School of Humanities and Social Sciences Archives - Page 4 of 25

Dr. Laura Hart featured in Mind’s Eye

February 5, 2026 by Strategic Communication

Congratulations to Dr. Laura Hart, associate professor of sociology at Missouri State University, for her recent feature in Mind’s Eye magazine.

Her research focuses on how people understand and cope with risk, especially risk caused by environmental factors that jeopardize a community’s physical and mental health.

Congratulations Dr. Hart!

The full story is now available online.

Excerpt

In the mid-2000s, several residents of Clyde, Ohio, including children, developed cancer at an alarming rate. Then, in 2012, nine feet of toxic sludge was discovered under the basketball court at a recreational park donated to the community by Whirlpool, the town’s largest employer.

Several affected individuals filed a lawsuit against Whirlpool, claiming these illnesses were caused by pollutants generated by its Clyde facility. Having already experienced reluctance from state officials to investigate suspected chemicals and their potential link to the cancer cases, the plaintiffs knew they would need the community’s support.

Yet many of Clyde’s residents angrily opposed the lawsuit.

Read the full story

Dr. Kyler Sherman-Wilkins elected to Midwest Sociological Society’s Board of Directors

January 15, 2026 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Associate Professor Dr. Kyler Sherman-Wilkins was elected to the Midwest Sociological Society (MSS) Board of Directors. He will represent the state of Missouri on the board and serve a three-year term ending in 2029.

“This honor truly means a great deal to me personally,” Sherman-Wilkins said. “It’s a recognition of the work I’ve been committed to in the field of sociology.”

“It was inspiring to know that my peers see value in my leadership and vision,” he added.

Sherman-Wilkins also serves as interim head of the Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Gerontology (SAG).

Role emphasizes leadership and vision

As a board member, Sherman-Wilkins will provide leadership and strategic direction to MSS. His duties include attending meetings and conferences as well as committee service.

Balancing his duties on the MSS board with his responsibilities as department head and as a teacher poses a challenge, Sherman-Wilkins admitted. More importantly, he added, it presents an exciting opportunity “to grow professionally and to bring new perspectives back to my department and institution.”

Benefits to students and university

Sherman-Wilkins also believes his position on the MSS board will have a “positive ripple effect” at Missouri State. The university’s students and faculty frequently participate at MSS annual meetings, attending sessions and presenting their research.

“For the university, it enhances our visibility and reputation within the discipline, allowing us to contribute to the society’s initiatives and stay at the forefront of sociological research and practice,” he explained.

Sherman-Wilkins said he looks forward to working as an advocate and champion for the field of sociology.

“I see this as an opportunity to communicate the awesome utility and power of the field,” he said. “As the science dedicated to the understanding of society, I cannot think of a better time to study sociology.”

About MSS

As a professional organization, MSS includes research and applied sociologists as well as students studying sociology. Currently, MSS has approximately 1,300 members from nine states: Illinois, Missouri, Wisconsin, Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota, Kansas, South Dakota and North Dakota.

MSS states its mission is to build “community among sociologists and to advancing sociological knowledge, teaching, and practice for social scientific purposes and social betterment.”

Photo credit: Dr. Leonard Horton III.

History department launches professional development series for history education students

December 18, 2025 by Lynn M. Lansdown

The Department of History launched the first in a series of professional development sessions for its history education students Oct. 2 in Strong Hall.

“Engaging with Educators” was a panel discussion featuring four of the history education program’s graduates. All four are now professional teachers working in the southwest Missouri region.

Clinical Instructor Heather Haynes and Associate Professor Dr. Michelle Morgan developed the series in collaboration with history education academic advisor Alyssa Debolt.

Along with several faculty members, more than 30 students attended the event, Morgan estimated. The number represents nearly one third of the program’s current history education majors.

This was the first event of the professional development series. According to Haynes, the history department hopes to schedule several more in the future.

RCASH departments host screening of “Black Box Diaries” documentary

December 10, 2025 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Academic departments within the Judith Enyeart Reynolds College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities (RCASH) recently teamed together to co-host a screening of Shiori Itō’s 2024 documentary “Black Box Diaries.”

The screening, coordinated by Assistant Professor of East Asian History Dr. Linshan Jiang, was held Nov. 14 at the Moxie Cinema in Springfield, Missouri.

“Shiori Itō is such an iconic figure of the Japanese #MeToo movement and holds significance for me personally,” she said.

Missouri State’s Department of History; Department of Communication, Media, Journalism and Film; Department of Languages, Cultures and Religions; and Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Gerontology joined the Moxie Cinema to sponsor the event.

Jiang estimated 50-60 people attended the screening.

RCASH student wins third place in public affairs essay contest

December 5, 2025 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Freshman Design/Technology/Stage Management major Iris Vallier, a student in the Reynolds College of Arts, Social Science and Humanities (RCASH), won third place in the 11th annual Dr. Michael N. Compton Public Affairs Essay Contest.

Young man presenting an award to a young woman — Iris Vallier receives her award certificate from Sigma Pi President Nate Walls.

Vallier received an award certificate and a $150 cash prize.

The annual contest is open to all Missouri State full-time undergraduate students, according to Stacey Trewatha-Bach, assistant director of the Office of Public Affairs Support.

“The contest is a joint undertaking between the MSU Sigma Pi fraternity, its alumni through the Institute for Development of Ethics and Leadership and the MSU Office of Public Affairs Support,” she said.

Along with a $1,500 cash prize, the first place winner received $500 to donate to a charity or non-profit of choice, Trewatha-Bach said. Sigma Pi fraternity’s alumni non-profit organization, IDEAL, provides these prize funds.

Second place winners receive a $300 MSU Bookstore gift card, sponsored by the Department of Political Science and Philosophy. Third place winners receive $150.

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