UM Issue 8: Assessment at a Glance

By: Christina Koonts

Assessment plays an important role in an organization, Virginia International University included. The role assessment plays impacts everyone who has a stake in VIU. The process allows for the Office of Institutional Effectiveness to better help plan and implement strategic plans for different staff departments as well as the deans of VIU’s schools of study. Creating strong and effective plans for all aspects of the university allow for continued growth and overall achievement. Assessment is an integral part of how VIU’s future is shaped.

WHAT IS ASSESSMENT?
Assessment is being able to give value or importance to something; for an organization it determines what we do as departments and individuals, and then work to improve our work and processes in those avenues. In the context of higher education, assessment is defined more narrowly and specifies a particular assessment use. Assessment in U.S. colleges and universities is now understood as a means of developing and improving student learning and teaching:
Assessment is the systematic collection, review, and use of information about educational programs undertaken for the purpose of improving student learning and development. (Palomba & Banta, 1999 [2015], p. 4)

SO WHAT IS ASSESSMENT USED FOR?
Improving performance, both academically and organizationally! Simply put, assessment is defined as continuous improvement.

WHERE IS IT USED?
The Office of Institutional Effectiveness (OIE), overseen by Associate Vice President Ms.
Christina Koonts, recognizes that assessment is conducted through different measures for a variety of assessment uses, though with a common aim of systematically using evidence to improve institutional effectiveness. Assessment at VIU, then, happens in four areas:
a) School-level programmatic assessment of student learning (for all degree and certificate programs).

b) Bachelor degree level programmatic assessment of general education learning.

c) Evaluation of nonacademic/ support and student affairs units.

d) Institutional assessment/evaluation of educational and administrative effectiveness.

With respect to (c), evaluation of nonacademic/ support and student affairs units is defined by the Office of Institutional Effectiveness as follows (adapted from Banta & Palomba, 2015): Assessment: Aggregating individual measures for the purpose of discovering group strengths and weaknesses that can guide improvement actions.

WHY DOES ASSESSMENT MATTER?
With the constant changing work environment, there is a periodic need to review how jobs are defined, departments are organized, processes are structured, and problems are managed. The goal of assessment is to assist managers and deans in implementing effective action plans and appropriate solutions toward achievement of organizational objectives.
In essence, the point of assessment is not the sheer collection of reports and data; it is instead the application of the data to promote changes and developments within the organizational culture and operations. Collection without analysis and application is fruitless.
At VIU we conduct assessment both organizationally and academically. Organizationally, we conduct goal-setting exercises in each department, all of which are tied to the strategic goals of the institution. This process is important because it is what drives fulfillment of our institutional strategic plan. We have a direction that we need to go in, and by monitoring and evaluating performance and achievement, we are able to ensure that we are getting there. Academically, we are looking to fulfill student learning outcomes for each program. All assessment is centered around measurement of what learning is taking place.
We want to be sure that our students learn what they set out to, in order to be successful after graduation. Additionally, we are able to find weaknesses in the programs and drive curricular improvement, keeping the programs relevant and up-to-date, and providing a better product for VIU students.

WHO DOES ASSESSMENT IMPACT?
The short answer? Everyone! The structure is part of a systematized and organized process regulated by the Office of Institutional Effectiveness. Individual departments are responsible for the oversight and maintenance of assessment within their organization. This is accomplished by having an embedded focus on the analysis of assessment as essential components of each department, both academic and organizational. Therefore, departments are responsible for forming and maintaining assessments and assessment practices within their respective areas. Given that each organizational function is unique, all departments are tasked with determining a structure and function that is most conducive to their roles within the institution. As a result, the roles of all individuals at an institution might be articulated by the formalized structure of the work of the OIE.

WHAT ARE GOALS OF ASSESSMENT?
The most important information that VIU departments report to the Office of Institutional Effectiveness (and what VIU must report to regulatory bodies) is how assessment results are being used toward improved or developed organizational and educational processes and procedures. We all want to improve, as individuals and departments and provide the best working and learning environment possible in a sustainable manner. We want our student services to be strong, just as we want our curriculum to be strong and relevant. Assessment helps us to take an objective look at what it is we are doing in the day-to-day operations to determine what is working well, and what is not working well. We can then readjust and align our objectives to be more focused, with the intended result of a better experience for all of the VIU community.

WHEN IS ASSESSMENT NEEDED?
Assessment never stops. Assessment at VIU involves the analysis and interpretation of information on employee and departmental performance as a basis for identifying needed improvement or development of educational and organizational processes.

IS IT AN ON-GOING PROJECT OR SOMETHING THAT IS LOOKED AT DURING CERTAIN PERIODS OF TIME?
Analysis relates to producing assessment results and involves summarizing, arranging, presenting, or otherwise rendering assessment data for interpretation and decision-making. VIU departments are asked to summarize and report results for all assessment data. For quantitatively-oriented data, reporting can be summaries of aggregated performance ratings or scores (e.g., percentiles, etc.). For qualitative/ textually-oriented results, departments can summarize prevailing trends or themes in the data (among other examples). However, it is an ongoing and continuous process that truly never ends.

HOW DO YOU USE THE INFORMATION GAINED THROUGH ASSESSMENT?
VIU’s OIE monitors steps the collection and use of data carefully. OIE (and SACS COC) is interested in knowing what VIU departments are learning about the effectiveness of their organizational processes on the basis of assessment results, and, where achievement or improvement has not happened as expected, what actions directors and employees are taking to enhance the quality of departmental delivery. This essentially establishes the use of assessment data for continuous improvement. The use and reuse of data/information occur over the lifetime of an assessment cycle and is intended to learn and grow along with the department (and employees).

UM Issue 8: Leaders of Tomorrow

New graduates often enter the workforce with the idea that they are the “leaders of tomorrow”
because that is what all of the old clichés have told them. They have long-term goals of landing
themselves a “leadership role” and often connect that with achieving success. But what is a
leadership role? What does it mean to be a leader?

Leaders are not appointed, promoted, or hired to be a leader. You do not become a leader automatically because you are a manager, an executive, or even the founder of a company. You may be a manager, but managers manage data, projects, and processes; people cannot be managed. You may be an entrepreneur who can organize and operate a business, but leadership is about more than keeping a company afloat. While there may be an expectation of you to be a leader as you rise up the ranks, not all people in positions of prestige, power, and status are leaders. In fact, the vast majority of people are not the leaders of tomorrow.

Leaders lead by example and inspire others to change. Effective leaders gain the respect of their followers and can influence them to want better, to do better, to be better. A leader does not control the team by giving orders but is wholeheartedly a part of that team. You lead a team by working alongside your people to help them and inspire them to achieve more, ultimately moving everyone toward a shared mission and vision. Mahatma Gandhi did not give orders or instill fear, but he got an entire nation to follow his lead because of genuine inspiration.

If your goal is simply to be successful in your personal pursuits, you may not be cut out to be a leader. But if your goal is to drive your organization to be successful, then you’re on the right track. When we live in a culture where personal success is defined as having achieved popularity, profit, or distinction and where competition has taken front stage, sometimes it can be hard to focus on the bigger picture. Leaders direct their focus away from themselves and toward the larger goal of building a successful organization. They still have ambition, but that ambition lies in the success of the organization, not themselves. A good leader is not concerned with being in the spotlight but is focused on results. The best way to measure the success of leaders is not in their personal success but in the success of those who follow them.

Now, it is not necessarily objectionable to say that your goal in life is to be personally successful and prosperous; after all, that is the American Dream, right? But you shouldn’t confuse or equate your position or personal success with that of being a leader. Leaders guide others to achieve success and appreciate what a high-performing team can accomplish rather than make their career about outdoing everyone else and rising to the top. No degree, no courses on leadership, and no extended time in a job is going to make you a leader. It is your attitude, your humility, your willingness to serve, your ability to communicate, and your sincere desire to make a difference that will naturally make people want to follow you. Don’t just aspire to be successful, aspire to lead. As Gandhi said, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” Make a difference.

LEADERSHIP SIMPLIFIED
Effective leaders gain the respect of their followers and can influence them to want better, to do better, to be better. A leader does not control the team by giving orders but is wholeheartedly a part of that team. You lead a team by working alongside your people to help them and inspire them to achieve more, ultimately moving everyone toward a shared mission and vision.
1. INSPIRATION
To be a leader is to have a deep passion for fulfilling a mission and for inspiring others to follow you.
2. INTEGRITY
It takes putting aside your own self-interests for the sake of the greater good.
3. EMPOWERMENT
Building up others and appreciating their contributions instead of feeling threatened by them.
4. PASSION
Having greater visions of where your company is trying to go while leaving the path open for others to grow into leaders.

UM Issue 7: Alt-Rock Dreams

Sam Gaius is currently a VIU student studying for his Masters in Information Systems Management. He has performed at VIU Got Talent, VIU Idol, and other various events on and off-campus in the past and hopes to kick-start the VIU Music Club.

UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE: What first inspired you to start singing?
SAM GAIUS: Singing has been a personal interest of mine since childhood. We used to have a stereo in my house in India, and I used to play the cassettes over and over. I would rewind them in order to sing along and memorize the songs, so it just picked up from there. As I kept singing with these tapes, I realized you need to be able to play the instruments along with the songs as well, which eventually got me into playing guitar.

Do you play any other instruments in addition to the guitar?
Yes, I actually play the keyboard and drums as well.

You can play for a whole band! Do you have a specific genre that you listen to or play the most?
I am mostly interested in playing and listening to alternative rock music. Since I play the guitar, and a lot of alt-rock songs are guitar-heavy, it has inspired me in my own compositions. I don’t only listen to this genre though – I also enjoy listening to EDM (electronic dance music) and pop.

Do you have any favorite bands or artists that have heavily inspired you in the alternative rock realm?
I would say I am more influenced by specific artists like John Mayer, BB King, Myles Kennedy, and David Gilmour. These musicians have inspired me in my guitar playing, vocally, and lyrically. When it comes to influential bands though, I would say some of my favorites include Alter Bridge and Metallica.

What are your “go-to” songs to listen to or perform that inspire you the most from the alternative rock genre?
Well, good things come in threes and so I have three great songs that I would consider my “go-to” songs – "Neon" by John Mayer; "Brand New Start" by Alter Bridge; and "Every Rose Has Its Thorn" by Poison.

Do you write your own original songs?
I’m currently working on that. I usually perform covers at shows, but hopefully, I’ll be able to start singing my own songs someday soon. I usually like to freestyle and play whatever is in my head when I’m practicing so I would like that to turn into something as opposed to just practicing a cover. It makes it easier and makes it fun.

We’re looking forward to hearing some originals! Would you like to pursue a career in music?
As of right now, I am concentrating on my studies, receiving my diploma and finding a job. Music is obviously something I would love to do, and love doing, so I am always going to make time for it in between my coursework and take whatever chance to play.

Since you are concentrating on your master's, how do you have the time to balance music between school, work, family, and friends?
Because I’m so busy, these days I only have the time to play my music in my alone time, essentially as a hobby. This is okay with me, though, since it’s something I’m passionate about. Like I mentioned before though if the opportunity arises for me to be able to share my talent in music, I’ll always take it.

So one of those opportunities you mentioned was VIU Got Talent – we saw your performance and it was great. Congratulations on 3rd place! Were you nervous before the performance, or do you have any preshow rituals that eased your mind?
I was definitely a little nervous before the performance, but you just have to realize that it’s all for fun. You wouldn’t be doing it if you didn’t already love it, and I really do love music. It isn’t about winning or losing; it’s about sharing your talent and having fun. I don’t do anything to prepare before a show for good luck except practice, sleep, and pray. I just go for it.

Do you have any advice for people who are afraid or nervous to perform in front of an audience?
You should be playing, practicing, and performing for yourself – not for anyone else. If you are out there to have fun and enjoy your time, then you will be a lot less nervous.

Issue 7: Homemade Music for the Soul

AN INTERVIEW WITH THE FOUNDER AND CEO OF HOMEMADESOUL MUSIC

Based in Chesapeake, Virginia, Homemadesoul Music is a music licensing and publishing firm created to partner with independent artists. Curtis Clarke, Founder and President of Homemadesoul Music, is an artist himself. We caught him on the phone to get some insight on the music-making process and his newest song, “Everything.”

UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE: First off, we want to thank you for taking the time out of your day to sit down with us. University Magazine and its readers are excited to get to know more about HomemadeSoul Music. You are the president and founder of your own Virginia-based music licensing and publishing firm. What’s the story behind your inspiration and establishment of HomemadeSoul?
CURTIS CLARK: No problem, I’m happy to share my story with you all. HomemadeSoul stands for original music of the soul. No matter what the genre or how it is created, it’s totally from the soul and original ideas. It is inspired by and an extension of myself. I have been performing for the public for the last 15 years, and so I’ve been doing this same thing with music for that amount of time. It’s a whole different industry than any other in the music business, so HomemadeSoul music is about educating artists, like myself, about the vast opportunities available. It’s based on cultivating artists, helping them create their own business endeavors, and seeing them flourish just like I have.

UM: That sounds like an amazing opportunity for your artists. We’ve also heard that you’ve recently released your own single, “Everything,” in March. It has been described online as “a song that embodies the name of the company.” What can you tell us about the song?
CC: The song, “Everything,” is modeled stylistically after my idol, D’Angelo. It follows the philosophy of HomemadeSoul music as an original idea that came from my heart while embodying that word, “HomemadeSoul.” I collaborated with Natasha Jeter, who works at Virginia International University, on this song. The words are from her, but the idea and the concept of “Everything” was collectively produced by us. I wasn’t planning on releasing the song, but I kind of have this tendency to go off on a hunch and do things as I feel it naturally. When the song was finished, I just knew I had to put it out with a video.

UM: What was the process of co-writing and producing “Everything” with Ms. Natasha Jeter like?
CC: It was a quick process. Ms. Jeter and I met at a conference last year before writing anything together, so we already knew we had a good vibe to work off of. I had heard some of her music, and so when the concept for “Everything” came up, I saw an opportunity to use her talents and attacked it. I knew she could encompass that D’Angelo vibe I was looking for.

UM: Do you have any new projects we can look forward to?
CC: As a matter of fact, I’m working on one of my most significant projects right now. The concept is based on 1 Corinthians 13, a chapter from the Bible that is entitled, “The Way of Love.” It is considered to be the ultimate definition of love. I plan for each verse from 1 Corinthians 13 to have an audio track, a song, and a music video to reflect my interpretation on love. So there will be 13 audio chapters, 13 songs, and 13 videos in total.

Like I mentioned before, I’m an artist that works on a hunch, so if something comes up before that I’ll work from there. For example, I had an instinct for a song just a few weeks ago that I have Ms.
Jeter writing lyrics to right now. I also have a rapper waiting for a track from me that I conceptualized not too long ago. I am currently working overseas, but I feel if these tracks come to life, I will probably end up releasing them while I’m here.

UM: Looking through your website, HomemadeSoul Music supports a vast variety of artists around the world. How do you recommend an emerging international artist to start out in the music business? CC: Focus on creating your own business structure and reaching your audience while maintaining what makes you an artist in the first place. The audience matters, and they will not support something that you are not passionate about. You can’t do what another artist does – everyone needs to embrace their own creativity and stick to your values, stick to what makes you.
UM: Do you have any advice for students who are following their dreams in other fields?
CC: Discipline, hard work, and consistency are all that matter to achieve your goals. No one is going to have a straight path to the peak of success, so you cannot get distracted. What you’re doing might not seem like it matters right now, but if you stay persistent and focused on your end goal, you can easily shoot for the stars and get to where you really want to be. You can learn more about HomemadeSoul Music at www.homemadesoulmusic.com. Like HomemadeSoul Music on Facebook at www.facebook.com/IamCurtisClark, or follow HomemadeSoul Music on Twitter @homemadesoul.

Issue 7: Data Science. The Biggest Buzz Word of the Decade.

Data science is all about analyzing data using mathematical models and deriving algorithms useful for making decisions in the future. The field of data science offers many employment opportunities due to rapid growth and unusual explosion of data in the recent years. An interested party should have the ability to invest time and hard work in mastering the concepts of data analysis and design. 

Issue 7: Keeping Tradition Alive

My “Cindy” Huynh is a proud VIU alumna, focused on sharing her knowledge in English with those who would like to learn the language. Throughout her time in the United States, My has found ways to adapt to American culture while maintaining her country’s traditions through singing, dancing, and more. We asked her some questions about her Vietnamese culture and her experience at VIU. 

Issue 5: Daniel Okabe’s Amazing Race

Today we are looking back at the issue #5 and amazing achievements of Daniel Okabe, VIU scholarship recipient from Uganda. 

Issue 6: Alumni Spotlight - Julian Tanushi

Pictured: Julian Tanushi's portrait taken on-campus at VIU.

Julian Tanushi is a graduate of Virginia International University.  During his time at our school, he studied for this Bachelor of Science in Computer Science.  He was the Class of 2010 Valedictorian. See what he has to say about his experience at VIU and his advice to soon-to-be graduates. 

Issue 6: Bringing About Change

Pictured: Samiullah Samsor posing for the University Magazine. 

Samiullah is a recent graduate of Virginia International University.  He received his Masters of Public Administration with a concentration in Public Management.  Samisullah plans on taking his talents to his home country in order to make a significant difference.  Read on for his graduation speech.

Issue 6: A Quest for Education

Pictured: Kaewkhwan Srisang in front of VIU's Student Center. 

Kaewkhwan Srisang is an MA in TESOL from Thailand.  She recently was awarded the President's Scholarship for her academic excellence and essay-writing skills. Read on to learn more about Kaewkhwan and how she came to study at Virginia International University. 

Issue 6: LinkedIn: Allowing Recruiters to Contact You about Employment

Robert Brandau teaching prospective employees about the ins-and-outs of LinkedIn Recruiting. 

Robert Brandau is the Founding Director of Career-Confidence.org. He has been in the recruiter field since 1998 in full time and part time capacities. He teaches, coaches and encourages people in job transitions. He has spoken at Virginia International University in March and April of 2016.

Issue 6: When an Entrepreneur Becomes a Student

Pictured: Abror Nazirov on-campus at Virginia International University. 

Abror Nazirov is an Uzbekistan native working on his Master's Degree in TESOL at VIU.  Not only does he study on a day-to-day basis, but Mr. Nazirov is a young entrepreneur who founded and remotely runs his own language school in his home country.  Abror challenged the status quo by seizing an opportunity to advance academically and gain experience in the United States, which will benefit his company and his country in the long term. 

Issue 6: John Hughes: A Journalist's Journey to Success

Tamila Khalikova and Mohamed Moustafa, two Virginia International University students on the path to graduate this May 2016, had an opportunity and interview John Hughes, this year’s keynote speaker.

John Hughes is an editor for Bloomberg News’ First Word DC, a breaking news desk in Washington DC, and the 108^th president of the National Press Club, the world’s leading professional organization for journalists.

Hughes welcomed the students to the Bloomberg offices in DC, where they had the chance to take a tour.  Bloomberg News produces approximately 5,000 stories each day from more than 150 bureaus in 73 countries.

Issue 5: Marija Smilevska, Macedonian Student in America

Marija Smilevska came to VIU from the University American College in Skopje, Macedonia, with whom Virginia International University (VIU) has a strong bond due to the academic collaboration between the institutions. Marija is enjoying her time at VIU, studying with diverse students, learning a new culture and languages, and exploring America through her active lifestyle with she has made at VIU. University Magazine asked Marija to share her personal experience in the United States. Her story is inspirational and informative for those students who are looking forward to studying with us at VIU. 

Issue 4: Why I Love Teaching at VIU?

When people ask me why I teach at VIU, which is far away from my home, instead of teaching at nearby universities in Maryland, I have one answer: I love my students at VIU and I feel that they love me too. But there are many reasons why I love teaching at VIU.

Issue 4: Don’t Call VIU’s “Adventure Guy” Disabled

Xabier Mendes, a graduate student at VIU, enthusiastically agreed when we asked to feature him on the cover of this issue of University Magazine. Through the process of photographing and interviewing him, we were constantly reminded of his positive attitude, infectious spirit, and kindness to others. Hailing from Spain, Xabier fills his life with adventure. His list of activities has no end: he climbs, surfs, runs, snowboards and skateboards, lifts weights, plays soccer, swims – you name it, he has done it. But most importantly, Xabier dreams big. His future goals include starting a family and investing in his own business and watching it grow globally. What challenges has Xabier Mendes overcome to get where he is today and what is he doing now to achieve his dreams? Continue reading to find out.

Overcoming Obstacles: Manar Alhazmi

We recently sat down with one of our students, Manar Alhazmi, who is currently completing the elementary level of VIU’s ESL program. Her talent, determination, and personal story have made her family, teachers, and peers admire her, and I was eager to meet her myself. As a genuinely open person, Manar is strong enough to share her life with us, and she hopes that her story will inspire and motivate others.    

It’s not Manar’s first time in America; in fact, when she was seven, her family lived in Los Angeles for nine months. By the time she went home to Saudi Arabia, Manar had already fallen in love with America, its people and environment. Her favorite aspect is everyone’s friendly smiles and greetings. Manar is now back with a big vision: to improve her English and earn her MBA degree in Healthcare Management.  

Manar’s longtime dream has been to become a hospital manager, and she continues to overcome many obstacles to reach it. At the age of 10, Manar suffered from a serious illness and fell into a coma, staying in a hospital for many months. Although Manar’s loved ones were next to her and she had excellent medical care, she was still shocked at the sudden change in her life. Because she could no longer take care of herself, Manar started to give up hope of ever being a “normal” person able to walk, run, work or even hang out with friends.

I was curious as to her turning point and how she came from that low point at the hospital to being a healthy, energetic student in America. Manar credits her parents with her incredible improvement, and her “second chance at life.” When Manar was in the coma, “it was a very rough time for [her] parents to see [her] staying in bed day and night.” After six months, Manar finally left the hospital to continue her treatments at home. Her parents encouraged her to continue her exercises and her dad demanded that she continue her studies and stay strong, to “battle the disease in order to become a healthy and successful girl.” Manar completed high school and received her Bachelor’s degree from a university in Saudi Arabia. “Now I can do everything with my walker and my wheelchair,” she says. “I am always thankful to my parents for holding my hand and teaching me to fight for life. Without them, I would not be here today.” Her eyes turn tearful when she talks about her mother, Hanan Al Ahmadi and her father, Faisal Al Hazmi, a policeman who works tirelessly for his family of seven.
Her passion is helping children who suffer from illness. To make that dream come true, Manar pushes herself harder than ever. “I want to make new things which I didn’t find when I was in the hospital. It was very boring, and I had a hard time. Even though parents and friends come to visit you, something is still missing there. No matter how sick children are, they need time to play. There are no activities to make children happy!”

For Manar, learning from her VIU professors means not only speaking English better but having more confidence in herself. “I was very shy when I first spoke, but today, because of my great teachers, I love to interact with others. VIU is helping my dreams come true!” Manar also enjoys the wheelchair access available on campus at VIU, on the streets and even on buses, which, she says makes it easy for her to get around. “Some people beg for food or money in the street. They are healthy, they can walk, run, and work. They can do anything they want, earn enough to buy food or even a house,” Manar says seriously, from the bottom of her heart. “Right before I came to the USA, I worked at a hospital as a receptionist. The manager told me to study and come back, that I will be the hospital manager, and I will do it!” Manar is so positive and motivated that her attitude is contagious, “In the near future, I will walk without a walker, run, even travel all over the world. Nothing is impossible. I will make it happen.”

And you will, Manar. With hard work, an excellent education and a great support system anyone can succeed!

University Magazine, Volume 1, 2014

VIU Professor Takes Education Abroad

Picture Credit: Michael Jarosz, www.500px.com/mikejarosz

On a cloudy afternoon in January 2014, 600 college students from around the world gathered near the port of Santiago, Chile to embark on the journey of a lifetime. These students were about to step foot aboard the MV Explorer, a 590 foot, 25,000 ton ship for the next 120 days.  This ship would serve as their resident hall and classroom as they set out to complete an academic semester entirely on board a ship while traveling around the world. VIU’s very own School of Business professor Dr. Chandra Ranade was an integral part of the team, serving as an economics professor aboard the ship. “We taught economics, religion, politics, and how each of these aspects help shape a country.  What’s fascinating was the fact that as we were giving lectures about it, our ship was actually traveling to that country. The experience of being able to look at that country not through a map in the confines of a classroom, but to actually be near that country and move around among the region’s people and to mix with the culture was such a dramatic experience,” said Dr. Ranade. Over a span of four months, the ship sailed from Japan, through the dense forest of the Amazon River, around the coast of India and across the gigantic Pacific, to Iceland and then Mauritius, circumnavigating the globe, fulfilling the purpose of building the insight necessary for understanding our increasingly complex and interdependent  world. Most often the students aboard the ship could be found on the decks or staring out cabin windows awestruck, as they often awoke to new countries and new experiences. The ship, which holds up to 836 passengers, is one of the fastest of its kind.  “One morning students woke to find the ship had docked in a small coconut port in the Ivory Coast.  The previous morning the ship was near the sand dunes of Liberia almost 270 miles away!” Dr. Ranade recalled. 

Like the students, Dr. Ranade was also fascinated by the sights.  However, his classroom experiences  with VIU students prepared him for the sights he would see.  While he was teaching classes at VIU the semester prior to his trip, Dr. Ranade learned a lot about different countries and their cultures through the diversified range of nationalities of VIU students. “Weeks before the trip, VIU students kept coming to me with such interesting insights about their own countries. I was amazed and while I and a pack of 600 American students visited those places for ourselves, I could easily identify things I had heard and things they told me that I would see. One of my Burmese students at VIU talked about pagodas. In Burma, and when I was actually there, I was amazed at the details she provided about myriads of pagodas A student body across the globe helped me realize that we now truly live in a universal community.”

A Letter To My Friend

By Tamara Strupp

To all my fellow students, no matter if you are already at VIU or planning to go to VIU soon. I wanted to share my personal story, which might give you some thoughts or motivate your future success.

I am originally from Germany.  I came to the United States in 2008 as an au pair. I had a very interesting year with many ups and downs and decided I wanted to continue my life in the States as a student. Generally, I love to speak English; it is almost easier for me now than my own language. The first semester was a bit tough, since I had never gone to a university before and it was all new to me. After the second semester I started achieving straight A’s, of which I am very proud. I graduated in December 2011 with my Associates Degree in General Studies. I had mainly taken hospitality classes but wasn’t sure if that was what I wanted to pursue later on. In order to find out what I wanted to study, I applied for an OPT, which I pursued from January 2012 to December 2012. I worked at an animal hospital as a receptionist and nurse. I loved the experience. I learned how to draw blood, how to hold pets safely, and I followed the manager around learning her responsibilities. At the end of my year, I took over the manager’s responsibilities when she was not at work. I learned a lot, got more confident and professional and figured out what I wanted to study: International Business. With International Business I can basically work in any field, anywhere in the world. I applied and started studying at VIU in the spring of 2013.  I really like my experience at VIU. The teachers and students are very nice and I feel like they actually care about the students and not just the money as a non-profit university, which is the opposite of so many other universities.

My future goals are to travel the world, make enough money to live comfortably, find the love of my life and have a successful career. For now, I want to graduate from VIU with a high GPA and learn as much as I possibly can. I am thinking about maybe opening my own animal clinic or pet-friendly hotel one day. After I graduate, I would love to work for a German-American company like Audi or BMW. I would love to be a communications manager that is responsible for communication between Germany and the USA.

My family does not have that much money, they are helping me with what they have but I have always been independent and relied on myself. Most universities do not provide scholarships for international students, especially not from Germany. But VIU does. Prove you are worth being supported and show it with hard work and dedication. VIU believes that everybody deserves a fair chance no matter where they are from. It values students’ ethnicities and is proud to be an international university which supports their students financially and by assisting students like me. I received a scholarship for the Fall 2013 semester, which helps me to achieve my goals. Now I am so close to graduating, and I am proud of what I have achieved so far. I will continue showing how determined I am to be a successful student at my university, VIU.
I did it and so can you. It’s your turn!

From your friend,
 Tamara

VIU Scholarships: Our Students’ Success is VIU’S Success

                It is well-known that students feel more motivated when they are recognized for their effort and hard work, and as a result, they are more likely to be engaged in activities proposed by their professors and university. Thus, the question is: what is the best way for a university to acknowledge and promote student accomplishments and support students on their dreams at the same time? The answer is: SCHOLARSHIPS!

                Virginia International University has a history of supporting its students. Since it was founded, VIU has been awarding scholarships to full-time undergraduate and graduate students as a way to recognize students who have special talents, demonstrate academic excellence, or actively participate in on-campus activities. VIU has been offering different types of scholarships throughout the years, always expanding in order to benefit more students. Right now, there are seven types of scholarships which are available for eligible prospective and current students: fresh start (for transferring students); student activity (for students who are strongly engaged in on-campus activities); campus employment (for those students who work on campus); special achievement (for students who demonstrate a special talent); new horizon (for students who come from countries which face economic and political problems); and deans and presidential (for students with exceptional academic results). Scholarships are available for both on-campus and online students. Over the years, more and more students have been granted scholarships at VIU. When students receive scholarships, they tend to exceed their own expectations by putting more efforts into achieving their academic goals. And our students’ success is VIU’s success.

Scholarship Trends in US Higher Education

                For anyone considering a college degree from a school in the United States, the cost of tuition – and the means by which to pay tuition – is a primary concern. In our last issue, University Magazine examined the steady rise of the price tag on an American education. One of the best ways students can make college more affordable is by applying for financial aid in the form of scholarships and grants.

The Statistics

                Data available from the National Center for Education Statistics allows us to track financial aid trends over a number of years. In 2011-12, 59.1% of undergraduate students in the US received financial aid in the form of scholarships or grants. The average amount those students received was $6,200. In the same year, 37.7% of graduate students in the US received aid in the form of scholarships or grants. The average amount received by those students was $10,800. When compared with data collected about a decade ago, we see that the trend for this type of financial aid is improving, both in the percentage of students receiving aid and the amount of aid students are receiving.

                Paying for the rising cost of tuition will continue to be a concern for students attending colleges and universities in the United States, at least in the foreseeable future. While tuition assistance in the form of scholarships and grants has increased, it is not always rising quickly enough to match the astonishing speed at which tuition prices are increasing. However, statistics show there has been an increase in institutional grants to students. This is good news for American students, of course, but it is also good news for international students who may not have the same access to federal aid as US citizens.

                Scholarships are and will continue to be important to college students, especially in light of rising tuition costs. It is clear that scholarships are out there for the taking, but competition is fierce. A great source for identifying scholarship opportunities is your school; find out if your institution offers grants or scholarships, especially if you are an international student!

TIPS FOR SCHOLARSHIP APPLICANTS

Do Your Research

  • There are search sites which pull scholarships from many sources. Find a site that you like and create an account! Check back often for new and updated scholarships.

  • Find out what department is responsible for scholarships at your school and become familiar with the scholarship offerings, requirements, and deadlines.

  • Never pay to apply for a scholarship. If you are asked to pay a fee in order to apply, it’s probably a scam!

Know What Makes You Unique

  • Find your niche and maximize on it; you would be surprised what types of scholarships are out there. What are your scholastic interests? What are your hobbies? Do you have a unique family situation? Have you overcome an obstacle? Use your experiences to your advantage!

Start Early

  • Do not procrastinate when you’re working on a scholarship application. Build plenty of time into your schedule to complete applications, write and revise essays, and meet deadlines!

Persevere!

  • Don’t give up! If you don’t receive one scholarship, keep trying for others.

Ali Iqbal Murshed, MBA in Global Logistics

                Never considering myself an “A” student, I always struggled with academics. However, since coming to VIU, the supportive learning environment has consistently inspired me to regain interest in learning, which has reflected in my recent academic successes. My professors were generous enough to write some excellent recommendations for me and my past experiences certainly did pay off by adding much needed credentials for the selection committee to consider. Receiving this scholarship has boosted my confidence to a whole new level and motivated me to continue to strive for excellence in the future. I must also mention that VIU has given considerable attention to providing financial support for international students whereas many other well known institutions surprisingly do not have such facilities.

Faria Islam, MBA in International Finance

                It came to me as a pleasant surprise when I realized that I was one of the proud recipients selected for the Special Achievement scholarship this year. As this was my first semester at VIU, I really did not expect to be awarded a scholarship.  As an international student I have gone through lots of challenges, one of them being financial challenges. This scholarship has really helped me by reducing some of the pressure. Moreover, this is the first time studying and staying outside of my country and I was expecting it to be tough. But with VIU, the transition has been very smooth, as I have been helped by the university at every step. Everyone has been a great support to me.