Archive for August, 2020

The Master of Social Work program launched in February, right before the pandemic went wild across the country and racial unrest followed. It was a perfect time to propel even more professionals into the field, said Kathleen Downey. The Director of Social Work said the College of Humanities and Social Sciences “dream team” she helped assemble is intentionally versatile to meet the needs of students as they prepare to help the community face this new reality.

Almost 400 people were tested at the free-cost community COVID-19 testing event Saturday at GCU’s 27th Avenue complex. The event not only helped the University be part of the solution in defeating the virus, but it also created stronger connections to the coalition of nonprofits and governmental organizations that put on the event. Victoria Murray, Director of Home Health and Senior Services for Chicanos por la Causa, one of those organizations, said, “We love the relationship to GCU, and everyone has been phenomenal. Our cause is to reach out to the community, and I know GCU’s desire to provide for the underserved matches ours.”

Chapel returns one week from today, but with a much different setup. The first three weeks will be online, and when students return to campus there will be four venues available to ensure proper social distancing — and they’ll have to reserve their spot by obtaining a ticket in advance.

GCU wanted to go where the jobs were, which is why it opened the College of Science, Engineering and Technology in 2014. Today, the college is announcing that four of its programs have been accredited by ABET, including the bachelor’s degree program in Computer Science and the bachelor’s degree programs in Biomedical, Electrical and Mechanical Engineering. It’s a prestigious distinction that assures employers that GCU’s students are meeting a quality standard. “They know that these students are prepared for industry,” said Dr. Janet Brelin-Fornari, Associate Dean of Engineering. Fifth in a nine-part series spotlighting each GCU college as the fall semester begins.

(Aug. 28, 2020) — Grand Canyon University’s bachelor’s degree program in Computer Science has been accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET and bachelor’s degree programs in Biomedical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering have been accredited by the Engineering Commission of ABET, the global accreditor of college and university programs in applied and natural science, computing, engineering, and engineering technology.   ABET accreditation assures that programs meet standards to produce graduates ready to enter critical technical fields that are leading the way in innovation and emerging technologies, and anticipating the welfare and safety needs of the public. “We are very excited to receive this acknowledgment from the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET),” said Brian Mueller, President of Grand Canyon University. “Our computer science program was launched in 2014 and engineering followed in 2015, so this was our first opportunity for accreditation after they had their first graduating classes. These innovative, interdisciplinary, project-based programs are already meeting the high standards that GCU academics are known for.” Sought worldwide, ABET’s voluntary peer-review process is highly respected because it adds critical value to academic programs in the technical disciplines, where quality, precision, and safety are of the utmost importance. […]

The new GCU Historical Archives are an important link in Arizona’s history, too. The August issue of GCU Magazine explains how the digital collection has benefited the Arizona Memory Project. “It is just so perfectly aligned to what the State Library does,” said Holly Henley, State Librarian and Director of Library Services.

The College of Doctoral Studies has learned a lot about its learners over the past 10 years, and that’s why it’s introducing a 2.0 version of its programs. This redesign will take tools such as the dissertation template and early dissertation focus and build upon them to address both quantitative and qualitative research. A higher emphasis also will be placed on better preparing students for dissertation writing.

GCU has strived to address many of the challenges facing the Maryvale community and will do so again Saturday when it partners with Chicanos por la Causa, Equality Health Foundation and other organizations to bring a drive-thru COVID-19 testing event to the neighborhood. “The Maryvale community has been especially vulnerable to COVID-19, so we wanted to be part of the solution by offering a site where residents can come to get tested for free and help curtail the pandemic in west Phoenix,” GCU President Brian Mueller said. The event will run from 6-11 a.m. at the 27th Avenue complex.

These are tough times for many businesses, but the good ones adapt — just like the Colangelo College of Business. Five CCOB faculty members shared why they’re so enthusiastic about the knowledge they’ll be imparting to students this fall. “There has never been a moment like right now that is an impetus for innovation,” said Tim Kelley, Assistant Professor for Entrepreneurship and Economics. “This is it.”

The Lopes Performance Center, Canyon Activity Center and Papago Fitness Center will reopen Thursday, but anyone who wants to work out should note that reservations are required and the locker rooms at the LPC and CAC will be closed. Other recreational facilities, including the swimming pools, will reopen Sept. 28.