January 2012: Volume 9, Issue 2 Page 1
IMPORTANT DATES!
WELCOME BACK!
Deadline February 15, 2012f EARLY Program & Priority FAFSA
A MESSAGE FROM THE OFFICE OF UNDERGRADUATE ADMISSIONS I hope everyone had a wonderful and safe holiday. Well, I redesigned the newsletter so we can bring you more information than before. You should find it to be more user friendly. For those of you who remember the first few issues back in 2003, there were multiple pages. The purpose of this newsletter is to keep you in the “know” about what is happening at the university. One unique feature I added is the student blog. This section is done by one of our own Icebreakers, the student group in admissions who serve as the ambassadors for the university. These students are responsible for giving tours to your students and their families as they come and visit campus. It was important to have a student perspective in addition to the other information presented. You will also find several updates from those programs/departments that typically serve the school counselors including the College of Education, the Counseling Graduate Program and our award winning Center for Student Progress (CSP). There is also a feature story on page two, where you can get information on something current and exciting that is happening on campus. There is also the traditional “feature program” part that is just that. We will choose one of our vast programs to focus on. Additionally, not only will we maintain our popular “Featured School” section, but I have also included important numbers for you and your students to have. These numbers tend to be the most frequently contacted by students, counselors and parents alike. In any event, I certainly hope you enjoy the new version of the Counselor Review. Should you have any questions, concerns and/or comments, please don’t hesitate to let me know. Monica L. Mastran-Czopor Assistant Director of Admissions
February 20, 2012 Presidents’ Day Open House 2012 National College Fair • February 8 & 9 - Pittsburgh • April 22 - Cleveland Spring Semester ends May 13, 2012
Table of Contents: Feature Story: College of Education Updates Counseling Graduate Program Updates Feature Program Student Blog Center of Student Progress Update Featured School
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January 2012: Volume 9, Issue 2 Page 2
FEATURE STORY YSU’s WATTS announces open track program If you’re about to make that annual New Year’s resolution to start a serious exercise program, you may want to work Youngstown State University’s WATTS into your plans. The Watson and Tressel Training Site, YSU’s new indoor athletics facility, will be open to the public for a 10-week open track program 6 to 8 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, Jan. 3 through March 8. Note that the program will not be held if YSU closes due to weather. The cost is $3 per person. Admission is free for YSU faculty, staff and students with a valid university ID. “This is a great opportunity for the community to share in this state-of-the-art facility,” said Trevor Parks, YSU sports information director. The facility will be open for running, walking, jogging and hurdles on the track. One longjump pit will be open for practice, and one high-jump mat with a bungee bar will be available for practice. The pole vault area will not be available. The field will be open for throwing shot put and discus (one event on each end). Restrooms are available, however showers/lockers are not. Parking is available in YSU lots for $5. Participants may be dropped at the front door of the WATTS. For additional guidelines visit http://www.ysusports.com/information/facilities/WATTSinformation or call 330-941-2887.
Opened this fall, WATTS is located to the east of Stambaugh Stadium and the YSU tennis courts and features a 300-meter state-of-the-art mondo surface track and a full-length Shaw Sportexe PowerBlade HP+ synthetic turf system football field. The facility is named after the Tressel and Watson families, who donated $1 million for the project..
January 2012: Volume 9, Issue 2 Page 3
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION UPDATE Requirements for renewal of a currently valid professional or associate license: If Currently Employed in an Ohio School/District For individuals currently employed in an Ohio public school/district, chartered nonpublic school or community school: Each educator is responsible for the design of an Individual Professional Development Plan (IPDP), subject to the approval of the Local Professional Development Committee (LPDC). The plan should be based on the needs of the educator, the students, the school and the school district, and be aligned with the professional educator standards adopted by the State Board of Education. In accordance with the approved plan, the educator must complete six semester hours of coursework related to classroom teaching and/or the area of licensure; or 18 continuing education units (CEUs) (180 contact hours) or other equivalent activities related to classroom teaching and/or the area of licensure as approved by the LPDC of the employing school, district or agency since the issuance of the license to be renewed. Coursework, CEUs or other equivalent activities may be combined. If Not Currently Employed in an Ohio School/District For individuals not currently employed in an Ohio public school/district, chartered nonpublic school or community school: Completion of six semester hours or nine quarter hours of coursework relevant to classroom teaching and/or an area of licensure since the issuance of the licensed to be renewed. Coursework needs to be completed prior to September 1 of the year of expiration of the license to be renewed or the renewal requirement increases to 9 semester hours, or 13.5 quarter hours. Contact Information Office of Educator Licensure Educator Licensure Questions (614) 466-3593
COUNSELING GRADUATE PROGRAM Our Counseling Graduate program at YSU is designed to prepare graduates that have the necessary knowledge, counseling skills, and dispositions to best serve in mental health centers, schools, recovery centers, and colleges in the area. This outstanding program seeks to meet the Addiction Counseling, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, College Counseling, School Counseling, and Student Affairs needs of Northeast Ohio, Western Pennsylvania and other areas of the state/country. We have a nationally awarded and accredited Counseling Program. Our program is exemplified by the quality and diversity of classroom instruction, field experiences, program options, students, faculty and the outstanding reputation of graduates in the community. We have a 40 year history and over 1500 master’s degree graduates who have served the area as licensed professional clinical counselors, licensed/certified school counselors, licensed/certified chemical dependency counselors, student affairs professionals, professors, agency directors, and public servants. Our program is pleased to have a strong connection with alumni, program supervisors, agencies and schools, and community leaders who support the profession of counseling in the Youngstown area. Master’s students will find a unique educational experience that prepares them for employment and/or advanced study in Counseling. I encourage you to review the website and to contact the coordinators of specific program options below and/or myself with any questions. Don Martin, Ph.D. Coordinator School Counseling Program dmartin@ysu.edu
January 2012: Volume 9, Issue 2 Page 4
FEATURE PROGRAM: GERONTOLOGY Gerontology is the interdisciplinary study of aging. Gerontology incorporates information from many different fields including Biology, Psychology, Sociology, Social Work, Nutrition, Nursing, Human Ecology, Law and many others. According to the Census Bureau, there are now over 34 million people age 65 and over, approximately 12% of the American population. Additionally, the aging of the Baby Boomer generation will increase the ranks of older adults over the next four decades. This growing population translates into the need for more professionals educated in the field of Gerontology. Virtually every professional will be in contact with our diverse and maturing population, so being educated in Gerontology is essential. The discipline itself is a necessary one in that the population of the United States is rapidly growing. The Baby Boomer population is showing no signs of slowing down physically or mentally and quickly redefining what it means to grow old. Currently, one in eight persons is sixty-eight or older. It is estimated that by the year 2020, one in five persons will be sixty-five or older. With the increasing number of older adults means the increase in demand for individuals with the skill and education gained from training in Gerontology. Industries such as healthcare, non-profits and expanding government sectors are already seeking professionals in order to reach this target market. Gerontologically educated individuals will be needed to support longer, more productive and healthier lives for our aging population. At Youngstown State University, we offer both a Bachelor of Arts in Gerontology and a Certificate in Applied Gerontology. The programs are applied and interdisciplinary in nature, which sets YSU apart. We incorporate Sociology, Food and Nutrition, Nursing and many other disciplines into our program. We also have two nationally recognized student organizations: Sigma Phi Omega and Emerging Scholar and Professional Organization of the Gerontological Society of America. For a more comprehensive view of the program, please visit the website below. http://web.ysu.edu/gen/class/Gerontology_m408.html For more information or questions, please contact Dr. Daniel J. Van Dussen Assistant Professor & Coordinator in Gerontology djvandussen@ysu.edu (330)941-1683
January 2012: Volume 9, Issue 2 Page 5
ICEBREAKER BLOG The student workers in admissions are called Icebreakers and are the ambassadors for the university. They are responsible for giving tours to perspective families. Below is a blog on the topic of SOAR from one of our Icebreakers, Deonte. My name is Deonte Tarver and I am a member of the Icebreakers, the student tour guides, in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. I am a sophomore and my major is Communications here at Youngstown State. I find it amazing that I excel in my studies and have an excellent work ethic, but I still find time to manage my own dance team in my spare time. I am not alone in this busy schedule; however, I feel I am able to do all of this simply because I aim to always be a few steps ahead of my priorities. I want to explain how the EARLY SOAR Program here at YSU helped me to do just that. I had it all together and this was all planned out my senior year of high school! O.K. maybe not; however, my ideas were already in place. I knew I wanted to excel in my studies, have a steady pay check, and manage a dance team, I just really needed some insight on how I could go about completing these goals efficiently. My biggest fear was allowing myself to focus on one or two of the goals or letting one outweigh the other. My initial thought was that I would have to focus on school, maybe get a job, and let dance go altogether; however, once I received the Early SOAR packet in the mail and read about the program, I knew it was my ticket to completing my goals and completing them efficiently. I almost remember it like it was yesterday. The overall orientation was amazing. The scenery was very classy and attractive, the keynote speakers were quick and effective, the abundance of resources was covered in detail, there were multiple activities, and the mobility throughout the program kept it very interesting. It was all very intriguing; however, what captured my attention the most about the program was that it allowed me to schedule my classes much earlier than I intended; moreover, it informed me of the variety of job opportunities, and I was able to ask questions about how the university supported those who involve themselves in extracurricular activities. Scheduling my classes early allowed me to chart out my availability, and ask about employment that suited that availability. I was also fortunate enough to have a small amount of time allotted for developing my dance team, and with the many resources that I knew were available; completing my goals was less of a struggle. I am still excelling in my studies, I am employed, and my dance team has really grown. It is completely safe to say that the Early SOAR Program is not just another tour of the school, not just something to do, but a foundation for success throughout college, and ticket for those students who want to stay ahead of their priorities. It is truly effective and suits each individual student in their own way.
CENTER FOR STUDENT PROGRESS: ACCOMMODATIONS FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES Services for YSU students with documented disabilities may include but are not limited to the following:
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Early registration
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Computers at the CSP Disability Services also have the same assistive software on them.
Testing and classroom accommodations Escort Services Limited loan of adaptive equipment Books on tape/e-text Sign language interpreters Note-takers for students who are blind, hard of hearing or physically unable to write Advocacy Information, referral, and awareness services Liaison with YSU departments and local agencies Cushwa Hall Lounge for students with severe disabilities Adaptive technology computer work stations, which contain programs such as Jaws 4.0, Open Book and Zoom Text, are available on the fourth floor of the Maag Library at YSU
Each student is assisted on an individual basis. The services provided are matched with each student's needs.
Office of Disabilities Office Phone: 330-941-1372 Video Phone: 866-757-1353 Fax Number: 330-941-7470 Office Hours: M- F 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Appointments scheduled as needed
January 2012: Volume 9, Issue 2 Page 6
FEATURED HIGH SCHOOL Austintown Fitch High School located in Mahoning County, OH is our January high school of the month. The Pete Squad visited Austintown Fitch and presented counselor Maribeth McGlynn with an award for her unwavering support in assisting her students in matriculating to YSU. Maribeth is also a Counselor Advisory Board member (CAB). Congratulations to Maribeth and Austintown Fitch High! Here are a few pictures from our visit:
March High School of the Month Congratulations to Susan Hren, of Saint Martin de Porres High School in Cuyahoga County for being chosen as the March school of the month. Susan was chosen because of her strong support of YSU and her assistance in helping her students find YSU as a good fit. The Pete Squad will be visiting within the month. Congratulations to Susan and Saint Martin de Porres High!
January 2012: Volume 9, Issue 2 Page 7
Our team! Monica L. Mastran-Czopor Chief Editor
Remember to check out Counselor Corner! http://web.ysu.edu/gen/ysu/School_Counselor_Corner_m158.html
Christine Hubert Copyright Editor Todd Pilipovich Layout Editor YSU News Briefs Communication and Marketing Pat Shively Center for Student Progress Dr. Jake J. Protivnak Dr. Don Martin Department of Counseling and Special Education Dr. Marylou DiPillo College of Education Dr. Daniel J. Van Dussen Gerontology Program Deonte Tarver Penguin Icebreaker
Important numbers! • • • • • • • • • • •
Office of Undergraduate Admissions 330.941.2000 Financial Aid 330.941.3505 Honors/Scholars Office 330.941.2772 Disability Services 330.941.1372 Office of Registration 330.941.3178 Office of Records 330.941.3182 YSU Portal Help Desk 330.941.1595 YSU Testing Office 330.941.1343 Center for Student Progress 330.941.3538 SB140 info 330.941.2000 College in High School Program 330.941.2445