Arreva/NSU Philanthropic Summit Draws Notable National, Local Speakers

On Wednesday, July 12, 2023, Arreva and Nova Southeastern University presented the “Driven by Cause Philanthropic Summit” at the Alan B. Levan I NSU Broward Center of Innovation on NSU’s Davie Campus. This year’s inaugural summit marked the first of many to come, and featured renowned national and local speakers, executive directors, funders, sports foundations, and educators.

David Blyer, president and CEO of Arreva and NSU alum, and Dean Andrew Rosman of NSU’s H. Wayne Huizenga College of Business and Entrepreneurship (HCBE) were the main hosts of the all-day event.

Among the speakers were Jennifer O’Flannery Anderson, president and CEO of the Community Foundation of Broward; Soraya Rivera-Moya, executive director of the Ronald McDonald House of South Florida; Adam Williams, Ph.D., associate professor of Public Administration at HCBE; Kuang-Ting Tai, Ph.D., assistant professor of Public Administration at HCBE; Michael Thatcher, president and CEO of Charity Navigator; Steve Higgins, president and CEO of Carter; and Nathan Chappell, co-author of “The Generosity Crisis.” There was also a roundtable panel conversation featuring Javier Sanchez, executive director for Miami Dolphins Challenge Cancer, and Sarah Martin, senior director of the Miami Marlins Youth Academy & Foundation Programs.

Among the many subjects discussed were the importance of community foundations, donation decision-making, leveraging trust as a nonprofit, charity vs. philanthropy, and how AI will change the future of generosity in our world.

Posted 07/17/23

Honors Students and Faculty Collaborate Using Research Grant

From left, Amenia Farraj, Jalynn Sylvain, and Dr. Charlene Désir

Faculty and students in the Farquhar Honors College received a $15,000 President’s Faculty Research and Development Grant to study Gen Z college students’ interest in and ways of learning. Their research, titled “In Their Words: Collaborative Assessment of Undergraduate Intellectual Curiosity,” will bridge the generational gap in traditional and modern understandings of education to encourage innovation in the classroom.

The research project is a collaboration between faculty members Charlene Désir, Ed.D., professor in the Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice (FCESCJ), Rachel Panton, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Hamos College of Arts and Sciences, and Georgina Arguello, Ed.D., assistant dean and associate professor in FCESCJ, and honors students Amenia Farraj, and Jalynn Sylvain.

The project was conceived by the students after hearing about Désir’s research on youth education at an honors Research Roundtable event—an event created to connect honors students with faculty research opportunities.

“As an educator, I am humbled always to learn from students, they are my first teachers and this juxtaposition gives me the opportunity to model being a learner/student,” said Désir. “This project is a way for me to be inspired from the knowledge of undergrads . . . and learn ways teachers can effectively engage with them.”

The study aims to highlight the different modalities and environments in which college students learn, especially after the Covid-19 pandemic changed the learning landscape and emphasized the role of technology.

“Often, I think older adults can accuse emerging adults of not being intellectually curious because the younger generation receives information differently from what we experienced or even prefer,” said Panton. “I want to understand how we can better synthesize the knowledge that they bring from their communities, their families, and digital technologies into our classrooms.”

The researchers will use a mixed-methods approach and hope to publish and share their results creatively, such as through a children’s book and Mako Radio segment.

“This [project is] an opportunity to [combine] faculty and student interests and allow[s] us to explore students’ interests in learning in our own community,” said Farraj, a junior political science major. “Working with Dr. Désir and the other faculty has been an enlightening experience.”

Learn more about the President’s Faculty Research & Development Grant.

Posted 07/16/23

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

Dental Postgraduate Places First in Poster Competition

From left, Dr. Saynur Vardar-Sengul, DDS, Ph.D., professor and chair of the Department of Periodontology, and Dr. Ovadia Chocron

Congratulation to Dr. Ovadia Chocron, a third-year postgraduate resident from Department of Periodontology at the NSU College of Dental Medicine for a first place showing at the International Team for Implantology (ITI) Congress North America Poster Competition in Miami Beach, Florida, June 15-17, 2023.

 The title of his poster presentation was “Allograft plates for horizontal bone augmentation in the anterior mandible following a traumatic fall: A case report.”

The ITI is a global association of professionals in implant dentistry. The objectives of the ITI are the promotion and dissemination of knowledge about implant dentistry and related fields. They serve dental professionals by fostering learning, networking, discussion, and exchange. ITI provide comprehensive, quality education in implant dentistry and support and facilitate cutting-edge research in this field and to be the authoritative resource on current and emerging issues in implant dentistry for dental professionals globally.

Posted 07/16/23

College of Dental Medicine Holds Inaugural Research Day

NSU College of Dental Medicine’s inaugural Research Day took place on June 6 and 7, 2023, An annual event that showcased the outstanding research conducted by our graduate/postgraduate students and faculty. The objective of this event was to increase awareness of the exciting and diverse research and development activities taking place by many members of our community. 

There were 43 presenters who made this event a success by way of sharing their creative and scholarly activities.

Special thanks to the Organization Committee members Dr. Sibel Antonson, Mark Cayabyab, Alireza Heideri, and Dr. William Parker. We thank Dean Steven Kaltman for his vision and support to make this event a success.

There were nine sessions composed of oral and poster presentations, and eight CE credits were also provided at the conclusion of this two half-day event.

The keynote speaker was Professor Frederick Rueggeberg, DDS, MS, retired professor emeritus from the Department of Restorative Sciences at the Dental College of Georgia At Augusta University. His presentation title was “From Poster to Publication – Pathway Guidelines.”

The event concluded with the awards ceremony.  The recipients of the 2023 awards will also receive $1,500 travel grant to present their projects at a scientific meetings.

Below were the award recipients.

  • Outstanding Faculty Research Presentation: Alireza Heidari, Ph.D. (Oral Science & Translational Research Department)
  • Outstanding Post Doctoral Research Presentation: Satoru Shindo, DDS, PhD – (Oral Science & Translational Research Department)
  • Outstanding Post Graduate Research Presentation: Nicole Etcheverry, DMD (Pediatric Dentistry Resident)

Posted 07/02/23

Hispanic Dental Association Recognizes Faculty, Students

Congratulations to NSU College of Dental Medicine faculty and students for their recognition at the 2023 Hispanic Dental Association Annual Meeting in San Antonio, Texas June 9-10, 2023.

Dr. Alexander Bendayan, Chair, Department of Prosthodontics at NSU College of Dental Medicine and President of Florida Chapter for Hispanic Dental Association Dr Elias Moron started the Hispanic Dental Association Leadership Program.

Also Dr. Elias Moron was recognized for his contributions to the research community and the Hispanic Dental Association. He Presented with a group of researchers the whitepaper labeled: “Oral Health Status, utilization of dental services and workforce of US Hispanics” . He also served as a judge for the student poster competition during the annual meeting.

Dr. Moron,  additionally, received an award for speaking at the Hispanic Dental Association “Sirviendo Nuestras Sonrisas Hispanas” as one of the most valued contributors to the Hispanic Dental Association.

Moreover, NSU College of Dental Medicine Students presented a poster titled “The New Face of Hispanic Leadership: The role of dental students in serving the South Florida underserved population.”

Posted 06/18/23

Pride Day Event Features Panel Discussion June 28

Register now for the upcoming BEDI Books + More Club Pride Day Event on June 28, 2023, from noon to 1:30 p.m. As a reminder, Pride Month and a time to celebrate the community and the achievements of people who identify as LGBTQIA+.

Don’t miss this special event and panel discussion on “Transgender Legislation and Transgender Community Support.” Again, we have a lineup of outstanding speakers, including Ashley Mayfaire from TransSocial, Daniel Tilley from ACLU Florida, Orlando Gonzales from SAVE, and Mateo Ventura Bruer from the AQUA Foundation. Join us for an engaging discussion.

Advance registration is required to ensure a safe and inclusive Zoom environment. The sign-up deadline is Monday, June 26. You can register here or at https://forms.gle/gP9rzzCpdhpm7bg26. The original Zoom link provided is no longer active. Please note that registrants will receive separate Zoom login details via email before the event on Tuesday, June 27.

Posted 06/20/23

Journal Publishes STEM Project Headed by NSU Professors

From left, Jia Borror, Parin Somani, Hui Fang Huang “Angie” Su, and Mayor of Southwark Sunil Chopra at the 2023 Global Research Conference at King’s College, Cambridge in England

A project led by professors from NSU has garnered significant acclaim, being recognized and published in three renowned global journals. Spearheaded by Hui Fang “Angie” Su, Ed.D., a professor from the Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice, the project aimed to cultivate and foster the interest of a group of minority 9th-grade girls in the STEM fields.

The project took place in a school with a substantial population of minority students, who often require additional resources and support, through the collaborative efforts of NSU professors Teri Williams, Ph.D.; Jia Borror, Ed.D.; Julie Torruellas Garcia, Ph.D.; Arthur Sikora, Ph.D.; Yueting Wan, Ph.D.; Su; and the dedicated research team, the project successfully ignited the girls’ passion for STEM disciplines.

Su emphasized the significance of exposing the students to various STEM fields and integrating the arts to make the subject matter engaging and exciting. By employing hands-on activities, the project enabled the girls to establish connections and realize their potential to pursue careers in STEM. Williams noted that many girls were interested in environmental sciences, prompting the team to prioritize these topics and foster their curiosity.

The project aimed to shed new light on the STEM fields, highlighting their inherent beauty, intrigue, and hands-on nature. By encouraging the girls to envision themselves as future scientists or educators, the project aimed to expand their horizons and aspirations.

The outcomes of this groundbreaking study were published in esteemed journals, namely the Global Journal of HUMAN-SOCIAL SCIENCE: G Linguistics & Education, the Journal of Advanced Research in Social Sciences and Humanities, and the Global Research Journal. Su presented this noteworthy work during the prestigious 2023 Global Research Conference held at the University of Cambridge in the UK, where she also delivered the keynote address. Borror provided invaluable assistance during the presentation, contributing to the team’s success.

Su, Williams, Borror, and Ventakesh Shanbhag, Ph.D., were awarded NSU’s President’s Faculty Research and Development Grant for the upcoming 2023-2024 academic year as a testament to their exceptional achievements. This grant will enable them to continue their impactful work with young female students in higher grades, with the hope that these students may consider NSU as their educational destination of choice.

Ultimately, the project profoundly impacted the participating girls, who thoroughly enjoyed their involvement and expressed their gratitude for the invaluable knowledge imparted by the NSU professors.

Posted 06/18/23

Audiology Department Attends Orlando Special Olympics Games

The Special Olympics of Florida Summer Games returned this May for the first time in three years. A large part of the State Games includes the Healthy Athlete program, which provides those athletes with free health screenings, treatment, and access to necessary medical devices and education. The 2023 Summer Games provided the athletes with over 3,500 screenings across multiple disciplines ranging from vision, fitness, dental, and hearing, just to name a few.

From right, Karah Gottschalk, assistant professor of audiology; Jackie Davie, audiology professor; and Au.D. students, class of 2027, Kathryn Dziwulski, Tamara Blemur, Amanda Cole, Taylor Morales, Katelyn Jacobsen, and Carly Kosciolek, in front of Disney ESPN Wide World of Sports in Orlando, Florida.

Healthy Hearing has been a part of the Special Olympics Healthy Athlete program for many years, and the NSU Department of Audiology, has played an active role in the Healthy Hearing program since 2010.  This year was no exception. Jackie Davie, Ph.D., NSU audiology professor, and South Florida regional coordinator for Healthy Hearing program helped organize and run the event. She was joined by eight NSU Doctor of Audiology program students and fellow faculty member, Karah Gottschalk, Au.D., Ph.D., NSU audiology assistant professor, who all volunteered for the 2023 Summer Games at the ESPN Wide World of Sports near Orlando. The NSU students were joined by fellow audiology and speech pathology graduate and undergraduate students from across the state. In total, nearly 40 students and ten audiologists helped with the event.

Five hundred and twenty-five athletes had their hearing screened over the two-day event. In addition, about 100 athletes received ear cleanings thanks to faculty member Gottschalk and several of our students, while over 25 were identified as having significant hearing loss that can be helped with the use of hearing aids. The athletes with significant hearing loss were provided with vouchers through the Starkey Cares program. This program provides the athletes with free hearing aids and follow-up care. One athlete returned to the NSU Audiology clinic shortly after the games, where she was fit with her own hearing aids thanks to the Starkey Cares program.

Taylor Morales, Au.D. students, class of 2027, and Special Olympics athlete after a hearing screening.

The Healthy Athletes program can only continue to provide help to the underserved athletes and individuals with intellectual disabilities with the help of medical professionals and students. In addition, students gain valuable experience working with individuals with intellectual disabilities. The reward of service not only benefits the athletes, but it also benefits the volunteers.

If you would like to volunteer with the Healthy Athletes program, feel free to contact faculty member, Jackie Davie at Jackie.davie@nova.edu, for additional information.

Posted 06/18/23

NSU Juneteenth Event Features Breakfast Book-Reading, June 19

Learn more and find out at the NSU Belonging, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (BEDI) Advisory Council’s “Juneteenth with a Breakfast + Book Reading” discussion on Monday, June 19, at the Alvin Sherman Library from 9 to 11 a.m. Join us in-person or via Zoom in reading, On Juneteenth, by Annette Gordon-Reed.

The “Breakfast + Book Reading” of Pulitzer Prize-winning author Annette Gordon-Reed’s 2021 book “On Juneteenth.” To discover more about the history of Juneteenth and African American cultural traditions and access the book in print, eBook, or as an e-audiobook, click here to access the BEDI library guide compiled by the Alvin Sherman Library.

For this event, we are excited to have a panel discussion facilitated and moderated by Ransford Edwards, Ph.D., associate professor of political science from the Halmos College of Arts and Sciences, William Hawks, Ed.D., assistant professor of management from the H. Wayne Huizenga College of Business and Entrepreneurship, and Tamara Lumsden from Campus Life.

The event will take place at the Adolfo and Marisela Cotilla Gallery on the second floor of the Alvin Sherman Library on NSU’s Fort Lauderdale/Davie Campus. For those attending online, here is the Zoom link to participate, and we request that you fill out the registration form.

The first ten registrants will receive a free copy of the book, so register now! Find out more or quickly scan the QR code in the attached flyer. Please share this information to encourage participation in this celebratory event.

Please also visit the BEDI Advisory Council website for information about upcoming commemorative and BEDI-related events.

Posted 06/01/23

1 4 5 6 7 8 15