SU Today

Thursday, June 22, 5:30–6:30 p.m.
Register here

Join an online faculty-led information session to learn more about the Student Development Administration degree and the different program options. 

Redhawks soccer coaches are providing an exclusive faculty and staff discount for summer youth soccer camps, held June 19-23 and July 10-14.  For a full day (9 a.m.-4 p.m.), use code SUSOCCER45 for a $45 discount. For a half day (9-noon; 1-4 p.m.), use SUSOCCER25 for $25 off. Camps are for all kids age 5-14.  

Learn more and register here

For questions or discounts on residential camp (July 9-12) or Goalkeeper/Striker Camp (July 14), please contact Rich Schreiner at rschrein@seattleu.edu. Go Redhawks! 

IT Services is updating the way names are displayed in Outlook and Teams. After June 25, you will see names displayed as “First Name Last Name,” instead of “Last Name, First Name.” If you do not see this change, restarting your computer, and signing out and signing back into Teams should clear your cache to update your view.

Human Resources is relocating from Rianna to SU's Columbia Building this month and will be fully remote from June 12-21. During that time, HR will still be available via e-mail, Teams and phone. HR is tentatively scheduled to have access to the new space as of June 22, 2023. If any changes to these scheduled dates occur, an updated announcement will be shared. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact HR. 

SU Staff and Faculty, 

Please RSVP for the event no later than 11:59 p.m., Thursday, June 8.

This count will help to ensure we have enough catering and staging materials for attendees. 

Thank you all! We can't wait to honor our staff next Friday, June 16, noon-1:30 p.m. at the Quad. Learn more at Celebration of Staff.

- Celebration of Staff Planning Committee Members

Molly Cullen, Senior Director for University Advising, shares the following:

We are excited to announce the official start of Academic Pathways Advising (formerly Pre-Major Studies). Academic Pathways Advising (APA) provides a landing place for all undeclared students – those who have not yet chosen a major, those who transition out of a declared major and students who have a specific major in mind but have yet to complete requirements to declare. As part of this shift, we are discontinuing use of the term “pre-major” and will instead refer to students who access advising in the APA as undeclared students. 

Academic Pathways Advising reflects a more expansive approach to advising around the different circumstances of undeclared students. All students served by APA will receive academic advising in the form of course planning and registration support until they declare a major and move into their new school or college. Additionally, the Academic Pathways advisors will provide academic coaching and opportunities for personal reflection around each undeclared students’ unique interests, goals, and personal strengths. 

Undeclared students who are advised by Academic Pathways Advising will not be formally affiliated to a school or college, giving them maximum flexibility for declaring a major. Pre-Business, Pre-Science and Pre-Engineering students will still be admitted into Albers School of Business and the College of Science and Engineering, respectively, as declared pre-program students.

To learn more, please visit Academic Pathways Advising.

The Shine Awards recognize outstanding student employees for their contributions to their teams and the university and for their leadership in professional formation, as well as supervisors and on-campus employers who provide opportunities and guide and mentor student employees in their personal and professional development.

Congratulations to the recipients below of this year's Shine Awards and thank you to all of our nominees for their outstanding work in Student Employment.

2023 Student Employee of the Year: Cullin Egge, '23 | Research Assistant, Matteo Ricci Institute | Spanish Subject Specialist: Tutor & Conversation Group Leader, Learning Assistance Programs

Exceptional Undergraduate Student Employee: Gracie Hiteshew '24 | Desk Coordinator at Chardin Hall, Housing & Residence Life

Exceptional Graduate Student Employee: Gabby Rios '24 | Graduate Assistant, Office of Multicultural Affairs

Supervisor of the Year: Dr. Ariana Mendible | Assistant Professor, Mathematics

Best Place to Work On Campus: Student Success & Outreach

2023 Shine Awards Nominees

• Kiarra Woodman
• Sophia Cofinas
• Natalie Galullo
• Breanne Coulthhard
• Andi Thomas Sanchez
• Katie Starobin
• Julieta Dentone
• Rei Valdez
• Fiona Griffiths Boston
• Vy Nguyen
• Catherine Smead
• Laurencia (Ren) Meyers
• Megan Okuma
• Hannah Twaddel
• Richard Bedats
• Lena Pham
• Vanesa Wie
• Mia Ayala-Marhsall
• Sofiya Koretskaya
• Abigail Berhane
• Grace Nguyen
• Jaymielee Cruz
• Jacob Parker
• Jordyn Correll
• Khadija Mohamed
• Madison Wisnewski
• Desiree Cenita
• Shirley Wang
• Zak Smith
• Ed Lawrence Hagape
• Nikki Bashaw
• Anh Huynh
• Jennifer Coogan
• Amy Lagerstrom
• Trace Seaton
• Jay Heitman
• Kiyana Higa
• Laurie Nilo
• Hayley Beaver
• JR Rabago
• Kimberly Gawlik
• Peter Larson
• Eric Simpson
• Michael Trice
• Dr. Shadrokh Samavi
• Alexis Grossnicklaus
• Valerie Fisher
• Whitney Wedge
• Robin Bjorkquist
• Mary Jayne Allen
• Amanda Paschall
• Hayley Beaver
• Chris Fiorello
• Hayley Beaver
• Jazz Scott
• AshLee Day
• Writing Center
• College of Arts and Sciences Advising Center
• UREC
• Office of Multicultural Affairs
• Office of the Registrar

The Office of Sponsored Projects values your input. Please complete this brief OSP end of year survey to help them identify what they’re doing right, where they can improve and inform decision-making around next year's scholarship development, grant-seeking and award management offerings. Thank you!

NPLR 5430: Fundraising and Philanthropy 

Take this opportunity to sample a course in the Master of Nonprofit Leadership program and receive graduate-level transferable credits*.   

Fundraising is essential to the work of the nonprofit sector and serves as a crucial link between donors and organizations. In this course, students will learn to analyze trends, assess opportunities, develop effective and ethical fundraising strategies, integrate fundraising into the larger strategic vision of the organization and inspire others to action.

This course is designed to provide you with a thorough foundation in both the principles and practices of fundraising, while also considering issues of social justice, racial equity, ethics and leadership. Through a series of discussions and assignments, you will have the opportunity to apply fundraising concepts, techniques and questions to a specific nonprofit organization and build inclusive and equitable fundraising practices. Upon completion of the course, you will be able to:  

• Foster and support a culture of philanthropy across an organization and its constituencies.  
• Demonstrate knowledge of ethical and effective fundraising strategies, practices, and frameworks, including opportunities and risks associated with each prospective channel.  
• Conduct an audit of an existing fundraising program to identify opportunities, resolve problems, and inform future planning.  
• Design fundraising strategy that supports an organization’s strategic goals. 

E-mail cgerman@seattleu.edu to apply and register. 

*Graduate-level tuition is $722 per credit.  

NPLR 5830: Leading Staff & Volunteers

Seattle University's Master of Nonprofit Leadership is offering this three-credit course* to nonmatriculated students. 

High-performance management of organizations and demands intensive development of human relations skills. Building these skills requires deep self-reflection on leaders’ identity and bias as well as an ability to critique existing systems and make change collaboratively to eliminate the impacts of bias, racism and other forces of oppression in their organizations.

This course teaches essential leadership, management and team skills through a combination of readings, self-reflective techniques, group problem-solving, discussion and casework.

Upon completion of the course, you will be able to:

• Build and support diverse and inclusive teams of staff and volunteers. 
• Assess yourself, your organization and team for practices and biases that inhibit high-functioning, inclusive and diverse teams. 
• Understand trends and best practices in Human Resources and how to start building better, more equitable practices.
• Develop reflective leadership skills and practices to position you to lead effectively through changing times.  

E-mail cgerman@seattleu.edu to apply and register. 

*Graduate level tuition is $722 per credit.  

A total of 27 awards were presented to student leaders, clubs and College of Arts and Sciences honorees at Seattle University’s 30th Annual Red Night Out Award Ceremony, which the Center for Student Involvement hosted on May 23.

The awardees have demonstrated to uphold the mission, vision and values of Seattle University within the campus and the community. Their hard work, commitment and accomplishments did not go unseen. In the presence of their peers, families, faculty and staff, the following students and groups were honored.

Sahil Bathija – University Mission Award for Academic Excellence
Cloë Poole – University Mission Award for Care 
Jaymielee Cruz – University Mission Award for Diversity 
Katie Starobin – University Mission Award for Faith 
Grace Nguyen – University Mission Award for Justice
Fiona Griffiths Boston – University Mission Award for Leadership 

THE SPIRIT OF SEATTLE U AWARD
Andi Thomas-Sanchez
Vy Nguyen 
Janae Theodore 

SAINT PETER FABER INTEGRITY AWARD
Carson Price 
Mary Tran 
Hui ‘O Nani Hawai’i Club – Campus Unity Award 
The American Sign Language Club – Student-Led Initiative Award 
Engineers for a Sustainable World – Lasting Impact Award 
Advocates for Migration Justice – Excellence in Service Award 

COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES
Cullin Egge – The Richard P. Hickey Award 
Abigail Dean – FR. William Le Roux, S.J. Leadership Award 
Ava B. Keating – Wallace Loh Academic Excellence Award 
Brandon Bledsoe – Leadership and Professional Engagement Award 
Adana Protonentis – Social Justice and Community Engagement Award 

DISTINGUISHED GRADUATING STUDENT AWARD
Gaby Rios
Braelyn Scheer 
Mashaal Shameem 
Zachary Smith 
Peter Vandeventer 

THE ARCHBISHOP RAYMOND G. HUNTHAUSEN AWARD
Supreet Sandhu – Undergraduate Student 
Marjan Atashkhayer Didra – Graduate Student  

As the Archbishop Raymond G. Hunthausen awardees, Supreet Sandhu and Marjan Atashkhayer Didra will be delivering the valedictorian speech during the Commencement Ceremony in June. 

Please join in continuing to celebrate these amazing students and change-makers! 

How do you get to Carnegie Hall?

Practice. Practice. Practice. Or.... simply register to sing with Dr. Leann Conley-Holcom, SU Director of Choral Activities, in a five-day choral residency next year! Dr. Conley-Holcom has been invited by MidAmerica Productions to appear as guest conductor on the historic Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage at Carnegie Hall on Memorial Day 2024, leading the New England Symphonic Ensemble and singers from across the country in Taylor Scott Davis’ Magnificat. This piece was recently premiered and recorded by the acclaimed Voces8. It's a stunning and very accessible piece of music—preview all five movements here.

Passionate choral singers are invited to participate, including SU faculty, staff, alumni and students. You will need to be able to learn the music on your own (practice tracks will be provided) and pay for the residency and travel. Participants will stay in a beautiful hotel within walking distance of Central Park and Times Square, enjoy social time together including a post-concert cruise around New York Harbor, and have a truly unforgettable musical experience on a historic stage. Interested? Contact Dr. Conley-Holcom at conleyholcol@seattleu.edu about the Oct. 1 registration deadline and more information.

Tuesday, June 20, 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m.
LeRoux Conference Center (STCN 160)
Lunch buffet provided
RSVP to the Community Luncheon here

As a show of gratitude, CEIE is hosting a community luncheon. There will be a raffle drawing: for all who attend the luncheon in person, CEIE will raffle five free tickets to the Parliament of the World’s Religions International Convening in Chicago, Aug. 13–18, marking the 130th anniversary of the first Parliament. (Tickets are normally $450.)

If you RSVP by Monday, June 12, you will also receive a free parking pass. Simply answer the question “Do you need a Parking Pass in order to attend?” on the Eventbrite invitation here.

Engage more with CEIE and its programs at the center’s website, the Religica Theolab website and The Interfaith Observer.

Listen to the podcast here. 

In response to Dr. Michael Trice’s question—“Is compassion a core value?”—Rev. Mia Baumgartner says, “As a society what do we want our kids to be? To go to school, be successful, get a job, go to college, learn stuff, and join the machine. We don’t have that same mantra for compassion.” 

Rev. Mia Baumgartner, CEIE Advisory Council Member, Manager of Spiritual Care & Wellbeing, and the Joy in the Workplace Project at University of Washington Medical Center, speaks with Spehar-Halligan Professor and CEIE Director Dr. Michael Trice, about the book Compassionomics: The Revolutionary Scientific Evidence That Caring Makes a Difference by Stephen Trzeciak and Anthony Mazzarelli. Baumgartner and Trice discuss compassion as more than empathy. Compassion is an art form, a practice, and leads to a longer and healthier life. It also helps with depression, anxiety and isolation.

Engage more with CEIE and its programs at the center’s website, the Religica Theolab website and The Interfaith Observer.

Monday, Jun. 5, 12:30-1:30 p.m.
Workshops are at limited capacity; RSVP and see more workshop information.

CDLI invites you to this information session/dialogue, which will provide a short introduction to ChatGPT and its strengths and shortcomings. The workshop will also offer guidance on how to develop acceptable use policies, use ChatGPT in the classroom and mitigate cheating.

Please contact Mafil Fabroquez Cho at mfcho@seattleu.edu with any questions.

June 9
Conference is free; register here

This year’s conference, which takes place June 9, explores innovation in legal services by taking a deep dive into the business models of two companies operating in the legal technology sector to aid those seeking legal services and to innovate in the delivery of legal services for business clients and deals. The conference also continues its familiar theme of innovation in the FinTech sector, this year with a focus on regulatory developments and the appropriate role for regulation and regulators, along with a look forward from the vantage point of what has been a newsworthy year for banking and crypto. Surrounded by these bookends, the middle of the conference posits diversity as key to innovation and explores that theme through two “fireside chats” with those who have written about their experiences in diversifying the technology field.

This year’s conference, which takes place June 9, explores innovation in legal services by taking a deep dive into the business models of two companies operating in the legal technology sector to aid those seeking legal services and to innovate in the delivery of legal services for business clients and deals. The conference also continues its familiar theme of innovation in the FinTech sector, this year with a focus on regulatory developments and the appropriate role for regulation and regulators, along with a look forward from the vantage point of what has been a newsworthy year for banking and crypto. Surrounded by these bookends, the middle of the conference posits diversity as key to innovation and explores that theme through two “fireside chats” with those who have written about their experiences in diversifying the technology field.

Friday, June 2, 5–7:30 p.m.
World Trade Center Seattle
2200 Alaskan Wy #410
RSVP required at HSBPC23.eventbrite.com

Four teams of Seattle University students will compete for the top prize of $20,000 at the 2023 Harriet Stephenson Business Plan Competition (HSBPC) finals. The finals are free and open to the public. Due to limited capacity at the venue, World Trade Center Seattle, interested attendees should RSVP to save their spot.

Jane is an exclusive telehealth platform meeting the unique healthcare needs of women experiencing breast cancer by leveraging technology and a non-traditional workforce to deliver accessible, personalized, high-quality and affordable care. Jane is envisioned to debut as a B2C telehealth app offering genetic counseling/testing, biopsy pathology review/education, breast cancer navigation, behavioral health services, nutrition, physical therapy and menopause care. Jane's co-founder and CEO is Heidi Dishneau, ARNP, LEMBA '23.

Oakmoss Laboratory Services provides laboratory setup services to junior research faculty, supporting them during the first critical year of their faculty position. Oakmoss aims to furnish multi-tiered, customized laboratory setups based on the junior faculty's research and budget needs, with setup completed in as little as six weeks. Founder Irina Muller, PhD, is an MBA student at Seattle University's Albers School of Business and Economics.

SmartDashAI is an AI-powered marketing assistant for small- to medium-sized businesses that lack marketing budget and expertise. The marketing assistant will utilize AI to offer tailored content creation, intelligent scheduling, strategic social media posting recommendations and marketing insights. SmartDash AI was co-founded by CEO/CTO Zachary Jeffreys, MSCS '23, and CSO/COO Robert Griffith.

SMER is developing a new technology to extend organ transplant viability and biological functions from 24 hours to months. The startup has established a fully functioning prototype with proof-of-concept results of human cell suspension and animal tissue. SMER is the brainchild of Shen Ren, PhD, assistant teaching professor at Seattle University's College of Engineering, and Vincent Reitinger, BSME '25 (pictured l, r above).

“For 25 years, the Harriet Stephenson Business Plan Competition has been the first testing ground for Seattle University students’ business ideas," said Peter Rowan, Executive Director of Seattle University's Innovation & Entrepreneurship Center which organizes the annual event. "This year’s finalist teams have some of the most innovative and creative solutions to today’s business challenges, and it has been a privilege to support and mentor them in this early stage of their entrepreneurial journeys.”

The HSBPC grand prize of $20,000 is sponsored by the Herbert B. Jones Foundation and the Madeline Haydon Award for Entrepreneurship.

About the Harriet Stephenson Business Plan Competition (HSBPC)

Celebrating its 25th year, the HSBPC was started in 1998 by Dr. Harriet Stephenson, a Seattle University professor who began teaching at the Albers School of Business and Economics in 1967. The competition was designed to help students and alumni launch new business ventures, including for-profit businesses, not-for-profit organizations, corporate entrepreneurship and social enterprise. Organized by Seattle University's Innovation & Entrepreneurship Center, the event is open to Seattle University students and alumni.

About the Innovation & Entrepreneurship Center (IEC) at Seattle University

The Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center (IEC) was founded in 1990 within the Albers School of Business & Economics, thanks to a generous Jones Foundation grant. In 2000, Kent Johnson created the Lawrence K. Johnson Endowed Entrepreneurship Chair, in honor of his father.

The IEC is an active business gymnasium that accelerates “fit for the future” Seattle University students so they can apply entrepreneurship theory and innovation to solve real-life problems, launch new ventures that reflect their core values, interests and talents, and advance the common good through social entrepreneurship and business innovation. Seattle University students have access to a core Innovation & Entrepreneurship curriculum that includes an undergraduate minor and graduate certificate, as well as integrated experiential learning, within the Albers School of Business and Economics.

An annual event during Commencement Weekend, Baccalaureate Mass is a celebration for the entire university community to pause, give thanks for our graduating students and bless them as they complete their time at SU and transition into the future as bearers of our university mission, leaders for a just and humane world.  

This year, Baccalaureate Mass will take place on Sunday, June 11, at 2 p.m. at St. James Cathedral (804 9th Ave.). Please note there will be no Masses at the Chapel of St. Ignatius on June 11. Instead, we invite all members of our community to attend the Baccalaureate Mass. All are welcome! 

Instructions for the Academic Procession: Administrator, faculty and staff presence means so much to our graduating students, their families and friends.

• Graduates, faculty and staff participating in the academic procession should bring their academic robes. The robing area will be available from 1:15 to 1:45 p.m. in Cathedral Hall. Please enter the hall on the north side of Columbia Street, halfway between 9th Ave. and Terry Ave. We recommend not leaving any items in the robing hall during the mass. 

• Administrators, faculty and staff participants in the academic procession should gather robed on the north side of Marion between 9th Ave. and Terry Ave. Graduating students will line up on the south side of Marion. Everyone needs to be in place by 1:45 p.m. to be a part of the procession. Mass begins promptly at 2 p.m.  

More information about parking, seating and FAQs can be found at the Commencement website.  Questions? Contact Tayz Hernandez-Campero, Campus Minister for Liturgy, at hernan83@seattleu.edu.

Sunday, June 4, 3 p.m.
Chapel of St. Ignatius
Free admission

Donations to the SU Lee Peterson Piano Fund are gratefully accepted.

"Lee Peterson and Friends: Words and Music" celebrates Lee's time at SU and commemorates their upcoming retirement (June 2023). During their 24 years at Seattle University, Lee has served as Assistant Director of Choral Music (2006-2022) and Pianist-in-Residence (2022-2023). 

The program features speaking, solo piano and singing. The 6/4 Singers (a volunteer group of current choir members and SU choir alums) will perform"Sanctus" (Missa Animae) and "Blessing," two of the works Lee has composed for the SU choirs.

The processing of ID cards, access cards and badges will be down on Wednesday, June 7, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. for InstantID upgrade. We apologize in advance for any inconvenience. Please plan accordingly.

Watch the first session of the workshop.

The Center for Ecumenical and Interreligious Engagement knows that effective leadership today must center those who have been marginalized in society. Doing so acknowledges the moral and practical harm of marginalization in the commons and enables restitution through moral and institutional accountability.  

Meet our facilitator: Rt. Rev. Dr. Edward Donalson III is the Director of Doctor of Ministry for the School of Theology and Ministry (STM) of Seattle University where he serves as core faculty, teaching in multiple degree programs. 

1st Session (April 27) – The Narrative of the Lie: White Christian Nationalism and Rage

Meet the Panelists 

Rev. Dr. Troy Lynn Carr is the Cross-Racial Cross-Cultural Senior Leadership and Partnership Specialist with the General Commission on Religion and Race of the United Methodist Church in Washington, D.C. While she serves on the STM Student and Alumni CEIE Discernment Circle, Rev. Dr. Carr is a double alum of Seattle University, where she earned her Doctor of Ministry in 2020 and her Master's in Nonprofit Leadership in 2022. 

Rev. Dr. Richard W. Rouse is a parish consultant working with congregations in the areas of strategic planning, spiritual discernment and leadership. Rev. Dr. Rouse is a certified Spiritual Director and ordained pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and on the Advisory Council of CEIE.

Engage more with CEIE and its programs at the center’s website, the Religica Theolab website and The Interfaith Observer.

Read the Article on The Interfaith Observer.

Dr. Diana Whitney is a positively powerful keynote speaker, whose messages of hope, positive change and the call for appreciative leadership offer practical guidance for new ways of working, living and being. She is founder and President Emeritus of Corporation for Positive Change and of The Taos Institute, an international think tank dedicated to relational processes in business, education, families and communities; and a founding advisor to the United Religions Initiative, a global network of 530 interfaith cooperation circles working for peace and social justice. 

“The positive life-affirming bias of Appreciative Inquiry enabled participants to meet others, often people we considered ‘the other,’ to hear stories of religious conviction in the face of persecution, unconditional love in the presence of oppression, and dedication to interfaith peacebuilding across lines often fraught with violence.” Dr. Whitney says of her facilitations on Appreciative Inquiry. The United Religions Initiative (URI) has created a platform for all persons, a global interfaith organization akin to a “United Nations for religions.”

Read more featured articles from The Interfaith Observer.

Engage more with CEIE and its programs at the center’s website, the Religica Theolab website and The Interfaith Observer.

The Dean of Students today sent the following message to students from Guam who may be impacted by Super Typhoon Mawar, outlining available resources:

Dear Students from Guam:

As we approach the end of the quarter, I write to express Seattle U’s support for those impacted by Super Typhoon Mawar. You are receiving this message because you are registered in Spring Quarter 2023 and your permanent address is listed as being in Guam. 

I hope your family and friends in Guam are safe, and our thoughts are with all of those who will soon embark on a long and difficult road to recovery. For students and their families who have been impacted by the typhoon, several support resources are available at Seattle University, including: 

Housing, Food, and Transportation Resources

Housing & Residence Life (206-296-6305)
https://www.seattleu.edu/housing/

For residential students who may need to remain in campus housing past the end of the quarter or over the summer due to displacement or travel difficulties, please contact the Office of the Dean of Students at deanofstudents@seattleu.edu or reply to this message for assistance making arrangements. Your residence hall Area Coordinator, Assistant Area Coordinator, Resident Ministers, and RAs are great resources for additional support and care throughout the year. Campus emergency housing is also available for students who currently live off-campus who may need temporary housing due to the emergency in Guam. If this would be helpful, please contact me for assistance. 

Food Security Resources

Learn about food security programs available to Seattle U students, including the on-campus food pantry, at https://www.seattleu.edu/oma/food-security-initiative/food-pantry/ 

Transportation & Emergency Funding Resources

Limited emergency funds are available to assist students with non-tuition-related expenses caused by this emergency, such as transportation assistance.  Contact me at deanofstudents@seattleu.edu or reply to this message to learn more. 

Academic Resources & Accommodations

If this emergency is impacting your academic performance as you prepare for finals, please contact me at deanofstudents@seattleu.edu or reply to this message and I will connect you with support resources in your school or college.

Emotional and Personal Support Resources

TimelyCare (Virtual/Online)
Available 24/7
Seattle University offers access to 24/7 medical and mental health virtual care for enrolled students through our partner, TimelyCare. This service provides a great supplement to our existing on-campus health and wellness services with no out-of-pocket cost or insurance requirement. Access TimelyCare using your Seattle University credentials at timelycare.com/seattleu

Campus Ministry (206-296-6075)
https://www.seattleu.edu/campus-ministry/

Campus Ministry provides a supportive community to gather in friendship, conversation, discernment and understanding of what one’s purpose is in life, regardless of one’s faith background. You can access support through Campus Ministry by calling 206-296-6075 or by stopping by Student Center 120. 

Counseling & Psychological Services (206-296-6090)
https://www.seattleu.edu/caps/

CAPS provides group and individual psychotherapy for students and referral services for those requiring specialized longer-term care. These services are provided free of charge to enrolled students. Visit the Counseling & Psychological Services website or call 206-296-6090 for more information. All clinical services are confidential.  

Lastly, I hope you will find support and community at the upcoming 30^th annual fiesta event hosted by the Marianas TaoTao Tano Club on Sunday, May 28 in the Campion Ballroom. 

Our thoughts are with all of those affected by the typhoon and we hope that you and your families are safe. Please let me know if there is anything Seattle University can do to help and support you during this difficult time.  

Sincerely,

James Willette, Ph.D.
Associate Provost & Dean of Students

Professor Emeritus Lane Gerber, who was beloved by students and colleagues alike, passed away May 21. His obituary can be read here.

With Drs. George Kunz and Steen Halling, Dr. Gerber founded the Master of Arts in Psychology (MAP) program in 1980. He was extensively involved in developing the program and served as its director for several years. Dr. Gerber continued to teach and mentor students after he retired and became Emeritus Professor in 2008. His impact on the Psychology Department and Seattle University at-large is enduring.

“Lane Gerber was truly a humanist and someone you could count on in a crisis,” said Dr. Halling. “Above all, he enjoyed his work with students and was very supportive of them.”

Another colleague, Dr. Claire LeBeau, shared, “Lane brought a profoundly compassionate and welcoming presence to generations of students and therapists in training. For his colleagues, Lane was a trusted advisor and light-hearted friend who offered outrage for our misfortunes, understanding and solidarity for our struggles and wisdom for our transcendence. For his therapy patients, he was in truth a saver of lives.”

Among other honors and distinctions, Dr. Gerber was one of the first holders of the Pigott McCone chair.

Dr. Gerber’s family is planning to hold a Memorial for him this summer and more details will be shared when they are available.

Dr. LeBeau shared the following poem by e.e. cummings, which was one of Dr. Gerber’s favorites:

i thank You God for most this amazing
day: for the leaping greenly spirits of trees
and a blue true dream of sky; and for everything
which is natural which is infinite which is yes

(i who have died am alive again today,
and this is the sun's birthday; this is the birth
day of life and of love and wings: and of the gay
great happening illimitably earth)

how should tasting touching hearing seeing
breathing any--lifted from the no
of all nothing--human merely being
doubt unimaginable You?

(now the ears of my ears awake and
now the eyes of my eyes are opened)

Tuesday, May 30
Drop in any time between noon and 4 p.m.
Room 369 (floor 3) in the Lemieux Library and McGoldrick Learning Commons   

Students: Do you ever start studying and then realize eating food sounds like a better idea? You can do both at the Slice & Advice Research Party! 

The perfect opportunity to finish the quarter strong is here. The library is ordering pizza at noon and 2 p.m. so come get a slice and some advice from the Learning Assistance Programs, the Writing Center, and your Research Librarians! 

What students come for:

• Finding research or popular article   
• Searching library databases   
• Narrowing your research topic   
• Time management   
• Paper writing   
• Citations   
• and more! 

None of this assistance is limited to just this event. You can reach out to the Library, the Writing Center, and Learning Assistance Programs as you prepare for the end of the quarter––they’re happy to support you in any way they can!

• Find books and articles for your final paper or project! From anthropology to sociology, they've got you covered.    
• Make an appointment with the Writing Center to work through your paper or try tutoring services or facilitated study groups through Learning Assistance Programs    
• And if you need anything else, you can ask quick questions through the library chat! 

Saturday, June 10, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Casey Commons

The Student Success & Outreach office cordially invites faculty and staff to attend the First-Gen Graduation Celebration. Please RSVP by completing the form linked here or by copying and pasting this link in your browser. Brunch will be provided!

Check out the event flyer at First-Gen Graduation Celebration.

On May 15, the new ALEKS Math Placement Assessment launched for incoming first-year students. ALEKS (Assessment and Learning in Knowledge Spaces) is an online, adaptive system from the McGraw Hill company that covers a broad spectrum of math topics.

Before registering for classes, all first-year students starting in 23RQ and 23FQ are required to take ALEKS as part of Orientation. On May 15, first-year students and their supporters were sent a message from their program’s academic advising center with step-by-step instructions and explanations to complete all Advising and Registration tasks over the summer, including ALEKS. Some additional notes about ALEKS include:

• ALEKS is a “Placement Assessment,” not a pass/fail test.
• The Math Placement webpage includes a table that connects a student’s ALEKS score to a course placement.
• Students access ALEKS through their New Student Checklist in their Admissions Portal.
• If a student requires an accommodation, they must contact Disability Services before taking ALEKS.
• Most questions from faculty, staff, students, and supporters can be answered by visiting the newly updated Math Placement webpage.

Please review our ALEKS Math Placement Assessment – FAQ Guide for SU Faculty and Staff to learn more about ALEKS and become prepared to answer common questions regarding ALEKS. Faculty and Staff can contact Nick Cubita (cubitan@seattleu.edu), Director of Orientation Programs, for questions.

Thank you to the implementation team who worked diligently to launch ALEKS in time for our incoming Fall Cohort:

• Angela Siple – Assistant Teaching Professor, Mathematics
• Collin Nail – Administrative Coordinator for Orientation Programs
• Dylan Helliwell – Associate Professor and Department Chair, Mathematics
• Emily James – Senior Associate Director of Admissions Operations
• Jennifer Coogan – Associate Dean for the College of Science and Engineering
• Leio Heyenrath – Technical Lead, ITS
• Mattie Watts – Senior Business Systems Analyst, ITS
• Melissa Lillo – Assistant Director of Admissions Systems
• Melore Nielsen – Vice Provost of Student Success
• Molly Cullen – Senior Director of University Advising
• Nick Cubita – Director of Orientation Programs

Learn more: ALEKS Math Placement Assessment - FAQ Guide for SU Faculty and Staff.

Pigott Auditorium will transform into a movie theater this Thursday for the return of the Seattle University Film Festival (SUFF). After taking a little rest during the COVID pandemic, SU’s highly acclaimed student-run festival is back with panache and more submissions than ever before.

10^th Annual Seattle University Film Festival (SUFF) 

• Thursday, May 25, 8 p.m.
• Pigott Auditorium
• Free to attend; registration encouraged, though not required

The auditorium will fill with cinephiles and casual connoisseurs alike –– all there to watch, laugh, cry, gasp in excitement and other emotional responses induced by captivating cinema. So, rally your crew and arrive early to claim a good seat! 

SUFF is hosted by the SU Filmmaker’s Club with the support of the Media Production Center and the Lemieux Library and McGoldrick Learning Commons. 

Seattle University has successfully relaunched Egencia as its travel management partner for all business-related travel. Our travel policy has been updated accordingly to reflect the required usage of Egencia. Exceptions may include Athletics, international group travel, pre-negotiated group travel and conference rates. 

Egencia recently provided approximately 90 SU faculty and staff members with a customized training course designed specifically for SU travelers and arrangers. The webinar has been recorded and posted to our website.

Cost savings, realized through contracts negotiated for the university and automatic rebooking if prices drop, are estimated at nine percent annually. Campus users will benefit from an interface with world-class technology while still receiving individual loyalty points. Budget owners will benefit from lower-cost travel and the institution will receive its Procard rebates. An integration with Chrome River sends your receipt for automated processing of your expense report.

See more details at the Egencia Launch Page.

Read the CEIE-TIO Interfaith Roundup here

The Interfaith News Roundup is a CEIE-sponsored monthly publication through our online journal The Interfaith Observer. Concise paragraphs summarize relevant religion/interfaith stories that impact society. Each paragraph is linked to the full story it introduces.

“Last month the Vatican rejected and denounced the Doctrine [of Discovery], which it conceded ‘had provided legal sanction and promoted Christian conquest, colonization, and exploitation of non-Christian territories and peoples the world over,’” veteran reporter and founder of The Interfaith Observer Rev. Paul Chaffee celebrates in the section titled “Reaching Out for Goodness Sake.”

Rev. Chaffee delivers another inspiring monthly news roundup of major interfaith and intercultural news, trends and prognoses. Other topics include The Ethical Struggles We Share and a Memoriam to Mary Walker Braybrooke.

Engage more with CEIE and its programs at the center’s website, the Religica Theolab website and The Interfaith Observer.

A workgroup of faculty, staff and students have spent this academic year soliciting feedback about the current Code of Student Conduct. The Associate Provost/Dean of Students charged the group to propose a revised Code that considers an anti-racist lens, incorporates and foregrounds alternative/non-adjudicative resolution options, and works to support academic integrity. The workgroup spent the year soliciting feedback from the campus community, drafting the policy and working to make sure that this meets campus needs.

The workgroup is proposing significant revisions to the Code. Students, faculty and staff are invited to review the link below and provide your feedback via two surveys on that website.

Learn more and provide feedback here.

RedhawkTHON (formerly known as SU Dance Marathon) has received the Rainbow Award 2023 from Children’s Miracle Network hospitals.

This is only the second year the award has been given and the first Dance Marathon group to ever receive the award.

Held April 22 in Campion Ballroom, this year’s RedhawkTHON raised more than $14,000 for the Uncompensated Care Fund and the Gender Clinic at Seattle Children's Hospital. RedhawkTHON chose to include the Gender Clinic as a new initiative this year and has worked closely with the Triangle Club. Congratulations to all students who were involved!

From Equality to Belonging
Featuring Danieli Evans, Assistant Professor of Law
Friday, May 26, 12:30–1:30 p.m.
Pigott 304

In response to overwhelming interest, the Office for Diversity and Inclusion offers an opportunity to engage with the Freedom School sessions offered at the 2023 Racial Equity Summit. Join ODI for the first installment.

A preview of the session:

Policies oriented toward social justice oftentimes focus on equality of opportunity. While this is a vital prerequisite for a society where all people can thrive and experience autonomy and dignity, the focus on equal opportunity does not always capture the importance of belonging, and the ways in which threats to belonging may undermine a person’s ability to thrive and express their potential, even when institutions are formally open to them on equal terms. This discussion will explore the need to belong, the harm of ostracism, and how it relates to the value of equality.

Wednesday, June 7, 3:30-5 p.m.
Stuart Rolfe Room, ADAL Building

Please join in celebrating, thanking and blessing Erin Beary Andersen, Associate Director of Campus Ministry and SU alumna, for her vibrant, dedicated and loving service to the Campus Ministry and university community. Her last day at Seattle University is July 5. 

In her 20 years of service as Associate Director, Interim Director and Ecumenical and Multifaith Campus Minister, Erin has played an integral role in shepherding Campus Ministry through transition; empowering the Campus Ministry staff to reach their fullest potential; fostering a more spiritually inclusive campus; and building, implementing and assessing programs that help students deepen a faith that does justice. 

Wednesday, May 24, noon-1 p.m.
Join via Zoom

Staff Council is holding its monthly virtual drop-in “office hour." This month, members of the Nominations, Elections and By-Laws Committee will host and answer questions about the upcoming Staff Council elections. You are invited to learn more, offer any feedback, discuss your thoughts or concerns, or bring any issues you feel should have Staff Council’s attention.

If you can’t make this time, remember you are always welcome to engage with Staff Council on its website, send e-mail to staffcouncil@seattleu.edu or submit a form (anonymously or otherwise) with your thoughts or concerns.

Staff Council looks forward to connecting with you!

President Eduardo Peñalver updated the campus community on a number of university initiatives and developments at his final Town Hall of the 2022–2023 academic year on May 16.

The full video can be found at President's Town Hall - 5/16/23.

Drawing from the presentation he recently shared at the President’s State of the University, Peñalver pointed to challenges facing all institutions of higher education, including the impending demographic cliff (fewer college-bound high school students expected in the coming years); an erosion of confidence and trust in colleges and universities; and technological disruptions (e.g. what to do with ChatGPT?).

At the same time, the president shared the university has a lot going for it, including its location in Seattle—which Axios recently ranked as the top destination for college graduates—and its distinctive Jesuit education.

Speaking to strategic efforts to expand SU’s reach in terms of visibility, enrollment and responding to students’ needs, Peñalver asked university leaders to provide updates in the following key areas.

• Enrollment: As Interim Vice Provost for Enrollment Management James shared, the university received a record number of applications from first-time-in-college (FTIC) students—more than 9,000—and expects significant gains in the academic quality and diversity of the fall 2023 entering class as we work toward a goal of enrolling 1,025 FTIC students.

• Retention: Melore Nielsen, who was recently appointed the inaugural Vice Provost for Student Success, shared that the university is making progress toward its goal of increasing the retention rate by 2 percent (from the current 84 percent).

• Marketing: SU’s newly hired and inaugural Chief Marketing Officer Robin Meeks spoke of SU’s “unique proposition” as a Jesuit university and the importance of building a holistic brand experience for prospective and current students, graduates and partners.

• Website: Vice President for University Affairs Scott McClellan discussed SU’s web redesign, which he described as “reimaging our web presence” to create a new site targeted primarily to prospective students and a corresponding intranet to support the needs of current students, faculty and staff. The new SeattleU.edu site and intranet will launch in December.

Among other updates and information, the president encouraged the campus community to participate in the final input session for the Mission Priority Examen, which will be held May 30. Learn more and register here.

President Peñalver also fielded a number of questions from those in attendance.

(A video recording of the Town Hall will be shared when it is available.)

Wednesday, May 24, 1–2 p.m.
Join via Zoom

The Know and Use Student Pronouns and Chosen Name Task Force, under Goal 3 of Reigniting Our Strategic Directions, invites you to a Strategic Conversation event. The task force has been leading a university-wide change in how we collect and distribute the names and pronouns by which our students know themselves and wish to be addressed. Making this change will improve the student experience and contribute to a respectful and welcoming campus climate. This new process will go live this summer! Campus engagement is a valuable part of this work, so please bring your questions and feedback.

As the academic year ends, the Career Engagement Office is working to get as many Class of 2023 graduates as possible to complete a confidential survey about what they are doing post-graduation and their satisfaction with the preparation they received from Seattle University for those activities. 

How you can help

While the first-destination survey has been sent to students’ SU e-mail accounts, we need faculty and staff to reinforce the importance of participation. In particular, Career Engagement is asking:

• Faculty who are teaching seniors and final-quarter graduate students to share the survey link and encourage them to complete it

• Campus departments that are hosting graduation celebrations (e.g. Center Student Involvement, Scholar groups, Athletics, etc.) to include a link to the survey in communications to graduating students

This QR code which links to the survey can also be shared with students:

An incentive: Students who complete the survey by the end of July 5 (11:59 p.m.) will be entered into a drawing to win one of 10 $50 gift cards to the university bookstore or Amazon.

Why it matters

The first-destination survey provides tangible data on the value of a Seattle University degree and experience, specifically our graduates’ readiness for what they do after graduation and the contributions of major/graduate program, experiential learning and co-curricular involvement have made to their knowledge and skill acquisition. Among other important uses, the data is:

• Shared with prospective students and families about employment rates, average starting salaries for graduates, industry employers recruiting Seattle University students and graduate programs

• Included in an annual report, accreditation documents or other relevant reports

As Career Engagement Director Carol Lwali shares, “We are able to access data by college, program and graduation year, the number of students hired within six months of graduation, starting salary ranges, graduate schools and so much more. It also allows us to review exit survey data with graduates’ next steps and how they align with career aspirations. Several departments already conduct exit surveys for graduating students, and that’s great! The more information we gather, the better it is for a fuller and more robust report.”

Collecting first-destination data from graduates is simple as they self-report using Embark, an online survey administered by Career Engagement and Institutional Research. All data collected will be freely shared back to the academic departments upon request. Please contact the Career Engagement Office for more information or visit First Destination Survey.

An annual event during Commencement Weekend, Baccalaureate Mass is a celebration for the entire university community to give thanks for our graduating students and bless them as they complete their time at Seattle U and transition into the future as bearers of our university mission, leaders for a just and humane world. As a Jesuit university, we observe this in the context of a Catholic Mass, but people from all religious, secular and spiritual identities are welcome to attend and participate in this meaningful ritual celebrating this significant transition in our students’ lives. Graduating students, family and friends, current students, faculty and staff are all invited. 

This year, Baccalaureate Mass will take place on Sunday, June 11, at 2 p.m. at St. James Cathedral (804 9^th Ave.). 

We are currently recruiting volunteers to fill a variety of roles for the Mass.  

• New this year, the 2023 Baccalaureate Mass choir will be open to the entire Seattle University community; staff, faculty, students and alumni with or without prior singing experience can sing in a choir together with a core group of SU Choirs students and a quartet of professional cantors. The time commitment is minimal, and the music is very accessible. For more details about the rehearsal schedule and to sign up, please fill out this form as soon as possible.  
  
  
• If you’re interested in volunteering as a Liturgical Minister—an usher, candle bearer, reader (in English or a second language you speak), gift bearer or communion minister—please fill out this form as soon as possible to let us know your preferences. More information on eligibility and training can be found on the form. 

More information, including specific instructions for graduating students, faculty, staff and administrators who wish to robe and participate in the academic procession can be found at the Commencement website. Your presence is meaningful to our graduating students and their families and friends. 

Questions? Contact Campus Minister for Liturgical Music Bill McNamara at mcnamarw@seattleu.edu.

Tuesday, May 30, 12:30–2 p.m.
Student Center 130
Presentation will be in Spanish with English translation
Please RSVP here
Seating is limited; please respond by May 22

From Ignacio Torres Ramírez:

I will share with you some of the Nahua cosmovision within a pre-Hispanic historical context as well as one of conquest.  We will travel to the past, long before the arrival of the Aztecs and the Spanish conquest to introduce you to the deep cosmology of our ancestors. We will journey through an historical path covering the arrival of the Aztecs, the Spanish conquest and indigenous, black, and popular resistance. Over the course of our journey I will present the powerful traditions, uses and customs such as ceremonies of the earth and the communal planting of the three sisters (corn, bean and squash) as a sacred practice of our cosmovision.

I am proud to be one of the original peoples of the indigenous community of Amatlán de Quetzalcoatl, in the Municipality of Tepoztlán in the State of Morelos. It has deep ancestral roots from which I receive my traditional name Nahui Cuauhtli, meaning Four Eagle. Amongst the original peoples we keep traditions and customs based on our land, our spirituality and our cosmovision. One example being the Communal Council naming the guardian of the sacred conch, for the use of general ceremonies. In 1992, I had the great honor of being named guardian of the community’s conch. As in many indigenous communities, Amatlán is one of the spaces that we practice curandería and many of our families come from this carefully preserved lineage to care for the community’s  physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health. For 2000 years my family has come from this line of healing.

I graduated from the Metropolitan Autonomous University in CDMX as a veterinarian doctor. My interest is the health of animals but also the health of the owners of the animals. This led me to graduate from the Centro de Desarrollo Humano hacía la Comunidad-Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos (CEDHEC-UAEM) (Centre for Human Development for the Community) as a Corporal Therapist offering massage, chiropractic and traditional herbal medicine. I continue my training for a diploma in acupuncture and in this way I am able to serve the health of animals and humans.

Quinton Morris and Indra Thomas

Wednesday, May 24, 8 p.m.
Chapel of St. Ignatius

This year’s music series, curated by Dr. Quinton Morris and sponsored by the Pigott Family Endowment for the Arts at Seattle University culminates in this free concert with singer Indra Thomas, accompanied by Brian Osborne. The concert will also be live-streamed by Classical KING as part of Dr. Morris’ program, “Unmute the Voices.” No advance registration is required.

Known for her lush and warm voice, Thomas has performed at many of the world class opera houses and venues, such as the Metropolitan Opera and the Vienna State Opera; she has performed at prominent venues here in the US, France, Germany, Spain and England, including the Royal Albert Hall and Carnegie Hall. Among numerous top orchestras with which she has appeared are the New York Philharmonic, the London Symphony and Leipzig’s Gewandhaus Orchestra—as well as leading orchestras in Paris, Spain, Brazil, the Netherlands, Japan, Finland, South Korea, Malaysia, Abu Dhabi, Boston, Cleveland and Detroit. Thomas has graced several famous music festivals such as the Bregenz Festspiele  in Bregenz, Austria, Chorégies , d’Orange in France and the Proms Summer Festival in London.

Brian Osborne is currently the music director and opera coach at Georgia State University but will be joining the faculty at Auburn University as Professor of Musical Theatre this fall. He has music-directed recently with a variety of companies including Marietta Theatre Company, The Strand Theatre, StageDoor Summer Stock, Vanguard Theatre, Academy Street Theatre Company, Rome Little Theatre, Harrower Workshop, Atlanta Opera and the Italian Opera Program, “Si parla, si canta.” He is currently working as vocal coach with the new motion picture I Am, filming in Atlanta, and was the principal vocal coach for the HBOMax series Doom Patrol. He has served as Director for Musical Theatre at Reinhardt University, Oklahoma City University and the University of Mississippi. Osborne enjoys appearing on-stage and has performed “Miles Gloriosus” in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum and “Sky Masterson” in Guys and Dolls.  He frequently works as a commercial actor, model and private vocal coach, and will have a supporting role in the upcoming film, Love is the Perfect Storm.

Dr. Quinton Morris, Associate Professor, Violin, is the inaugural Artist-Scholar-in-Residence at Classical KING, where he hosts “Unmute the Voices,” which celebrates BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) artistry in classical music by highlighting compositions and performances by BIPOC artists. A multifaceted teacher and performer, he is the executive director and founder of Key to Change, a non-profit violin and viola studio serving South King County that focuses on creating opportunities for young musicians of color and those from underserved, lower socio-economic backgrounds. He has performed recitals and given master classes around the world including venues at Carnegie Hall, the Sydney Opera House and the Louvre Museum.

Classical KING is the primary institution developing new audiences for classical music and the arts in Seattle, Bellevue and the Puget Sound region. Listener-supported Classical KING is located at Seattle Center with a mission to make classical music accessible for everyone in the community and to advocate for the arts in our region.

Each year, the Center for Jesuit Education sponsors six to eight faculty and staff members to make the Spiritual Exercises in Everyday Life (SEEL) retreat through our Ignatian partner, SEEL Puget Sound. SEEL is a nine-month commitment to enter into the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius through reflection, prayer, monthly Saturday morning retreats and twice-monthly meetings with a spiritual director. If you are curious to learn more, please contact Jen Tilghman-Havens at tilghman@seattleu.edu by June 1.

The Center for Community Engagement has received additional funding from the Bainum Family Foundation to support its SUYI Early Learning Program. The program partners with families, teachers, administrators, care providers and the community to collectively ensure children are ready to flourish in kindergarten and thrive in life. The grant from the Bainum Family Foundation will allow the SUYI Early Learning Program to strengthen and deepen partnerships within the community; enhance community engagement efforts; and more readily respond to emerging opportunities and needs to support the young children and families within the neighborhood.

Congratulations to CCE and Early Learning Manager Lupita Torrez on securing this funding!

Opening Reception is Thursday, May 18, from 4:30 to 7 p.m.

Show is free and open to all, May 18-June 8. (Gallery Hours: Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.)

Seattle University presents the group exhibition by the BFA Graduating Class of 2023. The exhibition showcases a wide range of photographic projects and will be presented at the Vachon Gallery located in the Fine Arts Building.

Featuring photography by Adolfo Bravo, Kira Daley, Michael Elizabeth, Eva Gugsa, -Brian LaMar, Jake Nelson, Annie Reierson and Nat Silva. 

Thursday, May 25, 12:30–1:20 p.m.
Stuart T. Rolfe Community Room (ADAL Building) or join by Zoom

Peter Durland, CEJS's 2022-2023 Gary L. Chamberlain student research fellow, will present his project and research results. Durland will examine current tree retention laws in Seattle and advocate for policy change that balances the need for affordable housing with the benefits tree coverage provides to the city. With rising housing costs, provisions meant for private homeowners are being utilized by companies to increase the allowable building footprint and profits. This footprint increase has had a detrimental impact on the canopy coverage in the city, leading to the loss of many benefits provided by an urban forest. Durland is analyzing these issues in search of a solution that can help to mitigate these complex issues. Bring your own lunch; refreshments and cookies provided.

Learn more here.

Danuta Wojnar, PhD, RN, MN, MED, IBCLC, FAAN, Professor and N. Jean Bushman Endowed Chair, Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs in the College of Nursing has been appointed as Dean of the Ila Faye Miller School of Nursing and Health Professions at the University of Incarnate Word in San Antonio Texas. She will begin her new role Aug. 1.

Dr. Wojnar joined Seattle University in 2005. Faculty colleagues enthusiastically supported her launch at SU and were, in turn over the years, mentored by her in teaching, scholarship and service. Dr. Wojnar developed many collaborative and productive relationships with faculty and staff throughout Seattle University. She taught across the undergraduate and graduate programs and loved to see her students transform as they progressed and took on new identities as nurses or advanced practice clinicians. She has maintained and cherished mentoring relationships with many SU College of Nursing graduates.

“Dr. Wojnar had many gifts but the one I remain most in awe of is how she held students to a high bar for clinical excellence and patient safety while simultaneously knowing when and how to accommodate to the learning needs of any given student,” said College of Nursing Dean Kristen Swanson.

Throughout her career, Dr. Wojnar has been dedicated to eliminating injustices in nursing education and health care. Passionate about improving access to primary care for the underserved, her program of research and clinical practice includes supporting breastfeeding women through research and policy development. Her scholarship promotes culturally sensitive care to diverse populations, with a special focus on LGTBQI+ families.

Dr. Wojnar’s contributions at the national level to nursing education and nursing practice are far-reaching. As a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Executive Nurse Fellow (2012-2015), she participated with members of the American Board of Internal Medicine and American Academy of Nursing to define the optimal role and scope of practice for registered nurses (RNs) in primary care. In 2016, she was commissioned by the Macy Foundation to write a State of the Science paper on primary care and nursing education. She was a member of the original American Association of Colleges of Nursing New Nursing Essentials Task Force and is an accreditor for the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. As a member of the American Academy of Nursing, she is an active member of Primary Care Expert panel.

Please join in thanking Dr. Wojnar for her many contributions to the College of Nursing, Seattle University, and the nursing profession. The College of Nursing offers her heartfelt congratulations on her new role.

Come join the Graduate Student Council for Graduate Student Appreciation Day on Wednesday, May 24, from 3 to 6 p.m. in Student Center 160.

GSC will be hosting the second annual Graduate Appreciation Day, an event showcasing the many accomplishments of our graduate and professional-level students at the university through an awards ceremony and networking-based event. This program is open to graduate students, staff, faculty and alumni of the university. You are invited to attend and celebrate the outstanding work of the graduate student community. A reception will be held throughout the evening.

Additionally, you are invited to nominate students for our specialty awards. Students, faculty and staff are welcome to nominate a graduate student that should be recognized due to their work and leadership within the following categories:

• Award for Research to Promote Social Justice
• Award for Research and Collaboration in STEM
• Award for Outstanding Campus Leader
• Award for Community Engagement
• Award for Mission Scholar

Nominate a graduate student here.

Nominations are due on May 17, at 11:59 p.m.

The Graduate Student Council hopes to see you at the reception on May 24.

During the nominations period (Thursday, May 11-Thursday, May 25), the campus community is encouraged to nominate themselves or a colleague to run for a seat on the Staff Council. Within the nomination, candidates will be asked to submit a brief statement of interest and photo for the voter’s pamphlet. Submit a nomination here. 

The seats open for the term July 1, 2023-June 30, 2025 are as follows: 

• Academic area: 2 exempt and 1 non-exempt
• Student Focus area: 1 exempt and 1 non-exempt 
• Structural area: 1 exempt one 1 non-exempt
• At-large members: 2 will be appointed, allowing the council to best represent diverse and underrepresented voices

For more information about elections or the history and structure of the Staff Council, please visit the council’s website.

The continued success of Staff Council depends on a robust collection of nominations across all staff areas. Please consider nominating yourself or a colleague!

Several key milestones have occurred recently with the website redesign as the work shifts to more tactical work with the web team and the campus community.  

Visual Design

The visual design phase of the website redesign, which involved several rounds of revisions with the website redesign working group, has recently closed. The final design of the new site will be bold yet easy to read, consume and navigate, with an elevated presence that reflects the mission and brand messaging of Seattle University. We are now beginning the process of refreshing our content (e.g., copy and visuals), which will require partnering closely with various campus stakeholders.  

Content Freeze 

The web governance board has approved a content freeze beginning on June 30. The entire web content community has been given notice on how to prepare their content for this freeze. Separate meetings beginning first with college marketers are planned to go into more detail on the scope of work involved as part of the content freeze. 

Intranet 

As part of the website redesign project, ITS is in the early stages of intranet development in collaboration with MarCom. The intranet will provide a secure online platform for internal communications, collaboration, sharing of internal resources and information among authorized SU users. The intranet will have dedicated sections catering to specific internal audiences’ needs, such as students, faculty and staff. The plan is to launch the intranet when the new website launches in December 2023. 

Why it matters

The development of the intranet adds strategic value to Seattle University in several ways, including streamlined internal communications, ease of access to internal information, increased productivity and collaboration. The intranet also helps keep the external site, SeattleU.edu, focused on critical institutional priorities like student recruitment.

What's next: 

Efforts remain underway on the content refresh and front-end development phases of the website redesign. Meetings are planned with campus partners, starting with college markers, to go into more detail on the scope of work related to the content refresh. 

Stay up to date: Visit the website redesign site for more information on the redesign and watch for periodic updates in SU Today as the process continues.