"Lincoln on Leadership" Author to Deliver Keynote at July 8 MLK Legacy Luncheon

Donald T. Phillips

Donald T. Phillips helped pave the way toward the creation of a new genre of books on historical leadership

CINCINNATI, OH - As part of its ongoing mission to engage the community in dialogue that creates positive social change and inspire servant leadership, Union Institute & University’s (UI&U) Ph.D. program will host the biannual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Legacy Luncheon, Friday, July 8, from noon – 1:30 p.m. at the Kingsgate Marriot in Clifton. Bestselling author and expert on historical leadership, Donald T. Phillips, will deliver the keynote address titled “Social Change and the Role of the Scholar.”

“We are honored that Donald Phillips will serve as the guest speaker for the upcoming MLK luncheon,” said Dr. Nancy Boxill, coordinator of UI&U’s Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Studies Martin Luther King Jr. Specialization. “His exploration into the leadership styles of Martin Luther King Jr. and Abraham Lincoln - among other great leaders –serves as an important tool for our scholars who are applying MLK’s leadership practices to their own work in making lasting change in their communities.”

Phillips first became interested in leadership as an executive working for a large corporation in the late 1980s. Seeking ways to become a better manager, he found that seminars and books on leadership emphasized worker productivity but had little consideration for people. This led him to learn about leadership by studying the life and work of President Abraham Lincoln.

His first book, Lincoln on Leadership, paved the way toward the creation of a new genre of books on historical leadership and served as his inspiration for a trilogy on America leadership that also includes The Founding Fathers on Leadership and Martin Luther King, Jr. on Leadership. Today, Phillips is also an internationally-acclaimed speaker on historical leadership and has worked with companies including Lockheed Martin and Oracle, addressing executives on effective leadership.

Union’s biannual MLK Luncheon is an integral part of the university’s MLK Studies specialization within the Ph.D. program and is held twice yearly in conjunction with Ph.D. residencies in Cincinnati. The July 8 luncheon, from noon-1:30 p.m., will be held in the Grand Ballroom at the Kingsgate Marriott, 151 Goodman Drive, Clifton. The event is open to the public, however, seating is limited. Cost is $25 and includes lunch. To reserve tickets contact Nicole Mayes-Boyd, senior program specialist, at 513-487-1142 or at nicole.mayes-boyd@myunion.edu.

Non-Profit Leader Appointed Director of UI&U's Center for Lifelong Learning

Dayle Deardurff

Dayle Deardurff has led several Cincinnati non-profit organizations; will create programs for Union designed for career and personal development

CINCINNATI, OH - Union Institute & University (UI&U), a private, non-profit university headquartered in Walnut Hills today announced it has appointed Dayle Deardurff director of the university’s Center for Lifelong Learning. In her role as director, Deardurff will design and implement programs that provide educational opportunities for students and professionals looking to further their career, maintain professional certification or licensure, earn pre-requisite credits, or follow a passion.

Union Institute & University currently offers a variety courses as part of its Center for Lifelong Learning. In addition to the student-designed course option, the center also works with outside organizations to design and implement external courses for UI&U graduate or undergraduate credit. As the new director, Deardurff plans to partner with Cincinnati employers, local community leaders and non-profit organizations to provide workshops and certificate programs for professionals, in addition to courses and programs designed to meet an individual’s specific career and personal development needs.

“We are very excited to bring Dayle on board and to support her in her efforts to expand our offerings for individuals serving business, non-profit, and governmental sectors,” said UI&U President Roger H. Sublett. “Her experience and expertise are a good fit for Union’s mission to serve adults, engage the mind and the spirit, and enhance community service.”

“Union’s Lifelong Learning program has the potential to become one of the region’s best resources for professional career development. Our flexible and highly supportive structure enables us to provide personalized support to both organizations and individuals, and our national and online presence provides a unique foundation to tap our expert faculty who are located across the country.” said Deardurff. “I am very excited to work with Union’s staff and faculty to create opportunities for our community.”

Deardurff brings to Union significant management experience in non-profit organizational development, operations, program design and development, and nonprofit consulting. Her most recent position was as director for Northern Kentucky University’s Institute for Nonprofit Capacity where she oversaw the development of the nonprofit resource center, forging partnerships within the university and with outside organizations to serve the region’s non-profits. She recently authored a report on the status of nonprofits in our region, “Holding Our Community Together: The Nonprofits of Greater Cincinnati.”

Prior to joining NKU, Deardurff served as president and chief executive officer for Cincinnati Works, where she led a staff of 20 in its mission to reduce poverty through sustainable employment. Under her direction, Cincinnati Works successfully met a 20 percent increased demand for services through restructured operations, improved fundraising and enhanced program delivery.

Before serving at Cincinnati Works, Deardurff was executive officer of Public Allies Cincinnati, the local site of the national AmeriCorps program that provided experiential leadership development for hundreds of local young adults by placing them in paid, ten-month leadership development internships at more than 40 non-profit organizations.

In this role, from 2000-2007, Deardurff directed all aspects of agency operations including program development, client data collection, grant writing and reporting, media and community outreach efforts, and the recruitment and training of AmeriCorps volunteers in Cincinnati.

In 1996, Deardurff was hired as the executive director of ProKids, in charge of designing, implementing, and developing the new child advocacy agency (CASA, Court Appointed Special Advocates). Under her direction, ProKids grew from a staff of three and 30 volunteers to a staff of 23 with more than 100 volunteers serving 2,000 children.

Deardurff earned a B.A. from Bowling Green State University and a J.D. from Creighton School of Law in Omaha, Nebraska.

For more information about Union Institute & University’s Center for Lifelong Learning, contact Nicole Hamilton, public relations manager, at nicole.hamilton@myunion.edu, or 513-487-1194.

Partnership With Columbus State Community College Grows

Union is the only outside university that offers a “3+1” opportunity on-site at the community college

CINCINNATI – Union Institute & University (UI&U) today announced that it will bring four additional bachelor of science programs to Columbus State Community College (CCSC), providing more opportunities for Columbus State students with an associate degree to earn a bachelor of science degree from UI&U, the private, non-profit university headquartered in Cincinnati.

In September 2010, UI&U faculty began teaching courses on-site at Columbus State’s downtown campus to CSCC students who are enrolled in UI&U’s sport management concentration with a goal to earn a UI&U BS in leadership. The first class exceeded the enrollment goals, and prompted the two higher learning institutions to add additional BS degree programs in criminal justice, early childhood studies, emergency services management, and business management.

“We are pleased to be able to create structured learning experiences that meet the specific needs and career objectives of Columbus State graduates,” said Dr. Carolyn Turner, UI&U undergraduate dean. “By working closely with Columbus State faculty, we were able to design degree programs that are not only in line with the goals of the Columbus State student, but also reinforce UI&U’s dedication to providing relevant and academically-challenging undergraduate programs that fit the lifestyle of today’s busy students.”

While Columbus State has many agreements with nearby colleges and universities, UI&U is the only outside college that offers a “3+1” opportunity onsite at CSCC. Students can take all four years of their bachelor’s degree at Columbus State with the first three years offered by CSCC and the last through classes offered by Union. This offers students a substantial savings on their tuition, and provides a convenient and accelerated path to attain a bachelor’s degree.

"Columbus State has a history of working with other institutions to offer a variety of options for our graduates to continue their education," says Will Kopp, vice president for Institutional Advancement. "Union Institute & University offers a fresh option by providing instructors and classes for CCSC students directly on the Columbus State downtown campus. That arrangement is a very convenient option for our students."

An articulation agreement recently established between UI&U and Columbus State allows Columbus State students from selected programs to transfer appropriate course work toward their bachelor’s degree at UI&U. In addition, graduates of Columbus State’s associate 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.

Courses in criminal justice management begin in late June and business management, emergency services management, and early childhood studies courses, all leading to bachelor’s degree with these specific majors, will start in September 2011.

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

Cincinnati Center Hosts Degree Completion Open House June 8

CINCINNATI, OH - Union Institute & University (UI&U), a private, non-profit university headquartered in Walnut Hills, will host an Undergraduate Open House for those interested in learning more about the university’s undergraduate degree completion programs, from 2-7 p.m., Wednesday, June 8, at the Cincinnati Academic Center located at 440 East McMillan Street. Faculty will be on hand at the open house to talk to potential students, and enrollment counselors will be available to evaluate transcripts on-the-spot.

Since 1964, Union has offered degree completion programs designed for adults who seek a customized, faculty-directed degree program that fits their busy schedule. The university offers B.A. and B.S. degree programs in a variety of majors including liberal studies (with five areas of concentration including writing, psychology, and sustainability), as well as business management, business administration, criminal justice management, leadership, early childhood studies, emergency service management, and social work. In addition, Union is one of the only higher education institutions in the country to offer a BS in maternal child health: lactation consulting.

Union’s accelerated undergraduate degree programs incorporate the students’ prior transfer credits earned at other universities or colleges, consider the students’ relevant professional experience and knowledge, and identify a set of remaining courses that reflect the students’ personal goals and satisfies UI&U degree requirements. Unlike most universities, Union does not put a time limit on transferring in credits earned at other higher learning institutions.

Reservations for the June 8 open house are not required, but recommended. For more information contact Union Institute & University’s Cincinnati Academic Center admissions personnel at admissions@myunion.edu or at 513-487-1219.

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