The Graduate School Blog

Think about the last time you had to move…particularly in Charleston. Beautiful city, but the streets were not made for U-Hauls or large trucks. Maybe you even had to carry all your belongings up multiple flights of steps. How great would it be to show up to the place you are moving into and most (if not all) of your belongings are already there? NowShip is here to save the day!

NowShip.com provides rugged shipping boxes with $100 insurance included to transport personal effects from one destination to another here in the USA and internationally door to door. Through their program, 1BOX1TREE, they also support the Fourth Grade Foresters, providing one tree per one box shipped. Through this program, they are able to help educate and allow our younger generations to learn environmental stewardship, community responsibility and enjoy the benefits of reforestation, one tree at a time. 

Founder John Krisch and business partner David Simpson III of Simpson & Partners LLC, have spent the last few weeks working with the MBA Taskforce. The purpose of this collaboration has been to do market research and create a marketing plan that will act as a model for urban college campuses across the United States and potentially globally. NowShip.com is priced for the college budget and we believe the Task Force’s plan to bring this company to students will positively affect their success in the college consumer market and their bottom line.

This has been an amazing opportunity for MBA students to not only put their classroom knowledge to use in a real-world situation, but also to learn about entrepreneurial spirit and the mindset that goes into a local start-up business.

“Working with Nowship has given us the opportunity to apply marketing skills that we been learning in this MBA program to real business problems. It is truly a win-win scenario,” said Christian Buss, College of Charleston MBA Class of 2017, Cohort

NOW SHIP TEAM

Left to Right: David Simpson Simpson & Partners, John Krisch Founder NowShip, Krin Erickson CofC MBA Task Force, Christian Boss CofC MBA Task Force, Michael Haverstick CofC MBA Task Force, Matthew Whipple CofC MBA Task Force Leader, Missing Taylor Price-Kellogg CofC MBA Task Force

Erin Hausmann

A little bit about me: I grew up on a farm in a small town in Nebraska, so it quite a culture shock when I moved to Charleston! Currently, I live in Norman, Oklahoma where I am contiuing my education in Pure Mathematics.  I love being outside; whether it’s reading outside, going on walks, or just enjoying the weather. When I’m not studying, I like to bake. Recently, I’ve been attempting to make homemade breads. I also love traveling; a couple of summers ago, Joey Randich and I spent about two months backpacking Europe. My favorite place was Riomaggiore.  To be honest, I didn’t have a “real” reason for attending the College of Charleston. I had just graduated from my undergraduate at Wayne State in Nebraska, and I was pretty unsure of what the next step to take in life was (i.e get a job, peace corps, more school, etc). Laura, my friend from high school, had told me about how she loved the College of Charleston; so I decided to apply and go visit. I’m happy I did, I love the Mathematics department; everyone is great and really prepared me for further schooling. I think it was a great fit for me.

What did graduate school teach me? The best thing graduate school taught me was how to be a good student. Not just in the sense of getting good grades, but of wanting to learn the material on a deeper level. And it really taught me how to manage my time between having GA duties, classes, homework, and still enjoying time to myself/with friends. But the main lesson I learned is that graduate school taught me to ACCEPT, OVERCOME, and LEARN from failures and find solutions. And in the end, I am a much stronger person and equipped to better handle things in the real world in my future career. I am confident to say that grad school has made me a much better mathematician, and I value the training/education that I was fortunate enough to receive.

Guess what I’m doing now? I’m in the Ph.D program for Pure Mathematics at the University of Oklahoma in Norman. I’m taking a few classes and teaching college algebra, which is much harder than what I thought!

Advice to graduate students: Take time for yourself. Everyone deserves a break now and then, even if its just to go on a walk or to have a coffee/beer at Kudu. I know my quality of work decreases if I’m not happy.  As tough and frustrating as grad school can be, it is important to keep your head up and push through.  If you feel like giving up, ask yourself what got you here in the first place. Be proud of how far you have made it. Try to focus on the positives. If you can’t: take a break and revisit whatever is bothering you tomorrow. Yes, it is a long process but you are not the only one faced with something that may seem impossible at first. I’ll just tell you that once you reach the ‘end,’ you will realize how ‘possible’ everything is and actually was in disguise.Go out and conquer the world!

To learn more about our Mathematical Sciences program: http://cofc.edu/academics/graduate-degree-progs/graduatedegreeslist/math.php

As far as the laws of mathematics refer to reality, they are not certain; and as far as they are certain, they do not refer to reality. ~Albert Einstein

Michael Del Vecchio’16 is originally from NJ, but has been living in Myrtle Beach, SC since 2007.  Michael graduated from the College of Charleston in the Summer of 2016 with a Master of Science in Mathematics and a Graduate Certificate in Statistics.  Currently, Michael is a Math instructor at Francis Marion University in Florence, SC. Michael says teaching mathematics has always been a lifelong passion. He is truly living his dream!  He previously taught math at Andrews High School, Piedmont Technical College, and Horry Georgetown Technical College.  In 2006, he earned his undergraduate degree at Rutgers University double majoring in Mathematics and Computer Science.  Besides teaching, Michael is passionate about music and playing the guitar.  Michael plays the guitar for the worship band at his church.  Michael is happily married with three children.

Mike and Wife

Why did you choose UCSC?

To obtain my long term goal of teaching higher education I needed to get my masters degree in Mathematics.  Seeking a college that offered a graduate degree in my area was not an easy task.  I had visited Charleston and loved the city.  When I talked to the Math department I felt welcome and a sense of community. I was impressed with their quality and convenient program.  Because of my family I was not able to live in Charleston.  In 2014, I decided to take a break from working and began to commute 89 miles each way twice a week to begin earning my masters degree at the College of Charleston.  I was a little nervous after not taking college level math classes in eight years, but the welcoming and supportive professors and the student body quickly put me at ease.  Each semester got a little easier.  My advice to furture students is to never give up on your dreams and pursue the degree you need. Do not get overwhelmed and just keep pushing forward. The world is yours to conquer!

Mike-Francis Marion University

Learn more about our Mathematical Science Masters Degree Program: http://cofc.edu/academics/graduate-degree-progs/graduatedegreeslist/math.php

Maria Royle and one of her students

On Monday, August 21, 2017 Americans will witness one of the most unique and historical events – a total Solar Eclipse. What makes this Solar Eclipse event SO special and unique?  It will traverse the entire United States for the first time since 1918!  Other similar events have been seen throughout the US, but it has not traversed the country since 1918.   That’s why the NASA Space Grant Program is making such a big fuss over it!

Teams from the NASA Space Grant College and Fellowship program will be in the path of totality, collaborated to coordinate and plan the amazing High Altitude Balloon (HAB) Solar Eclipse Event.  Several states from across the USA (including Puerto Rico) participated in a training to prepare for this event.  Multiple teams gathered and trained, practiced, and learned how to set up high altitude balloons (and launch) along with specialized equipment in order to stream live video for NASA and the entire world.

NASA

Of the teams who received this intense training, three teams were from Charleston, SC, and of those, two teams were local public schools from the Charleston, SC area. The schools who participated were R.B. Stall High School and Palmetto Scholars Academy. These were the only two teams who had high school students! What’s more special yet for Charleston SC is that the students from R.B. Stall H.S. were ESOL students including their teacher Ms. Maria Royle, bilingual and an Alumni of the College of Charleston. Ms. Royle was invited to participate in this event by the South Carolina Space Grant Consortium Director Dr. Cass Runyon, also a professor of the College of Charleston.

Under the direction of Dr. Runyon, Team Carolina (name of the three Charleston teams) will prepare to launch HAB’s from different locations throughout the Charleston area and film live for NASA.

Maria Royle and her students

Come see what the whole fuss is about! Check out the links below and come join them! If you wish to provide support/assistance you may contact Dr. Runyon at: runyonc@cofc.edu. You may also contact Ms. Royle at: mlroyle@g.cofc.edu

Team Carolina could definitely use support in the form of funding for the purchase of helium (for the balloons), and funding for the purchase of additional balloons for practice events.

http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEgoogle/SEgoogle2001/SE2017Aug21Tgoogle.html

http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEmono/TSE2017/TSE2017.htmlhttp://www.eclipse2017.org/2017/eclipse_popup.htm

For more information on our ESOL program: http://cofc.edu/academics/graduate-degree-progs/certificateprograms/cert-english.php

Kelsey Michele MBA 2017

Tell me a little bit about yourself:

My name is Kelsey Michele and I am 22 years old from Upstate New York. I recently finished my undergraduate degree in accounting from Binghamton University where I also played on the women’s lacrosse team. At CofC I plan to complement my accounting background with some additional creativity by focusing in Marketing. Outside of the classroom I am passionate about many things including the wine industry. My summer job consisted of managing a winery in upstate New York where I fell in love with the wine culture. My dream is to eventually own my own vineyard! I am also very passionate about sustainability, and making a difference in the community. I am involved with the American Cancer Society and the InPact program, on campus where people learn how to make a profit while making a difference. Outside of the classroom you can probably find me at the beach, riding around town enjoying Charleston on my bicycle, or planning my next big adventure. I also really enjoy practicing yoga, cooking, and learning different languages.

What is your favorite place on campus?

My favorite part on campus is walking through “College Way”. I absolutely love the historic architecture surrounded by the beautiful trees and enchanting Spanish moss. The palm trees are an additional perk, being from New York I never thought I could have palm tree’s outside of vacation. A light walk through campus and you feel like you’re in a fairytale.

What does diversity mean to you?

When I was asked this question I googled the definition of diversity, and what I found was intriguing. My findings showed me that the frequency of use of the word diversity in the english language has increased 300% from 1950-2000. Diversity is so important to the development of society and only recently have we come to understand that.

Diversity is almost a paradox that involves using differences to become united. Diversity is not limited to race, gender, and age. It is every little quirk, every cell in ones body, every experience, that makes someone who they are. The world is an awfully big place but diversity makes it more reachable. Diversity allows people to learn from others with different backgrounds, challenge assumptions, foster creativity, and many more possibilities. Without diversity everyone would be the same, and how boring would that be!

Advice for prospective graduate students

#1. Tackle the GMAT/GRE like a NFL Football player. Just get it done!

#2. Do your research about the program, including the background of professors, alumni, and the Charleston area. The more you know, the more you can take advantage of.

#3. Get into good habits of creating a healthy lifestyle. Grad school is no joke no matter where you go and it can be easy to skip out on those healthy habits. Building healthy habits into your life before hand will set you up for success rather then trying to build them throughout. While its certainly not impossible, its good to be proactive.

#4. Get ready for an experience of a lifetime and to have a lot of fun! Hard work, friendships, challenges, diversity, and more learning then you could ever imagine makes for a great experience in a great city.

To learn more about our MBA program, please check out our website for more information: http://www.mbacharleston.com/

Heather Roberts, M.A.T Performing Arts Graduate Student

Tell me about yourself:

Originally, I’m from Cross, SC and I was 25 when I entered the program. Previously I earned my undergraduate degree in Theater for Youth at the College of Charleston. Through this program I was able to have many hands-on teaching experiences including working with the special-needs theater program called “The Unified Players” in partnership with the City of Charleston. Ultimately I want to become a Drama Therapist, but I decided that I also wanted to become a certified teacher to have classroom experience to fulfill the requirements to achieve my drama therapy license in the future. I plan on teaching for at least 5 years after graduation to meet the requirement for loans that I have taken out and then I plan on heading to Canada or Massachusetts to earn my drama therapy license. During the program I was able to gain more teaching experience through fieldwork associated with my coursework and I was also given a graduate assistantship teaching at a preschool at the College of Charleston. While in this program, I have continued my work with the City of Charleston’s “Unified Players” and assist them with producing plays. This year we are doing James and the Giant Peach! I am a jack of all trades and a master of some. I work hard and try to do my best at everything that is put in front of me. I love to to put on plays with the Unified Players which is a group for typical and exceptional adults.  Side of school, I also love to bake and I am trying to start my own cupcake business. I’m engaged to the most awesome person, Matthew. I am also the mother of two fur babies, Dragon and Shadow.

Heather, Matthew and the Furbabies

What is your favorite place on campus? My favorite place on campus is the couches on the second floor of the Simmons Center.

Why did you select UCSC- College of Charleston? I selected the College because I wanted to pursue theatre in a teaching and therapeutic format. Teaching performing arts will act as a stepping stone for my final goal of becoming a dramatherapist.

Just call me Heather

What does diversity mean to you? Diversity means that everyone is included. Whether that means race, social economic level, ability level or anything else. All deserve a right to follow their own path.

What advice would you give prospective graduate students? Don’t procrastinate! While it may seem like a good idea at the time, you’ll been in for many a sleepless night. Also, don’t  be afraid to try something new. You might end up finding your passion in the unlikeliest of places.

Ready to Graduate in May 2017

To learn more about our Performing Arts (Master of Arts in Teaching) program: http://cofc.edu/academics/graduate-degree-progs/graduatedegreeslist/performingarts.php

Husna Siddiqui’Master of Computer Information Sciences’18

Tell me about yourself

My name is Husna Siddiqui. I was born in Hyderabad, India. I’m currently pursuing a masters in Computer and Information Sciences with a concentration in Software Engineering. Right now, I work as a Software Engineer at Blackbaud, the world’s leading cloud software company that powers social good. A few of my hobbies include cooking,eating, DIY home projects, taking walks and traveling. I love going on random adventures and being in the outdoors, but I also enjoy relaxing and binge watching Netflix. I absolutely love coffee and I obsessively watch Korean dramas.

What is your favorite place on campus?

My favorite place on campus is the Computer Science game room. It’s the place that I go to when I want to meet up with friends, work on class projects or just relax and play some video games. The game room has a ton of amenities for students such as: a microwave, a refrigerator, video games and Netflix!  It is a really cool space that strives to provide a fun and comfortable environment.

Reserved for Husna

Why did you select UCSC- College of Charleston?

I have a passion for technology and to create a culture of collaboration and learning. I knew that I wanted to continue learning and to further my education so that I can be the best at what I do. My professor, Aspen Olmsted, pushed me and encouraged me to face new challenges and opened up the door to exciting opportunities by leading me towards our masters program. I chose the College of Charleston because I love the faculty and the students who are a part of the Computer Science department. The department has a culture of inclusion, collaboration, and friendship. I knew that I would be comfortable and happy here.

What does diversity mean to you?

To me diversity is acceptance. I believe that being surrounded by a diverse group of people from various racial, ethnic and cultural backgrounds can help to nurture beautiful relationships. It will enable us to learn and grow together, and to accept and respect our differences. I feel that at the College of Charleston we are lacking in terms of racial and cultural diversity, however, we do a really great job with acceptance. In my experience here I have always been welcomed and encouraged by my peers and professors to be the best that I can be.

What advice would you give prospective graduate students?

Find something that you are truly passionate about. Be prepared and driven. It is not easy, but if it is something that you want, then it is totally worth it. Also, build strong relationships with the faulty and your peers. These relationships will be a crucial part of your success as a student.

For more information on our Master of Computer and Information Sciences Graduate Program: http://cofc.edu/academics/graduate-degree-progs/graduatedegreeslist/computerscience.php

Laura Westby Cannon

We are excited to feature a graduate student in one of our newest graduate school programs- Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing. The MFA in Creative Writing, a two-year program of graduate study for 12 students admitted annually for a total of 24 students, features separate Studio and Arts Management emphases. The program offers not only advanced degree training in the writing of poetry and fiction, but also opportunities to assist in the production of Crazyhorse. The backbone of the program will be workshops taught by writing faculty in the two genres, as well as training in the history and traditions associated with writing, theoretical and formal approaches to the craft, and intensive peer and faculty feedback. Students in both the Studio and Arts Management tracks will also gain reading, writing, and critical thinking skills valuable to such humanities-based industries as editing, publicity, marketing, and promotion in publishing and the arts; the Arts Management track emphasizes management, organization, decision-making, and problem-solving skills in preparation for jobs within the creative economy. Laura is one of our Woodfin scholars, business owner and a COFC graduate. Read more about Laura.

Tell me a little bit about yourself.

I was born in Fargo, North Dakota and spent my childhood years in rural Valley City. My family moved south seventeen years ago, my parents in search of a stronger economy. I was able to attend the College of Charleston in 2006 when I received the Palmetto Scholars award as an undergraduate. It was here I discovered I could obtain a B.A. in English with a Concentration in Creative Writing – something I never knew was possible. As an avid reader and writer from a young age, I jumped at that opportunity. After graduation I opened a small business with my husband, but never quieted my love for writing.

Creative Minds At Work

What is your favorite place on campus?

I love the Cistern Yard. The oak trees are gorgeous and I’m often stunned that so much beauty is in such a small space in the middle of a city.

Laura Westby Cannon, MFA’18

What does diversity mean to you?

Diversity is engaging with people. I don’t believe it means pity, but if we carry enough mercy, it can certainly be a catalyst to empathy. Perhaps it is the practice of getting outside our own selves to discover how many other ways there are to live.

Mr & Mrs Cannon

Advice for prospective graduate students

Don’t wait to strive toward reaching your goals. Life happens at inopportune times. If there are one hundred reasons to say no, consider the reasons you want to say yes. And if pursuing your graduate degree is a part of achieving your most heartfelt desire in this lifetime, you cannot afford to say no. The details take care of themselves, believe me.

To learn more about the MFA in Creative Writing: http://english.cofc.edu/graduate-programs/master-fine-arts-creative-writing/index.php

Armon Hanks

Meet Armon Hanks, an Environmental Studies graduate student. Armon is interested in the science behind policy issues, he is acquiring a solid foundation based on the ways information should be used to assess environmental and societal risk and the relevant policies. Students of environmental policy focus on the development and implementation of public policy responses to environmental issues, especially the economic, political and social factors that are an intrinsic part of the policymaking process. Here is a little bit more about Armon Hanks…..

Tell me a little bit about yourself

• Military brat, parents in Navy
• Grew up along the Savannah River, GA
• Hometown – Augusta, GA; BA in Environmental Science from USC Columbia
• Builds and rides electric bikes
• Grows his own vegetables
• Wants to be a mayor one day

What is your favorite place on campus?

• School of Sciences and Mathematics building – I love the new science building, you always see someone you know, the natural history museum is AMAZING, the building is chock full of multidisciplinary scientific endeavors, and it always smells nice and clean.

What does diversity mean to you?

• Diversity to me means bringing together a variety of people, things, or ideas that are very different from each other; but it’s not just bringing all those different things together, it’s bringing them together for a purpose greater than any purpose they could have achieved individually. Kind of like a rainforest, or a coral reef, to me diversity has to have a synergistic or mutual symbiotic nature about it.
• In my opinion, diversity is the willingness to incorporate information that differs from your typical perspective. It means you’re open to learning about the way someone else might approach a situation, and you’re not only respectful, but appreciative of those differences.

Armon Hanks

Advice for prospective graduate students

• You are in charge of your own success; don’t be afraid to fail or challenge yourself academically, professionally, and physically. At the same time though, make sure you don’t isolate yourself; always connect with your faculty, your professors, your fellow graduate students, and people working in the field(s) you’re interested in.

If you would want to learn more about our Environmental Studies program, click here: http://cofc.edu/academics/graduate-degree-progs/graduatedegreeslist/envstudies-ms.php

Danna Stokes grew up in Greenville, SC and completed her undergraduate degree at Clemson University (Go Tigers!). She always knew that she wanted to work with children, and after volunteering and interning with a few different organizations, she decided that she wanted to pursue a career in child life. As a kid, she hated going to the doctor, so the idea of being involved in a profession where the main purpose is to reduce the stress of hospitalization intrigued her. After realizing the competitiveness of the field, she decided that in order to land her dream job, she would need to earn a master’s degree in child life, which led her to College of Charleston. She graduated with her Masters of Science in Child Life in May 2016 and earned her certification in August of the same year.

Danna Stokes’16

Her first day as a Certified Child Life Specialist at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta was August 1^st 2016, where she works in the emergency department at Egleston, one of CHOA’s three main campuses. She sees everything from seriously injured patients to fractured bones or small lacerations. Her primary role is to reduce the stress and impact of hospitalization for patients and families. She also often provides alternate focus to help divert the patient’s attention during stressful times. She loves so many aspects of her job, but her favorite part is when she gets to prepare a child for a procedure. She often uses medical equipment or teaching dolls to ensure that the child understands what he or she will see, hear, and feel during the procedure. She loves seeing that little lightbulb go on when a patient realizes that he or she knows exactly what is going to happen and that there is a coping plan in place that will make the experience easier. She says there’s nothing like watching a five-year-old tell a physician “that’s the string Band-Aid that’s going to fix my cut!”

In a profession like child life, experience is everything. Fortunately, the graduate program at the University of Charleston, SC at the College of Charleston provided a lot of opportunities to build relationships with community organizations and gain experience working with children and families. As a cohort, she were involved with an organization that provided end-of-life resources to families, a group that allowed for normative camp opportunities to children with various illnesses or developmental challenges, as well as a school program that focused on grief counseling for children. Throughout every experience and every interaction, she learned how to better shape her language and disposition to fit the individual patient and family that she is working with.

Her advice to current graduate students is to enjoy the learning. She has always thought that it is such a privilege to live in a country where we have such easy access to learning. The great part about graduate school is that you are finally taking classes that are focused on exactly what you are interested in learning about. Once you graduate, you do not have as easy access to learning, so make sure you take advantage of the opportunities to soak it all in, make the mistakes and learn from them now. She also says that although graduate school can be very stressful at times, especially if you are balancing a job or other life commitments along with your education, it’s all worth it when you land that job. She is so thankful every day for her career. She loves what she does and knows that it would have never been possible without earning her master’s degree.

If you would like more information on our Child Life program: http://childlife.cofc.edu/index.php