Download Newsletter - Stratford University

The Stratford University Times
News of the Falls Church Campus - July 2016
Newsletter Office: Room 209, 2nd Floor South, Editor: John Thieman
I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG . . .
. . . so begins this pledge of loyalty to the flag and country of the United States of America. Originally composed in 1887 by Colonel George Balch, it was adopted as the official
Pledge of Allegiance by Congress in 1942. When President Eisenhower signed the present
version into law in 1954, he said, “From this day forward, the millions of our school children
will daily proclaim in every city and town, and in every village and rural school house, the
dedication of our nation and our people to the Almighty.... In this way we are reaffirming the
transcendence of religious faith in America's heritage and future; in this way we shall constantly strengthen those spiritual weapons which forever will be our country's most powerful resource, in
peace or in war."
The Student Support Center on the Falls Church
Campus encouraged a deeper understanding and celebration of the July 4th by offering the students their own
personal American flag and special treats to help them
commemorate the weekend with its special holiday.
LET US STAND TOGETHER AGAINST HATRED AND VIOLENCE
Message from the President and the V.P. International Development
The following statement was released by the University President and V.P. International Development before a gathering of personnel at Stratford’s Falls Church
Campus in the aftermath of the shooting in New Orleans.
“Before the wounds of Paris, Brussels and multiple other places have been given
the chance to heal, a deeper even uglier wound, has been inflicted towards humanity
by a single person who has destroyed the lives of more than 50 families. These families and many other loved ones have been severely affected, and they will mourn the
unexpected loss of their loved ones forever.
“On behalf of the President of Stratford University, the V.P. International Development and his staff at the International Student Office, and all the students of Stratford
University, we mourn and extend our upmost support to the families of the victims. Unfortunately, it is just another representation of hatred and radicalization, but something
we can promise to fight every day of our lives.”
To show support for those suffering because of this act, the Student Support Office under Manager Katya Vargus, Assistant Manager Azra Khan and
Student Support Coordinator Tamika Brown invited University President Dr. Richard
Shurtz,II, above, Campus Director Dr. Mary Kay Svedberg pictured on the right, and
Campus Dean Dr. Richelle Resto on the left, to speak before a gathering of campus faculty and staff. Members of the audience were invited to share their thoughts and experiences with the others.
AN OPEN LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT OF STRATFORD UNITERSITY
Recently the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity (NACIQI) voted to decertify ACICS. ACICS the institutional accreditor for Stratford University. The closure of a few unscrupulous
schools was used as evidence. The committee heard from many satisfied students, but was not swayed.
The committee understood that many good schools would be hurt, but were motivated to make a statement
against unscrupulous institutions by decertifying ACICS.
Stratford University had already taken action to move to other accreditors. Our teams were activated
prior to the NACIQI hearing. We started the process well over a year ago with one of the accreditors. We
will always maintain our accreditation. Furthermore, our programmatic accreditations are unaffected
(ACFEI, CCNE, ABHES, and CEA).
Stratford University will celebrate its 40th anniversary this year. We are highly respected by the accreditation community, government agencies, and the Department of Education. Last month we received a
Presidential E-Award for our international programs. We were the only University in the nation to receive
this award. That same month SEVIS recertified our international programs without a single finding. Last
week we received a letter of commendation from US Senator Mark Warner. You can be proud of all that we
have accomplished as a team.
We will continue to Change Lives…One Student at a Time. We will continue to function as a true forbenefit institution of higher education. We will continue to be drawn to our mission of Empowering the Human Spirit, one Student, one Community at a time. We will continue to make a difference.
Don’t be too concerned by the news. In the end, those schools that have done the right thing will be fine. They will continue to serve their students and their community.
Richard Shurtz, President
Stratford University
Changing lives….one student at a time.
FALLS CHURCH CAMPS OPENS ITS DOORS TO THE COMMUNITY
The doors of the Falls Church Campus
are always open to members of the community who wish to learn how the university can
impact their l ives. At a recent Open House,
Campus Director Dr. Mary Kay Svedburg and
Campus Dean Dr. Richelle Resto invited visitors to learn of the school’s many degree programs and take advantage of the opportunity to enroll. On
the right, Dr. Deborah Shavone speaks with visitors inquiring about the Nursing program.
Department representatives explained their services and the many
ways students could find assistance to
successfully complete their studies. A
tour of the educational departments concluded the meeting.
“THANK YOU FOR CALLING STRATFORD UNIVERSITY - HOW MAY I DIRECT YOUR CALL”
First impressions are important, and the person with whom a caller first speaks
when contacting the Stratford University Falls Church Campus reception desk may
well be that of either Aja Keys, pictured on the left,
or Lee Ann Amao on the right. Their ability to answer
questions and direct the caller the right person shows
the university “really cares.” Not only do they represent the “Voice of Stratford,” but they act as conduits
between students, faculty and staff, they also receive documents from students and maintain campus records. Lee Ann and Aja are well-qualified
in their work; both having earned graduate degrees. Stratford is fortunate to have them assist in caring to
change lives . . . One Student at a Time.
MEET THE EMPLOYER
Career Services
WASHINGTON NATIONALS BASEBALL CLUB
www.WNationals.com
What an opportunity! Just think! The Washington Nationals professional
baseball club actually came to the Stratford’s Falls Church Campus seeking
persons for Full-Time and Part-Time work positions. The club plays Its home
games in Washington, D. C. and travels frequently to other cities for their
games, so there are many opportunities to “see the world.” Work openings
exist in the areas of Finance/Human Resources/It, Communications,
Sales/Marketing/Entertainment, Operations, Hospitality, Youth Baseball Academy positions, Internships and many more. All jobs are posted on their site: www.teamworkonline.com
UNITY HEALTH CARE
www.unityhealthcare.org
The goal of Unity Health Care, Inc. is to promote healthier communities
through its health and human services regardless of ability to pay. For 30
years it has served the residents of Washington, D.C. and is the city’s largest Federally Qualified Health Center. It currently numbers over 1,000 providers who serve throughout all the eight wards of the city. It offers services in internal medicine, pediatrics, family practice and OB/GYN. Other
services include: dental care, social services, mental health, treatment adherence and tobacco counseling.
Health Sciences
USING MEDICAL TERMS TO UNDERSTAND HEALTH ISSUES
Knowledge of medical terms is of the utmost importance for those engaged in the fields of Health Sciences and Nursing. The Medical Terminology
class instructed by Dr. Hameda Hussein at the Falls Church Campus was one
day given a challenge.
A young patient was presented in a video who was experiencing certain respiratory symptoms. Class members were divided into small groups with the
task of clearly identifying the location and function of the respiratory structures involved. They were expected to present an analysis of the type of disease involved, identify their diagnostic tools and their
function using medical charts, torso reproductions and slide transparencies. It was truly a learning experience for the entire class.
Nursing
PRACITICE MAKES PERFECT
Gina Percoco “listens in” with a second stethoscope to
monitor the pulse-taking skills of Christine Emoridi Enyi
as she practices on Kelli Muchmore who is taking her turn
as patient. Two other students, Joseph Siaka and Ricquel Bristow, perfect their “bedside manner” on one of
the “model” patients available for nursing lab practice.
The students must not only become proficient in reading
oxygen levels, finding the pulse rate and reading blood pressures, but develop a friendly yet business-like
manner in making each patient comfortable; skills they will often use during their practical training at local
hospitals and health centers.
NURSING STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN REGULAR TOWN HALL MEETINGS
Nursing students have the opportunity to take part
in their department’s quarterly town hall meetings. They
are held over a period of several days throughout the
week, thus giving everyone the opportunity to learn department news, ask questions and talk about their clinical
experiences. Returning graduate Bonnie Albares spoke
about beginning her new career at the National Institute
of Health, and encouraged everyone to study hard and do their best.
DISCUSSING THEORIES OF NURSING
An important element in the Nursing Profession is what is called
“Nursing Theory.” When students begin their nursing studies they
soon learn that nursing, like any profession, is governed and directed by differing philosophies concerning patient care.
One class assignment
that is part of the NSG110
Introduction to Nursing Practice Class taught by Professor Kathy
Chang, requires student to research and create a pamphlet identifying the patient care provided by one of the several nursing philosophies. Robbie Sesay is pictured on the left making her
presentation. When all ere completed, they gathered to proudly
display their work before the class. With the presentations completed, they all gathered with their professor
to proudly display their work.
Student Support Services
PNC BANK VISITS THE CAMPUS
www.pnc.com
PNC Bank representative Renee Aaron visits with members of the Student
Services Team as she explains her bank’s special WorkPlace Banking program.
Some of its benefits include: free online banking, mobile banking and bill pay,
overdraft protection transfers, unlimited check writing, a special credit when a
new checking or credit card account is opened and personalized retirement
plans to fit your needs.
INDIAN FOOD BECOMES A PART OF CAMPUS LIFE
Every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday the Curry Kitchen Indian Restaurant located in Bethesda MD, brings the
“Back Home” memories to help sustain the many Indian students enrolled and studying at the Falls Church Campus in
Tyson’s Corner. During the change of classes on Tuesday,
Wednesday and Thursday Chef/Owner Anit assisted by
Karthik serve their menu of Chicken Wrap, Chicken Curry with
rice, Palak Paneer with rice and Samosa in the Student Lounge as a Noon Lunch from 12:00—2:30. The
flavorful food draws not only the Indian students but staff and faculty with adventurous appetites who are
ready to discover a new taste treat.
JADE WOODRIDGE JOINS THE LEARNING RESOURCE CENTER TEAM
Students coming to the Learning Resource Center (Library) at the Falls Church Campus will find a new librarian available to help them take advantage of its many resources.
Jade has recently graduated from Seton Hill University with a degree in English Literature
and plans to start her studies to earn her M.S. in Library Science at the University of Maryland. She is very familiar with the many areas of the library and is anxious to help students use its resources so they can do their best work.
RECEIVED ENGLISH WRIITNG CERTIFICATES
Maulik Kumar
Pandya
Yakubu Ogwu Isah
Information Technology
THE TECHNOLOGY RESOURCE CENTER . . .
. . . is a busy place most any time of the day. Upon a casual visit, Lab
Manager Michael Rashidian was found discussing the concepts behind the
ERD (Entry Relationship Diagram) with several IT students who planned to
use it as part of their class project. There
was a visit by a staff member who had a
question related to the functions of the computer in her office, and then a student came
bringing her laptop in for repair.
Michael explained, “We are occupied like this pretty much of the time.
The lab is useful for teachers who bring their classes to gain hands-on experience with the subject material
they are studying, and for those who want to develop special projects for their presentations. Lab hours are
Monday through Wednesday 10:00am to 10:00 pm, Thursday and Friday 1:00pm to 10:00 pm. Come on by
and see what’s happening.”
COUNSELING IMPACTS STUDENT SUCCESS
Both new students and those currently attending classes can
easily ask what courses are the most useful in preparation for
their chosen career path. There is no better way to find the answer than to discuss the matter with someone already in that
field. The Falls Church Campus has designed and implements
such a program for its students. Recently, Mr. Lewis Andrews
of Arts & Sciences along with Dr. Ravi Rathnam and Dr. James
Tardio of Health Sciences met with students who had not yet selected a career field or needed to meet with
someone to discuss the program choice they had made.
Pictured L to R: is Mr. Andrews, Dr. Tardio and Dr. Rathman as they meet with Cherli Rosa, a new student. They reviewed her class progress, considered her class report and recommend courses to help her
reach her goal.
PLANNING PAYS OFF
Acting upon a recommendation made by the School of Health
Sciences Student Advisory Committee at their first meeting, and
encouraged by Program Director Dr. Rathnam, Health Sciences
faculty member Dr. Maka Tsulukidze, arranged for Health Science
students to participate in a live televised conference with Thom
Walsh PhD, a faculty member of the Dartmouth Institute for Health
Policy and Clinical Practice.
Thom started his career with the goal to simply be the best Orthopedic Physical Therapist he could be.
Through recording and tabulating his patients’ comments after treatment, he was able to make his practice
one of the primary treatment centers available to insurance companies. Thom’s writings on ethical leadership, patient-reported outcome measures, healthcare costs and utilization, and shared decision making
have been published in many professional journals.