Category: SharkBytes

Alumni Spotlight: Education Alumna Named Colorado’s 2020 Superintendent of the Year

Pamela Swanson, Ed.D

Pamela Swanson, Ed.D., graduate of NSU’s Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice, has been named Colorado’s 2020 Superintendent of the Year.

Dr. Swanson has been with Westminster Public Schools (WPS) since 1995 and served in several positions. She was named interim superintendent in 2011 and appointed superintendent in 2012.  WPS serves a diverse population, in which 80 percent of the students qualify for free and reduced lunch.

Under her leadership, WPS became the largest school district in the country to become entirely competency based. This personalized model is rooted in the belief that every child learns differently, and it shifts the system from traditional grades and grade levels to a system requiring students to show mastery of topics before moving to the next level.

Dr. Swanson and her team are recognized as nationwide leaders in competency based education and have become strong advocates for reforming how schools and districts are evaluated. She will represent Colorado in the 2020 American Association of School Administrators (AASA)’s National Superintendent of the Year Program.

She earned her Doctor of Education from the FCE&SCJ in 2004.

Alumni Spotlight: Candice Caesar

After crossing paths with some of life’s obstacles, veteran Candice L. Caesar has continued to have a positive outlook on life. Caesar’s persistent attitude and dedication, she has earned the title of a true female warrior. She recently won the Moody Endowment Award for Outstanding Female Athlete of the Year from Achilles International.

Although Caesar currently works as a speech language pathologist, her goals didn’t always include providing patients with the gift of communication. Caesar had originally intended to serve in the Army for 20 years. Her grandfather was a World War II veteran and her father was a Vietnam War veteran, so their perseverance had sparked the interest.

“Freedom isn’t free. Someone has to pay the price,” Candice Caesar said. “Someone has to sacrifice for your liberty, why not me?”

In spite of the fact that Caesar didn’t expect any surprises within the military, the bond shared between servicemen and women had amazed her, especially since, as an only child, she had never experienced a sibling relationship.

“I am an only child and I have never seen strangers bond like we do,” Caesar said. “It is great [to] know someone is watching my six. It is like joining an elite brotherhood.”

Unfortunately, due to a paralytic injury Caesar had to retire from the Army after serving for seven and a half years. Although Caesar was unable to serve for as long as she intended, her years of service are shown honor and appreciation through Veteran’s Day celebrations.

“However people wish to honor us is the best way,” Caesar said. “We appreciate that someone appreciates the sacrifices we made for our country.”

Despite her career goals taking an unexpected turn, Caesar decided to find light in the darkest of situations. Caesar was told she would never walk again due to a brain and spinal cord injury which left her paralyzed. After her surgery she worked with a speech language pathologist (SLP) on cognitive retraining, swallowing, and speech. Shortly after working with the SLP, Caesar grew inspired.

“I was so amazed with her and my progress that I decided I wanted to help others and become a speech language pathologist,” Caesar said. “Communication is very important. I remember what it was [like] to not be able to share my wants and needs with others. The gift of communication is the best gift anyone can receive.”

Caesar is a Nova Southeastern University (NSU) Master of Speech-Language Pathology alumna. After being medically retired from the Army, NSU’s online program was very accommodating and fit with Caesar’s schedule. She was able to work as a speech assistant during the day and attended necessary classes online at night.

“The faculty and staff were knowledgeable and personable,” Caesar said. “I could not have asked for a better fit.”

Whether it is overcoming a medical challenge or establishing a new goal, Caesar’s never-ending hunger to serve allows her to remain unstoppable. Even though she can no longer serve in the Army, Caesar continues to show her desire to serve as a speech language pathologist.

“Pray and do what God wants you to do. You will know which path to take,” Caesar said. “Sometimes there are struggles. Sometimes it seems as though you cannot make it. You can, because you are stronger than you think.”

We are so proud of you Candice! Today we honor you and all veterans. Go NSU Sharks!

CAHSS Faculty and Students Present at International Conference on Interdisciplinary Social Sciences in Mexico City

Elena Bastidas, Ph.D. (center) with April Coan and Jennifer Lawer Mexico City 2019

Elena Bastidas, Ph.D., faculty in the Depart of Conflict Resolution Studies (DCRS) in NSU’s College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences (CAHSS), presented at the International Conference on Interdisciplinary Social Sciences, held at the Universidad Autonoma de Mexico in Mexico City. Her co-presenters were April Coan and Jennifer Lawer, doctoral candidates in DCRS.

The title of their presentation was Improving Curriculum Development in Conflict Resolution Programs to Foster International Scholarship of Engagement (ISOE). The presentation included an evaluation of an ISOE model developed by Bastidas in 2012. Colleagues from the U.S., Philippines, Australia, Qatar, among other countries, found the presentation interesting and highlighted the potential of the model to foster Internalizations initiatives in higher education.

Bastidas’ research and teaching interests include quantitative methodology, conflict and international development, environmental conflict, and gender analysis in international development. She is also the director of the M.S. and Graduate Certificates in DCRS.

WCC Graduate Assistant Coordinator presents at IWCA

Ricky Finch

Ricky Finch, graduate student in the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences (CAHSS)  Composition, Rhetoric, and Digital Media (CRDM) Master’s program, and graduate assistant coordinator at the NSU Writing & Communication Center (WCC), presented at the International Writing Center Association (IWCA) / National Conference on Peer Tutoring in Writing Joint Conference in Columbus OH., Oct. 16-19, 2019.

Finch’s presentation, “Online Composition Fellows: Building a Program through Synchronous Engagement,” stemmed from his thesis work on embedded online writing fellows (i.e., course-embedded tutors) in first-year composition classes. His presentation discussed the role of writing fellows in online composition classes and how to engage students in virtual spaces. Embedding tutors into classes is a growing phenomenon with writing centers extending beyond composition classes into writing across the disciplines classes. As student enrollment in online classes increases, understanding how writing fellows work can help programmatic development and further enhance student success. According to Finch, engaging students synchronously through weekly class workshops creates an additional tool for writing centers to use when assisting online students.

To see the full IWCA conference program click here. To learn more about the Composition, Rhetoric, and Digital Media Master’s Program, visit https://cahss.nova.edu/departments/wc/grad-programs.html.

NSU Law National Criminal Procedure Moot Court Tournament Champions

NSU Law students Scott Simmons (JD 2020) and Wesley Wallace (JD 2020) earned the National Championship trophy in the National Criminal Procedure Moot Court Tournament, hosted by the University of San Diego Law School. The team traveled to San Diego to compete against 40 other law schools from around the country. In addition to winning the entire competition, the team had the second best petitioner brief score.

Coaches Professor Mark Dobson, Professor Megan Chaney, and Moot Court Advisor Professor Heather Baxter helped prepare Scott and Wesley for the competition. The team extends their appreciation to all the faculty, students, and members of the local legal community who assisted them in their practice rounds.

Pankaj Maskara wins International Teaching Award

Pankaj Maskara, Ph.D.

Pankaj Maskara, Ph.D., CFA was awarded the “Innovation in teaching” award by Financial Management Association International (FMA), leading association of finance professionals and educators around the world, at their annual meeting in New Orleans on Nov 25, 2019. Prof. Maskara’s innovative method of incorporating human literacy in finance education enhances students’ employability, promotes entrepreneurship, and prepares his students for the age of artificial intelligence. It motivates students of finance to leverage their creativity and people skills in addition to their math and technical knowledge. Prof. Maskara says “developing entrepreneurial mindset among our students is the most effective, probably the only, way to prepare our students for the challenges that lie ahead for them.”

FMA awards three professors per year for teaching innovations that are broadly transferable in terms of teacher skills / connections and have measurable impact on students, institutions of higher education, and the finance profession. Professor Maskara’s method of teaching has helped his students get jobs, internships, mentorship, promotions, consulting projects, and business opportunities while performing tasks assigned as a part of his class. He prepares his students to deal with uncertainty, manage expectations, identify inefficiencies as business opportunities, make decisions in the environment of incomplete and incorrect information, and to connect with others. His students find his methods very unorthodox and challenging but highly enriching.

A student’s comment neatly sums up Prof. Maskara’s effectiveness as a teacher.

“I feel that you should know that you were the most influential professor that I have had throughout my college experience. So many students share my opinion, but while we are still students they cannot be taken seriously since they could be seen as flattery. I hold you, as several others do also, as my highest role model and hope one day you will be able to look back and be proud I was your student. It is my opinion that your influence on me was so strong that any future success of mine was directly due to you.”

Know more about Prof. Maskara’s teaching innovation and his philosophy at

http://www.fmaconferences.org/NewOrleans/Papers/FMA%20award.pdf

Fischler Faculty Members Present at Broward County Public Schools’ EASE Conference

Judy Coughlin, Ph.D and Dana Fredebaugh, Ph.D. Associate Professors at NSU’s Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice, led a discussion of what “collaboration” means and shared evidence-based strategies for successful collaboration (e.g., necessary communication skills, shared responsibility, and shared problem-solving) at the second annual Broward County Public Schools Educating All Students with Excellence (EASE) conference. The title of their presentation was Collaboration: A Key Component for Successful Inclusion.

EASE is an innovative and engaging day of professional development focused on inclusion. The conference brings parents, school administrators, general and special education teachers, and service providers together for a day filled with informative, educational and awareness-building sessions on a broad range of special education topics that promote inclusive practices for students with disabilities.

CAHSS Alum is Residence Coordinator at Barry University

Karen Zuniga, M.S.

Karen Zuniga, M.S., 2016 graduate of the master’s program in College Student Affairs in NSU’s College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences (CAHSS) is Residence Coordinator at Barry University. Zuniga came to Barry from Fordham University where she was a Residence Director following her graduation from NSU.

While at NSU, Zuniga was an Assistant Coordinator for the Commons and completed a practicum at Columbia University. In addition to her M.S. from NSU, Zuniga received her B.B.A. from Florida Atlantic University.

Education Alumna Named Orlando Campus Director at Ana G. Méndez University

Maria S. Rosarios, Ed.D., graduate of NSU’s Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice (FCE&SCJ), has been named the Orlando Campus Director at Ana G. Méndez University.

Established in 1943, Ana G. Méndez University is the largest private not-for-profit university in Puerto Rico. While their main campus is in Puerto Rico, the university also operates regional campuses in the DC Metro Area, Orlando, South Florida, Tampa Bay, and Dallas.

The Orlando Campus opened in 2003 for Hispanic adult students in the Continental United States. Dr. Rosarios will be leading the campus administration, focusing on initiatives to ensure the achievement of student enrollment and growth of the Orlando Campus.

Dr. Rosarios earned her Doctor of Education with a specialization in organizational leadership at FCE&SCJ in 2017.

Alumni Spotlight: Irene Marron-Tarrazzi, D.M.D.

Irene Marron-Tarrazzi, D.M.D.

Irene Marron-Tarrazzi, D.M.D. (’03), is a board-certified periodontist and owner of Brickell Periodontics in Miami, Florida. She is also an adjunct faculty member at NSU’s College of Dental Medicine.

Marron-Tarrazzi is active with several professional organizations, including the American Association of Women Dentists, the International Team of Implantology, and the American Board of Periodontology. Since 2004, she has been a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology, an honorary distinction in the dental community. She is a Fellow with the American College of Dentists, the International College of Dentists, and the Pierre Fauchard Academy.

Currently a member of the Executive Council of the South Florida District Dental Association, where she also served as president, Marron-Tarrazzi is a member of the Board of Trustees and the Government Action Committee for the Florida Dental Association. Previously, she served as the vice president of the American Dental Association.

Marron-Tarrazzi was awarded 2018 Dentist of the Year by the Florida Dental Association. She has also been named a Woman to watch by the Lucy Hobbs Project.

Though she received her Doctor of Dental Medicine from NSU in 2003, Marron-Tarrazzi had previously attained a Certificate of Periodontology and an M.S. from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. She received her initial dental degree in 1996 from the Universidad Central de Venezuela.

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