Tag: Advocacy & Leadership

CCS Student Spotlight: Xin Ni

Posted on | by Patti Parker

CCS Student Spotlight: Xin Ni

The College and Career Studies (CCS) program would like to spotlight Xin Ni this month. Xin is in her second year in the CCS program.

Xin’s main passion is drawing comics. She creates her own comic called DinoFriends, which she posts regularly on Instagram. With this comic, she has made a whole world of colorful characters who explore various aspects of life together.

Xins Dinofriend in rainbow colors is holding the end of a rainbow. In the background you can see the words You're So Colorful.

Xin is taking three classes this semester: Writing Comics, First Aid and Emergency Care, and Practicum in Universal Design. In all of these classes, she is using her art skills to learn and share more about those topics.

All the dino friends are pictured with speech bubbles introducing themselves. Below them it states We are Dinofriends.

For Xin’s practicum project this semester, she is working with the Graphic Medicine Resource Lab to explore how comics can make healthcare topics more accessible to a wider audience. Graphic medicine is also a field that examines people’s lived experiences to understand health issues better and help improve outcomes for individuals with developmental disabilities. She is currently working on a comic resource that shows some similarities between the fields of graphic medicine and universal design. Here are a few sample pages of that project:

Graphic Medicine is described on the website as a field that explores and supports the interaction between the medium of comics and the discourse of healthcare. The organization is a community of academics, health careers, authors, artists, and fans of comics.
Universal Design creates products and environments that are as useable to as many people as possible.

Xin is working hard and learning a lot during her time in the College and Career Studies program. She is also working toward earning her Undergraduate Certificate in Universal Design.

Here is Xin’s Instagram, where you can find her amazing comic, Dinofriends!

Great work, Xin! We are so proud of all you are doing!

The NKU logo is in a serif font in black. A gold flame is visible within the U.

NKU Captures Student CTP Experiences in New Video Series

Posted on | by Patti Parker

NKU Captures Student CTP Experiences in New Video Series

These three short videos capture students’ academic experiences, campus life, and mentoring partnerships, as well as their experiences both on and off campus.

SHEP Academic Experience

https://youtu.be/bsgCM4Xfr4o

SHEP Campus Life Experience

https://youtu.be/ZlL9ySLsavA

SHEP Internship Experience

https://youtu.be/XXXxPYU9GWQ

Community Spotlight – Episode 16: Mental Health and Wellness

Posted on | by Patti Parker

Community Spotlight – Episode 16: Mental Health and Wellness

In this edition of Community Spotlight, Callie interviews two UK employees whose work is related to mental health and wellness. Amy Rodquist-Kodet is a holistic health coach and wellness specialist for UK Health and Wellness. Kristen Dahl works at the Human Development Institute at UK on multiple initiatives that center mental health, wellness, and mindfulness. In this interview, Callie asks about some of the supports and resources people might think about for mental health and wellness, the differences between them, and how we can work on our personal goals day to day. 

Nate Palermo – NKU Graduate and CTP Student

Posted on | by Patti Parker

Nate Palermo – NKU Graduate and CTP Student

Nate’s area of interest revolves around environmental science, animal life, and parks & rec. Nate has completed classes in environmental science, psychology, athletics and more. He enjoys playing games with friends, attending NKU basketball games, and working out in the Rec Center. During his time at NKU, Nate has completed several internship placements which include NKU’s Rec Center, the Cincinnati Zoo, the College of Education, and the Cincinnati Museum Center. Nate also enjoys working outside and volunteering his time with Gorman Farms. 

Supported Higher Education
at Northern Kentucky University
A smiling Nate sits at a workstation, typing on a computer keyboard.

Joe Gerstle – NKU Graduate and CTP Student

Posted on | by Patti Parker

Joe Gerstle – NKU Graduate and CTP Student

The NKU baseball team surrounds Joe in the locker room.

During his time at NKU, Joe completed classes related to business, athletics, media and more while also participating in NKU’s Greek Life as a member of the Pike Fraternity. In his free time, Joe enjoys attending NKU basketball games, working out at the Rec Center, and hanging out with his Pike brothers. He is passionate about sports and can be found weightlifting, playing basketball, summing, and running to just name a few activities. During his time in the SHEP Program, Joe focused his internship experience on team management and supporting the Men’s Baseball Team. For the last couple of years, Joe lived on campus in the residence halls and provided assistance to the baseball coaches and players during their practice times.

Supported Higher Education
at Northern Kentucky University

Hilltopper pride continues at WKU with Football and Fun

Posted on | by Patti Parker
WKU Student standing beside the Hilltopper at a WKU football game

Hilltopper pride continues at WKU with Football and Fun

The first semester of the WKU SAV-Y program ends on a high note with additional collaboration by embedding peer mentor participation in a graduate-level school psychology program.

SAV-Y at Western Kentucky University

Ann’s Music Spotlight featuring Nick Teale

Posted on | by Patti Parker

Ann’s Music Spotlight featuring Nick Teale

Ann’s Music Spotlight is a media series showcasing local and regional Kentucky musicians. It is hosted by Ann Switzer, an alum of the College and Career Studies at UK, who now works as a mentor and media specialist at HDI. In this episode, Ann interviews Louisville singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Nick Teale. Thank you for listening!