GeneralDr. Richard Saunders is an academic librarian and former Dean of Library Services at SouthernUtah University. A graduate of Utah State University, he holds a library degree from BrighamYoung University and a PhD from the University of Memphis with an emphasis on the socialhistory of recent America, and is professionally accredited by the Academy of CertifiedArchivists. His professional work experience includes service at the Utah State HistoricalSociety, Montana State University, in the production side of commercial publishing, and at theUniversity of Tennessee at Martin. Though a professional librarian, he has conducted historicalresearch across the US and published widely, on Yellowstone literature, early Utah printing,Montana history, the work of historian Dale L. Morgan, Tennessee novelist Harry Kroll, and thecivil rights movement in the rural South during the 1950s and 60s.HistoryDr. Richard Saunders is an academic librarian and former Dean of Library Services at SouthernUtah University. A graduate of Utah State University, he holds graduate degrees in history fromUSU and the University of Memphis. His career in history has centered on preserving thesources of history as a Certified Archivist and special collections librarian, but he has alsoresearched, written, and published widely in historical topics including Yellowstone, theAmerican West, Mormons, American popular literature, and the US civil rights movement. Hisbiography of Utah native and historian of western America Dale L. Morgan was named a Finalistin 2024 for the Evans Biography Prize. He is currently at work on a study of post-war social andeconomic change in the rural South, focusing on several counties in West Tennessee.LibraryDr. Richard Saunders is the former Dean of Library Services at Southern Utah University andhas been an archivist and librarian since the days of typewriters and ARPAnet. He holds alibrary degree from Brigham Young University, one of the library-school casualties of the 1990s,a PhD in History from the University of Memphis, and has been a member of the Academy ofCertified Archivists since 1992. Since 1988 he has worked as an archivist or librarian at theUtah State Historical Society, Montana State University, University of Tennessee at Martin, andSouthern Utah University where he was dean from 2014 to 2018. Dr. Saunders currently servesas the editor of RBM, ACRL’s journal of special collections librarianship.PrintingDr. Richard Saunders, academic librarian and former Dean of Library Services at Southern UtahUniversity, has been a student of printing, type, and publishing for over two decades. Informedby activity as an amateur handset printer and craft bookbinder, his scope of interest includesindustrial-scale papermaking, typography, printing, and both historical and descriptivebibliography. He worked professionally in the production side of commercial publishing in the1990s during the industry’s transition from filmsetting to direct-to-plate technology. Dr.Saunders has guest-lectured to college students and the public in classes and at symposia atinstitutions including Brigham Young University and the University of Tennessee. Hisprofessional output includes Printing in Deseret: Mormons, Politics, Economics, and Utah’sIncunabula, 1849–1851 (Univ. of Utah Press, 2000), and Reams in the Desert: Papermaking inUtah, 1849–1893 (Legacy Press, 2021). These comments made as part of the podcast reflect the views of the episode participants only and should not be construed as official university statements.

Aimee Dibrienza is the Director of Adult & Workforce Education in SUU's Community & Workforce Development department. As an experienced Assistant Director, she has demonstrated a history of working in the education management industry. She has demonstrated the following skills:Organization Skills,Communication, Problem Solving, Organizational Commitment, and People Development. Aimee earned her Master of Education - MEd focused in Montessori Administration from Westminster College. These comments made as part of the podcast reflect the views of the episode participants only and should not be construed as official university statements.

Brianne Kramer, Ph.D., is an award-winning Associate Professor of Education in the College of Education and Human Development at Southern Utah University where she teaches Social Foundations of Education courses. Additionally, she coordinates the Educational Foundations and Policy major for the Master’s of Education and Master’s of Interdisciplinary Studies programs. Her research focuses on teacher workforce issues, diversity, equity, and inclusion, educational policy, and teacher activism. She has co-edited the 2022 book Children and Trauma: Critical Perspectives for Meeting the Needs of Diverse Educational Communities, and the 2024 book Activists, Advocates, and Agitators: Justice-Oriented Organizing in the 21st Century. She also currently serves as a series co-editor for The Badass Teachers Association Education Series through Myers Education Press. Dr. Kramer is the current AFT president at SUU.Gretchen Ellefson is an Assistant Professor of Philosophy at SUU. Her research is in philosophy of language and addresses the roles of cooperation and power in communication. She teaches broadly in philosophy, and was the 2023 recipient of the Outstanding Educator Award. Gretchen is currently the SUU AFT Vice President.  These comments made as part of the podcast reflect the views of the episode participants only and should not be construed as official university statements.

Heather Callison is the Director of Student Outreach & Support Office; housed within the Dean of Students Office of Student Affairs. Her formal academic education includes Psychology and Sports Conditioning & Performance. She is QPR Trainer trained, Safe Zone trained, and is a member of the NABITA & NASPA Communities. Heather has worked on SUU campus in a professional staff setting for five years and is currently a Student Affairs Representative in the Staff Association Board. In her role in the Student Outreach & Support Office she hopes to continue to collaborate with all students, faculty, and staff to meet the needs of students and help them achieve their version of success. Rachel Brindley is the Assistant Director in the Student Outreach & Support office at SUU. She has been a full-time staff member for five year; both in Enrollment Management (Registrar's Office) and Student Affairs. She has her Master of Public Administration with an emphasis in Higher Education from Southern Utah University. Her passion lies in helping students remember why they started their academic journey in the first place and finding the resources and support necessary to help them continue to fulfil their goals and dreams, despite life getting in the way sometimes. Rachel enjoys volunteering as a member of the Iron County Search & Rescue. In her free time, she loves to spend time outdoors with her husband and three kids.  These comments made as part of the podcast reflect the views of the episode participants only and should not be construed as official university statements.

Chelsea Gambles, LCSW is an assistant professor in the Department of Family Life and Human Development at Southern Utah University. She received her masters of clinical social work from the University of Utah.  Chelsea has owned a clinical mental health private practice for 14 years.  She specializes in trauma with intersectionality between spirituality/faith transitions and sexuality and trauma.  Chelsea has worked with diverse populations related to gender, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity, etc and applies theory to practice with a feminist-multicultural and systems lens.  Chelsea spent five years at the Counseling and Psychological Services at Southern Utah University where she developed an interest in development, particularly amongst college-age students.  Chelsea is most passionate about mental wellness,  trauma recovery and trauma-informed education.  This led Chelsea to teaching college students.  Chelsea implements trauma-informed education in her pedagogy and finds a great deal of meaning in educating future social workers.  Chelsea takes pride in being a constant learner by attending conferences frequently in the field of mental health and education, maintaining licensure in a number of areas, as well as staying present in literature and best practice. Chelsea enjoys anything outdoors and time spent with her three daughters.   These comments made as part of the podcast reflect the views of the episode participants only and should not be construed as official university statements.

Chelsea Gambles, LCSW is an assistant professor in the Department of Family Life and Human Development at Southern Utah University. She received her masters of clinical social work from the University of Utah.  Chelsea has owned a clinical mental health private practice for 14 years.  She specializes in trauma with intersectionality between spirituality/faith transitions and sexuality and trauma.  Chelsea has worked with diverse populations related to gender, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity, etc and applies theory to practice with a feminist-multicultural and systems lens.  Chelsea spent five years at the Counseling and Psychological Services at Southern Utah University where she developed an interest in development, particularly amongst college-age students.  Chelsea is most passionate about mental wellness,  trauma recovery and trauma-informed education.  This led Chelsea to teaching college students.  Chelsea implements trauma-informed education in her pedagogy and finds a great deal of meaning in educating future social workers.  Chelsea takes pride in being a constant learner by attending conferences frequently in the field of mental health and education, maintaining licensure in a number of areas, as well as staying present in literature and best practice. Chelsea enjoys anything outdoors and time spent with her three daughters.   These comments made as part of the podcast reflect the views of the episode participants only and should not be construed as official university statements.

Brianne Kramer, Ph.D., is an award-winning Associate Professor of Education in the College of Education and Human Development at Southern Utah University where she teaches Social Foundations of Education courses. Additionally, she coordinates the Educational Foundations and Policy major for the Master’s of Education and Master’s of Interdisciplinary Studies programs. Her research focuses on teacher workforce issues, diversity, equity, and inclusion, educational policy, and teacher activism. She has co-edited the 2022 book Children and Trauma: Critical Perspectives for Meeting the Needs of Diverse Educational Communities, and the 2024 book Activists, Advocates, and Agitators: Justice-Oriented Organizing in the 21st Century. She also currently serves as a series co-editor for The Badass Teachers Association Education Series through Myers Education Press. Dr. Kelly Goonan is an Associate Professor of Outdoor Recreation in Parks and Tourism at SUU. She has a Ph.D. in Human Dimensions of Ecosystem Science and Management from Utah State University. A self-described “hybrid recreation ecologist/recreation social scientist,” Dr. Goonan's expertise is in the management of outdoor recreation in parks and protected areas. She teaches courses in the ORPT program and collaborates with community partners to provide engaged learning opportunities for students. Dr. Goonan also serves as the Associate Dean of the College of Health Sciences and served as the Faculty Senate President in 2023-2024. These comments made as part of the podcast reflect the views of the episode participants only and should not be construed as official university statements.

As a student, Ashleigh graduated with almost $30,000 of debt and became obsessed with learning as much about our financial system as she possibly could. She firmly believes you have to learn the game to break the rules and she is excited to share the ways the financial system can work for and against you.Her goal is to not only prepare students with the hard skills to budget, save, and invest but also to help them take control of their relationship with money. College is an awesome time, full of potential for new adventures. At SUU, she is here to make sure students' finances don't get lost in the mix or end up holding them back. She genuinely believes SUU can become America's most financially savvy campus by breaking the taboo around money and creating a positive support network for students' financial success. These comments made as part of the podcast reflect the views of the episode participants only and should not be construed as official university statements.

John Lisonbee serves as Southern Utah University's (SUU) Staff Association President. John is also part of SUU's IT department.  In his professional journey, attention to detail is non-negotiable, and his passion for teamwork fuels his drive for excellence. Whether aligning SUU's group efforts towards a common goal or ensuring clients and colleagues nod in satisfaction, his is there to ensure high standards are met and exceeded.As John puts it, "Technology is my arena, and I get a real kick out of blending innovative tech solutions with everyday business challenges. It's about keeping things running smoothly and being part of the progress shaping our work and world." He finds excitement in the tech industry's fast pace and is keen to contribute to its leading edge by providing forward-thinking solutions that matter. Beyond his technical know-how, he values genuine connections and aim to cultivate a work environment where people can speak openly, creativity is encouraged, and everyone is geared up for success. These comments made as part of the podcast reflect the views of the episode participants only and should not be construed as official university statements.

Former Southern Utah University Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of Finance and Administrative Services joins host Tony Pellegrini to discuss the world of education and finances. Marvin Dodge took the opportunity to join the Department of Government Operations as Executive Director in April 2023. In this role, Marvin is responsible for Administrative Rules, Archives, Purchasing, Fleet, Finance, Risk Management, Facilities and Construction Management, Technology Services and Human Resource Management for state agencies in Utah. These comments made as part of the podcast reflect the views of the episode participants only and should not be construed as official university statements.

Sylvia Bradshaw, Director, SPARC OfficeArea of Expertise: Grant Life CycleMeet Sylvia, the spirited leader of SPARC! Hailing from the breathtaking landscapes of southern Utah, she's the SPARC Director with a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and a Master's in Research Administration from Johns Hopkins. Sylvia's true joy comes from learning, but it's multiplied when she's surrounded by mountain air, aspen leaves, pine trees, and her beloved family!Jenn Stewart, Research Administrator Area of Expertise:  Pre-AwardIntroducing Jenn, the epitome of brilliance and curiosity! Hailing from Arizona, she conquered English during her undergrad years. With a master's degree in technical writing and digital rhetoric, she's a scholar extraordinaire. Her thirst for knowledge with her pre-award role at SUU makes Jenn an unstoppable force!Katie Gomez Freeman, Research AssistantArea of Expertise:  Life-Cycle ComplianceIntroducing Katie, another superstar of SPARC! From Mapleton, Utah, she's been rocking the office for 7 amazing years. From intern to full-time team member, she's the longest reigning member of the SPARC team. With a passion for pickleball, outdoor adventures, and movie marathons, Katie knows how to have a blast!Carrie Childs, Research Administrator (Post-Award)Area of Expertise:  Post-AwardMeet Carrie, the SPARC office's incredible Assistant Director! With a background in Accounting Services and fluent "Banner" skills, she's a powerhouse. Armed with an accounting degree and an MBA from SUU, she can’t be stopped. Catch her exploring nature, experimenting in the kitchen, or immersed in a captivating book.  These comments made as part of the podcast reflect the views of the episode participants only and should not be construed as official university statements.

Southern Utah University's Sponsored Programs, Agreements, Research, & Contracts (SPARC) office provides assistance to faculty, staff, and administrators seeking external funding for their projects and programs. From concept development and planning (pre-award) through implementation and management of funded projects (post-award), we will support you every step of the way. Assistance is provided in identifying potential extramural funding sources, developing proposal narratives and budgets, completing standardized application forms, assuring compliance with all applicable federal, state and university regulations, negotiating grant awards and contracts, and administering and closing out funded projects.Learn more about SUU's SPARC Office These comments made as part of the podcast reflect the views of the episode participants only and should not be construed as official university statements.

Mary Pearson is the Dean of the Dixie L. Leavitt School of Business at Southern Utah University. Her responsibilities include oversight of the Accounting, Economics, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Hotel Resort and Hospitality Management, Management, Marketing, Professional Sales, Masters of Accountancy, Masters of Business Administration, and Master Science Business Analytics degrees.Over the years, Pearson has received several awards. Most recently, she earned the UACPA Women to Watch Experienced Leader Award, Outstanding Educator for Beta Gamma Sigma, Student Influencer Award, Cedar City Chamber of Commerce Educator of the Year Award, and Outstanding Educator Award for Southern Utah University in 2013.Pearson has taught internationally at two of SUU partner schools in Austria for the last 16 years. Along with her work as a professor at SUU, Pearson is a certified public accountant (CPA) with her own financial firm in Cedar City, Utah. Pearson has served on several city, county, and school district committees and currently serves on the Helen Foster Snow Advisory Board and the Board of Directors for State Bank of Southern Utah.Pearson earned a bachelor of science degree in accounting and a masters of accounting from Southern Utah University and has earned a Ph.D.​ in business administration from Northcentral University. Pearson's previous experience includes serving as Associate Dean at Southern Utah University, Instructor of Accounting at College of Southern Nevada, and Accountant/Auditor for Carol A. Stone CPAs. These comments made as part of the podcast reflect the views of the episode participants only and should not be construed as official university statements.

Degrees Held:Ph.D. – University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2002M.A. – University of Nevada, Las Vegas, 1998B.S. – Southern Utah University, 1995Career Highlights:I published a co-authored text for use in the basic communication course with Kendall Hunt publishing in 2017. In addition, since 2003 I have authored or co-authored 22 articles or book chapters in academic books and national/regional/state journals in the communication field. I have been honored with several major awards at conferences for top research in instructional pedagogy and textual analysis, and I have also served as an editorial board member for two different journals.I have received the Outstanding Educator Award at SUU as well as the Outstanding Scholar Award and have been recognized as a Service Learning Fellow. Moreover, I have been named a top influencer for students during their college experience.I served as the graduate director for nine years before being appointed as the new department chair.In which online degree program do you teach?M.A. – Professional CommunicationLinks to share:https://www.suu.edu/experts/profile/?expert=matthe...https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-barton-b6881567/ These comments made as part of the podcast reflect the views of the episode participants only and should not be construed as official university statements.

Donna Law is the executive director of development and government relations at Southern Utah University. Previously, she directed the non-partisan Michael O. Leavitt Center for Politics and Public Service on campus. She enjoys the opportunity to teach as an adjunct in the Master of Interdisciplinary Studies and Arts Administration programs at SUU.With a background in communication, public relations and marketing, Law now serves as a liaison between SUU and the Utah State Legislature on issues related to higher education.In addition to her work at the University, she is involved with a number of boards and committees. In 2016, former Utah Governor Gary Herbert appointed Law to the Utah Transportation Commission and she previously served as chair and on the board of the Utah Office of Museum Services. She has served as board member and vice-president of the Shakespeare Theatre Association of America, chair of the Cedar City - Brian Head Tourism Board and the Iron County Lodging Association, and currently serves on Cedar City's RAP Tax Board.In 2005, the Cedar City Chamber of Commerce recognized Law as Woman of the Year.Law earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from Western Governors University and a master's degree in arts administration from Southern Utah University. She now serves SUU as the Associate Vice President of Community and Government Relations. These comments made as part of the podcast reflect the views of the episode participants only and should not be construed as official university statements.

Dr. Julie McCown is an Associate Professor of English at Southern Utah University. She received her Ph.D. in English from University of Texas at Arlington in 2016 and her M.A in English from University of Texas of the Permian Basin in 2011. Her teaching and research interests are wide-ranging and include early American literature, women writers, queer literatures, and digital humanities/media theory. She also discovered a previously unknown poem by the 18th-century African American poet Jupiter Hammon, which introduced her to the wonders of archival research. Her recent publications have been about early African American literature, nineteenth-century American poetry, and nineteenth-century women’s periodicals. Her current research focuses generative artificial intelligence (AI) and how to critically and ethically incorporate AI into First-Year Composition.Dr. Scott C. Knowles is an assistant professor in the Department of Theatre Arts and Dance at Southern Utah University. He received an MA from Florida State University and a PhD from the University of Kansas. His dissertation, Dystopian Performatives: Negative Affect/Emotion in the Work of Sarah Kane focused on the performative impact of violent scenes from Kane’s work on the affect/emotion of an audience. He has presented this work along with research focused on race, gender, directing, and dramaturgy at conferences such as the American Society for Theatre Research, The Mid-America Theatre Conference, Theatre Symposium, and the Association for Theatre in Higher Education. He has published work with both Theatre Journal and in A Critical Companion to Lynn Nottage. His directing work focuses primarily on theatre for social change, working to involve audiences, company, and community in issues beyond the walls of the theatre through a variety of outreach approaches. In 2017, Scott was awarded SUU’s Distinguished Faculty for Inclusion and Diversity Award based on his work with The Laramie Project. These comments made as part of the podcast reflect the views of the episode participants only and should not be construed as official university statements.

Mindy Benson serves as the President of Southern Utah University where she prioritizes the needs of faculty, staff, and students, mental health resources, and campus culture. Benson also focuses on strengthening community and University partnerships and led one of SUU’s most successful legislative sessions in recent history as interim president in 2021-2022.Prior to her appointment as president, Benson served as Vice President of Alumni and Community Relations at SUU for eight years. In that role, Benson built a new division for community outreach and many of the public-facing entities of the University including Alumni Relations, Regional Services, the Utah Center for Rural Health, Business Resource Center and Small Business Development Center, the Southern Utah Museum of Art, and the Larry H. Miller Utah Summer Games. She has advanced through a variety of positions at SUU including Executive Director of Alumni Relations and Director of Student Life and Leadership. Along with her leadership responsibilities, Benson has also taught courses on campus for 14 years, in the departments of Communication, and Hotel, Resort, and Hospitality Management.Benson has played a pivotal role in many community outreach efforts, including expanding workforce development, job creation, economic opportunities, increasing community and alumni engagement, and overseeing major campus and community special events. Her primary focus at SUU has been to strengthen ties with institutional stakeholders and create deep and lasting relationships with community members and leaders throughout the region and state. These efforts have led to expanded engagement of alumni, donors, and friends, as well as dramatically increased university resources through gifts and grants. In addition to her work at SUU, Benson is a professional event consultant and planner throughout the nation, with experience producing hundreds of high-level productions, including concerts, events, political conventions, gubernatorial and U.S. presidential inaugurations. Mindy is a Cedar City native, with ties to southern Utah and SUU that go back generations. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Zoology and a Master of Arts in Professional Communication from SUU. These comments made as part of the podcast reflect the views of the episode participants only and should not be construed as official university statements.

Dr. Julie McCown is an assistant professor of English at Southern Utah University. She specializes in early American literature, critical theory, animal studies, ecocriticism, natural history and science studies, and digital humanities and media theory. Her current research focuses on animal materiality in early American natural history texts. Her interests are early American literature, animal and science studies, and digital humanities/media theory. McCown had published several articles about stop-motion puppets, crocodiles, and animal bodies. She also discovered an unknown poem by the 18th century African American poet Jupiter Hammon.McCown has a bachelor's degree in literary studies with a minor in music and gender studies from the University of Texas at Dallas, a master of arts degree in English from the University of Texas of the Permian Basin and she earned her Ph.D. in English from the University of Texas at Arlington. These comments made as part of the podcast reflect the views of the episode participants only and should not be construed as official university statements.

Steven Meredith is the Associate Vice-President of Enrollment Management for Graduate and Online Learning at SUU.  Dr. Steven Meredith is the associate vice president of enrollment management for Graduate and Online Programs at Southern Utah University. Dr. Meredith's career in higher education has been remarkably varied and innovative. As an administrator, he has established dozens of new associate, bachelor's and master's degrees in music and technology. He has built and managed a number of technology and production facilities, including a full-fledged TV station. He has served as a dean, department chair, and in many other positions of leadership. Dr. Meredith earned a bachelor's degree in music and a master's degree in choral music education from the University of Utah and his doctorate degree in musical arts in choral music from Arizona State University.Lynn Kvamme is the Director of Enrollment Management for Admissions & Advising. Being a generalist who has held varying positions from sales client manager to administrative manager, has provided her with a wide range of experience. Furthermore, achieving an MBA has provided her with valuable business tools and knowledge. She has stated her goal is to use her experience and knowledge to provide alternative perspectives and innovative solutions to business challenges at SUU.Aimee Dibrienza is the Assistant Director for SUU's Adult & Workforce Education department. As an experienced Assistant Director, she has demonstrated a history of working in the education management industry. She has demonstrated the following skills:- Organization Skills, - Communication, - Problem Solving, - Organizational Commitment, and - People Development. Aimee earned her Master of Education - MEd focused in Montessori Administration from Westminster College. These comments made as part of the podcast reflect the views of the episode participants only and should not be construed as official university statements.

Join summer host, Matt McKenzie, as he talks about grants and the importance of facilities & administration fees with members of SUU's Sponsored Programs, Agreements, Research, and Contracts (SPARC) Office.  In this episode, Matt is joined by Sylvia Bradshaw and Carrie Childs. Sylvia was born in Moab, Utah and raised in the red rocks of Southern Utah. As the SPARC Director and having earned her Master's degree in Research Administration from Johns Hopkins University, Sylvia is happiest when learning. However, that happiness is definitely multiplied when surrounded by the cool mountain air, aspen leaves, pine trees, and of course her family!Carrie joined the SPARC office in April of 2020 after six years in Accounting Services. As such, she speaks fluent "Banner." Her undergrad degree in accounting and Master's in business administration are both from SUU. When she's not tinkering with Excel, you'll find her with her family, (preferably exploring the outdoors by boot, jeep, or boat), in her kitchen trying out a new recipe, or curled up with a good book.Visit the SUU SPARC website These comments made as part of the podcast reflect the views of the episode participants only and should not be construed as official university statements.

In this episode, Tessa Anderson joins host Tony Pelligrini to discuss the importance of staff training, initiatives at SUU, and critical thinking skills. These comments made as part of the podcast reflect the views of the episode participants only and should not be construed as official university statements.

In this month's episode, Tony Pellegrini sits down with the director of Southern Utah University's STEM Center, Dylan Kirklin. Tony and Dylan explore topics such as:How do you encourage those you work with whether they’re teachers or students to work on critical thinking?Creativity is a huge part of allowing us to innovate.Communication is so important for learning.How technology can be tricky for teachers.The importance of allowing students to work together. These comments made as part of the podcast reflect the views of the episode participants only and should not be construed as official university statements.

In this episode, host Tony Pellegrini sits down with Danielle Lydia Sheather to discuss teaching & learning through dance and the performing arts.  They delve into the mentoring program used at Southern Utah University to guide learners through not only the semester but their careers at SUU. Danielle also expands on the authentic opportunities SUU's dance students are exposed to as part of the program. Other topics include:What are the standards for dance in different states?Connecting as an instructorCritical thinking and problem-solving in dance.Collaborative skills in dance. These comments made as part of the podcast reflect the views of the episode participants only and should not be construed as official university statements.

Southern Utah University received an innovation grant in April 2022 to begin researching and integrating augmented/virtual reality into the curriculum. In this episode, host Tony Pellegrini sits down with Aundrea Frahm, Director of AR/VR at SUU to discuss the grant, how AR/VR can be integrated into the curriculum, and what the future holds for XR at SUU.Aundrea Frahm, SUU's AR/VR Director, shares, “Teaching is one of my very favorite things mainly because I love working with college students. They are brilliant and I love learning from them. As an art education professor, I looked forward to teaching students the power of unity and inclusion in the classroom. Now, more than ever, it is important that all students have a voice, are heard, and loved. A good teacher does that.”Aundrea believes that the classroom is a space where each voice is important and valuable. The classroom does not revolve around competition, status, or favoritism, but it is an open forum where every member of the community is able to communicate, grow and learn to the best of their individual ability and to give and receive support. The classroom community is a place where discussion facilitates question-asking and answering each other’s questions, investigating relevant issues and exploring the world at large. Aundrea will be opening SUU's first AR/VR Studio during Spring 2023, as well as hosting southern Utah's first XR Summit on March 15, 2023.  These comments made as part of the podcast reflect the views of the episode participants only and should not be construed as official university statements.

Dr. Gurung has been an exceptional contributor to the University’s global engagement and education for nearly 15 years, creating programs and opportunities for students to travel abroad and to learn from and serve the people of her home country of Nepal. As an associate professor of sociology and women & gender studies, Shobha integrates innovative pedagogies that span multiculturalism and global engagement and aims to help her students develop empathy with people from a wide range of life experiences and conditions while becoming conscientious and responsible global citizens. She mentors and advises student clubs with multicultural and international relevance and strives to help international students find their place at the University. Dr. Gurung holds degrees from Tribhuvan University of Nepal and Boston’s Northeastern University.A proud, first-generation college graduate born in Lima, Peru, and raised in Santa Ana, California, Associate Professor of Spanish Iliana Portaro is committed to reducing barriers to undergraduate completion by incorporating high impact practices such as writing, group work, research, and experiential education into her courses. With degrees in her field from UC Santa Barbara and UC Davis, Dr. Portaro helps students to experience the Spanish language within her classroom and in other contexts that foster their growth as language learners and students of Latin culture. Iliana approaches teaching languages as an ongoing process and aims to provide her students with the tools to be lifelong learners. Admirably, Dr. Portaro continually adapts her teaching strategies to keep her classes relevant and engaging. These comments made as part of the podcast reflect the views of the episode participants only and should not be construed as official university statements.

Dr. Bryan Koenig is an assistant professor in the Department of Psychology and chair of SUU’s Institutional Review Board. He holds degrees from St. John’s University, College of William and Mary and New Mexico State University and has taught at SUU for the past five years. Dr. Koenig’s teaching philosophy is centered on the belief that every student is unique, and structures his courses to provide students with opportunities to tailor their work to their interests. He actively engages his students by using a flipped teaching approach, including having class members replicate classic experiments. He continually looks to improve and excels at fostering solid relationships with his students. His wife, Crystal Koenig, is also an SUU faculty member, and their two children are their “tiny T-Birds.”Dr. Jayci Hacker has served as the Executive Director of Student Care & Advocacy and an Assistant Dean of Students at Southern Utah University since the summer of 2021. In this role, Jayci oversees the campus Care Team, Non-Clinical Case Management, the Office of Connection and Completion, and Graduate Assistants in the Psy.D. Program. Jayci provides QPR and Mental Health First Aid training for the campus. Prior to this role, Jayci served as the Honors Program Director and has been an SUU employee since January of 2012. Dr. Hacker recently completed her doctoral program at Arizona State University in Education and Leadership in December 2021. \In the Spring of 2022, Jayci received the Gerald R. Sherratt Distinguished Service.  These comments made as part of the podcast reflect the views of the episode participants only and should not be construed as official university statements.

In this episode, host Tony Pelligrini sits down with Brianne Kramer and Daneka Souberbielle to discuss equity & diversity at SUU. In her five years at SUU, Brianne Kramer, assistant professor of teacher education, has worked diligently to make her courses and the community an inclusive place for all. Originally from Napoleon, Ohio, she earned her Ph.D. from the University of Toledo. Dr. Kramer helped to institute a Diversity Professional Learning Community (PLC) here, leading book studies with more than 70 faculty, staff, students, and community members. Brianne served on the SUU Attainment Gaps Committee, participated in AACU Institute for Equitable High Impact Practices, and co-chairs the College of Education EDI Committee. She has recently begun serving on the new University Equity and Inclusion Committee to coordinate, inform, advocate and account for campus-wide initiatives that support the expansion of equity, diversity, and inclusion at SUU.Before joining SUU, Daneka Souberbielle served as a career advisor at Rocky Vista University and the associate dean of student inclusion and director of the Multicultural and Inclusion Center at Dixie State University. She has been recognized for her collaborative leadership, approachability, and ability to effectively translate complex concepts into individualized action plans. With a rich background in diversity, equity, and inclusion, Daneka has over 15 years of experience leading people, processes, and higher education initiatives for inclusive recruiting, diversity education, cultural competency and student support. As the Chief Diversity Officer and Associate Provost at SUU, Daneka has led a group of faculty and staff to host SUU's inaugural Summit on Belonging on October 25 - 26, 2022. These comments made as part of the podcast reflect the views of the episode participants only and should not be construed as official university statements.

Join Joshua, Jeb, and host Tony Pellegrini as they discuss teaching, learning, and service at Southern Utah University (SUU).  Dr. Joshua Price received the 2021-22 Faculty Distinguished Service Award. Dr. Price came to SUU eight years ago and has made an indelible impression on the campus community. With a bachelor’s degree in economics from BYU and two master’sdegrees and a Ph.D. in economics, policy analysis, and management from New York’s Cornell University, he uses his extensive knowledge to inspire students by tailoring his courses to their interests. Aside from his work as an associate professor of economics and director of the Health Education Action Lab (HEAL), he volunteers his time to provide color commentary for radio coverage of SUU women’s basketball games and to mentor new football recruits. Josh supports all of his students both inside and outside of the classroom with his knowledge, kindness, and humor.Dr. Jeb Branin was one of three 2021-22 Distinguished Educator recipients. He is an assistant professor in the Department of Theatre, Dance, and Arts Administration who has taught and nurtured SUU students for 24 years. He has earned degrees from Snow College, Utah State University, and Brigham Young University. He teaches many general education courses for his department, and in the past, taught “English Through the Internet” courses through the MOFET Institute and Talpiot Teacher College in Tel-Aviv, Israel. Additionally, he designed the “SUU in London” program, taking students and community members to London, England, to study theatre. Jeb carefully constructs his courses using the principles of intentionality, interconnection, and reflection and believes that failure is essential to learning. He provides his students opportunities to fail safely and learn by correcting their mistakes.This podcast is part of SUU's Center for Teaching Innovation (CTI). You can find previous episodes of this podcast on the CTI Podcast page.   These comments made as part of the podcast reflect the views of the episode participants only and should not be construed as official university statements.

Richard Cozzens, Associate Professor of Engineering joins us on the Podcast today.These comments made as part of the podcast reflect the views of the episode participants only and should not be construed as official university statements.

SUU CETL Website These comments made as part of the podcast reflect the views of the episode participants only and should not be construed as official university statements.

CETL Website These comments made as part of the podcast reflect the views of the episode participants only and should not be construed as official university statements.

CETL Website These comments made as part of the podcast reflect the views of the episode participants only and should not be construed as official university statements.

CETL Website These comments made as part of the podcast reflect the views of the episode participants only and should not be construed as official university statements.

CETL Website These comments made as part of the podcast reflect the views of the episode participants only and should not be construed as official university statements.

CETL Website These comments made as part of the podcast reflect the views of the episode participants only and should not be construed as official university statements.

CETL Website These comments made as part of the podcast reflect the views of the episode participants only and should not be construed as official university statements.

CETL Website These comments made as part of the podcast reflect the views of the episode participants only and should not be construed as official university statements.

CETL Website These comments made as part of the podcast reflect the views of the episode participants only and should not be construed as official university statements.

CETL WebsiteSouthern Utah University These comments made as part of the podcast reflect the views of the episode participants only and should not be construed as official university statements.

CETL Website These comments made as part of the podcast reflect the views of the episode participants only and should not be construed as official university statements.

CETL Website These comments made as part of the podcast reflect the views of the episode participants only and should not be construed as official university statements.

CETL Website These comments made as part of the podcast reflect the views of the episode participants only and should not be construed as official university statements.

Lynn Vartan's websiteCETL website These comments made as part of the podcast reflect the views of the episode participants only and should not be construed as official university statements.

Kris' websiteCETL website  These comments made as part of the podcast reflect the views of the episode participants only and should not be construed as official university statements.

Lynn's WebsiteSUU These comments made as part of the podcast reflect the views of the episode participants only and should not be construed as official university statements.

SUU Center of Excellence for Teaching & Learning These comments made as part of the podcast reflect the views of the episode participants only and should not be construed as official university statements.

SUU Center of Excellence for Teaching & Learning These comments made as part of the podcast reflect the views of the episode participants only and should not be construed as official university statements.

SUU Center of Excellence for Teaching & Learning These comments made as part of the podcast reflect the views of the episode participants only and should not be construed as official university statements.

SUU Center of Excellence for Teaching & Learning These comments made as part of the podcast reflect the views of the episode participants only and should not be construed as official university statements.