congratulations to kimberly schimmel for winning the distinguished teaching award
Kimberly Schimmel, associate professor in the School of Exercise, Leisure and Sport, was one of three university faculty members to receive the 2008 Distinguished Teaching Award.
The awards were presented at the University Teaching Council's 15th annual Celebrating College Teaching conference on Friday, October 31. Irene Gianakos, associate professor of psychology; and Thomas Sosnowski, associate professor of history also were selected as Distinguished Teaching Award recipients.The three faculty members each received a plaque and a $1,500 cash prize. The plaques will be displayed in the second floor hallway of the Student Center. Finalists were chosen by students.
Prince Cedza outlines U.N. goals to help global problems
Prince Cedza Dlamini, the keynote speaker at the University Teaching Conference on Thursday, October 30 in the KIVA spoke to a group of students, faculty and community members as part of the 2008-2009 Gerald H. Read Distinguished Lecture Series.
Dlamini is the grandson of Nelson Mandela, the former South African president who fought against apartheid, and is a spokesman for the United Nations' Millennium Development Goals.
The Millennium Development Goals are eight goals set by the United Nations in 2000 to improve the world, and half of the them must be achieved by 2015.
The goals are to:
- Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger.
- Achieve universal primary education.
- Promote gender equality and empower women.
- Reduce child mortality.
- Improve maternal health.
- Combat HIV, AIDS, malaria and other diseases.
- Ensure environmental sustainability.
- Develop a global partnership for development.
KSU study seeks caregivers and male stroke survivors
Kent State University is seeking male stroke survivors and their female caregivers to participate in a study funded by the National Institutes of Health. The goal of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the Online CARE for Stroke program. In this study, caregivers are given access to important information, education and support on how to better take care of their husbands and themselves.
What are the benefits of participating?
The benefits include resources to help caregivers with stroke survivors' physical and emotional recovery. Also, information is available to assist in becoming more confident and competent as a spousal caregiver. In turn, care giving will become a more enjoyable and positive experience for both caregivers and stroke survivors. Plus, the caregiver and stroke survivor will enjoy the benefits of the program without having to leave the comfort of their home.
Each study participant will receive cash incentives up to $140 for their participation. There will be a drawing for a $150 prize at the end of the program. Participants who complete the entire study will be included in the drawing.
For more information about participating in the study, please call toll free at 1-866-300-6657.
Graduate students honored for their activities
Three School Psychology graduate students were honored with awards from the College of EHHS. Amity Noltemeyer (right) received a Leadership Award for her research presentations, publications and other efforts to advance the profession. Keri Peiffer (center) and Alana Varley (left) were honored with Service Awards to recognize their support of college and community activities.
Koontz selected to Receive kenneth cummins award
TLCS faculty member Dr. Trish Koontz has been selected to receive the Kenneth Cummins Award for exemplary mathematics teaching at the university level. This is a prestigious award given by the Ohio Council of Teachers of Mathematics. She will be honored at the OCTM Awards Reception on October 16, 2008.
Koontz is presently the Director of the Mathematics Specialist Program, as well as the co-director of the Northeast Ohio Center of Excellence for the Teaching of Mathematics and Science (NEOCEx).
Faculty's research featured on MSNBC
Assistant Professor Angela Ridgel's research with Parkinson's disease was recently highlighted on MSNBC's Nightly News. Ridgel, a faculty member in the College's Exercise Physiology Department, focuses her research on how aging and neurological disorders limits activity and movement in humans.
Her most recent research project examines the effects of exercise rate on motor function in Parkinson's disease, a nerve disorder that afflicts more than 6 million Americans. She has ongoing research collaborations with biomedical engineers and neurologists at the Cleveland Clinic and the group's results indicate that increasing cyclical exercise rates in Parkinson's patients leads to improvements in motor function. Improvements in upper extremity motor function following a lower extremity exercise intervention (cycling) further provide evidence for a change in central nervous system functioning.
Watch MSNBC video about Ridgel's research of tandem cycling and Parkinson's disease patients.
(Ridgel can be seen pedaling on the tandem bike in the Cleveland Clinic's lab.)
devine receives 2008 excellence in inclusion award
Dr. Mary Ann Devine, coordinator of Recreation, Park & Tourism Management, received the 2008 Excellence in Inclusion award at the NIRI conference. It is awarded by NRPA/National Institute on Recreation Inclusion and was for "excellence in research and practice on inclusion of persons with disabilities in leisure services." The award criteria states, "The Excellence in Inclusion Award is given annually to an individual or organization to honor their significant contributions to the promotion of inclusion of persons with disabilities in leisure services and community life. Additionally, the award is intended to challenge and inspire others to promote greater inclusion of individuals with disabilities in our society."
SCHimmel named finalist for distinguished teaching award
Dr. Kim Schimmel, Associate Professor in the School of Exercise, Leisure and Sport, was recently named a finalist for the Distinguished Teaching Award. Schimmel's classes focus on domestic and global diversity issues and her scholarship addresses problems associated with the political economy of urban (re)development and sports mega-events and infrastructure development in local-global context. She treats as problematic the assertion that these projects and events, including the construction of stadiums and arenas, are community assets and are beneficial for the community-as-a-whole. She also serves on the Editorial Baord of the International Review for the Sociology of Sport and has been elected to serve as a Vice President of the International Sociology of Sport Association for the 2008-2011 term.
Autism conference 2008
The 7th annual Topics in Child Development Conference was held at the Kent State Student Center on June 26-27. The first day featured Dr. Nevada Reed from KidsLink Neurobehavioral Center and she addressed families on the topic of understanding how medications work and collaborating with teams to make them effective. The following day focused on the topic of effective use of behavioral interventions for individuals with autism spectrum disorders. EHHS faculty members, Dr. Lisa Audet (pictured at left) and Dr. Richard Cowan, welcomed more than 300 educators, health care professionals and parents. Dr. Mark Durand from the University of South Florida joined them as keynote speaker. Conference coordinator for this event was Kathlyn Brown.
International Conference on Sport, Exercise & Leisure
The 2008 International Forum on Sport, Exercise and Leisure was held on May 11-13, 2008 in Shijiazhuang, China and co-sponsored by Hebei Normal University's Physical Education Institute and Kent State University's School of Exercise, Leisure and Sport (SELS). The conference, coordinated by Dr. Philip Wang, associate professor in SELS, was attended by approximately 200 persons, including officials from the Chinese National Ministry, administrators, faculty, and students from China and North America.
Kent State was represented with 14 faculty and student presenters. They included Jacob Barkley, Jacob Bashor (student), Walter Davis, Mary Ann Devine, Ellen Glickman, Andy Lepp, Mark Lyberger, Wayne Munson, Jeffrey Pelligrino, Swathi Ravichandran, Ryan Rohrer (student), Vilma Seeberg, Tom Sitko (student), and Philip Wang. Over the course of the three-day event there were 50 pedagogical and research presentations and approximately 20 student poster presentations.
During the trip, the group experienced cultural events, including a traditional Chinese concert performed by Hebei Normal University students and faculty, museum tours, and dining at some of the region's well-known restaurants. Following the conference the American delegation returned to Beijing for three days of touring including stops at the Olympic Village, the Great Wall (pictured above), Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace, and numerous shopping venues.
A final note about the trip involves the devastating earthquake in Sichuan, China. Though approximately 700 miles away, the quake was felt by conference participants during an afternoon session, which led to an evacuation of the hotel. All gathered in the nearby People's Park for safety and later mourned the victims and their families.
Joanne Arhar awarded Fulbright
Joanne Arhar, Associate Dean and Professor in the College of Education, Health, and Human Services has been awarded a Fulbright for the Teacher Education Administrators Program to India from August 9 to August 22, 2008. The purpose of the program is to provide U. S. teacher education administrators a first-hand knowledge of a cross-section of Indian institutions of higher education focused on teacher education. She will accompany ten other teacher education administrators from across the U.S. in visits to institutions in New Delhi, Chennai and Kolkata to meet individuals and programs that play a key role in the planning and administration of school education in India.
tooms named to research advisory board
Dr. Autumn Tooms, an associate professor in the Department of K-12 Educational Administration at Kent State University, has been named as a member of The Research Advisory Board at The College of The Bahamas. Tooms is the only international scholar and non-Bahamian to receive this board invitation and she will serve a two-year term, beginning May 1, 2008.
In this role she will help to review existing research policies and practices, recommend research frameworks, as well as revise and draft new policies and practices that will continue to define the responsibilities of COB professors and staff as the institution moved forward to university status. Tooms also will be one of two key note speakers at the 2008 College of The Bahamas' annual faculty seminar entitled "Transitioning to University: The Quality Agenda."
Tooms' research interests are focused on the study of school leadership and reform with a particular concentration on the politics related to the principalship as well as a concern for the persons who aspire, train, and socialize to positions of schools leadership. In February of 2008, along with KSU's Distinguished Professor Nancy Padak, Tooms delivered a national week-long literacy and leadership in K-12 schools institute for Bahamain educators on both New Providence and Grand Bahama islands. Tooms and Padak also have facilitated a roundtable for the university entitled: Developing and Committing to a Line of Inquiry.
The College of The Bahamas and Kent State University began a collaboration that resulted in the first formal training program for school principals in Bahamian history. This program produces school leaders with a Master's degree in educational administration; the next cohort of students in this program is slated to graduate in May of 2009.
future teachers of america students
Lowellville High School students visited the Kent campus on Thursday, May 8 to learn about Teacher Education programs. The students are members of the school's Future Teachers of America organization.
College Emeriti faculty and scholarship recipients honored at luncheon
More than 25 College of EHHS emeriti faculty and three students were recognized at a luncheon held on Friday, April 18 at Blue Canyon restaurant in Twinsburg. With the generosity and financial support from the emeriti faculty, students are able to make a difference throughout Northeast Ohio and beyond. A welcome speech and remarks were given by Dr. Donald Bubenzer, Interim Dean of the College; Dr. Steve Michael, Vice Provost, Diversity & Academic Initiatives; and Deborah Barber, Assistant Dean of the College, Recruitment & Retention. Scholarship recipients profiled at the luncheon included (pictured left to right) Beth Bloom, Integrated Language Arts major; Aileen Gockowski, Community Counseling graduate student; and Terra Howell, Community Counseling graduate student.
Jennings scholar alumni workshop 2008
The Martha Holden Jennings Foundation and Kent State University's College and Graduate School of Education, Health, and Human Services hosted the 2008 Jennings Scholar Alumni Workshop on Saturday, April 19 from 8 a.m. to noon in the Kent Student Center Ballroom. More than 500 Jennings Scholar alumni attended the event that honored outstanding Ohio elementary and secondary teachers. The program, initiated in 1963 by Martha Holden Jennings, was created to recognize the teaching profession in the public schools.The day's festivities included a buffet breakfast, a welcome from Kent State Provost Dr. Robert Frank and Martha Holden Jennings Foundation Representative Jane Battles, and a keynote speech entitled "The Teaching Zone" given by Bruce Boguski. Boguski, a motivational speaker, columnist and media personality, is well known for his ability to inspire others to "do the impossible." At age 18, he was partially paralyzed in an automobile accident and told he might never walk again. After a two-year struggle, Boguski went on to become a two-time state champion in racquetball and played for a state championship softball team.
EHHS Student award ceremony - Spring 2008
More than 75 undergraduate and graduate students were recognized at the College of Education, Health, and Human Services Student Award Ceremony held in the Moulton Hall Ballroom on Wednesday, April 16, 2008. Students were honored for their service and leadership to the College through awards and scholarships. Dr. James Delisle, a professor in Educational Foundations and Special Services, provided the keynote speech. A buffet reception was held after the presentation for the honored students and their family and friends.
tankersley and cook presented with THe James M. Kauffman Publication Award
At the annual conference of the International Council for Exceptional Children, Melody Tankersley and Bryan Cook were presented The James M. Kauffman Publication Award in Special Education for "a scholarly work that reflects the ideals of James M. Kauffman and results in knowledge leading to exemplary special education practices" for their special issue of Learning Disabilities: A Multidisciplinary Journal, focusing on the side effects of inclusion.
visitng scholars tour columbus; meet first lady frances strickland
The international scholars met Ohio's First Lady Frances Strickland when touring the City of Columbus on April 4. They also visited the Ohio Department of Education, the Ohio Education Association and the Capital Building.
Richardson honored with 'Mom's choice award' for book
Dr. Rhonda Richardson, a professor in Human Development & Family Studies, and Margaret Pevec (KSU MA; 2005) received the The 2008 Mom's Choice Award for their book, What Kids REALLY Want to Ask: Using Movies to Start Meaningful Conversations. The database for this book, designed to enhance family communication, is based on a research study that included more than 1100 middle schoolers' responses to the question, "If you could ask your mom or dad any question and know you would get an honest answer, what question would you ask?"
Dean's Circle of Scholars
The Dean's Circle of Scholars are a group of top-tier undergraduate students in their junior year who have been selected by their program areas not only for their high grade point averages, but also for demonstrated leadership and service to their program, college, or broader academic communities. These students participate in various activities throughout the year such as recruitment events, special programs, and they serve in a consultant role for the dean. This year's scholars include:
Brittany Bejcek
Aimee Bourgoin
Rachele Bultrowicz
Stephanie Cicero
Carrie Koenig
Shayna Nickel
Kelsie Ray
Emma-Leigh Winstead
EHHS doctoral students present 'What is a good teacher?' at CIES Conference
The Comparative and International Education Society's 52nd Annual Conference was held on March17- 21, 2008 at Teachers College of Columbia University. Under the guidance of Dr. Vilma Seeberg, Kent State panel members, including doctoral candidate Raisa Ignatieva and five doctoral students - Ileen L. Linden, Mayagul Satlykgylyiova, Xiaoqi Yu, Qiuxian Zheng, Larissa Malone, presented their papers on "What is a 'Good Teacher' in Diverse and Unequal Settings Internationally: Multi-regional, Cross-cultural Perspectives." They discussed how a "good teacher" is conceptualized within and across cultures in different social contexts. Two papers explored teachers' struggles addressing mandated systemic changes. Three authors queried teachers' application of theoretical pedagogies as seen by participating students and teachers in unequal settings in a diverse group of countries all undergoing radical socio-political or educational changes. One paper explored the relationship between current world values (World Values Survey) and instructional competencies attempting to answer the underlying question of 'what makes a good teacher cross-culturally?'
visiting scholars discuss teacher leadership challenges & how immigration affects classrooms
The International Leadership in Education Program's visiting scholars will conduct a round table discussion TAKING IT HOME on Monday, April 7, 2008 in White Hall, Room 200 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Scholars from Bangladesh, Egypt, Morocco, Lebanon, Jordan, India, Malaysia and Indonesia will discuss the leadership challenge in education in their countries, and/or the affect of world-wide immigration on their classrooms. Come for a short time, and enjoy light refreshments and listen to one or more of the short, informal presentations. Move from table to table to take part in the discussions with the scholars.
Faculty Member, staff member and alumna co-presented Talk at 2008 MPI MidAmerica Conference
Dr. Swathi Ravichandran, Hospitality Management professor; Amy Petrovic, former KSU student and wedding coordinator at The Bertram Inn & Conference Center in Aurora; and Jackie Parsons, executive director of Kent Dining Services presented "Intern today, Meeting Planner tomorrow: Strategies for increasing student involvement in the meetings and events industry" at the MPI MidAmerica Education Conference at the Kent State Stark Professional Education & Conference Center in March. The three women were invited to speak at the industry conference for meeting and event planners about an innovated model for involving students interested in pursuing a career in the meetings and events industry.
Dr. Karla Anhalt obtains her psychologist license
Dr. Karla Anhalt, Assistant Professor and Co-Coordinator of the School Psychology Program, has obtained her Psychologist License. Her license was issued by the Ohio State Board of Psychology. Licensure as a Psychologist is highly-valued by the American Psychological Association, which has accredited the KSU School Psychology Ph.D. program since 1984. In order to obtain a Psychologist License in Ohio, candidates must document 1800 hours of pre-doctoral and 1800 hours of post-doctoral supervised psychological training and work experience. In addition to approval of their application by the Board, candidates must pass the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) and the Oral Jurisprudence Examination. Dr. Anhalt appreciates the tremendous support provided by the EFSS department and the College of EHHS to achieve this important milestone.
Educational Research Exchange event
The fifth annual conference of the Educational Research Exchange (ERE) was held March 7, 2008. This event was hosted by the College of Education, Health & Human Services under the leadership of Dr. Rafa Kasim, Chair, Organizing Committee and with assistance provided by Dr. Christopher Was and Dr. Albert Ingram. The primary objective of the conference is to provide a learning environment where graduate students can gain professional skills and experience in presenting their research to an academic audience. The keynote speaker, Dr. Christian Dieter Schunn from the University of Pittsburgh, delivered a presentation entitled The Science of Educational Reform:The Case of Writing in the Disciplines. Congratulations to the Dr. Kasim and colleagues for organizing this successful event. The ERE is organized by a consortium of universities which includes, Cleveland State University (CSU), Kent State University (KSU), The University of Akron (UA), and Youngstown State University (YSU).
Photo Gallery One
Photo Gallery Two
Dr. mary ann devine to participate on blue ribbon panel
Dr. Mary Ann Devine, associate professor in Leisure Studies, has been invited to participate on a Blue Ribbon Panel for Access Recreation. Ten persons from various aspects of business and service sectors related to inclusion of persons with disabilities and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) have been invited to serve. Dr. Devine is the sole invitee from academe. The panel's role will be to recommend statewide policy regarding inclusion and promoting recreation for people with disabilities. Congratulations for having been selected to participate on this prestigious panel.
