, FYS associate director, has worked with the for the past three years. This fall, FYS 101 student volunteers compiled 480 winter-care packages of warm clothing, snacks and personal care items for Rescue Mission clients. FYS 101 lead instructors and peer leaders also helped package meals for the organization’s annual Thanksgiving dinner, which is open to anyone in need.

As a result of that relationship, leaders from the Rescue Mission invited Luckman and FYS students to participate in this year’s donation drive, “,” on Sunday, Dec. 8. Luckman will appear as an on-air telethon guest between 12:30 and 12:50 p.m. He’ll talk about the purpose of FYS, the University’s partnership with the Rescue Mission and how the organizations work together to help community members while providing positive experiences for students. He and some student volunteers were also invited to answer telethon phones to receive viewer pledges.

Jimmy Luckman

The ability to help others through community volunteerism resonates with students, Luckman says. He believes the Rescue Mission’s motto, “Put Love Into Action,” reflects how students can see the immediate impact of their efforts.

“Our lead instructors and peer leaders have love for our campus and the local community. They recognize that helping people who need emergency shelter, housing, clothing, food, employment, educational resources and connections to other services—which the Rescue Mission provides—is a transformational experience that creates positive change within the community we love. As part of their exploration of the concepts of diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA), working in the community provides tangible experiences [that connect] to what we discuss in class,” Luckman says. “ is a tool that creates connections to help make Syracuse home and to actively engage in DEIA work outside of the classroom. We’re happy to have this relationship with the Rescue Mission and to work with several other local organizations to help make a difference in the community.”

“Movie With a Mission,” now in its 35^th year, will air from noon to 3 p.m. on . The telethon features the 1935 movie classic, “Scrooge.” The fundraising goal is $85,000, and pledges can be made by calling 315.446.9999. Gifts made before and during the program will be matched by community sponsors.

To support individuals on our campus and in the community, the University is hosting Operation Orange Warmup to collect winter coats. The collection to assist students in need is happening on campus now through Friday, Dec. 6.

“There is a greater need for warm coats on this campus now more than ever before and no one should go without during the winter months,”��says Dr. Ruth Chen, professor of practice in the��College of Engineering and Computer Science, who helped establish the Operation Orange Warmup initiative. “Through the work of many campus units, we are helping to ensure those in need are prepared for the cold with a winter coat, and we are proud to partner with InterFaith Works to also assist those in the broader Syracuse community.”

Ways to Donate

Donations can be made several different ways:

• First, happening now through Friday, Nov. 22, students can donate in their residence halls. Collection bins are available in Ernie Davis, Milton, Orange, Day and Brewster, Boland and Brockway halls.
• Next, on Saturday, Nov. 30, when the football team takes on Miami in the JMA Wireless Dome, attendees can bring coats with them to the game. Donation bins will be placed strategically around the JMA Dome at gates A, B, C, D, E, F, M and N.
• Finally, from Monday, Dec. 2, through Friday, Dec. 6, collection bins will be available at Hendricks Chapel, the Schine Student Center on North Campus, Goldstein Student Center on South Campus and the Nancy Cantor Warehouse.

Members of the JMA Dome staff will manage the laundering of the donations before they are given out. Additionally, all children’s coats that are collected will be donated to Interfaith Works.

Volunteer Opportunities

Students looking to volunteer can get involved with Operation Orange Warmup. Volunteers are needed for the following:

• Monitoring collections during the coat drive at the football game on Nov. 30
• Sorting coats at the Schine Student Center
• Administering the selection of coats at the Schine Student Center

For more information and to register to volunteer, students can .

Coat Selection Event

Students in need of a coat can for the coat selection event on Tuesday, Dec. 10, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in The Underground at the Schine Student Center.

Through the generosity of Orange fans and the entire Syracuse University community, we can share the warmth with those in need this winter!

The project is the first step in a plan that could possibly make such screenings available at OFAs across New York.

Early recognition of memory changes that could indicate an early stage dementia is important in order to help older adults gets the medical attention they need to avoid a crisis.

“If we are aware of early signs of memory issues, we are able to connect the individual to health care professionals who can begin appropriate treatment, while taking steps to educate and support families to improve the individual’s quality of life,” says , MD, SUNY Distinguished Service Professor and chair of the Geriatrics and director of the Center of Excellence for Alzheimer’s Disease. “The ability to easily screen this segment of the population has the potential to significantly benefit both the individual and their families.”

Changes that might be caused by early dementia can include changes in memory, depression, anxiety, aggression or lack of interest, Brangman says.

Here’s how the program works: OFA case managers in the selected counties have been trained by Upstate staff to administer what is called the “Mini-Cog,” a three-minute screening tool to assess potential memory loss. The screening can be administered in an individual’s home during a routine visit by OFA staff or at the county office. OFA case managers will not make any diagnoses based on the screening results; they will only administer the screening.

If the Mini-Cog shows any sign of memory change, the individual will be referred to Upstate University Geriatricians for a comprehensive geriatric assessment.

School of Social Work Associate Research Professor Maria Brown (right) speaks with reporters following the news conference announcing the partnership between Syracuse University and Upstate Medical University.

To evaluate the merits of this screening approach in community settings, , Ph.D., associate research professor in Syracuse University’s and will analyze screening information over the yearlong project to identify the number of clients screened, number of clients with scores indicating memory changes, number of clients who receive follow-up comprehensive assessments and their diagnostic results.

“We are excited about improving the ability of OFAs to identify older adults across the Central New York region who could benefit from geriatric evaluations and connection to services to address their changing needs,” Brown says.

Officials say they expect to screen about 3,750 individuals. Based on statistical analysis, they project that about 975 of those individuals will have scores suggesting some memory concerns.

If results of the evaluation show this screening approach with OFA to be a success, Upstate will create an online training manual and companion videos for use by the New York State Office for the Aging that could be included in the training of OFA staff throughout New York. The training resource also has the potential to be used by Offices for the Aging nationwide that have similar missions, programs and staffing.

In an earlier Upstate/Syracuse University pilot program that looked at Onondaga County residents, Brown found that over a nine-month screening phase, 18 (26%) of the 69 mostly African American adults over the age of 65 who were screened had scores suggesting cognitive impairment.

Project officials say OFAs are appropriate entities to participate in this project as they already conduct standard assessments for clients. Called COMPASS, for Comprehensive Assessment for Aging Network Community Based Long Term Care Services, this assessment addresses issues such as housing, nutrition, psycho-social status, medications, daily activities, support network and health, but it does not currently screen for memory issues.

“Early detection of a memory problem such as dementia is vital for timely medical intervention and, just as importantly, to begin connecting individuals and families to the many community-based supports available through local offices for the aging,” says , the New York state director of the .

“These offices for the aging are ideally suited to support detection efforts because of their experience assessing individuals holistically, screening for targeted areas of concern, and delivering on the services and supports necessary to help a person age in place, whether it’s case management, home adaptations, personal care supports, nutrition, or other programs. I applaud SUNY Upstate’s Department of Geriatrics and Syracuse University’s Aging Studies Institute for this innovative collaborative effort with offices for the aging in their region.”

It’s noteworthy that Upstate and Syracuse University have joined forces to address this issue. The Upstate/Syracuse collaboration leverages significant resources and expertise on aging issues. Upstate is home to a Department of Geriatrics and a state (CEAD). CEAD currently has a staff that includes geriatricians who work in conjunction with geriatric nurse practitioners, social workers, and nurses with expertise in geriatrics. Social workers provide caregiver support with a particular emphasis on older adults at risk, especially those who live alone or with frail caregivers.

Syracuse University is home to the Aging Studies Institute, which includes dozens of faculty working on age-related research and education issues, including age-based public policy; the causes and consequences of population aging; health and functioning across the life course; family, care work, and intergenerational support; and aging design, engineering, and technology.

Funding for the Upstate/Syracuse collaboration was made possible by the and the .

“The Health Foundation is proud to support this important initiative as part of our ongoing work on behalf of older adults,” says , Ph.D., president of the Health Foundation for Western and Central New York. “This program will break down barriers to bring earlier screening for memory issues to more people, meaning they’ll have the resources and treatments they need and deserve. Because those barriers to access often occur in communities of color or among people with lower incomes, this is a crucial health equity effort as well.”

Volunteers accept donations during the 2022 food drive.

On Friday, Sept. 20, before the Orange football team takes on Stanford at 7:30 p.m. in the JMA Wireless Dome, the Office of Community Engagement and the Salvation Army will host a food drive to collect non-perishable food items for the Salvation Army’s Emergency Pantry. Those planning to attend the game are asked to bring with them non-perishable foods to donate. The items that are needed the most include the following:

• Rice
• Cereal
• Pasta
• Tuna
• Canned fruit
• Peanut butter
• Macaroni and cheese
• Canned chicken
• Pasta sauce

“Many of us do not have to make the hard choices in life, like deciding whether to buy food or pay rent or a utility bill,” says Major Charles Roberts, director of county operations for . “The issues that people and families suffering in poverty face have converged into a perfect storm—increasing retail prices, elimination of pre-COVID SNAP benefits, worsening food desert conditions (like lack of access to fresh fruit and vegetables) and increased demand for community-based organizations to provide greater amounts of resources over a longer period. It is food drives like the one before the game on Friday that literally keep good food on our pantry shelves.”

There will be various drop-off locations strategically placed around campus and in several��parking lots. In addition to the food barrels, the Salvation Army will be on hand with red kettles accepting monetary donations with all proceeds benefiting the organization’s programs and services. No cash? No problem! Donations can also be made by texting SASGIVES to 31333 or by visiting their . The barrels and red kettles can be found in the following locations on Friday:

Barrel/red kettle sites:

• Gate A
• Sadler Hall
• Dineen Hall
• Falk Complex/Heroy Geology Laboratory
• Steele Hall/Heroy Geology Laboratory
• Physics Building
• Carnegie Library

Kettle-only sites:

• Flanagan Gym
• Gate G
• Hillside Lot

Barrel-only sites:

• Adjacent to Lally North Bus Stop
• Lally South Bus Stop
• Multiple sites at 640 Skytop Road

If you have any questions, contact Jake Losowski, associate director of community engagement, at��jjlosows@syr.edu��or 315.443.4137.

An initiative of the , the Book Buddies program was able to help 500 students with nearly 7,500 hours of reading practice in the 2023-24 school year thanks to volunteers, including Syracuse University community members.

Eboni Britt (left) with her Book Buddy (Photo courtesy of United Way)

Volunteers commit to spending between 60-120 minutes once per week with their book buddy (or buddies) at one of the five participating schools—Roberts Pre-K-8 School, Seymour Dual Language Academy, Delaware Primary, STEAM @ Dr. King Elementary or Dr. Weeks Elementary School. The volunteer acts as a cheerleader and guide, offering reading support and reminding students to use strategies for encoding, decoding and reading comprehension.

“The best part of working with Book Buddies is, of course, the students. It’s wonderful to be able to come in in the middle of a busy day and have a student that’s excited to see you,” says Eboni Britt, executive director of strategic communications and initiatives in the Office of Diversity and Inclusion and a Book Buddy volunteer. “I think Book Buddies provides me with an opportunity to give back to the community in a way that’s really unique, to be able to use some of my lunch time to come over and volunteer was really perfect for me. The program is very flexible and the team and staff is very supportive.”

The five schools in the program are among the lowest performing schools in the district, with only 7.6% of students meeting state ELA (English Language Arts) standards in third grade, compared to a district average of 17%. By allowing students to practice their reading skills with a supportive adult in a positive, encouraging environment, the program helped contribute to a student growth rate of 93% (measured as the percentage of students who increased in one or more literacy skill between October 2023 and May 2024).

Football Head Coach Fran Brown (left), alongside student-athletes from the football team, volunteered at STEAM at Dr. King Elementary School to kick off the program for the 2024-25 school year. (Photo by Chuck Wainwright)

“Book Buddies has the potential to have a tremendous impact on children in our community, helping address the critical issue of reading literacy among elementary school students in Syracuse,” says Cydney Johnson ’77, G’96, vice president of . “With a small commitment of their time each week, volunteers are able to build meaningful relationships with students in the program and have a lifelong impact on their future trajectory by building literacy and confidence in their reading abilities.”

To learn more, visit or if you’re ready to volunteer, .

The SyracuseCoE Faculty Fellows program supports and honors faculty members who demonstrate a strong commitment to interdisciplinary research and scholarship in the areas of energy, environmental quality and sustainable design, with additional support available for projects engaging New York state-based companies. These projects were selected from a pool of faculty proposals submitted during a funding solicitation issued by SyracuseCoE earlier this spring. Since 2015, over $1 million has been awarded to advance research and development projects led by SyracuseCoE Faculty Fellows.

“We are excited to include these exceptional faculty members in SyracuseCoE’s growing network,” says SyracuseCoE Executive Director , professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering in the College of Engineering amd Computer Science. “Their diverse expertise across disciplines and, in many instances, collaboration with local entrepreneurs will be critical in supporting our mission of promoting innovative solutions for human health, global energy and environmental challenges.”

“This is an excellent program for energy and environmental research and development,” says , associate dean for research in the College of Engineering and Computer Science. “The support from SyracuseCoE addresses a critical gap in aligning the technical needs of regional and national companies with the expertise of faculty and students at Syracuse University.”

Lindi Quackenbush, interim vice president for research at SUNY ESF, says, “SUNY ESF is a longstanding partner institution of SyracuseCoE, and the SyracuseCoE Faculty Fellows program provides important support for SUNY ESF faculty, often working in collaboration with regional companies and communities, to develop and expand their research capabilities and expertise while addressing global challenges.”

2024 Faculty Fellow awards include:��

• Bing Dong, professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering, College of Engineering and Computer Science, Syracuse University, “Smart Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERVs) for Schools”
• Scott Erdman, associate professor of biology, College of Arts and Sciences, Syracuse University, “Metal Doped Fungal Biomass as Material for Energy Storage Devices”
• Sevgi Erdogan, associate professor, School of Information Studies, Syracuse University, “Smart Cities Research Network Development for Sustainable and Resilient Communities”
• Jennifer Goff, assistant professor of chemistry, SUNY ESF, “Characterization of Bimetallic Nanoparticles for Usage as Air Filter Antibacterials”
• Mohammad Uzzal Hossain, assistant professor of sustainable resources management, SUNY ESF, “Revitalizing Local Waste Material in Low Carbon Construction Materials Through Materials Circularity for Decarbonizing the Built Environments”
• Tong Lin, postdoctoral research associate, Building Energy and Environmental Systems Laboratory, Syracuse University, “Enhanced Cooling Fan Design Coupled with Advanced Mixed-Flow Fan Rotor for Improved Efficiency and Compactness”
• Ericka Redmond, assistant professor of chemical engineering, SUNY ESF, “Innovative Nano-Sawdust Composites for Sustainable Thermal Insulation”
• Yilei Shi, associate teaching professor of civil and environmental engineering and undergraduate civil engineering program director, College of Engineering and Computer Science, Syracuse University, “A Pilot Study on Simulated Hygrothermal Behavior of a Novel Sustainable Roof System for Green Buildings”
• Endong Wang, associate professor of sustainable construction, SUNY ESF, “Facilitating Market Penetration of Sustainable Building Retrofitting Through Persuasive Technology”
• Yeqing Wang, assistant professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering, College of Engineering amd Computer Science, Syracuse University, “Renewable and MOF-Coated Highly Porous Delignified Wood Composite for Gas Separation”
• Weiwei Zheng, associate professor of chemistry, College of Arts and Sciences, Syracuse University, “Solid Oxide Fuel Cells for Emission Control Application”

The awards were made possible by funding to support SyracuseCoE activities, awarded by Empire State Development’s Division of Science, Technology and Innovation (NYSTAR).

One of 13 New York State Centers of Excellence, SyracuseCoE strategically brings industry partners together with researchers and students in a thriving culture of collaboration and innovation, ultimately creating new businesses and jobs, strengthening regional and state economies. SyracuseCoE supports growth and innovation through companies and researchers. Since 2002, more than 200 firms and institutions have been engaged in SyracuseCoE collaborative projects, in addition to more than 75 faculty in Central New York. For more information, .

Story by Kai Volcy

Members of the Social Workers United (SWU) student group from Falk College are collecting school supplies for children in Liberia. From left to right, SWU members Carina St. Andrews, Benetta Dousuah, Gideon Casper and Mary Claytor.

The West African nation of Liberia is one of the poorest countries in the world. Seven out of 10 children live in extreme poverty and the educational system has faced many challenges, including a lack of learning materials and school supplies.

Benetta Dousuah

Benetta Dousuah, a graduate student in the in the Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics at Syracuse University, is well aware of the hardships experienced by Liberian families. Dousuah’s family escaped from Liberia during back-to-back civil wars that ravaged the nation between 1989 and 2003, and it took almost a decade at a refugee camp in Ghana before they could immigrate to the United States.

Dousuah is a member of the Social Workers United (SWU) student group from , and she asked the organization to help her with a drive to collect school supplies for children in Liberia.

“Donating school supplies to children in Liberia is an impactful gesture that resonates deeply with me,” Dousuah says. “As someone who fled Liberia during the civil war and found refuge in the United States, I understand firsthand the transformative power of access to education.”

The drive is underway through July 15, and SWU is asking for donations of school supplies: pens, pencils, paper, folders, binders, crayons, backpacks, glue, tape, calculators, sporting goods and scissors. Donations can be dropped off in the School of Social Work Suite 244H in Falk College’s White Hall, or made through SWU’s .

The enduring memories of U.S. Army soldiers providing humanitarian aid in her homeland influenced Dousuah’s decision to . She served as a U.S. Army unit supply specialist–a crucial role in the logistical backbone supporting the U.S. military’s global presence–and the units often play a vital role in humanitarian operations.

“My family’s journey from a refugee camp in Ghana to the United States was made possible by the generosity of others, inspiring me to give back,” Dousuah says. “The school supplies–which will be donated to Victory International Christian School System, Paynesville Harvest Christian Academy and Pamela Kay High School–will directly enrich the educational experiences of countless children. These supplies, ranging from backpacks to writing materials, hold the potential to empower Liberian students and enhance their learning environments.”

Faculty and staff advisors��, �����Ի� advise and support SWU students as they develop service projects, but the students lead the projects.

“Being involved in this donation drive is truly remarkable,” says SWU President Mary Claytor, a graduate assistant in the School of Social Work. “SWU is dedicated to fostering service projects aligned with students’ passions, and Benetta’s contribution exemplifies the limitless potential of our initiatives.”

This the third donation drive organized by SWU this year, following the in the fall and in the spring. It’s the first international drive facilitated by SWU.

Social Workers United students Carina St. Andrews (left) and Gideon Casper are asking members of the campus community to donate school supplies for children in Liberia.

“The students of Social Workers United continue to exemplify the core values of social work: service, social justice, human dignity, the importance of relationships, integrity and competence,” says Genovese, social work associate teaching professor and Master of Social Work Program director. “These key values drive all social workers and can be seen in action in the students of Social Workers United.”

Genovese and Dousuah say it’ll take about three months for the school supplies to reach Liberia by boat, so they’ll be shipped by the end of July to ensure delivery during the school year.

“Personally, I plan to visit Liberia in December to distribute the supplies myself, allowing me to witness firsthand the impact of our collective contribution,” Dousuah says. “By supporting education in Liberia, we are investing in the future of these children and fostering global education equity.

“Together,” Dousuah adds, “we can make a difference in the lives of Liberian students, providing them with the tools they need to build brighter futures.”

U.S. News and World Report has ranked the Syracuse University School of Social Work among the ��in the country. To learn more about the School of Social Work’s academic programs, experiential learning, and career opportunities, visit the .

School of Social Work Professor Eric Kingson (left) and Chair Carrie Smith present Jim Stone with an award for his dedication to the annual Legislative Policy Day event.

When Jim Stone started his first year at Syracuse University in 1958, he had every intention of following in his parents’ footsteps and becoming a teacher.

In his junior year in the University’s School of Education, Stone was required to spend one afternoon a week working with children at a local school or agency and he selected the . That decision started Stone on a career path that led to a long and distinguished career as a social worker and as a member of the Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics . “I really liked that work (at Hillbrook) and, long story short, I decided I wasn’t going to be a teacher, I was going to be a social worker, much to the dismay of my mom and dad, who were both teachers,” says Stone, a Syracuse native who graduated from Syracuse in 1962 and received his master of social work degree in 1964.

Stone’s first field placement as a social work student was with the New York State Division of Youth. His early career was in the juvenile justice system as Onondaga County director of Detention Care and with the state Division of Youth in positions ranging from director of community-based programs to superintendent of the largest training school in the state. He then moved into the mental health field as chief of service in two New York State Office of Mental Health psychiatric centers, and as director of community services for Livingston and Monroe counties. He served as New York State’s Commissioner of Mental Health from 1995-2003 and entered the federal Senior Executive Service until his retirement in 2009. “The marvelous thing about social work personally is that it gave me fabulous opportunities,” says Stone, who now lives in Albany. “I never went to the School of Social Work thinking I’d be the state Commissioner of Mental Health or working for the federal government as director of behavioral health for Indian Health Service.”

But even before he started his social work career, Stone displayed the traits that made him such a respected social worker. After earning his degree, he spent one year as a teacher in the Fayetteville-Manlius Central School District near Syracuse because he had initially received scholarship money toward becoming a teacher. “Nothing bad would have happened if I didn’t accept (the teaching position), but my conscious would have bothered me,” Stone says. “So, I taught for a year, and I had the good fortune of meeting a fellow teacher, Joan Borzelle G’67, and we got married and had three wonderful boys.”

Legislative Policy Day

At Falk College, Stone recently retired after more than 30 years as a volunteer with the School of Social Work Board of Visitors, which evolved into the Falk College Advisory Board when the and other departments joined to create . On April 12, Stone was bestowed with the title of Emeritus Board Member, and Falk Assistant Dean for Advancement says Stone will continue to be invited to Syracuse University and Falk College events and remain available as a sounding board for other board members. “There is no one more deserving of emeritus board member recognition than Jim Stone, and we are forever grateful for his service,” Myers says. “For more than 30 years–even before Falk College was created–Jim has provided leadership and mentorship to our social work students and faculty. His philanthropy and dedication to educating future social work students can be seen every year with the James L. Stone Legislative Policy Day.”

Legislative Policy Day provides School of Social Work undergraduate and graduate students a unique opportunity to witness the real-life involvement of leaders who are actively involved in shaping policies that address an important social issue.

Named after Stone because of his personal and financial support of the event, Legislative Policy Day is an important component of the Social Work curriculum. Held annually at the Onondaga County Courthouse in downtown Syracuse, the event provides Social Work undergraduate and graduate students a unique opportunity to witness the real-life involvement of community leaders, citizen organizations, politicians, and social workers who are actively involved in shaping policies that address an important social issue.

This year marked the 25th Legislative Policy Day and the April 12 event focused on “Social Security Across Generations.” That topic was a fitting tribute to retiring School of Social Work Professor and national Social Security expert , who has worked closely with Stone over the years to build Legislative Policy Day into a signature event for the School of Social Work. “I’ve always been interested in the Legislature and the legislative process, but I had to teach myself about it and Legislative Day gives students a good perspective on what’s out there and how to make connections,” Stone says. “I feel really good about it because the students are getting something out of it. The speakers get something out it, too, because they’re getting a perspective from the students’ point of view.”

This year’s event started with James T. Rowley, chair of the Onondaga County Legislature, describing how the Legislature works and how citizens, community leaders, social workers and other professionals can effectively address county issues and related legislation. That introduction was followed by panel discussions with guest speakers focusing on various perspectives related to social work, including the strategies and efforts of national and local organizations and advocates who work to protect and expand Social Security. “Social workers have a professional responsibility to advance social justice by working to address systemic inequities and strengthen health and human services that individuals, families and communities rely upon,” Kingson says. “Through their practice, they have direct experience with numerous social concerns This event is designed to encourage them to use that knowledge and reinforce how important it is for social workers to be engaged in policy and community change.”

Providing Support

“There is no one more deserving of emeritus board member recognition than Jim Stone, and we are forever grateful for his service,” says Falk College Assistant Dean for Advancement Megan Myers.

During this year’s Legislative Policy Day, Kingson and School of Social Work Professor and Chair presented Stone with an award for his dedication to the annual event. They thanked him for his contributions and, as Kingson said, “we’re all here because of Jim.”

“I’m grateful that over the years, Jim has become a friend,” Kingson says. “He has been very positive and helpful, including making contacts (with guest speakers) for us on some of the legislative days that focused very closely on his areas of knowledge, including mental health.”

In addition to Stone, Kingson and Smith presented an award to the members of the County Legislature and their staff for their support over the years.

“Over the 25 years we’ve held Legislative Policy Day conferences at the County Legislature, we’ve never been charged for use of the county’s historic Legislative Chambers and members and staff have always been very welcoming,” Kingson says. “Each chair of the Legislature has been introduced and presented to the students. It’s a perfect opportunity to educate students about how citizens, advocates, politicians and other professionals engage in policy and community change..”

As they head into their respective retirements, Stone and Kingson will remain connected to the School of Social Work and committed to helping with future Legislative Policy Days as the event grows and evolves.

Most of all, Stone and Kingson remain optimistic about the future of the social work profession and they’re confident that the students who have attended Legislative Policy Day over the years will continue working to create social and economic justice in a diverse and rapidly changing world. “There’s only one direction for it to go, and it is going in that direction,” Stone says. “It has to be there for people. These are particularly difficult times, it seems to me, and people need a lot of support and social work is a profession that can provide that kind of support.”

U.S. News and World Report has ranked the Syracuse University School of Social Work among the “” in the country. To learn more about the School of Social Work’s academic programs, experiential learning and career opportunities, visit the .

From left to right, the Falk College team of students Rylee Pepper and Kristen Davis and professors Lynn Brann and Rachel Razza lead an activity with Universal Pre-Kindergarten students from Elbridge Elementary School as part of the Mindfully Growing program.

Do you like broccoli?

“I touched broccoli with my feet.”

You like eating watermelon, what does it smell like?

��ٲԴǷ�.”

What does snow taste like?

“B���dz����DZ���.”

Welcome to a Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) Age 4 classroom at in Elbridge, New York, where it’s true that kids say the darndest things but with their five senses–sight, smell, hearing, taste and touch–they’re also learning healthy eating habits through the Mindfully Growing program.

The program’s curriculum is being taught by a team of professors and students from Syracuse University who, throughout this school year, have been visiting the UPK Age 4 classrooms at Elbridge Elementary on Thursday mornings. On the morning where broccoli was on the children’s minds, professors and and doctoral student Kristen Davis focused on touch as they hid baby carrots, clementines, and pea pods in a box and the children used their sense of touch to guess what they were.

After guessing the type of food, the children are able to taste it.

After the food was pulled from the box, the children were able to taste it and discover that this healthy stuff isn’t so bad after all.

“The program is getting the students in touch with different ways to experience food,” Davis says. “They’re seeing food in a different way, connecting with where it comes from and ways they can slow down and enjoy it.”

Slowing down and enjoying the food is where the “mindfully” part of the Mindfully Growing program comes into play. The nutrition component is paired with mindfulness practices, which can foster greater empathy and communication skills, improve focus and attention, reduce stress and enhance creativity and general well-being.

“It works because the kids get excited about being included in activities that their friends are enjoying,” says Elbridge UPK Age 4 teacher Mark MacLachlan. “So, when they are offered to try raw shell peas with all of their friends at school, it’s an easy sell.

“Most of the kids really enjoyed them, too,” MacLachlan says.

A Mindful Journey

The Mindfully Growing curriculum was created by Brann, associate professor and Chair of the at the , and Razza, associate professor and chair of the Department of (HDFS) at Falk College whose research focuses on the benefits of mindfulness-based programs for promoting resilience in schools and communities.

The initiative is funded by the Pediatric Nutrition Practice Group of the , and Brann and Razza recently received a grant from the MetLife Foundation through the to ensure the curriculum resonates with marginalized populations.

Brann says the curriculum is focused on 4-year-olds because it’s trying to get young children to develop an understanding of where food comes from and increase their acceptance of a variety of foods before they get set in their ways. The 10 lessons start with the origin of plants, fruits and vegetables, moves into using senses to explore foods, and finishes with lessons on hunger vs. fullness and sharing food together.

“It’s a good time to get them to explore food, and we do a tasting pretty much every lesson so they get an opportunity to try something new,” Brann says. “With this group, almost every one of them has tasted the food and several of them have asked for more, which is pretty exciting to see them being so open to it.”

From left to right, the Falk College team of Rachel Razza, Colleen Smith, Christina McCord, Rylee Pepper, Lynn Brann, and Kristen Davis delivered the Mindfully Growing lessons at Elbridge Elementary School this spring.

Razza says with preschool children ages 3-5, there’s a significant increase in executive function skills, so they’re better able to delay gratification and inhibit their impulses. Thus, the interventions offered by the Mindfully Growing curriculum are important to introduce to this group of students.

“Can they control their impulses and self-regulate overall and also in the food context?” Razza says. “Lynn and I have been working to determine the overlaps between these two areas and how we can use intervention to simultaneously enhance both of them.”

While Brann, Razza and Davis are with one UPK class for 30 minutes, the other class is having a 30-minute yoga lesson with yoga instructor Colleen Smith from BeLive Yoga (beliveyoga@icloud.com) and undergraduate student Christina McCord from Falk College’s . Smith, who has been teaching yoga and mindfulness to preschool children in the for several years, helped connect Brann and Razza to Superintendent James Froio and Elementary School Principal Brooke Bastian because, as Smith says, she “continues to be impressed by their support of students and their willingness to offer yoga and programs or events that supplement the students’ daily education.”

In her yoga sessions, Smith says she helps the children learn how to self-regulate their bodies, breath and even emotions as she tries to “meet the children where they are” by matching their energy level and then bringing them to a brief time of rest.

“One thing that can be difficult for them is trying new experiences and foods,” Smith says. “The yoga and mindfulness lessons can help children pay attention to their bodies, thoughts and breath in the moment so they can self-regulate and make healthy and appropriate choices when presented with new or challenging experiences like a mindful eating lesson.”

Bastian, who’s in her fourth year as principal and 11th in the district, says Elbridge Elementary School has a unique UPK program because it offers a full day for both 3- and 4-year olds. Bastian says she and the teachers have enjoyed the partnership with Syracuse because they know the positive impacts that early intervention can have on students. “Mindfulness is a focus in UPK to help promote self-regulation, and when mindfulness is approached in a holistic��way it can have a greater impact,” Bastian says. “We want children to develop��healthy habits in general so food, which is highly��motivating, is a great way to begin that mindful journey.”

For the remainder of this story on the Mindfully Growing program, please visit the .

Juan Felipe Herrera

As a “natural wonderer, dreamer, traveler… mega listener…and only child,” poet grew up in California’s and “listening to everything and everyone,” he says, and those habits led him “to the magical lands of words, stories, ideas, books, songs, riddles and ultimately writing.”

Herrera, the 2015-17 U.S. Poet Laureate, will be in Syracuse this week as the opening poet for the 2024 Cruel April Poetry Series.

Herrera will lead creative writing workshops for students and community members on Wednesday, April 3,�����Ի� Friday, April 5. Both sessions are from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at , 109 Otisco Street in Syracuse.

His public poetry reading is Thursday, , from 6 to 8 p.m., also at La Casita.

We sat down with Herrera to discuss his poetry and creative work and learn about his creative process.

More than 250 people–including individuals, couples, parents and children–attended Trans Support Day in April 2023, and organizer , Ph.D., says the Trans Team is looking to top last year’s turnout at the 2024 event. This year’s Trans Support Day will be held from noon to 4 p.m. on March 23 at Peck Hall, 601 E. Genesee St., just north of the Syracuse University campus. The event is free and open to the public.

“I feel like it’s going to be a really powerful community event like it was last year,” says Martin, an assistant teaching professor in the Department of Marriage and Family Therapy in the . “This event offers a space filled with hope, positivity and community support.”

More than 250 people–including individuals, couples, parents, and children–attended Trans Support Day in April 2023 at Syracuse University’s Peck Hall in downtown Syracuse.

Attendees at this year’s Trans Support Day will have the opportunity to connect with local trans-affirming providers and resources; receive name and gender marker legal support; access free clothing and makeup; get free services from hair, nail and makeup artists; access trans-affirming products; receive therapeutic support for parents of trans youth; and have a space for youth to connect.

As a new feature, the Trans Team has invited two world-renowned local surgeons to share their expertise with attendees interested in gender-affirming surgery. Other guests will include post-surgical providers from Upstate University Hospital’s and , and representatives from , a not-for-profit organization that promotes the health and well-being of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning people in Central New York as they age.

Martin says events such as Trans Support Day are more important than ever as members of the trans community experience societal and legislative discrimination in the United States. According to the , more than 500 bills in over 40 states have been introduced seeking to block trans people from receiving basic healthcare, education, legal recognition and the right to publicly exist. Several similar bills were signed into law in 2023.

New York is one of a handful of states where no anti-trans bills have been passed. But accessing resources such as the ones that will be available at Trans Support Day remains an issue for trans people everywhere.

“In my clinical practice, I connect with other therapists, and we often collaborate with other local resources and providers,” Martin says. “However, I learned that often clients are not aware of these services and allies available to them in Syracuse.

“I wanted to create an event that brought everyone together in one room,” Martin adds. “Although we have different expertise and resources, we all have one common goal, to improve the well-being and support the transgender community.”

, Ph.D., an MFT associate professor, founded the Trans Team in 2004. The team is part of the Syracuse University in Peck Hall, and students on the team receive specialized training to provide gender-affirmative therapy for transgender people and their families and assist in the readiness process for medical gender transition.

Coolhart says the 2023 Trans Support Day was a huge success thanks to the leadership and efforts of Martin and marriage and family therapy students, faculty and staff. In the previous Trans Support Day in 2019, the attendance was 40 people, so the event is growing significantly and assisting more members of the trans community.

“The current political landscape for trans folks is threatening and scary, making this event so necessary and special,” Coolhart said after last year’s event. “In a world that often does not welcome trans people, I could see on the faces of the guests the gratitude, validation, and support they felt having a space that was celebrating them and connecting them to the resources they need.”

Together, they have created a new and innovative partnership starting this spring that will greatly benefit veterans as well as students from the in the .

Nick Armstrong (left) and Ken Marfilius

Marfilius, a U.S. Air Force veteran and assistant dean of online education and associate teaching professor in the School of Social Work, and Amstrong, a U.S. Army veteran and head of public sector at , teamed with Cabana co-founder and CEO to form a partnership that will integrate their immersive group support technology into the School of Social Work’s curriculum and tap into the combined strengths and capabilities of both organizations.

“Our collaboration with Ken and Falk leverages our immersive support technology platform, Cabana, and combines it with Syracuse University’s academic excellence and its nationally recognized commitment to veterans,” Armstrong says. “Our plan includes hands-on initiatives such as internships, collaborative education and joint research. These efforts will bring our partnership to fruition and strengthen our shared commitment to serving military communities.”

As Syracuse University’s first Post 9/11 GI Bill recipient, Armstrong earned an M.P.A. and Ph.D. from the . He spent nine years at Syracuse’s before joining Cabana, which builds innovative technology solutions that provide guided mental health support for employers, health care workers and military professionals.

Marfilius, who received a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Syracuse and M.S.W. and D.S.W. degrees from the University of Pennsylvania, developed the first military mental health course at the Falk College, serves as Falk’s student veteran liaison, and led the creation of the partnership between Falk and the University’s College of Law that helps�� veterans access the legal services they need.

So, when Armstrong reached out to Marfilius to discuss ways in which they could partner around the services Cabana provides to military populations, Marfilius jumped right in and started working with Armstrong and Black on the framework for their collaboration.

“I believe the partnership between Cabana and the Falk College is innovative in social work education and mental wellness,” Marfilius says. “It offers the ability to integrate real-world internships and cutting-edge tele-mental health training into our curriculum. We can prepare our graduate students for the future of social work, ensuring they are not only skilled but also technologically adept.”

Cabana’s immersive group support technology for clients includes a video component (center), a chat feature (right) and the functionality to be anonymous and mute your microphone within the group setting (left).

Here are the highlights of this unique partnership:

• Cabana Internship. Cabana will host one graduate student intern from the School of Social Work to support ongoing peer group support operations and psychoeducational content development. The intern will work under the supervision of Cabana’s head of mental wellness for a minimum of 500 hours.

• Tele-Mental Health Training and Education Support. Cabana will collaborate with the Falk College faculty to embed its immersive group support technology into ongoing coursework and curricula to foster training and preparation of future social work professionals.

“The tele-behavioral health landscape is evolving rapidly, demanding practitioner and client adaptability to virtual environments,” Armstrong says. “Our partnership infuses Falk’s curriculum with leading-edge tools via Cabana’s underlying technology platform, better preparing students for client engagements through digital platforms.

“Moreover, Falk students, equipped with an advanced tier of military cultural competence, will enhance our clients’ experiences—and their future clients—with more relatable, informed support that builds trust and overcomes stigma,” Armstrong says.

• Military and Veteran Virtual Peer Groups. Cabana will work with Falk faculty and its alumni network to assist ongoing virtual peer support groups for military and veterans starting this spring.

“This collaboration aligns with the Syracuse University mission to be the best place for vets, and it uniquely positions us to offer specialized support to our military and veteran communities,” Marfilius says. “Through virtual peer support groups and the development of tailored psychoeducational content, we are providing them with the essential mental health support they deserve.”

• Military and Veteran Psychoeducational Content Development. Cabana will work with Falk College faculty to review and evaluate Cabana content as a third-party reviewer.

“Engaging with industry partners allows us to bring practical, real-world experiences into our academic environment,” Marfilius says. “This partnership brings vast possibilities for research collaborations and advancement in peer interventions and group psychoeducation.”

• CEU/Education Credits. Falk College faculty will provide feedback, evaluate and, where appropriate, certify Cabana groups and content to satisfy New York State CEU (continuing education unit) requirements for well-being hours.

• Research Collaborations. As opportunities arise for Cabana and the Falk College, the two entities agree to evaluate research collaborations and grant opportunities surrounding peer interventions, group psychoeducation and other forms of mental health support.

“This collaboration aims to address the critical national shortage of mental health professionals, leveraging technology to extend reach and overcome barriers to access, especially for underserved populations,” Armstrong says. “It’s not just about serving more; it’s about serving smarter and cultivating a workforce ready for the challenges of today’s and tomorrow’s mental health landscape.”

Social work students interested in getting involved in this partnership should email Marfilius at kjmarfil@syr.edu, or School of Social Work Director of Field Education Tracy Walker at ttwalker@syr.edu. Graduate students interested in the internship will go through an interview process with the School of Social Work and Cabana, and the intern will receive a modest stipend.

Social Workers United students from Falk College celebrated Valentine’s Day and Mardi Gras with residents from Brookdale Summerfield Senior Living in Syracuse.

This was going to be a story about the Social Workers United student group from the and how it once again organized an event to benefit the Syracuse community.

And it still is.

But if you dig deeper, this story is much more than that.

It’s about how these students “continue to exemplify the values of social work: service, commitment to clients, and social justice,” says , school of social work assistant teaching professor and master of social work program director who oversees Social Workers United (SWU).

It’s about a woman named Dolly, a resident of in Syracuse who, before SWU students came to visit on Feb. 13, hadn’t celebrated Valentine’s Day since her husband died.

And it’s about the kindness that Dolly showed her students as a teacher years ago, the kindness that SWU students showed Dolly and her friends on Feb. 13, and the hope that even with the politics, wars and mass shootings that dominate our headlines today, kindness is still all around us.

“We are so proud of our future social workers,” Genovese says. “They are shining a light toward a brighter future.”

‘An Amazing Group’

SWU is the student group of the in Falk College. Each semester, the students organize a food or clothing drive, and this past fall they collected food for the which helps students experiencing food insecurity.

Faculty advisors , , and Genovese advise and support the SWU students as they develop service projects, but the students lead the projects. For their first project of the spring semester, the students arranged a Valentine’s Day event for the residents of Brookdale Summerfield, an adult home and adult home memory care community for seniors.

Social Workers United students delivered handmade Valentine’s Day cards with personal messages, heart-shaped donuts, and balloons to the Brookdale residents.

On Feb. 13, the SWU students delivered handmade Valentine’s Day cards with personal messages, heart-shaped donuts and balloons to the Brookdale residents, who were already celebrating Mardi Gras. SWU’s arrival added a boost to the celebration.

“The valentines were collected in the social work office, and I really thought one student, (SWU president) Mary Claytor, was just going to drop them off at Brookdale,” Genovese says. “I had no idea the entire group of students was going and bringing balloons and donuts. The students organized all of this and paid for it themselves as SWU does not receive funding. They are an amazing group!”

Claytor, a first-year graduate student and graduate assistant who’s on track to obtain a master’s degree in social work, says when the students arrived, each one went to a different table to deliver their cards and engage in conversations. It didn’t take long before one of the residents shared a story about receiving two purple hearts from his service in World War II.

“There were so many incredible stories and lots of laughter,” says Claytor, who’s from Denver, Colorado. “Some folks were so surprised that we would dedicate time to them and asked for us to come back soon! It was a great experience, and we were happy to do something special for a group of people who did not expect to be celebrated.”

‘A Calling to Help’

Keianah Greene, who is pursuing a master’s degree in clinical social work, entered the room with the other SWU students and went to a table where she met Dolly and her friends. Dolly said she hadn’t celebrated Valentine’s Day since her husband passed, but when she learned the students were coming, she wanted to attend and learn more about them.

Greene, who’s from the Bronx, New York, and now lives in Syracuse, explained why she wants to be a social worker before they discussed family and how important it is to be loving, kind and optimistic despite our daily struggles.

“Dolly mentioned that she was a middle school teacher in Birmingham, Alabama and that her mother had told her at an early age that she had a calling to help people,” Greene says. “She also mentioned the number of children she worked with and how they used school as an escape from problems they were having at home. So she always made sure to bring extra supplies for her classroom such as clothing, snacks and other necessities.”

Social Workers United student Keianah Greene (third from left) and Brookdale resident Dolly (second from left) had a heart-to-heart conversation about caring for other people.

Dolly told Greene that caring for others is fulfilling, but making sure that all the children in her classroom were included was challenging. Dolly emphasized the value of support systems and self-care for social workers and other caregivers.

“You can’t care for anyone if you don’t take care of yourself first,” Dolly told Greene.

As Greene was saying goodbye, Dolly told her that on this Valentine’s Day, she felt like she was reunited with her husband.

“She was happy to say that she knew this was her husband’s sign to come meet us (the students), and that our heart-to-heart conversation meant a lot,” Greene says. “I’m glad that I was able to learn from her and also spread the love.”

‘Brightens Their Day’

During their visit, Claytor spoke with Brookdale’s activities director about other ways the students might be able to get involved with the residents.

They discussed Brookdale’s game-and-movie nights, which would be an opportunity for students to engage with residents in a fun way. They talked about students helping the residents start a new garden with flowers, fruits and vegetables when the weather gets warmer.

Claytor assured the director that the students would be happy to help in any way possible.

“During our conversation, she mentioned that the residents often feel forgotten,” Claytor says. “They miss socializing with new people and having stimulating conversations about the future. She explained that it brightens their day when visitors come to see them, especially students.”

Kindness, it seems, is not a relic of the past that’s being thrown out with landline telephones, DVDs and alarm clocks. It’s all around us; we must know where to look.

Visit the to learn more about the School of Social Work and its academic programs, experiential learning, and career opportunities.

To assist individuals and families who are in need of winter outerwear, Syracuse University is again partnering with and for .

The coat collection drive will take place at the Syracuse men’s basketball game on Saturday, Jan. 27, versus North Carolina State. As attendees arrive for the 7 p.m. tipoff, they can bring with them new or gently used (like new) coats. Donation bins will be placed strategically around the JMA Wireless Dome at gates A, B, C, D, E, F, M and N.

“No one should go without the warm clothing they need for the winter months,”��says Dr. Ruth Chen, professor of practice in the , who helped establish the Operation Orange Warmup initiative. “Syracuse University is proud to partner with Interfaith Works and Hendricks Chapel to ensure not only the needs of our campus community but also the broader Syracuse community are met.”

Student volunteers from groups across the University will help with the collection effort. Additionally, members of the JMA Dome staff will manage the sorting and laundering of the donations.

If you are not planning on attending the game but want to donate, starting Tuesday, Jan. 23, through Friday, Jan. 26, at Hendricks Chapel, the Schine Student Center on main campus, Goldstein Student Center on South Campus and the Nancy Cantor Warehouse.

Members of the campus community who have a personal need for donated winter coats may contact Hendricks Chapel at 315.443.2901 �ǰ���chapel@syr.edu.

Through the generosity of Orange fans and the entire Syracuse University community, we can share the warmth with those in need this winter!

A Book Buddies volunteer helps build literacy skills over lunch. (Photo courtesy of the United Way)

Early literacy is paramount to a child’s future success, but from The Education Trust-New York shows the state is facing a “literacy crisis that has the potential to limit the future success of students, families, schools and communities.”

This problem is particularly prevalent in communities with the highest concentrations of child poverty, including Syracuse, where only 13% of students demonstrate third grade proficiency rates on state English language arts assessments, according to the data.

A community initiative sponsored by the United Way of Central New York——is working to reverse these trends within the Syracuse City School District (SCSD) by supporting the early literacy skills of 500 kindergarten through third grade students across five SCSD primary schools: Roberts Pre-K-8 School, Seymour Dual Language Academy, Delaware Primary, STEAM @ Dr. King Elementary and Dr. Weeks Elementary School.

To achieve this goal, Book Buddies is recruiting additional volunteers in the Syracuse community. The time commitment is minimal, requiring just 30-60 minutes once or twice per week to visit one of the participating schools and work with students to build reading skills during their lunch break.

University students, faculty and staff are encouraged to volunteer as they think about how they might like to give back and make a difference in the community in 2024.

“Book Buddies has the potential to have a tremendous impact on children in our community, helping address the critical issue of reading literacy among elementary school students in Syracuse,” says Cydney Johnson ’77, G’96, vice president of community engagement and government relations. “With a small commitment of their time each week, volunteers are able to build meaningful relationships with students in the program and have a lifelong impact on their future trajectory by building literacy and confidence in their reading abilities.”

Eric Kay, senior human resources business partner in the University’s Office of Human Resources, recently began volunteering with Book Buddies. Newer to the Syracuse area, he says it has been an easy, fun and rewarding way to connect with the community.

“The children I’ve been working with seem to enjoy reading—as volunteers, we’re just there to help them become a bit better at it,” Kay says. “A little help goes a long way. Both of the children I’m working with, you can tell there’s that moment when they’re happy they got it right. A little praise and positive feedback help reinforce that they’re making progress.”

Jeffry Comanici ’88, G’23, executive director of post traditional advancement in the College of Professional Studies, says that volunteering with Book Buddies is one of the highlights of his week.

“Spending a short time each week with Spring and Elijah, two students at the Dr. King STEAM School, is an opportunity to experience firsthand the future potential of children,” Comanici says. “Seeing their reading ability improve and the self confidence that results from it is energizing and motivates me to do more.”

Undergraduate students in the School of Education also regularly volunteer with the Book Buddies program, giving pre-service teachers an opportunity to get direct field experience working with K-12 students. Read more about the experiences of students in the inclusive elementary and special education (grades 1-6) program during the spring 2023 semester.

Interested in learning more? Visit or use the to get started right away! If you prefer to monetarily support the program, you can also .

NYSCA also awarded a $40,000 Organizational Support grant to an interdisciplinary art and storytelling collaboration by faculty from the College of Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) and the School of Education and a separate, $20,000 award to Punto de Contacto/Point of Contact Inc.

This is a record-setting achievement for the University, since it marks the second year in a row that five faculty have received the highly competitive NYSCA awards, says Sarah Workman, associate director of research development (humanities) in the Office of Research and College of Arts and Sciences.

Duncan Brown, vice president for research, says the grants represent “an investment in the vibrant and diverse artistic voices of our faculty.”

“The breadth of this year’s awardees reflects our continued excellence in engaged scholarship in the arts, both by scholars working independently and by those working in unique collaborations— from the College of Arts and Sciences, the School of Architecture, the College of Visual and Performing Arts and the School of Education,” Brown says.

Individual Artist Grants

Individual Artist grant awardees are:

Clockwise from top left: VPA faculty members Ann Clarke, Natalie Draper, Anne Laver, Susannah Sayler and Edward Morris

, associate professor of studio arts and dean emerita of VPA, for an outdoor textile installation, “Interior Landscapes.” She is using the concept of landscape writ large as a metaphor for states of mind to create sanctuary settings for reflection on the environment and the self. The installation will be developed at Stone Quarry Art Park in Cazenovia, New York.

VPA faculty members , associate professor of applied music and performance (organ), and , assistant professor of music composition/theory and history, for their project, “Reimagining the Organ—A Composer Portrait Project by Anne Laver and Natalie Draper.” Draper will write three new musical works that expand and diversify the classical organ repertoire. The pieces will be part of a new commercial recording and a contemporary music festival.

Canary Lab co-directors and VPA faculty members , associate professor of art photography, and��received a grant for their project, “Watershed.” The work reflects on the historical, spiritual and ecological significance of the Mahikannituk (Hudson) River through photography, video, writing and a program of public engagement.

, assistant professor of architecture at the School of Architecture, for the narrative documentary podcast “Here There Be Dragons: Odes(s)a, Film, Media and New Technology.” The podcast explores contemporary urban territories and engages listeners in the concept of security narratives. Season four is about Odesa, Ukraine.

Jess Myers (School of Architecture), left, and Dana Spiotta (College of Arts and Sciences)

, professor of English in the College of Arts and Sciences, f�ǰ���“Mutual,”��a novel about multiple generations of a family in New York. The book engages with historical and personal forms of amnesia, notions of belonging, solitude and community.

Organizational Support Grants

The $40,000 Organizational Support grant was awarded to��, assistant professor of art therapy at VPA (as principal investigator), and��, ��assistant professor of educational leadership in the��School of Education (as co-principal investigator). The grant is for their research work and curriculum development project, “This Woman’s Work: Elevating Black Women Voices in CNY Through Visual Storytelling, Freedom Makerspaces and Community Arts.”

From left: Courtney Mauldin (School of Education), Rochele Royster (VPA) and Tere Paniagua (Point of Contact)

They plan to unearth historical and present-day stories regarding abolition, health disparities and anti-Black violence and connect a cohort of oral historians with local artists to create an interactive arts exhibition. They will also co-create open art studio/makerspaces, host intergenerational storytelling workshops and create curricula for public schools and libraries to chronicle the narratives, history and artwork to create a more complete picture of local history through the lived experiences of Black women.

At Point of Contact, the award will support the organization’s annual programs in literacy and visual arts and its work as a forum for community collaboration and open dialogue, says , executive director, cultural engagement for the Hispanic community.

Following a meal and time for interfaith conversation, the students traveled to the East Syracuse headquarters of the We Rise Above The Streets Recovery Outreach nonprofit organization, where they worked together to fill bags with hygiene items, warm socks and snacks to be distributed during the organization’s Thanksgiving outreach event that would be held later that week.

Students and Hendricks Chapel chaplains and staff members engage in interfaith dialogue. (Photo by Micah Greenberg ’26)

The idea for an interfaith day of service and learning started this past summer with the Muslim Student Association and Syracuse Hillel, due in part to the strong relationship of Rabbi Ethan Bair and Imam Amir Durić. While the original plan was for a Muslim and Jewish partnership event, over the past weeks Bair, Durić and their respective student leaders felt it was important to broaden the event to include more than the Muslim and Jewish campus communities.

“To share the experience with other groups was, in my view, a most wonderful idea,” says Hendricks Chapel Dean Brian Konkol. “We then invited all 25 religious and spiritual life groups associated with Hendricks Chapel to attend, and the Interfaith Day of Service and Learning was supported by representatives of various traditions and identities.”

During the luncheon conversation in the Hendricks Chapel Noble Room, students gathered into smaller groups of three to four people for discussion, including things about others’ faith traditions that they admire. “It was a wonderful way to embrace connections by embracing conversations,” Konkol says.

Finished bags packed by students from Hendricks Chapel. (Photo by Micah Greenberg ’26)

When the students arrived in East Syracuse, they were warmly welcomed by Al-amin Muhammad, founder and executive director of We Rise Above The Streets. The nonprofit organization provides assistance to the unhoused and underrepresented in the community, particularly through its “Sandwich Saturday” program and other initiatives.

Muhammad shared his personal experience of being unhoused for a decade. He was able to turn his life around, embrace his faith and graduate from college. He is now a full-time advocate and activist, and, since moving to Syracuse in 2015, has led outreach efforts to thousands of individuals and food-insecure families.

In speaking with the students about his experiences and his work, Muhammad encouraged them to “attach empathy” to all that they do.

Krutartha Nagesh ’25, a computer science major in the , identifies with the Hindu tradition. “The culture and tradition that I come from places Mukti (liberation) as the highest goal in one’s life,” Nagesh says. “The ancient yet timeless wisdom of the Rishis (enlightened beings) recognizes Karma Yoga as one of the paths to achieving this ultimate goal. It is the path of service and selfless action for the upliftment and well-being of all life.”

Participants in the Interfaith Day of Service at We Rise Above the Streets gather for a group photo. (Photo by Micah Greenberg ’26)

Nagesh says the day was a chance for all of those participating to walk the path of Karma. “It allowed me to keep myself aside; my likes and dislikes, my identifications and biases, to do something that will positively impact the local Syracuse area. I got to experience how seva (selfless action) can not only make a difference in the community but can also bring people from diverse backgrounds together.”

“Attaching empathy to everything that we do, in my opinion, can only happen when our sense of inclusion expands. To have an expanded sense of inclusion, we need to keep our differences aside and see how we can relate with each other,” Nagesh says. “To me, Al-amin Muhammad is a Karma Yogi. I wish to be one myself and also hope to inspire others around me to also take up the responsibility of selflessly serving others so this planet can thrive.”

Julia Ronkin ’24, an inclusive elementary and special education major in the , identifies with Jewish tradition. She took part in the day of service mainly for two reasons. “The first being that I believe interfaith work is so important for students on campus to take part in. In a time where there is so much divide, we as young people can show that there is unity and support for one another on our campus. My second reason for participating is the positive impact of connecting with other students in the broader context of the Syracuse community,” she says.

Mian Muhammad Abdul Hamid ’25, an information management and technology major in the , is of the Muslim tradition. He participated in an interfaith community service event last year with Hillel packaging diapers.

“I know we all share a common interest and goal; to serve the community for the greater good. … During and after the event, I was thinking in my head, ‘this seems like something I can do.’ Just packaging items for the community whilst having a conversation with a peer from another faith was definitely a fun way to bond and was therapeutic.”

Al-amin Muhammad’s encouragement to “attach empathy” to all that they do struck a chord with Hamid. “I was thinking of packaging everything with love and care. ‘The juices I was packing in every bag are going to someone who will really enjoy it—someone who is in need,’ I thought,” Hamid says. “Hence, whilst packaging every item, I made sure to be packaging everything with love and for the sake of God. In my faith, ‘Sadaqah’ or charity, is a notable act that one can do to increase the consciousness of God. Moving forward, I am thinking about ways to help the community—not just from a faith standpoint, but to those who are less fortunate.”

The day was also an important one for the chaplains who participated. “I was grateful to serve our community alongside my friends. I admire the work that each of our chaplains puts into supporting and mentoring their faith communities,” says Christian Protestant Chaplain Devon Bartholomew. “This service opportunity gave me time reflect on the incredibly important work that I get to be part of at Syracuse University.”

Konkol was inspired by watching the students engaging in service and learning. “I believe the students chose to model the type of world they wish to live in, rather than mirror the type of world they currently live within, and in doing so they are indeed an example for others to follow,” he says. “They showed that one can be both committed and compassionate, devout and curious, faithful and hospitable. Once again, I am left honored to witness such outstanding students choosing to lead in service to our common good through religious and spiritual life.”

Volunteers working hard to fill pantry boxes. (Photo courtesy of Salvation Army)

For those looking to voluntarily contribute to the distribution of holiday items to local nonprofit organizations in Syracuse, the makes this seamless. “As the holiday season approaches for this year, the Office of Community Engagement encourages the campus community to consider sharing with our neighbors in the City of Syracuse and the surrounding Central New York region,” says Cydney Johnson, vice president of community engagement and government relations. “Your gift of funds, items and time can make a difference in the lives of our neighbors, many of whom are in need this year. As One University, we all can make a positive impact on our community.” Participation opportunities are available this year with PEACE, Inc., The Salvation Army�����Ի� the Hendricks Chapel Food Pantry.

Here are the ways individuals, departments or schools and colleges can help a family in need this holiday season:

PEACE, Inc.

, is a nonprofit, community-based organization with the mission of helping people in the community realize their potential for becoming self-sufficient.

Give-A-Holiday

• This program offers individuals and groups the opportunity to brighten up the holidays for families in need by supplying gifts during the holiday season in the form of a gift basket or a monetary donation. Syracuse University employees can .
• Monetary donations can also be made online on the .

For more information or questions, please contact PEACE, Inc. at 315.634.3740 or giveaholiday@peace-caa.org.

The Salvation Army

is a nonprofit organization dedicated to meeting human needs without discrimination and encouraging and empowering those in need to reach their full potential.

• Each year, The Salvation Army of Syracuse helps provide Christmas food and toys to nearly 10,000 people with the help of dozens of community partners. There are several ways you can help brighten the holidays for others including the annual or .
• Monetary donations can also be made online on .

For additional information or questions, please contact Deanna Delmonico at 315.479.1162 or deanna.delmonico@use.salvationarmy.org.

Hendricks Chapel Food Pantry

The supports Syracuse University students by providing access to fresh and shelf-stable goods as well as personal care items. So far in the 2023 academic year, the pantry receives anywhere from 100-250 student visitors per week. There are currently two food pantries on campus, directly across from the dean’s suite in Hendricks Chapel and on South Campus. Both pantries rely on monetary and food donations. Monetary donations are used to buy items like fresh produce, protein bars, soups, pasta, snacks and personal hygiene items.

Hendricks Chapel relies on generous donations from the Syracuse University community to stock the food pantry. Ways to support the food pantry include:

• Donating food or personal care items: Physical donations may be dropped off at the Hendricks Chapel Dean’s suite. Items may also be ordered through our , which ships items directly to the pantry. All are encouraged to donate to the��.
• Donating financially:��All are encouraged to donate to the��. If you are a campus partner, Hendricks Chapel is now able to accept fund transfers to a Food Pantry operational account.��Please reach out to the Chapel Budget Manager, Maureen Verone at��mverone@syr.edu��to administer a journal entry.��Your donations are most welcome and appreciated.
• Holding a food and toiletry drive: Student groups, residence hall floors, offices and departments can hold food and toiletry drives to benefit the food pantry. Reach out to Leondra Tyler to learn how you can “Adopt-A-Month” for the pantry.

• , director of the Goldring Arts Journalism and Communications program at Newhouse, was quoted in the Associated Press story “.”
• , associate professor of law, was interviewed for The New York Times story ““
• , a professor in the history department at Maxwell, was featured in the Al Jazeera article “‘.”
• , chief operating officer at the D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families, was for the 22nd anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.
• , professor of environmental systems in the College of Engineering, spoke with Salon for the story ““
• , an assistant professor of biology in the College of Arts and Sciences, was in the EcoWatch article “.”
• , professor at the College of Law and director of the Syracuse Intellectual Property Law Institute, was interviewed for the Bloomberg Law story “.”
• , professor of practice & chair, music industry & technologies at the Setnor School of Music, was quoted in the Lifewire story “.”
• , vice president of community engagement and government relations, was on discussing Syracuse’s partnership with the Salvation Army.
• , teaching professor at the College of Law, was in the Fortune story “”
  
• , Esther M. Larsen faculty fellow in the humanities and assistant professor, was quoted in and
• , head of digital stewardship and the digital library program at the Libraries, was featured in Yahoo Finance’s story “.”
• , associate teaching professor in Falk College, was quoted in the Better Homes and Gardens story “”
• Carrie Mae Weems, Syracuse University artist in residence, was featured in the New York Times for the article “.”
• , professor of political science in the Maxwell School was interviewed by Inside Higher Ed for the article
• , Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion, was quoted in the in Senior Executive story “ ”
• , associate professor in the iSchool, was interviewed by Agence France-Presse for the story “.”
• , founding director of the Bleier Center for Television and Popular Culture and a Trustee Professor of Television and Popular Culture at Newhouse, was quoted in , , , , , , (Dallas), and (Los Angeles).

To get in touch and learn more about Syracuse University faculty members available for interviews, please contact��media@syr.edu.

Cydney Johnson, vice president of community engagement and government relations, invites not only the campus community, but also the broader Syracuse community to get involved. “You never know who might be struggling with food insecurity, which is why we hope to bring awareness to this issue by supporting the important and ongoing work that many are doing to combat hunger,” Johnson says.

Hendricks Chapel Food Pantry (Photo courtesy of Hendricks Chapel)

To kick off the events, on Thursday, Sept. 7, at 8 a.m., the Office of Community Engagement will host its , featuring guest speakers Rev. Brian Konkol, dean of , talking about the chapel’s , and , professor of food studies in the , will discuss her research and work in food studies.

The next event on Friday, Sept. 8, will be hosted by the . From 10 a.m. until noon, the Food Pantry staff will host an open house to raise awareness about food insecurity, share about their work to serve students and receive donations from those seeking to contribute. The Food Pantry will also be open from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. to provide food for those experiencing food insecurity.

If you are unable to attend the open house but would still like to contribute to the Hendricks Chapel Food Pantry, donations are accepted both at the food pantry and at a .

Volunteers accept donations during the 2022 food drive. (Photo courtesy of the Office of Community Engagement)

Finally, on Saturday, Sept. 9, before the Syracuse Football team takes on Western Michigan at 3:30 p.m. in the JMA Wireless Dome, the Office of Community Engagement and the Salvation Army will host a food drive. Those planning on attending the game are asked to bring with them non-perishable foods to donate. The items that are needed the most include the following:

• Rice
• Cereal
• Pasta sauce
• Canned fruit
• Peanut butter
• Macaroni and cheese
• Juice

“The food pantry at has been serving approximately 1,200 individuals each month, and the need continues to rise,” says Deanna Delmonico, public relations and donor relations manager. “Partnerships such as this one with Syracuse University are extremely important to bring awareness to this issue, and to help ensure that we can keep our shelves stocked and never have to turn away a hungry neighbor. We are so grateful to our community for helping us do the most good in Syracuse.”

There will be ten different drop-off locations strategically placed around campus and in several��parking lots:

• The Quad
• Ernie Davis Statue
• Front of Carnegie Library
• Gate G
• Corner of Forestry Drive and Irving Avenue, near Sadler Hall
• In front of the Irving Garage on Irving Avenue
• Corner of the Quad lot near the Physics building and across from Falk College
• Comstock Lot
• Colvin Lot
• Skytop Lot

In addition to the food barrels, the Salvation Army will be on hand with red kettles accepting monetary donations. No cash? No problem! The Salvation Army also now offers a tap and go payment option to make donations.

Finally, during the halftime of the football game, J. Michael Haynie,��vice chancellor for strategic initiatives and innovation, will be presenting Konkol; Kaleya Scott, engagement coordinator at Hendricks Chapel; and Leondra Tyler, student coordinator at Hendricks Chapel, with a certificate to recognize the hard work of the food pantry. Simultaneously, the video board in the JMA Wireless Dome will recognize additional community organizations working to combat food insecurity.

For questions about any of the events during this three-day period, contact Jake Losowski, community engagement coordinator, at jjlosows@syr.edu or 315.443.4137.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) , the fourth time the ULSAMP program has been funded. Syracuse University leads the program, which also involves Clarkson University, Cornell University, Monroe Community College, Onondaga Community College, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Rochester Institute of Technology.

ULSAMP program participant Donyell Logan received the Chancellor’s Citation for Student Research award from University Chancellor Kent Syverud in 2023. The award recognized Logan’s research in inorganic chemistry.

The program promotes practices that increase the number of students from ULSAMP populations in STEM majors; increases the number of underrepresented students entering STEM careers or graduate-level programs; and conducts and disseminates scholarly research to assess the impact of research experiences for undergraduates on their graduate enrollment and completion.

, vice chancellor, provost and chief academic officer, says, “Syracuse University is proud to have this important grant renewed for a fourth time. Its objectives mirror the University’s crucial missions to expand education in the STEM fields, broaden educational opportunities for underrepresented communities, boost levels of research and creative activity and continue productive alliances with the wider community. We are proud to have led this initiative for 16 years now and to work with alliance partners on these important goals.”

School of Education Leadership

The University’s LSAMP program is housed in the School of Education’s . The program has been highly successful in increasing the enrollment, retention, graduation and graduate-school enrollment of underrepresented STEM students. When the program began in 2007, ULSAMP institutions enrolled 1,943 underrepresented STEM students in undergraduate programs and awarded 249 bachelor’s degrees. By 2020, those numbers increased to 3,891 students enrolled and 700 degrees awarded, according to Syracuse University co-principal investigator and ULSAMP program director.

The renewed NSF funding is essential to the achievements of the Upstate LSAMP program, Hamilton says. “We are excited to be able to continue this great work. This funding has allowed us to increase the number of underrepresented minority students who are pursuing STEM fields, support student transition from community colleges to four-year institutions, boost undergraduate research and graduate school preparation and provide students with leadership and professional development opportunities. Program funding has also helped us expand collaborations across our campuses and with our industry and government partners,” Hamilton says.

Student Research Opportunities

ULSAMP research scholars Kaura Reyes (top) and Jazmine Richardson (at right below)

The ULSAMP program operates several programs that encourage participation in robust research activities in the STEM fields. They include an undergraduate research program where students participate in projects with distinguished faculty; a summer experience providing paid research experience and networking with faculty and staff; an annual symposium that recognizes elite scholars’ participation in research projects on and off campus; reimbursement of funds for students to travel to attend or present at conferences; and graduate school stipends for students pursuing master’s and doctoral programs.

Studying STEM Interest Factors

The factors that lead students to decide to continue studying in the STEM fields is the subject of a current School of Education faculty research project, according to Hamilton.

Cathy Engstrom, associate professor of higher education and the School of Education’s faculty director of graduate studies, and Dawn Johnson, associate professor of higher education, are studying current and former USLAMP summer students’ involvement in their research experiences. The investigators are examining the graduate school aspirations, pathways and outcomes of USLAMP underrepresented minority students to gain insights regarding their decisions to pursue, delay or opt out of graduate study in STEM fields.

The research project’s goal is to link effective practices within ULSAMP to facilitate students’ graduate study interests and aspirations. The researchers also hope to define the kinds of activities (such as providing�� undergraduate research opportunities, conducting GRE preparation, and hearing graduate students speak about their research experiences) that strengthen students’ aspirations to pursue graduate study in STEM fields.

Several community and industry partners will also be collaborating with the alliance over the next five years to provide real-world research opportunities, Hamilton says. They include Micron Technology, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals and National Grid.

Donations of new (and clean, nearly new) winter coats will be collected at the Syracuse football game vs. Florida State on Saturday, Nov. 12, beginning at 6 p.m. ahead of an 8 p.m. kickoff in the JMA Wireless Dome. The game is also Senior Day and Military Appreciation Day.

Bins will be placed at 11 points outside the JMA Wireless Dome to collect items, as well as at the Stars and Stripes tailgate at the John A. Lally Athletics Complex beginning at 5 p.m. Following the game, donations will be accepted at Hendricks Chapel from Nov. 13-18, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., and the Nancy Cantor Warehouse from Nov. 14-18, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., for faculty, staff and students who wish to contribute to this effort.

Organizers are only asking for new or nearly new coats, and there is a particularly strong need in the community for children’s coats, as they tend to outgrow their outerwear each year.

“Syracuse University is proud to once again partner with community agencies to help ensure our friends and neighbors have the warm coats they need this winter,” says Dr. Ruth Chen, professor of practice in the College of Engineering and Computer Science, who helped establish the Operation Orange Warmup initiative on campus. “By doing this collection early in the giving season, we hope to make a meaningful impact in our community.”

Student volunteers from groups across the University will help with the collection effort, as well as with sorting and laundering donations.

Partner agencies include InterFaith Works, Catholic Charities and Hendricks Chapel. Collected items will be distributed by these organizations across Central New York. Members of the campus community who have a personal need for donated winter gear may contact Hendricks Chapel at 315.443.2901 �ǰ���chapel@syr.edu.

Through the generosity of Orange fans and the entire Syracuse University community, we can share the warmth with those in need this winter!

“We are making it more affordable than ever for first responders to achieve undergraduate certificates, and undergraduate and graduate degrees,” says Green, executive director of online student success in the college. The new tuition grant program is another component of the Go Local Learn Local initiative, which recently expanded opportunities for health care workers in the region. Similar to the health care worker grant, first responders will be able to earn degrees through online part-time studies at a fraction of the normal cost.

“But first we have to overcome some negative perceptions—concerns they might have over not being able to do their studies while doing their jobs, or not being able to afford a higher education degree,” says Green. By appearing in person, Green hopes to build trust with the community’s public servants—trust in the University and trust in themselves and their abilities to excel.

“Just as they serve the entire city, police and firefighters serve our university community every day. We want to support and strengthen them,” says Michael Frasciello, dean of the College of Professional Studies. “As part of Syracuse University’s commitment to community, we have an obligation to be an innovator in providing education, training, services and support. Our greatest asset is our excellence in teaching and learning. We should be providing as many pathways to that excellence as we can.”

All full-time and part-time first responders in the City of Syracuse are now eligible to apply for online professional certificates and undergraduate degrees in a wide variety of subjects, including data and predictive analytics, business management, cybersecurity, leadership and project management. The cost for admitted and eligible first responders represents a significant discount (50% of the normal part-time tuition rate, and an 89% discount off the full-time tuition rate).

In addition, all first responders throughout the entire state of New York who already have an undergraduate degree can apply for a 30-credit hour online graduate degree in project management at the discounted rate of $1,000 per credit hour.

“Everyone at every level of every organization does project management in some way,” says Frasciello. “The more training and skills acquired in all the dimensions and practice of project management, the more valuable individuals will be in their workplace. They become proficient in asset resource usage, time management, delegation and staff management.”

Frasciello says the offerings for undergraduate degrees and professional certificates are based on the rapidly changing needs of employers and employees to “upskill and reskill” to meet industry demands. For example, police officers are increasingly adding skills in research and data analysis. “So much of modern policing is digital, involving sifting through and analyzing large amounts of data,” he says. “That’s why our data science courses will be valuable.”

Frasciello expects police officers, many of whom have associate degrees in criminal justice, to pursue policy studies and other courses that will help them progress in their careers in the public sector and pivot to the private sector. “We know there’s a great interest in business management and creative leadership as well,” he says.

Interest in continuing education through online programs increased dramatically during the pandemic and Syracuse University’s programs have expanded dramatically to meet student needs. “It’s crucial for continuing education leaders to engage with people who live in the area and respond with programming that residents and employers find valuable,” says Frasciello. “We are the gateway to the University for the community.”

For more information on how to enroll, visit the .

“I want people to see the arts and humanities as central to research, teaching and scholarship,” Haddix says. “I want us to have strong relationships and connections to the surrounding community and to disrupt and challenge the idea that we don’t have that.”

Marcelle Haddix serves as associate provost for strategic initiatives in the Office of Academic Affairs.

In February, Haddix was appointed by Vice Chancellor, Provost and Chief Academic Officer to the new administrative role. Haddix is fulfilling key functions, overseeing multiple University units and being the Academic Affairs liaison to many campus and community initiatives. She advances diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility initiatives and oversees the and .

Many University arts and humanities organizations, affiliates and research programs report to her office. They include , , Cultural Center, Point of Contact, the , the and the Mary Ann for Public and Community Service. She also is principal liaison to the and liaison to the , the and the University’s other academic programs having community-based or experiential learning components.

In addition, she works to connect the Office of Academic Affairs with the Academic Leadership for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (ALDEIA), the and the . Currently, the office consists of herself and executive assistant Lucianna Juiliani.

Before her new appointment, Haddix, who has been at the University since 2008 in the , served as Distinguished Dean’s Professor of Literacy, Race and Justice in reading and language arts and as an affiliated faculty member in the departments of African American Studies, Composition and Cultural Studies, Cultural Foundations of Education, and Women’s and Gender Studies. She also holds a courtesy faculty appointment in the Department of Nutrition and Food Studies.

“We know that for many in our community the path to economic prosperity and financial independence includes a comfortable home and continued opportunities to grow professionally,” says J. Michael Haynie, vice chancellor for strategic initiatives and innovation. “These two initiatives represent the University’s latest effort to support and build a stronger, more inclusive local economy.”

Syracuse University first launched Go Local in 2019 with a commitment to leverage the power of the University to broaden the participation of local residents, underrepresented communities, women and veterans in building projects and contracting and in employment opportunities; increase economic growth through the University’s purchasing activities; and help sustain the growth of businesses in the community. Earlier this year, as part of Go Local, the University hosted a Career and Vendor Fair at the Oncenter Convention Center that helped create and strengthen relationships between local business owners and purchasing managers at the University and enhance awareness of job opportunities open to residents.

Making Home Ownership Possible

The newly expanded Live Local initiative extends the boundaries of the University’s home ownership assistance program and creates the University-area Home Ownership Program. Live Local expands eligibility for home ownership into neighborhoods to the west of the University Hill area, acknowledging the impact of the removal of the Interstate 81 viaduct.

“This is an important investment in our city, our people, our community and our economy,” says Cydney Johnson, vice president of community engagement and government relations. “By shifting and expanding boundaries, we are opening up new opportunities for more individuals to afford to buy homes.”

In partnership with Solvay Bank, the University will offer employees mortgage loans up to 100% of the purchase price. Those employees will also receive Solvay Bank’s best interest rate and will not have to purchase additional mortgage insurance. Further, program participants will be eligible to receive a forgivable home improvement loan valued at 10% of the purchase price of the home, up to $15,000.

Christopher Dunham, president of the University Neighborhood Preservation Association, says, “Syracuse University’s plan to provide enhanced homebuyer incentives to its employees demonstrates a commitment to its surrounding neighborhoods and complements the work that UNPA does to promote homeownership in our area. We expect the University’s investment will mean that more people will choose to make our neighborhood theirs, to live, to work and to share in a vibrant and welcoming community.”

Eligibility for the new program remains the same as eligibility for the long-established provided through Empower Federal Credit Union, Summit Federal Credit Union and Tompkins Trust Company:

• All regular full-time and part-time faculty and staff may participate.
• One- and two-family homes, townhouses and condominiums are eligible.
• The property must be owner-occupied.

More information about the new mortgage guarantee program is available on the . Interested employees are encouraged to email realestate@syr.edu to begin the process of purchasing a home through the Live Local Program.

New Support for Health Care Workers

Also part of the Go Local initiative, Learn Local is now offering a tuition grant that expands opportunities for part-time, online undergraduate degrees and certificates to health care workers throughout the region.

“The tuition grant is designed to meet the education and career-readiness needs of the local health care community by ensuring that residents have access to market-sensitive and industry-informed degrees and professional certificates,” says Michael Frasciello, dean of the College of Professional Studies. “During these last few years, we were reminded how critical our health care workers are to the well-being of the entire community. We want to support them and strengthen their ranks.”

The Health Care Worker Grant is a tuition discount open to all full-time, part-time and per diem employees of Crouse Health System (including Crouse Hospital and Crouse Medical Practice), SUNY Upstate Medical University, St. Joseph’s Health Hospital, Veteran Administration Syracuse Health Care System, KPH Healthcare Services Inc. (Kinney Drugs), and Loretto. The tuition rate will be $350 per credit hour, and an 89% discount on the full-time tuition rate.

“The continued growth and development of career pathways for our employees at Loretto is a top priority and programs like this make it affordable for our staff to pursue advanced degrees,” says Dr. Kimberly Townsend, president and CEO of Loretto. “We’re excited to make this opportunity available to our employees to take advantage of the great programs right in our own community. Career advancement is key to keeping and growing the healthcare workforce needed today and into the future.”

The tuition discount applies to Syracuse University online undergraduate degrees and undergraduate certificates in the College of Professional Studies. Current undergraduate bachelor’s degrees include health care administration, applied data and predictive analytics (data science), business management, computer programming, creative leadership, cybersecurity administration, knowledge management, policy studies, and liberal studies. An associate of arts in liberal arts is also available.

Health care workers interested in the grant and learning more about Syracuse University’s online undergraduate degrees and certificates should contact the College of Professional Studies at 315.443.9378 (Toll Free: 1.866.498.9378) or parttime@syr.edu.

Study abroad is one component of Edge certification.

Fostering career readiness is a hallmark of the College of Arts and Sciences (A&S) | Maxwell School student experience. In fall 2021,��A&S | Maxwell launched , a new certification program which allows students to strategically parlay their experiential learning into proof of career or graduate school readiness. By fulfilling at least two experiences from a list of co-curricular activities, including research, internships, study abroad and community engagement, students will become Edge-certified and gain a certificate of completion and a digital LinkedIn badge.

According to College of Arts and Sciences��, the Edge certification signifies another way A&S | Maxwell is revolutionizing the student experience. “We are always looking to ensure that what we offer is contemporary, valuable and relevant. With Edge certification, we’re encouraging students to pursue multiple opportunities to complement their academic coursework, while at the same time helping them learn to articulate and demonstrate the value of those experiences to employers and graduate schools alike,” Ruhlandt says.

As Edge winds up its first year, we asked students why experiential learning is so important to them:

Building Career Skills Through Internships and Community Engagement

Maggie Sardino

Maggie Sardino, a junior majoring in ��in Maxwell and����in A&S, notes that the Edge program presents a valuable opportunity for students to start their professional development—just by participating in this experiential learning. “What stands out most about the Edge program is its emphasis on reflection and professional development,” Sardino says. “By its nature, experiential learning requires students to be adaptable, innovative and creative. Edge encourages students to work on projects with real stakes and in constantly evolving environments.”

Since the summer of her freshman year, Sardino has taken part in an internship at the�� in Syracuse. The center offers programs addressing community concerns and encouraging understanding across racial, ethnic, religious and community groups. Sardino’s work there has focused on dialogue coordination, development and facilitation.

“I have learned how important collaboration is for sustainability,” Sardino says. “Cultivating strong partnerships and dialogue with other organizations and individuals ensures community investment and effective use of resources. Whether we are addressing societal issues through policy action or through creative expression, dialogue always has an important role. No matter which career path I decide to take, through my internship I have learned that prioritizing dialogue will be one of my primary goals.”

Solving Real Problems Through Student-Developed Research

Cheyene Muenzel

Undergraduate hands-on research is another integral part of Edge certification. In A&S | Maxwell, students are encouraged to engage in projects that not only interest them, but also help solve complex problems to help make the world healthier and more human. Cheyene Muenzel, a senior majoring in�������Ի���, says the problem-solving skills she developed in A&S are paving the way for a future in clinical research post-graduation.

Throughout the course of her studies at Syracuse, Muenzel developed a dual interest in artificial intelligence and forensic pathology. She merged those concentrations into a research project where she investigated verbal autopsy (VA) and its use in public health. Verbal autopsy is a method for collecting personal and medical information about a deceased individual when there is an inadequate death registration, often in developing countries where deaths may be undocumented. VAs are collected by trained interviewers who obtain information about the deceased, such as their medical history, from individuals who were familiar with them. The results are then brought to a physician who determines cause of death.

Muenzel is developing machine learning algorithms to comb through vast amounts of verbal autopsy data which will allow health professionals to define trends about cause of death in different parts of the world. “The use of algorithms which are trained to process VA data can reduce load on physicians and expedite the collection of mortality data in low-income countries and rural communities,” says Muenzel. “Mortality data and statistics, like leading causes of death, call attention to public health crises and help government officials make informed decisions.”

Muenzel says having the opportunity to immerse herself in hands-on work that can make a difference for public health around the world not only enhances her skills and as a researcher, but also confirms her future professional ambitions.

“I will eventually pursue a career in medicine, and through this project I have learned how important it is to keep up to date with the latest and greatest developments and techniques in my field,” says Muenzel. “Research will always be a part of my life and this project has validated my passion for it.”

Shaping Career Goals Through an Immersive Experience in Costa Rica

Leonardo Rivera

A&S | Maxwell students are continually engaging in research and scholarship around the world to address global challenges. For Leonardo Rivera, a senior ��major in A&S, his passion for wildlife brought him to Central America, where he had the opportunity to����at the Costa Rica Animal Rescue Center. The important hands-on experience was a crucial resume-builder as he prepared to apply for veterinary schools.

Among the animals he helped to rehabilitate were spider and capuchin monkeys, sloths, kinkajous and owls. From developing an exercise routine for orphan sloth cubs to providing muscle therapy to an injured squirrel, Rivera was exposed to new challenges each day, similar to what he will likely encounter as a wildlife veterinarian.
“I was amazed and inspired at the unexpected innovativeness and creativity when working in the field, such as using honey as an antiseptic for a spider monkey suffering from wounds inflicted in a fight with a troop of capuchins, or jerry-rigging a splint for an injured spectacled owl,” Rivera says. “It was an experience that will pay dividends in my professional career down the road.”

After he graduates from Syracuse, Rivera plans to matriculate into veterinary school in 2022, and says having that extracurricular experience under his belt reinforced his future. “Through my work in the field I confirmed that I want to specialize in wildlife veterinary medicine and contribute to the preservation of our natural world.”

Learn more about the��.

Local business owners can meet with University purchasing managers to identify opportunities to see how their goods and services can supply the needs of the University. Individuals can attend to check out and apply for one of the hundreds of job openings at the University.

Those interested are asked to .

Go Local is Syracuse University’s commitment to leverage the economic power of the institution to improve regional economic inclusion through four key areas: building, hiring, buying and community connections.

The initiative seeks to broaden participation of local, minority, women and veteran-owned businesses in construction and service contracting opportunities; expand hiring of local residents, with a focus on neighborhoods in need of job opportunities; and increase economic growth and employment in Syracuse through the University’s purchasing activities.

The key areas are overseen by team leaders: Pete Sala, vice president and chief facilities officer (build); Karen Morrissey, associate vice president, Office of Human Resources (hire); Jean Gallipeau, comptroller (buy); and Cydney Johnson, vice president, community engagement and government relations (community).

The team leads invite the Central New York community to visit the Career and Vendor Fair to find out more about the many opportunities to partner with the University through providing goods and services and the variety of jobs available. The goal is to create more connections between the University and the community to further strengthen our local economy, increase employment and create more opportunities for local residents.

The event is also a great way for the campus community to meet local and diverse businesses and discuss opportunities in their units that they may have.

Faculty and staff are encouraged to reach out to their community networks to promote the April 28 event.

For more information on Go Local and how to get involved, visit the or call 315.443.2281.

Unfortunately, there are members of the Central New York community who lack these winter clothing staples.

With a goal of providing proper winter outdoor wear to individuals and families in need, ��Syracuse University is partnering with several Central New York nonprofit organizations on Operation Orange Warmup, a community clothing drive.

Members of the Syracuse University community, the City of Syracuse and surrounding towns are encouraged to rally together and donate new (and clean, nearly new) winter apparel, beginning with the 3 p.m. kickoff event on Saturday, Jan. 15, when the Syracuse men’s basketball team hosts ACC rival Florida State in the stadium.

Fans who plan to cheer on the Orange are encouraged to bring with them a winter coat, a pair of gloves or mittens, winter hats, scarves and boots (in all sizes and styles) as they enter the stadium. Nine collection bins will be conveniently situated at stadium gates for those looking to donate and make a difference for those in need this winter.

“When we reached out to our community partners, what we heard from them across the board is there is a great need for this type of clothing drive. Hopefully the Syracuse University community and the greater Central New York community can respond to this and help our neighbors in need,” says Cydney Johnson, the University’s vice president of community engagement and government relations.

Johnson credits Dr. Ruth Chen, professor of practice in the College of Engineering and Computer Science, with establishing Operation Orange Warmup to benefit those less fortunate in the Central New York community.

Johnson says it was only natural to invite the campus community to give back to Operation Orange Warmup, and that the men’s basketball game vs. Florida State offered the ideal kickoff for this service project.

“Having this drive coincide with an afternoon game will hopefully make it easier for people to come out and donate. Knowing that we’re in the middle of such a cold week and that this is our first sustained cold spell of winter will also hopefully make people realize they can help give back by going through their closets and rounding up extra items of clothing they no longer need,” Johnson says. “We’re optimistic that there will be a robust response from the community to this effort.”

Can’t make it out to the men’s basketball game on Saturday but still want to support Operation Orange Warmup? Donations will also be accepted on campus at Hendricks Chapel, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. beginning on Monday, Jan. 17, and running through Friday, Jan. 21. Look for a covered bin outside of Hendricks Chapel facing Eggers Hall.

The community partner agencies who have come together to support Operation Orange Warmup are InterFaith Works, Rescue Mission, Salvation Army, YWCA, North Side Learning Center, Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance, Catholic Charities, Blessing Box, NAACP, Mercy Works, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, La Liga and the Labor Council. Collected items will be distributed by these organizations across Central New York after the donation period ends, on Jan. 21.

Members of the campus community who have a personal need for donated winter gear may contact Hendricks Chapel at 315.443.2901 �ǰ���chapel@syr.edu or .

Syracuse faculty and students work with youth from the North Side Learning Center during a Write Out storytelling workshop.

For students looking to combine an interest in social justice and community engagement with hands-on, real-world applications, the Engaged Humanities Network (EHN), based in the College of Arts and Sciences, offers the perfect opportunity to be part of community problem-solving through academic inquiry and action.

EHN was developed by Brice Nordquist, associate professor of writing and rhetoric and the Dean’s Professor of Community Engagement in the College of Arts and Sciences. “I have been working with different community-based organizations on humanities and arts projects since moving to Syracuse eight years ago,” says Nordquist. “In my time here, I’ve become more familiar with resources in the city and with people engaged in long-term community-centered work. But I’ve also noticed that there are few opportunities to coordinate and connect across projects and communities.” What this translates to is a lost opportunity for resource sharing, collective problem-solving, and mutual support and funding across community-engaged projects. According to Nordquist, this cross-pollination does not take place “except for when it happens by chance, because there are few structures designed to serve as connective tissue among all of these shared efforts.” EHN hopes to change that.

Brice Nordquist

As part of this effort, Nordquist assembled an undergraduate research team last year along with Anne Mosher, then-director of the Maxwell School’s ��program, Pam Heintz, director of the�� and Kate Hanson, director of the (The SOURCE). “The undergraduate research cohort is one of the programs the EHN runs to create new opportunities for students, graduate students, undergraduates and faculty to develop and grow different community-engaged projects,” says Nordquist. “Part of the work we do is to pair undergraduate research assistants with new or ongoing faculty projects.”

In order to seed and support publicly engaged research, mini-grants from the College of Arts and Sciences were established. Last year, five faculty-led projects were selected for funding and are now underway. The projects range from language to math, and each includes research undertaken by students with faculty with community engagement.

EHN in Action

Nicole Fonger

The project Anti-Racism in Algebra, overseen by Nicole Fonger, assistant professor of mathematics, addresses the inherent obstacles to Black learners in traditional math education. This fall, Fonger is meeting weekly with a team of teachers, parents and high school students in the Syracuse City School District (SCSD). “The aim of the grant work is to build relationships with folks in SCSD who are already doing the work of supporting Black learners of mathematics,” says Fonger.

Another program, Spanish in Action, led by professors Maria Emma Tico Quesada and Elizabeth Juárez-Cummings of the Department of Languages, Literature, and Linguistics, pairs native and non-native Spanish speakers from Syracuse in workshops to empower them to view their bilingualism as an academic and professional asset.

Collaboration Is Key

But the community-facing side of the individual projects are only one piece of the puzzle. The academic-facing side requires that the participants—all the faculty, staff, graduate students, and undergraduates involved—meet regularly to discuss their projects, troubleshoot and share ideas and resources. In keeping with research protocols and best practices, they also share the goal of collecting data from their projects to make future community engagement projects more meaningful, equitable and sustainable.

The Orange is winning, and a reminder to donate to the .

The Syracuse University United Way Employee Giving 2022 pledge campaign will officially kick off Oct. 15. Goodrich, deputy athletics director and chief marketing officer for athletics, says employees and community members who attend the game will be reminded of the campaign in various ways: public address announcements and video slides encouraging fans to text to donate (“SU United” to 85511); a video from former basketball star Demetris Nichols encouraging fans to text to donate; and a video promoting the United Way.

“When you visit the Dome and you see that crowd, and then you look up and you see that United Way sign, I’m hopeful it’s a reminder that so many people in that crowd, in that moment, have been affected positively by the support of the United Way and its network of community supporters,” Goodrich says. “I would encourage everyone to donate; no matter the size of the donation, it does make a difference. Every donation is an impactful one.”

The campaign runs through mid-December and University employees are encouraged to consider making a voluntary pledge through MySlice for either a one-time donation or a regular donation through payroll deduction each pay period. For those who prefer a paper pledge card, contact campaign coordinator Maggie Ekdahl at��meekdahl@syr.edu��or 315.443.8052.

The co-chairs of this year’s University campaign are , vice president of enrollment services, and , dean of the College of Professional Studies.

“When you donate and support the United Way, you see the impact immediately across the non-profit organizations that the United Way supports,” Frasciello says. “I just think it’s an obligation that we have as active participants in this community.”

The United Way of Central New York funds 64 different programs at 27 local agencies, and all funds raised stay in Central New York. For every dollar donated, an additional $3 comes back to the community in matching funds, which allows the United Way to leverage and direct these funds to address the most critical needs in our local community.

“Giving to a single organization is great, but by thinking about donating to the United Way, what you’re doing is supporting a blanket of services, a plethora of services, that may help individuals or families cover a multitude of issues and needs,” Williams says.

In addition to the co-chairs, the campaign is led by a network of team leaders from across each college and department on campus. These team leaders spread awareness of the campaign and encourage their colleagues to participate. Many departments organize their own activities to raise supplemental funds in addition to employee pledges and then donate the proceeds from these activities to the campaign.

“I believe that communities are strong because people make them strong, and therefore I personally feel an obligation to support those organizations that are really responsible for the quality of our community and the quality of life of our citizens,” says , professor of practice in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. “I want to be part of that, so the way I’m part of that is I contribute to the United Way.”

While typical department activities include bake sales, team games and gift basket raffles, departments have been very creative over the years. The iSchool team brought their dogs to work and students and staff who made donations were able to spend time playing with the dogs. Last year, the Facilities Services team created a unique piece of memorabilia by placing a section of the old stadium roof into a shadowbox frame with a photo and held a silent auction among its team that raised nearly $1,000 for the United Way.

“Over the years we’ve learned from our employees who have tried new ideas and contributed to the campaign and supported a variety of fundraising events,” says , vice president of community engagement and government relations who oversees the campaign. “It’s a strong and positive team effort!”

Employee participation in the campaign is voluntary and participating employees can select either an automatic payroll deduction or a one-time donation in any amount. University retirees are also invited to participate as many enjoy the longstanding tradition and generous spirit of this annual event.

“The key component of working together to make a difference is that some folks will make very large donations, some folks will make smaller donations,” Goodrich says. “But whatever donation you can make, you can rest assured and feel confident that combined and together, we will do more and make a great impact on the community.”

For more information on how to sign up for tutoring please reach out to Winiecki at ejwiniec@syr.edu.

Cydney Johnson

Syracuse University has named Cydney Johnson ’77, G’96 vice president for community engagement and government relations. Since April of 2018, Johnson has served as the University’s executive director for state and local government relations, reporting to Vice Chancellor for Strategic Initiatives and Innovation J. Michael Haynie. Johnson’s appointment was recently approved by the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees.

Expanding Johnson’s role and responsibilities is a key dimension of Syracuse University’s ongoing commitment to enhance and extend both civic engagement and community outreach. In her new role, Johnson will lead the community engagement team as it continues to advance the University’s robust portfolio of community-connected programs and initiatives. In addition to overseeing all facets of the University’s community engagement efforts, Johnson will assume strategic responsibility for developing and implementing the University’s legislative and advocacy agenda. Johnson will continue to report to Vice Chancellor Haynie and retain her responsibility to serve as senior advisor to University leadership on issues related to city, county and New York State government.

“Cydney has a long track record of developing deep and trusting relationships with government officials and civic leaders,” says Haynie. “She is a longtime member of this community and brings tremendous insight into the needs of our region. She understands well the University’s social and cultural impact on Central New York, and the important role that Syracuse University plays in regional economic development. Her service to the Central New York Regional Development and Planning Board, the Syracuse Partnership Council and the Syracuse City School District represents a history of deep ties to the community and positions her as a trusted community partner.”

When Johnson was hired by Syracuse University as executive director for state and local government relations, she brought to her alma mater more than two decades of experience in government relations, higher education and nonprofit/business development. Cydney is a double alumna of Syracuse, having received her undergraduate degree and MBA from the Martin J. Whitman School of Management. Johnson also spent seven years as an adjunct professor in the David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics.

Johnson has previously served as senior vice president of U.S. accounts at Blueprint LTD, a small global marketing firm; vice president of consumer marketing and sales at Oneida Limited; and director of development at the Whitman School. She is a member of the Central New York Regional Development and Planning board and a board member of the Syracuse Partnership Council with the Syracuse City School District. She resides in the City of Syracuse.

Brice Nordquist

The College of Arts and Sciences (A&S) has announced the appointment of as Dean’s Professor of Community Engagement. The appointment is a milestone in the college’s ongoing plan to increase the number of curricular and co-curricular learning opportunities available for students in the humanities.

In his new capacity, Nordquist will serve as the liaison for A&S faculty, students, and off-campus partners and organizations.

“From this position, I hope to highlight and align the collective strengths of faculty, students and community partners for the development of ethical and sustainable engaged scholarship, pedagogy and creative work for social change,” Nordquist says. “I’ll work to support all A&S faculty and students interested in creating or expanding upon experiential learning opportunities to complement their humanities coursework. These opportunities might range from participatory action research, to engaged course design, public art projects and more. I’m excited to see what we can develop together.”

An assistant professor of writing and rhetoric, Nordquist brings a wealth of experience to the new position. He is the author of the award-winning “Literacy and Mobility,” a book that follows students from different tracks of high school English, to college, to jobs and beyond to investigate relations among patterns of movement and literacy practices across educational institutions, workplaces, neighborhoods, cultures and national borders. Nordquist recently coordinated the University’s inaugural , a collaboration of the��, the Syracuse University�������Ի���, a global media platform dedicated to empowering youth through creative expression.

“Brice’s name immediately came to mind for this position,” says Karin Ruhlandt, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and a distinguished professor of chemistry. “He’s a natural relationship-builder and he understands what it takes to cultivate meaningful partnerships. And because he’s experienced first-hand the excellent outcomes associated with experiential learning, he’s eager to help fellow faculty members find those same great opportunities for themselves and their students. In filling this enterprise-level position, we’re reinforcing the College’s commitment to provide a strong, relevant and contemporary liberal arts education.”

Nordquist will assume his new role on July 1.

As our campus community seeks to overcome hate and the resulting pain, shock, fear and frustration of recent weeks, a Community Peace Vigil will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 4, on the steps of Hendricks Chapel beginning at 4:30 p.m. Students, faculty, staff and local community members are all welcome and encouraged to attend.

The vigil will include brief remarks by on-campus religious advisors, as well as spiritual leaders from the local community, a candle-lighting and a student musical performance. Following the vigil, attendees are invited to gather in Hendricks Chapel’s Noble Room for conversation, community building and mutual support.

American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation and Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) will be provided. For additional accommodations, please contact chapel@syr.edu.

“Instagram Thriller” was one of three short videos created by Syracuse youth at a free film workshop at Syracuse University’s South Side Communication Center on Friday, April 19. The workshop, hosted by Simone Girma ’19, worked the middle school-aged students through writing scripts, storyboarding concepts, participating in a table read, pitching their ideas and creating videos. By the end of the day, the students’ vocabulary grew to include such words as “zoom,” “pan” and “extreme close up.”

For Girma, the day was a��culmination of a semester of hard work, and four years of community building. Her big idea: leveraging campus resources to benefit the greater Syracuse community. As a television, radio and film (TRF) major in the Newhouse School and a citizenship and civic engagement (CCE) major in the Maxwell School and the College of Arts and Sciences, this project blended her passions perfectly.

“Syracuse has the highest rate of concentrated poverty for black and Latinos. People from underrepresented communities aren’t telling their stories in Hollywood. I saw all of the resources on campus as an opportunity to chip away at these problems,” says Girma. “I know when I was younger, I would have wanted to participate in a program like this, but it didn’t exist.”

So, Girma brought it into existence.

To make the event happen, Girma needed to figure out the logistics of the event and also plan the content of the event. To do so, she spent most of her time connecting resources.

Girma used her capstone CCE class, which tasks students with implementing a community project, to help bring her idea to reality. Girma’s professor guided her through strategic thinking and planning. After learning from professors in the School of Education that a class in the Syracuse City School District would come with a lot of red tape, Girma found the Office of Community Engagement. The office’s vision of building and fostering lasting and mutually supportive connections between the University and the community aligned perfectly with Girma’s vision. Therefore, Girma was connected with the South Side Communication Center; the location of the eventual event. Girma secured funding from the CCE department to provide lunch for the attendees.

“Everyone at Syracuse University was so willing to help. Most people want to see projects like this happen. It’s just about getting a conversation going,” says Girma.

To plan the event, Girma worked with members of her fraternity, Delta Kappa Alpha, the professional cinema fraternity. The members stepped up to plan the content of the event and three members, Audra Linsner ’19, Evin Figen ’19 and Maya Quiñones ’19, volunteered at the event. Michael Schoonmaker, associate professor and chair of television, radio and film in the Newhouse School, assisted with the process and helped Girma rent equipment from Newhouse’s Cage to use at the event.

“Film is one of the more compelling forms of telling stories, which is why it is so important to make it accessible to as many people as possible,” says�� Schoonmaker. “Everyone watches film, but not as many make it. It’s an exhilarating experience to share stories, whether about ourselves or the worlds that we see in front of us.”

Once partnered with the South Side Communication Center, Girma found support, guidance and help from Rachielle Scrivens, site coordinator at the South Side Communication Center.

All of the collaboration was worth it when Girma witnessed the impact the event had on the students that attended the free film workshop. Each step of the way, the students were excited, engaged and felt agency over their ability to����to create. While the process was challenging, Scrivens says the looks of accomplishment on the students’ faces while viewing their film was “priceless.”

“This film workshop was impactful because it brought college students and��high school students from all over the city together to a place where they bonded and formed friendships,” says Scrivens. “Students were inspired to get in touch with their creative side and were given the freedom to make their film about what they as a team wanted it to be.”

“The mission of allowing communities of colors to tell their own story is so important because there’s so much creativity. Young people are so creative; they just need the tools to tell their stories,” says Girma.

Current Syracuse University undergraduate students are needed to be volunteers on Shadow Day; students must be available from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on April 25. As part of their duties, students will be paired with fifth grade students to spend the day with. In the morning, the pair will eat breakfast, attend a welcome program and take a group photo. From 10:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. students take the fifth grade students around campus or to an academic class, and they will have lunch at Schine Student Center.

Students interested in volunteering, must fill out the by April 5. Before Shadow Day, they must attend a training briefing. Date and time of the training are to be determined.

Interested students can contact Emily Winiecki, program coordinator in the Office of Community Engagement, with questions.

The workshop provided an opportunity for the center’s leadership and the youths to experience and learn more about the AVP program. The children practiced affirmations in pairs and participated in various games and exercises, including a brainstorming session on violence/non-violence and the roots of violence. They also practiced listening skills, which enabled them to learn things about each other that they didn’t know.

The center and AVP are discussing plans to hold other mini-workshops in the fall, as well as a full basic youth workshop for children from the center and two other nearby youth centers.

“I applaud AVP’s efforts to educate about alternatives to violence and empower individuals to develop the personal skills necessary to utilize nonviolent solutions to deal with conflict,” says Syracuse University Vice President for Community Engagement Bea �ҴDzԳ�á�����. “Our children are seeking these skills, and we are committed to assisting them. The lessons they learn now will serve them both now and later as they become adults.”

The South Side Communication Center—located at 2331 S. Salina St., Syracuse—opened in 2011. It is a key asset in the development of a business and cultural district along South Salina Street between East Colvin Street and Brighton Avenue that has been spearheaded by the (SCC), and Home HeadQuarters.

The center offers an open access computer cluster, providing residents with free public access to computers with internet connectivity and on-site assistance, and the center provides a platform for several SCC and South Side Initiative projects, including and Networking Academy classes.

Founded in 2011, Talent Agency Teen Art Portfolio Development Inc. continues to provide Syracuse-area high school students from economically disadvantaged communities a consistent means for arts and design portfolio development and mentorship.

Talent Agency Teen Art Portfolio Development Inc. utilizes the expertise of University faculty, graduate students and undergraduate majors to provide college-­level technical instruction, materials and advisement supporting the overall development of competitive application portfolios.

The program is supported by the School of Art in the College of Visual and Performing Arts and the Office of Community Engagement.

Seymour Dual Language Academy fifth-grade students visit Manley Field House during 2017’s Shadow Day.

“Shadow Day is a key event for the fifth grade at Seymour School,” says Bea �ҴDzԳ�á�����, vice president for community engagement. “It has become a tradition that the students look forward to as they reach grade 5. The SU students see Shadow Day as an opportunity to give back to their community and pay it forward. That is certainly true for me as an alum of Seymour.”

�ҴDzԳ�á����� says that after meeting with Thomas Rosaschi, the event’s coordinator at Seymour, they modeled a campus visit for the students. The day will start out with a welcome reception in Maxwell Auditorium, where the Seymour students will meet University students and get breakfast. Chancellor Kent Syverud will welcome them, along with �ҴDzԳ�á�����. The Admissions Office will make a presentation, which will be followed by a group photo.

The next couple of hours will be spent touring campus or visiting academic classes. As time allows, the students will visit the following places:

• Schine Student Center Bookstore
• Bird Library and/or Carnegie Library
• Hendricks Chapel
• Crouse College
• Hall of Languages

After lunch at the Schine Student Center, the students will be taken by bus to Manley Field House and the Carmelo Anthony Center. There, they will get a tour of the facilities and meet some of the student athletes.

�ҴDzԳ�á����� says that the day’s activities have changed a little bit over the years, but at its core it has always been about providing the Seymour students with the opportunity to see themselves as college students. “We introduce them to our own undergraduates, many with similar backgrounds, and remind them that they too can attend Syracuse or any other university, especially since the University has given the promise of tuition support via the Say Yes program,” she says.

About Syracuse University

Syracuse University is a private, international research university with distinctive academics, diversely unique offerings and an��undeniable spirit. Located in the geographic , with a global footprint, and��, Syracuse University offers a quintessential college experience. The scope of Syracuse University is a testament to its strengths: a pioneering history dating back to 1870; a choice of more than 200 majors and 100 minors offered through 13 schools and colleges; nearly 15,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students; more than a quarter of a million alumni in 160 countries; and a student population from all 50 U.S. states and 123 countries. For more information, please visit .

]]> /blog/2018/02/07/innovation-orange-marcelle-haddix/ Wed, 07 Feb 2018 14:22:53 +0000 /?p=129042 Marcelle Haddix, associate professor and chair of reading and language arts in the , is the creator and director of Writing our Lives, a program geared toward supporting the writing practices of urban youth within and beyond school contexts. In this edition of Innovation Orange, Haddix explains how the program benefits both student and teacher alike.

Innovation Orange highlights the research of Syracuse University faculty. If you would like to see a faculty member featured here, please contact Keith Kobland at kkobland@syr.edu.

Located on South Salina Street in the South Side of Syracuse, the year-round South Side Communication Center Youth Program is a place for young people, ages 12-18, to learn, grow and find their interests.

Every day the young people who attend the have something different to look forward to.

That includes speakers, art class, board games, sewing or just hanging out and engaging in good conversation. During the school year, there’s tutoring and photography sessions, among other activities.

There’s one constant in it all—the encouragement that anything is possible for them.

“I want to help them expand their horizons and open their minds to different things—let them know they have choices and the ability to do and be anything they want,” says site coordinator Rachielle Scrivens.

Located on South Salina Street in the South Side of Syracuse, the year-round Youth Program is a place for young people, ages 12-18, to learn, grow and find their interests.

A participant in the Writing Our Lives program at the South Side Communication Center

The South Side Communication Center developed out of the Southside Community Coalition in 2011 and Syracuse University’s then South Side Initiative. The communication center operates as a nonprofit in partnership with SCC and now with the University’s Office of Community Engagement, under the direction of Vice President for Community Engagement Bea Gonzalez.

The after school session, which runs from 3 to 7 p.m., has a tutor—a Syracuse University student who started at the center as the sewing teacher—available Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays and a host of programs in partnership with Syracuse University faculty and staff members.

Marcelle Haddix, Dean’s Associate Professor and chair of the Reading and Language Arts Center in the , works with the center on the project, a program she directs that is geared toward supporting the writing practices of urban youth within and beyond school contexts.

During the school year, the center hosts as many as five Syracuse University students who intern as part of courses they are taking, including with Associate Professor of Practice Luvenia Cowart, of the . The center also partners with the Syracuse University Science and Technology Entry Program, which provides academic support services and enrichment to students in grades 7-12, including a Saturday Learning Academy.

Also continuing this fall is a photography program with graduate student Dominique Hildebrand. The South Side Collective is a class that provides the center’s students with a chance to develop their photography skills. The class last spring resulted in a gallery showing, “which was fabulous,” Scrivens says. “She’s allowing kids to see life through the lens.”

Syracuse University graduate student Dominique Hildebrand teaches students at the South Side Communication Center Youth Program about photography.

To assist in the community, students also volunteer at different locations throughout the city, such as at a Halloween party for children at a Syracuse library and at the food coop next door to the center, preparing it to get up and running.

The program’s summer session from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. is more relaxed than the after school sessions that provide tutoring during the school year, but the plan is always to encourage learning.

“They can drop in anytime. It’s a safe haven,” Scrivens says, and a family environment.

This summer Scrivens created a theme of “Me, Myself and I: Self-Awareness.”

“We talk about self-awareness, morals, values and accountability—what is your foundation and your beliefs—and just kind of keeps them focused on building their self-esteem,” Scrivens says.

The theme fit well with a recent daylong mental health workshop through Let’s Talk Inc. The presenters conducted icebreakers, a human knot team builder exercise and watched a video on why even people who may seem to be doing fine can have underlying mental health problems. “It was a way to talk about their own feelings,” Scrivens says.

Other activities this summer will include a three-day art intensive class led by Notthingham High School graduate and local artist Jaleel Campbell. “He’s going to start them out with basic drawing skills on paper and then transfer that over onto canvas,” Scrivens says.

Students in the South Side Communication Center Youth Program learn chess from community members.

The center has also had local business owners and tradespeople talk about their work and special presentations by such organizations as Syracuse Cure Violence, designed to reduce gun violence among Syracuse youth.

During the summer, free breakfast and lunch for the children is provided through the Syracuse City School District. Students spend time reading and keep a reading log, and some of the children have already finished a few books, Scrivens says. They also do some writing every day and are encouraged to use the encyclopedia and dictionary.

“The day’s activities depend on the mood of the group, what the kids want to do,” Scrivens says. A recent day included a movie viewing followed by a discussion about making the right choices; other days there’s board games to enjoy; a chess club taught by neighbors; and sewing classes, which run all year.

Another important component is the older students who act as mentors for the younger students. “They are more like helpers. If one of the kids is struggling with a word, they’ll step right in,” Scrivens says, helping model mentor roles for the younger kids.

During her more than two years at the center, Scrivens has seen the students move up and toward their goals, whether it’s college, trade school or straight into the workforce.

“It’s a good feeling because I think so many times these kids have seen people give up on them, or a center or an establishment closes and they are kind of lost,” Scrivens says. She appreciates being able “to watch them grow and blossom when they don’t think they can. Sometimes they just need a little push or someone to guide them and that gives me joy.”

Youngsters at the South Side Communication Center Youth Program sew pincushions.

Scrivens notes a recent sewing class in which one girl, who had never sewed before, made a pincushion and jumped excitedly up from the table when she had finished.

“It was just a great feeling, because a lot of times they don’t see that accomplishment,” Scrivens says.