A Monthly Newsletter Publication of NKU Student Affairs
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I’m excited to announce the launch of our new newsletter called “Student Affairs Spotlight”. The Spotlight newsletter is intended to be an interactive on-line publication designed to provide you with information about happenings within the Division of Student Affairs. Our goal is to highlight initiatives, programs, and individuals within our division who are doing significant work to advance student success and to highlight recent events. I simply ask that you share what you have learned with others and/or connect all faculty, staff, students, and alumni to this resource. Our ultimate goal is to create the best experience for students humanly possible.
Thanks in advance for your continued support and Go Norse! ~Dr. Eddie Howard
Each year, for Black History Month, it is time for Carlous Yates, Director of African-American Student Initiatives, to shine. In collaboration with a committee comprised of faculty, staff, and students, AASI achieved unprecedented success sharing Black history with a broader student population, helping them to understand the foundations of Black history, and shining a light on the oft missed fact that Black history is American history. Despite COVID and a limitation on on-campus gatherings, AASI put on nine different events during February, shining a spotlight on the history, relationships, and connections that tie our Black students, staff, faculty, and alumni together.
Black History Month featured programs such as Black Men and Black Women in History, The Black Norse Homecoming Experience, a Lip Sync Battle and Aux Cord Wars, The African Diaspora, and a Keynote by acclaimed political activist, educator, and author, Angela Davis. Attracting 690 attendees for the live Keynote speech, with an additional 130+ views of the recording, Angela Davis was a highlight of the month.
For more, see Angela Davis, below.
Angela Davis is an acclaimed activist, educator, and author, having been heavily involved in movements for social justice around the world for almost time immemorial. Her work as an educator and an author has always emphasized the importance of building communities of struggle for economic, racial and gender justice.
Known as one of the most prominent activists in the country, a forceful member of the second-wave feminist movement, an unflinching proponent for racial equity and equality, and a vocal advocate for the abolition of the prison industrial complex, Dr. Davis has been inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame and named "Woman of the Year" by Time Magazine for 1971.
Angela Davis joined the NKU community for an unforgettable night on Tuesday, February 16, 2021, sharing her wisdom and experience related to her activism, especially regarding the movements on feminism and racial equality. Students, staff, faculty, and guests were regaled with stories from her time with multiple movements. Especially poignant in the conversation was her thoughts on how to deal with white supremacy on-campus, addressing a recent wound from which NKU is still healing.
Dr. Davis' inspirational words and guidance for students, as they seek to become more active in the movements for racial and social equality, resonated with some of NKU's brightest leaders. Her influence, not only in her words during her visit to NKU, but also through her historical activism, has left an indelible legacy to which we all strive.
Are you worried about a student's safety? Do you see possible warning signs?Student Affairs will be distributing "Gold Folders" to all NKU Faculty and Staff with important resources and information to help provide our students with the utmost care.These physical documents will arrive soon to all Faculty and Staff mailboxes on campus. Each "folder" contains information including contact numbers for important campus resources, signs to recognize when a student is in distress, information about the NKU Community Care Team, and what to do if a student is struggling or needs help.Each folder will also include a flow-chart to help you triage a student who may be with you.
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Dr. Eddie Howard, Jr., a Georgia native with over 25 years of professional experience in Higher Education, joined NKU Student Affairs in January 2021.
Dr. Howard began his student affairs journey at Valdosta State University in Georgia, working with the Testing Office, serving as an Orientation Leader, acting as an officer on the Campus Activities Board, serving as an RA, and working on SGA as a Senator.
Dr. Howard has worked at the University of Georgia, the University of Louisville, Georgia College & State University, Augusta State University, Augusta Technical College, and Youngstown State University.
Dr. Howard is already hard at work building up Student Affairs to carry out the vision and mission of NKU, in service of NKU student success. We are pleased to welcome Dr. Howard and know that his extensive knowledge will help to create an exceptional experience for NKU students.
For more, please see the Student Affairs website.
Beginning in February, Student Affairs has started the work to refresh, redesign, and update all websites across the division. Focused on bringing students, families, staff, faculty, and other constituencies a rich and informative online experience, each web page across the division will be reviewed, formatted to the newly updated standards for NKU websites, and will find up-to-date content throughout.
This effort will help our students, families, and guests find the information they are seeking, no matter from which device they access the NKU Student Affairs websites. We will also be minimizing pdfs across our sites and maximizing accessibility for students.
One of the priorities in the redevelopment of the Student Affairs websites is the promise to make them more visually appealing and easier to navigate. Staff are working hard to identify content for their sites that is most frequently accessed by students and move that to the foreground. In addition, a better representation of our students and staff will show up throughout the online experience.
This work is expected to be completed by mid-Summer and will lay the groundwork for exciting additions to the website, including a virtual Student Handbook, a Student Affairs ChatBot, and an enhanced social media experience for many of our units.
Wondering who to follow? Check out the list of social media accounts in the list below.
African American Student Initiatives
Facebook (@nkuaasi)
Twitter (@nku_aasi)
Instagram (@nku_aasi)
Activities Programming Board
Facebook (@nkuapb)
Twitter (@APBNKU)
Instagram (@apbnku)
Campus Recreation
Facebook (@NKUCampusRecreation)
Twitter (@nkucampusrec)
Instagram (@nkucampusrec)
Center for Student Inclusiveness
Facebook (@CenterforStudentInclusiveness)
Twitter (@CSINKU)
Instagram (@csinku)
Fraternity & Sorority Life
Facebook (@NKUFSL)
Twitter (@NKUFSL)
Instagram (@nkufsl)
Health, Counseling, & Student Wellness
Facebook (@nkuhcsw)
Latino Programs & Services (LAMP)
Instagram (@nkulamp)
LGBTQ Programs & Services
Facebook (@LGBTQNKU)
Twitter (@LGBTQNKU)
Instagram (@LGBTQNKU)
Norse Violence Prevention
Facebook (@NVPCenter)
Twitter (@nkunvpc)
Instagram (@nkunvpc)
Parents Attending College
Facebook (@PACatNKU)
Student Conduct, Rights & Advocacy
Twitter (@NKUSCRA)
Student Engagement
Facebook (@NKUStudentEngagement)
Twitter (@nkustudentengagement)
Instagram (@nkustudentengagement)
University Housing
Facebook (@NKUHousing)
Twitter (@nkuhousing)
Instagram (@nku_housing)
University Police
Facebook (@NKUPolice)
Twitter (@NKU_Police)
Instagram (@nku_police)
Foundations of Student Affairs and Student Development Theory
Web Development and Updates
Social Media Success
Understanding Financial Aid and Student Accounts
Undergraduate Admissions and Student Recruitment
Registration and Student Schedules
Conference Management & Event Services
Mental Health First Aid (coordinated by the Counseling Center)
Intergroup Dialog
Implicit Bias
Principles of Assessment
Allied Zone
The Student Union would like to welcome Courtney Nilson to the Student Union staff. Courtney started on January 6, 2021, and serves as the Coordinator for Budget Administration.
NKU Health Services would like to congratulate Brooke Moore, Office Support Specialist, for completing her MBA at NKU in December 2020!
Campus Recreation is continuing its search for its next Membership Coordinator. Please contact Shomari Kee with any questions.
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Monday, April 12
Post your Pride!
Don your best pride gear and post a photo or video of yourself, your pet, and/or anything that represents pride to you to Facebook and/or Instagram. Be sure to use the hashtags:
#LGBTQNKU
#NKUPrideWeek
#NKUHealthyAtHome
#NorsePride
Ten random people will be selected for a free gift!
Tuesday, April 13
LGBTQA+ Pride Week featured speaker: Robyn Ochs
10:00a-11:30a: "Changing Landscape of Identity Politics with Robyn Ochs" - Join Here
12:00p-1:00p: Virtual Lunch with Robin Ochs - Join Here
2:00p-4:00p: "Beyond Binaries with Robyn Oaks" - Join Here
Wednesday, April 14, 12:00p-1:00p
Lunch and Learn with Bonnie Meyer
"Queering Inclusive Excellence: Building an Affirming LGBTQA+ Campus Community"
Join Here
Thursday, April 15, 11:00a-2:00p
Queerfest on the Plaza
Music, giveaways, campus and community resources, surprise guests, and drag!
Friday, April 16, 2:00p-4:00p
Trans Ally Workshop
with Tristan Vaught of Transformed Cincinnati
Join Here
For more information on joining LGBTQ programs, please contact Bonnie Meyer or follow LGBTQ Programs & Services on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
The mission of LGBTQ Programs & Services is to cultivate a welcoming, inclusive campus environment for LGBTQA students, faculty, and staff, through programs and services that promote education, advocacy, and awareness of LGBTQ issues and identities. In addition, the office works to improve intercultural competencies across campus through workshops, trainings, classroom presentations, and visibility of LGBTQ lives.
Due to the hard work of Bonnie Meyer, Director of LGBTQ Programs & Services, NKU is rated a five-star institution by the Campus Pride Index (a national benchmark for colleges and universities to create safer, more inclusive campus communities) and is rated as one of the most LGBTQ-friendly institutions in the nation. LGBTQ Programs & services strives to help NKU ingrain representative experiences of people from the LGBTQA community with the totality of a student's learning experience.
LGBTQ Programs & Services seeks to build a community of support and allies, creating opportunities for all students, faculty, and staff to grow in their understanding of LGBTQ issues and to help students grow into their authentic selves while at NKU.
Coming up in April will be Norse Pride Week, an opportunity to celebrate LGBTQA pride and immerse yourself in the LGBTQ community. This year, Norse Pride Week will include both in-person and virtual components, creating opportunities for all students to engage with the LGBTQ community and immerse themselves in the creation of an inclusive community.
NVP's Peer Ambassador application is open for 2021-22 ambassadors! Students may apply through the NVP Ambassador Presence page. Application closes March 15, 2021.
NVP is offering Bystander Intervention workshops for faculty and staff. There are two more offerings this semester:
March 24, 10:00a-11:30a: Register here
April 19, 2:00p-3:30p: Register here
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month!
Please join in the following events:
NVP is partnering with A Voice for the Innocent to host a virtual story-telling event: Stories of Resilience on Tuesday, April 6 at 6:00p. Please come with a story to share or join and listen. This event is open to students, faculty, staff, and community members. Registration is required.
What's Done in the Dark is a student-led event presented in partnership with Norse Violence Prevention and Nu Upsilon Black Women's Honorary. This in-person event will feature survivor testimonies, student talent, and resources. Please join us on Friday, April 9 at 7:00p in the Otto Budig Theater. Space is limited, so please register by April 7 at 5:00p.
NKU's annual Take Back the Night is Tuesday, April 13. The theme this year is Empowering Voices. The virtual portion of the event is from 5:30p-7:00p followed by a candlelight walk on campus at 8:00p in the SU plaza. Registration is required.
March 10, 12:00p-1:00p
Lunch & Learn with Honors
Queering Inclusive Excellence: Building an LGBTQA+ Affirming Campus Community
Feat.: Bonnie Meyer, Ph.D.
March 24, 12:00p-1:30p
There's No 'Q' in Sex/ual/ity...And We're Changing That
Part 2: Reconnoitering Het & Cis Sex/ual/ity Messages to Make Them Our Own
Feat.: Richelle Frabotta, MSEd, CSE, CSES
March 31, 12:00p-1:30p
Trans Day of Visibility
Programs and events in support of Trans Day of Visibility
March 17, 12:00p-2:00p
NLS St. Paddy's Day T-Shirt Making
Student Union, 2nd Floor lobby
Contact: Kelsey Logsdon
March 17, 6:00p
APB/BCM Paint Night
Student Union Ballroom
Contact: Kylie Patrus
April 14, 6:00p
Kappa Delta Child Abuse Prevention Program
Student Union Ballroom (RSVP Required)
Contact: Kristen Spellman
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APB is looking for new members! Do you like planning events? Would you like to influence the major speakers and entertainers that are brought to campus? Membership is free and all students are welcome to apply here.
The 2021 Outstanding Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, Senior, Legacy, and Advisory awards will be given out this year. Students must be involved in at least one registered student organization or athletic team, be in good academic standing, and be full-time to be eligible. The application deadline is April 5. Please also send photos for the annual slide show. RSO photos are due April 1 to studentengagement@nku.edu.
Award Nomination Forms
Freshman (12-29 hours)
Sophomore (30-59 hours)
Junior (30-89 hours)
Senior (90 plus hours)
Legacy (90 plus hours)
Advisor or Coach
Congratulations to Jayden Miller and Kelsey Logsdon as the 2021 Senior Royalty Winners and to Je'shaun Jackson and Dylan Johnson as the 2021 Sophomore/Junior Homecoming royalty!
Homecoming Divisional Winners
Black - Norse Leadership Society
Gold - Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity
White - Delta Zeta Sorority
Please recommend a student for NKLI! Students need to have completed two semesters of college and have a minimum 2.5 GPA. Submit student recommendations here.
Leadership Mentor Applications can be submitted here and Norse Leadership Society Applications can be submitted here.
Applications close on Tuesday, April 6. Interviews will occur on Zoom between April 8 and April 13. New members will be announced on Wednesday, April 21 at the Gold and White Celebration.
Have a student to recommend? Please contact Kate Goller at gollerk1@nku.edu.
Do you know a student who is interested in NKU Fraternity and Sorority Life? Not sure where to start? Please reach out to Colin Blouin at blouinc1@nku.edu.
Additional Contacts
Alpha Psi Lambda - Azelin Gutierrez
Nova (Interest Group) - Holly Blansette
Interfraternal Council - Zach Kohlman
National Pan-Hellenic Council - Aliya Cannon
Panhellenic Council - Jess Archer
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On April 1 from 6:00p-7:30p, Latino Programs & Services will be having the annual Latino Student Recognition Dinner as a "Zoom Fiesta," celebrating students' accomplishments and graduations. New scholarship recipients and their parents will be invited to join this special celebration. All faculty and staff are welcome. Please contact Leo Calderon for more information.
Current programming and events include Intramural Volleyball, Wiffleball, Soccer Tennis, and more. Coming in April is Sand Volleyball, Softball, and Dodgeball. For schedules and to sign-up, please visit the Campus Recreation website.
In-person group fitness classes resumed on March 1 and the Norse Strong Fitness Challenge is on-going.
Campus Rec sponsored a Laser Tag/Men's Basketball Watch Party on Feb. 20 as a part of Homecoming. Upcoming events include:
March 25, 6:30p: Indoor Movie
April 22, 4:00p-7:00p: Silent Disco
Keep up with Campus Rec on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more details!
Javance Sinclair, II, Assistant Director for Student Conduct, served on the Student Conduct Administration's 2021 Annual Conference Committee as the Equity and Inclusion Initiatives Coordinator. Javance also moderated a conference session focused on "Creating and Using COVID-Related Sanctioning Guidelines" and volunteered to review résumés and facilitate mock interviews.
The SCRA staff, in partnership with Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving, University Connect & Persist (UCAP), and University Housing staff have facilitated the awarding of $129,710 to 539 NKU students since COVID-19 disrupted our campus community. We are thankful for this partnership and are grateful for the generosity of donors to make a difference in the lives of NKU students.
Health Services has remained open and operational throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. In conjunction with Athletics, over 1,000 rapid COVID-19 antigen tests have been performed since December 2020. Plans are underway in preparation for the arrival of COVID-19 vaccines to provide to the campus community.
Health Services is where students can get physicals, vaccinations, TB tests, or urine drug screens, which are required by several academic programs. All services are by appointment only and the office is open Monday - Friday, 8:30a-4:00p. Appointments can be scheduled by calling (859) 572-5650.
End of Newsletter
Northern Kentucky University
832 Lucas Administrative Center
Highland Heights, KY 41099
Phone: (859) 572-6447
Fax: (859) 572-1310
