PNW faculty member honored
Purdue University Northwest Associate Professor of Nursing Julia Rogers has been named a 2025 fellow of the American Academy of Nursing, according to a release.
Induction as an academy fellow is a prestigious recognition of a nurse’s contributions to health care through innovative, evidence-based solutions and advocacy for health outcomes in their communities, the release said. Just over 3,200 professionals have been inducted from around the world since 1973, the release said.
Rogers’ scholarship focuses on advanced pathophysiology. Among her teaching initiatives, she leverages augmented and virtual reality 3D visualization learning tools to teach PNW nursing students, which her research has shown helps them better retain information, the release said.
Land trust’s acreage swells
Shirley Heinze Land Trust recently announced that it now protects more than 4,000 acres of land in northwest Indiana, a release said.
The trust recently obtained ownership of the Big Eastern property in rural Starke County, formerly preserved by the Lucas Family and Big Eastern Inc. Preservation of the Big Eastern supports a strategic vision to expand geographically into Starke, Marshall and St. Joseph counties to create new conservation areas and to provide outdoor opportunities for recreation and engagement, the release said.
To learn more about Shirley Heinze Land Trust’s programs, visit https://heinzetrust.org/
Gary schools looking for teachers
The Gary Community School Corp. is seeking qualified teachers to join its team of educators, according to a release.
With the guiding belief that “Strong Roots. Bright Future” begins with exceptional teachers, the district is working to fill open positions across grade levels and content areas for the upcoming school year, the release said.
GCSC serves approximately 4,500 students across 10 schools in Gary. Open positions include elementary and secondary teachers, special education, STEM, fine arts and various support staff. A full list of current openings is available at https://www.garycsc.k12.in.us/careers-at-gcsc/?all=1
VU students win in Microsoft state championships
Three students from the Valparaiso University College of Business have been named Indiana State Champions in the Microsoft Office Suite Specialist Spring Qualifier, a release said.
Douglas Newton took first place in the Excel competition; Madeline Poppe in Word and Julia Sullivan was named champion in Powerpoint, the release said.
State championships in MOS applications are won as part of the certification process for each program. Competitors are judged based on how well they perform on their proctored, standard-based exams, and — in the event of tied scores — how quickly they were able to complete the test.
Lake Sheriff announces emergency hiring
The Lake County Sheriff’s Department is conducting an emergency hiring process for current law enforcement officers who would like to become Lake County Sheriff’s Department police officers, a release said.
Applicants must be a certified police officer and must have successfully completed training through a state-accredited police academy. Applicants who are not Indiana residents must relocate to Indiana.
Applications will be accepted online via publicsafetyapp.com through midnight Aug. 10.
South Shore sets weekend busing in Chicago
South Shore Line passengers are advised busing substitution will be inplace throughout the weekend of July 26-27 due to construction in Chicago, a release said.
That weekend there will be no service to the Museum Campus or Van Buren Street stations.
Passengers traveling to and from downtown Chicago will be transported by bus between Millennium Station and Metra’s 18th Street Station. Train passengers traveling to and from the 57th Street Station will not be impacted, the release said. The buses will not stop at Van Buren Street or Museum Campus stations.
The construction project is part of the $650 million expansion of South Shore Line service and is necessary to expand capacity through the area north of 18th Street to accommodate additional trains, the release said.
Ivy Tech Valparaiso recognized
Ivy Tech Community College Valparaiso Campus has been awarded the inaugural Collegiate Purple Star of Indiana designation, which recognizes Indiana postsecondary institutions that provide outstanding support to U.S. military-affiliated students, according to a release.
The CPSI designation, awarded by the Indiana Commission for Higher Education and the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs, recognizes institutions that excel in creating a supportive environment for military-connected students throughout their educational journey, the release said.
The CPSI designation is awarded across three achievement tiers based on 37 standards across eight categories, the release said.