Highlander Highlights: Week of April 1, 2024

Every two weeks, Highlander Highlights shares with readers some of the extraordinary research and accomplishments happening on and off campus through the tireless work and curiosity of our students and faculty. 

Get there early, stay late and be memorable.

That was Riley Petroski’s philosophy when representing Australia as a single delegate in the UN-Habitat Assembly in late March at the Southern Regional Model United Nations (SRMUN) in Charlotte, North Carolina. The senior political science major from Chesterfield County, Virginia, was one of 14 Radford University students who participated in the three-day international politics simulation event, which brings together college and university students to engage in a challenging debate experience.

Petroski, a veteran participant in Model UN events, was part of the Habitat Assembly in Charlotte, which included 85 country delegations. “I was one of three single delegations, so there were 167 other students on this committee,” Petroski said. “Despite these challenges, I endeavored to make my position heard in and out of committee.”

The formal committees worked for 20.5 hours over three days. During that time, delegates worked on drafting resolutions under the supervision of a chair who oversaw procedures in voting, caucuses and awards and delegated working papers.

“Model UN is a fantastic experience on campus for anyone who wants to learn about diplomacy, public speaking, professional writing or anything about the world around them,” Petroski explained. “It has been one of the most transformative experiences at Radford and has turned me into the leader I am today.”

All the intense work paid off as Petroski earned recognition as best delegate among the Habitat Assembly’s 85 delegations.

 “We’re all blown away by Riley’s accomplishment,” said Professor of Political Science Paige Tan, who advises Radford’s Model UN team.

The award is “a testament to who I have become and all I have learned at Radford,” Petroski said. “I used to be terrified of public speaking, and I suffered from low confidence. Being in the international world was just a wayward dream. Today, I have the confidence, capability and desire to make the world a better place internationally, no matter the topic or nation. None of it is a wayward dream anymore, but a step into the rest of my life, which I could not have gotten at any other school, and not without the mentorship of Dr. Tan.”

Among the 14 Radford students who participated, eight were Model UN first-timers. “Congrats to them for challenging themselves with 19 hours of committee session across three days,” Tan said. “It was hard work, but they developed skills in networking, leadership, consensus building, diplomacy, teamwork and public speaking.”

Two students, Emmie Maurer and Shenah Kababchy, participated in their final Model UN as Radford undergraduates. “Both have been great club leaders holding a variety of offices, including president and vice president,” Tan noted, “and we will miss them so much.”

It was a bittersweet experience, Maurer said, “seeing how much my team has grown and developed over the past four years and knowing it will be my last conference.

“Model UN and SRMUN will always be a significant part of my professional growth,” continued the senior criminal justice and political science major from Mount Airy, North Carolina. “I will always be grateful for the opportunities that the club has given me.” 

Just a few weeks removed from braving frigid temperatures 320 miles north of the Arctic Circle, nine Radford University students who made the journey to and conducted research in Utqiagvik, Alaska, spoke about their work and experiences at a poster session March 30 at the Regional Zone 4 meeting of the national Society of Physics Students (SPS), held at Virginia Tech.

Zone 4 encompasses colleges and universities located in Virginia, Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Egypt. “Yes, Egypt,” confirmed Radford Professor of Physics Rhett Herman, who advises the Radford SPS chapter. More than 70 people attended the two-day meeting, which featured notable speakers from the science community, such as James Glownia of the Stanford Linear Accelerator Laboratory and Jim Braatz of the National Radio Astronomy Observatory in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Of the 12 Radford students who presented at the meeting, 11 were either just in Utqiagvik for the two-week Arctic Geophysics research trip in late February and early March or made the journey in 2022. Below is a list of Utqiagvik presenters.

• Nathan Cadle – “Testing the Strength and Properties of the Alaskan Sea Ice”
• Em Paul – “Measuring Carbon Dioxide Efflux From Arctic Environments During the Non-Growing Season”
• Athena Smith – “Measuring Wind Speeds on the Arctic Sea Ice Using Load Cells and Anemometers”
• Weston Smith – “The Influence of UV-A & Infrared Exposure on The Reproductive Capabilities of The Cyanobacteria of Southwest Virginia”
• Kaleb Martin, Em Stipes, and Eni Szabad – “Raspberry Pi Based Ionospheric Data Extraction Using Global Navigation Satellite Systems”
• Gene McGough and Julia Buccola – “Using Microwave-Generated Plasma for Chemical Vapor Deposition of Metal Films onto Glass”
• Eni Szabad – “Spectral Analyses of Microwave Plasma from Air”

“This was a great meeting,” Herman said, “and it laid the groundwork for Radford University’s SPS likely hosting a Zone 4 meeting in the future.”

By Sean Kotz, College of Visual and Performing Arts Communications Officer

On Feb. 28, the Art Museum on Tyler opened its doors for a total of 200 guests attending the 2024 Juried Student Art Show, a number believed to be a record for this event.

The Juried Student Art Show is an annual exhibition with cash prizes, certificates and other honors bestowed upon graduates and undergraduates in appreciation of their work.

More than 70 paintings, photographs, sculptures, ceramics, and mixed media works from 55 artists were accepted for the show. A total of $2,000 was awarded to 16 artists, including two purchase awards that acquired the winning art for Radford University’s permanent collection. Two other paintings were purchased by visitors to the exhibit. Read more to view the list of winners.

Throughout the fall 2023 semester, Waldron College of Health and Human Services faculty made significant contributions to the world of healthcare through securing grants for research; writing books, book chapters and journal articles; and presenting their expertise at conferences across the United States. All efforts are aimed at addressing real-world issues facing society and striving to help shape a brighter future. Below is a comprehensive list demonstrating how Waldron faculty are making a difference.

Grants

• Mingyang Zheng, P.h.D., LGSW: “Enhancing Geriatric Care Competency: A Virtual Reality Continuing Education Program for Social Workers.”  The grant is from the Virginia Center for Aging.

Journal articles

• Vrushali Angadi, Ph.D., CCC-SLP: “Effect of Clinical Expertise on Efficacy of Vocal Function Exercises in Individuals with Typical Voice,” Journal of Voice.
• Elliot Carhart, Ed.D., RRT, NRP, FAEMS: “Exploring the types of coping strategies used by currently practicing EMS providers to mitigate the effects of occupational stressors,” Respiratory Care Education Annual.
• Kevin Chui, D.P.T., Ph.D., PT: “Screening for Osteoporosis Risk among Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Scoping Review,” Journal of Geriatric Physical Therapy.
• Shala Cunningham, D.P.T., Ph.D., PT, OCS, FAAOMPT: “Longitudinal Outcomes of Simulation Enhanced Interprofessional Education within a Physical Therapy Education Program,” Journal of Clinical Education in Physical Therapy.
• Jeannine Everhart, Ph.D., MPH, MCHES, Chase Poulsen, Ph.D., RRT, RRT-ACCS, RRT-NPS, Douglas Wright, Ph.D., RRT, RRT-ACCS, and Francis C. Dane, Ph.D.: “Assessment of Patient Safety Attitudes Among Respiratory Therapists: Specialty Credential Associated with Positive Attitude Towards Safety,” Respiratory Care Education Annual.
• Stephen Glass, Ph.D., and Kevin Parcetich, D.P.T., PT, NCS: “Acute Responses of Postural Alignment and Intermuscular Coherence to Anti­gravitational Muscle Facilitation—A Randomized Crossover Trial,” Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies.
• Peter Meulenbroek, Ph.D., CCC-SLP: “Studying the Use of Politeness in Employment Specific Scenarios in Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder,” Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society.
• Daniel Miner, D.P.T., PT, NCS and Kevin Chui, D.P.T., Ph.D., PT,: “Pragmatic Approach to Mobilizing the Critically Ill COVID-19 Population: Clinicians Perspective,” Disability Rehabilitation.
• Sarah Rakes, Ph.D., LCSW: “Examining employment outcomes of recently hired, older workers in the child welfare workforce,” Journal of Public Child Welfare.

Book chapters

• Corey H. Cassidy, Ph.D., CCC-SLP: “Service Delivery in Early Intervention,” Professional Issues in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology: 6th edition, Plural Publishing.

Conference presentations

• Kim Baskette, Ph.D., CHES: “How to Evaluate Public Health Programs.” Presented at American Public Health Association 2023 Annual Conference & Expo.
• Kim Baskette, Ph.D., CHES, Sarah E Johnson, Ph.D., MPH, MCHES and Thomas Castor, Ph.D., M.A., CHES: “Collaborating with a Career Coach to Improve Professional Seminar Course.” Presented at Teaching Excellence Academy for Collaborative Healthcare.
• Corey H. Cassidy, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, Rebecca Epperly, M.S., CCC-SLP, and Terri Shelor, M.S., CCC-SLP: “Developing Stronger Teams Using Productivity and Personality Tools.” Presented at 2023 American Speech-Language and Hearing Association Convention.
• Corey H. Cassidy, Ph.D., CCC-SLP: “Self-Care Strategies for All Service Providers,” presented at Indiana Institute on Disability and Community. “We Matter Too: Self Care Strategies for Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists,” presented at 2023 American Speech-Language and Hearing Association Convention. “We Matter, Too: Self Care Strategies for Early Childhood Practitioners,” presented at Division for Early Childhood’s 39th International Conference on Young Children with Disabilities & Their Families.
• Jeannine Everhart, Ph.D., M.P.H., MCHES: “Does Leadership Engagement Matter? The Relationship Between Perceptions of Leader Engagement and Patient Safety Outcomes in Acute Hospitals.” Presented at American Public Health Association 2023 Annual Conference & Expo.
• Diane Hodge, Ph.D., M.S.W., LCSW: “Research into Action: Using Social Work Faculty Experiences to Inform Critical Pedagogy.” Presented at Council on Social Work Education Annual Program Meeting.
• Renee Huth, PT, Ph.D., Viki Neurauter, Ph.D., OTR/L, and Diane Millar, Ph.D., CCC-SLP: “A Pilot Case Study: Diverse-Equitable-Inclusive-Empathetic Practitioners Share a Common Language.” Presented at The American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine 2023 Annual Conference.
• William Kolb, D.P.T., PT, OCS, FAAOMPT: “The Effect of Median Nerve Glide Images for Upper Limb Neurodynamic Tests.” Presented at American Academy of Orthopaedic Manipulative Physical Therapists.
• Glen Mayhew, D.H.Sc., NRP: “Life Science and Health Workforce: Collective Impact and Innovative Training.” Presented at Virginia Community College System Higher Education Conference.
• Diane Millar, Ph.D., CCC-SLP: “An Investigation of the Impact of Implicit Bias on Service Delivery.” Presented at 2023 American Speech-Language and Hearing Association Convention.
• Carey Peerman, Ph.D., MBA, BSN-RN, LNHA, FACHE: “Understanding Leadership Shifts During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Study on LTC Administrators.” Presented at Gerontological Society of America.
• Christine V. Rogerson, Ph.D., LCSW: Technology and A Changing Landscape: New Flexibility in Teaching Social Work Students.” Presented at Council on Social Work Education Annual Program Meeting.
• Susan Schoppelrey, Ph.D.: “The Case for Veterans’ Treatment Dockets in Rural Southwest Virginia.” Presented at Rural Health Voices 2023.