Scholarly Achievements: May 2022

Dr. Pam Bailey, interim associate dean, College of Education

Discussed MBU’s experiences with accreditation as part of the VEAC CAEP Panel, VACTE Spring Conference, April 28.

Dr. Donovan Branche, associate professor of business 

Presented a paper, “Changing the Filter: Inclusive Leadership for the Future of Nonprofit and Human Service Organizations,” the primary author with Karen Ford, Western Social Science Association’s annual conference, April 1, Denver. 

Dr. Ralph Cohen, professor of Shakespeare and Performance and English

Received the Douglas Cook Lifetime Achievement Award for significant contribution to the field from the Shakespeare Theatre Association, January.

Delivered the annual James Kennedy Shakespeare Lecture, titled “Six Epiphanies: Why Shakespeare Is for All Time … Including Ours,” University of Tennessee Chattanooga, April.

Dr. Kent Diduch, physician assistant program director 

A 2-hour workshop, “An Evidence Based Medicine Approach to Common Orthopedic Problems,” Virginia Academy of Family Physicians winter conference, January 28, Wintergreen Resort.

A virtual presentation, “Gastrointestinal Disorders in Athletes,” American Medical Society for Sports Medicine and their National Fellow Online Lecture Series, March 23. 

Dr. Rebecca Haberman, assistant professor of biology

Received the 2022 VFIC Mednick Fellowship Award to establish a research program for the study of normal brain aging. It will examine the neuronal activation patterns associated with healthy cognitive aging. A better understanding of how and when these patterns arise can provide insight into promoting resilience to cognitive decline.

Dr. Robin Hopkins, assistant professor of psychology

Worked with Emily Dillon ’22 on an independent research project, “Efficacy of Delayed Retrieval Practice on Exam Performance.” Dillon recently presented at the annual meeting of the Virginia Association for Psychological Science, and won the Meredith Green Best Undergraduate Poster Award.

Dr. Brianna Kurtz, assistant professor of education

Elected to the board of the Comparative and International Education Society at their annual meeting, April.

Dr. Paul Menzer, dean, College of Visual and Performing Arts

An invited (virtual) lecture at the Shakespeare Institute in Stratford Upon Avon, March 24. 

An invited in-person lecture at the Cosmos Club, May 20, Washington, D.C.

Published a book chapter, “‘Less we forget…’: The Blackfriars, Error, and Necropolitan Tourism,” co-written with Shakespeare and Performance alum David Meldmant, Shakespeare and Tourism (Routledge, 2022).

Dr. Natalie Murphy, director, School of Nursing

A recent textbook publication: Chapter 15: “Cardiovascular Disorders,” co-written with Debra Hain, Foundations of adult-gerontology advanced nursing practice: Caring for Adolescents through older adults (Spring Publishing Company, 2022).   

Amber Ocasio, student accounts coordinator

Completed a master of science in higher education at MBU, May 2022.

Dr. Marina Omar, assistant professor of political science

Presented a paper, “Constitutional Choice in Emerging Democracies: Adoption of the 2004 Afghan Constitution,” Midwest Political Science Association conference, April 8. 

Dr. Rachel Potter, director of Applied Behavior Analysis & Autism Studies, and Dr. Deb Greubel, chief health officer

Co-authored a poster, “Systems-Level Behavioral Interventions for Campus COVID-19 Mitigation,” Virginia Association for Behavior Analysis Annual conference, April 29–30, Richmond. 

Dr. Ryan Sain, assistant professor of Applied Behavior Analysis

An invited address, “Experimental Analysis of Behavior for Practitioners; There’s Value in Them Thar Data,” Virginia Association for Behavior Analysis conference, April 29. 

Dr. Pam Stephenson, associate professor, Occupational Therapy Program

Co-presented two short course sessions, American Occupational Therapy Association annual conference, San Antonio:

• “Building Participation and Client-Centered Practice Through Motivational Interviewing,” with Liz Lannigan
• “Authentic Assessment in Pediatrics: Practice Applications,” with Paula Costello

Dr. Katherine Turner, professor of English

Two articles submitted to forthcoming books with Cambridge University Press: 

• “Prospect Poetry,” Oliver Goldsmith in Context (edited by David O’Shaughnessy and Michael Griffin)
• “Jonathan Swift: Criticism to 1900,” Jonathan Swift in Context (edited by Joseph Hone and Pat Rogers)

Dr. Laura van Assendelft, professor of political science

A publication, “The Challenges and Rewards of Using Online State and Local Election Results in Your Research: Exploring the Year of the Woman in Ohio and Virginia,” co-authored with Barbara Palmer (SAGE Research Methods Cases, 2022).   

Carla Van Devander, director, Program for the Exceptionally Gifted 

Selected by the Virginia Department of Education to represent Region V on the Virginia Advisory Committee for the Education of the Gifted (VACEG). She will serve a second 3-year term (2019–25) to provide guidance to the board of education and the superintendent of public instruction about the educational needs of students identified as gifted in school divisions across the commonwealth. 

Dr. Anne Wick, assistant professor of music

Soprano soloist, Mozart’s Requiem Mass, Rockingham Choral Society and Orchestra Concert, April 8 and 10, Bridgewater.

Soprano soloist, Pops Concert, Rockbridge Choral Society, April 30, Lexington.

Faculty Excellence in Teaching Award co-winners: Dr. Krissy Egan, associate professor of English, College of Arts and Sciences, and Doris Dodson, associate professor of social work, College of Business and Professional Studies

Part-time/Adjunct Excellence in Teaching Award: Christy Evanko, adjunct faculty member, College of Education

Graduate Teaching Award: Trent Stephens MFA ’22, College of Visual and Performing Arts