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Consolidation to bring positive changes
ENGAGE YOUR STRENGTHS | COMMUNITY | FUTURE AT UNIVERSITY COLLEGE
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The Consolidation Implementation Committee is meeting throughout the summer to review hundreds of recommendations from the Operational Working Groups. I am pleased to report that many of the recommendations related to University College have already been approved, including all nine proposed by the First-Year Programs OWG. This includes recommendations for remediation courses, early alert initiatives and the first-year curriculum requirement. You can see all of the approved recommendations by browsing the official KSU-SPSU consolidation website here. There are also recommendations made by OWGs that are being considered by the appropriate Vice President rather than the CIC. I will keep you updated on approved recommendations that impact University College, including those that may add new programs and colleagues to our growing structure. |
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 | | First-Year Convocation Promo |
Convocation video featured across campus
If you haven't seen the First-Year Convocation Ceremony video click to view it now. The video was designed to capture the spirit of the annual induction ceremony for new students and parents. It is currently being shown through digital signage across campus and is featured on the Convocation website.
First-Year faculty will be encouraged to share this video with their students as a form of promoting awareness and appreciation of this memorable event during the first week of classes as well. Jennifer Leifheit-Little, assistant director of production services, and all those in AVTS that had a hand in creating the video did a spectacular job! The video is part of a larger "save the date" campaign to promote the Aug. 22 ceremony.
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Foote appointed to NASPA's International Education Knowledge Community (IEKC)
 Stephanie Foote, director of the M.S. in First-Year Studies, has accepted a two-year appointment as Faculty Liaison for NASPA's International Education Knowledge Community (IEKC). She will be responsible for representing IEKC issues regarding student affairs and maintaining and publicizing the graduate student internship website for U.S. students who want to work in another country. Foote will act as a general advisor on areas of scholarship as well as marketing the IEKC to NASPA faculty members. NASPA is a national organization for student affairs professionals. Additionally, she has accepted an appointment to the Board of Visitors for the University College at Coastal Carolina University, her alma mater. |
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Four first-year students present at ADP
Four rising sophomores presented their global aging research at the annual American Democracy Project (ADP) National Meeting in Kentucky.
President's Emerging Glob  al Scholars (PEGS) Haley Smith, Melissa Turvy and Jessica Grimes' presentation titled "The Worldwide Crisis of Global Aging" was based on primary research. Smith, Turvy and Grimes teamed up with UNIFACS in Brazil to investigate the aging population and how economies, lifestyles and distribution of wealth are impacted.
 "Attitudes About the Economy and the Effects of Foreign Investment" was presented by Matthew Buxton and based on shared participation with KSU advisors and students from UNIFACS in Brazil. The research focused on Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and the various implications it could have in different areas.
This annual conference brings together more than 600 attendees including academic and students affairs administrators, faculty members, students and community partners. The 2014 meeting theme was "Forging Civic Pathways for Students Between Our Institutions." The PEGS students' poster presentations were peer-reviewed and appeared beside posters from faculty and student affairs professionals.
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Davis presents at the National/American Popular Culture Association conference
James Davis, a jointly appointed
faculty member in the Department of First-Year and Transition Studies and Theatre & Performance Studies, recently presented his paper "If I Didn't Have a Guitar, I'd Have a Boat: Iconicity, Authenticity, Jack Sparrow and Keith Richards" at the National Popular Culture Association/ American Popular Culture Association conference.
Davis' paper focused on how Keith Richards' complex popular image and identity were adopted by actor Johnny Depp in creating Capt. Jack Sparrow for the Pirates of the Caribbean film series.
"While I was there, I got to talk to Barbara Eden from I Dream of Jeannie, who was the keynote speaker at the conference," Davis said.
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Daniels joins Dean's Suite to brand, market
 KSU alumna Loretta Garrett-Daniels joined the college staff June 2 as the Communication & Marketing Director. She will be responsible for marketing, branding and advancing the college. Daniels has both an M.S. in Conflict Management and a B.S. in Communication from the university. During the past 12 years Daniels has held positions in the private sector including COO in the pharmaceutical and medical industry. She has experience teaching KSU 1101 and KSU 1121 as a part-time faculty member in First-Year and Transition Studies. Daniels is the author of two books, For Women Only, Women Mean Business and Unlock Your Success. She was previously the host of her own television talk show, "The Loretta Garrett Show." |
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Caleb Buxton, INTS Student of the Year, snags marketing position at Bluetube 
Caleb Buxton, Integrative Studies Student of the Year, recently started a new position as marketing coordinator for Bluetube, a technology solutions development firm whose clients include CNN, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Toys-R-Us.
Buxton is excited about putting his new Integrative Studies degree with concentrations in Communication and Leadership Studies into practice. "I was referred to this position by Karen Marks in the Career Services Center, so I am very confident that Kennesaw State set me up for success. Not only through the INTS program and being able to truly develop my skill set but also through the legitimate interest the staff took in my career goals to be able to point me in the right direction," he explained.
Buxton will be working directly with the company's Chief Operating Officer. His responsibilities include maintaining the company's website, monitoring all social media outlets, developing content to help drive business toward the company as well as posting industry news for informational purposes to those that follow the outlets.
His plans include pursuing an advanced degree with hopes of working in the consulting industry in the future. Buxton, who graduated in May, was honored at the annual Scholars Awards Ceremony at the end of spring semester. He selected Debbie Smith as his faculty honoree.
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Grindell is "lookin' good" and back at KSU
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Celebration was in the air as Dee Grindell returned to campus to spend the day welcoming a group of new Thrive students who were participating in a pre-college study skills workshop. Grindell, who helped create and launch Thrive in 2011 and who now serves as a full-time graduation coach for the successful program, has been on medical leave since February.
"It is great to be back," an ebullient Grindell said. "I am so touched and grateful for the outpouring of love and support. I feel good, and I am ready to be here with the students doing what I love to do."
More than 500 KSU students, faculty and staff have supported Grindell by sporting colorful wristbands that say "We are 4 You!" and "Lookin' Good!," two expressions Grindell is fond of repeating to students. Friends and fans found additional ways to support Grindell throughout her medical leave. For example, students and colleagues formed a team to raise money in her honor through a Relay for Life group called "Team Dee." Others made cards, meals, care packages, a video documentary and a quilt to encourage Grindell during her recovery.
The fourth cohort of Thrive students came to campus this month to participate in the program's academic success workshops. Utilizing the theme "Zombieland," Grindell and fellow Graduation Coach Shae Smith encouraged students to follow proven strategies for success in college.
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New Thrive Coach for the 2014-2015 academic year 
Shae Smith, the newest Thrive Graduation Coach, is dedicated to assisting students with overcoming academic and financial obstacles as well as helping them to understand available college resources.
Smith has worked as a part-time faculty member in First-Year and Transition Studies for the past four years teaching KSU 1121 and KSU 1101.
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Former first-year seminar student receives Mellon Fellowship award 
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Arielle Balkcom, a former first-year seminar student in the Visual Arts Learning Community, was recently selected to participate in the Andrew W. Mellon Undergraduate Curatorial Fellowship Summer Academy.
This prestigious fellowship provides a rich experience in the museum environment for students of ethnically diverse backgrounds. The competition is tough -- only a limited number of students are selected for this intensive week-long series of workshops each year.
Balkcom has been assigned to the High Museum of Art (one of five partnering institutions) where she will be introduced to the curatorial field through various workshops, tours, field trips and networking events with museum professionals.
A sophomore majoring in visual arts, Balkcom intends to further her education in hopes of gaining a master's degree and pursuing a career in illustration and visual merchandising.
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Heard accepts new opportunity
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Michael Heard has accepted a new position at another university and will be leaving KSU June 30.
Heard served as the Associate Dean of University College for seven years. He taught environmental policy courses, POLS 1101, Leadership and Sustainability, and KSU 1101. He worked closely with the Early Start Bridge Academy and mentored student athletes.
Heard's position will not be filled until the college's Dean search is completed.
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Myles earns doctorate degree  | Nicoly Myles, program manager for the Early Start Bridge Academy is the newest doctor in the college. Myles was robed during Nova Southeastern University's June commencement ceremony after successfully completing her Ed.D. in Higher Education Leadership. Myles' dissertation focused on ESBA students and their success.
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