Everything Nac

When Stephen F. Austin State University student and Undergraduate Research Conference finalist Ben Dickey went on a study abroad trip to China in May of 2016, he came back with firsthand experience detailing the importance of intercultural awareness.

“Right now our society is globalizing very quickly every day, and with this comes a lot of diversity,” Dickey said.

Dickey, a senior elementary education major from Austin, was chosen as a conference finalist for his research project “Developing Intercultural Awareness through a Study Abroad Program,” an ethnographic case study analyzing his experiences during an eighteen-day trip abroad. The conference seeks to highlight exceptional research projects from each of the university’s six colleges and one regional college.

While in China, Dickey wrote daily journals and discussed his experiences with professors. Later, he went back and analyzed these discussions as well as a reflection paper he wrote while abroad.

According to his research, there are three levels of intercultural awareness.

“With basic cultural awareness, you’re conscious of people who are different from you,” Dickey said. “Then you progress to the second level, maturing, with more fluidity with culture. Finally, you get to the third level, which is intercultural awareness where you understand and you’re able to make those interactions and, in time, adjust and adapt those interactions with different cultures.”

Professors who accompanied him on the trip acted as culture guides, discussing with him some of the culture shock he experienced.

Especially as it relates to teaching, developing intercultural awareness is vital, he said.

“If you look at the demographics of our teachers, 82.7 percent of our teachers are white, not Hispanic. Yet, our student population continues to diversify,” Dickey said. “These teachers who come from one culture need to be able to interact with students from a diverse population.”

This awareness is key in professions centered on making connections, he said.

“If you’re very ethnocentric, only thinking about yourself, you’re not going to be able to develop those strong relationships,” Dickey said. “You need to be able to connect with students, guide them and have that safe environment for them to learn – or else you’re going to do a disservice to them.”

Because he plans to work in a Title I school after graduation, the research has a personal application for him.

“I want to be able to learn more about other perspectives in society and how I can relate to them,” Dickey said. “Just being able to experience being immersed in the culture, and learning and feeling what it’s like, helps, and it’s definitely something you need to do when you’re interacting with different populations.”

In addition to conducting his own research projects, Dickey started the Undergraduate Research Club on campus.

“I really want to be able to spread undergraduate research to more people and for them to have the opportunity to go to more conferences and be able to publish their work as well,” he said.

The aim of the club is to familiarize students with the research process and help them get more comfortable with presenting their work.

“I’m delighted with the way Ben has taken the initiative on this club,” said Dr. Michael Tkacik, director of the School of Honors and professor in the Department of Government. “Students who engage in undergraduate research demonstrate intellectual curiosity, creativity and perseverance, all sought-after traits for employment or graduate work. The club allows Ben and the other members to showcase these traits.”

Dickey also serves as a tutor at the Academic Assistance and Resource Center and student teaches at Thomas J. Rusk Elementary School. He plans to keep working at maintaining intercultural awareness.

“Once you develop it, it doesn’t just stay there,” Dickey said. “You have to be constantly working and developing it.”

Dickey will present more of his research on intercultural awareness at the Undergraduate Research Conference poster presentations starting at 4 p.m. Tuesday, April 17, in the Twilight Ballroom.

By Joanna Armstrong, senior marketing communications specialist at Stephen F. Austin State University

Students from Stephen F. Austin State University’s Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry recently received top honors at the Texas Academy of Science 121st annual meeting at Midland College.

Ten students from the department attended, presenting research and sitting in on lectures. Sydney Thompson, senior biochemistry major from Murphy, received Top Oral Presentation in the chemistry and biochemistry category for her presentation about East Texas regional fuel models. Graduate student Darean Bague from Killeen was selected to participate in an oral presentation competition for graduate students.

“I’m proud to be able to represent SFA at conferences such as these and really show the region how bright Lumberjacks from the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry can shine,” Thompson said. “We have a great department with many amazing and hardworking students, and I’m very grateful to be a part of it.”

Dr. Alyx Frantzen, associate professor in the department, said the conference provided SFA students with an opportunity to explore the research students at other universities are conducting, as well as further develop their own presentation skills.

“Students who go to conferences and present their work are representing SFA and the education and opportunities they receive while they are here,” said Frantzen, former vice president of the academy and current president-elect. “We received many positive comments from faculty at other universities complementing us on how well our students performed during the conference.”

By Joanna Armstrong, senior marketing communications specialist at Stephen F. Austin State University

The Stephen F. Austin State University College of Sciences and Mathematics will host its fourth annual Women in STEM Luncheon and Style Show noon Tuesday, April 17, in the Baker Pattillo Student Center Grand Ballroom.

Doors open at 11 a.m. for a gallery walk poster presentation highlighting STEM research accomplishments by SFA students and faculty.

The luncheon and style show is a scholarship fundraising event benefiting students committed to the advancement of women pursuing STEM degrees at SFA.

“The SFA Women in STEM Luncheon and Style Show is not necessarily for women but about women – women who choose challenging majors in science, technology, engineering and mathematics,” said Dr. Kimberly M. Childs, dean of the College of Sciences and Mathematics. “Having female role models, along with male and female mentors, is key in encouraging young women to pursue and persist in STEM fields.”

During the luncheon, Elijah White Jr., vice president of geoscience for ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company, will speak about the need for the advancement and support of women in STEM.

The style show will follow with fashions provided by The Town House and Miller’s Point. To highlight the importance of having men support women in these disciplines, selected men will escort female role models during the show.

“Because women still remain in the minority in STEM fields, the event is especially pertinent,” Childs said. “Women need to see themselves in the story. They want to know how what they are doing benefits others.”

Last year’s event provided six students with $5,000 scholarships.

“We strive to demonstrate each year during the Women in STEM Luncheon and Style Show that with style and grace women are leaning in and taking a seat at the table,” Childs said.

The deadline for reservations is Friday, April 13. Tickets are $40 each or $300 for a table of eight. For more information about the event or to make a reservation, call (936) 468-2805 or email kdcarmona@sfasu.edu.

By Joanna Armstrong, senior marketing communications specialist at Stephen F. Austin State University

Stephen F. Austin State University was one of the most represented institutions at the Texas American College of Sports Medicine annual meeting with 50 students attending.

SFA students from the Department of Kinesiology and Health Science presented research, networked with industry professionals and participated in a quiz bowl competition. Research by several SFA students was published in the conference proceedings by the International Journal of Exercise Science. Faculty members Drs. James Rowe and Dustin Joubert supervised the students’ research. Drs. Eric Jones and Jeff Forsse also attended and helped organize the student trip.

Seniors Caitlin Hogan of Wylie and David Buckley of Bullard and junior Zach Gin of Allen presented research at the meeting. Hogan, who was a finalist in the meeting’s undergraduate poster competition, presented her study on the impact of aquatic exercise versus land treadmill exercise on ambulatory blood pressure.

“It meant a lot to me to be able to present. It allowed me to develop professional skills necessary for my future career,” Hogan said. “It was exciting seeing all of my hard work come to fruition and to see that others were interested in the work I did.”

Likewise, Buckley said discussing his research, which compared a variety of exercise tests to a person’s maximum capacity of oxygen consumption, was the highlight of his trip.

“Being able to present my research means so much to me,” Buckley said. “I want to one day become an exercise physiology professor and do research, so this was a great opportunity for me to get my feet wet in the world of research.”

Gin’s research, conducted with SFA student Jonus Rodriguez, focused on the validity and reliability of a cycle ergometer commonly used by coaches and athletes for exercise testing and training. Gin also participated in the quiz bowl that covered a variety of topics, including anatomy, physiology, nutrition, and exercise testing and prescription.

“This was the first year I competed and represented the university, and I am excited to hopefully do it again next year,” Gin said. “This was a fun way to test what I know about exercise physiology and compete against other universities in Texas.”

By Kasi Dickerson, senior marketing communications specialist at Stephen F. Austin State University.