Campus clips – CUS schools expand programs, services

Director of Advancement Lois Montorio and Director of Career Exploration Ovan Oakley display some of the items available to students from Concordia College New York’s (CCNY) student food pantry. (CCNY)

Note: The following reports predate the COVID-19 campus closures.

Food and clothing for students

Donations from staff and faculty at Concordia College New York (CCNY), Bronxville, N.Y., are benefiting students. The Concordia Food Pantry makes non-perishable food items and toiletries available to any student in need. The Concordia Career Closet provides professional clothing and accessories for students. Shelving for both spaces was given anonymously in honor of Dr. Robert Meier, a former CCNY professor.

Doctoral programs added

Concordia University, Ann Arbor, Mich., has hired directors for its doctoral programs in occupational therapy and physical therapy. The university is currently in the professional accreditation process for a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies. Learn more at blog.cuaa.edu/otd-and-dpt-announcement.

Culturally responsive special ed

Concordia University Texas, Austin, Texas, recently launched an online curriculum for a master’s degree in Culturally Responsive Special Education. The curriculum trains general- and special-education teachers and administrators to collaborate with classroom teachers, recognize the difference between disability and cultural differences, and gain proficiency in high-level practices within special education. The program is based on the premise that language and cultural differences serve as part of the solution rather than part of a problem.

Geriatric care training

Concordia University Wisconsin, Mequon, Wis., is now able to better prepare future nurses thanks to the purchase of a state-of-the-art manikin. “Susie,” as the manikin is called, is wireless and tetherless and can simulate a variety of health conditions, including heart failure, low blood sugar, acute heart attack and more.

Excellence in financial aid

In recognition of its commitment to decreasing student dependency on loans, Concordia University Chicago, River Forest, Ill., made LendEDU’s “Best Colleges for Financial Aid” rankings in the categories of Need-Based, Non-Need-Based, International Students and Overall. The university is among the top third of Illinois colleges with the lowest average student debt at graduation.

Increasing enrollment

Overall enrollment at Concordia University, St. Paul (CSP), St. Paul, Minn., increased for the 14th consecutive spring semester. The increase is due to several factors, including a 13 percent increase (over spring 2019 totals) in CSP’s traditional undergraduate programs, a significant gain in new starts, a 5 percent increase in transfer-student retention, and an 11 percent increase in doctoral program enrollment.

Esports at CUNE

Concordia University, Nebraska (CUNE), Seward, Neb., will launch a competitive esports program this fall. Ryan Hinds, co-founder and board member of the Nebraska Schools eSports Association, has been hired to lead the program. Learn more at cune.edu/esports.

Posted April 23, 2020