An article by Dr. Dixie K. Keyes, professor of education, has been published in the journal Voices From the Middle for middle school literacy educators. The article recounts the outcomes of an inquiry assignment for preservice teachers. They learned how to find epitexts (textual and digital materials derived from published works like video games or music albums), then determined how they deepen user understanding in reading and literacy encounters.

Dr. Pamela Lewis-Kipkulei (left) and Dr. Amanda Carpenter (right), assistant professors of occupational therapy, co-authored an article for a forthcoming issue of the Journal of Occupational Therapy Education. The authors reviewed and synthesized literature pertaining to occupational therapy student stress, well-being and coping. This research has implications for pedagogical strategies and approaches, as well as occupational therapy program and curriculum development.

Dr. Virginie Rolland, associate professor for quantitative wildlife ecology, is co-author, along with her former Ph.D. student, Dr. Sara Harrod, of an article in BioScience. They wrote about their findings regarding knowledge and attitudes toward climate change among first-semester college freshmen. They were assisted by Dr. Sarah Kendig, associate professor of sociology. Their paper includes data on students from 19 universities, including A-State.

Henry Torres is the inaugural vice president for information technology and chief information officer for the seven-member Arkansas State University System. Creating greater synergies among campus networks and achieving additional cost savings through enterprise-scale contracts are among the primary goals of the new position. Currently assistant vice chancellor and chief information officer at A-State, he will continue in that role with his primary office location here. Details are online.

As we begin a new semester, this is a good time to remind everyone news tips and feedback for Inside A-State are always welcome. If one of your associates has been involved in a professional activity or has completed work worthy of campus attention, please forward details to Marketing and Communications, news@AState.edu. Of course, self-submitted items are welcome, as well. Inside A-State is published each Tuesday.