IUPUI
UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE
NEWS
Vol. 2, Issue 1, 2015
Innov ate In sp ir
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DEAN’S PERSPECTIVE Why do we think it’s valuable to earn a college degree? Most parents (including me!) aspire for their son or daughter to be financially independent through pursuit of a career that brings meaning and purpose to life. Many undergraduates see college as a time of job preparation or training, with course work outside of their majors tantamount to a collection of annoying hurdles to be jumped over quickly and then forgotten. But bachelor’s degrees—no matter what field they are associated with—have distinctive goals that help to define what it means to be an educated citizen. Graduates are expected to be able to communicate effectively, to think analytically, and to apply what they’ve learned to real-world problems. Perhaps most importantly in today’s global economy, graduates should be able to engage with messy, unstructured problems, knowing what questions are important to ask in order to even begin to move toward a solution. These types of knowledge and skills are defined at IUPUI through the Principles of Undergraduate Learning (PULs), and I am very proud that every undergraduate course offered—both within majors, as well as in the general education core—emphasize these principles and offer assessments to help ensure that these competencies are attained by our students. Interestingly, when employers are surveyed regarding what they most value in college graduates, they tend to emphasize the same broad competency domains that our PULs define. According to a recent report by the Association of American Colleges and Universities, 95 percent of employers give hiring preference to graduates who possess skills that will enable them to contribute to innovation in the workplace. Over 90 percent indicated that the capacities to think critically, communicate clearly, and solve complex problems are more important than a job candidate’s undergraduate major. College graduates possess broad skills that should enable them to seamlessly shift within and across fields as they continue to learn new skills and acquire new forms of knowledge while in the workforce. Forrester Research predicts that today’s youngest workers will hold 12–15 jobs throughout their careers. Given that the positions many IUPUI graduates will hold do not even exist at this time, it is clearly important that graduates demonstrate broad areas of competence that will enable them to adapt easily to a rapidly evolving workforce. Earning a bachelor’s degree takes a great deal of personal and financial investment, and often a fair amount of self-sacrifice. However, it’s worth it. Though it can take, on average, about seven months for college graduates to land their first job, the U.S. Census Bureau reports that over a typical 40-year career span the average college graduate earns about 75 percent more than a high school graduate. At IUPUI, we invest heavily in helping students to acquire experiences that employers value through our RISE program and other initiatives such as capstones, externships, and internships. Faculty and staff know a degree’s worth, both personally and professionally. One of the most fulfilling aspects of my job is keeping tabs on the amazing things that my students do after engaging in these experiences and entering the world of work—so make sure that these stories get back to us so that we can share them!
KATHY E. JOHNSON, PH.D. DEAN, UNIVERSITY COLLEGE ASSOCIATE VICE CHANCELLOR FOR UNDERGRADUATE EDUCATION
COVER PHOTO PROVIDED BY TRICIA SCHMUESER
University College News is a monthly e-publication that brings readers in-depth stories about academic programs and successes of IUPUI University College. Its partnerships with other IUPUI schools and departments help University College build stronger learning outcomes. The News is sent to the IUPUI campus community, friends of University College, and Indiana businesses. University College is the academic unit at IUPUI that provides a common gateway to the academic programs available to entering students. University College coordinates existing university resources and develops new initiatives to promote academic excellence and enhance student persistence. It provides a setting where faculty, staff, and students share in the responsibility for making IUPUI a supportive and challenging environment for learning. University College News magazine is a recipient of the Hermes Creative Awards
CONTACT EMAIL hbennett@iupui.edu ADDRESS IUPUI University College 815 West Michigan Street Suite 3140E Indianapolis, IN 46202 TELEPHONE 317-274-5036
and MarCom Awards. These awards are for projects that possess creative concepts, exceptional writing and design, and emerging technology.
DEAN, UNIVERSITY COLLEGE: KATHY E. JOHNSON
IUPUI
UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE
NEWS
Vol. 2, Issue 1, 2015
EXECUTIVE EDITOR: HARRIETT BENNETT COPY EDITOR: LYNN TRAPP WRITERS: ADAM STATEN, JEREMY PRATHER, HOPE MCGOWEN, JO FOX DESIGNERS: DEREK DALTON PHOTOGRAPHERS: PHOTOS PROVIDED BY CONTRIBUTORS CONTRIBUTORS: DANIEL POPOOLA, MATT PRICE, MELISSA MAYORGA, TRICIA SCHMUESER, JOHN PARRISH - SPROWL
FEATURE 4-11 Where are They Now? What happens when students graduate from college? How does the next chapter of their lives unfold? More importantly, what helped them in their educational journeys and the beginning of their lives after graduation? The following pages tell the interesting stories of a few of IUPUI’s recent graduates, where they are now, and how they believe IUPUI helped get them there.
Photo Provided By Matt Price
DEPARTMENTS
ovate
12-13 d Educational Pursuits Innovate dergraduate Alumni
94.80%
86.75%
Employment and Educational Pursuits of IUPUI Undergraduate Alumni
bes your current employment status? "Working for pay full- or part-time," ot looking for work or in active military duty)
92.22%
79.05%
our job relate to your IUPUI major area of dicates "Directly related " or "Somewhat
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How do IUPUI graduates affect
UPUI education preparecommunity you for this job? the professional in or Indianapolis? Read on to "Very well" "Somewhat") find out how some of our very own students have shaped and impacted one local business.
wing best describes your current educational ndicates they are enrolled full- or part-time in to another degree)
16-17 Invigorate
UPUI education prepare you to pursue this Have you ever wondered about ndicates "Very well" or "Somewhat") communication classes, thinking, “Why do I need that? I already know how to communicate.� After meeting and talking with Dr. John Parrish-Sprowl, one comes away with a different view of such courses.
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32.70%
Mentor Mindset: Paying It Forward By Hope McGowen
How do the first two years of college affect students? Do the first couple of years simply fly by as the students try to adjust to living more independently? Do students fumble through them until they finally land on their feet and reach a certain level of comfort? Or do they use those years to extend themselves farther than ever before, recreating who they are by finding the right support systems and pushing to do their best? Daniel Popoola, a 2012 IUPUI graduate with a bachelor’s degree in biology, would say that students strive to become the best version of themselves in the first two years of college. Popoola has nothing but fond memories and kind words to say about his early years at IUPUI. “My time at University College significantly founded, defined, and sustained my success at IUPUI, which in turn has led me to where I am today,” he says. “Admission to UC was the trigger for discovering who I am.” So who is Daniel Popoola today? He is a behavioral neuroscience graduate student at Binghamton University in New York. He is a doctoral candidate studying the effects of low-dose alcohol consumption in rats during pregnancy. He is a future medical doctor. He is a mentor. And he is kind.
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the mentoring services for a semester or two, he became a mentor himself. “Mentors didn’t only offer me their service,” he recalls, “but they also discovered the mentor in me, encouraged me to exercise it, and then UC provided me with the perfect medium to practice it.” Popoola remembers Landon Brothers, assistant director of the Office of Tutorial Support, offering him his first mentoring job in the Bepko Learning Center. Since that first experience, his mentoring activities have been boundless. He went on to be a mentor for 21st Century Scholars, America Reads America Writes, the Howard Hughes Medical Magnet Program, the International Peer Mentoring Program, and Peer-Led Team Learning. “University College created an encouraging and conducive work environment, so much so that going to work was extremely stress-free,” he expresses. With his numerous mentoring responsibilities, leadership positions in student organizations, campus activities, and coursework, Popoola had a lot on his plate. However, he claims that the environment within University College never made his mentoring seem like work at all.
After admission as an undergraduate, he recalls being immediately flooded with support from advisors, peers, and instructors within University College. Popoola says, “[They] assisted me in making the right decisions and focusing during the first couple of semesters, which became the foundation of my achievements.” Popoola stresses that much of the credit for his success goes to University College’s mentoring programs.
Although it didn’t feel like work to him, he was most certainly endeavoring to produce the best results possible in his mentoring. “The environment accustomed me to excellent working habits and a desire to accomplish a lot every single time I am at work.” He continues, “To this day, my supervisor commends my hardworking personality, and I think it is a reflection of the skills I developed in my undergraduate days.”
“If there is one thing that UC is perfect at, it is mentoring,” he praises. Mentoring and hard work are the two greatest skills Popoola gained while at University College. After using
Most of Popoola’s memories seem to circle around his mentoring experiences, and he is more than okay with that. “They are truly the greatest highlights of my time at IUPUI,” he says.
“You know, there is some kind of overwhelming euphoria that radiates in an environment where students happily help each other to overcome challenges and everyone finds a solution regardless of individual differences.” Ensuring that this environment lasts beyond one’s own undergraduate years is an important objective to Popoola. “College is a training ground to discover your best. Thereafter, have a mind set to give back,” he compels current undergraduates. “The people that are helping you will soon be gone and will rely on you to continue the tradition to help those who come after you.” These are wise words for any college student to follow. Popoola gave back to the mentoring experience at IUPUI and continues to do so at Binghamton. Since beginning graduate school, he has successfully mentored matriculating students, research interns, and numerous undergraduate students who have aided his
research team. According to Popoola, overcoming challenges with assistance from University College and other campus staff not only paved his college path toward graduating as a top 10 male student, but also shaped him into who he is today to his mentees and graduate school colleagues. “At University College, student success is priority. And that characteristic makes IUPUI stand out among other colleges,” Popoola says. “UC never gives up on any student and makes every effort to customize assistance to individual student needs.” Thankfully, no one ever gave up on Popoola. He is now working on detecting causes and remedies of drug and sexual behaviorrelated pathologies to ensure a better life for future generations. He proudly states, “As a result [of my experiences in mentoring], I now consider helping people as the number one priority in my career endeavors.”
University College defined my success at IUPUI.
Where are They Now? 5
New Experiences: Changing Uncertainties into Opportunities By Jeremy Prather One of the toughest challenges a student faces after graduation is making the transition from fulltime student to full-time adult and work. Some students move on to their chosen career field. Many end up moving back home while searching for a job, which can be especially difficult in the current economic environment. One such student is Tricia Schmueser. Initially pursuing a degree in elementary education, Schmueser graduated in 2012 with a degree in health services management from the IU School of Medicine - Department of Public Health. Once she graduated, Schmueser moved back to her parents’ house in Munster, Indiana, while searching for a job, which eventually came in an unexpected form. She says, “The journey after graduation was difficult for me. I was home for a couple of weeks and getting discouraged with my job search. I was offered a job with a construction company and the current project at the time was in Indianapolis. Not even two weeks later, I was unpacking my bags in a hotel room when it finally hit me that I had no idea what I had just signed up to do!” Taking the chance, however, found Schmueser employed with Steppo Supply & Construction, a female-owned heavy highway and tunnel construction company, coordinating efforts for the Deep Rock Tunnel Connector project in Indianapolis. The project is making a great impact locally as it improves the water quality of Indiana rivers and streams. Although Schmueser’s opportunity in management came from a field outside of her major, and she did not have the traditional training for it, she had confidence in her ability to transfer her acquired management skills to the position and dive into a new role. She
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says, “What I like most about my current job is that every day is a different experience, and my position on the jobsite allows me to meet new people and interact with the crews.” Much of her success can be attributed to her time at IUPUI and in University College. “Some of the skills I gained from my time at University College and at my job in University Library were learning how to work with different people, navigating new situations, and the ability to lead,” Schmueser says. “These experiences have helped me in my career now.” Schmueser also attributes much of her success to the diversity of programs and people found on campus, including University College and its programs. “IUPUI has such a diverse campus, and I allowed myself to be open to everything it had to offer.” She explains, “I became friends with people from different states and countries. Today, I am more open to meeting new people and attending events I never thought I would attend.” Thanks to the diverse environment of University College and IUPUI, Schmueser has grown into a person thirsty for new experiences and hungry to make a difference in her community. She encourages, “Always try new things and don’t give up. You never know what opportunities might come from a new experience or if you keep pushing yourself. It could open a door to something you never imagined yourself doing!”
Always try new things and don’t give up.
Where are They Now? 7
Seize the Day, the Moment, & the Opportunity By Adam Staten
As students graduate from college, life’s possibilities often seem limitless. And while this sounds wonderful at the onset, having numerous possibilities to choose from is often cause for apprehension and angst. One IUPUI graduate, however, Melissa Mayorga, saw this transition time in her career journey as an opportunity and seized it. However, she was not always so clear and decisive about her educational career path. Entering college and having to decide on a major and career path was a daunting task for Mayorga. She remembers starting her college career as a chemistry major and quickly discovering that this major was not for her. In order to assist in her dilemma, Mayorga enlisted the help of a trusted ally – her University College (UC) academic advisor. She says this meeting forever changed her college career and led her into a career area in which she is now excited and excelling. “My advisor was unbelievable – compassionate and empathetic. I met with her on more than one occasion to map out ‘what I wanted to do with my life.’ She provided me with contact information and resources to help guide my decisions. This advisor was the guiding hand that led me toward a career in healthcare. I think that one instance speaks to the character of UC as a whole.” A 2012 IUPUI graduate with a bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration, Mayorga wanted to maximize her full potential in her chosen profession. In order to achieve her lofty goals, Mayorga applied and was accepted to the Richard M. Fairbanks School of
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Public Health at IUPUI to obtain a master’s degree in healthcare administration. Mayorga says going back to school was the right choice for her. “I knew that if I were to excel in my field of study to the heights I had set for myself, I would need to have a graduate education in order to accomplish those goals.” Taking aim at tackling another curriculum requiring devotion of time, work, and financial resources, Mayorga did not ease up. Understanding that fully immersing oneself in a chosen field of study is an essential component of the educational process, and that it can be carried out in a number of methods, Mayorga sought a position to supplement her classroom education with real world experience. She was able to procure a full-time position as the program coordinator for palliative care services at IU Health. Palliative care is an emerging area of healthcare that focuses on clarifying goals of care and the management of distressing symptoms. “Palliative care is specialized care delivered by a team of physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses, social workers, and spiritual care providers for people with serious illnesses who need an extra layer of support,” Mayorga said. “I was interested in this job because I felt that it offered an opportunity for me to learn about a service that I was relatively unfamiliar with, and it gave me responsibilities in areas in which I could grow professionally.” Mayorga has since accepted a new position at IU Health as deployment leader and project manager with the Office of Transformation at Methodist and
University Hospitals, problemsolving and improving processes throughout the medical and surgical units of both hospitals, giving her additional opportunity for professional growth and new skill development. Mayorga anticipates completing her master’s degree in 2015. When she graduates, not only will she have a bachelor’s and master’s degree in healthcare administration, but she will have also used that time in school to enrich and enhance her education with invaluable experiences from positions in a highly respected, world-class organization. At a time when most wrestle with discovering and unveiling what their next move will be in life, Mayorga was able to rise above the fray. Thanks to a helpful member of the University College advising team, she was able to set her goals, map out a plan of action, and then embark on a path to turn those goals into reality. Instead of cowering to post-graduation uncertainties or seeing that period of time as a burden, she saw it as an opportunity and ran with it. Carpe Diem, indeed!
My advisor was unbelievable – compassionate and empathetic.
Where are They Now? 9
Building Upon the Best Foundation By Hope McGowen
IUPUI’s mission is to advance the state of Indiana and the intellectual growth of its citizens to the highest levels. In the case of Matt Price, mission accomplished! Price is a 2011 graduate from the Purdue University School of Engineering and Technology with a degree in construction engineering management technology. To follow in his father’s footsteps in the construction industry had been Price’s dream since he was a boy. Throughout Price’s childhood, his father worked on most of the high-rises in downtown Indianapolis as an ironworker and then as a project manager for a steel erection company. He later became a general superintendent for the construction of projects such as the Detroit Lions’ Ford Field, the Washington Nationals’ Nationals Park, and the St. Louis Cardinals’ Busch Stadium. “Construction runs deep within my father and me,” Price says. “There were many Saturdays that I went to work with my father because I had an infatuation with working on massive creations that were managed in such a step-by-step, organized fashion.” Those weekends spent on the job with his father created in Price a hunger for a career in construction. To fulfill this desire, he chose to attend IUPUI because of its construction management program. As you might imagine, Price was far from idle while in school. “My time at IUPUI was a very nose-to-the-grindstone type of lifestyle,” he explains. The skills he gained through the classes and assignments he experienced taught him never to settle. “To this day, I always try to go over and above what is expected of me,” he continues. “I don’t want myself or the company I work for to ever be viewed by anyone as just average.”
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While Price did work extremely hard in school, he admits that he could not have made it without a little help. “Some of the most memorable moments were the difficulty of calculus and especially physics!” He laughs as he recalls his unbreakable concentration during long hours of studying. “I was able to get help in both of those classes in the math lab,” he continues, “and that helped me tremendously. I have never studied so long and hard for a class to get a ‘C’ or been more proud of that ‘C’ than any ‘A’ I ever received!” The math lab Price is referring to is, of course, IUPUI’s superb Mathematics Assistance Center (MAC). The MAC, located in the lower level of Taylor Hall, is a collaborative learning space provided by University College with the help of the Department of Mathematical Services. To get ahead, Price took advantage of the MAC’s tutoring and peer mentoring services for some of his toughest classes. One of his best pieces of advice to incoming students is to do the same. “Use the labs offered by IUPUI and talk to your professors when you don’t know something,” he recommends. “Everyone at the university is so nice, and open to fielding questions to help you succeed as a student.” During his undergraduate years, Price had the opportunity to work as an assistant superintendent on the new Indianapolis airport; as an assistant project engineer for the JW Marriott that was built in downtown Indianapolis; and as a project engineer coop participant, working on a contract for the NBA Brooklyn Nets’ arena in New York City. Working and going to school fulltime was very difficult according to Price, but it taught him how to prioritize tasks. He says, “In doing both [full-time work and full-time school], it helped me learn how to be involved in a lot
of things…and be successful at the same time.” Two days after graduation, Price landed a salaried job at a Chicago-based construction company. He is currently an assistant project manager working on an 18-story Hyatt Place in the Chicago Loop. In addition to total project management, he also takes part in recruiting, interviewing, and business development. Price says he is involved in many facets of his new company because if you are hungry for more and want to be a true leader in the construction industry, then you can be. You just need to go after what you want. Price says that his work and school experiences have taught him that people should never stop trying to get out there and
get to where they want to be. If students need help, they should not hesitate to seek it out. Price offers some words of wisdom: “The world doesn’t wait on anyone. You will find that you must be self-sufficient and be hungry enough to get ahead and stay ahead.” Through University College at IUPUI, Price was able to create a solid understanding of the components of construction and lay the groundwork for building a better future. “To this day, I can’t get enough of what I do, and I have a true passion for everything construction,” Price says. “Going to IUPUI helped me get where I am by providing me with the right schooling and giving me the tools I needed to hit the ground running right out of college.”
To this day, I always try to go over and above what is expected of me.
Where are They Now? 11
Innovate Employment and Educational Pursuits of IUPUI Undergraduate Alumni Which best describes your current employment status? (Percent indicates "Working for pay full- or part-time," excluding those not looking for work or in active military duty)
How closely does your job relate to your IUPUI major area of study? (Percent indicates "Directly related " or "Somewhat related") How well did your IUPUI education prepare you for this job? (Percent indicates "Very well" or "Somewhat")
Which of the following best describes your current educational status? (Percent indicates they are enrolled full- or part-time in a program leading to another degree)
How well did your IUPUI education prepare you to pursue this degree? (Percent indicates "Very well" or "Somewhat")
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Information provided by reports.iupui.edu.
94.80%
92.22%
86.75%
79.05%
32.70%
Innovate 13
Inspire IUPUI Talent Grows Local Business By Naseer Bade
Chief Executive Officer and sole owner of Federal Merchants Corp once I decided to move forward with the business and allow it to fully develop. After graduating with a bachelor of science degree in finance and accounting, I worked hard to become the vice president at J. P. Morgan in Chicago, where my responsibilities included business development and investment management. I was ultimately held accountable for managing and growing a portfolio valued at approximately $700 million. Naseer Bade, C.E.O I started my own company, Federal Merchants Corp, in 2011. It is an Indianapolis-based, fastgrowing, small business which provides government agencies with IT products and solutions. As a 1999 IU Kelley School of Business graduate, I became the
My education at IUPUI and my work at J. P. Morgan provided me with the financial planning knowledge and experience to ensure my new company, Federal Merchants Corp, would be able to hit the ground running. As a small business enterprise, we reached $4 million in sales in 2014 and show no signs of slowing down.
Saad Ali, Student Employee
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I credit my success in business and finance to the foundation I built at IUPUI and the time I spent doing independent study, working on teams as part of the I-Core Kelley curriculum, and engaging my business professors one-on-one. Federal Merchants Corp also benefits from the personnel resources of local universities, currently employing two students, Hope McGowen and Saad Ali. Hope, a technical writer at Federal Merchants, will graduate with a master of arts in English from IUPUI in May of 2016. Although she is new to our team, Hope has already made an impact on the organization, helping to improve operational efficiency and company communication. Later as a full-time employee, Hope will assist company growth through writing and managing proposals for large, long-term
federal government contracts. Saad is an account manager for Federal Merchants currently pursuing a bachelor of science degree in accounting which he hopes to finish at IUPUI through the Kelley School of Business. Saad has positively impacted Federal Merchants business by adding new customers, increasing repeat purchases, and generating over $800K in sales in 2014. He plans to continue his career development at Federal Merchants. Without the education and business foundation from IUPUI, and human resources of local universities, Federal Merchants Corp would not be where it is today. As our business grows, we hope to continue to draw from local college graduates to keep our team full of innovative and creative problem-solvers.
Hope McGowen, Student Employee
Being heart healthy is more than physical. It is also Emotional. Psychological. Intentional. Please consider contributing to a scholarship for
Scott E. Evenbeck Emergency Fund
University College students. Many undergraduates
I38P021033 — Gifts will be used to support undergraduate
depend on scholarships to keep their academic
students. The recipients are students in University College
journey thriving and healthy. They are counting on the
who have demonstrated an unexpected financial hardship
generosity of donors like you to help them succeed in
during the course of an academic year in which he or she
their pursuit of a higher education degree. Below is a list of the scholarships available to University College students to which you may contribute:
is enrolled in classes at IUPUI.
Emerging Generations Scholarship I38P021025 — This scholarship is for first-generation
Yale Pratt Mentoring Fund I 3 7 P 02 101 9 — T h is f u n d s u p p o r t s s c h o l a r s h i p s to freshman students enrolled in University College who are of a nontraditional age (25–35). Preference is given to recipients with an incurred handicap such as blindness, deafness, or cerebral palsy, and who are African-American.
William M. Plater and Partners Printing International Scholars I 3 7 P 02 10 3 5 — T h i s f u n d s u p p o r t s u n d e r g r a d u a te scholarships. The scholarship will be given to IUPUI students who are studying abroad. The use of this gift will be authorized by University College for the reasonable and customary requirements of authorized expenditures.
students in either their first or second year when they are first selected to receive the scholarship, have at least a 2.3 GPA, and write an essay as part of the application process. After receiving the scholarship, students must participate in University College–sanctioned retention efforts and maintain a 2.7 GPA.
T h e Un i v e r s i t y C o l l e g e M o v i n g Fo r w a r d Scholarship I32P021119 — This scholarship is open only to University College students in good academic standing (cumulative GPA above 2.0) with 12–4 8 credit hours earned by the end of the spring semester at IUPUI. Each applicant must submit a letter of recommendation, transcript, and completion of the essay question (describe a substantial problem or adversity you have overcome).
Please consider helping a University College student today! Giving is available through the University College donor website: http://uc.iupui.edu/Donors.aspx The Indiana University Foundation solicits tax-deductible private contributions for the benefit of Indiana University and is registered to solicit charitable contributions in all states requiring registration. For our full disclosure statement, see http://go.iu.edu/89n. Healthy Heart = Giving Heart = Happy Heart
UC News 15
Invigorate International Rock Star: John Parrish-Sprowl By Jo Fox
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Have you ever wondered about communication classes, thinking “Why do I need that? I already know how to communicate.” After meeting and talking with Dr. John Parrish-Sprowl, one comes away with a different view of such courses. Professor Parrish-Sprowl literally puts a twist on communicating. His classes are not just about speaking to one another, but how communication impacts every aspect of the world’s functionality. In addition to being a professor of communication studies, Parrish-Sprowl is also the director of the Global Health Communication Center (GHCC) of the IU School of Liberal Arts on IUPUI’s campus and often works in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO). He works on projects with the European Center for Disease Control and Prevention and various other health ministries and has conducted trainings in health in such locations as Indonesia, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Switzerland, Belgium, and Egypt. Communication “connects to everything,” believes ParrishSprowl. He uses a general theoretical approach between communication and health, noting that “communication plays a role in public health,” and it often involves “talking people into the right thing.” For example, in the case of communicable diseases, communication is used to “convince people to get a flu shot, or see a health care professional when one has a highly contagious illness, or improve conversations with health professionals.” He also believes that if we did a better job of communicating about public health issues related to lifestyle diseases such as heart disease and diabetes, such as a better job in communicating the need to just do simple things “like eating better and [doing] a little exercise,” we could reduce the demands on Medicare. For Parrish-Sprowl, “convincing people not to smoke is not just
a health issue; it is also about talking people through it.” In the case of mental health, he has witnessed how “communication improves how people interact with each other.” It is very clear that all of his work is near and dear to his heart, but it is just as clear that he has a special, soft spot for the IUPUI study abroad program in which he is very involved and through which he has taken students to Poland, giving them the opportunity to participate in research, service, and engagement. Through evaluations, 100 percent of the students indicated that they received a greater sense of the United States’ role in the world, that they would recommend the program to a peer, and that the program would be of value to their careers. Comments from students about the program range from “I wanted to learn more about other cultures” to “Study abroad is the most influential and life-changing experience you’ll ever have at IUPUI” to “I have gained a deep appreciation for the people who I used to perceive as ‘nothing like me’” to “I learned that I value humanity deeply.” One thing he loves about the study abroad trips with the students, who fondly refer to him as the “International Rock Star,” is the opportunity it provides him to get to know his students better outside of the classroom. He believes that this is where real connections and relationships develop. Strongly connected to his love for study abroad is his interest in international students coming to IUPUI, which he has worked hard to promote via the RISE (Research, International, Service Learning, and Experiential Learning) program. A first-generation college graduate, Parrish-Sprowl received his bachelor’s degree from Ball State University, Muncie, IN; his master’s degree from Miami University, Oxford, OH; and his PhD from
Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH. He has been a professor in University College and in the Department of Communication Studies in the School of Liberal Arts since coming to IUPUI in 2000. He is also a professor at the Russian and Eastern Europe Institute of Indiana University. In the communication field, Parrish-Sprowl has traveled extensively doing grant work, teaching, conducting workshops, consulting, presenting and/ or being the keynote speaker at conferences in Macedonia, Russia, and Belarus. He also has done work with universities in Indonesia, Kenya, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Jordan, and Poland. He had the honor of being a Fulbright Senior Specialist in Macedonia and Belarus, 2007-2008. He has participated in international recruitment work with such IUPUI colleagues as former Executive Vice Chancellor William M. Plater and Pat Biddinger from the School of Liberal Arts. Parrish-Sprowl has a long history of working with students outside of the classroom on projects, grants, and presentations, and currently, he is directing a dissertation for a student in Macedonia. In January 2015, he will be making his first trip to China. Parrish-Sprowl is also currently working with WHO on a communication engagement project in Sierra Leone, “so citizens can participate meaningfully in the control and prevention of Ebola,” and a project in Indiana providing data to policymakers for the reduction of adolescent sexual assault and seeking communicative ways to discourage such behavior. Of his 38 years of teaching, Parrish-Sprowl states, “I love it just as much as when I started. It’s about student achievement and our obligation to get students engaged.” He further states, “On days when you do something good for people, it’s great,” and he “wants the same for [other] people in some way, whether here or in another country.”
Invigorate 17
NEW EMPLOYEES KRISTEN GEHEB
Student Success Advisor Academic and Career Development University College
HANK LANKFORD Administrative Assistant Upward Bound University College
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UC News 19