UPIKE College of Arts and Sciences Spotlight Spring 2022

CAS SPOTLIGHT SPRING 2022: VOLUME 2, ISSUE 1

THE DEAN’S CORNER CAS is focused on providing the best liberal arts and sciences education around. Within our programs, we retain UPIKE’s core mission while innovating across our four divisions: • Under the leadership of Dr. Coletta Parsley, the Patton College of Education is reaching new heights of excellence in educator preparation.

• Dr. Hannah Freeman is leading an exciting restructure in the humanities, including an interdisciplinary core and new/reimagined majors.

• Dr. Oma Morgan, in mathematics and natural sciences, has led a new major in biomedical science that is designed especially for students who plan to pursue careers in the health professions.

Jennifer Dugan, Ph.D. Dean of CAS

• Dr. Eric Primm in the social sciences has helped launch a new program in health and human performance for students who want to pursue careers in corporate wellness, personal training, coaching and other fields.

As we innovate, we also build and replenish the ranks of our faculty. Currently, CAS is conducting eight searches for new faculty, some of whom will succeed colleagues who have announced their retirement. Here, we recognize and honor Stephen Budney, Ph.D., professor of history, Patricia Kowalok, M.F.A, M.A., professor of art, James Riley, Ph.D., professor of English and Timothy Whittier, Ph.D., professor of biology. More details on their contributions and careers are included in the next issue of the UPIKE Magazine.

Service to students – now and after graduation – is a shared priority in CAS. In the midst of all this forward momentum, CAS welcomes your ideas and engagement. As the season turns, we wish all the best to you and everyone in this beloved community.

Ella Smith-Justice, Ph.D. Assistant Dean of CAS Professor of Spanish

Each year, I can feel the sense of hope and eagerness that permeates the air as we approach springtime. For the past two years, we have been breathing that air through cloth or medical masks in our efforts to be healthy, take care of ourselves and one another and navigate a global pandemic as a community. Finally, it feels as though maybe - just maybe - we are making some headway on this public health crisis thanks to steadfastness, diligence, cooperation, innovation and patience. As we look to brighter days ahead of us, please keep striving for personal and collective wellness and health - if we have learned anything from the pandemic, it is that we need to look out for each other and be sure to give plenty of space and grace. I am incredibly grateful for our community in CAS; even in the midst of pandemic and crisis, we have worked together as a community to keep learning and well-being at the center of all that we do.

May we continue to thrive and strive for greatness in the spring and enjoy a relaxing and rejuvenating summer. I am sending my very best wishes and gratitude to everyone in our CAS community. Congratulations to our Class of 2022 graduates!

C A S U N D E R G R A D UAT E S C H O L A R S P R O G R A M The UPIKE College of Arts & Sciences is pleased to announce the recipients of this year’s CAS Undergraduate Scholars Program (CUSP). These scholarships enable CAS students to conduct funded research under the supervision of a UPIKE faculty or staff mentor. CUSP awards provide a stipend and project expense support to selected scholars. This year’s recipients are:

Ashley Harrison Ashley Harrison is a mathematics major working with mentor Dr. Ian Pimienta, assistant professor of chemistry. Ashley’s project is entitled “Modeling the Interaction of Hydrocarbons onto Graphene Layers,” in which she will study and analyze the retention mechanism of hydrocarbons and carbohydrates.

Ashley says, “I feel that this research will prepare me for diverse future educational and career opportunities by allowing me to gain exposure to scientific research and acquire new skills that employers and graduate schools greatly value.”

Noah Helphenstine Noah Helphenstine is a biology and chemistry major working with mentor Dr. Phillip Jen, professor of biology. Noah’s project is entitled “Neuropeptide S Coexistence with Select Neuropeptides and Neurotransmitters in the Innervation Pathways of Select Human Kidney Masses,” in which he hopes to “further the scientific and medical community’s understanding by searching for a coexistence of select neuropeptides in biopsies from [individuals affected by renal cancer].”

T H E W. H U B E R T K E E N ( ‘ 6 7 ) , P H . D . , A N D S A L LY K E E N ( ‘ 6 9 ) F E L L O W S H I P The W. Hubert Keen (‘67), Ph.D., and Sally Keen (‘69) Fellowship fosters scientific inquiry and provides recipients with funding support for educational expenses and needed materials and supplies. Students who are majoring in biology, chemistry, information & technology management, mathematics, psychology or secondary education in a science-based field are eligible to apply. This year’s recipient is:

Kolby Newsome Kolby Newsome is a biology major working with mentor Byron Meade, instructor of biology. Kolby’s project is entitled “Myxomycetes of Pike County,” in which he will be developing a key to identify and photograph slime molds. Kolby says, “With Mr. Meade’s oversight and experience as a researcher, I believe that I can create tools that future researchers will use to learn more about these amazing organisms.”

S T U D E N T-AT H L E T E S P O T L I G H T Valerie Kendrick Valerie Kendrick is a first-year student from Rockcastle County, Kentucky. She is a secondary education major with an emphasis in biology. With a challenging academic schedule, Valerie is also a notable student athlete. “She set a new school record in the indoor shot put, earned Mid-South Conference athlete of the week, and finished third at the Mid-South indoor championships.

In her first outdoor meet recently, Valerie placed 8th in the shot put and 6th in the hammer throw and was second in the discus, which set the school record in the discus,” reports Head Track and Field Coach David Espinoza. Valerie’s career goals are to teach as many different types of biology courses as she can and to coach track and field.

ALUMNA SPOTLIGHT

Tiffany (King) Craft, ’10 | Communication Major

I am a woman who loves to talk. You can certainly describe me as a social butterfly. So what college major would suit me best? Communication seemed to be the obvious answer, but was it right for me? After doing my research and learning about the many social directions it would allow me to go in, I quickly realized without hesitation that this is what I want; this is my path. Being a communication major would open up so many doors, bring so many opportunities and I wouldn’t be limited. I always wanted a job where I could interact with people regularly, exchange creative ideas and maybe plan some events. At UPIKE, all of this and more were available. I knew I would be receiving one of the best educations out there because, at this establishment, you are molded to be the absolute best. Everything I trained for here had prepared me for a future I never dreamed I would have, but I was ready.

I became Mayor of Whitesburg, Kentucky, on July 13, 2021, after the sudden passing of my husband, who served as Mayor for almost 16 years. Had I ever dreamed that the word “mayor” would precede my first name at any point in my lifetime?

No. Was I up to the challenge? Sure. I would at least give it my best shot. I was optimistic about my new endeavor, but I didn’t realize until I took a seat in my office that I was selling myself short. All of the skills, techniques, and knowledge I had retained at UPIKE began flowing, and I was instantly at home. I was no stranger to the field. UPIKE had molded me for this position in so many ways that I didn’t even realize how prepared I was. I am so prepared that I’m running for this position again in 2022.

U P D AT E S T O C A S S PAC E S

Let’s keep making this campus an attractive place to learn!

That’s why I work hard to maximize the efforts of my team, so that PR’s marketing is solidified by a campus that reflects pride and appreciation. Chrisman auditorium is next on the list. We will add new stair treads and landings. We’re selecting carpet tiles that complement the area and the building. And in Record, we’re wrapping up a project to brighten students’ lives with a fresh lighting system on the 4th floor. The lights will also improve energy conservation. Every little bit helps- and everyone’s help makes a difference!

Side note from the Dean and Bridgette:

Donna Hunt, once housekeeping extraordinaire, has moved into the Registrar’s Office as Records Management Specialist. Donna worked hard to keep ARM clean and shiny.

Thank you for your service, and congratulations on your new position, Donna!

- Charles Atkinson, CFM, UPIKE Director of Facilities

T H E PAT T O N C O L L E G E O F E D U C AT I O N ’ S NEW MODEL CLASSROOM The Patton College of Education offers many new and innovative opportunities with the addition of the model classroom, which is housed in ARM 115.

The classroom provides the same environment and resources our teacher candidates will find in public schools. With a classroom recording system, a class set of Chromebooks, and various classroom resources and manipulatives, the teacher candidates are welltrained to use high-impact, research-tested strategies for online and face-to-face delivered instruction.

The Model Classroom is wired to stream recorded classes via Panopto or Zoom. Scheduled video The Model Classroom with flexible seating streams of classes begin and end, letting teacher helps create an authentic P-12 classroom candidates watch the class and participate via live environment for teacher education students. polls, online collaboration tools, discussion forums and Zoom interactions without interrupting the flow of the face-to-face activities. Education majors take the Google Certified Educator certification, showing they are proficient users of Google Classroom and the applications available through Google to design, develop, deliver, and evaluate instruction in face-to-face and online formats.

As the educational faculty and teaching candidates explore possibilities for utilizing this space and technology, we look forward to discovering even better ways to teach, lead, and reach out into the community and beyond.

M U S I C I N T H E M O U N TA I N S

Experiential Learning funds Epic Rap Battle for Black History Month

The UPIKE Bluegrass Band performs at the Mountain Jamboree for Life at the Appalachian Wireless Arena

UPIKE Music goes to the Kentucky Music Educators Association Conference in February

Michelle Rutherford presents at the Kentucky Music Educators Association Conference in February

NEW PERFORMING ARTS MA JOR Starting in the fall, UPIKE students will have an option to major in the performing arts. The new major is a true liberal arts degree; students complete a range of coursework, including foreign language study, interdisciplinary work within the humanities, as well as the core music curriculum in performance, musicianship, music theory, and music history. It enables students to perform and study music and even double major in preparation for a variety of careers.

C A S : A C O L L A B O R AT I V E C U LT U R E CAS is a culture of collaboration. Whether it’s planning together in the CAS Collaboration Hub or during program-level meetings, our faculty and staff are focused on designing the very best programs to meet our students’ career and life goals. New for the fall, in addition to the Performing Arts major (see previous page), are four new programs, among the many new courses and program revisions undertaken this year: • Biomedical Science, a major for students who intend to pursue advanced study in the health professions, including careers in medicine, dentistry, optometry, physician assistant, and pharmacy • Health and Human Performance, a major and minor for students preparing for careers in personal training, coaching, corporate wellness, and advanced study, including physical therapy • World Language and Cultural Studies minor that complements any major and prepares students to engage with diverse people with differing perspectives and cultural practices • Graduate track and graduate certificate in strategic communication, designed in partnership with the Coleman College of Business, designed to strengthen students’ communication skillset and its essential role in today’s organizations

Chemistry faculty Tom Hess, Oma Morgan, and Ian Pimienta planning curriculum in the CAS Collaboration Hub

CAS COLLOQUIUM

The College of Arts & Sciences is proud to continue its Colloquium series in Spring 2022. Our March Colloquium session featured Professor Sumer Bingham Musick, associate professor of religion.

Professor Musick shared her doctoral research, “Knowing God in the Aftermath of Child Sexual Abuse: Reimagining the Triduum.”

In April, Dr. James Browning, professor of religion, will discuss interdisciplinary team-teaching. Please join us on Friday, April 29, at 3:00 P.M. in ARM 213 for “Religion & Science in Symbiosis: A Case study in Interdisciplinary Teaching & Learning.” Light refreshments will be offered. A Zoom link will be made available for remote attendees. Contact smithe@upike.edu for the link.

MOCK CRIME SCENE Recently, students in CJ 273, Police Practice and Procedures class, had the opportunity to become criminal investigators and solve a murder. The mock crime scene is an assignment that brings real world practical expectations to teach students the daily operations in the criminal justice system. It gives students the opportunity to gain experience in report writing, learn situational awareness, and use proper legal procedures.

The mock crime scene teaches students to be careful, systematic, and scientific and keep legal procedures in mind while collecting evidence. The students learn that, if the crime scene is not treated carefully with respect, it can make vital information useless, pointing the investigation in the wrong direction. CAS values student engagement and thanks Mr. Tim Roberts for his dedication to active learning.

MOCK TRIAL Last November, Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice Justin Hazlewood partnered with the Pike County District Court in a mock trial exercise in the downtown courthouse. After the trial, Judge Robert Wright said that the students were well prepared and did an excellent job. CAS is so proud of our students, and we are grateful for the leadership and dedication of Mr. Hazlewood. Congratulations, and thank you for helping CAS shine!

Friday, April 8 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

7th floor

Health Professions Education Building Keynote Speaker Neurobiology of Addiction Christopher D. Walker Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine Marshall University

CAS alumnus Christopher D. Walker ’18 (biology major/chemistry minor) is the keynote speaker for the 2022 UPIKE Symposium that will be held on Friday, April 8th. CAS is proud to announce that the following students and faculty will be presenting: • Ms. Ashley Harrison, mathematics major | Modeling the Interaction of Hydrocarbons onto Graphene Layers; • Ms. Jillian Harrison, psychology major | Using linguistic analysis to understand the life and mind of serial bomber Ted Kaczynski; • Mr. Noah Helphenstine, biology & chemistry major | Neuropeptide S Coexistence with Select Neuropeptides and Neurotransmitters in the Innervation Pathways of Select Human Kidney Masses; • Ms. Andrea Hurtado Morales, communication, criminal justice, & psychology major | The Need for Cross-Cultural Author Attribution in Forensic Linguistics; • Dr. LeAnne Epling (professor of psychology), Dr. Chandra Massner (associate professor of communication), Dr. Nancy Cade (Davenport Distinguished professor of history & political science), Ms. Rachel Breckenridge (assistant professor of communication), & Dr. Racher Messer (assistant professor of psychology) | Texting with Colleagues: Building and Maintaining Professional Communities though Group Texts; • Dr. Chandra Massner, associate professor of communication | Zoomed out Faculty: How Instructors Experience Videoconference Use in their Classes Please join us in congratulating these CAS scholars!