NAU News

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Northern Arizona University’s online bachelor’s and graduate degree programs were ranked in the U.S. News & World Report’s Best Online Programs for Veterans, released this week.

While the online bachelor’s program ranked 115th of the 737 schools evaluated, the online master’s program ranked 91st. U.S. News & World Report’s third annual Best Online Programs for Veterans rankings were based on the degree’s affordability, faculty credentials, student services and reputation.

“NAU promotes a positive and collaborative student service approach in serving veteran students through all of our degree programs, including those offered online,” said Andrew Griffin, director of Military and Veteran Affairs. “Student service units meet regularly to discuss veteran issues to ensure our policies provide the very best service and support based on national best practices.”

Programs evaluated were business, education, engineering, nursing and computer information technology.

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Lync users across Northern Arizona University’s campus should expect to see changes to the instant messaging system throughout the coming year.

Skype for Business, Microsoft’s latest version of instant messaging, will be released May 22, and a campus-wide update for PC users will happen automatically.

The Skype for Business update is not currently available for Mac, iOS or Android devices. Skype for Business for iOS and Android devices will be released in June. Mac users will not see a Lync update until early 2016. Devices that will not be upgrading at this time will remain on the current version of Lync and will retain the ability to communicate with users of the Skype for Business upgrade.

For questions or concerns regarding the new Skype for Business client, contact the ITS Solution Center.

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Princeton Review recently released its annual Guide to Green Colleges, naming Northern Arizona University among the elite 353 schools committed to sustainability.

In order to make the list, the schools had to demonstrate they were environmentally aware by proving student life is both healthy and sustainable, employment preparation in the clean-energy of the economy is actively passed onto students and environmentally responsible school policies are in place.

NAU has 10 LEED certified buildings on campus, multiple reduce, reuse and recycle initiatives in place, free access to city buses and the Yellow Bike Program for students and faculty to use, a reclaimed water initiative saving more than 30 million gallons each year and an array of wind and solar power structures around campus.

Princeton Review studied more than 2,000 universities and compiled a list of green colleges to serve as a guide for environmentally conscious students when choosing a school to further their education.

Princeton Review’s free Guide to Green Colleges can be downloaded here. NAU’s plan to create a culture of sustainability can be found here.

 

 

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Making up nearly half of the awards presented, NAU alumni and students have dominated the Rodel Foundation’s Aspiring Principal and Promising Student Teacher awards.

The Rodel Foundation is an organization committed to improving Arizona’s education by honoring exemplary principals, aspiring principals and education role models in high-need schools throughout Maricopa, Pima, Pinal and Yavapai counties.

Rodel Aspiring Principals are selected each spring to participate in a two-year partnership where they will train, shadow and build a network with Rodel Exemplary Principal mentors as they prepare to become principals of their own schools.

NAU undergraduates named Promising Student Teachers will be mentored by Rodel Exemplary Teachers as they begin their student teacher experience during the fall 2015 semester.

“In order to create great schools, along with high-quality teachers, we need powerful leaders,” said Ramona Mellott, dean of the NAU’s College of Education, the state’s only institution meeting National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education standards. “We are proud of our programs and our faculty, who work hard to inspire our students to go out and make a difference.”

Listed below are the 2015 Rodel Aspiring Principals, degree or certificate earned from NAU, the school they are currently working and the city in which it is located:

  • Joel Bacalia, master’s, Pueblo Magnet High School, Tucson,
  • Karen Burns, bachelor’s and two master’s, Rancho Viejo Elementary School
  • Rose Devine, master’s, Hartford Sylvia Encinas Elementary School, Chandler
  • Jessica Felix, bachelor’s and master’s, Westwind Elementary School, Gilbert
  • Debbee Garcia, master’s, La Cima Middle School, Tucson
  • Michelle Gottleber, master’s, Gallego Basic Elementary School, Tucson
  • Cindy Hookstra, bachelor’s and master’s, Gary A. Knox Elementary School, Somerton
  • Nora Jaramillo, master’s, Irene Erickson Elementary School, Tucson
  • Brian Lockwood, master’s, Superstition Mountain Elementary School, Sedona
  • Albert Malis, master’s, Ironwood Ridge High School, Tucson
  • Stephanie Ponce, master’s, Sunnyside Unified District, San Tan Valley
  • Margaret Rodriguez, master’s, Madison Elementary District, Surprise
  • Allyson Stewart, bachelor’s, Willis Junior High School, Yuma
  • Jason Stuewe, master’s, Youngker High School, Goodyear

Listed below are the 2015 Promising Student Teachers and their degree currently in pursuit.

  • Chelsea Cleary, special and elementary education
  • Joseph Eccles, secondary education—English
  • Jana Jensen, special and elementary education
  • Chanel Turner, elementary education

A full list of award recipients can be found online.

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The NAU Contracting and Purchasing Services department is conducting a brief customer satisfaction survey where faculty, staff and students are encouraged to give feedback and rate the department’s services.

The survey can be completed online through Sept. 1.

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BikeFlagstaff commuters are ditching the car keys for bicycle helmets May 17­-22 to participate in this year’s Bike to Work Week, packed with events meant to get your wheels spinning.

A schedule of the week’s happenings is available online and includes daily contests, worksite competitions and breakfast stops.

Kicking the week off is Flagstaff’s community-wide Bike Bazaar on Sunday, May 17, at Heritage Square featuring a bike swap, parade and games for the whole family.

NAU employees and students are invited to join NAU’s Transportation Action Team from 6:30 to 9 a.m. Wednesday, May 20, just north of the University Union for its own “bazaar.” Where’s the Food Truck will provide bikers with a free breakfast, NAU Police will have demonstrations on bike safety, Parking and Shuttle Services will be on hand to do free bicycle registrations and the Bike HUB will have a mobile bike station offering complimentary tune-ups and small repairs.

People planning to partake in the annual event are encouraged to log their rides online, where daily raffle prizes will be given out to participants.

If your commute takes you to NAU, be sure to tag your bike with a green sticker as the campus-wide abandoned bicycle roundup begins May 18. The free stickers are available at Parking Services, the Union, Facility Services and the Health and Learning Center.