Guest Author, Author at EagleEye

Caffrey Appears on ‘Empathy Unbound’

May 2, 2024 by Guest Author

Kevin Caffrey

Senior Associate Registrar Kevin Caffrey recently appeared on Empathy Unbound with Andrew Phipps to discuss his research on empathetic communication. Empathy Unbound is a podcast that features guests from around the globe to discuss the role of empathy in our society. During the podcast, Caffrey talks about what led him to study empathetic communication, discusses physical and psychological safety in the workplace, and explains why (and how) leaders should prioritize empathetic communication among at their organizations. “Over the past couple of decades, there’s more focus on empathy than ever before. At its heart, empathy is trying to understand where the other person is coming from and be open to listening to someone else’s story and not be judgmental. Great leaders have to lead with empathy and be able to listen to their employees to understand where they’re coming from.” Listen to the episode.

Liss Leads Student Team to First-Place Finish at VAPS

May 2, 2024 by Guest Author

Professor of Psychological Science and Department Chair Miriam Liss

Professor and Chair of Psychological Science Miriam Liss led a team of students to victory, winning the Best Undergraduate Paper category at the 2024 Virginia Association for Psychological Science conference. The paper, titled “Childhood Trauma, Psychological Flexibility, and Outcomes in College Students,” was completed by Ann Marie Camp, Rob Oehler, Sarah Ballif, Skyler Revutin and Cate Kelly, along with Liss as advisor.

Update on Monroe Hall Closure, Spring Senior Photos and Fall Planning

May 2, 2024 by Guest Author

The following update is from the Office of the Provost and Office of Administration and Finance:

UMW Campus Community,

It’s been just over two months since we announced the closure of Monroe Hall for a roof reconstruction project. We appreciate everyone’s quick work to move offices and classes, adjust schedules earlier this semester, and allow the time and space to assess the building and develop the scope of work for the project. More information is available on the Campus Construction website, and we’ll continue to update you on progress with the project.

We are now planning the roof reconstruction project for this summer and anticipate that it will extend into the fall 2024 semester, requiring Monroe Hall to remain closed for part or all of the upcoming semester. We are once again working with the Registrar’s Office and department chairs to schedule alternative class spaces. If you have fall 2024 classes that are listed in Monroe Hall, the location of the class will be updated by the end of the spring 2024 semester. Updates will be available via the student information system when complete.

With the extended closure, opportunities have been scheduled this week for faculty and staff to retrieve any additional items from Monroe Hall. The building is closed for construction and will be locked throughout the project. Access is only available through Facilities Operations.

As the project progresses this spring, we’ve installed a tarp to protect the attic area, beginning in the northeast corner of the building, which has been prioritized as the area most in need of repairs due to recent rain. As the roof reconstruction begins, a fence will be added around the building to include a portion of the parking spaces in the Monroe Hall North Lot for materials. The fence installation is scheduled for Friday, April 26, so please plan and take any senior photos or spring photos now if you would like to feature Monroe Hall as part of it.

Construction will start in the next few weeks and continue through the summer.

We appreciate your continued patience and flexibility during this project. Thank you for supporting our efforts to repair and maintain this iconic academic building that has been part of our campus since the very first classes.

Simulated Phishing Email Program to Launch in May

May 2, 2024 by Guest Author

Beginning in May 2024, the UMW IT Security Office will begin sending simulated phishing emails to faculty and staff.

Phishing emails are a leading cause of security incidents, and they are difficult to prevent. Sending simulated phishing emails to employees is a commonly used, best-practice method of raising awareness of phishing emails and improving an organization’s overall security posture.

The purpose of the simulated phishing emails is purely educational.

The simulated phishing emails will be sent randomly to faculty and staff.
The results of the simulations will not be used to reprimand or embarrass. Users who respond to a simulated phishing email by providing their user ID and password, clicking on a link, or opening an attachment will be notified by the system that the email was a simulation.
All results are confidential. No managers will have access to the data results of their employees.
Users who frequently respond to the simulated phishing emails will be offered additional security training by the IT Security Office.

Simulated phishing is a safe and effective way to become familiar with techniques and tactics used in actual phishing emails.

Thank you for your participation and support in keeping UMW’s systems and data secure.

Mike Townes
Director of Information Technology Security/ISO
(540)-654-2152
mtownes@umw.edu

Farnsworth Presents Keynote Lecture on Disinformation and Political Humor at Conference in Poland

May 2, 2024 by Guest Author

Stephen Farnsworth, professor of Political Science and director of the University’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies, recently presented a keynote lecture, “Battling Disinformation with Political Humor,” at the Navigating the Digital World of Tomorrow Conference, which was sponsored by the Polish-U.S. Fulbright Commission. The talk was derived from portions of Dr. Farnsworth’s recently published co-authored books, Producing News in a Time of Disinformation: Information Evaluation Strategies for Journalists and News Consumers and Late-Night in Washington: Political Humor and the American Presidency. Dr. Farnsworth is serving in Poland as a Spring 2024 Fulbright Distinguished Scholar.

In addition, recent media mentions for Farnsworth include:

What Impact will Pecker’s Testimony have? (CTV News)

“This is something that is going to be going on for several weeks, and this will be one of the most uncomfortable moments of Donald Trump’s life, this week and the next week and the weeks beyond,” said Stephen Farnsworth.

https://www.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=2911719

Vindman has huge fundraising lead in 7th District race (Prince William Times)

“A lot of Virginia Democrats like Vindman because he has a national security background that can connect with the prominent military presence in the district,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor and director of the University of Mary Washington’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies. “His huge fundraising advantage creates a very difficult environment for other Democrats in the race.”

https://www.princewilliamtimes.com/news/vindman-has-huge-fundraising-lead-in-7th-district-race/article_62d870aa-0266-11ef-9e87-ef29a61a22a7.html

Day 5 of Trump’s Trial Concludes (CTV News)
“The first days of these trials are always about giving the jury a road map for how to proceed. I think one of the key things that the prosecution has to focus on is the idea that this is not primarily about hush money. This is about trying to distort what the public knew in advance about the election of 2016,” said Stephen Farnsworth.
https://www.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=2908973

ANALYSIS: District 7 Has Become Pricey (FXBG Advance)

“When the Seventh was largely a suburban Richmond district (before the 2020 Census redistricting),” says Mary Washington University professor Stephen Farnsworth, “it was seen as safely Republican, at least until Abigail Spanberger demonstrated a Democratic candidate could win there.” “The Seventh District,” says Farnsworth, “has become one of the most expensive districts in the nation for two reasons: it is the most competitive congressional district in the very expensive Washington television market, and the district’s proximity to DC means that candidates have no problem raising a lot of money from the wealthy donors. Both parties want the bragging rights that come from winning this high-profile district.”

https://fxbgadvance.com/analysis-district-7-has-become-pricey/

Thirteen candidates are running in the Democratic primary in Virginia’s 10th Congressional District (Ballotpedia News)

According to University of Mary Washington professor Stephen J. Farnsworth, “Virginia 10 is a more competitive district than most and, as such, it represents a rare opportunity for both parties to challenge for a pivotal House seat in a pivotal state.”

https://news.ballotpedia.org/2024/04/22/thirteen-candidates-are-running-in-the-democratic-primary-in-virginias-10th-congressional-district/

Democratic shakeup in Virginia primaries for governor, lieutenant governor (Virginia Dogwood)

Stoney’s exit leaves US Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-Va.) without a challenger in the Democratic primary to become the nominee in the governor’s race next year. The Democrats will hold their primary sometime in June 2025 and Spanberger, a prolific fundraiser, is likely to have a relatively easy path to the nomination, Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington, said in an interview. “Spanberger will have a much clearer path,” Farnsworth said, adding the strength of her position will likely discourage others from jumping in the race.

https://vadogwood.com/2024/04/23/democratic-shakeup-in-virginia-primaries-for-governor-lieutenant-governor/

Biden clings to the economy: The rebound in the polls ahead of his clash with Trump (La Tercera, Chile)
Political scientist Stephen Farnsworth, professor at the University of Mary Washington, points to the abortion situation in the United States as a key factor for Biden’s improved standing in recent polls. “Voters are beginning to see that Trump and the justices he put on the Supreme Court are responsible for the state-by-state chaos over abortion laws.”
https://www.latercera.com/la-tercera-domingo/noticia/biden-se-aferra-a-la-economia-el-repunte-en-los-sondeos-de-cara-a-su-choque-con-trump/XN52EP7FNNHAZOAUDESOM6DQWE/

Biden clings to support among voters under 30: Harvard Youth poll (Courthouse News)

For Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington, young women may be more strongly motivated to vote for Biden because of Trump’s anti-abortion stance. “The chaos in many states regarding abortion and the fear that there may be a national ban if Trump becomes president again is a key issue that motivates women to turn away from Trump and other Republican candidates,” Farnsworth said. “Even Republicans are starting to see the issue as a political loser for the GOP and are trying to minimize the damage.”

https://www.courthousenews.com/biden-clings-to-support-among-voters-under-30-harvard-youth-poll/

Cooperman Comments on PACs for MarketPlace

May 2, 2024 by Guest Author

Professor and Chair of Political Science Rosalyn Cooperman

Professor and Chair of Political Science Rosalyn Cooperman shared comments for an article titled “Monday was a big filing day for PACs and other political groups,” published by MarketPlace. “They are a political action committee, but they can raise unlimited amounts of money from corporations, unions, individuals, but they can’t coordinate directly with the parties or candidates,” Cooperman said in the article. Read more.

New Honors Faculty Associate Directors Announced

May 2, 2024 by Guest Author

The UMW Honors Program is pleased to welcome Dr. Brooke Di Lauro and Dr. Robert Wells as new Honors Program Associate Directors! We want to thank Dr. Mara Scanlon for her contributions to the program and our students.

Faculty and Staff: Apply to be a DJ at WMWC Radio

May 2, 2024 by Guest Author

Dear Faculty and Staff!

As the Station Director for WMWC, I am overjoyed and pleased to announce that starting next year we’ll be opening applications for all UMW students AND staff to apply to be a DJ at WMWC!

I’m sure you may be thinking, “Isn’t that a bit weird?”, to which I say, NO! We’ve had one DJ who’s a faculty member this semester who really enjoyed their experience, and we want to give that opportunity to everyone who wants it!

Keep an eye out in the next few months for more information and an application link so that you can apply, and don’t hesitate to reach out to me via email with any questions!

Davy Washington
dwashin3@mail.umw.edu

WMWC University of Mary Washington's Online Radio Station

WMWC is the University of Mary Washington’s online radio station

Rycroft Pens Book: ‘Economics of Inequality’

May 2, 2024 by Guest Author

Professor of Economics Robert S. Rycroft has published a new book, The Economics of Inequality, 3e, Routledge. If there was any question before, there is no longer a question today: inequality, discrimination, poverty, and mobility are prominent national issues. The notion of “The American Dream” has been sold to generations of young Americans as the idea that working hard and following your dreams will allow you to break through any barriers in your path and inevitably lead to success. However, recent findings on inequality, discrimination, poverty, and mobility show that “The American Reality” is very different. Read more.

Romero Named Dean at Texas A&M – Commerce

May 2, 2024 by Guest Author

Professor of Classics, Philosophy and Religion Joseph Romero

Joseph Romero, who has served as professor and chair of UMW’s Department of Classics, Philosophy, and Religion has been selected as the next dean of Texas A&M University – Commerce’s College of Humanities, Social Sciences, and Arts. The selection follows a national search and is effective June 1, 2024. Read more.

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