Faced by the challenges of 2020, industrial-size electrical connector manufacturer Special Mine Services Inc. (SMS), of West Frankfort, has been working with Illinois SBDC International Trade Center (ITC) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Director Silvia Torres Bowman (ITC) to overcome adversity by exploring international markets.

Thanks to CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) Act funding, the ITC has been connecting new and existing Southern Illinois exporters one-on-one with successful industry and trade professionals from around the U.S. and the world.

Special Mine Services (SMS) has been exporting to Canada for the last 20 years. Amid the pandemic, SMS recognized the value of diversifying its client base internationally, but needed help to expand its reach. According to SMS International Sales Manager Marshall Girtman, he and his firm have benefitted greatly from ITC’s professional connections with international trade experts during the past four months.

“We began working with International Trade Center Director Silvia Torres Bowman in July, and she has already connected us with a number of valuable experts and resources,” said Girtman. “Silvia has assisted in identifying our top 10 export markets, from which we chose our top three. Silvia has also helped greatly with market analysis and research as to what was feasible for our company. Additionally, she has assisted Special Mine Services in applying for ISTEP (Illinois State Trade and Export Promotion) program grants to equip us with financial and technical assistance to increase our exports.”

Thanks to CARES Act funds, and armed with new export knowledge and resources provided by the ITC, SMS participated for the first time as a virtual exhibitor at the Second International Virtual Trade Show. The event was held in early December, and attended by more than 500 visitors from 21 countries. It was sponsored by the American Chamber of Commerce in Colombia and supported by the AMCHAMs in Peru and Ecuador.

“Our company benefitted from this virtual opportunity in a few specific ways,” Girtman said. “It provided us with experience in setting up a virtual booth, developing marketing materials, and preparing for virtual meetings with an interpreter. Also, it provided brand and company exposure to Latin American companies and organizations. It was a great experience for me and Special Mine Services. I am thankful to Silvia and all who helped us. I now look forward to exploring markets in Australia, Peru and Mexico.”

Part of the CARES Act-funded assistance the ITC has channeled to Girtman includes expert counsel from consultants such as Laurel Delaney, founder and president of GlobeTrade.com. Delaney has offered practical insight to Girtman based on her 25 years of exporting experience. She has also introduced him to a network of additional experts such as an international banking executive and Exim Bank (Export-Import Bank of the U.S.) to educate him on how to create a financing tool to cover receivables, as well as an expert in Incoterms, the world’s essential terms of trade for the sale of goods, published by the International Chamber of Commerce.

“CARES Act funding allows us to help clients scale and grow by way of collecting payments more efficiently from overseas customers, exporting to new markets, shipping worldwide, setting up an e-commerce site or just obtaining simple advice to get through the global pandemic,” said Delaney. “We’re delighted to work with the International Trade Center at SIUE.”

Sunnen Products Company International Sales Director Tom Dustman has more than three decades of exporting experience, and contributes to the ITC team as a consultant. CARES Act funding is leveraging Dustman’s tried and true exporting experience to proactively educate clients like Girtman. Dustman is also moderating a series of virtual exporting roundtable sessions hosted by the ITC.

“Profitability is certainly a critical point of any business, but given the difficulties associated with this pandemic, maintaining a manufacturing business capable of expanding into export markets is even more critical,” said Dustman. “CARES Act funding is enabling us to listen to the unique needs of each client and engage in developing a customized strategy to address that client’s specific goals and needs relative to exporting from southern Illinois to any and all parts of the world. Through Silvia, Laurel and myself, there is significant synergy to benefit southern Illinois exporters. Without this collective experience and expertise, exporters would have to really dig through the brush in order to find their pathway.”

According to Torres Bowman, SMS is an excellent representation of the energy and deep commitment to growth that coexists among business communities in southern Illinois.

“The CARES Act funds are making it possible for us to partner with outstanding professionals like Laurel and Tom, so we can lend a hand to more small businesses located in underserved areas and being affected by the pandemic, helping them navigate the exporting process with ease and ongoing counsel and support, therefore, contributing to the current and future success of our region.”

For more information about CARES Act funding, contact the ITC by email at International-Trade-Center@siue.edu or phone at (618) 650-3851, or visit https://www.siue.edu/business/itc/.

For more information on Special Mine Services, Inc. visit smsconnectors.com. Girtman shared about his experience as an ITC client in a video entitled, Navigating the World During COVID with ITC Help.

The Illinois SBDC International Trade Center at SIUE serves businesses in Southern Illinois by providing individualized, no-cost export advising, identification of foreign buyers, agents and/or distributors through trade leads, international market analysis, and more. The ITC is funded through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville as a service to the region’s entrepreneurial and business community. 

As a key member of the Illinois SBDC Network, the ITC delivers these important services to its clients while supporting the goals and objectives of both the SIUE School of Business and the University at large. 

Photos: Special Mine Services International Sales Manager Marshall Girtman, a client of the IL SBDC ITC at SIUE.

Laurel Delaney, founder and president of GlobeTrade.com, speaks at an ITC event in 2015.

Sunnen Products Company International Sales Director Tom Dustman.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Graduate Admissions will host its spring open house and visit program virtually at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Thursday, March 25. Prospective students are invited to explore the possibilities of an advanced degree.

Each one-hour virtual session will include:

• A brief overview of graduate studies at SIUE
• Information about the admission process and financial support, including scholarships and graduate assistantships
• The opportunity to talk to faculty and learn more about SIUE’s graduate programs

“SIUE’s diverse array of programs make it an excellence option for the pursuit of an advanced degree,” said Jim Monahan, director of graduate admissions. “We are glad to offer this important event online. It’s a convenient opportunity for prospective students to talk to faculty about how these programs can help them achieve their professional goals. I encourage both current undergraduate students and individuals in the workforce to participate in one of our hourlong sessions and learn how simple it is to get the application process started.”

Registration is required at siue.edu/graduate-visit. The $40 application fee will be waived for anyone attending the open house. A Zoom link will be sent prior to the event. Participants will receive a fee waiver code at the event.

Photo: “e” sculpture on the SIUE campus.

Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) has named Southern Illinois University Edwardsville among 150 colleges and universities to its 2021 Transfer Honor Roll, which identifies the top four-year colleges and universities creating dynamic pathways to support community college transfer students. SIUE is among three Illinois public institutions represented.

Open to all regionally accredited baccalaureate degree-granting institutions, PTK’s Transfer Honor Roll recognizes four-year colleges and universities that have developed transfer pathways that lead to excellence and success among community college transfer students. Institutions are evaluated in the areas of transfer data, admissions, cost of attendance, campus life, recruitment practices and peer reviews.  

“We are honored to receive continued recognition for our ongoing transfer efforts, which are made possible by numerous professionals across the campus community,” said Jennifer Harbaugh, SIUE associate director of admissions. “Due to their hard work and engagement, SIUE provides quality service and relevant transfer programs that ensure success. Our focus on the entire student experience from pre-admission through enrollment allows us to develop holistic processes. I am enthused to be part of a university that values transfer students and the qualities that they contribute to our community.”

“The Transfer Honor Roll reflects the growing importance of recognizing and responding to the needs of transfer students,” said Phi Theta Kappa President and Chief Executive Officer Lynn Tincher-Ladner, PhD. “This award is given to four-year colleges and universities with proven outcomes for transfer success. They are the best at providing a supportive and smooth transition from community college – equating to increased rates of bachelor’s degree attainment for transfer students.”

PTK is the premier honor society recognizing the academic achievement of students at associate degree-granting colleges and helping them to grow as scholars and leaders. The Society consists of more than 3.5 million members and nearly 1,300 chapters in nine nations. Learn more at ptk.org.

Photo: Jennifer Harbaugh, SIUE associate director of admissions.

A change in perception, narrative and values – among other things – is needed to create a new educational mindset and system that will unapologetically nurture and encourage Black males. Tyrone C. Howard, PhD, and his son, Jaleel R. Howard, presented the virtual seminar, “Radical Care to Support Black Boy Joy in School,” to administrators, instructors and other stakeholders of the SIUE East St. Louis Charter High School (CHS) on Friday, Feb. 19. 

“We’ve seen too many of our peers and young men not reach their full potential,” said Howard, “not because they don’t have the capacity, but because they are not given the opportunities.” Howard is a professor in the Graduate School of Education and Information Studies at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). He is the founder, and director of the Black Male Institute at UCLA.  He is also the inaugural director of the UCLA Pritzker Center for Strengthening Children and Families and the director of the UCLA Center for the Transformation of Schools at UCLA. 

“Radical care for Black boys is a core of beliefs, ideas and practices that see the best in Black boys and recognizes their promise and potential,” said Jaleel Howard. “Such care should be rooted in empathy and a commitment to seeing the best in Black males.” Jaleel, who holds a master’s in education, is a UCLA doctoral student in the Graduate School of Education and Information Studies. A former English teacher, Jaleel has extensive knowledge of classroom supports and accommodations for instructional practice that enhance learning for underrepresented students. 

“We, at the SIUE East St. Louis Charter High School, love our Black boys and are proud of them,” said CHS Director Gina Jeffries. “We are pleased to have Dr. Tyrone Howard and his son, Mr. Jaleel Howard, speak to us and give us more insights on how to better support Black boys.” 

“Radical care starts from the premise that Black boys are brilliant, joyous and wonderous,” added Jaleel. “It is also a deep-seated care that is culturally sustaining and rooted in anti-Black racism.” 

 “We have to change the narrative around Black boys as being angry, hostile, frustrated and aggressive,” commented Howard. “Those are negative stereotypes that have persisted for too long. Our young men want the same thing that all other children want. They want to laugh, play and love, but that part of their humanity doesn’t get talked about.” 

When society does recognize and pay adulation to Black males, it’s typically based on stereotypical expectations and beliefs, according to Howard. 

“In this country, we have this love-hate affair with Black boys and young men,” he acknowledged. “We love them when they are athletically inclined, docile, passive and quiet. But we often find ourselves threatened when they are intelligent, expressive, demonstrative, upset and want to challenge the status quo. 

“When Black boys can run on the football field with unbridled passion or excel on the basketball court, we cheer them on, love them and elevate them. But why don’t we share that same passion, conviction and emotion in the classroom? I maintain this is the tension that educators have to come to grips with.” 

Howard further stated that many educators have a “deep-seated fear” of Black boys and young men. “If you fear any group of young people, you will never be able to connect with them,” he explained. “When Black boys are six and seven years old, they have already been typecast as being aggressive and hostile. This has got to change.” 

“We talk about what’s right with boys,” interjected Jaleel. “What are the assets and unique characteristics of Black boys? How can we learn from these Black boys? What are some of the areas that schools can improve upon to support and help Black boys flourish? 

Jaleel recalled his experience as a teacher, and what he was told on his first day. “I was warned about 5-6 students and 90% of them were Black. I was told they were disruptive and needed to be watched. Dante was the one boy in particular that I received the most negative feedback.” 

It was during a back to school night that Jaleel saw Dante differently. “He was protective. He made sure his mother and sister had food and water, and were taken care of,” he recalled. “From that point on, I had an asset-based perspective of Dante. I put Dante in charge of the transitions of our class. He stood, took charge and handled things. That protective trait has continued since I met him in seventh grade until now. I am currently in Houston, Texas, and when we lost power, electricity and more, the first person I heard from before any family and friends was Dante.” 

Specifically, how can educators give radical care to Black boys? Some of the Howards’ recommendations included:

• Interrogate your own preconceived notions
  “Black boys are most likely than any other groups of boys to be ‘adultified.’ We see eight and nine-year-old children and assume they are 15-16 years old,” said Howard. “These are not just preconceived notions of white people.” 

• Replace micro-aggressions with micro-affirmations
  “The role micro-aggressions play in the classroom is daunting,” Howard explained. “One young man told his teacher that he had been admitted to Howard University, and she didn’t believe him. One way to combat micro-aggressions is through micro-affirmations. Use small compliments to affirm and uplift such as, ‘I’m glad to see you today. I appreciate you being here. We missed you yesterday. I appreciate your brilliance.’” 

• Address racism when it surfaces
  “We don’t talk about safety for Black boys: emotional, psychological and physical,” said Jaleel. “One way we do that is by addressing racism when it surfaces. Why are only Black boys being kicked out of classrooms. We see it everyday and ignore it. It’s time to address it.” 

• Talk with Black boys and not at them
  “We talk at our Black boys,” continued Jaleel. “We say things like, ‘Stay out of trouble. Make sure your grades are good. Make sure you’re representing the basketball team well.’ But few are taking time to engage in a dialogue with Black boys and find out when things are good or bad. I know it’s a radical idea, but we would see more feedback from our students, if we talked to them.” 

“You don’t have to have the same racial background to connect with Black boys,” informed Howard. “This is not bound by skin color, but in the hearts and minds, and willingness to connect with young people.” 

“I hope we’ve given you something to think about, a strategy to try, a book to read or something,” challenged Jaleel. “Let’s improve experiences for Black boys. Let’s transform our spaces for Black boys, because they need and deserve it.” 

The SIUE Charter High School is a school-of-choice for families in the East St. Louis School District 189. The mission of the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Charter High School is to prepare students who are career- and college-ready upon graduation. To achieve this mission, the school and its staff will positively impact the educational and economic lives of East St. Louis, Illinois youth through individualized instruction in core academic subjects, exploration of career interests and aptitudes, assistance in realizing students' talents, high academic goals, and expectations that graduates will become competitive employees for the 21st century. 

Photo:
(L-R) Tyrone C. Howard, PhD, and his son, Jaleel R. Howard, presented the virtual seminar, “Radical Care to Support Black Boy Joy in School.”

Illinois State Sen. Rachelle Crowe, D-Glen Carbon, toured the Fuller Dome Center for Spirituality and Sustainability (CSS) on the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville campus on Monday, Feb. 22 to gain information in order to promote the Center and provide assistance. 

Crowe, who represents the 56^th District in the Metro East and is the vice chair of the newly formed Senate Tourism and Hospitality Committee, was invited by CSS Director Ben Lowder, who shared CSS’s mission, vision, needs and potential. 

“When you live close to something, you can take it for granted,” said Crowe. “I grew up in Wood River and was familiar with the Dome, but I certainly didn’t understand the significance of it. It’s been a real educational experience for me. There are people outside of the country who recognize the importance of and the legacy of (sustainability pioneer) R. Buckminster Fuller. He and his contributions should be better known in our country, region and state.” 

“What struck me most is Fuller’s foresight, and that we are still considering the same things today,” continued Crowe. “I also learned how underutilized the Center is. The educational aspect and potential for SIUE students and others in the area is amazing.” 

The senator was excited about using her position on the Senate Tourism and Hospitality Committee to elevate the CSS and help meet its objectives. “The Center fits in exactly with what we need in our area – tourism. We need to get the word out better about Mr. Fuller and everything he has contributed, so we can draw people here.” 

“I invited Sen. Crowe, because her southern Illinois legislative district covers part of the most important region in the world for architecture, pertaining to the legacy of Buckminster Fuller.” said Lowder. “The geodesic domed, miniature earth Center that Fuller designed for the SIUE campus will be celebrating its 50^th anniversary this year, and Sen. Crowe will be joining us in that celebration. We are building relationships and looking forward to the next 50 years of making the Center a place for reconnecting to the earth and each other.” 

 “As an educator, I appreciate Sen. Crowe’s interest in how students are engaged with the Center’s work,” said CSS Board President Connie Frey Spurlock, PhD, director of the SIUE Successful Communities Collaborative (SSCC) and associate professor in the Department of Sociology. “I’m looking forward to working with Sen. Crowe and our students, as we move the Dome closer to being a net zero, carbon neutral building.” 

The Center for Spirituality and Sustainability is a non-profit, multi-faith home for spirituality and sustainability efforts housed in the Buckminster Fuller Dome on the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville campus. 

Photos:
(L-R) Center for Spirituality and Sustainability Director Ben Lowder explains the layout of the Dome to Illinois State Sen. Rachelle Aud Crowe, D-Glen Carbon.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville experienced its fourth consecutive spring semester of graduate student enrollment growth by increasing 13% (280 students) over spring 2020.

Graduate enrollment has grown 38% (666 students) since spring 2017. The SIUE Graduate School, which houses interdisciplinary graduate programs, grew enrollment by 21% in spring 2021 as graduate and doctoral enrollment reached 2,920 students, which accounts for 24% of SIUE’s total spring enrollment of 12,116.

With a 4.3% enrollment increase, the School of Nursing grew to a spring record 1,643 students. Meanwhile, overall spring enrollment since 2020 grew for the Schools of Business (+7.7%), Education, Health and Human Behavior (+6.7%), and Dental Medicine (+2.8%).

As the University adjusts to a learning environment reshaped by the COVID-19 pandemic, 44% of all enrolled spring term students still have at least one scheduled weekly on-ground class, laboratory or studio experience. A record 6,733 students, or 56% of the 12,116 enrolled for the term, will engage with SIUE completely online.

“Our delivery of instruction has evolved to reflect the quality interactions that we expect, albeit in new modalities.  In particular, we have been able to intentionally grow high quality, online graduate and degree completion programs during the past year,” said Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Denise Cobb, PhD. “We are earnestly working to preserve the best of what our community expects of an SIUE education, while addressing the needs of new learners in our complex environment. 

“Although we are working to return as many courses as safely possible to on-ground and blended formats for fall 2021, it is safe to say that we are learning from the changes we have made and will continue to evolve in our offerings.  Strong online courses and learning opportunities will always be available for students moving forward. We have realized many positive aspects to delivering online and blended instruction.”

Eighty-five percent of fall freshmen returned for spring 2021, including 86% of first-time freshmen who elected to live in University Housing during the fall semester. Most notable among these early retention statistics is the 2% increase in first semester retention for Black male students who are members of the fall 2020 cohort.

“While the context is challenging for student retention, we recognize the importance of retaining students and supporting their ongoing success,” Cobb said.

“The students, faculty and staff should all be commended for the level of freshman engagement achieved during a unique fall semester,” said Director of Retention and Student Success Geoff Edwards, EdD. “It is extraordinary to have so many students remain connected to the University and on track for degree completion.”

Seven hundred and eighty-four new students joined the SIUE community for the first time this semester, which is up slightly from spring 2020. An additional 164 former students were readmitted to the University to continue their academic careers. Another 90 students joined the campus as visiting students. More than 900 students, who were not with SIUE in fall 2020, enrolled for the spring term.

“We are working continuously to enroll and re-enroll students. We never stop,” said Associate Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management Scott Belobrajdic, EdD. “Two of our larger programs enroll new students every 8 weeks. Nearly every program can be started spring, summer or fall. We pride ourselves on being accessible any term, especially during this unique era in higher education.”

The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Engineering (SOE) celebrated the academic excellence, service and leadership of students, faculty and staff during its 15th Annual Awards Banquet, held virtually on Thursday, Feb. 25.

“The advancement of the SIUE School of Engineering is propelled by the outstanding contributions and accomplishments of our students, faculty, staff and alumni,” said Dean Cem Karacal, PhD. “We are proud to celebrate their incredible work, and realize the significant potential our engineering community has for future achievement.”

The SOE recognized an outstanding junior, senior, graduate student, teacher and alumnus from each of its academic programs, including civil, industrial, electrical and computer, mechanical and mechatronics and robotics engineering, as well as computer science and construction. 

The event’s keynote speaker was alumnus Jason Hill, vice president of Engineering at Emerson Tool Company. Hill earned a bachelor’s in mechanical engineering in 1993. In 2019, he was named the SOE’s Mechanical Engineering Outstanding Alumnus.

Intertwined throughout the program were presentations highlighting the two finalists for the Outstanding Student Organization of the Year award: Cougar Baja and Solar Car. Participants cast their votes during the event, and Solar Car proved victorious.

Awards were also presented to select faculty:

• Outstanding Researcher: Jon Klingensmith, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
• Outstanding Service: Nima Lotfi, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering
• Outstanding Adjunct: Tim Holland, adjunct lecturer in the Department of Construction
• Outstanding Service to the SOE: Kim Bateman, Environmental Resources Training Center (ERTC) Operations Manager and Director of Cross Connection Control

Virtual event sponsors included MiTek and SOE alumna Kay Guse. Their generous support will fund engineering student scholarships in the 2021-22 academic year.

A complete list of the 2021 award recipients is available at siue.edu/engineering/banquet/award-recipients.

Photos: SIUE alumnus Jason Hill, vice president of Engineering at Emerson Tool Company.

The Student Organization of the Year award was presented to Solar Car.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville announced the fall 2020 Dean’s List in January 2021. University Housing is proud to celebrate and recognize the fall 2020 University Housing residents who were named to the Fall 2020 Dean’s List.

In fall 2020, 606 University Housing residents made the Dean’s List. To be included on the, a student must complete at least 12 semester hours of college level courses during the semester and earn a grade-point average (GPA) of 3.5 or higher for the semester.

University Housing Director Mallory Sidarous and Director of Retention and Student Success Dr. Geoff Edwards shared remarks via video to the University Housing residents who made the list. A full list of recipients and the videos can be found at https://www.siue.edu/housing/residents/deans-list.shtml.

“On behalf of University Housing, congratulations for making the Dean’s List,” Sidarous said. “We acknowledge your hard work and commitment to your academic goals this year. We are proud of your academic success, and are thankful for the impact you make on your residential community and peers.”

“You demonstrated the tenacity, integrity, and resiliency necessary and you made the Dean’s List. We are so proud of you and your accomplishments,” Edwards added. 

Residents named to the fall 2020 Dean’s List are invited to pick up a Dean’s List pin from University Housing at the front desk of their residence hall or the Cougar Village Commons.

For more information on the Dean’s List or other academic initiatives in University Housing, please contact Rex Jackson at 650-4251 or rjackso@siue.edu.

Faculty and staff mentors play a vital role in student performance and development while providing a solid foundation for graduates to enter the workforce after completing their degree. The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Pharmacy (SOP) is working to further develop its mentorship program through a project funded by the Graduate School’s Innovation and Excellence in Graduate Education (IEGE) grant program.

The program supports new initiatives aimed at enhancing the quality and effectiveness of graduate student mentorship throughout the University. The SOP initiative, “Developing an Excellent Mentor Pool,” has received $6,564 to expand and reimagine the student mentoring program within the School. Project lead Jennifer Arnoldi, PharmD, assistant director of experiential education and clinical associate professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice, plans to strengthen the School’s current mentorship program by incorporating interested alumni and volunteer preceptors as mentors, as well as creating a mentor training and development program.

“While pharmacists receive a wealth of training in pharmaceutical knowledge and patient care skills, learning to be a good mentor is not part of the curriculum,” said Arnoldi. “This funding will allow us to recruit an extensive and diverse pool of mentors to serve pharmacy students. We will invest our resources to provide interactive and relevant training materials for our mentors, so that they can coach our students through pharmacy school and beyond.”

In 2016, the School’s accrediting body enacted standards related to personal and professional development in the areas of self-awareness, leadership, innovation and professionalism. The IEGE-supported initiative will help the SOP optimize student development in these areas and maximize program impact by utilizing faculty, alumni and preceptors as mentors.

Mentors will be trained to guide students in the areas of well-being, goal setting, leadership and co-curricular activities. Students will have access to industry mentors, allowing them an opportunity to make additional connections within the pharmacy field before graduation.

“These non-cognitive skills are an area that will set graduates apart from their peers in a competitive job market,” explained Arnoldi. “Strong mentorship and coaching at the individual student level will aid our students as they transition to practice-ready pharmacists.”

Prior to the project’s inception, a third-year pharmacy course required each student to schedule a mentoring session with a faculty or staff member. Many students expressed finding the mentoring session to be more helpful than they anticipated, and some wished they had been able to have a similar opportunity earlier in the program.

“While there is a current mentoring program in place, the optional nature allows many students to forgo participation,” added Arnoldi. “We believe that all students can benefit from working with a mentor, and perhaps those who don’t seek our mentorship are those who could benefit the most.”

The SOP aims for full implementation of the revised mentoring program in the 2021-22 academic year.

Donations and pledges made to The Rosemarie Archangel, Ellen Sappington, and Stephen L. and Julia Y. Hansen Innovation and Excellence in Graduate Education Endowment, totaling $422,153, have made this grant funding possible. The endowment’s goal is set at $500,000. To contribute, visit siue.edu/graduate/giving.

Photo: Jennifer Arnoldi, PharmD, assistant director of Experiential Education and clinical associate professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s University Marketing and Communications Department received 11 awards in the 36th annual Educational Advertising Awards announced in late February.

The Educational Advertising Awards is the largest, oldest and most respected educational advertising awards competition in the country. This year, more than 2,000 entries were received from more than 1,000 colleges, universities and secondary schools from all 50 states and several foreign countries. Entries are judged on creativity, marketing execution and message impact.

Gold awards were granted to 313 institutions, silver awards were awarded to 170 institutions and 104 institutions received bronze awards. Judges for the Educational Advertising Awards consisted of a national panel of higher education marketers, advertising creative directors, and marketing and advertising professionals.

Area high school students showed up for various sessions that included an unvarnished, inspirational message about mental health, tips about campus life and academics, instruction on how to finance a college education and how to adopt coping skills through a pandemic, during the third annual Student-2-Student (S2S) Virtual Engagement Conference, hosted by the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s CORE T.E.A.M. (College Readiness: Transition, Engage, Achieve and Mentor) Department and Governors State University (GSU) south of Chicago. The two-day conference, “Staying Focused on Your Goals Amidst a Pandemic,” was held Friday-Saturday, Feb. 26-27. 

“The primary reason for holding the conference was to introduce high school students to the college experience,” said Karagan Romoser, a SIUE graduate student majoring in social work and one of the student hosts at the conference. 

“For many students, college can be scary because it seems foreign, especially for first-generation,” Romoser continued. “The overarching goal is to provide students resources and information, so they can feel confident about whatever decision they make after graduating high school.” 

“Specifically, students had the opportunity to get answers to their individual questions, which made the conference even more beneficial and relevant,” said Fatima Baydoun, an SIUE graduate student majoring in college student personnel administration.

Romoser, Baydoun and Aaron West, a GSU graduate student majoring in biology, planned and coordinated the conference. 

The event started with Erika J. Kendrick, a national speaker, mental health advocate, author and former NBA cheerleader, who gave a no-holds-bar personal account of her long, harrowing battle with mental health that included persistent thoughts of suicide. 

For Kendrick, who was diagnosed with bi-polar disorder with psychosis, her mental stability came after years of treatment, hard work, self-awareness and self-care. “It’s perfectly OK to not be OK,” she told the students. 

Kendrick offered 10 self-care tips that included:

• Develop a support squad to hold you accountable
• Utilize “therapying” to learn strategies to deal with stress
• Find your “happy place”

High school participants had the opportunity to interview SIUE and GSU student panelists about their experiences and lessons learned in college. 

“My freshman experience was a good one, and I learned a lot. I wouldn’t trade it for anything,” said sophomore Christian McAfee, a biological sciences-medical technology major, who answered the question, “Describe your overall freshman year in college?” “SIUE is a fun campus. There were a lot of activities for us to participate in, even with the COVID restrictions that were in place.” 

Other panelists were SIUE students Justin Rosales, a junior biological sciences-medical technology major; Tyla Wells, a senior nursing major; and Gabrielle Wimes, a senior international studies and criminal justice major. GSU panelists included Shelly Asas, a senior business administration and marketing major; Rama Diab, a senior elementary education major; and Mark Tyler, a senior psychology, pre-physical therapy major. 

On the second day of the conference, participants interacted with actors, recording artists and social media influencers Tyler and Tristan Timmons, the Trvp Twinz. The duo, who star in a new teen HBO drama “Euphoria” and had a breakout role in the superhero film “Black Panther,” talked about their path into show business and how “To Really Value Positivity (TRVP).”   

Matthew Zarris, GSU assistant director of financial aid, discussed the importance of financial aid and the different types of aid available to make college affordable. Specifically, Zarris detailed the purpose, process and deadline for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). 

SIUE Counseling Services student interns LaNita Reives and Carla Lybarger presented, “Coping During a Pandemic.” Their advice included:

• Practice deep breathing techniques
• Do not isolate yourself
• Practice positive thinking 

The session concluded with a college alumni panel providing details on life after graduation. The panelists included: SIUE alumni Cameron Milon, Melody Peterson, Derric Roberts and Jazmine Rosales; and GSU alumni Fabie Ezife, Eman Samra, Justin Smith and Lester Van Moody.   

Gift cards to various restaurants and retailers were awarded in random drawings throughout the event. 

The SIUE CORE T.E.A.M. will host a high school speaker series focused on student engagement from Monday, March 22-Wednesday, March 31. Register at https://lnkd.in/gMN2BPk. The department is also accepting applications for the 2021 SIUE Summer Success Program.  

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 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.  

Photos:
SIUE and GSU students talked to high schoolers about their college experience. Top row left to right: Shelly Asas, Tyla Wells, and Rama Diab. Bottom row left to right: Justin Rosales, Mark Tyler, Gabrielle Wimes and Christian McAfee.

Erika Kendrick, a national speaker, mental health advocate and former NBA cheerleader, was a featured speaker during SIUE’s Student-2-Student Conference. 

SIUE’s CORE T.E.A.M. (College Readiness: Transition, Engage, Achieve and Mentor) Department members include (L-R): Makesha Harris Lee, EdD, director; Karagan Romoser and Fatima Baydoun, graduate students; and Fannie Acoff, program coordinator.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s high-performance computing resources will be enhanced for the benefit of computationally intensive research and education activities, thanks to a $395,580 grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) through its Campus Cyberinfrastructure program.

SIUE Information Technology Services’ (ITS) Daniel Chace, deputy chief information officer and director of the Network and System Infrastructure group, is principal investigator of the project, entitled “CC* Compute: SIUE Campus Cluster.” SIUE’s Carolyn Butts-Wilmsmeyer, PhD, director of the Center for Predictive Analytics (C-PAN), is co-PI.

“We are excited for the research and educational opportunities this upgrade will bring to the SIUE campus,” Chace said. “A previous cyberinfrastructure project, also funded by the NSF, provided a 10x improvement to off-campus connectivity and a direct connection to Internet2. Our current project pairs those connectivity resources with high performance computing, enabling the campus community to pursue a variety of computationally intensive tasks from the comfort of their offices.”

“As the ability to collect and store data is becoming progressively easier, every discipline is becoming more data-driven,” Butts-Wilmsmeyer added. “There is a need for faculty to be able to access the computational resources they require for their research, and for our campus to train the next generation of computer scientists and data analysts using advanced computational power.”

This hardware enhancement will directly support ongoing projects on such topics as the use of machine learning models to predict complex phenotypic traits, understanding the mechanism behind the quantum phenomenon in chemical reactions, drug interactions and cybersecurity.

New servers are slated to arrive on campus this spring. Upon their arrival, Chace and the ITS Network and Infrastructure team will install them and work with faculty to set up the software and access needed to meet faculty research and student educational needs. Butts-Wilmsmeyer will serve as a training liaison between ITS and faculty to help faculty take optimal advantage of this resource.

Photo: SIUE Information Technology Services’ Daniel Chace, deputy chief information officer and director of the Network and System Infrastructure group.

Caterers and restaurant entrepreneurs are invited to showcase their talents in the 2021 East St. Louis Café of Champions Challenge, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s first food industry business plan competition.

The opportunity is huge as the winning caterer or restauranteur receives the opportunity to operate their food business on the SIUE East St. Louis Higher Education Campus for students and the community to enjoy.

The competition is organized by SIUE East St. Louis Higher Education Campus and the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for the Metro East at SIUE. The purpose of the Challenge is to identify, encourage and support entrepreneurs and business in East St. Louis.

The winner will receive a $1,500 cash prize, and a one-year rent- and utility-free commercial kitchen/café space on SIUE’s East St. Louis Higher Education Campus. Runner-up and third place finishers will receive $1,000 and $500, respectively.

The Challenge is made possible through local sponsors, including the Illinois SBDC for the Metro East at SIUE, SIUE School of Business, National Development Council and First Bank.

The Competition includes three rounds, beginning with a brief questionnaire and executive summary submittal that is open to all applicants who meet the eligibility guidelines. Participants selected for the second round are invited to expand on their entrepreneurial concept by submitting a full business plan. These semifinalists are paired with business professionals who will mentor them throughout the competition and potentially beyond. The three finalists then participate in a taste test judging where a winner is chosen.

The initial entry deadline is Saturday, April 3. Semi-finalists will be announced Monday, April 12. Finalists will be notified on Sunday, May 30. The Challenge will announce its cash prize winners on Friday, June 10.  The winner is expected to begin operation at the SIUE East St. Louis Higher Education Campus on July 1. 

For more information on the East St. Louis Café of Champions Challenge or to initiate the application process, visit app.reviewr.com/s1/site//SIUE_Cafe_Champions

SIUE alumnus Brandon Bell has been named Chief Executive Officer of the Edwardsville YMCA.

Bell completed a bachelor’s in exercise and wellness from the School of Education, Health and Human Behavior in 2008.

Details on his professional background and excitement to return to Edwardsville were posted Tuesday, March 2 in the Edwardsville Intelligencer. View the article here.

With a fierce motivation to ‘Do It Like Damra,’ Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Army ROTC Cadets put their physical and mental skills to the test Feb. 20-21 at the Northern Warfare Challenge in La Crosse and Fort McCoy, Wis.

The competition annually tests 5-person teams in physical and mental endurance, mountaineering and mountain warfare techniques, and basic soldiering skills. The host locations’ snowy terrain, long-distance ruck-march, elevation changes of over 1,000 feet and -19-degree morning added to the event’s difficulty.

Participating from SIUE’s Cougar Battalion were team captain John Galinski, of Troy, Adam Krisby, of Sparta, Sterling Howard, of Windsor, Blake Unterbrink, of Hartford, and Dawson Whitten, of Effingham. Accompanying them were Cadets Bryan Sims, who was in charge of coaching and training, and Keith Elden, a supportive and experienced mentor, as well as Army Major Josh Fields, who helps coordinate the competition teams.

“We had two weeks and three days to prepare, but these young men did not let that worry them,” said Sims, head of special staff and public affairs officer for the SIUE Army ROTC. “Our cadets performed incredibly tactfully and showed utmost resilience throughout the competition. They were constantly complimented for their attention to detail, overall skill level and thoroughness on the knowledge testing lanes.”

Competition participants and supporters referred to SIUE’s participants as “that team that always had a smile on their faces, and was always motivating each other at every point in the competition.” The accolade was especially meaningful, given the team was participating in memory of their friend Moneer Damra, a fellow cadet who was tragically killed in an off-campus shooting in January.

“Moneer was known for his ability to smile in the face of the most physical and mentally demanding tasks,” Sims explained. “We all chose to participate in this event, even given the last-minute warning to begin training, because it was exciting, challenging, difficult, and something that Moneer wanted to do more than any other competition. The team gave 100%, so that they could walk away knowing they went there to ‘Do It Like Damra.’ This has been the motto that has carried our tight-knit battalion through the troubles of the recent weeks since losing one of our cadets.”

Sims is currently training Cougar Battalion teams for their next big event — the Ranger Buddy competition at Kansas State University.    

Photo: (L-R) SIUE Army ROTC Cadets Keith Elden, John Galinski, Sterling Howard, Dawson Whitten, Blake Unterbrink, Adam Krisby and Bryan Sims.

The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Pharmacy (SOP) continues to expand its robust curriculum with a new medicinal chemistry specialization within the Pharmacology and Neuroscience cooperative PhD Program that will launch in fall 2021.

The medicinal chemistry specialization is offered in collaboration with the Department of Pharmacology at the SIU School of Medicine. It prepares students for the complex and multidisciplinary approach needed for discovery of the next generation of therapeutics to fight acute and chronic disease.

“Anyone with a passion for research, and who is driven to make an impact through a career in drug discovery or other areas of pharmaceutical sciences in both industry and academia, should consider pursuing this new track,” said Joseph Schober, PhD, SOP director of graduate programs and professor of pharmaceutical sciences.

“This collaboration brings together experts in medicinal chemistry with regional leaders in neuroscience and pharmacology for creation of a degree opportunity that meets the demands of a fast-moving biotechnology field,” he added. “This new specialization will further strengthen current teaching and research collaborations with the Department of Pharmacology.”

Advanced courses reach across disciplines, including Rational Drug Design, Organic and Analytical Chemistry, Molecular Pharmacology and Applied Biostatistics. With a degree in pharmacology and neuroscience, students can pursue careers in drug design and discovery, pharmacodynamic, and translational research in both industry and academic settings.

To learn more about the SOP pharmacology and neuroscience cooperative PhD program with a medicinal chemistry specialization, visit siue.edu/pharmacology-neuroscience. 

Photo: Joseph Schober, PhD, SOP director of graduate programs and professor of pharmaceutical sciences.

The National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA) Foundation awarded a professional registration scholarship to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Assistant Director of Recreational Programs Natalie Rosales-Hawkins to attend the NIRSA Annual Conference and Campus Rec & Wellness Expo in a virtual format.

“NIRSA was excited to bring the latest campus recreation topics, research and speakers directly to its participants,” said Rosales-Hawkins, who joined SIUE Campus Recreation in October 2012. “As a participant, I was able to attend live speaker presentations and events, access on-demand sessions, attend networking sessions and virtually tour new facilities from across the country. The experience for NIRSA 2021 virtual conference was accessible and easy to navigate.”

A San Antonio, Texas native, Rosales-Hawkins was appreciative of the scholarship that allowed her to stay connected with emerging trends in campus recreation and network with longtime colleagues. “It was refreshing to see familiar faces, engage in dialogue during the “Latinx Caucus Social,” and know there are extraordinary professionals in our field nationwide who continue to provide programs and services to students,” she said.

Rosales-Hawkins wanted to learn more about the changing future of campus recreation in the current and post-pandemic world of higher education. “I attended ‘The Mental and Physical Resiliency Benefits of Campus Rec Participation during COVID,’ session,” she said. “The learning objectives included the supported evidence of the beneficial role of campus recreation offerings on mental health. It also included the trends and outcomes of COVID-19 related closures on students’ mental health and how effective marketing strategies can assist targeting efforts that support engagement in campus recreation initiatives.” 

“Throughout her tenure with Campus Recreation, Natalie has taken great pride in staying current on emerging trends, topics and best practices in our profession to serve our students,” said Director of Campus Recreation Keith Becherer. “Earning this scholarship speaks volumes about her accomplishments and desire to take advantage of professional development opportunities to help our department stay at the forefront of our industry, so we can continue to best serve the entire SIUE community.”

Photo: SIUE Assistant Director of Recreational Programs Natalie Rosales-Hawkins.

The SIUE School of Nursing has partnered with the Madison County Health Department and East Side Health District to assist at COVID-19 vaccination clinics.

KMOV4 featured the important efforts of SIUE nursing students in helping “be a big part of the solution” to the pandemic.

The story aired Wednesday, March 3. View it here.

Black women and their melodic inspiration and remonstration have been a strong, riveting and constant soundtrack in response to pain, struggle and oppression, as far back as Africa, according to Tammy Kernodle, PhD, distinguished professor of music at Miami (Ohio) University in Oxford and president of the Society for American Music. 

Kernodle discussed “Black Women, Black Music and the Mythology of Post-Racism in the Age of Obama” during the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Center’s virtual programming event on Thursday, March 4 that celebrated both Black History and Women’s History Months.  

“My work looks at the cultural and musical significance of Black women activists and artists in terms of developing and promoting the public ideologies that have surrounded the fight for civil rights and racial justice in America,” explained Kernodle. “It reaches back to some of the earliest ways in which Black women engage music as a form of protest, and as a narrative of resistance that goes through different genres.” 

The music professor focused on artists Lauryn Hill, Alicia Keys and Rhiannon Giddens. “They are part of a larger genealogy of Black women artists/activists who have been involved in the ritualized work of mediating Black communal trauma and pain.” 

But first, Kernodle turned to the Obama administration and unpacked the mythology of post-racialism, embraced and promoted by the conservative right and the progressive left. 

“There were continuous conversations during (President Barack) Obama’s administration, that in some way, he represented an end to America’s political and racial tribalism,” she said, “and how it was underscored by an ideology centered around color blindness.” 

According to Kernodle, color blindness was the justification for challenging and undermining racial equality and social change. On the subject, she quotes critical race scholar George Lipsitz, “Color blindness recontextualizes the issue of equity and inclusion. It pretended that racial recognition, rather than racist policies and rules, was the problem that needed to be solved.” 

The professor then segued into how music became a way in which notions of color blindness and post-racialism was disrupted and decentralized during the age of Obama, as his presidency was being marked by moments of racialized violence and overt policing. 

For instance, Kernodle acknowledged, the acquittal of George Zimmerman, and the killings of Eric Garner, Michael Brown, George Floyd and others erupted into artistic reactions from those seizing the time to use their art to speak to and illuminate injustice. 

• In the summer of 2014 in Ferguson, Mo., 18-year-old Michael Brown was fatally wounded by a white police officer. In response to Brown’s killing, singer and rapper Hill released the protest song, “Black Rage.” Hill had first penned the song as a poem she performed in live sets, as early as 2012. “Black Rage” melodically, thematically and harmonically drew on the song, “My Favorite Things” from the Rogers and Hammerstein musical, “The Sound of Music.” The artist produced the song largely in her living room, with her children heard playing in background. 

• Likewise, artist/activist Keys, inspired and outraged by racialized injustice of the times, responded by issuing her song “We Gotta Pray,” via her YouTube channel in the summer of 2014. Earlier, Keys released the socially-conscious song, “We Are Here” and started a foundation by the same name, whose goal is to eradicate global poverty. 

• On June 17, 2015 at Mother Emanuel AME Church, a white gunman killed nine Blacks after sitting with them during Bible study. Struck by the carnage and motivated by a spirit of outrage, Giddens coalesced her anger and sadness into the song, “Cry No More.” Before then, Gidden had written a song in 2013 to unite women, “We Rise.” It is one of the songs on the protest album, “We Are Not for Sale,” by the NC Music Love Army. 

“The work of these Black women and others,” concluded Kernodle, “represents a willingness to simultaneously remind America of its historical record of trauma, while pushing it forward toward hope and progression that one day, this country will reflect the core values outlined in the Constitution.” 

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:
Tammy Kernodle, PhD, distinguished professor of music at Miami (Ohio) University in Oxford and president of the Society for American Music.

Prospective students are invited to explore the possibilities of a fulfilling career inspiring student development in higher education. The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville College Student Personnel Administration (CSPA) program is hosting a virtual open house from 12-1 p.m. Friday, March 19.

Attendees will have the opportunity to:

• Speak with program faculty and current students
• Hear about the CSPA program at SIUE
• Learn about the admission process and financial support, including scholarships and graduate assistantships

“I always look forward to getting to know students and sharing how our program can benefit their professional goals,” said Candace Hall, EdD, CSPA graduate program co-director. “This event will be our first virtual open house. Prospective students will hear from faculty and current students, as well as our campus partners who provide meaningful experiences for students to connect theory to practice. Our program has an exciting future, and I am eager to share that with potential students.”

Registration is required at https://siue.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6lkqRGTVHHyKEbI.

The $40 graduate school application fee will be waived for anyone attending the virtual open house. A Zoom link will be sent to registrants prior to the event.

Photos: The SIUE CSPA program is hosting a virtual open house Friday, March 19.

CSPA Co-Director Candace Hall, EdD, and students enjoyed a CSPA Day Social Event in early 2020 (pre-COVID).