The University-based Mentoring, Support, and Partnerships Program at Missouri State University (MSU) held its first fall gathering on Friday, September 12, 2014. Five junior faculty members and another mentor were welcomed into the program. The program focuses on 5 areas: Teaching, Research, Service, Professional Development, and Social & Emotional Support. As a result, on set occasions time is spent advancing the professional development of program participants via interactive engagements in workshops and scholarly discussions about the 5 areas to heighten awareness about related trends and issues, as well as evidence-based strategies and practices. One such discussion was the main focus of the gathering, and it was facilitated by a program mentor, Dr. Leslie Anderson. She is a professor in the College of Education and a licensed psychologist. Dr. Anderson also served as the Interim Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion at MSU,
and she has expertise and extensive experience with diversity issues. Her discussion title: From “Me” to “We” – Creating Inclusive Learning Environments. The discussion was also greatly enriched by Kendra Shoge (an MSU graduate student). She shared the results of the master’s thesis she successfully defended, “An Examination of the Occurrence of Racial Microaggressions and their Relation to Self-Esteem, Stress, and Racial Identity,” and she provided insight into the experiences of MSU graduate students from diverse populations (the sample group in her study). Overall, the discussion sparked in-depth reflections, candid inquiries, and problem-solving strategies designed to make classrooms comfortable, welcoming environments that are truly inclusive for all of the students and instructors. If you are interested in joining the program as a mentor or junior faculty/staff contact Dr. Sabrina A. Brinson, Program Coordinator (sbrinson@missouristate.edu/417.836.5070).
Meet the Members of the University-based Mentoring, Support, and Partnerships Program at Missouri State University
Junior Faculty/Staff
Marlin C. Barber, History in the College of Humanities and Public Affairs
Edith Bobbitt-Boyce, Communication Sciences and Disorders in the College of Health and Human Services
Ann Marie Daehn, Music in the College of Arts and Letters
Cameron F. LaBarr, Music in the College of Arts and Letters
Ashley Leinweber, Political Science in the College of Humanities and Public Affairs
Malikah Marrus, School of Social Work in the College of Health and Human Services
Amanda Perkins, Kinesiology in the College of Health and Human Services
Vadim Putzu, Religious Studies in the College of Humanities and Public Affairs
Michele Smith, Counseling, Leadership and Special Education in the College of Education
Cathy Starr, Fashion and Interior Design in the College of Business
Shurita Thomas-Tate, Communication Sciences and Disorders in the College of Health and Human Services
Ryan Udan, Biology in the College of Natural and Applied Sciences
Hae Min Yu, Childhood Education and Family Studies in the College of Education
Min Yu, Childhood Education and Family Studies in the College of Education
Mentors
Leslie Anderson, Counseling, Leadership and Special Education in the College of Education
Sabrina A. Brinson, Childhood Education and Family Studies in the College of Education
Roberto Canales, Physician Assistant Studies in the College of Health and Human Services
Jeffrey Cornelius-White, Counseling, Leadership and Special Education in the College of Education
Rachelle Darabi, Student Development and Public Affairs in the Provost Office
David Goodwin, Reading, Foundations, and Technology in the College of Education
Robert “BOB” Jones, Psychology in the College of Health and Human Services
Kathleen Kennedy, History in the College of Humanities and Public Affairs
Tina Liang, Kinesiology in the College of Health and Human Services
Julie Masterson, Communication Sciences and Disorders in the College of Health and Human
Sarah Nixon, Reading, Foundations, and Technology in the College of Education
Jorge Rebaza, Mathematics in the College of Natural and Applied Sciences
Rose Utley, Nursing in the College of Health and Human Services
Johnny Washington, Philosophy in the College of Humanities and Public Affairs
Robert Watson, Counseling, Leadership and Special Education in the College of Education
Margaret Weaver, English in the College of Arts and Letters
Steve Willis, Art Education in the College of Arts and Letters