SHU Nursing Program Achieves 96 Percent First-Time Pass Rate on
NNCLEX-RN Exam

The Siena Heights Nursing Program announced that its 2018 graduates achieved a 96 percent first-time pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) exam. This is the second consecutive year the program has achieved the highest pass rate in program history. In fact, the program has averaged a 92 percent first-time pass rate on the exam for the past four years. This far exceeds the standards set by the Michigan Board of Nursing and the AACN-CCNE accrediting body.

University Announces Siena Tuition Advantage Program

Recognizing the national trend of rising tuition costs in higher education, Siena Heights University is taking a bold step to remain affordable for its students. On the heels of Siena Heights’ 100th anniversary, President Sister Peg Albert, OP, PhD, announced The Siena Tuition Advantage price certainty plan. The private Catholic university headquartered in Adrian, Mich., is locking tuition rates for full-time undergraduate students enrolled at its Adrian campus and many of its other programs beginning with the winter 2019 semester as well as for the 2019-20 academic year. In addition, SHU will phase in a two-year fixed pricing plan for all students in the College of Arts and Sciences, the College for Professional Studies and the Graduate College. The University has Michigan degree completion centers in Dearborn, Southfield, Benton Harbor, Monroe, Battle Creek, Kalamazoo, Lansing, Jackson as well as a nationally ranked Online Program.

“The Siena Tuition Advantage hopefully will simplify the financial management and promote improved financial planning for our students by introducing price certainty,” said SHU Vice President of Enrollment Management George Wolf. “We also hope to improve student success, class and degree planning and degree completion rates with this new model.” “With our 100th anniversary approaching, as well as our recent ranking in the ‘Best Colleges for Your Money’ list by Money Magazine, we wanted to do something that would demonstrate our commitment,” President Albert said. “I want to assure our current students, and any prospective student considering Siena Heights University,
we will do everything we can to keep a Siena Heights education affordable.”

Cardeccia, Brower Receive Schaefer Scholarship

SHU senior mathematics education majors Kayla Cardeccia and Rachel Brower both received the 2018 Miriam Schaefer Scholarship. The scholarship is awarded annually by the Michigan Council of Teachers of Mathematics to Michigan college students of junior or senior standing who are majoring in mathematics and planning to teach at the elementary or high school level. Both students have earned GPAs of over 3.9, excelling in their mathematics and education courses.

Warner Attends Earth Ethics Conference

In August 2018, SHU Associate Professor of Theater and Speech Communication Joni Warner attended the Center for Earth Ethics Conference. Themed “On Water and Faith: Ministry in the Time of Climate Change,” the conference at the Union Theological Seminary in New York trained about 50 faith leaders from around the country to better address the ecological crisis in their own communities. Former Vice President Al Gore was the featured speaker at the conference.

Mathis, Himelhoch and Ball Presented at 2018 Dominican Colloquium

MBA Director Dr. Eboni Mathis, Professor of Management Dr. Carol Himelhoch and Professor of Management Dr. Steve Ball presented at the 2018 DHEC: “Balancing Spirituality in Private and in Business.”

Himelhoch and Raymond Publish Book

Professor of Management Dr. Carol Himelhoch and Associate Professor of Professional Communication Dr. Mary Raymond had their book published by MindBodyMed in August 2018. The book is entitled “Transformational leadership: The influence of exercise habits on leadership styles and leader effectiveness.” It extends the research from Himelhoch’s first book, which was published in 2014. In this study, Drs. Himelhoch and Raymond addressed the question, “In what ways do personality characteristics, demographic characteristics, and leisure exercise habits influence leadership styles and leader effectiveness?” Participants included 189 leaders across a broad range of industries, with their perceptions corroborated through surveying a sample of their employees.

Fick Member of AUPHA Annual Meeting Planning Committee

Professor of Leadership Dr. John Fick served on the 2018 Annual Meeting Planning Committee of the Association of University Programs in Health Admin-istration (AUPHA) and attended the annual meeting in Philadelphia from June 13-16, 2018. As part of his committee member duties, he also served as a poster reviewer. In addition, he has been appointed to serve on the 2019 Annual Meeting Planning Committee. AUPHA’s 2019 annual meeting was June 12-14 in New Orleans.

McDonald Facilitates International Justice and Peace Gathering

Professor of Counselor Education Dr. Patricia McDonald facilitated a gathering in Chicago for the International Directors of Justice and Peace from June 27-29, 2018. The issues covered immigration, racism, human trafficking and the environment. Participants came from throughout the United States, Canada and Italy. The focus for the time was programmatic, planning and impacting social justice, thus hopefully bringing about peace for those who are impacted.

Jaramillo Presents Seminars, Publishes Book

SHU Theological Studies Professor Eileen Jaramillo gave a seminar to the Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions Oct. 3 in Atlanta entitled “Baptized in Christ: Pastoral, Sacramental, and Canonical Issues with Candidates for Full Communion.” It addressed issues transpiring with Eastern Catholic churches and Eastern churches not in communion with Rome. On Oct. 9, 2018, she was in Phoenix, Ariz., giving a seminar to members of the Canon Law Society of America. It was named “Erection as an Institute of Consecrated Life or a Society of Apostolic Life: The Nuts and Bolts.” By looking at the theological and canonical issues regarding the new religious communities that are emerging in in the U.S., the seminar provided a vision for the future.

Jaramillo also had her new book published entitled, “Envisioning the Future of Consecrated Life: Its Beauty and Challenge during these Troubled Times.” It features the biblical art of Rembrandt to stir the reader into deep thought about the person of Christ, the universal call to respond to a world in turmoil and the particular charism of women and men within that framework. In particular, the author addresses the challenges of secularism, injustice, poverty and the environment as well as using statistics from CARA to look at the way women and men are re-envisioning themselves at this time. In March 2019, Jaramillo received a letter from Pope Francis. In the letter, he said enjoyed her book and found it to be quite timely.

Siena Heights Makes Money’s ‘Best Colleges for Your Money’ List

Siena Heights University made Money Magazine’s “Best Colleges for Your Money” list for 2018. Siena Heights was one of 727 institutions nationally to receive this distinction. Money considered 26 factors in three categories, including quality of education, affordability and outcomes. Siena Heights was ranked 658th overall. Out of 22 Michigan colleges and universities on the Money list, Siena Heights had the lowest average student debt—$17,700. Siena Heights graduates also had a reported early earnings average of $42,500, according to the magazine. According to the magazine’s methodology, to make its initial cut, a college or university had to have at least 500 students; have sufficient, reliable data to be analyzed, not be in financial distress and have a graduation rate that was at or above the median for its institutional category or have a high “value-added” graduation rate.

University Recognizes Employees for Service

The University announced its service awards at the August 2018 All-University Forum. The following employees were honored for their service:

10 Years:
•   Brian Bertram—Associate VP for Campus Facilities.
•   Sara Chrenko—Director of Career Services.
•   Theresa Garcia—Enrollment Counselor.
•   Nick Kaplan—Associate Professor of Spanish.
•   Deb Keller—Executive Assistant to the President.
•   Lori Kunkel—Administrative Assistant to Visual and Performing Arts.
•   Ed Maloney—Head Men’s Lacrosse Coach.
•   Mark Rasmussen—Assistant Professor of Mathematics.
•   Liesel Riggs—Associate Director of Marketing: Graduate and Professional Programs.
•   Cindy Sutherland—Associate Director of Partner Relations.
•   Tim Van Beke—Associate Professor of Art.

20 Years:
•   Cindy Anderson—Administrative Assistant to Humanities; McNair Academic Coordinator.
•   Melissa Growden—Career Services Specialist.
•   Mary Beth Leibold—Professor of Sport Management.

40 Years:
•   Wanda House—Technology Training Coordinator.

Also, the Fred Smith Champion Award was announced at the forum. The award was established in 2003 to honor current Athletic Director and former Head Men’s Basketball Coach Fred Smith and his 40-plus years of service. This year’s award winner was Academic Coordinator of Online Learning and Associate Professor of Teacher Education Liliana Toader.

University Announces Corporate Partnership with Integrated Health Partners

Siena Heights University and Integrated Health Partners (IHP) have announced a business partnership that will offer degree completion and other educational opportunities to IHP employees and to its member physician practices. IHP is a physician organization based in Calhoun County, serving independent and employed physicians and their practices regionally in Calhoun County and expanding to neighboring counties. Under the partnership agreement, qualified IHP employees and their member practice employees will receive a tuition discount and will receive personalized advising and student success and career counseling from Siena Heights. IHP is proud to offer this educational benefit to all member practices as a value added service made available through their membership with IHP.

American Catholic Studies Publishes O’Connell Essay

SHU Associate Professor of Humanities Michael O’Connell had an essay published titled “An Effective Influence for Good’: A Reconsideration of J.F. Powers’s Morte D’Urban.” It is out in the current issue of American Catholic Studies (Volume 129.3, Fall 2018). In the essay, he argues that this National Book Award-winning novel is an overlooked masterpiece of American Catholic fiction, and, because of its (increasingly relevant) depiction of the corrupting influence of power and popularity on individuals and institutions, deserves a wider contemporary audience.

Biology Students Receive Research Awards

The Biology Department had several students receive Beta Beta Beta Research Foundation Grant awards. Totaling more than $1,400, the awards funded equipment and supplies for their research projects. The following students received awards: Jared Ambrose, Hannah Gomola, Riley Guntrip, Jacob Henderson, Courtney Herron, Lindsay Jasinski, Makayla Kopriver, Nolan Lyons, Michael March, Tina Miller, Larry Ochadleus.

SHU Receives Silver Level Status from Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency

Siena Heights University earned Silver Level status in the Veteran-Friendly School program for the 2018-19 academic year. Created by the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency, the program recognizes institutions of higher learning for their dedication to student veterans and dependents utilizing their G.I. Bill and other educational benefits. Recognized Michigan colleges and universities earned either bronze-, silver- or gold-level status as determined by the number of services they offer to student veterans.

Biology Research Paper Published

SHU Professor of Biology Dr. Jun Tsuji and former students Tiffany Logan ’17 and Ashley Russo ’18 published a research paper entitled, “A hierarchy of cues directs the foraging of ‘Pieris rapae’ (Leptidopera: Pieridae) larvae” in the peer-reviewed journal Environmental Entomology. The paper describes how using a hierarchy of sensory inputs to guide their movements allows the larvae to maximize food intake and avoid predators and parasitoids while foraging on plants of varying architectures. Understanding the cues that guide larval foraging may lead to more efficient trap crops for pest management.

Siena Heights Receives MCACHE Scholarship

Siena Heights was awarded a $3,000 scholarship for students to attend Midwest Chapter of the American College of Healthcare Executives events, as well as the 2019 ACHE Congress on Healthcare Leadership in Chicago in March 2019. SHU has received this award for approximately the last 10 years.

Wathen Writes Chapter for Green Chemistry Education Book

SHU Professor of Chemistry Dr. Steve Wathen has contributed a chapter to the book “Green Chemistry Education Recent Developments” that was published in January 2019. The chapter title is “Introduction to Cheminformatics for Green Chemistry Education.” The volume was published by Walter deGruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston and is part of an ongoing series on green chemistry. Dr. Wathen said he is hoping to encourage other teachers of chemistry to use cheminformatics as an inexpensive and non-toxic way to explore chemical structures and to make students aware of this budding field of chemical research.

Karin Barbee Has Short Story and Poetry Published

SHU Associate Professor of English Karin Wraley Barbee has a short story in the current issue of “Your Impossible Voice.” Her story is titled, “Twenty-First Century Fairy Tale.” Barbee also has published a book of poetry titled “Go Life!” She also had a poem in a recent issue of Packingtown Review.

SHU’s Online Program Named Best in Michigan for Third Straight Year

For the third consecutive year, Siena Heights University’s undergraduate Online Learning Program was top-rated in Michigan among all institutions by the U.S. News and World Report. Siena Heights also was ranked nationally for the sixth consecutive year by the magazine, and finished tied for 29th among all public and private institutions. In fact, Siena Heights is the second highest ranked Catholic institution and fifth highest ranked private college or university in the nation. U.S. News and World Report’s methodology included student engagement, faculty credentials and training, peer reputation and student services and technology to determine the rankings. The publication released its 2019 Best Online Bachelor’s Programs rankings Jan.15. Siena Heights was also ranked first in both student engagement, having the maximum score of 100 in the magazine’s methodology. SHU also had the top faculty credentials and training rank in the nation with a perfect 100 score, according to the publication.

Frost Presents at Clinton Arts Center

SHU Professor of History Dr. Julieanna Frost presented on the topic “Emancipation: The Art of Meta Vaux Warrick Fuller,” Feb. 22, 2019, at the Clinton Arts Center in Clinton, Mich.

Owens Lecturer of The Month

SHU adjunct faculty member Jim Owens was the featured lecturer of the month (February 2019) for Augustine Institute/Lighthouse Catholic Media. He provided the lecture “The Crisis of Happiness: Hurting, Addicting, & Healing.”

Network with SaintsConnect

SaintsConnect is an online mentoring and connection platform where alumni, faculty/staff, and supporters can offer advice, answer questions, and share expertise about work, locations, and life. There are more than 900 members in the platform already and we would love to have more. Every person in the community is valued, and each person has advice to share, whether that is from life, work or school experiences.

Meyers Completes Doctoral of Philosophy in Nursing

SHU Director of Nursing Stacey Meyers successfully defended her dissertation as the final requirement for the completion of her doctorate from Mercer University in Atlanta. She presented her qualitative research on “The Lived Experiences of Women Diagnosed with Stage II or Greater Gynecological Cancer” in February 2019. Her Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Nursing with a concentration in Nursing Education degree was conferred in May.

Siena Heights, Quicken Loans Announce Educational Partnership

Siena Heights and Quicken Loans have announced a preferred educational partnership that will offer degree completion and other educational opportunities to Quicken Loans employees. Quicken Loans is America’s largest mortgage lender. Under the partnership agreement, qualified Quicken employees will receive a tuition discount and personalized advising, student success and career counseling from Siena Heights.

Nursing Program Receives Professional Fund Grant

The Siena Heights Nursing Program’s application for the 2019 Michigan Board of Nursing (MBON) Nurse Professional Fund Grant was approved. The nursing program will receive $12,121 in grant funding to use towards simulation equipment and supplies. The grant is designed to promote safe patient care, advance the safe practice of the nursing profession, and/or assure a continuous supply of high-quality direct care nurses, nursing faculty and nursing education programs.

Scholarship Symposium Features SHU’s Best

Keynote speaker Devan Stahl presented at the fifth annual Scholarship Symposium April 10, 2019, on the Adrian campus. Stahl is an assistant professor of Clinical Ethics at Michigan State University. Her presentation was entitled “Re-Creating the Medical Body through Art and the Humanities.” The committee organizing the Symposium is led by Associate Professor of English Julie Barst. The goal of the event is to showcase the scholarship of graduating seniors and other students on campus, and allow faculty, staff and the community to view some of the outstanding academic achievements happening at Siena Heights. There were student poster presentations as well as several panels and individual talks throughout the day.

Students Hold Court

Several Siena Heights students (right) observed court in session and lock-up facilities in Judge Margaret Noe’s Courtroom in Lenawee County on Oct. 31, 2018. Judge Noe and her son, Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Charles Noe, have taught this class for more than 15 years.

SHU Once Again First in Gift of Life Michigan Campus Challenge

Siena Heights once again was first among Michigan colleges and universities in most donor registrations compared to student population during the 16th annual Gift of Life Michigan Campus Challenge. Gift of Life Michigan is the state’s federally designated organ and tissue recovery organization, which acts as intermediary between donors, their families and hospital staff. Michigan colleges and universities were able to sign up 921 new organ and tissue donors during the Challenge.

SHU Partners with Hillsdale Hospital

SHU and Hillsdale Hospital announced a business partnership in April 2019 that will offer degree completion and other educational opportunities to Hillsdale Hospital employees. Hillsdale Hospital is a small but progressive rural healthcare facility located in south central Lower Michigan. Under the partnership agreement, qualified Hillsdale Hospital employees will receive a tuition discount and will receive personalized advising and student success and career counseling from Siena Heights.

SHU Students and Faculty Participate In Oceanography Course

Siena Heights environmental science students and faculty participated with the Krejci Aquatic Research Laboratory on an oceanography field course during spring break 2019 in Florida (right). Field assistants provided students with insights on nutrient pollution and living shorelines research (photos above). A lab examining intertidal zonation and species densities along Ponce Inlet was conducted.

2019-20 Student Government E-Board Announced

The Student Government E-Board election results are in for the 2019-20 academic year, and here is the new leadership:
•  Mykayla Pinder: President,
•  Alyssa Domasica: Vice President,
•  Nathaniel Alford: Treasurer.

Perry Defends Dissertation

SHU Assistant Director of Student Success and First Year Experience Coordinator DeAnne Perry defended her dissertation in Morgan State University’s program in Higher Education Administration. Her dissertation was titled “A Narrative Exploration of the Experiences of First-Generation Undergraduates in a Living-learning Program.” She participated in graduation ceremonies May 16, 2019, in Baltimore.

Clare Wins Cawelti Award for Pop Culture Book

SHU Assistant Professor of Communications Dr. Callie Clare and co-author Jenn Brandt won the John G. Cawelti Award for the best Textbook/Primer in Popular Culture. The book is titled, “An Introduction to Popular Culture in the US: People, Politics, and Power.” They received the award at the Popular Culture Association annual conference in April 2019 in Washington, D.C.

Lyons Earns Second Place at BBB Conference

SHU biology student Nolan Lyons was awarded second place after presenting the results of his senior research project at the regional Beta Beta Beta conference on April 13, 2019, at Mount St. Joseph University in Cincinnati. For his research, Lyons examined bacterial contamination in the St. Clair River. Eleven additional students represented SHU at the conference: Jared Ambrose, Hannah Gomola, Jacob Henderson, Courtney Herron, Lindsay Jasinski, Makayla Kopriver, Michael March, Tina Miller, Larry Ochadleus, Aaron Wagner and Milly Young-Brooks. In total, Siena students presented seven research posters at the conference.

Job and Internship Portal Now Available for Alumni

Career Services is excited to announce SHU’s new job and internship board for alumni: Handshake! The online portal has positions representing every industry, including recruiters from graduate and professional schools. Positions posted are available all across the globe and range from internships and entry level up to executive level. There are more than 300,000 employers using Handshake, including every Fortune 500 company. The free Handshake app is available on Apple iOS and Android.