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Speaking of Higher Ed logo Speaking of Higher Ed exists to create a resource that will inspire and assist faculty in creating engaging and meaningful learning experiences. We hope to provide higher ed faculty with a platform for sharing research related to the scholarship of teaching and learning, spark new instructional ideas, and promote interdisciplinary instructional methods.

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Episode 25: Undergraduate Research with Drs. Michael Rifenburg and Kristine Johnson

January 15, 2025

Guests Michael Rifenburg and Kristine Johnson

What is the lifelong influence of undergraduate research experiences?

For this month’s topic of undergraduate research, Dr. Michael Rifenburg and Dr. Kristine Johnson discuss their book A Long View of Undergraduate Research: Alumni Perspectives on Inquiry, Belonging, and Vocation. They discuss insights into undergraduate research learned by interviewing alumni about the effect that participating in UR played in their lives after graduation.

The authors discuss the balance between intellectual growth and career readiness that UR can provide as well as the importance of the faculty role for students. Finally, they provide practical advice for faculty just starting or expanding undergraduate research.

About our guests:

Dr. Michael Rifenburg, is an associate professor of English at the University of North Georgia, serves as co-director of First-Year Composition and is a Senior Faculty Fellow for Scholarly Writing within UNG’s Center for Teaching, Learning, and Leadership.

Dr. Kristine Johnson is an Associate Professor at Calvin University in Michigan. She currently serves as the University Rhetoric Director, directing first-year writing, Rhetoric Across the Curriculum, and the Rhetoric Center.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

The book discussed in this episode, A Long View of Undergraduate Research: Alumni Perspectives on Inquiry, Belonging, and Vocation, is available online.

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About the Hosts

Andrew Everett poses for a photo Andrew Everett is a Faculty & Instructional Developer in the Center for Instructional Innovation (CII) with a focus on video and multimedia production and is the producer of Speaking of Higher Ed. Andrew is also an adjunct instructor in the Department of Social Sciences. After nearly a decade in TV news, Andrew came to Augusta University in 2019 as a video producer for Communications & Marketing before moving to the CII in 2022. Andrew has been awarded numerous Georgia Associated Press awards, an EMMA award from the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, and two silver Telly awards for his work on the short film Augusta Gives: Back to the Future and for an educational video for physical therapy students. He also holds Sententia’s Gamification Surveyor Certification (Level 1). Andrew earned a BS in Digital Cinematography from Full Sail University and a Master of Public Administration degree from Augusta University.

Arthur Takahashi poses for a photo As a visual storyteller, Arthur Takahashi has worked in TV, public relations, and now instructional design. In his professional career, he has seen how visuals can touch people, how stories can stick with them for a lifetime and how shared emotional experiences can create a strong bond among them. His work has led him to three Southeast Regional Emmy Awards nominations for promo, documentary, and animation. He has also won a regional Edward R. Murrow Award for hard news, two Georgia Association of Broadcasters awards for best locally-produced program and best use of digital platforms, two Georgia Associated Press Awards for investigative reporting and general reporting, a bronze Telly Award for documentary. As an instructional designer, he also placed first at the 2021 Adobe eLearning Design Awards and won a silver Telly for best use of 2D animation and a silver Telly for an educational video in the health and safety category. Since Arthur joined CII, he has helped create faculty development offerings that have impacted hundreds of AU faculty. He holds the Sententia’s Gamification Surveyor Certification (Level 1) and is a QM-certified APPQMR online facilitator. Arthur has a bachelor’s degree in mass communication, a master’s degree in history and a master’s degree in public administration.

Jeff Mastromonico poses for a photo Jeff Mastromonico is the Director of Instructional Innovation for CII. Jeff is celebrating his 24th year in higher education and his 14th year with Augusta University. Jeff has a BS in Business Administration, an M.Ed in Educational Technology from USC, a master's certification in gamification and game-based learning, and is currently pursuing a doctorate in Educational Innovation. Jeff has been awarded numerous awards for his work in the design and development of multimedia, e-learning, and game development, including the international Serious Play award and Adobe's Golden E-Learning Award.