Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Business alumna Betsy Hall Collins is a shining example of how a driven, hard-working student can flourish in the corporate world.

The 33-year-old exuded a bright personality, unwavering perseverance and a passion for helping others as the featured speaker at the School’s Executive Power Speaker Series breakfast held Tuesday, March 27.

“I wanted to be different than my peers, because I knew I had something to contribute. I swung for the fences,” said Collins, a Charleston native who earned a bachelor’s in business administration from SIUE in 2007.

Collins is director of global public policy for Walmart. She manages policy initiatives on health and wellness, veteran services and associate benefits. As a member of the Global Public Policy team, Collins is responsible for setting legislative and regulatory strategy, political development and reputation management for both Walmart and Sam’s Club at the federal, state and local levels.

Approximately 75 School of Business faculty, staff, students and business professionals attended the power breakfast, an event the School has hosted for more than a decade. Collins marked the first guest speaker to have attended the event as a student. She told the audience about an SIUE mentor who challenged her to think long-term ahead of graduation.

“Former Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Nobby Emmanuel was a stern and focused mentor of mine,” she said. “He asked me, ‘where are you headed?’ At the time I told him I wanted to be a vice president for a Fortune 500 company at the end of my career. What’s fascinating now is that I work for the “Fortune 1” company as a director, and I’m 33.”

Collins offered three major tips for professional advancement:

• Differentiate yourself, find your personal brand: “Find that thing that makes you different from the people sitting next to you. Your resume needs to stand out.”
• Network like it’s your job: “The expectations these professors are setting, though they may seem daunting at the time, set you up to be ahead of many other students. Their work requirements, early classes, late classes and flexible schedules are putting you in charge of your own destiny.”
• Work hard/hustle: “At the end of the day, that’s what gets you across the finish line.”

“Chance favors the prepared,” she told students. “You have so many tools and opportunities here in front of you. Do the scary things now, when you can. Try that job that may seem a little out of your range. I’ve got a stack of business cards that if someone is brave enough to come ask for one, I will be happy to give you. I’m a resource for you.”

Collins fielded questions on topics of finding a work life balance, succeeding as a female in a male-dominated field and what type of qualities she seeks in job candidates.

“I’m looking for people who have a personality,” she explained. “I want to see who you are, what you bring to the table and what makes you different. I’m also going to watch how you interact with others. I can teach you how to study a piece of legislation. I can teach you who the important legislators in the room are. I can’t teach you how to care about the small details. I can’t teach you how to be a nice person.”

Senior marketing and management major Madelyn Diden, of Canton, says she felt enlivened after hearing the alumna speak.

“It was inspiring to see how her efforts and motivation have helped her accomplish her life goals,” Diden said. “This experience was valuable, because I was able to network with professors and business professionals, as well as learn more about achieving career success from a woman who was once in my shoes.”

School of Business Interim Dean Tim Schoenecker expressed his appreciation for Collins’ return to campus. He underscored her advice to students to find a mentor who will challenge them and offer guidance as they look to the future.

“This event is a wonderful mini-mentoring opportunity for our students,” Schoenecker said. “Our curriculum places emphasis on the importance of mentorship, networking and building the soft skills that make our students stand out as strong job candidates in the business world.”

Photos: SIUE School of Business alumna Betsy Hall Collins, director of global public policy for Walmart, was the featured speaker at the School’s Executive Power Speaker Series breakfast.

SIUE alumna and featured speaker Betsy Hall Collins visited with a student at the School of Business power breakfast.

Natural curiosity and the pursuit of new knowledge were featured at the regional Science and Engineering Research Challenge (SERC) hosted by the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Center for STEM Research, Education and Outreach on Saturday, March 24.

Approximately 200 local 5-12^th grade students filled the Meridian Ballroom to showcase their abilities and present to volunteer judges their research projects that ranged in topic from memory studies and emergency response drones to remediation filters and blood spatter analysis.

“The Science and Engineering Research Challenge fosters excitement in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and offers students a taste of what it’s like to be a scientist,” said Colin Wilson, SIUE STEM Resource Center manager. “The competition promotes independent critical thinking and encourages students to use the scientific method to answer a research question, carry out experiments and write their results.”

SERC participant Breanna Goyea, a sophomore at Governor French Academy in Belleville, aspires to work in medicine and is especially interested in environmental science.

“This has been a cool experience,” said Goyea. “I tested different forms of biomass to see which one would produce the most methane gas. I did this as a method to see how we could produce cleaner energy, especially for people in third world countries.”

On the other side of the row from Goyea, Waterloo High School sophomore Charlie Dake told the judges about his project that considered the effect of social media use on interpersonal communication skills.

“I like discovering and learning new things,” Dake explained. “I definitely enjoy the social and behavioral sciences, so this was a great opportunity to learn about how people communicate.”

Rachel Anderson and Riley Dickey, both sophomores at Maryville Christian School, credited their science teacher Miss Crow for keeping them interested in science and instilling a desire to learn more.

“We called our project, ‘If you can smell it, you can taste it,’” said Dickey. “We studied the effect of smell on the taste that you perceive from what you’re eating.”

They had 20 students try different Pringles® flavors for their project.

“Participants did three trials,” Anderson explained. “One with nothing in their nose, one with a cotton ball in their nose, and a third with peppermint oil on the cotton ball in their nose. It was a fun project!”

Twenty-four winners representing 22 projects from the SIUE regional are advancing to the state competition. The state representatives include:

• Sam Berkley, Abril Hunter, David Sherrod, Courtney Smith, John Stewart and Aiden Trukenbrod of Governor French Academy
• Kolten Ackerman of Edwardsville High School
• Selin Aktuna, Ella Feldman, Alex Sundar and Rebecca Thomas of Liberty Middle School
• Caleb Chu, Keturah Steele and Rhiannon Smith of Maryville Christian School
• Lillie Cuddeback and Marlaina Graney of Good Shepherd Lutheran School
• Charlie Dake of Waterloo High School
• Gabe Lewis of Waterloo Junior High School
• Reagan Guerra of Metro East Lutheran High School
• Joseph Hanger of Red Bud Elementary
• Luke Hatlee and Levi Hatlee of Gillespie Middle School
• Olivia Kratschmer and Leah Rowland of St. Ambrose School

"With so many students, parents and family members on campus, this event highlights SIUE as a pillar in the community and emphasizes its academic distinction,” Wilson said. “The event builds relationships between the University and local educators, promoting future collaborations that support these students who may go on to study in STEM fields and become future industry professionals.”

Photos: Breanna Goyea, a sophomore at Governor French Academy in Belleville, presents her research to two judges during the Science and Engineering Research Challenge at SIUE.

Waterloo High School sophomore Charlie Dake shared details on his communication research project with SIUE Associate Provost for Research and Graduate School Dean Jerry Weinberg, PhD, and Carol Colaninno, PhD, assistant research professor in the SIUE STEM Center.

Rachel Anderson (L) and Riley Dickey (middle) spoke about their project with Science and Engineering Research Challenge volunteer judge Thad Meeks, PhD, SIUE associate professor of psychology.

Sixty-four-year-old Larry Haney of East St. Louis wants to keep a watchful eye on the numbers that affect his health and learn better ways of improving it. He joined about 20 others recently at a Success And Continuing Knowledge (S.A.C.K.) Lunch and Learn Program at the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Learning Resource Center. 

Margie Nahass, registered nurse, physician assistant, and health educator and advocate for the Christian Activity Center in East St. Louis, presented “High Blood Pressure: The Silent Killer.” Her emphasis was on the increased prevalence of high blood pressure in African Americans. 

The College of Arts and Sciences’ (CAS) Targeted Funding Initiative (TFI) is supporting the Lunch and Learn program at the ESLC. CAS Dean Greg Budzban, PhD, first created TFI grants in 2016. The program offers a way to continuously innovate and find novel ways of doing things. It utilizes funding acquired through the College’s Winter Session courses and is supplemented with other internal CAS funds. 

“According to the American Heart Association, African Americans have the highest incidence of high blood pressure in the world, and it tends to develop at an earlier age, and be more severe than in other racial and ethnic groups in the United States,” said Nahass. “Genetics, obesity and a diet high in sodium contribute to these alarming statistics among African Americans.” 

“High blood pressure typically is not symptomatic and goes undetected unless it is measured,” she added. “If it persists untreated, we know it can silently damage vital organs. “The good news is that there are things you can do to lower your blood pressure!” 

Some of the steps that Nahass outlined include:

• Know your blood pressure numbers. Check it regularly and record it.
• See a healthcare professional at least yearly for follow up and take medications as prescribed.
• Get moving! Your heart is a muscular organ, and you have to exercise it with cardio workouts.
• A drop in weight of 6-10 percent can significantly decrease risk factors associated with obesity.
• Eat a balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, lean protein and healthy grains.
• Avoid processed foods (high in sodium!) and fatty foods.
• Stop smoking.
• Reduce stress. 

“I spent years seeing people on the sick side of healthcare,” said Nahass. “I want to help people make good, healthy choices, learn how their bodies function and prevent disease at this point in my career.” 

Benny Lewis, childcare assistant at the SIUE East St. Louis Discovery Center for Little Scholars (DCLS) Head Start Center, came to the Lunch and Learn for dietary and blood pressure information. 

“I need to lose weight,” said Lewis. “I already walk more than two miles a day.” Lewis’s blood pressure was 137/88. 

Jatona Skinner, DCLS childcare assistant, was also interested in getting a better handle on dietary information for the purposes of shedding pounds. “The parts on portion and sodium control were most helpful to me,” said Skinner. 

She also took the opportunity to have her blood pressure checked because of her family history. Her numbers were 130/90. 

“Don’t be passive about your blood pressure,” Nahass said. “Untreated high blood pressure can lead to kidney failure, heart failure, blindness, stroke or heart attack. Check your blood pressure often and follow up with a healthcare provider.” 

“The S.A.C.K. Lunch and Learn program has been a great way for the SIUE East St. Louis Center to open up its doors to the community and provide educational workshops on the issues local residents care about,” said ESLC Executive Director Jesse Dixon. “We are grateful to Dean Budzban and the Department of Social Work for their partnership on this initiative.” 

The next S.A.C.K. Lunch and Learn program is “Don’t Sugar Coat It!” Nahass will talk about the prevention and management of diabetes from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursday, March 29 in the Learning Resource Center at the East St. Louis Higher Education Campus. Glucose testing will be available. 

The S.A.C.K Lunch and Learn program will go through June, according to Rebecca Harper, Learning Resource Center director. 

“I hope the attendees enjoy the programming and find useful tips that will leave a positive impact to help their daily lives,” said Harper, “along with an ongoing desire to learn more.” 

With a focus on empowering people and strengthening communities, the SIUE East St. Louis Center is dedicated to improving the lives of families and individuals - from pre-school through adult - in the Metro East. Head Start/Early Head Start and a charter high school are among the programs that offer the community renewed hope and an opportunity to reach educational, career and life goals. The Center also assigns first priority to encouraging, supporting and improving the educational success of the residents of East St. Louis and surrounding urban communities. The Center provides comprehensive programs, services and training in the areas of education, health, social services and the arts. 

Photos courtesy of Angela Gerber:
Margie Nahass, registered nurse, physician’s assistant and health educator, shares important information about blood pressure and nutrition. 

Nahass points out the importance of reading nutrition labels.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Center’s (ESLC) Veterans Upward Bound program will join more than 30 organizations to host the Spring 2018 St. Louis Regional Area Homeless Veterans Stand Down from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, April 21 at 1521 Market St. in St. Louis. 

“The purpose of the Stand Down event is to provide resources for veterans who are in need,” according to Calvin Yancey, ESLC Veterans Upward Bound program director and Stand Down committee member. “Veterans don’t have to be homeless to attend the event that will feature a host of agencies and will provide information to assist veterans.” 

Services, information and products include:

• Veterans Affairs and other social services assistance
• Housing and emergency shelter assistance
• Free legal services – registration is required by emailing Yancey at cyancey@siue.edu
• Educational resources
• Employment resources
• Health and wellness center
• Counseling and substance abuse referrals
• Discharge upgrades
• Giveaways
• Free food and beverages 

For more information, contact Yancey at cyancey@siue.edu or visit St. Louis Regional Area Homeless Veterans Stand Down. 

With a focus on empowering people and strengthening communities, the SIUE East St. Louis Center is dedicated to improving the lives of families and individuals - from pre-school through adult - in the Metro East. Head Start/Early Head Start and a charter high school are among the programs that offer the community renewed hope and an opportunity to reach educational, career and life goals. The Center also assigns first priority to encouraging, supporting and improving the educational success of the residents of East St. Louis and surrounding urban communities. The Center provides comprehensive programs, services and training in the areas of education, health, social services and the arts. 

Photo: Calvin Yancey, Veterans Upward Bound Program Director and retired U.S. Army Lieut. Col.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Chancellor Randy Pembrook, PhD, introduced Central American Mission Projects (CAMP) to SIUE during 2017 as an active element of his focus on community service and the University’s mission to shape a changing world. During Spring Break 2018, a group of more than 30 students, faculty and staff from SIUE’s Schools of Nursing, Pharmacy, and Education, Health and Human Behavior upheld the University’s mission, arriving in Costa Rica on Saturday, March 3 for a week of service and educational activities.

“These trips provide a special combination of opportunities for service to mankind through valuable hands-on experiences, all while experiencing growth in cultural awareness,” Pembrook said. “It’s always gratifying to see students enjoy activities beyond their professional aspects as they distributed shoes to children, painted an orphanage, saw the beauty of Costa Rica at a waterfall park and interacted with other students from different schools.”

Pembrook is also thankful for the external support. “First, it is always a pleasure in working with our partner organization (CAMP),” he said. “Plus, it is impressive to see how many people support SIUE and CAMP’s outreach efforts. One individual donated 700 backpacks. People gave 2,500 pairs of shoes. The local Edwardsville Rotary gave $5,000 for dental equipment, and our Alumni Association donated toys, shoes and backpacks.”

Highlights of the trip included:

Sunday, March 4 – Eleven School of Pharmacy (SOP) students headed into Carara National Park along the Tarcoles River to study medicinal plants. Within the SOP’s elective medicinal plants and tropical diseases course, students have a travel study portion to explore different regions of Costa Rica.

“The students in our program do not get enough exposure to medicinal plant use, nor do they have a solid enough base about tropical diseases that are spreading to the U.S.,” said Cathy Santanello, SOP associate professor of pharmaceutical sciences. “This group was particularly enthusiastic and curious. We went to places like Carara National Park and Manuel Antonio National Park where guides pointed out specific trees or plants that are used for medicinal purposes in Central America and what they are used for.

“We also saw amazing wildlife such as Capuchin and howler monkeys, scarlet macaws, crocodiles and anteaters in the wild. We met with SIUE nursing students and faculty, as well, to talk about our experiences and to exchange ideas.”

“The focus of the trip was to learn about medicinal plants and their use in Costa Rica, and also to learn from experts about tropical diseases,” said Marcelo Nieto, SOP associate professor of pharmaceutical sciences. “In the guided tour through Carara National Park, we heard about traditional medicine, native plants and the folk use of those medicinal plants. In another national park, students hiked and walked around to not only learn and find some known medicinal plants, but also to enjoy the wild life.”

Monday, March 5 – Thirteen School of Nursing (SON) students served approximately 80 patients in the Santo Tomas Clinic at Santo Domingo de Heredia and were prepared to serve even more throughout the week.

Valerie Griffin, DNP, assistant clinical professor and Family Nurse Practitioner Program coordinator, enjoyed seeing the students step out of their comfort zones not only as nursing students, but also as human beings. “They seemed surprised at what they were capable of accomplishing,” she said. “The experiences in Costa Rica will help to build their confidence as they become new nurses. The word ‘joy’ can be used to describe the interactions between the students and the children at the schools and organizations we served.”

On Tuesday and Wednesday, the SON students and faculty assisted local organizations with health assessments of more than 200 children from the community. They learned how to translate physical assessment findings into Spanish and then had time to share lunch and playtime with the children. Even through language barriers, you could see them sharing smiles and love for each another.

Tuesday and Wednesday, March 6-7 – Six public health students from the School of Education, Health and Human Behavior (SEHHB) experienced life in the Village of Parismina on the Caribbean Coast. They took a boat to Tortuguero National Park, a protected wilderness area famous for its sea turtle nesting grounds. The students helped clear the beach in preparation for the turtle nesting season, and studied public and environmental health issues.

 “Being immersed in such a remote, small, tight knit community and being able to interact with community members in different capacities allowed students to appreciate how the community lives and works together to provide for each other,” said Michelle Cathorall, DrPH, assistant professor of public health in the SEHHB Department of Applied Health.

The public health students worked with the Association to Save the Turtles of Parismina (ASTOP), an organization founded by community members to help reduce turtle egg poaching. “All the people who took us on beach patrols were from the community,” Cathorall said. “One person gave us a lesson on turtles and the mating/nesting habits. That individual also runs a market in town where we shopped and is a local artisan that sold hand made crafts. 

“We had similar interactions with multiple people in the community. It gave students an appreciation of many aspects of life that we take for granted, but also an appreciation for who the people are and how they live.”

Cathorall noted it wasn’t all work during the two days as students also snorkeled, rode horses on the beach and in the jungle, and ate seafood, all of which most of the students had never done and some were quite apprehensive about.  

Thursday, March 8 – SOP students visited the Pharmacy at the University of Costa Rica in San Jose where they interacted with the Schools of Microbiology and Pharmacy faculty and students. The faculty gave presentations on medicinal plant use, tropical diseases (Zika, Ckikungunya and dengue disease) and water-borne pathogens.

“The lectures focused on medicinal plants and their use and also included a tour of their medical garden in which Dr. Weng (Professor of Pharmacognosy) showed us different medicinal plants and their use,” Nieto said. “One of the most rewarding aspects of the trip was to see how our students were so interested in learning, not only about the course topics but also the culture, trying new things every day, asking questions and even trying to speak the language.”

Friday, March 9 – SON students visited an orphanage and delivered shoes and backpacks. Along with providing clinic assistance, they helped with home renovations. Among Griffin’s many goals in leading these trips is to encourage faculty and students to continue serving either locally or globally. All 13 students expressed a desire to continue this type of service. 

    Pembrook was impressed with the student nurses’ professionalism in patient health assessments and their personal touch in their outreach. “In short, the students were great!” he said “The nursing faculty were highly prepared, so the students had a great experience.”

“For many of the students, it showed them that they are capable of more than they might have thought possible,” Cathorall said. “This trip pushed them mentally, and especially physically, and they never gave up or said they couldn't do it.”

Another outcome from the trip was a signed memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the University of Costa Rica that will provide opportunities for future exchanges, involving students, faculty and research projects.

Photo: Upper Right-School of Nursing student Kristen Highfill helps distribute shoes and a child has her teeth checked.

Middle-Public health students help to clear a beach.

Lower Right-School of Nursing student Yu Cao colors with a young boy.

The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Early Childhood Center (ECC) has earned accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)—the world’s largest organization working on behalf of young children.

NAEYC Accreditation is a rigorous and transformative quality-improvement system that uses a set of 10 research-based standards to collaborate with early education programs to recognize and drive quality-improvement in high quality early learning environments.

“We are proud to have earned the NAEYC’s mark of quality and to be recognized for our commitment to reaching the highest professional standards,” said Early Childhood Center Director Becky Dabbs MacLean.

The ECC provides full-day, year round early childhood care and education for the children of students, faculty, staff, and others in the University community, ages two through five.

To earn NAEYC accreditation, the ECC completed an extensive self-study and quality improvement process, followed by an onsite visit by NAEYC assessors to verify and ensure that the program met each of the 10 program standards, and hundreds of corresponding individual criteria. NAEYC accredited programs are always prepared for unannounced quality assurance visits during their accreditation term, which lasts for five years.

In the 30 years since NAEYC accreditation was established, it has become a widely recognized sign of high-quality early childhood education. More than 7,000 programs are currently accredited by NAEYC - less than 10 percent of all childcare centers, preschools and kindergartens nationally achieve this recognition. 

“NAEYC accredited programs bring our definitions of excellence for early childhood education to life each day,” said Kristen Johnson, NAEYC senior director of Early Learning Program Accreditation. “Earning NAEYC accreditation makes the SIUE Early Childhood Center an exemplar of good practice for families and the entire community.”

For more information about NAEYC accreditation, visit naeyc.org.

The ECC is located at 795 Northwest University Dr., on the corner of Circle Dr. and Northwest University Dr. The Rec-Plex is located across the street from the ECC. Contact the ECC at 618-650-2556.

Photo: SIUE student Libby Linhares works with a class at the Early Childhood Center.

Josh Colclasure and Sammie Williams have been friends since childhood. They have always talked about starting a business together and finally had the chance to put their idea for bar and restaurant draft line cleaning services to the test in the Metro East Start-Up Challenge (MESC).

The Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for the Metro East at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) introduced the competition in 2014. The Start-Up Challenge engages multiple sponsors and business professional mentors each year for entrepreneurs to assess how their business plan stacks up.

In 2017, Colclasure and Williams won first place in the MESC for Pint Perfect and received start-up money from local sponsors, in-kind services, mentors and more. With that support and momentum, they have been moving along in starting their venture.

“Things have been going great for us with the help and support of SBDC Director Jo Ann (DiMaggio) May,” Colclasure stated. “The service and resources from winning the MESC have been wonderful. We cannot thank the companies that provided their in-kind services enough. This has truly taken us a long way in the process of starting our business.” 

“Jo Ann is always there to push us to keep moving forward with our plans and networking us with an attorney, financial referrals and possible investors,” Williams said. “We wouldn’t be where we are today without the help of Jo Ann, she has been the best help from the start.”

Colclasure and Williams have registered for a class through Micro Matic. It is an intensive draft line system class to become certified in the process, equipment and more. While the certification is not required, they want to improve individually and position their company as an industry leader. The certification will provide a competitive advantage over other businesses in the field.

Pint Perfect keeps receiving positive feedback for their cleaning services or drink consultation ideas from bar owners and distributors. They are constantly growing their potential client list.

Bar and restaurant owners, and beer distributors realize there is a need for this service. Routine draft line cleaning is often neglected, so it will be convenient and beneficial for businesses to use Pint Perfect’s services. Most consumers do not know this service is needed in bars and restaurants. Pint Perfect also wants to educate the community that they should care about this issue. They can demonstrate dirty draft line pictures as proof.

Lack of cleanliness in the lines affects beer taste and the quality. Owners forget about cleaning draft lines or do not clean them as efficiently as they should. That is one of the reasons Colclasure and Williams want to offer their services and expertise. They want to raise standards for everyone – consumers, business owners, distributors and manufacturers.

They hope people eventually will recognize the “Pint Perfect Certified” sticker in a business’ window and think, “I am going here, because I know they are efficient with cleaning and hold owners accountable for quality products.”

Colclasure says, “Right now, we are putting hard work into growing what we will have.” Williams mentioned that the synergy between the two friends will benefit the business overall. While Williams has worked in the alcohol/bar industry for many years, Colclasure knows the structural side.

The SBDC is excited to see where Pint Perfect goes. “It has been a wonderful journey to be part of and an honor supporting Josh and Sammie,” DiMaggio May said. “These two friends are passionate, hardworking and eager to share their services. Pint Perfect will be a true success, because of the time and effort these young men have invested. I am just happy to be a little part of their story.”

Pint Perfect is projected to officially offer their services and expertise sometime in April 2018. Contact Pint Perfect at Sam@pintperfectbeer.com or Josh@pintperfectbeer.com. They can also be found on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. For more information, visit pintperfectbeer.com.

For more information on the Metro East Start-Up Challenge, visit siue.edu/metroeaststartup.

The Illinois SBDC for the Metro East assists start-up ventures like Pint Perfect as well as existing businesses headquartered in the nine-county region of Calhoun, Jersey, Madison, Bond, Clinton, St. Clair, Washington, Monroe and Randolph. It is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration, Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, and SIUE as a service to Illinois small businesses.

By aiding entrepreneurs and companies in defining their path to success, the SBDC network positively impacts the Metro East by strengthening the business community, creating and retaining new jobs and encouraging new investment. It enhances the region’s economic interests by providing one-stop assistance to individuals by means of counseling, training, research and advocacy for new ventures and existing small businesses. When appropriate, the SBDC strives to affiliate its ties to the region to support the goals and objectives of both the SIUE School of Business and the University at large.

To learn about the SBDC, contact the IL SBDC for the Metro East at SIUE at (618) 650-2929.

Photo (L-R): Sammie Williams and Josh Colclasure, owners of Pint Perfect.

The world of digital marketing is expanding and changing every day. However, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville students can employ the tested methods of good interpersonal skills, a strong work ethic and a creative approach to land jobs in digital marketing, according to Brooke Huntley, director of Cox Analytics at Cox Media Group in Atlanta. 

Huntley was a featured speaker during SIUE’s Mass Communications Week on Tuesday, March 27.  Huntley spoke about “How to Get Employers to Swipe Right On Your Digital Marketing Potential.”  

The Department of Mass Communications hosted the annual event, which began Monday, March 26 and concludes Friday. This year’s theme is “Swiping Right on Media Convergence.” 

“Digital marketing is 100 percent critical, because we are all consumers,” said Huntley, “From buying clothes and groceries online to communicating through Facebook and other social media, marketers want to connect with potential customers.” 

“The field of digital advertising or marketing is growing,” she continued. “Students should not overlook it as a career option. I hadn’t considered digital marketing, until a former student came to a class that I was in and spoke about his job in digital media. It sounded exciting, and I wanted to investigate.” 

What Huntley found was that people were willing to help her make connections. She told students in attendance that she took risks and enthusiastically sold her strengths to potential employers. 

“It’s still important to have soft skills, like good verbal and written communication abilities,” said Huntley. “It’s also important to understand your strengths and personality traits. Use them to make a good first impression.” 

Huntley went on to tell students that they could also consider where they want to live when contemplating future job prospects. 

“You could look at whatever city you wanted to live in and then look for interactive jobs,” said Huntley, who chose to move to New York City after graduating from the University of Missouri-Columbia. 

Huntley started her career in New York at Mediavest on Coca Cola’s Local Planning team, making the transition into digital on the Walmart account in 2010. She expanded her digital experience across other brands such as Visit Florida tourism with Sapient Nitro in Miami. Later, Huntley helped re-launch Triscuit and Ritz Brands in 2015, with an emphasis on innovation in content and e-commerce. She joined Cox Media Group in 2015 to lead digital strategy for their high-value advertising clients. With analytics and return on investment at the forefront of the industry, she built the first in-house advertising analytics team, known as Cox Analytics. The team serves more than 50 clients across 10 industry verticals. 

The SIUE College of Arts and Sciences’ Targeted Funding Initiative (TFI), in part, supports SIUE Mass Communications Week. 

For more information, visit Mass Communications Week. 

Photo:  Brooke Huntley, director of Cox Analytics at Cox Media Group in Atlanta, Ga.

The Center for Spirituality and Sustainability will honor Sheila Voss and the Rev. Traci Blackmon at its 15th annual Leadership Awards Dinner on Saturday, April 14, at 7 p.m. in the LeClaire Room on the N. O. Nelson Campus of Lewis and Clark Community College in Edwardsville.

The Center annually bestows awards for Spirituality Leadership and Leadership in Sustainability. These awards reflect the Center’s mission to “promote humanity’s sacred connection to the Earth and each other.”

Voss, vice president of education at the Missouri Botanical Garden, will accept the Sustainability Leadership Award. She helps engage, educate, and inspire current and future generations of citizens to transition to a more sustainable world. She leads a team of diverse professionals, including environmental science educators, early childhood specialists, curriculum developers, teen program coordinators, public engagement strategists, exhibit designers and community outreach staff based at the Garden, Shaw Nature Reserve and the Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House.

Blackmon, acting executive minister of justice and witness ministries of The United Church of Christ and senior pastor of Christ The King United Church of Christ in Florissant, Mo., will receive the Spirituality Leadership Award. Initially ordained in the African Methodist Episcopal Church, Rev. Blackmon’s communal leadership and work in the aftermath of the killing of Michael Brown Jr., in Ferguson, Mo., received both national and international recognition, and earned audiences from the White House to the Carter Center to the Vatican. She was appointed to the Ferguson Commission by Governor Jay Nixon and to the President’s Advisory Council on Faith-Based Neighborhood Partnerships for the White House by President Barack Obama.

For reservations, contact Juli Jacobson at 618-650-3246 or juljaco@siue.edu. Tickets are $55 and partially tax deductible.

The Center for Spirituality and Sustainability is a non-profit, multi-faith home for spirituality and sustainability efforts housed in the Buckminster Fuller dome on the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville campus.

Thirteen aspiring math and science educators are 2018 Noyce Scholars at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. The undergraduates are participating in the Noyce Math and Science Scholarship Program’s enhanced curriculum and engaging in professional learning communities.

“Noyce scholars are empowered to be leaders in their field, influencing, facilitating and inspiring the next generation of scientists, mathematicians, educators and critical thinkers,” said Jessica Krim, EdD, associate professor in the Department of Teaching and Learning, and Noyce Science Scholarship program director.

The teacher candidates include math scholars Tiffani Butler, of Pekin, Nathaniel DeRousse, of Red Bud, Danielle Fogle, of Aurora, Kenzie Jenkins, of Elizabethtown, and Emily Peters, of Mount Carmel.

The science scholars include Katie Ayres, of Edwardsville, Breanna Blackwell, of New Berlin, Marie Gipson, of Creal Springs, Hannah Jackson, of Ferguson, Mo., Amanda Parga, of Greenview, Jenna Sanders, of Peoria, Ben Scamihorn, of Marshall, and Rachel Towne, of Ottawa.

The SIUE Robert Noyce Scholarship Program was created with two grants totaling $2.2 million from the National Science Foundation. Scholars receive $11,500 for educational expenses annually for up to two years, along with additional support through mentoring by expert teachers, travel to professional conferences and other resources.

“Being a Noyce Scholar has connected me with teachers in the Edwardsville and Carbondale areas, as well as professors of math, science and education,” said Peters, a junior in the secondary teacher education program. “I’ve had the opportunity to be in the classroom early in my education, which has provided extra experiences compared to my peers. I have also been able to reinforce my mathematical background through tutoring and outreach activities.”

The program is a partnership of the SIUE College of Arts and Sciences, the School of Education, Health and Human Behavior, and the SIUE STEM Center, along with master teachers, community-based organizations, and cooperating school districts. Its goals include:

• Recruiting highly qualified STEM students who demonstrate an aptitude for teaching mathematics and science
• Providing the students with an enhanced experience in STEM education and research
• Supplying high-needs middle and high schools with exemplary science educators
• Increasing outreach in southwestern Illinois communities
• Disseminating project findings for use in other STEM education settings

For more information on the SIUE Noyce Scholarship and Internship Program, visit SIUENoyce.org.

Photo: The 2018 Noyce Math and Science Scholars include (L-R) (front) Amanda Parga, Jenna Sanders, Hannah Jackson, Emily Peters, (middle) Tiffani Butler, Katie Ayres, Kenzie Jenkins, Danielle Fogle, Marie Gipson, (back) Breanna Blackwell, Ben Scamihorn, Nathaniel DeRousse and Rachel Towne.

The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Police Department began staffing the SIU School of Dental Medicine (SDM) in Alton with one patrol officer on duty 24 hours per day on a daily basis effective Monday, April 2. The SIUE Police Department will have a sub-post located in Building 271 at the SDM. 

“The SIUE Police Department strives to provide the highest quality police service to keep our students, faculty, staff and guests safe,” said Chief Kevin Schmoll. “We are committed to serving our community.”

“I would like to express my appreciation and that of the School of Dental Medicine to Chancellor Randy Pembrook, Vice Chancellor Rich Walker, Chief Schmoll and all others who worked so diligently to make this happen,” said SDM Dean Bruce E. Rotter, DMD. “In a time when public safety cannot be taken for granted, it is reassuring to have our officers actively working toward that goal on the Alton campus.”

The SIUE Police Department is a community-oriented law enforcement agency comprising 43 sworn police officers and 9 civilian employees. SIUE police officers are certified law enforcement officers with full investigatory and arrest authority granted by State of Illinois law.

The SIUE Police Department is open and accessible to the University community 24 hours daily and has its own telecommunication unit, which dispatches police officers to calls for service. Contact the SIUE Police Department at 618-650-3324 or police@siue.edu.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Gregory Fields, PhD, professor in the College of Arts and Sciences’ Department of Philosophy, has joined a prestigious group of tenured faculty members, achieving the University’s highest academic rank of Distinguished Research Professor.

The distinction is awarded in recognition of significant contributions to research and creative activities. Fields is an active teacher-scholar whose work aims to help prevent the loss and neglect of indigenous languages, oral histories, literatures, philosophies and lifeways through active and scholarly engagement in the recovery and preservation of indigenous knowledge.

His research contributions incorporate content and methods from anthropology, history, philosophy, religious studies, ethnomusicology, languages and literature.

“Dr. Fields, through his multidisciplinary approach research, has produced an impressive body of work that preserves the language and culture of the Coastal Salish,” said Jerry Weinberg, PhD, associate provost for research and dean of the SIUE Graduate School. “His passion and expertise have earned him the trust and recognition of tribal elders, with whom he has worked directly, as well as national recognition among his peers. Dr. Fields, as an SIUE teacher-scholar, brings his remarkable work into his classes, which creates a richness to his teaching that is one of the hallmarks of SIUE.”

“It is a great honor to named among those colleagues whose work has been recognized by this award.” Fields said. “I will always be thankful to SIUE for making possible my work in Native American Studies and in digital humanities, areas of study that I am glad we can provide to our students. A faculty that is dynamic in research and creative activity creates a dynamic curriculum, and that is a major factor in SIUE’s being an outstanding university.”  

Fields has given 41 conference presentations and is the recipient of more than $130,000 in grant awards.  His current book project, the third in a trilogy representing three generations of Coast Salish culture bearers, has received support from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

He is a prolific writer, among whose works are two books with National Heritage Fellow Pauline Hillaire (Lummi Coast Salish): “Rights Remembered: A Salish Grandmother Speaks on American Indian History and the Future” in 2016, and “A Totem Pole History: The Work of Lummi Carver Joe Hillaire” in 2013. For each book, Fields produced an audio CD and DVD companion volume, distributed by the book’s publisher, the University of Nebraska Press.

 “Although recordings are no substitute for living teachers, they can advance cultural revitalization,” Fields explained. “Audio and video recordings offer a more culturally relevant means of preserving and transmitting the knowledge-systems of cultures that traditionally use the voice and the memory, rather than text, for this purpose. For research in fields such as linguistics, recordings have enormous value, especially as elder culture bearers and speakers of Native languages pass away.”

In 2017, Smithsonian Folkways Recordings released “Pacific Northwest Medicine Songs of the Four Seasons,” sung by Johnny Moses (Nuu-chah-nulth & Tulalip Coast Salish) and produced by Fields. The audio collection, nearly four hours of song and oral tradition, accompanied by a monograph and maps by Fields, will remain accessible in perpetuity.

Distinguished Professor of History at SUNY-Binghamton Thomas Dublin, PhD, noted, “Few scholars are able to present their work in such a distinguished venue, and at the same time, reach an extremely broad audience.”

“Fields has the best qualities of a scholar, and most importantly, he possesses endless curiosity,” added Atesh Sonneborn, PhD, associate director of the Smithsonian’s Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage, who worked with Fields for a decade to produce the Native Northwest audio collection. “His methodological process is well-framed, he perseveres until the best is done and he’s rigorously self-disciplined. Dr. Fields’ body of work as a whole reveals profound dedication to the educational mission writ large.”

Fields was selected as one of 40 international scholars to serve as an editor for the online archive “Women and Social Movements in Modern Empire since 1820,” a resource that aims to help restore the voices of women to the study of history. For this publication, Fields produced an archive of interlinked multimedia and textual material for the section “Native Women in North America,” along with an interpretive article.

Fields has been recognized for his scholarship, leadership and teaching skills by being awarded the SIUE Hoppe Research Professor Award for 2013-15, the Organizational Leadership Award from the Center for Sustainability and Spirituality at SIUE in 2009, and the SIUE Teaching Distinction Award in 2007. In addition, Fields has demonstrated an exemplary dedication to service at SIUE as evidenced by his membership in more than 20 committees and councils. 

Recipients of the Distinguished Research Professor honor are provided one semester of time devoted to research, along with a $1,000 increase in their academic year base salary. They also receive a medallion to be worn with their academic regalia, and their name is placed on a plaque displayed in Rendleman Hall on the SIUE campus.

Photos: SIUE College of Arts and Science’s Gregory Fields, PhD, has achieved the University’s highest academic rank of Distinguished Research Professor.

Lummi Coast Salish carver Felix Solomon (L) and SIUE’s Gregory Fields, PhD, (R) present at the Field Museum in Chicago. Photo credit: Jay Kemp, 2014

The City of Brighton invites local and regional business owners and entrepreneurs to meet the staff of the Illinois Metro East Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville to participate in one-on-one counseling sessions. The event runs from 10 a.m.-12 p.m., Friday, April 13 at the Brighton City Hall, located at 206 S. Main Street in Brighton.

Metro East SBDC Director Jo Ann Di Maggio May finds these open house events as an effective way to connect with the local business community.

“We always enjoy SBDC Community Days and truly appreciate Mayor Michael Roberts and Brighton serving as our host,” said Di Maggio May. “It truly takes a team effort to help small businesses survive and thrive.”

SBDC staff will be available to talk confidentially with business owners and entrepreneurs on a range of topics including, but not limited to:

• Business financing
• Marketing assistance
• Social media strategy
• Business plans
• Expansion opportunities
• Buying and selling a business
• State and federal regulations
• Exporting and international trade

The SBDC Day includes a one-hour “Small Business Lending” Workshop at noon, presented by Jeffrey Whitaker of 1^st MidAmerica Credit Union. Entrepreneurs and business owners are able to discover the valuable business resources offered by the SBDC.

Attendees who desire to meet privately with an SBDC counselor are encouraged to request a 30-minute appointment by calling 618-650-2929.

Di Maggio May and her staff plan to hold at least ten SBDC Days in 2018.

The Metro East SBDC assists entrepreneurs as well as existing business owners operating in the nine-county Metro East region of Calhoun, Jersey, Madison, Bond, Clinton, St. Clair, Washington, Monroe and Randolph. It enhances the region’s economic interests by providing one-stop assistance to individuals by means of counseling, training, research and advocacy for new ventures and existing small businesses.

SBDC’s in Illinois are funded, in part, through a cooperative agreement among the U.S. Small Business Administration, Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville as a service to the community. To learn how these no- cost services may help your business venture, contact the Metro East SBDC at (618) 650-2929 or sbdcedw@gmail.com.

In pursuit of a career as a mediator in the conflict resolution path, Red Bud’s Mattie Malone chose to pursue a bachelor’s in international studies from the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville College of Arts and Sciences. As a result, Malone has been competitively selected to represent the Council on Foreign Relations, St. Louis Committee, at the Young Leaders Congress being held June 13-16 in Washington, D.C.

Malone’s fascination with geography and the globe combined with a fierce commitment to achieving academic and extracurricular excellence has gained this regional recognition.

“Mattie certainly has a bright future,” said Sorin Nastasia, PhD, associate professor and international studies program director. “Her application for this opportunity highlighted her intellectual maturity and leadership skills developed through various academic and community activities, including study abroad.”

“Upon earning her degree in May, she will be well positioned for further graduate studies, as well as a career in regional, national or international settings,” he added. “I am certain she will take full advantage of the knowledge acquisition and networking opportunities at the Young Leaders Congress.”

A pilot program designed by the American Committees on Foreign Relations (ACFR) will comprise two days of foreign policy briefings and workshops hosted at and by the State Department, United States Institute of Peace and/or other D.C.-based foreign policy institutions.

“I am honored and thrilled for the opportunity to take part in this pilot program,” Malone said. “I thank Dr. Nastasia for his help in submitting my application and owe much of my success in the international studies program to him. The international studies program has allowed me to take classes from a variety of programs and gain a taste of what it is like to be in a field where nearly every specialty comes into play.”

“Additionally, I must give much credit to my sorority, Alpha Xi Delta, which has taught me how to act in professional situations, as well as good interview and simple communication skills,” she added.

ACFR is a non-profit organization dedicated to serving the U.S. national interest through energetic, face-to-face discourse between foreign policy practitioners and committee members. To this end, it organizes and supports a national conference and over 100 speaking events each year in Committee locations across the country.

Photo: Mattie Malone, SIUE international studies student has been competitively selected to attend the Young Leaders Congress in Washington, D.C. She stands alongside Sorin Nastasia, PhD, associate professor and international studies program director.

Approximately 60 young girls in Alton, Collinsville, Madison and Venice are learning the value of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) through an interactive after-school urban gardening program. The future leaders are gaining hands-on experience solving real-world problems.

The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Center for STEM Research, Education and Outreach is providing the programming, in partnership with the Madison County Housing Authority (MCHA) and the Mannie Jackson Center for the Humanities (MJCH).

The program builds on the MCHA’s Powered by Girls program by emphasizing plant science and offering students the opportunity to learn science-based urban garden techniques, such as composing and hydroponics, as well as a chance to beautify their communities and create a sustainable food source.

“This spring we are focusing on growing from seeds to full plants, and building raised bed and packaging plants,” said instructor Colin Wilson, manager of the SIUE STEM Resource Center. “This community partnership allows us to use resources efficiently, while reaching much of the region with our STEM education. This type of after-school program is exactly what’s been shown to increase student engagement and lifelong interest in STEM topics.”

“We are committed to assisting our young girls as they explore the possibility of a career in STEM,” added Marie Nelson, program director with the MCHA. “This program gives girls the opportunity to participate and develop their STEM skills in a relaxed, hands-on, fun environment. Even if a participant does not decide to become a scientist or an engineer, the critical thinking and problem-solving skills they develop will help them become successful in whatever field they choose.”

Participants are eager to learn and do their part to grow healthy fruits and vegetables in their own backyard.

“Learning about the environment is a good pleasure,” said Malia King, an 8^th grade student from Venice. “I always try to do whatever I can to help any plant or person.”

“Mr. Colin explains things step by step and we get to do hands-on projects,” added 5^th grade student Trinity Compton, of Venice. “I like this after-school program, because it influences me to do better things.”

“The MJCHF is proud to partner with the MCHA and the SIUE STEM Center, as SIUE has developed a proven reputation for its outreach programming in underrepresented and low-income areas,” said Dr. Ed Hightower, executive director of the MJCHF. “The MJCHF believes it has a moral obligation to foster positive interaction of youth through STEM and other educational opportunities. The Foundation’s focus is inclusiveness of youth of different cultures, races and ethnicities. Many of the youth served by the MJCHF reside in public low-income housing developments and live at or below the poverty level, with limited access to healthy STEM opportunities.”

The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Center for STEM Research, Education and Outreach comprises an independent group of researchers and educators, innovating ways to engage students and the public in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Within the SIUE Graduate School, the Center brings together research faculty, graduate students and practitioners to conduct education research. The Center contributes educational expertise to SIUE undergraduate classes and provides professional development for K-12 teachers. The Center boasts a significant library of equipment and resources, which are available for loan at no cost to campus and regional instructors. For more information, visit https://www.siue.edu/stem/about.shtml or contact STEM Center Director Sharon Locke at (618) 650-3065 or stemcenter@siue.edu.

Madison County Housing Authority Mission Statement: To provide safe, quality affordable housing to low income families in Madison County; and to promote personal responsibility and self-sufficiency of residents while maintaining the fiscal integrity of the agency.

Mannie Jackson Center for the Humanities Mission Statement: The MJCH conducts activities that promote mutual understanding and respect among people of different cultures, races, ethnicities, religions, and other distinctions; influence positive social change by transforming attitudes and perceptions towards greater acceptance, tolerance, and interaction among these groups; and ultimately remove barriers that hinder individuals and groups from realizing their aspirations and full potential.

Photos: SIUE STEM Resource Center Manager Colin Wilson instructs a group of girls from Venice as they gather soil samples during their after-school urban gardening program.

Second grade student Zylah Howard looks excitedly at the soil sample her group collected for a lesson on soil chemistry.

What is “hairism” and how do you counteract it? Makesha Harris, academic advisor at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, helped enlighten a group of people during her presentation, “#BlackHairMatters: Demystifying the Stereotypes of Black Hair, One Strand at a Time.” 

The Black Studies Program at SIUE sponsored Harris’s talk on Wednesday, March 28 in Lovejoy Library’s Friends Corner. 

 “A black woman’s hairstyling choices may lead to her feeling marginalized and shamed in higher education,” Harris said. “The stereotype of what is an acceptable hairstyle can deeply affect a black woman’s opportunity and identity within higher education.” 

Using the lens of Black Feminist Thought and Stereotype Threat as a framework, Harris gave voice to the lived experiences of a group of black women who are upper-class undergraduate and graduate students in higher education in the U.S. 

The research study, conducted as part of Harris’s dissertation research project, illustrated their experiences of how hair styling choices influenced their personal, career and social interactions. 

“Understanding the significance of ‘hairism’ to the positive development of student identity and sense of belonging is a timely issue facing higher education,” remarked Harris. 

“Through research, knowledge sharing, and building understanding, student affairs and higher education leaders are better positioned to combat discrimination, marginalization, and stereotypes in the college environment,” she continued. “It is the responsibility of higher education leaders to be aware of and acknowledge the relationship hair has to developing identities of black women, and to build strategies for addressing the stereotype threats on their campuses.” 

Photo: Makesha Harris, EdD, SIUE academic advisor.

Talking, listening, understanding and connecting across seemingly wide chasms of race and color, sexual orientation, religion, class and socio-economic status, among other things, are taking shape at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville with the help of the Sustained Dialogue (SD) Campus Network. 

“Sustained Dialogue seeks to transform relationships for the better through meaningful dialogue by creating a space for students to convey and exchange not just their opinions about contentious matters, but also the stories and life experiences behind others’ perspectives,” said Jessica Harris, PhD, interim assistant provost and SD program advisor, along with Bryan Jack, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Historical Studies and Tarsha Moore, advisor for Transition Programs and Outreach in the Office of Student Affairs. 

Harris, Moore and others presented the results of the SIUE Sustained Dialogue Program Pilot on Friday, March 30 in the Morris University Center’s Conference Center. 

“Careful attention to creating a learning space for dialogue makes it possible for people from different sides of an issue to learn the root causes of community problems and build better strategies to address these root causes with new allies,” continued Harris. 

SD is a public peace process, conceptualized by U.S. Diplomat Hal Saunders, from his experience in the Arab-Israeli peace process, including the Camp David Peace Accords and the Cold War dialogues of the1980s.  In 1999, Princeton students adapted SD to address identity-based tension, transform relationships across lines of difference and improve campus culture. 

The SD Campus Network is on 62 campuses worldwide, and SIUE is the only public university in Illinois included in the network. The University initiated SD because of students’ feelings of isolation and wanting solutions to campus tensions and conflicts, according to Harris. 

“SD began in 2017 as both a co-curricular and curricular pilot program for students,” said Moore. “The eight-week co-curricular program was voluntary and led by peer students. The eight-week curricular program was part of the freshman Honors courses and led by faculty.”

“SD is beneficial in that it helps to transform relationships,” added Moore. “It also super-charges conversations, empowers young adults to create change, supports conflict resolution, enhances diversity and more.” 

“When I first came to college, I had no idea what I was walking into,” said freshman Bree Marciniak, of Collinsville, who took part in the co-curricular course. “But I was relieved when I took part in this program and was able to open up and talk. We are all struggling with something. The classes taught me how to listen better. There is a difference between hearing and listening. Listening makes you grow.” 

“I wish this Sustained Dialogue had been available when I was a freshman,” said Austin Darling, a senior psychology major and SD moderator. “I came from a small town where there was no diversity, and I came to SIUE trying to find my identity as a gay, white male college student.” 

“I think SD should be mandatory for students,” said Terry (T.J.) Riggs, teaching assistant in Campus Recreation, who supervised the SD moderators. “It allows you to grow in a variety of ways. I learned more about the LGBTI community, which will be helpful because I have family members who are gay.” 

“What will SD look like in the long term at SIUE?” Harris asked the audience. “Should we require it for all students? I do not know. That is for us as a University community to decide, but we can start with continuing the SD co-curricular program.”

Photos:
Jessica Harris, PhD, interim assistant provost and SD program advisor, and Tarsha Moore, advisor for Transition Programs and Outreach in the Office of Student Affairs, led the presentation of the Sustained Dialogue (SD) Campus Network to the SIUE community on March 30. 

SIUE Chancellor Randy Pembrook engages in dialogue with David Groves, research assistant in the Department of Management and Marketing; Justin Hall, sophomore in the College of Arts and Sciences; and Jim Klenke, associate vice-chancellor for Student Affairs and dean of students. 

Participating in the discussion is Bryan Jack, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Historical Studies. Also shown are CAS freshmen (R-L) Bree Ann Marciniak, Maddison Schneider and Mahoggani Pickett.

Senator William “Bill” Haine (D-Alton) is being honored with Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Distinguished Service Award. SIUE will present the award during the University’s Spring 2018 Commencement to the life-long Alton resident, who has proudly served Madison County, the state of Illinois and the United States.

“Sen. Haine has been an enthusiastic advocate for both SIUE and the SIU School of Dental Medicine in Alton,” SIUE Chancellor Randy Pembrook said.

Haine is the senator for the Illinois 56th Senate district, which covers most of Madison County, including Alton, Wood River, Edwardsville and part of O’Fallon. After serving 14 years as Madison County state’s attorney, Haine was elected to the Illinois Senate in 2002. He began his public service on the Madison County Board in 1978 and has served more than 40 years in elected office.

Haine currently serves as assistant majority leader and is vice-chair of the Insurance Committee. He is the senior Democrat on the License Activities and Pensions Committees, as well as being a member of the Judiciary, Criminal Law and Veterans Affairs Committees. He also serves on the Governing Committee of the Legislative Reference Bureau. 

Haine’s commitment to the Metro East and its residents has been a hallmark of his tenure in public service. He helped pass a plan to update and fix the levee system in the Metro East. He made efforts toward key infrastructure upgrades on I-255. Additionally, he rallied the Illinois Senate to formally demand that Congress and the President review the national tariff policy on steel goods when U.S. Steel in Granite City announced it was going to close.

In the Senate, Haine was a leader in the implementation of medical malpractice litigation reforms with the strong support of the Illinois Medical Society. For his work, the Illinois Hospital Association presented their highest award –“Excellence in Public Service” – to him.

A strong voice for law enforcement while serving on the Senate Judiciary and Senate Criminal Law Committees, Haine was named “Public Official of the Year” by the Illinois Police Chiefs Association, and “Outstanding Legislator of the Year” by the Fraternal Order of Police and the Illinois State’s Attorneys Association.

Haine believes state funding is crucial to Illinois schools, and he secured funding for many buildings, such as the new science building and the residence halls at SIUE. He also secured state money for the construction of the new lab at the SIU School of Dental Medicine. He led the effort to obtain state funding for the operation of a City of Edwardsville Fire House on the SIUE campus.

Haine’s votes to increase the state income tax in 2011 and in 2017 assured state funding for university systems and for MAP grants to students. He was a strong and early supporter for the reform of the formula that allocates state money to public school districts.

Haine has served on the Dean’s Advisory Board for the SIU School of Dental Medicine. He also supported the University during the state budget crisis, fighting against potential cuts to higher education. 

Haine is a member of many organizations, including the Knights of Columbus and Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion Post 204, where he is a past commander, and the Alton Cemetery Board of Trustees.

Haine is a Saint Louis University alumnus who also earned a Juris Doctorate from SLU.

Photo: Sen. Bill Haine, recipient of SIUE’s 2018 Distinguished Service Award.

The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville College of Arts and Sciences’ International Studies program will host its second International Studies Day from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday, April 12 in the Morris University Center’s Meridian Ballroom.

The event is free and open to the public. It will feature prominent guests from such international and regional organizations as the United Nations, the World Affairs Council of St. Louis, the International Institute of St. Louis and the Council on Foreign Relations.

A panel discussion will include regional experts addressing international issues impacting our area, and another session will feature Ms. Nanayaa Kumi, associate talent outreach officer at the United Nations Secretariat in New York and Ms. Zephanii Smith, member of the National Council of the United Nations Association of the United States, discussing careers at the United Nations and international advocacy for sustainable development.

The keynote speaker will be Anwarul Karim Chowdhury, a career diplomat who has served as Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations, President of the UN Security Council, President of the UNICEF Board, UN Under-Secretary-General and Senior Special Advisor to the UN General Assembly President.

He has devoted many years as an inspirational champion for sustainable peace and development and ardently advancing the cause of the global movement for the culture of peace that has energized civil society all over the world. He will present the keynote address, “The United Nations – Essential or Irrelevant in Today’s World?” His presentation will be followed by a question and answer session and press conference.

“The second edition of International Studies Day is exciting because it provides exposure to a range of important topics and speakers,” said Sorin Nastasia, PhD, associate professor and international studies program director at SIUE. “International Studies Day is organized by SIUE’s international studies program, which has been in existence only since 2016 but has already had several significant accomplishments.”

“I am thrilled that the SIUE community and the general public will have the extraordinary opportunity to hear Ambassador Chowdhury speak about the scope and relevance of the United Nations,” Nastasia continued. “Ambassador Chowdhury’s legacy and leadership in advancing the best interest of the global community are related to such groundbreaking initiatives as UN Security Council Resolution 1325, which was adopted when he was the President of the Security Council, and recognized for the first time the role and contribution of women in the area of peace and security.”

International Studies Day at SIUE will include:

• 9:30-11 a.m. – International Issues Impacting our Region panel discussion
  • Panelists include representatives of the Council on Foreign Relations, St. Louis Committee; World Affairs Council of St. Louis; International Institute of St. Louis; and World Trade Center, St. Louis
• 11:15 a.m.-12:45 p.m. – Careers at the United Nations and International Advocacy for Sustainable Development
  • Presenters are Ms. Nanayaa Kumi, associate talent outreach officer, Office of Human Resources Management United Nations Secretariat, New York City, and Ms. Zephanii Smith, member of the National Council of the United Nations Association of the United States
• 1-3 pm. – “The United Nations – Essential or Irrelevant in Today’s World?” keynote address by Ambassador Anwarul Karim Chowdhury, followed by Q&A and a press conference
  • Ambassador Anwarul Karim Chowdhury is founder of the Global Movement for the Culture of Peace and a career diplomat who has served as Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations, President of the UN Security Council, President of the UNICEF Board, UN Under-Secretary-General and Senior Special Advisor to the UN General Assembly President
• 9 a.m.-3 p.m. - Informational Booths
  • SIUE departments and programs, student organizations, and the Offices of International Affairs and Diversity and Inclusion, along with the International Institute of St. Louis, European Studies Center at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, the Institute for International Education and the Peach Corps
• 3-5 p m. – Film Screening: “I am From Chile” by director Gonzalo Diaz Ugarte
  • This coming of age immigration story, drawing from the director’s personal experiences, has received several awards at international film festivals

Food and refreshments will be served throughout the day. Participants in all activities will be entered in a prize drawing.

International Studies Day is supported in part by the College of Arts and Sciences’ Targeted Funding Initiative. The program utilizes funding acquired through the College’s Winter Session courses and is supplemented with other internal CAS funds. Now in its third year, the 2018 CAS TFI funded 36 projects totaling $200,000.

For more information on International Studies Day and SIUE’s international studies program, visit siue.edu/artsandsciences/internationalstudies/.

Photos: Former UN Ambassador Anwarul Karim Chowdhury will present the keynote address, “The United Nations – Essential or Irrelevant in Today’s World?” during SIUE’s International Studies Day on Thursday, April 12.

International flags hanging at SIUE.