Campus Currents

Wednesday, December 5, 2018
4:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m.
Framingham State University Planetarium

Speakers: Dr. Lori Bihler, Dr. Martel Pipkins, Dr. Wardell Powel, Dr. Erika Schneider, and Dr. Bridgette Sheridan

Framingham State faculty will explore the 1968 events that had a major influence on shaping the historical, social, and cultural landscape of the decade 1962-1972, characterized the years of the Apollo program, and still have an impact on today's world. The conversation will focus on the Vietnam War, social movements, visual arts, and education reforms.

This event is part of the Moon Landing in Context Series.

Dr. Sunny Tam will host an ISPE (International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering) chapter event at Framingham State University on Tuesday, Dec. 4, at 5:30 p.m. in Hemenway 534. 

The event will feature a panel discussion with alumni from Framingham State University's Professional Science Masters (PSM) program in Biotechnology. It's a great opportunity for anyone interested in this exciting field!

For more information, visit www.framingham.edu/biotechnology

Friday, Dec. 7th, 10:30 a.m.
Whittemore Library, Archives Room

On December 7th, Framingham State University will join 150 organizations for the largest conversation about bias in the workplace as part of the “Day of Understanding” as part of the CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion™ (https://www.ceoaction.com/). CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion™ rallies the business community to work collectively across organizations, sectors and geographies to advance diversity and inclusion in the workplace. CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion™ is the largest CEO-driven business commitment to advance diversity and inclusion within the workplace with more than 500 signatory CEOs and academic presidents. The pledge is driven by a realization that addressing diversity and inclusion is not a competitive issue, but a societal issue, and the fact that CEOs recognize that change starts with them.

In the Henry Whittemore Library’s Archives Room at 10:30am, Kim Dexter, the Director of Equal Opportunity, Title IX, and ADA Compliance, and Millie Gonzalez, Interim Chief Diversity Officer, will host the training - Blind Spots/Unconscious Bias: Examining the impact of potential blind spots and implicit bias on interactions and decisions. Experts tell us that we all have unconscious biases -- that is human nature. Unconscious bias education enables individuals to begin recognizing, acknowledging, and therefore minimizing any potential blind spots he or she might have, but wasn’t aware of previously. Unconscious bias prevents societal progress. Through increased understanding and awareness of our blind spots, we can begin to reduce unconscious bias.Also scheduled after the training will be a Courageous Conversations about Race immediately afterwards at 11:30am in the Archives Room.

The CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion™ coalition is also launching a unique opportunity to engage citizens and employees through the “I Act On” pledge. The “I Act On” pledge is a personal pledge that any individual can take to commit to tackling bias and cultivating more inclusive behaviors in their everyday lives. All employees participating in the “Day of Understanding”, as well as the general public, have the chance to take the pledge by visiting https://www.ceoaction.com/pledge/i-act-on-pledge/.

Pause 4 Paws - December 4th and 5th from noon to 1:30 p.m. in the McCarthy Center Forum.

It's that time of year again for students to take a break, pet some dogs, get a massage and relax.
Sponsored by the FSU Health and Wellness Center. Questions? Contact Plehmberg@framingham.edu

Friday December 14, 2018 at 5:30pm & 6:30pm
FSU Planetarium, McAuliffe Center
More info and pre-registration at: www.christa.org/FSUplanetarium

Family Night at the FSU Planetarium presents Holiday Skies:

Come celebrate the season of feasts, family, and goodwill with the Framingham State University Planetarium family! In this live, astronomical “variety show,” you’ll learn why the December solstice has inspired so many wonderful cultural traditions, with origins in all corners of the globe and throughout most of human history. The longest night of the year means plenty of time for stargazing, and we may even get a chance to travel to Earth’s North Pole (pending a quick check of the naughty and nice list)!

By Thom Duda, publications intern

In a lecture provided to Framingham State business students, Staples co-founder Todd Krasnow emphasized the importance of both people and adaptability in starting a successful business.

“Business is all about people,” said Krasnow, adding that it was important to get honest feedback by talking directly to customers, something he learned early on working as a grocery store clerk.

Stapes began as a startup and rose to become a 20-billion dollar company, before ultimately being sold for 7 billion. As the company began to grow, Krasnow’s job changed from direct interaction with customers and the suppliers, to dealing more with the allocations of funds between the numerous stores. At the time, Staples enjoyed a sense of dominance despite numerous copies born throughout the years, but Krasnow says the company was not quick enough to adapt to new retail trends and the rise of companies such as Amazon.

“Complacency is an established killer,” he said. “You need to embrace change … Businesses need to change, if they don’t change, they die.”

During the question period of the event, Krasnow was asked how he decided when it was a good time to leave Staples despite being a co-founder.

“Staples got a point where it wasn’t as fun,” said Krasnow, describing the changes between the company as it was starting up and when the bureaucracy, which Krakow noted was necessary as the company grew, were put into place.

Krasnow also gave a strategy for success to students.

"Work really hard and like what you do. That was the strategy. There's no substitute for that.”

Krasnow has since gone onto to several other business ventures. He is currently an operating partner with Porchlight Equity Partners and is involved in a variety of investments in consumer, consumer tech, and technology companies.

Networking & Suitable Solutions Mocktail Mixer Graduation Event
Thursday, December 6, 2018, 5:00 p.m.—7:00 p.m., MC Forum

Network with employer partners while learning about proper networking techniques and etiquette while enjoying food and “mock” tails! Pre-registration is required. Contact the CSER office at 508-626-4625.

Wednesday Employer Showcase Series, McCarthy Campus Center Lobby, 9:00AM – 6:00PM:

Employers showcase their organization every Wednesday in the McCarthy Center lobby by the welcome desk. Their goal is to network with FSU students and recruit students for full-time or internship opportunities. (Featuring up to six different employers weekly).

12/5/18

9:00 a.m. — Noon: The Key Program, Inc. & Champions After School Program
Noon—3:00 p.m.: Littleton Park and Recreation Department & Ashland Public Schools
3:00 p.m.—6:00. p.m.: KinderCare Learning Centers

12/12/18

9:00 a.m.— Noon: CarMax
Noon—3:00 p.m.: American Girl & Workforce Solutions

Spring 2019 Save the Dates

Curiosity Unleashed STEM Career Event, Thursday, February 21, 2019, 4:30 p.m.- 6:00 p.m., MC Forum
STEM Panel — Employers will speak about the work they do and the types of employment opportunities in their particular STEM fields.
Speed Networking — Students will meet diverse employers to discuss their STEM career interests.
Resume Critique — Employers will do a quick resume critique of
students’ resumes to help them understand how to best highlight their skills and experience in the highly competitive STEM job market.

The Math Works Career Day , Wednesday, February 27, 2019
1:30 p.m.—2:30 p.m. Information Session, MC Alumni Room
2:30 p.m.—3:30 p.m. (Q+A), MC Alumni Room
Hear about the many opportunities at Math Works. All majors
welcome! Please call the career services and employer relations
office to find out more information! Preregistration required.
Call the CSER office at 508-626-4625.

Spring Job and Internship Fair, Tuesday, March 26, 2019, 4:30 p.m.– 6:00 p.m., MC Forum
Come to this great networking event! Full-time and Internship
positions available. Over 55 employers from the business, human services,
non-profit, and STEM field’s will be featured. Bring your resume.
Dress professionally.

MERC Education Fair, Thursday, April 18, 2019 , 9:00 a.m.– 2:30 p.m., at B.U.
Come to the largest education fair in New England - Over 100 school systems and agencies attend! Save the date for this annual recruiting event that brings together teaching candidates and school systems across the country for networking and job opportunities in public/private schools. Must register at: www.merccareerfair.com

-Professor Patricia Horvath from the English Department will be the featured speaker at the MetroWest Chamber of Commerce’s Women’s Empowerment Luncheon on December 7. Here's a link to the event:

http://www.metrowest.org/events/details/women-s-empowerment-luncheon-at-110-grill-wayland-with-patricia-horvath-8825