Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Union Institute & University to Welcome Nationally Recognized Scholars for Nine-Day Ph.D. Residency

Program includes keynote speaker Dr. Ed O’Neil, Dr. Richard Cuoto and Peter Block, and visits to Cincinnati museums

CINCINNATI – Downtown Cincinnati will be home to more than fifty scholars from across the country when they converge at the Garfield Suites January 4-12 to take part in Union Institute & University’s (UI&U) residency for cohort Ph.D.s in interdisciplinary studies. The residency will feature keynote speaker Dr. Ed O’Neil, a pioneer in international healthcare and author of the book, Hippocrates Revisited, as well as presentations by community consultants Peter Block and Dr. Richard Cuoto.

UI&U’s Ph.D. in interdisciplinary studies is one of the most innovative among other doctorate programs in the county. The learners come together as members of cohorts that are formed based on the program’s three areas of concentration; ethical and creative leadership, public policy and social issues, and humanities and society.

“The program is adult centered – collegial but not professor/student centered,” said Judith Bryant, a Detroit-based organizational consultant and Ph.D. candidate. “The residencies are a way for me to connect, and are a great source of inspiration.”

True to UI&U’s “classrooms without walls” approach to higher education, the residency will utilize the Cincinnati community as a learning tool. Every term, learners visit Cincinnati museums, as part of their residency. This term, groups – or cohorts - will return to the Freedom Center, while others will visit the Contemporary Arts Center. Cohorts will return to Garfield Suites after their visit, to share their experiences in a discussion.

“We are proud that these (UI&U) doctoral candidates will have the opportunity to visit the Freedom Center during their residency in Cincinnati and hope that they are inspired by the past struggles for freedom so that they can act as agents to help eliminate modern day slavery,” said Donald Murphy, CEO of the Freedom Center.

Keynote speaker Dr. Ed O’Neil will talk about his work in international healthcare at 6 pm, Wednesday, January 9, at the Garfield Suites Hotel at 2 Garfield Place, Downtown. The talk is free and open to the public. Dr. O’Neil is the author of Awakening Hippocrates: A Primer on Health, Poverty, and Global Service, and A Practical Guide to Global Health Service. He is the founder the non-profit organization Omni-Med, (www.omnimed.org) which focuses on health volunteerism and ethical leadership. To date, over 120 physicians have gone abroad through Omni Med’s innovative, cooperatively designed programs in Belize, Guyana, and Kenya.

Contact: Jonathan Eskridge, academic residency advisor, 513-487-1199 or jeskridge@tui.edu.

Thursday, December 6, 2007

Union Institute & University Appoints Three New Members to Board of Trustees

Cincinmati, OH--Union Institute & University (UI&U) Board of Trustees Chair Cheryl Foley recently announced the election of Thomas A. Gilman, Dr. Hanmin Liu, and Larry C. Spears to UI&U’s Board.

“The appointment of these outstanding leaders is a clear indication that Union is on to great things. Each new member brings a valuable experience and specific expertise to the Board, and their efforts to help their communities emulates the Union’s mission and vision wonderfully,” said Roger Sublett, president of UI&U.

Thomas A. Gilman, a Cincinnati-based executive and entrepreneur, is the owner and CEO of Baldwin Gilman LLC, a nationally-recognized professional and executive search firm that places individuals in career positions based on compatibility with organizational values and cultures.

Prior to purchasing Baldwin Gilman, he worked for more than three decades at Deloitte, a leading professional services firm where he played an integral role in acquiring and integrating two smaller consulting firms and helped develop, launch, and manage the firm’s mid-market consulting practice. He retired from Deloitte as the deputy managing director of its consulting practice.

Gilman earned a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from Miami University and served on the school’s Business Advisory Committee. His expertise will serve the trustees in their efforts to focus on budget management.

A UI&U doctoral alumnus, Dr. Hanmin Liu brings a long history of leadership and community engagement and activism to the Board.

After graduating from UI&U in 1978, Dr. Liu founded the United States/China Educational Institute, an organization dedicated to “improving health, education, and youth services” in the United States and China.

In 1997, he furthered his vision by creating the Wildflowers Institute in San Francisco, an organization aimed at working with communities to help build a strong sense of identity through self-organized activities for young people and families.

Dr. Liu also holds a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the New York University School of Dentistry, where he graduated with honors.

Larry Spears, senior fellow and president emeritus of the Robert K. Greenleaf Center for Servant-Leadership, recently stepped down from his position as president and CEO of the center, where he served for more than 16 years. Spears was previously the managing director of the Greater Philadelphia Philosophy Consortium, a cooperative association of 12 colleges and universities in the Philadelphia area. He also served as a staff member with the Great Lakes Colleges Association’s Philadelphia Center and with the Quaker magazine, Friends Journal, in Philadelphia, PA.

Spears is also a nationally known writer, editor, and speaker on leadership. Since 1970 he has published more than 300 articles, essays and book reviews, including many for in-house publications. He is senior editor of the Greenleaf Center’s newsletter, The Servant Leader. Spears has also been interviewed by numerous publications, including: Fortune, the Indianapolis Business Journal, the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Washington Post, and Advancing Philanthropy. A February 2004 television broadcast interview of Spears by Stone Philips on NBC’s Dateline was seen by ten million viewers.

His 30 years of experience in organizational leadership, entrepreneurial development, non-profit management, and grant writing will be of great benefit to UI&U.

Monday, December 3, 2007

Union Institute & University’s Criminal Justice Online Program Helps Officers Advance

New Online Program and FOP University Selection, UI&U’s Criminal Justice Department Educators Anticipate a Successful New Year

CINCINNATI – Advancements this year in Union Institute & University’s criminal justice programs in the Miami center and others, continue to strengthen the already popular degree track – considered by most law enforcement professionals as one of the most practical and respected programs for continuing their education.

In April, the Ohio Board of Regents approved UI&U’s BA in criminal justice online program, designed to help officers earn degrees while accommodating their unique work schedules.

“In Miami and throughout Florida it is becoming in law enforcement to have a college degree,” says Chief Roland Pandolfi, an advisor and faculty member for UI&U’s criminal justice program. “(UI&U) provides the structure and flexibility police officers need to go back to school. The new online program is learner centered and challenging academically.”

Colonel James Smith of the Pierce Township Police Department in Cincinnati is currently finishing his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice through UI&U’s online program.

“This is the only way I could finish my degree,” said Colonel Smith. “My work schedule is too demanding and there is no way I could go back to school on certain days or even evenings.”

Colonel Smith attended the University of Cincinnati, and finds UI&U’s online program just as challenging. “When I get on the computer late at night – sometimes as late as five in the morning – I am amazed that my professors are online, ready to help me,” said Colonel Smith.

UI&U President Roger H. Sublett sees the new program as a continuation of what it has done for more than 40 years. “Union Institute & University has historically focused on adults seeking relevant and meaningful education that not only fits into their busy lives, but also provides them with the knowledge and confidence to advance in their careers,” he said.

The new online program promises accelerated degree completion, “but not at the cost of engagement with faculty or with current trends in law enforcement,” said Sublett. “By working with professional organizations like the FOP, faculty advisors honor the police officer’s busy work schedule, expertise, and experience, all while fostering an officer’s ability to make a difference in his or her community.”

Dr. Ellen Marshall, coordinator of UI&U’s criminal justice online program, said that, unlike other criminal justice online programs offered at universities, every member of UI&U’s faculty is either a retired, or current law enforcement professional.

“We’ve been there,” says Marshall, of the faculty. She earned three degrees (including her doctorate) from UI&U while serving as a police officer in Delaware. “We know what the learners are going through so we can provide great advice and great guidance.”

Also in April, Union was selected by the National Fraternal Order of Police as one of only ten higher learning institutions to become a member of FOP University – a consortium of universities and colleges that provides FOP members with multi-varied leaning programs in both traditional and non-traditional forums.

“Out of the ten schools, Union is the only one that can offer baccalaureate, masters, and doctoral programs that can be tailored to the law enforcement community,” said Dr. Tim Mott, associate provost of distance learning for UI&U. “Being one of only 10 schools in that network helps us stand out in a very crowded field.”

Tuesday, November 6, 2007

Union Institute & University Announces Newest Staff Additions

November’s hires include a former outreach program coordinator, an aspiring therapist, and Northern Kentucky’s top ranking table tennis player

Elizabeth Schmidt has been hired as administrative assistant to the offices of assessment and distant learning for Union Institute and University. Elizabeth has bachelor’s degrees in public relations and political science from Eastern Kentucky University, where she worked with resident’s life and the diversity office. Before coming to work for Union, Elizabeth worked for the YWCA Hamilton’s domestic violence shelter doing marketing and running outreach programs including an adult anger management program. Elizabeth grew up in Colerain Township, and lived in Lexington, Ky. for several years after college before returning to Cincinnati.

Elizabeth’s first pair of shoes were just like Forest Gump’s, and she recommends all first time roller skaters purchase a pair, “They work great for instant stability,” she says.

In their spare time, Elizabeth and her partner breed red worms to feed the 10 aquatic turtles they have rescued from hapless pet owners.

Elizabeth brings with her a personal philosophy directly in line with Union’s Mission, Vision, and Values. At each cross roads and at the end of each hurtle she asks, “What did I learn, and how has this affected the world around me?”

Nicole Hamilton, Union’s new writer/public relations manager, has experience on both sides of the PR world. She worked as a news aide and freelance writer for the Cincinnati Enquirer, before accepting a position as public relations and events coordinator for Northern Kentucky University’s Department of Music. Nicole (known as “Nikki”) has also worked as a media coordinator for political campaigns and, most recently, was a reporter for the Downtowner. A University of Cincinnati graduate, Nikki will manage Union’s public relations from Union’s Cincinnati headquarters offices as part of the communications team and will work closely with the alumni and development offices, as well as the deans and admissions staffs at each center.

Nikki is a certified yoga instructor and has been teaching people to stand on their heads for more than seven years, and has been a mediocre cello player for more than twenty years.

Janet Ross, Union’s new business office secretary, graduated from Toccoa Falls College with a bachelor’s degree in counseling. She worked for River Cities Capital Fund before beginning her career with Union in June of 1995, first working in the graduate college and then with the registrar’s office. After five years with Union, Janet moved on to work as administrative assistant for Greater Cincinnati Consortium of Colleges and Universities for six years, housed in the Union building.

Janet is back working for Union after serving as a case manager for Welcome House in Covington, KY. She hopes to earn her doctorate in psychology from Union.

Janet enjoys going to parks, seeing movies and spending time with her two girls. In addition, she volunteers for City Cure and helps women who are struggling with domestic violence.

“Who knows what the road ahead will look like after the degree,” says Janet. “But getting a chance to follow through on my dream of becoming a therapist is a miracle come to life.”

Greg Thompson, Union’s new director of computer services, earned a bachelor’s degree in communication from Northern Kentucky University, where he worked as the Network Administrator and Lead Systems Analyst for five years. Greg also served as a network administrator for Hillenbrand in Batesville, IN and as a senior project manager for Cincinnati Bell before coming to Union.

In his spare time, Greg plays table tennis at the Northern Kentucky Table Tennis Club ( http://nkytt.org ), where he is also the President. Greg founded this non-profit organization with his father in 2003, and is currently the top ranked player in Northern Kentucky and in the top 10 in the state of Kentucky.

Greg hopes to bring to Union is a fresh perspective, using 13 years of experience in the computer industry.

“There are many things we can do at Union to make things more efficient as well as innovative,” he says.

“I am constantly utilizing new technologies which we can use to make Union a cutting edge technology school.”

Sunday, October 28, 2007

MFA in Writing program named one of top five low-residency programs in US

In the July issue of Atlantic Monthly, writer Edward J. Delaney recently named the Vermont College of Fine Arts of Union Institute & University (VCFA) Master of Fine Arts in Writing Program among the strongest low-residency MFA programs in the United States. The program shares its title with four other creative writing programs, including those at Bennington College, Pacific University, Antioch University, and Warren Wilson College.Delaney, author of The Drowning and Other Stories, visited 30 creative writing programs to interview faculty, students, and alumni. The ranking process did not come easily, he notes, as graduate-level creative writing programs have blossomed in the past few decades, growing from about 50 in the 1970s to nearly 300 programs in 2007. Delaney based his decisions upon whether or not programs demonstrated “strong reputations, strong teachers, a unique personality, or…innovation in the classroom.”

The VCFA Master of Fine Arts in Writing exhibited all those qualities and more. Established in 1981, the program was one of the first low-residency programs to offer writers the opportunity to earn an MFA degree through study with accomplished authors and teachers while keeping their commitments to communities, families, and careers. Delaney views the low-residency program as “a wonderful opportunity” for sage or beginning writers to “honor the writing that they otherwise do quietly after work or early in the morning.” In this way, writing becomes not only part of a student’s academic work, but part of his or her daily life.

Beyond the structure of the program or its innovation, Delaney notes that strong teachers are the most vital component to any successful writing program. Noted for its ability to attract nationally known scholars and practitioners, the VCFA writing program emphasizes that faculty balance teaching the craft of writing with their own artistic ventures. Their talents are continually recognized in the literary community with national honors, including the Mary McCarthy Prize in Short Fiction, Pushcart Prizes, and a Pulitzer Prize nomination. According to Louise Crowley, administrative director of the VCFA Master of Fine Arts in Writing Program, “Excellence and total dedication of our faculty is a highlight of our program that makes it one of the best in the nation; we have managed to assemble the finest group of faculty you could find anywhere.”

Thursday, October 25, 2007

Ask a Librarian - New Instant Chat

Reference librarians are now available to answer questions during regular library hours via chat reference. In one click, no registration or download required, you can start typing in the chat window to talk with a reference librarian. Try it out! Instant message your question — just type your question in the box to the right and wait for the librarian to respond!Meebo connects you with your instant messaging buddies, and librarian, from absolutely anywhere for free. Whether you’re at home, on campus, at work, or traveling foreign lands, hop over to meebo.com, or just access the chat box on the library website. Immediately get answers to your research questions: no downloads or installations required!

The Gary Library chat reference service is for the use of UI&U learners, faculty, and staff and for those who have questions about our collections and services. If you wish to leave us a message when we are unavailable, please contact us by e-mail at mailto:library@tui.edu