News

• The Center for Global Engagement announces a new international partnership between the Rabat School of Business (RBS) at the Universite International de Rabat, Morocco, and the School of Business at RMU. Located in the vibrant capital city of Rabat on the Atlantic Coast, RBS offers AACSB accredited business programs and has an international focus, requiring their students to spend a semester of study abroad at one of their 90 international partners around the globe. RBS students will come to RMU as exchange students for a semester or two and RMU students will have the opportunity to spend a semester or two at RBS taking courses in English in a variety of topics like international HR management, international business negotiation, or business management. Email the CGE at schrader@rmu.edu for more information on this exciting new partnership.

• The Citrone 33 Foundation and Unpack U have awarded funding to two RMU students projects as part the U Prize initiative, which sought student-led ideas to improve mental health within the Pittsburgh-area higher education community. The winning RMU entries were from:

  • Melanie Hall, a senior psychology major. Melanie is involved with the Thrive Program and the National Council of Negro Women. She also serves as secretary for the Organization for Latin American Students and social media manager for the Black Student Union. See her pitch here.

  • Jax Kelly, a senior nursing major and Community Advisor, teamed up with fellow CAs Alyssa Keath, an actuarial science major, and Meghan O'Donnell, a marketing major -- both juniors. See their pitch here.

• The oldest teaching economics conference in the nation, the 32nd Annual RMU Teaching Economics Conference, was sponsored by Norton publishing and held virtually on February 26. This year was close to being the highest attendance in the three decades of the conference's history. There were 43 presentations in total, including plenary sessions by Dirk Mateer, of University of Texas at Austin, and Chad Jones of Stanford University. Attendees participated from all over the United States and Canada. This was the first year that K-12 economics teachers were invited, and teachers from five different school districts attended.  

• The RMU Center for Innovation and Outreach held an Environmental Science Virtual Career Exploration on March 4. Robert Morris University hosted students, counselors, and teachers from 15 local high schools for a virtual career exploration surrounding the field of environmental science and its invaluable place in today's modern day workforce. The careel panel involved RMU undergraduate Rachel Gress, RMU alumni Brittany Bell and Amanda Burgess, and field expert Barry J. Momyer, president & CEO of A.M. Health and Safety. The event was led by Paul Badger, associate professor of chemistry and head of the Department of Science, and William Dress, associate professor of biology. If you would like to host a virtual career exploration session for your department or to highlight a specific degree program please contact RMU CIO Outreach Manager Sarah Moore at moores@rmu.edu.

• RMU in the News has been updated with the voluminous news media coverage the university received in February, much of it about the new RMU Gateway initiative. 

Personal Mention

• President Chris Howard has been named to the Board of Directors of the National Football Foundation and the College Football Hall of Fame Inc. "We are extremely pleased to have Chris Howard join the NFF Board of Directors," said NFF Chairman Archie Manning. "Chris' presence on the NFF board will provide us powerful insights on the impact of the NFF's programs on college campuses nationwide. Chris' authentic love of the game, coupled with his distinguished and long list of accomplishments, make him an absolute natural to join the NFF Board." Read more here.
   
• Lisa Hernandez, chief human resources officer, has been selected to take part in the 2021 Man & Woman of the Year campaign to raise money and awareness for the The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Learn more here.

Upcoming Events

• The Center for Global Engagement will offer its 4th Rooney Reunion Panel, The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Healthcare: Perspectives from South Africa, New Zealand, and the US.  Join former Rooney Scholars, Dr. Monwai Gantsho and Dr. Moloko Ramashala-Gantsho (South Africa), Dr. Patrea Andersen (New Zealand) and RMU’s Dr. Holly Hampe (Health Services Administration) on from 1 to 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 17. RSVP for this virtual event here. 

• On March 26, the Women’s Leadership and Mentorship Program presents RMU’s Fifth Annual Women and Transformational Leadership Symposium. This full-day event features women leaders in our region and topics that impact the region's move toward gender equity and the advancement of women.

  This year’s keynote speaker: Bandanda Rana from Nepal is a passionate lifelong advocate for women’s rights and gender equality. Her experience spans decades in the area of violence against women, gendered conflict transformation, peace building and engendered media through the different organizations and networks she has founded and led. She is a member of the UN CEDAW Committee since 2017, the first Nepali woman to be elected to this position. She was the Vice Chair of the Committee from 2018-2020 and is the focal point for women peace and security. She has recently been nominated to the UNFPA High Level Commission on ICPD+25 for three years. She was also a member of the UN Women Global Civil Society Advisory Group (2012-2015). This year’s keynote speaker presentation is co-sponsored by the WLMP and the Center for Global Engagement. This event is free and open to the public. Learn more and register here: rmu.edu/wtls

  The WTLS will include an AAUW Work Smart Salary Negotiation Workshop This workshop, sponsored by the City of Pittsburgh and the Gender Equity Commission, is part of the city’s efforts to close the gender wage gap. AAUW created this workshop in an effort to train 10 million women by the year 2030 to advocate for fairer wages and benefits, and to feel confident advocating for what they are worth. To learn more about this effort please visit: https://www.aauw.org/resources/programs/salary/work-smart/pittsburgh/ This workshop is free and open to anyone.

Weekend Sports

• Special announcement:  Robert Morris University women's hockey are the 2021 Champions of College Hockey America and will continue their season next week, Monday, March 15 when they face #1 Northeastern in the quarterfinals of the 2021 NCAA Tournament at Erie Insurance Arena in Erie, Pa. The Colonials captured their third postseason crown with a 1-0 win over Syracuse Saturday night in the CHA Championship, sending them to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2017.  

  RMU and the Huskies will square off Monday, March 15, at 2:00 p.m. in Erie with the game available to watch via a free stream on NCAA.com.  A victory over the NU would see RMU advance to their first ever Women's Frozen Four beginning on March 19 with the National Championship taking place two days later on March 21 and broadcast on ESPN U. 

  All games will be played at Erie Insurance Arena as opposed to the four traditional on-campus, quarterfinal-round locations, which the NCAA Women's Ice Hockey Committee hopes will be able to provide the most effective and efficient competition. For direct access to the stream, live stats & audio broadcast download the RMU Gameday App or visit rmucolonials.com.
   

• Friday, March 12
  • Softball vs. Detroit Mercy, doubleheader, 2 p.m. - Watch and listen on the RMU Gameday App
  • Men's hockey vs. Niagra, 7 p.m. - Watch and listen on the RMU Gameday App
     
• Saturday, March 13
  • Softball vs. Detroit Mercy, doubleheader, 1 p.m. - Watch and listen on the RMU Gameday App
  • Men's hockey vs. Niagra, 7 p.m. - Watch and listen on the RMU Gameday App
     
• Sunday, March 14
  • Men's hockey vs. Niagra, 7 p.m. - Watch and listen on the RMU Gameday App