A Monthly Newsletter Publication of NKU Student Affairs
Page 1
As we close the spring 2022 semester, the Division of Student Affairs has numerous accomplishments of which to be proud. Over the past year, we have hired a variety of talented staff to assist us in providing the “Best Experience” for students that is humanly possible. Recently the directors within the division gathered for a two-day leadership retreat designed to focus our division on our most important asset, our students. We renewed our commitment to student development and discussed connecting these theories to our daily practice. As we go into the fall 2022 semester, our goal is to be strategic in the execution of programs and activities for our students.
The new team within the Center for Student Inclusiveness is diligently working to identify new programs and to improve mentorship for all of our marginalized students. The Center for Student Engagement will be focused on creating a true sense of belonging for our students, which is directly connected to the Strayhorn definition of a sense of belonging. Finally, University Housing and the Residence Life team continue to move the university housing unit in the right direction. Yes, new residential facilities can create a great learning environment for students, but it is the activities and engagement that we create within these buildings that truly create the level of engagement and sense of belonging that our students need and deserve.
As always, I’m proud to serve as the Vice President in Student Affairs for an institution that puts our students first.
Have a safe and restful summer and Go Norse!
Best,
Emily Lobenstein, LPCA
Counselor
Health, Counseling, and Student Wellness
Khalid Murray
Housing Assignments Coordinator
University Housing
Nicole Jones
Academic & Billing Coordinator
University Housing
Dr. LaVette Burnette
Director
LGBTQA+ Student Initiatives
Tara Arrasmith, MSW
Counselor
Health, Counseling, and Student Wellness
Brandon Allen-Jolly
Assistant Director of Student Organizations and Programming
Center for Student Engagement
Essengo Goz
Dispatcher
University Police
Cody Dorn
CRC Coordinator, Aquatics & Facilities
Campus Recreation
Allison Weihe
Intern
Center for Student Engagement
William DeAtley
Officer
University Police
LGBTQA+ Student Initiatives, a part of the Center for Student Inclusiveness, is excited to showcase our last year’s accomplishments, our growing team and upcoming developments.
Led by the dynamic LGBTQA+ SI Coordinator, Mx. Alex Collins (they/them) our 2021-2022 AY, LGBTQA+ Student Initiatives hosted 18 unique programs throughout the year, including training for student organizations, hosted guest speaker Brandon Wolfe on surviving the Pulse nightclub shooting, showcasing talented drag performers, hosting our first in-person PRIDE Week, and Lavender Graduation since 2019, and many more! Within all our events, we had over 400 unique students attend our programming, have started re-launching two student organizations (The Gender Initiative & Colours of Pride), supported 3 active student organizations (Lavender Society, Friends of Dorothy, and Common Ground), began training for the relaunch of the LGB TQA+ Student Ambassador program, developed a sense of community through social media and online-engagement platforms, and provided valuable support for LGBTQA+ Students in Crisis through connecting them to both on and off campus resources to support their journeys of questioning and/or affirming their sexual orientation, romantic orientation, gender identity, and more.
In May 2022, Dr. LaVette M. Burnette (she/her) was named Director of LGBTQA+ SI. Dr. Burnette received her Doctorate of Communication from Georgia State University and Masters and Bachelors of Arts degrees from Western Kentucky University. As a first-generation college student, Dr. Burnette started her academic career as an administrative assistant to teaching communication studies in Florida, then teaching in Georgia. In 2021, Dr. Burnette transitioned from teaching to exclusively focusing on diversity, equity, and inclusion work. In her transition into DEI, Dr. Burnette uses her extensive higher education experience, education, and ability to cultivate authentic partnerships to foster an atmosphere of belonging and a community of care.
Mx. Alex Collins (they/them) serves as the LGBTQA+ Student Initiatives Coordinator, housed within the Center for Student Inclusiveness, at Northern Kentucky University. Alex is a queer, non-binary student affairs professional with a love for leadership & community development, bylaw revision, parliamentary procedure, competitive cooking shows, volleyball, and penguins. Alex has graduated from the University of Cincinnati – Clermont College with an Associate of Arts Degree, from Northern Kentucky University with a Bachelor of Science – Mathematics Degree, and from Fort Hays State University with a Master of Science in Education - Higher Education/Student Affairs Degree.
Building on the legacy of support and action, LGBTQIA+ SI refocuses our goal to be visible on campus, consistent in our programming to host identity-affirming intended to build an atmosphere of belonging and build community. We will host our signature programs of monthly Flaming Discussions on various topics to offer a brave space to explore issue needed to build community. We look forward to our yearly Coming Out, LGBTQA+ History Month Kick-off, Trans Remembrance, World Aids Day and Lavender Graduation. Feel free to reach out to us at lgbtqa+@nku.edu for more information.
Norse Violence Prevention honored Quinn James, one of our student ambassadors, with the Teal Ribbon Award. The teal ribbon is the international symbol promoting sexual assault awareness. As such, the Teal Ribbon Award is given annually to recognize an individual who has shown leadership and commitment to creating awareness and reducing sexual violence in our campus community. Quinn has been an ambassador with Norse Violence Prevention for the past two years and will be serving as President of the NVP Ambassadors next year.
To learn more about Norse Violence Prevention, the work of the NVP Ambassadors, or to find resources and advocacy services for students impacted by sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking, please visit the Norse Violence Prevention website.
Welcome Cody Dorn, Aquatics Coordinator
Cody joins Campus Recreation from Miami University Campus Rec. Cody will be overseeing the Campus Recreation Center Aquatics operations and staff. Please reach out to Cody for any CRC aquatics concerns or questions at dornc2@nku.edu or (859) 572-5710.
Hiring Fitness Instructors
Campus Rec is hiring Student & Non-Student Fitness Instructors. Non-Students must have a national fitness certification. Join our team today! Contact Jimmy McMahon at mcmahonj3@nku.edu.
Summer Hours
Keep the workouts going this summer. View summer hours on the Campus Recreation website.
Small Group Training - TRX Bootcamp
Small Group Training is back and we are excited for TRX Bootcamp! This is a seven-week course, starting June 9 through July 21, 2022. Classes will be every Thursday from 6:30p to 7:15p. Registration ends June 16, 2022. Register online.
| Camps | Dates | Days of the Week | Time | Ages | Location | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mini-Hawk (Baseball, Basketball, & Soccer) | 7/18 - 7/22 | M, Tu, W, Th, F | 9:00a - 12:00p | 5-9 | NKU IM Field Complex | $149 |
| Beginning Golf | 7/18 - 7/22 | M, Tu, W, Th, F | 1:00p - 4:00p | 5-9 | NKU IM Field Complex | $149 |
| Basketball Camp | 7/25 - 7/29 | M, Tu, W, Th, F | 9:00a - 12:00p | 6-12 | NKU Campus Rec Center | $149 |
| Soccer Camp | 8/1 - 8/5 | M, Tu, W, Th, F | 9:00a - 12:00p | 6-12 | NKU IM Field Complex | $149 |
The Division of Student Affairs, participated in the first IDEA summit sponsored by the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce and Dr. Eddie Howard lead a panel discussion with a select panel of key employers in the area. The title of the panel discussion was “ All Hands on Deck: Removing Barriers to Employment. The panel discussed the current pipeline of employees and how employers can stretch themselves culturally, to curate sustainable welcoming environments that boost retention rates and lower employee turnover. This is just one example of how the Division of Student Affairs continues to be regionally engaged in the area.
Designed to help students relieve stress before finals, Rec Your Final consisted of three events, including a Skate Night, Massage Chair massages, and a visit by a Therapy Bunny.
On April 28, 2022, Parents Attending College hosted their first Family Day event for all NKU students, faculty, staff, and their children. At the event, families were invited to participate in a campus-wide scavenger hunt, highlighting Steely Library, Campus Rec, Fuel NKU, Care Closet, and OneStop. Back the sign-in table, families visited with farm animals and played outside games. The event was hosted as a collaboration with Parents Attending College, CCAMPIS, ALPS, and Common Experience.
The Annual Sherehe Black Graduate Ceremony took place on Friday, May 6, 2022, at 6:00p in the Student Union Ballroom. Sherehe means “Celebration” in Swahili. Sherehe is an opportunity to provide African and African American graduates with a more intimate and African-centered means of recognizing and honoring their achievement amongst a community of peers, family and friends. We had 57 graduates register which included Bachelors, Masters, and Juris Doctorate Degrees. Though the ceremony was at the exact same time as the Chase College of Law Commencement, we still acknowledged and celebrated those graduates, as well. There were more than 300 supporters in attendance and the program was filled with amazing performances, words of encouragement, graduate reflections, singing, dancing, music and more. Greg Moore, African American Student Initiatives Director shared, "The community truly came out to support this annual event and we are proud of the feedback we are still receiving. I remember being in the exact same seat as these graduates and I want them to know we truly value them here at NKU." Current students served as event volunteers and are looking forward to their graduation based on this event alone. Several alumni shared that they wish they could have a "Sherehe do over" because it was so fun.
Congratulations to Amy Clark on graduating as a WILD woman! Amy was chosen by NKU to participate in this professional development program designed to support and advance women in academic and administrative leadership positions in higher education. She, along with other women from NKU and nearby universities, participated in eight interactive and informative workshops focused on enhancing leadership, networking, and overall wellness.
Congratulations to Dr. Siobhan Ryan-Perry on completing her Doctorate of Education (Ed.D.)!
FreshStart is a leadership retreat for incoming students who live on campus. It is hosted by NKLI and takes place August 16-18, 2022. This retreat is an interactive experience that allows students to develop their leadership skills, learn about campus resources, and build connections and friendships before classes start with early move-in. Limited spots are available. Applications can be submitted on Presence.
End of Newsletter
This newsletter was created by David Berland on behalf of NKU Student Affairs. Please direct questions, comments, or updates to berlandd1@nku.edu.
Northern Kentucky University
832 Lucas Administrative Center
Highland Heights, KY 41099
Phone: (859) 572-6447
Fax: (859) 572-1310
