graduate studies

This episode of The Inquiry Oasis we dive into the REEDS (Research on Educational Equity and Diversity in STEM) Fellowship Program at the University of Arizona College of Education. Funded by a significant NSF grant, this initiative aims to reshape STEM education through research focused on creating inclusive and diverse learning environments. The episode features conversations with the first cohort of REEDS fellows - Drs. Abby Rocha, Sy Simms, Nicholas Witt, and Shakuntala Devi Gopal - who share their individual research projects, personal inspirations, and experiences in transitioning from graduate students to postdoctoral scholars. They reflect on the intersection of STEM, diversity, and education, and discuss how their work contributes to a more equitable academic landscape.

Topics Discussed:

• Cultivating Culturally Affirming Mathematics Curriculum
• Equitable STEM Access for Marginalized Learners
•  Institutional Diversity and Sense of Belonging
• Culturally Responsive Pedagogy in Higher Education
• Challenges and Opportunities of Postdoctoral Transition
• Role of Personal and Professional Identities in Academic Research
• Impacts of Research on Policy and Practice in Higher Education

Recommended Books/Papers:

• Funds of Knowledge for Teaching: Using a Qualitative Approach to Connect Homes and Classrooms by Luis C. Moll, Cathy Amanti, Deborah Neff, Norma Gonzalez
• The Professor Is In by Karen Kelsky
• On Being Included, Racism and Diversity in Institutional Life by Sara Ahmed
• Reading and Writing the World with Mathematics: Toward a Pedagogy for Social Justice by Eric Gutstein 

A few weeks before this episode, The Christian Chronicle reported that Oklahoma Christian University is closing its graduate school of theology due to budget cuts and declining enrollment. This latest news follows the trend of enrollment decline in Bible, ministry, and theology programs at colleges and universities with roots and ties in the Church of Christ. For some Christian Chronicle readers, it raised questions: Do graduate programs like the one at Oklahoma Christian University truly benefit local congregations? Are the costs of a graduate education really worth it for Church of Christ ministers? And how might graduate programs need to change to better prepare ministers and support local congregations in the 21st century? In this episode, you'll hear from Dr. Frank Yamada, executive director of the agency that accredits graduate programs in ministry and theology. He'll talk about the trends that are inspiring innovations in graduate education for ministers. You'll also hear from David Shannon, a 26-year veteran of local congregational minister who became president of Freed-Hardeman University in 2017. Shannon makes the case for why graduate education is important and valuable to Church of Christ ministers and congregations. PLUS, we end this one with another Bible bowl bonus segment featuring Amy Bowman, children's minister at the Brentwood Hills Church of Christ in Brentwood, Tennessee.
Some segments edited for brevity and clarity

Link to Cheryl Mann Bacon’s Christian Chronicle report on Oklahoma Christian University closing its graduate school of theology

Segment One: The state of graduate education in ministry and theology (Dr. Frank Yamada, executive director, Association of Theological Schools)

Link to Association of Theological Schools

Link to Dr. Frank Yamada’s bio

Segment Two: The case for graduate education in ministry and theology (David Shannon, president, Freed-Hardeman University)

Link to Freed-Hardeman University Graduate School of Theology

Link to Christian Chronicle story announcing David Shannon’s appointment as president of Freed-Hardeman University (from 2017)

View the full archive of stories at christianchronicle.org

Donate to The Christian Chronicle at christianchronicle.org/donate

Send comments, ideas, and questions to podcast@christianchronicle.org

TAGS

Oklahoma Christian University, Edmond, Oklahoma, graduate school, graduate studies, Bible, ministry, theology, religion, seminary, minister education, minister training, Christian higher education, Christian education, Christian college, Christian university, enrollment, budget, Cheryl Mann Bacon, Association of Theological Schools, Frank Yamada, accreditation, seminary, seminaries, denominations, discipline-based, competency-based, remote learning, online learning, congregational ministry, student loans, cost of graduate education, Freed-Hardeman University, Henderson, Tennessee, David Shannon, value of education, Erik Tryggestad, Amy Bowman, Bible bowl, Brentwood Hills Church of Christ, Brentwood, BT Irwin 

Have you ever thought of moving to another city or country to pursue your studies? 
In this episode, we invited Caroline Bec, a Ph.D. student in mental health at McGill University and practitioner in culturally responsive health implementation. Engaging as always, she describes her journey as a student, coworker and traveler.  

Do you feel like taking a trip from China to Scotland to Vietnam, then all the way to the US? Press Play! 

In this essay-styled episode, we delve into the history of ethnographic film by looking closely at six iconic films, taking into account their theoretical and stylistic approaches.

Written and produced by Daniel Chiu Castillo, special guest voice and editing by Marianne Lezeau.

In this episode, we invited Dr. Salah El Mestikawy, Professor at McGill University and Dr. Michael Lifshitz, assistant Professor at the Lady Davis. 

Different walks of life, same topic yet drastically opposing views. A beautiful example of the increasing need for collaboration and communication in research. An informal, funny & overall very inspiring conversation. 

Stress. Anxiety. These terms have similarities, yet describe very distinct states. To help better understand the distinction, we invited Rebecca Cernik, Master's student & researcher at the Center for Studies on Human Stress.

"Social media is detrimental for mental health" is a phrase that we very frequently hear. Nevertheless, social media has recently proven its vital positive impact by strengthening our social connectedness despite social distancing. 
 
In this first episode, we tackle the subject of mental health during graduate studies. How was it different during the pandemic? To obtain insight into this theme, we had the pleasure of inviting two inspiring students. The conversation we had were even more!  

We covered immigration, psychedelics, social media among many other topics. Interested in taking part of this discussion? Join our guests, Elias Jabbour, M.Sc. a mental health researcher at McGill University and Manesh Girn, M.Sc., Ph.D candidate in neuroscience at McGill University as well as a psychedelic clinical research advisor and popular science content creator. 

For some, graduate studies represent the best years of their life. For others, the pitfalls encountered during the journey make this period of life less rosy and less joyful. Psychological well-being is the first victim. 
 
In order to better understand the stressors of graduate studies and the attention allocated for mental health among students, researchers, supervisors and institutions, the Fonds de Recherche du Quebec partnered with Nurau to share with you the Master your PhD conversational podcast.

Meghan and Daniel discuss Quebec's decision to make vaccines mandatory for all health-workers and the appalling statistics of disappearances in Mexico.

Episode sources: https://www.talkingculture.ca/sources

Meet Scott Valcourt, Associate Teaching Professor of Computer Science at The Roux Institute in Portland, ME. Scott shares his education and career paths that led him to Khoury College of Computer Sciences at Northeastern University & The Roux Institute. In this episode, we learn about the CS Align program.  (Where a background in tech is not required !)

He talks about his education and career paths as well as his scouting experiences. 

Scott is passionate about helping people pursue their passions in computing and technology which leads them to lucrative careers and believes computer science ought to be married with other disciplines.

Connect with Scott:

Scott A. Valcourt, PhD(he/him/his)

Associate Teaching Professor of Computer Science

s.valcourt@northeastern.edu

Northeastern University

The Roux Institute

100 Fore Street

Portland, ME 04101-4879

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What would a Canadian from Wishart, Saskatchewan be doing in Akron, Ohio?  Well for Dr. Cathy Faye, the answer is helping to run The Cummings Centre for the History of Psychology, The largest repository in the world aimed at preserving the history of psychology.

Much of her recent work has involved designing exhibits for the now reopened, National Museum of Psychology, as well as her with the program ‘I am Psyched’, designed for girls.

For Dr. Kearn the idea of a work / life balance doesn’t really exist as she says they have been intertwined since her daughter was born during her undergraduate degree. In this episode Jodi talks about the importance of mentorship and why being a mentor is such a fundamentally important aspect of her life.