The Current Vol.37 Issue 1

August 13, 2026 Issue 1, Volume 37

NSU's student-run newspaper, housed in the Department of Communication, Media, and the Arts

STARTING ON p. 10

NEWS p. 3

FEATURES p. 8

SCIENCE AND HEALTH p. 18

SPORTS p. 20

NSU students explore climate change in Greenland

A Guide to Greek Life at NSU

NSU expands mental health services with new online counseling partnership

NSU celebrates studentathletes at Sharky’s

STARTING ON p. 6

| August 13, 2026

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Located in the Don Taft University Center Room 328 @nsu_makonews / makomedia.nova.edu

NEWSROOM

Phone: 954-262-8455 makonews@nova.edu

BUSINESS & ADVERTISING

Phone: 954-262-8455 thecurrentad@nova.edu

NEWSROOM STAFF Antonio Miguel Escorzon Editor-in-Chief

Amaia Flores Social Media Manager

Constanza Andujar Managing Editor

Yasmin De Andrade Rodrigues Social Media Manager

Lila Taricco Art Director

Chris Delboni Mako Media Network Director

Sebastian Castro Graphic Designer

Mike Lynn Mako Media Network Assistant Director/ Music Desk Adviser

Alexandria Munroe Features Editor Isabella Fernandez de Cueto Sports Editor

Joyce Moed The Current Adviser

Samiksha Chemukula Science/Health Writer Bryce Johnson Film Critic Madison Kasper Reporter/ Visual Journalist Daniel Lopez Reporter Sneha Subhash Science/Health Writer

Dr. Mario D’Agostino Sports Desk Adviser Dr. Aarti Raja Science/Health Desk Adviser Dr. Eric Mason Digital Adviser Dr. Shanti Bruce Chair, Department of Communication, Media, and the Arts

Allen Worrell Web Editor/Reporter

MAKO TV

MAKO RADIO

MAKO NEWS

On the cover: arts photos by Morgan Sophia Davie photos by Constanza Andujar

Letter from the editor Dear Readers, Hello there and welcome back, Sharks! I hope you enjoy reading this semester’s first issue of The Current, NSU’s student-run newspaper.

I am Antonio Miguel Escorzon, the editor-in-chief.

We have a focus on the arts at NSU for this issue, which covers how music shapes students’ identities, on-campus dance clubs and updates on Department of Communication, Media, and the Arts programs.

Incoming freshmen, new to campus, will learn more about fraternity and sorority life, academic resources and advice for international students.

You will also get to know about the Town of Davie from its residents and an exclusive interview with its mayor, Judy Paul.

I am happy to introduce our first crossword puzzle game. I hope you can figure out the answers.

The summer was fantastic. It was nice spending more time with my parents and friends.

I look forward to the new academic year. It will be my second year in the Composition, Rhetoric, and Digital

Media master’s program at NSU. The Current is part of Mako Media Network. MMN also includes Mako TV, NSU’s student-run broadcast news station on YouTube, and Mako Radio, NSU’s student-run radio station on 88.5 FM. If you have questions, comments or story pitches, you can find us in the Don Taft University Center, room 328. On behalf of everyone at The Current, thank you for reading and making us part of your day.

Happy fall, Antonio Miguel Escorzon

AMANDA M. DELBONI JOURNALISM ENDOWMENT FUND The Amanda M. Delboni Journalism Endowment Fund was established to support NSU’s journalism program, including student scholarships, mentorship and shadowing opportunities. Donating to the Amanda M. Delboni Journalism Endowment Fund supports NSU journalism education and prepares students for industry careers.

The Current is Nova Southeastern University’s established vehicle for student reporting.

Editorials, commentaries and advertisements in this publication reflect the opinions of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the University or its officials, The Current advisers or advertisers. The Current will not publish

unsigned letters except under special circumstances at the discretion of the Editor-in-Chief.

The Current reserves the right to edit, publish or deny submitted works.

The Current shall remain free of associations and activities that may compromise integrity or damage credibility or otherwise create bias, real or perceived.

NEWS

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NSU students explore climate change in Greenland

By Antonio Miguel Escorzon Two NSU students participated in the NSU Ocean and Rising Seas Institute’s Greenland Expedition this summer, where they explored Greenland’s glaciers and learned about the impacts of climate change.

The students, Miranda Brohman, second-year student in the Marine Biology/ Oceanography Ph.D. program, and Aashvi

Gowrisankar, senior double major in biology and marine biology, joined the expedition as members of The President’s 64, NSU’s student leadership organization.

Brohman and Gowrisankar went on the trip, along with Dr. Chad Perlyn, executive vice president, chief medical officer and executive medical director of NSU Health, and dean of the Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Allopathic Medicine; his wife Brooke; John Englander, founding director of the Rising Seas Institute; Sharon Gray, associate director of the Rising Seas Institute;

and Jason Box, a glaciologist.

Throughout the week, from June 29 to July 4, the group participated in activities, including kayaking around icebergs, riding in a helicopter for a tour and visiting the Icefjord Centre in Ilulissat, Greenland.

Brohman said she enjoyed kayaking.

“I was able to dip my hand in the water and feel how cold the water was, and then also go up to some of the smaller icebergs,” she said.

The group learned about how carbon dioxide emissions cause sea level rise and

coral bleaching, which harms the ocean’s ecosystem.

“If we don’t take care of our environment, then you won’t really see a future for humanity,” Gowrisankar said. “I think educating the general public is something that I will be an active proponent in after this trip because what I saw was amazing and astonishing, and I hope everyone gets to experience it at least once in their life.”

COURTESY OF MIRANDA BROHMAN

Miranda Brohman, second-year student in the Marine Biology/Oceanography Ph.D. program, takes photos during the expedition.

Shark Dining expands food options across campus

By Antonio Miguel Escorzon Shark Dining, which manages the dining operations of NSU, will open the Fin’s Landing Food Hall on the first floor of the Terry Administration Building on Monday, Aug. 17. The Fin’s Landing Food Hall Grand Opening Celebration will take place on Tuesday, Aug. 25, from noon to 2 p.m. The event is open to the public.

Mike Alkurdi, resident district manager for Chartwells and Shark Dining, said the dining hall will include food options new to campus, such as The Halal Shack, Brooklyn Water Bagels and Amazon’s Just Walk Out. “Folks deserve the diversity and the variety of things that we’re going to be offering,” Alkurdi said. “It’s all about the customer’s experience and the quality of things that will be offered.”

The Terry Administration Building is also home to Starbucks, which opened during the 2026 winter semester.

The Don Taft University Center has food choices in Razor’s Reef, its dining hall, including Sushi Maki, which features Asian cuisine; Ciao Bella, which offers pasta and pizza; Student Choice, which operates based on students voting; Qdoba, which serves Mexican-style cuisine; Sambazon, which offers açai bowls; and College Ave. Subs, which offers sandwich subs.

More campus dining options include Fresh Corner, Chick-fil-A, Starbucks and The Market in the University Center, the Smart Market in the Parker Building, the Supreme Court Cafe in the Shepard Broad College of Law, Einstein Bros. Bagels in the Carl DeSantis Building, and the West End Ave. Deli in the Alvin Sherman Library, Research and Information Technology Center.

Kaylani Arnold, senior psychology

major, said it is great to have a variety of food options on campus.

“Everybody’s diets are different and some people, like myself, have a bunch of dietary restrictions or allergies,” Arnold said. “So it’s definitely beneficial just to have a little bit of everything.

That way people can mix and match.”

Students can also order food remotely using the Grubhub app for in-person pickup.

The Joyful Farmers Market will return and be open twice a month in front of the Alvin Sherman Library, Research, and Information Technology Center. The farmers’ market has vendors who offer fresh fruits and produce, jewelry, toys and clothing.

Nya Ashley, senior medical sonography major, said it is convenient that there are many places to eat at NSU. “It gives us a chance to have food on campus,” Ashley said. “A lot of us don’t have cars, so being able to get food on

campus is a big plus.”

Alkurdi said it means the world to him to see the work Shark Dining does.

“Dining is a critical part of the student’s life, and it’s a critical part of why students choose a university,” he said.

“It’s a very important factor, and we keep reminding ourselves of the importance of the work that we do and how impactful it could be.”

For more information: To learn about Shark Dining hours, visit dineoncampus.com/nsu or scan the QR code.

August 13, 2026

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PHOTO BY CONSTANZA ANDUJAR

A traveler walks through Terminal 4 in Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, where Spirit Airlines used to operate.

Spirit’s shutdown leaves budget travel ‘up in the air’

By Constanza Andujar The day before his graduation, Nathan Tibert, NSU 2026 graduate, was not thinking about commencement. Instead, he was figuring out whether his graduation trip to Costa Rica would still happen.

“I remember I woke up, went on TikTok, and saw this mass post about Spirit being shut down,” Tibert said. “My trip was a week away from happening, and I was just worried that it wasn’t gonna happen.”

PHOTO BY CONSTANZA ANDUJAR

Spirit Airlines announced an immediate wind-down of operations, cancelling all scheduled flights, on May 2.

The shutdown was a result of the “increase in oil prices and other pressures on the business,” according to the company’s official statements.

Spirit, headquartered in Dania Beach in Broward County, had served

as a low-cost airline for more than three decades.

The airline’s collapse brings concerns to young travelers. For many students like Tibert, Spirit made air travel possible.

“Spirit was everything,” Tibert said. “As full-time students, we don’t have much time to be working a 9 to 5 and making a lot of money. If we’re trying to treat ourselves to a trip or trying to travel home, all we can lean on is an affordable flight, and that’s what Spirit offered.”

Despite ultimately making it to Costa Rica, the shutdown forced Tibert to change his travel plans.

Originally, the trip included his girlfriend and his best friend, but his girlfriend was unable to rebook a flight due to the higher fares.

“Instead of being overjoyed that I was about to graduate,

I just spent the entire week stressing over this trip,” Tibert said.

Kyli Hammerton, junior law major, works as a gate agent for Envoy Air at the Miami International Airport.

“It’s obvious that every other company’s flights are gonna get progressively more and more expensive,” she said.

Hammerton said Spirit’s low fares pushed other airlines to compete on price, so its departure could lead to higher rates across the industry.

“Air travel is going to change, whether that be for the better or for the worse, it will change,” Hammerton said. “Everything’s up in the air at this point.”

Spirit Airlines’ self-service kiosks sit out-of-service on June 7 in the empty Terminal 4 at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. The airline ceased all operations on May 2.

NEWS

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Resources help students navigate college life Tutoring and Testing Center, said the advisers help students with their fouryear plans to ensure they are on track with their degrees.

“I highly recommend students visit their advisers early and often,” he said.

Dvorak also said CAPS advisers help students find potential career paths related to their majors.

By Antonio Miguel Escorzon The Center for Academic and Professional Success, the Writing and Communication Center and the Tutoring and Testing Center are three on-campus resources accessible to students.

Center for Academic and ProWriting and Communication fessional Success Center The Center for Academic and ProThe Writing and Communication fessional Success offers academic and Center is a resource where consultants career advice for NSU students. The help students throughout their writCAPS office is located in the William ing process. It is located on the fourth and Norma Horvitz Administration Building.

Kevin Dvorak, executive director for Academic To make appointments Engagement, which with CAPS and the TTC, includes overseeing scan the QR code or go CAPS, the Writing to SharkLink and use and Communicathe Navigate widget.* tion Center and the * Sign-in with NSU email required.

floor in the Alvin Sherman Library, Research, and Information Technology Center.

Cailin Coviella, assistant director of the WCC, said the WCC’s consultants check if students are on track with their writing assignments.

“We don’t just help with writing. We will look at your rubric, and we’ll look at your assignment sheet to make sure that you’re actually accomplishing the goals of the assignment, especially for COMP, CHEM and BIO,” she said.

Tutoring and Testing Center The Tutoring and Testing Center provides peer tutoring where students can meet with a staff tutor one-on-one, in a small group or virtually.

Eric Gommermann, assistant

To make appointments with the WCC, visit nova.mywconline.com or scan the QR code.

director of Academic Support Services for the Tutoring and Testing Center, said the university focuses on supporting students in STEM-based courses through peer tutoring. The TTC is located on the fourth floor of the Alvin Sherman Library, Research, and Information Technology Center.

“Our tutors have been in these courses, so they know the pace,” he said. “They’re familiar with the workload of them. They’re familiar with the professors.”

The TTC offers other services, including Peer Academic Consulting, where consultants help students with time management and goal setting, and Supplemental Instruction, where a student SI leader develops sessions to help them understand course material outside the classroom and the Testing Lab where students can make up tests as well as allow students who have accommodations to take exams.

Advice for international students

By Constanza Andujar Starting college can feel like a major transition for anyone, but for Julieta Santamaría, a student from Colombia and sophomore political science major, being an international student comes with additional challenges.

“Trying to balance your immigration status, trying to do it the right way, is very challenging,” she said.

Campus resources can play a significant role in helping international students manage life in a new country.

Santamaría said she regularly visits the Center for Academic and Professional Success and the Office of

International Affairs for immigration guidance and career planning.

Niemah Butler, senior director of Student Employment and International Affairs, said the OIA is mainly in charge of issuing I-20s, a document which certifies that international students have been admitted to a full-time academic program. Additionally, the OIA provides guidance regarding employment, internships, authorizations and travel signatures.

Butler said students often turn to fellow international peers when they have questions, but she warns against relying solely on social connections rather than official resources.

“Your friends can be the worst resources because every international student experience is different,” she said. “Ultimately, you are responsible for your [immigration] status.”

Each semester, the OIA offers several virtual compliance and information sessions designed to help students understand how to maintain their visa status.

Butler recommends attending at least one session every semester and taking advantage of the resources the university has to offer.

Jorge Berea, international student from Spain and senior finance

major, remembers the numerous visits to the Writing and Communication Center during his first year to improve his English.

“I struggled to pronounce and speak clearly, but then you realize that people here would never look at you differently for having your accent,” Berea said.

Butler said the university resources are there to help and support the students.

“I understand how difficult it must be because there’s a lot of frustration from the students that don’t understand how certain things work, but we’re here,” she said.

August 13, 2026

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Spotlight: Getting to know Davie Mayor Judy Paul

By Constanza Andujar and Antonio Miguel Escorzon Judy Paul, the mayor of the Town of Davie, said she first fell in love with horses when she was 6 years old in her home state of New Jersey.

“My mother took me for my first, [what] was supposed to be a pony ride,” Paul said.

“She wanted to put me on a pony. I said, ‘No, I want that one.’ And I pointed to the biggest horse.”

Forty years later, Paul moved to South Florida, drawn to Davie because of its equestrian lifestyle.

Today, Paul’s barn is home to her horse and three others that board there.

“My barn is my sanctuary. I just sit there in the peace and quiet, and I watch the wildlife and the birds,” she said. “When I want to meditate or think about some important things, that’s probably my favorite place to be.”

Paul has served as Davie’s mayor since 2009. She first ran to put more focus on Davie’s environmental legacy.

Currently running for re-election, Paul said her priorities for the town have remained unchanged since she became a councilmember in 1998.

“My vision is that we continue to protect our open space. That is probably the most important thing to me,” Paul said. “Making sure that we protect the environment, the equestrian lifestyle. This has been my mantra ever since I started in ‘98.”

Aimee Zadak, adjunct professor in NSU’s College of Psychology, president of the Davie Woman’s Club and COO for the Davie-Cooper City Chamber of Commerce, said she brings her psychology students to visit Paul at Davie Town Hall.

“She meets with my students every semester and lets them know what’s going on in the community,” Zadak said. “It’s not too many colleges that can say that their students can go in and talk to the mayor.”

Paul said helping people gives her more pleasure than anything.

“That’s my theme: the experience, the leadership and the ability to communicate and get along with people,” she said.

“And that’s where my dramatic background comes in handy too, in my ability to communicate.”

Growing up, Paul envisioned a future in the arts. She attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York as a teenager.

Her passion for theater remains with her to this day. Among her favorite places in Davie is the Rose and Alfred Miniaci

Performing Arts Center at NSU. “It’s a perfect venue. There is not a bad seat in the house. I like that it’s nice and small and intimate,” she said.

Paul also liked dancing when she was young, having done ballroom dancing and clogging, a high-energy dance from the Appalachian Mountains similar to tap dancing.

She signed and gifted her clogging shoes to the South Florida Cloggers in 2011 when Rebecca Vetter, director and owner of the South Florida Cloggers, first started the team.

“It’s a cute, unbelievable memory for us, and a huge support,” Vetter said. “She’s our No. 1 fan when we come out.”

Paul’s interests shifted during her college years.

She studied history, secondary education and English at Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey and pursued a career as a history teacher in high schools in New Jersey and Florida.

“I’m still friendly with a lot of students that graduated,” she said.

Despite not having imagined a future as mayor, Paul said she has devoted herself to the town.

“To me, Davie is the end all,” she said.

“I give it my whole heart.”

PHOTOS BY CONSTANZA ANDUJAR

Mayor Judy Paul pets animals at her barn in Davie.

Savor Davie highlights local dining scene

By Constanza Andujar Savor Davie is making its debut this fall, bringing a new local dining initiative to the town. This pilot program organized by the Town of Davie launched on Aug. 1 and will run through Sept. 30, with eight restaurants in Davie offering a fixed-price, multi-course meal.

“The intent is to support our small businesses and then encourage not just residents, but also visitors, to explore all of the different dining options that we have in our community,” Glenda Martinez, Town of Davie’s Housing and Community Affairs manager and one of Savor Davie’s organizers, said.

Judy Paul, Town of Davie mayor, hopes the program will highlight the quality of the local businesses.

“Someone asked me about going to a particular restaurant, and I said, ‘No, I won’t go. It’s not in Davie,’” Paul said.

Savor Davie features a variety of restaurants representing different cuisines.

“We have Indian cuisine, we have seafood, we have American dining, we have Italian, Chinese, so it’s just a little bit of everything,” Martinez said. “People think of Davie and it’s just ‘cowboy town,’ but in reality we have so much more to offer.”

Martinez said it is important to spotlight the mom-and-pop, family owned establishments that define Davie’s dining scene.

Among those participating is Ovivi’s Restaurant, a family owned American fusion restaurant featuring homemade Italian, Asian and Latin cuisine.

“Customers that come in, we treat them like family, because anybody can cook their food at home, anybody can make their drinks really if they want to at home, so we go the extra route of making a family for people,” Dylan Razack, partner at Ovivi’s Restaurant and NSU alumnus, said.

The restaurant’s name was inspired by Dylan Razack’s niece, Olivia.

“At the time we took over this restaurant, the baby couldn’t say her name right, and she would always mispronounce it as ‘Ovivi.’ So it got ingrained in our heads

while we were in construction,” Razack said.

For Davie’s restaurant owners, the initiative provides a platform for greater exposure.

“The family’s looking for anything at this point from a business aspect of things.

You see restaurants closing up, left and right. The economy is tough,” Razack said.

“We care about the food that we put out.

We care about the drinks that we put out.

We care about the people.”

As the program continues, Martinez hopes residents will embrace Savor Davie to help make it an annual event.

PHOTO BY CONSTANZA ANDUJAR

“When the local restaurants in our neighborhood really do thrive, then the community as a whole thrives,” she said.

For more information on Savor Davie’s participating restaurants:

Shannon McCartney, Ovivi’s Restaurant employee, talks with customers.

NEWS

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PHOTO BY CONSTANZA ANDUJAR

A cowboy attempts to rope a calf in the Tie-down Roping competition at the Weekley Brothers Davie Pro Rodeo on June 20.

Residents share what makes Davie feel like home

By Constanza Andujar and Antonio Miguel Escorzon Known as “cowboy town,” Davie stands apart in Broward County for its open spaces, small-town feel and equestrian lifestyle.

“We have everything right here in Davie. We’re minutes away from the port, from the airport, the beach. Yet we have 180 miles of trails just in Davie for horses, bicycles and walkers,” Judy Paul, mayor of the Town of Davie, said, in an exclusive interview with The Current. “And I know people that drive down Flamingo Road. They say, ‘We always know when we get to Davie because it turns green.’”

Paul said Davie has more open spaces than any other community in Broward County, even while being surrounded by 10 of the 31 municipalities of the county.

“So that kind of makes us the center of the universe,” she said.

To Aimee Zadak, adjunct professor in NSU’s College of Psychology, president of the Davie Woman’s Club and COO for the Davie-Cooper

PHOTO BY CONSTANZA ANDUJAR

City Chamber of Commerce, the town is unique in its old-time, communal feel. She has been a Davie resident for 22 years. “[Davie’s] got the feel that you trust your neighbors, you trust your community, you trust your leaders in the community. It’s a safe place to be,” Zadak said. “We have so many people, and it still maintains that true promise to be a small town, although we know it’s not a small town.”

With more than 100,000 residents, Davie has grown steadily throughout the years.

Paul has experienced this growth firsthand, having moved to the area in 1986, when the population did not exceed 40,000.

She said one of the biggest changes has been the addition of colleges

and education centers. Davie currently has five college campuses within its 35 square mile area.

To Paul, Nova Southeastern University offers a great deal to the community.

“They bring a lot of expertise,” Paul said. “A lot of our new residents are not just students, but they’re professors and people that work [at these universities].”

Paul has prioritized balancing progress and tradition.

“I think it’s important for us to be able to find a common ground between the open space, and the cowboy, and the equestrian lifestyle, with the universities and the colleges,” she said.

The Davie Arena at the Bergeron Rodeo Grounds is one of the establishments helping to preserve the

Tyler Wall of St. Cloud, Fla., rides bronc Dirty Diana at the Weekley Brothers Davie Pro Rodeo on June 20. Wall won the Saddle Bronc Riding category with a score of 81.5.

town’s western traditions. The arena serves as one of the town’s main tourist attractions, hosting events, such as the Weekley Brothers Davie Pro Rodeo, a competition that gathers top cowgirls and cowboys from around the nation.

“There is always something going on at the rodeo arena. We have a Halloween event, the fall festival, a jazz festival,” Paul said.

In the spring, Davie hosts the Orange Blossom Festival. Paul said the event celebrates the orange blossoms in February.

“You used to be able to go down Orange Drive and smell the orange blossoms. We had orange trees everywhere,” she said.

Even beyond the Bergeron Rodeo Grounds, there is always something happening in Davie, Paul said. These events reflect Davie’s efforts to bring residents together and create a sense of community.

Daniel J. Alfonso, executive vice president for NSU’s Facilities Management, Public Safety, and Business Services and Davie councilmember for District 2, said Davie is a friendly town with an equestrian and semi-rural lifestyle.

“You have that kind of community where neighbors know each other, and you cover for each other,” he said.

For Paul, preserving those values depends on cooperation among the community, from attending local events and town meetings to supporting small-businesses and restaurants.

“Working together, surviving together,” she said. “You have to find a way to make everything work for the best of the community. And all the residents of Davie moved here for a purpose: every time I speak to them, it’s always, ‘We just love it here. So peaceful and quiet.’”

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A Guide to Greek Life at NSU

By Constanza Andujar Fraternity and Sorority Life at NSU helps students find a “home away from home,” said Malik Smith, coordinator of fraternity and sorority engagement and member of Alpha Phi Alpha.

“This is where you find that sense of belongingness,” he said. “You get to find like-minded people, people who have those same goals and aspirations as you, and you guys get to work together to ultimately achieve whatever those goals may be.”

Malik remembers the excitement he felt when he joined the Alpha Phi Alpha organization in college.

“Just being a part of something that’s bigger than you makes you feel like you can almost do anything,” he said.

At NSU, FSL, also known as Greek Life, consists of three councils that govern 14 social organizations, with more than 500 students involved.

Unified Greek Council The Unified Greek Council serves as the governing body for NSU’s multicultural fraternities and sororities. These organizations are associated with different councils at the national level.

Sigma Lambda Gamma, Lambda Theta Alpha, and Lambda Alpha Upsilon are historically Latino organizations. The latter is affiliated with the National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations, Inc., while Sigma Lambda Gamma and Lambda Theta Alpha operate as independent national organizations.

Kappa Alpha Psi, Phi Beta Sigma, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Zeta Phi Beta and Delta Sigma Theta are historically African American organizations born as a response to racism. These are associated with the National Pan-Hellenic Council, founded in 1930.

“Black men and women weren’t able to join fraternities and sororities because they were only for white students, so they created their own spaces,” Donavan Rahming, senior double major in history and English and UGC president, said.

Rahming said social advocacy is a core value of the UGC. “We have a focus on social action and

giving back to communities, whether that’s through book drives, clothing drives, or going out and making sure that people are registered to vote,” he said.

The intake process is the selection, education and initiation process used by UGC chapters for new members and it takes place during the winter semester.

Rahming said the best way to get involved is to attend the chapters’ information sessions during the fall semester to learn about each organization.

“Then, in the winter semester, our organizations will tend to hold an interest meeting, which is where basically you say to the organization of your choosing, ‘Hey, I’m interested. I want to be part of this,’” he said. “From then, it depends.

Organizations all do their intake process differently.”

Panhellenic Council The Panhellenic Council is the governing body that manages three sororities: Delta Phi Epsilon, Phi Sigma Sigma and Sigma Delta Tau. “We focus on sisterhood and philanthropy. Our main goal is to make sure that we are connected to each other while connecting to

the community,” Sanjana Magesh, junior biology major and PC president, said.

For students interested in joining a sorority, Magesh recommends attending the pre-recruitment events, which take place during the first two weeks of the fall semester.

“At these events, there will be sisters from each of the sororities, and you can ask them about their experience in sorority life,” Magesh said.

Formal recruitment typically takes place in the fall semester. Interested students must complete a form provided by the PC, which closes about a week before recruitment begins.

Collegiate Fraternal Council The Collegiate Fraternal Council oversees Phi Delta Theta, Kappa Sigma and Phi Kappa Tau. These fraternities focus on brotherhood and giving back to the community.

“We do fundraising and community service. We went to dog shelters. We did on-campus cleanups. It’s making yourself more active, with a group of friends that you can trust,” Dhru Patel, sophomore health informatics major and special events coordinator at CFC, said.

Similarly to Magesh’s advice, Patel said going to the recruitment events in the first week of the fall semester is the best way to get involved with CFC. The goal of the recruitment process is to help students find a fraternity that aligns with their goals and values. “[CFC] wants you to become successful and the best version of yourself,” he said.

For updates on events visit:

@nsu.fsl For additional information on FSL:

PHOTO BY CONSTANZA ANDUJAR

From left: Sanjana Magesh, junior biology major; Monica Kobierowski, junior political science major; and Gianna Manfredi, junior criminal justice major, table for the Panhellenic Council at the Campus Connections Resource Fair on June 18.

ARTS

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August 13, 2026

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on the arts

Attendees at the “Clo se to Home view Piero ” opening e Penizzotto vent ’s “Kings o f Comedy.”

ee at the an attend pieces. to s lk ta nt his rk Delmo nt about Artist Ma me” opening eve Ho “Close to

PHOTOS BY ALEXANDRIA MUNROE

Karela Palazio, an attendee at the ‘Close to Home’ opening event, views the work of artist Josh Aronson.

NSU Art Museum celebrates local artists in ‘Close to Home’

By Alexandria Munroe The NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale’s “Close to Home,” an exhibit featuring 20 artists from the South Florida community, will be on view until Oct. 4.

Sinaí Rivera, senior marketing major, worked as a guest curator for this exhibition. She said that “Close to Home” explores themes of community and connection.

“I hope people see this exhibition and call up their friends,” Rivera said. “I want them to reflect on their own relationships and the importance of having community and having bonds.”

Rivera said the exhibition highlights parts of South Florida that visitors do not typically experience.

“It also kind of gives people an insider’s scoop,” she said. “They’ll be able to see what the real South Florida culture is and the diversity of it and how beautiful our ecosystem is.”

As a part of the curatorial process, Rivera worked closely with the 20 participating artists by researching their pieces and visiting their studios. She said her favorite part of this process was building a personal relationship with the artists.

“I keep jokingly saying that I came out with 20 new friends, but I was talking to them so much that it was kind of cool to

get to know each one personally,” she said.

The exhibition’s opening event took place on June 6. During the opening event, artists in the exhibition were able to speak to attendees about the meaning behind their pieces.

One of the featured artists, Jared McGriff, said that he wants people to reflect and find a piece of themselves in his work.

“A lot of my work is inspired by my memory and imagination and a combination of the two,” he said. “My hope is that it’s an opening for other people to see their own stories.”

McGriff said that the exhibition showcases the diversity of the South Florida

arts scene and the community as a whole.

“It’s an interesting document of diaspora history and lives and families,” McGriff said. “No one has a constrictive idea as to what art is or what makes great art here.”

Karela Palazio, an attendee from Miami, said the exhibition also showcases a lesser-known side of the local arts scene.

“Miami is known for art, but people just think of Art Basel. They don’t think of the scene that goes on year-round,” Palazio said. “From this, the arts scene can eventually blossom into somewhere people recognize for more than Art Basel.”

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MOVIE REVIEW

Movies and shows to watch in the fall semester

By Bryce Johnson This is the first time since 2019 that “Star Wars,” “Spider-Man,” “Toy Story,” “Jumanji,” “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,” “Angry Birds” and “Avengers” will all be released in the same year. Sequels, prequels, reboots and adaptations are coming in full force, and there are plenty to watch in the fall semester.

“Ted Lasso (Season 4)” After three years, “Ted Lasso” returns for a fourth season. Ted Lasso, once again played by Jason Sudeikis, is now the coach of a women’s soccer team. The fourth season premiered on Aug. 5 on Apple TV+, and will continue to air episodes weekly until Oct. 7.

“Practical Magic 2” Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman are back as witch sisters Gillian and Sally Owens in “Practical Magic 2.” In the new film, Sally and Gillian uncover family secrets and discover the true nature of their magic. The film releases in theaters on Sept. 11.

“Resident Evil” Based on the “Resident Evil” video game series, this new film reboot is set during a virus outbreak that turns people into monsters. An organ courier named Bryan has to make his way through this new dangerous world. The film releases in theaters on Sept. 18.

“The Social Reckoning” Not much is known about the sequel to “The Social Network,” but Jesse Eisenberg and Andrew Garfield won’t be returning. Jeremy Strong replaces Eisenberg as Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, while Mikey Madison and Jeremy Allen White star as Frances Haugen and Jeff Horwitz, respectively. The film releases in theaters on Oct. 9.

“VisionQuest” Following the events of Marvel Studio’s “WandaVision,” Paul Bettany and James Spader return as Vision and Ultron, respectively, this time on a new

COURTESY OF MURRAY CLOSE/LIONSGATE

From left: Whitney Peak as Lenore Dove Baird and Joseph Zada as Haymitch Abernathy in “The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping.”

path of self discovery. The series will premiere on Disney+ on Oct. 14.

“Sense and Sensibility” The latest adaptation of Jane Austen’s 1811 novel stars Daisy Edgar-Jones and Esmé Creed-Miles as sisters Elinor and Marianne Dashwood, respectively. In the original novel, the sisters come to terms with their father’s death as they discover love and hope in dire times. “Sense and Sensibility” releases in theaters on Oct. 16.

“Godzilla Minus Zero” Japan’s new Godzilla film is a sequel to the critically acclaimed “Godzilla Minus One” from 2023. The film releases in theaters on Nov. 6.

COURTESY OF WARNER BROS. PICTURES

Zendaya as Chani in Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures’ action adventure “DUNE: PART THREE,” a Warner Bros. Pictures release.

“The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping” After the success of “The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes,” “The Hunger Games” series rises again with “Sunrise on the Reaping.” Based on the 2025 novel, each district competes in the 50th Hunger Games. The film releases in theaters on Nov. 20.

“The Adventures of Cliff Booth” Cliff Booth, who first appeared in “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,” is back for a new adventure, once again played by Brad Pitt. The film releases in theaters on Nov. 25, before being available to stream exclusively on Netflix on Dec. 23.

After the fall semester ends on Dec. 6, “Avengers: Doomsday,” “Dune: Part Three,” “Jumanji: Open World” and the first season of the new “Harry Potter” series will close out the year.

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Exploring the arts programs at NSU

By Constanza Andujar Students looking to turn their creativity into a career — or simply explore their artistic interests — can find opportunities in the Department of Communication, Media, and the Arts at NSU. The department offers programs in theatre, dance, commercial music and Art + Design, with classes open to students of all experience levels and majors.

Theatre The Bachelor of Arts in Theatre at NSU allows students to explore the performing arts through hands-on training in an ensemble-based program. The curriculum covers all areas of the art, from acting and directing to set design.

“We have all kinds of majors that participate in the theatre program,” Alex Alvarez, assistant professor of theatre and director of the main stage shows, said. “We welcome anyone in terms of experience, as long as you are curious and interested in working to challenge yourself.”

Dance The Dance minor is a comprehensive program that combines training, choreography and performance. The minor can be combined with any other minor or major.

“There’s lots of opportunities to perform and to take classes,” Elana Lanczi, associate professor in DCMA and director of the dance program, said. “It’s open to all levels, and we welcome people to come and get involved.”

COURTESY OF ALONZO WILLIAMS

Students in the 2025 Student Choreography Showcase rehearse.

Commercial Music The Bachelor of Arts in Commercial Music combines music production and theory with technological and professional skills to prepare students for careers in advertising, music editing, podcasting, film and more.

“They have the opportunity to realize their original ideas,” Bill Withem, assistant professor and director of

the commercial music program, said. “So besides all the coursework and being prepared for the industry, if they have musical ideas, or musical collaborations they want to do outside of class, they have the resources and the support and the equipment and software to make it happen.”

COURTESY OF MORGAN SOPHIA PHOTOGRAPHY

Students in the Commercial Music program perform in the spring concert on April 24.

Art + Design The Bachelor of Arts in Art + Design helps students develop their skills as creative professionals. The curriculum combines studio and digital art courses, such as print-making, graphic design, drawing and ceramics.

“The Art + Design program at NSU encourages students to push the limits of their artistic boundaries while helping them develop their craft to become the best artists they can be,” Mario D’Agostino, associate professor in DCMA and director of the Art + Design program, said.

For more information: On upcoming performances and events, scan the QR code.

PHOTO BY MADISON KASPER

From left: Max Aufderheide, sophomore psychology major, and Chelsea Larose, senior theatre and law major, prepare for “Boeing Boeing” during dress rehearsal on Feb. 19.

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Finding Your Rhythm: A Guide to NSU’s Dance Clubs

By Alexandria Munroe For students looking to continue dancing in college, NSU offers a variety of clubs and teams representing different styles and experience levels. These organizations provide opportunities to perform at campus events, compete against other universities and connect with students who share similar interests.

Pressure Dance Team The Pressure Dance Team is a multigenre team that focuses on styles, including Afro-dancehall, reggaeton and hiphop. The team performs at campus events throughout the year, including Sharkapalooza and the Homecoming Pep Rally. They also perform at other universities and local events.

Brianna Larrosa, junior public health major and captain of the Pressure Dance Team, said students interested in joining the Pressure Dance Team should attend audition workshops at the beginning of each fall semester.

Maasti Dance Team NSU Maasti is a Bollywood-fusion dance team that mixes styles like

COURTESY OF MXG STUDIOS

hip-hop, contemporary and jazz with traditional Bollywood technique. The team competes in the Desi Dance Network, Inc. against other collegiate teams and performs at campus events like Sharkapalooza and the Homecoming Pep Rally.

Mahalaxmi Some, senior biology and neuroscience major and one of the captains of Maasti, said the competition team holds auditions at the beginning of each fall semester.

NSU Veera NSU Veera is a classical Indian dance team that mixes the styles of bharatanatyam and kuchipudi. It competes against other collegiate teams in the Origins Dance Championship and performs at campus events like Sharkapalooza.

Gomahi Dutta, junior biology major and one of the captains of NSU Veera, said students interested in joining the team should attend two audition workshops each fall to learn more about the team.

Hallyu Club & Dance Team The Hallyu Club & Dance Team performs choreography inspired by multinational pop groups, including Korean, Japanese, Thai and global groups. The team performs at campus events

along with filming dance covers of existing groups’ choreography.

Sofia Ibarra, junior biology major and vice president of Hallyu Club & Dance Team, said that students interested in joining the performance team can audition at the beginning of each fall and winter semester.

performing should join LASA and reach out to her when performance opportunities become available.

NSU Club Dance Team The NSU Club Dance Team is a multigenre group that focuses on hip-hop and jazz funk. It performs at campus events like Sharkapalooza and the Homecoming Latin American Student Associa- Pep Rally, along with hosting dance worktion Dance Group shops and masterclasses that are open to The Latin American Student Associa- all students. tion dance group performs a variety of Stacy Monjarrez, senior public health Latin dance styles, including folklore, and biology major and co-president and salsa and bachata. The group performs co-founder of NSU Club Dance, said studuring cultural celebrations and univer- dents interested in joining the perforsity events like Sharkapalooza mance team should attend the and the Caribbean Stuaudition workshop dent Association’s each fall or reach out COURTESY OF SAINTVILLE IMAGES Culture Night. to a member of the The Pressure Dance Team Ibarra, who executive board. performs at the Black Student also runs the Union’s Black Excellence ShowLASA dance case on Feb. 22, 2025. group, said students interested in

NSU Maasti performs at the Knoxville Ki Jawaani Bollywood-Fusion Dance Competition on Feb. 21.

August 13, 2026

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NSU’s Commercial Music program builds opportunities beyond the classroom

By Alexandria Munroe The Department of Communication, Media, and the Arts made the official switch from the Bachelor of Arts in Music to the Bachelor of Arts in Commercial Music one year ago. Since then, the program has focused on giving students ways to work on industry-specific skills.

“When I was hired, it was directly stated that this is the direction we want to go in,” Bill Withem, assistant professor and director of the commercial music program, said. “It really has been satisfying to make that message crystal clear.”

Since the program change, Withem said they added new opportunities for students to apply what they learn in class to personal projects. One of these additions is the Music Creation Center, a production space for music students located in the Don Taft University Center, Room 321.

“It’s really been an awesome addition to the

program,” Withem said. “It’s allowed students a chance to come up with ideas of things that they could do outside of class and then let them materialize and come to fruition.”

Kiana Romero, NSU music alumna who graduated in May 2026, said having access to this dedicated studio space helped her learn more about herself as an artist.

“During the time in the MCC, I learned my creative process and also my dynamic to get certain things done,” she said.

“When I’m in the studio, it just feels completely different.”

Withem said the program has also worked on creating opportunities for students to connect with professionals outside the classroom. This year, they arranged for students to shadow a crew at the Rose and Alfred Miniaci Performing Arts Center and learn how to set up a professional show.

Romero, who participated in the shadowing opportunity, said it

COURTESY OF MORGAN SOPHIA PHOTOGRAPHY

shifted how she saw her career options in music.

“It was so much more complicated than I had pictured in my mind,” Romero said.

“But seeing it firsthand, I realized this is kind of something that I’m interested in doing outside of a little activity in school.”

This shadowing experience led to Romero working at the Miniaci PAC. Romero said the shadowing opportunity gave her an environment to learn the skills she needs without judgment.

“As someone coming in who didn’t have knowledge on how to do certain technical things, they were so respectful and able to teach me,” she said. “It’s truly an eyeopener, and I’m really glad I’m doing it.”

Romero said the shadowing opportunity showed her the importance of giving students a way to try professional work before they graduate.

As the Commercial Music program continues to develop,

Romero said she hopes students are given more opportunities to perform their original works to test what they want to do after graduation.

“The students really, really enjoyed being able to [shadow the Miniaci crew], and they also want more opportunities where they can perform and showcase their work,” she said.

To get involved with the Commercial Music program, scan the QR code below.

The Bossa Nova Chorale, Mako Band and Shark Gold perform in the Commercial Music program’s annual spring concert on April 25, 2025.

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How MUSIC shapes students’ identities

By Daniel Lopez Andres Maldonado, senior communication major, uses music to understand his emotions and improve his well-being.

“Whenever I’m anxious or overwhelmed, music helps me feel things and helps me travel through my emotions,” he said. “However, as a more superficial aid, it helps me in my day-to-day chores and acts as a soundtrack to my life.”

A 2023 study by the National Library of Medicine found that musical experiences are associated with sustained brain volume and activation of networks involved in executive functions, such as memory, language processing and emotions.

Maldonado agrees and feels music plays a significant role in shaping identities, personal style and

PHOTOS BY CONSTANZA ANDUJAR

habits.

He said his identity is based on the kind of music he listens to.

“I like to listen to a lot of different artists from a lot of different genres.

I feel that sums up a bit of how I am,” Maldonado said. “I feel like I have a lot to give as a person. All the music I listen to really goes along with my identity. I feel that I am as varied as my music taste.”

Maldonado said his physical appearance and fashion choices are also influenced by musical artists he enjoys.

“Sometimes, I like to dress a little folkloric. Different patterned pants and shirts. I get inspiration from Café Tacvba,” Maldonado said. “Sometimes, I put my hair up in a certain way or try to arrange it a certain way to look or feel more like certain artists.”

Brielle Aguayo, 23-year-old photographer

and NSU alumna, said being exposed to music has a positive effect on her day-to-day.

“Music plays an important role in my everyday life.

It’s how I relax and cope with what’s going on around me, and it’s how I connect to people,” Aguayo said.

“At the end of the day, everyone wants to be heard and valued, and if an artist can make you feel important and seen, then that’s why they have a fan base.”

A 2023 report by IFPI’s global study found that on average, people spend 20.7 hours listening to music each week (an increase from 20.1 hours in 2022) — this being the equivalent of

A customer looks through the vinyl section at We Got The Beats Record Store in Dania Beach.

listening to an additional 12, three-minute songs per week in 2023.

Aguayo said artists help her find art to which she can relate to.

“Taylor Swift’s album ‘Lover’ has a lot of pastel colors, and for me, I wear a lot of light colors and that’s something I really liked,” Aguayo said.

“Everyone wants to feel heard and if an artist can turn songs into meaning and connect with people who’ve gone through similar things, that’s a win.”

August 13, 2026

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COURTESY OF MATTHEW MURPHY

The Broadway cast of “Les Misérables” performs at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts as a part of the 2025-26 “Broadway in Fort Lauderdale” series.

Broadway takes the stage at the Broward Center

By Alexandria Munroe Students who want to explore Fort Lauderdale’s performing arts scene can attend national touring productions from Broadway through the Broward Center for the Performing Arts’ “Broadway in Fort Lauderdale” series. The 2026-27 season, which will start in October and run through the end of May, includes “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast,” “Mamma Mia!,” “SIX” and more.

Jennifer Sierra-Grobbelaar, director of marketing at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, said that the Broadway in Fort Lauderdale series typically introduces new audiences to the local performing arts community.

“I think that they are the center of the arts and culture scene in Fort Lauderdale,” Sierra-Grobbelaar said. “Broadway has a very large appeal, and it’s usually

people’s entry point to coming to shows at the Broward Center.”

The Broward Center offers discounted Student Rush Tickets for Broadway performances on a show-by-show basis.

Jan Goodheart, vice president of external affairs, said students younger than 25 looking to buy a Student Rush Ticket should go to the box office two-and-a-half hours before the show with their student ID. “It’s not guaranteed every time, but most of the time the seat you get is a pretty good one,” she said.

Sierra-Grobbelaar added that availability and pricing for Student Rush Tickets are listed on its website under the Student and Teacher Tickets tab.

“We want to make sure that students have that access to be able to come and experience high-quality shows at an affordable price,” she said.

Goodheart said one of the Broward Center’s goals is to make theater

accessible for student audiences.

“It’s a come-as-you-are kind of venue,” she said. “You can come in jeans, come in a T-shirt, come in whatever makes you comfortable because everyone is welcome.”

Several productions this season will be especially appealing to college students, Sierra-Grobbelaar said. One is “Hamilton,” which is returning to the Broward Center on Nov. 10 after becoming one of Broadway’s most recognizable modern musicals.

“It’s one of the most culturally influential musicals of the last decade,” she said.

“It helped introduce an entire new generation to Broadway through hip-hop, rap battles and modern storytelling.”

Sierra-Grobbelaar said productions like “Hamilton” and “SIX” have helped them attract younger audiences to the theater.

“As the world evolves, even Broadway evolves,” Sierra-Grobbelaar said. “We’re

bringing in shows that have hip-hop or concert elements or things that have a lot more energy, and it brings a broader appeal to a younger audience.”

Beyond entertainment, Sierra-Grobbelaar said that attending the Broadway performances can expose students to new perspectives on their current lives.

Until she was first exposed to Broadway shows as a student, Sierra-Grobbelaar said she didn’t realize the different career opportunities in the arts. She hopes that the Broward Center’s Broadway in Fort Lauderdale series can do the same for local students.

“I didn’t even realize until seeing these shows that there were opportunities in the arts to have a career that was associated with the arts that wasn’t something that was on stage,” Sierra-Grobbelaar said. “So I think that another big thing [we want] is for it to open young people’s minds to careers that may be available.”

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August 13, 2026

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NSU expands mental health services with new online counseling partnership

By Samiksha Chemukula Debra Futterman, director of Student Mental Health Services, said as student mental health concerns continue to rise, NSU is expanding access to care through new and existing resources aimed at supporting students in multiple ways.

“We’re here to help students not just survive, but to thrive,” she said.

Futterman said the expansion of services, including the university’s partnership with BetterMynd, an online mental health platform where students have access to virtual counseling and support services, reflects an increasing need for accessible mental health support among students.

“The number of mental health assistance cases continued to rise,” she said.

Through the NSU Center for Student Counseling and Well-Being, students can

receive up to 10 free counseling sessions per year. Futterman said these services are designed for students in crisis and those seeking personal development.

“You don’t have to have a problem to receive services,” she said. “You can use the sessions for self-exploration.”

Veronica Ruiz-Ashwal, director of Student Counseling Services, said the addition of BetterMynd allows students to access counseling in a more flexible format.

“It provides the ability to work around time constraints,” Ruiz-Ashwal said. “You can attend sessions from your home or wherever is comfortable and private.

Many students go home during the summer, have rotations outside of Florida, or need 24/7 availability, which is why we chose this partnership.”

She explained that students still register through the same university portal and are then connected to a clinician through the platform.

“You go through our portal, and then

we send you a link,” she said. “We authorize your sessions, and you are assigned a clinician.”

In addition to counseling services, Futterman said the role of the NSU Student CARE Team focuses on identifying and supporting students experiencing distress.

“If a student is experiencing any kind of distress, anyone can put in a CARE Team report,” Futterman said.

Futterman said that reports can be submitted by professors, peers, parents or students.

“What it says is someone’s struggling with something, so we reach out, and we offer support,” she said.

Futterman said the NSU Student CARE Team is made up of a multidisciplinary group of campus offices, including public safety, student disability services, housing and mental health services.

“We meet with students, figure out what’s going on and connect them to the appropriate resources,” she said.

She added that support is not limited to counseling and may include academic, financial or personal assistance depending on the student’s needs.

“Maybe their issue is financial, and we connect them to financial aid, or maybe it’s academic, and we connect them to the right support services,” Futterman said.

Futterman said the goal of these services is to provide individualized support that helps students succeed both academically and personally.

“Sometimes students just need someone to listen and help guide them,” she said.

As NSU continues to expand its mental health resources, university officials emphasize that students have multiple pathways to access support, Ruiz-Ashwal said, whether through counseling, virtual services or campus-wide intervention systems like the CARE Team.

Health and wellness resources offered at NSU NSU offers a range of health and wellness resources to support students’ physical and mental well-being. Below are services and programs available to the NSU community. Antonio Miguel Escorzon, Sneha Subhash and Samiksha Chemukula contributed to this report.

NSU Health Pharmacy - Provides over-the-counter medication, vaccinations and immunizations.

- Offers on-campus medication delivery.

Student Medical Center - Offers vaccinations, physical exams, annual female exams, birth control and STI prevention, testing and treatment.

Eye Care Institute

- Provides personalized eye care services, such as eye exams, vision testing, contact lens fittings, and screenings for eye conditions such as eye exams.

- Offers an optical shop which sells glasses, frames, lenses and contact lenses.

College of Dental Medicine Student Clinic

- Provides dental treatments, including orthodontics, endodontics, prosthetics and oral and maxillo-facial surgery.

Hours: Monday–Friday: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Saturday: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Address: 3200 S University Dr, Davie, FL 33328, in the Sanford L. Ziff Health Care Center

Hours: Monday–Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Address: 3060 S University Dr, Davie, FL 33328, in the Sanford L. Ziff Health Care Center

Hours: Monday–Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Saturday: 8:30 a.m. to noon

Address: 3300 S University Dr, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33328, in the Sanford L. Ziff Health Care Center

Hours: Monday–Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Address: 3050 S. University Dr, Davie, FL 33328, in the College of Dental Medicine Student Clinic

SCIENCE AND HEALTH

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HEALTH UPDATE

Lack of sleep affects college students

By Madison Kasper Sleep deprivation impacts college students’ academic performance and well-being. According to the Division of Sleep Medicine at Harvard Medical School, only 11% of American college students sleep well, and 40% of student feel well rested only two days per week. As a part of Mako Media Health Update, Aarti Raja, professor in biology, discusses how sleep deprivation affects college students.

Q: Why are college students particularly at risk for sleep deprivation?

A: College students are generally at risk for less sleep, and they are sleep-deprived simply because they just have many things on their plate.

They have classwork and exams to worry about. They also have

extracurricular activities related to college. They also have an active social life. So, a college student is constantly trying to balance all of these things.

Q: How does sleep deprivation affect academic performance?

A: There’s a lot of research that shows that academic performance is heavily impacted by lack of sleep.

For starters, research has shown that students in general perform poorly on subjects like math and reading when they are sleep-deprived. Students lack focus, and they’re unable to concentrate.

Q: Students will pull an all nighter to study for a big exam.

Is that a good idea?

A: Unfortunately, that’s never a good idea. While you may be able to push through the night, the problem is pulling all nighters severely impacts your performance. You just don’t focus. You’re not able to make good decisions. In fact, there is a lot of research that shows that when you pull an all nighter, it can actually take you almost a whole week to recover from it.

Q: What impact does lack of sleep have on mental health?

A: People who have insomnia, who just have difficulty sleeping regularly in the night — there’s research that shows that these people have a 10 times higher risk of going through conditions like depression. What

ends up happening when you don’t sleep is your body is not able to adjust its natural rhythm. Also, [there is a] higher risk for anxiety, so they end up becoming more anxious.

Q: What simple ways can students make improvements to their sleep schedule?

A: Just something as simple as trying to go to bed a little earlier than you usually do. Having fewer naps and eating better is another thing.

People end up going on caffeine, and that disrupts the person’s sleep rhythms and patterns. So, trying to cut down on those kinds of things can also be small steps towards a better sleep pattern.

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NSU celebrates student-athletes at Sharky’s Awards

By Isabella Fernandez de Cueto NSU Athletics hosted its 8th annual Sharky’s Awards to honor NSU student-athletes, teams, coaches and staff and their accomplishments during the 2025-26 season. The event included speeches from NSU President Harry K. Moon and Ryan Romero, interim director of athletics.

Deanna Rivero, assistant athletic director for academic services, put together the event alongside Robert Baroniel, assistant athletic director of athletic external affairs.

“The Sharky’s is our annual award show, kind of encompassing the academic and athletic success this year,” Rivero said. “The athletes are so routine with their schedule, practice, weights, class, study hall, that this is an opportunity for them to dress up, look like normal students and kind of celebrate all of their accomplishments.”

The awards given out at the Sharky’s on April 15 included Male and Female Newcomer of the Year, Male and Female Rising Star, Male and Female NSCA Strength and Conditioning, Male and Female Scholar

PHOTO BY MADISON KASPER

Athlete, Larry Starr Comeback Award and Scholarship, Sharks Supporting Sharks Cup, Male and Female Ultimate Shark and Male and Female Golden Shark.

The Newcomer of the Year was awarded to Santiago Hoyos Lopez of men’s soccer and Bridie McCann of women’s basketball.

Lopez, business administration graduate alumnus and transfer from North Carolina State, started 13 games and recorded 12 goals and five assists, earning All-SSC First Team and All-South Region Second Team. McCann, senior applied professional studies major and transfer from Chestnut Hill College, started 32 games and averaged 14.4 points per game.

“This was truly such a journey for me, so for me to end up here with such a great community around me is really

awesome,” McCann said. “I’m super grateful for this award, super grateful for the people around me, and I can’t wait till next year and see what it brings us.”

The winners of the Rising Star award were Eli Allen of men’s basketball and Kristina Orban of women’s swim. Allen, senior business major, started 27 games and averaged 9.0 points and 4.4 rebounds per game. Orban, junior business management major, won three individual national championships and helped the women’s swim team to its fourth consecutive national championship, earning CSCAA Swimmer of the Year and SSC Swimmer of the Year.

“This award means a lot to me. The hard work I’ve been putting in for the past year has really paid off, and this is the confirmation that it has,” Orban said. “I always want more, and I would love to win more awards and accomplish even bigger things, so this is a big motivation for me.”

Every sport has an Ultimate Shark award winner, and from this pool a male and female Golden Shark are selected.

The Male

Jaime Qualley, junior marketing major, and Ryan Davis, senior communication major, host the Sharky’s Awards on April 15.

Golden Shark was presented to Dallas Graziani, men’s basketball player and previous leadership graduate student. Graziani started 33 games and averaged 20.0 points and 6.2 assists per game. He was named D2CCA Ron Lenz Men’s Basketball National Player of the Year, D2CCA First Team All-American, D2CCA South Region Player of the Year and SSC Player and Defensive Player of the Year. Upon winning the award, Graziani credits his teammates.

“We’ve been close most years, but this year we were really close. We had a group of hard-playing guys that made it easy to have a lot of fun and have a good year,” Graziani said. “This award goes to show the kind of teammates and coaches I had.

Obviously, this is an individual award, but I couldn’t have done it without them.”

Kristyna Hranacova of women’s tennis was named the Female Golden Shark.

Hranacova, senior business management major, won the ITA Cup Doubles National Championship in October and is currently ranked No. 1 in the country in both singles and doubles. Doug Neagle, head women’s tennis coach, presented Hranacova with the award at the ceremony, which shocked Hranacova because she had no idea it was coming.

“When I saw my coach go up on stage, I was like ‘oh my god’,” Hranacova said. “I honestly didn’t expect to win any award tonight, and it means so much to me.”

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Broward County native Dallas Graziani leaves lasting legacy at NSU

By Madison Kasper Dallas Graziani ended the 2025-26 season with two first team all-American honors, a finalist for the Bevo Francis Award, D2CCA South Region Player of the Year, D2CCA Ron Lenz National Player of the Year, SSC Player of the Year and SSC Defensive Player of the Year.

Graziani started at NSU for his freshman year for the 2020-21 season. That season was canceled due to COVID-19.

The next season, he played in eight games before getting injured and redshirting.

During the 2022-23 season, he started in all 36 games and helped lead the team to its National Championship win. Then, for the 2023-24 season, Graziani transferred to Samford University. He came back to NSU for his last two years of eligibility during the 2024-25 season to finish his Bachelor’s degree in Sport and Recreation Management in the H. Wayne Huizenga College of Business and Entrepreneurship While at NSU, Graziani was part of the Master’s in Leadership program at Abraham S. Fischler College of Education & School of Criminal Justice. He said NSU has always felt like home.

“Just the system, the culture, the group of guys, the coaching staff, everybody,” Graziani said. “Every year the team we have, we don’t have any animosity towards each other. No bad blood. Every day is fun.”

Graziani was a member of both of the NCAA Division II National Championship winning teams at NSU in 2023 and 2025.

He also has won 111 games at NSU and is a part of the group of players that has never lost at home.

“I hate to lose more than I like winning.

So, no matter who we’re playing, I don’t want to lose. I want to win every time,” Graziani said.

RJ Sunahara, assistant men’s basketball coach, played with and coached Graziani.

He said he brings energy and leadership to the team.

“He plays harder than anybody I’ve ever met. He runs for 40 minutes straight. [He] doesn’t really get tired and just makes extra effort plays that you don’t really see around the country very much,” Sunahara said.

Ryan Davis, communication alumnus, said Graziani pushes him to be a better player every time they step onto the court.

“He just runs around like a blur. And I’m like, ‘I got to be that fast if I’m on his team.’ So, it’s pushed me to be faster, be quicker, more energy, just more relentless on the court,” Davis said. “If I get hit, I’m always getting back up knowing that if he gets hit, he’s going to get back up. So, I think he pushes a lot of the team in that way because he leads by example.”

Graziani started taking basketball seriously in the second grade when he played fourth grade travel with his older brother.

He said his brother has been his biggest inspiration.

“I grew up playing with him my whole life. He’s the one that kind of got me to be the player I am today,” Graziani said.

Dallas Graziani’s brother, Dylan Graziani, said they are best friends and he is happy for his brother because he is the hardest working person he knows.

“We spent hours working together just trying to make each other better and make each other the best players that we could be. And for me to be his biggest inspiration, it’s hard to put into words how much that means to me,” Dylan Graziani said.

Dallas Graziani grew up locally in Pembroke Pines. He said it has been nice getting to be a role model for local kids.

“There is a good amount of kids that come to the games on autographs and stuff. And I have refereed the Cooper City basketball league, and I’ll see a lot of those

kids here. It’s good to see them enjoying the game, loving basketball and just kind of be invested in it,” Dallas Graziani said.

Dylan Graziani said that with his brother playing so close to home, he tries to be at every home game to support him.

“I think the fact that he ended up at the best Division II school in the country, and it just so happened to be practically in our backyard, is the most amazing thing that could have happened for him and our family and the community,” Dylan Graziani said.

PHOTO BY MADISON KASPER

This season was Dallas Graziani’s last year of college basketball. He is currently figuring out his next steps with the goal of continuing to play basketball.

“I’m going to try to keep playing professionally whether it’s overseas or I am lucky enough to get a [NBA] Summer League or [NBA] G League spot,” Dallas Graziani said. “Hopefully I can lean on some of the guys that are doing so right now.

Like last year, MJ [Iraldi], Ryker [Cisarik], Tyler [Eberhart], those guys and even guys before that.”

Dallas Graziani, guard for NSU men’s basketball, attempts to shoot the ball during the Sunshine State Conference championship game against Palm Beach Atlantic University on March 8.

August 13, 2026

22

MEET THE NSU ATHLETIC TEAMS COMPETING THIS 2026-27 SEASON

By Isabella Fernandez de Cueto

FALL Men’s soccer The men’s soccer team finished its 2025 season with an 8-4-3 record and advanced to the Sunshine State Conference quarterfinals. Santiago Hoyos Lopez was named to the All-SSC First Team and All-South Region Second Team.

program history, ending its 2025 season in the NCAA South Region Championship with a 16-1-4 record. Sofia Suarez earned D2CCA First Team All-American, D2CCA All-South Region First Team, AllSSC First Team and SSC Offensive Player of the Year.

Women’s soccer The women’s soccer team won the Sunshine State Conference regular season and tournament for the first time in

Volleyball The volleyball team ended with an 18-11 record in its 2025 season. Olivia Aniol was named to the All-SSC First Team,

AVCA All-South Region First Team and AVCA All-American Honorable Mention, and Taylor Stockman was named to the All-SSC Third Team, AVCA All-South Region Honorable Mention and AVCA All-American Honorable Mention.

Men’s cross-country The men’s cross-country team finished in sixth place at the Sunshine State Conference Cross Country Championships.

Jaime Blazquez and Seth Roque Muñoz

competed at the NCAA South Region Championship, where they finished 32nd and 39th.

Women’s cross-country The women’s cross-country team placed third at the Sunshine State Conference Cross Country Championships.

Jillian Thorning, two-time SSC Runner of the Year, finished first in the SSC Championship and fifth in the NCAA South Region Championship.

WINTER Men’s basketball The men’s basketball team won both the Sunshine State Conference Championship and NCAA South Region Championship for the fifth consecutive season, advanced to the NCAA Final Four and finished the 2025-26 season with a 31-2 record. Dallas Graziani was named D2CCA Ron Lenz Men’s Basketball National Player of the Year, D2CCA First Team All-American, D2CCA South

Region Player of the Year and SSC Player and Defensive Player of the Year.

Player of the Year and All-SSC Defensive Team honors.

Women’s basketball The women’s basketball team won the Sunshine State Conference Championship for the first time since 2015 and advanced to the Second Round of the NCAA South Region Tournament, ending its 2025-26 season with a 28-5 record.

Taydra Simpson earned SSC Defensive

Men’s swim The men’s swim team finished second at the Sunshine State Conference Championship. Paul Huvet-Pansard, Michael Kent, Roland Nagy and Gustav Henriksen were named to the CSC Academic All-District Team.

Novice Team and the Varsity 4 boat was named SSC Boat of the Year.

Men’s golf TThe men’s golf team won its first NCAA South/Southeast Regional Championship since 2015 and advanced to the NCAA Division II National Championship, where it placed 13th. Bruno Marques was named PING First Team All-American, PING All-South Region Team, AllSSC First Team and Ivan Ponsdomenech was named PING All-South Region Team and All-SSC Third Team.

Women’s swim The women’s swim team won its fourth consecutive NCAA Division II National Championship. It won eight individual national championships and broke five NCAA DII records throughout the season.

Kristina Orban, who won three individual and three relay national championships, was named a CWSA DII Honda Athlete of the Year Finalist, CSCAA Swimmer of the Year and SSC Swimmer of the Year.

SPRING Men’s track The men’s track team finished fifth at the Sunshine State Conference Championship. Jaime Blazquez was named to the All-SSC Second Team in the 1500m event.

Women’s track The women’s track team finished third at the Sunshine State Conference Championship. Sativa James was the SSC Individual Champion in the 400m and also earned All-SSC First Team in 400m and All-SSC Second Team in the 200m.

Rowing The rowing team placed third at the Sunshine State Conference Women’s Rowing Championship. Chrysta Snair was named to the All-SSC Team, Gianna Middleton was named to the All-Freshman/

Baseball The baseball team ended its 2026 season with a 31-19 record. Jorge DeGoti earned All-SSC First Team, Roylan Quevedo earned All-SSC Defensive Team and Nick Manning and Federico Zapata earned All-SSC Second Team.

Softball The softball team had a 30-22 record on its 2026 season. Abbey Moore was named to the All-SSC First Team, Gianna Russo was named to the All-SSC Defensive Team and Destiny Lewis, Brianna Matthews and Ana Richiez were named to the All-SSC Second Team.

Women’s golf The women’s golf team won its second consecutive Sunshine State Conference Championship and placed 17th at the NCAA South Regional Tournament.

Alex Remaklus won the Sunshine State Conference Individual Championship and was named SSC Freshman of the Year

and All-SSC First Team.

Women’s tennis The women’s tennis team won its second NCAA Division II National Championship in three years. Kristyna Hranacova was named to the All-SSC First Team in singles and Katja Markus was named to the All-SSC Second Team in singles, while the Hranacova and Markus duo was named to the All-SSC First Team in doubles. Markus was also named ITA Division II Rookie of the Year for the South region.

Women’s lacrosse The women’s lacrosse team will begin its inaugural season during the 20262027 academic year.

23

EVENTS CALENDAR

AUGUST FRIDAY

14 MONDAY

17

Convocation 2026 9 a.m. - Don Taft University Center, Rick Case Arena

THURSDAY

20

KPCOM Undergraduate Student Engagement - KPCOM Undergraduate Programs Noon - Don Taft University Center Spine Express Yourself: An Ocean of Opportunity in the Department of Communication, Media, and the Arts!

Noon - Don Taft University Center Spine Shark Island Noon - Don Taft University Center Spine

Write Somethin’ Sweet and Grab a Treat 9 a.m. - Don Taft University Center, North Lobby

Swim Smart: Ride the Wave of Wellness 12:30 p.m. - Don Taft University Center Spine

Dive into the School Year with SEA Board Noon - Don Taft University Center Spine

Tour of NSU Art Museum 2 p.m. - NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale

Unity Project 2026 Noon - Don Taft University Center Spine Practices for Succeeding in Your First Semester 1 p.m. - Alvin Sherman Library, Writing and Communication Center, Room 430 RecFest 2026 - Recreation and Wellness 4 p.m. - Don Taft University Center, RecPlex

TUESDAY

18 WEDNESDAY

19

Community Fest Vendor Fair 12:30 p.m. - Don Taft University Center Spine Be a Brain Boss!

1 p.m. - Parker Building, Room 246

Grocery Bingo 10 a.m. - Flight Deck Multipurpose Room Cool Off with SEA Board Noon - Flight Deck Backyard

FRIDAY

Sharkapalooza 7 p.m. - Bill Gessner Sports Complex Field

WEDNESDAY

2026 Student Employment Fair 11:30 a.m. - Don Taft University Center Spine

21 26 FRIDAY

28

Creative Sharks Open Mic 5 p.m. - Don Taft University Center, Gallery 217

Water Works 8 p.m. - Alvin Sherman Library Quad

MATH CORNER Please send your answer (no need to send any additional scratch work or justification) to Dr. Jason Gershman, chair of the Department of Mathematics, at jgershma@nova.edu no later than 5 p.m. on Tuesday, September 15. The correct answer to this question will appear in the next issue of The Current in the fall semester.

All members of the NSU community are invited to submit their answer and participate. Every member of the NSU community who submits at least one answer during the 2026-2027 school year will be invited to attend a celebration in April as part of Mathematics and Statistics Awareness Month.

Jamie sold two Pokémon cards for $210. On the sale of the first card, she made a 10% profit over what she had paid for the card. On the sale of the second card, she lost 10% on what she had paid for the card. Overall, she made 5% profit on the total sale. If the cards were sold for x and y dollars, and x < y, find the value of x in dollars.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE 1

2 3

4 5 6

7

8

DOWN: 1. NSU Athletics hosted its 8th annual Sharky’s Awards to honor NSU _______________.

2. Food on campus.

3. One of the academic resources provided to students.

4. Young adults say music plays a significant role in shaping their __________.

9

FAST AND CURIOUS

ACROSS: 5. A deprivation of this affects college students academic performance and well-being.

6. Title of the newspaper.

7. ________ takes the stage at the Broward Center.

8. He left a lasting legacy at NSU. 9. Mental health support through conversation.

BY LILA TARICCO