Author: iharrell

Staff Member’s Article Focuses on Facilities Management

Reynolds

Mallica Reynolds

NSU employee Mallica D. Reynolds published an article in the APPA Facilities Management MagazineSeptember/October 2024 edition. The focus was on “Trust but Verify: Elevating Integrity in Facilities Management.” Reynolds is the assistant director of regional facilities with the Office of Facilities Management. He is a two-time NSU alum.

Office of Facilities Management champions the need to live out the NSU Core Values in everyday endeavors. Integrity is no exception to this mode of operation. It lays the foundation for internal and external relationships growing strong and operating effectively. Trusting the team to complete their assigned task is one half of the process needed to maintain balance in a productive organization.

Daniel Alfonso, NSU’s vice president of facilities management, promotes a participatory environment between all facilities management teams. Each team collaborates to bring the finished product to students, faculty, staff, and visitors. Reynold’s article indicates that facilities management involves managing both people and equipment. People need to be mentored, trained, held accountable, and rewarded for good work. Equipment and mechanical systems must be maintained, upgraded, and replaced. In each area, failure to hold accountable and maintain high levels of integrity can lead to devastating end results such as loss of life.

NSU is an active member of the Association of Physical Plant Administrators (APPA) and the Southeastern Regional Association of Physical Plant Administrators (SRAPPA) and is a driving force setting new national facility management trends. APPA is an international facilities management organization representing more than 17,000 educational facilities professionals from more than 1,200 learning institutions. APPA is the diamond standard for higher educational facilities management.

READ REYNOLD’S ARTICLE.

NSU Cares Reaches Out to Those Dealing with Disasters

NSU Cares

Last week’s Hurricane Helene brought heavy rain and strong winds to all of Florida and caused temporary closures for NSU’s Fort Myers, Tampa Bay, Orlando, and Jacksonville campuses. Fortunately, our communities were spared the brunt of this storm, but we know there are some who made need assistance, as well as others in Florida and across the south.

In light of these recent devastations, NSU has rallied together to support areas impacted by Hurricane Helene through NSU Cares, a program providing crucial aid to students, employees, and alumni affected by disasters. Through the generosity of our donors, we can provide relief during unforeseen catastrophes.

The American Red Cross is also mobilizing a national relief effort in response to the hurricane. To request assistance or donate, visit redcross.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767). You can read more about its Hurricane Helene relief effort here.

Reflecting and Celebrating: NSU’s Season of Presidents

Dr. Moon and President Hanbury

Dr. Moon and President Hanbury

Over the next several months, we’re looking back, looking forward, and honoring the influence and leadership of NSU President and CEO George L. Hanbury and NSU President-Elect, Executive Vice President, and Chief Operating Officer Harry K. Moon. And we’re working with various friends in the community to help tell the story.

South Florida Business & Wealth Editor Kevin Gale recently sat down with President Hanbury to discuss his legacy as a top leader in South Florida (read the PDF Hanbury Business and Wealth).

And if you haven’t yet, please mark your calendars for these important dates:

  • 3:30-4:30 p.m., Monday, Dec. 9, Miniaci Performing Arts Center, Fort Lauderdale, President Hanbury’s final university address
  • 2 p.m., Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, Rick Case Arena, Taft University Center, Fort Lauderdale, Dr. Harry K. Moon’s Investiture Ceremony as NSU’s seventh president

More details and invitations requesting RSVPs to these two presidential events will be forthcoming. These events will be streamed to NSU’s regional campuses.

 

Hispanic Celebration Comes to Life Through Alum’s Story

Amanda Conde

Alumna Amanda Conde at graduation

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month is a time of pride for Nova Southeastern University – the largest private university in the U.S. that meets the U.S. Department of Education criteria as a Hispanic-serving institution. It’s also a time of reflection for NSU alumna Amanda Conde, a first-generation American.

“This month is a celebration of who I am and where I come from,” said Conde, a graduate of the H. Wayne Huizenga College of Business and Entrepreneurship. “It holds special meaning, symbolizing my culture and the resilience it has instilled in me.”

To mark the month, NSU’s Belonging, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Council is promoting several Hispanic-themed events featuring music, dance, food, and guest lectures being offered across the university community. Among them:

  • Sept. 1-Oct. 20: “Figuration in Latino American Art” exhibit at Sherman Library
  • Sept. 30:  The Future of Spanglish – A roundtable presentation and discussion
  • Oct. 10: Marinera Forever – Peruvian Dance and Cultural Fest at Sherman Library
Amanda with her mother and father

Amanda with her mother and father

Calling herself a “tri-citizen” born in Cuba, moving to Spain during her early childhood, then coming to the United States, Amanda sees this month as a time to reflect on the importance of her family and their support.

“Being an immigrant family, we never had a lot, but my parents made sure to give me everything they had and more,” Amanda said. “They worked extremely hard to guarantee we had a home, food, clothes, and a good education.”

That same work ethic was instilled in Amanda, who put herself through NSU with the help of scholarships and a full-time job. She earned her finance degree in 2023, her MBA in 2024, and was recently offered a job at Morgan Stanley.

“My parents told me to always give 100% in anything I did because no one else would do it for me,” she said. “I was able to get this done because of them.”

Get Ready for Flu Season at On-Campus Pharmacy

Pharmacy

NSU makes it easy to get vaccinated with our on-campus NSU Health Pharmacy in the Sanford L. Ziff Health Care Center (University Drive and SW 30th Street). Appointments are recommended (call 954-262-4550), but walk-ins are welcomed. The pharmacy staff can address any concerns or questions about the flu and COVID-19 vaccines, fill prescriptions, provide medication counseling, and schedule other vaccines. At the full-service pharmacy, you can also purchase over-the-counter medications and supplies.

“The seasonal flu vaccine is recommended for everyone over six months of age,” said Goar Alvarez, Pharm.D., C.Ph., FASCP, assistant dean of Pharmacy Services at the Barry and Judy Silverman College of Pharmacy.

chart

The flu vaccine and COVID-19 vaccine and boosters have been formulated to protect you against this year’s anticipated viruses and variants. To save time, you can get flu and COVID vaccines during the same pharmacy visit.

Many health insurance plans cover the annual flu shot as preventive care. The same is true for COVID shots. Most NSU employees receive a 10% discount for on-campus pharmacy services when they present their Shark Card ID. NSU Health works with many health insurance plans. Check with your insurance carrier for coverage specifics.

“We offer a traditional community pharmacy with a ‘white glove touch,’” Alvarez said. “We’re focused on taking care of our faculty and staff.”

The Office of Human Resources is collaborating with the NSU Pharmacy and ICUBA to provide free seasonal flu shots to all faculty and staff enrolled in an ICUBA medical plan.

Women’s and Men’s Soccer Teams Benefit from Pro-Style Stadium

New soccer seasons for the NSU women’s and men’s teams have kicked off, but soon they will be playing on a new, top-notch pitch. Slated to open Oct. 5, the revamped stadium, which includes $7 million in improvements and will seat almost 7,000, is on the site of the former Miami Dolphins football training facility. Check out the women’s schedule and the men’s schedule to support our Sharks.

NSU’s teams will be sharing the field with the new professional women’s soccer team, Fort Lauderdale United FC (FTL UFC) part of the United Soccer Super League.

Through a strategic partnership with the Alan B. Levan | NSU Broward Center of Innovation, FTL UFC will have offices in the center and will leverage its advanced infrastructure and expertise to accelerate its growth.

FTL UFC team is providing special pricing for the NSU community. You can find those discounts here.

Researchers Spread Shark Love to Young Students

Derek Burkholder

NSU researcher Derek Burkholder teaches homeschooled students how to set the bait during a recent shark-tagging expedition.

On a muggy August morning at Nova Southeastern University’s Oceanographic Campus in Dania Beach, a group of children and their parents gathered at the docks, dodging biting flies.

Louis Aguirre

WPLG TV 10 anchor Louis Aguirre interviews one of the students on her shark-tagging experience.

For this homeschooled crew – part of Surf Skate Science, a program tailored for non-traditional schoolers – the ocean would be their classroom for the day. The subject? Sharks.

Many of the children expressed fear of these often-misunderstood animals. But after learning about them, as well as catching, tagging, and releasing them, their opinions changed to ones of compassion and conservation.

NSU researcher Derek Burkholder and his team from NSU’s Guy Harvey Research Institute and the Save Our Seas Shark Center headed the shark-tagging mission. WPLG 10 news anchor Louis Aguirre and his film crew also captured the experience for their news program “Don’t Trash Our Treasure.”

Watch the news show segment here.

NSU Humanities Students Tackle the Problem with Plastics

From left, David Kilroy (Chair, Department of Humanities and Politics), Jared DeRosa, Christophe Godbarge, J.C. Avila (C.O.O., Montachem International, Inc.), Aidan Kunju, Hailee Delgado, Amanda Furiasse (Assistant Professor of Humanities, Marlisa Santos, professor and director, Center for Applied Humanities) at the IN-SIGHT showcase event.

While younger generations may prioritize climate change and plastic waste reduction in their beliefs, they are less likely to recycle than older generations, according to findings in a research study done by Nova Southeastern University students.

A small group of students began a collaboration in 2022 with Montachem International, following the company’s sponsorship of a case competition for NSU’s INST 1500 Global Issues course. Students in that class were invited to do a research project on global plastic use and waste, and three winners were selected based on a faculty panel decision. The three winners were then invited to present to Chief Operating Officer J.C. Avila and his colleagues from Montachem.

Seven students have participated over the past two years in the IN-SIGHT program, an undergraduate think tank that works with businesses and community organizations.

“Montachem’s enthusiasm for that first iteration of the case competition then translated into their support for the think tank,” said Marlisa Santos, Ph.D., director for NSU’s Center for Applied Humanities.

Montachem has been serving the plastics industry since 1988, distributing a line of thermoplastic resins and related additives to plastics’ converters around the globe. Realizing the potential negative impact of plastic distribution, Montachem is exploring approaches to incentivize recycling efforts.

From left, IN-SIGHT fellows Christophe Godbarge, Aidan Kunju, Hailee Delgado Jared DeRosa

The students were 2022-23 IN-SIGHT Fellows Jared DeRosa, Hailee Delgado, Christophe Godbarge and Aidan Kunju and 2023-24 IN-SIGHT Fellows Jared DeRosa, Savannah Delano, Alexis Lass and Charlotte Opris. The groups have worked under the direction of NSU Assistant Professor Amanda Furiasse, in the Center for Applied Humanities.

As part of their project with Montachem, the students did research and produced an in-depth report on a topic that presents a problem and provides a solution.

“The IN-SIGHT fellowship vividly demonstrates the humanities’ unique capacity to embrace diverse perspectives and leverage the inherent creativity of the human spirit, paving the way for sustainable solutions that resonate beyond academia,” Furiasse said.

Among some of the findings of the group uncovered were:

  • Younger people may be more likely to be influenced by social media, which can amplify the appearance of sustainability but may not necessarily translate into practical action.
  • With plastic waste already a major problem worldwide, this trend among younger generations is concerning because it suggests future efforts to address the issue will be hindered by a lack of engagement and participation from those who will soon be responsible for managing waste.

Jared DeRosa and Aidan Kunju assist in a beach cleanup.

The students’ concluded not all plastic products can be recycled with present technologies. Recycling requires significant investment in infrastructure and technology, and while recycling may reduce plastic waste it may not necessarily reduce the environmental impact of plastic production and use because of greenhouse gases recycling produces.

After the students’ presentation, the Montachem asked them to expand on their research. While this is their first client, Santos is optimistic there will be others in the future.

“The IN-SIGHT program demonstrates not only how relevant the humanities are in addressing real-world problems,” she said, “but also how imperative it is to seek perspectives from these disciplines, as they provide critical vision in improving our communities.”

Halmos Biology Student, Alum Present at Research Symposium

Sneh Patel, a student in the Department of Biological Sciences in the Halmos College of Arts and Sciences and the Guy Harvey Oceanographic Research Center, gave a virtual presentation at the University of West Alabama’s annual Undergraduate Research Symposium on March 4. His presentation was titled “Evaluating the impact of COVID-19 on global education in anatomy and physiology.”

Sean Mahajan, B.S., Halmos biology major alum, was co-author on the project. Halmos Associate Professor Santanu De, M.Sc., Ph.D., mentored the students in the research collaboration.

Posted 04/07/24

HCA Healthcare Invests $500,000 in Nursing Simulation Lab

Nursing studentHCA Healthcare recently announced it will give $500,000 to NSU to help establish a clinical simulation lab in support of its new nurse anesthesiology program. This gift is part of HCA Healthcare’s $10 million pledge over three years to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Hispanic-serving institutions.

“It’s been a long-standing point of pride that our nursing programs – and NSU overall – have such a dedicated and diverse student population,” said Stefanie La Manna, dean of NSU’s Ron and Kathy Assaf College of Nursing. “This investment from HCA addresses an important need to provide cutting-edge technologies for our nursing students in the ever-changing health care environment. These advances will ensure the effectiveness of these future professionals who will be better able to provide the very best care to their patients and who are so essential in meeting the need for excellent nurses here in Florida and across the country.”

According to the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology, the anesthesiology workforce may experience a shortage of about 12,500 providers by 2033. To help combat this, NSU is developing a nurse anesthesiology program. This gift from HCA Healthcare will support the faculty and equipment, including clinical simulation labs required to set up nurse anesthesiology training at NSU’s Palm Beach and Fort Myers campus locations.

“As one of the nation’s leading health care providers, we understand the importance of building up the next generation of caregivers,” said Sherri Neal, chief diversity officer of HCA Healthcare. “It is our honor to work with Nova Southeastern University as we make strides to address nationwide caregiver shortages.”

Classified as a research university with “high research activity” by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, NSU – a Hispanic serving institution – is one of only 50 universities nationwide to also be awarded Carnegie’s “community engagement” classification.

“We are excited that HCA Healthcare is partnering with NSU for the worthy goal of providing our nursing students with a state-of-the-art learning space that will help prepare them for all the challenges they will face in the field,” said NSU President and CEO George L. Hanbury II.

HCA Healthcare and its East Florida Division have a longstanding relationship with NSU.

“Investing in education and advanced training is essential for the future of health care,” said Charles Gressle, HCA Healthcare’s East Florida Division President. “This important initiative represents a significant step forward in our mission to foster excellence in medical training and to support the next generation of health care leaders.”

Click here to watch video of NSU nursing student.

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