Accounting & Finance
A&M-Commerce College of Business Receives Prestigious Recognition with IMA Endorsement
Awards and Achievements
A&M-Commerce Educational Leadership Professor to be Honored by ICPEL
News Bites
Members of the Texas A&M University-Commerce Fishing Team competed in the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series National Tournament, held in Leesburg, Florida on Oct. 29. Out of 150 competing teams, the two-person tandem of Lions, Augustus McLarry and Dawson Cassidy, finished 27th. This is the first time A&M-Commerce has been represented in the national tournament since the team was formed in 2017. To qualify, a team must either finish in the top 10 at an officially sanctioned tournament or be ranked in the top 25 nationally based off of points earned in tournaments. The 16-person team competes in about a dozen tournaments per year.
The Texas A&M University-Commerce Meat Judging Team continued its run of success in 2020 with an overall victory in the first-ever virtual contest held by the American Meat Science Association. All four team members swept the top four individual scores. Madison Wynne, Colleen Hooge, Katherine Bivens and Kris Barr finished first through fourth place, respectively.
Rocio Almanza, a teacher at Mesquite Independent School District, recently received a one-year scholarship from the district toward her doctorate at Texas A&M University-Commerce.
Almanza is pursuing a doctorate in curriculum and instruction through the Excellence in Teaching Incentive Program (ETIP), a partnership between A&M-Commerce and Mesquite ISD. ETIP encourages the district’s teachers to pursue master’s and doctorate degrees by offering significant earnings increases for teachers who complete the program and maintain certain quality standards in the classroom.
Dr. David Vroonland, superintendent for Mesquite ISD, created the scholarship to inspire participation in the ETIP initiative. The scholarship is awarded annually to a teacher pursuing a doctorate through the program.
Texas A&M University-Commerce honors student Emma Anderson recently completed a sizable art installation at the Commerce Post Office, located at 1300 Park Street. The wood design bears the resemblance of a USA Forever Stamp emblazoned with a Lion, the mascot of A&M-Commerce. The entire project, which was part of Anderson’s honors thesis, took more than a year to complete. Anderson also intends to petition the United States Postal Service to turn her design into a real Forever Stamp. Read the KETR story on this achievement.
A group of A&M-Commerce engineering and physics students recently designed and built a Rube Goldberg machine in the Jimmy and Sherrol Shirley Makerspace on campus, under the direction of A&M-Commerce engineering faculty members Dr. Perry Moler and Patrick Carter. The group included electrical engineering students Caleb Otte, Devin Beamon and Rhiannon Roberts, and physics student Flint Morgan.
The students and their machine were featured in a lighthearted video produced by A&M-Commerce alumna Rebekah Grey and distributed by The Texas A&M University System to highlight safety precautions for students during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Rube Goldberg was an American cartoonist known for his illustrations depicting devices performing simple tasks in indirect, overly complicated ways. Such devices have gained increased interest thanks to Rube Goldberg competitions and references in pop-culture.
View the video.
A&M-Commerce student Omar Ramirez’s research study, “Using Fitbit Competitions to Increase Physical Activity in College Students,” has been accepted for publication in The Macksey Journal. The journal is a collection of articles based on presentations given at the annual Richard Macksey National Undergraduate Research Symposium at Johns Hopkins University.
Ramirez’s study found that students who use a Fitbit device and app to compete in weekly competitions logged more steps than students wearing a simple pedometer. The results suggest that adding the social and competitive aspects of a mobile app can be a powerful motivator for college students seeking to increase physical activity.
Under guidance from Dr. Vipa Bernhardt in the Department of Health and Human Performance, Ramirez conducted the study as part of the McNair Scholars Program. He graduated in May with a double major in human performance and biological sciences. Ramirez is currently a graduate assistant pursuing his master’s degree in the Health, Kinesiology and Sports Studies program.
Kelli Lahman, a graduate student in the Specialist in School Psychology program at A&M-Commerce, recently received a scholarship from the Miller-DeLange Education Foundation.
The foundation provides scholarships for graduate students who are enrolled in programs to become licensed school psychologists, counselors, speech therapists, dyslexia specialists, occupational therapists and physical therapists who intend to work in educational settings upon graduation.
Learn more about the Miller-Delange Education Foundation.
(from left) Cierra Hatch of Rockwall, Karlie Self of Sulphur Bluff, Cheyenne Gray of Cumby, Hannah Wright of Omaha, Madison Wynne of Garland and Taylor Gilcrest of Campbell.
Seven Texas A&M University-Commerce students were the recipients of scholarships from the Northeast Texas Beef Improvement Organization at its July Cattle Sale in Sulphur Springs, Texas. NETBIO awards these scholarships each year to young students from the Northeast Texas area who are interested in completing their degrees and returning to the area to practice their agriculture-related trades. The scholarship recipients are as follows:
• J. D. Norris Scholarship: Taylor Gilcrest (Campbell, Texas) majoring in Animal Science/Pre-Vet
•NETBIO Jacobs scholarship: Madison Wynne (Garland, Texas) majoring in Agricultural Science/Education; Hannah Wright (Omaha, Texas) majoring in Animal Science; Cheyenne Gray (Cumby, Texas) majoring in Agricultural Science; Karlie Self (Sulphur Bluff, Texas) majoring in Agriculture Education; and Cierra Hatch (Rockwall, Texas) majoring in Agricultural Science.
Also receiving a scholarship but unable to attend the event was Ann-Marie Robinson (Seagoville, Texas) a graduate student earning a degree in Animal Science.
Read the Sulphur Springs News-Telegram story.
Two A&M-Commerce nursing classes working through their clinicals at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Lake Pointe, in Rockwall, Texas, recently received high praise from their host.
A&M-Commerce junior nursing students with clinical instructor Crystal Brakefield.A&M-Commerce senior nursing students with clinical instructor Modester Gemas.
Vice president of patient care services, Joni Watson, said she’s heard highly-positive feedback about the junior nursing students taught by clinical instructor Crystal Brakefield and the senior nursing students taught by clinical instructor Modester Gemas.
“I just want to thank you for letting us serve your students in our hospital,” said Watson. “I have recently heard how helpful your current student cohort has been with patient care.”
Watson said the students are always smiling and pleasant. “Your students are serving as strong partners in care,” she continued. “That’s pretty spectacular feedback to hear from my nurse leaders. Thank you for growing our profession and letting us serve them in growth.”
Brakefield and her students are grateful for their clinical experience at the hospital. She said clinicals allow nursing students to have real-world experiences caring for actual patients in a hospital setting alongside seasoned medical professionals.
“All of the staff have been so helpful and supportive of the students’ learning experiences,” said Brakefield. “They have been so gracious with sharing their knowledge and time to help train our future nurses.”
Dr. Jim Hamill, head of the Department of Accounting and Finance at Texas A&M University-Commerce, recently announced that accounting student Maxwell Perez has received a $10,000 scholarship from the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB).
The PCAOB is a non-profit corporation established by Congress to oversee audits of public companies. The PCAOB Scholars Program awards merit-based scholarships to exemplary undergraduate and graduate accounting students. In order to be awarded this scholarship students must have an outstanding academic record and department faculty must advocate heavily for the student. “It’s an honor for Maxwell and for the A&M-Commerce College of Business for one of our students to be selected,” said Hamill.
Perez is from Denison, Texas where he graduated eighth in his class.
Senior students in the Texas A&M University-Commerce Visual Communications Program hosted their exit showcase “Expressive Minds” in a virtual format starting May 8. In the weeks leading up to the showcase, students posted teaser content to a new Instagram account “ExpressiveMinds2020.” Follow the account @ExpressiveMinds2020 to see the showcase.
The Meat Judging Team from Texas A&M University-Commerce were named Grand Champions of the “A” Division at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo’s annual intercollegiate meat judging contest on March 7. This marks the second championship victory for the team since the beginning of the calendar year.
The team finished
first in the overall standings with all four members placing in the top 10 in the individual standings out
of 34 competitors. The team is coached by Haley Cole. The results were:
Team standings
1st in beef grading 1st in lamb judging 1st in overall beef 1st in pork judging 1st in questions 2nd in beef judging 3rd in total placings
Individual results
Colleen Hooge:
2nd high individual 2nd in lamb judging 2nd in questions 2nd in overall beef 3rd in beef grading 3rd in pork judging
Madison Wynne:
3rd high individual 4th in overall beef 4th in questions 5th in beef judging
Kris Barr
4th high individual 5th in beef grading 5th in pork judging 6th in questions 6th in overall beef
Katherine Bivens
8th high individual 6th in pork judging 7th in questions 8th in beef judging 9th in overall beef
Texas A&M University-Commerce Computer Science student Brian Taylor was announced as the first-place winner at the IMCS Group Coding Challenge. The challenge was held on Friday, February 21 at A&M-Commerce. The first-place prize was a $1,000 scholarship. The challenge was to help expose students to real-world problems and cultivate their technical and problem-solving skills. Participants could code in any preferred programming language and the solution could be displayed either as a web or mobile application. Thirty students competed. Taylor is a student in the College of Science and Engineering.
Five faculty members from the College of Humanities, Social Sciences, and Arts at Texas A&M University-Commerce were awarded Global Human Rights fellowships. These awards are meant to sponsor the research of faculty members whose subject areas engage with global human rights, and supports the college’s Global Human Rights Initiative, a concerted effort to incorporate themes involving global human rights and social justice questions into research and into classroom content.
The awarded faculty are:
Jeffrey Baker, Associate Professor of Music—Research: “Sinfonia Migrante: Musician Networks Forged Through Migration Ayal Feinberg, Assistant Professor of Political Science—Research: “Hate Beyond the State: Hate Crimes and Minority Insecurity Ashanka Kumari, Assistant Professor of English—Research: “Let’s Not Forget the Next Wave of Leaders: Mentoring Graduate Students, Supporting Global Human Rights Emily Newman, Associate Professor of Liberal Studies—Research: “Burn Your Bras: Feminist Fashion and Art in United States Protests Ozum Yesiltas, Assistant Professor of Political Science—Research: “Orientalism Interrupted: A Critical Examination of Media Representations of Kurdish Female Fighters in the US
Dr. Nate Templeton, associate professor in the Department of Educational Leadership at A&M-Commerce, has been selected as the 2020 Texas Council of Professors of Educational Administration (TCPEA) Researcher of the Year based on his contributions to the field of educational research and inquiry. Templeton said he’s grateful for the support of peers within his department and from Dr. Kimberly McLeod, dean of the College of Education and Human Services. He expressed great appreciation for TCPEA’s recognition of his work’s positive impact.
“I am deeply honored to be selected by my peers as the recipient for this prestigious award,” Templeton said. “I am also excited that my research continues to contribute to the body of knowledge in the field of educational administration and, more specifically, toward building administrative capacity for improving teaching and learning practices which forge the narrowing of achievement gaps for marginalized student populations.”
Dr. Maia Lamarque, professor in the Texas A&M University-Commerce Department of Literature and Languages, recently published a new book, “Fairy Tales and its Adaptations in Spanish,” which focuses on how fairy tale analysis is the paradigm of globalization. Lamarque posits that fairy tales are the emblem of the human condition, global awareness, and offer a picture and understanding of how the world is shaped by ideas and a variety of performances. This is the second book written by Lamarque in the last year. She also released “Cinderella in Spain: Variations of the Story as Socio-Ethical Texts” in 2019.
Adam Metts, a staff member with the A&M-Commerce Counseling Center, was recently appointed to the Unemployment Transition Program for COVID-19 Job Loss, which has been implemented by “Because I said I would,” a social movement and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the betterment of humanity through promises made and kept. The organization was founded by Alex Sheen, who appeared at A&M-Commerce as a featured speaker in 2019. Metts currently serves as assistant director of training and supervision at the Counseling Center. For more information, visit the organization’s website.
Dr. Teresa Farler, assistant professor of educational leadership at A&M-Commerce, recently secured additional funding for the university’s partnership with Region 10 Educational Service Center.
Dr. Pam Winn, head of the Department of Educational Leadership at A&M-Commerce, reports corporate sponsorships for the three-year agreement now total $45,000.
The partnership will develop 15 to 20 aspiring superintendents in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. “As their positive experience with A&M-Commerce increases our presence in the area, our recruiting efforts will become more fruitful,” Winn said. “This is an amazing win for the College of Education and Human Services and for the university.”
Learn more about Region 10 ESC.
Dr. Mylynka Cardona, assistant professor of history at A&M-Commerce, was recently featured in an episode of “This Week in Texas History,” where she discussed what it is like teaching Texas history and some interesting historical figures from her research. “This Week” is produced by Save Texas History, an organization run by the state of Texas that seeks to rally public support and private funding for the preservation and promotion of the historic maps and documents housed in the General Land Office Archives. See the episode.
Texas A&M University-Commerce Professor Dr. Maia Lamarque was crowned champion of the A&M-Commerce Intramural Tennis Tournament on Oct. 22. Lamarque, who teaches in the Department of Literature and Languages, won in straight sets against Kinesiology student Hyaznarely Ramirez. Lamarque stated that the tournament was a great opportunity to engage with students and the university community.
Dr. Nathan R. Templeton, associate professor in the Department of Educational Leadership, will serve as editor of the journal Mentoring & Tutoring: Partnership in Learning, published by Taylor & Francis Group in cooperation with the International Council of Professors of Educational Leadership. The highly recognized journal publishes and disseminates scholarship associated with the leadership field.
Templeton said previous editors for the journal, Dr. Beverly J. Irby of Texas A&M University and Dr. Carol Mullen of Virginia Tech, are pioneers in the field of leadership.
“I am deeply honored to be selected as editor of this prestigious journal,” Templeton said. “I have really big shoes to fill, but I’m up to the challenge and truly excited to place my own footprint alongside theirs.”
Explore Mentoring & Tutoring: Partnership in Learning.
Dr. Ye-Lin Ou, professor in the Department of Mathematics at A&M-Commerce, recently published a new book, “Biharmonic Submanifolds and Biharmonic Maps in Riemannian Geometry,” with World Scientific Publishing. Released in April, the book is co-authored by Dr. Bang Yen Chen, professor emeritus at Michigan State University.
Providing basic knowledge and tools used to study the subject, the authors offer a comprehensive survey of biharmonic submanifolds and maps from the viewpoint of Riemannian geometry. The book is positioned to benefit graduate students and beginning researchers, as well as researchers already working in the field.
As an active, frontline researcher in his field, Ou has collaborated with experts around the world, including some who travelled to Commerce to work with him. Ou’s research has been supported by the Simons Foundation as well as the university’s faculty development program. View the book at the publisher’s website.
Dr. Kimberly McLeod, dean of the College of Education and Human Services at A&M-Commerce is slated as a panelist on an upcoming webinar titled, “Race & America’s Schools: Creating Anti-racist Schools & Organizations.” The webinar is scheduled for August 27 at 12:00 pm CST.
Panelists will discuss deep-seated, discriminatory policies within schools nationwide and offer opportunities to recognize, understand and address these issues.
The webinar will be broadcast live and recorded for registrants who can’t join the live session.
Register for the webinar.
Two faculty members from the Department of Nursing at Texas A&M University-Commerce are participating in the TIEC and The Stevens Initiative Virtual Exchange Program for Nursing in Egypt, Jordan, and Texas.
Drs. Carole McKenzie and Monica Tenhunen recently began an intensive two-week training class which ended July 10. They will now enter a planning phase where they will be partnered with a faculty team from Egypt or Jordan.
McKenzie and Tenhunen plan to develop a virtual exchange learning module for a nursing class focused on rural and community health, NURS 4660, which will be taught in spring 2021.
Afterward, the team’s project will be presented to the broader group for feedback during the third week of August.
“We are very excited to be involved with such diverse colleagues across Texas, Egypt and Jordan,” said McKenzie. “We look forward to the opportunities and outcomes from this project.”
The international exchange is facilitated by the Texas International Exchange Consortium (TIEC) and The Stevens Initiative. TIEC is a non-profit corporation based in Austin, Texas, which strives to build global educational partnerships between Texas and the world. The Stevens Initiative, named after U.S. Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens, seeks to build upon the meaningful international exchanges which shaped Ambassador Stevens’ life as a diplomat.
Dr. Kimberly McLeod, dean of the College of Education and Human Services at A&M-Commerce, said she’s proud of the nursing department for creating international experiences for students and faculty. “These efforts increase the impact and outreach of our program at Texas A&M University-Commerce.”
There are nine public universities in Texas participating in the exchange program, including Texas A&M International University in Laredo, Texas.
A&M-Commerce associate professor, Dr. LaVelle Hendricks, recently participated in a news segment featured on WFAA.com to address the dire need for quality internet access for students in minority communities. The segment stressed that reliable access to the internet has become an essential utility, similar to water and electricity.
When asked whether minority communities have, historically, had less access to the internet, Hendricks replied, “There’s no question about it. They can’t study well.” He continued, “They can’t communicate with their instructors. They can’t communicate with one another. They don’t have materials they can readily access via the internet.”
View the news segment.
A&M-Commerce professors of computer science and information systems, Dr. Omar El Ariss, Dr. Dongeun Lee and Dr. Kaoning Hu have been awarded a three-year grant from the National Science Foundation for their research project titled, “Multilingual Computational Thinking: Teaching Introductory Programming Classes Through Low-Level and High-Level Programming Languages.”
The project intends to teach computational thinking and multiple programming languages simultaneously through the use of video game development. The research will be applied to three computer science courses at A&M-Commerce including COSC 1436: Introduction to Computer Science and Programming; COSC 1437: Programming Fundamentals II; and COSC 2336: Data Structures and Algorithms.
The pedagogic approach integrates multiple learning theories into the instructional design in order to reach students with varying backgrounds and learning styles.
“We are three computer science professors who believe in the importance of passion for what is being taught,” said El Ariss. “We took our childhood passion for playing video games and integrated it with our passion for teaching introductory programming.”
“We are hopeful that our first-of-its-kind pedagogy will teach students to think computationally and create a passion for computer science.”
Texas A&M University-Commerce alum Erin “Amanda” Bowdoin was recently appointed to the Rehabilitation Council of Texas by Governor Greg Abbott, along with three others. The Rehabilitation Council works under the Texas Workforce Commission to advocate for Texans with disabilities in the vocational rehabilitation process. Bowdoin graduated from A&M-Commerce with a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education. Bowdoin and the other appointees, Emily Robinson, Roderick Robinson and Lindsey Geeslin, will serve their terms until October 29, 2023.
Melva Henderson, a graduate of Texas A&M University-Commerce, was recently appointed by Texas Governor Greg Abbott to the State Independent Living Council. The council, founded in 1989, is tasked with partnering, developing and monitoring a comprehensive state plan that develops goals and funding for independent living services in Texas. Other roles of the Texas State Independent Living Council are systems advocacy and public education on disability-related topics. Henderson earned her master’s degree in social work from A&M-Commerce. She and three other appointees will serve on the council until October 24, 2023.
A significant number of Texas A&M University-Commerce alumni have been placed in some of the top doctoral programs in the nation. Five recent A&M-Commerce Agribusiness graduates are currently continuing their studies in the field. The recent graduates include:
• Artak Meloyan (A&M-Commerce class of 2017) is currently pursuing a Ph.D. at the University of Wisconsin-Madison
• Hovhannes Mnatsakanyan (A&M-Commerce class of 2017) is currently pursuing a Ph.D. at the University of California-Davis.
• Chelsea Arnold (A&M-Commerce class of 2018) is currently pursuing a Ph.D. at Kansas State University
• Armine Poghosyan (A&M-Commerce class of 2018) is currently pursuing a Ph.D. at Virginia Tech University
• Samuel Uche (A&M-Commerce class of 2019) is currently pursuing a Ph.D. at Texas Tech University
Dr. Dawn Weatherford recently sat for an interview with All Things Cognitive, a podcast produced by the prestigious Psychonomic Society. She discussed her recently published paper in the Psychonomic Society journal Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications.
Her paper, “You shall not pass: how facial variability and feedback affect the detection of low prevalence fake IDs,” discusses the cognitive abilities of security screeners to detect fake IDs.
Weatherford earned her doctorate in educational psychology from Texas A&M University-Commerce in 2013.
Listen to the interview.
Dr. Kisha McDonald, a graduate of Texas A&M University-Commerce, took over a newly-created role with Cedar Hill Independent School District in June. As executive director of school leadership for grades six through twelve, McDonald oversees secondary education at five schools in the Cedar Hill district.
McDonald earned her doctorate in supervision, curriculum and instruction from A&M-Commerce. She also holds a bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University, a master’s degree from Prairie View A&M University and a master’s degree from Texas A&M University-Texarkana. McDonald has 21 years’ experience in the Texas education system as a teacher at four different school districts, an assistant principal and principal. She most recently served as director of social-emotional learning at Mansfield ISD.
The Mexia High School Class of 1959 presented $45,000 to Texas A&M University-Commerce in June 2019 to establish an endowed scholarship fund. This fall, the new scholarship will be available to a deserving A&M-Commerce student for the first time.
The scholarship is open to Mexia High School graduates of any age who are pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree at A&M-Commerce. The scholarship recipient must be a sophomore or above, and students who are enrolled at A&M-Commerce at Navarro College will receive priority consideration.
The Mexia High School Class of 1959 has a history of giving. For decades, the class members have enjoyed a close bond as they work together to provide educational opportunities to Mexia graduates.
In 2019, the class was gifted a portion of the Ina Cooper estate. With this gift, the group agreed to establish the Mexia High School Class of 1959 Scholarship at A&M-Commerce.
April Carl, director of development for Institutional Advancement at A&M-Commerce, expressed gratitude on behalf of the university.
“We are honored to be a part of the legacy created by the Mexia Class of 1959 and truly appreciate their generosity in giving so others may succeed,” Carl said.
The scholarship application deadline is November 1, 2020, and full scholarship details are available at https://tamu-commerce.academicworks.com.
The Planetarium at Texas A&M University-Commerce is reopening with new seats and a few new requirements. Reservations are now available for shows beginning November 13 and running through December 18. Seating is limited.
The feature presentation will be Mystery of the Christmas Star. Shows will start at 7 p.m. Reservations are required in order to practice safe distancing. All visitors, regardless of age, are required to wear a face covering for the duration of their visit.
Tickets are $5 per person, payable at the facility. Reservations can be made by calling 903.468.8650.
Learn more about the A&M-Commerce Planetarium.
The Office of Latinx Engagement and Outreach (LEO) at A&M-Commerce is facilitating the creation of a Latino Staff and Faculty Association at the university. This first-of-its-kind group for the campus’ Latino population was established to provide representation of diverse staff and faculty at key decision and stakeholder opportunities, empower Latino/Hispanic professionals, assist the university in becoming a federally recognized Hispanic Serving Institution, and aid the university with its diversity, equity and inclusion goals. This group has been a long time coming, with talks beginning almost eight years ago. Association founders shared that more than 50 interested university members attended the first official meeting on October 8. The association anticipates monthly meetings to begin in November, and interested parties can contact them at [email protected]
Several locations on the campus of Texas A&M University-Commerce will be lit up in an array of colors in recognition of National Coming Out Day on Oct. 11 in support of the university’s LGBTQ community. National Coming Out Day has been recognized in the United States since 1988 and is aimed at bringing awareness to important LGBTQ issues.
The Department of Victim’s Advocacy and Support at Texas A&M University-Commerce is encouraging the university community to wear purple on Oct. 14 to raise awareness of Domestic Violence. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month in America, and the community is invited to swap out their blue and gold attire on this upcoming Blue and Gold Wednesday for purple as a symbol of survivors and those who lost their lives due to domestic violence. In addition, select locations on campus will be lit up purple for the occasion. People are asked to share their purple looks on Facebook on Oct. 14 and tag @TAMUCAdvocacy in their photos.
The Department of Nursing at Texas A&M University-Commerce recently received a grant totaling $98,960 from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) Nursing Shortage Reduction Program. The program provides grants to professional nursing programs at public and private higher education institutions in order to combat nursing shortages and meet the need for registered nurses in the state of Texas. The university was selected for the award based on enrollment and graduation numbers in the undergraduate nursing program over a two-year period, as reported to THECB by the registrar’s office.
The Texas A&M University-Commerce College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources was awarded $50,400 by the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo to fund four graduate assistant positions within the college. This continues a long-standing partnership between HLSR and A&M-Commerce, with the organization donating more than $450,000 in scholarships to A&M-Commerce agricultural students to date. The recent funding from HLSR marks an increase in their commitment to agricultural education, as the amount was increased by $12,600 this year in order to add another GA position. The four graduate students that will benefit from this funding are Kaylee Kipp, Shannon Park, Sofia Martinez and Courtney Baldwin.
The Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences at Texas A&M University-Commerce received grant funding as part of the university’s ongoing affiliation with the Joint Admission Medical Program (JAMP).
JAMP is a partnership between 11 medical schools in Texas and 70 public and private four-year undergraduate institutions. The program provides financial and academic support for qualifying pre-med students, as well as guaranteed admission to a medical school in Texas upon completing all requirements at graduation.
Dr. John Slovak, assistant professor in the department reports most funds from the grant will be used to provide tutors in the JAMP room located within the McFarland Science Building at A&M-Commerce.
Learn about JAMP.
The Department of Nursing at Texas A&M-Commerce is featured in a recent article from the Herald-Banner newspaper in Greenville, Texas, for its efforts to train nursing students amid the challenges of the COVID-19 era. “Since March, so many things have changed, everything from pedagogy to budget,” said A&M-Commerce Department of Nursing Head Denise Neill in the story. “Statewide, the rules have been changing daily, so when we’re just about to get the hang of new procedures, new changes come in.”
Left to right: Dr. Monica Tenhunen, Hannah Dixon, Dr. Denise Neill and Camila Brown of the Texas A&M University-Commerce Nursing Department. Photo courtesy of Herald-Banner.
Neill said the pandemic has forced faculty to be creative and reconsider how they approach the role of teaching students. “It’s all made us reevaluate re-evaluate what’s essential,” Neill said.
Professor Monica Tenhunen agrees. “People are a lot more adaptable than they’re often given credit for,” said Tenhunen. “Innovation isn’t just an academic buzzword. It can mean nursing done a lot better.”
Read the full story.
The A&M-Commerce Department of Nursing received approval from the Texas A&M University System and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to offer the M.S.N. Family Nurse Practitioner degree program in a hybrid modality, blending face-to-face and online class formats.
Associate professor, Dr. Monica Tenhunen, said the varied course formats allow students to attend the program while still working as a registered nurse and provides face-to-face contact with faculty for content, skills training and feedback. “This approval is a huge step toward creating an agile nurse practitioner program,” said Dr. Kimberly McLeod, dean of the College of Education and Human Services. “With an unknown future surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, I’m thrilled that A&M-Commerce has a program that allows future nurse practitioners to pursue their dreams while serving our country on the front line.”
A&M-Commerce, partnering with Wylie ISD, is among nine university-school partnerships accepted into the Cohort III expansion of the University-School Partnerships for the Renewal of Educator Preparation (US PREP) National Center. As part of Texas Tech University’s College of Education, the national teacher preparation program has grown from six partnerships in a few states to 21 partnerships across the nation.
“The College of Education and Human Services at A&M-Commerce celebrates partnerships like the one we have with US PREP because they allow us to continue developing teachers for the field alongside local school districts,” said Dr. Kimberly McLeod, dean of the college. “Working collaboratively, we both become responsive to each other’s needs, creating the greatest win for the public students we serve.”
New institutions are rigorously vetted by US PREP during a three-month selection process including an application and baseline performance data along with faculty and administrator interviews and discussions with educators, administrators and key members of the partnership.
The program reports that educators who complete the training program are able to achieve results quickly and do not appear to be first year teachers; instead being on par with second and third-year teachers.
“It is essential for our university to collaborate with school districts like Wylie ISD throughout the teacher preparation process,” said Dr. Juan Araujo, assistant head of the Department of Curriculum and Instruction. “These partnerships ensure that, upon graduation, our students will be ready to serve the diverse population of students in Northeast Texas.”
Learn more about US PREP.
Read more about the Cohort III expansion.
The Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice at A&M-Commerce hosted special guest speaker Michele Jones Galvin at Ferguson Auditorium on March 5. Galvin spoke to attendees and signed copies of her book, Beyond the Underground: Aunt Harriet, Moses of Her People.
Following her speech at Ferguson Auditorium, the author attended a luncheon at Rayburn Student Center as well as a group discussion and book signing with A&M-Commerce faculty and students.
Galvin and her mother, Joyce Stokes Jones, co-authored their creative work of nonfiction, which was published in 2013. The work is based on genealogical research and their family ties to Harriet Ross Tubman, a central figure of the Underground Railroad. It chronicles the family saga from the survival of the Middle Passage to slavery on the eastern shore of Maryland to freedom in Canada, and then settling in upstate New York. Told from the perspective of descendants, the book portrays the life, times and accomplishments of the famed abolitionist.
