Faculty & Staff News
Sharks Rowing is hosting fall tryouts for women interested in the Varsity Rowing Team. If you are interested in learning more about the team, fill out this interest form and contact Coach Kim Chavers at kchavers@nova.edu
Posted 09/01/23
Steven P. Vertz
Steven P. Vertz, M.S., CCC-SLP, associate director of Dr. Pallavi Patel College of Health Care Sciences Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (MS-SLP) program, has been appointed to the Committee on Nominations and Elections (CNE) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).
ASHA’s CNE is charged with reviewing and interviewing applicants for openings on ASHA’s Board of Directors, overseeing procedures for increasing the awareness of ASHA members regarding the elections process for the national office, providing input to ASHA’s National Office staff, and cultivating and recruiting future candidates for board positions.
His two-year appointment, which began January 1, 2023, will end December 31, 2024. Vertz is proud to represent both his profession and Nova Southeastern University in this capacity.
Posted 08/27/23
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
Community Resolution Services (CRS), housed in the Department of Conflict Resolution Studies (DCRS) in the Halmos College of Arts and Sciences and the Guy Harvey Oceanographic Research Center (HCAS) hosted The Women’s Roundtable on July 14, 2023. The Women’s Roundtable features alumni and current students who discuss their career paths and share tips for success in their fields.
The featured speakers included Michele Evans, LMHC, licensed psychotherapist, and current master’s candidate in Conflict Analysis and Resolution; Jacqueline Ennis, M.S., and Conflict Analysis and Resolution doctoral candidate with extensive professional experience in research; and Leneiya Boose, M.S., recent graduate of the master’s program in Conflict Analysis and Resolution and academic advisor. The moderator was Charlotte Santana, M.S., Conflict Analysis and Resolution doctoral candidate.
CRS is a practicum and volunteer site providing workshops and training to the NSU and local community. For more information about CRS, please contact Judith McKay, J.D., Ph.D., faculty in DCRS at mckayj@nova.edu.
Posted 08/27/23
NSU College of Dental Medicine White Coat Ceremony for Class of 2025 was held on Sunday August 20, 2023. The White Coat Ceremony holds several meanings, all of which contribute to its significance in the lives of dental students. Here are some of the key meanings associated with the White Coat Ceremony:
In essence, the White Coat ceremony is a multifaceted event that encapsulates the ideals, values, and aspirations of Dental Professionals. It’s a moment of reflection, inspiration, and commitment that shapes students’ understanding of their future roles and responsibilities.
Posted 08/27/23
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:
Posted 08/27/23
Terrence Conner
Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice graduate Terrence Conner has recently been named the superintendent of Sarasota County Public Schools.
Conner, who graduated from NSU with his M.S., in 2016 has been in the role since July 17 and while the position has been a whirlwind, it has been great at the same time.
“When I got the job, there was a kind of a sigh of relief, but then it was like, ‘Okay, now you got the job. Now the real work begins.’”
As superintendent, Conner’s job entails managing the daily operations of the school districts. He said he has spent a lot of time listening to staff, parents, and community members.
“I’ve been onboarding myself and taking a lot of time to listen and learn and to evaluate current processes and look at the data, analyze that and determine how we’re going to move forward,” Conner said.
Conner said his goal while in the position is to make Sarasota County Schools the No. 1 school district in the state and to receive national recognition.
“That [involves] first and foremost, meeting the needs of all students in the school district, who are coming from different backgrounds, to ensure that when they step foot in our schools, that we’re capable, able and willing to meet every student’s individual needs so that they can be successful,” he said.
Conner said his degree from NSU has proved to be useful in his career.
“It was really great to learn from people who had done the work and been in the trenches and know, because there’s a difference between theory and reality. Having instructors who were able to make those bridges connect was really helpful,” he said.
Fins up to you Terrence and best wishes for this school year!
Posted 08/27/23
Did you sing in a chorus or a church choir in high school? Or maybe you played in the band. Would you like to share the joy of making music with others? Nova Singers is a community chorus of about 100 people affiliated with Nova Southeastern University. Its members are adults from all over South Florida, including NSU students, who like to sing.
If this sounds like fun, join Nova Singers at 10 a.m. Saturday, August 26, 2023, for the “Saturday Sing” in Oakland Park and “test-drive” what it is like to be in the chorus. The group will be singing some of the music that will be performed at the December holiday concerts. If you like the experience, you can audition afterward. You don’t have to sing a prepared piece or even a solo to audition. The costs of dues are waived for NSU students.
The chorus rehearses from September through May at Christ Lutheran Church, 1955 E. Oakland Park Boulevard, Oakland Park, FL 33306. The Saturday Sing will also be at the church. Rehearsals are from 7 to 9:45 p.m. every Tuesday night. The chorus sings three sets of concerts a year, in December, March and May.
If you’re like to attend the “Saturday Sing” or are interested in the joining Nova singers, email novasingers@nova.edu to sign up to attend or ask questions.
Posted 08/15/23
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
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