Explore Dangers of Confusing Memory with History, March 6

The Farquhar Honors College and the Alvin Sherman Library present “The Open Classroom: History and Memory.”

Join us for a discussion about the differences between history and memory and the rise of censorship in education when talking about the past.

  • When: Wednesday, March 6 at noon
  • Where: Cotilla Gallery, Alvin Sherman Library, 2nd floor
  • Free and open to the public
  • Register here

David Kilroy, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Humanities and Politics and professor at the Halmos College of Arts and Sciences, will be the speaker at the event.

The Open Classroom series features conversations with scholars from various disciplines who share their expertise on important issues and provide insightful perspectives rarely seen in the media.

Posted 02/23/24

Honors Course Leads to Conference Presentations

Members of the protein modeling course

Students in the Farquhar Honors College Intro to Protein Modeling course will present their innovative 3D protein models at the annual American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB) conference this March. The models were created using advanced computational tools to predict a protein’s structure.

Understanding the structure of a protein is essential to altering its function. Students used a variety of methods to map out the structure, such as artificial intelligence and metal-binding force fields. Understanding the functions of proteins can give us hints to answer the question “What is life?” since proteins work together in a complicated and coordinated way to support life.

“Each year the creativity, passion and drive of the students results in a rich diversity of not only project ideas but innovative methods of accomplishing their lofty goals,” said course co-instructor Arthur Sikora, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Chemistry and Physics in the Halmos College of Arts and Sciences (HCAS). “I am learning and exploring the scientific world right alongside my students every time.”

Emily Schmitt Lavin, Ph.D., professor and chair in the Department of Biological Sciences at HCAS, teaches the course with Sikora. The course gives students experience as scientists, including conducting research, analyzing data and discussing and presenting their findings. At the end of the course, students can present their work at a conference of their choice and return as a mentor for the next cohort of students who take the course. More than 20 honors students have presented at conferences as part of the course.

Saleh’s protein model

The course has been especially influential for honors student Omar Saleh. Based on the work he completed in the course, Saleh was chosen to co-lead a protein modeling workshop at the American Chemical Society’s Biennial Conference on Chemical Education in Kentucky, where he will train and encourage faculty from other universities to create similar courses at their institutions.

“I feel both incredibly honored and privileged to take such a novel step in my undergraduate career,” said Saleh, a junior biology and neuroscience major. “It will be my first time traveling to another state, and the workshop will significantly increase both my leadership and public speaking skills. I am proud to showcase not only our wonderful protein modeling class with other out-of-state instructors, educators and faculty, but also the work my team and the other teams, both past and present, have produced.”

View projects from the honors Intro to Protein Modeling course.

Posted 02/04/24

Uncover Secrets to a Longer and Healthier Life, Feb. 6

The Farquhar Honors College and the Alvin Sherman Library present “The Open Classroom: Diving into the Deep Blue Zone – Secrets to Longevity and Wellness.”

Join us for an open discussion on the cultural norms, diets and behaviors that allow people in the Deep Blue Zone – five locations around the world where residents live the longest – to thrive.

  • When: Tuesday, Feb. 6 at 12:30 p.m.
  • Where: Cotilla Gallery, Alvin Sherman Library, 2nd floor
  • Free and open to the public
  • Register here

The Open Classroom series features conversations with scholars from various disciplines who share their expertise on important issues and provide insightful perspectives rarely seen in the media.

Posted 02/01/24

Honors, Law Alum Uses Law to Fight Cyber Fraud

John Paul, J.D.

Farquhar Honors College alum John Paul, J.D., is a lawyer on the leading edge of cyber fraud prosecution. Joining the ranks of the Office of the Florida Attorney General’s Cyber Fraud Enforcement Unit as a senior assistant statewide prosecutor, Paul is dedicated to bringing justice to victims of cyber fraud.

Created by Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody, the Cyber Fraud Enforcement Unit investigates and prosecutes cyber fraud cases across Florida. As technology rapidly advances, cyber fraud becomes increasingly common as scamming methods rise.

“The vision. . . to help victims of cyber fraud, especially elderly victims who sometimes lose their life savings through cyber fraud scams, really resonates with me,” said Paul. “Helping to recover these funds, prosecute those who violate the law and bring them to justice, and disrupt the criminal networks are all really rewarding.”

Paul graduated from NSU in 2006 with a B.A. in Legal Studies and 2009 with his J.D. from the Shepard Broad College of Law. Since graduating, he has worked in prosecution and law enforcement for nearly 15 years.

“The [Honors College] gave me a well-rounded education that included a focus on interdisciplinary learning,” said Paul. “Having exposure to many subject areas is a tool that I use every day. My cases involved an intersection of law, cyber security, IT infrastructure, finance, business, psychology, and even medicine, just to name a few.”

Posted 01/14/24

Honors Students Spread Health Literacy Awareness

Pediatric HEROES, a student-run organization at NSU, is on a mission to improve health literacy across campus. Led by Farquhar Honors College students, the club recently launched a research initiative that encourages its members to create monthly infographics to raise awareness and promote understanding of pediatric health.

“It’s crucial and beneficial for young healthcare learners to both teach and learn about medicine simultaneously, helping them adapt to this field effectively,” said Brianna Lacasse, an honors student who started the infographic initiative. “This initiative gives them a chance to share their discoveries and develop skills to address health issues.”

Students have already created infographics highlighting conditions ranging from sickle cell disease to mental health issues like anxiety and depression.

Pediatric HEROES, which stands for Health Education, Research, Outreach, Empowerment, and Support, is filled with aspiring healthcare professionals passionate about educating people on children’s health and careers in pediatrics. The club provides volunteer opportunities, events, and workshops to allow members to gain knowledge and experience.

See more Pediatric HEROES infographics.

Posted 01/14/24

Farquhar Honors Students Walk to Raise Suicide Awareness

This past fall semester, students in the Farquhar Honors College mental health course participated in the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s (AFSP) Out of the Darkness walk to bring awareness to suicide prevention and mental health issues. Hosted at NSU, the community walk provided support and hope to survivors, families, friends, and advocates.

The honors team consisted of 29 walkers led by Christi Navarro, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Public Health at the Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, and included students from Navarro’s honors Exploring Population Mental Health and Wellbeing course and students and faculty from across NSU. Together, they helped combat the prevailing stigma surrounding suicide and raised $190 to support the AFSP’s mission of saving lives from suicide.

“Having the walk located at NSU and getting the NSU community involved reminds us that mental health challenges can affect us all, and we can all have a part in preventing suicide,” said Navarro. “One of the most moving parts of this event is the honors beads which we all wear to show our personal connection to the cause, as well as connecting with others [who] understand our experiences. There are ten different colored beads, [each representing different connections to the cause]. Before we walk, they call out the individual colors and ask us to raise our beads in support. It is a reminder that we are not alone in our struggles.”

Learn more about the AFSP Out of the Darkness walk.

Posted 01/14/24

Honors College Hosts Data Visualization Competition

Data visualization is important now more than ever. With large amounts of information at our fingertips at all times, data visualization is lucrative for making information more accessible to all. To help students hone this skill, the Farquhar Honors College hosted a Data Visualization Competition over the summer that prompted students to transform an existing class assignment into an interactive visual narrative for public viewing.

The top three winners received a cash prize. In first place, receiving $300, was Shweta Shah for her project “Empowering Women’s Breast Health with Racial Inclusivity.” In second place, receiving $200, was Corinne Renshaw for her project “Anthropogenic Influences on the Biscayne Aquifer.” In third place, receiving $100, was Ruthie Fogel for her project “Artemis: NASA’s Return to the Moon.”

All projects were created using ArcGIS StoryMaps, a free and easy-to-use digital storytelling web platform, which allowed students to break down complex ideas into easily understandable parts with compelling visual aids. Contestants were judged based on creativity, innovation, rhetorical effectiveness, and proficiency.

“[Through] this project, I learned the real-world implications and applications of assignments done in the classroom,” said first-place winner Shweta Shah, whose project focused on educating racial minority groups about an amendment to the Mammography Standards Quality Act that may lead to earlier breast cancer detection and lower mortality rates. “For many of my public health classes, we are required to create PowerPoints that only the professor sees. However, many of these assignments contain critical information that the public also needs to be informed about. … This project allowed me to create a multi-media resource [for] patients.”

The competition welcomed projects from all disciplines as data visualization is an important tool for any field. Projects focused on subjects ranging from environmental science to mental health.

“I am thankful [to] the Honors College for creating this opportunity for their students to apply and present their research in a new and innovative way while [emphasizing] that learning does not necessarily always occur in a classroom!” said third-place winner Ruthie Fogel, whose project focused on the importance of NASA’s mission to return to the moon. “The ways in which we present our ideas to the world are ever evolving and now has never been a more perfect opportunity. . . to learn something exciting!”

View project gallery.

Posted 01/17/24

Honors College Launches Campaign to Prioritize Mental Health

Last semester, the Farquhar Honors College raised more than $1,500 to help honors students achieve mental wellness. The campaign, titled “Honor Your Mental Health,” funded various de-stress initiatives, activities, and care packages throughout the semester.

Among the activities in the campaign were a series of mental health and wellness workshops ranging from meditation and journaling to bas-relief clay sculpture and yoga. These workshops, led by NSU faculty and alumni, allowed students to take a break from their stressful schedules.

The campaign was conceived by the Honors Student Advisory Board (HSAB), a group of select honors students who meet with the dean to enhance the honors experience, who wanted to address the rising mental health crises among college students.

“A goal of this project [was] to get college students more comfortable with talking about their stress and better ways to cope,” said Pranav Madadi, an HSAB member. “The fact that a majority of students are not able to seek help is a crucial issue that we can get addressed.”

Along with the workshops, the college provided students with self-care items like stress toys, journals, and mental health app subscriptions. The campaign extended to social media, providing resources, tips, and giveaways to get the conversation about mental health started online.

Posted 01/14/24

Explore How We Can Create a Fairer World on Jan. 16

The Farquhar Honors College and the Alvin Sherman Library present “The Open Classroom: Making our Workplaces (and our World) Fairer: Tools for Overcoming Bias.”

Join us for an open discussion on overcoming our implicit biases and using evidence-based methods to make our world fairer.

  • When: Tuesday, Jan. 16 at 12:30 pm
  • Where: Cotilla Gallery, Alvin Sherman Library, 2nd floor
  • Free and open to the public
  • Register here

Rita Shea-Van Fossen, Ph.D., associate professor with the H. Wayne Huizenga College of Business and Entrepreneurship, will be the guest speaker at the event.

The Open Classroom series features conversations with scholars from various disciplines who share their expertise on important issues and provide insightful perspectives rarely seen in the media.

Posted 01/02/24

NSU Receives Approval by Top University Accrediting Body

Dr. Belle Wheelan, President of SACSCOC with NSU President and CEO George L. Hanbury II

Nova Southeastern University received notification from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) that our Fifth-Year Interim Report has been successfully accepted with no additional reporting requested.

SACSCOC is the body for the accreditation of degree-granting higher education institutions in the Southern states. It serves as the common denominator of shared values and practices primarily among the diverse institutions in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Latin America and certain other international sites approved by the SACSCOC Board of Trustees that award associate, baccalaureate, master’s, or doctoral degrees.

The Commission also accepts applications for membership from domestic institutions in the other 39 states, as well as international institutions of higher education around the world.

Congratulations to all for this recognition of NSU as a preeminent university of quality and distinction!

Posted 12/05/23

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