Hello, everyone. With the NECHE re-accreditation site visit this week behind us, we can finally take a breath.
The site team was thoroughly impressed with our candor and responsiveness throughout their visit and indicated such in their preliminary report. You all presented Regis in the best possible light and your genuine care for our students and mission was evident. Preliminary findings were reassuring with helpful feedback. We expect to receive the Commission's final report and recommendation in the spring.
There are many people to thank for facilitating and participating in this very important process. From data collection, IT set up, escorting evaluators from place to place, driving the shuttle bus, and everything in between, your hospitality was as gracious as ever. I want to especially thank Provost Mary Erina Driscoll; Associate Provost for Institutional Assessment, Accreditation, and Research Kate Edney; Academic Affairs Special Assistant Lori O'Shea; and Katya Rego from the President's Office without whom we could not have conducted this evaluation as smoothly as we did.
Student News and Achievements
DNP student Robbin Guynn is receiving incredible national recognition for her project "Evaluating Critical thinking in New Graduate Nurses through Reflective Journaling." She is a recipient of a 2023 National League for Nursing (NLN) Foundation for Nursing Education Faculty Scholarship Award and a Sigma Theta Tau grant, plus a peer reviewed journal is interested in publishing her work. Congratulations Robbin, and thank you for representing Regis so well!
Faculty and Staff News and Achievements
Congratulations to Associate Professor of Nursing C. Andrew Martin for winning the NLN Certification Star Award for his Certified Nurse Educator (CNE®) project. Andrew was presented the award at the NLN Education Summit last week by Larry Simmons, senior director of credentialing at NLN.
The project aimed to increase the number of Regis CNE® certifications from 16 to 20 percent and exceeded the goal to 24 percent! I'm so proud of our faculty, and the exceptional knowledge, skills, and abilities they impart on our students.
I told you about Assistant Professor of Nursing Emily Rumble earlier this year when the story came out about her introducing a patient at Mass General Hospital, Brandon, to his favorite band Shinedown. Well, fast forward to last week when Brandon got to meet the band in person and attend their concert. This encounter was the result of Emily's connection. She is quoted in this story and part of the video interview.
Associate Professor of Nursing Angela Kulesza was a panelist at the Massachusetts Coalition of Nurse Practitioners fall program "Beyond the Exam Room: Exploring Professional Issues Impacting Nurse Practitioner Practice in Massachusetts." Angela spoke about the state of Nurse Practitioner education.
Congratulations to the 31 faculty and staff listed below who completed a year-long intensive course and have earned Effective College Instruction credentials from our partners the Association of College and University Educators. They took the time to invest in our students' success by learning evidence-based teaching practices to improve the quality of their instruction and the inclusiveness of a Regis learning environment.
- Nicole Caddell
- Kelly Carlson
- Courtney Cole
- Donette Considine
- Cathy Fuller
- Marie Gabour
- Jeanie Garcia
- Audrey Grace
- Karen Hallisey-Pesa
- Ericka Hollis
- Mary Ann Hart
- Daniel Houlihan
- Naomi Kooker
- Henry Kronner
- Roseanne Lesack
- Heather Maietta
- Erin McQuaid
- Jocelyn Mullins
- Amanda Outly
- Jane Peck
- Nicoletta Pellegrino
- Jessica Pelz
- Diana Perdue
- Suzanne Rappaport
- Tricia Reinhart
- Maryse Rodger
- Emily Rumble
- Christine Schwartz
- Marissa Suarez
- Kristen Willems
- Jillian Wilson<
Recent Events Recap
There have been so many wonderful events last month. Here is a recap.
Founders' Day was an inspirational event that manifests our mission of service in a meaningful way for all community members. Read the recap and see photos online. Special thanks to Dan Leahy for spearheading this mission event, Terri Wallace for your support with all the details, Mark Clemente for organizing the transportation, Carolyn Jefferson and Mary Cook for putting together the registration site, and of course all the site leaders.
I particularly love hearing about our online community who participated from their local communities. MSW students participated from as far away as Florida where Jennifer Leggiere volunteered with adults in the Special Olympics. In Rhode Island, Madyson Parker prepared bags for an elementary school pantry. And in Holyoke, Mass. Tiajia Mills created goody bags for a local health center to encourage vaccinations.
Master's in public health student Tom Rogers Muyunga-Mukasa volunteered to help young motorcycle riders gain access to professional training to avoid reckless driving in Kenya, where he is currently working.
Another image from Founders’ Day is from the mural project led by Assistant Professor of Visual Arts and General Education Niloofar Gholamrezaei. Professor Manuel Cifuentes and other volunteers created three large canvases depicting Regis values and mission. Here is one of the beautiful murals which will be placed around campus.
Then over the weekend we celebrated Regis Fest. The women's volleyball, field hockey, women's soccer, and men's soccer teams all hosted GNAC competitions, with victories by the field hockey and women's volleyball teams. Members of the Glee Singers kicked off the day by performing the National Anthem before the morning volleyball game. Several coaches hosted alumni gatherings, the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) hosted a pep rally Friday night and gear sale Saturday, and undergrad Admission hosted campus tours. It was great to see so many prospective students and Pride alums on campus!
Last evening's President's Lecture Series on Health: Correcting the Provider Crisis was exceptional, with top-notch speakers. This is our 16th year offering this health lecture with free CEUs in partnership with Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, a Point32Health company.
A faculty-led Art and Academia event featured a musical performance by Becky DesRoches, a poetry reading by Julia Lisella, and a painting showcase by Niloofar Gholamrezaei. It was a privilege to see the creative endeavors of our faculty members in action.
Upcoming Events
The Cultural Co-Curricular Committee's "The Story of Us" series will focus the October 10 event on disability awareness. It will be live streamed for our online community—all are welcome and please encourage students to participate.
The Sustainability Shark Tank competition on October 12 will have students vying for their idea on how to make Regis a greener and more sustainable campus win one of several great prizes and the opportunity to implement their proposal. View the submission instructions and guidelines.
And also on October 12 is the annual Let It Shine Gala. Thanks to all of the faculty and staff who generously supported the Dear Neighbor Sponsorship.