Category: SharkBytes

College of Psychology’s Project RISE Celebrates 20th Anniversary

Project RISE

Nova Southeastern University’s College of Psychology proudly announces that its grant-sponsored program, Project RISE, is celebrating its 20th anniversary.

Founded by Dr. David Reitman, Professor of Psychology at NSU’s College of Psychology, Director of the ADHD Assessment Consultation and Treatment (AACT) Program, and Project RISE Project Director, and in collaboration with Fischler College of Education’s Drs. Dana Mills, James Pann, and Marcelo Castro, this initiative has spent the last 20 years providing “Research, Inspiration, Support, and Evaluation” to after-school providers in Miami-Dade County.

Project RISE

Dr. Reitman began working with The Children’s Trust of Miami-Dade County in 2004 alongside several other organizations to develop and implement a system of quality improvement to support their funded K-5 after-school programs. Through discussions with local providers and national researchers in learning and childcare, Project RISE was born.

Now in its 20th year, Project RISE has trained more than 5000 youth development (YD) workers serving youth in grades K-12 to enhance the quality of after-school and summer programs. Project RISE creates and delivers online trainings and facilitates peer learning concerned with program management, literacy, and fitness. Instructional coaches provide YD workers with on-site guidance to support struggling readers, enhance fitness activities, and improve homework assistance practices.

More recent initiatives have focused on supporting social emotional learning and providing consultation and program evaluation assistance to the Trust’s staff and administrators. Project RISE has received over 10 million dollars of funding since its inception in 2005.

For more information on Project RISE, please visit here or call Dr. Diana Lores, Program Director at 954-262-5756.

Education Alumna Elected to NEA Executive Committee

mills

Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice alumna Tia Mills, Ed.D., has been elected to the executive committee of the National Education Association (NEA). Mills graduated from NSU with her Ed.D. in Higher Education Leadership and Organizational Leadership back in 2014.

Having served as an educator both in elementary schools and as an adjunct professor, Mills has two decades of experience. Now, she is using that experience to sit on the executive board of the largest labor union in the country.

mills

She is only the second person from Louisiana to hold the position in about 30 years. The position is for a term of three years, and is one of nine committee members, including the president, vice president, secretary, and six executive committee members.

“It’s truly an honor to be able to serve in a capacity like this,” Mills said. “Nearly 7000 delegates got to elect me, and I am excited to represent the 3 million members of the association.”

As a part of the executive committee, Mills will work to carry out the mission and goals of the president as set by the association. Mills was elected to the role on July 4th at the NEA’s Representative Assembly in Portland, Oregon and said that she plans to work hard in the role.

Criminal Justice Students Join Community Police Academy

plantation police academy

A group of students from the Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice is getting the special opportunity to take part in a police training program.

The group of five students signed up for the Plantation Police Department’s Community Police Academy. The academy lasts eight weeks and features a series of informative presentations on a variety of topics that will teach these students about the roles, responsibilities, and functions of the Plantation Police Department. Among the activities include riding along with a patrol officer, participating in police-related scenarios, and getting instruction in weapons safety.

plantation police academy

Upon completion, the attendees will also get a certificate, apparel, and accessories. Dr. Grace Telesco, associate professor and Director of the School of Criminal Justice, feels the academy is a great way to bolster police and community relations. “Civilians come in with a notion of the police and what the police do, how the police should behave and how the police should interact with them. When they get immersed in the training that officers go through … they get to see the other side and it’s been very enlightening and very helpful to educate the community about what the police do.”

Telesco speaks from experience. She ran a similar program during her time with the New York Police Department, and she mentioned how it’s beneficial for police to also engage with members of the community. Telesco hopes to continue the collaboration with Plantation police and have other students join in the future.

This group of attendees is set to graduate from the academy on September 30th.

NSU Professor Advocates for a Professional Reform

Adithya Chandregowda

Dr. Adithya Chandregowda, associate professor from the Department of Speech-Language Pathology at NSU’s Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, recently published a letter-to-the-editor advocating for a revision of the professional title “speech language pathologist” due to four key reasons.

Adithya Chandregowda

Within a short span of time, the article has received substantial attention as evidenced by about 5,000 downloads worldwide.

The letter can be freely accessed here.

New Book Explores Autism Through a Developmental Lens

Dr. Michael Voltaire, associate professor in the College of Psychology at Nova Southeastern University, has authored a new book titled Developmental Trajectories, Diagnosis, and Interventions for Autism.

With autism diagnoses on the rise — now estimated by the CDC to affect 1 in 34 children in the U.S., compared to 1 in 150 in 2000 — this timely book addresses some of the most pressing questions surrounding the condition, including its causes, diagnosis, and treatment. What sets this book apart from the hundreds of others on the topic is its unique application of a developmental psychopathology framework.

Dr. Voltaire examines autism across physical, cognitive, and psychosocial domains, comparing typical and atypical developmental patterns to help clinicians and caregivers recognize early warning signs and understand the broader impact of autism across the lifespan. Structured in four comprehensive parts, the book delves into the history and evolution of autism, the science behind its causes, advancements in diagnostic tools, and a wide range of intervention options.

This accessible and research-informed resource is ideal for parents, clinicians, educators, and researchers seeking deeper insight into the complexities of autism. Learn more here.

Fischler Alum Meets Student Housing Need at Florida College

Michael Hageloh

Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice alum Michael Hageloh, Ed.D., is giving his strategic research project a real-world application.

Hageloh graduated from NSU with his MBA in 1992 and his Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership in 2023. During his doctoral studies, Hageloh took on the Strategic Research Project (SRP) and examined the relationship between housing developers and different sized higher education institutions and identified an opportunity for developers to create housing for smaller and mid-sized institutions.

Michael Hageloh

Michael Hageloh

Now, just two years after graduating with his Ed.D., Hageloh’s research is in the process of being implemented with a national developer. The specifics of the initiative have not yet been released and are still under development. Hageloh was motivated by the housing situation at his own employer, Indian River State College (IRSC), where he is the Executive Vice President for Strategic Initiatives.

During his project, Hageloh had an assessment completed that revealed a need for an additional 1,700 beds at IRSC. Now, he is using his SRP as a roadmap to help meet the need. While Hageloh is pleased that his project is seeing real world use, he said his job is not done and he will continue to work to solve the problem of student housing. Hageloh also made sure to thank faculty member, Gina Peyton, Ed.D. for her guidance, which was instrumental in shaping both the strategic and scholarly foundation of the project.

Congratulations, Dr. Hageloh. Fins up to you!

NSU Neuroscientist Named International Brain Research Organization Rising Star

Dr. Martinez-Lozada

Dr. Zila Martinez-Lozada, a new faculty member in Nova Southeastern University’s Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, has been named a Rising Star by the International Brain Research Organization (IBRO).

This is a prestigious honor awarded to only 19 early-career neuroscientists around the world. Dr. Martinez-Lozada is the only recipient from the U.S., underscoring NSU’s contribution to advancing neuroscience on a global stage. The IBRO Rising Stars Award recognizes and supports promising neuroscientists at the start of their careers by providing resources that advance their research, expand their technical capabilities, and elevate their global visibility in the field.

Dr. Martinez-Lozada

Dr. Martinez-Lozada

For Dr. Martinez-Lozada, the award will fund a new line of research that explores the molecular mechanisms guiding the migration of astrocyte precursor cells. Astrocytes are the most abundant yet historically overlooked cells in the central nervous system. Long viewed primarily as support cells, astrocytes play critical roles in maintaining the blood-brain barrier, regulating neurotransmitters, supporting synapse function, and influencing cognition and memory.

Their involvement in nearly all neurological and neuropsychiatric conditions makes them an essential yet understudied frontier in neuroscience. With the support of the IBRO award, Dr. Martinez-Lozada hopes to shed new light on these vital cells and their role in brain development and disease. Learn more about the IBRO Rising Stars Award and see the full list of recipients here.

NSU College of Dental Medicine Honored with Florida Dental Association Award

College of Dental Medicine Award

The Nova Southeastern University College of Dental Medicine (NSU CDM) has been selected as the recipient of the Florida Dental Association’s 2025 Public Service Award.

This prestigious award reflects NSU CDM’s deep and sustained commitment to expanding access to oral healthcare across Florida, particularly for underserved and vulnerable populations. Through mobile outreach, veteran care programs, community partnerships, and student-led service initiatives, NSU CDM continues to make a meaningful impact in communities throughout the state.

College of Dental Medicine Award

But above all, this award belongs to the faculty and students whose passion, professionalism, and dedication to service make this work possible. From hands-on care in rural counties to volunteer missions, HIV/AIDS outreach, and children’s oral health education, our faculty and students embody NSU CDM’s mission each day.

“This recognition affirms our commitment to improving access to oral healthcare for Florida’s most vulnerable populations and underscores the collective efforts of our students, faculty, and partners across the state,” said Dr. Steven Kaltman, Dean of the NSU College of Dental Medicine. “We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Florida Dental Association for this meaningful acknowledgment. This inspires us to continue serving with compassion, innovation, and purpose—one patient, one community, and one smile at a time.”

Business Professor Speaks to Stem Students from U.S. Visiting Belize

Albert Williams in Belize

Dr. Albert Williams, chair and associate professor of the finance and economics department of the H. Wayne Huizenga College of Business and Entrepreneurship (HCBE), took the opportunity to speak to two groups of high school students from the U.S. while visiting his home country of Belize.

These students were Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) students and wanted to experience the application of STEM and the lifestyle and culture of Belize. One group came from Clear Creek Amana High School in Tiffin, Iowa and the other came from Beaver Area High School in Beaver, Pennsylvania.

Albert Williams in Belize

Albert Williams in Belize

He met them at the Sea Front Inn, a hotel where he was staying in Punta Gorda. Dr. Williams discussed the standard of living in Belize compared to the U.S. He discussed the gross domestic product per capita difference: $4,000 versus $65,000. He also discussed the pros and cons of living in both countries.

He mentioned to them that people in Belize also want the amenities that we have in the U.S., including a stove, refrigerator, microwave, pickup truck, and vacation. He also spoke about the HCBE and Nova Southeastern University, to which several in attendance got on their phones and researched NSU at the presentation. A few were going to look more closely at our programs, which helped bring attention to what NSU offers.

1 2 3 4 … 55