September 2021
Mentoring Diverse Graduate Students
Thursday, September 23, 2 to 3:30 p.m. ET
Click here for an event flier
Registration for this virtual workshop is available to WMU faculty. Click here to reserve your seat. The Zoom meeting link will be emailed upon registration.
There is almost no institution nor environment in which mentoring is not discussed as a critical tool for personal, professional, and career development. This virtual workshop will be led by faculty from minority serving institutions of higher education. This session will focus on how faculty can attract, retain, and graduate a diverse student body through mentoring built on trust and support. Don’t miss this exciting and informative session to expand your outreach and grow your program!
Speakers include:
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Dr. Eartha Johnson, Dillard University, Dean of Faculty and Student Academic Services, Associate Professor of Psychology
Dr. Eartha L. Johnson serves as Dean of Faculty and Student Academic Services and previously served as the interim dean of the College of Arts and Sciences (COAS). She is a tenured Associate professor of Psychology, Co-Director of the Center for Teaching Learning and Academic Technology CTLAT, and the NYU-FRN Faculty Research Network Liaison. Her areas of expertise include: Her areas of expertise and research include: violence against women, men, and youth, acculturation of Jamaican immigrants, student retention, and faculty development. While at Dillard, she has served as Assistant Dean COAS, Director of Academic Testing, Director of University Counseling, University Counselor, Director of the Freshman Program, and Coordinator of Student Retention. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Dr. Johnson is a drum major for education and values experiences her students share once they have persevered to complete graduate school. Dr. Johnson is a New Orleans native, educator, and civic leader. She is a graduate of Texas Southern University with a doctorate in educational counseling and a master’s degree in clinical/community psychology.Dr. Johnson is an alumna of Walter L. Cohen Senior High School graduating as salutatorian. She has done further study at Harvard University with the Mind, Brain and Education Institute and is a Salzburg Fellow where her research emphasis centered on internationalizing curricula that embraces the multicultural climate in university systems.
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Dr. John Matsui, University of California Berkley, Assistant Dean Biological Sciences, Director Biology Scholars Program
Dr. Matsui is the product of the California Community College and University of California systems. Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, Dr. Matsui grew up in a low-income household in the flats of West Berkeley. His personal background and life experiences have driven what he has done professionally. As Director and co-founder of the Biology Scholars Program (BSP) he has been committed to make biology at Berkeley accessible to all students with an interest. His goal has been to "level the playing field" for individuals who, like himself, do not fit the historical profile of success and to help them become leaders in their future science-related careers. For more than 22 years, he has learned from over 3,000 program members how UC Berkeley can better train and support its undergraduate and graduate students in biology. For his work, Dr. Matsui has received the 2014 SACNAS Distinguished Mentor Award and the 2015 NSF Presidential Mentoring (PAESMEM) Award.Champions of Health Professions Diversity Award, 2011; California Wellness Foundation, Distinguished Mentor Award, 2014; Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring (PAESMEM), 2015; National Science Foundation Andrew Robertson Lecture Award, 2019; Keystone Symposia (Keystone, CO),
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Dr. Albert E. Russell, Tuskegee University, Chair and Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry
Dr. Russell attended Alabama State University and received his Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry 1998. He received the University’s President’s Award for completing his degree at the top of his graduating class. After receiving his B.S. degree, Dr. Russell attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where, in 2003, he obtained his Ph.D. with a concentration in organic chemistry. While at North Carolina, he received a GEM consortium graduate fellowship from DuPont and was recognized as a Sloan Scholar by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. After completing his doctoral studies, Dr. Russell completed a postdoctoral appointment at the University of Maryland. While at Maryland, he also worked as a graduate recruiter and helped to increase the presence of minorities in the Chemistry department. He is currently Department Chair and Associate Professor of Chemistry at Tuskegee University where he teaches Organic Chemistry. Dr. Russell serves on several committees, serves as an academic advisor and as a mentor to many of his students. His research involves designing and testing new compounds as chemotherapeutic agents, developing natural insecticides, developing natural product syntheses and conversion of biomass into biofuel. He has also lead author of a General Chemistry laboratory manual, General Chemistry: Quantitative and Qualitative Laboratory Experiments that is in its 3rd printing.
Dr. Russell is a member of several professional organizations including the National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers (NOBCChe), Who’s Who, and the American Chemical Society (ACS). Dr. Russell is currently the Pastor at Grace Community Church in Millbrook, AL. He is the author of Agapao: Loving Your Wife the Way God Intended, Pushing Through the Pain and Walk With Me (A 365-Day Devotional) all of which are available via Amazon. His website is, aer251books.com. Dr. Russell is the father of two children, Donovan Khalil Russell and Genesis Khamil Russell. God, Family, and Career, that’s how Dr. Russell’s priorities are ordered.
Master of Cybersecurity Information Session
Tuesday, September 28, 6 to 7 p.m. ET
Join faculty members Dr. Alan Rea and Jason Johnson to learn more about the online graduate program featuring accelerated 8-week classes. Register in advance here. Your link to join the session will be sent after you register.
Research and Travel/Virtual Grant Application Workshop
Wednesday, September 29, 3 to 4:30 p.m. ET
Learn more about the grad student research and travel grants and how to submit a successful application by joining the Graduate College for a free virtual workshop. No advance RSVP required, simply click here to join at the appropriate time.
Graduate Writing Circles (meets in-person weekly)
Thursday, September 30, 1 to 4 p.m. ET
The Graduate College is excited to launch an in-person doctoral writing circle. The purpose of the writing circle is to provide a community, accountability, and a quiet location for students to gather with peers to work independently. We ask that you sign-up here as space is limited. We will meet weekly in West Walwood, East Campus on Thursdays from 1 to 4 p.m. Coffee and tea and light snacks will be provided. The first session will launch on Sept. 30.
October 2021
Master of Business Administration Information Session
Wednesday, October 6, 6 to 7 p.m. ET
Learn more about the new Master of Business Administration program. Hear from faculty, staff, and current students. Register in advance here. Your link to join the session will be sent after you register.
WMU Virtual Graduate and Professional School Fair
Monday, October 18, 3 to 6 p.m. ET
WMU Virtual Graduate and Professional School Fair will be held on Monday, October 18, 2021 from 3 to 6 p.m. ET through the Handshake platform. This free event is available to anyone interested in exploring their options for advanced studies. Learn more about graduate and professional school by chatting with representatives from 100+ colleges and universities around the country in real time.
College and university representatives who are interested in hosting a virtual table are welcome to register online here.