School of Graduate and Professional Studies newsletter, Fall 2022

The Hoot Fall 2022

Meet The SGPS Team

Fun Fact: When I was young, I wanted to be a fashion designer.

Fun Fact: When I was in college, I was on the

Fun Fact: I am a big traditional country mu sic fan and have met Dolly Parton twice.

Fun Fact: I was voted most sophisticated for high school graduating class superlative.

Fun Fact: I can recite the alphabet backwards in under four seconds.

Fun Fact: When I was a kid I wanted to be a hand model.

Fun Fact: I ran track in high school.

Fun Fact: I was a varsity

Fun Fact: I made the top 10 east coast models for Ameri ca’s Next Top Model and The Face.

Fun Fact: I am a first-generation college graduate.

Fun Fact: I ran for city council in West Haven.

Fun Fact: I have an identical twin sister.

Fun Fact: I like to crochet.

Alexandria Simmons University Assistant

Jonathan Wharton, Ph.D. Interim Associate Dean

Molly Aiudi Graduate Assistant

Stefanie Ortiz Administrative Assistant

Jennifer Sparano Assistant Director

Teneka Mills Office Assistant

cheerleader in high school.

Lisa Galvin, Ed.D. Associate Dean of Graduate Enrollment Management

Julia Irwin, Ph.D. Acting Dean

synchronized swimming team.

Manohar Singh, Ph.D. Dean

Emma Hubbel Graduate Assistant

Charles Butler Graduate Assistant

Anna De Simone University Assistant

Dawn Grimes Office Assistant

Tools of Resilience

a Conversation With Dr. Julia Irwin

Although the pandemic has been an incredibly trying time, COVID-19 created more accessible opportunities. As Richie Norton once said, “The greatest challenge in life is to turn trag edies into triumphs, sadness into suc cess and confusion into confidence.” In this issue of The Hoot, we are high lighting the resilience of our graduate school community in accordance with the lessons learned from COVID-19.

between seeing a speaker’s face and communication, specifically regarding communication delays in children with autism.

“We need to develop interventions for children with autism,” Dr. Irwin states, because children with autism are “missing the social bids” from the people around them.

In order to address this issue, Dr. Irwin developed two apps: Listening 2 Faces (L2F) and Hearing Assess ment in Response to Noise Screener or HeARS. These apps are iPad video games where the child hears words and increasing levels of background noise. With these apps, Dr. Irwin hopes the data will help “Identify children who are a potential risk for a range of difficulties, including reading problems kids that might have what we call hidden hearing loss.”

While Dean Manohar Singh is on his fellowship, Dr. Julia Irwin, SCSU Professor of Psychology, is serving as Acting Dean of the School of Graduate and Professional Studies (SGPS). Dr. Irwin joined Southern in 2008 and rose through the faculty ranks, granted full professorship in 2017. She is a Se nior Research Scientist in the Haskins Laboratories, where she also formerly served as the Director of the LEARN Center.

Dr. Irwin’s research specialty is com munication development in children. Her research has found an association

Dr. Irwin discussed how her research became more relevant and understood with the pandemic. “We’re realizing how important the face is in under standing what is heard,” Dr. Irwin said in reference to mask wearing.

With the pandemic restrictions, Dr. Irwin’s research approach had to adapt to the isolation requirements. Her team mailed out iPads across the country to conduct a full clinical trial for the Lis tening 2 Faces app. “We were able to get a much more diverse sample than we normally do,” said Dr. Irwin.

As Dr. Irwin is settling into her role as acting dean, she praises the SGPS staff for their desire to improve grad uate students’ experience at Southern. She highlighted Dawn Grimes, SGPS

Office Assistant, and Stefanie Ortiz, Administrative Assistant to the Dean, and their efforts to coordinate more graduate events.

The graduate school staff is “trying really hard to build a community,” Dr. Irwin said, “and we all are, to rebuild events and relationships with all of our graduate students.”

Despite the challenges that come along with graduate school, Dr. Irwin advises graduate students to persist. “You’re coming off the pandemic. You’re prob ably working a job,” she said. “You likely have a family, and so graduate school is a lot. But persist. Keep on going and then you’ll look back and be so thrilled about what you did.”

Dr. Julia Irwin with a capped ted dy bear as the lead investigator in a study that looks at whether the avoidance of eye contact in children with autism results in the common speech dffculties and other language development problems.

Dean Manohar Singh has been awarded an ACE fellowship at Lafayette College in Easton, PA for the 2022-2023 academic year.

Leading The Future

New MPA Program at Southern

The School of Graduate and Pro fessional Studies is announcing its new Master’s of Public Administration (MPA) program, which is set to begin in the fall 2023 term.

“This can be a significant, stand out program for students,” said Dr. Jonathan Wharton, Associate Dean of

Career Growth

the Graduate school and SCSU Professor of Polit ical Science, “who want to have an awareness and gain the experience nec essary for them to pursue public sector and non profit sector positions.”

According to Dr. Wharton, this will be consid ered a vocational degree because it is not only “niche-oriented,” but also designed to “help improve your employ ee background and experi ence.”

Graduating with an MPA degree allows students to apply for work in various upper-management positions in the federal government, nonprofits, global NGOs, and private companies. MPA holders may also find employment as public policy advocates and researchers.

Top jobs for MPA graduates:

• Budget Analyst

• Compliance Manager

• Environmental Policy Analyst

• Fundraising Manager

• Health Services Manager

• Parks and Recreation Director

• Political Scientist or Analyst

• Public Administration Consultant

• Social or Community Services Managers

• Sustainability Specialist

• Urban and Regional Planners

The MPA degree readies students for a successful career as upper-level administrators in public service organizations.Whether you are currently employed in or desire to work in the public or private sector, this program is ideal for you to advance professionally in the field of public administration.

Students who are interested in nonprofit management and the public sector—whether for the state or local level of gov ernment—are the program’s target, said Dr. Wharton. How ever, he said he is also expecting candidates who are interested in the nonprof it side due to nonprofit entities that exist in New Haven and the surrounding areas.

universities, Southern’s program will cost much less since it is a public university.

“At the private universities, you’re paying a lot more for the degree,” said Dr. Marchant-Shapiro, SCSU profes sor of political science, “and you don’t have the assurance of the quality of the program if you go to other programs in the Greater New Haven area.”

“At the private univer sities, you’re paying a lot more for the degree, and you don’t have the assur ance of the quality of the program if you go to other programs in the Greater New Haven area.”

The program will include three concen trations: Public Policy and Urban Affairs, Community Engagement, and Environmental Policy. Students also may opt for a general MPA and then special ize once they gain experience in the field.

-Dr. Marchant-Shapiro

Aside from lower tuition costs, Dr. Wharton said the courses will stand out from other universities because Southern’s MPA program will be focused on the public sector.

“It’s not only the pres tige of the degree,” Dr. Marchant-Shapiro stated, “but it’s also the really practical skills that will allow you to be a profes sional that’s well-respect ed.”

Southern’s program will “open doors” for students, according to Dr. Marchant-Shapiro. “It is a degree that will allow them to move up higher on administrative ladders.”

Unlike the MPA programs offered at other Connecticut

Apply for the Public Administration (MPA) program today at Southernct. edu/admissions.

Learning From Adversity

Graduate Student Pandemic Experiences

At the beginning of the semester we held a call for submissions asking graduate students about their pandemic experiences.

Were there any resources made avail able to you because of the pandem ic? If so, what were the programs, technology, or other materials and services?

Almost all of my professors were incredibly supportive. I felt seen and supported even over Zoom as I at tempted to go to class having good days and bad days, especially with the first few months of fighting to breathe with COVID-19.

Corps member at Community Health Center, Inc. I found a way to learn more about public health as a Medica tion Assistance Outreach Worker in the Center for Key Populations.

In this position, I provided harm reduction outreach, including training with those who have substance abuse disorders and I created a community advisory board. I learned a tremendous amount in this position, which greatly impacted my perspective

Rebecca Stearns Graduate Student Master’s of Public Health

Where were you when the pandemic hit?

I was taking some classes at Eastern Connecticute State University includ ing those for public health. I returned to university 20 years after obtaining a B.S. I was excited to pursue another level of education as I am an EMT/ firefighter/EMS-I. As an instructor, I find that the best classes are adminis tered by those who never stop learning.

I had made a decision to be one of those leaders and continue my educa tion to better serve my students and community. By March of 2020, my desire to serve during the pandemic was greatly changed as I contracted COVID-19 and was ill for over a year.

I am grateful that I had made the first steps prior to the pandemic to pursue public health. Being able to continue my studies remotely helped in my recovery.

Some professors did a great job in adapting lesson plans for virtual study. Labs were often a challenge and I sought out other universities who had videos of labs and discussions on YouTube to better comprehend lesson goals.

What skills or experiences have you gained due to remote/digital opportunities during the pandemic?

I have certainly become more adept at technology and feel confi dent in my abilities to use a variety of virtual spaces. I find that I am efficient in my use of time and technology.

Outside of my learning process, I found solace in digital spaces such as museums and virtual events from music to readings and other performances. Engaging in forums allowed me to build the connec tions that I typically wouldn’t have built.

What do you consider to be your biggest accomplishment during the pandemic?

In 2021, I served as an Ameri

This work influenced my studies at Southern. I have been inviting those I worked with to share their knowledge on the new public health podcast I have been building for our department.

Lejla Marie Twaite Graduate Student MAT: Early Childhood

Where were you when the pandemic hit?

At the time COVID-19 appeared, I was living and teaching first grade, and then kindergarten, at an international school in Cairo, Egypt.

Were there any resources made available to you because of the pandemic? If so, what were the pro

grams, technology, or other materials and services?

My classes went online via Zoom until the end of that academic year. At the beginning, I was holding up the books and pages that my tiny students were working on in workbooks and story books.

However, as time went on, I learned how to flip my screen where my back ground was a virtual classroom full of animated toys and resources you’d find in a kindergarten classroom.

What skills or experiences have you gained due to remote/digital opportunities during the pandemic?

After my normal working hours, I began completing and finished a 130hour TESOL course which certifies a person to teach English as a second language internationally.

The course was available in-person in Cairo and online through Notting Hill College located in Ireland. The Cairo branch location was too far for me and too expensive through Uber, so I opted for the online sessions and workload.

By the time children started coming back to school in person the following academic year, I had moved to Alexan dria, another city in Egypt, and started teaching a pre-school classroom.

During that year, I achieved the following certifications: Challenging Behavior in the Classroom, Anaphy laxis Awareness, Asthma Awareness, Pediatric First Aid, Basic First Aid, Advanced First Aid, Autism Aware ness, and Child Psychology.

After my husband and I moved back to the U.S. this past February, I continued taking online courses that will help me in my future classrooms and achieved the following certificates: Introduction to Psychology, Child Care and EYFS, Montessori Teaching-Fundamental Concepts & Principles, and finally, a diploma in Special Needs.

What do you consider to be your biggest accomplishment during the pandemic?

My biggest accomplishment since has been beginning a Master’s degree; a lifelong dream.

Building Community

Graduate School Events

Meet The Deans

Meet the Deans was an ori entation event held on Aug. 31. The event gave students the chance to speak with their Deans in an informal setting.

Students were also able to connect with other graduate students to network and dis cuss any questions, concerns, or ideas about their degrees, programs, and internship op portunities.

This event led to monthly meet and greets on the follow ing Mondays: Sept. 26, Oct. 24, and Nov. 21. The sessions allowed for students to engage with their university leaders. Students were able to net work, enquire about careers, pathways to management, internships, part-time and full-time employment, SCSU graduate programs, and more!

Over the summer, 14 Ansonia High School (AHS) students and 2 AHS faculty members worked with Dr. Hoffler to be trained as Peer Mentors. Students spent 30 hours training during a one-week intensive program; learning mentoring tips and strategies. At the end of the program, students received a certificate of completion. The Peer Mentors will use these skills to mentor elementary school students and freshmen in Ansonia during the 2022-23 academic school year.

Navigating The Challenges of Graduate School

To provide support for stu dents during their graduate school journey, the School of Graduate and Profession al Studies (SGPS) hosted a "Navigating the Challenges of Grad School: The Stu dent Perspective" student panel.

The panel, which took place on Sept. 20 was facilitated by Dr. Jonathan Wharton, the Associate Dean of SGPS and Professor of Political Science.

The student panel—which consisted of seven current and recently graduated master’s and doctoral students—provided a peer

perspective of the graduate school experience. The As sociate Dean of Counseling Services and Wellbeing, Dr. Nick Pinkerton, participated as a member of the panel.

Time management, resourc es, school work-life bal ance, COVID-19, and the challenges of independent learning in graduate pro grams were just some of the many topics discussed by the panel members.

Prior to the Q&A, the panel discussed faculty men torship. Cody Helgesen, a Clinical Mental Health Counseling graduate stu dent, stated that graduate

students should find men tors that, “allow [them] to build fire, and not set [them selves] on fire.” Helgeson’s profound answer advises the graduate student to find a mentor who will be support ive as well as “have those tough conversations.”

SGPS also hosted a "Nav igating the Challenges of Grad School: Faculty and

Staff Insights" event on Sept. 22. The panel included the following SCSU faculty: Dr. Siobhan Carter-David, Professor of History, Dr. Marian Evans, Professor of Public Health, and Dr. Nick Pinkerton.

To watch the student panel, go to Stream in your Micro soft Apps.

Panel members from left to right: Dr. Jonathan Whar ton, Donna Sheehan, Alexandria Simmons, Brett Seeley, Therese Ziaks, Jenna Bellucci, Dakota Summer, Cody Helgesen, and Dr. Nick Pinkerton.

Fall Graduate Open House

The School of Graduate and Professional Studies (SGPS) held a fall Graduate Open House event in the Adanti Student Center Ballroom on Oct. 25.

“We saw an increase of 23% over last year’s fall event,” said Dr. Lisa Galvin, the SGPS Associate Dean of Graduate Enrollment Management, “leading to a three-year high in atten dance. This speaks directly to prospective graduate students' understanding the value of a graduate educa tion, and how it can directly impact their future success

and career advancement.”

Prospective graduate students were able to meet with faculty from the over 100 gradu ate programs SCSU offers to not only learn more about what each pro gram entails, but also to ask questions and decide which program is best for their desired career path.

“We saw an increase of 23% over last year’s fall event leading to a three-year high in atten dance.”

Representatives from departments such as Financial Aid, Financial Literacy and Advising, the Office of Student Accounts, and Residence Life were also pres ent to answer questions related to financial aid, scholarships, campus housing for graduate students, etc.

-Dr. Lisa Galvin

“The graduate open house was a great experience,” said Rose Woods, a senior com munication disorders major. “I found the table for the commu nication disorders department and asked any and all questions I had. They were very helpful and made me feel like I know exactly what I need to do during the applica tion process.”

Preparing Your Thesis/ Dissertation

SGPS held a three-part thesis/dissertation work shop on Oct. 12, 17, and 20. The workshop focused on preparing graduate students for the thesis/dis sertation process.

Students who registered were put into a drawing to win a waiver for their the sis/dissertation Proquest

Publishing. Congratulations to Romi Barde, M.S. Computer Science student, who was randomly chosen as the winner of the publishing waiver!

“It was a lovely event and we have re ceived positive feedback from attendees,” said Dr. Galvin. “We will continue to assist our prospective students through their de cision-making process and their educational journeys at Southern.”

The spring Graduate Open House will take place on April 27, 2023.

Upcoming Events

Pause For Paws

Sergeant Cynthia Torres and her police dog Jules are back! Join us on Tuesday Dec. 6 for a finals stress-reduction event. The event will be held in room 443 in Buley Library at 4 p.m.

Come for some puppy loves and the hot chocolate/coffee bar. Stay for the chance to win a gift card!

SGPS Owl Recognition Awards

“CJ (Cepea) is an awesome person who embodies the terms scholar and colleague. Not only does she strive to do her very best work at SCSU and for her third grade class, but she also goes above and beyond the call of duty to assist her fellow classmates and colleagues.

“CJ deserves to be recognized for her remarkable efforts to ensure that the members of our cohort have the professional and academic support needed to complete the requirements for the MAT program and graduate together.”

-Elisha Brown

“Cepea helps anyone who needs help. She doesn’t hesitate to come and meet with you, and for just helping you whenever you need her help even with all the responsibilities she has.

“She is an amazing mother, teacher, and student. She really is the one who deserve to be awarded. I personally can’t thank her enough and I believe everyone else who has mutual classes with her has the same feelings.”

“I missed out on registering for a class because of child care issues. Karen not only helped calm my fears, she was a fierce advocate in getting me a seat in the class. She made many phone calls and emails on my behalf. She called me periodically to emotionally support me through the limbo and also keeping me updated throughout the prog ress.

“Once I was in the class, she didn’t stop there. She made sure I signed up for a program that helped provide financial assistance for my child care!

“She is an incredible woman and SCSU is so lucky so have her. I have never felt so supported academically, emotionally, and financially be fore.

"THANK YOU KAREN!”

-Chris Hill

Staff Winner

Karen Christian-Porteous Case Coordinator

-Amal Abdelghany

Graduate Student Winner

Cepea Burton College of Education

These awards recognize and celebrate graduate students, faculty, staff, and alumni for their positive impact and/or contributions to Southern and the Graduate School community.

Faculty Winner

Christopher J. Budnick, Ph.D. Psychology Department

“Dr. B is warm, hilarious, authentic, and pushes everyone to be their best. He deserves this!!! Everyone he interacts with walks away with valuable life info and a more positive outlook on life and their abilities. Walk by the SAW lab room sometime, you’ll hear laughter from all of the research assistants when he is in the room cracking jokes and giving us sage life advice. Thank you Dr. B!!!”

-Kaden Courville

“Dr. Budnick has been instrumental in not only my current success as a graduate student here at SCSU, but my undergraduate education as well.Through his class es and working with him in the stress, anxiety, and wellbeing (SAW) research lab—he has constantly made opportunities available to his students to better their lives.

“The students in his lab often go on to complete M.A./M.S. or Ph.D. programs within the field of Psychology. I can’t think of a more deserving individual for this award than Dr. Budnick.”

-Robert Kinzler

“In my 22 years as a member of the SCSU faculty, I consider Mrs. Colonese to have been my finest all around student and I am immensely proud of my role in helping her achieve her professional goals.

“I also believe that faculty members in the School of Counseling and School Psychology will concur on her success. SCSU can be proud not only of Mrs. Colonese’s record of academic achievement, but her work to insure the quality of education for her students, too.

“As a professional, she has worked with colleagues toward producing a program for counseling at risk students, and as a mom. During the 2020 local election, she joined other parents in Guilford in blocking the candidacy of individuals supporting curriculum change designed to limit student exposure to truthful instruction.”

-Dr. Richard Koehler

Almuni Winner

Chelsea Colonese School of Psychology

News From SGPS

SGPS United

As of November the School of Graduate and Profes sional Studies (SGPS) is officially a united depart ment on the third and fourth floors of Buley Library. SGPS staff members now

also reside in rooms 350 and 351 in Buley.

“The School of Graduate and Professional Studies be ing together in one location is very exciting,” said SGPS Assistant Director of Gradu ate Recruitment and Student Success, Jennifer Sparano.

“Having a cohesive work place allows the staff to communicate and collabo rate better –which will enhance the graduate stu dent experi ence.”

Prior to the move, nearly half of SGPS staff members were work ing out of room 105 in the Wintergreen Building. The remaining staff was locat ed in rooms 440-448 on the fourth floor of Buley

Library.

The offices in Buley were previously oc cupied by staff members of the Office of Institu tional Research and Assess ment –which has relocated to suites 116-118 in Jennings Hall.

-Jennifer Sparano

“We are so pleased to have our entire team together,” said Dr. Julia Irwin, the SGPS Acting Dean. “This allows for more dynamic communication.”

The Belonging Project

In their roles as graduate assistants in the First-Year Experience office, Andrew Keeton and Ariane Cloutier spearheaded a new initiative for first-year students: The Belonging Project.

With some training and equipment borrowed from Integrated Marketing and Communications (ICM), both Kee ton and Cloutier filmed over 30 current graduate and undergrad uate students who shared their thoughts on their freshman and sophomore year of college. The main topic discussed? Students’ feelings of not belonging and how they overcame those feelings throughout

their first years as a college student.

Keeton and Cloutier also helped develop an as signment for all first-year students in their freshman Inquiry (INQ 101) course to view these videos and reflect on them. This project had an astounding effect on firstyear students who wrote about feeling like they were not alone after viewing the videos.

This project had an astounding effect on firstyear students who wrote about feeling like they were not alone after viewing the videos.

Keeton and Cloutier were solely respon sible for the filming and editing --even recording themselves talking about their fresh man and sophomore year and helping ICM design

the website.

Near the end of this semes ter, Keeton and Cloutier will oversee a contest for first-year students who can submit their own videos. Ultimately, some first-year students will be selected to be filmed professionally and included on the website for next year.

In order to accomplish this, Keeton and Cloutier had to coordinate with several campus areas, including:

ICM, Orientation, Transition and Family Engagement, Student Involvement and Leadership Development, University Access Programs (UAP), Center for Academic Success and Accessibility Services (CASAS), and the Information Technology (IT) department.

To view Keeton, Cloutier, and other students’ videos, please visit The Belonging Project website at the fol lowing link: Go.southernct. edu/belonging/

"Having a Cohesive workplace allows the staff to communi cate and collaborate better–which will enhance the graduate student experience.”

Graduate Student Feedback

At the beginning of the fall semester, the School of Graduate and Professional Studies (SGPS) sent out a preference survey to gradu ate students. The survey was distributed in an effort to improve graduate programs and services and ultimately provide students with the best experience possible.

SGPS is working to provide our graduate students with the necessary support— such as a variety of services and resourc es—during their graduate school journey. According to the survey results, most graduate students must balance working part-time or full-time along with their coursework. Out of the students who responded, 91.67% of graduate students work at least part-time, while 54.29% graduate stu

dents work full-time.

Not only are our graduate students navigating working with their studies, but many of them also have families to take care of. When asked, 14.4% of graduate students surveyed stated they would be interested in utilizing on-campus childcare at Southern. More than half of the 14.4%, stated they would use it from 5:007:30 p.m. if available. 17.01% of gradu ate students surveyed stated they would be interested in family housing full-time.

To provide additional resources for graduate students, the SGPS planned and executed events this semester. According to the survey results, 93.22% of

Register For Drone Academy

Southern Connecticut State University’s five-module, non-credit program is taught by FAA-certified instructors and is designed to provide both enthusiastic hobby ists and working professionals the knowledge and skills needed for safe drone operation.

Out the students who responded 91.67% work at least part-time, with 54.29% working full-time.

graduate students attended five or fewer events this semester. When asked what types of events graduate students preferred, 70.16% of graduate students stated that they preferred on-cam pus events with refresh ments. Meanwhile, 56% of graduate students stated they would attend academic workshops.

The study also asked grad uate students about their graduate program. 79.52% of respondents stated South ern was their first choice for their graduate program. When students were asked what they would do if they had the opportunity to start over, 84% stated they would choose the same program at Southern again.

Drone Academy provides:

• the preparation needed to successfully pass the FAA Part 107 exam;

• best practices for making quality aerial stills and videos using Photoshop and Final Cut Pro, and an un derstanding of how to use Px4d software for landscape mapping and 3D modeling.

The video and photographic capabilities of aerial drones have a demonstrated benefit for journalists, real estate agents, police departments, public works officers, sur veyors, first departments, reals estate agents, insurance adjusters, public utilities employees, and more.

For more information go to SouthernCT.edu/ drone-academy

84% of students stated they would choose the same program at South ern again.

Obtaining New Skills

New Continuing Education Certificates

Finance

for Small Businesses

Starting Jan. 26, 2023, the SCSU School of Business will be offering a non-credit Finance for Small Businesses certificate program. If you are interested in es tablishing a homebased business, opening a store or becoming an en trepreneur, a recent graduate or gradu ating senior, small business owner or employee at a small business—this pro gram is for you.

“An investment of seven weeks,” said Dr. Sandip Dutta, SCSU Finance and Real Estate Department chairperson and professor of finance, “will get

[students] on a solid ground— as far as managing the finan cial aspects of a small busi ness setup are concerned.”

The certificate program will cover seven mod ules: Orientation and Basics of Financial Com putations, Invest ments, Financial Modeling, Fi nancial Markets and Funding, Entrepreneurial Finance and Venture Cap ital, Financial Statements, Cash Flows and Working Capital Management and Corporate Treasury Oper ations and Management.

Technical Communication for the Sciences

Do you need to learn how to produce effective and focused materials for key science-based industries?

In 2023, SCSU is starting a five-week non-credit Technical Communication for the Sciences certificate program. Look out for more information in the upcoming semester.

“Worldwide,” said SCSU Adjunct Professor Stepha nie Fischer, “employers are looking for a talent pipeline of proficient written and oral communicators who can provide end-users with the

information they need.”

The course is designed to create the best practic es in communication for end-users who may include a variety of professional, technical consumer, and specialized audiences.

Fischer—who is the cre ator and instructor of the course—stated how she originally created the course as a “boot camp for BioPath” and said that the student response was “very positive.”

Through a combination of live and pre-recorded online sessions through Microsoft Teams, students will complete a total of 35 hours in addi tion to time spent to work on assignments. The sessions will take place on Thursdays from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

“We tried to minimize the time investment since we

Unlike common college writing courses, Fischer said this course is tailored to the scientific workplace. She further added that it will assist students in achieving proficiency in skills that em ployers want them to have, but don’t have the time or resources to teach.

According to Fischer, “the relationship between techni cal communication and mar

know that most of the stu dents are already managing small businesses and are quite busy,” said Dr. Dutta.

“The focus is only on the key aspects and techniques of financial decision making.”

For more information on the Finance for Small Businesses certificate program, please visit Southernct.edu/academ ics/finance/certificates

keting is becoming much closer as organizations get leaner in response to the post-pandemic economy.”

To learn more about South erns Technical Commu nication for the Sciences Certificate program please visit Southernct.edu/techni cal-communication www. southernct.edu/techni cal-communication

To minimize the time commitment for the course, "The focus is only on the key aspects and techniques of financial decision making.”

-Dr. Sandip Dutta

Brain Teasers and Puzzles

Across

2. Who do you go to for advice on course selection?

3. Where is the Graduate & Professional Studies Office?

5. What videoconferencing software were most used in classrooms during the pandemic? Microsoft teams and ___?

6. Graduate students usually have the choice to do a special project, test, or ___ for their capstone.

Down

1. How many credits do you need to be a fulltime student?

4. Where do you go for information on your graduate application?

The Hoot Fall 2022

Supervisors

Stefanie Oritiz & Dawn Grimes

Writers & Editors Anna De Simone & Molly Aiudi Designer Molly Aiudi