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Faculty Senate Minutes, Academic Year 2024-2025, January 30, 2025
Get PDFMinutes for the Faculty Senate Meeting held January 30, 2025
ADA Compliance: BB Ally and Communities of Practice
Get PDFDr. Nikki LaGrone of the Center for Teaching and Learning presented Title II Rule: Ensuring Compliance and Inclusive Excellence in Teaching & Learning
The Transformative Dyad: Exploring Relational Mentorship Qualities in Undergraduate Research Development
No full textThis review will examine the relational features and shared qualities within the mentor-mentee dyad. Faculty mentorship is of vital importance for undergraduate (UG) students interested in pursuing advanced degrees and professions in research. Objective skill outcomes, such as technical skills and factual knowledge, have been a dominant focus of mentee development research (Tuma & Dolan, 2024; Wang & Shibayama, 2021) and are performance-focused or achievement-based outcomes. While necessary, these outcomes are not sufficient. Interpersonal skills may have an equally beneficial influence on UG research mentorship experiences. A focus on integrating relational mentoring styles has the potential to increase UG mentee growth beyond the traditional objective outcomes, (Fullick-Jagiela et al., 2015; Wang & Shibayama, 2021). It is hypothesized that the development of such skills is more dependent on relational qualities and mentorship style, including deep-level similarities, such as interests, perspectives, and values, between mentor and mentee (Tuma & Dolan, 2024). Although the transfer of technical or factual knowledge is a more measurable and an often prioritized outcome in research and practice, this review will focus on relational mentorship as a channel for internalization of skills such as creativity, ingenuity, and willingness to be bold in translating and communicating ideas and questions evoked through research engagement. The experience offered in relational mentor-mentee dyads can be transformative in both the domain of technical, performance-based gains and in more nuanced ways, as seen in gains in the individual identity and self-efficacy of the UG student (Fullick-Jagiela et al., 2015; Tuma & Dolan, 2024)
Political Philosophers Shaping Modern America
Get PDFThe research finds that John Locke and his contractarianist philosophies have been more influential in shaping the 21st-century America of today. John Stuart Mill’s philosophies of liberalism have not come to fruition throughout history as much as Locke\u27s. Mill believes at the time of his work, liberalism is a political ideology that happens to be more utilitarian. Over time, America has changed to believe in liberalism, which does not draw as much inspiration from his work. It is his utilitarian philosophy that would reject 21st-century America and the way that it has formed over time. He simply believes in fundamental liberties because at the time of his writing, the benefits outweigh the consequences. In today’s America, society is built on the philosophy that all citizens agree to the rules they decided on collectively and sometimes that happens to be the wrong thing. John Locke is a true champion of liberalism, influencing America and where it is today. He would fight for liberties regardless of how the times are. It is worthwhile to appreciate Mill\u27s views on free speech but there is something lacking in his utilitarian outlook on it as well as his lack of protection of property rights. With everything considered, 21st century America and its outcomes have been influenced much more by John Locke and his philosophy of contractarianism
Nurturing Future World Changers: Fundamentals of Brain Development
No full textNurturing Future World Changers: Fundamentals of Brain Development explores how early brain development impacts lifelong learning and success. The first five years are a critical period when over one million new neural connections form every second, shaping cognitive, motor, and emotional growth. This workshop will provide a hands-on demonstration of key brain structures—including the frontal lobe, brain stem, hemispheres, and dendrites—to help participants understand how early learning experiences strengthen these connections.
The session will focus on three proven strategies to enhance brain development: movement, storytelling, and mnemonic devices. Movement-based learning increases focus and memory by engaging both the body and brain. Storytelling supports language development and comprehension by stimulating both hemispheres of the brain. Mnemonic devices, such as rhymes and patterns, improve recall and make learning more engaging. Participants will engage in a small group activity to apply these strategies and create practical learning exercises that strengthen cognitive and motor pathways.
This workshop provides participants with effective, research-backed tools to support early learning and improve academic success. It will conclude with a Q&A session to encourage discussion and reflection
Confirming Degradation of Polyethylene by Galleria mellonella Through Fluorescence
No full textPlastic has been an integral part of our everyday lives causing not only its exponential increase in production but also its increase in waste within our environment. Plastic in the environment has a known negative impact on all organisms, including ourselves. Although there have been methods (e.g. recycling, phytoremediation) to mitigate the plastic problem, these methods have not been effective in solving the issue. The greater waxworm, Galleria mellonella is capable of degrading polyethylene at considerably higher rates than microorganisms with the same ability, meaning the larva provides potential for a new bioremediation technique. The natural diet of G. mellonella is comprised of honeycomb and beeswax, though whether the larvae are capable of metabolizing polyethylene by similar mechanisms is largely debated. Additionally, the role of their gut microbiome in the degradation and possible metabolism of polyethylene is not fully understood. To determine whether G. mellonella can metabolize polyethylene, we will expose larval G. mellonella to various polymer diets including treatments that incorporated fluorescent polyethylene microspheres. After ingestion of polymer diets, we will observe larvae intestines and fat bodies under a fluorescent microscope to establish the rate of uptake, degradation, and absorption into the caterpillar body. Furthermore, the gut microbiome ecology will be determined through RNA sequencing. Simultaneously, the experiment will be repeated with larvae that lack an intact gut microbiome. We will discuss our findings in the context of bioremediation and the natural history of the organism
Development of a New Faculty Designation Through Artificial Intelligence (AI): The Pre-Emeritus Professor for Continuity and Knowledge Transfer
No full textIn academic institutions, the title of Emeritus Professor is a revered recognition, typically granted upon retirement, honoring a professor’s long and distinguished career. However, the transition from active faculty member to emeritus often happens abruptly, creating challenges for succession planning, knowledge transfer, and maintaining continuity in research and teaching. This work explores the potential introduction of a new title in academia, the Pre-Emeritus Professor, and its implications for more structured succession planning and a smoother knowledge transition within academic institutions. The development of this proposed faculty position was supported using ChatGPT, an AI Large Language Model (LLM), which facilitated the exploration of key considerations, consequences, and potential benefits associated with its implementation
Beating the Odds: Female Leadership in Academic Libraries
No full textThis study explores the underrepresentation of women in administrative positions within academic libraries, despite their predominance in the field. Guided by the lens of institutional power informed by gender and race, this research aims to identify effective strategies enabling women to achieve administrative roles such as dean or director in U.S. academic libraries. Using a qualitative phenomenological approach, the study will collect data through semi-structured interviews with female academic librarians who have attained tenure and hold administrative roles. The research will examine the barriers these women face, such as tenure process inequities, gender bias, and systemic discrimination, while highlighting the support systems and professional development opportunities that facilitated their success. Findings will provide actionable insights for fostering gender equity in academic library leadership and addressing institutional biases. This work contributes to literature on diversity, equity, and inclusion in higher education by illuminating the experiences of women navigating male-dominated administrative pathways
Race and Gender Bias in Sports Media
Get PDFThere is a significant amount of racial and gender bias in sports media, which can impact the way minority and female athletes are perceived by the public. This study closely looks at the way these professional athletes are talked about and treated by the media compared to white athletes. This study highlights the language used by commentators and other members of sports media that reinforces negative stereotypes that minority and female athletes deal with throughout their careers. Some of these stereotypes imply black athletes owe their success to natural physical ability, while white athletes are “smart” and more “skilled. This study examines the way that framing theory can be seen within the differences of words and context used to talk about these athletes. The rise of social media and it’s importance in the sports media world will also be examined, as biased and harmful attitudes towards these athletes are spread quicker because of the 24/7 nature of social media apps. The study focuses on examples from media coverage of the NFL, men’ and women’s college basketball, and the U.S Open tennis tournament that features both male and female athletes as well. The study calls for members of sports media to be wary of reinforcing negative stereotypes about minority and female athletes with the language they use. As it can have effects in the sports world, and can possibly alter how fans see people that fall under these minority groups in everyday life outside of sports