Walden is proud to have more than 30 state teachers of the year—including Bob Williams, Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration student—currently working toward advanced degrees.
“The times that were most meaningful as a Teacher of the Year often involved public policy: working with policy-makers, panel discussions and work sessions with the Department of Education, and discussing education policy issues with senators, colleagues and union officials. I find the nature of public policy and its influences to be interesting and important,” Williams said.
Williams believes his greatest career accomplishment is the widespread enthusiasm for mathematics that he’s instilled in his students. “I have always felt that mathematics deserves the same attention and recognition that athletic teams get at pep rallies,” says Williams, who has organized geometry skits, mathematical poetry contests and mathematical art contests that have become school tradition at four elementary and high schools in his school district.
Walden is now offering an M.S. in Project Management to help equip students with the skills they need to manage complex projects with diverse teams and help their organizations achieve strategic goals. Students can gain valuable experience in applying traditional management tools to highly technical projects while learning to communicate effectively with stakeholders and to analyze and control project risks.
The course content of the M.S. in Project Management is aligned with the knowledge areas of the Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) and will help prepare students for the Project Management Institute’s Project Management Professional (PMP) credential exam.*
“Demand for managers in project-oriented occupations is growing at an extraordinarily rapid pace,” said Dr. Kathleen Simmons, director of the M.S. in Project Management program. “Walden’s M.S. in Project Management is designed specifically to provide the skills required to manage projects across functional areas, geographic locations and all levels of an organization. Using proven management tools and a range of project management processes, students can prepare to make valuable contributions that will help enhance the performance of their organizations.”
*Eligibility for the PMP Credential requires individuals to first attain specific educational and project management experience, including 35 contact hours of project management education and a minimum of three years, or 36 months, of project management experience, during which at least 4,500 hours were spent leading and directing project tasks. The final step for earning the PMP Credential is passing the PMP exam. For more information, visit the Project Management Institute.
This is a book for those with big ideas about the collaborative foundations of democratic governance, public administration and capacity building. It is a book of building and improving public service, as well as current issues and best practices in managing transformational trends in governance and democracy, employee empowerment, citizen participation and the rampant culture of corruption in the Nigerian system of government. This text, which includes thought-provoking normative arguments, is a powerful learning instrument for students of research methodology and a reference book for adult learners and researchers.
Graduate students, alumni and faculty from Walden’s College of Health Sciences are among those presenting their research, best practices and public health experience at the American Public Health Association (APHA) 137th Annual Meeting & Exposition in Philadelphia this week. The APHA’s annual event is the oldest and largest gathering of public health professionals in the world, attracting more than 13,000 national and international physicians, administrators, nurses, educators, researchers, epidemiologists and related health specialists.
The poster and oral presentations will be part of APHA’s meeting program and will address current and emerging health science, policy and practice issues in an effort to prevent disease and promote health. Contributors will include:
Nina Bell, student in Ph.D. in Public Health program, “Adolescent Alcoholism: A Literature Review of Parental/Familial Modeling and Intervention Implications”
Tammy Chavis '09, Ph.D. in Public Health, “A Mixed-Method Study Pertaining to the Level of Knowledge about Alzheimer's Disease Among African-American Caregivers”
Dr. Talmage Holmes, School of Health Sciences faculty, “Epidemiology Instruction in the Virtual World—Opportunities and Challenges With Online Classroom Instruction”
Kirk Morehead, student in Ph.D. in Public Health program, “Primary Care Resource Gaps and Healthcare Reform” and "Using Epidemiologic Models to Quantify and Respond to Physician Resource Need”
Dr. Amany Refaat, School of Health Sciences faculty, “Effects of Education on Gender-Based Violence in Egypt”
Sarel van der Walt, student in Ph.D. in Public Health program, “Ethical Implications of Complexity Theory and Public Health Research Ethics in the 21st Century
How can an adventure book empower children and make them safer? “A spoonful of adventure makes the psychology go down,” according to author Dr. Molly Barrow, a practicing psychotherapist. Barrow uses exciting adventure books to embed subtle positive messages about building self-esteem. “High self-esteem is psychological armor for children.” Dr. Barrow's new fiction book for children, Malia and Teacup: Awesome African Adventure, illustrates complicated problem-solving and demonstrates how to “stay safe by staying strong.” The Malia and Teacup series encourages high self-esteem, positive thinking and healthy self-image.
When
Matthew’s father tells him a chimerical tale of a legendary money tree,
Matthew decides to venture out into the woods in search of the money
tree and the adventure begins. Join Matthew on his entertaining quest
in which, above all, he learns the true meaning of happiness.
Dr. Reza Hamzaee, a faculty member in the School of Management, co-published “Critical Thinking: A Foundation for a Better Learning and an Effective Teaching: A Systemic Approach” (Global Business & Economics Anthology, Vol. 1, 2009) and published “An Assessment of Global Economic Recession With a Focus on Iranian Economy” (Journal of Accountancy, Vol. 12, 2009).
Molly Hillig, a Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) student, will be serving as a nurse at the U.S. Embassy in Bolivia. She will educate Americans coming to Bolivia about health concerns and provide education and medical care to Americans living in and near the embassy.
Joseph L. Ricca, a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) student, is now superintendent of East Hanover schools, East Hanover, N.J. He formerly served as the principal of East Hanover Middle School.
Kenneth R. Williams, a Ph.D. in Applied Management and Decision Sciences student, was awarded fourth place in the 2009 General William E. DePuy Writing Competition, sponsored by the United States Army Combined Arms Center, Fort Leavenworth, Kan., for his article “The Noncommissioned Officer as Moral Exemplar.” His article will appear in the September/October issue of Military Review. Williams has served as an active duty Army chaplain for 15 years and is currently assigned as the brigade chaplain, 14th Military Police Brigade, Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. He was recently selected for promotion to lieutenant colonel.
Please join us for the latest session of Walden University’s online Career Lecture Series on Thursday, November 19, at 2 p.m. Eastern. The topic, “Building Blocks of Starting a Nonprofit Organization,” is presented by Dr. Gary Kelsey, a faculty member in Walden’s School of Public Policy and Administration.
Reservations are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and space is limited, so register today. This event is brought to you by the Office of Alumni Relations andCareer Services Center.
About the Speaker Dr. Gary Kelsey has 32 years of experience in the nonprofit, government, and education sectors. As an organizational development consultant, Dr. Kelsey has provided nonprofit board development, program development, strategic planning, fundraising, collaboration, team-building, qualitative research, and other organizational development assistance and training to more than 250 nonprofit, philanthropic, education, and government organizations. Dr. Kelsey is a faculty member at Walden University, the University of St. Thomas, and Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. He holds a B.A. in social work from St. Cloud State University, an M.A. in human and health services administration from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, and a Doctorate of Education in leadership from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota.
To support research that leads to real-world solutions, Walden
University awarded four faculty members and six faculty teams the 2009 Faculty Research Initiative Grant,
totaling $139,500. With the goal of supporting excellence in scholarly
work, the grant program helps fund select faculty research projects
that are deemed exceptional in merit. The grants provide seed money for
the development of faculty research agendas.
Walden University congratulates the following individuals and research teams for their standout projects:
Assessing a Predictive Modeling Technique for Proactive Patient Management of Diabetes
Principal Investigator: Dr. Howard B. Schechtner, School of Management Co-Principal Investigator: Mr. Nithyanandam Mathiyazhagan, School of Management Grant Amount: $15,000 Project Abstract: Diabetes affects nearly 25 million Americans and is estimated to cost approximately $125 billion annually. It is the sixth leading cause of death in the U.S. The human cost can be measured in terms of hospitalizations, drug costs, amputations, blindness, nerve damage, pain management and other health problems. The societal cost is in the trillions of dollars and is stressing a health care system whose costs are soaring. This study will create and assess predictive models for patients to proactively treat their blood sugar levels. It is difficult for patients to predict blood sugar as current technology gives them only a momentary reading without indicating whether levels are rising or falling. If insulin boluses are injected when sugars are high but actually falling, a serious hypoglycemic event requiring hospitalization could transpire. The model will take into account a number of variables such as insulin dose, blood sugar level, food intake (grams of carbohydrates), calories consumed, food timing, physical activity, type of activity, duration of activity, time of day, day of week and historical blood sugar readings. These explicit and tacit knowledge variables will guide the creation of the predictive model. The goal of the research is to tighten the control of blood sugar range which typically means reducing the running average of blood sugar level readings and reducing high and low readings. The theoretical basis for the study rests with Nonaka and Takeuchi’s Spiral Process Theory of Knowledge which will guide the creation of the model. This knowledge-based, technology-leveraged approach has the goal of greater adherence to self-controlled diabetes management through tacit and explicit knowledge conversion and internalization.
Formative Research to Identify Barriers to Completing Prenatal Care Services in HIV-Positive Communities in Rural South India
Principal Investigator: Dr. Vishnu-Priya Sneller, College of Health Sciences Co-Principal Investigator: Dr. Raghu Korripati, School of Management Grant Amount: $20,000 Project Abstract: The study proposes to use qualitative and quantitative methods to assess the prenatal services available to women in rural India. In collaboration with a local non-government agency that provides HIV prevention services in three different settings in Andhra-Pradesh. Participants will be residents from communities where HIV is known to be present. Participating communities will be identified by locating HIV-positive women who were lost to follow-up during the third trimester of pregnancy and missed an opportunity to prevent perinatal transmission of HIV. The project proposes to use qualitative and quantitative methods to identify barriers to prenatal care and health status of HIV-positive women who were lost to follow-up. Qualitative methods will use focus groups and non-structured interviews. The quantitative method will use structured interviews. Focus groups composed of women 16 years and older and couples from these communities will inform the development of communication messages and print material promoting prenatal care. Focus groups will also be used to develop the questionnaire, which will be used for individual interviews. Women 16 years and older from these communities will participate voluntarily in the structured individual interviews. Univariate and logistic regression models will be used to describe the barriers to prenatal care and risk for HIV infections in these communities.
About the Faculty Research Initiative Grant The Faculty Research Initiative Grant program is open to all faculty who have been employed by Walden for a minimum of six months. Grant funds can be used to support pilot research projects and small-scale research studies, and to supplement new areas of investigation that are spin-off studies or sub-studies of larger ongoing research projects.
Erikson Daniel Conkling, a Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration student, has begun a faculty professor of social and behavioral sciences position at the Logansport, Ind., campus of Ivy Tech Community College.
Todd Daniel, a Ph.D. in Psychology student, was awarded the 2009 Best Student Poster Presentation for his poster, "On Thin Ice: Listening to Methamphetamine Users in the Ozarks," at the Walden University summer residency held at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis.
Dr. Bernice Kennedy, a faculty member in the College of Health Sciences, published “Psychosocial Model: Racism as a Predictor of Adherence and Compliance to Treatment and Health Outcomes Among African Americans” (Journal of Theory Construction & Testing, Vol. 13, No. 1, 2009).
Dr. Jason Seacat, a faculty member in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, co-published two articles: “Dental Students Treating Patients Living With HIV/AIDS: The Influence of Attitudes and HIV Knowledge” (Journal of Dental Education, Vol. 73, Issue 4, 2009) and “Stereotype Threat and the Exercise/Dietary Health Intentions of Overweight Women” (Journal of Health Psychology, May 2009).
Dr. Jeff Snodgrass, a faculty member in the College of Health Sciences, co-published “Faculty Perceptions of Occupational Therapy Program Directors' Leadership Styles and Outcomes of Leadership” in the Journal of Allied Health (Vol. 37, 2008).
John E. Cech, a Ph.D. in Education student, published “Dual Enrollment, Multiple Paths and Diverse Students: A Look at Options for Enhancing Entry Into Postsecondary Education” in the Spring 2009 issue of The Montana Professor.
Dr. Ron Hirschbein, a faculty member in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, published “Nuclear Strategists in Wonderland” in Alice in Wonderland and Philosophy (Wiley, 2010).
Dr. Ronald P. Hudak, a faculty member in the College of Health Sciences, co-published “The U.S. Army Wounded Warrior Program (AW2): A Case Study in Designing a Nonmedical Case Management Program for Severely Wounded, Injured, and Ill Service Members and Their Families” in the June 2009 issue of Military Medicine.
Sonya Jackson, a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) student, was selected as interim school superintendent of Hernando County Schools, Hernando County, Fla.
Raymond Marbury, a Doctor of Business Administration (D.B.A.) student, was hired as a management analyst in the Internal Revenue Service Chief Counsel's Office. In addition, he is serving as an adjunct professor at Shenandoah University, Winchester, Va.
Dr. Darlington Mgbeke, a faculty member in the Center for Undergraduate Studies, published “The Dynamics of Inept Administrative Leadership In Nigeria Public Sector: A Guide To Civic Engagement” (International Culture Journal, Vol. 2, Issue 2, 2009).
Dr. Cheryl Parker, a faculty member in the College of Health Sciences, co-published “Moving Along: Using Mobility Technology to Improve Pharmacist Workflow in the PICU Rounding Process” in the fall 2008 issue of The Journal of Healthcare Information Managementand “Mobile Device Improves Documentation Workflow and Nurse Satisfaction” in the summer 2008 issue of CARING Newsletter.
To support research that leads to real-world solutions, Walden University awarded four faculty members and six faculty teams the 2009 Faculty Research Initiative Grant, totaling $139,500. This year’s grants support research projects ranging from determining the predictors of prejudice to identifying prenatal-care barriers in rural south Indian HIV-positive communities. With the goal of supporting excellence in scholarly work, the grant program helps fund select faculty research projects that are deemed exceptional in merit. The grants provide seed money for the development of faculty research agendas.
Walden University congratulates the following individuals and research teams for their standout projects: Utilization of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) Title I, Part A Stimulus Funds: Translations of Federal, State and District Policy to Action
Co-Principal Investigator: Dr. Phyllis Durden, The Richard W. Riley College of Education and Leadership Co-Principal Investigator: Dr. Paula Dawidowicz, The Richard W. Riley College of Education and Leadership Grant Amount: $18,000 Project Abstract: It is unclear how local districts interpret local guidelines for the use of federal funding and, as a result, the impact those funds have on students’ performance and/or school climate. With the introduction of the short-term, nonrenewable American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) Policy, and economic stimulus funds for Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), understanding the factors impacting interpretation of these initiatives, their implementation and their ultimate educational impact becomes particularly important to ensure the funds’ impacts are maximized. The purpose of the proposed research is to conduct a multiple case study of the implementation process of those stimulus funds allocated for school improvement in terms of the selections made for utilization of funds. The independent variables are the school improvement initiatives funded by the ARRA Title I, Part A funds. The intervening variables are the socioeconomic level (as measured by the Free and Reduced Price Lunch percentage) and the cultural attitudes in the locations. The dependent variables are student achievement and school climate. Data sources will include several annual government reports and archived data, surveys and interviews. Analysis will be accomplished through use of both SPSS and NVivo software and will include ANOVA, Pearson correlation and multiple regression analysis of quantitative data and open coding and axial coding to identify themes and patterns in qualitative data, as well as integration of quantitative and qualitative data, to draw overall conclusions. Through this research, greater understanding of the funding to implementation process, intervening factors and potential results of short-term funding in Title I, Part A programs can develop and, as a result, refinement of policy and process can occur. Evaluating the Impact of Community Leadership: Researching Leadership Development Outcomes
Co-Principal Investigator: Dr. Janice Garfield, The Richard W. Riley College of Education and Leadership Co-Principal Investigator: Dr. Kurt Schoch, The Richard W. Riley College of Education and Leadership Grant Amount: $18,500 Project Abstract: Community-based leadership development projects exist in many communities, small and large, across the United States and in other countries. Recent literature, such as the 2002 report of research sponsored by the Kellogg Foundation, attempted to discern the impact of community-based leadership development programs. Sogunro’s (1997) study of a leadership development program in Alberta, Canada showed increases in leadership knowledge and behavior for participants in a rural leadership education program, based on responses from recent and long-term graduates. The purpose of this research is to expand on previous work and compare and contrast three existing leadership development initiatives (Leadership New Haven [Conn.], Leadership Johnson County [Ind.] and Leadership Lynchburg [Va.]) to identify key factors in their success and overall impact. This project also expands the related research presented at the Walden University Poster Session conducted at the January 2009 residency and faculty meeting titled “Evaluating the Impact of Community Leadership.”
This multiple case-study research will use elements of the CIPP (Context Input Process Product) model of program evaluation, while using the structure and core values of the Baldrige National Quality Program (BNQP) as a conceptual framework. Sources of data will include interviews (with leadership development program participants, planners and stakeholders), observations of program activities, and document review (program materials, needs assessments, educational materials and program evaluations). This approach combines Yin’s concepts of using case studies in evaluation research for both explanation of “presumed causal links” and description of “an intervention and the real-life context in which it” occurs. Data analysis will include description, development of categories and naturalistic generalizations to identify and compare causal links.
The aim of this research is to expand the scope of existing community leadership development program evaluation, focusing on the impact of such programs regionally and globally. With the current economic concerns and expanding global markets, even small markets (towns, counties) are becoming concerned about adopting a global perspective. This affects the sustainability of local economies, as they strive to be competitive in a larger, more global economy.
Examining Resilience Factors for a Transsexual Woman of Mexican Heritage
Principal Investigator: Dr. Stacee Reicherzer, School of Counseling and Social Service Grant Amount: $9,000 Project Abstract: This single case study will examine resilience factors in the life of a transsexual woman of Mexican ethnic origin who works as a drag performer in an urban area of south Texas. The study’s aim will be to explore real-world examples of marginalization, social opprobrium, strength and resiliency for the purpose of improving community-based intervention and prevention efforts that address suicidality for transgender women of color. Data will be collected through personal interviews with the participant, direct and indirect observations of her drag performances and a review of the artifacts of her life that reveal her story of resilience. Results will be analyzed using NVivo 8 through the use of two case study methods: direct interpretation, in which a single event is reviewed numerous times for the purpose of understanding its importance; and categorical aggregation, in which numbers of specific occurrences are recorded and analyzed. Findings from this research would assist the development of better counseling and human services for the transgender community, potentially resulting in a reduction in transgender suicide rates through the use of evidence-based interventions.
This is an excerpt from from Walden University president Jonathan Kaplan’s interview in Triple Pundit about Walden’s social change mission.
A few weeks ago, I featured Walden University’s new advertising campaign, centering around their social change-focused brand positioning: “A higher degree. A higher purpose.” I was instantly struck by their TV spot because they put their money where their tagline is in demonstrating the end result of a Walden University degree, and spotlighting the change that is possible when you choose an institution aimed at serving the greater good.
The goal is to attract like-minded individuals whose core values align with Walden’s, and they are, in turn, committed to equipping those agents of change with the practical tools they’ll need toward becoming the leaders of tomorrow. The campaign is inspirational without coming off cheesy, so I decided to learn more about the vision behind it in an informative interview with President, Jon Kaplan. And with the level of dedication they put forth in facilitating avenues for positive change, the next time you meet someone who’s making a difference, they may just have a Walden University diploma hanging on their wall.
I was inspired by your recent campaign with your positioning, “A higher degree. A higher purpose.” Can you please tell us more about why you chose that brand position, and how you are supporting it through your institution? Social change has been at the heart of our mission at Walden University for nearly 40 years. Part of what drives our students, faculty, staff, and alumni is a shared desire to make a positive difference in their neighborhoods, their communities, their careers, and in the broader world. At Walden, we focus on giving students the skills and knowledge they need to solve real-world problems that can have a positive impact on their communities. Our new campaign is a reflection of some of the outcomes experienced by our students and alumni every day.
To read the rest of the interview, visit Triple Pundit.
To support research that leads to real-world solutions, Walden University awarded four faculty members and six faculty teams the 2009 Faculty Research Initiative Grant, totaling $139,500. With the goal of supporting excellence in scholarly work, the grant program helps fund select faculty research projects that are deemed exceptional in merit. The grants provide seed money for the development of faculty research agendas.
Walden University congratulates the following individuals and research teams for their standout projects:
Ethnic Identity and Daily Life in African-American Families
Principal Investigator: Dr. Brian L. Ragsdale, School of Psychology Grant Amount: $10,000 Project Abstract:
The purpose of this study is to examine dimensions of ethnic identity
in African-American families and explore its relationship to daily
experience and emotional regulation. Ethnic identity, as measured from
hour-to-hour, daily and globally, will be examined in relation to
person-situational contexts. The specific aim of this pilot project is
the collection of detailed data on the multidimensional aspects of
ethnic identity (e.g., belonging, cultural beliefs and feelings
relating to oppositionality) and how they function across various
contexts. Specific hypotheses relating to adult and adolescent ethnic
identity and its mediational role in mental health outcomes will be
tested using multi-level models. A secondary aim is to explore
emotional regulation patterns and relate these to perceptions of
discrimination and prejudice. This research proposes a pilot study with
30 African-American families, including children over the age of 12.
Following procedures of the Experience Sampling Method (ESM),
participants enter data in a PDA every day for one week and, once
signaled, will provide self-reports on hour-to-hour, daily activity,
location, companionship and emotion. ESM data and traditional surveys
on psychological functioning (e.g., depression, stress, family
cohesion) will be collected from participants. ESM self-report data and
surveys will be collected across seven days and across two waves: first
and ninth months. Participants will provide over 75,000 reports on
random hours in their daily lives. This study will provide a rich and
complex data set on Black family life, daily positive and negative
emotion, amount of time spent in various daily activities, examine
companionship choices made by family members and describe mood when
engaged in various daily activities.
Right-Wing Authoritarianism, Social Dominance Orientation and Materialistic Value Orientation as Predictors of Prejudice
Principal Investigator: Dr. Carlos Diaz-Lazaro, School of Psychology Co-Principal Investigator: Dr. Kelley Haynes, School of Psychology Grant Amount: $10,000 Project Abstract: The study will explore the relationship between prejudice and right-wing authoritarianism (RWA), social dominance orientation (SDO) and materialistic value orientation (MVO). Participants will be recruited through stratified sampling by a local data collection consultant in the city of Mar del Plata, Argentina, and will consist of 300 adults with ages ranging from 18 to 65. Participants will complete a Spanish back-translated Right Wing Authoritarianism Scale, Social Dominance Scale, Material Values Scale, an Argentinean Prejudice Scale and a demographic survey. The study’s design will be correlational. Multiple Regression Analysis will be conducted to assess the contribution of RWA, SDO and MVO to prejudice. Factor analysis will also be conducted to assess internal validity of the Spanish versions of the research instruments.
Retirement Life of School Superintendents in Montana
Principal Investigator: Dr. Boyd E. Dressle, The Richard W. Riley College of Education and Leadership Grant Amount: $9,000 Project Abstract: It is estimated that there are 73.5 million individuals in the Baby Boomer generation who are or soon will be reaching retirement age. Just as they have lived their work life differently than their parents by being more educated and having fewer blue-collar jobs, so are they expected to approach retirement in a new way. This proposed study will examine a subset of these individuals, school superintendents in Montana, as to the nature of their transition to retirement. Fifteen recently retired superintendents will be asked to participate in a qualitative phenomenological study consisting of two- to three-hour interviews. The effects on their self-identity of going from a leadership role to one of retiree will be explored along with changes in relationships with friends and family and their current activities. Three methods of coding will be used to analyze the data. Open coding will be conducted by color-coding the major themes. Axial coding will develop concepts into categories and interconnect them. Selective coding will be used to identify the storyline that pertains to this group. The findings will assist researchers in developing a new theoretical basis for understanding this under-researched group and to develop a practical reference book for human resource departments and individuals transitioning to retirement. This study contributes to positive social change by initiating understanding of the changes experienced by leaders during the transition to retirement.
Long-Term Impact of Psychosocial Intervention for Breast Cancer Survivors
Principal Investigator: Dr. Ellen G. Levine, School of Psychology Grant Amount: $10,000 Project Abstract: Often cancer survivors feel that only other survivors can understand their experiences. While studies have extolled the values of group support for cancer patients and survivors, few have examined whether cancer survivors who have been a part of group intervention studies remain in contact with the other group members after the study is completed. This study aims to re-contact 181 breast cancer survivors who were enrolled in a trial of two types of interventions: standard group support and a more spiritually based intervention that included complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies. Of interest is the importance of the belief that only cancer survivors can empathize with each other, and the type and appraisal of support from other individuals in their families/networks. The women will be contacted for a one-time in-depth interview that will address the following: whether they have continued to meet with other women in their groups; how often they meet; with how many women; what the nature of the meetings are; the perceived benefits of meetings; the types and appraisals of support from the group members and their own family/social network; the impact that breast cancer still has on their lives; and whether or not the women in the CAM group are still practicing the modalities that were taught. In addition, the women will be asked to complete the same measures of quality of life, mood and spirituality that they completed while in the original study. They will be asked to complete measures of social support and barriers to continuing in the group that were not used in the original study. This study could impact not only whether or not a cancer patient decides to enter or stay in a group, but also help clinicians determine who might benefit from being in a long-term support group.
Latino/Hispanic Students’ Motivation to Enter Field of Ecology: Facilitated Through Professional Learning of Teachers in an Elementary School
Principal Investigator: Dr. Heather Miller, The Richard W. Riley College of Education and Leadership Co-Principal Investigator: Dr. Tom Cavanagh, The Richard W. Riley College of Education and Leadership Grant Amount: $20,000 Project Abstract: This research will implement a teacher training program that will engage the interest of Latino/Hispanic elementary school students in ecology and the natural sciences. Existing data from Miller’s dissertation, which quantified students’ exposure and career aspirations toward ecology and the natural sciences will be analyzed qualitatively. The findings of the qualitative analysis of Miller’s data and the results of the already existing quantitative analysis will result in a teacher professional learning intervention that will be developed aimed at increasing the motivation of Latino/Hispanic students to learn about ecology and the natural sciences. In-depth interpretation of the existing data by multiple researchers—with Latino/Hispanic scholars providing cultural insights—will be made, guided by constructivist grounded theory to guide the development of the professional development / teacher training. The intervention will be instituted in an elementary school, where the population is primarily Latino/Hispanic students, and will be evaluated using Guskey’s five levels of evaluation of professional development, which through an iterative process will measure teacher’s implementation of the intervention and its effects on Latino/Hispanic students regarding their knowledge of and interest in ecology and the natural sciences. Finally, an action plan will be written for replicating the intervention in other schools with similar student populations. This research study will address Walden’s social change mission by empowering teachers of Latino/Hispanic students on how to best address their unique population based on culturally sensitive teacher training to pique the interest of these young students in ecology and the natural sciences.
About the Faculty Research Initiative Grant The Faculty Research Initiative Grant program is open to all faculty who have been employed by Walden for a minimum of six months. Grant funds can be used to support pilot research projects and small-scale research studies, and to supplement new areas of investigation that are spin-off studies or sub-studies of larger ongoing research projects.
Walden University is now offering two additional specializations within its M.B.A. program. These specializations help prepare students for a range of managerial positions in health care.
In the new Healthcare Management specialization, students can gain a greater understanding of the accounting and finance functions in health care organizations. They will have the opportunity to learn how to apply economic principles to the allocation and distribution of health care resources and services. Students will also explore various techniques used to develop, manage and control health care finances and enhance organizational performance.
Through the new Healthcare System Improvement specialization, students can broaden their understanding of techniques for assessing and improving quality. Students will also have the opportunity to learn to use information systems and technology to develop innovative solutions related to the coordination and timeliness of care as well as the management of medical records and orders. In addition, students will learn how technology can be used to achieve cost controls and improve supply and inventory management.
“Whether students are currently working in a health care setting or seeking to obtain a position in the health care field, these two specializations can provide the solid foundation they need to advance in this rapidly growing industry,” said Dr. Rebecca Sidler Krysiak, M.B.A. program director. “Offered in collaboration with our College of Health Sciences, the specialization courses address the latest trends and technologies in health care organizations and give students the management skills required to help transform the future delivery of health care.”
Walden’s students, faculty and staff are contributing to their disciplines through publications, presentations and other professional activities.
Jason Bing-Schetelick, a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) student, was selected to serve as superintendent of schools in Barnegat Township, N.J. For the past four years, he has served as superintendent of Great Meadows Regional School District, Great Meadows, N.J.
Dr. James Bowman, a faculty member in the School of Management, co-published the third edition of Human Resource Management (Sage, 2009).
Dr. Abbie Brown, a faculty member in The Richard W. Riley College of Education and Leadership, co-published “The Virtual Worlds in Education Conference: Lessons Learned From Conducting an International, Peer-Reviewed Conference Within Second Life” (Educational Technology, Vol. 49, Issue 3, 2009) and “The Impact of Informatics on Nursing Education: A Review of the Literature” (Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing, Vol. 40, Issue 5, 2009).
Dr. Ashraf Esmail, a faculty member in The Richard W. Riley College of Education and Leadership, co-published the following: “Men’s Exploration of Multiple Sexual Partners: Economic vs. Psychosocial Explanation” (Bangladesh e-Journal of Sociology, Vol. 6, Issue 1, 2009); “The Apple Program, a Student, Home, and School Prevention Partnership: To Impact the Academic, Social, and Personal Development of At-Risk Students,” “Children Exposed to War and Violence: How Does One Prepare Authoritative Figures and Aid in the Elimination of Violence in the Classroom?” “Peace Education: Classroom Management in the Urban Center” and “The Rationale for Using Critical Literacy in Peace Education” (Youth Violence in American Schools: How It Can Be Alleviated, Edwin Mellen Press, 2009); and “Voting the Issues or Voting the Demographics? The Media’s Construction of Political Candidates’ Credibility” (Race, Gender, & Class, Vol. 15, Issue 3/4, 2009).
Dr. Marcia Moody, Dr. Nina Nabors, and Dr. Miguel Ybarra, faculty members in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, published “Social Justice: Diversity in Action” in Diversity in Mind and in Action (Vol. 3, Praeger, 2009).
Dr. Terry O’Banion, a faculty member in The Richard W. Riley College of Education and Leadership, published the following: The Rogue Trustee: The Elephant in the Room (League for Innovation in the Community College, 2009); “Let the Conversation Begin: How Do We Deal With a Rogue Trustee?” (Leadership Abstracts, Vol. 22, No. 4, 2009); “What Motivates the Community College Rogue Trustee?” (Community College Journal of Research and Practice, Vol. 33, Issue 6, 2009); “Damage Caused by the Rogue Trustee” (Community College Journal of Research and Practice, Vol. 33, No. 7, 2009); “Strategies for Dealing With Rogue Trustees” (Community College Journal of Research and Practice, Vol. 33, No. 8, 2009); and “Foreword” in Imagine Success: Engaging Entering Students (Center for Community College Student Engagement, 2009).
Jennifer M. Padron, a Ph.D. in Public Health student, was recently selected to the State of Texas via HOPE Steering Committee and charged with developing the Texas-Certified Peer Specialist certification and training program for mental health for the 2009–2010 term. She is concurrently serving as co-chair of the U.S. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association of Texas board of directors and is co-chair of the 2010 Windows to Wellness Conference to be held in Austin, Texas, on January 7–9.
Panel Discussion: Perspectives from the Front Lines of Social Entrepreneurship This will be an interactive panel discussion featuring social entrepreneurs and experts sharing stories, ways to identify social needs and tips about what works when starting an organization.
Peter Kannam is the executive director of New Leaders for New Schools
Maryland, the state-level initiative of a national social enterprise
with program sites in Baltimore City and Prince George’s County. Kannam
has been leading New Leaders in Maryland since it was launched in 2005.
He directs the work of securing the best talent from around the country
and providing cutting-edge, competency-based training to instructional
leaders who are transforming urban education in Maryland’s most
challenged districts. Under his leadership, the program has grown to 80
leaders across the state and more than 15 percent of Baltimore school
principals.
His professional career began as an eighth-grade social studies teacher
at Lombard Middle School in East Baltimore where he gained practical
expertise on how to move students and systems. He then was the
executive director of Teach for America, Baltimore. During his tenure,
he cultivated a successful partnership with the Baltimore City Public
School System to place and support close to 300 teachers in Baltimore’s
schools. Kannam also has experience in the corporate sector. He was the
New England regional director for Catapult Learning where he managed
all aspects of regional operations that served students in Boston,
Providence, Hartford, Conn., and Springfield, Mass.
Panelists include:
David Bornstein specializes in writing about social innovation. He is the author of How to Change the World: Social Entrepreneurs and the Power of New Ideas (Oxford University Press), described by the New York Times as “must reading” for “anyone who cares about building a more equitable and stable world” and a “bible” in its field. The book, which is in the process of being published in 20 languages, chronicles and analyzes the work of social innovators who are successfully addressing social problems at scale in several countries.
Bornstein’s first book, The Price of a Dream: The Story of the Grameen Bank, traces the history of the Nobel Peace Prize–winning Grameen Bank during its first 20 years and describes the global emergence of the now-famous anti-poverty strategy known as microfinance. Bornstein grew up in Montreal, Canada and now lives in New York City with his wife and son. He is currently developing a Web site to share the stories and insights of innovative social changemakers. Bornstein’s newest book, Social Entrepreneurship: What Everyone Needs to Know, co-authored with Susan Davis, will be published in January.
Anthony Jewett is the president of Bardoli Global, which has provided
study abroad and leadership development opportunities to more than 130 minority scholars to date. After serving as a bilingual elementary school teacher in New York City with Teach for America from 2003–2005, he founded Bardoli Global to provide opportunities for outstanding African-American, Latino, and Native American youth through study abroad and service-learning.
Jewett has studied and worked abroad in South America, West Africa, China, and the Middle East. He is a 2006 recipient of the Echoing Green Public Service Fellowship. He earned a B.A. in international studies from Morehouse College in 2003 where his passion for study abroad and community service earned him both the Freeman-ASIA and Benjamin A. Gilman awards from the Institute of International Education. He is currently a fellow in community and family philanthropy at The Zeist Foundation in Atlanta. Jewett is currently enrolled in the M.S. in Nonprofit Management and Leadership program at Walden University.
Dr. Kathia Castro Laszlo is a Walden University faculty member, and co-founder and executive director of Syntony Quest, an educational, research, and consulting organization that empowers businesses and communities to work and learn in ways that embody social
and environmental integrity, with offices in San Francisco, Calif. and Monterrey, Mexico. Under her leadership, Syntony Quest has launched the social enterprise Syntony Creations, a fair-trade initiative that markets crafts made from recycled materials by interns of the Centers for Social Readaptation of the state of Veracruz, Mexico.
In addition to her classes at Walden, Laszlo has taught in the M.B.A. program for sustainable business at Bainbridge Graduate Institute and the program for sustainable management at the Presidio School of Management since each program’s first year of operation. Currently, she is a mentor for M.B.A. students studying green sustainable enterprise at the Dominican University of California and a faculty member for the “Green Your M.B.A.” executive certificate. She is an advisor and professor of organizational development, systems thinking, evolutionary consciousness, and sustainability at Saybrook Graduate School and Research Center. She is author of more than 40 publications, including academic journal articles, book chapters, and a forthcoming book.
Dr. John Nirenberg is a Walden University faculty member and the author of numerous books, including Global Leadership (Capstone, 2002), Power Tools: A Leader’s Guide to the Latest Management Thinking (Prentice Hall, 1997), and The Living Organization: Transforming Teams Into Workplace Communities
Nirenberg has worked abroad (including Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, and Thailand) as an educator and consultant. While in Malaysia, he edited Aspects of Management in Malaysia. It was the first management textbook in Malaysia that integrated Malaysian cultural influences with conventional management principles. Nirenberg has visited more than 120 countries. In Australia, he developed the PROBE methodology (Practical Organizational Behavior Education)—a student-centered and experiential technique for teaching organizational behavior to full-time students. While in Singapore he organized that country’s first Organization Development Network. He has been active in the American Society for Training and Development, the Organization Development Network, ILA, ALE, AMA, and other professional bodies. He served as an elected member of the board of AccountAbility, a U.K.-based organization that is a leader in the creation of international corporate social responsibility standards. Nirenberg currently mentors doctoral students at Walden University.
Walden’s students and faculty are contributing to their disciplines through publications, presentations and other professional activities.
Jarrod Simmons, a Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration student, has been selected to speak at the 2009 Southeastern Conference on Public Administration from Sept. 30–Oct. 3 in Louisville, Ky., on the topic “The Role of State Government in Fostering Economic Policies for Minority Businesses in Distressed Communities in Florida.” In addition, Simmons will be a guest speaker at Georgia College & State University on the topic “Pursuing a Career in Public Service” on Oct. 19.
Dr. Connie Vogel, a faculty member in the School of Nursing, was recently appointed to a peer review panel for Nursing Education Perspectives and has published the following: Understanding Delirium [CEU Module] (Gannett Healthcare Group, 2009), Crisis Intervention Strategies for Nurses [CEU Module] (Gannett Healthcare Group), and a review of the book Effectively Managing Patient Education.
Dr. Daniel Weigand, a faculty member in the Center for Research Support, will be the next editor of the Journal of Applied Sport Psychology. He will continue his role as editor of the Journal of Social, Behavioral and Health Sciences.
Dr. Jörg Westermann, a faculty member in the School of Health Sciences, co-published the chapter “Germany” in Comparative Health Systems: Global Perspectives (Jones & Bartlett Publishers, 2009).
Gloria Wilson, a Ph.D. in Public Health student, was selected as a scholarship recipient to attend the Association of Black Cardiologists’ Community Health Advocates Training: With Every Heartbeat is Life, held on July 23–25, 2009, in Washington, D.C.
As part of Walden’s ongoing commitment to education, service and social change, Walden’s fifth annual Social Change Conference, “Social Entrepreneurship: Taking Action, Leading Change,” will focus on ways that we as global citizens can become active and engaged entrepreneurs of social change.
On Sept. 30, 2009, visionaries, advocates and policymakers will share their success stories and offer tools and solutions to make a positive social impact. Featured Speakers
Cheryl Dorsey—President, Echoing Green presents “Be a Social Change Agent through Cross-Sector Collaboration”
Michele Jolin—White House Senior Advisor for Social Innovation for the Domestic Policy Council presents “Government’s Role in Partnering with Social Entrepreneurs”
Panel Discussion: Perspectives from the Front Lines of Social Entrepreneurship This will be an interactive panel discussion featuring social entrepreneurs and experts sharing stories, ways to identify social needs and tips about what works when starting an organization.
Davidson, the current Woman of the Year for the Mississippi Council of ABWA, was previously selected as Woman of the Year for her local chapter of ABWA. She was selected from nearly 100 leading businesswomen nationwide for the “Forever Ten” distinction.
The mission of ABWA is to bring together businesswomen of diverse occupations and to provide opportunities for them to help themselves and others grow personally and professionally through leadership, education, networking support and national recognition.
Since 2006, Davidson has owned and operated a private consulting firm that specializes in health care research, informatics and statistical analysis as well as market segment research. In this capacity, she additionally serves as consultant and grant writer to a number of national organizations. Davidson earned her Ph.D. in nursing from Texas Woman’s University and master’s and bachelor’s degrees in nursing from Wichita State University. In addition, she completed a post-doctoral fellowship as a family nurse practitioner at the University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh.
Davidson maintains national board certification as a nurse informaticist, nurse executive and family nurse practitioner. She has 30 years of nursing practice experience with 18 years of higher education experience—having earned tenure at all three institutions where she served during those years in nursing administrative roles—and 12 years of advanced practice experience.
As a faculty member, she has been recognized with various awards including outstanding institutional service, national teaching excellence and outstanding scholarship. Davidson was named the first Nurse Researcher of the Year at the inaugural Mississippi Nurses Association Nightingale Awards Gala and was named as a fellow of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing Executive Academic Leadership Program. She has received a number of recognitions from Sigma Theta Tau, including the International Newsletter Award for Layout and Design Excellence and the Pinnacle Award for Research Dissemination. Davidson is internationally recognized as a Fellow of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (FAANP).
Over the last decade, Dr. Davidson’s scholarship has been published by internationally recognized journals such as Nursing Administration Quarterly and the Journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. She has been further cited in such journals as the Australian Journal of Advanced Nursing, the Journal of Gerontological Nursing, Professional Case Management and Clinical Excellence for Nurse Practitioners. Davidson has also authored a textbook chapter for Health Promotion in Communities: Holistic and Wellness Approaches with her work further cited in classroom textbooks such as Advanced Practice Nursing: An Integrative Approach and Primary Care of the Child with a Chronic Condition.
Davidson has directed nearly 60 doctoral dissertations and theses in addition to over 60 graduate evidence-based practice projects in nursing and currently serves as an international mentor through Sigma Theta Tau and FAANP.
Walden’s students and faculty are contributing to their
disciplines through publications, presentations and other professional
activities.
Joe Norris, a Master of Business Administration student, has been chosen to fill the chief information officer position at West Virginia University’s Office of the Provost. His previous position was chief technology officer at East Carolina University.
Jennifer Shambrook, a Ph.D. in Public Health student, will be speaking at the 11th Annual Australasian Research Management Society Conference held in Christchurch, New Zealand, Sept. 16–18. Shambrook works in developing nations to assist in building an infrastructure for research to stem brain drain and increase local capacity for research in these areas.
Dr. Linda Shanta, a faculty member in the School of Nursing, published “Refreshing Nursing Practice Competence,” in Dakota Nurse Connection (2008: Vol. 6, Issue 2); “Perspectives on Leadership in Regulation,” in JONA's Healthcare Law, Ethics and Regulation (2009: Vol. 10, Issue 4); and “North Dakota Board of Nursing Nurse Faculty Intern Pilot Study,” in Leader to Leader (2008: Vol. 3).
James Shrum, a Master of Science in Nursing student, delivered the Nurse’s Week keynote address to the Athens Area Chapter of the Georgia Nurses Association. His lecture was entitled “Poverty in the Midst of Prosperity.” Shrum also participated as a panelist in a public viewing and discussion of an episode of the seven-part documentary film Unnatural Causes, which explores racial and socioeconomic inequalities in health.
Gregory Parker '09, who earned a Master of Public Administration degree and is a Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration, was re-elected to the Comal County Commissioners Court (Texas) in November 2008. In September 2008, he was appointed by Gov. Rick Perry to the Texas Commission on State Emergency Communications, where he leads the state's initiative for Next Generation 9-1-1.
Susan Sonnier '07, who earned an M.S. degree in Nursing, published a chapter in the textbook Disaster Nursing: A Handbook for Practice (Jones and Bartlett Publishers, 2009), titled “Communicating in a Disaster." She also wrote two appendices for the textbook. Sonnier also was recently voted Nurse of the Year at Clear Lake Regional Medical Center in Webster, Texas.
Dr. Ellen Stoltz '01, who earned a Ph.D. in Education, recently completed two consecutive three-year terms as a commissioner for the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. Dr. Stoltz is the director of Special Education Instructional Support Services for Hartford Public Schools in Connecticut.
Gloria Brown Brooks '04, who earned an M.S. in Education and is now a student in the Ed.D. (Doctor of Education) program, was named a Teacher of the Year for 2008 by the San Benito County (Calif.) Office of Education. She is also the Thinkfinity presenter for the county’s Office of Education.
Vicky Panasuk '03, who earned an M.S. in Education, has been named principal at Jefferson Elementary School in Glendive, Mont.
Dr. Mario O. Barrett III '07, who earned a Ph.D. in Applied Management and Decision Sciences, wrote Leading from the Inside Out: Using the Barrett Leadership Model to Achieve Sustainable Happiness by Creating and Pursuing the Fulfillment of Your Life. (Dog Ear Publishing, 2008). The book has appeared regularly in the Top 10 of Buy.com's bestsellers for personal happiness books.
Dr. Dennis E. Morrow '92, who earned a Ph.D. in Applied Management and Decision Sciences, was recently named chair of the Business Department at Herzing University's Atlanta campus.
Dr. Ntiedo J. Umoren '00, who earned a Ph.D. in Applied Management and Decision Sciences, has been appointed the director of the Centre for Entrepreneurial Development at the University of Uyo in Nigeria, where he is a faculty member.
Walden University is an accredited institution that for nearly 40 years has provided an engaging learning experience for working professionals. Our mission has attracted a community of extraordinary alumni, students and faculty, all sharing a common desire to make a positive social impact—to make a difference.
Click here or call (877) 847-5032 to request information or join the Walden community.
