Faculty of Color at Predominantly White Colleges and Universities

Although the United States has experienced major demographic changes, such as an increased population of minorities, there still exists a very low representation of minority faculty members in institutions of higher education compared to White faculty members (Antonino, 2002). There are very few studies that detail the challenges and supports that qualified persons of color experience in obtaining positions in higher education. Therefore, there is a need for further research to identify these challenges and supports that faculty members of color experience to provide insights for other faculty members of color who are pursuing employment at an institution of higher education. The qualitative case study included interviews with five former doctoral fellows, all individuals of color regarding their perceptions of the challenges, and supports, they experienced as minority individuals who sought and obtained faculty positions at predominantly White higher education institutions. The study results indicated that faculty of color at predominately White institutions experienced challenges in seeking and obtaining faculty positions. Many of the challenges were related to understanding the culture of the organization, gaining access to knowledge of positions, and finding support for their candidacy as a viable faculty member. Study participants revealed that the support from a mentor, advisor or doctoral committee member was essential to their success. All participants said that their participation in a pre-doctoral fellowship program was instrumental in their obtaining a faculty position and to their success as a professor

Water Levels Effects on Overall Customer Satisfaction:

Abstract The combination of hydroelectric power generation and the amount of precipitation results in fluctuating water levels on the United States Army Corps of Engineers: Lake Hartwell. Beginning in 2002 and continuing to the end of survey year 2004, water levels ranged from approximately ten feet below full pool to within half a foot under full pool. These fluctuations created difficulty for adjacent landowners to access sufficient water depths for recreational needs. The problems were magnified by a common perception that neighboring lakes\u27, Lake Keowee and Lake Thurmond, water levels had not dropped as dramatically. This study examined the effects that lake water levels have on customer satisfaction of adjacent landowners on Lake Hartwell. The results of this study show that there is a link between satisfaction and water levels

Intracellular Signaling: How do Cells Respond to Single and Multiple Inputs

One important biological question is how the cell processes input information and decides what to respond. The cell can integrate the multiple inputs using linear and nonlinear dynamics to generate an appropriate output. This study focuses on the computerized recording of phototaxis (movement in relation to light direction) of Chlamydomonas cell populations response to green light, which activates the rhodopsin photoreceptor at their eyespots. The inputs are light stimulation of various wavelengths and intensities; and chemicals (IBMX, a PDE inhibitor; 2\u275\u27-dideoxyadenosine, an adenylate cyclase inhibitor, 8-Br-cAMP-Na and Dibutyryl cAMP, cAMP analogs) affecting an important intracellular messenger, cAMP. The quantified output parameters include phototaxis distance, direction and sensitivity, and swimming rate/pattern. Quality and quantity of light, cell strains and conditions, intracellular cAMP, and concentrations of the chemicals play significant roles in determining the extent and direction of a cell\u27s phototaxis behavior. Under this experimental condition, red light has a slight effect on the phototaxis direction; on the other hand, cAMP seems to regulate the phototaxis direction. Evidently, raising intracellular cAMP drives the cell movement toward the green light, while lowering the cAMP does the opposite. The switching of phototaxis direction is a clear indicator of decision making (to go toward or away from light). In combination with results from other techniques in the lab and using appropriate analytical tools, we hope to understand intracellular signaling of the pathway from rhodopsin stimulation to phototaxis behavior on decision making in particular. Eukaryotic cells including human cells have common basic features. Thus, this knowledge may lead to a better understanding of many diseases involving cell signaling and how cells make decisions

The Event Horizon for the Horizon Report: Inclusivity in Extension Programs

The Horizon Report for Cooperative Extension calls for Extension professionals to incorporate emergent technologies into programming; however, adoption and use of such technologies can be hampered due to critical diversity issues in the science, technology, engineering, and math industries. For Extension professionals to capitalize on the Horizon Report recommendations, we must embrace the report\u27s call to action while also having an action plan for diversity and inclusivity. The challenge for Extension professionals goes beyond capitalizing on new technology trends; it has a broad scope and necessitates our considering critical issues surrounding those trends

Spain & Morocco: Issues in Hospitality & Tourism

Miami Dade College (MDC) is the largest undergraduate serving institution of higher education in the United States, holding a student population of nearly 175,000. With eight campuses and numerous outreach centers in South Florida, the college is committed to enhancing the academic presence of its local communities. MDC takes great pride in being one of the major contributors to the growth and progress of South Florida, especially in the area of hospitality and tourism. The college hosts various festivals and international events at several of its campuses. Furthermore, Miami Dade County’s economy relies strongly on its hospitality and tourism industry, seeking top, quality professionals to enhance the industry and to make it one of the best worldwide. This capstone is a proposal for the Spain & Morocco: Issues in Hospitality & Tourism (SMIHT) study abroad program for a maximum of 15 Miami Dade College students. With a new three-credit hour course, Issues in Hospitality and Tourism: A Focus on the Culinary Arts, the SMIHT program will challenge its participants by fostering unique cross-cultural experiences. Literature on short-term study abroad, predeparture orientations and reentry programming, along with experiential learning and identity development theories, will help to shape the program design and enhance the students’ learning experiences. With an overview of issues in the culinary arts profession, participants will learn about particular issues in Spain and Morocco. Although a hospitality and tourism study abroad program occurred in the summer of 2011, the one for 2013 will consist of changes based on assessments, evaluations and recommendations from both stakeholders and participants of the program in 2011

Home to School Transitions: A Guatemalan Family Portrait

This study applies a sociocultural perspective to examine the home to school transitions in literacy achievement of three low-income children from Guatemala. Through participant observation and informal conversations with the family during home visits, two factors appeared to influence the literacy development of the family\u27s young children: bilingualism and cultural assimilation. Investigating the home literacy environment of an immigrant family provides an insider\u27s perspective of the life experiences of children from non-mainstream homes. Understanding their home reading and writing experiences, and their transition to school literacy, is valuable for reading teachers facing increasingly diverse students from multicultural backgrounds