Academics > Colleges/Schools and Departments > College of Health Sciences and Human Services > College Highlights
College Highlights
New youth and nonprofit leadership major at MSU
The Youth and Nonprofit Leadership (YNL) program at MSU has always been a standout area, and now with the new option for a YNL major, the possibilities have increased. “The nonprofit sector is growing very rapidly because so many individuals, families and groups need special attention in so many different ways,” Dr. Roger Weis, professor and director of the YNL program at Murray explains. “Since our program has so many students and such a long history of success, we are glad to be able to provide even more support through the addition of a major.” Completing a minor, major or double major with YNL can open doors and lead to a number of potential career opportunities, he notes. The program prepares students for leadership roles in youth, human services and other nonprofit organizations such as the American Red Cross, Big Brother Big Sisters, Boys and Girls Clubs of America, hospitals, colleges, ministries and more. The YNL program at MSU has earned 10 national awards and 35 local awards for excellence in academics, leadership, service and research. It has also been the largest program in the country for 20 consecutive years. “The YNL program has exploded over the years with a national record in student enrollment last year of 549 students,” says Weis. Considering how this change will effect enrollment, Weis comments, “There are so many needs in our society and students are stepping up in a big way to meet those needs, so I see this major growing at a very strong pace and I believe it will help MSU’s enrollment significantly.”
Murray State University recognized for its graduate programs
Murray State University has been recognized in the 2011 Best Graduate Schools, published by
U.S.News & World Report.
A number of programs from Kentucky universities were cited in the
report. Murray was noted for its nursing, nurse anesthesia and
speech-language pathology programs. MSU is the only Kentucky regional
university to offer a nurse anesthesia option.
Read More:
Ashley Taylor, 2001 alumna of Murray State University, was recently awarded the annual 2010 D. Timothy Estes Award for imagination and innovation for her work at Easter Seals West Kentucky.
In order to be nominated for the award, the candidate must demonstrate that they believe all individuals, regardless of the severity of their disabilities, should have opportunities to work in jobs they choose in the community, to live interdependently in their hometowns, and to worship with believers who have the same faith.
Taylor began working for Easter Seals West Kentucky in May of 2001. The organization represents nearly half a century of helping people with physical and cognitive impairments to gain greater independence by providing quality services. Easter Seals West Kentucky serves 19 counties in western Kentucky, plus areas in southern Illinois and southeastern Missouri.
Lisa Carrico, Employment Connections Program Manager said, “Ashley has a commitment to assist people to lead more fulfilling lives. She is an employment specialist but has meant much more to many of the people she works with.”
Taylor said she was both grateful and honored to have received such a prestigious award and it wouldn’t have been possible without the education and experiences she had while at Murray State.
Taylor said her Social Work classes helped with interviewing skills, social interaction, individualized planning, and in the community training. Her education within the American Humanics department also helped to show her a variety of non-profit organizations and the needs they had.
“With both of these departments I learned on the job training and the importance of treating each individual we work with, with the respect and dignity you would want,” Taylor said. “I also learned to never assume what persons wants or needs. Always advocate for what the client wants.”
Taylor currently serves as recruitment membership advisor for Sigma Sigma Sigma and said as an undergraduate, the social sorority taught her many important things she still uses in her career today.
“Through Tri Sigma I learned the importance of time management, social interaction , inclusion, and diversity,” Taylor said. “I found that everyone has skills to bring to an organization and that we are each very unique in our own way. All of these things are used in my everyday work and life now.”
Taylor said the part she loves most about her career is being able to help people achieve their work goals and become more independent.
“I love that each day I get to have variety in my work,” Taylor said. “Some days are better than others as each person’s jobs are. However, to see the look on a person’s face their first day of work, or when they get employee of the month and know that you had a hand in making that happen is one of the most amazing things. It is also wonderful to see that you are educating the community as well, to watch coworkers, bosses, and the community realize the value of individuals I work with is one of my most favorite things.”
Taylor said she is most honored to know that she has helped individuals to achieve their dreams.
“I think sometimes I forget that I’m not just getting someone a job but helping them achieve a dream and a milestone in their life,” Taylor said. “When reading the nomination letters I was shocked and humbled to see how much I had changed the lives around me.”
Taylor was nominated for this award by her boss, a client she helped find a job and the business the client worked for.
“I believe anyone can work successfully with the right support system,” Taylor said. “When you take the time to find out what each individual will need you will find a dedicated, quality employee!”
George Kennedy, Vice President of Adult Services for Easter Seals West Kentucky, said Ashley has been a consistent and positive influence on the people she works with staff, management and the people they serve.
“For ten years she has maintained her professionalism and passion for this job she continues to work hard for the people in the Employment Connections program,” Kennedy said.
Murray State University’s department of recreation in the college of health sciences and human services (HSHS) partners with Murray city schools and the Murray-Calloway County Parks Department to provide local kindergartners with fun and valuable environmental education.
The seventh annual Share a Seed; Watch is Grow program will be held as a part of that partnership. The program allows students to plant seeds, grow them into seedlings and then replant them in the park.
The two-day event kicks off on April 15 at Murray Elementary School. Students will be involved in a variety of activities including planting seeds, making instruction booklets for their seeds, playing plant bingo, visiting the Pullen Farm greenhouse at Murray State and planting flowers in their school beds.
The second day will be held on May 6 at the Murray-Calloway County Park. This day allows students to enjoy an array of activities including planting their seedlings, participation in team building activities and disc golf, and more.
The Turn of the Century Social is a historical interpretive program that will take place for the second time ever this year. It will be held April 16 in the Murray-Calloway County Park. Murray State University students enrolled in REC 465 and REC 302 classes are coordinating the event. The courses are part of MSU’s college of health science and human services.
Events will focus on historical buildings in the park including the first Calloway County Courthouse, the Water’s School and the old train depot. Other activities include music, crafts, candle making, various vendors and more.
The program begins at 10 a.m. and lasts until 2 p.m. The public is invited to attend.
Outstanding Dietetic Intern for the state selected from MSU
The Outstanding Dietetic Intern of the year is selected from among all the dietetic interns in the state of Kentucky. The award is given by the Kentucky Dietetic Association and is presented at the KDA conference in April. This year’s recipient is Murray State University student Courtney Langdon. Langdon, who is from Louisville, Ky., was selected for the award based on her excellence in clinical practice, academic work and community service. “It is a great honor to receive this award,” Courtney said. “Recognition is not always necessary, however, it can be very uplifting and a form of reassurance that one is appreciated and valued for their commitment.” This is the seventh year in a row that a MSU student has been selected to receive this award. “Murray State’s dietetic internship is an outstanding program that offers each individual an opportunity to grow and learn in the field of dietetics,” Courtney stated. “Murray sets high standards for their interns which are not only met, but taken above and beyond expectations.” Murray has one of four internship programs in the state, with one at EKU and two at UK. Interns complete their training at hospitals, public health departments and long-term care facilities across the state and parts of Tennessee. Upon completion of the program, interns are eligible to take the registration examination for dietitians. Langdon completed her undergraduate work at Western Kentucky University.
In 2010, Murray State University’s Youth & Nonprofit
Leadership Program introduced the Giving Back Scholars Programs to
advance the understanding, appreciation, and application of the
principles of altruism, generosity, caring, and service to others among
students and faculty and across the Murray/Calloway County community. On
March 23, 2011, the Giving Back Scholars Programs celebrated with over
200 students, community partners, and university faculty and staff in
the Freed Curd Auditorium of the Collins Industry & Technology
Center.
The Giving Back
Scholars Programs were created and funded by Patricia and Bob Long to
serve as resources to the Youth & Nonprofit Leadership Program
(YNL). Dr. Long is the MSU Visiting Professor of Nonprofit Leadership
and former Vice President for Programs at the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.
The W.K. Kellogg Foundation provides additional support for the Programs
through its Retiree Matching Grants Program. In addition, MSU's Office
of Regional Stewardship and Outreach secured additional funding for the
Engagement Recognition Awards through the “Pay it Forward Grant”, a
student philanthropy project funded by Learn and Serve America
administered by Ohio Campus Compact in partnership with Kentucky and
Michigan Campus Compacts.
The first two Giving Back Scholarships were awarded to Ashley Johnston, a
junior special education major from Paducah, and Melvin Ingram, a
junior organizational communication major from Louisville. Ashley and
Melvin are in the second and final year of their scholarships and hosted
the March 23rd gathering. The financial awards support students who are
active members of the YNL Program and involved in community service
learning experiences in the local community as well as in their
hometowns.
The Giving Back Visiting Scholar Program is designed to promote creative
thinking and innovative practice in “giving back” by bringing national
and international leaders to the University and community. The 2011
Giving Back Visiting Scholar lecture, “Everyday Democracy:
Nontraditional Leadership,” was presented by Jah’Shams Abdul-Mumin, the
founder of Success: A New Beginning in Los Angeles, California. Mr.
Abdul-Mumin is among the nation’s leading authorities on nontraditional
leadership development.
The Giving Back Engagement Recognition Program is designed to promote
quality volunteer-engagement in community organizations, helping
residents “give back” to the community. A competitive awards program is
conducted each spring semester by YNL students. This year the students
awarded framed certificates, symbolic statues, and $1,000 checks to six
community organizations dedicated to increasing the engagement of
volunteers as leaders in their organizations. Students presented the
2011 awards to representatives of:
American Cancer Society
Angle’s Clinic
Big Brothers Big Sisters
Humane Society
Special Olympics
United Way of Murray-Calloway County
The evening was sponsored in partnership with Murray State University,
the Office of Regional Stewardship & Outreach, the College of Health
Sciences & Human Services, the Department of Wellness and
Therapeutic Sciences, and the Youth & Nonprofit Leadership Program.
MSU professor and students study the emerging hazards of electric vehicle noise.
MSU Professor of Occupational Safety and Health, Dr. David L. Fender, along with students in the MSU ASSE (American Society of Safety Engineers) Student Section recently conducted a study examining if the newly popular electric vehicles are too quiet.
READ MORE
Buddhist Monk, Tsering Phuntsok, spoke at Murray State University.
MSU ATEP students stand out, staying active and getting involved
The Murray State University Athletic Training Education Program (ATEP) was recognized in the January 2011 issue of NATA News for student involvement. The news magazine for the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) regularly selects a few schools from each district to highlight, and this month MSU was on the top of the list along with Southern Louisiana University and Vanderbilt University. Being recognized and topping larger programs at big name schools in the district speaks highly for the program .
MSU professors create YNL textbook Murray State University’s Dr. Roger Weis, professor and director of American Humanics, and Dr. Robert Long, Visiting Distinguished Professor of Nonprofit Leadership, recently released a text and workbook, Leading and Managing Nonprofit Organizations. The pair worked on creating the book for approximately a year, with six months devoted to intense writing. According to Weis, “The leadership book is an evolution of texts that goes back about 15 years.”
READ MORE
Roundabout U shines the Faculty Spotlight on Murray State Professors Bob Long and Roger Weis.
Learning how to raise funds for Big Brothers/Big Sisters
MSU Professor Bob Long and his Youth and Leadership class get hands-on experience in learning how to raise funds for Big Brothers/Big Sisters.
Murray State provides hands on experiences for students in all areas of study. However, a new addition to MSU might prepare students even more! Let's meet Simon the Simulator Mannequin in this closer look.
New Year Resolutions
Now we all know that you have made those New Year resolutions to get in shape! Lets see what advice some fitness experts have to say to help us maintain that goal!
Study Abroad: Poland
Roundabout U features a story on the Poland Study Abroad opportunity at Murray State
Remember the Racers
Roundabout U shines the spotlight on Racer Football Alumni
MSU Oakley Dinning
Murray State hopes to prepare students as they look to finding a job. With proper etiquette skills, students can go to any job interview dinner and pass the test.