Each year, the arrival of the 14th day of March, or 3.14, is celebrated as Pi Day, in honor of the number Pi, which has been used by mathematicians throughout history. Pi Day is a time to honor the importance of math through events and conversations such as today’s episode. We are joined by Hillary Sessions, Director of Mathematics at UNC Pembroke, for a conversation about how UNCP is addressing the challenges brought about by the learning interruptions of the Covid-19 pandemic, the development ...
Mar 14, 2024•32 min
This month we welcome Professor Brandon Sanderson of UNCP's Department of Art, who shares his work as an artist and educator. Entering his 22nd year as a professor and 28th as an exhibiting artist, Professor Sanderson currently serves as the sixth Director of the Pembroke Undergraduate Research and Creativity Center and as Professor of Art teaching Printmaking and Drawing. Supporting undergraduate research across the campus including everything from scientific and humanities-based research to ja...
Feb 22, 2024•30 min
We start off the new year by welcoming Dr. Joseph Van Hassel, Chair of the UNCP Department of Music, and Kalem Graham, Director of the 'Spirit of the Carolinas' Marching Band, for a conversation about musical activities on campus and beyond. We discussed what brought each of them to music as a career, and what they studied along the way. We learned more about what research and scholarship looks like in the performing arts, and the two shared how their work in the classroom informs growth as perf...
Jan 18, 2024•27 min
This month we celebrate conservation and sustainability through this intriguing conversation with Dr. Jerry Griffith, Associate Professor in our Department of Geology and Geography. Dr. Griffith shares his experience tracking timber for the U.S. Forest Service through efforts to engage members of the community in conservation. This citizen science work educates and involves the general public with plant and forest health, and assists with efforts to prevent poaching of valuable woods such as bla...
Dec 15, 2023•35 min
The month of November 2023 marks the 60th anniversary of the assassination of President John Fitzgerald Kennedy in Dallas, Texas. To learn more, we welcome two UNCP faculty members for a conversation about the political climate of the time, and implications for the decades to follow. We discuss how these themes are taught in classrooms today, and what relevance and lessons the assassination and subsequent killing of Lee Harvey Oswald have for society. Drs. Marineau and Hudson, who met as student...
Nov 15, 2023•32 min
In today's discussion we are joined by Dr. Laura Hakala of UNCP's Department of English, Theatre and World Languages, who discusses her research and teaching of 19th and early 20th century children's literature, especially those books which focus on southern girlhood. Dr. Hakala reads from three selections she is currently using in her Southern Literature class, the first, published in 1905, is Floyd's Flowers, by African American author Silas Floyd (1869-1923). Dr. Hakala chose an excerpt from ...
Oct 15, 2023•30 min
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. T...
Sep 15, 2023•29 min
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 conclud...
Aug 15, 2023•30 min
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 cha...
Jul 15, 2023•33 min
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 asp...
Jun 15, 2023•28 min
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...
May 15, 2023•35 min
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 d...
Apr 15, 2023•35 min
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 Philoso...
Mar 15, 2023•38 min
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 F...
Feb 15, 2023•38 min
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...
Jan 15, 2023•33 min
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 wit...
Dec 15, 2022•30 min
We are delighted to share our latest podcast episode “On the Field with the Cows” with Dr. Nicolas Negrin Pereira. A native of Uruguay, a veterinarian, and member of our Department of Biology, Dr. Negrin Pereira teaches various courses in Animal Science, Animal Nutrition, Zoology, and Physiology of Reproduction. This episode showcases his work with bovine reproductive health, and we learn about his work with students, in the field and in the lab, and the benefits of teaching animal husbandry to ...
Nov 15, 2022•29 min
We are delighted to share our latest podcast episode, featuring UNCP Associate Professor of Art, Dr. Naomi Lifshitz-Grant. This episode showcases Dr. Lifschitz-Grant’s work mentoring aspiring teachers as Coordinator of Graduate and Undergraduate Art Education, and discusses the local inspiration she finds as a painter. Dr. Lifschitz-Grant earned her Master of Arts and Doctor of Art Education degrees from Teachers College, Columbia University. A veteran art educator, Dr. Lifschitz-Grant taught fo...
Oct 15, 2022•32 min
We are delighted to share our latest podcast episode “Hydrogeologists and the Science of Groundwater” with UNCP Assistant Professor of Geology, Dr. Madan Maharjan. This episode showcases Dr. Maharjan’s research in the field of Hydrogeology, which studies the movement of groundwater across our landscape. We discussed his work monitoring well water on campus and across Robeson County, and how water interacts with our environment over time. Dr. Maharjan is a native of Nepal, and has been teaching a...
Sep 15, 2022•30 min
In this episode we caught up with Dr. Mary Ann Jacobs (Lumbee), Professor and Chair of the Department of American Indian Studies at UNC Pembroke, to discuss her new book, Upon Her Shoulders: Southeastern Native Women Share Their Stories of Justice, Spirit, and Community. This book was a joint project together with Dr. Cherry Beasley (Lumbee), longtime faculty and Chair in the UNCP Nursing Program and former Interim Dean of UNCP’s College of Health Sciences, and Ulrike Wiethaus, Professor of Reli...
Aug 15, 2022•30 min
We are delighted to share with you our most recent podcast episode, "The Evolution of Comics". This episode has something for everyone from the comic book novice to the connoisseur. We are joined by three UNCP faculty members who each have their own professional connection to the world of comics. Dr. Terence Dollard is a Professor in our Mass Communication department as well as the creator of a show called Comic Culture that is showcased on the UNC-TV North Carolina Channel. Dr. Kevin Freeman is...
Jun 24, 2022•45 min
In this podcast we discuss some of the advantages of reading and writing collectively. Jessica Collogan, our Dean of the Library, and Dr. Elise Dixon, an Assistant Professor and our Writing Center Director, provide best practices for starting book clubs and writing groups. In addition, we discuss how technology has changed the way we consume and produce the written word. Follow us on Facebook @UNCPcas w ww.uncp.edu...
May 03, 2021•34 min
The Performing Arts have been dramatically impacted by COVID-19 in the year 2020. Many theaters have "gone dark" and any performances that do occur are allowed minimal attendance. As a result, our artistic and creative leaders have been forced to adapt and improvise to create meaningful performances and productions in completely new ways. We welcome Sarah Busman, Adjunct flute instructor and principal flute in the Fayetteville Symphony, James Bass, Executive Director of Givens Performing Arts Ce...
Oct 29, 2020•34 min
About 150,000 migrant farmworkers and their dependents are in North Carolina during each growing season, yet they are an invisible population to the public eye. This invisibility contributes to their lack of access to appropriate healthcare, education, and social services. In this podcast, we invite Dr. Brooke Kelly, Professor of Sociology, and Dr. Michele Fazio, Professor of English, to discuss their effort to increase the visibility of this population for their students. Through their class, s...
Sep 16, 2020•32 min
Returning to campus this fall will be challenging for universities around the country. Scott Billingsley (Associate Provost) and Annie Angueira (Assistant Vice Chancellor of Facilities) discuss UNCP's preparations with Richard Gay (Interim Dean, CAS) and Ashley Allen (Interim Associate Dean, CAS). LINK: https://www.uncp.edu/about/update-coronavirus-covid-19 LINK: Bringing Our Braves Back: Roadmap to Fall 2020 . Read the transcript. Follow us on Facebook @UNCPcas w ww.uncp.edu...
Aug 04, 2020•37 min
The Second World War (1939-1945) was one of the bloodiest conflicts in history and resulted in decisive shifts of global powers. In this second installment of a two part series, Jeff Frederick is joined by faculty from the History Department : Robert Brown, Bruce Dehart, and James Hudson. Read the Transcript . Follow us on Facebook @UNCPcas w ww.uncp.edu...
Apr 29, 2020•1 hr 16 min
The Second World War (1939-1945) was one of the bloodiest conflicts in history and resulted in decisive shifts of global powers. To discuss the war, Jeff Frederick is joined by faculty from the History Department : Robert Brown, Bruce Dehart, and James Hudson. Read the transcript . Follow us on Facebook @UNCPcas w ww.uncp.edu...
Mar 24, 2020•53 min
Soil, water, pollinators ... how do these impact our ability to grow food? Jeff Frederick discusses Agriculture with faculty from the Department of Biology : Maria Pereira, Rita Hagevik, Amber Rock, and Bryan Sales. Read the transcript . Follow us on Facebook @UNCPcas w ww.uncp.edu...
Feb 15, 2020•37 min
Music, lyrics, song and dance... what are the essential elements of a great musical theatre production? Jeff Frederick, Nathan Thomas and Katie DeFiglio ( UNC Pembroke Music Department ) discuss musical theatre and the work behind creating a mesmerizing stage production. Read the transcript . Follow us on Facebook @UNCPcas w ww.uncp.edu...
Jan 31, 2020•36 min
Are today's college students different from those of the past? What challenges do freshmen face today? Dean Frederick discusses these and other thought provoking questions with UNCP administrators: Teagan Decker, interim Dean of the Esther G. Maynor Honors College ; Engle Revels, Director of Admissions ; Nicolette Campos, Director of the Accessibility Resource Center ; and Beth Holder, Dean of the University College . Read the transcript . Follow us on Facebook @UNCPcas w ww.uncp.edu...
Dec 19, 2019•39 min
