FORWARD TOGETHER IN EXCELLENCE

In December of 2021, the first cohort of Saint Elizabeth University’s M.S. in Physician Assistant (PA)

graduated. These students began their educational careers at SEU just a few months before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to the nature of their academic instruction, our PA students were unable to complete their education remotely and had to learn in person, despite the associated risks.

While the pandemic created a palpable sense of uncertainty and anxiety, our students did not shy away from their mission of becoming healthcare professionals. In fact, they were emboldened by the increased need for medical personnel and bravely continued their education.

A MESSAGE FROM President Crosby

In my first Saint Elizabeth University Magazine letter, I want to start by saying how rewarding, inspiring and energizing the past six months have been. I cannot thank the entire SEU community enough for welcoming me with open arms. My family and I are happy to call SEU home.

With that said, there is still a lot of work to be done. There’s no doubt that all of 2021 was a year of new beginnings at SEU. We returned to on-campus instruction, repopulated our residence halls and navigated the ever-changing challenges of the still ongoing pandemic.

Today, we have revitalized our bustling campus, watched our students excel in their education and continue to strive for excellence in all areas.

We celebrated as our first cohort in the Master of Science in Physician Assistant program crossed the stage to don their long white coats as a symbol of moving from student to clinician after 27 intensive months of dedicated study.

We filled the gyms and lined the soccer field to once again cheer on our Eagles basketball, soccer and volleyball teams. It felt great to hear the roar of the crowd, albeit through our still mandatory masks.

In October, we gathered to commemorate the next step in SEU’s long legacy showcasing the vision for the future of SEU that will be synonymous with excellence in everything we do. It is a vision outlined a little further on pages 2 and 3 of this magazine.

I would like to acknowledge all members of the SEU community for helping to keep our campus safe and healthy as we continue to change lives through the power of education. It is what we do at SEU, and I am so proud to be a part of this institution. I hope you are as well.

Gary B. Crosby, President

TABLE OF CONTENTS

2FORWARD TOGETHER IN EXCELLENCE A Bold Vision for Saint Elizabeth University 4 A LOOK BACK AT INAUGURATION WEEK

6STUDENT SPOTLIGHTS When Taxes are Not Taxing Living the American Dream 8 INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY SEU’s IDEA Lab: A Hub of Creativity Harnessing the Power of the Sun 10 WELCOMING ALUMNI HOME

12 USING SEU DEGREE TO RESTORE HEALTH TO AT-RISK COMMUNITIES Celebrating 30 Years of the Dietetic Internship Program – Childhood Nutrition Program – Reviving Heritage Food Ways – Food is Medicine

14 CAMPUS EVENTS

15 GLOBAL SCHOLARS PROGRAM HELPS STUDENTS FOLLOW THEIR DREAMS

16 ATHLETICS Student-Athletes are Ready for Success Eagles Profiles 18 INSPIRING THE YOUTH SEU’s edTPA Pass Rates Soar

20 A LOOK INTO THE FUTURE Generations of Computer Scientists at SEU 22 EMBRACING WELLNESS Navigating Dysmorphia in Female Bodybuilders

Counseling Services Center

24 PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE

25 SEU’S STUDENT RECOVERY PROJECT WELCOME TO SEU! SEU’s New Development Officer

FORWARD TOGETHER IN EXCELLENCE

While pursuing his undergraduate degree at Jackson State University, President Crosby truly embraced the transformational power of education and his grade point average began to soar. When he was forced to leave Jackson State due to financial issues in his sophomore year, he continued to earn his bachelor’s in criminal justice at the University of Southern Mississippi.

Shortly after graduating from Southern Miss, President Crosby returned to Jackson State, accepted an entrylevel position in the housing office and began his 25-year career in higher education. This experience would allow him to secure the position of vice president for Student Affairs at Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University and eventually become president of Saint Elizabeth University.

“I know from lived experiences what happens when people within organizations commit to the success of students,” recalls President Crosby, who earned his master’s and doctoral degrees at Jackson State. “Now, imagine if such a commitment was institutionalized across all areas of the University.”

A Bold Vision for Saint Elizabeth University

Dr. Gary B. Crosby is well prepared to serve our students as the eighth president of Saint Elizabeth University because he shares many of the same struggles and successes. Raised by his grandmother in a single-family home, President Crosby was a selfproclaimed latchkey kid.

“My grandmother worked from four in the afternoon to one in the morning,” says President Crosby. “She would be on the way to work when I got home from school. So, I was there by myself quite often in the fifth and sixth grades.”

This presented a challenge for President Crosby as he matriculated through the K-12 school system because he was more interested in playing the saxophone in the school’s marching band than focusing on his academics. When it came time to apply for college, he knew he wanted to go but had no idea how to get there.

As a first-generation college student, he struggled with the college application process. Like the 33% of our first-time freshmen who are first-generation college students, President Crosby did not have any guidance from his immediate family. While this made the college search more challenging, it also gave him invaluable insight into how our students may be struggling to not only apply but also complete college today.

“When you have students from all walks of life and people instill doubt in them at an early age, it means a lot to me to be able to mentor these students,” says President Crosby. “I want to be someone they can look up to as a possibility for their future.”

I’m ‘All In’ for Saint Elizabeth University. Period.”

This is President Crosby’s vision for the future of SEU. From academic programming and community outreach to fundraising and brand awareness, he intends to make Saint Elizabeth University synonymous with excellence.

“As a first-generation college student, from the most southern part of the state of Mississippi, who graduated with a low C high school GPA, I stand before you as president because God put people in my life who not only delivered excellence but demanded it from me,” says President Crosby. “I plan to do the same for SEU students and the University as a whole.”