Author: iharrell

NSU University School Students Connect Through Literature

NSU University School, has launched the Mako Prize YA (young adult) for Middle School students who share a deep connection with literature. The Mako Prize is a reading tournament co-founded by Director of Student Academic Services Ann Sellers that aims to help readers discover new books and foster a community of and for readers.

Students, faculty, and staff who choose to participate read recent best-selling works of fiction over the semester and determine their favorites using a bracket system, which ultimately narrows the list down to one winner.

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

Posted 01/22/23

NSU Receives STARS Silver Rating for Sustainability

The Association for the Advancement for Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) recently awarded Nova Southeastern University’s Office of Facilities Management a Silver certificate rating in its Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS).

STARS® is intended to engage and recognize the full spectrum of higher education institutions, from community colleges to research universities. It encompasses long-term sustainability goals for already high-achieving institutions, as well as entry points of recognition for institutions that are taking first steps toward sustainability. STARS is designed to:

  • Provide a framework for understanding sustainability in all sectors of higher education.
  • Enable meaningful comparisons over time and across institutions using a common set of measurements developed with broad participation from the international campus sustainability community.
  • Create incentives for continual improvement toward sustainability.
  • Facilitate information sharing about higher education sustainability practices and performance.
  • Build a stronger, more diverse campus sustainability community.

From the AASHE STARS Team:

“Thank you for your hard work and dedication to sustainability. We know that you have spent a substantial amount of time on STARS, and we hope that this report will be useful in advancing sustainability at your institution. We look forward to your continued involvement as a STARS participant and a member of the AASHE community.”

Posted 01/22/23

VA Deputy Secretary Holds Student Roundtable at NSU

Donald Michael Remy, the Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, visited Nova Southeastern University on Wednesday, Jan. 18, and held a roundtable discussion with several student veterans. Joining the deputy secretary was Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz; NSU President and CEO George L. Hanbury II; and Jane Che, the Senior Adviser to Remy. Matthew Chenworth, NSU’s Senior Director of Military Affairs organized the event at NSU’s Alan B. Levan Broward Center of Innovation at the Alvin Sherman Library on the Davie campus.

Donald Michael Remy, the Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

NSU student veterans were joined by students from Broward College and Florida Atlantic University. The students ranged from Air Force, Army, Marine, and ROTC cadets. Among their questions were PTSD support, housing allowance issues, whole health initiatives, burn pit compensation, and veteran suicides.

Deputy Secretary Remy had an additional support team on hand to ensure that each question posed was properly answered and follow-up opportunities were available. President Hanbury highlighted to extensive support and programming that NSU provides for its student veterans, and also invited Remy to return to NSU in the future.

Before coming to the VA, Remy was the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Legal Officer at the nonprofit National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), where he oversaw all strategic planning, operations, budget management, and legal affairs for the $1 billion enterprise. Remy earned his bachelor’s degree from Louisiana State University and a Juris Doctorate from Howard University School of Law.

After the roundtable session, Deputy Secretary Remy sat down for a quick Q&A session.

How many of these roundtables has the VA had?

About seven or eight of them.

What have been your takeaways from the sessions?

“There is a constant theme: How do I get the educational benefits that I have earned. The other thing is that I find our students are absolutely engaged in the thought that they put into the questions they ask and the answers received from those questions.”

What is your key objective of these roundtables?

“To know the needs of our student veterans. Our student veteran population is a population that has earned the right to have benefits and access to those benefits, and they have questions about their health care and those benefits. Our goal is to hear from them, to answer their questions, and to improve their circumstances.”

Do you track and follow up with the student veterans who attend these events?

“All of them. That’s why we have a team of experts here and when questions are posed that we don’t have immediate answers to, our experts will reach out them and pass out cards so that people have access to the information.”

Do you see yourself returning to NSU in the future to have another roundtable?

“I really enjoy Florida and visiting the campuses here. It’s been great to be in Broward County. Anywhere that there are veterans we go because we want to hear from them and make sure that they get access to benefits, services, and health care that they’ve earn. And so, it may very well be the case that you’ll see me here again listening to our students in this community.”

Posted 01/22/23

Halmos Faculty Publishes Op-Ed in Sun Sentinel on ChatGPT

Jeremy Weissman, Ph.D.

Jeremy Weissman, Ph.D., faculty in the Department of Humanities and Politics in the Halmos College of Arts and Sciences and the Guy Harvey Oceanographic Research Center (HCAS), published an op-ed in the Sun Sentinel on the challenges posed to higher education by the public release of ChatGPT, a breakthrough AI program. Amongst ChatGPT’s numerous stunning capacities, it is capable of writing quality college-level essays as well as accurately answering take-home exam questions by simply entering questions or writing prompts into the system.

In the essay, Weissman argues that the threat this software poses to age-old institutions such as the college essay will be replicated across a myriad of professions as ChatGPT is already capable of computer coding, medical diagnoses, and is poised to rapidly become much more powerful and accurate in coming iterations just around the corner. With this developing AI-dominated world in mind, Weissman suggests doubling down on a humanistic orientation to education in the classroom, focusing on teaching students how to better human society and lead meaningful and flourishing lives in a world where many existing job skills are at risk of being replaced by machines.

You can read the full article here with a subscription to the Sun Sentinel.

Posted 01/22/23

Halmos Faculty, Alumna Present on Indigenous Conflict Resolution

Ismael Muvingi, Ph.D.

Ismael Muvingi, 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 Kimberly Hamilton-Wright, Ph.D., doctoral graduate of DCRS, presented at the 2022 Association for Conflict Resolution Annual Conference held in Orlando and virtually. The theme of the conference was Evolving Horizons in Conflict Resolution.  The presentation was entitled, “Uncustomary Connections: Mainstreaming Indigenous Conflict Resolution Practices.”

Muvingi is the faculty advisor to the African Working Group. His academic interests include human rights, African politics, and transitional justice with a special focus on Africa.

Kimberly Hamilton-Wright, Ph.D.

In addition to her NSU degree, Hamilton-Wright holds an M.P.A. from Webster University, and a B.S. in Journalism from Kansas State University. She is a conflict analysis and resolution researcher, practitioner, and curriculum developer with expertise in womenwarography, gender, veterans, and military community issues. Her research interests also include mainstreaming of indigenous conflict resolution practices. Hamilton-Wright is developing a womenwarography course and outreach program. Additionally, she developed the graduate course, Conflict and Peace Connections: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Women in U.S. Military Communities, as well as the undergraduate course, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: U.S. Domestic and Global Perspectives. As a Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® (MBTI®) certified practitioner, she provides workplace and group dynamics consulting and workshops.

Posted 01/22/23

Professor Employs Mindfulness in His Teaching Philosophy

Professor Arvind Gudi, Ph.D.

In a fast-moving, innovative business world, staying on the cutting-edge is an extremely valuable skill. Among the emerging business leaders are digital entrepreneurs – self-employed venturers who promote their businesses outside their local communities, relying on information technology and digital media tools to attract potential customers.

Professor Arvind Gudi, Ph.D., with the H. Wayne Huizenga College of Business and Entrepreneurship, knows the ins and outs of this business strategy.

“My research is focused on digital entrepreneurship, knowledge management, knowledge integration in emergency management, and human-computer interaction,” he said.

“I received the President’s Faculty Research & Development Competition Grant in 2022 as principal investigator, and I’m currently developing collaborative research articles. The topic of the grant proposal is ‘Environmental Change due to COVID-19 and Digital Entrepreneurship.’”

Professor Gudi received the Excellence in Service Award from Dean Andrew Rosman of the H. Wayne Huizenga College of Business and Entrepreneurship.

Digital entrepreneurs are able to pivot services, branding and pricing without suffering significant turnaround time. Apple, Google, Microsoft, and Amazon – four of the top five most valuable companies – are products of digital entrepreneurship.

Born in the state of Karnataka, India, Gudi’s family settled in South Florida more than 35 years ago. He received his Ph.D. in Business Administration and Master of Science in Management Information Systems at Florida International University. He came to Nova Southeastern University about nine years ago.  Prior to his academic career, he has more than 20 years of experience in corporate management and consulting.

Gudi, who teaches in the Department of Decision Sciences, has been published widely in scholarly journals including the International Journal of Knowledge Management, International Journal of Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management, Behaviour and Information Technology, and Health Promotion International.

Since arriving at NSU, Gudi was honored with the Teaching Excellence Award for his pursuit of excellence in teaching and student learning in 2018-19. He also received the Service Excellence Award in 2021-22 for his outstanding service activities to NSU, corporate partners, and community members.

One of Gudi’s most prized innovations that he has brought to NSU was the creation of the Mindfulness Society, where he serves as a faculty coach and adviser for the professional and personal development of its members, which include faculty, students, staff, and corporate partners. Through the society, participants enhance their educational and professional pursuits through developing self-awareness, focus, concentration, perspective, mental agility, openness, intellectual curiosity, and other qualities.

“These are the essential characteristics to enable them to be effective and successful leaders, corporate managers, entrepreneurs, and engaged community members,” Gudi said.

“The Mindfulness Society fosters an innovative learning environment toward self-development, transformation and value-based lifestyle.”

Gudi started the society in 2017, because he saw something critically missing in the education experience.

“My observation and experience in the academic and business environment is that everything we do is necessary and required but not sufficient for us to have fulfilling and successful lives,” he said. “I believe that we need to develop education systems that are integrated and holistic,

be aligned with the vision and mission of HCBE Best for our World TM.”

When it comes to teaching, Gudi focuses on making learning not only holistic but inspirational and never-ending.

“As teachers and researchers, we are in a unique and responsible situation where we can make a significant impact on students in particular, and society in general,” he said. “My goal is to inspire students so they continue the process of learning even after they have completed the program and are able to apply the lessons learned in their personal and professional lives. A great teacher once said, ‘A student is like a lamp to be lit and not a bucket to be filled.’”

Posted 01/22/23

Psychology Doctoral Candidate Featured in APA Profile

Nicole Herrera, a College of Psychology clinical psychology doctoral candidate

Nicole Herrera, a College of Psychology clinical psychology doctoral candidate, was recently featured this past November in her own APA (American Psychological Association) profile for her work with older adults.

Herrera has been working closely with her mentor, College of Psychology Professor Soledad Argüelles-Borge, Ph.D., in this research area. Her overall research interest is in creating treatment options that lead to the betterment of older adults.

Recently, Herrera had the privilege of being selected as an intern to APA. During her time at APA, she was involved with a variety of tasks surrounding bettering the lives of older adults such as updating the Guidelines for Psychological Practice with Older Adults, assisting with the APA 2022 Convention, and aiding in the development of the Psychologists Against Ageism webinar series.

Presently, Herrera is participating in an internship at the Community Action and Human Services Department in Miami, where she splits her time between working with preschool student at Head Start, and with individuals in the rehabilitation center for substance abuse.

Posted 01/22/23

Halmos Director Named Education Chair of Resilience Association

Melissa Dore, Ed.D.

In a world full of distractions, it can be difficult to cope with change or being alone with your thoughts. Resilience is related to students’ well-being and academic success. Academic Resilience can be broadly defined in terms of capacities such as persistence, creativity, emotional intelligence, grit, thriving, cognitive flexibility, agency, flourishing, adaptation, addressing social justice and equity, learning from failure and success, and overcoming adversity.

Melissa Dore, Ed.D., Director of Academic Support and Administration of Halmos College of Arts and Sciences and the Guy Harvey Oceanographic Research Center (HCAS) has been elected to be the Education Chair of the Academic Resilience Consortium (ARC) for the next two years. A member of the steering committee, Dore will work closely with the leadership council and working groups to promote a collaborative and consensus-oriented process and culture, providing members educational opportunities to help college students learn, grow, and reach their goals.

The ARC is an association of faculty, staff, and students in higher education who are dedicated to understanding and promoting student resilience.  Members represent many functions in higher education, such as learning services, counseling services, advising programs, academic departments, and bridge programs.  The consortium currently includes 600+ members from 360+ schools in 45 US states and 17 countries.

As an institutional member, all NSU faculty, staff, and students have a free membership and access to all of ARCs resources. https://academicresilience.org/

Posted 01/22/23

Fischler Academy Student Heads 3rd Grader Responsibility Project

A Fischler Academy student is heading a project teaching elementary school students responsibility while tackling a common problem in class.

Danielle Gross, a junior at NSU’s Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice Fischler Academy program, is the newest head of the Responsible Pencil Project, an initiative where third-grade teachers are presented with a numbered set of four pencils for each student. The teacher assigns a set to each student and records the number.

Then, if somebody finds a pencil, the number will show which student it belongs to. Once a month, teachers do a class pencil count to see how many still have their pencils and sends the number to our NSU team. Prizes are awarded accordingly.

In addition to teaching the students responsibility, it also helps ensure that each student has a pencil (making their teacher’s life a tiny bit easier) as well as keeping NSU connected with its alumni.

Several Fischler alumni — Sherilynn Soto, Hannah Parisealt, and Aryanna Chang — who are currently working as third-grade teachers have joined the project. They were then encouraged to recruit their fellow co-teachers as well.

“It’s been awesome because no one has asked for a pencil,” Pariseault said.

Teachers at Davie Elementary were also asked to participate, with positive results.

“They are a lifesaver in my classroom,” said Davie Elementary teacher Mrs. Jeter.

The Responsible Pencil Project is a Skunks Works project. Gross is not the originator of the project, but she took responsibility of it earlier this year as a Skunk Works Team Leader.

Skunks Works Team Leaders are student employment positions at NSU where the students identify problems in K-12 education and then work as a team to develop a solution.

The term Skunk Works is often used to refer to a group within an organization that is given a high level of freedom while they work on a special or secret projects. It originally was used by security, arms, and aerospace company Lockheed Martin to refer to a secret project that resulted in the development of advanced aircrafts.

Posted 01/21/23

Farquhar Honors Student Combats Food Insecurity

Farquhar Honors College student Amber Gulau helped underprivileged communities in South Florida combat food insecurity with nutritional education and resources. Completed as part of the Honors in Major program, she worked with organizations like Meals on Wheels South Florida and Florida Impact to pursue her passion for community nutrition.

During her time with these organizations, she hosted educational sessions on nutrition and food safety, created meal menus, and proposed a pilot program to provide the elderly with nutritional supplements not covered by the Older Americans Act (OAA).

“My favorite part of this experience was seeing how eager and appreciative the community members were to learn when I delivered education,” said Gulau, a senior biology and nutrition major. “The members were always interactive and asked many questions, which was great! I also enjoyed learning about the community members’ cultural traditions and how they impacted their food safety practices and intake.”

Upon graduating, she plans to further her education through NSU’s Master of Science in Nutrition program and concentrate on Functional Nutrition and Herbal Therapy. Afterward, she will pursue a D.O. in Osteopathic Medicine to become an endocrinologist and use her knowledge of nutrition to help people with hormone-related health conditions.

“The Honors in Major program [provided] me with opportunities to interact with the community and strengthen my leadership skills,” she said. “Without the program, I would not have had the opportunity to [connect] to wonderful organizations like Meals on Wheels and Florida Impact. Through the Honors in Major [program], I have grown professionally in my ability to provide appropriate and relevant education to people aged five to 80 years old. I also improved my cultural competency, which will continue to develop and be applied in my future endeavors. Upon completing the requirements for the program, I feel inspired to continue the work I have done and strengthen my impact within community nutrition!”

The Honors in Major program is an exclusive opportunity for high-achieving NSU seniors to participate in research or an applied experience within their academic discipline under faculty guidance.

Learn more about the Honors in Major program.

Posted 01/21/23

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