As part of a week of events exploring themes of faith, hope, and hospitality, SPU and the Classrooms that Cultivate Character project will host a talk on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 4-5:30 p.m. in Demary Hall 150 titled "Dispelling Myths and Misconceptions about Refugees and Forced Displacement." The speakers are professors Dr. Alissa Walter (history), Dr. Raphael Mondesir (sociology), and Dr. Ruth Ediger (political science). The event is sponsored by SPU and Classrooms that Cultivate Character, a project led by professors Brittany Tausen, Thane Erickson, and Krystle Jalalian-Chursky.

The SPU Wellness program helps you identify and change unhealthy behaviors with the goal of reducing your risk of illness and rewards you for taking action. To kick start your health in 2025, Human Resources will be hosting two upcoming wellness events on campus. Watch for more information and sign-ups in the weeks ahead.

Biometric Screenings: Feb. 18–19, 2025
8 a.m.–12 p.m.
SPU Ames Library/Seminar Room
Receive a $50 gift card for participating

Swedish Mobile Mammography (ONE DAY ONLY), Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025
7:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
SPU Tiffany Loop/Third Ave W.

As part of a week of events exploring themes of faith, hope, and hospitality, SPU and the Classrooms that Cultivate Character project will host Medard Ngueita, executive director World Relief Western Washington, on Thursday, Jan. 23, 7-8:30 p.m. in Upper Gwinn. He will discuss the ways World Relief Western Washington is faithfully modeling hope and Christ-like hospitality. Questions and reflections will be offered by Bo Lim, professor of Old Testament, and Sara Shaban, assistant professor of communication. Dessert and warm drinks will be available.  The event is sponsored by SPU and Classrooms that Cultivate Character, a project led by professors Brittany Tausen, Thane Erickson, and Krystle Jalalian-Chursky.

Do you live on the Eastside and commute across the Highway 520 bridge (or choose to drive around to avoid the toll)? If so, you could be saving as much as $300 a month by joining a vanpool. The vanpool is completely free to SPU employees which means the 520 toll, gas, and campus parking are all covered through the Trip Reduction Program. Part-time riders are also welcomed. The vanpool meets at the South Kirkland Park and Ride, Monday–Friday at 7:05 a.m. for a 7:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. work schedule, which can be flexible if needed. If you’d like to know more, email Lynn Anselmi at lynnnanselmi@spu.edu. Benefits of vanpooling can be found at spu.edu/vanpools.

Please join Seattle Pacific Seminary for the H. Mark Abbott Lectureship on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 7 p.m., in the First Free Methodist Church sanctuary. The speaker is Dr. Lester Ruth from Duke Divinity School who will present the lecture, “Deepening the Wells to Avoid the Ruts." This lecture will explore ways to deepen your wells of sources to pull from as worship leaders to write and compose for the sake of the church.

Please join Seattle Pacific Seminary for the "Singing the Faith" Conference on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 12 p.m.–8:30 p.m.in Upper Gwinn Commons. This conference celebrates the 1700th anniversary of the Nicene Creed by exploring the relationship between theology and song. Dr. Lester Ruth from Duke Divinity School will be the keynote speaker, accompanied by musician Rachel Wilhelm from United Adoration. There will also be a number of local clergy and practitioners presenting at the conference such as our very own Rev. Dr. Matt Sigler, along with Rev. Dr. Michael Lee and Dr. Robert Gorini from Encounter Church; Aly Quatier from Bethany Community Church–Greenlake; Rev. Brian Moss from Orcas Island Community Church; and Phil Ferrell of Citywalk Music. Lunch and dinner will be included in this event. Register online through the Eventbrite page and use the promo code "registerfree" for free registration! For more information, please visit spu.edu/singthefaith.

From now through Wednesday, Jan. 22, faculty and staff will receive two bonus meals if they purchase a Faculty Staff Block 10 Meal Plan. That’s 12 meals for $105.00 (or $8.75 per meal)! (Limit one per person.) You can use the plan in Gwinn any time during their service hours. Meal plans can be purchased through Banner (Employee Menu > Meal Plan Order Form). Your plan will be available at 9 a.m. the next business day. Meals can be used for guests and will roll from quarter to quarter while you are employed at the University. If you submitted an order over the break, the bonus swipes will be added to your account.

If you need a quick meal, these plans have two convenient to-go options:

• Meal Exchange Program: Staff can use one meal swipe to get three to-go items (an entrée, side dish, and a beverage) from Handcrafted, Pie on the Fly or Serrano Grille. To ensure ample supply, there is a limit of one Meal Exchange per day. Meal plan balances are available from the cashier, the Campus Card Website, or by downloading the free GET Mobile app where you can track your balance from your smartphone.
  
  
• Waste Watch Reuse (WWR): This option, formerly Choose To Reuse, allows you to purchase a reusable to-go container for a one-time $5 fee and fill it up with items from Gwinn to take with you.

If you have any questions, please contact Housing & Meal Plan Services at 206-281-2188 or mealplan@spu.edu.

Human Resources maintains a webpage for all open positions on campus. Visit this website for the latest openings.

Congratulation to the December Staff Member of the Month, Nikka Delosa, office and operations manager in the Student Counseling Center. Nominated by their peers and selected by Staff Council, these staff members exemplify service to the University, showing leadership in their staff role and elsewhere. Here is more about Nikka from the January Staff Council newsletter.

Nikka began her journey at SPU as an undergraduate in 2014 and continued on as a staff member starting in 2017. She has worked for Student Counseling Health and Wellness since 2021. She is now completing her Master's in the Marriage and Family Therapy graduate program and Medical Family Therapy certificate program. She believes that a foundational part of being Christian is commitment to service including advocacy work. She strives to create safe spaces for all, especially those who have been marginalized. Her greatest appreciation of her work are her connections made with colleagues in the little moments, conversations and quality time together. Her colleagues describe her as one who models strengths of creative problem solving, great communication, and taking initiative on organizing and planning events and resources. She has been an advocate for LGBTQIA+ students and community at large, showing up for events and programs after hours. She is the heart of her department! Congratulations, Nikka! You are a worthy recipient of the Staff of the Month honor!

Traynor Hansen, assistant professor of English and writing, was invited to give a presentation to the English and writing faculty at Northeast Lakeview College in Universal City, Texas, (just outside of San Antonio). The presentation on December 19 over Zoom was about AI writing pedagogy and policy.

Three School of Education faculty members and 11 graduate students presented papers at the December 2024 International Conference on Education in the Era of Artificial Intelligence, hosted by Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology (NUIST) in Nanjing, China. The conference, which featured participants from 12 countries and was funded by a US-Sino cultural exchange grant, showcased innovative AI applications in education and encouraged cross-cultural collaboration. (Here is a picture of the group.) 

Keynote papers included:
Julie Antilla, associate professor, "Using AI Large Language Models for Story Creation: One Autistic Teen’s Autonomous Reading Motivation."
Kristine Gritter, professor of literacy, "How Are Literacy Organizations Addressing AI in Key Research Journals? Theoretical Frameworks, Affordances, Cautions, and Recommended Skill Instruction."
David Wicks, jointly appointed professor at SPU and NUIST, "Bridging the Divide: Addressing Digital Equity in AI Literacy for an Inclusive Future."

Outstanding Student Paper Awards:
Andy Song, SOE doctoral program, "Personalized Learning for All: AI’s Utilization for Specific Learning Disabilities."
Jes Sarr-Lewis, SOE doctoral program, "Creating Collaborative Environments by Considering Language, Mindset, and Technology."
Lauren Collison, SOE graduate teacher education program, "Artificial Intelligence as a Teaching Partner: Elevating Primary Classrooms into Dynamic Learning Spaces."

An article co-authored by Gwia Kim, assistant professor of apparel design and merchandising, was published in Journal of Fashion Marketing and Management, Vol. 29, N. 2, pages 327-352. The article, titled, "Effective video storytelling for small fashion businesses: The mediating role of brand trust," was co-authored by Byongho Ellie Jin and Heekyeong Jo.

Several SOE professors gave presentations at the annual Hawaii International Conference on Education earlier this month.

"Supporting Preservice Teachers’ Sense of Belonging Through Professional Learning Networks—A Longitudinal Study" by Nalline Baliram, associate professor and assistant director of Undergraduate Teacher Education; Jill Heiney-Smith, associate professor and director to Graduate Teacher Education (GTE); and Kirsten Koetje, assistant professor and assistant director to GTE.

This longitudinal study investigates the implementation of a Professional Learning Network (PLN) within a Teacher Preparation Program. Drawing from data collected in a pilot study, significant revisions were implemented over two years. The researchers presented the results of this mixed-methods study highlighting the overall effectiveness and benefits of the Professional Learning Networks for preservice teachers in the K-12 classrooms.

"Gratitude Impact on Pre-Service Teacher Candidate Internship Experience" by Nalline Baliram, associate professor and assistant director of Undergraduate Teacher Education.

Researchers led by Emily Huff, director of placement in SOE, explored the impact of a gratitude intervention on internship experiences of pre-service teacher candidates with the objective of mitigating burnout and enhancing job satisfaction. Trends in the data suggest potential benefits when gratitude interventions are integrated in a teacher education program. Nalline presented this research on the implementation of journaling as a proactive strategy to help reduce feelings of burnout in early career teachers.

Recent publications, upcoming work, and a biography by Jason Thornberry are featured on Idiosyncrasy, an indie author platform. Jason is a writing professor and office coordinator in the School of Education.