“The first few years are a crucial time in the development of novice teachers,” said Davis, associate professor of childhood education and family studies at Missouri State University. “They need mentorship and support to help guide them so they’re not navigating it all alone.” Evidence shows formal mentorship provides teachers with the support they need for their … [Read more...] about Mentorship: Will it solve the teacher shortage?
As an associate professor in the School of Hospitality and Agricultural Leadership at Missouri State University, Barreda uses consumer research to help independent hoteliers navigate the market. “My research is theoretical, but it’s also very practical. It needs to be,” he said. “Academics are operating in a theoretical sense, a different time frame. Hoteliers are … [Read more...] about More than Room and Board: What hoteliers offer versus what consumers perceive they want
Standing in the middle of a running stream, golden sunlight dapples the surface of the water. Gravel underfoot provides a slightly uneven texture. The sound of running water fills the air. But a disturbance such as a flash flood can turn a shiny stream into a muddy mess of churning gravel in an instant, displacing what lives beneath the waters. Yet, the streams still … [Read more...] about Deciphering the disturbances
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in fall 2020, Black women comprised less than 5% of faculty, 10% of student affairs administrators and 9% of students at degree-granting institutions in the U.S. Associate professor and assistant director for the School of Special Education, Leadership, and Professional Studies, Dr. Nicole West is one of only seven … [Read more...] about Creating safe spaces to retain women in academia
The cultural juggernaut aired on NBC for seven seasons, amassing a loyal fanbase and living on in pop culture fandom. The show spawned countless memes, inspired young girls to go big, launched Galentine’s Day into the national lexicon and continues to live on in rerun glory. Dr. Holly Holladay, associate professor in the department of communication, media, journalism and … [Read more...] about How studying what we like can show us who we are
On a hot summer day in Hanoi, Vietnam, colleagues toss ideas back and forth. There are drawings on a chalkboard. Concepts bounce off each other. Rules bend, break or are cast aside entirely. Ideas that aren’t working are shelved in favor of exploring more solid options. Finally, a creative breakthrough. Clearly, this is a room full of mathematicians. Steven Senger, associate … [Read more...] about Counting shapes for the future
When Dr. Marnie Watson’s career as a novelist didn’t pan out, she sought a new path where she would unveil truth about humanity and culture. As a cultural and medical anthropologist, Watson immerses herself in her research, where she draws close to people in extreme circumstances. She asks questions to better understand, “how they deal with life in difficult … [Read more...] about Uncovering the truth and the trauma
From a young age, Cristina Pippa felt emboldened by the power of storytelling. She wrote and performed plays for any captive audience, even when her puppy was the only co-star. In more recent years, she developed a talent scripting for screen and stage. Her resume now boasts more than 30 theatrical productions. “For playwriting, the writer must convey so much through … [Read more...] about Defying expectations: Scripts inspired by extraordinary circumstances
There are laws in place to hold businesses accountable. But our interpretation of these laws can have unseen consequences. In 2017, the Trump administration altered the legal interpretation of the word “take” under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, creating a legal debate. Dr. Carol Miller, distinguished professor of business law at Missouri State University, found this new … [Read more...] about Save one to save them all
But many children's books do not portray Native Americans accurately. As a citizen of the Chickasaw Nation, Lewis is particularly passionate about spreading awareness of Native American history. "So many books depict Native Americans with the same stereotypical characteristics and misconceptions. Meanwhile, they ignore the unique customs and traditions of over 550 federally … [Read more...] about Children’s books for change
This is a question Dr. Gary Webb, department head of animal science at Missouri State University, has been researching for nearly a decade. Throughout the years, the number of animals infested with internal parasites – or as some call them, worms – has increased dramatically. This is especially true in horses. Webb hoped to gain a better understanding of how animal owners … [Read more...] about From education to protection
Many mathematical processes depend upon this ability to sort information or attributes, and it’s a big part of machine learning, too, according to Dr. Tayo Obafemi-Ajayi. “The great thing about machine learning is it allows us this discovery of knowledge but also prediction,” Obafemi-Ajayi said. She is an associate professor of electrical engineering in Missouri State … [Read more...] about Pattern recognition enhances biomedical research
These forms of literature reflect unnerving realities of violence and crime, forcing many to migrate to the United States to escape the dangers they face. Some never make it. Dr. Judith Martínez is an assistant professor for the department of world languages and cultures at Missouri State University. Her dialectical research focuses on the coexistence of neoliberal violence … [Read more...] about Forced migration and the glorification of cartel culture
Have you heard of TOMS Shoes: One for One or Warby Parker: Glasses for the Needy? Perhaps you’re familiar with STATE Bags: Give. Back. Pack. These companies are cause-driven businesses, created to tackle social challenges while selling goods or services. As Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus said, a social enterprise is, “The new kind of capitalism that serves … [Read more...] about Businesses with a cause
Get ready for the sound of brass, percussion and wind. The sight of students forming shapes, one step at a time. Maybe the buttery taste of stadium popcorn and the touch of a crisp, October breeze whispering across your cheek. But months before, in the muggy heat of a summer day in southwest Missouri, the first thing Dr. Brad Snow notices at Wehr Band Hall is the smell – … [Read more...] about Building leaders, one step at a time