Aryn Baxter, a Ph.D. student (EDPA-CIDE track) in the Department of Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development (OLPD), has been selected to receive a $2,000 award from the Women’s Philanthropic Leadership Circle in recognition of her academic achievements, community involvement, leadership, and passion for her professional career.
OLPD graduate student named Buckman Fellow
Tamara Weiss, a Ph.D. student (EDPA-CIDE track) in the Department of Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development (OLPD) has been named a 2012-13 Buckman
Fellow. The Buckman Fellowship for Leadership in Philanthropy is an opportunity for faculty, staff, graduate students, and alumni of the University to learn about the world of philanthropy. The program is available to individuals affiliated with CEHD, the College of Design, and CFANS.
Recent Immigrant Students at Research Universities
Mike Stebleton, assistant professor in the Department of Postsecondary Teaching and Learning, is lead author (along with co-authors Krista Soria and Ron Huesman) on an article recently accepted by the Journal of College Student Development. “Recent Immigrant Students at Research Universities: The Relationship between Campus Climate and Sense of Belonging” explores the relationship between campus climate and sense of belonging among two recent immigrant populations attending large research institutions.
Abstract: The number of immigrant college students will likely increase in the future. This study explores the relationship between campus climate and sense of belonging among two recent immigrant populations attending large research institutions. Using the Student Experience in Research Universities (SERU), over 58,000 students were surveyed using a census scan. Results indicated that campus climate is positively predictive of first and second wave immigrants’ sense of belonging on campus. Differences existed between the immigrant groups, suggesting that generalizations should be avoided. Implications for student affairs practitioners were highlighted including the importance of creating networks of belonging and high impact practices.
LaVoi Joins Alliance of Women Coaches Board of Directors
Nicole M. LaVoi, Ph.D., instructor in the School of Kinesiology and associate director of the Tucker Center, was recently named to the Alliance of Women Coaches (The Alliance) Board of Directors. One of seven members of the Board of Director’s, LaVoi will attend The Alliance’s first national event, The Huddle, in Atlanta, Ga., on May 30 and June 1 and will present two sessions (Motivational Strategies & How to Build Confidence) at the NCAA Women Coaches Academy in Denver June 14-17.
“Serving on the board for the AWC and teaching at the WCA is an honor,” stated LaVoi. “I feel strongly about education, networking, and helping recruit and retain females coaches at all levels of sport and this is a way I can give back.”
LaVoi’s research falls within the social psychology of sports where she answers critical questions that can make a difference in the lives of sport stakeholders–particularly girls and women. In her doctoral research she focused on relational qualities of the collegiate coach-athlete relationship that can lead to empowerment, authenticity and mutual engagement. More recently, LaVoi developed an ecological model of barriers and supports for female coaches, and is examining female coaches’ experiences with sexism.
LaVoi was an Assistant Professor of Physical Education and the Head Women’s Tennis Coach at Wellesley College (1994-’98), and the Assistant Women’s Tennis Coach at Carleton College (1991-’93). LaVoi played four years of intercollegiate tennis at Gustavus Adolphus College where her team placed 4th (’89), 2nd (’91) and won the NCAA-III National Championships in 1990. She is a two time NCAA Academic All-American.
OLPD Graduate Student to serve on U’s P&A Senate
Jennifer Eltink, a Ph.D. student (HiEd) and M.A. alumni (2006) in the Department of Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development (OLPD), has been selected to serve in the University’s P&A Employee Senate. Eltink currently serves as the Director First Year Experience and Students in Transition at the University of Minnesota – Duluth campus.
Jen Doty receives AAFCS National Graduate Fellowship
Family Social Science graduate student Jennifer Doty has been chosen as a recipient for a 2012 National Graduate Fellowship from the American Association of Family and Consumer Science. She will be honored at the association’s 103rd annual conference June 24-27 in Indianapolis, IN.
Sroufe selected as recipient of APA Division 7 Developmental Psychology Mentor Award
Alan Sroufe, professor emeritus at the Institute of Child Development, has been selected as this year’s recipient of the Division 7 Developmental Psychology Mentor Award by the American Psychological Association. The award honors individuals who have contributed to developmental psychology through the education and training of the next generation of research leaders in developmental psychology. The award recognizes individuals who have had substantial impact on the field of developmental psychology by their mentoring of young scholars. APA also notes in the award letter, “This award has special meaning compared to some of the other awards because it not only indicates the impact on the field of one’s individual research career but also the continued impact through the next generation of developmentalists, as well as one’s outstanding mentoring.” The award will be presented at the APA 2013 convention in Hawaii.
Ph.D. student earns $10K fellowship to examine urban youth, media literacy
Curriculum and Instruction Ph.D. student Jenna Sethi was awarded a $10,000 Kappa Omicron Nu Marjorie M. Brown Fellowship to help fund her research. Sethi is examining how urban youth, who are often marginalized and oppressed by violence in their communities, address this violence by producing their own media. Her study will include interviews with filmmakers and with mural and spoken word artists.
Sethi is a student in the family, youth, and community doctoral program. She received her M.Ed. in the Youth Development Leadership program. With the encouragement of her mentor and adviser, Associate Professor Yvonne Gentzler, Ph.D., she has been able to pursue interdisciplinary interests around critical media literacy and youth studies leading to her dissertation topic. She also teaches courses in the Youth Studies department in the School of Social Work.
In addition, Sethi received a $2,000 2012-2013 CEHD Seashore Graduate Fellowship, which is awarded to a doctoral student whose research focuses on issues of broad social inquiry problems, social and cultural change, or social justice.
To TERI Partner Network Colleagues–from the Teacher Performance Assessment Consortium (TPAC):
“A recent New York Times column positioned the Teacher Performance Assessment as motivated or inspired by the commercial interests of one of the major test publishers. TPAC partner organizations American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE) and Stanford regard the TPA quite differently, viewing it as the result of hard collaborative work to create an essential tool using professional consensus.” For more perspective, please review another TPA related article, entitled “Getting a teaching license may soon include a new test – can hopefuls handle a classroom?” appeared yesterday in the Hechinger Report, and was also posted on MinnPost.
Congratulations 2012 FSOS Graduates!
Another academic year has come to a close, and Family Social Science bids farewell to all of our undergraduate and graduate students who have graduated. Commencement exercises were held on Thursday, May 10, in Mariucci Arena. We wish you all the best in future endeavors, and hope you remember your time at the University and in the department fondly.
Ph.D. and M.A. graduates
Bibiana D. Koh (Ph.D.)
Georgi Kroupin (Ph.D.)
Dung Minh Mao (M.A.)
Laurelle Lea Myhra (Ph.D.)
Diana R. Samek (Ph.D.)
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) graduates
Zamzam Abdiwali Ahmed
Jordan Elizabeth Anderson
Jeena Devi Arnachellum
Ellary Henslin Asche
Jasmin C Avalos
Amber M Backus
Kelsey Karin Bank
Alyssa Marie Bielawski
Raeanne Marie Block
Ali Janalle Bodin
Christopher A Brendemuhl
Nicole Wehling Brooks
Sarah Nichole Brueggen
Asmaa Hassen Burhan
Bailey Lynn Cahill
Melinda Mishael Degroot
Melisa L Devlin
Onoma Rebecca Ejiya
Ashley Ellingson
Shauna Rae Fenske
Sarah Emily Friedman
Kristen Carol Fuller
Greer L Gentry Jr
Emily Anne Haffley
Shannon Mary Haley
Brittany Ann Hanson
Alexandra J Hawes
Quala Her
Dawn Marie Holmen
Kellie Marie Holt
Emily Ngoc Huynh
Seanna S Irvin-Anderson
Leah M Jackson
Veronica Lee Jasperson
Annie Kathryn Johansson
Alea Joy Johnson
Alexandra Marie Katopodis
Colleen L Kelly
Katie Marie Kelly
Lisa Anne Kenward
Emily Ruth Ketcham
Valerie Keye Klingberg
La Kong
Megan Ann Labarbera
Debbie Sokheun Lay
Pa Nhia Lee
Valerie Mikel Lewis
Nicole Lucie Limper
Hannah Christina Ludens
Kiara M Malone
Chelsea Mcfarren
Samrawit K Mekonnen
Rahma Mahmoud Mohamed
Laurel Elaine Molin
Ena Moua
Michelle Anne Murdock
Paris Milan Nolan
Crystal Marie OConnor
Akudo Gail Omeoga
Tetyana Pashko
Talia Vanessa Picotte
Taheliz Rivera
Marcella Ann Romie
Callie Christine Rose
Johanna Jean Schell
Leah Claire Choi Smiley
Tanvi Kamlesh Sura
Selamawit Teffera
Heather Thao
Delgermend Tserendamba
Lee Vang
Nancy Vang
Rachel Wiens
Sonnie Tonia Williams
Chanel Monet Wright
Mor Xiong
Naking Xiong
Kao Song Yang
Xee Yang
Aurora Ray Zosel
Kinesiology director, faculty featured in Spring/Summer issue of Connect
The School of Kinesiology takes center stage in the Spring/Summer issue of Connect, CEHD’s alumni/faculty/staff magazine. Kinesiology director Li Li Ji is featured on the cover, and his key involvement in establishing the U.S.-China American Cultural Center for Sport, a partnership with the U of M China Center, the School of Kinesiology, and the Tianjin University of Sport in Tianjin, China. The grand opening and inauguration ceremony was held March 20 at Tianjin University of Sport and included dignitaries from China and the U.S. as well as the University of Minnesota, School of Kinesiology, and the Tucker Center. Read the full story here.
Also featured in Connect was Dr. Don Dengel, associate professor in exercise physiology, and his Study Abroad trip to London with 25 students last December to explore the impact of the Olympics on the city of London, the first city to host the games for the third time. Students visited venues from the previous games (1908 and 1948) as well as 2012 venues under construction. Go to http://www.cehd.umn.edu/Connect/2012Spring/Olympics.html to read the full story.
Vollum accepts boys basketball head coach position in Eagan
Matt Vollum, teaching specialist and coordinator of Kinesiology’s physical education and health licensure programs, and Kinesiology doctoral student in sport sociology, has been appointed boys basketball head coach for Eagan High School.
Vollum was head coach at Bloomington Kennedy High School from 2002-2009, where he coached the boys basketball team to the 2008 state Class 4A tournament. The team made it to the quarterfinals where it lost to Minnetonka, the eventual state champion.
Congratulations, Matt!
Ji awarded Grant-in-Aid by Office of the Vice President for Research
The University’s Office of the Vice President for Research has awarded Li Li Ji, Ph.D., professor and director of the School of Kinesiology, a University Grant-in-Aid of Research, Artistry, and Scholarship effective July 1, 2012, through January 15, 2014, for his work titled “Efficacy of in vivo PGC-1α Transfection in Protecting Against Muscle Disuse Atrophy.”
This grant will suport an investigation using mice as a model on how local injection of a DNA binding protein called PGC-1α would improve recovery of hindlimb muscle from immobilization due to banding. Preliminary work indicates this nuclear cofactor enhances energy production, antioxidant defense and suppresses inflammatory response, and thus facilitates recovery.
Buysse will travel to France for site visit and to explore possible collaborations
Dr. Jo Ann Buysse, sport management undergraduate coordinator and lecturer in Kinesiology, will be in France beginning May 20 with U of M Learning Abroad staff to observe 12 U of M students attending a Learning Abroad course on Sport and Culture in France at the University of Montpellier. Nearly all the students attending are Kinesiology or Recreation, Park, and Leisure Studies undergraduates. The students will travel to see the European X Games and meet with Team Handball players. Dr. Buysse will also visit the AMOS School of Sport Business in Paris to discuss possible collaborations between the U of M and AMOS.
Ross interviewed on naming rights for proposed Vikings stadium
Dr. Stephen Ross, director of undergraduate studies and associate professor of sport management in the School of Kinesiology, was interviewed this week by Tom Lyden of Fox 9 News on naming rights of the newly proposed Vikings stadium.
In the interview, Ross discusses the importance of team success on the field, the future value of the Vikings naming rights, and the role of the economy in the costs of naming rights.
To read more, go to this link:
http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/story/18435687/future-vikings-stadium-name-comes-with-high-expectations
Dengel publishes with UROP student, former PhD advisee
Dr. Don Dengel, associate professor in Kinesiology, has two recent publications:
1. Polgreen LE, Petryk A, Dietz AC, Sinaiko AR, Leisenring W, Goodman P, Steffen L, Perkins JL, Dengel DR, Baker KS, & Steinberger J: Modifiable risk factors associated with bone deficits in childhood cancer survivors. BMC Pediatrics, 12:40, 2012.
2. Lou X, Templeton DL, John R, & Dengel DR: Effects of continuous flow left ventricular assist device support on microvascular endothelial function. Journal of Cardiovascular Translational, 5(3):345-350, 2012.
Ms. Lou, the first author, is a former UROP student who worked with Dr. Dengel on her research project. Dr. Danielle Templeton is a 2010 PhD graduate of Kinesiology and advisee of Dr. Dengel.
Mano a Mano Collaboration and Partnership Develops
Family Social Science faculty and graduate students came together with representatives from Mano a Mano International Partners for a two-day workshop on April 27-28 to collaborate on developing an evaluation plan for Mano a Mano’s economic development programs in rural Bolivia.
Mano a Mano works on infrastructure building in Bolivia, helping rural and often hard to access towns construct and maintain water reservoirs, health centers, and schools to improve the residents’ economic well-being.
During the collaboration workshop, a logic model was developed to aid in measuring human elements of the work being done, and gain a concrete understanding of how social capital is being developed. The results will be important not only for Mano a Mano and the communities in which it works, but also for government and community leaders.
Dr. Cathy Solheim and Dr. Tai Mendenhall have been working with Mano a Mano to develop a partnership over the last year. In the next year, the project will be incorporated into Dr. Solheim’s course, taught with Dr. Liz Weiling, on refugee and immigrant families.
“We hope to do field work next summer in Bolivia,” said Dr. Solheim. “Working with Mano a Mano on-site will help us further understand the work being done, and integrate it into our collaboration.”
The collaboration also reached beyond Family Social Science, with three graduate students from the Humphrey School of Public Affairs’ Master of Development Practice (MDP) program attending the collaboration workshop.
Grad students launch The Hoarding Project, international study on behavior
Hoarding practices have been sensationalized by the media and television shows, but two Family Social Science graduate students see deeper issues involving trauma, grief, and loss, and have launched an international study to discover more and help people who hoard and their families.
In 2009, Jennifer Sampson conducted interviews about hoarding behavior. She noticed a lot of people spoke about experiences in terms of grief and loss, and contacted Janet Yeats. Yeats has experience in dealing with trauma and ambiguous loss. Together, they created The Hoarding Project to better understand and have a discussion about the connection between hoarding behavior and trauma.
They organized a six week psychoeducational support group for family members of people who hoard. The eight group members were given time to talk to each other in a support group format about their experiences surrounding compulsive hoarding behavior.
“Ambiguous loss theory turned out to be a good way to describe the relationship between people who hoard and their family members,” said Yeats.
Ambiguous loss theory was developed by Family Social Science professor emeritus Pauline Boss, and can occur in two main types: when there is physical absence and psychological presence–as when there is no body to bury–or when there is physical presence and psychological absence–as in cases of dementia, addictions, or other chronic illness.
“The current treatment for people who hoard is based on the individual,” said Sampson, “while we feel that focusing on the whole family, with correct information about hoarding that is based in research, will be much more effective.”
Sampson and Yeats are recruiting adults to take part in an online survey to gather information for further research. Both people who hoard and their family members are encouraged to participate. Issues such as mental illness, attachment relationships, and unresolved trauma and loss will be examined to better understand how they affect hoarding behavior.
The project has provided aftercare to some individuals featured on TV shows that show hoarding, but Sampson and Yeats said that those cases are often extreme and sensationalized.
“Hoarding involves four factors – excessive acquisition, difficulty discarding items, clutter, and distress – but hoarding itself is a spectrum,” said Sampson. “Not everyone who hoards lives in a junk house.”
“Hoarding shows often feature emergency situations, where an individual is facing eviction or property loss, and have time constraints,” said Yeats. “Because things move so fast, the experience can be even more traumatizing.”
The Hoarding Project plans on focusing on the entire family, and will offer education and training to professionals, media affiliates, and members of the public. Learn more at thehoardingproject.org.
Dr. Shonda Craft appointed to MN MFT Board by Gov. Dayton
Dr. Shonda Craft, assistant professor of Family Social Science, was appointed by Governor Mark Dayton to the Minnesota Board of Marriage and Family Therapy. Dr. Craft will serve as the Higher Education Representative to the board, and her term is through January 2016.
Veronica Deenanath receives WPLC award
Family Social Science graduate student Veronica Deenanath has been selected to receive a $500 award from the Women’s Philanthropic Leadership Circle. Deenanath’s academic achievements, community involvement, leadership, and passion for her professional career all factored into the Circle’s decision.