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Horticulture Tour: an interactive map of trees across campus
In our Engaged Blog post CSU Grounds Department: From the Field
to the Classroom, we introduced an interactive tree map created by the CSU
grounds department in conjunction with the Maxine Goodman Levin College of
Urban Affairs, the department of Biological, Geological, and Environmental
Sciences and F.A.S.T.
What began as an educational tool to engage plant biology students
has now evolved into a CSU Horticulture Tour.
Check out our interview with CSU rising senior, Shelbie
Seeberg, the GIS Technician intern who spent her spring semester taking and
organizing photos, collecting information to display with the different tree species
and updating the original tree map into a 3D version, which highlights 1200
trees.
The community can access the revamped CSU Horticulture Tour online
at https://csuohio.us/3cbGYTj or in-person by scanning QR code placards placed among the trees
on campus.
As we reflect on last Saturday’s commencement ceremony and think of all the stellar graduates honored at Progressive Field, we would like to highlight just a few more of those who earned their degrees this past semester. Our most heartfelt congratulations go out to all seniors who graduated, with a special commendation for muscling their way through the pandemic to finish out their schooling. Below are spotlights on some especially notable graduates from Washkewicz College of Engineering, the School of Nursing, and Monte Ahuja College of Business.
Dylan Doyle
Electrical Engineering
In his time both at Tri-C and at Cleveland State, Dylan has invested much of his time into making the communities he is in better. From leading a team that design ventilator masks for the Akron Children’s Hospital, to serving as a peer mentor, to volunteering the Greater Cleveland Food Bank, Dylan has consistently found ways to give back. Additionally, Dylan was a leader of the CSU Robotics Micromouse team, and while at Tri-C, he served as Editor-in-Chief for the school newspaper, The Voice.
Dylan had this to say about how he’s become so involved in charitable work and other extracurriculars: “When I started college five years ago, I didn’t really have any life skills or knowledge…about anything. I made a commitment to change essentially everything about my life which required that I pour all of myself into the experience. This meant never blowing off the work, never skipping class, never saying no to any experience that might help me to grow as a person. The desire to serve stems from this goal but it has also been a result of seeing how much good individuals can do for others if they put in the effort.”
Lori Jo Fox
Master of Nursing
A wife, mother, and grandmother, Lori Jo Fox has been practicing as a nurse in the Cleveland area for 21 years. She is living proof that there is always more to learn – even when you’ve been in a professional field for more than a decade. Fifteen years after becoming an RN, she went back to school to pursue her bachelor’s degree. She wasn’t sure what she could possibly learn, but she was surprised. The program expanded her knowledge in ways she hadn’t expected and inspired her to continue. She enrolled in MSN program at CSU, with a specialized population track.
Fox has worked in critical, home, and ambulatory care, is certified in case management and ambulatory nursing and is a member of the Sigma Theta Tau, national honor society of nursing, Nu Delta Chapter. She currently works at MetroHealth Medical Center as a Patient Care Coordinator and a staff nurse in the Infectious Disease Department. We congratulate her on receiving the School of Nursing’s Outstanding Graduate Student Award.
“I strongly recommend furthering your education or making a career change! You are never too old to do this and it will always benefit you,” Fox shared. “I think an important factor to consider is to make sure you go back to school at a time that is right for you.”
Kyle J. Rich
Operations and Supply Chain Management
Kyle J. Rich was awarded the Rotary Club of Cleveland’s Award of Excellence for his work in Operations and Supply Chain Management. In addition to his time at CSU, Kyle has been working at The Sherwin-Williams Company since 2000 with duties including store management, inventory operations, and continuous marketing.
Kyle plans to continue his education by earning a Master of Business Administration degree and would like to return to CSU as an instructor to advise the next generation of students, specifically those that follow non-traditional schedules, work full time, and attend evening classes.
Celebrating Students from the Spring Class of 2021
The spring class of 2021 have become the most recent alumni of CSU after their commencement ceremony at Progressive Field. Though their ceremonies are over, we want to acknowledge some of the graduates who have overcome great obstacles to achieve their degree! These outstanding graduates are from the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, College of Education and Human Services, and Cleveland-Marshall College of Law.
Zuzanna Koziatek
Master of Arts in English, Rhetoric Concentration
Headed to a top-tier doctoral program for English, with a rhetoric concentration, at Indiana University Bloomington, Zuzanna won both outstanding graduate thesis and teaching awards for her Master of Arts in English at CSU. As an immigrant from Poland with little experience with the English language, Zuzanna was still inspired by her enjoyment of literature and writing and took this inspiration to pursue her degree.
“I came to college very young and very confused about the future. I was definitely under the impression that you need to pursue just about any field outside of the humanities in order to be successful,” Zuzanna shared. “Along the way, literature unlocked some of these questions I had and continues to do so to this day.”
Samantha Siepka
Bachelor of Arts in Education as a Mild-Moderate Intervention Specialist
While taking care of her parents, who are suffering from terminal illnesses, Samantha worked through her obstacles with motivation from her family and the strength of her parents. With her determination, Samantha turned around a low GPA and completed her Bachelor of Arts in Education with great recommendations from her professors. She graduated as a Mild-Moderate Intervention Specialist and will be applying for her teaching licensure to assist students with mild to moderate disabilities in a public school system.
“I have a close, tight-knit family and we also have a great support system filled with extended family and friends, and with that we have been able to overcome these crazy challenges that life has handed us,” Siepka shared. “In life, we can’t change the cards that we are dealt in life, but just how we decide to play the hand we are dealt.”
Catelyn Cook
Criminology and Political Science Major, Juris Doctor
After receiving a full ride scholarship to the Mandel Honors College, Catelyn completed her bachelor’s degree in Criminology and Political Science in a year and a half through 18 credit hour semesters and summer classes. Following her completion, Cook enrolled in Cleveland-Marshall College of Law at 18 in August 2018 and received her JD in two and a half years. In December 2020, Cook became the youngest graduate of Cleveland-Marshall’s history at 20 years old. Following her graduation, Cook enrolled in CSU’s School Counseling Master’s Program with inspiration from here interest in school counseling, to help teenagers navigate their experiences while prioritizing mental health needs.
“I am happy to serve as an example of both what women and young students can accomplish when they believe in themselves and reach for the stars,” Catelyn explained. “The most important thing I’ve learned is that with enough motivation and confidence, you can do anything you set your mind to, even if others are in doubt.”
Each graduating class at CSU is full of extraordinary students who excel in various fields, from academics, to charitable work, to athletics, and much more. We wanted to spotlight just a few of the class of 2021’s outstanding graduates. From the CSU family, we offer our sincerest congratulations to all graduating seniors on this amazing feat. Below are some notable graduates from Washkewicz College of Engineering, the College of Science and Health Professions, and Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs.
Claudia Bougebrayel
Civil Engineering Major
A female civil engineer graduating with highest honors, Claudia is no stranger to working in a male-dominated field. She has held internships at the Ohio Department of Transportation and the structural engineering firm Thorson Baker & Associates, and she also volunteers at MedWish, which provides medical equipment to those in need. Claudia began volunteering at MedWish when her parents’ home country of Lebanon suffered from an explosion in the capital city of Beirut, and she worked with the other volunteers there to get medical equipment to those affected by the explosion.
“Interning with the Ohio Department of Transportation during the summers following my freshman and sophomore year at CSU was especially helpful for me in realizing my interests, and I was grateful to be exposed to such a wide range of unique, heavy civil projects.”
Gabe Arsulic
Health Science and Psychology Double Major
Gabe is a student who has faced seemingly insurmountable odds during his time at Cleveland State. At the beginning of his senior year, he was diagnosed with stage 3 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Throughout his final year at CSU (and in the middle of a pandemic!), Gabe underwent chemotherapy treatment and beat his cancer before graduation. Additionally, Gabe has served in the United States Air Force Reserve during his time at CSU since August 2018, and he plans to enter active duty following graduation. Gabe also was a cheerleader for the men’s basketball team since his freshman year. He picked up cheerleading from wanting to remain involved in sports during his college career after playing football and basketball in high school. He says that his only regret is that he couldn’t be there to cheer on the men’s basketball team in their awesome run this year, due to the pandemic.
Of his journey so far in life, Gabe had this to say: “My faith in God helped my peace of mind, and I knew no matter what that I’d be okay. My support system of my family, friends, fellow airmen, the cheer team, and my professors helped me immensely. Life is a precious gift that a lot of people seem to lose sight of sometimes and I have such an appreciation for that now that I did not have before, so if there’s one positive thing that came out of all this, it’s that.”
Ron Ramsey
Urban & Regional Studies Major
Ron is one of many nontraditional students who call CSU home. He served in the military following high school with deployments in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Cuba from 2008–2016. After he finished serving, he enrolled in Lorain County Community College, where he continued his connection with the military by assisting others who served in their transitions into college and civilian life. After finishing his associates degree at Lorain County Community College, he transferred to CSU to pursue his bachelor’s degree in Urban and Regional Studies. Ron says that choosing to pursue a four-year degree following his service was one of the best decisions he’s ever made.
To those who might be intimidated by higher education if they didn’t pursue it immediately out of high school, Ron has this message: “Be open, and stay organized. Having a support channel — whether through the college, or friends and family to help keep me motivated — has been a great help. At the end of the day, time is going to pass by regardless. Would you rather spend it wishing for more, or take steps to grasp the future before you?”
Washkewicz College of Engineering Bachelor of Chemical Engineering
Four years ago, Jacob Vitale was admitted to the Mandel Honors College with a full scholarship and he’s worked for it. Getting through transport phenomena was tough – some of the most difficult material in chemical engineering – but it forced him to make connections with classmates, to work at explaining concepts to others, to think in a different way. He has the knowledge and now he looks forward to a summer internship for on-site, hands-on learning before he returns to CSU for his final leg of his 4+1 accelerated master’s program in chemical engineering. But before his undergraduate journey ends, we asked him a few questions. Here’s what Jacob had to say.
CSU: What made you go into your major? Were there any defining moments or inspirations that led you on that path? JV: I chose chemical engineering due to the love of chemistry I developed in high school, in large part due to my teacher Ms. Quirartie. I signed up for honors chemistry in my junior year to fulfil a requirement and excelled in the class but planned to stop there. Ms. Quirartie spent the final quarter of my junior year attempting to convince me to take AP chemistry my senior year. She succeeded and I quickly fell in love with chemistry during senior year, and eventually decided I wanted to be a chemical engineer. I wouldn’t change this decision for the world, and I am incredibly happy with my choice.
CSU: What is your favorite CSU memory? JV: I do research into nanomaterials in Dr. Ao’s lab, and typically in the summer we try to do at least one lab outing. My first summer we decided to go to Cedar Point as a group. We have a lot of members who had never been to Cedar Point, or even on a roller coaster before. Seeing their reactions to going on a roller coaster for the first time and watching them go from terrified to loving it was an incredible memory for me.
CSU: What was the best class you’ve taken at CSU – or maybe the class you enjoyed the most - and why? JV: Chemical Engineering Principles with Dr. Belovich (Now Dean Belovich). I met a lot of my friends in chemical engineering during that class and we covered a wide variety of concepts. It was my first introduction to what chemical engineering was like, and Dr. Belovich did a wonderful job explaining concepts to us and answering all the questions we had. It was not an easy class by any means, but it was incredibly rewarding to see it pay off throughout the rest of our time in chemical engineering.
CSU: How do you think you’ve changed or grown during your time at CSU? JV: I think CSU and my professors have helped me grow confidence in myself. Working in Dr. Ao’s lab and doing research into nanomaterials has helped me become a much better student, and roughly once a week we give presentations in front of our whole research lab. Before I started doing these I was terrified to get up in front of people and speak but working with my amazing team has helped me become confident in public speaking.
CSU: What do you plan to do following graduation? JV: I have an internship at FM Global over the summer, where I will be learning about the safety of manufacturing plants. I will be traveling to plants in a wide variety of industries with multiple mentors to ensure that they are operating safely, and to recommend changes they should make to increase plant safety. This is something I am very passionate about, as I believe most of the disasters in chemical engineering plants can be avoided with proper training and management. I want to be an integral part of keeping people both at and outside of these plants safe.
CSU: What advice would you give to the next class, or even a freshman entering your major? JV: Select electives that seem interesting to you. Taking electives is an amazing chance to broaden your horizons and learn about something you have never seen or heard of before.
Ask questions. Professors are there to help teach you. Almost all of them will be happy to answer you and it will really help your understanding. If it seems too scary to ask in front of the class, try going up to the professor after class or in their office hours. This one-on-one time will be just as beneficial and really help clear up any misunderstandings you are having about material.
For Chemical Engineering students specifically, take time to learn and understand the basics. All of the classes you take in the chemical engineering department are incredibly important and they build off themselves. Similar to a house, if your foundation is strong, you will have a much easier time for the rest of your academic career. Concepts in thermodynamics, transport, and principles are used in every course. If you take the time to understand these topics early on, it will pay off immensely during senior year.
College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Nonprofit Administration
Aurora Reardanz may have cried her way through French 301, but she persisted. That’s just the kind of student she is! The Maryland native still has one more year ahead of her while she finishes her masters, but she knows she’s going to miss the random on-campus events she’s stumbled on over the years – like the golden ticket chocolate bar search that had her eating a free chocolate bar from CAB every day or the Glow Party that had her digging for her phone in pit of colored balls. For now, she is looking forward to her first summer in Cleveland and maybe a road trip to some national parks. But before her undergraduate journey ends, we asked her a few questions. Here’s what Aurora had to say.
CSU: Can you tell us about the moment you decided to move forward with Cleveland State University your “yes, this is the college for me” moment? AR: Nonprofit Administration is an uncommon major (only around 15 schools in the US offered it at the undergraduate level) so I went on a college road trip to see most of these schools. Walking through the interlink looking across Euclid Avenue, I realized CSU was the perfect school to provide the freedom and guidance to mold my education into what I wanted. I fell in love with Cleveland’s architectural gems, amazing food scene, accessible parks, and CSU is in the center of it all!
CSU: What made you go into your major? Were there any defining moments or inspirations that led you on that path? AR: Nonprofit administration was a no-brainer. I am a lifetime Girl Scout. Girl Scouts built me into the woman I am today and showed me the real impact nonprofits have picking up where the government leaves off to solve our world’s worst problems.
CSU: How do you think you’ve changed or grown during your time at CSU? AR: I feel like I have lived multiple lifetimes in these last four years from late nights working at the Fenn Tower desk, to turning Cleveland into a home, to evacuating from India during my 2020 study abroad, to online learning from D.C. while interning for the Department of State. Over the years I have gained the independence, drive, and confidence to build my life into something that represents who I am and what I believe in. This is thanks to engaged learning and the freedom we have as CSU students!
CSU: What do you plan to do following graduation? Whether you have something lined up, or just a dream, we’d love to hear it! AR: I have one more year at Cleveland State University where I will finish my 4+1 Masters in Global Interactions! I plan to unofficially focus on global conflict, disasters, and human rights. After that, the dream is to become a Presidential Management Fellow or a Foreign Service Officer with the State Department.
CSU: What advice would you give to the next class, or even a freshman entering your major? AR: Pursue and create your own opportunities! I took a one-credit, service-learning class that required 20 hours of service and used it as an opportunity to go on a two-week Red Cross deployment to perform disaster relief during the 2020 California wildfire season. I was able to tie this experience into three of my classes that semester. Your college experience will be what you make of it, truly engage your learning whenever you can!
The Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Leadership Management and Arabic
Marymar Alhoush would place urban policy at the top of her list of favorite CSU classes, learning about the formations of various US policies, but she truly enjoyed the mix of business, communication and urban classes her major had to offer. After two years of hard work, she is ready for a break. She doesn’t know what comes next, but she knows she will continue to learn. But before we say goodbye and send this valedictorian out into the world, we asked her a few questions. Here’s what Marymar had to say.
CSU: Can you tell us about the moment you decided to move forward with Cleveland State University? MA: I was still a student at Cuyahoga Community College as a member of the Jack, Joseph, and Morton Mandel Humanities Center. As a Mandel scholar, I had the chance to come to visit Cleveland State University and apply for a full scholarship to the Honors College. When I visited CSU, I immediately fell in love with the environment and was impressed by the positivity that radiated throughout my campus experience. I will never forget the moment when I received my acceptance letter from the Honors College with a full scholarship. I felt as if I were the happiest and luckiest person in the world. I felt that so many doors are going to open for me.
CSU: What made you go into your major? Were there any defining moments or inspirations that led you on that path? MA: When I decided to transfer to CSU, it was not clear which path I should embark on. Upon meeting with my advisor at Cuyahoga Community College, I discussed my passions for leadership and management roles. My advisor introduced me to the Organizational Leadership major offered at CSU. In this moment my journey began into the research and exploration of this field. I found that this major is applicable in many areas, it is something universally needed. No matter what kind of company or business we look at, these businesses are always in a need for good leaders, who can make a difference and be the change.
CSU: What is your favorite CSU memory? MA: Sadly, I did not get to spend a lot of time on campus. I attended for a full semester and a half then we had to switch to online classes because of the pandemic. But there is a wall next to the communications building from the side of Euclid. This wall is covered with leaves and plants that change colors with each passing season. Walking in the hallway through the inner link and looking at the ever-changing beauty of this foliage each month is one of the great memories for me.
CSU: How do you think you’ve changed or grown during your time at CSU? MA: I have changed a lot. My English has improved very much (English is my second language). My knowledge has grown, and I have adapted better to society. I feel I became more open, engaged and less shy. I am looking to learn something new every day and wanting to have a bright future.
CSU: What advice would you give to the next class, or even a freshman entering your major? MA: Pick a major that they really resonate with and are passionate about, something that interests them. I would also say look at the journey at CSU as an experience and not only a list of classes that must be finished. Enjoy learning as much as possible because it is such an important step in personal growth.
Caitlin Steiner wanted to pursue a law degree and after a couple years working in a legal-related field, she knew she would. With encouragement from a few mentors, she decided to go for it. She can’t decide which of the courses at CSU she enjoyed the most – Evidence with Professor O’Neill and Estates and Trusts with Professor Plecnik were really fun – and she had valuable learning experiences with externships and practicums. Now she’s on her way to the Bar Exam. But before we say goodbye and send this valedictorian out into the world, we asked her a few questions. Here’s what Caitlin had to say.
CSU: Can you tell us about the moment you decided to move forward with Cleveland State University? CS: I’m a proud 2012 graduate of Cleveland State so this was the natural choice for law school. In addition, I was able to sit down and chat with Dean Lee Fisher during the admissions process, and I knew it was the right choice after that conversation.
CSU: What is your favorite CSU memory? CS: I loved attending all the in-person events at the law school prior to the pandemic. There was always a speaker visiting with an interesting topic, a movie or documentary viewing, or something else fun to do with friends.
CSU: What do you plan to do following graduation? CS: I’ll be taking the Bar Exam in July and hopefully taking a little vacation! Then working at Squire Patton Boggs here in Cleveland.
CSU: What advice would you give to the next class, or even a freshman entering your major? CS: Just do your best. Spending lots of time studying is important, but don’t buy into the pressure to spend every waking minute on law school. Take time for yourself and your mental and physical health.
CSU: What do you think you will miss the most about your time at CSU? CS: Definitely the people and friendships I’ve made. We’ll still talk and see each other I’m sure, but we’ll probably never again have this same “unity” where we’re all experiencing and working toward the same things at once.
Michelle Kahle wanted to combine her interest in science with her desire to help people – she found that with CSU’s nursing program. Her time at CSU has pushed her to become more open-minded and empathetic, she has gained self-confidence and knows how to set boundaries and priorities to keep growing as a person and as a nurse. She has a licensure exam ahead of her and a position at a local hospital lined-up. But before we say goodbye and send this valedictorian out into the world, we asked her a few questions. Here’s what Michelle had to say.
CSU: Can you tell us about the moment you decided to move forward with Cleveland State University – your “yes, this is the college for me” moment? MK: Being from the Cleveland area, I liked that CSU is committed to the community and is able to help students connect with local employers. As an urban public university, it gave me the opportunity to interact with people of all backgrounds, not just a bubble of those that think, act, and look like me. From a nursing perspective, CSU has great opportunities with the teaching technology available in the program, but it is also in the heart of Cleveland and located so close to some amazing hospitals.
CSU: What was the best class you’ve taken at CSU – or maybe the class you enjoyed the most - and why? MK: Human-Animal Interaction & Therapy, a nursing elective. I got to go on some very unique field trips to sites throughout northeast Ohio and see how animals impact the lives of people. We also had some great guest speakers related to animal therapy and ethical issues surrounding animals. My favorite class was one where we had therapy dogs visit. Overall, the class was structured not around exams and memorization, but on engaging in real experiences and having discussions, which made it low-stress, enjoyable, and memorable.
CSU: What is your favorite CSU memory? MK: When I lived on campus during freshman year, I was assigned a roommate at random. Moving out for the first time and living with a random girl could have been stressful, but it ended up being so fun. We laugh about the fact that we later admitted to searching each other online before meeting for the first time. We were both worried about being stuck with someone we didn’t like, but now we can’t live without each other.
CSU: What are you most looking forward to after graduation? MK: Just having a break! While being a student, it’s easy to become burnt out and it can be difficult to have time to truly relax with papers, exams, and deadlines constantly hanging over your head. Until I pass my licensure exam and start my new job, I want to focus on taking time to enjoy my hobbies and spending quality time with people I care about.
CSU: What advice would you give to the next class, or even a freshman entering your major? MK: Try to shadow a nurse or try and get healthcare work experience if possible while in school to help figure out what area of nursing will be the best fit. Nursing is great because it’s such a broad field with many opportunities, but while in school you only see a small glimpse of what opportunities are out there. The specialty I initially was interested in when starting nursing school turned out to not be for me, and I was able to help pinpoint my interests through not just clinical rotations, but also work experience and being engaged with nursing organizations.
College of Education and Human Services Bachelor of Science in Education in Exercise Science
Anna Brandt will miss everyone – her friends, teammates, professors, coaches, the athletics staff. It will be extremely weird to not see them every day as she has for the last four years. But she won’t forget the journey, making those connections, volunteering in the Human Performance Lab that caused her to swap pre-physical therapy for exercise science, being enthralled with the research and exercise testing. She heads to Muncie, Indiana next, to pursue a master’s in exercise physiology at Ball State University. Before we say goodbye and send this valedictorian off, we asked her a few questions. Here’s what Anna had to say.
CSU: Can you tell us about the moment you decided to move forward with Cleveland State University – your “yes, this is the college for me” moment? AB: When I came to CSU on a recruiting visit for the Women’s Cross Country and Track & Field teams, I fell in love with not only the campus and athletics but also the Human Performance Laboratory (HPL). I was amazed at the capabilities, research, and members of the HPL, making the HPL the deciding factor for me to attend CSU.
CSU: What is your favorite CSU memory? AB: During my sophomore year, I broke 5 minutes in the mile at Penn State. This was a goal I had pursued and almost accomplished during that indoor season, so when I finally broke it, I was ecstatic.
CSU: Not all classes are created equal and along the way, we end up with a class that is definitely a “challenge.” How did you rise to that challenge and make it through? AB: Organic Chemistry II was definitely a challenge for me this past semester – especially taking it online. I was constantly reviewing material, trying to stay on top of the ever-growing list of reactions.
CSU: What was the best class you’ve taken at CSU – or maybe the class you enjoyed the most - and why? AB: My favorite class at CSU was Gross Anatomy. I dedicated a large amount of time every day to this class, but the amount of information I learned – and especially my time in the cadaver lab – were totally worth it.
CSU: What advice would you give to the next class, or even a freshman entering your major? AB: Take every opportunity you can to increase your experience and network. You never know what can come of something unless you try it.
