elmsnews

February 2024

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

Dear Colleagues,

Much has happened since my last newsletter message. For the shortest month of the year, February was certainly filled with several activities and initiatives!

The Board of Trustees' meeting took place on February 16. I would like to thank Dr. Julie Beck, Dr. Walter Breau, and Dr. Jasmine Hall for attending and providing an update on the nursing program, the Kirley School of Continuing Education, and presenting on the revised draft of the Liberal Arts and Sciences Core respectively. I would also like to thank Dr. Joyce Hampton and the Strategic Plan Steering Committee as Trustees spent time in small groups, reflecting and providing feedback on the concept papers that were drafted by the 5 strategic planning steering committees. The meeting was robust and we are currently reviewing the feedback in preparation for the next phase of the strategic planning process – community feedback sessions. More information to come on this piece.

I am very pleased to report that, at the February meeting of the Board of Trustees, the Board voted unanimously to approve the Tenure and Promotion Committee's recommendations to grant tenure and promote several faculty members, as follows:

Autumn Mathias, Ph.D. for Tenure and Promotion to Associate Professor,
Mary Deyo, SLPD for Tenure and Promotion to Associate Professor,
Laurie Downes, Ph.D. for Promotion to Professor,
Fr. Mark Stelzer, S.T.D. for Promotion to Professor.

Congratulations to these well deserving members of the faculty!

At the Board of Trustees' meeting, I also informed the Board of the Commencement Speaker and Honorary Degree Recipients for the 2024 Commencement:

Marjorie Hass, President of the Council for Independent Colleges will be the Commemencement Speaker.
Elms Alumna, Johnnella Butler, former Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs at Spelman College, will receive an honorary degree.
Fr. John Unni, Pastor of Saint Cecilia Parish in Boston and Chief Fire Chaplain for the City of Boston, will receive an honorary degree.

The Black Experience Summit took place last Friday and was a great success! I would like to thank Chief Diversity Officer Jennifer Shoaff and the organizing committee for coordinating a powerful and successful event. I continue to receive positive feedback from attendees, including trustees. I am already looking forward to next year’s event!

I would also like to reiterate some of the updates about transitions on the President’s Cabinet:

As I mentioned previously, Katie Longley’s official last day is March 1. Please join me in expressing how much we will miss her and appreciate her steadfast and meticulous work as the College’s VP of Finance and Administration. Katie has led her division through some of the most difficult times over the last six years. We wish Katie the best of luck in her future endeavors. I am happy that Bryant Morgan will serve as the Interim VP of Finance and Administration for the next several months as we prepare for the search for a permanent Vice President.
The search committee for the VP of Academic Affairs is continuing its work and will soon determine the finalists who will be coming to campus in mid-March. I encourage you all to attend the Open Community Sessions. Bevin Peters will be sending out information and calendar invitations within the next week.

The action certainly will not slow down as we dive into the month of March. I am looking forward to attending this Friday’s President’s Reception and the Mental Health Challenges in a Post-COVID World: A Pastoral Response symposium on Saturday. Please see other upcoming activities in the pages below.

I want to wish the faculty a restful spring break. I also want to express my sincere gratitude to the entire Elms Community for all that you do for the College.

Harry E. Dumay, Ph.D., MBA

President

SCENES FROM THE 7TH ANNUAL BLACK EXPEREINCE SUMMIT

Distinguished Speakers: From left to right: Dr. Brittney Cooper, Dr. Harry Dumay, Sr. Betsy Sullivan, and Dr. Kellie Carter Jackson

Distinguished Panel: Dr. Stephanie Logan, Dr. Brittney Cooper, Dr. Kellie Carter Jackson, MaTonia Monroe Naylor moderated by Dr. Tyra Good

Spoken Word Poet: Lyrical Faith

Summit Opening Vocalist, Patience Naylor

FUTURE ELMSNEWS

Submission pieces can be shared with the following department contacts:

Academic Affairs - Deb Methe

Admissions - Jenna Stolarik

Athletics - Sean Milbier

Finance - Nicki Goncalves

HR - Cheryl Smith

Marketing - Bill Russo-Appel

Student Affairs - Anna Stabile

Institutional Advancement - Lynn Korza

The deadline for submissions is the third Friday of each month.

UPCOMING CAMPUS EVENTS

March 1 President's Reception
March 2 Mental Health Challenges in a Post-COVID World: A Pastoral Response
March 4- Spring Recess

March 8

March 16 Pioneer Valley Symphony Orchestra
March 20 Blazer Blitz
March 22 Coffee Q & A
March 29- Easter Break

April 1

Check the Master Calendar for exact locations of each event.

INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT

MARKETING

ATHLETICS

You can find all athletic team schedules at ecblazers.com and stay informed by following our athletic department Instagram @elmsblazers

COUNSELING CENTER

The Health and Counseling Center joined forces on Thursday February 8th for the "Health and Harmony" event. Students were encouraged to drop by the Campus Center between 11-2 to pick up some tissues, cough drops, tea, hand sanitizer, etc. and build a 'sick kit' to help them combat cold and flu season. The purpose of this event was to help students stock up on the essentials and learn about the ways they can take good care of themselves, both physically and mentally, during cold and flu season.

In the spirit of Valentine's Day the Counseling Center, Wellness Educator, and student peer wellness educators researched and developed two programs about love, gratitude, and relationships.

For the first program (pictured below) students, faculty and staff were able to learn about their love language (and the love languages of others), explore gratitude and compassion practices and write letters of love and gratitude to friends, a significant other, teammates, colleagues, etc. Folks who received a letter were notified at the end of the day via elms email. Letters were available for pick up at the Health/Counseling Center later in the day. Students seemed to LOVE this event as it was the most attended event we've had to date!

For the second program the Counseling Center, Wellness Educator and student peer wellness educators teamed up with the YWCA. Together we hosted a 'what would you do' event aimed at helping students think through difficult interpersonal scenarios. Students were given resources about ways they can help themselves (or a friend) who may be struggling in a relationship.

The Counseling Center, Wellness Educator, Peer Wellness Educators and the YWCA co-hosted an event on February 28th from 11-3 in the Campus Center about healthy v. unhealthy relationship habits. Students were given resources and were encouraged to dialogue about 'red and green flags' in relationships.

THE CYNTHIA A. LYONS CENTER FOR EQUITY IN URBAN EDUCATION

In partnership with the W.K. Kellogg Foundation’s National Day of Racial of Healing, the Cynthia A. Lyons Center for Equity in Urban Education (CEUE) hosted a seminar entitled: #GOODScholars: Creating Educational Spaces of Hope for Racial Healing. Dr. Tyra Good, Executive Director of the CEUE, and Timothy Jones, CEUE Visiting Scholar, led a robust discussion that aligned with the Kellogg Foundation's educational efforts to advance truth, racial healing, and transformation. The event was posted on the Elms College website and the National Day of Racial Healing website.

Additionally, the CEUE celebrated Black History Month at its February Harambee meeting by discussing how to incorporate the seven Nguzo Saba principles as a strategy to becoming culturally responsive educators. Each principle is of Swahili origin and together they serve as a common philosophy for people to live by to ensure that their lives have meaning and serve a greater purpose than individual desires.

These two events centered the CEUE’s Spring 2024 common read for their GOOD Educators Connect Book Club, Becoming Culturally Responsive Educators: 5 Necessary Action Steps by Dr. Jahkari Taylor.

The Cynthia A. Lyons Center for Equity in Urban Education (CEUE) and Purpose Pushers, LLC. are partnering to provide dynamic opportunities for professional learning centered around Culturally Responsive Teaching. This interactive series will help educators employ a culturally responsive approach to meeting the needs of diverse students and families.

Session 1: Tuesday, March 19th 4:00-5:30 pm EST (Virtual): "Is this lesson for You or Your Students? - Becoming Culturally Responsive Educators"
Session 2: Tuesday, March 26th 4:00-5:30 pm EST (Virtual): "Developing Multicultural Consciousness"
VIP Session: Friday, April 5th 3:30-5:00 pm EST (In-Person): “Meet and Greet with the Author at Elms College"

The discounted price for Elms students, faculty, and staff is $10 to participate.

Please be sure to select the Elms College/CEUE Student package option when registering with your

Elms email address.

Click here or scan the QR code on the flyer to register!

DIVERSITY & INCLUSION

CAMPUS MINISTRY

On Monday, February 12, Campus Ministry hosted a Mardi Gras celebration in the CSS in the library in the morning, and then again in Rose William Residence Hall in the evening. Complete with Mardi Gras beads and decorations, students were treated to pancakes cookies, juice, and King Cake!

On Wednesday, February 14, Fr. Mark celebrated Ash Wednesday Mass and Distribution of Ashes, and Campus Ministry hosted an Ash Wednesday prayer service and Distribution of Ashes at 4:00 P.M. To enhance one's Lenten journey, Campus Ministry gave out over 125 "Lent In A Bag" gifts for members of the campus community.

Check out the "Faithful Friday" instagram posts on elmsstudentlife, hosted by Joy Harris, class of 2024, as she interviews campus members each week about their thoughts on faith!

HUMAN RESOURCES

Elms College Employment Opportunities as of November 17, 2023

Applications are now being accepted for the positions listed below. Anyone interested in making a formal application should go to the Employment page on the Elms College website for a detailed job description and how to apply: www.elms.edu/employment

Open Positions

Administrative Assistant to the Social Sciences Division

Director of Financial Aid

Accounts Payable Coordinator

Vice President of Academic Affairs

Admissions Director of Operations and Marketing

Administrative Coordinator in CEUE

Director of Marketing

Assistant Professor of Finance

Administrative Assistant for the Office of the Registrar

Slate CRM Administrator

Financial Aid Counselor

Public Safety Officer

Among the procedures which may be used to select personnel to fill vacant positions are a review of work experiences, qualifications, degrees/licensures/certifications, and employment interviews. This listing pertains to all current staff and faculty job vacancies at the College.

Elms College is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, military status, or genetic information in employment. It is the policy of Elms College to comply with applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity.

Welcome to new employees:

Katharine Forgue - Administrative Assistant, Admissions

Ibraim Usmanov - Administrative Assistant, Health Center

Marjorie Kochanowicz - Gift Processor, Advancement Division

Janusz Herasimowicz - Senior Operations Manager, Information Technology

Marlondale (DJ) Pantry - Annual Giving Specialist, Institutional Advancement

Best wishes to departing employees:

Anna Maria Hernandez - Bursar, Student Accounts

Katie Longley - VP of Finance and Administration

SCENES FROM THE STAFF COUNCIL VALENTINE'S DAY LUNCH

ELMS IN THE NEWS:

January 22, 2024: BusinessWest posted a podcast with Elms President Harry Dumay sharing his thoughts on the state of higher education, our capital campaign, the Western MA Literacy Collaborative, and more.

January 24, 2024: The Marshall Democrat-News (MO) in Missouri published an article that an Elms student from Marshall, MO made the fall 2023 Dean's List. Note: this page requires a subscription to view.

January 25, 2024: Patch.com published an article that three Elms students from Suffield, CT made the fall 2023 Dean's List.

January 25, 2024: Patch.com published an article that an Elms student from Windsor, CT made the fall 2023 Dean's List.

January 25, 2024: Patch.com published an article that two Elms students from Windsor Locks, CT made the fall 2023 Dean's List.

January 25, 2024: Patch.com published an article that four Elms students from Enfield, CT made the fall 2023 Dean's List.

January 25, 2024: Patch.com published an article that an Elms student from Granby, CT, and another student from East Granby, CT made the fall 2023 Dean's List.

January 25, 2024: The Hometown Register (IL) published an article that an Elms student from Newton, IL made the fall 2023 Dean's List.

January 26, 2024: Patch.com published an article that four Elms students from Somers, CT, and another student from Ellington, CT made the fall 2023 Dean's List.

January 26, 2024: The Rutland Herald (VT) published an article that an Elms student from Rutland, VT made the fall 2023 Dean's List.

January 27, 2024: Valley News (NH) published an article that an Elms student from Lebanon, NH made the fall 2023 Dean's List.

February 1, 2024: The Crescenta Valley Weekly (CA) published a news brief that an Elms student from Sunland, CA made the fall 2023 Dean's List.

February 1, 2024: The Millbury Sutton Chronicle published a news brief that an Elms student from Millbury, MA made the fall 2023 Dean's List.

February 1, 2024: The Sentinel published an article that several Elms students from Amherst, Belchertown, and Granby, MA made the fall 2023 Dean's List. Article is on page 9.

February 1, 2024: The Wilbraham-Hampden Times published an article that several Elms students from Hampden and Wilbraham, MA made the fall 2023 Dean's List. Article is on page 17.

February 2, 2024: Masslive.com published an article on the Pope's December declaration allowing for the pastoral blessing to be given to same sex couples. Mike McGravey, Assistant Professor of Religious Studies and Director of the Institute for Theology and Pastoral Studies at Elms, was quoted in the article.

February 2, 2024: The Lewiston Sun Journal published an article that an Elms student from Auburn, ME made the fall 2023 Dean's List.

February 2, 2024: CentralMaine.com published an article that an Elms student from Skowhegan, ME made the fall 2023 Dean's List.

February 7, 2024: iObserve.org the website of the Springfield Diocese published the press release announcing that Elms is holding the 7th Annual Black Experience Summit on Feb. 23.

February 8, 2024: TownTimesNews.com published a news brief that an Elms student from Oakville, CT made the fall 2023 Dean's List.

February 8, 2024: The Coastal Courier (GA) published a news brief that an Elms student from Ludowici, GA made the fall 2023 Dean's List.

February 9, 2024: The Daily Times (TN) published a news brief that an Elms student from Maryville, TN made the fall 2023 Dean's List.

February 9, 2024: The Chicopee Register published an article that several Elms students from Chicopee made the fall 2023 Dean's List. Article is on page 11.

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