Faculty & Staff News
It was a night of fellowship and rejoicing for a sold-out crowd on Tuesday at the Rick Case Arena in the Don Taft University Center, as Nova Southeastern University Athletics enshrined the members of the 2019 Hall of Fame Class of 2019 during a passionately-delivered gala ceremony for the five history-making Sharks. FULL RELEASE
Nominate a stand-out student leader for President’s 64!
Do you know a student that goes above and beyond and has a strong sense of Shark Pride? Someone who would be a great ambassador or representative for the university, community, and within your program? Nominations for The President’s 64 group for the 2020-2021 year are now open!
Established by NSU’s 6th President, George L. Hanbury II, Ph.D., The President’s 64 is an elite body of student leaders whose purpose is to strengthen the relationship between Nova Southeastern University and its surrounding community. Members of The President’s 64 provide targeted feedback to the President, and serve as student ambassadors and representatives at University events.
Selection is based on nomination only. NSU staff and faculty members may elect to nominate an NSU student by completing the President’s 64 Nomination Form (hyperlink to https://opinio.nova.edu:443/opinio/s?s=18214). Upon review we will offer interviews for prospective President’s 64 members.
Please note that the deadline to submit a nomination is January 17, 2020 by 5:00 p.m.
For more information, please visit The President’s 64 website, or email presidents64@nova.edu.
Pamela Swanson, Ed.D
Pamela Swanson, Ed.D., graduate of NSU’s Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice, has been named Colorado’s 2020 Superintendent of the Year.
Dr. Swanson has been with Westminster Public Schools (WPS) since 1995 and served in several positions. She was named interim superintendent in 2011 and appointed superintendent in 2012. WPS serves a diverse population, in which 80 percent of the students qualify for free and reduced lunch.
Under her leadership, WPS became the largest school district in the country to become entirely competency based. This personalized model is rooted in the belief that every child learns differently, and it shifts the system from traditional grades and grade levels to a system requiring students to show mastery of topics before moving to the next level.
Dr. Swanson and her team are recognized as nationwide leaders in competency based education and have become strong advocates for reforming how schools and districts are evaluated. She will represent Colorado in the 2020 American Association of School Administrators (AASA)’s National Superintendent of the Year Program.
She earned her Doctor of Education from the FCE&SCJ in 2004.
After crossing paths with some of life’s obstacles, veteran Candice L. Caesar has continued to have a positive outlook on life. Caesar’s persistent attitude and dedication, she has earned the title of a true female warrior. She recently won the Moody Endowment Award for Outstanding Female Athlete of the Year from Achilles International.
Although Caesar currently works as a speech language pathologist, her goals didn’t always include providing patients with the gift of communication. Caesar had originally intended to serve in the Army for 20 years. Her grandfather was a World War II veteran and her father was a Vietnam War veteran, so their perseverance had sparked the interest.
“Freedom isn’t free. Someone has to pay the price,” Candice Caesar said. “Someone has to sacrifice for your liberty, why not me?”
In spite of the fact that Caesar didn’t expect any surprises within the military, the bond shared between servicemen and women had amazed her, especially since, as an only child, she had never experienced a sibling relationship.
“I am an only child and I have never seen strangers bond like we do,” Caesar said. “It is great [to] know someone is watching my six. It is like joining an elite brotherhood.”
Unfortunately, due to a paralytic injury Caesar had to retire from the Army after serving for seven and a half years. Although Caesar was unable to serve for as long as she intended, her years of service are shown honor and appreciation through Veteran’s Day celebrations.
“However people wish to honor us is the best way,” Caesar said. “We appreciate that someone appreciates the sacrifices we made for our country.”
Despite her career goals taking an unexpected turn, Caesar decided to find light in the darkest of situations. Caesar was told she would never walk again due to a brain and spinal cord injury which left her paralyzed. After her surgery she worked with a speech language pathologist (SLP) on cognitive retraining, swallowing, and speech. Shortly after working with the SLP, Caesar grew inspired.
“I was so amazed with her and my progress that I decided I wanted to help others and become a speech language pathologist,” Caesar said. “Communication is very important. I remember what it was [like] to not be able to share my wants and needs with others. The gift of communication is the best gift anyone can receive.”
Caesar is a Nova Southeastern University (NSU) Master of Speech-Language Pathology alumna. After being medically retired from the Army, NSU’s online program was very accommodating and fit with Caesar’s schedule. She was able to work as a speech assistant during the day and attended necessary classes online at night.
“The faculty and staff were knowledgeable and personable,” Caesar said. “I could not have asked for a better fit.”
Whether it is overcoming a medical challenge or establishing a new goal, Caesar’s never-ending hunger to serve allows her to remain unstoppable. Even though she can no longer serve in the Army, Caesar continues to show her desire to serve as a speech language pathologist.
“Pray and do what God wants you to do. You will know which path to take,” Caesar said. “Sometimes there are struggles. Sometimes it seems as though you cannot make it. You can, because you are stronger than you think.”
We are so proud of you Candice! Today we honor you and all veterans. Go NSU Sharks!
The President’s Faculty Research and Development Grant (PFRDG) applications are due on January 22, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. For access to the application portal and guidelines, please visit the PFRDG website at http://www.nova.edu/pfrdg. For questions and additional information, please email pfrdg@nova.edu. The two categories for PFRDG Awards are:
The Quality of Life (QOL) applications are also due on January 22, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. via electronic submission to npascucci@nova.edu. For more information and application guidelines, please visit https://www.nova.edu/qol/; for questions, please contact Nick Pascucci at npascucci@nova.edu. The main categories for the Quality of Life Awards are:
PFRDG & QOL Applicant Trainings are set. Follow the link below to see sessions and register.
For information and registration, please visit http://www.nova.edu/pfrdg
NSU University School is proud to congratulate the Upper School students who have been honored by the College Board’s National Hispanic Recognition Program (NHRP) as National Hispanic Scholars for earning outstanding PSAT scores. These students scored in the top 2.5% among all Hispanic and Latino students taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) in the region!
• Harrison Duval
• Sofia Echeverry
• Matthew Frank
• Laura Stocksdale
• Melanie Stone
There’s no easy way to say it – the world’s coral reefs are in danger. Researchers from around the world, including world-renowned experts at Nova Southeastern University (NSU) Halmos College of Natural Sciences and Oceanography, have been studying corals to determine not only what is killing them but what can be done to protect and save them.
To that end, from 1-5 p.m. Monday, November 18, NSU is hosting a series of talks and a panel discussion titled, “Coral Crisis: Issues and Response.” This event will be held at NSU’s Ocean Campus, 8000 N. Ocean Dr., (in NSU’s Guy Harvey Oceanographic Center building) within the Mizell-Johnson State Park (at the entry to Port Everglades.) It will also be livestreamed as a webinar, where external participants can submit their question to the panel.
The world-renowned speakers include:
Rear Admiral Tim Gallaudet, Ph.D., U.S. Navy (ret) is Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere/Deputy Administrator for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). He was previously a rear admiral in the U.S. Navy, Oceanographer of the Navy, and Commander of the Navy Meteorology and Oceanography Command. He has experience in weather and ocean forecasting, hydrographic surveying, policy and planning on fisheries, national security impacts of climate change, and developing the Navy’s information technology, cyber security and intelligence. NOAA is the lead federal agency for coral reefs.
Terry Hughes, Ph.D, has provided leadership in responding to global coral bleaching events caused by climate change and developed practical solutions that improve the management and governance of marine environments. The international science journal, Nature, has dubbed him “Reef Sentinel” for the global role he plays in applying multi-disciplinary science to securing reef sustainability. Hughes is an Australian Research Council Laureate Fellow and Director of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies.
Bernhard Riegl, Ph.D., professor and Chair of NSU’s Halmos College Department of Marine and Environmental Science, is a global expert on effects to the changing state of coral reefs. He will speak about the state of reefs worldwide from our academic perspective and with focus on local and regional situations.
Stephen O’Brien, Ph.D., is a world leading molecular biologist, population geneticist, genetic epidemiologist and dedicated conservationist who uses molecular genetics and bioinformatics tools to help protect endangered species and to resolve genetic determinants of devastating complex diseases such as HIV-AIDS and cancers. O’Brien is professor and research director at NSU where he applies his experience to genome bioinformatics of marine vertebrate and invertebrate species in relation to ocean conservation with respect to reefs. He is an elected member of the U.S. National Academy of Science.
Jennifer Koss is director of NOAA’s Coral Reef Conservation Program, which is involved with providing knowledge, information, and management activities. She manages day-to-day operations, coral conservation policy development, program implementation, budget development, and personnel, as well as domestic and international partnership building and program development. She will speak on specific NOAA U.S. coral reef initiatives.
Joanna Walczak is the Southeast Regional Administrator of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). She oversees multiple programs in the department’s Office of Resilience and Coastal Protection’s Southeast Region – Biscayne Bay Aquatic Preserves, Coupon Bight Aquatic Preserve, Florida’s Coral Reef Conservation Program, Lignumvitae Aquatic Preserve, and is the state co-manager of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. She is the point of contact for the State of Florida on the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force and U.S. All Islands Coral Reef Committee. She will speak on Florida-specific coral reef initiatives.
For people who cannot go to the Oceanographic Campus, or cannot stream it, Halmos College is hosting a viewing event on the Fort Lauderdale/Davie Campus in DeSantis Room: 1133. Questions maybe emailed to ocadmissions@nova.edu.
Streaming link: https://sharkmedia.nova.edu/media/NSU+Live+Events/1_w0dvjqjp/35886881
The health of the oceans depends directly on the health of the coral reefs – as does the health of many countries economies.
Elena Bastidas, Ph.D. (center) with April Coan and Jennifer Lawer Mexico City 2019
Elena Bastidas, Ph.D., faculty in the Depart of Conflict Resolution Studies (DCRS) in NSU’s College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences (CAHSS), presented at the International Conference on Interdisciplinary Social Sciences, held at the Universidad Autonoma de Mexico in Mexico City. Her co-presenters were April Coan and Jennifer Lawer, doctoral candidates in DCRS.
The title of their presentation was Improving Curriculum Development in Conflict Resolution Programs to Foster International Scholarship of Engagement (ISOE). The presentation included an evaluation of an ISOE model developed by Bastidas in 2012. Colleagues from the U.S., Philippines, Australia, Qatar, among other countries, found the presentation interesting and highlighted the potential of the model to foster Internalizations initiatives in higher education.
Bastidas’ research and teaching interests include quantitative methodology, conflict and international development, environmental conflict, and gender analysis in international development. She is also the director of the M.S. and Graduate Certificates in DCRS.
On October 29, 2019, Stephen Levitt, LL.M., faculty in the Department of History and Political Science (DHPS) in NSU’s College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences (CAHSS), led a group of 18 Legal Studies students on a visit to the law offices of John Stevens, Esq., at Stevens & Goldwyn, PA. Stevens, is an alumnus of both CAHSS’s undergraduate legal studies program and NSU’s Shepard Broad College of Law. The visit was part of the ongoing Legal Studies Mentorship Program.
In addition to hearing from Stevens, the students were able to hear from two other alumni of the NSU Legal Studies program and the NSU’s Shepard Broad College of Law, Kim Stevens, Esq., with Robertson, Anschutz & Schneid, P.L, and Dashia Trowers. Esq., of Trowers Law Firm, P.A.
Juan Granados, a legal studies student, commented that the discussion of legal practice was extremely beneficial and he was particularly struck by John Stevens’ comment that “the most important thing in life is preparation.”
Enrollment and Student Services (ESS) has published the Fall/Winter issue of the Dollar$ and $ense student newsletter. This issue provides students with information relating to the financial aid application process, scholarships, IRS Tax Form 1098-T, and more.
The newsletter is available on the NSU financial aid website. In your conversations with students, please feel free to use the information provided here and to direct them to the newsletter.