CONTENT 2 • Wayne State University
Inside this issue…
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Page 3: Rising to the Challenge: A letter from President M. Roy Wilson
Page 4: Battle Tested: A brief look at how Wayne State University’s involvement in testing initiatives across the region is buttressing the fight to identify and eradicate COVID-19
Page 6: Stitching Together: Fashion department faculty, alumna sew masks for health care workers, first responders battling COVID-19
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Page 8: Holding the Line: WSU School of Social Work, College of Nursing establish crisis hotline for health care workers and first responders fighting the COVID-19 outbreak
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Page 9: Meeting Expectations: Wayne State University’s Office of Women’s Health COVID-19 response team offering resources to connect to pregnant women
Page 11: Essay: Incoming freshmen, don’t panic. Colleges will support you
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content Letter from the President
Several years ago I had the opportunity to address the country’s Letter from the President alarmingly low number of African American males in medicine before
Rising to the Challenge:
Several years ago I had the opportunity to address the country’s alarmingly low number of African American males in medicine before a national audience of medical professionals. This conversation is as relevant today as it was then.
a national audience of medical professionals. This conversation is as relevant today as it was then.
A letter from President M. Roy Wilson Despite many advancements in the field, the number of black men
Despite many advancements in the field, the number of black men applying for medical school has not surpassed the level it was at 40 years ago when I was a med student. No other major demographic group has experienced this lack of progress in the field. This is particularly concerning since we know that diversity and inclusion are drivers of excellence in medical school and in the greater medical community. And without the participation of black men, it’s hard to imagine accelerating advancements in health disparities research.
As we watch the pandemic sweep across nation, applying forcoronavirus medical school has not surpassed the levelthe it was at 40 with few places pummeled harder these weeks than yearsbeing ago when I was a med student. Nopast otherseveral major demographic Detroit,group we’rehas faced with thethis realization that we entered experienced lack of progress in have the field. This isan unprecedented time — one filled with uncertainty, and perhaps sadness particularly concerning since we know that diversity and more inclusion than any us expected. areofdrivers of excellence in medical school and in the greater medical
Despite our urban Detroit location, Wayne State University is not immune to this challenge. In 2014, our School of Medicine enrolled only three students from groups that are “underrepresented in medicine” (URMs) through the regular admissions process— the lowest number in its history. We realized that this crisis needed to be addressed and began an aggressive campaign to counter the decline. The School of Medicine made significant changes to its admissions procedures, leading to major improvements. In 2019, we enrolled 69 URMs. This is an amazing turnaround, but there is much yet to do.
About This Publication
community. And without the participation of black men, it’s hard to EDITORIAL Darrell Dawsey, Editor-in-Chief attention actions advancements have been spread across many fronts. imagineand accelerating in health disparities research. Brittanii Lyons
Our Shawn Wright We’re worried about our health and our loved ones. We’re engrossed DESIGN Despite our urban Detroit location, Wayne State University is not in national discussions about how to best beat the pandemic. Mario We’re Chaney immune to this challenge. In 2014, our School of Medicine enrolled PHOTOGRAPHY wondering about the future and to what extent this “new normal” will Dalton only students from groups that are “underrepresented in David Paul Hitzelberger pervade ourthree tomorrow.
This is why Wayne State University continues to deepen its commitment to fostering diversity not only in medicine but across all fields related to science, technology, engineering and math. In this issue of Warriors, we look at some of the steps that the university has taken, on its own and with our allies in the community, to provide a bridge to STEM careers for young people in and around Detroit. From youth-focused programs such as SMASH and STEM Day to the individual efforts of administrators, faculty and others in our community, Wayne State is a hotbed of STEM education, for both our students and future Warriors.
We seek to reflect that commitment not only in our institution, but also in the men and women who comprise our administration, faculty and staff — and, of course, in our students.
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In this issue, we see that passion for engagement and educational equity in the vision of Dean Jon E. Cawthorne, the head of our School of Information Sciences, who has taken on the monumental task of transforming our library system in the midst of the Information Age. We hear that determination in the words of Billicia Hines, the director of Wayne State’s Black Theatre and Dance Collective. We see the outcomes of that work in the accomplishments of small businesses like Detroit Dough and neighborhood-based nonprofits like Detroit Hives, which are run by WSU alumni as deeply devoted to their crafts as to their communities.
medicine” (URMs) through the regular admissions process— the As the publication devoted to covering lowest number we in its history. realized thatchallenges this crisis needed to bedeadWayne State’s community involvement, Just asprogram. importantly, are risingWe nobly to the that this One such initiative is the Wayne Med-Direct It guarantees we encourage readers to share stories undergraduate admission and eventual admission to the School of addressed and began an aggressive campaign to counter the decline. about the work the university does in ly school new disease poses to our community. Medicine for 10 exceptional high seniors each year. Preference and around Detroit. is given to students from disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds of Medicine made significant changes to its admissions The School Got an idea for Warriors Magazine? who are interested in studying health disparities. Much like recruiting We hope you’re as inspired by their stories as we are. Contact us at engaged@wayne.edu. an athlete, we encourage the best students whose ambitions are procedures, leading to major improvements. In 2019, we enrolled 69 AsInstead president aimed toward medicine to apply. of seeking the next of star Wayne State University, I couldn’t be prouder of the Sincerely, Wayne State University running back, we’re seeking the next star surgeon, hospital CEO or URMs. This is an and amazing turnaround, butour there is muchcommunity yet to Board do. of Governors hardemphasizes work, sacrifices compassion that campus has health care leader. Wayne Med-Direct mentoring and research by giving participants the opportunity to become part of our School of Medicine during their undergraduate studies, leading to M.D. or combined M.D./Ph.D. programs.
shown This in recent in theUniversity face of the COVID-19 outbreak. is why weeks Wayne State continues to deepen its President M. Roy Wilson
Kim Trent, chair Bryan C. Barnhill, II Michael Busuito Mark Gaffney Marilyn Kelly Anil Kumar Sandra Hughes O’Brien Dana Thompson M. Roy Wilson, ex offico
commitment to fostering diversity not only in medicine but across all
Throughout its 151 years, Wayne State has been committed to diversity in the broadest sense — it is both a core value of our institution and a major focus area in our strategic plan. But diversity is only half the battle. Inclusion is paramount.
This special Michigan Chronicle insert reflects those fields related to science, technology, engineering andefforts, math. Inspotlightthis ing theissue myriad ways inwe which Warriors been anthe integral parthasof the of Warriors, look at some of have the steps that university academic, medical andand social designed to help ease our taken, on its own with responses our allies in the community, to provide a 2 WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY collective burden. bridge to STEM careers for young people in and around Detroit. From youth-focused suchand as SMASH andof STEM Day tofor Leaders in our School of programs Social Work College Nursing, the individual efforts of administrators, faculty and others in our example, have collaborated to help provide counseling, emotional community, Wayne State is a hotbed of STEM education, for both relief and sounding boards to health care workers and first responders our students and future Warriors. toiling along the front lines of the pandemic. One such initiative is the Wayne Med-Direct program. It guarantees
Meanwhile, faculty atadmission the Wayne University School Medicine undergraduate andState eventual admission to the of School of have joined withforcommunity organizations and medical and municipal Medicine 10 exceptional high school seniors each year. Preference leadersistogiven coordinate coronavirus testing and relief outreach not only to students from disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds for those onare theinterested front lines of this fight, for the Much most like vulnerable who in studying healthbut disparities. recruitingas well, including the homeless population and pregnant an athlete, wecity’s encourage the best students whose ambitions women. are aimed toward medicine to apply. Instead of seeking the next star
Our alumni and students have joined in,star too,surgeon, helpinghospital to shore uporshortrunning back, we’re seeking the next CEO ages inhealth the personal protective equipment sorely needed at our care leader. Wayne Med-Direct emphasizes mentoring and local hospitals. research by giving participants the opportunity to become part of our School of Medicine during their undergraduate studies, leading to
They have all of this even as programs. the university has made a shift to M.D.done or combined M.D./Ph.D. remote learning, juggling their volunteer efforts with ongoing responsiits 151 years, Wayne State been committed to bilities Throughout as administrators, educators, grad has students and more.
In this issu equity in t of Informa transform We hear t of Wayne outcomes Detroit Do which are their com We hope Sincerely,
President
cated to navigating this unprecedented crisis — and that our commitment will remain long after this has passed.
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We seek to also in the and staff —
diversity in the broadest sense — it is both a core value of our institution andsheds a major focus strategic plan. inspiring But diversity This special insert light onarea justinaour handful of their stories, is only half the battle. Inclusion is paramount. but we hope these will remind you that our community remains dedi-
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WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY
Wayne State University • 3
A brief look at how Wayne State University’s involvement in testing initiatives across the region is buttressing the fight to eradicate COVID-19
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ichigan is experiencing one of the nation’s most severe COVID-19 infection rates, creating especially dire circumstances in Detroit and throughout historically underserved Wayne County. Driven by an overtaxed public health infrastructure, high poverty levels and populations suffering disproportionate rates of chronic disease, a crisis has unfolded. Because of this, Wayne State University is leading an array of medical responses to
4 • Wayne State University
the outbreak. Our faculty, staff and students have joined with local government, community groups and professional organizations to combat the pandemic. Here are some of the ways Warriors have joined the fight. DRIVE-THROUGH TESTING The Wayne State University Physician Group (WSUPG), in partnership with
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Wayne State University Health Sciences and ACCESS, moved its drive-through COVID-19 testing for symptomatic health care workers and first responders to the former State Fairgrounds to join the City of Detroit in its efforts to test residents for the virus.
TESTING FOR HOMELESS POPULATIONS Wayne State University and WSUPG are testing any symptomatic homeless person currently at a designated Salvation Army shelter through another partnership with the City of Detroit, the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan and its foundation partner, the DMC Foundation.
On April 13, WSUPG began to staff two lanes at the city’s fairgrounds testing site. WSUPG also partnered with the city to provide prescriptions via telehealth for those seeking COVID-19 testing at the fairgrounds, where prescriptions are required for testing. Since March 20, nearly 3,200 symptomatic health care workers, police officers, firefighters and EMS providers have been tested by clinicians and professionals from WSUPG; WSU’s School of Medicine, School of Social Work, College of Nursing, and Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences; and ACCESS, along with scores of volunteers at drive-through testing locations at WSUPG headquarters in Detroit and the ACCESS Community Health and Research Center in Dearborn. TEST KITS FOR CITY PROGAM In a related development, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan credited the efforts of members of Wayne State University and its Perinatology Research Branch (PRB) in providing hard-to-find test kits to support the drive-through COVID-19 testing site at the former State Fairgrounds.
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Detroit has an estimated 2,100 people experiencing homelessness, nearly half of whom are in shelters.
Early in the pandemic, the city did not have diagnostic testing. Duggan found a lab willing to test samples, but he had no way to collect them. Wayne State University faculty and staff volunteered to donate materials to create test kits, using swabs repurposed from the PRB and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. The city launched its testing site at the former fairgrounds on March 27. Under the guidance of Associate Professor Nardhy Gomez-Lopez, Ph.D., Wayne State faculty assembled and provided 12,000 test kits for the site, with materials donated by Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Chair Chaur-Dong Hsu, M.D., M.P.H. MOBILE ‘DRIVE-TO’ TESTING On April 13, the Wayne State/WSUPG/ ACCESS coalition teamed with Ford Motor Co. to extend free testing to health care workers, nursing homes, and police and firefighters outside of Detroit via mobile, or “drive-to,” testing. In this initial phase, Ford Motor Co. provides vehicles and drivers to transport WSUPG physicians and volunteers to designated locations (nursing homes, police stations, fire stations, etc.) to set up daily mobile sites, where they can test up to 100 people a day.
Homeless members of the community have their temperature taken before entering any shelter in the city. If found to have symptoms, they are taken to the Salvation Army facility at 3737 Humboldt Street, where they are tested for COVID-19 and receive accommodations in motel-style units that assist in containing the virus’s spread. RAPID, POINT-OF-CARE TESTING Supported by a grant from Wayne State University President M. Roy Wilson, Wayne State University Physician Group purchased four new devices that provide rapid, on-site processing of COVID-19 test samples in Detroit. The units are now in place in Detroit Medical Center hospitals, allowing physicians to perform in-house testing of high-risk patients to avoid delays with commercial laboratories. The devices provide results in less than an hour, using immediate point-of-care testing so the hospital won’t have to send samples to a separate lab for testing.
Wayne State University • 5
E
ven before the COVID-19 outbreak paralyzed much of the nation, fashion designer Kelsey Tucker understood well the toll that work on the front lines of a crisis can take on those engaged in it. Having an older sister who works for the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Tucker often heard harrowing stories of tragedy and trauma and recognized intimately the strain facing those tasked with saving lives amid a crisis. “FEMA works on handling natural disasters and responding, so I hear my sister’s stories all the time,” explained Tucker, who, with another sister, co-founded their own local fashion line, Deviate. “She’s been a big inspiration to me — so when the virus outbreak began, I heard that there was a shortage of equipment for first responders and health care workers. I felt the choice was an easy one to make to do my part and be part of positive change.” With that, Tucker joined the small but quickly growing army of fashion designers, instructors and home sewers who’ve turned sewing machines — along with ventilators, respirators and other life-saving medical equipment — into desperately needed weapons against the pandemic now threatening to rip hospital emergency rooms apart at the seams. Alongside WSU fashion department professors like Margaret Hull and grad students like Amelia Rennell, Tucker has been working diligently for days on end as part of a growing, impromptu assembly line of tailors and seamstresses sewing large batches of non-surgical masks for nurses, emergency medical technicians, patients and others in desperate need of them to help keep COVID-19 at bay. The designers are quick to note that the masks, made from tightly woven cotton, don’t offer the same protection provided by the coveted N95 facemasks or those of the surgical variety. But as potentially lethal shortages of masks and other equipment worsen in hospitals nationwide, doctors and other health care workers are nonetheless calling for more of the donated masks and, through social media and other platforms, providing designers critical guidance on how to construct them to be as effective as possible. “I don’t want there to be any misunder-
6 • Wayne State University
standing: We still need increased production of the medical grade, N in combination with other persona equipment,” said Hull, an assistan in the WSU fashion department (h James Pearson Duffy Department Art History) and area coordinator f State’s fashion design and mercha program. “That offers the best pro But some health care professiona requesting homemade masks out to have something rather than not
And members of the WSU com toiling daily to fill those requests.
Rennell, a graduate teaching assistant who is currently near the end of her second year in the department’s M.F.A. program, has been among the most prolific of the local mask makers, having turned out about 100 masks in recent weeks. All told, she said, members of the WSU fashion community and local residents working with them have created more than 400 masks, some of which go not only to medical facilities but to psychiatric hospitals and even homes, for patients strug challenges like chemotherapy.
Rennell said she pre-cuts abou at a time and then sews them toge batches of 10, a task that takes ab utes. She said she produces abou masks per day. She also teaches o to make them.
“It’s been heartwarming to see from other people in the commun been easy to find people who nee said. “Sewing and construction is
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Fashion department faculty, alumna sew masks for health care workers, first responders battling COVID-19
commercial N95 masks al protection nt professor housed in the t of Art and for Wayne andising otection. als are still t of a desire thing.”
mmunity are
ggling with
ut 100 masks ether in bout 90 minut 20 finished others how
e the reaction nity, and it’s ed help,” she something
I do a lot of, and it is something I’m good at. So, I figured this would be an excellent way to fill my time and, with many of us working from home, feel useful about having something I can do to help. “There has been a lot of reaction from the community, with people donating money and fabrics in addition to their time and skill. Getting feedback from health care workers works; we’ve been able to address their needs.” Meanwhile, health care workers and the designers have jointly created online spreadsheets that alert the mask makers to shortages at specific medical facilities and instruct them on where they can donate their wares. As a result, mask makers have steadily improved their product, learning to add wire strips to help the masks better conform to a variety of faces and including elastic to help the masks stay in place. “The health care workers have taught us so many things, such as making sure the masks are distinct on either side so they won’t get confused about which side of the mask should touch their face and which side should face outward,” said Tucker. “It may seem like a no-brainer, but that’s the sort of direction we need.” In addition to being the clearinghouse for drop-off locations and mask-making instructions, social media has also been a source for some designers’ creativity. “There are now so many different patterns circulating on Facebook,” said Hull. “There are groups dedicated to sharing patterns and color schemes. As serious as this is, we also want
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the masks to be comfortable to wear. There’s a whole network of people trying connect need to the maker, and vice versa.” Others also have provided local mask makers with materials, given that not everyone knows which fabrics to use. At Deviate, Tucker and her team even create small packages filled with mask-making materials that volunteers can use at home. Skilled sewers receive packs containing materials that can be used to construct 15 to 20 masks. Those with less skill receive smaller packs. “We’re not mask-making experts, so we need to help each other,” said Tucker. Even those who lack any skill with a needle and thread can find a place in the effort by donating materials and/or money to the cause. Hull noted, for instance, that the WSU Maggie Allesee Deparment of Theatre and Dance has offered up unused bolts of fabric. Meanwhile, Tucker pointed out that Deviate is selling a beanie on its website, and for every one purchased, Deviate donates three more masks.
“
There has been a lot of reaction from the community, with people donating money and fabrics in addition to their time and skill. Getting feedback from health care workers works; we’ve been able to address their needs.”
Support for the mask-making initiative has spread far and wide, said Hull, who noted that the initial call for help came in an email from Matthew W. Seeger, dean of the College of Fine, Performing and Communication Arts, which is home to the art department. “He had been in touch with a local hospital about the mask shortage and then reached out to see if any of us would be willing to help,” said Hull, who kicked off her leg of the effort by making masks for a co-worker’s neighbor employed at a local hospital. “For my part, there wasn’t any question that I’d help. I was eager to reach out to faculty and students.” As their network grows, volunteers from WSU’s fashion community are determined to keep up production even as they maintain businesses, quarantine their families and prepare to teach university students remotely for the foreseeable future. “We will continue to find ways to support and share this activity,” vowed Hull. “This isn’t a formal collaboration. It’s almost like an underground thing. This is just people trying to do their part. We see the need, and we will continue to do whatever we can to help.”
Wayne State University • 7
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he Wayne State University School of Social Work and the College of Nursing in collaboration with other Wayne State departments has launched a crisis hotline for metro Detroit first responders and health care professionals toiling on the front lines of the COVID-19 outbreak. Geared toward health professionals such as nurses, doctors, respiratory therapists, techs and assistants — as well as emergency response and law enforcement personnel — the crisis line is staffed six days a week by professionally licensed social workers, psychiatric/mental health nurse practitioners and psychologists, who offer critical emotional support for those working under extremely stressful conditions. These conditions include intense grief, ethical dilemmas and fears about the well-being of themselves and their family members. “The motivating premise behind this collaboration is simple: We all need to contribute what support we can to those who occupy the front lines of this battle,” said Sheryl Kubiak, dean of the School of
Social Work. “Considering the unique nature of this pandemic, we have to do everything we can to take care of them so that they can continuing trying to save lives.” The phone number to the hotline is 1-888-910-1636, and counselors are available Mondays through Saturdays from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. Calls to the crisis line are free and confidential, and callers are not asked to provide any identifying information. Project leaders from the university’s social work and nursing programs train and debrief volunteers and organize work shifts. “The College of Nursing is delighted to partner with our exceptional colleagues in the School of Social Work on this vital project,” said Laurie M. Lauzon Clabo, dean of the College of Nursing. “This interprofessional effort is geared toward providing much-needed support for those on the front lines of this battle. The combined skills of social workers and psychiatric/mental health nurse practitioners will bring expert care to those caring for others.” For additional information on the hotline, contact covidhotline@wayne.edu.
WSU School of Social Work, College of Nursing establish crisis hotline for health care workers and first responders fighting the COVID-19 outbreak
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Wayne State University’s Office of Women’s Health COVID-19 response team offering resources to connect to pregnant women The coronavirus pandemic gripping the world is affecting one of metro Detroit’s most vulnerable populations: expecting mothers. Over the last few weeks, many pregnant women have found themselves in an extraordinary situation by missing regular obstetrical visits for fear of becoming exposed to the virus, having increased concern over not having a birthing partner, dreading risks to their baby during or after giving birth, and staying isolated at home without food or supplies. Unlike some elective medical procedures that have been delayed, pregnancy and delivery can’t wait; additionally, hospital systems may not have the capacity to work one-on-one with these vulnerable patients. Wayne State University’s Office of Women’s Health and Make Your Date Detroit, a free program for expectant mothers, is available to help. Through interviewing women in the program, Make Your Date team members have found that more than one-third of pregnant women need food assistance, 25% need help with baby items and 25% require transportation. To assist in these needs, Make Your Date has established a COVID-19 response team. “We’ve assembled resources for food, transportation, medical and mental health support, and even items for the baby. With our volunteers, we will stay in contact with these moms — by phone or online — to help them through the coronavirus scare,” said Office of Women’s Health Associate Vice President Sonia Hassan, M.D., who is a professor of maternal-fetal medicine in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. “We are confident that this effort will make a tremendous impact on an extremely vulnerable population at this time.” The program’s goal is to guarantee that pregnant mothers have the resources, information and support they need during this crisis. Any pregnant women who wish to participate in the program should keep existing appointments with their current provider, as this is not a medical or clinical service. Volunteers will contact up to five women who have signed up to be connected. Volunteers will then regularly contact expectant moms throughout their pregnancy and after they deliver. To sign up to participate in this program, pregnant moms can visit makeyourdate.org, call 313- 577-1000 or email info@makeyourdate.org. A Make Your Date volunteer will call participants and connect them to what they need. “One of our team members will contact you, explain the program’s details, and take you through the list of medical, food, transportation and other resources you may need,” said Dr. Hassan. “Of course, we are also here for you if you just need someone to talk to.”
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Previous research shows that coordinated prenatal care and targeted interventions, when necessary, can greatly reduce the risks of pregnancy and preterm birth. “In a typical year, Make Your Date Detroit works with physicians to ensure all patients are offered appropriate tests or treatments, and coordinates with insurers and public health leaders to provide easy access to prenatal care and coverage,” said Wayne State President M. Roy Wilson. “This year looks drastically different because of the coronavirus pandemic, and I’m so proud that the wonderful people behind this program are going above and beyond to give these vulnerable women and their babies the support they need in these unprecedented times.” A coalition of major medical institutions, universities, foundations, community groups and insurance companies, Make Your Date has built a caring and supportive team dedicated to turning the tide against preterm birth. “We are very pleased to collaborate with Make Your Date,” Vernice Anthony said on behalf of the Southeast Michigan Perinatal Quality Improvement Coalition. “During this time when our communities are overwhelmed with coronavirus priorities, we cannot forget our pregnant women and their needs. Make Your Date is addressing many of these needs by providing support, resources, food and someone to [offer emotional] care. With the stay-at-home directive, isolation and the inability to get out is creating real problems for pregnant women that could have lasting impacts on childbirth and the mother and infant.” “We can’t think of a better partner or a better voice to team up with during this pandemic than Make Your Date,” added Kara Hamilton-McGraw, executive director of maternal-child health, program development, community relations and government affairs for March of Dimes. “They are committed to reducing the rate of preterm birth all year, and especially now. We are honored to have them fighting for these women and their children today, and always.”
Wayne State University • 9
WARRIOR STRONG TO THE FINISH
Congratulations, Wayne State University class of 2020. You did it. You graduated from a nationally ranked research university, strengthened by the culture, industry and diversity of its urban environment. And now you join the ranks of an alumni powerhouse of nearly 275,000. You started strong, and you finished Warrior Strong. We couldn’t be more proud.
wayne.edu 10 • Wayne State University
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Incoming freshmen, don’t panic.
Colleges will support you By Dawn Medley Labor Day weekend 2005 was one the most difficult and challenging of my life. As the chief enrollment officer at the University of Arkansas, I had been empowered to make whatever decisions I needed to in light of Hurricane Katrina and the flooding in New Orleans. I had strangers sleep in my home, created scholarships with a phone call, and admitted students to the university on their word and good faith. I thought that was the crisis in higher education that would define my career. Enter COVID-19. Today, my entire enrollment management division is working remotely as is 95% of our university. I spend my days at a laptop, with headphones, and managing in a time unlike any other. First we focused on making sure that our current students had their needs met. For some, they went home. For others, we are their home. Now we are taking events designed around the “in-person experience” and turning them into “experiences for the person.” Our faculty are moving mountains to take all of their experience and plans for coursework and distill it into educational, engaging and electronic forms. What changes happen to college plans for a high school student during these difficult times? The answer is everything and nothing at all.
the questions and landscape change daily, but we are adapting rapidly. In the last week, higher education professionals have pivoted to virtual advising. At Wayne State University, we’re using our AI chatbot “W” to answer simple questions for incoming WSU students and have expanded our efforts with virtual gatherings where social distancing isn’t an issue. As far as making the college ecision, institutions understand that d some students and families are taking deep breaths and pauses in the college selection process, while others are forging ahead with plans. Schools will be supportive and nimble for each individual student and their family. We’ll figure it out together and rest assured the last thing any institution would ever want is for a student to feel pressured to make a choice with their education in which they didn’t feel 100% confident. In the meantime: u If you have to take summer school to complete high school, colleges will adapt and support you. u If you need to figure out financial aid, any college financial aid office can help you no matter where you intend to enroll.
u If your gap year fell through, universities can still admit you. u If you are waiting to take a standardized test and now you can’t, there will still be a path to college. u If you need to wait to deposit, colleges will likely accommodate you. Many, including WSU, have pushed our deposit deadline to June 1 for students. u If you are worried about online or virtual classes, institutions will support you.
Dawn Medley
u If you haven’t visited campus, your college likely has a virtual tour or will soon. u If you just need to talk to someone, schools will be accommodating and supportive. And if you just want to know that we’ll all get through this, I can assure you: We will. Dawn Medley is the associate vice president of enrollment management at Wayne State University.
u If your family income changes, financial aid offices can make aid adjustments with you.
Many will miss senior proms, graduations and we understand that families and students are uncertain in this time. Colleges all over the United States are open and ready to help students navigate these rapidly changing landscapes as they abruptly end their senior years and look to the future. While it is true that we don’t know what fall classes will look like on college campuses, one thing we know is that learning will continue. Parents and students, higher education institutions will support you. No, we don’t have all the answers yet because
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Wayne State University • 11
The 2020 U.S. Census is live online — and Warriors have an important role to play. The census count determines how much federal funding Detroit receives in the coming decade, meaning the Wayne State University community can have a major impact on the city’s future. If you lived on campus this year — even if you are off campus now due to the COVID-19 pandemic — you don’t have to do anything; your administrators will include you in their count. If you lived off campus, use that address — even if current situations have you temporarily relocated — when filling out your census form. If you don’t have your Census ID, don’t worry; you can still complete the census without it. The 10 questions take only 10 minutes to complete, but those answers can affect Detroit and Michigan for the next 10 years. Take the census today at 2020census.gov.
12 • Wayne State University
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