Saints Athletics Highlights—Summer 2015

SHU Earns Champions of Character Five-Star Status

Siena Heights University was one of 168 institutions to earn NAIA Champions of Character Five-Star designation for the 2013-14 academic year. The Saints earned silver designation in the program. Institutions are measured on a demonstrated commitment to Champions of Character and earned points in character training, conduct in competition, academic focus, character recognition and character promotion. Institutions earned points based on exceptional student-athlete grade point averages and by having minimal to no ejections during competition throughout the course of the academic year.

SHU Senior Chosen for Coaching Prep Program

Senior Jessie Arnold was selected to participate in the 13th annual Women’s Basketball Coaches Association “So You Want to Be a Coach” program. The three-day workshop took place April 3-5 in conjunction with the WBCA National Convention in Tampa, Fla. The objectives of the program are to increase the understanding and application of skills necessary to secure coaching positions in women’s basketball, increase the understanding and awareness of competencies necessary for success in coaching, introduce female basketball players to coaches and administrators, raise awareness of the existing talent pool of female basketball players who have a passion and interest in coaching the game of women’s basketball. Each participant is selected based on her academics, contributions to women’s basketball on and off the court, professional resume and a written recommendation from their head coach.

Online Program Earns Top 25 National Ranking

Siena Heights University’s Online Learning Programs were ranked as the best in Michigan among private institutions and 25th nationally among public and private institutions by the U.S. News and World Report. The publication released its 2015 Best Online Bachelor’s Programs rankings Jan. 7.

SHU’s Online Learning Programs, which earned its first national ranking last year, moved up more than 100 places in the 2015 rankings. SHU has offered online bachelor’s degree completion programs in selected majors since 2004.

“We are thrilled and proud to receive this prestigious third party endorsement of our program,” said SHU President Sister Peg Albert, OP, PhD. “This ranking reaffirms what we at Siena Heights already know to be true – that our Online Learning Programs consistently deliver outstanding quality and value to students. We will continue to strive for excellence in this very competitive environment.”

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. Siena Heights was particularly noted for its efforts in student engagement, receiving the second highest ranking of all institutions surveyed (97 out of a possible 100). SHU also received high marks in faculty credentials and training.

From the President:

Reflecting on the Dominican Tradition

Recently, I attended the biennial Sponsorship Conference for all the institutions sponsored by the Adrian Dominican Sisters. While attending, I had the opportunity to reflect on leadership and what it means to be a university founded in the Dominican tradition.

The following are some of my thoughts:

Because we are part of a Dominican establishment, we are all family, we are all related. Each of us are leaders in our own way. How do we lead? Is anyone following? When St. Dominic formed the Order in 1214, he believed that the Prior of the Order or the Master General should realize that he was the first among equals. That’s also how I think leaders should see themselves today. When we lead, we must be servant-leaders, putting the needs of the institution/organization/community and the people we serve first.

How do we live the mission of Siena Heights University? Many of us have multiple interactions each day. What is the quality of those interactions? Do we speak with respect and listen with interest, or do we dismiss people as well as what they have to offer? Right relationships must be the foundation on which our mission is built. It can’t be assumed. It is an intentional act. If relationships are off-kilter, then it is difficult to sincerely live our mission. Mission is not something to be written on a piece of paper and tucked away. It is something that must live and breathe, grow and deepen each day.