Hosted by the Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences at UNC Pembroke, in each episode distinguished guests discuss a thought provoking topic.
Episodes
Friday Sep 15, 2023
Friday Sep 15, 2023
In today's episode we are joined by Dr. Erik Tracy, of UNCP's Department of Psychology, to discuss his research into how we process information when we listen to speech. Dr. Tracy shares how we assume personality characteristics of a speaker, based on a variety of elements in the voice, such as variation of pitch, timbre, and other characteristics. These assumptions cause us to automatically attempt to categorize what we hear, based on characteristics such as gender and sexual orientation. Dr. Tracy studies how words, and even smaller divisions of sounds within the words, are perceived by research subjects. This study of speech is part of the larger field of cognitive psychology, which studies how humans perceive and process information, such as language and physical characteristics.
Dr. Tracy supervises research students in the Psychology Department and teaches courses including Introductory Psychology, Sensation and Perception, and History and Systems of Psychology. A native of Buffalo, New York, Dr. Tracy received his B.A. in Psychology from the University of Buffalo and his PhD in Cognitive Experimental Psychology from The Ohio State University. When he is not studying our reactions to voices, he likes to go to the gym, watch movies, collect action figures, and spend time with his husband, Jeff, and daughter, Adora.
Find the episode transcript here
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Tuesday Aug 15, 2023
Tuesday Aug 15, 2023
Join us as we welcome Ana Cecilia Lara and Milagros López-Fred from our Department of English, Theatre, and World Languages, to discuss the inspiring experiences students receive through Study Abroad. The opportunity to see and experience new countries and cultures broadens perspectives and enriches student learning. Not simply a fun vacation, Study Abroad is a class that the students take, which incorporates learning before the trip, coordinated educational outreach during the trip, and concludes with reflection upon return.
Our conversation looks at logistics such as cost, and the availability of payment plans, grants, and scholarships to ease this burden. Listeners will learn about the student and faculty teams who set out on these adventures, if they ever get lost, and what popular food of Spain became a favorite.
In addition to Study Abroad, UNCP students interact with various programs across the department, including Acto Latino, a student club which presents theatre productions. The Fall Festival is another much-loved activity of the Department, honoring Hispanic heritage across campus.
Learn more about the Study Abroad Program and our Acto Latino Program and stay tuned to their activities on Instagram@uncpactolatino
Find the episode transcript here
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Saturday Jul 15, 2023
Saturday Jul 15, 2023
Join us as we welcome Dr. Namyeon Lee of our UNCP Department of Mass Communication, to discuss her research into communication practices used to support healthcare initiatives. Dr. Lee studies how different approaches best engender support for clinical trials, and what variables seem effective in developing trust. Her research looks at design elements of printed flyers and TikTok videos which center the opinions of doctors or previous trial participants, and how the race of each spokesperson changes the trust of viewers. Dr. Lee discusses how she involves her public relations and mass communication theory and research students in these efforts.
Originally from Korea, Dr. Lee earned three degrees in Journalism from the University of Missouri, where her Ph.D dissertation studied the communication of messages related to substance use. Her experience as an International student drew her to communication as a career, and became the focus of her publications and research projects which center design practice and efficacy in science communication. Dr. Lee is a frequent presenter at International Communication Association conferences, and a Principal Investigator of several grant initiatives to better understand messaging and health. Now in her third year at UNCP, Dr. Lee teaches courses in the areas public relations, social media, and mass communication theory and research. Dr. Lee's work in the classroom was recognized with the Most Valuable Professor Award from UNCP's Division of Athletics in 2022.
Find the episode transcript here
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Thursday Jun 15, 2023
Thursday Jun 15, 2023
Listen as we join the UNCP Rocket Team live from the NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. This episode is a continuation of our April episode where Dr. Steven Singletary, of UNCP’s Department of Chemistry and Physics, discussed 3D printing on campus. In that episode we learned of the student work designing and printing parts for this rocket competition and the team that Dr. Singletary leads. Now, we join the team live from Huntsville and hear about the various required aspects of the competition, the students’ visit to Cummings Aerospace, and presentations given by UNCP students to NASA and other top corporate aerospace engineers. Through UNCP’s 3+2 Engineering Program with NC State University and via the experience of work such as this, alumni of the UNCP Physics program are working professionally in a variety of engineering roles.
Spoiler alert! This episode was recorded the day before the competition in April, and the launch day arrived with clear, blue skies and perfect conditions. It turned out UNCP was the very first to launch, and produced an excellent result, hitting an altitude of 5281 feet, perfectly within the guidelines which specified 4000-6000 feet. The UNCP rocket, “Small Boi” was recovered in excellent condition. While the team did not take home a win in this first competition, they have high hopes (pun intended) for next year. Results from the 2023 Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium First Nations Launch Competition brought a 3rd Place win for the team in the Written Report category, and both the Outreach Award and a Next Step Award, which come with a combined total of $15,500 in funding.
Video of the Huntsville launch is available, and of note is the announcer praising the UNCP team for the marketing and social media activity as he introduces the launch. View the launch livestream, which is archived on the Marshall Space Flight Center’s Youtube Channel (there is a detailed list of activities and timings in the video description) and you’ll find UNCP launching at the 52:03 mark.
Students interested in joining the 2023-2024 UNCP Rocket Team simply need to email Dr. Singletary and free up some time on their calendars, students of any level and from any major are welcome: steven.singletary@uncp.edu
Find the episode transcript here
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Monday May 15, 2023
Monday May 15, 2023
Join us as we chat with Dr. Tracy Vargas, Assistant Professor in our Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice. Dr. Vargas is a 2023 recipient UNC Pembroke Outstanding Teaching Award, and it is easy to see why after our conversation. A native of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, Dr. Vargas attended University of Pittsburg, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology. She then earned her Master of Arts Sociology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and her Ph.D from Syracuse University, where she began the research discussed in this episode.
Since arriving at UNC Pembroke, Dr. Vargas has continued her research and teaching activities surrounding the sociology of work, specifically to do with dollar stores. Join us as we discuss this fascinating topic with Dr. Vargas, and hear how UNCP students are advancing research through their participation in service-learning projects, and finding their voice as scholars, using their lived experience to advance knowledge of work and society.
More information on the UNCP REACH Program, which pairs students with faculty research mentors, may be found at this link. Follow the UNCP Criminal Justice Club and the UNCP Sociology Club on Instagram and stay up on their activities.
Learn about the important work of UNCP Criminal Justice alum Virginia Locklear, Executive Director of the Rape Crisis Center of Robeson County, by visiting their website, which includes information about services and programs and how each of us can provide support.
Find the episode transcript here
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Saturday Apr 15, 2023
Saturday Apr 15, 2023
Join us as we chat with 3D printing expert Dr. Steven Singletary of the UNCP Department of Chemistry and Physics. A native of Tar Heel, N.C., Dr. Singletary served in the U.S. Marine Corps before earning a degree in Math and Computer Science from UNC Pembroke. He then earned his Master of Science in Geology from Texas Christian University and his Ph. D in Geochemistry from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Back home after his time at MIT, Dr. Singletary is an integral part of his home department, and spends his time leading UNCP’s Rocket Team, who have established themselves as a group to watch after successful competitions and achievements at the national level. Dr. Singletary has presented and published for over sixty-five leading international journals and conferences and has earned over $2.6 million in successful grant funding to date. He is licensed as a Senior Parachute Rigger by the Federal Aviation Administration and works as an Accelerated Free Fall Instructor for the United States Parachute Association.
Today however, Dr. Singletary joins us to discuss the possibilities and advances in 3D printing, and how we use these machines on campus and across the community. Join us as we welcome Dr. Singletary and dive into this topic (pun intended, as you’ll hear in the interview) which is so fascinating to us all.
Find the episode transcript here
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Wednesday Mar 15, 2023
Wednesday Mar 15, 2023
Join us as we chat with Dr. David Nikkel, Professor and Chair of the UNCP Department of Philosophy and Religion. Dr. Nikkel shares his love of teaching, and his work with our students, helping them practice thinking critically as they are introduced to the writing of leaders and philosophers across the world’s religions. An active Pastor, Dr. Nikkel earned his Bachelor of Arts from Yale University, a Master of Divinity from Methodist Theological School (Delaware, Ohio), and his Doctor of Philosophy from Duke University.
A University of North Carolina Board of Governors’ Award for Teaching Excellence recipient, Dr. Nikkel has published twenty peer-reviewed journal articles or chapters, in addition to his book, Radical Embodiment. More than 1000 libraries hold copies of this book, which discusses embodiment in religion, and the concept of panentheism. From the original Greek meaning ‘all in God,’ this idea illustrates the belief that the divine is found in all aspects of creation, which Dr. Nikkel discusses in this episode. Join us as we step into the classroom with Dr. Nikkel to discuss his career sharing belief systems, and their importance in our lives, with students and the community.
Find the episode transcript here
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Wednesday Feb 15, 2023
Wednesday Feb 15, 2023
In a sunny spot on the north side of UNC Pembroke’s campus, visitors to the Campus Garden and Apiary are greeted by an array of colorful plants and a wide variety of bees, butterflies, and bugs. This garden is home to the Kids in the Garden program, a creative hub for students, faculty, and community members who meet to learn, and share research and scholarship. Join us as we welcome our guests from the Departments of Biology and Geography & Geology, pollen-studying palynologist Dr. Martin Farley, insect expert entomologist Dr. Kaitlin Campbell, and science educator and program director Dr. Rita Hagevik, who chat about their work. UNCP’s Campus Garden and Apiary is a valuable campus resource sharing the love of garden plants and insect life with students on campus, and across the community.
Follow them on Facebook to see this great work in action, and keep up to date about events and activities happening in the garden.
Find the episode transcript here
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Sunday Jan 15, 2023
Sunday Jan 15, 2023
We are delighted to share our latest podcast episode, Freshwater Ecosystems on Campus and Beyond with Dr. Amber Rock, from our Department of Biology. This episode showcases Dr. Rock’s research studying water in campus ponds and local waterways, and her work helping students learn about the plants and animals in this ever-changing landscape. Dr. Rock shares how a high school career survey somewhat surprisingly launched her into a career in freshwater ecology, and the joy she finds as she develops leaders and critical thinkers through this work with our students, right in our own backyard.
Find the episode transcript here
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Thursday Dec 15, 2022
Thursday Dec 15, 2022
We are delighted to share our latest podcast episode “Into the Singing Studio” with Dr. Rebecca Loar. This episode showcases Dr. Loar’s career as a vocalist, and her research into vocal health. We discussed her work with her students in the Department of Music and how we can all take proper care of our voices across our lives.
After degrees in vocal and opera performance from Samford University and the Manhattan School of Music, Dr. Loar earned her Doctor of Musical Arts in Voice Performance with a cognate in Choral Conducting from the University of South Carolina. Her doctoral dissertation was “Singing Voice Specialization, an Essential Bridge Between Two Worlds,” discussing the need for medical arts specialists. An active performing artist, Dr. Loar has performed many opera roles and concert works, and is a former member of the New York Choral Artists where she performed with the New York Philharmonic, the American Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra Society of St. Lukes, and the Little Orchestra Society of New York. She has worked under the batons of Maestros Kurt Masur, Leonard Slatkin, Leon Botstien, Pierre Boulez, Seiji Osawa, and more.
Dr. Loar has been teaching voice for over twenty years and is an active vocal adjudicator and clinician throughout the Southeast. Her students perform on Broadway and in national Broadway tours, in summer opera programs and for major cruise lines. Many of her students have entered advanced conservatory graduate programs such as Manhattan School of Music, Oberlin Conservatory and Boston University.
Listen as we learn about the important work Dr. Loar is doing in her teaching studio here at UNCP, which ensures healthy singing for her students as they make music here on campus and across our community.
Find the episode transcript here and join Dr. Loar in the concert she mentions with UNCP Music colleagues Drs. Jaeyoon and Seung Ah Kim on Monday, January 30th, 2023 at 7:30 PM in Moore Hall Auditorium, free admission and no tickets required.
Visit https://www.uncp.edu/departments/music/calendar-events for more UNCP Music events and information.
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