February 2, 2021
Message from the President
Even in these, the most challenging of times, Mercy College continues its forward momentum!
- Both the enrollment and credit hour goals for the Spring 2021 semester were surpassed (crushed actually!)
- New programs are beginning
- New and renewing grant opportunities are being pursued
- Enhanced mental health services and programming are being provided
- Vaccination opportunities for employees and students have been available
Safe environments have been maintained in Toledo and Youngstown, with courses delivered online and providing students with hands-on activities at each location. Student life activities are offered for the students, and spiritual messaging is delivered through word and video.
Mercy College has been in the pandemic protocol now for 11 months and we have had no layoffs or furloughs. We have seen much this year with our carefree lives a thing of the past. Traveling, visiting with friends, eating at restaurants, coming to work to educate and work with students, collaborating with colleagues, and visiting with associates are all things we miss. We now must mainly work from home, cook and eat at home, visit and travel through Zoom, wear masks, use sanitizer, order groceries online and pick them up or have them delivered and stay six feet away from others and all in the name of the dreaded Coronavirus.
We have made it through this extraordinary time as a team and all our lives have changed. I’m so proud of the way our team has worked together for the good of the whole. We will maintain our integrity as a high performing educational institution regardless of the obstacles we face.
Our students’ lives have also changed with education being delivered through Canvas and Zoom, and tests being timed and Proctor U’d. I appreciate all that each of you has done to help students through all that they face. Change is inevitable, but as Dr. Seuss states: You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose.
We are and will continue to be Mercy Strong!!
My favorite story is one told by Joel Barker of the Starfish with the original story by Loren Eisley. The story is in the image above.
We can all make a difference in the lives of our students, families and friends…. just find your starfish and make that difference!!
The entire executive team sends thoughts and prayers to all who have had COVID-19, lost loved ones due to COVID-19, cared for someone with COVID-19, or even knew someone with COVID-19. It’s been a difficult 11 months and our lives have changed forever. Please be safe and well!! Thank you again for all you do for our students and for our Mercy College Family!!
-Sue
Mercy Café Menu
Submitted by Steve Joyce
Movies for Mental Health Online Workshop
Submitted by Lisa Sancrant
On Wednesday, February 17, from 4-6 p.m., the Office of Counseling and Wellness will be offering a virtual film screening and restorative wellness event. Presented by Art With Impact, the Movies for Mental Health Workshop uses short films to engage students around the topic of mental health.
Amidst this pandemic, the Movies for Mental Health workshop will give our students an opportunity to decompress, watch and discuss three award-winning short films that explore the topic of mental health and connect with wellness resources available to them.
Should you wish to attend the event, please RSVP here: http://bit.ly/mercy-college-m4mho
Faculty, we would also appreciate your help in sharing this information with your students. If you would be interested in offering extra credit for students to attend, please contact Lisa Sancrant to receive registration information for you to easily copy and paste, and if helpful, an optional “Professors Packet,” which includes some extra credit prompts. Support from faculty will help immensely by giving students a socially acceptable “excuse” for taking care of themselves.
Please feel free to contact Lisa Sancrant with any additional questions: lisa.sancrant@mercycollege.edu
Lenten Reflection books are now available!
Submitted by Annie Devine
Deepen your reflection during Lent this year. Mercy College Campus Ministry is offering Liguori Publication's Daybreaks: Daily Reflections booklet to Mercy College students, faculty, and staff for their prayer and reflection during the Lenten and Easter season.
Please complete the request form by February 10 and a booklet will be mailed at no cost to you.
Request Form Link: https://bit.ly/3ppfs9w (Links to an external site.)
Curious about this year's reflection booklet? Find out more information by clicking here.
HRSA Nursing Workforce Diversity Grant
Submitted by Hannah Bohn
On January 19, 2021, Mercy College submitted a proposal for the Nursing Workforce Diversity (NWD) grant, a Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) award which was designed to increase nursing education opportunities for people from disadvantaged backgrounds (racial and ethnic minorities underrepresented among registered nurses and those from rural residential areas and/or low-socioeconomic areas). If awarded, NWD could provide up to $2.1M over a four-year period. These funds would be used to provide scholarships and stipends for program participants, cultural competence training for Mercy College faculty and staff, and increased support services for underrepresented students (NWD Project Director, NWD Data Specialist, and a mentoring program, per-diem Nursing tutor, additional NCLEX-RN preparation, and student engagement opportunities for NWD Participants).
Leadership at Mercy strongly believes this would strengthen the College’s ability to attract and retain underrepresented talent within our AASN Toledo, AASN Youngstown, BSN Prelicensure, and BSN Completion programs. Notification of awarded proposals will take place on July 1, 2021. Proposals are reviewed based on the College’s purpose and need for the grant, a detailed work plan for implementing the project, methodology and approach which describe project goals and objectives (including student support services, faculty recruitment and retention, mentoring, student financial support, holistic review, and collaborative partnerships), a plan for project sustainability, and organizational information, resources, and capabilities.
Thank you to everyone who responded to direct requests for data and information. Those hoping to learn more about Mercy College’s proposal for the Nursing Workforce Diversity grant are welcome to contact Hannah Bohn, Coordinator of Alumni/Grants, at alumni@mercycollege.edu.
The Mercy College Library is still here for you!
Submitted by Rebecca Daniels
Even though the library isn’t open for studying we can still assist you with questions, material access, and research.
The library staff is here to help you.
Call: 419-291-1700
Email: library@mercycollege.edu
Visit the library page and chat with staff: https://mercycollege.libguides.com/
You can still borrow books and library materials
Library books are available to borrow. You can make requests through the library catalog, or you can contact us if you need assistance selecting materials.
Options for material pick-up
When your library materials are available the library staff will contact you to make arrangements for pick-up. Staff members are in the library Monday through Thursday from 9am - 1pm. If the library's hours are not convenient for you, we can arrange to have your materials held at the information desk on the 6th floor, Jefferson between 9am - 5pm, Monday-Friday.
Course Reserves
If materials needed are on course reserve or library use only, please email the library to make arrangements for electronic copies.
Contact us if you have questions or need assistance.
Journey to Success Series - Spring '21
Submitted by Lisa Sancrant
The Journey to Success Series for Spring '21 is off to a great start! There are 21 sessions offered this semester and we are offering $25 Amazon Gift cards to students who attend at least 10 sessions. View the variety of sessions being offered.
Please assist us in increasing attendance by encouraging students to attend. The sessions are held every Tuesday and Thursday at 4 p.m. on Zoom: https://bsmh.zoom.us/j/2692891559
Please feel free to contact Lisa Sancrant (lisa.sancrant@mercycollege.edu) or Tracy Darr (tracy.darr1@mercycollege.edu) with any questions.
Want it on the online calendar?
Submitted by Denise Hudgin
As a reminder to have something added to the master calendar that appears on the college website, a calendar entry request form has to be completed. The form is available on the faculty and staff forms page of the website. For your convenience, the link is here: https://mercycollege.wufoo.com/forms/calendar-entry-request-form/
The same form should be used to have items removed from the calendar.
Logo use violations
Submitted by Lori Edgeworth
There have been a number of incorrect uses of the college logo recently. Please adhere to the style guide and contact Denise Hudgin with any questions. Please obtain her approval before the logo is used on any item such as clothing or promotional materials.
CEO-Gram
Send a message to the Mercy College President using this link.
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