets this semester as part of their educational experience?

More than 400 of our first-year students at both our Davie and Tampa Bay campuses received Meta Quest 2 Virtual Reality (VR) headsets.

Dr. Elizabeth Oviawe, right, works with a student.

Will the students be using them throughout their full educational journey? 

Our students will be using the Meta Quest 2 VR Headset from their first and second year in their preclinical courses and labs and in their third and fourth year for their immersive virtual rotation experience. So, yes, our students will use this immersive technology throughout their educational journey at Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine (KPCOM) for greater academic success.

What are a few of the ways that this technology will be essential in the students’ journeys to become doctors?

Using this innovative immersive technology will transform the way our students learn and help reinforce and enhance their understanding and application of complex clinical concepts and procedures in a risk-free environment that engages all their sensory organs fully immersive to build their competency in pertinent skills until mastery in preparation for real life experience.

How does such technology situate NSU in terms of innovations in healthcare?

Immersive learning technology is the way of the future in teaching and learning, notably in healthcare education and delivery. Leveraging Augmented reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), Mixed Reality (MR), and Artificial Intelligence (AI) including 3D visualization, hologram and 3D printing model has placed KPCOM ahead of the curve and thus extending our achievement to the greater good of the NSU as a whole. Part of our effort is also dedicated to “medical technology innovation research and development (MedTECH Innovate R&D)”, an arm of KPCOM-DiTECH which serves as incubator in the exploration of advanced medical technology application and development. To strengthen our efforts in this innovative adventure we have partnered with Meta (formerly Facebook) in the area of research and development. Meta is the manufacturer of the VR headsets that our students are using. We are breaking ground at KPCOM in innovative curriculum transformation, and extending the know-how of these Immersive learning technologies skill to other NSU educators and programs is our passion. I am so thankful to my dean, Dr. Elaine Wallace, and Dr. Phyllis Filker for their support and leadership in this endeavor.

What are some of the other efforts you’re involved in to spread the wealth of immersive technology?

In order to foster this effort, I began a training workshop series titled “Hone your skill in Immersive Learning Experience” to train NSU educators and provide them with the skills to transform their curriculum. A repeat of this first series will happen later this fall. The second series with selected specific programs at NSU who are ready for the next step is currently ongoing. The cumulative efforts of this initiative will place NSU in the frontier of futuristic technology in the immersive learning experience for health care education training advancement. I am very excited to be of service in extending my skill in the cutting-edge immersive learning technology adoption and integration across NSU.

Posted 08/27/23

Halmos Faculty Facilitates Meeting for Maple Microdevelopment

Mary Hope Schwoebel, Ph.D., faculty in the Department of Conflict Resolution Studies (DCRS) in the Halmos College of Arts and Sciences and the Guy Harvey Oceanographic Research Center (HCAS), facilitated an organizational development, capacity building, and strategic planning meeting for Maple Microdevelopment. Maple is headquartered in Oregon and works in Uganda, Chile, and Oregon, with marginalized communities. Schwoebel serves on the board.

Schwoebel’s teaching and research interests include peacebuilding and state building, peacebuilding and development, gender and conflict, culture and conflict, and facilitation.

Posted 08/27/23

Dental Medicine Students Attend Board of Dentistry Meeting

NSU College of Dental Medicine D4 students attended the Florida Board of Dentistry Meeting as part of their Practice Management Course.

Attending a Florida Board of Dentistry meeting provided dental students with valuable insights into the regulatory and disciplinary aspects of the dental profession. These meetings typically involve discussions and decisions related to licensing, regulations, and disciplinary actions for dental professionals in the state.

Here’s how dental students were benefited from attending the meeting:

  • Understanding Regulatory Procedures: Dental students learned about the formal procedures and protocols involved in the regulation of the dental profession. This included how complaints are investigated, hearings are conducted, and decisions are made regarding disciplinary actions.
  • Awareness of Ethical Standards: Witnessing disciplinary actions helped dental students gain a better understanding of the ethical standards and professional behavior expected of them as future dentists. They learned about the consequences of violations and the importance of maintaining a high level of professionalism.
  • Real-world Case Studies: Observing real cases of disciplinary actions provided students with practical examples of situations that can lead to professional misconduct. This can be more impactful than simply studying theoretical scenarios in textbooks.
  • Preventing Mistakes: By learning about the mistakes and violations that led to disciplinary actions, dental students became more aware of potential pitfalls and the steps needed to avoid similar errors in their own practice.
  • Networking and Exposure: Attending these meetings provided students with the opportunity to interact with practicing dentists, board members, and other professionals in the field. Networking can help students gain insights into the industry and potentially open doors for future career opportunities.
  • Insight into the Legal System:Students learned about how regulatory bodies collaborate with the legal system during disciplinary proceedings. This understanding could be valuable in case they ever encounter legal issues in their own practice.
  • Professional Development:Witnessing the gravity of disciplinary actions can emphasize the importance of lifelong learning and professional development. Students learned about the importance of staying motivated to continue their education and stay up to date with best practices and regulations.
  • Personal Growth: Attending board meetings could foster a sense of responsibility and accountability among dental students. It can encourage them to be proactive in maintaining their professional integrity and taking their role as healthcare providers seriously.

Posted 08/27/23

Honors Student Presents Research at International Dental Conference

Janaki Chandra

Farquhar Honors College student Janaki Chandra presented her dental research at the American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research (AADOCR) conference in Portland, Oregon. Completed as part of her honors thesis, Chandra’s research investigates whether S-PRG filler, a biomaterial commonly used in dental care, affects osteoclast generation, a type of cell responsible for bone resorption.

While presenting her research, Chandra was fortunate enough to meet executives from the company that makes the S-PRG filler at the center of her research.

“I felt so much joy seeing how enthusiastic [the executives] were. [They] were so kind and mentioned many thanks and were so proud of the research being conducted!” said Chandra, a senior biology major.

She was inspired to pursue this research because of her passion for dentistry and its constant evolution and growth. She aspires to become a dentist one day.

“I [am] so beyond grateful for Dean Nevins and the Honors College for allowing me to present [my] research at the AADOCR conference,” said Chandra, who was the only undergraduate student presenting in her section of the conference. “It was such an enriching experience meeting a variety of scholarly researchers, and to be able to present collaborative research after almost two years [was] the most rewarding part.”

Posted 08/20/23

Honors College Gives High Schoolers College Experience

Students, faculty, and staff in the Knowledge for Freedom program

This summer, the Farquhar Honors College kicked off its Knowledge for Freedom program, a free college-readiness program for high school students in Broward County, FL. During the program, called “One Person Can Change the World,” 15 high school juniors attended college-level humanities seminars with NSU professors and lived in campus dorms for a full college-life experience.

The program, funded by the Teagle Foundation, allowed students to become college students for three weeks over the summer as they navigated the college experience. Students also got to meet distinguished guest speakers, visit educational sites in South Florida, and participate in recreational activities.

“Meeting the students and learning over time how varied their goals and interests are has been [my] favorite part of this program so far,” said assistant program director and lead faculty instructor of the program Aileen Miyuki Farrar, Ph.D., associate professor and associate chair in the Department of Humanities and Politics (DHP) at the Halmos College of Arts and Sciences (HCAS). “Seeing them connect with each other and the group as a whole lift each other up has been an even more rewarding experience.”

During class, Farrar led discussions on humanities texts about equality and change in America alongside guest lecturers G. Nelson Bass III, J.D., Ph.D., assistant professor and associate chair in HCAS, and Vicki Toscano, J.D., Ph.D., associate professor in HCAS.

These seminars prompted students to develop Change Projects—practical plans to create change in their communities that they’ll carry out during their senior year. Their projects focus on issues ranging from voting rights and mental health awareness to homelessness and environmental protection.

“One of my favorite things about this program is that I’ve been able to actually collaborate with other students from all around Broward County [and] see what their Change Projects are and the different views they have,” said Kevin Romero, a student from McFatter Technical High School. “I’ve also been able to have the privilege to be taught by three excellent professors, and I’m so happy to have had this experience.”

Aileen Miyuki Farrar, Ph.D., leads class discussions.

Students will continue to meet with faculty throughout their senior year to receive help with their Change Projects and college applications. The program will culminate with a showcase at the end of their senior year where they’ll present their Change Projects and outcomes and meet the next cohort of students.

“I feel much better prepared for the second round of the program, and [I’m] relieved that everything went well,” said program director Andrea Nevins, Ph.D., M.F.A., dean of the Farquhar Honors College. “I am also very thankful that the Teagle Foundation believed in us and gave us the opportunity to host this program.”

Nevins, Farrar, and the program’s assistant director Melissa Dore, Ph.D., director of academic support and administration in HCAS, worked together to bring the program to life. Various departments across NSU and the teaching and resident assistants also contributed to the success of the program, which will repeat for the next two years.

Learn more about what the Change Scholars have been up to this summer.

Posted 08/13/23

Faculty, Students Present Research at Public Health Conference

From left, Shannon Parma, MS; Samhita Doranala; Christi M. Navarro, Ph.D.

Faculty and students from the Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine and the Halmos College of Arts and Sciences recently presented their latest research at the 2023 Florida Public Health Association Annual Educational Conference, July 25 – 26, at The Florida Hotel and Conference Center in Orlando.

Sonia Rao receives the 2023 Florida Public Health Association Undergraduate Scholarship.

Christi M. Navarro, Ph.D.; Samhita Doranala (Department of Public Health); and Shannon Parma, MS (Department of Couple and Family Therapy), gave poster presentations on the social determinants of mental health literacy. Their research presented preliminary findings from a larger mental health literacy study funded by a QOL grant.

Sonia Rao (Department of Biological Sciences) gave a poster presentation on the relationships between suicide and attempts and state-level education policies, preliminary findings from her honors research thesis through Farquhar Honors College. Sonia was also awarded the 2023 Florida Public Health Association Undergraduate Scholarship.

Stacey Pinnock, DHSc., MSW (Department of Public Health), presented outcomes from her program to improve mental health literacy to Spanish-, Creole-, and Portuguese-speaking parents of children attending Broward County schools. Her project was funded by a Florida Blue grant.

From left, Kristi Messer, DHSc, LCSW, MPH; Shannon Parma, M.S.; Christi M. Navarro, Ph.D.; Sonia Rao; Stacey Pinnock, DHSc., MSW

Posted 08/13/23

Psychology Students Present at Research Conference

On Thursday, Aug. 10, 2023 from 1 to 3 p.m., College of Psychology students presented in the College’s fourth Student Virtual Research Conference.

Student presenter Kiara Williams

The Zoom event consisted of presentations on Trauma/Bipolar Disorder, Substance Use/Adolescence, and Clinical issues, and were offered simultaneously, which allowed participants to move from session to session. The presentation and presenters were:

  • A Literature Review on Treatment Options and Effectiveness for Anorexia Nervosa in Adolescence by Leeza Camilo
  • Alcohol Use Disorder and the Impact on Family Systems by Kathleen Andre
  • Clinical Recommendations for Treating Latine Migrant Populations that Have Experienced Trauma by Sabrina Dominguez
  • Deafness and Psychosis: All of What We Don’t Know by Alexis Israel
  • Human-Canine Bonding as a Diversion Program for Adolescents with Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders by Morgan Lawrence
  • Medical & Frontline Worker Burnout in the Age of COVID by Danny Bui
  • Neurocognitive Effects of Adolescent Depression by Chloe Christian
  • Peer-Related Social Interventions for Pediatric Survivors of Cancer A Review by Jake Metsky
  • The Intersection Between Bipolar Disorder and Trauma and Implications for Treatment by Ashley Kimbrough
  • Understanding the Phenomenology and Treatment Experience of Bipolar Disorders in the African American Population by Kiara Williams

After each presentation, the student presenters participated in a Q & A with attendees.

Student presenter Morgan Lawrence

College of Psychology faculty Amy Ellis Ph.D., Barbara Gracia-Lavin Ph.D., and Ana Fins, Ph.D., served as the faculty chairs for the presentations, while other faculty served as reviewers. The virtual conference was organized by Nurit Sheinberg, Ed.D., Wendy Burrion, and College of Psychology doctoral students Carly Cohen and Hannah Quimby.

Posted 08/13/23

Fischler Academy’s Shark Speak Triples in Size

Word of Mouth has helped Shark Speak, the Fischler Academy’s English Language program, to triple in the past six months. The goals of the program are to provide Fischler Academy students with a true teaching experience before they graduate and to offer a free service to families in the community that want to learn English to enhance their lives.

The project started with high school students that needed to learn basic “survival” English to help them get by day to day in school. The program now serves elementary school children all the way to professionals seeking to renew professional credentials. Most recently Shark Speak expanded to include classes specifically for nurses that are ready to enter the health care system.

Shark Speak was developed by Fischler Academy alumna Eloise Nieto and is currently being coordinated by sophomore Andrea Bruno. The free program currently has one beginner that meets once a week and two intermediate classes that meet twice a week.

All classes are free to the public and meet on the NSU main campus in Davie. Interested students may contact Andrea Bruno at ab4433@mynsu.nova.edu and general questions can be directed to Daryl Hulce at hulce@nova.edu

The Fischler Academy, housed within the Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice, offers a flexible learning experience with individualized pathways. Upon graduation, Fischler Academy students can expect to receive a guaranteed job offer in one of our partnered school districts within Florida.

Posted 08/13/23

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