Faculty/Staff Accomplishments and News Briefs 2/8/23

In this issue, we celebrate the accomplishments of faculty and staff in art, child development, English, learning center, marketing, music, political science, psychology, and social work. We also share a reminder about the final strategic planning summit.

Instructor of Social Work Kari Alberque and her colleagues have published research examining the perceived familial support of parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to better understand the assistance and gaps they experienced. The piece, “I’ve grown”: Parent’s reflections and familial support,” was published in the journal Family Relations.

Content Strategy Manager Gaye Hill and Assistant Director of Visual Communications-Multimedia Charlotte McKinney presented a webinar on “How to Build an In-House Video Team, for the University & College Designers Association (UCDA) on January 26. The session was part of the UCDA Essential Series featuring webinars on timely and relevant topics for creative professionals both in and out of the educational arena.

Hill and McKinney also attended the N.C. Independent Colleges & Universities (NCICU) Communications and Marketing Annual Meeting on January 10 along with Marketing Department team members News Director Melyssa Allen, Senior Graphic Designer Katie Bryant, Design Assistant Marissa McCauley, Marketing Communications Specialist Taylor Sexton, and Videographer/Photographer Kaylin Tsukayama.

Assistant Professor of Social Work Amanda Jones has been re-elected to the board of the Association of Baccalaureate Social Work Program Directors. This national organization is dedicated to the promotion of excellence in Baccalaureate Social Work Education. 

Visiting Assistant Professor / Gallery Director Todd Jones has a solo exhibition titled “Salting The Dig” on exhibit at 621 Gallery in Tallahassee, FL. The dates for the show are February 3-23. The artist talk and an opening reception took place on February 3.

Assistant Professor of English Zach Linge’s poem “Sophomores” was published in the Spring 2023 issue of Ploughshares in January. Additionally, Linge’s article “Network Temporality in Percival Everett’s Poetry” was accepted for a forthcoming special issue of the peer-reviewed journal Humanities.

Professor of Music Kent Lyman has been named a Foundation Fellow by the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA). Dr. Lyman is currently the president of the North Carolina Music Teachers Association, the state affiliate of MTNA. He was nominated by members of NCMTA for consideration as an MTNA Foundation Fellow.  Members of NCMTA, along with friends, family members, and associates of Dr. Lyman, raised a specified amount of money on his behalf to help fund scholarships and grant programs administered by MTNA.  He will be formally recognized at the upcoming National Conference of MTNA to be held in Reno, Nevada, at their Gala Banquet on March 27, 2023.

Professor of Political Science David McLennan published an op-ed in the News and Observer on North Carolinians’ perceptions of health insurance. In addition, he spoke to Leadership North Carolina on public opinion and its impact on policy, the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) on the impact of presidential biographies on political culture, and to the Women’s Forum on public policy to help higher education in North Carolina.

On Friday, January 27, Learning Center team members William Christy, Lilly Wood, and Tina Romanelli took six tutors to the first annual CRC Tutoring Workshop/Conference, Moving Your Body, Expanding Your Mind at Wake Technical Community College. Tutors and the Learning Center leadership team had the opportunity to attend a keynote address on preventing burnout through movement and breakout sessions on working with ADHD, immersive learning, and increasing engagement. Aiman Jamadar, a peer tutor in our Learning Center, excellently represented Meredith on a peer tutoring panel. Additional tutors in attendance included Erika Vanada, Mikayla Watts, Nafissa Bia, Olivia Rosolina, and Atiqua Prithu. It was an inspiring time for our division of the Student Success Panel. In addition, Meredith College will be hosting the N.C. Peer Educator Conference on April 1 in collaboration with East Carolina University. 

News Briefs
Final Strategic Planning Summit Scheduled for February 23
The final strategic planning summit, focused on facilities and IT, will be held on Thursday, February 23, 2023, from 2-3:30 p.m. in Jones Auditorium. A Strategic Planning 2023 site is available on MyMeredith. The site houses session recordings, slide presentations, and forms through which to submit input, for those unable to participate in the live events.