Past Events

Summary of Events 2021-2024

 

April 3, 2024

Undergraduate Student Symposium

This year 8 student research posters were nominated for the NSU-AAUW Research Award. This recognition is awarded to the student research presentation which best supports our mission of promoting gender equity for women and girls through education, advocacy, and research.

The student research posters were truly wonderful and a testament to the hard work and dedication of the students. Each poster was a unique and creative representation of the research that the students had conducted, and it was clear that they had put a great deal of thought and effort into the design and presentation of their work. The posters were informative, visually appealing, and engaging, and it was clear that the students had a deep understanding of their research topics. Overall, the student research posters were an impressive display of the students’ knowledge, skills, and passion for their fields of study.

The 2024 award goes to:

Chana Vogel, Aditi Gorthy, Ariana Hernandez, and Natalia Noto

Faculty Sponsors: Dr. Lisa Robison and Dr. Mary (Allie) Holschbach

for their work entitled: Reproductive Experience Protects Against Cognitive Decline in a Mouse Model of Dementia

Our judges had a difficult task to select just one, when all the posters nominated were outstanding. Special thanks to our judges: Drs. Maria Ballester, Julie  Garcia Torruella, and Randi Sims. To see the winning research poster, please click here

April 3, 2024

AAUW Empower Her

Seven Keys to Women’s Empowerment

A warm thank you to our presenter, Dr. Patricia Morris, President, Equilo Foundation. Around the world and here in the US, women have fewer opportunities than men and the global gender gap has decades to go before it is closed.

Yet studies show that when women are empowered, households, communities, and nations thrive; economies grow, health and educational outcomes improve, poverty is reduced, and peace and security are sustained.

March 6, 2024

AAUW Empower Her

The Art of Saying No: Prioritizing Self-Care for Women in Academia

Many thanks to Dr. Christi Navarro, Assistant Professor Of Public Health for her engaging presentation on The Art of Saying No: Prioritizing Self-Care for Women in Academia. In the dynamic realm of academia, women often navigate demanding roles, balancing the expectations of their academic pursuits, professional responsibilities, and personal lives.  This workshop is designed to help us embrace self-care and enhanced well-being as we navigate our role with purpose and balance.

Link for slides: https://www.canva.com/design/DAF-sVP4ca0/WAtNWMdV_7n1l1mMipi4NQ/edit

We also thank NSU’s BEDI group for sponsoring lunch.

February 19, 2024 

AAUW Empower Her

Financial Health – Financial Wealth

On February 19th,  we had a workshop led by JoAnn Ackerman on practical tips for effective money management. She emphasized the importance of budgeting to take control of your finances. Also included was advice on investment strategies tailored to empower you on your finance journey. Thank you, JoAnn Ackerman, for coming out today. You can find the presentation from the workshop by clicking this picture.

January 22, 2024

Empower Her: Understanding Menstruation for Pre-Teen Girls

NSU’s PERIOD Club speakers offered a workshop for pre-teen girls. The workshop provided age-appropriate practical knowledge to increase understanding and confidence concerning menstruation from a ‘big sister’ perspective. Although the pre-teen girls expressed hesitation before the start of the workshop, our NSU students quickly established a rapport with their ‘little sisters’ who eagerly asked questions and took notes in their provided mini NSU portfolios. As the girls left the workshop, we could overhear them saying they wanted to come again for another workshop. It was a very successful event. At NSU AAUW, we believe that knowledge is empowering.

Our thanks to PERIOD Club E-board members Tulsi Desai, Sanjana Sivaiah, Shweta Shah, Gaby Andrews, Ishika Patel, and Yachi Patel for sharing their knowledge and big sister love.

Please click on the click here to see what was learned.

       

November 9, 2023

On Thursday November 9, the Department of Humanities and Politics hosted a showing of Hidden Figures as part of its The Reel film series. The event was co-sponsored by AAUW, the Math Club, and the NAACP club. Around twenty students watched the film together and stayed for a discussion led by Dr. Katy Doll, a history professor. Hidden Figures is a 2017 film based on the best-selling history book of the same name. It depicts the impact of three female African American mathematicians whose contributions made the Apollo mission possible and brought NASA into the computer age.

 

April 26, 2023

Elegy for Academia: Free Speech, Academic
Freedom, and the Future of the Profession

Presenter: Professor Jon M. Garon

This session discussed the benefits of Academic Freedom to the community at large and then explored current First Amendment jurisprudence and related issues of academic freedom as they impact K-12 teachers and university faculty. We also looked  at recent events, decisions of the Supreme Court and Circuit Courts, and political trends to explore the conflicting goals of governments, students, universities, and faculty members. Lastly, the talk also addressed the authority of institutions to discipline faculty and students for speech deemed inappropriate or in conflict with institutional values.

Appreciation goes to AAUW – Florida for their awarding of a Community Action Grant to offset the expenses for this program.

  

April 6, 2023

Undergraduate Student Symposium

This year 11 student research posters were nominated for the NSU-AAUW Research Award. This recognition is awarded to the student research presentation which best supports our mission of promoting gender equity for women and girls through education, advocacy, and research.

The student research posters were truly wonderful and a testament to the hard work and dedication of the students. Each poster was a unique and creative representation of the research that the students had conducted, and it was clear that they had put a great deal of thought and effort into the design and presentation of their work. The posters were informative, visually appealing, and engaging, and it was clear that the students had a deep understanding of their research topics. Overall, the student research posters were an impressive display of the students’ knowledge, skills, and passion for their fields of study.

The 2023 award goes to:

Karen Jurado-Lopez, Shreya Madhudi, and Niral Paveen

Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Christi Navarro

for their work entitled:

Postpartum Depression: The Effects of Misdiagnosis on Maternal and Infant Health  

Our judges had a difficult task to select just one, when all the posters nominated were outstanding. Special thanks to our judges: Tais Barreto, Sarah Divine, Julie Garcia, Sarena Hicks, Laura Macias, Katelynn Sell, Rita Shea, and Randi Sims. To see the winning research poster, please click here

March 15, 2023

International Women’s Day

NSU Participates in International Women’s Day Event

The American Association of University Women (AAUW) celebrated International Women’s Day with a panel discussion led by Mathan M. Kannayan and Katherine E. Dookhan. This panel featured three accomplished female leaders in the NSU community. Please click on the picture below to learn more

Comments from Participants about the event:

I am filled with pride and enthusiasm, as we celebrate the remarkable progress we have made in empowering women around the world. We are witnessing a new era of change and transformation, where women are breaking free from the shackles of oppression and discrimination, and forging ahead with confidence, courage, and determination.

But let us not be complacent. Let us not forget the countless struggles, challenges, and sacrifices that women have had to endure to get where we are today. Let us remember our grandmothers who fought tirelessly for our right to vote, to work, to lead, and to be treated with respect and dignity. Let us pay tribute to our sisters who continue to fight against gender-based violence, sexual harassment, and other forms of injustice and inequality so that our daughters and granddaughters will attain the equality they so richly deserve.

And let us not forget the immense potential and talent of women. Women are leaders, innovators, creators, and trailblazers. We have proven time and time again that we can excel in any field, from science and technology to arts and culture, from politics and governance to social entrepreneurship and activism. Women are the driving force behind our progress and development, and our contributions are essential to the collective future of our entire planet.

So let us embrace this new era of women’s empowerment with open hearts and minds. Let us challenge the status quo, break down barriers, and unleash the power of women’s creativity, intellect, and resilience. Let us stand up for what is right, and fight against all forms of oppression, discrimination, and violence. And let us celebrate the spirit of women’s empowerment, not just today, but every day, as we work together to create a brighter, more equitable, and more just world for all.

Thank you,

Randi L. Sims

I wish to acknowledge the help of Athena, AI Goddess of Wisdom, in preparing my remarks.

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The American Association of University Women (AAUW) is proud to commemorate International Women’s Day on March 15th. This day serves as a reminder of the progress made towards gender equality, as well as the challenges that still lie ahead. The AAUW’s mission is to empower women and promote equity, and what better way to do so than by celebrating the achievements and contributions of women from all walks of life. This year, we are honored to co-host an event that will bring together women from all over the world to celebrate their strength, courage, and determination. Join us as we come together to honor the women who have paved the way for future generations and to continue the fight for gender equality.

Katherine Dookhan,

President, AAUW-NSU Student Club

March 10, 2023

3rd Annual EmpowerHer Symposium

Fiserv, in collaboration with Nova Southeastern University, hosted their third annual EmpowerHer symposium this Friday, March 10th. The event consisted of a panel, in which several professional women discussed relevant topics to women in the workplace today. During the panel, the business professionals discussed the differences between equality and equity, why elevator pitches are important, and the five Cs of personal branding. The speakers also discussed and provided workshops that would help women learn how to empower themselves. In addition, all attendees were able to network with one another, community leaders, and business owners. Overall, this event was a way to connect professional women and let them empower as well as support one another.

The event included free professional head shots and free makeup services. There was also a vendor “passport experience,” in which attendees were invited to tour each vendors’ tables in the open session. Each vendor would then stamp each attendee’s passport. Attendees with all of the stamps would be entered into a drawing for a prize of $50.00. Also, there was a “SneakHer In” best shoe contest. The person with the best/most stylish pair of sneakers won $50.00.

Beth Baily

February 4, 2023

Community Fest

Community Fest on Saturday was a hit! During the event, we used the gender pay gap wheel and it was an attention grabber for our table.

Katherine Dookhan, President, AAUW-NSU Student Club

January 10, 2023, 12:30 – 1:30pm

Contraceptive Care Then and Now

This session discusses the current available contraceptive agents and barriers to care post Roe v. Wade.

Presenter: Dr. Andrea Levin

Andrea Levin is currently an Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice at Nova Southeastern University College of Pharmacy with a practice specialty and board certification in Ambulatory Care. She received her Bachelor’s of Science (BS) and Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degrees from Nova Southeastern University. Upon completion of her Pharm.D., she completed a post-graduate-year-1 (PGY1) pharmacy practice residency with an emphasis in ambulatory care and teaching from Florida Hospital-Celebration Health. Dr. Levin then became an Assistant Professor at Long Island University’s Arnold and Marie Schwartz College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences as well as the Clinical Pharmacy Manager for Ambulatory Care at Montefiore Medical Center where she managed patients’ anticoagulation, hypertension, dyslipidemia, contraception, and diabetes needs. Currently, Dr. Levin assists in the care of adults with Type 2 Diabetes, Hypertension, and/or Dyslipidemia within the Memorial Healthcare System where she takes students on rotation and teaches in the integrated disease management and integrated pharmacy application courses at the College of Pharmacy. Dr. Levin is also a part of the AIDS Education and Training Centers Educational Grant and the Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Project Grant, which educates healthcare providers and the community on ambulatory/primary care topics.

November 14, 2022

The Supreme Court and Abortion

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contents of the session can be found by clicking the image below:

 

On April 8, 2022 we had a webinar on Salary Negotiation. Our guest speakers were Eleanor Lawrence, Psy.D. and Leslie Tworoger, D.B.A.  To read what we learned in the Webinar please click on the image below:

 

2022 AAUW Florida Virtual Convention & Annual Meeting

April 1 to April 3, 2022

Sims, R. L., & Torruellas Garcia, J. (2022, April). Sharing Our Story: Education and E-STEAM. Paper presented at the AAUW FL Leadership Conference, Orlando, FL. https://vimeo.com/695264402


April 2022 Undergraduate Student Symposium

Each year we select the student project which best support’s AAUW’s mission to “advance gender equity for women and girls through research, education, and advocacy“. The 2022 award goes to undergraduate student Leona Markose for her project entitled “COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy in Pregnant Women from Marginalized Communities“.

Click to see the full poster: COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy in Pregnant Women from Marginalized Populations Leona Markose_



December 11, 2021: Diversity Webinar

AAUW Florida invited you to participate in a series of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) discussions sponsored by the AAUW FL DEI Committee at 10 a.m. the second Saturday of every month October 2021 through March 2022. If you have missed any presentations or dialogues, they are available on the official AAUW Website

All Diversity sessions are available on Vimeo. https://vimeo.com/aauwflorida


December 7, 2021: Stress Free Holidays 

We had a conversation about holiday stress. We  shared tips for understanding and managing this enjoyable, but stressful time of the year. The session was facilitated by Randi L. Sims, PhD, Professor.


 November 30, 2021: City Managers panel discussion on Local Government Leadership Post Pandemic: Needs and Challenges

City Managers panel discussion organized by the ICMA@NSU student chapter on Local Government Leadership Post Pandemic: Needs and Challenges” ICMA is the International City/County Managers Association whose mission is to increase awareness about local government management among students and the broader community.


November 15, 2021: Gender and Leadership in the New Wave of Technology Innovation Revolution

We  would like to thank Dr. Pallavi Awasthi for sharing her expertise on gender and leadership in the new wave of technology. The discussion was fun and enlightening. Thanks too to all those who were able to join us. The slides included in the presentation can be viewed and downloaded by clicking on the image below.

 

Summary of Events 2020-2021

April 2021: AAUW Florida Leadership Conference

Torruellas Garcia, J., Llanos-Almeida, R., & Sims, R. L. (2021, April). Adapting to Virtual Programming: Lessons Learned From AAUW – Nova Southeastern University (NSU) Branch 3073. Poster session presented at the AAUW Florida Leadership Conference, Daytona, FL.

April 2021 Undergraduate Student Symposium


Nobel Price Winners Highlighted

During the last week of October we highlighted on our social media a few women who have won the Nobel Price for various different advances and achievements. Among these were Malala Yousafzai, Esther Duflo, Nadia Murad, and Frances H. Arnold. These ladies outstanding achievements in Science, Economics, Sexual Violence and Education


AAUW-NSU PACE E-STEAM Presentation & Workshop on September 25 & October 2, 2020

On Friday, September 25th, Dr. Julie Torruellas Garcia, associate professor in the Halmos College department of biological sciences and director of the NSU- American Association of University Women (AAUW) E-STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) Project for Girls, gave a presentation about the program to students at the PACE Center for Girls Broward in order to recruit participants.

The first session of the E-STEAM Project for Girls was held on Friday, Oct. 2nd. This year’s program had to be modified to accommodate a virtual format, so we met through a Teams meeting.

Here was the schedule:

ESTEAM Schedule for Friday, October 2nd, 2020 
Time Activity Facilitator
12:30pm Welcome Message Julie Torruellas Garcia
12:35-12:50pm Ice Breaker NSU-AAUW students
12:50pm – 1:00pm ESTEAM Pre-Survey Julie Torruellas Garcia
1:00pm-1:50pm Campus tour and Admissions presentation Alexandra Hartmann
1:50pm-2:00pm BREAK
2pm-3pm Goal Setting Workshop Molly Scanlon

An ice-breaker was led by NSU-AAUW student club president, Samrudhdhi Ayachit and member, Carol Manikkuttiyil.

Alexandra Hartmann is the Senior Associate Director of International Admissions and NSU-AAUW member.

Molly Scanlon is an associate professor in the HCAS department of writing and communication.

The next session is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 6th.

Anyone interested in volunteering should contact Julie Torruellas Garcia jg1511@nova.edu

Anyone interested in joining NSU AAUW should contact Randi Sims sims@nova.edu.

Summary of Events 2019-2020

AAUW-NSU PACE E-STEAM Workshop on March 11, 2020

The Pace girls and our AAUW chapter met for their final session on March 11th. It was an action-packed day from 10 a.m.-2:00 p.m. The day started with a hands-on Forensics lab with Dr. Maria Ballester. Afterward the girls created their own tote bags with inspirational quotes they selected. Kandy Lopez and Annette Piskal helped them create their masterpieces. Next, the girls finished their PowerPoint presentation with assistance from Dr. Maureen McDermott. Their PowerPoint included everything they have learned throughout their six ESTEAM sessions. After lunch, the girls presented their presentations. Everyone celebrated with cake and each girl received a certificate for all their hard work and successful completion of the AAUW’s ESTEAM program!

 


The Vagina Monologues at NSU on February 28, 2020

Friday, February 28th was a historic day as NSU presented it’s first time ever performance of Eve Ensler’s The Vagina Monologues, soliloquies revealing women’s experiences with love, sex, and much more. This production was held from 5:00-7:00 p.m. in the Performing Arts Black Box Theatre. NSU students, faculty, and staff participated in V-Day NSU 2020, global activist movement to end violence against all women and girls (cisgender, transgender, and gender non-conformity). This collaboration between the NSU Title IX Office, Office of Residential Life and Housing, and NSU AAUW (American Association of University Women) was helpful and informative as advocates and information was available to all both before and after the show. This extraordinary event raised $433 for Women in Distress of Broward County!

A big thank you to the performers: Julie McClure, Avia Sutton, Pryscila Salinas, Karla Gonzalez, Breanna Brady, Shannon Maurice, Amber Ryan, Siena Berardi, Isamaria Ramirez, Alexandra Hartmann, Rose Llanos, Alexis Ash, Laura Macias, Carol Manikkuttiyil, Anaya Avila, Vicky Abraham, Angelica Lopez Uscamaita, Jada Robinson & Ruth Augustin.

Another huge thank you to those who created and coordinated this event: Ruth Augustin, Rose Llanos, Alexandra Hartmann & Sarah Divine.

Thank you to everyone else that assisted with V-Day NSU 2020 and attended this event. We couldn’t have done this without you!


AAUW-NSU PACE E-STEAM Workshop on February 18, 2020

The ESTEAM workshop on February 18th was a unique experience for the Pace girls. At the beginning of the day they learned about the BSN nursing program and participated in a tour. Dr. Timothy O’Connor, Program Director,  and Dr. Caroline Smikle, Clinical Coordinator, facilitated the session and tour. Next, the girls attended the college course NUR 3130 Foundations or Professional Nursing Practice. This course was taught by Dr. Lisa Soontupe, Dr. Sarah Koplow, and Dr. Lyn Peugeot. The girls were excited to attend this course and actively engage in the college experience. They later ate lunch at the HPD Annex and worked on their PowerPoint presentation skills and practice with Dr. Maureen McDermott. It was an enjoyable day for all!


AAUW & Premier Martial Arts Self Defense Workshop on February 13, 2020

On Thursday, February 13th the AAUW (American Association for University Women) and Premier Martial Arts sponsored a self-defense workshop with instructor Anaida Davila. From 12:30-2:00 p.m. participants gathered in the University Center RecPlex for this informative and engaging training. The majority of this class was physical activity in which everyone was on their feet. The workshop began with some warm-ups in which palm strikes and front kicks were practiced. Throughout the training different techniques were taught. The main defense technique used was when a person does a chock hold from the front. Everyone worked up a sweat and learned a great deal.

At the end, statistics and common-sense safety was discussed. For example, participants learned that you have a 5% chance of living if you are kidnapped and taken to a second location. Also, there was discussion on what level of response to take when being attacked (such as allowing your belongings to be taken or giving it your all in fighting back even when you are to the point of exhaustion to protect your life) and checking in with those around you periodically to make sure you are safe. This was a rewarding workshop that hopefully will be offered again in the future!


AAUW Lobby Days in Tallahassee in January 2020

Our NSU-AAUW chapter participated in the 2020 Lobby Days in Tallahassee, FL in January 2020. During these sessions, members lobbied for bills to improve human trafficking education, ratifying the equal rights amendment, pay transparency and the family leave act. There were about 40 AAUW members in attendance.

The photo (below) is with AAUW members from all over Florida meeting with Senator Driskell. Rose Llanos from NSU-AAUW is pictured far right.


AAUW-NSU PACE E-STEAM Workshop on January 14, 2020

On January 14th, 7 girls from PACE came to NSU to participate in NSU-AAUW’s ESTEAM Project for Girls program.

They did a coding activity lead by NSU MBA in Marketing alumnus Bridgett Guerrero who is currently a partner and regional manager of Logiscool in Davie.

She taught the girls how to create a simple video game using computer coding and then they had the chance to try out some virtual reality goggles.

During lunch, they learned about the college experience from a panel of current NSU-HCNSO students that included Jessica Hallett, Brianna Thompson, Annette Mathew and Samruddhi Ayachit.

Librarians Sarena Hicks and Sarah Divine taught the girls about resources available at the Alvin Sherman Library and facilitated a scavenger hunt where the girls had to use what they had learned to find several items throughout the library. They then toured the library and visited the Holocaust Museum and were very moved by what they had learned.

Their next visit is scheduled for Feb. 18th. Please contact Julie Torruellas Garcia, Director of the E-STEAM Project for Girls, at jg1511@nova.edu, if you would like to get involved.


End of the Year Networking Event on December 16, 2019

On December 16, 2019 some of our AAUW members gathered from noon-1:00 p.m. for a pampering day. After eating delicious sandwich wraps and chatting, it was a delightful afternoon of doing nails and putting on face masks. It was a fun and relaxing way to get together and end the year before winter break!


AAUW-NSU, Halmos College, and MEEC Team Up to Build PACE E-STEAM

Eight students from the PACE Center for Girls visited NSU for a session of the “E-STEAM (Exploring – Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Math) Project for Girls”. This experiential learning initiative is dedicated to encouraging girls to pursue higher education and STEAM careers by way of mentorship, interactive activities, and academic success workshops. They started their day at the Marine Environmental Education Center (MEEC). There they built enrichment toys for Captain, the resident green sea turtle. Also participating in this event were NSU-AAUW volunteers Maureen McDermott Ed.D., and undergraduate students Haley Perkins and Nafisa Nazir.

In the afternoon they went to Halmos College Oceanographic Campus. Led by NSU-AAUW volunteer Melissa Dore, Ed.D., they visited the library, where librarian Jaime Goldman talked to them about 3D scanning and other technologies available in the library. Following this, they looked at deep sea fishes with Halmos College alumna Nina Pruzinsky and current MS student Natalie Slayden. After this, they learned about shark tracking from MS student Sydney Harned and corals from MS student Kyle Pisano.

The Nova Southeastern University branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW-NSU) has been collaborating with the Alvin Sherman Library and Broward’s PACE Center for Girls, a delinquency prevention/intervention program for adolescent girls ages 12-18 since 2008. Anyone interested in joining NSU AAUW or participating in the E-STEAM Project for Girls should contact Julie Torruellas Garcia, Ph.D. (jg1511@nova.edu).

AAUW-NSU, Halmos College, and MEEC Team Up to Build PACE E-STEAM


Latina Equal Pay Day Workshop on November 18, 2019

In honor of Equal Pay Day, the AAUW participated in a Financial Independence Workshop from 12:00-1:00 p.m. on November 18th. Dr. JoAnn Ackerman, professor with the Huizenga College of Business at NSU, led this highly informative and engaging workshop. She began by emphasizing the importance of financial wellness and independence in terms of stress reduction and the freedom of choice it provides. She said that a few minutes each day needs to be devoted to financial wellness. For example, visiting personal finance blogs such as The Simple Dollar. Many attendees were introduced to the FIRE Movement which is being financially independent and retiring early. In today’s day there should be more than one stream of income. For instance, you could have a passive income through investing or you can have a side hustle doing what you love. In terms of credit cards, Dr. Ackerman said that we all must know our FICO score and that it should be a minimum of 740. If you aren’t at a 740 then it’s advisable that you get there right away. If you increase your credit line and pay credit card bills off 8-10 days in advance this will help improve your score. The goals is to save 20% or more and invest after paying off debts as you will need a safety net. If you aren’t doing it already, you will want to budget regardless of your income. There are plenty of budget-free templates available online. So, start now in order to become one step closer to the financial freedom you want and deserve!


AAUW-NSU PACE Visit on November 13, 2019

It was an exciting day as students from the PACE Center for Girls visited NSU for their first session of the “E-STEAM Project for Girls” on November 13, 2019. The Nova Southeastern University branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW-NSU) have been working together with the PACE Center for Girls since 2008.Throughout these events, middle school and high school aged girls learn more about higher education and STEAM careers via workshops, mentoring, and hands-on activities.

The day was both educational and engaging. It began with student members of AAUW leading icebreakers that generated some interesting conversations. Following that, Associate Professor Dr. Molly Scanlon led a powerful workshop on goal setting that ended with the students developing a specific goal with an action plan to achieve their desired goal. After a delicious lunch at the Flight Deck in the University Center, the students were given a tour of the NSU campus. The girls enjoyed the tour and had many questions as this was the first time many of them visited a college campus. After that, it was back to the library where Professor Dr. Randi Sims led an activity assisting all the girls with their PowerPoints based on the day’s goals and activities. It was an action-packed day with many learning opportunities for everyone. We look forward to their next event with Pace on December 4, 2019.


Domestic Violence Training “In Her Shoes” on October 18, 2019

On October 18, 2019 Women in Distress, Memorial Healthcare System, NSU’s Title IX, and NSU’s chapter of the American Association for University Women hosted the domestic violence training “In Her Shoes”. This was a fascinating three hour event from 9:00 a.m. until noon in which approximately 75 people attended. The event started out with a light breakfast. An overview with questions and statistics related to domestic violence were discussed. Participants learned important statistics such as power and control is the major cause of domestic violence and on average a woman experiences 7 incidents of violence before she leaves a domestic violence situation for good. Moreover, 1 in 4 women experience intimate partner violence in the United States and the statistic for same sex partners is also 1 in 4.

Following this overview, trainers Marlee Cea, Emil Rudicell, Emily Janas, and Yimalissee Nazario divided all participants into two groups. Each of the groups participated in the same “In her Shoes” activity in two different classrooms. All participants paired into groups of four. This game consisted of getting a card for a specific person in a domestic violence situation. The cards would then lead to different scenarios and the team would need to discuss and decide as a group which card they would go to next as they examine this from the woman’s perspective. This led to much stimulating conversation among each group. If the group had enough time then they were able to do a second round with another woman’s experience of domestic violence. As one can imagine, this really helped participants understand the continuous hardship women experiencing domestic violence face. Afterward, there was a discussion among the entire group of what was learned and experiences to share. One female participant said she never realized how much people could help along the way that you would never expect such as a hair dresser actively seeking help for a woman in a domestic violence situation. Another female participant said that she was surprised how so many survivors are of different ethnic identities and come from varying careers and socioeconomic backgrounds.

The last part of the training consisted of participants forming a new group of four people. Using markers and large paper each group designed their safe community using pictures and words. They were encouraged to be as creative as possible. These enlightening papers were they discussed and displayed in the classroom. Many groups focused on having a community that is highly accessible with bike lanes, walking lanes, and public transportation that linked all the important services every community should have. The closing activity was to discuss with a partner one action item each person will take. At the end, participants could pick up their individual certificate. This was a phenomenal training that actively demonstrated the urgency of knowledge and education for all people regarding domestic violence.


SEA Thursdays With Student Chapter of AAUW

Our student chapter of AAUW kicked off this month with SEA Thursdays on Thursday, October 17th. Our student leaders passed out literature and other important material to share with our NSU students. They were eager and excited to share all about the AAUW with new and continuing students!


Hispanics in Leadership on October 14, 2019

The Graduate Business Student Association (GBSA) and the AAUW Hispanics in Leadership event was full of informative and motivating discussions. All speakers were well accomplished women and Hispanic leaders. Dr. Madeline Camejo, Vice President and Chief Pharmacy Officer of Baptist Health of South Florida, shared a story that really stood out. She began the discussion of her story how her parents migrate from Cuba to Miami. Dr. Camejo is the first one of her family to graduate from college and become a doctor.

Dr. Camejo shared her insights on how to build your personal brand and always stay true to yourself. She stressed the importance of how to carry yourself with humility, integrity, and to extend a helping hand to someone in need. Some keys topics she touch on was to move strategically and don’t be afraid to take risks. She also focused on assimilating to the company’s culture and making sure it’s  good fit for you. The ability to adapt quickly was also helpful in her success. She never lost her identity as a Cuban American women in corporate America.

All of the women on the panel have done a great deal in their community. This panel was full of amazing and inspirational content for the entire audience.


E-STEAM Project at PACE Center for Girls on October 7, 2019

NSU AAUW went to the PACE Center for Girls on Monday, October 7th for the first session of the E-STEAM Project for Girls.

NSU Faculty Volunteers: Julie Torruellas Garcia, Ph.D. (Halmos), Randi L. Sims, Ph.D. (Business),  & Kandy Lopez-Moreno, M.F.A. (Art)

NSU student volunteers: Paige Allen (Art and Design Major), Brianna Thompson (Biology Major), Kyle Hansotia (Biology Major) & Muhammad-Altamash Jawadi (Biology Major)

There were 3 stations of activities:

Coding with Ozobots – girls learned how to write code for a small robot that responds to color patterns.

Lemon Power – girls learned how to make a battery out of lemons to light up a small, LED bulb.

Art/Monoprinting – Girls created a design with paint on a styrofoam cup and learned how to monoprint the design onto paper.

Approximately 40 PACE girls participated in the 3 hour event.

Anyone interested in joining NSU AAUW or participating in the ESTEAM Project for Girls should contact Dr. Randi Sims at sims@nova.edu .


WUF and AAUW’s Self-Defense Workshop on September 28, 2019

Women United Forward (WUF) and the American Association of University Women (AAUW) joined together for a self-defense workshop on Saturday, September 28th from 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. This interactive workshop featured preventative tips for all women that were shared by the presenter and participants. There was also Q & A and discussion on ways to be proactive as women in the world we live in today. Stimulating conversation and useful feedback was discussed by all throughout this workshop.


Welcome to SEA Thursdays!

On Thursday, September 19th we kicked off the semester with SEA Thursday in the University Center. Dr. Julie Torruellas Garcia, Haley Perkins, and Rose Llanos-Alemida (pictured left to right) welcomed students, faculty, and staff at our booth. They discussed the many opportunities to get involved with the AAUW. Also, they let students know about the FREE membership available to undergraduate and graduate students. Of course there were goodies and information pamphlets as well. It was an eventful afternoon to start off the fall 2019 semester!

Summary of Events 2018-2019

Schedule of Activities

Winter 2019 Events:

  • PACE E-STEAM schedule for Winter 2019
    • Wednesday January 9, 2019
    • Wednesday Jan 30
    • Wednesday Feb 13
  • International Women’s Day Colloquium, March 20, 2019
    • Wednesday, March 20, 2019
    • Noon to 1:00pm
    • DeSantis Atrium
  • SeaThursday, Equal Pay Day
    • Thursday, April 4, 2019
    • Noon to 1:00 p.m.
    • University Center
  • Salary Negotiation with Career Development
    • Wednesday, April 24, 2019
    • Noon to 2:00 p.m.

Fall 2018 Events:

  • PACE E-STEAM schedule for Fall 2018
    • Thursday Nov 1, 2018
    • Thursday Nov 15
    • Thursday December 6
  • Professional Tabeling Dates
    • August 23, 2018 Huizenga College Passport to Success
    • October 24, 2018 NSU Health Fair
  • Student Tabeling Dates (noon to 1:00pm) and Themes
  • Meetings for Fall, 2nd Wednesday noon to 1pm, DeSantis 5145.

Read about us in the news:

https://nsunews.nova.edu/nsu-aauw-branch-celebrates-10th-anniversary/

https://nsucurrent.nova.edu/2018/09/11/nsus-branch-of-the-aauw-to-hold-events-in-support-of-gender-equity/

Salary Negotiation Workshop on April 24, 2019

On April 24th from noon -1:00 p.m. the Office of Career Development and the AAUW joined together for a Salary Negotiation workshop. While eating a pizza lunch, NSU Career Advisor Ashley Rizzotto presented helpful tips and data that demonstrated the importance of this issue. She discussed ways to prove your worth, establish a balance between being firm and flexible in the job force, and how to get creative when negotiating your salary. Ms. Rizzotto reviewed tools that we can all use such as research from glassdoor.com and using payscale.com or salary.com. For example, on Glassdoor you can use a tool that helps you know your worth. We discussed aiming high when negotiating your salary and that you can always accept less. Another useful strategy was when a potential employer asks, “How much do you expect to be paid?” You can reply, “What did you have budgeted for this position?” This will give you a better gauge on salaries for that position. Of course it’s necessary to have questions for the interviewer. For instance, a beneficial question to better understand the work environment is to ask, “What is the company facing as a challenge right now?” Ms. Rizzotto also said it’s better not to ask about compensation until the employer makes you an offer.

As we know, it may not be possible for the employer to offer a higher salary. If this is the case, then you could get creative and offer other ideas to increase the overall compensation, such as tuition credits, conference and professional development compensation, mentoring, training, relocation reimbursement, and everyday costs (parking, etc.), flexibility with vacation days, and additional insurance/health plans. The key really is to know your worth and be prepared to demonstrate this during your interview.  Ashley noted it’s probably best not to counter the salary offer more than twice. If you set a salary number, be prepared to accept it. Ashley further explained that once an offer has been made, make sure to ask the potential employer to write this salary on official company letterhead. If for any reason this isn’t possible then send them an email to confirm the salary offered and accepted.

This was applicable information for all in attendance which included seventeen students, faculty and staff. At the end there was question and answer and different scenarios that we reviewed together. It was also encouraged that we can explore this further by going to the free online salary negotiation training offered by the AAUW. Everyone can access this training at www.salary.aauw.org . Please see the pamphlet below.

NSU AAUW Members Attend Florida Leadership Conference in April 2019

This April, NSU AAUW board members Randi Sims, Ph.D., and Julie Torruella Garcia presented the poster, “Equity, Education, and Community Service: A Summary of AAUW-NSU Programing” at the AAUW Florida Leadership Conference in Ocala, FL. The focus of this year’s conference was “All Roads Lead to Equity”, discussing steps taken by AAUW National to address economic security for women and how those programs and actions can be adapted to women in Florida

https://sharkbytes.nova.edu/academics/nsu-aauw-branch-members-attend-florida-leadership-conference/

Equal Pay Day on April 4, 2019

Equal Pay Day is a public awareness event to show the gap in women’s and men’s wages. This year this NSU chapter of the AAUW, demonstrated this discrepancy between wages on Thursday, April 4, 2019 from 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. in the University Center. Students, faculty, and staff were encouraged to see what this means by spinning the wheel. Depending on the color they land on, they receive a ‘salary offer’ to match that color block. If they are lucky, they land on orange, the salary corresponding to a white male. If not, their salary offer is reduced to match the color block (divided by race and gender). The purpose is that the spin of the wheel is not a reflection of their credentials or how hard they will work. It is NOT earned. Just like race and gender are not earned, they just are. Participants were also given handouts with salary negotiation tips and information about our own salary negotiation workshop. Many students seemed surprised with the information they received. Hopefully students, faculty, and staff will take this opportunity to learn even more at the salary negotiation workshop on Wednesday, April 24th from 12:00 p.m.- 1:00 p.m. in the Carl DeSantis building Room 1046.

International Women’s Day Colloquium 2019 on March 20, 2019

On Wednesday, March 20th NSU’s American Association of University Women (AAUW) sponsored the 14th annual International Women’s Day Colloquium in the Carl DeSantis Atrium. The theme for 2019 was Balance for Better and nearly 100 students, faculty and staff attended this event. Student organizations participated by displaying their research posters that focused on gender equity issues in their chosen fields.

Dr. Randi Sims, President NSU-AAUW, welcomed all in attendance and discussed the history of the women’s movement and posed the question of what this generation will do for future generations of young girls and women. Dr. Maureen McDermott, Vice-President of Membership NSU-AAUW, then introduced the eloquent speaker.

Ivelices Thomas, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of RH & Beyond gave a poignant and heartfelt speech on Creating Your Own Path to Parity. Ms. Thomas discussed her personal journey and the challenges and obstacles that she discovered along the way. She learned invaluable lessons such as being an advocate for yourself by demonstrating you are the right person for the role. Additionally, all women need internal advocates for times when you aren’t in the room to represent yourself. She emphasized forming relationships with colleagues at all levels of a business. She also recommended becoming involved in organizations that matter to you and your company. Women helping other women was also stressed. She shared her personal experience of getting to a top position and hiring many women. At first she worried about doing this but then realized this is how the positive change happens.

Afterward undergraduate student Sarah Goltsman, winner of the USS-AAUW award, shared her powerful spoken word poem Masterpiece. This thought-provoking poem incorporated women’s right and suffrage as well as sexual harassment and abuse. The main theme is that a woman’s body can stop being her own. Throughout her art, she invokes other women she admires in her life showing women are so much more than their bodies. Her poem can send chills through one’s body as it was so real and relatable. It ended with hope that through open discussion and unity a difference can and will be made.

This is the link for her spoken word poem: https://vimeo.com/groups/183597/videos/262089482

This event concluded by closing commentary from Rose Llanos-Almeida, Director of Programs NSU-AAUW, where she invited everyone to become part of the AAUW and push forward on our path together.

AAUW-NSU wishes to thank the Office of Orientation & Commuter Engagement and The Women’s Success Series for partial funding of this event.

Program_2019

AAUW-NSU PACE Visit on February 13, 2019

It was quite an eventful day for the girls from the Pace Center for Girls. This was the final session of the “E-STEAM Project for Girls” for 2019. There were six girls that participated in this final session which was a half day filled with fun, yet educational activities, on Wednesday, February 13th. At the beginning of the day, the girls worked with Ashley Rizzotto, Career Adviser. Ashley started her lesson by introducing the girls to value cards in relation to potential careers. The girls sorted through these cards and selected ten, and then five cards, that best represent what they want in a career. The cards ranged from vales such as competition and fast pace to other values like honesty and integrity and helping society. It was quite the challenge to only choose five cards, but the girls managed to do it and added this information to their ongoing individual PowerPoint presentation. Ashley also discussed career mapping and websites where the girls can go to conduct their own further career exploration.

After that activity, the girls headed over to the Don Taft University Center where they split into two groups. The first group worked on completing their PowerPoints. Dr. Maureen McDermott, Associate Professor for the Fischler College of Education, assisted the girls in finishing their PowerPoints making sure the slides contained a balance of type and graphics.

The other group worked with Kandy Lopez, Assistant Professor for the Department of Performing and Visual Arts, and her undergraduate students and created their own T-shirts and tote bags using screen printing. The girls really enjoyed making their own unique creations with a quotation and image that is important in their life.

After both groups completed one activity they switched and worked on the other activity so each groups had an opportunity to work on their T-shirts as well as finish their PowerPoints. After all that work they were able to relax and eat a delightful pizza lunch.

The final event was the girls presenting their PowerPoints to their peers and the members of the AAUW. Dr. McDermott gave a lesson about public speaking when using slides on a projector. The girls did a fantastic job presenting what they learned about STEAM while making eye contact with the audience. They discussed how they could implement what they learned in the program when formulating career goals as well as life goals.

The event culminate with a celebratory cake, certificates, and goody bags for each girl. All of these girls accomplished so much throughout their six sessions and learned about STEAM with information and memories they will carry with them throughout their life’s journey.

 

A special thank you to our facilitators: Dr. Julie Torruellas Garcia, Dr. Maureen McDermott, Ashley Rizzotto, and Kandy Lopez. Also, thank you to our AAUW-NSU student members, as well as our AAUW-NSU faculty and staff members that assisted with this event: Dr. Randi Sims, Dr. Vanaja Nethi, Laura Macias, Kaija Ranglin & Esha Parikh. Our undergraduate art students: Paige Allen, Stephanie Suarez, Mikaela O’Donnell, Avery Hutt, and Indaya Williams were helpful volunteers as well.

AAUW-NSU PACE Visit on January 30, 2019

 

It was a busy day for the nine students from the Pace Center for Girls. The “E-STEAM Project for Girls” progressed with a half day filled with events and lunch on Wednesday, January 30th. In the morning the girls worked with Tennille Shuster, Associate Professor for the Department of Performing and Visual Arts. During this time, the girls created a design layout for their own shirts. They selected a quotation that inspired them and also picked an image for their shirt. Next, they went to the Conference Room in the Library where they enjoyed a delicious lunch from the West End Deli at NSU. After that it was time for an engaging math activity with Randi L. Sims, professor at the Wayne H. Huizenga School of Business and Entrepreneurship. This activity taught the girls about sample size population. Each girls received an individual bag of M&Ms. Thy counted and graphed on their PowerPoints with the amount and colors of M&Ms. This data was compared to the percentage of M&M colors at the Distribution Center. The girls also made comparisons with another peer. It was a fascinating activity with hands-on learning! Afterward the girls worked on completing their PowerPoint presentation that they have been working on since the beginning of these sessions. It was quite an educational and riveting day!

A special thank you to our facilitators: Dr. Julie Torruellas Garcia, Dr. Randi Sims and Tennille Shuster, M.F.A. Also, thank you to our AAUW-NSU student members, as well as our AAUW-NSU faculty and staff members that assisted with this event: Dr. Maureen McDermott, Winnie Verna, Laura Macias, Kaija Ranglin & Esha Parikh.

AAUW-NSU Workshop: Proposed Changes to Title IX on January 22, 2019

On January 22, 2019, AAUW-NSU sponsored a workshop in the Mailman Hollywood building on the main campus in which students, faculty and staff received training in how to make individual and/or group comments on federal regulations. The focus of the meeting was on pending change in the regulations pertaining to Title IX, the law prohibiting sex discrimination in education. The workshop was led by Laura Bennett and Desmond Daniels from NSU’s Office of Human Resources. The initial deadline for submitting comments was January 25; however, the deadline has been extended due to the federal government shutdown. Ms. Bennett and Mr. Daniels provided the following links and resources to help you make comments yourself:

Link to Title IX Proposed Changes: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2018/11/29/2018-25314/nondiscrimination-on-the-basis-of-sex-in-education-programs-or-activities-receiving-federal#open-comment

The Regulatory Timeline: https://www.regulations.gov/?tab=learn

The Rulemaking Process: https://www.federalregister.gov/uploads/2011/01/the_rulemaking_process.pdf

Association of Title IX Administrators (ATIXA): www.atixa.org

AAUW-NSU PACE Visit on January 16, 2019

On January 16, 2019, the students from the Pace Center for Girls participated in their fourth session in the “E-STEAM Project for Girls.” This was a particularly exciting session as the girls visited the Marine Environmental Education Center (MEEC) and the NSU Oceanographic Campus. In the morning, they met with Meghan McGlone, MEEC Program Coordinator, who taught the girls about the sea turtle’s nesting behaviors, how to recognize their tracking patterns in the sand, and how the hatchlings find the ocean. The girls enjoyed a hands-on activity with a large shiny shell from a giant turtle.

Dr. Maureen McDermott (AAUW/FCE) took the girls downstairs to the pool to see a presentation with MEEC’s permanent resident Captain, a green sea turtle who dives with the assistance of weight therapy. Captain captivated everyone by eating a lettuce lunch, first above the water and then swimming down to eat lettuce leaves anchored in a device on the pool’s floor.

After visiting the MEEC, AAUW member and Halmos College Director of Academic Support and Administration, Dr. Melissa Dore gave them a tour around the Oceanographic Campus, where they examined a manatee’s skeleton and toured a lab with a non-living coral. After visiting the outdoor coral nursery, they worked inside with MS student Dayna Hunn on sorting her small, but fascinating, crabs. It was a day they truly will never forget!

AAUW-NSU PACE Visit on December 6, 2018

  

The third session for the students from the Pace Center for Girls was both informative and engaging for the young women. The “E-STEAM Project for Girls” continued for a half day on Thursday, December 6th, 2018. This time there were twelve girls who participated. The first part was conducted by NSU Librarian Sarena Hicks. She used Kahoots!, a gamed-based platform to teach them about the library. They were eager to see how they were scoring while still learning what a library database is and other library terminology. They also discovered where to go for  homework help and how to explore notable women in the biographies database. All of this information was then added to their own personal PowerPoints that they are creating.

 

Following this, they went to the Parker Building for an intriguing Forensics Lab which was facilitated by Dr. Julie Torruellas Garcia, Associate Professor for the Department of Biological Sciences. Dr. Maria Ballester, Associate Professor for the Department and Chemistry and Physics, also assisted with the fingerprint testing. They had a mystery to solve in which they tested synthetic blood, hair follicles and fingerprinting. The girls enjoyed using the microscopes, solving the mystery, and learning about all the different career paths there are in the area of science.

The final event was going to for a delicious lunch at the University Center where they conversed about their experiences throughout the day. They look forward to all that’s in store for the next session in the New Year!

FREE Membership for All NSU Students

There is wonderful news to share with you. NSU is now an official AAUW University Partner. Therefore, students (undergraduate and graduate) are eligible for FREE AAUW membership. Staff who are also students at NSU would be eligible as well.

You can join now:

Simply visit this webpage and enter your personal information: https://svc.aauw.org/RECore/wMembership/join_esaf_member.asp

We are looking forward to having YOU as a member!

Dr. Maureen McDermott Facilitates Time Management Workshop with Our Student Chapter on October 5, 2018

NSU’s student chapter invited board member Dr. Maureen McDermott (Fischler College of Education) to conduct a workshop in the spirit AAUW’s strategic initiative for Education and Training. Chapter President Gabrielle Orr polled the membership, which decided the topic should be time management on Oct. 5, 2018. Dr. McDermott provided 10 members with their own folders that contained activities to determine how their time was really spent and then how to realign it to include more time for midterm/finals preparation. The most popular distractions reported were socializing via cell phone and watching Netflix. Students devised lists of things they should have and things they should do before the week started so there could be extra time to study alone or in groups. They also discussed the types of exams they were taking and determined the best ways to prepare for them. Winifred Verna, vice president, said she thought the workshop benefitted everyone there and thanked Dr. McDermott for her time. After midterms were over, members reported they would be using the helpful strategies again during finals in December.

AAUW-NSU PACE Visit on November 15, 2018

What an exciting and informative second session for the students from the Pace Center for Girls. The “E-STEAM Project for Girls” continued for a half day on Thursday, November 15th. There were eight girls that participated during this event. They started off the day with Mary Young talking about what goals are and each student shared their own personal goal. Then they moved into creating their individual PowerPoints after discussing what STEAM is. They used K-W-L to show what they know, want to know, and learned about STEAM. Following this activity, the girls attended a live college course UNIV 1000 with Dr. Molly Scanlon. While sharing a pizza lunch together, the college students showed their own group videos they created based on a chapter from the book Always Eat Left Handed by Rohit Bhargava. The videos ranged from the do’s and don’ts of active listening to risk taking and not sweating the small stuff. The final event was going back to the computer lab where the girls continued working with Dr. Scanlon on their PowerPoint presentations. They discussed the eight aspects of wellness and rated themselves on a scale of 0-10 for each of the categories. This then helped them figure out what their goal will be based on this information. They continued engaging in active group discussion on these interesting topics for the rest of this event.

https://nsunews.nova.edu/e-steam-project-for-girls/

AAUW-NSU PACE Visit on November 1, 2018

Students from the PACE Center for Girls visited NSU for their first session of the “E-STEAM  Project for Girls”.  This experiential learning initiative is dedicated to encouraging girls to pursue higher education and STEAM careers by way of mentorship, interactive activities, and academic success workshops.

The PACE students started their day by visiting the Horvitz Welcome Center. Rose Llanos-Almeida provided an admissions presentation where the girls learned about NSU’s undergraduate colleges and general admissions processes. A student admissions ambassador lead a walking tour of the university and then the PACE students visited the student union for SEA Board Thursdays. Following lunch in the Flight Deck with undergraduate student mentors, they joined an honor’s class on Epidemics lead by Dr. Julie Torruellas Garcia. The PACE students joined in a lively discussion on cholera outbreaks around the world.

2018 Mentoring Conference

Rose Llanos attended the mentoring conference to present our poster The E-STEAM (Exploring Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) Project for Girls Mentoring Program on October 24, 2018. Funding was provided by our E-STEAM Project for Girls 2017-2018 AAUW Community Action Grant.

https://nsunews.nova.edu/nsu-american-association-of-university-woman-branch-publishes-esteam-project/

Our paper is forthcoming:

Llanos-Almeida, R., McDermott, M., Sims, R., Scanlon, M., Hicks, S., Ballester, M., Shuster, T., Lopez-Moreno, K., Dore, M., Anderson, R., Fabius, S., & Torruellas Garcia, J. (2018). The E-STEAM (Exploring Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) Project for Girls Mentoring Program. 11th annual mentoring conference proceedings: Mentoring, coaching, and leadership for innovation and entrepreneurship (11th ed.): [Special Issue 11]. The Chronicle of Mentoring and Coaching, 1(11).

Abstract

The Nova Southeastern University Branch of the American Association of University Women (NSU AAUW) developed the E-STEAM Project for Girls – an initiative to attract at risk 12-17-year-old girls to STEAM careers (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Math). Through a partnership between NSU AAUW and the Alvin Sherman Library, the university’s joint use community library, participants have had the unique experience of working with a diverse population of University faculty, staff and college-aged mentors while engaging in innovative, STEAM-related learning experiences at Nova Southeastern University. The program includes four, half-day field trips to NSU’s campus per semester to tour the campus, attend college classes and participate in interactive activities related to STEAM. Participants reflected on their experience by giving a presentation at the end of the program. To measure the impact of the program, the mentees completed pre- and post-surveys to evaluate their likelihood of going to college and pursuing a STEAM career. The results indicated that at the completion of the program, students developed a better sense of their interests and disinterests in STEAM fields. Overall, the program has been a success and can serve as a model for other institutions.

Employee Health Fair on October 24, 2018

We made great strides at the Employee Health and Wellness Fair. Missy and Maureen did an exceptional job at our table. They introduced NSU employees to our professional organization, discussed important issues such as gender inequality in the workplace, and talked about upcoming events while distributing brochures and pamphlets. Many participants at this event expressed interest in learning more and voiced their approval for equal pay for equal work. Sixty email addresses were provided so these employees could be on the email list for the AAUW chapter at NSU. We are likely to have increased membership after this engaging annual event.

NSU AAUW Hosts Fall Membership Social on September, 12, 2018

https://nsunews.nova.edu/nsu-aauw-hosts-fall-membership-social-sept-12/

We set our first meeting of the academic year as a membership social. We displayed information about membership, our E-STEAM program and conference paper, March 2018 International Women’s Day Colloquium, and Pay Equity Day from August 2018. The student chapter hosted a table and Razor’s Career Closet accepted clothing donations.

We met Sharon Edea, an NSU doctoral student in the department of Conflict Resolution Studies who has received an International Fellowship from AAUW.  Sharon is from South Sudan, and her area of study is in global conflicts. She intends to study women participation at higher levels of the humanitarian peace building process in East Africa, particularly in the South Sudan peace processes. Read more about Sharon Edea and AAUW’s fellowship process: https://www.aauw.org/aauw_check/fellowships_directory/#rid4588

Huizenga College Passport to Success on August 23, 2018

 

On August 23, 2018 AAUW-NSU hosted a table at the Huizenga College Passport to Success welcoming event. It was perfect timing as August is Black Women Pay Equity Day. We discussed pay inequity for women and minorities and distributed tips for salary negotiation. Over fifty students, staff, and faculty spun the pay inequity wheel and most were quite disappointed in the inequity of a poor spin. Contact information was collected for those interested in learning more about AAUW-NSU.

The Nova Southeastern University branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW-NSU) has been active on campus since 2008.

NSU Welcomes AAUW International Fellowship Recipient in Fall 2018

Fall 2018, NSU welcomed AAUW Fellowship Recipient Sharon Lelega from Sudan into the conflict analysis and resolution doctoral program. Sharon intends to focus on women’s participation in the peace process. This will be achieved by conducting a series of consultative meetings with various stakeholders in order to understand the policies related to women’s empowerment and their participation in the peace process.

AAUW fellowship funding helps women manage the growing burden of student debt, an issue that disproportionately affects women. Unique to AAUW’s program, funding may also be used to pay for expenses outside of those traditionally associated with academic study, including childcare and transportation — necessities that can help recipients’ continue, return to, and successfully complete graduate programs. AAUW prides itself on providing fellowships and grants for women returning to either extend or complete their academic goals.

https://www.aauw.org/aauw_check/fellowships_directory/#rid4588

https://nsunews.nova.edu/nsu-welcomes-aauw-international-fellowship-recipient/

https://nsunews.nova.edu/nova-southeastern-university-student-awarded-aauw-fellowships-and-grants/

Community Action Grant 2017-2018

NSU Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) Awarded an AAUW Community Action Grant

The Nova Southeastern University branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) is the recipient of a 2017-18 AAUW Community Action Grant. The grant, spearheaded by AAUW-NSU members Julie Torruellas Garcia, Ph.D., Associate Professor at the Halmos College of Natural Science and Oceanography and Sheila Fabius, M.P.A., Director of Undergraduate Student Success at the College of Undergraduate Studies, is a prestigious and highly competitive award, which funds innovative programs that promote education and equality for women and girls. The program targeted by the grant is the PACE Center for Girls, a delinquency prevention/intervention program for young and adolescent girls in Broward County, Florida. NSU’s AAUW student and professional chapters both engage in activities that include campus visits, class visitation, science demonstrations, art projects, and a tour of NSU’s Guy Harvey Oceanographic Center.

Read the article here!

Summary of Events 2017-2018

Students from the PACE Center for Girls visited NSU for their third session of the “E-STEAM  Project for Girls”.  This experiential learning initiative is dedicated to encouraging girls to pursue higher education and STEAM careers by way of mentorship, interactive activities, and academic success workshops.

The girls started their day by attending a forensics lab with Dr. Julie Garcia and Dr. Maria Ballester where they learned how to analyze blood, hair samples, and fingerprints. Students then moved to the art lab where Dr. Tennille Shuster introduced each step in the silk screening process.  In a hands-on activity, students completed the silk screening process on t-shirts, paper, and book bags. During lunch, students joined the Green Sharks for a Sustainability 101 presentation by Caiti Pomerance from Debris Free Oceans.  After lunch, students visited the interactive traveling exhibition Thinking Money: A Financial Expedition in the Alvin Sherman Library. “Through an adventure-themed storyline, interactive iPad content and other fun activities, Thinking Money explores themes like wants vs. needs, preparing for a rainy/sunny day, imagining your future self and avoiding financial fraud.” Director of Library Services Nora Quinlan lead the tour and answered dozens of questions. Undergraduate student members of AAUW provided mentorship throughout the day.

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The NSU Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) sponsored a lunch-time International Women’s Day Colloquium on Wednesday, March 21, 2018 in the Carl DeSantis Atrium. International Women’s Day 2018 was themed Press for Progress and nearly 80 students, staff, faculty, and administration attended this event. Student organizations from across campus displayed their research posters to highlight awareness of gender equity issues in their respective fields.

Two distinguished speakers gave brief remarks in support of IWD. Ms. Linda Buccilli, CLTC, Financial Advisor at Northwestern Mutual and Founding Member of the HCBE Women’s Success Series. Ms. Buccilli spoke about the importance of doing your best, staying the course, being fully present each day, and always maintaining integrity and honesty in personal and business relationships. She emphasized her care in being a good role model, especially with her children. Her work life has been focused on competing successfully among financial entities and adherence to strict ethical standards.

The second speaker, Dr. Farzanna Haffizulla, is the Assistant Dean for Community and Global Health at the NSU Kiran C. Patel College of Allopathic Medicine, and a globally-recognized health awareness advocate. She spoke about the need to create and preserve balance among competing responsibilities and interests in one’s life and health. Her leadership style is optimistic, dynamic and emphasizes forward progress; it is grounded in concern for gender equity but envisions uplift to family and promotes strong, caring relationships among all. Both speakers received certificates in gratitude of their participation and remained behind to speak with attendees and answer questions.

AAUW-NSU wishes to thank the Office of Residential Life and Housing, SGA, and The Women’s Success Series for partial funding of the event.  IWDsummary

https://nsunews.nova.edu/international-womens-day-colloquium-2018-was-a-huge-success/

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AAUW-NSU PACE Visit March 13, 2018

ESteam_March18

Students from the PACE Center for Girls visited NSU for their second session of the “E-STEAM  Project for Girls”. This experiential learning initiative is dedicated to encouraging girls to pursue higher education and STEAM careers by way of mentorship, interactive activities, and academic success workshops.

The girls started their day with a library scavenger hunt, learning about the resources of the Alvin Sherman Library. Librarian Sarena Hicks followed up with a session on the use of the library. Next the girls joined Dr. Tennille Shuster’s Graphic Design class. Undergraduate students in the class paired with the Pace girls to help them create personalized artwork which the girls will include in their PowerPoint files.   After lunch in the UC with undergraduate students, faculty member Steven Kramer, Ph.D. led a session on A Colorful Look at Sampling where the PACE students learned about sampling using mini bags of M&M candies. Using an Excel spreadsheet and formulas, they entered their findings into  their Power Point files. Undergraduate student members of AAUW provided mentorship throughout the day.

The Nova Southeastern University branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW-NSU) has been collaborating with the Alvin Sherman Library and Broward’s PACE Center for Girls since 2008. Funding has been provided by a 2017-18 AAUW Community Action Grant. This is a prestigious and highly competitive award, which funds innovative programs that promote education and equality for women and girls.

 

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AAUW-NSU PACE Visit February 8, 2018

Students from the PACE Center for Girls visited NSU for their first session of the “E-STEAM  Project for Girls”. This experiential learning initiative is dedicated to encouraging girls to pursue higher education and STEAM careers by way of mentorship, interactive activities, and academic success workshops.

Undergraduate student members of AAUW lead icebreakers, a tour of the campus, and provided mentorship throughout the day. A goal setting workshop was led by AAUW-NSU faculty member Maureen McDermott, Ed.D. The PACE students personalized their journals and added reflections of the experiences from their day at NSU.  After lunch in the UC, OIIT Instructional Designers Kerrian Gordon, M.S. and Mary Young, B.A. led a workshop on Power Point. Each student was provided a thumb drive and a Power Point template and learned how to personalize the reporting of their E-STEAM experiences.

The Nova Southeastern University branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW-NSU) has been collaborating with the Alvin Sherman Library and Broward’s PACE Center for Girls since 2008. Funding has been provided by a 2017-18 AAUW Community Action Grant. This is a prestigious and highly competitive award, which funds innovative programs that promote education and equality for women and girls.

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AAUW-NSU PACE Visit December 6, 2017

Students from the PACE Center for Girls visited NSU for their fourth and final session of the “E-STEAM  Project for Girls”. This experiential learning initiative is dedicated to encouraging girls to pursue higher education and STEAM careers by way of mentorship, interactive activities, and academic success workshops.

The PACE students started their day with Drs. Tennille Shuster and Kandy Lopez who introduced  design software used for graphic art and silkscreen printing. Students were able to create their own designs and print them on paper. The class then moved to the art lab where each step in the silk screening process was demonstrated.  In a hands-on activity, students completed the silk screening process on t-shirts, paper, and book bags.

Lunch included PowerPoint presentations by each student who shared with the audience what they learned while attending the E-STEAM Project.  Of the twelve PACE students enrolled for Fall 2017, ten successfully completed at least two of the four sessions and were awarded certificates of completion.  NSU-AAUW undergraduate student members provided mentorship throughout the day.

The Nova Southeastern University branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW-NSU) has been collaborating with the Alvin Sherman Library and Broward’s PACE Center for Girls since 2008. Funding has been provided by a 2017-18 AAUW Community Action Grant. This is a prestigious and highly competitive award, which funds innovative programs that promote education and equality for women and girls.

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AAUW-NSU PACE Visit November 16, 2017

Ten students from the PACE Center for Girls visited NSU for their third session of the “E-STEAM (Exploring – Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Math) Project for Girls”. This experiential learning initiative is dedicated to encouraging girls to pursue higher education and STEAM careers by way of mentorship, interactive activities, and academic success workshops.

The PACE students started their day with an introduction to library resources presented by Librarian Sarena Hicks. Some of the students submitted their completed library card application and went home with new library cards.  Next the students attended a forensics lab with Drs. Julie Garcia and Maria Ballester where they learned how to analyze blood, hair samples, and fingerprints.

During lunch, a special guest speaker, Banana Wave founder Neter Alkebulan shared his entrepreneurial success story and answered questions from the students.  After lunch, OIIT Instructional Designers Kerrian Gordon, M.S. and Mary Young, B.A. continued their workshop on Power Point. Each student was provided a thumb drive and a Power Point template and learned how to personalize the reporting of their E-STEAM experiences. NSU-AAUW undergraduate student members provided mentorship throughout the day.

The Nova Southeastern University branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW-NSU) has been collaborating with the Alvin Sherman Library and Broward’s PACE Center for Girls since 2008. Funding has been provided by a 2017-18 AAUW Community Action Grant. This is a prestigious and highly competitive award, which funds innovative programs that promote education and equality for women and girls.

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AAUW-NSU Student Chapter Tabeling, November 9, 2017

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Employee Wellness Fair, October 25, 2017