From Challenge to Triumph: Four Grads Reflect on the Road to Graduation. Lavorette Preston, John Jegede, Rebecca Becraft, and Sarah Generoso each took a unique path to commencement, but all share a story of resilience, growth, and determination. Through setbacks and successes, they pushed forward, proving that with perseverance, dreams really can become reality.
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Student/Faculty/Staff Updates
School of Education
Undergraduate Students Honored by Maryland State Department of Education at the Teachers of Promise Institute
Kayleigh Lagunas, Sydney Griffin, and Emma Seanor were all selected as Maryland Teachers of Promise. Their selection was based on NDMU’s recommendations regarding their high academic standing and strong potential to be an outstanding teacher. Huge thanks to both Renee Gongaware-Simons and Kelley Adams for attending the Institute with our honorees. A special shout-out to Kelley Adams, who volunteered to attend and drive from Southern Maryland just so that one of the students could attend.
When in Rome...
This spring, School of Education Professor and School Sister of Notre Dame Associate, Stephanie Savick, and PhD student, Sr. Grace Okun, represented the SSND Atlantic-Midwest Province in "giving life" to the Call of Acts of the General Chapter's vision for education through their participation in the Global Education Commission in Rome, Italy. Joining SSNDs and Associates from all over the world, the Commission's work included 1) creating a document grounded in You Are Sent that outlines the future educational vision of the SSNDs; 2) suggesting methods and practices by which to share the SSND educational vision with associates, colleagues, and co-workers preparing them for leadership in SSND educational ministries; 3) planning for educational conferences that provide formation in the educational vision, and suggest strategies for transformative education that address the cries of God’s people and Earth; and 4) developing an SSND global education network that links SSND educational ministries, fosters a shared vision, and builds community across the congregation and beyond. The work of the Commission to accomplish these goals will continue in the years to come through small and large group work in virtual meeting spaces. Both Dr. Savick and Sr. Grace were honored to have been chosen to be part of this transformative work.
School of Education Travels to Denver, Colorado for American Education Research Association (AERA)
They participated in four presentations combine
- Paper Presentation — Beliefs and Behaviors of Community College Faculty Participating in a Culturally Responsive Learning Program: PhD Graduate, Dr. Maura Hill; Committee Chair and Methodologist: Dr. Stephanie Savick and Dr. Rachel Durham
- Research in Progress Roundtable — AAPI Educator Perceptions of Challenges and Supports Experienced in PK-12 School, PhD Student Christine Paul; PhD Chair, Dr. Stephanie Savick
- Paper Presentation — What Inspires Students to Major in a STEM Field at the Start of Postsecondary Education? Dr. Mark Fenster
- Research in Progress Roundtable — Shortage of Bilingual Elementary Teachers, PhD Student Susie Prado; PhD Chair, Dr. Mark Fenster
Former Notre Dame of Maryland University School of Education Dean and Provost, Sr. Sharon Slear, PhD, Was Honored by Notre Dame Preparatory School
She received the 2025 Mother Caroline Friess Alumnae of the Year at NDP's annual alumnae mass and brunch.
School of Art, Sciences & Business
NDMU Biology Student and Faculty Attend Mid-Atlantic Microbiome Meeting
Biology majors Grace Ekalle, Naomi Ewhe, and Disomi Okie attended the Mid-Atlantic Microbiome Meeting at the University of Maryland, on Friday, March 21, 2025. They were accompanied by Dr. Meenu Vikram, Assistant Professor of Biology, and Dr. Jennifer Kerr, Galotto ’64 Endowed Chair in the Biological Sciences.
The conference focused on Innovation and Translation in Microbiome Research. Naomi Ewhe presented her bioinformatics research on how chemical mutagens impact the bacterial microbiome of Caenorhabditis elegans, a model worm system.
Library Update
LNDL Fall Fest 2025 Call for Participants
LNDL is excited to announce our third annual Fall Fest will take place on Thursday, September 4, from 4-7pm! We are so excited to be back for another year of crafts, prizes, food, and fun here at LNDL.
This year, our Fall Fest theme is “Do It for the Plot,” a phrase often used to encourage someone to act or make a decision that will lead to an interesting or memorable experience, even if it is unconventional or risky. Doing it for the plot is all about creating stories and moments that add excitement and depth to one's life, much like how plot twists make a story engaging. "Do It for the Plot” is a call to embrace adventure and spontaneity for the sake of contributing to the story of your life.
Ready to get involved? We are looking for campus offices and departments, student organizations, and local community groups to table at Fall Fest 2025. Please fill out our Call for Partners form by June 1, 2025. We will begin reaching out to partners in early June about participation.
Conference and Auxiliary Services
