Academic Excellence

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Wed, 02/26/2025 - 12:33

The recognition follows six years of rapid growth in which externally funded research spending at ��-Dearborn has nearly tripled. So how did we get here? And what’s next?

Associate Professor Dr. Zhi Zhang (not pictured) and Assistant Professor Jie Fan (pictured, middle) recently landed a $465,000 grant from the NIH. Large federal grants helped power ��-Dearborn to an R2 designation in 2025. Photo by Julianne Lindsay

��-Dearborn earns high marks in the U.S. News & World Report “best colleges” rankings

stuxbury — Mon, 23 Sep 2024 16:04:41 +0000

��-Dearborn earns high marks in the U.S. News & World Report “best colleges” rankings stuxbury Mon, 09/23/2024 - 12:04

��-Dearborn ranks as the No. 1 regional public university in the state and No. 3 in the Midwest, according to U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 guide to American colleges and universities, which was released today. This marks the 22nd consecutive year ��-Dearborn is rated as one of the region’s best.

Among public and private universities, ��-Dearborn continues its upward trend, moving up a place from last year and ranked No. 16 overall in the Midwest regional universities category.

��-Dearborn is also the highest-ranking regional public university in Michigan on the list of “Top Performers on Social Mobility,” and ranked 12th overall among regional universities in the Midwest, moving up a spot from last year. This list includes colleges that are successful at advancing social mobility by enrolling and graduating large proportions of Pell Grant eligible students and financially supporting these students during their collegiate journey.

The university is also a top school for veterans. It’s No. 1 on the “Best College for Veterans” list among regional public universities in Michigan. Among all Midwest regional universities, ��-Dearborn placed fifth overall. Criteria for the designation include being GI Bill-certified and participating in the Yellow Ribbon Program. In addition, ��-Dearborn provides structure for incoming Dearborn Wolverines who have served, has veterans-based programming and is active in veteran-supporting activities throughout the community. For example, ��-Dearborn’s student veterans and Veteran Affairs Coordinator Tom Pitock are instrumental in U-M Athletics Veterans of the Game program.

In college-specific listings, U.S. News recognized ��-Dearborn’s undergraduate business, computer science, engineering and psychology programs.

The College of Business’ undergraduate business program is ranked fourth in the state. This is the 16th consecutive year it’s appeared on the list. The College of Engineering and Computer Science has two programs on the list: both the ABET-accredited undergraduate engineering program and the computer science undergraduate degree program rank fifth in Michigan. The College of Arts, Sciences and Letters’ undergraduate psychology program placed fifth among public universities in the state.

U.S. News and World Report’s rankings are based on data on indicators of academic excellence, including first-year retention rate, graduation rate and strength of faculty.

The complete 2025 rankings appear in the magazine’s annual guidebook to “America’s Best Colleges.”

Story by Sarah Tuxbury

Awards

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Mon, 09/23/2024 - 16:02

Among the accolades: No. 1 regional public university in the state and a top university for veterans and for students looking to move up the economic ladder.

Students work on a computer science project in Professor Bruce Maxim's class.

��-Dearborn earns nationwide recognition for exceptional mathematics program

stuxbury — Mon, 10 Jun 2024 16:40:46 +0000

��-Dearborn earns nationwide recognition for exceptional mathematics program stuxbury Mon, 06/10/2024 - 12:40

There is only one collegiate math program in the state that’s accredited by America's two leading actuarial societies — and it’s right here at ��-Dearborn.

The ��-Dearborn Actuarial Mathematics program — a campus major that has a core curriculum of mathematics, statistics, economics and finance courses — earned the seal of approval from the Casualty Actuarial Society and the Society of Actuaries, acknowledging it as a strategically designed program that actively guides students towards attaining the qualifications of an actuary associate.

Mathematics Associate Professor Mike Dabkowski

The campus’ actuarial mathematics major, which had SOA recognition for years, earned the CAS University Recognition Program honor in May, which evaluates universities around the world. Other institutions on the 2024 CAS list include Penn State, Temple University, University of New South Wales Sydney, Boston University, University of Toronto and Arizona State.

Mathematics Associate Professor Mike Dabkowski said this is an important milestone for the university. “There are two major career pathways in actuarial science and now we are officially recognized for having an exceptional program and being student-centered for both,” he said, noting the CAS path focuses exclusively on property and casualty risks; the SOA path focuses on life insurance, health insurance, pensions and retirement. “The mission of the university is to give our students the tools and skills they need to succeed after graduation. This is the seal of approval to say we are doing just that.”

The accolades sound great — but what does an actuary actually do? Dabkowski described the position as providing a safety net for an organization. Actuaries assess financial risks in various sectors, such as insurance, investments, pensions and environmental sustainability, and they develop models to predict and manage future events, even under uncertain circumstances. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, it’s a great job to have. The median pay for actuaries is $120,000 per year, and employment of actuaries is projected to grow 23% by the end of the decade, much faster than the average for all occupations.

This credential, which lists ��-Dearborn at the bronze tier, gives students access to CAS exam resources, provides avenues for actuarial conference attendance, shares job opportunities and more. Mathematics Associate Professor Mahesh Agarwal — who said the university was evaluated based on course topics, faculty involvement with CAS, student achievement and exam prep — said the university is already striving for silver.

Mathematics Associate Professor Mahesh Agarwal

“Our strength is that we are a small program with individualized attention that combines the resources of U-M,” said Agarwal, who mentioned that Dearborn Wolverines attend the ��-Ann Arbor Actuarial Career Expo, which attracts large companies from around the world. “It is wonderful to have organizations vouching for the quality of our program. But, for the CAS recognition, we are not stopping at bronze level. We are getting more alumni engaged and students are forming an actuarial society on campus. We are actively progressing and working towards fulfilling the criteria for the silver designation. We view achieving the bronze level as an initial milestone in our journey.”

Prep for actuarial exams in part of the evaluation. And exams are not easy, Agarwal said. On average, the effective pass rate for the first actuarial exam is 46%. ��-Dearborn's first exam pass rate is 20-plus percentage points higher at 67%.

Alum Autumn Tashman, Class of 2023, passed both the first exam (probability) and the second one (financial mathematics) on the first try while she was a student. “To help me understand the concepts, Professor Dabkowski and Professor Agarwal began twice weekly study sessions with me six months prior to taking the first exam,” said Tashman, who went the CAS route for her career. “They even reached out to me right before the exam to help me calm down — I was so stressed — and I think that helped me have better focus.”

Autumn Tashman

Tashman is now an associate actuarial analyst at Ally Financial in Detroit. She heard about Ally Financial job opportunities through the ��-Ann Arbor Actuarial Career Expo, which she learned about from her ��-Dearborn professors. She’s currently preparing for her next exam — and even though she is no longer a student, Dabkowski met with her over Zoom last week to do a material overview. “The professors I’ve had at ��-Dearborn are the best and I credit them for where I am today,” she said.

Have questions about the actuarial science career field or the program? Dabkowski and Agerwal said they look forward to talking with parents, prospective students and anyone who would like more information. You can reach them at mkagarwa@umich.edu and mgdabkow@umich.edu. Learn more about the CAS University Recognition Program.

Story by Sarah Tuxbury.

Awards

Mathematics and Statistics

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Mon, 06/10/2024 - 16:40

The formula of active learning, dedicated professors and student success leads to a new actuarial science society honor.

Students in the actuarial math program brainstorm solutions together. Photo/Julianne Lindsey

COB, CECS online programs among top in the country

lblouin — Wed, 07 Feb 2024 17:49:37 +0000

COB, CECS online programs among top in the country lblouin Wed, 02/07/2024 - 12:49

Earlier this academic year, U.S. News & World Report released their annual guide to American colleges and universities and ranked ��-Dearborn among the best in the Midwest — listed as the No. 2 regional public university.

In rankings released Wednesday, U.S. News again included ��-Dearborn in their rankings of more than 1,600 online programs.

The College of Business’ online MBA and online master’s in business programs (excluding MBA) and the College of Engineering & Computer Science’s online master’s in Information Systems and Technology were named among the best. Curious about the methodology? U.S. News explains it.

CECS’ online graduate degree in Information Systems and Technology is the second-ranked program in Michigan and No. 44 overall.

COB also ranked as second in the state and No. 68 overall on the list of Best Online Master’s in Business Programs. This isn't the first time this academic year that COB programs have been recognized. In fall 2023, Poets&Quants, a leading online publication for business education news, ranked the online MBA as No. 28 in the United States — second in Michigan, only behind ��-Ann Arbor’s Ross School of Business — and called ��-Dearborn’s program a Best Online MBA Program of 2024. Poets&Quants also named COB a Best Undergraduate Business School for 2024.

COB’s online MBA program — ranked in the No. 3 spot in Michigan on U.S. News and World Report's Best Online MBA Programs list — is also recognized on the top program for veterans list, which showcases universities that make pursuing a college education more affordable for veterans and active-duty service members.

In the fall, U.S. News named ��-Dearborn as the No. 1 in the state on the “Best College for Veterans” list among regional public universities. Criteria for the designation include being GI Bill-certified and participating in the Yellow Ribbon Program. In addition, ��-Dearborn has veterans-based programming and provides structure for incoming Dearborn Wolverines who have served.

###

If you are a service member or veteran interested in learning about the campus or degree programs, contact Veterans Affairs Coordinator Tom Pitock. Article by Sarah Tuxbury.

Online Learning

COB Graduate Programs

Computer and Information Science

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Wed, 02/07/2024 - 17:01

U.S. News & World Report’s rankings include ��-Dearborn’s outstanding online programs and ranks campus’ MBA as a top graduate program for veterans.

A graduate student presents in the Bloomberg Lab, one of the College of Business' flagship facilities. Photo by Julianne Lindsey

Celebrating diversity, mentorship and the Class of Fall 2023

stuxbury — Sat, 16 Dec 2023 21:51:57 +0000

Celebrating diversity, mentorship and the Class of Fall 2023 stuxbury Sat, 12/16/2023 - 16:51

��-Dearborn alum and Class of Fall 2023 keynote speaker Bill Anaya has 25-plus years of global government relations experience that’s given him the opportunity to travel the world, build relationships and grow his cultural knowledge.

The 1993 College of Arts, Sciences and Letters graduate worked in the White House, with the Alibaba Group and for Motorola. He’s currently the vice president of global government affairs for Coupang, a major e-commerce company that Fortune magazine called the “Amazon of Asia.”

Addressing the Fall ’23 graduates, Anaya says he credits this path to an alma mater they now share: ��-Dearborn. The university awarded 684 degrees to the newest Dearborn Wolverine alums during commencement ceremonies on Dec. 16. The morning ceremony recognized graduates of the College of Arts, Sciences and Letters and the College of Business. The afternoon ceremony celebrated graduates of the College of Education, Health and Human Services and the College of Engineering and Computer Science.

Read Anaya's keynote address here.

“This place bet on me 34-and-a-half years ago — a childhood janitor with Latino roots and limited resources,” said Anaya, who, as a high school student, was selected to receive the Chancellor’s Scholarship. He was able to share that news with family before his father’s passing from cancer.

“Because of ��-Dearborn’s decision to grant a full academic scholarship to me, I would be able to earn an otherwise unobtainable world-class education and so much more,” Anaya told the graduates.

Listening to Anaya share his experiences as a hard-working, first-generation student from an underrepresented community, some of the graduates nodded their heads in recognition. The ��-Dearborn student body, according to Fall 2023 data, is 47% first-generation and 46% Pell-eligible.

Anaya also spoke about the ways ��-Dearborn shaped his life through mentors, dedicated professors like Political Science Professor Emeritus Helen Graves, internships and overall support.

Chancellor Domenico Grasso praised Bill Anaya, a 1993 alum who delivered the keynote address, for his remarks to the Class of Fall 2023.

“These internships and caring leaders made all the difference in my life,” he said. “And Dearborn was at the heart of it all. Always training me, always propelling me, always encouraging me. Always making my life and circumstances different.”

Student speaker Nour Haj Salem, a Computer Engineering and Computer Science graduate student from Tunisia, said she’s thankful to have earned a ��-Dearborn degree and to learn from the opportunities that came with it.

“Inspired by my grandfather's wise words, ‘eli bela fi haja ydirha,’ which means, ‘if you truly desire something, you must do what it takes to achieve it,’ I became the first in my family to venture alone to the U.S. for graduate studies,” Haj Salem said. While at ��-Dearborn, she completed an internship at CBRE as a software engineer. She also worked as a research assistant studying machine learning with Assistant Professor of Computer and Information Science Foyzul Hassan.

“Let us take a moment to express our deepest gratitude to the professors, mentors and all the dedicated staff who have been our guiding lights,” she said. “Their support, patience and wisdom have been crucial to our success.”

Haj Salem also talked about the welcoming atmosphere she experienced at ��-Dearborn when she traveled 5,000 miles from Tunisia to attend grad school in the U.S. She said the diversity on campus, the halal food offered in the Renick University Center’s McKinley Cafe and volunteer-based public engagement opportunities reflect the community she chose to study within.

Student speaker Nour Haj Salem congratulated the Class of Fall 2023, while also welcoming her family to the U.S. They traveled from Tunisia to see her graduate.

“Being part of this university is a source of pride, as we embrace and celebrate our differences together,” she said. “Looking ahead, this experience will guide our future work. We'll carry teamwork, empathy and the appreciation of diversity into our careers.”

The university’s commitment to both inclusion and practice-based learning was on full display at the ceremony, with the debut of new name-reading software developed by Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering Hafiz Malik and four of his CECS graduate students. The software allowed students – or, if they chose, partners, parents or even their kids – to record their names exactly how they should be pronounced. As each student walked across the stage, one of Malik’s students scanned a card featuring a QR code, which triggered the system to play the graduate’s audio recording and display their name on the big screen.

Professor Hafiz Malik, center and taking a bow, and his CECS graduate students debuted a new name-reading software at the Dec. 16 commencement ceremonies.

After the last name was announced, rows of students waited for the moment to turn the tassel and make it official. Chancellor Domenico Grasso then announced it was time to stand up, move it from the right to the left of their mortar boards and celebrate.

“I welcome you to the society of learned men and women and to the pantheon of distinguished Michigan alumni — more than 670,000 strong who have shaped and defined the world in which we live — now it is your turn,” Grasso said. “I wish you every good fortune and success.”

Earlier, as Anaya congratulated the graduates on this milestone, he said he’s looking forward to the difference they will make in their chosen fields and the world. He encouraged them to combine their education with the lessons gained through their challenges and perseverance.

“For yourself and for someone you see around you during your career, get in the business of transport — from disadvantage to fulfillment. Be a center of gravity around that idea,” he said. “Make your approach contagious and part of the DNA of any organization where you are now or where you will be. Provide the special brand of care, the Dearborn brand of care.”

See more photos of the big day or watch the recorded ceremonies on YouTube and Facebook.

Article by Sarah Tuxbury.

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Sat, 12/16/2023 - 21:40

The university awarded 684 degrees to the newest Dearborn Wolverine alums during the commencement ceremonies on Dec. 16.

Class of Fall 2023 graduate Brianna Bryant, a first-generation college student, celebrates on the graduation stage. Photos by Shannon Schultz/Michigan Photography

HLC report: ��-Dearborn educates students to meet 21st-century challenges

stuxbury — Mon, 11 Dec 2023 16:59:28 +0000

HLC report: ��-Dearborn educates students to meet 21st-century challenges stuxbury Mon, 12/11/2023 - 11:59

For the first time in known university history, the Higher Learning Commission says ��-Dearborn met or exceeded all criteria for reaccreditation without any additional steps needed. HLC is a federally recognized agency that conducts a comprehensive evaluation of academic institutions.

The final report, which was shared with the ��-Dearborn HLC Core Committee in late November, is expected to be approved at a 2024 Institutional Actions Council meeting. ��-Dearborn will be up for reaccreditation again in 2033.

The review findings were based on extensive documentation, interviews with members of the university community, and in-person conversations with stakeholders across the campus.

“We’ve been accredited through HLC since 1970. If all goes well, there’s a 10-year period before an institution is reevaluated. To my knowledge, this full clean bill of health is the first time it has happened here,” says Associate Provost for Undergraduate Programs and Integrative Learning Mitchel Sollenberger, who led the university’s reaccreditation process. “We’ve always done great things, but much of the strategy or documentation HLC wanted on those earlier visits was non-existent. Looking back through the paper archive in the Provost’s office, we’ve always had additional steps to do. For example, in 1993, we needed to write yearly reports to HLC as a stipulation to maintain accreditation.”

So what changed? Sollenberger, who’s been on the HLC preparation team since the 2013 HLC visit, says faculty and staff have put systems and processes in place over the past decade to capture data, assess programs and document outcomes. “We’ve had many people make great efforts to improve processes even in the face of less-than-ideal circumstances like budgetary constraints, the pandemic and more. Their work helped us get to this point,” he says. “I want to say thank you.”

Also, the HLC reviewers noted that the university went through an intensive strategic planning process starting in 2018. The 60-page final HLC report notes that ��-Dearborn’s direction is guided by the GO BLUEprint for Success Strategic Plan, a university-wide initiative that began with a strength and weakness situational analysis.

While on campus this November, HLC reviewers noticed students building rockets and cars for competitions. They also saw faculty members, assisted by students, working on a variety of research projects. And they talked to students, staff and faculty about community-engaged courses. “The curriculum and co-curriculum at ��-Dearborn educate students to meet 21st-century challenges,” the report states.

HLC reviewers were also impressed by the dedication of faculty and staff to ��-Dearborn’s mission of excellence in teaching, learning, research and scholarship, as well as access, affordability and community impact.

Reviewers singled out the strong culture of community and mutual respect on campus as well. “Caring for everyone in the campus community is central to ��-Dearborn's mission and it was clear from meetings with administration, faculty, staff, and students that they take this very seriously.” One reviewer, when reflecting on the intentional work done to support underserved and underrepresented students, even told administrators that they would like to work at ��-Dearborn.

To demonstrate how ��-Dearborn outcomes match the mission, the HLC report includes these numbers:

Due to a financial aid model based on need rather than merit, 90% of students have their financial needs met with no more than $2,000 in loans or work study
The four-year completion rate has increased from 22% to 37% in the last four years
24% of faculty received external research funding, and from 2018 to 2022, ��-Dearborn's faculty research awards more than doubled with the federal component rising from 35% to 65%

Director of Academic Success Jess LaGrange, who was on ��-Dearborn’s HLC Core Committee, says she is grateful that an external accreditation agency sees how the campus community works tirelessly to do what’s best for ��-Dearborn students.

The work referenced in the report includes the SURE program, Wolverine Mentor Collective, PALS, Salesforce, transparent financial practices, Degree Works, Dearborn Discovery Core, the START office, career coaching, accessible study abroad opportunities, Dearborn Support, project-based learning courses, the Campus Climate Survey and more.

“We are doing so much that every day can feel like a sprint. We often don’t have the time to stop and take stock of the great things we are doing,” LaGrange says. “So it is nice to have HLC come in and say, ‘Wow, you are doing a lot of amazing work and here is the impact of these great things. Keep it up. What you are doing matters.’”

HLC Coordination Team members are Sollenberger, LaGrange, Assistant Dean for Assessment and Accreditation Susan Everett, Financial Services Director Noel Hornbacher, Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness Director Rick Michalski and History Professor Pam Pennock. For helping get the systems needed in place, Sollenberger also would like to thank retired provost Kate Davy and former CEHHS associate dean Laura Reynolds.

Article by Sarah Tuxbury

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Mon, 12/11/2023 - 16:58

For the first time in known university history, the Higher Learning Commission says ��-Dearborn met or exceeded all criteria for reaccreditation without any additional steps needed.

Meet the COB and CASL Dean’s Medallion recipients for Fall 2023

lblouin — Wed, 29 Nov 2023 17:57:32 +0000

Meet the COB and CASL Dean’s Medallion recipients for Fall 2023 lblouin Wed, 11/29/2023 - 12:57

��-Dearborn is honoring the Class of Fall 2023’s leaders and best with 12 medallion awards. Chosen by faculty from their respective colleges, outstanding graduates are recognized with a Dean’s Medallion or a Chancellor’s Medallion. Three medallion recipients are awarded per college with one of those students receiving the Chancellor’s Medallion. Students will be honored at the Dec. 16 Commencement ceremonies. Here are ��-Dearborn’s College of Arts, Sciences and Letters and the College of Business recipients. The awardees from the College of Engineering and Computer Science and the College of Education, Health and Human Services — including the Chancellor’s Medallion winner, who is a CEHHS Class of 2023 graduate — were profiled in a story on Tuesday.

Dean’s Medallion recipients

Samuel G. Caruso
College of Arts, Sciences and Letters

Samuel G. Caruso is receiving a Bachelor of Arts in history and political science. With a focus on public policy and voting, Caruso served as a Turn Up, Turn Out research assistant at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor and he earned a finalist spot in the 2022 ��-Dearborn Policy Pitch competition. Caruso has been heavily involved in campus activities, including serving as president of the Political Science Association.

His extensive civic engagement includes a stint at the Montgomery County Board of Elections in Dayton, Ohio, where he participated in operations for a special election. Simultaneously, Caruso held a successful fellowship at the Campus Vote Project, where he organized educational events and voter registration drives.

Caruso was a congressional intern for the U.S. House of Representatives’ 10th District and assisted with casework, Congressional Record statements and more. He significantly contributed to the 2020 Democratic Primary in Webster City, Iowa, and as an elected delegate for Ohio's 10th Congressional District.

The 2022 ��-Dearborn Difference Maker further immersed himself in social issues during his summer job at Etgar 36 in Atlanta, organizing a civil rights and social justice trip across the country. Caruso’s initiative and drive are also evident in various projects, including a TEDx talk on youth activism and an article in The Politic — Yale University’s undergraduate journal of politics and culture — about organizing Ohio’s largest March for Our Lives rally.

Caruso plans a career in public affairs, social justice and advocacy, with the goal of influencing policy. He intends to gain nonprofit experience and later pursue graduate studies.

Emily Leich
College of Arts, Sciences and Letters

Emily Leich is completing her Bachelor of Science degree in physics with a mathematics minor. Leich has a passion for science and volunteered to participate in undergraduate research in applied physics, which later led to an independent study. Her undergraduate research was conducted under the mentorship of Associate Professor of Physics Nicolas Licata and involved computational biophysics research on statistical measures for molecular motor transport.

She exhibited leadership on campus through her work as a part-time student staff member of the Physical Science Dispensary, preparing chemical solutions to support the various teaching laboratories in Natural Sciences. Staff who worked with Leich noted her great sense of humor as well as her diligence in preparing solutions.

Leich was the recipient of the William J. Branstrom Freshman Prize in 2021 and, in 2023, was chosen as the top student in physics, earning the distinction of Physics Honors Scholar.

She was awarded two paid summer internships at the Ann Arbor company KBR in 2022 and 2023, conducting scientific computing analyses for radar and optics. They offered her a full-time position as a systems engineer upon graduation.

Leich plans to attend graduate school for a master’s in applied physics while working at KBR, which will contribute toward her graduate degree program. Her future goals also include earning a Ph.D. in physics and founding her own research lab.

Kylie Martin
College of Arts, Sciences and Letters

Kylie Martin is receiving a Bachelor of Arts in journalism and screen studies, with a concentration in journalism and a minor in biological sciences. Martin has demonstrated leadership at The Michigan Journal, advancing from a staff writer to Student Life section editor and finally to editor-in-chief. Her journalism and storytelling skills earned her an internship on the breaking news desk at the Detroit Free Press, where she published more than 50 articles in her first four months.

Martin also participated in the Experience+ Digital Storytelling initiative on campus with a story about growing up as a military kid. She presented her story at the 11th International Digital Storytelling Conference in Baltimore and Washington, D.C., where she received a standing ovation. She also served as a digital storytelling mentor in the program.

She worked as a study abroad marketing assistant for ��-Dearborn's study abroad program and participated in the Dearborn Discovery Core Study Abroad program in Gdansk, Poland, in summer 2022.

Following graduation, Martin would like to study as a Fulbright Scholar in Spain, where she could help teach English to children. She plans to keep pursuing her passion for journalism by continuing her career at the Detroit Free Press or other large news publications.

Sofia Cueva
College of Business

Sofia Cueva is earning a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting. Cueva, an inaugural member of ��-Dearborn’s women’s golf team, sought to get as much experience in the accounting field as she could while balancing her classes and athletics.

She had four different internships in accounts payable, tax and auditing and worked with accounting employers such as Yeo & Yeo, Grant Thornton and Rehmann.

Cueva is an exceptional athlete, placing first in the Aquinas Invitational in 2021 — a first in the short history of the women’s golf program — and placed in the top 10 in numerous events. In addition to her role on the team, Cueva was the golf representative for the Student Athlete Advisory Committee. She also volunteers as a golf coach and she served as a tax volunteer with the Accounting Aid Society.

Cueva received several scholarships, including the Metropolitan Scholarship, the Richard M. Haddrill Scholarship and the Tax Executives Institute Scholarship. After graduation, Cueva will join Grant Thornton as an audit associate. She also will continue her studies to earn her CPA.

Jonathon Davis
College of Business

Jonathon Davis is completing a Bachelor of Business Administration, majoring in supply chain management. Davis has had a long road to reaching his goal of graduating with his bachelor's degree. In the winter of 2004, he underwent a routine neck surgery to increase the range of motion in his neck. The surgery took an unfortunate turn and resulted in Davis becoming a quadriplegic, requiring the use of a powered wheelchair. This limited his ability to pursue further education at that time.

In 2019, Davis started his career at Schoolcraft College before transferring to ��-Dearborn for its top education and accessibility services for his physical needs. When Davis transferred, he received the Phi Theta Kappa Transfer Scholarship.

Active on campus, Davis has been a member of the Supply Chain Association and represented ��-Dearborn at the National Undergraduate Supply Chain Case Competition at the University of Minnesota in 2023, where he presented in front of business leaders from corporations such as Target, 3M, Medtronic and Best Buy.

After graduation, Davis wants to make an impact in the supply chain field and eventually pursue a master's degree. He hopes to remain active with the university, assisting students with preparation for future case competitions.

Sonia Narsey
College of Business
Sonia Narsey is earning a Bachelor of Business Administration in information systems management. Narsey was the recipient of the Tarik S. Daoud Management Scholarship, the Victor J. Streeter Scholarship and the Information Systems Management Scholarship.

Not only is Narsey an academic standout, she’s also a mentor and problem solver. She volunteered to speak with first-year COB students in the Business Foundations course, offering tips for success and ways to navigate life at the College of Business. She also worked as a student grader for multiple COB classes and instructors, and went above and beyond to provide support when an instructor had to modify a course because of health issues.

Narsey completed an internship at Ernst & Young as a technology risk consulting intern, where she assisted on multiple IT audits for clients in various industries.

Narsey accepted a full-time position as a technology risk consultant at Ernst & Young following graduation. She plans to pursue a Master of Science in information systems degree at ��-Dearborn, with a long-term goal to earn Certified Information Systems Auditor certification.

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Wed, 11/29/2023 - 17:57

Top ��-Dearborn graduates are honored for academics and impressive records of service.

Finding solutions through math and mentoring

stuxbury — Mon, 17 Jul 2023 17:20:56 +0000

Finding solutions through math and mentoring stuxbury Mon, 07/17/2023 - 13:20

In the medical field, mathematics is essential to understanding outcomes. There’s modeling when it comes to predicting the success rate of treatment, dosage in prescriptions, mathematical functions in CT scans and X-rays and more.

��-Dearborn senior Louisa Hoback wants to work in a medical-focused field to make a difference in people’s lives. At first, she studied chemistry. Then, after taking time off in college to focus on her own medical concerns, she returned to campus and took mathematics courses to fulfill a few degree requirements. That’s when Hoback’s career goals started to come into focus.

“It’s very interesting how many mathematical applications there are in biology, chemistry and biochemistry,” said Hoback, an Allen Park resident who is majoring in mathematics and minoring in chemistry. “Until I took those classes, I didn’t know the extent that math was involved. But once I realized it, I was excited to learn more.” Noticing Hoback’s work ethic and natural ability with numbers, two of her mathematics professors, Yulia Hristova and Aditya Viswanathan, encouraged her to work with them on a research project that — in simple terms — looks at reducing the distortion and improving the clarity of medical imaging results. She spent the last year working as a teaching assistant and research assistant.

To gain even more research experience with math, Hoback recently attended a prestigious undergraduate program where she worked on projects with other exceptional students from across the country.

As part of the eight-week ��-Dearborn Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) in Mathematical Analysis and Applications,19 student participants worked with ��-Dearborn faculty mentors on a variety of mathematics research projects. Involved ��-Dearborn faculty include John Clifford, Yulia Hristova, Keshav Pokhrel, Aditya Viswanathan, Alan Wiggins, Tian An Wong and Yunus Zeytuncu. The ��-Dearborn REU program concluded Friday, July 14, with a regional REU conference hosted on campus. CASL Dean Dagmar Budikova welcomed the crowd that included student researchers from Harvard University, Stanford University, University of California-Berkeley and more.

Mathematics Professor Zeytuncu, who initiated the ��-Dearborn REU a decade ago with Associate Professor Hyejin Kim, said the Dearborn REU — which is funded by the National Science Foundation and National Security Agency — has grown significantly. “With us hosting a site, Dearborn students have an opportunity to take part in an REU on their campus each summer.”

Each student admitted to the REU program received a stipend, room and board near campus, and an expanded professional network of mentors and peers. In addition to ��-Dearborn’s Hoback, this summer’s program hosted students from Stanford, University of Pennsylvania, University of Chicago, ��-Ann Arbor and others. For more information about the ��-Dearborn REU program, contact Yunus Zeytuncu.

Hoback, who graduates in the fall and is exploring graduate school options, said the REU experience went beyond networking and research. She said it was also a masterclass in team collaboration and in presenting complicated information — and that while her REU project focused on abstract number theory, the experience illuminated the connections between various areas of mathematics. Hoback said she’s grateful for the opportunity to attend the program — and to all the ��-Dearborn professors who have shaped her journey so far.

“I recommend doing research and the REU program to any math student who wants to broaden their horizons. I’d say the same about someone who is considering ��-Dearborn,” Hoback said. “I chose ��-Dearborn because I wanted a close-to-home university. I liked that it was U-M, but with class sizes where I could personally connect with my professors. Because my professors got to know me and reached out with opportunities, I’ve had experiences that help me better understand how I can improve processes in the medical field and be successful in my future career.”

Article by Sarah Tuxbury.

Mathematics and Statistics

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Mon, 07/17/2023 - 17:20

Students from across the nation — including Dearborn Wolverine Louisa Hoback — worked with ��-Dearborn faculty mentors during the campus’ Research Experiences for Undergraduates in Mathematical Analysis and Applications program.

Honored for Excellence

stuxbury — Mon, 17 Apr 2023 16:49:21 +0000

Honored for Excellence stuxbury Mon, 04/17/2023 - 12:49

Each semester, ��-Dearborn honors a very select group of students with a Medallion Award. Chosen by faculty from their respective colleges, graduates are recognized for their outstanding quality of character, intellect, integrity and academic record.

Three Medallion awards are given per college — with one of those students selected to receive the Chancellor’s Medallion. These students will be recognized during the April 30 commencement celebrations.

Here are the College of Arts, Sciences, & Letters and the College of Education, Health, & Human Services recipients.

The awardees from the College of Business and College of Engineering & Computer Sciences — a CECS grad earned the Chancellor’s Medallion this semester — are listed here.

Diana Nichols, College of Arts, Sciences, and Letters

Diana Nichols is receiving her Bachelor of Science in chemistry and received university honors in Fall 2019. During her time at ��-Dearborn, she had an exceptional presence in the classroom and on campus, where she actively pursued various undergraduate research opportunities.

Diana received the 2022 SURE Best Poster award for her research on the synthesis and characterization of B2 vitamin derivatives with applications in vitamin deficiency detection. Diana worked with Chemistry Associate Professor Simona Marincean on the project and presented the results of this research at the Spring 2022 American Chemical Society National Meeting and at the 2022 Central American Chemical Society Regional Meeting. She is currently working on a first-authored manuscript from the research and plans to submit it for peer review.

Diana’s engagement on campus extends beyond the classroom. As a nontraditional student who transferred to the university in 2019, Diana subsequently became the president of ��-Dearborn’s Chemistry Club. In this role, Diana coordinated numerous activities for Dearborn Wolverines.

Diana was accepted into multiple graduate schools for chemistry and will enter the University of Michigan’s organic chemistry doctorate program in the fall.

Elizabeth O’Hotzke, College of Arts, Sciences, and Letters

Elizabeth O’Hotzke is receiving a Bachelor of Science in behavioral and biological sciences with a minor in psychology and a certificate in writing. She received university honors four times and was named to the Dean’s List from Fall 2019 through Fall 2022. In addition, Elizabeth is a two-time James B. Angell Scholar, was awarded the William J. Branstrom Prize in 2020, and is this year’s behavioral and biological sciences Honors Scholar.

Elizabeth excelled in challenging courses ranging from organic chemistry and microbiology to cognitive psychology, ethics in research and medical anthropology. She has served as a consultant with ��-Dearborn’s Writing Center and as a supplemental instruction leader for several courses.

Complementing her academic achievements, Elizabeth is actively engaged in student life and volunteer work, both on and off campus. A participant in Alternative Spring Break since her first year on campus, Elizabeth has served as the ASB executive board education and training coordinator since Fall 2021. She has been on two community service trips, where she helped address literacy needs and food insecurity. Elizabeth is an active member of Detroit Catholic Campus Ministry, serving as organization president since 2021. Over the past three years, Elizabeth has participated in numerous tutoring and educational outreach opportunities in Dearborn and Detroit, including volunteering as a middle school math tutor. She is also a volunteer assistant junior varsity softball coach at Manchester High School, her former school.

Elizabeth has been described as an exceptional student and has been praised as being at the top of her class by numerous professors. Upon graduation, Elizabeth plans to pursue a career in the health professions.

Richard Tharrett, College of Arts, Sciences, and Letters

Richard Tharrett is receiving his Bachelor of Arts with a double major in political science and journalism and media. He was awarded the Maxwell Gray Film Fellowship through the University of Michigan Eisenberg Family Depression Center, where he directed original videos and worked alongside therapists and other professionals in the field to promote mental health.

Last year, Richard won first place in ��-Dearborn’s writing awards for his documentary film “Second Chance,” which shares the experience of a formerly incarcerated man who served nearly 40 years in prison. Richard also works for ��-Dearborn as a production assistant, producing campus videos and advising journalism students.

Currently, Richard is an intern in Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s communications department, where he works closely with the governor’s speechwriter to draft speeches, facilitate interviews and craft messages to address key problems facing the state of Michigan. Outside of school, Richard is a competitive unicyclist, a hobby and sport that has taken him across the world, most recently to France to serve as the director and chief judge of a competition at the world championships for unicycling in 2022.

After he graduates, Richard plans to pursue a career in multimedia journalism or communications in the public sector.

Katrina M. Chester, College of Education, Health, and Human Services

Katrina M. Chester is receiving her Bachelor of Arts in special education. She received university honors in 2023 and was named to the Dean’s List for five semesters.

For her elementary certification, Katrina student-taught in a second-grade general education classroom, an upper-elementary resource room, and a middle school special education classroom.

To help local students ages six through 11 who needed additional support in mathematics and language arts, Katrina was a volunteer tutor from December 2020 to June 2022. During student teaching, she also participated in the school’s Parent Teacher Association, assisting with Scholastic Book Fairs, holiday events and fundraisers.

Following graduation, Katrina plans to work in an elementary school resource room or a lower elementary general education classroom while pursuing her master’s in special education with an endorsement in autism.

Her hope is to one day work in a self-contained autism classroom, where she can advocate for students who can have such a wide range of abilities, and help others gain knowledge about inclusion efforts with neurodiverse students.

Yasmina Elmeligi, College of Education, Health, and Human Services

Yasmina Elmeligi is receiving her Bachelor of Arts in language arts. She received university honors in 2021 and 2023 and was named to the Dean’s List every semester since Winter 2019. She is a James B. Angell Scholar, a member of the national French honors society Pi Delta Phi and the recipient of a Spanish Honors award. During her ��-Dearborn career, she was awarded a Dean’s Scholarship, a Dearborn Dependent Scholarship and the James and MayBell Loeb Scholarship.

Through her studies, Yasmina participated in an action research capstone project where she tested two different best practices — graphic organizers and PowerPoint presentations — to determine which one is more equipped to increase student understanding and progress. She also completed training through the GLOBE program, which helped her obtain the background needed to lead a class in performing field and lab protocols.

On campus, she served as a tutor in French, Arabic and Spanish, and a lab assistant at the Kochoff Foreign Language Lab. In addition, she has provided tutoring at the language lab since 2019 and she worked as an office assistant in the Department of Language, Culture and the Arts from 2019 to 2022.

Yasmina has also been very active in campus groups. She has served as president of the French Club, the event coordinator of La Mezcla, and a member of the UNICEF Club, Active Minds, buildOn and the Arabic Club. As a member of the French Club, she helped in the co-sponsorship of buildOn’s first annual fundraising dinner.

Yasmina plans to pursue a master’s degree in educational leadership.Once she earns her graduate degree, she plans on working as an ESL coordinator or a classroom teacher.

Bianca Freeman, College of Education, Health, and Human Services

Bianca Freeman is receiving a Bachelor of Science in health and human services with a concentration in public health. She received university honors in 2022 and was named to the Dean’s List for eight semesters. She is the recipient of an Impact Opportunity Scholarship, the Go Blue Guarantee and a DTE E-Challenge Scholarship.

Bianca completed an internship with professors Natalie Sampson and Carmel Price on their research project, “U.S. Clean Air Act Title V Public Notices as Barriers to Environmental Justice: Lessons from a Plain Language Analysis,” for the Environmental Research-to-Action program. She presented the team’s preliminary findings at the 2022 American Public Health Association Conference.

In addition, Bianca is currently working on the DTE E-Challenge, helping to craft an energy savings plan for the ��-Dearborn campus. She also works on the All of Us study — a National Institutes of Health initiative that aims to build a diverse health database — at Henry Ford Health as a research recruitment specialist. In her role, Bianca informs people about Henry Ford Health’s ongoing research and why it is important.

Bianca volunteered in the Student Food Pantry for the Fall 2022 semester. Also, for one of her courses, she assisted with grant writing for the Concerned Residents of South Dearborn, a neighborhood association that focuses on social, economic and environmental concerns.

Bianca plans on pursuing a Master of Public Health degree. Before that, she will take a gap year to explore different public health career paths.

Off

Mon, 04/17/2023 - 16:47

Medallion awards are given to a select group of ��-Dearborn's top graduates — with one of those students receiving the Chancellor's Medallion. Here are the CASL and CEHHS recipients.

Through education, student plans to create a mental health support network 7,000 miles away

stuxbury — Wed, 22 Mar 2023 19:40:35 +0000

Through education, student plans to create a mental health support network 7,000 miles away stuxbury Wed, 03/22/2023 - 15:40

As a therapist in Pakistan, ��-Dearborn graduate student Haijira Baig connected homeless transgender people to nongovernmental organizations in an effort to get them access to housing, healthcare, education and community. She provided resources and support to married women in abusive homes. And she worked in a COVID isolation center providing care to sick people from the pandemic’s earliest days.

But Baig realized that she needed to broaden her credentials and connections to better help people in her rural Pakistani community.

“I was one of the pioneer therapists in my area who worked with people who had trauma and mental illness where getting help is stigmatized. I realized that I couldn’t reach the number of people that I wanted to reach, especially with the lack of resources available and the stigma people seeking help face,” she said. “We need health policies and intervention plans. So I wrote a proposal asking for the regional government (in Northern Pakistan) to consider putting counselors in schools and hospitals, so people can get treatment sooner. Mental health care can be prioritized and stigma can be reduced. But to do that, people need to see it as part of their everyday life. Access is essential, as is educating families and others on how to become a support network."

As a therapist, Hajira Baig spoke to people in Pakistan about COVID.

Realizing that a graduate degree and having global connections may help her move these changes forward, Baig researched graduate programs around the world and applied for a Fulbright Scholars Award, a prestigious grant that would help with tuition costs and support her research work.

Baig’s No. 1 choice for a grad degree? ��-Dearborn. She said the specialization in health psychology, the quality of faculty research and the support master’s students receive when conducting research caught her attention.

“Knowing how to properly conduct research and analyze the data gives more accurate outcomes,” said Baig, who received a two-year Fulbright Scholar Award. “I am passionate about research and finding answers to unexplored phenomena related to human behavior, but due to limited access and competent supervision I was not able to fulfill that dream. But at ��-Dearborn, my thesis adviser (Psychology Professor Pam McAuslan) sat down with me. She’s there every step of the process and taught me how to find articles, collect data, write academically and more.”

Also included in the process is learning how to publicly present research.

To sharpen her speaking skills and showcase her research, Baig participated in the 3-Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition on campus — and took first place.

The campus event, which took place March 9, was sponsored by the Office of Graduate Studies and the Office of Research. Baig will present her thesis at the Midwestern Association of Graduate Schools regional 3MT Competition at the end of March. The 3MT Competition, originally developed by The University of Queensland, cultivates academic, presentation and research communication skills with students presenting their work succinctly and in an easy-to-understand way. Baig’s research, “Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences on Post-Traumatic Growth Among Emerging Adults” explores effectiveness of coping mechanisms and strategies of young adults, including spirituality and religiosity. She recently finished data collection and will continue the work through the summer.

Three Minute Thesis Competition participants gave presentations in Kochoff Hall on March 9.

Baig said the public speaking opportunity also gave her experience presenting research in English, which is her fourth language.

Baig said if she wants to connect with American agencies, like the National Institutes of Health, or partner with English-speaking researchers, she needs to effectively communicate in the language. “I know I can write well in English, but I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to engage with a crowd and present my research in an easy-to-understand way, especially under the constraints of time,” she said. “Now that I’ve done that, I’ve seen a change in myself. I feel more confident.”

Knowing the power of education, Baig, who graduates April 30, plans to continue her psychology studies and pursue a Ph.D. Simultaneously, she’ll keep working toward her goal of having a mental health care infrastructure in Pakistan’s rural mountainous areas by working to make it standard for counselors to be placed in schools and hospitals.

Baig said she’s worked with Pakistan’s Ministry of National Health Services, Regulation and Coordination previously through her work as a therapist. As a mental health lead for the Gilgit, Pakistan local health board, Baig organized mental health awareness sessions. She also worked as a research psychologist for a nonprofit organization that focused on uplifting the rural communities near Gilgit, Baltistan and Citral in an effort to reduce poverty.

Baig knows the importance of strong support systems and guidance because she’s had examples in her own life. As a child, Baig saw how her grandfather, Hifz Ullah Baig, would listen to the concerns of the people in their Pakistani community and counsel them. He’d encourage Hajira Baig to sit with him and observe. “He wasn’t trained, but he had a gift for listening to people’s problems and helping them work through them,” Baig said. “I learned a lot about the power of being present and how vital it is for us to have supportive people in our lives.”

Baig said she’s had the goal of helping people since she was a child. She said her degree and the training she received at ��-Dearborn will help her make a difference more than 7,000 miles away: “This is about becoming a better version of myself so that I can help people become better versions of themselves by getting them access to the resources and care that they need. The dots are being connected and the things my grandfather and parents taught me are becoming a reality.”

Article by Sarah Tuxbury.

Graduate Research