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NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
Dear Colleagues,
I hope that everyone had a nice Thanksgiving break. tt was great to see so many of you and your families at this week’s Tree Lighting event! It was the official kickoff to the holiday season and I look forward to celebrating again with you in a few weeks at the annual Christmas Party and Service Awards Celebration.
Thank you as well for everyone who participated in the beautiful memorial service for Dora Robinson on Wednesday. I want to express my gratitude to Eileen Kirk who organized the event, coordinating with Nicole Fregeau, Bevin Peters, and many others.
Time certainly is flying by this semester! I’d like to take a moment to summarize some important initiatives that have taken place since my last message.
Fall Open House and Athletic Prospect Day took place on November 4th. I would like to thank the Admissions and Enrollment team for their tireless efforts in recruiting these prospects and to express my gratitude to all those who were here that day, extending our very warm Elms welcome to our guests.
The Strategic Planning Steering Committee gathered for its kickoff meeting on November 6th to begin brainstorming key priorities for the next strategic plan. I want to thank Dr. Joyce Hampton for leading this effort and also thank the co-chairs and members of the subcommittees who are dedicating their time and expertise. This collective effort intends to make certain that the College continues our forward momentum over the next several years, despite the very challenging times that our sector faces.
The week of November 13th was full of fun and activities to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Alumnae Library which concluded on November 16th with a lovely reception attended by staff, faculty students, Trustees, and alumni. I’d like to thank Tony Fonseca, Debbie Gomes, and Lynn Gamble for coordinating all the week’s events!
Also, on November 16th, Interim VP of Academic Affairs, Dr. Susan Dunton, VP of Finance and Administration, Katie Longley, and I traveled to Peabody, MA to meet with the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) for the final step in our re-accreditation process. As noted in my Cabinet meeting update to the community, we had a very positive meeting with the Commission and was notified later that evening by the Commission President, that Elms College is continued in accreditation. This was an extensive, and sometimes, grueling process, and the success in being re-accredited would not have been possible without the dedication and hard work of the entire College community. You all should be proud of this accomplishment, I know how proud I am to work alongside all of you in moving the College forward. Our conversation with NECHE was an important reminder of the serious enrollment and finance challenges that institutions like us face. As we celebrate a successful process, we must also remain focused on the ongoing work of maintaining the College healthy on all fronts.
The fall semester was jampacked with student engagement events, many of which you will see further down in this newsletter. Once again, I want to express my gratitude to all the faculty and staff for advancing the mission of the College and providing our students with the unique and high-quality educational experience they deserve.
As this will be the last newsletter for the fall semester, I want to wish you all a successful end of 2023, a joyous holiday season, and a restful break filled with reflection, happiness, and hope for an even brighter 2024 – remember we Blaze Brighter Together!
With gratitude,
Harry E. Dumay, Ph.D., MBA
President
CHECK OUT OUR NEW BILLBOARD!
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 - Anna Stabile
Institutional Advancement - Lynn Korza
The deadline for submissions is the third Friday of each month.
UPCOMING CAMPUS EVENTS
December 2 Breakfast with Santa
December 7 CERC Lecture
December 8 Coffee Q & A
December 15 Faculty/Staff Christmas Party
January 18 DNP White Coat Ceremony
January 19 Coffee Q & A
January 27 Nursing Exploration Day
Check the Master Calendar for exact locations of each event.
THE ALUMNAE LIBRARY CELEBRATED 50th ANNIVERSARY!
On Thursday, November 16, the Alumnae Library celebrated its 50th Anniversary. The event was the culmination of a week-long celebration, which included “Meet the Authors”; student bingo; Poetry reading and art reception; and daily student raffles. The library staff welcomed over 100 attendees to the event, including Alumnae from 1970-1976, faculty, staff, students, administration, and members of the Board of Trustees. During the Thursday event, Fr. Mark Stelzer, Dr. Walter Breau, and Dr. Anthony Fonseca spoke about the history of the library, including important events that occurred over the years as well as information about the library directors. The library staff thanks all those who helped make the Alumnae Library’s 50th celebration a success!
ATHLETICS
You can find all athletic team schedules at ecblazers.com and stay informed by following our athletic department Instagram @elmsblazers
COUNSELING CENTER
The Counseling Center, Wellness Educator James Proctor III, and student peer wellness educators researched and developed a program entitled "What Makes Your Clock Tick?" which centered on circadian rhythms. Students were given educational materials and a self sleep assessment where they could assess their sleep patterns and habits. James then worked to assist students in building a sleep routine custom fit to their unique, individual needs. There were free giveaways and a weighted blanket was raffled off to one lucky student! For more information about the Wellness Educator or Peer Wellness Educators, please contact Dr. Nicole Sacco, Counseling Center Director, at 413-265-2275.
The Counseling Center, Wellness Educator James Proctor III, and student peer wellness educators researched and developed a program entitled "Wellness Ed. Menu- The Holiday Metabolism." The campus community was encouraged to stop by to learn all about the nutrients that support your mental health, a diet that supports a healthy heart, and developing an 'athlete's plate.' There were free giveaways, some trivia questions, and a jump rope was raffled off to one lucky student! For more information about the Wellness Educator or Peer Wellness Educators, please contact Dr. Nicole Sacco, Counseling Center Director, at 413-265-2275.
STUDENT ENGAGEMENT
The past semester has been an exhilarating journey for Student Engagement and leadership, marked by engaging and impactful programs that have resonated with our students. We've strived to uphold our commitment to Elms College's core values through diverse initiatives aimed at the engagement of our community.
Some Program Highlights Include
● Wicked Week
○ Campus-wide trick or treat.
○ Pumpkin Carving
○ Escape Room
○ Rails to the Darkside Trip
● Monthly Bingo Events
● Student Engagement Expo
● Commuter Programming
○ Commuter Appreciation Week
○ Commuter Coffee
○ Monthly Commuter Meals
● Multiple “Sold Out” Build A Blazer Events
● Boston Bruins Trip
● “Sold Out” Food Truck Events
● Welcome Week Programming
● Elms Night
● Blazer Blowout
The semester has been a testament to our commitment to the college's core values, which is evident through the diverse array of programs catering to our student's needs and interests. We're thrilled by the positive responses and the tangible impact these initiatives have had on the Elms College community.
As we reflect on these successes, we eagerly anticipate the upcoming semester. We aim to build upon these accomplishments, leveraging our learnings to create even more innovative and impactful programs. Your ongoing support and participation remain instrumental in driving our mission forward.
Check out photos from all the student engagement activities!
Photo credit: Claire Wright
SCENES FROM HALLOWEEN!
CAMPUS MINISTRY
On October 11th, in celebration of Founders' Day and the beginnings of the Sisters of St. Joseph in LePuy, France, Campus Ministry hosted the Springfield Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph for Mass and lunch. It is always wonderful to have our local members of the Community of St. Joseph on campus to share time together with students, faculty, and staff.
On October 12th, as part of Hispanic Heritage Month, Campus Ministry hosted En Comunidad, a gathering for lunch and presentations by students Julio Rodriguez, Kenya Mendoza, Briana Gomez, and Isamar Perez. The students spoke about their summer travels with Campus Ministry staff to the El Futuro Conference in Chicago, and the ACSSJ Pilgrimage to LePuy, France.
On October 27th, Campus Ministry held a Prayer Service for Peace to bring community members together to pray for peace in the Middle East. A "peace tree," made of ribbons added by attendees, was placed outside the chapel in honor of those impacted.
On November 2nd, in collaboration with Student Engagement, Campus Ministry held a blessing of the cars with distribution of St. Joseph medals for Commuter Appreciation Week.
Also on November 2nd, Campus Ministry and International Club constructed a Day of the Dead altar in front of the Dining Center, complete with Mexican candy and Day of the Dead cookie decorating!
On November 10th, Campus Ministry and the Women's Basketball Team spent time at Genesis Spiritual Life Center in Westfield. We heard about the history of Genesis, spent time in the chapel with Sr. Elizabeth Oleksak, foundress of Genesis, shared lunch together, and rounded out our time with a clean-up of the labyrinth at Genesis.
From October 31st-November 12th, Campus Ministry and Athletics held a food drive for The Gray House in Springfield. On November 15th, we were able to deliver over 400 pounds of food to The Gray House for their annual Thanksgiving food distribution.
Breathers and Bouquets took place on November 15th at lunchtime. RA Angela and Campus Ministry invited students to take a break and get creative in making individual bouquets. Gratitude cards were also distributed to students with an invitation to pass on a card to someone who has made a difference in one's day.
CAREER & INTERNSHIP FAIR
Thank you so much for all that you did yesterday to make the Elms College Career & Internship Fair happen.I genuinely appreciate all your efforts to encourage students to be a part of this event. A lot goes into a career fair and I am grateful to everyone for helping. Our employers were impressed by the strong community of not just students, but staff, faculty, and administrators who came out in support of the event. Last year we had 213 students. This year, we had 283! That is a jump of 70 students! Our 47 employers who attended were really delighted at the turnout and the activity at their tables. What really moved me was how impressed they were with our students. They raved about them. thank you all for making our event a success.
2023 ST. AUGUSTINE CERC DISTINGUISHED LECTURE IN CULTURE
Catholic Spirituality in Dialogue with Secular Culture
Join us in a discussion with Dr. Carolyn Jacobs about the role of spirituality in an increasingly secular culture, and what role institutions like Elms College can play.
Dr. Jacobs spent 35 years on the faculty at the Smith College School for Social Work, and was director of “Contemplative Clinical Practice: An Advanced Certificate Program in Spirituality and Social Work Practice.” She is also on the Elms College Board of Trustees.
She has written extensively on the topic of spirituality in social work.
Her discussion will examine how we, in a sociological sense, can tap into our rich, intellectual tradition and the teachings of Jesus to re-ignite our shared purpose and sense of community and to push back against the age of moral relativism, hyper-consumerism, and the shallowness of the ego-laden alter of “me, myself and I”?
The discussion is planned for Thursday, Dec. 7 at 4:30 p.m. in Alumnae Library Theater, Elms College. This lecture is free and open to the public.
ACADEMIC AFFAIRS
Elms representing at the New England Minority Nurse Leaders Conference
On October 14th the 9th annual New England Minority Nurse Leaders Conference was held at the Marriott in Springfield. Elms was well represented by nurse leaders who all graduated from Elms College. dr. Yolanda Matrow, Tommie Burton, Almaneta Lee, Dr. Anne Mistivar, Althea Michel, Ruth Amador, Dr. Deana Nunes, Dr. Lou Rios
Elms College Strategic Plan: PRISM: Blazing Brighter Together
Co-chairs and subcommittee members joined together on November 6 for the Strategic Planning Kickoff.
We are currently in year four of the Building Bridges to the Elms Plus Experience. As the timeline for our current Strategic Plan comes to its completion, Elms College finds itself at the onset of a very important process as we embark on a new strategic planning journey that will impact 2024 and well-beyond! Together, we will build an integrated Strategic Plan that guides and prioritizes the transformative activities and necessary resources to support the mission of this most wonderful college, because we blaze brighter, together!
The Strategic Planning Community Resource Folder provides additional information and context regarding the state of Elms College today: 2023 Fact Book, NECHE Self-Study: February 2023, Current Elms College Strategic Plan 2021-2024 and Yearly Reports, and Census Reports - https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1JqYC3xmqv9By663cRbp5GUa-_BQYBMt8?usp=sharing
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
Assistant or Associate Director of Annual Giving
Administrative Assistant to the Social Science Division
Cheerleading Coach
Director of Educational Technology and User Support Services
Chair of the Division of Education
Undergraduate Admissions Counselor
Graduate Assistant - Student Engagement & Leadership
Director of Financial Aid
Gift Processor - Part time
Administrative Coordinator (CEUE)
Accounts Payable Coordinator
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:
Nicole Bourgeois - new post - Coordinator of Experiential Learning
Best wishes to departing employees:
Megan Eischen, Director of Marketing
Sara Flink, Director of Educational Technology and User Support Services
Danielle Johnson, Student Accounts Rep
Paulina Lisheness, Director of Enrollment Communications and Events
Tara Loos, Enrollment Data and Software Manager
ELMS IN THE NEWS:
October 21, 2023: wwlp.com aired a story on the announcement of the college's capital campaign, "Building Bridges: The Campaign for Elms College."
October 25, 2023: iObserve.com published an article on the announcement of the college's capital campaign, "Building Bridges: The Campaign for Elms College."
October 27, 2023: Chicopee Register published an article on the Mary Dooley Lecture when Katherine Schmidt spoke on "Faith in the Digital Age." The article is on page 3.
October 27, 2023: Chicopee Register published an article on the Innovation Challenge and included photos of the top 3 teams and the judges. Article is on page 16.
October 29, 2023: Real to Reel aired a story on the announcement of the college's capital campaign, "Building Bridges: The Campaign for Elms College." The story can be viewed at the 19 minute mark.
November 10, 2023: Chicopee Register published an article listing the Elms students from Chicopee that graduated in August. Story is on page 11.
November 17, 2023: Chicopee Register published an article that Elms and the St. Augustine Center for Ethics, Religion, and Culture are hosting the Distinguished Lecture in Culture on December 7. The story is on page 6.
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