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Crouter Named Fellow of the National Academy of Kinesiology

Crouter Named Fellow of the National Academy of Kinesiology

Crouter Named Fellow of the National Academy of Kinesiology

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Crouter Named Fellow of the National Academy of Kinesiology

Scott Crouter, professor of exercise physiology in the Department of Kinesiology, Recreation, and Sport Science (KRSS) at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has been named a Fellow of the National Academy of Kinesiology (NAK). He was inducted along with 10 U.S. and two international scholars during the Academy’s annual awards banquet and ceremony, held in September in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Scott Crouter standing and holding fellowship certificate
Scott Crouter (center) at NAK Induction in Pittsburgh,PA

“Being inducted as a Fellow of NAK—and knowing there are only about 200 active members—is the highest honor,” said Crouter. “Unlike other awards that focus on a single area of work, NAK fellowship recognizes the cumulative impact of a career in teaching and research. I am proud to continue the legacy established by past Fellows and hope we can mentor future faculty toward this great honor.”

Crouter is the third KRSS faculty member to be named a Fellow in as many years, following Songning Zhang in 2024 and department head Zan Gao in 2023.

“The induction of three KRSS faculty members—Drs. Zan Gao, Songning Zhang, and Scott Crouter—as active Fellows of the National Academy of Kinesiology in three consecutive years is a powerful testament to the department’s academic distinction,” said Gao. “This prestigious recognition underscores the national influence of our faculty’s research and the collaborative culture that drives innovation, creativity, and scientific progress. KRSS proudly continues its tradition of representation in the Academy, following in the footsteps of esteemed former faculty such as Drs. Edward Howley, David Bassett, Craig Wrisberg, and Dixie Thompson. This ongoing recognition affirms KRSS’s standing as a national and global leader in advancing health, human performance, and education through research.”

NAK President Monica A.F. Lounsbery also welcomed Crouter to the Academy. “His leadership and scholarship exemplify the qualities we seek in Fellows—advancing knowledge, mentoring the next generation, and strengthening the future of kinesiology,” she said.

Crouter’s research focuses on the use of wearable devices to measure and promote physical activity. By collecting metabolic data and raw signals from research-grade devices, he develops algorithms that improve the accuracy of physical activity assessments. In short, his work helps make the wearable devices many people use every day more precise in guiding healthier lifestyles. Find out more about Crouter’s research here.

At UT, Crouter directs the Applied Physiology Laboratory and the Physical Activity Assessment Laboratory. He is also a Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine, a founding editorial board member and associate editor of the Journal for the Measurement of Physical Behaviour, and an associate editor for Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise.

RHTM Hosts Big Orange Hospitality Day

RHTM Hosts Big Orange Hospitality Day

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RHTM Hosts Big Orange Hospitality Day

Inaugural Event Connects Students, Teachers, and Advisors with Industry Leaders

The Department of Retail, Hospitality, and Tourism Management (RHTM) in the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, hosted its inaugural Big Orange Hospitality Day in partnership with Tennessee DECA and FBLA. The event welcomed 128 high school students and 17 teachers/advisors from across the state to explore dynamic career opportunities in the hospitality and tourism industry.

The day-long program immersed students in the field through interactive activities, behind-the-scenes tours, and networking with industry professionals. More than 26 hospitality and tourism partners contributed by sharing career pathways during the networking session, hosting business tours, and providing door prizes and swag bag items for students and teachers.

RHTM Department Head, Junehee Kwon Welcomes Attendees

Highlights included exclusive tours of downtown Knoxville landmarks such as the Tennessean Hotel, Tennessee Theatre, Sunsphere Visitors Center, Hyatt Place, Maple Hall, and the Marriott Maker Space with Dogwood Arts. Students learned about each property’s operations and gained firsthand exposure to environments where hospitality professionals build their careers. The event concluded with a celebratory lunch at Covenant Health Park, generously sponsored by The 9 Group: A Knoxville Family of Hotels.

Christopher Kelley, senior coordinator of Hospitality and Tourism Management (HTM) and event organizer, emphasized the importance of collaboration.

“This event was only possible thanks to the generous support of the hospitality industry, who gave their time and showcased their passion to inspire the next generation,” Kelley said. “Our department is committed to fostering curiosity in this career field in order to serve the industry.”

Big Orange Hospitality Day reflects UT’s commitment to an unparalleled student experience and to preparing future leaders in hospitality and tourism. By connecting students with professionals and offering hands-on experiences, the event aimed to spark interest in UT’s undergraduate HTM major.

Department head Junehee Kwon opened with a question, “Who wants to work with happy people?” underscoring the excitement of a people-centered industry.

“A major in HTM includes exceptional hands-on experiences, from our Blissful Wish Wedding project to behind-the-scenes work with the Big Ears Music Festival,” Kwon said. “Our students also graduate with a built-in business minor and personalized advising dedicated to their success.”

The event was spearheaded by the RHTM Department with major contributions from the UT Conference Center, which hosted the opening session; The 9 Group, which sponsored lunch; and planning committee members Zach Buchanan (Tennessee DECA/FBLA), Angie Wilson (UT Enrollment Management), Jill Thompson (Greater Knoxville Hospitality Association & RHTM Advisory Board), Martha Axford (ABC Design & RHTM Advisory Board), and Monica Armstrong (Visit Knoxville).

If you want to learn more about UT’s Hospitality and Tourism Management major, visit our website, or contact HTM Senior Coordinator Christopher Kelley at ckelle15@utk.edu.

You can also view a photo gallery of the event here.

Dzikus Awarded Grant to Study Survivor Perspectives

Dzikus Awarded Grant to Study Survivor Perspectives

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Dzikus Awarded Grant to Study Survivor Perspectives

For many, sports offer valuable life lessons in self-improvement and teamwork. For others—especially survivors of sexual violence—their experiences in sport may leave lasting scars. This raises a critical question: how do institutions support survivors, if at all?

That is the question Lars Dzikus and a team of researchers from several American universities are working to answer in a new study funded by the Center for Institutional Courage. Their project, Institutional Courage and Betrayal in SportsWorld: Survivor Perspectives, explores how sports organizations can either support survivors’ healing or deepen their harm.

headshot
Lars Dzikus

“Institutions like universities and sports clubs play a crucial role in both preventing sexual violence and supporting survivors,” said Dzikus. “Researchers like Jennifer Freyd have shown how institutions can either exacerbate or reduce harm through betrayal trauma, institutional betrayal, and institutional courage. We are extending this work to sport organizations. Given how deeply athletes, coaches, and fans identify with their teams, survivors of sexual violence in sport may feel even more devastated when their organizations fail to support them.”

Dzikus, an associate professor in the Department of Kinesiology, Recreation, and Sport Studies (KRSS) at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has focused much of his research on the intersection of sport and violence, including sexual abuse in youth sports. Through this study, he and his colleagues aim to better understand survivors’ lived experiences and how institutions’ actions—or inactions—shape them.

The research aligns with the mission of the Center for Institutional Courage, which seeks to hold institutions accountable and encourage more effective, compassionate responses. Dzikus’s study is one of just 11 grants awarded nationwide. The Center’s president and founder, Jennifer Freyd, is a leading advocate for institutional courage.

“The Institutional Courage Research Grant Program began with a bold vision: to catalyze research into institutional betrayal and institutional courage that could change how organizations understand and respond to harm,” said Freyd. “With 44 grants awarded and approximately $200,000 in funding distributed, we are seeing the early fruits of that investment. This is just the beginning. We’re building a global community of scholars whose work is not only expanding the field, but shaping policy, practice, and public awareness. We’re especially proud of the growing body of peer-reviewed publications emerging from these efforts—tangible evidence of the long-term change these grants are making possible.”

For Dzikus and his team, the stakes are clear: when institutions support survivors, they can aid healing; when they betray survivors, the harm can last a lifetime.

“The findings of our study can deepen our understanding of institutional betrayal and courage by examining the role of identification with an organization,” Dzikus explained. “For sport institutions, we want to inform practices that create safer, more supportive environments.”

Celebrating the Achievements of CEHHS Faculty

Celebrating the Achievements of CEHHS Faculty

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Celebrating the Achievements of CEHHS Faculty

The College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences (CEHHS) is proud to recognize several faculty members for their outstanding achievements and contributions. Let’s celebrate their success!

Karen Boyd (ELPS)

Boyd received the prestigious Raymond H. Goldstone Legacy of Excellence Award from the Association for Student Conduct Administration. With a long history of impactful leadership in student conduct and higher education, Boyd’s contributions continue to inspire and shape the field. Read more about this esteemed acknowledgement.

Leia Cain (ELPS)
Cain received the Tammy K. Renalds LGBT+ Communities Advocate Award at the Chancellor’s Honors Banquet in April. She collaborates with campus partners to develop inclusive initiatives that support the success and well-being of LGBTQIA+ students, faculty, and staff within higher education.

Mary Dueñas (ELPS)

Dueñas is the inaugural recipient of the Outstanding Doctoral Mentoring Award, to be presented at the Doctoral Hooding Ceremony on May 15. She was nominated by mentee Abraham Cervantes, who shared,
“Without her encouragement and affirmation, I am certain I would not be here today. Dr. Dueñas’s mentorship has been a lifeline—guiding me through moments of self-doubt and helping me see the importance of my voice, my story, and my place in this field. Because of her, I am not just surviving in this program; I am thriving. She has given me a vision for my future that I never thought possible, and for that, I am eternally thankful.”

Lauren Irwin (ELPS)

Irwin was named as a recipient of the Annuit Coeptis Emerging Professionals Award at the College Student Educators International (ACPA) conference in Long Beach, California, earlier this year. This prestigious award honors exemplary educators in the early stages of their careers. Irwin was one of five early-career professionals recognized for their contributions to the field.

Robert Kelchen (ELPS)

Kelchen was recognized for Research and Creative Achievement at the recent Academic Honors Banquet hosted by the Office of the Provost. Earlier this year, Education Week once again named him a Top Scholar Influencer. He also serves as associate editor of Research in Higher Education, data editor for Washington Monthly magazine’s college guide and rankings, and was the 2023 recipient of the Excellence in Public Policy in Higher Education Award from the Association for the Study of Higher Education’s Council on Public Policy.

Lyndsey Hornbuckle (KRSS)

Hornbuckle was honored with the “Heart and Soul Award” at the final Faculty Senate meeting of the academic year, recognizing her compassion, service, and collaborative leadership. A dedicated mentor, she is known for her unwavering commitment to student success. For the past two years, she has served as a faculty fellow in the Office of Community Engagement and Outreach, helping to advance equity, respect, and community care across the greater Knoxville area.

Youn-Kyung (Lydia) Kim (RHTM)

Kim is ranked #2 at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, among top researchers in Business and Management, according to Research.com. Nationally, she is ranked #441 among her peers in the United States. Learn more about Kim’s exceptional research and scholarly work.

Junehee Kwon (RHTM)

In May, Kwon received the 2025 Pauly Award from the Greater Knoxville Hospitality Association, being honored as Industry Educator of the Year. This recognition follows a series of milestones for RHTM, including HTM program accreditation and the department’s first “Blissful Wish Wedding.” Additionally, students Kylie Nayakwadi and Grace Keffer were awarded scholarships from the association.

Joshua Rosenberg (TPTE)

Rosenberg has been named the Haslam Endowed Professor in recognition of his outstanding accomplishments in educational data science research and program development. He has an exceptional record of research publications and has secured over $10 million in research funding. Rosenberg initiated data science programs and led the hiring of a cluster of faculty to support and expand the initiative. The five-year professorship includes an endowment to support his ongoing work. Learn more about Rosenberg’s groundbreaking research in data science.

Michael Skyer (TPTE)

Skyer has been awarded the Dr. Jon Henner Memorial Early Career Award by the Association of College Educators–Deaf & Hard of Hearing, recognizing his impactful teaching and research just a few years into his career. Since joining UT in 2022, Skyer has published over 25 works, mentored doctoral students, and led groundbreaking work in Deaf aesthetics—a design philosophy that reimagines education for Deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing learners with equity at the center. Learn more about his work and impact in an article by CEHHS Student Reporter, Carly Utterback.

Michael Skyer Awarded with the Dr. Jon Henner Memorial Early Career Award by the Association of College Educators – Deaf & Hard of Hearing

Michael Skyer Awarded with the Dr. Jon Henner Memorial Early Career Award by the Association of College Educators – Deaf & Hard of Hearing

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Michael Skyer Awarded with the Dr. Jon Henner Memorial Early Career Award by the Association of College Educators – Deaf & Hard of Hearing

By Carly Utterback, CEHHS Student Reporter, Class of 2025

Our very own Michael Skyer, assistant professor of deaf studies and deaf education in the department of Theory & Practice in Teacher Education (TPTE), has received an award for showing an early record of a promising career in both teaching and research in deaf education within five years of obtaining his doctoral degree.

He has been with UT since August 2022 after graduating from the University of Rochester in 2021 with a Doctor of Philosophy degree. He has had over 25 publications listed on Google Scholar since then. His contributions to the TPTE/Deaf Studies team have been recognized by this award.

The Association of College Educators – Deaf & Hard of Hearing (ACE-DHH) presented this award to Skyer at their annual conference in Washington, DC on Feb. 1, 2025.

Skyer says that Henner taught him a lot about writing with clarity and expression.

“That is one of the most important things that I’ve taken away from my friendship and collegial working relationship with Jon. Because this is not just an award, but a named early career

Side view profile shot of Michael Skyer. He has light skin and dark hair and beard. He is wearing classes and is communicating via American Sign Langugage
Michael Skyer

award, I want to recognize and uplift Jon’s legacy in our research field. May he forever rest in power,” said Skyer.

He said also expressed his gratitude toward the ACE-DHH awards committee, for their commitment and nomination. His colleagues, national and international, such as his research mentors and even graduate students sent in letters of support to the directors.

“This award is a recognition by my colleagues of my abilities. This signifies their endorsement of my research agenda primarily, but also their support of me as a person whose ideas matter,” said Skyer.

The Dr. Jon Henner Memorial Early Career Award by ACE-DHH is an incredible accomplishment and testament to the hard work Skyer is putting into his research.

The design of teaching methods has made an appearance in Skyer’s previous publications. In Applied deaf aesthetics towards transforming deaf higher education Skyer focused on the changes that need to be made in classrooms to benefit those who are deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing.

This design is called “deaf aesthetics,” which creates a more compatible learning experience created specifically for those who are deaf, deaf-blind or hard of hearing. Deaf aesthetics also happens to be more accessible for non-deaf students. Skyer’s work is intended to benefit marginalized deaf learners understand curricula in an equitable manner.

The University of Tennessee has started adapting these designs and Skyer is leading the charge.

“I believe this is one of the most important aspects of how we approach thinking and action within deaf higher education contexts,” said Skyer.

He said it is not enough to just talk about ethics and equity but to embody them physically and conceptually. The development of curricular frameworks and day to day materialization of these aesthetics is a tangible change towards his approach. The conceptual side is building paths away from audism and ableism in all aspects of education.

Skyer oversees a research team consisting of four other faculty including the director of the Council on Education of the Deaf and former masters/doctoral committee advisors. They are working to formalize their approach towards the integration of deaf aesthetics.

This year Skyer said he is most excited about enriching his working relationships both national and international. He is also excited to continue to develop “the empirical arm of [his] study about queerness in deaf communities.”

Since August of 2022, he has brought in one PhD student and has become the dissertation chair for three of UT’s doctoral students. He is also a member of two other dissertation committees at UT as well as two outside of UT. Skyer says most of his doctoral students are Deaf or Hard of Hearing (DHH), queer, or disabled like himself.

As of right now Skyer has a book under contract on Vygotskian deaf pedagogy theory in addition to four other working book proposals. He recently had a poster session with American Educational Research Association (AERA) where he presented about curriculum and deaf education.

His favorite topics of research are the ethical, cognitive, and sociopolitical aspects of art and design in teaching. “This is the wellspring I shall drink from all my life,” said Skyer.

Throughout his own learning career many mentors supported him in pursuit of a doctorate degree. But his strive for higher education came from his mom more than anything. She is a deaf woman with several advanced learning degrees and was a college instructor and counselor for 40 years.

He shared a memory from childhood of him thinking, “That is the peak… that’s the pinnacle… that’s the goal—become a college or university instructor.”

Skyer remarked that his experience at UT has been “tremendous” and that his is “dedicated to supporting an approach to resolving the deep problems of deaf education, that is equally pragmatic and critical. UT gives me wings and space to fly.”

The Power of Sports for Positive Change

The Power of Sports for Positive Change

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The Power of Sports for Positive Change

By Jett Hatfield, Senior in Sport Management, Class of 2025

“It’s more than just a game.” “There is more to sports than just what you see on tv.” These are phrases I am sure all of us have heard. When I was younger, I heard these sayings, but I didn’t know entirely what they meant. I had athletes I looked up to and knew sports taught things like teamwork and instilled some good values into people, but I didn’t think too much about the bigger aspect of sports. I didn’t know how much it could affect people, especially people who grew up in different places and didn’t have the resources to watch and play sports as I did.  However, as I grew older and started working in sports, my eyes were opened to how much sports really means to people. It wasn’t until I participated in ‘Football for Change’ in Los Cabos, Mexico, with my internship, A.B.C. Sports Foundation, and the San Francisco 49ers that I realized the full extent of the power of sports.

The purpose of this trip was to work with the San Francisco 49ers and their players to create a positive impact in the local community. The day after everyone arrived, we began to implement this purpose. We started with a school visit at José Lucas Manríquez Arípez Elementary School and Los Niños del Capitán (community center) where the impact could be seen immediately. As soon as the kids saw the likes of George Kittle, Ricky Persall, and other 49ers Players, the kids’ faces lit up like it was Christmas morning. They were jumping into their arms, and there is simply no other way to describe it other than they were filled with immense joy. The kids got to talk and interact with the players, and then we got to reveal to them and the rest of the school exactly how we were helping. Thanks to all our partners and sponsors, we were able to donate over $15,000 to help repair the school’s fencing, add on to playground structures, as well as donate footballs and flags for the school to use. Overall, the day was filled with tons of smiles, and it felt amazing to be a part of something so great.

San Francisco 49ers Tight End, George Kittle, Greets Students

The following day was filled with another school visit and a football camp. There were once again screams of happiness and cheer as they saw some of their favorite players from their favorite team walk into where they go to school every day. This time, however, we were the ones that were in store for a surprise. The school’s football team, band, and cheer team put on a pep rally-type performance where they celebrated the 49ers coming to their school. They had choreographed dances and chants, and it was obvious that so much time and effort went into the school’s performance. It showed just how special and meaningful it was for the 49ers players to spend their time there. We were able to continue making a difference by donating a check and football equipment to this school as well. Later in the day, I got to finally meet someone from the tourism board who we had been working with for months to plan these school visits. She told our team and me that no one ever thinks about the schools when they come to Los Cabos. Los Cabos is a top vacation destination, but even when people come there for a cause, the schools are normally left out. This made everything we were doing feel even more special because we were planting a seed in a place that needed it!

Right after this school visit, we hosted our first football camp of the trip which hosted high school-aged boys and girls that play tackle football. When the players got out of the vans to walk onto the field, it was once again like The Beatles had pulled up to one of their shows. The kids were immediately going up to the players to meet them, but the local coaches were running up even faster! This just goes to show that sports impact all ages. From high school-aged kids to grown adults, the fact that they got to play or coach the sport they love with an NFL team and its stars was like a dream come true to both the kids and coaches. Kids were catching passes from star QB Brock Purdy, linemen were learning how to block from all-pro Trent Williams, and everyone was getting to learn from the best of the best. The 49ers couldn’t have been better this day. They were engaged the whole day, hyping the kids up, celebrating with them after they caught a pass, and they made the kids feel like the stars. It made the kids feel equal. It gave them hope that they could be in the same spot as a Brock Purdy or George Kittle someday. The impact was real, and it was probably a reality that most of those kids never thought they would have the opportunity to be a part of.

On the last day of the trip, we had our last big football camp. This was our biggest event out of them all. It was open for the public to watch, and there were hundreds of people there decked out in 49ers gear to see and check out the 49ers at work. At this camp, we had a tackle football group as well as a flag football group, with half of the campers being girls. Growing the game of football to flag and making it available to not just boys but also girls was a big point of emphasis for this trip. We wanted to show that football is for everyone, and that was done at this camp. Over the course of 4 hours, the campers got t-shirts, autographs and pictures with the 49ers players, and of course, got to learn more about the game they love from 49ers players. To try to put into perspective how excited people were about this camp, I had dozens of people, whether it be people working security, to parents in the stands, etc. come up to me and try to get the campers’ shirts. The shirts had ‘Football for Change’ written and all of the 49er’s attendees’ names on them. People just wanted to say they got to witness this event and show that they were there. It was a big deal to everyone; they knew it was something special, and they wanted to brag to their friends and families that they got to be there. The 49ers were once again so intentional and knew their significance at this camp. They didn’t hesitate to take pictures with the campers and fans and were engaged the whole way through to put a smile on everyone’s face.

Overall, the first ‘Football for Change’ in Los Cabos, Mexico, was exactly what the name was. We used football to create positive change. I probably saw more smiles that one week than I had the whole rest of the year so far. Sports really do create change. They create happiness. They create hope. They create a sense of community. They create a sense of togetherness. They create a positive outlet for kids to relieve stress, learn about life values, and, most importantly, have fun. I might have heard these impacts of sports and even experienced some of these things. However, I didn’t know these things as I know them now until I saw them from a new perspective on this trip. It just goes to show how special sports can be when people come together to initiate change. It is up to not only the athletes, but workers of the sports industry, and even fans of sports to come together to create change and show the true power of sports.

Jett Hatfield is a senior majoring Sport Management in Kinesiology, Recreation, and Sport Studies with a minor in Business Administration. This trip was through his internship with the A.B.C. Sports Foundation. Jett is slated to graduate in May.

Pep Rally and High School Visit in Los Cabos, Mexico
Visiting Recreation Center in Los Cabos, Mexico
School Visit with Members of A.B.C. Sports Foundation and San Francisco 49ers
Second Football Camp
San Francisco 49ers Staff and Players

UT Students’ Experience at Tennessee’s Annual Governor’s Conference on Hospitality and Tourism

UT Students’ Experience at Tennessee’s Annual Governor’s Conference on Hospitality and Tourism

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UT Students’ Experience at Tennessee’s Annual Governor’s Conference on Hospitality and Tourism

By Cara Smith, CEHHS Student Reporter, Class of 2024

Three students from the Department of Retail, Hospitality, and Tourism Management (RHTM) at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, attended the 2024 Governor’s Conference (Gov Con) in Chattanooga on Sept. 25-27.

Erin Cosentino, Paul Vaughn, and Lily Vincent were three out of 10 students in the Hospitality and Tourism Management (HTM) program chosen to attend Gov Con by the Tennessee Hospitality and Tourism Association (TNHTA).

Group photo of GovCon attendees.
(L-R) Lilly Vincent, Erin Consentino, Paul Vaughn

The students submitted applications for the selection process, and professors in the department provided letters of recommendation.

“It was such an honor to be chosen to attend Gov Con. I appreciated the letters of support on my behalf from the RHTM department, here at UT, as well as the support from the TNHTA,” said Cosentino.

Gov Con is a three-day conference that brings together representatives of Tennessee’s travel and tourism industry. Speakers at this year’s conference included Gov. Bill Lee and Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, Mark Ezell.

Being chosen to attend Gov Con is a recognition of student’s hard work, talent, and potential for the hospitality and tourism industry.

“It came with a great sense of responsibility, knowing that I was representing my university, and was truly rewarding,” said Cosentino.

While attending Gov Con, all three students had opportunities to make professional connections. They split off into breakout groups, where experts in HTM gave advice on different topics, like how expansions of airports affects travel and how to use TripAdvisor to maximize all its benefits.

Speeches at the conference were also a highlight to the students because they provided first-hand examples of Tennessee’s tourism industry.

“Commissioner Ezell gave a very insightful and informative presentation about the state’s high-ranking position in various categories of tourism across the country,” said Vaughn.

All three students recommend applying and attending Gov Con for the different skills learned and networking connections made.

“I would highly recommend this conference to any student wanting to be in the hospitality industry, especially if you wish to stay in Tennessee because you learn a lot of statistics about the state, as well as meet a ton of people,” said Vincent.

Advice they gave to next year’s participants is to be engaged, be present, set a goal, and ask lots of questions.

“Put your heart and soul into your application, because it is an experience you will never forget!” said Vaughn.

Are Student Consent Forms Outdated When it Comes to Privacy?

Are Student Consent Forms Outdated When it Comes to Privacy?

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Are Student Consent Forms Outdated When it Comes to Privacy?

Study Examines Media Release Policies of U.S. School Districts

It’s 2024. Do you know where your child’s private information is on the internet? The latest addition to a line of research initiated by Knox County teacher and University of Tennessee, Knoxville, alumna, Macy A. Burchfield (‘22), and co-authored by associate professor in the Department of Theory & Practice in Teacher Education, Joshua M. Rosenberg and Sondra M. Stegenga from the University of Utah, has revealed the alarming indication that, not only is private information belonging to school-aged children circulating through social media channels largely untracked and unprotected, the media release policies and parental consent forms in use among the nation’s largest school districts currently do not inform caregivers about their planned use of social media in a comprehensive way. These policies, or, lack thereof, may be where the problems and risks with student data privacy in social media are originating.

Joshua Rosenberg

The new study, published in The Journal of Research on Technology in Education, used qualitative content analysis (QCA) to analyze district policies from the 120 largest school districts in the United States, based on enrollment. The districts contained more than 86,000 students on average, or, about 20.9 percent of students in the country.

Though 87.7 percent of informed consent/media release documents analyzed mentioned the types of media that might be shared by the school, (photos, students’ names) and where it may be shared (newspapers, school websites, social media in general), only 13.3 percent of the forms contained mention of specific social media platforms where student information may be shared, such as Facebook, X, or YouTube. Furthermore, almost no forms disclosed the potential risks of sharing students’ personal information publicly. This is concerning since we know as a society that social media use is extremely widespread and that privacy risks exist, let alone the possibility of FERPA violations from sharing student information.

One thought-provoking and actionable conclusion from the study was that the forms in question may simply be outdated and in need of revision. Many of the consent forms analyzed were created prior to today’s age of social media. These outdated forms were meant to address sharing information in non-digital media, such as school directories and yearbooks.

Sondra Stegenga

“We now appear to be in a time of outdated consents that lack the specificity for an authentic understanding of the consents, leading to genuine risks to the child and family,” according to the study. “We question, is it really true informed consent, even if the boxes are checked and it is signed, if the family does not have all the necessary details and information to understand what, where, and why personally identifiable information will be shared?”

In an age of increasing digital experiences across the globe, this study contributes to the larger conversation of digital data ethics and informed consent. School districts in the U.S. and the wider educational community can increase safety by examining and updating their data policies and consent forms to better protect our younger generations’ privacy.

“I must say, attention to this issue of consent is immensely important, not only related to best practices in information security, but also related to the ethical obligations we have in ensuring truly informed consent with parents and students, ” said co-author Sondra Stegena.

Information for Students Registering for CFS-Prefix Classes

Information for Students Registering for CFS-Prefix Classes

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Information for Students Registering for CFS-Prefix Classes

Beginning August 1, 2024, the Department of Child and Family Studies will become the Department of Counseling, Human Development, and Family Science (CHDFS).

  • The current undergraduate and graduate programs and courses will either be moved to an existing department (TPTE – IEC Interdisciplinary Early Childhood) or the newly-formed Counseling, Human Development, and Family Science (CHDFS) department.
  • In preparation for these program changes, all CFS-prefix classes will be discontinued, beginning in Fall 2024.
  • However, current students’ academic plans and degree plans WILL be honored, and the actual content of our courses will remain the same.
  • For Fall 2024, students should register for courses with either the HDFS-prefix or the IEC-prefix.
  • Here are two tables that give more details about the course prefix changes.
Old Prefix

& Number

Course TitleNew Prefix

& Number

CFS 210Human DevelopmentHDFS 210
CFS 211Development in Infancy and ChildhoodHDFS 211
CFS 213Development in Adolescence and AdulthoodHDFS 213
CFS 220Marriage and Family: Roles and RelationshipsHDFS 220
CFS 240Human SexualityHDFS 240
CFS 320Family InteractionHDFS 320
CFS 345Life DesignHDFS 345
CFS 360Family StressHDFS 360
CFS 385Diversity among Children and FamiliesHDFS 385
CFS 395Introduction to Research Methods and StatisticsHDFS 395
CFS 405Development of Professional SkillsHDFS 405
CFS 440Family Life and Parent EducationHDFS 440
CFS 460Directed Study in (was CFS) (now HDFS)HDFS 460
CFS 480Practicum: Community PlacementHDFS 480
CFS 481Research in (was CFS) (now HDFS)HDFS 481
CFS 485Special Topics in (was CFS) (now HDFS)HDFS 485
CFS 490Practicum: ResearchHDFS 490
CFS 497Honors: (was CFS) (now HDFS)HDFS 497

 

Old Prefix

& Number

Course TitleNew Prefix

& Number

CFS 210Human DevelopmentHDFS 210
CFS 211Development in Infancy and ChildhoodHDFS 211
CFS 213Development in Adolescence and AdulthoodHDFS 213
CFS 220Marriage and Family: Roles and RelationshipsHDFS 220
CFS 240Human SexualityHDFS 240
CFS 320Family InteractionHDFS 320
CFS 345Life DesignHDFS 345
CFS 360Family StressHDFS 360
CFS 385Diversity among Children and FamiliesHDFS 385
CFS 395Introduction to Research Methods and StatisticsHDFS 395
CFS 405Development of Professional SkillsHDFS 405
CFS 440Family Life and Parent EducationHDFS 440
CFS 460Directed Study in (was CFS) (now HDFS)HDFS 460
CFS 480Practicum: Community PlacementHDFS 480
CFS 481Research in (was CFS) (now HDFS)HDFS 481
CFS 485Special Topics in (was CFS) (now HDFS)HDFS 485
CFS 490Practicum: ResearchHDFS 490
CFS 497Honors: (was CFS) (now HDFS)HDFS 497

 

 

KRSS Alum Named Executive Director of Rise Above

KRSS Alum Named Executive Director of Rise Above

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KRSS Alum Named Executive Director of Rise Above

The Growing Seattle Nonprofit Serves Native Youth Through Sports Clinics and Mentorship

Rise Above, a Seattle nonprofit dedicated to empowering Native youth, has announced that Natalie Welch has joined the organization as its new executive director.

“We couldn’t be more excited to have Natalie on our growing team,” says Rise Above CEO and founder Jaci McCormack. “Her expertise, knowledge and compassion are going to help us inspire even more kids.”

Natalie Welch

“I’m thrilled and honored to join Rise Above in this role,” Welch said. “Jaci and Brad have built an amazing foundation through their relationships and passion to serve Native youth.”

Welch brings over a decade of professional experience in the fields of marketing and education. She obtained her MBA from the University of Central Florida and completed her doctorate degree at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, focusing her dissertation on Native American athletes giving back to their communities.

She is originally from the Qualla Boundary in Cherokee, North Carolina, and is an enrolled member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Before moving to Seattle, Welch helped build a sport management program at Linfield University in McMinnville, Oregon. She volunteers regularly, including coaching for Girls on the Run, a nonprofit that focuses on the social, emotional, physical and behavioral skills of third- to eighth-grade girls.

As executive director, Welch will oversee Rise Above’s community services, organizing events and coordinating with like-minded nonprofits. Welch will continue in her current role as a professor at Seattle University, teaching in the MBA in Sport and Entertainment program in the Albers School of Business.

Welch Speaking to a Group of Youth in Seattle

“Having Natalie on our team is only going to make our work stronger as our organization expands its reach,” says Rise Above co-founder Brad Meyers. “Our mission is to empower Native kids, and she’s going to help us live out that mission.”

Rise Above is projected to grow 25% annually over the next five years, with an aim to double its staff and programming by 2025. To keep pace with expanding services and increased client requirements, Rise Above seeks a range of talented professionals to conceive, develop and implement new and emerging programs; identify and secure additional sources of funding; and recruit, retain and promote top-tier professionals to manage and shape strategy for the organization.

Rise Above has historically been funded by grants and charitable fund programs. Moving forward, it seeks to enlist more support from individuals, foundations, businesses and community partners.

“In the coming years, we have the opportunity to expand our work beyond the Pacific Northwest by maintaining crucial relationships across Indian Country and local governments,” Dr. Welch explained. “This opportunity to serve our Native people is one that I cherish, and I hope to inspire our youth and let them know that their dreams are possible.”

For more information, please nativeyouthriseabove.org or contact Rise Above at info@nativeyouthriseabove.org.