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American Red Cross Blood Drive at USF on Friday, September 13

American Red Cross blood drive - Friday, September 13, 2024

Joliet, Ill. – The American Red Cross is experiencing an emergency shortage as the nation faces the lowest number of people giving blood in 20 years. Help those in need as the University of St. Francis (USF) hosts its next American Red Cross blood drive on Friday, September 13, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the Assembly Hall Gymnasium at USF’s St. Clare Campus, which is located at 1550 Plainfield Road in Joliet. The drive is open to the community.

For an appointment, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org and enter “60435” in the red “Find a Blood Drive” box on the home page. You can save up to 15 minutes when you donate blood by using RapidPass. Visit redcrossblood.org/RapidPass for more information.

If you are an eligible type O, B – or A – donor, consider making a Power Red donation. Red blood cells are the most commonly transfused blood component.

For more information, please visit redcrossblood.org.

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The University of St. Francis, in Joliet, Ill., serves close to 3,300 students nationwide and offers undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and certificate programs in the arts and sciences, business, education, nursing and social work. There are over 53,000 USF alumni across the globe. For information, call 800-735-7500 or visit stfrancis.edu.

University of St. Francis: Bigger thinking. Brighter purpose.

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Cedricka Carver Named New USF Dean of Student Life

Cedricka "Ceddi" Carver.

Joliet, Ill. – After a thorough search process, the University of St. Francis (USF) has announced that Cedricka “Ceddi” Carver has been named USF’s new Dean of Student Life. Carver began her new role at USF on August 1st.

Carver has held a variety of Residence Education and Student Life positions of increasing responsibility at USF since 2013, including serving as the Interim Dean of Student Life for the past month. In her interim role, she ensured a smooth, successful transition – including preparing to welcome USF’s Fall 2024 class.

“Ceddi brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of excellence to this role.  Indeed, as Director of Residence Education and Student Life, she made significant contributions to student development, crisis response, retention, and campus engagement.  Over her time at the university, she has developed a variety of residential and engagement initiatives, including the robust resident assistant curriculum, Saints Overnight program, Commuter Lodge, and many others.  She has also taught in the First-Year Foundations course and supported incoming students through the First-Year Transition summer bridge program,” said USF President Arvid C. Johnson, Ph.D.

As she begins her new role, Carver continues to see opportunity in the unique aspects of campus life at USF.

“USF is a vibrant place to connect with people from different walks of life with the addition of knowing and living out the university values. Our values and the people create an environment that is welcoming and unique. I look forward to nourishing that very environment through positive interactions, developing intentional spaces for connect and being a welcoming individual of the community,” she said.

Carver also plans to continue current efforts in which she is involved to enhance student supports, as well as proceeding with new initiatives and collaborations to help students persist and succeed.

Having served at USF since 2013, Carver reiterates the place that working directly with students has had in her decade-plus tenure at Joliet’s university.

“There is something very special about the people at USF. Each new year presents an exciting opportunity to embark on a journey with a new group of first year students within this community. I find it rewarding to be able to learn, grow and challenge myself and others at an institution that values giving back to others, respect for all, opportunities to get involved and connecting with compassion,” she said.

Born and raised in the Joliet community, Carver remains connected to the community and continues to build upon external partnerships.  She is currently working towards her Ed.D. in Leadership, Learning, and Stewardship at USF.

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The University of St. Francis, in Joliet, Ill., serves close to 3,300 students nationwide and offers undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and certificate programs in the arts and sciences, business, education, nursing and social work. There are over 53,000 USF alumni across the globe. For information, call 800-735-7500 or visit stfrancis.edu.

University of St. Francis: Bigger thinking. Brighter purpose.

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Financial Viability Tool Created by USF’s Gard Garnering Attention in Private Higher Education

Dr. Julee Gard

Joliet, Ill. – The landscape of higher education has changed dramatically since the COVID-19 pandemic emerged in early 2020. Smaller, private institutions, in particular, have since faced publicly-recognized enrollment challenges that, because of the financial implications associated with enrollment declines, have resulted in institutions reaching the decision to close their respective doors forever. While smaller, private colleges and universities currently operating today continue to navigate these struggles and work to prevent the potential of arriving the same fate as some of their less fortunate peers, a new financial tool developed by Julee Gard, Ed.D., CPA, CMA, USF Vice President for Administration and Finance, is gaining attention for its ability to provide important strategic perspective to higher education leaders as they look to the immediate future and beyond.

For her dissertation as part of her recent doctoral program studies at the University of Pennsylvania, Gard created her Financial Viability Index for smaller private institutions. The tool presents institutions with a way to calculate eight different financial metrics using financial data from audited financial statements, taking in to account the value as well as the 3-year trend of each metric.  The resulting score, on a scale of 1 to 100, is assigned a color code indicative of overall financial health ranging from blue (excellent), down to green (very good), yellow (good), orange (marginal), and red (poor). The combination of the color coding and numerical score provides institutions with valuable trend data across several critical areas of measure that can be used as part of planning efforts to enhance their financial viability. Important to note, though, is that the tool is not meant to predict institutional closures.

“My hope was the Financial Viability Index could be used by higher education leaders (financial and non-financial alike) to help understand the underlying values and trends driving an institution’s given score and associated color coding, as well as to provide actionable information to help institutional leaders respond timely and effectively to financial viability concerns,” said Gard.

Gard’s work has already gained attention from smaller, private institutions across the nation, as well as from high-profile media outlets. In fact, Gard has responded to multiple requests in recent months to offer insight based on her Financial Viability Index. Recent articles in which Gard has appeared include:

“USF is proud of Julee’s contribution at this critical time in higher education.  She offers a series of measures by which institutions can not only track but also take action upon in order to enhance their viability.  Even institutions that need to make changes can find some comfort in the fact that her results show that, in general, institutions close ‘slowly’…with problems building and being left unaddressed over a number of years rather than due to some immediate ‘crisis,’” said USF President Arvid C. Johnson, Ph.D.

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The University of St. Francis, in Joliet, Ill., serves close to 3,300 students nationwide and offers undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and certificate programs in the arts and sciences, business, education, nursing and social work. There are over 53,000 USF alumni across the globe. For information, call 800-735-7500 or visit stfrancis.edu.

University of St. Francis: Bigger thinking. Brighter purpose.

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IDHS Grant Leads to Two New CRSS Success Program Cohorts

USF College of Arts & Sciences logo

Joliet, Ill. – Thanks to another grant from the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), the Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS) Success program at the University of St. Francis (USF) will continue to provide full tuition and wrap-around supports for students who complete its high-quality, recovery support training and supervised practical experience.  

USF’s CRSS program, which launched in fall 2022 with an initial cohort of 19 students, will welcome two new cohorts this coming academic year (up to 20 students each in fall 2024 and spring 2025). The program trains individuals with lived experience of mental health or co-occurring mental health and substance use recovery to leverage their experience to support others facing these challenges. Tuition is free for accepted applicants through June 2025 through the support of over $1.14 million in state grant funding from the IDHS Division of Mental Health.

“Students who have successfully completed the CRSS Success Program at USF have been gainfully employed in the field of behavioral health in a variety of settings, including substance use treatment, community mental health, and other non-profit settings. Training experience both in the classroom and the field practicum prepares students to share their lived experience in a way that promotes hope and change in those they serve, advocates for diverse and marginalized populations, assists in increased access to care/treatment, and reduces stigma around mental health, substance use, and co-occurring disorders,” said Patricia Ferdon, MSW, LCSW, CCTP, CRSS Teaching Instructor and Internship Coordinator.

For more information on the program, including how to apply for fall registration, visit stfrancis.edu/crss or contact Marcia Van Natta, MHS, BA, CADC, CODP II, CRSS Project Director and Instructor at mvannatta@stfrancis.edu or 815-740-3779. Student applications for the fall 2024 cohort are due by Friday, August 2, 2024. Applications received after this date will be added to a wait list for the spring 2025 semester.

About the CRSS Program

The CRSS program, now in its third year, is housed within the USF Psychology department along with USF’s Substance Abuse Counseling (SAC) program. The SAC program, an addiction treatment program, received full accreditation from the Illinois Certification Board (ICB) in November 2015. In 2023, USF was awarded a $125,000 subgrant through ICB’s Certified Alcohol and other Drug Counselor (CADC) Workforce Expansion Program to provide tuition and wraparound supports to students in the SAC program working towards CADC certification. USF’s CADC program is modeled after its successful CRSS Success program; both of these grants provide financial support to USF students as they work towards CRSS or CADC certification.

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The University of St. Francis, in Joliet, Ill., serves close to 3,300 students nationwide and offers undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and certificate programs in the arts and sciences, business, education, nursing and social work. There are over 53,000 USF alumni across the globe. For information, call 800-735-7500 or visit stfrancis.edu.

University of St. Francis: Bigger thinking. Brighter purpose.

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Money Names USF in Best Colleges in America 2024 Ratings Report

USF's Centennial Gateway

Joliet, Ill. – Each year, Money recognizes colleges and universities from across the country that successfully combine quality and affordability and recognizes them in its annual Best Colleges in America ratings report. This year’s report included over 700 four-year colleges and universities, including the University of St. Francis and 33 other Illinois-based institutions.

The methodology utilized by Money to create its Best Colleges in America 2024 ratings report examined schools according 25 factors in three weighted categories – quality of education (30% of weighting), affordability (40% of weighting), and outcomes (30% of weighting). Based on the results of that analysis, the schools are then assigned a star rating on a scale of one to five stars (five stars is the highest rating possible). USF was one of fifteen Illinois schools to earn a rating of 4.5 stars or higher in this year’s ratings report.

“Money‘s analysis showcases the country’s top colleges based on graduation rates, cost of attendance, financial aid, alumni salaries and more. There isn’t one ‘best’ college for every student, but our star ratings can help you build a list of standout schools that fit your budget,” said a spokesperson for Money.

Eric Ruiz, USF Vice President of Admissions & Enrollment Services, recognizes that much attention is paid to the anticipated return on investment when examining post-secondary options.

“High school students and parents looking at college, and adults looking at graduate school are right to be cautious about investing time and money into an educational program. A college degree can be worth millions of dollars over the course of one’s career. USF has designed degree programs that help our graduates launch truly valuable, meaningful careers,” he said.

“The value of a degree from the University of St. Francis continues to climb, which demonstrates a significant return on that investment,” Ruiz added.

Visit money.com/best-colleges/ to view Money’s Best Colleges in America rankings.

For more information on USF programs, financial assistance options or to learn more about registration, visit stfrancis.edu/admissions-aid.

The University of St. Francis is consistently ranked among the best when it comes to quality education, affordability, and accessibility. Visit stfrancis.edu/nationally-ranked to view USF’s most recent national accolades.

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The University of St. Francis, in Joliet, Ill., serves close to 3,300 students nationwide and offers undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and certificate programs in the arts and sciences, business, education, nursing and social work. There are over 53,000 USF alumni across the globe. For information, call 800-735-7500 or visit stfrancis.edu.

University of St. Francis: Bigger thinking. Brighter purpose.

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USF Board of Trustees Announces New Trustee Emerita and Joliet Franciscan Congregation-Appointed Trustees

Joliet, Ill. – As part of its June 14, 2024, meeting of the whole, the University of St. Francis (USF) Board of Trustees named its newest Trustee Emerita and announced two new Joliet Franciscan Congregation-Appointed Trustees.

“The Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate are pleased to appoint two new Trustees as our representatives. We are especially pleased that Sr. Margaret Guider and Dr. Anthony Zordan bring a wealth of experience in Catholic higher education to their board service. The understand the mission of both the Franciscans and USF and are poised to help shape the University to best serve our students, faculty, staff and alumni,” said Sr. Jeanne Bessette, O.S.F., Ed. D., President of the Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate.

Patricia Wheeler – Trustee Emerita of the University of St. Francis

Patricia Wheeler

The USF Board of Trustees voted unanimously to bestow upon Trustee Patricia Wheeler ’67 the distinction of Trustee Emerita of the University of St. Francis.

According to the USF Board of Trustees By-laws, “Trustee Emeritus status recognizes long-standing members of the Board of Trustees who have made a significant contribution to the University through their service. A trustee is eligible for such status at the completion of a regular term of service on the Board or at the time of resignation from the Board. Nominations for Trustee Emeritus status emanate from the Executive Committee. Trustee Emeritus members shall have the right to attend meetings of the Board of Trustees but shall not have voting powers.”

Patricia Wheeler has served the community for more than two decades, including as an alumni representative on the Board of Trustees, as a Representative of the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate and a member of the Board of Trustees. She served on the Board of Trustees as a Representative for the Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate for 22 years. While on the Board, she and her husband, Robert, were co-chairs of the Capital Campaign from 2005-2009. 

In June 2010, Patricia gifted the University by naming the auditorium the James and Patricia Sexton Auditorium in memory of her parents and in honor of their commitment to Catholic education. 

In August 2019, Patricia and Robert also provided USF’s College of Business and Health Administration (COBHA) with a grant from their Wheeler Family Foundation, which supports a curriculum that is more Franciscan in nature.

Joliet Franciscan Congregation-Appointed Trustees – Sr. Margaret Eletta Guider, O.S.F., and Dr. Anthony Zordan

The USF Board of Trustees also announced Sr. Margaret Eletta Guider, O.S.F., and Dr. Anthony Zordan as new Joliet Franciscan Congregation-Appointed Trustees.

guider

Sr. Margaret Eletta Guider, O.S.F., is a member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate and has been a member of the ecclesiastical faculty of the Clough School of Theology and Ministry at Boston College since 2008. Prior to that, she was a faculty member at Weston Jesuit School of Theology in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Sr. Guider also serves as the Faculty Coordinator for Formação Continuada. She is Professora Ordinaria of the Ecclesiastical Faculty of Boston College and was granted the Nihil Obstat in 2017. She has served as Department Chair of the Ecclesiastical Faculty and currently serves as the Acting Program Director for the Doctorate in Sacred Theology. Sr. Guider is the past president of the Association of Professors of Mission as well as the American Society of Missiology. She has served as an advisor and consultant for numerous religious institutes and missionary societies as well as a trustee and board member for a variety of Catholic institutions and organizations.

zordan

Dr. Anthony Zordan is Professor Emeritus at USF. Dr. Zordan began his professional career with Price Waterhouse (now PwC) and as controller of a tubular steel distributor. In 1983, he began teaching accounting fulltime at USF. While at USF, Dr. Zordan served three terms as chair of the Academic Assembly, two periods as interim dean of the College of Business & Health Administration and a period as interim vice-president for Academic Affairs in 2002. Dr. Zordan retired from USF in 2021.

Since 2021, Dr. Zordan has served on the board of The Women’s Centers of Greater Chicagoland. He and his wife, Nancy, live in the Beverly – Morgan Park neighborhood of Chicago. They have five adult children and five grandchildren.

About the USF Board of Trustees

The University of St. Francis Board of Trustees oversees and guides USF in fulfillment of its educational mission. To learn more about the USF Board of Trustees, visit stfrancis.edu/about-us/university-leadership/board-of-trustees/.

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The University of St. Francis, in Joliet, Ill., serves close to 3,300 students nationwide and offers undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and certificate programs in the arts and sciences, business, education, nursing and social work. There are over 53,000 USF alumni across the globe. For information, call 800-735-7500 or visit stfrancis.edu.

University of St. Francis: Bigger thinking. Brighter purpose.

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