Every year, the Orlando Campus holds three open house opportunities for the community. For our March open house, we wanted to switch things up in order to reach those who are looking to venture off into new careers. With this in mind, we held the very first Career Exploration: Realizing Your Potential event. The event included a panel of speakers that represented the various programs we offer at Nova Southeastern University. These speakers included alumni, current faculty, and other community leaders. After asking a series of questions to aid those seeking positions in these fields, audience members had the opportunity to ask questions and network with the panel on a one-on-one basis. The event was a great success, and we are looking forward to hosting another career exploration event in the future. 

By: Liza Ferreira, Ed.S.

On January 17, 2018, the Orlando Campus officially kicked-off the non-profit networking and professional development initiative with the Know Your Neighbor networking event. The goal of this effort is to provide local non-profit organizations and professionals both networking and professional development opportunities, so that they can meet and collaborate, share insights, ideas, resources, and best practices, and gain the knowledge and resources they so desperately need to achieve their goals. 

The event was extremely successful and was followed by a series of seven professional development workshops, which were developed and delivered by both our outside partners as well as our esteemed faculty. We delivered workshops on social media, grant writing, non-profit leadership, non-profit governance, emergency management, and affirmative action and completed the first iteration of this series with a second Know Your Neighbor event, which was also a big success. 

In all, we brought dozens of organizations and over 300 non-profit professionals together and provided them with networking, a host of resources, and professional development programming. This is just the beginning; our ultimate goal is for NSU to become a networking hub for this population. 

I do want to give a special thanks to everyone who played a role in this effort and who contributed to its success. To our NSU Orlando Campus staff, esteemed faculty in the H. Wayne Huizenga College of Business & Entrepreneurship and grant writing lab, Jack Pinkowski, Ph.D., Robert Preziosi, D.P.A., Terrell Manyak, Ph.D., M.P.A., John Carroll, Ph.D., James Agbodzakey, Ph.D., and Roxana Ross, Ed.D., M.B.A., GPC, and all our outside partners that made this success, thank you so much!

By: Derrick Osso

The Sharks with a Purpose (S.W.A.P.) club joined forces with the local police departments and Harbor House to put a spotlight on domestic violence. The students were able to learn about the abuse that happens with not only women and children but the elderly as well. The event was a success with more than 100 door tags given out to those who may be in need of help. S.W.A.P. hopes to continue to help the local community with more volunteer events to come. 

By: Karline Pastrana

For the fourth straight year, NSU Orlando was able to bring together current NSU students, alumni, and faculty for the 10th Annual Food & Wine Festival. Student Affairs put together a great affair as attendees were able to enjoy the festivities in a V.I.P. tent right next to the main stage events.

 

By: Cyrus Smith

On April 21, the Orlando Student Government Association (SGA) had the opportunity to wander through Universal Studios and Islands of Adventures with other NSU regional campuses! Zoinks! They even had the chance to meet the Scooby-Doo Crew and got to ride The Incredible Hulk Coaster...multiple times! Already cannot wait to go back and be part of the madness once again!

By: Paulette Andrade

On April 26, the Nova Southeastern University (NSU) Orlando Campus hosted the Hispanic Chamber of Metro Orlando’s Business After Hours. These monthly events provide the opportunity for networking and to learn about the various organizations who are members of the chamber. For the month of April, NSU Orlando highlighted the ITEP program among other graduate programs along with the Professional Growth Series that is available for free to the community. Assistant directors Liza Ferreira, Ed.S. and Suki Overton-Morgan joined members of the chamber along with Judge Wilfredo Martinez of Orange County.

By: Liza Ferreira, Ed.S.

The Office of Regional Campuses got together to participate in the inaugural Office of Regional Campuses Fin Day. All eight campuses participated in the event as staff members were able to meet each other for the first time. It was a beautiful team-bonding event that encompassed what it truly means to be one NSU.

By: Cyrus Smith

On April 22, a group of physician assistant students and faculty volunteered as a part of the medical team at the 2018 Disney Star Wars Half Marathon. They worked with other medical volunteers to provide support and care to race participants. 

By: Stephanie Fischer

On March 30, the NSU Orlando Student Government Association (SGA) attended Amway Arena as the Orlando Magic hosted the Chicago Bulls! In our exclusive suite, students enjoyed refreshments with delicious appetizers! Although the Chicago Bulls took the win, we still had a great time with our Shark family.

By: Paulette Andrade

Liza Ferreira, Ed.S., assistant director and Michael Daniels, Ed.S., M.B.A., director volunteered at the A Gift for Teaching annual fundraiser event. This year’s theme was "I love the 90’s," as participants engaged in some friendly Saved by the Bell trivia. Ferreira and Daniels represented the “grunge look” while raising funds for schools in need. 

By: Liza Ferreira, Ed.S.

Lacima Pickering is our new financial aid counselor. Pickering is from Puerto Rico but was raised in the U.S Virgin Islands, and she recently relocated to Orlando from the Virgin Islands. Before arriving at NSU, Pickering completed her B.A. in Business Administration with a concentration in management from the University of the Virgin Islands. She also worked with enrollment services for four years and financial aid for one year at the University of the Virgin Islands. Pickering is an experienced licensed nail technician and her hobbies include spending time with family and friends, as well as learning about cars.

By: Cyrus Smith