Category: SharkBytes

Fischler Alum Named Chief of Georgia Police Department

Michael Dieppa

Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice alum Michael Dieppa has been named the chief of police for a Georgia police department.

Dieppa has spent 28 years working with the Miami-Dade Police Department. But now, he is trading in Florida oranges for Georgia peaches and will now lead the Chamblee Police Department. Chamblee is located northeast of Atlanta.

Dieppa described a feeling of great accomplishment after learning he had been selected for the role.

“It was a really good feeling, that I was able to accomplish one of the biggest goals that I’ve set for myself in my life,” he said.

Dieppa followed in his father’s steps and joined Miami-Dade Police when he was young. In his time with the department, Dieppa moved up several roles, and he earned his bachelor’s in organizational leadership from St. Thomas and his masters in leadership from NSU. He later went on to earn a doctorate in organizational leadership from St. Thomas University.

Dieppa said each of his degrees helped prepare him to take on higher roles in his career. He also said his time at NSU really activated his drive to continue in the realm of higher education.

“During that time at Nova, a professor talked about, it stuck with me — it still sticks with me — that at the time … only about 1% of the population ever gets a doctorate degree or goes beyond a masters.”

“The education component, played a significant role in my development by doing a deeper dive into leadership theory and leadership traits” he added.

Dieppa is set to officially step into the role on Oct. 23.

Fins up to you Chief Dieppa!

Posted 10/08/23

Dr. Haffizulla Launches Season 3 of ‘In the Kitchen with Dr. H’

In 2017, Dr. Farzanna Haffizulla was invited to join NSU as assistant dean for community and global health in the Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Allopathic Medicine. Around this time, she applied for and was awarded an internal NSU Quality of Life grant, which became the M.D. college’s first grant. This grant supported work to understand the Caribbean community’s preferences for health and wellness education and served as a valuable springboard for funded health equity projects and grants she has been engaged in ever since. Since joining NSU’s College of Osteopathic Medicine first as Chair of the Department of Internal Medicine in 2020, now fully immersed in community health equity under the leadership of Dean Wallace, her team created culturally tailored health education materials on multiple forms of media and launched a cooking show designed to showcase healthy options when making traditional Caribbean and Latin American dishes. Seasons 1 and 2 are pub­lished online at NSUCaribbeanhealth.com and Season 3, with premier sponsorship by Aetna, is set to launch worldwide on Thursday Sept. 28, 2023, at 7:30 p.m. EST on https://www.youtube.com/@IntheKitchenWithDrH

“I am grateful to work with such an in­credible team of supporters. In fact, since joining the KPCOM, Dean Elaine Wallace continues to be a champion supporter of our team’s health equity initiatives. With her support, we are now positioned to be leaders in health equity and inclusive health care that prioritizes diversity, em­pathy, and humanism. We are grateful to serve as a trusted source of health infor­mation for the Caribbean community. I was approached by Aetna and CVS, which embraced our continuously funded Caribbean Diaspora Healthy Nutrition Outreach Project. They are now premier sponsor of Season 3 of our Caribbean health cooking show In the Kitchen with Dr. H. Using this platform, we highlight small ways to make changes in the way we eat and live that can prevent chronic diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, and stroke.

Since becoming the KPCOM’s chair of internal medicine in August 2020, I was asked by the City of Lauderhill to cochair the Lauderhill Health and Prosperity Part­nership, working directly with city officials who founded this initiative—Vice Mayor Melissa Dunn and City Manager Giles- Smith. We are also working with city resi­dents, community stakeholders, business owners, and other key city officials like the mayor and the city commissioners through a data-driven approach addressing community needs. This role has allowed NSU to serve as an anchor institution for this city initiative.

The Caribbean Diaspora Healthy Nutrition Outreach Project provided a population health platform to gather social determinants of health data and other relevant health metrics from City of Lauderhill residents. Together, we worked to produce a comprehensive community needs assessment. This is now published on the city’s website, and we are currently working on a publication related to our findings that will include both qualitative focus group and quantitative survey data related to social determinants of health and disease metrics, such as diabetes risk, cancer diagnosis, heart disease, mental health, and COVID-19 challenges, among other health topics. For more information, please visit www.NSUCaribbeanhealth.com or www.InTheKitchenwithDrH.com

NSU MBA Alum Promoted by Lynn University

Aaron Greenberg

Aaron Greenberg has served Lynn University in Boca Raton for seven years, and this fall, Chief Strategy and Technology Officer Christian Boniforti announced his promotion to assistant vice president of Employee Services.

Reporting to Boniforti, Greenberg provides leadership and oversight as the university’s chief human resource officer. In addition to developing and executing human resource strategy, Greenberg oversees all human resource and payroll activities, including employment, compensation, benefits, and training. In addition, he provides strategic counsel to administrators on organizational structure and employee relations while ensuring compliance with policy and legal obligations.

“Throughout his career, Aaron has provided sound guidance and a supportive environment for all employees, faculty, staff and students,” Boniforti said. “As a leader, he has embraced technology to simplify the HR, payroll and benefits process through the implementation of Workday and has built a resourceful and employee-centric team that prioritizes excellent customer service.”

Greenberg started at Lynn in 2016 as director of Employee Services. Since then, he has wholeheartedly invested in the development of a strong, professional, and friendly Employee Services team. Among his many accomplishments, Greenberg curated benefit offerings at Lynn and effected significant savings on medical premiums to remain an employer of choice. He also helped steer employees and managers through the COVID-19 pandemic, oversaw the HR transition to Workday, rolled out a comprehensive onboarding program for university employees, championed the launch of employee wellness programs and initiatives, and developed a network of Employee Service partners across the university to raise awareness and participation in HR initiatives.

Greenberg earned a Bachelor of Science from Florida Atlantic University and in 2006 a Master of Business Administration with a specialization in finance from Nova Southeastern University. He is a certified Senior Professional in Human Resources from the Human Resources Certification Institute and a Senior Certified Professional from the Society for Human Resource Management.

Posted 09/24/23

Halmos Alum Returns for Fourth Artistic Collaboration at NSU

Annie Nugget

Since graduating in 2016, Annie Nugget has collaborated with NSU several times, bringing her unique art to campus. She has most recently finished a mural, Hopeful Horizons, on the second floor of the Alvin Sherman library, inspired by Luisa Aimee Sanchez’s journey from Cuba to South Florida and her passion for educating young people. Hopeful Horizons was Annie’s first memorial piece, which she says was “exceptionally challenging – but equally exciting”.

“NSU’s program offered me the educational provisions to challenge myself and explore my particular interests. Leveraging their flexibility in project scopes and connections with art enriching experiences, I had the pleasure to curate a lifestyle unique to me,” Annie says.

The mural in the Don Taft University Center, by the north stairs, is also Annie’s work from seven years ago, when she was still an undergrad. Realizing Potential was her first spray painted piece and one of her four collaborations with NSU.

After graduating from NSU with a concentration in Studio Art from the Department of Communication, Media, and the Arts, Annie has ventured beyond the walls of the university. Annie’s art can be found in restaurants, shops and other local business in South Florida. To learn more about Annie’s work, visit her website.

Posted 09/24/23

Physician Assistant Grad Continues to Grow Her Business

Karli Plunkett and her staff

When Karli Plunkett – a 2017 alum and graduate of the NSU physician assistant program – graduated, she started the Orlando business Nectar Aesthetics, a medical spa specializing in tailored aesthetic treatments. Now, Plunkett is planning to open a second location in downtown Orlando in November.

Plunkett attributes her drive and success to the lessons learned at NSU. Surrounding herself with other passionate PAs from NSU also has been her recipe. Two of Plunkett’s practitioners are Jenni Jagers and Rheema Islam, 2022 and 2023 graduates.

“I remember when NSU accepted me I felt so lucky, and then once didactic started I transitioned straight into feeling overwhelmed,” she said. “Fortunately, I was surrounded by great people.”

Plunkett says the relations she formed in school meant a lot. She credits the student acceptance screening with making NSU’s program “an overall great experience.”

“I think this is often underappreciated, but NSU’s screening for students is excellent, and surrounded me with wonderful classmates to encourage and be encouraged by,” she said. “PA school was one of my greatest challenges, but the rewards have been undeniable.”

Posted 09/10/23

Education Alum Named Dean of Students at Lynn University

Sholondo Campbell

Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice alum Sholondo Campbell, Ed.D. has been named the Dean of Students at Lynn University.

Campbell earned his Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership from NSU. However, in addition to being an NSU alum, he also served nine years at NSU managing student affairs for the university’s regional campuses across Florida and in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Campbell is no stranger to leadership in higher education.

“A lot of it is relationship building across the university and ensuring collaboration on anything that kind of impacts students’ success and overall experience,” he said.

As the Dean of Students, Campbell works with a small group of people to ensure the students at Lynn are succeeding and doing well.

“I have the opportunity to supervise two assistant deans and an Executive Director of Health and Wellness. So, I essentially work with the VP and assist in the development and implementation of various key projects that support the division’s mission and vision to support student success and retention.”

Some of the areas that fall under Campbell’s office include campus student involvement, case management, Student Conduct, the Student Health Center, counseling services, the fitness and recreation center, and more.

Campbell didn’t initially expect to end up in higher education at the start of his career. But when he considered a fulfilling profession that would allow him to make a living, his mind came to student affairs.

“I really kept coming back to the experiences I had on a college campus, I was a student athlete, I was involved in Student Activities,” he said.

The interactions Campbell had with administrators during those times kind of spurred him to enter the field himself, and he has been helping students ever since.

Campbell said he hopes to really drive student success while he is in his current role.

“If I’m meeting all of my objectives and it’s still fueling student success, and having students stay here and feel a strong sense of belonging and strong sense of satisfaction on their way to graduating, then that’s a win for me.”

Congratulations on the role, Sholondo Campbell! Fins up to you!

Posted 09/10/23

Education Alum Named Superintendent of Sarasota County Public Schools

Terrence Conner

Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice graduate Terrence Conner has recently been named the superintendent of Sarasota County Public Schools.

Conner, who graduated from NSU with his M.S., in 2016 has been in the role since July 17 and while the position has been a whirlwind, it has been great at the same time.

“When I got the job, there was a kind of a sigh of relief, but then it was like, ‘Okay, now you got the job. Now the real work begins.’”

As superintendent, Conner’s job entails managing the daily operations of the school districts. He said he has spent a lot of time listening to staff, parents, and community members.

“I’ve been onboarding myself and taking a lot of time to listen and learn and to evaluate current processes and look at the data, analyze that and determine how we’re going to move forward,” Conner said.

Conner said his goal while in the position is to make Sarasota County Schools the No. 1 school district in the state and to receive national recognition.

“That [involves] first and foremost, meeting the needs of all students in the school district, who are coming from different backgrounds, to ensure that when they step foot in our schools, that we’re capable, able and willing to meet every student’s individual needs so that they can be successful,” he said.

Conner said his degree from NSU has proved to be useful in his career.

“It was really great to learn from people who had done the work and been in the trenches and know, because there’s a difference between theory and reality. Having instructors who were able to make those bridges connect was really helpful,” he said.

Fins up to you Terrence and best wishes for this school year!

Posted 08/27/23

Criminal Justice Alum Helps Previously Incarcerated People

Siena Benson

Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice alum Siena Benson is using her degree to help people who were once incarcerated build a better life.

Benson recently graduated with her M.S. in Criminal Justice. Now, she is working as Community Navigator for the New York City-based nonprofit organization Housing Works. Benson works with the Justice Initiatives Department providing re-entry services for people who have been through the criminal justice system and helps connect them to mental health services, employment resources, housing and more.

“My position is really special because I’m the only one that actually gets to go inside Rikers Island and meet with people where they’re at,” Benson said. “I get to listen to what people need, and I get them set up to have services upon release.”

Benson said she feels lucky to work in such an impactful position.

“I get to work in one of the most historical prisons in the country,” she said. “Actually being there is, honestly — it’s outstanding. And outstanding in the sense that it’s an outlier, you know, not a lot of people get to go in, and not a lot of people get this experience.”

Working directly in the system, Benson gets to see the other side of incarceration and how those inside hope to improve their lives after getting out.

“I feel that the prison population is a population that is overlooked. People are serving their time, but they’re still people,” Benson said. “They’re struggling, they’re paying their dues … I think everybody can agree that once they’re released, nobody wants to go back to prison, and nobody wants to get in trouble again.”

Benson said she doesn’t know what’s in store for her in the future, but she hopes to continue working to give back.

“I see myself being successful and being a leader for people who need it the most — being that person who can guide people in the right direction and help people out.”

Posted 07/30/23

Fischler Alum Named to VP Role at Westfield State University

Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice alum Kevin Hearn, Ed.D. was recently named the vice president for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs at Westfield State University in Westfield, Massachusetts.

The position is a new one and combines the enrollment and student affairs functions into single role that helps build a positive student experience from the beginning of the application process all the way through graduation.

Kevin Hearn, Ed.D.

Hearn is the perfect candidate for the role, having previously served as both a vice president for enrollment management and a vice president of student affairs.

“Throughout my career, I have worked to create systems and practices to improve the lives of students, focusing on making their experience as seamless as possible. And now we get the opportunity to really do it at a high level at Westfield State. I’m looking forward to the opportunity,” Hearn said.

In the role, Hearn said he hopes to build a flagship student program that other institutions can model their programs after.

“I’m looking at this as a tremendous opportunity to be innovative in our approach to serving students and their families.  Students and families need more assistance, and higher education must focus on how to serve their interests best while preparing them for the academic rigor and psycho-social development that takes place during this time.  Higher education leaders are making great strides in this area of student support and I believe Westfield State can be a leader in these efforts.”

Hearn earned his Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from NSU. He said that the design of Nova’s program and being exposed to so many different classmates from different fields and backgrounds really helped prepare him for his leadership role.

In his cohort alone, he had fellow educators, teachers, and administrators, but also  veterans, an administrator for LaGuardia Airport, th CFO for a large accounting firm in NYC and more.

“That diversity among the students lent itself to stimulating and exciting conversations, it lent itself to different perspectives, led to a sense that higher education needed to evolve, to be creative.  Simply, as students change, the industry is compelled to change as well.”

As for his next steps, Hearn said he is focused on the challenges and opportunities at Westfield State,, and that maybe one day, he may pursue a presidential position at a college or university..

Congratulations Dr. Hearn!

Posted 07/30/23

Education Alum Named President of Community College

Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice alum Chemene Crawford, Ed.D., has been named the president of Everett Community College – Washington State.

Crawford earned her doctorate in Organizational Leadership from NSU in 2005.

Chemene Crawford, Ed.D.

The role of college president is not new to Crawford, she currently serves as the president of North Seattle College. However, she will now oversee a much larger student population.

“I’m at the point in my life where I if I don’t enjoy the work, then I won’t do it. So, I enjoy this work. And as long as I enjoy it, and can have a positive impact, then I’ll keep doing it,” she said.

Crawford has been in higher education for more than 39 years and initially started as a work-study student in the financial aid office. That led to a string of different positions over the years and ultimately led her to take on the role as president.

“One of the things I don’t think realize is that no matter where you are, what you do, if you have an education, no one can take that from you,” Crawford said. “I’m a proponent of people using education to change their lives.”

Community colleges especially appeal to Crawford due to their wide-reaching impact.

“Community colleges serve more students than any other sector of higher education in this country, and so if you want to have a greater impact, that’s probably where you need to be working.”

In addition to helping the students at the college, Crawford is looking forward to working for Everett since they are very influential in the surrounding community.

“It’s uniquely placed in an Everett neighborhood, and you can tell that that college means a lot to that neighborhood that it plays a significant role in the vitality of that neighborhood.”

Crawford officially stepped into her role on July 3rd.

Congratulations President Crawford!

07/16/23

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