Editor and writer (5 articles) and content manager (concepter)

1. MACOMB COUNTY
COUSINS FOCUS
ON FAMILY FIRSTS
AND THEIR FUTURES

2. LOOKING BACK.
MOVING FORWARD.
A thriving community of hard-working people and valuable businesses, Macomb
County has grown from 400,000 residents in 1960 to nearly 900,000 today.
Macomb County has been an integral part of OU’s growth
and success since our founding more than 50 years ago and
the university has always responded to its needs.
In the 1970s and ’80s, OU offered classes at various
locations in the county. In 1991, however, our commitment
to serving the educational needs of Macomb County
residents strengthened when the university joined Macomb
Community College as one of its first educational partners at
the newly established University Center in Clinton Township.
Twenty-five years later, we enjoy that strong relationship
and have the largest enrollment of the 11 partner schools.
In 2011, OU expanded its Macomb County presence by
establishing the Anton/Frankel Center in Mount Clemens.
OU’s mission in Macomb County remains constant — respond to the needs of our community by:
n enriching lives through expanded access to higher education
n nurturing our college-bound youth
n engaging with our alumni and local communities
n supporting economic development
Today, about one-third of OU’s student population comes from Macomb County and more than 20,000 alumni live here.
We prepare our graduates to work in and contribute to an economy that is changing from a primarily manufacturing base
to a new economy of multifaceted industries including advanced manufacturing, engineering, defense, health care and
professional and technical services. According to the Michigan Department of Technology Management and Budget, job
growth is expected for all occupations and industries by 2018.
In this year’s Oakland University Macomb County FOCUS, you will learn how OU touches lives and actively plays a
leadership role to support and make a difference where we live and work. It’s what we do. It’s our responsibility. We are
a stakeholder.
Let’s keep going.
Julie Dichtel
OU Executive Director of Macomb County Outreach
Julie Dichtel
Message from the Executive Director
OU Executive Director of Macomb County Outreach | Julie Dichtel
Editor | Patti Johnson Georgevich
Art Director | Debra Lashbrook
Photographers | Vaughn Gurganian and Rick Smith
Project Manager | Nancy Potton
Writers | Jennifer Bonacorsi (CAS ’94), Joan Carleton,
Patti Johnson Georgevich, Donna Mirabito, Alice Rhein
ON THE COVER
2015 OU graduates Rolita, Reva and Evette Mansour
are realizing their fathers’ dreams.
STAFF

3. ENGAGING IN OUR COMMUNITY
Showing Golden Grizzly pride to support Macomb County
Oakland University demonstrates a strong commitment to Macomb County by continuing
to participate and become involved with local events, initiatives and projects benefitting
our communities.
OU supports a variety of activities in Macomb County, including
the Let’s Move Festival of Races, Tara’s Walk and 5-K Run for
Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention, the Macomb
County Santa Parade and the Mount Clemens Independence
Day fireworks.
Julie Dichtel, OU executive director of Macomb County Outreach,
said, “Oakland University strives to be actively engaged in our
local Macomb County communities. What makes our support so
important is the participation of more than 500 OU students,
staff, faculty and alumni who show their Grizzly pride by getting
involved and staying connected to their university in the county
where they live and work.”
OU student and Macomb County resident Ann Marie Carufel has
marched in the Santa Parade for the past three years.
“It’s a truly fun event to join in,” she said. “And I love that my OU
program is located in Macomb County.” Carufel said she expects
to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in social work this year.
Showing Grizzly pride and community involvement is important
to OU student Megan Van Hoet. The Macomb County resident is
studying wellness, health promotion and injury prevention and
expects to receive her bachelor’s degree in 2017.
“A group of friends and I volunteered at the Let’s Move Festival of
Races last year,” Van Hoet said. “We had signs to cheer on the
runners, helped show them where to go and passed out water
and Gatorade.
“It was cold for the races but it was still fun. We were there with
the Grizz and he kept up our morale. And it’s a plus the event
relates to my major,” Van Hoet said.
Van Hoet also marched in the 2015 Santa Parade on behalf of
OU and volunteered at the 2016 Let’s Move Festival of Races.
OU is proud to be in Macomb County. Visit oakland.edu/
macomb/events to learn more and stay in touch.

4. Throughout the years, we have witnessed simultaneous effects of globalization,
technology and population growth on Macomb County’s socioeconomic fabric.
Globalization and technology have recast the nature of employment as the county’s
population has grown to nearly 900,000 residents.
Among Macomb County residents age 25 or older,
23.1 percent possess a bachelor’s degree. By
comparison, 26.4 percent of Michigan’s and 30 percent
of the nation’s populations have earned bachelor’s
degrees, according to 2014 U.S. Census Bureau data.
These statistics serve to strengthen our commitment to
deliver relevant courses and degree program options to
those who live and work in Macomb County, including
student populations such as first-time students, transfer
students, working adults and graduate students.
OU’s expansion into Macomb County began in 1991
when the University began offering degree programs at
the newly established Macomb University Center in
Clinton Township. In 2011, OU further expanded its
academic offerings in the county when it opened the
doors to the Anton/Frankel Center in Mount Clemens.
Today, close to 2,000 OU students enroll in courses in
Macomb County each year.
Each semester, OU offers about 100 courses in Macomb
County in both day and evening formats. These lead to
fulfillment of OU general education and major
requirements, as well as a number of full undergraduate
and graduate degree programs.
OU designs its curriculum around the skills and
knowledge employers require. We deliver programs with
strong employment demand and salary earnings,
collaborating with business and industry in such growth
areas as advanced automotive, life sciences and
biotechnology, defense, technical, social services and
alternative energy to continually enhance the curriculum.
The benefits of a college degree are numerous and
multifaceted to the individual and the community: greater
earnings, home ownership, voting and volunteering, to
name just a few.
Building on our history in Macomb County, OU remains
committed to translating these benefits to reality for the
county’s residents.
James P. Lentini
Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost
Message from Provost Lentini

5. Understanding a patient’s cultural background can be as important as knowing his or
her medical history. As the U.S. population continues to diversify, cultural context and
competence are key to an effective patient-provider relationship.
OU instructor and nurse
educator Ellen Gajewski,
SON ’09, views cultural
diversity as something to
see, hear, feel and discuss.
Students in her health
assessment class at the
OU Anton/Frankel Center
in Mount Clemens lead a
cultural-assessment panel
to explore cultural diversity
and competency.
“Each time I conduct this diversity exercise, I also learn
something new,” she said. “I’m touched by my students’
willingness to share their stories.” Panel discussions have
included students from various countries and ethnic and religious
backgrounds.
OU nursing student Kyunghee Heil, 52, earned a four-year degree
from a university in South Korea. Heil, who said her language
barrier has limited her opportunities in the United States, believes
that participating in the student-led classroom panel was a
wonderful way to reach others.
“We shared our hearts and how much we’ve been struggling
to learn English to be as proficient as possible,” she said. “We
shared our fears, weaknesses and sadness and how much we
miss our countries.”
Gajewski said issues involving other cultures are relevant in
today’s society and feels it is important to develop a safe
classroom environment for discussion on the topic. “It’s an
integral step in developing cultural competence, promoting
acceptance of our differences and encouraging the diversity
conversation. A classroom can sometimes be an ‘impersonal’
environment. I want my students to be comfortable in who they
are and who their classmates are so we celebrate and respect
each other’s cultural beliefs and values. I also want them to thrive
as health care professionals with their patients.”
For Gajewski’s students, sharing stories about their journeys and
cultural rituals helps to break down stereotypes and prejudice.
“We appreciate (Gajewski) for not only pouring her heart into
teaching us, but also giving us this wonderful opportunity to
share our hearts with our classmates,” Heil said.
IMPROVING
PATIENT
CARE
Classroom
diversity
exercise aids
cultural context,
competence.
Student-led panel discussion
Ellen Gajewski
Kyunghee Heil

6. Reva Mansour
“Graduating from college was
always a personal goal because my
parents never had the opportunity.”
As children in Iraq, brothers Fred and Jamal
(Jim) Mansour knew they wanted more
opportunities for themselves and their future
families. In 1975, Jim immigrated to the U.S.;
Fred followed in 1979.
Today, their three daughters are realizing their fathers’ dreams.
Jim’s daughters, Rolita and Reva, and Fred’s daughter, Evette,
were all born in Macomb County — Reva in 1990 and Rolita and
Evette in 1993. They attended Warren Mott High School and
Sterling Heights High School, respectively.
Their parents always emphasized the importance of education.
“We told them how beneficial a college degree would be to their
futures,” Jim said. “We wanted them to be the first generation in
our family to earn their degrees.”
The cousins grew up in a tight-knit family and were nearly
inseparable, Rolita said. “We knew wherever we went to school,
it had to be one close to home.”
Reva agreed, adding, “There was never a question of if we
wanted to get our degrees ­— we just knew we wanted to achieve
that experience together.”
The fathers “supported us every way they could and were a
constant inspiration,” Evette said.
The cousins enrolled at Macomb Community College for their
associate’s degrees and transferred to OU for their bachelor’s
degrees, enrolling in 2013 (Rolita and Evette) and 2014 (Reva).
Rolita was impressed by OU’s reputation. “People we knew who
were attending or had graduated had nothing but great things to
say about the University,” she said. “We had also heard terrific
things about OU’s bachelor’s degree program in human resource
development.”
“The Mansour cousins came to OU ‘laser-focused’ on their
human resource development requirements,” said Laurie Shano,
a School of Education and Human Services academic adviser.
In December 2015, Rolita, Reva and Evette graduated with their
bachelor’s degrees.
Today, each is a human resource development professional.
Evette works at Project: Worldwide, an independent and global
network of agencies in Auburn Hills. Rolita works at Whitlock
Business Systems, a commercial printing, data management and
graphic design company in Madison Heights. And Reva works at
Epitec, a professional IT staffing and employment agency in
Southfield.
Jim and Fred are proud of their daughters and nieces, who all
graduated with honors.
“I think about their many late nights studying, sitting at the
kitchen table and working on their school projects,” Jim said.
EVETTE, REVA AND ROLITA
MANSOURFocused on family firsts
and their futures.

7. “OU’s location at the University Center is close
to my home and made earning my bachelor’s
degree so convenient. I had the best of both
worlds when I was an OU student.”
Evette Mansour
Rolita Mansour
SERVING TRANSFER STUDENTS IN MACOMB COUNTY
In 1986, Macomb Community College undertook a feasibility
study which showed Macomb County residents lagged behind
those living in Oakland and Wayne counties in both bachelor’s
degrees attained and annual salaries earned. The survey led
to a 1988 millage establishing the Macomb University Center
at Macomb Community College’s Center Campus in Clinton
Township.
In 1991, OU joined as one of three partner schools to offer
classes leading to a bachelor’s degree at the newly established
University Center. Human resource development was the first
bachelor’s degree that OU offered.
Today, OU enjoys a strong partnership with Macomb — the
second-largest community college in Michigan and one of the
largest in the U.S.
Transfer students are an important part of OU’s student body,
Julie Dichtel, OU executive director of Macomb County
Outreach, said. “About 41 percent began their journey as a
transfer student, and more than 26 percent of those students
started at Macomb.”
Dichtel added, “As a metropolitan university, many of our
employed students spend a great deal of time commuting. Our
locations at the University Center and the Anton/Frankel Center
in Mount Clemens offer our students a convenient option to live,
work and earn their bachelor’s degree in Macomb County.”
To better serve transfer students, academic advisers are available
at the University Center. “OU’s academic advisers provide vital
support to our students, guiding them along the way so they stay
on track to a timely graduation,” Dichtel said.
“For nearly 25 years, this partnership has afforded us the
opportunity to expand higher education access to those who
live and work in Macomb County,” she continued. “Increasing
bachelor’s degree attainment means our graduates are
employable and enjoy long and rewarding careers.”
Donna Petras, Macomb’s dean of Student Relations, noted,
“OU has been an outstanding partner with Macomb in
developing collaborative opportunities for our students to
complete their advanced degrees at the Macomb University
Center. Our respective staffs work jointly to ensure transfer
student success.”
“We couldn’t be more proud.”
Fred agreed. “I know the three of them will be successful in their
careers because they never give up and are strong and intelligent
women.”
What does the future hold? The trio’s unanimous reply: develop
their careers and families. And perhaps one day pursue master’s
degrees at OU.
One for all, all for one. Rolita, Reva and Evette are the degree
musketeers.
“Laurie (Shano) was
knowledgeable and
helpful — from the
beginning through
transfer and until our
graduation. She made
the transition from
Macomb Community
College to OU very
smooth.”

8. Not sure what you want to do after high school or what career might
be best for you? No worries. We’ve got camps for that! In health care
professions, engineering and computer science, robotics and new for
2016: criminal justice.
Your best-ever summer-learning experience. Hands-on skill-building
activities. Roll-up-your-sleeves team exercises. And action-packed
field trips.
Visit oakland.edu/careercamps for 2016 dates and locations,
photos and videos from previous camps and to join our mailing list.
YOURCURIOSITY.
OURKNOW-HOW.
Oakland University in Macomb County

9. PASSION TO PURSUIT
Mom encourages teen son’s love for computers and technology.
Today’s competitive job market has made higher education a necessity for a successful
career. As part of its commitment to nurture our college-bound youth, OU conducts
Summer Career Camps for high school teens so they can glimpse and prepare for their
futures while still in high school.
Kellie Carnahan said that her son
Randy has always been captivated by
computers and technology. In April 2015,
Randy came home from middle school
with a Summer Career Camp flyer.
“Randy was ‘pumped’ and eager to
attend the Engineering & Computer
Science Camp and the Aerial Robotics
Camp,” Kellie said. “I thought this would
be a perfect opportunity for him to stay
educationally active for a few weeks
during the summer and, at the same time,
explore his career passions.”
Kellie said the career camp experiences
honed Randy’s true interest, narrowed his
focus on a major and got him excited to
attend college. “The cost of each camp
was very affordable,” she added, “and
the camp location in Mount Clemens was
ideal.”
One day while Randy was at the
Engineering & Computer Science Camp,
Kellie said he texted her to say it was “the
best day of his life,” since he was having
so much fun.
Randy said the career camps helped
him understand the many engineering
fields available. “I realized some of the
college majors and possible careers I was
considering really didn’t suit me,” he said.
“I’d definitely recommend attending a
career camp for any high school student
who wants to be better prepared for
college and decide on a future career.
“The counselors created an inviting
atmosphere and got everyone engaged
in the projects,” added Randy, now a
freshman at Marine City High School.
Designed for motivated and ambitious
teens, OU’s Summer Career Camps are
a unique pre-college experience where
campers explore potential college majors
and possible careers in healthcare,
engineering, computer science, robotics,
criminal justice, business, graphic
design and more. Campers participate
in hands-on skill-building activities and
team exercises, action-packed field
trips and dynamic discussions with OU
faculty, alumni, students and industry
professionals.
“In 2015, more than 156 high school
students attended one of our Summer
Career Camps in Macomb, Oakland
and St. Clair counties,” said Meaghan
Germana, OU coordinator of student
support and success.
Visit oakland.edu/careercamps for
detailed camp descriptions and dates,
registration, photos and videos, camper
testimonials and more.

10. When OU student Sarah Gilbert became engaged to Alan Klee two years ago, her mother,
Wendy, was excited to help her daughter plan the joyous event.
Her fiance, Alan, was serving in the U.S.
Army in Afghanistan at the time, so they
chose Saturday, April 30, 2016 for the
wedding. They never believed that date
would interfere with Sarah’s graduation
from OU.
After Alan was honorably discharged
in 2015, the couple learned OU’s
commencement was scheduled the
same day. Moving the wedding wasn’t
an option. The church and reception hall
were booked.
“Sarah was very disappointed she
wouldn’t be able to walk at graduation,”
Wendy said. “She’s worked so hard to
get her bachelor’s degree. I didn’t want
to see her miss this milestone in her life.”
After seeing OU graduation pictures of one of Sarah’s
bridesmaids, Wendy realized there might be another option. “It
just hit me that with all her friends and family gathered for the
wedding, what better time would there be to acknowledge this
major accomplishment?”
Enter Lindsay Zeig, OU academic counselor and instructor in
integrative studies — and ultimate wedding crasher. After Wendy
contacted Zeig to inquire if something could be done for Sarah,
OU’s Provost’s Office agreed to allow
Zeig — as student marshal in her regalia
— to present the diploma to Sarah at her
wedding reception at Cherry Creek Golf
Club in Shelby Township.
“Sarah’s a very determined and
motivated student who’s eager to learn,”
said Zeig, Gilbert’s adviser for several
years. Zeig was recently recognized as
OU’s Outstanding Professional Academic
Advising Award recipient.
Gilbert’s degree is in integrative studies
with a communication minor. Through
OU’s job fairs, she has had many
interviews. At the time of publication,
Sarah had accepted a position with
Service First Logistics, a shipping firm based in Auburn Hills.
For Wendy, keeping the diploma presentation a secret was the
most difficult part of the planning. “This is more than I’d hoped for.
I thank Lindsay so much for not only being a wonderful adviser but
for helping make this happen for us.”
To maintain the diploma surprise, Wendy told only her husband
and a few key people at the reception. After all, what’s a wedding
without the DJ cueing up “Pomp and Circumstance”?
BOUQUET AND BACCALAUREATE
Joyful wedding surprise alters student’s
commencement absence.

11. Cloud computing, data breach, malware
Michigan launches first accessible cybersecurity training center.
In today’s technology-driven world,a company’s ability to safeguard its networking
infrastructure and confidential business data against threats of unauthorized access
and exploitation is a vital corporate strategy.
The Michigan Cyber Range (MCR), powered by Ann Arbor-based
Merit Network, trains cybersecurity professionals to detect,
thwart and mitigate cyberattacks. Proposed by Governor Rick
Snyder in 2011 and made possible by grants from the National
Institute of Standards and Technology, Michigan State Police
and Department of Homeland Security, Governor Snyder
established the MCR at Merit Network on November 9, 2012.
On March 18, 2016, MCR’s first cybersecurity training center
housed in a business incubator in Michigan was launched at the
Velocity Collaboration Center in Sterling Heights. The Velocity
Collaboration Center is home to the Macomb-Oakland University
INCubator (Mac-OU INC). Federal, state and local legislators, OU
officials and cyberindustry professionals celebrated the launch
with a ribbon-cutting.
Within the cyberhub, cybersecurity education, training and
testing to prevent data breaches are offered in a secure “virtual
sandbox.” Courses from the National Institute of Standards and
Technology National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE)
and exercises to simulate data hacks are available for more
than 20 cybersecurity disciplines. Defense contractors, the auto
industry and other businesses can also use special software to
test the effectiveness of their software and networks. Open to
the public, the five-day courses will begin in early summer 2016.
Courses will move from fundamental through foundational,
specialized and advanced, with a certification exam on the
final day.
“MCR’s new hub serves as a strategic intersection where
entrepreneurship, cybersecurity and higher education meet,” said
Larry Herriman, interim executive director of the Mac-OU INC.
“Cybersecurity awareness is on the rise. As the internet
continues to evolve, the security of commerce becomes more
significant,” he added. “This will continue to be a problem to
address for anyone conducting business via the internet.”
Partners of the MCR’s new hub at the Velocity Collaboration
Center are the Mac-OU INC, the Merit Network, the Michigan
Defense Center of the Michigan Economic Development
Corporation, the Macomb County Department of Planning and
Economic Development and the City of Sterling Heights. OU will
be involved in planning additional hubs in the future.
MAC-OU INC
The Mac-OU INC — a business incubator developed in
collaboration between OU, Macomb County and the City of
Sterling Heights — supports economic development in
Southeast Michigan by accelerating high-tech businesses,
cultivating academic innovation and encouraging research
and development.
For more information, visit oakland.edu/macombouinc.
(From left) Brigadier General Michael Stone; James Jackson, senior Congressional liaison for U.S. Senator Gary Peters; Betty Youngblood, Ph.D., OU vice president, Strategic
Planning & Macomb Outreach; Sterling Heights Mayor Michael Taylor; Pam Lewis, executive director, New Economy Initiative; Dr. Joe Adams, Merit vice president, Research &
Cyber Security; Michigan Economic Development Corporation CEO Steve Arwood; and Larry Herriman, interim executive director, Macomb-Oakland University INCubator.

12. MAKING AN IMPACT
IN MACOMB COUNTY
Supporting economic development in
Southeast Michigan by accelerating
high-tech businesses, cultivating
academic innovation and encouraging
research and development.
Providing OU students with relevant bachelor’s and master’s degree programs
in the fastest-growing and highest-paying careers.
Nurturing college-bound high school students at Summer Career Camps
offered in Macomb, Oakland and St. Clair counties since 2010.
Engaging with OU students, alums,
faculty and staff to support and
participate in activities, initiatives,
events and projects benefitting
communities in Macomb County.
OAKLAND UNIVERSITY IN MACOMB COUNTY
Anton/Frankel Center
20 South Main Street, Mount Clemens
Macomb University Center
44575 Garfield Road, Clinton Township
Macomb-OU INCubator | Velocity Collaboration Center
6633 Eighteen Mile Road, Sterling Heights
muc-11722_5-16(855) 222-6909 (toll-free) | oakland.edu/macomb | OUmacomb@oakland.edu