Dr. Michael Ierardi, BSU professor of history and part of a team of scholars working with the Lechaion Harbor and Settlement Land Project, is studying the rare discovery of 1,500-year-old bronze coins in the harbor of the ancient Greek city of Corinth. Read more in articles by Newsweek and LiveScience.

The Air Force sent Cory Ahonen around the world. However, it was only after working in BSU’s Veterans Center that he found his calling.

Recently, the 29-year-old Sandwich native was selected as veterans’ services officer for the town of Easton.

“I saw the job posting and said, ‘I’ve got to apply for that,’” he said. “It just called to me.” 

Mr. Ahonen was selected from about 20 applicants. 

“It’s really similar to what I did in the Veterans Center here,” he said. “It’s about connecting people to services and learning something from them.”

He graduated from Bridgewater in 2016 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. In May, he’ll earn a master’s degree in public administration. Before stepping on campus for the first time, Mr. Ahonen had served his country with the Air Force from 2008-2014. He spent time at bases in Texas, Wyoming, South Korea and Guam. Usually his work involved corrections, security, and law enforcement.

Eventually, Mr. Ahonen felt it was time to come home.

“I knew I had to make some changes. I thought it was time for a fresh start,” he said. “I just wanted to see what else I could do.”

In some way, he knew he still wanted to serve.

“I had a strong feeling about that,” he said.

Yet after he earned his bachelor’s he wasn’t sure what was next. Helping fellow vets in the Veterans Center, however, showed him a way forward. 

“Just by doing the work that I was doing there, combined with what I was learning in the classroom, it piqued my interest,” he said. “I knew I was naturally good at it, talking about what’s going on and helping them with their options. That to me is easy.”

He credits Michael Siegel, ’98, who serves as director of Military and Veteran Student Services, for teaching him much about the process and policies regarding veterans affairs.

“Michael gave me a job application and work study that was paid through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs,” Mr. Ahonen said. “Instantly I just started taking on more things and asking what more I could do.”

During his time on campus, he was also president of the BSU Military Student Association and ran fundraisers that contributed to local veterans’ programs.

In his new position with the town of Easton, Mr. Ahonen will be working with a variety of veterans and service providers. 

“Many are struggling to get by, and the benefits are there just to bring them even with everyone else and level the playing field for them,” he said. “We provide funds for things that are necessary for a decent quality of life.”

Help with housing, employment and money to meet the basic costs of living are the primary benefits Mr. Ahonen assists Easton’s veteran population with.

“Really, just helping people is the best part of it,” he said. (Story and photo by John Winters, G’11, University News)

Biology major Marissa Maroni has been selected as a Goldwater Scholarship Honorable Mention. Also, thanks to another prestigious honor – an award from the Amgen Scholars Program – she will spend the summer conducting research at Stanford University.

The Leominster native is the first BSU student to be recognized by the Goldwater Foundation, the most prestigious and competitive undergraduate STEM scholarship in the United States. 

“I was extremely excited,” Marissa said about hearing the news. 

As to why she decided to apply for such an elite scholarship as the Goldwater, she added: “I have a passion for research and wanted to challenge myself.”

The junior biology major (with a biochemistry minor) was assisted in applying for the scholarship by Assistant Professor Saritha Nellutla of the Department of Chemical Sciences.

As BSU’s Goldwater representative, Dr. Nellutla said that this year 1,280 students from 455 institutions were nominated for a Goldwater Scholarship. The foundation named 211 Scholars (recipients of the monetary award) and 281 honorable mentions from institutions such as Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Yale University and University of California-Berkeley. 

“This is great news for BSU and it is a tribute to excellent faculty mentoring and commitments made to undergraduate research and national fellowships advisement,” said Amy Couto, student scholars coordinator and Fulbright program adviser, whose office also helped Marissa apply for the scholarship.

She’s well prepared for her summer in Stanford’s labs and any other opportunities that come her way, after spending time in the lab of Dr. Joseph Seggio, associate professor of biology.

She’s definitely developed the traits of a great researcher.

“I think I’ve always been really curious about life, and every single time I take a class and start to understand how things work it makes me want to know more,” Marissa said. “All along, I’ve just been following my curiosity.” (Story and photo by John Winters, G ’11, University News)

Danielle Lopez, ’17, has been awarded a Fulbright Teaching Assistantship. 

She will spend the 2019 academic year in a Malaysian secondary school assisting English teachers and leading after-school science-education activities. As a Fulbright scholar, Ms. Lopez will serve as a cultural ambassador, and work to promote mutual understanding between the people of the United States and Malaysia.

“We know that Danielle will be a wonderful representative of our nation and of BSU,” said Amy Couto, BSU’s student scholars coordinator and Fulbright program adviser.

Ms. Lopez, who lives in Westport and still attends classes at BSU, graduated with a bachelor of science degree in biology, after transferring to BSU from Bristol Community College. Att BCC, she tutored English language learners in writing. While at BSU, Ms. Lopez was a FAM for Change mentor at Brockton High School, an after-school STEM educator for the city of New Bedford, and a student leader of the club La Sociedad Latinx. 

BSU’s Fulbright process would not be possible without faculty and staff across campus who work together to support our students. Chief among them are the campus interview committee members Dr. Jenny Shanahan and Dr. Jennie Aizenman; recommenders Dr. Kenneth Adams, Dr. Thilina Surasinghe and Dr. Genie Giaimo (of Ohio State University); and the members of the Fellowships Advisory Board: Dr. Alba Aragón, Dr. James Crowley, Dr. Diana Fox, Dr. Cindy Kane, Katie Lorge, Dr. Saritha Nellutla, Dr. Deborah Nemko, Dr. Minae Savas, Dr. Ellen Scheible, and Dr. Wing-kai To.

A nationally renowned educator known for his extraordinary success in helping minority students launch careers in mathematics and science will speak at both Bridgewater State University and Wheaton College during back-to-back visits.

Dr. Freeman Hrabowski III, president of the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC), will speak at Wheaton College on Tuesday, April 17, about how the civil rights movement of the 1960s – and his role as a child leader during that time – has influenced his career as a scientist, scholar, educator and national leader for higher education.

His lecture, “Lessons In Leadership: From Civil Rights to STEM and Higher Education,” will be held at 7 p.m. in Wheaton’s Weber Theatre in the Watson Fine Arts Center. It is free and open to the public.

The following morning at 10:15 a.m. in BSU's Dunn Conference Center (located on the ground floor of Crimson Hall) Dr. Hrabowski will be featured in the Provost’s Investing In Democracy Series speaking on the topic, “The Role of Colleges and Universities in Challenging Times.” 

“I am pleased that we are hosting Dr. Hrabowski, and that Wheaton will be welcoming him as part of an expanded collaboration with Bridgewater State University,” said Wheaton Provost Renee T. White. “Our campuses hope to continue to co-host speakers and sponsor other activities with some regularity. And beyond that is the opportunity to bring high-visibility speakers to the region.”

Dr. Hrabowski is a high-profile leader in higher education. As president of UMBC since 1992, he is credited with leading that institution through a remarkable transformation from a regional institution into a national university known for its innovative curriculum and focus on academic achievement. The institution has won acclaim for its track record in graduating more underrepresented minority students who go on to earn doctoral degrees in the math and sciences than any other university in the nation. 

“The opportunity to hear Freeman Hrabowski on the role of universities and colleges at this time in our nation’s history is an invaluable one for the entire BSU community,” said Dr. Karim Ismaili, provost at Bridgewater State University. “He is a truly inspiring educator and leader who has changed the trajectory of countless lives. I know that his message will be deeply meaningful to all of us.”

To RSVP to the BSU presentation, visit http://bit.ly/RSVPProvostDistinguishedLecture.

Dr. Hrabowski’s research and publications focus on science and math education, with special emphasis on minority participation and performance. He is the co-author of two books, Overcoming the Odds: Raising Academically Successful African American Young Womenand Beating the Odds: Raising Academically Successful African American Males. His most recent book, Holding Fast to Dreams: Empowering Youth from the Civil Rights Crusade to STEM Achievement, describes the events and experiences that played a central role in his development as an educator and leader.

He chaired the National Academies’ committee that produced the 2011 report, “Expanding Underrepresented Minority Participation: America’s Science and Technology Talent at the Crossroads.” He was named in 2012 by President Obama to chair the President’s Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for African Americans. His 2013 TED talk highlights the “Four Pillars of College Success in Science.”

In 2008, he was named one of America’s Best Leaders by U.S. News & World Report, which ranked UMBC the nation’s #1 “Up and Coming” university for six years (2009-14). TIME magazine named him one of America’s 10 Best College Presidents in 2009, and one of the “100 Most Influential People in the World” in 2012. In 2011, he received both the TIAA-CREF Theodore M. Hesburgh Award for Leadership Excellence and the Carnegie Corporation of New York’s Academic Leadership Award, recognized by many as the nation’s highest awards among higher education leaders.  

He serves as a consultant to the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, the National Academies, and universities and school systems nationally. He also serves on a number of boards, including the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, the Marguerite Casey Foundation (Chair), T. Rowe Price Group and The Urban Institute. He also holds honorary degrees from more than 20 institutions – from Harvard, Princeton, and Duke to Haverford College, Harvey Mudd College and Wheaton College.

A child-leader in the Civil Rights Movement, Dr. Hrabowski was featured in Spike Lee's 1997 documentary, Four Little Girls, based on the racially motivated bombing in 1963 of Birmingham's Sixteenth Street Baptist Church.

At the age of 19, he graduated from Hampton Institute with highest honors in mathematics. He went on to receive an MA in mathematics and a PhD in higher education administration and statistics from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

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Three BSU alumni have been awarded National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowships. 

Nicole Arruda, ’17, Jasmin Hicks, ’16, and Scott Allen, ’14, are among the 2,000 young scholars to receive the fellowship award, which recognizes and supports outstanding graduate students in NSF-supported disciplines. 

According to the foundation’swebsite, more than 12,000 applications were received for this year’s fellowships.

“It still feels very surreal as I understand how competitive the award is,” said Ms. Arruda, who is studying genetics at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. “This fellowship will support me for three years of my graduate training.”

She will be rotating through different labs at UNC before settling on one to complete her thesis work. At the end of April, the Berkley native is joining a lab that focuses on chromatin looping and the ways in which the three-dimensional structure of the genome modulates gene expression and insulation. 

New Bedford’s Ms. Hicks said the fellowship will enable her to continue her research and involvement in STEM-related educational programs for middle school students. Her graduate work at Colorado State University is focused in neuroscience. 

“If I had not won this fellowship I would have had to spend 20-plus hours a week working as a teaching assistant, which would have hindered my participation in outreach,” she said. 

Mr. Allen is studying cellular and molecular biology at Duke University, with a career goal of remaining in academia studying developmental and regenerative biology. Through the fellowship he will continue his research. 

The new fellows praised the preparation for graduate work they received from their alma mater.

“BSU provided a strong foundation for me to not only pursue a graduate degree, but excel while doing so,” Ms. Hicks said. 

Both Ms. Hicks and Ms. Arruda praised Dr. Joseph Seggio, assistant professor of biologoy, and his guidance for contributing to their success. 

“Being in his lab provided me with the fundamental skills of being part of a research team and my first introduction to the field of science as a whole,” Ms. Arruda said. (Story by Heather Harris Michonski, University News)

Bridgewater State University has its second Fulbright recipient of the year. Daniela Belice, ’18, is preparing to study immigration in Canada next year thanks to a prestigious Fulbright Research Grant.

Daniela, who is double majoring in political science and sociology, and double minoring in Spanish and civic education & community leadership, will spend the 2018-2019 academic year at Ryerson University.

She will research Canada’s immigration system, specifically the economic integration of immigrant healthcare workers.

Dr. Karim Ismaili, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, called the award “a truly remarkable achievement.” 

Dr. Ismaili, who was previously a faculty member affiliated with Ryerson’s graduate program in Immigration and Settlement Studies, added: “I am so impressed with Daniela’s commitment to this pressing social and political issue.”

Daniela, who is a Brockton High School graduate, also plans to volunteer at Toronto’s Access Center for Internationally Educated Health Professionals and the Toronto Regional Immigrant Employment Council.

“After immigrating to the United States from Haiti following the 2010 earthquake, she committed herself to advocating for immigrants’ rights and has spent four years at BSU preparing for a career in immigration law and policy reform,” said Amy Couto, BSU’s student scholars coordinator and Fulbright program adviser. 

Daniela has volunteered for immigration organizations and took part in BSU’s Alternative Spring Break service trips to Florida and Belize. She recently received the President’s Award for Community Service and the BSU Award for Student Excellence.

Ms. Cuoto praised faculty and staff across campus who work to make BSU’s Fulbright process possible and support students. She thanked campus interview committee members Drs. Kevin Donnelly and Alba Aragon; recommenders Drs. Norma Anderson, Aseem Hasnain, and Melinda Tarsi; Dr. Andrew Holman for his support in securing Daniela’s affiliation with Ryerson University; Drs. Rachel Navarre and Derek Leuenberger who reviewed Daniela’s proposal; Dr. Deborah Nemko for her work during Fulbright Boot Camp; and the members of the Fellowships Advisory Board: Dr. James Crowley, Dr. Diana Fox, Dr. Cindy Kane, Katie Lorge, Dr. Saritha Nellutla, Dr. Minae Savas, Dr. Ellen Scheible, and Dr. Wing-kai To.

Danielle Lopez, ’17, is another recent BSU Fulbright recipient. She was awarded a Fulbright Teaching Assistantship, and will lead after-school science-education activities and assist English teachers in a Malaysian secondary school.

President Frederick W. Clark Jr. shared his appreciation to those who gathered inside the courtyard of Weygan Hall before leading the group through campus as part of the Take Back the Night March, organized by the BSU Sexual Violence Advocacy and Support Center (SVAS). 

“April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month and we wanted to bring the community together as an act of solidarity and to spread awareness,” said SVAS Outreach Educator Christy Caisse. 

Take Back the Nightis a foundation dedicated to creating safe communities through awareness events and initiatives surrounding sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual abuse and all other forms of sexual violence. This is the second year SVAS has coordinated the event.

Marchers held signs and chanted their way to the Rondileau Campus Center ballroom where they listened to guest speakers that included BSU Asst. Police Chief Michael A. Froio, Det  Sgts. Kaitlyn Moriand Robert McEvoy.

Asst. Chief Froio reminded students that empowerment resources are available on campus, such as the Rape Aggression Defense class. He encouraged students to sign up and reach out to police if they need help. 

“Some may think the police aren’t sensitive to these issues, but we are…a lot of us have our own experiences,” he said. 

Students and survivors were also given the opportunity to speak and share their stories. 

During the event, SVAS introduced the White Ribbon Campaign, an international movement of men and boys working to end violence against women and girls. Those who took the White Ribbon pledge are asked to wear a white ribbon during Denim Day, another event sponsored by SVAS slated for April 25. 

Denim Dayis a movement that came about after an Italian High Court overturned a rape conviction in 1999 because the victim wore tight jeans. Because she had to help remove the jeans, the court declared it was no longer rape but consensual sex. 

As part of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, SVAS is also planning an Unpacking the #MeToo Movement and What’s Next student panel discussion on April 18 from 12-1 p.m. The discussion will take place in the Rondileau Campus Center council chambers. 

The goal in hosting these events is to better educate the community on sexual and domestic violence issues, Ms. Caisse said. 

“We are stronger together when more people take a stand. It empowers survivors to know they are not alone. We at Bridgewater are a family and it’s important that we take care of each other,” she said.

The event was co-sponsored by the Panhellenic Association, Interfraternity Council, project B.E.A.R. and Sister Scholars. (Story by Heather Harris Michonski, University News)

Bridgewater State University students recently traveled to Cambodia with the goal of installing water filters. They came away learning so much more.

“You don’t realize how important something as simple as clean water is until you go to a place that doesn’t have it,” said Katelyn Bynoe, who was among 10 students who traveled to the Southeast Asian nation on a spring break service trip this year.

Katelyn and her peers are the latest group of BSU students to travel to Cambodia as part of an almost decade-long tradition. They work with the Cambodian NGO Water for Cambodia to build and install biosand filters in village homes. Thanks to BSU, Water for Cambodia has installed more than 20,000 of the devices, which filter contaminated water through layers of sand and gravel and produce clean water within minutes.

Bridgewater State first became involved when biology professor Dr. Kevin Curry helped Rotarians, who started Water for Cambodia, create an on-site water testing lab

“We believe every person has a desire to make a difference by giving themselves to help others,” Dr. Curry said, explaining what keeps the BSU trips going year after year.

On this year’s trip, which was funded by the President’s Office and led by Dr. Wing-kai To, academic director of the Minnock Institute for Global Engagement, students installed 60 water filters in Lveng Rusey Village. Their effort comes as approximately 4 million people in Cambodia do not have access to safe water, said student Kushi Singh.

They also went hiking, ate new foods such as frog, and became friends with Cambodian students from Pannasastra University of Cambodia.

Some students, including Keyana Adarkwah, said the trip was their first time abroad. Keyana was reserved her first few days overseas but soon learned to embrace the opportunity to become immersed in a new culture.

“You really just kind of need to put yourself out there and experience new things,” she said.

Students, who presented about the trip on Tuesday, said it sparked their desire to serve others and travel more. They were amazed at how friendly Cambodians were to each other and them.

“Literally, these people have nothing and they’re still the happiest people in the world,” said Christian Santos.

Keyana added: “I’m not going to be silent about how these people need water and I’m not going to stay silent about how people here need water.”

Other students on the trip included Kyle Bueno, Brittany Christian, Karen Exama, Hafso Gurhan, Anthony Hebert and Jenny Taylor. (Story by Brian Benson, University News).

Photonics is expected to be the next wave in technology and Bridgewater State University wants to be part of it. The Bartlett College of Science and Mathematics has been exploring options in creating and offering a bachelor’s degree in photonics engineering. 

“This is a newly emerging field,” said the college’s dean, Kristen Porter-Utley. “We want to be part of this, and create a niche in the engineering area and develop a reputation that we can then build on.”

Photons are particles of light capable of replacing electrons and electron currents to power devices such as analog computers and chips, mobile phones, and medical equipment, explained physics Professor Edward Deveneyduring a recent presentation. 

Light travels faster than electricity, giving photons the ability to provide more efficient, cleaner signals in the way information is transmitted, he said. 

“There are certain limitations with electrons – using light, there are not as many limitations,” Dr. Deveney said. 

BSU is hoping to be selected as one of five Lab for Education and Application Prototypes (LEAP) sites. The opportunity is offered through the American Institute for Manufacturing (AIM) Photonics Institution. 

LEAP facilities are funded by the state and intended to help students build and manufacture photonic prototypes and also to create new manufacturing jobs in the emerging, high-tech field. AIM has already funded two LEAP facilities; one at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where the AIM Photonics Academy is located. The other site is at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, which works with Quinsigamond Community College on the project

AIM is looking to add three more LEAP facilities and Dr. Deveney and Dr. Porter-Utley would like to see one come to Bridgewater.

Even if BSU doesn’t become host LEAP site, Dr. Deveney said it’s important Bridgewater works to offer a photonics and optical engineering program to better prepare students seeking jobs in this emerging field. Meanwhile, he added that the connections between the university and this emerging field are already in place.

“We already have established quite strong connections with optics and photonics-related industries and a large number of BSU physics majors are fully employed and part of this economy,” he said. “BSU’s physics department is quietly already known for and part of the ecosystem providing outstanding graduates in this developing area.”

Dean Porter-Utley said BSU is well positioned to provide tomorrow’s photonics engineers.

“We are working to fill an educational gap in engineering in Southeastern Massachusetts, and help produce the next generation of students prepared for an engineering field that is expected to experience considerable growth in the next 5 to ten years,” she said. (Heather Harris Michonski, University News)

As undergraduates, Lilly Devine, ’15, and Miranda Lombardo, ’08, brought their resumes to one of BSU’s regular job and internship fairs hoping to find opportunities that would shape their futures.

While at the fairs, both women made connections that opened doors leading them down successful career paths: Ms. Devine at the Boston news channel, WCVB-TV; Ms. Lombardo at the Massachusetts-based medical software and service company, Meditech.

Ms. Devine and Ms. Lombardo returned to campus Thursday to talk to current students about their companies at the latest Career Services’ job & internship fair. The event attracted more than 120 employers and many résumé-clutching students to the Tinsley Center.

In-demand fields these days include accounting and computer science, two important areas for every business. Healthcare and human services organizations are also in need of talented new employees, said Laurent Troland, assistant director of Career Services.

And, the manufacturing industry is increasingly looking for college graduates to work in sales and marketing, supply chain management and logistics positions, said Mr. Troland.

Here’s a look at successful career paths former Bears have pursued and what employers had to say about hiring BSU graduates:

WCVB-TV – During her senior year, Ms. Devine was hired by the broadcast media company to work as an intern. Upon completion of the internship, she was offered and accepted a part-time job in sales. A year later, she was promoted to a full-time job in programming.

WCVB Intern Coordinator Nancy O’Neill said Ms. Devine is a good example of why the company recruits students from Bridgewater State.

“We always get good candidates from Bridgewater,” she said.

Meditech – Ms. Lombardo had never heard of Meditech when first introduced to the company at a prior fair. Upon graduation she was hired for an entry-level position and has since climbed the ranks and now works as a technical training specialist.

“We hire a lot of students from Bridgewater State. They bring a good, diverse catalog; that makes it easy for us to find a home for them,” said Meditech Recruiter Bryson Michael.

W.B. Mason – The company’s Recruitment Specialist Samantha Roberts praised the diverse coursework BSU students complete: “We love coming to BSU. We know they are a great fit for W.B. Mason.”

The university’s varied majors allow W.B. Mason to meet a wide array of candidates, she said. The company was seeking to fill positions in areas such as accounting, operations and information technology.

Ms. Roberts brought along to this recent fair Kathaleen Starr-Mitchell, ’18, who completed her BSU studies in December and now works as an applications developer at W.B. Mason. Ms. Starr-Mitchell met Ms. Roberts at BSU’s STEM career fair. The connection led to her current job.

Job fairs “allow students to see where they can take their education,” Ms. Starr-Mitchell said.

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center – Recruiters from the hospital’s Needham and Plymouth facilities attended Thursday’s fair as the organization looks for people in a variety of areas from security to patient access to accounts payable. 

Participating in the BSU fair helps Beth Israel connect with talent in the communities they serve, said Recruiter Kyle Bernardo.

New England Coastal Wildlife Alliance – Intern and BSU student Jake McDougall, ’19, highlighted the organization’s need for a variety of interns, including people who are not majoring in science fields. Graphic design interns, for example, help the organization publicize its work.

“BSU students are phenomenal and work very hard,” said Mr. McDougall, who connected with the alliance at a past fair.

The Children’s Museum in Easton – Operations Manager Steven Hill knows firsthand the value of a Bridgewater State education. Mr. Hill graduated from BSU in 1993 with a bachelor’s in physical education.

He now recruits BSU students for six internships offered through the museum including a public relations internship currently filled by Abigail Hatfield, ’18. The communications major said she feels better prepared having been exposed to real-world practices.

“Writing for an organization is a lot different than writing for a course. The work is more substantial,” Ms. Hatfield said.

City Year – Recruitment Manager Kristen Hill said the education nonprofit organization hired 15 Bridgewater students last year to work in service projects. 

“Bridgewater students come from very diverse communities. They have unique experiences and skills that easily apply to our mission,” Ms. Hill said. (Story by Heather Harris Michonski and Brian Benson, University News; photos by Ms. Michonski)

They may not be the police, but do play an important role when it comes to keeping safe BSU students living on campus. 

“They” are the Bridgewater State University institutional security officers (ISO) and student security officers (SSO).

“We’re not law enforcement. We are not here to arrest anybody. We are here to enforce the student code of conduct and to help students remain safe,” said Christopher Ferraro, assistant director of residential security. 

These officers man BSU residence halls 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Some of their duties include checking students’ IDs and bags upon entrance, properly identifying visitors, and addressing other general safety concerns.

“We are a community resource, a friendly face to call,” Mr. Ferraro said.  “Our job is to connect and interact with students, and to keep their halls and homes safe.”

Veronica Roias, ’15, worked as in ISO for four years before recently taking on the role of residential security officer. She said the majority of the job involves relationship building. Some of the interactions students have with officers include helping them with class projects, or answering questions from prospective students taking guided tours.

“Our program is really about being preventative. We really work to keep students safe and to enhance their experience,” she said.

Mr. Ferraro stressed the ISO and SSO are not out to “get anybody” their main objective is to keep students safe.

 “We aim to be part of the community and to add to the student residents’ experiences,” he said.

BSU currently has 22 full-time ISOs on staff and nearly 60 SSOs. The ISO program was introduced over 20 years ago with SSO program started shortly thereafter. Both programs were originally overseen by the BSU police department until six years ago, when management of the two programs was transferred to the Residence Life and Housing.

They are always on the lookout for qualified students to apply for the SSO program.

“It’s an entry level job and gives you a chance to be more involved,” Mr. Ferraro said. “You have to be flexible, willing to work, be mature and understand the nature of the work involved. You have to really want to work with the students and realize these are their homes. We want to keep people safe.”

More information is available on the Residence Life and Housing Page.(Story by Heather Harris Michonski, University News)

When Jackson’s Center for Leadership, Advocacy, and Supportive Services Inc. helps people facing homelessness, CEO Sasha Heggie-Jackson, ’16, can relate to what they are experiencing.

Ms. Heggie-Jackson, 30, overcame homelessness herself about six years ago.

“I know what it’s like to need help and not know where to go,” she said. “A lot of what I’ve been through has helped me want to give back and educate others. … Being able to help someone else who may be experiencing something similar is really rewarding.”

That goal of assisting others inspired Ms. Heggie-Jackson to start the nonprofit Jackson’s Center for Leadership, Advocacy, and Supportive Services Inc.with her wife, Patricia Jackson. 

“My wife and I last summer were thinking about the Brockton community and saw a gap in services,” said Ms. Heggie-Jackson, who began her higher education journey at Massasoit Community College. “There’s an overwhelming amount of families that are in need.”

The multi-faceted organization, which is focused on the Brockton area, collects school supplies for children and runs programs to educate people on topics such as eviction prevention. It also strives to provide a safe space for people of varying genders and sexualities. She hopes her organization expands elsewhere in Southeastern Massachusetts.

Ms. Heggie-Jackson, who spent much of her youth in Brockton, earned a bachelor’s in social work from BSU and is attending graduate school at Wheelock College. She is also an LGBTQ sexual assault counselor for Health Imperatives, which works with Bridgewater State.

She praised professors in BSU’s School of Social Workand the Pride Center for supporting her.

“I had some pretty remarkable professors in the social work department who let me know the possibilities were endless,” the Providence, R.I., resident recalled. Even when she thought she couldn’t do something, she said: “They continued to push me and challenge me.”

While Bridgewater State faculty supported and encouraged Ms. Heggie-Jackson, she has always had a desire to help others.

“It’s almost like social work is in your blood,” she said. “You don’t choose it. It chooses you.” (Story by Brian Benson, University News)

Fostering student achievement is the primary goal of Bridgewater State University, and a new center aims to help the school meet that objective.

The Center for Transformative Learning connects students, faculty and administrators working within the areas of high-impact practices, such as undergraduate research, the honors program, internships, global engagement and community engagement. These initiatives have been proven to help students succeed, said Dr. Jenny Shanahan, assistant provost for high-impact practices.

Dr. Karim Ismaili, provost and vice president for academic affairs, said he expects the new center to be a busy place, and one focused on scholarship.

“We want to broaden and deepen these experiences for our students,” he said. “We envision the center to become a hub for students, faculty and staff.”

The center, located in Maxwell Library room 330, is a gathering and studying place for students and a location where leaders of a variety of programs can collaborate. It houses offices for the honors program, undergraduate research and one focused on helping students apply for national fellowships, such as the Fulbright.

“These are programs that reflect our commitment to academic excellence,” Dr. Shanahan said of having the center in the library. “They are well suited to an obvious academic space –and a space in which research takes place, even if it’s virtually.” 

George Atupem, ’18, and Madison Forbes, ’18, are examples of the effects transformative learning has on students. They shared their stories at a recent ribbon-cutting for the new center, and praised BSU for its mentors, research program and the opportunities the university grants students to pursue their passions.

“In short, this department not only legitimized that I had a voice, but also that what I had to say was important,” said George, who is majoring in political science.

He described how he became interested in and researched inequities in the public education system and solutions to the problem.

Madison, who is majoring in English and philosophy and minoring in classical studies, is preparing to begin the English literature PhD program at Fordham University. She conducted research, presented at conferences, and traveled abroad while a BSU student.

“I thank Bridgewater and transformative practices because they have made my dreams a reality,” she said.

President Frederick W. Clark Jr., ’83, said transformative practices teach students to write, speak and work in teams – all skills employers desire. The new center, President Clark said, will open doors for students.

“You’re not just changing one life, you’re actually changing the trajectory of a whole family and of a whole community and maybe even of a whole country,” he said. “Let’s keep opening those doors as we go forward.” (Story by Brian Benson, University News)

The Bridgewater State University Police Department will soon have additional support in assisting people facing mental health challenges.

The department is one of six in Plymouth County that received a $135,000 state Department of Mental Health grant. The grant funds the salary of a clinician from High Point Treatment Center for three years. The clinician, who is in the process of being hired, will work with police and respond to calls where someone on campus is coping with a mental health problem.

While Bridgewater State already provides counseling services, police often have to handle situations after hours, said Deputy Chief of Police Glen Anderson.

“It gives us another tool to have a professional come out and assist us in that regard,” he said. 

In addition to BSU, the Bridgewater, East Bridgewater, West Bridgewater, Whitman and Middleboro police departments will benefit from the grant.

It comes as police locally and elsewhere increasingly respond to mental health calls, police offiials said.

Now, “we go to these calls and we’re almost a Band-Aid,” said Bridgewater Police Sgt. Scott Hile, ’02, G ’06, who put together the grant application.

Officers might arrest someone or send them to the hospital, but that may not solve the underlying issue, Sgt. Hile said.

“Really, the crimes are a side effect of their disorder,” he said. “They go serve their time, get out, and still haven’t addressed what the problem is.”

The grant-funded hire seeks to provide people with the mental health treatment they need rather than a date in court. It should reduce the burden on the criminal justice and hospital systems. Also, police will undergo training on addressing mental health issues. 

Officials plan to collaborate with BSU counselors and other treatment providers.

“In our experiences, a lot of people we come in contact with may be in crisis and have already used resources,” Deputy Chief Anderson said. “What we don’t want to do is keep them segmented.” (Story by Brian Benson, University News)

Mikayla Cote, ’17, is the third person affiliated with Bridgewater State University to earn a Fulbright award this year. This third Fulbright award in a single year represents a record high for Bridgewater State.

The Plymouth resident was awarded a research grant and will spend the next academic year in Phnom Penh, building and testing a wastewater reactor with support from Paññāsāstra University of Cambodia and Wetlands Work, Ltd. 

This foundational research aims to improve public health and the environment in Phnom Penh with the hope that Mikayla’s work can eventually be applied globally.

Mikayla transferred to BSU from the University of Massachusetts Boston. While at BSU, she majored in biology, and conducted microbiological research under the mentorship of Dr. Jenna Mendell. In 2016, she received an Adrian Tinsley Program summer grant to fund her research. She has travelled to Cambodia to conduct research as part of two BSU travel courses, and then again as part of an internship funded by a Bartlett Internship Award. 

BSU’s Fulbright process would not be possible without faculty and staff across campus. Of particular note are campus interview committee members Drs. Deborah Nemko and Caitlin Fisher-Reid; recommenders Drs. Mendell, Fisher-Reid, and Taber Hand, Founder of Wetlands Work; and the members of the Fellowships Advisory Board: Drs. Alba Aragon, James Crowley, Diana Fox, Cindy Kane, Saritha Nellutla, Minae Savas, Jenny Shanahan, Ellen Scheible, Wing-kai To, and Katie Lorge.

Dr. Ed Cabellon, Director of Administration for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, ran his second Boston marathon raising money for Tenacity Inc. Read more in the Bridgewater Independent.

The BSU women's equestrian program is moving from a club sport to the varsity level.  Read more in The Enterprise.