Research took the spotlight at Missouri State University on April 11.
The Faculty Center for Teaching and Learning hosted its first-ever Spring Scholarship Summit in Meyer Library. Faculty members from various disciplines showcased their latest research and scholarly projects through interactive poster presentations.
Over 20 presenters participated with 14 posters displayed. Attendees got to meet the presenters, explore new research ideas and engage in meaningful conversations.
Ten faculty members from McQueary College of Health and Human Services (MCHHS) took part in the Spring Scholarship Summit. Five led poster presentations while the rest contributed as interdisciplinary co-authors.
The summit underscored Missouri State’s continued commitment to teaching excellence and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Promoting trauma-informed care
From the School of Nursing, Dr. Diane Smith, assistant professor, collaborated with Dr. Cindi Aurentz, assistant professor, and Dr. Melissa Penkalski, associate professor and graduate program director.
Together, they presented “Trauma-Informed Education for Nursing Faculty: Caring for the Next Generation of Nurses.”
The team began the project in 2021, aiming to help faculty use trauma-informed care training to better support students both in classrooms and clinical settings.
“We welcome every opportunity to share the principles of trauma-informed care, as this is a topic we all care deeply about,” Smith said. “We hope these practices are integrated.”
Fostering interprofessional collaboration
Registered dietitian Natalie Allen is a clinical associate professor of nutrition and dietetics. She presented “Emphasizing Interprofessional Education Through a Virtual Case Study Connecting Healthcare Students” alongside her colleagues as part of ongoing interprofessional collaboration.
Allen and three other faculty members from multiple disciplines worked together on this project. They included: Dr. Traci Garrison, clinical associate professor in the School of Health Care Professions; Wendy Jackson, clinical assistant professor in the School of Mental Health and Behavioral Sciences; and Dr. Bonnie Slavych, assistant professor in communication sciences and disorders.
Their poster explored how virtual case studies can strengthen interprofessional collaboration in health care education.
The study brought together students from different majors to build teamwork, communication and decision-making skills in an online setting. It also helped them understand each other’s roles and practice collaborative contribution to patient-centered care in real-world environments.
“The summit was a great opportunity to promote interprofessional collaboration and show the value of connecting different disciplines,” Allen said. “This project helped all of our students gain the skills and confidence they need before stepping into real-world practice.”
Focusing on resilience
Dr. Debbie Horine, assistant professor in the School of Nursing, presented “Introducing Resilience to Pre-Licensure Nursing Students to Recognize and Address Lateral Violence.”
Her project focused on preparing nursing students to recognize workplace challenges and strengthen emotional resilience early in their careers.
“While we can’t eliminate lateral violence, we can prepare students to recognize it, build resilience and manage stress,” Horine said.
Dr. Sara Wilson and Dr. Kristen Thompson, both assistant professors in the School of Mental Health and Behavioral Sciences, co-presented two posters:
- “The Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences in Higher Education”
- “Combating Loneliness Through Intergenerational Living Communities”
The first study examined how early trauma affects college students’ academic performance and mental health. The second study focused more broadly on community well-being, exploring how intergenerational housing can reduce isolation and foster connection.
Together, the research underscores the importance of trauma-informed practices and community-based solutions that strengthen resilience and belonging.
“I’m driven to explore how we can support positive outcomes right here on our campus and in our communities,” Wilson said.
