In 2015, a world-wide viral sensation now called “The Dress” brought to the fore a great example of when reality is perceived differently by different people. Was the dress black and blue, or white and gold? In reality, the dress was black and blue. The question: Why did so many see it as white and gold?
If a simple picture of a dress can cause such curiosity and speculation, what about the bigger topics of the day? Why do perceptions differ even as we are faced with the same set of “facts”? And, finally, what can we learn from these, and other, disparities in perception?
Many of our esteemed Brookdale colleagues will be exploring these intriguing questions today. We hope you enjoy and learn from the diverse topics and viewpoints presented at the 2022 Scholars’ Day Event!
Welcome to Scholar’s Day 2022, 9:00-9:10
Dr. Matthew Reed, Vice President of Academic Affairs
Featured Presentation – Part 1, 9:10-9:35
Happiness: Revised – Part 1
Marlena Frank, Associate Professor, Psychology
Happiness isn’t what it seems. What if I told you that most of the things you have learned would lead to happiness are myths? In the first part of this dynamic presentation, you will learn about the science of happiness and how we get it wrong (most of the time). Let’s discuss how our pursuit of happiness may be flawed and why, right now, thriving seems difficult.
The Four Fallacies of the Apocalypse: Toxic Reasoning in Political Rhetoric
Martin McDermott, Associate Professor, Speech Communication
Humans have known about the dangers of logical fallacies or sham arguments for millennia. Nearly 2,400 years ago, Aristotle wrote “On Sophistical Refutations” identifying thirteen fallacies based on poor logic or misleading language. Other contemporary academic sources identify up to 150. Whether in Nazi efforts to eliminate European Jewry, the Khmer Rouge purging Cambodia of “dissident” elements, or Russia’s recent invasion of Ukraine, despotic leaders exploit fallacies to rationalize hatred and genocide. In this presentation, participants will learn about the catastrophic use of four key fallacies in toxic political rhetoric.
Accommodations and Strategies for Online Courses
Ernest Oversen, Director – Disability Services
This presentation will cover different accommodations used in online courses, the reason for the accommodations, and strategies to help faculty facilitate accommodations, to help both faculty and students.
Misdirection: A History of American Fear
Christian Perez, Adjunct Professor, Political Science & Senior Technician – Testing Services
The goal of this presentation to expose the demagogues and puppet masters who have used lies and misdirection to further their agendas of hate. Historically, conspiracy theories have been used to target marginalized communities and have led to violence. I hope to shine a light on these bad ideas that we can never seem to shake.
Using Colleague the Modern Way
Moe Rahman, Director of Administrative Systems – Office of Information Technology
This presentation highlights the renewed approaches to using and maintaining Colleague and how to foster an environment to develop power users who can be change agents.
Strategic Planning Canvas Shell for Campus-Wide Feedback
Claire Smuga, Associate Professor, Fine Art
Marcia Finn, Confidential Secretary to the President and Board of Trustees
IPEC gathered feedback throughout the Spring term and determined themes that are important for Strategic Planning. These themes should be discussed by the larger campus community, as we may opt to prioritize some more than others for the 2025 Strategic Plan. In this presentation we will introduce the Brookdale community to the Canvas shell we created to help facilitate those discussions and share how your feedback will be used.
Transcending Divisions: GCP’s next Global Read
Dr. Ashley Zampogna-Krug, Assistant Professor, History
In this presentation, audience members will be presented with the book selections for the next Global Citizenship Project Global Read. This text will serve as the curricular finale for the Transcending Divisions GCP theme. Also, during this presentation, audience members will be able to present ideas for expanding the Global Read experience, such as creating up a GCP book club comprised of students, employees, and community members.
Having A Librarian in Your Classroom: Perceptions vs. Reality
Valerie Bonilla, Associate Professor, Library
Judi Ungar, Assistant Professor, Library
Amy Clark, Professor, Library
Using examples from different disciplines, we will present alternatives to the traditional 90-minute, one-shot library workshop, and discuss how librarians can help students develop the information literacy skills needed for successful completion of research assignments.
Financial Aid Yays and Nays
Stephanie Fitzsimmons, Director – Financial Aid
Enter the world of a Financial Aid Administrator and experience a few aha moments. Bring your stories and questions, or just listen!
What is Advocacy? Perception vs. Reality
Danielle M. Jones – Confidential Associate – Governmental Affairs & Community Relations
In this interactive presentation, attendees will learn the basics of advocacy and government. Discover more about how the Office of Governmental Affairs & Community Relations (GACR) supports the College, and what GACR can do to support your advocacy initiatives. In addition, myths about advocacy will be deconstructed – understand the difference between the perception vs. reality of making what U.S. Representative John Lewis called “good trouble.”
OER Success in Less Than Twelve Parsecs
Thomas Vorbach, Assistant Professor, Business Management
Stephen Fowler, Instructional Designer
A teenager on a remote desert planet, Tatooine, is forced on a journey of self-discovery and deals a serious blow to the publisher’s for-profit Death Star. Also, it’s a story of one community college professor’s journey from OER skepticism to OER advocacy. We will discuss why you should consider OER resources and how to do it in less than twelve parsecs.
Accessible Education: Addressing Misconceptions, Clarifying Expectations, Creating Opportunities for Success
Members of the Accessibility Advisory Committee
What does it mean to work towards accessibility in our curriculum and pedagogy? What obstacles get in our way as we attempt to implement best practices? Join members of the Accessibility Advisory Committee for a roundtable discussion on strategies to reduce barriers and create an inclusive learning environment.
#SecuringTheHuman: Staying Safe Amidst the Modern Cyber Threat Landscape
Joshua Berry, Technical Director – Office of Information Technology
Did you know you have a presence in the ever-expanding digital world? IT security experts call this your “digital footprint” or “digital shadow.” As cyber-security tools improve, securing the human (that’s us) is receiving greater focus. Securing your digital self is a crucial step to remaining safe from phishing scams, cyber-security risks, and the persistent threats of this highly connected climate. This presentation will walk through the basic steps towards developing awareness and staying safe. Participants will be presented with tools they can use to better protect their usernames, passwords, and online identity.
#BeThe1To HELP: Actions Everyone Can Take to Help Prevent Suicide
Cathy Goode, Professor, Counselling
Ellie Horgan, Professor, Counselling
Don Nigro, Professor, Counselling
In 2019, suicide was the 10th leading cause of death in the United States, claiming the lives of over 47,500 people. The increase of suicide attempts during the pandemic is well documented. How can you make a difference in suicide prevention? In this presentation, you will learn what to do if you think someone might be at risk for self-harm.
Perception vs Reality: The Essence of Landscape Painting
Marie Maber, Professor, Art
The pandemic brought many of us to a permanent indoor place, locked in front of our computers for hours on end, day after day. At the end of each week, I escaped outside with a box easel to set up and paint the landscape. Like a pair of coiled up springs finally let loose to unwind, my bugged-out eyes found themselves focused on leaves, trees, birds, setting suns, and lush grassy vistas instead of my flat, glaring, computer screen filled with endlessly scrolling pages of type. I know why I paint the landscape. I have often wondered why others have as well. In this session I will introduce you to ten lesser known, but outstanding, landscape painters to discover how they reinvented the world around them by painting the world as they wanted to see it, rather than how it actually was.
The Cold War Roots of America’s Psychic Spies
Martin McDermott, Associate Professor, Speech Communication
During the Cold War, the United States, China, and the Soviet Union sought to identify and maximize all competitive advantages against their rivals. In doing so the military establishment of each nation unwittingly provided clinical evidence for human psychic powers. Come and learn about declassified programs and the intriguing uses of “remote viewing” by U.S. intelligence agencies during the Cold War.
Featured Presentation – Part 2, 12:25-12:50
Happiness: Revised – Part 2
Marlena Frank, Associate Professor, Psychology
Happiness, joy, gratitude? These positive emotions are attainable and it’s simpler than it may seem. In the second half of this presentation, you will leave with a skill set of practices to increase your own well-being and set you on the path to flourish.
Closing Remarks, 12:50-1:00
Dr. David Stout, President
Download 2022 Scholars’ Day Program PDF
Survey Link
(Feedback will be accepted at the conclusion of the event.)
A very special thank you to all presenters and all speakers.
The 2022 Scholars’ Day Planning Group
Chairs: Linda DeButts, William De Voe, & Howard Miller
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