Students enjoy the inflatable slide and other attractions including “King of the Mountain,” the Macarollin’ food truck and sno-cones in Bart Mitchell Quad on Monday, August 29.

Submitted by: College Communications

Nearly 120 national and international outlets picked up research by Malini Suchak, PhD, assistant professor of animal behavior, ecology and conservation on how chimpanzees reward cooperation and discourage competition, including sciencedaily.com, discovermagazine.com, csmonitor.com (Christian Science Monitor), psychologytoday.com, scientificamerican.com and yahoonews.com (UK).

Read the discovermagazine.com article here.

Read the csmonitor.com article here.

Submitted by: College Communications

Fernanda Astiz, PhD, professor of teacher education, and her collaborator, Motoko Akiba of Florida State University, published a book this summer entitled The Global and the Local: Diverse Perspectives in Comparative Education. The book includes a variety of perspectives on education and presents local issues from around the globe, which are reflected in the official summary of the book.

The book examines how the understanding of global and local issues has changed in response to ongoing reconfigurations between the state and society. The book underscores the richness of contextual factors that may create opportunities for innovation or may serve as constraints in the implementation process. As a whole, the book brings new questions about globalization and the imperatives of education policy and implementation.

Submitted by: Sara Morris, associate vice president, academic affairs

Linda Murray
Administrative Associate for the Office of Educational Partnerships

Linda Murray is a highly competent professional who dedicates herself to the Office of Educational Partnerships. Linda is the living example of the Jesuit ideal of service to all of her co-workers. Three times during her 16 year tenure, Linda has been responsible for the functioning of the office during leadership transitions and has been critical to the process of orienting each new partnership director.  She adjusts to each new leadership style with aplomb and grace, sharing her ideas, and always willing to listen. Linda shows up prepared to do her best work every day, bringing her expertise, wonderful sense of humor, good nature, compassionate spirit and commitment to excellence in all things.

Did you know…Linda relocated to Texas but returned to Buffalo after a year because “Buffalo is home.” Linda loves to cook for her family and friends and is a traveler, especially to New York City where two of her three children live.

Submitted by: College Communications

The FacTS Center underwent a redesign and is now called the Center for Online Learning and Innovation (COLI). Located in Old Main 404, COLI is directed by Leah MacVie and supports two concrete efforts at the college.

COLI serves as a central point of contact for distance learning needs, coordinated departmental efforts for online learning, quality assurance and consistency in online courses and online innovation endeavors.

The department also encourages innovation across campus through technology and new processes in teaching, learning and everyday work. COLI seeks to be recognized for providing outstanding faculty development experiences, and coordinates online learning and service across the campus for the innovative use of technology.

See this video for a brief introduction to COLI by Center director Leah Macvie.

COLI staff are updating and improving the old FacTS Center wiki resource.  Check out the new look and resources here!

COLI retooled FacTS Center’s old workshops for faculty and staff and added some new options.  Click here to register for live classroom and online training sessions focused on teaching with technology.

You can learn about development opportunities, technology tips, and more by following us at our blog, on Facebook, and on Twitter.

Submitted by: Leah MacVie, director, Center for Online Learning and Innovation