THE INITIATIVE NEWSLETTER

FALL 2011 VOLUME 2 ISSUE 1

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About the Initiative 4

The Dean’s Corner 5

Workshops and Presentations 6

Student in Focus 18

Announcements 19

“Only The Educated

Are Free”

Contents

The Initiative Newsletter is a bimonthly publication of the School of Graduate and Professional Studies 21st Century Graduate & Professional Students’ Academic Studies Initiative. This program is funded by the U.S. Department of Education under the MPBI grant (Masters Degree Programs at Predominantly Black Institutions).

October 2011 Volume 2, Issue 1

Sculpture: Struggle for Freedom by Dr. Ausbra Ford

2011 Volume 2, Issue 1

Justin K. Akujieze, PhD., Dean, School of Graduate and Professional Studies Robert Warner, M.A., Executive Assistant to the Dean Barbara Burke, Office Manager Alfred Ogbonnaya, Editor The Initiative Newsletter is a monthly publication of the School of Graduate and Professional Studies 21st Century Graduate & Professional Students’ Academic Studies Initiative. This program is funded by the U.S. Department of Education under the MPBI grant (Masters Degree Programs at Predominantly Black Institutions). Visit Us Online at: www.csu.edu/graduateschool/specialprograms/centuryinitiative.htm Questions, Comments, Submissions, or Suggestions? Contact us: Chicago State University New Academic Library Suite 428 Phone: (773) 995-5044 or 5066 Fax: (773) 995-3671 Email: aogbonna@csu.edu

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ABOUT THE INITIATIVE PROGRAM Started in 2009, the 21st Century Graduate and Professional Student’s Academic Studies Initiative (commonly known as The Initiative) has strived since its inception to enhance the graduate student experience at Chicago State University. Funded by the United States Department of Education with one of only five MPBI grants (Masters Degree Programs at Predominantly Black Institutions), the Initiative has supported students in four disciplines: Biology, Geographic Information Systems, Mathematics/Computer Science, and Occupational Therapy. Through the program, Initiative Students have had the opportunity to:

Travel to and present at local and national conferences;

Receive financial support and tuition assistance;

Receive laboratory, research, and other school supplies;

Visit the Library of Congress and access rare and unique sources of information for their research;

Attend writing workshops and

Receive financial literacy training.

Biology Geography (GIS)

Math/Computer Science Occupational Therapy

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Greetings Graduate Students, Welcome back to a brand new program year. Last academic year through funding from the US Department of Education, the 21st Century Initiative, was able to provide scholarships, facilitate student attendance at academic conferences, and offer engaging and challenging workshops to benefit students in the four eligible disciplines: Biology, GIS, Math/Computer Science, and Occupational Therapy. This year, we aim to replicate that success and increase the sphere of our positive influence. Through our programs and unique opportunities, we will continue to provide scholarships and enhance the graduate experience of Initiative program members at Chicago State University. Have an excellent and productive year. Sincerely, Justin K. Akujieze, PhD., Dean School of Graduate, and Professional Studies Chicago State University

Dean Akujieze speaking at the 2011 Student Orientation

The Dean’s Corner

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Thus far, the 21st Century Initiative program has hosted and sponsored the following

workshops/presentations:

Title: Higher Education Community Partnerships

Speaker: Dr. Jerry Watson, University of Mississippi During this Community Relations Workshop, Dr Jerry Watson spoke about how entities sharing a

geographical location (in this case Communities and Universities) can be symbiotic and mutually

beneficial. He spoke of a need to integrate the university into the community for the betterment of the

locals and using interdisciplinary strategies to do so.

Title: Countering the Negative Perceptions of Blacks in the Media

Presenter: Mr. Tony Browder, IKG Resource Center in Washington D.C. During this well attended Community Outreach/Relations Workshop speaker, Tony Browder

incorporated several academic disciplines in his presentation on the negative connotations arising from

the portrayal of African Americans in modern media. Using a historical background of media, computer

generated statistics, and referencing erroneous and biased biological assumptions of the past, his

presentation was an amalgamation of the practical uses of some of the disciplines in the 21st Century

program. In addition, he also spoke of archeology and geology when he described his involvement with

the ASA (Asa Hilliard) restoration project in Luxor, Egypt.

Title: Financial Literacy Workshop

Speakers: Professor Richard Arredondo and Professor Ernst Coupet, CSU These two Chicago State University professors spoke in turn about the basics of budgeting, wealth

building, borrowing, and credit. As with Professor Coupet and Arredondo's presentation in the preceding

year, the students in attendance deeply enjoyed and appreciated the information.

Workshops and Presentations

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Mr. Warner addressing the students at the Community Development Meeting

PICTURES FROM THE COMMUNITY RELATIONS PRESENTATION FEATURING DR. JERRY WATSON

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Dr. Jerry Watson introducing himself to the students in attendance

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An Initiative student makes a comment

Dr. Jerry Watson concludes his lecture

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Dr. Akujieze (left) and speaker Tony Browder (right) chat before the lecture

Dean Akujieze introducing the program

PICTURES FROM THE COMMUNITY RELATIONS PRESENTATION FEATURING MR. TONY BROWDER

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Mr. Warner welcomes the audience on the behalf of the Initiative

Mr. Ronald Kwesi Harris, director of the CSU African American Male Resource Center introduces the guest speaker

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Mr. Ronald Kwesi Harris and Mr. Tony Browder

A large crowd in attendance for Tony Browder’s Lecture

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Mr. Browder addresses the audience

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Tony Browder concludes his lecture

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Professor Arredondo welcomes a group of students to the Financial Literacy Workshop

Students in attendance at the Financial Literacy Workshop

PICTURES FROM THE FINANCIAL LITERACY WORKSHOP

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Professor Arredondo concluding his lecture

Professor Coupet addresses the students in the second half of the Saturday workshop

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Professor Coupet answers a final question for an Initiative student

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What is your major? My major is Mathematics and I will graduate in the spring of 2013. What are your plans after you graduate? After earning my Masters, I plan to get my PhD in Economics and work as an Economic Statistician. I also would like to teach minorities and those in the inner city the principals of financial management to help break the cycle of government dependency. What are your proudest academic achievements? My proudest academic achievements include being selected as a repeat Thurgood Marshall College Fund Scholar; graduating from Chicago State University (CSU) with a BS in Economics; and gaining admission to the graduate program in Mathematics here at CSU.

What is your proudest personal achievement? I am the first person in my family to complete a college education. I have been the president of a successful and growing transportation company for five years.

How have you benefited from the Initiative program? The Initiative staff has always offered a listening ear and valuable advice during the pursuit of my Masters Degree. For example, when I first gained entrance to the mathematics program pursuing a PhD program was not even an option. Also by encouraging collaboration with students in other disciplines, the Initiative has helped me to begin cultivating some of my professional undertakings.

Student in Focus: Mr. Darius Ben-Bella Holmes

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

INITIATIVE MAGAZINE

The Initiative is publishing a magazine. Any graduate student from the four disciplines is eligible to submit an article. If you have an article for submission contact Alfred at aogbonna@csu.edu.

INITIATIVE JOURNAL

The Initiative is publishing a peer-reviewed academic journal. Any graduate student from the four disciplines is eligible to submit an article. If you have a submission contact Alfred at aogbonna@csu.edu for more information.

Interested in pursuing a graduate degree in: Biology

Geographical Information System (Certification)

Occupational Therapy

Mathematics/Computer Science?

Contact the Chicago State University School of Graduate and Professional Studies Phone: (773) 995-5044 or 5066 Fax: (773) 995-3671 Mailing Address: 9501 South King Drive/NAL 428

Chicago, IL 60628

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October 8- Research in Everyday Life Workshop with Dr. Ivy Dunn October 15 (S) Deadline to accept "Offered Loans" or submit requests for loan revisions to the Office of Student Financial Aid October 17 - 21 Academic warning submission period

October 22- Writing Workshop with Professor Kim Dulaney

October 27 – Graduate Forum

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November 5- Mathematica Workshop

November 12 - Career Development Workshop

November 14 – 30 - Advanced Spring 2012 Registration

November 17 – Graduate Forum

November 24 – 27 - Thanksgiving Holiday – No classes

November 28 (M) - Last date to request total withdrawal for Fall 2011

(W/P and/or W/F for all courses on Transcript)

November 30 - Last day for Advance Spring 2012 Registration

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