Early this week, a small group of Education Majors were immersed in a Mursion virtual reality simulation training session at the McKay Campus School. In this particular scenario, students worked with virtual parents and grandparents, as if they were having a 1:1 session, discussing their student's success or lack thereof. The experience was quite realistic with one student saying "I'm sweating" after their session. This is just one of the many tools that Fitchburg State University  uses to aid their Education students in mastering instructional moves, and in fostering social emotional learning.

Whether the first, second, third or fourth floor, no matter the major, alone or in a group, students are busily studying for their finals in the The Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library. Good luck on your finals!

The Nursing Department faculty and staff treated our Nursing Students to a break before the holidays with their homemade treats and cocoa. A welcomed break before the finals begin.

Today, the last day of classes for the semester,  Counseling Services kicked of Finals Frenzy week by giving out ice cream sundaes in G-Lobby in the Hammond building. In addition to the ice cream, students were offered an array of wellness and relaxation activities including, adult coloring, inspirational & affirming phrases, relaxation exercises, snacks and more! Counseling Services strives to provide an inclusive space that honors the strengths, lived experience, and uniqueness of each individual. Our counselors provide services focused on wellness, growth, and self advocacy, in order to enhance your success at the university and in the larger community. Good Luck on your finals!

Students enrolled in the Fitchburg State University Police Program's Recruit Officer Course (ROC) had their last monthly meeting of the semester yesterday afternoon in Weston Auditorium. At this meeting, the Drill Instructor (DI) had a "hats off" conversation with the students. When a DI has a “Hats off” conversation with a group, it’s a signal to the group that it will be an open discussion, it’s a time to teach/mentor/coach and a time for the group to relax just a bit. When the hat goes back on, it’s a signal that the DI is back in the traditional DI role.

Theater Concentration, Communications Media student Rebecca Joseph, who recently played Ruth Younger in the university's production of  A Raisin in the Sun, used her talents in our Nursing Simulation Laboratory where she played a patient. After getting her characters backstory, the scene began with Rebecca in the Clinic waiting room to be called by a team of Nursing Program students who were unaware of her ascribed condition.

Friday afternoon, Dean of The School of Health and Natural Sciences Dr. Jennifer Hanselman presented  Engineering Technology Professor Hong Yu's students with certificates acknowledging their participation in the MIT IEEE Undergraduate Research Technology Conference's Micromouse Competition earlier this semester. 

Recently, Lourdes Ramirez, coordinator of field placements, partnerships and recruitment for Fitchburg State’s School of Education welcomed a cohort of local high school students enrolled in The Future Educator Academy program to campus for a day of programming. Students completed a badge focused on Supporting Mental Wellness in the Classroom, Working with Students Who are Underserved, Traditionally Marginalized, and Disenfranchised, and a badge on performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to adults and infants.

The Fitchburg State University Dance Club held their annual Winter Showcase Friday night and Saturday afternoon to packed and boisterous audiences. Each performance was choreographed by a member of the club, and the performances were amazing! Senior Kayla Matthews and her self-described Proud Dance Dad served as emcees for the event.

Yesterday evening, the Fitchburg State University community gathered on the Highland Ave. Plaza for the Annual Lighting of the Campus. Members of the staff each spoke briefly after the Fitchburg State Choir began the festivities. Holidays that were spoken about were St. Nicholas Day, Fiesta de Guadalupe, St. Lucia Day, Los Posadas, Hanukkah, Winter Solstice, Dong Zhi, Soyaluna, Christmas, Kwanzaa, Boxing Day, Hmong New Year, and Three Kings Day/Epiphany. In closing, both President Lapidus and Student Government Association (SGA) President Miranda Gustin made remarks, then led the crowd in a countdown to the lighting of the campus.