Dr. Heather Hamilton joined the Department of Theatre and Dance, where she teaches acting and directing. Dr. Hamilton has directed and acted in plays on both American coasts, playing major characters in close to forty productions over the last decade. In 2004 her talents earned her the New Hampshire Theater Award for Best Professional Actress. Dr. Hamilton's research interests include philosophy and theater, and the psychology of violence in performance.
Monday, August 27, 2007 marked the first day of fall classes at Minnesota State Mankato. And while the freshmen probably felt nervous beginning their post–high school careers, some of their professors may have had a few first–day jitters themselves. More than 50 new faculty joined Minnesota State Mankato this fall, bringing with them diverse perspectives, solid research backgrounds, strong practical experiences, and a desire to involve their students in the research process.
Dr. Cindra Kamphoff, the new coordinator of the psychological aspects of sport master's program, is excited to share her expertise with her students. She is researching the role of female coaches who are coaching male teams at the Division 1 level and is working with a team of sport psychology master's students who are interested in the same topic. "I think it gives the students a great opportunity to learn about the research process, do the research, and potentially get a publication out of it," she explains. "I'm really excited because there have only been 2 studies on this subject in the past. I think our study will be pretty groundbreaking."
While Dr. Kamphoff and her students are busy interviewing Division 1 coaches, Dr. Rachel Droogsma, a new addition to the speech communication department, will focus on involving her students in activist research. "It's a term that I use to describe my own research," says Dr. Droogsma. "It has the political purpose of social change and that reaches a broader audience because it is presented in a form that is accessible to everyone."
An award–winning teacher and researcher, Dr. Cindra Kamphoff coordinates the psychological aspects of sport master's program. Dr. Kamphoff—pictured, center, with her research team—received an award for teaching excellence at the University of North Carolina Greensboro. Her doctoral dissertation received top honors from the National Association for Sport and Physical Activity.
For example, Dr. Droogsma's upper–level gender communications class is currently putting together a Clothesline Project for the Mankato community. The first Clothesline Project, organized in 1990, was inspired by the AIDS quilt. It consists of different colored t–shirts displayed in public places that are decorated by survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. Dr. Droogsma's students are in charge of organizing the project and recruiting women from the Mankato community to participate.
"I think this project can help students learn in a different way—it can offer them a different understanding of violence against women," Dr. Droogsma says. "As a result of the project's visual aspect, students can see the impact this form of research has on their fellow students and community members."
Dr. Droogsma received both her master's and doctoral degrees from Howard University–a campus that predominately consists of African–American students. "My experience at Howard was unique," says Dr. Droogsma, who is white. "It taught me about the relationship between culture and power and how to look at the world from a non–dominant⊄group perspective." This knowledge affects the way Dr. Droogsma speaks about culture with her students. It allows her to share stories and expose them to a unique viewpoint regarding diversity.
Dr. Rachel Droogsma, a new addition to the speech communication department, involves her students in activist research. Dr. Droogsma's dissertation analyzed the themes evident in t–shirts decorated by survivors of sexual assault for the Clothesline Project—such as the shirt pictured on the screen behind her.
Likewise, Dr. Mary Regan, who is originally from Malawi, Central Africa, adds cultural diversity to the School of Nursing. She has studied in Zimbabwe, England, Canada, and the United States and is able to offer her students an international perspective on nursing. "I don't change the culture," says Dr. Regan. "I enrich it by adding another element, another voice."
Dr. Regan also brings an established research agenda to the nursing department and the new doctor of nursing practice (DNP) program. She began researching how nurses' conceptions of birth–related risks increase their use of technologies known to increase caesarean sections as a part of her dissertation in 2004. She is currently working in conjunction with researchers at the University of Minnesota and the University of Michigan to procure grants in order to continue this project. As Dr. Regan explains, "When you have doctoral–level students, you need faculty who are active researchers so the students can experience the research process."
Dr. Mary Regan brings an established research agenda to the School of Nursing, where the doctor of nursing practice (DNP) program began in fall 2007.
Dr. Karin Lindstrom Bremer in the counseling and student personnel department (CSP) was hired for this very reason. Her own research background includes publications on Alzheimer's care–giving, management of outpatient clients' physical activity, and adolescents' growth through extracurricular activities. Most recently, Dr. Lindstrom Bremer managed an NIH study evaluating anxiety responses in an intensive care setting.
Dr. Lindstrom Bremer serves as a resource for both students and faculty. Her expertise in grant writing, research design, database management, data analysis, and the publication process will benefit the entire CSP department. "Research can be challenging and sometimes overwhelming," says Dr. Lindstrom Bremer. "But it can also be personally rewarding and a lot of fun. It is my hope to bring this passion to our students."
Dr. Karin Lindstrom Bremer (standing), who joined the counseling and student personnel department as a research generalist, teaches statistics to the first class of CSP doctoral students.
Professors also contribute to their respective programs by sharing experiences they have gained through work outside of teaching. Dr. Michelle Alvarez spent 21 years in the social work field before joining the newly established master's of social work (MSW) program at Minnesota State Mankato. "What I bring to the students in the MSW program is the hands–on application of social work concepts, skills, and values," she says. Dr. Alvarez is also able to share with students the benefits of being involved in professional organizations. She is a member and active contributor to several associations at the local, state, regional, and national levels.
Similarly, Dr. Steven Robinson, a member of the Special Education Department, has spent time in both education and business. Originally a special education teacher, Dr. Robinson began exploring technology's role in helping special education children after writing a grant to test the educational value of a 3M software product. He initially worked with the software prior to its release, but soon found himself an influential member of several companies that acquired the product.
Dr. Michelle Alvarez worked for 21 years in social work before joining the newly established master's of social work (MSW) program.
As a result, Dr. Robinson got to see first–hand how companies develop software for educational facilities. "Because of my experience in the world of educational technology, I feel I can help education do a better job of choosing technological products and using them to be successful," says Dr. Robinson. "I can help the universities figure out which products best meet their needs and what questions to ask to ensure success." These skills will certainly be helpful given today's trend toward the integration of education and technology.
So, although several of Minnesota State Mankato's faculty could be labeled as new this fall, they certainly aren't inexperienced. Each of them is a multidimensional person with a strong commitment to higher learning. With their students, they are embarking on a journey of discovery and innovation at Minnesota State Mankato, and the university community will be enriched as a result.
