Chancellor Kent Syverud (left) receives the Distinguished Citizen of the Year Award from Scout Executive/CEO of Scouting America, Longhouse Council Edwin Theetge at the 57th Annual ScoutPower event on May 7.

Chancellor Syverud, a native of Irondequoit, New York, has long been involved in the mission of scouting, achieving the rank of Eagle Scout and previously serving on the board of the Longhouse Council. Chancellor Syverud and his wife, Dr. Ruth Chen, professor of practice in the College of Engineering and Computer Science, have three grown sons, Steven, Brian and David, all of whom participated in scouting.

“I am honored to be named the Distinguished Citizen of the Year by Scouting America,鈥� says Chancellor Syverud. 鈥淪couting has been a meaningful part of my life for as long as I can remember鈥攆irst as a scout and now as a member of the Longhouse Council. I鈥檓 grateful for the friendships, bonds and connections I鈥檝e made, and I appreciate everyone who supports Scouting America and encourages young people to participate in scouting programs.鈥�

This year鈥檚 ScoutPower event featured another Orange connection: NBC sports commentator Mike Tirico 鈥�88 delivered the keynote. Tirico, an alumnus of the University鈥檚 Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs and College of Arts and Sciences and well-known sports commentator, delivered an engaging and inspiring address. Tirico’s career includes notable coverage of 鈥淪unday Night Football,鈥� the Olympics and other high-profile sports broadcasts.

Mike Tirico delivers the evening’s keynote speech.

黑料不打烊 was the presenting sponsor of the event, along with JMA Wireless. SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry President Joanie Mahoney 鈥�87, L鈥�90, who herself has a notable history with scouting and was named Distinguished Citizen of the Year by the Longhouse Council in 2023, served as this year鈥檚 event chair.

Students from the Utica City School District spent a day on the 黑料不打烊 campus as part of an event with a Falk College Sport Management class.

Over the past two months, students from the Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics, under the guidance of Sport Management Assistant Teaching Professor , Ph.D., collaborated with the Integrated Community Alternatives Network () to host a campus visit for middle and high school students from the Utica City School District. The April 18 event aimed to introduce higher education as a future path, while also showcasing the .

A panel of 黑料不打烊 student-athletes shared insights into the opportunities and challenges associated with playing sports at the collegiate level (both club and NCAA). The event emphasized experiential learning through the lens of sport for development, highlighting the potential of sport to drive positive social change and empower youth in the local community.

From left, sport management majors Cooper Feldstein and James Tait, Otto the Orange, Sport Management Assistant Teaching Professor Alexia Lopes and ICAN Director Jesenia Wright celebrate their successful April 18 event.

ICAN, a nonprofit organization based in Utica, provides an array of support services to meet the needs of students. Services include a comprehensive program providing behavioral and mental health support within special education classroom settings.

More than 25 Utica students took part in the event, where they enjoyed lunch, games and tours across campus, and even had a photo opportunity with Otto the Orange.

Sport management majors and co-led the class project.

鈥淲e spent months working with Dr. Lopes to make this event a success,鈥� Feldstein says. 鈥淚’m also incredibly thankful for (ICAN Director) Jesenia Wright for her inspiring work and tireless effort in bringing this vision to life. This event was so special, and I鈥檓 excited to see how this partnership grows in the future.鈥�

Long lines of families turned out for support and shared their heartbreaking stories of evacuations and lost homes. Amid the sorrowful scene, Aga recalls watching a group of children playing tag and laughing in the parking lot while their mother waited in line for food and other provisions.

鈥淚t was just such a human moment in such a tragic, apocalyptic scenario that it just really struck me that this is something people are going to have to deal with for years, and it’s real people just trying to get through it,鈥� says Aga, who has worked as a field representative in Chu鈥檚 Pasadena office for three years.

On the first day of the Eaton fire, Jan. 7, Aga fielded calls from residents who had evacuated, who had lost their homes, and who couldn鈥檛 find family members. Some had lost loved ones in the flames. Chu’s district, which covers most of northeastern Los Angeles county and serves nearly 750,000 residents, was heavily impacted by the Eaton Fire; it destroyed nearly 9,500 structures, scorched over 14,000 acres and claimed 17 lives before it was fully contained.

Maxwell alumnus Zayn Aga (pictured center, wearing a tie) is shown with colleagues during a visit to fire-ravaged Altadena, California, by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (left) and other lawmakers.

Aga was part of a team advocating for federal aid to support the affected community. They also assisted residents in receiving medical equipment and in recovering lost mail and other critical documents.

鈥淚t’s our job and our responsibility to make government work for people,鈥� Aga says, adding that he strives to 鈥渕ake government work for somebody just a little bit better and be a little bit more accessible.鈥�

Aga said he finds purpose in making a difference in small, meaningful ways. Despite evacuating his own home, he gathered supplies and drove across the city, visiting four different centers in search of one still accepting donations. One day he rounded up a lost dog and located its worried owner who had been searching since the fires.

鈥淗elping people in a crisis, and exercising initiative and going the extra mile even when his own safety and property are being threatened, sounds so much like Zayn,鈥� says , professor of political science. 鈥淗e鈥檚 the complete Maxwell package鈥攅mpathy, dedication to service and determination to improve government. I鈥檓 very proud of him.鈥�

Aga says his Maxwell schooling helped prepare him to support others in times of need, reinforcing the importance of solving problems one step at a time. He said he gained especially valuable experience interning for U.S. Sen. Charles 鈥淐huck鈥� Schumer and U.S. Rep. Anthony Brindisi.

鈥淎t its core, this was all just people doing their best and trying to be there for one another,鈥� says Aga of his experience.

Story by Mikayla Melo

鈥淚 couldn鈥檛 imagine myself anywhere else. HDFS has done a great job and supports every student possible,鈥� Konjufca says, 鈥淚f it wasn鈥檛 for HDFS, I probably wouldn鈥檛 know where I want to go in life, but now it鈥檚 amazing to have that idea of 鈥榊eah, this is exactly it.鈥欌€�

Konjufca wants to be a child life specialist who helps children and their families navigate illness, disability or hospitalization. In the fall of 2024, with the support of human development and family science faculty (particularly undergraduate director and professor of practice ), Konjufca launched the 黑料不打烊 chapter of the nonprofit , which facilitates play sessions, called Here to Play, at children鈥檚 hospitals nationwide.

鈥淭heir whole motto is that play heals and so we come in and do crafts with the kids and foster a lot of play,鈥� Konjufca says. 鈥淭he play sessions help normalize life during a hospital stay for children, which can often be an unfamiliar experience.鈥�

Human Development and Family Science majors Jonida Konjufca (left) and Kate Harrington are charter members of the 黑料不打烊 chapter of the nationwide non-profit Project Sunshine.

The University chapter of Project Sunshine partners with and arranges for students like Konjufca to visit the hospital for play sessions with patients. Activities include painting, coloring, using stickers and making 鈥渟lime鈥� out of shaving cream. The space at Golisano is filled with playroom items such as books, dollhouses, a piano and video games to help children feel at home during their hospital stays.

Konjufca says her experience with Project Sunshine and Upstate Golisano Children鈥檚 Hospital has been fulfilling.

鈥淥ne of my first events I was solo and was just starting it and I had a mom tell me her son hasn鈥檛 come out of his room in a really long time,鈥� Konjufca says. 鈥淎nd so, she said, 鈥業鈥檓 happy to see him do crafts. Even if it鈥檚 just for 30 minutes, he鈥檚 getting out and doing something.鈥� She was very appreciative.鈥�

Here to Play sessions occur every month for a two-hour block. All University students, regardless of major, are welcome to join Project Sunshine.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a really fun thing to do, even if you鈥檙e not on the child life specialist route,鈥� Konjufca says. 鈥淚t gives you diverse experiences and it鈥檚 a rewarding feeling. You get to come do crafts with kids. Every time I leave, I鈥檝e had so much fun.鈥�

For those interested in joining the Project Sunshine chapter on campus, please contact Konjufca at 黑料不打烊u@projectsunshine.org for more information. You can also apply to volunteer with Project Sunshine through our .

A check was presented to the 黑料不打烊 Rescue Mission on behalf of the Falk College Sport Management Club on Feb. 28 at the JMA Wireless Dome. From left, Falk College Assistant Professor Jeremy Losak, senior Adelaide Gilley and Rescue Mission Chief Executive Officer Dan Sieburg.

During the 黑料不打烊 men鈥檚 basketball game on Dec. 10, supporters purchased items and placed bids on sports memorabilia, electronics, jewelry, gift baskets, experiences, books, and trips, among other items. In addition to the in-person event, an online auction was held where online supporters placed bids on hundreds of items.

strives to end hunger and provide hope to those in need. served as the title sponsor for the 2024 auction.

Adelaide Gilley ’25 (sport analytics), Livia McQuade ’25 (sport management) and Tynan Weathers ’25 (sport management) served as co-chairs for the event.

The SPM Club is a student-run organization in the Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics鈥� . Since its founding in 2005, the club has raised more than $760,000 for local charities. Previous beneficiaries of the club鈥檚 annual charity auction include Tillie鈥檚 Touch, Boys & Girls Clubs, Golisano Children鈥檚 Hospital, the Ronald McDonald House Charities of CNY, the Central New York SPCA, the Upstate Cancer Center, Special Olympics New York, Food Bank of CNY, the Salvation Army, American Diabetes Association, Make A Wish CNY, Meals on Wheels, the Jim and Juli Boeheim Foundation, McMahon/Ryan Child Advocacy Center and Vera House.

鈥淭he students have outdone themselves with this year鈥檚 Charity Sports Auction, and I couldn鈥檛 be prouder,鈥� says Jeremy Losak, sport analytics assistant professor who serves as the organization鈥檚 faculty advisor. 鈥淲hile the public sees the excitement of the live event on game day, the real work happens behind the scenes, with students spending months planning every detail.

鈥淔rom marketing and sales to sponsorship activation, analytics, event management, and fundraising, this event gives students a hands-on opportunity to apply classroom knowledge while making a real impact on the greater 黑料不打烊 community,鈥� Losak adds. 鈥淭his is scholarship in action at its finest.鈥�

The Sport Management Club meets weekly during the academic year. For more information about the annual Charity Auction, visit , , , or the website. To promote the auction, student organizers appeared on WSYR鈥檚听 .

鈥� Social media post from a client to We Rise Above The Streets founder Al-amin Muhammad

is a 黑料不打烊-based, non-profit organization that 鈥渄elivers high energy messages that encourage people to live up to their full potential by breaking the cycle of homelessness and criminality,鈥� according to its website.

In their ongoing efforts to provide essential resources to those in need in the 黑料不打烊 community, students from Social Workers United (SWU) selected We Rise Above The Streets as the beneficiary of their annual donation drive that runs through March 10. SWU is comprised of students from the in the , and they鈥檙e 鈥渄edicated to fostering service projects aligned with the students鈥� passions,鈥� says SWU member and graduate student Mary Claytor, a graduate assistant in the School of Social Work.

Here are the details on how you can support individuals experiencing homelessness and food insecurity through We Rise Above The Streets:

Needed Items (all items must be new):听 Food (canned food, granola bars, chips, snacks, water bottles, brown bags, sandwich bags); hygiene products (soap, body wash, toothbrushes, shampoo, conditioner, tampons, pads, lotions, brushes, combs, ChapStick, bandages, face wash, face lotion, baby oil, diapers); and winter essentials (hand and foot warmers, hats, gloves, socks, jackets, scarves, earmuffs, and more for men, women, and children).

Drop-off Locations: School of Social Work Suite 244 (second floor of White Hall) and donation boxes outside of each department in Falk College. Items can be dropped off through March 10.

Online Donations: For those unable to drop off donations in person or prefer to shop online, items can be purchased directly through SWU鈥檚

Faculty and staff advisors听,听, and听听advise and support SWU students as they develop service projects, but the students lead the projects.

鈥淭he students of Social Workers United continue to exemplify the core values of social work: service, social justice, human dignity, the importance of relationships, integrity and competence,鈥� says Genovese, social work associate teaching professor and Master of Social Work Program director. 鈥淭hese key values drive all social workers and can be seen in action in the students of Social Workers United.鈥�

For more information about the donation drive, please contact the School of Social Work听at听315-443-5550 during regular business hours or Genovese听at jgenoves@syr.edu.

U.S. News and World Report ranked the 黑料不打烊 School of Social Work among the 鈥溾€� in the country. To learn more about the School of Social Work鈥檚 academic programs, experiential learning, and career opportunities, visit the听.

, FYS associate director, has worked with the for the past three years. This fall, FYS 101 student volunteers compiled 480 winter-care packages of warm clothing, snacks and personal care items for Rescue Mission clients. FYS 101 lead instructors and peer leaders also helped package meals for the organization鈥檚 annual Thanksgiving dinner, which is open to anyone in need.

As a result of that relationship, leaders from the Rescue Mission invited Luckman and FYS students to participate in this year鈥檚 donation drive, 鈥�,鈥� on Sunday, Dec. 8. Luckman will appear as an on-air telethon guest between 12:30 and 12:50 p.m. He鈥檒l talk about the purpose of FYS, the University鈥檚 partnership with the Rescue Mission and how the organizations work together to help community members while providing positive experiences for students. He and some student volunteers were also invited to answer telethon phones to receive viewer pledges.

Jimmy Luckman

The ability to help others through community volunteerism resonates with students, Luckman says. He believes the Rescue Mission鈥檚 motto, 鈥淧ut Love Into Action,鈥� reflects how students can see the immediate impact of their efforts.

鈥淥ur lead instructors and peer leaders have love for our campus and the local community. They recognize that helping people who need emergency shelter, housing, clothing, food, employment, educational resources and connections to other services鈥攚hich the Rescue Mission provides鈥攊s a transformational experience that creates positive change within the community we love. As part of their exploration of the concepts of diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA), working in the community provides tangible experiences [that connect] to what we discuss in class,鈥� Luckman says. 鈥� is a tool that creates connections to help make 黑料不打烊 home and to actively engage in DEIA work outside of the classroom. We鈥檙e happy to have this relationship with the Rescue Mission and to work with several other local organizations to help make a difference in the community.鈥�

鈥淢ovie With a Mission,鈥� now in its 35^th year, will air from noon to 3 p.m. on . The telethon features the 1935 movie classic, 鈥淪crooge.鈥� The fundraising goal is $85,000, and pledges can be made by calling 315.446.9999. Gifts made before and during the program will be matched by community sponsors.

To support individuals on our campus and in the community, the University is hosting Operation Orange Warmup to collect winter coats. The collection to assist students in need is happening on campus now through Friday, Dec. 6.

鈥淭here is a greater need for warm coats on this campus now more than ever before and no one should go without during the winter months,鈥澨齭ays Dr. Ruth Chen, professor of practice in the听College of Engineering and Computer Science, who helped establish the Operation Orange Warmup initiative. 鈥淭hrough the work of many campus units, we are helping to ensure those in need are prepared for the cold with a winter coat, and we are proud to partner with InterFaith Works to also assist those in the broader 黑料不打烊 community.鈥�

Ways to Donate

Donations can be made several different ways:

• First, happening now through Friday, Nov. 22, students can donate in their residence halls. Collection bins are available in Ernie Davis, Milton, Orange, Day and Brewster, Boland and Brockway halls.
• Next, on Saturday, Nov. 30, when the football team takes on Miami in the JMA Wireless Dome, attendees can bring coats with them to the game. Donation bins will be placed strategically around the JMA Dome at gates A, B, C, D, E, F, M and N.
• Finally, from Monday, Dec. 2, through Friday, Dec. 6, collection bins will be available at Hendricks Chapel, the Schine Student Center on North Campus, Goldstein Student Center on South Campus and the Nancy Cantor Warehouse.

Members of the JMA Dome staff will manage the laundering of the donations before they are given out. Additionally, all children鈥檚 coats that are collected will be donated to Interfaith Works.

Volunteer Opportunities

Students looking to volunteer can get involved with Operation Orange Warmup. Volunteers are needed for the following:

• Monitoring collections during the coat drive at the football game on Nov. 30
• Sorting coats at the Schine Student Center
• Administering the selection of coats at the Schine Student Center

For more information and to register to volunteer, students can .

Coat Selection Event

Students in need of a coat can for the coat selection event on Tuesday, Dec. 10, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in The Underground at the Schine Student Center.

Through the generosity of Orange fans and the entire 黑料不打烊 community, we can share the warmth with those in need this winter!

The project is the first step in a plan that could possibly make such screenings available at OFAs across New York.

Early recognition of memory changes that could indicate an early stage dementia is important in order to help older adults gets the medical attention they need to avoid a crisis.

鈥淚f we are aware of early signs of memory issues, we are able to connect the individual to health care professionals who can begin appropriate treatment, while taking steps to educate and support families to improve the individual鈥檚 quality of life,鈥� says , MD, SUNY Distinguished Service Professor and chair of the Geriatrics and director of the Center of Excellence for Alzheimer鈥檚 Disease. 鈥淭he ability to easily screen this segment of the population has the potential to significantly benefit both the individual and their families.鈥�

Changes that might be caused by early dementia can include changes in memory, depression, anxiety, aggression or lack of interest, Brangman says.

Here鈥檚 how the program works: OFA case managers in the selected counties have been trained by Upstate staff to administer what is called the 鈥淢ini-Cog,鈥� a three-minute screening tool to assess potential memory loss. The screening can be administered in an individual鈥檚 home during a routine visit by OFA staff or at the county office. OFA case managers will not make any diagnoses based on the screening results; they will only administer the screening.

If the Mini-Cog shows any sign of memory change, the individual will be referred to Upstate University Geriatricians for a comprehensive geriatric assessment.

School of Social Work Associate Research Professor Maria Brown (right) speaks with reporters following the news conference announcing the partnership between 黑料不打烊 and Upstate Medical University.

To evaluate the merits of this screening approach in community settings, , Ph.D., associate research professor in 黑料不打烊鈥檚 and will analyze screening information over the yearlong project to identify the number of clients screened, number of clients with scores indicating memory changes, number of clients who receive follow-up comprehensive assessments and their diagnostic results.

鈥淲e are excited about improving the ability of OFAs to identify older adults across the Central New York region who could benefit from geriatric evaluations and connection to services to address their changing needs,鈥� Brown says.

Officials say they expect to screen about 3,750 individuals. Based on statistical analysis, they project that about 975 of those individuals will have scores suggesting some memory concerns.

If results of the evaluation show this screening approach with OFA to be a success, Upstate will create an online training manual and companion videos for use by the New York State Office for the Aging that could be included in the training of OFA staff throughout New York. The training resource also has the potential to be used by Offices for the Aging nationwide that have similar missions, programs and staffing.

In an earlier Upstate/黑料不打烊 pilot program that looked at Onondaga County residents, Brown found that over a nine-month screening phase, 18 (26%) of the 69 mostly African American adults over the age of 65 who were screened had scores suggesting cognitive impairment.

Project officials say OFAs are appropriate entities to participate in this project as they already conduct standard assessments for clients. Called COMPASS, for Comprehensive Assessment for Aging Network Community Based Long Term Care Services, this assessment addresses issues such as housing, nutrition, psycho-social status, medications, daily activities, support network and health, but it does not currently screen for memory issues.

“Early detection of a memory problem such as dementia is vital for timely medical intervention and, just as importantly, to begin connecting individuals and families to the many community-based supports available through local offices for the aging,鈥� says , the New York state director of the .

“These offices for the aging are ideally suited to support detection efforts because of their experience assessing individuals holistically, screening for targeted areas of concern, and delivering on the services and supports necessary to help a person age in place, whether it鈥檚 case management, home adaptations, personal care supports, nutrition, or other programs. I applaud SUNY Upstate’s Department of Geriatrics and 黑料不打烊鈥檚 Aging Studies Institute for this innovative collaborative effort with offices for the aging in their region.”

It鈥檚 noteworthy that Upstate and 黑料不打烊 have joined forces to address this issue. The Upstate/黑料不打烊 collaboration leverages significant resources and expertise on aging issues. Upstate is home to a Department of Geriatrics and a state (CEAD). CEAD currently has a staff that includes geriatricians who work in conjunction with geriatric nurse practitioners, social workers, and nurses with expertise in geriatrics. Social workers provide caregiver support with a particular emphasis on older adults at risk, especially those who live alone or with frail caregivers.

黑料不打烊 is home to the Aging Studies Institute, which includes dozens of faculty working on age-related research and education issues, including age-based public policy; the causes and consequences of population aging; health and functioning across the life course; family, care work, and intergenerational support; and aging design, engineering, and technology.

Funding for the Upstate/黑料不打烊 collaboration was made possible by the and the .

鈥淭he Health Foundation is proud to support this important initiative as part of our ongoing work on behalf of older adults,鈥� says , Ph.D., president of the Health Foundation for Western and Central New York. 鈥淭his program will break down barriers to bring earlier screening for memory issues to more people, meaning they鈥檒l have the resources and treatments they need and deserve. Because those barriers to access often occur in communities of color or among people with lower incomes, this is a crucial health equity effort as well.鈥�

Volunteers accept donations during the 2022 food drive.

On Friday, Sept. 20, before the Orange football team takes on Stanford at 7:30 p.m. in the JMA Wireless Dome, the Office of Community Engagement and the Salvation Army will host a food drive to collect non-perishable food items for the Salvation Army鈥檚 Emergency Pantry. Those planning to attend the game are asked to bring with them non-perishable foods to donate. The items that are needed the most include the following:

• Rice
• Cereal
• Pasta
• Tuna
• Canned fruit
• Peanut butter
• Macaroni and cheese
• Canned chicken
• Pasta sauce

鈥淢any of us do not have to make the hard choices in life, like deciding whether to buy food or pay rent or a utility bill,鈥� says Major Charles Roberts, director of county operations for . 鈥淭he issues that people and families suffering in poverty face have converged into a perfect storm鈥攊ncreasing retail prices, elimination of pre-COVID SNAP benefits, worsening food desert conditions (like lack of access to fresh fruit and vegetables) and increased demand for community-based organizations to provide greater amounts of resources over a longer period. It is food drives like the one before the game on Friday that literally keep good food on our pantry shelves.鈥�

There will be various drop-off locations strategically placed around campus and in several听parking lots. In addition to the food barrels, the Salvation Army will be on hand with red kettles accepting monetary donations with all proceeds benefiting the organization鈥檚 programs and services. No cash? No problem! Donations can also be made by texting SASGIVES to 31333 or by visiting their . The barrels and red kettles can be found in the following locations on Friday:

Barrel/red kettle sites:

• Gate A
• Sadler Hall
• Dineen Hall
• Falk Complex/Heroy Geology Laboratory
• Steele Hall/Heroy Geology Laboratory
• Physics Building
• Carnegie Library

Kettle-only sites:

• Flanagan Gym
• Gate G
• Hillside Lot

Barrel-only sites:

• Adjacent to Lally North Bus Stop
• Lally South Bus Stop
• Multiple sites at 640 Skytop Road

If you have any questions, contact Jake Losowski, associate director of community engagement, at听jjlosows@syr.edu听or 315.443.4137.

An initiative of the , the Book Buddies program was able to help 500 students with nearly 7,500 hours of reading practice in the 2023-24 school year thanks to volunteers, including 黑料不打烊 community members.

Eboni Britt (left) with her Book Buddy (Photo courtesy of United Way)

Volunteers commit to spending between 60-120 minutes once per week with their book buddy (or buddies) at one of the five participating schools鈥擱oberts Pre-K-8 School, Seymour Dual Language Academy, Delaware Primary, STEAM @ Dr. King Elementary or Dr. Weeks Elementary School. The volunteer acts as a cheerleader and guide, offering reading support and reminding students to use strategies for encoding, decoding and reading comprehension.

鈥淭he best part of working with Book Buddies is, of course, the students. It鈥檚 wonderful to be able to come in in the middle of a busy day and have a student that鈥檚 excited to see you,鈥� says Eboni Britt, executive director of strategic communications and initiatives in the Office of Diversity and Inclusion and a Book Buddy volunteer. 鈥淚 think Book Buddies provides me with an opportunity to give back to the community in a way that鈥檚 really unique, to be able to use some of my lunch time to come over and volunteer was really perfect for me. The program is very flexible and the team and staff is very supportive.鈥�

The five schools in the program are among the lowest performing schools in the district, with only 7.6% of students meeting state ELA (English Language Arts) standards in third grade, compared to a district average of 17%. By allowing students to practice their reading skills with a supportive adult in a positive, encouraging environment, the program helped contribute to a student growth rate of 93% (measured as the percentage of students who increased in one or more literacy skill between October 2023 and May 2024).

Football Head Coach Fran Brown (left), alongside student-athletes from the football team, volunteered at STEAM at Dr. King Elementary School to kick off the program for the 2024-25 school year. (Photo by Chuck Wainwright)

鈥淏ook Buddies has the potential to have a tremendous impact on children in our community, helping address the critical issue of reading literacy among elementary school students in 黑料不打烊,鈥� says Cydney Johnson 鈥�77, G鈥�96, vice president of . 鈥淲ith a small commitment of their time each week, volunteers are able to build meaningful relationships with students in the program and have a lifelong impact on their future trajectory by building literacy and confidence in their reading abilities.鈥�

To learn more, visit or if you鈥檙e ready to volunteer, .

The 黑料不打烊CoE Faculty Fellows program supports and honors faculty members who demonstrate a strong commitment to interdisciplinary research and scholarship in the areas of energy, environmental quality and sustainable design, with additional support available for projects engaging New York state-based companies. These projects were selected from a pool of faculty proposals submitted during a funding solicitation issued by 黑料不打烊CoE earlier this spring. Since 2015, over $1 million has been awarded to advance research and development projects led by 黑料不打烊CoE Faculty Fellows.

鈥淲e are excited to include these exceptional faculty members in 黑料不打烊CoE鈥檚 growing network,鈥� says 黑料不打烊CoE Executive Director , professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering in the College of Engineering amd Computer Science. 鈥淭heir diverse expertise across disciplines and, in many instances, collaboration with local entrepreneurs will be critical in supporting our mission of promoting innovative solutions for human health, global energy and environmental challenges.鈥�

鈥淭his is an excellent program for energy and environmental research and development,鈥� says , associate dean for research in the College of Engineering and Computer Science. 鈥淭he support from 黑料不打烊CoE addresses a critical gap in aligning the technical needs of regional and national companies with the expertise of faculty and students at 黑料不打烊.鈥�

Lindi Quackenbush, interim vice president for research at SUNY ESF, says, 鈥淪UNY ESF is a longstanding partner institution of 黑料不打烊CoE, and the 黑料不打烊CoE Faculty Fellows program provides important support for SUNY ESF faculty, often working in collaboration with regional companies and communities, to develop and expand their research capabilities and expertise while addressing global challenges.鈥�

2024 Faculty Fellow awards include:听

• Bing Dong, professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering, College of Engineering and Computer Science, 黑料不打烊, 鈥淪mart Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERVs) for Schools鈥�
• Scott Erdman, associate professor of biology, College of Arts and Sciences, 黑料不打烊, 鈥淢etal Doped Fungal Biomass as Material for Energy Storage Devices鈥�
• Sevgi Erdogan, associate professor, School of Information Studies, 黑料不打烊, 鈥淪mart Cities Research Network Development for Sustainable and Resilient Communities鈥�
• Jennifer Goff, assistant professor of chemistry, SUNY ESF, 鈥淐haracterization of Bimetallic Nanoparticles for Usage as Air Filter Antibacterials鈥�
• Mohammad Uzzal Hossain, assistant professor of sustainable resources management, SUNY ESF, 鈥淩evitalizing Local Waste Material in Low Carbon Construction Materials Through Materials Circularity for Decarbonizing the Built Environments鈥�
• Tong Lin, postdoctoral research associate, Building Energy and Environmental Systems Laboratory, 黑料不打烊, 鈥淓nhanced Cooling Fan Design Coupled with Advanced Mixed-Flow Fan Rotor for Improved Efficiency and Compactness鈥�
• Ericka Redmond, assistant professor of chemical engineering, SUNY ESF, 鈥淚nnovative Nano-Sawdust Composites for Sustainable Thermal Insulation鈥�
• Yilei Shi, associate teaching professor of civil and environmental engineering and undergraduate civil engineering program director, College of Engineering and Computer Science, 黑料不打烊, 鈥淎 Pilot Study on Simulated Hygrothermal Behavior of a Novel Sustainable Roof System for Green Buildings鈥�
• Endong Wang, associate professor of sustainable construction, SUNY ESF, 鈥淔acilitating Market Penetration of Sustainable Building Retrofitting Through Persuasive Technology鈥�
• Yeqing Wang, assistant professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering, College of Engineering amd Computer Science, 黑料不打烊, 鈥淩enewable and MOF-Coated Highly Porous Delignified Wood Composite for Gas Separation鈥�
• Weiwei Zheng, associate professor of chemistry, College of Arts and Sciences, 黑料不打烊, 鈥淪olid Oxide Fuel Cells for Emission Control Application鈥�

The awards were made possible by funding to support 黑料不打烊CoE activities, awarded by Empire State Development鈥檚 Division of Science, Technology and Innovation (NYSTAR).

One of 13 New York State Centers of Excellence, 黑料不打烊CoE strategically brings industry partners together with researchers and students in a thriving culture of collaboration and innovation, ultimately creating new businesses and jobs, strengthening regional and state economies. 黑料不打烊CoE supports growth and innovation through companies and researchers. Since 2002, more than 200 firms and institutions have been engaged in 黑料不打烊CoE collaborative projects, in addition to more than 75 faculty in Central New York. For more information, .

Story by Kai Volcy

Members of the Social Workers United (SWU) student group from Falk College are collecting school supplies for children in Liberia. From left to right, SWU members Carina St. Andrews, Benetta Dousuah, Gideon Casper and Mary Claytor.

The West African nation of Liberia is one of the poorest countries in the world. Seven out of 10 children live in extreme poverty and the educational system has faced many challenges, including a lack of learning materials and school supplies.

Benetta Dousuah

Benetta Dousuah, a graduate student in the in the Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics at 黑料不打烊, is well aware of the hardships experienced by Liberian families. Dousuah鈥檚 family escaped from Liberia during back-to-back civil wars that ravaged the nation between 1989 and 2003, and it took almost a decade at a refugee camp in Ghana before they could immigrate to the United States.

Dousuah is a member of the Social Workers United (SWU) student group from , and she asked the organization to help her with a drive to collect school supplies for children in Liberia.

鈥淒onating school supplies to children in Liberia is an impactful gesture that resonates deeply with me,鈥� Dousuah says. 鈥淎s someone who fled Liberia during the civil war and found refuge in the United States, I understand firsthand the transformative power of access to education.鈥�

The drive is underway through July 15, and SWU is asking for donations of school supplies: pens, pencils, paper, folders, binders, crayons, backpacks, glue, tape, calculators, sporting goods and scissors. Donations can be dropped off in the School of Social Work Suite 244H in Falk College鈥檚 White Hall, or made through SWU鈥檚 .

The enduring memories of U.S. Army soldiers providing humanitarian aid in her homeland influenced Dousuah鈥檚 decision to . She served as a U.S. Army unit supply specialist鈥揳 crucial role in the logistical backbone supporting the U.S. military鈥檚 global presence鈥揳nd the units often play a vital role in humanitarian operations.

鈥淢y family’s journey from a refugee camp in Ghana to the United States was made possible by the generosity of others, inspiring me to give back,鈥� Dousuah says. 鈥淭he school supplies鈥搘hich will be donated to Victory International Christian School System, Paynesville Harvest Christian Academy and Pamela Kay High School鈥搘ill directly enrich the educational experiences of countless children. These supplies, ranging from backpacks to writing materials, hold the potential to empower Liberian students and enhance their learning environments.鈥�

Faculty and staff advisors听, 听补苍诲 advise and support SWU students as they develop service projects, but the students lead the projects.

鈥淏eing involved in this donation drive is truly remarkable,鈥� says SWU President Mary Claytor, a graduate assistant in the School of Social Work. 鈥淪WU is dedicated to fostering service projects aligned with students’ passions, and Benetta’s contribution exemplifies the limitless potential of our initiatives.鈥�

This the third donation drive organized by SWU this year, following the in the fall and in the spring. It鈥檚 the first international drive facilitated by SWU.

Social Workers United students Carina St. Andrews (left) and Gideon Casper are asking members of the campus community to donate school supplies for children in Liberia.

鈥淭he students of Social Workers United continue to exemplify the core values of social work: service, social justice, human dignity, the importance of relationships, integrity and competence,鈥� says Genovese, social work associate teaching professor and Master of Social Work Program director. 鈥淭hese key values drive all social workers and can be seen in action in the students of Social Workers United.鈥�

Genovese and Dousuah say it鈥檒l take about three months for the school supplies to reach Liberia by boat, so they鈥檒l be shipped by the end of July to ensure delivery during the school year.

鈥淧ersonally, I plan to visit Liberia in December to distribute the supplies myself, allowing me to witness firsthand the impact of our collective contribution,鈥� Dousuah says. 鈥淏y supporting education in Liberia, we are investing in the future of these children and fostering global education equity.

鈥淭ogether,鈥� Dousuah adds, 鈥渨e can make a difference in the lives of Liberian students, providing them with the tools they need to build brighter futures.鈥�

U.S. News and World Report has ranked the 黑料不打烊 School of Social Work among the 听in the country. To learn more about the School of Social Work鈥檚 academic programs, experiential learning, and career opportunities, visit the .

School of Social Work Professor Eric Kingson (left) and Chair Carrie Smith present Jim Stone with an award for his dedication to the annual Legislative Policy Day event.

When Jim Stone started his first year at 黑料不打烊 in 1958, he had every intention of following in his parents鈥� footsteps and becoming a teacher.

In his junior year in the University鈥檚 School of Education, Stone was required to spend one afternoon a week working with children at a local school or agency and he selected the . That decision started Stone on a career path that led to a long and distinguished career as a social worker and as a member of the Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics . 鈥淚 really liked that work (at Hillbrook) and, long story short, I decided I wasn鈥檛 going to be a teacher, I was going to be a social worker, much to the dismay of my mom and dad, who were both teachers,鈥� says Stone, a 黑料不打烊 native who graduated from 黑料不打烊 in 1962 and received his master of social work degree in 1964.

Stone鈥檚 first field placement as a social work student was with the New York State Division of Youth. His early career was in the juvenile justice system as Onondaga County director of Detention Care and with the state Division of Youth in positions ranging from director of community-based programs to superintendent of the largest training school in the state. He then moved into the mental health field as chief of service in two New York State Office of Mental Health psychiatric centers, and as director of community services for Livingston and Monroe counties. He served as New York State鈥檚 Commissioner of Mental Health from 1995-2003 and entered the federal Senior Executive Service until his retirement in 2009. 鈥淭he marvelous thing about social work personally is that it gave me fabulous opportunities,鈥� says Stone, who now lives in Albany. 鈥淚 never went to the School of Social Work thinking I鈥檇 be the state Commissioner of Mental Health or working for the federal government as director of behavioral health for Indian Health Service.鈥�

But even before he started his social work career, Stone displayed the traits that made him such a respected social worker. After earning his degree, he spent one year as a teacher in the Fayetteville-Manlius Central School District near 黑料不打烊 because he had initially received scholarship money toward becoming a teacher. 鈥淣othing bad would have happened if I didn鈥檛 accept (the teaching position), but my conscious would have bothered me,鈥� Stone says. 鈥淪o, I taught for a year, and I had the good fortune of meeting a fellow teacher, Joan Borzelle G鈥�67, and we got married and had three wonderful boys.鈥�

Legislative Policy Day

At Falk College, Stone recently retired after more than 30 years as a volunteer with the School of Social Work Board of Visitors, which evolved into the Falk College Advisory Board when the and other departments joined to create . On April 12, Stone was bestowed with the title of Emeritus Board Member, and Falk Assistant Dean for Advancement says Stone will continue to be invited to 黑料不打烊 and Falk College events and remain available as a sounding board for other board members. 鈥淭here is no one more deserving of emeritus board member recognition than Jim Stone, and we are forever grateful for his service,鈥� Myers says. 鈥淔or more than 30 years鈥揺ven before Falk College was created鈥揓im has provided leadership and mentorship to our social work students and faculty. His philanthropy and dedication to educating future social work students can be seen every year with the James L. Stone Legislative Policy Day.鈥�

Legislative Policy Day provides School of Social Work undergraduate and graduate students a unique opportunity to witness the real-life involvement of leaders who are actively involved in shaping policies that address an important social issue.

Named after Stone because of his personal and financial support of the event, Legislative Policy Day is an important component of the Social Work curriculum. Held annually at the Onondaga County Courthouse in downtown 黑料不打烊, the event provides Social Work undergraduate and graduate students a unique opportunity to witness the real-life involvement of community leaders, citizen organizations, politicians, and social workers who are actively involved in shaping policies that address an important social issue.

This year marked the 25th Legislative Policy Day and the April 12 event focused on 鈥淪ocial Security Across Generations.鈥� That topic was a fitting tribute to retiring School of Social Work Professor and national Social Security expert , who has worked closely with Stone over the years to build Legislative Policy Day into a signature event for the School of Social Work. 鈥淚鈥檝e always been interested in the Legislature and the legislative process, but I had to teach myself about it and Legislative Day gives students a good perspective on what鈥檚 out there and how to make connections,鈥� Stone says. 鈥淚 feel really good about it because the students are getting something out of it. The speakers get something out it, too, because they鈥檙e getting a perspective from the students鈥� point of view.鈥�

This year鈥檚 event started with James T. Rowley, chair of the Onondaga County Legislature, describing how the Legislature works and how citizens, community leaders, social workers and other professionals can effectively address county issues and related legislation. That introduction was followed by panel discussions with guest speakers focusing on various perspectives related to social work, including the strategies and efforts of national and local organizations and advocates who work to protect and expand Social Security. 鈥淪ocial workers have a professional responsibility to advance social justice by working to address systemic inequities and strengthen health and human services that individuals, families and communities rely upon,鈥� Kingson says. 鈥淭hrough their practice, they have direct experience with numerous social concerns This event is designed to encourage them to use that knowledge and reinforce how important it is for social workers to be engaged in policy and community change.鈥�

Providing Support

鈥淭here is no one more deserving of emeritus board member recognition than Jim Stone, and we are forever grateful for his service,鈥� says Falk College Assistant Dean for Advancement Megan Myers.

During this year鈥檚 Legislative Policy Day, Kingson and School of Social Work Professor and Chair presented Stone with an award for his dedication to the annual event. They thanked him for his contributions and, as Kingson said, 鈥渨e鈥檙e all here because of Jim.鈥�

鈥淚鈥檓 grateful that over the years, Jim has become a friend,鈥� Kingson says. 鈥淗e has been very positive and helpful, including making contacts (with guest speakers) for us on some of the legislative days that focused very closely on his areas of knowledge, including mental health.鈥�

In addition to Stone, Kingson and Smith presented an award to the members of the County Legislature and their staff for their support over the years.

鈥淥ver the 25 years we鈥檝e held Legislative Policy Day conferences at the County Legislature, we鈥檝e never been charged for use of the county鈥檚 historic Legislative Chambers and members and staff have always been very welcoming,鈥� Kingson says. 鈥淓ach chair of the Legislature has been introduced and presented to the students. It鈥檚 a perfect opportunity to educate students about how citizens, advocates, politicians and other professionals engage in policy and community change..鈥�

As they head into their respective retirements, Stone and Kingson will remain connected to the School of Social Work and committed to helping with future Legislative Policy Days as the event grows and evolves.

Most of all, Stone and Kingson remain optimistic about the future of the social work profession and they鈥檙e confident that the students who have attended Legislative Policy Day over the years will continue working to create social and economic justice in a diverse and rapidly changing world. 鈥淭here鈥檚 only one direction for it to go, and it is going in that direction,鈥� Stone says. 鈥淚t has to be there for people. These are particularly difficult times, it seems to me, and people need a lot of support and social work is a profession that can provide that kind of support.鈥�

U.S. News and World Report has ranked the 黑料不打烊 School of Social Work among the 鈥溾€� in the country. To learn more about the School of Social Work鈥檚 academic programs, experiential learning and career opportunities, visit the .

From left to right, the Falk College team of students Rylee Pepper and Kristen Davis and professors Lynn Brann and Rachel Razza lead an activity with Universal Pre-Kindergarten students from Elbridge Elementary School as part of the Mindfully Growing program.

Do you like broccoli?

鈥淚 touched broccoli with my feet.鈥�

You like eating watermelon, what does it smell like?

鈥沦苍辞飞.鈥�

What does snow taste like?

鈥淏谤辞肠肠辞濒颈.鈥�

Welcome to a Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) Age 4 classroom at in Elbridge, New York, where it鈥檚 true that kids say the darndest things but with their five senses鈥搒ight, smell, hearing, taste and touch鈥搕hey鈥檙e also learning healthy eating habits through the Mindfully Growing program.

The program鈥檚 curriculum is being taught by a team of professors and students from 黑料不打烊 who, throughout this school year, have been visiting the UPK Age 4 classrooms at Elbridge Elementary on Thursday mornings. On the morning where broccoli was on the children鈥檚 minds, professors and and doctoral student Kristen Davis focused on touch as they hid baby carrots, clementines, and pea pods in a box and the children used their sense of touch to guess what they were.

After guessing the type of food, the children are able to taste it.

After the food was pulled from the box, the children were able to taste it and discover that this healthy stuff isn鈥檛 so bad after all.

鈥淭he program is getting the students in touch with different ways to experience food,鈥� Davis says. 鈥淭hey’re seeing food in a different way, connecting with where it comes from and ways they can slow down and enjoy it.鈥�

Slowing down and enjoying the food is where the 鈥渕indfully鈥� part of the Mindfully Growing program comes into play. The nutrition component is paired with mindfulness practices, which can foster greater empathy and communication skills, improve focus and attention, reduce stress and enhance creativity and general well-being.

鈥淚t works because the kids get excited about being included in activities that their friends are enjoying,鈥� says Elbridge UPK Age 4 teacher Mark MacLachlan. 鈥淪o, when they are offered to try raw shell peas with all of their friends at school, it鈥檚 an easy sell.

鈥淢ost of the kids really enjoyed them, too,鈥� MacLachlan says.

A Mindful Journey

The Mindfully Growing curriculum was created by Brann, associate professor and Chair of the at the , and Razza, associate professor and chair of the Department of (HDFS) at Falk College whose research focuses on the benefits of mindfulness-based programs for promoting resilience in schools and communities.

The initiative is funded by the Pediatric Nutrition Practice Group of the , and Brann and Razza recently received a grant from the MetLife Foundation through the to ensure the curriculum resonates with marginalized populations.

Brann says the curriculum is focused on 4-year-olds because it鈥檚 trying to get young children to develop an understanding of where food comes from and increase their acceptance of a variety of foods before they get set in their ways. The 10 lessons start with the origin of plants, fruits and vegetables, moves into using senses to explore foods, and finishes with lessons on hunger vs. fullness and sharing food together.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a good time to get them to explore food, and we do a tasting pretty much every lesson so they get an opportunity to try something new,鈥� Brann says. 鈥淲ith this group, almost every one of them has tasted the food and several of them have asked for more, which is pretty exciting to see them being so open to it.鈥�

From left to right, the Falk College team of Rachel Razza, Colleen Smith, Christina McCord, Rylee Pepper, Lynn Brann, and Kristen Davis delivered the Mindfully Growing lessons at Elbridge Elementary School this spring.

Razza says with preschool children ages 3-5, there鈥檚 a significant increase in executive function skills, so they鈥檙e better able to delay gratification and inhibit their impulses. Thus, the interventions offered by the Mindfully Growing curriculum are important to introduce to this group of students.

鈥淐an they control their impulses and self-regulate overall and also in the food context?鈥� Razza says. 鈥淟ynn and I have been working to determine the overlaps between these two areas and how we can use intervention to simultaneously enhance both of them.鈥�

While Brann, Razza and Davis are with one UPK class for 30 minutes, the other class is having a 30-minute yoga lesson with yoga instructor Colleen Smith from BeLive Yoga (beliveyoga@icloud.com) and undergraduate student Christina McCord from Falk College鈥檚 . Smith, who has been teaching yoga and mindfulness to preschool children in the for several years, helped connect Brann and Razza to Superintendent James Froio and Elementary School Principal Brooke Bastian because, as Smith says, she 鈥渃ontinues to be impressed by their support of students and their willingness to offer yoga and programs or events that supplement the students鈥� daily education.鈥�

In her yoga sessions, Smith says she helps the children learn how to self-regulate their bodies, breath and even emotions as she tries to 鈥渕eet the children where they are鈥� by matching their energy level and then bringing them to a brief time of rest.

鈥淥ne thing that can be difficult for them is trying new experiences and foods,鈥� Smith says. 鈥淭he yoga and mindfulness lessons can help children pay attention to their bodies, thoughts and breath in the moment so they can self-regulate and make healthy and appropriate choices when presented with new or challenging experiences like a mindful eating lesson.鈥�

Bastian, who鈥檚 in her fourth year as principal and 11th in the district, says Elbridge Elementary School has a unique UPK program because it offers a full day for both 3- and 4-year olds. Bastian says she and the teachers have enjoyed the partnership with 黑料不打烊 because they know the positive impacts that early intervention can have on students. 鈥淢indfulness is a focus in UPK to help promote self-regulation, and when mindfulness is approached in a holistic听way it can have a greater impact,鈥� Bastian says. 鈥淲e want children to develop听healthy habits in general so food, which is highly听motivating, is a great way to begin that mindful journey.鈥�

For the remainder of this story on the Mindfully Growing program, please visit the .

Juan Felipe Herrera

As a 鈥渘atural wonderer, dreamer, traveler鈥� mega listener鈥nd only child,鈥� poet grew up in California鈥檚 and 鈥渓istening to everything and everyone,鈥� he says, and those habits led him 鈥渢o the magical lands of words, stories, ideas, books, songs, riddles and ultimately writing.”

Herrera, the 2015-17 U.S. Poet Laureate, will be in 黑料不打烊 this week as the opening poet for the 2024 Cruel April Poetry Series.

Herrera will lead creative writing workshops for students and community members on Wednesday, April 3,听补苍诲 Friday, April 5. Both sessions are from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at , 109 Otisco Street in 黑料不打烊.

His public poetry reading is Thursday, , from 6 to 8 p.m., also at La Casita.

We sat down with Herrera to discuss his poetry and creative work and learn about his creative process.

More than 250 people鈥搃ncluding individuals, couples, parents and children鈥揳ttended Trans Support Day in April 2023, and organizer , Ph.D., says the Trans Team is looking to top last year鈥檚 turnout at the 2024 event. This year鈥檚 Trans Support Day will be held from noon to 4 p.m. on March 23 at Peck Hall, 601 E. Genesee St., just north of the 黑料不打烊 campus. The event is free and open to the public.

鈥淚 feel like it’s going to be a really powerful community event like it was last year,鈥� says Martin, an assistant teaching professor in the Department of Marriage and Family Therapy in the . 鈥淭his event offers a space filled with hope, positivity and community support.鈥�

More than 250 people鈥搃ncluding individuals, couples, parents, and children鈥揳ttended Trans Support Day in April 2023 at 黑料不打烊鈥檚 Peck Hall in downtown 黑料不打烊.

Attendees at this year鈥檚 Trans Support Day will have the opportunity to connect with local trans-affirming providers and resources; receive name and gender marker legal support; access free clothing and makeup; get free services from hair, nail and makeup artists; access trans-affirming products; receive therapeutic support for parents of trans youth; and have a space for youth to connect.

As a new feature, the Trans Team has invited two world-renowned local surgeons to share their expertise with attendees interested in gender-affirming surgery. Other guests will include post-surgical providers from Upstate University Hospital鈥檚 and , and representatives from , a not-for-profit organization that promotes the health and well-being of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning people in Central New York as they age.

Martin says events such as Trans Support Day are more important than ever as members of the trans community experience societal and legislative discrimination in the United States. According to the , more than 500 bills in over 40 states have been introduced seeking to block trans people from receiving basic healthcare, education, legal recognition and the right to publicly exist. Several similar bills were signed into law in 2023.

New York is one of a handful of states where no anti-trans bills have been passed. But accessing resources such as the ones that will be available at Trans Support Day remains an issue for trans people everywhere.

鈥淚n my clinical practice, I connect with other therapists, and we often collaborate with other local resources and providers,鈥� Martin says. 鈥淗owever, I learned that often clients are not aware of these services and allies available to them in 黑料不打烊.

鈥淚 wanted to create an event that brought everyone together in one room,鈥� Martin adds. 鈥淎lthough we have different expertise and resources, we all have one common goal, to improve the well-being and support the transgender community.鈥�

, Ph.D., an MFT associate professor, founded the Trans Team in 2004. The team is part of the 黑料不打烊 in Peck Hall, and students on the team receive specialized training to provide gender-affirmative therapy for transgender people and their families and assist in the readiness process for medical gender transition.

Coolhart says the 2023 Trans Support Day was a huge success thanks to the leadership and efforts of Martin and marriage and family therapy students, faculty and staff. In the previous Trans Support Day in 2019, the attendance was 40 people, so the event is growing significantly and assisting more members of the trans community.

鈥淭he current political landscape for trans folks is threatening and scary, making this event so necessary and special,鈥� Coolhart said after last year鈥檚 event. 鈥淚n a world that often does not welcome trans people, I could see on the faces of the guests the gratitude, validation, and support they felt having a space that was celebrating them and connecting them to the resources they need.鈥�

Together, they have created a new and innovative partnership starting this spring that will greatly benefit veterans as well as students from the in the .

Nick Armstrong (left) and Ken Marfilius

Marfilius, a U.S. Air Force veteran and assistant dean of online education and associate teaching professor in the School of Social Work, and Amstrong, a U.S. Army veteran and head of public sector at , teamed with Cabana co-founder and CEO to form a partnership that will integrate their immersive group support technology into the School of Social Work鈥檚 curriculum and tap into the combined strengths and capabilities of both organizations.

“Our collaboration with Ken and Falk leverages our immersive support technology platform, Cabana, and combines it with 黑料不打烊鈥檚 academic excellence and its nationally recognized commitment to veterans,鈥� Armstrong says. 鈥淥ur plan includes hands-on initiatives such as internships, collaborative education and joint research. These efforts will bring our partnership to fruition and strengthen our shared commitment to serving military communities.鈥�

As 黑料不打烊鈥檚 first Post 9/11 GI Bill recipient, Armstrong earned an M.P.A. and Ph.D. from the . He spent nine years at 黑料不打烊鈥檚 before joining Cabana, which builds innovative technology solutions that provide guided mental health support for employers, health care workers and military professionals.

Marfilius, who received a bachelor鈥檚 degree in psychology from 黑料不打烊 and M.S.W. and D.S.W. degrees from the University of Pennsylvania, developed the first military mental health course at the Falk College, serves as Falk鈥檚 student veteran liaison, and led the creation of the partnership between Falk and the University鈥檚 College of Law that helps听 veterans access the legal services they need.

So, when Armstrong reached out to Marfilius to discuss ways in which they could partner around the services Cabana provides to military populations, Marfilius jumped right in and started working with Armstrong and Black on the framework for their collaboration.

鈥淚 believe the partnership between Cabana and the Falk College is innovative in social work education and mental wellness,鈥� Marfilius says. 鈥淚t offers the ability to integrate real-world internships and cutting-edge tele-mental health training into our curriculum. We can prepare our graduate students for the future of social work, ensuring they are not only skilled but also technologically adept.鈥�

Cabana鈥檚 immersive group support technology for clients includes a video component (center), a chat feature (right) and the functionality to be anonymous and mute your microphone within the group setting (left).

Here are the highlights of this unique partnership:

• Cabana Internship. Cabana will host one graduate student intern from the School of Social Work to support ongoing peer group support operations and psychoeducational content development. The intern will work under the supervision of Cabana鈥檚 head of mental wellness for a minimum of 500 hours.

• Tele-Mental Health Training and Education Support. Cabana will collaborate with the Falk College faculty to embed its immersive group support technology into ongoing coursework and curricula to foster training and preparation of future social work professionals.

鈥淭he tele-behavioral health landscape is evolving rapidly, demanding practitioner and client adaptability to virtual environments,鈥� Armstrong says. 鈥淥ur partnership infuses Falk’s curriculum with leading-edge tools via Cabana鈥檚 underlying technology platform, better preparing students for client engagements through digital platforms.

鈥淢oreover, Falk students, equipped with an advanced tier of military cultural competence, will enhance our clients鈥� experiences鈥攁nd their future clients鈥攚ith more relatable, informed support that builds trust and overcomes stigma,鈥� Armstrong says.

• Military and Veteran Virtual Peer Groups. Cabana will work with Falk faculty and its alumni network to assist ongoing virtual peer support groups for military and veterans starting this spring.

鈥淭his collaboration aligns with the 黑料不打烊 mission to be the best place for vets, and it uniquely positions us to offer specialized support to our military and veteran communities,鈥� Marfilius says. 鈥淭hrough virtual peer support groups and the development of tailored psychoeducational content, we are providing them with the essential mental health support they deserve.鈥�

• Military and Veteran Psychoeducational Content Development. Cabana will work with Falk College faculty to review and evaluate Cabana content as a third-party reviewer.

鈥淓ngaging with industry partners allows us to bring practical, real-world experiences into our academic environment,鈥� Marfilius says. 鈥淭his partnership brings vast possibilities for research collaborations and advancement in peer interventions and group psychoeducation.鈥�

• CEU/Education Credits. Falk College faculty will provide feedback, evaluate and, where appropriate, certify Cabana groups and content to satisfy New York State CEU (continuing education unit) requirements for well-being hours.

• Research Collaborations. As opportunities arise for Cabana and the Falk College, the two entities agree to evaluate research collaborations and grant opportunities surrounding peer interventions, group psychoeducation and other forms of mental health support.

鈥淭his collaboration aims to address the critical national shortage of mental health professionals, leveraging technology to extend reach and overcome barriers to access, especially for underserved populations,鈥� Armstrong says. 鈥淚t’s not just about serving more; it’s about serving smarter and cultivating a workforce ready for the challenges of today’s and tomorrow’s mental health landscape.鈥�

Social work students interested in getting involved in this partnership should email Marfilius at kjmarfil@syr.edu, or School of Social Work Director of Field Education Tracy Walker at ttwalker@syr.edu. Graduate students interested in the internship will go through an interview process with the School of Social Work and Cabana, and the intern will receive a modest stipend.

Social Workers United students from Falk College celebrated Valentine鈥檚 Day and Mardi Gras with residents from Brookdale Summerfield Senior Living in 黑料不打烊.

This was going to be a story about the Social Workers United student group from the and how it once again organized an event to benefit the 黑料不打烊 community.

And it still is.

But if you dig deeper, this story is much more than that.

It鈥檚 about how these students 鈥渃ontinue to exemplify the values of social work: service, commitment to clients, and social justice,鈥� says , school of social work assistant teaching professor and master of social work program director who oversees Social Workers United (SWU).

It鈥檚 about a woman named Dolly, a resident of in 黑料不打烊 who, before SWU students came to visit on Feb. 13, hadn鈥檛 celebrated Valentine鈥檚 Day since her husband died.

And it鈥檚 about the kindness that Dolly showed her students as a teacher years ago, the kindness that SWU students showed Dolly and her friends on Feb. 13, and the hope that even with the politics, wars and mass shootings that dominate our headlines today, kindness is still all around us.

鈥淲e are so proud of our future social workers,鈥� Genovese says. 鈥淭hey are shining a light toward a brighter future.鈥�

鈥楢n Amazing Group鈥�

SWU is the student group of the in Falk College. Each semester, the students organize a food or clothing drive, and this past fall they collected food for the which helps students experiencing food insecurity.

Faculty advisors , , and Genovese advise and support the SWU students as they develop service projects, but the students lead the projects. For their first project of the spring semester, the students arranged a Valentine鈥檚 Day event for the residents of Brookdale Summerfield, an adult home and adult home memory care community for seniors.

Social Workers United students delivered handmade Valentine鈥檚 Day cards with personal messages, heart-shaped donuts, and balloons to the Brookdale residents.

On Feb. 13, the SWU students delivered handmade Valentine鈥檚 Day cards with personal messages, heart-shaped donuts and balloons to the Brookdale residents, who were already celebrating Mardi Gras. SWU鈥檚 arrival added a boost to the celebration.

鈥淭he valentines were collected in the social work office, and I really thought one student, (SWU president) Mary Claytor, was just going to drop them off at Brookdale,鈥� Genovese says. 鈥淚 had no idea the entire group of students was going and bringing balloons and donuts. The students organized all of this and paid for it themselves as SWU does not receive funding. They are an amazing group!鈥�

Claytor, a first-year graduate student and graduate assistant who鈥檚 on track to obtain a master鈥檚 degree in social work, says when the students arrived, each one went to a different table to deliver their cards and engage in conversations. It didn鈥檛 take long before one of the residents shared a story about receiving two purple hearts from his service in World War II.

鈥淭here were so many incredible stories and lots of laughter,鈥� says Claytor, who鈥檚 from Denver, Colorado. 鈥淪ome folks were so surprised that we would dedicate time to them and asked for us to come back soon! It was a great experience, and we were happy to do something special for a group of people who did not expect to be celebrated.鈥�

鈥楢 Calling to Help鈥�

Keianah Greene, who is pursuing a master’s degree in clinical social work, entered the room with the other SWU students and went to a table where she met Dolly and her friends. Dolly said she hadn鈥檛 celebrated Valentine鈥檚 Day since her husband passed, but when she learned the students were coming, she wanted to attend and learn more about them.

Greene, who鈥檚 from the Bronx, New York, and now lives in 黑料不打烊, explained why she wants to be a social worker before they discussed family and how important it is to be loving, kind and optimistic despite our daily struggles.

鈥淒olly mentioned that she was a middle school teacher in Birmingham, Alabama and that her mother had told her at an early age that she had a calling to help people,鈥� Greene says. 鈥淪he also mentioned the number of children she worked with and how they used school as an escape from problems they were having at home. So she always made sure to bring extra supplies for her classroom such as clothing, snacks and other necessities.鈥�

Social Workers United student Keianah Greene (third from left) and Brookdale resident Dolly (second from left) had a heart-to-heart conversation about caring for other people.

Dolly told Greene that caring for others is fulfilling, but making sure that all the children in her classroom were included was challenging. Dolly emphasized the value of support systems and self-care for social workers and other caregivers.

鈥淵ou can鈥檛 care for anyone if you don鈥檛 take care of yourself first,鈥� Dolly told Greene.

As Greene was saying goodbye, Dolly told her that on this Valentine鈥檚 Day, she felt like she was reunited with her husband.

鈥淪he was happy to say that she knew this was her husband鈥檚 sign to come meet us (the students), and that our heart-to-heart conversation meant a lot,鈥� Greene says. 鈥淚鈥檓 glad that I was able to learn from her and also spread the love.鈥�

鈥楤rightens Their Day鈥�

During their visit, Claytor spoke with Brookdale鈥檚 activities director about other ways the students might be able to get involved with the residents.

They discussed Brookdale鈥檚 game-and-movie nights, which would be an opportunity for students to engage with residents in a fun way. They talked about students helping the residents start a new garden with flowers, fruits and vegetables when the weather gets warmer.

Claytor assured the director that the students would be happy to help in any way possible.

鈥淒uring our conversation, she mentioned that the residents often feel forgotten,鈥� Claytor says. 鈥淭hey miss socializing with new people and having stimulating conversations about the future. She explained that it brightens their day when visitors come to see them, especially students.鈥�

Kindness, it seems, is not a relic of the past that鈥檚 being thrown out with landline telephones, DVDs and alarm clocks. It鈥檚 all around us; we must know where to look.

Visit the to learn more about the School of Social Work and its academic programs, experiential learning, and career opportunities.

To assist individuals and families who are in need of winter outerwear, 黑料不打烊 is again partnering with and for .

The coat collection drive will take place at the 黑料不打烊 men鈥檚 basketball game on Saturday, Jan. 27, versus North Carolina State. As attendees arrive for the 7 p.m. tipoff, they can bring with them new or gently used (like new) coats. Donation bins will be placed strategically around the JMA Wireless Dome at gates A, B, C, D, E, F, M and N.

鈥淣o one should go without the warm clothing they need for the winter months,鈥澨齭ays Dr. Ruth Chen, professor of practice in the , who helped establish the Operation Orange Warmup initiative. 鈥満诹喜淮蜢� is proud to partner with Interfaith Works and Hendricks Chapel to ensure not only the needs of our campus community but also the broader 黑料不打烊 community are met.鈥�

Student volunteers from groups across the University will help with the collection effort. Additionally, members of the JMA Dome staff will manage the sorting and laundering of the donations.

If you are not planning on attending the game but want to donate, starting Tuesday, Jan. 23, through Friday, Jan. 26, at Hendricks Chapel, the Schine Student Center on main campus, Goldstein Student Center on South Campus and the Nancy Cantor Warehouse.

Members of the campus community who have a personal need for donated winter coats may contact Hendricks Chapel at 315.443.2901 辞谤听chapel@syr.edu.

Through the generosity of Orange fans and the entire 黑料不打烊 community, we can share the warmth with those in need this winter!

A Book Buddies volunteer helps build literacy skills over lunch. (Photo courtesy of the United Way)

Early literacy is paramount to a child鈥檚 future success, but from The Education Trust-New York shows the state is facing a 鈥渓iteracy crisis that has the potential to limit the future success of students, families, schools and communities.鈥�

This problem is particularly prevalent in communities with the highest concentrations of child poverty, including 黑料不打烊, where only 13% of students demonstrate third grade proficiency rates on state English language arts assessments, according to the data.

A community initiative sponsored by the United Way of Central New York鈥斺€攊s working to reverse these trends within the 黑料不打烊 City School District (SCSD) by supporting the early literacy skills of 500 kindergarten through third grade students across five SCSD primary schools: Roberts Pre-K-8 School, Seymour Dual Language Academy, Delaware Primary, STEAM @ Dr. King Elementary and Dr. Weeks Elementary School.

To achieve this goal, Book Buddies is recruiting additional volunteers in the 黑料不打烊 community. The time commitment is minimal, requiring just 30-60 minutes once or twice per week to visit one of the participating schools and work with students to build reading skills during their lunch break.

University students, faculty and staff are encouraged to volunteer as they think about how they might like to give back and make a difference in the community in 2024.

鈥淏ook Buddies has the potential to have a tremendous impact on children in our community, helping address the critical issue of reading literacy among elementary school students in 黑料不打烊,鈥� says Cydney Johnson 鈥�77, G鈥�96, vice president of community engagement and government relations. 鈥淲ith a small commitment of their time each week, volunteers are able to build meaningful relationships with students in the program and have a lifelong impact on their future trajectory by building literacy and confidence in their reading abilities.鈥�

Eric Kay, senior human resources business partner in the University鈥檚 Office of Human Resources, recently began volunteering with Book Buddies. Newer to the 黑料不打烊 area, he says it has been an easy, fun and rewarding way to connect with the community.

鈥淭he children I鈥檝e been working with seem to enjoy reading鈥攁s volunteers, we鈥檙e just there to help them become a bit better at it,鈥� Kay says. 鈥淎 little help goes a long way. Both of the children I鈥檓 working with, you can tell there鈥檚 that moment when they鈥檙e happy they got it right. A little praise and positive feedback help reinforce that they鈥檙e making progress.鈥�

Jeffry Comanici 鈥�88, G鈥�23, executive director of post traditional advancement in the College of Professional Studies, says that volunteering with Book Buddies is one of the highlights of his week.

鈥淪pending a short time each week with Spring and Elijah, two students at the Dr. King STEAM School, is an opportunity to experience firsthand the future potential of children,鈥� Comanici says. 鈥淪eeing their reading ability improve and the self confidence that results from it is energizing and motivates me to do more.鈥�

Undergraduate students in the School of Education also regularly volunteer with the Book Buddies program, giving pre-service teachers an opportunity to get direct field experience working with K-12 students. Read more about the experiences of students in the inclusive elementary and special education (grades 1-6) program during the spring 2023 semester.

Interested in learning more? Visit or use the to get started right away! If you prefer to monetarily support the program, you can also .

NYSCA also awarded a $40,000 Organizational Support grant to an interdisciplinary art and storytelling collaboration by faculty from the College of Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) and the School of Education and a separate, $20,000 award to Punto de Contacto/Point of Contact Inc.

This is a record-setting achievement for the University, since it marks the second year in a row that five faculty have received the highly competitive NYSCA awards, says Sarah Workman, associate director of research development (humanities) in the Office of Research and College of Arts and Sciences.

Duncan Brown, vice president for research, says the grants represent 鈥渁n investment in the vibrant and diverse artistic voices of our faculty.鈥�

“The breadth of this year鈥檚 awardees reflects our continued excellence in engaged scholarship in the arts, both by scholars working independently and by those working in unique collaborations鈥� from the College of Arts and Sciences, the School of Architecture, the College of Visual and Performing Arts and the School of Education,鈥� Brown says.

Individual Artist Grants

Individual Artist grant awardees are:

Clockwise from top left: VPA faculty members Ann Clarke, Natalie Draper, Anne Laver, Susannah Sayler and Edward Morris

, associate professor of studio arts and dean emerita of VPA, for an outdoor textile installation, 鈥淚nterior Landscapes.鈥� She is using the concept of landscape writ large as a metaphor for states of mind to create sanctuary settings for reflection on the environment and the self. The installation will be developed at Stone Quarry Art Park in Cazenovia, New York.

VPA faculty members , associate professor of applied music and performance (organ), and , assistant professor of music composition/theory and history, for their project, 鈥淩eimagining the Organ鈥擜 Composer Portrait Project by Anne Laver and Natalie Draper.鈥� Draper will write three new musical works that expand and diversify the classical organ repertoire. The pieces will be part of a new commercial recording and a contemporary music festival.

Canary Lab co-directors and VPA faculty members , associate professor of art photography, and听received a grant for their project, 鈥淲atershed.鈥� The work reflects on the historical, spiritual and ecological significance of the Mahikannituk (Hudson) River through photography, video, writing and a program of public engagement.

, assistant professor of architecture at the School of Architecture, for the narrative documentary podcast 鈥淗ere There Be Dragons: Odes(s)a, Film, Media and New Technology.鈥� The podcast explores contemporary urban territories and engages listeners in the concept of security narratives. Season four is about Odesa, Ukraine.

Jess Myers (School of Architecture), left, and Dana Spiotta (College of Arts and Sciences)

, professor of English in the College of Arts and Sciences, f辞谤听鈥淢utual,鈥�听a novel about multiple generations of a family in New York. The book engages with historical and personal forms of amnesia, notions of belonging, solitude and community.

Organizational Support Grants

The $40,000 Organizational Support grant was awarded to听, assistant professor of art therapy at VPA (as principal investigator), and听, 听assistant professor of educational leadership in the听School of Education (as co-principal investigator). The grant is for their research work and curriculum development project, 鈥淭his Woman’s Work: Elevating Black Women Voices in CNY Through Visual Storytelling, Freedom Makerspaces and Community Arts.鈥�

From left: Courtney Mauldin (School of Education), Rochele Royster (VPA) and Tere Paniagua (Point of Contact)

They plan to unearth historical and present-day stories regarding abolition, health disparities and anti-Black violence and connect a cohort of oral historians with local artists to create an interactive arts exhibition. They will also co-create open art studio/makerspaces, host intergenerational storytelling workshops and create curricula for public schools and libraries to chronicle the narratives, history and artwork to create a more complete picture of local history through the lived experiences of Black women.

At Point of Contact, the award will support the organization鈥檚 annual programs in literacy and visual arts and its work as a forum for community collaboration and open dialogue, says , executive director, cultural engagement for the Hispanic community.

Following a meal and time for interfaith conversation, the students traveled to the East 黑料不打烊 headquarters of the We Rise Above The Streets Recovery Outreach nonprofit organization, where they worked together to fill bags with hygiene items, warm socks and snacks to be distributed during the organization鈥檚 Thanksgiving outreach event that would be held later that week.

Students and Hendricks Chapel chaplains and staff members engage in interfaith dialogue. (Photo by Micah Greenberg 鈥�26)

The idea for an interfaith day of service and learning started this past summer with the Muslim Student Association and 黑料不打烊 Hillel, due in part to the strong relationship of Rabbi Ethan Bair and Imam Amir Duri膰. While the original plan was for a Muslim and Jewish partnership event, over the past weeks Bair, Duri膰 and their respective student leaders felt it was important to broaden the event to include more than the Muslim and Jewish campus communities.

鈥淭o share the experience with other groups was, in my view, a most wonderful idea,鈥� says Hendricks Chapel Dean Brian Konkol. 鈥淲e then invited all 25 religious and spiritual life groups associated with Hendricks Chapel to attend, and the Interfaith Day of Service and Learning was supported by representatives of various traditions and identities.鈥�

During the luncheon conversation in the Hendricks Chapel Noble Room, students gathered into smaller groups of three to four people for discussion, including things about others鈥� faith traditions that they admire. 鈥淚t was a wonderful way to embrace connections by embracing conversations,鈥� Konkol says.

Finished bags packed by students from Hendricks Chapel. (Photo by Micah Greenberg 鈥�26)

When the students arrived in East 黑料不打烊, they were warmly welcomed by Al-amin Muhammad, founder and executive director of We Rise Above The Streets. The nonprofit organization provides assistance to the unhoused and underrepresented in the community, particularly through its 鈥淪andwich Saturday鈥� program and other initiatives.

Muhammad shared his personal experience of being unhoused for a decade. He was able to turn his life around, embrace his faith and graduate from college. He is now a full-time advocate and activist, and, since moving to 黑料不打烊 in 2015, has led outreach efforts to thousands of individuals and food-insecure families.

In speaking with the students about his experiences and his work, Muhammad encouraged them to 鈥渁ttach empathy鈥� to all that they do.

Krutartha Nagesh 鈥�25, a computer science major in the , identifies with the Hindu tradition. 鈥淭he culture and tradition that I come from places Mukti (liberation) as the highest goal in one鈥檚 life,鈥� Nagesh says. 鈥淭he ancient yet timeless wisdom of the Rishis (enlightened beings) recognizes Karma Yoga as one of the paths to achieving this ultimate goal. It is the path of service and selfless action for the upliftment and well-being of all life.鈥�

Participants in the Interfaith Day of Service at We Rise Above the Streets gather for a group photo. (Photo by Micah Greenberg ’26)

Nagesh says the day was a chance for all of those participating to walk the path of Karma. 鈥淚t allowed me to keep myself aside; my likes and dislikes, my identifications and biases, to do something that will positively impact the local 黑料不打烊 area. I got to experience how seva (selfless action) can not only make a difference in the community but can also bring people from diverse backgrounds together.”

鈥淎ttaching empathy to everything that we do, in my opinion, can only happen when our sense of inclusion expands. To have an expanded sense of inclusion, we need to keep our differences aside and see how we can relate with each other,鈥� Nagesh says. 鈥淭o me, Al-amin Muhammad is a Karma Yogi. I wish to be one myself and also hope to inspire others around me to also take up the responsibility of selflessly serving others so this planet can thrive.鈥�

Julia Ronkin 鈥�24, an inclusive elementary and special education major in the , identifies with Jewish tradition. She took part in the day of service mainly for two reasons. 鈥淭he first being that I believe interfaith work is so important for students on campus to take part in. In a time where there is so much divide, we as young people can show that there is unity and support for one another on our campus. My second reason for participating is the positive impact of connecting with other students in the broader context of the 黑料不打烊 community,鈥� she says.

Mian Muhammad Abdul Hamid 鈥�25, an information management and technology major in the , is of the Muslim tradition. He participated in an interfaith community service event last year with Hillel packaging diapers.

鈥淚 know we all share a common interest and goal; to serve the community for the greater good. 鈥� During and after the event, I was thinking in my head, 鈥榯his seems like something I can do.鈥� Just packaging items for the community whilst having a conversation with a peer from another faith was definitely a fun way to bond and was therapeutic.鈥�

Al-amin Muhammad鈥檚 encouragement to 鈥渁ttach empathy鈥� to all that they do struck a chord with Hamid. 鈥淚 was thinking of packaging everything with love and care. 鈥楾he juices I was packing in every bag are going to someone who will really enjoy it鈥攕omeone who is in need,鈥� I thought,鈥� Hamid says. 鈥淗ence, whilst packaging every item, I made sure to be packaging everything with love and for the sake of God. In my faith, 鈥楽adaqah鈥� or charity, is a notable act that one can do to increase the consciousness of God. Moving forward, I am thinking about ways to help the community鈥攏ot just from a faith standpoint, but to those who are less fortunate.鈥�

The day was also an important one for the chaplains who participated. 鈥淚 was grateful to serve our community alongside my friends. I admire the work that each of our chaplains puts into supporting and mentoring their faith communities,鈥� says Christian Protestant Chaplain Devon Bartholomew. 鈥淭his service opportunity gave me time reflect on the incredibly important work that I get to be part of at 黑料不打烊.”

Konkol was inspired by watching the students engaging in service and learning. 鈥淚 believe the students chose to model the type of world they wish to live in, rather than mirror the type of world they currently live within, and in doing so they are indeed an example for others to follow,鈥� he says. 鈥淭hey showed that one can be both committed and compassionate, devout and curious, faithful and hospitable. Once again, I am left honored to witness such outstanding students choosing to lead in service to our common good through religious and spiritual life.鈥�

Volunteers working hard to fill pantry boxes. (Photo courtesy of Salvation Army)

For those looking to voluntarily contribute to the distribution of holiday items to local nonprofit organizations in 黑料不打烊, the makes this seamless. 鈥淎s the holiday season approaches for this year, the Office of Community Engagement encourages the campus community to consider sharing with our neighbors in the City of 黑料不打烊 and the surrounding Central New York region,鈥� says Cydney Johnson, vice president of community engagement and government relations. 鈥淵our gift of funds, items and time can make a difference in the lives of our neighbors, many of whom are in need this year. As One University, we all can make a positive impact on our community.鈥� Participation opportunities are available this year with PEACE, Inc., The Salvation Army听补苍诲 the Hendricks Chapel Food Pantry.

Here are the ways individuals, departments or schools and colleges can help a family in need this holiday season:

PEACE, Inc.

, is a nonprofit, community-based organization with the mission of helping people in the community realize their potential for becoming self-sufficient.

Give-A-Holiday

• This program offers individuals and groups the opportunity to brighten up the holidays for families in need by supplying gifts during the holiday season in the form of a gift basket or a monetary donation. 黑料不打烊 employees can .
• Monetary donations can also be made online on the .

For more information or questions, please contact PEACE, Inc. at 315.634.3740 or giveaholiday@peace-caa.org.

The Salvation Army

is a nonprofit organization dedicated to meeting human needs without discrimination and encouraging and empowering those in need to reach their full potential.

• Each year, The Salvation Army of 黑料不打烊 helps provide Christmas food and toys to nearly 10,000 people with the help of dozens of community partners. There are several ways you can help brighten the holidays for others including the annual or .
• Monetary donations can also be made online on .

For additional information or questions, please contact Deanna Delmonico at 315.479.1162 or deanna.delmonico@use.salvationarmy.org.

Hendricks Chapel Food Pantry

The supports 黑料不打烊 students by providing access to fresh and shelf-stable goods as well as personal care items. So far in the 2023 academic year, the pantry receives anywhere from 100-250 student visitors per week. There are currently two food pantries on campus, directly across from the dean鈥檚 suite in Hendricks Chapel and on South Campus. Both pantries rely on monetary and food donations. Monetary donations are used to buy items like fresh produce, protein bars, soups, pasta, snacks and personal hygiene items.

Hendricks Chapel relies on generous donations from the 黑料不打烊 community to stock the food pantry. Ways to support the food pantry include:

• Donating food or personal care items: Physical donations may be dropped off at the Hendricks Chapel Dean’s suite. Items may also be ordered through our , which ships items directly to the pantry. All are encouraged to donate to the听.
• Donating financially:听All are encouraged to donate to the听. If you are a campus partner, Hendricks Chapel is now able to accept fund transfers to a Food Pantry operational account.听Please reach out to the Chapel Budget Manager, Maureen Verone at听mverone@syr.edu听to administer a journal entry.听Your donations are most welcome and appreciated.
• Holding a food and toiletry drive: Student groups, residence hall floors, offices and departments can hold food and toiletry drives to benefit the food pantry. Reach out to Leondra Tyler to learn how you can “Adopt-A-Month” for the pantry.

• , director of the Goldring Arts Journalism and Communications program at Newhouse, was quoted in the Associated Press story “.”
• , associate professor of law, was interviewed for The New York Times story ““
• , a professor in the history department at Maxwell, was featured in the Al Jazeera article “鈥�.”
• , chief operating officer at the D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families, was for the 22nd anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.
• , professor of environmental systems in the College of Engineering, spoke with Salon for the story ““
• , an assistant professor of biology in the College of Arts and Sciences, was in the EcoWatch article “.”
• , professor at the College of Law and director of the 黑料不打烊 Intellectual Property Law Institute, was interviewed for the Bloomberg Law story “.”
• , professor of practice & chair, music industry & technologies at the Setnor School of Music, was quoted in the Lifewire story “.”
• , vice president of community engagement and government relations, was on discussing 黑料不打烊’s partnership with the Salvation Army.
• , teaching professor at the College of Law, was in the Fortune story “”
  
• , Esther M. Larsen faculty fellow in the humanities and assistant professor, was quoted in and
• , head of digital stewardship and the digital library program at the Libraries, was featured in Yahoo Finance’s story “.”
• , associate teaching professor in Falk College, was quoted in the Better Homes and Gardens story 鈥�鈥�
• Carrie Mae Weems, 黑料不打烊 artist in residence, was featured in the New York Times for the article “.”
• , professor of political science in the Maxwell School was interviewed by Inside Higher Ed for the article
• , Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion, was quoted in the in Senior Executive story 鈥� 鈥�
• , associate professor in the iSchool, was interviewed by Agence France-Presse for the story “.”
• , founding director of the Bleier Center for Television and Popular Culture and a Trustee Professor of Television and Popular Culture at Newhouse, was quoted in , , , , , , (Dallas), and (Los Angeles).

To get in touch and learn more about 黑料不打烊 faculty members available for interviews, please contact听media@syr.edu.

Cydney Johnson, vice president of community engagement and government relations, invites not only the campus community, but also the broader 黑料不打烊 community to get involved. 鈥淵ou never know who might be struggling with food insecurity, which is why we hope to bring awareness to this issue by supporting the important and ongoing work that many are doing to combat hunger,鈥� Johnson says.

Hendricks Chapel Food Pantry (Photo courtesy of Hendricks Chapel)

To kick off the events, on Thursday, Sept. 7, at 8 a.m., the Office of Community Engagement will host its , featuring guest speakers Rev. Brian Konkol, dean of , talking about the chapel鈥檚 , and , professor of food studies in the , will discuss her research and work in food studies.

The next event on Friday, Sept. 8, will be hosted by the . From 10 a.m. until noon, the Food Pantry staff will host an open house to raise awareness about food insecurity, share about their work to serve students and receive donations from those seeking to contribute. The Food Pantry will also be open from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. to provide food for those experiencing food insecurity.

If you are unable to attend the open house but would still like to contribute to the Hendricks Chapel Food Pantry, donations are accepted both at the food pantry and at a .

Volunteers accept donations during the 2022 food drive. (Photo courtesy of the Office of Community Engagement)

Finally, on Saturday, Sept. 9, before the 黑料不打烊 Football team takes on Western Michigan at 3:30 p.m. in the JMA Wireless Dome, the Office of Community Engagement and the Salvation Army will host a food drive. Those planning on attending the game are asked to bring with them non-perishable foods to donate. The items that are needed the most include the following:

• Rice
• Cereal
• Pasta sauce
• Canned fruit
• Peanut butter
• Macaroni and cheese
• Juice

鈥淭he food pantry at has been serving approximately 1,200 individuals each month, and the need continues to rise,鈥� says Deanna Delmonico, public relations and donor relations manager. 鈥淧artnerships such as this one with 黑料不打烊 are extremely important to bring awareness to this issue, and to help ensure that we can keep our shelves stocked and never have to turn away a hungry neighbor. We are so grateful to our community for helping us do the most good in 黑料不打烊.鈥�

There will be ten different drop-off locations strategically placed around campus and in several听parking lots:

• The Quad
• Ernie Davis Statue
• Front of Carnegie Library
• Gate G
• Corner of Forestry Drive and Irving Avenue, near Sadler Hall
• In front of the Irving Garage on Irving Avenue
• Corner of the Quad lot near the Physics building and across from Falk College
• Comstock Lot
• Colvin Lot
• Skytop Lot

In addition to the food barrels, the Salvation Army will be on hand with red kettles accepting monetary donations. No cash? No problem! The Salvation Army also now offers a tap and go payment option to make donations.

Finally, during the halftime of the football game, J. Michael Haynie,听vice chancellor for strategic initiatives and innovation, will be presenting Konkol; Kaleya Scott, engagement coordinator at Hendricks Chapel; and Leondra Tyler, student coordinator at Hendricks Chapel, with a certificate to recognize the hard work of the food pantry. Simultaneously, the video board in the JMA Wireless Dome will recognize additional community organizations working to combat food insecurity.

For questions about any of the events during this three-day period, contact Jake Losowski, community engagement coordinator, at jjlosows@syr.edu or 315.443.4137.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) , the fourth time the ULSAMP program has been funded. 黑料不打烊 leads the program, which also involves Clarkson University, Cornell University, Monroe Community College, Onondaga Community College, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Rochester Institute of Technology.

ULSAMP program participant Donyell Logan received the Chancellor鈥檚 Citation for Student Research award from University Chancellor Kent Syverud in 2023. The award recognized Logan鈥檚 research in inorganic chemistry.

The program promotes practices that increase the number of students from ULSAMP populations in STEM majors; increases the number of underrepresented students entering STEM careers or graduate-level programs; and conducts and disseminates scholarly research to assess the impact of research experiences for undergraduates on their graduate enrollment and completion.

, vice chancellor, provost and chief academic officer, says, 鈥満诹喜淮蜢� is proud to have this important grant renewed for a fourth time. Its objectives mirror the University鈥檚 crucial missions to expand education in the STEM fields, broaden educational opportunities for underrepresented communities, boost levels of research and creative activity and continue productive alliances with the wider community. We are proud to have led this initiative for 16 years now and to work with alliance partners on these important goals.鈥�

School of Education Leadership

The University鈥檚 LSAMP program is housed in the School of Education鈥檚 . The program has been highly successful in increasing the enrollment, retention, graduation and graduate-school enrollment of underrepresented STEM students. When the program began in 2007, ULSAMP institutions enrolled 1,943 underrepresented STEM students in undergraduate programs and awarded 249 bachelor鈥檚 degrees. By 2020, those numbers increased to 3,891 students enrolled and 700 degrees awarded, according to 黑料不打烊 co-principal investigator and ULSAMP program director.

The renewed NSF funding is essential to the achievements of the Upstate LSAMP program, Hamilton says. 鈥淲e are excited to be able to continue this great work. This funding has allowed us to increase the number of underrepresented minority students who are pursuing STEM fields, support student transition from community colleges to four-year institutions, boost undergraduate research and graduate school preparation and provide students with leadership and professional development opportunities. Program funding has also helped us expand collaborations across our campuses and with our industry and government partners,鈥� Hamilton says.

Student Research Opportunities

ULSAMP research scholars Kaura Reyes (top) and Jazmine Richardson (at right below)

The ULSAMP program operates several programs that encourage participation in robust research activities in the STEM fields. They include an undergraduate research program where students participate in projects with distinguished faculty; a summer experience providing paid research experience and networking with faculty and staff; an annual symposium that recognizes elite scholars鈥� participation in research projects on and off campus; reimbursement of funds for students to travel to attend or present at conferences; and graduate school stipends for students pursuing master鈥檚 and doctoral programs.

Studying STEM Interest Factors

The factors that lead students to decide to continue studying in the STEM fields is the subject of a current School of Education faculty research project, according to Hamilton.

Cathy Engstrom, associate professor of higher education and the School of Education鈥檚 faculty director of graduate studies, and Dawn Johnson, associate professor of higher education, are studying current and former USLAMP summer students鈥� involvement in their research experiences. The investigators are examining the graduate school aspirations, pathways and outcomes of USLAMP underrepresented minority students to gain insights regarding their decisions to pursue, delay or opt out of graduate study in STEM fields.

The research project鈥檚 goal is to link effective practices within ULSAMP to facilitate students鈥� graduate study interests and aspirations. The researchers also hope to define the kinds of activities (such as providing听 undergraduate research opportunities, conducting GRE preparation, and hearing graduate students speak about their research experiences) that strengthen students鈥� aspirations to pursue graduate study in STEM fields.

Several community and industry partners will also be collaborating with the alliance over the next five years to provide real-world research opportunities, Hamilton says. They include Micron Technology, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals and National Grid.

Donations of new (and clean, nearly new) winter coats will be collected at the 黑料不打烊 football game vs. Florida State on Saturday, Nov. 12, beginning at 6 p.m. ahead of an 8 p.m. kickoff in the JMA Wireless Dome. The game is also Senior Day and Military Appreciation Day.

Bins will be placed at 11 points outside the JMA Wireless Dome to collect items, as well as at the Stars and Stripes tailgate at the John A. Lally Athletics Complex beginning at 5 p.m. Following the game, donations will be accepted at Hendricks Chapel from Nov. 13-18, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., and the Nancy Cantor Warehouse from Nov. 14-18, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., for faculty, staff and students who wish to contribute to this effort.

Organizers are only asking for new or nearly new coats, and there is a particularly strong need in the community for children鈥檚 coats, as they tend to outgrow their outerwear each year.

鈥満诹喜淮蜢� is proud to once again partner with community agencies to help ensure our friends and neighbors have the warm coats they need this winter,鈥� says Dr. Ruth Chen, professor of practice in the College of Engineering and Computer Science, who helped establish the Operation Orange Warmup initiative on campus. 鈥淏y doing this collection early in the giving season, we hope to make a meaningful impact in our community.鈥�

Student volunteers from groups across the University will help with the collection effort, as well as with sorting and laundering donations.

Partner agencies include InterFaith Works, Catholic Charities and Hendricks Chapel. Collected items will be distributed by these organizations across Central New York. Members of the campus community who have a personal need for donated winter gear may contact Hendricks Chapel at 315.443.2901 辞谤听chapel@syr.edu.

Through the generosity of Orange fans and the entire 黑料不打烊 community, we can share the warmth with those in need this winter!

鈥淲e are making it more affordable than ever for first responders to achieve undergraduate certificates, and undergraduate and graduate degrees,鈥� says Green, executive director of online student success in the college. The new tuition grant program is another component of the Go Local Learn Local initiative, which recently expanded opportunities for health care workers in the region. Similar to the health care worker grant, first responders will be able to earn degrees through online part-time studies at a fraction of the normal cost.

鈥淏ut first we have to overcome some negative perceptions鈥攃oncerns they might have over not being able to do their studies while doing their jobs, or not being able to afford a higher education degree,鈥� says Green. By appearing in person, Green hopes to build trust with the community鈥檚 public servants鈥攖rust in the University and trust in themselves and their abilities to excel.

鈥淛ust as they serve the entire city, police and firefighters serve our university community every day. We want to support and strengthen them,鈥� says Michael Frasciello, dean of the College of Professional Studies. 鈥淎s part of 黑料不打烊鈥檚 commitment to community, we have an obligation to be an innovator in providing education, training, services and support. Our greatest asset is our excellence in teaching and learning. We should be providing as many pathways to that excellence as we can.鈥�

All full-time and part-time first responders in the City of 黑料不打烊 are now eligible to apply for online professional certificates and undergraduate degrees in a wide variety of subjects, including data and predictive analytics, business management, cybersecurity, leadership and project management. The cost for admitted and eligible first responders represents a significant discount (50% of the normal part-time tuition rate, and an 89% discount off the full-time tuition rate).

In addition, all first responders throughout the entire state of New York who already have an undergraduate degree can apply for a 30-credit hour online graduate degree in project management at the discounted rate of $1,000 per credit hour.

鈥淓veryone at every level of every organization does project management in some way,鈥� says Frasciello. 鈥淭he more training and skills acquired in all the dimensions and practice of project management, the more valuable individuals will be in their workplace. They become proficient in asset resource usage, time management, delegation and staff management.鈥�

Frasciello says the offerings for undergraduate degrees and professional certificates are based on the rapidly changing needs of employers and employees to 鈥渦pskill and reskill鈥� to meet industry demands. For example, police officers are increasingly adding skills in research and data analysis. 鈥淪o much of modern policing is digital, involving sifting through and analyzing large amounts of data,鈥� he says. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 why our data science courses will be valuable.鈥�

Frasciello expects police officers, many of whom have associate degrees in criminal justice, to pursue policy studies and other courses that will help them progress in their careers in the public sector and pivot to the private sector. 鈥淲e know there鈥檚 a great interest in business management and creative leadership as well,鈥� he says.

Interest in continuing education through online programs increased dramatically during the pandemic and 黑料不打烊鈥檚 programs have expanded dramatically to meet student needs. 鈥淚t鈥檚 crucial for continuing education leaders to engage with people who live in the area and respond with programming that residents and employers find valuable,鈥� says Frasciello. 鈥淲e are the gateway to the University for the community.鈥�

For more information on how to enroll, visit the .

鈥淚 want people to see the arts and humanities as central to research, teaching and scholarship,鈥� Haddix says. 鈥淚 want us to have strong relationships and connections to the surrounding community and to disrupt and challenge the idea that we don鈥檛 have that.鈥�

Marcelle Haddix serves as associate provost for strategic initiatives in the Office of Academic Affairs.

In February, Haddix was appointed by Vice Chancellor, Provost and Chief Academic Officer to the new administrative role. Haddix is fulfilling key functions, overseeing multiple University units and being the Academic Affairs liaison to many campus and community initiatives. She advances diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility initiatives and oversees the and .

Many University arts and humanities organizations, affiliates and research programs report to her office. They include , , Cultural Center, Point of Contact, the , the and the Mary Ann for Public and Community Service. She also is principal liaison to the and liaison to the , the and the University鈥檚 other academic programs having community-based or experiential learning components.

In addition, she works to connect the Office of Academic Affairs with the Academic Leadership for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (ALDEIA), the and the . Currently, the office consists of herself and executive assistant Lucianna Juiliani.

Before her new appointment, Haddix, who has been at the University since 2008 in the , served as Distinguished Dean鈥檚 Professor of Literacy, Race and Justice in reading and language arts and as an affiliated faculty member in the departments of African American Studies, Composition and Cultural Studies, Cultural Foundations of Education, and Women鈥檚 and Gender Studies. She also holds a courtesy faculty appointment in the Department of Nutrition and Food Studies.

鈥淲e know that for many in our community the path to economic prosperity and financial independence includes a comfortable home and continued opportunities to grow professionally,鈥� says J. Michael Haynie, vice chancellor for strategic initiatives and innovation. 鈥淭hese two initiatives represent the University鈥檚 latest effort to support and build a stronger, more inclusive local economy.鈥�

黑料不打烊 first launched Go Local in 2019 with a commitment to leverage the power of the University to broaden the participation of local residents, underrepresented communities, women and veterans in building projects and contracting and in employment opportunities; increase economic growth through the University鈥檚 purchasing activities; and help sustain the growth of businesses in the community. Earlier this year, as part of Go Local, the University hosted a Career and Vendor Fair at the Oncenter Convention Center that helped create and strengthen relationships between local business owners and purchasing managers at the University and enhance awareness of job opportunities open to residents.

Making Home Ownership Possible

The newly expanded Live Local initiative extends the boundaries of the University鈥檚 home ownership assistance program and creates the University-area Home Ownership Program. Live Local expands eligibility for home ownership into neighborhoods to the west of the University Hill area, acknowledging the impact of the removal of the Interstate 81 viaduct.

鈥淭his is an important investment in our city, our people, our community and our economy,鈥� says Cydney Johnson, vice president of community engagement and government relations. 鈥淏y shifting and expanding boundaries, we are opening up new opportunities for more individuals to afford to buy homes.鈥�

In partnership with Solvay Bank, the University will offer employees mortgage loans up to 100% of the purchase price. Those employees will also receive Solvay Bank鈥檚 best interest rate and will not have to purchase additional mortgage insurance. Further, program participants will be eligible to receive a forgivable home improvement loan valued at 10% of the purchase price of the home, up to $15,000.

Christopher Dunham, president of the University Neighborhood Preservation Association, says, 鈥満诹喜淮蜢肉€檚 plan to provide enhanced homebuyer incentives to its employees demonstrates a commitment to its surrounding neighborhoods and complements the work that UNPA does to promote homeownership in our area. We expect the University鈥檚 investment will mean that more people will choose to make our neighborhood theirs, to live, to work and to share in a vibrant and welcoming community.鈥�

Eligibility for the new program remains the same as eligibility for the long-established provided through Empower Federal Credit Union, Summit Federal Credit Union and Tompkins Trust Company:

• All regular full-time and part-time faculty and staff may participate.
• One- and two-family homes, townhouses and condominiums are eligible.
• The property must be owner-occupied.

More information about the new mortgage guarantee program is available on the . Interested employees are encouraged to email realestate@syr.edu to begin the process of purchasing a home through the Live Local Program.

New Support for Health Care Workers

Also part of the Go Local initiative, Learn Local is now offering a tuition grant that expands opportunities for part-time, online undergraduate degrees and certificates to health care workers throughout the region.

鈥淭he tuition grant is designed to meet the education and career-readiness needs of the local health care community by ensuring that residents have access to market-sensitive and industry-informed degrees and professional certificates,鈥� says Michael Frasciello, dean of the College of Professional Studies. 鈥淒uring these last few years, we were reminded how critical our health care workers are to the well-being of the entire community. We want to support them and strengthen their ranks.鈥�

The Health Care Worker Grant is a tuition discount open to all full-time, part-time and per diem employees of Crouse Health System (including Crouse Hospital and Crouse Medical Practice), SUNY Upstate Medical University, St. Joseph鈥檚 Health Hospital, Veteran Administration 黑料不打烊 Health Care System, KPH Healthcare Services Inc. (Kinney Drugs), and Loretto. The tuition rate will be $350 per credit hour, and an 89% discount on the full-time tuition rate.

鈥淭he continued growth and development of career pathways for our employees at Loretto is a top priority and programs like this make it affordable for our staff to pursue advanced degrees,鈥� says Dr. Kimberly Townsend, president and CEO of Loretto. 鈥淲e鈥檙e excited to make this opportunity available to our employees to take advantage of the great programs right in our own community. Career advancement is key to keeping and growing the healthcare workforce needed today and into the future.鈥�

The tuition discount applies to 黑料不打烊 online undergraduate degrees and undergraduate certificates in the College of Professional Studies. Current undergraduate bachelor鈥檚 degrees include health care administration, applied data and predictive analytics (data science), business management, computer programming, creative leadership, cybersecurity administration, knowledge management, policy studies, and liberal studies. An associate of arts in liberal arts is also available.

Health care workers interested in the grant and learning more about 黑料不打烊鈥檚 online undergraduate degrees and certificates should contact the College of Professional Studies at 315.443.9378 (Toll Free: 1.866.498.9378) or parttime@syr.edu.

Study abroad is one component of Edge certification.

Fostering career readiness is a hallmark of the College of Arts and Sciences (A&S) | Maxwell School student experience. In fall 2021,听A&S | Maxwell launched , a new certification program which allows students to strategically parlay their experiential learning into proof of career or graduate school readiness. By fulfilling at least two experiences from a list of co-curricular activities, including research, internships, study abroad and community engagement, students will become Edge-certified and gain a certificate of completion and a digital LinkedIn badge.

According to College of Arts and Sciences听, the Edge certification signifies another way A&S | Maxwell is revolutionizing the student experience. 鈥淲e are always looking to ensure that what we offer is contemporary, valuable and relevant. With Edge certification, we鈥檙e encouraging students to pursue multiple opportunities to complement their academic coursework, while at the same time helping them learn to articulate and demonstrate the value of those experiences to employers and graduate schools alike,鈥� Ruhlandt says.

As Edge winds up its first year, we asked students why experiential learning is so important to them:

Building Career Skills Through Internships and Community Engagement

Maggie Sardino

Maggie Sardino, a junior majoring in 听in Maxwell and听听in A&S, notes that the Edge program presents a valuable opportunity for students to start their professional development鈥攋ust by participating in this experiential learning. 鈥淲hat stands out most about the Edge program is its emphasis on reflection and professional development,鈥� Sardino says. 鈥淏y its nature, experiential learning requires students to be adaptable, innovative and creative. Edge encourages students to work on projects with real stakes and in constantly evolving environments.鈥�

Since the summer of her freshman year, Sardino has taken part in an internship at the听 in 黑料不打烊. The center offers programs addressing community concerns and encouraging understanding across racial, ethnic, religious and community groups. Sardino鈥檚 work there has focused on dialogue coordination, development and facilitation.

鈥淚 have learned how important collaboration is for sustainability,鈥� Sardino says. 鈥淐ultivating strong partnerships and dialogue with other organizations and individuals ensures community investment and effective use of resources. Whether we are addressing societal issues through policy action or through creative expression, dialogue always has an important role. No matter which career path I decide to take, through my internship I have learned that prioritizing dialogue will be one of my primary goals.鈥�

Solving Real Problems Through Student-Developed Research

Cheyene Muenzel

Undergraduate hands-on research is another integral part of Edge certification. In A&S | Maxwell, students are encouraged to engage in projects that not only interest them, but also help solve complex problems to help make the world healthier and more human. Cheyene Muenzel, a senior majoring in听听补苍诲听, says the problem-solving skills she developed in A&S are paving the way for a future in clinical research post-graduation.

Throughout the course of her studies at 黑料不打烊, Muenzel developed a dual interest in artificial intelligence and forensic pathology. She merged those concentrations into a research project where she investigated verbal autopsy (VA) and its use in public health. Verbal autopsy is a method for collecting personal and medical information about a deceased individual when there is an inadequate death registration, often in developing countries where deaths may be undocumented. VAs are collected by trained interviewers who obtain information about the deceased, such as their medical history, from individuals who were familiar with them. The results are then brought to a physician who determines cause of death.

Muenzel is developing machine learning algorithms to comb through vast amounts of verbal autopsy data which will allow health professionals to define trends about cause of death in different parts of the world. 鈥淭he use of algorithms which are trained to process VA data can reduce load on physicians and expedite the collection of mortality data in low-income countries and rural communities,鈥� says Muenzel. 鈥淢ortality data and statistics, like leading causes of death, call attention to public health crises and help government officials make informed decisions.鈥�

Muenzel says having the opportunity to immerse herself in hands-on work that can make a difference for public health around the world not only enhances her skills and as a researcher, but also confirms her future professional ambitions.

鈥淚 will eventually pursue a career in medicine, and through this project I have learned how important it is to keep up to date with the latest and greatest developments and techniques in my field,鈥� says Muenzel. 鈥淩esearch will always be a part of my life and this project has validated my passion for it.鈥�

Shaping Career Goals Through an Immersive Experience in Costa Rica

Leonardo Rivera

A&S | Maxwell students are continually engaging in research and scholarship around the world to address global challenges. For Leonardo Rivera, a senior 听major in A&S, his passion for wildlife brought him to Central America, where he had the opportunity to听听at the Costa Rica Animal Rescue Center. The important hands-on experience was a crucial resume-builder as he prepared to apply for veterinary schools.

Among the animals he helped to rehabilitate were spider and capuchin monkeys, sloths, kinkajous and owls. From developing an exercise routine for orphan sloth cubs to providing muscle therapy to an injured squirrel, Rivera was exposed to new challenges each day, similar to what he will likely encounter as a wildlife veterinarian.
鈥淚 was amazed and inspired at the unexpected innovativeness and creativity when working in the field, such as using honey as an antiseptic for a spider monkey suffering from wounds inflicted in a fight with a troop of capuchins, or jerry-rigging a splint for an injured spectacled owl,鈥� Rivera says. 鈥淚t was an experience that will pay dividends in my professional career down the road.鈥�

After he graduates from 黑料不打烊, Rivera plans to matriculate into veterinary school in 2022, and says having that extracurricular experience under his belt reinforced his future. 鈥淭hrough my work in the field I confirmed that I want to specialize in wildlife veterinary medicine and contribute to the preservation of our natural world.鈥�

Learn more about the听.

Local business owners can meet with University purchasing managers to identify opportunities to see how their goods and services can supply the needs of the University. Individuals can attend to check out and apply for one of the hundreds of job openings at the University.

Those interested are asked to .

Go Local is 黑料不打烊鈥檚 commitment to leverage the economic power of the institution to improve regional economic inclusion through four key areas: building, hiring, buying and community connections.

The initiative seeks to broaden participation of local, minority, women and veteran-owned businesses in construction and service contracting opportunities; expand hiring of local residents, with a focus on neighborhoods in need of job opportunities; and increase economic growth and employment in 黑料不打烊 through the University鈥檚 purchasing activities.

The key areas are overseen by team leaders: Pete Sala, vice president and chief facilities officer (build); Karen Morrissey, associate vice president, Office of Human Resources (hire); Jean Gallipeau, comptroller (buy); and Cydney Johnson, vice president, community engagement and government relations (community).

The team leads invite the Central New York community to visit the Career and Vendor Fair to find out more about the many opportunities to partner with the University through providing goods and services and the variety of jobs available. The goal is to create more connections between the University and the community to further strengthen our local economy, increase employment and create more opportunities for local residents.

The event is also a great way for the campus community to meet local and diverse businesses and discuss opportunities in their units that they may have.

Faculty and staff are encouraged to reach out to their community networks to promote the April 28 event.

For more information on Go Local and how to get involved, visit the or call 315.443.2281.

Unfortunately, there are members of the Central New York community who lack these winter clothing staples.

With a goal of providing proper winter outdoor wear to individuals and families in need, 听黑料不打烊 is partnering with several Central New York nonprofit organizations on Operation Orange Warmup, a community clothing drive.

Members of the 黑料不打烊 community, the City of 黑料不打烊 and surrounding towns are encouraged to rally together and donate new (and clean, nearly new) winter apparel, beginning with the 3 p.m. kickoff event on Saturday, Jan. 15, when the 黑料不打烊 men鈥檚 basketball team hosts ACC rival Florida State in the stadium.

Fans who plan to cheer on the Orange are encouraged to bring with them a winter coat, a pair of gloves or mittens, winter hats, scarves and boots (in all sizes and styles) as they enter the stadium. Nine collection bins will be conveniently situated at stadium gates for those looking to donate and make a difference for those in need this winter.

鈥淲hen we reached out to our community partners, what we heard from them across the board is there is a great need for this type of clothing drive. Hopefully the 黑料不打烊 community and the greater Central New York community can respond to this and help our neighbors in need,鈥� says Cydney Johnson, the University鈥檚 vice president of community engagement and government relations.

Johnson credits Dr. Ruth Chen, professor of practice in the College of Engineering and Computer Science, with establishing Operation Orange Warmup to benefit those less fortunate in the Central New York community.

Johnson says it was only natural to invite the campus community to give back to Operation Orange Warmup, and that the men鈥檚 basketball game vs. Florida State offered the ideal kickoff for this service project.

鈥淗aving this drive coincide with an afternoon game will hopefully make it easier for people to come out and donate. Knowing that we鈥檙e in the middle of such a cold week and that this is our first sustained cold spell of winter will also hopefully make people realize they can help give back by going through their closets and rounding up extra items of clothing they no longer need,鈥� Johnson says. 鈥淲e鈥檙e optimistic that there will be a robust response from the community to this effort.鈥�

Can鈥檛 make it out to the men鈥檚 basketball game on Saturday but still want to support Operation Orange Warmup? Donations will also be accepted on campus at Hendricks Chapel, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. beginning on Monday, Jan. 17, and running through Friday, Jan. 21. Look for a covered bin outside of Hendricks Chapel facing Eggers Hall.

The community partner agencies who have come together to support Operation Orange Warmup are InterFaith Works, Rescue Mission, Salvation Army, YWCA, North Side Learning Center, Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance, Catholic Charities, Blessing Box, NAACP, Mercy Works, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, La Liga and the Labor Council. Collected items will be distributed by these organizations across Central New York after the donation period ends, on Jan. 21.

Members of the campus community who have a personal need for donated winter gear may contact Hendricks Chapel at 315.443.2901 辞谤听chapel@syr.edu or .

黑料不打烊 faculty and students work with youth from the North Side Learning Center during a Write Out storytelling workshop.

For students looking to combine an interest in social justice and community engagement with hands-on, real-world applications, the Engaged Humanities Network (EHN), based in the College of Arts and Sciences, offers the perfect opportunity to be part of community problem-solving through academic inquiry and action.

EHN was developed by Brice Nordquist, associate professor of writing and rhetoric and the Dean鈥檚 Professor of Community Engagement in the College of Arts and Sciences. 鈥淚 have been working with different community-based organizations on humanities and arts projects since moving to 黑料不打烊 eight years ago,鈥� says Nordquist. 鈥淚n my time here, I鈥檝e become more familiar with resources in the city and with people engaged in long-term community-centered work. But I鈥檝e also noticed that there are few opportunities to coordinate and connect across projects and communities.鈥� What this translates to is a lost opportunity for resource sharing, collective problem-solving, and mutual support and funding across community-engaged projects. According to Nordquist, this cross-pollination does not take place 鈥渆xcept for when it happens by chance, because there are few structures designed to serve as connective tissue among all of these shared efforts.鈥� EHN hopes to change that.

Brice Nordquist

As part of this effort, Nordquist assembled an undergraduate research team last year along with Anne Mosher, then-director of the Maxwell School鈥檚 听program, Pam Heintz, director of the听 and Kate Hanson, director of the (The SOURCE). 鈥淭he undergraduate research cohort is one of the programs the EHN runs to create new opportunities for students, graduate students, undergraduates and faculty to develop and grow different community-engaged projects,鈥� says Nordquist. 鈥淧art of the work we do is to pair undergraduate research assistants with new or ongoing faculty projects.鈥�

In order to seed and support publicly engaged research, mini-grants from the College of Arts and Sciences were established. Last year, five faculty-led projects were selected for funding and are now underway. The projects range from language to math, and each includes research undertaken by students with faculty with community engagement.

EHN in Action

Nicole Fonger

The project Anti-Racism in Algebra, overseen by Nicole Fonger, assistant professor of mathematics, addresses the inherent obstacles to Black learners in traditional math education. This fall, Fonger is meeting weekly with a team of teachers, parents and high school students in the 黑料不打烊 City School District (SCSD). 鈥淭he aim of the grant work is to build relationships with folks in SCSD who are already doing the work of supporting Black learners of mathematics,鈥� says Fonger.

Another program, Spanish in Action, led by professors Maria Emma Tico Quesada and Elizabeth Ju谩rez-Cummings of the Department of Languages, Literature, and Linguistics, pairs native and non-native Spanish speakers from 黑料不打烊 in workshops to empower them to view their bilingualism as an academic and professional asset.

Collaboration Is Key

But the community-facing side of the individual projects are only one piece of the puzzle. The academic-facing side requires that the participants鈥攁ll the faculty, staff, graduate students, and undergraduates involved鈥攎eet regularly to discuss their projects, troubleshoot and share ideas and resources. In keeping with research protocols and best practices, they also share the goal of collecting data from their projects to make future community engagement projects more meaningful, equitable and sustainable.

The Orange is winning, and a reminder to donate to the .

The 黑料不打烊 United Way Employee Giving 2022 pledge campaign will officially kick off Oct. 15. Goodrich, deputy athletics director and chief marketing officer for athletics, says employees and community members who attend the game will be reminded of the campaign in various ways: public address announcements and video slides encouraging fans to text to donate (鈥淪U United鈥� to 85511); a video from former basketball star Demetris Nichols encouraging fans to text to donate; and a video promoting the United Way.

鈥淲hen you visit the Dome and you see that crowd, and then you look up and you see that United Way sign, I鈥檓 hopeful it鈥檚 a reminder that so many people in that crowd, in that moment, have been affected positively by the support of the United Way and its network of community supporters,鈥� Goodrich says. 鈥淚 would encourage everyone to donate; no matter the size of the donation, it does make a difference. Every donation is an impactful one.鈥�

The campaign runs through mid-December and University employees are encouraged to consider making a voluntary pledge through MySlice for either a one-time donation or a regular donation through payroll deduction each pay period. For those who prefer a paper pledge card, contact campaign coordinator Maggie Ekdahl at听meekdahl@syr.edu听or 315.443.8052.

The co-chairs of this year鈥檚 University campaign are , vice president of enrollment services, and , dean of the College of Professional Studies.

鈥淲hen you donate and support the United Way, you see the impact immediately across the non-profit organizations that the United Way supports,鈥� Frasciello says. 鈥淚 just think it鈥檚 an obligation that we have as active participants in this community.鈥�

The United Way of Central New York funds 64 different programs at 27 local agencies, and all funds raised stay in Central New York. For every dollar donated, an additional $3 comes back to the community in matching funds, which allows the United Way to leverage and direct these funds to address the most critical needs in our local community.

鈥淕iving to a single organization is great, but by thinking about donating to the United Way, what you鈥檙e doing is supporting a blanket of services, a plethora of services, that may help individuals or families cover a multitude of issues and needs,鈥� Williams says.

In addition to the co-chairs, the campaign is led by a network of team leaders from across each college and department on campus. These team leaders spread awareness of the campaign and encourage their colleagues to participate. Many departments organize their own activities to raise supplemental funds in addition to employee pledges and then donate the proceeds from these activities to the campaign.

鈥淚 believe that communities are strong because people make them strong, and therefore I personally feel an obligation to support those organizations that are really responsible for the quality of our community and the quality of life of our citizens,鈥� says , professor of practice in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. 鈥淚 want to be part of that, so the way I鈥檓 part of that is I contribute to the United Way.鈥�

While typical department activities include bake sales, team games and gift basket raffles, departments have been very creative over the years. The iSchool team brought their dogs to work and students and staff who made donations were able to spend time playing with the dogs. Last year, the Facilities Services team created a unique piece of memorabilia by placing a section of the old stadium roof into a shadowbox frame with a photo and held a silent auction among its team that raised nearly $1,000 for the United Way.

鈥淥ver the years we鈥檝e learned from our employees who have tried new ideas and contributed to the campaign and supported a variety of fundraising events,鈥� says , vice president of community engagement and government relations who oversees the campaign. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a strong and positive team effort!鈥�

Employee participation in the campaign is voluntary and participating employees can select either an automatic payroll deduction or a one-time donation in any amount. University retirees are also invited to participate as many enjoy the longstanding tradition and generous spirit of this annual event.

鈥淭he key component of working together to make a difference is that some folks will make very large donations, some folks will make smaller donations,鈥� Goodrich says. 鈥淏ut whatever donation you can make, you can rest assured and feel confident that combined and together, we will do more and make a great impact on the community.鈥�

For more information on how to sign up for tutoring please reach out to Winiecki at ejwiniec@syr.edu.

Cydney Johnson

黑料不打烊 has named Cydney Johnson 鈥�77, G鈥�96 vice president for community engagement and government relations. Since April of 2018, Johnson has served as the University’s executive director for state and local government relations, reporting to Vice Chancellor for Strategic Initiatives and Innovation J. Michael Haynie. Johnson鈥檚 appointment was recently approved by the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees.

Expanding Johnson鈥檚 role and responsibilities is a key dimension of 黑料不打烊鈥檚 ongoing commitment to enhance and extend both civic engagement and community outreach. In her new role, Johnson will lead the community engagement team as it continues to advance the University鈥檚 robust portfolio of community-connected programs and initiatives. In addition to overseeing all facets of the University鈥檚 community engagement efforts, Johnson will assume strategic responsibility for developing and implementing the University鈥檚 legislative and advocacy agenda. Johnson will continue to report to Vice Chancellor Haynie and retain her responsibility to serve as senior advisor to University leadership on issues related to city, county and New York State government.

鈥淐ydney has a long track record of developing deep and trusting relationships with government officials and civic leaders,鈥� says Haynie. 鈥淪he is a longtime member of this community and brings tremendous insight into the needs of our region. She understands well the University鈥檚 social and cultural impact on Central New York, and the important role that 黑料不打烊 plays in regional economic development. Her service to the Central New York Regional Development and Planning Board, the 黑料不打烊 Partnership Council and the 黑料不打烊 City School District represents a history of deep ties to the community and positions her as a trusted community partner.鈥�

When Johnson was hired by 黑料不打烊 as executive director for state and local government relations, she brought to her alma mater more than two decades of experience in government relations, higher education and nonprofit/business development. Cydney is a double alumna of 黑料不打烊, having received her undergraduate degree and MBA from the Martin J. Whitman School of Management. Johnson also spent seven years as an adjunct professor in the David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics.

Johnson has previously served as senior vice president of U.S. accounts at Blueprint LTD, a small global marketing firm; vice president of consumer marketing and sales at Oneida Limited; and director of development at the Whitman School. She is a member of the Central New York Regional Development and Planning board and a board member of the 黑料不打烊 Partnership Council with the 黑料不打烊 City School District. She resides in the City of 黑料不打烊.

Brice Nordquist

The College of Arts and Sciences (A&S) has announced the appointment of as Dean鈥檚 Professor of Community Engagement. The appointment is a milestone in the college鈥檚 ongoing plan to increase the number of curricular and co-curricular learning opportunities available for students in the humanities.

In his new capacity, Nordquist will serve as the liaison for A&S faculty, students, and off-campus partners and organizations.

鈥淔rom this position, I hope to highlight and align the collective strengths of faculty, students and community partners for the development of ethical and sustainable engaged scholarship, pedagogy and creative work for social change,” Nordquist says. “I鈥檒l work to support all A&S faculty and students interested in creating or expanding upon experiential learning opportunities to complement their humanities coursework. These opportunities might range from participatory action research, to engaged course design, public art projects and more. I鈥檓 excited to see what we can develop together.鈥�

An assistant professor of writing and rhetoric, Nordquist brings a wealth of experience to the new position. He is the author of the award-winning 鈥淟iteracy and Mobility,鈥� a book that follows students from different tracks of high school English, to college, to jobs and beyond to investigate relations among patterns of movement and literacy practices across educational institutions, workplaces, neighborhoods, cultures and national borders. Nordquist recently coordinated the University鈥檚 inaugural , a collaboration of the听, the 黑料不打烊听听补苍诲听, a global media platform dedicated to empowering youth through creative expression.

鈥淏rice鈥檚 name immediately came to mind for this position,鈥� says Karin Ruhlandt, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and a distinguished professor of chemistry. 鈥淗e鈥檚 a natural relationship-builder and he understands what it takes to cultivate meaningful partnerships. And because he鈥檚 experienced first-hand the excellent outcomes associated with experiential learning, he鈥檚 eager to help fellow faculty members find those same great opportunities for themselves and their students. In filling this enterprise-level position, we鈥檙e reinforcing the College鈥檚 commitment to provide a strong, relevant and contemporary liberal arts education.鈥�

Nordquist will assume his new role on July 1.

As our campus community seeks to overcome hate and the resulting pain, shock, fear and frustration of recent weeks, a Community Peace Vigil will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 4, on the steps of Hendricks Chapel beginning at 4:30 p.m. Students, faculty, staff and local community members are all welcome and encouraged to attend.

The vigil will include brief remarks by on-campus religious advisors, as well as spiritual leaders from the local community, a candle-lighting and a student musical performance. Following the vigil, attendees are invited to gather in Hendricks Chapel鈥檚 Noble Room for conversation, community building and mutual support.

American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation and Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) will be provided. For additional accommodations, please contact chapel@syr.edu.

鈥淚nstagram Thriller鈥� was one of three short videos created by 黑料不打烊 youth at a free film workshop at 黑料不打烊鈥檚 South Side Communication Center on Friday, April 19. The workshop, hosted by Simone Girma 鈥�19, worked the middle school-aged students through writing scripts, storyboarding concepts, participating in a table read, pitching their ideas and creating videos. By the end of the day, the students鈥� vocabulary grew to include such words as 鈥渮oom,鈥� 鈥減an鈥� and 鈥渆xtreme close up.鈥�

For Girma, the day was a听culmination of a semester of hard work, and four years of community building. Her big idea: leveraging campus resources to benefit the greater 黑料不打烊 community. As a television, radio and film (TRF) major in the Newhouse School and a citizenship and civic engagement (CCE) major in the Maxwell School and the College of Arts and Sciences, this project blended her passions perfectly.

鈥満诹喜淮蜢� has the highest rate of concentrated poverty for black and Latinos. People from underrepresented communities aren鈥檛 telling their stories in Hollywood. I saw all of the resources on campus as an opportunity to chip away at these problems,鈥� says Girma. 鈥淚 know when I was younger, I would have wanted to participate in a program like this, but it didn鈥檛 exist.鈥�

So, Girma brought it into existence.

To make the event happen, Girma needed to figure out the logistics of the event and also plan the content of the event. To do so, she spent most of her time connecting resources.

Girma used her capstone CCE class, which tasks students with implementing a community project, to help bring her idea to reality. Girma鈥檚 professor guided her through strategic thinking and planning. After learning from professors in the School of Education that a class in the 黑料不打烊 City School District would come with a lot of red tape, Girma found the Office of Community Engagement. The office鈥檚 vision of building and fostering lasting and mutually supportive connections between the University and the community aligned perfectly with Girma鈥檚 vision. Therefore, Girma was connected with the South Side Communication Center; the location of the eventual event. Girma secured funding from the CCE department to provide lunch for the attendees.

鈥淓veryone at 黑料不打烊 was so willing to help. Most people want to see projects like this happen. It鈥檚 just about getting a conversation going,鈥� says Girma.

To plan the event, Girma worked with members of her fraternity, Delta Kappa Alpha, the professional cinema fraternity. The members stepped up to plan the content of the event and three members, Audra Linsner ’19, Evin Figen ’19 and Maya Qui帽ones ’19, volunteered at the event. Michael Schoonmaker, associate professor and chair of television, radio and film in the Newhouse School, assisted with the process and helped Girma rent equipment from Newhouse鈥檚 Cage to use at the event.

鈥淔ilm is one of the more compelling forms of telling stories, which is why it is so important to make it accessible to as many people as possible,鈥� says听 Schoonmaker. 鈥淓veryone watches film, but not as many make it. It鈥檚 an exhilarating experience to share stories, whether about ourselves or the worlds that we see in front of us.鈥�

Once partnered with the South Side Communication Center, Girma found support, guidance and help from Rachielle Scrivens, site coordinator at the South Side Communication Center.

All of the collaboration was worth it when Girma witnessed the impact the event had on the students that attended the free film workshop. Each step of the way, the students were excited, engaged and felt agency over their ability to听听to create. While the process was challenging, Scrivens says the looks of accomplishment on the students鈥� faces while viewing their film was 鈥減riceless.鈥�

鈥淭his film workshop was impactful because it brought college students and听high school students from all over the city together to a place where they bonded and formed friendships,鈥� says Scrivens. 鈥淪tudents were inspired to get in touch with their creative side and were given the freedom to make their film about what they as a team wanted it to be.鈥�

鈥淭he mission of allowing communities of colors to tell their own story is so important because there鈥檚 so much creativity. Young people are so creative; they just need the tools to tell their stories,鈥� says Girma.

Current 黑料不打烊 undergraduate students are needed to be volunteers on Shadow Day; students must be available from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on April 25. As part of their duties, students will be paired with fifth grade students to spend the day with. In the morning, the pair will eat breakfast, attend a welcome program and take a group photo. From 10:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. students take the fifth grade students around campus or to an academic class, and they will have lunch at Schine Student Center.

Students interested in volunteering, must fill out the by April 5. Before Shadow Day, they must attend a training briefing. Date and time of the training are to be determined.

Interested students can contact Emily Winiecki, program coordinator in the Office of Community Engagement, with questions.

The workshop provided an opportunity for the center鈥檚 leadership and the youths to experience and learn more about the AVP program. The children practiced affirmations in pairs and participated in various games and exercises, including a brainstorming session on violence/non-violence and the roots of violence. They also practiced listening skills, which enabled them to learn things about each other that they didn鈥檛 know.

The center and AVP are discussing plans to hold other mini-workshops in the fall, as well as a full basic youth workshop for children from the center and two other nearby youth centers.

鈥淚 applaud AVP鈥檚 efforts to educate about alternatives to violence and empower individuals to develop the personal skills necessary to utilize nonviolent solutions to deal with conflict,鈥� says 黑料不打烊 Vice President for Community Engagement Bea 骋辞苍锄谩濒别锄. 鈥淥ur children are seeking these skills, and we are committed to assisting them. The lessons they learn now will serve them both now and later as they become adults.鈥�

The South Side Communication Center鈥攍ocated at 2331 S. Salina St., 黑料不打烊鈥攐pened in 2011. It is a key asset in the development of a business and cultural district along South Salina Street between East Colvin Street and Brighton Avenue that has been spearheaded by the (SCC), and Home HeadQuarters.

The center offers an open access computer cluster, providing residents with free public access to computers with internet connectivity and on-site assistance, and the center provides a platform for several SCC and South Side Initiative projects, including and Networking Academy classes.

Founded in 2011, Talent Agency Teen Art Portfolio Development Inc. continues to provide 黑料不打烊-area high school students from economically disadvantaged communities a consistent means for arts and design portfolio development and mentorship.

Talent Agency Teen Art Portfolio Development Inc. utilizes the expertise of University faculty, graduate students and undergraduate majors to provide college-颅level technical instruction, materials and advisement supporting the overall development of competitive application portfolios.

The program is supported by the School of Art in the College of Visual and Performing Arts and the Office of Community Engagement.

Seymour Dual Language Academy fifth-grade students visit Manley Field House during 2017’s Shadow Day.

鈥淪hadow Day is a key event for the fifth grade at Seymour School,鈥� says Bea 骋辞苍锄谩濒别锄, vice president for community engagement. 鈥淚t has become a tradition that the students look forward to as they reach grade 5. The SU students see Shadow Day as an opportunity to give back to their community and pay it forward. That is certainly true for me as an alum of Seymour.鈥�

骋辞苍锄谩濒别锄 says that after meeting with Thomas Rosaschi, the event鈥檚 coordinator at Seymour, they modeled a campus visit for the students. The day will start out with a welcome reception in Maxwell Auditorium, where the Seymour students will meet University students and get breakfast. Chancellor Kent Syverud will welcome them, along with 骋辞苍锄谩濒别锄. The Admissions Office will make a presentation, which will be followed by a group photo.

The next couple of hours will be spent touring campus or visiting academic classes. As time allows, the students will visit the following places:

• Schine Student Center Bookstore
• Bird Library and/or Carnegie Library
• Hendricks Chapel
• Crouse College
• Hall of Languages

After lunch at the Schine Student Center, the students will be taken by bus to Manley Field House and the Carmelo Anthony Center. There, they will get a tour of the facilities and meet some of the student athletes.

骋辞苍锄谩濒别锄 says that the day鈥檚 activities have changed a little bit over the years, but at its core it has always been about providing the Seymour students with the opportunity to see themselves as college students. 鈥淲e introduce them to our own undergraduates, many with similar backgrounds, and remind them that they too can attend 黑料不打烊 or any other university, especially since the University has given the promise of tuition support via the Say Yes program,鈥� she says.

About 黑料不打烊

黑料不打烊 is a private, international research university with distinctive academics, diversely unique offerings and an听undeniable spirit. Located in the geographic , with a global footprint, and听, 黑料不打烊 offers a quintessential college experience. The scope of 黑料不打烊 is a testament to its strengths: a pioneering history dating back to 1870; a choice of more than 200 majors and 100 minors offered through 13 schools and colleges; nearly 15,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students; more than a quarter of a million alumni in 160 countries; and a student population from all 50 U.S. states and 123 countries. For more information, please visit .

]]> /blog/2018/02/07/innovation-orange-marcelle-haddix/ Wed, 07 Feb 2018 14:22:53 +0000 /?p=129042 Marcelle Haddix, associate professor and chair of reading and language arts in the , is the creator and director of Writing our Lives, a program geared toward supporting the writing practices of urban youth within and beyond school contexts. In this edition of Innovation Orange, Haddix explains how the program benefits both student and teacher alike.

Innovation Orange highlights the research of 黑料不打烊 faculty. If you would like to see a faculty member featured here, please contact Keith Kobland at kkobland@syr.edu.

Located on South Salina Street in the South Side of 黑料不打烊, the year-round South Side Communication Center Youth Program is a place for young people, ages 12-18, to learn, grow and find their interests.

Every day the young people who attend the have something different to look forward to.

That includes speakers, art class, board games, sewing or just hanging out and engaging in good conversation. During the school year, there鈥檚 tutoring and photography sessions, among other activities.

There鈥檚 one constant in it all鈥攖he encouragement that anything is possible for them.

鈥淚 want to help them expand their horizons and open their minds to different things鈥攍et them know they have choices and the ability to do and be anything they want,鈥� says site coordinator Rachielle Scrivens.

Located on South Salina Street in the South Side of 黑料不打烊, the year-round Youth Program is a place for young people, ages 12-18, to learn, grow and find their interests.

A participant in the Writing Our Lives program at the South Side Communication Center

The South Side Communication Center developed out of the Southside Community Coalition in 2011 and 黑料不打烊鈥檚 then South Side Initiative. The communication center operates as a nonprofit in partnership with SCC and now with the University鈥檚 Office of Community Engagement, under the direction of Vice President for Community Engagement Bea Gonzalez.

The after school session, which runs from 3 to 7 p.m., has a tutor鈥攁 黑料不打烊 student who started at the center as the sewing teacher鈥攁vailable Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays and a host of programs in partnership with 黑料不打烊 faculty and staff members.

Marcelle Haddix, Dean鈥檚 Associate Professor and chair of the Reading and Language Arts Center in the , works with the center on the project, a program she directs that is geared toward supporting the writing practices of urban youth within and beyond school contexts.

During the school year, the center hosts as many as five 黑料不打烊 students who intern as part of courses they are taking, including with Associate Professor of Practice Luvenia Cowart, of the . The center also partners with the 黑料不打烊 Science and Technology Entry Program, which provides academic support services and enrichment to students in grades 7-12, including a Saturday Learning Academy.

Also continuing this fall is a photography program with graduate student Dominique Hildebrand. The South Side Collective is a class that provides the center鈥檚 students with a chance to develop their photography skills. The class last spring resulted in a gallery showing, 鈥渨hich was fabulous,鈥� Scrivens says. 鈥淪he鈥檚 allowing kids to see life through the lens.鈥�

黑料不打烊 graduate student Dominique Hildebrand teaches students at the South Side Communication Center Youth Program about photography.

To assist in the community, students also volunteer at different locations throughout the city, such as at a Halloween party for children at a 黑料不打烊 library and at the food coop next door to the center, preparing it to get up and running.

The program鈥檚 summer session from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. is more relaxed than the after school sessions that provide tutoring during the school year, but the plan is always to encourage learning.

鈥淭hey can drop in anytime. It鈥檚 a safe haven,鈥� Scrivens says, and a family environment.

This summer Scrivens created a theme of 鈥淢e, Myself and I: Self-Awareness.鈥�

鈥淲e talk about self-awareness, morals, values and accountability鈥攚hat is your foundation and your beliefs鈥攁nd just kind of keeps them focused on building their self-esteem,鈥� Scrivens says.

The theme fit well with a recent daylong mental health workshop through Let鈥檚 Talk Inc. The presenters conducted icebreakers, a human knot team builder exercise and watched a video on why even people who may seem to be doing fine can have underlying mental health problems. 鈥淚t was a way to talk about their own feelings,鈥� Scrivens says.

Other activities this summer will include a three-day art intensive class led by Notthingham High School graduate and local artist Jaleel Campbell. 鈥淗e鈥檚 going to start them out with basic drawing skills on paper and then transfer that over onto canvas,鈥� Scrivens says.

Students in the South Side Communication Center Youth Program learn chess from community members.

The center has also had local business owners and tradespeople talk about their work and special presentations by such organizations as 黑料不打烊 Cure Violence, designed to reduce gun violence among 黑料不打烊 youth.

During the summer, free breakfast and lunch for the children is provided through the 黑料不打烊 City School District. Students spend time reading and keep a reading log, and some of the children have already finished a few books, Scrivens says. They also do some writing every day and are encouraged to use the encyclopedia and dictionary.

鈥淭he day鈥檚 activities depend on the mood of the group, what the kids want to do,鈥� Scrivens says. A recent day included a movie viewing followed by a discussion about making the right choices; other days there鈥檚 board games to enjoy; a chess club taught by neighbors; and sewing classes, which run all year.

Another important component is the older students who act as mentors for the younger students. 鈥淭hey are more like helpers. If one of the kids is struggling with a word, they鈥檒l step right in,鈥� Scrivens says, helping model mentor roles for the younger kids.

During her more than two years at the center, Scrivens has seen the students move up and toward their goals, whether it鈥檚 college, trade school or straight into the workforce.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a good feeling because I think so many times these kids have seen people give up on them, or a center or an establishment closes and they are kind of lost,鈥� Scrivens says. She appreciates being able 鈥渢o watch them grow and blossom when they don鈥檛 think they can. Sometimes they just need a little push or someone to guide them and that gives me joy.鈥�

Youngsters at the South Side Communication Center Youth Program sew pincushions.

Scrivens notes a recent sewing class in which one girl, who had never sewed before, made a pincushion and jumped excitedly up from the table when she had finished.

鈥淚t was just a great feeling, because a lot of times they don鈥檛 see that accomplishment,鈥� Scrivens says.