Category: SharkBytes

Dr Pallavi Patel College of Health Care Sciences Department of Speech-Language Pathology Congratulates Early Career Professional Certificate Recipients

NSU’s Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) program alumnae Krista Hadeed, M.S., CCC/SLP, (2015), and Samantha Novick, M.S., CCC-SLP, (2015), were awarded the 2020 Distinguished Early Career Professional (ECP) Certificate by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).

This certificate was created to recognize ECPs in audiology and speech-language pathology who are making an impact in the areas of leadership, volunteering, or advocacy at the local, state, and /or national level. Both recipients are well deserving of this certificate and require a highlight of the wonderful work they have done and continue to do, https://www.asha.org/about/awards/distinguished-early-career-professional-certificate/.

 

Krista Hadeed, M.S., CCC/SLP

Krista currently owns a private practice in which she focuses on Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and family-centered care. Her love for AAC began when she assisted in the inception and implementation of an AAC pilot program at a local private school during her clinical fellowship. This work eventually led her to co-presenting at the ASHA national convention about AAC.

More recently, Krista’s work has shifted to supporting the identifiable needs of AAC users and their families. As a result, she has provided free in-services to fellow SLP peers, co-founded a support group for caregivers with AAC users, and started a company that creates easy and engaging core word vocabulary activities that “fit into the busy lives of families.”

Samantha Novick, M.S., CCC-SLP

Samantha is also the owner of a private practice whose contributions and leadership skills shine inside and outside the clinic. Sam’s “passion for communication, equity and justice, and supporting leaders of the future” has led her to collaboratively starting an inclusive literacy program in 2016 with the non-profit organization, The Friendship Journey (TFJ). As she continued volunteering with TFJ, Sam transited from activity director of literacy programs to vice president of operations and then eventually president. In 2018, she mentored and helped a peaceful protest for the Parkland March for Our Lives.

This past summer, Sam served as a camp director for a virtual summer camp for teens and adults with disabilities, called Camp Wings of Friendship. Sam also plans to attend an Apraxia Boot Camp because she specializes in apraxia and “wants to serve her clients and their families better.”

 

 

Education Alumnus Appointed Rector of the Universidad de Colima, Mexico

 

Christian Jorge Torres Ortiz Zermeño, Ed.D., graduate of NSU’s Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice (FCE&SCJ) was appointed Rector of the Universidad de Colima, Mexico on October 23, 2020. His term will begin on February 1, 2020 and end January 31, 2025.

Prior to his elected role, Torres Ortiz Zermeño previously served as Secretary General of the Universidad de Colima, Mexico. He also served as a full time research professor at the College of Political and Social Sciences, Director of Faculty of Political and Social Sciences, and as General Coordinator of Social Communication.

Additionally, he was Electoral Counselor of the Federal Electoral District 01 of the State of Colima, Mexico from 2009-2012, and President of the Selection Commission of the Citizen Participation Committee of the Anticorruption System of the State of Colima, Mexico from 2017-2020.

Torres Ortiz Zermeño earned his Doctor of Education with FCE&SCJ in 2018.

 

 

The E-STEAM Project for Girls

Julie Toruellas Garcia, Ph.D. is an associate professor in the Halmos College Department of Biological Sciences. Not only that, she is the director of NSU’s American Association of University for Women (AAUW) and the E-STEAM Project for Girls. The E-STEAM Project for Girls increases awareness and interests in STEAM-related careers and the pursuit of a higher education. These careers focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.

On Friday, September 25, Julie Toruellas Garcia held a virtual presentation with the PACE Center for Girls in Broward County, on the E-STEAM Project in order to recruit participants. The first virtual session for the E-STEAM Project for Girls was held on October 2.  Teams were put into place to accommodate a virtual format.

One of the E-STEAM project’s goals is for future students to learn about the college experience. The day started with an icebreaker led by NSU’s AAUW student club president, Samrudhdhi Ayachit and member, Carol Manikkuttiyil. They were given an online NSU campus tour and learned about the admissions process to get into college. This project also helps individuals in choosing what kind of major or clubs they can participate in. The day ended with a goal setting workshop.

NSU AAUW members Alexandra Hartmann and Molly Scanlon, Ph.D. were part of this project. Alexandra Hartmann is the Senior Associate Director of International Admissions. Molly Scanlon, Ph.D. is an associate professor in Halmos College’s Department of Communications, Media, and the Arts.

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 Director of Military Affairs Establishes Changing Lives Scholarship And Launches ROTC Greatest Needs Campaign During November’s National Veterans and Military Families Month

Nicholas Pascucci

The military has shaped the lives of countless individuals and allows them to join an organization that’s bigger than themselves. For U.S. veteran Nicholas Pascucci, service to his country – and community – continues to be the heart of what he does.

Pascucci, who is currently the Director of Military Affairs at NSU, retired from the Coast Guard after 23 years of service.  While in the Coast Guard, Pascucci started as a rescue swimmer and worked his way up into intelligence operations, a critical area that analyzes information and helps guide the decision-making process.

As a civilian and employee at NSU, Pascucci has made it his mission to continue supporting military-related efforts. Working alongside key leaders at the university including Terry Mularkey, Chief of Staff and Vice President of University Advancement, and Kimberly Durham, Dean of the Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice, Pascucci helped launch the official NSU Army ROTC program in 2019.

Pascucci explains that leading this program and serving as the Director of Military Affairs helped in personally.

“This position helped with the barriers of transitioning back to civilian life.  It gave me a strong sense of giving back and helping military families,” said Pascucci.

Alongside his position, Pascucci established the Nick and Bridgette Pascucci Changing Lives Scholarship to support ROTC students at NSU. After researching ways to give back to students who are looking to join and be enlisted in the military, he found out about NSU’s Changing Lives Scholarships program, which allows donors to choose a specific college or program to support, and also officially name the scholarship.

“If I can play an active role in a student’s military career, it’s such a cool way to give back. I actually have two people who started a Changing Lives Scholarship who have family that they’re honoring. When you do something unselfish, you’re looking to share something that made you feel good. People want to help our service members and fulfill their dreams by continuing their education,” added Pascucci.

Pascucci feels that NSU’s research and ROTC program embodies the same values that he has followed ever since joining the military.

“My ethics aligned with NSU’s integrity toward the military. They research for our veterans, and focus on PTSD and mindfulness. I’m very involved with donating to their research or helping get community partners,” he said.

Pascucci has made it his mission to give back to the community and is actively searching for others who’d like to contribute to incoming ROTC students’ educations at NSU. As part of his legacy, Pascucci wishes to help those who are less fortunate in terms of finances while also serving fellow military members around him.

“One of the things is, I want to make sure I can do whatever I can to ease the financial burden of someone who wants to serve. I’ve been lucky to get my education paid for with tuition assistance and NSU discounts to the military.”

Pascucci welcomes any partnerships from likeminded individuals who want to support military and veterans-related efforts at NSU. Especially during November’s National Veterans and Military Families Month, he also encourages supporters to make a contribution to the NSU Army ROTC’s Greatest Needs campaign.

 

HCAS hosts Women’s Roundtable featuring Three Conflict Resolution Doctoral Graduates

Community Resolution Services in the Department of Conflict Resolution Studies in the Halmos College of Arts and Humanities and Guy Harvey Oceanographic Research Institute (HCAS) hosted a Women’s Roundtable via Zoom on November 6, 2020. The event featured three doctoral graduates and four partners from the national law firm Wicker Smith. The event provided strategies and tips for career success, including networking, breaking the glass ceiling, and getting started on your career path.

The three alumni included Kathleen Harmon, Ph.D., founder and president of Harmon/York Associates, consultants to the construction industry, Randy Rutledge, Ph.D., the Founder and Managing Director of Rutledge & Associates, LLC, and Gwendolyn Smith, Ph.D., Chairperson at Green Growth Suriname Foundation.

Community Resolution Services is a practicum and volunteer site for students to engage the NSU and local community in workshops, training, and dialogues, featuring storytelling and other events. For more information, please contact Judith McKay, J.D., Ph.D. at mckayj@nova.edu

Education Professor Awarded the 2020 AECT Distinguished Service Award

Michael Simonson, Ph.D.

Michael Simonson, Ph.D., Professor, in the Department of Education, at NSU’s Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice has been awarded the 2020 Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT) Distinguished Service Award.

This is the highest award given by AECT and honors contributions and accomplishments impacting the field of educational communications and technology and related fields. The award recognizes Dr. Simonson’s work with the AECT conference proceedings for the past 40 years.

Dr. Simonson has authored four major textbooks dealing with distance education, instructional technology, instructional computing, and instructional media. He has over 200 scholarly publications and is an editor of two academic journals. His current area of research interest is the diffusion of distance education in organizations.

2020 Trick to the Treat

On Wednesday, October 28, Halmos College and the Center for Academic and Professional Success (CAPS) collaborated to bring NSU students the 9th annual Trick to the Treat of an Internship or Research Experience. Throughout the event, students had the opportunity to hear from various presenters on research, medical, and other science-related internship/research opportunities.

Using virtual round table discussions, students visited such topics as biology practicums, medical scribe experience, and the impact of COVID-19 on global education and research in STEM and the fields of health care. Research topics included “Expression & Localization of the 14-3-3 Protein Family within Mammals”, “Effects of Porphyromonas gingivalis derived sphingolipids on osteoclastogenesis”, “Evaluating student learning outcomes for research-based courses”, “Development of “Sharkavir”: A New Hypothetical Inhibitor for HIV-1 Protease, and “Survival and Development of Zebra Longwing, Heliconius charithonia, on native and non-native Passion vines, Passiflora sp., in South Florida”.

Interested in an event like this? Please contact CAPS at 954-262-7201.

Friends of Our Florida Reefs Partners with NSU to Install a New Living Florida’s Coral Reef Exhibit at the Marine Environmental Education Center

To better educate the public about the wonders, beauty, and threats to Florida’s coastal water ecosystems, several notable organizations are partnering to add the first of three large exhibit tanks by the popular “Captain” Sea Turtle Pool at the Marine Environmental Education Center (MEEC). Focusing on Florida’s Coral Reef, the first 300+ gallon tank is anticipated to be up and running by early 2021. This coral reef exhibit will feature live native corals, fish, and invertebrates. Two additional exhibit tanks are planned to focus on the critical importance of mangroves and sea grasses.

“This project fits right in with the mission of the MEEC,” said Derek Burkholder, Ph.D., Halmos College research scientist and director of the MEEC. “Educating the public about our marine environments is vital and by bringing attention to the plight of our coral reefs, we’re adding a new dimension to our outreach efforts.”

Initial funding was spearheaded by the regional nonprofit organization, Friends of Our Florida Reefs (FOFR – www.floridareef.org). Generous donors have already committed $7,500 to FOFR to kick start a challenge match campaign for the exhibit. By the end of 2020, FOFR hopes to contribute at least $15,000 depending upon additional public donations towards the budget for the living coral reef tank and detailed informational signage.

The MEEC was opened with the desire to educate and delight locals and tourists alike through our educational green sea turtle, Captain, and the splendor of the coastal environment in South Florida. The MEEC was fostered from a partnership between Broward County Parks and Recreation and Nova Southeastern University. The facility is located on the historic grounds of the Carpenter House at Hollywood North Beach Park in Hollywood, Florida.

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