Thursday, January 29, 2009

Upcoming Seminar: Aging & The Brain

MIRROR, MIRROR ON THE WALL: WHAT IS AGING AFTER ALL?
SEMINAR TO OFFER IMPORTANT NEW FINDINGS ABOUT
THE AGING BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR
Dr. Gene Cohen, world-renowned expert on aging, to keynote the event

CINCINNATI – Union Institute & University (UI&U) and the Academy of Medicine have partnered to present, Mirror, Mirror on the Wall: What is Aging After All: Important, Interesting, and Surprising New Findings About the Aging Brain and Behavior, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Saturday, May 9, at the Duke Energy Center. The event will open with remarks by former Olympian and award-winning talk show host Julie Isphording, and feature keynote speaker Dr. Gene Cohen, MD, PhD, author, and director of the Center on Aging, Health, and Humanities at George Washington University.

Dr. Cohen is a graduate of Cincinnati’s Union Institute & University, Harvard College, and Georgetown University School of Medicine. The first editor-in-chief of The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, he is the author of several books including The Creative Age: Awakening Human Potential in the Second Half of Life, and most recently, The Mature Mind: The Positive Power of the Aging Brain. Dr. Cohen has appeared on Nightline (interviewed by Barbara Walters), the MacNeil/Lehrer Hour, and The Today Show, among other national news broadcasts.

“This is a remarkable time scientifically in the field of aging. Longtime negative myths and stereotypes are being turned upside down, replaced by new findings pointing to those positive changes in the second half of life that occur because of aging, not despite aging,” said Dr. Cohen. “Science regarding aging has become exciting, surprising, positive, and hopeful.” In addition to his keynote address, Mirror, Mirror on the Wall: What is Aging After All? Positive Brain and Behavior Changes Because of Aging, Not Despite It, he will conclude the seminar with a presentation titled Brain Fitness: Exercises for the Brain.

Prominent Cincinnati-based experts on aging will speak at the event - including Cathy Creger Rosenbaum, PharmD, who will offer advice on nutrition, brain health, and guarding your memory, and Dr. Michael Keys of Linder Center of Hope, who will discuss depression in late life. Julie Isphording will discuss the importance of being active mentally and physically throughout your life.

The event is presented with the generous support of The Helen Steiner Rice Fund of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation.

The daylong event is open to the public. Cost: Academy of Medicine members and health professionals, $75; non-Academy member physicians, $150; non-healthcare professionals, $40; senior discount (55 years or older), $35; family/groups of 4 or more, $30 per person. Cost includes lunch, educational materials, and educational credits for those paying physician/health professional rate. For information or to register contact The Academy of Medicine, (513) 421-7010, or visit www.academyofmedicine.org.

UI&U Launches New Web Site

UNION INSTITUTE & UNIVERSITY LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE
www.myunion.edu designed to change your thinking about higher education;
reflects recent changes at UI&U

Cincinnati, OH – Union Institute & University (UI&U), today launched its newly designed Web site, www.myunion.edu. Under the banner, “Change Your Thinking,” the innovative new Web site showcases the university’s wide array of undergraduate, master's, and doctoral degree offerings, and provides access to other university services, including financial aid, courses for visiting learners and non-credit lifelong learning courses.

Union President Dr. Roger Sublett said the new Web site is timely, considering the competitive market and the university’s recent launch of three innovative doctoral programs, the expansion of UI&U's undergraduate majors, and the success of UI&U’s Master of Arts Online program, one of the university’s most popular degree programs. In addition, the university has renewed its focus on customer service and accelerated degree completion. “In these difficult economic times, working adults are looking for ways to integrate their lives with their learning, as well as make themselves more attractive to their current or prospective employer,” said Dr. Sublett. “Whether they are seeking to further their professional development, returning to complete an unfinished degree, or fulfilling a lifetime goal, Union Institute & University provides affordable and accessible options for degree-seeking adults. Our new Web site will help drive our mission and vision.”

Designed by Cincinnati-based advertising agency, the Creative Department, myunion.edu provides simple and intuitive navigation for prospective learners to quickly find the program that best fits their location, their schedule, and their learning style. Steve Deiters, partner and creative director at the Creative Department, said most adults have preconceived notions of how college is supposed to work, “They think, “‘I can't afford to go back to college,’ or ‘I don't have the time to take off work,’” said Deiters. We found a creative way to communicate how Union Institute & University very uniquely challenges the conventional learning process. It's time to change your thinking – about your own education.”

The site highlights selected current students and alumni and describes how Union changed their thinking – about their education and their lives. According to UI&U’s Web manager Mark Stevens, the site reflects the best Union has to offer – and in an intuitive and informative method. “Information about Union’s degree programs are only two clicks away,” Stevens said. “Detailed information about financial aid and the online ‘anytime’ application is available on every page.”

The original “university without walls,” UI&U was founded in 1964 as an accredited private, non-profit institution of higher learning where working adults have the opportunity to pursue a degree regardless of where they live and work. By providing academic programs that are flexible, affordable, customizable, and empowering, UI&U provides degree paths for professional adults to advance their careers without interrupting professional, family, or community commitments.

Founded in 1992, the Creative Department is an award-winning ad agency that has built business by breathing life into brands and framing communications in compelling ways – whether traditional, interactive, or guerrilla. Their portfolio includes advertising campaigns for clients including The BMW Store and Schmitt Söhne Reisling, Web site launches for Silkflowers and i-wireless, as well as local initiatives with Busken Bakery, the Fine Arts Fund, and several divisions of Procter & Gamble. For more information, please visit www.creativedepartment.com.

Thursday, December 18, 2008

New Dean at UI&U Florida Center

DR. BERYL WATNICK NAMED DEAN OF
UNION INSTITUTE & UNIVERSITY’S FLORIDA CENTER
Dr. Marie Bogat, current dean of Florida’s undergraduate programs, will resume her role as a full-time faculty member

NORTH MIAMI BEACH, FL – Union Institute & University (UI&U) today announced that Dr. Beryl Watnick has been appointed dean of undergraduate programs for UI&U’s Florida Academic Center. Dr. Watnick takes over from Dr. Marie Bogat, longtime dean of the undergraduate program, who will resume her role as a full-time faculty member.

“Beryl is a dedicated member of the educational community in southern Florida and brings a creative touch to help educators in all stages of their careers, from earning a bachelor’s or master’s degree to professional preparation,” said Dr. Roger Sublett, President of UI&U. “She is an invaluable resource for South Florida educators, and she will serve our learners well.”

A 1996 alumna of UI&U’s doctoral program, Dr. Watnick joined UI&U in 2001 to develop and lead UI&U’s Florida Master of Education and Education Specialist programs. She has worked across degree programs to include the undergraduate program, the Master of Education, and the doctoral programs in her efforts to recruit and train southern Florida’s teachers and administrators. A member of several professional organizations, she has published and presented both nationally and internationally.

Prior to joining UI&U, Dr. Watnick served as an administrator with Miami-Dade County Public Schools supervising family literacy programs in school sites and programs housed in the migrant community and a women’s correctional facility. In this role, she was responsible for monitoring 50 staff people who provided services to 350 families. In addition, she wrote and was awarded several major state and federal grants while working for the school district.

Dr. Marie Bogat has served as dean since 2001, and as faculty since 1993. In her role as dean of the Florida Center, she fostered increased visibility for the university throughout Florida, and strengthened relationships between the university and area school districts. “While focused on Union’s reputation and connections in the community, Dr. Bogat has never lost sight of the individual learner and his or her success,” said UI&U Provost, Dr. Richard Hansen. “Under her guidance, countless graduates have earned positions in the school district’s classrooms and administration, and many have gone on to earn both masters and doctoral degrees, many through Union’s M.Ed. and Ph.D. programs. Her leadership will be missed, but we, along with our many learners, are grateful that she will be staying on as faculty.”

Thursday, December 4, 2008

New Part-Time Options for BA Program

Montpelier, VT--

Union Institute & University (UI&U) today announced the launch of a new part-time option for learners enrolled in the university’s Bachelor of Arts (BA) programs. The part-time alternative is consistent with UI&U’s mission to provide flexible higher education opportunities for busy adults and will be offered starting Spring semester, which begins January 28 for the cycle (one week every six weeks) option, and February 20 for the weekend option. The Virtual Vermont online option offers a start date four times a year.

Dr. Victor Ehly, dean of the BA programs, says UI&U responded to suggestions to offer part-time options from the Montpelier community. “Based on learner’s requests, and given the ever-increasing pressure on the time of working adults, we are now prepared to offer the same programs with the same individualized process, but now with the option for a 9-credit semester study,” he said. “This is a chance for any current learner or beginning student, who is either unable to take on the work required of full-time study or is unable to afford the tuition for full-time study, to further their education and earn their degree.”

Since 1964, UI&U has redefined higher education by placing learners at the center of their own education by offering personalized undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral degree programs designed for the lifelong learner. Union’s BA program allows learners to major in liberal studies and focus on one of nine areas of concentration, in addition to teacher licensure preparation. Like learners who choose to enroll in the program full-time, those enrolled part-time also make use of a learning model that works best for them, choosing from low residency options at UI&U’s Montpelier or Brattleboro Centers, or through UI&U’s online option, Virtual Vermont.

“We are always on the lookout for creative ways to reach out to adults in Vermont, New England, and beyond,” said Ehly. “Our online learners hail from more than 20 states across the country, but also from right here in Vermont. This part-time option should be more attractive to many who are looking for ways to combine their degree completion with current job, family, and community commitments. We listened and we made the change.”

Monday, December 1, 2008

North Miami to Host BS Info Sessions Dec 6 and 13

North Miami Beach, FL--

Union Institute & University (UI&U), a leader in higher education for adults, will host bachelor of science (BS) information sessions at its Florida Academic Center, from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m., December 6th and 13th. The center is located at 16853 NE 2nd Ave., #102, in North Miami Beach.

UI&U has been educating South Florida professionals for more than 18 years. The university’s BS program offers a rich academic environment where learners can interact with faculty and each other through low residency and distance learning options. Among the most popular programs are early education, social work, psychology, business management, and criminal justice management. UI&U’s education program prepares Bachelor of Science (BS) and Master’s of Education (M.Ed) learners to teach in Florida schools. In addition, the University offers professional development courses for educators to fulfill continuing education requirements.

Union is currently accepting applications for their Winter term which starts January 5. Interested learners are encouraged to enroll soon. Early registration, says Francis Francois, admissions director for UI&U’s Miami Center, enables learners to better prepare for the upcoming term, allowing them more time to save money, and to better familiarize themselves with online learning methods.

For more information email Francis Francois at Francis.Francois@tui.edu, or call 305.653.6713 x2130.