Faculty and staff sketches

August 23, 2023 (Volume 46, Number 20)

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Faculty and staff members who have given presentations, were recognized for outstanding contributions or had their research published are detailed below. The campus community can submit a sketch online for future publication. 

In the News

Paul Isely, professor of economics and associate dean, Seidman College of Business, was interviewed by MLive for a story about population shifts in Kent and Ottawa counties, and by Crain's Grand Rapids Business for a story about the growth in commercial loans.

Nikki Elder, special projects coordinator for the Battle Creek Regional Center, was selected as a fellow of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation Community Leadership Network with the Center for Creative Leadership.

Rob Franciosi, professor of English, wrote an opinion article, "Our Bookshelves, Ourselves," published in Inside Higher Ed.

Katherine Moran, associate professor of nursing, was interviewed by MLive for a story about a federal grant to partner with two health care systems to educate more nurse practitioners.

Al Steinman, Allen and Helen Hunting Research Professor at AWRI, was interviewed by WOOD-TV for a story about a water-skimming drone that collects plastic and debris from lakes.

Sketches

Edward F. Aboufadel, senior associate vice president for Academic Affairs, received the T. Christine Stevens Award from the Mathematics Association of America. The award is presented to people who have performed significant, sustained work to cultivate and strengthen leadership skills within the mathematical sciences across the full range of professional activities. 

The Human Resources department received the College and University Professional Association for Human Resources 2023 HR Excellence Award for the creation and implementation of the total HR transformation that began last year.

University Communications received two awards from the West Michigan Public Relations Society of America at its annual PRoof Awards:

• Creative Tactics: Corpse Flower Blooms at GVSU, silver
• Social Media: Louie’s Journey: Unveiling a New Campus Icon, silver

Also at the WMPRSA PRoof Awards:

• Alumna Clare Quirin and student Amberly Dzimira were both named Public Relations Student of the Year; Dzimira received the Kelly Rossman-McKinney Leadership Award for pre-professional grit and tenacity.
• Adrienne Wallace, associate professor of advertising and public relations, received the PRSA East Central District Platinum Award winner for leadership at national, district, chapter and PRSSA levels.

WGVU Public Media earned eight awards from the Michigan Associated Press Media Editors:

• Best Use of Sound, second place
• Best Newscast: first place, Jennifer Moss; second place, Patrick Center
• Best Reporter/Anchor: Kylie Ambu, first place
• Best Spot News Coverage: Protesters Shut Down Grand Rapids Commission Meeting, first place; Peaceful Protestors Demand Justice For Patrick Lyoya, second place
• Best Investigative Reporting: Food Pantries Struggle Amid National Baby Formula Shortage, second place
• Best Continuing Coverage: GRPD Officer Kills Patrick Lyoya During Traffic Stop, first place

Miloš Topic, vice president for IT and chief digital officer, was named a finalist for the 2023 Michigan ORBIE Awards in the Nonprofit/Public Sector category, presented by MichiganCIO. 

Kim Kennard, director of eLearning, was honored with the Anthology Impact Award. The Award recognizes individuals who have gone above and beyond in supporting the implementation and ongoing use of Anthology products and technology.

Elena Lioubimtseva, professor of geography and sustainable planning, gave a presentation, "The Role of Non-Climate Data in Equitable Climate Adaptation Planning: Lessons from Small French and American Cities," and co-presented with students, Kaytlin Poynter and Hannah Zylman, "Equitable and Inclusive Climate Adaptation Planning in Michigan Cities," at the Association of American Geographers conference in Denver, Colorado. She also co-authored an article, "The Role of Non-Climate Data in Equitable Climate Adaptation Planning: Lessons from Small French and American Cities," published in Sustainability.

Glenna Decker and David Nivala, from the eLearning Team, were panelists in a virtual discussion, "The Instructor Perspective: Pedagogical Best Practices in Learn Ultra."  They discussed utilizing Learn Ultra as a tool to improve efficiency, boost engagement, monitor and optimize student progress, and more. 

Paul Cornish, associate professor of political science, gave a presentation, "The Evil of Slavery in Mastery: The Augustinian Repudiation Natural Slavery and the Tradition of Natural Law," at the Medieval Studies Congress held at Western Michigan University.

Laura Schneider, associate professor of political science, gave a presentation, "Civil Literacy or Ideological Indoctrination: The Political Weaponization of Civic Education," at the American Political Science Association's Teaching and Learning Conference in Baltimore, Maryland.

Eric Kunnen, senior director, IT Innovation and Research, was a panelist for an Inside Higher Ed webinar, "IT Leadership Panel: Exploring 5 Key Trends in Higher Education," facilitated by Logitech.

Donald Zinman, professor of political science, gave a presentation, "A Stumbling Party Fusion: The Case of the 1812 Presidential Election," at the Midwest Political Science Association conference. Zinman also wrote a chapter, "How Can We Get Rid of a Bad President?" for a book, The U.S. Constitution in Five Minutes, published by Equinox Publishing.

Deana Weibel, professor of anthropology, led a workshop, "Reflections of Humans in Space" at the International Space Studies University Program in São Paulo, Brazil. Weibel also helped with another workshop, "Capturing the Stories of Real Life Adventures in Analog & Extreme Environments."

 

 

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Faculty & Staff Sketches