Union Institute & University National Commencement Announced
Union Institute & University National Commencement is Sunday, October 13, 2019 at 11 a.m. at the Hilton Netherlands Plaza in downtown Cincinnati.
More than 120 students have earned degrees in the following areas: Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Master of Arts, Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Master of Science in Organizational Leadership, Doctor of Education, and Doctor of Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Studies.
The keynote speaker is Dr. Robin Martin, Deputy Director of Postsecondary Success at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. She leads strategy, planning, and management efforts, focusing on operational excellence and development and execution of key elements of the team’s work. Dr. Martin brings more than 20 years of higher education experience as an associate provost for diversity and inclusion, a tenure track faculty member, and athletic director and coach, including many years at the University of Cincinnati. She is a master-level certified executive coach and the author of Navigating Courage: Leading Beyond Fear, which offers insights for academic professionals seeking to build a focus on equity within their institutions. Using a design-thinking approach, Dr. Martin specializes in inclusive leadership, organizational change, and an African-humanist philosophy called Ubuntu, meaning, “I am because you are.”
Dr. Martin holds a M.Ed. in Education from the University of New Orleans, and an Ed.D. in Urban Education and Leadership from the University of Cincinnati.
Other highlights include the following:
- Marvin B. Sussman Award for excellence in dissertation
- Brian Webb Award for Outstanding Master of Arts Thesis
- Award for Excellence in Teaching
- Certificate of Distinction for Excellence in Teaching
- Award for Excellence in Scholarship
- Certificate of Distinction for Excellence in Scholarship
- Distinguished Alumni Award
- Legacy Alumni Award
- Recognition of veterans – Designated by wearing a special red, white, and blue honor cord, in recognition of their service to our country
Union is sought after by adults because of its adult delivery model: Specialized distance-learning programs that combine online and classroom coursework with high-touch faculty attention, designed for students regardless of where they live and work. Union also has a long history of serving diverse populations: Minorities (48 percent), women (53 percent), and an older, adult population (average age of 37) and interweaves social justice in its curriculum. Union students recognize that with knowledge comes the responsibility to serve in advancing a culturally pluralistic, equitable, and interdependent world. We work toward equality of access, prize all aspects of diversity, and live a commitment to an innovative teaching and learning culture that promotes the common good, enriched by the depth and breadth of Union’s international community of students, faculty, alumni, staff, trustees, and partners.
As Dr. King stated so eloquently, the work we each do every day – whether learning, teaching, or serving students and alumni – is dignified and important, specifically because we, together, uplift humanity. The work our students and alumni do each day is critically important. All of us connected to Union strive each day to engage, enlighten, and empower each other as we work to transform lives and communities.
To learn more about National Commencement, click here. To learn more about Union and its mission to engage, empower and enlighten click here.