As a result of new public health forecasts and medical guidance, as well as the prospect of more widespread vaccination against the COVID-19 virus, we are planning for more normal on-campus activities in Fall 2021. This includes more in-person instruction than has been possible during the current academic year. Please know that our plans are continually evolving based on guidance from federal, state, and local health officials, and constant monitoring of on the ground metrics in Baltimore, Maryland, and across the county.
The clinic will be held in the gym on NDMU’s campus on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday starting April 13. The clinic will run each day from 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Notre Dame is proud to partner with Safeway Pharmacies to bring the COVID-19 vaccine to not only the NDMU community but also to local colleges and the surrounding community. NDMU’s School of Pharmacy students and staff will be on-site with Safeway Pharmacy members to help administer the doses.
As we prepare for the return to campus this spring, we’d like to remind campus of the many steps we have in place to continue to keep our community healthy and safe and where to find all up-to-date information regarding our safety protocols.
Effective January 4, 2020, the University is implementing a mandatory influenza vaccine policy for all on-campus students, faculty, staff, and contractors. Be sure to submit documentation before arriving to campus after January 4. Directions for how to submit documentation or request an exception can be found in NDMU Together General Health & Safety. Be sure to check the NDMU Together site prior to arriving to campus to ensure 100% compliance to all safety protocols.
Also, all arriving or returning to campus for the spring semester who were not on campus regularly/routinely (i.e. in the testing pool) in the fall semester will be required to submit a negative viral COVID-19 test result prior to their entry on campus. The test must have been administered and negative results received within 7 days prior to scheduled return to campus. On-campus random COVID-19 surveillance testing will resume during the week of January 11.
All previous safety protocols are still in effect for those coming to campus. Masks that cover the nose and mouth are required at all times unless alone in one’s office, residence hall room, while eating or outside with proper social distancing. Please maintain social distancing of six feet at all times and when possible, schedule virtual meetings. Before arriving to campus, please fill out the symptom screener and do not come to campus unless you receive the all-clear from the test or have been instructed by our COVID-19 team after a failed result. Be sure to continue to wash hands regularly and use hand sanitizer when made available.
Be sure to plan for the academic calendar changes including the changes for spring and Easter breaks. Those changes have been reflected online.
All the latest updates will be reflected on the NDMU Together site under announcements.
Universitas Has Arrived
As community members make their return to NDMU, you will find copies of Universitas scattered across campus. Feel free to grab a copy or stop by University Communications located on the third floor of LeClerc Hall to get your copy. The digital issue of Universitas is also available to view online. Within the issue, you will learn about the launch of NDMU’s new inspirational new brand “The Best You”, the IMPRINT program, the impact our students and alums have made in their communities throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and much more. Also be sure to view the centerfold feature about the 19th Amendment and how it was just the beginning of the right for all women to vote.
Art Therapy Graduates
NDMU congratulates the first cohort of Art Therapy Graduate Program students who completed their degrees this winter. The four graduates not only completed their degrees, they each passed the art therapy licensing exam including a national certification exam and a Maryland jurisprudence exam. Michelle Long, Melanie Sanderson, Emily Kendall, and Marie Morrison (pictured left to right above) each also are officially Licensed Graduate Professional Art Therapist (LGPAT) in Maryland. Congratulations graduates!
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Holiday Wrap Up
We hope our NDMU campus community enjoyed their holiday break, a time spent relaxing and giving thanks. Although we could not celebrate the holidays in our usual fashion, the community did find ways to join together in community. If you were unable to attend Trim Tree, be sure to check out this year’s digital ornaments on Instagram (under Tree Trim Highlights) submitted to Student Life and the lighting of the Gibbons tower. Dr. Spratt, Dr. Davis, Professor McShea and Professor Beyer also helped us to spread some holiday cheer, sharing with us their favorite holiday recipes. Check out their recipes for coffee cake, chocolate fudge, gingerbread cookies and pecan pie. Also new this year, in lieu of the annual Christmas Eve Liturgy, the Office of Institutional Advancement joined together with Dr. David Morocco to put together a Christmas Concert from Marikle Chapel. Enjoy the sights and sounds of our beautiful campus and chapel during Christmas.
The Innovation Station equipment will be available during the spring semester via reservation. This includes our brand new laser cutter! Learn more and reserve makerspace technology.
Career Center
Thank you to everyone who contributed to the Career Center/First Impressions Program Needs Assessment. We received a phenomenal response and are currently analyzing the results to adjust our programming and services.
Just announced. Coming in February! The largest career fair for NDMU students/alums ever will be held on Wednesday, February 24 from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Attend the Maryland/Pennsylvania Liberal Arts Career Fair via Handshake. Students from ten private liberal arts schools and over 100 employers will be participating.
It is with heavy hearts that we announce that the English Language Institute (ELI) is closing its doors until Spring 2022. Despite our creative ideas to expand the curriculum and meet the changing needs of the international student population, ELI will not offer courses in 2021.
Since its founding in 1983, the ELI has welcomed hundreds and hundreds of students from over 30 countries to the Notre Dame campus. Our intensive English program offers student-centered instruction designed to help our students achieve academic and professional success.
However, we are much more than a highly respected international program. The ELI is truly a family that sets us apart from other programs in our area. Our faculty and staff handle all aspects of the process, from marketing through admissions, registration, orientation, academic sessions, tutoring, field trips, advising, and end-of-session farewell events. In addition, we provide hands-on support to help our students adapt to the culture of the US and American university life. We provide transportation for shopping trips and doctor’s appointments, give advice for personal problems, celebrate cultural holidays, and more. We mindfully bridge cultural differences and create a rich global community. We embrace diversity, learn from each other, celebrate our differences, and find joy in discovering our commonality.
Former students stay in touch on social media; those still in the area even stop by to visit. Students personally refer their family and friends to the ELI. We continue to have robust interest in our program and our faculty has been flexible and successful in pivoting to online instruction. Last year, the ELI earned the highest level of accreditation in our field, from the Commission on English Language Program Accreditation (CEA), and we expect to receive long-term accreditation in January 2021.
Many thanks to the core team that has supported the ELI over the years:
Sr. Katheen Feeley for her open-mindedness, passionate advocacy of international education, and unwavering support of the ELI.
Past Directors including Joan, Dorothea, Millicent, Noella, Denise, Theresa, Mary Burch and Jessica.
All of the faculty members who have taught in the ELI over the years.
Our South Korean and NDMU student interns.
The Modern Languages Department, Marketing Department, Crissa, Kyle and Caroline.
Most of all, our incredible students who placed their trust in us.
We invite you to enjoy a slideshow from the ELI’s 35th Anniversary and Culture Day in November 2018. The pictures say it all.
Dr. Jessica Davis of the Philosophy Department is presenting her paper, "Diffraction and the Self in Community of Inquiry," at the virtual American Philosophical Association Eastern Division Conference on January 7th.
What role are our smartphones playing in our mental health? Dr. Maria Mouatidis shares some of her thoughts about stress and anxiety when it comes to our smartphones.
School of Education
Ryan Schaaf, Associate Professor of Educational Technology, testified to the Maryland House Ways and Means Sub-Committee on Education about the pandemic and the impact of distance learning on students and teachers alike.
Dr. Keila Foster, Ed.D. recently earned her Doctorate in Educational Leadership at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore on May 15, 2020. Dr. Keila is currently enrolled in the Post Master’s program for Library Media. She has always had a passion for reading, an interest in K-12 Library Media and reads one book a month. Dr. Foster plans to further her literacy interest through writing educational books with a focus on black and brown girls, creating opportunities for more African Americans to major in Library Science, and advocating for period equality for incarcerated women to have access to menstrual materials through her newly founded non-profit Project Flow, LLC.
School of Nursing
Several of NDMU alumni are recognized in the What's Up Annapolis magazine's feature Excellence in Nursing:
MS Nursing Administration graduates:
Danny Watkins Director of Pathways (AAMC)
Iskra Jones - NM BWMC
Kim Warner - CC BWMC
Linda Catania - Nurse Educator - BWMC
Bree Bradford - Manager of RN triage AAMC
Devra Cockerville - NM AAMC
Professor Mary O'Connor
Current School of Nursing student, Nicey Olo, shows off her artistic side beyond the classroom.
Congratulations to Crei Tabligan and Mina Khalil for presenting their posters virtually at the ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting and Exhibition 2020.
Assistant Dean of Student Success, Dr. Culhane, spoke to The Teaching Academy of The Johns Hopkins University on the S.A.L.A.M.I (Systematic Approach to Learning and Metacognitive Improvement) Method. Our faculty and administration continue to educate and grow the knowledge of pharmacy and education.
Save the Dates
Academic Calendar
Be sure to check out the latest version of the Academic Calendar for 2020-2021. As NDMU plans the return to campus in the spring, several changes have been made to the Academic Calendar that will affect spring break and Easter Monday.
NDMU Events
Be sure to check out the NDMU Events calendar below for all upcoming events.
@ndmu_tutoringservices