A Monthly Newsletter Publication of NKU Student Affairs and Enrollment Management
Hi Norse Nation,
I am pleased to announce the launching of the Annual Report for the Division of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management. This document is designed to give you a comprehensive overview of the data points our division uses to meet our mission and to support institutional goals as well as Success by Design. This document also reflects the work that has taken place since our reorganization in 2021. Our goal is simple; continue to track success metrics and provide the university community with a quality viewpoint and scorecard for all of the areas within the division. Documents like the annual report also inform students of our efforts to help them achieve their goals and to create the best experience humanly possible.
Thank you for your continued support of our division, and we look forward to future partnerships that will support the objectives and purposes of Northern Kentucky University.
Sincerely,
Dr. Eddie J. Howard, Jr.
Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management
The purpose of the “Be You” campaign is to offer support to transgender and gender non-conforming students by providing them with gender-affirming items. Our efforts to support transgender and gender non-conforming students are a response to recent attempts at erasing their identity and their humanity. Northern Kentucky University is located in an area that has been given a ranking of 9.25 out of 42.5 by the Movement Advancement Project*, (a Project measuring how state laws affect transgender youth and adults). Additionally, current litigation prohibits healthcare professionals from providing gender-affirming care and services to youth at the risk of losing their licenses. We will not let our students be erased and walk this journey alone.
How you can help!
We need you to help us in the process of offering gender-affirming information and items to support students as they journey toward their most authentic selves. The “Be You” kits could include access to free chest binders accompanied by safety/educational material, make-up, undergarments, gender-neutral clothing and more. Each kit is a physical representation of our aspirations of creating an identity-affirming and inclusive environment for all students on the gender and sexuality spectrum to feel welcome, seen and supported.
To donate
"Be You means being able to confidently be my authentic self without fear of judgment."
~Casper Hafley, QPLUS Scholar
LGBTQA+ Student Initiatives strives for students to walk away from each program, service, and interaction with us knowing that they can be their most authentic selves with us. Help us to show our students how much they matter and how much we care.
By: Dr. LaVette Burnette, Director of LGBTQA+ Student Initiatives
We want to thank everyone that visited and walked our Trans Day of Visibility runway! We had over 25 faculty, staff, and students unite to celebrate individuals who are so often overlooked and ignored in popular culture, resulting in many trans* people feeling invisible and unacknowledged in their own lives and the world that they live in. Thank you so much to our supportive and loving community for reminding these students that they are valid and deserving of acknowledgement and celebration.
On April 3, 2023, at noon, we held a march of solidarity to acknowledge the struggle that the LGBTQA+ community has faced over the years. The Pride March also served as a celebration of the validity, individuality, and beauty of each member of the LGBTQA+ community! A special thank you to Representative Roberts who joined us, along with QPLUS Scholars, S.A.F.E., students, faculty, and staff. We had a great article in Link NKY on the success of our march and LGBTQA+ Student Initiatives at NKU.
In recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Norse Violence Prevention (NVP) partnered with LGBTQA+ Student Initiatives to host Take Back the Night on April 4, 2023. The event started with a resource fair highlighting community and campus partners, including St. Elizabeth's forensic nursing program, The Ion Center for Violence Prevention, NKU Counseling Services, and Pet Partners Therapy Animals, among others. The theme for the event, Reframing Your Story, focused on healing from trauma through creative expression. Student performances at the event included a theater and dance ensemble from SOTA as well as a jazz fusion piece. The keynote speaker, Ashlee Haze, facilitated an interactive workshop on reframing how we think of love and relationships. The event wrapped up with a candlelit march across the plaza.
Norse Violence Prevention is collaborating with Student Accessibility Services and the Frank W. Steely Library to host NKU's first What Were You Wearing exhibit. What Were You Wearing is an art exhibit created to challenge the victim blaming myth that survivors provoke perpetrators with their clothing choices and/or behavior. The reality is that survivors are never at fault for violence enacted against them.
The exhibit will be created based on anonymous submissions from NKU community members describing what they were wearing at the time of a sexual assault. The exhibit will be displayed in the third floor alcove of the Frank W. Steely Library from April 24 until April 28. An exhibit opening reception will be held on Monday, April 24, at 10:00a in classroom 300. For more information on the exhibit or to access the virtual exhibit, please visit Norse Violence Prevention's website.
Norse Violence Prevention is excited to highlight one our NVP Peer Ambassadors, Madison Beichler.
Madison Beichler is a co-lead for the NVP Peer Ambassadors. Madison graduated with a Bachelor’s in Communication from NKU in May 2022 and is currently a graduate student and candidate for her Masters in Social Work. Madison joined the NVP Peer Ambassador program in August 2021. She’s dedicated many hours to tabling and outreach on behalf of NVP as well as helping plan awareness events. Madison also works as a Student Coordinator in the NVP office. For Madison, NVP is more than just an organization. Being involved in the NVP Ambassadors has meant joining a community of people who are dedicated to helping out their community.
Outside of her role with NVP, Madison is a certified victim advocate with the United States Airforce. Madison is also a graduate assistant in NKU’s School of Social Work where she works with the Human Trafficking and Health Equity Academic Collaborative. Additionally, Madison is trained to provide peer support for the Norse Support Council.
University Housing wants to share important dates and deadlines coming up for Spring, Summer, and Fall 2023. As always, you can reach out to University Housing via email at housing@nku.edu with questions or concerns.
The end of the year is upon us; here are some important dates for Spring closing:
Residents can sign up for a move-out time by going to the NKU Housing Portal. We are excited to close out this year and watch the Class of 2023 graduate! Congratulations Norse...You did it!
Summer will be here before we know it!
Summer Housing 2023 will be in Northern Terrace. Northern Terrace is a quad-style residential living community. The summer housing rate is $2,100. To be eligible for summer housing, students will need to meet all of the following criteria:
Incoming and new first-year or transfer students for Fall 2023 are not eligible for summer housing. Please visit our Summer 2023 Housing Information webpage for more information.
The Fall 2023 Housing application is open!
Residents interested in signing up for Fall 2023 Housing can do so by going to the Fall 2023 Housing Information webpage to find out all information for Fall 2023 housing. We are continuing to accept incoming and returning applications for the Fall 2023 semester.
For any housing related questions, please do not hesitate to contact our housing office at housing@nku.edu or by calling (859) 572-5676.
NKU is sending their first queen to compete in the Miss Kentucky America 2023 pageant this summer. This competition is part of the Miss America pageant organization. Miss NKU '23, La'Naiya Brown, will be headed to Bowling Green, KY, to compete for her chance for the coveted state title. Miss Kentucky America 2022, Hannah Edelen, is an NKU graduate. To sponsor Miss NKU '23 or to see how you can support, please contact Chelsea Benton (bentonc4@nku.edu) for more details.
Each spring, the University community recognizes the outstanding accomplishments of graduating seniors by nominating them for one of the student awards. This year, students who graduated in December 2022, or who will graduate in May 2023, were eligible for consideration.
Thank you to the many faculty and staff members who took the time to nominate so many amazing students. The following students were selected and will each receive a monetary award and plaque at a recognition lunch sponsored by NKU Special Events.
Excelsior Award
The Excelsior Award is presented to an outstanding senior student who has overcome great obstacles to achieve his/her academic pursuits.
The 2023 Excelsior Award winner is Amanda Lewis. Amanda will be graduating with a degree in Public Relations. Amanda is described as "deserving to be recognized for her ability to overcome hardship with grace and her service to our institution."
Faculty Senate Award
The Faculty Senate Award is given to a senior student who has demonstrated exceptional skills and productivity in an independent student project.
The 2023 Faculty Senate Award winner is Thu Nguyen. Thu Nguyen is a chemistry major and a leader in a research lab where she has been training students since Fall 2020. The Faculty Senate Award selection committee noted Thu's accomplishments researching anti-cancer drug development, which has resulted in a fellowship with a research proposal by the student, nine research conference presentations, and one publication in ACS Omega.
NKU Foundation Student Leadership Award
The NKU Foundation Student Leadership Award is given to a student leader who has provided outstanding service to the University through student government or another significant student leadership role.
The 2023 NKU Foundation Student Leadership Award winner is Hanson Nguyen. Hanson will graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Health Informatics. Hanson is described by his nominators as "always eager to participate in events and initiatives that support the university" and "one of the most service-oriented students I've had the pleasure to work with."
President's Award
The President's Award is given to a senior student who has greatly contributed to the development of a strong sense of community at NKU through special efforts to break down barriers of discrimination, promote international awareness, promote the interaction of traditional and non-traditional students, promote diversity, or promote accessibility awareness.
The 2023 President's Award winner is Quinn James. Quinn graduated from NKU in December of 2022 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing. Quinn is described by his nominators as "a beloved member of the NKU community because of his love for others" and "the first to arrive and the last to leave to make sure everyone feels supported."
Regents Award
The Regents Award is given to a senior student who has demonstrated professionalism and leadership within the University community and who has an emphasis on continuation of graduate level work.
The 2023 Regents Award winner is Hanna Schmitt. Hanna is a first-generation college student pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree as a double major in Mathematics and Statistics and plans to pursue a graduate degree in Statistics and Data Science. Hanna's nominators describe her as "the type of student that displays all the traits of a truly exemplary human - resiliency, leadership, advocacy, emotional intelligence - likely only happens once in a decade."
University Service Award
The University Service Award is given to a senior student who has provided outstanding service to the University through involvement in university organizations or civic organizations and through academic achievement.
The 2023 University Service Award winner is Kayla Wypasek. Kayla will be graduating this year with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. Kayla has served as an outreach coordinator with Norse Violence Prevention and has helped to educate the NKU student body about interpersonal violence and the resources available through NVP. Her nominator writes, "She will truly leave NKU and the Northern Kentucky area stronger than it was when she arrived four years ago."
Join us on April 25, 2023, from 2:30 - 3:00p as the Veteran Resource Station puts on it's Vets on Mics event near the Steely Library patio. At this event, we will have one of our veteran students DJ-ing, some cookies, and maybe even a dance off. Open to the public. There will be door prizes. This event is sponsored by the Placemaking Project.
On April 5, 2023, Kentucky Educational Television did a news feature on the Veteran Resource Station Green Zone Brigade (GZB) Training and the importance of faculty and staff training being a catalyst to success for our military-connected and veteran students. You can watch the episode here (19:25 mark). In addition, the last GZB Training for the Spring semester is April 18, 2023. Learn more and register here.
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It is Financial Aid Awareness Month and the Office of Student Financial Assistance has some great events planned!
Struggling with verification?
Stop by the One-Stop in the Lucas Administrative Center on April 19, 2023, from 12:00p until 4:00p to work with a verification specialist.
Congratulations to our upcoming graduate students! You did it, but what comes next?
Our team will be emailing upcoming NKU undergraduate to graduate students to provide details on what comes next after graduation and how to qualify for graduate aid. Don't miss out on these opportunities to learn more about financial aid and set yourself up for success!
Are you looking for summer jobs around campus? We are hiring lifeguards for Summer/Fall and pay starts at $14/hour. Set up an interview today by emailing Cody (dornc2@nku.edu) and Alyssa (ennekinga1@mymail.nku.edu)!
Join us for our IM Spring FIFA Tournament happening on April 18, 2023. It is walk-up registration, so everyone is welcome!
Campus Rec is now offering Health and Safety classes! It is $50 for CRC members and $60 for non-CRC members. This course will be half online and half in-person. Check out our website for more details.
Are you graduating this spring? Come in anytime between May 5 and June 5 of 2023 for one free month and get an alumni membership to the Campus Rec Center!
Abbey Birch
Joey Woods
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
