FACULTY NOTES

Gina Braun, Ph.D., Chair of the Department of Education and Assistant Professor of Education, presented “Let’s Discuss: Engaging Adolescent Students in Meaningful Conversations About a Text” at the Teacher Education Division (TED) Annual Conference in Fort Worth, Texas, in November 2021. Braun and a former colleague co-created a framework to support students with learning disabilities in order to develop a deeper understanding of complex texts and have meaningful conversations with peers.

Yoandy Cabrera Ortega, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Classics and Spanish, published a bilingual anthology of early 21st century Cuban poets with help from Rockford University students. It was titled: “Equívocos/Misconceptions: Early 21st Century.”

Genevive Dibley, Ph.D., Director of Religious Studies and Assistant Professor of Religious Studies, was elected the 129th president of the Chicago Society of Biblical Research. She is the seventh woman to hold the office. Founded October 29, 1892, the Chicago Society for Biblical Research (CSBR) is the second oldest professional organization in the United States devoted to the academic study of the Bible.

Mehmet Dik, Ph.D., Chair of the Department of Mathematics, Computer Science, and Physics and Professor of Mathematics, completed two book reviews for CRC Press | Taylor & Francis Group and evaluated a post-doctoral fellowship project for the European Science Foundation. Matthew Flamm, Ph.D., Professor of Philosophy, attended the International Philosophical Conference titled “The Individual and the Community in American Philosophy in the 20th Century” held by the Institute of Philosophy and Sociology, PAS, Warsaw, Poland (online). Flamm presented in his area of expertise, American philosophy, representing Rockford University.

Ronald Lee, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Political Science, participated in the annual Northeastern Political Science Association Conference in November 2021, delivering a paper on the theme of prudence in foreign policy on a panel titled “Tyranny, Law, and History.”

Paul McCombs, Adjunct Professor of Mathematics, presented “A Simple Activity that Spans Multiple Mathematical Levels” at the 47th Annual National Mathematical Association of Two-Year Colleges Conference in Phoenix, and virtually presented “Basic AE Activities to Enrich Learning” at the National Civil Air Patrol Conference in the fall of 2021.

Mandolen Mull, Ph.D., Chair of the Puri School of Business and Assistant Professor of Leadership presented “Narrative Leadership: A Tool for Developing Succession Planning and Generational Mentorship” at the Academy of Human Resource Development in Arlington, Virginia, in February 2022 with Omar Saulters ’19/’21. Mull also published a research article titled, “Reducing Employee Turnover Intentions in the Service Sector: The Connection Between Human Resource Development Practices and Employee Engagement” in the Wiley Online Library.

Kristen Ravel, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of English, received a Certificate of Recognition for her "exemplary efforts to show love, integrity, advocacy, and mentorship to the LGBTQIA+ community" from the Liam Foundation. The Liam Foundation’s Gay-la fundraising event took place in October 2021.

Jennifer Rae, Ph.D., Associate Professor of English, worked with Rachel Rushing ’22 to create a Parent Wellness Room on campus. Located in the Starr Science building, the room is a private space for mothers who are breastfeeding or feeding an infant with formula. Rushing’s desire was to establish a safe and comfortable place for students, faculty, and staff with children to be able to care for their child. The room opened at the start of spring semester 2022, fully furnished, painted, and equipped with a refrigerator and other necessities.

Tammy Schiek, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Kinesiology, presented "Give Me a Break: Creating a Kinesthetic Classroom Climate" at the Raising Student Achievement Conference in Schaumburg, Illinois, in December 2021.