Please join us in welcoming our incoming HESA Class of 2018! Attached are bios submitted by each of our incoming students. The cohort will begin classes and assistantship places in the Fall 2016 semester. We wish you all the best of luck!
Author: Ryan Baldassario
Felix (’08) Graduates with Doctoral Degree from BGSU
We would like to congratulate an alumnus of our program, Vivienne Felix (HESA Class of 2008), on receiving her PhD in Higher Education Administration from Bowling Green State University. Our program is always proud to see graduates continue on their respective journeys as scholar practitioners, and we are excited to follow your continued contributions to the field, Dr. Felix!
“Bringing Theory to Practice” – Hunter (’14) Starts STEM Student Mentoring Program
Truth Hunter (HESA Class of 2014), Assistant Director for Bard Educational Opportunity Programs at Bard College, started a peer mentoring program called “Bringing Theory to Practice.”
Hoping to help historically underrepresented students who are pursuing majors in the STEM fields, Hunter hopes that the program can provide students the opportunity to build “soft skills,” such as working effectively in groups and building networks, as well psycho-social skills that will increase students’ success in the classroom.
Hunter hopes that conversations with the Bringing Theory to Practice participants can minimize the stigma related to asking for help, encourage students to utilize their available resources, and spur students to create a network of support that serves as a source of motivation. A more detailed write up about Hunter’s efforts can be found in an article in the online magazine Oblivion, available at the following site: https://oblivionpub.wordpress.com/2016/04/08/bringing-theory-to-practice-creating-a-culture-of-support-and-collaboration-in-stem/.
Here at UConn HESA we are always proud to hear about the efforts of our graduates and the impact that they are able to make as their careers progress. We wish Truth the best of luck in her continued efforts at Bard, and appreciate her call to bring theory to practice in the field of student affairs.
Price (’17), Smith (’17), and Nix (’17) to Present at NACADA CT Conference
Christian Price (HESA Class of 2017), Abigail Smith (HESA Class of 2017), and Jeronima “Niimo” Nix (HESA Class of 2017), will be presenting at the 2016 NACADA CT Drive-In Conference. The theme of the conference is “The Greatest Advising on Earth: Mastering the Balancing Act.”
Price and Smith will be presenting, “Beyond Academic Advising: An Approach to Supporting African American Male Student Athletes at Predominantly White Institutions.” The pair will focus on the contexts and lived experiences of African American male student athletes, and how to assist students in maximizing their potential as both students and young adults.
Nix’s presentation will focus on incorporating social justice theory with academic advising philosophies. Using case studies and some interactive activities, Nix hopes to highlight the importance of embracing cultural differences in advising practices, and share resources that may prepare students and advisors to build more engaging relationships.
Additional details about the NACADA conference can be found at the conference website: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2016-nacada-ct-drive-in-conference-tickets-21017743637.
Nix (’17) and Peralta (’17) Present at New England Latinx Student Leadership Conference
Jeronima (Niimo) Nix (HESA Class of 2017) and Yihra Peralta (HESA Class of 2017) presented at the 13th annual New England Latinx Student Leadership Conference at Hampshire College. This year’s theme for the conference was “#DecolonizeLatinx.”
Nix and Peralta’s workshop was titled, “Navigating White Spaces: Self-Care & Success.” Additional information about other presenters, presentation, and the history of the conference itself can be found at the conference’s website: http://nelslc.com/.
Dr. Castillo-Montoya to Present at AERA on April 8, 2016
Dr. Milagros Castillo-Montoya will be co-presenting a professional development session at AERA on Teaching Race and Racism in Graduate Education. The session will take place on April 8, 2016. Additional information can be found here: http://www.aera.net/EventsMeetings/AnnualMeeting/ProfessionalDevelopment/tabid/16142/Default.aspx#6!!
Thompkins (’16) and Baldassario (’16) Win NASPA Case Study Competition
Michael Thompkins and Ryan Baldassario, both members of the HESA Class of 2016, recently won the second-year graduate student Case Study Competition at the 2016 NASPA Annual Conference in Indianapolis, IN.
Competing against eight other teams of second-year graduate students from graduate preparation programs across the country, Michael and Ryan incorporated theory, research, national context, and practical solutions to address the various issues addressed in the case. Michael and Ryan joined the winners of the first-year case study competition to present their approach as an educational session at the NASPA Annual Conference.
Additional information about the Case Study Competition can be found on the NASPA website here: http://conference2016.naspa.org/engage/case-study-competition.
Dr. Castillo-Montoya Recognized with 2016 Emerging Scholar Award (ACPA)
Dr. Milagros Castillo Montoya, Assistant Professor of Higher Education and Student Affairs in the Department of Educational Leadership has been selected as one of five national recipients of the 2016 Emerging Scholars Award by College Student Educators, International (ACPA).
ACPA notes, “the Emerging Scholars Program supports, encourages, and honors early-career individuals who are emerging as contributors to student affairs and higher education scholarship and who are pursuing research initiatives congruent with the mission, interests, and strategic goals of ACPA.” This is one of the ACPA’s major awards and will be presented to Dr. Castillo-Montoya on March 6, 2016 at its annual convention in Montreal, Canada. The award will support Dr. Castillo-Montoya’s research on the development of inclusive practices for teaching diverse college students.
Dr. Rincón and Dr. Evanovich Awarded Provost’s Teaching Innovation Grant
Dr. Blanca Rincón and Dr. Justin Evanovich were awarded a $5,000 Provost’s Teaching Innovation Grant for the UNIV 1820 Intergroup Dialogue on Race course they will be co-developing and co-teaching this fall. The Provost’s Teaching Innovation Mini Grant Competition is designed to support faculty innovation around teaching and student learning.
While both faculty members are housed within the Department of Educational leadership, Dr. Rincón is an assistant professor for the HESA program while Dr. Evanovich is an assistant clinical professor for the Sports Management program.
Dr. Rincón Selected as a UCONN Service Learning Faculty Fellow
Dr. Blanca Rincón will join nine faculty across the University of Connecticut as a 2016 Service Learning Faculty Fellow. The Service Learning Faculty Fellows program offered by the Office of Public Engagement recognizes faculty engaged in the pedagogy of service learning, a high-impact pedagogy that aims to bridge the needs of communities with active learning opportunities for students. Dr. Rincón teaches Assessment, Evaluation, and Research in Student Affairs, a service learning course where students work on a year-long assessment project for a UConn office or program (Learn more here: http://hesa.uconn.edu/edlr-5102-5103-review/), and is in the process of developing a new course for the Fall 2016 semester, Access to Higher Education.