Category: Health Care

Halmos Professor Publishes Chapter on Linguistic Justice

Shanti Bruce, Ph.D.

Shanti Bruce, Ph.D., professor and chair for the Department of Communication, Media, and the Arts in the Halmos College, recently published a chapter in the book Linguistic Justice on Campus: Pedagogy and Advocacy for Multilingual Students, published by Multilingual Matters in its New Perspectives on Language and Education series. The book supports writing educators on college campuses as they work toward linguistic equity and social justice for multilingual students.

Bruce’s chapter is titled “Locating Linguistic Justice in Language Identity Surveys” and is included in Part 1 of the book, which focuses on translingual and antidiscriminatory pedagogy and practices.

Bruce’s books ESL Writers: A Guide for Writing Center Tutors and Creative Approaches to Writing Center Work were each honored with the International Writing Centers Association’s Outstanding Scholarship Award for Best Book. She also published What Every Multilingual Student Should Know About Writing for College and Tutoring Second Language Writers.

To learn more about Linguistic Justice on Campus: Pedagogy and Advocacy for Multilingual Students, click here.

Posted 07/03/22

Education Alum Celebrates Collegiate and Military Milestones

Earl Filmore Jr., Ed.D.

Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice alumnus Earl Filmore Jr., Ed.D., celebrated two milestone achievements just a day apart.

After finishing his Ed.D. degree in Higher Education Leadership back in 2021, Filmore had the opportunity to mark the occasion and attend Nova Southeastern University’s recent graduate commencement ceremony on June 10. Then just 24 hours later, he celebrated 31 years in the U.S. Army Reserves.

Filmore said the achievements were enriching and that he comes from a family that is big on both education and military service.

“My grandparents only had a middle school education,” he said. “But they really would emphasize, especially my grandmother, she emphasized education and what it could do for you.”

Filmore said those sentiments were then passed down to his mother who then passed it down to him and his brothers.

“It was something I always wanted to do, to verify myself in an academic realm,” he said.

Filmore is also a third-generation combat veteran. And he isn’t the only one who joined the military, his two younger brothers did as well. Between the three of them, they have more than 50 years of military experience.

“Both my grandfathers were in World War II. My father was in Vietnam and then me, Operation: Iraq Freedom,” he said.

Merging his two passions into one, Filmore currently works for Bethune-Cookman University as the director of military services. His ultimate goal is to serve as the president of a university, possibly at an HBCU, but until then, he plans to earn more achievements and is currently waiting on a potential promotion to a lieutenant colonel. He is hoping to hear back next month.

Congratulations Earl Filmore Jr., and thank you for your service!

Posted 07/03/22

Education Alumna Gives High School Commencement Address

Meka Mears, Ed.D.

Meka Mears, Ed.D., alumna of NSU’s Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice is continuing her mission of giving back, inspiring the next generation, and building a better world. Mears recently served as the speaker for the commencement ceremony at her alma matter, Boyd Anderson High School.

“It felt very good to really give back because, of course, in my opinion, leadership is pretty much servitude,” she said.

She said the opportunity was incredibly rewarding. In her speech, Mears touched upon some ideas that are substantial to her, such as making smart choices, living an intentional life, and serving your community.

She also channeled the words of former First Lady Michelle Obama about success in her speech.

“Success, as Michelle Obama said, shouldn’t be viewed as the acquisition of money, but instead it’s the ability to touch the lives of others,” she said.

Giving back is evident in Mears’ history. Having earned an M.S. in English Education (2012), her Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership (2019), and having almost completed her master’s in public administration, she has gone on to serve on several boards, such as Leadership Broward, Crime Stoppers, and the Debbie’s Dream Foundation. She has also served as an adjunct professor at Nova Southeastern University and Broward College.

Mears said her initial goal was to become a university president, and while that is still something that may be in the cards, she is still open to whatever the future may hold.

“I’m not sure what will happen in the future or where I will end up in the future, but hopefully, it’s something that can be an amalgamation of community service, education, and maybe possibly healthcare because those three sectors I’m really passionate about, especially serving the underserved,” she said.

Posted 06/19/22

College of Dental Medicine Brings Smiles to Special Olympics

Nova Southeastern University College of Dental Medicine, Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) postgraduate program faculty, and residents participated in the June 2022 Special Olympics in Orlando.

Special Olympics Florida is committed to promoting unity and creating a community of belonging, inclusion, respect, growth, and development by valuing, encouraging, celebrating, and supporting our diverse athletes, staff, coaches, family members and volunteers.  They embrace non-discriminatory practices and policies and provide equal access to opportunities for employment, advancement, volunteering, and athletic participation.

The faculty and residents participated in The Special Smiles discipline of Healthy Athletes that provides comprehensive oral health care information, including offering free dental screenings and instructions on correct brushing and flossing techniques to participating Special Olympics athletes.

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Also, AEGD resident, Dr. Veronica Alfonzo Hernandez,  presented the topic of “Autism Spectrum Disorder” at American Academy of Developmental medicine and Dentistry (AADMD) Conference in Orlando June 2022

The AADMD is a national organization with a mission to improve and enhance knowledge and quality in the medical care of individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders and intellectual disabilities (ND/ID).

The UMMS Student Chapter actively promotes this mission through student leadership, advocacy, and action.

Posted 06/19/22

Halmos Faculty Member Writes Editorial on School Violence

Cheryl Duckworth, Ph.D.

Cheryl Duckworth, Ph.D., faculty in the Department of Conflict Resolution Studies in the Halmos College of Arts and Sciences and the Guy Harvey Oceanographic Research Center (HCAS), wrote an editorial on school violence in the Palm Beach Post titled “Hardening Schools is Wrong Approach.”

“Gun control is essential and effective but not enough – we need an entire shift in thinking from traditional security to human security.” In her editorial, Duckworth contends that “Human security is restorative, community-owned and participatory. Most importantly, human security addresses the basic human needs that are essential to our survival and thriving.”

Duckworth is the faculty facilitator for the Peace and Conflict Education Working Group in DCRS. The group seeks to equip and empower schools worldwide to be examples and builders of peace, and to promote activities and curriculum that can help extend peace into the local communities. She teaches qualitative research methods, foundations of conflict resolution, History, Memory and Conflict Resolution, and peace education.

To read her editorial, please see; https://www.palmbeachpost.com/story/opinion/2022/06/09/school-security-requires-community-healing-not-just-gun-control/7532069001/

Posted 06/19/22

Dean and Professor Emeritus Participates in Symposium

Honggang Yang, Ph.D.

Honggang Yang, Ph.D., Dean and Professor Emeritus from the former NSU College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences (CAHSS), participated in a symposium titled “Asian American and Pacific Islanders’ Contributions and Challenges in American Society.” The event was hosted by Southern Illinois University Carbondale to celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month with the virtual symposium scheduled for May 25, 2022.

Yang designed and implemented the Residential Institute (RI) in 1999, still used by the Department of Conflict Resolution Studies in the Halmos College of Arts and Sciences and the Guy Harvey Oceanographic Research Center (HCAS).  RI brings distance learning students to campus twice a year to engage in on-campus learning, attend keynote lectures, and participate in working groups and social activities. In addition, he implemented other programs such as the Campus Diversity Dialogues.

Posted 06/06/22

Two College of Law Faculty Elected to Serve on National Boards

Heather Baxter, Professor of Law and Director of Legal Research and Writing, was elected to serve on the Board of Directors of the Legal Writing Institute (LWI) for a four-year term beginning in 2022. LWI is the second-largest organization of law professors in the United States with nearly 3000 members. According to its website, LWI is “dedicated to improving legal communication, building the discipline of legal writing, and improving the status of legal writing faculty across the country.”

Prof. Baxter has been very active in the legal writing community, including formerly chairing LWI’s Teaching Resources Committee and ALWD’s Blackwell Award Reception Committee. She currently serves on the ALWD Leadership and Development Committee, and the Diversity Committee of the Legal Writing, Research and Reasoning (LWRR) Sectionof AALS. In addition to legal writing, Prof. Baxter also teaches Criminal Procedure and Appellate Advocacy, and she serves as Nova’s Moot Court Faculty Adviser.

Jane Ellen Cross, Professor of Law and Associate Dean for Diversity Inclusion, & Public Impact and Director of the Caribbean Law Program, has been elected to serve on the Board of Directors for the Association of Legal Writing Directors (ALWD). ALWD is one of the preeminent national professional associations for lawyering skills and legal writing professors.

Prof. Cross been actively involved in ALWD as the Chair of the Innovative Programming Committee for the ALWD 2021 Conference and currently serves as the co-chair of the ALWD Diversity Committee. She is also on the Governing Board of the Legal Writing Institute’s Sirico Scholars’ Workshop and serves as the 2022 Program Coordinator.  Finally, Prof. Cross was selected to serve on the Program Committee for the Legal Writing, Research and Reasoning (LWRR) Section of AALS.

Posted 06/05/22

 

Student’s Nonprofit Donates Medical Supplies to Ukraine

 

Farquhar Honors College junior Alexandra Lugo is a changemaker with a passion for helping others. Dedicated to turning her compassion into action, she created a nonprofit organization called The Children’s Charity to help children suffering from chronic diseases. Through service and advocacy, Lugo and her charity have impacted the lives of thousands of families, including, most recently, the war victims in Ukraine. Partnering with Brothers for Others, another nonprofit organization, Lugo’s charity collected more than $10,000 worth of hygiene and medical supplies to ship to the victims along the Poland-Ukraine border.

The donation drive was a student-led initiative with contributions from more than 30 small businesses, organizations, and schools across South Florida—including NSU. Lugo’s charity empowers the youth to catalyze positive change through ambassador and volunteer programs that allow students to work at the forefront of meaningful projects like this one. These projects give high school students valuable service and leadership experience.

“I strongly believe in the butterfly effect, and one of the goals of my organization is to [show] others [through] example and mentorship, that no matter your age or resources, you can make a significant impact on your community,” Lugo said. “Love and service are contagious, and I believe it is everyone’s responsibility to spread it.”

Lugo was inspired to create her charity after volunteering in healthcare settings from a young age and witnessing the power of community and understanding in helping the patient experience. Her charity raises awareness of pediatric diseases and has collected more than $50,000 worth of supplies for children at local hospitals. The most fulfilling part for Lugo is connecting with and supporting the suffering children and their families, something she strives to continue to do.

Lugo is currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree in behavioral neuroscience and is enrolled in NSU’s Dual Admission program to obtain a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.). She hopes to dedicate her future career as a physician to providing patients with healthcare that emphasizes compassion and the patient-healthcare worker relationship.

“The Children’s Charity [and] my research, academic work, and leadership positions all share a focus on preventive and compassionate medicine, student-led service, and advocacy,” Lugo said. “This is what I love, simply put. Many of the skills I have learned in the classroom have driven me in my charity work. The mentors and professors I have had as a student have without a doubt had a huge influence [on] my endeavors.”

Posted 5/22/22

Halmos Faculty Member Presents at Rotary Club of Fort Lauderdale

McKay

Judith McKay, J.D., Ph.D., director of the doctoral program, and 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), was invited by the Rotary Club of Fort Lauderdale to present at a luncheon meeting. Her topic was Conflict and Change in Organizations.

McKay is the faculty adviser to the Social Justice Roundtable and works with students in the community through Community Resolution Services, a practicum and volunteer site for DCRS. Community Resolution Services hosts Story Café, We Love our Families series, The Women’s Roundtable, and is involved in offering workshops for the county’s Crisis Intervention Teams, and other events for community groups and organizations. She is also the co-director of the NSU Council on Dialogue and Democracy.

Posted 05/22/22

Make Arts, Culture the Focus of Growth in Downtown Fort Lauderdale

This opinion piece appeared in the South Florida Sun-Sentinel on May 15.

By Francie Bishop Good

In early April, Nova Southeastern University Art Museum Fort Lauderdale hosted the first ever international summit “Codaworx: Experience.” The conference brought together hundreds of creatives, civic leaders and technology companies whose fusion of art and technology create phenomenal civic projects. These projects foster economic development, promote civic engagement and drive tourism. The two-day event included an evening display of an awe-inspiring animated artwork projected via advanced laser projection technology onto the museum’s modernist building facing Las Olas Boulevard.

Francie Bishop Good

NSU Art Museum was the fitting location for this cutting-edge event. For over 60 years, the museum has remained a premier mainstay and driver of the cultural blossoming of downtown Fort Lauderdale. NSU Art Museum is the central meeting point (literally and figuratively) in South Florida, representing a crossroads of culture. It has an extensive permanent collection of artworks and has produced world-class art exhibitions that have featured such renowned artists as Frida Kahlo, Frank Stella, Keith Haring, Kehinde Wiley, Anselm Kiefer, Renoir and Picasso, while still being dedicated to showcasing and nurturing the work of local artists.

NSU Art Museum is on par with the finest museums in the world. Since its merger in 2008 with Nova Southeastern University, one of the largest private research universities in the United States, NSU Art Museum has actively fostered a strong community through the arts where families can build memories and art enthusiasts connect with the international art world. Its popular free school field trips and art workshops bring over 3,000 Broward County youth from low-income families to the museum annually, and its free Teen Arts Council provides teens with exciting career training in the arts.

Thriving arts and cultural organizations are what make cities vibrant and iconic. There are no great cities without great museums. Sustained growth is fueled by a sustained culture and varied types of interesting elements from visual arts to performing arts to museums and beyond. Since 2010, Fort Lauderdale has seen a 43% increase in downtown population of 25-to-44-year-olds, according to the International Downtown Association.

The museum is a connector in that it is more than just a place to see art. It is a place to build relationships with others through exhibitions and family programming. Its mission is to make art and learning accessible, no matter the circumstances. NSU Art Museum partners with the city of Fort Lauderdale to provide all its residents with free admission the last Sunday of every month, and thanks to the support of Broward Health, the popular Free Starry Nights have returned, providing all visitors free admission on the first Thursday of every month. All children ages 12 and under always receive free admission, as do families receiving food assistance (SNAP). These initiatives are generously supported by the museum’s volunteer Board of Governors, corporate and individual donors and local foundations, including the Community Foundation of Broward and Funding Arts Broward.

To its core, NSU Art Museum embodies all the things necessary to make a solid cultural and art base and platform to grow a flourishing and culturally rich community. As we continue to expand as a city, connection and celebration of the arts should remain a focus for strategic and sustainable growth of Fort Lauderdale.

Francie Bishop Good is chair of the Board of Governors of NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale.

Posted 05/17/22

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