Jill Craven

Top Cancer Researcher to Deliver Science Lecture Interested in the world of STEM? Come learn about the new innovative cancer research methods led by a top researcher in the field. The 38th Annual Brossman Foundation and Ronald E. Frisbie Sr. Science Lectureship Program will return on Thursday, Oct. 12 at 6:30 p.m. in the Biemesderfer Concert Hall, Winter Visual & Performing Arts Center. Dr. Sophia Lunt, professor in the College of Natural Sciences at Michigan State University will be the keynote speaker. Lunt is a top cancer researcher in the field, discovering breakthroughs in personalized therapies, metastasis prevention and cutting-edge imaging technologies. A local to central PA, Lunt graduated from Cumberland Valley High School in 2002, then completed her bachelor’s degree in chemistry at Lebanon Valley College, her Ph.D. in chemistry from Princeton University and her postdoctoral training in cancer biology at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology as a Department of Defense Visionary Postdoctoral Fellow. Throughout her career, Lunt has achieved many major accomplishments including having work published in top-tier publications, large grants and invited speaking events. In addition, and is one of four recipients of the inaugural American Association of Cancer Research-Incyte NextGen Grant for Transformative Cancer Research. She was also chosen by (then) Vice President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden to introduce the Vice President at the AACR Annual Meeting, announcing inaugural grant recipients to 20,000 attendees. She was recently awarded a National Institute of Health R01 grant for over two million dollars to support her continued work in cancer research. This is one of the oldest and most prestigious grants in biomedical research. Marc Harris, dean of the College of Science and Technology, explains the importance of Lunt’s presentation. “Dr. Lunt is a transformative force in science and has already established herself as a leader and pioneer, accelerating the limits of discovery and understanding to combat a human crisis.” “Above all this, she is a dedicated teacher and mentor, and she insists on maintaining a regular teaching load and she has received numerous awards and accolades from her students and colleagues for her commitment and excellence in science education,” says Harris. During her presentation, Lunt will help attendees gain a better understanding of the metabolic mechanisms involved in cancer proliferation, the innovative methods that researchers are employing to understand these mechanisms and better methods of disease detection and therapeutic interventions. Attendees will also learn about how fundamental and applied research can lead to discoveries that benefit society. Harris emphasizes the importance of the event and hopes the students attending feel inspired after the presentation. “This event was started by the Brossman Foundation to spotlight Millersville University’s educational programs in STEM fields by bringing a renowned speaker and accomplished scientist. This event not only highlights the educational programs offered through the nine departments within the College of Science and Technology but also serves to educate and motivate students pursuing degrees in STEM fields. It also serves to educate the public in an area of science and technology that is critical for the region, nature and broader society.” The lecture is free and open […] “Top Cancer Researcher to Deliver Science Lecture”

Faculty/Staff Activities […] “Faculty/Staff Activities”

Celebrate the 90th Annual MU Homecoming The MU community and alumni will come together once again to celebrate the 90th annual Homecoming this October. Students and community members can look forward to events like the annual parade, block party and much more. Celebrations and activities will begin on Friday, Oct. 13th and continue through Sunday, Oct. 15th. Bright and early on Saturday morning at 8:30 a.m., spectators will line George Street to watch the annual parade themed “Travel the World.” The parade, a joint venture of Millersville University and the community, will feature floats, bands and mascots. After the parade, spectators can attend the annual block party for family fun located in the Lombardo-Brooks/Boyer Lot and Field. Attendees will enjoy 12 different food trucks, music from a DJ and a 360 “spinz” selfie booth. Kids can also join in on the fun with pumpkin and face painting, balloon animals and yard games. Athletics will also be in full swing during Homecoming weekend. Students and community members can attend the homecoming football game against Shepherd University at 2 p.m. and women’s soccer vs. Bloomsburg at 1 p.m. In preparation for the weekend, and after fall break, students can look forward to Spirit Week. From Wednesday, Oct. 11 to Saturday, Oct. 14 students can participate in daily activities and themed days. The events for Spirit Week include: Wednesday- anything but a backpack/ pajama day Thursday- jersey day Friday- Culture Day with food Saturday- MU bleed black and gold Nicole Parise, the graduate assistant for Campus Life, explains the importance of Spirit Week at MU. “It is a great opportunity for students to come together and support the school in numerous ways. Participating in Spirit Week shows that you are demonstrating school spirit and being involved and engaged with the school.” On Friday, students and community members can attend PrideFest in the Student Memorial Center MPR. Attendees have the opportunity to see a drag show, crafts, music and more. Tickets are $15 and all proceeds benefit LGBT programming. Kristin Schab, director of alumni engagement, says Homecoming is an essential part of MU culture. “Since it was first held in 1933, Homecoming has always been a highly anticipated and extravagant event celebrating the culture and accomplishments of Millersville University students, alumni, community and athletes.” Looking for more info? https://www.millersville.edu/alumni/events-reunions/homecoming.php Register here! https://secure.qgiv.com/for/bkkagx/event/hwa1c/ Athletic Schedule: https://millersvi […] “Celebrate the 90th Annual MU Homecoming”

Scholarships for Student Firefighters Interested in going to college and serving as a volunteer firefighter? Thanks to a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Millersville University students who volunteer for Blue Rock Fire Rescue may receive $2,500 a semester. Millersville University’s Dr. Duane Hagelgans, professor of emergency management, was awarded this grant by FEMA to aid the Blue Rock Fire District. $200,000 of the grant will go toward recruitment and retention. When a Millersville University student applies to volunteer at Blue Rock Fire Rescue, they become eligible for the scholarship money.  The scholarship money is $2,500 a semester.  The goal of the grant is to recruit 12 new student volunteers per year for the fire company. “This is a win-win situation,” says Hagelgans. “The student-volunteers are awarded with scholarship funding to help them with their education. The local community benefits through the volunteer service of these student volunteers. Overall, the community wins by having more volunteers, the student-volunteers win because they get some financial help, plus they benefit by doing service to the community they call home while at the University.” “I think another important point, in addition to the scholarship money, is the ‘give back’ by these student volunteers,” says Hagelgans. “We try to teach in our program that in life, it is not about what you take, but what you give back. These student-volunteers are fulfilling this mission at a young age, and hopefully, this mentality of caring about your community and giving back will remain with them throughout their lives, no matter where life takes them.” The process Hagelgans went through to receive the grant was very competitive. “The most difficult part of the process was the request,” says Hagelgans. “You need to spell out in great detail what you are asking for financially, how this will benefit the community, what success looks like, and why your agency should be chosen for these funds. It is a challenging process in that you need to balance the funding request against the return on investment.” “While applying for a grant like this, you are in competition with emergency service agencies from all over the nation,” says Hagelgans. “Pennsylvania alone has over 3,000 fire agencies.” In the 12 years of Blue Rock’s existence, Hagelgans has received several grants, but this is the first time Hagelgans has been awarded scholarship money. The grants will start to be offered for the spring semester. Student volunteers who are now with or who join Blue Rock will be eligible. For more information, contact Hagelgans at duane.hagelgans@millersville.edu.   […] “Scholarships for Student Firefighters”

MU and Church World Service Collaborate Church World Service Lancaster and Millersville University have long collaborated in support of refugees and immigrants. This partnership has included ways for students and staff to get involved in direct services, community development and fundraising. Over the past 35 years, CWS Lancaster has welcomed more than 7,000 new refugee neighbors to peace and safety in Lancaster County. Through partnerships with faith groups, organizations and individuals, CWS’ holistic programs empower clients toward long-term success and belonging through up to five years of services and support from initial welcome and resettlement through long-term integration and success. The Millersville University Geography Department is currently working on a mapping project with CWS, which examines the housing capacity of boroughs in Lancaster County for refugee resettlement. CWS requested that the department first evaluate Millersville, Lititz and Elizabethtown. An online, interactive GIS map was created that included layers of data that are pertinent in determining refugee resettlement capacity. Once data was collected on rental availability, it became clear that affordable housing availability in Lancaster County was in very short supply. Given the confirmation of a lack of affordable housing, and the need for a satellite office in a new location to help expand its reach, MU was asked to pivot and focus its attention on the Harrisburg region. CWS asked MU to develop a new online map with all the pertinent layers so they could use the data to determine the best location for a new satellite office.  At the request of CWS, MU also expanded the data collection to include the West Shore area and Carlisle. In addition to intern support for mapping refugee and immigrant service expansion, Millersville has worked with CWS Lancaster on internship opportunities within their Lancaster City office. Within the past three years, CWS Lancaster has worked with a total of 10 BASW and MSW students interning through the Millersville School of Social Work. The interns have operated within several program areas across the agency, offering support in cultural orientation, resettlement, employment, community organizing, and immigration services, as well as the development of an ECAR (Every Campus a Refuge) chapter in partnership with the Millersville Social Work department and student organization, RIDGE, Refugees and Immigrants Devoted to Growth and Excellence. As a student organization dedicated to supporting refugee and immigrant neighbors, the RIDGE program has provided foundational support for the ECAR program. Under the ECAR program, each refugee family is temporarily housed on campus until they are able to obtain permanent housing in Lancaster County. They are provided with rental support, utilities, Wi-Fi, use of college facilities and resources, as well as a large community of support in the form of the college campus and its friends. In addition to direct support, Millersville University and CWS Lancaster have collaborated on raising funds to support new Ukrainian neighbors who have been forced to flee. MU’s Festiville 2022 proceeds went to support CWS Lancaster programming that serves Ukrainians who have arrived in the U.S. on Humanitarian Parole. The festival featured several local performers and bands, including ska band Big Fat Meanies, rock band Eternal Frequency, African fusion artist Emmanuel Nsingani, country-rock singer Gillian Smith, multi-genre duo Dandy, bluegrass band Big Sky Quartet and the Music Business Technology Showcase Band. FestiVille typically serves as a concert that teaches students the organization and development of music events, as well as a way to bring the community together. However, Festiville 2022 sought to continue this tradition while supporting new Ukrainian neighbors. Millersville University’s Ware Center and CWS have worked together to celebrate the cultures of our immigrant neighbors through “We the People: Acts of Welcome” first Friday performances. This year’s performances included Ukrainian actress, singer and producer Anna Koziar who sang, recited verse from a Ukrainian author, and provided a presentation about a fund she has created called the “Ukrainian Performing Arts Fund.” Additional performers included a Nepali youth dance troupe under the direction of Dilli Chapagain, singer and Columbian immigrant Ramiro Velasco, and Semukondo Olivier from the People’s Republic of Congo who performed two Afro-inspired songs. For more information about CWS Lancaster, visit C […] “MU and Church World Service Collaborate”

Millersville Unites for a Cure The 12th annual Breast-A-Ville at Millersville University will include pink fountains, a day of campus and community exhibitors educating the community on breast health, pink-outs at athletic competitions and several other events. Breast-a-Ville is an event created through the Breast Health Initiatives on campus to educate students of the importance of breast health and breast cancer awareness and prevention. The fountains at Millersville will be dyed pink the morning of Oct. 4, the day of the event, which runs from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Student Memorial Center. “Each year, we try to have more healthcare providers come to campus and disseminate useful information for students in protecting their breast health,” says Dr. Dennis Denenberg, former professor of education and the impetus behind Breast-A-Ville. Denenberg has several Breast Health Initiatives on campus to honor his sister, Diana, who died of breast cancer. He says, “This year, we have more exhibitors than ever.” A large part of Breast-A-Ville is about having fun while learning. Various campus groups will operate games to encourage students to relax and learn. “The most popular game always seems to be Bra Pong,” says Denenberg. “There will be a high level of excitement because students are now remembering how important breast health is and how this event can help them learn to protect themselves,” says Denenberg. “Research shows that breast cancer is starting to affect younger women, so it is even more important for us to educate college-age students about proper self-exams and being aware of what they can do to protect themselves.” Liz Fulmer, Millersville alumna, will perform a free concert on October 6.  Her concert will run from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the Ware Center. Fulmer is a local songwriter and singer. The Ware Center will be illuminated with pink lights on October 6 in honor of the event. “In 2016, I met with Liz and I talked to her about my sister Diana,” says Denenberg. “As a result of that meeting, Liz composed a beautiful song called ‘Fighter,’ and she debuted the song at our Ware Center event that year. She will reprise the song on the first Friday of October, again at the Ware Center. It is an incredible song that captured the fighting spirit of my sister Diana. Also, Liz has donated the rights for the song to our campus endowment, called Diana’s Dreamers: Determined to Defeat Breast Cancer.” The University Store offers a variety of Breast Cancer Awareness merchandise every October. “We are very proud of the collection that we have put together this year,” says Mike Nitroy, university store manager. “We are offering pink t-shirts and long sleeves with the phrase “I wear pink for someone I love” on them, as well as a variety of “think pink” accessories including hats, magnets, key tags and more.” A portion of all the proceeds from sales of this merchandise are donated directly to the Breast Health Initiative on Millersville’s campus. All of the merchandise will be available in the University Store during the month of October and on the website at http://www.mville.store. The Millersville women’s volleyball team will be hosting a “Dig Pink” match on Friday, October 27. On this night, the team will be wearing specialty pink jerseys and asks fans to wear pink in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. “Planning Breast-a-Ville involves communicating with a lot of different people both in the community and on campus,” says Madison Rebman, department assistant for the chemistry department, who is helping to coordinate this year’s event. For more information on how to join the Breast-A-Ville initiative, click here.       […] “Millersville Unites for a Cure”

Eric McGriff To Speak About Violence Prevention How individuals and communities can work together to transform their environments to prevent and end violence will be the topic of an interactive presentation at Millersville University later this month. Eric McGriff, a prevention coordinator at the Crime Victims Treatment Center Inc. who works to prevent and respond to violence across the globe, is speaking on Sept. 28 in the Student Memorial Center Multipurpose Room at 7:30 p.m. McGriff has a long history of working to end domestic, sexual and gender-based violence starting at just 15 years old when he and his twin brother became co-chairs of their High School’s White Ribbon Campaign. This campaign focuses on engaging men and boys in ending violence against women and girls. He then went on to train with several national and international organizations, including the U.S. Department of Justice Office for Victims of Crime and The National Centers for Victims of Crime. In addition, he is also a former spokesperson for United Nations Women and is a current Global Peace Ambassador. Now as a prevention coordinator at the Crime Victims Treatment Center Inc. in New York City, McGriff takes part in various efforts to end domestic violence. “I work with K-12 schools, college campuses, the nightlife community, and with men and boys. My mission is to transform communities to end violence by centering the needs of those most impacted,” he explains. Dr. Jill Craven, an MU English, film studies, and comparative literature professor and the coordinator of this event, explains the importance of McGriff’s sessions and how his values align with Millersville University’s EPPIIC values, “As a university, Millersville values both inclusion and compassion, and the majority of our community acts with these values in mind—but not everyone, not all the time.” “We need leaders in our midst to transform some of our Pennsylvania cultural norms so that everyone feels valued and safe. McGriff teaches not only how to recognize the cultural norms that might lead to hurt, but also how to be an ally and activist in changing the culture,” she explains. McGriff notes this event will explore the ways people can work to end and prevent violence. “At their core, my sessions are about how individuals and communities can work together to transform their environments to prevent and end violence. I will address cultural norms that contribute to violence and work with the audience to identify actions that individuals, groups, and communities can take to create safer environments for all.” McGriff wants attendees to leave the event with an increased knowledge of how to prevent harm in their environment. “Those who attend this event will leave with an increased awareness of how to prevent and respond to harm in their spaces. These sessions will position each person as someone who can be a leader in their friend groups, classrooms, on their teams and in their communities.” If attendees take anything from his session, McGriff hopes people understand one thing, “I hope people will take away that we cannot change communities alone; we need to focus on the collective action needed for true change.” The event is free and open to all MU students and community members.       […] “Eric McGriff To Speak About Violence Prevention”

New Task Force Addresses the Positive Uses of AI AI, or Artificial Intelligence, is the newest technology to impact the higher education system. With no experience or similar technology to AI, many universities are creating ways to prevent students from using it because of the negative effects. Although it is important to address the negative uses of AI, Millersville University understands it is also important to address the positive uses. This is why the University recently developed a task force to discuss the use of AI. Josh Hartranft, interim chief technology officer and co-chair of the task force, explains the purpose of the new AI Task Force. “The objective of the task force is to gather and catalog the existing AI usage on campus and subsequently identify potential avenues for leveraging AI to enhance services and processes.” Dr. Marc Tomljanovich, dean of the Lombardo College of Business and co-chair of the task force, explains that this task force is important because AI affects every department. “AI impacts every part of a university from HR to advancement to student life to the library to athletics to student accounts to finance and more. This task force addresses how we can use AI to benefit each part of MU.” To ensure the task force is well-equipped, it comprises faculty and staff from various parts of the university, including IT, University Communications, financial aid, the library and other departments. The faculty and staff that make up the task force include Hartranft and Tomljanovich as co-chairs, and Dr. Chad Hogg, Dr. Oliver Dreon, Greg Szcyrbak, Diane Copenhaver, Emiyaril Alverez, John Hearn, Kelsey Madas, Miles Gallagher and Andy Welaish. Tomljanovich explains that the task force “covers all the bases and parts of the University.” As this task force’s purpose is to learn how to use AI positively in higher education, Hartranft explains how he believes AI can be used for good. “When applied ethically and responsibly, AI can revolutionize various sectors, from healthcare and education to environmental conservation and public safety. It can enhance efficiency, provide solutions to complex problems and improve the quality of life for many,” he says. To successfully create a task force that addresses the positives of AI, you also have to address the negatives. Hartranft explains some of the risks of AI in higher education include: Bias and Discrimination: AI systems, especially those used for admissions or grading, can inadvertently perpetuate biases present in their training data. This can lead to unfair treatment of certain student groups based on race, gender or socioeconomic status. Privacy Concerns: The use of AI-driven surveillance or monitoring tools can infringe on students’ privacy rights, leading to potential misuse of personal data. Depersonalization of Education: Over-reliance on AI can reduce human interaction, making education more transactional and less personal. This can impact the holistic development of students. Quality of Education: If not properly implemented, AI-driven tools might not always align with educational best practices, potentially compromising the quality of instruction. Job Displacement: The automation of certain administrative tasks using AI might lead to job losses. Security Risks: AI systems can be vulnerable to hacking or malicious attacks, risking the integrity of educational data. Ethical Concerns: The use of AI to monitor or predict student behavior can raise ethical questions about autonomy, consent and the role of technology in decision-making. Accessibility and Equity Concerns: There’s a risk that AI tools might not be equally accessible to all students, exacerbating existing educational inequalities. Over-reliance: There’s a danger that institutions might become too dependent on AI solutions, overlooking the importance of human judgment and expertise. AI is currently being used throughout the University in ways many overlook. “The library uses AI in its chat bot, and the Lombardo College of Business uses it to create a transcript from meetings. Chat GPT, an AI website, shortened an indecipherable 102-page meeting notes document into a readable and shortened document,” Tomljanovich notes. Tomljanovich explains that although many negatives come with AI, he hopes people notice the positives that also come with it, like improving work-life balance and creating more time fo […] “New Task Force Addresses the Positive Uses of AI”

Vaccination Clinic at SMC […] “Vaccination Clinic at SMC”

Live Music With Your Coffee After opening its doors a year ago, Evergreen Cafe has a new student manager, new, longer hours and new events for the fall semester. Hope Davis, a senior business administration major with a concentration in management, has been promoted to student manager for the 2023-2024 academic year. The student-run cafe, located in Gordinier Hall, provides various learning opportunities for students as it operates completely under student supervision. As a new year approached with new opportunities, Davis knew they wanted to add more to the student dining experience. They decided to add live music and other events to the cafe. “I have been involved in theater and music for as long as I can remember, so I found it fitting to mix the two things I love most: coffee and music. The Millersville DIY scene was also very inspiring, as it showed me that there is a huge interest in music events in the area and that it is feasible to execute through crowdsourcing.” Davis hopes to hold open mic nights, karaoke, poetry readings, game nights and any other student suggestions. They make sure to note that any student who is interested in performing is welcome to at any event. Davis says they feel this is exactly what they should be doing. Students not only gain experience but also credit for their time at the cafe.  As the student manager, Davis has many responsibilities that range from scheduling to financial responsibilities to leadership. They acknowledge the stress that can come with the position, but they feel there are more pros than cons to the job. “Being the student manager of Evergreen looks like stressing about scheduling conflicts but later laughing at how easy of a fix it was. It looks like getting to know the people you have shared Millersville’s campus with for years, yet the meeting is only happening now. It looks like promoting the student involvement you wish you saw on campus, providing an uplifting work environment and getting to know the ins and outs of the workings of Millersville’s dining services.” When planning events, Davis always has the needs of the students in the back of their mind. “Supporting student talent, creativity and the need to be social is what is most important to me when holding events.” Davis wants students to know that the cafe is made for them and the MU community. “Our café is designed by students, run by students, for the students. With that being said, the vibes and events at Evergreen this semester are to provide a safe and productive space as well as a platform for students’ creativity. “ Evergreen Cafe Hours Monday – Sunday: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. and 6:30 – 10:30 p.m. Closed 1 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. daily   […] “Live Music With Your Coffee”

Millersville Parade Seeks Volunteers The Millersville Parade Committee is seeking volunteers to assist with the Millersville Parade on Oct. 14. The parade is a joint venture between Millersville University and the Millersville community and there are a variety of positions available, including banner carriers, flag carriers, inflatable costume volunteers, parking greeters and many more. Volunteering at the parade provides an opportunity for community members to give back in a fun and memorable way, as this parade attracts more than 2,000 participants and over 17,000 spectators. Volunteers can include, but are not limited to, residents, businesses, church groups, Rotary groups, women’s clubs, high school students and Millersville University alumni. The only requirement is that volunteers must be 16 years or older for most positions. The parade route is two miles in length, beginning at Penn Manor High School and ending past the Student Memorial Center on James Street. Depending on the position, some volunteers may be required to walk these two miles. Start times vary between positions, but the total amount of time volunteering should not exceed four to five hours in the morning. Volunteers should meet at Penn Manor High School in the designated areas for their position unless otherwise specified. Each volunteer will receive a free T-shirt and can attend a free luncheon after the parade has concluded. The parade requires over 100 volunteers to run smoothly, so please consider this enjoyable opportunity to make a difference! Any questions about volunteering can be directed to parade@millersville.edu or call 717-871-7001. If interested, make sure to sign up by September 22. For a full list of available positions, click here. To volunteer, fill out the form here. More information can be found at h […] “Millersville Parade Seeks Volunteers”

Unique Cinematic VR Experience Comes to the Ware Center The award-winning 360º cinematic virtual reality experience “Traveling While Black” is coming to the Ware Center on Sept. 27. The 20-minute immersive production examines racism in the United States and places the viewer in conversations exploring the ways we understand race in America and highlighting the urgent need to not only remember the past but to learn from it. The VR experience focuses on the “Green Book,” a travel guide published during the segregation era, which highlighted restaurants and other businesses that would serve African Americans. The “Green Book” was meant to combat uncertainty toward having access to food, lodging, fuel and other travel accommodations that others may take for granted. Academy Award-winning African American documentary director Roger Ross Williams filmed the piece at Ben’s Chili Bowl in Washington, D.C., a restaurant first established in 1958 that historically has served as a safe haven for traveling African Americans. Assistant Director of Campus and Community Engagement Barry Kornhauser says that viewers should expect anything but a typical documentary. “Viewers will sit at the Ware Center in an installation recreating a portion of Ben’s Chili Bowl, where they will don Oculus Go headsets to virtually meet some of the diner’s patrons as they reflect on their personal experiences regarding race relations in the United States. Viewers can expect a truly unique, powerful and profound experience.” Tickets to the event are free, but online registration is required. There will be multiple showings a day from Sept. 27 through Oct. 25, and a total of 12 people can register for each show, or 24 in student groups. The experience is recommended for ages 12 and up. “Such events have something truly valuable to offer both students and the general public of Lancaster,” says Kornhauser. “The project will examine the safe spaces that exist in our communities and explore those that still need to be created. We felt this was important enough to have ‘Traveling While Black’ run for a full month, four times a day, six days a week, and to offer it free of charge to eliminate any financial barriers to participation.” “During the Green Book years, Lancaster hosted three welcoming sites, so there is a real historical community connection to this project,” says Kornhauser. “And though an official Welcoming City today, there is still much to be examined in regard to reducing and eliminating the barriers that invite people of all circumstances and backgrounds to become full participants in community life here in Lancaster and beyond.” Kornhauser has also organized a series of eight stand-alone Community Conversations that will cover different related topics, including “Traveling While Black & Queer,” “Traveling While Disabled,” “Traveling While Undocumented,” “Traveling While Black Through the Education System” and more, with accompanying opening and closing receptions on September 28 and October 25. “For these Conversations, we have been blessed with a veritable ‘who’s who’ of Lancaster – individuals who serve and/or represent segments of our diverse marginalized local communities,” says Kornhauser. “These complementary Conversations are intended to encourage dialogue and thought about both past and current-day barriers to ‘traveling’ through everyday life faced by the BIPOC community, but also the LGBTQ+, undocumented and disability communities, exploring complications encountered not just in movement, but in civic life, education, business, the arts and more.” Some of those guests include State Representative Ismail Smith-Wade-El, Lancaster NAACP President Blanding Watson, CEO of Alliance for Health Equity Kevin Ressler, CEO of the African American Historical Society of South-Central PA Dr. Leroy Hopkins, President and CEO of Bright Side Opportunities Center Willonda McCloud, Lancaster Poet Laureate Evita Colon, Executive Director of the Disability Empowerment Center Jacklyn Nagle, President and CEO of LancasterHistory Dr. Tom Ryan and many more, including MU’s Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer Carlos Wiley in conversation with Gretchel Hathaway, Vice President of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Franklin & Marshall, and Kesha Morant Williams, Senior Advisor of Diversity, Equity & Belonging at Elizabethtown College. Moderating these Conversations will be Lenwood Sloan and Marquis Lupton. “By engaging in this cinematic virtual reality experience, you can expect to hear from Black people about the long history of the travel restrictions they experienced in the United States and how this impacted Black growth,” says Carlos Wiley, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer at Millersville. “You will also get a better understanding of how the ‘Green Book’ work aided in the creation of safe spaces for Black people to travel across the country in order to experience freedom.” Wiley explains that hosting events like this is important to encouraging unity and upholding the University’s EPPIIC values. “Hosting ‘Traveling While Black’ shows our commitment to build understanding, knowledge and moving the University towards inclusive excellence. All who take advantage of this opportunity will be able to gain respect for the struggle of Black Americans.” “Having experiences like this at MU is important so we can help to build understanding of experiences of different groups of people so we can better relate to others,” he concludes. “I hope that many people from MU and the Lancaster community will take advantage of this opportunity to have a new and exciting experience.” For a full list of showtimes and for registration, visit https:// […] “Unique Cinematic VR Experience Comes to the Ware Center”

2023 Marauder Family Weekend Family Weekend is an opportunity for Marauder parents to connect with their student(s) on campus, learn more about ways to get involved and enjoy family fun. Marauder Family Weekend will occur on Friday, Sep. 22 and Saturday, Sep. 23. “One of the things we wanted to focus on this year is thinking about engaging events that would get all different types of participants out,” says J. Whitlow, director of Campus Life. Especially since it falls on a weekend, we still wanted to engage our students who are on campus and may not have their parents or families coming in.” Highlights include free tethered hot air balloon rides and a comedy show from MU alumnus Jonathan Burns. Attendees are encouraged to stop by the hospitality suite for a full schedule, offers and deals from campus partners and resources about local restaurants and activities nearby! Events will occur around the clock on Friday and Saturday. Some of the main events from the weekend include: 9:15 a.m. – 9:45 a.m. Discover Lancaster Bolger Conference Center-Lehr Room – This presentation will be led by an MU alum to talk about all the great things Lancaster offers, including some hot spots to visit with your students over the weekend. 10:00 a.m. – 12 (noon) Ville Cornhole Tournament Student Memorial Center – Yards | If there is inclement weather, the event will be canceled. Sign up for this tournament to show us your best double deuce and compete for some great prizes. 12 (noon) Football vs. West Chester University Chryst Field @ Biemesderfer Stadium. Come cheer on the Marauders as they take on West Chester University. Tickets available. 1:00 p.m. Women’s Soccer vs East Stroudsburg Pucillo Field. Millersville Women’s Soccer takes on East Stroudsburg University. Admission is free. 6:00 p.m. Field Hockey vs. (Indiana) PA Chryst Field @ Biemesderfer Stadium. Field Hockey takes on Indiana (PA). Admission is free. Information regarding the 2023 Marauder Family Weekend can be found by clicking here.       […] “2023 Marauder Family Weekend”

CHEP’s Resources for Mental Health Awareness September is National Suicide Prevention Month, and the Center for Health Education and Promotion at Millersville University is committed to spreading mental health awareness and resources. “I wholeheartedly believe suicide prevention is an important and critical topic that should be addressed on college campuses,” says Margaret Thorwart, director of CHEP.  “The work we do day in and day out is centered around student wellbeing.” Below is a full list of events organized by CHEP and other MU offices to provide students with the resources they need to stay mindful and healthy: Past Events All 11 of CHEP’s peer educators undertook suicide prevention training through the Counseling Center. Student Affairs brought Wes Woodson to campus during EPPIIC Arrival Weekend to speak on anxiety, mental health and seeking support. The first week of classes, CHEP brought queer educator Mx. Jacob Kelley to campus for an interactive sexual health workshop and a healing from sexual violence keynote speech. Many of the points Kelley touched on were related to mental health and how to seek help, overcome and not give up. So far this semester, CHEP has completed four Green Dot training sessions, reaching over 100 students. These trainings address noticing changed behaviors and mental health of friends and peers, encouraging students to be active bystanders who check in with their friends and can help share resources. There will be one more student training and an employee training session this semester. Present Events “Wellness Wednesday” tabling this week, organized by the peer educators, focuses on gender identity and gender dysphoria, specifically addressing mental health challenges surrounding that topic. The current “Shatter the Red Zone” campaign addresses mental health and specifically directs students to supportive services including the Counseling Center. CHEP is working with public relations classes to bring about a social norms campaign based on data collected last spring. Part of the campaign will discuss mental health and the loneliness Millersville students are experiencing on campus, with the goal of informing students where they can go for support and how to cope in healthy ways. Future and Ongoing Events Students and staff with CHEP, Student Access and Support services, the Counseling Center and Health Services will attend the Mental Health America of Lancaster County Suicide Prevention Conference. The “Fall into Wellness Fair” on Wednesday, Sept. 27 will have tables representing all nine dimensions of wellness, including emotional and intellectual wellness. The fair will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the SMC Promenade. A “Lunch & Learn” event focusing on group wellness coaching will take place Thursday, Nov. 2 from 12:15 p.m. to 1:15 p.m. in SMC 118. This session will mainly focus on mental health, healthy coping strategies and stress reduction. New this semester is Wellness Coaching, a free service provided through CHEP to MU students. Wellness Coaching is an individualized process for helping students achieve a higher level of well-being and performance in their academic pursuits, as well as life in general, when change is desired yet feels difficult to achieve. The service aims to empower students to explore health topics of stress, sleep, social support and substance use. Students can choose what they want to discuss and which health behaviors they want to set goals around. There are many resources available to all Millersville University students who may find themselves struggling with their mental health and wellness. CHEP and the Counseling Center encourage students to make use of these services. For more resources from CHEP, visit https://www.millersville.edu/chep/resources.php 24-hour Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or T […] “CHEP’s Resources for Mental Health Awareness”

COVID Monitoring Team May 2023May 12, 2023 Dear Campus Community, Our Cabinet was guided by input from different committees and task forces that were established since the beginning of the pandemic. For this academic year, the COVID Monitoring Team (CMT) provided advice on our operations. As we come to the end of the academic year, the CMT has recommended to me, and I have agreed, that we cease all COVID protocols and related policies at Millersville University. As you may know, May 11, 2023, marked the end of the federal COVID-19 Public Health Emergency declaration. That follows the end of the U.S. national emergency to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic on April 10, 2023. Over the past three years, I have marveled at our campus community’s unwavering commitment to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.  We have shown resilience, compassion, and professionalism as we tackled each new phase of the pandemic and responded to the federal and state mandates. We have also experienced the pain and loss of colleagues and loved ones. After three long years, we now find ourselves at a different point in the pandemic, with more tools and resources to better protect ourselves and our communities. Together, we have risen to the challenge and persevered. The CDC has been working for many months to fold the agency’s COVID-19 emergency response activities into its existing structure and programs, as part of an ongoing transition to sustainable public health practice. It is time for Millersville University to do the same. We will no longer ask students to inform health services if they have COVID-19. Employees will not be asked to let their supervisor and human resources know if they contract the disease. Most tools, like vaccines, treatments, and testing, will remain available and I encourage everyone to stay up to date with their vaccinations. The COVID-19 vaccine will remain free to faculty and staff because it has been added to Highmark’s preventive schedule. In addition, the University will offer a free clinic in September for vaccinations and boosters. On the behalf of my Cabinet and the MU Council of Trustees, I would like to thank the members of the CMT, led by Dr. Duane Hagelgans, for their efforts throughout the pandemic. We are fortunate to have faculty and staff who stepped up to lead us as we navigated the challenges that the pandemic brought to our doorsteps. I also want to especially thank every member of our community who served on one of the pandemic committees and task forces; your work was instrumental in getting us to where we are today. Thank you. Enjoy the summer. With warm regards, Daniel A. Wubah University Presid […] “COVID Monitoring Team May 2023”

New Director of Intercultural Center Denice Velez was recently named the director of the Dr. Rita Smith-Wade-El Intercultural Center at Millersville University.  She previously served as the associate director for the Dowdy Multicultural Center at West Chester University. Velez has extensive experience, including a position at the Cross-Cultural Center and Latinx Resource Center in Southern California. “In these roles, I have enjoyed empowering students to understand their role in social justice and affirming their diverse identities,” says Velez. “I look forward to bringing these experiences to working with students with their talents, skills and passions to address similar topics.” Velez received a bachelor’s in Ethnic Studies and Chicanx Studies from the University of California, Berkeley, a master’s of public policy and a master’s in Higher Education from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. “My educational experience does not only encompass my time in formal educational institutions, but my interactions with various cultural communities from whom I have learned a lot,” says Velez. “Having Ethnic Studies as part of my background has provided me a lens to begin understanding the importance of centering people whose experiences have been excluded in institutions like higher education.” With the fall semester underway, Velez has begun preparations for upcoming activities and events. “We had welcoming events for returning and new students, including activities for EPPIIC weekend, an LGBTQ+ Welcoming Reception, and a Students of Color Cookout,” says Velez. “Additionally, I am excited to be in the process of hiring student staff that will continue to bring life into the Dr. Rita Smith-Wade-El Intercultural Center, where students are also able to connect with one another and learn about cultural and social justice topics.” Velez is positively adapting to the Millersville campus and has high praise for the Millersville students. “In my time at Millersville, it has been exciting to meet student leaders who care deeply about making sure that marginalized students are supported and cared for,” says Velez. “They understand the importance of creating an environment where everyone is included and can truly live the EPPIIC values.” Velez set goals for her new role. “I will strive to increase the support for marginalized students while at MU,” says Velez. “Also, I seek to educate and challenge our campus community to learn about social justice issues and about topics impacting diverse communities. This work can only be done in collaboration with students, staff and faculty, while centering and empowering those in the margins.” “We need to continue to strive more to not only be accepting of diverse communities but to truly show appreciation and care,” says Velez. “I think we have great opportunities at Millersville given the resources that we have on campus, such as the talents of students, faculty, and staff, and also the experiences that the surrounding community can offer.” For more information on the Dr. Rita Smith-Wade-El Intercultural Center, click here.   […] “New Director of Intercultural Center”

Saving Students Money To […] “Saving Students Money”