Dr.Jackie Font-Guzmán, vice president of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) at EMU, received the 2023 Diversity Business Leadership Award from the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Chamber of Commerce at its annual awards celebration on Thursday, April 25.
The celebration was held at Brix & Columns Vineyards in McGaheysville, Virginia. Eighteen guests from EMU, including students, administrators, faculty and staff, attended to show their support for Font-Guzmán.
The Diversity Business Leadership Award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated exceptional personal and professional leadership within the business or nonprofit community, according to the nomination form.
“This person must have a track record of giving back to their community through the creation of economic opportunities, advocating for minorities and those in the protected classes in the workplace and/or in business, or creating an environment for residents to become self-sufficient or successful,” it reads.
Font-Guzmán, who was hired to lead the Office of DEI in 2021, has made great strides in increasing the sense of belonging for all students at EMU. This progress is highlighted in a short-form documentary featuring actor Dennis Quaid and airing in millions of homes.
“Jackie has accelerated EMU’s DEI journey,” EMU President Dr. Susan Schultz Huxman said. “She has equipped us in word and deed for how we can expand our horizons and belong together as a community of learners.”
Font-Guzmán said she was deeply grateful for the support and the opportunity to continue contributing to the community’s journey toward inclusivity and belonging.
“This award is a testament to the extraordinary community at EMU,” she said. “My efforts are built upon the foundational work of countless individuals who have advocated for and advanced DEI over many years.”
Posted in Campus Community, Campus life, Digest, Faculty and staffTopics awards, chamber of commerce, DEI, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Jackie Font-Guzman, Office of DEI
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What to know if you’re attending EMU’s commencement events
Commencement is fast approaching, bringing along a series of events and ceremonies to honor the dedication of this year’s graduating class. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions to help guide you through the weekend.
When is Commencement and where will it be held?
Eastern Mennonite University’s 106th Annual Commencement ceremony will begin on Sunday, May 5, 2024 at 1 p.m. It will be held on the Campus Front Lawn. See map below.
Commencement will be held under a tent on the Front Lawn, rain or shine.
Will the ceremony be livestreamed?
Yes, a live video feed will be available on the EMU Facebook page.
Where should I park?
Please see the campus map for parking information. The south portion of the University Commons parking lot will be reserved for handicapped and mobility-restricted parking.
Where should I sit?
Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. The seating area opens on Sunday at 11 a.m. A remote viewing location for Commencement will be at Suter Science Center 106.
How many students will be graduating?
EMU will award 366 total degrees at Commencement. The total includes 207 undergraduate degrees, 88 master’s degrees, 62 graduate certificates, five Eastern Mennonite Seminary degrees and four doctorates.
Who will deliver the commencement address?
Business leader and philanthropist Jose Koshy, class of ’76, whose support fuels international student scholarships, faculty fellowships and inclusive excellence grants at EMU, will deliver the address. Read more about him in the post below.
Eastern Mennonite Seminary has expanded its graduate degree offerings with the launch of a new Master of Arts in Theological Studies (MATS) program, which is now accepting applicants for the fall 2024 semester. Students can take courses on campus or in a virtual or hybrid format.
The new degree, grounded in Anabaptist theology, is among the seminary’s latest innovative offerings. EMS is distinguished among U.S. seminaries for its historic emphasis on peace and justice and its location within a larger Anabaptist university, according to The Rev. Dr. Sarah Bixler, associate dean of the seminary and assistant professor of formation and practical theology.
“Our seminary faculty members are excited at the new possibilities this degree offers to attract a global community of students seeking deeper academic study in theology and culture, biblical studies, or peacebuilding infused with an Anabaptist perspective,” exclaimed Bixler.
A growing number of seminary students are coming to EMS with professional and personal interests outside the traditional avenues of pastoral ministry, she said.
“This new degree answers their need to expand their knowledge and skills in culture and peacebuilding within EMS’s long-standing curricular excellence in skills for ministry,” Bixler shared.
The MATS includes 15 core units, with 21 elective units focusing on the student’s specialized study in concentrations of theology and culture, biblical studies, or peacebuilding.
This degree will equip nonprofit leaders, leaders in nonpastoral settings who want to explore the intersection of theology and another field of study, students who wish to pursue further graduate study below the PhD level, and students who want to study theology for personal enrichment.
“This flexible, short, new degree program is a unique slice of EMS’s distinctive curriculum, with core grounding in spiritual formation, biblical studies and peace theology and more coursework in elective offerings that students choose to meet their personal interests and vocational needs,” said The Rev. Dr. Jacob Cook, academic program director for the seminary’s Pathways for Tomorrow grant from the Lilly Endowment Inc. and visiting professor of Christian ethics.
Lilly Endowment’s consistent financial support places EMS on the cutting edge of education among select North American theological schools. In 2022 and 2023, the seminary received two separate grants of $1 million or more each: The Pathways for Tomorrow grant focuses on resources and training for pastoral and lay leaders to address 21st century challenges, while a second grant received in 2023 supports research, practice and resources in Christian parenting.
Students can expect to become well-versed in seminary distinctives with direct practical application such as formation for peacebuilding, adaptive leadership and conflict transformation, Cook said. Learning is rooted in Anabaptist perspectives, threaded with an invitation to explore theologies of nonviolence and practices for just peacemaking and transformational leadership.
Prospective students are encouraged to talk with seminary faculty and staff about their learning goals and objectives, as each degree program has been designed with a different focus, Bixler said.
The MATS, with 36 required units, is the shortest graduate degree offered by the seminary with an academic focus and integrated emphasis. The 48-unit MA in Christian leadership is focused on professional skills for pastoral leadership, while the 60-unit MA in religion prioritizes academic preparation in the theological disciplines. The Master of Divinity (MDiv) degree, at 81 units, is required for ordination in some denominations.
Seven members of the Yale faculty who have made important contributions across a range of fields, including neuroscience, public policy, medicine, theater, and mathematics, are among the 250 accomplished individuals elected new members of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (AAAS).
Each year, the academy — an honorary society and independent policy organization with initiatives in the arts, democracy, education, global affairs, and science — elects new members in recognition of their notable achievements in academia, industry, policy, research, and science. The new members include 25 International Honorary Members.
The names of the newly elected members were announced on April 24. View the full list.
“We honor these artists, scholars, scientists, and leaders in the public, non-profit, and private sectors for their accomplishments and for the curiosity, creativity, and courage required to reach new heights,” said David W. Oxtoby, the AAAS president. “We invite these exceptional individuals to join in the Academy’s work to address serious challenges and advance the common good.”
The academy was founded in 1780 by John Adams, John Hancock, and other early leaders of the United States with the purpose of honoring exceptionally accomplished individuals and engaging them in the betterment of society. The first members elected in 1781 included Benjamin Franklin and George Washington.
The new members from Yale are:
Anne L. Alstott, the Jacquin D. Bierman Professor at Yale Law School, studies public policy toward children and families and, more broadly, public policy over the life cycle. She is the author of a number of books, including “The Public Option” (with Ganesh Sitaraman, Harvard University Press, 2019), “A New Deal for Old Age” (Harvard University Press, 2016), “No Exit: What Parents Owe Children and What Society Owes Parents” (Oxford University Press, 2004), and “The Stakeholder Society” (with Bruce Ackerman, Yale University Press, 1999). Her articles have been published in the Harvard Law Review, the Yale Law Journal, the Columbia Law Review, and other journals. She has written or co-written pieces for The New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, the Huffington Post, and Slate and has appeared on NPR’s “Marketplace” and “On Point. She holds a secondary appointment as professor at the Yale Child Study Center and is a faculty affiliate at the Yale Institution for Social and Policy Studies.
Susan Baserga, the William H. Fleming, M.D. Professor of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry in Yale’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences and professor of genetics and of therapeutic radiology at Yale School of Medicine, has a long-standing interest in fundamental aspects of ribosome biogenesis, the nucleolus, human diseases of making ribosomes (ribosomopathies), and on the impact of ribosome biogenesis on cell growth, cell division, and cancer. Her laboratory uses a wide array of biochemical, genetic, and biophysical techniques to study the process and regulation of ribosome biogenesis, and utilizes model systems including yeast, mammalian cells, zebrafish, and frogs (Xenopus tropicalis).
Karin M. Reinisch, the David W. Wallace Professor of Cell Biology at Yale School of Medicine and of molecular biophysics and biochemistry in Yale’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences, conducts research on molecular mechanisms in membrane trafficking and membrane biology. Her lab is focused on understanding how membrane composition is established and regulated. Reinisch is particularly interested in phosphoinositide lipids, which are critical in signal transduction pathways, and their homeostasis. Using X-ray crystallography, electron microscopy, and biochemistry and biophysics, her lab seeks to understand their structure and function, then test hypotheses arising from these studies using cell biology techniques.
Tarell Alvin McCraney, the Eugene O’Neill Professor in the Practice of Playwriting at the David Geffen School of Drama at Yale and playwright-in-residence at Yale Repertory Theatre, is also artistic director of Geffen Playhouse, a Los Angeles nonprofit dedicated to enriching cultural life through plays and educational programs that inform, entertain, and inspire. He co-wrote the 2016 film “Moonlight,” based on his own work “In Moonlight Black Boys Look Blue,” for which he received an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay. His numerous awards include the Whiting Award, Steinberg Playwright Award, Doris Duke Artist Award, Windham-Campbell Prize, London Evening Standard Award for Most Promising Playwright, New York Times Outstanding Playwright Award, the Paula Vogel Award, and a 2013 MacArthur Fellowship.
Anna Christina Nobre, the inaugural director of the Wu Tsai Institute’s Center for Neurocognition and Behavior and the Wu Tsai Professor of Psychology in Yale’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences, is a renowned cognitive neuroscientist who studies the organizing principles of the brain systems that support adaptive human cognition and behavior. Her research group is notably well known for its innovative and multi-methodological studies of “attention” — on how the brain proactively and dynamically focuses on relevant information in memory and in the external environment to optimize perception, choice, action, and learning.
Hee Oh, the Abraham Robinson Professor of Mathematics in Yale’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences, is a leading expert in homogeneous dynamics, discrete subgroups of Lie groups, and applications to geometry and number theory. A former Guggenheim Fellow and winner of the Satter Prize in Mathematics and the Ho-Am Prize in Science, she became the first woman to hold tenure in Yale’s Mathematics Department in 2013. In her work, she has developed innovative methods to solve many longstanding problems in geometry and number theory.
So declared teams of scientists from around the world last summer. As reported in Smithsonian Magazine, the scientists said they’d discovered a new kind of gravitational wave that creates a constant, ambient hum. The findings suggested a “rolling, noisy universe alive with the cosmic symphony of gravitational waves.”
Those findings captivated Maggie Schnyer, now a Yale senior majoring in Computing and the Arts. After reading the article, Schnyer decided to create an interactive, mini universe of music of her own. Also a musician and assistant conductor of Yale’s Davenport Pops Orchestra, Schnyer set out to design an immersive installation that would use motion-capture technology to track visitors’ movements and create a collaborative piece of music.
Motion capture technology is used to record human movement and then translate that movement into a computerized form. It is commonly used in filmmaking, animation, video game design, and sports training.
Schnyer had seen motion capture tools used in combination with music, usually with dancers wearing suits fitted with sensors and producing sound in very meticulous ways. “I wanted to do something that was more accessible to anyone,” she said.
The project would also serve as her senior thesis. But first, Schnyer had a lot to learn.
Last semester she researched various motion capture music projects and started to familiarize herself with coding software for the audio and visual aspects of her project. She wanted to use projectors and lighting boards for the installation, something else she’d never done before.
“I was learning everything as I was going through the project,” Schnyer said, “and I received so much guidance from my advisors.”
Working with Schnyer were Konrad Kaczmarek, an associate professor in the Department of Music in Yale’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Scott Petersen, a senior lecturer in Computing and the Arts, and Ross Wightman, technical manager at the Yale Center for Collaborative Arts and Media (CCAM).
As visitors moved about the room, different musical tracks would adjust the volume and panning in their headphones according to who and what they were close to.
Her efforts culminated last month in an interactive motion-capture performance staged in CCAM’s Leeds Studio, which is equipped with a Vicon Motion Capture System.
Window shades blocking the light from outside twinkled with stars, a form of generative art Schnyer created with code. An ever-changing galaxy-like design, also one of her programs, glowed on a large screen at the front of the room.
A low hum could be heard — a nod to the universal hum. But Schnyer had also composed a soothing, nine-minute piece of music written in Logic Pro, Apple’s digital audio workstation, that could only be heard by guests wearing special sets of headphones affixed with sensors. The music was split into different tracks that were assigned to the four sets of headphones as well as other sensors attached to space-themed objects around the room. The motion-capturing cameras were attached to the ceiling.
As visitors moved about the room, different musical tracks would adjust the volume and panning in their headphones according to who and what they were close to.
Join CEW+ for our Graduation Celebration as we mark the end of the term and honor all the graduating students connected to the Center. We’ll recognize students who are connected to CEW+ through scholarships, fellowships, membership in MCaSP and Elevate, or through their work. Join us on Thursday, May 2, 3:30-5 pm, for a welcoming gathering where we can share food, drinks, and some carefree fun at CEW+ in downtown Ann Arbor.
The event will feature a family-friendly graduation ceremony for CEW+ affiliated students who completed their degree in Fall 2023, or Winter 2024, or who are expecting to graduate in Spring/Summer 2024. Robes and caps are encouraged but not required. Graduating students will also be presented with a custom CEW+ stole.
In addition, continuing students, scholar alumni, and friends of the Center are welcome to join in the event to show their support and be inspired by the 2024 graduates. Family, supporters, and kids of all ages are welcome at the entire event.
The CEW+ Graduation Celebration intends to honor each graduate and all of the people who have supported them on their way to this milestone. Come as you are and be celebrated!
Please register by the end of the day Monday, April 29th.
Hosted by the Center for Academic Innovation, the Research and Analytics Showcase will celebrate research advancing the future of higher education. Join us for a series of lightning talks featuring researchers in our community, followed by poster presentations from students, faculty, and staff. Poster presentations are open to all University of Michigan community members interested in showcasing their work. Prizes for the top posters will be awarded during the event.
Food and refreshments will be provided.
Poster Presentations The poster fair is intended to showcase educational research being conducted broadly across our community. Students, staff, and faculty are all invited to present. If you are interested, we’ll print your poster and have it ready for you at the event.
What do you need to do? Indicate on the registration form that you want to present a poster. Review our guide for poster presenters. Submit your poster by April 12th, 2024.
About Our Speakers
Robin Fowler Robin Fowler is a Teaching Professor in Technical Communication and an Assistant Research Scientist in Engineering Education at the University of Michigan. She studies teamwork and team-based pedagogy, with a focus on inter-team communication and equity. Fowler is one of the Faculty Innovators behind Tandem, a Center of Academic Innovation tool for supporting students working in teams.
Mark Lindquist Mark Lindquist, ASLA, PhD, is an Associate Professor of Landscape Architecture at the University of Michigan. His research and teaching focus on the design and evaluation of high-performance landscapes with an emphasis on multifunctional green infrastructure in urban areas. Lindquist uses video game technology and conducts empirical research to provide an evidence base to support the design and planning of environments that perform ecologically, socially, and culturally for more sustainable outcomes.
Annaliese Paulson Annaliese Paulson is a doctoral candidate in the Center for the Study of Higher and Postsecondary Education and an Institute of Education Sciences Causal Inference in Education Policy Research Fellow at the University of Michigan. Her research combines natural language processing with student administrative data to examine how student curricular pathways affect what students learn in postsecondary curriculum, student success in college, and the role of postsecondary coursework in labor market outcomes.
Innovation Showcases Interested in meeting the people building the future of education at the University of Michigan? Our Innovation Showcase series are one-day events featuring the faculty, staff, and students and presenting their work in transforming teaching and learning to support the success of students of today and tomorrow. Innovation Showcases are an opportunity to see the latest research, educational technology tools, innovative pedagogies, and meet fellow innovators via poster sessions, demonstrations, walkthroughs, and more.
Rutgers SPAA’s Executive Master of Public Administration (EMPA) is an accelerated, online cohort program for mid-career professionals working in the public or nonprofit sectors.
Designed for practicing professionals and managers with public, nonprofit, or government sector experience, the Executive Master of Public Administration (EMPA) program at Rutgers SPAA provides the cutting-edge knowledge and professional skills needed for successful executive-level leadership in government, the nonprofit sector, international organizations, and even the corporate world. Students become competent in leadership and management, the policy process, evidence-based decision-making, public service values, and interacting productively with a diverse workforce and society.
Location: 100% online coursework, with summer in-person, two-day residency
Program: part-time
Format: cohort model
Start Term: fall
Courses: 10
Credits: 30
Priority Application Deadline: July 1 (Applications are still encouraged after July 1 and will be reviewed on a rolling basis.)
EMPA Program Coordinator: James Davy, PhD
> Discover Why Rutgers SPAA is the place for aspiring leaders to gain the knowledge and skills required for successful Careers in government or the nonprofit sector > Read our Alumni Stories to see what some of our alumni do with their degrees from Rutgers SPAA
EMPA Curriculum
The Executive MPA program consists of 10 courses (30 credits) of online coursework that build public management and leadership skills for advancing your career in government and the nonprofit sector. Students accepted into the program receive 12 professional credits, reducing the total number of credits necessary to earn the MPA degree from 42 to 30 credits. Students join a cohort of people from diverse professional backgrounds who will complete all 10 courses together over a two-year period. An in-person residency at Rutgers University–Newark, held annually every summer, provides academic and networking opportunities.
(For EMPA curriculum requirements prior to Fall 2023, see Executive Master of Public Administration (EMPA) [Prior to Fall 2023].)
Courses
For course descriptions and prerequisites see Courses.
EMPA Required Courses
Capstone Project
The capstone provides students with an opportunity to integrate their learning from coursework with application to real-world issues and career ambitions. It serves as a culminating experience in the EMPA program.
Capstone Portfolio/Paper
In-person Residency
At the annual in-person residency, held over two days each summer, students participate in academic symposia, workshops, community-based events, and networking opportunities.
Program Costs
For information on tuition rates and program fees see Tuition & Fees.
To Apply / Admission Requirements
For admission requirements and application information and deadlines see Apply Now. (Applications are still encouraged after July 1 and will be reviewed on a rolling basis.)
Academic Policies, Procedures & Forms
For program information such as the student handbook, mission statement, and advisement forms, see Academic Policies, Procedures & Forms.
For More Information
To learn more, Request Information or Join a SPAA Info Session. If you have questions about a program or the application process, contact Aaron Gibbs, associate dean of student and academic services, at algibbs@rutgers.edu.
In the Master of Public Administration (MPA) at Rutgers SPAA, students can choose a foundation in either public or nonprofit management and enjoy the flexibility to shape the degree to their specialized interests and career goals.
The Master of Public Administration (MPA) program at Rutgers SPAA provides the cutting-edge knowledge and professional skills needed for successful careers in government, the nonprofit sector, international organizations, and even the corporate world. Students become competent in leadership and management, the policy process, evidence-based decision-making, public service values, and interacting productively with a diverse workforce and society.
Options: public management track or nonprofit management track, plus specializations
Priority Application Deadlines: Fall: July 1 / Spring: Dec. 1
MPA Program Co-Directors: Jiahuan Lu, PhD and Suzanne Piotrowski, PhD
> Discover Why Rutgers SPAA is the place for aspiring leaders to gain the knowledge and skills required for successful Careers in government or the nonprofit sector > Learn about our exceptional Students > Read our Alumni Stories to see what some of our alumni do with their degrees from Rutgers SPAA
MPA Curriculum
The MPA curriculum at Rutgers SPAA provides a solid foundation in the field’s core knowledge and skills while allowing students a wide range of flexibility to shape the degree to their interests and career goals.
For course descriptions and prerequisites see Courses.
(For MPA curriculum requirements prior to Fall 2023, see Master of Public Administration (MPA) [Prior to Fall 2023].)
> Required Core Courses (7 courses / 21 credits)
MPA students complete seven (7) required core courses (21 credits), with the option to follow either a public management track or a nonprofit management track.
MPA Required Core Courses
> Electives (6 courses / 18 credits)
The MPA allows for six (6) elective courses (18 credits) that students can use to pursue their individual interests and career goals. A variety of elective courses, including special topics courses, are available each semester from SPAA.
Elective courses can be applied toward one or more Graduate Certificates offered in Budgeting and Financial Management, Healthcare Administration, Leadership of Public Organizations, Nonprofit Management, and other areas of professional specialization.
Students can also fashion their own specialization by choosing from elective courses on topics such as labor relations, leadership and diversity, government technology, administrative law, performance measurement and evaluation, the policy process, and more. In addition, students can choose to take specialized courses from other units across Rutgers.
> Capstone Project (1 course / 3 credits)
The capstone provides students with an opportunity to integrate their learning from coursework with application to real-world issues and career ambitions. It serves as a culminating experience in the MPA program.
Capstone Portfolio/Paper
To Apply / Admission Requirements
For admission requirements and application information and deadlines see Apply Now. (Applications received after the semester deadline will be considered on a rolling basis.)
Program Costs
For information on tuition rates and program fees see Tuition & Fees.
The dual Juris Doctor/Master of Public Administration (JD/MPA) degree program, offered jointly by Rutgers University–Newark’s School of Public Affairs and Administration (SPAA) and Rutgers School of Law-Newark benefits Master of Public Administration students by underscoring government’s foundation in the law, and serves law students by deepening their understanding of the implementation of law by the agencies of government.
The joint program allows a full-time student to complete the requirements for both the JD and MPA degree in four years (eight full-time semesters). Students who wish to pursue the dual degree must apply for and gain admission to the JD program and the MPA program separately. The student would normally spend the first full-time year completing the required curriculum for the JD degree and the second full-time year completing the core curriculum for the MPA. During the third and fourth years of full-time study, the student would take elective courses from either the JD or MPA curriculum in order to meet the requirements for both degrees. Each program will accept up to 12 credits earned at the other toward satisfaction of the JD or MPA degree requirements, allowing the student to complete the program in eight semesters, rather than the 10 semesters that would be required if the two degrees were earned separately.
This dual degree can be completed in four years on a full-time basis (eight full-time semesters). It could take more than eight years on a part-time basis.
Students must complete a total of 30 credits at Rutgers SPAA and a total of 72 credits at Rutgers Law School.
After applying to both programs, student should spend the first full-time year (Fall, Spring, Summer) completing the core curriculum for the JD degree in the Law School.
Students should spend the second full-time year completing the core curriculum for the MPA degree in SPAA.
Students can also start in the MPA program and then apply to the JD program, but such student would need to be mindful of ABA Standard and Interpretation 304-5 (“Credit for a JD degree shall only be given for course work taken after the student has matriculated in a law school”).
During the third and fourth years of full-time study, the student would take elective courses from either the JD or MPA curriculum in order to meet the requirements for both degrees.
For each semester of residence, a student shall be deemed primarily affiliated with whichever unit he/she is attempting a majority of semester credits during that semester.
For More Information
To learn more, Request Information or Join a SPAA Info Session. If you have questions about a program or the application process, contact Aaron Gibbs, associate dean of student and academic services, at algibbs@rutgers.edu.
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