Inside BFSA
Your information source for BFSA - February 2020
Upcoming Events - Mark your calendars!
February 13, 2020, 7:30 p.m. - Presidential Lecture Series Speaker, Lovett Auditorium:
February 17, 2020, 8:30 a.m., 240 Alexander Hall First Floor Auditorium, Governor Beshear Visit, Governor Beshear will speak about the budget, Legislative Session and education matters.
February 28, 2020 – Quarterly Board of Regents Meeting, Pogue Library, Jesse Stuart Room
March 18 - 20, 2020 - Murray State University Offices closed in observance of Spring Break
March 30, 2020, 3 pm - BFSA February meeting, Guest Speaker: TBA - Location 118 Wells Hall
April 15, 2020, 3 pm - Sigma Alpha Iota's 62nd Annual All Campus Sing
Summer Orientations begin April 17; check the schedule for other sessions
April 20, 2020, 3 pm - BFSA February meeting, Guest Speaker: TBA - Location 118 Wells Hall
April 29, 2020 - Senior Breakfast Event
May 9, 2020 - Graduation, Time: TBA
May 25, 2020 - Murray State University Offices closed in observance of Memorial Day
June 5, 2020 – Quarterly Board of Regents Meeting, Pogue Library, Jesse Stuart Room
Faculty Awards and Recognition Deadlines
Greetings Murray State Faculty Members,
The 2019-20 Research Policy Committee is accepting nominations for the following awards:
Presidential Research Award
Nominations due physically by Feb. 7
Distinguished Researcher Award (for a Non-STEM research area)
Nominations due electronically Feb. 12
Emerging Scholar Award (for a STEM research area)
Nominations due electronically Feb. 12
Emerging Scholar Award (for a Non-STEM research area)
Nominations due electronically Feb. 12
See website for details: https://www.murraystate.edu/headermenu/administration/Provost/ResearchPolicyCommittee/index.aspx
Queries to AJ Boston, chair (aboston@murraystate.edu)
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As a related reminder: nominations for University Distinguished Mentor Award are due this Thursday, January 30. Send queries to Ismail Karabas, chair (ikarabas@murraystate.edu).
Source: Office of the Provost email
Take 5 minutes for 5 Wellness Webinars
Take 5 minutes or less to explore some wellness videos:
- How to stop procrastinating: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qvcx7Y4caQE (5:13)
- Addressing Workplace stress: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OzKD1YWHRI (4:22)
- Disconnect from Technology: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNbeK1rovJw
- How to Apologize: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3Ou-578ekM
- How to be Assertive: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVG7V4NJe0I
A moment in Black History
Here's this month's fact about HBCUs:
In the 1930s when Jewish academics from Germany and Austria were dismissed from their teaching positions, many came to the United States looking for jobs. Due to the Depression, xenophobia and rising anti-Semitism, many found it difficult to find work, but more than 50 found positions at HBCUs in the segregated South.
Originally established to educate freed slaves to read and write, the first of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities was Cheyney University in Pennsylvania, established in 1837. By the time Jewish professors arrived, the number of HBCUs had grown to 78. At a time when both Jews and African Americans were persecuted, Jewish professors in the Black colleges found the environment comfortable and accepting, often creating special programs to provide opportunities to engage Blacks and whites in meaningful conversation, often for the first time.
In the years that followed, the interests of Jewish and African American communities increasingly diverged, but this once-shared experience of discrimination and interracial cooperation remains a key part of the Civil Rights Movement. (pbs.org).
Quick Campus Tour: Faces, Places and Spaces
Dr. LeRon Harrison
Dr. Oluwabunmi Dada, Occupational Safety and Health
Dr. Esther Malm
Dr. Debbie Owens, College of Business
Dr. Washington, College of Education and Human Services
Dr. Bella Ezumah, College of Business
Dr. Crystal Coel, College of Business
Mr. Raymond Sims, College of Education and Human Services
Ms. Roslyn White, University Recruitment
Dr. Stephanie Hendrith, College of Education and Human Services
Ms. Carruth Kitrell, College of Science, Engineering & Technology
Ms. Charde Hudspeth, Athletics
Ms. Renita Avery, Curris Center Director
Ms. Kim Newbern, Greek Life
Mr. Stephen Keene, TRIO Programs
Ivy Anderson, University Recruitment
Kendrick Quisenberry, University Recruitment
Dr. Donald Adongo, College of Science, Engineering & Technology
MSU Future Academic Calendars
Scholar Stage features students at MSU
Please turn your attention to the Scholar Stage which features outstanding students in their field at MSU. You will note several of our minority students are featured on the website which rotates. This is one of the places you can turn to when referring students.
You'll be interested in such profiles as:
Kevonte Turnley
Jade Townsley
Jasmine Groves
Shantaye Powell
Ja Morant
Mustafa Alhussain
Early Scholar Stage Recipient: Ryan Hudson
Holiday and University Closures
RacerAlerts and Emergency Weather Information
As winter approaches, the potential for severe or inclement weather increases. MSU has provided information on the three categories of inclement weather-related actions for campus and how those actions are communicated. Weather notifications will be communicated via all-user emails, MSU homepage, WKMS-FM (radio and website), University Facebook account, and the University Twitter account. Once these notifications have been sent, the MSU Police Department will issue a RacerAlert text message to all users who have opted into texting services.
About RacerAlerts: All current students, faculty, and staff who have provided their cell phone contact information through their myGate accounts are already signed up for RacerAlert text messages. To verify or update your primary cell phone number in myGate, follow the myGate Information Change Instructions (PDF). Information on how RacerAlerts work, as well as how parents and community partners can sign up is on the RacerAlerts website.
UNIVERSITY ALERTS: Any additional updates will be made available at murraystate.edu/weather.
Professional Development/Career Tips & Advice from Head Hunters: Korn Ferry
Camisha,
It’s a common assumption that mastering a function or developing deep expertise is all that’s needed to be elevated to the top. Do the job well, get promoted, earn more money. That works for a while, then there’s usually a brick wall. Advancing takes more.
When it comes to careers, the “left brain” is what gets people here. The “right brain” is what takes them there. Most people, though, don’t look at their careers through the left brain vs. right brain lens—and why should they? Let’s face it, nobody describes themselves and their careers in these terms.
The reality is getting ahead is all about connecting with, motivating, and inspiring people—and having a career that’s focused as much on others as on yourself. To put this in perspective, let’s take a look at the differences between the two “brains.”
Left-brained people are logical, analytical, and objective. They’re detail- and fact-oriented. While left-brain skills and traits may distinguish individual contributors, they are only table stakes—literally—as they’ll probably only get someone a seat at the table, at most. In contrast, right-brained people are relationship-builders and can interact with and relate to diverse groups of people. They’re good at connecting and collaborating. Plus, they’re intuitive, creative, and free-thinking.
To be clear, I’m not suggesting that left-brain skills don’t matter—they do. Left-brain skills are a great foundation, particularly in the earlier stages of a career. Over time, as roles and responsibilities expand, it’s crucial to hone right-brain people skills.
Our research into best-in-class CEOs among sitting CEOs in the global Forbes 2000 spotlighted four strengths and desirable attributes that coincide with a strong right-brain orientation:
- Social leadership – the ability to inspire, influence, and motivate others
- Outside-in thinking (a strong megatrend and customer focus)
- Courage, particularly during adversity and crisis
- Optimism that encourages and empowers others
So how do you know if you’re right brained? For one thing, you’re probably learning agile. Instead of defaulting to the “tried and true,” you’re open to trying varied approaches and new ideas. Also, you don’t get lost in ambiguity—you actually enjoy it. You’re good at dealing with uncertainty and can make decisions without having all the information beforehand.
Plus, you’re got plenty of social leadership skills. No matter your job title or rank in the organization, you know how to motivate and influence others. Fortunately, you don’t have to be a born right-brain thinker. You can develop these habits.
Exercising Your Right Brain
A good way to approach this is to think about how you improve your health and wellness by adopting better nutrition and exercise habits. That same approach applies to right-brain skill development—with things you can do on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis.
Your Daily Dose
Each day, reflect on questions that can put your work life into perspective, while building the self-awareness, adaptability, and empathy that comprise right-brain skills. For example, ask yourself:
- Did I contribute positivity or negativity to my team and others around me?
- What could I do differently to make someone feel better after an interaction with me than they did before?
- How did I maintain composure under stress?
- Did I listen more—or talk more?
- What did I learn today?
Just as you might devote one day a week to cross training as part of your fitness routine, pick from the following list of questions to help you exercise your right-brain skills.
- What was the best conversation (at work or outside of work) I had this week?
- Whom can I ask for perspective about a challenge or problem I’m facing?
- What efforts of others have I overlooked?
- Am I more often sharing criticism or praise?
- What situations could I have handled differently—not just through my words, but also my nonverbal cues (facial expression, tone, and body language)?
Since habits develop over time, monthly check-ins will show you how you’re progressing.
- How am I “trending”—what feedback am I receiving?
- What motivated me the most this month and what will keep me motivated next month?
- What is the one achievement I can point to for the month?
- What new experience did I try—a new activity, unfamiliar cuisine, different music style, etc.?
- What examples from life, literature, sports, or entertainment inspire me or can help me through any challenges I’m facing?
Athletic Events
University Calendar
About BFSA
Email: msu.idea@murraystate.edu
Website: www.murraystate.edu/bfsa
Location: 103 Wells Hall, Murray, KY 42071
Phone: 270-809-3155
Participate in meetings via Conference Call
Every. single. voice is important! Let's have a great showing of Black faculty and staff at this exclusive event with the Academic Leaders!
Call Instructions: Dial-in number (US): (605) 313-5111 Access code: 357013#
REMINDERS:
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