Money Magazine names Loyola a best value college
Loyola University Maryland has been named one of the nation’s “Best Colleges for Your Money” by Money Magazine in its 2020-2021 higher education value rankings.
HEADLINES
Johns Hopkins University Announces New DNP/MPH Dual Degree Program
Johns Hopkins University announced that students can earn a Doctor of Nursing Practice/Executive Master of Public Health (DNP/MPH) in as few as 3 years through a dual degree program that the university will launch in the summer of 2021.
Hood College professors launch project to unite educators, problem-solve virtual learning challenges
Two Hood College professors know firsthand the challenges of teaching online during the coronavirus pandemic. With new state funding, they’ve created a program to help solve these hurdles.
Independent Higher Education Day
This year, MICUA brought together almost 100 college students and administrators from MICUA member institutions to celebrate the strength and continued success of the students in independent higher education in Maryland, as well as the funding of the Sellinger Program.
Governor Larry Hogan proclaimed February 24, 2021 Maryland Independent Higher Education Day (IHED) and encouraged the people of Maryland to support independent institutions. This year, IHED was virtual due to the pandemic. We hope to be together in person in Annapolis next year!
For more than two centuries, Maryland’s independent colleges and universities have partnered with the State to increase educational opportunities, expand college access, and support local businesses. Shortly after the American Revolution, the Maryland General Assembly passed a bill granting a charter to Washington College, which embraced a mission to “educate citizens for the vital task of democracy.” Within two years, the General Assembly chartered St. John’s College as an institution of higher learning. These two private, nonprofit institutions formed the foundation of Maryland’s system of higher education with campuses on the Eastern Shore and the Western Shore.
Today, Maryland boasts a distinctive and diverse array of private, nonprofit institutions of higher education that are committed to serving the public missions of education, research, and the advancement of knowledge.
MICUA hosted IHED 2021 virtually via Zoom Webinar. Andrea Chapdelaine, PhD, Chair of the MICUA Board of Trustees and President of Hood College, provided welcoming remarks; then Senate President Bill Ferguson delivered a keynote address. President Ferguson is a native to Maryland, born and raised in Silver Spring, and he currently represents District 46 in Baltimore City. In addition to a bachelor’s degree in political science from Davidson University and a law degree from the University of Maryland School of Law, he holds a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) from the Johns Hopkins School of Education. President Ferguson described the path by which he went from classroom teacher to law student to politician to one of the youngest presiding officers in the State Senate. He spoke of both inspiring and humbling experiences along the way, and he challenged everyone in the room to demand nothing but the best of themselves, their colleagues, and their leaders. He had time for a few questions, and the students responded passionately and appreciatively to his remarks.
Following President Ferguson’s remarks, Sara Fidler, President of MICUA, gave a PowerPoint presentation that included key facts about MICUA and MICUA’s operating and capital budget requests, as well as tips and tricks to help the students successfully lobby members of the Maryland General Assembly. MICUA encouraged students to tweet about IHED and to tag pictures of themselves with legislators. Students arranged almost 100 meetings with members of Maryland’s General Assembly. MICUA institutions met with every committee in the legislature. When students were not in virtual meetings, they were invited to participate in the MICUA "hangout room" on Zoom to connect with each other and to share their experiences.
Some key points the students shared with Legislators included:
- Expressing gratitude for past support of the Sellinger Program and the MICUA capital projects, as well as appreciation that the Legislator is willing to share time with them during IHED.
- Telling the Legislator how they have personally experienced and/or benefitted from Sellinger funds or from a capital project on their campus.
- Offering demographic information regarding MICUA institutions.
- Sharing how their education has been personally impacted by COVID, and how they have risen above these challenges.
- Asking the Legislator if they have any questions for them or if there is any additional information that they could provide to help them to support full funding of the Sellinger Program this year.
- Thanking the Legislator for their strong leadership on issues that are important to independent higher education and letting them know that their continued support truly makes a difference in their life.
“Independent Higher Education Day is such an important opportunity for MICUA institutions to share with our elected officials all the great activities happening on our campuses. We knew we needed to find a way to still make it happen this year,” stated President Chapdelaine. “This is a day to celebrate our students and their accomplishments, as well as express our deep gratitude for the long-standing public-private partnership between MICUA and the State. While IHED will be virtual this year, I look forward to the day when all of our institutions can be back in Annapolis, in person.”
Featured below are photos of Independent Higher Education Day 2021:
Source: Capitol Technology University
Source: McDaniel College
Featured below are photos of MICUA students on Independent Higher Education Day 2020:
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Students gathered in the Maryland State House on their way to meet with Legislators. |
Goucher College President Kent Devereaux and students at their meeting with Delegate Mangione. |
Hood College President Andrea Chapdelaine gives the opening remarks in the Governor Calvert House Ballroom. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Students and administrators from Hood College gathered in the Maryland State House. |
Students from the Maryland Institute College of Art wait to meet with Senator Cory McCray. |
Mount St. Mary’s President Tim Trainor, Bill Davies, and students assembled in the Mike Miller Senate Building. |
McDaniel College President Roger Casey and students pictured with their mascot, the Green Terror, in the House of Representatives. |
Washington College Taps Wayne Powell As Interim President
A former mathematics professor-turned-higher education administrator has been tapped as Washington College's 32nd president, succeeding Kurt Landgraf.
Loyola faculty member receives grant to support STEM education research
Qi Shi, Ph.D., associate professor of education specialties, has been awarded a $193,853 two-year grant from the National Science Foundation’s HER Core Research: Building Capacity in STEM Education Research program.
Hood College Receives Gold Award for Wellness at Work
Hood College received the gold award from the Healthiest Maryland Businesses (HMB) Wellness at Work Awards Program during a recent online symposium.
Manager of Business Operations Biography
Ashley Swift
Ashley Swift serves as the Manager of Business Operations for the Maryland Independent College and University Association (MICUA). She attended McDaniel College, a MICUA member institution, where she earned her undergraduate degree. She enjoys working with an association whose mission provides a positive impact on the State and the students served.
Job Opening: Associate Vice President for Government and Business Affairs
Associate Vice President for Government and Business Affairs – The Maryland Independent College & University Association (MICUA), a non-profit association which has as its mission the collective representation and coordination of independent higher education in Maryland, is seeking an experienced government affairs individual to assist in providing public policy leadership in support of higher education, as well as coordinating and facilitating partnerships and engagement with the business community.
The successful candidate must have the ability to manage a diversity of internal and external constituencies, effective public speaking, the capacity for hard work in an intense and challenging environment, and an understanding and appreciation of the nature of independent higher education and the issues important to academe. In addition to public policy leadership, the Associate Vice President is responsible for assisting with the monitoring of the State budget and fiscal outlook, coordinating State aid programs, reviewing federal and State legislation and regulations, representing MICUA on various state and national policy forums, testifying before legislative committees, assisting with communications, and handling other projects as assigned by the President.
The Associate Vice President for Government and Business Affairs reports to the President. The Associate Vice President is responsible for public policy leadership in support of independent higher education and assists in liaising between MICUA and various public bodies, including the Governor’s Office, the Maryland General Assembly, the Maryland Higher Education Commission, and the Department of Budget and Management. As a member of the MICUA executive team, the Associate Vice President assists the President in all operations of the Association and fulfills the duties of President or Executive Vice President when necessary.
The Associate Vice President performs the following duties:
- Assists with lobbying elected officials in support of independent higher education;
- Monitors the State budget and fiscal outlook;
- Coordinates State aid programs in collaboration with the Senior Research Analyst;
- Coordinates and assists the MICUA capital projects submission process in collaboration with the Executive Vice President;
- Reviews federal and State legislation and regulations;
- Prepares written and oral testimony in collaboration with the Executive Assistant;
- At the direction of the President or the Executive Vice President, testifies before committees of the Maryland General Assembly, the Maryland Higher Education Commission, and the Department of Budget and Management;
- Represents the Association on several State and national committees and various policy forums;
- Works with National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities and other national organizations on issues impacting independent higher education;
- Assists with convening and coordinating meetings with various campus-based affinity groups;
- Facilitates collaboration among institutions of higher education to reduce costs or increase revenues;
- Coordinates with the Senior Research Analyst for the preparation and production of various financial and accountability reports;
- Assists in responding to inquiries from institutions, federal and state agencies, national organizations, and the general public regarding independent higher education;
- Surveys member institutions on key issues, assesses responses, and assists in formulating MICUA policy;
- Explores and facilitates engagement and partnership opportunities with the business community;
- Brokers consortium arrangements and pricing opportunities for the MICUA institutions;
- Assists with special projects; and
- Handles other responsibilities as assigned by the President.
A masters degree in a related discipline or juris doctor is required. At least 5 years of experience in a related field is preferred. A candidate is expected to exhibit a proven history of competence in management, progressive experience with public policy development, and strong written and oral communication skills.
MICUA pays competitive salaries and offers a full range of benefits, including health, dental, vision, long-term disability, and life insurance. Please email a resume and a letter of interest that includes three professional references and salary requirements to: Ashley Swift, Manager of Business Operations, at aswift@micua.org. Candidates may also submit letter(s) of recommendation for consideration. The position remains open until filled; however, letters of interest must be received by September 1, 2020, to guarantee full consideration. MICUA is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Johns Hopkins University Creates Program To Teach Kids The Science Behind The Coronavirus
A new online curriculum from Johns Hopkins University aims to teach kids the science and biology of COVID-19 to help them learn how to stop the spread of the virus.
McDaniel College students work toward coronavirus treatment
COVID-19 research is going on across the country right now, including in Westminster, where a group of undergraduate students are getting the opportunity of a lifetime.
Goucher College Becomes New Home For The Student Support Network
Goucher College has become the new home for the Student Support Network, a local nonprofit organization dedicated to fighting Baltimore County children's food insecurity.
McDaniel College grad organizes virtual concert to benefit Carroll Lutheran Village’s COVID-19 fund
McDaniel College students and staff are holding a virtual concert Wednesday to raise money for Carroll Lutheran Village’s COVID-19 fund and bring joy to the residents.
Loyola launches Master of Science in Forensic Pattern Analysis program
Loyola University Maryland is starting a Master of Science in Forensic Pattern Analysis program in fall 2021 to prepare students for growing career opportunities in the forensic sciences.
Mount St. Mary's orientation gets smaller and more socially distant
Summer orientation for incoming Mount St. Mary’s University students looked quite different this year — with temperature checks and health questionnaires, social distancing restrictions and face coverings, and tissues and hand sanitizer bottles given out as souvenirs.
Loyola co-founds BridgesAlliance to provide real-world career experience to students
To provide additional support to students during a global pandemic, Loyola has joined the BridgesAlliance, a growing network of more than 50 universities worldwide launched by PeopleGrove.
Hood College Receives $2.2 Million Grant from HRSA
Hood College’s counseling program has received a $2.2 million grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).
Hood College's Frederick Food Security Network Awarded Grant from Delaplaine Foundation, Inc.
Delaplaine Foundation, Inc., has awarded Hood College’s Frederick Food Security Network (FFSN) $7,500 in COVID-19 emergency funds to hire two agricultural assistants during the peak of the growing season for 10 weeks. These hires will allow the FFSN to provide fresh produce to the people who need it most.
Hood College Student Awarded Enactus Scholarship
Hood College student Pierre Saint-Louis ’22 is a winner of the Jules and Gwenn Knapp Enactus Ambassador Scholarship. His award is $2,500 for educational purposes.
McDaniel Graduate program offers online dyslexia certification
Literacy Leadership master's degree program has partnered with Wilson Language Training to offer a new dyslexia specialization, which includes Level I Certification in the Wilson Reading System® (WRS).
Please view the individual links below for specific information about CARES Act Reporting from each MICUA member institution.
To view more information on the CARES Act Reporting Requirements, click here.
Please contact Stephanie Thomas, Director of Communications, at sthomas@micua.org with any updates or questions.
Hood College to Assist County Educators in Learning How to Teach Online
In anticipation of the need for online learning to continue in the fall, Hood College’s Department of Education will assist Frederick County Public Schools in its training of PreK-12 teachers in online learning.
Loyola expects to welcome record-breaking Class of 2024 this fall
After a challenging spring semester for recruitment due to COVID-19, Loyola University Maryland has exceeded its goal for deposits for the Class of 2024.
McDaniel College graduate scholarship program focuses on pandemic-influenced careers
McDaniel College announces a new Workforce Development Scholarship Program for those interested in pursuing a master’s degree to enhance, advance or change careers. The scholarships are available in programs that relate directly to areas of greatest need due to COVID-19.
Hood College Partners with Every Community College in Maryland
Goucher College, Johns Hopkins announce new dual degree program
Goucher College and Johns Hopkins Carey Business School on Wednesday announced a new dual degree program aimed at giving students at the liberal arts college more of an edge as they enter the job market.
President’s Medal for Hope Awarded to Class of 2020
Hood College President Andrea E. Chapdelaine has awarded the President’s Medal for Hope to the Class of 2020 to honor their hope and perseverance through the COVID-19 pandemic to graduation.
Hood College Professor Elected President of Association of Collegiate Marketing Educators
Mel Zuberi, Ph.D., assistant professor of marketing at Hood College, was elected president of the Association of Collegiate Marketing Educators (ACME) at its annual conference in March. With that appointment, he is also a board member of the Federation of Business Disciplines (FBD), the umbrella organization of the ACME.
Notre Dame of MD sews masks for students and children on campus
In an effort to keep their students safe Notre Dame of Maryland faculty and staff got together to make masks.
Due to pandemic, local universities take a variety of approaches to celebrate commencement
Graduation season will have less pomp and circumstance this year because the COVID-19 pandemic has prevented public gatherings, and that has prompted local colleges and universities to take a variety of approaches to marking the occasion for their students.
