Message from the Vice President

I hope all of you had a wonderful, restful Thanksgiving break. I hope that you took the time to recharge and re-energize. As many of you have noticed or have been a participant, we have shifted some internal offices in 7400 and have moved the Office of Partnerships & Outreach from the admin building to 7400. Now some of you are probably asking whether I will be moving to 7400. The answer is a resounding yes! My move, including Mellanie and Christina, will take place in the new year. I am super excited that all of SPAR will be together in one building. While I have enjoyed my stint in the admin building, I am looking forward to haunting the halls of 7400 once again. So I will likely darken your door and talk your ear off, but I am interested in hearing your thoughts and concerns.

Center for GIS

Our student intern Navya Kommareddi is working on developing an enhanced version on the Stormwater Management and Restoration Tracker (SMART) tool. This is a project with the University of MD Sea Grant Extension and the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay. The tool allows homeowners to share stormwater-related best management practices (BMPs) that they’ve implemented. The enhanced version of SMART will expand the reach of this program to the entire Chesapeake Bay watershed, including a BMP verification component, a publically-available dashboard, and reporting capabilities. We’ll deploy SMART on the Amazon Web Services (AWS) platform. Navya’s been doing a great job and learning a lot in the process.

Continuing & Professional Studies

We recently partnered with the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) to create an online Certified Medical Coding class that uses the same material we use for our in-class course. We have three students currently using the materials. The partnership with AAPC is also new for us. In the past, the instructor had the partnership but now CPS owns it.

We also recently reworked our Professional in Human Resources (PHR) class. Both the in-class and online versions, including all materials, were developed by TU's Dr. Nhung Hendy. The update allows our students to take the course and sit for either the PHR, SPHR or SHRM-CP exam.

Kathleen Case talking about leadership choice

Leadership & Organizational Development

Earlier this month we hosted our first webinar—Using DiSC Assessment to Achieve High Performing Teams. Bernie Reynolds hosted the webinar and Vicki Simek was one of the featured speakers. Thanks to the OPO team, who managed the webinar and communications. MORE

The application period for the Professional Leadership Program for Women recently closed. We have a lot of great applications to choose from. We will announce the class next month.

Osher Lifelong Learning

Osher’s fall semester wrapped up on November 8. Enrollment was up by 12%. Highlights include: “A History of Anti-Semitism: A Documentary Study” eight-week course taught by Rabbi Floyd Herman and particularly topical especially after the recent mass shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh. Likewise, another 8-week course, “Journalism in Crisis: A User’s Guide” class taught by journalist, Michael Anft, provoked a great deal of discussion about how to navigate today’s news media landscape to help sort out facts from propaganda in a time when newspapers are competing with other outlets in a variety of platforms.

Office of Administration & Finance

In preparation for the upcoming holidays, below is an explanation of the holiday closures for contingent II and regular staff:

Winter Break:
December 24 – University holiday, TU Closed
December 25 – State holiday, TU Closed
December 26 – University holiday, TU Closed
December 27 – TU Closed, use earned floating holiday
December 28 – TU Closed, use earned floating holiday
December 31 – TU Closed, use earned floating holiday
January 1 – State holiday, TU Closed

Two women speaking at the CUMU confernce

Partnerships & Outreach

This past month, OPO supported events including the CUMU Annual Conference in Chicago, TU Model United Nations, and TU Incubator’s EdTech Innovation Showcase. We will support Economic Outlook Forum (11/29) and Founder Stories (12/6), as well as two BTU Lunch & Learns, and a BTU Partner Stories: Helping Up Mission (11/28).

If you have questions regarding BTU funding opportunities, BTU leadership will host a BTU Funding Application Workshop on December 11, 12:00–1:00 p.m. in AD424. No RSVP necessary.

Regional Economic Studies Institute

In early November, Mike Siers provided a talk at Faith Presbyterian Church in Baltimore city. He examined disparities within Baltimore and the presentation focused on information from our white paper. The presentation focused on how neighborhoods within Baltimore (even those that border each other) have very different realities. This could be in terms of schooling, life expectancy, access to quality food, and more. In addition to looking at the disparities, the presentation focused on nonprofits and other groups with the city working to correct each systemic issue.

Venture Creation

On December 6, we will host the next round of Founder Stories. Andrew Coy, executive director of Digital Harbor Foundation, will join us to share his story from working in the White House to turning a closed-down South Baltimore rec center into a youth-centered makerspace. REGISTER

Also, if you haven't yet met Nick Hammond, TU's new executive director of entrepreneurship, check out this post. MORE

Staff Updates

The opening session of the 2019 President’s Inclusive Leadership Institute was conducted in October. Twenty staff from eight departments are participating in the program including Kathleen Crostic (OPO) and David Sides (CGIS). The institute helps staff enhance personal leadership skills, view leadership through an inclusive lens, and develop intercultural communication. The Institute conducts monthly sessions between October 2018 and June 2019. For a second year, Bernard Reynolds is co-facilitating with LaVern Chapman, the Office of Inclusion and Institutional Equity.

Ardys Russakis will be serving as the division's representative on the university wide task force—A More Inclusive TU, A Path to Equity and Diversity—to support the president's goal to ensure the existence of a welcoming, inclusive and equitable learning and working environment where we honor, respect and engage differences in our community. Over the course of the next year, Ardys will be reaching out for input for this important initiative.

Division Fun

Professional Clothing Drive
Second Floor Lobby Drop Off

Clean out your closet and help TU students “Suit Up” for job interviews by donating gently-used professional suits, slacks, jackets, skirts, ties, and shirts. Items should be less than five year's old and be something you would feel comfortable wearing yourself.

Division Holiday Party
December 18
4:30-6:30pm
Room 301, 7400 York Road

The Social Committee has prepared a great menu and beverages to go along with fun activities. There will also be a 50/50 raffle to refill social committee coffers for 2018. Bring your appetite as we enjoy this festive time of year together. Ugly sweaters optional!

President's Holiday Party
Wednesday, December 12
4:00–6:00 p.m.
West Village Commons

Join President Schatzel and university faculty and staff to celebrate the season. RSVP by December 3rd