USF News

USF GLOWS, ONCE AGAIN, IN NATIONAL RANKINGS

U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT The University of St. Francis has once again been recognized as a top university by U.S. News & World Report. This year’s recognition marks the second year that USF has been honored in the publication’s “National Universities” category.

Last year's shift to the new category was a result of USF's awarding of at least 20 research/scholarship doctoral degrees during the most recent update year. An increase in the number of Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) degrees awarded by USF, which are classified as research/scholarship doctoral degrees, played a large role in the reclassification.

USF was ranked #227 on the list. In Illinois, USF was ranked ninth among the 17 Illinois schools included in the report, sixth among private schools in the state, and second among the state's Catholic schools.

“We are pleased that outside organizations continue to recognize the quality of a University of St. Francis education, especially as we celebrate our centennial this year,” said USF President Arvid C. Johnson, Ph.D. “While being recognized for our quality in these rankings helps to validate the efforts of our faculty and provides us with many points of pride, the most important indicators of our success as educators are that our students have a great learning experience, graduate, are considered top prospects by employers, and find jobs that launch their careers.”

For the second consecutive year, U.S. News also ranked USF in its “Top Performers on Social Mobility” list. According to usnews.com, "Economically disadvantaged students are less likely than others to finish college, even when controlling for other characteristics. Some colleges are more successful than others at advancing social mobility by enrolling and graduating large proportions of disadvantaged students awarded with Pell Grants. The vast majority of these federal grants are awarded to students whose adjusted gross family incomes are under $50,000.”

“Being recognized for Social Mobility is one of those measures every staff and faculty member at USF can be proud of,” said USF vice president for admissions and marketing, Eric Wignall. “It continues to demonstrate our commitment to serve people from every background and income level. It shows just how solid our educational programs are that our graduates truly make more and do more to improve their lives.”

PRINCETON REVIEW The Princeton Review recently named USF on its “2021 Best Colleges: Region by Region” list’s Midwestern category. This is the 13th consecutive year USF has been named to this national listing. It recognizes over 650 colleges and universities that the organization considers both academically outstanding and a valuable collegiate option.

Robert Franek, The Princeton Review’s Editor-in-Chief, indicated that academics and overall campus experience play an important role in assembling this annual listing.

“We chose the University of St. Francis and the other outstanding institutions on this list primarily for their academics,” he said.

He noted that the company considered data from its survey of administrators at several hundred colleges in each region, information from staff visits to schools over the years, and the opinions of college counselors and advisors whose perspectives the company solicits.

“We also consider what students enrolled at the schools reported to us on our student survey about their campus experiences,” Franek added.

MONEY In the era of COVID-19’s disruptions and growing concern about student debt, the University of St. Francis was recognized by Money for its high value college degrees that help their graduates launch valuable careers and earn more. USF was included in the publication’s 2020 “Best Colleges in America for Your Money” listing.

“High school students looking at college, parents, and adults looking at graduate school are right to be cautious about investing time and money into an educational program. A college degree can be worth millions of dollars over the course of one’s career. We have designed degree programs that help our graduates launch truly valuable, meaningful careers,” said Eric Wignall.

“As an investment, the value of a degree from the University of St. Francis continues to climb. It’s really gratifying that Money again recognized USF for offering high quality, award-winning degree programs in its latest rankings,” he said.

USF PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT PROGRAM IN ALBUQUERQUE

The USF Physician Assistant program's Class of 2022 made USF proud by volunteering recently at Santuario de Karuna in Tijeras, New Mexico. The service project was organized by PA student Taylor Kettle. Santuario de Karuna is an animal sanctuary where a variety of animals have been rescued from kill shelters and cruel environments. The efforts consisted of clearing the pathways around the property, washing food bowls for winter, laying down posts for a fowl coop, restoring the local artwork, cleaning stalls, and bathing the local donkey, Hondo.

I WEAR MY MASK FOR 3 REASONS

HUMILITY

I don’t know if I have COVID-19, but I do know that people can spread the virus before they have symptoms.

KINDNESS

I don’t know if the person I am near has battled cancer, has a heart condition, or returns home to elderly or sick family members. While I might be fine, they may not be fine.

COMMUNITY

I want USF to stay open, and I want USF students, employees and campus visitors to stay healthy.

KEEPING A LID ON COVID-19 HELPS US ALL!

DON’T FORGET

EXERCISE APPROPRIATE PHYSICAL DISTANCING

Keep six feet between you and others.

5191_21SS_COVID_ThreeReasons_Flyer_8.5x11_7.8.20 5191_21SS_COVID_DontForgetBerniePhysicalDistance_Flyer_8.5x11_6.8.20 In August, the University of St. Francis was blessed to have a safe return to campus after the long Illinois shut-down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Special thanks is extended to USF's hard working administration and the employees who joined together on committees and teams to focus on various aspects of the return to campus. Thanks, too, to students and employees for following the new guidelines... because of their diligence, and respect for USF, the university has been able to remain open for learning. We are #SaintsUnited!

USF NEWS

USF CONTINUES TO INVEST IN THE FUTURE OF JOLIET & WILL COUNTY

JOLIET AGENCY LEADERSHIP SCHOLARSHIP USF again demonstrated its investment in the Joliet/Will County area by introducing the Joliet Agency Leadership Scholarship. The new initiative was announced on 1340 AM–WJOL's "Slocum In The Morning" show.

“The Joliet Agency Leadership Scholarship is designed for local, not-for-profit agency directors and leaders who serve the greater Joliet community and assists them with earning their MBA through USF. This is a direct way for Joliet's university to impact Joliet community members,” said Tracy Spesia, Ed.D., USF professor and Spanish Community Center board president.

At least one scholarship will be awarded annually—subject to demand and external funding support. Recipients must commit to maintaining a board-approved leadership position at their respective agency for two years beyond degree completion.

While future recipients of the scholarship will be determined through an application-based review process, the inaugural recipient of the Joliet Agency Leadership Scholarship is Veronica Gloria, Spanish Community Center Executive Director. Gloria sees the opportunity the scholarship presents and the lasting impact it, in turn, can create within the local community.

“What excites me most about this opportunity is that it creates sustainable access to higher education for myself and other professionals dedicated to the public good in Joliet. The more prepared we are as a sector, the more we can strategically make a difference in our local

Veronica Gloria, Joliet's Spanish Community Center executive director, recipient of USF's Joliet Agency Leadership Scholarship.

community. A quality education at USF can provide us with essential tools to creatively face challenges as change agents in our institutions, communities, and broader systems,” Gloria said.

The Joliet Agency Leadership Scholarship is offered under a sharedcost structure with financial responsibilities assigned as approximately 25% to the recipient personally, 25% to the Joliet-area agency sponsoring the recipient, and 50% to the University of St. Francis, with the expectation that half of USF’s commitment will be donor-/business-funded. To that end, USF is proud to announce that the first community business sponsor of the Joliet Agency Leadership Scholarship is Joliet-area business owner and philanthropist Terry D’Arcy.

“Terry D’Arcy has long been a strong supporter of the University of St. Francis and so many other important organizations and causes in the Joliet area,” USF President Arvid C. Johnson, Ph.D., said. “Through his support of the Joliet Agency Leadership Scholarship this year, Terry is continuing to invest in the ongoing growth and development of the greater Joliet region by partnering with USF to help one of our bright, young leaders to advance her education.”

Additional details on this scholarship will be made available to local service and community agencies in early 2021. For more information, contact Eric Wignall at ewignall@stfrancis.edu or 815-740-3444.

FOUR COLLEGES, FOUR UNIQUE SPINS ON LEARNING

COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES

WRONGFUL CONVICTIONS » Dr. Stacy Dewald, Assistant Professor

"Prior to coming to the University of St. Francis, I worked as an Investigator with the Will County Public Defender’s office which informed my views of the criminal justice system. Racism, conviction of the innocent, political pressure, and lack of funds for the defense of the indigent are a few flaws in the system that transformed my understanding of criminal defense and the system in general. Therefore, I designed a Topics course called 'Wrongful Convictions.' This course covers the causes of wrongful conviction, including eyewitness misidentifications, false confessions, scientist misconduct, junk science, official misconduct, and racism. Case studies are used to illustrate the causes and make suggestions for reform. Students have covered such cases as Juan Rivera, The Norfolk Four, and The West Memphis Three. I also use guest speakers in the course, such as Innocence Project attorneys and exonerees. We were supposed to take a field trip to the Joliet Forensic Science Laboratory in March, but you know...COVID... so that was cancelled." -Dr. Stacy Dewald

COLLEGE OF BUSINESS & HEALTH ADMINISTRATION

BECOMING A FRANCISCAN COLLEGE » Dr. Orlando Griego, Dean

What makes a college "Franciscan?" COBHA Dean Griego can tell you. While the colorful new decor in his hallways has surely brightened spirits, his goal is much deeper than a can of paint.

To start, COBHA has developed a Franciscan business ethics course called “Just Business” (a play on words for justice) about how organizations can give back to the community, operate around sustainability, and apply Franciscan ethics to business practices. A master's level course is being developed with that same Franciscan ethics perspective. "We created a Servant Leader program," said Griego. "These leaders are students who focus on three things: 1) Jesus Christ and the work of St. Francis; 2) promoting Franciscan values within the college and university; and 3) service to others. These leaders are overseen by 'Faculty Shepherds,' who guide the students to keep focused on those three objectives."

Griego says program participants have donated over $2,000 to help with the feeding of the homeless and many hours have been dedicated to volunteering at shelters. The group posts positive, Christ-centered messages around campus, working hand-in-hand with University Ministry, and will provide the chapel with two new sets of altar clothes for daily Mass. The group also participates in annual spiritual retreats.

The commitment is so strong that the college is hoping to hire a service coordinator to help faculty locate service learning opportunities, highlight and assist with service needs in the college, and identify service needs in the community. COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

INTRODUCTION TO SPECIAL NEEDS » Dr. Srimani Chakravarthi, Professor

Teacher candidates in Dr. Srimani Chakravarthi’s Introduction to Special Needs course are gaining knowledge and experience applicable to their future classrooms through a partnership with a group of special needs students at Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210. The class began in spring of 2015 and runs every semester. Students come together for lunch at USF, allowing teacher candidates the chance to gain perspective on the range of disabilities they might encounter when working in an inclusive classroom setting or as a special education teacher. The partnership also gives Lincoln-Way students the opportunity to work on important skills outside their familiar and comfortable school environment.

This collaboration is much more than just lunch. It is a rich learning experience for all participants and serves to further USF’s commitment to building an inclusive community through acceptance, flexible thinking, respecting differences, and finding common ground.

Dr. Chakravarthi finds it to be one of her favorite experiences. “I love watching my candidates grow comfortable in talking to students with disabilities and demonstrate a newfound way to respect them and note what they are capable of doing, instead of their ‘need’ areas which are apparent.”

Chakravarthi and Dr. Lisa White-McNulty recently co-authored a research paper about this experience which will soon be published in the International Journal of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education.

LEACH COLLEGE OF NURSING

THE SIM LAB » Dr. Jennifer Wills-Savoia, Director of Clinical & Simulation Learning

LCON students start getting hands-on experience as juniors, when they get to start visiting the "Sim Lab." They get a minimum of one simulation per each clinical course they take, which means a minimum of eight simulation days. It is considered clinical time for both USF and the State of Illinois.

USF has three high fidelity mannequins, used for actual patient care and assessments, and nine low fidelity mannequins, utilized to practice nursing skills. In high-fidelity simulation, there are typically three to four students in each four-hour session. They have a pre-briefing period with their instructor, where they get acquainted with the simulator and the environment. Then a simulation is run with faculty and the simulation technician in the room. The students do a debriefing of the scenario and patient situation with their instructor.

Explained Wills-Savoia, "Our high-fidelity mannequins have palpable pulses, audible lung, heart and bowel sounds, and our newest mannequin also blinks. We can give them medications, IV fluids, catheterize them, give them a nasogastric tube or a number of other interventions as needed. We use the assessment findings and the vital signs of the patient to guide the student as they begin to make nursing judgments about how to intervene or care for their patient. This allows the students to put into action all that they are learning in class. It is one thing to learn it in class, but quite another to put that knowledge into practice!"