Dear Friends of Interdisciplinary Studies at UCF:

Welcome to the pleasant side of fall! While we do not have obvious markers such as leaves

turning colors to indicate the different season, the dropping temperatures and really pleasant

weather surely suggest that the heat and humidity of the summer are left behind for a while

(and hopefully all hurricanes too). Midterm exams have come and gone and we are in the last

half of the fall semester. It has been an eventful semester both at UCF and in the country

more generally. As I write this note, President Obama is scheduled to arrive on campus for a

campaign event. The candidates for Florida Senate had a debate on campus, and many other

related events took place. The election has energized many groups and people and offers

direct opportunities for UCF students to get involved in the democratic process.

Readers of this Newsletter already understand how skills and competencies learned in

Interdisciplinary Studies matter to successfully navigating political debates and the many

important issues at stake. From economic development patterns, to sustainable energy

models, to culturally responsible policies and historically aware rights debates, there is

hardly an issue being discussed these days that is not complex, complicated, and necessarily

to be understood from a number of different perspectives.

IDS is offering classes and degrees that help students prepare for active engagement in this

complex world. In this issue you can read about one day in Dr. Plate’s Foundations of

Environmental Studies class that illustrates the importance of systems thinking. Evidence of

the many great things our IDS gradates do after graduation can be found in the report from

Kim Reynolds’ visit to our student meeting with Dean Dooley and in the report from Colby

Nickerson from Korea.

As you can see on page 6, we are looking for a few good illustrations of what IDS looks like.

Our portrait-context asks for your creative participation. Please help us make some new

brochures and helpful IDS Roadmaps look more cool (and win some money in the process);

consider submitting some sketches or cartoons or photos or paintings.

Finally, please do stay in touch. Like us on Facebook; our page regularly features current

opportunities or program updates and even live streaming from some of our special IDS

events. And of course we always welcome you to come to the office for advising or to let us

know how you are doing. A successful second half of the Fall semester to all!

Sincerely, Dr. Claudia Schippert

Late Fall 2016

WHAT’S INSIDE

Page 1: From the

Director’s Desk

Page 2: In the News:

Environmental Studies

Foundations Course

Page 3: In the Spotlight:

Kim Newsome Reynolds

Meet Your Dean Event

Page 4: Got Creativity?

Colby Nickerson

Undergraduate TEFL

Certificate and IDS

Page 5:

Follow-up to Film

Screening & Discussion:

Memories of a Penitent

Heart

Director Search

Page 6:

Portrait Contest

Page 7:

2016 Calendar

IDS Contact information

IDS Facebook

information

IDS Student Association

Information (ISSA)

Students in Dr. Richard Plate’s Foundations of Environmental Studies course recently gathered in a circle on the lawn outside of their classroom as part of an in-class assignment for the day. As they stood silently listening, Dr. Plate explained that they were about to model a complex system in order to better understand how other complex systems behave. His instructions specified that each student make a direct "connection" to, or pay attention to only two other students. Students were to stay an equal distance from their two direct connections. As the activity began, students tried to keep their two direct connections, but began to find it was a difficult task. The point of the exercise was to demonstrate that the indirect connections were such that one student moving would cause the whole system to reorganize to a new position. Dr. Plate explained that “The activity we were doing outside was an introduction into systems thinking, a set of skills that help students understand the behavior of complex systems, such as ecosystems and societies. Because of the connections between ecosystems and societies, we refer to them as social-ecological systems.”

Several students commented that it was “a cool way to learn about this” and “it makes things easy to understand” as they chatted about the class and picked up their belongings at the end of the activity.

The Foundations of Environmental Studies course helps students to gain an understanding of Environmental Studies through an increased understanding of practical strategies for addressing sustainability challenges. It also helps students to develop systems-thinking skills necessary to understand the complex interactions in social-ecological systems, and an understanding of contemporary environmental challenges and strategies for addressing those challenges. Dr. Plate works to help students see the relationships and interconnectedness of cross-scale interactions such as the relationship between local and global, in social-ecological systems. He joined IDS as a visiting lecturer in Environmental Studies and Interdisciplinary Studies in 2016. A Central Florida native, Dr. Plate earned his PhD in Interdisciplinary Ecology from the University of Florida and holds degrees in English and Chemical Engineering from Clemson University.

Pictured below: Dr. Richard Plate explained to his Environmental Studies students that the activity they had just completed demonstrated systems thinking, a set of skills that help students understand the behavior of complex systems, such as ecosystems and societies. These connections between ecosystems and societies are why we refer to them as social-ecological systems.

Pictured above: Students form a circle and form a “direct” connection to two other students. Pictured below: the “indirect” connections were such that moving one student would cause the whole system to reorganize to a new position.

INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Kim Reynolds, IDS Graduate, Orlando Pride Pro Soccer Player, Teacher & Athletic Director

As is often the case for many IDS students, Kim Reynolds IDS ’11 chose Interdisciplinary Studies as her major after she had been in school for several semesters rather than declaring it as her major from the very start. Playing women’s soccer for UCF kept the student athlete busier than many UCF students could imagine, but keeping her eye on the goal of life after graduation was just as important as scoring goals in her daily scrimmages and UCF games. Kim was a guest speaker at the recent Meet Your Dean event with Dr. Elizabeth Dooley, the Dean of the College of Undergraduate Studies and Dr. Claudia Schippert, the Interim Director of the Office of Interdisciplinary Studies, and Stephen Seay, the Director of Leadership and Career Development Strategies with UCF Athletics. At the event Kim recounted to a room filled with students, administrators, and an online IDS student audience that participated through a livestream at the UCF@IDS Facebook page the details of how her IDS degree has helped her to meet her personal and professional goals.

Kim Newsome Reynolds earned an IDS degree in 2011 with Communication and Education as her areas of study and a minor in Health Sciences. She said that the path she chose after graduation led her to become an Athletic Director and PE coach at a private Christian School while also teaching Health and Nutrition to high schoolers twice a week. It also led to the determination and stamina required to take on professional soccer as a player for the Orlando Pride.

Her UCF journey began as a transfer student from Polk Community College. When asked for her advice for other IDS students, especially transfer students, she said “Don't become overwhelmed at the fact that you'll have two areas of focus with a minor. It's simple, if you stay on top of your workload. I enjoyed the challenge of taking on such a degree as IDS.” Ms. Reynolds says that her professional experience was enhanced by the integration of skills her degree provided. “Having a communication focus, as Athletic Director helped me to communicate with multiple schools regarding athletic events / organizations. Meanwhile, my focus on Education and Health Sciences helped me to relay my skills that I learned in the classroom to the kids that I taught in Physical Education as well as Health and Nutrition.”

This year has started a new chapter in her life, one that includes playing professional soccer for the Orlando Pride. “Being a member of the Pride has allowed me to have the platform to be a bigger part of the community. A community that I'm a native of, Orlando, Florida,” Ms. Reynold’s said.

In her closing remarks at the Meet Your Dean event she reminded students to keep going and to work efficiently with each of their chosen areas of study. “It's easy to focus more of your time on one specific area and neglect the others,” she said. “This is a unique degree that allows you to focus on multiple areas of study.” That integration of areas of study is part of what makes the individuals from the program stand out from the competition and reach the goals they set for themselves both during their time at UCF and after graduation.

This semester’s Meet Your Dean event included a livestream feed through the Interdisciplinary Studies @ UCF Facebook page. In addition to the at-capacity roomful of IDS students, a group of UCF Online and other IDS students were also able to virtually attend the event in real-time by viewing it online through Facebook. Dr. Dooley’s message to students was to keep going and to encourage them to create a pathway within IDS that makes sense for their personality, desires, and goals. She also emphasized the importance of community and the power of it to inspire each member to reach their fullest potential. Students shared what makes them excited about IDS, including opportunity, diversity, and the ability to create our their own path. Dr. Dooley encouraged students to use the power of our UCF community, our IDS community, to help them reach their goals and the future they see for themselves. To view the event, go to Interdisciplinary Studies @ UCF Facebook page and scroll down to the October 19 livestream video event.

Kim Newsome Reynolds IDS ‘11

Photo credit: Orlando Pride. Kim Reynolds pictured left.

Meet Colby Nickerson, Interdisciplinary Studies Degree, Behavior and Social Sciences, Letters and Modern Languages, with a minor in Education plus an Undergraduate TEFL Certificate. Class of 2013

Colby Nickerson, teacher, world traveler, and IDS graduate said in an online interview from Korea that if he had any advice for students who are following the same roadmap through IDS that he used, it would be to encourage them to choose Education as a minor, take Letters and Modern Language as one area of study, and get an Undergraduate TEFL Certificate (Teaching English as a Foreign Language). “The second area of study is entirely up to you as I feel that the synthesis of the disciplines above are more than enough to prepare you for your journey ahead,” he explained.

Colby’s journey has included teaching English in Japan and Korea to name just two places. “I knew I wanted to teach because after many major changes I had found something I truly enjoyed. However, the idea of teaching in the USA seemed too simple for my tastes. I have always wanted to pursue something unconventional with my life and teaching abroad felt like the perfect fit. The TEFL certificate seemed like the best complement to my degree to help me secure the more attractive positions. The competition can be INCREDIBLY fierce and I knew that I would need every tool at my disposal.”

He said that he highly recommends participation in UCF’s English Language Institute Conversation Hour Program, and adds that “even if you have no interest or plans to teach abroad, there is valuable cultural insight to be gained from speaking to people from another country. I met remarkable students from all around the world with amazing stories to tell and unique perspectives to share.”

The other valuable tools Colby mentioned were his IDS Corner and Capstone classes. “I would take your Cornerstone and Capstone classes seriously. These courses teach you how to properly market yourself to acquire the positions you want. This skill is far more valuable than you could imagine. I am absolutely baffled that these courses are not mandatory in other fields of study! This ability has helped me procure some lucrative positions, both foreign and domestic. Multiple times my competition had more experience, a Master's degree, or both. Despite their advantage, I almost always came out on top. Put forth your best effort in these classes and you will be rewarded handsomely for it later.”

When asked about the great things that have come from his time at UCF, his degree in IDS, and his Undergraduate TEFL Certificate, he said that the best thing is “Waking up every morning knowing that I'm going to a job I love doing” (He says he really can't emphasize this enough). He added that living overseas has supplied him with some of his best moments and experiences. “I had hypothesized that my time abroad would change me and be for the better, but it was to a much higher degree than I expected! My time abroad has been enlightening, which is an understatement. It has altered my perception and thoughts on various concepts and improved my teaching skills. It also further fueled my desire to travel and see the world. One of the greatest rewards about being able to travel while working is that you have ample time to plunge into the culture and atmosphere of your location. After some time you don't feel like a tourist but a part of your community. The locals eventually get to know you and are always so kind and welcoming! I now have an abundance of stories to share with my family, friends, and one day perhaps my own children and grandchildren. None of this would have been possible without IDS, TEFL, and my professors!

This is the seventh in a series of short articles featuring Interdisciplinary Studies graduates and the way they’ve created their

own path within the program. Three degree tracks and a wide variety of courses allow students to pursue multiple interests.

/

Colby Nickerson viewing his community in Korea from a mountaintop vantage point next to a Buddhist temple.

Photo left: Colby Nickerson, pictured second from left, teaching English abroad.

Students interested in learning more about adding the Undergraduate TEFL Certificate to their undergraduate IDS credentials can find more info online or by contacting Dr. Keith Folse at Keith.Folse@ucf.edu OR by visiting the Undergrad TEFL Certificate Facebook page The program’s mission is to provide the most comprehensive training for those who wish to teach English as a Foreign Language (EFL) around the globe.

In late September, the Office of Interdisciplinary Studies presented a screening of the new film Memories of a Penitent Heart, and followed it with a discussion with the filmmaker, Cecilia Aldarondo. Both events were free and open to the public.

The film combined a wealth of recently discovered home movies, video, and written documents with artfully shot contemporary interviews and vérité footage. Memories of a Penitent Heart is a documentary that cracks open a Pandora’s Box of unresolved family drama and opens the conversation about the unresolved conflicts wrought by AIDS, and a nuanced exploration of how faith is used and abused in times of crisis.

Interdisciplinary Studies: Updates

Pictured left: Dr. Claudia Schippert, Interim Director of the Office of Interdisciplinary Studies, second from left, discusses "Memories of a Penitent Heart" with filmmaker Cecilia Aldarondo, right, Fernando Rivera, far left, and Roxy Santiago, far right, in a post-show discussion with the filmmaker.

“Memories of a Penitent Heart straddles a lot of divides—between art and social

justice, between past and present, between the personal and the global. I’m making

this film because I see the story of what happened in my family as a cautionary tale;

there are thousands of similar stories buried across the world. I want viewers to see

that bigotry doesn’t always look like a hate crime: often, it looks like blind love.”

-Cecelia Aldarondo, Filmmaker

Job Opportunity: Professor and Director of Interdisciplinary Studies

The Search for our Permanent Director is underway. If you are interested or know of people who are

interested in applying, please go or direct them to https://www.jobswithucf.com/postings/47323

Job Description The College of Undergraduate Studies at the University of Central Florida invites

applications for the director of Interdisciplinary Studies.

The director will strengthen a longstanding Interdisciplinary Studies (IDS) program

that began in 1970. Currently a popular major, IDS has produced more than

13,000 alumni and graduates approximately 700 students a year. The program

offers multiple tracks including Environmental Studies and Women’s Studies, as well

as minors and certificates ranging from Leadership Studies to Geographic

Information Systems.

The director reports to the vice provost of Teaching & Learning and dean of the

College of Undergraduate Studies and leads a staff of faculty instructors (full-time and

adjunct), academic advisers, and office staff. The unit’s strategic plan includes

increasing the number of degree programs, developing greater collaborations with

graduate programs at the university, and transitioning to a higher profile to support

the university’s numerous interdisciplinary initiatives.

October/November/December 2016 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 23 24

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30 Grade 31

Forgiveness Deadline

Withdrawal Deadline

11:59 pm

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Veteran’s Day:

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20 21 22

Portrait Contest

Deadline

23 24 Thanksgiving

Break: No classes

25 Thanksgiving

Break: No classes

26 Thanksgiving

Break: No classes

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Classes end; Last day

To remove incomplete

4 5 Study Day

6 Final Exams

7 Final Exams

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12 Last day of final exams

13 On-campus

housing closes

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2:30 pm Arrive

at 1 pm

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____________________________

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Interdisciplinary Studies @UCF to keep up

with the current news and events.

Join the Interdisciplinary Studies

Student Association (ISSA) at its next

upcoming meeting. Check the website

for more information.

CONTACT US:

College of Undergraduate Studies

Office of Interdisciplinary Studies

Classroom Building 1, Suite 302

12601 Aquarius Agora Drive

P.O. Box 161998

Orlando, FL 32816-1998

Phone: (407) 823-0144 www.is.ucf.edu