Highlights:
-Explore our campus oasis on a tour led by North Park students
-Get all your questions answered about the college admissions process and financial aid
-Eat in our dining hall and get a glimpse of what life looks like as a Viking

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Guests will experience the feeling of community at North Park. You’ll hear why current students fell in love with life on our campus and get to meet your future classmates. Learn everything you need to know about orientation, financial aid, housing, advising, and class registration so that you’re prepared to take the next steps in your college search journey.

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Highlights:
-Attend “Coffee with Coaches” and learn more about Viking Athletics (optional)
-Are you a first-generation college student? Attend a session designed just for you! (optional)
-Connect with faculty from your intended major
-Explore our campus oasis on a tour led by North Park students
-Get all your questions answered about your admissions application and financial aid

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Highlights:
-Attend “Coffee with Coaches” and learn more about Viking Athletics (optional)
-Are you a first-generation college student? Attend a session designed just for you!
-Connect with faculty from your intended major
-Explore our campus oasis on a tour led by North Park students
-Get all your questions answered about your admissions application and financial aid

All prospective students and their families who attend Viking Preview Day will be eligible泭for a 10% discount on tickets for the weekend of October 11-12. The discount code is valid until September, 30th. Discount code: Viking Preview Day 10/11

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• Erinn Borg, Psychology
• Vladimira (Mira) Cechova, Psychology
• Damaris Cifuentes, Exercise Science
• Jason Andrew (JDrew) McGovern, Biblical and Theological Studies

Erinn Borg

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Elizabeth Gray

Erinn Borg studied the impact of telecommuting on student job-satisfaction and work-life balance. She conducted field research with 50 students enrolled in summer courses at North Park.

Mira Cechova

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Kathryn O���Toole

Mira Cechova researched college students��� psychological well-being (PWB) to understand the influence of online coursework, self-efficacy, motivation, and a growth mindset. Through her project, Cechova quantified how the transition to online learning during a pandemic affected college students and their PWB. Her presentation also offers solutions to how the University may better support a population that already struggles with stress.

Cechova applied for NPRESS per Dr. Yoojin Choi���s recommendation, who encouraged Cechova to pursue this unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience. In addition to learning valuable research skills, Cechova highlights the ability to strengthen relationships with faculty, ���NPRESS is a great way to interact with faculty in a more professional way rather than just student/teacher interactions. We have some amazing faculty at 蹤獲扦, and I wouldn���t have been able to get this research done without them.���

Encouraging students to apply for NPRESS, Cechova says, ���NPRESS is honestly an amazing and rewarding experience, and I have so many good things to say about it. I think there���s no better way to really understand research than to jump in and participate first-hand in both planning and executing a research project. This is something you will never regret.���

Damaris Cifuentes

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Bryan Cobb

Damaris Cifuentes investigated the relationship between Reactive Strength Index (RSI) and an upcoming injury screening tool called the Landing Error Scoring System (LESS). In order to directly identify injury risk, specifically anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries, she assessed poor biomechanical jump-landing techniques. Modifying the current LESS procedure, she aimed to create a more sport specific demand within the test as well as a more accurate injury risk assessment.

Cifuentes, interested in pursuing a career in biomechanical research, learned about NPRESS through Dr. Cobb. Cifuentes is grateful for the opportunity to partake in graduate level research as an undergraduate student. ���I was able to gain more exposure to different types of technology commonly seen in the biomechanical field, which was very helpful as I was able to get hands-on experience. I consider Dr. Cobb a good mentor as he has pushed me to excel in my academics as well as my desired career path,��� said Cifuentes.

JDrew McGovern

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Boaz Johnson

JDrew McGovern泭researched social, historical, and religious issues in Colombia, Central America. Additionally, he utilized a theological foundation to analyze and critique a peace-building project called SEHPAZ in El Bagre, Colombia initiated by North Park graduates, Julio and Katie Isaza. Focusing on the themes of creation, sin, and the Gospel, JDrew offered further solutions and a model for participating in the mission of God and restoring ���shalom��� in Colombia as well as other parts of the world.

���All four NPRESS 2021 students made a great impression on the gathering of faculty, staff and students, showing high quality graduate-level research,��� said Dr. Rajkumar Boaz Johnson, the chair of the NPRESS 2021 Final Presentations.泭

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Through the cross-disciplinary lenses of history and science, Professor and Lecturer in History Peter Olfelt and Associate Professor of Biology Drew Rholl, shared their expertise to offer an innovative curriculum teaching North Park students about pandemics.

Professor Olfelt teaches a hybrid class called Pandemics in History, where he juxtaposes three historical periods in the context of pandemics including the plague pandemics, the 1918 influenza outbreak, and AIDS. Students learn how pandemics have been perceived differently in these historical periods as well as the short-term and long-term effects the diseases have had on our society and culture.

In the sciences, Dr. Rholl teaches about microbes, how they grow, and how they affect the human body in his online course, Advanced Topics in Biology: Pandemics. With a specialized focus on the spread of diseases, the course explores the nature of organisms that cause disease, what different diseases look like, how they can be treated, and how the body is working.

Although the classes are not synchronous, students engage with both the history and science perspectives through shared video presentations. ���The courses were designed to leverage the experience of each group so they could build off of each other,��� said Dr. Rholl.

Integrated into the curriculum is the biology of the disease and its history. ���To really dig into the nature of the disease, where it comes from, how it spreads, and the various strains of it, I find that that has made my classes even better,��� said Professor Olfelt.

As a smaller environment, North Park���s close-knit community fosters cross-departmental relationships and collaboration among faculty and students. ���Sometimes when we���re siloed in our own fields, we suffer from blind spots, which basically means that as a microbiologist I don���t know what history instructors don���t know. By having a conversation, we can identify those questions and have a much more effective transfer of ideas,��� said Dr. Rholl.

Professor Olfelt says students are responding well to the collaborative curriculum, and it has boosted student engagement. “When we���re studying various diseases and looking at newspaper articles or papers, it���s easy to engage the class with how this relates to their own personal experience,” says Professor Olfelt, who’s excited to be teaching at this particular moment in time.

Thanks to the collaboration between Professor Olfelt and Dr. Rholl, these innovative courses are creating additional learning opportunities for students to make connections between the classroom and real-world experiences.

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• $20k over the four-year period
• Two cohorts of 10 students; 20 students total
• Undergraduate degree-seeking students majoring in physics/engineering or biology
• STEM-focused, urban industry immersion program

Guided by faculty, the STEM Scholars Cohort learn on-and off-campus in a hands-on curriculum, with a focus on biology, physics or engineering.

���The Scholars engage in authentic, immersive, and experiential learning with industry, government, and our partners such as ComEd, Argonne National Lab, and MC Machinery Systems,��� said North Park���s STEM Scholars Cohort Advisor Dr. Eric Brown.

���The industry partners, combined with working alongside faculty, prepare students for direct entry into the workforce or graduate school,��� said Dr. Brown.

The program includes undergraduate research, internships, class projects, and one-on-one academic and career advising. The cohort is guided by faculty to foster strong connections within the industry and to help students develop job skills and knowledge about science and engineering-oriented careers.

As part of NSF���s initiative, the North Park STEM Scholars Cohort advisory committee is seeking a diverse cohort.

���All eligible students entering North Park as freshman during the Fall 2020 semester interested in pursuing a research career in physics, engineering, or the biological sciences are encouraged to apply,��� said Dr. Brown.

North Park and its state-of-the-art science facilities, established experiential learning curriculum, and dedicated faculty will be available to the inaugural cohort.

���This historic award will be absolutely transformational in the lives of our STEM students,��� said泭President Mary K. Surridge. ���The grant represents a tremendous amount of excellent work by our distinguished faculty.���

Space is limited to 20 incoming first-year scholarship recipients. Applications now being accepted for the 2020-2021 inaugural cohort.

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Top Ten Ways to Survive���and Thrive簫���During Freshman Year of College

A blog post by North Park Sophomore Macayla Dowling

Transitioning into college can often be difficult, scary, and stressful���especially if you are moving far away from home. Last year, I moved seven hours away from my small, rural community; needless to say, Chicago���s urban lifestyle was a major change for me. While my first year at North Park was one of the most trying years of my life, it was also one of the most successful years of my life. That said, here are my top ten recommendations for surviving���and even thriving���during your first year as a college student.

1. Don���t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone

Moving so far away from home and everything I have ever known was a huge leap out of my comfort zone, but I would not change it for the world. My first few weeks at North Park were awfully difficult, but pushing myself beyond what I found comfortable led to a year full of growth and life-changing experiences, which, I���ve come to realize, is exactly what college is all about. Seize every opportunity that comes to you���especially the ones outside of your comfort zone. Try new things and attend events you do not typically see yourself participating in because you might end up finding something that you really enjoy or making new friends!

2. Stay organized

Assignments and activities tend to build up quickly; the best way to keep everything under control is to stay organized. I find keeping separate folders, notebooks, or binders for each class really helps me keep track of everything. I never felt the need in high school to keep an academic planner because my assignments were easy to remember. As a college student, my philosophy has completely changed; I would be so lost without my planner. Recording everything���such as upcoming assignments and meetings���in an academic planner or your phone calendar is an extremely helpful way to stay on top of things.

3. Get involved with programs, teams, and clubs

My first semester at North Park I participated in the Catalyst program, where I met so many friendly people and learned a lot about Chicago. I even found something I was passionate about through my practicum. Fortunately, North Park offers an abundance of ways to get involved on campus. Programs���such as Catalyst, CRUX, or COMPASS���are perfect opportunities to build close relationships and engage in the city of Chicago. Joining sports teams, intramurals, and clubs are also great for meeting new people while pursuing interests. In order to enhance your college experience, I highly recommend getting involved with at least one organization.

4. Go to class, take notes, and don���t procrastinate

I found that one of the best ways to succeed in classes is to actually attend them. Although going to class may become tedious (especially near the end of the semester), it is still important to be present. Taking notes in class benefits me greatly when it comes to essays and exams, but notes can only be taken while attending class. Another tip for success is to procrastinate as little as possible; I attempt to get assignments done early because it guarantees that they will be turned in on time and allows more time for fun or relaxing because I���m not stressing out about assignments.

5. Attend campus events

Campus events help break the monotony of classes and assignments, so I always keep an eye out for fliers posted around campus. From Catalyst on Campus to the Cram Jam (my personal favorite), North Park hosts tons of events throughout the year. Attending campus events is another good way to meet new people, hang out with friends, or even learn something new. The best part about campus events is that they typically provide some type of free food, which is every college student���s ultimate dream.

6. Get a job

Let���s face it, college students aren���t exactly the wealthiest demographic; fortunately, there are numerous jobs available both on and off campus. During my second semester, I found that I had huge gaps in my schedule and decided that getting a job would be an incredibly productive way to fill those gaps. I constantly searched Career Hub and found a position as a student writer for University Marketing and Communications. As an English major, I really enjoy my job and found that working with UMC has provided me with beneficial work experience and has especially strengthened my writing skills.

7. Dedicate time to have fun

During the week, I work diligently, but I always reward myself by declaring Saturday a homework free day. I often find myself getting ice cream, discovering new things in the city, or playing board games with friends. College is often stressful, but that does not mean that it cannot be fun; it���s all about finding the perfect balance between productivity and excitement. Don���t don���t be afraid to set aside time each week to do something that makes you happy.

8. Keep in touch with your friends and family

Every day, I make sure to at least text my friends and family to let them know that I am thinking of them no matter the distance between us. Maintaining relationships with people from home is just as important as establishing new relationships at school, because while your new transition may be difficult for you, odds are that it is also difficult for them. No matter how busy you are, be sure to connect with your friends and family at least once a week to update them on how you���re doing and find out what���s going on back at home.

9. Explore the city

My heart was set on Chicago while searching for where to further my education, so when I got to North Park, I utilized my newfound freedom to begin exploring. Whether it be through one of the programs that North Park offers or with friends, get to know the city you live in. No two neighborhoods in Chicago are the same, making it an excellent city to immerse yourself in different cultures. It seems as if there is always an event happening somewhere; not to mention, there is a plethora of free activities to enjoy and over 7,300 restaurants to try. When using your Ventra card and Google Maps, the possibilities are endless!

10. Relax

I have noticed that I always feel like I need to be doing something productive, so I often need to remind myself to take a breather. Sometimes college can feel like a tremendous balancing act between classes, assignments, social life, and extracurricular activities. While it is important to focus on all of those, it is also vital to your health to incorporate time to yourself into the mix. Know that it���s okay to watch Netflix or take a much-needed nap from time to time. Make sure you are allowing yourself to relax after working hard; you deserve it!

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