By Andrea V. Watson, Director of Marketing & Communications

Rockford University’s Marketing and Communications copywriter, Sara Myers, has been writing and editing for most of her life. That passion and love of storytelling was recently acknowledged when she received a prestigious writing award last month for an article she published in the Beloit Daily News. 

Prior to joining RU, Myers worked as a reporter with the Adams Publishing Group, who owns Beloit Daily News. Her story, “Closing the ‘Boyfriend Loophole’ in Gun Law May Impact Domestic Violence,” received First Place in the “Localized National Story” category of the 2022 Wisconsin Newspaper Association’s (WNA) Foundation Better Newspaper Contest.  Learn more about her award here.

The judges’ comments were:

“Really great job of presenting the data in a way that is simple to understand. This story was well-researched and incredibly well-written. Although guns being used in homicides more often than any other weapon seems obvious, the writer does a great job of including statistics to drive home the point. Using the local cases along with statewide data really localizes the national issue for the reader. This could be a textbook example for the category. Also, the compelling quote at the end resonates well. Excellent choice for the ending.” 

“I was very surprised to hear I won this award,” Myers said. “I want to thank the judges for giving me this honor and thank them for their kind words. I also want to thank my family, friends, past editors (especially Clint Wolf of Beloit Daily News), colleagues, college professors and my boyfriend, Ian for supporting me and my career.” 

Myers is a Rockford, Ill. native who said she grew up knowing she wanted to write professionally. 

“At the age 14 I was inspired to go into the journalism field after reading magazines like Rolling Stone and Alternative Press,” she said. 

Myers attended schools in the Winnebago School District and graduated from Winnebago High School in May of 2013.  She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville in Platteville, Wisconsin with her B.S. in Media Studies, with an emphasis in Journalism and a minor in Public Relations.  

Her resume includes an Editor-In-Chief position for her college’s newspaper, a radio DJ, and both editor and multimedia editor roles. Myers has written news and feature articles, as well as produced video content for both editorial and marketing projects.  

When she’s not writing professionally, Myers said she enjoys writing songs and poetry. She also spends her free time attending concerts with friends or her boyfriend Ian. Besides loving and listening to music, Myers said she loves spending time with her dog Pearl, and friends and family, especially her new niece, Georgia, who turned 1 in February. 

RU’s Center for Learning Strategies program has received a certification from an internationally recognized organization for its peer tutoring program.

ROCKFORD, Ill. — Rockford University is proud to announce that its Center for Learning Strategies (CLS) program has earned its Level 1 and Level II Advanced Certification from the internationally recognized College Reading & Learning Association (CRLA).

In the academic community CRLA is a group of student-oriented professionals active in the fields of reaching, learning assistance, developmental education, tutoring, and peer educating at the college/adult level. CRLA documents selfless service and is a good application-builder for scholarships, graduate school and other academic pursuits. 

This certification provides RU the opportunity to set professional standards of skill and training for tutors and peer educators.

“Receiving the College Reading and Learning Association Level I & Level II Advanced certification is a huge accomplishment for our department and our institution,” said Karen Walker, Ed.D., Dean of Academic Support, Center for Learning Strategies Coordinator, Men of Color Mentorship Program.

 “Over the past three years our team has worked diligently to enhance our peer-facilitated academic support services,” Walker said. “Our peer tutoring program is now aligned with internationally recognized best practices in higher education and our Peer Tutors can earn recognition for their efforts to help other students succeed in their coursework at RU.”

The CLS team has worked to develop Peer Tutor training curriculum and manuals that are aligned with the CRLA tutor training sessions for Peer Tutors. 

According to Walker, for 30 plus years more than 2,000 college tutor training programs around the world have received CRLA certification at one or more Levels. CRLA-certified programs demonstrate high standards.

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For questions or interviews, please contact the Communications Department at Communications@Rockford.edu.

By Sara Myers-Hogshead, Digital Media & Communications Specialist

All are welcome at Rockford University, even fur friends. So, it’s not uncommon to see a group of therapy dogs greeting students, faculty and staff. The program launched in 2017 and has been a comforting experience for all involved, according to the group’s founder.

“The program started off with just two dogs and it got instant attention and was great with the students,” said Greta Alfano, who started the therapy dog group. 

The goal, she said, was to help reduce stress. She knew firsthand how effective a therapy dog could be for someone dealing with a lot of stress, she said. Alfano said she was originally inspired to get her dogs certified as therapy dogs after her first golden retriever passed away from Lymphoma. 

She said that even though he was in pain, he was still able to provide comfort and support. After his passing, Alfano said she welcomed another golden retriever into her family, Rigatoni. She said she knew instantly that he was going to be a therapy dog. 

Alfano started the group at RU after her daughter,  who attended the university and has since graduated, suggested she bring therapy dogs to campus. Alfano’s two dogs, Rigatoni and rough collie Biscotti, are both certified therapy dogs, who have visited nearby schools, hospitals, court houses, and more to help support those in the community in need of the service. 

The therapy dog group at RU has grown from two dogs to now a dozen. The group and their owners usually make their appearances during midterms and right before finals. On average, they can be seen on the RU campus at least three times a semester, Alfano said.

On March 24, Rockford University students, staff, faculty and visitors were greeted by five furry friends on the first floor of the Burpee Student Center. The therapy dogs and their handlers were available for anyone who wanted to stop and say hello.

Alfano, who has helped lead the group for the last six years, brought her rough collie Biscotti that particular day. 

The other dogs in the therapy dog group that visited March 24 included maltese/yorkie (or “Morkie”) Oliver and his handler Dawn Pfluger; golden Retriever Charlie and his handler Kelly Benet from Madison, WI; Golden Retriever Voight (the second) and his handler Melanie Boyd; and Corgi Whisper and her handler Claudia Ashbrenner. 

Whisper was named after Queen Elizabeth II’s corgi named Whisper, Ashbrenner said. 

“She’s been to (Rockford) City Hall and the 911 Call Center,” Ashbrenner said while talking about where she and Whisper had been to volunteer in town. 

Sophomore students Stephanie Ermilio and Ana Varela stopped by Burpee and were happy to see the therapy dogs on the first floor. Ermilo said the dogs give off a type of tranquility. It also made her think of her chihuahua at home. 

“It’s nice to chill here and give them a belly rub,” Ermilio said with a laugh.  

The therapy dogs will be back at RU at 11:45 a.m. on Thursday, April 27, on Burpee’s first floor.

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Eligible students can receive the Horizon Grant annually for up to four years. The Computer Science Department will now offer Cybersecurity as a major. 

Rockford, Ill. — Rockford University Interim President Patricia Lynott announced Tuesday, April 18, a new initiative to give students access to higher education and a new major to prepare them for the changing workforce.

University officials held a news conference at 10 a.m. on campus to share details. The Rockford University Horizon Grant allows eligible prospective Illinois students to attend the university for $5,000 a year. This grant will benefit new freshmen and transfer students, particularly those in the Rockford area, who want to stay close to home. The RU Horizon Grant will give eligible students an affordable, exceptional higher educational option. They will be able to achieve their academic and career goals at an affordable cost.

“We are so committed to access and affordability, and trying to find a reasonable way to get as many qualified students here as possible to take advantage of this education,” Dr. Lynott said. “The Rockford University Horizon Grant program is a huge opportunity for many students that we hope we will be able to serve.”

Those eligible for the Horizon grant must be Illinois residents, admitted to Rockford University and MAP and Pell-eligible. 

The RU Horizon Grant is removing barriers, according to RU Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management and Director of Student Administrative Services Todd Fischer-Free.

“A lot of what we are doing here at the university right now is planning for the future,” he said. “What’s on the horizon? We have some incredible programs, but we also know that there’s a segment in our local area in the region and within the state where finances are a barrier to higher education.”

The university is working closely with state and federal programs to provide eligible prospective Illinois students with financial aid in the amount of $31,500 a year, or 86% of tuition, he said. That leaves $5,000 as the amount that the student and family will have to contribute toward tuition.

“We’re really being forward-looking and embracing the community feels pretty great,” Fischer-Free said. 

University officials also announced a new cybersecurity major that will be housed in the Computer Science Department. Nationally, there are about 755,000 jobs available in the cybersecurity field. 

“Introducing this new major is really about responding to a changing market,” said Rockford University Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Michael Perry. “We also recognize that we are first and foremost educators, but as we educate, we’re educating them to be part of a growing and changing world.”

“We were really excited today to make these announcements,” Dr. Lynott said. 

Learn more about the Rockford University Horizon Grant here.

Learn more about the Cybersecurity here.

More than ever, businesses and other organizations depend on effectively managing and maintaining information and protecting digital infrastructures. When you major in Computer Science with a concentration in cybersecurity at Rockford University, you’ll learn the skills necessary to keep vital information secure.

With 3.5 million cybersecurity job openings projected worldwide by 2025, cybersecurity professionals are in high demand. Graduating with a degree in computer science with an emphasis in cybersecurity will create significant job opportunities in a variety of industries such as healthcare, technology, financial services, government, manufacturing and more.

At Rockford University, the cybersecurity track offers you the opportunity to learn to build and maintain secure networks while benefiting from a thoughtfully crafted curriculum. With required courses in statistics, criminal justice, and business law and ethics, in addition to core courses in computer science and information technology, you will receive a well-rounded education that will set you up for success in the cybersecurity industry.

ABOUT ROCKFORD UNIVERSITY

Rockford University is a private four-year, co-educational institution founded in 1847 offering undergraduate and graduate degrees in traditional liberal arts and professional fields. The university offers more than 80 majors, minors, and concentrations, including the bachelor’s degree completion program offering a B.S. in management studies and accounting studies. Through its graduate programs, degrees are extended to include the Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT), and Master of Education in Urban Education, (M.Ed.). Rockford University is home to one of only 11 Phi Beta Kappa (PBK) chapters in Illinois, the most prestigious honor society in the United States. Named by The Princeton Review as a Best Midwestern College and as a U.S. News & World Report Best Midwest Regional University, Rockford University currently serves approximately 1,250 full-and part-time students.

More photos from the press conference:

Nearly 150 RPS 205 eleventh-grade high school students took part in a business trade show April 14 as part of RPS’ Business & Entrepreneur pathway. 

ROCKFORD, Ill. — RPS 205 hosted a career training/business competition on Friday, April 14, for nearly 150 eleventh grade students from Auburn, East, Guilford, and Jefferson high schools in Rockford. 

The event served as a trade show where students participated in competitions. Students developed businesses to sell their products/services such as smoothies and wireless charging panel backpacks. 

They sold their products virtually through a platform provided by Virtual Enterprise International (VEI), which is a course curriculum that provides students authentic business experiences to prepare them for a global business environment. The competition served as a hands-on learning experience, allowing students to demonstrate what they’ve learned in a real world setting.

Community business partners joined RPS 205 Friday to judge the competitions. 

“Every high school student at Rockford Public Schools will enter into a Career Academy in their sophomore year based on career interest,” said Auburn High School College & Career Academy Coach Kathryn Haun, prior to the event. “Each high school offers the same 4 traditional Academies that are based on common career clusters and local workforce demand.”

RPS students had multiple groups who had booths for their “business/service,” to try to sell goods. Some booths included the “business” E-Lumineers, who described themselves as an eco-friendly company that wants to make charging (devices) easier for students and commuters by creating a wireless charging panel backpage. 

Other booths included food business Choosy Smoothie; Florant, Flowers & Candles Co.; and guitar business Immortal Strings.

Jefferson students Juniors Aniah Mellion and Jenise Sims, from the Immortal String group, said their businesses’ guitar strings were made to last longer than most guitar strings, which is up to three years. 

Students participated in work-based learning experiences that include district-wide events and competitions, Haun said. In VEI, they develop firms and will work in teams to develop virtual businesses and compete against each other throughout the year in competitions and trade shows, she added.

Students also toured the college and learned about RU business programs.

The visit also included a Q&A session with a RU business panel. The panel featured RU Professor Jeff Karlberg, Director of Admission Liz Nardi, Director of Career Services Chelsea Minor, and RU students Mykal Brown and Julisa Gutierrez.  

A link to all photos taken at the event can be viewed here. 

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Questions on the event can be sent to Communications@Rockford.edu.

For Immediate Release

April 5, 2023

Shaker is an accomplished Syrian violist and award-winning refugee advocate who survived the war in her home country, Syria. 

ROCKFORD, Ill. — Musician and award-winning refugee advocate Mariela Shaker will visit Rockford University this Friday, April 7, as part of our Rockford University Forum Series. Shaker’s forum will be Friday at 7 p.m. at the Fisher Chapel on campus at 5050 E. State St. in Rockford.

She has performed and spoken at many prestigious events and at places such as Harvard University and Carnegie Hall. 

Shaker will be at RU’s campus Friday morning starting at 9 a.m. in Clark Arts Center, Room 210, where she will visit with Music History II students. Afterward, Shaker will have a break from 10 to 11 a.m. to chat with the media.

Local media is invited to campus at 9 a.m. Friday at Clark Arts Center. 

About Shaker:

Mariela Shaker survived the war in Syria and the attack on the University of Aleppo (located in Aleppo, Syria) where she was studying business in 2013. Shaker then fled to the U.S. to study music at Monmouth College in New Jersey.

Once she was here in the U.S., Shaker was unable to return home, and in only four years, she finished her bachelor’s degree at Monmouth and a master’s at DePaul University with full-tuition scholarships. 

Being a refugee in the U.S., Mariela feels safe, but worries about her family and friends left behind. And more than another, though fascinating refugee story, Mariela stands for drive and determination and empowering young women.

Shaker can be found on her Instagram.

Forum Series

The Rockford University Forum Series presents speakers in a variety of disciplines who have achieved success both nationally and locally, and performers of stature in the arts. The Forum Series’ central programming focus is geared toward students, while also seeking to connect campus to the local community. Lectures and performances are concerned with intellectual, social, and cultural matters of general interest to deepen and broaden students’ education at Rockford University and enhance the rich culture of Rockford.

Forum Series presenters and events cover a broad spectrum of scope and genre. Events have included the Tibetan lamas from Drepung Loseling Monastery and their creation of a mandala—a sacred sand painting; Holocaust survivor Zev Kedem, the compelling speaker who worked with Steven Spielberg on the movie Schindler’s List; Oscar Arias, former president of Costa Rica and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize for his work on a Central American Peace Plan; quadriplegic Olympic bronze medal rugby player Mark Zupan; film documentarian Barbara Martinez Jitner, who produced “La Frontera;” Davar Ardalan, author of “My Name is Iran;” and traditional University events like the President’s Opening Convocation, Charter Day Convocation, and theater productions.

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To RSVP, please contact the Communications Department at Communications@Rockford.edu by 8 a.m. April 7.

Contact:

Sara Myers

RU Marketing & Communications

smyers@rockford.edu

815.980.4809

For Immediate Release: 

April 5, 2023

Nearly 100 RPS 205 middle school students will engage in interactive workshops that include building paper rockets, and more with the assistance of RU students.

What: Rockford University, Lincoln and Marshall Middle School students

When: April 6, 2023, 10:30 a.m. -2 p.m.

Where: Starr Science Center, Rockford University, 5050 E. State St, Rockford, IL. 61108

Who: Rockford University students, faculty and staff; Lincoln and Marshall Middle School students; university officials, and media

ROCKFORD, Ill. —Rockford University will host nearly 100 students from Lincoln and Marshall Middle Schools in Rockford on Thursday, April 6, for STEM Day. The middle school students will be on campus from 10:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

During the event, middle school students will engage in multiple interactive workshops about electricity, probability, building a paper rocket, oxidation, and more. 

Rockford University students will be working with the middle school students during the different workshops and RU professors from mathematics, computer science, physics, and chemical & biological sciences will lead the workshop. Lincoln and Marshall students will even get a campus tour and lunch on-campus to learn more RU.

Media are invited to attend the event and speak with the RU faculty who organized the workshops. We ask that the media arrive promptly at 10:30 a.m. and RSVP to our email below. 

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Questions or interview requests can be sent to Communications@Rockford.edu. We ask the media to please RSVP by emailing us by 8:30 a.m. April 6. 

Contact:

Sara Myers

RU Marketing & Communications

smyers@rockford.edu

815.980.4809

March 2, 2023

ROCKFORD, Ill. — Nearly 250 RPS 205 high school students from four schools competed Thursday, March 2, in the ‘Balloon Bots Robotics’ Competition. Three teams placed and left with awards in the final round.

A team from Roosevelt High School took home First Place, followed by East High School in Second Place and Jefferson High School in Third Place. The sophomores, juniors, and seniors came from Guilford, East, Jefferson, and Roosevelt high schools. The students are a part of the Project Lead The Way Engineering program, which focuses on multiple concentrations. Today’s focus was engineering. From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. groups participated in head-to-head meets that pitted their robot designs against their opponents. The goal was to see who could first pop their robot’s 3 balloons.

Chelsea Wright, a junior at East, who has been working with robots since 6th grade called the competition “fun.” Wright aspires to one day work in aerospace so said Project Lead The Way has been beneficial in helping their career trajectory. 

The event opened up with a special welcome from guest speaker Donald Bossi, a General Partner with Technology Ventures Partner (TVP). He shared how people in STEM careers earn higher salaries.

“I don’t think everyone should be motivated by money, that’s not necessarily a reason to do it, but if [STEM] is your passion, you find it interesting, you enjoy building things that do fun stuff like popping balloons, well it doesn’t just have to be your pastime, it can be your career,” Bossi said. “It can make your life better, your family’s better and your community better.”

During the event, officers from the Rockford Police Department showed up with their bomb robots to share with students.

RPD Assistant Deputy Chief Ty Eagleson said their bomb unit has different variations of robots.

“We brought ours to show the students that what they’re designing today could be used in the real world by the Police Department and other agencies,” he said. 

The students were able to see one of the police department’s smaller robots, which Eagleson said is used to get a closer look inside places and easily maneuver in small spaces.

All the teams had the opportunity to compete in up to five matches and their top three were used for ranking. The top six teams competed in the final Battle Royal until the last robot was standing. 

Project Lead the Way:

Project Lead The Way provides transformative learning experiences for PreK-12 students and teachers across the U.S. We create an engaging, hands-on classroom environment and empower students to develop in-demand knowledge and skills they need to thrive. Our professional development for teachers provides training, resources, and support to engage students in real-world learning.

Our pathways in computer science, engineering, and biomedical science engage students in hands-on activities, projects, and problems; empower them to solve real-world challenges; and inspire them to reimagine how they see themselves.

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Questions or interview requests can be sent to Communications@Rockford.edu

Photos can be found HERE.

For Women’s History Month, we wanted to chat with some women on Rockford University’s campus in leadership roles. We’re ending our series with our new Director of Marketing and Communications: Andrea V. Watson. 

How has your career brought you to your present-day Director of Marketing and Communications role at Rockford University?

High school junior Andrea never imagined she’d be the Director of Marketing and Communications at Rockford University — or any higher ed institution for that matter. Like many young people, I started out with tunnel vision, knowing exactly where I planned to go to college and where I’d end up working. I didn’t know then that my interests and passions would change as I grew older. 

I received my B.A. in English from the University of Illinois at Chicago and my M.A. in Journalism from Columbia College Chicago. Most of my career was spent in fast-paced work environments where I was able to focus on my love of storytelling, while always meeting new people. In addition to writing and editing, I enjoyed analyzing digital and social media metrics, developing strategic plans, and creating new user engagement opportunities.

I also knew that many of my digital and editing skills would be transferable, but I just didn’t know at which point I’d switch careers. Well shortly after one of my former Chicago newsrooms folded, I landed a job with Chicago Public Schools. The communications department had a new digital media manager role which I was offered. 

I quickly realized I could still use my writing and digital skills while amplifying the school district’s message through strategic planning. I think it was during that job that I truly began to see a different career path as a realistic possibility for myself. 

How do you think your background as a reporter and editor will help in your new role as Director of Marketing and Communications at RU?

I believe that my background will help me in my new role because many of my skills are transferable. In all of my previous journalism jobs, I’ve had to find ways to market our content. I had to build relationships with the community, elected officials, businesses, sponsors, and more. I’ve grown my digital and multimedia skills over the years. Also, having a journalism background gives me an advantage when it’s time to pitch stories about RU to the media. I’ve seen plenty of what doesn’t work.

Aside from my career background, I was once a college student. I enjoyed my college experience and made the conscious decision to stay in Illinois for my education. I remember what worked for me. I was also very involved on campus. I was a student and parent orientation leader. I helped spearhead UIC’s Transfer Student Advisory Council. I participated in three of our student support programs and actively mentored freshmen. 

How do you celebrate Women’s History Month?

I never stop celebrating, honoring and supporting women, but during Women’s History Month, I make a special effort to attend local events and exhibits. 

Linda Ploenzke Sandquist is the recently appointed Interim VP of Advancement and a 1985 RU graduate. Sandquist shared her thoughts on her new position at RU and on Women’s History Month in general.  

How has your career brought you to your present-day role as Interim VP of Advancement? 

I came to my role as Interim VP of Advancement through a series of incidents in my life, some planned and some unplanned. My mother suggested I go to Rockford College because she wanted to keep me close to our home in Loves Park. I met my husband at RC and after he finished law school, he was offered a job here in Rockford.  

When I was staying home, raising our two daughters, I volunteered for nonprofit agencies doing fundraising and marketing. I re-entered the workforce using those skills at the Community Foundation and eventually United Way. I was lucky enough to be on RU’s Board of Trustees when the Advancement Office was reorganized and now here, I am! 

How do you celebrate Women’s History Month? 

I celebrate Women’s History Month by taking pride in the lives of our two grown daughters. My daughter, Amy, is a hospice social worker and my daughter, Kelly, is a kindergarten teacher. Someone once told me that they were “do-gooders.”  

Currently, they are stay-at-home moms raising their own children. They will most likely re-enter the workforce one day, but right now I couldn’t be more proud of the good they did in their early careers and the good they do now helping my grandchildren feel loved and safe as they grow. 

What are you looking to accomplish in your new role as Interim VP of Advancement? 

In this role as Interim VP of Advancement, I am hoping that my colleagues and I can connect with RU alumni and make them feel a worthwhile connection to our university. Over the past two years, I have come to appreciate how valuable having an affinity for your alma mater is.  

Many alums tell me Rockford College/Rockford University felt “magical” to them when they were here. It’s my hope that more and more alums can remember that feeling and that together we can celebrate our past and ensure a bright future for alums yet to come.