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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...
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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.”

The Brazil Nut Effect: The Flying Circus of Physics

Cleveland State University’s Jearl Walker turns into the “nutty” professor in this episode of The Flying Circus of Physics. Jearl explains why a larger object inside a container filled with smaller objects climbs to the top when you shake ‘em. It’s called the Brazil Nut Effect.

Visit YouTube.com/FlyingCircusOfPhysics for more of Jearl’s experiments!

A passion for diversity and the lawAttorney Valissa Turner Howard has an incredibly important and impactful day job. As the First Assistant Deputy Inspector General for Cuyahoga County she serves as Chief of Staff to Inspector General Mark D....
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A passion for diversity and the law

Attorney Valissa Turner Howard has an incredibly important and impactful day job. As the First Assistant Deputy Inspector General for Cuyahoga County she serves as Chief of Staff to Inspector General Mark D. Griffin. Howard leads the team working to carry out the mission of the Agency of Inspector General (AIG) - to promote honesty and accountability in County Government.

But while most people’s hobbies involve activities other than work, Howard spends her time away from the office engaging in an effort that is both her passion and centrally important to her profession, improving diversity and inclusion in the legal community.

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Engineering meets medicine: Dr. Kothapalli researches novel stem-cell-based therapeutics

How do neurons form in the brain? How are connections established between neurons and tissues? And can we control these aspects of brain development and functionality?

These are some of the questions Associate Professor Chandra Kothapalli, Ph.D., aims to answer with his work in Cleveland State University’s Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering.

Dr. Kothapalli’s research is primarily focused on the development of novel stem-cell-based therapeutics that can help regenerate diseased or injured tissues and organs. His research could ultimately help to replace damaged or lost brain cells, for example.

“We are also investigating the role of environmental toxicity on neural stem cell fate during pregnancy,” Dr. Kothapalli says. “We are fortunate to have these projects funded by the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Office of Research at CSU.”

To learn more about Dr. Kothapalli’s work visit his faculty profile.

Singing Corrugated Pipe: The Flying Circus of Physics

Treat your ears to some musical physics!

Cleveland State University’s Dr. Jearl Walker is laying down the beat with a corrugated pipe to demonstrate how a difference in air pressure can make it sing.

Catchy tune, isn’t it?

For now, Dr. Walker plans to keep his day job as a physics professor - which means more episodes of The Flying Circus of Physics!

Welcome to Natalie’s Show: My CSU Story

Bride, magistrate, even a banana: Recent grad Natalie Phillips has played many roles on stage at Cleveland State University. But the role the theater major enjoyed the most didn’t require getting into a character - it was being a Viking.

As a Viking, the entire campus was Natalie’s stage. Whether it was teaching yoga classes, visiting Playhouse Square or attending campus events, Natalie was in love with CSU and everything it had to offer.

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