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untitled unmastered: Initial Conditions and Emergent Properties of the Mathematics Classroom
No full textCarceral Consequences and Perverse Perks: Care and the Disciplinary Alternative School
No full textDrawing on in-depth interviews with current and former students, parents, teachers, and staff members connected with three alternative schools in one Kentucky, USA school district, this work contributes to the theorization of carceral care. Instead of reducing the alternative school, its processes, and its functions down into a dichotomized question of good or bad, productive or violent, we come to see the dialectical nature of carcerality and the logics of care. Specifically, the negative consequences that students are subjected to are justified and internalized by the (perverse) benefits of attendance, thus dissipating from the realm of critique. As such, I conclude by arguing that without disciplinary alternative schools, we might be forced to reckon with the slow violence of crowded classrooms, whitewashed curriculum, undervalued teachers, underfunded supportive services, and bloated security/surveillance apparatuses – and with that, the system of racial capitalism that it props up
Department of Politics and Government News and Views, Spring 2025
No full textNewsletter of the Department of Politics and Government at Illinois State Universityhttps://ir.library.illinoisstate.edu/psnv/1020/thumbnail.jp
The Journey to Becoming Latino with my Students: Navigating Labels and Identity in the United States
No full textFrom introduction:
“You are the first Latino professor I had in college,” a student in my class said a few years ago. What exactly does that mean for a man who was born and raised in Chile and only immigrated to the United States as an adult? How did I become a Latino professor? This reflexión pedagógica is inspired by my classroom experiences as an immigrant from Chile and offers an exploration of labels used in the United States as identifiers, both self-claimed and externally imposed. There are two parts to this essay: first, I reflect on my own educational experiences, leaving Chile to pursue studies in the United States, and becoming, as the students recognized, a Latino professor. It is in this context that I experienced a transformation in my identity, which has informed my teaching, research, and pedagogy. Secondly, I share my experiences teaching Introduction to Latino Studies (LAL 109) at Illinois State University (ISU) as a joint hire between the School of Communications and the Latin American and Latino Studies Program. This reflection examines the intersection of these processes for me and my students. I offer a caveat for this reflection. Some of the examples, quotes, and recollections of memories provided here are not verbatim or precisely as they were said, but rather as I remember them, a reconstruction from memory
Synthesis of Phenaliporphyrin, a PAH-Porphyrin Hybrid, from an Acenaphthene-Fused Cyclopropane Dialdehyde
No full textPhenaliporphyrin, a new aromatic benziporphyrin derivative, has been synthesized from an annulated cyclopropane dialdehyde intermediate. Corey-Chaykovsky cyclopropanation of dimethyl acenaphthylene-1,2-dicarboxylate gave a cyclopropane diester, and this was converted to the corresponding bis-Weinreb amide. Reduction with lithium aluminum hydride afforded an unstable dialdehyde and subsequent acid-catalyzed condensation with a tripyrrane dicarboxylic acid, followed by oxidation with aqueous ferric chloride, gave the targeted porphyrinoid system. This involves ring expansion of the acenaphthylene precursor to generate the phenalene unit. Phenaliporphyrin exhibits a porphyrin-like UV–vis spectrum with a Soret band at 443 nm and a relatively intense Q-band at 601 nm. The proton NMR spectrum demonstrated that the system has a strong diamagnetic ring current, and the external meso-protons showed up downfield at 9.64 and 9.34 ppm while the internal C–H appeared upfield at −6.48 ppm. Although DFT calculations show that the phenalene ring is twisted to relieve steric interactions, single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis indicated that the macrocycle is nearly planar. The discrepancy was attributed to crystal packing forces and a distorted conformation is likely to be favored in solution. The aromatic properties for phenaliporphyrin were confirmed by nucleus independent chemical shift (NICS) calculations and anisotropy of induced current density plots
Speech Defined: A Qualitative Analysis of College Students\u27 Perspectives on Free Expression
No full textThe issue of free expression on college campuses continues to be a major concern for scholars and policymakers. Past studies are divided on whether a free speech crisis truly exists in higher education. Prior research, often limited to case studies or small-scale surveys concluded that students’ limited understanding of free expression has contributed to perceptions of a campus free speech crisis. Conversely, other scholars argue that political motives and intentional narrative framing have created a false crisis. This study expanded on Teresa Bejan’s (2017) argument that scholars should look beyond First Amendment jurisprudence to better contextualize campus speech incidents. The study examined college students’ definitions and experiences of free expression, as well as their views on the university’s role in fostering an understanding and practice of free expression. Additionally, it examined how students’ attitudes, values, and beliefs aligned with or differed from established theories related to free expression. Data were collected through two semi-structured interviews with ten full-time undergraduate students enrolled at public universities across four states. A multi-cycle analytic coding process using inductive and deductive strategies was employed to analyze the data and answer three research questions. Findings revealed that students held profound and multifaceted views of free expression, shaped by personal identity, family background, faith, human dignity, social activism, and educational experience. Students also expressed views that closely aligned with three classical theories of free expression, suggesting that their understanding extended beyond First Amendment jurisprudence. The results call for campus administrators to move beyond compliance-driven responses to speech incidents and toward balanced approaches that affirm community, civility, and respect
From Likes to Enrollment: How Social Networking Sites Shape College Decision-Making
No full textThis study applied Chickering and Reisser’s seven vectors of student development (1993), MacMillan’s existential framework (2009), and Chickering and Gamson’s principles for good practice in undergraduate education (1999) as guiding theoretical and conceptual frameworks. These perspectives informed the analysis of voices from young adults in rural communities and explored how recently graduated high school students perceived their use of social networking sites (SNSs) in the college search and decision-making process. I developed five overarching themes from the qualitative data: 1) informational role of social media, 2) visual media and campus impressions, 3) authenticity, peer influence, and human connection, 4) frustrations, gaps, and skepticism, and 5) advice and recommendations for colleges and future students. The findings suggest the usage and content created by postsecondary institutions are not in alignment with the interests and priorities of young adults in rural communities. Despite limited resources and geographic barriers, the participants demonstrated persistence and self-awareness as they navigated the college search process, often leveraging digital spaces with intention and discernment. Their reflections underscore a generation that values connection, relevance, and authenticity in institutional messaging. While rural students remain underrepresented in traditional research on digital engagement, this study affirms the distinct perspectives they bring and the adaptive strategies they employ to remain competitive in a complex and saturated postsecondary landscape. These findings carry implications for those who design digital recruitment strategies, develop college access programming, and aim to authentically engage with students from rural communities. This study contributes to the limited academic literature on SNS usage within a college search process, focusing on individuals who grew up with the internet and smartphones being an integral part of their lives (“digital natives”)
Savior To Ally: Exploring White Students\u27 Decisions to Major in Social Work Through the Lens of White Saviorism
No full textThis qualitative study explored how white students chose social work as a major and how white savior ideology reinforced or challenged students’ choices. The study contributes to a gap in the literature regarding white saviorism and social work education. Using a phenomenological approach, data were collected through semi-structured interviews from five undergraduate social work students at one Midwestern state university. Transcripts were analyzed thematically using Moustakas’ data analysis for phenomenology framework. The findings revealed that participants chose social work because of an intent to help others, as well as a desire for their work to have a meaningful impact. White saviorism ideology was both reinforced and challenged. The study highlighted the need for social work education to include racial identity development, as well as enhanced macro content