Tag: Alumni

NSU’s Faculty, Alumna, and Graduate Student Publish in WLN: A Journal of Writing Center Scholarship

Kelly Concannon and Janine Morris (CAHSS Associate and Assistant Professors), Writing & Communication Center Faculty Coordinators, along with CAHSS Composition, Rhetoric, and Digital Media Master’s student Nicole Chavannes and alumna Veronica Diaz (both WCC graduate assistant coordinators at the time) published “Cultivating Emotional Wellness and Self-Care through Mindful Mentorship in the Writing Center,” in WLN: A Journal of Writing Center Scholarship, vol. 44, no. 5-6.

Building from a month-long commitment to mindfulness and self care project conducted in fall 2018, the authors suggest how, “administrators can implement mindfulness practices,” and that “setting in motion mindfulness practices with writing center tutors cultivates more effective working relationships in [writing centers].” The article takes readers through a journey of practicing mindfulness through the eyes of the authors, as it goes on to detail the week by week experiences the four encountered. The article ends with strategies for bringing mindful mentorship into writing centers, such as encouraging communication and sharing self-care goals among each other.

“I enjoyed working with Dr. Morris, Dr. Concannon, and Nicole on this project. As our mentors, Dr. Morris and Dr. Concannon offered us continuous support in our efforts to establish our own mentorship responsibilities. Our work together on this project pushed me to reassess my understanding of personal and professional ‘self-care,’ and as a result, made me a more present mentor to my fellow consultants,” said Diaz.

Learn more about the M.A. in Composition, Rhetoric, and Digital Media here.

CAHSS Music Alum and Students Performed at Hurricane Dorian Benefit

Jamie Smith, B.A., music graduate of NSU’s College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences (CAHSS), wrote and performed his original piece, “Stand Up Again”, a tribute to those whose lives were lost or impacted due to the devastating damages of Hurricane Dorian. Smith, a Bahamian vocalist and NSU PANSGA, organized a Bahamas benefit concert to raise much-needed funds. Smith headlined the event and music students Jessica Elalouf and Cassie Ortiz performed with their rock band, Exigent. Smith continues to perform his new song and other original work throughout the Bahamas.

Education Alum Named Superintendent of Bangs Independent School District

Joshua Martin, Ed.D., graduate of NSU’s Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice has been named the new superintendent for the Bangs Independent School District (Texas).

Dr. Martin has been a Texas educator for 18 years. In that time, he has served as a teacher, coach, assistant principal, principal, and Special Programs director. Recently, he was Chief Academic Officer at Farmersville Independent School District, in Farmersville, Texas. In each of these roles, he has been driven to work towards finding and cultivating the best within his students by mentoring teachers and campus administrators to provide the best learning environments possible.

Dr. Martin’s projected start date is April 16. He earned his Doctor of Education in 2011 with FCE&SCJ.

 

Criminal Justice Alum Appointed Chief of Police for the City of Riviera Beach

Nathan Osgood, M.S.

Nathan Osgood, M.S., graduate of NSU’s Abraham S. Fischler College of education and School of Criminal Justice has been appointed Chief of Police for the City of Riviera Beach, FL.

As an employee with the Broward Sheriff’s office for 32 years, Osgood worked in the Strategic Investigations Division investigating narcotic operations, gangs, money laundering, Multi-Agency Gangs Task Force, Internet Crime Against Children, and vice and organized crime.  He previously commanded the North Region, overseeing operations in the cities of Deerfield Beach, Parkland, North Lauderdale, Tamarac, in Central Broward, and Lauderdale Lakes. Additionally, Osgood commanded the Civil Division, Seaport, Courthouse, Airport, Homeless Outreach, Dispatch Communications, and School Resource Officers.

He is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), and Florida Gang Investigators Association. He is on the Board of Directors for Kids in Distress, A Child is Missing, and is a member of the Miami Chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen. Osgood is active in his fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha, Incorporated and mentors youth in his spare time.

Osgood earned his M.S. in Criminal Justice with the Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice in 2010.

CAHSS Alum Publishes Article “The Refugee and Migrant Crisis: Human Tragedies as an Extension of Colonialism”

Michael Achankeng Fonkem, Ph.D., graduate of the doctoral program in the Department of Conflict Resolution Studies (DCRS) in NSU’s College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences (CHASS), has written an article entitled, “The Refugee and Migrant Crisis: Human Tragedies as an Extension of Colonialism.” The article appears in The Round Table: The Commonwealth Journal of International Affairs. Volume 109, Issue 1 (2020).

Fonkem is an associate professor in the Department of Human Services Leadership in the College of Education & Human Services at the University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh. He was a Fulbright scholar in 1995-1996 at the Hubert H. Humphrey Institute for Public Affairs, University of Minnesota. Previously he was in the diplomatic service in the Foreign Ministry of Cameroon. His teaching and research interests include refugees, migration, and human services; social issues and solutions; and conflict analysis and resolution. Fonkem is an Executive Council Member of The Wisconsin Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies.

To access the article, please see https://www.tandfonline.com/eprint/BHPR6IXWU5XCKEUDBJEB/full?target=10.1080/00358533.2020.1717089

Alumni Spotlight: CAHSS Alumnus is on Winning FSU Black Law Students Association Mock Trial Team

Christopher Ramirez, B.S

Christopher Ramirez, B.S., 2018 graduate of the Legal Studies program in the Department of History and Political Science (DHPS)  in NSU’s College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences (CAHSS), was a member of the winning mock trial team for Florida State University College of Law’s Black Law Students Association (BLSA). The team won first place in the Constance Baker Motley Mock Trial Competition at the Southern Region of the Black Law Students Association’s regional convention, held in Charleston, SC.

Ramirez is a first year law student at FSU. While at NSU, he was a member of the undergraduate Mock Trial Team and was a federal work student in DHPS. Gary Gershman, J.D., Ph.D., is the NSU Mock Trial Team coach.

NSU College of Pharmacy Alumnus Named Walgreens President

Richard Ashworth, Pharm.D.

Walgreens Boots Alliance recently named NSU College of Pharmacy alumnus, Richard Ashworth, Pharm.D. (’99), President of Walgreens. Ashworth, who started at NSU when it was still known as Southeastern University, credits his ability to work his way up the ranks of Walgreens from stock boy to now President, partly to his time at NSU.

In a 2015 “SharksRx” Magazine interview, the 2014 Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award recipient said, “Pharmacy is all about helping patients achieve improved health and well-being.”  He continued, “So it can’t be about tablets in a bottle…that’s not what pharmacy is about.”  He concludes, “Pharmacy is about making a difference in people’s lives.”

Dean Clark said, “I am extremely proud of Dr. Ashworth for this accomplishment.  It is exciting to see our Sharks dominate in the profession of pharmacy, taking on the leadership roles we envision for our students.”

Congratulations and thank you for being a shining example of what can be accomplished with the foundation laid by the NSU Edge and dedication to the profession of pharmacy, Richard!

To read the complete article from 2015, please click here

College of Psychology Alumni run Clinical Practice in Illinois

The LodeStone Center for Behavioral Health is an outpatient mental health group practice founded by Jeremy Bidwell, Ph.D., and Michelle Bidwell, Psy.D. The practice’s staff includes psychologists, counselors, and clinical social workers. The practice offers services to families and works with all ages from children to adults. Jeremy Bidwell serves as LodeStone’s CEO, with Michelle Bidwell working as director of clinical services for three of its five locations.

The pair graduated from NSU’s Clinical Psychology doctoral program in 2008, with Jeremy Bidwell also earning an M.S. in Clinical Psychopharmacology. Both cited their work with faculty members like Professors Jan Faust and Steven Gold as contributing to their professional development.

“Dr. Gold has been a resource for us as we’ve had cases that we’ve wanted to consult on,” Michelle Bidwell said. “The faculty are always there for you, even after you leave.”

Illinois is one of a handful of states that permits psychologists to prescribe medications for mental health treatment. Although the Clinical Psychopharmacology program is not currently offered at NSU, Jeremy Bidwell said the College of Psychology still provided administrative support for him a decade after graduation as he worked to complete his training to become a prescribing psychologist.

“They were excited for me and happy to jump in and help, even after all this time,” he said. “We both are just really grateful for our experiences at Nova.”

In addition to LodeStone, Michelle Bidwell serves on the advisory board for the Illinois chapter of the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals. Jeremy Bidwell serves as a regional representative for the Illinois Psychological Association. The Bidwells live in the Chicago suburbs with their children.

 

Halmos College Alumna and Research Scientists Find a “Core” Sponge Specific Microbiome

Sponges occur across diverse marine biomes and host internal microbial communities that can provide critical ecological functions. In this study, genetics researchers investigated the relative roles of host population genetics and biogeography in structuring the microbial communities hosted by the excavating sponge Cliona delitrix. In general sponges host many different microbial species and filter seawater as part of their lifestyle.

This resulted in a publication by former Halmos College researcher Cole Easson, Ph.D. and Halmos College alumna Andia Chaves-Fonnegra, Ph.D. for a project they worked on while in the research laboratory of Halmos biology faculty, Jose Lopez, Ph.D. The paper, published in Ecology and Evolution is entitled, “Host population genetics and biogeography structure the microbiome of the sponge Cliona delitrix”

“The bottom line”, says Lopez, “is that there appears to be a “core” sponge specific microbiome, but  they may not be the most common in the sponge, and yet they appear across the whole Caribbean.”

Citation: Easson, C. G., Chaves-Fonnegra, A., Thacker, R. W., & Lopez, J. V. Host population genetics and biogeography structure the microbiome of the sponge Cliona delitrix. Ecology and Evolution. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.6033

Education Graduate Honored by the Concordia Historical Institute

Robert A. Stevens, Ed.D., graduate of NSU’s Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice (FCE&SCJ), was honored with the 2019 Award of Commendation from Concordia Historical Institute in November in recognition of his excellent publication entitled: Lutheran Fault Lines at Mid-Century.

The Institute recognizes individual service, publications, and projects that advance the study and appreciation of Lutheran archives and history. Stevens was selected from over one hundred participants.

Stevens is a current Graduate Academic Advisor FCE&SCJ. He earned his doctorate degree with FCE in 2015.

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