Dr. Mary Jackson Pitts is co-author of a book, Online Community Therapy: The Support Network, published by Rowman & Littlefield. She and a colleague from Clemson examine how online therapy communities can be used to address the challenges of self-damaging behaviors. Their data shows online platforms can be used to form therapy communities which can help people who are unable to seek mental health care from traditional sources. Details are online.

Dr. Jordan Butcher, assistant professor of political science, wrote a book chapter to be included in Women of Color Political Elites in the U.S. — Intersectional Political Experiences, to be published by Routledge. She examines the gains in representation and entrance to office by queer women of color.  By providing an overview of these legislators, she contributes toward advancing a more representative understanding of the diversity of women in elective office.

Dr. H. Steve Leslie, assistant professor of business communication, was interviewed by the Arkansas Division of Workforce Services for an article in the division’s Arkansas Watch magazine. In the article “See what industry experts in Arkansas have to say,” Leslie comments on his approach to giving students guidance and advice, and mentions his emphasis on internships in the student’s area of interest. The publication is available online, and the article is on pages 54-55.

An article by Dr. Jiseul Kim, assistant professor of public administration, was published in Public Works Management & Policy. The study enhanced theoretical understanding of the factors affecting deferred routine maintenance of state highway infrastructure, such as crack sealing. She found that state public officials’ re-election incentives and party conflicts reduce routine maintenance spending levels of state-administered highway infrastructure, which can generate an intergenerational equity issue in taxation.

Dr. Gregory Hansen, professor of folklore and English, presented a paper, “Integrating Public Folklore with Historic Preservation into Heritage Initiatives” during the American Folklore Society’s annual conference. Hansen also chaired a session that featured three additional presentations. The full panel focused on ways that material culture and intangible cultural heritage contribute to theory and practice within the discipline of heritage studies; the session was sponsored by AFS’s Folklore and Historic Preservation Section.