Cleveland State University

CSU Horticulture Tour: an interactive map of trees across campus

In our Engaged Blog post CSU Grounds Department: From the Field to the Classroom, we introduced an interactive tree map created by the CSU grounds department in conjunction with the Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs, the department of Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences and F.A.S.T.

What began as an educational tool to engage plant biology students has now evolved into a CSU Horticulture Tour.

Check out our interview with CSU rising senior, Shelbie Seeberg, the GIS Technician intern who spent her spring semester taking and organizing photos, collecting information to display with the different tree species and updating the original tree map into a 3D version, which highlights 1200 trees.  

A Salute to Spring 2021 Graduates

As we reflect on last Saturday’s commencement ceremony and think of all the stellar graduates honored at Progressive Field, we would like to highlight just a few more of those who earned their degrees this past semester. Our most heartfelt congratulations go out to all seniors who graduated, with a special commendation for muscling their way through the pandemic to finish out their schooling. Below are spotlights on some especially notable graduates from Washkewicz College of Engineering, the School of Nursing, and Monte Ahuja College of Business.

Dylan Doyle

Electrical Engineering

In his time both at Tri-C and at Cleveland State, Dylan has invested much of his time into making the communities he is in better. From leading a team that design ventilator masks for the Akron Children’s Hospital, to serving as a peer mentor, to volunteering the Greater Cleveland Food Bank, Dylan has consistently found ways to give back. Additionally, Dylan was a leader of the CSU Robotics Micromouse team, and while at Tri-C, he served as Editor-in-Chief for the school newspaper, The Voice.

Dylan had this to say about how he’s become so involved in charitable work and other extracurriculars: “When I started college five years ago, I didn't really have any life skills or knowledge...about anything. I made a commitment to change essentially everything about my life which required that I pour all of myself into the experience. This meant never blowing off the work, never skipping class, never saying no to any experience that might help me to grow as a person. The desire to serve stems from this goal but it has also been a result of seeing how much good individuals can do for others if they put in the effort.”

Lori Jo Fox

Master of Nursing

A wife, mother, and grandmother, Lori Jo Fox has been practicing as a nurse in the Cleveland area for 21 years. She is living proof that there is always more to learn – even when you’ve been in a professional field for more than a decade. Fifteen years after becoming an RN, she went back to school to pursue her bachelor’s degree. She wasn’t sure what she could possibly learn, but she was surprised. The program expanded her knowledge in ways she hadn’t expected and inspired her to continue. She enrolled in MSN program at CSU, with a specialized population track.  

Fox has worked in critical, home, and ambulatory care, is certified in case management and ambulatory nursing and is a member of the Sigma Theta Tau, national honor society of nursing, Nu Delta Chapter. She currently works at MetroHealth Medical Center as a Patient Care Coordinator and a staff nurse in the Infectious Disease Department. We congratulate her on receiving the School of Nursing’s Outstanding Graduate Student Award.

“I strongly recommend furthering your education or making a career change! You are never too old to do this and it will always benefit you,” Fox shared. “I think an important factor to consider is to make sure you go back to school at a time that is right for you.”

Kyle J. Rich

Operations and Supply Chain Management

Kyle J. Rich was awarded the Rotary Club of Cleveland’s Award of Excellence for his work in Operations and Supply Chain Management. In addition to his time at CSU, Kyle has been working at The Sherwin-Williams Company since 2000 with duties including store management, inventory operations, and continuous marketing.

Celebrating Students from the Spring Class of 2021

The spring class of 2021 have become the most recent alumni of CSU after their commencement ceremony at Progressive Field. Though their ceremonies are over, we want to acknowledge some of the graduates who have overcome great obstacles to achieve their degree! These outstanding graduates are from the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, College of Education and Human Services, and Cleveland-Marshall College of Law.

Zuzanna Koziatek

Master of Arts in English, Rhetoric Concentration

Headed to a top-tier doctoral program for English, with a rhetoric concentration, at Indiana University Bloomington, Zuzanna won both outstanding graduate thesis and teaching awards for her Master of Arts in English at CSU. As an immigrant from Poland with little experience with the English language, Zuzanna was still inspired by her enjoyment of literature and writing and took this inspiration to pursue her degree.

“I came to college very young and very confused about the future. I was definitely under the impression that you need to pursue just about any field outside of the humanities in order to be successful,” Zuzanna shared. “Along the way, literature unlocked some of these questions I had and continues to do so to this day.”

Samantha Siepka

Bachelor of Arts in Education as a Mild-Moderate Intervention Specialist

While taking care of her parents, who are suffering from terminal illnesses, Samantha worked through her obstacles with motivation from her family and the strength of her parents. With her determination, Samantha turned around a low GPA and completed her Bachelor of Arts in Education with great recommendations from her professors. She graduated as a Mild-Moderate Intervention Specialist and will be applying for her teaching licensure to assist students with mild to moderate disabilities in a public school system.

“I have a close, tight-knit family and we also have a great support system filled with extended family and friends, and with that we have been able to overcome these crazy challenges that life has handed us,” Siepka shared. “In life, we can’t change the cards that we are dealt in life, but just how we decide to play the hand we are dealt.”

Catelyn Cook

Criminology and Political Science Major, Juris Doctor

After receiving a full ride scholarship to the Mandel Honors College, Catelyn completed her bachelor’s degree in Criminology and Political Science in a year and a half through 18 credit hour semesters and summer classes. Following her completion, Cook enrolled in Cleveland-Marshall College of Law at 18 in August 2018 and received her JD in two and a half years. In December 2020, Cook became the youngest graduate of Cleveland-Marshall’s history at 20 years old. Following her graduation, Cook enrolled in CSU’s School Counseling Master’s Program with inspiration from here interest in school counseling, to help teenagers navigate their experiences while prioritizing mental health needs.

Each graduating class at CSU is full of extraordinary students who excel in various fields, from academics, to charitable work, to athletics, and much more. We wanted to spotlight just a few of the class of 2021's outstanding graduates. From the CSU family, we offer our sincerest congratulations to all graduating seniors on this amazing feat. Below are some notable graduates from Washkewicz College of Engineering, the College of Science and Health Professions, and Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs.

Claudia Bougebrayel

Civil Engineering Major

A female civil engineer graduating with highest honors, Claudia is no stranger to working in a male-dominated field. She has held internships at the Ohio Department of Transportation and the structural engineering firm Thorson Baker & Associates, and she also volunteers at MedWish, which provides medical equipment to those in need. Claudia began volunteering at MedWish when her parents’ home country of Lebanon suffered from an explosion in the capital city of Beirut, and she worked with the other volunteers there to get medical equipment to those affected by the explosion.

“Interning with the Ohio Department of Transportation during the summers following my freshman and sophomore year at CSU was especially helpful for me in realizing my interests, and I was grateful to be exposed to such a wide range of unique, heavy civil projects.”

Gabe Arsulic

Health Science and Psychology Double Major

Gabe is a student who has faced seemingly insurmountable odds during his time at Cleveland State. At the beginning of his senior year, he was diagnosed with stage 3 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Throughout his final year at CSU (and in the middle of a pandemic!), Gabe underwent chemotherapy treatment and beat his cancer before graduation. Additionally, Gabe has served in the United States Air Force Reserve during his time at CSU since August 2018, and he plans to enter active duty following graduation. Gabe also was a cheerleader for the men’s basketball team since his freshman year. He picked up cheerleading from wanting to remain involved in sports during his college career after playing football and basketball in high school. He says that his only regret is that he couldn’t be there to cheer on the men’s basketball team in their awesome run this year, due to the pandemic.

Of his journey so far in life, Gabe had this to say: “My faith in God helped my peace of mind, and I knew no matter what that I’d be okay. My support system of my family, friends, fellow airmen, the cheer team, and my professors helped me immensely. Life is a precious gift that a lot of people seem to lose sight of sometimes and I have such an appreciation for that now that I did not have before, so if there’s one positive thing that came out of all this, it’s that.”

Ron Ramsey

Urban & Regional Studies Major

Ron is one of many nontraditional students who call CSU home. He served in the military following high school with deployments in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Cuba from 2008–2016. After he finished serving, he enrolled in Lorain County Community College, where he continued his connection with the military by assisting others who served in their transitions into college and civilian life. After finishing his associates degree at Lorain County Community College, he transferred to CSU to pursue his bachelor’s degree in Urban and Regional Studies. Ron says that choosing to pursue a four-year degree following his service was one of the best decisions he’s ever made.

Spring 2021 University Valedictorian

Jacob Vitale

Washkewicz College of Engineering Bachelor of Chemical Engineering

Four years ago, Jacob Vitale was admitted to the Mandel Honors College with a full scholarship and he’s worked for it.  Getting through transport phenomena was tough – some of the most difficult material in chemical engineering – but it forced him to make connections with classmates, to work at explaining concepts to others, to think in a different way. He has the knowledge and now he looks forward to a summer internship for on-site, hands-on learning before he returns to CSU for his final leg of his 4+1 accelerated master’s program in chemical engineering. But before his undergraduate journey ends, we asked him a few questions. Here’s what Jacob had to say.

CSU: What made you go into your major? Were there any defining moments or inspirations that led you on that path? JV: I chose chemical engineering due to the love of chemistry I developed in high school, in large part due to my teacher Ms. Quirartie. I signed up for honors chemistry in my junior year to fulfil a requirement and excelled in the class but planned to stop there. Ms. Quirartie spent the final quarter of my junior year attempting to convince me to take AP chemistry my senior year. She succeeded and I quickly fell in love with chemistry during senior year, and eventually decided I wanted to be a chemical engineer. I wouldn’t change this decision for the world, and I am incredibly happy with my choice.

CSU: What is your favorite CSU memory? JV: I do research into nanomaterials in Dr. Ao’s lab, and typically in the summer we try to do at least one lab outing. My first summer we decided to go to Cedar Point as a group. We have a lot of members who had never been to Cedar Point, or even on a roller coaster before. Seeing their reactions to going on a roller coaster for the first time and watching them go from terrified to loving it was an incredible memory for me.

CSU: What was the best class you’ve taken at CSU – or maybe the class you enjoyed the most - and why? JV: Chemical Engineering Principles with Dr. Belovich (Now Dean Belovich). I met a lot of my friends in chemical engineering during that class and we covered a wide variety of concepts. It was my first introduction to what chemical engineering was like, and Dr. Belovich did a wonderful job explaining concepts to us and answering all the questions we had. It was not an easy class by any means, but it was incredibly rewarding to see it pay off throughout the rest of our time in chemical engineering.

CSU: How do you think you’ve changed or grown during your time at CSU? JV: I think CSU and my professors have helped me grow confidence in myself. Working in Dr. Ao’s lab and doing research into nanomaterials has helped me become a much better student, and roughly once a week we give presentations in front of our whole research lab. Before I started doing these I was terrified to get up in front of people and speak but working with my amazing team has helped me become confident in public speaking.

CSU: What do you plan to do following graduation? JV: I have an internship at FM Global over the summer, where I will be learning about the safety of manufacturing plants. I will be traveling to plants in a wide variety of industries with multiple mentors to ensure that they are operating safely, and to recommend changes they should make to increase plant safety. This is something I am very passionate about, as I believe most of the disasters in chemical engineering plants can be avoided with proper training and management. I want to be an integral part of keeping people both at and outside of these plants safe.

CSU: What advice would you give to the next class, or even a freshman entering your major? JV: Select electives that seem interesting to you. Taking electives is an amazing chance to broaden your horizons and learn about something you have never seen or heard of before.

Ask questions. Professors are there to help teach you. Almost all of them will be happy to answer you and it will really help your understanding. If it seems too scary to ask in front of the class, try going up to the professor after class or in their office hours. This one-on-one time will be just as beneficial and really help clear up any misunderstandings you are having about material.

For Chemical Engineering students specifically, take time to learn and understand the basics. All of the classes you take in the chemical engineering department are incredibly important and they build off themselves. Similar to a house, if your foundation is strong, you will have a much easier time for the rest of your academic career. Concepts in thermodynamics, transport, and principles are used in every course. If you take the time to understand these topics early on, it will pay off immensely during senior year.

Spring 2021 University Valedictorian

Aurora Reardanz

College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Nonprofit Administration

Aurora Reardanz may have cried her way through French 301, but she persisted. That’s just the kind of student she is! The Maryland native still has one more year ahead of her while she finishes her masters, but she knows she’s going to miss the random on-campus events she’s stumbled on over the years – like the golden ticket chocolate bar search that had her eating a free chocolate bar from CAB every day or the Glow Party that had her digging for her phone in pit of colored balls. For now, she is looking forward to her first summer in Cleveland and maybe a road trip to some national parks. But before her undergraduate journey ends, we asked her a few questions. Here’s what Aurora had to say.

CSU: Can you tell us about the moment you decided to move forward with Cleveland State University your “yes, this is the college for me” moment? AR: Nonprofit Administration is an uncommon major (only around 15 schools in the US offered it at the undergraduate level) so I went on a college road trip to see most of these schools. Walking through the interlink looking across Euclid Avenue, I realized CSU was the perfect school to provide the freedom and guidance to mold my education into what I wanted. I fell in love with Cleveland’s architectural gems, amazing food scene, accessible parks, and CSU is in the center of it all!

CSU: What made you go into your major? Were there any defining moments or inspirations that led you on that path? AR: Nonprofit administration was a no-brainer. I am a lifetime Girl Scout. Girl Scouts built me into the woman I am today and showed me the real impact nonprofits have picking up where the government leaves off to solve our world’s worst problems.  

CSU: How do you think you’ve changed or grown during your time at CSU? AR: I feel like I have lived multiple lifetimes in these last four years from late nights working at the Fenn Tower desk, to turning Cleveland into a home, to evacuating from India during my 2020 study abroad, to online learning from D.C. while interning for the Department of State. Over the years I have gained the independence, drive, and confidence to build my life into something that represents who I am and what I believe in. This is thanks to engaged learning and the freedom we have as CSU students!

CSU: What do you plan to do following graduation? Whether you have something lined up, or just a dream, we’d love to hear it! AR: I have one more year at Cleveland State University where I will finish my 4+1 Masters in Global Interactions! I plan to unofficially focus on global conflict, disasters, and human rights. After that, the dream is to become a Presidential Management Fellow or a Foreign Service Officer with the State Department.  

CSU: What advice would you give to the next class, or even a freshman entering your major? AR: Pursue and create your own opportunities! I took a one-credit, service-learning class that required 20 hours of service and used it as an opportunity to go on a two-week Red Cross deployment to perform disaster relief during the 2020 California wildfire season. I was able to tie this experience into three of my classes that semester. Your college experience will be what you make of it, truly engage your learning whenever you can!

Spring 2021 College Valedictorian

Marymar Alhoush

The Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Leadership Management and Arabic

Marymar Alhoush would place urban policy at the top of her list of favorite CSU classes, learning about the formations of various US policies, but she truly enjoyed the mix of business, communication and urban classes her major had to offer. After two years of hard work, she is ready for a break. She doesn’t know what comes next, but she knows she will continue to learn.  But before we say goodbye and send this valedictorian out into the world, we asked her a few questions. Here’s what Marymar had to say.

CSU:  Can you tell us about the moment you decided to move forward with Cleveland State University? MA: I was still a student at Cuyahoga Community College as a member of the Jack, Joseph, and Morton Mandel Humanities Center. As a Mandel scholar, I had the chance to come to visit Cleveland State University and apply for a full scholarship to the Honors College. When I visited CSU, I immediately fell in love with the environment and was impressed by the positivity that radiated throughout my campus experience. I will never forget the moment when I received my acceptance letter from the Honors College with a full scholarship. I felt as if I were the happiest and luckiest person in the world. I felt that so many doors are going to open for me.

CSU:  What made you go into your major? Were there any defining moments or inspirations that led you on that path? MA: When I decided to transfer to CSU, it was not clear which path I should embark on. Upon meeting with my advisor at Cuyahoga Community College, I discussed my passions for leadership and management roles. My advisor introduced me to the Organizational Leadership major offered at CSU. In this moment my journey began into the research and exploration of this field. I found that this major is applicable in many areas, it is something universally needed. No matter what kind of company or business we look at, these businesses are always in a need for good leaders, who can make a difference and be the change.

CSU: What is your favorite CSU memory? MA: Sadly, I did not get to spend a lot of time on campus. I attended for a full semester and a half then we had to switch to online classes because of the pandemic. But there is a wall next to the communications building from the side of Euclid. This wall is covered with leaves and plants that change colors with each passing season. Walking in the hallway through the inner link and looking at the ever-changing beauty of this foliage each month is one of the great memories for me.  

CSU: How do you think you’ve changed or grown during your time at CSU? MA: I have changed a lot. My English has improved very much (English is my second language). My knowledge has grown, and I have adapted better to society. I feel I became more open, engaged and less shy. I am looking to learn something new every day and wanting to have a bright future.

CSU:  What advice would you give to the next class, or even a freshman entering your major? MA: Pick a major that they really resonate with and are passionate about, something that interests them. I would also say look at the journey at CSU as an experience and not only a list of classes that must be finished. Enjoy learning as much as possible because it is such an important step in personal growth.

Spring 2021 College Valedictorian

Caitlin Steiner

Cleveland-Marshall College of Law Juris Doctor

Caitlin Steiner wanted to pursue a law degree and after a couple years working in a legal-related field, she knew she would. With encouragement from a few mentors, she decided to go for it. She can’t decide which of the courses at CSU she enjoyed the most – Evidence with Professor O’Neill and Estates and Trusts with Professor Plecnik were really fun – and she had valuable learning experiences with externships and practicums. Now she’s on her way to the Bar Exam. But before we say goodbye and send this valedictorian out into the world, we asked her a few questions. Here’s what Caitlin had to say.

CSU: Can you tell us about the moment you decided to move forward with Cleveland State University? CS: I’m a proud 2012 graduate of Cleveland State so this was the natural choice for law school. In addition, I was able to sit down and chat with Dean Lee Fisher during the admissions process, and I knew it was the right choice after that conversation.

CSU: What is your favorite CSU memory? CS: I loved attending all the in-person events at the law school prior to the pandemic. There was always a speaker visiting with an interesting topic, a movie or documentary viewing, or something else fun to do with friends.

CSU: What do you plan to do following graduation?  CS: I’ll be taking the Bar Exam in July and hopefully taking a little vacation! Then working at Squire Patton Boggs here in Cleveland.

CSU: What advice would you give to the next class, or even a freshman entering your major? CS: Just do your best. Spending lots of time studying is important, but don’t buy into the pressure to spend every waking minute on law school. Take time for yourself and your mental and physical health.

CSU: What do you think you will miss the most about your time at CSU? CS: Definitely the people and friendships I’ve made. We’ll still talk and see each other I’m sure, but we’ll probably never again have this same “unity” where we’re all experiencing and working toward the same things at once.

Spring 2021 College Valedictorian

Michelle Kahle

School of Nursing Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Michelle Kahle wanted to combine her interest in science with her desire to help people – she found that with CSU’s nursing program. Her time at CSU has pushed her to become more open-minded and empathetic, she has gained self-confidence and knows how to set boundaries and priorities to keep growing as a person and as a nurse.  She has a licensure exam ahead of her and a position at a local hospital lined-up. But before we say goodbye and send this valedictorian out into the world, we asked her a few questions. Here’s what Michelle had to say.

CSU:  Can you tell us about the moment you decided to move forward with Cleveland State University – your “yes, this is the college for me” moment? MK: Being from the Cleveland area, I liked that CSU is committed to the community and is able to help students connect with local employers. As an urban public university, it gave me the opportunity to interact with people of all backgrounds, not just a bubble of those that think, act, and look like me. From a nursing perspective, CSU has great opportunities with the teaching technology available in the program, but it is also in the heart of Cleveland and located so close to some amazing hospitals.

CSU: What was the best class you’ve taken at CSU – or maybe the class you enjoyed the most - and why? MK: Human-Animal Interaction & Therapy, a nursing elective. I got to go on some very unique field trips to sites throughout northeast Ohio and see how animals impact the lives of people. We also had some great guest speakers related to animal therapy and ethical issues surrounding animals. My favorite class was one where we had therapy dogs visit. Overall, the class was structured not around exams and memorization, but on engaging in real experiences and having discussions, which made it low-stress, enjoyable, and memorable.

CSU:  What is your favorite CSU memory? MK: When I lived on campus during freshman year, I was assigned a roommate at random. Moving out for the first time and living with a random girl could have been stressful, but it ended up being so fun. We laugh about the fact that we later admitted to searching each other online before meeting for the first time. We were both worried about being stuck with someone we didn’t like, but now we can’t live without each other.

CSU:  What are you most looking forward to after graduation? MK: Just having a break! While being a student, it’s easy to become burnt out and it can be difficult to have time to truly relax with papers, exams, and deadlines constantly hanging over your head. Until I pass my licensure exam and start my new job, I want to focus on taking time to enjoy my hobbies and spending quality time with people I care about.

CSU:  What advice would you give to the next class, or even a freshman entering your major? MK: Try to shadow a nurse or try and get healthcare work experience if possible while in school to help figure out what area of nursing will be the best fit. Nursing is great because it's such a broad field with many opportunities, but while in school you only see a small glimpse of what opportunities are out there. The specialty I initially was interested in when starting nursing school turned out to not be for me, and I was able to help pinpoint my interests through not just clinical rotations, but also work experience and being engaged with nursing organizations.

Spring 2021 College Valedictorian

Anna Brandt

College of Education and Human Services Bachelor of Science in Education in Exercise Science

Anna Brandt will miss everyone – her friends, teammates, professors, coaches, the athletics staff. It will be extremely weird to not see them every day as she has for the last four years. But she won’t forget the journey, making those connections, volunteering in the Human Performance Lab that caused her to swap pre-physical therapy for exercise science, being enthralled with the research and exercise testing. She heads to Muncie, Indiana next, to pursue a master’s in exercise physiology at Ball State University. Before we say goodbye and send this valedictorian off, we asked her a few questions. Here’s what Anna had to say.

CSU: Can you tell us about the moment you decided to move forward with Cleveland State University – your “yes, this is the college for me” moment? AB: When I came to CSU on a recruiting visit for the Women’s Cross Country and Track & Field teams, I fell in love with not only the campus and athletics but also the Human Performance Laboratory (HPL). I was amazed at the capabilities, research, and members of the HPL, making the HPL the deciding factor for me to attend CSU.

CSU: What is your favorite CSU memory? AB: During my sophomore year, I broke 5 minutes in the mile at Penn State. This was a goal I had pursued and almost accomplished during that indoor season, so when I finally broke it, I was ecstatic.

CSU: Not all classes are created equal and along the way, we end up with a class that is definitely a “challenge.” How did you rise to that challenge and make it through? AB: Organic Chemistry II was definitely a challenge for me this past semester – especially taking it online. I was constantly reviewing material, trying to stay on top of the ever-growing list of reactions.

CSU: What was the best class you’ve taken at CSU – or maybe the class you enjoyed the most - and why? AB: My favorite class at CSU was Gross Anatomy. I dedicated a large amount of time every day to this class, but the amount of information I learned – and especially my time in the cadaver lab – were totally worth it.

CSU: What advice would you give to the next class, or even a freshman entering your major? AB: Take every opportunity you can to increase your experience and network. You never know what can come of something unless you try it.

Spring 2021 College Valedictorian

Theresa Lincheck

College of Sciences and Health Professions Bachelor of Science in Physics and Bachelor of Music in Music Performance

Theresa Lincheck was undecided when she applied to CSU. After some time and much exploration, she eventually found her way. Music composition turned to clarinet performance. She added computer science, then scrapped that for physics. She challenged herself, rediscovered a love for atmospheric sciences, and doesn’t regret the journey one bit. Before we say goodbye and send this valedictorian out into the world, we asked her a few questions. Here’s what Theresa had to say.

CSU: What is your favorite CSU memory? TL: From hanging out with friends on the 4th floor of the music building to getting smoothies with classmates at Café Ah-Roma after a long day in the research lab, I have more good memories from CSU than I can recount. However, two particularly stick out to me as favorites.

Attending my first physics conference in a new city with several of my classmates. I had exciting opportunities to hear from distinguished physicists, tour scientific laboratories, present my own research, and meet other enthusiastic physics students from across the country. That experience allowed me to see what being a professional scientist is like, and it motivated me to want to pursue a career in the sciences even more.

My first full clarinet recital at the end of my junior year. While preparing for it, I spent well over one hundred days consecutively practicing and planning, often late into the weeknights and weekends. Being able to step out on stage and perform for my friends and family at the end of the semester, I was overcome with an immense sense of pride and accomplishment. I proved to myself how capable I am of accomplishing anything I put my mind to with hard work and determination, and it is still one of my most cherished memories of my time at CSU. CSU: Not all classes are created equal and along the way, we end up with a class that is definitely a “challenge.” How did you rise to that challenge and make it through? TL: While not the most difficult class I’ve taken, university physics was the class that presented me with the biggest “challenge.” Going into the class with a music background and no prior STEM courses except calculus, university physics was the first class to challenge me to think in ways I had never done before, and I struggled to keep up each week. Despite the challenging nature of the course, I discovered I was excited by the topics and looked forward to learning more each week. Determined to do well, I doubled down, spending several hours a day in the library studying, and slowly I began to do better in the class. I became more passionate about physics as the school year went on, and by the end of it I had declared my second major in physics.

CSU: What do you plan to do following graduation? Whether you have something lined up, or just a dream, we’d love to hear it! TL: I plan to take a short break over the summer before continuing my graduate studies at the University of Oklahoma’s School of Meteorology, where I intend to pursue a PhD in the field of convective storm dynamics and weather-climate interactions. As someone who has been passionate about the atmospheric sciences for many years, I am very excited to start this next chapter in my life!

CSU: What advice would you give to the next class, or even a freshman entering your major? TL: A close mentor of mine once told me they aspired to be like Forrest Gump, and I believe that is the best advice I can also pass on to new students. As someone who approaches life with open curiosity and a desire to learn while practicing humility and kindness towards others, Forrest Gump embodies many of the traits that I believe can help us achieve our goals and succeed as we go through life. By not limiting yourself or doubting your abilities to learn and grow, you’ll find that you are capable of so much more than you think. College is a time to discover who you are and who you want to become, and the best way to do that is by challenging yourself and venturing out of your own comfort zone. Meet new people, take that one class that seems interesting to you, join a new club or organization, form new friendships, and just be open to new ideas and experiences.

CSU: What do you think you will miss the most about your time at CSU? TL: I will definitely miss all of the teachers, friends, and community I’ve come to know and interact with at CSU. Being inspired by so many wonderful people throughout my undergrad, I can say with absolute certainty that I would not be who I am today without the amazing support and guidance from everyone in the CSU physics and music departments as well as all of my friends and colleagues.

Spring 2021 College Valedictorian

Josiah Fleshman

Monte Ahuja College of Business Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting

Josiah Fleshman can’t recall the exact moment he knew Cleveland State was for him, but he grew to love the university over the last four years, taking advantage of the strong Cleveland networking scene and unwinding after a tough semester at Beta Alpha Psi socials. After graduation he has a weekend getaway booked for the Hocking Hills before he begins his journey as an internal auditor at Key Bank. But before we say goodbye and send this valedictorian out into the world, we asked him a few questions. Here’s what Josiah had to say.

CSU: How do you think you’ve changed or grown during your time at CSU? JF: I have grown as a professional. I have been exposed to continual networking events throughout the past four years, so I feel much more confident in my ability to conduct myself in a formal setting.

CSU: What was the best class you’ve taken at CSU – or maybe the class you enjoyed the most - and why? JF: I really enjoyed my fraud examination course. We had a semester-long project focused on a fictional fraud examination of a minor league baseball team. I really enjoyed delving into the excel sheets and using the concepts in class to analyze if and how fraud had occurred.

CSU: Not all classes are created equal and along the way, we end up with a class that is definitely a “challenge.” How did you rise to that challenge and make it through? JF: I had a senior statistics course that was exceptionally challenging yet rewarding. I found that I had to be consistently persistent in my quest for understanding. I was also fortunate enough to work with an incredibly intelligent classmate. I learned in this class that nothing replaces motivation, a strong work ethic, and teamwork.

CSU: What do you think you will miss the most about your time at CSU? JF: I will miss the people. As corny as it sounds, there’s truth in the expression that the real treasure is the friends that we have made along the way.

CSU: What advice would you give to the next class, or even a freshman entering your major? JF: I would recommend aggressively seeking an internship. This will allow you to understand what you do and do not enjoy about your major and future career. If you decide that you cannot envision yourself in that career in the future, it is much better to know early on. On the contrary, many employers will offer their interns a long-term position upon graduation. Either way, an internship is a phenomenal steppingstone to determining how you start your career.  

Killing It with Nonprofit Administration

Arianna Killing is a nonprofit administration major in CSU’s Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs. She also majors in environmental studies plus urban and regional studies – yes, that’s three majors total. All of which work together to create a dynamic path for this ambitious student.

In high school, Killing found herself drawn to nonprofit work through unusual means — she was a big fan of the TV series Shark Tank. She found when she watched the show, many of the businesses featured had charitable missions. The thought of supporting nonprofits piqued her interest, so she began to research what she could do to get into that line of work. That’s when the Warren, Ohio native found Cleveland State’s nonprofit administration major — CSU is one of few universities that offers this major – and decided that CSU was the right place for her.

Nonprofit administration fills the gap between government and private businesses and does what neither are able to do, Killing said, like utilizing food banks, advocacy efforts, arts showcases, and more. And Cleveland State couldn’t be better situated for this kind of study, located in the urban heart of downtown Cleveland.

The nonprofit administration major at CSU was created to provide students training for mobilizing community assets such as engaging and managing volunteers, leadership skills to drive positive social change, and strategies for dealing with complex issues facing nonprofit organizations.

One thing that often confuses people about nonprofit work, Killing pointed out, is that nonprofit workers do in fact get paid.

“It’s a common misconception,” she said. “People think it’s volunteer work. I get the question all the time of why I chose a field where I’ll work for free. But big corporations can be nonprofits – the Cleveland Clinic is a nonprofit.”

Killing’s classes often touch upon environmental and urban issues which made adding the other majors a no-brainer. Next fall, she starts the fourth year of CSU’s 4+1 program, finishing up her undergraduate studies and switching gears to focus on a master’s in Environmental Studies.

“Environmental studies is the administrative aspect of environmental science,” she explained. “We’re trying to make a[n] [environmental] change through policy.”

Advocating for sustainability in underrepresented urban areas, has quickly become important to Killing. Low-income neighborhoods often face challenges such as lead paint issues, poor water quality, and a lack of sustainable options, she said. After she graduates next year, she hopes to find a job with a sustainability focus – within a public or nonprofit organization.

“Any position would be fine with me, as long as I’m able to make a positive change. It has been such a great opportunity learning from the awesome faculty and staff about how to change the world for the better. Everyone in this field is so passionate about our work, and it’s very refreshing.”

Get Out of Your Head and Into Your Body

Finals week is here! Whether you de-stress along the way or save relaxing for when the hardest part is over – the CSU Recreational Center has options to help you take care of you. Give yourself a mental break by tuning into your body...

MOVE.

Group Fitness. With a mix of in-person and virtual classes, group fitness classes have returned to the Rec Center with at least one class for every day of the week. Focus on your form with muscle conditioning, yoga, pilates, or cycling.  

“Students have very busy lives. Whether it be keeping up with homework, studying for the next exam, balancing work – sometimes [they] put their wellness on the backburner,” explained Kristen Soinski, Graduate Supervisor of Fitness & Wellness at the Rec Center. “Group fitness classes encourage students to take 30-60 minutes out of their day to step away from the hectic responsibilities of day to day life and focus on their health.”

Workout At Home. The Rec Center provides a complete video series of cardio, core, and total body workouts that students can do without leaving home. Just find some free space, load a video on your computer or mobile app, and let the Rec Center’s instructors guide you.

BREATHE.

Virtual Wellness. The Rec Center has short videos available on Facebook, Instagram and their home website, to give students time to pause, be present, and re-center through guided meditations, breathing exercises, and mindful moments for progressive muscle relaxion.

Taking as little as 30 seconds to simply breathe and clear your mind can help ease stress and anxiety. 

They even provide quick tips on study breaks, treating yourself, sleep hygiene, and managing stress.

RELAX.

Massage Therapy. Something to look forward to when COVID-19 restrictions fully lift: the Rec Center offers massage therapy at affordable prices to help with chronic pain, stiff muscles, and provide relaxation. Offerings include Swedish, Deep Tissue, and Sport massages designed to cater to unique individual needs. No matter what your schedule looks like, the Rec can help you squeeze in self-care with 30, 60, and 90-minute sessions.

“There are numerous benefits of massage therapy- stress relief, anxiety reduction, muscle relief, improved circulation, increased joint mobility and flexibility, and exercise performance enhancement,” shared Melissa Albers, Assistant Director of Fitness and Aquatics. “Massage therapy is a powerful tool that students can take advantage of to take control of their health and well-being.”

Challenges & Activities. Learn to relax by challenging yourself in new ways that can bring joy, gratitude, or even some silliness into your life. The Rec Center has a whole list to get you going, from the Furry Friends Challenge, to cooking a new recipe, to simply spending time outside each day.

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If you’re ready to break a sweat or just need a break, or perhaps a quick meditation session, CSU’s Rec Center has offerings that are readily available to help you. Take time for yourself this week to decompress. Check out csuohio.edu/recreationcenter/virtual-rec or find them on social media for more information on class offerings, workout schedules, video presentations, activity challenges and more. 

Forensic Nursing: From TV Crime to Real-Life Advocation

CSU student and nurse Katie Pentito, BSN, RN, MSN (c), remembers watching CSI: Crime Scene Investigation with her mom, being intrigued as the investigators on-screen applied medical tools and methodology to evidence, to determine the story and how things fit together. The fusion of science and advocation for victims spoke to her. With a nursing education and years in the field, could she pursue forensics?

Pentito, a travel nurse since 2014, was inspired. She started researching forensic programs, and when she stumbled upon CSU’s specialized track, it immediately felt like the right fit.

Cleveland State’s School of Nursing offers multiple graduate level programs including a Master of Science in Nursing with a specialization track in Forensic Nursing. The forensic track program, which is ranked 3rd in Ohio and 47th in the nation, combines applied nursing, forensic science, and law to advocate for victims and their families. Though forensic nursing seems somewhat unfamiliar, the program at CSU has been around since the 1980s and was finally recognized by the American Nursing Association (ANA) as a specialty in 1995.

Forensic nursing differs from practical nursing due to the legal and forensic aspects that are present as the nurses work with victims to examine and document medical evidence.

“As forensic nurses work with victims of crime and violence and gather forensic evidence, their examination, documentation, and collection of evidence is often utilized and tested in court,” Pentito explained. “After working through my assignments, I realized that I was on the right path and that I wanted to pursue a career in death investigation.”

Forensic Nurse Death Investigators act as representatives of the medical examiner or coroner's office, collecting evidence from the body and surrounding area. They work collaboratively with the police and other authorities to ensure a thorough, accurate and timely investigation.

Last spring, Pentito took a demography and epidemiology course taught by Dr. Maureen Mitchell – her favorite investigative nursing course to-date. Epidemiology focuses on the life cycle of disease – from incidence, to how it’s spread, to controlling the outbreak. With COVID-19 unfolding across the globe, Dr. Mitchell had a practical application of the course material right in front of her. 

“Fortunately, or unfortunately, depending on one’s perspective, COVID-19 gave us a living real-time laboratory to apply the concepts and practice of epidemiology while we were living through the pandemic,” shared Dr. Mitchell.  “Graduate students were able to serve as sources of science-based information regarding the virus and controlling its spread for other colleagues, patients, family members, and the community.”

Just after the course completed, Pentito was offered a six-month contract in New York by FEMA. During the height of the pandemic in 2020, Pentito worked on the frontlines in a Manhattan hospital, along with countless others, to care for the onslaught of patients affected by COVID-19.

“It was a once in a lifetime opportunity for me,” Pentito explained. “Dr. Mitchell was very supportive of my endeavors in New York. She was also great at starting discussions on the pandemic and sharing great journal articles on the COVID-19 virus.”

After an unprecedented summer that brought her studies to life, Pentito returned to CSU. The pandemic had slowed down a bit as she moved into the second year of the program.  This spring, she has been working on her Capstone Practicum, as she inches closer to graduating.

“When I’m at my practicum at Lorain County Coroner’s Office I try to seek out every learning opportunity and when there is down time, I work independently on schoolwork,” she shared. “The instructors of the program are also aware of this reality and provide us with a good curriculum and structure that works well and gives us the opportunity to not only advance educationally through the program, but also not be so overwhelmed academically that we cannot continue working or socializing when we have the opportunity.”

Life-work-school balance is certainly key to maintaining sanity. However, it’s imperative to have strong time management skills, Pentito said. Calendars and reminders help her keep up with due dates of various assignments, while she takes advantage of her days off to work through discussions and replies.

Between the studying and working, however, there are successes. Pentito developed a COVID-19 Suicide Screening Instrument that was presented for use to a major hospital system in Lorain County. The Lorain County Coroner noted a spike in suicide cases during the pandemic. Pentito’s capstone project highlights the importance that all health professionals pay specific attention to the impact and stress COVID-19 has had on individuals’ ability to cope during this unprecedented time.

Her end-goal is in sight, though. With just another semester to go, Pentito is looking forward to taking some well-deserved time off after graduation, to spend with her children and exploring new hobbies. Then she will start the next phase – looking for work with a medical examiner’s office as a death investigator, or perhaps with the CDC as a Forensic Epidemiology, Health Specialist, or Public Health Data Analyst.

From introductory forensic nursing and methodology classes, to courses that address sexual assault, how to work a crime scene, exploring ethics and the legal system – students in CSU’s forensic nursing program also graduate with 500 clinical hours that can be applied towards a doctorate in nursing.

“If you have the mindset of wanting to do more with your career by advocating for victims of violence and crime, you are intrigued by death investigations shows or podcasts, you have an interest in forensic science and law, and you have the strong desire to put your nursing skills to use in order to help individuals and families that have been through a traumatic event, then the Forensic Nursing Program is for you.”

Film Students and Safe Sets

Written by Lauren Koleszar // The Vindicator

*This story has been edited slightly for length*

Film & Media Arts is one of the most hands-on majors at Cleveland State. It relies on massive collaboration and in-person filming that normally requires between ten and thirty cast and crew members for upperclassmen producing junior- and senior-level professional content. New COVID-19 guidelines require a “Safe Sets” certification, and students have been limited to crews of ten people or less on a set at one time. Camera departments that normally run on four to five students are being managed by two if they’re lucky. Students are choosing to produce scripts that need only a few actors and can be filmed at safe, easily accessible locations. Students are desperately working on pre-production and editing from home; and when on set, they’re filling multiple crew positions to make up for the absence of the much larger number of students who are normally able to work on one set together.

In spite of these challenges, film students at CSU are producing impressive creative content and becoming multi-faceted filmmakers as they take on many new responsibilities that are ultimately shaping them into better equipped professionals who will have a wide range of skills and experience.

We talked to film major Davis Chu, whose freshman year at CSU coincided with the opening of the university’s new film school in the fall of 2018. The initial lockdown hit during Davis’s second sophomore semester, and he took us through his personal experience and observation of the evolution of student filmmaking at CSU over the course of the last year.

LAUREN KOLESZAR: Elevator pitch. Who are you, what do you do and what interests you? DAVIS CHU: Hello there, my name is Davis. I’m a third-year film major, concentration in post-production, with a minor in graphic design. I am also in the Honors college. My passions include: writing, comedy, animation, editing, music, screenwriting, acting, and television. To clarify, when I say “television,” I mean watching it. Although I’m also working on an original pilot for school.

LK: Why are you studying film, and what are some of your favorite films, creatives or influences? DC: I think if life is a circus, then studying film is a trampoline. It may not have the safety net of other more stable fields, but it’s a great launching pad for someone who wants to pursue the arts. 

I’m a film major, but I don’t consume as much film as I do comedy and TV. My comedy influences include the Marx Brothers, Monty Python, Mel Brooks, Larry David, Dave Chappele, Ricky Gervais, Dana Carvey, Marc Maron, Conan O’Brien, John Mulaney, Sarah Silverman, Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert...

For TV shows: VEEP, Barry, Fleabag, Atlanta, Master of None, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Arrested Development, Succession, Girls, Seinfeld, Game of Thrones, Rick and Morty...

LK: Film is so hands-on, and most classes changed dramatically with the switch to Zoom. Describe the impact of the March 2020 lockdown on your film classes and projects. What kinds of things unique to film students had to change? DC: The period of January to March was a very slow, then exponential realization that the world was falling apart. I was supposed to edit a student short. My assistant editor was my dear friend Alex Maytin. They were yet to shoot, but the production was underway, and Alex and I were preparing to tackle the footage. It was an ambitious project and it honestly seemed monumental. Little did we know that the lockdown would dwarf our problems completely.

When school announced it was going virtual, Alex and I started brainstorming a potential remote workflow. He was gonna merge and organize the footage, mail it on a USB and I would edit. Like, we really thought the production was still happening. Needless to say, it didn’t.

Everyone in the school had to take on their own projects and oversee it from start to finish. People chose to make documentaries, short narrative films, I decided to make a small series of sketches titled Under Quarantine.

LK: What has filmmaking been like in the era of COVID-19? DC: I think the lasting impact on the film industry will be distribution. We were already moving in the direction of streaming services. But I think the presence of COVID-19 has accelerated the process. My prediction is that studios and creatives will probably lean away from film and into miniseries. I don’t really mind that. Storytelling is storytelling, whether it’s a 120-minute movie or a three-episode hour-long miniseries.

LK: How has your personal approach to creating and studying changed over the past year? DC: I’m definitely not alone in saying I’ve grown a lot in the past year. What changed the most is my approach to learning and creating. I’ve come to the conclusion that almost every skill is learnable. If you want to get good at something, all you have to do is take the time to do it. Last semester, I had a lot more time I could dedicate to my schoolwork (just by removing the time it takes to walk to and from class). I made some stuff I was really proud of. I found a love for animation. I think I have more patience for overcoming learning curves now.

LK: What has changed for the better? For the worse? DC: There are a couple super small silver linings if you look close enough. One of them is the accessibility and flexibility of education. For most of the classes I was taking, the transition was rather smooth. If I’m taking an animation class, and we’re all using our computers anyway, why don’t we take advantage of this great technology and just meet virtually?  

LK: How has the transition been for professors and faculty? In what ways have they helped make accommodations for students? DC: The professors have been incredibly accommodating. Earlier this semester, I tested positive for COVID and [it] wiped me out. I emailed all of my teachers and within a day, every one of them responded with empathy and get-well wishes. Through extensions and exemptions, I was able to catch up and now I’m back! It’s also cool that the faculty are conscious enough that not everyone has access to the same level of technology.

LK: Has there been anything you've learned or had the opportunity to experience because of the impact of COVID-19? Personal or film-related? DC: I don’t know how much of this is related to COVID-19 but I have been pretty introspective lately. I’ve been slowly coming to terms with the Asian-American experience and how race has affected me. With this topic in mind, I started writing a TV pilot for my class. I guess that is one of the benefits of being an arts major. Be it COVID-19 or racism or any problem, we have the luxury of being forced to process our emotions. 

LK: Finally, what inspires you and how do you work to overcome the weight of the pandemic on your college and creative experience? DC: I take everything one step at a time. And I try to remember that so long as I’m doing my part to keep other people safe, that’s all that really matters. Control what you can, set a good example for others, and let go of the rest. And creatively, so long as I have access to tools I can use to make stuff, I’m satisfied.

A Green and White Winning Winter

CSU’s winter sports post-season wrapped up early in April and we could not be more proud of our athletes! In true pandemic style, each team pushed themselves – and each other – to outperform, keep focused and finish strong despite the challenges.

Basketball

“I think a good way to describe our past season is the quote ‘tough times don’t last, tough people do.’ Through the whole season we had to overcome so much adversity but even with all of that we continued to lean on each other and find the positives through it all!” – Isabella Geraci, Junior Marketing Major, Shooting Guard & Small Forward

After a 17-7 regular season, taking the HLMBB Tournament, the men’s basketball team fought their way into the NCAA March Madness Tournament for the first time since 2009. Though they had a tough loss to Houston in the opening round, they ended the season as a great success – from being featured on the NCAA Tournament Selection Show, to Coach Gates earning Horizon League Coach of the Year and other accolades. It was a wild ride and one we hope we get to see again, in the years to come!

Ending their season 14-9, the women’s basketball team competed in the Horizon League championship run and made it to the semifinals before losing to Wright State – finishing at #2 in the league. Their journey didn’t end there. Just days after the semifinal game, the Vikings competed in the Women’s Basketball Invitational (WBI) where they defeated Portland and brought home the championship – for the first time in Viking history.

Wrestling

The wrestling team started out their season with six unbeaten matches, including a two-time winning quartet during their opening round robin with Kent State. The team went into the Mid-American Conference (MAC) Championships as the highest ranked team in MAC sports, then placing 5th and 6th in the tournament. Going into the NCAA Championship, the team had three qualifiers, the most since 2007 as the team finished the tournament with a 1-2 record.

Not only did these wrestlers give it their all on the mat, they took the top position in academics. Nine members of the team were named to the MAC All-Academic Team – the highest number of CSU honorees in program history!

Swimming and Diving

“We, as a team, did a great job on motivating each other and most of all we stayed patient and gained acceptance of our circumstances. Many people swam best times, records were broken, and there [was] just a whole lot of fun. The swim team truly broke through all the difficult times and that was proven at our conference meet.” – Sule van der Merwe, Senior Operations and Supply Chain Management Major, 200 Backstroke & 200/400 Individual Medley

The S&D team were 1-2 going into the Horizon League Championship where they dominated the competition, in what Head Coach Hannah Burandt called an amazing meet where CSU athletes swam better than they ever have. Within the first day, Matt Akers took home first place in the one-meter dive, the first to win this dive for the Vikings since 2014.

The women placed fifth overall while the men placed second, as the teams continued to place in the top five in the 500-yard freestyle, 400-yard medley, and 200-yard freestyle relay. Freshman Bob Fick won the freshman of the year award after winning the 200-yard butterfly – the first to win since 2011 and only one of seven Vikings to ever win the award.

Indoor Track and Field

The women’s team opened the season at the YSU Invitational with seven wins from the top 20, including two in the top five. Moving on to the Mastodon Invitational, the team continued to place in the top 20 as 10 individual performances were topped as well.

During the YSU Mid-Major Invitational, the team recorded six top 10 finishes which was then followed with a first-place win by Dynesty Ervin in the 60-meter dash during the second Mastodon Invitational. The team placed 11th in the Horizon League Indoor Championship.

Fencing

“This year has been very challenging for a lot of us, but the fact we got to compete and that we did so well as a team is amazing. The fencing team really put in the work this year, and we did so well. I’m so proud of everyone.” – Paul DiVenti, Sophomore Mathematics Major, Foilist

Even with a quick season, the fencing team was ready for battle. In their first two matches, the women’s team went 2-0 as the men’s team went 1-1. After three matches, the teams advanced to the NCAA Championships where multiple members of the men’s team placed in the top 25 in the epee, foil, and saber competitions.

The women’s team picked up the second half of the championship where three members of their team placed in the top 25 in the epee, foil, and saber competitions. With their placements in the competition, Cleveland State finished 17th overall, their best finish since 1995, in addition to the six qualifiers who had the best individual performance since the 90s.

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With limited fans in attendance for meets and matches, social media picked up the slack, with friends, family and the CSU community supporting our Vikings all the way. We hope you heard us. We’ll say it again, “Well done, Vikings! You Earned It!”