Crow's Nest News Bulletin - August 3rd, 2020
In the realm of education and community engagement, Park University continues to make strides and create headlines. From appointments to accolades, the institution is making a significant impact in Kansas City and beyond.
A notable appointment has been made within the university's ranks. Lisa Hickok, who has previously consulted for the International Center for Music since January 2017, has been officially appointed as its executive director on July 13. Hickok, who also founded Merrill LLC, a Kansas City-based consulting firm in 2013, is expected to focus on promoting global musical collaborations, overseeing international music programs, and supporting cultural exchange through music, among other responsibilities.
In sports news, Jefferson Roblee, '95, has been appointed the women's soccer assistant coach at Kansas City Kansas Community College. Meanwhile, student-athletes Nada and Noura Meawad have been making waves, sharing their thoughts on current situations in interviews with KCTV and KSHB-TV.
Athletic events like the Park University Golf Scramble are also setting the stage for fundraising and camaraderie. This year's scramble, scheduled for Monday, Oct. 12, at The National Golf Club of Kansas City, will be limited to 25 teams (100 players) due to the coronavirus pandemic. Registration fees for the event are $225 per golfer or $900 per four-person team, with the proceeds benefiting the University's Parkville Campus athletics programs.
Park University's contributions extend beyond its campus. Alissia Canady, '08, a former member of the Kansas City, Mo., City Council and a 2020 candidate for Missouri lieutenant governor, was recently featured in Essence magazine on July 24.
The university has also recognised the achievements of its graduates from various locations, including Fort Myer (Va.) / Headquarters Marine Corps/Headquarters Battalion Henderson Hall (Va.) / Marine Corps Base Quantico (Va.) and Hill Air Force Base (Utah).
In terms of academic accolades, Park University has been ranked highly in various categories. The university was ranked No. 12 on BestMastersPrograms.org's "25 Best Online Executive MBA for 2020" list, No. 28 on EdSmart.org's "Best Online Computer Science Degree Programs" list, and No. 31 on Learn.org's "Best Online Bachelor's Degree Programs" list.
University President Greg Gunderson has been actively involved in supporting social justice and addressing current issues. He penned a letter in support of social justice on July 16, and was interviewed by multiple media outlets regarding Park University's response to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement announcement.
The university's First Family was also featured in a cover story in the July issue of Northland Neighbors magazine, and faculty members Gina Chambers, Ph.D., and Suzanne Tiemann, Ph.D., were interviewed for a story that aired on KSHB-TV in Kansas City on July 16.
In addition, Steve Youngblood, associate professor of communication arts and director of the Center for Global Peace Journalism, was featured in the Platte County (Mo.) Citizen on July 8.
Stories about Park University's response to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement announcement aired on Kansas City area media outlets on July 8-9, and Nada Meawad participated in a live interview on KCUR's "Up to Date" program on July 14.
Alla Adams, Ph.D., and Harold Griffin, Ph.D., presented their article at the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs Conference, and a feature story on Mario Segura, who recently signed to be a student-athlete at Park University's Gilbert (Ariz.) Campus as a member of the baseball team, appeared in the San Tan Valley (Ariz.) Sentinel on July 14.
Lastly, Kailei Edwards, who recently signed to be a student-athlete at Park University's Gilbert Campus as a member of the women's basketball team, was featured in her hometown newspaper, The Independent, in Moriarty, N.M., on July 29.
As always, Park University continues to make a positive impact in the community and beyond, with a focus on education, sports, and social justice.
- The university's focus on promoting global musical collaborations and cultural exchange through music is an example of its commitment to education and self-development.
- In sports, Jeffery Roblee, a Park University alumnus, has been appointed as the assistant coach for women's soccer at Kansas City Kansas Community College, demonstrating the university's involvement in general news and athletics.
