Reynolds College Blog

RCASH faculty named inaugural Education Abroad Faculty Fellows

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Missouri State University has announced its inaugural cohort of the Education Abroad Faculty Fellows program.

This year’s cohort consists of eight faculty members from a diverse range of disciplines. Among the eight are three members of the Reynolds College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities (RCASH) faculty.

Those individuals are Jeff Loughary from the Department of Languages, Cultures and Religions, Nikki Ferry from the Department of Theatre and Dance and Dr. William Harwood from the Department of Political Science and Philosophy.

Other selected Fellows are Dr. Benjamin Beranek from the College of Business, Clara Dickinson from the Darr College of Agriculture, Dr. Asif Ishtiaque from the College of Natural and Applied Sciences, and Kelly Dudley and Stephanie Urich from the McQueary College of Health and Human Services.

In addition, four RCASH faculty members served as content experts during the Fellows session in January. They were Joshua Albers from the Department of Art and Design, Dr. William Sandel from the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, and Dr. Leslie Seawright and Dr. Alan Tinkler from the Department of English.

“I was excited to work with the inaugural Education Abroad faculty cohort, sharing ways to weave general education goals and course learning objectives into their education abroad itineraries,” Seawright said. “It was a great conversation.”

“Study abroad is an incredible opportunity for both our faculty and students,” Sandel said. “I was happy to share some of my experiences regarding flexibility when planning and conducting a study abroad program.”

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English department sponsors successful Education Abroad trip to England

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Twelve Missouri State University students, accompanied by associate professors Dr. Jonathan Newman and Dr. Leslie Seawright of the Department of English, traveled to England June 4-15, 2024, as part of an Education Abroad program.

The group visited places in London, Oxford, Bath, Chawton (home of Jane Austen) and Stratford-upon-Avon (hometown of William Shakespeare), according to Newman.

Newman said the group also participated in multiple literary and historical events and attended theatrical performances of works by Shakespeare and mystery writer Agatha Christie.

The 12 students were Hope Barker, Melissa Bowles, KaMara Brown, Tyler Cavin, Isabella Eslick, Sarah Howser, Chloe Inman, Edsel McCaslin-McMillin, Emma Moore, Allison Raymond, Ben Vertraete and Sierra Welch.

This was Newman’s first time leading an Education Abroad program. Seawright has previously led other study abroad activities.

Group standing outside Buckingham Palace
The 2024 English Education Abroad group stands outside Buckingham Palace. L-R: KaMara Brown, Hope Barker, Emma Moore, Sarah Howser, Edsel McCaslin-Millin, Ben Vertraete, Tyler Cavin, Allison Raymond, Dr. Leslie Seawright, Dr. Jonathan Newman, Chloe Inman, Melissa Bowles, Isabella Eslick and Sierra Welch. Photo provided by Jonathan Newman.

Program focused on experiences and encounters

According to Newman, he and Seawright developed the program around the concepts of experiential learning and intercultural encounters.

The program would ideally allow students to explore English literature, English education, travel writing and other topics through a combination of required reading, discussions and visits to culturally significant sites, Newman said.

“We intend that students in this program gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the literature and culture, of the connection between high and popular culture in England past and present, and of the practices and attitudes of the working travel writer,” Newman added.

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Seawright elected to Association for Business Communication Board of Directors

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Associate professor of English and assistant director of composition Dr. Leslie Seawright was recently elected to the Association for Business Communication (ABC) Board of Directors.

As a board member, Seawright’s responsibilities will include serving on ad-hoc committees and overseeing budgets, membership recruitment, association journals and conferences.

Prior to being appointed to the board, Seawright served two years as co-chair for ABC’s Annual International Conference and remains active in producing the association’s newsletters.

She will serve a four-year term as a Director at Large and has the option to run for a second four-year term.

Seawright has been a member of ABC since 2016. [Read more…] about Seawright elected to Association for Business Communication Board of Directors