Bryant Connection - Fall 2014

Remember! Refer students and their families to our website:

admission.bryant.edu It’s an amazing source of information.

Welcoming the 155th Entering Class! ...continued from Page 1 Their participation in the arts has a similar broad range. We have a ballroom dance instructor, an Irish Step dancer and a talented Salsa dancer. Musicians include a member of the California All-State choir, a Berklee Jazz Festival award recipient, a talented harp player (who is bringing her harp to campus!), and a concert pianist. In the theater category, the class has a Bollywood actress, a dinner theater worker, and an improv comedy troupe member. We also have a wildlife photographer, a skilled balloon artist, and one member has won five national poster contests in drawing. Bryant’s varsity sports teams have welcomed 156 new athletes, with many more planning to keep our intramural and club teams competitive. Members of the class include a member of the Bermudian National Soccer Team, a nationally ranked surfer, a bull fighter, and at least six black belts in the martial arts. One student is preparing to compete in the Olympics and one young woman was a fierce competitor on her high school men’s golf team. Over 62 percent of the class have volunteered in many fields and all over the world: a Mexican orphanage, in Paraguay on construction projects, shipping care packages to our military, biking for the American Lung Association, soup kitchens, senior centers, and organizations such as Habitat for Humanity and the Special Olympics. They have worked in a school for the blind and mentored at-risk youth. Two have served in the military and one created “Pediatric Pals,” a group of volunteers supporting pediatric patients.

Alumni-Admission Connection

The Character of Success

These students selected Bryant because they felt it would be the place where they would thrive academically and have the opportunity to explore the world around them. Other factors were the integrated curriculum, our sense of community, the dedication of faculty, the internship opportunities and success of the Amica Center for Career Education in preparing graduates for their first professional experience, the diversity of co-curricular activities, and the beautiful campus.

The Bryant Connection is published three times a year by Judy Famiglietti for the Alumni-Admission Connection members of Bryant University. Send comments on this newsletter or Alumni-Admission Connection activity to Rebecca Eriksen, Associate Director for Events and Volunteers, Bryant University Office of Admission, 1150 Douglas Pike, Smithfield, RI 02917, 401-232-6957, 800-622-7001, or reriksen@bryant.edu. 4

Volume 14, Issue 3, Fall 2014

Annual Manual & Directory Update You have received a hard copy of this newsletter because this mailing contains our updated AAC Manual and Directory. We want to ensure all members have access to these important and helpful publications. If you have asked us to send the newsletter electronically, you will receive links to all three publications via email as well. Please review the Manual before tucking it away! It contains information that prospective students are likely to ask you about and will ensure you have the latest facts to give them! We especially recommend General Information on page 25 and Frequently Asked Questions starting on page 33. It’s also a good idea to review Academic Programs and Concentrations starting on page 42 as both colleges have expanded their programs of study. Then, use the Directory to keep up with other AAC members. But please do not share this information inappropriately.

And we know our AAC members influenced some of them too! Thank you!

Bryant University Office of Admission 1150 Douglas Pike Smithfield RI 02917 Phone: 401-232-6100 Toll Free: 800-622-7001 admission@bryant.edu admission.bryant.edu

A Newsletter for Members of the Alumni-Admission Connection

Why study biology at Bryant ...continued from Page 3 The fledgling biology program is already showing signs of success. Most recently, Bryant faculty member Christopher Reid received a grant from the Rhode Island Foundation to support his research on enzymes that could be used to combat Clostridium difficile infection, and Hokeness reports that graduates are working in academic, hospital, and corporate labs, applying to medical schools, and attending graduate school at institutions that include Columbia University, Pace University, and University of Rhode Island. After a long and strong research collaboration with Professor Reid, Ryan Miller settled on a career path. Miller plans to attend graduate school and teach science at the university level – work that will allow him to pursue his own research while training the next generation of scientists. “With all the one-on-one attention, professors here at Bryant really help you understand the science and can even tailor their research to your interests,” he said. “You’re not a number here. Everyone knows my name.”

Summer Send Offs Many thanks to the following AAC members who took time from their busy schedules to welcome students from their areas who joined the Class of 2018 this fall: Kevin Javier ’12 Michelle Kavalchuck ’07 Jim Magee ’88 Aaron Pereira ’14 Loryn Smith ’12 Nicole Tester ’13 Derek Vallerand ’07 Daniel Verderamo ’11

Welcoming the 155th Entering Class! This month we welcomed the Class of 2018, the 155th entering class of Bryant University. Thanks to each of you who played a part – formal or otherwise – in introducing and informing college-bound students about Bryant. By telling the Bryant story through your own personal lens of experience, you expand our message in unique and matchless ways. Many of you attended a college night, came to a send-off, phoned admitted students, or spoke at a recruitment event and we are most grateful for your time and your commitment to Bryant. It’s not necessary to participate in one of those formal ways in order to influence a young person. As you go through your daily lives as participants in your communities you convey a message that shines the light on our institution. We are grateful for all you do and the role you have played in forming this new class. They are an impressive, talented group selected from over 6,200 applicants. Members of the class come from 27 states, some from right here in Smithfield and others from as far as Arizona, California, Colorado, Indiana, North Dakota, and Tennessee. Six of the seven continents are represented by students from 30 different countries including Australia, Canada, China, Egypt, Ghana, India, Korea, Peru, and Sweden, making up more than 10 percent of the class. Within the class, 31 different languages and dialects are spoken, and 17 percent identify with African American, Latino American or Asian American backgrounds. 59 percent are male and 41 percent are female. 203 are the first in their families to attend college. 21 served as class presidents, 11 are Eagle Scouts and one earned the Girl Scout Gold Award. The newest additions to the Bryant community have researched the ecosystem, published a poem, and served as a Russian translator. They have interned in the stock market, at major pharmaceutical companies, and in the House of Representatives. Many work in family businesses and have come to Bryant to prepare to continue family traditions. Their work experience is fascinating. One is a Zamboni driver, two work for the Pawtucket Red Sox, and one is an opera house assistant. Another is a steward at a yacht club, and one works on a fishing boat helping to haul in the daily catch. One designs, creates, and sells jewelry, while another is a church parish custodian. One works for Target and was promoted to front end store manager after breaking numerous company records pushing the store to one of the top ten performing stores in the country. The class’s entrepreneurship is remarkable. In the technology field, we have students who design apps, repair iPhones, offer consulting services, and design websites. More far flung endeavors include window washing, bicycle building, babysitting, dog walking, and construction. One started and runs his own chicken ranch and another operates his own disc jockey company.

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Center for Diversity and Inclusion Upon assuming his position as vice president of student affairs in the fall of 2013, Dr. John Saddlemire emphasized his belief in collective vision. He stated, “My goal is to listen and hear what students want next for their lives…and to hear what faculty want from their lives…” As he has listened during his first year at Bryant, gaining a deeper understanding of the culture, he has developed a plan to enhance the Bryant experience.

Inclusion. She brings a strong experiential and academic background in diversity and inclusion work along with multifaceted skills including student advising, advocacy, assessment and evaluation, and training. Dr. Kue comes to Bryant from the University of Rhode Island where she was assistant director of the multicultural center. She will be responsible to lead the University on matters of equity, diversity and inclusion and will educate the campus community regarding the importance and advantages of a culture that values and supports each member of our community.

The keystone of that plan is the creation of the Center for Diversity and Inclusion (CDI). As the next step in Bryant’s evolution, the Center will build on Bryant’s commitment to create an inclusive learning, living and working environment in which everyone can thrive, and will provide an integrated model of service delivery, education, outreach and advocacy.

One of Dr. Kue’s first priorities was to complete the staffing of the CDI. Kevin Martins is the new assistant director for the CDI and will be coordinating the Intercultural Center. Mr. Martins has a strong track record of building community Dr. Mailee Kue through equity and diversity initiatives. He is the cofounder and Executive Director, Center for Diversity advisor of Brothers On a New Direction (BOND), a program of and Inclusion advocacy and mentoring for young men of color. He has strong The Center’s mission will be to provide comprehensive roots in student affairs having served as a hall director and services, programs and resources that meet the needs of students, residence life student conduct coordinator, and most recently, as from various cultures, ethnicities, religions, abilities, sexual and interim coordinator of student conduct for URI’s Office of Student gender identities, and other dimensions of diversity. It will be Life. comprised of six resource centers: The interim assistant director for International Student Integration will  Gertrude Hochberg Women’s Center be Tanekar Alexander. Ms. Alexander worked as counseling intern for  PRIDE Center Bryant’s Counseling Services as the last step in completing a  Multicultural Student Services Master’s degree in counseling. From Trinidad and Tobago, she has  International Student Services directly experienced the unique demands of being an international  Disability Services student while also balancing the high expectations placed upon a  Interfaith Center and Campus Ministries varsity athlete. These centers will be located in the newly refurbished Fisher Student Center, further enhancing opportunities for collaborative programming and integration of services and resources.

Rounding out current staffing of the CDI, Kristin Biggins, Bryant’s director of residence education, will serve as the part-time interim director of the Hochberg Women’s Center. It is anticipated that the search for a permanent director will start during the Fall semester.

In August of 2014, following a national search, Dr. Mailee Kue assumed the position of executive director, Center for Diversity and

You’ve got bragging rights! Regular readers will recall this newsletter periodically reports accolades earned by Bryant as evidenced by various college rankings. For this issue, we collected so many, we couldn’t choose just one!

Bloomberg Businessweek ranks Bryant in the top 50 undergraduate business programs. Bryant’s international business program ranks 16 in the country according to Bloomberg Businessweek. th

College Factual is a college search website which bases college rankings by major on a selection of characteristics. Here are some Bryant College Factual rankings as reported in USA Today:     

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Among Top 10 Business Schools 3rd in Accounting 4th in Management 5th in Marketing 6th in International Business

Why study biology at Bryant

Ambassador Angle

U.S. News & World Report ranks Bryant #11 in Regional Universities (North) and fourth in “up and coming” schools.

Ryan Miller is a Bryant University biology major. Miller has worked in a laboratory, presented his research findings at a half dozen scientific conferences, and is about to have his work published in a peer-reviewed science journal. Stephanie Shepherd

Class of 2015 Major: Communication Minors: Business Administration & Psychology

The 2014/15 school year has started and we have a brand new student coordinator of the Ambassador program. She is Stephanie Shepherd and she transferred to Bryant at the start of her sophomore year. When looking for transfer possibilities, Steph says she stumbled on Bryant and was attracted by the leadership opportunities available, the many active clubs and organizations, the diversity of courses, and the beautiful campus. It didn’t hurt that, when she visited, everyone on campus was friendly, according to Steph, “like southern hospitality in the North!” She has taken advantage of many of those leadership opportunities since she arrived at Bryant. She has served as president of Bottom Line, an a cappella group; president of the Student Alumni Association; VP of The Podium, a public speaking club; a resident assistant (RA); and a Student Ambassador. She describes being an Ambassador and RA as her “two most outstanding experiences at Bryant” because both accepted her as a Bryant student and not just as a transfer. She says, “I love everything I do for both these positions… I especially love giving tours!” Steph has become a great advocate of the Communication program, choosing to major in the field because she loves people and wants to understand the science of interpersonal relationships and because it offers such a diversity of opportunity. She loves the size of the program and the faculty. With a double minor in Business Administration and Psychology she feels she is not bound by anything specific and will be able to take advantage of career opportunities as they come along. She is also struck by how all her classes relate to one another, making her feel very well rounded. This past summer, Steph was a human resources intern at Liberty Mutual Insurance Company in Boston, which she felt was an “incredible” experience because she was fully engaged in her internship. Working on two major projects, she had meaningful work to do that made a difference in her department. Another aspect of growth came from living independently in an apartment for the first time. Steph started her senior year by accepting a full-time position with Liberty Mutual starting after graduation next May. Have a great senior year, Steph. You’re off to a terrific start!

“It’s been a great experience at Bryant,” Miller said. “The biology program has a lot of great professors and small class sizes, and that translates into a lot of one-on-one attention and a lot of opportunities for training.” Rapport, rigor, and relevance define biology at Bryant. In fact, these traits give the undergraduate program the feel of graduate school – and that is the biology program’s secret weapon. “Expectations are high and relationships are strong,” said Gaytha Langlois, chair of the Department of Science and Technology at Bryant. “We really get to know students, help them find their passions, and support what they do.” Professor Langlois the undergraduate Bryant in fall 2009, Hokeness, an associate gram, which leads of Science, builds on like most classes dents and a built-in adds two unique and

created and launched biology program at along with Kirsten professor. The promajors to a Bachelor Bryant’s strengths – capped at 35 stubusiness minor – and defining features:

Intensive real-world experience: All Bryant biology majors take part in two semesters of laboratory research, including a capstone research experience where they work in the lab of a faculty member of their choice. In addition, they can take part in ten-week paid summer research fellowships. Extensive real-time mentoring: Every biology major has not only a faculty mentor who advises on academic matters, but a “faculty friend” who is available to discuss course selection, career goals, and graduate school options. In addition, Bryant’s nationally acclaimed Amica Center for Career Education features an advisor dedicated to working with biology students.

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Have a story? Share it! Do you have a personal story of an encounter that motivated a young person to take a closer look at Bryant?...or maybe even attend? We’d love to hear about it. Please email reriksen@bryant.edu to share it. We will include some of the best in future newsletters.

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