Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Jeffrey Waple, PhD, has appointed Kara Shustrin as dean of students in the Office of Student Affairs. Shustrin will assume this role starting January 2, 2020.

The dean of students will combine the responsibilities of the associate dean of students/director of student conduct and associate vice chancellor/dean of students. It will support the Offices of Student Conduct, Health Service, Counseling Services and ACCESS. “This structure will allow student affairs to maximize its resources, and utilize the talent and skills of our current staff,” Waple said.

Shustrin has more than 25 years of experience in higher education. For the past four years, she has served as the associate dean of students/director of student conduct. “Kara has made significant contributions in supporting students in many ways,” Waple said. “She has cultivated important relationships and connections across campus, and has earned the credibility and respect of her colleagues.”

“I am grateful for the opportunity to support students in navigating significant developmental transitions, connecting them to resources and services both on and off campus,” Shustrin said.  “Student success and student well-being is a team effort, and I look forward to enhanced collaboration with the dedicated professionals in the Offices of Health Service, Counseling Services, ACCESS, and Student Conduct to enable student reflection and growth, foster change, and positively impact retention.”

Leading up to her appointment as SIUE associate dean of students/director of student conduct in 2016, Shustrin has served in various roles for University Housing and the Office of Student Affairs, beginning as a housing coordinator in 1994. She rose through the ranks to become assistant director of residence life in 1997, assistant director for academic programs and assessment in 2001, assistant director for marketing in University Housing in 2006, program specialist for Student Affairs in 2007 and director of the Meridian Scholars Program in 2008.

Shustrin currently serves the Association of Student Conduct Administration (ASCA) on the annual conference logistics team and as part of the social media leadership team for the ASCA Women in Student Conduct Community of Practice. She has been involved locally with the Junior Service Club of Edwardsville/Glen Carbon, including a term as president, and is a founding member of 100+ Women Who Care.

A New York native, who spent her formative years in Monmouth, Oregon, Shustrin has resided in Edwardsville for the past 25 years. She earned a bachelor’s in political science from the University of Oregon in 1990, and a master’s in higher education administration and student personnel from Kent State University in 1994.

Other student affairs administrative adjustments are also being made. The PEACe Center, which is led by Samantha Dickens, will now be supported and supervised by Counseling Services, effective Jan. 2, 2020. The Early Childhood Center will remain with the dean of students until June 30, 2020, and then will move under the leadership of Miriam Roccia, associate vice chancellor for student affairs. SOAR, CSDI and the Career Development Center will report directly to the vice chancellor for student affairs. 

Dominic Dorsey, director of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s office of Accessible Campus Community and Equitable Student Support (ACCESS), was appointed to chair the Illinois Board of Higher Education’s (IBHE) newly formed Disability Services Advisory Committee. The group will play a vital role in reviewing current policies and practices in serving students with disabilities in Illinois higher education. 

“I feel honored and privileged to be afforded the opportunity to serve along my esteemed colleagues from across the state, and to give a voice to issues and a community that, unfortunately, is often an afterthought in diversity and inclusion conversations,” said Dorsey. “As a committee, we fully intend to make the most of this platform by promoting accessibility as a standard, as opposed to compliance and seeking sustainable solutions to systemic issues we all face as practitioners.” 

“We are thankful for the wisdom of IBHE Board Chair John Atkinson for valuing and recognizing the need for our presence,” continued Dorsey, “and we are eager to join the existing committees in making a positive impact.” 

The advisory committee consists of 18 members, 12 from public universities, four from private colleges and universities, and two from community colleges. 

This committee was created in 2004, and its accomplishments to date include such projects as training, conferences, transition support programs, data collection and accessibility awareness programs. 

A few specific ideas and projects that Dorsey would like to bring before the IBHE include:

• Transparently displayed essential ability guidelines to assist students in the accommodation process
• Best practices for students with episodic conditions
• A process for accurate numbers reporting of students with dual or multiple diagnoses 

An “e” sculpture made its debut Tuesday, Dec. 17 in Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Hairpin. Dave Thomas Design of Edwardsville created the seven-foot tall, seven-foot wide monument. SIUE alumnus Dave Thomas, who earned his bachelor’s in art and design from SIUE in 1972, is the owner of the design company.

“The sculpture is made of metal and has an internal steel structure that gives it resilience. The exterior is painted to match the SIUE red,” said Vice Chancellor for Administration Rich Walker. “The idea of the sculpture came from a compilation of thoughts between SIUE Chancellor Randy Pembrook, SIUE Creative Director Heather Kniffel and myself. We wanted to better brand the Hairpin and also provide photo opportunities for students, alumni and visiting guests.” 

The statue cost approximately $20,000 to design, fabricate and install, and an anonymous donor to the SIUE Foundation donated the monies, according to Walker. 

“If the campus response is good, I’d like to install a few more ‘e’s’ on campus,” said Walker. “Hopefully, there will be other donors who like the idea.” 

“The sculpture is going to bring a lot of smiles to a lot of people,” added Walker. “It will be the new hot spot to have your picture taken at SIUE. I see a lot of Facebook, Instagram and Twitter posts in the future.” 

“Even though the campus was fairly quiet, the excitement from those passing by while it was being installed was palpable,” said Kniffel. “I can’t wait to see the student’s faces when they notice it after coming back from the holiday break.” 

Photos:
SIUE Chancellor Randy Pembrook get his photo with the newly installed “e” at the SIUE Hairpin. 

Working to bring the “e” sculpture to fruition and to campus were SIUE Creative Director Heather Kniffel (left) and Vice Chancellor for Administration Rich Walker.

Silvia Torres Bowman, director of the International Trade Center (ITC) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, and Ricardo Perez-Luyo, director of international business programs at Universidad de Lima in Peru, established strategic activities based on the memorandum of understanding (MOU) duly signed between the respective universities, during Perez-Luyo’s visit to SIUE on December 2-3.  

“The ITC is delighted to welcome Universidad de Lima as our brand-new partner,” Torres Bowman said. “This new alliance will contribute with bringing new opportunities in trade and education for Peru and Illinois. We hope to build a solid bridge, forging connections between southern Illinois businesses, SIUE faculty and students with their Peruvian counterparts. I am confident this partnership will bring long-term benefits to our region and unique opportunities for our students.”

“It’s a quite interesting pilot project that we have already started working on,” Perez-Luyo said. “The point is that students from our universities are going to create business plans for national and foreign companies. We are talking about the application of knowledge in a highly competitive market such as the United States, promoting not only trade but investments.”

With the use of technology, the pilot project is being developed to help small businesses increase their export/import capacities with the support of the Illinois ITC International Network and the participation of students, providing them with opportunities to garner experience in the areas of international trade and commerce.

This initial project seeks to combine some key areas, such as exchanging best practices, co-counseling clients, sharing trade data and delivering training programs.

Founded in 1962, Universidad de Lima has a top business school and is one of the most prestigious private universities in Peru with more than 20,000 students.  

Perez-Luyo served as a keynote speaker for “Peru: A Friendly Country for Doing Business”  at a welcoming luncheon held in Birger Hall on Tuesday, Dec. 3. The Southwest Illinois Trade and Investment Council (SWITIC) sponsored the event, which was attended by SIUE faculty and students, as well as regional businesses and leaders from various economic development groups.

At the event, regional businesses learned more about how they can benefit from trading with Peru, named by Forbes magazine as the top third South American destination for doing business in 2019. The U.S.–Peru Trade Promotion Agreement (PTPA) is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. Illinois exports to Peru totaled $385.9 million in 2018, a 71% increase since 2009. Illinois ranks fifth among the 50 U.S. states in exports to Peru.

“It was a pleasure to meet with Ricardo during his visit to SIUE,” said Tim Schoenecker, PhD, SIUE School of Business dean. “We are looking to build a multifaceted partnership with UL that includes collaborative counseling for Peruvian and American businesses. We hope the relationship expands to include student exchanges between these two fine universities.”

Perez-Luyo has more than 35 years of experience in the fields of economics, international trade and finance, and accomplished work with small and medium-sized enterprises in Latin America. He has served in various consulting roles with the Peruvian Ministry of Economy and Finances, the Peruvian Ministry of Labor, and in 2019 as advisor to the vice minister of small and medium enterprise at the Ministry of Industry.

“Ricardo’s leadership, boundless energy and solid commitment to this new partnership will bring us even closer to our shared vision of connecting Peruvian and Illinois communities through international education, entrepreneurship and small business support,” Torres Bowman said. “I very much look forward to working with him in 2020 and beyond.”   

Craig Eversmann, president of Marsh Shipping Supply Co., LLC in Collinsville and president of the Southwest Illinois Trade and Investment Council, sees opportunity. “It was a pleasure to host Ricardo at SIUE, learn about Peru, and how we can work together for each region’s mutual benefit. The similarities in terms of industry was striking and the synergies are high.”

Yuping Zeng, PhD, associate professor in the SIUE School of Business Department of Management and Marketing, envisions prospects for students. “We discussed the feasibility of using Zoom for UL students to participate in courses offered at SIUE and different ways of delivering courses online,” she said. “We agreed that providing opportunities for UL and SIUE students to interact with each other would lead to invaluable learning experiences. Mr. Perez Luyo was hopeful that such opportunities would emerge as the two universities move forward with the implementation of the partnership.”

Torres Bowman and Perez-Luyo are including the organization of inbound/outbound trade missions in their medium-term planning, in partnership with PROMPERU, other Peruvian government agencies and SWITIC.

Torres Bowman also pointed out that the American Chamber of Commerce in Peru (AmCham Peru) has announced a visit to southwest Illinois next year, leading a delegation of representatives from the public and private sectors. “We are looking forward to hosting AmCham Peru in 2020, nurturing opportunities for business, trade and investment development, and helping our local companies network with representatives from Peruvian firms,” she said.

For more than 35 years, the ITC has been helping Illinois companies compete more effectively in the global marketplace. With a focus on Latin America, the ITC has been carefully developing its network of contacts and resources from public/private organizations in recent years. 

The ITC is also working with SERCOTEC (Servicio de Cooperación Técnica), a division of Chile’s Ministry of Economy and Development, to develop a cooperative agreement to connect Chilean and southern Illinois businesses and entrepreneurs.

The partnerships with Universidad de Lima and SERCOTEC have directly resulted from Torres Bowman’s visits to Peru and Chile in March 2019. “Based on clients’ feedback, recent and ongoing trade developments, my personal and professional background (born, studied and worked in Lima, Peru), and the support of the Southwest Illinois Trade Council, I felt this year was the ideal timing to make a visit and personally connect with main trade organizations and renowned universities in South America, including Universidad de Lima and Universidad de Chile,” she said. “Currently, separate partnership agreements are in their final stages between the SIUE School of Business with Universidad de Lima and Universidad de Chile.

“Our investment has certainly paid off. I am thrilled that my alma mater and SIUE will soon be official partners,” said Torres Bowman, who obtained a bachelor’s in business administration from Universidad de Lima in the late 1980s.  

The ITC is a member of the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network. In 2013, the Small Business Network of Americas (SBNA) program was created. The White House and the State Department sponsor the SBNA program, which is designed to develop partnerships by expanding the SBDC model, providing a framework to connect with businesses in the Western Hemisphere.

 “In support of the spirit of the SBNA program, the MOU signed with Peru represents the latest contribution for promoting the SBDC model in Latin America, serving clients interested in bilateral commerce, with the additional benefit of establishing new sister center relations,” Torres-Bowman said.  

The International Trade Center at SIUE serves entrepreneurs and small businesses in southern Illinois by providing individualized, no-cost export consultation, identification of foreign buyers, agents and/or distributors through trade leads, international market analysis and more. The ITC is funded through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville as a service to the region’s entrepreneurial and business community.

As a key member of the Illinois SBDC Network, the International Trade Center delivers these important services to its clients while supporting the goals and objectives of both the SIUE School of Business and the University at large.

Photo (L-R): Ricardo Perez-Luyo, director of international business programs at Universidad de Lima in Peru, Silvia Torres Bowman, director of the International Trade Center (ITC) at SIUE, and SIUE School of Business Dean Tim Schoenecker.

Tiny’s Party Rental, LLC, a family-owned party rental business is now serving the Edwardsville area.

Owners Andrew and Maria Acheson have worked with the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for the Metro East at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and Business Specialist Marti Wieland since July to achieve their dream of opening a community-oriented business.

Tiny’s Party Rental works to provide complete party rental needs, including tents, tables and chairs, patio/outdoor heaters, and sound systems. Their rentals serve all special occasions, such as weddings, graduation and birthday parties.

The Achesons believed that the party rental business would be a great way to get more involved in the Edwardsville area.

The SBDC provided the Acheson’s assistance with licensing and securing requirements to open the business.

“Marti is quite knowledgeable. She was always there to help, pointing us in the right direction and sharing helpful information,” Andrew said.

The Achesons are hopeful that success will lead to a full-time operation. Currently, the home-based business is delivery and pick-up only.

“I am especially thankful for the constant support of my wife and children,” Andrew shared. “I wouldn’t be able to do this without my family.”

For more information, contact Tiny’s Party Rental at 618-307-5665 and tinyspartyrentals@gmail.com, or visit Facebook, @Tinyspartyrentalbusiness, or Yelp at Tiny’s Party Rental.

The Illinois SBDC for the Metro East assists start-up ventures like Tiny’s Party Rental 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 theIL SBDC for the Metro East at SIUE at 618-650-2929.

Four Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Pharmacy (SOP) Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE) students recently returned from their international rotation in Mysore (Mysuru) and Ooty, India. 

Fourth-year (P4) students James Reimer, of O’Fallon, Caleb Braasch, of Edwardsville, Lauren Skarupa, of Decatur, and Catherine Gilmore, of Springfield participated in a unique professional and cultural experience. The group spent four weeks in India as part of a five-week clinical rotation.

Students had the opportunity to participate in hospital treatment team rounds with healthcare teams. Clinical experiences include infectious disease care, pediatrics, general medicine and oncology. Students present clinical cases as part of a team, alongside their student peers from Jagadguru Sri Shivaratheeshwara (JSS) Academy of Higher Education and Research. 

“This rotation was initiated in 2014, and since its inception, 10 SIUE SOP have completed APPEs in India,” said Kelly Gable, PharmD, BCPP, professor and SOP coordinator of global partnerships. “Through our shared university partnership, seven JSS students have studied at SIUE. At the SIUE School of Pharmacy, we embrace and encourage students to challenge themselves through experiencing culturally enriching learning opportunities, both within the U.S. and abroad. This experience is just one of the several global education learning opportunities that we offer our students.” 

With an interest in traveling and learning more about other cultures, Gilmore jumped at the opportunity. “I was intrigued to see how the healthcare system in India differed from America, especially in regard to pharmacy,” she said. “The role of a clinical pharmacist is much different in America, with pharmacists integrated in various aspects of healthcare. In India, this is only starting to take off. It was exciting to share how we practice pharmacy and ways we can help them push the profession forward in their country.”

Gilmore had the opportunity to make a significant impact on a patient’s care. “A patient’s antibiotic was not being dosed appropriately, and I explained to the healthcare team why the dose should be increased, and how the patient could improve much quicker if the change was made,” she said. “The recommendation was accepted, and the patient significantly improved and was discharged within a few days. Showing the team the impact of an intervention from a pharmacist/pharmacy student, and how it affects patient outcomes was just a small way to help improve pharmacy practice there.”

Gilmore would encourage other students to participate. “I cannot fully explain the impact this trip had on me,” she said. “From learning about various disease states that are not prevalent in America, such as dengue fever, tuberculosis, typhoid fever and thalassemia, to trying amazing foods and exploring new sites, to becoming friends with our pharmacy student counterparts, this trip far exceeded every expectation I had.”

Gilmore was able to experience the drastic differences in healthcare outside the U.S. “I have always been conscious about unnecessary costs and keeping out-of-pocket costs down for patients, but it wasn’t until I saw how billing was done in India that I started making a more conscious effort,” she said. “Patients at the private hospital must pay out-of-pocket for every service they receive, before they receive it. For example, before a doctor can order lab work, the patient must pay for it. This experience has helped me have a better understanding of other cultures, and how religion can play such a vital role in healthcare decisions for many patients, and how important it is to respect those decisions.” 

Gilmore said the entire trip was enriched exponentially by their exposure to the JSS College of Pharmacy students. During their free time, the SIUE SOP students also had the opportunity to celebrate Onam, a celebration from Kerala, a southern state in India from which many of the JSS students originate.

Photo: SIUE SOP students Caleb Braasch, Catherine Gilmore, Lauren Skarupa and James Reimer in India.

Jessie Mitsdarfer and Garth Reynolds were among students in the first graduating class of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Business’s 100 percent online MBA program on December 14. 

Mitsdarfer, a cash receipts specialist for the University of Illinois Foundation, chose SIUE’s 100 percent online MBA program because of the convenience. “Its short nature did not hinder my education and allowed me to maintain my routine,” she said. “With a full-time job and a young family, I liked that the commitment could be done in a year, but that I was still able to acquire all of the skills that are offered in a two-year program.” 

Reynolds, the executive director of the Illinois Pharmacists Association (IPhA), selected the online program because it suited his needs. “It met my requirements of working with a hectic work schedule,” he said. “It is also a quality, recognized program that is affordable.” 

Mitsdarfer points to her experiences with faculty as the high point of her time in the MBA program. “The professors were always open to working within my availability, which benefited my learning,” she explained. 

Reynolds noted that all his professors were responsive to the online students and worked to make the experience interactive, rewarding and supportive. He was also appreciative of the outreach from the admissions office to ensure that everything was going well throughout the program. 

Mitsdarfer feels the MBA program has taught her skills she can directly apply to her current leadership role. “The MBA program has helped me to think more globally,” she said, “and it has aided me in the expansion of my business network.” 

Reynolds felt that the program helped hone his already strong managerial mindset and skill set. 

Photo:
SIUE School of Business’s 100 percent online MBA program graduates its first class.

Wishing you and yours a very Happy Holidays from SIUE.

The offices of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville will observe winter break beginning Dec. 23 and continue through Jan 1. Offices will re-open Thursday, Jan. 2, 2019. Students will remain on a semester break through Jan. 10, with classes resuming Monday, Jan. 13.

It was the sights and sounds of the season, along with rhythmic dance, that Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Center for the Performing Arts students graciously presented during the annual holiday performance celebration on Thursday, Dec. 19. 

“We love being able to display our students’ hard work and talents during the holiday season,” said Performing Arts Coordinator Jack Williams. “Our students are always eager to entertain their loved ones.” 

Proud parents, family and friends assembled in the lobby of Building D at the East St. Louis Higher Education Campus to experience the holiday magic of students from the After School Theater Arts Program (ASTAP). 

The concert began with an African celebration of dancers and drummers, and was choreographed by instructor Gerald Babatunde' Sylla Williams. 

Students also twirled and swayed in praise dance and lyrical jazz dance to Whitney Houston’s “Joy to the World” and “I Love the Lord.” 

Instructor Esau Toombs led his band in Donny Hathaway’s “This Christmas.” Students played their version of “Jingle Bells” under the direction of guitar instructor Dan Bearden. 

Students played “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” on the chimes, which was arranged by Mary Jo Pembrook, PhD, music instructor. 

Pembrook’s piano students also played a various Christmas favorites, including “Silent Night” and “Joy to the World.” 

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 1990’s, 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. 

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:
Students perform in the SIUE East St. Louis Center for the Performing Arts annual holiday performance celebration.

SIUE School of Business alumna Sharon L. Bennett has been appointed chief operating officer for Geodata IT in St. Louis.

Bennett was most recently with Express Scripts, serving as account director for Pharma Strategy and Contracting, and as senior manager for Pharma Contracting.

She earned an MBA from SIUE. Read more in stltoday.com.

The Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for the Metro East at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville will celebrate Empyre Laundry’s first anniversary in East St. Louis on Sunday, Jan. 19.

Empyre Laundry owner Maria Jones provides commercial-grade, self-service laundry and laundry cleaning services. Customers are able to utilize a clean, comfortable and safe setting with various sized washers and dryers. Empyre also offers a drop-off service for $1 per pound.

“I am absolutely thrilled the community has supported Empyre Laundry during the past year, giving me the opportunity to celebrate this anniversary,” Jones shared.

A passionate entrepreneur, Jones first decided to open Empyre Laundry upon realizing that numerous East St. Louis area laundromats had closed. She knew this business was a necessity for the community and wanted to fill that need.

Jones is proud to provide the East St. Louis area with an accessible laundromat, and offer customers a comfortable and relaxing atmosphere while managing their laundry.

The SBDC and Director Jo Ann DiMaggio May have guided Jones in the right direction, helping her to acquire the information and assistance she needed to accomplish her goals of opening and growing the business.

“The SBDC has continued to offer ideas for business growth, including increasing advertisements and awareness, and even revamping my logo,” Jones shared. “Once you open a business, you must constantly do different things to improve and promote your business to ensure that it is consistent enough to have not just one, but 10 anniversaries.”

She encourages fellow entrepreneurs to find their passion and go for it – it is not always going to be easy, but never give up on that dream.

“Maria has been working hard and is dedicated to making her business succeed,” says DiMaggio May. “It has been a pleasure guiding and supporting her. I look forward to Empyre Laundry’s continued growth.”

Jones is extremely thankful to have had the community’s support. In the future, she plans to open a second Empyre Laundry location, “Empyre 2.”

Empyre Laundry is located at 3600 State St. in East St. Louis. Hours of operation are 7 a.m.-8 p.m. daily. For more information, call 618-857-2142.

The Illinois SBDC for the Metro East assists start-up ventures like Empyre Laundry, 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.

The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Office of Student Affairs is adding a second Starbucks location on campus inside Lovejoy Library. The new Starbucks will be located just past the entry doors from the Stratton Quadrangle with an anticipated opening sometime during the 2020 spring semester.

“After years of discussion and planning, a coffee shop is finally coming to Lovejoy Library,” said Jeffrey Waple, PhD, vice chancellor for student affairs. “During my interview in March 2015, I recall being questioned by University staff and faculty about creating a coffee house concept in the library.

“There were many suggestions along the way, but financing the project was always the challenge. Our Dining Services team led by Director Dennis Wobbe was able to have discussions with Starbucks this past summer, which ultimately led to the project being finalized.”

“I am pleased to have initiated conversations with Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Denise Cobb about a primary space to locate a coffee shop in the Library,” said Lydia Jackson, interim dean of Library and Information Services (LIS). “The coffee shop enhances the social aspect of the library and is long overdue. I am ecstatic the University administration diligently pursued financial options to ensure the coffee shop becomes a reality. 

“The proximity of this location will be a welcomed addition to library users and the University community.  Our visitors will no longer have to leave the library to get a fresh cup of coffee!” 

Renovation of the space has begun. The new Starbucks location will offer brewed coffee, Espresso, iced beverages and pastries.

 “After over a decade of proposals, Dining Services is excited to see that this incredibly innovative, convenient concept will finally come to fruition,” Wobbe said.

The original Starbucks location in the Morris University Center has been serving the campus since 2002 and was renovated during summer 2019.

On January 1, 2020, the implementation of the Retention of Illinois Students & Equity (RISE) Act became effective. This new law impacts students, including but not limited to, qualifying undocumented and transgender students, making them eligible to apply for Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) administered aid programs. 

These Illinois students will now be able to apply for any student aid or benefit funded or administered by the state of Illinois, any state agency, or any public institution of higher learning. These funds include, but are not limited to, scholarships, grants, awards, stipends, room and board assistance, tuition waivers, or other financial or in-kind assistance.

As a four-year public institution, SIUE will continue to work with these student populations to ensure they are provided an opportunity to pursue post-secondary education. With the RISE Act, students will have more aid options available to them at SIUE. 

“With the passing of the RISE Act, SIUE will be able to better assist students who might otherwise be limited regarding their scholarship and financial aid opportunities,” said Todd Burrell, director of undergraduate admissions. “We look forward to continuing to be a great college choice for many of these students. In addition, we look forward to working with not only Illinois students, but also all students seeking an SIUE education.” 

To be considered for any aid available through the RISE Act, Illinois students need to complete the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid. This application is available at isac.org/students with all of the criteria information.

All students are strongly encouraged to list SIUE on the application, so admissions representatives can begin working immediately with students regarding their pathway to an SIUE education.

For more details related to questions regarding undocumented students, visit siue.edu/undocumented. 

SIUE’s Alicia Plemmons, PhD, assistant professor in the School of Business’s Department of Economics and Finance, lent her business expertise to consumers worldwide in WalletHub’s breakdown of the best business credit cards.

Read Plemmons’ advice on the best ways to use business credit cards and their significance to small business owners here.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Department of Athletics student-athletes have now completed 27 consecutive semesters with a combined grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher. That equates to 13.5 years of excellence.

Following the fall 2019 semester, SIUE student-athletes earned a collective 3.325 GPA, which is the second-highest departmental GPA since transitioning to NCAA Division I.

“Student-athlete success remains at the forefront of our institutional goals,” said SIUE Director of Athletics Tim Hall. “Creating a regionally-prominent and nationally-respected athletics program begins with a strong academic reputation.”

An impressive 70 percent of SIUE student-athletes earned term GPAs above a 3.0. A record-high 47 percent (112) student-athletes were on the Dean’s List. A total of 44 student-athletes (18 percent) earned a perfect 4.0, the second highest in department history since transitioning to D-I.

A total of 13 teams earned a GPA above 3.0, while eight programs were better than 3.3, and three teams posted GPAs of more than 3.5.

“This is a credit to our student-athletes and to the support they receive within the institution and the department,” Hall said. “We are fortunate to have great academic mentors, faculty and University staff, and we have one of the most dedicated Academic Services staff in the entire country.”

Softball led the charge with a combined 3.578, narrowly edging women’s soccer (3.572) for the top spot. Men’s soccer posted the third-best GPA, and the highest among men’s teams, at 3.55. Men’s cross country finished at 3.36, and men’s golf came in at 3.295.

Fourteen freshmen earned a perfect 4.0, while five first-year transfer students and eight returners also checked in at 4.0.

The Artstream Studio, a creative, convenient, one-of-a-kind, mobile art studio and event venue, recently opened in November to provide unique art enrichment programs, after school activities, birthday parties and art parties to the St. Louis Metro area.

Owner Jennifer Beech has worked with the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for the Metro East at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and Business Specialist Marti Wieland to fulfill her dream of inspiring creativity, art and imagination.

At The Artstream Studio, art is a way of life. Housed in a vintage 1968 Airstream mobile home, the mobile art space is a place to explore and play, delivering programs and events directly to the client’s front door.

With a background woven between museum education and marketing, developing a mobile enrichment space has always been near and dear to Beech’s heart. Her vision for The Artstream Studio focuses on discovering or fueling a skillset through the creative journey, as well as building a stronger community, collaborating creatively and encouraging children to maintain their sense of wonder. She is passionate about creating a space that gives children the freedom of choice through creativity, with the hope of offering an experience that will stamp the memories of her clients forever.

Since February 2018, Wieland and the SBDC have provided Beech assistance with business plan development, establishing networks, and ensuring she had the necessities to bring her concepts to life.

“Jennifer’s business concept was always exciting,” Wieland said. “She is answering a need, not only the individual need for a creative outlet, but also to fill the gap created by decreased arts funding in our school systems. Children will greatly benefit in many ways from The Artstream Studio experience.”

“The Artstream Studio is not a typical business and did not have a typical business start-up,” Beech said. “Because of its uniqueness, it often took extra legwork in order to find not only what was needed, but also the right provider to meet those needs. The SBDC had the resources to which I did not have direct access.”

The Artstream Studio also competed in the SBDC’s 2018 Metro East Start-Up Challenge, which Beech found to be an extremely valuable learning experience, providing her mentorship in a variety of fields and capacities.

“Overall, the SBDC has been a mentor, cheerleader and valuable resource pushing not only myself, but also the business forward since the concept phase,” Beech said. “Every business is different, and The Artstream Studio surely didn’t follow the general rules for how to open a mobile business. Marti and the SBDC were able to give me confidence in the unknown and confirmation that I was moving in the right direction.”

The Artstream Studio’s official grand opening will take place in spring 2020, adding pop-up art programs, weekly lessons and workshops to the already existent offerings.

For more information, contact The Artstream Studio at 618-791-2873 or create@theartstreamstudio.com. Visit theartstreamstudio.com, on Facebook, Instagram at theartstreamstudio and LinkedIn at the-artstream-studio.

The Illinois SBDC for the Metro East assists start-up ventures like The Artstream Studio 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 theIL SBDC for the Metro East at SIUE at 618-650-2929.

Photo: The Artstream Studio owner Jennifer Beech.

SIUE School of Business alumna Sara Salger has been named managing partner of The Gori Law Firm. Salger earned a bachelor’s in business in 2004.

Details on her appointment were posted Wednesday, Jan. 8 in the Edwardsville Intelligencer.

The SIUE Department of Criminal Justice Studies recently celebrated the inaugural graduating class of its criminal justice policy master’s program, which launched in the fall 2018 semester. Courtney Jarrell and Alisa Weant completed the online program in December 2019.

“I chose to enroll in the program, because I knew getting a master’s would help me on the career path I want to go down,” said Jarrell, who completed two bachelor’s degrees at SIUE in May 2018 and began the master’s program a few months later. “Many federal probation departments, which is where I would one day like to work, are beginning to require master’s degrees. Even if it is not required for the department, it is still seen as a plus.”

The criminal justice policy program provides students with a strong foundation in criminal justice theory and methods, while also teaching them about innovative initiatives and focus areas. Students analyze controversial issues and examine possible future practices.

“The Department of Criminal Justice Studies established this program in order to give students the opportunity to further their studies of criminal justice policy specifically,” said Department Chair Kevin Cannon, PhD. “We believe the program will help students improve their prospects for promotion and leadership positions in criminal justice agencies.”

The 32 students currently enrolled in the master’s program have opportunities to collaborate with criminal justice professionals in the courts, corrections and law enforcement areas. The program also provides the option of gaining real-world experience through a capstone project targeting the needs of the agency where the student currently works.

“Being able to complete this program online provides our students with the flexibility to set their own pace,” added Cannon. “Many of our students are currently working in the criminal justice field. This program allows them to maintain a work-life balance and establish a timeline that works best for them.”

Though Jarrell chose to further her education before starting her criminal justice career, she still appreciated the flexibility of the program.

“I would recommend this program to others in my field,” noted Jarrell. “The staff is fantastic, you can move at your own pace, and you can earn a master’s which may help you move up in your department within a year or two.”

To learn more about the criminal justice policy master’s program, visit siue.edu/academics/graduate/degrees-and-programs/criminal-justice-policy/.

Hot chocolate and supportive smiles offered students at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville a warm welcome for the spring 2020 semester on a crisp Monday.

“I was excited to get back on campus and have people around me,” said sophomore psychology major and Women’s Basketball player Mikala Hall, of Danville. “I loved my first two classes today!”

The Office of Student Affairs organized volunteers around campus holding Ask Me! signs. The friendly faces served as a helpful resource to students navigating their new schedules. Faculty, administrators and staff volunteers also served free hot chocolate to students as a mid-day treat.

“There’s obviously some nerves on this first day back as we get prepared for the new semester,” said Carli Rose, a freshman biology and Spanish major from Salem. “Having people out here providing hot chocolate and a nice atmosphere really helps put students at ease for the semester and the challenges that are ahead.”

Among students’ goals for the new semester: study more and get a 4.0 GPA, dive deeper into their major, make new connections, be on time and prepared, and be proactive instead of reactive.

“I got to campus early today to make sure I printed my syllabi and articles for class,” said junior sociology major Precious Nunn, of St. Louis. “Getting ahead is important. I plan to stayed focused this semester.”

Photo: An Ask Me! staff volunteer helps a student navigate her new schedule on the first day of the spring 2020 semester.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ok0Uw-cmQeM

LERN recognized the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Office of Educational Outreach Artisan Bread Series among its 2019 LERN Courses of the Year in mid-December.

Edwardsville’s 222 Artisan Bakery partnered with SIUE Educational Outreach to offer a series of Artisan Breads courses. The series began with Artisan Breads-I, where individuals learned the basics of bread-making, including the terminology, ingredient functionality, dough handling, fermentation steps, mixing and dough development, as well as the fermentation in the baking process.

“We kept having people ask us if we could do something with bread or culinary,” said Leslie Brock, Educational Outreach assistant director of non-credit programs. “We eventually found Artisan and discovered that they had desired to do the courses for a while, but couldn’t figure out how to work the registrations and waivers. So, we were able to collaborate and develop this partnership.”

Building on the knowledge learned in Artisan Breads-I, the series continued with Artisan Breads-II focusing on sourdough breads and the functions of bread-making. Breads of the World will wrap the series as individuals will learn how to create and bake international breads, such as brioche, challah and Mediterranean. Each course gave participants the chance to make many different types of bread and take home 20-30 loaves.

The course covers the basics of bread-making – the art and the science. It addresses a number of current societal interests:

• There is a growing trend toward buying in artisanal and organic breads in the supermarket
• For value-conscious millennials, it is more cost-effective to bake one’s own bread rather than to buy it commercially
• Home baking provides individuals with greater control over nutritional value and ingredients, thus potentially healthier, another plus for young bakers, as well as health-conscious consumers
• Baking may actually be a powerful stress reducer

The Artisan Bakery head baker/owner teaches the courses, which are held on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 5-8 p.m. after the bakery is closed. “The bakery has discovered the series has increased awareness of its business and its offerings,” Brock said.

Brock said the series has led to increased awareness for Educational Outreach with local businesses, who are realizing how to partner with SIUE in new and unique ways. “Other businesses are now reaching out to us for potential partnerships such as cake decorating and real estate courses,” she said. “It’s been a beneficial partnership for both of us.”

“Educational Outreach focuses its collective energy on providing relevant and unique learning opportunities to the community,” said Interim Director of Educational Outreach Mary Ettling, “This is one of many great examples where a staff member actively takes feedback from our stakeholders and creates new opportunities for a larger audience.  I am very pleased to work with dedicated, talented individuals who continually strive to do more in support of our mission.”

Courses are limited to 10 students. During fall 2019, all five sessions were sold out with many taking the entire series. During the spring semester, four sessions of Artisan Breads-I will be offered with one session each of Artisan Breads-II and Breads of the World.

Although the spring semester Artisan Breads-I course began on Monday, Jan. 13, additional sessions begin Feb. 10, Feb. 24 and March 2. For more information, visit siue.edu/continuing-education/personal-development. There is a $129 course fee.

For more information about SIUE Educational Outreach, visit siue.edu/educational-outreach.