Tag: Fischler College of Education & School of Criminal Justice

U.S. Distance Learning Association Names College Hall of Fame Winner

The Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice (FCE&SCJ) received a new honor. The United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA) named the Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice as its 2022 Hall of Fame Award winner.

“The Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice was honored for its pioneering and current efforts to promote and legitimize the field of distance education,” the organization said in an announcement. “The Association also recognized the college’s thousands of graduates who have made a positive impact on the evolution of the field of education.”

Also honored was the late Dr. Abraham Fischler, the college’s namesake and a former president and president emeritus of NSU.

The nomination was made possible by the efforts of adjunct faculty member and alumna Erika Weiss, Ph.D., along with the support of other faculty, alumni, and FCE&SCJ community members.

“I am so very proud of our college and our colleagues, who supported our nomination with a collective voice that advocated for FCE&SCJ. It was with alumni-pride that I say that this work was just a way to pay gratitude forward,” Weiss said.

Some of the accomplishments eiss highlighted about the college include delivering the first distance education doctoral program in the United States, the development of the Fischler Academy, and the contribution to the scholarly foundations for the field of distance education.

The Hall of Fame Award is set to be presented at the USDLA’s annual convention in Nashville in July. Faculty member, Michael Simonson, Ph.D., will be in attendance to accept it on behalf of the Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice.

For more information on the United States Distance Learning Association please visit: https://usdla.org/about//

Posted 07/03/22

Education Alum Celebrates Collegiate and Military Milestones

Earl Filmore Jr., Ed.D.

Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice alumnus Earl Filmore Jr., Ed.D., celebrated two milestone achievements just a day apart.

After finishing his Ed.D. degree in Higher Education Leadership back in 2021, Filmore had the opportunity to mark the occasion and attend Nova Southeastern University’s recent graduate commencement ceremony on June 10. Then just 24 hours later, he celebrated 31 years in the U.S. Army Reserves.

Filmore said the achievements were enriching and that he comes from a family that is big on both education and military service.

“My grandparents only had a middle school education,” he said. “But they really would emphasize, especially my grandmother, she emphasized education and what it could do for you.”

Filmore said those sentiments were then passed down to his mother who then passed it down to him and his brothers.

“It was something I always wanted to do, to verify myself in an academic realm,” he said.

Filmore is also a third-generation combat veteran. And he isn’t the only one who joined the military, his two younger brothers did as well. Between the three of them, they have more than 50 years of military experience.

“Both my grandfathers were in World War II. My father was in Vietnam and then me, Operation: Iraq Freedom,” he said.

Merging his two passions into one, Filmore currently works for Bethune-Cookman University as the director of military services. His ultimate goal is to serve as the president of a university, possibly at an HBCU, but until then, he plans to earn more achievements and is currently waiting on a potential promotion to a lieutenant colonel. He is hoping to hear back next month.

Congratulations Earl Filmore Jr., and thank you for your service!

Posted 07/03/22

Education Alumna Gives High School Commencement Address

Meka Mears, Ed.D.

Meka Mears, Ed.D., alumna of NSU’s Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice is continuing her mission of giving back, inspiring the next generation, and building a better world. Mears recently served as the speaker for the commencement ceremony at her alma matter, Boyd Anderson High School.

“It felt very good to really give back because, of course, in my opinion, leadership is pretty much servitude,” she said.

She said the opportunity was incredibly rewarding. In her speech, Mears touched upon some ideas that are substantial to her, such as making smart choices, living an intentional life, and serving your community.

She also channeled the words of former First Lady Michelle Obama about success in her speech.

“Success, as Michelle Obama said, shouldn’t be viewed as the acquisition of money, but instead it’s the ability to touch the lives of others,” she said.

Giving back is evident in Mears’ history. Having earned an M.S. in English Education (2012), her Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership (2019), and having almost completed her master’s in public administration, she has gone on to serve on several boards, such as Leadership Broward, Crime Stoppers, and the Debbie’s Dream Foundation. She has also served as an adjunct professor at Nova Southeastern University and Broward College.

Mears said her initial goal was to become a university president, and while that is still something that may be in the cards, she is still open to whatever the future may hold.

“I’m not sure what will happen in the future or where I will end up in the future, but hopefully, it’s something that can be an amalgamation of community service, education, and maybe possibly healthcare because those three sectors I’m really passionate about, especially serving the underserved,” she said.

Posted 06/19/22

NSU Community Mourns Loss of Shirley B. Fischler (1926-2022)

Shirley Balter Fischler and Dr. Abraham “Abe” Fischler.

The Nova Southeastern University community is mourning the loss of Shirley Balter Fischler, who died on May 30, 2022. She was the beloved wife and partner of deceased Dr. Abraham “Abe” Fischler, a former president and president emeritus at NSU.

Shirley Fischler was always involved in the community, especially at NSU, where she was one of the university’s first faculty members. The Fischlers were married for 67 years before his death in April 2017.

Shirley Fischler had a lifelong thirst for learning. She graduated from Brooklyn College and became a French and Spanish teacher. Languages and international events remained a keen interest and focus throughout her life, as she enjoyed travels in the U.S. and abroad. Later, she became a member of NSU’s Shepard Broad College of Law charter class. Following graduation, she practiced law for many years before retiring.

Two of Shirley Fischler’s strongest attributes were her strength and optimism. She inspired many people, particularly girls and women, to pursue lives and careers on their own terms and to never give up.

Shirley Fischler spent her early years in Brooklyn, N.Y., where she met Abraham Fischler over a handball match in Coney Island. The two married in 1949, their lifelong partnership was dedicated to family, friends, and community, and making the world a better place for all. The Fischler family moved from New York to Boston to Berkeley and, ultimately, to South Florida. During more than 45 years, she and her husband embraced and enjoyed South Florida as strong supporters of community organizations as well as dedicated theater goers and sports enthusiasts.

Shirley Fischler is survived by her children Bruce (Martha), Michael (Anita), and Lori; her grandchildren Kenneth, Danielle (Micheal), and Mikaela; and great-grandchildren J.P. and Ava. In addition, Shirley is survived by her sisters Beverly Stier and Eleanor Sugerman, and brother-in-law Hubert Fischler (Patti), and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Abraham and Shirley Fischler Scholarship Fund at Nova Southeastern University or the Fischler Family Scholarship Fund at the NSU Shepard Broad College of Law, or to a charity of your choice.

Posted 06/02/22

Fischler Academy Students Visit Ruth K. Broad Harbor K-8 Center

Fischler Academy students meeting with Principal Saperstein.

Students within NSU’s Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice’s Fischler Academy, got a sneak peek into the teaching field and a head start on networking after a visit to a Miami school.

The group of students paid a special visit to the Ruth K. Broad Harbor K-8 Center in Miami on May 5.  After a meet-and-greet with Principal Scott Saperstein and his team, the Fischler Academy students were given an in-depth tour and were able to check out the pre-kindergarten, lower and middle schools.

Following the tour, the future educators came face to face with veteran educators who were able to give insight into what it’s like working and teaching at the school.

“It was clearly an excellent place to be a teacher, which is a testament to the culture that Principal Saperstein and his team have created at the school,” said Fischler Academy Director Lucas Williams.

Williams said that while this visit is the first, it surely won’t be the last. A series of campus visits are in the works for Fischler Academy students with an overall goal of exposing future educators to a variety of potential employers so they can begin establishing a professional network.

Posted 05/22/22

Broward Youth Coalition Attends Performance on Bullying, Autism

NSU’s Sociodrama Club: Stage for Change had members of United Way’s Broward Youth Coalition in the audience for their recent performance, Sticks and Stones: A Provocative Sociodrama about Bullying and Autism Spectrum Disorder.

The Broward Youth Coalition, which is comprised of middle and high school students, watched three powerful scenes that demonstrated bullying taking place and escalating amongst middle school children and a victim with autism spectrum disorder.  Associate Professors, Grace Telesco, Psy.D. and Maribel Del Rio-Roberts, with NSU’s Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice facilitated the interactive show. The facilitators would freeze the scene and promote thought provoking dialogue between the audience and the NSU student actors who remained in character. The event was set up by Assistant Professor, Maria Levi-Minzi, Ph.D., Department of Human Services.

The goal of the Broward Youth Coalition Leadership Program is to foster positive youth development using a public health approach to prevent substance abuse in young people by promoting protective factors.  The coalition works to create positive, sustainable change among peers, parents and adults in their local neighborhoods, communities, and schools.

For more information on NSU’s Sociodrama Club, please contact faculty advisor, Dr. Grace Telesco at gt423@nova.edu

Posted 04/24/22

Education Doctoral Student Earns Hispanic Women Award

Patricia Trejo

Patricia Trejo, a doctoral student at NSU’s Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice, will receive the Hispanic Women of Distinction Award. This award recognizes the influence Latinas have in the South Florida community.

Trejo serves as the Administrative Program Planner for Hispanic/Latino Studies in the School District of Palm Beach County, where she helps to infuse Latino history and culture into the curriculum and instruction. Additionally, Trejo also serves as the President for the Florida Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents, Secretary for the National Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents’ State Affiliates, a graduate of the ALAS Superintendents Leadership Academy (Cohort X), and the Co-Facilitator for the National ALAS Linking Latina Leaders Network.

Last year, she was the recipient of the 2021 the Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents (ALAS) Scholarship, sponsored by Curriculum Associates.  Through the scholarship, Trejo received $10,000 toward her doctoral degree in educational leadership at NSU, which helps support the professional advancement of Latino administrators.

Trejo will accept the award at the 21st annual Hispanic Women of Distinction Charity luncheon to be held on Friday, August 26.

Posted 04/10/22

College of Education and School of Criminal Justice Spotlights Jon Prince

Jon Prince, Ed.D.

The St. Lucie County School Board in Florida recently announced that Nova Southeastern University alumnus Jon Prince, Ed.D., will be appointed as the new superintendent at St. Lucie Public Schools.

Prince is a Florida native and grew up in Fort Walton Beach. He earned his bachelors and master’s degrees in Elementary Education from the University of Florida. After a year of teaching elementary school, Prince moved to Palm Beach County and taught middle school science. During this time, he completed his Educational Specialist degree in 1999 and his Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice in 2002. Prince said that receiving his education from the Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice has opened many doors in his career and allowed him to build a great network of educators and administrators throughout the process.

Prince is a first-generation college student and was inspired to pursue a career in education by his high school science teacher Mr. Woolwine. Prince said, “Mr. Woolwine cared about his students. He made them feel valued and important. Mr. Woolwine genuinely cared about getting to know his students. He showed me the impact that educators can have on their students’ lives.” Because of this influence, Prince values the importance of a transformational relationship with his students and staff.

Before being appointed to Superintendent, Prince served as Deputy Superintendent of St. Lucie Public Schools. Prince assisted with orchestrating Superintendent Gent’s vision of accountability, high standards and rigor in our public schools. The St. Lucie County School District has soared from 45th to 28th in overall academic performance while ranking as high as 22nd out of 67 districts. In addition, St. Lucie Public Schools ranks in the top 10 in the State for graduation rate, improving from 75% to 95% over the last six years. St. Lucie Public Schools is one of only four districts in Florida to maintain a graduation rate of over 90% for five consecutive years.

Prince resides in Florida with his wife, Heather and their four children. Prince is a proud advocate for public education, believing that equity and access to accelerated coursework will create a thriving community in St. Lucie County.

The Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice wishes you the best of luck as you step into your new role. We know you will continue to accomplish great things for the St. Lucie Public Schools!

Posted 03/25/22

Education Professor Celebrates Notable Number of Article Downloads

Professor Hui Fang “Angie” Su, Ed.D.

Abraham Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice Professor Hui Fang “Angie” Su, Ed.D., celebrated a recent achievement in January. In the first month of the year, she celebrated 318 downloads more than 335 papers in NSU Works. With those 318 downloads, her current readership stands at 14,915 since January 2022 (downloaded across 55 countries, including India, Brazil, Canada, the Philippines, Australia, and South Africa).

Su said that most of her articles are on mathematics, teaching, and learning. However, some papers also focus on online education and STEM education. Su is a faculty member in the Mathematics Education Program. The program trains students and builds effective teachers in middle, secondary, and post-secondary mathematics. Some of the very students enrolled in the program have also co-authored some of the articles downloaded.

Congratulations, Professor Su!

Posted 03/13/22

Criminal Justice Students Get Hands-On Demonstration from Brevard Sheriff

A group of undergraduate students at NSU’s Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice got a hands-on opportunity to learn about criminal justice from a Florida Sheriff.

The students, along with criminal justice Professors Grace Telesco, Ph.D., and Jennifer Allen, Ph.D., were invited by Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey to participate in an exciting and realistic virtual experience involving the MILO, or Multiple Interactive Learning Objectives.

MILO is a scenario-based firearms training system that is used by all branches of law enforcement, military, security, and public safety agencies across the country and the world. Along with the first-hand virtual experience and a lunch outing with Sheriff Ivey, the students also got a chance to meet Junny, the sheriff’s bloodhound.

Posted 03/19/22

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