UI&U's BA Program Announces Addiction Studies Specialization

BRATTLEBORO, VT - Union Institute & University, a private, non-profit university with two locations in Vermont, today announced a new addiction studies specialization as part of the psychology and human development concentration of the university’s Bachelor of Arts program. The specialization provides learners with the educational content, credits and 2,000 hours of work experience required for certification by state licensing boards as a substance abuse counselor.

UI&U’s Bachelor of Arts program is designed to attract learners who desire a socially relevant degree and who want to make positive and lasting change in their communities; the addiction studies specialization follows from UI&U’s mission. Today, substance abuse in the U.S. is on the rise. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there is a 35 percent increase in nationwide demand for substance abuse counselors.

“The liberal arts focus means that we can go beyond the typical coursework found in most addiction studies programs so that the learners emerge with a deeper and broader understanding of this important issue,” said Ann Stanton, associate dean of the BA Program. “UI&U’s program gives learners a chance to work with faculty who have a high level of experience in the field, to develop their communication skills, and to explore the many aspects of addiction – from its history to how it impacts families and today’s society.”

UI&U’s BA program is a non-traditional, learner-centered program ideal for adult learners who thrive in an individualized study environment with a faculty mentor. Learners may choose from two residency options. Those who live in the New England region or who desire more frequent face-to-face contact may opt for the Weekend Option, which meets five times a term in either Brattleboro or Montpelier, VT; while those at a distance may select the online option where all residencies and studies take place totally online.

For more information about the new addiction studies program contact the UI&U Admissions Office at 888-828-8575 ext. 8500, or email admissions@myunion.edu.

MLK Colleagues Take Part in MLK Legacy Luncheon January 8

CINCINNATI - As part of its ongoing mission to engage the community in dialogue that creates positive social change, Union Institute & University (UI&U) will host the biannual Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Legacy Luncheon, Saturday, January 8, from noon – 1:30 p.m., at the Kingsgate Marriot in Clifton. Distinguished theologian, pastor, and civic leader Reverend Dr. Otis Moss Jr., a former pastor at the Mount Zion Baptist Church in Lockland who also served as co-pastor with Reverend Martin Luther King, Sr. at the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, will serve as this year’s keynote speaker.


The annual MLK Luncheon is an integral part of the university’s MLK Studies specialization within the Ph.D. program and is held in conjunction with each Ph.D. residency in Cincinnati. UI&U MLK scholars and faculty locally and from across the country, including Rev. Dr. Virgil Wood, who collaborated with the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. to coordinate the State of Virginia in the historic March on Washington, will join members of community groups including the MLK Coalition of Greater Cincinnati and the African American Chamber of Commerce to explore how King’s work can best be applied in today’s society.

“Having two heroes of the civil rights movement – the Reverend Dr. Otis Moss and the Reverend Dr. Virgil Wood – join us and enlighten us at our MLK luncheon is a testament to the important work our MLK scholars are doing in their communities,” said Dr. Roger H. Sublett, president of Union Institute & University. “It is an honor to have Dr. King’s colleagues here in Cincinnati.”

Cohort Ph.D. learner Jenny Laster, director of the Urban League of Greater Cincinnati’s African-American Leadership Development program is one of several MLK scholars who will be present at the luncheon. “As a King scholar, I can share what I have learned with others, as well as formalize my study of the work of Dr. King,” said Laster. “Becoming a true MLK scholar means that I can inspire others to make his mission and vision a reality, for there is much work that needs to be done.”

About Reverend Dr. Otis Moss

Keynote speaker Rev. Dr. Otis Moss has been actively involved in advocating for the achievement of education, civil and human rights and social justice issues all of his adult life. He served as an advisor to President Jimmy Carter at Camp David and in 1994 he was the special guest of President Bill Clinton at the peace treaty signing between Israel and Jordan.

Recently, Rev. Dr. Moss served on President Obama’s White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnership Council. In 2009, he co-lectured with Rajmohan Gandhi, the grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, during a multi-city tour of India illuminating the work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Mahatma Gandhi.

Rev. Dr. Moss is the recipient of numerous awards including the Role Model of the Year Award from the National Institute for Responsible Fatherhood and Family Development in 1992. In 2004, he was bestowed the unique honor of the Lyman Beecher Lectureship on Preaching at Yale University, and in 2007 he was inducted into the International Civil Rights Walk of Fame. Recently, dormitory suites at Morehouse College were named in his honor.

A longtime Cleveland resident and active in the Cleveland community, Rev. Dr. Moss helped establish the Otis Moss, Jr. University Hospitals Health Center that today offers a wide range of medical services to the greater Cleveland community. In 2008, he retired from Cleveland’s Olivet Institutional Baptist Church after 33 years of distinguished service.

Rev. Dr. Moss has been featured in several publications and national broadcasts. He was twice named by Ebony Magazine as one of America’s Greatest Black Preachers and appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show to discuss current trends in religion.

“The MLK Scholars program is attracting community leaders from across the country seeking to make Dr. King’s dream a reality,” said Dr. Nancy Boxill, Fulton County, Georgia commissioner, UI&U alumna, and coordinator of UI&U’s Martin Luther King Jr. Specialization. “The MLK Luncheon is an important event not only for UI&U learners but also for the Cincinnati community. This is truly education in action.”

The MLK Legacy Luncheon takes place Saturday, January 8, from noon-1:30 p.m., at the Kingsgate Marriott, 151 Goodman Drive in Clifton. For more information about the MLK Legacy Luncheon or the UI&U MLK Studies specialization please contact Nicole Hamilton, UI&U Public Relations Manager, at 513-487-1194 or at nicole.hamilton@myunion.edu.

Brattleboro Center Commencements Are Learner-Designed, Learner-Centered

BRATTLEBORO – Union & University’s (UI&U) Brattleboro Center will host a commencement weekend December 11 and 12 for new graduates of the Bachelor of Arts Weekend residency program. On Saturday, the BA graduates will give presentations, open to the public, based on their BA studies. The weekend events will culminate at 11:45, Sunday, December 12, in the Community Room at the Vermont Academic Center when the graduates, their families and UI&U Brattleboro faculty and staff gather for the commencement.


“One of the most unique aspects of the Brattleboro B.A. commencements is that they are learner-centered and learner-created,” said Diane Robinson, director of admissions for the UI&U’s Brattleboro Academic Center. From the design and printing of the environmentally-friendly program (spearheaded by new BA graduate Alan Benoit of Manchester, VT) to choosing the speakers for Sunday’s commencement, the new graduating class organized the entire commencement ceremony.

Saturday presentations will take place from 1:15-4:35 p.m. and be held at the Vermont Academic Center. A copy of the schedule with the presentations is available at the Brattleboro Academic Center. The BA curriculum emphasizes practical, real-world application and community engagement and the culminating presentations are open to the public. BA graduate Jennifer Tucker will explore poverty and how it affects the education of children in her talk “Poverty and Education.” Learner Misty Kennedy will discuss the history, stages, and interpretations of children’s drawings in her talk “Drawings of Children,” and Alan Benoit will explain the concept of “green washing” in his talk “What Shade of Green.”

Union Institute & University’s Brattleboro Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies and Master of Arts with concentrations in psychology and counseling programs are located in the Vermont Agricultural and Education Center on Old Guilford Road at 3 University Way. The Doctorate in Psychology (Psy.D.) program is based out of the Marlboro Graduate Center downtown. For more information about the Brattleboro degree programs and the B.A.commencement weekend please contact the Brattleboro Academic Center at 257-9411. For information about Union Institute & University visit www.myunion.edu or email: Brattleborocenter@myunion.edu.

Brattleboro Center Hosts Psy.D. Open House December 3

Brattleboro - Union Institute & University (UI&U) in Brattleboro will host an Open House to introduce prospective learners to its doctoral program in clinical psychology (Psy.D.), from 5:30-7 pm., Friday, December 3rd, at the program’s offices at the Marlboro Graduate Center, 28 Vernon Street, First Floor, Brattleboro, VT.


Consistent with UI&U’s mission, the Psy.D. program integrates social justice into all of its courses and emphasizes multiculturalism in clinical practice. “We train people to become more aware of injustices, such as trauma, abuse, oppression and racism, and prepare them to be active agents of change, both with their clients and the larger social system,” said Dr. William Lax, Dean of the program. Learners are trained to be culturally competent clinicians, able to provide mental health services to individuals, families, groups and organizations. The program also includes an optional emphasis area in family psychology.

The UI&U Psy.D. program integrates face-to-face and online courses to offer flexibility for working adults who need to balance career, family, and other social and civic responsibilities. In addition to the online courses, learners attend two week-long fall and spring Academic Meetings, as well as eight day-long Saturday meetings in Brattleboro once a month for the first three years of the program.

To learn more or to register, call: 802-257-9411; 888-828-8575 or email: Admissions.PsyD@myunion.edu.

UI&U’s Brattleboro offices are located minutes from Interstate 91 at the juncture of the Vermont, New Hampshire and Massachusetts borders. It is easily accessible throughout the greater New England region. Applications are currently being accepted for the Fall 2011 Brattleboro cohort.

UI&U Honors Women's Empowerment Scholarship Recipients December 2

CINCINNATI – Union Institute & University (UI&U), a private, non-profit university designed exclusively for adults and headquartered in Cincinnati, will host a dinner to honor the recipients of the university’s Women’s Empowerment Scholarship (WES), Thursday, December 2, from 6:30-8 p.m., at the university’s Cincinnati Academic Center, at 440 East McMillan Street in Walnut Hills.


The scholarship is funded through a generous grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation of Battle Creek, Michigan, and is awarded to single, female, head-of-household learners enrolled in the UI&U Bachelor of Science program. UI&U alumna Arlene Koth, COO and executive vice president of Downtown Cincinnati, Inc. will deliver the keynote address at the dinner.

The 12 WES recipients have had to overcome significant obstacles in order to pursue their dream of earning their degrees. In addition to raising dependent children, many are working fulltime jobs, all while working towards their BS degree.

WES recipient Robin Ewing, for example, is a mother of four, She serves as the administration assistant for the Urban League of Greater Cincinnati’s Small Business Development Center. In addition, she is raising her brother’s five children, and has started her own business designed to enhance the self-esteem of young girls. “I’m trying to do something to better my environment and leave a legacy for my children,” said Robin. “I have to keep striving for the best, and the scholarship is helping me to do so.”

According to Dr. Carolyn Turner, dean of the Cincinnati Undergraduate Programs, the grant has a far-reaching impact. “By providing these 12 single mothers with the opportunity to earn a college degree, they will have the potential to increase their earning potential, and thereby the opportunity to better provide for their children and serve as role models - giving the entire family a brighter future and a better chance at achieving academic and career success.”

“These women are true heroes – and provide inspiration for all of us. They balance and juggle, but they understand that education is the key to improving their own lives, the lives of their children, and ultimately, the communities we all live and work in,” said Dr. Roger H. Sublett, president of Union Institute & University. “ They represent so many other women at Union Institute & University – committed to service and to making a difference.”

For information about the event contact Nicole Hamilton, public relations manager for Union Institute & University at 513-487-1194 or Nicole.hamilton@myunion.edu.

UI&U Announces Articulation Agreement with Columbus State

Also launches Leadership/Sport Management program on the Columbus State campus
CINCINNATI – In an effort to enhance educational opportunities for adults in Ohio, Union Institute & University (UI&U), a private, non-profit university designed exclusively for adults and headquartered in Cincinnati recently initiated an articulation agreement with Columbus State Community College. The agreement removes barriers to transferability for students and their credits, making it convenient for Columbus State learners with associate’s degrees to continue their education and earn their bachelor’s degree.


As part of the articulation agreement, all students who graduate from Columbus State with an associate’s degree will be considered for admission to UI&U’s undergraduate degree program, and all Columbus State graduates from selected programs may transfer appropriate coursework towards credits toward their bachelor’s degree at UI&U.

Additional benefits include financial savings for Columbus State students: Columbus State graduates of associate’s degree programs who transfer into UI&U’s undergraduate program receive a 10 percent discount on the tuition rate. They also receive a tuition scholarship for the last four credits if they maintain continuous enrollment in good standing with UI&U.

The articulation agreement is just one example of how the two higher education institutions are working in partnership. In addition, UI&U began offering courses on-site at Columbus State for those enrolled in UI&U’s new sport management concentration as part of the university’s bachelor of science in leadership program. The first on-site classes at Columbus State began in September and exceeded the enrollment goals.

“We are very proud of this new partnership. The articulation agreement gives Columbus State students a viable option to easily continue their education and earn their bachelor’s degrees,” said Dr. Carolyn Turner, dean of UI&U’s Cincinnati Undergraduate Center. “And because of the immediate success of the sport management concentration we are looking forward to implementing additional programs with Columbus State in the near future.”

UI&U’s new BS in leadership with a concentration in sport management program allows graduates of Columbus State with associate’s degrees to pursue their BS in leadership with a concentration in sport management. Students can either attend classes on the Columbus State campus or complete their degree requirements online.

“The program is ideal for those who want to administer sport activities like high school athletics programs and for those who want to conduct health and wellness programs at corporations. It also a great program for people who work in the social services and in parks and recreation,” said Dr. Tom Habegger, faculty member for Columbus State’s sport and exercise program and himself a UI&U graduate.

For more information about articulation agreement between Union Institute & University and Columbus State or the new sport management concentration please contact Nicole Hamilton, UI&U public relations manager at 513-487-1194 or Nicole.hamilton@myunion.edu.

UI&U's Cincinnati Center Hosts Maternal Child Health Open House October 12

CINCINNATI – Union Institute & University (UI&U), a private, non-profit university headquartered in Cincinnati will host an open house for those interested in the university’s BS in Maternal Child Health: Lactation Consulting Program, from 6-8 p.m., Tuesday, October 12, at Union Institute & University, 440 East McMillan Street, in Walnut Hills.


Graduates of UI&U’s bachelor’s degree program in Maternal Child Health: Lactation Consulting are trained to professionally counsel expectant mothers and mothers of young infants about best practices for the care and feeding of the young infant, and may also be qualified to provide instruction for and/or make presentations to the medical profession (especially in a hospital setting), and to community, governmental, and non-profit agencies. Graduates may also be prepared to sit for the International Board Certification for Lactation Consultants (IBCLC) examination offered by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners.

The major is offered through a learning partnership with Healthy Children. Through The Center for Breastfeeding, Healthy Children is the largest national provider of lactation management education for health-care providers. Healthy Children is a founding member of the United States Breastfeeding Committee (USBC), and an invited member of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Breastfeeding Promotion Consortium.

For more information or to RSVP to the open house, contact Brooke Fletcher at brooke.fletcher@myunion.edu or at 513-487-1219.

UI&U and Academy of Medicine Partner for End-of-Life Symposium

November 6 EVENT WILL FEATURE EXPERTS IN END-OF-LIFE CARE

Union Institute & University (UI&U) and the Academy of Medicine have once again partnered to present End-of-Life: Healthy Living, Grieving, and Dying, a symposium to be held from 9 a.m.-3:45 p.m., Saturday, November 6, at the Duke Energy Center in downtown Cincinnati. The event is designed for both medical professionals and members of the general public who are interested in learning more about palliative care, hospice care, the basic legal aspects of end-of-life planning, and healthy grieving.


Several local and internationally known leaders in end-of–life-care, including Joanne Lynn, M.D., bureau chief, Cancer & Chronic Disease, Community Health Administration, Department of Health in Washington D.C., and Clinical Professor of Medicine at Dartmouth College and George Washington University, will give presentations on a range of issues regarding palliative care. Lynne’s talk, When is the ’End of Life’ and Why it Matters, will explore the merits of local action and how to identify end-of-life patients.

“It is so important for each of us to consider the many issues that can impact our lives as we approach the end. The more information you have and the more planning you and your loved ones do can make a huge impact in terms of quality, comfort, and peace,” said Sandra Lobert, CEO of Hospice of Cincinnati and a featured presenter. Lobert’s presentation, Hospice Care: What, How, When & Why it Works will provide a modern look at hospice, and offer advice on how to discuss hospice with patients and family. “We encourage everyone to take the opportunity to learn more about this important topic.”

Other featured prominent experts on end-of-life care include UI&U doctoral faculty member Marianne Matzo, Ph.D., Professor of Palliative Care at the University of Oklahoma; and UI&U alumna Sandra Bertman, Ph.D., Professor of Thanatology & Arts, for the National Center for Death Education at Mount Ida College in Newtown, MA. Matzo will discuss the concept of palliative care, what patients facing life-limiting illness want, and identify how to help people facing the end of their lives in her address, Be There for Me: The Art of Palliative Care. Bertram’s talk, Last Acts: The Healing Power of Hope, Humor and Grief, will describe the benefits of grieving prior to death.

Also included is a presentation by Cincinnati attorney Colleen B. Laux, who will discuss the basic legal aspects of end-of-life planning. The symposium will conclude with a panel discussion featuring all five presenters and Manish Srivastava, M.D., Medical Director of the Palliative Care Program at Bethesda North and Good Samaritan Hospitals.

This is the third in a series of community-oriented events that Union Institute & University and the Academy of Medicine have presented. Union Institute & University was the recipient of a generous grant from The Helen Steiner Rice Fund of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation, which has supported the three events, including International Medical Volunteerism (in 2008) and Aging and the Brain (in 2009).

The symposium is open to the public but registration is required. The cost for general public is $35, and includes a sit-down luncheon, beverages and snacks throughout the day, and special giveaways from vendors. The cost for the medical community is $60 and includes educational units. For information or to register contact The Academy of Medicine, (513) 421-7010, or visit www.academyofmedicine.org.

UI&U Welcomes Graduates for National Commencement Weekend Oct. 15-16

Dr. John Silvanus Wilson Jr., executive director of the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities, to deliver commencement address


WALNUT HILLS – Union Institute & University (UI&U) is proud to welcome its newest graduates from Cincinnati and across the country on October 15 and 16 for the university’s National Commencement Weekend. The graduates have earned doctoral, masters, and undergraduate degrees from the private, non-profit university that, since 1964, has provided higher education opportunities for adults.

The events begin at 5:30 p.m. Friday, October 15, with the President’s Reception, held at the UI&U Cincinnati Academic Center in Walnut Hills. The reception is an opportunity for new graduates and their families to celebrate their accomplishments with UI&U President Dr. Roger H. Sublett, trustees, faculty, alumni, and fellow graduates. The weekend culminates with the UI&U National Commencement, Saturday, October 16, at 11 am in the Hall of Mirrors at the Hilton Netherland Plaza in downtown Cincinnati.

Dr. John Silvanus Wilson Jr. executive director of the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities will deliver the commencement keynote address. “Our university is committed to graduating learners who go on to become leaders in their communities,” said President Sublett. “Dr. Wilson is an inspiring speaker and scholar and we are very honored that he will help inspire our graduates as they make a difference in their work and their communities around the nation.

Wilson was recently appointed by President Barack Obama to be executive director of the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). In this role, Wilson works as liaison between the executive branch of the government and HBCUs. Said President Obama, in a press release issued by the U.S. Department of Education, “We're delighted to have someone with the breadth and quality of experience that Dr. Wilson brings to address the challenges our HBCUs face. His expertise and insight will be invaluable to the Department."

UI&U’s President’s Reception will be from 5:30-7:30 p.m., Friday, October 15, at the Cincinnati Academic Center, 440 East McMillan Street, Walnut Hills. The UI&U National Commencement is at 11 a.m. Saturday, October 16, in the Hall of Mirrors, at the Hilton Netherland Plaza, 35 West Fifth Street, downtown.

UI&U is headquartered in Cincinnati and has centers in Brattleboro and Montpelier, VT., Sacramento and Los Angeles, CA, and Miami, FL. For more information on the national commencement events, please contact Nicole Hamilton, public relations manager, at 513-487-1194 or at Nicole.hamilton@myunion.edu.

UI&U Elects Two New Board of Trustee Members

Matthew Quinn

Dr. Matthew J. Quinn and Susan Porter Robinson are leaders in higher education

CINCINNATI – Union Institute & University (UI&U), a private, non-profit university headquartered in Cincinnati is proud to announce that Dr. Matthew J. Quinn and Susan Porter Robison, both leaders in higher education, have been elected to the Union Institute & University Board of Trustees.

“We are honored that Matthew Quinn and Susan Porter Robinson have chosen to join our board,” said Dr. Roger H. Sublett, president of Union Institute & University. “Their leadership will prove invaluable as we move the university into the future and continue to find the best ways to provide innovative and practical degree completion options for the adult learner who wants to make a difference in their lives and in their communities.”

Susan Porter Robinson

Matthew J. Quinn is the founding executive director of the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, established in August 2000. He became emeritus executive director in September 2009. The Foundation’s mission is to advance the education of high-achieving students who have financial need. With an initial endowment of over $600 million, the foundation, since its inception, has provided more than $70 million in scholarship support to several thousand students through its three scholarship programs and also awarded approximately $30 million in major grants to organizations which enhance the foundation’s work.

Prior to working for the foundation, Quinn served as president of Carroll College in Helena, MT, for 11 years. He also served as vice president for academic affairs at Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia; as dean of the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences at Iona College in New Rochelle, NY; as a director for New Jersey State Universities Offices; and as director of public relations and publications for College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, MA.

Quinn received a B.A. in classics from Fordham University, a Ph.L in philosophy, with honors, from Woodstock College, an M.A. in English from Fordham University, a Ph.D. in management of higher education, with highest distinction, from Boston College, and a J.D. from Fordham University School of Law. Quinn is a member of the Pennsylvania Bar.

He has served on many boards, including the American Association of University Administrators, as an advisor for the Kellogg National Leadership Program as part of the W. K. Kellogg Foundation, and on The Council on Women in Higher Education, an ACE commission.

Quinn currently serves as Chair of the Board of Directors of the Phi Theta Kappa Foundation, as well as on the Board of Directors of the Council of Independent Colleges and on the Advisory Board of the Loudoun Education Foundation.

Susan Porter Robinson held various positions at the American Council on Education from 1984 until 2009, culminating in her role as vice president for lifelong learning from 1997 until 2009. In this role, Porter Robinson supervised and oversaw the Center’s corporate and military programs, its $5 million budget, and 35 staff members. She also served as a liaison between the association community and presidents of colleges and universities, all U.S. armed services and the Department of Defense, reporters and media, business executives, labor leaders, distance learning executives, national policymakers, and international leaders in higher education and lifelong learning.

Before becoming vice president of lifelong learning, Porter Robinson served as acting director of ACE CREDIT program, director of outreach and communications for ACE’s Center for Adult Learning and Education Credentials, and editor of GED Items and of the GED Writing and Literature and the Arts tests. She has also served as an instructor of English and composition at various universities in the United States, and as an instructor of English as a Foreign Language at the University of Deusto in Bilbao, Spain.

A national and international speaker for more than 25 years, Robinson has a B.A. in secondary education and English from Marywood University in Scranton, PA, an M.A. in English from Duke University, and a certificate in Contemplative Leadership of Prayer Groups and Retreats from the Shalem Institute on Spiritual Formation in Washington, D.C. She received an honorary doctorate of humane letters from Excelsior College in 2005 for a lifetime of advancing adult learning in higher education. Her writings in adult learning and psychology have been widely published.

Robinson’s service on boards includes the editorial and research boards and an external advisor of the University of Hong Kong’s School of Professional and Continuing Education, the Joint Civilian Orientation Conference (a lifetime appointment by the Office of the Secretary of Defense), the USDA Board, as appointed by former Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman, the Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges, and the Coalition of Lifelong Learning Organizations.

For more information contact Nicole Hamilton, UI&U public relations manager, at 513-487-1194 or at Nicole.hamilton@myunion.edu.

Union Institute & University Celebrates Constitution Day

Since 1964, Union Institute & University has dedicated its mission, vision, and academic curricula to instilling within our learners the importance of social responsibility. We take great pride in the fact that our graduates commit their lives to serve and better their communities. In celebration of Constitution Day, we ask that each of us pause and reflect upon our role within society, our rights and responsibilities, and the way in which those rights are provided and protected.

Civics education is a life-long journey. Take a moment to peruse the UI&U Constitution Day website and learn more about the founding framework of the United States of America.

UI&U Constitution Day Celebration

• View the original U.S. Constitution and read the transcript

• Take a virtual tour of the National Constitution Center

• Discover little-known facts about the founding fathers

• Take the Constitution Day quiz, created by the Bill of Rights Institute

Brattleboro Center Hosts Area's First Higher Education Fair Sept. 30

Fair will feature representatives from several Brattleboro-area colleges and universities


BRATTLEBORO – Union Institute & University, a private, non-profit university with two locations in Vermont, will host the first Brattleboro Area Higher Education Fair, Thursday, September 30, from 5-7 p.m. at VABEC on Old Guilford Road in Brattleboro. The event is co-sponsored by the Brattleboro Area Chamber of Commerce as part of their September Swing into Fall series and will feature representatives from a number of Brattleboro-area colleges and universities including:

Community College of Vermont
Union Institute & University
Marlboro College
SIT Graduate Institute
Greenfield Community College
Keene State College
Landmark College

Michele Delhaye from VSAC will also be present to answer questions about financing education.

The education fair is ideal for students and parents, as well as faculty and staff from local schools and agencies who want to learn more about high quality degree and continuing education programs located in Brattleboro and neighboring areas. Representatives will be on hand to answer questions about a number of important topics including: graduate education; low-residency and online degree programs; study abroad; and choosing between a two-year specialized or community college.

Informational break-out sessions will be offered for those who want to learn more about a particular college or university, admissions requirements, application processes, and majors, concentrations or specific degree offerings.

The free event will feature door prizes and light refreshments. For more information contact the Brattleboro Center at brattleborocenter@myunion.edu, or at 802-257-9411.

UI&U Grad Lisa Lorimer to Present Talk in Brattleboro September 12

Lorimer will discuss her new book about the challenges and rewards of running a business


BRATTLEBORO, VT – Union Institute & University, a private, non-profit university with locations in both Brattleboro and Montpelier, will host a talk with UI&U alumna Lisa Lorimer, founder and former CEO of the Vermont Bread Company, at 1 p.m. Sunday, September 12, at its Brattleboro Academic Center. The talk is free and open to the public.

Lorimer will be discussing leadership and her new book co-authored with Birkenstock founder Margot Fraser entitled: Dealing with the Tough Stuff: Practical Wisdom for Running a Values-Driven Business. The book features true stories about the real pitfalls of running a business and outlines struggles faced by business leaders.

“Anyone who runs their own business will tell you: it isn't easy. There's always more work than time to do it, and for every time things seem under control, unforeseen complications await. The good news is, it is possible,” says Lorimer, who graduated from UI&U in 1993.

A Vermont native, Lorimer is often credited with helping fuel the boom in organic food sales over the past two decades. She sold her controlling interest in 2004 but continues as a significant investor and board member of the company she helped found in 1978 in a country barn in Brattleboro. With nearly $20 million in sales per year, the Vermont Bread Company was the largest producer of all-natural, premium, and certified organic breads and muffins in the Northeast United States. Under her leadership, it was the largest woman-owned manufacturing firm in Vermont and has been featured in magazines such as Inc., Baking Management, and Family Circle.

Lorimer was already a successful entrepreneur when she began her degree program at UI&U, and she is passionate about the education she received. “My experience (as a U&IU learner) was transformational,” said Lorimer. “My advisors helped me find my voice as a writer.”

In addition to her B.A. from Union Institute and University, Lorimer completed the three-year Owner President Management Program at Harvard Business School. She is also an alumna of the Vermont Leadership Institute’s inaugural class of 1996, and now serves as a faculty member.

Lorimer serves on the Board of Directors of the Vermont Community Foundation and the Snelling Center for Government at the University of Vermont. A fundraising volunteer for the Women’s Crisis Center, she is also a member of the Education Committee for Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility. She served as a delegate to the 1995 White House Conference on Small Business, where she served on the Research Advisory Committee for the Peace & Justice Center’s Vermont Job Gap Study Basic Needs and Livable Wage report in 1998.

The talk will begin at 1 p.m. and will take place Sunday, September 12, at the UI&U Brattleboro Academic Center, 3 University Way on Old Guilford Road at VABEC. The event will also feature door prizes and a chance to win an Amazon Kindle. For more information and to RSVP contact the Brattleboro Center: brattleborocenter@myunion.edu or 802-257-9411.

Dr. John Wilson To Deliver National Commencement Keynote

Cincinnati – Union Institute & University (UI&U), a private, non-profit university headquartered in Cincinnati, today announced that Dr. John Silvanus Wilson Jr. will address UI&U graduates and guests at the upcoming national commencement ceremony on Saturday, October 16 at the Hall of Mirrors, Cincinnati Hilton Netherland Plaza in downtown Cincinnati.


“We are particularly honored that John will speak to our graduates,” said Dr. Roger H. Sublett, President of Union Institute & University. “He has an extensive background in higher education, and experience as both a scholar and a practitioner. He certainlyunderstands the challenges of higher education today, and I’m sure he will inspire our undergraduate, masters, and doctoral learners.”

Wilson was recently appointed by President Barack Obama to be executive director of the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). In this role, Wilson works as liaison between the executive branch of the government and HBCUs. Said President Obama, in a press release issued by the U.S. Department of Education, “We're delighted to have someone with the breadth and quality of experience that Dr. Wilson brings to address the challenges our HBCUs face. His expertise and insight will be invaluable to the Department."

Wilson has been an associate professor of higher education at George Washington University (GWU) since 2006, when he took research leave as executive dean of GWU's Virginia campus, a post he held since 2002. Prior to his tenure at GWU, Wilson spent 16 years at MIT, where he served as director of foundation relations and assistant provost.

Wilson holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Morehouse College, a Master of Theological Studies degree from Harvard University, and both master's and doctoral degrees in educational administration, planning, and social policy, also from Harvard University. He is also the recipient of both W.K. Kellogg and Woodrow Wilson fellowships.

For more information about UI&U’s National Commencement or Dr. John Wilson, please contact Nicole Hamilton, public relations manager at 513-487-1194, or at nicole.hamilton@myunion.edu.

UI&U Welcomes Dan Lerner, Ph.D., the new Dean of the Vermont Academic Centers

MONTPELIER, VT – Union Institute & University (UI&U), a non-profit, private university with academic centers in Brattleboro and Montpelier that offers degree programs designed for the busy adult, is proud to announce that Daniel Lerner, Ph.D., has been hired as dean of the Vermont Academic Centers.
Lerner brings to the Montpelier Academic Center many years of teaching and administrative experience.
After earning his bachelor’s degree from Duke University he served as an admissions officer at his alma mater before pursuing his doctorate at Michigan State University (MSU). He earned his Ph.D. in United States History from MSU in 2002 and moved to Binghamton University (SUNY), where he served as assistant professor of history education and as co-director of the Center for the Teaching of American History. In Lerner’s years as Co-Director, the Center received multiple million dollar grants to develop and deliver a wide variety of professional development programs for hundreds of middle- and high-school social studies teachers in southern and central New York.”

In 2006, Lerner became the associate dean of Arts & Sciences at Grand Rapids Community College in Grand Rapids, MI, a comprehensive community college that enrolls approximately 30,000 students. There he oversaw four academic departments, an art gallery, a laboratory preschool, and more than 100 faculty. Lerner was also a founding member of the advisory board for the Michigan Higher Education Recruitment Consortium.

In addition to his administrative experience, Lerner has taught numerous courses at Michigan State University, Duke University, Binghamton University, Grand Rapids Community College, and the University of Vermont.

For more information or to schedule an interview with Dr. Lerner please contact Nicole Hamilton, UI&U public relations manager at 800-486-9968 or Nicole.hamilton@myunion.edu.

UI&U's Brattleboro Center Hosts BA Weekend Program Open House July 31

Event will feature graduates and current learners in the BA weekend program

BRATTLEBORO, VT – Union Institute & University (UI&U), a non-profit, private university that offers degree programs designed for the busy adult with two centers in Brattleboro, will host an open house for prospective learners, alumni, and professionals interested in the center’s B.A. Weekend Program, from 1-4 p.m., Saturday, July 31, at the Brattleboro Academic Center, 3 University Way.

The open house will feature a panel discussion with B.A. weekend option current learners, alumni, and B.A. faculty, who will share perspectives of their experiences at UI&U. Also taking part in the open house is VSAC representative, Michele Delhaye and Meg Mott, Ph.D., a local columnist and academic. Delhaye will be available for financial aid questions and advice, while Mott, featured as the alumni guest speaker for the event, will touch on her time spent at UI&U and the ongoing journey she has since been on since attending the university.

UI&U’s B.A. program is unique in that learners design their studies through lenses focusing on their own interests. Unlike a traditional college or university, learners create their own bibliographies with assistance from a faculty advisor, focusing on the areas of study they are most passionate about. Learners are able to choose one of ten concentrations, from environmental studies to literature and writing. With a low-residency program in place -- one weekend a month at the Brattleboro Academic Center -- learners who are currently working full-time and dealing with life’s many commitments still have the opportunity to finish their next degree.

“At UI&U, we are committed to opening doors. Those who thought their goals were out of reach have been surprised again and again after hearing about what our programs offer,” says Lindsay Guido, enrollment counselor for the B.A. Weekend Program. “They often voice concerns about not being able to find classes that meet their interests, not having the time to go to school, or not having the finances to support their education. This program can seem like a breath of fresh air to new learners.”

The B.A. Weekend Program Open House is free and open to the public and will feature a raffle at the door and refreshments. For more information about the July 31 open house contact Lindsay Guido at lindsay.guido@myunion.edu or 257-9411, ext. 8912.

UI&U July 18 Commencement Honors California Graduates

LOS ANGELES, CA – More than 150 learners from across California will converge at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre in Los Angeles July 18 to participate in Union Institute & University’s California Commencement. The new graduates are learners from UI&U’s Los Angeles and Sacramento Centers who have earned undergraduate or graduate degrees from the private, non-profit university that provides higher education opportunities for adult learners. Dr. James Henderson, Distinguished Visiting Scholar for UI&U's Ed.D. program, will serve as the commencement speaker.

“The California commencement is always an important and inspiring event,” said Dr. Pastores-Palffy, dean of the California Centers. “Our commencers show us that, with hard work and determination, anything is possible.”

Families are travelling to Los Angeles from as far away as Michigan and Florida to see their loved ones graduates. Many of the graduates are the first in their families to earn their degree, and others, like Maria de Jesus Padilla, 50, of Los Angeles, decided to return to college after raising a family and working fulltime. The mother of seven children credits the support of her family for her success at UI&U. Her husband even built an office for her in the garage.

“I’ve got ten grandchildren, but I’m not ready to stay-at-home,” said Maria. “When I learned about Union, I felt like I had discovered a small university with a large university feel. The program was challenging, but I’ve learned so much, and now I’m ready to expand my career in early childhood development.”

Union Institute & University’s California Commencement takes place from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. at The Wilshire Ebell Theatre, 4401 West Eighth Street, Los Angeles. For more information about the commencement contact Nicole Hamilton, PR manager, at nicole.hamilton@myunion.edu or 513-487-1194.

UI&U Announces Leadership Changes at the Cincinnati Center

Leadership changes reflect the university’s growth in Cincinnati and focus on adult higher education

CINCINNATI - Union Institute & University (UI&U), a private, non-profit university headquartered in Walnut Hills, today announced that Jon W. Mays has been hired as UI&U’s vice president for enrollment management, effective August 1, 2010. Mays comes to UI&U after a long and successful career at the University of Cincinnati, where he held positions with increasing responsibility in a variety of areas, most recently as director of operations in the Office of Admissions.

Mays’s experience in enrollment management is extensive. At the University of Cincinnati, he was the lead resource for policies, procedures, data reporting and analysis, and is credited with improving the overall admissions process for incoming students. He has proven leadership skills in strategic recruitment, accountability, student information systems, and online application systems, and experience in institutional research and financial aid. He also served as the university bursar for four years, having begun his career in the student accounts area.

Mays earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance and a Master of Public Administration, both from the University of Cincinnati. He is a member of the Ohio and National Associations of College Admission Counseling.

Dr. Patricia Brewer, dean of the pre-cohort Ph.D. program, has been appointed associate provost for academic programs. She will continue to serve as dean of the university’s pre-cohort doctoral program, but will also work closely with UI&U Provost Dr. Richard Hansen to provide oversight of academic program planning, development, and evaluation.

Brewer will oversee the American Council on Education (ACE) Ohio State Affiliate office, housed at Union Institute & University, and serve on academic and curriculum committees, in addition to representing the university to external constituencies, including the SOCHE Adult Credentialing Committee and Ohio Region 5 Workforce Development. She has extensive academic administrative experience through prior positions held at Sinclair Community College, Capital University and Walden University. She is a Higher Learning Commission consultant-evaluator with the North Central Association, and serves on their Accreditation Review Committee and the C-E Advisory Team that plans and conducts training for consultant-evaluators.

For more information please contact Nicole Hamilton, public relations manager at Nicole.hamilton@myunion.edu, or at 513-487-1194.

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UI&U Announces Leadership Changes at the California Centers

Changes are designed to support the growth of UI&U in California and beyond



SACRAMENTO, CA – Union Institute & University (UI&U), a private, non-profit university with locations in Sacramento and Los Angeles, today announced leadership changes at both centers. The changes, effective July 1, 2010, are designed to support the growth of UI&U in California and beyond.

Dr. Beth Pastores-Palffy has been appointed dean of the California Centers in Los Angeles and Sacramento. She has served successfully as associate dean of the L.A. Center, and has been critically involved with the strategy to expand UI&U’s criminal justice management program in the L.A. area, as well as developing the successful child development major and outreach efforts. Pastores-Palffy will continue to work toward consistent academic quality in tandem with a strong learner support system.

Dr. James Rocheleau, dean of the two California undergraduate centers will assume a new position as associate provost for special projects. Additionally, he will continue to be responsible for the marketing and outreach effort for the California centers, driving program development and expanding marketing opportunities in California. “I extend my gratitude to Dr. Rocheleau for the growth of the California Centers,” said Provost Dr. Richard Hansen. “Rocheleau has provided leadership in both Sacramento and Los Angeles for the past __ years, doubling the size of each center and expanding Union’s visibility and reach to new sites and programs. The university’s Criminal Justice program has seen its most visible success under his leadership.”

Dr. Fatemeh Fazely has been appointed associate dean of the Sacramento Center. In this capacity, Fazely will be fully responsible for the Sacramento Center and will work directly with Pastores-Palffy. Fazely has served successfully as a faculty advisor in the Sacramento Center and is chair of the emergency services management major. In addition, she has served as a member of the Faculty Council and as chair of the Faculty Council Human Resources Committee.

UI&U's Lifelong Learning Offers New Course on the Enneagram

Union Institute & University’s Lifelong Learning program is pleased to announce that registration is now open for the new course: “Using the Enneagram in Psychological Practice and Assessment” with international bestselling author, Helen Palmer and Marlene Cresci-Cohen, Ph.D.

The Enneagram is one of the oldest human development systems on the planet. During the past decade, the system has undergone a renewal of scholarly attention within the context of current personality typologies. The result, said Helen Palmer, "is a reliable integration of psychological insight about human differences, set alongside a non-sectarian body of spiritual practice that relaxes inner resistance while encouraging inner receptivity."

Palmer is an internationally recognized teacher of intuition, and the best-selling author of five works in the human consciousness sector. She is the author of two books: The Enneagram: Understanding Yourself and the Others in Your Life and The Enneagram in Love and Work: Understanding Your Intimate and Business Relationships and is co-founder of Enneagram Worldwide and the Enneagram Professional Training Program offered by Enneagram Worldwide.

Palmer’s work with the Enneagram was the subject of a 2003 PBS documentary entitled, Breaking Out of the Box: Discovering the Enneagram. She has also presented in a wide range of academic, business and spiritual institutions, establishing Enneagram scholarship in the United States, England, Ireland, Germany, France, Switzerland, Finland, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Brazil, Australia, Thailand, and most recently, China. She has taught at John F. Kennedy University, Loyola of Chicago, the California School of Professional Psychology, and the California Institute of Integral Studies, and has been the Scholar-in-Residence at the Esalen Institute. In addition to being a Fellow of the Noetic Sciences Institute, Palmer has been recognized with numerous academic awards. The most recent honor was bestowed by the prestigious Waldzell Institute of Vienna, Austria, where she was a presenter at the institute's 2004 annual international conference. In attendance were recognized leaders in various fields, including three Nobel Laureates.

For more information or to register visit: http://www.enneagram.com/online_course.html.

UI&U Presents the 2nd Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Legacy Luncheon July 3

CINCINNATI - As part of its ongoing mission to engage the community in dialogue that creates positive social change, Union Institute & University (UI&U) will present the Second Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Legacy Luncheon, a collaboration of the UI&U Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Studies and the Martin Luther King Jr. Coalition of Greater Cincinnati. The event takes place Saturday, July 3, from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., at the Kingsgate Marriot in Cincinnati. The event will feature a keynote address Advancing Human Rights and Social Justice: The World House and the Morehouse College King Collection by oral historian Dr. Vicki Crawford, co-director of the Morehouse Martin Luther King Jr. Collection. UI&U Ph. D. candidate Ray Jordan will serve as the program’s moderator.

Dr. Crawford’s presentation will explore the legacy of Dr. King’s concept of the World House as expressed in the final chapter of his book, Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community? In this chapter, Dr. King described the enormous challenges facing humanity and the dire need to eradicate the triple oppressions of poverty, racism and militarism. Dr. Crawford will reflect upon King’s prophetic message and discuss its relevancy in today’s society. She will also share opportunities for teaching and learning utilizing the Morehouse College Martin Luther King Jr. Collection that contains more than 10,000 original items, including King’s sermons, speeches, correspondence, and other material.

As co-director of the Morehouse Martin Luther King, Jr. Collection, Dr. Crawford develops campus and community-based programming around the collection and explores instructional approaches to promote the teachings and legacy of Dr. King. She is an editor of the groundbreaking volume of essays, Women in the Civil Rights Movement: Trailblazers and Torchbearers which was one of the first collections published in the early 1990s, and she has organized workshops on community oral history and assisted in curating an exhibit on African American churches for the Museum of the New South in Charlotte, NC.

Dr. Crawford earned her Ph.D. in the field of American Studies with a concentration in 20th century African American history from Emory University in 1987. She completed a two-year post-doctoral fellowship as a Carolina Minority Post-Doctoral Fellow in the Department of History at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. As a Fulbright Fellow, Dr. Crawford traveled to Ghana and Cameroon, West Africa and participated in the Brethren Colleges Abroad Program to Cuba.

For more information about the luncheon contact Nicole Hamilton, UI&U public relations manager, at 513-487-1194 or nicole.hamilton@myunion.edu.

Dr. Shekhar Mitra, UI&U Board of Trustees Member, Awarded Ellis Island Medal of Honor

Other Honorees Include Golden Globe Award-Winning Actress Jane Seymour, Academy Award-Winning Director James Keach, Emmy Award-Winning Actor Robert Loggia & former MLB All-Star Mike Piazza

CINCINNATI – Union Institute & University (UI&U) is proud to announce that UI&U Board of Trustees member and P&G Senior Vice President Dr. Shekhar Mitra joined Golden Globe Award-Winning actress Jane Seymour and Academy Award-Winning director James Keach and other Ellis Island Medals of Honor recipients on Saturday, May 8 at the 25th Annual Ellis Island Medals of Honor Ceremony on Ellis Island. 

Dr. Mitra is recognized inside and outside P&G as a connector of ideas, people and opportunities and as an enabling leader who cares deeply about both people and business results. He has maintained and supported his ethnic identity and passionately advocated for diverse communities through personal and professional development, most recently demonstrated by his role in the founding of the Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers (SASE, www.saseconnect.org). Dr. Mitra’s contributions truly exemplify how P&G’s Company purpose to deliver meaningful innovation helps improve more consumers’ lives, in more parts of the world, more completely.


Dr. Mitra received a Master of Science in chemistry from the Indian Institute of Technology, and earned his Masters of Science and Ph.D. in life sciences from Columbia University. Upon completing a Jane Coffin Medical Research Fellowship at Yale University, he joined P&G in 1984 in the Company’s Oral Care business, working on the industry leading Crest brand. Throughout his career, Dr. Mitra has focused on improving consumers’ lives through game-changing branded innovation, both here in the US and in developed and developing markets around the globe. This includes his work on key brand innovation programs including Crest®, Crest® Whitestrips, Aleve®, Prilosec, OLAY®, SK-II, and Secret and establishing the Company’s Beijing Technical Center in 1997. He has been awarded over 50 patents spanning multiple categories in health and beauty.


Each year since 1986, NECO – whose mission is to honor our diverse past, to advocate for positive change in the present, and to build strong leaders for the future – has honored our nation's diverse past by sponsoring the Ellis Island Medals of Honor. The Ellis Island Medals of Honor annually pays tribute to the ancestry groups that comprise America’s unique cultural mosaic. The medals are presented on Ellis Island, in a dramatic ceremony, to American citizens of diverse origins for their outstanding contributions to their communities, their nation and the world.

Past Ellis Island Medal of Honor recipients include six Presidents of the United States, Nobel Prize winners, athletes, leaders of industry, artists and others whose work has made a lasting impact on humanity. They are awarded annually to outstanding American citizens, from all walks of life, who have distinguished themselves through their significant contributions to this country. The Ellis Island Medal of Honor ranks among the nation’s most prestigious awards. The U.S. Senate and House of Representatives have officially recognized the Ellis Island Medals of Honor, and each year the recipients are listed in the Congressional Record. To date, more than 1,600 American citizens have received Ellis Island Medals of Honor.

Some previous Medalists include: U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice William Rehnquist; Generals Norman Schwarzkopf and Colin Powell; Sen. John McCain; Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell; Mayor Rudolph Giuliani; U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno; Lee Iacocca; Dr. Michael E. DeBakey; Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao; Rosa Parks; Elie Wiesel; Frank Sinatra; Bob Hope; Opera diva Renee Fleming; Yogi Berra; Muhammad Ali; Arnold Palmer; Tom Brokaw; Walter Cronkite; Barbara Walters; Mike Wallace; Quincy Jones; Gloria & Emilio Estefan, Gary Sinise, Siegfried & Roy, H.E. Sheikha Haya Rashed Al Khalifa, President – United Nations 61st Session General Assembly (International Recipient), just to name a few.

For further information about NECO and the Ellis Island Medals of Honor, please visit: www.neco.org.

Dr. Betty Overton-Adkins Elected Chair of UI&U Board of Trustees

CINCINNATI – Union Institute & University (UI&U), a private, non-profit university headquartered in Cincinnati today announced that Betty Overton-Adkins, vice president for academic affairs at Spring Arbor University near Jackson, MI, has been named Chair of Union Institute & University’s Board of Trustees.

“Dr. Betty J. Overton-Adkins is one of the most creative minds in higher education today,” said UI&U President Roger H. Sublett, Ph.D. “Through her vast experience in a wide range of university settings, her commitment to providing learning and mentorship opportunities in innovative environments based on adult learning principles, and her extensive work with foundation programming in higher education, Betty's influence can be seen in historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), Native American tribal colleges, Hispanic-serving institutions and associations, as well as mainstream universities and colleges.”

A native of Jacksonville, FL, Dr. Overton-Adkins is a lifelong educator who began her career as a public school teacher. She has worked at both public and private colleges and universities as a faculty member, department chair, and graduate dean. At Spring Arbor University, she is responsible for all aspects of the graduate and undergraduate academic programs and faculty development, and also serves as professor of English.

Dr. Overton-Adkins previously served for 10 years as director of higher education programs for the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. Prior to her tenure at the Kellogg Foundation, Dr. Overton-Adkins was dean of the Graduate School at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, where she oversaw more than 20 graduate programs and the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs. She has also been a faculty member and administrator at Fisk University, Tennessee State University, and Nashville State Technical Institute. She currently serves as a Distinguished Visiting Professor at the Clinton School for Public Service in Little Rock, AR.

For more than two decades Dr. Overton-Adkins has served on numerous higher education professional and credentialing boards and committees, including her present positions on the board of the American Association of Higher Education, and as a commissioner of the Higher Learning Commission, North Central Association of Colleges and Universities. She has served on the boards of the Council of Graduate Schools, and the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE). She has written or co-authored numerous papers and articles, and currently serves on the editorial board of Change Magazine.

Dr. Overton-Adkins earned her Ph.D. in educational leadership from George Peabody College of Vanderbilt University. She received her baccalaureate and master’s degrees in English from Tennessee State University. In 1990 she attended the Institute for Educational Management at Harvard University, and returned to Harvard in 1996 as a visiting faculty fellow at the W.E.B. Dubois Research Institute. Her extensive community service roles include board member for the Quality Board of Foote Hospital in Jackson, Michigan, Sojourner House, Detroit; founder of Women of Color United Against Domestic Violence, Little Rock; governor's appointee to the Arkansas Science and Technology Authority; and former national board member of Bread for the World.

Learners and Families from Across the Globe Will Attend May 5 Montpelier Graduation

MONTPELIER – Adult learners enrolled in Union Institute & University’s BA Colloquium Program will join in College Hall Chapel on the Vermont College of Fine Art campus, 7 p.m., Wednesday, May 5 to take part in the BA Colloquium Commencement. The new graduates and their families are converging in Montpelier from the across the country; 81-year-old commencer Joan Ashley will be joined by her children who are traveling from Asia to see their mother earn her bachelor’s degree.

Learners enrolled in the Montpelier Center’s BA Colloquium program attend two or three week-long residencies in Montpelier and complete the remainder of their coursework at a distance. “Most of our commencers are adult learners who did not find satisfaction at traditional schools, but who flourished at Union, where they were able to do independent and self-designed study,” said Gail MacDonald, assistant director of the program.

Soon-to-be-graduate Joan Ashley of Hanover, NH, was drawn to the program’s flexibility and the opportunity to create a program based on her individual interests, talents, and unique experiences. With the help of UI&U professors, she was able to create a program that allowed her to incorporate her vast knowledge of the world with her work with NGOs.

“I think saying ‘yes’ has opened many doors for me. I thrive on new experiences, and I often say yes and then I see where it leads me,” said Joan. “I cannot say enough about Union’s program,” said Joan. “The faculty is superb, and I love the diversity of the learners. We are of all ages and backgrounds, and when we get together we have real conversation. We find we really care about each other.”

Joan’s children, including two traveling from Ho Chi Minh City and Bangkok, will present her with her diploma. The commencement will also feature a keynote address by BA faculty Marty McMahon. For more information on the UI&U commencement, please contact Gail MacDonald at 802-828-8815 or Nicole Hamilton at 513-487-1194.

Brattleboro BA Program Open House and Commencement Weekend

Saturday’s Open House features presentations by new graduates; Rickey Gard Diamond, founding editor of Vermont Woman, to serve as Sunday’s commencement speaker

BRATTLEBORO - Union Institute & University (UI&U), a non-profit, private university that offers degree programs designed for the busy adult with two centers in Brattleboro, will host an Open House, from 1-3 p.m., Saturday, April 24, at the Brattleboro Academic Center, 3 University Way. The Open House is in conjunction with the BA program’s commencement taking place at 11:45, Sunday, April 25, in the Community Room at the Vermont Academic Center.

Rickey Gard Diamond, contributing editor and founding editor of Vermont Woman, will serve as the commencement speaker. Vermont Woman was voted the New England Press Association’s Newspaper of the Year in 2007 and 2008, and its writers, including Diamond, have won individual awards. Diamond has also published a novel, Second Sight, and numerous short stories, including “Black Bears,” which placed in Glimmer Train’s 2008 Fiction Open. She lives in Montpelier and is a professor at Union Institute & University.

“Most of our commencers are adult learners who did not find satisfaction at traditional schools, but who flourished at Union, where they were able to do independent and self-designed study,” said Sharon Sprague, assistant director of the BA Brattleboro program.

At the Saturday Open House, many of the graduating learners will give presentations based on their studies in the BA program. For example, in her talk, “Ethical Dilemma of Dementia,” learner Mary Daigle - a care giver on a dementia unit in a long-term care facility - will discuss how dementia is viewed by persons of different ethnicities around the world and explore some of the key reasons why some cultures may hesitate at seeking help outside of family for their loved one.

The open house will also feature UI&U BA faculty, Acting Dean Dr. P. Neal Meier and Associate Dean Dr. Ann Stanton.

Union Institute & University’s Brattleboro BA, MA and CAGS programs are located in the Vermont Agricultural and Education Center on Old Guilford Road. The PsyD program is based out of the Marlboro Graduate Center downtown. For more information about the Brattleboro BA programs and the Open House please contact the Brattleboro Academic Center at 257-9411. For information about Union Institute & University visit www.myunion.edu.

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Cellist Michael Fitzpatrick Performs for UI&U's Center for Clinical Mindfulness & Meditation

CELLIST MICHAEL FITZPATRICK TO PERFORM AT NEW THOUGHT UNITY CENTER MAY 21

Fitzpatrick has worked closely with the Dalai Lama for 13 years. His performance marks the launch of UI&U’s Center for Clinical Mindfulness & Meditation.

CINCINNATI - Following his performance for the opening of the Dalai Lama’s teachings in Bloomington, IN, award-winning cellist Michael Fitzpatrick will perform at the New Thought Unity Center for the inauguration of the Center for Clinical Mindfulness & Meditation. The new center is part of the doctorate in psychology program (PsyD) at Union Institute & University (UI&U), a private, non-profit university headquartered in Walnut Hills.

Hailed by The New York Times as “possessing virtuosity, an ear for musical dialogue,” Fitzpatrick is a recipient of the Price Charles Award for outstanding musicianship and has worked closely with His Holiness the XIVth Dalai Lama for the past 13 years. In addition to collaborating with the Dalai Lama at global events, he worked with him on the historic Compassion Rising project inspired by the Dalai Lama’s relationship with the late Thomas Merton. The project featured the unprecedented musical collaboration between Tibetan and Trappist monks recorded and filmed inside Mammoth Cave.

Fitzpatrick was also instrumental in bringing together the Dalai Lama and Muhammad Ali for their historic first-meeting, performing his signature composition Invocation for World Peace for Solo Cello to commence the Blessing Ceremony of the Chamtse Ling Temple in Bloomington.

“Michael is at the forefront of musicians who utilize music as a vehicle for inducing feelings of peace, and we very honored that he is able to perform for the inauguration of The Center for Clinical Mindfulness & Meditation,” said Dr. Richard Sears, director of the new center that is dedicated to researching and promoting the clinical uses of mindfulness and meditation to foster mental wellness in individuals, schools, and organizations.

The concert is in partnership with New Thought Unity with sponsorship from A Small Group. It will take place Friday, May 21, at 7p.m. at New Thought Unity Center, 1401 E. McMillan Street, Walnut Hills. Tickets: $10 in advance, $15 at the door. A reception with Michael Fitzpatrick to celebrate the new center will immediately follow the performance. To order tickets call 513-961-2527 or visit www.ntunity.org. For more information on UI&U and the Center for Clinical Mindfulness & Meditation visit http://www.myunion.edu/ccmm/.

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UI&U Hosts Open House Tuesday April 13 To Celebrate Partnership with the Urban League of Greater Cincinnati

PATT-MCDANIEL ANNOUNCES URBAN LEAGUE OF GREATER CINCINNATI AS SITE OF LOCAL SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER

Union Institute & University, the Center's Higher Education Partner, Will Host an Open House Tuesday, April 13, from 4-6 p.m.     

CINCINNATI – Lisa Patt-McDaniel, Director of the Ohio Department of Development, today announced that the Urban League of Greater Cincinnati will receive a grant to enable them to serve as the site of the new local Small Business Development Center (SBDC), to be housed at Union Institute & University in Walnut Hills. The Urban League will formally accept the grant at a press conference at 10 a.m., Tuesday, April 13, at its headquarters located at 3458 Reading Road, Avondale.

An open house will be held on that same Tuesday from 4-6 p.m. at the new SBDC site at Union Institute & University, 440 East McMillan Street, in Walnut Hills. During the open house, guests can tour the university’s facility and SBDC offices, gain information on the services available, and receive on-the-spot business counseling.

“The services and assistance provided by the Urban League’s SBDC are critical to the Cincinnati area’s small businesses,” Patt-McDaniel said. “We appreciate the hard work of our dedicated partners who are helping to meet the ever-changing needs of our small business owners and entrepreneurs.”

The local SBDC is partnering with Union Institute & University as well as with the Hispanic Chamber Cincinnati USA to offer the services to area Hispanic small businesses and startups. In addition to housing the SBDC, Union Institute & University will serve as the higher education partner.

The Small Business Development Center, a one-stop location for business and technical assistance, counseling, business training, quality-based assessments, loan packaging guidance, and information on federal, state, and local regulations and programs. Certified Business Advisors® are available for counseling by appointment Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Donna Jones Baker, president and CEO of the Urban League of Greater Cincinnati commented, “We are excited to be selected as the newest member of the Ohio Small Business Development Center Network. This will allow us the opportunity to expand the service offerings currently provided to the clients being served through the Urban Leagues’ Economic Empowerment Center and serve the broader Cincinnati business community.”

For more information about the Urban League of Greater Cincinnati’s Small Business Development Center, please call Sheila Mixon, Director at (513) 487-1274.

The Small Business Development Center of Ohio Network was created in 1985 through a partnership between the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Ohio Department of Development. The program fosters a strong climate for small business growth with many local community partners including colleges and universities, economic development agencies, chambers of commerce, and other community organizations.

The Entrepreneurship and Small Business Division’s mission is to provide innovative programs and services to Ohio entrepreneurs and small business owners, through effective communication, collaboration, creativity, and technology support to encourage sustainable growth.

Working with our partners across business, state, and local governments, academia, and the nonprofit sector, the Ohio Department of Development works to attract, create, grow, and retain businesses through competitive incentives and targeted investments. Engaged every day in marketing, innovating, investing, and collaborating, the Ohio Department of Development works at the speed of business to accelerate and support the teamwork that is absolutely necessary for success by providing financial, informational, and technical assistance to those making an investment in Ohio’s future.

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Tara Scherner de la Fuente Promoted To Assistant Dean of UI&U's Cohort Ph.D. Program

CINCINNATI - Union Institute & University (UI&U), a private, non-profit university headquartered in Cincinnati today announced the promotion of Tara Scherner de la Fuente to assistant dean of the Cohort Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Studies program. In her role as Assistant Dean, Administration, Scherner de la Fuente will assume primary responsibility for key administrative tasks, including recruitment, budget management, and faculty services. She will assist in the ongoing development and implementation of program procedures and structure while continuing to develop administrative processes to help the university more fully realize the Cohort Ph.D. program’s current strengths and future potential.

“From the beginning, Tara demonstrated a willingness to take on, and began moving toward, a larger administrative role that we are formally acknowledging and making official,” said Dr. Larry Preston, Dean of the Cohort Ph.D. program. “Her experience as a leader in private corporations and higher education are just the right combination of knowledge and skills needed to more fully develop and administer the Cohort Ph.D. program.”

Scherner de la Fuente has completed the coursework for the Ph.D. in English at the University of Cincinnati. She has more than six years of teaching and administration experience at the UC, where she designed and taught a variety of undergraduate English courses. She also served as the recruiter for the Boston Symphony Orchestra and ran a conference center office in a small castle in the Alps of Austria. She holds a Master’s degree in English from UC and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Emerson College. She has published poetry and prose in several publications.

For more information about UI&U's Cohort Ph.D. Program visit www.myunion.edu/academics/cohort/ or call 1-877-533-6338.

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UI&U Announces Tuition Increase for 2010-2011 Academic Year

UNION INSTITUTE & UNIVERSITY ANNOUNCES ONE PERCENT TUITION INCREASE FOR THE 2010-2011 ACADEMIC YEAR
Increase is well below the national average; UI&U remains committed to making higher education possible for every adult learner


CINCINNATI, OH – Union Institute & University (UI&U), a private, non-profit university headquartered in Walnut Hills today announced a one percent increase in tuition for the 2011 academic year that runs from July 2010 through June 30, 2011. The one percent increase is well below national average. According to the Smart Student Guide to Financial Aid, (FinAid.org) the average college inflation rate is 7% or 8% per year for the next ten years. (http://www.collegeboard.com/press/releases/208962.html)

Union’s provost, deans, enrollment managers, and financial administrators worked alongside UI&U trustees to examine options and to prepare a budget that would implement the smallest possible increase in tuition and fees. They considered a variety of factors, including information from the College Board and other national trends that lead to increases including the cost of energy, insurance, information technology, and library materials.

“Union Institute & University pledges to continue to offer the highest quality educational programs, and to make every attempt to control expenditures in order to serve the greatest number of persons who can benefit from our method of education,” said UI&U President Roger H. Sublett.

In its ongoing effort to make higher education possible for all adult learners, UI&U increased available scholarship dollars university-wide by more than $400,000 this year and to offset the small tuition increase, the university is engaged in efforts to find more scholarship opportunities for its learners. Recently, UI&U recently secured a $50,000 grant for female learners in Cincinnati through the Kellogg Foundation.

The university is also working out tuition offsets for those transferring from schools with which it has articulation agreements and has expanded library databases and services. This spring, UI&U will convert to a greatly improved student database system that provides learners 24/7 access to account and academic records. In addition, UI&U increased the availability of online courses and options, replaced much travel with audio and video conferencing, and, by changing the academic calendars, has been able to increase federal financial aid (loans and grants) available for several programs.

“We remain true to this goal and also remain committed to our cornerstones of inclusiveness and outreach to underserved populations that have been a part of our legacy and imperative components for our vision for the future,” said Dr. Sublett.

For more information, including detailed tuition and fees for each program, please visit www.myunion.edu/tuition or contact Nicole Hamilton, public relations manager at 513-487-1194.

UI&U Launches Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies Program

New post-graduate program prepares learners for licensure and helps them advance in their careers while focusing on their individual goals and interests

BRATTLEBORO, VT. - Union Institute & University, a private, non-profit university with two locations in Brattleboro today announced the launch of the Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies (CAGS) with concentrations in Psychology and Counseling, a certificate program designed for post-graduate learners who want to continue their education and wish to expand on their previous training in the science of psychology and the art of the helping professions.

“The CAGS program offers rigorous academic processes for both licensure-bound learners, enabling them to meet increasingly detailed specifications for credentialing, as well as those advancing their career goals in non-licensure tracks,” said Dr. Nicholas Young, director of UI&U’s programs in psychology and counseling. “The post-graduate program is directed towards mastery in the field, and like all Union programs, the focus is on the individual goals and unique needs of learners.”

Learners in the CAGS program can chose concentrations that prepare them for licensure: professional counseling and counselor education and supervision; as well as non-licensure concentrations in human development and wellness, and psychology education.

The two brief residency options are sensitive to adults with busy lives. Those who live close to the Brattleboro Center or who desire more frequent face-to-face contact may opt for the Weekend Option, while those at a distance may select the National Option that meets for a week twice each year. For more information contact the UI&U Graduate Admissions Office at 1-800-336-6794 ext. 8900, or email BrattleboroCenter@myunion.edu.

UI&U’s Brattleboro Academic Center Appoints New Director of Admissions

UNION INSTITUTE & UNIVERSITY APPOINTS DIANE ROBINSON AS DIRECTOR OF ADMISSIONS FOR BRATTLEBORO ACADEMIC CENTER

BRATTLEBORO, VT – Union Institute & University (UI&U), a non-profit, private university that offers degree programs designed for the busy adult, today announced that Diane Robinson has been appointed Director of Admissions for the Brattleboro Academic Center, BA Brattleboro Weekend, MA Counseling & Psychology, CAGS and PsyD programs.

“As the new admissions director for all Brattleboro programs, my goal is to continue to open our doors to the community, including hosting faculty lectures, films and discussions, open houses, visiting days, and other events featuring current learners and alumni,” said Robinson. “Union has been a solid presence in Brattleboro for many years and we would like to extend an invitation to community members to stop by and meet our admissions professionals. Our programs are an excellent fit for anyone seeking a local degree option.”

Prior to being hired by Union’s PsyD program in 2008, Robinson spent more than 15 years in international education, with a specialty in admissions, recruitment, and marketing for study abroad programs. She served as Associate Director of Admissions for SIT Study Abroad and, more recently, at the Boston University-accredited School for Field Studies. While at Community College of Vermont's Brattleboro Center, she spearheaded the design of their study abroad programs and taught film. Robinson holds masters and bachelors degrees from Keene State College.

Union Institute & University’s Brattleboro BA, MA and CAGS programs are located in the Vermont Agricultural and Education Center on Old Guilford Road. The PsyD program is based out of the Marlboro Graduate Center downtown. For more information or to schedule an appointment to hear about degree options and requirements, please call 257-9411.

Graduate Degree Open House/Info Session March 9 at Cincinnati Center

UNION INSTITUTE & UNIVERSITY HOSTS MARCH 9 OPEN HOUSE AND INFO SESSION FOR MASTERS AND DOCTORAL PROGRAMS

CINCINNATI – Union Institute & University, a non-profit, private university headquartered in Walnut Hills that features flexible, individualized, and socially relevant bachelors and masters degrees programs for the adult learner will host an Open House/Info Session for those interested in the university’s masters and doctoral programs. The info session will take place 5:30-7 p.m., March 9, at Union Institute & University’s Walnut Hills location.

Union offers several graduate degree options including the Master of Arts Online, one of UI&U’s newest and fastest growing programs; the Master of Arts with Concentrations in Psychology and Counseling; and the Master of Education. Working closely with professors, learners in UI&U’s Master’s programs design a practical and socially-relevant course of study that empowers them to make meaningful, positive change in their life, community, and the world.

Union’s doctorate programs (Ph.D., Psy.D., and Ed.D programs) play a distinctive role in American higher education. Grounded in humanistic inquiry, they incorporate developing interdisciplinary fields of study in ways that advance your understanding of ethics, the creative process, and the possibilities of institutional and social change.

Union offers a rich academic environment where learners interact with faculty and fellow learners and flexible class times. Doctoral degree programs utilize a distributed learning model which includes the integration of face-to-face and online courses, and monthly meetings with faculty, colleagues, and other professionals.
UI&U’s Graduate Open House is open to the public, however seating is limited. Please RSVP to Brooke Fletcher at 513-487-1219 or brooke.fletcher@myunion.edu, by March 9. Ample free parking is available and light refreshments will be served.


Graduate Open House Schedule
Union Institute & University
Graduate Information Session, March 9, 5:30-7 p.m.
Union Institute & University
440 East McMillan Street, Walnut Hills

Tuesday, March 9,

Check-in
5:30pm, Welcome and Union Overview Room 100

Doctor of Education (EdD) with specializations in: Room 210/218
Educational Leadership
Higher Education
Michelle Flick, Enrollment Counselor

PhD in Interdisciplinary Studies with concentrations in: Room 118/120
Ethical & Creative Leadership
Humanities & Culture
Public Policy & Social Change
Dr. Toni Gregory, Associate Dean
Regina Sewell, PhD Doctoral Admissions Counselor

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)
with a concentration in clinical psychology Room 124
Diane Robinson, PsyD Doctoral Admissions Counselor
Dr. Jennifer Scott, Licensed, Board Certified Clinical
Psychologist and Core Faculty,

MEd Online Room 211
Kim Cotton, Enrollment Counselor

MA Online concentrations Room 100
History and Culture
Literature and Writing
Leadership, Public Policy, and Social Issues
Health and Wellness
Creativity Studies
Education
Dr. Gregory Stewart

MA with concentrations: Room 100
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Counseling Psychology
Developmental Psychology
Educational Psychology
Industrial/Organizational Psychology
General Psychology (online only)
Dr. Gregory Stewart

Announcing the Women's Empowerment Scholarship

UNION INSTITUTE & UNIVERSITY ANNOUNCES THE
WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT SCHOLARSHIP
“Through its generous support, the Kellogg Foundation is making it possible for women in Cincinnati to earn a degree, advance professionally, and fulfill their dreams.”

CINCINNATI – Union Institute & University (UI&U), a private, non-profit university headquartered in Walnut Hills offering flexible, individualized, and socially relevant degree programs for adults is pleased to announce the UI&U Women’s Empowerment Scholarship Fund, to benefit single, female, head-of-household learners who enroll in the UI&U Bachelor of Science program in Cincinnati.

The scholarship is funded by a $50,000 grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation of Battle Creek, Mich. and will be awarded for UI&U’s Spring/Summer 2010 and Fall 2010 semesters.

The grant addresses two of the biggest hurdles for adults who want to pursue a college education which are time and finances. These can be insurmountable obstacles for women, in particular, who juggle children, career, and growing indebtedness.

“The scholarship program has a far-reaching impact. By providing single mothers with the opportunity to earn a college degree, they will have the potential to increase their earning potential, and thereby the opportunity to both better provide for their children and serve as role models - giving the entire family a brighter future and a better chance at achieving academic and career success,” said Dr. Carolyn Turner, dean of UI&U’s Cincinnati undergraduate programs. “Through its generous support, the Kellogg Foundation has provided the opportunity for women in Cincinnati to earn a degree, advance professionally, and fulfill their dreams.”

UI&U President Roger H. Sublett said, “The Women’s Empowerment Scholarship is a direct reflection of Union Institute & University’s ongoing commitment to engage, enlighten, and empower adults as they pursue a lifetime of service. All of UI&U’s programs are rooted in real-world application,” Dr. Sublett continued, “and many UI&U graduates are fulfilling leadership roles at local organizations including Head Start, United Way, and Hamilton County Job and Family Services.”

The Women’s Empowerment Scholarship will support a minimum of 15 scholarships in the amount of $3,300 to single, female, heads-of-household who care for dependent children and who are newly admitted to the B.S. program for the Spring/Summer semester starting May 2, 2010. The deadline to apply for the scholarship is March 12, 2010. For more information contact Kim Cotton, Enrollment and Outreach Coordinator at 513-487-1219 or at kim.cotton@myunion.edu.