The last day of the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Center Upward Bound (UB) EC/BEM summer program was fun, enlightening, and packed with a video game demonstration, a successful blood drive, a step show and a luncheon awards ceremony. 

“We wanted to plan a day that would showcase our students’ talents, give them an opportunity for community service, acknowledge the hard work they’ve done, and have fun and fellowship with students and parents,” said Keith Ware, EdD, UB program director. 

UB is a federally funded college preparatory program for students at the following high schools: East St. Louis and Cahokia (EC), Brooklyn, SIUE East St. Louis Charter High School and Madison (BEM). 

One of the areas of study that students enjoyed the most this summer was science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), according to Akiya Perry, UB science tutor/counselor. UB students displayed their STEM skills with the various video games they created, designed and demonstrated. 

Another STEM-related subject that students studied was blood and how it is processed for storage, noted Perry. 

“Students in my community service project class were talking about what we could do as a student body to reach the community,” she continued. “We began talking about the components of a blood drive as a way to connect the community with science. They thought it would be good to host a blood drive.” 

“At first I was skeptical about donating blood,” said 16-year-old UB student Shakirah Robertson, who donated blood. “But then we learned about the process. We got to visit the Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center, see how blood is separated and stored, and how it can help save people.” 

UB students decided to host a blood drive on the East St. Louis campus conducted by the Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center, and set a goal of collecting 20 units of blood.

“We collected 27 units of blood,” exclaimed Perry, blood drive coordinator. “Mississippi Valley Regional Center representatives said it was amazing that we collected so much our first time and for us being in a predominantly African American area.” 

“The blood drive had more participants from the community than was expected,” added Ware, “because of the due diligence of Ms. Perry and her class canvassing the community.” 

UB is an incredible program, offered Nykia Lewis, of East St. Louis and parent of UB student Nore Smith. Lewis was one of many parents who attended the luncheon awards. Her daughter, a junior at East St. Louis Senior High School with a 3.8 GPA, received awards for Best in Class and Participation. 

“UB is a program that all students should participate in,” commented Lewis. “Nore has been a part of Upward Bound since the ninth grade, and she goes year-round. Upward Bound affords opportunities that parents like myself cannot provide, and the staff is amazing.” 

Smith, along with a group of UB students and staff, left on Sunday, July 21 on a college and exploratory trip to Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Virginia.  They return Friday, July 25. 

“Upward Bound is a great program, and they treat everybody equally. It is like a family,” said Smith. “We get a chance to know one another, and we look up to the staff like members of our family.” 

Other categories for the honors ceremony included participation, leadership and the Director’s Award. Only one student received the Director’s Award, Tyrese Mosley, of Cahokia. Mosley was selected for being a stellar example of an Upward Bound student, according to Perry. 

The SIUE Upward Bound EC/BEM program helps youth prepare for higher education and serves students from East St. Louis and Cahokia (EC), and Brooklyn, East St. Louis Charter and Madison (BEM), High Schools. Participants receive instruction in literature, composition and STEM subjects on college campuses after school, on Saturdays and during the summer. The quality services provided will prepare the students for successful high school completion and entrance into post-secondary programs. Upward Bound is a college-preparatory program designed to serve low-income and/or potential first-generation college students who are currently in grades 9-12. 

Photos:
Smiling for their recent accomplishments are SIUE Upward Bound students (L-R front row) Trista Mazyun, Wykila Little and Ta’Korie Carter. UB staff offering support are (L-R back row) Victoria Valle, Gary Traylor, Chris Cooper and Jay Hubert. 

Nykia Lewis, of East St. Louis, (right) applauds the UB program for its tremendous work with students. Pictured also is her daughter, Nore Smith. 

Akiya Perry, UB science tutor/counselor, (center) helped coordinated the program’s first blood drive with Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center staff.

With movie scores from “Star Wars,” “Jurassic Park” and “Shrek,” to musical numbers like “Just My Imagination,” “Girl on Fire” and “Hedwig’s Theme (1992),” students from the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Performing Arts Summer Enrichment Program displayed Hollywood-inspired entertainment on Friday, July 19.  

Family and friends packed the East St. Louis Senior High School auditorium for the Performing Arts students’ annual summer-end concert. Throughout the show, students age 7-17, thrilled the audience with their talent and hard work in Dunham Technique, West African, jazz and hip-hop dance, and on the piano, guitar, violin and chimes. 

“The students and staff worked hard to give a first-rate performance,” said Jack Williams, Performing Arts coordinator, “and I’m glad to say we accomplished our goal.” 

“The students were impressive,” said audience member Venis Manuel. “The program is invaluable and has a long history of providing top-notch exposure to the arts, which has been so helpful to our children. The staff is also great and dedicated to the students.” Manuel is the mother of Venezia Manuel, Performing Arts contemporary/jazz dance instructor and longtime program participant. 

Other summer instructors included Mary Jo Pembrook, PhD, piano/chimes and music coordinator; Esau Toombs, band; Gerald Babatunde Williams, West African drumming and dance; Ta’Shayla Montgomery, ballet and contemporary jazz; McKinley Smith, hip hop; Dan Bearden, guitar; Cece Villegas, violin; and Gail Smith, choir. 

The SIUE East St. Louis Center for the Performing Arts has a long, rich history. The legendary dancer, anthropologist, and social activist Katherine Dunham founded the Center for Performing Arts at the SIUE East St. Louis Center in 1964. At its peak in the 1990s, the East St. Louis Center for the Performing Arts provided year-round instruction to more than 1,000 youth and became a training ground for professional artists of all disciplines. For decades, the East St. Louis Center for the Performing Arts provided performing arts classes to students and community members to develop local talent and to cultivate a love of the arts. Classes often culminated in musical and theatrical productions. After a four-year hiatus, the Performing Arts Program was brought back in 2015. 

Photos:
Students from SIUE East St. Louis Performing Arts closed out their summer program with a stellar performance. 

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville will receive $5.7-million to fund three special projects, including replacement of the sand filters and a digester lid at the Waste Water Treatment Plant, water valve replacement across the Edwardsville and Alton campuses, and a renovation and expansion of the campus greenhouse. The projects will be managed by the Illinois Capital Development Board (CDB) in conjunction with SIUE Facilities Management.

The Waste Water Treatment Plant’s digester lid and sand filter replacement will account for $1.16-million from the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) and the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget (GOMB). The digester, which has rusted and requires a new lid, is the primary device that breaks down solids at the sewer plant. The sand filters remove excess solids and are beyond their life expectancy.

“If the filters failed, the plant would need to be shut down and cause the campus to close,” said Craig Holan, SIUE director of facilities. “We absolutely want to avoid that.”

An additional $2.5-million from IBHE and GOMB will support the on-going water valve replacement project, which will replace the remaining water valves, fire hydrants and main distribution pumps within the Water Distribution System on the Edwardsville and Alton campuses. While many of the original equipment valves and hydrants have already been updated, this replaces the remaining valves, hydrants and related equipment.

“The project increases fire-fighting safety on the campuses and allows for more efficient repairs of water line breaks or leaks by having strategically located and properly functioning shut-off valves,” said Rich Walker, SIUE vice chancellor for administration.

The GOMB will provide $2-million for the greenhouse renovation and expansion. This is the final component of the Science Complex, which included renovation of the original Science East building and construction of the new Science West building. The project includes renovating the existing 1,500-square foot greenhouse, adding a 1,500-square foot wing and building a 600-square foot head house to serve as a workspace and control center.

“The renovated and enlarged facility will enable departments to perform research, and use state-of-the-art systems and controls to create and sustain four distinct plant environments: tropical, temperate, desert and cool room,” Walker said.

The SIUE Departments of Biological Sciences and Environmental Sciences, housed in the College of Arts and Sciences, will utilize the facility.

The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Business is hosting 15 German students from its partner institute, Hochschule Hannover, for its intensive Summer Financial Institute (SFI) being held June 30-Aug. 3. The five-week program is designed to educate the visiting students with a basic understanding of North American financial and managerial accounting, corporate finance, and duties and taxes.

“This program was initiated by faculty at Hochschule Hannover who saw it as a valuable educational opportunity for their students working in the automobile industry,” said Kristine Jarden, director of Executive Education in the SIUE School of Business. “Through participation in this program, students are able to gain the North American perspective on finance and accounting, and apply it to the multinational companies for which they work.”

The program is jointly organized by Executive Education and International Programs. The visiting students are completing their academic program in technical marketing and sales. Their participation in the SFI is funded by their respective employers, including Continental Tire, Krauss Maffei, Volkswagen, Johnson Controls and KSM Castings.

“Learning finance and seeing how the American perspective is different from our German perspective is enriching our education,” said Kristoffer Schweizer, a third-year student at Hochschule Hannover. “The program is intense, but well-prepared. I work for Continental Tire, and want to continue working there. Therefore, it’s very important to get as much information as possible from this experience. Every day the company has to make decisions, and all of them are somehow based in finance.”

“It’s quite important for us to understand our colleagues over here in America, because they’re using different systems,” added Julia Triesch, a third-year student at Hochschule Hannover, who also works for Continental Tire. “This is a completely new experience for us, and I thought it may be a bit challenging. But, we are learning together and our group has been getting along well.”

Participating School of Business faculty include Rakesh Bharati, Brad Reed and Steve Brant. Additionally, Yuping Zeng is directing an automotive manufacturing management simulation for the participants. During the SFI, the students will participate in site visits to Continental Tire in Mt. Vernon and Bayer in St. Louis.

“I’ve been involved in this program for more than a decade, and the quality of students seems to increase each year,” noted Bharati, professor and chair of the Department of Economics and Finance. “They’re disciplined, complete the mathematical aspects of the courses well, and ask great questions. All of us instructors bring in the American perspective and help the students understand certain jargon. We all also have extensive experience in teaching and industry, which allows us to relate to their business environment.”

Photos: The SIUE School of Business is hosting 15 German students from Hochschule Hannover for its annual Summer Financial Institute. Alongside the participants (front left) is SIUE’s Dr. Rakesh Bharati.

Visiting German students (L-R) Kristoffer Schweizer and Julia Triesch engage with SIUE finance professor Dr. Rakesh Bharati while on campus for the School of Business’s Summer Financial Institute.

Team Illinois Youth Police Camp, which meets on the campus of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, had its largest graduating class this year. 

The 15^th annual residency program was held from Sunday, July 14-Saturday, July 20. The camp offers guidance and support to youth, ages 13-17, who are under many societal pressures. It is coordinated by the Illinois State Police (ISP) and hosted in partnership with SIUE Police and other Metro East agencies. Forty officers participated in the weeklong camp. 

“We graduated 74 youth on Saturday,” said ISP Trooper Calvin Dye Jr. “We want the kids to leave camp with increased discipline, structure and self-respect.” 

“The camp is military structured, with no technology or electronics for the whole week,” continued Dye. “We told the young people that we understand this camp is hard, but life is hard. You have to be able to meet challenges and persevere in the face of obstacles.” 

The camp consisted of classes and fun activities, according to the trooper. Some topics covered included:

• Tips on interviewing skills
• Gangs and drugs
• Internet safety, including cyberbulling
• Making good life choices 

“I’ve been involved with the Youth Camp for the past 15 years, and it has a positive effect on

many,” noted Dye. “It’s rewarding when I’m out and hear someone call my name, and I have no idea who they are. Then they say they went to the camp, and I see them working on a good job, or they tell me they are doing well in life.” 

 “Over the past 15 years, several kids have gone on to graduate from SIUE,” said Dye. “For many of the youth, SIUE is the first college campus they have visited. We also have students who have graduated from other colleges and universities, and who have gone through the military.” 

Photos:
L-R: ISP Master Sergeant Elbert Jennings and Milon Dowell, of Collinsville, play pool at Cougar Lanes on the SIUE campus. 

L-R: Rickie Wehrle, of Mulberry Grove, and Jubilee Blazich-West, of Mattoon, prepare to bowl at SIUE’s Cougar Lanes.

A fierce commitment to lifelong learning, a strategic management approach and a strong passion for seeking opportunities for intellectual engagement are just a few of the attributes that have helped Southern Illinois University Edwardsville alumna Ronda Sauget achieve significant professional success.

Sauget, executive director and CEO of the Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois, is among 25 regional influencers named to the St. Louis Business Journal’s Most Influential Business Women Class of 2019. The elite group of honorees was identified from a competitive pool of 240 nominations spanning diverse industries, nonprofits and communities.

“I am honored and humbled by this wonderful recognition,” said Sauget. “I thank the many people who nominated me for this impressive award for their work and faith in the combined regional initiatives we are completing as a team. This shared recognition belongs to all who work incredibly hard to make Southwestern Illinois such a great place to live, work and raise our families. It is truly a pleasure to build positive awareness of our region.”

In her role as executive director and CEO of the Leadership Council SWIL, Sauget is responsible for identifying and mobilizing leaders in business, industry, labor, education and government, and building effective partnerships to address regional economic development issues, often playing a leadership role in advancing those initiatives that top the Leadership Council’s priority list.

“The mission of the Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois is to “unite the region for growth” in a professional, integrity-driven manner across all communities,” Sauget explained. “We strive to bring diverse groups of people and businesses together for the mutually beneficial enhancement of regional economic and workforce development activities.”

Sauget’s c-level strategic management and competitive intelligence activities are grounded in a substantial foundation of higher education. Sauget earned both a bachelor’s and master’s in business administration from SIUE in 1993 and 1998, respectively.

“After evaluating higher education options, SIUE was the at the top of my list,” Sauget said. “The educational programs, accreditation status and experienced faculty were attractive. My grounded scholarly foundation combined with engaged practical experience have enabled me to address corporate crisis situations with successful competitive positioning strategies for domestic and international companies, institutions and governmental organizations.”

Sauget emulates the advice she shares with aspiring female leaders: “Let the work you do speak for you.” Her primary tips for leading a high-achieving, fulfilling life and career include:

• Learn from success, and also challenges and how to overcome them
• Develop a professional network with leaders from whom you can learn and turn to for honest advice
• Surround yourself with trustworthy, integrity-driven people who motivate and inspire you
• Strive to be an innovative, forward thinker every day
• Seek intellectual engagement to expand cultural and personal enrichment

The BizJournal will recognize its Most Influential Business Women Class of 2019 in an exclusive section on Friday, Aug. 9. A luncheon will be held that same day for the honorees at America’s Center in St. Louis.

 Photo: SIUE alumna Ronda Sauget, executive director and CEO of the Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois, has been named to the Most Influential Business Women Class of 2019.

After researching the program, Neshay Sanders thought it was too good to be true, and while she was nervous about leaving home, the Chicago native knew she could not pass up a chance to be part of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s inaugural Summer Success Program. 

“This is such a great program. You get six credit hours for free,” exclaimed Sanders. “SIUE has put $3,411.00 into me, and I’m so appreciative.” 

Sanders is one of 24 incoming SIUE freshmen taking part in the University’s residential Summer Success Program that runs from July 7-Aug. 9. The freshmen are housed in Bluff Hall. 

“The goal of the program is to help first-generation college students be successful in the transition from high school to college,” said Fannie Acoff, program coordinator for Pre-Collegiate Programs in the Office of Retention and Student Success. “We are here to introduce students to campus resources and provide an early start to life as a college student.” 

Makesha Lee Harris, EdD, assistant director for Pre-Collegiate Programs, devised and designed the program. 

The students attend two classes Monday-Friday. All students take Applied Communication Studies 101: Public Speaking in the morning. Afterwards, students participate in Lunch and Learn seminars that bring in speakers from across campus to introduce such services as the Career Development Center, Counseling Services and Accessible Campus Community & Equitable Student Support (ACCESS). 

During the afternoon, students are enrolled in either English or Quantitative Reasoning 101, depending on their intended major. Weekends are reserved for community building activities such as hiking at Cahokia Mounds, attending the SIUE Theater production of “Mamma Mia!” and community service projects. 

“The program is very difficult and stressful. It’s a lot of work,” said Emma Jane (E.J.) Davis, of Kansas City, Mo. “There is a lot of content in a short amount of time. We complete a semester in five weeks, but the faculty is really helpful, and we do have mandatory tutoring.” 

“I questioned whether I should spend my last 1 ½ months of summer away from home, doing school work,” recalled Davis. “But I realized it was an opportunity to which I couldn’t say no.” 

“By participating in this intensive five-week program, the students not only play an important role in their personal development,” said Harris, “but they play a vital role in the continuous development of the program and success of the University.” 

“This program was a great way for me to start my college career. If it weren’t for this program, starting classes this fall would have been very confusing,” said Allen Williams, of East St. Louis. “I’ve learned a lot about the campus. I am keeping pace with the program’s schedule. It’s long and difficult, but I can manage it. 

Getting to know each other is another plus many students agreed on. 

“Bonding with my peers has gone well. I think they chose a very good group of people,” said Sanders. “Everyone is well mannered and approachable, and the staff has been wonderful.” 

“We are here to be an advocate for the students and promote the whole-being concept of spiritual, intellectual, social, occupational, physical and psychological development,” remarked Harris. “With the support of many different campus constituents, we are able to provide efficient delivery of services and help the students obtain their educational goals.” 

Photos:
SIUE Summer Success Program students and staff enjoy a day on campus.  

Dr. Tyler Phelps, interim director for the Office of Retention and Student Success, gives the presentation, “Why Am I Here?” to Summer Success students.

The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Business Executive Education program is excited to announce its upcoming professional development courses and workshops.

Excel Fundamentals
Friday, September 20
Fee:  $125
8 a.m.-12 p.m.
SIUE Main Campus – Engineering Building                                                                     

Are you proficient in Excel? Maintaining and creating spreadsheets is a requirement for almost every office job. This short, hands-on workshop teaches the basic and most essential skills needed to maintain workbooks. Topics include:

• Spreadsheet basics
• Creating worksheets from scratch
• Formatting features and tricks
• Creating formulas
• Using functions
• Page layout options
• Shortcuts and tricks

Intermediate Excel
Friday, September 27
Fee:  $125
8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
SIUE Main Campus – Lovejoy Library Building      

80% of the workforce uses Excel. Are you getting the most out of this tool? There are so many different shortcuts and features that can help you to analyze and track data. Designed for the intermediate Excel user, our Excel Productivity Tips class demonstrates hands-on some of the best features Excel has to offer. Topics include:

• Conditional formatting
• Quick analysis
• Flash fill
• Absolute cell referencing
• Range names
• If function
• Lookup functions
• Goal seek

Advanced Excel
Friday, October 18
Fee:  $125
8 a.m.-12 p.m.
SIUE Main Campus – Engineering Building                                                                    

Learn how to make the most of Excel tools and turn yourself into a guru. This hands-on course helps users efficiently audit and analyze worksheet data, utilize data tools, and create and manage macros. Topics include:

• Index/Match functions
• Scenarios
• Consolidating data
• Pivot tables and charts
• Creating macros

Excel Expert
Friday, October 25
Fee:  $125
8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
SIUE Main Campus – Lovejoy Library Building

This workshop is designed to provide an in-depth understanding of Excel’s Advanced tools and features. Learn how to create a data form to control data input and collect user information with more flexibility. Understand the Data Model approach for integrating data from multiple tables in Excel. Learn how to connect to a new external data source and create a PivotTable using an external data connection. You’ll also use PivotTables to analyze data in multiple tables and Learn how to create relationships between tables. Finally, you’ll learn how to use the data analysis add on Power View to explore, visualize, and present data that encourages ad-hoc reporting.

Topics include:

• Create a form using a variety of controls
• Create and manipulate a Power View sheet
• Analyze data using multiple tables

PMP Prep - Foundations of Project Management
5 Fridays, September 20, 27, October 11, 18 and 25
Fee:  $1,485
8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
SIUE Main Campus – Morris University Center          

Learn the basics and best practices of project management and prepare for the PMP® certification, using the newest version of the PMBOK.  Successful completion awards the 35 educational hours required for the PMP® certification exam. (Exam taken separately)

Agile Bootcamp
Thursday and Friday, October 17-18
Fee:  $475
8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
SIUE Main Campus – Morris University Center        

Don't do Agile - BE Agile: An introduction to Agile using the Scrum Framework

Why Agile? Learn the differences between Agile frameworks and the Waterfall methodology. Understand the Agile Manifesto and the principles behind it.

What is Scrum? Learn how to use Scrum and the first steps to take to begin an Agile transformation in your organization.

This two-day workshop will guide you through the Scrum roles, events and artifacts. You’ll learn how to use relative estimation, write user stories and plan Sprints through a combination of lecture, videos, and hands-on exercises.

Agile Certified Practitioner (ACP) Certification Prep Course
Wednesday-Friday, October 23-25
Fee:  $895
8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
SIUE Main Campus – Morris University Center         

Companies are adopting agile frameworks for project management to improve customer satisfaction, increase team performance and instill continuous improvement. The Agile Certified Practitioner (ACP) is one of the newest certifications offered by PMI. Given this certification is the largest growing of any professional, project management certifications, it is expected to become the industry standard certification for agile over the next few years. This PMI-ACP exam prep course is designed to teach you the principles and practices of agile, including Scrum, Kanban, XP and Lean.

This three-day course satisfies the 21 contact hour requirements for the PMI-ACP exam with individualized attention. The instructor incorporates adult learner best practices, situational learning examples and real world practical agile knowledge to maximize the impact of the learning materials. 

This course will benefit anyone interested in agile framework project management methods, including those fulfilling roles like:

• Product owners and business stakeholders
• Agile team member practitioners
• Engineers, analysts, developers and testers
• Scrum masters and project managers
• Agile coaches
• Portfolio managers and program managers
• General business subject matter experts
• All levels of management
• College and university instructors, professors and department chairs

To register, call Kristine Jarden at 618-650-2668 or Deanna Lotter at 618-650-5440, or visit: http://www.siue.edu/business/executive-education/index.shtml

The City of Highland is pleased to bring the valuable small business expertise of the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for the Metro East at SIUE to area entrepreneurs and business owners.

On Thursday, Aug. 22, entrepreneurs throughout the region are encouraged to attend the “Starting a Small Business in Illinois” workshop presented by SBDC Small Business Specialist Marti Wieland. The workshop will be held from 12-1:30 p.m. at Highland City Hall, 1115 Broadway.

Advanced registration is highly recommended. To register and pay the $10 attendance fee, please visit https://ilsbdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/31463

Illinois SBDC for the Metro East at SIUE Director Jo Ann Di Maggio May finds these workshops an effective way to connect with the local business community.

“We always enjoy assisting entrepreneurs and providing workshop opportunities,” said Di Maggio May. “We truly appreciate Economic and Business Recruitment Coordinator Mallord Hubbard and the City of Highland for serving as our host. It takes a team effort to help small businesses survive and thrive.”

Staff from the Illinois SBDC for the Metro East at SIUE are available by appointment 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
• Human Resource support

The SBDC for the Metro East 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.

From investigating forensic evidence and building, coding and battling robots to getting an up-close look at incredible birds of prey like owls and hawks, students attending the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville STEM Center’s Odyssey Science Camp are becoming enthralled with the possibilities of a future in STEM.

Odyssey Science Camp has a long history of engaging young learners entering grades 2-7 through hands-on activities and thrilling STEM experiences, in order to inspire and ignite a passion for continued exploration. The SIUE STEM Center’s 2019 camp, held July 15-26, transformed participants into explorers, voyagers, math movers and shakers, super sleuths, and geared up robot experts.

“It’s important for kids to experience the many components of STEM to help them decide what they may like best when they get older,” said camp director Elizabeth Knierim. “Engaging kids in science at a young age helps them develop a natural passion. At camp, they get to learn and investigate and then apply concepts. We offer opportunities that are different from their school experience.”

The Super Sleuths group learned “crime” investigation techniques like collecting evidence, fingerprinting and handwriting analysis. Campers in the Geared Up section built and programmed robots, which then competed in a tug of war contest.

“I’ve been coming since Odyssey 1,” said seventh grade student Laura Slater, of Glen Carbon. “This year, I’m working with robots. I love camp, because we’re not just in the classroom watching someone teach all day. We get to play games and build things. It’s great!”

“This is my first year attending, and I’m glad I came, because I like math and science,” said fifth grade student Katie Hellrung, of Troy. “Today, we’re working on chromatography and analyzing black ink.”

Younger students in the Explorers class dissected owl pellets. Then, they enjoyed a special visit from Treehouse Wildlife Center Education Coordinator Jeff Capps, Buddy the Screech Owl, Aspen the Kestrel and Cirrus the Red-tailed Hawk.

“I wanted to come to camp, because my brother really liked when he went, and I like science a lot,” said third-grade student Grant Johnson, of Edwardsville. “I’ve dissected owl pellets. We made a ping pong ball launcher using Bernoulli’s Equation, and we learned about other birds. I knew if you touched a bird the mother wouldn’t take care of it, but I didn’t know they could imprint you.”

Odyssey Science Camp also offered participants two recreational periods daily with options of swimming, board games and nature walks.

Photos: (L-R) Kate Piche and Cate Dorsey, both of Edwardsville, test mystery powders during Odyssey Science Camp.

(L-R) Vimal Buckley, of Clayton, MO, and Xavier Wilson, of Glen Carbon, work intently to build their robot.

Sophie Uder, of Edwardsville, uses a microscope to view evidence.

Will Cameron, of Glen Carbon, launches a rocket he made during Odyssey Science Camp. Working alongside him is Candi Johnson with the SIUE STEM Center.

Success in the highly competitive building industry requires exceptional leadership, management and communication skills. The innovative Construction Leadership Institute (CLI) has packaged those skills into a convenient, accelerated nine-week program beginning Jan. 10, 2020 on the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville campus. SIUE is now accepting registrations for the 2020 session of this highly popular program. 

During the course of its 16-year history, CLI has seen many of its more than 400 graduates advance to prominent positions across the building industry. The 2020 CLI will convene on nine-consecutive Fridays from 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. beginning Jan. 10-March 6. CLI is a joint program of the SIUE School of Business and the School of Engineering’s Department of Construction.

“Our mission is to improve the processes and outcomes of the building industry by preparing the next generation of leaders,” said Chris Gordon, CLI co-director and associate dean in the SIUE School of Engineering.  “In pursuing its mission, the Construction Leadership Institute has prepared professionals from over 100 firms to serve in leadership roles across the St. Louis regional building industry.”

The curriculum is designed to develop and hone leadership, as well as effective communication and presentation skills. Other segments focus on crucial professional skills such as strategic thinking, networking, negotiation, team building, finance, construction contracts, insurance and bonding, risk management, and conflict management. The instructional team includes building industry professionals and subject matter experts. 

Attendees also will explore innovative project delivery approaches and become attuned to emerging opportunities and challenges impacting the industry. The final session of the program features a panel of building industry leaders sharing their strategies for success. 

“This program provides skills and experiences necessary to advance as an emerging leader in the industry,” said Kristine Jarden, CLI co-director and director of executive education in SIUE’s School of Business.

Early registration is available through Tuesday, Oct. 15, at a cost of $2,950. Beginning Wednesday, Oct. 16, registration is $3,150 per person. The registration deadline is Friday, Nov. 1.

To register, call Kristine Jarden at 618-650-2668 or visit siue.edu/cli.         

It was a career activity of a slightly different kind. Students sat at tables as the interviewers, asking questions of doctors, nurses, lawyers, judges, engineers, educators, entrepreneurs and more. 

Thirty-one students and 35 professionals participated in a Career Day hosted by the SIUE East St. Louis Center Upward Bound’s Math and Science (UBMS) Cahokia-Madison and Scholar’s Academy programs from 1-3 p.m. Tuesday, July 23 in Bluff Hall. 

• “Who helped you go to college?”
• “Did you know someone growing up who worked in your career?”
• “What is the best and hardest part of your job?”
• What do I need to do in terms of education, internships and volunteering to obtain a position similar to yours? 

For 15 minutes, three to four students sat at tables and peppered professionals with these questions and more. After the buzzer sounded, students visited another one of the 11 tables. Students had their choice of selecting four tables during the brief, informative sessions. The Career Day ended with a 30 minute Q&A with all 35 professionals. 

“Caring for patients who are not able to get healthier is one of the hardest parts of my job,” said Jerrica Ampadu, PhD, RN, assistant professor in the SIUE School of Nursing and diversity and inclusion coordinator. “Still, even death is part of the nursing process – helping patients and family through the stages.” 

“I always wanted to be a teacher,” said Melissa Schuchart, with the St. Louis County Special School District. “I worked at an alternative school and from there became interested in special education. Your career path may not always be a straight one.”

“My career path chose me. I was recruited,” said Major DeBarry, director of Business Development at St. Louis Community Credit Union. “As an African American, I felt an obligation to give back to the community. I also wanted to show others that they can succeed in the area of business and finance.” 

“I love my job. It’s different every day, and I get to help people,” said SIUE alumna and Chief Judge Maurine Schulte, of the Madison County Family Court Division. Schulte earned a bachelor’s in government from SIUE in 1984. 

UBMS student Taylor Brooks, a junior at Cahokia High School, enjoyed the law enforcement and medical tables. “I’m leaning toward the medical field,” she replied. “I’m interested in becoming a cardio vascular surgeon. My father’s side of the family has heart problems.” 

UB Scholar’s Academy student Charles Aaron, a junior at East St. Louis Senior High School, came to Career Day to learn more about civil engineering. “I want to be a civil engineer. I’m good in math,” admitted Aaron. “Today, I learned I need to take certain subjects like pre-calculus and chemistry.”      

“In addition to all of the incredible array of careers that were present, I was pleased to see so many SIUE professional faculty and staff step up and share their personal journeys with our students!” said Desiree Tyus, UBMS program director. “Our students were able to engage in meaningful conversations with SIUE Dean of School of Pharmacy Matt Luer, PharmD, Executive Director of Audits Kimberly Labonte, Facilities Manager Director Craig Holan, Purchasing Department’s Business Enterprise Associate Tara Raburn, General Counselor Associate Jennifer Wagner, SOP Student Advisor Jazmin Pitts and SIUE Director of Military and Veteran Services Kevin Wathen.” 

“Career day was a success! Scholars were able to have intimate conversations with professionals in various careers,” said Yvonne Hart, program director of UB Scholar’s Academy. “One of my scholars was extended an internship opportunity.” 

Photos:
Upward Bound Math and Science and Scholar’s Academy program students talk with area professionals from numerous careers.

There were applauds, shouts and cries of exaltations for jobs well done – and expectation of what is to come. Students in the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Center Upward Bound Math and Science (UBMS) Cahokia-Madison and Upward Bound Scholar’s Academy (UBSA) were awarded with medals, ribbons and trophies acknowledging their commitment to and participation in the programs during a ceremony held Thursday, July 25 in Bluff Hall. 

“We wanted to celebrate students’ entire college-going experience from academic recognitions, character awards and highest attendance,” said Desiree Tyus, program director of UBMS (CM). “At this annual culminating program, families are invited to see their child showcase what they have learned, such as biology, chemistry, earth science, Spanish and more.” 

“Participants learned the importance of public speaking, introducing themselves, reiterating questions, and clearly enunciating their point,” added Tyus. 

Students also enjoyed such experiences as meeting with Darryl Cherry, Student Opportunities for Academic Results (SOAR) retention coordinator, and taking a behind-the-scenes science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM)-related tour of the St. Louis Zoo.   

During the awards and culmination program, staff were also offered praise for their hard work during the summer. 

“Our staff was treated to a surprise student-created video that commemorated their gratitude,” noted Tyus. “We had a fun and fruitful time this summer and we expect our students to do well this fall.”   

The SIUE Upward Bound Math & Science (CM) program helps youth prepare for higher education and serves students from both Cahokia and Madison High Schools. Participants receive instruction in literature, advanced mathematics and science during the school day, homework assistance and hands-on STEM workshops twice a week after school, and cultural, career and college preparation on Saturdays. During the summer students participate in a six-week residential program that allows participants to reside on Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s campus and undergo college preparedness. Services provided prepare students for successful high school completion and entrance into post-secondary programs. The program is designed to serve low-income and/or potential first-generation college students who are currently in grades 9-12. 

Upward Bound Scholars Academy (UBSA) is a TRIO program federally funded by the U.S. Department of Education. UBSA serves high school students from low-income families, and high school students from families in which neither parent holds a bachelor’s degree. The goal of Upward Bound is to increase the rate at which participants complete secondary education and enroll in and graduate from institutions of postsecondary education. 

Photo:
Upward Bound Math and Science and Scholars Academy students celebrate the culmination of their summer college-preparatory program.

The Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for the Metro East at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville celebrates Sweet Katie Bees’ July expansion to a new location at 131 E. First St. in O’Fallon.

Owners Kate Hendrix and her daughter, Beth, are delighted to take their business to new heights by offering customers inclusive options for treats and coffee, as well as breakfast and lunch.

“We are enthusiastic about this move, and we are optimistic for the future,” Beth Hendrix shared. “We are thrilled to share our expanded offerings with our fantastic customers in O’Fallon’s flourishing downtown area.”

Opening a bakery was always on the Hendrix’s bucket list, and the success of Sweet Katie Bees has been a dream come true. The business started small for a reason: to provide customers with sustainability through local and organic goods, while also making accommodations for different allergies and diets.

The business has expanded from a simple cupcake shop and espresso bar into much more, now offering dessert, coffee, breakfast, lunch and a smoothie bar. Sweet Katie Bees takes pride in having something for everyone, with their most recent additions being for customers who are on the keto diet, as well as those who are diabetic, vegan or gluten free.

SBDC Director Jo Ann DiMaggio May has been extremely helpful throughout the expansion process by being a resource, a sounding board, and an overall support base to Kate and Beth. She’s also assisted in increasing sales and traffic, helping with staffing, and the strategic posting of job listings.

“It’s nice to know the SBDC is a resource we can always turn to,” Kate said. “If they don’t know something, they will find out. We strongly recommend the SBDC to any business starting fresh – that’s what they’re there for, good and honest feedback that truly helps you to succeed.”

“Kate and Beth are remarkable business owners and have worked hard for several years,” said DiMaggio May. “They never hesitate to ask questions and are eager to learn. This expansion will allow them to better serve their growing customer base. We look forward to assisting Sweet Katie Bees as it continues to grow.”

Next, Sweet Katie Bees plans to create an online store. Additionally, the owners would like to expand into St. Louis.

Customers can visit Sweet Katie Bees’ new O’Fallon location Tue.-Fri. from 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Tue.-Fri. and Saturdays from 8 a.m.-3 p.m.

Contact Sweet Katie Bees at 618-622-9930. For more information, visit https://www.sweetkatiebees.com, Facebook @SweetKatieBeesCupcakeAndCoffeeBar, Instagram @sweetkatieb, or Twitter @sweetkatiebees.

The Illinois SBDC for the Metro East assists start-up ventures like Sweet Katie Bees 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: Sweet Katie Bee’s owners Kate Hendrix (left) and her daughter Beth.

Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker visited the campus of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville on Tuesday, July 30 where he signed House Bill 2239, designating both elected SIU System student trustees to be full voting members of the board. The signed amendment takes effect immediately.

The legislation was introduced by Rep. Katie Stuart (112^th district) and was sponsored by Sen. Rachelle Crowe (56^th district). Previously, the governor designated the voting student trustee, generally alternating between the SIUE and SIU Carbondale campuses.

A public event was held in SIUE’s Morris University Center Goshen Lounge with remarks from Pritzker, SIU System Interim President Dr. J. Kevin Dorsey, Stuart, Crowe, Rep. Jay Hoffman (113^th district) and SIUE student trustee Mackenzie Rogers.

“I’m excited to be here today to celebrate the greatness of the SIU System,” Pritzker said. “The entire SIU System serves as a testament to the power of higher education. I’m proud to sign into law this legislation that will give both campus student trustees the right to vote on every issue that affects those they represent. Student voices matter. Their input is needed now more than ever.”

“With the passing of this amendment to the Southern Illinois University Management Act, both the SIUE and SIUC student trustees having a binding vote, allowing each of us to be more than just a voice for our peers and institutions,” Rogers said. “Voting privileges, including the right to make and second motions, and attend executive sessions, will validate our contributions and allow us to help make positive changes to ensure forward momentum for each of our campuses, and the SIU System as a whole.”

“I would like to express my appreciation to Gov. Pritzker, Rep. Katie Stuart and the other legislators in support of this amendment for acknowledging not only the value that student trustees add as representatives, but also as voting members working alongside our distinguished colleagues on the SIU Board of Trustees,” Rogers added.

Also in attendance representing the SIU Board of Trustees were Chair Phil Gilbert, Vice Chair Ed Hightower, Trustee John Simmons and SIUC Student Trustee Brione Lockett.

A question and answer session concluded the event.

Photos: Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker celebrates the signing of House Bill 2239 during a visit to SIUE’s campus. He stands alongside Rep. Katie Stuart and is surrounded by members of the SIU Board of Trustees and additional contributing legislators.

SIUE Student Trustee Mackenzie Rogers expressed her appreciation for House Bill 2239, which designates both elected SIU System student trustees to be full voting members of the board.

Rising scholars and aspiring ecologists and archaeologists, showcased the culmination of an eight-week, intensive undergraduate research experience hosted by Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, in collaboration with the Illinois Natural History Survey, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, during the Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Symposium held Thursday, July 25 at SIUE.

The symposium marked the finale of a three-year program funded by a $287,690 National Science Foundation REU grant awarded to the two institutions. The popular program drew approximately 100 applicants for the 2019 summer. Ten of the nation’s best were chosen to complete the competitive interdisciplinary field study, which analyzed how humans have used the river system over the past 2,000 years.

“This was the perfect opportunity for me, since I didn’t have any previous field experience,” said Laura Ruiz, a senior anthropology major at the University of Tulsa. “It was like a crash course in research, archaeology techniques and ecology work. It’s been a fantastic opportunity for me to broaden my understanding of the field.”

Entitled, “Exploring Evidence of the Anthropocene: Archaeological and Ecological Interdisciplinary Research Experiences for First Generation Students in the Upper Mississippi River System,” the research program allows students to gain an understanding of the scientific method while learning excavation and fish-monitoring techniques, lab-based data collection, research writing and data analysis. The program also caters to first generation and non-traditional college students, offering student and career development sessions throughout the summer.

“We started by conducting research out on the boat and at the excavation site, and then we worked in the lab, identifying bones and organizing our database,” explained Ruiz’s research partner Caroline Hunsaker, a junior in the School of Integrative Biology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. “We then wrote our poster and presented on our work. This offered hands-on practice covering the span of the research process.”

The REU program has been run under the direction of principal investigator (PI) Carol Colaninno, PhD, research assistant professor in the SIUE STEM Center, with co-PI John Chick, PhD, director of the Great Rivers Field Station in Alton.

“It was great to see these students walk into the program initially a bit intimidated by research, and then walk out as researchers,” Colaninno said. “Our primary goal was to prepare them for success as graduate students, in employment and as future scientists. We are extremely proud of what the students accomplished over the past eight weeks.”

“We looked at archaeological records and modern commercial harvest and monitoring records to understand human impact on the Mississippi River,” explained Anthony DeFreece, a sophomore studying anthropology at the University of North Texas. “We tried to understand how the presence and absence of fishes has changed throughout time. We found that negative effects on the river are probably not due to commercial harvesting, but rather other factors like pollution and the building of levees and dams, which limit the movement of fishes throughout the river.”

The symposium drew all types of visitors, including SIUE faculty and administrators, as well as some of the participants’ friends and family.

“Archaeology is something Anthony has been passionate about for a long time, and we’ve always encouraged that,” said DeFreece’s mother, Valerie DeFreece. She, her husband Tony and daughter Sophia traveled to SIUE to enjoy DeFreece’s poster presentation and bring him home. “This program gave him the ability to blend the ecology discipline with archaeology, so he could get a fuller picture of future opportunities.”

“This program has given him a strong research foundation that he can now build upon,” added Tony. “Hopefully next year he can participate in an international program, and continue to build toward a successful career. He has endless opportunities ahead of him.”

Though their work at SIUE is complete, the student scholars and their faculty mentors will present their research once again at the upcoming Mississippi River Research Consortium in April 2020 in La Crosse, Wis.

Photos: REU participant Laura Ruiz, a senior anthropology major at the University of Tulsa shares her team’s findings with SIUE Associate Provost for Research and Dean of the Graduate School Jerry Weinberg, PhD.

REU participant Anthony DeFreece, a sophomore studying anthropology at the University of North Texas, explains his research project to his sister Sophia and mother Valerie as his research partner Caille Paulsen looks on.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville will honor eight remarkable graduates at the 2019 SIUE Alumni Hall of Fame ceremony, “A Night Among the Stars,” on Friday, Sept. 27 in the Morris University Center (MUC). These impressive alumni have made exceptional contributions in their chosen fields, in their communities and at SIUE through their leadership, character and hard work.

A cocktail reception in the Meridian Ballroom will begin at 5:30 p.m. followed by dinner and an awards presentation at 6:15 p.m. Tickets are $50 and can be purchased online at siue.edu/alumni/hall-of-fame. Free parking will be available in Lot B.

 “The SIUE Hall of Fame honorees have made a lasting impact beyond their time at SIUE,” said Eileen Martindale, SIUE Alumni Association president. “It is our privilege to recognize them both as recipients of this honor and as part of the SIUE legacy.”

The 2019 honorees listed by their college or school:

School of Business: Dion Joannou, BS Business Administration ’89 Joannou is CEO of Accedian, a private company specializing in data analytics and service assurance. Previously, he was CEO of two private companies, one in the consumer segment and the other in clean tech. He also worked for Nortel Networks for 14 years in a variety of roles, including president of North America, president of Latin America and chief strategy officer. Since 2007, he expanded into board and advisory work with a variety of companies in primarily technology and software. He played for SIUE men’s tennis from 1985-89, was a three-time NCAA Division II All-America and was inducted into the SIUE Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame.

College of Arts & Sciences: Dave Johnson, BA History ’66 Johnson has been a thoroughbred and standardbred horseracing broadcaster/journalist for more than 50 years. He has served as track announcer for Hialeah, Santa Anita, Aqueduct, Belmont Park, Saratoga and The Meadowlands. His voice can be heard on hundreds of national commercials and sitcoms, and his race calls are a staple of Hollywood movies and Broadway. As a member of ABC Sports, Johnson called the Triple Crown for more than a quarter century. In 2005, he joined the sports team at Sirius XM satellite radio as co-host of Down the Stretch.

College of Arts & Sciences: Mark Von Nida, BA Government ’85 Throughout a 30-year career with Madison County, Von Nida developed a reputation as an innovator. In the prosecutor’s office, he was among a group of leaders who helped create the nation’s first locally funded drug court. As a four-term county clerk, he gained national recognition as an election official. He was awarded a U.S. Patent for developing the means that guaranteed secrecy as voters fed their ballot into the tabulator. He was later elected to two terms as circuit court clerk. He led efforts to modernize the court system by digitizing records and expanded public access to the judicial system.

SIU School of Dental Medicine: Dr. Randall Markarian, DMD ’92 Markarian is president of the Illinois State Dental Society (ISDS) and has held leadership roles with the American Dental Association, St. Clair District Dental Society, American Association of Orthodontists, Illinois Society of Orthodontists and Midwest Society of Orthodontists. He is a member of the College of Diplomates of the American Board of Orthodontics, the American College of Dentists and the International College of Dentists. He also has proudly served as a member of the SIU SDM faculty and the SIU SDM Alumni Council. Markarian Orthodontics has two locations in Swansea and O’Fallon.

School of Education, Health and Human Behavior: Jim Herndon, BS Physical Education ’72, MS Education Administration ’78, Specialist Degree Education Administration ’87 Herndon has served as a Metro East education and community leader for more than 40 years. He is an instructor in the SIUE Department of Educational Leadership where he contributed to the redesign of the principal preparation program. Before becoming an SIUE instructor in 2006, he served as superintendent of schools for Roxana Community Unit School District No.1. He was a special projects consultant in a $4-billion training and development expansion project of the Conoco-Phillips Wood River Refinery. He also serves as an educational/business consultant from the Illinois Regional Office of Education #45.

School of Engineering: Ted Pruess, BS Civil Engineering ’82, MS Civil Engineering ’86 Pruess, P.E., F.SEI, is a structural design engineer with 40 years of experience. Since 1995, he has been an adjunct faculty member in the SIUE Department of Civil Engineering. As a volunteer for the State of Missouri Emergency Agency, he developed a training course for the evaluation of buildings damaged by earthquakes and tornados. He received the Otto Nuttli Award for lifetime achievement in seismic hazard mitigation and is a Fellow in the national Structural Engineering Institute. He served on the Missouri Seismic Safety Commission for nine years. He was an invited speaker on Structural Engineering at the Tyumen Institute of Architectural and Civil Engineering in Tyumen, Russian Federation.

School of Nursing: Dr. Cheryl Killion, BS Nursing ’70 Killion, a nurse and medical anthropologist, is an associate professor of nursing at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland. The focus of her research, teaching and service has been to prevent and eliminate health inequities. Previously, she was the director of the Center for Minority Health at Hampton University in Virginia. She has also served as a faculty member at the University of Michigan, UCLA and Cairo University in Egypt. By serving as an appointed member of the Minority Health Advisory Committee, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (USDHSS), she has made significant contributions in shaping health policy.

Graduate School: Dr. Shirley Portwood, BA History ’70, MA History ’73 Portwood earned both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in history from SIUE, and a second master’s and PhD in history from Washington University in St. Louis. After beginning her teaching career in 1972 at St. Louis Community College at Forest Park, she returned to SIUE in 1980, spending most of her career as faculty in the Department of Historical Studies. Her teaching earned multiple awards, including the SIUE Teaching Excellence Award, the Sojourner Truth Award, Women of Distinction Award and Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Award. After retiring as emeritus professor in 2007, she has continued to serve by sitting on the SIU Board of Trustees.

For more information on “A Night Among the Stars,” call 618-650-2760.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville senior exercise science major Chelsie Zajac, of Belleville, added a major achievement to her research portfolio when she secured the only undergraduate research poster presentation award during the 2019 National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) conference held July 10-13 in Washington, D.C.

Zajac conducted her research as an Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities (URCA) associate on the novel topic “Parameters of the Athlete Triad in Male NCAA Division I Athletes.” She worked under faculty mentor Brianne Guilford, PhD, associate professor and exercise physiology graduate program director in the School of Education, Health and Human Behavior’s Department of Applied Health.

“Chelsie competed against numerous undergraduate students from inside and outside the United States, and I was extremely impressed when she won the best undergraduate poster presentation award,” said Guilford. “She put in a lot of time and effort collecting data on this project, and preparing her presentation for the conference. She is highly deserving of this honor!”

According to Guilford, there is ample research on the Female Athlete Triad. Male athletes are at similar risk, though little research has been conducted on the male athlete triad. This, combined with Zajac’s belief that all genders should be represented in research, especially on topics that can affect one’s health, inspired the high-quality research project.

“Elite athletes are at risk for a chronic imbalance in energy intake and energy expenditure that can permanently compromise health and impair performance,” Zajac explained. “This condition is labeled the Female Athlete Triad and is defined as having one or more of the following: low energy availability, impaired menstruation/decreased reproductive hormones, and decreased bone density. However, there is no formal label for the male condition, and few studies have documented the prevalence of the athlete triad in males.”

Zajac calls the research process and corresponding award a team win, emphasizing her appreciation for her faculty mentor, research assistants and all others who contributed to the project.

The project’s findings are beneficial to male athletes, coaches, and strength and conditioning coaches.

“These results indicate that male athletes are also at risk for experiencing low energy availability, low bone mineral density, and decreased reproductive function,” Guilford noted. “These findings should help increase awareness in athletes and coaches, and hopefully prevent male athletes from experiencing negative health consequences associated with high energy expenditure in sport. Furthermore, our results indicate that certain sports, such as cross country, may be at greater risk for developing low bone mineral density, despite high levels of energy availability. As we continue to analyze data from fall and winter sports, and add the reproductive hormone data, we hope to learn more about the relationship between these variables.”

Conducting research is no easy task, Zajac learned. But, she notes the experience added value to her life and academic experience, making it well worth the effort.

“I cultivated relationships with amazing, intellectual people, witnessed how diverse research can be, learned career development skills that I can utilize down the road, challenged my time management between coursework and research, and so much more,” she said. “I am grateful I said yes to this opportunity and never looked back.”

Zajac will graduate from SIUE in August. She then plans to take a gap year to teach English in Thailand.

Photo: SIUE summer graduate Chelsie Zajac, of Belleville.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) has granted $1-million to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville for the launch of a community project that will engage middle and early high school students in environmental citizen science.

The three-year grant supports the project, entitled “A Youth-Led Citizen Science Network for Community Environmental Assessment.” Collaborative partners presenting the authentic science experiences are the SIUE Center for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Research, Education and Outreach, the SIUE College of Arts and Sciences’ Department of Environmental Sciences and the Madison County Housing Authority.

“We’re excited and grateful that the NSF sees the value in this project, and its potential for supporting youth in STEM,” said principal investigator (PI) Georgia Bracey, PhD, SIUE STEM Center research assistant professor.

The project’s ultimate goal is to empower more students to see themselves as scientists, ultimately generating a more diverse and inclusive STEM workforce.

“In order to pursue a STEM career path, students must be able to visualize themselves working in that career,” Bracey continued. “However, many students, especially those in underserved communities, don’t identify with STEM or with being a scientist. Citizen science, or the participation of the general public in scientific research, has the potential to offer meaningful and relevant STEM experiences for youth, developing and strengthening their science identity as they engage in authentic science. A stronger science identity increases the likelihood of pursuing a science career.”

Bracey’s co-PIs include SIUE STEM Center Director and Associate Professor in the Department of Environmental Sciences Sharon Locke, PhD, Ben Greenfield, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Environmental Sciences, and Adriana Martinez, PhD, assistant professor in the Departments of Environmental Sciences and Geography.

Working with SIUE faculty and local educators, students will design and conduct research in their communities, and then share their experiences and their results with the public through an innovative community dialogue format: Citizen Science Cafés.

“Participants will use a variety of hi-tech sensors and drones to collect and analyze soil, air, noise and landscape data from their surroundings,” Bracey explained. “During Citizen Science Cafés, students will present their scientific research and lead community members in hands-on citizen science, under the direction of Drs. Greenfield and Martinez and their graduate students. This will allow them to reach an additional 300 community members, including those families living in the subsidized housing developments targeted for this project. After testing and refinement, the project team will disseminate the Citizen Science Café model through the NSF-funded Teen Science Café Network, extending project impacts to a national audience.”

“This grant offers a great opportunity to strengthen the University’s mission and our Department’s commitment to equity and diversity,” added Nicholas Guehlstorf, PhD, chair of the SIUE Department of Environmental Sciences. “Three departmental faculty, Drs. Greenfield, Locke and Martinez, will participate in this strategic, NSF-funded plan to change individual lives and transform the collective identity, character and politics of future science employment. This innovative and evidence-based project will engage currently disadvantaged communities and youth with science learning and mentoring, which is an investment in a necessary environmental justice campaign to broaden American education opportunities.”

According to Bracey, the project supports the NSF’s vision of “advancing knowledge in STEM Learning and Learning Environments, Broadening Participation in STEM and STEM Workforce Development.” It also aligns with several of NSF’s 10 Big Ideas by focusing on humans and technology, and by examining how these experiences transform STEM education and career pathways in order to broaden participation in STEM.

Additionally, Bracey notes the project’s alignment with the vision outlined in the recent federal STEM education strategic plan, which envisions “a future where all Americans have lifelong access to high-quality STEM education” and involves pursuing three goals, including building strong foundations for STEM literacy, increasing diversity, equity and inclusion in STEM, and preparing the STEM workforce for the future.”

Planning, program development and the hiring of educators and graduate assistants for SIUE’s youth-led citizen science network project are underway, with the student program slated to begin in fall 2019 and run through spring 2022. Students will get an introduction to citizen science and use sensors to monitor human impact in four environmental content areas, including air, noise, soil and the natural and built environment. Citizen Science Cafés will launch in fall 2020 and run through spring 2022.

Photo: SIUE STEM Center Research Assistant Professor Georgia Bracey, PhD, PI of the $1-million NSF funded project “A Youth-Led Citizen Science Network for Community Environmental Assessment.”

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville recently announced the receipt of funding from the Illinois Capital Development Board for the expansion of its Greenhouse.

In an article posted Sunday, Aug. 4, Edwardsville Intelligencer reporter Scott Marion detailed how the facility is currently used, the estimated renovation timeline, and the enhanced capabilities an expanded greenhouse will offer.