Category: Profile

North Park Alum and CPS Teacher Kelly Vetter Featured on NBC 5 Chicago

Kelly (Sladkey) Vetter, North Park School of Education C’11 (BEEd, Magna Cum Laude) talks about her day as a Chicago Public School (CPS) teacher in a Channel NBC 5 series, Coronavirus in Illinois: A Day in the Life During the Pandemic.

Kelly (Sladkey) Vetter C’11 talks about her day as a Chicago Public School (CPS) teacher in a Channel NBC 5 series, Coronavirus in Illinois: A Day in the Life During the Pandemic.

A third-generation Viking and former member of the Graduates of the Last Decade (GOLD) Committee, Vetter currently teaches science and social studies to seventh- and eighth-graders. As a special education teacher with CPS, Vetter is passionate about co-teaching in an inclusion setting.

Sitting at her kitchen table while her one-year-old son naps, Vetter manages her dual role as stay-at-home mom engaging her three-year-old son in a 15-minute activity alongside developing remote learning plans to add to students’ Individualized Education Plans (IEPs). Later in the day, Vetter perches her laptop on a box containing toddler supplies while reviewing vocabulary words with a student.

To see Vetter’s first-hand experience balancing stay-at-home parenting with distance teaching, watch the Channel NBC 5 feature video “A Day in the Life: CPS Teacher Kelly Vetter”.

 

Author Ellen AlmerPosted on Categories News, Profile, Stories

North Park Alum and ICU Nurse Sommar Johnson Otfinoski Featured on NBC 5 Chicago

Sommar (Johnson) Otfinoski, North Park School of Nursing C’13 (BSN) and G’20 (MSN), talks about her day as an ICU nurse caring for COVID-19 patients in an NBC 5 Chicago series, Coronavirus in Illinois: A Day in the Life During the Pandemic.

Sommar (Johnson) Otfinoski C’13 G’20 talks about her day as an ICU nurse caring for COVID-19 patients in an NBC 5 Chicago series, Coronavirus in Illinois: A Day in the Life During the Pandemic.

A third-generation Viking, Otfinoski currently works at Swedish Hospital. Alongside other Day in the Life stories, including a North Park alum CPS teacher, social worker, and truck driver, Otfinoski tours Swedish Hospital’s medical supply storage closet, hallways, and patient room. Humbly describing the intensity of the long shifts caring for COVID-19 patients, the overflow of patients, and seriousness of the virus, Otfinoski embodies North Park’s School of Nursing distinctives — collaborative, skillful, passionate, ethical, and knowledgeable.

To see Otfinoski’s first-hand experience on the floor of Swedish Hospital as an ICU nurse, watch the NBC 5 Chicago feature video “A Day in the Life: ICU Nurse Sommar Johnson.”

Author Ellen AlmerPosted on Categories News, Profile, Stories

Nursing Professor Cares for Most Vulnerable Chicagoans in Covid-19 Crisis

As a nurse with Lawndale Christian Health Care’s Mobile Health Team, Heather Duncan risks her own safety every day to care for Chicago’s homeless residents.

Heather Duncan, Assistant Professor of Nursing

North Park nursing professor Heather Duncan is on the frontlines of the Covid-19 outbreak, treating some of the most vulnerable Chicagoans. As a nurse with Lawndale Christian Health Care’s Mobile Health Team, she risks her own safety every day to care for the most underserved among us. She took a moment out of her busy day to describe her experience.

Q: Tell us about those first few days after the first confirmed COVID-19 cases.

A: When the COVID-19 crisis hit Chicago, it took weeks before consideration was given to Chicago’s homeless residents. Lawndale was at the forefront, partnering with the city, UIC, RUSH, and the Westside Homeless Coalition. Because of our expertise with the homeless population, Lawndale spearheaded the first shelter screening in Chicago. I was fortunate to be on that team. We screened approximately 400 residents of Chicago’s largest shelter. It was a unique and tenuous time, even for someone with 30 years of experience. We had no testing capabilities, despite working with the city and UIC infectious disease. So little was known about the novel coronavirus, we were constantly updating. This added another level of uncertainty on top of the lack of infection control, which is difficult in large shelters. It was a dumpster fire. One we and our partners at UIC jumped into without hesitation.

Q: What was the atmosphere like?

A: Despite the uncertainty and potential infection, we were committed to our patients. Lawndale’s motto is “Loving God, Loving People.” This was our primary goal; to protect the least of these. Imagine being sheltered in place when you have no home and are living in a homeless shelter. The feeling of incarceration and lack of control, compound the hopelessness of being homeless. Patients had to be quarantined together in a separate room. We had to don full PPE (personal protective equipment) each time we went in, which made our patients nervous and limited our ability to establish a rapport.

Q: Where are these patients being housed now?

A: We are now housing and caring for over 100 medically complex homeless patients, to try and keep them out of the hospital adding another burden to the medical system. We are caring for patients who sometimes have never before had consistent medical care. However, we have to keep them isolated in their rooms, which is mentally and emotionally difficult. There has been a lack of affordable housing in Chicago for decades and now is no different.

Working at the hotel is unique. It has never been done before. It is exhausting but exhilarating. There is a sense of purpose, of walking with Jesus as we serve His people. We are tired and waiting for the light at the end of the tunnel. While we wait, we will be living out lives of significance and service, treating an amazing group of God’s children.

Author Ana SeklerPosted on Categories Profile, Stories

First Generation Student Juggles Family, Biomedical Studies

Full-time undergraduate student raising two young children and studying biomedical science. A native of Iraq and a first-generation college student, Hawra Alshamary is in her third year at North Park.

Hawra Alshamary

As a non-traditional full-time undergraduate student at North Park, Hawra Alshamary has overcome many challenges when it comes to juggling both family life and studies. A native of Iraq and a first-generation college student, Alshamary is in her third year of studying biomedical science while raising two children. A love for biology and a desire to work in the medical field inspires Alshamary to pursue her goals. Alshamary maintains a full class schedule, while also caring for her two-and-a-half-year-old daughter and four-year-old son.

While her mother and sister have helped her significantly, she also praises the North Park faculty.

“The professors are very accommodating, says Alshamary. It’s a very supportive environment. They definitely take my circumstances into consideration.”

Before attending North Park, Alshamary took classes at a community college. She describes feeling flustered while researching and applying to universities until she discovered North Park’s strong STEM department. Soon after, she applied and was accepted.

“I just really believe in taking the good that comes your way,” she says. “I felt like I was guided this way, so I just took it.”

After North Park, Alshamary plans to earn at least a master’s degree. She is debating between the respiratory care program at Rush University, or taking a more research-oriented route in order to spend more time with her children. Whatever direction she chooses, Alshamary wants to make a difference.

As a first-generation college student, Alshamary is determined to be the first in her family to earn a college degree. She was born in Iraq but grew up in Chicago, accentuating how grateful she is to be at North Park with the opportunity to receive a quality education.

Reflecting on the importance of education to her, Alshamary says, “It’s such a blessing that you really don’t understand growing up. It helps me know who I am, interact with others and just have a better outlook on life in general.”

 

           

 

 

Author Ellen AlmerPosted on Categories Profile, StoriesTags

North Parker Noor Alyasiry Studies Abroad on Two Prestigious Scholarships

North Park senior Noor Alyasiry received two prestigious scholarships to study abroad this past summer: the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship and the Fund for Education Abroad.

North Park senior Noor Alyasiry received two prestigious scholarships to study abroad this past summer: the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship and the Fund for Education Abroad. As Noor prepared her applications for study abroad, she wasn’t sure how she would source the travel funds. Study Abroad Advisor Tessa Zanoni stepped in to help Noor identify and secure the scholarships she needed.

Tessa knew that as a commuter student, Muslim American woman, and pre-med biology major, Noor would be a strong applicant for the prestigious Gilman International Scholarship — a US Department of State grant with a focus on supporting students who have been historically underrepresented in education abroad. Similarly, the Fund for Education Abroad, while selecting from a competitive application pool, was a strong match for Noor’s qualifications and needs.

Tessa was also able to assist Noor in choosing the best study abroad program for her. Noor was set to graduate in December 2019, so her study abroad courses needed to match her final credit requirements. “Tessa gave me hope and reassurance about the applications and essays.” said Noor. “She always had time to see me and was with me throughout the entire process, checking classes to ensure they met my requirements.”

Noor chose to study at the American College of Greece, one of few schools that she found to offer upper level biology courses during the summer term. Noor would attend the college along with a group of students from across the globe, experiencing Greece and its culture together. “It was a big culture shock when I first arrived there. Not everyone spoke English, so it was a bit of a roadblock. We were able to communicate with locals through hand gestures, so it worked out in the end.”

Along with the culture shock came Noor’s first truly independent experience. Traveling on her weekends breaks, Noor visited Rome, Paris, Vienna, Cairo, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Barcelona, and more. “My favorite place was Amsterdam. Although we walked 12 miles that day, it was amazing.” It was travelling from city to city, country to country that helped Noor become more independent quickly. “I benefited a lot from the trips because we had to control it ourselves. Being on my own made me more independent.”

Noor attributes much of her decision to study abroad to the support she received from NPU’s Office of International affairs. “Tessa was a big part of it all. If it wasn’t for her support, the scholarships would have seemed out of reach.” The support didn’t stop after Noor began her journey to Greece, as Tessa continued to check in with her throughout the summer.

Noor is now busy in her last semester and getting ready to take the next steps towards becoming a physician: studying for the MCAT and applying to medical school. Looking back at her time at North Park, Noor is grateful for the experiences that have prepared her for what’s next. “I came to NPU last minute, and when I got here it felt like the best decision of my life.”

You can read more about Noor’s summer travels on her FEA blog.

Author Ana SeklerPosted on Categories Profile, StoriesTags , , , ,

Business Management and Esports: Meet Edson Lopez, Top 500 Fortnite Player

Edson draws many parallels between academic discipline and gaming discipline. “You have to be willing to put in the time and effort to get better, otherwise, you won’t become good. You have to practice every day, you have to compete against other good players.”

Edson Lopez, a Business Management major, will graduate from North Park in May of 2020. Edson is also a Top 500 player in Fortnite. Fortnite is an online video game based on the Battle-Royale format. Players scavenge for loot and build structures until the last man standing. Fortnite has around 250 million registered users worldwide. Edson clocked over 1,000 hours of Fortnite last year on his PS4 alone. He has since moved to playing on PC and plays competitively.

To Edson, video games such as Fortnite are just like any other sport, “it’s just a passion. Gaming is one of those things where I just lose sense of time. I have a lot of fun, and it is something I would like to make a living off of.” For Edson, a career in gaming is becoming a reality. He is already signed on a contract with esports organization Bolt Esports LLC. “The organization chose me for placing well in events and I have proven that I can compete against some of the best players in the world,” Edson says. He hopes to improve and sign with larger organizations; his ultimate goal is to sign with 100 Thieves.

Edson draws many parallels between athletic or academic discipline and gaming discipline. “You have to be willing to put in the time and effort to get better, otherwise, you won’t become good. You have to practice every day, you have to compete against other good players,” he says. Communication and networking are other important aspects to gaming Edson says. Networking with other streamers and players has helped him grow his channels and bolster his online presence.

Edson attributes some of this success to North Park’s School of Business. He cites his professors who intentionally made personal connections with him. They have taught Edson how to communicate and market himself, and have shown him the numbers behind business. Edson says this guidance and learning has “translated over to the gaming side because communication and marketing myself has helped me grow my Twitch (streaming channel), and helped me make new friends and connections with people.” He adds, “I have learned the things I should and shouldn’t do as a professional. Gaming is more serious than many people think.”
Edson is also excited to join the gaming industry in other ways. Esports organizations are similar to other businesses, with a product to sell and talent to acquire. “Scouting would allow me to play the game more casually. The School of Business has really taught me how to communicate, and working as a scout involves a lot of interpersonal skills, so I feel like that would be a good fit for me.”

Last month, Edson and his Duo placed 43rd in a Fortnite tournament in one of the toughest regions in the world: North America East. Edson is currently competing in the Fortnite World Cup qualifiers in Solo and Duo categories. Each weekend, Edson has qualified for finals and has won cash prizes. The Fortnite World Cup has a total prize pool of $30 million.

To follow Edson’s gaming escapades, find him on Twitter or Twitch @PotentFN.

Author Ana SeklerPosted on Categories Profile, StoriesTags , , , ,

Dean Thuswaldner Elected as Fellow of Royal Historical Society

Dr. Gregor Thuswaldner, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and Professor of Humanities, was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society.

Dr. Gregor Thuswaldner, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and professor of humanities, was elected as a fellow of the Royal Historical Society, which is based at University College London. Founded in 1872, fellowships are awarded to individuals who made “‘an original contribution to historical scholarship,’ normally through the authorship of a monograph, a body of scholarly work similar in scale and impact to a monograph, or the organisation of exhibitions, conferences, the editing of journals and other works of diffusion and dissemination grounded in historical scholarship. Election is conducted by peer review and all applications must be supported by an existing Fellow.” Thuswaldner has extensively written on Austrian literary and cultural history.

About Dr. Thuswaldner   About the Royal Historical Society

Author Ana SeklerPosted on Categories Announcement, News, Profile, Stories

Standing Out in the Job Market with a Multi-disciplinary Major: Elvin Ahmeti C’15

Working as a senior financial analyst at global healthcare manufacturer Fresenius Kabi USA, Elvin Ahmeti C’15 says it was his combined education in business and life sciences which prepared him for his career.

Alumni Elvin Ahmeti says North Park prepared him to stand out in the job market.

Elvin Ahmeti C’15 took full advantage of North Park’s multidisciplinary academics and internship opportunities, completing a double major in finance and accounting with a minor in biology. Now based in Chicago and working as a senior financial analyst at global healthcare manufacturer Fresenius Kabi USA, Ahmeti says his combined education in business and life sciences prepared him for his career and helped him to stand out in the job market.

Ahmeti developed his skills in North Park’s rigorous business and biology classes, and through an internship as a business analyst at Swedish Covenant Hospital. Ahmeti stayed on-board at Swedish Covenant for another year post-graduation before moving over to Fresenius Kabi. As a senior financial analyst, Ahmeti works in a team to ensure the sustainability of the company’s pharmaceutical product portfolio.

“The fact that I had a biology minor along with my business major made me stand out as a job candidate,” Ahmeti says. Many of Ahmeti’s classes, including Advanced Finance and Strategic Management, were “exact replicas of what is expected from financial professionals in the real world.”

“The courses I took at North Park were challenging and properly prepared me for my future,” says Ahmeti, who encourages students to work hard. “Be focused on your end goal and eventually you will reach it.”  While at North Park, Ahmeti’s favorite classes were Advanced Finance, Public Speaking, and Management and Leadership.

When not working, Ahmeti enjoys cooking, traveling, watching soccer, and learning about history and politics. He considers himself lucky to live in Chicago because of its cultural and culinary diversity. One day he hopes to own a restaurant specializing in artisan sandwiches and breakfast food somewhere warm like Vietnam.

Author onlinemediaPosted on Categories Profile, StoriesTags , , , ,

Q&A with Athletic Training Program Director Andrew Lundgren

Program Director Andrew Lundgren talks about the career opportunities and advantages of North Park’s athletic training program.

Andrew Lundgren: Athletic Training Program Director and Associate Professor

What kinds of career opportunities can the athletic training program offer?

Athletic trainers are health care professionals who are experts in the prevention, examination, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of injuries and other medical conditions. Our graduates find employment in a variety of settings including secondary schools, colleges, professional sports, industrial settings, and physician/sports medicine clinics.

A degree in athletic training can also help prepare students for other health care programs like physical therapy, occupational therapy, or physician assistant studies. Other graduates pursue health-care related professions such as orthopedic technology or medical sales.

What type of student is a good candidate for the program?

Students with strong interpersonal skills who are interested in science, medicine, and working with active populations typically thrive in athletic training. Since each day in the field is different, it is important that athletic trainers are flexible and can adapt.

How does North Park’s athletic training program stand out?

As the only CAATE-accredited athletic training program in Chicago’s city limits, our students have access to a host of learning opportunities and are afforded a diverse array of locations for clinical education. Through these clinical placements, students gain hands-on experiences while learning from professionals in the field. Students gain additional experience as members of the medical team at the Bank of America Chicago Marathon/Shamrock Shuffle. Finally, our growing network of alumni remains actively involved in the program. Many alumni help to educate the next generation of students by serving as guest speakers, preceptors, and mentors. Supported by these unique opportunities and our network of alumni and friends, North Park’s athletic training programs are well-established within and outside Chicagoland.

Learn More

Author onlinemediaPosted on Categories Profile, StoriesTags , , , , , , , ,

Summer Internships: How North Parkers Spent Their Summer

Two North Parkers share how they found their summer internships and what they gained.

Every year, North Park students seek internships and jobs within the city of Chicago. We followed up with two North Park students who found their internships through North Park’s Career Development and Internships Office (CDIO). The CDIO assists current students and graduates in finding jobs and internships related to their fields.

Learn more about the CDIO

Amy Ryzewicz, C’19

“When I applied for my summer internship, I asked the CDIO for help. They sent me additional internships to apply for outside of the Career Hub, North Park’s job board. The CDIO was invited to some of my classes and talked about writing cover-letters and making CVs, which may be important for creative careers. They also helped me during the process for obtaining credit over the summer as well.

I found a paid position as a graphic design intern. I designed and updated print ads for directories of US manufacturers. The directories are sold by state and there is an online subscription that may be purchased by businesses. There is also a directory for all of the wholesalers and distributors in the entire country, along with an Illinois services directory.

The people I worked with are very friendly, and we have similar interests. The work culture is honest. I have learned about what happens before and after an ad is made, which is something that I did not know much about before. The company was flexible and is very organized.

I suggest students start looking and applying for summer internships during their sophomore year, instead of junior year. Shadowing people before and during the process of job searching, or even meeting with them for coffee can be helpful in finding the right position. For creative people, I recommend checking out art galleries for internships too. Non-profits are generally more flexible with internships, even though they do not pay. There is a wide range of potential for graphic design work.

Because of my summer internship that I found with the help of CDIO, I feel more likely to go into this professional field after I graduate. I also found that my worries about this field were unfounded.”

Grace So, C’18

“From the beginning of my freshman year, the CDIO provided resources to get me the opportunities I received this summer. I have been polishing my resume since the first semester of freshman year and have met with a variety of staff at different times during the four years I was at North Park in regards to career direction, branding myself, developing a LinkedIn profile, and actually looking for a specific internship/job opportunity.

In regards to the specific internship (or apprenticeship) that I got this summer, Renee Tucker-Martinez sent me several links to job descriptions of various kinds, and this one—production apprentice for Jellyvision Lab—caught my eye. At a CDIO networking dinner, I had the opportunity to meet a North Park alum who works there. I asked her several questions about the company and the position and decided to apply for the apprenticeship.

The company produces software that makes boring things fun. For example the product that I worked with the most is a software which companies use to help employees understand benefits and decide on the plan which works best for the employees. My specific role as a production apprentice was making sure the product which gets customized for various companies actually works as intended. I proof-read texts, edited scripts which go into the software, attended professional development trainings, and oversaw general product management.

At Jellyvision, I had the opportunity to receive an extensive training (5 weeks) covering everything from benefits to how a tech company operates and what tools it uses to manage the production process. I love that the company invested in me so that I am equipped to do my job well and understand the inner workings of the company. Everyone I worked with seems so talented, hard-working, and kind, that I often wondered how the company maintains such a close-knit, start-up culture.

I definitely used everything I had learned from my classes at North Park. As someone who studied Communication Studies, I was able to observe and apply my knowledge of how group communication works, what kind of relationship dynamics appear in a work setting, and how to avoid misunderstandings by being clearer in my communication. I also wrote and edited texts daily, so all the writing I did in college was worth it!

I couldn’t ask for a better work experience fresh out of college. Looking back on the job application processes, I now realize that employers look less at my major or the field of work I am interested in, and more at my skill-sets and experiences.”

Author Ana SeklerPosted on Categories Profile, StoriesTags , , ,