School of Liberal Arts, Sciences & Business Archives - �鶹ԭ��

Congratulations to the 2025 Promotion and Tenure Recipients

LaNelda Rolley — Thu, 01 May 2025 20:51:34 +0000

More than 20 academic faculty members have been awarded tenure and promotion, which will be effective July 1, 2025. These achievements reflect their excellence in research, teaching, and service within their academic disciplines.

Promotion
Full Professor:
Kayla Bieser, Professor of Biology, School of Liberal Arts, Sciences, and Business
Amber Howerton, Professor of Chemistry, School of Liberal Arts, Sciences, and Business
Shantal Marshall, Professor of Psychology, School of Liberal Arts, Sciences, and Business
Jennifer Edmonds, Professor of Biology, School of Liberal Arts, Sciences, and Business
Amanda Carter, Professor of Literacy/Reading, School of Education
Nathaniel King, Dean and Professor of the Library , University Library

Lecturer:
Nathan Silva, Distinguished Lecturer of Biology, School of Liberal Arts, Sciences, and Business
Andra Scano, Distinguished Lecturer of Nursing, School of Nursing
Nicholas Carroll, Senior Lecturer of Spanish and Spanish Program Coordinator, School of Liberal Arts, Sciences, and Business
AnnaSheila Paul, Senior Lecturer of Visual and Digital Media and Program Coordinator, School of Liberal Arts, Sciences, and Business
Clark Pearson, Senior Lecturer of College Success, School of Liberal Arts, Sciences, and Business

Tenure
Molly Appel, Associate Professor of English, School of Liberal Arts, Sciences, and Business
Nicholas Arnet, Associate Professor of Chemistry, School of Liberal Arts, Sciences, and Business
Sheri Bayley, Associate Professor of Speech Pathology, School of Education
El Hachemi Bouali, Associate Professor of Geosciences, School of Liberal Arts, Sciences and Business
David Cooper, Associate Professor of Chemistry, School of Liberal Arts, Sciences and Business
Young Choi, Associate Professor of Early Childhood Education, School of Education
Laura Decker, Associate Professor of English, School of Liberal Arts, Sciences, and Business
Rachel Herzl-Betz, Associate Professor of English, School of Liberal Arts, Sciences, and Business / Writing Center
Bo Liang, Associate Professor of Marketing, School of Liberal Arts, Sciences, and Business
Timothy Malacarne, Associate Professor of Data Science/Analytics, Liberal Arts, Sciences, and Business
Alena Manjuck, Associate Professor, University Library
Pete Martini, Associate Professor of Psychology, School of Liberal Arts, Sciences, and Business
Jamie Palmer-Asemota, Associate Professor of Sociology, School of Liberal Arts, Sciences, and Business

We extend congratulations to our colleagues on their achievements.

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�鶹ԭ��’s School of Liberal Arts, Sciences, and Business Announces Inaugural External Advisory Council Members

LaNelda Rolley — Mon, 23 Dec 2024 20:16:12 +0000

�鶹ԭ��’s School of Liberal Arts, Sciences, and Business (LASB) has announced the launch of its inaugural External Advisory Council, composed of distinguished leaders from a variety of industries and disciplines across the Southern �鶹ԭ�� region. This new council is a critical step in advancing the LASB mission to educate and nurture Southern �鶹ԭ��’s diverse workforce while strengthening its impact and visibility in the community.

The LASB External Advisory Council serves as a bridge between the School of LASB and the broader community, offering guidance, fostering partnerships, and creating new opportunities for students, faculty, and staff. The council’s members will play a pivotal role in advising on networking, experiential learning, mentorship, and fundraising initiatives, aligning LASB’s goals with the needs of the region.

The inaugural set of council members brings a wealth of expertise and leadership that includes the following individuals:

Dr. Bo Bernhard: Vice President of Economic Development at UNLV, renowned for his research on the global “fun economy” and his role in securing the Oakland Raiders’ relocation to Las Vegas.
Malika El Bakkal Lees: Vice President and Community Manager at JP Morgan Chase, dedicated to advancing racial equity and fostering financial independence within the Las Vegas community.
Zach Bradford: Co-founder and CEO of CleanSpark, an expert in Bitcoin infrastructure economics, energy markets, and mergers and acquisitions, with extensive leadership in public and private sectors.
Leo Murrieta: Executive Director of Make the Road �鶹ԭ��, a lifelong advocate for Latine, LGBTQ, and education equity, committed to creating a better �鶹ԭ�� for all.
Grace Njoroge: Education Director at the Las Vegas Natural History Museum and a doctoral candidate in Curriculum & Instruction, recognized for her innovative programming and partnerships for diverse populations.
Doa Ross: Deputy General Manager of Engineering for the Las Vegas Valley Water District and the Southern �鶹ԭ�� Water Authority, is instrumental in advancing critical water infrastructure for Southern �鶹ԭ��.

“Each member of our School of Liberal Arts, Sciences, and Business External Advisory Council brings unparalleled expertise, passion, and a commitment to making a meaningful impact on �鶹ԭ�� State and our community. My goal in launching this Council is to forge new pathways for growth, innovation, and opportunity,” said Dr. Elizabeth Gunn, Dean of the School of Liberal Arts, Sciences, and Business.

The council will meet quarterly to provide strategic advice and support LASB’s efforts to enhance its programs and foster connections that benefit students and the community. Members will also contribute to fundraising and experiential learning initiatives, ensuring that the School of LASB continues to be a leader in preparing students for success in an ever-changing world.

For more information about the �鶹ԭ�� School of Liberal Arts, Sciences, and Business, visit /academics/lasb/.

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Roseman University College of Pharmacy and �鶹ԭ�� State College Partner to Create First-of-its-kind Dual Degree Program in �鶹ԭ��

Jenny — Tue, 27 Jul 2021 07:00:00 +0000

�鶹ԭ�� State College (NSC) and Roseman University of Health Sciences College of Pharmacy (Roseman COP) in Henderson have partnered to create a new Fast-Track BS/PharmD program. The program will allow qualified students to earn both Bachelor of Science in Biology (BS) and Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degrees in as few as six years, rather than the eight years typically needed to complete both. The program is designed to propel students into a career in pharmacy, saving time and tuition costs.

“�鶹ԭ�� State College is beyond thrilled to offer this kind of quality opportunity to our students,” said Vickie Shields, PhD, acting president at NSC. “With the cost of graduate education being prohibitive for so many students, opportunities such as this streamline the curriculum, shorten the timeline to an advanced degree, and reward students with two degrees from top quality higher education institutions, that happen to both be located in Henderson. Everybody wins! It is this type of partnership that benefits our entire community. I would like to thank everyone who contributed.”

Through the Fast-Track BS/PharmD program, students enrolled in the BS in Biology program who complete three years of study at NSC will have the opportunity to combine the fourth year of their BS and first year of Roseman’s accelerated three-year PharmD curriculum, effectively eliminating one year of study as they pursue both their BS and (PharmD) degrees. After successful completion of their first year of study at Roseman University, students will be granted their BS in Biology and continue their PharmD education at Roseman COP.

“Through this first-of-its-kind partnership in �鶹ԭ��, NSC students will get a head start on their professional careers, enabling them to obtain bachelors and doctoral degrees in less time and for less money than if each degree was taken separately,” said Renee Coffman, PhD, president and co-founder of Roseman University. “We are delighted and honored to join �鶹ԭ�� State College to further strengthen our shared mission to educate future generations of healthcare professionals. Further, NSC’s students bring rich diversity to the pharmacy profession in our region.”

At NSC, BS students benefit from small class sizes and the opportunity to work closely with innovative faculty as they acquire knowledge and develop skills. Students receive training in modern laboratory and field techniques utilizing NSC’s advanced scientific technology. They also take advantage of NSC’s numerous undergraduate research opportunities, summer programs, and independent study projects.

Roseman COP teaches students using its Six-Point Mastery Learning Model®, an education system that promotes high levels of achievement, with a focus on mastery of content. The model consists of Block Curriculum, Active and Collaborative Learning, Competency-based Education, Assessment Learning, Early Experiential Learning, and a Classroom Design that facilitates learning. All these components reinforce one another and contribute to an unparalleled educational environment. Right from the start of their first year in the PharmD program, students apply their learning from the classroom to real-world scenarios through Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experiences (IPPE) – developing professional knowledge and skills in a variety of clinical practice settings.

Students entering Roseman COP have the opportunity to apply for scholarships and enter programs such as the CVS Health grant-supported Spanish Pathway Program, which aims to increase the number of Hispanic/Latinx/Spanish-speaking students entering the field of pharmacy with a desire to serve the Hispanic community. Students also can expand their networks, knowledge and skills while positively impacting the communities Roseman serves through involvement with student organizations, such as the American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP) Student Network, American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP) Student Chapter, Roseman Chapter of the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA), Drug Awareness Advocacy Team (DAAT) and more.

Students graduating with their BS and PharmD are prepared to immediately enter the work force upon licensure, or they can seek additional training in a pharmacy residency program. Employment opportunities can include clinical and long-term care facilities, community pharmacies, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, educational institutions, and laboratories.

For more information, visit

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NSC Visual Media Students win local award for film project

arlaysha — Mon, 30 Jun 2014 07:00:00 +0000

And the award for Best Use of Character goes to Speak English? by NSC Films!
The �鶹ԭ�� State College Visual Media Department is on a roll. Recently awarded the Best Use of Character award by the Las Vegas 48 Hour Film Project, NSC Visual Media students are making their mark in the Las Vegas film community. We have a core group of dedicated students who are hungry for filmmaking, said Assistant Professor of Visual and Digital Media, Dr. Adam Davis. They readily accept feedback on their work from faculty and other students in order to continually improve, and they’re willing to put in long hours outside of the classroom to make films.
For the Las Vegas 48 Hour Film Project, all participants were instructed to make a movie, including writing, shooting, editing and scoring, in just 48 hours. Numerous films were submitted by different teams, and several awards were given, including Best Original Song, Best Ensemble Acting, Best Directing, Best Film, etc.
The Las Vegas 48 Hour Film Project presented their awardees work at the Best of Screening, held on May 30, 2014 at the Cockroach Theatre in downtown Las Vegas. Dr. Gregory Robinson, Chair of the Humanities Department, says one of the reasons for the NSC Visual Media program’s success is the attention and guidance from faculty. Dr. Adam Davis has done a tremendous job helping the students take their ideas and turn them into completed projects. For example, this summer, he has been leading a group of students through the process of writing a feature-length screenplay, he said.
The other factor is the close-knit community of visual media students, Dr. Robinson added. The Visual Media students went to Sundance together in the spring, and they worked for long hours together on the Red Angel Dragnet project, a 40-minute Zombie film which premiered on Friday, June 27. They are a remarkably innovative and collaborative community, Dr. Robinson said. Dr. Davis agreed, saying, we’re smaller than other schools, but that also makes us a more close-knit program with a lot of faculty-student interaction and support. We’re also very nimble, able to pursue opportunities that provide great learning experiences for our students.
There are film programs at other �鶹ԭ�� institutions, but ours is a careful mix of media production and media study, Dr. Robinson explained. They learn how to make compelling images, but they also learn why those images are important in our culture.
The Visual Media program at NSC is part of the Humanities department in the School of Liberal Arts & Sciences and is now offered as a major and a minor for NSC students. Faculty members hope the recent success of the students will help grow the program, as they have big plans for the future. We are adding an animation track in the fall, which will give students even more options for growth and creativity, Dr. Robinson said. In addition, the Visual Media department will be putting more emphasis on ways that students can use their skills to help community organizations.
The NSC Visual Media faculty members are both proud and impressed by the great work their students have done. It’s fulfilling to watch their progress from film to film and to see the ways in which they support one another, Dr. Davis expressed.
Dr. Davis and I are so proud of what our students have done, Dr. Robinson added. They have built a lasting culture here at NSC.

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�鶹ԭ�� State College science departments develop new programs

arlaysha — Mon, 30 Jun 2014 07:00:00 +0000

The �鶹ԭ�� State College (NSC) Department(s) of Physical and Life Sciences and Social Sciences continue to thrive, celebrating the addition of several new programs, including GradFit and poster presentations for both social and life sciences.
Recently, NSC partnered with the University of �鶹ԭ��, Reno (UNR) to develop the GradFit program, which afforded eight biology and psychology majors an opportunity to visit UNR, to get an in-depth look at graduate school at the University. GradFit is a three-day program which took place from May 27 to May 29, during which students learned about GRE preparation, met with UNR professors and visited the University’s science labs. Students also toured the campus and even visited Lake Tahoe at the conclusion of the program.
Dr. Robin Cresiski, Physical and Life Sciences Department Chair, and Dr. Laura Naumann, Assistant Professor of Psychology, accompanied the students to Reno. Programs such as GradFit really make the abstract concept of graduate school something concrete. It prepares them for the realities of what is necessary to apply for and attend graduate school but shows the students that there are many support systems to help them in their endeavor, Dr. Naumann said.
NSC faculty members are aware that many students are unfamiliar with graduate study and may be intimidated by the prospect of pursuing advanced degrees. Given that many of our students are first-generation or returning students, these students typically have not been exposed to post-graduate degree options or the typical requirements to gain admission, Dr. Naumann explained.
Psychology major Danette Barber was one of the eight students who participated in the program. Graduate school seems more tangible now, and I know more about what I need to do for the process, Barber said. GradFit was a great experience and I hope many other students have the same opportunity I did to see what it’s all about.
Dr. Naumann noted that many students are Las Vegas natives and had never been to Reno. She says the students had expressed hesitancy about leaving home for graduate school. It was great for them to see life on a university campus, meet current graduate students, and hear from several faculty speakers, Dr. Naumann said. I think the visit to the campus helped to demystify what graduate life is like, as well as alleviate some of their fears about moving away for school.
In addition to GradFit, the Physical and Life Sciences Department and the Social Sciences Department boast poster presentations from both the social and physical and life sciences majors. The psychology poster presentations were part of the Advanced Research Methods classes taught by Drs. Laura Naumann and Jonathan Dunning. Students in this course design their own research study from start to finish. This includes idea generation, design of materials, collection and analysis of data and dissemination of findings in the form of a paper and poster. In May of 2014, psychology students presented their posters in the lobby of the Liberal Arts and Sciences building (LAS), giving students, faculty and staff the opportunity to view their findings and ask questions. This was the first time the research posters were presented by students in a public forum.
Our first poster presentation was a success, and we look forward to continuing this practice with every semester’s Advanced Research Methods cohort, Dr. Naumann said. These research projects and presentations expose students to the real deal of being a psychological researcher. The poster presentations are another tool to prepare psychology students for graduate school. Dr. Naumann asserts that the Advanced Research Methods class is an obvious necessity for any student who wants to apply to a psychology graduate program.
The goal of projects like GradFit and the psychology poster presentation is to not only prepare students for graduate school, but also to highlight the work being done by science majors at NSC. The poster presentation helps bring visibility to our field, both among majors and non-majors, Dr. Naumann said.
Prior to the psychology poster presentation, the physical and life sciences majors had a presentation of their own, in the fall of 2013. For the first time, physical and life sciences students displayed their undergraduate research, conducted over the summer.
Dr. Andy Kuniyuki, Dean of the School of Liberal Arts and Sciences, says he is pleased with his faculty. We’ve been able to guide undergraduate research in a very big way, in both the social sciences and physical and life sciences, Dr. Kuniyuki said. Our faculty members are dedicated, and I believe they are taking the School of Liberal Arts & Sciences and our students in the right direction.

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NSC expands to offer Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice

arlaysha — Wed, 25 Sep 2013 07:00:00 +0000

Release | Media Contact: Mandi Enger

HENDERSON, Nev. Expanding to meet demand of both the local and national job market, �鶹ԭ�� State College (NSC) has announced the addition of a Bachelors of Arts in Criminal Justice program. The college received approval to add the degree to its roster of over 24 majors and minors by the Board of Regents during a meeting held in early September.
Our vision at �鶹ԭ�� State College is to align our degree offerings with the needs of the state as well as student interest, said NSC Provost and Executive Vice President Erika Beck, Ph.D. With the addition of the Bachelors of Arts in Criminal Justice program, NSC looks forward to preparing career-ready and technology-focused graduates in this high-demand field.
Students will be able to declare a criminal justice major beginning with the spring 2014 semester. The college estimates that 40 new students will begin the program in its first year; a number of classes required for the program are currently being offered with growing interest.
Our department of social science is already receiving inquiries from students and prospective students that are interested in registering for coursework within the new program, said Gwen Sharp, Ph.D., social science and business administration department chair. We’ve put together a unique program that we believe will open up tremendous opportunity for our students.
Developed by Assistant Professors Lance Hignite, Ph.D. and Nicholas Natividad, Ph.D., the program curriculum will provide students with a solid foundation of knowledge of the criminal justice system with an emphasis on social justice and global perspectives on crime and criminal justice.
Graduates will be prepared for employment opportunities in areas such as adult and juvenile probation and parole and public and private correctional facilities at the local, state, and federal levels. The social justice emphasis in the program will also help prepare students for careers at social service agencies, non-profit organizations, and treatment facilities.
Criminal justice graduates have a traditionally high rate of employment, added Sharp. According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, private detectives, probation officers, correctional treatment specialists, and legal assistants are estimated to be some of the fastest-growing professions in the nation over the next decade. A degree in criminal justice can prepare students for employment in each of these areas.
Program graduates will additionally be equipped to enter law school or graduate programs.
Criminal justice is the first major to be added at the college since 2008. Students interested in the criminal justice program are encouraged to contact the Office of Recruitment by calling 702-992-2170 or by visiting .

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Student demand brings American Sign Language V to �鶹ԭ�� State College

arlaysha — Mon, 24 Jun 2013 07:00:00 +0000

��Mandi Enger
Dedicated to learning American Sign Language (ASL), a group of �鶹ԭ�� State College (NSC) students led the charge to expand the college’s language course offerings by organizing a petition during the spring semester. Through their efforts and collaboration with faculty, NSC will begin offering ASL V during the upcoming fall semester to students that have completed ASL IV.
Our students worked together to start a petition for the course, plan a deaf awareness rally on campus, and meet with the chair of the Humanities Department in order to express their interest in taking their ASL studies to the next level, said Dean of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Andy Kuniyuki. It was incredible to see the passion, dedication, and professionalism of our students as they worked to make ASL V possible at NSC.
The deaf awareness rally was organized by students in the American Sign Language Club. We had over 20 ASL students actively participate in the rally, said Christina Barron, president of the organization. The event also welcomed members of the local deaf community eager to show their support for the new course.
Barron, a current psychology major at NSC began her ASL studies in the fall of 2012. She became president of the ASL club the following semester and has actively worked with students and faculty to grow the club’s membership and increase student involvement in the deaf community.
For me, learning another language gives me more opportunity, Barron added. With learning ASL, I can now take part in communicating with members of the deaf community; something I never would have been able to do before. Learning about deaf culture, I have gained a new perspective on people and what makes us unique.
Students enrolled in ASL V this fall will work to become more receptive and expressive in ASL conversation. Coursework will focus on the development of storytelling skills as well as the understanding of health issues in ASL. Students will additionally gain knowledge of ASL by participating in deaf community events, watching signing stories on video, and researching articles related to ASL and its culture and communities.
My classes are unique as no voice is involved with my instruction, said ASL faculty member David Kelsey, who was born deaf. This provides a unique benefit for our students as they are fully immersed in the language.
Professor Kelsey has been teaching ASL at NSC for the past seven years and was recognized as the Adjunct Faculty of the Year in 2011. Kelsey is the only ASL instructor certified by the American Sign Language Teacher Association in the state. Throughout his career, he has taught ASL to students in elementary school, high school, college, as well as within the community.
According to Kelsey, there is a strong need for interpreters in southern �鶹ԭ�� as well as a need for individuals to be able to communicate and understand our local deaf community.
Aside from the need for interpreters to work with the deaf population in all public services, there are many areas where the ability to interpret and understand deaf culture plays an important role, added Kelsey. ASL has its own grammar and structure which is entirely different from English. It appeals to and benefits students who are majoring in health care, education, law enforcement, psychology, visual media, or counseling, just to name a few.
There are approximately 4,000 deaf individuals living in Clark County. According to the , ASL is a popular foreign language and is the number four most studied foreign language in the country.
ASL courses are definitely a priority for Humanities and the college as a whole, shared Peter La Chapelle, chair of the NSC Humanities Department. I am glad to see the students taking such an interest. I was impressed by how much thought and effort they put into their advocacy.
NSC first offered ASL I and ASL II during the 2003-2004 academic year. ASL III and IV were added to the course list during 2005-2006. Nearly 25 students enroll in ASL courses at NSC each semester and the college expects enrollment of at least 15 students in ASL V this fall.

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Tenure awarded to five Liberal Arts and Science professors

arlaysha — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 07:00:00 +0000

��Mandi Enger
Recognizing �鶹ԭ�� State College (NSC) faculty members committed to excellence in teaching, scholarship, and service, five professors from the (LAS) were awarded tenure by the during the spring 2013 semester. The newly tenured faculty include: Shirli Brautbar, Associate Professor of History; Edwin Price, Associate Professor of Environmental Science; Gregory Robinson, Associate Professor of English; Gwen Sharp, Associate Professor of Sociology and Department Chair of Social Sciences & Business Administration; and Aaron Wong, Associate Professor of Mathematics.
The tenure process encourages our faculty to achieve a level of excellence in their teaching and scholarly endeavors that will best serve our students and the broader Southern �鶹ԭ�� community, said NSC Provost Erika Beck. NSC is proud of our newly tenured faculty as they have demonstrated that the quality of their work meets or exceeds the long-standing traditions of the Academy and helps to foster the success of our entire student body.
Faculty members are eligible for tenure based upon standards set by the Board of Regents as well as internal criteria outlined by each school in their standards of academe. The full tenure process lasts approximately six years encompassing annual reviews, a comprehensive third year review, and an official application for promotion to tenure.
The application for tenure contains a wealth of comprehensive, evidence-based data on the professor’s growth overtime, said NSC Dean of Liberal Arts and Sciences Andy Kuniyuki. What ultimately matters in our tenure process is that our professors truly impact our students in a way that they are in turn able to demonstrate what they think, and what they know, and what they are able to do.
The in-depth application packet is subject to a rigorous evaluation process by the dean, external professors and/or department chairs in the discipline from around the country, an on-campus committee comprised of tenured faculty, the college provost and president, and finally the Board of Regents.
The designation of tenure signifies that a faculty member upholds the value of higher education, added Kuniyuki. Tenured faculty are qualified to not only continue teaching but to do so with a level of academic freedom to explore new teaching techniques that will improve the educational outcomes of our students.
Approximately 21 NSC professors have been tenured, including those within LAS, the School of Education and the School of Nursing. In 2014, two additional faculty members will become eligible to complete the application for promotion to tenure.
Shirli Brautbar
Associate Professor of History
Ph.D. in History, University of Southern California
My favorite part of being a professor at NSC is watching my students succeed. Receiving tenure is the result of many years of hard work and a great honor.
In 2012, Dr. Brautbar published a critically-acclaimed book titled From Fashion to Politics: Hadassah and Jewish American Women in the Post World war II Era. Brautbar is currently working on an American History textbook and advises the NSC History Society, an active history student organization. She considers herself to be an interdisciplinary scholar and this is reflected in her research and teaching.
Edwin Price
Associate Professor of Environmental Science
Ph.D. in Geology, Washington State University
My favorite part of teaching is getting students involved in field projects. Many of our students have not spent much time outdoors but want to. Several of my classes have a field component and some courses have been taught predominantly in the field.
With abundant work experience in the environmental science industry, Dr. Price began teaching in higher in education in 2003. Price teaches all classes in the NSC Environmental and Resource Science program such as: Geology, Meteorology, Planetary Astronomy, Hydrology, Soils, Climate Change, Pollution, Regional and Global Issues, and Environmental Measurement and Analysis. Price continues to participate in field work and plans to work with two NSC students on a soil research project in Georgia over the summer.
Gregory Robinson
Associate Professor of English
Ph.D. in English, University of �鶹ԭ�� Las Vegas
I love our community at NSC. The faculty work together remarkably well, and the students are truly invested in learning more. We have created an environment that is always exciting and inspiring.
Dr. Robinson joined NSC in 2003 as the Director of Library Services. Moving to the School of Liberal Arts and Sciences in 2008, Robinson now teaches courses in Literary Theory, American Literature, Film, and Interdisciplinary Studies. In additional to teaching, Robinson is active in the community working with the Contemporary Arts Center.
Gwen Sharp
Associate Professor of Sociology and Department Chair of Social Sciences & Business Administration
Ph.D. in Sociology, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Being a really good instructor is a skill you build, and it requires experimenting, mastering new techniques, gathering data on what works, and constantly adapting and revising your classes to meet students needs. I think NSC is really unique in the degree to which the faculty recognize this and think about their classes not in terms of what the instructor would like to do, but what actually helps our students learn and get excited about the subject.
Teaching a range of sociology classes, such as Principles of Sociology, Gender and Society, Sex and Social Arrangements, and Popular Culture, Dr. Sharp has been teaching at NSC since 2007. She began teaching in higher education in 2005.
Aaron Wong
Associate Professor of Mathematics
Ph.D. University of California-San Diego
I think NSC has an entrepreneurial spirit that is unique in education. We don’t have the same institutional inertia other places do, which keep them doing the same things, the way they have always done them. Instead, we have the freedom to try new ideas and explore new technologies to help us become better at the things we do.
Receiving his Ph.D. and joining NSC in 2007, Dr. Wong began teaching a variety of lower- and upper-division mathematics courses. Over the last few years, Wong has reorganized NSC’s remedial math courses. Since the Foundational Mathematics program was implemented, the college has seen a 20% relative increase in the pass rates for these classes.

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Science club launches organic community garden

arlaysha — Sat, 15 Sep 2012 07:00:00 +0000

By Mandi Enger
New to the roster of �鶹ԭ�� State College (NSC) student organizations, The Fifth Element science club was proud to launch an organic community garden during an on-campus ceremony this September. The 12 x 12 garden is located on the west end of the college’s Liberal Arts & Sciences building.
Our vision was to create a fully organic community garden on NSC grounds for the campus to enjoy, said the club’s president Jessica Milliron during the presentation. We went on a journey developing plans for the garden and are pleased to see it come alive today. Milliron is currently a sophomore at the college.
During the last few months, the student organization developed the plans for building the garden, cultivated the first plants in the college’s biology lab and developed a plan for sustaining the garden using deionized water.
Members of the campus community were invited by the organization to help transfer the initial crop of herbs, flowers and succulents into the garden’s planters. NSC President Bart Patterson was the first to participate; choosing to plant a gold lantana.
Chives, green onions, parsley, extra curled dwarf parsley, chamomile, sweet basil, Genovese basil, Italian oregano, and succulents were also planted. The next phase of planting will take place in the spring a crop of various produce including tomatoes, onions, and corn.
Moving forward, we invite all members of the NSC campus to come into the garden, gather herbs for their kitchen and enjoy all plants as they continue to grow, added Milliron.
Comprised of 10 members, The Fifth Element was recognized as an official NSC student organization this September. Their mission is to engage with campus and community members in order to garner an increased level of interest and understanding in all areas of science.

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Discovery of oldest-known Woody Guthrie recordings credited to NSC professor

arlaysha — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 07:00:00 +0000

By Mandi Enger
In 1999 Peter La Chapelle, a current associate professor in the Humanities Department at �鶹ԭ�� State College, made a historical finding while working on his Ph.D. at the University of Southern California (USC). While conducting research for his dissertation, La Chapelle was given a tip during an interview with political activist Harry Hay, which led him to the discovery of four unknown and previously unreleased songs produced by folk artist Woody Guthrie who is known for penning such songs as This Land is Your Land.
The four songs, recorded off the two discs I found, are essentially the oldest known Woody Guthrie recordings in existence, said La Chapelle. The discs, called Prestos, were 10-inches in diameter, ran at 78 rpm and were composed of lacquer-covered aluminum. They had been donated to the Southern California Library for Social Studies and Research in south central Los Angeles by Hay who had been with Guthrie at the time of the recordings.
The song recordings likely date to 1939. They are older than the famous Alan Lomax-Library of Congress recordings and older than the RCA Victor Dust Bowl Ballads album, he continued.
Woodrow Wilson Woody Guthrie (1912-1967), who reached national fame in the 1940s with songs such as This Land is Your Land, and So Long it’s been Good to Know You, would have celebrated his 100th birthday on July 14, 2012.
In commemoration of Guthrie’s life as a singer, songwriter, and artist, the Smithsonian Folkway released a three-CD box set this July titled Woody at 100: The Woody Guthrie Centennial Collection. The set contains a large-format book in addition to 57 tracks including the four songs recovered by La Chapelle: Skid Row Serenade, Them Big City Ways, Do Re Mi and I Ain’t Got No Home (In This World Anymore). La Chapelle additionally contributed an essay detailing his research and findings to the written portion of the set.
After completing his dissertation at USC, La Chapelle turned his research into a book, , referencing his investigations in Los Angeles and Woody Guthrie findings in chapter two.
Read more about La Chapelle’s discovery and the Woody Guthrie centennial album in the Los Angeles Times.

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