The 16th Annual Conference on Applied Learning in Higher Education (CALHE) will be held March 7-8, 2024 on the campus of Missouri Western State University. The abstract submission portal opens Oct. 1, 2023. The abstract submission deadline is Friday, January 19, 2024.

Barriers to Engagement in Applied Learning

The 2024 conference theme focuses on barriers to engaging in applied learning and strategies to overcome them. These barriers may be experienced by students, faculty, or institutions. This broad theme should allow and encourage submissions of applied learning activities in all various forms. Submissions do not have to directly encompass the theme. We welcome submissions that may address an applied learning activity, community engagement or research, including theoretical and philosophical foundations of applied learning.

Our Keynote Speaker will be Dr. Matt Wolfgram, Associate Researcher and Principal Investigator at the University of Wisconsin, Center for Education Research. Dr. Wolfgram’s research employs ethnography, participatory action research, and other qualitative research methods to study factors that impact the educational experiences of minoritized college students. Among his many efforts includes a recently completed project, “The College Internship Study: A Longitudinal Mixed Methods Study Exploring the Impacts of College Internships on Student Outcomes at HBCUs.”

Agenda

Thursday, March 7, 2024

Time	Location	Activity	Presentation(s)
4:30 – 6:30	Fulkerson Center Lobby	Conference Check in
5:00 – 6:30	Rochambeau	Poster Session	“Creating A Standardized Post-Conference Format for Clinical Nursing Students to Enhance Clinical Judgment”, Nicole Berndt and Tammie Conley, Missouri Western State University “Breaking the Silence: Understanding and Preventing Teen Suicide Among Middle Schoolers”, Liz Williams, Missouri Western State University “Making Ethics Make Sense-Application to Practice”, Laura Nold, Missouri Western State University “Providing Adequate Preparation for Aspiring Criminal Justice Professionals”, Michael Birmingham, Missouri Western State University “Faculty Simulation Evaluation Tool (F-SET): Evidence-based Evaluation Tool Development and Implementation”, Laura Nold, Allison Anderson, Alyson Hill, and Ashley Gardner, Missouri Western State University “Continuing the Documentation and Organization of Our Herbarium”, Regann Punzo and Tillitoma Roy, Missouri Western State University “Improving Student Success in Undergraduate Nursing Statistics Courses through Applied Learning”, Tammie Conley, Missouri Western State University and Kristin Lee, University of Missouri – Kansas City “Enzyme Explorers”, Ashley Mattison, Oklahoma State University “Learning marketable plant science research skills in course-based original applied research modules”, Csengele Barta, Missouri Western State University “Identifying and overcoming barriers to study-away courses at a regional public university”, Carissa Ganong, Karen Koy, Mark Mills, and Kristen Walton, Missouri Western State University “Prescribed Burns as an Undergraduate Applied Learning Experience” Aracely Newton, Cary Chevalier, and Mark Mills, Missouri Western State University “Little fish in little ponds: Quantifying gains in undergraduate researcher skills due to participation in a pond-focused interdisciplinary research team”, Ashley Elias, Dawn Drake, Carissa Ganong, Michael Grantham, and Karen Koy, Missouri Western State University and University of Oklahoma “Undergraduate research in collaboration with Snapshot USA: an applied learning opportunity for biology/wildlife conservation students”, Cary Chevalier and Carissa Ganong, Missouri Western State University “Understanding trends in dicot species distributions on a newly restored tallgrass prairie” Tyson Cook and Tilottama Roy, Missouri Western State University “Working effectively with spiritually diverse clients” Trenton Miles
6:30 – 8:00	Spratt 214/216	Dinner
7:00 – 8:00	Spratt 214/216	Keynote Address	Matt Wolfgram, University of Wisconsin “Are internships a stepping stone or a gatekeeper?: Addressing barriers of access and success for college internships.”

Friday, March 8, 2024

Time	Location	Activity	Presentation(s)
8:00 – 9:00	Fulkerson Center Lobby	Conference Check in
8:00 – 9:00	Rochambeau	Breakfast and Networking
9:00 – 9:25	Mead	Oral Presentation	“Soft Skills as a Barrier to Office-Based Internships” Michael Charlton Missouri Western State University
9:30 – 9:55	Mead	Oral Presentation	“Critical Thinking, High Impact Practices and Student Engagement” Kelli Schutte, Keli Braitman, and David Lisenby William Jewell College
10:00 – 10:25	Mead	Oral Presentation	“Applied Learning for an Online Class” Jennifer Lancaster East Central University
10:30 – 10:55	Mead	Oral Presentation	“Research as applied learning: A study about evacuation preparedness “ John Fisher and Mary Bennett Utah Valley University
11:00 – 11:25	Mead	Oral Presentation	“Center for Service: Connecting the University with the Community” Kim Sigrist Missouri Western State University
11:30 – 1:00	Spratt 214/216	Lunch
12:00 – 12:45	Spratt 214/216	Roundtable Discussion	“Identifying and Overcoming Barriers to Student Engagement in Applied Learning” Mike Ducey – Facilitator Missouri Western State University
1:00 – 1:50	Spratt 214/216	Workshop	“Paraprofessional Special Education Teacher Apprenticeship Program: Removing Barriers to Teacher Certification” Jennifer Malone Missouri Western State University
2:00 – 2:25	Mead	Oral Presentation	“Methods and Uses of Epistemic Disruption on Various Vicious Epistemic Communities” Brandon Sutton University of Oklahoma
2:30 – 2:55	Mead	Oral Presentation	“Change from Classroom to Community: An Exploration of an Interdisciplinary Approach to Street Law and its Transformative Power through Partnerships, Empowerment, and Reflections.” Petronilla Sylvester and Elizabeth Reese Missouri Western State University
3:00 – 3:25	Mead	Oral Presentation	“The Impact of Applied Learning in Criminal Justice: How Does Visiting an Actual CJ Agency Affect a Student’s Career Plans?” David Marble Missouri Western State University
3:30 – 3:55	Mead	Oral Presentation	“International Student-Athletes’ unique challenges: Collegiate Coaches’ Perspectives and Facilitation of Social Capital” Daweon Yoon and Paul Choi Missouri Western State University
4:00 – 4:25	Mead	Oral Presentation	“Suit up! Leveraging Students’ Communication Skills to Elevate Campus Career Closet Awareness and Build Career Readiness” Lori Costello University of South Dakota
4:30 – 4:55	Mead	Oral Presentation	“Establishing an Office of Applied Learning: Successes and Lessons Learned” Mike Ducey Missouri Western State University
4:55 – 5:00	Mead	Closing Remarks	Mike Ducey Missouri Western State University

Abstract Submission is Closed

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LODGING INFORMATION

Presentation Guidelines

Griffon Office of Applied Learning

Dr. Mike Ducey

Director

Location: Eder Hall Room 221
Phone: 816.271.4391

Learn More

Griffon Office of Applied Learning

Cassandra Penick

Administrative Coordinator

Location: Eder Hall Room 221
Phone: 816.271.4468

Learn More