The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Pharmacy (SOP) will engage 5^th-8^th grade students in discussions about prescription drug abuse, vaping and the associated dangers during “Locked in to Stay Out,” a free overnight education event from 8 p.m. Saturday, April 4 until 7:30 a.m. Sunday, April 5 in SIUE’s First Community Arena at the Vadalabene Center. Registration forms are available through Monday, March 2 at siue.edu/pharmacy/about/news/pharmacy-calendar.shtml.

“Research shows that 5^th-8^th grade students who participate in programs focused on prescription drug misuse are less likely to abuse prescription medications as adults,” said Jessica Kerr, PharmD, associate dean and professor in the SOP Department of Pharmacy Practice. “We presented this novel overnight event previously and received incredible feedback that proved the positive impact this active learning opportunity had on participants.”

The event is hosted by SOP student organizations. The Generation Rx patient care project aims to provide education to people of all ages about the potential dangers of misusing prescription medications.

The SIUE APhA-ASP chapter has involved other student chapters and individual students in the SOP, public health and social work to create interactive sessions and games that will provide active learning opportunities on the health, social and legal consequences surrounding misuse and abuse of prescription and over-the-counter medications. Students will engage in activities such as a rock wall, volleyball, wallyball, basketball, indoor soccer and movies.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) funded a longitudinal analysis of three trials evaluating the implementation of a universal preventative intervention on prescription misuse in middle school students (grades 6 or 7) from small towns and rural communities. All three studies demonstrated that students are less likely to abuse prescription medication as a young adult (17-25 years old) if they attended a community-based prevention program. The interventions in the studies addressed general risks and protective factors for substance abuse, much like the “Locked in to Stay Out” event.

For more information, visit the “Locked in to Stay Out” Facebook page at facebook.com/SIUELockinToStayOut, email generationrx.siue@gmail.com or contact Jessica Kerr at 618-741-0630. 

Photo: SIUE’s Jessica Kerr, PharmD, associate dean and professor in the School of Pharmacy Department of Pharmacy Practice.

• In responding to the notion that atheism is not what black people do, participants shared that black atheists do exist, and they are growing as a constituency group.
• The second dominant narrative is that black atheists are immoral. Participants responded that they are merely human, and should be treated with dignity and respect.
• The final dominant narrative was that higher education is largely a secular space that develops students holistically. However, according to participants, college had little impact in shaping their atheist identity. 

College Factual’s 2020 Best Value Business Administration Schools report ranks Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s School of Business 12^th among 711 programs nationally and #1 in Illinois as “Best Value for the Money.” SIUE’s business administration program stands among the top 2% of all programs for value.

“Our faculty and staff are committed to enhancing the career prospects of our graduates, and this provides more evidence that we are meeting this goal,” said School of Business Dean Tim Schoenecker, PhD. “We are pleased to see that the College Factual rankings recognize the tremendous educational value associated with our BSBA program. It is especially gratifying to have the top ranking in Illinois.”

SIUE improved its position by 13 slots from the previous year’s No. 25 ranking. See the complete rankings at collegefactual.com.

In addition, SIUE’s business administration program moved to the top spot in Illinois after ranking third out of 27 colleges in Illinois for value a year ago.

Factors in College Factual’s Best Value Business Administration Schools methodology include the average yearly cost of the school, the average time students take to graduate and the quality the school provides to students.

Photo: SIUE School of Business Dean Tim Schoenecker.

The United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) has invited Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Dennis Bouvier, PhD, to enrich Academy Cadets’ academic experience as a Distinguished Visiting Professor of Computer and Cyber Sciences from June 2020-May 2021.

Located in Colorado Springs, the USAFA’s highly ranked university offers more than 30 majors and has approximately 400 faculty members, both civilian and active military. Its visiting faculty program invites outstanding educators, who can be released from their home institution for the duration of the assignment, to join its faculty and enhance student learning.

Bouvier, a professor in the School of Engineering’s Department of Computer Science, plans to live on base and teach courses related to computer science. He will return to his normal duties at SIUE upon completion of the opportunity, having gained new knowledge and invigorated ideas to enhance his teaching and scholarship.

“I’ve had the good fortune of meeting faculty from other colleges and visiting other institutions,” said Bouvier. “In nearly every visit, even if for only a couple days, I have learned something valuable. Some of these lessons I’ve brought to SIUE through changes in the way I teach a class or present a course topic.”

“If a short visit can teach me something, surely spending a year at another institution, especially one with a strong reputation for high standards, would be a learning experience,” he added. “In particular, I am interested to see how the Air Force Academy teaches cybersecurity topics and courses.” 

Bouvier was recently recognized as a co-author of a computer science paper deemed #4 most influential in recent history by the Association for Computing Machinery Special Interest Group on Computer Science Education. He is also an active educator who teaches myriad computer science courses at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, and consistently helps students coordinate such competitions as SheCode, WeCode and eHacks.

Bouvier’s assignment will conclude with the USAFA’s May 2021 commencement ceremony.

Photo: SIUE’s Dennis Bouvier, PhD, professor in the Department of Computer Science.

Swishing hoops, leaping dogs and launching marshmallows entertained an exuberant crowd of more than 3,000 local children attending Education Day on Thursday, Feb. 20 in the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville First Community Arena at the Vadalabene Center.

The annual event is sponsored by Phillips 66 Wood River Refinery. It featured the Women’s Basketball team taking on Austin Peay. During timeouts, eager children participated in a marshmallow launching activity led by the SIUE STEM Center. At halftime, the Paramount Performance Pups offered a high-flying performance.

“This is always an exciting event for us, because it features great community engagement with our local schools,” said Chris Wright, assistant athletic director for Annual Fund and Ticketing. “For many kids, this is their first time on a college campus. We are thrilled to offer them a fun visit and hopefully inspire them to want to achieve great things like they saw today.”

Participating schools included Lewis and Clark Junior High, Wolf Branch Middle School, Bernard Long Elementary, Central Intermediate, Collinsville Middle School, East Alton Middle School, North Elementary School, Pathways School, Penniman School, Pontiac Junior High, Trimpe Middle School, and Wirth Parks Middle School.

“Phillips 66 Wood River Refinery is a proud community partner, and we love this great tradition,” said Melissa Erker, director of government and community relations. “Education Day is a great way to connect our local communities with this premier University. Many have not been exposed to a university atmosphere before today. The event also integrates STEM learning, which we find incredibly valuable.”

“This is really fun,” exclaimed Ava Mentzer, a seventh grader from Swansea. “I’m a student-athlete, so it has been really exciting for me to watch.”

Mentzer and her friend Annabel Seneczyn were among the students participating in the SIUE STEM Center’s marshmallow launching activity. The interactive experience mimicked some of the science involved in the basketball game, like trajectory, aiming, and the need to balance force and precision.

“I enjoyed watching the game and doing the STEM activities,” Mentzer said. 

Lewis and Clark Junior High Principal Radena Lemmon emphasized the students’ excitement to experience a college atmosphere.

“It is exciting for the students to see the SIUE facilities and a game at this high level,” Lemmon said. “The way this event incorporates STEM learning is great. Our school is thankful to have been included.”

The Cougars were edged out 79-62 by Austin Peay. But, the energized fans left with a great new memory having been made, and each student and teacher in attendance went home with a free t-shirt.

Photo: Local students cheer on the SIUE Women’s Basketball team during a special Education Day event.

Great Value Colleges has selected the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Department of Philosophy’s bachelor’s degree program as #1 in Illinois and among the nation’s Top 40 for affordability. For the complete rankings, visit greatvaluecolleges.net.

“It is impossible not to be energized by someone else taking notice of SIUE’s great collection of philosophers,” said Christopher Pearson, PhD, Department of Philosophy chair. “We enjoy doing philosophy, and we strive to do it well.”

SIUE was selected not only for the program’s affordability, but also for the institution’s overall outstanding reputation, its faculty’s excellence, and the unerring commitment to providing non-traditional students a high-quality education and in doing so, providing all the tools required to achieve students’ career goals.

Pearson pointed to the faculty’s clear passion to tout philosophy and its benefits to all students. “The classroom is where this passion is most clearly on display,” he said. “But our undergraduate philosophy club, Lyceum, which hosts an annual Ethics Bowl, and annual Undergraduate Philosophy Conference all demonstrate just how passionate our faculty are to introduce, support, and guide students in philosophical inquiry.”

Considering the highly competitive job market in today’s economy, Pearson noted that philosophy puts a premium on a package of skills that will be useful for anyone in any occupation. “Philosophy requires being an excellent reader and an effective communicator, both in written and oral forms,” he said. “At its core, philosophy analyzes and constructs arguments, making analytical reasoning essential.

“Lastly, being successful in philosophy demands fair-mindedness and empathy, both moral and intellectual. These, sadly, seem in short supply today in many areas of industry and government. Philosophical study has the potential to have a positive impact on that.”

The rankings are determined by using data collected from College Navigator regarding tuition, as well as program information gleaned directly from each institution’s website. For more sizeable rankings, the methodology used to determine placement is based primarily on tuition. It also considers factors such as program flexibility, customization within the degree program both in content and format, and an overall “wow” factor that highlights each program’s unique offerings and sets it apart from the pack. For programs that have limited online availability, institutions are ranked based solely on tuition cost.

Great Value Colleges compiles these rankings in an effort to contribute to the academic mission of higher learning institutions. It provides pertinent, unbiased information for prospective students and working professionals to aid them in making more informed decisions as they seek to further their education.

Photo: SIUE’s Christopher Pearson, Department of Philosophy chair in the College of Arts and Sciences.

A Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Pharmacy (SOP) student team achieved first place in the Student National Pharmaceutical Association’s (SNPhA) Regional Clinical Skills Competition. The duo edged out 35 other teams competing from the region’s 30 states during the 2020 SNPhA Regional Conference held Feb. 14-16 in Lexington, KY.

SOP third year students Alex Hagans, of Staunton, and Jacob Troeckler, of Bethalto, exhibited their pharmaceutical knowledge skills through the patient case review and patient counseling competition. They were given five minutes each to review a patient case scenario and conduct a counseling session about the patient’s prescribed medications, over-the-counter medications, and lifestyle modifications.

“We are still shocked to have won, as there were a number of competitive teams from across the country that competed against us,” noted Hagans. “It was a great overall experience, and we are honored to have represented the SIUE School of Pharmacy. We couldn’t have accomplished this feat without the support of our SNPhA chapter president Brittany Vordtriede and others who attended the conference with us.”

“It was fun to compete with other teams in a real life-based scenario,” added Troeckler. “We are given plenty of practice and experience in our courses at SIUE to be strong competitors in this type of activity.”

Participation in such clinical skills competitions helps student members apply, and further develop their leadership and professional skills.

“I am extremely proud of Jacob and Alex for representing our school and SNPhA chapter on a national level and rising to the top in such a competitive event,” said chapter advisor Lakesha Butler, PharmD, clinical professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice. “Our SIUE pharmacy students continue to shine bright, which is a testament to their high caliber and hard work. As SNPhA members, Jacob and Alex have consistently participated in various community outreach events showcasing their passion for serving others, especially underserved populations. During this particular competition, they were able to showcase their academic knowledge and passion for clinical pharmacy.”

As the top finishers in the regional competition, Hagans and Troeckler next plan to compete at the 2020 NPhA/SNPhA National Convention being held July 31-Aug. 3 in New Orleans. 

Photo: (L-R) SIUE School of Pharmacy third-year students Jacob Troeckler and Alex Hagans won the Student National Pharmaceutical Association’s (SNPhA) Regional Clinical Skills Competition held Feb. 14-16 in Lexington, KY.

The Society of Women Engineers (SWE) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville held its eighth annual “Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day” Saturday, Feb. 15, in the SIUE School of Engineering building.

Approximately 250 girls from grades 5-8 attended the daylong event that offered exposure to the engineering field. Participants completed a total of five activities, covering the fields of civil, mechanical, electrical, industrial and computer science.

Small groups used teamwork to design and create their projects. The creative problem-solving aspects of engineering were discussed and explored. The participants worked collaboratively on projects, asked questions and used their imagination.

Professional women engineers and SIUE students were on site providing support and guidance to participants. Following the completion of each activity, the professional engineers and the SIUE engineering students offered analysis, and asked the participants probing questions about their projects.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville graduate student Caleb Romoser isn’t waiting until after graduation to implement his advanced degree training. He’s using his new knowledge in real-time to make a positive difference in an area school district by helping to combat racism.

Romoser teaches Spanish in Belleville Township High School District #201. The educator is developing capacities to support cultural diversity and culturally responsive learning and living by pursuing the SIUE Department of Educational Leadership’s Diversity and Equity in Education graduate program.

His advanced studies align perfectly with the commitment District #201 has made to ensuring equity for all students, through professional development and the creation of a Race and Equity Resource Guide.

“I am eager to be a part of this initiative for many reasons,” Romoser explained. “As my knowledge about the inequitable systems in our education institutions across the U.S. has grown, my desire to do something to change it has also grown. If we truly want to teach all of our kids, those of us who are white must do the work to understand our own racial identity, learn the historical context of race and class within our institutions, and bring that knowledge into the classroom and our everyday interactions. I am excited to be in a district that understands the importance of this, values all students and wants to lean into this hard work.”

“Belleville Township High School District #201 is a district of diverse learners, and we are committed to providing all of our students the support they need to reach their full potential,” said Assistant Superintendent for Student Services Melissa Taylor. “By focusing on equity, we are working to remove barriers and improve programs, so that all of our students will graduate prepared for success after high school.”

Romoser has been an active contributor to District #201’s efforts, using the skills he is gaining in SIUE’s interdisciplinary program. The program emphasizes the cultivation of dispositions, attitudes, knowledge and skills that are critical to teaching diverse students in today’s schools, and working in any other settings where diversity is both present and valued.

“My classes so far have been integral to my work in District #201, and specifically at Belleville West,” he explained. “I’ve contributed to the resource guide created by some of our awesome school librarians. I’ve also led some of our professional development sessions in conjunction with other great educators from my district to help our faculty better understand things like implicit bias, equity versus equality, microaggressions, white privilege, the fault of colorblindness and more.” 

“SIUE’s Diversity and Equity in Education program is dedicated to providing students with knowledge, networks, skills, and strategies to support cultural diversity, equity, and inclusion in education, and beyond,” said associate professor and graduate program director Jennifer Logue, PhD. “The most rewarding aspect of this work is learning about how our students are actively applying their knowledge and passion to positively impact their schools and communities! We are thrilled to learn of Caleb’s impact on institutional inclusion in his district. We continue to support these efforts, encouraging collaboration within and across districts and grade levels, so that all of our schools can better support all students—our future leaders.”

“I’ve been able to investigate the systems and institutions that perpetuate inequality and injustice, and my own complicity and contributions to these systems,” Romoser concluded. “Without this advanced education, I would have a lot less to offer my students and district. I’d have a lot of care, but less training and know how.”

For more information on the Diversity and Equity in Education (formerly known as Learning, Culture, and Society) graduate program, visit siue.edu/education/edld/lcs.

Photo: SIUE graduate student and Spanish teacher at Belleville West High School Caleb Romoser.

 The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Nursing (SON) and John A. Logan College (JALC) have announced an enhanced articulation agreement to provide a pathway for students to achieve a bachelor’s in nursing (BSN).

The SIUE and JALC path to a BSN allows students to complete their general education courses at JALC, earning an associate’s in nursing, then complete their baccalaureate nursing coursework online through SIUE.

Students can take classes at JALC for three years and begin a job in their profession, while working online to obtain their BSN from SIUE.

 “We are pleased to join with the SIUE School of Nursing to offer our students the opportunity to obtain a bachelor’s in nursing, while working and living in southern Illinois. This collaborative agreement puts the needs of our students and community first,” said JALC Dean of Academic Affairs Stephanie Chaney Hartford, PhD.

“The partnership between JALC and the SIUE School of Nursing demonstrates a mutual commitment of offering high-quality, affordable and accessible education to students who want to become nurses and advance within their profession,” said SON Dean Laura Bernaix, PhD, RN. “This partnership will undoubtedly contribute toward ensuring a robust nursing workforce in southern Illinois.”

For more information, contact JALC at 618-985-3741 or jalc.edu/nursing, or visit siue.edu/nursing/academic-programs.

About John A. Logan College

John A. Logan College is a diverse learning and teaching community committed to improving individual life and society through high-quality, accessible educational programs and engaged learning opportunities.

Photo: SIUE School of Nursing Dean Laura Bernaix, PhD, RN.

The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Engineering (SOE) celebrated outstanding students, faculty and alumni for their academic excellence, service and leadership during its 14^th Annual Awards Banquet held Tuesday, Feb. 18 in the Morris University Center’s Meridian Ballroom.

The SOE recognized an outstanding junior, senior, graduate student, teacher and alumnus from each of its academic programs, including civil, industrial, mechanical, electrical, computer, and mechatronics and robotics engineering, as well as computer science and construction.

Awards were also presented to a researcher, adjunct instructor and faculty member for their exceptional performance and service. Additionally, the Computer Association of SIUE (CAOS) was named the Student Organization of the Year.

“The advancement of the SIUE School of Engineering is propelled by the outstanding contributions and accomplishments of our students, faculty, staff and alumni,” said SOE Dean Cem Karacal, PhD. “We are proud to celebrate their incredible work and realize the significant potential our engineering community has for future achievement.”

SIUE alumna Ashlee Peno earned the honor of Outstanding Alumna in Civil Engineering and was the event’s keynote speaker. She earned both a bachelor’s and master’s in civil engineering in 2004 and 2005, respectively. Peno is the chief structural engineer responsible for managing the engineering design division at Special Inspections and Designs.

Student leaders from the Joint Engineering Student Council (JESC) Holly Liebel and Dan Radonic helped host the program. 

A complete list of award recipients is available at siue.edu/engineering/banquet/award-recipients.

Photos: SIUE School of Engineering Dean Cem Karacal, PhD, welcomes attendees to the School’s 14^th Annual Awards Banquet.

SIUE alumna Ashlee Peno accepts the Outstanding Alumna in Civil Engineering (CE) award from CE professor and department chair Ryan Fries, PhD.

From performing reactions, evaporating solvents, looking at spectra, and taking melting points, undergraduate students in the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Pharmacy (SOP) have the unique opportunity to help advance and discover new compounds with impacts on such diseases and disorders as Alzheimer’s and epilepsy.

With the direct oversight of such renowned teacher-scholars as the SOP’s Michael Crider, PhD, associate dean for research, and chair and professor in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, students gain hands-on experience and co-publish pharmaceutical research through the School’s Competitive Research Program.

Findings of Crider and four former SOP students were recently published in Current Bioactive Compounds. The article details a compound that could have potential use in complex partial seizures.

“Epilepsy is a disease of the central nervous system that affects approximately 50 million individuals worldwide,” noted Crider. “Although several new drugs have been marketed in the last 25 years, almost one-third of patients are not protected. In many cases, currently available drugs produce undesirable side effects. As a result, a need exists for novel anticonvulsants with unique mechanisms of action and minimal side effects.”

Presently, a trio of third-year pharmacy students are working in Crider’s lab, including Lejla Garic, Kristen Ingold and Matt Dunahoo. They have contributed to an ongoing National Institutes of Health-funded project on the development of somatostatin subtype 4 agonists for potential use in Alzheimer’s disease.

“There are several reasons I find it valuable to involve students in my research, including teaching critical thinking, developing problem-solving skills and demonstrating how knowledge gained in the classroom can be applied in the lab,” Crider explained. “As a teacher, I find it important to enable students to become proficient in an area in which they may have limited knowledge. Furthermore, involving students in my research helps me remain active and pursue new areas of research.”

Ingold, of Freeburg, aspires to work as an internal medicine pharmacist in an inpatient hospital. She finds it gratifying to work alongside Crider as their work helps improve patient health.

“In the classroom, we learn a lot about medicinal chemistry, the way drugs are made and their structure, but not everyone fully understands the importance of that,” Ingold said. “Working with Dr. Crider, we fully understand the purpose, reasoning and vision behind making these drug compounds for patients.”

Garic, of East Moline, is interested in pediatrics and wants to continue contributing to pharmacy research.

“As a pharmacist, I hope to make an impact within research,” Garic said. “Whether or not a research endeavor ends up a discovery, it is a stepping stone in the process of new drugs, experiments and studies. Working in Dr. Crider’s lab has helped me learn about myself and where I play a role in pharmacy.”

“As a student pursuing the education specialization, I want to train and educate people to be more health literate and health conscious,” added Dunahoo, of Peotone. “The opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the lab solidifies my understanding of concepts we learn in the classroom.”

For more information on the SIUE School of Pharmacy’s Competitive Research Program, visit siue.edu/pharmacy/degrees-programs-research/research. 

Photo: (L-R) SIUE School of Pharmacy third-year students Matt Dunahoo, Lejla Garic and Kristen Ingold work in Dr. Michael Crider’s research lab.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7XuDkQYSaY&feature=youtu.be

Negative preconceived ideas, feelings of isolation and virtually no exposure to black scholars are struggles that black students face in college classrooms at predominantly white institutions (PWIs), according to Timothy Lewis, PhD, assistant professor in the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Department of Political Science. 

Lewis, who specializes in identity politics, facilitated the Inclusive Conversation, “Being Black in the Classroom,” which was held Friday, Feb. 21 in the Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion (CSDI). 

Lewis introduced the discussion of equity within the educational system by presenting a 1960s video of renowned American novelist, playwright, poet and activist James Baldwin. In the video, Baldwin spoke about race and racism. 

“I don’t know what most white people in this country feel … I can only conclude what they feel by the state of their institutions,” said Baldwin. 

“What do the institutions of America tell you about race?” asked Lewis. “In particular, what is the state of education for blacks?” 

Lewis shared Pew Research studies that showed two reoccurring themes in U.S. education:

• Being black merits suspicion. Black students are more likely to be punished and more likely to have more severe punishments (Balingit, 2018).
• Blacks are unintelligent (different than the inherit bias of standardized testing). 

“I’ve been in honors classes where I was asked, ‘How did you get in here?’” said Christen King, a senior, majoring in criminal justice and SIUE women’s basketball player. “I’ve also been told that I speak well. It’s hurtful.” 

“Additional data from Pew Research, shows that the manifestations of racism and racial bias are experienced more frequently in college than in high school or grade school,” added Lewis. “Why do you think that is?” 

“A majority of people go to grade school and high school in the neighborhoods where they live,” interjected King. “Most neighborhoods and schools are not overly diverse.” 

Many college students had no exposure to an African American instructor in their K-12 experience, according to Lewis. 

“This means that during the years of the most influential cognitive development, the classroom was a space where blackness as the authority did not exist,” he added. “There have been some students at SIUE who were surprised to learn I was a professor.” 

Lewis continued the discussion by asking what is the harm in educational spaces remaining predominantly white. 

“In some cases, it allows students to absorb stereotypes,” said Tarsha Moore, CSDI assistant director. “The absence of interaction with black people can validate some negative things seen via social media or mainstream media.” 

“That isolation allows you to stay ignorant,” said Telisha Reinhardt, admissions and records officer in the Office of the Registrar. “I was in the military, and I served with people who had never seen black people before. While military is not a perfect institution, it forced people to look at your fellow sailor with respect, because they may be the one to save your life one day.” 

SIUE Chancellor Randy Pembrook asked the group how their perspectives would change if the University were to drastically increase the diversity of its faculty and staff. 

“If I walked in certain classes and saw black faculty, that would be uplifting,” said King. 

“I definitely think it will have a positive impact, if we increase those numbers,” remarked Moore. “However, support is also needed. We don’t want to just recruit black faculty, staff and students, we want to retain them as well.” 

Photos:
SIUE Chancellor Randy Pembrook listens to the concerns of Christen King, a senior, majoring in criminal justice. 

Timothy Lewis, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Political Science, facilitated the Inclusive Conversation, “Being Black in the Classroom.” 

Telisha Reinhardt, admissions and records officer in the Office of the Registrar, offers her point of view.

The computer science field is rapidly growing, presenting boundless career opportunities. But, males greatly outnumber females in the industry. The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Engineering Department of Computer Science (CS) wants to ensure females are a part of the field’s surging growth and success.

The Department will host SheCode from 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Saturday, March 7 in the Engineering Building. The free event sparks interest and inspires more females to pursue computer science through an interactive programming project and mentorship from an SIUE CS alumna and professional in the technology field.

Registration is available at shecode.cs.siue.edu.

“At SheCode, we aim to boost young women’s interest in the field before they pick a college major,” said Dennis Bouvier, PhD, professor in the CS department. “By providing strong female mentorship and experience in beginning computer programming, we hope SheCode will give young women the motivation to consider pursuing a future degree and career in computer science.”

“It’s incredibly important for young girls to have female role models and mentors in the technology field, to show them the endless possibilities a career in this field can provide,” said Darla Ahlert, MS ’15. “I enjoy making the connection between everyday interactions they have with technology and the fact they can one day be the leaders who create future technologies.”

For more information, including a complete agenda, visit shecode.cs.siue.edu.

Photo: SIUE computer science alumna Darla Ahlert works with high school participants at SheCode 2018.

Medical pioneers from St. Louis Children’s Hospital’s Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Institute (CPCI) are collaborating with established clinicians and educators, and aspiring speech-language pathologists (SLP) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville to offer high-caliber care for area children and adults.

Thanks to St. Louis Children’s Hospital’s Collaborative Care for Speech Differences in Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Disorders Continuing Education Program, clients like four-year-old Holden are making great strides in speech development through top-notch, accessible, consistent and collaborative care offered in the SIUE School of Education, Health and Human Behavior’s Speech Language Hearing (SLH) Center.

Holden, of Mount Olive, was born with cleft palate, and underwent major surgery at age one to close the opening between his nose and mouth. His speech-language pathologist at St. Louis Children’s Hospital Lynn Marty Grames, MA, CCC-SLP, connected his family with the SIUE Speech Language Hearing Center so he could get the therapy he needed, close to home, as he was leaking air through his nose when he spoke. 

“Holden’s air leakage was in large part due to mis-learned speech behaviors, and surgery would not correct the air leak nor the speech disorder,” Grames explained. “Holden’s parents understood that he would need further therapy, but live too far away to come to St. Louis Children’s Hospital every week. When collaboration was offered to SIUE, they enthusiastically agreed, and Holden’s therapy progress has been excellent. He has not required further surgery to date.”

SIUE’s SLH Center is a learning environment for graduate students enrolled in the accredited speech-language pathology and audiology degree programs. The applied learning space allows student clinicians, under the direct supervision of licensed and certified speech-language pathologists, to strengthen their skills while serving clients experiencing various speech, language and hearing difficulties.

“This semester I’ve been doing articulation therapy with Holden to improve his speech production,” said SLP graduate student clinician Chelsey Short. “We’re working with him to help establish correct productions of sounds so that his speech is intelligible and age appropriate. . We follow the program that Lynn has created for him. She’s a valued member of an impressive team, so it is a tremendous opportunity to work alongside her.”

According to Grames, SIUE’s program is a model for graduate programs due to its commitment to collaborative care and insertion of a curriculum section on cleft palate speech disorder.

“In the United States, SLPs are not required to have coursework or practicum experience for cleft palate, craniofacial or other oral structural disorders,” she explained. “The consequence is that there are many excellent SLPs practicing in the field who know very little about cleft palate speech disorder and appropriate therapy techniques. Collaborative care gives us an opportunity to provide education and support for our colleagues who are doing the hard work of providing appropriate therapy. Our patients can now receive best practice-based therapy close to home, which in turn assists the specialists of the Institute to provide timely and optimal care.”

“Lynn is an incredible clinician,” noted Kathryn Brady, PhD, associate professor in the SLP program. “She takes a personal interest in her clients’ cases and in our students. Through the collaborative care program, and thanks to her on-campus lectures on cleft palate speech, our students gain incredible educational experience, and clients get a positive, consistent clinical experience. It’s a wonderful opportunity for all involved.” 

The strong partnership is providing a specialty service that may not be available otherwise, positively impacting the lives of clients and their families and providing a solid foundation for future SLPs to continue this important work. 

“You want your son to be able to communicate. It’s such an important part of life,” said Holden’s dad Doug. “People come from all over the world to receive this kind of life-changing care. We’re grateful to Lynn and SIUE for their amazing work. We feel extremely lucky.”

For more information on SIUE’s Speech Language Hearing Center, visit siue.edu/slh-center/.

For more information on St. Louis Children’s Hospital’s Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Institute, visit stlouischildrens.org/conditions-treatment/cleft-palate-and-craniofacial-institute.

Photo: SIUE speech language pathology graduate student clinician Chelsey Short works with four-year-old Holden during a therapy session in the Speech Language Hearing Center on campus.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Gireesh Gupchup, PharmD, director for university-community initiatives and professor of pharmacy, has been named 2020 auxiliary board chair for the Southwest Illinois Division of United Way of Greater St. Louis. He succeeds Jay Korte, director of client relations at The Korte Company, who has held the chair position since 2018.

“As a longtime supporter of United Way, I understand what an important and critical role United Way plays in keeping our neighbors and our community strong, healthy and thriving,” said Gupchup. “It’s an honor to serve as board chair and work with other board members, volunteers and United Way staff to continue United Way’s mission of helping local people live their best possible lives.”

In his previous role as dean of SIUE’s School of Pharmacy, Gupchup developed new residency, specialization and certificate programs, as well as collaborations with universities in India and Venezuela. In 2017, he received the Outstanding Dean Award from the American Pharmacists Association Academy of Student Pharmacists.

In addition to his role as board chair for the Southwest Illinois Division, Gupchup also serves on the board of directors for United Way of Greater St. Louis. His other leadership roles include secretary of the Board of the Hospice of Southern Illinois and president-elect of the Land of Goshen Rotary Club, as well as serving on the board of directors of Leadership Council of Southwestern Illinois’ military affairs committee.

United Way’s Southwest Illinois Division, which serves Madison, Macoupin, Jersey, Greene and Calhoun counties, also welcomed the following as new board members: Paul Abert, of Town & Country Bank; Joann Barton, of Busey Bank; Don DeGonia, of Plumbers & Gasfitters 360; Lisa Fowler, of First Mid Illinois Bank & Trust; Brittany Johnson, of the Edwardsville Intelligencer; Jennifer Kahl, of Machinists Union 660; Alan Meyer, of 1st MidAmerica Credit Union; Kent Scheffel, of Lewis & Clark Community College; Amber Scott, of 1st MidAmerica Credit Union; and Bob Wills, of 100 Black Men.

About United Way of Greater St. Louis

United Way of Greater St. Louis mobilizes the community with one goal in mind – helping people live their best possible lives. United Way helps people in the 16-county region in Missouri and Illinois by supporting the foundation for a good quality of life through basic needs, education, financial stability, health and strong communities. For more information, contact 314-421-0700 or visit HelpingPeople.org.

Photo: SIUE’s Gireesh Gupchup, PharmD, has been named 2020 auxiliary board chair for the Southwest Illinois Division of United Way of Greater St. Louis.

JewelRide, a client of the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for the Metro East at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, has become a Medicaid approved provider, now offering their services to Medicaid recipients.

JewelRide launched in October 2019 and offers reliable, trustworthy, and affordable non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) to individuals, families and communities throughout the Metro East.

Their services include medical and hospital appointments, dialysis visits, senior transportation, assisted living transfers, pharmacy/drugstore prescription pick-up, errands, and tailor-made transportation needs.

JewelRide owner Tapiwa Mupereki is thrilled that Medicaid’s approval allows the opportunity to expand their clientele by serving a new group of people. Mupereki and his wife, Rutendo, a pharmacist and pediatrician, respectively, understand the importance of increasing access to healthcare. This opportunity underscores one of their key values – all lives are equal, and everyone should experience a healthy and productive life.

 “It is extremely difficult for people in any society to reach their full potential when they lack access to healthcare,” Mupereki shared. “We are excited for the opportunity to extend our inspired services to patients covered by Medicaid. It provides a chance for people, regardless of socioeconomic status, to seamlessly enjoy our customer care experience on their path to better health.

JewelRide began the rigorous Medicaid application process last November. In the state of Illinois, the Medicaid provider approval process is coordinated by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, and divided into two phases: document review and on-site inspection. The process focuses on patient safety procedures and compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). It is not only demanding in terms of time and financial commitment, but also calls for a high level of intellectual preparedness.

“At JewelRide, we were fortunate to be approved within three months, despite our application coinciding with the Christmas holidays,” Mupereki shared. “From day one, we took the process seriously and researched widely to approach it in the best possible way. We viewed it as an opportunity we could not miss, especially as an ambitious company with an immediate goal to be a household name in the Metro East and beyond. It is a win-win situation for us and our customers covered by Medicaid. Ultimately the community wins, because health is a fundamental good necessary for human flourishing.”

Each year, more than 3.6 million people miss an appointment due to lack of reliable transportation. Since opening, JewelRide has seen this challenge firsthand. It is important to Mupereki to help those who do not have transportation access. Medicaid’s approval furthers JewelRide’s ability to do so.

“We are thrilled at the progress JewelRide is making,” shared SBDC Director Jo Ann DiMaggio May. “Accepting Medicaid is going to allow many patients that need non-emergency medical transportation to take advantage of JewelRide’s reliable service. I am proud of Mupereki’s hard work and look forward to seeing JewelRide become a household name.”

Services extend to villages, towns, and cities in all Metro East counties such as Madison, St. Clair, and Jersey, as well as transporting those who have healthcare travel needs to the greater St. Louis metro area.

JewelRide can be contacted at 618-250-4771 or tmupereki@jewelride.com. For more information, visit jewelride.com or find them on Facebook at JewelRide.

The Illinois SBDC for the Metro East assists start-up ventures like JewelRide, 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: JewelRide owner Tapiwa Mupereki and his wife, Rutendo (left).

Which mode of exercise most effectively reduces cardiac fat in women? How can different modes of exercise improve cardiac function? These are among the questions Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Maria Fernandez del Valle, PhD, is asking through her research aimed at optimizing women’s health.

Fernandez del Valle is an assistant professor of exercise physiology in the School of Education, Health and Human Behavior’s Department of Applied Health. She is a prime example of a teacher-scholar who has established effective multi-disciplinary collaborations and consistently involves undergraduate and graduate students in the Exercise Physiology Lab to pursue high impact research.

“My research focuses on improving exercise prescription through different lines of study to help individuals optimize their health,” Fernandez del Valle explained. “Currently, we’re targeting women, and conducting research on cardiac fat and function to determine how different modes of exercise can help us improve both.”

Unsatisfied with a meta-analysis that concluded exercise didn’t have a significant effect as a strategy to reduce cardiac fat, Fernandez del Valle is investigating further for the benefit of women’s health.

“I want to improve the way we prescribe exercise,” she said. “We need a larger sample size to clearly see data trends, but early indications show that we can have a high impact on cardiac fat around the heart with resistance training alone. The implication then would be that obese women should do resistance training to target more internal fat rather than the fat you see on the outside. Because, internal fat is what I linked to the development of metabolic and cardiac diseases.”

Two of Fernandez del Valle’s primary collaborators are Jon Klingensmith, PhD, assistant professor in the SIUE School of Engineering’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Pamela Woodard, PhD, with the Washington University School of Medicine.

“Upon meeting Dr. Fernandez del Valle when we both arrived at SIUE, I was excited to learn of her expertise in obesity and her research in how to reduce the fat around our internal organs,” Klingensmith said. “Our interdisciplinary collaboration has opened new avenues of study at SIUE, including the use of cardiac MRI to quantify and map cardiac fat, and the development of ultrasound-based algorithms for identification of cardiac fat. These efforts would not be possible for either of us alone. The interdisciplinary nature of the work allows us to pursue ideas and funding that otherwise wouldn’t be available.”

Fernandez del Valle is also an active research mentor for multiple undergraduate and graduate students, most of whom have earned competitive research awards and Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities (URCA) accolades.

“We can teach in the classroom and explain concepts, but when students are in a lab, I can see their faces and how it just clicks that ‘oh, now that’s what this means’ and ‘this is connecting with this,’” Fernandez del Valle said. “Without my collaborators’ and students’ assistance, this work would not be possible. It involves human subjects, assessment training and implementation, data reporting and much more.”

“Working in Dr. Fernandez del Valle’s lab has helped me connect with people,” said graduate student and research assistant JaiLin Allen. “Working with her has helped me gain not only experience in exercise physiology and knowing how the body works, but also how to tie in that experience with personal interactions and my future career.”

“Before working in this lab, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do post-graduation,” added graduate student and research assistant Paige Davis. “Now, I know I want to work in a research lab at a college or government agency. I love the mix of human interaction and data entry, and how everything comes together to achieve interesting results.”

Photo: SIUE’s Maria Fernandez del Valle, PhD, assistant professor of exercise physiology in the School of Education, Health and Human Behavior’s Department of Applied Health.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJaHjF5sI98&feature=youtu.be