The Challenger
Volume 16, Issue 1
Bridgewater State University
Military and Veteran Advisor
Michael Siegel
Michael Siegel has joined BSU as
the Military and Veteran Student
Counselor. In his role, he will
provide many services for Military and Veteran students and is
committed in assisting the military and veteran community at
Bridgewater State University in
achieving academic and personal
success.
Mr. Siegel is also a member of the Army National Guard
where he has served for over twenty years, including
overseas deployments. Previously, Mr. Siegel worked in
a similar capacity at Massasoit Community College,
Brockton, MA, and Norwalk Community College, Norwalk CT.
Fall 2014
The Challenger is published through the Disability Resources Office .
Smart Pens
Brandon Drake
Assistive Technology Specialist
Smart pens are gaining popularity in the classroom. By
using a built-in camera and a microphone, the smart
pen is able to record everything you write and sync it
with everything you hear. As a student, you can read
your lecture notes with the audio from the class. You
simply need to tap the pen on any word in your notes,
and then the audio from the class will play from the
point where you were taking those notes, which allows
(Continued on page 2)
Introducing Anne Hanley
Mr. Siegel has earned a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology
Patricia Connolly
from Bridgewater State University, graduate degree from
Assistant Director, Academic Achievement Center
Fort Hays State University in Social Science Education,
and is currently completing his Doctorate in Higher Education from Benedictine University. Michael can be
reached by calling 508-531-1214 or by emailing him at
[email protected].
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
2
AAC Welcomes Amy Mellor
2
New Graduate Assistants for DRO
3
Students Accepting A Challenge
3
Adaptive Lab Hours
3
Evening Advising in the AAC
4
Advising Notes/Learning Assistance Hours
4
Leadership and Peer Educator Training
4
Erika Pinault Memorial Scholarship
The Challenger
The Disability Resources Office would like to welcome our new administrative staff person, Anne Henley, to our office. Anne will be with us for 20 hours per
week, answering phones, greeting students, making
appointments and generally providing clerical support
for our staff.
Some of our university community may remember
Anne as she was a member of the Financial Aid staff a
number of years ago. Anne also is a Bridgewater State
University graduate with a B.S. degree in Accounting
and Finance.
(Continued on page 2)
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(Continue from page 1) SMART PENS
you to revisit the lecture and fill in your notes if you
missed something.
Susan Bullard, who used the Smart Pen last semester
states, “The Smart Pen is a very helpful tool for students with ADHD; and other cognitive disabilities. The
student in conjunction with the pen will take his/her
own notes in class, and the pen will record the lectures.
If you happen to miss any of the lecture within your
notes, it will be recorded and may be added to your
journal later. The only minor issue-- you need special
paper with the Smart Pen, and the notebook journals
are more expensive than your average spiral notebooks; other than that, it is a great tool-- a well worth
purchase!”
If you’re interested in seeing a demonstration of the
pen, please set up an appointment with Brandon Drake,
the Assistive Technology Specialist, by calling the
Disability Resources Office at 508-531-2194.
(Continue from page 1) INTRODUCING ANNE HANLEY
Anne started with the DRO on October 14, 2014 and is
finding the work interesting and provides a different
perspective of the university community from her previous position here. We are very happy to have her
with us. Please stop by and say hello and welcome
Anne back to our university campus.
Academic Achievement Center Welcomes
Back Amy Mellor
The Academic Achievement Center welcomes their newest Academic Advisor, Amy Mellor, back to
Bridgewater State University. Amy
graduated from Bridgewater State
with her Master’s degree in Education for School Counseling in 2012.
During that time, Amy worked as a
Graduate Assistant in the Tutoring
Central department located in the
Academic Achievement Center.
After having spent a few years working at the High
School level as a guidance counselor, Amy has returned to the world of Advising in Higher Education.
As an Advisor in the AAC, Amy works with first semester freshman, international students and students
on academic probation. Amy is also charged with the
responsibility of maintaining the AAC’s social media
presence and department website. Check out her (and
a few very talented Graduate Assistant’s) handy-work
on Facebook at BSU AAC, on Twitter @BSU_AAC
and on the Academic Achievement Center website on
the University intranet.
The Challenger
Graduate Assistants for Disability Resources
Disability Resources Office has three new Graduate
Assistants this year. We are very excited to have Shannon Bulis, Brendon Geaney, and Nicole Grilli join our
staff.
Shannon Bulis (pictured in the middle) graduated in
May 2014 from Emmanuel College with a B.A. in Elementary Education. While at Emmanuel, she also
earned her initial license in Moderate Disabilities (K-8).
She was inspired by her student teaching experience in
the learning center at The Lawrence School, Brookline
MA, and decided to pursue her MEd in Moderate Disabilities (K-8) here at Bridgewater State University. Once
she receives her degree, Shannon hopes to become either a first or second grade teacher in an inclusion classroom. She would also love to work more exclusively
with students with special needs at some point in the
future. Fun Fact: Shannon has a twin brother named
Brian.
Brendan Geaney (pictured left) graduated from Assumption College in 2013 with a B.A. in psychology
and double-minored in marketing and management. At
Assumption Brendan worked as a classroom aide at an
after-school program. Brendan is currently in his second
year in BSU’s Dual License Master’s program for Mental Health and School Adjustment Counseling. His future goals are: to work with children and families both
in and outside of a school setting and to start his own
private practice. Brendan has worked as a one-on-one
paraprofessional at a therapeutic day-school and is a
volunteer at Comfort Zone Camp, a child bereavement
camp. Fun fact: Brendan’s hometown is the birth place
of three former presidents.
Nicole Grilli (pictured right) began her first year at
BSU’s School Counseling Master’s Program in September. Before Bridgewater, Nicole earned her BA in Elementary Education from Roger Williams University in
Bristol, Rhode Island. Nicole enjoys working with
young adults and in the future hopes to become a high
school guidance counselor. Among other duties, Nicole
is also organizing the DRO’s Peer Mentoring Program
at BSU this year. Fun Fact: Nicole loves Orca Whales
and wants to travel to Alaska to see them in their natural
habitat.
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S.A.A.C
Hours for Adaptive Labs
Adaptive Lab, AAC
Students Accepting A Challenge
What: Student organization to provide peer support and educate the college community about
students with disabilities
When: Wednesday, November 5
Time: 12:15pm – 1:45pm
Where: Catholic Center
We look forward to seeing YOU there!
If you have questions: Please contact Shannon
or Brendan at the Disability Resources Office at
508-531-2194
Meet new people!
MAKE A
DIFFERENCE!
Mon, Thurs, Fri
Tues, Wed
8:00am - 5:00pm
8:00am - 8:00pm
Adaptive Lab, Moakley
Mon - Thurs
Fri
Sat
Sun
8:00am - 11:00pm
8:00am - 5:00pm
9:00am - 4:00pm
Noon - 9:00pm
At our Adaptive Lab, we have a host of software that
students can use and demo like Kurzweil (OCR software), JAWS (screen reader), and Dragon (speech-totext). We also have a computer station with adaptive
software in the Moakley Center and on the first floor of
the Maxwell library.
If you have any questions about the software or would
like a demo, please contact Brandon Drake at
[email protected].
FREE
REFRESHMENTS
Evening Advising in the Academic Achievement Center
Evening advising appointments support three main student populations; students assigned
to the AAC, prospective students, and non-degree/non-matriculated students.
Students Assigned to the AAC-As much as possible students assigned to the AAC
should be redirected to schedule appointments with their assigned advisor. If the student is in crisis and needs help immediately, then the evening advisor should assist the
student and then update their assigned advisor.
Prospective Students-These are students who may be referred to us by the admissions
department to discuss BSU program offerings. These students tend to be adult learners and/or transfer students who are exploring their options for enrolling.
Non-Degree/Non-Matriculated Students-These students are enrolled in BSU courses
through the Continuing Education Department. They are not assigned academic advisors so the AAC will provide advising support to this population as needed. These
students may come to the AAC to discuss program offerings and/or long-term career
goal planning. They should be referred to admissions if they wish to formally apply
to the University.
The Challenger
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Learning Assistance
Dorie AuCoin,
Assistant Director for Academic Achievement
Center
Mid-terms are happening !!! Finals are around the
corner? Are you ready ??? Do you have a study
plan ??? Have you read the book ??? Are your
notes in order ??? Is that speech polished ??? If
so, good for you, If not, stop by Learning Assistance in the Academic Achievement Center to
connect with people who can help you with your
studies. Open daily Mondays and Thursdays 8:305:00, and Tuesdays and Wednesdays until 8:00,
and Fridays until 4:00
LEADERSHIP AND PEER EDUCATORS
TRAINING PROGRAM
Disability Resources Office at Bridgewater State
University will be sponsoring another Leadership
and Peer Educator Training November 21 and 22.
Ten to fifteen students will be participating in the
training which focuses on topics including disabilities and accommodation, laws, self-advocacy
skills, and peer mentoring. Participants must attend all sessions. Food will be provided.
Erika Pinault Memorial
Scholarship
This Scholarship is awarded by Handi-Kids Chapter II of Bridgewater. The criteria for this award
include evidence of scholarship, good citizenship
and success in managing an individual disability.
Last year’s recipient was Elizabeth Keeling.
For all scholarships, there is a general
application and database. Please pay
attention to deadlines. There may be
other scholarships for which you may meet the
requirements. Check the student portal ICON and
student announcements when the application process is live. Application process begins on November 7, 2014, and ends February 2, 2015.
IMPORTANT ADVISING INFORMATION
Michael Walsh,
Assistant Director for Advising Services
Small group Academic Advising is underway and will run
until November 4th. The purpose of small group advising is
to prepare students for spring 2015 registration and review
specific class requirements by academic program. Each
small session is facilitated by either a Bridgewater State
University Faculty member or an Academic Achievement
Center Staff member that will assist students with class
selection.. Small group sessions are major specific and
structured by academic college. It is mandatory that all first
semester freshmen students participate in a small group
session. Once your session is complete you will be able to
schedule an individual meeting with your academic advisor. It is highly recommended that you plan in advance and
do not wait to the last moment to meet with your advisor.
The complete small group advising schedule is posted on
the Academic Achievement Center website. You may also
find current registration information on our Facebook page
www.facebook.com/bsuachievement or on our twitter feed
at www.twitter.com/BSU_AAC.
Additional dates and Registration information:
Last day to withdraw from full semester classes:
Friday, November 14th
Last day to withdraw from 2nd Quarter courses that began
10/22/14
Monday, December 1st
Senior (84 earned credits or more), Honors Program
students, Spring 2015 Student-Athletes will be
permitted to begin to register on Tuesday, November 18 at 6am ,
Juniors (54-83 earned credits) will be permitted to
begin to register on Wednesday, November 19 at
6am.
Sophomore (24-53 earner credits) will be permitted to
begin to register on Thursday, November 20 at
6am.
Freshman ( 0-23 earned credits) will be permitted to
begin register on Friday, November 21 at 6am.
We look forward to working with you – please stop by the
Academic Achievement Center and let us know how best
to assist you.
The Challenger
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