Perseverantia features sounds and stories of the Fitchburg State community in Fitchburg, Massachusetts. Visit us at www.fitchburgstate.edu/podcasts for more information.
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We know the name John Muir, but others came before him. Michael Hoberman, professor of English studies at Fitchburg State University, explores a few of them. Michael Hoberman is a professor of American literature at Fitchburg State University. He is the author of several books on Jewish history in the US, including New Israel/New England: Jews and …
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Melissa Beck Wells, Empire State University – Enhancing Teacher Retention and Professional Satisfaction
What determines whether teachers stay or go? Melissa Beck Wells, assistant professor and interim director of teaching, learning and faculty development at Empire State University, finds out. Melissa Beck Wells is a lifelong educator, formally a special educator in the New York City public schools. She holds her doctoral degree in Special Education,…
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On this Student Spotlight: We’ve heard a lot about active learning, but what is it exactly? Danielle Clevenger, Ph. D. candidate in philosophy at the University of Wisconsin Madison, examines this question. Danielle (Dani) Clevenger is currently a Philosophy Ph.D. candidate at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her research spans a number of sub-…
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There is a diversity of experiences in higher education. Ebony Aya, program manager and teaching faculty at Macalester College, explores why some are more disadvantaged than others. Ebony Aya is a recent PhD graduate of the University of Minnesota in Curriculum and Instruction, with minors in Culture and Teaching and African American and African St…
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Alexis Redding, Harvard University – You Have Less Time Than You Think to Prepare Students for Success
How do institutions make a good first impression on students at the beginning of a new school year? Alexis Redding, faculty co-chair of higher education and lecturer at Harvard University, says they have only a few days to do so. Alexis Redding is a developmental psychologist whose work focuses on the college experience and what students need to th…
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Screen time in schools isn’t going away, how do we make it make it the best it can be? Jeff Frank, professor of education at St. Lawrence University, examines. Jeff Frank is a philosopher of education. He is a professor of education at St. Lawrence University, and the inaugural director of St. Lawrence’s Center for Innovation in Teaching and Assess…
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Danielle Sukenik, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus – The Impact of Digital Dating Patterns on Mental Health
Digital dating apps have brought new terms to the fore, but what do they mean? Danielle Sukenik, instructor in psychiatry at the School of Medicine at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, explores these. Danielle Sukenik is a licensed marriage and family therapist with over 12 years of clinical experience based in Denver, Colorado at…
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Brian Grodsky, University of Maryland Baltimore County – How Populism Impedes Democracies and Galvanizes Authoritarianism
Populism can function differently when it’s not paired with democracies. Brian Grodsky, chair and professor in the department of political science at the University of Maryland Baltimore County, explains the benefits. Brian Grodsky is a Professor of Comparative Politics at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. His research interests include…
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Cailyn Green, Empire State University – Changing to a Person-Centered Approach When Referring to Substance Use Clients
Changing the language of terms we use to refer to people suffering from addiction can be key, even if they self-identify with the terminology. Cailyn Green, assistant professor of addiction studies in the school of human services at Empire State University, explains why. Cailyn Green, MS, Ph.D., Masters-CASAC is the Assistant Professor of Addiction…
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The opioid crisis has been reported, but maybe not to its full extent. Donna Nelson, professor of chemistry at the University of Oklahoma, examines into the numbers. Dr. Donna Nelson is a Professor of Chemistry at University of Oklahoma. Her research has always engaged the chemistry community and served professional societies and organizations, col…
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What’s the harm in letting A.I. make decisions for us? Joe Arvai, Director of USC Wrigley Institute for Environment & Sustainability and professor of psychology at the University of Southern California Dornsife, explores one. Dr. Joe Árvai is the Dana and David Dornsife Professor of Psychology in the Department of Psychology, and he is the Director…
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Parks are for everyone, right? Daniel Trudeau, professor of geography at Macalester College, says not everyone may feel welcome. Dan Trudeau is an urban geographer. He examines the roles of city planning and public policy in shaping urban development. His work explores the interactions between the built environment and social inequality and focuses…
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April Smith, University of Auburn – Identifying Dynamic Risk Factors for Suicidal Ideation in Service Members
How do we lessen the risk of suicidal ideation among service members? April Smith, associate professor and the director of research on eating disorders and suicidality laboratory at Auburn University, asks questions to find answers. Dr. Smith is currently an Associate Professor of Psychology at Auburn University and the director of the Research on …
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Can we learn about the natural world from works of fiction? Michael Werner, assistant professor in the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Utah, reads up to find out. Michael Werner is an assistant professor in the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Utah. He uses worms to study developmental biology. Dissecting Fact a…
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Rogerio Pinto, University of Michigan – Helping Straight Men Confront Homophobic and Sexist Beliefs
How do we get white heterosexual men to confront feelings of homophobia and sexism? Rogerio Pinto, University Diversity & Social Transformation Professor at the University of Michigan, approaches this goal. Rogério M. Pinto is a University of Michigan Diversity & Social Transformation Professor, Berit Ingersoll-Dayton Collegiate Professor of Social…
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Wesley Chang, Drexel University – Optimizing Electric Vehicle Battery Performance in Cold Weather Climates
Electric car batteries may need some tweaking to work at their best in winter climates. Wesley Chang, assistant professor of mechanical engineering and mechanics at Drexel University, explores solutions. Wes Chang is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Mechanics, and an affiliated faculty member of the Department …
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Politicians use a lot of words when campaigning, but the most meaningful are very simple. Douglas Dowland, associate professor of English at Ohio Northern University, discusses these. Douglas Dowland is associate professor of English at Ohio Northern University, where he teaches a wide array of literature and humanities courses. His book We, Us, an…
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Douglas Wolf, Syracuse University – COVID-19 Physical Distancing Restrictions Contributed to Increases in Drug Overdoses
Social distancing was key in reducing COVID deaths, but it came with consequences. Douglas Wolf, professor of public administration and international affairs at Syracuse University, looks at why. Douglas Wolf is a demographer, policy analyst, program evaluator and gerontological researcher with many years of experience studying the economic, demogr…
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Jon Rosales, St. Lawrence University – Indigenous Knowledge and Practice as Scientific Methodology
Are scientists the only ones who can do science work? Jon Rosales, professor of environmental studies at St. Lawrence University, says no. St. Lawrence University Professor of Environmental Studies Jon Rosales is a climate change scientist focused on the impacts of climate change on native peoples in the Arctic. His expertise and scholarly focus ar…
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Not everyone understands the heat index on a summer day, which can lead to medical issues. Micki Olson, senior research scientist in the college of emergency preparedness, homeland security and cybersecurity at the University at Albany, explores how to simplify this language to keep people safe. Micki Olson is a risk communication expert who specia…
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Argel Aguilar Valles, Carleton University – Can Non-Hallucinogenic Psychedelics Be Used to Treat Depression
Psychedelics may be the way out of depression. Argel Aguilar Valles, assistant professor in the department of neuroscience at Carleton University, explores why. Dr. Argel Aguilar Valles received his B.Sc. (Biology) and M.Sc. (Biochemistry) from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). Then, he obtained his Ph.D. in Neuroscience at McGil…
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Athletes are known for their physical prowess, but their morals may also aid in performance. Sabrina Little, assistant professor in the department of leadership and American studies at Christopher Newport University, explains why. Sabrina Little is an assistant professor in the Department of Leadership and American Studies at Christopher Newport Un…
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Jared Bahir Browsh, University of Colorado Boulder – Colorado – Vulnerabilities Emerge Six Years After Sports Gambling Legalization
Sports gambling has taken over the airwaves and playing surfaces of professional sports. Jared Bahir Browsh, assistant teaching professor in the department of ethnic studies at the University of Colorado, Boulder, says scandals are also emerging. Dr. Jared Bahir Browsh is scholar and educator specializing in the political economics of sports and th…
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It’s not just athletes who have to worry about brain injuries. Sarah Raskin, Charles A. Dana professor of psychology and neuroscience at Trinity College, details other areas of life that are sadly involved in these afflictions as well. Sarah A. Raskin, Ph.D. is a Board Certified Clinical Neuropsychologist and the Charles A. Dana Professor of Psycho…
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The COVID-19 pandemic was difficult to navigate for farmers of color. Loren Henderson, associate professor of public policy and incoming director of the school of public policy at the University of Maryland Baltimore County, centers their voices. Henderson’s research interests include diversity issues, stratification and inequality, health disparit…
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On Occidental College Week: Nature can give us the compounds to treat afflictions, but are we taking advantage? Raul Navarro, assistant professor of chemistry, looks at one avenue to do so. Raul Navarro was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA. He obtained his bachelor’s degree in chemistry at Yale University, then traveled back to California to cond…
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On Occidental College Week: Foreign aid can change political behavior in the country receiving it. Syeda ShahBano Ijaz, assistant professor of global political economy, diplomacy & world affairs, details how. Syeda ShahBano Ijaz is a scholar of the political economy of development with a regional focus on South Asia. Her research, teaching, and pub…
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Natasha Sekhon, Occidental College – Unlocking Ancient Water Signals Locked in the Geologic Record
On Occidental College Week: Hints to our climatic future could be hidden underground. Natasha Sekhon, assistant professor in the department of geology, digs in for a look. Dr. Natasha Sekhon has her training as a low-temperature geochemist and paleoclimatologist. She uses the geochemical signals preserved in speleothems (secondary cave deposits) an…
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On Occidental College Week: We see our dogs as good pets, but how do they see us? Zachary Silver, assistant professor of psychology, looks for an answer. Assistant Professor of Psychology Zachary Silver has a B.A. in psychology and music from Illinois Wesleyan and a pair of master’s degrees and a Ph.D. in psychology from Yale. As a researcher at th…
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On Occidental College Week: Which schools are taking on most of the burden of a school district’s debt? Claire Cahen, assistant professor of urban and environmental policy, determines it might not be spread evenly. Claire Cahen (she/ her/ hers) is an urbanist, researcher and educator living and working in Los Angeles. She researches and writes abou…
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On Centre College Week: Data have made a big splash in sports recently. Jeffrey Heath, David and Marlene Grissom Professor of Mathematics and Data Science, details why. Jeffrey Heath is the David and Marlene Grissom Professor of Mathematics and Data Science at Centre College. His scholarly work focuses on sports analytics, and he leads the Centre S…
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On Centre College Week: Improving health care access can improve healthcare outcomes, but how do we do it? Daniel Scott, associate professor of chemistry, examines a path forward. Daniel Scott joined the Centre College faculty as an assistant professor of chemistry in 2017. Prior to joining Centre, he was an assistant professor of chemistry and bio…
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On Centre College Week: Why are we interested in the lives of athletes? Megs Gendreau, associate professor of philosophy and environmental studies, explains why. Megs Gendreau’s main research focuses on how we understand human selves and human values in the face of radical climate change, but she enjoys sports and periodically gets to write about t…
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On Centre College Week: Why is more money going to lobbying in politics than before? Ravi Radhakrishnan, associate professor of economics and business, says it’s a pressing issue. Ravi Radhakrishnan joined Centre College in 2012 as an Assistant Professor of Economics. His area of specialization is growth theory with a focus on the role of rent-seek…
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On Centre College Week: We’ve heard the war stories of the past, but what about today? Stacey Peebles, H. W. Stodghill, Jr. and Adele H. Stodghill Associate Professor and Chair of English, looks for some. Stacey Peebles is H. W. Stodghill, Jr. and Adele H. Stodghill Associate Professor, Chair of English, and Chair of Film Studies at Centre College.…
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Harassment of workers doesn’t just happen at work, but also on the way in. Beth Livingston, Ralph L. Sheets Associate Professor of Industrial Relations at the Tippie College of Business at the University of Iowa, explains more. Beth A. Livingston is the Ralph L. Sheets Associate Professor of Industrial Relations at the University of Iowa’s Tippie C…
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The digital world is quickly bringing to an end to a lot of physicals items and tokens, but at what cost? Michael Zalot, assistant professor of business and director of the MBA program in the department of Business, Management and Economics at Cedar Crest College, discusses one such token. Michael Zalot is an assistant professor of business and dir…
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Rachel Noorda, Portland State University – Reading Behavior Versus Reading Identity for Gen Z and Millennials
Do you consider yourself a reader? Rachel Noorda, associate professor and director of book publishing at Portland State University, says many don’t when they should. Rachel Noorda is associate professor of English and director of book publishing at Portland State University. She and her colleague Kathi Inman Berens study crossmedia consumption and …
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How do we solve the patriarch problem when it comes to networking for business owners? Kylie King, director of institutional effectiveness and research faculty at SUNY Plattsburgh, says we must support those who might be blocked from having the social capital needed to move forward. Dr. Kylie King is the Director of Institutional Effectiveness at S…
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Being stressed is common today. Lawson Wulsin, professor of psychiatry and family medicine at the University of Cincinnati, examines why and what to do about it. Lawson Wulsin, MD, is professor of psychiatry and family medicine at the University of Cincinnati. His subspecialty is psychosomatic medicine, and he has focused his research and teaching …
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On this Student Spotlight: Al-Qaida may be exploiting a weakness in an African state in crisis. Sara Harmouch, doctoral candidate in justice, law and criminology at American University, explores how. Sara Harmouch is the founder and CEO of H9 Defense and a doctoral candidate at American University’s School of Public Affairs. Growing up in Lebanon, …
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Wendy Keyser, Fitchburg State University – Patterns and Gaps in Award-Winning LGBTQ Children’s Books
CREDIT: Christopher Capozziello LGBTQ children’s books are now on the shelves, but do they tell the full story? Wendy Keyser, professor of English at Fitchburg State University, says there is more to explore. Wendy Keyser taught high school English for 21 years, primarily in Massachusetts public schools. She is a professor of English Studies in the…
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Who is to blame for slowing the transition to a low carbon energy future? David Spence, Rex G. Baker Chair in Natural Resources Law at the University of Texas School of Law, and Professor of Business, Government & Society at the University of Texas at Austin’s McCombs School of Business, has some ideas. David Spence is a professor of energy law and…
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Francis Galan, Texas A&M University–San Antonio – A Better Understanding of the Interactions Between and Kinship Among Early Texas Settler Groups
There’s still a lot to learn and understand about early settlements in Texas. Francis Galan, associate professor of history at Texas A&M University-San Antonio, sheds some light on the complexities of Spanish settlements in the state. Francis Galán is an Associate Professor of History at Texas A&M University-San Antonio, where he teaches in the Col…
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Bottled water can be a panacea during a crisis, but it can also worsen inequality afterwards. Daniel Jaffee, associate professor of sociology at Portland State University, explores why. Daniel Jaffee is an environmental and rural sociologist and Associate Professor of Sociology at Portland State University. His research examines conflicts over wate…
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Kyle Atkins, Oklahoma State University – What a New “Hell Chicken” Can Tell Us About Dinosaur Extinction
On this Student Spotlight: The extinction of the dinosaurs is still being studied. Kyle Atkins, PhD student in ecology at Oklahoma State University, explores a new finding that can change our understanding of the event. I am a PhD student interested in the ecology of terrestrial environments at the very end of the age of dinosaurs. When I’m not wor…
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Some love a song; others can’t stand it. But why? Jane Kuehne, assistant professor of music education at Auburn University, has this music theory. Dr. Jane M. Kuehne is Associate Professor of Music Education and Graduate Program Officer in the Department of Curriculum and Teaching in the College of Education at Auburn University (in Alabama). She t…
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The colors in your personal spaces could have a big impact on your mood. Niusha Jones, assistant professor of marketing at the College of Business and Economics at Boise State University, explores why. Dr. Niusha Jones is an Assistant Professor of Marketing at the College of Business and Economics at Boise State University. Niusha’s academic resear…
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Some places get more than others, but lightning is always dangerous. Chris Vagasky, research program manager at the University of Wisconsin, explores this natural phenomenon. Chris Vagasky is the manager of the Wisconsin Environmental Mesonet, a growing network of weather and soil monitoring stations in the state of Wisconsin. He is an active membe…
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Delivery drivers don’t have it easy when it comes to parking, so how can we improve this? Ann Melissa Campbell, Clement T. and Sylvia H. Hanson Family Chair in Manufacturing productivity and professor of business analytics at the University of Iowa, looks into it. Ann Melissa Campbell’s research focuses on freight transportation, especially on prob…
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