Faculty Focus - April 5, 2021
Faculty members put their knowledge into action so students and others are able to benefit from it.
Recently, faculty shared their research and experiences at conferences and in scholarly articles, blogs, and publications.
Assistant Professor and Chair of Canadian Studies Neil Forkey
Assistant Professor and Chair of Canadian Studies Neil Forkey recently delivered the keynote address at a virtual undergraduate research conference titled Canada, the U.S., Quebec and the Problem of the Border hosted by Bridgewater State University. In the address, Forkey spoke about his work on environmental activism in the St. Lawrence Watershed.
Forkey’s research focuses on Canadian-American history, North America social and environmental history, and North American borderlands. Among the courses he regularly teaches at St. Lawrence are Intro to Canada, Canadian-American Relations, Modern Canada, and courses in the First Year Program.
Associate Professor of Education Jeff Frank
Associate Professor of Education Jeff Frank, whose research focuses on the philosophy of education and liberal education, shared his expertise on ways instructors can support student well-being and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic in a Bringing Theory to Practice piece.
“We are in the middle of another tremendously challenging semester, and our students need motivation right now,” writes Frank. “I would suggest you take a moment and think about the skills, habits and virtues that you’ve seen your students developing during the pandemic, and then work with students to name them. Doing this will help them appreciate that they are cultivating strengths even when it feels like they are lost and struggling.”
Frank teaches courses in the First-year Seminar and Sophomore Journeys programs. He has also taught courses on Contemporary Educational policy, Teaching and Teachers, and American Philosophies of Education.
Director of International Student Academic Support Robin Rhodes
Director of International Student Academic Support Robin Rhodes, who leads student support programs related to language and cultural tradition, recently published a chapter on collaborating with East African educators that explores work based directly on her teaching at St. Lawrence University.
Rhodes specializes in learner-centered education, instructional methods for English language learners with different cultures and backgrounds, and teaching in difficult circumstances. She is the director of English language learning for the Ubushobozi Project in Musanze, Rwanda. She teaches academic English to multilingual students, courses on teaching English internationally, and has taught courses in the First-year Seminar program.
Visiting Assistant Professor of International Relations Zenel Garcia
Visiting Assistant Professor of International Relations Zenel Garcia, whose research focuses on the intersection of international relations theory, security, and geopolitics, recently co-published an article titled "Constitution the Indo-Pacific: Securitization and the Processes of Region-Making" in the International Quarterly for Asian Studies with Bibek Chand from the University of North Georgia.
Zenel teaches courses in international security, strategic studies, and East Asian politics at St. Lawrence. He holds an M.A. in Asian Studies and a Ph.D. from Florida International University.
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