Embedded Files
January 2023
January 2023
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
Dear Colleagues
Welcome back! I hope you all had a restful winter break and a seamless start to the spring semester. It is energizing to see us all back on campus and I am looking forward to an exciting semester filled with opportunities for growth, collaboration, and community events.
The conclusion of the fall semester brought some very good news! On the last day before the winter break, the College was notified it was one of the 15 projects funded through the Community Project Funding initiative secured through the Office of Congressman Richard E. Neal. The $1 million award will help fund social work and the Cynthia A. Lyons Center for Equity in Urban Education. This funding resulted from a team effort to submit a proposal to Congressman Neal's Office within a very tight timeline. Thank you to everyone who had a hand in this effort.
Also, right before the break the College received more great news. After a meeting with a few members of the School of Nursing team, Michele and Don D'Amour donated $1.5 million to the College for two purposes: (a) to endow the Haiti Nursing Continuing Education Program and (b) to establish the D'Amour Center for Faculty Teaching Excellence at Elms College. More information regarding these two initiatives are forthcoming.
We are grateful for the support of those committed to empowering our students, especially those least likely to access resources, to achieve their dreams and finding their place in this world.
There is a lot happening at the College, as you know. I am grateful for all of your contributions in advancing our common mission, together. Here are a few key highlights:
With Jon Scully's departure, we are actively searching for an Interim VP of Enrollment Management and Marketing, before we launch the search for a permanent replacement. In the meantime, Jon's direct reports are reporting to Cabinet members: undergraduate and graduate admissions are reporting to me; financial aid, marketing & communications are reporting to Katie Longley; Athletics is reporting to Dr. Andrew Coston.
The Board of Trustees meeting will convene on February 17. The Master in Social Work program will be one of the items brought forward for the Board's approval.
The Black Experience Summit, co-sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield will take place on Friday, February 24. I am thrilled it will once again be held in person for the first time in three years. I hope that many of you will attend this year's summit. Please see below for more information about the Summit. Thank you to Interim Chief Diversity Officer, Dr. Jennifer Shoaf, who is leading the team organizing it.
We continue to prepare for the College’s 10-year accreditation and site visit from NECHE which will take place in March. I want to again extend my gratitude to Dr. Walter Breau, who is leading this effort, and the members of the self-study committee for their help in devising the draft report.
Initiatives related to enrollment and recruitment remain one of our highest priorities in an increasingly challenging environment. Partnerships with community colleges remain an important aspect of our enrollment strategy. To that end, the School of Continuing Education has cultivated relationships that are leading to the signing of the the following new articulation agreements:
Springfield Technical Community College (A.S. in Engineering to B.A. in Biology transfer)
Holyoke Community College (A.A in Biology Option to B.A. in Biology transfer and A.A. in Biotechnology Option to B.S. in Biotechnology)
Bristol Community College: (A.S. in Life Sciences to B.S. in Biotechnology or B.S. in Biology transfer).
Finally, I am excited to announce that the College has confirmed the 2023 commencement speaker and honorary degree recipients! We're sharing this information with you as members of the College community. It will be released to the media and general public subsequently.
La June Montgomery Tabron, CEO of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation will deliver the commencement address. The foundation is one of the largest in the nation and Mrs. Tabron has been a champion for vulnerable children and for creating the conditions necessary for them to thrive and heal the profound racial inequities in communities.
Our two additional honorary degree recipients include philanthropist, Karen Keating Ansara, Founder and Executive Director of Network of Engaged International Donors, and trustee emeritus, David O’Brien, Ph.D., past president of the American Catholic Historical Association.
Thank you for all that you do for the College. I wish you all a wonderful and successful spring semester!
Harry E. Dumay, Ph.D., MBA
President
FUTURE ELMSNEWS
Submission pieces can be shared with the following department contacts:
Academic Affairs - Deb Methe
Admissions - Jenna Stolarik
Athletics - Sean Milbier
Finance - Katie Longley
HR - Cheryl Smith
Marketing - Megan Eischen
Student Affairs - Liz Newland
Institutional Advancement - Lynn Korza
The deadline for submissions is the third Friday of each month.
UPCOMING CAMPUS EVENTS
February 3: Coffee Drop in Q & A
February 10: Presidents Reception
February 17 : Coffee Drop in Q & A
February 17: Board of Trustees meeting
February 19 : Chi Alpha Sigma
February 24: Black Experience Summit
Check the Master Calendar for exact locations of each event.
95th ANNIVERSARY COMMITTEE
As 2023 commences, Elms College celebrates 95 years of educating vibrant, creative leaders who have served our communities and changed policies for the better in businesses, hospitals, human service organizations, and classrooms. The impact of our alumni has a breadth and depth which is difficult to measure, yet bears the legacy of our founders, the Sisters of St. Joseph by “uniting neighbor with neighbor, neighbor with God without distinction.” Throughout the year, we will emphasize our 95 years of distinctiveness, academic excellence, and impactful change by acknowledging our history, successes, and influences on the surrounding community and beyond. Along with a robust committee, Carol Allan, SSJ, Special Assistant to the President for Mission and Charism and Lynn Korza ‘88, Executive Director of Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving are happy to serve as your co-chairs of the 95th Anniversary Committee. We look forward to celebrating with the entire Elms College community.
MARKETING
YOU'RE INVITED! Elms Night at the Thunderbirds
On Friday, February 3, the Springfield Thunderbirds hockey team is partnering with Elms to have an "Elms Night at the Thunderbirds"! Faculty and staff are invited to attend at a discounted ticket price of $16/person. (Note: if you are a student, please contact Student Engagement for special student pricing.) Sr. Carol Allan will drop the ceremonial puck just prior to the start of the game and the Elms College Dance Team will be performing.
The game starts at 7:05 pm. If you want to attend and show your Blazer spirit, click here to purchase tickets. It's sure to be a fun night!
LOOK AT THE GREAT DRONE SHOT OF THE NEW BILLBOARD!
STUDENT AFFAIRS
Welcome Ryan Failing, Director of Residence Life
The Student Affairs Department is excited to have Ryan Failing join the team as the new Director of Residence Life. Ryan most recently served as the Interim Director of Residence Life at NHTI – Concord Community College. The team is excited to have Ryan on board.
Tryon Market opens for the campus!
Dining Services Tryon Market opened to students, faculty and staff on Monday, January 16th. The market is located in the basement of the College Center in room 015, down the hallway outside of the mail room. The market will be accessible 24 hours a day and provides students with a place to pop in at any time for a snack, drink or meal option.
Student Engagement – Blazer Days
The dates have been selected for Summer Blazer Days:
June 28, 2023 - Blazer Day 1
July 12 - Blaze Day 2
Contact Claire Wright at wrightc1204@elms.edu or 413-265-2271 with any questions regarding either of these days.
Hungry?
Want to know what's on the menu at the Dining Hall? A link has been added to ElmsConnect at the top of the page for easy access to see the menu.
DIVERSITY & INCLUSION
Registration-THE L.I.G.H.T (Leading In Goodness Hopefulness Togetherness)
You are cordially invited to Part One of a Culturally Responsive Learning Series centering Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Justice for Faculty & Staff. The three-part semester series is co-sponsored by the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts, the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, and the Cynthia A. Lyons Center for Equity and Urban Education in collaboration with the Faculty Development Committee and the Institutional Development Committee's Curriculum and Development subcommittee.
The program: THE L.I.G.H.T. (Leading In Goodness Hopefulness Togetherness) is an interactive workshop for faculty and staff to reflect on the intent and impact of how they fulfill their roles and responsibilities rooted within the Mission and Core Values of Elms College. As progressive change makers with a focus on positively contributing to the world at large, we must evaluate our world at ELMS in alignment with our Mission and Core Values. We will work to imagine and plan how we can operate in goodness, hopefulness, and togetherness as a way of providing our students a learning ecosystem on campus that inspires them to believe that they can contribute to the changes that are needed to make the world a better place through faith, community, justice and excellence.
Date: Thursday, February 2nd
Location: Dining Hall Annex
4:30 PM -Dinner selections will be available through the cafeteria line
5:00 PM -Workshop Begins
6:30 PM- Workshop Concludes
We welcome Timothy Jones, a CEUE Visiting Scholar and Founder of Techniques4Learning LLC, as our workshop facilitator. Timothy is a writer, trainer, educator, ordained minister, and pundit of Hip-Hop and youth development. His writing credits include the books “Prayers Proverbs Parables” and “Where are We Going” and contributions to various anthologies. Timothy’s innovative view of Hip-Hop as a mindset allows him to engage and encourage educators to identify the multiple intelligences and transferable skills that are on display among their students who engage in various Hip-Hop art forms. This led to Timothy being a lecturer and the first Hip-Hop Scholar in Residence at Teachers College, Columbia University. As a resident, Timothy would often lecture and facilitate workshops with graduate students who were science educators in training.
Timothy is the Chief Visionary Officer of HipHopEd www.hiphoped.com and the curator and moderator for the #HipHopEd twitter chat presenting timely discussions on education, hip-hop and youth development. Follow Timothy on Twitter @tdj6899.
Techniques4Learning LLC, a company founded by Timothy that is committed to supporting organizations and schools in the areas of youth engagement, youth development, staff training, and curriculum/activity content creation. Timothy continues his commitment to being a leader in education by serving as the Director of Innovation and Hip Hop Pedagogical Effectiveness at the High School for Recording Arts and a Coach at 4Learning. As an education innovator, Timothy is an inaugural storytelling fellow with the Apollo Stories program Apollo Stories. In addition to establishing his company as a sole proprietor, Timothy is a sought-after speaker, trainer, and curriculum creator.
To register for the Event please complete the following form by February 1: https://forms.gle/k6Cz5V3fL5KARzBs6
We look forward to seeing you on February 2nd! If you have any questions regarding this event, please contact the Office of Diversity and Inclusion diversity@elms.edu.
Dr. Ryan Ambuter, Faculty Fellow, Cynthia A. Lyons Center for Equity in Urban Education
Dr. Ambuter is an Assistant Professor of Secondary Education in the Education Division at Elms College. He earned a Ph.D. in Teacher Education and School Improvement and a master’s degree in Social Justice Education from
UMass Amherst. He has over a decade of experience teaching English Language Arts at the secondary level in Western Massachusetts. Ryan is passionate about equity-based frameworks for teaching and learning, and getting the right books into the hands of his students. His research focuses on critical, embodied pedagogies.
About the Cynthia A. Lyons Center for Equity in Urban Education
The Cynthia A. Lyons Center for Equity in Urban Education (CEUE) was launched in 2019 with the goal of diversifying the teacher workforce and strengthening teacher education for employment success and retention in urban school districts. The CEUE provides culturally responsive teaching and learning opportunities through
undergraduate and graduate degree programs for current educators seeking their initial teaching license. The CEUE also provides professional development workshops to advance educator knowledge and engagement with diverse students, families, and communities.
YOU'RE INVITED
Institute for Theology & Pastoral Studies at Elms College - Zoom Book Studies
You are cordially invited to join our February book studies. Together, we'll read Olga Segura's Birth of a Movement and Shannen Dee Williams' Subversive Habits.
Then, join us on February 24 at Elms College for the Black Experience Summit. Ms. Segura and Dr. Williams will be our keynote speakers. Details forthcoming.
Participants are asked to purchase their own copies of the books; a discount for Shannen Dee Williams' book can be found here:
Order from Duke University Press, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or your local bookseller today! Save 30% on the paperback edition using code: E22WLLMS on the Duke University Press website. Contact Michael McGravey at mcgraveym@elms.edu with any questions.
BLACK EXPERIENCE SUMMIT
We are excited to invite you to the 6th annual Black Experience Summit! Designed to bring students and scholars together through engaging speakers and inspirational dialogue, the Black Experience Summit will be hosted by President Harry Dumay, Ph.D., MBA, and held on:
Friday, February 24, 2022
12:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
This year we will return to hosting the event in-person on the Elms College campus in Veritas Auditorium on the second floor of Berchmans Hall, 291 Springfield Street, Chicopee, MA 01013.
In keeping with their mission, the Sisters of St. Joseph are co-sponsoring the 6th Annual Black Experience Summit with Our Lady of the Elms College. The Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield are joined together in the spirit of their mission, “that all may be one.” They strive to unite neighbor with neighbor and neighbor with God without distinction, to live simply, and act for justice. This year’s Summit is also made possible by grant funding from the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts and by support from the Cynthia A. Lyons Center for Equity and Urban Education.
Register now at https://www.elms.edu/events/bes/ This event is at no cost and open to the public.
Our theme this year, "Embodying Faith, Seeking Racial Justice,” explores the impact of racism in the life and mission of religious institutions.
This year’s keynote speakers are:
Shannon Dee Williams, Ph.D, an Associate Professor of History at the University of Dayton. She is author of Subversive Habits: Black Catholic Nuns in the Long African American Freedom Struggle. Her opening keynote address is entitled “Bearing Witness to a Silenced Past: The Power and Challenge of Black Catholic Women’s Historical Truth-Telling”
and
Olga Marina Segura, a freelance writer and the author of Birth of a Movement: Black Lives Matter and the Catholic Church. Her closing keynote address is entitled “A Call for Liberation: Why we are called to lift up and learn from movements for Black lives?”
In addition to these inspiring speakers, there will be selected songs performed by Elms College students and two Spoken Word Performances by Devantae Butler, CEO/President of Reaching New Dreams and Recognizing Talents.
In the interactive panel, ask questions of faith leaders during “Faith in Practice: An Interfaith Dialogue” moderated by Timothy Jones, visiting Scholar for the Cynthia A. Lyons Center for Equity in Urban Education. Invited Faith Leaders include Imam, Mirza Yawar Baig, The Reverend Marcus T. McCullogh and Professor Nina Diri.
For additional information, event schedule and to register to attend the event please visit: https://www.elms.edu/events/bes/. Please register by Thursday, February 23, 2023.
CAMPUS MINISTRY
During the first week of December, the Office of Campus Ministry brought back Elf on the Shelf! All week long, photos of the Elms College elf were posted on Instagram and hidden in secret locations throughout campus. Students who found the photos were the lucky winners of Christmas prizes. A special thanks to Claire Wright, Director of Student Engagement and Leadership, for being such an enthusiastic elf!
On December 1st, Campus Ministry teamed up with the Office of Student Engagement and Leadership to do a blessing of the cars during Commuter Appreciation Week. Eileen Kirk, Director of Campus Ministry, and Fr. Mark left prayer cards and St. Joseph medals on each vehicle in the commuter parking lots. St. Joseph is the patron saint of travelers.
On December 5th, Campus Ministry, Dr. Dumay, and members of the Elms community, including students and staff, attended the taping of the Chalice of Salvation Mass at the Bishop Marshall Center in Springfield. This mass, featuring Fr. Mark as the celebrant, was aired on January 8th, the Epiphany of the Lord, for the Annual Appeal for Elms College. The mass, along with Dr. Dumay's interview, can be watched here: https://youtu.be/GjYFNPPPPuA
On December 7th, Campus Ministry Club hosted Christmas Cards and Cocoa in the dining hall annex. Students and staff stopped by to make Christmas cards for loved ones and for the Sisters of St. Joseph, who greatly appreciated the holiday messages!
On Saturday, December 17th members of the Elms community, led by the Office of Campus Ministry and the Office of Student Engagement and Leadership, volunteered for Wreaths Across America. Wreaths Across America works to remember our fallen U.S. veterans and to honor those who serve. Volunteers placed wreaths on veterans' gravestones at Calvary Cemetery in Chicopee. Thank you to our volunteers and to those who sponsored wreaths!
Over winter break, Elms students and staff members traveled to Puerto Rico to participate in volunteer work through the Office of Campus Ministry. While there, they worked with the St. Bernard Project, a nonprofit, disaster relief organization. Together, they did repair work on a home devastated by Hurricane Maria in 2017. Their efforts have brought the homeowner and her family one step closer to returning to a safe, clean home.
Participants: Nicole Fregeau, Assistant Director of Campus Ministry; Olga Torres-Lopez, CEUE Academic Coordinator; Marlene Kabeya, Graduate Assistant; Allie Carmon '23; Elizabeth Gourde '23; Emily Cheevers '24; Kyla Lopez '25
ACADEMIC AFFAIRS
Nominations for the Sr. Kathleen Kirley Award
The School of Continuing Education will be awarding the Sr.Kathleen Kirley Award to a commencing CE student. We welcome your nominations of candidates for this award. Below is a description containing the criteria. The award is given out at Honors Convocation.
Sr. Kathleen Kirley Award
The award was established in 2012 by the Division of Graduate Studies and Continuing Education to honor Sister Kathleen Kirley, SSJ, Professor of Education for 45 years from 1966 to 2011 and Dean of Continuing Education for 20 years from 1977-1997. The award is given annually to a Continuing Education student in the graduating class. This award reflects the life of Sr. Kathleen: passionate about learning and encouraging that love of learning in others; steadfast in reaching one’s goals; being present to every individual in gentle and unassuming ways; and, working to build better lives for others.
Sr. Kathleen Kirley Nomination Form
Please complete the survey no later than Saturday, February 18, 2023. Contact Jane McCarry at
mccarryj@elms.edu or 413-265-2490 with any questions.
INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT
The Office of Alumni Engagement’s annual Breakfast with Santa was a huge success! We had 75 alumni and friends with their families join us on December 4 for a fun-filled day of crafts, cookie decorating, a visit from Santa and so much more. Thank you so much to all of our alumni and friends who made this event possible. Merry Christmas to all of our amazing alums. You were all on our good list this year!
ATHLETICS
You can find all athletic team schedules at ecblazers.com and stay informed by following our athletic department Instagram @elmsblazers
HUMAN RESOURCES
Elms College Employment Opportunities as of January 20, 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 or you may request a paper copy from the Human Resources Office.
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.
Raymour & Flanigan for Business Discount Opportunity
Elms employees can participate in Raymour & Flanigan’s discount program! Please see the brochure for more details.
Link to the 2022-2023 Holiday Schedule
Raymour & Flanagan for Business
As part of Elms College's affiliation, Raymour & Flanagan can offer you an opportunity to participate in Raymour & Flanigan for Business. Enjoy an exclusive discount, perks, and our commitment to service. Employees of Elms College must contact Joe Auclair, Home & Business Furnishing Consultant, Phone: (413) 726-9990, Email: jauclair@raymourflanigan.com. For more information contact Elms College's Human Resources department.
Welcome to new employees:
Kevin Baker- Custodian (12/5/22)
Ryan Failing- Director of Residence Life (12/22/22)
Casandra Feen-Admissions Counselor (1/3/23)
John Pandelaki- Senior Programmer/Analyst (1/3/23)
Best wishes to departing employees:
Neset Karaarslan- Public Safety Officer (12/13/22)
Michael Maillhott- Custodian (12/2/22)
Alyssa Kelleher- Admissions Counselor (12/23/22)
Jeannean Terlik-Assistant Controller (retired 1/3/22)
Jonathan Scully- VP of Enrollment Management and Marketing (1/20/23)
TECH TIPS
Keyboard shortcuts are a combination of keystrokes that allow you to quickly and efficiently perform an action on your device.
Some populate keyboard shortcuts for Windows operating system include:
Ctrl + “C” to copy
Crtl + “V” to paste
Crtl + “P to print
Windows key + L to quickly lock your computer
Windows key + D to minimize all open windows
Ctrl + Alt + Delete to log off or shut down your device as well as reset your password
Did you also know that Google has their own keyboard shortcuts unique to each of their Workspace items (Docs, Sheets, Slides, Calendar, etc.)?
To view these shortcuts, simply open the file you wish to work in, and enter Ctrl + /
This will open a window with all available keyboard shortcuts available within that program. There is also a link to a Help Center which will allow you to search Google’s resource page for additional steps for how to make the most of your experience using Google Workspace
STAFF COUNCIL
Many thanks to all who volunteered to be on the Staff Rep Committee. We reached out to each nominee, and the following people agreed to serve. Since there are 4-6 openings for the Staff Rep Committee, the five staff members below will begin their term of service this semester.
Tiffani Ashline
Andrea Neill
Heather Aube
Ann Flayhan
Claire Wright
Many thanks to each of the nominees who are willing to serve on the Staff Council. We encourage you to reach out to them with questions/concerns, and to offer them congratulations!
ELMS IN THE NEWS:
December 7, 2022: Diverse Issues in Education published a brief article on their website announcing Andrew Coston as the new Vice President of Student Affairs.
December 12, 2022: Masslive.com published the press release that Elms College appointed seven new members to the Board of Trustees.
December 15, 2022: BusinessWest Daily blog published the press release that Elms College appointed seven new members to the Board of Trustees.
December 15, 2022: Healthcare News Daily News blog published the press release that Elms College appointed seven new members to the Board of Trustees.
December 24, 2022: Masslive.com published an article that Elms College received $1 million for social sciences and education curriculum, including scholarships and equipment. The funding was part of the final 2023 appropriations bill and was championed by U.S. Congressman Richard Neal. Dr. Dumay was quoted in the article.
December 26, 2022: Berkshire Eagle published an article that U.S. Congressman Richard Neal secured over $20 million in the final 2023 appropriations bill for projects in his district. The paper highlighted the projects in Berkshire County. They also listed the other projects receiving the earmark, including the $1 million for Elms College.
December 28, 2022: BusinessWest Daily blog published an article that Elms College received $1 million for social sciences and education curriculum, including scholarships and equipment. The funding was part of the final 2023 appropriations bill and was championed by U.S. Congressman Richard Neal.
January 9, 2023: BusinessWest (digital edition) published an op-ed regarding the new Cyber Center at Springfield's Union Station and mentions Elms as one of the area colleges that will provide training opportunities for students.
January 9, 2023: BusinessWest (digital edition) published an article in which Dr. Dumay participated in BW's annual Economic Outlook Roundtable discussion along with business leaders in other industries.
January 9, 2023: BusinessWest (digital edition) published another outlook article about marketing the region and they talked with members of the Western MA Economic Development Council. Rick Sullivan, president of EDC, mentioned Elms College when he talked about higher education being an asset of the region.
January 9, 2023: BusinessWest (digital edition) published an article about the new Cyber Center at Springfield's Union Station and mentions Elms as one of the area colleges that will provide opportunities for students.
January 9, 2023: BusinessWest (digital edition) published the press release that Elms College appointed seven new members to the Board of Trustees.
January 17, 2023: WAMC, Northeast Public Radio, published an article about an additional $3 million federal earmark for Cyber Center at Springfield's Union Station and mentions Elms as one of the area colleges that will provide opportunities for students. Dr. Dumay is in the accompanying photo, along with other college presidents.
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