Tim Armstrong, Ph.D., professor of biology; Chayan Lahiri, Ph.D., assistant professor of geoscience; and Adams State alumni Wyatt Moran, Brett Fuller, Jose Mix, Tyler Cerny and Erika Ibarra-Garibay had their research article “Wildlife visitation at abandoned mines” published in The Journal of Wildlife Management in Jan. 2022.
Armstrong was recently contacted by a freelance reporter Ian Rose to write an article for The Scientist magazine on this research project.
Margaret Doell, M.F.A., associate vice president of academic affairs, will exhibit “Tree & Pond: Changing Seasons & Light” iPhone photographs, from March 7 through April 15 in the Hatfield Gallery, located in the Visual Art Building. An opening reception is scheduled from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. Friday, March 11. Gallery hours are 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Jeff Elison, Ph.D., professor of psychology, was on the Charles Schwab Choiceology podcast (Season 7, Episode 3, April, 2021) – psychology and decisions about risk based on a nearly fatal fall Elison took a few years ago.
Elison was interviewed for Health magazine about psychology and rock climbing (to be published in June, 2022)
Renae Haslett, Extended Studies program director; Shania Maestas, Extended Studies student advisor/recruiter; and Russell Shawcroft, assistant director of scholarships and recruitment, were recognized by the Upper Rio Grande School District. According to the Del Norte Prospector, Feb. 8, 2022: Renae Haslett always goes above and beyond to get students interested in taking Concurrent Enrollment courses through Adams State University. She is willing to come in and present whenever is needed and always with a smile on her face.
Shania Maestas has been a wonderful asset when collaborating for the Concurrent Enrollment program here at Del Norte High School. She has helped come in and administer the English Placement Exam and is always patient when waiting on paperwork. She handles things promptly and it is appreciated.
Russell Shawcroft has been working with students at Del Norte High School for five years, helping them with Financial Aid and Scholarships, no matter the college/university the student plans on attending. He dedicates his time to attending FAFSA Night events helping parents and students fill out FASFA forms. Whenever there is a question regarding scholarships and FASFA people can turn to Shawcroft, and he will know the answer. He is energetic, knowledgeable, and engaging.
Curt Howell, M.Ed., assistant professor and program coordinator Outdoor Education and Stewardship, and Shane Callahan, Ph.D., ePortfolio coordinator and part-time philosophy professor, gathered data to inform the institution on what ePortfolio platform we should choose. Our findings resulted in a publishable study, “Does the ePortfolio Platform Matter? A Focus on Student Choice, Preference, Motivation, and Learning Alliance at a Hispanic Serving Institution,” in the International Journal of ePortfolio. Howell noted valuable input from Renee Beeton, Ph.D., former Title X coordinator, and Leslie Alvarez, Ph.D., former psychology professor.
Melinda Leoce, assistant professor of percussion and music business, was recently hired to write the front ensemble percussion parts for the Jubal Drum and Bugle Corps based in Dordrecht, The Netherlands. Jubal is a high-level marching organization and has won multiple European titles. In September of 2022, Leoce will head to Dordrecht to work with the members of Jubal and see the finished product during their finals competition.
Tracey L. Robinson, Ph.D., professor of kinesiology, was re-elected to the Rocky Mountain American College of Sports Medicine Board (RMACSM) (2021-2023). Robinson had two research papers published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research: “Effects of a sport-specific upper body resistance-band training program on overhead throwing velocity and glenohumeral joint range of motion” and “Eight weeks of strength and power training improves club head speed in collegiate golfers.”
Robison is a mentor for two graduate students and co-presenter for a research paper, “Larry Holder Exercise and Cancer Survivorship program: Effects of a 10-week physical activity intervention on fitness and QOL in cancer survivors” at the annual Colorado Cancer Coalition meeting. Robinson continues to lead the cancer and exercise study, which was awarded a $20,000 grant from the Colorado Cancer Coalition (CCC). She and Maureen Cooper, M.D., SLV Health oncologist, are the primary investigators. The program is in the final semester of support by the CCC grant. The SLV Health Foundation agreed to fund the upcoming years as Robinson pursues other granting opportunities.
Robinson assisted/mentored two graduate students in writing successful grants for their thesis research, awarded from the RMACSM; each student received $1500 to support their research on the effects of nutritional supplementation and exercise in cancer survivors.
Nick Saenz, Ph.D., professor of history, presented three public lectures in the Denver metro area in January. The lecture, “The San Luis Valley: History at Cultural Crossroads,” was part of the Tesoro Historic Lecture Series.
Governor Polis appointed Saenz to the Colorado Historic Preservation Review Board in December. The board reviews the nomination of buildings for addition to the federal and state registers of historic places.
School of Humanities and Social Sciences Director Colleen M. Schaffner, Ph.D., and Rena Kirkland, Ph.D., associate professor of psychology, received a $90,000 grant from the El Pomar Foundation to continue their work on the mental well-being of middle and high school children in the SLV. The study uses exercise, exercise with affirmations and mindfulness training to improve mood, self-esteem and resilience in SLV students.
Schaffner recently co-published, “Should I stay or should I go? How activity synchronization affects fission decisions” in Biology Letters. in January.
Brian Zulegar, CMPC, associate professor of sport psychology, recently published:
“Case Studies of Olympic Medalist Coach-Athlete Relationship: A Retrospective Analysis Prior to and During the Olympics” in Case Studies in Sport and Exercise Psychology journal;
“Evaluating Sport Psychology Service Delivery for Elite USA Track and Field Athletes: Findings and Recommendations” in The Sport Psychologist journal.
Zulegar was an invited speaker to be one of the lead clinicians for the Wisconsin Track Coaches Association’s annual clinic Feb. 3 through Feb. 5.
