Newsletter. Global Campus. The CMU Off-Campus & Online Programs Voice of Success. Central Michigan University

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1 The CMU Off-Campus & Online Programs Voice of Success Welcome to the second edition of the Central Michigan University Off-Campus and Online Programs, written especially for our graduates who have earned their Master of Arts degree in Education. CMU Off-Campus Alumni Relations will continue to issue similar newsletters in order to keep you updated on the activities and successes of CMU alumni. We hope you enjoy receiving these newsletters and encourage our MA degree in Education graduates to make them interactive by sending in your career updates, special interest articles pertaining to education, and related information for future publication. With your help, this newsletter will become a focal point for networking, industry news, and feedback about your CMU experience. CMU Off-Campus and Online Programs has exciting news! As a result of our growth in new programs, new locations, and new services, the Board of Trustees of Central Michigan University recently approved changing the name of our division to Central Michigan University Global Campus. The name change better reflects our centers across North America, our international locations, and our online offerings. Watch for more details soon. CMU Makes It Possible! The objectives are: Opening lines of communication with our alumni Providing a tool to assist in strengthening on-going relationships between alumni Using e-technology to inform our graduates of upcoming events and current activities on-campus and off-campus Assisting our alumni base in keeping professionally up-to-date Communicating career opportunities within the education profession Central Michigan University Global Campus Your feedback is always welcome! We need to hear from you so that our newsletter can continue to provide useful information to you and others in education. Feel free to contact the following individual(s) with article suggestions and/or comments about our newsletter: Dave Nicholson Development & Alumni Relations Manager nicho2dl@cmich.edu Jennifer Schindler Writer schin2jl@cmich.edu Central Michigan University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. CMU is an AA/EO institution (see cmuoffcampus@cmich.edu /12

2 Message from Dr. Merodie Hancock As professional educators, you know the importance of building your skills and knowledge in order to be successful in teaching. You need to take steps to innovate, energize, and motivate not only your students, but your peers as well. You already know the quality education that you received when earning your MA degree in Education from CMU. We strive to provide what you need to succeed more convenient educational opportunities to continue your own learning. We are proud to introduce the online Master of Arts degree in Teacher Leadership from Central Michigan University. This 33-credit hour degree program is enhanced with content from ASCD (formerly the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development), the global leader in innovative programs, products, and services that empower educators to support the success of each learner, and designed for teachers who love to teach and want to have an impact on their colleagues, curriculum, and policies. Best of all, and at your request, classes are available online, there are no entrance exams required, and you can complete your degree within two years. You can earn this leadership degree at your own place and pace! CMU also offers the MA degree in Teacher Leadership as a hybrid (a combination of face-to-face and online instruction) at select locations. Our current hybrid is taking place at CMU s Atlanta Center. Merodie A. Hancock Vice President/Executive Director Central Michigan University Off-Campus & Online Programs If you want to increase your leadership skills, we welcome you to look into this new and exciting degree program along with our other outstanding academic programs that are offered online, face-to-face or in a hybrid format at one of our over 50 sites located throughout North America. CMU s cohorts are also very popular and convenient; conducted in-house at educational institutions, businesses, governmental agencies, and at our centers to meet specific organizational needs. Remember, we will always remain your academic partner, so please consider CMU for your educational and professional development needs and keep us informed on what additional programs you would like to see developed. We learn too, and we learn from you. Feel free to contact CMU s Off-Campus and Online Programs toll-free at for more information on our degree programs. Thank you for your educational service. I wish you the best in your endeavors. Merodie A. Hancock, Ph.D. Vice President/Executive Director Central Michigan University Off-Campus & Online Programs

3 Register with the Carlin Alumni House for CMU updates and news Want the latest and greatest news about Central Michigan University and other alumni? Register with the Carlin Alumni House and receive updates via . Just go to: Complete the Update Information section and then click Submit. Now enjoy CMU s alumni updates! Alumni Updates Tazim Mawji, M.A. Ed, CMD, RT(T) of Woodbridge, Ontario earned a Master of Arts degree in Education (concentration in Community College) from CMU. Tazim works as a TPS Product Specialist for Varian Medical Systems, a corporation specializing in cancer care products. Tazim writes: I learn the latest products and then develop content and training plans for customers and internal staff. I also train staff on new and existing products and develop products such as electronic workbooks and electronic learning modules. Contact information: Tazim.mawji@varian.com Idris Johnson, Ed.S. of Douglasville, Georgia works at Park Street Elementary and is looking forward to receiving our informative newsletter. Contact information: ijohnson@marietta-city.k12.ga.us and mrmelik10@msn.com Carlos Sutton, Ph.D. of Riverdale, Georgia is glad to hear about our alumni newsletter focusing on education. Dr. Sutton writes: I am a part of the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) initiative as an eighth grade teacher for the DeKalb County (Georgia) School District. STEM is proving to be a wonderful experience to share with fellow educators and universities that are seeking top students in the future. Additionally, I am currently seeking adjunct employment at Central Michigan University and have found that your newsletter offers a great way to continue networking with other CMU alumni. I attended CMU s Atlanta Metro Center during the years of I met many wonderful people in my quest to achieve my Master of Arts degree in Education (concentration in Instruction) under Dr. Shelly Boardman. Since earning my master s degree, I have achieved my Doctorate of Education degree and want to network with other educators who are interested in the current trends in education, including Race to the Top, STEM initiatives, and other technology-related advancements in education, etc.

4 Alumni Updates (Continued) Dr. Joseph Mior, Ed.D. is a professor at Fleming College in Ontario, Canada in The School of General Arts and Sciences, and has served four terms on the Board of Governors at the college. Dr. Mior received an Honours BA degree in French Literature from York University in Toronto, a Master of Arts degree in Education from Central Michigan University, and an Ed.D. in Community College Leadership from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education - University of Toronto. Prior to joining Fleming College, Dr. Mior held positions with Bell Canada and Goldfarb Consultants as well as owning and operating two companies. Dr. Mior writes: I am currently under contract with two Canadian publishers to produce multimedia materials for Canadian Psychology and Sociology textbooks, in addition to consulting in the production of various websites. Najamuddin Mohammed earned a Master of Arts degree in Education in 2007 from a cohort that was offered at Humber College in Toronto, Canada. Najamuddin has worked at Humber College for almost 13 years. Najamuddin writes: What I learned as a graduate student was invaluable in helping me become an effective and active member while on Humber College s Academic Council and Board of Governors. I am always surprised to meet and find out how many other colleagues, ranging from professors to administrative and support staff, are also CMU (MA degree in Education) alumni and great ambassadors for the program. It was an excellent decision for me to enroll in the master s degree program offered at CMU and it has helped me considerably in my career. I still meet up with a few of my cohort members on a regular basis to network, share stories and good times as well as to keep in touch. Contact information: najamuddinmohammed@hotmail.com Peggy Downs is the founding Headmaster at Good Foundations Academy, a K-6 charter school that opened in 2010 and is currently serving over 400 students in Riverdale, Utah. The academy offers an advanced curriculum with Core Knowledge, Singapore Math, and Character First!. She earned a Master of Arts degree in Educational Leadership (emphasis in Charter School Leadership) in 2009 from Central Michigan University and holds an Administrative License from the State of Michigan. Peggy writes: I have been committed to charter schools and Core Knowledge for many years as a parent, teacher, and leader. Contact information: peggydowns1@msn.com

5 Off-Campus & Online Programs introduces new degree programs Online Master of Arts degree in Teacher Leadership We are very excited to offer students this new online degree program. Here are highlights about the 33-credit hour MA degree in Teacher Leadership: Taught completely online or in a hybrid format (combination of face-to-face and online instruction) at select locations. Nationally-accredited program for educational professionals who want to energize the collective skills of teachers to improve student learning. Perfect for positions such as department heads, literacy coaches, professional development/technology coordinators, anyone responsible for curriculum development. Offered in partnership with ASCD (formerly the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development) and includes content enriched with ASCD professional development materials. No entrance exams are required. Degree completion within two years. ASCD is the global leader in developing and delivering innovative programs, products, and services that empower educators to support the success of each learner. With 160,000 members, including superintendents, principals, teachers, professors, and advocates from more than 140 countries, the ASCD community also consists of 58 affiliate organizations. The nonprofit s diverse, nonpartisan membership is its greatest strength, projecting a powerful, unified voice to decision makers around the world. For more details on the MA degree in Teacher Leadership, call toll-free today! Online Master of Science in Administration degree Leadership concentration Students can now take the MSA degree with a concentration in Leadership completely online! Here are highlights about the 36-credit hour MSA degree with a concentration in Leadership: Taught completely online. Provides the knowledge and skills needed for administrators and supervisors to function effectively in a wide variety of administrative settings. Concentration in Leadership teaches you how to think, act, and react like a true leader. Increase your ability to think creatively, analyze critically, and manage knowledge effectively. No entrance exams are required. Degree completion within two years. For more details on the MSA degree with a Leadership concentration, call toll-free today!

6 Online Undergraduate Certificate in Social Media GREAT NEWS CMU now offers its first online Undergraduate Certificate in Social Media! As the impact of social media (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.) expands around the globe, employers are looking for competent communicators who are able to integrate social media tools into a strategic communications plan. In just five courses, you can learn how to fill this need! Possible careers include: Social Media Specialist Social Media Analyst Social Media Project Manager Social Media Marketing And many more careers in this new and expanding field Admission Requirements New students applying to a degree program who would like to add this certificate: Must apply to the bachelor s degree program you would like to pursue and discuss adding the undergraduate certificate with your academic advisor. You will be awarded the additional undergraduate certificate and have it added to your transcript when you complete your undergraduate degree. Non-degree seeking students: Must apply for the Undergraduate Certificate in Social Media. You do not need to submit transcripts, but must prove high school graduation or GED. You will receive your certificate when you successfully complete the required courses. You are not eligible for financial aid. Required Courses & Electives Required Courses (12 hours) JRN 105 Social Media in Society JRN 250 Social Media: Managing the Message JRN 370 Social Media Legal and Ethical Issues JRN 460 Social Media Practicum, Portfolio and Plan Electives (3 hours) Three semester hours to complement the Undergraduate Certificate in Social Media and your interests; chosen in consultation with your academic advisor. For more details on the Undergraduate Certificate in Social Media, call toll-free today!

7 CMU Career Services Helping you succeed in your career! Terence Hallamon PhD Assistant Director of Career Services for Off-Campus locations CMU Troy Center 1650 Research Drive, Suite 165 Troy, Michigan, Office hours: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday Click on this thumbnail to see how CMU s Career Services and Assistant Director of Career Services, Dr. Terence Hallamon, can help you get the job that you want! CMU s District Designed Professional Development (DDPD) Program provides university credit for professional development offered by partners The District Designed Professional Development (DDPD) Program offered by CMU allows partnering school districts or ISDs to provide graduate credit for professional development offered through their school district or ISD. According to Jennifer Boyce, Program Developer for CMU s Educational and Professional Development, many educators are required to earn six credit hours, or 18 SB-CEUs, every five years for certificate renewal. Collaborating with CMU offers districts the following benefits: University credit for educators and administrators seeking certificate renewal and step advancement Revenue return Partnership with higher education Local content experts as instructors The Department of Instructional Technology for the Macomb Intermediate School District (MISD) has worked collaboratively with CMU since the school year. The MISD s partnership with CMU has been very beneficial to its professional staff and faculty, due to the program s convenient application process and affordable educational opportunities. According to Dr. Jennifer Parker-Moore, Instructional Technology/Interactive Learning Consultant for the MISD in Clinton Township, Michigan, participating in CMU s DDPD program provides a win-win situation for the ISD and its educators. As a service organization, the MISD is pleased to provide the opportunity for educators to take courses for their professional growth, said Parker-Moore. Participants are truly enthusiastic about the graduate credit opportunities for reasons above and beyond their personal/professional growth e.g. advanced degrees, upward mobility or pay increases, certificate renewal, etc. The partnership between the MISD and CMU has given participants additional options with regards to their professional development choices. The MISD has been fortunate to work with dedicated CMU staff members including Mary Starnes, Jennifer Boyce, Amy Hodges, K. Schmittler, and others, noted Parker-Moore. These outstanding professionals have supported our partnership for the past four years by giving us the opportunity to grow the program offerings that include graduate credits at the

8 MISD. Whether it s establishing college conversion, expanding our course offerings, or providing connections to on-campus faculty, the CMU team has been wonderful to work with. Chuck Plachetzki, Technology Research Assistant for Traverse City Area Public Schools in Traverse City, Michigan, shares the same opinion about CMU s DDPD program. We have a close working relationship with those affiliated with the DDPD program at CMU for course paperwork submission for CMU approvals, said Plachetzki. I have always found the staff very friendly, helpful, and professional. Plus, the program allows our teachers and administrators to continue to pursue their graduate degrees while at work, he added. The process for getting a professional development offering approved for graduate credit earns high marks from DDPD program partners. The application process is user-friendly, time-sensitive, and consistent - with helpful staff to guide you, noted Parker-Moore. By using the online process, we are able to quickly submit our application and receive confirmation in a timely manner. Additionally, the application doesn t take hours and hours it s a quick, step-by-step process that allows you to define your local needs and create a unique course specifically for your educators. Furthermore, the DDPD program offers an affordable educational option for school districts, ISDs, and educators. CMU has definitely established itself as a viable option, added Parker-Moore. In a challenging economy, education is an important investment. CMU has kept it affordable, while continuing to expand and improve its offerings something truly valued by the Macomb customer-base. For more information on Central Michigan University s District Designed Professional Development program, contact Jennifer Boyce, Program Developer for Educational and Professional Development, at or by at boyce1jm@cmich.edu.

9 Join our social networks and stay connected to CMU Our successful alumni are the face of CMU. Now it s time to share your story and join the discussion! Check out the official profiles for Central Michigan University Off-Campus and Online Programs on popular social networks such as Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter. Stay connected with CMU, get the latest news about the university, showcase your Chippewa pride, and network with fellow CMU students and alumni. Share news instantly with fellow alumni using the links below: Like us on Facebook Go to: Follow us on Twitter Go to: Join us on LinkedIn Go to: Off-Campus Library Services (OCLS) now available on mobile devices! CMU s Off-Campus Library Services (OCLS) is now accessible on mobile devices. Access your mobile browser and enter ocls.cmich.edu to be automatically redirected to our new mobile site. You can then locate information, search our research guides, and even Ask A Librarian (includes texting) directly from your phone!

10 An alumnus at a glance An alumnus at a glance... is a new feature that will periodically appear in our Alumni, showcasing an alumnus who earned a degree from CMU s Off-Campus and Online Programs. Meet Amy Janz of Jackson, Michigan, who earned an undergraduate degree in Secondary Education (1995) in English and Speech from CMU as well as a Master of Arts degree in Humanities (2009) through CMU s off-campus cohorts in Livonia and at Washtenaw Community College in Ann Arbor. She teaches English classes at Grass Lake High School. According to Janz, earning two degrees from Central Michigan University was a rewarding experience. I loved coming back to CMU where I received my undergraduate degree, she said. I have a master s degree from Eastern Michigan University as well, but taking classes again at CMU was a little like coming home. All of Janz classes were taught face-to-face through a CMU cohort (a group of students who follow a set schedule of classes from start to finish) a format she appreciated during her studies. I preferred to have a professor and other students to interact with personally, rather than online, she noted. It seemed more immediately interactive. Working full-time during her master s degree studies, Janz was able to balance her job, busy lifestyle, and coursework due to CMU s convenient weekend formats. Although grueling at times, the weekend format fit my schedule better than taking classes on week days. Janz selected a master s degree in Humanities because of its broad curriculum. In teaching English, I often try to use art, history, music, and other concentrations to help create a larger picture of the importance of the literature we are studying in the context of when it was written, she noted. Additionally, having a degree with as broad a curriculum as the humanities has helped me immensely in gaining knowledge that I can use with students in all of my classes. Furthermore, Janz truly values the knowledge and skills she gained from Central Michigan University. I use the knowledge almost daily to make lessons that span a wider base of information and helps link together crosscurricular courses, she added. My students tell me that this helps them understand more what happens in other classes and how things are interconnected. Amy can be reached at marjanzs@sbcglobal.net. Thanks Amy for sharing your CMU experience with us!

11 A gift that keeps giving We all know how important it is to create a will. Although it sometimes may seem like a frightening task, finalizing your estate plan will free you from worry. Preplanning allows you to face the future knowing that your estate will be distributed according to your wishes and that people you trust will be in charge. Your last will and testament also provides you with assurance that you have made provisions for family members according to their needs and your wishes. If something should happen to you, they will be cared for. Additionally, you may wish to set aside funding for a special interest such as your alma mater. You can direct your personal representative to allot a certain percentage of your estate to establish an endowment at Central Michigan University. This fund will bear your name and provide a perpetual flow of income to CMU for generations to come creating a legacy through your bequest to CMU. Are you interested in assisting current and future students of CMU s Off-Campus and Online Programs? You can do so by visiting and clicking on the Giving tab located at the top of the web page. Once there, click on the How To Give link. Next, click on the Where To Give link located on the right-hand side of the web page. Under the Schools, Colleges & Departments catetgory, click on the Give Your Support Now button. Fill out appropriate information. Under the Select a College or Program drop down, click on CMU Off-Campus & Online Programs to designate your gift. For a free estate planning brochure, contact Ted Tolcher in CMU s Office of Planned and Major Gifts toll-free at or by at ted.tolcher@cmich.edu.