Student Life Symposium

The Student Life Department recently hosted its second Student Life Symposium. The event is designed to provide time for personal and professional enrichment while encouraging dialogue between campuses. The participants share best practices and innovative approaches to the challenges that face higher education today.

This year's keynote speaker was Anita Foeman, Ph.D., a professor in the Department of Communication Studies at West Chester University. Foeman is a scholar of intercultural and organizational communication who joined WSU in 1982. Other presenters represented Ursinus, Saint Joseph's University and Arcadia. CHC’s Krista Murphy, Ph.D., dean of student life, led a session on the topic, "Not in My Locker Room: Fighting Rape Culture on Campus and the Campaign Trail," and Lisa Johnson, Psy.D., counselor, presented "Re-branding Mental Illness: A Model for the 21st Century."

Science Poster Presentation

The 17 students in the course, Biology for Non-Majors, taught by Lakshmi Atchison, Ph.D., professor of biology, presented their projects on the fifth floor of St. Joseph Hall in November. The class was split into two groups and each researched a different form of cancer.

The first group reported on lung cancer, since November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month. Posters showed diagrams of a healthy versus a diseased lung, warning signs and dangerous habits.

The second group researched melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. Their posters listed risk factors, such as sun exposure, and signs, including changes to moles. Each group also handed out brochures they had created for the presentation.

Psy.D. Students Display Work

On November 1, the fourth-floor Rotunda was alive with Year III Psy.D. students making the first public presentation of their dissertation research proposals. This annual event gives students the opportunity to discuss their research plans with faculty, students and others in and beyond the CHC community who provide them with helpful feedback and suggestions.

The poster presentation is an opportunity for doctoral students to gain experience describing their research plans to professional and lay audiences, which is excellent preparation for their dissertation defense and future professional presentations of their work.

This year’s proposed research topics include "Efficacy of the MMPI-2 Substance Abuse Scales in a Parental Competency Population" by Jordyn Smith, M.S., "Perceived Parenting Style and the Potential Influence on Treatment Seeking in a Sample of Substance Abusing Adults," by Holly Daniel, M.S., and "Your Client or Their Client: Does Framing Affect Clinical Judgment?" by Matt Currie, M.S., among many other complex and intriguing topics.

International Agreement Around Early Childhood Education

Representatives from the Tbilisi Kindergarten Management Agency and members of the Tbilisi City Council from the Republic of Georgia visited CHC in November to attend a professional development training program in early childhood education.

The government of the Republic of Georgia has doubled the budget for its pre-school education, including restoration of vacant buildings and construction of new kindergarten facilities. They joined CHC educators to learn best international practices for early childhood education.

During the weeklong visit, in addition to visiting local elementary schools and attending conferences, the group spent a day in Washington, D.C., and paid a visit to the King of Prussia Mall.

One of their main goals was accomplished as well, the signing of a memorandum of understanding by the City Council members and Global Education Motivators, Inc., represented by Wayne Jacoby, the organization’s president. The goal of the memorandum is to organize joint cultural-educational programs, trainings, seminars, professional development courses and conferences for different target groups.

“One of my best experiences working with educators from the Republic of Georgia has been observing and interacting with kindergarten and pre-school programs in Tbilisi and Batumi,” says Jacoby. “They are truly building a new foundation for education in Georgia.”

The Matchmaker

Members of the Mask & Foil Drama Club had the audiences in stitches with their performances of "The Matchmaker" in November. Directed by Brielle Frasca ’16, CHC’s actors extroirdinaire brought a classic show to life … and laughter.

Collaboration Renewed

Chestnut Hill College and Montgomery County Community College (MCCC) recently renewed their agreement to collaborate in offering bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees at MCCC’s Pottstown and Blue Bell campuses. Known as the University Center, this partnership has been in place since 2010 and offers students — especially those who would have trouble commuting to Chestnut Hill — a convenient way to continue their education. Albright College and Immaculata University also partner with MCCC at the University Center.

CHC offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Services and a Master of Science degree in Administration of Human Services at the Pottstown campus. Bachelor of Science degrees in social Gerontology and Business Communications will be added with the renewed agreement.

In the article about the collaboration posted on MCCC’s website, President Carol Jean Vale, SSJ, Ph.D., spoke about the agreement.

“The way to move forward is through partnerships like we have with the University Center, where students have the opportunity to fulfill their dreams of a four-year education. The University Center is not competition, but cooperation among institutions,” she said.

University Center student Thomas Schiel of Boyertown, Pa., shared his success story during the ceremony celebrating the partnership. After earning his associate’s degree at MCCC in Pottstown, he transferred into Albright College’s program and earned his bachelor’s degree in applied psychology & organizational behavior. He is now continuing his education at CHC in Pottstown to earn his master’s degree in administration of human services.

“I thought earning a graduate degree was out of my realm, but with the University Center, I can work full time, spend time with my family and earn my master’s degree,” he said. “And my kids see that if I can go to college, so can they.”

BSU Panel Discussion

CHC’s Black Student Union hosted a lunch and panel discussion at SugarLoaf in early December in which faculty, staff and students discussed world issues with Toni Ford ’63 and other invited guests.

"Our Lives, Taking Charge and Making Them Matter" allowed the panelists, who ranged in age from 20 to 90, to share their life experiences, inviting response, exploration and interaction from and with those in attendance.

The full story will run in the February issue of Connections.

Recognition for “The Apple Tree”

Kimberly Croy ’19 submitted her children’s book, “The Apple Tree,” as the final project for her class, Early Education Foundations, taught by Dorothy Bredehoft, SSJ, Ed.D.

When it came back from Studentreasures Publishing, where it had been sent to be bound, Croy was surprised to discover it had been selected as a finalist in the company’s National Book Challenge.

Sister Dorothy says she was surprised too, although she is impressed with the level of work done in this class.

“The whole class did an excellent job in putting the theory learned here into practice and creating something that belongs to them,” she says.

The idea about a generous apple tree was inspired by Croy’s observations in a kindergarten classroom this semester.

“I noticed they liked apples and days of the week. I wanted to also teach them to count by twos,” she says. “A deeper message teaches about sharing and being in an inclusive community.”

Croy will find out this spring how “The Apple Tree” fared among its competitors. Regardless of the outcome, as Sister Dorothy says, “Kimberly put her observation into a practical experience that she can have for herself and use with her future students.”

Messages of Positivity

After a proliferation of hate crimes rose to national attention following the election, CHC’s Title IX Committee wanted to give students a space to be positive and support one another. Regardless of political affiliation, the committee wanted the College community to feel supported, not just by CHC, but also by one another.

Community members were encouraged to write notes of positivity and hope and share them by posting them on the bulletin board outside of the dining hall. Students seemed to appreciate the opportunity to be supportive of their fellow Griffins.

Notes to Families

Winter break has arrived! Here are a few points to note:

• Residence Halls open up on Sunday January 15 at noon.
• Care packages and treats can be sent to students throughout the spring semester at http://www.ocm.com/CHL.
• Housing deposits for the 2017-2018 academic year will be due in March. More details to follow.
   

Eat and Drink for Less

CHC Athletics has partnered with Brittingham’s as the official restaurant of Griffin Nation, offering discounts to the entire campus community. By presenting your Chestnut Hill College ID, you will get 15 percent off your entire bill and 15 percent off any private party or special event (work or personal).

Get more information on private events by contacting Tanya.Brittsevents@gmail.com

Brittingham’s is located at 640 Germantown Pike in Lafayette Hill, Pa. Call 484-344-5162 for information or visit www.brittinghams.com.