View the 2020 Celebration of Professional Scholarship, Grants and Sabbaticals
Sabbaticals
Derek Lyons, associate professor of chemistry and physics and Forum Director, conducted research focused on improving the tracking of Genetically Modified Organism-free food.
David Olsgaard, professor of physics, co-chair of the department of chemistry and physics, director of the dual-degree engineering program and advisor of the Sigma Pi Sigma Physics Honor Society, divided time between two projects involving light and laser spectroscopy. The first objective was to work with students to build a quantum optics laboratory at Simpson College capable of performing advanced experiments and research in modern quantum optics. The second was to work with students on continuing experiments in atomic-collision spectroscopy.
Promotions
Heidi Berger, associate professor of mathematics, was promoted to full professor.
Lindsay Ditzler, assistant professor of chemistry & physics and co-director of undergraduate research, was awarded tenure and promoted to associate professor.
Mike Eckerty, associate professor of music and director of instrumental ensembles/bassoon was promoted to full professor.
Marcy Hahn, assistant professor of teacher education and director of graduate teacher education programs, was awarded tenure and promoted to associate professor.
Denise Leifker, assistant professor of criminal justice and director of master of arts in criminal justice, was awarded tenure and promoted to associate professor (2019).
Kate Lerseth, associate professor of teacher education and director of faculty development, was promoted to full professor.
Clint Meyer, associate professor of biology and environmental science and co-director of undergraduate research, was promoted to full professor.
Chad Timm, professor of education and chair of the department of teacher education, was awarded tenure.
Nicolle Whalen, associate professor of exercise science and chair of the department of sport science and health education, was promoted to full professor.
Awards and Honors
Simpson College Awards 2018-19
Judy Walden, professor of history and director of the women's and gender studies program, won the Distinguished Teacher Award.
Allison Wolf, professor of philosophy, won the Distinguished Research Award.
Jesse Wilcox, assistant professor of STEM education, won the Distinguished Junior Faculty Award.
Amy Doling, professor of biology and co-chair of the department of biology, won the Campus Leadership Award.
Sharon Wilkinson, West Des Moines Campus Director and academic advisor, won the Exemplary Teacher Award.
Outside Awards
Maeve Callan, associate professor of religion, won the 2019 American Society for Irish Medieval Studies and Four Courts Press Michael Adams Prize for Best Academic Paper in Irish Medieval Studies for the article "Making Monsters out of One Another in the Early Fourteenth-Century British Isles."
Laura Cesarco Eglin, assistant professor of Spanish, world language and culture studies, won the 2019 Best Translated Book Award in Poetry for "Of Death. Minimal Odes" by Hilda Hilst (co.im.press).
Katie Smith, assistant professor of sport science and health education and co-director of the Undergraduate Research and Creativity Symposium, was named the Student Support Services Faculty of the Year.
Jesse Wilcox, assistant professor of STEM education, won the Distinguished Science Teaching Award from the Iowa Academy of Sciences.
Rich Ramos, associate dean of students, was recognized with the National Association for Campus Activities Foundation Legacy Honor.
Internal Grants
Laura Cesarco Eglin, assistant professor of Spanish, world language and culture studies, and Molly Tun, assistant professor of Spanish, world language and culture studies, received the Simpson Urban Studies Institute (SUSI) Grant (2019), for the project Simpson College Meets the Spanish-Speaking Community in Des Moines.
Denise Leifker, assistant professor of criminal justice and director of master of arts in criminal justice, received the Simpson Urban Studies Institute (SUSI) Grant (2019).
Derek Lyons, associate professor of chemistry and physics and forum director, received a $2,000 Research, Scholarship and Creativity Grant for improving food safety through nanoparticle-based toxin detection.
Jackie Brittingham, professor of biology and chair of the division of natural science, received a $2,000 Research, Scholarship and Creativity Grant for video microscopy for zebrafish neurodevelopment research.
JJ Butts, associate professor of English, received a $2,000 Research, Scholarship and Creativity Grant for archival research on Ann Petry and Federal Writers' Project.
David Olsgaard, professor of physics and co-chair of the department of chemistry and physics, received a $2,000 Research, Scholarship and Creativity Grant to purchase four Single Photon Counting Modules. This grant was in support of a spring 2019 sabbatical project to develop a quantum optics laboratory.
Aswati Subramanian, associate professor of biology, received a $2,000 Research, Scholarship and Creativity Grant for her request titled "Swimming Behavior of Tetrahymena Cells Using High-Speed Video Microscopy."
Ross Sweet, assistant professor of mathematics, and Katherine Vance, assistant professor of mathematics, received a joint $3,000 Research, Scholarship and Creativity Grant for their request titled "Developing Data Science Expertise."
Jesse Wilcox, assistant professor of teacher education, received a $2,000 Research, Scholarship and Creativity Grant for exploring the impacts of STEM education research experience on pre-service teachers.
John Pauley, professor of philosophy, head of the division of humanities, chair of the department of world language and culture studies and chair of the department of philosophy, received a $2,000 Research, Scholarship and Creativity Grant for "Essays and Presentations on Ecology: Aesthetic and Scientific." He will present papers at University College in Dublin and The Irish National University at Galway. He also has a paper accepted at the Arts in Society 15th Annual International Conference sponsored by the Arts in Society Research Network and The Irish National University at Galway.
Aswati Subramanian, associate professor of biology, received a $500 Course Development and Enhancement Grant for a lab class for a pre-existing cell biology course.
Katrina Cummings, assistant professor of teacher education, received a Team Grant for her request titled "Teacher Wellbeing."
Nick Proctor, professor of history, received a Course Development Grant to modify games to reflect more diverse players.
Barb Ramos, professor of education and chair of the department of education, received a Course Development Grant for a class in special education.
Katie Smith, assistant professor of sport science and health education and co-director of the Undergraduate Research and Creativity Symposium, received a Course Development Grant for "Promoting Awareness & Understanding of Body and Ethnic Diversity in Exercise Science Students." She also received a Startup Mico Grant for "Understanding the Impact of Gender Identification on Health Assessment Outcomes."
Aswati Subramanian, associate professor of biology, received a Course Development Grant to build awareness among students of diverse nature of scholarship.
Katie Smith, assistant professor of sport science and health education and co-director of the Undergraduate Research and Creativity Symposium, received a $500 Exigency Grant.
Kelly Swinton, assistant professor of accounting, received a $500 Exigency Grant.
Kedron Bardwell, professor of political science and chair of the department of political science, received a $200 May Term Grant.
External Grants
Dawn Barnes, former director of advancement and research and Clint Meyer, professor of biology and environmental science, received a grant from Corteva Agriscience.
Maeve Callan, associate professor of religion, received an Interfaith Youth Core Advancing Interfaith Excellence Grant (co-directing with Seth Andersen). She was also a participant in an Arthur Vinning Davis Grant awarded to Tim Knepper of Drake University focusing on interfaith leadership with her specific focus on religious diversity training in the workplace.
Nick Proctor, professor of history, received a grant from the Reacing Consortium to travel to the Somulkuota 2020 Conference in Tempere, Finland in April.
Katie Smith, assistant professor of sport science and health education and co-director of the Undergraduate Research and Creativity Symposium, received the Interfaith Youth Council: Curriculum Development Grant Summer 2019.
Aswati Subramanian, assistant professor of biology, received the Iowa Science Foundation Grant.
TRIO-Student Support Services received NEFE/CashCourse Financial Literacy Grants for Fall 2019 and Spring 2020. The office also received an NASPA/COE First-Generation Day Celebration Grant, Fall 2019.
Nicolle Whalen, associate professor of exercise science and chair of the department of sport science and health education, received an NCAA Division III Ethnic Minority and Women's Internship Grant along with Bob Nutgrass, director of athletics, and Michelle Johnson.
Jesse Wilcox, assistant professor of teacher education. received the Project First S.T.E.P.S.: STEM Teaching-units for Elementary Physical Science. Submitted to the Iowa Science Foundation. Funded at $5,000.
Publications
Journal or Newspaper Articles
Heidi Berger, associate professor of mathematics:
- Joslyn, N., Bilbo, A., Arndt, J., Berger, H., & Joslyn, M. (2020). Distance traveled to polling locations: Are travel costs imposed equally on party members?. The Social Science Journal, 57(1), 14-25.
- Joslyn, N., Berger, H., & Skotko, B. G. (2020). Geospatial Analyses of Accessibility to Down Syndrome Specialty Care. The Journal of Pediatrics, 218, 146-150.
- Berger, H., Meyer, C. K., Mummert, A., Tirado, L., Saucedo, L., Bonello, H., ... & Williams, G. (2020). Land use dynamics within the tallgrass prairie ecosystem: the case for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). Theoretical Ecology, 1-12.
JJ Butts, associate professor of English:
- Co-authored with Central College's Joshua Dolezal the editorial “Free public college would hurt Iowa’s small, private schools." Des Moines Register. Dec. 9, 2019.
Maeve Callan, associate professor of religion:
- "Making Monsters Out of One Another in the Early Fourteenth-Century British Isles: The Irish Remonstrance, the Declaration of Arbroath, and the Anglo-Irish Counter-Remonstrance” Eolas 12 (2019): 43-63.
- "Conquest as Crusade: Ireland's Invasion and a Colonial Plea to the Papacy" Ireland and the Crusades. Edited by Paul Duffy, Four Courts Press, forthcoming.
Denise Leifker, assistant professor of criminal justice and director of the master of arts in criminal justice program:
- Blue Courage Process and Evaluation Report: “Blue Courage: A Report of the Iowa Immersion.” (2018)
Clint Meyer, associate professor of biology and environmental science, co-director of undergraduate research:
- Berger, H., C. K. Meyer, A. Mummert, L. Tirado, L. Saucedo, H. Longstreet, D. Van Arsdale, and G. Williams. In Revision. Compartmental model of land use dynamics within the Tallgrass Prairie ecosystem: the case for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). Theoretical Ecology.
Sal Meyers, professor of psychology:
- Meyers, S., Rowell, K., Wells, M., & Smith, B. C. (2019). Teacher empathy: A theoretical argument and call for research. College Teaching, 67(3), 160-168. doi: 10.1080/87567555.2019.1579699
John Pauley, professor of philosophy, head of the division of humanities, chair of the department of world language and culture studies and chair of the department of philosophy:
- Pauley, John. 2019. "Tragic Realism, Finitude, and Evil." The International Journal of Arts Theory and History 14 (3)
- Pauley, John. 2019. “The Conditions for Creativity in Conversation.” Culture and Dialogue 7 (1):5-30 (2019)
Rich Ramos, associate dean of students:
- “Showcase Selection: Mystery Solved." National Association for Campus Activities Programming Magazine
Gabrielle Rose-Curti, associate professor of art:
- Forthcoming: Gabrielle Rose-Curti, “Writing the French Sculptor: The Operations of Exclusivity in the Critical Discourse of Émile-Antoine Bourdelle, 1918-1931,” Word & Image (2020).
Jesse Wilcox, assistant professor of STEM education:
- Easter, J., Wilcox, J., & Hollister, E. (2019). Where Have the Birds Gone? Engineering solutions to authentic problems in the elementary science classroom. Science & Children. 57(4), 62-69.
- Wilcox, J., Kruse, J.W., and Voss, S. (2019). Rethinking Classic Engineering Activities: Embedding NGSS and natures of technology and engineering to improve student learning. Technology and Engineering Teacher. 79(2), 1-7.
- Kruse, J.W. & Wilcox, J. (2019). Blowing Up Demos: Making Demos More Effective. Science Scope. 42(11), 40-47.
- Clough, K., Kruse, J.W., & Wilcox, J. (2019). It’s Alive?!? Accurately modeling how science works using patterns in a kindergarten classroom. Science & Children. 56(8), 34-39.
- Wilcox, J., Klapprodt, M., Holub, J., & Van Buskirk, K. (2019). Balancing Engineering and Science Instruction: Teaching third-graders about balanced and unbalanced forces using an engineering task. Science & Children. 56(7), 58-63.
Books or Book Chapters
Rev. Mara Bailey, chaplain:
- Devotion published in Speaking Truth, released in February 2020 and published by Abingdon Press
Maeve Callan, associate professor of religion:
- Sacred Sisters: Gender, Sanctity, and Power in Medieval Ireland. Amsterdam University Press and the University of Chicago Press, 2020 (actually published November 2019).
- “Syneisaktism: Sacred Practice and Sinister Scandal.” In The Sacred and the Sinister: Studies in Medieval Religion and Magic. Ed. David Collins, S.J. Penn State University Press, 2019.
Laura Cesarco Eglin, assistant professor of Spanish, world language and culture studies:
- “El tiempo fracturado: la poética del tiempo en la poesía de Ida Vitale.” Mis razones: ensayos sobre mujeres poetas del Uruguay. Ed. Virginia Lucas. Biblioteca Nacional Uruguay, 2019: 223-234
Mimi Kammer, associate professor of theatre, women’s and gender studies faculty, co-chair of the Research and Creativity Symposium:
- “Greening the Curriculum: Introducing Ecocriticism and Ecodrama to Students” in Teaching Critical Performance Theory, ed. Jeanmarie Higgins, Routledge, 2020.
Clint Meyer, associate professor of biology and environmental science, co-director of undergraduate research:
- Clinton K. Meyer and Heidi Berger. In Press. An interdisciplinary course to engage first-year students in biomathematical research. Mathematical Themes in a First-Year Seminar, MAA Notes Series, Jennifer Schaefer, Jennifer Bowen, Mark Kozek, and Pamela Pierce editors.
Nick Proctor, professor of history:
- Two books at press due to be published in 2020 – one at WW Norton and another at the Reacting Consortium Press.
Reviews
JJ Butts, associate professor of English:
- Book Review. American Guides: The Federal Writers’ Project and the Casting of American Culture by Wendy Griswold. Prose Studies. 39.2-3 (2019).
Maeve Callan, associate professor of religion:
- MATTHEW GABRIELE and JAMES T. PALMER, eds., Apocalypse and Reform from Late Antiquity to the Middle Ages. London and New York: Routledge, 2019. Pp. x, 234; 3 tables. $150. ISBN: 978-1-138-68402-7. Reviewed in Speculum 95:1 (January 2020).
- Martin Browne OSB and Colmán Ó Clabaigh OSB, ed. Households of God: The regular canons and canonesses of St Augustine and of Prémontré in medieval Ireland, Four Courts Press, Dublin, 2019. €50, ISBN 978-1-84682-788-4, pp xix + 316 + 16 colour plates. For “The History of Women Religious in Britain and Ireland: An International Research Network.” February 2020.
Laura Cesarco-Eglin, assistant professor of Spanish, world language and culture studies (creative writing):
- Reborn in Ink / Volver en tinta. Trans. Catherine Jagoe and Jesse Lee Kercheval. Washington D.C.: The Word Works, 2019
- 4 poems in: Taken by Light: Anthology of Uruguayan Poetry on Place. Lavender Ink/Diálogos Press, 2019
- Several poems in the following magazines: Janus Head: Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies in Literature, Continental Philosophy, Phenomenological Psychology, and the Arts, Volume 16, Issue 3. Ink & Nebula, Winter 2019, Issue 5.
John Pauley, professor of philosophy, head of the division of humanities, chair of the department of world language and culture studies and chair of the department of philosophy:
- Peer reviewer for The International Journal of Arts Theory and History
Gabrielle Rose-Curti, associate professor of art:
- Review of A Dream and a Chisel: Louisiana Sculptor Angela Gregory in Paris, 1925-1928, by Angela Gregory and Nancy L. Penrose, Woman’s Art Journal vol. 40, no. 2 (Fall/Winter 2019): 49.
- Forthcoming: Review of Ruth Asawa: Life’s Work, Edited by Tamara K. Schenkenberg, Woman’s Art Journal, vol. 41, no. 1 (Spring/Summer 2020).
Molly Tun, assistant professor of Spanish, world language and culture studies:
- Tun, Molly. “Pablo Calvi, Latin American Adventures in Literary Journalism. Pittsburgh: University of Pittsburgh Press, 2019. Pp. Ix 276. ISBN 978-0-8229-4565-9. $45.00 (Hardback).” The British Journal for the History of Science, vol. 52, no. 4, 2019, pp. 723–725.
Other
Laura Cesarco Eglin, assistant professor of Spanish, world language and culture studies (translations):
- Poems from the Portuñol: Translations of Fabián Severo’s poetry (with Jesse Lee Kercheval), in the following magazines/journals: The New Yorker, Dec. 2, 2019 issue Asymptote, October 2019 Michigan Quarterly Review, Sumer 2019
- Book from English to Spanish: Miranda Maloney, M. Las cartas perdidas de Mileva. Yaugurú, 2019.
- Poems from Spanish: 2 poems by Ignacio Fernández de Palleja in Tupelo Quarterly 18, 2019.
- Poems from the Galician: several poems by Lara Dopazo Ruibal published in Waxwing Issue XX, Spring 2020
Sal Meyers, professor of psychology:
- Blog post "Teaching with Empathy" for the Graduate Student Teaching Association Blog, a resource associated with the Society for the Teaching of Psychology, Division Two of the American Psychological Association, June 2020.
Performances, Exhibitions and Recitals
Performances, Directing and Design
Bernard McDonald, associate professor of music and G. Dewey and M. Maine Larsen Chair in Opera, conducted Puccini’s Il tabarro for the Mobile Opera in Mobile, Alabama. He also served as vocal coach and collaborative pianist for Accademia Vocale Lorenzo Malfatti in Lucca, Italy. He also conducted the Summer Opera Gala for Opera Kelowna in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada.
Jennifer Ross Nostrala, professor of theatre arts, chair of the department of theatre arts and member of the women’s and gender studies faculty, directed Henrik Ibsen's A Doll’s House for the Iowa Stage Theatre Company.
Conferences and Presentations
Conference Presentations
JJ Butts, associate professor of English:
- Presented “New Deal Modernization and the Counter Modern Folk Vision of Hurston’s Moses Man of the Mountain” at the 31st Annual MELUS Conference in Cincinnati, Ohio, March 2019.
Laura Cesarco-Eglin, assistant professor of Spanish, world language and culture studies:
- Presented “Choosing ‘Latin America’” at the 52nd Annual North Central Council of Latin Americanists (NCCLA) Conference hosted by Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa, October 25-26, 2019.
- Co-organized a panel titled “Culture in the Classroom: Products, Practices, and Perspectives” at the Iowa World Language Association (IWLA) in Iowa City, Iowa, October 4-5, 2019.
- Attended the Symposium on Uruguayan Women Poetry at the University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa February 22, 2019.
Shane Cox, associate professor of accounting:
- Participated at the 2019 Annual National Conference on Race and Ethnicity in American Higher Education (NCORE) in Portland, Oregon, May 2019
- Participated in the 2019 NASWA Veterans Conference in Washington, DC, August 2019
Lynne Jensen, director of information technology services:
- Hosted a roundtable at the Iowa Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (IAICU) Information Technology Conference at Drake University in May 2019
- Attended the Midwest Ellucian Client Association (MECA) Conference at Grinnell University in October 2019
Denise Leifker, assistant professor of criminal justice and director of the master of criminal justice program:
- Presented "What Can We Learn from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Smart Suite Programs: A Call to Action" at the Iowa Attorney General’s Office Victim Justice Symposium in Des Moines, Iowa, 2018
- Presented "Learning Through Serving: A New Venture" at the American Society of Criminology in Atlanta, Georgia, 2018
Sal Meyers, professor of psychology:
- Presented with Smith, B.C. the interactive session "Equipping students to overcome challenges" at the Lilly Conference on College and University Teaching in Bethesda, Maryland, May 2019
- Presented the interactive session "Equipping students to overcome challenges" at the Lilly Conference on College and University Teaching in Austin, Texas, January 2019.
- Presented the online session "Strengthening Students' Willpower by Teaching Self-Control Strategies" at the Lilly Conference on Designing Effective Teaching, Spring 2020.
John Pauley, professor of philosophy, head of the division of humanities, chair of the department of world language and culture studies and chair of the department of philosophy:
- Presented "Narrative Art, Evil and Insanity: Madness and Ecological Explanation" at the 14th annual Arts in Society International Conference hosted by Lisbon Polytechnic University, Lisbon Portugal, June 20, 2019.
Nick Proctor, professor of history
- Presented “Teaching with Reacting to the Past” at a faculty development event at Georgia State University, 2019.
- Presented “Teaching with Reacting to the Past,” at a faculty development event at Augusta University, 2019.
Barb Ramos, professor of education and chair of the department of education:
- Chosen to present "But I'm Not a Counselor" at the National Academic Advising Association Region 6 Conference in Iowa City, Iowa, April 2020. In-person conference canceled due to COVID-19.
Rich Ramos, associate dean of students:
- Presented “Behind the Curtain: Best Practices for Submitting Showcase Applications” at the National Association for Campus Activities National Convention.
- Presented “Professional to Professional Real Talk” at the National Association for Campus Activities Northern Plains Region.
- Presented “How to Get the Most Out of Your Showcase Submission” at the National Association for Campus Activities Northern Plains Region.
Gabrielle Rose-Curti, associate professor of art:
- Presented "What Can We Learn from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Smart Suite Programs: A Call to Action" at the Iowa Attorney General’s Office Victim Justice Symposium in Des Moines, Iowa, 2018
Katie Smith, assistant professor of sport science and health education and co-director of the Undergraduate Research and Creativity Symposium:
- Presented with health and exercise science student Ashlee Litterer "A Place at the Table for Intuitive Eating in HELLP Syndrome" at the International Maternal & Child Health Conference in Portugal, November 2019.
- Presented with Stanforth D and Betz, H a colloquium oral session "Educator’s Colloquium: Standing on the Shoulders of Giants" at the ACSM Annual Meeting in Orlando, Florida, May 2019
Molly Tun, assistant professor of Spanish, world language and culture studies
- Presented “The Case of the Costa Rican Quipu” at the North Central Council of Latin Americanists Conference hosted by Simpson College, 2019.
- Presented with Laura Cesarco Eglin “Culture in the Classrooms: Products, Practices, and Perspectives” at the Iowa World Language Association Conference: Biliteracy and Beyond hosted by the University of Iowa, 2019.
- Presented with Ana Patricia Vásquez Hernández "El Quipu censal de la comunidad indígena bribri de Costa Rica" at the 2nd Latin American Meeting of Ethnomathematics hosted by the University of Costa Rica, 2019.
Katherine Vance, assistant professor of mathematics:
- Presented “Random Grid Diagrams” at the Iowa MAA Sectional Meeting hosted by Dordt University, October 25, 2019.
Jesse Wilcox, assistant professor of STEM education:
- Presented with Miller, S., Patel, N., & Kruse, J.W. "Preservice Science Teachers as Science Education Researchers: Investigating participant perspectives" at the School Science and Mathematics National Conference, Salt Lake City, Utah, November 2019.
- Presented with Christensen, B., Ward, N., Kruse, J.W., Roberts, K., & Porter, C. "Exploring Mathematicians’ Views of Nature of Mathematics" at the School Science and Mathematics National Conference, Salt Lake City, Utah, November 2019.
- Presented with Scogin, S., Lyons, L., Miller, S., & Kruse, J.W. "How to Facilitate Effective Undergraduate Research Experiences in STEM" at the School Science and Mathematics National Conference, Salt Lake City, Utah, November 2019.
- Presented with Edgerly, H. & Kruse, J.W. the paper "Investigating In-service Elementary Teachers’ Nature of Science (NOS) Implementation" at the North-Central Association for Science Teacher Education Conference in St. Paul, Minnesota, October 2019.
- Presented with Easter, J. & Kruse, J.W. the paper "Improving the Domain-General Epistemological Beliefs of Middle-Level Science Students" at the North-Central Association for Science Teacher Education Conference in St. Paul, Minnesota, October 2019.
- Presented with Easter, J. "Teaching Epistemological Beliefs: Helping students learn how to learn" at the North-Central Association for Science Teacher Education Conference in St. Paul, Minnesota, October 2019.
- Presented with Patel, N. & Kruse, J.W. the paper "Helping Elementary Pre-Service Teachers Teach Science Through a Highly Supported Field Experience Model. at the North-Central Association for Science Teacher Education Conference in St. Paul, Minnesota, October 2019.
- Presented with Roberts, K., & Bahnson, A. "Engaging Urban and Suburban Students in Nature Using Place-based Learning" at the Iowa Science Teachers Section Conference in Ankeny, Iowa, October 2019.
- Presented with Nolting, S., Moore, N., & Grenko, M. "Shining a Light on Elementary Inquiry Experiences" at the Iowa Science Teachers Section Conference in Ankeny, Iowa, October 2019.
- Presented with Wilson, K., & Morrett, R. "Growing STEM in the Community: Planning a STEM Festival" at the Iowa Governor’s Future Ready Iowa Summit in Des Moines, IA, April 2019.
- Presented with Kruse, J.W. "Going Beyond 3D with the Natures of STEM" at the National Science Teachers Association Conference in St. Louis, Missouri, April 2019. Presented with Kruse, J.W. & Easter, J.M."Using Science and STEM to Help Students Learn How to Learn" at the National Science Teachers Association Conference in St. Louis, Missouri, April 2019.
- Presented with Farnsworth, A. "You Started with a Phenomenon! Now What?" at the National Science Teachers Association Conference in St. Louis, Missouri, April 2019.
- Presented with Edgerly, H. & Easter, J. "Creating a Positive Feedback Culture: Practical ideas for providing effective feedback" at the National Science Teachers Association Conference in St. Louis, Missouri, April 2019.
- Presented with Carman, K. "What about Cross-cutting Concepts? How to make the CCCs explicit in your science lessons" at the National Science Teachers Association Conference in St. Louis, Missouri, April 2019.
- Presented with Kruse, J.W. & Decker, S. "Exploring the STEM Landscape: Helping students reflect on science, engineering, and math practices" at the National Science Teachers Association Conference in St. Louis, Missouri, April 2019.
- Presented with Chibnall, D. & Willeford, S. "Astronomy that Makes Sense: Helping students hear and feel the cosmos" at the National Science Teachers Association Conference in St. Louis, Missouri, April 2019.
- Presented with Kruse, J.W., Menke, L., Schank, M., Klocke, M., & Holub, J. the paper "Elementary Teachers’ Learning of NGSS-related Physical Science" at the Association for Science Teacher Education International Conference in Savannah, Georgia, January 2019.
Seminars, Workshops and Roundtables
Maeve Callan, associate professor of religion:
- Attended the Pluralism Project's “Convening on the Case Study Method” hosted by Harvard University, January 2019.
- Attended “Interreligious Studies and the Holocaust: New Research, New Conversations” at The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C., July 2019.
Sal Meyers, professor of psychology:
- Presented with Smith, B. C. the roundtable session "What’s in your teaching toolbox? Learning activities for any course" at the Lilly Conference on College and University Teaching in Bethesda, Maryland, May 2019.
- Presented with Rowell, K., Wells, M. & Smith, B. the nonconference workshop "Modeling teacher empathy in the college classroom to increase student success." at the Original Lilly Conference on College Teaching in Oxford, Ohio, November 2019.
Nick Proctor, professor of history:
- Presented “World History and Reacting to the Past” at the History for the 21st Century Conference hosted by San Francisco State University, 2019.
- Facilitated “Chicago, 1968” at the two-day workshop RTTP Summer Institute hosted by Barnard College, 2019.
- Facilitated “Reacting to the Past and OER Design” at the three-day workshop for Affordable Learning Georgia, RTTP Winter Institute hosted by the University of Georgia, 2019.
Katie Smith, assistant professor of sport science and health education and co-director of the Undergraduate Research and Creativity Symposium
- Participated at the Weight Neutral for Diabetes Care Symposium – July 2019
- Participated at Undeniably Dairy by the Midwest Dairy Association in Chicago, Illinois, September 2019.
Molly Tun, assistant professor of Spanish, world language and culture studies:
- Presented “Research and Conversations” at the Romance Languages Departmental Meeting, St. Olaf College, March 4
Katherine Vance, assistant professor of mathematics:
- Co-organized Iowa Project NExT Workshop, October 25, 2019
- Led roundtable discussion on elements of mastery-based/standards grading in calculus and other courses (as part of Iowa NExT)
Jesse Wilcox, assistant professor of STEM education:
- Presented roundtable discussion "Effective Assessment Practices in Science Methods Classes" at the North-Central Association for Science Teacher Education Conference, St. Paul, Minnesota, October 2019.
Jay Wilkinson, director of international education
- Selected by application to participate in the Fullbright-Nehru International Education Administrators Seminar to India in March 2020.
Poster Presentations
John Pauley, professor of philosophy, head of the division of humanities, chair of the department of world language and culture studies and chair of the department of philosophy:
- Presented with Meyer, C. K. "The Palmer Project: Interdisciplinary Research on the Spread of Invasive Weeds and Herbicide Resistance" at the Technology and Innovation Showcase hosted by the Emerge Foundation at Simpson College, Indianola, Iowa, 2019.
- Presented with Riley, R. & C. K. Meyer "Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus Palmeri) germination in established ditch vegetation" to the Iowa Corn Grower’s Association in Urbandale, Iowa, 2019.
Sal Meyers, professor of psychology:
- Presented with King, R., Lehr, R., Mason, S. & McCollum, K. "Syllabus policies’ effects on student perceptions of teacher empathy" at the Affiliated Meeting of the Society for the Teaching of Psychology at the 91st annual meeting of the Midwestern Psychological Association, Chicago, Illinois, April 2019.
- Presented with Smith, B. (2019, February). "Increasing students’ willingness to revise papers while minimizing negative emotions" at the 20th annual meeting of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, Portland, Oregon, February 2019.
- Presented with Smith, B. "Teacher empathy: Understanding students’ personal and social situations" at the Society for the Teaching of Psychology SPSP Preconference, Portland, Oregon, February 2019.
- Presented with Smith, B. "It’s in the syllabus: Policies’ effects on student perceptions of teacher empathy" at the 20th annual meeting of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, Portland, Oregon, February 2019.
Jay Wilkinson, director of international education
- Presented “Fulbright International Education Administrator Seminars: What, Where, When, How, and Why?” at the Iowa International Education Conference in Des Moines, Iowa, April 25, 2019.
Guest Lectures and Invited Talks
Maeve Callan, associate professor of religion:
- Presented “World Religions,” a five-week series of talks at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Des Moines, Iowa Spring 2019.
- Presented “Heretics Are Our Heritage” at the Des Moines European Heritage Association, October 2019.
- Presented on medieval women mystics and Irish saints as part of a three-week series at St. John's Lutheran Church, Des Moines, Iowa, Spring 2020.
- Presented with Louis Crall on the issue of religious diversity training in the workplace at the American Academy of Religion's Annual Meetin in San Diego, November 2019.
Laura Cesarco Eglin, assistant professor of Spanish, world language and culture studies:
- Featured reader at Poetry Night hosted by Washington and Lee University, November 7, 2019.
- Visiting poet at Georgetown University’s Center for Jewish Civilization, April 15, 2019.
- Reader at the Des Moines Area Community College Celebration of the Literary Arts, April 9, 2019.
- Guest translator, 4W at the International Women Collective Translation Project hosted by the University of Wisconsin-Madison, November 20, 2019.
- Read "Another Voice Sings: Uruguayan Women Poets" at the Arts and Literature Laboratory in Madison, Wisconsin, November 20, 2019.
- Read "Cerrá y vamos" at McNally Jackson Books in New York, November 22, 2019.
- Read "Reading in the Prairie" at the Marshalltown Public Library in Marshalltown, Iowa, June 7, 2019.
- Poetry Karaoke (for National Poetry Month) with Jennifer L. Knox, Paul Brooke, and Kyle McCord at Beaverdale Books in Des Moines, Iowa, April 16, 2019.
- Presented "Reborn in Ink" with Jesse Lee Kercheval at Room of One’s Own in Madison, Wisconsin, April 12, 2019.
- Read "Of Death," a Minimal Odes book presentation at Innisfree Poetry Bookstore and Cafe in Boulder, Colo, March 12, 2019.
- Reading with Casey Knott at Plot Twist Bookstore in Ankeny, Iowa, February 8, 2019.
- Reading with Kyle McCord at Beaverdale Books, Des Moines, Iowa, February 2, 2019.
Clint Meyer, associate professor of biology and environmental science, co-director of undergraduate research:
- Presented with J. Pauley "The Palmer Project: Interdisciplinary Research on the Spread of Invasive Weeds and Herbicide Resistance" at the Technology and Innovation Showcase hosted by the Emerge Foundation at Simpson College, Indianola, Iowa, 2019.
- Presented with Riley, R. & J. Pauley "Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus Palmeri) germination in established ditch vegetation" to the Iowa Corn Grower’s Association, 2019.
Nick Proctor, professor of history
- Presented the keynote “Reacting: A Laboratory for Citizenship” at the RTTP Summer Institute hosted by Barnard College, 2019.
Aswati Subramanian, assistant professor of biology
- Presented research work at the Friday Research Seminar Series hosted by Des Moines University, Des Moines, Iowa, March 15, 2019.
Webinars, Podcasts and Online Presentations
Nick Proctor, professor of history:
Facilitated workshop for international faculty "Art in Paris with Zoom and Slack"
Rich Ramos, associate dean of students:
- Panelist for the NACA Live Business webinar at the National Association for Campus Activities.
Molly Tun, assistant professor of Spanish, world language and culture studies:
- Moderated the Latin America Conversations Series “A video conference with expert witness of asylum cases from Central America and author of ‘Political Refugees from El Salvador: Gang Politics, The State & Asylum Claims’ Patrick McNamara," November 15.
Professional Service
Advisory Roles
Heidi Berger, associate professor of mathematics:
- Served as the principal investigator on the Carver Bridge to STEM Success Program, a five-year program concluding in Spring 2020 that supported 21 students to pursue STEM degrees at Simpson College.
Shane Cox, associate professor of accounting
- Advisor, DMACC Accounting Advisory Board.
Mimi Kammer, associate professor of theatre, women’s and gender studies faculty, co-chair of the Research and Creativity Symposium:
- Reviewer, Performing Ethos: An International Journal of Ethics in Theatre and Performance, 2019-20.
Marilyn Mueller, professor of management:
- Curriculum Chair and member of Board of Directors for Leadership Iowa University, which is part of the Iowa Association for Business and Industry.
Rich Ramos, associate dean of students
- Student Activities External Program Reviewer, St. John’s University & The College of St. Benedict.
- Graduate Student Mentor, National Association for Campus Activities Northern Plains Region.
Katie Smith, assistant professor of sport science and health education and co-director of the Undergraduate Research and Creativity Symposium:
- Invited to the External Advisory Board for the newly developed Dietetic Internship at Northwest Missouri State University.
Special Appointments
Laura Cesarco Eglin, assistant professor of Spanish, world language and culture studies:
- Fifth year as co-founding editor/publisher of Veliz Books, independent literary press.
Mimi Kammer, associate professor of theatre, women’s and gender studies faculty and co-chair of the Research and Creativity Symposium:
- Invited Mentor – Statera Arts Mentorship Program, 2019.
Sal Meyers, professor of psychology:
- Invited to serve as one of eight Lilly Ambassadors for the Lilly Conference on Designing Effective Teaching, 2020.
John Pauley, professor of philosophy, head of the division of humanities, chair of the department of world language and culture studies and chair of the department of philosophy
- Editor-In-Chief, Janus Head: International Journal of Continental Philosophy, Phenomenological Psychology, Literature and Art.
Rich Ramos, associate dean of students
- National Joint E-Sports Task Force, National Association for Campus Activities & National Intramural and Recreational Sports Association.
Other
Marilyn Mueller, professor of management
- Co-authored with John Walker a Feasibility Study for an Economic Development Project for Country of Kosovo and City of Norwalk.
Katherine Vance, assistant professor of mathematics
- Iowa Section NExT Steering Committee (2018-2021)