Message from the Dean

Greetings from ADSOE!

It is with happiness and excitement that I welcome you back to our school with the latest installment of our newsletter! As the weight of the global pandemic begins to lessen and we find ourselves in the beginning of May, the old adage, “Hope Springs Eternal,” keeps presenting itself to me. This saying of hope and optimism, specifically about the future, feels palpable now as we have a better understanding of COVID and a sense of normalcy lies ahead. While it may be painful to think about all we’ve endured over the last year, I believe it is also critical to reflect on our experiences to fully grasp what we’ve accomplished, learned, and what we can be grateful for as we bravely, and confidently, move ahead.

In ADSOE, faculty worked tirelessly to foster an educational experience that supported students and ensured not only their success, but overall well-being, through a transition to online modalities during very trying times. Every Professor committed themselves, wholeheartedly, to teaching, guiding, and supporting our students, while also being in the throes of the pandemic themselves. I feel an immense amount of gratitude to lead a faculty force like the one in our school. For that, I am forever grateful.

I’d also like to acknowledge our alumni who participated in several events and engaged with us over the last year and since our last newsletter. From a President of a state school (thank you, Dr. Tonjua Williams), to the President of our Bahamian Alumni Chapter (always appreciative, Stephen McPhee), so many of our accomplished graduates connected in meaningful ways that profoundly impacted our students and community. It gives me great pride to know our ADSOE alliance of distinguished alums remain dedicated to our school through their time, contributions, and support. When called upon, they are ready, willing, and eager to be involved, and as a Dean, this is a remarkable point of pride for me.

And, of course, I must give pause to adequately acknowledge and publicly praise all our students! I think back to my times as an undergrad, master’s, and then doctoral student, and often wonder how I would have handled the situation while pursuing a degree during an unprecedented time. Then, I realize, as educators, leaders, counselors, school psychologists, and administrators, we’re all cut from the same cloth, and that our strength to persevere always powers us through. I remain in awe of the unwavering dedication our students have for achieving their educational dreams.

To those of you working in the school districts throughout the Sunshine state, I’d like to personally THANK YOU for your commitment to your schools, students, and communities. I always had a personal mission to advance the profession of teaching, and I believe that finally, the world has realized how important, valued, and instrumental you are to society and the future.

Before I wrap this up, I’d like to also acknowledge a few more significant events. Over the last year, we have celebrated the 25th Anniversary of our School Psychology program, and we are in the midst of celebrating Ten Years of Barry in The Bahamas, both milestones very near and dear to me and the ADSOE family.

Please enjoy the rest of the newsletter and all that we are excited to share with you. And, always remember, hope springs eternal…

With gratitude,

Dr. Jill


Spotlight

Ian Quamina

Faculty
Dr. Ian Quamina

Where are you from?

I am originally from Trinidad and Tobago. 

How long have you been at Barry?

I have been a member of the Barry community since 2011 and have won several hats (student, staff and now faculty). 

Favorite things about being a faculty member here? 

  • Being part of a small teaching and learning community 
  • Opportunities to be involved in community partnerships and initiatives  
  • Opportunities to cultivate leadership   

Current research project(s)? 

  • Emphasizing Academic and Civic Outcomes of the Barry Urban Garden 
  • Improving Student Engagement and Collaboration in a Flex Learning Environment 

What would you like to see happen with the Coalition?

More Caucasian members of our campus community wholeheartedly involved.  

Best advice to give on staying relaxed during the pandemic? 

Social connection is key…make the extra effort to regularly connect with others (family and/or friends). 

 

Joanne Ittilucksatit

Staff
Joanne Ittilucksatit

Where are you from?

Lynn, Massachusetts (20 miles north of Boston)  Moved to Miami when I was 30 years old.

How long have you been at Barry? 

Just celebrated my 20 years at Barry

Favorite things about working here?

I am a staff member, not faculty.  I enjoy working with the faculty, staff, and supervising the work study students.  I love to see how much the work study students mature from start to graduation.

Current favorite tv show?

The family enjoys Jeopardy together, then I enjoy watching a variety of shows by myself.

One thing you're looking forward to this year? 

My daughter getting married.

Best advice to give on staying relaxed during the pandemic?  

Do lots of hot yoga and breathe!

 

Jeanette Mendoza

Student
Jeanette Mendoza, Master's in Counseling

Tell us about your professional endeavors (where you are working, doing what…etc.)

Currently, I am a Certified Behavioral Health Case Manager Supervisor. I work in a mental health community agency and have been doing so for the past 5 years. I am also getting a master’s degree in Theology. I really enjoy working within the mental health field. I am fascinated with human behavior and the way we think. Everyone is different, and I have learned how to appreciate individuals and their differences as well as how to understand them. I hope to be a great mental health and family/marriage counselor and incorporate my master’s in theology to focus on faith-based counseling as well.

How is your Barry degree helping to shape your professional goals?

My Barry degree is helping me shape my professional goals in giving me insight and opportunities, within the mental health field. I am learning quickly on how to interact appropriately within my profession. Although, I have not yet graduated many doors have opened for me in being able to network. Barry has given me the opportunity to conduct a conference for the counseling program, as well as attend various presentations given by professionals.

What is your favorite thing about being a Barry student?

My favorite thing about being a Barry student is being surrounded by amazing professors. All the professors I have had have been so wonderful. They all have taught me so much on how to be a great counselor and succeed within this field. 

Favorite class so far? Why? 

My favorite class was my Group Counseling class. It was the class that made me understand the power of sharing in front of others. I was able to take so much from that class and implement it into my own life and work. There was a sense of unity and I really looked forward to that class every week.

What do you want to do when you graduate?

When I graduate I want to continue working in my internship and hopefully continue to move up from working in non-profit to private practice. I also want to develop my competent skills in faith-based counseling and work for my church.

What can you share about your experience during this time that has impacted you personally, as a leader, and professionally?

The experience that really impacted me personally was the pandemic. As a leader I was reminded of the importance of humbly guiding others into the best direction. Professionally, I was pushed to my limits in how to adapt to the circumstances. Our yearly initiation of new CSI members was done completely online. We had over 60 individuals attend, and it was a very rewarding experience of how when we come together things really do happen.

Advice to future doctoral students and handling times of crises?

Breathe...and remind yourself of what you are in control of. What you cannot control let go of it. It won’t do you any service in worrying about something you can’t control. Work through it slowly and steadily.

Any other words of wisdom or a favorite quote? 

“Be more concerned with your character than with your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.” -John Wooden

 

Bethany Dill

Alumni
Bethany Dill, BS in Education

Tell us about your profession?

After graduation, I had the opportunity to draw on my ADSOE training as an educator in settings of displacement in Europe and the Middle East, working on access to and quality of educational opportunity for young refugee and migrant communities. This year, I am back in school as a graduate student in the International Education Policy program at the Harvard Graduate School of Education (HGSE), where I work as a graduate assistant at the Refugee REACH Initiative and the Ecological Approaches to Social Emotional Learning Laboratory (EASEL Lab) and as a fellow at the International Rescue Committee through the Saul Zaentz Fellows Program.

How did the Barry degree help you to secure employment?

I undertook a Fulbright teaching grant after graduating. The applied experience I’d had through classroom placements and an early childhood education policy internship helped me to take the next step after college.

How is the degree helping you succeed professionally?

My ADSOE coursework, along with the Honors Program and mentoring through the Stamps Scholars program, directly relate to my work today. As a thesis project, I examined low-cost methods of integrating psychosocial support into education settings for Syrian refugees in Lebanon. Considering the topic carefully and from many angles through the project prepared me for teaching and administration in the same context a couple years later.

Where was your favorite place to visit on campus?

I especially liked sitting in the fine arts quad. The Weber Hall “game room” is another favorite; I don’t know what it’s called now, but back in the day, it was multi-purpose. It was the room in which I picked up my key on the first day of my freshman year and that for years was a gathering spot for events. I lived in Weber as a freshman and again later as an RA.

Which professor made a lasting impact on you?

I wish I could pick just one, but what a good problem to have! A group of ADSOE professors went far out of their way to support and mentor me, keeping their offices and lives open - and still do.

What does it mean to you to have a Barry degree?

I am still drawn to and grateful to have been part of Barry’s close community and lived commitment to social justice.


New Programs

Professional Coaching Certificate

We lead a community of competent and compassionate professional coaches who drive transformational change in people and organizations.

Launch date: May 10, 2021


In Memoriam

Dr. Alvaro Carreras

Dr. Alvaro Carreras

Al Carreras was a very special person who will be dearly missed by his family, his students, his faculty, and the staff at Barry University. A longtime member of our University family, Al joined Barry in 1996 and has been a teacher, a mentor, a leader and a source of inspiration. He served as an adjunct faculty member, a full-time faculty member, an Academic Coordinator, and a Program Director for the Administration programs in the Adrian Dominican School of Education. Dr. Carreras was most recently promoted this past year to Associate Professor.

Dr. Carreras held a DBA from Nova Southeastern, an MBA from the University of Miami, and a BS in Industrial Engineering from the University of Miami. Dr. Carreras had a long career with AT&T before becoming a full-time faculty member.  He was a past president of the Westchester Kiwanis Club. Dr. Carreras was also part of the Pedro Pan group of refugee children exiled from Cuba.

Dr. Carreras was known to his students as just “Dr. C.” His commitment to his students and to Barry ran deep, and is best exemplified by his own words, "There is no greater joy than sharing knowledge – especially when students graduate and tell you what an impact you have had on them.” To acknowledge the depth and breadth in which Al shared the passion for his work, I am sharing some of the comments I have heard from our students and adjunct faculty:

“I am among the many professional and personal admirers of Dr. Al. This man was the most compassionate and understanding individual that I have had the pleasure of working with during my time at Barry. Al provided me with great advice and mentorship. A huge loss for all.

– Dr. Marilyn Marousek

 

Dr. Roberts Edmund Scully

Dr. Robert Edmund Scully

Dr. Robert Scully was a Professor of Organizational Behavior, and a committed professor at Barry University for 28 years. He was internationally known for his research in Business Administration, as well as being recognized throughout Florida for his work in developing and promoting both the BS and MA programs in Administration at Barry. Dr. Scully also served as a Florida Sterling Award Examiner, Associate Director of the American Council on Education’s State Affiliate Office and as a National Coordinator and Distance Learning Evaluator.  

In memory and in celebration of Dr. Bob Scully, who made this world a brighter and a better place. Bob was a valued friend, colleague, teacher, and mentor who loved his students, his teaching, and his colleagues, and we loved him. Bob was a kind and gentle soul with a wonderful sense of humor, one that we will truly miss.

Sláinte Bobby, you will always be remembered and forever missed. – Dr. Sandra Roberts


ADSOE Authors
(books, publications, and dissertations)

We are proud to share the work of ADSOE faculty that has been published in various platforms over the last six months, and several students defended fascinating dissertations:

Dissertations

Dr. Maitham Allami
Iraqi Teachers’ Perspectives of English as an International Language

Dr. Alaa Alhejaili
Immediacy and Mindfulness Among Graduate Counseling Students

Dr. Suanne Bechtol
From Knowledge Expert to Teacher: The College Professors' Evolution Toward Teacher Effectiveness

Dr. Jan Bourne
Designer Perspectives Regarding the Factors Influencing Corporate Learning Designs

Dr. Natasha Stubbs
Academic Deans and Undergraduate Student Persistence:  A Multiple Case Study

EERA (Eastern Education Research Association) Presentations

Daniel, A., Rowe-Marshall, C., Jasmin, M., & Ban, R. (2021, February 18-19). “Oral Histories of South Florida: Miami Shores”. Eastern Educational Research Association 44th Annual Conference, Virtual.  

Elias, V., Corr, P., Doucas, D., & Ban, R. (2021, February 18-19). The lived experiences of multigenerational families in the COVID-19 pandemic [Paper presentation]. 44th Annual Conference Eastern Educational Research Association, Virtual

SSTESOL Student/ faculty research

Torres-Gonzalez, J.A, Walker, C.W., Ban, R. (November, 2019), Colorism in an ELT Context: Experiences in Mexico. A paper presented at the Sunshine State Regional TESOL Conference in Orlando, FL.


Awards

ADSOE’s Award-Winning Faculty

Dr. Raul Machuca
Innovation in Teaching Award
Dr. Jalane Meloun
Dr. Jeanne O’Laughlin OP Scholar’s Award
Dr. Sandra Roberts
Communique Distinguished Submission Award

Counseling Honors Society

Barry's Beta Upsilon Chapter got three awards: Outstanding Master Level Student (Jeanette Mendoza), Outstanding Faculty Advisor (Raul Machuca, Ph.D.), and Outstanding Newsletter. Congratulations!

SL designation for the Practicum in HRD course in MSHRD

HRD 678: Practicum in Human Resource Development has been approved for the service-learning designation. The Service-Learning Designation Committee informed Dr. Katsiaryna Matusevich that her application was successful.

The service-learning component of HRD 678 engages students in the role of human resource development/organizational development consultants to organizations in the community. Specifically, students are required to complete needs assessments and analyses, deliver appropriate interventions, and report results to the organization while helping to build organizational learning, talent, and leadership capabilities.

HRD 678 serves as a capstone experience for students pursuing the M.S. in Human Resource Development (HRD). Matusevich, the course instructor, is an associate professor and the MSHRD program director. She is participating in the Service-Learning Faculty Fellows Program this academic year.

The CCSI is inviting faculty members whose courses include a service-learning component to apply for the service-learning designation. Service-learning courses demonstrate the value of applied learning, student engagement with the community, and critical reflection.

Sections of courses, internships, practicum assignments, field education, capstones, community-based research, and similar community-focused or community-based work may be designated as service-learning. Additional information and the application form are at the CCSI website.



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