CAS SPOTLIGHT FALL 2021: VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2
THE DEAN’S CORNER There are so many ways students can be active in their own learning. This year, the College of Arts and Sciences is celebrating with an enhanced focus on student engagement. In September, a dedicated team of CAS leaders gathered at the beautiful Red River Gorge to plan action steps that will add four exciting opportunities to our academic program: Undergraduate research to help students solve problems; interdisciplinary courses to help students see connections; community service to help students apply what they are learning to real-world settings; and inclusive learning to help students effectively engage with difference. CAS is committed to high-impact engagement that adds to the student experience and life and career skills for post-graduation success.
Jennifer Dugan, Ph.D. Dean of CAS
We hope you enjoy reading about our students, faculty, and staff, who continue to shine, making CAS a bright light in the life of our campus community. A very happy and healthy fall to the beloved CAS and UPIKE families!
Ella Smith-Justice, Ph.D. Assistant Dean of CAS Professor of Spanish
I am so thankful for the collaborative spirit and energy that abide in the College of Arts and Sciences. Together we have forged a vibrant CAS community that extends across our campus and enables us to develop meaningful partnerships with our university colleagues. The UPIKE synergy is evident to our colleagues from other institutions, as I heard numerous positive comments at this fall’s Appalachian College Association (ACA) Summit about our professionalism, our commitment to student success, and our enthusiasm for scholarship and professional development. The ACA is a valuable, supportive resource for our postsecondary educational communities in Appalachia - I encourage everyone to find a way to become involved with this consortium. I have no doubt that our shared passion for learning, innovation, and collaboration will help us to identify opportunities for engaging with our strategic goals in creative and exciting ways. I am very much looking forward to watching our CAS community continue to thrive in these pivotal months to come.
T H E FA L L C A S C O L L O Q U I U M S E R I E S By Lindsey Scaggs
On Friday, Oct. 22, the College of Arts and Sciences held the first colloquium of the 2021-2022 school year. Dr. Chandra Massner, associate professor of communication, presented “Who’s Zooming Who?: The effects of videoconferencing on faculty and students.” The presentation was based upon Massner’s dissertation research.
Lindsey Scaggs
Senior, Communication Major
Zoom conferencing grew exponentially due to COVID-19. Because of this, so did a phenomenon known as Zoom Fatigue. Massner performed a qualitative, single-site case study to understand how this phenomenon affected faculty and staff. She found that there were multiple factors: situational, individual traits, environmental, and communication. “The things that I found are very valuable for higher education instructors and administrators as they plan online course designs in the future,” Massner said.
PLEASE JOIN US FOR UPCOMING COLLOQUIA
The colloquia are held at 3pm in ARM 213, followed by a reception, or via Zoom; contact bridgettclick@upike.edu for a link.
November 19: “An activity based on the Futurama episode, ‘The prisoner of Benda’” Dr. Michael Holcomb, Professor of Mathematics Scan to join on Zoom
December 3: “Humanities across the disciplines” Dr. Brigitte Anderson, Professor of English Scan to join on Zoom
NEW OPTIONS FOR STUDENTS IN O U R C O M M U N I C AT I O N P R O G R A M Earn your bachelor’s or associate degree in a variety of learning formats. 3-year degree track | Fully online option | In person option Hybrid option which includes both online and in-person courses
Program Director
Chandra Massner Associate Professor of Communication cmassner@upike.edu
C A R E E R - R E A DY O P P O R T U N I T I E S Students can now choose among eight career-ready certificates as they work toward graduation and strengthen important skills that are critical to success. Ideas for work-ready certificates in CAS? Please contact Dean Jennifer Dugan at jenniferdugan@upike.edu.
Digital Communication Women and Leadership: Empowering Leaders
Interpersonal Skills for Professionals
Political and Civic Engagement
ANY MAJOR
Spanish in the Workplace
Digital Skills for the Workplace
Career Communication Corrections, Rehabilitation, and Preventative Control
Our certificates call students to:
PR DDUUCCEE -- SSEER E -- LLEEAADD- -CC E AT PO RO RV VE RR E AT E E DDEEBBAT PLY LY - - GGRROO ATEE -- A P P WW AT E E -- TTEEAC TE CC OO L LL LAABBOORRAT A CHH- -L LI SI S TN EN
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
Jacob Brown
Amy Smallwood
Jacob Brown is a senior criminal justice major and a member of the men’s basketball team. Jacob says that being on the team is like being in a brotherhood, making relationships “that will last a lifetime,” whether with his coach, teammates, or faculty. Being here in the mountains has helped Jacob excel in the classroom and maintain a solid GPA. While Jacob, who is from Clemmons, N.C., says he misses home, he plans to return following graduation this spring to play ball and earn a Master’s in Business at UPIKE.
Amy Smallwood graduated in 2020 from Pike County Central High School. She plays in the UPIKE Marching Band, UPIKE Concert Band, UPIKE Bluegrass Band, and sings in the UPIKE Choir. Outside of UPIKE, Amy likes to act and do behind-thescenes work at the Artists Collaborative Theatre. Amy is also involved with Appalachian Symphony, a volunteer bluegrass group where they give free string lessons. She is a film/media arts major and music minor. Amy is a dedicated member of the music program. She takes pride in all her performances and spends many hours practicing.
C E L E B R AT I N G A R T S A N D H U M A N I T I E S M O N T H CAS applauds the creative talents and works of our students, faculty and staff!
D I G I TA L A R T
Associate Professor of Art, Petra Carroll, is leading our digital photography class as part of our Digital Humanities program. Students in the “Exploring Digital Photography” course are producing amazing work this semester!
Frank Tackett is finishing his junior year as a biology major. He is a member of the UPIKE Track and Field team and hopes to attend KYCO in the future.
Seth Whitt is a junior in the FMA program. He is from Belfry, Ky., and developed an interest in film and photography after watching Iron Man and seeing how stories can be told, especially with “goofy” comic book characters. Seth has had his films shown in Horrorfest, UParodies, and UPIKE’s Film Festival. He is interested in making films and playing video games.
Mary Englert is a senior majoring in elementary education. She is a member of the UPIKE Women’s Basketball team and is originally from Cincinnati.
Seirra Feltner is a senior in the PreElementary Education Program. She is from Williamsburg, Ky. Seirra is a member of the UPIKE women’s basketball team. Her interest in photography developed when she was asked to be in a photo shoot and started taking pictures for herself. Her interests include playing video games and playing basketball.
Matthew Preble is a sophomore in the FMA program at UPIKE. He is from Cleveland, Tenn. Matthew’s interest in photography developed as a young child; he was born into a life around a camera. His dad was in a photography club and he soon started taking photos for his own enjoyment. He currently photographs athletics at UPIKE and is interested in cheerleading, graphic design, making film trailers, and mental health.
2 0 2 1 AC A S U M M I T: A C O M M U N I T Y O F I N N O VAT I O N The ACA Summit 2021 was held on September 24-25, 2021 at the DreamMore Resort and Conference Center in Pigeon Forge, TN. The ACA Summit brings together faculty, staff, and administrative leaders from across the ACA to engage in ongoing collaboration and to share information and best practices in the ever-evolving effort of preparing students for success. The two-day program showcases outstanding ACA members across a spectrum of teaching, research, and service, and furnishes opportunities to share proven strategies to implement in your own classroom and your work at your institution. We are proud of CAS presenters and attendees, who are all part of a community of innovation.
Dr. Amanda Slone and Dr. Mathys Meyer: To Grade or Not to Grade: Creative Assessments, Ungrading, and Student Experience
Dr. Ella Smith-Justice: Getting It Right: A Discussion of Best Practices of Dual Credit Partnerships
Dr. Chandra Massner: Zoomed Out: The Effects of Videoconferencing on Faculty and Students
Dr. Rachel Messer and Professional Development Educator, Katie Williams: Intersectional Appalachia: Making Learning and Living Inclusive at ACA Campuses
Provost Dr. Lori Werth and President Dr. Burton Webb with Bluefield University President David Olive: Rural and Remote Colleges and Universities During COVID-19: How to Lead Teams Through Challenging Times
Dr. James Briscoe: A Case for Active Pedagogical Practices in a Health Communication Classroom
Dr. Chandra Massner, Dr. Rachel Messer and Dr. LeAnne Epling: The Role of Group Texts in Maintaining Professional Communities
N E W FAC U LT Y
Dr. Thomas Russell
Visiting Professor of Biochemistry Tom Russell joined the College of Arts and Sciences faculty this fall as visiting professor of biochemistry. He earned his Ph.D. in biochemistry from the University of Wisconsin at Madison under the tutelage of W. Wallace Cleland, who held the Steenbock Distinguished University Chair in Chemical Sciences. His area of research is enzyme kinetics and enzyme reaction mechanisms, and he has worked in both industry and academia. He is currently a candidate for the degree of Doctor of Education at A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine, whose Ed.D. program focuses specifically on developing health professions educators. “I place a heavy emphasis on problem-solving in the courses I teach. Encyclopedic knowledge will not get you very far. People who can apply what they have learned to solve realworld problems are the ones who will advance. I want to nurture that skill set in every student I have the chance to work with,” remarked Russell. Russell has lived in Annapolis on the east coast and Seattle on the west coast. Originally from Chicago, he still considers the midwest his home. He continued, “I am very pleased to become part of the UPIKE community. Everyone has been very kind, and I admire the enthusiasm my students bring to their studies. I particularly enjoy students stopping by my office to talk. I want to know what students are having trouble with, and I want to know what I can do to better facilitate their learning.” Russell is currently teaching organic and biochemistry at UPIKE.
Justin Hazlewood
Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice Justin Hazlewood serves as assistant professor of criminal justice within the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Pikeville. His professional background began in 2007 when he graduated from the Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy in Nashville. While serving as a police officer, Hazlewood attended Bethel University, located in McKenzie, Tenn. In 2016 he received his bachelor’s degree in emergency services management, and in 2018 received his master’s in criminal justice. Hazlewood always had a passion for training in the law enforcement field and wanted to reach students before they arrived at the academy and in professional fields. He began teaching in higher education in the fall of 2019, where he found his calling. The fall of 2021 was his first semester at UPIKE, and Hazlewood says he has loved every minute. He is very thankful to be surrounded by such great students, staff and faculty. When he is not in the classroom or on campus, he is tirelessly working on his dissertation to finish his Ph.D. at Liberty University, located in Lynchburg, Virginia. He is a proud Tennessean and is married to Jessica Hazlewood, who works as the student success and transfer advisor at UPIKE. The two were married on campus in the Allara Courtyard in May. Together, they have three beautiful children, Amylia, Harper and Sawyer. Although the two stay busy, they always make time for family and ensure time is spent making memories. Their favorite thing to do as a family is popcorn and movie nights or trips to the park. They are thankful for the opportunity to be part of the UPIKE family.
NEW OPTIONS FOR STUDENTS IN OUR CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROGRAM Earn a bachelor’s degree in three years – graduate early and pursue career goals! Tim Roberts, M.S. Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice TimothyRoberts@upike.edu
LIVING THE CAS VISION Honoring the liberal arts tradition, the College of Arts and Sciences promotes learning and growth by embracing innovation, inclusivity, and interdisciplinary excellence – preparing students for meaningful lives and meaningful work.
C U R R E N T S T R AT E G I C I N I T I AT I V E S PRODUCE ORIGINAL RESEARCH AND SCHOLARSHIP
ASK BIG QUESTIONS AND LEARN ACROSS DISCIPLINES
LEAD, LEARN, AND SERVE IN THE COMMUNITY
ENGAGE EFFECTIVELY WITH DIVERSE PEOPLE AND TEAMS
A N E XC I T I N G N E W P R O G R A M F O R UPIKE STUDENTS A L L S T U D E N T S H AV E T H E O P P O R T U N I T Y T O G E T I N V O LV E D PEAK Career & Leadership Pathway is a comprehensive four-year program designed to develop and expand vocation and leadership skills. The PEAK program will empower students to be active participants and take personal responsibility in their career development and reflect on and articulate their leadership potential and professional identity. The program will consist of curricular and co-curricular activities that allow students to meet benchmarks for each year on campus. Students will also compile an e-portfolio throughout the PEAK program. The QEP development committee invites feedback and insight on the PEAK program. For more information about the program, or to arrange a meeting with the QEP committee, please contact Amanda Slone at amandajslone@upike.edu.