Faculty Senate

Celebrating the vibrancy and creativity of our campus

stuxbury — Wed, 30 Aug 2023 15:04:24 +0000

Celebrating the vibrancy and creativity of our campus stuxbury Wed, 08/30/2023 - 11:04

You don鈥檛 need to travel much farther than 51视频-Dearborn鈥檚 classrooms to meet people who have incredible stories of resilience and strength. They鈥檝e lived through events that make news headlines: changing governments, economic crises, war and more. They鈥檝e traveled the world, navigated new languages and cultures, and have feelings of home in places both old and new.

Class of 2018 graduate Hanan Ali Nasser penned a letter reflecting on the journey her parents took when fleeing Iraqi President Saddam Hussein鈥檚 regime when Nasser was a small child. Yasmin Mohamed, whose family left Yemen when she was an infant, writes about the changes her family experienced starting with North Yemen鈥檚 Civil War 鈥� and how that鈥檚 shaped the College of Education, Health, and Human Services alum鈥檚 identity as an Arab American today.

鈥淚 remember Dad always expecting me to do more. He used to hold my hands when I was little, kiss them and say, 鈥榯hese hands are going to write,鈥欌€� wrote Mohamed, a Dearborn Wolverine who earned her graduate degree in 2009 and is a teacher for Dearborn Public Schools. 鈥淭hese hands that he kissed are writing鈥e will forever be my hero.鈥�

These are two of the 14 authors who contributed to the book 鈥�Hadha Baladuna: Arab American Narratives of Boundary and Belonging鈥� (Wayne State University Press, 2022). The book is 51视频-Dearborn鈥檚 2023-24 Community Read.

Community Read is a campuswide program where students, faculty and staff learn together and develop a clearer picture of the university community and what it means to be a part of it. 鈥淗adha Baladuna,鈥� which means 鈥渢his is our country鈥� in Arabic, is a collection of creative nonfiction exploring the diversity of Arab American voices and experiences in the southeastern Michigan region. The book, which has been named a Michigan Notable Book and received the Arab American Book Awards鈥� Evelyn Shakir Non-Fiction Award, is the first work of creative nonfiction in the field of Arab American literature that focuses entirely on the Arab diaspora in Metro Detroit.

鈥淲hen discussing which book to choose for the Community Read, 鈥楬adha Baladuna鈥� emerged as the unanimous favorite. It allows us to celebrate the creativity and vibrancy of our campus and the city we live, learn and work in,鈥� said Associate Professor of History Kristin Poling, who is this year鈥檚 Community Read co-chair. 鈥淚t also shows current students the power of storytelling and voice.鈥�

The 237-page book 鈥� which can be downloaded for free by 51视频-Dearborn community members 鈥� is edited by History Professor Sally Howell, former 51视频-Dearborn English Assistant Professor Ghassan Abou-Zeineddine, and anthropologist Nabeel Abraham.

鈥淚 hope that 鈥楬adha Baladuna鈥� will help the campus community understand a bit more about the diversity of experiences and worldviews found among Arab Americans, and also to see what is universal in these stories,鈥� Howell said. 鈥淲e have so much in common with one another, regardless of where our families come from.鈥�

Throughout the academic year, Poling said there will be several opportunities to engage with the book, learn more about the diversity in the Arab American community, and think about themes featured within 鈥淗adha Baladuna.鈥� University events will include book readings, workshops and community projects. More information will be shared this fall.

Until then, here are five ways to get involved:

Read the book. To keep 鈥淗adha Baladuna鈥� easily accessible, the e-book version 鈥� is free for Dearborn Wolverines.

Apply for grants. Want to take your students on a field trip? Bring in a guest speaker? Or get supplies for a hands-on activity? The Faculty Senate First-Year Experience Committee is providing small grants to support curricular and co-curricular efforts related to the Community Read. Apply. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until all funds are distributed. Questions? Reach out to Poling.

Check out the library resource page. The Mardigian Library鈥檚 subject guide on 鈥淗adha Baladuna鈥� shares more information regarding southeast Michigan鈥檚 Arab American community, immigrant experiences and Dearborn鈥檚 history. There are companion readings, podcasts and online exhibits. Questions or suggestions about the guide? Contact librarian Anne Dempsey.

Get teaching ideas. Here are a few ideas for how to adopt the book into your classes. It includes writing and discussion prompts, activities and field trips. If you need a hard copy of the book to facilitate teaching, reach out to Poling or Dempsey.

Visit the Arab American National Museum. By showing your 51视频-Dearborn ID, 51视频-Dearborn students receive annual membership to the Arab American National Museum, which includes unlimited admission to the museum, discounts on public programs, workshops and events. It also includes check-out privileges at the Russell J. Ebeid Library & Resource Center, the largest collection of books by and about Arab Americans.

Howell said learning and teaching opportunities are everywhere 鈥� and can even be found within our homes. She hopes people, after reading the stories and poetry in the book, will consider writing down their own reflections and experiences.

鈥淲e have four alumni included in the book and I am hoping that a future volume might be inspired by this one,鈥� Howell said. 鈥淔or all the writers out there: keep at it.鈥�

Article by Sarah Tuxbury.

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Off

Wed, 08/30/2023 - 15:03

Learn more about 51视频-Dearborn鈥檚 2023-24 Community Read, 鈥淗adha Baladuna,鈥� and five ways you can get involved.

Community Read graphic by Jeff Knudsen/Michigan Creative

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Campus Colleagues: Rudra Mehta

tinahu — Mon, 28 Feb 2022 19:07:56 +0000

Campus Colleagues: Rudra Mehta tinahu Mon, 02/28/2022 - 14:07

Rudra Mehta hails from Mumbai, the New York City of India and a world away from suburban Detroit. But studying at 51视频-Dearborn was a natural choice. He has a bachelor鈥檚 in automotive engineering from Visvesvaraya Technological University, and when he was looking for a master鈥檚 program, it seemed like a great fit to relocate to one of America鈥檚 hubs for mobility research. 鈥淚 wanted to be a pilot when I was little, and I started diving into all sorts of aircraft and their engines,鈥� he says. 鈥淔rom there, I got interested in automobiles and their engines, and that sparked something in me. Like, these things, they are incredible. I just wanted to study more about them.鈥�

He loves anything and everything related to soccer and has pledged his allegiance to FC Barcelona. In his free time, he likes to game on his PC, compose music, and play the guitar and the keyboard. He loves rock music and is an avid Linkin Park fan, his favorite song being 鈥淲hat I鈥檝e Done.鈥� He also reads books, only hardcover, and is a huge Potterhead. The last book he read was 鈥淭he Complete Idiot鈥檚 Guide to Learning French.鈥� Mehta attributes his inquisitive nature to reading a lot of encyclopedias growing up and is super curious about the working principles behind almost everything. This has also made him quite detail oriented.

Since moving to Dearborn, he has already made many friends, though this being his first international trip, he misses his family. It helps that he has enough things on his Google Calendar to keep him occupied for 30 hours a day. Mehta loves walking to get places 鈥� 鈥渢his cold snowy weather adds to the fun of walking,鈥� he says 鈥� and he enjoys taking in the scenes along downtown Dearborn鈥檚 stretches of Michigan Ave. He is not much of a foodie but loves to get ice cream at La Gelati. When he wants to get away from the concrete landscape, his favorite places are the Rouge River trail and the Henry Ford Estate.

As anyone who meets Mehta will figure out in a minute, he stands for kindness and inclusivity. 鈥淒iversity is obviously required but inclusivity is more important to me, as you can be as diverse as you want but it doesn't matter unless everyone is accepted,鈥� he says. He can speak nine languages and has recently started learning American Sign Language.

He is quite excited about this new job as the editorial assistant at the Department of External Relations, where he writes about anything and everything that happens around the campus. He also looks forward to being part of the business fraternity Alpha Kappa Psi, the 51视频-Dearborn Racing-Electric team, and the Michigan Journal.

###

Story by Ruthvik Sankar

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External Relations

Faculty Senate

Off

Mon, 02/28/2022 - 19:07

Meet our newest editorial assistant on the campus鈥� External Relations team.

51视频-Dearborn graduate student Rudra Mehta at one of his favorite new places in Dearborn, Avenue Brunch House on Michigan Avenue.

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Campus Colleagues: Ruthvik Sankar

tinahu — Mon, 31 Jan 2022 20:13:15 +0000

Campus Colleagues: Ruthvik Sankar tinahu Mon, 01/31/2022 - 15:13

In school, Ruthvik Sankar is an international student pursuing a Master of Science in Robotics Engineering.

Out of the classroom, Ruthvik is an aspiring musician who recently began relearning the guitar. He鈥檚 an information consumer, preferring to scroll through research articles more than his social feeds. And he鈥檚 a curious explorer. Ruthvik loves to travel, especially when he鈥檚 behind the wheel of a car, in his quest to learn more about the people and places on the planet.

When he has time, he ventures out on weekend trips. He鈥檚 been checking out the Great Lakes. He visited Lake Huron on a recent trip to Port Huron and went to Chicago and viewed Lake Michigan.

This curiosity about the world has led to his role as a new student editorial assistant for the 51视频-Dearborn鈥檚 External Relations department. He鈥檒l be writing about campus life and student experiences.

Ruthvik knows a few things about college life. A native to Bangalore, Ruthvik graduated with a Bachelor鈥檚 in Mechanical Engineering while in India.

Now in graduate school in the U.S. 鈥� his first international experience 鈥� he鈥檚 learning what it鈥檚 like to live away from family and childhood friends and navigate new aspects of student life. While on campus, he has observed immense diversity around him with different cultures and people forming a welcoming environment for everyone. 鈥�(Coming to a new place) was more fear than worry, but the people here are very sweet and loving. I felt at ease right away.鈥�

But there are still a few areas left to navigate, like his kitchen. When it comes to cooking, Ruthvik said he鈥檚 still working on that life skill. 鈥淚 am a strict vegetarian and thanks to my nonexistent cooking skills, food was a huge concern.鈥�

Another area he鈥檚 working on? Making friends with the Michigan winter. 鈥淚t is super cold and a little frustrating. Although, I did get to experience snowfall for the first time. I had romanticised it in my head. But now that I have felt it, it鈥檚 good to look at it from afar,鈥� Ruthvik said. However, winter sports do interest him. Ice skating and skiing are on his to-do list.

Keeping focused on his studies is also on his to-do list. After all, he chose 51视频-Dearborn to connect with the faculty experts and industry leaders.

鈥�51视频-Dearborn has an excellent student-to-teacher ratio with more industry exposure compared to other universities. The teaching is more practical and hands-on, something more than just textbook lectures. The projects and collaboration of the robotics department with various companies were a huge draw for me.鈥�

Article by Rudra Mehta. Rudra is also a new student editorial assistant in the campus鈥� External Relations department who will be writing about student life and campus experiences. Have a story idea? Feel free to reach out to him. For next month鈥檚 Campus Colleagues in Reporter, we鈥檒l highlight Rudra.

Faculty and Staff

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College of Engineering and Computer Science

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Off

Mon, 01/31/2022 - 20:13

Ruthvik Sankar is an international student who鈥檚 pursuing a Master of Science in Robotics Engineering. He鈥檚 a curious explorer who enjoys traveling, meeting new people and seeing new places.

Although he is not a fan of the cold, Ruthvik Sankar braves the snowy weather for a photo outside of the University Center. Photo by Rudra Mehta

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Faculty recognize university leadership for coronavirus response

lblouin — Mon, 07 Dec 2020 14:28:10 +0000

Faculty recognize university leadership for coronavirus response lblouin Mon, 12/07/2020 - 09:28

A student completes a temperature check with a security officer at a building access checkpoint on the 51视频-Dearborn campus.

When 51视频-Dearborn leadership decided to take a remote-first approach to instruction to help control the pandemic on and off-campus, Faculty Senate Chair Natalia Czap says there was understandably disappointment among some faculty. 鈥淚 think, at first, there were definitely people who thought we were being too cautious,鈥� Czap says. 鈥淎s faculty, we really love teaching and love having our students in the classroom. And I think some faculty were concerned about the impact that would have on students and their desire for in-person instruction and interaction.鈥�

Now 10 months into the pandemic, however, Czap says there is wide consensus that the clear, aggressive, science-informed response to the pandemic was the right one. Most importantly, new cases in the 51视频-Dearborn community have remained extremely low, even as cases have surged across Michigan and the country as a whole. And Czap points out the early decision also gave faculty and students time to make adjustments to their academic and personal lives. In particular, she says faculty have felt extremely supported by the non-stop effort of instructional designers at The Hub; and by the Provost鈥檚 office, which has taken extra steps to address increased workloads and family care demands through the Care and Equity Task Force.

In recognition of this, the Faculty Senate recently unanimously passed a motion commending Chancellor Domenico Grasso, Provost Sue Alcock and the rest of the leadership team for 鈥渢heir efforts to assure the safety and security of our campus community during this time of the COVID-19 pandemic.鈥� Czap added that 鈥渆veryone should be proud that our campus鈥� sacrifices ensured that Wayne and the surrounding counties had fewer coronavirus cases than we would have probably seen otherwise.鈥�

Grasso says it鈥檚鈥済enerous and kind鈥� of the faculty to acknowledge senior leadership but that 51视频-Dearborn鈥檚 COVID-19 response has been a real team effort. 鈥淭o the faculty, I would say: Right back at you. No matter what the leadership did, if the faculty and staff were not a part of the team joining us, this could have gone in a very different direction. So they should be equally commended for their efforts.鈥�

Grasso attributes the success of the university鈥檚 response thus far to several factors. He says Director for Emergency Management Laura Drabczyk鈥檚 contributions on the Emergency Operations Center team, and the entire team鈥檚 efforts, have been pivotal; as have Provost Alcock鈥檚 efforts to help faculty transition to a mostly remote learning environment. In addition, clear, frequent communications from leadership helped keep everyone in the 51视频-Dearborn community on the same page during a quickly evolving situation.

Grasso says it鈥檚 also important to recognize that 51视频-Dearborn was 鈥渄ealt a very good hand鈥� compared to other colleges and universities, many of which are now struggling with higher case counts.

鈥淲e are extraordinarily fortunate to be a 100 percent commuter campus, and to not have residence halls, large dining facilities, or a large medical center,鈥� Grasso says. 鈥淏ut we鈥檝e played that good hand well, and I think we can all be proud of that."

Off

Mon, 12/07/2020 - 14:06

The Faculty Senate recently passed a resolution commending the Chancellor, Provost and leadership team for their foresight in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.

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