Political upheaval in the heart of Washington D.C.: Congress members at loggerheads over controversial immigration bill, leading to heated debates and possible filibuster showdowns.
Park University is making headlines in the Kansas City region and beyond, with a series of notable achievements, presentations, and partnerships that showcase the institution's commitment to academic excellence and community engagement.
Four students from the Department of Social Work presented at prestigious conferences in March, sharing their research on topics ranging from secondary traumatic stress to domestic violence training. Meanwhile, students from the Department of English and Modern Languages showcased their literary and critical talents at the Sigma Tau Delta International Convention.
In a significant development, Park University has partnered with the Kansas City Chiefs, making the football team the University's first-ever Official Higher Education Partner. This alliance offers a range of benefits, including professional development opportunities for students, tuition assistance for Chiefs employees, and the creation of the Chiefs Seasonal Assistant Program.
The Chiefs Seasonal Assistant Program provides a unique opportunity for students to gain hands-on experience in a professional sports environment, particularly in sports management, marketing, and related fields. The partnership also extends to creating new concepts to further the program, giving Park students the chance to interview for positions within it.
Park University's partnership with the Chiefs is not limited to student benefits. Gail Hennessy, an assistant professor of education, was recognised by the Northland Regional Chamber of Commerce for her work on redesigning Park's undergraduate teacher preparation program.
Moreover, Park University was the presenting partner at the Chiefs Draft Day III event held at Fort Riley, Kan., on April 28. The University also played a role in recognising a military veteran during the Chiefs' annual Salute to Service game this season.
Apart from sports-related initiatives, Park University has made strides in the academic arena. The criminal justice administration program ranked No. 20 in the country on BestValueSchools.org's 2018 "Best Criminal Justice Programs" list, and the online Master of Healthcare Administration ranked No. 1 in the country on GradSchoolHub.com's "30 Most Affordable Master's in Health Administration Degrees Online: Private Non-Profit Colleges 2018" list.
The University's campus centers across the country have held commencement ceremonies for 2018 graduates at various locations. Notable among these is the upcoming Kansas City Area Commencement, where Gwendolyn Grant, president and chief executive officer of the Urban League of Greater Kansas City, will deliver the keynote address.
In the realm of arts, a trio of Park University fine art students are exhibiting their work as part of their senior thesis through May 31 in the University's Campanella Gallery.
Park University continues to foster a vibrant and dynamic community, with faculty members like Terrence Ward co-presenting sessions at prestigious conferences, and students like Sophie Fatu, daughter of Cristian Fatu and Victoria Martirosyan Fatu, making waves in the entertainment industry, having been featured on NBC's "Little Big Shots", "The Ellen DeGeneres Show", and the upcoming season of "America's Got Talent".
As the University prepares for the end of the spring semester and the start of Maymester, it is clear that Park University remains a hub of academic achievement, innovation, and community engagement.
- Park University's partnership with the Kansas City Chiefs extends beyond student benefits, as associate professor Gail Hennessy from the Department of Education and Self-Development was recognized by the Northland Regional Chamber of Commerce for her work on redesigning the undergraduate teacher preparation program.
- Outside the realm of sports and general news, Park University's commitment to education and self-development is evident in the ascension of student Sophie Fatu, who has been featured on NBC's "Little Big Shots", "The Ellen DeGeneres Show", and the upcoming season of "America's Got Talent".
