ATM January 2024

ATM ACADEMIC TIMES MAGAZINE

A Publication of the Provost’s Office at Fort Lewis College • January 2024

Provost’s

LETTER

As we embark on the Spring semester, I want to share my gratitude to all faculty and staff. Every day I see your impact on our students both on campus and in the lives they lead after graduation.

This leads me to the core of this ATM issue: three student stories that exemplify the work of our faculty and staff across campus and how they prepare students for life and work during their FLC experience.

The impact of experiential learning and the caring and expert work of faculty come through in a way that can only be told through student stories.

I look forward to our continued work together, especially in two key opportunities that have come our way through strong FLC outreach and so many partners wishing to collaborate. In December, I visited with a USDA official about the agency’s Fifth National Climate Assessment and an offer to work together on a full day climate event at FLC later in the spring. There also are partners interested in helping us frame the conversation around AI. In addition to getting your thoughts on these emergent opportunities, I hope to get input on planned initiatives that are beginning to take shape. Our campus has done so much important work over the years on student initiatives. Now is the time to continue the momentum as we aspire to degree success for all; digging into work around inclusive academic practices; and ensuring students, parents, policy makers, and partners see the connection between our academic programs and how they prepare students for careers or graduate school.

In this edition of ATM, you’ll also find information about upcoming provost office hours and a feedback link. I look forward to connecting with you and ongoing conversation.

Best wishes as we kick off what I know will be a great semester at FLC!

Mario Martinez Provost and Vice President

In this Edition

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Academic Affairs Briefs ....................................................3

Ready for the Future...........................................................6

Join Us for Provost’s Office Hours.....................................3

Getting Out & About..........................................................9

Chazton Meadows: Finding His Path at FLC .....................4

Share Your Thoughts...........................................................9

ACADEMIC AFFAIRS NEWS BRIEFS Early Childhood Programs Receive State Funding The Colorado Department of Higher Education recently granted Fort Lewis College $60,000 for two programs in Early Childhood Education (ECE). The funds are tailored for students seeking qualification to teach in ECE programs and who pursue dedicated coursework for the Early Childhood major. The funds will be distributed during the Spring Semester.

FLC Partners with ASU to Prepare Student Employees In 2020, Arizona State University launched an initiative called Work+ to provide students opportunities to grow, apply, and reflect on the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) Competencies—Career & SelfDevelopment, Communication, Critical Thinking, Equity & Inclusion, Leadership, Professionalism, Teamwork, and Technology. The Work+ program was recognized in 2022 with a grant from the Strada Education Network to expand career support and to deploy curriculum to other institutions across the country. This year, Fort Lewis College joined the Work+ program through that grant.

Student employees or “working learners” complete Work+ modules to discover how to be more self-aware through personal reflections. Students create a narrative about their skills and experiences in the classroom, extra-curricular activities, and campus employment to build a meaningful personal and professional story that describes their work and learning experiences to potential employers.

Supervisors play an important role in this innovative program by serving as mentors and career guides to their working learners. Designated work time allows students to reflect on acquired skills which results in better performance and heightened learning from challenges and successes.

Since LinkedIn Learning videos are integral to the Work+ modules for student employees, FLC recently initiated an 11-month pilot for LinkedIn Learning. All students, faculty, and staff now have access to the online educational platform of over 26,000 personal and professional development courses. Faculty may incorporate LinkedIn Learning into their curriculum as supplemental learning. The provost’s cabinet and staff recently each took a preferred course to provide feedback and assess the course-taking experience.

Work+ and LinkedIn Learning have the potential to benefit our campus community as a professional development tool that not only builds skills and competencies for employees and students, but also complements our academic program learning outcomes.

Join us for Provost’s Office Hours!

Provost Martinez will be holding office hours across campus this spring. This is a great opportunity to share your thoughts, ask questions, and chat with the provost. Office hours will be primarily for open conversation, but Mario will kick off each session with some themes to update faculty on real-time provost office activity and topics. Drinks and snacks will be provided.

Tuesday, January 30, 8-9:30 a.m. Noble 267 (Topic Climate & AI) Wednesday, January 31, 8-9:30 a.m. Berndt 2402 (Inclusive Academic Practices & Career Readiness) 3

Tuesday, February 20, 12:30-2 p.m. EBH 130 Wednesday, February 21, 12:30-2 p.m. CSWS 138 Monday, March 11, 3:30-5 p.m. - Schlessman 2045 Thursday, March 28, 3:30-5 p.m.- Senate Chambers

DEGREE SUCCSS FOR ALL

CHAZTON

MEADOWS F I N D I N G H I S PAT H AT F L C

When he graduated high school, Chazton Meadows hadn’t considered college a possibility.

He dove into work in Oklahoma’s oil fields, but a spur-of-the-moment decision altered his life’s course.

“I didn’t even know that I was gonna go to college, that was just something I decided last minute. I applied and got in. Honestly, I didn’t think I was going to get into college,” he said.

As the first in his family to step into higher education, Meadows faced early hurdles.

“I didn’t know anything about college or getting scholarships, being ready for class, registering, and all the academic language. That was new to me,” he admitted.

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Adapting to college life posed challenges, especially far from the family he typically turned to for help and guidance.

“None of my family went to college, some of them didn’t even graduate high school. So I really just had to own up to it as a young man and as a person, to say I’m going to graduate no matter what,” he said.

He attributes his success to three FLC professors—Keri Brandt-Off, Majel Boxer, and Deanne Grant—who provided unwavering support.

“When I’d go to them and tell them how I’m feeling, they’d keep me holding on. They told me we want you to graduate whatever it takes and that really pushed me,” he said.

Encouraged by these professors, Meadows pursued a double major in Native American and Indigenous Studies and Sociology.

“Keri Brandt-Off impacted my life in lots of different ways.

She was my counselor, advisor, and somebody I could lean on and depend on. Deanne Grant showed me how to bridge my Native American Studies major and Sociology major, to connect them and to see them jointly, instead of separate, because they do go together. And she was also a really good mentor that I had all throughout my four years at Fort Lewis,” he said.

Dr. Grant said of Meadows, “He is a great example of one of our stellar Native students at Fort Lewis who has a curious mind, a strong worth ethic, all while remaining culturally grounded and rooted. I have no doubts he’ll accomplish his goals in life and am excited to see all of the things he’ll do to help his people and the field of NAIS.” Dr. Boxer sparked his interest in language revitalization, unveiling a path to potential careers.

“She taught me about the issues facing indigenous communities and how we can start to look forward, making opportunities to resolve them. And one of them was language revitalization. I mentioned it to her and she

told me that it’s possible that you could do that and make a career out of it. That’s what really pushed me to come back to my tribe and learn my language,” he said.

This passion for language revitalization led him to become an All Our Kin Fellow and to intern with the Language and Cultural preservation office for the Cheyenne and Arapahoe Tribes. These experiences clarified his post-graduation goals: he secured a full-time position as a Language Apprentice with hopes of pursuing a Masters in Native American and Indigenous Studies. He received an acceptance letter to the University of Oklahoma for a Masters of Arts in Native American Studies in December.

Revitalizing the language among younger tribal members is just one facet of Meadows’ commitment to his community.

He aims to be an example, demonstrating success in college.

“I’m trying to set the example of somebody that they could look up to. And that’s all I ever wanted to do. I push myself to be in a place where not only to my tribal nation, but the people that I surround myself with, I can be a better influence to them. That’s what really pushed me because I didn’t make straight A’s in high school, I didn’t really have the best grades at all,” he said.

As he graduated this December, Meadows was already preparing for the next generation of Fort Lewis College students. His first child was born in early December and he hopes one day he will follow in his footsteps as a Skyhawk.

“I want my kids to go there, because that’s where I went to school, you know? It’s something I’m really proud of myself. I’m proud of everybody that had a hand in making this happen for me,” he reflected.

Meadows left a lasting impression with Dr. Brandt-Off and she sees him continuing to make an impact post-graduation.

“Chaz is exceptional in every way and working with him has been a complete joy. He is bright and imaginative, kind and compassionate, and has the skills to create new possibilities for a better world,” she commended.

“I’m doing something that I really love, something I want to wrap my life around. Our language is becoming endangered. It’s in the severe stages of extinction. So I’m helping in the bigger goal of revitalizing language within the younger generation of people.”

-Chazton Meadows (Native American and Indigenous Studies & Sociology, ‘23)

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READY FOR THE

FUTURE

Carmilene White graduated this December with a degree in Exercise Physiology and a minor in Nutrition.

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Every student’s career readiness is a central focus of the Provost’s Office. One way the college accomplishes this goal is through hands-on learning opportunities that assist students in uncovering their passions and preparing for their professional journeys. Two of our December graduates share how these experiential learning opportunities have set them up for post-graduation success.

CARMILENE WHITE: WORKING WITH ATHLETES IN & OUT OF THE CLASSROOM Whether serving as an intern for Southwest Special Olympics athletes or conducting fitness assessments for athletes on campus, Carmilene White says the learning opportunities she experienced at FLC helped her apply theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios.

“Engaging in hands-on learning experiences at FLC, particularly in exercise physiology and kinesiology, has been instrumental in preparing me for the future,” she said. “Conducting fitness assessments and designing personalized exercise programs for athletes was invaluable. These practical applications not only solidified my understanding of clinical assessments but also enhanced my ability to tailor programs to individual performance goals.”

It was these opportunities to apply her learning to hands-on experiences and working with supportive faculty that she said contributed to her confidence.

Specifically, White credited four FLC professors with helping connect her classroom experiences to a future career in the field of exercises physiology and rehabilitation— Mark Beattie, Marnie Clay, Margaret Shields, and Melissa Knight-Maloney.

“Collectively, these four professors have been pillars of support, guiding me through academic challenges and inspiring a love for lifelong learning. Professor Knight-Maloney seamlessly integrated real-world experiences into her teaching,” she explained.

“Dr. Shields’ dedication to bridging theoretical

concepts with real-world applications heightened my understanding and appreciation for the subject matter.”

White’s senior project focused on managing sports-related injuries among high school and college athletes, to gain a deeper understanding of how athletes respond to and perceive various treatments for sports-related injuries. Her research and experiences in the classroom contributed to the multiple job offers she received before graduation, including a position as a high school Athletic Director on the reservation. While she hasn’t made her final decision, she said, “this opportunity resonates deeply as it aligns with my passion for making a meaningful impact within my own Dine (Navajo) community. The prospect of working closely with youth athletes, guiding and shaping their athletic journeys, holds a special allure.”

Looking back on her time at FLC, White was quick to note the impact of support from professors.

She said, “It’s not just the knowledge imparted but the genuine care and mentorship that have left an indelible mark on my collegiate experience. Their willingness to invest time and effort in their students created a supportive community that feels like a second home.”

“Engaging in hands-on learning experiences at FLC, particularly in exercise physiology and kinesiology, has been instrumental in preparing me for the future.”

-Carmilene White (Exercise Physiology, ‘23)

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Megan West-Fogarty graduated this December with a degree in Environmental Studies and a minor in Nutrition.

MEGAN WEST-FOGARTY: FOOD ACCESS FOR ALL Returning to Fort Lewis College after a twelve-year hiatus, Megan West-Fogarty was inspired by her work in the restaurant industry to use her education to reduce food waste and increase access to healthy foods for everyone in the community.

“I think that food is a human right. I find it ridiculous that people don’t have access to the same food. A lot of us don’t see it, especially in Durango. We’re kind of in a bubble, even though there is food insecurity here, it’s not as obvious.,” she said.

Attending Fort Lewis College offered West-Fogarty experiential learning experiences that got her out into the field and allowed her to explore her interests more fully. In particular, her Cultural Ecology of the Southwest with Associate Provost Pete McCormick led her to intern with the Bureau of Land Management at Canyons of the Ancients National Monument.

“I really liked the Cultural Ecology of the Southwest class.

I’m from the Southwest so it was cool to learn about all of that and it prompted me to continue learning and to intern with BLM at Canyon of Ancients. I wouldn’t have done that if I wasn’t going here, so I think that’s awesome,” she explained.

Taking the Political Ecology of Food led West-Fogarty to a mentor and helped her explore her passion for food justice 8

while visiting local farms and seeing how they operate.

Professor Michelle Larkins not only made the class fun and engaging, but her course helped to seed the ideas that would become West-Fogarty’s senior capstone project.

“I’ve always wanted to do something with food, but that class was kind of what prompted me to want to do my senior thesis project. And working with Michelle has just made it more fun, better,” she said.

In her capstone project, West-Fogarty interviewed FLC students to better understand their experiences with food security and the challenges students face in accessing healthy and affordable foods. She hopes to deepen her understanding of food security while pursuing a master’s degree.

“I want to go to grad school for food systems or food security, it’s cool to learn the complexity of it. You think of it as someone just doesn’t have access to healthy food, but it’s more nuanced than that,” she said.

Describing coming back to Fort Lewis College to complete her degree, West-Fogarty said, “my experience since coming back has been great and I’ve experienced nothing but support.”

& Student scholarship was in full display at the 2023 Fall Poster Symposium where our students presented their research and creative endeavors.

Savanna Carroll (Environmental Biology: Wildlife, Plant, & Ecological Science, ‘23) presents her research on butterfly diversity and abundance five years after wildfire in mixed conifer forest.

Trevor Wilson (Exercise Physiology, ‘23), who presented his research on runner satisfaction and achieving the flow state, poses with Jeb Davis, senior lecturer of Health & Human Performance.

Lucas Arnold (Psychology, ‘24) describes his research to Provost Martinez. Lucas researched aggression and mating habits of Astatotilopia burtoni.

Kennedy Gleim (Psychology, ‘24) shares her research with Provost Martinez on ethnic identity and loneliness in college students.

Share your thoughts!

We’d love to hear your feedback or any thoughts you’d like to share with us. If there is anything specific that you’ve read in the ATM please also give us your feedback. As always, you can share your thoughts with us in our feedback form.

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