New Scholarship for Graduate Students
We need everyone’s help to spread the word quickly to graduate students. Current or incoming graduate students need to be contacted ASAP if they meet the criteria for this scholarship. The web page with all the details is http://graduate.missouristate.edu/DiversityScholarships.htm The application form is linked from this webpage. The deadline for application is May 9, in about one week.
The basic requirements are a 3.00 GPA (undergrad, last 60 credits, or last grad transcript if >9 credits), and a member of a “historically excluded group”, especially disabled or minorities (African-American, Hispanic, Native American, etc.). Because our university is scoring poorly on external reviews in relation to diversity, the purpose of this scholarship is to attract and assist more students in these areas.
The Graduate College and Provost’s Office is funding these scholarships this year from carry-forward dollars, but we hope to make this an annual scholarship in a couple years if it is successful. Sorry for the late notice, but we just got all the ducks in a row, and want to make some awards to graduate students for next fall.
Any help you can provide to spread the word about these scholarships, and the web address for more information, would be greatly appreciated by your eligible students.
Read the New Issue of the eJournal of Public Affairs
On occasion the eJournal of Public Affairs publishes special issues highlighting research and best practices related to American Democracy Project (ADP) initiatives. Michael Stout, Associate Professor at Missouri State University, is guest editor of this special issue organized around the ADP eCitizenship project. This April eJournal Volume- 2 Issue- 1 highlights three projects that relate to ways social media technologies are being used to teach students civic skills on four college campuses in the United States.
All-Faculty Recognition Reception
Date: Monday, May 6
Time: 3:30 p.m.
Location: PSU Ballroom
Our faculty members work diligently to make the university and our community a better place to be. Join the Office of the Provost and President Smart as we gather to honor this year’s award recipients and retirees at the All-Faculty Recognition Reception. The esteemed recipients of the Missouri State University Foundation Award in Teaching, Research and Service, Years of Service, Community Service Awards and others will be recognized. Hors D’Oeuvres will be provided.
Faculty Research
The 4 A’s of Aging Well
For years, there has been great speculation about the burden retiring baby boomers could place on entitlement programs. Dr. Bradley Fisher, coordinator of the gerontology program at Missouri State University, doesn’t believe it will cause the economic hazards many predict with proper social planning, but noted that families and loved ones should prepare to help this generation age successfully.
Dr. Fisher’s research, along with many other research projects, can be found on the faculty research website. The website features spotlights on faculty research projects, faculty accomplishment updates, and links to research resources and support offices.
Read about Dr. Bradley Fisher’s research
Missouri State’s Next Generation Network–What it Means to You!
Missouri State depends on its networking infrastructure as the foundation for the majority of services that support learning, research, and business processes. As the University’s requirements continue to expand and the existing infrastructure ages, it is important that the speed, breadth, and capacity be increased while also upgrading end-of-life components, in order to ensure reliable and secure delivery of services and technologies. To that end, Administrative and Information Services launched a multi-year project to develop the University’s Next Generation Network (NGN).
During this project, a multifaceted replacement, upgrade, and expansion plan for our networking infrastructure was developed. Three of the five components of the networking infrastructure have been upgraded thus far, which are Internet bandwidth capacity, distribution devices, and core routers. The two remaining components requiring upgrades are wireless access and edge devices.
Learn more about MSU’s next generation network
28th Showcase on Teaching and Learning–Passion. Inspiration. Innovation.
Date: Wednesday, August 14
Times: 8:00 a.m. Breakfast and Networking; 9:00 a.m. Faculty Presentations; 12:00 p.m. Lunch and Keynote Speaker
Location: PSU Ballroom and 3rd Floor conference rooms
Registration is now open for the 28th Showcase on Teaching and Learning, which will be held on Wednesday, August 14, 2013. The theme for this year’s Showcase is Passion. Inspiration. Innovation. Sessions will focus on instructional strategies and best practices for motivating and engaging students.
Ken Bain, author of the best-selling books, “What the Best College Teachers Do” (2004) and “What the Best College Students Do” (2012), will be the keynote speaker at the Showcase luncheon. Bain is recognized around the world for his research in deep and sustained learning and the creation of natural critical learning environments. He combines academic research on learning and motivation with insights drawn from interviews with faculty and highly successful individuals. His most recent work identifies the key attitudes that distinguish the best college students from their peers and has been awarded the 2012 Virginia and Warren Stone prize as an outstanding book on education and society.
To register for the conference, go to My Learning Connection, click on Course Catalog and select Show All Classes; under Choose Category, highlight “Showcase on Teaching & Learning.” Next you will select “Conference Registration” to attend the morning Faculty presentations, and “Luncheon Registration” to attend the lunch and Keynote presentation. Once selected click on Add to Cart; then Check Out and Finalize.
If you have difficulty in registering, please contact the FCTL at 417-836-3059.
We look forward to seeing you at the 28th Showcase on Teaching and Learning.
View the 28th Showcase on Teaching and Learning flyer
New and Exciting Updates Coming to Blackboard!
Some exciting new changes are coming soon for Blackboard! Service Pack 11 will be rolled out on Friday, May 24. The enhancements include new, simpler navigation, a cleaner user interface, and some dynamic tools for instructors and students.
Included in these enhancements is the new Retention Center, a powerful tool which allows instructors to easily view and quickly respond to risk factors to help at-risk students succeed in their courses. Check out the Blackboard New Enhancements site to get a sneak peek of the Retention Center and all of the other new features, or view and download step-by-step guides from the Experts wiki.
Want to see a demo? Come to one of the many Blackboard New Features and Coming Attractions information sessions scheduled from May through September. These are listed on the University Calendar and can be registered for through My Learning Connection. While you’re there, peruse all of the other Blackboard training opportunities, and register so you can become a Blackboard Black Belt!
If you’re looking for additional help, the Blackboard Open Lab is your place for one-on-one assistance. We’re here for you year-round every Friday from 1:30 to 5:00 pm in the Meyer Library 205 Technology Training Center.
For Blackboard support, you can contact the Computer Services Help Desk by phone, email, through live chat, or come see us in person.
By phone: 417-836-5891
By email: helpdesk@missouristate.edu
By web and Live Chat: http://helpdesk.missouristate.edu/
In person: Visit any of our Open Access Computer Labs in Cheek 150, Library 200, and Glass 229