Eastern Michigan University
April 17, 2024
Academic and Student Affairs
Provost Briefing
Institutional Priority #1
Promote Student Engagement and Success
Commencement Volunteers Needed
Staff and faculty volunteers are needed to work behind the scenes at Commencement on April 27 at the Gervin Center. Help students get ready for their big day! For more information, email William Pollard.
Celebrate the 2024 Graduates
Join us as we celebrate the class of 2024! Congratulate your favorite graduate with photos, videos, or just some kind words on our celebration page. Submissions will be accepted until noon on Saturday, April 27. Read More
Summer Pickleball League
Are you looking for something to do over the summer on campus? Look no further than the Summer Pickleball League hosted by the Rec/IM!
No Rec/IM membership? No problem! A membership is not required to join this league.
For more information visit: Faculty/Staff/Student Pickleball League Registration or email Brett Carlisle.
Institutional Priority #2
High Performing Academic Programs & Quality Research
EMU French Program Partners with Toulouse Université Jean Jaurès
The French Program has signed an agreement to cooperate with the Université Jean Jaurès. We plan to create a Study Abroad program in Toulouse, southwest France. Toulouse is a vibrant, student-focused city. It is the fourth biggest city in France and is particularly famous for its rugby team, its Foie Gras meat, and the Airbus industry.
The city has three major universities and many engineering/aeronautical/applied sciences schools. EMU students will study at Université Jean Jaurès, which has a close partnership with Université Toulouse III Paul Sabatier (computer science/sciences/engineering).
The French program also sends students to this region to teach English as a Foreign Language in high schools through the French/American embassies program TAPIF (Teaching Assistant Program in France). With the Study Abroad contract with Jean Jaurès, we hope to expand our offerings, including internships with local companies.
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Student Highlights
Kyle Martin
Kyle Martin Named NSF Graduate Research Fellow
The National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) announced its list of 2024 Fellows today. For the second consecutive year, an EMU student has won the NSF GRFP. This year's winner is graduating senior Kyle Martin, who is pursuing a major in environmental science with minors in biology and zoology. Among his many accomplishments, Kyle is also captain of the track and field team at EMU.
Neda Hayeri (right) and Dr. Vijay Mannari (left)
Neda Hayeri: A Trailblazer in Polymers & Coatings Research
Neda Hayeri, a Ph.D. candidate specializing in Polymers & Coatings, of the GameAbove College of Engineering and Technology (GACET), has made significant strides in her field of research, garnering numerous accolades during the 2023-24 academic year.
Hayeri’s two research papers, co-authored with her mentor and dissertation chair, Prof. Vijay Mannari, stood out at national conferences. Her paper titled “Novel Versatile Oligomer for Thermally, UV, and Ambient Curable Organic-Inorganic Hybrid Coatings” received the Best Paper award at the CoatingsTech Conference organized by the American Coatings Association in Cleveland, Ohio during June 2023.
Another remarkable achievement was her paper titled “Eco-Friendly Topcoats: VOC/HAPS-Free Solutions with High Bio-Renewable Content, Grounded in Organic-Inorganic Hybrid Technology”, which was recognized at the Waterborne Symposium in New Orleans during February 2024.
Hayeri’s dedication and contributions exemplify the spirit of innovation and excellence within the field of polymers and coatings. Her work promises to shape a more sustainable and resilient future.
Institutional Priority #3
Service and Engagement
EMU Esports Team Help Raise $1.2M at Gamers for Giving Event
EMU Esports Members Mason Hargreaves, Jackson Sparks, and Kyle Matanzas
On April 5-7, EMU’s GameAbove Center hosted Gamers for Giving, a streaming marathon and LAN party that helps raise funds for Gamers Outreach. Activities from the event support Gamers Outreach charity programs, which focus on providing entertainment to hospitalized kids.
This year, 20 members of EMU’s Esports team attended, competing in videogames such as League of Legends and Overwatch 2. They participated next to hundreds of other Esports players, to a crowd of in person spectators, and to countless virtual stream viewers.
This year’s event raised $1.2 million.
EMU Esports are a top North American esports program that is redefining the scope of collegiate esports. By working closely with academic and institutional departments alike, EMU Esports is uniquely connected with its community. Through these connections, they offer numerous robust professional development experiences, closely support their competitive teams, and host massive regional events.
To learn more about EMU Esports, visit their website and check out their YouTube channel.
Left to Right: Meno VOngratsamy, Dominic Bianchi, Alexander Sandberg, Jeremiah Santiago (kneeling), Christopher Olejnik, Alexander Harrison, Corey Smith Jr.
Upcoming Events
The Fulbright Scholar Program is a life-changing opportunity for faculty, staff, and administrators to teach, conduct research, and carry out professional projects in over 135 countries. Previous Fulbrighters report that the experience has been one of the most fulfilling in their careers, with profound effects on how they approach their teaching and scholarship in years to come. Please join us for this informational workshop. Participants will hear several experts talk about the various types of Fulbright grants and how to navigate the application process through EMU, as well as personal success stories of recent EMU faculty Fulbright grantees.
Location: Boone Hall
Time/Date: May 20, 9:30AM - 2PM, May 21 (online), May 22 (on campus)
The AS-L Summer Institute is an opportunity for faculty and lecturers to reflect on prior Academic Service-Learning courses and think deeply about the value of community engagement. We will revisit student coursework with AS-L outcomes in mind, engage in revising course assessments, and otherwise work to improve the AS-L courses we teach. Participating faculty may also be invited to provide input on the upcoming Carnegie Classification application. The facilitators for this program will be Zuzana Tomas & Jessica (Decky) Alexander. Faculty who participate in all three sessions will receive a $375 honoraria. Participants will be notified by April 25.
Summer Research Writing Sprint
Location: Student Center
Time/Date: Wednesday, May 22 and Thursday, May 23, 9AM - 3:30PM
Join us for a two-day writing retreat on Wednesday, May 22nd and Thursday, May 23rd. You bring your laptop and your work in progress. We’ll bring the snacks and the supportive environment to keep you focused and productive. Take two days away from the usual distractions and demands on your time. Reconnect with your writing practice and finally finish that manuscript (or book proposal or grant application or…)!
Calls for Proposals
Collaborative Course (Re) Design
Deadline: Monday, April 22, 2024 @ 8PM
We are excited to announce our call for applications for the Collaborative Course (Re)Design Learning Community, running for the second time during the fall 2024 semester. Collaborative Course (Re)Design (CCRD) is an approach to redesigning a course that you have taught previously. In CCRD, you and one of your former students work together collaboratively to redesign portions of a course that you want to update and improve. There is a $400 honorarium (each) for faculty and students who participate.
Institutional Priority #4
Institutional Effectiveness
Attention Faculty
Grades for Winter are due:
April 30 at 11pm
The deadline for problem resolution for April grads (all grade changes, substitutions/waivers, etc.) is May 15 at 5pm.
Do you need to complete Minors on Campus Training?
As we gear up for summer programming here on campus, please be aware that any program in which young people under the age of 18 will be in contact with EMU students or employees in an unsupervised space should complete Minors on Campus Registration for the program, and will need to complete Minors on Campus Training. The training is a 60 minute online course, and must be completed by everyone involved with the program prior to the program's start date. If you have any questions about compliance or training, please email Olivia Allen.
Staff & Faculty Highlights
Dr. Dyann C. Logwood
Dr. Dyann Logwood Receives MAC Faculty Award for Student Success
Dr. Dyann Logwood, Assistant Professor in Women’s and Gender Studies, is among the first cohort of recipients of the MAC Faculty Award for Student Success. This student-focused award is distinguishable from academic or research-based awards as it celebrates the commitment of the MAC to a holistic student experience and the creation of an environment that supports success in school and in life.
Read more about Dr. Logwood and the other recipients.
Office of the Provost
Academic and Student Affairs
Prepared by: Andi Pontiff & Karen Peacock
734.487.3200