Author: Christie Williams

Department of Communication, Media, and the Arts features guest artist exhibition ‘The Garden’ in Gallery 217

 

NSU’s Department of Communication, Media, and the Arts (DCMA) within the Halmos College of Arts and Sciences and the Guy Harvey Oceanographic Research Center is featuring guest artist Amanda Madrigal and her exhibition “The Garden” in Gallery 217 in the Don Taft University Center. The exhibit was collaboratively curated by students enrolled in ARTS 3040: Museum Studies and Gallery Practices, guest artist Amanda Madrigal and guest curator and adjunct faculty member Taryn Moller Nicoll, who also serves as chief curator of The Frank Gallery.

The exhibit features sculptures and mixed media elements created out of repurposed materials from local Miami thrift stores and businesses whose operations shut down due to the economic difficulties of the COVID-19 pandemic. Madrigal’s vision gives new meaning to the materials that make up her pieces, and “The Garden” communicates reconnection with nature through the construction of a new normal, reflective of our current global reality.

DCMA practiced a socially distanced installation and is using technology to provide safe access to the exhibit. The virtual opening on Sept. 23 featured Madrigal discussing her work live from the gallery and participating in a Q&A via Zoom. A virtual video tour of the gallery was produced by M.A. in Composition, Rhetoric, and Digital Media student Mike Lynn, and a 360 virtual tour was created by DCMA Associate Professor of Writing Eric Mason.

For more information about the exhibition, click here.

 

SPARK Hollywood Pitch Competition Sponsored by NSU and won by an NSU Student

Stefano Selorio, a marketing major at NSU’s Huizenga College of Business, recently won first place in Hollywood’s 2020 SPARK Pitch Competition. He received $5,000 for pitching his tech education startup – Carevocacy.

“During the pandemic, I had to pivot the original idea to what today’s older adults need. Carevocacy is helping older adults learn about technology through remote live classes so that they can stay connected with their loved ones. I’ve been able to help older adults from connecting on to Zoom to helping them talk to their healthcare provider via telehealth. The service may be different, but the vision remains the same – to create a caring culture in healthcare.” said Selorio.

SPARK Hollywood, FL has offered more than 100 entrepreneurs the opportunity to pitch their ventures to expert judges, and awarded more than $20,000 in cash and in-kind prizes to spark businesses since 2017. It provides a platform to access valuable resources available in the City of Hollywood and South Florida while further developing their entrepreneurial skills. SPARK Hollywood, FL is presented by the Greater Hollywood Chamber of Commerce and the City of Hollywood. It is supported by The Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship, NSU Broward Center of Innovation, Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance, Community Service Foundation of Broward x Bob Giacin | Trustee and Committee of 100 x Hollywood.

On top of his $5,000 cash prize, he was also offered complimentary membership to NSU’s Broward Center of Innovation. The Levan Center of Innovation is a public-private partnership between NSU and Broward County. The Center is focused on three themes (innovation, technology, entrepreneurship) and four pillars (ideate, incubate, accelerate, post-accelerate). The Center is being designed to serve the community resulting in breakthrough ideas, new technology, job creation, talent skills pipeline, company formation, and scaling of early-stage and young startup companies.

Selorio also has partnered with Linda Maurice from NSU’s Lifelong Learning Institute (LLI) from the Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Medicine. “Working with Linda’s older adults network has allowed us to better understand the community, create relationships, and build custom learning styles.” said Selorio. To learn more about NSU’s LLI, click here.

“Starting, pivoting, and running a business while in school is not easy. Yet, I’m so grateful for the support of my friends and family for pushing my vision forward. At the end of the day, I am focused on creating solutions for today’s problems.” said Selorio.

Click here to learn more about Carevocacy

NSU Psychology Clinics treating heightened mental health conditions as a result of COVID-19

With COVID-19 creating so much uncertainty in our community during 2020, the importance of taking care of our mental health has only become more and more significant. Nova Southeastern University, for instance, has taken decisive action to provide support and mental health services to our community, both virtually and in-person following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.

“The truth is that people are seeking therapy at increasing rates because of the isolation and the lack of social support and community that we are now socially distancing from: church, friends, co-workers, etc.,” said Dr. Amy Ellis, Interim Director of the Trauma Resolution & Integration Program in the NSU Psychology Services Center.

Ellis explains that the uncertainties of 2020, including the ambiguities of how the COVID-19 virus behaves, the social justice movement for Black Lives Matter, the national and local elections, etc., have all played a role in the mental health of previous patients and the need for mental health support for new ones.

“Some clients may have lost their jobs and have been forced to move back home to unhealthy or abusive family environments, where previous traumas may be triggered,” Dr. Ellis continued.

The NSU clinics offer a wide variety of specialty services in 15 different programs, including the Anxiety Treatment Center, Trauma Resolution and Integration, Family Violence, and Adult Services, and others. The Adult Services program, for instance, usually sees 100-130 clients each week, targeting anxiety, depression, and panic.

“These conditions have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and the uncertainties weighing on our society: the loss of family and friends to COVID-19, social justice concerns, unemployment, natural disasters, etc.,” said Dr. Leonard Schnur, Associate Clinical Professor and Coordinator of the Adult Services Program in the NSU Psychology Services Center.

The clinics have seen a significant influx of clients, especially through telehealth services, as a result of the emotional impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the cost of treatment and the rate of unemployment among clients, present a challenge in the way the clinics are able to provide support for some.

The cost of the initial intake evaluation is $100, and all subsequent therapy sessions are $80. Full battery psychological, neuropsychological or Psycho-educational evaluations are $1,000; however, with supporting documentation an individual may be eligible for a reduced fee that will make services affordable.

Considering the effects of 2020 on the mental health of our community members, this year’s NSU Giving Tuesday campaign will focus on fundraising for the Mental Health Awareness, Suicide and Violence Prevention, COVID-19 Student Support Fund. Donors may, nonetheless, still designate their donation to any college, program, or area at NSU.

The NSU community will come together, as one NSU, on December 1, 2020 to support NSU students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends who are increasingly seeking mental health support but are unable to afford it.

Support these important initiatives during Giving Tuesday. Make a gift at: tinyurl.com/NSUGivingTuesday

HCAS Announces President’s Distinguished Professor Awards of Excellence

Andrea Nevins, Ph.D., Interim Dean of the Halmos College of Arts and Sciences and the Guy Harvey Oceanographic Research Center (HCAS) has announced the selections for the President’s Distinguished Professor Awards of Excellence for the college. Considering the merger of the former College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences and the Halmos College of Natural Sciences and Oceanography, two faculty were selected. Kate Waites, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Humanities and Politics (DHP) was selected from the former CAHSS. Aurelian Tartar, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Biological Sciences (DBS) was selected from the former Halmos.

Of this honor, Waites said, “I was stunned and delighted to learn that I was being awarded the Distinguished Professor of the 2019-20, and deeply grateful to our department chair, Dr. David Kilroy, for his nomination. I am also most appreciative of my students who inspire me and ask me not to be complacent, and to always be better. This is such an honor, honestly, especially given the fact that I work alongside so many talented and worthy colleagues. It is especially gratifying because this award comes in my third, and final decade of teaching at NSU. I won the award twice before. The first time was in 1991, in the early years of my career and the college’s formation, and again in 2007, in my second decade of teaching. I feel most fortunate to be awarded this honor a third time in my final decade of teaching.

As faculty members, we are constantly challenged to do and be better—in the classroom by our students, and in our diverse and vibrant university community by the call to service. We are also driven by our curiosity, and our desire to continue to learn and grow as scholars and make contributions to our respective fields. In that sense, we are, ourselves, perennial students who serve as role models for those who enter our classrooms. Lucky us. Lucky me. This award is the cherry on top of a richly rewarding cake.”

DHP chair, David Kilroy, Ph.D. said of Waites, “Dr. Waites contributes to the intellectual and creative rigor of the NSU community and surrounding areas in immediate ways by participating in public series, such as the NSU Faculty Symposium and Ted Talk-x at NSU, and on-campus performances such as those produced by the South Florida Irish Theater. She stands for human rights, over the years having committed herself to opening conversations at NSU, as the founder and director for the Women’s Resource Institute (1995-98) and architect for the Gender Studies Minor in the Department of Literature and Modern Languages.

Tartar indicated that, “I am honored to receive this award and would like to thank my colleagues for their support.” His department chair, Emily Schmitt Lavin, Ph.D., said of Tartar,

“Through his collaborations, Dr. Tartar has been successful at bringing in significant extramural funding (~$900,000) from federal agencies (US Dept. of Agriculture, US Dept. of Education and US Dept. of Defense) to support his and his students’ research in the field of genomics. Specifically, these funds have helped support more than 10 undergraduate students working in his lab over the past five years as well as three master’s thesis students. Undergraduate students were able to be published on his peer-reviewed research as either lead or co-authors in journals including, Applied and Environmental Microbiology (2014) and BMC Microbiology (2016). All three of the master’s students in his lab had their research published in peer reviewed journals including Canadian Journal of Remote Sensing (2015), Scientific Reports (2014), and Journal of Circadian Rhythms (2016).”

HCAS congratulates these two outstanding professors and extends deep appreciation for their contributions to the college, the university, and to their respective fields.

Happy Thanksgiving from NSU

This year’s holidays will look and feel a little different for all of us. While you may not be able to gather with all of your loved ones, we hope you find a special way to celebrate and be thankful. Take time to reflect upon and appreciate the people that have helped get you through these challenging times. Express your gratitude for the opportunities that have enriched your lives this year. We all have so much to be thankful for, and we are so thankful for you all. Your positive energy, hard work, and dedication to NSU is what helps make our NSU Shark family even stronger. Happy Thanksgiving!

NSU Giving Tuesday – December 1, 2020

NSU will once again participate in Giving Tuesday on December 1, 2020. Giving Tuesday is a worldwide campaign that focuses on the social, emotional, and financial needs of communities around the globe.

This year, NSU’s goal is to fundraise $100,000 and reach at least 1,000 donors in 24 hours. While funds can support any college, program, or area at NSU, there will be a focus on fundraising for the COVID-19 Student Support Fund, Mental Health Awareness, and Suicide and Violence Prevention.

COVID-19 Student Support Fund

Earlier this year, thousands of NSU students applied for financial assistance from the Federal CARES Act and the COVID-19 Student Support Fund. While many applicants were able to receive help, there are still many students who continue to reach out to NSU administrators regarding food insecurities. The COVID-19 Student Support Fund – comprised only of philanthropic gifts – helps students in need.

Mental Health Awareness

Likewise, many suffer from stress, anxiety and more when dealing with hardships that were brought on from the pandemic. According to a United Nation’s policy brief on COVID-19 and the Need for Action on Mental Health, the COVID-19 crisis, while a physical health crisis, has the seeds of a major mental health crisis as well, if action is not taken.

“The mental health and wellbeing of whole societies have been severely impacted by this crisis and are a priority to be addressed urgently,” the brief stated. “It [mental health] must be front and centre of every country’s response to and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.”

The Psychology Services Center at NSU has been a standing resource to all residents of the South Florida area including children, adolescents, adults, and elders. The clinics, which specialize in areas ranging from anxiety to trauma, have continued to see patients during these tough times in both virtual and in-person formats.

 Suicide and Violence Prevention

With the upcoming holidays, increased isolation can exacerbate suicidal thoughts and violence. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that suicide is, “the 10th leading cause of death for all Americans. Each year, more than 36,000 people take their own lives. In addition, more than 374,000 are treated in emergency departments for self-inflicted injuries.”

At the NSU Office of Suicide and Violence Prevention, faculty and staff continue to support crisis prevention efforts, with a focus on suicide prevention. Staff are continuously devoted to creating a safety net at NSU to help prevent suicide and violence. From sharing presentations of warning signs and providing resources to help, NSU is dedicated to healing – together.

There will be several ways to give including online at tinyurl.com/NSUGivingTuesday via text (keyword “NSU” to 41444), payroll deduction for NSU employees, or in-person at the University Center. The first 500 donors to give $25 or more may elect to receive two NSU-branded face masks.

Any and all donations will be accepted no matter the amount. Donors will have the option of choosing where the area they’d like to support.

Have questions regarding Giving Tuesday? Interested in starting a “match” gift? Please reach out to NSU Alumni Relations & Annual Giving at annualfund@nova.edu or (954) 262- 2118.

Sources:

https://www.who.int/news/item/05-10-2020-covid-19-disrupting-mental-health-services-in-most-countries-who-survey

 

COM Outlook Wins PRSA PRestige Award

On November 12, the Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine’s COM Outlook magazine received the first-place prize in the Magazine and Periodicals category at the Public Relations Society of America Tampa Bay Chapter’s PRestige Awards virtual ceremony, which recognizes outstanding PR programs and tactics by PR pros in Florida and across the country

“Winning awards is gratifying, but they are even more meaningful when they involve a team effort,” said Scott Colton, B.A., APR, director of medical communications and public relations for the osteopathic medicine college and the Health Professions Division. “Creating each issue of COM Outlook involves the efforts of many dedicated individuals who contribute to the magazine’s enduring popularity.”

Colton, who oversees the magazine’s editorial content, also credits the talented team from NSU’s Office of Printing and Publications | Division of Business Services for playing a significant role in the magazine’s award-winning success. “The accolades COM Outlook continues to receive truly exemplify the One NSU philosophy of collaboration and collegiality.”

This marks the second first-place prize COM Outlook earned in 2020 after receiving the national award for Best Magazine in March from the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine.

NSU University School Students Accepted Into Prestigious Statewide Honor Band and Chorus

NSU University School is proud to congratulate our Upper School students who received acceptance into a prestigious statewide honor band and chorus. Congratulations to Peter K., who was accepted to the All-State High School Honors Band, and Anthony L., who was accepted to the High School Mixed Chorus! All-State participants will receive literature to perform remotely, which will then be edited together as part of this year’s virtual All-State Performances. We are proud of these Sharks for this outstanding achievement.

1 … 27 28 29 30 31 … 113