Janet Kacskos

Rooting for the Future: MU Celebrates Arbor Day On April 15, 1907, President Theodore Roosevelt shared the following message with U.S. Schoolchildren regarding Arbor Day: “A people without children would face a hopeless future; a country without trees is almost as hopeless; forests which are so used that they cannot renew themselves will soon vanish, and with them all their benefits.” Arbor Day was created by J. Sterling Morton, an editor for a Nebraska newspaper and a resident of Nebraska City, Nebraska, who was passionate about trees. He advocated for individuals and civic groups to engage in tree-planting activities. Upon assuming the role of secretary of the Nebraska Territory, Morton expanded his advocacy for trees. On Jan. 4, 1872, during a meeting of the State Board of Agriculture, he initially proposed the idea of establishing a holiday dedicated to tree planting. “Generally speaking, it was created to encourage the planting of trees and maintenance of forests because of their importance in nurturing the physical and emotional well-being of people and the environment,” says Dr. Christopher Hardy, professor of biology at Millersville University. While Arbor Day and Earth Day both occur in the same month, they serve distinct purposes. Arbor Day focuses on planting trees within communities, aiming to bolster greenery and environmental sustainability, specifically through tree planting and forest conservation. Earth Day centers on raising awareness about the state of the environment and advocating for actions to address environmental issues. Additionally, Arbor Day predates Earth Day, having been established with a specific emphasis on tree planting initiatives. According to Hardy, trees provide us with the services of cleaning our air, filling the atmosphere with oxygen, maintaining healthy wildlife and game animal populations and providing habitat for edible, medicinal and otherwise useful plants. Moreover, recent research has shown us that the destruction and fragmentation of forests and woodlands have led to imbalances in predator/prey populations that have contributed to health crises which include major epidemics such as Lyme disease. In urban areas, trees have also been shown to cool the streets in summer and reduce crime rates, presumably because of the positive psychological effect of trees (and plants) on the communities that live there. Arbor Day falls on the last Friday of April each year, making this year’s […] “Rooting for the Future: MU Celebrates Arbor Day”

Congratulations Graduates! As the end of the semester looms ahead, senior students are preparing for their most important walk on campus: graduation. Millersville’s spring graduation will be held on May 4 in the Pucillo Gymnasium. There will be three ceremonies: 9 a.m. – College of Education and Human Services 1 p.m. – College of Science and Technology 5 p.m. – College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences with the Lombardo College of Business   Three speakers, Dr. Tamara Willis, Dr. Jon Kauffman and Dr. Daniel A. Wubah, will be featured at commencement. Dr. Tamara Willis will speak at 9 a.m. She has over 25 years of education expertise and currently serves as the Superintendent of Schools for the Susquehanna Township School District in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Dr. Jon Kauffman will speak at 1 p.m. He is currently the Vice President of Biologics of Eurofins Lancaster Laboratories, Inc. where he leads nearly 500 scientists of the biologics team for the world’s largest CGMP testing facility. Dr. Daniel A. Wubah will preside over all three ceremonies and will deliver the commencement address for the 5 p.m. ceremony. With more than two decades of higher education experience, he became the 15th president of Millersville University on July 1, 2018. Prior to that, he served as Provost and later the Senior Advisor to the President at Washington and Lee University. Each ceremony will include both graduate and undergraduate degrees. Students are allowed four guest tickets to watch the ceremony in person. Tickets will be available at the MU Ticket Office from April 22 until May 4. Monday-Thursday 8:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday 11 a.m.-3 p.m. There will be an alternative viewing location for additional guests. The ceremonies will be live-streamed in the Winter Center for Visual and Performing Arts and will not require a ticket. For more information, visit http […] “Congratulations Graduates!”

Five Interesting Things in Archives From Carl Van Vechten’s portraits to a bust of Edward Brooks and red glass globes from Old Main, Millersville University Archives and Special Collections department in McNairy Library has a lot to offer. The 8th floor of the McNairy Library is home to the Archives and Special Collections department, which collects and preserves historical items such as photos, books, memorabilia and records. These collections can be used for in-class instruction, personal research, and projects. Archival pieces allow visitors a deeper understanding of past time periods and our school’s history. Millersville students, staff and community members are able to request to see materials by appointment by submitting this form. Donations can be made by contacting the archives and special collections department at special.collections@millersville.edu. More information about the department and its endeavors can be found on their Facebook and Instagram. Collection of Carl Van Vechten Portraits Millersville is home to an extensive and unique collection of original portraits taken by photographer and writer Carl Van Vechten. After his death, Van Vechten’s estate was left to Millersville faculty member Bruce Kellner, who donated a sizeable number of materials over the course of 30 years. “It’s sort of a legacy of his dedication to the institution and his belief in using these materials that we have such a fantastic collection here for our students,” says university archivist and special collections librarian Dr. Frank Vitale. Van Vechten’s portraits capture the Harlem Renaissance, a point in time defined by the blossoming of African American culture in terms of creative arts in Harlem, New York. A photograph within this collection will be on loan to the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery from April 26 to Feb 23, 2025, in Washington, DC, for the exhibition “Brilliant Exiles: American Women in Paris, 1900-1939.” After this, it will travel to other museums for the remainder of 2025. The exhibition will showcase African American female artists who traveled to Paris seeking more rights and artistic freedoms there than they had in the United States at that time. The particular image of Nora Holt, a prominent African American musician of the time period, could not be found in other collections held by institutions such as the Library of Congress, the New York Public Library and Yale University. “It gives us the opportunity as a university to share some of the fantastic things in our collections,” says Vitale regarding the benefits of Millersville loaning materials. Bust of Edward Brooks Edward Brooks was one of the first faculty members of what is now Millersville University, previously the Lancaster County Normal School. He began his time at Millersville as a mathematics professor in 1855 before serving as president of the college from 1866 to 1883. After his resignation, he dedicated his time to the public school movement in Pennsylvania. This sculpture was cast in 1910 by Clyde Bathurst, shortly before Brooks’ death in 1912. Vitale says it most likely would have been on display in the library, now the Biemesderfer Executive Center, or Old Main, a previously demolished building. In 1938, Brooks Hall was built in commemoration of Millersville’s past president. It was in use until 2017 and will be undergoing renovations to become Lombardo Hall, home of the Lombardo College of Business. “It’s kind of an interesting connection between the University’s roots and its role in public education, tied into what the University is doing here in the 21st century to continue to further that public education,” says Vitale. Red Glass Globes from Old Main Old Main was the first building built on the plot of land that is now Millersville University. It stood where the McNairy Library stands today. It was ultimately demolished due to its state of disrepair and safety concerns. Built by a group of private citizens in the 1850s, the building was later taken over by the state, per the builders’ request, to become the first Normal School in Pennsylvania. “Normal Schools” refers to colleges that practice standardized ways of teaching public school teachers. These red glass globes were positioned around exits of the building, acting as exit signs do today. Some are basic red glass, while some have lettering. “One of the examples that we have has the word ‘stairs’ etched in it because it would have been placed on the 2nd floor so that you knew you could climb down to get out of the building from there,” says Vitale. Old Main was expanded several times and served many purposes throughout its existence. Classrooms, dormitories and small offices all had homes in the building. “It served initially as a dorm space and faculty space,” says Vitale. Faculty members and administrators would even live in the building with students.” “Martyr’s Mirror” Book “Martyr’s Mirror” is a religious text from the Mennonite and Anabaptist Christian communities about nonviolent martyrs. “The particular volume that we have is the first English translation that was published,” says Vitale. The book was published in Lancaster County and was donated by a Millersville student by the name of A. CP. Frick in June 1857. This is monumental because that is only two years after the institution was founded and is the earliest documented donation. At the time of the donation, the institution was home to two main student groups: the Normal Literary Society and the Page Literary Society. “Before the institution had a single university library that everybody could use, these two societies maintained their own libraries,” says Vitale. Among the first pages of the book is a handwritten note that indicates the donation was to the Normal Literary Society library. Psychological Testing Materials These psychological testing materials depict the ever-changing standards of healthcare. “These are not something you might use today, but they tell you a little bit about what psychology and psychological testing was like in the late 20th century,” says Vitale. These kits contain tests, activities and paperwork used to diagnose and determine psychological health. These testing kits were donated by Moya Kinnealey, a retired psychologist and community member who previously had no connection with Millersville. “This is a great example of somebody who’s not even associated with Millersville, who thought that it would be really valuable and helpful for our instruction and research,” says Vitale. Although unrelated to the University’s history, having items like these in the archives is beneficial. “They tell us about that period of time,” sa […] “Five Interesting Things in Archives”

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

SGA Leaders Announced The […] “SGA Leaders Announced”

MU joins Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities Millersville University recently joined the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities – a distinction representing only 17% of all higher education institutions nationwide. “This association will contribute to the overall success and sense of belonging for our Hispanic students,” explains Dr. Gail Gasparich, Provost and Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs at Millersville University. To become an associate member, you must show that you have at least 10% Hispanic students. Using Fall 2023 data, Millersville’s undergraduate Hispanic enrollment was 10.71%. Gasparich says joining the association will help promote a sense of community for Millersville University students. “We will be in a community of members focused on Hispanic student success, which benefits all.” Part of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities’ mission is to help improve Hispanic students’ access to post-secondary educational opportunities and share resources, information and expertise. “As the demographics shift in the region, the Hispanic population in the Lancaster region is growing (especially K-12), and these students will be Millersville University students in the near future,” says Gasparich. “We want to belong to an institution that provides support and allows us to better learn about best practices to support the success of these students.” Gasparich also notes that the association is the only organization that, in their words, “champions Hispanic student success in higher education.” “They provide professional and institution development, conferences, government relations (lobbying on behalf of HACU institutions), student internships through their National Internship Program and student scholarships,” she explains. One of these student resources includes STEM Summits, which regionally brings STEM majors and employers together to help students prepare for their future careers and connect them to internships. The association also organizes several career readiness programs. The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities also provides professional opportunities for faculty and staff in higher education, including La Academia de Liderazgo (Leadership Academy), a program designed to help culturally diverse educators prepare for executive and senior-level positions. Being a member opens up some external funding opportunities that Millersville University plans to pursue to enhance best practices on campus. For more info […] “MU joins Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities”

Spring has Sprung The […] “Spring has Sprung”

What is Equity and Justice in Education? Interested in learning about equity and justice in education? The community will hear from three local experts and participate in engaging activities to learn about important issues facing the Lancaster community. The Engage for Change Community Forum is a part of the public series of events focused on equity and justice in education. The Engage for Change event series will take place on March 14 from 4 – 6 p.m. in the Student Memorial Center’s Reighard Multipurpose Room. The event is organized by Dr. Kerrie Farkas, professor of writing studies, and Tatiana Pashkova-Balkenhol, undergraduate research & instruction librarian. The forum aims to answer the question, ‘What is equity and justice in education?’ The Community Forum is free and welcomes MU and community members to discuss equity and justice issues affecting the local educational institutions. “Each featured presentation will be followed by a community engagement activity, which engages participants to grapple and dig deeper together into educational issues,” says Pashkova-Balkenhol. The event features notable guests such as Stacie Blake, CEO of the YWCA Lancaster; Keith Miles, superintendent of the School District of Lancaster; and Ty Bair, co-founder of Advantage Lancaster, Reynolds Middle School social studies teacher. “Students will have unique opportunities to share their lived educational experiences and listen to understand others,” says Pashkova-Balkenhol. “By attending the Forum, students will also benefit from identifying root causes of educational issues and creating collaborative writing partnerships to advocate for change to create equitable learning spaces in schools.” This event was started to generate robust, thought- and action-provoking representation of issues facing PA and Lancaster County education. “In the upcoming Engage for Change Journal issue, we are organizing a series of public events, including the Community Forum and Writing Workshops, ” says Pashkova-Balkenhol. “The Engage for Change Journal, which we co-edit, is a newly emerging community-based journal that aims to contribute to public knowledge and public engagement by harnessing the collaborative potential and expert knowledge of faculty, students and residents on social, political and economic issues affecting the Lancaster County region.” The Engage for Change journal writing workshops will focus on how to address equity and justice in education, held on Tuesdays, March 19, March 26 and April 2. The writing workshops will take place from 4 – 5:30 p.m. in McNairy Library, Room 104. “Motivated to generate discussions around current educational issues that could later be reflected in the upcoming journal issue, Dr. Farkas and I reached out to local experts to envision and plan the public series events,” says Pashkova-Balkenhol. “Our goals were to create an engaging environment that brings together MU and community members from diverse backgrounds to discuss the most pressing issues in equity and justice in education.” Pashkova-Balkenhol and Farkas initiated the Forum and partnered with the Carter Woodson Lecture coordinator, Dr. Caleb Corkery, to offer the series of public events focused on equity and justice in education to the MU and community audiences. “The Carter Woodson Lecture on Feb. 27 addressed the question ‘Why is equity in schools so difficult to address?’ says Pashkova-Balkenhol.” Pashkova-Balkenhol and Farkas created a format for the Forum that provokes thoughts and insights about educational issues through the featured presenters, and then allows attendees to discuss the issues and create partnerships around the community tables. The Journal is currently seeking collaborative submissions from faculty, students, and community members. For more information regarding journal submissions, click here. For those interested in registering for the Engage for Change Events, click here.     […] “What is Equity and Justice in Education?”

Conference Tackles “Matters of Marginalization” The 11th Global Well-Being and Social Change Conference, Millersville University’s annual event that centers on examining social, economic and environmental injustices, will take place Friday, March 15. This year, the conference will focus on marginalization and will host a series of locally-based presenters. Each year, the annual conference provides a platform for experts to share their knowledge and training for agents of social change. It brings together faculty, students, staff and community practitioners across disciplines to discuss ways to advance global social justice and human rights. This year’s conference will focus on how to use a social justice advocacy approach to enhance global connectedness, as we navigate an evolving world and analyze the consequences of marginalizing certain populations. The keynote speaker, Vanessa Philbert, is the CEO of Community Action Partnership of Lancaster City. CAP is Lancaster County’s largest anti-poverty organization, committed to creating person-centered initiatives to support their continuing anti-poverty programs. Other notable speakers include Lancaster County Representative Ismail Smith Wade-El, Dr. Lara Willox, dean of the College of Education and Human Services at Millersville University, Dr. Carrie Snyder, director of disability resources and services at Temple University and more. While each speaker will bring their own unique perspectives based on their varied professional experiences, they hope to challenge attendees to consider the actions they can take to inspire and lead efforts of local and global positive change. The conference begins at 8:30 a.m. in Stayer Hall. University faculty, staff and students are all welcome and encouraged to attend, along with other community members. General admission is $40, while non-Millersville student admission is $10. Millersville University students can register at no cost. If interested, click here to register. For questions about the event, email karen […] “Conference Tackles “Matters of Marginalization””

New Penn State Health Clinic Near MU A newly relocated Penn State Health Medical Group practice near the campus of Millersville University is giving patients more convenient access to primary care in a brand-new facility. Penn State Health partnered with Student Lodging, Inc. to build a new outpatient clinic near Millersville University to serve the Millersville community and the surrounding region. On March 12, leaders from Penn State Health, Student Lodging, Inc., Millersville University and Highmark Health celebrated the opening of Penn State Health Medical Group – Millersville with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. “Student Lodging, Inc. is thrilled to partner with the Penn State Health Medical Group to build this state-of-the-art facility for the benefit of the Millersville Community. Through projects like this, Student Lodging, Inc. continues its long history of enhancing the Millersville University experience and strengthening our community,” said Geoffrey Beers, CEO, Student Lodging, Inc. Penn State Health Medical Group – Millersville, located next to the campus of Millersville University, provides primary care, sports medicine and on-site lab services. The new 11,000-square-foot building features 19 exam rooms, two specialty treatment rooms, ample parking and a student health suite. It is staffed with nearly two dozen providers and support staff relocated from the former Penn State Health Medical Group – Manor. Future plans include offering Millersville University students, faculty and staff convenient walk-in services through a separate, dedicated entrance. “The health of our students, faculty and staff is of utmost importance,” says Dr. Daniel A. Wubah, President of Millersville University. “Having a facility within walking distance that is accessible to the entire campus community will benefit both our students and employees.” This marks another step in the Penn State Health and Highmark long-term goal of ensuring that everyone in the communities it serves is within 10 minutes of a Penn State Health primary care provider, 20 minutes of its specialty care services and 30 minutes of a Penn State Health acute care hospital. Penn State Health Lancaster Medical Center opened in 2022 and complements the health system’s other efforts to provide care for residents of Lancaster County close to where they live. “We’re excited to open our first outpatient clinic this close to a college campus,” said Ruth Gundermann, senior director for ambulatory services at Penn State Health. “Making it easier for students to access healthcare is part of the promise we made together with Highmark Health to bring our care closer to where our patients work, live and learn.” In December 2017, Highmark and Penn State Health announced a joint investment of $1 billion in the health and well-being of central Pennsylvanians to keep healt […] “New Penn State Health Clinic Near MU”

Marauder Fund Continues to See Success The Marauder Fund is continuing to see success as the spring semester kicks off and new student officers take on their roles. Millersville’s student-run investment portfolio allows students to gain hands-on experience working with the stock market. The fund began with an initial $190,000 investment in the fall of 2017 and is currently sitting at $314,232. This is an increase of approximately 65% overall, and 1.16% since last year, despite the uncertainty of the current economic climate. During the fall 2023 semester, the fund held five Buy/Sell pitches, four of which were successful. Plans for the spring are being discussed and finalized. Based on the current state of the stock market and the expectation that the Federal Reserve has finished raising interest rates, the Marauder Fund is expecting positive growth in 2024. Invested funds are a small portion of Millersville’s endowments and increases from the fund are used toward scholarships. The fund is overseen by Dr. Ron Baker, associate professor of economics. Alongside hands-on experience, being involved with the Marauder Fund allows students unique opportunities to learn from financial professionals. “We will continue our professional seminar series where we invite local financial professionals to speak to the students about their career path,” says Baker. Some of these individuals are alumni of Millersville and the Marauder Fund. The organization is comprised of three groups of students: Junior Analysts, Senior Analysts, and Executive Committee Officers. Analysts are involved with research and creation of pitches and are divided into five sectors of economic interest including; technology, industrials, finance and real estate, consumer and healthcare, with a Vice President overlooking each. Senior student Leah Miksa is taking on the position of CEO for the spring 2024 semester. The Marauder Fund accepts new members at the beginning of every semester and interested students can find more information here. Miksa joined the Marauder Fund during her sophomore year and has worked her way through student positions as part of the industrial sector. After one semester as a Junior Analyst, Miksa was promoted to Senior Analyst before running for a Vice President position, which she held for three semesters before earning the CEO position. “I have come to learn that a good leader is not necessarily the one who knows the most, but someone who knows how to bring everyone’s individual skills together,” says Miksa. In the position of CEO, Miksa can view the fund from a new angle. “Instead of being concerned primarily with my sectors’ performance, the CEO gets to view the portfolio holistically and compare individual sectors’ trajectory for the semester,” says Miksa. This opportunity allows for a deeper level of understanding of the fund and investing. “I expect to learn a lot about both the market as a whole and the other sectors in the fund that I was not previously a part of,” says Miksa. Miksa feels as though she has gained more than just investment experience being a part of the organization. “Being successful in the association requires skills such as teamwork, data analytics, presenting and leadership, all of which are areas that employers look for in prospective emp […] “Marauder Fund Continues to See Success”

University Theatre Season Starts with “The Complete Works of Shakespeare” Millersville University theater-goers will get a crash course in William Shakespeare this spring. University Theatre is producing “The Complete Works of Shakespeare (abridged) (revised) (again),” a play which condenses all of The Bard’s 37 plays in 97 minutes. Performances run Thursday, Feb. 22-24, and Feb. 29-March 2. The performances will take place at Rafters Theatre in Dutcher Hall from 7 – 9 p.m. This year’s production will have a cast of only six actors. Jonathan Strayer, director of dramatics and assistant professor, says while the cast of actors is only six, there are typically 40-50 people working on productions, without whom there would be no production. Strayer says this production came together with help from the plethora of students stemming from all different backgrounds and majors, such as theatre and entertainment technology majors, music, education, biotech, English and many more. “The students are the highlight of this production. The performance ensemble has over 100 hours of rehearsal and the production team has put in countless hours of technical work on this production.  With so many moving parts, teams and individuals our students are the highlight of this project,” says Strayer.   Faculty and staff have also worked on the production, including Strayer, production manager Harry Schueren and assistant professor Adam Boyer. Strayer’s inspiration for this year’s production stemmed from the fact that this is the “Year of Shakespeare” at MU Theater. “2023 marked the 400th anniversary of the First Folio, a remarkable publication which includes the plays generally thought to be written by William Shakespeare.  According to the Folger Library, ‘out of the 36 plays included in the First Folio, 18 had never been published before’ including ‘The Comedy of Errors,’ ‘Cymbeline,’ ‘Julius Caesar,’ ‘Macbeth,’ ‘The Taming of the Shrew,’ ‘The Tempest,’ and ‘Twelfth Night.’” He continues, “Without the First Folio these plays might have been lost forever. ‘The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) (revised) (again)’ is an homage to these immortalized plays that Shakespeare disciples love and anti-Shakespeare activists love to hate.  ‘Complete Works’ is a love letter written for anyone who loves or hates Shakespeare – showcasing both the beauty and the beast of the Bard’s oeuvre in a hilarious, over-the-top performance.” Although, nothing comes without a challenge. “The most challenging part of every production is pulling all of the various elements together into a cohesive production.  Bringing the actors, props, costumes, lights, sounds and set together requires a great amount of collaboration on the part of each person involved,” says Strayer.    “The rehearsals and design process for this production started in December. As I mentioned before, each production department has put in countless hours or intricate work to bring their specific elements to the stage so we can pull them all together into one cohesive production,” he continues.   Strayer also notes, “Live theatre is at its core a unique shared human experience.  Because this play is an over-the-top comedy, my hope is that audiences experience a joyous, shared experience – perhaps over literary material like Shakespeare that is often perceived as stuffy and antiquated.”   Tickets are now available for “The Complete Works of Shakespeare (abridged) (revis […] “University Theatre Season Starts with “The Complete Works of Shakespeare””

State of the Art Consoles from Clair Global Clair Global, a leading international provider of live audio equipment, recently delivered three state-of-the-art consoles to Millersville University. These high-end consoles will be on loan for a month, further strengthening the deep partnership between Millersville and Clair Global. Clair Global and Millersville University have a partnership that allows their consoles to be on loan for very short periods to further student learning. The arrival of these consoles brings incredible opportunities for Millersville University students. The Tell School of Music school is dedicated to providing its students with cutting-edge resources, and this opportunity is a testament to that commitment. “It signifies a significant milestone for the Music Industry program and its concentration in Live Audio, and it showcases our faculty’s commitment to cultivating a dynamic and innovative learning environment that offers exceptional professional and career preparation for our students,” says Dr. Ieva Zake, the dean of the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. These consoles on loan from Clair Global, Digico SD12, Digico Q225 and Digico SD5Q are renowned for their exceptional quality, versatility and advanced features. Millersville University helps ensure its graduates are a cut above others when entering the competitive and growing audio production and engineering field by offering students the chance to work with this industry-grade equipment. “These consoles are some of the top consoles in the live audio field and are some of the most used consoles that Clair Global uses in their national and international touring shows,” says Dr.  Jennifer Jester, assistant professor of music business technology, instructor of tuba/euphonium and director of the Entrepreneurial Leadership Center. “Access to consoles is powerful as these are rare, and this provides a significant opportunity for our students to be exposed to this equipment for career preparation as part of their degree coursework.” Jester, the Tell School of Music’s Live Audio program coordinator responsible for organizing this equipment loan from Clair, organized an overview session led by Millersville alumnus Sam Kelly. The session was an opportunity for live audio students to gain insights into the consoles’ functionalities and expand their knowledge in the field. Additionally, a workshop for orientation to the boards was held, specifically tailored for students who have completed the Live Audio 2 course. “Students will use these in conjunction with Live Audio classes, and as part of special projects and independent study during the month,” says Jester. This collaborative effort with Clair Global is a monumental step forward for Millersville University’s Tell School of Music. “It firmly establishes our music industry program as a pioneer in live audio education,” says Dr. Houlahan, the Tell Sc […] “State of the Art Consoles from Clair Global”

There’s a Difference Between Equity and Equality in Education Recent headlines have extensively covered the pressing issue of inequity in education and the ongoing discourse on potential solutions. Millersville University is set to host a pivotal discussion on this very topic. Renowned University of Illinois at Chicago professor Dr. David Stovall will serve as the keynote speaker at the 56th Annual Carter G. Woodson Lecture. The event is scheduled for Feb. 27 at 7 p.m. and will be held in the Student Memorial Center Multipurpose Room. This year’s lecture is a collaborative effort with the Engage for Change Journal, contributing to a broader series addressing equity and justice in Education. The lecture is open to the public and there is no need for registration, though early attendance is advised due to limited seating. Stovall and respondents Keith Miles, superintendent of the School District of Lancaster and Kareena Rios, school board member for the School District of Lancaster, will discuss the question: “Why is inequity in our schools so hard to address?” The Carter G. Woodson lecture is the first part of a three-part series that includes a forum (March 14) on “What is equity and justice in education?” and an Engage for Change Journal writing workshop (March 19) on “How to address equity and justice in education in the publication.” Currently, Stovall is a professor in the departments of Black Studies and criminology, law & justice at the University of Illinois at Chicago. He received his bachelor’s degree in history, his master’s degree in educational policy studies and his Ph.D. in educational policy studies from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Stovall’s contributions led him to play a pivotal role as a member of the design team for the Greater Lawndale/Little Village School for Social Justice. Expanding his commitment to community engagement, students and educators, his impact is evident in his participation in the Peoples Education Movement. This movement brings together classroom teachers, community members, students and university professors in Chicago, Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area to collaborate on community projects and develop relevant curricula. Alongside his role as a professor at UIC, Stovall dedicated his time as a volunteer social studies teacher at the Greater Lawndale/Little Village School for Social Justice from 2005 to 2018. The Carter G. Woodson Lecture series has been a part of Millersville University since the early 1990s and continues to bring African American activists to the University. It is named after Carter G. Woodson, an acclaimed writer and African American activist. For more information, contact Dr. Caleb Corke […] “There’s a Difference Between Equity and Equality in Education”

MU's Crisis Communications PlanMillersville University’s Crisis Communications Plan provides procedures for notifying appropriate personnel in the event of a crisis, emergency, or disaster situation and outlines the procedures to determine messages for internal and external audiences. The overarching elements in Millersville’s crisis plan will be communicating within the framework of our EPPIIC values. The number one message is that the safety of the campus community is paramount. The underlying principle in any crisis, including emergencies and disasters, is to responsibly communicate relevant information to key audiences. The message should avoid over-reassuring the recipient about the nature or impact of the situation while at the same time, giving the recipient an accurate description of the hazard and guidance on how to protect themselves. Effective communication strategies, both internal and external, are key to successful crisis management. The University’s primary message is always that our first concern is for the safety of our students, faculty, staff, alumni, partners, and participants in our programs. Communication During a Crisis At the onset of a crisis, emergency or disaster situation, appropriate initial contacts will be made. Only designated spokespeople for each situation will communicate with the media, under the guidance of University Communications. See Appendix A for identifying a crisis. Telling our story involves framing. A frame can be a statement of values or beliefs, a narrative story or even a metaphor. At Millersville University our EPPIIC value of compassion will guide us in how we demonstrate that we care about our students, faculty, staff and the public. In addition, our values of integrity and inclusion will come through in our messaging during a crisis. Framing using the EPPIIC values will maintain and strengthen our reputation and relationships with alumni, friends, partners and the communities we serve. In the event of a campus emergency or disaster, this plan will be used as part of the overall Incident Command System (ICS) of the MU Emergency Operations Plan (EOP). The MU ICS for an emergency or a disaster is: Incident Commander (Emergency Coordinator) – University Police Chief or designee Safety Officer – Director of Environmental Health and Safety or designee Public Information Officer – Director of Communications or designee Liaison Officer – University Police Officer or designee Step 1: Implement Millersville Call Tree See Appendix B:  Millersville Call Tree, for names and numbers. In the event of a student death, please see appendix C for guidelines pertaining to that situation. The Incident Commander should immediately contact their Vice President to provide details of the That Vice President in turn, needs to immediately contact the President. If the President doesn’t answer, a message should be left and if an acting President has been appointed, then the acting President should be called. The President (or his designee) will decide how best to inform the Chancellor and COT. The Incident Commander and/or Vice President aware of the situation should then contact the director of University Communications. In certain situations, other personnel may be contacted (to be determined by the President, Vice President and Incident Commander). Step 2: Determine key messages/talking points, deadlines Media training is available through University Communications & Marketing for all spokespeople. The number one priority in a Crisis is showing compassion and empathy for those impacted. The message must be timely, and the messenger must be empathetic foremost in the delivery. To frame the response, those involved, see Appendix A:  Millersville Call Tree, need to answer these questions: What would reasonable people expect a responsible organization to do in this situation? What was the nature of the event, what happened? Who was involved and affected? When did it happen? Where did it happen? How did it happen? If it is known, why it happened – this may not be able to be answered initially. Which safety/government agencies are involved (if any)? What type of follow-up is necessary? Do people need to evacuate campus? If we evacuate campus, which (if any) employees need to stay? Will there be a reunification area set up? Where? Should campus be closed? Classes cancelled? What is being done to manage the crisis? Is the D.A’s office involved? If so, do we need to provide messaging for Crime Watch? If the D.A.’s office is involved have they okayed us giving the all clear? Messages normally include: A statement to distribute to media or a prepared statement to have on hand in case of a media Statements for key publics (e.g., students, parents, supporters, neighbors, legislators and internal audiences). Messages to be shared on social networks (e.g., Facebook, Twitter). Messages to be sent through MU Alert. Step 3: Implement communications response, always keeping in mind Millersville’s EPPIIC values. Specific roles include lead communicator, spokesperson and POI, although one person may fulfill more than one role. Lead communicator: Coordinates all aspects of communication about the crisis for internal and external audiences, with guidance from the President and Incident Commander. Primary spokesperson: Assists in crafting and implementing external/internal messages; oversees the implementation of the media strategy; maintains an open dialogue with the media; and coordinates communications to additional audiences. Others:  In addition, web content specialists, photographers, videographers and others may need to assist with getting the message out to internal and external audiences. In an emergency or disaster, the Director of Communications will also serve as Public Information Officer (PIO) as defined by the Incident Command System (ICS) in the MU EOP. Communications responses will be updated on a timely basis, as needed. Step 4: Methods of Communication Overseen by Director of Communications, with assistance from Social Media Editor and designated IT representative as needed. All communication coming from the University needs to be consistent. MU Alert Messaging System – Provides rapid notification via text and email messages to alert students, faculty and staff, as well as others signed up, of an emergency situation that requires them to take immediate action to preserve their safety and security. Participants must sign up to receive messages at https://mualert.millersville.edu/index.php?CCheck=1. ‘Ville Bulletin, ‘Ville Notice or ‘Ville Daily – A mass email can be sent to all faculty/staff and students through their Millersville email account. These messages may also be forwarded to impacted alumni, or other specific groups. Web Page Message IT and University Communications can place emergency messages on the home page (www.millersville.edu) during emergencies. Social Media Millersville University’s social media tools can be useful in disseminating important information to large numbers of individuals, almost instantaneously, and tracking what others are saying about a crisis. Facebook, Twitter and Instagram are the main tools that can be used. Not all crises will warrant a social media presence. Millersville University’s social media channels are an important tool for shaping the University’s brand and care must be taken to determine whether an announcement is warranted. Any posting during a crisis, disaster or emergency must be approved by the Director of Communications or their designee. Once information about a crisis is distributed, it must be updated in a timely and consistent fashion throughout the remainder of the event, to include additional updates as to what members of the community impacted should be doing. Social media should also be closely monitored for indications that messaging is having the desired impact. Flexibility in messaging is key if feedback is trending negatively. Depending on the incident, University Communications may provide speaking points to the Information Desk at SMC, 717-871-4636 and to the non-emergency line for University police, 717-871-4357. Both may be alerted to transfer calls on a certain topic to communications or another appropriate office. When necessary, an email from the president will be sent. If appropriate, the President, the Chief Diversity Officer, or another VP may hold a listening session on the crisis during the following com […] “MU’s Crisis Communications Plan”

Black Heritage Month Remains Essential Written for LNP Published Feb. 11, 2024 As we celebrate Black Heritage Month in 2024, there are groups of people who are trying to sugarcoat and erase African American history to promote patriotic education. Black Heritage Month — also known as Black History Month — is an opportunity for us not only to remember and reflect but also to educate our youth. If we allow groups to ban or erase our history, this will twist the truths of America. I struggle with that. When you promote your values over truth, it diminishes the struggles of Black America and all of America. Those struggles are what this country was built upon. America needs to be held accountable for what happened in the past and understand how a generational gap was created on the sweat and toil of stolen labor to build a nation. New technology magnifies the reality that racism still exists. Attempts to limit the teachings of African Americans show how insecure Americans are about exposing the truths of the present and past. Every day, I think about the privileges I have that people before me didn’t. I think of Madam C.J. Walker, an African American who was born as Sarah Breedlove to her formerly enslaved parents. In 1908, she opened a factory and hair school in Pittsburgh. Through the vast growth and success of her beauty empire, she became America’s first recognized self-made female millionaire. She did all of that without a chemistry degree or formal education. I think of Garrett Morgan, an African American inventor who only attended school through sixth grade. As Scientific American magazine wrote, Morgan saved “countless lives” by inventing the gas mask (which he called a “safety hood”) in the 1910s and the three-way traffic signal in 1923. Just imagine what Walker and Morgan could have done with a formal education. Black Heritage Month helps us to remember and reflect on the important events in our history and our impact on this country. It celebrates our heritage, our fight, our adversities. It’s essential that the truths are told about our history, regardless of the insecurities of others. If we don’t expose the truths of African American history, we’re doing a disservice to Latin history and to the history of the LGBTQ+ community, too. This is about our lived experiences, the role we had in building this country and the hopes and dreams that our ancestors had. Black Heritage Month is how we lift each other up. It’s important that our youth understand how we got here through centuries of free labor. If you strip a group of people of their identity, their culture, their languages, it makes it easier to forget. It’s important to know where you came from. The political dynamics unfolding around education in Florida shine a light on how groups of people are trying to stop our youth from learning about our history. That’s the reason it’s so important to celebrate Black Heritage Month. We can’t worry about other people’s insecurities. I can’t help that people feel badly about what their ancestors did. We need to know what happened so we can build a better future. Pennsylvania can do better. A couple of years ago, while driving, I pulled up next to a police officer who was turning left, and I was going straight. Instead of turning, he moved his vehicle behind mine and pulled me over. He wanted to see who was driving the nice rental car. He seemed to be upset that I was driving a pricey rental, even though I had all the paperwork. There are areas that African Americans know aren’t safe places to stop (like some areas of York County where racist incidents have occurred). It’s a shame we still have to think about these things. State Sen. Art Haywood, a Philadelphia Democrat, recently released a report on the experiences of Black and Hispanic students in Pennsylvania state system universities. The report underlined just how pervasive racist hate speech and harassment continue to be in 2024. I’ve talked to Black and Hispanic students who don’t feel safe on a college campus because of the color of their skin. If something goes missing, or the smell of marijuana is detected in the air, suspicion immediately falls on Black and Hispanic students. This impacts these students mentally. They’re fighting to get a college education and get ahead, and they have to fight even more just because of the color of their skin. While movies and TV shows have done a better job of depicting successful African American families, the key is getting a good education. We need to invest in our schools at the elementary, secondary and postsecondary level. No one is pushing African American kids to go to a four-year college. We need to work with youth at the middle school level to help them see college and education as a possibility. When I was growing up, the only people I saw outside my home who looked like me were cafeteria workers or the employee working the counter at the neighborhood store. We must offer our youth other aspirations: in medicine, the military, business, technology and so on. We need to give them the opportunity to dream and to achieve those dreams. We can do that through education. Black Heritage Month should be about educating our youth about the past to help build the future. We need to show our Black and Hispanic youth that they are crucial pieces of the puzzle of America. At Millersville University, I’m doing that by bringing middle school and high school students to campus for events that will expose them to possibilities for their future. One of our students, Jordan Branch, held a fair on campus to introduce Black and Hispanic kids to engineering. If we expose kids at a younger age to careers that they might see themselves in, it will help grow our community. When you expose them to all the areas that are possible, you give them the opportunity for a brighter future — a future that will help […] “Black Heritage Month Remains Essential”

Secretary Mumin Visits Millersville On Feb. 9, 2024, Pennsylvania Department of Education Secretary Dr. Khalid N. Mumin and Deputy Secretary Dr. Kate Shaw joined Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Chancellor Dan Greenstein and Millersville University President Dr. Daniel A. Wubah at Millersville University. The visit highlighted Governor Shapiro’s proposed investments in higher education and how Pennsylvania’s public postsecondary system is preparing students to be workforce-ready upon graduation. Governor Shapiro’s blueprint for higher education says it will help Pennsylvania’s public universities build on areas of strength and address the challenges caused by a 30-year disinvestment in higher education by the Commonwealth, such as competition between universities that results in higher costs and lower enrollment. Governor Shapiro says his blueprint will ensure better coordination across PASSHE universities and community colleges to expand access to affordable, workforce-ready credentials and degrees across Pennsylvania – including in areas that currently lack access. “Our Commonwealth’s institutions of higher education, like Millersville University, do an incredible job preparing students for the future and connecting them with future opportunities,” said Secretary Khalid N. Mumin. “Governor Josh Shapiro’s new blueprint for higher education will end the era of disinvestment in our higher education sector, make postsecondary education more accessible and affordable to more Pennsylvanians, and allow these schools to continue to do what they do best—educate learners.” During a tour of the Weather Information Center , recycling plastics area, and robotics lab, state officials learned how Millersville students are leaving the university with an array of job opportunities in high-paying, high-demand careers. Millersville Meteorology is a nationally recognized flagship program of the university, with an innovative curriculum in space weather, air quality, water resources, data analytics, and emergency response and disaster preparedness. In 2020, Millersville became the seventh university in Pennsylvania to be designated as a StormReady University. “We are grateful for Secretary Mumin’s visit to Millersville University and the opportunity to showcase our premier programs in meteorology, life science, and applied engineering that focus on building career-ready skills,” said Dr. Daniel A. Wubah, president of Millersville University. “We have industry partnerships in our region’s growth sectors where students receive hands-on learning experiences and internships and have direct avenues to careers.” “Gov. Shapiro’s proposed funding increase for a new public higher education system that includes PASSHE universities and Pennsylvania’s community colleges as co-equals, presents a great opportunity for the state,” said Chancellor Dan Greenstein. “Millersville works closely with HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College, as all PASSHE universities do with community colleges in their region, to expand access to a valuable education. The governor’s proposal is an opportunity to build on the strengths of our PASSHE universities and the state’s community college, and to do more together.” For more information on the Pennsylvania Department of Education, please visit the website or f […] “Secretary Mumin Visits Millersville”

Millersville Honored with Top Awards Millersville University received five top-ranked awards for 2024 from the higher education resource guide, Intelligent.com. In their recent 2024 online report, Intelligent.com, a resource for program rankings and higher education planning, took a comprehensive analysis of over 3,000 colleges and universities nationwide. Each program was evaluated based on academic quality, graduation rate, cost and return on investment and student resources. Millersville was featured in rankings on Intelligent.com for: Best Online Doctorate in Social Work Degree Programs of 2024 | #12 Best Online Colleges in Pennsylvania | #24 For the following rankings, Millersville is the only PASSHE school to receive the honor: Best Online Master’s in Emergency Management Degree Programs of 2024 | #14 Best Online Social Work Degree Programs of 2024 | Ranked #18 Best Online Master’s in Gifted and Talented Education Degree Programs of 2024 | #20 For explanations on ROI and other quantitative measures, click here. To see more awards and recognition Millersville has received, check out this lis […] “Millersville Honored with Top Awards”