Education Alum Publishes Criminal Justice Book Chapter

Monekka Munroe, Ed.D.

Monekka Munroe, Ed.D., graduate of NSU’s Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice (FCE&SCJ) authored the book chapter, The Acceptance of Rape Cultural and Sexual Violence Against Black Girls in Athletics and Entertainment, in the criminal justice textbook, The Disparate Treatment of Black Youth in the Juvenile Justice System.

Munroe brings awareness about an issue that is often overlooked, disrespected, and swept under the rug. In this chapter, she brings attention to the many atrocities that cause Black Girl Magic to be hidden behind walls of guilt, shame, self-doubt, and addiction.

She currently serves as a criminal justice department chair in Richmond, Virginia. The focus of her current research is childhood trauma’s impact on the left cerebral hemispheric brain development. Munroe created two new criminal justice courses to add to the curriculum in Virginia. The first course, Childhood Trauma and Adult Criminality was developed to discuss various types of traumatic experiences and how those experiences can lead to criminal behavior and ultimately, incarceration. The second course is Epigenetics and Criminal Behavior, the study of how an individual’s behavior and environment cause DNA modifications.

Munroe earned Doctor of Education with FCE&SCJ in 2016.

Criminal Justice Alum Leads Research at the Delores Barr Weaver Policy Center

Vanessa Patino Lydia, Ph.D.

Vanessa Patino Lydia, Ph.D., graduate of NSU’s Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice (FCE&SCJ) is the Vice President of Research and Planning at the Delores Barr Weaver Policy Center in Jacksonville.

She is the Principal Investigator on the latest research, Sounding the Alarm: Criminalization of Black Girls in Florida released on March 11, 2021. The research highlights the inequitable treatment of over 3,000 Black girls entering the juvenile justice system. Black girls account for 21% of the general population but represent HALF of the girls in the juvenile justice system. They are overrepresented in rates of suspension, arrest, and incarceration. The deeper analyses illustrates how schools are a major entry point in arrest trends and provides evidence that adultification bias and harsh punishment of Black girls exists.  This report highlights the Policy Center’s recommendations for immediate action including: Banning suspension for PK-3 students, setting limits on arrest for youth under the age of 12, Increasing funding for girl-centered and trauma-informed school mental health services, and Increasing the use of alternatives to arrest at school and in the community.

Vanessa has over 15 years’ experience in public policy research with a special focus on the impact of the juvenile justice system on girls’ trajectories and wellbeing. She has directed research initiatives on gender specific programming, girls/women pathways into the justice system, data trends, community needs assessments, and strategic planning. She earned her Ph.D. in criminal justice from FCE&SCJ in 2020.

The report on the criminalization of Black girls in Florida is issued by the Delores Barr Weaver Policy Center- nonprofit that provides advocacy, research, training/technical assistance, and direct services to bring about unprecedented systemic reform for girls and young women in or at risk of entering the juvenile justice system.

To access the link to the full research report please visit https://www.seethegirl.org/sounding-the-alarm/

Education Alumna Accepts Jobs with Opportunity Schools an Equity initiative through Chicago Public Schools

Chloe Behar

Chloe Behar, graduate of NSU’s Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice accepted a job via Opportunity Schools at Chicago Public Schools. The program, which began in 2016, targets early-career teachers for recruitment to work in high-needs schools, primarily on the west and south side of Chicago. Opportunity Schools will provide Chloe a mentor and instructional coach her first year teaching. She will begin her classroom experience with Chicago Public Schools in Fall 2021.

Chloe was born and raised in South Florida. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from NSU in 2019 and will be graduating in May with her Master of Education in Learning, Diversity, and Urban Studies from Vanderbilt University. She has been an academic tutor, piano instructor, and vocal coach for six years, and works as an editorial Assistant for the academic journal Urban Education.

To learn more about Opportunity Schools, please visit the Opportunity Schools website.

 

 

Education Alumna Named South Tippah School District Administrator of the Year

Ruby Bennett, Ed.S.

Ruby Bennett, Ed.S., graduate of NSU’s Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice (FCE&SCJ) has been named the 2020-2021 Administrator of the Year by the South Tippah School District in Ripley, Mississippi.

Since 2012, Bennett has served as the principal of Ripley Elementary School, a K-4 elementary school, overseeing 578 students and 89 faculty members.  With her leadership and guidance, Ripley Elementary School has earned an “A” rating from the Mississippi Department of Education’s accountability model for their performance on statewide assessments over the past few years.

Bennett is a member of Mississippi Professional Educators. Other awards for her involvement and leadership include: The Red Rose Award presented by the Alpha Psi Chapter of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, Blue Mountain College’s Outstanding Administrator presented by Mississippi Association of College for Teacher Education, Milton Colom Community Service Award, South Tippah Teacher of the Year, and the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Lifetime Achievement Award.

Bennett earned her educational specialist degree with FCE&SCJ in 2009.

Education Alumnus Named Superintendent of Bethel Park School District

James Walsh, Ed.D.

James Walsh, Ed.D., graduate of NSU’s Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Education (FCE&SCJ) has been named Superintendent of Bethel Park School District in the suburbs of Pittsburgh.

Since 2015, Dr. Walsh has been the Superintendent of the Burgettstown Area School District. Prior to his superintendent roles, he served as principal, district-wide curriculum supervisor in the Mt. Lebanon School District; the director of curriculum and student achievement in the Aliquippa School District, as well as teaching English, theater, and television production.

Additionally, Dr. Walsh serves as an adjunct faculty member at Point Park University’s School of Education. He earned is Doctor of Education with FCE&SCJ in 2003.

Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice Professor Interviewed by NPR on Haitian Independence Day

Charlene Desir, Ed.D.

Charlene Desir, Ed.D., Professor, Department of Education, at NSU’s Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice, was interviewed last month by WLRN NPR on Haitian Independence Day, which is celebrated on January 1st. The day celebrates the only victory in history of enslaved Africans gaining independence from their captures/colonizers – defeating Napoleon’s army.

Desir was invited by WLRN since South Florida has the largest Haitian community within the United States.  While the celebration is an intergenerational celebration of liberation, she explained that for the 2nd and 3rd generations, the Haitian Independence is an honoring of a PanAfrican Movement in the United States.

You can hear the interview here. Dr. Desir’s section starts around the 20 min mark.

For more information on Dr. Desir and her research interests please visit:  https://education.nova.edu/faculty/desir-charlene.html

Education Professor Publishes Paper with Former Students

“Angie” Su, Ed.D.

 

Hui Fang Huang “Angie” Su, Ed.D., Professor, Department of Education, at NSU’s Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice, published a paper entitled, Creative Geometry Games, with her two former master students, Dylan Mandolini and Bhagi Phuel in the Dimensions in Mathematics Journal, a publication of the Florida Council of Teachers of Mathematics, a state chapter of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (Vol. 40 No. 2, pp. 10-17).

The article aims to share creative teaching strategies with teachers, hence spark their creativity while teaching geometry and other mathematics topics. Many mathematics games can be applied in the classroom, adapted into follow-up activities, or even used as projects. The articles’ synopsis suggests that the teacher has a vital role as a participant when using games. Not only do games provide excellent means for a teacher to participate, but they allow the teacher to analyze their students. Additionally, the article introduces some creative mathematics games which can serve as tools for informal assessment for the teachers. The publication also suggests that it builds strength to the learning outcome when incorporating technology with a game.

For additional classroom activities and a copy of the paper, please contact Dr. Angie Su (shuifang@nova.edu

Education Alumna Named 2021 Florida Superintendent of the Year

Diana L. Greene, Ph.D.

Diana L. Greene, Ph.D., graduate of NSU’s Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice, has been named the 2021 Florida Superintendent of the Year.

Greene joined Duval County Public Schools (DCPS), the 20th largest school district in the nation, in 2018. Since her tenure, DCPS’ academic performance has continued to improve, and the district is now within one percentage point of becoming an ‘A’ district under Florida’s school grade accountability system. Additionally, under Dr. Greene’s leadership the district’s graduation continues to increase.

During her 33-year career as an educator, she has spent time as a teacher, assistant principal, and principal as well as in curriculum development, staff development and in senior executive leadership. Prior to becoming Superintendent at DCPS, Dr. Greene served as Superintendent and Deputy Superintendent of Instructional Services in Manatee County.

Greene earned her bachelor’s from the University of North Florida, her master’s in educational leadership with NSU in 1993, and her doctor of philosophy at Capella university.

She will represent all Florida superintendents at the American Association of School Administrators Virtual 2021 National Education Conference February 18-19, where she will be recognized and honored for her public education service in Florida.

 

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.

 

 

Office of Public Safety and FCE&SCJ Collaborate to Create RUN HIDE FIGHT

NSU’s Office of Public Safety and NSU’s Abraham S. Fischler College of Education School of Criminal Justice, under the direction of Assistant Professor Grace Telesco, Ph.D., collaborated to develop a powerful training video called “Run Hide Fight”. The video demonstrates and educates what actions to take in the event of an active shooter on campus.  The video stars students from the Sociodrama Club: Stage for Change, faculty and staff, and local professional actors.  The Davie Police Department and Davie Fire Rescue also assisted with the project.  The Run Hide Fight video will be used in university wide trainings and is posted on NSU Public Safety’s website, nova.edu/publicsafety.

If you have any questions, comments, or would like to receive additional training please contact NSU’s Public Safety Associate Director Patrick McGowan at pmcgowan@nova.edu.

You may view the video by clicking here.

 

1 12 13 14 15 16 25