Southern Illinois University Edwardsville senior psychology major Tessa Walker, of Glen Carbon, has been recognized by The Lincoln Academy of Illinois as a 2020 Student Laureate. The Lincoln Academy annually honors one senior from each of Illinois’ four-year, degree-granting colleges and universities for demonstrating leadership and a desire to make a difference in the world through civic engagement.

As a recipient of the 46th Annual Student Laureate Recognition, Walker was awarded a certificate signed by Governor J.B. Pritzker, a Lincoln medallion, a challenge coin, and a $500 stipend. Due to COVID-19, the Lincoln Academy will not hold its annual in-person recognition ceremony, but will instead celebrate Student Laureates via a virtual ceremony and on its social media sites.

“I am honored by this nomination and to be a part of the SIUE community,” said Walker. “The faculty, staff and students have done so much for me, and the work that I have done is my way of showing appreciation.”

For the past ten years, Walker has dedicated her academic and professional career to servicing the youth of both the St. Louis and San Antonio areas. With guidance and encouragement from mentors in the community, she decided to enroll at SIUE to further her education with the goal of supporting youth nationwide.

“I have been extremely fortunate to work alongside peers and faculty on a variety of psychology research initiatives, during field studies, and in teacher’s assistant positions,” Walker added. “Each of my mentors has influenced me to display professionalism and academic leadership.”

Throughout her time at SIUE, Walker has worked as a special events and day camp supervisor for the City of Fairview Heights, allowing her to grow as a community leader and continue advocating for youth.

Walker has also taken up leadership roles in organizations focused on fighting for equity of individuals experiencing injustices. Through her involvement in the FOURward Movement, a local group fighting against systemic oppression, she has worked to organize civil protests, voter education courses and civic engagement opportunities.

“To further this goal, I have also worked diligently to help create the Black Psychology and Allies Organization at SIUE,” said Walker. “The members of this organization will continuously encourage racial and cultural equity within higher education, specifically in health and behavioral science fields.”

Walker will graduate from SIUE in December 2020. She is currently applying to school psychology graduate programs.

The virtual ceremony honoring student laureates will be available Tuesday, Nov. 10 at LincolnAcademyofIllinois.org.

Photo: SIUE senior psychology major Tessa Walker is a Lincoln Academy of Illinois Student Laureate.

The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Nursing’s (SON) WE CARE Clinic has secured a $78,751 Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) grant entitled “Nurse, Education, Practice, Quality and Retention – Registered Nurses in Primary Care COVID.”

The WE CARE Clinic is located on the East St. Louis Higher Education Campus, and serves an underserved population that is disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.

This funding will allow the Clinic to expand its telehealth services and community education initiatives supporting the prevention, preparation and response to the Coronavirus. It will support the purchase of necessary equipment and the establishment of workflows to incorporate new technologies. Patients will have increased access to telehealth technologies that will ensure care while limiting the virus’s spread.

“We are pleased to have received a HRSA COVID grant,” said Jerrica Ampadu, PhD, WE CARE Clinic director. “Expanded telehealth services will allow the WE CARE Clinic to provide access to healthcare, while maintaining distance between patients and providers. We will be able to provide safe, routine care to patients with chronic conditions and patients who are at higher risk of contracting COVID.” 

“The WE CARE Clinic continues to serve as a valuable resource for the East St. Louis community,” added Roberta Harrison, PhD, SON associate dean for Academic Programs and Community/Global Partnerships. “The Clinic provides patients multiple ways to connect with their providers, while helping educate undergraduate and graduate nursing students about the critical need for primary healthcare in underserved communities.”

To prepare healthcare professionals and students to implement and utilize expanded telehealth services, the WE CARE Clinic is collaborating with the School of Education, Health and Human Behavior’s Department of Teaching and Learning to offer experiential virtual learning labs for students and staff.

“These learning labs will include training in telehealth, including motivational interviewing and chronic care coaching,” Ampadu explained. “Students will complete a virtual lab as part of their clinical immersion. The skills acquired through the lab will assist students in providing chronic care to patients in a virtual setting. Providers at the clinic will receive telehealth education based on their specialties, such as social work and nursing. Educating students and providers on telehealth enhances their readiness to respond to COVID-19.”

Photo: SIUE’s Jerrica Ampadu, PhD, WE CARE Clinic director.

SIUE alumna Niki Egelhoff was recognized for emphasizing kindness in her teaching. 

Egelhoff was featured on a segment of KMOV’s “Salute to Teachers” on Thursday, Nov. 5. 

She received a bachelor’s in elementary education in 2010. 

View more about Egelhoff here.

Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine (SDM) Dean Bruce Rotter, DMD, has been elected vice chair of the Commission of Dental Accreditation (CODA), the national programmatic accrediting agency for dental and dental-related education programs at the post-secondary level 

Rotter has been a CODA site visitor for several years. He recently completed his second year on the Board of Commissioners, where he has served on a variety of committees and chairs the predoctoral review committee.

“I’m honored that the commissioners have placed their trust in me to carry on their work in this capacity,” said Rotter, who will serve a one-year term. “I will continue to chair the predoctoral review committee. I will also serve on several other CODA committees and support the commission chair as needed.”

CODA employs a rigorous, collaborative peer review accreditation process to evaluate the quality of more than 1,400 dental and dental-related programs. These programs include predoctoral (DDS/DMD) dental education programs, advanced dental education programs and allied dental education programs.

“Since Southern Illinois University sponsors dental and advanced dental education programs accredited by CODA, my work on the Commission helps strengthen my understanding of this process, so that I can better lead the SIU School of Dental Medicine,” Rotter said.

Photo: SIU SDM Dean Bruce Rotter, DMD, is vice-chair of the Commission on Dental Accreditation.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Education, Health and Human Behavior (SEHHB) Dean Robin Hughes, PhD, has named Alison Reeves, PhD, as interim associate dean. Reeves assumed the leadership role in September and will serve a two-year term.

“As interim associate dean, Dr. Reeves will help support faculty development, the East St. Louis Charter High School (CHS), as well as innovation and program development,” Hughes said. “While Associate Dean Paul Rose and I have certainly worked to support these areas, we know that more focused attention is needed. Dr. Reeves is the perfect fit for the role. Her skillset, knowledge and leadership are highly sought. The SEHHB will gain better footing in the educational landscape, as we benefit from her expertise.”

Hughes emphasizes Reeves’ experience as a public school leader, work with Charters, including service as a Charter school board president, and service as chair of the SEHHB Department of Educational Leadership where she has taken the lead in innovation with organizations that will help move the school forward in program development and online presence.

“Dean Hughes is a visionary leader for the School of Education, Health and Human Behavior, and I’m enthusiastic about joining her leadership team,” Reeves said. “The SEHHB has incredible faculty, and this position gives me a chance to support them in their work.”

Reeves’ responsibilities will include leading:

• Educator preparation and licensure processes, such as coordinating SEHHB compliance with state and accreditor rules
• Development of new programs, including online and entrepreneurial programs
• Assessment processes that ensure the quality of our academic programs
• Recruitment and retention efforts that contribute to a diverse workforce
• Technical support for the CHS

“My passion is building high-quality programs that promote educational equity and social justice whether it is in a K-12 setting or at the University level,” Reeves explained. “Most of my new job responsibilities require building teams and coordinating their efforts in a sustained way. In my 20-plus years of experience as a K-12 administrator, program director for our educational administration program and chair of the Department of Educational Leadership, I have had multiple opportunities to build and implement innovative academic programs.”

“In the SEHHB, we will be adding several high-quality online options, developing new programs and strengthening partnerships with K-12 schools in the region,” she added. “Our focus will be on recruiting diverse cohorts of students in all majors in the SEHHB and enhancing practices that support retention.”

Photo: SEHHB Interim Associate Dean Alison Reeves, PhD.

High school students have the opportunity to meet, hear and learn from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville faculty, staff and students during a newly created virtual High School Speaker Series, focusing on academic majors and career pathways. 

SIUE’s CORE T.E.A.M. (College Readiness: Transition, Engage, Achieve and Mentor) Department is presenting its second week of the series from 3:30-4:30 p.m. today-Friday, Nov. 13, according to Fannie Acoff, program coordinator and speaker series creator. 

The speakers consist of SIUE faculty and staff sharing academic advice and information to current and prospective students, according to Acoff. Additionally, SIUE students and alumni share their own personal experiences of college planning. Students learn tips on what they can do now to help them prepare for college and specific academic majors, as well as advice on what to do while in college to prepare for graduation and employment. 

Sessions this week are as follows:

• Topic: Education major
  Presenter: Ayris Bonds, senior
  3:30-4:30 p.m.
  Today, Nov. 9 

• Topic: Nursing major
  Presenter: Tyla Wells, senior
  3:30-4:30 p.m.
  Tuesday, Nov. 10 

• Topic: Electrical engineering major
  Presenter: Cameron Milon, May 2020 graduate
  3:30-4:30 p.m.
  Wednesday, Nov 11 

• Topic: Pharmacy major
  Presenter: Jazmine Rosales, PharmD
  3:30-4:30 p.m.
  Thursday, Nov. 12 

• Topic: Biochemistry and sociology majors
  Presenter: Jochabay McGeeBey, senior
  3:30-4:30 p.m.
  Friday, Nov. 13 

The speaker series began Monday, Nov. 2 and will end Monday, Nov. 30. All sessions are available via Zoom. The meeting ID is 966 1187 5694 and the password is 224982. For questions or the full schedule, contact Acoff at facoff@siue.edu or 618-650-3780. You can also follow siuecoreteam on Facebook and Instagram. 

“Because of COVID-19, we were unable to bring students to campus for traditional pre-collegiate activities,” said Acoff. “We needed new ways to provide programming to our pre-collegiate students at SIUE East St. Louis Charter High School and Collinsville High School. Therefore, the speaker series was created. 

“With this being a virtual event, Makesha Harris Lee, EdD, CORE T.E.A.M. director, decided it would be great to extend an open invitation to all interested high school students.” 

The SIUE CORE T.E.A.M. Department includes the SIUE Pre-Collegiate Program and the Summer Success Program. The Pre-Collegiate Program is a college preparatory program designed to assist high school students (grades 9-12) in their transition to post-secondary education upon high school graduation. The program offers engaging presentations and workshops on a variety of topics such as college financial planning, career and personality assessment, time-management, self-care, networking, test preparation and more. The Summer Success Program is a five-week program allowing students to take up to two college courses for free. While the Summer Success Program’s focus is academic, it involves a full range of social, cultural and recreational activities. 

Photo:
(L-R) Fannie Acoff, CORE T.E.A.M. (College Readiness: Transition, Engage, Achieve and Mentor) program coordinator, and Makesha Harris Lee, EdD, CORE T.E.A.M. director.

Moneygeek.com recently tapped into the expertise of SIUE’s Jie Ying, PhD, assistant professor in the Dept. of Economics and Finance within the School of Business, to examine affordable automobile insurance.

Ying discussed managing car insurance costs and finding affordable, reliable coverage in Illinois.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Courtney Boddie, PhD, associate dean of students for diversity and inclusion and director of counseling services, is the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Minority Fellowship Program’s (MFP) November Fellow of the Month.

Boddie has been involved in the highly competitive and selective MFP program since 2016. Upon his induction, he earned a $20,000 award that supported his research endeavors as a doctoral student, making participant incentives for publications and conference travel accessible.

According to the MFP November Fellow of the Month feature story, “Dr. Boddie was drawn to the MFP, because he felt it was an opportunity to join a community of mental health providers and scholars, who navigate marginality of identity and exceptionality of ability and skills.”

“The Minority Fellowship Program’s community of providers and scholars is exceptional,” Boddie said. “For example, its flagship symposium, Bridging the Gap, continues promoting scholarship and practice regarding support for vulnerable populations and treatment of difficult presenting concerns unseen in other spaces.”

“Knowing that this Fellow of the Month recognition is a product of nominations by peer fellows, it feels refreshing and validating to receive feedback that I am making a valuable contribution.”

Black, indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) make up more than 28% of the U.S. population, but fewer than 20% of American mental health providers are BIPOC, according to the MFP. Therefore, the program aims to increase the pool of qualified professionals through development of BIPOC nurses, psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers and marriage and family therapists.

Boddie is a shining example of a respected clinician and leader whose influence and abilities have been fostered through the MFP. Among his numerous professional strengths and qualifications, he has extensive experience and academic expertise in minority stress and cultural trauma.

In July 2020, Boddie’s leadership responsibilities at SIUE were amplified as he was named associate dean of students for diversity and inclusion. Additionally, Boddie has been director of counseling services since July 2017. He also served as interim director of the Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion (CSDI) from October 2018-January 2020.

He is actively engaged in University service, including initiatives such as Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation, Scholarly Connections and Rewarding Engagement, African American Male Initiative, University Diversity Council, and the Anti-Racism Task Force. He teaches courses in the Department of Psychology, including Psychosocial Foundation of African American Worldviews and Multicultural Counseling.

View the MFP November Fellow of the Month feature at mfpcc.samhsa.gov.

The purposes of the Minority Fellowship Program are to facilitate the entry of ethnic minority students into mental health careers and increase the number of psychologists, psychiatric nurses, psychiatrists, and social workers trained to teach, administer, and provide direct mental health and substance abuse services to ethnic minority groups. SAMHSA is committed to services that are professional, competent, and effectively meet the critical mental health and substance abuse prevention and treatment needs of the nation’s diverse population.

Photo: SIUE’s Courtney Boddie, PhD, associate dean of students for Diversity and Inclusion and director of Counseling Services.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s collaborative GEOPATHS-EXTRA program, funded by the National Science Foundation, is engaging scholars in geoscience-related research opportunities.

Applicants are invited for the next cohort of undergraduate students interested in studying local environmental programs and developing solutions. Geoscholars will go on to make a positive difference in the environment through careers in such areas as agriculture, geography, geology, environmental sciences, watershed science, natural hazards and hydrology.

Despite challenges surrounding COVID-19, the current group of Geoscholars has continued to conduct socially distanced fieldwork and participate in modeling and data collection on topics of river flooding, climate change, land cover change, and air and noise pollution. The research areas center on the relationship between humans and their environment.

“We want students to be aware of how geoscience careers can be used to improve communities and help society reduce and/or adapt to natural hazards,” said principal investigator (PI) Sharon Locke, PhD, director of the SIUE STEM Center and professor in the Department of Environmental Sciences. “Many students come to the university with limited exposure to geosciences in high school. This program is intended to raise awareness early, during freshman and sophomore years at SIUE.”

Locke is leading the program alongside a team of SIUE researchers, including co-PIs:

• Alan Black, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Geography
• Shunfu Hu, PhD, professor in the Department of Geography
• Adriana Martinez, PhD, associate professor in the Departments of Environmental Sciences and Geography

The GEOPATHS program aims to help students develop early confidence in their scientific abilities, and a sense of belonging to the geosciences that will lead them toward degree attainment and career success. The program is particularly focused on elevating underrepresented groups.

“The geosciences are one of the least diverse STEM fields,” Locke noted. “The percentage of professionals who are women, racial and ethnic minorities, and/or have a disability is low compared to the general population. We hope that SIUE’s GEOPATHS program will increase interest in geosciences among students who may never have thought of themselves as a geoscientist.”

Summer programming included hosting geoscience professionals, such as a soil scientist who is working to identify soil pollution and support communities to find effective solutions to minimize exposure. Summer experiences also included a tour of the Lock and Dam complex in Alton, and an introduction to experts working to keep the Confluence of the Great Rivers area clean and prosperous.

Geoscholars have also been working with faculty to learn scientific research skills. Some students who participated in faculty-mentored research over the summer, are now developing their own independent project ideas.

“GEOPATHS offers many great opportunities to be involved in projects and activities that enhance your understanding of geosciences,” said senior environmental sciences major Jesus Sanchez, of Collinsville. “Through this program, I have helped a graduate student with his thesis by doing research on logjams in Silver Creek. I have also taken a drone pilot class.”

Sanchez and fellow Geoscholar Logan Pelo, a senior geography major, are now partnering on their own research project. Pelo emphasized how commitment in this program opens numerous doors with regard to faculty mentorship and resume building experience.

“Our research allows us to apply the skills we learn in the classroom, and gives us valuable experience that will help us find jobs or apply for graduate school,” said Pelo, of Staunton. “Working with a faculty mentor helps you explore options within your field of interest.”

NSF funding for SIUE’s GEOPATHS program runs through June 2022. Applications for the next cohort of Geoscholars are being accepted through February 2021. Students are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, as program entry caps at 11 undergraduates.

Those interested in science and engineering careers, and who are two years from graduation, should apply using Academic Works at siue.academicworks.com/opportunities/9387.

For application instructions, contact Eloho Unufe at eunufe@siue.edu or Cristal Campocasso at ccampoc@siue.edu. Program questions may be directed to Locke at slocke@siue.edu.

Photos: (L-R) SIUE geoscholars Jesus Sanchez and Logan Pelo use a drone to photograph land cover at the Watershed Nature Center. Looking on is GEOPATHS co-PI Adriana Martinez, PhD, associate professor in the Departments of Environmental Sciences and Geography.

(L-R) While at the Watershed Nature Center in Edwardsville, geoscholars Anu Khadka, Alice Yerby, Logan Pelo and Jesus Sanchez use GPS to record the locations of reference points that the drone uses.

The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Graduate School has presented 28 graduate students with fall 2020 Research Grants for Graduate Students (RGGS) awards.

Valued at up to $500 each, the awards will support the research and creative activities of graduate students studying in the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), and Schools of Engineering (SOE); Pharmacy (SOP); and Education, Health and Human Behavior (SEHHB). The RGGS program’s primary purpose is to support the graduate students’ work, particularly as it relates to their thesis or final project.

 “SIUE graduate students engage in their profession through the creation and publication of original research and creative activities,” said Jerry Weinberg, PhD, associate provost for research and dean of the Graduate School. “Their projects have regional, national and international impact. Research Grants for Graduate Students awards recognize the project’s potential contribution and provides the students with necessary resources to conduct their work.”

The fall 2020 RGGS projects are listed at siue.edu/graduate-students/awards/research-grants. A sampling includes:

• Gender Bias in Jazz Education - Andrew Ament, of Clayton, Mo., Diversity & Equity in Education
• The Impact of COVID-19 on Those Experiencing Interpersonal Violence at Home – PTSD, Anxiety, and Depression Symptoms - Vanessa Moran, of St. Louis, Clinical Psychology
• DNA Sequencing of the Mycorrhizal Fungi Associated with the Ribbon Orchid - Adam Herdman, of Chicago, Biological Sciences
• The Relationship between Coaching Style and Athlete’s Grit - Landon Braun, of Jefferson, Iowa, Kinesiology – Exercise & Sport Psychology
• A Study of Thioether Functionalized Oil as a Preconcentration Medium for Metals - Isabelle Clark, of Farmersville, Chemistry
• Female Reproductive Traumas: Exploration through Contemporary Metalsmithing - Beth Browne, of Edwardsville, Art & Design
• Automatic Segmentation of 3D Cardiac MRI Data - Michaela Kulasekara, of St. Louis, Electrical & Computer Engineering
• Assessment of Hydrologic Impacts of Land Use, Land Cover Change, and Climate Change in Silver Creek Watershed - Samikshya Pantha, of New Delhi, India, Environmental Sciences
• What do you Expect? Awareness of Gender Bias on Interview Evaluations through Frame of Reference Training - Morgan VanCleave, of St. Louis, Industrial-Organizational Psychology

Faculty advisors oversee these students’ individual research or creative activity.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Army ROTC Cadet Kevin Kerkemeyer has been awarded the esteemed Legion of Valor Bronze Cross for Achievement, a highly competitive national award that honors exceptional achievement in areas of scholarship, physical fitness, leadership and citizenship/volunteerism.

Nominees from all branches of military service are eligible, with 60 awardees named annually. This year, 12 Army ROTC Cadets earned the award, out of tens of thousands of peer nominees.

“Cadet Kevin Kerkemeyer is without hesitation the best suited cadet I’ve seen for the Legion of Valor Bronze Cross for Achievement Award,” said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Timothy Clark, PE, chair of the SIUE Department of Military Science. “He stands out for his exceptional academic and leadership performance in SIUE’s Cougar Battalion. He is a remarkable cadet and will be a remarkable officer.”

A native of St. Charles, Mo., Kerkemeyer is a senior majoring in computer management and information systems (CMIS) in the School of Business. He has a 4.0 GPA and a 4.0 military science GPA. He participates in the School’s Emerging Leaders Improving Through Experience (E.L.I.T.E.) organization, serves as vice president of the Tactics Club, participates in the Spanish Club and is a member of Beta Gamma Sigma. He works part-time at the SIUE Student Fitness Center and volunteers at Oasis Food Pantry in his hometown.

Additionally, the cadet obtained the German Armed Proficiency Badge in Silver, was part of the Ranger Challenge Team and earned his Airborne wings. According to Clark, Kerkemeyer has served as a squad leader, platoon sergeant and in platoon leader positions with distinction. He teaches tactics and leads physical training weekly, and is assigned as a formal mentor to a squad of junior cadets.

“As testament to his superior officership potential, Kevin ran the entire 12 miles of our last ruck march,” Clark noted. “He was so far in front, he could have been finished and released hours earlier than the average cadet. Yet, he would stop and cheer for peers he came across when the course loops overlapped. Then, upon completion, he would jog back out and bring each of his peers’ home to the finish.”

“I was surprised to receive this award considering the excellent quality of my fellow cadets in the SIUE Army ROTC program,” Kerkemeyer said. “Our program is a group ‘crowded with excellence.’ I am thrilled to represent our ROTC program and SIUE on a national level.”

“This program allowed me to pursue two of my life goals at the same time—joining the military and earning a college degree,” he explained. “I chose CMIS, because I consider myself a problem solver, and technology is the single greatest problem-solving tool that people have. This has become obvious to everyone in recent times.”

Kerkemeyer noted his firm commitment to the Cougar Battalion’s motto: “Cougar Pride Never Dies.” He is slated to graduate in May 2021.

“After I complete my degree, I will begin my career in the Army in the active duty component using the skills and knowledge that have been gifted to me,” he said. “I plan to keep an open mind about the future and seek out opportunities that interest me.”

Clark emphasized that Kerkemeyer is the type of citizen with which the Army loves to partner: a well-rounded person who cares. That’s a true leader.

He quoted President Theodore Roosevelt’s prescription targeting those maybe feeling overcome by odds or the situation: “Do your best with what you have, where you are, right now. 

“Kevin embodies what President Roosevelt would admire as ‘the strenuous life,’” Clark explained. “Not just physical tenacity, but in academic pursuits, and with a willingness to get involved, to act, to try yet sometimes fall short, to learn and to keep coming back a little better in each area until you’ve climbed the proverbial mountain. Kevin not only has done that, but he also is inspiring that culture in Army ROTC.”

That culture, and the personal growth and leadership development that the ROTC offers, is for everyone, according to Clark.

“SIUE’s School of Business and the SIUE Army ROTC are world class organizations with world class people like Kevin,” Clark said. “We attain above average scores on numerous metrics, and compete head to head in our varsity sport, ‘Ranger Challenge,’ with regional powerhouses like Mizzou. SIUE punches above its weight class, so to speak, both academically and in the student experience. We follow that high-achieving model in the Cougar Battalion.”

“You don’t have to want to spend your life on active duty to benefit from the Army ROTC program,” he explained. “I encourage individuals to try it out, with no requirements other than taking a class. If you want to stay through commissioning, you can select to serve in your community as a Guard or Reserve Soldier. It’s not an enlistment, and basic training is not required. We help students find solutions to financial challenges to either come to school or stay in school. Service comes after. 

For more information on the SIUE Army ROTC program, visit siue.edu/rotc. Details on the Legion of Valor of the United States of America, Inc. can be found at legionofvalor.org/history.

Photos: SIUE Army ROTC Cadet Kevin Kerkemeyer has been awarded the prestigious Legion of Valor Bronze Cross for Achievement.

The Legion of Valor Bronze Cross for Achievement.

The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Graduate School has added a fully online option for a Master’s of Public Administration (MPA) degree starting fall 2021. This existing program will continue to offer a hybrid option along with the new fully online option.

The Department of Public Administration and Policy Analysis (PAPA) offers a graduate program leading to the MPA, a professional degree designed to prepare individuals for management careers in the public and nonprofit sectors. 

“All industries benefit from strong leadership, which makes MPA graduates highly sought after,” said Nancy Huyck, DPA, associate professor and chair of the Department of PAPA. “Historically, graduates of SIUE’s MPA program have been highly competitive in the job market. The department’s strong network with employers in Illinois and the St. Louis metropolitan region is beneficial.”

SIUE’s nationally accredited MPA program serves two types of students:

• Pre-service students who have recently completed a bachelor’s degree and wish to use the master’s degree to gain entry to a professional career track
• In-service students who have worked for several years in the public or nonprofit sector, but wish to return to the University to enhance or upgrade their skills and knowledge

Numerous SIUE graduates have become city managers, department heads in the public sector and administrators in the nonprofit sector. MPA alumni are also employed at state and federal agencies, including the Illinois State Police, Illinois Secretary of State Police, Department of Homeland Security, Housing and Urban Development and the Department of Justice.

“Local and state governments are among the largest employers in the economy, and job prospects are favorable,” Huyck said. “Job growth will stem from the rising demand for services at the local and state level, particularly demand for public safety and health services.

“Two factors are fueling the growth of these services: an increasing population and the assumption of responsibility by local and state governments for services previously provided by the federal government.”

For more information, visit siue.edu/grad/public-administration.

Photo: Nancy Huyck, associate professor and chair of the SIUE Department of Public Administration and Policy Analysis.

Exhilarated, buoyant, empowered, valued, regarded and visible are some adjectives that rushed to mind when several Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) women reflected on the historic news of Vice President-elect Kamala Harris being the first Black and Indian-American woman in line to hold the second highest office in the land. 

President-elect Joe Biden emerged as the projected winner after the Nov. 3, 2020 presidential race, which netted the highest voter turnout in modern history with a projected 161 million people casting votes. Near the top of the record setting news for the election cycle was Biden’s running mate, the California senator born of immigrant parents – a father from Jamaica and a mother from India. 

“I am overjoyed and thrilled to say for the first time ‘Madame Vice President,’” said Lakesha Butler, PharmD, clinical professor in the SIUE School of Pharmacy Department of Pharmacy Practice and the SOP Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Butler is also a member of the same Black sorority that Harris belongs to – Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) Sorority, Inc. “She represents a variety of social identities that have been marginalized for centuries. To see someone who looks like me in the second highest office in this country not only motivates and gives me hope, but it also makes me extremely hopeful for my daughter, my students and all the females who thought this was not attainable. Kamala Harris has shattered a ceiling that has existed for more than 600 years.” 

“The word exhilarate comes to mind when I think of this accomplishment,” replied Lydia Jackson, assistant to the provost for library and community engagement and associate professor at Lovejoy Library. “I not only feel a sense of pride, but also am equally pleased the vice president-elect was judged based on her exemplary qualifications, and the recognition that it is time to continue the Obama path of selecting more diverse leaders in the White House.” 

“Kamala’s success is particularly poignant to me for a number of reasons,” said Gertrude Pannirselvam, PhD, associate professor in the School of Business Department of Management and Marketing and SIUE Anti-Racism Task Force core council member. “To see not just an Indian, but a person of Tamil heritage, and a woman in such a high office is extremely gratifying. To see and hear the words “sithi” (aunt) in the media, gives me so much hope that my biracial son now has another good reason to be proud of his Indian heritage. Kamala’s role to me is a marker for the coming together of Black and Indian heritages. What a great way to celebrate the role that the Black civil rights movement played in Indians like me finding a place in this country!” 

“I feel excited and hopeful for an inclusive world,” commented Venessa A. Brown, PhD, associate chancellor and chief diversity officer. “It means that we are moving in the direction to do the hard work of working toward equity. As an HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) graduate, I am proud of the Black women who are educated by these institutions, and as a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., we are a group of Black women standing ready to serve this administration.” 

“I feel seen,” said Makesha Harris Lee, EdD, SIUE’s CORE T.E.A.M. director. “When I look at her, I see myself. When I hear her speak, I hear my voice and my mom’s voice. I have gained a new role model in leadership.” 

“I have feelings of absolute pride that this highly qualified Black, Indian-American woman has earned this opportunity to serve in this capacity,” added Carolyn Jason, interim director of the SIUE Head Start/Early Head Start Program and AKA sorority member. “I am grateful that Vice President-elect Harris has shown all of us, young people in general and young women specifically, the importance of being prepared for what your future holds for you.” 

 To the U.S government and country, School of Education, Health and Human Behavior Dean Robin Hughes, PhD, had this to say: “What took you so long? I am quoting another Black leader who was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame after serving as coach for approximately 50 years. Celebrating that the U.S. has finally recognized that leadership could and should extend beyond white males is long overdue.” 

“I am ecstatic that young people in this lifetime will actually receive a message that women, multiracial individuals and Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) can serve in leadership positions in the U.S.,” added Hughes. 

“As a Black woman and member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., I feel inspired that my sorority sister has been elected into the White House!” said Kelley Brooks, Admissions assistant director for campus visits and outreach. “I feel inspired to keep pushing when faced with difficult obstacles. Vice President-elect Kamala Harris represents strength for women of all ages and racial backgrounds. She represents courage and power!” 

Photo courtesy USA Today: Vice President-elect Kamala Harris. 

Top row (L-R): Robin Hughes, Gertrude Pannirselvam, Lakesha Butler and Venessa Brown. Bottom row (L-R): Lydia Jackson, Carolyn Jason, Kelley Brooks and Makesha Harris Lee.

Rolland, Inc., recently featured SIUE Creative Director Heather Kniffel of University Marketing and Communications in its  “Conversations with Green Champions” about SIUE’s campus and community sustainability. The discussion covered the campus’ old-growth forest, environmental jobs for graduates, and responsible printing at a University that runs on green power.

SIUE is committed to energy efficiency and is a leading university in the region with seven Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) buildings. Rolland President Philip Rundle led the conversation.

Rundle: In addition to the Environmental Sciences Department, SIUE has environment-related programs in biological sciences, civil engineering, geography and integrative studies. What is attracting students?

Kniffel: Our regional, national and international reputation. Students from 43 states have completed environmental sciences and biological sciences degrees since 2000 – and 60% come from outside our region. A major attraction is our campus, where two beautiful sites are ideal settings for research, lab and class assignments:

• The SIUE Nature Preserve is a protected area that promotes learning about native ecosystems and wildlife, with 380 acres of old-growth forest, secondary forest, restored grassland and lakeshore habitat
• The Gardens at SIUE is a living research laboratory with 36 acres of woods, ponds and an arboretum, even a vegetable garden for students

Rundle: Demand for environmental specialists and scientists is projected to be higher than the average for all occupations. Where are your graduates working?

Kniffel: Across the economy. Traditional organizations like the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Forest Service. Universities, from Purdue to the University of Michigan and SIUE in the Midwest to the University of Texas and Vanderbilt. Companies close to nature, like American Water Works, Archer Daniels Midland and Environmental Operations. Household names like the American Red Cross, Anheuser-Busch, Pfizer and Walt Disney.

Rundle: When did SIUE move to 100% renewable electricity?

Kniffel: January 2017. The EPA has ranked SIUE as the top university in Illinois for green power usage and among the top 30 nationally. We purchase 100% of our electricity from renewable sources through renewable energy credits. Green power is generated on campus by a 120-foot wind turbine and 140 solar panels. All of this reduces our carbon footprint.

Rundle: What is the role of the Sustainability Action Group?

Kniffel: SAG is made up of faculty, students and staff. The goal is to make SIUE a more sustainable institution and community member. The heart of the work is assessing progress and vetting new ideas.

SAG contributed to SIUE’s 2020-2025 strategic plan, to be adopted shortly, which includes the goal “To develop, maintain, and protect the University’s physical and financial assets through sound and sustainable practices.” This will help guide our development as the higher education institution that produces the most bachelor’s degrees in the St. Louis Metro region.

Rundle: What are typical community-oriented sustainability projects?

Kniffel: SIUE Successful Communities Collaborative (SSCC) supports partnerships that advance sustainability. An example is Edwardsville, which is working to address the environmental impacts of its fast growth. A committee of city leaders, residents, University faculty, staff and students – Earth Edwardsville – is developing plans and projects. One starts soon: a 10-cent tax on plastic shopping bags, to fund environmental causes. Students also worked on a storm water management plan with the City of Alton, and a recycling education campaign with the Village of Godfrey.

Food Recovery Network, a national student organization fighting food waste and hunger, is active on campus. Volunteers work in the cafeteria, recovering food that would otherwise go into the trash, and it goes to people in need.

Rundle: Of SIUE’s many environmental certifications or rankings, which stands out most?

Kniffel: We earned a STARS (Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System) silver rating for campus sustainability in 2016 from AASHE (Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in High Education). We’re working on a new assessment report to maintain that designation. It’s a key performance indicator in our strategic plan!

Rundle: How about the financial side of sustainability?

Kniffel: SIUE is affordable and nationally recognized, so we put a quality education within reach, which speaks to the triple bottom line.

On the physical side, our LEED buildings are energy efficient, which reduces operating costs and environmental impact. Older buildings are also being upgraded, with energy-efficient windows and LED lighting. The administration is willing to make these investments, because they see the long-term benefits.

Rundle: As a paper manufacturer we have to ask: What is the role of print communication at SIUE?

Kniffel: I oversee print for University Marketing and Communications, a full-service agency with a team of 24 working in all media. We continue to recommend print to clients, like University departments, because it is so tangible and so personal. We complete many hundreds of print projects a year.

Our students are citizens of the digital age, but surveys show they respond positively to print publications like our Viewbooks, 20-24-page booklets on our colleges, schools and programs.

Rundle: Do you see SIUE as a green champion?

Kniffel: Yes, because we practice environmental, social and financial sustainability, and work at improving. Our campus environment matters, too. When prospective students and their parents visit, the natural beauty is a deal-maker. People respond to the land, to the way it is protected. It’s a jaw-dropper of a campus, a wonderful place to learn.

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. 12. 

Episode nine, “Legibility for What?” will feature guests Reginald Blockett, PhD, assistant professor in educational leadership and counseling at Grand Valley State University in Michigan; Leonard Taylor, PhD, assistant professor in educational foundations, leadership and technology at Auburn University in Alabama; and Steve Mobley Jr., PhD, assistant professor in educational leadership, policy and technology studies at the University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa. 

“We’re joined by this talented trio for a conversation about queerness in the academy,” said Jennifer Hernandez, PhD, associate professor in the School of Education, Health and Human Behavior (SEHHB) and DREAM Collective faculty member. “We will discuss the legibility of queer folx and whose gaze and experience are normalized when queer visibility is even questioned.” 

Blockett’s scholarly interests center on the sociocultural experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer collegians of color, doctoral students’ socialization, and social justice practice and pedagogies across educational contexts. 

Taylor’s scholarly interests focus on how administrators, faculty and staff at higher education institutions use research, data, and promising practices in hopes of enhancing students’ post-secondary success. 

Mobley’s scholarship focuses on the contemporary placement of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).  Particularly, his research underscores and highlights the understudied facets of HBCU communities including issues surrounding race, social class, and student sexuality. 

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:
L-R:  Dr. Reginald Blockett, Dr. Leonard Taylor and Dr. Steve Mobley Jr.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville has selected Telisha Reinhardt as coordinator of military and veteran services. Reinhardt will focus on supporting the SIUE military-connected population with accessing education and supporting those students through graduation. SIUE Military and Veteran Services has more than 800 enrolled military-connected students. 

Director of Military and Veteran Services Kevin Wathen emphasized that Reinhardt’s experience and passion will create an impact. “Telisha’s addition to our office is an example of the University’s continued commitment to our military-connected students,” Wathen said. “She is joining us at a perfect time to impact our service as we prepare for the opening of the Military and Veteran Resource Center. During the interview process, she stood out with her ideas on engaging our underrepresented and female military-connected. Also, her experience with transfer and military credit will be an excellent asset to our office.”

Reinhardt is a veteran of the United States Navy and has been with SIUE since September 2019, beginning her journey with the institution as an admissions and records officer in the Transfer Center within the Office of the Registrar. In the Transfer Center, she evaluated transfer credit from institutions across the nation, including military credit.

“I love being active in the veteran community, and I come from a long line of proud military veterans,” Reinhardt said. “As part of the Military and Veteran Services team, I aim to use the knowledge I have gained through my veteran status and community engagement in putting forth innovative plans to assist the team in its continuous efforts to help alleviate any barriers or hurdles that may hinder the academic success of SIUE veteran and military-connected students.”

After her military career, Reinhardt has maintained a presence in the veteran community. She has served as a museum volunteer at the Korean War National Museum before its closure in 2017 and a recreational activity volunteer at the Minnesota Veterans Home, as well as a member of a veteran steering committee.

Reinhardt is interested in adding programs at SIUE to target specific military-connected groups. “I want to bring attention to the needs of underrepresented populations within the veteran community, focusing on issues that pertain to women, veterans of color and veterans within the LGBTQIA+ community. The veteran and military-connected community is extremely diverse, and underrepresented groups have certain concerns that are unique and cannot be broadly addressed.”   

Reinhardt started in her new position Monday, Nov. 9 and has already begun integrating into the role. “I’m excited to work with Military & Veteran Services Director Kevin Wathen and to be a part of this welcoming environment,” she said. 

Reinhardt earned a bachelor’s in general studies at Temple University-Japan located in Tokyo and a master’s in history at Illinois State University.

Photo: Telisha Reinhardt, SIUE coordinator of military and veteran services.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities (URCA) program encourages, supports and enables undergraduate students of all disciplines to participate in research and creative activities under faculty mentorship. Each semester, the URCA program recognizes outstanding faculty mentors and student researchers through four awards.

The fall 2020 Vaughn Vandegrift URCA Research Mentor of the Semester Award was presented to Myron Jones, PhD, associate professor in the College of Arts and Sciences’ (CAS) Department of Chemistry. Kristin Best-Kinscherff, assistant professor and head of dance in the Department of Theater and Dance, was presented with the URCA Creative Activities Mentor of the Semester Award.

“I am honored to receive this award,” said Jones. “The URCA program is fantastic. I participated in a similar program when I was an undergraduate at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. I remember truly appreciating the ability to interact with my professors outside of the classroom, and I am thankful for the career and academic mentoring they offered. I care about my students at SIUE and hope I can support them in a similar way.”

Student nominator Jochabay McGeeBey wrote in appreciation of Jones’ mentorship, noting the professor’s caring and encouraging nature while they attended an academic conference together.

“Dr. Jones has exemplified what a mentor truly is: an understanding, caring and encouraging person who influences their mentees to be the same,” wrote McGeeBey. “Dr. Jones, along with Dr. (Michael) Hankins, are the only Black professors in the Department of Chemistry. I am grateful that they are here, because they encourage me, as well as the other few Black chemistry majors, that we can be successful in a field that is predominantly white. I am truly grateful and appreciative of all Dr. Jones has taught me.”

URCA student Jamie Grawitch nominated Best-Kinscherff for safely bringing live theater back to the SIUE community after a nine-month hiatus as a result of COVID-19. In October, the Department of Theater and Dance presented Garden Flow, an outdoor, promenade-style dance performance created and directed by Best-Kinscherff.

“Professor Best-Kinscherff deserves to be recognized for her outstanding work on this semester’s show,” wrote Grawitch. “This show was an outlet for many artists in the SIUE dance community. With Garden Flow, we were able to welcome small audiences to view live theater again. It allowed both artists and audiences a sense of relief, if only for an hour.”

“It is an honor to receive this award,” said Best-Kinscherff. “This year has certainly been difficult for the arts. I am extremely grateful for the URCA program, which supported my endeavor to reimagine creative work in my field. Jamie Grawitch was an outstanding assistant on the Garden Flow performance, and the project would not have been possible without her.”

URCA students Blessing Udoh, of Ota, Ogun State in Nigeria, and Kenzie Holzinger, of Highland, were also recognized for their exceptional work this semester. Udoh, a junior biology major, earned the Research Assistant of the Semester Award. Holzinger, a sophomore majoring in art and design, received the Creative Activities Assistant of the Semester Award.

Faculty mentor Brittany Peterson, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Biological Sciences, describes Udoh as a model student researcher. Throughout her time at SIUE, Udoh has participated in many research projects and patiently assisted fellow lab mates.

“As a third-year student researcher, Blessing is a pillar in my lab,” Peterson said. “Blessing has become such a staple source of knowledge that she frequently trains her lab mates in the techniques she has mastered, including seniors and graduate students. There’s never a technique she can’t master, a detail she overlooks or a challenge she’s not up for. I’m grateful to URCA for the opportunity to recruit someone so motivated and brilliant to my lab.”

In summer 2020, Udoh was accepted to the competitive American Physician Scientist Virtual Summer Research Program, where she worked on a proposal to treat Fanconi anemia in utero using hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. Currently, she is applying for summer research internships to gain experience and positioning for medical school.

Holzinger continuously demonstrates her capacity for self-learning and problem-solving. Faculty mentor Brigham Dimick, chair and professor in the Department of Art and Design, praised Holzinger’s unwavering dedication to the visual arts.

Holzinger first entered the Department as a visiting student from Thomas Edison University in New Jersey. Impressed by her talent, Dimick recruited her to apply for a bachelor’s at SIUE. Now, Holzinger works as Dimick’s assistant, helping bring complex ideas to life through drawing and painting.

“Kenzie has been an invaluable assistant for me, working directly on my paintings and drawings, and doing so with an impressive skill set and work ethic,” said Dimick. “Because Kenzie is able to analyze the gaps between my complex goals and her understanding, she demonstrates the capacity to frame the perfect question and apply my responses into practice with efficiency and clarity. I couldn’t ask for a better assistant.”

For more information on SIUE’s URCA program, visit siue.edu/urca.

Photo: URCA fall 2020 awardees (L-R) Myron Jones, PhD, Kristen Best-Kinscherff, Blessing Udoh and Kenzie Holzinger.

A foundation for the difficult but rewarding, volatile but freeing and defensive but uplifting work of fighting oppression through the creation of a new student group is being laid by a handful of graduate students at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and their faculty advisor. 

Cougars for Changing Campus Culture is the tentative name of the student group that its members hope will be a force in weakening, and eventually eliminating, oppression in all of its forms throughout the University community. 

“In a society where systematic injustices and discrimination are ever present, we are creating a group that works together to identify, discuss and dismantle oppression,” said Emma Bowen, a social work graduate student. “A need for such a group was made glaringly apparent after the wrongful slaying of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and so many others prompted outcries and national, and even global, conversations about race and racism.” 

Cougars for Changing Campus Culture’s foundational theme will be accountability and personal transformation. The group will also function as a connector to groups within the SIUE community who are actively doing the work of dismantling oppression and building equity and inclusion. 

Bowen is joined by social work graduate students Clara Kaufman and Amanda Depew. Angelia Ham, instructor in the Department of Social Work, is the group’s faculty advisor. 

“Amanda and I were having informal conversations on the issue,” said Ham. “I was looking for more people, especially white people, who were intent on learning and doing more. I wanted to connect with organizations, students and colleagues who wanted to be part of the solution and initiate a shift in the culture. Amanda connected me to Emma.” 

“I come from a town that is not diverse,” said Bowen, of Pinckneyville. “But my grandmother jokes and says I was always extremely aware for a child. I had a lot of pain for others who were mistreated and devalued. I’ve taken it hard and have tried to fight against it.” 

As for the pain and biases she sees or hears about on campus, Bowen said she also takes it to heart. “My friends and I discussed ways to train others to help people in their struggles,” she said. “We went from trying to be part of a specific ally group, to identifying and broadening the battle against oppression instead of allyship. There should be that responsibility for everyone to fight oppression, and more responsibility should be on the people within the privileged groups to take on the task of undoing the bias institutionalized system that exists now.” 

Since the summer, the group has intentionally remained small, according to Bowen. “We were laying the ground work. I wanted to do this right and not quickly. We needed to understand exactly what we’re trying to do and define our objectives. I would love to change the world with this organization and fix all the problems, but we had to determine what is feasible.” 

“We recognized that we can do as much harm as good, if we are not intentional,” explained Ham. “We also want to uphold the standard of personal transformation. It’s not about being a white savior or feeling good about yourself. This work is going to be hard and is going to cost you. 

 “You can’t be effective as an anti-racist, if you don’t first start with yourself. I think a lot of white people, myself included, want to do something good, but when it gets too painful or means I lose some of my friends or come up against differing opinions, then you may begin to waver or want to quit.” 

“I don’t think our organization will appeal to those who are OK with their biases,” added Bowen. “It’s more for those who are starting to think negatively and ask questions about racism, sexism and other types of oppression and want a place to support that learning.” 

Group members, however, want to emphasize that transformation work can be a lengthy undertaking. 

“The idea is to shift the SIUE culture one student at a time,” said Ham. “We are acutely aware that it will be a long process over time, but the hope is to start with students who want to talk about these things and get involved to the extent that they are comfortable. We will come alongside them and help them through the transformational process to the extent that they want.” 

“Those students then become part of a team, and then we grow in numbers,” concluded Bowen. “Eventually there will be changed hearts, and we can send those changed hearts out to change other hearts.” 

Students interested in joining and playing an active role in building and shaping Cougars for Changing Campus Culture are asked to fill out a survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/TSGF5XD.  

 All students are welcome to join in the fight against oppression. This group will be especially beneficial for students within privileged groups who are starting their journey in anti-racism and anti-oppression work. Groups are also encouraged to partner with Cougars for Changing Campus Culture. 

For more information, contact ebowen@siue.edu.

Healthcare professionals worldwide continue to adapt to challenges posed by COVID-19 by implementing such services as telehealth to provide patient care. Among those ensuring access to comprehensive pharmaceutical care via virtual technologies are faculty and students from the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Pharmacy (SOP).

“This pandemic has completely disrupted our lives in all ways, including how we teach and care for patients,” said Kelly Gable, PharmD, SOP professor and director of well-being and resilience.

Gable has helped implement telehealth services at her clinical practice site in St. Louis, where she works as a psychiatric pharmacist. Amid the pandemic, Gable’s clinic has seen an increase in behavioral health needs in the community, and telehealth has allowed convenient, virtual access to patients.

She guides fourth-year pharmacy students completing Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences (APPE) at her clinical site, allowing them an active role in telehealth appointments. Through an efficient, streamlined patient care process, students review patient medication profiles and check for medication concerns.

“It is incredibly valuable for our future pharmacists and healthcare providers to learn how to be flexible in their delivery of patient care,” said Gable. “Incorporating students in this process forces them to think practically, innovate and respond to the greatest healthcare needs of our communities.”

“In the future, we will likely see a shift to a more hybrid form of care, where some appointments are offered via telehealth and others in-person, depending on the needs of each individual patient,” added Gable.

Exposing students to telehealth is essential for preparing them for changes within pharmacy practices now and in the future, according to SOP Clinical Associate Professor Jennifer Rosselli, PharmD.

“Clinical rotations that incorporate telehealth allow pharmacy students to achieve the learning outcomes that are required for graduation, especially in instances when the pharmacy setting has restricted or limited students’ on-site access,” Rosselli said. “It is critical that pharmacy students have ample opportunities to practice the skills and apply the knowledge acquired in the classroom and in lab simulations through real-world pharmacy practice experiences.”

Molly Jorns, of Tallula, is a fourth-year pharmacy student who has assisted SOP faculty in continuing care throughout the pandemic. During an APPE with Rosselli, Jorns offered telehealth services at SIHF Healthcare clinics in O’Fallon and Belleville.

“Telehealth visits have pushed me to adapt and think creatively to ensure patients receive quality care despite not meeting in person,” said Jorns. “Virtual visits are also a great resource for patients who may have barriers to obtaining healthcare, such as difficulties with transportation or lack of childcare, which are associated with office visits.”

Under the guidance of her pharmacy preceptors, Jorns made medication changes, counseled on medication use and information, suggested lifestyle modifications, and developed follow-up care to optimize patient health and medications. Video calls allowed Jorns to teach people with diabetes how to prepare and use injectable medicine.

Currently, Jorns is serving the SIUE community on another rotation with SOP Professor Chris Lynch, PharmD, by conducting virtual medication consultation visits for University faculty and staff.

Throughout the pandemic, Lynch has utilized his students’ expertise in technology to conduct compassionate remote care. In spring 2020, his students designed a confidential patient registration process, performed pre-screening telephone interviews and completed draft versions of patient documentation for each patient seen.

Lynch believes the transition to telehealth services has strengthened both practicing faculty members’ and students’ flexibility in adapting to change, allowing them to learn new facets of empathy while caring for patients under the tremendous stress of COVID-19.

“We believe the experiences gained during the pandemic will allow our utilization of telehealth to continue to grow after the pandemic ends,” he said. “When used in conjunction with traditional in-person visits, telehealth offers a service that is more time effective for the providers and more convenient for the patients.”

Along with providing telehealth services, SOP faculty and students are also assessing patient preferences. Under the mentorship of Rosselli and Professor Chris Herndon, PharmD, fourth-year students Kellsey Hediger and Ryan Moran surveyed patients of SIHF Healthcare who have experienced both telehealth and in-person visits with a clinical pharmacist.

The research team found that 71% of patients interviewed prefer telehealth or a combination of telehealth and face-to-face visits during the remainder of the COVID-19 pandemic. When the pandemic ends, 46% of interviewees indicated they would like telehealth visits to remain a part of their care.

Photo: SOP fourth-year student Brittany Vordtriede (L) and Chris Lynch, PharmD, (R) conduct a telehealth visit with patient Vicki Lottes (bottom).

Nearly 90 veterans received free dental care during the annual Veteran’s Care Day event hosted by the Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine (SIU SDM). On Thursday, Nov. 12, the SIU SDM provided more than $50,000 worth of free dental treatment to veterans in need.

“Veteran’s Care Day was a huge success,” said SIU SDM Director of Community Dentistry Katie Kosten, DMD. “We were able to serve and show our gratitude to 20 more veterans than last year, providing care for a total of 88 individuals. We know that a lot of veterans don’t have access to extensive dental care, and some don’t have access to any dental care. Many of those we served were able to receive dental treatment that they had delayed for years, because they had difficulty finding a provider prior to this event.”

Services provided included, but were not limited to cleanings, x-rays, fillings and extractions. Of the 88 patients served, Kosten noted that 40 decided to establish care at the SIU SDM.

“We are glad to be able to continue serving these patients,” Kosten said. “They will now have access to a dentist for everything from routine cleanings to emergency pain, as well as more complex treatments like dentures and implants.”

With extensive safety protocols in place, Veteran’s Care Day ran smoothly for all involved.

“It was a great team effort,” Kosten emphasized. “The veterans and their loved ones were grateful for the opportunity, and our SIU SDM family enjoyed serving them in this way.”

This marked the SIU SDM's third annual Veteran’s Care Day, which combined have provided more than $110,000 worth of free dental care.

Photos: Veteran Dean Truetzschler, of Moro, checks in with SIU SDM staff on Veteran’s Care Day.

Veteran Donald McMaster, of Wood River, was all smiles outside following his receipt of free dental care at the SIU SDM’s Veteran’s Care Day.