Ilyasah Shabazz, author, motivational speaker, social activist and the third daughter of Malcolm X and Betty Shabazz, will open Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Arts & Issue’s 36^th season. 

“Living the Legacy to Empower the Future” will be a conversation moderated by Timothy E. Lewis, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Political Science, will be held 7:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29. Register for this free event here. 

“I was reading the ‘Autobiography of Malcolm X’ and saw the forward was written by Attallah Shabazz, one of Malcolm X’s daughters,” said Grant Andree, Arts & Issues director. “I wondered if any of his daughters made public appearances and found Ilyasah Shabazz on the roster for the American Program Bureau, an agency I’ve worked with a number of times in the past.

“I was also looking for a speaker who might tie in with the Anti-Racism Task Force’s work being done on campus. I felt Ilyasah Shabazz would be a good choice because of her link with the past and her current work of trying to build a better future for everyone.”

Lewis, a member of the SIUE Anti-Racism Task Force and the Arts & Issues advisory board, has collaborated to bring Arts & Issues speakers to campus and made for a great choice as moderator, according to Andree.

“It is my hope and belief that in this conversation, Professor Shabazz will convey that social justice should be the aspirational goal of educational institutions, and diversity is only one of the preliminary steps of achieving justice,” said Lewis.

“I think we’re at another turning point in American history,” remarked Andree, “and Ilyasah Shabazz can provide a link with the past, but also a vision for the future. I expect the event to be entertaining and thought provoking.”

For more information on Shabazz, visit her webpage.  

Arts & Issues is tied to the academic mission of the University. For 36 years, the series has presented some of the world’s finest performing artists and showcased speakers from across the spectrum in areas such as science, history, literature and politics. The program also offers unique opportunities for students, faculty, staff and the community to engage with these performers and speakers through master classes and special sessions. 

Photo:
Ilyasah Shabazz, author, motivational speaker, social activist and the third daughter of Malcolm X and Betty Shabazz.

The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Nursing (SON) is celebrating the selection of six faculty members and one student as finalists for the March of Dimes 2020 Nurse of the Year Awards. SIUE is presenting sponsor of the event being held virtually at 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14.

During the event, the March of Dimes will present approximately 20 awards to nurses who exemplify an extraordinary level of patient care, compassion and customer service in their respective disciplines. More than 240 nurses were nominated for the prestigious honors.

SIUE finalists by award category:

• Advanced Practice: Kevin Stein, DNAP, CRNA, MS, director of the Nurse Anesthesia DNP program, and assistant professor in Primary Care and Health Systems (PCHS) Nursing
• Behavioral Health: Tracy Cooley, DNP, RN, assistant professor in PCHS Nursing
• Case Management, Public Health and Occupational Health: Jerrica Ampadu, PhD, RN, CCP, director of the WE CARE Clinic, Student Nurse Achievement Program (SNAP) Coordinator, and assistant professor in the Department of Family Health and Community Health (FHCH) Nursing
• Nursing Administration: Sheri Compton-McBride, DNP, MSN, director of the RN/BS program, director of Acquisition of Clinical Sites, and contract management instructor in PCHS Nursing
• Pediatric: Annie Imboden, DNP, APN, CPNP, instructor in the SIUE Regional Nursing Program
• Student Nurse: Sydney Kesner, a senior from Highland
• Women’s Health and Obstetrics: Nancy Kurilla, MSN, RN, RNC-MNN, IBCLC, CLC, RNC-LRN, instructor in FHCH Nursing

“I am thrilled that these exceptional faculty and one of our high-achieving students have received this prestigious recognition as finalists,” said SON Dean Laura Bernaix, PhD, RN. “Being honored this year, in particular, is very meaningful. Nurses have been on the front lines during the current pandemic, and have demonstrated their fortitude, leadership, and high-quality patient care knowledge and skills. Our faculty and students have all been a part of that heroism. It is great to see them recognized for their faithful and exemplary patient care.”

Bernaix is co-chair of the 2020 Nurse of the Year committee, alongside Kathy Bonser with SSM Health. During the virtual event, Bernaix will present the Legend in Nursing award in honor of Judy Wilson-Griffin. Wilson-Griffin was an avid supporter of March of Dimes and earned Nurse of the Year honors in Women’s Health and Obstetrics in 2019.

SON alumnus Colin Fischer is a finalist in the Rising Star category. Fischer earned a bachelor’s in nursing from SIUE in 2019.

Nurses employed in the state of Missouri and the Illinois counties of Jersey, Madison, St. Clair, Clinton, Monroe and Randolph are eligible for Missouri, Metro East Nurse of the Year Awards. A complete list of Nurse of the Year Award finalists is available at nurseoftheyear.marchofdimes.org.

Photo: SIUE School of Nursing finalists for March of Dimes 2020 Nurse of the. Year Awards (Top L-R) Jerrica Ampadu, Sheri Compton-McBride, Tracy Cooley, (bottom L-R) Kevin Stein, Annie Imboden, student Sydney Kesner, and Nancy Kurilla.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and the Hospice Conference of Southern Illinois will present the 38^th annual hospice conference virtually from 8 a.m.-noon Thursday, Nov. 12 with a focus on “The New Normal in Hospice Care.”

At the live, virtual conference, participants will meet other professionals, volunteers and community members who work with or have an interest in learning about chronically ill, terminally ill or grieving persons of all ages in hospitals, hospices, long-term care and skilled nursing facilities, and those who are receiving home healthcare.

 Additionally, participants will discuss the difficulties of providing end of life care in the current climate of social distancing and virus precautions, examine some of the healthcare disparities faced by people of color, and consider how we can improve care to the underserved and to hospice patients having difficulty accessing appropriate care in the COVID-19 era.

Participants will be engaged with presentations from experienced and innovative experts, including:

• David Gill, MD, of VITAS Hospice
• Chris Herndon, PharmD, CPE, FASHP, professor in the SIUE School of Pharmacy
• Harsh Moolani, founder of the non-profit Create Circles

Gill, of Niles, is board certified in family medicine, and has practiced emergency medicine in central Illinois for 20 years. He has also worked as the associate medical director of Vitas Healthcare, a hospice in Fairview Heights, for the past 15 months. He previously served as the assistant director of the Illinois Department of Public Health from 2013-14. Gill has been a member of the Physicians for National Health Program for nearly 30 years, and he is a longtime member of Physicians for Reproductive Health, the ACLU and the NAACP.

Herndon sees chronic pain patients in a multidisciplinary setting within a family medicine residency clinic. His scholarship focuses primarily on pain and palliative care education. He is principal investigator for the National Institutes of Health Center of Excellence in Pain Education at SIUE. Herndon is president-elect for the Society of Palliative Care Pharmacists. 

Among his top accolades, Herndon is the 2018 recipient of the Distinguished Services Award from the American Pain Society, the Illinois Pharmacist’s Association’s 2016 Pharmacist of the Year, the 2012 recipient of the Academic Pain Educator of the Year Award from the American Society of Pain Educators, and the recipient of the Alliance of State Pain Initiatives’ 2006 Pain Champion Award. 

Moolani is a graduate of Washington University in St. Louis where he studied neuroscience. His hospice volunteer experience led him to pursue gerontology as a primary focus, with an emphasis on the development of programming to alleviate isolation and loneliness at the end of life.

Moolani’s deep fascination with the psychosocial challenges of aging and human connection urged him to start a 501(c)(3) non-profit called Create Circles with the goal of tackling older adult loneliness. The negative stereotypes of aging also correspond with greater physical and cognitive decline, as well as increased mortality rates. By interacting with and encouraging the principles of positive aging with the elderly population, Create Circles volunteers play a substantial role in supporting and encouraging their corresponding older adults. Due to current limitations on interaction, cognitive decay is rapid and mental health concerns are skyrocketing. Create Circles has launched a Virtual Visitation platform with a simplified and streamlined process for volunteering to promote as many conversations as possible to support older adults.

The hospice conference is open to the public. Registration fees of $20 or $40 include four professional continuing education units (CEU). To register, visit http://ow.ly/T23G50BJSxj. For more information regarding registration, contact Cynthia Cobetto in the SIUE Office of Online and Education Outreach at cgorsag@siue.edu or 618-650-2164.

Photo: Hospice Conference of Southwestern Illinois logo.

In an effort to better serve diverse groups and to continue emphasizing its values, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville added the position of Diversity and Engagement Librarian at its Elijah P. Lovejoy Library. Simone Williams, assistant professor in Library and Information Services (LIS), began the new position effective Aug. 17. 

“I was interested in the type of work that would bring about more meaningful change on SIUE’s campuses,” said Williams, “especially making sure that underrepresented groups know they have a space on the campus and a support system. Additionally, I was interested in redefining the work that librarians do in an academic setting.” 

Williams earned a bachelor’s in history and a bachelor’s in biology from SIUE in 2005 and 2010, respectively.   

“The creation of this position is an opportunity for the library to further participate in larger conversations about diversity, equity and inclusion with an individual faculty member committed to campus partnerships and programming to support underrepresented student populations,” said Lis Pankl, PhD, Library and Information Services dean. “Library and Information Services is deeply committed to diversity, equity and inclusion, and we will continue supporting the University’s mission, vision and values related to social justice.” 

Part of Williams’ duties is to build relationships with various organizations, faculty, staff and students at the University, as well as those in the Metro East community. 

“I am also developing programming and events for the underrepresented population,” noted Williams, “as well as performing the traditional duties of a librarian and professor that include research assistance, course development and instruction.” 

“In research and practice, Simone demonstrates a thorough understanding of diversity, equity and inclusion,” added Pankl. “Her personal and professional network with the Greater St. Louis region is essential for building partnerships both on campus and within the community. She brings a lot of experience in student-centered programming and grant writing. Since starting at the library, Simone has begun work on building an anti-racist resource collection, laid the foundation for long-lasting campus partnerships, and has co-wrote an Institute of Museum and Library Services grant.” 

 “I want to truly help the University live up to its values, better help students and better connect with the community,” said Williams. “I hope that my work will help SIUE push forward on the path to equity.” 

The SIUE Library and Information Services (LIS) consistently strives for new and inventive ways to deliver information to students, faculty and the community. LIS is home to Lovejoy Library, the heart of the University. The library provides SIUE faculty and students the information required for their academic pursuits that result in improving our communities. LIS faculty and staff   nurture SIUE students’ scholarship with resources that support the collaboration and innovative thinking needed to succeed in the global marketplace. 

Photo:
Simone Williams, assistant professor and Diversity and Engagement Librarian at SIUE’s Elijah P. Lovejoy Library.

The City of Edwardsville, home to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, is ranked among the nation’s top 15 safest college towns by Safewise in its fifth annual 2020 Safest College Towns list.

Ranked 13th nationally, Edwardsville was No. 3 in Illinois and ranked ahead of all Missouri college towns. Lisle, home to Benedictine University, was tops in Illinois and No. 7 nationally. Charleston, which houses Eastern Illinois University, came in at No. 12 overall.

“Safety is a key element when individuals make a choice of where they will study, work and live, and we are grateful to all who work diligently to protect and serve,” said SIUE Chancellor Randy Pembrook. “We commend the SIUE Police Department, as well as law enforcement agencies in and around Edwardsville for creating a safe environment where students can focus on learning.”

“The SIUE Police Department and the City of Edwardsville Police Department are dedicated to working together to deter crime and to provide the highest quality police service to keep our students, staff, faculty, guests and the Edwardsville Community safe,” said SIUE Police Chief Kevin Schmoll. “Being one of the safest college campuses, and one of the safest college towns in the country, clearly demonstrates our effectiveness as a team.” 

Since the Daily Beast ranked SIUE among the safest college campuses in the country in 2010, SIUE has consistently been rated highly for its safe campus environment by a variety of organizations, including the National Council for Home Safety and Security. SIUE’s commitment is demonstrated by investment in safety technology, such as the Rave Guardian app, to maintain a secure campus. 

SIUE police officers are academy trained and engaged in a Community Policing program. Under the SIUE Campus Violence Prevention Plan, there are more than 80 emergency phones on campus.

SafeWise extensively researches security solutions. It tests and compares home security companies, home safety products, and home automation products to help families find the right protection.

The DREAM (Dismantling Racism through Education, Advocacy and Mobilization) Collective at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville will air its next episode of the podcast, “Blacktivism in the Academy,” on Thursday, Oct. 29. 

Episode seven, “Criminalizing the Student Body,” will feature Subini Annamma, PhD, associate professor in the Graduate School of Education at Stanford University; and David Stovall, PhD, professor of African-American Studies and Criminology, Law and Justice at the University of Illinois at Chicago. 

Annamma’s research critically examines the ways students are criminalized and resists that criminalization through the mutually constitutive nature of racism and ableism, how they interlock with other marginalizing oppressions, and how these intersections impact youth education trajectories in urban schools and youth prisons. 

Stovall’s scholarship investigates the areas of Critical Race Theory, the relationship between housing and education and the intersection of race, place and school. 

The podcast is for scholar activists by scholar activists, and encourages and facilitates learning, activism and anti-racist action. If you are seeking a community of like- minded scholar-activists, keep listening. Access “Blacktivism in the Academy” on Spotify and Stitcher. Featured will be prominent speakers from communities of color, who will address how to step out of the societal cyclical patterns of the past. 

DREAM Collective members include education faculty Jennifer Hernandez, PhD, Jessica Krim, EdD, J.T. Snipes, PhD, Nate Williams, PhD, and School of Education, Health and Human Behavior Dean Robin Hughes, PhD. 

For more information, visit the DREAM Collective on Facebook at @DREAMCollective20, Twitter at @DREAMcollect20 or Instagram at @DREAMCollective20, or email TheDREAMCollective@siue.edu. 

Photo:
Subini Annamma, PhD, associate professor in the Graduate School of Education at Stanford University; and David Stovall, PhD, professor of African-American Studies and Criminology, Law and Justice at the University of Illinois at Chicago

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Chancellor Randy Pembrook presented his annual State of the University Address via Zoom on Tuesday, Oct. 27. Acknowledging 2020’s unpredictability, Pembrook updated the campus community on numerous successes and praised faculty, staff and students’ resiliency amid the two difficult ongoing issues of the Coronavirus pandemic and systemic racism.

“Thank you to our faculty for pivoting on teaching modalities, adopting new pedagogies and continuing to enhance teaching through summer workshops,” Pembrook said. “Thank you to our staff for creating a diverse and respectful environment, a nurturing place for our students, and for the new traditions created to help students feel welcome this fall. Thank you to our students who have persevered amid myriad adjustments that would have been impossible to imagine 12 months ago.”

“I couldn’t have continued, SIUE couldn’t have continued, without the many amazing people at this University,” he added. “That is the true story of 2020—our creativity, our resilience, our commitment to overcome difficult circumstances.”

Related to COVID-19, Pembrook acknowledged multiple teams that met regularly to determine the best path forward, including the COVID Core team, Academic Continuity Task Force, Pandemic Planning team and Health Service.

“COVID has touched all of our lives in some way since March,” he noted. “Thank you for your courage exhibited in so many ways.”

Pembrook noted that the University is considering a variety of testing and screening options for implementation in spring 2021. Additionally, he confirmed that the spring 2021 teaching schedule will include online, hybrid and on-ground modalities in proportions similar to those presented in fall 2020. Summer 2021 will be offered almost entirely online.

“The biggest question mark at the moment is the teaching modality distribution for classes in fall 2021,” Pembrook said. “We are preparing three scenarios: 1) a pre-COVID ‘normal’ model, 2) the fall 2020 COVID intense model and 3) a model that lands somewhere in between.”

Another major challenge that was painfully exposed in 2020 is systemic racism in society and higher education. Pembrook detailed the Anti-Racism Task Force (ARTF) that launched in June. The ARTF includes four subcommittees focused on communication, student access and success, curriculum, and the recruitment and retention of a diverse faculty and staff.

Implementation of the numerous recommendations brought forth by the subcommittees is intended to begin by December. The University has identified anti-racism as the Quality Initiative theme for its Higher Learning Commission accreditation project.

Pembrook underscored that a search for a vice chancellor for equity, diversity and inclusion has launched, under the leadership of committee chair Cornell Thomas, DMD, SIU School of Dental Medicine diversity, equity and inclusion officer and assistant dean for Admissions and Student Services.

Pembrook went on to review the SIUE Strategic Planning Process, and underscored the addition of Karen Banks, MEd, LPC, as a telehealth counselor for faculty and staff within SIUE Counseling Services.

Other updates during the State of the University Address included the announcement of an anticipated start date of November 25 for Intercollegiate Athletics’ basketball season. The remainder of fall sports are postponed until spring 2021. Additionally, Pembrook noted that planning is ongoing for the new Health Sciences Building. He mentioned plans for a town hall on budgeting to be held in November.

Pembrook concluded with a “we will continue” mentality, urging the campus community to maintain a fierce determination to move forward, together.

“We have had to make changes and adjustments in the last seven months that we couldn’t have imagined a year ago. But, we continue,” he said. “We have been asked to practice safe behaviors at all times, in all places, and to make personal sacrifices until we are fatigued. But, we continue.

“We look forward to happier times, more normal times, better times. We will continue and we will thrive. Thank you to each and every one of you for your service to SIUE.”

Photo: SIUE Chancellor Randy Pembrook.

In a time of virtual everything, you can now add online cooking classes to your calendar!

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville nutrition students are hosting a series of cooking classes via Zoom throughout November with extraordinary guest chefs.

Participants will create and share a full course meal with an appetizer, entrée and side dish. Visiting chefs will offer real-time instruction ranging from basic cooking skills to gourmet meal preparation.

“Our students continue to demonstrate their ingenuity as we engage in online teaching and learning amid the pandemic,” said Kathy Mora, PhD, RD, assistant professor in the Department of Applied Health. “We are excited to offer fun, engaging classes that feature the culinary expertise of some wonderful local chefs. We appreciate their willingness to partner with us for this unique, hands-on experience.”

The first class is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 2 beginning at 5 p.m. Chef David Kirkland of Turn Restaurant in St. Louis will be the guest chef. The theme is Harvest Fiesta, and will feature a menu of Chicken Posole, Sikil Pak (toasted pumpkin seed dip), guacamole and lime cranberry margaritas or mocktails.

Interested participants can register at https://www.enrole.com/siue/jsp/session.jsp?sessionId=PEF20-COO1-01X&courseId=COO1&categoryId=671C7248. Registrants will receive an ingredient list and a link to join the Zoom meeting via email prior to each course.

The next class is slated for Monday, Nov. 9 with Chef Niall Campbell from Firefly Grill in Effingham, with the theme Creole Birthday Bash. On Monday, Nov. 16, the theme will be Allergy Friendsgiving, with representatives from UKraft Food Truck out of St. Louis.

For details on these and future classes, please contact Mora at kmora@siue.edu.

Photos: Chef David Kirkland of Turn Restaurant in St. Louis.

Chef Niall Campbell from Firefly Grill in Effingham.

UKraft Food Truck out of St. Louis.

Virtual engagement, classroom learning, educators teaching and parents as instructors — the impact the Coronavirus pandemic has had on the educational landscape is substantial. This “new normal” is presenting numerous challenges for educators, parents and students alike.

In hopes of alleviating some of the stress and supporting all educators, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville STEM Center has initiated a STEM @ Home series and geoscience exploration opportunities.

Its latest initiative offers instructors a place to network and engage in idea sharing. “Excellent Educator Encounters for Truly Tired Teachers” is a twice monthly virtual series aimed at supporting teachers, preservice teachers, non-formal educators, and parents of remote and home school learners.

“We applaud teachers, parents and students for the adaptability and resiliency they’re showing amid these challenging times, and we are eager to use our expertise and resources to support their important efforts,” said SIUE STEM Center Program Coordinator Emily Wonnacott-Stanley. “We hope these meetups will provide educators with a relaxed space to network, learn and share ideas.”

Interested participants are invited to join the November meetings being held from 4-5 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10 or Thursday, Nov. 19. The sessions will feature:

• A demonstration of available learning equipment for loan from the SIUE STEM Resource Center
• An experiment from the STEM @ Home curriculum that can be used as a classroom presentation
• An overview of the Illinois Science Assessment (Nov. 10 only)

To join the conversation and retrieve a Zoom access link, contact Wonnacott-Stanley at ewonnac@siue.edu. All sessions are free and hosted by the SIUE STEM Center.

Photo: SIUE STEM Center.

International attendance and engagement highlighted the 20^th annual Global Fusion Conference co-hosted by Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Department of Mass Communications and SIU Carbondale’s College of Mass Communication and Media Arts.

The virtual conference was held Oct. 9-11 with the theme “(In)visibility in Global Communication: Connections & Inequities,” and featured 67 presentations with participants from Australia, Brazil, Canada, Egypt, Hong Kong, India, Italy, Philippines, Poland, South Africa, Turkey, and the United States.

“In addition to a robust, high-quality discussions on global communication issues, we also presented the screening of ‘12 Days in Ferguson,’ a documentary created by SIUC alumnus Fareed Alston,” said Musonda Kapatamoyo, PhD, chair and professor in the SIUE College of Arts and Sciences’ Department of Mass Communications. “We were able to cover registration fees for all international participants and moderators, as well as provide a monetary award for the Best Graduate Student Paper.”

The receipt of the Best Graduate Student Paper was Gabrielle Ferreira. Ferreira is studying communication and culture at the Federal University of Paraná, in Curitiba, Brazil, and is slated to graduate in spring 2021.

“The Global Fusion Conference was great! There were so many interesting presentations by participants from diverse backgrounds, and I learned a lot during the three days of conference,” Ferreira said. “It’s important to promote this kind of intercultural dialogue, especially in our field, as it creates a valuable space for sharing information about research outside of the United States.”

Ferreira’s scholarly interests include cultural studies, reception, audiovisual fiction, television, gender and Latin America.

“My paper is a part of my master's thesis which focuses on the Brazilian audience to identify the reasons why they choose to watch Turkish TV dramas instead of national telenovelas, which have been extremely popular since the 70s, and play an important role in Brazilian culture.”

Ferreira collected data through an online questionnaire and discovered that the audience for these dramas in Brazil primarily comprises middle-aged catholic and evangelical women, who prefer Turkish TV dramas because they reflect their moral values better than Brazilian telenovelas. When compared to other regions of the world, such as the Middle East, these dramas are considered controversial, and received strong backlash from social and religious conservatives.

Ferreira plans to continue her research and investigate other global media phenomena. She notes that her award receipt has solidified her decision to pursue a doctoral program abroad.

The Global Fusion Conference is sponsored by a consortium of universities, including Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, SIU Carbondale, the University of Texas at Austin, Texas A&M University, Ohio University, University of Virginia and Temple University.

Photo: Global Fusion Conference Best Graduate Student Paper Award Winner, Gabrielle Ferreira

Virtual engagement, classroom learning, educators teaching and parents as instructors — the impact the Coronavirus pandemic has had on the educational landscape is substantial. This “new normal” is presenting numerous challenges for educators, parents and students alike.

In hopes of alleviating some of the stress and supporting all educators, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville STEM Center has initiated a STEM @ Home series and geoscience exploration opportunities.

Its latest initiative offers instructors a place to network and engage in idea sharing. “Excellent Educator Encounters for Truly Tired Teachers” is a twice monthly virtual series aimed at supporting teachers, preservice teachers, non-formal educators, and parents of remote and home school learners.

“We applaud teachers, parents and students for the adaptability and resiliency they’re showing amid these challenging times, and we are eager to use our expertise and resources to support their important efforts,” said SIUE STEM Center Program Coordinator Emily Wonnacott-Stanley. “We hope these meetups will provide educators with a relaxed space to network, learn and share ideas.”

Interested participants are invited to join the November meetings being held from 4-5 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10 or Thursday, Nov. 19. The sessions will feature:

• A demonstration of available learning equipment for loan from the SIUE STEM Resource Center
• An experiment from the STEM @ Home curriculum that can be used as a classroom presentation
• An overview of the Illinois Science Assessment (Nov. 10 only)

To join the conversation and retrieve a Zoom access link, contact Wonnacott-Stanley at ewonnac@siue.edu. All sessions are free and hosted by the SIUE STEM Center.

Photo: SIUE STEM Center.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s student newspaper, The Alestle, won four national awards during the 99th annual Associated Collegiate Press (ACP)/College Media Association’s (CMA) Fall National College Media Convention, held virtually Oct. 22-24. 

“I am extremely proud of The Alestle staff,” said Program Director Tammy Merrett. “They have had many challenges to overcome this year related to COVID and other obstacles, and they persevered.” 

The Alestle took first place in the CMA Pinnacle Awards in the Best Photo Package category. Editor-in-Chief Madison Lammert and former photographer Dominick Oranika won for their coverage of Black Lives Matter protests this summer. 

Competition was not categorized by school size or frequency. Any school across the country and their news organization could compete in the same category. Other winners in the Best Photo Package category included Louisiana State University, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Texas A&M University and Mount Mary University. 

The Alestle also won three Best of Show Awards during the convention. The staff took third place for its annual Back-To-School Survival Guide in a special section advertising category, co-sponsored by ACP and College Media Business and Advertising Managers. 

Other winners in the Best of Show special section category included Indiana University, University of Kentucky at Lexington, University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa and California State University at Fullerton. 

In the national Best Website category, the Alestle staff placed seventh in the category of schools with more than 10,000 students. 

Other winners were Wichita State University, University of Texas at Arlington, Indiana University, Ohio University, University of Miami at Coral Gables, California Polytechnic State University, University of Hawai’ at Mānoa, California State University at Fullerton and California State University at Sacramento. 

The Alestle’s Podcast Producer John McGowan placed eighth at the national convention for his recent episode of “Alestle After Hours: The Black Plague, The Spanish Flu and the Coronavirus.” 

Other winners in the same category included Georgia State University, Ithaca College, California State University at Sacramento, Ohio Northern University, Appalachian State University, Pepperdine University, Elon University and Miami Dade College. 

“This is our fourth year competing in the Pinnacles, and the first time our podcast was recognized in the convention’s Best of Show competition,” said Merrett. “The staff really needed this well-deserved recognition of their work.” 

The Alestle has placed several times in recent years in the CMA Pinnacle awards and national ACP Best of Show competitions. The newspaper is consistently an American Scholastic Press Association top-ranked publication and regularly wins top awards in the annual Illinois College Press Association contest. 

View their work at alestlelive.com.  

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation (TRHT) Campus Center, specifically its membership of the international Universities Studying Slavery (USS) consortium, continues its Sankofa Lecture and Dialogue Series with a virtual discussion, entitled “Myths of Slavery.”

The ongoing series features robust conversations surrounding the history of slavery and its lasting legacies. “Myths of Slavery” will be hosted via Zoom at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 5 and presented by Robert Paulett, PhD, associate professor in the Department of History.

Among the topics that Paulett will address is the idea of what ‘slavery’ means, and notions that “Africans sold their own into slavery,” “Africans and Native Americans had slaves, too,” or “The Irish were enslaved.”

“Our modern conception of the practice of slavery is shaped by the plantation system of slavery, and it is often assumed that all slavery was similar in kind,” Paulett said. “This leads us to misunderstand what slavery was like in other cultures and places, and leads to other myths that cloud our present-day debates over the legacy of slavery.”

“I will discuss and compare the different forms of unfree/captive labor in Europe, Africa and the Americas in the colonial era, as well as the development of the racialized plantation system that came to dominate British America in particular,” he added.

Paulett’s goals are to help participants understand what came before and what developed in the colonial context that created unique legacies for those living in a country that inherited that racialized plantation system. Additionally, he aims to leave participants feeling better informed about how systems of unfree labor adapted and changed.

“These myths have been invoked repeatedly over the past year in conversations surrounding the New York Time’s ‘1619 Project,’ so they are in our current conversation about that project and the larger consideration of the legacies of slavery in America,” Paulett explained. “These myths are often used to deflect responsibility for slavery’s legacies onto others, and often onto those who were targeted for colonization—Africans and Native Americans.

“I want participants to have a clearer understanding about what has changed in North America, and thus, what has been handed down to us from the people who built this new system of plantation slavery and the many laws and institutions that we carry with us today.”

Anyone interested in this important subject is encouraged to attend. Registration is available at https://siue.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_n-pRhZP-S2OF1QFMA70b8w.

The Sankofa Lecture and Dialogue Series is one of the University’s many anti-racism initiatives. For more information on the TRHT and its future programs and initiatives, visit siue.edu/provost/trht.

Photo: Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation (TRHT) logo.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is searching for its first Vice Chancellor for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (VCEDI). The search process has launched under the leadership of committee chair Cornell Thomas, DMD, SIU School of Dental Medicine (SDM) diversity, equity and inclusion officer and assistant dean for Admissions and Student Services. 

“We have a wonderfully diverse search committee led by Dr. Thomas, and we anticipate an extremely strong pool of both internal and external candidates,” said SIUE Chancellor Randy Pembrook. “Serving on chancellor’s council, the successful candidate will be a strong and consistent voice for equity, diversity and inclusion on campus.” 

Pembrook anticipates a re-organization or re-structuring of some diversity-related areas at SIUE. “The vice chancellor for equity, diversity and inclusion will have broad latitude to help determine an effective organizational structure to make that synergistic approach happen,” he said. “We have so many wonderful initiatives already occurring at SIUE that will benefit from coordinated leadership.”  

Pembrook indicated that the VCEDI will serve an integral role in two important initiatives – the Anti-Racism Task Force (ARTF) and the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) Quality Initiative focusing on anti-racism. The VCEDI will work closely with the SIU System and its new vice president for diversity, as well as its Diversity Advisory Council (DAC). 

“The new position of VCEDI will provide leadership and guide SIUE forward in an ever-changing dynamic of our pursuits for inclusive excellence,” said Thomas. “The person selected will lead SIUE’s efforts and collaborate with SIU Carbondale in creating a space that promotes anti-racism, diversity, equity and inclusion as the norm in the core aspects of our hiring, teaching and retention.” 

“There are myriad diversity and inclusion initiatives happening on campus, and SIUE needs someone in the Chancellor’s Council who will work explicitly towards equity, justice and inclusion,” said J.T. Snipes, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Educational Leadership, Black Faculty and Staff Association president and SIUE Anti-Racism Task Force member. “Also, the institution’s recent commitments to anti-racism require a position that is working strategically to build the institutional infrastructure to make that commitment a reality.” 

Thomas cited qualities that the VCEDI candidate should possess. “The person should be a communicator, organizer and visionary who works extremely well with all groups,” he said. “Also, be able to ensure that people affiliated with SIUE in any capacity can thrive. The VCEDI will promote respect, success and a sense of belonging, while fostering well-being though policies, programs, practices, learning and dialogue.” 

“The candidate should have a working knowledge of the scholarship of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI),” added Snipes. “It is important that the candidate push for structural changes that will create greater equity at SIUE. While this candidate does not have to hold a minoritized identity, it is important they seek to understand and honor the experiences of those who consistently experience inequity because of their race, class, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or any other social identity. This is critical, because their job is to support and advocate with and on behalf of those populations.” 

The VCEDI’s direct responsibilities will include, but are not limited to: 

• Serving as the Chief Diversity Officer for the SIUE campus
• Leading the Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion, while mentoring its staff and monitoring its budget
• Continuing the advancement of the recently developed Diversity Strategic Plan and being responsible for SIUE’s diversity goals and systems of accountability for reaching those goals
• Implementing the ARTF’s recommendations in coordination with the HLC Quality Initiative (QI)
• Coordinating the Institutional Diversity Leadership Team
• Chairing the Bias Incident Response Team (BIRT)
• Participating in certain functions of the Equal Opportunity, Access (EOA)/Title IX appeals processes
• Providing guidance in the Strategic Hiring Initiative
• Leading efforts regarding diversity training for new and current employees
• Ensuring compliance with federal affirmative action, equal opportunity and non-discrimination regulations
• Providing support to SAFE Zone

Pembrook indicated that the search committee hopes to have finalists identified in early 2021.

Photo:
SIU School of Dental Medicine (SDM) Assistant Dean for Admissions and Student Services Dr. Cornell Thomas is the chair of the Vice Chancellor for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion candidate search.

Art Sculpt International, of Edwardsville, is the winner of the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for the Metro East at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s seventh annual Metro East Startup Challenge (MESC).  The 2020 business plan competition attracted more than 25 entrepreneurs to compete for award prizes totaling $20,000. 

Art Sculpt International, who received $10,000 for first place, is a mosaic tile art company in Fairview Heights and is owned by engineer David Kniepkamp and artist Catherine Magel. 

Representing Pushing Limits, LLC, of Mulberry Groves, received $6,000 as the second-place winner.  Stephanie Blankenship is the owner of the heavy-duty diesel repair shop, serving transportation companies across the U.S.  

Sharp Coffee, of O’Fallon, earned $4,000 for third place. Brandon Belvin and his business partner John Ross showcased their product, RoomTap, an innovative business conference room reservation system.

New to 2020’s competition, and thanks to the generosity of Regions Bank, is the category of a fourth-place prize winner.  Jodie Ferguson, founder of Clara B’s Kitchen Table, took the $1,000 prize. She plans to grow her Belleville food truck business.

“We are impressed by the large number of superior quality concepts brought forth by the participants,” said Jo Ann DiMaggio May, director of the IL SBDC for the Metro East at SIUE. “It made the evaluation process and the awarding of prize money extremely difficult for reviewers and judges.”

The winners will also receive in-kind support from Carol Sparks, of Sparks Law in Troy, and accounting services from Kerber Eck & Braeckel LLP, of Edwardsville, to help form their businesses and manage start-up expenses. Other in-kind services include website design assistance from Tech Fusion, of Troy, cybersecurity/IT services from Global Enterprise Services, and co-working space for a set period of time at The Lodge in Edwardsville.

The top four teams will present their winning business concepts virtually before the Leadership Council of Southwestern Illinois (LCSWIL) board of directors meeting on Friday, Dec. 4. LCSWIL includes more than 200 leaders in business, industry, education, government and labor in southwestern Illinois.

May and SBDC Business Specialist Marti Wieland, along with SBDC’s graduate assistants, are enthused about the overall participation in the Challenge and the applicants’ business ideas and presentations.

 “Our goal is to continue to increase the awareness and reach of the Start-up Challenge’s vast opportunities,” May said. “The Challenge is becoming a recognized fixture in the region’s entrepreneurial community, and the Illinois SBDC for the Metro East at SIUE looks forward to its continued growth and success.” 

The IL SBDC for the Metro East organizes and manages the competition with the support of the SIUE School of Business, as well as from other business and economic development partners throughout its nine-county service area. 

Finalists in the 2020 MESC also included:

• Air Eye, of Edwardsville
• Amygdala Co., of Belleville
• Denali Building Supply, of Edwardsville 

The Challenge is made possible through tremendous regional support. Sponsors include:  the SIUE School of Business, the Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois, Anders CPA & Advisors, America’s Central Port, Edwardsville Bank, Madison County Economic Development, the City of Edwardsville, National Development Council, Town and Country Bank (Edwardsville and Fairview Heights locations), City of Highland, Carrollton Bank, St. Clair County Economic Development, Growth Corp, the City of Alton, Regions Bank, Riverbend Growth Association, FCB Banks, Monroe County Economic Development Corporation, Commerce Bank, Barber Murphy Group, and University Park at SIUE.

The Illinois SBDC for the Metro East at SIUE and East St. Louis assists start-up ventures like these, as well as existing businesses headquartered in the nine-county region of southwestern Illinois, including Calhoun, Jersey, Madison, Bond, Clinton, St. Clair, Washington, Monroe and Randolph counties. It is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration, Illinois Dept. 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. The SBDC enhances the region’s economic interests by providing one-stop assistance to individuals by means of advising, 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 more about the SBDC, contact the IL SBDC for the Metro East at SIUE at 618-650-2929.

Photo: (L-R) Jodie Ferguson and Benjamin Henning, of Clara B’s Kitchen Table;  Brandon Belvin, of Sharp Coffee; David Kniepkamp and Catherine Magel, of Art Sculpt International; and Stephanie Blankenship of Pushing Limits.

The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Center’s Veterans Upward Bound (VUB) joined forces with the City of East St. Louis on Saturday, Oct. 17 to help spruce up the town. 

VUB participated in the “East Saint Louis Revitalization” project that directed beautification efforts in the area of Sixth St. and Dr. Martin Luther King Dr., according to Jasin Jackson, VUB program coordinator. 

The cleanup was part of the City’s efforts to revitalize East St. Louis, starting with the downtown area. More than 50 area volunteers that included five VUB workers, participated, according to Jackson. VUB volunteers included Jackson, Program Director Jim Robbins, Michael Jackson, Aaron McCoy and Danielle Ellis. 

“Local businesses were given assistance to help them come up to new code standards,” Jasin Jackson said. “The VUB team worked on the Eastside Meat Market at 510 Martin Luther King Dr. We painted the building a neutral color, picked up trash on the streets and around the building, and set up board barriers on other buildings that were abandoned.” 

The ongoing Revitalization project is part of the City of East St. Louis’ three-point plan of Revitalize, Rebuild and Renew. 

“We were pleased to be a part of the City’s project, and will continue to look for ways to volunteer in our community,” said Jackson. 

Veterans Upward Bound assists with the pursuit of vocational/technical, associate’s and bachelor’s degrees. Our mission is to provide supportive services to military veterans, and members of the National Guard and Reserve to enable them to enter or re-enter a vocational/technical school or a two- or four-year college. We are looking for veterans who want to further their education, but need help navigating the enrollment process and finding financial assistance. We are looking for veterans who need help in balancing work and family. We are looking for veterans who are ready to take on the task of making life better for themselves and their families. 

Photos:
Michael Jackson (holding the ladder) was one of five VUB volunteers from the SIUE East St. Louis Center Veterans Upward Bound program. 

VUB volunteers work with other community members to add fresh paint to Eastside Meat Market in East St. Louis.

The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Center (ESLC) is home to many programs and services that provide opportunities for education, life skills and economic mobility for the entire family, and SIU System President Daniel Mahony was excited to personally meet staff when he toured the facility on Friday, Oct. 30. 

“I planned to come to the East St. Louis campus a while ago, but COVID changed those plans,” said Mahony, who began working March 1 as the SIU System president. “As much as you can read about things, it’s important to me to be physically there. You can talk to people one-on-one, and get a much better sense of what’s going on. The East St. Louis Center is a big part of what goes on at SIUE.” 

Mahony was accompanied by Gireesh Gupchup, PhD, SIU vice president for academic innovation, planning, and partnerships; John Charles, executive director for governmental and public affairs; SIUE Chancellor Randy Pembrook; SIUE Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Denise Cobb, PhD; Morris Taylor, PhD, SIUE vice chancellor for administration; Robin Hughes, PhD, dean of the SIUE School of Education, Health and Human Behavior; Timothy Staples, EdD, ESLC executive director; and Augustin Bramwell, assistant director of East St. Louis and Alton facility management operations. 

The delegation visited the headquarters for ESLC programs, in addition to the health clinics on site: 

• ESLC Director’s Office
• SIUE Upward Bound Programs
• SIUE East St. Louis Charter High School
• SIUE Head Start/Early Head Start
• SIUE East St. Louis Center for the Performing Arts
• SIUE Veterans Upward Bound
• East St. Louis Learning Resource Center
• SIUE School of Nursing’s WE CARE Clinic
• SIU School of Dental Medicine’s East St. Louis Clinic
• University of Missouri-St. Louis Eye Center 

“The administrators and staff are great people who are extremely enthusiastic about what they do,” noted Mahony. “They are also highly committed to serving the East St. Louis community. Their knowledge, skills and passion are impressive.” 

“I was pleased that President Mahony came to visit,” said Staples. “I know he has been hands-on within the System, and I am glad he took the time to tour the campus so early in his tenure. We wanted him to see that the East St. Louis campus is a community-based center, providing educational programming and support for not only K-12 students, but entire families in the Metro East.”

“I now better understand what a valuable resource the Center is for East St. Louis and the area,” concluded Mahony. “As the System goes through its strategic planning process and discusses goals, I can incorporate my knowledge of the East St. Louis Center when considering collaborative opportunities and ideas.” 

With a focus on empowering people and strengthening communities, the SIUE East St. Louis Center is dedicated to improving the lives of families and individuals—from pre-school through adult—in the Metro East region. The Center offers programs that give the community renewed hope and an opportunity to reach educational, career and life goals. It does so by providing comprehensive programs, services and training in the areas of education, health, social services and the arts.  

Photos:
Pamela Saffore, East St. Louis Charter High School interim assistant director, talks about student learning during the pandemic. Listening are SIU System President Daniel Mahony (center) and CHS Director Gina Jeffries, EdD. 

Mahony listens to Carolyn Jason, SIUE Head Start/Early Head Start interim director in the Head Start/Early Head Start office suite. Also pictured left to right are Morris Taylor, PhD, SIUE vice chancellor for administration; Timothy Staples, EdD, ESLC executive director; Lisa Tate, SIUE Head Start/Early Head Start assistant program director/center operations; and Gireesh Gupchup, PhD, SIU vice president for academic innovation, planning, and partnerships.

Research shows that 60% of bridge failures in the United States are related to scour—the erosion of soil around the base of a bridge pier from the flow of water.

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) has awarded a $462,500 grant to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville for a four-year research project that will analyze scour estimates at bridge sites in Illinois to produce findings that will lead to improvements related to bridge design and maintenance.

SIUE School of Engineering’s (SOE) Abdolreza Osouli, PhD, PE, associate professor in the Department of Civil Engineering, is principal investigator on the project, entitled “Developing Scour-Depth Estimation Using the In Situ and Portable Scour Testing Device (ISTD/PSTD) for Illinois Cohesive Soils.”

“Our primary goal is to improve the scour estimate analyses at bridge sites in Illinois,” Osouli said. “Our work will improve stability of existing or new bridges, help Illinois taxpayers by saving costs of bridge design and maintenance due to an enhanced knowledge on scour estimates at sites with cohesive riverbed, and equip IDOT with state-of-the-art field equipment developed by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) in the field of scour measurement.”

Project co-PIs include:

• Brent Vaughn, laboratory specialist in the SOE Department of Civil Engineering
• Paul Rydlund, PLS, CFM, chief, Surface Water Hydraulics and Modeling Section, United States Geological Survey in Rolla, Mo.
• Timothy Straub, PhD, PE, supervisory hydrologist, Central Midwest Water Science Center, United State Geological Survey in Urbana
• Richard Huizinga, PE, hydrologist, Central Midwest Water Science Center, United States Geological Survey, Rolla, Mo.
• Timothy D. Stark, PhD, PE, professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

“Our research team has extensive experience in the field of soil erosion and scour analysis,” Osouli explained. “This project will use In Situ and Portable Scour Testing Devices (ISTD/PSTD) to extract better load versus erosion characteristics of the riverbed material. Our objective is to establish testing and hydraulic-analysis procedures with ISTD/PSTD data, and to improve reliability of the estimated scour depths in cohesive soils to design bridges more cost-effectively.”

Funding also supports several SIUE master’s and doctoral students to contribute as research assistants and gain hands-on field and lab experience.

During the award period, the research team will conduct a literature review, fabricate ISTD/PSTD, perform field testing at several bridge sites in Illinois, conduct laboratory experiments on collected samples, conduct 2D hydraulic modeling of the scour at several bridge sites, develop an enhanced scour analyses procedure using ISTD/PSTD field data, and in conclusion, prepare a comprehensive report of findings that IDOT can use for application to its current practices.

Photo: SIUE School of Engineering’s (SOE) Abdolreza Osouli, PhD, PE, associate professor in the Department of Civil Engineering.

The DREAM (Dismantling Racism through Education, Advocacy and Mobilization) Collective at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville will air its next episode of the podcast, “Blacktivism in the Academy,” on Thursday, Nov. 5.

“Circle Up: Black Student-Athletes,” will feature Tomika Ferguson, PhD, assistant professor and EdD coordinator in the School of Education at Virginia Commonwealth University. Ferguson will share her experience as an All-American athlete, her path to her research and the creation of the Black Athlete Sister Circle (BASC).

This episode will dive into the paradox of being hyper visible on the field, yet overlooked in the classroom. The discussion will also focus on Black athletes being a force for social and political change, and having the responsibility to advocate and protest foisted upon them. Ferguson will demonstrate that whether you play, watch or are completely out of the loop, chances are improving equity and dismantling racism in your athletics program will have far-reaching effects.

The podcast is for scholar activists by scholar activists, and encourages and facilitates learning, activism and anti-racist action. If you are seeking a community of like-minded scholar-activists, keep listening. Access “Blacktivism in the Academy” on Spotify and Stitcher. Featured will be prominent speakers from communities of color, who will address how to step out of the societal cyclical patterns of the past.

DREAM Collective members include education faculty Jennifer Hernandez, PhD, Jessica Krim, EdD, J.T. Snipes, PhD, Nate Williams, PhD, and School of Education, Health and Human Behavior Dean Robin Hughes, PhD.

For more information, visit the DREAM Collective on Facebook at @DREAMCollective20, Twitter at @DREAMcollect20 or Instagram at @DREAMCollective20, or email TheDREAMCollective@siue.edu.

Photo: Tomika Ferguson, PhD.

"Even though..."

"Even though..."

SIUE Political Science Experts Analyze Voter Turnout and the Election

While the nation awaits final results following Tuesday’s presidential election, political analysts are crunching numbers and making predictions and scholarly experts are reflecting on high voter turnout, real-time results and implications for the future of American politics.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville political science professors Laurie Rice, PhD, and Ken Moffett, PhD, are among the experts sharing insight and engaging students in coursework relevant to this election cycle.

“I have been fascinated by presidential elections since I was a young child,” said Rice. “It made logical sense to continue to study elections over the course of my life. At SIUE, I teach courses in voting and elections, media and politics, presidency and public opinion—all sorts of courses that are highly relevant right now.”

“Every week in my voting and elections course, we’ve been following the polls and watching the latest developments,” she added. “We’ve had students engaged in projects where they’re focused on increasing voter turnout, promoting non-partisan voter education and other initiatives related to the electoral process.”

As Rice awaits final results with the rest of the country, she offered her educated outlook on the major factors in the 2020 presidential election.

“There’s so much misinformation out there, and so much confusion,” Rice explained. “It’s important that individuals decipher all of these different pieces of information and employ critical thinking, something that we encourage heavily at SIUE.”

“Of course, one difference in this election is that it’s happening amid a pandemic,” she added. “Our lives have already been complicated in a lot of ways that we didn’t anticipate. Candidates had to figure out how to campaign safely, how to get their messages out, and wondered if people would get out and vote. We saw election laws vary dramatically state by state in terms of how easy it was to vote absentee, by mail or in person.”

As for the lengthy wait to learn who the next president will be, Rice says that’s nothing new. Unless there’s a clear frontrunner, the process of counting votes takes time.

“It’s only if the election is a blowout that we have a clear picture early on during election night of who is going to win,” Rice noted. “This idea of figuring out who’s going to win on election night is a modern phenomenon. It’s something that emerged as television networks began to come on the air and as prediction models have been developed.

“Networks want to be the first to call the race. But, it takes time. This year, we had more mail-in ballots because of the pandemic. And, in some states, the law actually says those votes cannot begin to be counted until polls close or until the day after the election. That is going to prolong the process.”

Moffett is currently teaching a course on Congress, a fitting topic given the election cycle.

“On Monday, students had a paper due in which they had to study a particular congressional election that was not in either Illinois or a surrounding state,” Moffett explained. “Ultimately, they had to figure out who they thought was going to win and why.”

“Students have been intensely interested and active on congressional activities,” he added. “We’ve had students working on a variety of campaigns.”

Moffett noted that current results seem to indicate that there will still be a Democratic majority in the House, but it will be a smaller majority than exists today. As for the Senate, it looks as if Republicans will retain control, albeit with a smaller majority than they have currently.

“When parties have smaller majorities, there is more riding on potential losses,” Moffett explained. “It can also mean a bit of instability in American politics, because you go one election to the next. And, if the majority changes sides, all of a sudden you can have quite different policy outcomes happen quickly.”

Moffett anticipates the nation will have more definitive answers by the end of the week, with a final five or so states currently finalizing results that will ultimately determine who is president. Regardless of outcomes, Rice and Moffett note this election cycle saw strong voter turnout and a demonstrated interest in democracy.

“There are lots of paths for both candidates right now, and it’s important that we be patient and let the process work itself out, and let the votes continue to be counted,” Rice said. “We’re seeing how much elections matter. Voters are recognizing this in ways that they haven’t in the past. We see an upsurge in young people who are passionate about politics expressing their voice. That is good for the long-term health of our democracy.”

Moffett and Rice are also continuing their data collection efforts surrounding voting habits. On Wednesday, they distributed two surveys, one to SIUE undergraduates and another to 18-24-year-olds nationwide, asking about civic activities, Black Lives Matter, the Coronavirus response and other relevant questions that will help formulate their research initiatives moving forward. 

Photo: (L-R) SIUE Political Science Experts Laurie Rice, PhD, and Ken Moffett, PhD.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfyOL-DT6MQ&feature=youtu.be