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September 2020 Contents

NDMU News

NDMU Rankings Announced

gibbons tower with us news logo

NDMU continues to be listed among the top colleges and universities in this year’s U.S. News & World Report “Best Colleges 2021.” The University climbed 10 slots in the Best Region Universities in the North classification under the best school for “Top Performers in Social Mobility.” NDMU rose from No. 22 to No. 11 in 2021 and marks the highest-ranking school in Maryland, in the area. 

This is the second year NDMU was ranked in the “Top Performers in Social Mobility” category for its strong success rate in advancing a student’s ability to complete their degree and find good-paying jobs. This U.S. News classification evaluates which schools best serve underrepresented students. Using Pell Grants as a proxy measure, the ranking looks at enrollment and graduation rates of low-income students.

NDMU also rose 15 slots in the magazine’s rankings in “Best Value Schools” to No. 55 and overall the University is ranked as tied for No. 59 out of 176 colleges and universities in this grouping. The U.S. News rankings focus on full-time undergraduate education.

NDMU was also ranked 10th Best Women’s College by CollegeChoice. This ranking highlights women’s colleges in the US “based exclusively on factors actual college freshmen said were most important to their college decision.” The rankings were determined using publicly available sources that featured “academic reputation, financial aid offerings, overall cost, and success of graduates in the post-college job market,” which according to the Higher Education Research Institute at UCLA are major determining factors for freshmen.

NDMU Launches its New Brand, The Best You

new "The best you" banners hung up in parking lot at NDMU

Originally charged by the University's 2020 Strategic Plan, Notre Dame of Maryland University completed a 3-year branding initiative with the launch of a new brand and tagline, The Best You. The new brand captures the Notre Dame mission and the transformative education students receive by placing the focus on the individual. When you become the best version of yourself, you can then go on to help create a better world, which is exactly what NDMU is all about.

The new brand was officially launched with a special presentation for faculty and staff at the University Assembly on August 21, 2020. If you were unable to attend the presentation, please WATCH the recording for more information about the branding process and the reasons behind how the creative elements were developed. #TheBestYouNDMU 

 

NDMU Together Adds On-Campus, COVID-19 Testing to the Plan 

covid testing team set up at desk outside gym

As we get closer to wrapping up the first month of the fall semester, NDMU would like to thank our campus community for their continued dedication to the health and safety at NDMU. Beyond our NDMU Together initiatives including mask mandates, daily self-screening, and social distancing, NDMU has implemented a program for COVID-19 surveillance testing in partnership with LifeBridge Health and the University of Maryland Baltimore’s Institute for Genomic Sciences. Faculty, staff, and students who come to campus on a regular basis are participating in random on-campus COVID-19 testing with no cost to selected community members. The approximately 50 selections per-week will be generated randomly. Selected community members will be emailed with detailed instructions for registration. #NDMUTogether 

125 years tote bag with ppe insideIn support of NDMU Together and keeping our campus safe, the NDMU Office of Institutional Advancement is holding a random drawing for a PPE gift bag. The 125 canvas tote bag includes a facemask, hand sanitizer, face shield, and other gifts to thank the campus community for helping keep NDMU healthy and safe. Faculty and staff members that come to campus on a regular basis are encouraged to enter the drawing. Ten (10) winners will be selected and will be hand-delivered their gift minding social distancing. #NDMUTogether 

Sister Kathleen Feeley Honored

sister Kathleen feeley headshotSister Kathleen Feeley was selected as an Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement honoree by Marquis Who’s Who. Additional details regarding her recognition will be forthcoming.

“Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment.” #NDMUProud

 

Peer Tutors Needed

Current NDMU Women’s College students are encouraged to apply to become a peer tutor. Students interested must fill out the application to be considered. A resume, two faculty recommendation letters, your most current transcript and current class resume must be submitted upon application. Additional qualifications required.

The Multimedia Studio

Teaching from your home office this fall? Mix it up a bit by moving your workspace on-campus every now and again. The Multimedia Studio is here for all NDMU educators in need of:

  • a change of scenery to facilitate class sessions;
  • podcasting resources to create quality learning resources;
  • quiet audio-visual space to work, uninterrupted!

We offer all of the above and personalized training if you need it! Learn more about the studio, get certified, or schedule your time by emailing Simone Christian at schristian@ndm.edu. Weekly scheduled space is limited, so get in touch today!


Alumnae and Alumni Relations

virtual reunion 2020 flyer

We are just under a month away from celebrating Reunion 2020! This past week, we just reached the 200-registrants milestone for our virtual reunion celebration. Prior to Reunion on starting October 7, our registrants will receive their Virtual Reunion 2020 care package that will enhance the festivities during the week. There is still time to register as registration will remain open until October 11. 

Join us for a live-streamed version of this traditional Reunion mass at 11:00 a.m. on October 11. We will come together to remember those who have passed and pray as a Notre Dame community. We will also honor this and last year’s newest Montrose Society members with a virtual pinning ceremony. Due to safety concerns, Mass will not be held in person.

Nikki Gatewood HeadshotThis summer has brought a change in Alumnae and Alumni Council leadership. We are thrilled to announce that Nichole' C. Gatewood, Esq. ’01 has been elected as the President of the Alumnae and Alumni Council. Nichole', who goes by Nikki, has for the past three years, served as an at-large member on the AAC and for far longer has been part of NDMU's Networking Committee, First Impressions Committee, and served as an ambassador for our community.

Check out all the Council representatives

Thank you to Victoria Meadows ’15 who has served in the President role for the past three years.


Camp Notre Dame

camp notre dame t-shirt and packed boxesCamp Notre Dame launched the first-ever virtual summer camp. Virtual camp complied of sending campers activity boxes with daily crafts, pre-recorded instructions, and included live sessions. Camp was a riving success, sending out over 100 boxes throughout Maryland, D.C, and Pennsylvania. Each of the themed sessions sold at least 25 boxes with the most popular session Ocean Commotion selling 29. The Camp Notre Dame team also worked with SAGE to provide a cooking at home program. SAGE compiled boxes of professional cooking tools to campers at home. There were 10 boxes sold but 30 live videos session with a SAGE chef sold. Some of the popular weeks were hand pies and sushi.

Keep an eye out from the CND team for information on our Winter Wonderland Camp at Home session in December!


Gormley Gallery

Gormley Gallery art show competition flyer

  • Gormley Gallery is pleased to welcome Sarah McCann to the role of Guest Curator for the 2020-2021 academic year. Ms. McCann is a community artist who has exhibited her work nationally and locally, and who has curated exhibitions and organized community programming in Baltimore and beyond. We look forward to Ms. McCann bringing her collaborative and community-oriented approach to Gormley Gallery this year.
  • Gormley Gallery has gone virtual for the fall! You can find our new exhibition space at gormleygallery.com. The first exhibition of the fall 2020 season is the 31st National Drawing & Print Competitive Exhibition, featuring works by 50 artists from across the country.
  • A new exhibition is currently on view in Civera Gallery (UAB, 2nd floor). "Celebrating Materials" features work by graduate students and faculty in the Art Therapy program. A virtual version of the exhibition is coming soon!

Career Center

Virtual career and internship fairs are coming up soon, and they are great for students of smaller schools. Don’t miss the chance to meet a diverse array of employers.

NDMU’s Fair – Thursday, October 1, 2:00 to 5:00 pm (co-hosted with five local liberal arts schools) 

UMBC’s Fair (NDMU students are eligible to attend) – Wednesday, September 23, 11:30 am to 3:30 pm

Virtual internships are possible. This Summer, 46% of employers moved to this format. Use these tips to make it a productive experience.


Library

The LNDL building is open! 

Learn more about visiting the Library as well as remote services, resources, and technology.

Rightfully Hers Pop-up Exhibit Now on Display

Did you know 2020 marks the 100th anniversary of women gaining the right to vote in the US? The exhibit Rightfully Hers is on view in the gallery of the library through the fall semester. This pop-up display from the National Archives commemorates the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment. Explore the history of the ratification of this historic amendment, women’s voting rights before and after, and its impact today.

LNDL Online Technology Pop-Up Class: Mask Making
Wednesday, September 16, 2020, 12pm
Join us as we discuss and make pleated face masks. Make for yourself, a friend, or an organization in need, or just practice your sewing skills.  

LNDL Online Technology Pop-Up Class: Photography with Adobe Photoshop Lightroom
Wednesday, September 16, 2020, 12:30 pm
This exploratory session covers photography basics with a focus on aspect ratios, framing, composition, and their application within the Adobe Lightroom mobile app. 

LNDL Online Copyright Workshop: Copyright and Online Instruction 
Wednesday, September 16, 3-4 pm
Are you wondering if your online course materials comply with copyright law? This workshop will provide the basics of copyright law for online instruction and how it differs from teaching in the face-to-face classroom. You will learn how to use a copyright framework to work through your copyright questions and determine if you need permissions for your use. 

LNDL Online Technology Pop-Up Class: Games as a new literacy tool: Teaching and Learning Through Games and Virtual Reality Technology
Thursday, September 17, 2020, 12 pm
This workshop is for participants interested in incorporating games and digital interactive technology as trans-disciplinary teaching and learning tools in the classroom.  

LNDL Online Technology Pop-Up Class: Working with Fonts in Cricut Design Space
Wednesday, September 23, 2020, 12 pm
In this workshop you will explore using the type tool, select fonts, designate linetype and manipulate size, spacing, alignment, color and more. By the end of this workshop you will have the basics to add text to any project, whether wall art, a tumbler decal or a card.  

LNDL Online Technology Pop-Up Class: Learn the Basics of Amazon Cloud (AWS) and Explore Simple Artificial Intelligence Widgets
Monday, September 28, 2020, 12pm
What is AWS and what can you do with it? Learn how to set up an AWS Educate account and explore ways you can leverage its capability to deploy simple artificial intelligence widgets such as semantic analysis and feature recognition. 

LNDL Online Technology Pop-Up Class: Sticker Making with Cricut Print Then Cut
Wednesday, September 30, 2020, 12pm
In this workshop you will explore the Cricut Print Then Cut function and walk through the steps to make personalized stickers. 

LNDL Online Technology Pop-Up Class: Velfie Videography with Adobe Premiere Rush
Wednesday, September 30, 2020, 12:30 pm
This exploratory session covers mobile videography basics, with an emphasis on exposure, focus, and its use in creating quality 'Velfies' (video selfies) within the Adobe Premiere mobile app.  

LNDL Online Technology Pop-Up Class: Creating Digital Maps in ArcGIS
Tuesday, October 6, 2020, 12 pm
Learn how to use ArcGIS software to create digital maps! These maps can be posted on digital scholarship sites and are a great way to visualize location data for your research projects. In this class, you’ll learn about all the tools this software has to offer, as well as how to create, edit, and publish a map of your own. 

LNDL Online Technology Pop-Up Class: Designing for Social Media with Adobe Spark
Wednesday, October 7, 2020, 12:30 pm
This session provides an overview of Adobe Spark, a powerful tool that enables graphic design on your mobile device, which can be output to various image formats and dimensions for social media.  

LNDL Online Copyright Workshop: How to Find and Legally Use Images
Wednesday, October 7, 3-4 pm
Ever wonder if it's okay to use an image in your course materials, publication, or conference presentation? This workshop will help you identify when it's okay to use images without permission. It will also provide tips for locating images that can be freely used under Creative Commons licenses or the public domain. 

LNDL Online Technology Pop-Up Class: ArcGIS StoryMaps
Tuesday, October 13, 2020, 12 pm
Learn how to use ArcGIS StoryMaps to create a virtual narrative experience for your research project! This software enables you to incorporate photos, videos, audio files, and more to create an immersive storytelling experience from your research.  

LNDL Online Copyright Workshop: Open Access and Open Educational Resources
Wednesday, October 21, 3-4 pm
Hoping to reduce textbook costs for your students? This workshop will provide an introduction to open access and open educational resources and provide information on where to located open educational materials. 


Athletics

The Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) is proud to announce the "Raise Your Game" virtual programming series slated to kick off during the Fall 2020 semester. 

The CSAC has developed a series of virtual programs for student-athletes in an effort to enhance the Division III experience in the absence of fall competition. Each program will be developed and hosted by one or more of the 11 CSAC core institutions. The series will touch on various topics such as leadership, mental health, nutrition and citizenship. 

In addition to the student-athlete programming series, the #RaiseYourGame initiative will also feature a series of "fireside chats" with each fall sport coaching group. The fireside chats will give student-athletes and CSAC fans an opportunity to learn more about not only their coach, but all the coaches who lead programs in the CSAC. 

The #RaiseYourGame series is slated to start on Wednesday, September 23 and continue through the fall semester. 

For the most up to date information on the series, please visit www.csacsports.org/raiseyourgame or follow the CSAC on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram at @CSACsports. Student-athletes may also submit their suggestions for programming topics by visiting the website or using the hashtag #RaiseYourGame. 

Gators Homepage


News by School

School of Arts, Sciences, and Business

School News

International Relations and Morrisy Honors student, Jolisse Gray, has been accepted as a delegate to the Change the World Virtual Model United Nations in November 2020. Jolisse has also been appointed as NDMU’s student representative on the Maryland Higher Education Commission’s Student Advisory Council.

Alpha Phi Sigma and Women for Justice of the Criminology Department present a follow up ethics discussion on social, philosophical, and moral issues surrounding the continued impact of COVID-19. Join us for a discussion on issues surrounding social distancing and mask-wearing, racial and ethnic disparities, and more. Zoom Meeting ID: 918 3030 6610 Passcode: 972486

Eta Kappa chapter of Alpha Phi Sigma welcomes their newest members Hanay Contreras, Sarah Haley, Ayana Johnson, and Kyrston West on Wednesday, September 16 at 5:30 p.m. SVU Division Chief Michele Lambert will the guest speaker for the induction ceremony.

Zoom

book coverMarcela Valencia Tsuchiya was in charge of the edition of the novel El gaznapirón by Peruvian writer Alejandro Sánchez-Aizcorbe and designed the cover of the book. She also interviewed the author and the interview was published in the online magazine ViceVersa on July 28, 2020. ViceVersa is a bilingual periodical that publishes articles, essays and works of fiction in both Spanish and English.

Alejandro Sánchez-Aizcorbe, Peruvian writer who teaches Spanish at the Department of Classical and Modern Foreign Languages at NDMU, has recently presented his last novel, El gaznapirón. The virtual presentation of the book took place on July 4th in Carlos Paz-Argentina, Lima-Peru, Baltimore and, Huelva-Spain. The presentation was in charge of Pedro Solans, laureate Argentinian writer and Director of the publishing company Corprens Editora. The actor Daniel Grana read an excerpt from a chapter. The author of El gaznapirónparticipated in the panel. 

Philosophy Happy Hour
Come learn about new classes and clubs, chat with faculty and majors about the discipline, or just take a moment to appreciate the love of wisdom with others. Philosophy faculty will give a brief presentation, then provide time for dialogue. Students of any major are welcome! Wednesday, October 28th, 5-6pm, via Zoom.

School of Education

School News

Ryan Schaaf, Associate Professor of Educational Technology in the School of Education, recently published a new article with The Learning Counsel. The article, titled The New Role of Educators During and After COVID-19, explores the new realities teachers must face in regards to the future of education during and after the pandemic. This post is a part of The Brief History of the Future of Education series based on his book released by Corwin.

Nakia McKinley M’20 in the Leadership in Special Education Master’s program re-launched her book entitled Holy Inspirations: A Collection of Inspirational Poetry. It is available on Amazon and Kindle.

Michele Schuler (Alum 2016) will present at the Association Middle Level Educators (AMLE20) Virtual Conference October 23-25.

School of Nursing

School News

The Foundation for Academic Nursing, the philanthropic arm of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) announced its latest round of student receiving scholarship support through the COVID-19 Nursing Student Support Fun. Gabriela “Gabby” Torres was one of 107 nursing students selected for the scholarship. 

“The COVID-19 Nursing Student Support Fund provides one-time scholarships to nursing students impacted by the pandemic and seeking financial support to complete their nursing programs and/or to meet living expenses. Priority is given to entry-level students in baccalaureate and master’s programs in the final two semesters of their nursing programs.”

Dr. Sabita Persaud has been named the editor of The Maryland Nurse, a peer-review journal. The journal is a publication of the Maryland Nurses Association, a state-wide non-profit, professional membership organization for Registered Nurses in Maryland that provides direction and a voice for the profession of nursing in Maryland. The journal publishes four times per year and distributes to all registered nurses in the state, nursing libraries and state legislative offices – approximately 77,000.

Mary O'Connor, PhD, RN, CENP, FACHE Professor of Nursing and Beth Tingo, MS, RN Director, Population Health, University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center recently published Addressing population health: Regional partnership in Nursing Administration Quarterly. In addition, Mary was guest co-editor of the issue Leadership Environments:  Leading Care Anywhere with Maria R. Shirey PhD, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, ANEF, FACHE, FNAP, FAAN Professor of Nursing University of Alabama Birmingham. 

School of Pharmacy

School News

Assistant Professor, Ashley Moody, was selected as a Faculty Scholar at the NACDS Foundation for the 2020-2021 Faculty Scholars Program. Five faculty members from pharmacy schools and colleges from across the nation were selected to participate in the 18-month program. The research mentorship program provides, “the opportunity to engage in community pharmacy-based, patient-centered research. Each Faculty Scholar will receive a starter grant to spearhead a patient-focused research project.”

Dr. Mayrim Millan-Barea '18 was featured in an interview with Somos Baltimore Latino, answering questions about the role of a pharmacist in the community.

Kofi Andoh, P4 pharmacy student, was elected to the Student National Pharmaceutical Association's executive board. Kofi will serve as the organization's 2020-2021 Vice President.


Events

September 16

Ethics Discussion

4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. (virtual)

Alpha Phi Sigma and Women for Justice of the Criminology Department present a follow up ethics discussion on social, philosophical, and moral issues surrounding the continued impact of COVID-19. Join us for a discussion on issues surrounding social distancing and mask-wearing, racial and ethnic disparities, and more.

Zoom



September 16

Alpha Phi Sigma Induction Ceremony

5:30 p.m. (virtual)

Zoom



September 17

Open Hour w/ Dr. Garlic (Assoc. VP of Student Life)

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Drop by to say hi to Dr. Garlic & chat.

Zoom



September 17

Open Hour w/ Amber (Director of SECP)

11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Drop by to say hi to Amber and watch a few Ted talks. #TedTalkThursday

Zoom



September 17

Biology Seminar

12:15 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. (virtual)

Dr. Emily Taylor, University of Southern California. “Weathering the Change: How will Lizards and Snakes Respond to Increasing Temperatures?”



September 17

Seven Stages of Grief & COVID19

12:15 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Join the Peer Educators in a Zoom Session as we inform you about the seven stages of grief and how to overcome it! We will discuss about grief stemming from the impacts of COVID-19 and missing out on in-person activities on campus.

Zoom



September 17

LNDL Online Technology Pop-up Class: Games as a new Literacy tool: Teaching & Learning though games and Virtual Reality Technology

12:00 p.m.

This workshop is for participants interested in incorporating games and digital interactive technology as trans-disciplinary teaching and learning tools in the classroom.

Register



September 19

Gentle Yoga

9:00 a.m.

Join this free and accessible yoga class which is inclusive to everyone, including beginners.

Zoom



September 19

Cap & Gown Investiture

12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Zoom



September 19

Movie Night: The Color Purple

7:00 p.m.

Zoom



September 23

UMBC Career Fair

11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Link



October 1

NDMU Career Fair

2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Fair Info



October 9-11

Registration will remain open throughout the Virtual Reunion celebration. Due to the virtual nature of the program, a flat fee of $35 per person will grant you access to all of the celebratory events. There is no early-bird price this year.

Registering on or before noon ET on Monday, September 7, 2020 guarantees you will receive a Reunion Care Package in advance of the event.
 

Reunion Weekend



October 15

Biology Seminar

12:15 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. (virtual)

Dr. Amy Klion, M.D., Chief, Human Eosinophil Section, National Institutes of Health. ”Eosinophils: the Good, the Bad, and the Beautiful”



October 16

Healing Racial Trauma with Dietra Hawkins, Psy.D.

9:00am to 12:00pm

Notre Dame of Maryland University Psychology Department, as an APA approved sponsor, is pleased to offer a series of continuing education seminars for psychologists and other mental health professionals. All seminars are held on Fridays from 9am-12pm (3 hours) and upon completion, participants will earn 3 continuing education credits. All seminars will be conducted via Zoom.

Virtual



October 28

Philosophy Happy Hour

5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Come learn about new classes and clubs, chat with faculty and majors about the discipline, or just take a moment to appreciate the love of wisdom with others. Philosophy faculty will give a brief presentation, then provide time for dialogue. Students of any major are welcome!

Zoom



October 29

Biology Seminar

12:15 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. (virtual)

Dr. Jack Gilbert, Professor of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego. “Understanding the Power of the Microbiome"