June 12, 2024
Academic and Student Affairs
Provost Briefing
Institutional Priority #1
Promote Student Engagement and Success
June Is
The EMU Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Resource Center represented EMU at Ypsi Pride and Motor City Pride last week.
The LGBTRC strives to increase students’ sense of belonging and contribute to a culture of equity through programming, advocacy, and education.
The Department of Africology and African American Studies Presents
“Why Juneteenth Matters”
Mark P. Fancher, Esq.
A zoom-based lecture
Wednesday, June 19, 2024
Noon to 2pm
Moderator: Professor Victor Okafor, Head, Department of Africology and African American Studies
This Juneteenth lecture is co-sponsored by EMU’s Center of Race and Ethnicity
Undergraduate Student Internship Opportunity
The John N. Gardner Institute for Excellence in Undergraduate Education (Gardner Institute) is looking for an Intern for Fall 2024!
Interns are given the opportunity to collaborate alongside the Gardner Institute staff on work related to student success and increasing equity in higher education. Each intern is expected to work 10-15 hours per week and complete a project by the end of their term.
For Fall 2024, the undergraduate intern will have an opportunity to work with the Retention Performance Management process that specifically focuses on equitable retention and student success for all student populations. The intern will have the opportunity to help create, structure, and organize content to be utilized in the process.
Interns will receive a stipend of $1,500 per semester and academic credit may also be available. All internships are online at this time.
The application is due July 1, 2024.
Please share this opportunity with students and colleagues!
Internship Form
EMU Dietetics at MiAND Legislative Day
EMU Dietetics and Human Nutrition students and select faculty and staff participated in MiAND's Legislative Day again this year at Michigan’s capitol in Lansing. This event is designed to educate students on how to communicate and connect with their lawmakers to advocate for nutrition policies that will strengthen our society’s health and food systems.
This year’s Legislative Day came at a critical time as RD’s lobbied for HB4608 to license Medical Nutrition Therapy in the state so that people can access nutrition care using their health insurance.
1st-year student, Ashley Azzo, with several Grand Valley Dietetic students
Representative Sharon MacDonell along with several dietetic students and Registered Dietitians
Representative Sharon MacDonell along with several dietetic students and Registered Dietitians
Summer Computing Camps at EMU
Bits & Bytes
Summer Computing Camp for Middle School Girls
June 24-28, 2024 (on EMU’s campus)
Gigabytes
Summer Computing Program for High School Girls
July 22-26, 2024 (on EMU’s campus)
Sponsored by:
NASA’s Michigan Space Grant Consortium
Award number: 80NSSC20M0124
Join Our Summer Sand
Volleyball
League
2024
Sand 2v2 games
Registration:
Opens April 21st
Closes May 20th
May 21st - July 18th
Games will be held Tuesdays starting at 5pm @ the sand courts @ The Rec
Register Now on IM Leagues! Visit our website or scan the QR Code
Noon
Basketball
Join us for an exciting afternoon of basketball, fun & much more!
June
7th-28th
on fridays
Location
3rd floor
Basketball Courts
Time
12:00 PM
CIERP BBQ & Speed Networking Event
On April 19th, the Center for Interprofessional Education, Research, and Practice (CIERP) celebrated the end of the year with a barbecue and a speed networking event at the Lakehouse on Eastern Michigan’s campus.
Speed networking is a modality used to help students and professionals from different disciplines learn about each other’s professions to facilitate collaboration and communication. Faculty and students were given “dance cards” and asked to spend a few minutes with each other, asking questions and sharing their experiences.
We had approximately 65 students, faculty and staff come to the barbecue and participate in our end-of-the-year activities. We are hoping to make this an annual event. Please reach out to Jillian Graves if you would like to find out more and/or are interested in participating in the future!
The Geospatial Technologies
Talent Consortium
EMU’s Department of Geography and Geology continue to jumpstart student careers in geospatial technologies through the Geospatial Technologies Talent Consortium (GTTC).
“GTTC is missioned to create high-pay, high-demand, and high-mobility (3H) geospatial technologies career opportunities for students.”
Convened and led by Dr. Yichun Xie (PI) in 2019, the program program culminates in a geographic information system (GIS) capstone paid summer student internship, where students accomplish GIS work in local companies and organizations.
Employers Wanted
for the
Student Employment Fair
August 28th from 1:00PM-4:00pm
EMU Student center ballroom
We are seeking on-campus and Washtenaw County employers with entry-level, part-time job openings that do not require a degree.
Priority registration for EMU Employers until 8/02/2024
Free registration for employers
Questions?
Contact John Carlson
Institutional Priority #2
High Performing Academic Programs & Quality Research
The Financial Management Association - EMU Chapter Earns Superior Chapter Designation
The Financial Management Association - EMU Chapter, a student led organization, has been given the Superior Chapter Designation by FMA International for the 2023 – 2024 academic year. This highly coveted designation is awarded to less than ten percent of FMA chapters. In order to receive this prestigious designation, the student chapter had to meet a number of specific criteria, demonstrated exemplary chapter management, and excelled in providing members with program activities. The students achieved this through job placement programs, hosting financial leader speakers, many of whom are EMU alumni, working with regional firms to place students in internship and entry level positions and sending our students to NYC to learn from financial professionals of which many were EMU alumni this year.
Below is pictured the EMU Chapter’s tour of the New York Stock Exchange. This tour was led by John Tuttle, Vice Chairman at the NYSE and President at the NYSE Institute, and EMU Alumni. Tuttle is a long-time supporter of EMU and especially the FMA.
Congratulations FMA - EMU Chapter!
Kelsi Szakovits
President
Karianna Garisson
Vice President
Joshua Alarcon
Public Relations Representative
Jaidyn Hinkley
Treasurer
Audrey Farrugia
Faculty Advisor
NSSLHA EMU chapter Recieves Gold Status 4th Year running
Eastern Michigan’s Department of Special Education & Communication Sciences National Student Speech Language Hearing Association (NSSLHA) chapter recently received the highest honors of the organization--Gold status--for the 4th year in a row.
Each year, National NSSLHA recognizes outstanding affiliated chapters that have made significant contributions to CSD programs, the national organization, and their local chapters for attaining excellence in member recruitment and engagement, community outreach and service, legislative advocacy and fundraising.
Dr. Audrey Farrugia, the faculty advisor for this group, stated, "I am really proud of what they accomplished. It is primarily run by undergraduates and they have been so dedicated.”
EMU NSSLHA Chapter Officers
President: Kelsi Szakovitz
Vice President: Karianna Garrison
Public Relations Representative: Joshua Alarcon
Treasurer: Jaidyn Hinkley
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Audrey Farrugia
Read BathHouse Journal - Issue 25
Surveying the Border
The BathHouse Journal announces the launch of its 25th issue, Surveying the Border. We asked artists to contribute work that addressed the idea of borders in all their manifestations, and ended up with poetry, prose, audio, video, and visual art that expresses a deeply human story. We hope you enjoy and share this issue.
BathHouse Journal is an online hypermedia journal curated, edited, designed, and maintained by the graduate Creative Writing program of Eastern Michigan University’s English Department.
Student Highlights
Jessica Lyseng
Jessica Lyseng Awarded Phi Kappa Phi Study Abroad Grant
Jessica Lyseng of Homewood, Illinois, recently was awarded a study abroad grant worth $1,000 from The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi — the nation's oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines. Lyseng is one of 125 students nationwide to receive the award.
Currently a junior majoring in pre-occupational therapy at Eastern Michigan University, Lyseng will use the grant to study abroad in Viña del Mar, Chile.
The selection process for a study abroad grant is based on the applicant’s academic achievement, campus and community service, relation of travel to academic preparation and career goals, a personal statement, letters of recommendation, and acceptance into a study abroad program.
Trumpet Quintet at Intl. Trumpet Guild Conference
The EMU Trumpet Quintet represented Eastern Michigan University at the International Trumpet Guild Conference in Anaheim, CA, at the end of May. Under the direction of Dr. Anderson Romero, Assistant Professor of Music in the School of Music & Dance, the ensemble performed on May 28 and 29 during the conference. During the event, the ensemble participated in the Ryan Anthony Memorial Trumpet Competition and was a semifinalist in the Chamber Music Division. They also performed a prelude to a session by Javier Gonzalez and K.O. Skinsnes. The ITG daily report highlighted the "Eastern Michigan University Trumpet Ensemble’s incredible performance of Erik Morales’s 'X1’."
Left to right: Carter Coyne, Nathan Bohr, Dr. Anderson Romero, Eric Molina Pereira, Adriano Liberato Estraiotto, and Emily Smith.
Right of each photo: Madison Krupp and Michelle Buggs
Madison Krupp & Michelle Buggs Outstanding Students
EMU Dietetics and Human Nutrition students Madison Krupp and Michelle Buggs were both awarded the Outstanding Student Award during the CHHS recognition ceremony.
Michelle Buggs, a second-year dietetic student in the MS Coordinated Program, was also selected by MiAND as an Outstanding Dietetics Student for 2024.
Madison Krupp is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist pursuing an MS in Human Nutrition with an anticipated graduation in August of 2024. Following graduation, she hopes to continue exploring areas of interest such as outpatient and sport related settings.
Students Present at 2024 Academic High Altitude Conference
Students from the Physics and Astronomy Department attended the 2024 Academic High Altitude Conference from May 29 - 31 in Minneapolis.
Rosayln Friend and Hannah Popofski, EMU class of 2024, presented a poster entitled "The Eastern Michigan University Eclipse Ballooning Missions" and summarized the work that they did along with their EMU Atmospheric Physics EXploration (APEX) teammates to build and launch high altitude weather balloons in order to study the atmosphere during the two most recent solar eclipses. Rosalyn and Hannah highlighted their observations of atmospheric gravity waves during two balloon launches, as well as the work that EMU APEX has done to improve the balloon's ventilation system.
The recent graduates traveled to Minneapolis alongside faculty advisors Dave Pawlowski and Tom Kovacs with support from the Michigan Space Grant Consortium. Highlights of the trip include learning about the experiences of several groups that also participated in NASA's Nationwide Eclipse Ballooning Project, establishing future collaborations with other ballooning teams, and riding roller coasters at the Mall of America.
Left to right: Hannah Popofski and Rosalyn Friend
Institutional Priority #3
Service and Engagement
Help fund the future of EMU
Abby Bringard is fondly remembered by her faculty and fellow alumni as an energetic, extremely bright and passionate student. While at EMU, Abby was inducted into Beta Gamma Sigma, the business honor society and was also a Financial Management Association National Honor Society member. She graduated with her BBA in Finance in December 2022 and was working as a Commercial Underwriter after graduation.
Abby passed away on June 7, 2023, due to a tragic car accident and is greatly missed by her fellow alumni and faculty.
Contributing to the scholarship fund will help future students, like Abby, succeed in their pursuit of their finance degree. The goal for the scholarship fund is to reach $25,000 so an endowed fund can be established.
Dr. Judi Brooks Scholarship Fund
Students, colleagues, and friends of the late Judi Brooks, PhD, RD still fondly remember and envision her teaching in the Marshall Building. She mentored many graduate and undergraduate students in her 23 years at EMU and was more than a professor of nutrition and dietetics. For many, Dr. Brooks was more than a teacher—she was a role model, parental figure, and trusted confidante.
In April 2022, Dr. Judi Brooks was awarded posthumous recognition as Emeritus Faculty.
A memorial scholarship has been established in Judi's memory to support nutrition and dietetics students. To make a gift of any size visit the EMU Foundation webpage or mail a check to the EMU Foundation c/o Judi Brooks Memorial Scholarship, PO Box 972057, Ypsilanti MI 48197. We hope to reach a $10,000 level soon, for an endowed scholarship fund.
Abby Bringard Women in Finance Endowed Scholarship
200 McKenny Hall
Noon - 1pm
June 26, 2024
September 25, 2024
November 20, 2024
January 22, 2025
March 26, 2025
Brown Bag Lunch epaf sessions
Informal, lunchtime Student Employment training & assistance.
Bring your lunch and your student hiring, epaf, eligibility, work study, or any other student employment questions.
Introducing the
Mobile Support
Services Iniative
Celebrate EMU’s role in the creation of the Mobile Support Services Initiative (MSSI)!
Adopted unanimously by the Washtenaw County Board of Directors in December 2020, the MSSI is an innovative initiative designed to bring services directly to rural and under-resourced communities by retrofitting a recreational vehicle to act as a community resource center on wheels. The MSSI vehicle is equipped to mobilize resources and services within Washtenaw County.
This unique initiative was achieved through partnerships with higher education students and not-for-profit organizations in the office of Engage@EMU by Caroline Sanders, Associate Director of Community Relations and Engagement, Dr. Anna Gersh, and Dr. Yichun Xie.
The MSSI is now road-ready and prepared to serve Washtenaw Community. Look forward to a launch event coming soon!
Engage@EMU Hosts Career and College Excursion Camps May 2024
Wayne-Westland Community Schools returned to campus for the third annual 5th grade Excursion Camp. Over 750 5th graders visited campus this May. During their two-day field trip, students were able to explore two careers based on their interests. Students choose from the following careers; theatre arts, healthcare, computer science, robotics, biology and physics, human services/social work, engineering, studio art, esports, business, interior design, chemistry, therapeutic recreation, computer coding & programming, baking/culinary arts, and finance. This camp also featured a career exploration and college readiness course for special education students from Hicks Elementary School.
Lincoln Middle Schoolers visited campus for their first Excursion Camp! 242 6th graders and 239 7th graders joined us at this year's camp. Each student was able to explore four careers during their visit. Students choose from the following careers; human services/social work, studio arts, healthcare, esports, engineering, theatre arts, chemistry, therapeutic recreation, biology and physics, computer science, and interior design.
“Hearing my students tell me what they learned and the excitement they had was my favorite part of camp. I loved seeing the smiles and hearing the stories they told. This is about the students and getting them out of their comfort zone.”
- A Wayne Westland Educator
“My favorite part of camp was Super Science when we dropped eggs and launched rockets.”
- Lincoln Middle School Student
Thank
you!
For attending the All-Employee Picnic Lunch! We hope all who were able to attend enjoyed the food, music, and the company of your fellow extraordinary collogues.
Alumni Highlights
Angelo Soto-Centeno
Angelo Soto-Centeno Curator at American Museum of Natural History, NYC
Angelo Soto-Centeno, a graduate of the MS Ecology program at EMU, will begin his new career as the Curator of Mammals at the American Museum of Natural History in NYC.
After receiving his Ph.D. from the University of Florida, Soto-Centeno taught as a Professor of Evolution at Rutgers University. His new, prestigious position as Curator will bring him worldwide notoriety in the scientific community. He begins this new chapter on July 1, 2024.
Parker Wilson Publishes micro-fiction in the Cincinnati Review
Parker Wilson, a recent graduate of EMU’s MA in Creative Writing, has published a work of micro-fiction in the Cincinnati Review titled “I’m Stronger Than the Romans.” This piece constitutes one of Wilson’s growing body of work about athletics and queerness.
Parker Wilson
Institutional Priority #4
Institutional Effectiveness
Bright Futures Awarded State Department of Education Grant
We are excited to share that Bright Futures was fully funded on our newest grant with the State Department of Education for $1.5 Million per year for five years. These funds will serve ten schools and will allow us to continue to offer out-of-school programming at our twenty-two sites.
Bright Futures forges an alliance with three economically challenged suburban school districts and EMU's Institute for the Study of Children, Families, and Communities in the office of Engage@EMU. The project serves students and families at twenty-two different schools located in Wayne-Westland Community School District, Ypsilanti Community Schools, and Romulus Community Schools. Bright Futures is designed to address the needs expressed by the families and children served, community stakeholders, and school staff.
DID YOU KNOW
STARFISH
- You can flag or refer a student in your course at any time
- You can communicate with multiple students AND document the communication AND set up message tracking with just a few clicks
- You can automatically appear in your students’ Networks as a program or departmental advisor
- A Success Coach will reach out to each student with a high-priority flag (Never Attended, At Risk of Failing, and/or Cannot Pass)
LEARN HOW!
Attention
The Honors College Building has been updated from “Trinity” to “HONORS” in both our Banner and 25Live systems. This change aligns with the naming conventions already used in other campus resources (e.g., the campus map).
Please note that "HONORS" will now appear in the catalog and all scheduling activities moving forward. We believe this update will enhance consistency and clarity across our university systems.
Staff & Faculty Highlights
LaTina Jackson
New KCP Coordinator LaTina Jackson
The Holman Success Center is excited to welcome our new KCP Coordinator, LaTina Jackon! LaTina will be working with the MICUP and KCP4S grant programs in HSC.
LaTina holds a B.S. degree in sociology from Eastern Michigan University and a M.Ed. in educational counseling with an emphasis in student affairs from Northern Arizona University. She has over a decade of experience supporting students and is passionate about helping students achieve their academic goals, social and personal well-being.
Please extend her a warm welcome!
New ORDA Director Scott Teasdale
We are happy to announce that Scott Teasdale started on June 3rd as the new Director of the Office of Research Administration and Development (ORDA).
Scott holds a bachelor’s degree from Western Michigan University, and earned a post-baccalaureate Teaching Certification in Secondary Business Education and a Masters in Business Administration from Eastern Michigan University. His early accomplishments at EMU include authoring and implementing grant projects totaling over $37M during his time with EMU’s Bright Futures team, and providing the nascent Engage@EMU with expertise around budgeting, human resources, data evaluation, and departmental initiatives. Most recently, he served three-plus years as the Senior Pre-Award Sponsored Projects Officer in ORDA, where he collaborated with faculty and staff in the submission of complex proposals for federal, state, foundation, and industry grants.
Scott looks forward to enhancing the services that ORDA provides to the EMU community. Be on the lookout for increased communications, revitalized research development opportunities, streamlined internal processes, collaboration, and some new faces in ORDA as we work to support Research @EMU.
Michael McVey Receives 2024 President’s Award of Recognition
Michael McVey (Teacher Education Department), an 8-year member of the Saline Area Schools Board of Education, received the 2024 President's Award of Recognition from the Michigan Association of School Boards (MASB) this past May at the Washtenaw Intermediate School District offices. This is the highest award offered to elected trustees by the MASB.
Michael completed 39 professional development classes and recorded over 1400 hours of advocacy and committee work over and above his regular SAS school board responsibilities. In 2024, of the over 4,000 elected school board trustees in the State of Michigan, only six attained this honor.
Congratulations Professor McVey!
Professor Michael McVey flanked by MASB Board of Directors Dale Wingerd and Guillermo Lopez
Cara Shillington
Cara Shillington Receives Faculty Mentor Award
Dr. Cara Shillington is the recipient of the 12th annual William Fennel Symposium Faculty Mentor Award. This honor, in memory of emeritus biology professor Dr. William Fennel, is given to recognize EMU faculty
members who provide extraordinary leadership and guidance to undergraduate students in their research experience, including mentorship of the student’s work for the Undergraduate Symposium. Two of Dr. Shillington’s students wrote essays depicting the significant impact her mentorship had on their academic experiences.
Congratulations Dr. Shillington!
Office of the Provost
Academic and Student Affairs
Prepared by Andi Pontiff
734.487.3200