Tag: Fischler College of Education & School of Criminal Justice

Applications Open for Provost’s Research & Scholarship Awards

Starting August 7, 2023, nominations will be accepted for the annual Provost’s Research and Scholarship Awards. Last year this program was expanded to increase recognition opportunities for NSU faculty, and to improve accessibility to faculty from all academic disciplines and career stages.

The Provost’s Research and Scholarship Awards (PRSA) program now awards up to four awards. The PRSA program has two disciplinary categories and two awards within each category by career stage (one for early career and one for established faculty). Therefore, the below four awards, given sufficient candidates in each category, will be awarded annually:

  1. Assistant Professor in the Arts, Business, Humanities, Law, and Social Sciences
  2. Associate/Full Professor in the Arts, Business, Humanities, Law, and Social Sciences
  3. Assistant Professor in STEM and Health/Medicine
  4. Associate/Full Professor in STEM and Health/Medicine

The purpose of this program is to recognize demonstrated achievement in research, scholarship, and creative pursuits by NSU faculty members. These annual awards recognize distinguished accomplishments in the pursuit of research, creative, and scholarly activities across disciplines and career stages, as noted above.

More information and the link to the application is available here: http://www.nova.edu/academic-affairs/provost-award/index.html.

The deadline to submit a nomination or to self-nominate is September 6, 2023, 5:00 p.m., EDT. The winners of the Provost’s Research and Scholarship Awards will be announced in November 2023.

Posted 08/04/23

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

Honors Course Encourages Water Sustainability Advocacy

Water is one of the world’s most essential resources, and its shortage is on the rise—a global crisis that receives little attention. The Farquhar Honors College Water & Sustainability course is on a mission to change that. Last semester, students in this multidisciplinary course became advocates for safe and sustainable water for all.

Throughout the semester, students learned from guest faculty speakers and community leaders from various disciplines who offered unique perspectives on water-related issues identified by the UN Sustainable Development Goal #6, which aims to provide clean water and sanitation for all.

“Water is a vital and exhaustible resource; it is also an inexhaustible theme for discovery,” said Eben Gering, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the Halmos College of Arts and Sciences. “Taking an interdisciplinary approach to water studies lets us (the instructors) learn in parallel with our students while spotlighting urgent sustainability issues at both local and global scales.”

Gering is co-facilitator of the course alongside Martha “Marti” Snyder, Ph.D., professor in the Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice and director of faculty professional development in the Learning and Educational Center.

Along with engaging in class discussions, students took an active role in water sustainability efforts by participating in a beach clean-up; visiting water sites across South Florida, including the Everglades, to learn about different ecosystems and the importance of citizen action; and interviewing innovative business leaders dedicated to conserving and using water sustainably.

“This course has allowed me to become more conscious of my actions and how they could potentially contribute to large-scale environmental concerns,” said Smrithi Mukund, a behavioral neuroscience major. “I have gained a lot of valuable information and insight concerning the lasting impact of sustainability efforts, and I will definitely take more initiative in my day-to-day life to participate in these efforts.”

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

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

Criminal Justice Grad Student Receives Changing Lives Scholarship

Graduate student Travis Brooks

The Carl Cecil Eagle Changing Lives Scholarship recipient Travis Brooks is a graduate student in the criminal justice program at NSU’s Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice. He is a member of Alpha Phi Sigma, the Criminal Justice Honor Society. In addition to working toward his master’s degree, Brooks serves as a commissioner’s aide in the City of Lauderhill, Florida.

“I would like to personally thank Dr. Massey for making it possible for me to be awarded the Carl Cecil Eagle Changing Lives Scholarship,” Brooks said. “It has made a huge impact on my self-confidence and provided me with funds to not only continue my education, but has also help me out in a time of need.”

The scholarship was created by Larry Massey, Ph.D., in honor of Eagle, a Native American, Bronze Star recipient for valor, and WWII veteran. After WWII, Eagle used his GI Bill to attend college, majored in history, and then became a high school teacher. His family legacy involves respecting cultural traditions within context of historic events. The award contributes to the education of future teachers and studies relating to understanding the history of marginalized groups.

Brooks is a first-generation graduate student who hails from Maxton, a small rural town in North Carolina. Raised on a farm of produce and livestock, he is a member of a Lumbee tribe in southeastern North Carolina. The people of the Lumbee tribe are known for their entrepreneurial spirit and focus on education. The criminal justice program, professors, and offered courses at NSU drew Brooks to Florida, where he has found success due in part to the networking he has been able to do at the university.

Future plans for Brooks include pursuing a career with the Department of Homeland Security and possibly returning to school to earn his law degree. He also hopes to follow Dr. Massey’s lead and establish a scholarship fund for students in need at NSU and at the University of North Carolina Pembroke, where he earned his bachelor’s degree.

“Thank you to Dr. Massey for honoring me with this scholarship and for everything he and his family have done for Native American students in need who are on the path to continuing their education,” Brooks said. “For someone to notice my hard work and dedication to my studies has given me the confidence and strength I have been missing. I am not always the one to boast about my studies, but when someone else notices, it truly means I am doing something right or I’m on the right path to success.”

For more information on scholarships at NSU, contact Andria Cunningham, Executive Director of Development & Alumni Engagement, at (833) 910-0372 or acunningham@nova.edu

Posted 07/02/23

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

Education Alum Named Finalist for Georgia Teacher of Year

Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice alum Brittany Nearhoof has been named as a finalist for Georgia Teacher of the Year.

Nearhoof, who graduated from NSU in 2011 with a Master’s Degree in Integrated Technology and Teaching and Learning, currently works as an art teacher at McAllister Elementary School in Bryan County, Georgia.

Brittany Nearhoof

Having served as a teacher for 14 years, she said to be recognized at the state level left her feeling both honored and humbled.

“When I met all of my fellow finalists … when I saw everybody in person, my goodness, they’re incredible teachers. And I am sincerely humbled and honored to be among the group.”

Earlier in her career, Nearhoof had been named Teacher of the Year before within a previous school she worked at.

“I thought, ‘Wow, that was just an incredible honor.’ Like, how nice to get this award. And then this time around, when I got it for my school, I thought, ‘Wow, my peers see something in me,’” she said. “When I found out I received it for the state, that has been a surreal experience.”

Nearhoof said part of what made the experience so honoring is that many of her peers and colleagues also in the arts aren’t used to their subject being recognized. She recalled how a veteran art teacher close to retirement told her how proud she is to see visual arts in the spotlight.

Nearhoof said her ultimate goal is to continue being a great educator and learn as much as she can.

“I plan to just continue in the classroom and to continue to grow in my craft,” she said. “And advocate for the arts in schools.”

The official teacher of the year will be named at a gala on June 10.

Good luck Brittany! We are rooting for you!

Posted 05/21/23

Education Alum Starts Educational Consulting Business

Kisha Bellande-Francis, Ed.D.

A doctoral graduate of the Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice has opened her own educational consulting business.

Kisha Bellande-Francis earned her Ed.D. in Instructional Leadership from NSU in 2018 and has worked in a number of educational roles. She initially began her career as a Speech Language Pathologist before working as a teacher, administrator, and instructional consultant.

“As an administrator, I thought, ‘Wow, I’m making an impact in the whole school. It’s so wonderful. But when I became a consultant, and I was able to travel to different districts in different states, I felt like ‘Oh my Goodness, now I am making a national impact!”

Bellande-Francis now leads her own consulting business, she helps schools and organizations evaluate instructional practices and recommends areas for improvement. She has been consulting since 2015, but started her own business in 2022 and expressed that the feeling of being on her own has been liberating.

“It’s just been a pleasure because I really get to bring my vision to my practice. I have closer relationships with district and school leaders, and nothing beats that.

Bellande-Francis said her degree from Nova helped prepare her for this role by extending her capabilities through using research as a meaningful way to help her clients.

“It’s opened my eyes to look at challenges in a way of questioning, investigating, and collecting data to leverage the results towards growth and impact.”

When it comes to the future, Bellande-Francis is open to a variety of possibilities, however, there is an ultimate goal that she does dream about: opening her own school, and she has even collaborated with FCE&SCJ Dean Kimberly Durham about it.

“I started the process and was on my way to establishing my own school in 2020 but when COVID hit everything halted. The dream is still in my heart and something that I hope to achieve one day. I have reimagined what schools can look like. I want to implement my vision of a competency-based school that removes “grade level” barriers and allows each individual student the opportunity to excel at their own pace and reach their absolute fullest potential, especially in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) aspects.  I want to apply my experience and talents in my own school and allow all of the best teaching practices to blossom in one place.”

Posted 05/08/23

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