Provost's Briefing - September 17, 2021

Call for Applications: Undergraduate Research Stimulus Program

The Undergraduate Research Office invites undergraduate students, with the assistance of their faculty mentors, to submit applications for the Winter 2022 Undergraduate Research Stimulus Program Award. 

The Undergraduate Research Stimulus Program (URSP) is intended to facilitate research partnerships between undergraduate students and Eastern Michigan University faculty. Successful student applicants will receive a $2,000 fellowship in support of their research efforts. The collaborating faculty member may receive $500, which can be used for lab/studio supplies or equipment, professional travel, or other professional expenses.   

The deadline to apply for Winter 2022 awards is 11:59 PM, November 2, 2021.  More information may be found on the EMU Research website.

Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Rita Shah

Rita Shah, Associate Professor of Criminology, was busy this summer!  In addition to publishing a book review, she was interviewed for a documentary and an article in the Washington Post, participated in a forum on anti-racism in criminology, and one of her publications won the Best Paper Award 2020. Please take a moment to check out some of Dr. Shah’s work and congratulate her on her successful summer!

• Book Review: Shah, R. (2021). Book review: Yesterday’s monsters: The Manson Family cases and the illusion of parole. Critical Criminology.  
• Documentary Interview: Great Lakes Beacon. (2021, August 7). Drawing the line: Inside the fight to end prison gerrymandering. 
• Washington Post Interview: Miller, J. (2021, May 24). The endless trap of American parole: How can anyone rebuild their lives when they keep getting sent back to jail for the pettiest of reasons? The Washington Post. Available at: 

New Funding Opportunity: James H. Brickley Endowment for Faculty Professional Development and Innovation

The purpose of the James H. Brickley Award is to facilitate faculty professional development and innovation through a broad range of activities, including but not limited to, things such as: 

• Reassigned time from teaching for scholarly, creative and innovative endeavor
• Conference presentations
• Travel
• Hiring of research assistants  
• Purchase of special equipment or supplies for teaching, scholarly, research, creative, or innovative activities
• Development of a grant proposal for external funding 
• Similar or related academic activities

Special emphasis is given to innovation, such as the application of newer techniques and technologies for creating mental health programs for immigrants, providing special workshops for parents with autistic children, or working with students, parents, teachers, and community leaders in addressing drug addiction.

Ordinarily, the awards will be kept small so that more faculty members can benefit.  Newer and untenured faculty members are encouraged especially to apply to this program.  All applicants are encouraged also to seek matching funds from other internal and external sources.  The deadline for applications is October 1, 2021.  For more information visit the EMU Research website.

Last Call for Applications: FDC Learning Community - Scholarship of Teaching and Learning

Faculty and lecturers are encouraged to apply to the FDC Learning Community on the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning.  This learning community provides an opportunity for faculty to engage in scholarly research on their teaching practice, through gathering data, analyzing the data, and going public with the results.  The ultimate aim is to feed what we learn through these investigations back into enhanced teaching practice, for ourselves and for others.  The deadline to apply is Monday, September 27, 2021, 4 p.m.  Visit the FDC webpage for more information on the Learning Community. 

Writing Across the Curriculum Fall 2021 Spotlight Speaker Series

For many faculty, the last year and a half has led to new approaches in teaching. Many of these have been grounded in the necessity of delivery modalities that were new or less familiar and faculty had to be even more intentional in considering how they approach their courses and how students are experiencing them.  This year’s Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC) programming continues this deliberate attention to pedagogy. The guiding questions will be “How are we teaching now?” and “How do we want to continue teaching?”

This year’s fall spotlight speaker series kicks off on Friday, Sept. 24, 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. with, “Developing Your Purpose and Intentions for the School Year,” hosted by Melissa Brooks-Yip, coordinator of instruction and literacy for the Washtenaw Intermediate School District (WISD) and first-year doctoral student in educational studies at EMU.  

Anyone teaching at EMU is invited to engage in any or all of the sessions and opportunities.  We encourage you to read more about the spotlight speaker series and register to participate.    

Call for Applications: EMU Women in Philanthropy Grant

The Women in Philanthropy at EMU (WIP) group supports projects that align with the mission and vision of Eastern Michigan University. They are committed to funding projects that demonstrate the following priorities:

• Enhance learning opportunities for Eastern Michigan University faculty, staff, alumni and/or students;
• Improve the Eastern Michigan University climate through support for diverse groups and collaborative efforts;
• Foster creativity and innovation as it relates to Eastern Michigan University; and
• Expand partnerships between Eastern Michigan University and the community.

All Eastern Michigan University employees, university-sponsored alumni and alumni groups, faculty-sponsored students, and university-recognized student groups without regard to gender are eligible to apply for awards for up to $5,000. Applications must be submitted online. The deadline to apply is October 11, 2021 at 4 p.m.  Questions may be directed to Grant Co-Chair Dr. Linda Pritchard at [email protected].  

EMUiNVENT Summer Camp a Success!

Ninety-eight (98) students from the Saline Area Schools and Ypsilanti Community Schools participated in the Dare 2 Design 2021 summer camp. Dare2Design is an ESTEAM program that combines Entrepreneurship and Arts with the STEM fields. Developed by two Eastern Michigan University professors, Dr. Shiri Vivek from the College of Business and Dr. Muhammad Ahmed from GameAbove College of Engineering and Technology, Dare2Design is a project-based, problem-solving, innovation, and invention program for school-aged children. The program builds on the strengths of each participant.

The program not only attracts those interested in technology, but also the ones interested in art, literature, sciences or any other field. Unlike programs that focus on learning of a specific skill, Dare2Design’s focus is on building problem-solving capabilities by understanding the issues better and using skills that will solve them. Dare2Design uses a systematic methodology to offer hands-on experience in applying tested concepts and methods from the supply chain, engineering, sciences, entrepreneurship, and marketing.

Honoring our Emeritus Faculty

We are proud to announce that the EMU Board of Regents approved the awarding of emeritus status to faculty and lecturers at the past few meetings.  Please join us in honoring each of them for the contributions they made during their careers here at EMU. 

Emeritus Faculty Status Approved April 2021

• Steven C. Hayworth, Department of Economics from 1977 to 2020 who retired after 43 years;
• Diane Jacobs, Department of Physics and Astronomy from 1984 to 2020 who retired after 36 years;
• Elisabeth Morgan, Department of World Languages from 1991 to 2019 who retired after 29 years;
• Garik Pedersen, School of Music and Dance from 1989 to 2020 who retired after 31 years; and
• David Woike, School of Music and Dance from 1990 to 2020 who retired after 30 years. 

Emeritus Faculty Status Approved June 2021

• Charles (Nelson) Amos, School of Music and Dance from 1975 to 2021 who retired after 46 years;
• Mary Bigler, Department of Teacher Education from 1977 to 2021 who retired after 44 years;
• David Crary, Department of Economics from 1980 to 2021 who retired after 41 years;
• Roberta Faust, School of Health Promotion & Human Performance from 2000 to 2021 who retired after 21 years;
• Christopher Gardiner, Department of Mathematics and Statistics from 1984 to 2020 who retired after 36 years;
• Valerie Howells, School of Health Sciences from 1998 to 2020 who retired after 22 years;
• Patrick Koehn, Department of Physics and Astronomy from 2005 to 2020 who retired after 15 years;
• Jiang Lu, School of Visual and Built Environments from 2003 to 2020 who retired after 17 years;
• Genevieve Peden, Department of World Languages from 1989 to 2021 who retired after 32 years;
• Denise Pilato, School of Technology and Professional Services from 2000 to 2021 who retired after 21 years;
• Shinming Shyu, School of Visual and Built Environments from 2005 to 2021 who retired after 16 years;
• Donald Snyder, Department of Chemistry from 1993 to 2021 who retired after 28 years;
• Christine Tanner, School of Communication Media & Theatre Arts from 2002 to 2021 who retired after 19 years; and
• Willard Zirk, School of Music & Dance from 1981 to 2021 who retired after 40 years.

Emeritus Lecturer Status Approved June 2021

• Lydia Kret, School of Health Sciences from 2005 to 2020 who retired after 15 years;
• Tumer Sayman, Department of Physics and Astronomy from 1997 to 2021 who retired after 24 years;
• Kelly Victor-Burke, Department of Geography and Geology from 1990 to 2020 who retired after 30 years.

Personnel Updates

A special thank you to all who participated in the many search committees over the past academic year. Your hard work and dedication has resulted in successful searches for the following faculty and administrative positions.  Please join me in welcoming these colleagues to their new positions at Eastern:

Administrative Appointments

• Sean Che, Interim Director, SISAC
• Hung-Lian Tang, Interim Department Head, Accounting & Finance
• Deborah Heyl-Clegg, Department Head, Chemistry and Interim Department Head, Physics & Astronomy
• Emad Tanbour, Interim Associate Dean, GameAbove College of Engineering and Technology
• James Egge, Interim Associate Dean (Programs), College of Arts and Sciences
• Doug Baker, Interim Dean, College of Education
• Christine Clark, Interim Department Head, Geography & Geology
• Natalie Dove, Interim Department Head, Psychology
• Christine Lancaster, Interim Associate Dean, College of Education
• Jeffrey Bernstein, Director, Faculty Development Center
• Ellen Koch, Interim Associate Dean (Budget), College of Arts and Sciences
• Sherry Bumpus, Special Associate to the Provost
• Barbara Patrick, Interim Department Head, Political Science
• Peter Higgins, Department Head, History & Philosophy

Faculty Appointments

• Zakaria Al-Qudah, Computer Science
• Svetlana Beilfuss, Economics
• Julia Burkhardt, Physician Assistant Program
• Ronald Clement, Leadership and Counsel
• Omar Abed Alkarim Mohammad Darwish, School Information Security Applied Computing
• Raed El-Jarrah, School Visual Built Environments
• Jessica Grimone-Hopkins, Teacher Education
• Diane Guevara, School Visual Built Environment
• Jonathan Hall, Biology
• Quentin Hunter, Leadership and Counsel
• Jarrod Irwin, Library 
• Surabhi Jaiswal, Physics and Astronomy
• Caralee Jones-Obeng, Africology,African American Studies
• Rebecca Louick, Special Education
• Rachel Oviatt, Teacher Education
• Anderson Romero, School of Music and Dance
• Meriah Sage, School of Communication, Media, and Theatre Arts
• Megan Simon, School of Art and Design
• Audrey Viguier, World Languages
• Shu Wang, Political Science

Faculty Tenure and Promotions

Congratulations to the following faculty who recently achieved tenure:

• Munther Abaulkibash, Associate Professor, School of Info Security & Applied Computing
• Eamonn Arble, Associate Professor, Psychology
• Cassandra Barragan, Associate Professor, School of Social Work
• Logan Bearden, Associate Professor, English Language and Literature
• Patrice Bounds, Associate Professor, Leadership & Counseling
• Noel Brock, Associate Professor, Accounting & Finance
• Matthew Cook, Associate Professor, Geography & Geology
• Ratan Dheer, Associate Professor, Management
• Donald Gibson, Associate Professor, Mathematics & Statistics
• Jillian Graves, Associate Professor, School of Social Work
• Kelly  Grossman, Associate Professor, Library
• Andrii Kashliev, Associate Professor, Computer Science
• Roxanne Katus, Associate Professor, Mathematics & Statistics
• Nathan Kearns, Associate Professor, School of Health Promotion & Human Performance
• Anthony Koschmann, Associate Professor, Marketing
• Alexandros Maragakis, Associate Professor, Psychology
• Katherine Mason, Associate Professor, Library
• Deborah Pae , Associate Professor, School of Music & Dance
• Paul Price, Associate Professor, Biology
• Jodonnis Rodriguez , Associate Professor, Accounting & Finance
• Hannah Seidel, Associate Professor, Biology
• Jonathan Skuza, Associate Professor, Physics & Astronomy
• Pamela  Stewart, Associate Professor, School of Art & Design
• Christina Topolewski, Associate Professor, School of Social Work
• Vicki Washington, Instructor, School of Nursing

Congratulations to the following faculty who recently received promotions:

• Munther Abaulkibash, Associate Professor, School of Information Security & Applied Computing
• Eamonn Arble, Associate Professor, Psychology
• Cassandra Barragan, Associate Professor, School of Social Work
• Logan Bearden, Associate Professor, English Language and Literature
• Julie Becker, Professor, School of Visual & Built Environments
• Minnie Bluhm, Professor, School of Health Sciences
• Danny Bonenberger, Professor, Geography & Geology
• Patrice Bounds, Associate Professor, Leadership & Counseling
• Noel Brock, Associate Professor, Accounting & Finance
• Nancy Bryk, Professor, Geography & Geology
• Ramona Caponegro, Professor, English Language and Literature
• Stephanie Casey, Professor, Mathematics & Statistics
• Matthew Cook, Associate Professor, Geography & Geology
• Andrew Cornett, Professor, School of Health Promotion & Human Performance
• Ratan Dheer, Associate Professor, Management
• Guy Downs, Associate Professor School of Technology & Professional Services Management
• Xianghong Feng, Professor, Sociology, Anthropology & Criminology
• Donald Gibson, Associate Professor, Mathematics & Statistics
• Jillian Graves, Associate Professor, School of Social Work
• Kelly Grossman, Associate Professor, Library
• Margaret Hanes, Professor, Biology
• Brandon Johnson, Professor, School of Music & Dance
• Kevin Karpiak, Professor, Sociology, Anthropology & Criminology
• Andrii Kashliev, Associate Professor, Computer Science
• Roxanne Katus, Associate Professor, Mathematics & Statistics
• Nathan Kearns, Associate Professor, School of Health Promotion & Human Performance
• Heather Khan-Welsh, Professor, Geography & Geology
• Anthony Koschmann, Associate Professor, Marketing
• Tamara Loverich, Professor, Psychology
• Alexandros Maragakis, Associate Professor, Psychology
• Katherine Mason, Associate Professor, Library
• Deborah Pae , Associate Professor, School of Music & Dance
• Barbara Patrick, Professor, Political Science
• Paul Price, Associate Professor, Biology
• Renuka Roche, Associate Professor, School of Health Sciences
• Jodonnis Rodriguez, Associate Professor, Accounting & Finance
• Karen Rogers-Collins, Associate Professor, Library
• Nick Romerhausen, Professor, School of Communication, Media & Theatre Arts
• Kennedy Saldanha, Professor, School of Social Work
• Hannah Seidel, Associate Professor, Biology
• Jonathan Skuza, Associate Professor, Physics & Astronomy
• Pamela Stewart, Associate Professor, School of Art & Design
• Zuzana Tomas, Professor, World Languages
• Christina Topolewski, Associate Professor, School of Social Work
• Xining Yang, Associate Professor, Geography & Geology

Student Center and Rec/IM Hours of Operation

Student Center fall hours:

• Monday-Friday: 7:30 a.m.-8 p.m.
• Saturday: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Sunday: Noon-8 p.m.

Rec/IM fall hours:

• Monday-Thursday: 7 a.m.-9 p.m.
• Friday: 7 a.m.-8 p.m.
• Saturday: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
• Sunday: Noon-4 p.m.

REC/IM modified hours

• Tuesday, November 2 (Election Day): 10 a.m.-8 p.m. (Club Pool Closed)
• Monday, December 13 - Friday, December 17: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. (Club Pool Closed)
• Saturday, December 18 - Sunday, December 19: Noon.-4 p.m. (Club Pool Closed) 
• Monday, December 20 - Thursday, December 23: 10 a.m.-8 p.m. (Club Pool Closed) 

Club Pool fall hours:

• Monday-Friday: 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
• Club Pool closure dates
• Monday, September 6 (Labor Day)
• Tuesday, November 2 (Election Day)
• Wednesday, November 24 - Sunday, November 28
• Monday, December 13 - Monday, January 3

Please note: Jones Pool is closed until further notice.

New Email Encryption Tool Available - Virtru

EMU’s Division of Technology Security Team is offering faculty and staff a new tool that we will be using to encrypt emails and attachments. Virtru is a leading email and file encryption provider that will help us protect sensitive information to ensure our organization stays safe and compliant with various regulations. With Virtru, you’re able to send and read encrypted messages and attachments without ever leaving your inbox—and without your recipients downloading any software or creating a password. In addition to its ease of use, it will also allow our organization to:

• Meet compliance requirements and avoid potential penalties.
• Reduce the risk of data breaches.
• Have the freedom to collaborate with confidence and productively share data in the cloud.
• Maintain control of our data, and see who’s accessing and interacting with it.

If you share sensitive information as part of your job, it’s important that you download and activate Virtru. Follow the instructions to download the appropriate plug-in from the Virtru website. Once the plug-in is downloaded on your machine, please follow these instructions to activate Virtru.  I.T. recommends using the Chrome browser for the best end-user experience.

Please review the Sensitive Data Guide to see the sorts of information for which Virtru is appropriate.