School of Education Welcomes Students from China Through New International Partnership


BALTIMORE – A new partnership between the School of Education and the American Chinese Educational Exchange (ACCE) is providing students from China with the opportunity to attend Notre Dame of Maryland University and earn their master’s degree and teaching certification through an accelerated 10-month program.

April 2024
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Message from the Alumni Engagement Team

Greetings Alumni,

Your next edition of Tower Talk is here to provide opportunities to share your news and achievements, register for upcoming events, and learn a little about what’s happening at Notre Dame. Spring Break for our students was a couple of weeks ago, and it’s always enjoyable to see our campus alive again with activity we can see from our windows in Noyes House, so we are happy to have them back!

Spring is in the air, and our seniors are taking their final steps as students until Commencement, when we will welcome them into the alumni family. Be on the lookout for how you can celebrate our seniors on social media this May.

We hope to see you at an upcoming event soon!

Warmly,
Your Alumni Engagement Team

The Student Alumni Leadership Council Continues to Thrive

SALC table at Gatorfest

The Student Alumni Leadership Council (SALC) is a group of current NDMU students that encourage the entire undergraduate and graduate student body to develop loyalty and lifelong connections so they become engaged and invested alumni. Members of SALC keep NDMU traditions, spirit, and pride alive on campus while maintaining a link and serving as a voice between current students, the campus community, and alumni. They work in collaboration with the Alumni Engagement Office to develop a network between students and alumni.

"As a commuter, SALC presented with me with a unique opportunity to stay close to my NDMU circle of friends while also allowing me to meet new faces from the student body and alum pool." - Sarah Generoso '25, SALC Communications Chair

"One of the best things about being a part of SALC is having the opportunity to meet alumni during various events like Bridge the Gap, Dinner with Gators, and Alumni Weekend. SALC group photo in Noyes HouseIt's always a great experience speaking to them and learning about their experiences during college, as well as receiving helpful tips for navigating the adult world." - Kritika Kc '25, SALC Vice President

"SALC has changed how I view myself. I now know that I can be a Kessler and influencer. SALC has given me confidence and opportunities I wouldn’t have anywhere else." - Nwanneka Udolisa '25, SALC President

The newest initiative for SALC is the Dinner with Gators program. Alumni may host 3 - 4 students in SALC for small dinner parties (lunch or breakfast works, too), bringing Gators together in a warm, friendly environment for good food, conversation, and camaraderie. You can learn more about the program on our website. Kathy Wilder '82 explains why she loved hosting for the students:

"As a long-ago alum who has been involved with the Alumnae Association, I was excited to meet the new young women on campus. Their participation in various programs mirrored my experience but the level of scholarship, maturity, and ambition is much greater. WOW! I feel much more optimistic for the future of the planet after our dinner."

At this time, SALC programs are in person, but please email ndmalum@ndm.edu​ if you would like to participate in a virtual event with SALC!


Are you interested in being interviewed for an upcoming edition of Tower Talk? Sign up by clicking the button below!

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Group photo from red carpet premiere
The College Tour Premiere

NDMU’s The College Tour episode officially launched on Friday, March 22 with a red carpet premiere showing in LeClerc Theatre! The episode, which will debut on Amazon Prime this spring, features nine students and one alumna, Jolisse Gray '22, sharing their own unique Notre Dame experiences.

The College Tour is a TV series presented by multi-award winning producers that tells the story of colleges and universities around the world. The show filmed on NDMU’s campus for five days this fall.

Campus News and Updates

Pharmacy Student Works Towards Third NDMU Degree

Kunjrani Pani '10, M'18, D'25, currently a third-year student in the School of Pharmacy, is working towards her third degree at NDMU after previously earning a bachelor’s degree in biology from the School of Arts, Sciences, andKunjrani Pani Business and a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) from the School of Education. She is the current president of NDMU’s American Pharmacists Association – Academy of Student Pharmacists (APhA-ASP) chapter, the Director of National Engagement for NDMU’s Industrial Pharmacist Organization (IPhO), and a tutoring chair for the Rho Chi Pharmacy Honor Society. Pani also serves as a School of Pharmacy Student Ambassador, she is the school’s liaison for NDMU’s Student Government Association, and she is a group leader for the School of Pharmacy’s AdvoCaring community service program.

“I’m a loyal person, and I have a lot of loyalty towards Notre Dame because I appreciate the education that it has provided me. It’s a very high quality, excellent education, and that’s why I keep coming back. Notre Dame is literally my educational root that I’ve always cultivated and developed. It has all the resources and facilities that I need to be successful.”

Read the Full Interview

Notre Dame Alumna Earns Judicial Appointment to Maryland’s District Court

Jennifer AlexanderJennifer Alexander '98 was a junior at Notre Dame of Maryland University when she first realized that she wanted to attend law school. That initial interest led to an accomplished 20+ years working as an attorney for the Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney’s Office and multiple private practices. Alexander’s hard work was rewarded in November, when Governor Wes Moore appointed her to the District Court of Maryland for Anne Arundel County. She was officially sworn in as a judge during a December ceremony in Annapolis.

“Getting back to public service was something that I thought would be more meaningful. It allows me to impact the community in a positive way, and it lets me play a part in restoring faith in our judiciary and our judicial system, which has become very important to me over the past few years.”

Read the Full Interview

Registration Open for 2024 Summer Camps at NDMU

Notre Dame of Maryland University is offering a wide variety of youth programming on campus in summer 2024. Registration for each of the four camps listed below is now available. Spots are filled on a first-come, first-served basis, so register today!

A Child’s Place Summer Camp
Five two-week sessions beginning June 10, June 24, July 8, July 22 and August 5
Ages 2 to 6
Camp Day: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. | Before Camp Care: 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. (no additional cost) | After Camp Care: 3 to 5:30 p.m. (no additional cost)

Sessions offer an entertaining and age-appropriate educational and play-based experience for children ages 2 to 6 (those entering first grade in the fall). The camps will provide opportunities to stimulate curiosity, creativity, and imagination through water play, daily indoor and outdoor play, STEAM activities, cooking, play-based learning, daily exploration and investigation, and more.

Camp Notre Dame
Four two-week sessions beginning June 17, July 1, July 15 and July 29
Ages 5 to 11
Camp Day: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

With rotating sessions throughout the day, campers will have the opportunity to participate in explorations, arts & crafts, sports & games and a mix of instructional and recreational swimming.

Pharmacy Summer CampPharmacy campers learning how to administer shots
June 24-28
Grades 9-12
Camp Day: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Pharmacy Camp is designed to help high school students entering grades 9-12 discover exciting topics and career paths in pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences from the School of Pharmacy faculty at NDMU. Campers will explore precision medicine and the pharmacist’s role in research and patient care, learn about medication therapy management, and discover which pharmacy career best fits them. They will also make medications in the School of Pharmacy’s lab and get tips for applying to pharmacy school. *Housing on campus is available for this year’s camp!

STEM Camp
Amazing Amusement Parks: July 15-19, 2024
Grades K-10
Camp Day: 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Join us for an exciting exploration of the world of amusement parks. Investigate different methods of designing rides and interactive games and learn about the creativity and engineering that goes into designing an amusement park. Campers will be engaged in a variety of age-appropriate hands-on activities to help them build their knowledge and skills of STEM education.

Spring Athletics Update

Seniors on lacrosse teamWomen’s Lacrosse – 

Women’s Softball – 

Women’s Tennis – 

Want more NDMU Stories? Read the Bulletin, a bi-weekly newsletter with more student, staff, and faculty updates!

Save the Dates

Get to the Point: Communicate More By Saying Less

Tuesday, July 16 I 12 PM I Virtual
Register Here!

Whether you’re an executive, manager, or starting out, you can’t seal the deal or make your point unless you can speak clearly and concisely. In this eye-opening webinar, author and certified speaking professional Diane DiResta will share how to create a crisp message, discover where you stumble, and identify your most common speaking situation. You will benefit from these tools she has built from decades of experience. You will learn to be crisp in your delivery, and your credibility will soar!

Emotion by Design: Creative Leadership Lessons From a Life at Nike

Tuesday, July 23 I 12 PM I Virtual
Register Here!

In this engaging webinar, bestselling author and former CMO at NIKE Greg Hoffman unveils the concept of "Emotion by Design," illustrating how we can all harness its power to craft products, stories, and experiences that make people feel that even their most audacious pursuits are possible to achieve. He will share the philosophy and methodology behind creating a brand that empowers and deeply resonates with people, unveiling his three guiding principles: Creativity is a Team Sport, Dare to Be Remembered and Spark a Movement. These principles served as the cornerstone of Hoffman's leadership at Nike, where he played a pivotal role in shaping the company's brand identity and voice through compelling storytelling and immersive experiences.

Data-Driven DEI: A Blueprint to Achieving Lasting Impact with Your DEI Initiatives

Wednesday, August 7 I 12 PM I Virtual
Register Here!

How can you effectively use data to accelerate your DEI efforts? In this enlightening webinar, author and DEI expert Dr. Randal Pinkett will present his Data-Driven DEI™ simple, step-by-step process—centered on people first and then organizations—to help you assess your DEI current state, analyze that data to create a personal and organizational action plan and implement data-driven, science-based, and technology-enabled interventions for greater diversity, equity, and inclusion. It begins with self-reflection and introspection to identify your DEI Incentives. These intrinsic and extrinsic factors motivate you to pursue DEI and culminate in a cyclical, groundbreaking five-step cycle that delivers a practical and evidence-based blueprint to achieving lasting impact with your DEI initiatives.

Find Your True Self in a Noisy World

Wednesday, August 14 I 12 PM I Virtual
Register Here!

Has anyone called you naive for suggesting that business can do more good and positively impact not just profits but also employees, consumers, and the world? Joshua Berry, author of Dare to Be Naive, contends that intentional naivete isn't a hindrance but a catalyst for innovation, positive transformation, and better business outcomes. This unique webinar will explore the power of curiosity, trust, authenticity, and optimism – the positive attributes of chosen naivete – and how embracing them can lead to a more fulfilling professional and personal life.

8 Ways to Increase Self-Confidence in Your Career and Life

Wednesday, August 21 I 12 PM I Virtual
Register Here!

Do you sometimes feel like you are not enough? Do you feel like you're not seen or heard at work? Self-confidence is needed no matter what industry you are in to build your career and/or business. A report from Gitnux mentioned that 93% of people believe self-confidence is critical to professional success. In this eye-opening webinar, Sheena Yap Chan, Wall Street Journal bestselling author of The Tao of Self-Confidence, will share with you her 3-step process to building self-confidence, eight ways to increase self-confidence, along with actionable steps that you can use in your own journey. After this webinar, you will feel confident enough to speak up, live life on your own terms, be unapologetically yourself, show up, and have a mindset shift and, in turn, create your dream life.

New Student Move-in Day

August 23 | 8 AM - 2 PM | Campus
Registration coming soon!

Join us as part of the welcoming committee to our newest alumni-in-training! We would love for our alums to volunteer with us to help move new students into their residence hall rooms. Breakfast will be provided.

Student and Alumni Welcome Mixer

Thursday, August 29 I 6:00 PM I Noyes House, NDMU Campus
Register Here!

Hosted by the Young Alumni Committee and the Student Alumni Leadership Council, you're invited to this Welcome Week event with new and returning students. At this casual networking event, you will be able to share your Notre Dame experiences and help guide students in their college career. Light refreshments will be served.

Turning Anxiety Into a Blessing: How to Use Anxiety to Thrive

Tuesday, September 10 I 12 PM I Virtual
Register Here!

Let’s face it: Everyone has anxiety. Furthermore, our ongoing quest to rid ourselves of this ubiquitous human emotion worsens it. What if, instead of fighting our anxiety, we could turn it into a strength? This enlightening webinar will teach you how to use anxiety to become more self-accepting, connected to others, and resilient. Author of Thriving with Anxiety, Dr. David H. Rosmarin’s constructive, compassionate, and evidence-based approach will not make you less anxious. Instead, it will empower you to use anxiety to thrive.

Strategies for Leading Through Inevitable Setbacks

Wednesday, September 18 I 12 PM I Virtual
Register Here!

Setbacks are unavoidable in any career journey, from C-suite executives, to those just starting out, to teams navigating staffing changes after layoffs or restructuring. But once we understand how to work through the cycle collectively, we'll have the tools to foster growth not only for ourselves but for our organizations, teams, and communities. Amy Shoenthal, author of The Setback Cycle, has studied how leaders work through setbacks for the past few years. In this webinar, she'll offer a sneak peek at some of her research around the neuroscience of setbacks, helping us understand why this phenomenon happens and offering tips and tools to work through the phases of The Setback Cycle. You will walk away with a framework to guide decision-making, set boundaries, prioritize your focus areas, and get clarity on your next move.

Accelerate Your Reinvention with a New Networking Mindset

Thursday, September 26 I 12 PM I Virtual
Register Here!

As you imagine new possibilities for your professional future, don’t let past habits and outdated notions about “networking” hamper your transformation. This is the perfect time for you to adopt a new networking mindset and reimagine how to engage and build strong connections to advance your ambitions. In this dynamic and practical webinar, author, networking strategist, and coach J. Kelly Hoey provides fresh insights and actionable network-building tips to accelerate your reinvention (and calm any lingering networking anxieties). You will learn about reimagining networking, goals + networking, and networking quick-fixes.

Alumni Weekend

September 27 - 29 | All Day | Campus
RSVP here

Registration opens on July 1 and closes on September 22 at midnight. Register by August 18 to receive early bird pricing. The first 100 registrants will receive a guaranteed alumni gift at check-in. Alumni Weekend is for all alumni, and their family and friends. Anyone celebrating a milestone reunion that's from a class ending in a 4 or 9 is especially encouraged to attend! 

View all upcoming events here! 

View all upcoming virtual events here!

July 10, 2024
Incoming Class of 2028 Visits Campus for New Gator Registration Days
Members of the Class of 2028

Members of Notre Dame of Maryland University's incoming Class of 2028 are visiting campus throughout the summer to attend one of four New Gator Registration Days! The first two registration days were held in June, while the remaining two are scheduled for July 11 and July 15. New Gator Registration Days provide the opportunity for students to meet their academic advisor, build their class schedule, and explore campus with their future classmates. Photos from the first two sessions are available below on NDMU's Flickr page.

New Gator Registration Day Photos

Students in a Bunting Hall lab on campus
School of Pharmacy Professor Creates Student Research Hub Investigating Drug Effects on Stem Cells

Dr. Rosy Joshi-Mukherjee has transformed an underutilized campus laboratory in Bunting Hall into a place where students are uncovering the latest discoveries in stem cell research. An assistant professor in the School of Pharmacy, Dr. Joshi-Mukherjee secured donated state-of-the-art electrophysiology equipment, valued at over $200,000, which has provided invaluable research opportunities for both pharmacy and undergraduate students.

Six NDMU students - Hazel Gonzalez Vargas D’25, Iris Lopez-Perez D’25, Jahanvi Patel D’25, Tania Toussaint D’25, Melanie Makada ’24, and Loraye Smith ’25 – discuss their experiences in the lab during the 2023-24 academic year in the feature story below.

Nick Masters
ABSN Graduate Selected as Baltimore Hospital’s Rookie Nurse of the Year

A recent graduate of Notre Dame’s Accelerated 2nd Degree Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program was honored as MedStar Union Memorial’s Rookie of the Year in recognition of his outstanding work in the hospital’s Critical Care Unit.

Nick Masters ’23 was presented with the award at a surprise ceremony during Nurses Week in May. He started his current role at MedStar Union Memorial in December 2022, four months after graduating from the School of Nursing’s ABSN program as a member of the August 2022 cohort.

More Stories

School of Pharmacy's Class of 2025 Celebrated at Pinning Ceremony in LeClerc Theatre

SOP Class of 2025 at the NDMU archway

Notre Dame's fourth-year pharmacy students were celebrated at a pinning ceremony in LeClerc Theatre on June 13! Good luck to the Pharm.D. Class of 2025 as they begin their Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences at several off-campus sites this fall.

Photo Gallery

School of Education PhD Graduate Selected as Howard County’s Principal of the Year

Joelle Miller

A Notre Dame PhD graduate was honored recently as the Howard County Public School System’s Principal of the Year in recognition of her efforts creating an exceptional educational environment for students at Centennial High School in Ellicott City.

Dr. Joelle Miller D’15 was announced as the school system’s 2024 Principal of the Year during a surprise visit to her school by county administrators in late April. Dr. Miller, who has worked for HCPSS since 2007, earned her doctorate in Instructional Leadership for Changing Populations from NDMU’s School of Education.

Learn More

NDMU’s Award-Winning Professional Development Schools Program Wraps Up Successful 2023-24 Academic Year

NDMU representatives in Anaheim

NDMU’s teacher preparation program, which has been recognized as one of the top development programs in the country, continued to provide countless academic and professional growth opportunities for both Notre Dame students and participating local schools during the 2023-24 academic year.

The School of Education’s Professional Development Schools (PDS) Partnership Network formally partnered with 14 public schools across five different school systems in 2023-24 to develop teacher interns, engage in reciprocal professional development, and support school progress goals.

Learn More

Nominations Open for Alumni Awards, Athletics Hall of Fame

award nomination graphic

Notre Dame's Alumni Engagement office is accepting nominations for this year's annual Alumni Awards, which will be presented during Alumni Weekend on Friday, September 27. Nominations for The Elizabeth P. Hoisington '40 Distinguished Alumna Award, the Service to Society Award, the Regina Russo Hammel '41 Outstanding Recent Graduate Award, and the Alumnae and Alumni Engagement Award, can be made by any member of the NDMU community: alumni, faculty, administration, staff, and students.

Nominations are open for the Notre Dame of Maryland Athletics Hall of Fame, which highlights former student-athletes, coaches, administrators, and staff members that demonstrated outstanding achievement in athletics. Visit the Alumni Weekend page to learn more about each award and nominate deserving candidates!

Learn More

Student/Faculty/Staff Updates


Morrissy Honors Program

Anna Choudhary and Evelyn Spratt

Anna Choudhary '25 and Dr. Evelyn Spratt, director of NDMU's Morrissy Honors Program, are currently in Lincoln, Nebraska, for a research trip examining the history of the National Collegiate Honors Council. They are researching primary source material at the Archives at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and Dr. Spratt is working on a monograph which focuses on the history of the organization.

School of Education

Dr. Angelo Letizia, associate professor in the School of Education, was featured in the July 2024 edition of the Mason-Dixon Surveyor, a local newspaper based in northeastern Carroll County. The article, "Manchester writer explores connection between philosophy & poetry," highlights his recent return to writing poetry after a 15-year hiatus.

Learn More

Dr. Melaney Sanchez D’12, adjunct professor in the School of Education, was a featured guest on Leading from the Library, a podcast which focuses on the many ways Future Ready Librarians lead through the sharing of stories and ideas from some of the nation’s top teacher librarians. In her episode, "Teaching is Heart Work," Dr. Sanchez and host Shannon Miller discuss the importance of educators caring for themselves and using teacher institutes and experiences as inspiration for renewing themselves and motivating students.

Listen Here  |  Watch on YouTube

Dr. Ryan Schaaf, associate professor in the School of Education, presented Digital Game-Based Learning, the State of Flow, and its Effects on Learner Focus, Engagement, and Time-On-Task Behavior: A Comparative, Experimental Study at the third annual Game-Based Learning Virtual Conference hosted by University XP.

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Program

OTD Rite of Passage Ceremony June 2024

Members of our Occupational Therapy Doctorate Class of 2025 were celebrated in a Rite of Passage Ceremony conducted in Marikle Chapel on Friday, June 28! Congratulations to our students as they prepare to embark on their Level II Fieldwork clinical experiences.

Photo Gallery

Physician Assistant Studies

PA certification June 2024

NDMU's Physician Assistant Studies 2025 cohort recently earned their Basic Life Support and Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support certification as part of their summer semester Emergency Medicine/Skills course!

This certification will allow our PA students to manage cardiac emergencies, including cardiovascular arrest, stroke, and acute coronary syndrome. It gives them the knowledge needed to act quickly during urgent situations, which greatly increases the survival chances of patients.

Conference and Auxiliary Services


Updated Dining Information

 

Save the Dates

New Gator Registration Days

Thursday, July 11 | Monday, July 15

NDMU Alums Go to Camden Yards

Saturday, July 13 | 2:05 p.m. | Oriole Park at Camden Yards

A summer tradition continues as the Alumni Engagement Office gathers our Gators to cheer on the Orioles!

New Student Move-In Day

Friday, August 23 | All-Day

Returning Student Move-In Day

Saturday, August 24 | All-Day

First Day of Undergraduate Classes

Monday, August 26 | All-Day

Academic Calendar

View the latest version of the Academic Calendar for 2024-25.

NDMU Events

Check out the NDMU Events calendar below for all upcoming events.

NDMU’s Award-Winning Professional Development Schools Program Wraps Up Successful 2023-24 Academic Year


BALTIMORE – Notre Dame of Maryland University’s teacher preparation program, which has been recognized as one of the top development programs in the country, continued to provide countless academic and professional growth opportunities for both Notre Dame students and participating local schools during the 2023-24 academic year.

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