Long Island University Athletics launched the LIU Votes! initiative at the beginning of October. The goal of the program was to get 100% of eligible student athletes registered prior to the New York State voting registration deadline. Teams with 100% registration of eligible voters will garner special recognition on LIU’s social media platforms.

Author Deborah Burns, ’77, former Chief Innovation Officer and brand leader for Elle, discussed her award-winning debut memoir Saturday’s Child as part of an exclusive Q&A event with LIU alumni. The book tells the story of her unconventional mother and their relationship. Burns currently serves a media industry consultant, helping brands, executives and professional women reinvent themselves.

Scott Fairgrieve, Adjunct Professor of Business, was elected to serve as Village Justice in Mineola, New York. Fairgrieve previously spent 20 years as a judge for the Nassau County District Court and 11 years as an Acting County Court Judge. He invites students to his chambers each year and serves as an advisor to the University’s Pre-Law Society.

Sheldon Steinhauser, ’50, an award-winning civil rights advocate, received the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award from the Anti-Defamation League. Steinhauser worked for the Anti-Defamation League for 35 years in numerous leadership positions. He has received numerous awards, including the Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Award. Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper proclaimed “Sheldon E. Steinhauser Day” in the state on November 17, 2016 in recognition of his lifetime achievements.

Dr. Kimberly R. Cline, President of Long Island University, ranked in the top 20 for City & State’s Education Power 50, which highlights the current leaders of New York’s top institutions. The article cited several University initiatives launched during President Cline’s tenure, including the Roc Nation School of Music, Sports & Entertainment, Global Service Institute, Hornstein Center for Policy, Polling and Analysis and the campus expansion project with RXR Realty in Brooklyn.

William T. Rolack, Sr., ’96, was appointed Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion at Workforce Logiq, a global provider of workforce intelligence, technology, and services to large corporations. Rolack recently served as National President for the National Association of African Americans in Human Resources. His 24 years of experience include leadership positions at Adecco Group and Major League Baseball.

The Associated Press, Yahoo and other major media outlets published the findings of a recent national poll conducted by Long Island University’s Steven S. Hornstein Center for Policy, Polling and Analysis. The poll results found that 75% of Americans are following closely news about candidates for the 2020 presidential election and 80% said they tuned in to watch the first presidential debate. The Hornstein Center conducts independent polling, empirical research and analysis on a wide range of public issues.

Long Island University announced Dr. Arash Dabestani as Dean of LIU Pharmacy. Dr. Dabestani joins LIU from New York University, where he served as Senior Director of Pharmacy at NYU Langone Health. Previously, he was the associate director of pharmacy at Stanford University Hospital and Clinics. Dr. Dabestani has formed and facilitated multiple pharmacy leadership forums in Washington DC, New York City and the San Francisco Bay area was named the Virginia Society of Health System Pharmacists pharmacist of the year in 2007.

Lisa Simeon, ’97, was appointed Chief Operations Officer at Abt Associates, a global consulting and research firm. Simeon previously served as Chief Human Resources Officer. Prior to that she was the Vice President of HR Operations and Programs at Engility-SAIC, a publicly traded, $2B professional services company with 7,000 employees. Her global experience includes projects and assignments in China, India and Sweden.