College of Arts and Sciences Dean Kevin Leonard, PhD, is focused on listening, learning and asking questions such as, “How can we more effectively serve students?” Leonard assumed his role on July 1. His administrative experience includes strategic planning, recruitment, hiring, mentoring and evaluation of faculty, program assessment and budget management.

“If I set the tone that I want people to be the best they can be, it helps foster an even better environment,” shared Leonard. “I also see my job as finding those places where people want to improve, whether it’s in their teaching or research, and locating avenues where I can support that.”

Read the article.

SIUE senior Abbi Ruppert had a different life plan when she chose to pursue higher education. But, like many, Ruppert changed course during her collegiate journey as she identified her true passion and decided to refocus her studies and training.

Originally a public relations major with an art minor, Ruppert, of Nokomis, is now pursuing a bachelor’s in fine arts with an emphasis in sculpture. Among the accolades she’s received for her creative work is the Outstanding Student Achievement in Contemporary Sculpture Award from the International Sculpture Center (ISC) for her sculpture entitled “Steal My Ambitions.”

Read the article.

Additional Student Spotlights:

• Lindani Memani, Creative Writing

• Jennifer Pendergraft, English

“I am large, I contain multitudes,” wrote Walt Whitman in Song of Myself, one of the many poems found in his renowned Leaves of Grass. Whitman’s multitudes have been studied for generations by scholars nationwide, including Jason Stacy, PhD, professor in the Deparment of History.

In his most recent scholarly endeavor, Stacy is joining the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s (UNL) Walt Whitman Archive as an editor contributing to UNL’s three-year, $250,000 National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) grant-funded initiative, entitled “Walt Whitman’s Journalism: Finding the Poet in the Brooklyn Daily Times.”

Read the article.

Additional Faculty Spotlights:

• Jocelyn DeGroot, PhD, Professor, Department of Applied Communication Studies

• Adriana E. Martinez, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Geography and Department of Environmental Sciences

Alumnus William White, BSW '95, MSW '04, wants to makes sure that Air National Guard Airmen are mentally and emotionally prepared to serve.

White is a licensed clinical social worker and director of psychological health in the 116th Air Control Wing at Robins Air Force Base in Georgia. He has developed a program that addresses mental health issues, and advocates for and supports Guard men and women and their families.

Read the article.

Additional Alumni Spotlights:

• Louis Damani Jones, BS Social Work '20

• Stacy Robben,  BS Liberal Studies '00, BS Mass Communications '00

   

Plan to attend!
Graduate School Virtual Open House Events
October 20, 22, 27 and 29
11 a.m. or 6 p.m.

Tuesday, Oct. 20: Arts, Communication, Social Sciences
Thursday, Oct. 22: Science, Technology, Engineering, Math
Tuesday, Oct. 27: Education, Applied Health, Psychology
Thursday, Oct. 29: Business, Nursing, Pharmacy

Each one-hour session will include:

• General graduate studies overview
• Breakout sessions hosted by the academic department
• The opportunity to ask questions and talk directly to faculty

Attend the session(s) of your choice and your $40 Graduate School application fee will be waived!

For event details and to register: siue.edu/graduate-visit

New Alumni Affinity Groups

The Alumni Association is looking to expand its reach with the creation of two new affinity groups, and we need your help to determine future program and event offerings! If you live in the Springfield, Ill. area or are an alumni under the age of 35 living in the St. Louis/Metro East area, click the links below to complete a very brief interest survey.

• Springfield, Ill., Area Alumni Chapter
• Young Professionals Alumni Network: St. Louis

Interested in creating your own affinity group? Contact the Office of Alumni Affairs for more details at siuealumni@siue.edu or 618-650-2760. 

Cougar Cupboard Holiday Box Drive

The Cougar Cupboard is hosting a food drive to prepare holiday boxes for students in need to take home over their holiday break. Donations will be accepted through October 23.

Make an online donation to help an SIUE student in need.

Check out the Office of Online and Education Outreach website to view our upcoming offerings for the remainder of the fall semester. Sign up to receive a copy of our catalog by emailing outreach@siue.edu. Stay tuned for updates on the fall courses and professional development offerings in the upcoming weeks!