Rory James to serve as the Director of Student Diversity and Inclusion

Rory James has been appointed as the Director of Student Diversity and Inclusion for the School of Public Health-Bloomington where he will oversee programs and recruitment activities that will ensure a diverse student body across a spectrum of underrepresented groups.

Previously, Rory served for 5 years as the Director of the Bruce D. Nesbitt African American Cultural Center at the University of Illinois-Champaign Urbana.

"Rory brings with him both a background in public health as well as a keen understanding of the value of diversity that not only benefits groups who might have faced barriers historically, but also for students who benefit from the exposure to different perspectives, cultures, and ideas from underrepresented groups," noted Mohammad Torabi, Dean and Chancellor's Professor at the school."Fundamental to our academic philosophy is that where there's an equal playing field for every student, there are opportunities down every path for their success across the array of academic programs we offer. I know that Rory shares this philosophy."

Indeed, Rory hopes to transition quickly into his role by creating and implementing diversity training for faculty and staff. With his background in epidemiology and community health, Rory plans to emphasize with students the need for public health practitioners and researchers in areas that will benefit from diverse perspectives. 

Rory earned a Master of Public Health in Epidemiology from Tulane University and was a cum laude biology graduate from Tuskegee University. In addition, he served as Director of Intercultural and Multicultural Programs at UNC Asheville and as the Assistant Director of the Office of Multicultural Affairs at West Carolina University. His background encompasses undergraduate and graduate student engagement and professional staff development in cross-cultural competency.  

"We are very excited to welcome Rory as part of our school as we continue our commitment to making the School of Public Health-Bloomington a model that emulates the true spirit of academic excellence, diversity, inclusion, and the free exchange of ideas," noted John Schrader, Assistant Dean for Student Academic Affairs.

Learning Analytics Fellows Award

On behalf of the Office of the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education and the Center for Innovative Teaching, we would like to announce that Dr. Rasul Mowatt was chosen to join IUB’s Learning Analytics Fellows Program. The review committee was confident that his project would add to their ongoing teaching and learning conversations and also contribute to their knowledge of the various ways that using analytical data can translate into student success.

Dr. Mowatt will receive a total funding of $2000 in support of his work and will meet monthly with Learning Analytics colleagues throughout the semester, sharing his ongoing research and receiving feedback from his peers. He will submit a final report on or before September 19, 2015. The report will describe the results of the study as well as the possibilities for acting on those findings or for conducting further research. He will also disseminate his initial results in a poster session or similar venue for a wider audience of faculty during the 2015 fall semester.

Inaugural Sport and Social Change Summit Held at Indiana University

Indiana University professors Debby Herbenick and Dr. Antonio Williams were proud to host the inaugural Sport and Social Change Summit in Bloomington, IN. The summit, a part of the Sport and Social Change Initiative, was held Thursday and Friday May 21-22 and began with a private, invitation-only dinner. Culminating in a meeting consisting of a panel of former players, practitioners, and stakeholders from various sport organizations including the NCAA, NFL, NFLPA, NBA, You Can Play, Little 500, and Distinxion, the summit included presentations, roundtable discussions, and brainstorming sessions.

“Sport and Social Change Initiative was created in response to our work examining the challenges athletes face in regard to physical, emotional, social, psychological, and relational health,” Dr. Williams stated. “The goal of the summit was to share best practices, and set a long-term research agenda.”

Dr. Michael Reece, Director of Research for the School of Public Health - Bloomington provided the welcome address for the dinner. “Our overarching vision is to help athletes combat the challenges that may stem from heightened fame, notoriety, time commitment, expectations, pressures, and physical stressors associated with participation in youth, collegiate and professional athletics.” Reece said of the summit.

Debby Herbenick is hopeful for the future of the Sport and Social Change Initiative saying, “Overall, we believe that the summit was a major success.” She also thanked Dr. Reece as well as Dr. Mohammad Torabi, Dean of the School of Public Health – Bloomington “for their vision in creating the ingenuity grant that made this possible.” More summits of the like are expected in the future.

Ewert Appointed Permanent Chair of the Department of Environmental Health

Dr. Alan Ewert

In May of 2013, Dr. Alan Ewert took over as interim chairperson for the department of environmental health, and since then has played an instrumental role within the department as the School continues the accreditation process.  In October of 2014, the faculty of the department unanimously recommended that Ewert be appointed the department’s permanent chairperson.
 
“Dr. Ewert has done an outstanding job in leading this department during the past several months, and he will continue to do so in a joint appointment with the Department of Recreation, Park, and Tourism Studies,” said School of Public Health-Bloomington Dean Mohammad Torabi. “He has been very helpful as the School continues through the accreditation process; his expertise in the natural environment and human health has made him a good fit at this point in time to lead our Department of Environmental Health, and maintain his commitments in Recreation, Park, and Tourism Studies.”

Dr. Aurelian Bidulescu elected Fellow of the American Heart Association

Dr. Aurelian Bidulescu

American Heart Association Fellowship conferred by the Council on Epidemiology and Prevention is reserved for Premium Professional members who are scientists, physicians, clinical professionals and academicians with a major and productive interest in CV disease epidemiology and/or CV disease prevention, and whose accomplishments support the stated objectives of the AHA/ASA and the Council on Epidemiology and Prevention. Fellowship provides a means to recognize and award Premium Professional members for excellence, innovative and sustained contributions in the areas of scholarship; practice; and/or education; and volunteer service and/or leadership within in the AHA/ASA.

This year Dr. Aurelian Bidulescu, associate professor in the department of epidemiology and biostatistics, has been elected as a Fellow of the American Heart Association for his outstanding dedication and achievement. Dr. Bidulescu will be honored at a reception during November where he will receive an official letter of election and FAHA certificate to commemorate his achievement.

Student Spotlight: Michaela Cisney

Michaela Cisney

Meet Michaela

Michaela Cisney earned a bachelor's of science in community health, with minors in contemporary dance and nutrition science from IUB in 2012 before deciding to return and participate in the master of public health program with a concentration in behavioral, social, and community health. Michaela chose the School of Public Health-Bloomington after working with families at a local service organization, “The connections between poverty and health and the web of factors that influence individual's choices and health outcomes confirmed my desire to earn an MPH,” she noted.

Making an International Impact

As part of her education, Michaela volunteered at a residential care facility in India for children with disabilities, and was struck by the challenges the children and families faced in low-income countries. “Children with disabilities in low-income countries, the families of those children, and the efforts of their communities to provide care and rehabilitation are some of the most neglected areas in global health research and practice,” she said. In response to her experience, Michaela spent three years further researching the need, and in 2014, after a return trip to India, established the Priyam Global Initiative with her husband.

The organization’s mission is to maximize the quality of life of children with unique abilities worldwide; replace global misunderstanding of disabilities with appreciation and equality; and end preventable child disability. Working with partner organizations around the globe, Priyam has adopted three main strategies: capacity building, advocacy, and special initiatives.

“We support the existing efforts of our partner organizations and work closely with local stakeholders to provide resources such as trained volunteers, targeted funding, and monitoring and evaluation, always with the ultimate goal of improving the quality of life for children. Within advocacy, our aim is to create new ways of thinking about children and abilities and to emphasize the importance of children with disabilities and their families in global health and development agendas. We also hope to collaborate with our partner organizations to design and implement long-term initiatives such as early intervention or childhood disability prevention initiatives. Up to 80% of the disabilities in the communities where we work can be prevented with proper maternal care during pregnancy and the postpartum period.”

How to Get Involved

Volunteer: Priyam works to recruit, train, and place volunteers in flexible volunteer positions any time during the year. Students who are interested in volunteering in India can learn more here.

Donate: Interested parties can also donate here or contact Michaela for more information at info@priyamglobal.org. 100% of donations support initiatives with our global partner in India.

IU is coming to Turkey!

Merhaba! Indiana University is coming to Turkey, and we want to see you!

You are cordially invited to join IU President Michael A. McRobbie;
IU First Lady Laurie Burns McRobbie; Vice President for International Affairs David Zaret;
and a delegation of IU leaders, alumni, and friends as you reconnect with IU and your fellow alumni. This will be an opportunity to hear about Indiana University’s bold strategic
vision, recent successes, and new initiatives.

We're making 2 stops!

Ankara
Thursday, Sept. 25
Alumni Reception
JW Marriott, Prusa room, 6–8 p.m.
Presidential remarks at 7 p.m.
JW Marriott Ankara Hotel
Kızılırmak Mah. Muhsin Yazıcıoğlu Cad. No: 1
Söğütözü 06520, Ankara

Istanbul
Saturday, Sept. 27
Alumni Reception
SALT, 4th floor, 6–8 p.m.
Presidential remarks at 7 p.m.
Bankalar Caddesi 11
Karaköy 34420, Istanbul

Event is complimentary. Dress is business casual.
Please RSVP by Sept. 19 to Jacquelyn Beane at jibeane@iu.edu