Computer Science major Randy Kamindo is one of three EMU students accepted into the Management Leadership for Tomorrow (MLT) Career Prep Program. This 20-month program provides underrepresented students seeking successful careers within business and technology the opportunity to receive personalized coaching, job search guidance, exposure to top employers, and more. MLT also provides Fellows access to an extensive professional network.

Kamindo was accepted into the software engineering/technology track within the MLT program. Kamindo is excited to acquire new technical and interviewing skills as well as the opportunity to gain networking connections within the MLT community. 

"I'm looking forward to gaining access to top professionals from 50+ top tech companies and connecting with MLT partners for internships and full-time software engineering roles," said Kamindo. "This experience will have a tremendous impact on my future, as it will equip me with the skills, knowledge, and network that I need to succeed in the software engineering industry."

Senior Political Science and Economics double major Cedrick Charles has participated in the MLT Career Prep Program for the past two years. Charles attributes much of his success to the MLT program's profound role in his journey to becoming an industry professional in political science and economics. 

"This program is not just a bridge; it's a catalyst for immediate and lasting upward socioeconomic mobility. The effect is significant: 90% of MLT undergraduates get offers for high-profile positions, above industry averages," stated Charles. "MLT has been instrumental in my evolution as a leader, fostering a deeper understanding of success, empathy for others' achievements, and a stronger commitment to helping those around me. MLT doesn't just build bridges; it forges pathways to leadership, prosperity, and a purpose-driven life." 

Read the full EMU Today story.

Political Science majors LouLou Missome-Engohang and Estelle Hackos have been accepted into the 2024 Public Policy and International Affairs Junior Summer Institute at the University of Michigan.

Each year, PPIA seeks out high-potential undergraduate students from universities across the country to participate in an intensive seven-week Junior Summer Institute before their senior year. The JSI summer program equips fellows with the knowledge and skills they will need to succeed in graduate school and ultimately, in influential roles serving the public good. This marks the third year in a row that EMU has sent students to the PPIA program.

Boy Scout Troop 1 from Ann Arbor spent February 9th to 11th at EMU's Fish Lake Environmental Education center near Lapeer. Dr. Chris Gellasch from the Department of Geography and Geology and several of his undergraduate students from both the Geology and Environmental Science and Society (ENVI) programs spent the weekend with the Scouts teaching them about water quality and student research being conducted at Fish Lake. The Scouts learned how to sample wells and surface water, perform chemical analyses on the water, and how to collect soil samples with a hand auger. They also provided service by using hand tools to clear away downed trees and vegetation to improve the trails on the property. The Scouts had a great time and look forward to returning to Fish Lake in the future. The EMU students were able to refine their fieldwork, lab, and communication skills while teaching the Scouts. As a bonus, the Boy Scout leaders taught the EMU students how to play the card game euchre, which is always popular with the Scouts during campouts.

The elite vocal ensemble of the School of Music and Dance, the EMU Choir, recently released its second album this academic year. 

Hear their recording, The Road Home, on Spotify.

A LEGO mosaic made by Biology Professor Aaron Liepman was unveiled during EMU’s MLK Day celebration on January 15. The mosaic, "Walk to Freedom", depicts the June 1963 march for civil rights led by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in Detroit. 

"This particular piece was created using about 30,000 hand-painted LEGO bricks," Liepman told WDIV. The mosaic, which took six months to complete, is the third mosaic Dr. Liepman has made that portrays Dr. King. The mosaic is now on permanent display across from the 2nd-Floor balcony in the EMU Honors College.

"People of all ages can relate to LEGO. I enjoy creating civil rights-themed artwork in this medium because this provides an opportunity to engage kids in conversations with adults about important people and events in our civil rights history," Liepman said.

Professor Liepman began making LEGO mosaics after seeing one on the wall outside a Chicago LEGO store. He relates, "I had never dreamed of using LEGO to create two-dimensional artwork. I was fascinated by the way that subtle details, invisible up close, somehow emerged when I stepped back and viewed the mosaic from a different perspective and I was inspired to explore this art medium."

Colorado Governor Jared Polis has appointed alum Dannette R. Smith (BS, Psychology, 1979) to be the Commissioner of the Behavioral Health Administration. 

"Throughout her 30-year career, Dannette has been a fierce advocate for accessible behavioral healthcare, a well-respected problem-solver, and a steady leader," said Governor Polis. "I am confident that under her leadership, BHA will continue helping Coloradans access the high-quality care they deserve."

"The Governor and his administration have laid a strong foundation for behavioral healthcare, and I look forward to using my experience to build on this good work and continue expanding services in Colorado," said Smith. "I'm excited to get to work to help break down barriers to care for Coloradans, and bring the Governor's vision for a Colorado For All to life."

The 2023 recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Public Human Services Association (APHSA), Smith has spent 30 years serving families, children, the aging population, and people experiencing homelessness. She’s led human services departments across the country, most recently serving nearly five years as the Chief Executive Officer at the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services where she led five divisions: Behavioral Health, Children and Family Services, Developmental Disabilities, Medicaid & Long-Term Care, and Public Health. 

Read Governor Polis' announcement.

For alum Joshua Chiatovich (BA, Communication, 2013), a deep fascination with Chinese culture was sparked at age eight when he watched the Jackie Chan kung fu movie Drunken Master. Chiatovich's passion bore fruit last summer when he published his first novel, The Baji Mantis, and led an American team to competition in the ninth World Kung Fu Championship in Sichuan, China. 

Chiatovich's path to China led through EMU, where he complemented his Communication major with a minor in East Asian Studies. After graduation, Joshua studied Chinese Philosophy at Xiamen University, where he lived for four years. That was "the best time of my life", he told China Daily. Chiatovich today teaches kung fu classes and serves as the Chief Communications Officer of the Detroit Chinatown Group.

Chiatovich credits CAS professors Yen Ling Von Meister and Dennis O'Grady with inspiring him to pursue his dreams. He relates, "While attending EMU I decided to try something I had always wanted to but was too intimidated by, learning Chinese language. When I began learning the language it was extremely difficult for me, and at a certain point I wanted to quit. That's when I had a conversation with my Chinese language professor, Yen Ling Von Meister (Zhou Laoshi). After explaining my difficulties to her, she approached me in a way that surprised me. Instead of babying me, trying to coax me to try harder, she challenged me. 'Treat this as you do your kung fu.' she said.  'If you cannot take this seriously, practicing and studying everyday, then just quit now.' Never had a teacher spoken to me that way before; she challenged me and I took the challenge on! I studied Chinese for three semesters at EMU and that led me to what happened next. 

"While I was studying Chinese one day in the Alexander building, I heard two Asian girls speaking with one another. My grasp of the language was almost nil, but I knew enough to know they were speaking Chinese. I approached them and asked if they could help me with my homework, as I was struggling mightily. The students were very kind and welcomed me to sit with them. They then told me how they were struggling with English, and we made a deal. I help them with their English, they help me with my Chinese. We met in that same place nearly every day, and soon we had a table full of Chinese and American students learning from one another and becoming friends. After finding out that these kind, fun people had almost no American friends and didn't feel completely comfortable in the U.S. I decided to run for president of the Chinese Student Association, to change that. During my time as president we grew the organization by 1000%, held some really great events, and made some lifelong friends. Those two experiences led to my final impactful moment.

"When it was time to graduate and decisions about my future had to be made, I faced a choice: be happy with how far I had gotten, take my degree and start a career, or do the thing I had always dreamed of doing, go to China! I found a program for Chinese Philosophy that accepted me, but I was nervous. Was I asking for too much? Should I settle for the progress I already made? It was a big risk I would be taking by leaving everything I had ever known. I went to speak with the person that had the biggest impact on me during my time at EMU, Dennis O'Grady. Dennis was my academic advisor, but he was more than that. When Dennis speaks, he always means what he says, does what he says, and always comes from a place of compassion. I would follow his advice. When I presented my choice to Dennis, he displayed none of the consternation that I did. 'Follow your dream!' he told me, 'Don't settle for less than your best life.' That was all I needed. To hear that encouragement from a man I respected so much was all it took. Soon I was enrolling, selling all my stuff, and buying a one way ticket to China. And the rest is history."

CAS Alum Alexa Cooley (BA, Political Science and Communication, 2020) was named one of the "Top 10 House Staffers to Watch in 2024" by Medium.com. Cooley is a Press Assistant with the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee for the U.S. House of Representatives. 

"I was very thankful that the Honors College and Department of Political Science helped fund multiple trips to D.C., as [those trips] allowed me to dig deeper into my honors thesis, which involved interviewing Congressional staffers firsthand," said Cooley. "My freshman year was the first time I had ever stepped foot in D.C. and I quickly decided that working in Congress was what I was going to do."

Political Science Professor and Director of the Faculty Development Center Dr. Jeffrey Bernstein went on multiple trips to D.C. with Cooley and was one of her senior thesis project advisors, along with Jonathan Carter, Professor of Communication.

"Alexa was a mentee of mine," Bernstein said. "I advised her senior thesis and she was a student in numerous classes (including travel classes) and a co-author on a paper we were slated to present at a conference before COVID. She was a dedicated and driven student, highly engaged in the material, and with a clear goal of finding her way into the political world. I could tell, almost immediately, that she was destined to go places politically. Alexa's success is wonderful news for all of us who worked with her over her years at EMU."

Read the full EMU Today story.

CAS alum Dan McClory (BS, English, 1981; MA, Language and International Trade, 1982) and fellow EMU alum Keith Moore recently made a $2 million gift to EMU Athletics. McClory and Moore competed together in cross country and track & field for four years. Following graduation they went into business together, founding Boustead & Company Limited, a diversified financial services firm.

As a student, McClory worked as a sports writer for the Eastern Echo and the Ypsilanti Press. In a 1997 interview he told how his studies and sports writing experiences had led to his business success. "At the core of everything are written and oral communication skills. If you can read, write and talk well, it can get you anywhere. And those pressures of deadlines turned out to be helpful and applicable in the real world after graduation."

A three-time captain of EMU's cross country team, McClory was named an "Outstanding Young Alumnus" in 1992 and "Eastern Man of the Year" in 2010. Also in 2010, he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Public Service degree from EMU and gave a commencement address. McClory serves on the Boards of the USA Track & Field Foundation, the American Foundation of Savoy Orders, and the Alder Foundation, where he listed the first-ever foreign-funded, venture philanthropy-backed IPO on Bovespa's Social Stock Exchange in Brazil. McClory was an EMU Foundation Trustee, is an original Champions Advisory Board member, a GameAbove Advisory Board member, and a part of EMU's recently completed Give Rise Campaign.

CAS Alum Kevin Meerschaert (BS, Political Science and Communication, 1992) has joined the WEMU news team as a general assignment reporter and All Things Considered host. Kevin previously reported for WEMU while he was a student and for a short time after graduating. Since then he has worked for public radio stations in Evansville, Indiana; Salisbury, Maryland; Jacksonville, Florida; and Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Meerschaert recently told WEMU's David Fair that his undergraduate major in Political Science has shaped his reporting. "...I have a degree in political science, so I think that's where I spent a lot of my focus: on government. That's one of the reasons that got me to Santa Fe a couple years ago. It was because Santa Fe was the state capital, and I got to learn a lot about state politics that sometimes you don't get from the outside, but you can learn a lot of things right there in the state Capitol. And, you know, actually, it's not all that different than it is inside City Hall at Ann Arbor or Ypsilanti or in a township hall that we spent so much time talking about in those many years ago."

Listen to Meerschaert's interview with David Fair.

By Aaron Hughes for the Eastern Echo

Eastern Michigan University alumna and stylist Desyrée Nicole visited campus for a series of events as part of National Girls and Women in Sports Day on Wednesday, Feb. 7.

Nicole attended EMU as a guard for the women's basketball team and majored in pre-med. During her time at Eastern, she later changed her major to fine arts with a focus on graphic design due to the difficulty of doing her pre-med lab work while on the road for the NCAA tournament.

After graduation, in 2016 she founded a luxury menswear brand named after her little brother, Todd Patrick. So far the brand has had collaborations with the Detroit Pistons, been worn by multiple celebrities like Big Sean and Kevin Hart, and Nicole has even been featured in Netflix's "Next in Fashion." Despite the success, Nicole did not originally see herself in the world of fashion.

Read the full Echo feature.

This year CAS Professors will teach study abroad classes in several countries, including the Bahamas, the United Kingdom, Spain, Mexico, Germany, Italy, and Slovakia. 

A new destination for EMU this year will be Ghana. The course "Returning Home: Race, Identity and the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade" will be led by Dr. Caralee Jones-Obeng, Assistant Professor of Africology and African American Studies. The course will examine the history of the Trans-Atlantic slave trade as well as contemporary Ghanaian society.

Dr. Jones-Obeng told the Echo that her experience of studying in Ghana motivated her to create this new course. "I always knew that if given the opportunity I also wanted to give that experience to other students... going to the continent and having that experience is really, I think, life changing, and it really makes you question a lot of the ways we see race here, the ways we see ethnicity, so it really challenges this kind of black and white way in which we understand things in the U.S."

Read the Echo story.

On Tuesday, January 30th approximately 50 students attended the annual Environmental Science and Society (ENVI) Internship Symposium in Strong Hall to meet with representatives from more than 20 environmental organizations seeking summer student interns. Students learned about organizations representing government, industry, non-profit, educational, and other sectors that offer summer environmental internships. According to event organizer Dr. Chris Gellasch, ENVI Outreach and Internship Coordinator, both students and organizational representatives provided positive feedback about the value of attending.