Tag: Halmos College of Arts and Sciences

NSU Alumna Brightens Library with Special Mural

Anh Nguyen, an alumna of NSU’s Art + Design program, returned to her alma mater this winter to paint an original mural for the fourth floor of the Alvin Sherman Library. Nguyen, better known by her artist name Annie Nugget, describes the mural, titled “Be the Sea,” as a portrayal of letting life go in order to connect with the things that feel meaningful.

“We can pursue almost anything in life, but it only makes sense to do what sparks a passion that can push potential,” she said.

Anh Nguyen

Nguyen graduated from the B.A. in Art + Design program in 2016 with a concentration in studio art. The major, housed within the Department of Communication, Media, and the Arts in the Halmos College of Arts and Sciences, also offers a concentration in graphic design and minors in studio art and graphic design.

In 2016, Nguyen also painted a shark-themed mural, titled “Realizing Potential,” for NSU’s University Center.

“The library was very excited to sponsor this opportunity, and Annie’s diverse portfolio gave her the edge to take on that huge wall,” said Associate Professor of Art + Design Kandy Lopez-Moreno. “As a professional artist, she also creates murals all over South Florida. I’m very proud of her!”

Learn more about NSU’s Art + Design major, including its concentrations and minors, here.

Students Deliver Center for Collaborative Research mural

Each year, the Department of Communication, Media, and the Arts in the Halmos College of Arts and Sciences offers an opportunity to its ARTS 2100 students to collaborate with a campus department or office to design a potential mural for its walls. During the Winter 2020 semester, three students were chosen by the NSU Center for Collaborative Research (CCR) to paint their design for the new CCR lunchroom space. The selected design concept was created by Sara Kaldas, a studio arts minor, who collaborated with Samantha Rosenblum, a studio arts minor, and Gianna Allison, an art + design major with a concentration in studio arts.

Due to COVID-19, the mural painting was postponed to Winter 2021 and is now completed and on display in the CCR. Art + Design Associate Professor Kandy Lopez-Moreno, who supervised the project, said “The design is minimalistic and clean but at the same time, powerful! I’m very glad that this design was chosen.”

For more information about the B.A. in Art + Design program, including its concentrations and minors, click here.

Halmos Student Takes Her Research to Multiple Conferences

Emma Heineman, a political science student in the Halmos College of Arts and Sciences and the Guy Harvey Oceanographic Research Center, presented her research at several conferences. Her paper titled “Women in States Legislatures: The Effect of Female Representation of State Abortion Restrictions,” focuses on the ways that female legislators influence abortion policy.

Emma Heinemann

The first conference she presented at was the Pi Sigma Alpha National Student Research Conference. This was her first experience presenting outside of NSU.

“The conference not only gave me the opportunity to showcase my work, but also provided me with the chance to network with other students, faculty, and researchers from across the country,” she said.

She had the opportunity to present as an undergraduate researcher at the Florida Political Science Association Annual Meeting, as well as at both the Undergraduate Student Symposium and the Annual Crossroads Humanities Student Conference at NSU.

“Before this year, research wasn’t something I ever saw myself pursuing, but the experiences I have had conducting and presenting my own research have sparked a passion that I hope to continue in the future,” she said. “It has allowed me to expand on the incredible opportunities I have had at NSU and has truly been one of the highlights of my undergraduate experience. I want to thank both the Department of Humanities and Politics and Dr. Edwards for the support they have provided me and look forward to continuing my research in the future.”

Halmos Duo Present at International Virtual College and University Seminar

Ismael Muvingi

Ismael Muvingi, a faculty member in the Department of Conflict Resolution Studies, and Crystal Chavis, a doctoral student in the program, presented at the 9th International Virtual College and University Seminar whose theme was Developing and Enhancing Peace and Conflict Studies Programs.

Because it was virtual, the seminar was held from March 22 to April 16 rather than the normal three-day intensive format. This enabled scheduling of presentations and workshops at times that were most feasible for participants in different time zones over a longer time period.

Muvingi and Chavis presented on the lessons learned from delivering conflict resolution programs through a hybrid of platforms: residential, online and experiential. The Department of Conflict Resolution Studies has the longest experience and expertise in online course delivery in conflict analysis and resolution and there was high interest from participants on how to do online given the imperative of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Muvingi is the faculty advisor to the African Working Group. His academic interests include human rights, African politics and transitional justice with a special focus on Africa.

Halmos Student Presents at the Pi Sigma Alpha Virtual Conference

Angel Vasquez

Angel Vasquez, a student in the Halmos College of Arts and Sciences and the Guy Harvey Oceanographic Research Institute, presented his research at the Pi Sigma Alpha National Student Research Conference. Pi Sigma Alpha is the National Political Science Honor Society and this year’s conference was held virtually.

“Participating in the Pi Sigma Alpha virtual conference allowed me to present my research to a scholarly audience and to experience academia firsthand,” he said. “This experience has informed me about other career options and piqued my interest in other fields within the social sciences. The feedback that I obtained from the panelists reviewing my research project has significantly improved it and is already guiding my future research interest.

“I was also glad to interact with peers from other colleges and hearing their interesting perspectives. I am deeply thankful for the professors of the Department of Humanities and Politics for their enthusiastic support and guidance, and I can only be excited to participate in next year’s Pi Sigma Alpha conference!”

NSU Writing Center Coordinators Co-host Annual Conference

Janine Morris, Ph.D., and Eric Mason, Ph.D., NSU Writing and Communication Center (WWC) faculty coordinators, co-hosted the 2021 Southeastern Writing Center Association (SWCA) annual conference along with members of the 2020-2021 SWCA board. Morris is an assistant professor and Mason is an associate professor in the Department of Communication, Media, and the Arts in the Halmos College of Arts and Sciences. The conference was held virtually February 11-13, 2021.

The 2021 SWCA conference theme was “Trauma and Transformation,” and highlighted transformations writing center professionals and the field undertake during times of crisis and change. NSU WCC leadership and consultants presented on numerous panels and the conference had more than 400 participants from 50 institutions across the United States.

“It was a pleasure to plan and co-host the 2021 SWCA conference with my writing center colleagues from across the southeast region,” Morris said. “The conference was truly a collaborative endeavor, and I was thankful that so many people attended and had the opportunity to connect when meeting in person wouldn’t be possible.”

To learn more about SWCA, visit its website.

Learn more about the WCC here.

Halmos Music Masterclass Series Featured Industry Pros

During the Winter 2021 semester, the Department of Communication, Media, and the Arts (DCMA) in the Halmos College of Arts and Sciences hosted a Music Masterclass Series featuring an array of workshops and guest lectures hosted by industry professionals.

Mihoko Watanabe

“The Music Masterclass Series was not only designed to enhance the learning experience of NSU’s music students, but rather expose the entire NSU community to a plethora of music topics and careers that exist within the music industry,” said DCMA Assistant Professor of Music Jessica Muñiz-Collado. “It was great having each of these guest artists meet with our students.”

Featured artists and industry professionals included:

  • Miguel Pilgram, an entrepreneur and owner of the NYSW Jazz Lounge, who discussed the business of music and the live music industry sector;
  • Miguel Merino, a drummer, linguist and educator, who discussed the culture of music in the Middle East and, specifically, Egyptian music;
  • Mihoko Watanabe, a flutist, professor of flute at Ball State University (where she received her doctorate degree), who discussed the vibrant music culture of Japan;
  • Andrew Maguire, a percussionist and a drummer for the traveling Hamilton Broadway production in Los Angeles, who discussed the musical theatre industry and good practicing methods;
  • And Pablo Mieglo, the artistic director and conductor for the Symphony of the Americas, who spotlighted the classical music industry.

During the Fall 2020 semester, the department also hosted game composers Ravi Krishnaswami and Jason Menkes, who gave a masterclass on composing music for video games.

For more information about NSU’s B.A. in Music program, click here.

Halmos Biologist Discusses Bacteria in Our Lives on Telemundo

This May, biology faculty member Julie Torruellas Garcia, Ph.D. was interviewed by Antonio Texiera, host of the news show “Al Rojo Vivo” on the Spanish language network, Telemundo.  During the interview, Garcia shared the results of the types of bacteria that were identified from the inside of cars, on children’s toys and on sofas and rugs for the segment “Amenaza Escondida” or “Hidden Threats”.

In her three segments, she discussed the topics of bacteria in your living room furniture, on your children’s toys, and how cars can represent a source of bacterial infection. Each of these segments are available on YouTube. Click the headlines below to watch.

“Armchairs in the living room can hide large quantities of mold and bacteria, experts reveal”

“Hidden Threats: Excess bacteria found on children’s toys”

“Cars could represent a source of infection by transporting thousands of bacteria”

Halmos Alumna Earns Doctoral Degree from University of Surrey, UK

Michelle Rushefsky

Michelle Rushefsky, Ph.D., 2012 graduate in International Studies and English in the Halmos College of Arts and Sciences and the Guy Harvey Oceanographic Research Center, was awarded a Ph.D. in Literature from the University of Surrey in the United Kingdom.

Rushefsky’s thesis was titled “Horror Capriccios: (Re)imagining British Nineteenth-Century Fiction through the Veil of American Horror.”

She credits her undergraduate education at NSU for setting her on the path to this tremendous milestone in her academic career.

“NSU provided the initial freedom to explore different subjects which led me to the love of my life, literature,” she said. “Because of NSU, I continue to pursue academic achievement. The professors during my undergraduate years pledged support and fostered substantial academic rigor that inspired me not only as an early career researcher, but as an aspiring lecturer.”

Halmos Professor Shares Expertise in Voting Rights

Charles Zelden

Charles Zelden, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Humanities and Politics (DHP) in the Halmos College of Arts and Sciences and the Guy Harvey Oceanographic Research Center and sought-after political expert, recently shared his expertise.

In an interview conducted by CBS4’s BoBeth Yates titled “Voting By Mail Becomes More Difficult Now,” Zelden was asked to comment on how the new Florida voting law will affect voters’ abilities to cast their ballots.

“They’re not making it impossible to vote, just more difficult,” he said. “So for example, the old rule was that you could register for a two-election cycle period to automatically receive an absentee ballot. Now, it is a one-year every cycle, you’ve got to re-register for.”

Zelden academic interests include American Constitutional History, Civil Rights, Legal Studies, and the Judicial Process.

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