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As an English teacher in Vietnam, Mai Nguyen knows firsthand the crisis in the education system in her country. Her mission now is to call attention to the issue by bringing awareness to the relationships between teachers, parents and students in order to affect change.

Nguyen, who is a Fulbright Scholar, spent four weeks this summer in the English Language Institute (ELI) graduate studies program administered by University College. When the program required a research project, Nguyen knew exactly what she would explore—“Creating a Happy Educational Environment in Vietnam.” In her presentation, Nguyen talked about the disintegration of the education system due to miscommunication, violence and immense public pressure. Mental health issues, achievement syndrome and suicide among students are just a few of the topics Nguyen highlighted. Her poster project was presented to fellow students, instructors and administrators across campus.

Nguyen is now a graduate student in the School of Education majoring in teaching and curriculum. While her poster project is now hanging in her room, her research has been made available to a global audience through a partnership between the ELI and the Syracuse University Libraries.

SURFACE is an electronic database maintained and run by the Libraries. Its purpose is to utilize open access, a free repository of research articles available to readers across the globe. The database is available to faculty, students, alumni and authors who are, or were, affiliated with the University. “Other databases that are licensed through collections are not available to those who are no longer or have never been affiliated with Syracuse University,” says Amanda Page, open publishing and copyright librarian. She and her colleagues Tarida Anantachai and Deirdre Joyce spent months collaborating with the ELI staff and instructors to develop this pilot project. Graduate students Prathamesh Datar and Euphemia Brewer Fasama also assisted in the development.

“It’s a great resume builder and because the students’ works were published as open access, they will retain all copyright of their posters and research,” says Page. “This project helps the students when they go on to another college or university. It gives them a head start—they’ve done the research, cited their sources correctly and had it published.”

“For international graduate students like Mai Nguyen and her fellow Fulbrighters, providing this opportunity to publish their ideas on a platform like SURFACE is extremely motivating,” adds ELI Director David Lind. “By making these ideas accessible and free to anyone, anywhere in the world, Syracuse University Libraries is doing a great service to international education.”

Nguyen’s first graduate course this semester was Understanding Educational Research. Through her poster project in the ELI, she was able to share what she learned with the hope that one day, she’ll return to Vietnam and contribute something to the educational system. “This project reminds me why I’m here,” she says. “This is a global topic. For many in education, there needs to be mindfulness in teaching, learning and communicating.” Nguyen says that mindfulness is just one of the solutions to a better system of education. “If the people in Vietnam, especially the parents, know about a situation they will have greater awareness of some of the issues students face.”

“Collaborating with the ELI and all of the contributors on this pilot project has been a joy,” says Anantachai, who is an outreach librarian. “It’s been really exciting to come together and expand the scholarly opportunities of this program, and especially to support the inspiring research and contributions of the Fulbright Scholars in the process.”

SURFACE, Syracuse University’s repository for local and global readers, was launched in 2010. Syracuse University Libraries’ Open Publishing Team is committed to providing all students, faculty and staff access to the resources and services needed to publish their research.

The ELI, established in 1979, provides a pathway to achieving English language proficiency. It delivers English courses for many purposes, including academic, business, general and law, and can customize courses for cohorts of students from across the globe.

The University will be operating under its Orange Appreciation Days from 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 20, 2019, through Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020. Normal business hours will resume on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2020, at 8:30 a.m. EST.

Units providing essential services that will remain operational during the Winter Break include Public Safety and Physical Plant and Maintenance. Some facilities, such as Bird Library, will be operational at reduced hours. Beginning at 5 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 20, all buildings will be on a reduced occupancy schedule, and temperatures in most areas will be set at 60 degrees.

For full list of services during Winter Break/Orange Appreciation Days, please visit: https://news.syr.edu/winterbreak/

Looking Ahead to January

• Newly admitted and returning students can register on MySlice over the break. We will be available Thursday, January 2, for students needing registration assistance. The registration deadline for Spring Session 1 is January 12. Register soon for best class selection.
• Information sessions will be available online every Tuesday and Thursday. Register here to attend.
• Visit us on campus Saturday, January 11, from noon to 4 p.m. or Sunday, January 12, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for help with financial aid, academic advising or bursar/registration.

Central New York is under a Winter Storm Warning, with forecast of icy conditions and significant snow accumulation today (Sunday, Dec. 1) and into tomorrow (Monday, Dec. 2). Syracuse University officials have determined to cancel on-site classes on Monday, Dec. 2. All online classes are scheduled as planned, including live sessions.

For full details about the closing and the essential campus student services that will remain available, please visit: https://news.syr.edu/blog/2019/12/01/classes-canceled-on-monday-dec-2-only-essential-services-personnel-should-report-to-campus/

Carol Sagor is a mother of two, a fiancé, a professional transportation and construction specialist and a University College (UC) student. Sagor, who hopes to graduate in December 2020, is working toward a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering after completing two associate degrees in liberal arts and engineering science at Onondaga Community College. Sagor chose civil engineering after taking an aptitude test at the Onondaga/Cortland/Madison (OCM) BOCES. “The test showed I had a strong skill set in math, and science,” Sagor explains. “While I considered being a doctor, I knew that field wouldn’t be right for me.” She has a clear understanding of how things should be designed and built, so the experience reinforced her desire to become an engineer and led her to the College of Engineering and Computer Science at Syracuse University.

Sagor put her coursework to use this past summer working for the New York State Department of Transportation, where she earned certification in concrete field testing. As a transportation and construction inspector, Sagor confirmed that the specifications for concrete were accurate and that contractors were pouring the concrete correctly.

This semester, Sagor is focusing on her education and her family. When she is on campus, she is fully dedicated to her learning. Like many adult students, Sagor knows that when she gets home, she will have to prepare dinner, help her son with his homework, and handle many other responsibilities—all before settling down to do her own homework.

Returning to school at UC after a gap in her education and career was initially very intimidating for Sagor, but discussions with her academic and financial advisors created a sense of excitement. “The advisors were helpful in explaining my options and offering information on grants and scholarships,” she recalls. “They also explained the opportunities a college degree could afford.”

Sagor said that being an adult student in classes with traditional-age students was somewhat daunting. “But all the professors I’ve had make me feel welcomed. They are encouraging and understanding of how my schedule is different than other students.” Sagor also said that having female engineering professors has been extremely inspiring. In turn, they are aware of the benefits Sagor’s life experience brings to the classroom.

As a first-generation college student, Sagor’s advice to others is to consider all your options. She also stresses the importance of asking questions. “I would never have received the information I needed to decide on a career in engineering if I hadn’t asked questions,” she says. “People are more than willing to help. You just have to have the courage to go after what you want.”

Nick Mobilia entered the Army in 2015, where he served as a combat engineer stationed at Fort Drum. While on active duty, he completed a tour in Afghanistan in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel. In 2017, Mobilia was recognized at the Pentagon by the Sergeant Major of the Army as a representative for the Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers (BOSS) program at Fort Drum. As a representative, he was selected to travel to Washington, D.C. to represent the 10^th Mountain Division and to escort Gold Star Families at Arlington National Cemetery on Memorial Day. “It was what I consider my biggest accomplishment to date,” says Mobilia. “It was an incredibly humbling experience that I will never forget.”

Mobilia retired from the service in August. In January, while still on active duty, he was accepted into the Bachelor of Professional Studies program (B.P.S.) at University College and began his coursework for a degree in cybersecurity administration. “I chose this program because the digital world has become an increasingly dangerous place with more threats than ever before,” explains Mobilia. “Enrolling in this program to learn how to lead and manage teams that work to prevent, detect, and respond to cyber-attacks was incredibly appealing.” Mobilia said that while in the military, he quickly learned that cyberspace is becoming one of the world’s battlefields and that gaining knowledge and expertise in this field is very important for the future safety of our country.

Mobilia now uses what he learned in the military to be successful student. “The skills I apply to my life and my education are discipline and goal setting,” he says.  When he entered the military, Mobilia was told to set attainable goals for his career and develop specific strategies to accomplish them. “I learned that writing down my plan and taking a small step forward every day was the best way for me to meet my goal of becoming Sergeant. Breaking down a long-term goal into smaller pieces makes the process more rewarding and a lot less stressful,” says Mobilia.

The Cybersecurity Administration degree is fully online with a synchronous component. The weekly live session gives Mobilia the opportunity to learn and connect with students and professors from across the country. “So far, I love the program and am excited about my future with University College. My favorite part so far has been the small class size with thoughtful professors who really want us to learn.”

Like many part-time students, Mobilia juggles his coursework with work and other obligations and admits that time management has been his biggest challenge. “Working full time as an active duty soldier and studying was not easy,” he says. “I would have to look ahead at our training schedule and figure out ways to free up time each night for coursework while still being an active leader.”

“I learned so much from my time in the Army. I plan to take everything I learned and apply it to my studies at Syracuse University,” he says.