May/June 2016

UNIVERSITIES OF FLORIDA

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E D H . M O O R E , P h D P R E S I D E N T ( 8 5 0 ) 6 8 1 - 3 1 8 8 e m o o r e @ i c u f . o r g

INDEPENDENT

COLLEGES

Seven ICUF Schools Represented … Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida Announce ... ICUF Schools Recognized by… Florida Tech President Retires… Saint Leo Grad Wins Prestigious... Stetson Portfolios Win Big… Flagler’s Enactus Team Places Third... Record-high Counts for Manatees... Adventist University Starts Advanced Medical… Hodges Dean Receives Leader ... Chewbacca Mom and Fam Awarded... St. Thomas Opens Downtown... Warner Students Sweep the SHAPE Florida… Barry Appoints New Provost Florida Southern Names Next Dean... Florida Memorial Opens Arena & Wellness... Flagler Student Newspaper Finalist... Hospital Approved to be Built on Nova... Rollins VP for Student Affairs Named... Beachside Business Wins Top Prize... Ringling Names Head of Illustration

Seven ICUF Schools Represented at 2016

Sunshine State Scholars Event

Seven ICUF member institutions had exhibits at the 2016 Sunshine State Scholars event, held in May in Orlando. Sunshine State Scholars is sponsored by the Florida Education Foundation and the Florida Department of Education and recognizes outstanding high school students. Each Florida school district annually selects one top science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) 11th grader for participation in the program. One objective of the program is to encourage these future leaders to remain in Florida to pursue their higher education. At the event, the Scholars and their parents were recognized by education officials, including Commissioner Pam Stewart. Business and industry leaders from Lockheed Martin, SeaWorld, Kyra Solutions, and AT&T also spoke to the students and discussed educational opportunities and careers in STEM. AT&T also rewarded the Scholars with iPad Minis.

The seven ICUF institutions each had one or more representatives, including admissions officers, marketing officers, professors, and current students. In a large exhibit hall, these “ambassadors” managed booths with admissions materials, examples of STEM-related academic projects, and financial aid information. Exhibits included robots, guitar simulations, and medical equipment that enrolled students had created or used. These ICUF institution representatives also touted the Florida Resident Access Grant, providing these 81 Scholars with another reason to remain in the state and to attend an independent college or university. ICUF schools’ presence at the event made a strong statement about the importance of independent higher education to attract and retain the best and brightest in Florida. Representatives from Adventist University of Health Sciences, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Florida Institute of Technology, Florida Southern College, Keiser University, Nova Southeastern University, and Stetson University agreed that Sunshine State Scholars is a great recruiting tool and many expressed their intention to return for 2017.

Dr. Elizabeth Winslow at

Sunshine State Scholars

May/June 2016 Page 2

The Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida (ICUF) announced its first annual legislative honor roll recognizing members of the Florida Legislature who were champions of independent higher education during the recent 2016 Legislative Session. “We are grateful to the many lawmakers who fought for improved higher education policies this past session,” said Dr. Ed Moore, President of ICUF. “This honor roll salutes legislators who understand the importance of independent higher education in our state and have been dedicated to improving the educational choices of students throughout Florida.” “As the immediate past-Chairman of the Council of Presidents for the Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida, I want to acknowledge the immense dedication and support given to and on behalf the students of Florida by these elected officials,” said Larry Thompson, President of Ringling College of Art and Design. “The foresight of these lawmakers demonstrates great promise to the continued future success of our state. We thank each of them for their robust and convincing support for independent higher education in this state and the students attending those institutions.” Legislators honored played integral roles in supporting bills important to higher education and ICUF institutions, as well as critical funding issues such as the Florida Resident Access Grant (FRAG), a tuition assistance program at eligible non-public colleges and universities. The Florida Legislature’s continued commitment to FRAG funding has enabled ICUF institutions to focus on recruiting and assisting Florida students. Currently, nearly 95% of full-time undergraduate students receive some form of financial aid. “Florida families cheer legislative leaders for their vision and resourcefulness in making FRAG a state priority. The educational and economic impact of their leadership support is felt in homes, communities and on ICUF campuses across Florida,” said ICUF Council of Presidents Chairman Bill Fleming.

Florida Senate

Senate President-Designate Joe Negron Senator Anitere Flores Senator Lizbeth Benacquisto Senator Dwight Bullard Senator David Simmons Senator Jack Latvala Senator Arthenia Joyner Senator Tom Lee Senator Miguel Diaz de la Portilla Senator Jeremy Ring Senator Jeff Brandes Senator Oscar Braynon Senator John Legg Senator Bill Montford Senator Wilton Simpson Senator Bill Galvano Senator Kelli Stargel Senator Denise Grimsley Senator Maria Lorts Sachs Senator Aaron Bean

Florida House of Representatives

House Speaker Steve Crisafulli House Speaker-Designate Richard Corcoran Representative Erik Fresen Representative Jose Felix Diaz Representative Robert Cortes Representative Mia Jones Representative Shevrin Jones Representative Elizabeth W. Porter Representative Chris Sprowls Representative Jose Javier Rodriguez Representative Katie A. Edwards Representative Jose R. Olivia Representative H. Marlene O'Toole Representative George R. Moraitis, Jr. Representative Evan Jenne Representative Larry Lee Representative Manny Diaz, Jr.

Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida Announce First Annual Legislative Honor Roll

May/June 2016 Page 3

ICUF Schools Recognized by SmartAssetTM

SmartAssetTM

, a comprehensive resource for information on student finance, home buying, retirement, and more, recently ranked colleges and universities in each state for value, starting salary after graduation, and student living costs. SmartAsset identified the top 10 institutions in each state on each of these measures. In Florida, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and Florida Institute of Technology ranked #3 and #4, respectively, for “best value.” Six ICUF institutions made the top 10 for “highest starting salary”: ERAU, Florida Tech, University of Miami, Jacksonville University, Nova Southeastern University, and Rollins College. Finally, Warner University and Florida Memorial University were included in the top 10 for “low student living costs.” ICUF institutions serve all of Florida and provide an excellent return on investment! For more information, please see smartasset.com.

Fourteen years and a quarter-billion fundraising dollars later, Florida Institute of Technology President Anthony Catanese will retire in a few weeks — sort of. Catanese's legacy is secure: He ushered in an era of unprecedented growth during his tenure as the university's fourth chief executive officer. Attendance quadrupled, fueled by online classes. Revenues rocketed from $73 million to $233 million. New buildings sprouted across campus. And a football team was born. Now, the 73-year-old is "going back to, as we say in academia, my first love." In July, he'll start work as a research professor in urban planning and guest lecturer housed at the Nathan M. Bisk College of Business, just north of campus on Babcock Street. "I think I’ve met most of my goals for what I’ve wanted when I came here. I think I’m at the top of my game," Catanese said. "It’s a good time to bring in new leadership. I think the board wants the trajectory to keep going this way, so I think T. Dwayne McCay will be able to do that. I think he has a clear set of marching orders," Catanese said. "But I'll tell you, I'm looking forward to getting back to my first love. When I got into this business, I never thought I'd be a university president. I thought I was going to teach people how to make beautiful cities and have clean water," he said. Catanese now sits on the management council of the Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Program. "I'm going to work for the next several years on what we can do about cleaning up the Indian River. And that may take more time than I anticipated. My role will be trying to get science into these decisions, and engineering rather than politics. Lots of luck, right?" Catanese said, laughing.

Catanese's retirement date is June 30. His successor, McCay, is Florida Tech's executive vice president and COO. McCay has worked with President Catanese and university administrators since 2003. A yearlong change-of-power transition period is nearly complete. "He's been a mentor to me. He's been one of the best friends I've ever had," McCay said.

President Anthony Catanese

Florida Tech President Retires, Returning as Professor

May/June 2016 Page 4

Saint Leo Grad Wins Prestigious National Award

Kathleen L. “Katie” DeMeritte, a summa cum laude graduate of Saint Leo University, has also been selected for a prestigious national award for undergraduate historians. DeMeritte is among only 15 people to be named as a Gilder Lehrman History Scholar for 2016. The award is given annually by the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, a nonprofit organization that promotes excellence in teaching history.

College juniors and seniors are eligible to apply for the award, based on overall accomplishments and recommendations. Winners are invited to a conference in June in New York City where they are able to tour archives, hear presentations, and meet with eminent historians. The day after learning of her Gilder Lehrman award, DeMeritte received her Bachelor of Arts in history with highest honors from Saint Leo. She also completed minors in political science and education, which required a field placement at a middle school during her final semester. During her junior year, she worked as an intern at a local history museum in Pasco County, and worked the following summer at the National Archives in College Park, Md. Next, the 22-year-old DeMeritte will attend the University of North Carolina at Greensboro to study for a Master of Arts degree in history with a concentration in museum studies.

Kathleen L. DeMeritte

Stetson Portfolios Win Big in National Competition

Stetson University’s student-run Roland George Investments Program (RGIP) bond portfolio earned second place while its stock portfolio earned fourth place in the national G.A.M.E. VI Forum 2016 Competition. Managed by students, the RGIP portfolios out-paced nearly all of the other 250 student-managed funds programs from 140 universities, 39 states, and 40 countries that were entered in the competition this year. Judges rank the actual portfolio return performances in G.A.M.E. (Global Asset Management Education) competitions, which are hosted by Quinnipiac University.

“Managing the $3.5 million Roland George portfolios helps jumpstart students’ careers by at least five years,” said Director and Endowed Chair K.C. Ma. “This is one of the most impactful experiences we can provide to finance students because it gives them exposure to the real world of trading and investing. The experience is real because the money is real.”

Student-run Roland George Investments Program

Flagler College’s student Enactus team placed third at the Enactus U.S. National Exposition, after reaching the Final Four round of judging. A total of 120 college and university teams took part in the two-day competition, where they presented entrepreneurial projects they undertook in their communities and around the world.

Enactus is an international organization that connects student, academic and business leaders through entrepreneurial-based projects that “empower people to transform opportunities into real, sustainable progress for themselves and their communities.”

Flagler’s theme this year was “The Human Element.” More than 40 members of the team spent the past academic year making tangible improvements in the lives of the people they’ve worked with. “Dominican Waves,” for instance, is a soap business that Flagler’s Enactus team has launched, in collaboration with the Dominican Development Group in the Dominican Republic, to help local community members become financially sustainable. A second project was a business incubator with the West Augustine Community Redevelopment Area in St. Augustine. Called “Jump Inc.,” students have helped individual residents learn business basics, how to start a business or how to improve their job skills. A third project was taking on the College Reach-Out Program, now solely managed by Flagler College. The program seeks to increase the number of high school and college graduates from low-income families in St. Johns County. There are more than 443 active teams in the organization, and more than 16,800 students involved. Flagler Enactus has won national titles for their projects in 2004, 2009 and 2013.

May/June 2016 Page 5

Flagler’s Enactus Team Places Third at National Competition

Enactus Team Members

Record-high Counts for Manatees Announced by Jacksonville Researchers

The number of manatees in local waters surged to the highest single-day counts since surveys by Jacksonville University researchers began more than two decades ago, rising 15% to 217 over the previous record of 189 in 2012. Aerial surveys conducted of the Lower St. Johns River Basin and the Intracoastal Waterway showed a revival in numbers reflecting a statewide trend, likely due to stronger state regulations and more boating speed zones, said Dr. Gerry Pinto, a research scientist with the JU Marine Science Research Institute, which performs the counts under contract with the city of Jacksonville in support of the Jacksonville Manatee Protection Plan. “There has been a lot of educational outreach as well, and that has increased awareness,” he said. “lt’s encouraging that the population is increasing, but there is a worry because more manatees means we might see more deaths from encounters with boats, so that’s the downside. This next month will really show whether we know if we’re doing a good job of protecting or whether we’re going to see more casualties.” The single-day count for the two water areas was 155 in 2013, 185 in 2014 and 169 in 2015.

May/June 2016 Page 6

Adventist University of Health Sciences (ADU) announces the launch of its new Advanced Medical Assistant associate’s degree program. The University is now accepting applications for the September 2016 start date. This hands-on program prepares students to become skilled advanced medical assistants, ready to join a team of healthcare professionals. ADU’s new degree goes much further than typical medical assistant programs. It cross-trains students as both medical assistants (MA) and basic machine operators (BMO), elevating the level of training to a broader skill set now demanded by potential employers. “The cross-trained MA/BMO designation puts the ADU applicant in a more desirable and better compensated position than other MA or BMO applicants,” said Robert Paswaters, COO of Florida Hospital Centra Care. “Currently, there is a critical market shortage of quality employees with these two qualifications.”

The Advanced Medical Assistant program is a 70 credit hour associate degree designed to introduce students to the essential skills and knowledge necessary to be an entry-level healthcare provider including administrative and clinical duties. Students will have access to high-quality externships in over 45 different specialties within Florida Hospital Medical Group (FHMG) and Centra Care locations. “There is an immediate need for advanced medical assistants within the healthcare community, and ADU is committed to filling that need with skilled, mission-focused individuals who bring more to the table than other graduates,” said ADU president, David Greenlaw.

Advanced Medical Assistant student

receives hands-on teaching

Adventist University Starts Advanced Medical Assistant Program

Hodges Dean Receives Leader of the Year Award

Dr. Aysegul Timur, dean of the Johnson School of Business at Hodges University, was presented with the Frank V. Mastrianna Education Leader of the Year Award at the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE) 2016 Annual Conference and Assembly Meeting. “I am so honored to receive the Frank V. Mastrianna Education Leader of the Year Award by the IACBE. My entire team works so hard and this recognition is for all of our hard work,” said Timur.

The Frank V. Mastrianna Education Leader of the Year Award is presented to individuals who are leaders in higher education and are making valuable and significant contributions to a higher education institution or organization. According to IACBE, the recipient must be part of the IACBE community and is chosen based on his/her contributions to education, the community and to IACBE and/or members of IACBE.

“Dr. Timur met all of our criteria and what set her apart were her contributions to Hodges University, as well as her active involvement within the Naples community and to the IACBE,” said Dennis Gash, president of the IACBE. “I understand she played a significant role in the self-study for accreditation, which was extremely well done.”

Dr. Aysegul Timur

May/June 2016 Page 7

Chewbacca Mom and Fam Awarded Full Scholarships at Southeastern

After gaining fame for her viral video, Candace Payne, also known as “Chewbacca mom” and her family are now being offered free education at a Southeastern University (SEU). SEU announced that it would pay full tuition for Payne, her two children, and her husband to attend the school. Payne visited the school and received a tour from its mascot, Scorch. “How about I make this the best tour ever?” Kent Ingle, Southeastern University president, said to Payne in the video. “Since you’ve been bringing joy and laughter and great inspiration to a lot of people around the world, here at Southeastern we want to do that for you. Our gift to you is to provide you and your family full, tuition-free scholarships.”

Brian Carroll, the school’s executive vice president, said that the visit has generated a lot of interest in the school. “My phone has been ringing off the hook,” he said. “It's crazy. (The video) worked out really well for us and, I think, her. We're going to make good on our word (with the scholarships). Why can't we be (like) Oprah?”

Payne said in a news release from the school that she was excited for her family. “This is such an amazing gift for our family, I’m blown away,” she said. “I mean, my kids’ college is paid for!” So far, her video has been viewed more than 137 million times, which makes it the most watched Facebook Live video of all time.

St. Thomas University is expanding with a new downtown campus. Starting in the fall, the new location will house the Gus Machado School of Business’ cybersecurity management and trade and logistics management graduate programs - two of the most in-demand fields in South Florida. “These degrees will prepare graduates to play valuable roles in two of South Florida’s booming industries,” said Dr. Somnath Bhattacharya, dean and professor of accounting at the Gus Machado School of Business. “Downtown Miami is a prime location for these programs with companies from every region of the world represented in Miami’s international trade and logistics community, and in cybersecurity.” The building’s position in downtown also provides many professionals working in the area with a convenient location to further their education. Demand for knowledgeable professionals in both trade and logistics and cybersecurity is surging in Miami. The demand in these fields will continue to surge with the expansion of the Panama Canal, projected to be completed by June 2016; the expansion of the Port Miami tunnel; and the ever-growing global trade markets.

St. Thomas Opens Downtown Campus

Warner Students Sweep the SHAPE Florida Student Awards

Congratulations to Colby Retkowski, Warner University Physical Education K-12 senior, on being selected as the 2016 SHAPE Florida Student of the Year! SHAPE is the Society of Health and Physical Educators. Colby also plays on the Warner Royals Baseball team. Colby received a letter from Dr. Hollie M. Newnam, SHAPE Florida Executive Director, informing him that he would be receiving the title. Colby will be honored during the SHAPE Florida’s convention in November, along with classmate Zach Justis. Zach will be awarded with the 2016 Katherine W. Montgomery Scholarship award. Warner University Professor Dr. Maureen Davin was proud to share this news as this means Warner University will sweep the student awards for the SHAPE Florida Convention in November.

Colby Retkowski

May/June 2016 Page 8

John D. Murray, Ph.D., has been named Provost and Professor of Psychology at Barry University. His tenure as Provost begins July 1. Murray comes to Barry University from Indiana State University, where for the last six years he has been Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, the largest college at Indiana State. Prior to his leadership role at Indiana State, he was the chair of the Psychology Department at Georgia Southern University. Murray’s teaching positions include tenured Professor of Psychology at Indiana State and Professor of Psychology at Georgia Southern University. “We are very pleased to welcome Dr. Murray to the Barry University community. His visionary leadership and commitment to transformative learning will play a vital role in enhancing the mission of our university and the goals of our schools and colleges. I am confident that our students, faculty, staff and alumni will benefit from his experience, expertise and collaborative leadership style,” said Barry University President Sister Linda Bevilacqua, OP, Ph.D. “I am honored and very excited to be able to serve the students of Barry University,” said Murray. “The values that originally defined the university when it was founded some 75 years ago are still prevalent today. I look forward to working with deans, faculty and executive leadership to continue to evolve and grow the university while staying true to its core values and mission.”

Barry Appoints New Provost

Dr. John D. Murray

Florida Southern College is pleased to announce that Dr. Linda Comer will join the faculty as the new dean of the School of Nursing and Health Sciences. She will assume her duties in July. Dr. Comer brings more than 30 years of experience as an administrator, educator, and health practitioner to her new position. She comes to FSC from Western Carolina University, where she was the executive associate director and associate professor in the School of Nursing. In that post, she had oversight of academic and student affairs in five graduate and four undergraduate nursing programs.

As dean, Dr. Comer will lead a burgeoning program at FSC that boasts a newly expanded, state-of-the-art facility, the Joe K. and Alberta Blanton Nursing Building. The program includes traditional bachelor’s and RN-to-BSN degrees, an MSN degree with three career tracks, and post-master’s certificates. Dr. Comer will also oversee the athletic training and exercise science programs at FSC. “Our School of Nursing and Health Sciences has become renowned for training nurses who provide the highest standards of care,” said FSC Provost Kyle Fedler. “Dr. Linda Comer is a gifted leader who has a unique grasp of the modern nursing profession, and we are confident that she is the right person to lead this program to the next level of excellence.”

Florida Southern Names Next Dean of School of Nursing

School of Nursing & Health Sciences

May/June 2016 Page 9

Florida Memorial Opens Arena & Wellness Education Center

Florida Memorial University (FMU) opened their Multi-Purpose Arena & Wellness Education Center with a Ribbon Cutting Breakfast event. The event was also the backdrop for the launch of FMU’s Health Matters Movement. Those in attendance included FMU’s Board of Trustees, Mayor Oliver G. Gilbert III, City of Miami Gardens Councilpersons and other distinguished community leaders, stakeholders and sponsors.

The FMU Health Matters Movement is an integrated campus and community-wide campaign, which will be implemented through a tenacious series of grassroots events and educational workshops to be held beginning in September of the 2016-2017 Academic Year. As it currently serves a diverse student population, Florida Memorial University is keenly aware of the importance of eliminating health disparities that disproportionately plague the South Florida community. FMU’s new Wellness Center presents an opportunity to embrace and educate the surrounding community about the importance of living and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. “The opening of this facility marks the beginning of the FMU Health Matters Movement! Our goal is to provide our students with all of the tools necessary to lead healthy, productive lives. Through our athletic, fitness and educational offerings we will provide students and the community with the opportunity, encouragement and support they need to be physically, mentally, emotionally, socially, intellectually, spiritually and financially healthy,” said FMU president Roslyn Clark Artis.

Flagler College’s online-only student newspaper, The Gargoyle, was selected as a finalist in the Society of Professional Journalists’ 2015 National Mark of Excellence Awards in two categories: Best Independent Online Student Publication and Best Digital-Only Student Publication. National Mark of Excellence award judges could select one national winner and up to two national finalists (runners-up) in each category. "We are absolutely thrilled, as this is the first time The Gargoyle site has been recognized nationally in this prestigious competition," said Brian Thompson, advisor to the student publication. "This really says a lot about the hard work and dedication of the students who work on The Gargoyle."

Flagler Student Newspaper Finalist in National Awards Competition

May/June 2016 Page 10

Hospital Approved to be Built on Nova Southeastern Campus

Florida’s Agency for Health Care Administration submitted its final approval for HCA East Florida to relocate Plantation General Hospital to Nova Southeastern University (NSU) in Davie. “This will propel us toward achieving NSU’s Vision 2020, providing the highest quality health care to our community, and open the doors for countless teaching and research opportunities,” said NSU President Dr. George Hanbury. Consistent with its other facilities, HCA East Florida will privately own the facility and no public funds will be utilized in the construction of the hospital.

“This is the first academic medical facility of its kind in Broward County. The new state-of-the-art hospital will fulfill our continued mission to provide high quality healthcare to the communities we serve,” said Michael Joseph, president of HCA East Florida. “HCA East Florida is proud of our award winning facilities and we look forward to working with NSU. The partnership will elevate the level of services we can provide by integrating a research and academic component into our scope of care to patients and provide much needed healthcare services to the town of Davie and beyond.”

The first phase of this project was completed in 2015 when HCA East Florida built the first free-standing Emergency Room (ER) in Davie on the location of the now approved hospital. The hospital will be built around this existing ER. “Relocating this community hospital to NSU’s campus will provide the basis for a state-of-the-art teaching and research hospital in central Broward County, with easy access and far-reaching benefits,” said NSU President Dr. George Hanbury. “Our faculty members and students are already making breakthroughs in cell therapy, pharmaceuticals, and the hi-tech/biotech areas. Bringing this health care hub to our campus will provide the resources that lead to clinical trials to benefit our community and all of humankind.”

Rollins VP for Student Affairs Named Education Fellow

Rollins College Vice President for Student Affairs Mamta Accapadi has been named an ACE Fellow by the American Council on Education (ACE) for the 2016-17 academic year. Established in 1965, the ACE Fellows Program is designed to strengthen institutions and leadership in American higher education by identifying and preparing faculty and staff for senior positions in college and university administration. Thirty-three Fellows nominated by the senior administration of their institutions were selected this year following a rigorous application process. “We are so proud that Dr. Accapadi has been recognized as an ACE Fellow,” said Rollins College President Grant H. Cornwell. “Mamta is a leader within the Rollins community who has spent the last several years strengthening our students’ learning experience and campus engagement, and this opportunity will only further enhance her leadership among her Student Affairs colleagues nationwide.”

During her time at Rollins, Accapadi has focused on developing strategic alignments of core student affairs areas in student care, community, and career and life planning in order to develop stronger functional alignments in support of Rollins students, the College’s retention efforts, and mission of educating students for global citizenship and responsible leadership.

Dr. Mamta Accapadi

May/June 2016 Page 11

Beachside Business Wins Top Prize at Palm Beach Atlantic

Palm Beach Atlantic University junior Emily Hochheiser found a profitable way to combine her dreams of starting a business with her love of sun and surf. She wrote a plan for a company called Mahalo, a mobile rental and retail business for various beach-related products, from chairs and umbrellas to paddle boards and sports equipment. “I just wanted to figure out a way to put my passions into my job,” said the Manchester, Maryland, native who is majoring in management and minoring in communication. The company’s name, Mahalo, is a word used to express gratitude in Hawaiian.

Her idea now has the financial support to get it off the ground. As the first-place winner in the University’s fifth annual J.J.’s Entrepreneurs business plan competition, Hochheiser now has $10,000 in seed money to begin renting equipment to beachgoers from a vehicle similar to a food truck, a concept with potential to spread throughout Florida’s coast and beyond.

The United Franchise Group, the global leader for entrepreneurs, is home to seven leading franchise brands that can be found in more than 80 countries. It partnered with the University to create J.J.’s Entrepreneurs in 2011 to encourage and teach college students about the benefits of entrepreneurship and owning their own business.

Ringling College of Art and Design has announced Ringling College alumnus Scott Gordley (Graphic Design, ’77) has been appointed Department Head for Illustration. Scheduled to start in fall 2016, Scott brings with him over 30 years of illustration, teaching, and administration experience. Scott graduated with an MFA from Tufts University and his BFA in Graphic Design from Ringling College. He is a former Chair of the Department of Art & Design at Montclair State University and is currently Director of the BFA Illustration/Animation program at MSU. “We are excited to welcome Scott Gordley back to the Ringling College community,” says Ringling College Vice President for Academic Affairs Jeff Bellantoni. “His experience, vision, and background will infuse our Illustration program with the energy needed to continue growing, developing, and educating the next generation of creative leaders.”

“My educational journey, more like an odyssey really, took me through two schools as an undergraduate student and two schools at the graduate level. Through all of the fellow students and professors who taught me along the way, the one school that continually keeps coming back to me is Ringling College. Most of my lasting friendships are those that started during my first year at Ringling College. To this day, those relationships are some of the most meaningful to me, and the core of those friendships continues to revolve around a passion for the creative pursuit,” said Gordly.

Ringling Names Head of Illustration

Scott Gordley

May/June 2016 Page 12

Building Real Assessment in Academic Programs

We continue within higher education to evolve our tools and desired educational outcomes. In the early 1900’s, only a selective number of students were able to attend postsecondary institutions. Today, we want every high school graduate to have the opportunity to pursue a college degree or certificate. Aspirations, guidance, credibility and accountability are forces that drive us all, but volume matters. We find ourselves rich in the age of data, but still at our infancy in the collection of consistent data and the creation of meaningful reports to help us navigate and assist the multitudes.

The collection of relevant and consistent data, and a timely process of creating meaningful reports for faculty and student use are the goals. These goals have their challenges; 1) institutions currently use a variety of data collection software tools with incompatible data fields, and 2) data reports need to be timely and meaningful in order to inform faculty so they may assist students during their course towards degree.

Flagler College recently reported successful use of the Campus Labs Outcomes integrated software and cloud-based assessment tools for higher education to identify areas of focus for change or improvement. This product, endorsed by their faculty as intuitive, simple and clear, made it possible to assess and report on their recent process of enhancing their program mission statements and student learning outcomes. They are now able to standardize their course-level outcomes, produce outcome data for faculty by different levels: academic, major, program, division or school, as well as the overall institution. Flagler also discovered that Campus Labs Outcomes seamlessly connected with their accreditation and program review tools.

Another product by a current ICUF Preferred Vendor, Civitas Learning, engages the power of advanced predictive analytics to improve student outcomes. Nova Southeastern University has past experience working with them. Data can be transformative once organized and linked together, either for individuals or aggregated, to meet the needs of campuses and their missions.

ICUF institutions focus on using data to improve teaching and learning

200,000 ICUF degrees awarded since 2010

May/June 2016 Page 13

of Independent Colleges and Universities Florida

Preferred Vendors

S P OT L I G H T S

Click HERE for a listing of all our ICUF Preferred Vendors

American Student Assistance (SALTTM

)

100 Cambridge Street, Suite 1600 Boston, MA 02114

American Student Assistance is a private nonprofit whose public purpose mission is to empower students and alumni to successfully manage and repay their college loan debt. We do this through a comprehensive money coaching solution, SALTTM that engages this audience and provides financial savvy in ways that really work. SALTTM is a multi-channel, integrated service, combining on-line education and tools with outreach and counseling. Because students are digital natives, ASA enables them, wherever possible, to find the answers and information they need via the web. Through targeted messaging for enrolled students and also through targeted campaigns, ASA reaches out to students to encourage them to (i) develop their financial savviness, (ii) understand the options available for financing higher education and, for those who borrowed student loans, (iii) remain on the right path to repayment of their loans. Our program tracks borrowers through repayment, proactively reaching out to them and assisting where necessary to keep them in good standing.

Primary Contact: Mr. Casey Wallen, Manager Higher Education Partnerships – Southeast (617) 535-2610 cwallen@asa.org

www.asa.org

S P OT L I G H T S SallieMae Insurance Services

5080 North 40th Street, Suite 105 Phoenix, AZ 85018 www.salliemae.com

Tuition Refund Insurance helps you and your family protect your investment in education by covering up to 100% of tuition and fees lost due to a medical withdrawal or a withdrawal due to a mental health condition.

Primary Contacts: John Fees, Co-Founder / Managing Director (602) 954-6306 / (602) 541-1771 (Cell) jtfees@nextgennins.com

Adventist University of Health Sciences

Ave Maria University

Barry University

Beacon College

Bethune-Cookman University

Eckerd College

Edward Waters College

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Everglades University

Flagler College

Florida College

Florida Institute of Technology

Florida Memorial University

Florida Southern College

Hodges University

Jacksonville University

Keiser University

Lynn University

Nova Southeastern University

Palm Beach Atlantic University

Ringling College of Art and Design

Rollins College

Saint Leo University

Southeastern University

St. Thomas University

Stetson University

The University of Tampa

University of Miami

Warner University

Webber International University

Please email comments and suggested news items to:

marmstrong@icuf.org.