Author: iharrell

Halmos Students Compete in Annual Mathematical Contest

From left, Triet Do, Diana Dancea, Cristina Perez and Heidi Hellenbrand

Students in the College of Arts and Sciences and the Guy Harvey Oceanographic Research Center (HCAS) participated in the 84th Annual William Lowell Putnam Mathematical Competition.

This is the second year we have competed in this event, the preeminent mathematics competition for undergraduate college students in the United States and Canada.  As it does each year, the competition consists of two 3-hour sessions, one in the morning and one in the afternoon.

During each session, participants work individually on 6 challenging mathematical problems.  The exam is colloquially known as the world’s most challenging math exam. While the exam has a maximum score of 120 points, in many years the median score among the more than 3000 competitors (all of whom excel in advanced mathematics) is between 0 and 3.  The exam is done individually, but a university’s highest three scores get combined to make up a team score. Awards are handed out to both individuals and teams.  The exam is underwritten and overseen by the Mathematical Association of America.

Our Putnam Exam team practiced hard for the past year under the mentorship of Associate Professor of Mathematics and Statistics, Radleigh Santos, Ph.D. Santos taught MATH 3990 Competitive Mathematics Seminar, a one credit course students could take to prepare for the exam.

Posted 12/10/23

Halmos Dept. of Humanities and Politics Wins Cupcake Challenge

Congratulations to the Department of Humanities and Politics (DHP) in the Halmos College of Arts and Sciences and the Guy Harvey Oceanographic Research Center (HCAS) for their second consecutive win of the Cupcake Challenge!

With 78% participation, they helped HCAS become the leader in the NSU Give Back Tuesday. The Dean’s Office came in second place and the Department of Communication, Media, and the Arts came in third. Honorable Mentions went to the Department of Marine and Environmental Science and the Department of Mathematics.

Posted 12/10/23

Halmos Faculty, Student and Alum Present at Conference in Virginia

Katherine Sosa, Ph.D.; Neil Katz, Ph.D.; Terry Savage, Ph.D.; and Annette Taylor Spence

Neil Katz, Ph.D., and Terry Savage, 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), and DCRS alum Katherine Sosa, Ph.D., and doctoral student Annette Taylor-Spence, presented at the 2023 Association for Conflict Resolution Annual Conference held in Arlington, Virginia and virtually. The theme of the conference was “Conflict Resolution: Collaboration the New Normal?” Their presentation was titled, “Experiential Workshop Design: A Portal to Self-Awareness and Effectiveness in Group Life.”

Katz’ areas of teaching and research interests include negotiation theory and practice, group dynamics, and organizational conflict.

Savage’s areas of teaching and research interests include restorative and transitional justice, human rights, and peacebuilding.

Posted 12/10/23

Title IX Team Holds Presentations on Fort Myers Campus

Nova Southeastern University’s Title IX team visited the Fort Myers campus on Nov. 10, 2023, where they spent the day with our Nursing and Physician Assistants programs, both students and faculty. The turnout for the event was 193 faculty and students.

The presentations included information about prevention and response to sexual harassment, how NSU protects students from sexual harassment in their clinical rotations, and how health care providers can do their part to give the best care possible to their patients who may have experienced sexual assault or intimate partner violence.

The Title IX team also provided training for NSU’s Public Safety dispatchers to assist them in providing caring and respectful responses to members of the NSU community who call Public Safety for assistance after experiencing sexual violence or dating/domestic violence.

Learn more about other Title IX programs.

Posted 12/10/23

Honors Student’s Nonprofit Bridges Global Educational Gaps

Tasfia Howlader

Tasfia Howlader, a passionate freshman Farquhar Honors College student, is making a global impact through her nonprofit, Amader Shopno (Our Dream). Fueled by the challenges faced by underprivileged students, her mission is to bridge the educational divide.

“The gap between education and the educational supplies [needed] for those around the world is one that not a lot of people are familiar with,” Howlader said. “Amader Shopno strives to raise awareness [about] the significance of education and empower the next generation with gratitude for the individuals who help shape them into who they are.”

Howlader was inspired to create this nonprofit during the COVID-19 pandemic as she witnessed family members in Bangladesh struggling without access to educational devices when classes moved online. Her passion was further intensified by a trip to Ghana in 2022 as part of the Nyah Project, where she witnessed the disparities in education there.

Her nonprofit has provided school supplies to those in need in both local and global communities, including Bangladesh. Social media is a big part of her advocacy, as she uses Instagram (@AmaderShopnoInc) to promote and achieve her goals.

“[The] most fulfilling part is [seeing] the difference the small steps make,” said Howlader. “I love being able to see a simple smile in exchange for effortless work.”

Her nonprofit work is intrinsically tied to her academic journey. Her drive to make education accessible for all propels her exploration of public policy and inclusivity in education as a public health major. She aspires to contribute to the healthcare field specifically, focusing on research, public health policy, and the impact of identity in healthcare.

Learn more about Amader Shopno.

Posted 12/10/23

USchool Students Get Hands-On Suturing Experience at NSU

Students from our Upper School Medical Fellowship program recently took part in a lab at the NSU Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, where they gained hands-on experience in suturing techniques using pig’s feet.

This practical exercise was designed to enhance their skills in dexterity, precision, and understanding of different suturing methods.

Learn more about NSU University School’s college preparatory program for students in Preschool – Grade 12 at www.uschool.nova.edu.

Posted 12/10/23

FY2025 PRG and QOL Grant Cycles Now Open

The FY 2025 President’s Research Grant (PRG), formerly the Presidents Faculty Research Development Grant (PFRDG), and Quality of Life (QOL) grant cycles are now open! This year the application process will take place on Cayuse Sponsored Projects, NSU’s new grant management system. Applications are due via Cayuse no later than January 22, 2024, 5:00 p.m.. More information, as well as application instructions, can be found on the PRG and QOL websites, linked below. Through these programs, eligible faculty may apply for internal grants of up to $15,000 in support of a variety of research and scholarly activities. PRG and QOL are tremendous opportunities to obtain support for research and scholarship at NSU, and to build faculty research capacity that can be leveraged toward external funding pursuits.

For more information about how to apply and program guidelines, visit the PRG program website here and the QOL website here. For questions, please contact PRG@nova.edu or QOL@nova.edu.

Posted 12/10/23

Qualitative Report Conference Registration is Open

The Qualitative Report 15th Annual Conference Registration is Now Open! To Learn more about the conference theme “Qualitative Inquiry; Access Denied?” please visit our conference webpage.

The conference is taking place IN-PERSON at Nova Southeastern University and will be a 2-day event. The two days will be filled with presentations, workshops, keynote speakers, and a reception for everyone to attend. We have worked with a local hotel for discounted rates that registered attendees can take advantage of. To learn more about the conference venue and hotel, please visit the conference venue/hotel page. We are also excited to announce that we have added a pre-conference workshop by Johnny Saldaña on Wednesday, February 28, 2024 from 10am-5pm at Nova Southeastern University. To learn more about the workshop and registration, please visit the pre-conference workshop page.

Please stay tuned to the conference website, as we will be continually updating it with news about different events, sponsors, keynotes, and presentations.

Posted 11/29/23

Law College Grad Competes in Latest ‘Squid Game’

Fort Lauderdale-based bankruptcy attorney Chad Van Horn, founding partner of Van Horn Law Group, P.A., and a graduate of Nova Southeastern University’s Shepard Broad College of Law, is one of the participants in the Netflix reality show “Squid Game: The Challenge,” which recently dropped on the streaming platform. Out of hundreds of thousands of applicants worldwide, Van Horn, known as player 286, secured a coveted spot among the 456 contestants competing for a staggering $4.56 million prize.

What sets Van Horn apart from other players is his commitment to making a difference. If he emerges as the winner of “Squid Game: The Challenge,” he has pledged to donate the entire prize money to Big Brothers Big Sisters to establish a nationwide financial literacy program for the underprivileged youth in their program.

The highly intense and physically demanding challenges of “Squid Game: The Challenge” puts players’ strategies, alliances, and character to the ultimate test. While enduring the grueling competition, Van Horn, the founding partner attorney of Van Horn Law Group, remained resolute in upholding his principles, even in the face of adversity.

“The taping of ‘Squid Game: The Challenge’ was an incredibly fierce and demanding experience, both physically and emotionally,” he said. “Every day I participated, I was pushed to my limits, but I remained focused on maintaining my integrity. Even in the most challenging circumstances, I steadfastly held onto my ethics and values.”

With its extensive cast and unprecedented cash prize, “Squid Game: The Challenge” is expected to captivate a massive global audience, much like its predecessor. The original “Squid Game” drama currently holds the record as Netflix’s most popular series of all time, with more than 1.65 billion viewing hours in the first 28 days following its September 2021 premiere. Van Horn, a dedicated viewer himself, was drawn to the show due to its exploration of financial insecurity.

“The ‘Squid Game’ drama intrigued me because it shed light on the desperation faced by individuals in severe financial predicaments,” he said. “As a bankruptcy attorney, I witness people every day who are overwhelmed by debt, feeling hopeless and panicked. While ‘Squid Game’ showcases extreme circumstances and consequences, the underlying emotions resonate—overwhelming stress and fear.”

Van Horn continues his connections with NSU since graduating and establishing his practice, which is one of top five bankruptcy firms in the state based on cases filed. NSU’s Public Interest Program coordinates with Chad’s namesake Van Horn Law Group Pro Bono Honor Program, developing a variety of programs and opportunities for students to fulfill pro bono hours, while maintaining the records of students’ pro bono work. The Van Horn Law Group Pro Bono Honor Program at the Shepard Broad College of Law recognizes students who are committed to serving the community and engages in the belief that the overall improvement of our community starts with giving citizens – people who make up the foundation of the community – equal access to the legal system.

Posted 11/27/23

USchool Students Meet Public Defender of Broward County

Gordon Weekes, the head Public Defender for Broward County, speaks to University School students.

Upper School students participating in the Legal Education Seminar had the privilege of engaging in a conversation with Gordon Weekes, who holds the position of head Public Defender for Broward County.

Weekes is a distinguished graduate of the Shepard Broad College of Law at Nova Southeastern University and is responsible for overseeing a team of more than 100 public defenders in the second-largest public defense office in Florida. During his interaction with the students, he shared his lifelong commitment to advancing equitable justice for marginalized communities within our region.

Learn more about NSU University School’s college preparatory program for students in Preschool – Grade 12 at www.uschool.nova.edu.

Posted 11/27/23

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