For the last 30 years, beauty, recreation, tranquility and nature have been intertwined, displayed and open to the public as The Gardens at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. This living laboratory is celebrating its 30^th anniversary with a virtual campaign that runs through Saturday, Dec. 5. 

“The Gardens at SIUE remains a horticultural, recreational and community treasure in southern Illinois,” said Marian Smithson, The Gardens at SIUE Advisory Board chair and one of The Gardens’ first master gardeners, a person trained in the science and art of gardening. “To keep The Gardens flourishing during this difficult period, we are initiating a fundraising campaign.” 

To participate in virtual fundraising, visit siuegive.com/gardens. 

“The Gardens has seen financial challenges in recent years because of state budget cuts,” said Smithson. “We currently do not have any paid staff and have made other financial cutbacks. We are asking the community and our supporters to not only help sustain The Gardens, but also help it thrive.” 

Smithson reflected on The Gardens’ history to illustrate its longevity and foster more appreciation. 

“From the early years, the University’s master plan designated the 36-acre area north of Cougar Lake’s parking area as an arboretum,” she said. “In April 1990, Donal Myer, School of Sciences dean, and Frank Kulfinski, professor of environmental sciences, announced plans to develop this property. Their vision was to create an aesthetically pleasing arboretum to support academic interests of the University, and a place of beauty and relaxation for the community. When Myer died in August 1990, the board of trustees designated the area as the Myer Arboretum.” 

In 2003, Ralph Korte, SIUE alumnus and Highland businessman, served as advisory committee chair to the Missouri Botanical Gardens (MOBOT), which ultimately named the arboretum as one of three MOBOT Signature Gardens in the Metro East. Terra Design Studios of Pittsburgh was hired to develop a master plan for the 36-acre site that was more diverse and drove the decision to rename it The Gardens at SIUE, according to Smithson. 

“Two years later, Douglas Conley was hired as the first director of The Gardens,” she added. “During Conley’s time, The Gardens was leased to the SIUE Foundation, and a Founding Friends group was formed to raise an initial $100,000 for development. 

“During Conley’s tenure, significant developments transformed the look of The Gardens, such as The Hardy Family Wind Forest, The Gardens Center, The Lantern, Shakespeare’s Garden and Prairie Portal Garden.” 

Conley encouraged campus and community volunteers to contribute work at The Gardens, which received approval from the University of Illinois Extension Office, and The Gardens became a site for graduates of Master Gardener and Master Naturalist programs, she explained. 

Conley resigned in July of 2011 to become director of the gardens at the Edsel Ford House in Michigan. Jane Drake was named The Gardens director in 2012. Drake developed a campus/community advisory board, and plans for the Treetop Bridge and visitor parking area. Drake resigned in 2014 when she and her husband moved to Montana. 

“Following the bridge developments, resources for operations became limited,” Smithson noted. “Then, when the state budget crisis occurred in 2016, The Gardens groundskeeper and student staff were eliminated in July. Since that time, The Gardens’ plantings have been maintained by volunteer master gardeners and master naturalists, who contribute 2,500 to 3,000 hours annually.” 

However, The Gardens has not been without leadership and oversight. Master Gardeners Bill Hanke and Smithson served as volunteer coordinators from 2009-19. Carol Gardner is the current coordinator. 

The Gardens Advisory Board, a 10-member board of campus and community leaders, continues to advise the vice chancellor for administration on long term plans for The Gardens and on fundraising. The Gardens continues to rely on private support for operations expenses. 

“The Gardens at SIUE is an oasis signifying beauty, serenity, and tranquility that serves not only the University community, but also our entire region,” said Vice Chancellor for Administration Morris Taylor, PhD. “Its simplicity augments its elegance, and it will remain an indomitable beacon that will continue to thrive for generations to come.” 

For more information about fundraising efforts and The Gardens, contact Smithson at thegardens@siue.edu.

Photos:
The Gardens at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. The living laboratory is celebrating its 30^th anniversary with a virtual campaign that runs through Saturday, Dec. 5.

Marian Smithson, The Gardens at SIUE Advisory Board chair and one of The Gardens’ first master gardeners.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville alumnus and MindsEye President and CEO Jason Frazier has been named a 2020 Diverse Business Leader by the St. Louis Business Journal for his work with MindsEye, an organization that offers a variety of services to those with visual disabilities throughout the St. Louis region.

       Frazier earned a bachelor’s in mass communications from the SIUE College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) in 2011, and began working for MindsEye in 2012 as a part-time board operator, while simultaneously working for a local sports radio station.

       “My dream career was always working in sports media,” said Frazier. “However, the mission of MindsEye and the company’s impact on blind and visually impaired people in our region changed that. Using what I learned about broadcast and applying it to a reading service became appealing.”

       The mission hits close to home as Frazier’s grandmother, who he said was the matriarch of his family, was blind. His biggest motivation for continuing his career with MindsEye was to ensure blind/low vision individuals and their families knew about the services offered.

       “Connecting people in the blind and visually impaired community to things that make our region special is extremely important. I get to see a lot of these amazing stories first-hand. Seeing someone attend an audio-described show and be completely immersed in the experience as our describers paint a picture of the visual elements that they would otherwise miss is special. I have observed athletes who thought their days of playing sports were done get a chance to be a part of the Gateway Archers Beepball Team and get back on the field. Those are the things that energize me every day,” Frazier said.

       Frazier described the award as a “team award,” noting that over the last few years MindsEye added new programming to make the metro St. Louis area more accessible and inclusive - a prime example being the audio description program launched in 2016. This program provides descriptions of visual elements for blind and visually impaired guests at theaters, sporting events and museums. The program also spawned the idea of creating the Arts & Cultural Accessibility Cooperative,  a bi-monthly forum where the team works to make the arts and entertainment scene more inclusive in the region.

       When asked what this award means to him, Frazier said, “First and foremost, I am an African American male in a leadership role for a non-profit. When I look around the table at networking functions for non-profits I notice there are not many people who look like me in those rooms. Also, I am the CEO for a non-profit that helps people with disabilities, mainly the blind and visually impaired. As an advocate, I notice people tend to leave out those with disabilities when talking about diversity and inclusion. I hope to be a part of changing that..”

       Frazier credits his success to taking advantage of hands-on experiences at SIUE, such as writing for The Alestle, hosting a web-based radio show and working for WSIE FM.

       In a recent Segue interview with CAS Dean Kevin Leonard, PhD, Frazier offered advice to prospective students considering a major in mass communications. “Take advantage of the opportunities outside of the classroom at SIUE. I wouldn’t be where I am in my career, if I wasn’t working at WSIE and learning how to be a professional. It’s important to get a leg up before applying for jobs after you graduate.”

To learn more about MindsEye, visit mindseyeradio.org.

The Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for the Metro East at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is part of a professional committee supporting local restaurants and retailers for Small Business Saturday. This group, known as the Small Business Week of Southwestern Illinois (SBWSWIL), reached out to area chambers to create a unique and enticing shopping experience in support of local small businesses.

The Greater Belleville, Collinsville, Edwardsville-Glen Carbon, Metro East (Fairview-Swansea), O’Fallon- Shiloh and the Troy-Maryville-St. Jacob-Marine Chambers did not hesitate to join the effort in support of their small business members.

Together these Chambers across Madison and St. Clair Counties solicited companies to spotlight themselves on a “passport” in an effort to promote their establishment and garner more customers during COVID-19.

Local retailers and restaurant owners were also quick to offer prizes in appreciation of their patrons.

The passport size was limited, so only 16 businesses are featured from Madison and St. Clair Counties, respectively. This is a great opportunity for business owners to advertise and generate traffic for the upcoming holidays.

SBDC Director Jo Ann Di Maggio May appreciates the support of all the chambers and the entire SBWSBIL committee, “It truly takes a team effort to help small businesses survive and thrive.”

Shoppers have from Sunday, Nov. 22 through Saturday, Nov. 28 (Small Business Saturday) to stamp their “passport” at all 16 local establishments for a chance to win a prize from these generous business owners. Due to COVID-19 safety precautions, shoppers are welcome to purchase online (if available) or take advantage of curbside or delivery options.

Just return the passport via email (scan or take a picture of a completed passport) by 11:59 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 28 to sbdcedw@gmail.com. Winners will be announced on Monday, Nov. 30.

To obtain a county “passport” and support small business, contact the respective local chamber or the Illinois SBDC for the Metro East at sbdcedw@gmail.com.

SBWSWIL pays tribute to the contributions that small business makes to the U.S. economy. Its focus is on:

• Uniting the region’s tireless, hard-working entrepreneurs under one tent to inspire and nourish the entrepreneurial spirit that powers the economy—all through a full week of programming and events specifically tailored to their unique business
• Rallying the entire Southwestern Illinois region together to shine a spotlight on the unsung heroes of our small business community through the Small Business Awards. Together, we celebrate their achievements in exponential growth, innovation, social entrepreneurship and company

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

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

“In a perfect world, what would you like to do?” It’s a question, after having served and sacrificed, to get veterans to better envision a world of opportunities for themselves. 

Asking the question is Amanda Depew, Air Force veteran and social work graduate assistant with Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Center’s Veterans Upward Bound (VUB) program. 

During the pandemic, VUB continues to hep veterans prepare for postsecondary education, by providing counseling, advisement, basic skills review/enhancement and referrals to a variety of services and resources, according to VUB Program Director James Robbins. 

“One of our bright spots is our staff, all of whom are superior,” said Robbins, “but I want to highlight Amanda Depew and her dedication to our veteran participants.” 

“I assist veterans with choosing a career best suited for their needs, wants, desires and abilities,” explained Depew. “I help the veteran weigh the pros and cons of a chosen school major and career field. Recently, I spoke with a veteran who, after answering my ‘perfect world’ question, said he was interested in studying biology but also was interested in music. After some researching, I found several career fields in which biology and music can be combined. 

 “I informed him of SIUE’s Integrative Studies Program (ISP) in which he would be able to create a degree program combining his interests. I reached out to Dawn Huckelberry ISP senior academic advisor, who immediately responded and provided an academic map. It’s that kind of support throughout SIUE that establishes us as one of the most veteran friendly and supportive schools around. Upon hearing the information, the veteran was motivated in realizing he had the option of being a biology/music major in the Integrative Studies Program.” 

Some of Depew’s other job responsibilities to veterans include:

• Help filling out Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) paperwork and accessing veteran education benefits
• Serve as an intermediary between the veteran and SIUE’s Military and Veteran Services (MAVS), ensuring the veteran is established with Veteran Affairs and Department of Defense benefits
• Guarantee that the veteran is connected with the right staff on campus to secure a smooth transition into higher education and campus life  

“I stay in contact with our participants throughout their time in our program,” continued Depew. “If education is not the veteran’s goal, that is OK. We still want to help. If achieving some form of stability is what they need first, that is how we assist them. We help our veterans with obtaining employment through networking within our office and our community partners.

“We are not miracle workers, but we will do what we can to make a veteran’s life a little easier. A veteran with support, encouragement and purpose is a community well served.” 

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. 

Photo:
Amanda Depew, Air Force veteran and social work graduate assistant with Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Center’s Veterans Upward Bound (VUB) program.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Library and Information Services (LIS) will soon be home to the 10-CD set, Ruth Slenczynska: Complete American Decca Recordings. On Friday, Nov. 13, Eloquence released the CD set featuring the internationally renowned concert pianist and former SIUE faculty member.

SIUE will receive two sets of the Slenczynska recordings with one set to be added to the Ruth Slenczynska Collection at Lovejoy Library, and the other to circulate to the public once cataloged.

“The recorded performances represent some of the finest piano performances of Slenczynska’s early adult professional career,” said Therese Dickman, fine arts librarian and associate professor. Dickman and colleagues also worked with Australian producer Cyrus Meyer-Homji to contribute 12 images from the Ruth Slenczynska Collection for inclusion in the CD set.

Cyrus Meher-Homji indicated that the CD set will soon be available to buy from Amazon, or to download or stream via I-Tunes, Pandora, and Spotify. 

The 95-year-old Slenczynska last appeared at SIUE on Jan. 9, 2018 when she performed brilliantly before a crowd of 350 in sold-out Dunham Hall. The next afternoon, she instructed eight students in master’s classes with an attentive audience of approximately 100 on the SIUE campus.

SIUE Chancellor Randy Pembrook studied with Slenczynska while pursuing bachelor’s and master’s degrees at SIUE in the 1970s.  “I feel so fortunate to have studied with her,” Pembrook said. “She demonstrated sublime artistry in each performance and taught us to pursue excellence at every opportunity.”

Slenczynska is one of five women, between the ages of 94-110, who are featured in the 2019 documentary, Can't Stop the Sun From Shining, produced by Dr. Teresa Mular. The film highlights the strong spirit and zest for life shared by these women, and also features Slenczynska’s piano performances throughout the film. An archival copy is expected soon.

The Pacific Musical Society in San Francisco recently created the video “Living Legends: Ruth Slenczynska” to honor Slenczynska’s legendary career. She has performed for five and met six U.S. Presidents, beginning with Herbert Hoover in 1930, including playing a Mozart four-hands piano duet with President Harry S. Truman in the White House. She also met former First Lady Michelle Obama and her daughters.

Dickman indicated that the pandemic hasn’t diminished Slenczynska’s desire to contribute musically. “Her Beethoven sonata performances, prepared to celebrate the 250^th anniversary of Beethoven’s birth, were videorecorded this spring in California in the home of a former student with whom she was visiting when the COVID-19 pandemic prevented her from travelling to Japan to perform,” Dickman said. “So, Slenczynska recorded videos of the sonatas—including Beethoven’s popular “Pastoral,” Op. 28 and “Moonlight,” Op. 27, No. 2 sonatas—there in California and shared them via YouTube!” 

 Since the California fires intensified, the Sacramento native has been visiting another former student, a piano professor in Pennsylvania. 

Slenczynska gave her first piano recital at age four; she studied with Josef Hofmann at the Curtis Institute of Music the next year. Shortly thereafter in Europe, she studied piano with Artur Schnabel, Egon Petri, Alfred Cortot, and Sergei Rachmaninoff, and composition with Madame Nadia Boulanger. 

Slenczynska made her debut in Berlin at age six and in Paris at age seven. She became an instant musical sensation, heralded as one of the greatest child prodigies since Mozart. 

Slenczynska’s SIUE connection was established in 1964 when she accepted a full-time position as artist-in-residence, a title she retained until 1988. She married James Kerr, PhD, an SIUE political science professor in 1967.

Slenczynska’s life changed dramatically with the death of her beloved husband in 2001. After completing her remaining SIUE part-time teaching assignments, she accepted an artist-in-residence teaching position at Soochow University in Taipei, Taiwan for the 2002-2003 academic year. While in Taipei, she was invited to perform in Japan, a first for the 78-year-old pianist. This led to subsequent trips to Japan and a highly acclaimed series of 11 CD recordings, entitled “The Art of Ruth Slenczynska,” under the Liu MAER label. These featured Brahms’ complete piano character pieces, Chopin’s scherzi, ballades, études, and preludes, and sonatas by Mozart, Beethoven and Chopin.

For more information about Ruth Slenczynska, visit siue.edu/lovejoy-library/special_collections.

Photo: (Upper Right): Ruth Slenczynska at the piano, circa 1950 (courtesy Steve Crouch, Carmel, Calif.).

(Lower Right): Ruth Slenczynska following her SIUE performance in 2018.

The Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine (SIU SDM) has launched a clinical endodontic training graduate program.

The new program expands on the School’s post graduate offerings with an advanced educational curriculum and a clinical residency regimen focused on endodontics, including a full-time patient treatment schedule, clinical and translational research opportunities, and teaching roles to further enhance the predoctoral program of instruction in endodontics. It is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) of the American Dental Association.

“SIU SDM Dean Dr. Bruce Rotter wanted to develop a program that would have the maximum clinic availability for the SDM’s patients, and be an opportunity for predoctoral students to shadow and gain experience,” said Marvin Leigh Speer, DDS, MS, FACD, program director and diplomate of the American Board of Endodontics. “I’ve been in practice for 40 years, and it has always been my dream to start a program from the beginning. I am delighted to be creating an excellent program for the SIU SDM to be proud of and for students to desire to attend.”

The SIU SDM graduate endodontics program began in fall 2020 with its first cohort comprising two residents, including Tara Habibi, of Springfield, and Priya Sapra Kullar, of India. Both completed doctor of dental medicine (DMD) degrees from the School in summer 2020.

“Over the last two years at the SIU SDM, I have found a family in the school,” said Kullar. “Having an opportunity to pursue further education at the SDM is a dream come true. I feel humbled to have been accepted to the graduate endodontics program, as I have always been passionate about the specialty area. The joy of helping patients feel better by relieving their pain and saving their teeth is immensely gratifying.”

Endodontics is the art and science of treating and replacing tissues within the body of the tooth, the tooth pulp, as well as the tissue surrounding the tooth. Most endodontic patient treatment scenarios involve thorough removal of injured or diseased pulp tissues, and replacement with biocompatible sealing materials.

SIU SDM’s facilities are equipped with the latest technology for high caliber training, including endodontic microscopes, CBCT (cone-beam computed tomography) systems, ultrasonics, several rotary and 3D obturating systems and necessary dental materials.

“The program began on August 31, and our experience has been great,” said Habibi. “Our help was greatly needed in the clinic for patients requiring more complicated endodontic procedures. Although this program is new, the patient base is established, and the demand is high for the procedures that we provide.”

Leading to a Specialty Certificate in Endodontics, the program is designed to satisfy the needs of those who wish to acquire greater skill, knowledge and experience in endodontics. Those who complete the course of study will fully meet the educational requirements for certification by the American Board of Endodontics and state licensing bodies for the specialty practice of endodontics.

“For students considering pursuing this program in the future, I feel it is an excellent place to excel, learn and grow,” Kullar added. “The program lays the foundation for modern endodontics and evidence-based learning. It has everything to offer, including an organized curriculum, assorted culture, state-of-the-art facilities, magnificent clinical exposure, and research opportunities, all of which are imperative to be a successful professional.”

The SIU SDM graduate endodontics program will accept two more residents in July 2021. For more information and to apply, visit siue.edu/dental/post-graduate-programs/endo. 

Photo: SIU SDM endodontics post graduate program director Marvin Leigh Speer, DDS, MS, FACD stands in center with program residents Priya Sapra Kullar (left) and Tara Habibi (right).

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. 19. 

Episode 10, “Big Momma Knows. You Don’t.” will feature an anonymous scholar who chooses to go by the letter “E.” “E” is involved with scholarly work to destabilize the neo-colonial space in academia. The scholar will join J.T. Snipes, PhD, DREAM Collective member and assistant professor in the School of Education, Health and Human Behavior’s (SEHHB) Department of Educational Leadership. Their discussion will be about the types of knowledge that are valued in higher education, the notions of ancestral knowledge and wisdom, and how the academy may fail to recognize them, and why Big Momma would say to all the PhD’s, ‘You don’t know nothing!’” 

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:
DREAM Collective logo.

The Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for the Metro East at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is celebrating Elure Beauty Supply’s growth. Owner and Chief Operating Officer Samantha Carter has worked with the SBDC and Director Jo Ann DiMaggio May to successfully overcome the difficulties of the COVID-19 pandemic to expand the business.

With 20 years of experience working in the hair industry and owning a full-service salon, Carter continued on her entrepreneurial path and opened Elure Beauty Supply in July 2017. Since then, Elure has taken pride in offering customers the highest quality beauty and barber supplies, hair extensions, and health and fitness products, which includes her own health and fitness product line, SaTreice.

Additionally, Carter is a certified hair loss and body-contouring specialist, and works as a cosmetology teacher for the state of Illinois.

 “Beauty and education are what I know,” Carter shared. “In the beauty industry, you often see a lack of education. One of my main objectives is to get out into the community and teach. I have been fortunate to share my knowledge and educate others through my work.”

As for many small businesses, the COVID-19 pandemic took a drastic toll on Carter’s business. She has faced difficulties with her lease and only qualified to receive a small amount of government assistance. She reached out to Paul Ellis, City of Fairview Heights director of economic development. Ellis assisted Carter, and connected her to DiMaggio May and the SBDC.

DiMaggio May provided guidance in maintaining Carter’s business. DiMaggio May suggested doing curbside service and ramping up her e-commerce, as well as various ideas for increasing exposure in the community.

“Paul is a resource,” Carter said. “He knew exactly how to help. Jo Ann’s assistance was valuable every step of the way. Communication was timely and always made simple. All of my questions were answered in detail, and the information I received made all the difference.”

“Ms. Carter was eager to listen and willing to take suggestions to pivot and grow,” DiMaggio May shared. “Elure Beauty Supply and its customers are Carter’s focus, and she is determined to ensure the operation’s stability. With this level of resolve, Elure Beauty Supply is sure to be around a long time.”

On Aug. 1, Carter expanded to a new location at 710 Lincoln Highway in Fairview Heights.

“As a minority-owned business, I knew it was non-negotiable to close my doors or give up. This is something I pushed for, because it is something I truly believe in,” Carter shared.

Carter feels as if the pandemic was a blessing in disguise, as it provided the opportunity to sit down and figure out how to move forward with her business, plans, and goals. This eventually led to expansion to a new location with more exposure and immense community support.

Carter feels extremely fortunate to be part of the Fairview Heights community. Despite being a business owner for more than 20 years, Carter was terrified to start something new by opening Elure. Nevertheless, she knew it was what she was meant to do, and what the area and public needed.

“What has come with Elure is personal growth,” Carter shared. “I realized that even being outside of my comfort zone, I can continue to grow. It has been incredibly rewarding, and despite the challenges, I am eager to continue on this path.”

Carter has ideas to evolve the business concept into a one-stop shop. She plans to bring together the salon and beauty supply store experiences, with a mix of fashion and accessories to offer customers.

In upcoming years, she plans to expand through the Metro East into St. Louis and hopes to expand nationally, as well.

Contact Elure Beauty Supply at 618-213-8377 or sam@elurebeauty.com. For more information, visit elurebeauty.com or on Facebook and Instagram at @elurebeauty.

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

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

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

Photo: Elure Beauty Supply Owner and Chief Operating Officer Samantha Carter.

The expanded virtual world normalized by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is presenting new opportunities for participation in otherwise hard to access events. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Speech and Debate Team is among the organizations adapting to conditions and engaging in synchronous and asynchronous tournaments featuring nationwide competition.

In early November, the team competed in an event hosted by Casper College in Casper, Wyo., with other virtual competitions still to come. By participating in such intercollegiate competitions, the team seeks to develop critical thinking, public speaking and writing skills while representing SIUE throughout the country.

“This activity helps improve students’ skills in public speaking, presentation, writing, research and argumentation,” said faculty advisor Nick Niemerg, assistant director of constituent relations for the SIUE Foundation. “At some point in everyone’s professional lives, they will have to talk to someone else. Being part of the Speech and Debate Team helps individuals develop the communication of their thoughts, ideas and opinions effectively and concisely.”

Team captain Ally Moulton, of Chatham, and Brayden Allen, of Granite City, represented SIUE at Casper College’s synchronous competition by showcasing prepared speeches in different categories.

Moulton, a senior majoring in English secondary education with a minor in applied communication studies, joined the team after transferring to SIUE, bringing prior experience from her previous college and high school.

She performed a prose interpretation based on a short story and an informative speech over the history of Polari, a language historically used by the LGBTQ community. Although still growing accustomed to the current virtual format of speech competitions, Moulton appreciated the opportunity to compete with students across the country.

“The virtual aspect allows interesting opportunities for visual aids, such as easily sending informative links to those watching,” said Moulton. “It’s also more convenient than driving to in-person tournaments, and allows us to compete against schools normally too far away for travel.”

Moulton aspires to teach abroad and become a high school English teacher and speech coach.

Allen, a sophomore psychology major, began participating in speech and debate events in fifth grade to express himself and join a community. During the virtual competition, he performed in the dramatic interpretation and prose interpretation categories, placing sixth in dramatic interpretation.

“Both of these events involve taking a monologue and performing it to a crowd, which is typically in front of you,” said Allen. “Moving to an online platform forced us to find new ways to keep the audience engaged. I find it similar to what teachers are going through. We were never trained to do this online, so we’re now having to go through trial and error to figure out how to keep the energy we had last season.”

Allen hopes to take both of his performances to this year’s national competition. After graduating with his bachelor’s, he aspires to earn a master’s in psychology and work as a speech coach throughout his studies.

Niemerg noted a unique connection to this particular virtual event. Casper College’s Speech and Debate team is led by SIUE alumnus Doug Hall. Hall earned a master’s in interpersonal communication from the College of Arts and Sciences’ Department of Applied Communication Studies in 2013. Upon hearing SIUE’s interest in his college’s competition, Hall excitedly welcomed the team’s participation.

SIUE’s Speech and Debate Team is currently looking for new members with all experience levels. For more information, interested students should contact Niemerg at nniemer@siue.edu or Moulton at almoult@siue.edu.

Photo: (L-R) Team captain Ally Moulton, of Chatham, and Brayden Allen, of Granite City, represented SIUE at Casper College’s virtual competition by showcasing prepared speeches in different categories.

The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Nursing (SON) is celebrating three faculty honored as March of Dimes (MOD) Nurse of the Year Award winners.

Of the SON’s seven deserving nominees, three came out on top in the categories of advance practice, pediatrics, and case management, public health and community health during the MOD’s 7^th annual event held virtually on Saturday, Nov. 14. SIUE was the event’s presenting sponsor.

MOD Nurse of the Year winners from the SIUE SON are:

• 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
• Pediatrics: Annie Imboden, DNP, APN, CPNP, instructor in the SIUE Regional Nursing Program
• 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

“It is a tremendous honor to have been nominated and selected for the 2020 March of Dimes Nurse of the Year Award in the Case Management, Public Health, and Occupational Health category,” Ampadu said. “I am delighted and humbled by this recognition.”

“My work focuses on access to healthcare for populations at greater risk of experiencing healthcare disparities due to financial circumstances or social characteristics, such as race, spirituality and sexual orientation,” Ampadu explained. “This pandemic has highlighted the critical importance of addressing disparities in healthcare in underserved communities. Increasing access to care to the most vulnerable populations required a greater level of focus and perseverance. This award signifies recognition of my work among my peers, colleagues and care providers around the region. I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve my community.”

“I knew I wanted to work with children long before I realized I wanted to be a nurse,” Imboden said. “The opportunity to work in pediatrics led me to enter the profession of nursing 17 years ago. I am humbled to have been chosen for this award by doing what I love - making kids smile and keeping them healthy. Whether as a bedside nurse in a large metropolitan children’s hospital or a pediatric nurse practitioner in a rural clinic, caring for children has been equally as rewarding as it has been fun.”

“I am greatly honored to be named as the March of Dimes Nurse of the Year in the category of Advanced Practice Nursing,” remarked Stein. “Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) are vital to the infrastructure of the health system in the United States. APRNs include nurse anesthesiologists, nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwifes and clinical nurse specialists. Increasing access to care for millions of Americans, APRNs are more likely to provide care to vulnerable populations, as they are mostly found in geographical regions where low-income, uninsured and unemployed patients reside.”

“I started in nurse anesthesia education as a mechanism to give back to the profession, the SIUE School of Nursing and the community,” he added. “The importance of training highly educated nurse anesthesia providers should not be understated given the current state of healthcare economics and continued limitations to access. Through the training of providers who can deliver high quality, effective and efficient patient care across all settings, we can begin to work toward solving the major threats to our healthcare system.”

SON Dean Laura Bernaix, PhD, RN, was co-chair of the 2020 Nurse of the Year committee. She shared her excitement that the Nurse of the Year Awards were able to be presented virtually, noting the event’s significance as a platform to recognize extraordinary nurses who play vital roles in communities, especially as healthcare heroes navigate these uncertain times.

“As our nation and world are in the throes of a pandemic with far-reaching effects on both public health systems and the national economy, March of Dimes is concerned about all pregnant women and babies who may be at a greater risk than they were prior to this crisis,” Bernaix said. “Moms and babies need us now more than ever, and our March of Dimes family has stepped up for those in our community.”

During the event’s welcome address, SIUE Chancellor Randy Pembrook noted that the World Health Organization named 2020 the International Year of the Nurse and Midwife. He emphasized how especially fitting that declaration has been given nurses’ profound impact on the frontlines of healthcare amid COVID-19.

“Thank you for your courageous and compassionate care,” Pembrook said. “Amid the pandemic and every other day, thank you to the March of Dimes for your tireless commitment to healthy moms and strong babies. At SIUE, we pride ourselves on developing leaders who will shape a changing world. You, as nurses, personify that worthy goal.”

View the MOD Nurse of Year Awards ceremony and find a full list of 2020 Nurse of the Year Award winners at nurseoftheyear.marchofdimes.org.

Photo: SIUE School of Nursing faculty named 2020 March of Dimes Nurse of the Year award winners are (L-R) Kevin Stein, Jerrica Ampadu and Annie Imboden.

For students and families of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Charter High School (CHS), their Thanksgiving holiday is going to be filled with a lot of “swag” – courtesy of the generosity of SIUE and community donors. 

For three hours on the blustery afternoon of Thursday, Nov. 19, CHS faculty and staff, and SIUE School of Education, Health and Human Behavior (SEHHB) faculty members passed out “Holiday Swag Boxes” to more than 100 vehicles who drove onto the East St. Louis Higher Education Campus. 

Students and families were met by a welcoming crew who scurried to place numerous goodies into their vehicles. Each swag box cost approximately $200 and included such items as turkeys, pizza, gift cards, school supplies and more. 

“This is awesome. It helps out a lot for those of us who are not able to go to the store like we need to,” said Tamarah Baker, who drove up with her son Jiamaal McGuire, CHS junior. “The turkey will make the table look awesome, and I will put the gift card to use in purchasing everything else to go with the turkey.” 

“Since we couldn’t serve our Charter High School students a traditional Thanksgiving meal like we have in years past, we decided to provide a Thanksgiving meal for each of our students,” said CHS Director Gina Jeffries, EdD. “We knew it was going to be a bit of an undertaking, but we were up to the task!” 

The CHS 2020 Angel Tree giving campaign to benefit students was an exceptional success – raising the most in its history – with a collection of almost $16,000 as of Wednesday, Nov. 18.  The campaign is approximately $7,000 short of meeting its goal of $23,000, but there is still time to donate. 

“We have been blown away by the generosity and outpouring of love the SIUE East St. Louis Charter High School received from our SIUE family and local community,” Jeffries enthused. “We don’t mind being out here in all of this wind today. We are excited to see our students and families, and show them our love and support.” 

“We needed a lot more donations this year due to the pandemic, because people are struggling and going through a lot more economically,” said CHS Interim Assistant Director Pamela Saffore. “We wanted to provide more, which meant we needed to raise more money, and that is what we did!” 

“I have been humbled by people’s generosity, especially during a pandemic,” said Anne DeToye, CHS treasurer. “I am so proud of our extended SIUE family and am grateful to be part of SIUE and CHS.” 

“People are more willing to come together and express their concern for others, even with all that’s going on,” said Edith Laktzian, CHS resource teacher. “That’s what Thanksgiving is all about. We know how blessed we are, and we want to be a blessing to someone else.” 

“The Charter High School always give back to the kids,” said Shenita Simmons, mother of CHS sophomore Tyjwaun Reeves. “It is extremely appreciated what they do for us and for the kids.” 

“I’m thankful for life and being able to come up here and get things I need,” reflected Baker. “Charter High School cares about us. They are awesome, and I love them.” 

The entirety of “Holiday Swag Boxes” included:

• One 10-12 lb. turkey
• $100 Schnucks gift card
• One box of pizza
• Assorted school supplies
• One CHS sweatshirt
• One CHS throw blanket
• One CHS beanie hat
• One set of CHS texting gloves
• One CHS pop socket
• One headset
• One cleansing lens
• Earbuds
• Several masks
• Clorox wipes

Photos:
L-R: Nate Williams, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Teaching and Learning’s secondary education program and pedagogical, curricular and leadership support at the SIUE East St Louis Charter High School, helps organize a portion of boxes to be given away. Because of the windy day, textbooks were used to keep the lids from blowing away. Liza Cummings, PhD, CHS STEM instructional coordinator, passes out a turkey to a CHS family. 

L-R: Shawn Roundtree, CHS social worker, puts a holiday swag box into the trunk of a car. Edith Laktzian, CHS resource teacher (left) and George Laktzian, CHS math instructor, work pizza detail. 

L-R: CHS Director Gina Jeffries, EdD, shows some love and support to a student and her family member. Wendy Brown, CHS Parent and Teacher Association president, helps orchestrate the massive giveaway.

The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Graduate School has announced the winners of the 2020 Visualizing Research Impacts (VRI) competition, which encourages SIUE scholars to share the impacts of their research through images.

This year’s recipients are Abbey Hepner, assistant professor and head of photography and digital arts in the Department of Art and Design, and John Savoie, PhD, associate professor in the Department of English Language and Literature. Their works were selected from a pool of student and faculty entries that depicted a diversity of disciplines throughout the University.

• Most Creative Representation of Research Impact: “Atmosphere” by Hepner
• Best Representation of Research Impact: “Lemniscate” by Savoie

“Our alumni judges come from diverse disciplines and always enjoy the opportunity to review the range of VRI entries,” said Susan Morgan, PhD, associate dean for research and graduate studies. “They were uniformly impressed with the caliber of these two images.”

Hepner and Savoie each received a $1,500 award to further support their research and creative activities. Additionally, both recipients will be featured in the Graduate School’s annual Research and Creative Activities magazine.

“Atmosphere” is a part of the series “Optogenetic Cybernetic Translations,” in which Hepner investigates the artist and scientist as translators of data that illuminate the connections existing in the broader world.

Hepner’s collaborator is scientist Mike Avery, PhD, who researches optogenetics, a technique that involves the use of light to manipulate brain neurons. Using images from Avery’s lab, Hepner explored how a computer interprets brain scans, creating metaphors for what the future may hold as technology continues to infiltrate the fields of art and science.

“The results of this interpretation included an aurora, fireflies, bioluminescence, rust or texture, light, and military light vision,” said Hepner. “I paired each brain scan with its corresponding computer translation, resulting in interesting metaphors between cognition and a world full of beautiful, or potentially frightening, phenomenon. By allowing our collaborative work to be interpretated by a third party, we are embracing the fact that our work is larger than ourselves and never wholly in our control.”

As a teacher of imaginative literature, a significant part of Savoie’s research and creative activities comprises poetry writing. In “Lemniscate,” he has taken the idea of synergizing visuals into his own designs to craft the back cover of Sehnsucht, his upcoming book manuscript.

“Connoisseurs of calculus will relish the paradoxical Gabriel’s Horn, or Torricelli’s Trumpet, at the mysterious intersection of the finite and infinite, of time and eternity,” said Savoie. “However, any intelligent reader will easily engage the other expressions and appreciate how the composition as a whole magnifies the graceful integral sign: the curl of mask and beads in the upper right, the slender descent of words down the middle, and the balancing cluster of ‘math’ in the lower left.”

By displacing the customary back cover blurbs, Savoie’s 3D visual poem comes to life beyond the flat page, inviting the reader to enter and explore the pages within.

Photos: (Upper Right) - Most Creative Representation of Research Impact: “Atmosphere” by Abbey Hepner, assistant professor and head of photography and digital arts in the Department of Art and Design.

(Lower Right) - Best Representation of Research Impact: “Lemniscate” by John Savoie, PhD, associate professor in the Department of English Language and Literature.

For many young people in the Building Futures program, designed to help them secure living-wage employment and attain self-sufficiency, challenges and obstacles are common. Fortunately, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Center’s Building Futures program, created for those aging out of the foster care system, has been a lifeline. 

So, when the pandemic began, Building Futures counselor Ora Lockett went to work strengthening that cord. During the months with the program’s tenacity, ingenuity and hard work, participants have not only adapted, but also have become more involved and, in some instances, excelled in their efforts. 

“Since we’ve all had to pivot our circumstances in terms of the way we communicated, we’ve managed to become more effective via email, Zoom and through online services,” said Lockett. “Not only have we partnered with the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) through online workshops, but we also offer virtual sessions geared to help our clients develop the skills needed to prepare them for the workforce, and as a result we have seen a higher amount of participation.” 

“Many of our students are developing new skills through online services,” continued Lockett. “Although things have been a bit grim in terms of having to adjust our lifestyles, many of our students are thriving and discovering new ways to learn, communicate and become more effective in building the lifestyles that they deserve.” 

Also of concern was the participants’ mental health. 

“It was important to us to continue providing monthly mental wellness checks,” added Lockett. “Students are emailed a survey and asked to denote one of following responses: ‘Red-I’m doing great’ or Purple-I need to reach out for support.’ This has been tremendously helpful, because it allows our clients to provide quick responses and is discreet.” 

“Ora has developed wonderful rapport with our program participants and has been excellent in keeping in constant contact with them,” said Building Futures Program Director Precious Grimes. “Ora has also significantly helped us continue our essential programming, and even expand it during the pandemic.” 

“Living through this pandemic has allowed us to teach our students how to be more resilient, how to communicate effectively, and how to become more resourceful in terms of positioning themselves for future goals,” explained Lockett. “For example, one student not only maintains his current job during the pandemic and continues to participate in online training, but he has also started a new business venture as an independent lawn contractor.” 

According to Grimes, Building Futures is a statewide program, designed to help young adults, ages 15-21, obtain credentials and work experience after they have phased out of the foster care system. The ultimate goal is to help young adults secure living-wage employment and learn how to financially support themselves when they are past foster care. Key goals for the program are to eliminate barriers for Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) youth and assist them in getting to a place of self-sufficiency, by helping them find affordable housing, and meet their educational or vocational training goals. 

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.  

Photo:
L-R: Building Futures counselor Ora Lockett and Building Futures Program Director Precious Grimes.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Intercollegiate Athletics is among the state’s top public institutions in graduating student-athletes and tied for 34^th nationally, according to the NCAA.

Five SIUE programs earned a perfect score of 100% in the latest Graduation Success Rate (GSR) figures. The men’s golf, women’s basketball, women’s soccer, women’s tennis and volleyball teams all earned perfect scores. The GSR for the group of SIUE student-athletes in the 2010-2013 cohort is 91 percent overall.

“SIUE student-athletes continue to prioritize academic success,” said Director of Athletics Tim Hall. “Graduation Success Rate is a direct reflection of our student-athletes’ diligent work. I am proud that SIUE continues to be among the highest-rated institutions in Illinois and one of the top public institutions in the country.”

Public Institutions in Illinois (GSR for 2010-13 cohort)
Illinois Urbana-Champaign 94
SIUE 91
Illinois State 91

SIU Carbondale 89
Illinois-Chicago 89
Northern Illinois 87
Western Illinois 86
Eastern Illinois 83
Chicago State 80

SIUE also is the top public institution among Ohio Valley Conference schools.

“Creating a regionally prominent and nationally respected athletics program begins with a strong academic reputation,” added Hall.

GSR was created in 1995 in response to NCAA Division I college and university presidents, who wanted a rate that more accurately reflected the mobility of all college students than the federal graduation rate (FGR).

The GSR formula, intended to be a more complete, accurate look at student-athlete success, removes from the rate student-athletes who leave school while academically eligible and includes student-athletes who transfer to a school after initial enrollment elsewhere.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Michael Shaw, PhD, distinguished research professor in the College of Arts and Sciences’ Department of Chemistry, was among the featured speakers at the 2020 LGBTQ+ STEM Conference held virtually in October.

The five-day conference brought together “researchers in all fields of STEM to highlight and celebrate the contributions of the LGBTQ+ community, and to discuss a broad range of scientific topics and issues pertaining to equity, diversity and inclusion.” The event was organized in part by faculty from the University of Windsor who launched a resource group within the Canadian Society for Chemistry for LGBT+STEM, and featured 12 international speakers.

       “I was delighted to be invited to speak at the conference,” said Shaw. “It’s important for people to have a sense of community with diversity. The ‘80s and ‘90s - a time when HIV/AIDS was rampant in the gay community and not easily controlled medically - were not nearly as accepting as today, so there were pressures to remain closeted. I feel the AIDS pandemic resulted in a smaller population of people my age who have had careers as ‘out’ STEM professionals, especially ones in long-term relationships.”

       Shaw presented: “Balancing a Chemistry Career and a Relationship: Reflections on Three Decades of Coming Out.” He recounted his career and 30-year relationship, and discussed his research and experiences from various institutions.

       “Many decisions that couples face, like how to fairly prioritize professional and personal goals, are common to both opposite-sex and same-sex couples,” Shaw said. “Same-sex couples faced many additional challenges prior to the U.S. Supreme Court’s Obergefell v. Hodges decision, such as navigating immigration processes for international couples. I discussed my teaching and research in inorganic electrochemistry, coming out professionally as a faculty member at a primarily undergraduate institution, and some of the challenges and opportunities my partner and I faced along the way.”

       While science is an ideal, Shaw emphasizes it is put into practice by scientists who are equally as subject to biases, which makes discussions related to equity, diversity and inclusion important in the scientific community.

     “The more points of view at the table, the better chance we have to catch biases in the interpretation of data,” he explained. “Experts with diverse experiences can come together to build stronger science. Equity and inclusion are important aspects of this process since it takes a huge amount of effort to become an expert in a field. People who start out at a disadvantage (economically, socially, etc.) have a harder time getting a seat at the table, but their different perspectives are necessary.”

Segue, SIUE’s weekly radio program exploring the lives and work of the people on campus and beyond, will feature an interview with Shaw. The episode airs at 9 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 29. Listeners can tune in to WSIE 88.7 FM The Sound or sue.edu/wsie.

Shaw was also recently featured on the 500 Queer Scientists website.

Photo: SIUE’s Michael Shaw, PhD, distinguished research professor in the College of Arts and Sciences’ Department of Chemistry.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville wishes students, staff, faculty, alumni and community members a Happy Thanksgiving!

SIUE is closed for the Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday, November 26 and Friday, November 27. SIUE will resume operations on Monday, November 30.

The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Pharmacy (SOP) and SIHF Healthcare are celebrating more that 12 years of serving the community through the diabetes Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) grant that has provided more than $1-million in medications and services.

Chris Lynch, PharmD, professor and director of clinical programs in the SOP, combined with SIHF’s Patrice Howard and Dale Fiedler to write the original grant application in 2007. Since being approved, the grant has provided annual funding at $150,000. Of that, $80,000 annually is available to pay for diabetes medications for uninsured people in the area. 

The grant also created the original diabetes clinical pharmacist position within the SOP and SIHF, which has now been expanded to two positions. Pharmacist-delivered diabetes management services within SIHF are provided by SOP faculty members Jennifer Rosselli-Lynch, PharmD, clinical associate professor of ambulatory care, diabetes education and medication management, and Andrea Wooley, PharmD, clinical associate professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice, who care for patients in O’Fallon, Belleville and Centreville.

“The HRSA-supported diabetes program has resulted in more than 500 people receiving advanced diabetes care through a collaboration between myself and primary care providers at the O’Fallon, Belleville Family and West Belleville SIHF Health Centers,” Rosselli-Lynch said. “The funds available to cover the cost of medications have provided access to life-saving therapies that many patients in this program would not be able to afford due to financial hardship and lack of insurance coverage. It has been my privilege to work with people with diabetes over the past 10 years to enhance their self-care skills and optimize their medication therapy.”

Larry McCulley, president and chief executive officer of SIHF Healthcare, says the partnership with the SOP has been a tremendous asset to its patients and the community. “The integration of clinical pharmacist within our primary care locations is a perfect example of needed healthcare transformation that helps to elevate the clinical services and patient outcomes,” he said. “The delivery of care by the SIUE pharmacist has optimized medication therapy in coordination with the physicians resulting in benefits for our patients with diabetes, as they acquire a stronger integrated care approach. More importantly, patients are experiencing improved health outcomes.”

Photo (L-R): SIUE’s Chris Lynch, professor and director of clinical programs in the School of Pharmacy, and Jennifer Rosselli-Lynch, clinical associate professor of ambulatory care, diabetes education and medication management in the SOP.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Successful Communities Collaborative (SSCC) has established a 2020-21 partnership with the City of Highland, where SIUE students will gain real-world experience when they are matched with two community-identified projects. 

“We are thrilled to begin another partnership with the City of Highland, as part of the SIUE Successful Community Collaborative program,” said Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Denise Cobb. “Our students and faculty will have the opportunity to collaborate across disciplines to serve individuals, organizations and the City on the issues that they identify. 

“We look forward to continuing our work with Highland and our other community partners to design new ways in which we can nurture and support the environmental, social, and economic sustainability of our region. We hope the projects our students and faculty work on will not only present a unique opportunity to learn outside of the traditional classroom but will also enhance our community well-being, while affirming our mission of shaping a changing world.” 

The first of the two projects include promoting and mobilizing the updated Silver Lake Watershed plan through the development of educational and outreach materials highlighting the benefits of living near a wetland, according to Connie Frey Spurlock, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Sociology and SSCC director. 

The second project centers on Highland’s new Senior Center and Holly’s House of Hope (HHH), a non-profit whose mission is to guide young adults with disabilities toward more purpose-filled lives through employment and community service. Students will explore programming opportunities distinct to the Senior Center and HHH, as well as areas of potential collaboration between the two entities. 

“The City of Highland Parks and Recreation Department is excited to collaborate with SIUE’s Successful Communities program to improve specific aspects of Silver Lake and/or its watershed, and develop strategies for enhancing senior opportunities,” said Director Mark Rosen. “Being able to draw upon student research is vital to keeping Highland a livable and sustainable city.” 

“I’m excited about bringing new programs and opportunities to seniors in our community and surrounding communities,” said Breann Speraneo, director of community development for the City of Highland. “Specifically, the Give 5 program, which provides volunteer and mentorship opportunities to retirees that align with their interests and passions, will be an excellent outlet for seniors.” 

SIUE Successful Communities Collaborative (SSCC) is a cross-disciplinary program that supports one-year partnerships between the University and communities in Illinois to advance local resilience and sustainability based on community-identified environmental, social and economic issues and needs. Our mission is to connect Illinois communities with the dynamic resources of SIUE students and faculty.  

Photo:
Connie Frey Spurlock, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Sociology and SSCC director.

The Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for the Metro East at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is part of a professional committee supporting local restaurants and retailers for Small Business Saturday. This group, known as the Small Business Week of Southwestern Illinois (SBWSWIL), reached out to area chambers to create a unique shopping experience in support of local small businesses.

The Greater Belleville, Collinsville, Edwardsville-Glen Carbon, Metro East (Fairview-Swansea), O’Fallon- Shiloh and the Troy-Maryville-St. Jacob-Marine Chambers joined the effort supporting small businesses.

Together, these chambers across Madison and St. Clair Counties solicited companies to spotlight themselves on a “passport” in an effort to promote their respective establishments and garner more customers during COVID-19. The size of the passport was limited, and only 16 businesses are featured from Madison and St. Clair Counties, respectively. Local retailers and restaurant owners were quick to offer prizes in appreciation of their patrons.

Shoppers originally had from Sunday, Nov. 22 through Saturday, Nov. 28 (Small Business Saturday) to stamp their “passport” at all 16 local establishments for a chance to win a prize. Due to COVID-19 safety precautions, shoppers are welcome to purchase online (if available) or take advantage of curbside or delivery options.

The promotion was met with such enthusiasm that the group extended the shopping opportunity through Tuesday, Dec. 15. Just return the passport via email (scan or take a picture of the completed passport) by 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 15 to sbdcedw@gmail.com. Winners will be announced, as prizes last, on Wednesday, Dec. 16.

This is a great opportunity for business owners to advertise and generate traffic for the upcoming holidays. SBDC Director, Jo Ann Di Maggio May appreciates the support of all the chambers and the entire SBWSBIL committee, “It truly takes a team effort to help small businesses survive and thrive.”

To obtain a County “passport” and support small business, reach out to the local chamber or contact the Illinois SBDC for the Metro East at sbdcedw@gmail.com.

Small Business Week Southwestern Illinois pays tribute to the contributions that small business makes to the U.S. economy. The focus is on:

• Uniting the area’s tireless, hard-working entrepreneurs under one tent to inspire and nourish the entrepreneurial spirit that powers our economy—all through a full week of programming and events specifically tailored to their unique business
• Rallying the entire Southwestern Illinois together to shine a spotlight on the unsung heroes of our small business community through the Small Business Awards. Together, we celebrate their achievements in exponential growth, innovation, social entrepreneurship, and company

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

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

The Department of Defense (DoD) has awarded more than $31 million in funding through its National Defense Education Program (NDEP) to support 12 initiatives nationwide aimed at establishing or expanding STEM education, outreach and workforce initiatives for students and educators from early childhood through postsecondary.

Among the awards was $3 million to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) for the three-year, multi-institutional collaborative: Expanding the Pipeline and Enhancing Education of Students Pursuing Careers in Space.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is an institutional partner on the project, and will manage a $900,000 subaward under the direction of Principal Investigator (PI) of Record and Senior Scientist Jeffrey Sabby, PhD, associate professor in the College of Arts and Sciences’ (CAS) Department of Physics.

The School of Engineering’s (SOE) Michael Denn, PhD, instructor in the Department of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering, is a contributing professor and co-PI of SIUE’s subaward. Institutional collaborators include the project PI Joshua Rovey, PhD, with UIUC, and his colleagues Luisa Rosu, PhD, and Michael Lembeck, PhD, as well as Northern Illinois University’s (NIU) John Shelton, PhD.

“Dr. Denn and I are extremely proud and excited to be working on this project with our collaborative partners at UIUC and NIU,” said Sabby.

In the award proposal, project developers cited that “space is increasingly globally competitive,” with China emerging as a leading player. They emphasized the need for the DoD to “grow and enhance its own space workforce and cultivate a strong commercial industry of space contractors and collaborators.”

Therefore, in response to a “dearth in this workforce,” this project will expand the pipeline and enhance the education of students pursuing careers in space. It will involve the creation of an integrated set of educational resources focused on space, and then implement the resources strategically in undergraduate classrooms and K-12 classrooms, as well as at outreach events, teacher training events and workshops.

The space education resources created will include:

• A web-based self-study platform of massive open online courses (MOOCs) by space experts
• Hands-on activities and kits incorporating environmental testing, AI and rocket propulsion
• An undergraduate student design challenge focused on vertically landing a rocket model

The resources will be strategically implemented in undergraduate classrooms, K-12 classrooms, summer programs, youth programs, outreach events and workshops. SIUE will develop 10 hands-on kits that address key technologies associated with space vehicles and exploration. Two SIUE graduate students and three undergraduate students will be involved in the initiative.

“The types of educational resources we plan to develop have been shown to greatly enhance student foundational knowledge, hands-on capabilities and overall engineering design aptitude,” explained Sabby. “They have also been shown to enhance student interest in STEM and the pursuit of STEM as a career choice.”

“Working on space-related education will expand the types of activities in which SIUE engages,” Denn noted. “SIUE Engineering will provide expertise in design, fabrication, communications, controls, robotics, rocketry, telemetry and many other technologies.”

The proximity and expertise of the institutional contributors will allow for an expansive reach across the state, as well as into the Midwest Region Space Grant Consortia which includes Iowa, Indiana, Missouri, Minnesota, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin.

The project’s primary target audience includes high school students, college students in their first or second year at both two and four-year institutions, and the teachers of those students. The secondary audience includes junior high students and teachers.

In a DoD press release, Acting Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering Michael Kratsios said, “The Department of Defense is proud to support the STEM workforce our nation needs to maintain our technological superiority far into the future. We are particularly pleased with the range of initiatives pursued by this year’s awardees, with programs for early childhood education, post-secondary study and outreach to student veterans. This investment will be critical to expanding STEM opportunities to students, educators, and veterans in underserved, underrepresented, and military-connected communities.”

The Expanding the Pipeline and Enhancing Education of Students Pursuing Careers project aligns with the National Science and Technology Council’s Committee on STEM education (CoSTEM) and the DoD STEM Strategic Plan.

For more information on initiatives funded through the DoD’s National Defense Education Program, visit cto.mil/dod-awards-31-million-ndep-stem.

Photos: SIUE’s Jeffrey Sabby, PhD, associate professor in the College of Arts and Sciences’ (CAS) Department of Physics.

SIUE School of Engineering’s Michael Denn, PhD, instructor in the Department of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering.