Fifteen police officers took the oath of honor Friday, Sept. 10 when Fitchburg State University graduated its 4th Recruit Officer Course (ROC) in a ceremony at Weston Auditorium. The new officers, most of whom have already been hired by area police departments, are completing Fitchburg State’s first in the nation police program, wherein graduates complete bachelor’s and master’s degrees, plus full certification to work in police departments in Massachusetts and neighboring states, in five years. Officer Timothy N. Sheehy of Wakefield, the class leader, said the 15 officers sworn in Friday were brothers and sisters, united by their shared experiences over four years of undergraduate study and the rigors of the 17-week academy they just completed. There were 93 students in their cohort when they began in September 2017, he said, though only 15 saw it through to completion. “I’ll never forget everything we went through together,” he said. While the world of policing is under unprecedented scrutiny, Sheehy said he had no doubt his newly sworn colleagues have what it takes to make a difference in the profession. “We are the change the world needs,” he said. University President Richard S. Lapidus commended the officers for their success navigating the singular expectations placed on students in the police program, who must abide by strict academic, behavioral and physical standards. “Your commitment and your passion for your chosen career is admirable and commendable,” he said. Municipal Police Training Committee Interim Executive Director Robert J. Ferullo Jr., the retired chief of the Woburn Police Department, told the graduates their training would serve them well throughout their career. “We’re not just turning out police officers today; we’re turning out educated future police leaders,” he said.  Ferullo also said while the new officers were entering the profession during a turbulent time, they should not despair. “Don’t worry about police reform,” he said. “You do what’s right and you’re going to be fine.” Fitchburg State Academy Director Lisa Lane said the members of the 4th ROC were exceptional, undeterred in their commitment to rise to the challenges of their program of study and in pursuit of their career goals.  “Be safe, and go out there and be outstanding,” she said. The keynote address was given by Worcester Police Chief Steven M. Sargent, who thanked the graduates for joining the thousands of officers who gathered this summer to mourn the death of Worcester Police Officer Enmanuel “Manny” Familia, who was killed trying to rescue a drowning teen. Chief Sargent also talked about the singular challenges of the past year, from the ravages of the COVID-19 pandemic to massive protests over police conduct, to the heartbreak experienced in his own department by Officer Familia’s death. Still, he said, policing is a noble and satisfying profession. “You are all now members of the thin blue line,” he said. “You will have countless opportunities to change lives and to save lives.” Fitchburg State’s “4+1” police program was developed in collaboration with the MPTC. The academic curriculum of the academy is woven into students’ four-year undergraduate careers, with a 17-week academy occurring after the achievement of bachelor’s degrees, followed by a one-year master’s curriculum. Graduates of the program are “street ready” upon completion, saving police departments valuable resources. Learn more at https://www.fitchburgstate.edu/academics/programs/police-program-41-concentration-criminal-justice-bs. The members of the 4th ROC are: Nolan J. Baird of Fitchburg Shannon M. Burke of Salem Evangeline Cakounes of North Harwich Draine Colon-Rivera of Holyoke Ryan T. Costello of Holyoke Kaelen B. Farragher of Upton Spencer D. Fuller of Framingham Brandyn J. Geldart of Auburn Caleb M. Gonsalves of Mashpee Connor D. Guilbeault of Dartmouth Troy J. Paradise of Worcester Drew S. Ridenour of Mashpee Timothy N. Sheehy of Wakefield Cody R. Soderlund of Middleboro Colin J. Thomas of North Falmouth

Once again, Fitchburg State University has been recognized for upward social mobility in U.S. News & World Report’s annual ranking of colleges and universities. The ranking among regional universities reflects Fitchburg State’s success in enrolling and graduating large numbers of economically disadvantaged students. Fitchburg State’s ranking in its category was among the highest in Massachusetts. “Two of the pillars of Fitchburg State’s mission are access and affordability,” University President Richard S. Lapidus said. “We are proud of our continued success in creating opportunities for all students and helping them move forward in pursuit of their academic and career goals.” Lapidus said the university’s success in creating upward social mobility is tied to the work Fitchburg State is continuing in its latest strategic plan, whose three pillars are educational justice, being a student-ready campus, and inclusive excellence. Fitchburg State also ranked in U.S. News’ listings of top public schools among regional universities. To learn more about the U.S. News & World Report rankings, please visit https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/regional-universities-north/social-mobility.

Fitchburg State University will celebrate Latinx/a/o Heritage Month from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 with a series of events and programs organized around the theme “Be proud of your past, Embrace the future.” From a parade of nations represented in the university campus community to thought-provoking discussions featuring faculty members and invited guests including celebrated journalist Maria Hinojosa, the month's offerings will engage and inform, as well as entertain. Most of the programs are free and open to the public, though face coverings are required at indoor events. Beyond the events listed below, there will be a display of Latinx books in the Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library throughout the month. Among the highlights of the month: The programs begin with a parade of nations at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 15 on the main quad, showcasing the diversity of the campus community. The program will also include a performance by the university’s concert choir. At 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 16, Professor Ben Railton from the English Studies Department will present a talk entitled “Why We Should All Read Mexican-American Author Maria Amparo Ruiz de Burton.” The discussion, in Ellis White Lecture Hall in Hammond Hall, will look at the author and how her work can enlighten all of us. There will be a virtual discussion on Leading for Change at Hispanic Serving Institutions at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 22 featuring Dr. Gina Ann Garcia, a leading scholar on Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs), which are colleges and universities that enroll at least 25% Latinx undergraduate students. She is a scholar activist committed to disrupting the status quo of postsecondary education by bringing attention to the ways higher education has historically been committed to whiteness and regularly reinforces white narratives and white standards. The discussion can be joined online at https://meet.google.com/nab-sdro-dxp?authuser=0. The history of Latinos in Massachusetts will be spotlighted when guest speaker and radio host Jose Masso presents “We Stand on the Shoulders of Giants” at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 30 at Ellis White Lecture Hall in Hammond Hall. The university’s Center for Diversity and Inclusiveness will host the latest installment of Fitchburg State’s series of Courageous Conversations at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 5 with an analysis of the film “In the Heights,” focusing on media representation of Black people and antiblackness in Hispanic Latinx cultures. The program will be held in the main lounge at Hammond Hall. The evolution of the term “Latinx,” and its value and limitations in cultural politics and representation, will be explored in a virtual talk presented by Assistant Professor Karina Bautista of the Humanities Department and Assistant Professor Diego Ubiera of the English Studies Department at 3:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 8. The event will be held online at https://meet.google.com/tgr-hnvf-met?authuser=0. The month’s events close at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 15 with award-winning journalist Maria Hinojosa and her presentation “At the Root of Things: Breaking the Invisibility of Latinos/as/xs in Our Society.” The talk will be given in the main lounge of Hammond Hall. The university choir will also perform at the event. Hinojosa is the anchor and executive producer of Latino USA on National Public Radio, and the founder, president and CEO of Futuro Media Group. Maria Hinojosa's appearance is made possible in part through the generous support of the Newman Center Trust. For a full listing of events, please visit https://www.fitchburgstate.edu/student-support/diversity-equity-and-inclusion/center-diversity-and-inclusiveness/latinxao-heritage-month.

A panel discussion on the legal and ethical implications of COVID-19 restrictions will mark Fitchburg State University’s observance of Constitution Day at 12:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 17 in the main lounge at Hammond Hall, 160 Pearl St.  Admission is free and open to the public, though visitors to campus buildings are required to wear face coverings. The event will also be streamed online at meet.google.com/ynq-eqrg-sox. Masks. Vaccines. Passports. Lockdowns. The pandemic has raised many questions and issues that have constitutional as well as ethical implications. This panel talk, moderated by Professor Paul Weizer from the Economics, History and Political Science Department, will include students Miranda Gustin and Benjamin Hill, the captains of the university’s Moot Court team, whose case this year concerns vaccine mandates. The panel will also include Professor Zachary Miner from the Behavioral Sciences Department and Professor David Svolba from the Humanities Department.  The event, which will include an opportunity for discussion and questions, is presented in association with the university’s new general education program. Constitution Day is observed each year on Sept. 17, recognizing the anniversary of the document’s signing in 1787.

Fitchburg State University CenterStage will feature the sculptures, drawings and animations of artist Yuko Oda at the Hammond Hall Art Gallery through Friday, Oct. 8. The exhibit, entitled “The Heaviness and Lightness of Being,” is a retrospective featuring more than a decade of sculptural installations that investigate the coexistence of nature with the synthetic and the human-engineered. There will be an artist talk and reception at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 15 at the gallery, located in Hammond Hall at 160 Pearl St. Admission is free and open to the public. Oda describes the respect and awe she feels for nature as inspiration for her work, with those emotions complicated by a realization that humans have indelibly transformed the natural world. The intersection of the natural and the manmade are explored through the artist’s sculptural installations, drawings and animations. The works included in The Heaviness and Lightness of Being exhibition place 3-D printed plastics next to organic materials such as soil, rocks, and leaves. Standing at the intersection of technology and fine art, Oda utilizes methods such as 3D modeling and 3D printing seamlessly with the handmade-plaster carving and installation art. By juxtaposing traditional art with unexpected material choices and approaches, Oda seeks to break boundaries to create a new aesthetic.  The exhibition is presented as part of the Fitchburg State University CenterStage arts and culture series. CenterStage events feature national and international artists as well as collaborations with student and community groups. Its concerts, art exhibits, films, lectures and theatrical performances are a great resource for members of both the campus community and those who reside in the cities and towns of the region. To learn more and to keep up to date with the series offerings, visit fitchburgstate.edu/centerstage. To learn more about Yuko Oda, visit yukooda.com.

Fitchburg State University is ready to launch in-person for the fall semester, with safety protocols in place to create a robust experience for students and the community. The majority of new resident students will move in Monday, Aug. 30 between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. Move-in will start with registration at the Wallace Civic Center on John Fitch Highway, with vehicles then directed up North Street to the main campus. North Street between Pearl and Ross streets will be closed to traffic during the move-in on Monday, and portions of Highland Avenue and Cedar Street may be closed at times as well. Some temporary road closures may be instituted during early student move-in between 1 and 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 29. Returning resident students move in Wednesday, Sept. 1, during which there may also be some road closures near campus. Fall semester classes begin Thursday, Sept. 2. “We are excited to welcome our students, faculty and staff back to campus for a fully in-person experience,” Fitchburg State President Richard S. Lapidus said. “I am proud of how all members of our community stepped up last year to keep students’ academic goals on track, but we all look forward to the energy and enthusiasm that is generated by sharing space on the physical campus.” To promote a safe and healthy experience this year, and in consultation with public health officials, Fitchburg State has implemented a variety of protocols to guard against COVID-19, including a vaccination requirement for students living and studying on campus and a mask requirement for indoor spaces, including for campus visitors. The university is also planning a robust year of public-facing programs and celebrations. Among the highlights early this semester: The fourth cohort of officers will graduate from Fitchburg State’s groundbreaking police program at 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 10 at Weston Auditorium. The new officers, who will take their oaths at the ceremony, completed their bachelor’s degrees in criminal justice in May and will begin their online master’s degrees this fall. This summer they are completing a 17-week academy of defensive skills and tactical training, in addition to classroom work. The university will observe Latinx/a/o Heritage Month from mid-September to mid-October with a series of exhibitions, community discussions and guest speakers. Details will be posted at fitchburgstate.edu. The university is also launching several new academic programs with the new year, including a reimagined general education curriculum designed to prepare students with foundational critical thinking skills that will prepare them to be lifelong learners. Beyond that new curriculum, the university is launching a new concentration in entrepreneurship along with several new tracks in its public health science programs. In addition, the university’s School of Graduate, Online and Continuing Education is beginning several new certificate programs, including online education administration, special education director, special issues in counseling, and teaching English as a second language. The university will also debut a new minor in human service. To learn more about Fitchburg State and its programs, visit fitchburgstate.edu.

Fitchburg State University’s Center for Professional Studies continues its series of offerings on equity and social change this October with a course exploring the complexity of culture and bias in the workplace. The course, Exploring the Complexity of Culture and Bias in the Workplace, will provide employers and employees with engaging opportunities to explore, examine and assess how they identify themselves to the world, how biases and misconceptions interfere with understanding others around them, and what systems limit diversity, inclusion, and equity. Throughout the course, participants will respond to the content and reflect on how it has influenced and impacted their perspectives, their personal interactions, and their professional relationships, while also focusing on our shared humanity. The program will be offered online with self-paced modules, videos, articles, inquiry-based questions and assessments, as well as a one-hour remote live diversity orientation. Among the learning objectives: Participants will learn foundational terms such as diversity, equity, inclusion, racism, prejudice, discrimination, and bias. Participants will consider where they are receiving messages about others and how those messages impact their interactions with others. Participants will explore how intersections of identity traditionally have more or less power. They will examine where power corrupts justice and limits inclusion and how positive relations build community. Participants will expand their understanding of diversity, traveling throughout the world to interact digitally with other cultures. Participants will be able to embrace the humanity of others and choose new avenues to invite dialogue. Based on course content, participants will be asked to share their reflections, takeaways, and action items going forward. The course is taught by instructor Angele Goss, who has more than 20 years of professional experience connecting low-income and first generation students (middle, high school and college) to resources and experiences that improve their access to and through post-secondary education. “I welcome participants to be reflective and curious about the messages and dynamics of culture,” said Goss. “This course is designed to be interactive, informative, and inviting." "Employees value working for a company that strives toward inclusiveness and cultural responsiveness,” said Associate Dean Lisa Moison of Fitchburg State’s School of Graduate, Online, and Continuing Education. “We all want to be treated fairly, be part of decision-making, feel safe, and be seen for our authentic selves during the workday. The Center for Professional Studies’ upcoming training will help employers to understand the importance of cultural and equitable responsiveness, and the impact it has on their workforce and organization as a whole.”  The course will begin with a one-hour remote orientation session at 9 a.m. Friday, Oct. 22, followed by three hours of self-paced online modules (for a total of four instructional hours). The cost to register for the course is $70 and registration can be completed online at fitchburgstate.edu/cps.

Faculty members discuss the pedagogy of "real talk" during their summer academy. For its dedicated practitioners, the work of teaching students is an evolution. Beginning last summer, 20 members of the Fitchburg State faculty in two cohorts have committed to improving their practice as part of an academy. This faculty academy’s work is built around themes raised in “The Pedagogy of Real Talk: Engaging, Teaching, and Connecting With Students At-Promise” by Dr. Paul G. Hernandez, a nationally recognized educator and consultant who has presented at Fitchburg State. “The pedagogy helps us connect better with students, so that ‘at risk’ students are less ‘at risk,’ and more ‘at promise,’” said Professor Sean C. Goodlett from the university’s Economics, History and Political Science Department.  “A big part of what we do is make ourselves vulnerable with students, so we have more opportunities to establish connections,” Goodlett said. Hernandez’s pedagogy then invites faculty to frame their lessons in terms relatable to students. Professor Eric Budd, also from the Economics, History and Political Science Department, said an openness with students fosters connection. “That openness gives us a better sense of who they are,” he said. “It’s showing our humanity and recognizing the humanity of our students and what they bring to our classrooms,” said Professor Jonathan Harvey of the Humanities Department. “It’s also letting students know that if we have a bad day, that will affect how we present ourselves to the class,” said Professor Kisha G. Tracy of the English Studies Department. “Those kinds of things exist. Moreover, in teaching and learning circles there’s the ‘expertise gap.’ As faculty, we forget what it’s like to be a beginner in those circles. Through this work, we’re trying to address that gap.”  It's for this reason that, in his book, Hernandez calls for faculty to adopt "the beginner's mindset." The academy includes week-long professional development workshops, with participating faculty members meeting in a group and discussing their practice and how to improve. Both cohorts of faculty include recent hires as well as veterans of the institution, united by a desire to improve student outcomes in their courses. “This has reinvigorated my passion for teaching,” said Professor Jeff Godin of the Exercise and Sports Science Department, who said he had begun to feel like he could do a better job in the classroom. “Hearing Paul speak to the faculty reinvigorated that fire in me, and just being part of this group and hearing everyone’s ideas has renewed my passion for teaching.” Assistant Professor Scott Tyner, from the Education Department, has found participation in the academy inspiring. “I’m happy to be part of a group of smart, creative people who are not afraid to disrupt the status quo,” he said. “I saw a community of folks here who were ready to do that.” Associate Professor Wendy Keyser from the English Studies Department said she responded to the training’s emphasis on “real talk,” where instructors are invited to tell stories from their own lives and draw stories from personal experiences as students, along with thinking intentionally about creating lessons that are tied to the curriculum yet will resonate with what faculty learn about students’ lives and experiences. The faculty members’ shared work has already affected their practice, members of the first cohort agreed. “I’m grateful that after spending time together, we’ve got a product that’s been shared and we will have something to show for it,” said Associate Professor Danette Day from the Education Department. “I know I have this community behind me. They’re there even when they’re not there.” Professor Tracy, who said she is hoping work from the academy can be shared in scholarly publications, agreed. “I’m already seeing more students willing to come to me for help early, and more willing to stay after class and share what’s going on with them. I saw community in the classroom build faster. Thank goodness we had this pedagogy this year. I’m not sure what my classes would have looked like being in Zoom if I hadn’t had this experience.” Professor Christopher Picone from the Biology/Chemistry Department is in the second cohort of the academy. He was inspired to join the effort by his peers in the first cohort. “Teaching can be a lonely profession,” he said. “I was attracted to the testimonies of those who did the academy last year, telling us about the benefits of bouncing ideas off other faculty with honest feedback. I was also interested in getting out of my silo and interacting with faculty from other departments,” he said.  “In addition, in biology we have had a dramatic and wonderful increase in the number of typically-underrepresented students over the last 5-10 years,” Professor Picone continued. “But as a white male over 50, I sometimes struggle to connect with my students as easily as I used to. So I was hoping the Academy would provide some new tools to cultivate real connections, which leads to better teaching and learning, and the academy did.” Associate Professor Benjamin Levy of the Mathematics Department said he was “hooked” on Hernandez’s philosophy after reading his book. “I have always tried to connect with my students in ways that go beyond the material, so I found it really interesting how Paul essentially formalized this approach,” Levy said. “This program provided me with the motivation and tools to do it in a more intentional, structured, and meaningful way.” Professor Levy said he also enjoyed engaging his colleagues from across campus in meaningful dialogue about teaching. “The opportunity to share ideas and hear about similar struggles is always reassuring and helpful,” he said. “It’s also really interesting seeing different teaching styles in various disciplines. This program provides a great resource to help faculty connect with their students in ways that will ultimately motivate them to be successful in the classroom. Our student population could greatly benefit from the training faculty receive and I hope to see participation grow over time.” Assistant Professor Kori Ryan from the Behavioral Sciences Department said she was inspired to take part in the second cohort of the faculty academy because of her belief in bettering her own practice and supporting a culture of student-readiness and support on campus. “The pedagogy of ‘real talk’ and the structure of the faculty academy spoke deeply to my goals and mission as faculty and frankly, as a person,” she said.  Professor Ryan said she looks forward to implementing what she’s learned and discussed when classes resume this fall. “The academy has also encouraged me to speak more openly about my strengths and struggles as a professor with my colleagues,” she said. “The mix of expertise and vulnerability, and the opportunity to learn from some really astounding teachers has been one of the best experiences I've had at Fitchburg State. I am really excited about being involved in a community that honors and respects the role of students' lives in the classroom, and incorporates that into learning.” Assistant Professor Jescah Apamo-Gannon from the Education Department found out about the academy as a first-year faculty member and was eager to join its second cohort this summer. “In my years as an immigrant student and parent of first-generation immigrant children, I have found that the American education system has excellent characteristics that are not everywhere else in the world,” she said. “However, looking at school outcome data, demographic gaps continue to be increasingly apparent because issues related to educational equity, diversity, and exclusion are still present. I saw this as a great opportunity to be a part of an initiative where I hoped to learn and contribute to a mission that is so dear to me, student success. “Every day, as an educator, I feel honored for the opportunity to meet my students' diverse educational and learning needs,” Professor Apamo-Gannon continued. “Exploring such issues in research and practice and evaluating their validity and relevance in my teaching is an area I am passionate about.” She added that the skills in engaging students and professional development from working with colleagues will be beneficial. “It was so encouraging to be in a room with multiple faculty who had the same goal of increasing their strategies in connecting with students and building trust,” she said. “My goal is to continue to be an educator who promotes and fosters a learning environment where all learners feel accepted and heard. I plan to build upon the insights I gained to hopefully work with my department, the university, and local groups to cultivate more student success pathways. I am looking forward to the fall semester where I will have the opportunity to implement some of the strategies I learned.”

Fitchburg State University is among a consortium of colleges that was recently awarded more than $440,000 from the U.S. Department of Education to increase the number of free, open educational resources that are designed with a diversity, equity and inclusive lens and used in lieu of more expensive traditional textbooks.  This work is driven by “the increasing diversity of the public higher education student population and the desire to provide students and faculty accessible, intentionally inclusive textbooks that reflect and honor their lives,” according to the grant application. The open educational resources (OER) movement is designed to bring down costs for students pursuing higher education.  The recently announced grant will support a six-campus project that seeks to support underrepresented students through the use of free, culturally-relevant course materials. Librarians and faculty at each of the campuses will receive training and assistance in the creation and adaptation of OER materials that are accessible, intentionally inclusive and representative of the student populations at the six consortium member colleges. Once these OER materials are created, it is expected student savings on textbooks over the life of the project will exceed $800,000 with a goal of continued savings into the future. “The approach of creating or adapting OER using an equity lens to better serve underrepresented students, is exciting and novel,”said Jacalyn Kremer, dean of the Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library at Fitchburg State. “In addition to Fitchburg State faculty receiving training and support for the creation of these culturally-relevant materials, librarians at the university will take the lead in tracking the project’s outcomes including its impact on student success.” Framingham State University was the lead institution in pursuing this grant. In addition to Fitchburg State, other participating institutions are Holyoke Community College, Northern Essex Community College, Salem State University, and Springfield Technical Community College. The member institutions will form a consortium with representatives collaborating to create new OER textbooks and adapt existing resources using a diversity, equity and inclusion lens. The program will target courses in high-enrollment disciplines as well as those supporting major employment sectors like health, education and criminal justice.  At Fitchburg State, OER projects have saved students more than $30,000 in the past academic year. The university’s Open and Affordable Education Committee supported more than 20 OER proposals in 2020 and 12 OER proposals in 2021 thanks to funding from the Davis Educational Foundation Presidential Grant, the Academic Affairs Office, the School of Graduate, Online and Continuing Education and the Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library.