College Factual’s 2020 Best Value Computer Science Programs ranks Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s School of Engineering fourth nationally and No. 1 in Illinois as “Best Value for the Money.” Additionally, SIUE’s Civil Engineering and Mechanical Engineering programs are among the top 15 percent nationally as “Best Value for the Money.”

Among 278 Computer Science programs, SIUE ranked behind only Brigham Young University, University of Wyoming and Iowa State University for affordability. View the entire rankings at collegefactual.com/majors. 

SIUE’s Civil Engineering program is 30^th among 203 schools, and the Mechanical Engineering program is 40^th among 268 schools.

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

Photo: The Fowler Student Design Center at the SIUE School of Engineering.

SIUE’s Alan Black, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Geography, was a featured weather expert in a FOX2 News story on “Debunking Tornado Safety Myths.”

A fitting topic during Severe Weather Preparedness Week, meteorologist Jaime Travers shared the story on Tuesday, March 3. View the segment here.

From an early age, Congressman John Shimkus (R-15th District-Collinsville), watched his father, Gene Shimkus, study and then graduate from the local university, which was still somewhat new, but offered a world of opportunities. Over the years, Shimkus, two sisters, his wife and son followed in his father’s footsteps in graduating from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. 

“I have watched SIUE grow and expand into the successful University it is today,” said Shimkus. 

Similar to SIUE trajectory, Shimkus’ 24-year career in the U.S. House of Representatives has been marked with achievements and victories, and he credits SIUE for playing a part. 

Congressman Shimkus earned a master’s in business administration from SIUE in 1997. “My SIUE degree helped me as a member of Congress,” said Shimkus. “You have to know the language of business. We’re a capitalistic society, and to be able to understand and talk the language is helpful.” 

Earlier, he earned a bachelor’s in general engineering from the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, in 1980. After completing more than five years of active duty in the Army, Shimkus returned to southern Illinois. 

“I love southern Illinois, because it’s home. I enjoy the four seasons. It’s close to St. Louis, but there are still several small towns,” he remarked. “For much of my life when I was home, I only lived about 1-½ miles from my mom and dad, and my siblings lived in the area. Many of my siblings still live in this area.” 

Because of his love for the community, Shimkus decided to run for local office in 1990 and was elected as Madison County treasurer. 

“I had no business background, and thought I needed to get some more education,” reflected Shimkus. “Many of these political offices are management. So, I applied to the local university to get my MBA, and Nancy Belk was the chancellor at the time. 

“I was not a traditional student, and took classes nights and weekends, like many students in the MBA program,” he continued. “Eventually, I graduated in spring 1997 and was the student speaker at commencement.”

“SIUE has been good me, and it’s been good to my family,” said Shimkus. Other Shimkus family members and their SIUE degrees include: 

• Gene Shimkus, associate’s in business, 1968
• Dorothy Joyce, sister, bachelor’s in recreation, 1974
• Karen Shimkus, wife, master’s in music/music performance, 1990
• Jana Heuer, sister, bachelor’s in accounting, 1990
• David Shimkus, son, bachelor’s in engineering computer science, 2017 

Everyone talks about power, but what is important is to have influence, according to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Denise Cobb, PhD. Cobb gave the welcome during Tea and Talk, on Tuesday, March 3, to kick off Women History Month. 

“Being a woman in any room is sometimes complicated,” said Cobb. “Then being a woman in a leadership role is particularly complicated, but it’s worth it. When it comes to having influence, think about how to build support for change, how to think about the world differently, how to build a different culture, and how to enact policies that make women’s, men’s and everyone’s lives better.” 

Making positive and innovative change will result in having a good network, the provost emphasized. 

“I challenge you to think about your networks, and how you build them,” added Cobb. “There is a social tendency toward building networks with people who are most like yourself. Those are not the ones that help us be better thinkers or confront issues differently. You have to develop diverse networks that can affect change.” 

Finally, Cobb encouraged women to nominate other women for awards and positions. “Women are not going to self-nominate,” she noted. “They might think they’re not ready, because they think they have to be perfect.” 

SIUE alumna Sarah Rankin, co-founder of 100+ Women Who Care from the 618 with founder Denise Arendell, inspired the audience with her story of the women’s collective giving group that is making an impact with local non-profit organizations in the 618 area code. Rankin earned her master’s in clinical adult psychology in 2010 from SIUE.  

The concept involves women meeting four times a year and each giving $100. Each woman can nominate a non-profit of her choice. Three agency names are pulled, and those who nominated the group give a short presentation. Afterwards, the group votes, and the non-profit receiving the most ballots gets the pool of money. 

“What started with one woman and then four, has grown to more than 1,700,” said Rankin. 

The 100 Who Care Alliance was started in 2006 by Karen Dunigan, who died a few years later. Her legacy lives on through the expansion of more than 100 chapters throughout the world. 

The 618-area-code group formed in May 2019 and held its first meeting in July 2019. The local group has raised more than $113,000 and has given three impact awards to not-for-profit agencies, according to Rankin. 

“There is nothing like the feeling of working together to impact the community,” said Rankin. “Women are working collectively, making connections and making a difference in our own community.” 

Photos:
SIUE Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Denise Cobb, PhD, welcomes the audience at SIUE’s Tea and Talk on Tuesday, March 3. 

SIUE alumna Sarah Rankin, co-founder of 100+ Women Who Care from the 618 with founder Denise Arendell, talks about the collective power of women and their responsibility to contribute to the community. 

Women broke into groups to discuss networking questions provided.

From an early age, Congressman John Shimkus (R-15th District-Collinsville), watched his father, Gene Shimkus, study and then graduate from the local university, which was still somewhat new, but offered a world of opportunities. Over the years, Shimkus, two sisters, his wife and son followed in his father’s footsteps in graduating from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. 

“I have watched SIUE grow and expand into the successful University it is today,” said Shimkus. 

Similar to SIUE trajectory, Shimkus’ 24-year career in the U.S. House of Representatives has been marked with achievements and victories, and he credits SIUE for playing a part. 

Congressman Shimkus earned a master’s in business administration from SIUE in 1997. “My SIUE degree helped me as a member of Congress,” said Shimkus. “You have to know the language of business. We’re a capitalistic society, and to be able to understand and talk the language is helpful.” 

Earlier, he earned a bachelor’s in general engineering from the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, in 1980. After completing more than five years of active duty in the Army, Shimkus returned to southern Illinois. 

“I love southern Illinois, because it’s home. I enjoy the four seasons. It’s close to St. Louis, but there are still several small towns,” he remarked. “For much of my life when I was home, I only lived about 1-½ miles from my mom and dad, and my siblings lived in the area. Many of my siblings still live in this area.” 

Because of his love for the community, Shimkus decided to run for local office in 1990 and was elected as Madison County treasurer. 

“I had no business background, and thought I needed to get some more education,” reflected Shimkus. “Many of these political offices are management. So, I applied to the local university to get my MBA, and Nancy Belk was the chancellor at the time. 

“I was not a traditional student, and took classes nights and weekends, like many students in the MBA program,” he continued. “Eventually, I graduated in spring 1997 and was the student speaker at commencement.”

“SIUE has been good me, and it’s been good to my family,” said Shimkus. Other Shimkus family members and their SIUE degrees include: 

• Gene Shimkus, associate’s in business, 1968
• Dorothy Joyce, sister, bachelor’s in recreation, 1974
• Karen Shimkus, wife, master’s in music/music performance, 1990
• Jana Heuer, sister, bachelor’s in accounting, 1990
• David Shimkus, son, bachelor’s in engineering computer science, 2017 

The National Development Council (NDC) is partnering with the Illinois SBDC for the Metro East at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville to bring two valuable small business financial sessions to the area.

On Wednesday, April 22, local business owners and entrepreneurs throughout the region are invited to attend and participate in “How to Get a Loan” from 2-5 p.m. at The Lodge in Edwardsville, located at 231 N. Main St. The session is $10. To register, visit ilsbdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/32183.

NDC staff will present a range of topics including:

• What goes in to a loan application
• The 4 Cs of credit
• Understanding your financial statements and the importance of maintaining accurate and current financial records
• Understanding cash flow available for debt service

On Thursday, April 23, local business owners and entrepreneurs are also invited to attend and participate in “Cash Management Basics” from 2-5 p.m. at The Lodge in Edwardsville. The session is also $10. To register, visit ilsbdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/32184

Topics will include:

• Tracking financial results
• Introduction to financial statements
• Budgeting and projecting for future business plans
• Keeping accounts current and tracking results

These are opportunities for entrepreneurs and business owners to understand the importance of their financial spreadsheets, how to get funding, and discover the valuable business resources that the SBDC and NDC have to offer.

SBDC Director Jo Ann Di Maggio May appreciates the NDC, “It truly takes a team effort to help small businesses survive and thrive.”

For more information, contact the IL SBDC for the Metro East at SIUE at 618-650-2929.

NDC’s work focuses on homes, jobs and community. Founded as a national nonprofit in 1969, NDC has worked for nearly 50 years fulfilling its mission to increase the flow of capital for investment in low-income communities. NDC directs capital to support the development and preservation of affordable housing, the creation of jobs through training and small business lending, and the advancement of livable communities through investment in social infrastructure.

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

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

Registration is open for Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s fourth annual Decades Dash. The 5K run starts at 9 a.m. Saturday, April 4 at the Morris University Center on campus.

Entry fees are $10 for SIUE students, $20 for SIUE faculty, staff and alumni, and $30 for the general public. Beginning Friday, March 20, entry fees increase by $5 for all participants. Register now at decadesdashsiue.com.

Participants will dash through the 90s on SIUE’s beautiful campus, while experiencing the movies, music and games of the era. Meet some of your favorite characters from the Pokemon fad, including Pikachu, Snorlax and trainer Ash. New this year, runners and walkers can catch Pokemon along the trail using an app and show their collection after the race to win prizes.

All entrants will receive a running shirt, finisher medal and goody bag. The top three finishers overall, and the top three finishers in each age group, will receive plaques. Prizes will also be awarded for the best-dressed runners or walkers of the 90s or best-dressed Pokemon.

For more information, visit decadesdashsiue.com.

Photo: SIUE Decades Dash 2020.

The SIUE School of Business Executive Education program is offering its spring 2020 professional development courses and workshops, including the associate professional in human resources certification (aPHR) course and the SIUE Leadership Bootcamp.   

Associate Professional in Human Resources (aPHR) Certification Course: Saturday and Sunday, April 4-5

This course is designed to prepare HR concentration students for the aPHR exam offered by HRCI (hrci.org/aphr). The aPHR exam is the associate professional in human resources exam, designed to test your knowledge of human resource topics as you begin your professional career. Unlike the Professional in Human Resources (PHR) and Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) certifications, no experience is necessary to take and secure the aPHR certification. The aPHR certification signals to employers an individual has the knowledge needed to be a successful HR professional.

A trained instructor from SIUE will cover the material during one weekend from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. each day in Founders Hall, classroom 2300. There will be in-class work, as well as outside reading, preparation and test practice.

Course cost is $475 including instruction and all practice materials. Registration for the preparation course does not include exam registration price. See HRCI’s website about exam registration costs.

For more information and to register for the course, visit siue.edu/business/executive-education/professional-development/events-feed.

SIUE Leadership Bootcamp: Fridays - April 17, 24; May 8, 15, 22    

Gain valuable leadership skills in this 5-day leadership bootcamp by attending all 5 days or just choosing the sessions that most interest you. Morning sessions are 8:30 a.m.–noon, while afternoon sessions are 12:30-4 p.m.

April 17
AM Session: Strategic Planning & Setting Priorities  

The purpose is to demonstrate the importance of strategic planning and setting priorities by having a strategic mindset that guides the leader’s daily activities. The strategic planning process will be addressed at the macro level to focus the leader on the framework and mentality needed to lead an organization with strategy in mind. The alignment of organizational strategic initiatives and functional level activities will be emphasized. Topics such as market understanding and awareness, setting strategic priorities, and the relationship between strategy and company culture will help the leader identify adaptive challenges to ensure strategic initiatives are in alignment with individual, business unit, and organizational capabilities and values.

PM Session: Results Orientation

This session takes the next step from strategic thinking to a results orientation that has an impact on the organization’s bottom line. Participants will be taken from macro- to micro-level analysis to demonstrate the importance of aligning goal setting with organizational initiatives. At a functional level, leaders must establish goals for themselves and their department/business unit, juggle competing priorities, and effectively handle time management. Tools such as Covey's Urgent/Important Matrix, as well as guidelines for how and when to delegate to others are a key part of maintaining a results orientation and setting priorities. Lastly, emphasis on key performance indicators (KPIs) and organizational metrics will drive this session to ensure results are in alignment with strategic goals.

April 24
AM Session: Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving

The ability to think critically is a crucial skill set because an essential measure of an organization’s success is its ability to overcome problems. Participants will start with learning their decision-making style and will be given a brief overview of the decision-making process. This will be followed by learning how to identify priorities based on company strategy, frame problems and formulate effective decision criteria to arrive at the best solution. Particular attention will be given to helping participants recognize potential biases that may enter the decision process, short-circuiting their ability to think critically.

PM Session:  Change Leadership and Innovation

Leadership is taken a step further, addressing the question of how do you lead in tough times with difficult people along an uncertain road? Based on the groundbreaking insights and strategies from Harvard’s Center for Public Leadership, this session focuses on how leaders move organizations through adaptive change, and identify techniques and strategies to engage subordinates to face the tough challenges of uncertain times. Participants will learn a framework focusing on conflict management, persuasion, and influence techniques to engage employees to work to successfully complete organizational objectives.

Fostering innovation is also a key part of managing change and uncertainty. When innovation is fostered, a culture is created that values risk-taking, fosters open communication and empowerment, and streamlines decision-making for relevance, responsiveness, resourcefulness, and resilience. This session will also explore ways to enhance individual creativity and creativity within a team. Discover the leadership skills necessary to help teams find new and better ways to do things to make departments and units more effective.

May 8
AM Session:  Team Building & Trust

The focus will be on what it means to be an effective team and how to get there. First, the elements of trust will be addressed. Trust is easy to lose and hard to regain once lost. When team members feel as if they can trust their teammates and superiors, the organization has strong building blocks to be effective and meet its goals. Because trust is a necessary prerequisite to a high functioning workforce, the importance of trust, ways to build trust and how to navigate when trust is broken will be addressed. Participants will look at the different stages of team development, important actions to take in order to become an effective team, how to maintain an effective team status and the benefits of doing so. Finally, the different steps involved in problem-solving will be addressed, discussing the challenges and solutions to collaborating as a team and emphasizing the key benefits of working together. Participants will do assessments and exercises to create an action plan that they can put into use in their respective offices.

PM Session:  Leadership/Followership and Developing Employees

The leadership/followership relationship requires an understanding of the unique contributions that both parties offer to the organization. The dynamics of that relationship will be addressed demonstrating that both leaders and followers work in concert to reach the organization’s strategic goals. A key aspect of the leadership/followership relationship is the importance of developing subordinates with a growth mindset to benefit the organization, as well as the employee. Growth mindset principles allow teams and individuals to continually develop. They also develop awareness of how individual and group attitudes impact the development and ability of others. We will discuss the role of coaching and mentoring as key tools for employee development. Coaching for performance improvement and disciplinary issues is essential for maximizing employee performance, and managing behavioral lapses that can interfere with a smooth functioning department. Factors contributing to successful mentoring programs will also be addressed.

May 15
AM Session:  Collaboration and Influence

Learning to call on others for feedback and support is an essential skillset for success. Research shows that the better leaders are at managing and navigating networks and partnerships, the more they achieve their goals. But despite its importance, networking can seem distasteful, self-serving and even phony. In this workshop, participants will focus on growing their partner network and utilizing this network to increase productivity. Influence is crucial for leaders to develop networks and effectively collaborate with others. This session addresses the importance of persuading, motivating, and influencing both direct reports and other employees when we are in the midst of managing daily workflows. This includes the different tools we can use to influence both superiors and subordinates. Case exercises on persuasion and influence will be used to provide participants with a tool kit of techniques to help manage in a wide variety of contexts.

PM Session:  Communication and Listening

Both written and oral communication are the keys to being a successful manager, supervisor and employee. Participants will be taken through a series of experiential exercises to understand and recognize three-part communication – words, tone and body language. The do’s and don’ts of written communication, including emails, social media and report writing, will be addressed. Participants will also learn how to practice active listening to learn how to listen to understand, not listen to respond to their communication partner.

May 22
AM Session:  Art and Science of Negotiation 

Negotiation is often defined as discussion aimed at reaching an agreement. All too often, though, we look at negotiation as a means to an end, rather than an opportunity to improve and strengthen relationships, particularly with diverse others.  Through a series of exercises and role-play activities, participants will learn and practice the science of negotiation while becoming familiar with their own interpersonal style. We will also address the foundations of conflict management styles. Conflict is not inherently bad for organizations. Therefore, participants will learn their own conflict management style and practice the skills needed to effectively influence and negotiate to achieve desired outcomes. By the end of the session, participants will have a clear idea about their default conflict style, have a tool kit for adapting their style as needed given differing strategic circumstances and will practice the essential skills needed for good negotiation.

PM Session:  Difficult Conversations and Diverse Others

Many companies are making efforts to achieve workforce diversity. Diversity can bring both tangible and intangible benefits to the organization. In order for a company to realize these benefits, managers and employees need to be able to work together, be open to different perspectives and find ways to build positive relationships. The purpose is to gain a better understanding and appreciation for diversity, to develop different approaches when dealing with diverse individuals, and to examine our own emotional management. Using a framework around having difficult conversations, participants will be introduced to diversity-related concepts and given the tools needed to navigate difficult conversations with diverse others. These are all key skills needed to work with people at all levels of the organizations.

To register, call Kristine Jarden at 618-650-2668, or Deanna Lotter at 618-650-5440 or visit: siue.edu/business/executive-education/index.shtml A listing of additional courses can also be found at this site.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville alumnus Tron Young, EdD, has been named the 2020 Illinois Middle School Principal of the Year by Horace Mann and the Illinois Principals Association (IPA). Young is principal of Joseph Arthur Middle School in O’Fallon and is known for leading with purpose.

Upon learning of this statewide recognition, Young said, “I was completely shocked and surprised. I am honored to be selected as Middle School Principal of the Year. I do what I do because I think it is best for kids and the learning environment. As an educator, my goal is to motivate and inspire students to never settle for less than their best.”

“As an educational leader,” he continued, “I strive to create an environment that students want to be at and support teachers to be able to educate students to the best of their ability. It is my goal to have my staff understand that every student is one caring adult away from being a success story.”

Young was selected from a pool of region nominees who fit the following criteria:

• Demonstrates a positive impact on education and advocacy for children
• Ensures the school climate is positive and reflects high staff and student morale
• Moves actively to implement the goals and objectives of the school
• Works collaboratively with teachers and other staff to improve the educational program and student achievement
• Involves the community in the life of the school, and uses community resources for students

In its award announcement, the IPA specifically noted Young’s creation of the district-wide “Get on the Bus Tour,” where teachers and staff ride school buses around the community to meet with incoming students and families the day before school starts. He was also applauded for his weekly vlog, the “Friday Five,” and the implementation of student-led parent-teacher conferences.

Young earned a master’s and education specialist degree in educational administration from SIUE in 2009 and 2017, respectively. In 2019, Young completed a doctorate in educational leadership from SIUE. In spring 2020, he began teaching part-time in the School of Education, Health and Human Behavior’s Educational Administration program.

“My goal is to help aspiring administrators understand the role of the principalship has changed,” Young explained. “You have to create positive relationships with students, staff, parents and your community that you use to gain educational results. You have to use data to understand where you are, and use that understanding to lead a building towards continuous school improvement.”

Young is an active member of the IPA, currently serving as Diversity Chair and Member-At-Large for the Southwestern Region. He will be recognized for his latest honor at the IPA’s annual Education Leaders Annual Conference in October.

Horace Mann, the largest national multiline insurance company focusing on educators’ financial needs, provides auto and homeowners insurance, retirement annuities, life insurance and other financial solutions. “Founded by Educators for Educators” in 1945, the company is headquartered in Springfield, Ill.

The Illinois Principals Association (IPA) is a leadership organization which serves over 5,800 educational leaders throughout the state of Illinois. Find out more at ilprincipals.org. Visit ilprincipals.org/about-ipa/awards for more information on the IPA Principal of the Year award program.

Photo: SIUE alumnus Tron Young, EdD, celebrates being named 2020 Illinois Middle School Principal of the Year with students at Joseph Arthur Middle School.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Morris University Center was bustling with activity as area employers connected with eager job, co-op, internship and graduate school candidates during the Career Development Center’s (CDC) Spring Career Fairs held Wednesday and Thursday, March 4-5.

SIUE alumni were among the representatives from more than 185 major companies. Students from the Schools of Business and Engineering, and the College of Arts and Sciences shared their knowledge and skillsets with employers seeking full-time and co-op internship candidates.

Also, in attendance were Graduate Schools promoting national higher education opportunities to students and alumni. An IT Fair for technical majors was new this year.

“The Career Development Center continuously creates engagement and networking opportunities between SIUE students and prospective employers,” said CDC Assistant Director for Employer Relations Carrie Smolar. “Our career fairs have grown tremendously. Employers continue to show interest in talented SIUE students and alumni as they look to recruit the next generation of employees.”

Employers emphasized their pursuit of prospective employees who can demonstrate strong soft and technical skills, both of which they have a history of finding in SIUE students.

“It’s great to be back on campus connecting with high-quality candidates,” said Kelly Wrap, a customer liaison with K-Force who graduated from SIUE in May 2019 with a bachelor’s in business administration. “We are a staffing and solutions firm that works with multiple St. Louis companies. We have multiple SIUE grads on our team, so we love coming to this career fair to meet and recruit new talent.”

“We are interested in bachelor’s possessing engineers, primarily right out of college with degrees in civil, mechanical and electrical engineering,” said Kathryn Taylor, Human Resources Specialist with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. “We have a demand for engineers, and we’ve been able to obtain a few good employees/hires from these events.”

Students in attendance emphasized their preparation for the career fairs through the support of the CDC and academic program faculty.

“I attended the Pre-Career Fair Crash Course which helped me feel prepared to connect with employers and graduate schools today,” said Joseph Gassiraro, of Edwardsville, a junior double majoring in history and Spanish. “It’s useful to have everyone in one place. I’ve talked with representatives from multiple grad schools and a few non-profits.”

“I practiced how I will approach a company to initiative conversation and have my resume in hand,” said Abigail Mobbs, of Dupo, a senior marketing major. “I’m interested in connecting with Abstrakt Marketing, because I’ve done my research and know they have a great workplace environment.”

“I see myself on the management and administrative side of a company, because I like leading people and offering oversight and guidance through orientation programs,” added senior business management major Marlene Nguepnang, of Springfield. “I have an internship with Enterprise this summer. It was great to be able to meet the company’s HR manager face-to-face at today’s career fair.”

“It’s good to get your foot in the door and get a feel for what a career fair is like,” explained freshman mechanical engineering major Macy Deck, of Edwardsville.  “Even if I don’t get an internship out of this event, at least I will know how to prepare for next time.”

Senior computer management and information systems (CMIS) majors Samantha Cleaves and Stephanie Spillers both secured interviews with companies during the career fairs.

“I gave almost all of my resumes away and was offered an interview during the IT Fair,” Cleaves said. “I hope to work in information security.”

 “Having a network is important for getting your name out in the field and making connections that may be beneficial in the future,” added Spillers. “I attended both days of the career fair and received an interview each day, so I’m getting a lot out of this opportunity.”

The CDC will host its Nursing Career Fair on Monday, March 16, followed by the Education Career Fair on Tuesday, March 17. For more information about those and other upcoming CDC events, visit siue.edu/career-development-center/about/events.

Photos: SIUE actuarial science major Jonathan Amwayi speaks with Bailey Zumer from Levi, Ray. & Shoup, Inc.

SIUE MBA student Taylor Gresens greets Sarah Peters with Brooksource during the Spring Career Fair.

Representatives from more than 185 major companies attended the SIUE Career Development Center’s Spring Career Fairs.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is leading a national effort to recover forgotten and little-known literature by women authors in digital environments. With the support of a $50,000 National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) grant, SIUE’s Jessica DeSpain, PhD, is leading a team of 20 collaborators from across the country in the project: Society for the Study of American Women Writers (SSAWW) Recovery Hub.

“We are through the moon to receive support from the NEH for this important work,” said DeSpain, professor in the Department of English Language and Literature, and co-director of the SIUE Interdisciplinary Research and Informatics Scholarship (IRIS) Center. “This collaboration involves a series of planning activities that will create a network of scholars to surface works by women writers through digital methods, and also provide support, mentorship and peer-review services for women in the digital humanities.”

“Feminist scholars have been doing this recovery work in scholarly publications and classrooms for decades, with authors such as Zora Neale Hurston, Harriet Jacobs and María de Burton reappearing in print and digital publications,” DeSpain added.

The Hub will operate as a mechanism for pooled funding bids and offer hands-on consultation to navigate project management, quality control, sustainability and peer review in order to increase the quantity and quality of recovery projects on American women authors.

The long list of expert project contributors includes two institutional collaborators. The Center for Digital Research in the Humanities at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, led by Emily Rau, will design an online editorial environment for scholars to work on editing and publishing texts together. Additionally, Kristen Lillvis of Marshall University will design a collaboration space for students and teachers to talk about projects in the hub as a part of their course work.

“All of the projects will be linked to and showcased on a site hosted at SIUE’s IRIS Center that includes a back-end collaboration area for peer review, and a front-facing cross-institutional pedagogical forum for classrooms across the country to discuss linked projects,” DeSpain explained.

According to DeSpain, services offered through the SIUE IRIS Center will include:

• Human consultation: The project team will build a network of paid consultants with content expertise and digital humanities experience to help scholars plan for project management, hosting, digitization, acquisition and fair use.
• Audience: The Hub will automatically reach broader audiences, because it will be linked to SSAWW and Legacy, the society’s official journal.
• Project cultivation: Many digital humanities practitioners do not have access to service space or technicians on their campuses. Each year, the Hub will accept up to five projects that will receive extensive consultation, hosting and the promise of long-term management.
• Peer review: The project team will work with Legacy and SSAWW to envision a process grounded in feminist theory, including open peer review that emphasizes one-on-one guidance at all stages, and encourages scholars to build upon and cite the work of feminist scholars.

The NEH-funded project began in February and will run for two years. To learn more about this project and the SIUE IRIS Center, call 618-650-2667 or visit iris.siue.edu. 

Photo: SIUE’s Jessica DeSpain, PhD, in the IRIS Center.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWw1gMy3oAQ&feature=youtu.be

The Construction Leadership Institute (CLI) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville celebrated 32 graduates on Friday, March 6 as a part of the CLI Alumni Day and Graduation celebration. S.M. Wilson & Co. Chief Operating Officer Mark Cochran received the Alumni Leadership Award.

Developed by the SIUE Schools of Business and Engineering, the CLI provides the knowledge, skills and strategies that individuals and companies need in today’s challenging construction industry.

Program Co-Directors Chris Gordon, associate dean of the SIUE School of Engineering, and Kristine Jarden, director of executive education in the SIUE School of Business, oversaw the ceremony.

“The CLI program is designed to align with leadership development needs of the rapidly changing construction industry,” said Gordon. “The CLI Advisory Board takes an active role in helping us continuously update this unique and innovative leadership development program to develop future building industry leaders.”

The Alumni Leadership Award recognizes an outstanding graduate who has demonstrated exceptional leadership and service to the St. Louis area building community. Cochran has risen from project engineer to the firm’s first COO after serving as a project manager, director of field operations and director of operations.

During his 19-year tenure, Cochran has managed more than $500-million in projects throughout the Midwest, including multiple healthcare, industrial and senior living facilities. In 2017, Cochran was named S. M. Wilson’s first COO. He is a 2006 CLI alumnus.

The Class of 2020 graduates are:

Adam Altmann / Corrigan Co.                              Corey Anderson / BJC Planning, Design, Construction & Real Estate

Garry Berra / L. Keeley Construction                    Trevor Bickhaus / Drury Development Corp.

Andrew Bieg / Icon Mechanical                            Robert Breunig / Rhodey Construction

Street Brown / Alberici Constructors                     Alex Cattoor / Rhodey Construction

Dave DeBord / L. Keeley Construction                  Janelle Fanning / O’Shea Builders

Teresa Fechtel / McCarthy Building Cos.              Katie Folk / Kaiser Electric

Jason Gasawski / S.M. Wilson & Co.                    Devin Gates / L. Keeley Construction

Eric Gregory / Corrigan Co.                                  Jordan Holtgrave / River City Construction

Don Jordan / The Korte Co.                                  Jason Kuhl / L. Keeley Construction

Katie Kuntz / Alberici Constructors                       Dave Loomis / Alberici Constructors

Patrick McElroy / Alberici Constructors                Jennifer Mucklow / Korte & Luitjohan Contractors

Tom Parker / McCarthy Building Cos.                   Peter Ratermann / Poettker Construction Co.

Ethan Renner / KCI Construction Co.                    Travis Schwartz / IMPACT Strategies

Seth Stacy / Holland Construction Services            Louis Terbrock / Alberici Constructors

Brett Timmermann / Poettker Construction Co.      Rob Truebe / Guarantee Electrical Co.

Tony Uzzo / Contegra Construction Co.                Drew Wieser / Wieser Concrete Products

 CLI is an executive education program jointly developed by SIUE’s School of Business and the School of Engineering’s Department of Construction. It brings together professionals from many sectors of the building industry.

Since CLI’s creation, approximately 445 emerging leaders and executives have benefitted from the nine-week program that strengthens leadership, strategic thinking, communications and key management skills.

For more information on CLI, visit siue.edu/cli or call 618-650-2668.

Photo (L-R): Front Row - Don Jordan, Tony Uzzo, Jordan Holtgrave, Jennifer Mucklow, Katie Folk, Katie Kuntz, Devin Gates.

Row 2 - Teresa Fechtel, Janelle Fanning, Dave Loomis, Alex Cattoor, Travis Schwartz, Brett Timmermann, Ethan Renner, Louis Terbrock, Andrew Bieg, Adam Altmann, Jason Gasawski.

Row 3 - Street Brown, Garry Berra, Robert Breunig, Trevor Bickhaus, Peter Ratermann, Jason Kuhl, Patrick McElroy, Drew Wieser, Corey Anderson, Seth Stacy, Dave DeBord, Tom Parker, Eric Gregory, Robert Truebe.

Lower Right: S.M. Wilson & Co. Chief Operating Officer Mark Cochran.

The Construction Leadership Institute (CLI) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville celebrated 32 graduates on Friday, March 6 as a part of the CLI Alumni Day and Graduation celebration. S.M. Wilson & Co. Chief Operating Officer Mark Cochran received the Alumni Leadership Award.

Developed by the SIUE Schools of Business and Engineering, the CLI provides the knowledge, skills and strategies that individuals and companies need in today’s challenging construction industry.

Program Co-Directors Chris Gordon, associate dean of the SIUE School of Engineering, and Kristine Jarden, director of executive education in the SIUE School of Business, oversaw the ceremony.

“The CLI program is designed to align with leadership development needs of the rapidly changing construction industry,” said Gordon. “The CLI Advisory Board takes an active role in helping us continuously update this unique and innovative leadership development program to develop future building industry leaders.”

The Alumni Leadership Award recognizes an outstanding graduate who has demonstrated exceptional leadership and service to the St. Louis area building community. Cochran has risen from project engineer to the firm’s first COO after serving as a project manager, director of field operations and director of operations.

During his 19-year tenure, Cochran has managed more than $500-million in projects throughout the Midwest, including multiple healthcare, industrial and senior living facilities. In 2017, Cochran was named S. M. Wilson’s first COO. He is a 2006 CLI alumnus.

 CLI is an executive education program jointly developed by SIUE’s School of Business and the School of Engineering’s Department of Construction. It brings together professionals from many sectors of the building industry.

Since CLI’s creation, approximately 445 emerging leaders and executives have benefitted from the nine-week program that strengthens leadership, strategic thinking, communications and key management skills.

For more information on CLI, visit siue.edu/cli or call 618-650-2668.

Photo (L-R): Front Row - Don Jordan, Tony Uzzo, Jordan Holtgrave, Jennifer Mucklow, Katie Folk, Katie Kuntz, Devin Gates.

Row 2 - Teresa Fechtel, Janelle Fanning, Dave Loomis, Alex Cattoor, Travis Schwartz, Brett Timmermann, Ethan Renner, Louis Terbrock, Andrew Bieg, Adam Altmann, Jason Gasawski.

Row 3 - Street Brown, Garry Berra, Robert Breunig, Trevor Bickhaus, Peter Ratermann, Jason Kuhl, Patrick McElroy, Drew Wieser, Corey Anderson, Seth Stacy, Dave DeBord, Tom Parker, Eric Gregory, Robert Truebe.

Lower Right: S.M. Wilson & Co. Chief Operating Officer Mark Cochran.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville chemistry and biological sciences students displayed their prowess in scientific research when they attended the Illinois Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) 2020 Spring Symposium in STEM on Feb. 28-29 in Lisle. Of the 17 SIUE students who attended, 10 presented their research and two, seniors Jochabay McGeeBey and Jordan Robinson, earned awards.

     “The symposium provides students with an opportunity to present their work in a professional conference setting,” said Myron Jones, PhD, Department of Chemistry associate professor and LSAMP program coordinator. “They have opportunities to network with students from a variety of other institutions, attend keynote addresses related to the conference theme, ‘Building an Inclusive STEM Future,’ and take part in professional development opportunities in breakout discussion sessions.”

     Funded by the National Science Foundation, the LSAMP program works to increase recruitment, retention and graduation rates of underrepresented students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. The SIUE LSAMP program is affiliated with the Illinois alliance based at Chicago State University. The program provides SIUE students with research stipends, funds for supplies and the opportunity to take advantage of tutoring and academic mentoring. It also covers the costs of attending the annual symposium and, for some students, attending and presenting at other conferences, as well.

     Jones coordinates the SIUE LSAMP program along with Department of Chemistry Assistant Professor Michael Hankins, PhD, and Department of Biological Sciences Assistant Professor Danielle Lee, PhD.

     Most students who participate in the LSAMP program are enrolled in undergraduate research courses or are participating in the Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities (URCA) program at SIUE. The students worked with their research mentors over several months to prepare their high-quality research projects for the LSAMP Symposium.

     Months of hard work paid off for the SIUE students who presented at the conference, but particularly for McGeeBey and Robinson. McGeeBey earned third place in chemistry for her research, “PCR Overlap Extension: A versatile method to introduce new genes to yeast,” which she carried out with fellow students Kelly Kyle and Stephanie Shan under the mentorship of Department of Chemistry Assistant Professor Monica Rieth, PhD.

     Robinson placed second in molecular biology for her research, “Evaluating bacteria-bacteria competition as a means of symbiont-meditated pathogen protection in termites,” which she completed with Alexis Acoff under the mentorship of Department of Biological Sciences Assistant Professor Brittany Peterson, PhD.

     “This was the first conference I’ve ever attended, so I never thought that I would place! I was extremely nervous about presenting my research, but it was amazing to be able to explain my ideas to people from all backgrounds of STEM,” said Robinson. “I enjoyed being in an environment of so many minority students, who were able to share their ideas to rooms full of their peers—rooms full of people who look like them. That is not something we get to be part of every day, since there are only a handful of minority students in STEM.”

Symposium Attendees:

Alexis Acoff, of Fairview Heights, senior

Darzanae Crite, of Kankakee, senior*

Naseem Dove, of Cordova, Tenn., junior

Kennedy Epps, of Belleville, senior*

Taylor Ewing, of Florissant, Mo., junior

Dalia Hassan, of Springfield, senior*

Youssef Hassan, of Springfield, senior*

Jayda Hatten, of Florissant, Mo., senior*

Andres Mancilla, of St. Louis, senior*

Jochabay McGeeBey, of East St. Louis, senior*

Kevin Peoples, of Chicago, junior

Dakarai Pleasant, of Effingham, senior*

David Robinson, of Florissant, Mo., senior

Jordan Robinson, of Florrisant, Mo, senior*

Jasmin Ruiz, of Granite City, senior*

Eno Obong Blessing Udoh, of Ota, Nigeria, sophomore

Daria Whitted, of Flossmoor, senior

*Presented research at the Symposium.

Photo (L-R): SIUE students at the LSAMP 2020 Spring Symposium in STEM. Front Row: Dakarai Pleasant, Jochabay McGeeBey, Darzanae Crite, Andres Mancilla, Taylor Ewing, Alexis Acoff, Jordan Robinson and Daria Whitted.

Back Row: Jayda Hatten, Jasmin Ruiz, Dalia Hassan, Dr. Michael Hankins, Kevin Peoples, Youssef Hassan, Kennedy Epps, Eno Obong Blessing Udoh and David Robinson. Not Pictured: Naseem Dove. Photo courtesy Dr. Myron Jones

Prospective students and the general public are invited to learn more about graduate studies at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s joint Graduate Admissions Open House and Graduate School Research Symposium on Tuesday, March 31.

The Graduate Admissions Open House will be held from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. in the Pre-Function Room, adjacent to the Morris University Center’s Meridian Ballroom. The Graduate School Research Symposium will be held from 2:30-4 p.m. in the Goshen Lounge.

At the Open House, prospective students can speak with an admission’s representative about SIUE’s more than 100 master’s programs, post-baccalaureate certificates, specialist degrees, doctoral degrees and cooperative doctoral programs. They will also receive information on graduate admission requirements and financial support, including graduate assistantships and competitive graduate awards.

“SIUE’s diverse array of programs make it an excellent option for the pursuit of an advanced degree,” said Jim Monahan, director of graduate admissions at SIUE. “We invite prospective students to discover the many opportunities for educational advancement during our open house. Graduate admissions representatives will be onsite and happy to discuss the admission process.”

The $40 Graduate School application fee will be waived for prospective students who apply during the Open House. Registration is not required. Attendees may request a parking pass for the event at siue.edu/graduate-visit.

Prospective students and the general public are also invited to become inspired at the Graduate School Research Symposium. The annual event celebrates the research efforts and accomplishments of students, featuring research poster displays, creative exhibits and oral presentations.

Visitors can talk to current graduate students about their projects and experiences at SIUE, as well as meet faculty and admissions staff.

“Our graduate students make significant contributions to their fields of study that is presented in national and international conferences, is published in peer-review journals, and contributes to patented discoveries,” said Jerry Weinberg, PhD, associate provost for research and dean of the SIUE Graduate School. “The Symposium is an opportunity to showcase their scholarship, recognize achievement and inspire future scholars.”

Student presentations will span academic disciplines from a research project investigating the genetic manipulation of yeast in the production of ethanol, to an exploration of gender bias in the hiring of managerial roles. The presented projects will also feature important research on mental health in Native Americans, combating infectious organisms resistant to current antibiotics, and reducing the risk of motor vehicle crashes among the elderly.

A list of student research presentations is available via siue.edu/graduate-school-symposium/index.

Photos: A prospective student greets a program representative at the Graduate Admissions Open House.

A team of graduate student researchers discuss their project with a Graduate School Research Symposium attendee.

Logan & Logan Management and Accounting Services, LLC, will celebrate its grand opening on at 2 p.m. Friday March 13 at 821 South Belt West in Belleville.

Owners Willie and Ericka Logan have worked with the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for the Metro East at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and Director Jo Ann DiMaggio May since May 2019. Their management and accounting business offers tax preparation, bookkeeping, management, notary and real estate services to the Metro East.

The Logans have a combined 18-plus years working in the bookkeeping/accounting field for churches and public housing and property management agencies. Both graduated from McKendree University in 2008 with a bachelor’s in accounting and a minor in management, and both have their master’s in business administration.

Their goal is to provide the best quality services without the complexities or cost of hiring a full-time employee.

DiMaggio May and the SBDC have provided the Logans assistance with business plan development, marketing efforts and establishing networks.

“Jo Ann acted as an accountability partner for us, giving us the structure to keep moving forward and accomplish everything required to get our business started,” Ericka said.

“It is a pleasure advising the Logans,” DiMaggio May added “They are receptive to advice and ideas, eager to make their company succeed. The Logans are hard-working and dedicated to customer service, and I look forward to helping them along the way.”

Logan & Logan also participated in the SBDC’s 2019 Metro East Start-Up Challenge, which they found to be a highly valuable experience, providing guidance in a variety of fields.

In the future, the Logans plan to continue growing their clientele. They also expect to hire both part-time and full-time employees to expand their business.

The Logans also enjoy contributing to the community. In January, they held their first annual School Supply Re-Up, giving away school supplies for the start of the second semester. They are eager to pursue opportunities to give back.

For more information, contact Logan & Logan Management and Accounting Services, LLC at 618-416-5599, or visit loganacctg.com, and on Facebook at LoganLoganLLC.

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

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

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

Photo (L-R): Logan & Logan Management and Accounting Services, LLC, owners Ericka and Willie Logan.

The field of computer science is a rapidly growing field with a projected employment growth rate of 19 percent by 2026. The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Engineering’s Department of Computer Science (CS) wants to ensure females are a part of the field’s surging growth and success.

The Department’s third annual SheCode event introduced high school girls to computer science and problem-solving. Approximately 20 participants from Belleville, Collinsville, Edwardsville and other localities attended the one-day educational experience on Saturday, March 7. Current SIUE students helped organize the event. SIUE alumnae working in technology fields offered mentorship.

“All of our participants were interested and eager to learn,” said Dennis Bouvier, PhD, professor in the CS Department. “In less than an hour, most everyone had a program working. By the end of SheCode, many had programs of their own design running on their phones. It was inspiring to see the interest and effort of all participants.”

“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 that they can one day be the leaders who create future technologies.”

SheCode was made possible by the generous support of Centene Corp., Enterprise Holdings, Bayer, Object Computing Inc. and AT&T.

For more information on the School of Engineering’s Department of Computer Science, visit siue.edu/engineering/computer-science.

Photos: (L-R) Juniors Abby Liu, of Edwardsville, and Nyla Cohen, of Cahokia, work together during SheCode.

SIUE’s Dennis Bouvier, PhD, professor of computer science, leads participants in computer programming.

SIUE alumna Darla Ahlert offers guidance to participant Victoria Cook, of Cahokia.

A leading institution of pharmaceutical education, the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Pharmacy (SOP) is one of only a few institutions in the country to have incorporated an important Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training course to its curriculum for first-year (P1) students.

More than 70 students completed the inaugural MHFA training in the spring 2020 semester. The 8-hour skills-based course teaches participants about mental health and substance use disorders. Through active participation, students learn skills such as how to respond if someone is having a panic attack, ask someone about thoughts of suicide, and respond to an opioid overdose.

The training was facilitated by certified MHFA instructors Kelly Gable, PharmD, professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice and psychiatric clinical pharmacist at Family Care Health Centers, and Misty Gonzalez, PharmD, clinical associate professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice and psychiatric clinical pharmacist at Barnes-Jewish Hospital.

“SIUE School of Pharmacy Dean Mark Luer and faculty overwhelmingly supported the integration of this program into our P1 academic year,” Gonzalez said. “When we incorporate MHFA into the SOP curriculum, it sends a message to both students and the community that having an understanding and knowledge of how to respond to a mental health crisis is just as important as other health crises.”

Moving forward, every P1 will complete the MHFA program as part of their Personal and Professional Development course.

“I am so grateful to have Drs. Gable and Gonzales offer this to our students as trained program facilitators,” said Jessica Kerr, PharmD, associate dean of professional and student affairs. “Training our first-year students guides them to have awareness about mental health concerns, before the pharmacotherapeutic class sequences. This skill set is important for them to appropriately triage patients, peers, family members or the general public.”

“After completing our first training cohort, we feel confident that our pharmacy students need this experience for their own mental health wellness and to better take care of each other, as well as future patients and communities,” Gable added. “I have no doubt that they left feeling empowered and better equipped to respond to a mental health crisis. This is an opportunity to talk to our students about how they all play a critical role in reducing stigma and enhancing access to mental health care.”

“Pharmacy is a people profession, and the reality is that people, ourselves included, face mental health challenges daily,” said PharmD candidate Deja Finley, of O’Fallon. “It is awesome that we were given the opportunity to learn how to properly identify, understand, and respond to those mental health and substance use concerns. The mental health first aid class taught me a lot and greatly renewed my excitement to continue on the road to becoming truly trauma informed.”

In spring 2020, Gable and Gonzalez also trained a group of 30 SOP faculty and staff, demonstrating the SOP’s shared emphasis on the MHFA program’s value. 

Photos: SIUE PharmD Candidate Deja Finley actively participates in the Mental Health First Aid training program.

A group of 30 SOP faculty and staff completed the Mental Health First Aid training program. MHFA facilitators are Dr. Misty Gonzalez (far left) and Dr. Kelly Gable (far right in second row from front).

Prospective students are invited to learn more about graduate studies during Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Graduate Admissions’ Online Open House being held Tuesday, March 31.

The Graduate Admissions Online Open House will be hosted from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at siue.edu/graduate-open-house.

During the Online Open House, prospective students can chat with an admission’s representative about SIUE’s more than 100 master’s programs, post-baccalaureate certificates, specialist degrees, doctoral degrees and cooperative doctoral programs. Information will also be available on graduate admission requirements and financial support, including graduate assistantships and competitive graduate awards.

“SIUE’s diverse array of programs make it an excellent option for the pursuit of an advanced degree,” said Jim Monahan, director of graduate admissions at SIUE. “In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are glad to be able to offer this important event online, allowing prospective students to explore the possibilities at SIUE, while ensuring the safety of both on- and off-campus community members.”

The $40 Graduate School application fee will be waived for prospective students who apply during the virtual open house. Registration is not required.