Creating Community
M.S. Communication & Leadership Newsletter
2016
A letter from the GA
Hello Everyone, I’d like to take the time to introduce myself to those who may not know me. My name is Emily Gumkowski and I am the Graduate Assistant for the Communication and Leadership program. I graduated from Canisius College December 2014 with a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies and minors in Human Resources and Business Management. Currently, I am in my second year of the Communication and Leadership program with a concentration in Organizational Leadership. Outside of working as a Graduate Assistant and classes I am also a recruiter/HR Representative for the architectural and engineering firm CannonDesign. As I enter my last year in the program, I could not be more thankful for this experience and for the lifelong relationships I have developed as a result. I am only one year in but my journey so far has been vast. I am excited and ready to hit the ground running, as I hope you all are. Have a fantastic end to 2016 and an even better 2017. Thanks for reading and if you have any feedback or suggestions we would love to hear them.
Emily Best,
Keep up to dat e w i t h
news, events, and more
gumkowse@canisius.edu
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w w w . c o ml e a d bl o g . c o m Have you ever thought of being a guest blogger? We are always looking for new and diverse perspectives to keep our blog fresh. If you are interested in contributing please email me at gumkowse@canisius.edu
Organizational Leadership Managing Not-for-Profits Integrated Marketing Communication
Have you seen our blog? Giving Days for the Not-for-Profit Win POSTED BY COMLEAD ON AUG 2, 2016 IN COMLEAD “Many colleges and universities across the nation are looking at different and novel ways of soliciting the support of their young alumni. The latest and most successful venture has been Giving Days. Giving Days have been built off the momentum of #GivingTuesday, which has been immensely successful in garnering donations for not-for-profits worldwide in the midst of Black Friday and Cyber Monday (This year’s #GivingTuesday is November 29).”
See more at: http://comleadblog.com/2016/08/02/giving-days-not-for-profit-win/
Where Are They Now?
Jerry Theresanathan
Brian Manning
Kaitlyn Munro
Nina Pierino
Sarah Warner
Vincent Panuccio
Melissa Feron
Congratulations t o t h e C l a ss o f 2 0 1 6 !
Melissa Feron Customer Service Tech Specialist M&T Bank CAPSTONE Gossip in the Workplace
Brian Manning Multimedia Specialist Canisius College CAPSTONE Selling Your Story with Video Advertising
Sarah Warner
Kaitlyn Munro
Communications Associate Buffalo Naiagara Medical Campus
Assignment Supervisor Time Warner Cable News Buffalo
CAPSTONE Source Credibility: A Comparison of Expertise and Trustworthiness on a Consumer’s Willingness to Buy from a Startup Business
CAPSTONE Celebrity Endorsements of Non-Profits on Twitter: How Tweets Influence Electronic Word-of-Mouth and Donor Intent
“The Communication Leadership program is a hidden gem of Canisius. I am grateful for the knowledge, friendships, and experiences I’ve shared through this program. This gem shapes you to become richer leaders and communicators who promote the betterment of humans in this ever changing world.”
Jerry Theresanathan
“One of the best parts about being a ComLead student was the lasting connections I made with professors, alumni and others connected to the program. These individuals have served as wonderful mentors and played a key role in guiding me into the marketing position I have at the Medical Campus.”
Sarah Warner
VINCENT PANUCCIO
nINA pIERINO
Customer Service Technical Specialist Online Banking M&T Bank
Complex Director, Residence Life Department Buffalo State College
CAPSTONE Communication Comptence Between Millennials and Baby Boomers
CAPSTONE Is Less Really More in Online Purchasing? The Influence of Highly Involved Blog Sites on Purchase Intent and Perceived risk
jERRY tHERESANATHAN MBA ‘17- Marketing Graduate Assistant at Women’s Business Center Canisius College CAPSTONE Brand Relationship Quality of Millennials: Self & the Brand
Brian Manning
Communication and Leadership
Capstone 2016
Top Row from left: Dr. Rosanne Hartman, Dr. John Dahlberg, Dr. Melissa Wanzer Bottom Row from left: Vincent Panuccio, Nina Pierino, Sarah Warner, Melissa Feron, Kaitlyn Munro, Brian Manning, Jerry Theresanathan
Creating Community
“People coming together as a community can make things happen.� -Jacob Rees-Mogg
Michael Lee Michael Lee works at Evergreen Health as Senior Associate VP of Administration. Evergreen Health provides an array of different services to those with chronic diseases/illnesses, the LGBT population, substance users and the poor. Some of the services include needle exchange (it is actually the largest one outside of NYC), Narcan kits and training (Buffalo is going through an opiate epidemic right now and these kits have reversed 500 overdoses, meaning 500 lives have been saved), and an article 28 health facility (it includes doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and can serve 3,500 patients). They also provide mental health and substance abuse counseling, have an in-house pharmacy and a wellness center where people can go for coffee, a hot lunch, or job training. All of this is located in their Elmwood office. The hope is that if they can get people on the campus and engaged in one aspect or service then they’ll be more apt to do more. It takes away the barriers and makes it easier to deliver better health outcomes to those they serve. The organization services about 15,000 Evergreen Health individuals in a year and recently they were able to open a brand new, $16 million, 56 unit apartment building which Senior Associate VP of provides stable housing to the homeless or those with Administration chronic illnesses. It is absolutely beautiful and Mike said “seeing people who have went without now have this makes a big impact.” Evergreen Health is providing great services to this community. “You walk away feeling accomplished” and you are able to see what you are doing and the effect this work is having on people. In his position Mike spends a lot of time with pharmacy, traveling and doing advocacy work in DC. He explained it this way, “You are being a voice for people” and contributing to providing something to help them. Evergreen Health has an umbrella which also covers the Pride Center and Foundation. In his spare time Mike stays involved and volunteers his time with them during their events. He was also the Co-chair for the AIDS walk this year which raised more than $110,000. At the end of the day, Mike said “you see your work impact others’ lives and that is the most satisfying thing.” When I asked Mike what he thinks of when he hears community he said “I always think of diversity.” The different people he sees on a daily basis-they are really diverse human beings. “Most people don’t want to talk or think about the hard stuff in life, but we tackle these situations and serve these populations happily.”
Kate Heidinger Kate Heidinger is the Campaign and Development Coordinator for Kevin Guest House. As some background, Kevin Guest House started with Roswell in 1972 by the Garvey Family. Their son was 13 years old and had leukemia. He was treated at Roswell and even though the family had finances to afford a hotel they knew other families were not so fortunate. There were families sleeping in the waiting rooms and hallways or in their cars. Kevin passed away in January of 1972 but the year prior to that the family knew they wanted to do something to help. So, the Garvey’s, who were from Pennsylvania, bought the house and while they were grieving their son’s death, helped open Kevin Guest House with the help of Roswell. In July 1972 the house was officially opened. Kevin Guest House “accepts anyone, of any condition, at any age.” They are also the only one of their kind to actually be located on the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus. Recently, Kevin Guest House acquired another building which will allow them to double the number of guests they can host, and address critical limitations that cause them to have to turn people away. Every year Kevin Guest House has to turn away 400 people. They are not currently accessible and are often running at capacity. Kate leads the campaign for the expansion which is now in the public fundraising phase. . The campaign had raised $2.1 million of its $3 million dollar goal and they plan to cut the ribbon the new building in July 2017. Kate was instrumental in securing the single largest cash gift in the history of Kevin Guest House, a $500,000 gift to the expansion campaign from Russell J. Salvatore. When Kate is not working on the campaign she is also works on major gifts, legacy giving, grant writing, peer fundraising, and other special campaigns.
Kevin Guesthouse Campaign and Development Coordinator
When people come to stay with Kevin Guest House they are not typically from the Buffalo-metro area, so they are not deeply familiar with the city. They are also typically under duress when they are here. Kate explained how, through the services of Kevin Guest House, we are able to show people that we are the “City of Good Neighbors.” The way they are treated during this time stays with them and it changes them. Staying at Kevin Guest House allows them to go through this difficult time in their life with more ease. Not only do these individuals get to see how supportive the Buffalo community is but they are also a part of their own community within the house. Dinner is served for the guests five nights a week at the dinner table in the dining room and that is one of the things people love the most. Outside of work Kate is also a member of the Junior League of Buffalo, an organization of women committed to promoting volunteerism, community engagement, and professional development of women. She also gives her time to the Alzheimer’s Association of WNY in honor of her father who has Lewy Body Dementia. When I asked Kate why she feels it is so important to give back and be a part of the community she said simply “That is what my parents taught me to do.” Her dad was the Controller for the Village of Newark, Boy Scout leader, and long-time member and past president of the school board and would often visit sick & elderly members of their church. When he had volunteer obligations he brought Kate along with him. Now, Kate and her husband Nick (also a ComLead alum) are just as involved and are raising their son in the same way. Kate told us that working in her job and within the community is “wonderful and humbling.” The perspectives the guests provide is “utterly invaluable.”
Christina DiBaudo 13Thirty is a Rochester Based organization that provides programming and support services for Teens and Young Adults with cancer or who have had cancer. The organization actually started as a foundation with an online forum for teens and young adults (ages 13-30). The foundation was named Melissas living legacy teen cancer foundation and really focused most of their time on advocacy. Then they added programming and 13Thirty (formerly Teens Living with Cancer) encompassed everything. The woman who started 13Thirty is named Lauren Spiker. Her daughter Melissa Sengbusch passed away from cancer at 19 but, before she died, she told her mother “If you have learned anything from me through all of this, do something with it to make a difference-to make things better.” And so 13Thirty was born. Christina DiBaudo is from Rochester, NY and attended Canisius College as an undergraduate in the Communication Studies program. Now she is a current student in the Communication and Leadership program. Christina did an internship with Roswell Bald for Bucks her junior year of 13Thirty undergrad. Bald for Bucks was started by a teacher at Volunteer Lakeshore and took off, growing into the widespread progrma we know today. Due to the growth and success of the fundraising event, Roswell suggested they start doing the event at 13Thirty in Rochester (Roswell and 13Thirty are strategic partners). Since Christina was headed back to Rochester for her summer before senior year and she had already interned on Roswells Bald for Bucks team, she was asked to help build up the program in Rochester. She spent the summer researching schools and attending some events while she worked with the team to grow the program. Christina then made the decision to go back and volunteer with 13Thirty this past summer as well. She helped with an exclusive movie screening they were holding called “Until 20.” It was a big event with a panel discussion afterwards. The best part, Christina thought, was that this particular event wasn’t a fundraiser but just to raise awareness for this organization and educate people in the community about the issue. Christina handled a lot of the promoting and reached out to other cancer organizations in the area, assemblymen, and other community players. Being involved with 13Thirty and volunteering her time with the organization is something Christina feels strongly about, not because she has been affected by Cancer but because her lack of personal connection to the disease is not an excuse. Christina said “To me, I can’t stand back and act as an innocent bystander.” She wants to be proactive not reactive and as it applies to any issue, you don’t have to be affected by something in order to make a difference. You still go forward and help those who HAVE been effected.
Community in the Classroom Professor’s Perspective
Dr. Melissa Wanzer and Eve Berry share their thoughts on creating community in the classroom
Dr. Melissa Wanzer
Philosophy of Teaching How do you create a community of Learning in the classroom?
“I try to create an environment where all views are welcome, even those that are not aligned with everyone else’s. All perspectives are important and meaningful.” When people in Dr. Wanzer’s classes present a controversial perspective she said she makes sure that she validates that so they know their contributions are important too. Dr. Wanzer also gives students the chance to work in dyadic or small groups and then has them bring their discussions back to the classroom and share. She finds that this is a safe way to bring in students who are typically reticent to share.
Why is it important?
“When you are in a class, it is important to have one common goal-you want to learn.”… Building community in the classroom fosters a safe, learning environment. It is especially important in the Communication Studies program because one of the main goals is to get students practicing interpersonal communication and relationship building. “When you have classes filled with students who are diverse in a million different ways it is important to build relationships with the students so that they feel comfortable talking to me and each other.”
Professor’s Perspective
Eve Berry
Before 9/11, when I mentioned the term “community,” people looked at me with a puzzled look. “Oh, you mean the neighborhood,” most would respond. But after that fateful day, almost everyone understood what I meant when I speak about building a sense of community. Community is present when people feel a sense of being themselves and being accepted, not judged. Community is present when people are able to reveal their vulnerabilities and uncertainties as well as their strengths. Community is present when people can “empty” themselves of fixed ideas and judgments and be open to the wisdom of others. Community is present when people see each other with “soft” eyes rather than “hard” eyes and treat each other with extraordinary respect. We are all familiar with the phenomenon of community by crisis or disaster. In the aftermath of a hurricane, flood or other horrific event, people instantly drop their masks and fears to reach out and extend themselves. So it does seem that human beings are equipped with an innate capacity to be in community with others. If that’s the case, then it shouldn’t have to take a disaster to create a sense of community.
Yes, there are ways by which people can create the sense of community in everyday life. What better place to do so than in the classroom? Community building principles and practices are built into the COM620 course I teach in Leadership and Communication. “Conflict, Communication and Facilitation” includes learning activities that build a sense of community among students. One of the ways this is accomplished is by having students reach consensus on the guidelines they will use during the course. Some of the guidelines that foster a sense of community are: •Remain open-minded and non-judgmental •Respectful, reflective listening •Be fully present, including emotionally •Be inclusive—avoid exclusivity Another activity that builds community is using brief “check-ins” at the beginning of each class. Student share “highs” and “lows,” they have experienced since the previous session. We also use the stages of community to assess how the group is developing. During the first stage—usually the first class, the group is in “pseudo-community” where people speak in generalities, keep discussion on the surface and play it “safe.” Differences emerge in the second stage, “chaos.” Rather than trying to contain and avoid the inevitability of conflicts, the group learns how to deal with conflict constructively and authentically. As the group learns how to “empty” or let go of barriers to communication during the third stage, students experience the power of risk taking and open, honest discussion. From this third stage, a sense of community begins to emerge. Students feel safe to express themselves, be “real,” see each other more fully and connect on a deeper human level. Without the underlying conflicts and withheld communications that occur during the chaos stage, learning is more powerful. Groups “in community” can take advantage of the web of trust and relationships to accomplish tasks more effectively—including learning. So why is community in the classroom important? Whether people are aware of it or not, all groups are in some stage of development---usually some form of chronic chaos--where people exclude, judge, form sub-groups or cliques and experience hurt in personal and professional relationships. As a laboratory, the classroom is an ideal place where students can learn how to bridge differences with integrity rather than try to obliterate them. Rather than avoiding conflict, students can learn how to successfully navigate the stages of community in real life.
Community in the Classroom Students Get Involved Community Garden Last Spring Students in the Partnership and Not for profits class taught by Father Bernard Olszewski worked together to develop plans for a Community Garden that has been looked at as a possible future initiative at the school. The students of the class were tasked with a 3 part project: developing a list of internal and external players, researching possible grants and funding options, and pulling everything together with a potential roll-out schedule. As for the status of the Garden, we spoke with Dr. Peg McCarthy, VP of Academic Affairs, for more information. Dr. McCarthy explained that there are great and interesting possibilties here but they have to do their homework first. The school will need to look at fit within our academic programs, the Buffalo community, and address the issue of location before making any final decisions.
Using Leadership in the Community Every Fall, Dr. Hartman’s Leadership class is challenged to take on a semester long project that will benefit a non-profit organization in the WNY community. In the past students have worked with Heritage Centers, Matt Urban Hope Center, American Business Women’s Association, SPCA, and ACCESS just to name a few. This semester, Fall of 2016, the student groups are working with the Clean Air Coalition, Kaely’s Kindness, and Journey’s End to accomplish the following: •Clean Air Coaltion- Working to register voters and get people out voting on election day. •Kaely’s Kindess- Hold Fundraisers which will help to buy gifts for child cancer patients •Journey’s End- Working to create a sustainable, comprehensive job preparation program that will provide students with the necessary tools to successfully land a job in the community.
What does community mean to you? “A community is a group of people that share commonalities. By being part of a community, this group of people inevitably becomes a support system that keeps me accountable, inspired, and often times grounded in friendship.” -Jennifer Kilo CL Student
“A place where people gather to share ideas and common interests in an open, supportive environment” Carrie Patterson CL Student
“Reaching out and reaching back.”
“Community means having an affiliation with a group of likeminded individuals with similar goals and interests.”
-Dr. Hartman CL Program Director
-Courtney Sullivan CL Student
“Pride in the bond between you and your neighbors.”
“It is another word for ‘family’ but obviously on a much grander scale.”
“The Comlead Program!”
“Community is : Western New York!”
“Close knit, people that surround and support you.”
“Community is a group of like-minded individuals.”
-Amanda (Torres) Klein ‘09
-Melissa Feron ‘16
-Michelle (Slawiak) Held ‘07
-Terrilyn Rose (DiPasquale) Richards ‘01
-JoAnna Jacob ‘13
-Lauren Hackford Long ‘13
“Community means belonging. It’s accepting those around you, appreciating each other’s strengths and differences, and supporting each other.” -Katherine Trautwein CL Student
“To me, community is a group of people who share common goals and interests and work together and support each other to achieve those goals and/ or share experiences.” -Monica (Radel) Furlong ‘14
“To me, a community is a support group. It is a group of people who have each other’s backs and lifts each other up. Community means coming together to support the achievements of individuals and to also push forward as a collective. The ComLead community has impacted my life through continued cohort friendships and sharing of new ideas and knowledge.” -Kristen McAuley ‘14
Comlead in the community Irma Tyszko ‘14 - Volunteers with Mercy Hospital South and is a Eucharistic Minister.
Laura Marek ‘12- Member of Bayhealth Patient Advisory Council, volunteer with the Fund for Women.
Katie Danieu-Schiess ‘10- Member of Women On the Rise.
Karen Lemischak ‘12- Member of Junior League of Buffalo.
Ashley Coder ‘15- Member of BN360 via Buffalo Niagara Partnership.
Rebecca Spillman ‘10Volunteer advocate at Crisis Services of Erie County.
Jen Czapla CL StudentImmediate Past President of AM Lockport toastmasters.
Sarah Warner ‘16 – Member of the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus Rotary Club, Board Member of the Allentwon Association.
“Community is the coming together of interested parties to achieve common goals.”
Darleen Eylers ‘07 - Volunteers her design and communication services to the Olmstead Center for Sight.
“Community is a safe and interesting place to live, explore and discover. A diverse group of people, businesses and opportunities with a shared purpose to thrive.”
“Community means... “Having a network I can rely on.”
“Community means... “People who are committed or dedicated to some common goal.” Jaimie (Taylor) Falzarano ‘00- volunteers on the Turkey Trot Planning Committee, is LB class chair, and a volunteer soccer coach in Clarence.
“ Community is an important part of work and life balance. Family and community add to the life we live.”
Tied the Knot
On July 8, 2016 Courtney Papaj married Mike Sullivan.
On July 29, 2016 Monica Radel ‘14 married Jesse Furlong.
On June 18, 2016 Erin Harvey ‘13 married Adam Sassone.
On September 18, 2016 Karen Lemischak ‘12 married Zak Kineke.
On October 8, 2016 Melissa Feron ‘16 married Kevin Cope.
Newest Golden Griffins
Jessica Schlect Graduated in 2013
Jessica Schlect and her family welcomed Gavin Edward Duda into the world on January 1, 2016.
Carrie Patterson CL Student
Baby Ethan Harry Patterson was born on March 3, 2016 at 2:26am. He weighed 7lb 13 oz. and was 21 in. long.
New Positions and Promotions Ashley Coder ‘13
Promoted from Development Specialist to Major Gifts Officer at The Summit Center in March 2016.
Monica (Radel) Furlong ‘14 Graduated with Bachelor of Science in Nursing from UB and currently works as a registered nurse at Sisters of Charity Hospital.
Matt Gorczyca ‘15
Promoted to Assistant Director of Annual giving at hilbert College.
Sarah Graham ‘13
Moved ot Boston, MA to take position as a consulting analyst.
Michelle (Slawiak) Held ‘07
Started at Hilbert College in April 2016 in the Advancement Office as Director of Philanthropy Research and Strategy.
Joanna Jacob ‘13
Lauren (Hackford) Long ‘13 Marketing Maager at Ingram Micro.
Laura Marek ‘12
Advancement Officer and grant writer at Ronald McDonald House of Delaware.
Vincent Panuccio ‘16
Customer Service Technical Specialist - Online Banking at M&T Bank.
Nina Pierino ‘16
Complex Director, Residence Life Department at Buffalo State College.
Katherine Trautwein
Started position as Graduate Assistant for the
Marketing and Communication office at Canisius College this past summer.
Jerry Theresanathan ‘16
Started position as Graduate Assistant for the Women’s Business Center at Canisius College.
Irma Tyszko ‘14
Director of community Engagement at American Talent Acquisition Manager at Bryant and Stratton Cancer Society, Inc. College.
Amanda (Torres) Klein ‘09 Accepted new position as Human Resources Specialist (recuriting/staffing) at Veterans Healthcare Administration, Western New York.
Sarah Warner ‘16
Accepted position as Communications Associate at Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus (BNMC) in December 2015.
Annual Meet & Greet
Students, alumni and faculty gathered at the Red Cross Clement Mansion to catch up and enjoy some snacks and drinks.
Highlights ‘15 -’16
Organizational Leadership Panel “The power of communication”
Women on the Rise Value your value: the art of negotiation
ComLead alumni panelists talked about the importance of Communication in their jobs and Panelists talked about learning your own career life lessons. Panelists: Nick value, when to negotiate and how to do it. Heidinger, Cecily Rodriguez, Mike Lee. Panelists: Althea E. Luehrsen (not pictured), Joan Graci, Diana Southall,Emina Poricanin, Tim Finney
21 Brix Tasting and a Tour
Canisius College Alum, Kris and Nicki Kane, hosted the ComLead program for a day of Wine and Sunshine.
Highlights ‘15 -’16
ComLead and Romulus Club Cruise Night
ComLead students and alum joined the Romulus club for a Canal Cruise night at Lockport Locks. Huge thanks to Frank Sparacino, Communication and Leaderhsip alum and member of the Romulus club, who organized this wonderful evening.
Mark your Calendars... Spring 2016 Building Community Panel
Grupp Fireside Lounge Tuesday February 16, 2017 5:30-7:30pm
Women on the Rise Event
Science Hall Commons Thursday March 23, 2017 6:00-8:30pm
Capstone
Regis Room Saturday May 6, 2017 11:30-1:00pm
Like us on Facebook to stay up-to-date on events www.facebook.com/comlead Check out the Events Page on the blog http://comleadblog.com/events/
Student/Faculty Accomplishments
Dr. John Dahlberg and Dr. Melissa Wanzer
Dr. Rosanne Hartman and students
Join us in congratulating Dr. Melissa Wanzer and Dr. John Dahlberg on celebrating 20 years with Canisius College.
This past March (2016) Matt Gorczyca and Ashley Lipka were selected to present their research papers at the Eastern Communication Association Conference.
Kristin Van Dewater Kristin graduated from the Communication and Leaderhsip program in 2010. She will be participating in Leadership Buffalo’s 2016 rising Leaders class.
Hussam AlMukhtar Hussam graduated from the Communication and Leaderhsip program in 2013. On May 4th his company, InsideSales Team, awarded him the Innovator Award. Hussam is their Director of Digital Marketing. “Hussam works with our clients to deliver the most innovative and elegant solutions for all digital aspects of a project. He goes the extra mile every day to learn new platforms and solve any issue.”
•The Use of Social Media in Non-Profit Organizations: Online Community Building and its Impact on Philanthropic Giving Ashley L. Lipka & Dr. Rosanne Hartmanv •The New Face of Philanthropy:The Role of Intrinsic Motivation in Millennials’ Attitudes and Intent to Donate to Charitable Organizations Matthew Gorczyca & Dr. Rosanne Hartman
Erin Harvey Sassone, Dr. Hartman, and Dr. Wanzer Using E-mail to Transform Patient and Physician Dialogue, Harvey, E, Hartman, R & Wanzer, M. in Health Science Journal Vol.10 No.4:26 1-8.
ComLead is Community
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