Janet Kacskos

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”

Mahogany L. Browne to Speak at the Hazel L. Jackson Lecture Series A writer, playwright, organizer and educator who devotes her work to supporting criminal justice and community leaders is the keynote speaker at the annual Hazel L. Jackson Lecture Series. Mahogany L. Browne will speak on Sept. 26 at 7 p.m. in the Bolger Conference Center. Hazel L. Jackson was the first female African-American professor hired at Millersville University. In honor of her contributions to MU, the late Dr. Rita Smith-Wade-El created the Hazel L. Jackson Lecture series. Each year, the University invites African-American literary artists to share their experiences with the campus and the Lancaster community. Browne has many accomplishments, including being selected as the Kennedy Center’s Next 50, the executive director of JustMedia and the artistic director of Urban Word. She has also written “Vinyl Moon,” “Chlorine Sky,” “Woke: A Young Poets Call to Justice,” “Woke Baby” and “Black Girl Magic.” Dr. Caleb Corkery, an English professor at MU and faculty member of the African American studies minor, explains the importance of the series. “This lecture highlights the artistry of African American authors, bringing to campus their expression and perspective to enlighten us. It is also an opportunity to share what enriches us with our greater community.” In addition to Browne, Evita Colon and Sir Dominique Jordan, local spoken word artists, are also presenting their work. Before the event, they are hosting a poetry workshop on campus for 10th graders. Corkery notes that each speaker’s work aligns perfectly with Hazel L. Jackson’s values. “Browne, like Colon and Jordan, uses literary expression to inspire and uplift others. They are all devoted to cultivating Black voices, especially youth. This use of literary art is directly in line with Hazel Jackson’s career motivations, too.” Corkery hopes attendees take the importance of literacy and education home with them. “This is sure to be an inspiring event. All three of these artists are skilled at bringing out their experiences in ways that connect and excite audiences. The value of literacy and education will surely be a theme they all touch on.” In addition to the main event at 6 p.m., Browne will also host a Q&A session from 4-5 p.m. in the Stayer Hall MPR. All events are free. Learn more about […] “Mahogany L. Browne to Speak at the Hazel L. Jackson Lecture Series”

September 11th Memorial Ceremony Millersville’s Duane Hagelgans will give the keynote address at this year’s September 11 Memorial Ceremony in Lancaster County. The Lancaster County Commissioners, alongside Lancaster County’s first responders, will hold a remembrance event for those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001. Additionally, the commissioners will recognize the 52 Lancaster County First Responders who have lost their lives in the line of duty with a wreath-laying ceremony. Hagelgans is part of the Center for Disaster Research & Education at Millersville and a professor of emergency management. He has over 40 years of emergency services experience and serves on the South-Central Pennsylvania Counter Terrorism Task Force. Lancaster County is one of the safest counties in the Commonwealth due, in part, to the thousands of first responders across Lancaster’s 69 fire companies, 21 police departments and 18 EMS services. The ceremony will be held on Monday, September 11th, at 9 a.m. at the Lancaster County Public Safety Training Center, 101 Champ Boulevard in Manheim, Pennsylvania. The public is welcome to attend. The bells on Millersville University’s campus will chime in memory of the people who lost their lives on 9/11. 8:46 a.m. – Flight 11 crashed into the World Trade Center’s North Tower. 9:03 a.m. – Flight 175 crashed into the WTC’s South Tower. 9:37 a.m. – Flight 77 hit the Pentagon 10:07 a.m. – Flight 93 crashed in Pennsylvani […] “September 11th Memorial Ceremony”

Faculty/Staff Activities   Emiyaril Alvarez, Director of Financial Aid, recently traveled to Washington, D.C., in her role on the Government Relations Committee for The Pennsylvania Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators. The group spoke to members of Congress to make their positions known on the issues that impact students, families and the institutions they serve. In addition to Alvarez, Alyssa Dobson of Slippery Rock University, Kenyan Cattell of Penn State World Campus, and Ryan Jensema of Pittsburgh Theological Seminary represented PASFAA. The Government Relations Committee narrowed its focus to three items: Student Loan Tax Elimination Act, FAFSA Simplification, and Return to Payment.   Dr. Dennis Downey, professor of history emeritus recently won the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities’ 2023 Hervey B. Wilbur Historic Preservation Award. The award recognizes Downey’s guest editorship of the Summer 2022 Pennsylvania History: A Journal of Mid-Atlantic Studies. The edition was devoted to “Exploring Disability History in Pennsylvania.”     Dr. Duane Hagelgans, professor in Millersville’s Center for Disaster Research & Education, has been selected to speak at the GOSH Conference – Governor’s Occupational Safety & Health Conference from Oct. 22-24 in Hershey. Hagelgans will speak on “Disaster Preparedness for Safety Professionals.” He’ll discuss the various ways that Safety Professions can prepare their organization for potential disasters while also entertaining the concept of “Whole Community” into practice for organizational Health and Safety practices.   Ethan Hulsey, Director of Athletic Communications, recently placed first in the District 2 2022-23 CSC Fred Stabley Sr. Writing Contest for College Sports Communicators for his feature story on alum, Chas McCormick, “From Millersville to the World Series, Chas McCormick makes a winning impact.”  In addition to the first-place finish, he was also runner-up in the event category for “Resilient Marauders crowned PSAC Champs” and runner-up in the season recap/preview category for “Season Outlook: Marauders hope renewed focus and veteran bats lead the team back to Cary.” In addition, Hulsey pulled in a second-place finish for the number of visits to the athletics website during the month of June.   Dr. Margaret Mbindyo, associate professor and advisement coordinator in the Center for Advisement & Student Support; Dr. William Himmele, professor in Early, Middle and Exceptional Education; Dr. Deborah Tamakloe, associate professor in Special Education, Dr. Persida Himmele, professor in Early, Middle and Exceptional Education, along with Caleb Himmele, ’23, took part in a training at Kabarak University during June. The training, “Intentional Teaching & Total Participation Techniques,” was well received and the group consistently had over 300 university faculty in attendance for all three days of this optional training. Faculty from all colleges attended, including the schools of Business, Medicine, Law, Education, Pharmacy, Languages etc. Here is a link to Kabarak University’s website highlighting the 3-day training: https://www.kabarak.ac.ke/news/updates/kabu-three-day-indispensable-staff-development-training Dr. Ying WuShanley, professor emeritus, Department of Wellness & Sport Sciences, recently competed at the World Aquatics Masters Championships in Fukuoka, Japan. He placed 8th, 8th, & 9th in 50M, 200M, & 100M (all breaststroke), respectively. This is the first time that he broke into the top 10 internationall […] “Faculty/Staff Activities  “

Governor Shapiro Announces New Partnership with Google In keeping with his commitment to expand workforce development efforts across the Commonwealth, Governor Josh Shapiro was at Millersville University on Aug. 29 to announce a new public-private partnership. The partnership between Google and the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education makes industry-recognized Google Career Certificates available to Millersville students and the public to help them secure good-paying jobs. This new public-private partnership will enable Millersville students to earn a Google Career Certificate during their regular undergraduate programs, allowing them to earn college credit and an industry-recognized certificate at the same time. To support continuing education efforts, PASSHE universities can also offer credentials to the public through non-credit courses and workshops, giving those who complete the program access to Google’s employer consortium. “It’s time for a blueprint for higher education focused on competitiveness and workforce development, one that is grounded in access and affordability,” said Governor Shapiro. “Today, PASSHE has given us a clear example of what that can look like in practice by connecting classroom learning to job-ready skills development so our students get the best of both worlds.” PASSHE is the first higher education system in Pennsylvania to partner with Google to offer Google Career Certificates. The program offers skills training in the fields of cybersecurity, data analytics, digital marketing & e-commerce, business intelligence, IT support, project management and user experience design, with no experience required. PASSHE will reach thousands of students and workers across the Commonwealth to provide them with skills for some of the state’s most in-demand jobs. Governor Shapiro believes the foundation of our economy is our workforce, and Pennsylvania’s universities play a vital role in ensuring workers are prepared for the jobs of tomorrow. Participating PASSHE universities in this initial phase are Commonwealth, East Stroudsburg, Indiana, Kutztown, PennWest, Millersville, Shippensburg and Slippery Rock. “Google is committed to helping people develop the skills they need to succeed in an increasingly digital economy. We’re excited to introduce the Google Career Certificate program to thousands of students and workers through our partnership with the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education,” said Mark Isakowitz, Vice President, Government Affairs and Public Policy. “We appreciate Governor Shapiro’s commitment to offering more pathways to great careers in Pennsylvania, and we are glad to do our part. This initiative will create more economic opportunity and help more Pennsylvanians access in-demand, well-paying jobs across the state.”    Google employees developed the Google Career Certificates to support skills for in-demand fields. The program includes an employer consortium of over 150 companies — including Pennsylvania-based companies such as SAP, Expedient, the Project Management Institute, CMI Media Group, and Google — that hire talent trained in the certificate fields. Over 200,000 people have graduated from the program in the U.S., and 75% report a positive career impact, such as a new job, higher pay, or a promotion, within six months of completion. For more informati […] “Governor Shapiro Announces New Partnership with Google”