The Hoot
Spring 2021
Contents
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A Message From The Dean
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Surging Upwards
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Preparing Future Civic Leaders
Guarding Cyber Space
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Social Justice Through Social Work Achieving Academic Excellence SGPS taps Dr. Wharton as Associate Dean Accelerating The Take Off Social Justice Vision
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Time to Reintroduce Ourselves
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Charting Our Path Forward
A Message From the Dean Dear Friends and Colleagues,
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am glad to place before you our spring 2021 newsletter. In spite of Covid, much has been accomplished and a lot to be celebrated in the coming days as we continue with our academic journey. On May 18th and 19th, at Southern’s commencement ceremonies, we celebrated our 607 students’ triumphant completion of their degree programs. They are ready to usher into their post-graduation professional and personal life and begin to build their own new worlds. These celebrations embolden us to dream bigger and strengthen our resolve to set higher goals for ourselves. We just launched our new strategic plan aptly debuted “Aspire Aim Achieve” with a bold vision, “Southern Connecticut State University’s School of Graduate and Professional Studies will continue its ascent to preeminence as a “first choice” New England graduate school, dedicated to providing exemplary graduate education, inspiring a community of dynamic leaders, scholars, and professionals recognized for pioneering positive change aimed at justice, prosperity, and inclusion.” and a renewed commitment to our mission, “To provide universally acclaimed, future-focused graduate and professional degree and non-degree programs for lifelong learners seeking advanced credentials, career transitions, or personal fulfillment. As part of a socially responsible university, the SGPS promotes world-class education by leading innovation among engaged students and faculty within a diverse, anti-racist, inclusive, accessible, and student-centered environment”.
We are resolute in staying in the lead as a catalyst in promoting justice and equity through our academic and extra-academic endeavors. We have defined our strategic goals with a deliberate focus on educating our students for success in their professional and personal lives through affordable, accessible, and inclusive education that serves our community, and advances boundaries of academic disciplines through cutting edge teaching, research, and scholarship. Our SGPS team represents strong, dedicated, and compassionate individuals. We strengthened our team further by inviting leading experts, thought leaders, and accomplished professionals to our newly instituted Advisory Board with a distinct mission to contribute to student success by helping them become consummate professionals and responsible citizens within and beyond their communities. We are ending our academic year on a high note by having achieved an enrollment growth of 7.8% over the past academic year, and introducing 5 new Master’s programs, 9 new accelerated programs, and 11 new Master of Art in Teaching concentrations since Fall 2019. To top it all off, 7 new Master’s, 1 new Doctorate, 4 new certificate, and 3 new accelerated pathway programs are being launched during the current calendar year. Your support and guidance are our most valuable asset and we are confident that with your benefaction we will keep making progress. This is just the beginning towards a brighter future for students and for our communities. With gratitude, Manohar Singh
Surging Upwards By our Associate Dean of Graduate Enrollment Management, Dr. Lisa Galvin reason for this trend, is the shift to online education that was necessitated by the pandemic. What the shift to online allowed for was a much greater flexibility than previously allowed for on-ground, with the ability to pursue a graduate education from their own home, at a schedule that works for the individual. Additionally, many new degree programs, such as our Master of Art in Teaching programs, our newly accredited Master of Library and Information Science program, and our growing number of accelerated pathway programs that result in a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree within 5 years were quite successful at showing their return on investment for our students.
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At these times, individuals realize that enhancing their current skill-set, or changing careers altogether, is worth the investment and achieve these things through a graduate education.
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ccording to our Office of Institutional Research, graduate headcount increased 7.4% and graduate Full-time equivalent (FTE) increased 7.5% for the Spring 2021 term. Also, for spring, we saw an increase of 32.8% in graduate applications, as well as an increase of 15.8% in those admitted. Right now, we are enjoying a national trend of increasing graduate numbers. This historically happens when the economy is moving in a negative direction, and when there is higher unemployment. At these times, individuals realize that enhancing their current skill-set, or changing careers altogether, is worth the investment and achieve these things through a graduate education. Another
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Preparing Future Civic Leaders
Student Highlight: Lesley-Ann Briscoe What influenced your decision to pursue your Graduate Education at Southern? I earned my undergraduate degree at Southern in Social Work, so I believed it was best to continue here. It was familiar, affordable, and had my program of choice. (It also meant I didn’t have to take the GRE, which was a huge plus.)
What has been the most influential moment in your educational career so far? How do you feel it has changed you?
Age
I believe my switch to a completely different area of study from my undergraduate to graduate degree was the most influential moment in my educational career. It forced me to work harder and to believe in myself.
Degree Program
What is your favorite course you have completed (or are completing) as a Graduate student? What is the most important thing you took away from it?
Town / State of Residence
I took an International Relations class; it was very challenging, but the content was great. I also loved all my state and local politics classes.
Employer / Job Title
What do you hope to gain from your degree? How do you intend to apply it after graduation (What kind of professional career do you envision for yourself)? I hope to one day teach Civics in high schools and public policy at the college-level. For now, I’m hoping to get my foot in the door of an organization that works in public policy.
What has your life been like over the past seven months? How has quarantine affected your education? The final year of school was tough. I was nervous about my grades, finding a job and not catching COVID.
What sorts of things have you been doing to stay sane and connected (if any)? Unfortunately, nothing. I’m so nervous about catching COVID that I stay home. I think I’ve seen everything on Hulu and Netflix at this point.
Are there any important social movements, projects, or organizations you have been a part of or would like to bring attention to? I have not joined any movements at the moment, but I will say as a reminder that all Black Lives Matter.
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Master of Science, Political Science
Windsor CT
Acting HUD Program Manager, New Haven Health Department
Club / Organization Involvement American Political Science Association; Caribbean Student Association
Fun Facts I once came in third place for a parish(state)wide story writing competition where I lived in Jamacia.
Hobbies Does watching tv count? None currently but I am saving for a camera to make nature photography my hobby.
Book Suggestion The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
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Guarding Cyber Space Partnering with Industry Leaders to serve local business and strengthening national defense. Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) Program
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outhern, as a major comprehensive public university serving the academic and professional workforce needs of not just the state of Connecticut but also the entire North East and beyond leads in providing innovative programming in a very market responsive and agile manner. We are very optimistic about our economy and ready to invest in our future with corporate partners. General Dynamic announced thousands of new jobs to help build submarines. Pratt and Whitney landed the contract to build engines for Frontier Airlines bringing in thousands of more jobs. Sikorsky has 24 CH-53K Chinook Helicopters under contract. There is a culture of innovation and creativity at Southern that facilitates our staying in the lead and partner with local businesses in developing and delivering latest knowledge content. We have strategically deployed significant resources and expert faculty in the creation and dissemination of the state-of-the-art knowledge in the computing sciences and cyber security domains. We collaboratively and strategically prepare our students to serve the employers’ human resources needs. Our STEM and Business
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programs are especially oriented towards preparing professionals in the emerging areas of cybersecurity and advanced manufacturing. We also strive to create pipeline pathways for career professionals, aspiring traditional students, and lifelong learners seeking advanced credentials and certificates for career transitions and advancement. In keeping up with the tradition, launching of Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) program is a perfect example of successful academic, community, and alumni partnership. We help manufacturers get CMMC compliant, so jobs do not get shipped out of state. The upcoming CMMC requirements as mandated by Federal government are aimed at securing our Department of Defense systems and national defense infrastructure. Given the dynamic nature of the field, we are proactively creating various modules for serving the needs of local businesses including corporate businesses, as well, as small to medium defense contractors doing business with the Department of Defense. We provide training to IT and cybersecurity professionals who want to make a successful career out of protecting the Defense Industrial Base.
Social Justice Through Social Work
A conversation with Dr. Mary Acri Tell us about yourself. How your upbringing motivated you to choose this profession?
I am an Associate Professor and Coordinator of the DSW Program within the Department of Social Work at SCSU. My interest in social work began when I was very young. Homelessness was a huge issue in my community, and I was very interested in helping people who experienced homelessness find housing and other supports, such as food, and healthcare, to improve their lives.
How long have you worked at Southern and what classes have you taught? I am in my third year at SCSU; during that time, I’ve taught across the three programs (BSW, MSW, and DSW). I have taught both practice and research courses, including Emergent Models and Critical Issues in Clinical Social Work, and Program Evaluation. I enjoy teaching courses that infuse both practice and research, as they are interchangeable.
Dr. Acri is an Associate Professor and Coordinator of the DSW Program within the Department of Social Work at SCSU currently in her third year at SCSU; during which time she’s taught across the three programs (BSW, MSW, and DSW). Teaching both practice and research courses, including Emergent Models and Critical Issues in Clinical Social Work, and Program Evaluation. She earned her doctoral degree in clinical social work from New York University, where her dissertation explored barriers to mental health services among poverty-impacted women of color during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Dr. Acri received a dual BA in Psychology and English at the University of Rhode Island, and a minor in Art History.
teaching in the virtual world? We were primarily online prior to COVID-19, so the transition to a virtual platform was not as dramatic. However, online teaching is so different from face-to-face; I received training, as did many of my colleagues, on how to convert to a virtual environment. I would highly recommend these resources.
What is your favorite part about teaching?
What distinguishes Southern’s program from the rest?
Definitely interacting with students. I enjoy the DSW program especially, because I teach the same students over the course of three years. I get to see them grow and develop as independent thinkers.
The attentiveness and importance that Southern places on its students is like no other. I’m continuously impressed at the care SCSU gives to students-to their health and wellbeing as well as to their educational needs.
How do you so continuously inspire your students to do their best, including the uncertainly during the Covid times?
What is new and on the horizon for the department?
We are part of a collective experience that is unlike any other. I meet my students where they are, and understand that we are all doing the best we can under very difficult circumstances. Overall, students have been extremely resilient and have pushed through, especially with all of the potential disruptions educationally.
How has Covid affected the way you conduct your class? What major challenges you faced and what insights would you like to share with the academic colleagues to be successful in
We just received a very positive report from NECHE, and now that the first cohort is graduating in May, we are looking back and seeing ways in which we can improve our program for future cohorts.
What words of wisdom and advice would you share with your students as they become professional and impact the world? Most of my students are leaders in the field already. I try to give them a foundation where they can believe in themselves as they transition to being a student; however, they have and continue to teach me so much.
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Achieving Academic Excellence American Library Association (ALA) Accreditation for Master of Library & Information Science (MLIS) Program
SGPS taps Dr. Wharton as Associate Dean
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ast summer, the Department of Information and Library Science (ILS) received American Library Association (ALA) accreditation for its Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) program. Southern Connecticut State University is now one of the only two ALA accredited programs in New England, alongside the University of Rhode Island. This ALA accreditation is essential to the future of the program, as virtually all potential employers seek candidates with degrees from ALA accredited institutions. As a result, Southern’s MLIS program has seen a 50% enrollment increase from the 2019-20 academic year. The MLIS program, integrating Library and Information Science, offers preparation for careers in all types of libraries and a range of information occupations; it is a 36-credit curriculum, including six core courses and an internship. The program can be completed in one year and is offered entirely online, allowing students to complete degrees without putting their career on hold. GRE scores are not required to apply. Students learn to incorporate the knowledge, skills, ethical foundations, and social responsibilities of the information professions into professional practice. Currently, most graduates work in school, public, and academic libraries, but opportunities are increasing for information specialists in settings including corporations, consulting firms, information brokers, and internet-based information environments. For more information on the MLIS program, please visit our Department webpage: https://inside.southernct.edu/information-and-library-science/mlis
Dr. Jonathan Wharton, myth, legend, beloved professor of Political Science, is now the full-time interim Associate Dean of the School of Graduate and Professional Studies. While still teaching classes, Dr. Wharton acts as a liaison between Southern’s faculty and administrative spheres; to this position, he takes his teaching and advising perspectives into decisions about student life, success, and support. Among many of the initiatives he is leading, the development of a new Master of Public Administration program is among the most exciting. He notes his gratitude for the continuous support from his peers, and we look forward to his further strengthening our university community. “I already appreciated working with faculty colleagues across so many departments and this position requires me to do so with various initiatives. I also hope to make an impact with new curricula and academic programs. But overall, working with a great SGPS staff makes the biggest difference and I hope to work with them in helping SCSU be an exemplary university.” -Dr. Wharton
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Accelerating The Take Off
J
ames Falvery is a current sophomore, Resident Advisor, member of the Honors College and Golf Club here at Southern; he is also enrolled in our 4+1 master’s program in athletic training. A life-long athlete, James felt drawn to pursue this field and finds it very exciting to be able to help athletes recover from game, practice, and training injuries to get back to what they love. Southern was a fit for James, as one of the only schools nationwide to offer a dual-degree program and clinical work experience in athletic training; he will graduate classes and clinical work next year. The Accelerated Pathway 4+1 programs at Southern Connecticut State University offer students the opportunity to complete their bachelor’s and master’s degrees in 5 years. Southern offers Accelerated Programs for: •
Anthropology/TESOL
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Athletic Training
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Business Administration/MBA
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Chemistry
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Computer Science
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History 7-12
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Psychology Physical Education/School Health Education
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Recreation and Leisure Studies
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Sociology
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Spanish 7-12
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Sport and Entertainment Management
Students apply in their junior or senior year to begin taking graduate coursework in their chosen discipline. Accelerated Pathway programs also offer students the opportunity to network, develop professional skills early on, and heighten their overall career goals.
Social Justice Vision
Through Dr. Diane Ariza
I serve as Southern’s Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. My role as an administrator is to assist and engage Southern in creating and cultivating a campus community dedicated to the dismantling of systemic racism and oppressive hierarchies, as well as the building of a more inclusive, and supportive institution. This work requires all of us to engage in an open and honest conversation about how we can deconstruct racist, sexist, and cis-heteronormative systems of oppression. Under the guidance of my office policies, we will strive to establish an environment that elevates equity, access, and success for all students, faculty, and staff within and outside the university. Hate speech or bigotry will not be tolerated. We will create opportunities to educate each other on the importance of restorative justice and inspire practices that enable diverse hiring practices to reflect the values of our community. We will initiate and engage in partnerships that improve education, health, cultural engagement, and opportunities to strengthen well-being in the Greater New Haven area and beyond. 9
Our New Emblem
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he School of Graduate and Professional Studies is rebranding itself to fully reflect SCSU Graduate & Professional Education’s capabilities and contributions to professional excellence and positive community impact. This new logo embodies the core values of Southern Connecticut State University and the SGPS mission: To promote world-class education by leading innovation among engaged students and faculty within a diverse, anti-racist, inclusive, accessible, and studentcentered environment
Charting Our Path Forward
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n April 29th, the School of Graduate and Professional Studies launched its latest strategic plan, “Aspire Aim Achieve,” at the inaugural meeting of its newly instituted Advisory Board. We are pleased to share this inspiring message from the Co-chair Dr. Cynthia O’ Sullivan. Dear Members of the SCSU School of Graduate and Professional Studies Community, I am delighted to share the newly-developed School of Graduate and Professional Studies (SGPS) Strategic Plan, 2021-2026. The result is a tour de force of collaboration among faculty, students, university leaders, community members, alumni, and other important stakeholders. I am honored to have served as Co-Chair of the Strategic Planning Committee, along with Dean Manohar Singh, and gratefully acknowledge his leadership on this project, as well as the invaluable contributions of the SGPS Strategic Planning Advisory Committee. Special thanks go to Dr. Jonathan Wharton, Dr. Lisa Galvin, Ms. Manpreet Sachdeva and Graduate Council for shepherding many of the interim activities, as well as to Shermaine Edmonds, who kept us organized throughout the process. Our work began the first week of the Fall 2020 semester, and reflects the mission, vision, and values of SCSU, while also incorporating the visionary perspectives of our diverse group of valued stakeholders. Importantly, the document reflects SGPS’ planned strategic and tactical actions to advance SCSU’s commitment to excellence in teaching, learning, scholarship, and innovation. It further emphasizes social justice values of anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and overall values of
dignity, respect, kindness, compassion, and civility. It recognizes the need for high-impact community engagement through service, strategic partnerships and networking, and it addresses the need for an effective sustainability plan for student and faculty retention, as well as goals for enrollment growth and effective SGPS infrastructure. Above all, each of these tenets prioritize student wellbeing and preparation for academic and professional success. The Strategic Objectives are imaginative while attainable, and given the level of commitment among all of us who call SCSU and the SGPS home, success in achieving our goals is certain. While additional resources are expected to be deployed in some areas, significant work will be facilitated through our sustained and focused dedication to achieving the mission. Working together will provide the momentum needed to move each objective forward. The next steps will be to outline and complete the specific steps towards achieving these strategic outcomes. All members of the SGSP community have shown willingness to contribute some amount of time, energy, or ideas for these to come to fruition. I therefore ask that we all strongly consider ways in which we can contribute our specific talents and resources towards these achievements. Please answer the call when asked for your support, and help SCSU’s School of Graduate and Professional Studies to further these critical strategic initiatives! Cynthia O’Sullivan, PhD, APRN, FNP-BC Associate Professor MSN Program Director, Chairperson, Graduate Council, Co-Chair, SGPS Strategic Planning Committee
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The Hoot Spring 2021
Editor
Content Creator
Miranda Kross
Madeline Turiano
Designer
Supervisor
Isabelle Seward
Shermaine Edmonds