December 21, 2007
Governors State University Panel to Explore Practice Doctorates
The College of Health Professions at Governors State University will present "Advancing Professional Practice: An Expert Discussion on the Professional Practice Doctorate," on Thursday, January 10, from 1 to 4 p.m. The professional practice doctorate degree is a credential that is quickly gaining ground as professions adapt to the growth in knowledge in fields like nursing, physical therapy, and education. "The practice doctorate is giving professions the versatility to meet several challenges," said Dr. Linda Samson, dean of the College of Health Professions. "For example, it will soon be the entry-level degree for physical therapy practice. In other fields, like nursing, the degree will help put educators in the classroom and assure the skill set of advanced practitioners." Samson said the degree is being offered in more academic institutions and in more disciplines. She also noted the difference between practice doctorates and traditional Ph.D. programs. "The Ph.D. is a research degree," said Samson. "Ph.D. graduates typically work in universities and other research entities building human knowledge and understanding. Most professors in traditional fields in a university hold a Ph.D. or equivalent doctorate." The professional doctorate, in comparison, primarily focuses on the knowledge graduates need for advanced or entry-level practice. It also allows experts in a given discipline to take on managerial functions and apply systems-based solutions to challenges in the field, or "big picture" solutions that solve problems by making sure seemingly independent functions work well together and offer the best care and utilization of resources. She added that in fields like nursing, there is a looming and critical shortage of nurses who can teach the next generation of nurses, making an already critical shortage of nurses worse. The new professional practice doctorate in that field, the Doctor of Nursing Practice, will help solve that problem. Samson said that the College of Health Professions is one of the growing number of colleges that are developing and offering these degrees. The college launched its first professional doctorate degree, the Doctor of Physical Therapy, this summer, and a new Doctor of Nursing Practice is projected to accept students for Fall 2008 admission. "We're moving ahead with the development of our doctoral programs," she said. "We know there's a huge interest in these degrees, but there are a lot of questions, too." The January 10 program is designed to investigate those questions. The program panelists are: Dr. Steven Crow - President, The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools; Dr. Donna Hathaway - Dean of Nursing, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis; Dr. David Gale - Dean for the College of Health Sciences, Eastern Kentucky University; Dr. Linda Samson - Dean of the College of Health Professions, Governors State University; and Dr. Eric Martin - Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, Governors State University. The free event is open to the public and will be held in Sherman Hall on the university's main campus, located at 1 University Parkway, University Park, Illinois. For more information, call (708) 534-4914.
Source: Governors State University, Illinois
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December 21, 2007
Plymouth State University Offers New Graduate Programs to International Students
Expanding its global presence, Plymouth State University's College of Graduate Studies is offering master's degree programs in School Counseling and School Psychology for international students. The new programs fills a critical need world-wide for school counselors and school psychologists who are skilled in transforming individuals and institutions. "Plymouth State does a lot of international work, especially with international schools, and school psychology and counseling were notably absent in regard to advanced studies, so this is a prudent and professional decision for us," said Gary Goodnough, counselor education program coordinator. The School Counseling program is designed to be a three-year course of studies, including on-campus classes during the summer at PSU. The School Psychology program is designed to be completed in four years, to allow for a 1,200-hour internship. Both cohorts will include a distance learning element, as well. "It's a cutting edge program," said Goodnough. "There needs to be training for people in these specializations and they're not that common - we haven't seen a whole lot out there, especially with this mixed model."
"People have been making inquiries from overseas, we receive e-mails asking if we have a program they can attend, but they can't be here all the time, so we've created a program that's relatively user friendly; by having them come to campus during the summer we can really get to know them," said Dr. Leo Sandy, school psychology program coordinator. Designed for educators who are interested in transitioning from classroom to school counselor or school psychologist, or expanding their knowledge base and range of experience, each cohort will consist of 10-15 students who will progress through their chosen program at the same time. The cohort model encourages collaboration, builds community, and establishes a low faculty to staff ratio. The individual attention and guidance that students will receive from their leading faculty members, as well as program advisors is unparalleled. "A lot of the ranks of school psychologists and counselors come from the ranks of teachers," added Goodnough. "So this is a way for them to continue their education, this is a way for them to advance their careers" Plymouth State University's graduate faculty are nationally recognized experts in a wide range of areas including school counseling program design, counseling children, group counseling in schools, school psychology and other issues facing children and schools. They are leaders who are actively involved with national, regional, and state organizations, and they frequently publish professional articles and book chapters. Sandy believes the on-campus residency during summer months combined with the distance learning element will be both effective and convenient. "We decided to have students come to campus and take courses where we could observe and teach them interpersonal and counseling skills. Those skills are a critical part of being a school psychologist or counselor. In the online portion we concentrate on the subject content areas, so it's a mix that makes sense in a professional and interpersonal way," Sandy said. "You might have students in Shanghai, one in Vienna, one in Bahrain, you don't want them to feel isolated, the cohort model is a way of keeping them together," added Goodnough. "They'll stay here on campus for three consecutive summers and build relationships."
Source: Plymouth State University, New Hampshire
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December 20, 2007
Cornell University: Center for Sustainable Global Enterprise Announces Winner of BoP Competition
The Center for Sustainable Global Enterprise at the Johnson School at Cornell University is pleased to announce the winners of its first annual Base of the Pyramid e-Journal Competition. Coordinated through the Center's Base of the Pyramid Learning Laboratory, the competition was developed to highlight the challenges of doing business in underserved markets and identify innovative business experiments or solutions to those challenges.
The competition attracted submissions from authors representing seven nationalities and featured a diverse array of projects in 10 different countries. Using a double blind review process, the judges, with expertise in journalism and Base of the Pyramid enterprise development, took into consideration the quality of writing as well as initiatives that illustrated a unique approach to poverty alleviation through an innovative business model, product, service, or technology. The winning submissions were able to clearly articulate a business challenge that an organization, either a non-profit or for-profit enterprise, working in low-income communities is striving to overcome.
First place, and a prize of $2000, went to Joe Dougherty, senior manager for financial sector development at Emerging Markets Group, Ltd., who wrote about an innovative business model that would make veterinary services available to poor farmers in Zambia. Using a holistic approach, this business model addressed issues of trust and access between small cattle farmers and vets.
Second place and third places went to Ryan Kelley and Jeff Gangemi respectively, both students at the Johnson School at Cornell University. Ryan Kelley (MBA '09) highlighted the success of a rural radio network in Madagascar through its partnership model with multiple stakeholders and its transition from a non-profit model to a for-profit model. Jeff Gangemi (MBA '09) explored the challenges and costs faced by U.S. immigrants when accessing mainstream banking services. He highlights a licensable remittance processing platform as a solution to integrate the unbanked and underserved immigrant population into mainstream banking.
"The Base of the Pyramid Learning Lab is a consortium of companies, NGOs, multilateral organizations, entrepreneurs, and academics that work together to create growth opportunities in underdeveloped global markets," commented Monica Touesnard, managing director of the BoP Learning Lab. "This global competition was designed to raise awareness of some of the most innovative business ventures that are already improving the livelihoods for the world's poorest people and communities."
Source: The Johnson School at Cornell University, New York
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December 17, 2007
Clarkson University Math & Computer Science Chair Attends NSF-DOE Summit in Washington, D.C.
Clarkson University Professor Peter R Turner, chair of the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, attended an "invitation only" summit with the U.S. Department of Education and National Science Foundation in Washington, D.C., last week.
The Math-Science Partnerships STEM Summit had only two representatives from each state -- each higher education partner-leaders in the STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) educational outreach programs for the K-12 community. Turner led a break-out session on engaging college STEM faculty in such partnerships.
"This invitation is recognition for the entire Clarkson University effort in these programs, coordinated through our Office of Educational Partnerships," said Turner. "This particular recognition is based on the recent St. Lawrence Mathematics Partnership and its successor St. Lawrence STEM Partnership, both of which were run in conjunction with the St. Lawrence-Lewis BOCES Office of Educational Partnerships."
Other related programs at Clarkson include the NSF-funded GK-12 program, the New York State Education Department-funded IMPETUS for Career Success program, and the Lego and VEX robotics programs.
In August, the New York State Education Department awarded $2.4 million over three years to Morristown Central School District for the St. Lawrence County STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) Partnership, a continuation of the successful partnership between Clarkson and the local K-12 community through the St. Lawrence-Lewis BOCES.
In total, over the last few years the Clarkson-BOCES partnership has been rewarded with over $10 million in funding from a combination of federal and state funds from the National Science Foundation, the New York State Education Department and the U. S. departments of Education, and Health & Human Services.
Clarkson University, located in Potsdam, New York, is a private, nationally ranked university with a reputation for developing innovative leaders in engineering, business, the sciences, health sciences and the humanities. At Clarkson, 3, 000 high-ability students excel in an environment where learning is not only positive, friendly and supportive but spans the boundaries of traditional disciplines and knowledge. Faculty members achieve international recognition for their research and scholarship and connect students to their leadership potential in the marketplace through dynamic, real-world problem solving.
Source: Clarkson University, New York
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December 14, 2007
Christmas Bird Count Checks Local Biodiversity Duquesne University Professors Volunteer for Long-standing National Event
WHAT: Professors and graduate and undergraduate students from Duquesne University will be among the volunteers to conduct the National Audubon Christmas Bird Count. The count, which is in its 108th year, provides a survey of birds across North America and in parts of Central and South America within two weeks of Christmas.
The count helps ornithologists determine trends in bird diversity from year to year. This is the second time a group will be stationed in the Murphy’s Bottom area near Freeport. Last year, the nine-person crew sighted 30 species and 256 individual birds.
WHEN: 7 a.m. to about 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15
WHERE: Murphy’s Bottom, on the Allegheny River near Freeport
DIRECTIONS: For post-count interviews or to shadow the counters on Saturday, please contact Public Affairs.
Source: Duquesne University, Pennsylvania
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December 10, 2007
Expressive Arts Institute Accepts Applications for Professional Training Program
Applications are now being accepted for the three-weekend, noncredit training program in the professional applications of the expressive and creative arts offered each year by Salve Regina University's Expressive Arts Institute. The emphasis in this program is on preparing psychotherapists, medical caregivers, educators, corporate trainers and those in related fields to use and integrate the expressive and creative arts into the work they are presently doing. Session I is April 25-27; Session II is June. 20-22; and Session III is Sept. 12-14.
The expressive and creative arts are a highly effective, holistic method that facilitates physical, emotional, and spiritual transformation, while promoting self-discovery, personal growth, creative development, the evolution of consciousness, a connection with earth energies, and healing. It is also an excellent tool for conflict resolution and the constructive expression of painful emotions and negative thoughts.
The expressive and creative arts are now being widely used in hospitals around the country as a complementary form of treatment for cancer, heart disease and many other chronic and life-threatening illnesses. School systems are also using the expressive and creative arts at all grade levels to help students safely express their feelings, and develop positive self-esteem. Trainers in business and industry are using this process for team building, interpersonal communication and creative development.
The curriculum of this three-weekend professional training program will focus on using an intermodal approach to the expressive and creative arts, concentrating specifically on an integration of the visual arts with dance/movement, sound/music and expressive writing. A bachelor's degree is required for acceptance into the program, along with the intention and ability to use the training in a professional capacity.
Upon successfully completing the program, students will receive a Certificate of Completion as an Expressive Arts Educational Facilitator and CEUs (Continuing Education Units). This training program is a prerequisite for a 15-credit graduate certificate in the Professional Applications of the Expressive and Creative Arts offered through the Holistic graduate programs in Counseling and Leadership. This graduate certificate program is open to those who have completed the prerequisite and hold a bachelor's or master's degree in education, psychotherapy, medical caregiving, geriatrics, or other fields, such as business or the creative and performing arts who would like advanced graduate credits and more in-depth training in how to integrate the expressive arts into their chosen profession.
The program's core faculty includes Barbara Ganim, M.A.E.; C.H.H.C., Program Coordinator for the Institute, and Assistant Professor of Expressive Art and Holistic Counseling. She is the and of the books Art and Healing (Random House 1999); co-author with Susan Fox of Visual Journaling (Quest Books 1999); and author of Drawing from the Heart: A Seven Week Program to Heal Emotional Pain and Loss (Quest Books, 2004).
Ganim will teach the theoretical and scientific principles of the expressive and creative arts arts and their applications to a variety of professions. Adjunct professors: Kate Austin, M.A., Ph.D., will teach the experiential component of dance/movement; Christopher Carbone, M.A., will present an introduction to the uses of expressive sound/music; and Susan Fox, M.A.E., C.H.H.C., will provide students with a variety of in-depth experiences with the expressive and creative visual arts.
Applications are being accepted now for the 2008 program. Since acceptance into the program is limited to 20 students, those interested are urged to apply now. Tuition is $1,495. Anyone interested in more information on the application procedure, a brochure on this non-credit training program or more information about the expressive and creative arts 15-credit graduate certificate or the Holistic Counseling or Holistic Leadership master's programs should contact Barbara Ganim at 401-341-2157.
Source: Salve Regina University, Rhode Island
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December 7, 2007
Governors State University Announces Doctor of Nursing Practice
Governors State University announced approval of the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) by the Illinois Board of Higher Education at its December meeting. The program expects to admit its first students for the Fall 2008 trimester, pending final approval from the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. "Many thanks to the faculty and staff of the College of Health Professions for developing a program that meets local and national needs," said GSU President Elaine Maimon. "Preparing additional nurse educators will directly address the nursing shortage in this region." The program will be offered through the university's College of Health Professions, which pioneered the university's first doctoral program, the Doctor of Physical Therapy, earlier this year. Distinguished as a professional doctorate, the DNP is different from traditional Ph.D. programs that prepare students to become researchers. Professional doctorates teach future practitioners how to understand and use evidence-based practice. "The professional doctorate offers what the Ph.D. doesn't," said Linda Samson, Dean of the College of Health Professions. "It provides advanced knowledge and skills professionals need for actual practice in the discipline." More important, the DNP will address the critical shortage of nurses and nurse educators with this level of preparation. Program graduates will be advanced practice nurses who will assure that patients receive a high level of care. They will have expertise in nursing as well as in organizational issues, leadership, evidence-based practice, and population health. "Our graduates will bring their advanced knowledge of practice to the nurses on the floor and to hospital administration," Samson said. The DNP has also been developed to address a critical shortage of nursing faculty. One of the major barriers to increasing the capacity to educate new nurses is the lack of qualified faculty. DNP prepared practitioner/educators will be able to bring their practice expertise to the classroom and the clinical settings in many nursing programs. The recognized shortage of nurses can be reduced by educating new nurses, which is another goal of the DNP. The College of Health Professions is the university's fastest growing college offering four baccalaureate programs, six master's degrees, two doctoral programs, and eleven certificate programs.
Source: Governors State University, Illinois
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