President Wiseman discusses Achieving Career Excellence program

Program strives to prepare students for 21st century employment opportunities

(From left) Saint Xavier University Vice President for University Mission and Heritage Sr. Sue Sanders, RSM, stops to pose for a picture with Francis Houlihan, friend of the University, and SXU President Christine M. Wiseman, J.D., during the Achieving Career Excellence event hosted by SXU at the Chicago Yacht Club. (SXU Photo)

Chicago (July 29, 2011) More than 60 people recently gathered for an evening at the Chicago Yacht Club to discuss the Achieving Career Excellence program offered by Saint Xavier University’s Graham School of Management. President Christine M. Wiseman, J.D., welcomed the audience and led the lively discussion, which focused on identifying the skills needed to prepare students for job opportunities in the 21st century. In an effort to enhance the ACE program, the Career Services staff as well as the faculty of the Graham School asked for specific suggestions from the business leaders in attendance.

“Saint Xavier University is a microcosm of the U.S. workforce with a diverse student breakdown of 66 percent White, 17 percent African-American, 12 percent Hispanic, and 3 percent Asian,” Wiseman said. “It is our responsibility to prepare our students for the job market in the 21st century because we are educating the workforce America needs and you will want to hire. We strive for excellence in our ACE program because we are shaping the minds of our future leaders.”

In attendance were members of SXU’s Board of Trustees, the President’s Cabinet, Dean’s Council, Advisory Committee members, donors, and faculty. Featured were two rising students in the Graham School of Management: Grace Jablonowski, a junior from Downers Grove majoring in Hospitality Management, and Michael Wurster, a junior from Plainfield majoring in Business and Organizational Communications.

For more information on the Graham School of Management’s Achieving Career Excellence program, please contact Laura Earner at (773) 298-3646.

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Media Contact:
Karla Thomas, Executive Director of Media Relations
(773) 298-3937 or kthomas@sxu.edu

Video Alert - Prof. William Kresse discusses fake IDs coming from overseas on FOX Chicago News at 9

SXU Prof. William Kresse talks about the Cook County Sheriff's office recent crackdown on phony driver's licenses being sent from China right to the hands of underage locals, as well as the danger that the holders of the fake IDs are putting themselves in the way of, on Fox Chicago News at 9 pm.

Kresse is an associate professor at the Graham School of Management and director of the Saint Xavier University Center for the Study of Fraud and Corruption.

SXU ranks in Top 10 online Master of Science in Nursing Degree Programs

Nationally recognized nursing school honored for “highly selective, leadership-oriented” program

Chicago (July 21, 2011) Saint Xavier University’s School of Nursing recently ranked sixth in the “Top 10 Online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Degree Programs of 2011-2012” by TheBestColleges.com.

SXU’s online MSN program, which offers specializations in clinical leadership and executive leadership, was assessed as a “highly selective, leadership-oriented” degree program from “a top-ranked Catholic university with a nursing school nationally recognized for its excellence in nursing education.” Rankings are based on numerous factors, including reputation, accreditation, student satisfaction, ratio of students to instructors and tuition.

“Highly skilled nurses are in demand now more than ever, and the field will continue expanding as a generation of workers reach retirement,” said School of Nursing Dean Gloria Jacobson, R.N., Ph.D. “Saint Xavier’s online MSN program helps busy professionals advance their education and earning potential at a top-quality institution while still maintaining their family and work obligations.”

SXU’s School of Nursing was one of only seventeen programs in the nation to be designated a Center of Excellence in Nursing Education by the National League for Nursing for its exceptional and sustained efforts to create environments that promote student learning and professional development.

Read about SXU’s online MSN program here. Learn more about the School of Nursing here, or contact (773) 298-3701.

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Media Contact:
Karla Thomas, Executive Director of Media Relations
(773) 298-3937 or kthomas@sxu.edu

Saint Xavier University appoints executive director of media relations

Karla D. Thomas selected after national search

Chicago (July 7, 2011) Saint Xavier University announces the recent appointment of Karla D. Thomas as executive director of media relations effective June 27, 2011.

Thomas was selected after a national search to direct and develop Saint Xavier’s comprehensive media relations effort, serve as a university spokesperson and be the primary point of contact for all media queries and requests for information. She will report to Vice President for University Relations Robert Tenczar.

“Thomas has over 20 years of P.R. and marketing experience with a proven track record in securing media coverage locally and nationally on behalf of for profit and nonprofit organizations throughout Chicago. Her wide array of media contacts will be a valuable asset to Saint Xavier University.” Tenczar said.

Thomas, a native of Chicago, began her career in consumer marketing working on the McDonald’s account as well as KFC, Baskin-Robbins and S.C. Johnson Wax. She eventually shifted her career focus to cause-related marketing opportunities at the March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation and has spent the past 15 years in director of communications positions within three well-known organizations — Chicago Foundation for Women, One Hope United, and Old St. Patrick’s Church. She has established and maintains great relationships with the press in a changing media landscape. Thomas also brings years of experience in brand development, social media, and crisis communications.

“Having grown up on the South Side of Chicago, I’m truly honored and excited to be directing the media relations efforts for a University steeped in such a rich history of educational achievement,” said Thomas. “I look forward to sharing with the public all of the wonderful stories and activities taking place at Saint Xavier University.”

Thomas has a bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Journalism from Columbia College and resides in Oak Lawn.

-SXU-

Media Contact:
Karla Thomas, Executive Director of Media Relations
(773) 298-3937 or kthomas@sxu.edu

SXU receives nearly $300,000 grant to train Chicago Public Schools teachers

~IBHE grant funds “Developing 21st Century Critical Thinking Skills” program~

Chicago (July 5, 2011) The Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) recently awarded Saint Xavier University’s School of Education with a $296,966 grant to train Chicago Public School elementary teachers how to more effectively help students learn critical thinking skills.

The IBHE grant will fund the “Developing 21st Century Critical Thinking Skills” program, which focuses on educating teachers to develop young children’s cognitive skills such as self-regulation, attention, reasoning, problem solving and fine motor skills. Additionally, it trains teachers to assess the development of concepts such as spatial relationships, numbers and weights.

“It is crucial that teachers understand how important it is for students in the 21st century to learn how to think critically and become accomplished learners in math, science, literacy, and all subjects that impact their lives,” said SXU School of Education Dean Beverly Gulley.

SXU faculty members, led by Assistant Professor and Project Director Mary Bell, will mentor teachers at Blaine Elementary School, Brenneman Elementary School, DeWitt Clinton Elementary School and Joseph Stockton Elementary School. The training will primarily focus on kindergarten through second grade teachers.

“This program will be excellent in terms of serving the larger educational community and improving its quality, providing valuable experience and information to our faculty, and strengthening our ties with the Chicago Public School system,” Bell said.

This is SXU’s second year of participation in this three-year program. The first year focused on math, this year focuses on literacy, and next year will focus on science.

For more information, please contact the School of Education at (773) 298-3200.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION

Rick Ducat, Assistant Director of Media Relations
O: (773) 298-3325
C: (708) 306-0402
ducat@sxu.edu