The Hoot Spring 2022
Contents
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Message From the Dean
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Innovation: Re-Skilling and
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Up-Skilling Certificates
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Doors Are Open – Always
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A Beacon of Inclusive Excellence
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Introducing the Newest Member of SGPS
Staying Southern Strong!
Formidable Defense: Cybersecurity Certification Leads the Way
At Your Service
An Engaged and Inclusive
Community: Message From the Dean
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t is my distinct pleasure to be able to connect with you via our newsletter. I am extremely proud of our graduate students who have excelled in every aspect of their professional and personal lives. Having successfully navigated the challenges posed by COVID-19, we are all ecstatic to finish the spring semester celebrating student success at this year’s Commencement Ceremony, being held on Thursday, May 19, 2022. At the same time, we continue to build future pathways for the next cohort of Graduate students to come in. Beyond expanding our portfolio of new programs, SGPS remains committed to enhancing graduate student support, providing additional scholarships and graduate assistantships, and creating opportunities for a diverse population through our focused approach to accessibility and outreach for graduate students, staff, and faculty. Our priority continues to be social justice, achieved through a combined pursuit of academic excellence and inclusivity. Our intentional efforts towards career preparedness through professional development activities are
yielding positive dividends by making our students stand out among the crowd in their job placements. Finally, our continuing & professional education programs are preparing the state workforce for the jobs that require advanced skills in emerging areas, including Cybersecurity, Finance, Healthcare, Public Utilities Management, and community service focused programs. As always, we feel deep gratitude to our community and their continued support for our programs and students. In turn, we at Southern take pride in our ability to serve our community and will always hold our promise to offer the best in advancing the prosperity and well-being of our communities. With Gratitude,
Manohar Singh Dean Manohar Singh, PhD
Innovation: Re-skilling and Up-Skilling Certificates
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outhern’s School of Graduate and Professional Studies is adding new graduate certificate programs to its repertoire every year. We aim to create the most inclusive and diverse set of programs in the area, all while maintaining a reputation of excellence throughout every field. In this issue of The Hoot, we wanted to highlight one of our esteemed new certificates: the Data Sciences certificate program in the graduate math department.
Southern’s data science program is the perfect step in higher education for business and industry professionals who get hands-on with data, hard
workers who feel they can learn more about programs like Microsoft Excel, and workers in the finance, healthcare, and insurance fields. This certificate program provides students with an education in Python programming concepts, statistical and mathematical principles, and the skills and mindset to work like a data scientist in their field. Though other data science programs exist in the area, Southern approaches the certificate befitting its own, specific brand of excellence. The course is organized in a blend of synchronous and asynchronous learning, with classes taught directly by SCSU faculty.
Differing from the norm of other data sciences programs, students will find themselves interacting with their fellow students in project work and be able to interact with their professors and instructors on their journey to becoming a data science expert. If you’re looking for a way to become more effective in data management or break into the data science field, this certificate may be for you. Contact mathematiccsgrad@southernct.edu or visit https://www.southernct.edu/ academics/mathematics/programs for further information.
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Doors Are Open – Always The School of Graduate and Professional Studies and the Graduate Admissions team want to thank everyone for attending their Spring 2022 Open House on April 7th. The event was held in the Adanti Student Center’s Grand Ballroom at 4:00 PM to 7:30 PM. It was followed by a virtual open house on the following night, April 8th. Southern has amassed an ever-expanding number of graduate programs spanning many fields. The open houses featured program coordinators and representatives from all our top graduate programs on-site and in-person, all of whom were eager to speak with and answer questions from prospective students. The Office of Graduate and Professional Studies’ mission has and will continue to be the combination of excellence and inclusivity. Our goal is to boast an impressive roster of graduate students and alumni from a diverse pool of culture and experience. We were so excited to finally meet this diverse collection of Southern’s future graduate students and are excited to finally be hosting in-person open houses again. Thanks to everyone who attended, and we look forward to seeing you all on Southern’s campus in the coming semesters.
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ccording to census information provided by Southern’s Office of Institutional Research, full-time graduate enrollment has increased by 1.5% (headcount), boosting our graduate population to over 750 full-time students and over 1,000 part-time. Specifically, our School of Business and College of Education have seen a large influx of students seeking graduate education at Southern, with 13.3% and 6.9% increases respectively. Additionally, we have seen increases due to our commitment to social justice and our diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, resulting in 10.3%, 7%, and 3% increases in students who identify as Black, Asian, and Hispanic, respectively. As the globe continues to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, people are looking to Southern, and its long history of inclusivity and excellence, to enhance their current skill sets and continue their educational journey. These numbers show a strong desire in our community
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“Our School of Business and College of Education have seen a large influx of students seeking graduate education at Southern with 13.3% and 6.9% increases respectively.” to expand their knowledge and become a part of the SCSU family. Southern and the School of Graduate and Professional Studies would like to welcome these new graduate students and extend any assistance we can provide through their educational experience. Good luck, and welcome to SCSU!
A Beacon of Inclusive Excellence On March 22nd, 2022, SGPS’s very own Dr. Jonathan Wharton and the esteemed Connecticut Supreme Court Justice, Hon. Angela C. Robinson (Ret.), led a panel discussion in the Constance Baker Motley Speaker Series on Racial Inequality, titled “Critical Race Theory in Practice.” The program was presented by The Connecticut Bar Foundation (CBF) and the James W. Cooper Fellows, with The Connecticut Bar Association (CBA) and its Diversity and Inclusion Committee. University of Connecticut Law School Assistant Dean, Karen DeMeola served as organizer and was the past president of the Connecticut Bar Association. The lecture addressed the intellectual and social movement, Critical Race Theory (CRT), and its application in higher education and policy. The speakers covered its origins, value in application, and criticisms of the movement, while teaching attendees what it is that practitioners of the movement are trying to achieve and why we should be looking at society through this critical lens. The event ran from 5:00 PM to 6:15 PM and boasted 200 registered attendees, including lawyers, professors and students, and private and public sector
employees from the state of Connecticut. The program also provided course credits for the Connecticut Bar. “I was fortunate that Judge Robinson connected with me because of a previous panel discussion on a similar topic for New Haven fraternity and sorority organizations,” said Dr. Wharton, on the rare opportunity to work closely with a state Supreme Court justice. “We immediately worked well together, and she suggested to collaborate for this opportunity.” Dr. Jonathan Wharton is a political science professor at SCSU, and Judge Robinson has formerly spoke on critical race theory in a well-attended event in SCSU’s Adanti Ballroom on March 4th, 2022 sponsored by the SCSU multicultural center. The next session of the Constance Baker Motley Speaker Series will take place on May 10th and focus on Voting Rights.
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Introducing the Newest Member of the SGPS Team: A Conversation with Stefanie Ortiz What drew you to this opportunity to work for the Office of Graduate and Professional Studies at Southern Connecticut State University? What drew me to this position was the need for growth and opportunity. After gaining a ton of experience and knowledge working at a local community college for almost 12 years, I needed a change and a chance to showcase my experience and skills somewhere that could foster my desire to learn and be professionally successful.
Are there any projects are you currently working on with SGPS
and Dean Singh?
In addition to the day-to-day administrative duties I complete for Dean Singh, including budget tracking, meeting scheduling, and travel accommodations, I assist Jonathan Wharton, Associate Dean for SGPS, with the Graduate Student Affairs Committee (GSAC), as well as perform administrative duties for the Graduate Council Curriculum Committee. I’m also currently assisting with the planning of the Graduate Commencement Ceremony and a few other events for our non-credit department programs.
Are there any projects you would like to see the department
take on going forward, both within SCSU and potentially as a part of the larger community? Having worked in Higher Ed for 12+ years, I highly enjoy working with students and planning events that help attract prospective students and retain current students. I would love to see more projects/events that allow students to be more engaged with our department, including, but not limited to workshops/seminars, talks with the Dean, opportunities to celebrate milestones and “firsts”, etc.
What in your background has prepared you for the kind of work you’re doing with SGPS? In the 12+ years I’ve worked in higher ed, specifically in the community college system, I gained a ton of experience working with college-aged students and helping them navigate the sometimes-confusing nature of enrolling into college. I believe that my background in student services, as well as my experience with upper-level management at a college will allow me to better relate to the students and help them more effectively.
In the semester that you’ve been working at Southern, have there been any specific interactions within the Southern community that stand out to you in a positive way? From day one, everyone at SCSU has been very welcoming and helpful. I received a ton of emails welcoming me to the college and have been helped and guided by many individuals from various departments. The vibe in this department is great! We work hard but laugh even harder, which I love! 8
What was your main area of study in school? I received a Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Behavioral Sciences w/ a concentration in Psychology from Charter Oak State College
What are some organizations you'd like to become involved with on campus? I have heard of different committees that I would possibly enjoy participating in. At my previous job I helped start and chair two committees: a support group for female students, and an employee resource group.
Any fun facts about yourself? I played the clarinet all throughout elementary and middle school.
How about hobbies? I love to listen to True Crime podcasts, and I also like to find recipes to cook and DIY projects to complete on Pinterest.
Finally, what about a book recommendation? I enjoy reading self-help books, and I’ve recently started reading up on Secular Buddhism and began reading NoNonsense Buddhism for beginners by Noah Rasheta.
Staying Southern Strong! Southern Connecticut State University knows that the best way to foster an excellent and inclusive graduate experience starts with student safety. As the COVID-19 pandemic rages on, so too does Southern’s commitment to providing excellent academics to its diverse population of graduate students and graduate programs. The on-site graduate experience returned to Southern’s campus for the Fall 2021 semester and is, once again, returning for the Spring of 2022. With the health and well-being of its students remaining a top concern, SCSU and the Office of Graduate and Professional Studies (SGPS) remain committed to assisting students wherever they can. Vaccines and boosters have been available on campus since Winter Break, giving students a chance to protect themselves from the virus. Several e-mails and surveys from our designated COVID coordinator have been sent out to all students, and N-95 masks are available for free at the Student Center front desk. Of course, we also understand the nature of the pandemic as a time of great health concern, and Southern, while maintaining on-site learning, pledges to do best by its
“As the COVID-19 pandemic rages on, so too does Southern’s commitment to providing excellent academics to its diverse popoulation of graduate students and graduate programs.”” students. The university has lifted its mask mandates as of April 4th, 2022, but we encourage that students maintain mask use if it makes them more comfortable and ask students to keep in mind and respect others use of masks as well. Keep in contact with professors via e-mail and blackboard with any questions about attendance. If you feel you’ve been exposed to COVID-19, get in contact with our COVID coordinator via e-mail at covid-19coordinator@southernct.edu.
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Formidable Defense: Cybersecurity Certification Leads the Way
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outhern’s School of Graduate and Professional Studies has launched The Department of Defense-approved cybersecurity certification training program that will help defense contractors and subcontractors protect sensitive information. CMMC-AB (CMMC Accreditation Body), who reviewed and granted approval for the program, is the sole authoritative source for the Department of Defense for the operationalization of CMMC Assessments and Training. Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) is the new unifying standard for the implementation of cybersecurity across the Defense Industrial Base (DIB). Southern is the first university in Connecticut to offer Certified CMMC Professionals (CCP) courses. The university has partnered with CyberDI, the premier Licensed Publishing and Training Partner of the CMMC-AB. CyberDI is one of the first approved LLPs in the marketplace. Courses are designed by cybersecurity experts, instructional designers, and education psychologists and are offered during a five-week, 10-module course that is available at several convenient times, offering flexibility to professionals. Our
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“With this new certification training program, participants will engage with subject matter experts and join a community of their peers for a comprehensive overview that will prepare them for their assessment and compliance with the DoD CMMC program.” – Dean Singh team includes highly knowledgeable members of the CMMC ecosystem who have deep understanding of the development of the current CMMC requirements based on federal cyber requirements of the past 20 years. Registration for these courses is open now! For more information, visit CMMC.southernct.edu or reach out to us at 203-392-9975 or at cmmc@southernct.edu.
At Your Service: The Graduate Studies Family Every semester, the Office of Graduate and Professional Studies welcomes new faces and sees some of its student workers progress in their academic and professional careers. This semester, our graduate assistants, Benjamin Pello, Rachel Iassogna, and Marissa Staiger, and undergraduate student workers, Thomas Ivory-Joseph and Sukhpreet Behal, are all graduating from their degree programs. Congratulations! A few new faces also joined the SGPS and Graduate Admissions family: • • • •
Stefanie Ortiz, Administrative Assistant Teneka Mills, Office Assistant Charles Butler, Graduate Assistant George Messier, University Assistant
We also want to highlight an important event coming up this semester. •
Commencement – May 19th
For further events, please visit southernct.edu/gradopenhouse.
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The Hoot Spring 2022
Content Creator Ben Pello
Designer Isabelle Seward
Supervisors Dawn Grimes & Stefanie Ortiz