The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Graduate School has selected nine recipients for 2020 Research Grants for Research Doctoral Students (RGRDS) awards. The RGRDS program awards small grants worth $1,000 on a competitive basis to support research endeavors and creatives activities initiated and conducted by students of the SIUE education doctorate (EdD) programs, doctor of nursing practice (DNP) programs and co-operative PhD programs to enhance their academic progress.

“SIUE doctoral students conduct original research and creative activities as part of their programs,” said Jerry Weinberg, PhD, associate provost for research and dean of the Graduate School. “These projects can have wide-ranging impact, as well as produce scholarly works such as publications and public presentations. The research grants for doctoral students provide necessary resources to conduct and enhance the students’ outstanding work.”

Although faculty advisors oversee the students, the program’s purpose is to support doctoral research. Proposals are approved by the student’s major advisor. The RGRDS Review committee makes the recommendation on funding.

The following is a list of the 2020 RGRDS award recipients:

School of Education, Health and Human Behavior

Kristie Baumgartner, of Brighton, Educational Leadership, “Teacher Evaluation in the PERA Era”

Brian Brink, of Breese, Educational Leadership, “Understanding the Principal’s Role in Teacher Education”

Pam Burroughs, of Glen Carbon, Educational Leadership, “Perceptions on Teacher Evaluations”

Julie Geers, of Jerseyville, Educational Leadership, “Educator Experiences with and Perceptions of Tracking in One Rural District”

Donald Harris, of Granite City, Educational Leadership, “Student Social/Emotional Needs with Academic Outcomes”

Mike Toeben, of Aviston, Educational Leadership, “The Extent to which 1:1 Technology is Working at Providing a Resource that is Enhancing Teaching and Learning”

School of Engineering

Hamid Rostami, of Glen Carbon, Civil Engineering, “Experimental-Scale Faulty Rupture Test on Buried Pipeline Reinforced with Segmental Protective Shield”

College of Arts and Sciences

Nichol Allen, of Edwardsville, Historical Studies, “Contested Spaces and Race at the 1893 World’s Fair”

Shannan Mason, of O’Fallon, Historical Studies, “John Bartram: Merchant of Nature”

Backed by a National Science Foundation research grant, SIUE’s Carol Colaninno, PhD, research assistant professor in the Center for STEM Research, Education and Outreach, in collaboration with a nationwide team of experts, is studying ways to reduce sexual harassment and assault at archeological field schools. 

Science Magazine detailed the need for such analysis and the development of best practices to prevent sexual harassment and other issues historically plaguing field schools in an article posted Tuesday, Aug. 11. Read the article titled, “Fed-up archaeologists aim to fix ‘frat party’ atmosphere at field schools,’ in full here.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Engineering Associate Dean and Professor Chris Gordon, PhD, has dedicated his professional life to the construction industry, with special emphasis being placed on the development of future industry leaders through quality education.

Among his latest contributions to ensuring student success and industry advancement is Gordon’s appointment as an at-large trustee on the American Council for Construction Education (ACCE) Board of Trustees. The mission of the ACCE is to be a leading global advocate of quality construction education, and to promote, support and accredit quality construction education programs.

Gordon has been actively involved with ACCE for more than a decade. Throughout the years, he has served on numerous ACCE committees, including most recently the accreditation and guidance committees. He has also been active as a visiting accreditation reviewer. Gordon has led visiting team reviews of construction management programs at universities across the United States and has served as a mentor for programs pursuing accreditation.

“The ACCE plays a critical role in ensuring that our students are prepared to succeed and lead in the construction industry,” Gordon said. “Through my involvement with ACCE, I have been able to help advance construction education to best prepare students for the rapidly evolving building industry. My deep involvement in accreditation has also helped to ensure that SIUE’s program remains at the forefront of construction education.”  

SIUE’s construction management program has been continuously accredited by ACCE since 2001. Gordon led the program’s 2012 reaccreditation effort during his tenure as department chair.

“That experience provided a deep appreciation for the role of accreditation in advancing construction education, as well as for the incredible amount of dedicated effort our construction education community has invested in developing and implementing our accreditation standards, and in continuously improving our programs,” Gordon explained.

The ACCE Board of Trustees comprises a minimum of 15 trustees with a goal of equal representation of educators and practitioners. At-large trustees are selected to help ensure the balance of educators and practitioners on the board.

For more information, visit acce-hq.org.

Photo: SIUE School of Engineering Associate Dean and Professor Chris Gordon, PhD, has been named an at-large trustee on the American Council for Construction Education Board of Trustees.

Sweet Cravings, LLC, which provides a variety of homemade fresh quality ice cream, gourmet popcorn, and other sweets to satisfy sweet cravings, will celebrate its grand opening on Saturday, Aug. 15, at 706 Lincoln Highway in Fairview Heights.

Owner Vickie Fair has 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 March 2019 to achieve her old- fashioned, small town, homemade ice cream shop that contains a sophistication of gourmet popcorn, and a plethora of ice cream and Italian ice flavors.

The SBDC provided assistance  to Fair with finalizing her business plan, financial avenues and grant information, while offering informative information and help where needed.

“Working with the SBDC and Jo Ann has been a highly positive experience,” Fair said. “Jo Ann is extremely helpful and has tremendous knowledge. It doesn’t matter what information you need, she can always point you in the right direction.”

“Ms. Vickie is hard working, receptive to advice and extremely motivated,” DiMaggio May said. “Her passion for making delicious treats, and her focus on customer service is truly refreshing! I look forward to seeing Sweet Cravings grow and becoming a household name.”

Additionally, Fair was the 1^st place winner of the 2019 Metro East Start-Up Challenge Mock Pitch Competition.

Fair has always had a passion for making sweets, and has been providing popcorn and ice cream to friends and family since 2010. Her career goal has always been to own a business, and now she is taking her small business to the next step with the grand opening of a brick and mortar location.

As a one-stop shop for all of one’s sweet desires, Fair takes pride in Sweet Cravings offering gourmet products at small town prices. All products are made with fresh premium, high quality, local ingredients, using local suppliers.

Her goal is to put an emphasis on community involvement. She wants her business to be a place that brings back memories for those who used to walk to the corner store for ice cream. She hopes Sweet Cravings will be a place where community members can make new memories. Perhaps one day, Sweet Cravings will become a brand name.

Sweet Cravings is open noon-8 p.m. daily.

For more information, contact Sweet Cravings at 618-589-9045 or sweetcravings4all@gmail.com. Find it on Facebook and Instagram at @sweetcravings4all.

The Illinois SBDC for the Metro East assists start-up ventures like Sweet Cravings 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.

This is an interesting and challenging time for educating students, but teachers and parents have no other choice than to make virtual learning work, was the motivational edict from Principal Baruti Kafele, award-winning educator and best-selling author. 

The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Charter High School (CHS) hosted a Zoom webinar on Wednesday, Aug. 12 featuring Kafele, who presented “Culturally Relevant Remote Strategies for Teachers and Parents.” Kafele, who calls himself “America’s Principal” and an advocate for the potential of Black and Latinx students, explained that Black students are facing two pandemics – COVID-19 and the longstanding disease of racial injustice. 

“It is important to offer our parents support as we begin the school year, like we never have at any other time,” said CHS Director Gina Jeffries, EdD. “I am proud that we are able to offer this culturally relevant remote space today, and we will continue to do so in the upcoming days, as we go forward into our new school year.” 

In an effort to meet the critical and pressing demands of CHS students in the midst of COVID-19 and racial unrest, Jeffries identified the need for what she has termed CRRL-Culturally Responsive Remote Learning. Students need:

• Positive student-teacher relationships
• Culturally relevant curricula
• Culturally sensitive grace (the understanding that Black/Brown students are currently fighting two pandemics) 

Therefore, because of the need to offer CHS teachers and parents CRRL strategies to support remote learning, Jeffries called upon Kafele.

 In helping Black students thrive while facing two pandemics, Kafele spoke to CHS teachers first. He encouraged them to look past behaviors and circumstances that may be unfavorable in a child, and gaze at the potential that may be buried inside.

“When you look into their eyes, what do you see?” asked Kafele, “It plays a critical role in who they become. Even the ones who have made multiple bad decisions.” 

Kafele then displayed a photo of himself at the age of 18. “My 18-year-old self was saying, ‘I’m completely lost. I’m in my fifth year of high school with a 1.5 GPA,’” he recalled. “‘I’ve attended four different high schools. I have zero ambition. My decision-making is problematic. My self-esteem is very low and my self-confidence is virtually nonexistent.’” 

“My counselor had the audacity to inform me the day before graduation, that I would never amount to anything,” Kafele continued. “He didn’t realize that 30 years later, the books that I wrote would be used by that district to train its staff. So, my 18-year-old self is saying to you teacher, ‘Don’t quit on me now, because who knows.’” 

Specifically, Kafele gave CHS teachers direction on how to best teach and reach Black students, which comes from knowing their history and empowering them with knowledge of a proud and magnificent past. He offered book titles to both teachers and parents, ones Kafele said he has recently provided to white colleagues seeking to learn and understand more about Black history, culture and racial relations in the U.S., following the aftermath of George Floyd’s death. 

“Parents and teachers, when we unpack Black history, we can’t start off with slavery and end with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,” instructed Kafele. “When we start children off with the history of themselves enslaved, then we put them at a deficit at the outset that they may never overcome. We need to go back thousands of years to African civilizations. They need to see the relationship between Black people and science, technology, mathematics, engineering, architecture, medicine, astronomy, agriculture and more.” 

Book titles he recommended:

• Introduction to African Civilizations by John Jackson
• Before the Mayflower: A History of Black America by Lerone Bennett Jr.
• From Slavery to Freedom by John Hope Franklin
• Mis-Education of the Negro by Carter G. Woodson 

“I can’t teach what I don’t know. Secondly, I can’t teach whom I don’t know,” Kafele intoned. “If you have a Black child in the classroom, and you don’t know that child’s history, then you don’t know that child. The educator can be Black, and the child can be Black, but if the educator doesn’t know the child’s history, thereby, he doesn’t know his own history.” 

In other comments to parents, Kafele encouraged them to keep fighting for their children. 

“I don’t care where your child is right now,” he said. “If your child is doing phenomenally well, your child can quadruple that. If your child has made some bad decisions and wrong turns, your child can correct that. 

“The reason that I’m here as an award-winning educator with more than 150 awards over my lifetime and 11 best-selling books, is because my mother never lost hope. She kept believing there was something beneath the surface. She knew she had a gem in her son, but she had a difficult time finding out how to make it manifest.” 

The principal offered “12 Critical Questions for Effective Parental Engagement.” A few of them include:

• Do I spend quality time with my child?
• Do I encourage my children to believe in themselves?
• Do I encourage my children to discover their life’s purpose?
• Do I encourage my children to develop a vision for their future?
• Do I talk to my children about respecting themselves? 

Also scheduled to speak and offer strategies to CHS teachers throughout the year is Nate Williams, PhD, one of the organizers of The DREAM (Dismantling Racism through Education, Advocacy and Mobilization) Collective at SIUE. 

CHS will be 100% remote learning when school starts on Monday, Aug. 17 and will be reassessed after the first quarter. 

Photo:
Principal Baruti Kafele is an award-winning educator and best-selling author.

They are the enormous, illustrious and hugely talented shoes of the legendary Madame Katherine Dunham and the late great Theo H. Jamison, that Homer Simmons now finds himself stepping into. But Simmons is doing so with reverence, excitement and eagerness. 

Simmons is the new director of the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Center Performing Arts program, initially known as the Katherine Dunham Center for the Performing Arts. 

“The East St. Louis Center for Performing Arts has long been a gem in the area,” said Simmons, an East St. Louis native. “I remember when Katherine Dunham relocated to East St. Louis and established her dance company here. I attended dance performances and theater productions at the old location of 411 E. Broadway, as well as the Edwardsville campus . At its peak in the 1990s, the Performing Arts program provided year-round instruction to more than 1,000 youth and was a training ground for professional artists of all disciplines. Many of Ms. Dunham’s students have gone on to perform on Broadway and around the world, and have introduced and kept Dunham’s legacy alive.” 

“I have been in performing arts all of my life,” added Simmons, who has a bachelor’s in art and theater and a master’s in education administration. 

Simmons’ professional career includes playing the character of “Suede” in Spike Lee’s film, “Cronies,” which was filmed in St. Louis in 2012. “Cronies” was featured at all the major national and international film festivals that year, and later aired on Netflix, YouTube and Apple TV. 

He spent several years teaching art and theater, retiring as a fine arts director from East St. Louis School District #189 in 2014.  Since retiring, Simmons has sold several paintings and has appeared in local television commercials and other films. He also sat in as an extra for the filming of an Oprah Winfrey episode of “David Makes Mam,” starring Phylicia Rashad. 

Simmons’ immediate plan is to introduce a visual arts component as part of the Performing Arts program. 

“I want to create the space where students can draw, paint, sculpt and design, thus elevating their creativity quotient,” he added. “Student art exhibitions, framed prints, fabric and textiles are all a part of my vision for this program.” 

Currently, Performing Arts offers after school classes in dance that include jazz, hip hop, tap and modern dance. Vocal and music classes in piano, guitar and violin are also offered. 

“I am building on a long history of performing arts royalty,” Simmons remarked. “I hope to develop and maintain a strong and viable program that helps foster all facets of the arts. The program will help students and the community thrive, and will remain an important source of cultural entertainment. I also hope to introduce our students to local and national entertainment and film organizations.” 

Photo:
Homer Simmons is the new director of the SIUE East St. Louis Center Performing Arts program.

Developing future campus leaders who will inspire next generation students through inclusivity and care, is a critically important task that educators like Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Pietro Sasso, PhD, do not take lightly.

Sasso excels in that mission as assistant professor and immediate past director of the University’s College Student Personnel Administration (CSPA) program. His influential work and its reach are being further amplified as he serves as the Vice Chair for Convention Programs of the American College Personnel Association’s (ACPA) Coalition on College Men and Masculinities (CMM).

Sasso assumed this national position in August, joining a leadership team comprising distinguished scholars and administrators from across the nation. In his new role, he will coordinate the CMM’s sponsored programming review process while serving as a reviewer for sponsored program proposals. Additionally, he will assist in coordinating activities for the annual ACPA Convention and future ACPA events.

“I am really looking forward to expanding my leadership with CMM to continue to facilitate research discussions that pushes the constructs of intersecting masculinities and the theoretical complexities of multiple masculinities,” said Sasso. “This will also inform my own teaching of our CSPA students as it challenges our conceptualization of college male identifying populations within the margins, and those who are edged to the boundaries of campus support systems.”

The broad aim of the CMM is to promote men’s development throughout college campuses. The coalition’s vision is to focus on marginalized understandings of college masculinity, centering the experiences of men who experience systemic oppression. Our hope is that by centering these voices to be heard, new conceptions of what it means to be a man can emerge and influence educational research and practice. This aligns with Sasso’s current research focused on topics of masculinity in higher education.

In 2017, Sasso was named an Emerging Scholar in Residence by the CMM for his prior research related to men and masculinity within student affairs and higher education. During his two-year residency, Sasso worked with fellow emerging researchers and supported the work of the coalition as a resident expert by authoring critical thought pieces and delivering conference presentations.

Sasso has two forthcoming publications exploring masculinity on college campuses: an article for the Journal of Critical Scholarship in Higher Education & Student Affairs exploring white supremacy in college male student protests, and a text on multiracial masculinity, tentatively titled, Intersecting the Borders of Manhood: Multiracial Masculinities among American College Students. During his board service, he will continue to investigate such topics while developing programming to raise awareness of the ideas and issues surrounding men and masculinity in higher education.

To learn more about the CMM, visit myacpa.org/scmm.

Photo: SIUE’s Pietro Sasso, PhD, assistant professor and immediate past director of the CSPA program.

When Linda Crawford walked down the halls of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Charter High School (CHS) on Monday, Aug. 17, she had a good feeling about the school. And that was before she received a Chromebook, a bookbag of classroom supplies, a box of food and school shirts for her niece, Kimbra, a CHS freshman. 

 “I could feel that I made the right choice, and that Charter High School was the best place for her to be educated,” said Crawford. 

CHS is 100% remote learning for its first quarter, which is nine weeks long. After the first quarter, circumstances 0will be reassessed. The CHS school is prepared to offer a hybrid model of instruction when students are allowed to return in-person.   

In picking up supplies, all students and their families had their temperature checked before entering the school, according to CHS Director Gina Jeffries, EdD. Chromebook and school supply pick-up times were staggered with freshmen and sophomores coming on Monday, Aug.17, and juniors and seniors arriving on Tuesday, Aug. 18. Students also had the opportunity to walk the red carpet, which is a CHS tradition. 

“First, students stop and get their schedule,” detailed Jeffries. “They receive a backpack with a CHS insignia mask, a 2020 yearbook, pens, paper, a box of food, two CHS shirts, and a Chromebook.” The shirts were made by Andrea Pagan of Kut Kreations in East St. Louis and parent of Lauren Edwards, 2020 CHS valedictorian. 

The Chromebooks are loaded with needed apps, such as Edpuzzle and ALEKS (both math related), Kahoot, Google Classroom and more. Google Classroom allows students and teachers to communicate, noted Jeffries. 

“This year will be interesting,” said CHS English instructor Bridget Nelson, “It will be a mix of fun, the unknown and maybe a little bit of anxiety. But we have such a good group of teachers and a great group of students, I think we will be able to work really well with remote learning and eventually our transition back to school.” 

“I like doing remote work. I wasn’t upset about not coming back to school in person,” said Kimbra, who said she is prepared to go the long distance in virtual learning, if need be. 

“She is a motivated person,” chimed in Crawford, Kimbra’s aunt. “She doesn’t need me to tell her to get her work done.” 

However, sophomore Ta’Nyja Hopkins is hoping remote learning will be over after the first quarter. “I learn better in person,” she said.

“I plan to do what I did last year, and work better at it to maintain my grades and perhaps do better,” said CHS sophomore Ayonn Gray, son of Chad Gray Sr. 

To Ayonn’s comments, Gray instructed his son, “Organization, discipline and motivation are the key principles to succeeding in life.”

“We have a synchronous remote schedule for times when teachers and students will meet for classroom instruction,” said Jeffries. “Teachers had input in the schedule. We don’t want to overwhelm the students or the teachers.” For technology issues or concerns, contact CHS IT support associate Ronald Irving at roirvin@siue.edu or 618-482-8370.

“Being offered this quarter are core classes plus Project Lead the Way (PLTW),” added Jefferies. “We are also at full enrollment, with 120 students.” 

Photos:
CHS IT support associate Ronald Irving gives instructions to Ashanti Jones (left) and Jones’ daughter, Akhyra Allen (center).

Picking up his class schedule is CHS sophomore Stevion Mathis with his aunt, Danielle Mathis (right). Processing the student is CHS English teacher Bridget Nelson and CHS physical education and social studies teacher Aaron Vance (right).

Students received two CHS shirts and a bookbag full of school supplies. (L-R) CHS science teacher Mildred Fort, CHS Program Director Gina Jeffries, EdD; and CHS resource teacher Edit Laktzian.

Leaving the CHS with their supplies are (left-right) sophomore Kiantae Luster and his father, Henery Luster.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s campus was vibrant and upbeat as residents began their return to campus during the first of five Move-In Days being held Tuesday-Saturday, Aug. 18-22.

During the five-day period, nearly 2,000 residents will move in to the University’s four residence halls and the Cougar Village apartments.

“Welcome to SIUE!” a housing staff member sang while being accompanied by a first-year student strumming her guitar as she walked toward her new home away from home.

“At SIUE, the safety of our students is our priority, always,” said University Housing Director Mallory Sidarous. “We are excited to be here and to start welcoming our residents back to campus. Instead of Move-In Day being a one-day process, this year it will occur over five days. We’ve implemented a number of changes including scheduled, staggered move-in times, limiting the number of guests, and increased cleaning and sanitization.

“I was nervous last night, but this morning I’m excited. I danced in the car the whole way here,” said Halie Hebron, of O’Fallon, Mo., a freshman majoring in art and dance. “I’m excited to be a baby Cougar here at SIUE.”

“We’re moving our son, our second son into SIU Edwardsville,” noted Bruce Reeves, as he moved his son into Bluff Hall. “It’s been very organized. Everything’s running smoothly.”

While the usual assembly of Movers and Shakers were not moving individuals in this year, Chancellor Randy Pembrook, SIU System President Dan Mahoney, and numerous students, faculty and staff members from across campus, volunteered their time to greet new residents and their families, answer questions and help them navigate campus.

“We have music going, and we’re dancing and welcoming students to SIUE,” said Mcall Wertin, resident assistant at Bluff Hall.

“Move-In Day is different this year, but we’re making the best of it,” added Dana Merritt, resident assistant at Prairie Hall. “With things spread out over five days, we get to meet with our residents individually and have a little bit of one-on-one time with them. It’s been a great way to build connections with our residents.”

The SIUE Experience will take place August 18-23. Classes begin Monday, August 24. Details on the Our Cougar Commitment, Return to SIUE plan are available at siue.edu/coronavirus.

Photos: SIUE Chancellor and University Housing staff and students excitedly welcomed residents back to campus on Move-In Day.

An SIUE freshman brings her belongings into her new home away from home during Move-In Day on Tuesday, Aug. 18.

SIU President Dr. Dan Mahoney (right) greets an SIUE student with an elbow bump during the first of five Move-In Days.

Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine’s (SIU SDM) Lexi Nash is the recipient of a $6,000 scholarship from the Illinois State Dental Society (ISDS) Foundation. Nash, of Lebanon, is one of three students statewide to receive the monetary award as they embark on their final year toward completion of a doctorate of dental medicine (DMD).

Applicants were asked to share how their dental degree will affect the lives of others. Nash replied, “I am completely enthralled by the endless opportunities I’ll have to incorporate community service into my everyday life as a dentist. Throughout my career, it is my goal to lead through example and show others that service, whether through big or small efforts, has a lasting, positive impact on society.”

“The expenses for my degree and living allowance are completely funded through student loans, other than the small amount I am able to earn through tutoring in dental school,” Nash added upon receiving the scholarship. “I am incredibly grateful to receive financial help through this scholarship.”

Nash recently applied for a pediatric dental residency, where she intends to focus her work on caring for children’s dental needs.

“I am deeply committed to caring for others and enjoy interacting with and teaching people,” Nash explained. “Dentistry offers many opportunities to learn, connect with others, and make a positive impact in my community.”

The fourth-year student is highly involved in the SIU SDM’s research, community service and extracurricular activities, including serving as president of the SIU SDM’s chapter of the American Student Dental Association, participating in National Children’s Dental Health Month, and engaging area children during the annual Give Kid’s a Smile Day event.

In her essay submission, Nash elaborated on her plans to make a difference in others’ lives through grassroots advocacy efforts with both local and state dental societies.

“As our school’s chapter president of the American Student Dental Association, I’m honored to have represented my class at conferences, and advocated in Washington D.C. for both our patients and profession,” Nash wrote. “I’m most grateful to serve as a liaison while speaking about issues affecting our patients. These experiences have demonstrated the incredible value of organized dentistry, and inspired me to continue to use my voice and abilities for good.” 

The SIU School of Dental Medicine students manage approximately 35,000 patient visits each year at its patient clinics in Alton and East St. Louis. In addition, students offer oral health treatment, screenings and education to more than 10,000 people annually through a wide variety of off-campus community outreach events. These opportunities provide students the training they need to graduate and become highly skilled dentists. The School of Dental Medicine is a vital oral health care provider for residents of southern and central Illinois, and the St. Louis metropolitan region.

Photo: (L-R) SIU SDM Dean Bruce Rotter, DMD, ISDS Foundation scholarship recipient Lexi Nash, and Keith Dickey, DMD, SIU SDM Director of Alumni Services and Continuing Education.

With everything going on right now, scrambling to learn about a new campus and its resources shouldn’t be one of them, according to Gretchen Fricke, director of Student Services in Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s School of Education, Health and Human Behavior (SEHHB). 

Fricke and the SEHHB advising team organized the first SEHHB Transfer Student Welcome, held remotely on Monday, Aug. 17 and Tuesday, Aug 18. 

“We were hearing that transfer students were often overwhelmed with the transition to SIUE, especially coming from a community college setting,” said Fricke. “We were worried that the adjustment would become even more challenging for new transfer students in this highly remote format.” 

The orientation’s purpose is to assist students with those challenges. 

Julann Scheibal, a senior majoring in psychology, transferred to SIUE in Spring 2019 from Lewis and Clark Community College (LCCC) in Godfrey. Adjusting to a new school had its challenges, and if it weren’t for the constant help and guidance of Fricke and SIUE psychology advisor Kelly Atkins, Scheibal said she wouldn’t have been able to make it. 

“I would have benefited greatly from meeting other new transfer students, and speaking to SIUE faculty and staff to help guide me,” commented Scheibal, who offered Fricke ideas and suggestions in preparing for the University’s first Transfer Student Welcome.  “I was excited to learn that SIUE was planning to have a transfer student orientation. I was glad to give input as to what would be helpful. This is a wonderful idea to help pour into the success of students here at SIUE!” 

“We want to provide transfer students with resources to help them feel like SIUE Cougars from the very beginning,” continued Fricke. “Every campus is a little different. We want our new students to know what campus resources are available in their academic journey and in their extra-curricular pursuits. We also want students to realize that our advising team is here to help them with this transition.” 

Some of the information included: 

• Introduction to SEHHB Academic Advisors – Dawn Aldrich, applied health; Robert Alford, psychology; Danie Dobrinich-Johns, education; Terry “T.J.” Riggs, applied health; Claire Teichman, psychology; and Autumn Wetzler, education
• Advisor expectations such as meeting with an advisor each semester, discussing courses and developing an academic plan
• Majors available including early childhood education, exercise science, middle education level (endorsements), nutrition, special education, speech-language pathology and audiology, psychology and public health
• Campus resources such as Cougar Cupboard, Campus Recreation, Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion (CSDI) and student employment 

 “The Student Transfer Orientation was extremely helpful,” said Alison Blades, a junior transferring from Rend Lake College in Ina. “I learned about the many resources at SIUE that I had no idea were on campus. The staff running the Zoom meeting was especially knowledgeable and helpful. They made it enjoyable.” 

Photos:
Gretchen Fricke, director of Student Services in the School of Education, Health and Human Behavior. 

Julann Scheibal, a senior majoring in psychology, transferred to SIUE in Spring 2019 from Lewis and Clark Community College (LCCC) in Godfrey.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville experienced a 2% increase in 2020 summer enrollment over 2019 and reached its highest level since 2017 with 6,165 total students. As a result of the enrollment surge, credit hours taken increased 3.5%, and full-time equivalency enrollment was up 7%.

Of those summer 2020 students, 5,765 (94%) utilized distance-learning, eclipsing the previous high by 2,308 students. That compares to approximately 3,400 students (56%) who studied online during summer 2019.  Meanwhile, 400 students took courses on campus.

“The percentage of students taking courses fully online during the summer has been increasing steadily over the past 10 years,” said Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Denise Cobb, PhD. “COVID-19 and state of Illinois COVID guidelines challenged us to offer even more courses virtually this summer, and we are grateful how well our faculty, students and staff responded. It is clear that students trust that SIUE offers high quality learning experiences throughout the year. 

“We are so pleased that we were able to extend our reach this year and help students in their progress to their degrees. With our diverse array of excellent and accredited programs, we have a great deal to offer. Our faculty, staff and students are resilient, and have continued to meet whatever challenges come their way.  Summer enrollment provides strong momentum for the coming academic year.”

SIUE’s summer enrollment is also historically diverse. The University enrolled 709 Black students, the most for a summer session since 1995, and 274 Hispanic students, a record for a summer term. International enrollment also increased by 19% compared to summer 2019. 

The enrollment growth was primarily focused on master’s and doctoral graduate programs. The development and delivery of a large cadre of new online graduate programs pushed enrollment up 21% over 2019. Overall master’s program enrollment was up 22% overall, while doctoral programs increased 20%.

Five of SIUE’s six schools offering graduate courses grew. They were led by the new online MBA which helped the School of Business enrollment grow 149 students (62%). The School of Engineering’s master’s programs gained 27%, and the expanding School of Nursing saw its graduate programs increase by 22%.

Summer enrollment from first-time undergraduate transfers also jumped 20%.

SIUE is still accepting students for the fall 2020 semester, which begins Monday, Aug. 24. For more information, visit siue.edu/apply or call 618-650-3705.

As local school districts adjust schedules and suspend certain instructional areas due to challenges surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Suzuki Strings Program is ensuring developing string musicians can pursue their training and fulfill their love for music by offering a new String Bridge program.

The String Bridge program will bridge the gap caused by the suspension of music ensemble programs for the 2020-21 academic year. String Bridge classes will follow Edwardsville Community Unit District 7’s string orchestra curriculum, but is open to students from any district. This program will help students stay on track to rejoin public school ensembles when they become available.

“We are excited to help incoming fourth graders start playing violin, viola or cello, and to continue the music education that fifth grade students received last year,” said Suzuki Faculty Teacher Mikaila Seo. “Music study is essential to every student’s personal development. It is imperative that students continue to be inspired musically, for music boosts creative thinking, focus, self-discipline, and is a stress reliever.”

Weekly classes for students entering grades 4 or 5 will be 45 minutes in length and begin Monday, Sept. 14. Instruction will take place via Zoom at a cost of $150 for the 10-week session.

For more information and to register, contact suzukiprogram@siue.edu.

Photo: SIUE Suzuki Faculty Teacher Mikaila Seo.

As students return to the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville campus, they may run into the University’s new furry friend! Marshall the K9 has joined the SIUE Police force, dually trained as an emotional support dog and as an Electronic Storage Detection (ESD) dog. 

The 1.5-year-old, black English Labrador Retriever makes SIUE the first University in the nation to have an ESD dog. He is the third ESD dog in Illinois and one of 41 trained by Jordan Detection K9 in Indianapolis.

Marshall is trained to detect a specific chemical compound, Triphenolphosphine (TPPO), found in many electronics, and can locate something as small as a micro SD card hidden inside the wall or ceiling. His primary mission will be to assist with the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force in Southwest Illinois.

“Marshall will be a benefit to the many departments we’re involved with, including the FBI Cybercrime Unit, the Secret Service Cybercrime Unit, ICAC and the Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis,” explained SIUE Police Chief Kevin Schmoll. “Primarily, he is going to be used for ICAC cases, going after predators that prey on children. Previously, there was no ESD dog in Southern Illinois. The two closest are in the Chicago area. With Marshall, we will not only be serving the Metro East, but also all of Southern Illinois.” 

SIUE Police plan to incorporate Marshall around the community supporting local, county, state and federal search warrants, and major case homicide investigations, as well as on campus as an emotional support dog in Counseling Services and during victim interviews.

The acquiring of Marshall was made possible by a grant from Operation Underground Railroad estimated at $20,000, which paid for the K9 and the handler training. ICAC paid for the police vehicle and the K9 equipment inside. Additionally, all veterinary services during Marshall’s working life will be paid for by Troy Veterinary Clinic and Hospital. Sam’s Club in Glen Carbon generously donated $1,500 to help pay for food costs for Marshall through its Community Grants Program.

Jordan Detection K9 is a nationally known trainer who used ESD dogs to locate evidence in two highly publicized cases, including that of Jared Fogle, former Subway spokesman, and U.S. Gymnastics Coach Marvin Sharp.

“Marshall is a very friendly and active lab,” said Detective Dave Baybordi, Marshall’s handler and a 12-year member of SIUE Police. “I’ve got two kids at home that are going to give him a lot of attention!”

“It’s going to be a joy having Marshall around the department,” added Schmoll. “I look forward to working with all of the police departments and law enforcement agencies in the area, as we remain committed to keeping Southern Illinois safe.”

Photos: Marshall’s arrival on SIUE’s campus makes the University the first in the nation to have an ESD dog.

(L-R) SIUE Vice Chancellor for Administration Rich Walker, SIUE’s Electronic Storage Detection Dog Marshall, and SIUE Police Chief Kevin Schmoll.

The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Pharmacy Student National Pharmaceutical Association (SNPhA) is once again collaborating with the Saint Louis University School of Medicine to offer free healthcare and education to Chinese speaking patients. 

SNPhA students helped provide services at the free Chinese Clinic that opened Saturday, Aug. 15 and will run from 1-4:30 p.m. monthly through May 2021 at the St. Louis Modern Chinese School, 6710 Clayton Road in Richmond Heights, Mo. 

“The goal is to assist Chinese speaking patients, especially underserved patients who have no insurance coverage in the U.S.,” said Jingyang Fan, PharmD, assistant dean of academic affairs and clinical associate professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice. “Often times, these patients are visiting their families in the U.S., and they need healthcare and refills on their chronic medications.” 

“It is my responsibility to keep the organization’s mission of serving underserved communities at the forefront,” said SNPhA President Christian Watts, SOP third-year student. “The clinic allowed us to provide blood pressure screenings, counseling tips, and find more cost-effective medications for these patients, all at no cost.” 

 Fan detailed the specifics of a clinic visit. “First, patients see a team of medical and pharmacy students for the collection of their medical and medication history. Their primary reason for coming to the clinic is gathered at that time. 

“SIUE pharmacy students help in gathering patients’ home medication list and translate or find drug information if the medications are from China. They also perform blood pressure screenings along with the medical students. The medical and pharmacy students work together to develop assessments and plans for the patient.” 

 Medical students then present the patient’s information to the attending physician, and the physician determines a plan for the patient, according to Fan. 

“If medications are prescribed, pharmacy students help the medical students in calling pharmacies, as well as educating the patients on the medications,” she continued. “The Chinese Clinic is a wonderful experience for interprofessional practice for both the medical and pharmacy students. It is not just an interprofessional education opportunity, but also a chance to provide patient care in the real world.” The SOP has participated in the free Chinese Clinic since 2017. 

“This type of co-curricular event and community partnership provides such an impactful experience for our pharmacy students to interface with diverse communities, which further enhances their learning and personal and professional development,” said Lakesha Butler, PharmD, BCPS, clinical professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice, and SOP director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. 

“I enjoyed the ability to work as a team with the medical students, and the ability to take the lead while presenting the case regarding drug therapy and possible adverse events,” said Tatsiana Maksimenka, SIUE SOP second-year. 

“I learned that even in the midst of this pandemic, SNPhA’s service is still needed,” offered Watts. “Having the opportunity to still serve our patients in person and virtually, showed me that hardship should not stop you. It should encourage you to become more innovative.” 

Photos:
Jingyang Fan, PharmD, assistant dean of Academic Affairs and clinical associate professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice.

Christian Watts, SNPhA president and SOP third-year student.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville sophomore Bryan Robinson has envisioned himself appearing in a feature role on the television series, “24,” where he’s working under duress to help save the world from an impending enemy, using only his technology skills to do it!

The computer engineering major’s imagination and drive are fueled by his interest in and love for technology, and gratefully, his education at SIUE is being financed by the Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship for Service Program through the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). 

“I was excited and thankful to learn I had won the scholarship,” said Robinson, who has a 3.7 GPA and is part of SIUE’s Goal-Oriented African American Men Excel (GAME) student group. “The scholarship includes my full tuition, $1,200 annually for health insurance, $1,000 annually for books, supplies and etc., and a $25,000 stipend given annually.” He received the four-year scholarship in April and began using it in the Fall 2020 semester. The scholarship will expire at his expected graduation date in May 2023. 

 “It is common for the Student Opportunities for Academic Results (SOAR) Office to empower students and assist them with information that enables their retention,” said Earleen Patterson, PhD, SOAR director. “Bryan Robinson is someone who makes SIUE proud. He is extremely focused, determined and committed to his education. We salute Bryan and were happy to assist him as he competed for and received the Department of Defenses’ SMART Scholarship.” 

Eligibility requirements of the SMART scholarship include being:

• A student in good standing with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
• Pursuing a technical undergraduate or graduate degree in one of the 21 STEM listed disciplines
• Willingness to accept post-graduation employment with the DoD

“The scholarship also affords the opportunity for me to intern at the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency in St. Louis,” noted Robinson. “I will earn an additional $1,000 weekly and the ability to work there post-graduation.” 

Robinson expects to begin interning after the spring 2021 semester. Part of his program requirements include participating in the 10-week internship until his graduation. 

“The internship will give me mentor opportunities and real hands on experience with different areas of my study,” detailed Robinson. “During the internships, I’ll have the option to explore different departments, such as artificial intelligence, cyber security and more.”

After graduating, Robinson will be required to work at the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency for as many years that he received SMART scholarship benefits. 

“The internship is my dream job,” he confided. “I already love it, so I will have no problem working there after graduation.”

“This scholarship confirms what so many of us have said since we first met Bryan,” added Howard Rambsy II, PhD, professor in the College of Arts and Sciences’ Department of English Language and Literature. “He is thoughtful, highly motivated, and on his way to doing big and bigger things. I’m glad to be a witness.”   

Photo:
Bryan Robinson, a sophomore majoring in computer engineering, is the recipient of a 2020 Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship for Service Program through the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD).

“Keep your head in the game.” It’s a common sports phrase that points to the importance of mental focus in competition.

As many athletics organizations had to limit or place in-person training on hold amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the St. Louis Scott Gallagher Soccer Club (SLSG) used the opportunity to strengthen players’ mental training. This summer, they partnered with Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Exercise and Sport Psychology graduate program to pair mental performance coaches with athletes.

“Mental performance coaches work with individuals to help them handle the challenges they experience as athletes,” said Lindsay Ross-Stewart, PhD, graduate program director and sport psychology consultant for the SIUE Cougars. “People often think about sport psychology skills as being something for elite athletes, but skills such as how to handle one’s emotions, dealing with pressure, staying focused and being confident are incredibly important for youth athletes, as well.”

Seven graduate students were each matched with a SLSG youth team, meeting four times to teach topics on what is sport psychology, goal setting, dealing with stressors and confidence building techniques.

“One of the unique outcomes of everyone being at home was that coaches and teams were looking for ways to use that time to gain a mental edge, since they couldn’t physically practice,” Ross-Stewart explained. “The coaches learned the mental techniques that were taught to their athletes, so they can refer to them all season.”

“We are grateful for the opportunity that the SIUE staff and students provided for our membership,” said St. Louis Scott Gallagher Illinois Program Director Shawn Hewitt. ­­“Allowing the players to meet virtually to talk through topics that directly impact them proved to be a valuable resource to aid in the players’ development. Discussing these topics also helped elevate our coaches’ understanding of the mental side of the athlete and team encounters on and off the field. We look forward to working with Dr. Lindsay Ross-Stewart and her students this upcoming year.”

“This was a great opportunity for our players to focus on a different aspect of their game,” added SLSG Illinois ECNL Director Laura Heffington. “As we were limited to virtual meetings and training, the ability to have our players working directly with graduate students on mental strength was a huge asset. The exercises that our players went through are not only tools that can be valuable to sport, but also assets in school and other stressful areas of their lives.”

Participating SIUE graduate students emphasize the value of such professional interaction with youth athletes, as they prepare for careers as sport psychologists.

“I utilized videos and goal sheets, and challenged them to discuss and be open about their experiences, despite it being a group Zoom session,” recalled Savana Robinson, of Des Moines, Iowa. “The girls were consistently engaged and never skipped a beat on wanting to delve into techniques to better nervousness, stress or motivation. The competitive nature of Gallagher has made the girls realize the importance of mental strength in sport, which is unique to find at such a young age.”

Graduate student Harben Branco Filho, of Brazil, came to the U.S. at age 17 to play soccer and pursue his education. As a mental performance coach, he was able to gain applied experience that combined his passions for sport and psychology, with the added privilege of helping others.

“We explored the topics of motivation, confidence and dealing with anxiety,” Filho said. “Such topics can be complex even for adults, so one of the major focuses was to tailor the information according to the athletes’ own reality. We must be sensible and creative to adapt the complex information we learn to everyday language that these young people are able to understand and apply to their lives.”

“This experience was crucial to help me draw connections from the classroom material to the real world,” he added.

“Every experience I get to work with athletes on improving their mental skills is a big stride in my growth as a consultant,” agreed graduate student Courtney Kendrick, of Jonesboro.

“Athletes have to train their mind like they train their body,” she explained. “Oftentimes, youth athletes are in the developing stages, and this means that they are easily influenced and still learning their way. If we, as coaches and consultants, include mental training skills into practice and the team program, we can shape and improve these skills, setting these young athletes up for success.”

Other graduate students serving as mental performance coaches were Landon Braun, of Jefferson, Iowa, Alyssa Lowe, of Mt. Zion, Cameren Pryor, of Raleigh, N.C., and Maira Ogata Negri, of Brazil.

Ross-Stewart mentored the students throughout the trainings. She hopes to continue this partnership in the future online, or in-person when circumstances become safe to do so.

Photo: (L-R) SIUE Exercise and Sport Psychology Graduate Students Savana Robinson, Harben Branco Filho, and Courtney Kendrick were among those serving as mental performance coaches for the St. Louis Scott Gallagher Soccer Club.

Former Southern Illinois University President Glenn Poshard, PhD, and his wife, Jo, have donated $100,000 to establish the Glenn and Jo Poshard Scholarship Endowment for the SIUE School of Education, Health and Human Behavior (SEHHB).  

Scholarship awards will be dedicated to community college transfer students majoring in education or teaching with demonstrated financial need and with a minimum grade point average of 3.0.

“It was a great privilege for Jo and me to serve the SIU System and to see SIUE’s success in the higher education community of Illinois,” Glenn Poshard said. “We hope to continue our efforts to provide additional scholarship assistance to SIUE students in the future.”

“We are ecstatic and extremely grateful for the generous gift from Glenn and Jo Poshard,” said SEHHB Dean Robin Hughes, PhD. “Through their selfless giving, the School of Education, Health and Human Behavior will be able to better support our students’ academic needs. There are no words too great to describe our gratitude and appreciation for their generosity. We look forward to awarding our most deserving students in addition to thanking the Poshards in-person.” 

Glenn Poshard served as SIU System president from 2006-2014 after being appointed to the SIU board of trustees in 2004. During his presidency, SIUE became the fastest growing public institution in the state. He is a former Illinois state senator (1984-88) and U.S. congressman (1989-99). He also was a gubernatorial candidate in 1998.

The Poshards established The Poshard Foundation for Abused Children in 1999. Dedicated to healing abused children physically and emotionally and to stop child abuse, the foundation has created many rewarding relationships with individuals, agencies and organizations in southern Illinois, as well as statewide, by providing funding for children in crisis when other funds are not available.

Photo (L-R): Glenn and Jo Poshard established a scholarship endowment for the SIUE School of Education, Health and Human Behavior. 

A dozen Southwestern Illinois-based entrepreneurs and their innovative business concepts have been selected to move into the second round of the 7th annual Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Metro East Start-Up Challenge (MESC) business plan competition.

More than 25 entrepreneurs expressed interest in the regional competition this year, according to Jo Ann Di Maggio May, Metro East SBDC director and MESC coordinator. About half of the individuals completed the entry process and were invited to participate in the next round.

“We’re extremely pleased with the sustained level of interest in our region’s business plan contest,” Di Maggio May said. “There has been a robust outpouring of enthusiasm about the Challenge from applicants, community leaders and our small business development partners. The SIUE Metro East Start-Up Challenge creates the opportunity to engage with the region in cultivating an important economic development strategy.

“Although only 12 remain eligible for the $10,000 top cash prize, we encourage everyone who considered or entered the Challenge to access the SBDC’s wide menu of resources and expertise.”

Round two of the Challenge will require semifinalists to create a condensed business plan, develop financial projections and clearly define reasons why their business concepts will be successful. The Metro East SBDC will offer guidance and support to semifinalists in the form of workshops throughout September.

Competitors have until Sunday, Oct. 4 to submit their business plans and financial statements. Judges will select seven finalists, who will pitch their business concept on Thursday, Oct. 29 to a select panel of judges. Winners will be announced immediately following the pitch presentations.

First place is worth $10,000, second place is $6,000 and third place is $4,000. This year, Regions Bank is sponsoring a fourth place prize. Winners are also offered an array of in-kind services. The semifinalists include:

• Air Eye (Edwardsville)
• Art Sculpt International (Fairview Heights)
• Boss Level Merch (Highland)
• Clara B’s Kitchen Table (Belleville)
• Denali Building Supply (Edwardsville)
• Desk Guardian, LLC. (Belleville)
• EDUrain (Edwardsville)
• FitU (Cahokia)
• Hometown Meals, LLC (Greenville)
• MBrew (Godfrey)
• Pushing Limits, Inc. (Mulberry Grove)
• Sharp Coffee LLC (O’Fallon)

The Illinois SBDC for the Metro East assists start-up ventures, 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 Illinois SBDC for the Metro East at SIUE at 618-650-2929.

“We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men and women are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,” was penned in “The Declaration of Rights and Sentiments” and signed in 1848 at the first Women’s Rights Convention held in Seneca Falls, N.Y., organized to amplify the need for women’s suffrage. The fight to win the vote for American women finally produced the Nineteenth Amendment to the Constitution, which was ratified on Aug. 18, 1920 and officially signed on Aug. 26, 1920. 

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville professors Carolina Rocha, PhD, Women’s Studies program director in the Department of Foreign Languages and Literature; and Laurie Rice, PhD, in the Department of Political Science and coordinator of the Civic Education Project at SIUE, will delve into the history of the women’s vote and its importance during a Zoom presentation, hosted by the SIUE’s Women’s Studies program, at noon Friday, Sept. 4. Prior to the meeting, people can view the film, “Iron-Jawed Angels,” which chronicles the efforts of the women’s suffrage movement and will be discussed as part of the Zoom presentation. To request access to the film, email siuewmst@gmail.com. 

“The Women’s Studies program aims to educate about women’s societal contributions” said Rocha. “Those contributions are often the untold stories of women of different classes, races, and ethnicities, and issues of uneven power as a result of gender, sex and sexuality. Thus, this anniversary constitutes a wonderful opportunity for students to learn about the arduous process of women’s enfranchisement in the United States, a process that brought together several generations of women from all walks of life.” 

“Voting is essential in a democracy like ours, yet many people take their right to vote for granted,” said Rice. “Celebrating the centennial of the Nineteenth Amendment gives us an opportunity to reflect on the hard work it took to get where we are today, and appreciate just how far we have come.  

“The women who fought to make women’s suffrage a reality were told that they should be content with letting men decide for them, that they couldn’t be trusted with the vote, and that women didn’t have a mind for politics. As a female political scientist, I’m thankful they fought those battles, so I can stand where I am today.” 

“The crucial ramification of the Nineteenth Amendment was allowing women to exercise their political rights and have a voice in the body politic,” added Rocha. “The right to vote gives us the opportunity to choose representatives and participate in the passing of laws that affect our daily lives. The Women’s Studies program invites students to think critically about political and cultural developments, to work to expand social justice, and to fight against all types of discrimination. Knowing about this significant chapter of American history, students can make informed decisions about the upcoming elections and their roles as citizens and activists.”

Photo:
L-R: Carolina Rocha, PhD, Women’s Studies program director and professor in the Department of Foreign Languages and Literature; and Laurie Rice, PhD, professor in the Department of Political Science and coordinator of the Civic Education Project at SIUE.