Have you thought about joining the Leader Certificate Program! Register for LDR 225: Foundations of Leadership for Spring 2022!

As you register for courses for Spring Semester 2022, we hope you’ll consider LDR 225: Foundations of Leadership, in the Franz Center’s Leader Certificate Program! Our world needs leaders more than ever!

Does this resonate?

Do you want to learn more about how to lead yourself and others during these complex and uncertain times? Would you like to make a positive impact in your local, national, and global communities? Do you want to set yourself apart when applying for service opportunities, internships, and jobs? Would you like to develop leader habits such as being more courageous and motivational?

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, the Leader Certificate Program might be a good fit for you! Check out this video from students who have participated in the Leader Certificate Program to learn more!

About the Program:

Courses are 1 credit and meet once per week in the spring. All students are able to register for the first course in the program (LDR 225: Foundations of Leadership). All majors are welcome! 

Why should you enroll?

Students who enroll in the Leader Certificate Program receive:

1. Knowledge, skills, and mindsets to make a difference as a leader!
2. Academic Leader Certificate, cords to wear at Commencement, and a designation of completion of the program on your academic transcript
3. Priority in the RA selection processwith Residence Life! 
4. Students who enroll in the Leader Certificate Program (by taking LDR 225) also receive priority in the selection process for the popular Global Perspectives on Leadership course (mostly recently we’ve travelled to amazing locations such as New Zealand –  check out our 1-second-every-day-style video from May 2019. I know that we will be back on campus and exploring the world again as soon as we can. 
   Be ready when the time comes to apply for these opportunities (and many more!) by strengthening your leadership now. 

Registration Options:

We are offering 5 sections of LDR 225 for Spring Semester 2022:

Scholarship/Financial Assistance Info:

If you are in need of financial assistance to participate in the program, please complete the leadership scholarship application. Scholarship applications are due by Friday, December 3rd at 5pm. Students must be enrolled in LDR 225: Foundations of Leadership or LDR 325: Leadership Practice, to be eligible to receive financial assistance. 

Here is what University of Portland students are saying about the Leader Certificate Program: 

“The leadership course experience has been an important component of my education here as it’s helped me see leadership in the little things. From my experiences in leadership positions on campus to the moments of leadership just sitting in class, I’ve learned how to reflect, use my strengths and grow as a human being to approach different aspects of life.”  –Samantha van den Berg  

“None of my major-oriented classes have been as beneficial as the Leader Certificate Program in relation to my education and my career. The Leader Certificate Program adds valuable life skills to any major – skills that are often overlooked within specific fields of study.”  – Gabe Ablin 

To see a video of the difference the Leader Certificate Program made for one of the graduates of the program, click here.

To hear what leadership speaker and author Mark Sanborn has to say about why you should get involved in the Leader Certificate Program at UP, click here.

For more information/questions:

The Leader Certificate Program is designed to provide leaders with the tools, knowledge, and ability to impact and inspire their followers using the key leader habits. Start your leadership journey by enrolling in LDR 225 for the Spring Semester! Contact Dr. Dave Houglum at houglum@up.edu for more information or questions or go to the Leader Certificate Program’s website.

FAFSA Reminder:

The Office of Financial Aid encourages all students to complete the 2022-23 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa, which opened on October 1, 2021.  When completing the 2022-23 FAFSA you will use your 2020 income information. Since you will be using 2020 income information, there is a greater chance that you can use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT) to transfer your official IRS tax information into the FAFSA, reducing errors and speeding up completion time. It is important to apply early to take advantage of any limited funding opportunities.

ORSAA Reminder:

The Oregon Student Aid Application (ORSAA) at https://oregonstudentaid.gov/fafsa-orsaa.aspx, opened on October 1, 2021. The Oregon Student Aid Application (ORSAA) is an alternative to the FAFSA for undocumented Oregon students, including students who have Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status or Temporary Protected Status (TPS). 

OSAC Scholarship Reminder:

The Office of Student Access and Completion (OSAC) offers another opportunity for more money to attend college.  OSAC scholarships total $10 million dollars and are available to Oregon resident students. Students should complete the scholarship application at OregonStudentAid.gov before March 1, 2022 to be considered.  Oregon is unique in offering this vast array of scholarships, so please take advantage of the opportunity and apply early! The scholarship application opens November 1, 2021.

PSLF Notice for Alumni:

The U.S. Department of Education recently announced an update to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. Borrowers who either have federal Direct Loans or who have already consolidated into the Direct Loan Program may now qualify for PSLF under the limited time waiver. Any prior payment made by a borrower eligible for the PSLF program will count as a qualifying payment, regardless of loan type, repayment plan, or whether the payment was made on time or in full. For more information see https://go.usa.gov/xMwMN.

Hello Pilot Nurses!

I hope you are all well and continue to take good care of yourselves and one another. I’m writing today to share some news about the current status of Synthesis clinical placements. As you’ve likely heard, some of your classmates are experiencing ongoing impacts with a lack of placements. I’d like to take this opportunity to explain via SBAR:

Situation: There are very limited opportunities for all schools of nursing across the entire state (and western region) to identify preceptors for senior-synthesis nursing students. As of June 11, all of the UP SON senior synthesis students were successfully placed in clinical sites. However, on June 17, several departments were not able to secure preceptors and made the final determination that they will not, after all, be able to take students on these units. Therefore, a small number of students have had their off-campus clinical experience retracted. Preceptors are still being identified for the second senior synthesis rotation, and there is a likelihood that a few more students may be impacted.

Background: The pandemic has caused extreme compassion fatigue, trauma, and exhaustion in the nursing workforce. While COVID-19 cases have plummeted since the height of the pandemic, the devastating impact on the nursing profession continues. In our state and nationally, nurses over 55 years of age are retiring at (yes, I’m going to use the word) unprecedented rates. This is leaving a much smaller pool of experienced nurses to serve as preceptors. Additionally, most major health systems canceled or delayed last year’s new graduate residency programs. Therefore, the increase in retirements and in influx of the backlog of last-year’s new graduates is placing an incredible demand on the remaining experienced nurses to precept those in the new grad residencies. The lead faculty and Center for Clinical Excellence continue to explore every single opportunity to provide an in-person opportunity for clinical learning for your class, but they are simply running out of options.

 Assessment: The majority of the students in your class have attained clinical placements for Senior Synthesis. The Oregon State Board of Nursing has waived all clinical hour requirements during the COVID-19 pandemic, as long as schools are able to evaluate competency attainment in the nursing program. Every health system is aware of the impact on all new nursing graduates regarding the lack of off-campus clinical experience. In fact, many new graduates have absolutely NO off-campus experience in their entire nursing education. Health systems have adapted their residency programs to support new graduates and ensure that any gaps in clinical reasoning or skills is evaluated and developed during the residency or onboarding process.

Recommendation:  Our confidence in the outcomes of this curriculum has not waivered. The administration, faculty and staff fully believe that you have gained the skills and knowledge to become exceptional nurses. While you may not all be able to complete an off-campus synthesis clinical, you will have what you need to meet degree requirements, graduate, and attain eligibility for the NCLEX. Those who are unable to attain an off-campus clinical experience will be offered alternative learning activities to ensure they are able to meet the program outcomes. While this is not ideal, it is an opportunity that we are able to offer where most other nursing programs are not. We are asking for your continued patience and understanding as our team does everything within our power to provide off-campus clinical for as many students as possible.

Please plan to attend the Oregon Center for Nursing virtual state-wide town hall this Wednesday at 4:30pm.

Please join us on Wednesday, June 23 at 4:30p for a Nursing Student Town Hall. Representatives from nursing education, health care, and the Oregon State Board of Nursing will discuss and answer questions about clinical placements and transition into practice for nursing graduates. We will record the discussion for those unable to attend live. This is being provided for all nursing students to gain a better understanding of the issue and how this will impact your entry into the nursing profession.

REGISTER HERE

We will continue to maintain close communication with those impacted by this situation. Know that we are advocating for you, for the profession, and ultimately for the patients you will serve in your career as nurses.

Dean Shillam

Casey R. Shillam, PhD, RN (she/her/hers)

Dean and Professor, University of Portland School of Nursing, MSC 153