The Hoot
Fall 2023
Meet the SGPS Staff The School of Graduate and Professional Studies (SGPS) mission is to promote excellence in all aspects of graduate education. Whether you have questions on programs, thesis/ dissertations, Graduate Commencement, etc., our staff is here to help! With assistance from our student employees, SGPS strives to provide Southern students with ample resources and opportunities to support their graduate school journey. Don’t hesitate to contact us!
From left to right back row: Jennifer Sparano, Lisa Galvin, Stefanie Ortiz, Jonathan Wharton, and Amy Feest. From left to right front row: Teneka Mills, Julia Irwin, and Dawn Grimes. Student Employees (not pictured): Alexandria Simmons (UA), Peri Alexander (UA), Emma Hubbell (UA), Molly Aiudi (GA), Nick Crowley (GA), Darryl Brackeen (GA), Avry Sylvester (SW)
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Contents 4. A Message From the Interim Dean
11. SGPS Owl Recognition Awards
5. Program Spotlight
12. SCSU COMPASS Childcare
Recreation and Leisure with a concentration in Therapeutic Recreation
13.Community Centered Degrees We asked students how the degrees they are currently pursuing allowed them to give back to the community. Here’s what they said.
6-7. Resources and Information Graduate School Events
8. Meet Amy Feest
14. CT Parolees’ Voting Resource
SCSU’s New Senior Director of Continuing Education
Tonishia Signore M.S.W. Graduate’s Voting Resource for CT Parolees
9. Full Plate
How the SCSU Food Pantry Is Tackling Basic Need Insecurity in the Southern Community
15. Springing into the New Year Tips & Tricks
10. SCSU Students Creating Connections 3
A Message From The Interim Dean Dear Graduate Community, “In every community, there is work to be done. In every nation, there are wounds to heal. In every heart, there is the power to do it.”- Marianne Williamson
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am so pleased to have the opportunity to address you again as the Interim Dean of the School of Graduate and Professional Studies. There is much to celebrate this fall in the graduate school, including new programs in the MAT in Art Education, Master of Public Administration, and a graduate certificate in Disaster Mental Health.
Fall enrollment for graduate programs increased by 4.9% and the fall open house had our highest attendance in 13 years. Even in a crowded academic landscape, these developments highlight the reputation and reach of our graduate offerings. The theme for this issue of the Hoot is giving back to the community. In accordance, we have many graduate students engaging in community-based projects. Examples include holding writing workshops at a local youth shelter, offering low-cost assessments for students who need accommodations, providing free reading programming for school-aged children, and advocating for voting rights for CT parolees. In addition, our student governing body (GSAC) is reinvigorated post-COVID. SGPS also recently welcomed a Senior Director of Continuing Education, Amy Feest. With an extensive background in higher education in Connecticut, Amy brings a wealth of experience to our team. Her primary focus will be propelling Southern to the forefront of workforce development and lifelong learning, providing a crucial avenue for community engagement and spotlighting our exceptional faculty talent. Look for announcements about innovative noncredit workforce programs in the months ahead. As always, if we can be of help to you, please reach out to our team at SGPS. We look forward to hearing from you. With warm regards, Julia Irwin, Ph.D.
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Program Spotlight Recreation and Leisure with a concentration in Therapeutic Recreation Are you interested in becoming a therapist or a member of the healthcare team? Do you want to advocate for people with disabilities? If so, Southern’s Recreation and Leisure with a concentration in Therapeutic Recreation may be the right program for you. Southern’s Recreation Therapy is the only program in Connecticut preparing students to become nationally certified recreation therapists. All the faculty teaching in the program are Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialists. The program’s online offering allows greater accessibility for more people. Southern now offers an Accelerated Pathways program with the Department of Psychology. This allows admitted students the opportunity to complete both their bachelor’s degree and the M.S. in Recreation and Leisure (Concentration: Recreation Therapy Accelerated Pathway) in five years.
“There’s a wide range of organizations that hire recreational therapists,” said Dr. Archambault. With ample career paths, graduates can work in many different areas such as with individuals on the spectrum or with geriatrics in nursing facilities.
“Recreation therapists use recreation or leisure as an intervention to bring about positive changes in the individuals we work with,” said Dr. Mary Jo Archambault, the coordinator of the Therapeutic Recreation program.
There is also a high demand in the Recreation Therapy field, promising graduates from Southern’s program, promising job security and allowing students the opportunity to set roots anywhere in the country.
Recreation therapists work in a variety of environments, including physical rehabilitation, psychiatric facilities, VA Hospitals, and skilled nursing facilities. In addition, recreational therapists are also employed by the state of CT and work in forensics, addiction and substance facilities, and with the Department of Families and Children.
To learn more about Southern’s Recreation and Leisure program with a concentration in Therapeutic Recreation please visit inside.southernct.edu/recreation-tourism-sportmanagement/graduate/recreation-leisure-studies/theraputicrecreation or email Dr. Archambault at archambaulm2@ southernct.edu
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Resources and Information Graduate Student Events
Navigating The Challenges of GRAD School On Wednesday, September 20, SGPS held a graduate student and faculty panel from a range of programs in the Adanti Student Center. The panel shared their thoughts and insights— everything from creating a positive school-life balance, to navigating career paths, to building relationships with advisors, professors, and mentors.
Meet The Deans Meet the Deans was an SGPS orientation held on Wednesday, August 30, in Engleman. The event gave students the chance to speak with their deans in an informal setting. Students were also able to connect with other graduate students to network and discuss any questions, concerns, or ideas about their degrees, programs, and internship opportunities.
Graduate Open House On October 12, the fall graduate open house had a record number of attendees. With over a 32% increase in attendees since last year’s fall open house, this year’s open house had the highest number of attendees in 13 years. The event was held in the Adanti Student Center Ballroom. Prospective graduate students spoke with faculty from all our programs, as well as representatives from Financial Aid, Financial Literacy, Residence Life, and more! The graduate school now offers more than 111 Doctoral, Master’s, and graduate certificates.
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Save the date for our spring graduate open house on April 18th!
Preparing Your Thesis/Dissertation SGPS held a thesis and dissertation workshop on Wednesday, October 12, in the graduate study room. SCSU Distance Education Librarian Rebecca Hendreen led the workshop, covering necessary information for students, such as the following FAQs: What is a thesis/dissertation? How do I connect with a thesis advisor? What should I keep in mind while completing my project? The workshop also covered the basics of copyright for
graduate students as scholars and teachers, including copyright considerations for theses and dissertations, and resources in the SCSU Library that can help. If you are writing your master’s capstone or dissertation you can make an appointment through Banner SSC Navigate with SCSU’s professional writing specialists: Dr. Dawn Martorelli, Amy Johnson, Dr. Christine Limone, and Dr. Carolyn Thompson.
Upcoming Event Pause For Paws & Cocoa and Cram
Graduate Commencement Info Session On Wednesday, November 15, SGPS held an information session for all graduate students who are eligible for commencement in May 2024. The session covered an overview of FAQs about commencement. Some of the information covered included how to access and review your Degree Eval, how to ensure your transfer credits are posted correctly to your account, information on Commencement day, and much more.
On Wednesday, December 6, Sergeant Cynthia Torres and her police dog Jules attended SGPS’s finals stress-reduction event in the graduate study room.
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The event coincided with Cocoa and Cram where students enjoyed a hot chocolate and coffee bar and some holiday treats.
Full Plate:
How the SCSU Food Pantry Is Tackling Basic Needs Insecurity in the Southern Community
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ith rising costs, students are struggling to afford basic necessities while pursuing their education. According to The United Way of Connecticut, 39% of families struggle to afford basic needs. SCSU is one of more than 700 college campuses providing an on-campus food pantry for students. In 2015, Southern started a mobile food pantry which visited the campus twice a month. In 2019 Southern had an AmeriCorps Vista who worked alongside AVP/Dean Tetreault in the planning of a permanent pantry. During the height of the pandemic, in October 2020, Southern opened its permanent pantry in the Wintergreen Building across from the James Moore Field House and adjacent to Jess Dow Field. For more specific directions, please visit inside.southernct.edu/dean-of-students/foodpantry
“Especially with Covid, food insecurity has increased,” said SCSU’s food pantry Graduate Intern Victoria Ibitoya. “Our mission is to combat food insecurity and basic need insecurity. We are here to truly be a resource for students.” To support students and the campus community, the pantry not only stocks groceries but also provides necessities such as toiletries, feminine hygiene products, soaps, and more. Southern students are able to swipe into the pantry for a shopping trip once a week. Students are allowed to fill one bag with food and other pantry items. The pantry does ask that students respect item limits, to ensure all students experiencing food insecurity can get what they need from the pantry. Ibiotoya emphasized how hygiene items are just as in demand by students as groceries such as feminine hygiene products. “We fill up the pantry as much as possible with [female hygiene products] because we know how expensive it can be and some people can’t afford that.” How can the Southern Community support our campus Food Pantry? The pantry accepts and is grateful for any donations. For examples on what to donate please visit the SCSU’s Food Pantry webpage. Volunteers are always appreciated; interested parties should email foodpantry@southernct.edu. Students can also support the Food Pantry by attending the pantry’s events. The pantry’s events are on the SCSU Food Pantry’s website and Instagram @scsufood_pantry.
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Meet Amy Feest:
SCSU’s New Senior Director of Continuing Education In Amy Feest’s short time here at Southern, she has pushed our continuing education program into the spotlight. During her first weeks in the role, Feest worked with multiple stakeholders to begin to rebrand the office; to start, Continuing and Online Education is now renamed the Office of Workforce and Lifelong Learning (OWLL). Feest has been part of the CSCU system for twenty-five years. During this time, she held multiple roles in higher education surrounding continuing education and workforce development. Most recently, she was the Associate Vice President of Programs and Curriculum for CT State Community College. In this role, Feest helped build the new credit programming for the college and partnered with CT State Workforce for more stackable credential opportunities for students. “These educational options help lift individuals into new opportunities and improve their economic standing while supporting Southern’s social justice mission,” Feest said when discussing the importance of Southern’s OWLL program.
In addition to working with Southern faculty, staff, students, and alums, Feest is establishing new relationships with regional business and nonprofit partners. “I strongly believe that [OWLL] will provide leading-edge training and lifelong learning to the greater New Haven community and beyond,” she stated. “We will empower individuals to gain the skills needed to move into the occupations of the future, transforming lives and ultimately impacting family trees.” To learn more about the Office of Workforce and Online Learning and its program’s offerings, please visit grad. southernct.edu/OWLL.
While Feest has already accomplished so much for the OWLL program, she is working toward the following: •
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Ensuring OWLL reflects the future of workforce training and lifelong learning. In addition to a new name, logo, and website, this includes developing business and marketing plans, establishing an OWLL Advisory Council, incorporating technology for a better program and enrollment management system, and creating a streamlined and consistent onboarding process for new training proposals. Promoting all professional programming offered at Southern through a centralized portal where learners can expand their academic portfolio through our existing credit-bearing certificates, professional development offerings of our many academic centers, and new noncredit workforce programming. Working with SCSU faculty to grow OWLL programming and create new and creative enrollment pipelines from OWLL into credit-bearing certificate and degree programs. In partnership with the Office of Career and Professional Services, establishing a formal microcredentialing (aka Digital Badging) program for Southern.
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Lifelong Learning with Purpose: Transforming Your Future SCSU’s Office of Workforce & Lifelong Learning will increase the visibility of Southern to audience members who may or may not currently be in the formal education system (i.e., adults, working professionals, community members, and non-traditional learners). OWLL will provide opportunities for current students, create a bridge to further credentials for professional and personal advancement, support the University’s social justice mission, and provide alternative revenue streams for the university.
SCSU Students Creating Connections W
riting. Music. Art. Each of these mediums are forms of self-expression that allow individuals to be vulnerable and create connections. Every week, as part of their graduate assistantship, Sarah Weynand (MFA) and Valeria Araujo (English MAT) facilitate Creative Connections, a peer-driven writing workshop for 18- to 24-year-old shelter guests, to do just that. In each session, the shelter clients are provided with snacks and are introduced to the writing prompt of the day. Weynand, who has been a facilitator since the program began in Spring of 2022, discussed how music is a significant aspect of the group, “When [the shelter clients] sit down to write, they’re like, oh, I’d like to write rap lyrics. “So, I started choosing songs more often because it’s poetry already.” Weynand and Araujo often base the writing prompts around music—giving the clients few constraints. The prompts ask the clients to “dig deep into themselves.” While Araujo has only just joined Creative Connections, the experience has been “transformative,” She stated, “Creative Connections has charged me creatively and professionally...This year’s group has such amazing voices and getting to showcase them would be really rewarding.” Creative Connections was created a couple of years ago by Shelley Stoehr-McCarthy, the director of Creative Connections at Southern, with the help of Jeffrey Mock and Dr. Joel Dodson. “I think that writers tend to be thought of as loners,” said Stoehr-McCarthy, “and it’s all just about them and what
their experience is. Knowing that these talents and skills that they’ve gained as students can be shared with the community.” Stoehr-McCarthy said that she is working on a way to use Creative Connections as a program to receive course credit at Southern. “Ultimately, we’re also working on ways to get [the clients] on campus,” she said. Creative Connections held their annual Meet n’ Greet pizza party at the shelter to kick off the new academic year at the beginning of the semester. The new shelter clients enjoyed the party and getting to know the two facilitators. According to Stoehr-McCarthy, the clients are excited to write, and some even shared poetry that they’d written. Many of the shelter clients have expressed interest in publishing. This winter, Creative Connections will be discussing a possible publishing opportunity for the clients with the SCSU student-run undergraduate literary magazine, Folio. The program has allowed its facilitators to pursue community and advocacy work after graduation. One of the past facilitators got a job with Creative Connections’ partner, Youth Continuum, following graduation from the MFA program. Creative Connections has created an impact on both the facilitators and the shelter clients. “When we have a chance to tell someone that they’re powerful, that their voice is worthy of being heard,” said Weynand. “our main mission is to make sure that other people know their own power.”
10 From left to right Valeria Araujo, Shelley Stoehr-McCarthy, and Sarah Weynand.
SGPS Owl Recognition Awards These awards recognize and celebrate graduate students, faculty, staff, and alumni for their positive impact and/or contributions to Southern and the Graduate School community. “Sarah is a dedicated student and facilitator. She has made joining the Creative Connections team a smooth and enjoyable process, I couldn’t do it without her kindness and grace. She is the most diligent worker, and it is clear she cares a lot about her work, which has been super motivating. Sarah is a model mentor and student and deserves the SGPS Owl Recognition Award!” - SCSU Faculty Sarah Weynand Student Award MFA Creative Writing “Dr. Bonjo is, by far, the best professor I have ever had the pleasure and privilege to learn from. They have approached each class, assignment, and topic in a way that is so unique and special. The energy, compassion, humor, emotion, and knowledge Dr. Bonjo brings into a classroom is spectacular. Their approach to make each student feel seen in their work is apparent, and they have dedicated themselves to their students. They are the first professor I have had that has infused a multicultural approach and lens into each class and topic, and it has been incredibly enriching. Dr. Bonjo has inspired me to see the world differently, and I am a better person because of it. I am incredibly lucky to have met Dr. Bonjo and I believe they are the best choice for this award.” - SCSU Student
Deborah Tkacs Staff Award Secretary: CMD
Dr. Laurie Bonjo Faculty Award Professor CSP
“Ms. Tkacs evidences exemplary dedication and devotion to all our students, providing endless support to each one. She welcomes and enjoys engaging with our students and they with her! She makes certain that she is visible and available to provide direction and guidance to students or faculty for any resource they may need. She is attentive and proactive, leading to our ability to present reliable information and to address potential challenges in a timely manner. We take pride in nominating Ms.Tkacs to honor her efforts and the ways in which she consistently goes above and beyond to support our students and our faculty that results in all experiencing a sense of community, a sense of belonging.” - SCSU Staff
“Charles Butler was one of the sincerest and most positive individuals I have had as a student and graduate assistant. He was always calm and cool, even under pressure. If anything, Charles inspired others from the office to the classroom with his assuring demeanor and tenacious work ethic. His peers and my colleagues appreciated his overall integrity and exemplary diligence.” - SCSU Staff
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Charles Butler Alumni Award MS PSC: Fall 2022
SCSU COMPASS Childcare
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re you a parent who is looking for childcare while on campus? COMPASS Drop-in Childcare and Family Resource Center provides a reservable, short-term (max 3.5 hours per day) program for the children of SCSU students and employees. COMPASS offers childcare for ages six weeks to 12 years old. Staff and students can use the childcare center as needed. All COMPASS requires is a 24-hour notice to ensure the center can accommodate. The cost is $7 an hour for staff and $5 for students. For any students who receive a Pell Grant, the childcare center is free. If students need full-time childcare, COMPASS can provide a subsidy of up to $4,500 per academic year for licensed childcare centers off campus. COMPASS opened its doors to Southern students, faculty, and employees in Spring of 2023. Currently, the center offers different activities regarding the child’s age. Alexis Lucibello, the Head Teacher, uses lessons from the Connecticut Early Learning Developmental Standards. “I’ll do a lot of open-ended activities such as sensory play and dramatic play,” she said. “We do a lot of fine motor activities.” Naps and bottle feedings are offered as part of the care for infants. This semester COMPASS created the Family Friendly Study Space located in Buley 120. This study space serves to welcome and encourage parents to bring their children with them when visiting the library. The Family Friendly
Study Space includes child-friendly furniture, books, and toys, as well as a study area for student parents. The center is also looking into providing childhood milestone assessments. This would be “one less appointment that these students need to make,” COMPASS Project Coordinator Heather Jimenez said. “It’s one less place that [students] have to transport their child. and time away from their academics.” To help support parents during finals, the center held an event called Crum and Cram on Wednesday, December 6. The program allowed student-parents study time for exams while childcare is provided. Milk and cookies was supplied. COMPASS hopes to “overall support student parents so that they are able to succeed and make a better life for themselves and their families,” said Jimenez. To learn more about the COMPASS Childcare Center and to register, please go to southernct.edu/childcare
12 Graduate student using the Family Friendly Study Space in Buley 120.
Community Centered Degrees We asked students how the degrees they are currently pursuing allowed them to give back to the community. Here’s what they said: I serve my local community with hands-on experiences through advocating, contributing, and volunteering with non-profit and for-profit agencies. I recognize the importance and needs of our underserved families, our students with disabilities, and those who are in search of educational resources.
Marquia Rabb MAT Special Education
I am currently a Bridgeport Board of Secondary Specialized Education for the last 13 years and counting! I enjoy what I do and seek endless opportunities to serve all students in all capacities that I can.
I had the opportunity to give back to my community when I was interning at the Connecticut Department of Children and Families. During this internship, I worked directly with families facing various challenges, such as poverty, domestic violence, and substance abuse.
Laura Ines Sanchez: Master’s of Social Work
These experiences have deepened my understanding of the systemic barriers that perpetuate inequality and oppression, as well as the importance of collaboration and community engagement in achieving long-term change.
Serving the Community Southern students, faculty, and staff are deeply committed to serving the New Haven community with a range of service opportunities. Whether it’s through class projects or fieldwork, club activities, or individual initiative, members of the Southern community contribute to Greater New Haven in myriad ways.
Volunteering Opportunities The Office of Student Involvement and Leadership Development provides students the opportunity to volunteer in the New Haven community. Members volunteer at local schools, nursing homes, animal shelters, and food pantries. Saturdays of Service is a program that allows students to volunteer at different locations in New Haven on a Saturday or Sunday each month. To learn more please visit southernct.edu/student-life/community
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CT Parolees’ Voting Resource Tonishia Signore M.S.W. Graduate’s Voting Resource for CT Parolees In 2021, Connecticut passed Public Act 21-2, which restored a parolee’s right to vote, including special parole. This legislation re-enfranchised approximately 4,000 people across the state. Tonishia Signore, a recent M.S.W. graduate, had become involved with Full Citizen’s Coalition after hearing one of the directors, James Jeter, speak at an abolition workshop. It was through this organization that she learned that the majority of CT paroles are not aware of their right to vote. “I asked if there was a resource available to [parolees] or if parole officers were discussing [their restored right to vote]
upon release,” said Signore. “The answer was a resounding no.” With this information, Signore set out to create an accessible resource for CT parolees for her M.S.W. capstone project. She conducted interviews and small focus groups with people who work with Full Citizens Coalition but are also a part of the affected population. The people in these focus groups, while not necessarily still parolees, do have a history with the criminal justice system and are impacted by it. “They’re now working for these boots-on-the-ground organizations or in collaboration with places like Yale,” she said. Through these interviews and focus groups, Signore was able to collaborate with them on what should be in the resource. She also learned from this experience that parole officers are not mandated to supply resources to the paroles, which means that there is no way to regulate its distribution. This caused Signore to have to reevaluate how to share the resource and get it to parolees. She then worked with Jeter and Full Citizens Coalition to network the resource with Yale, who distribute the Connecticut Prisoner’s Rights Manual. She’s also worked with the organization to make the resource available on a large scale in community organizations. Signore created the resource to be multifaceted. The document is a sharable PDF with clickable links, a QR code, and the resource can be printed as well. Print copies allow paroles access to the resource, especially if they do not have access to computers or other electronic devices right away. Since finishing her project and graduating in the Spring, Signore has remained in contact with the organization. Through this communication, she has been informed that her resource is going to be in the Prisoner Rights Manual for Connecticut. “If that happens, theoretically [the resource] will be provided to every single person coming out of prison in Connecticut,” she said. To help spread awareness and view Signore’s resource, please visit votingissocialwork.org/registering-specialpopulations-to-vote/
14 14 Tonishia Signore
Springing into the New Year: Tips & Tricks Tips for Finals 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
New England Board of Higher Education Tuition Break Program (NEBHE)
Reserve the library’s study rooms. Set reminders for assignments. Make sure to eat, hydrate, and get lots of sleep. Start studying ASAP to avoid cramming. Reach out to your professors with any questions.
Southern Connecticut State University is a participant in the New England Board of Higher Education Tuition Break Program (NEBHE). The NEBHE tuition break offers residents of Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont have the opportunity to enroll at SCSU at the Connecticut resident tuition rate plus 50 percent. Pennsylvania residents will be eligible for NEBHE beginning in fall 2024.
Graduating This Spring? Here’s Your Graduation Checklist 1. If you have not already, register for your capstone course (thesis, special project, examination). 2. Check your degree eval to ensure you are on track for spring commencement. 3. Reach out to your advisor with any questions or concerns regarding degree completion. 4. Look for emails from the graduate school regarding commencement in the new year.
“With the regional appeal of Southern’s Graduate programs, and given the strain the cost of higher education puts on individuals and families, Southern continues to support our students by reducing costs wherever possible,” said Lisa Galvin the Associate Dean of Graduate Enrollment Management. “To this end, we have included all of our graduate programs within the NEBHE tuition break program, and have extended that tuition break to residents of New York and New Jersey.” She continued, “We, at Southern, are committed to the success of our students, current and future.” To be eligible, participants in this program must be full-time matriculated students. To learn more about the NEBHE tuition break please visit southernct.edu/admissions/tuitionbreak
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The Hoot Fall 2023 Supervisors Stefanie Ortiz & Dawn Grimes
Writer and Designer Molly Aiudi