A Newsletter for UMW Faculty and Staff
Cedric Rucker, associate vice president and dean of student life emeritus
UMW Associate Vice President and Dean of Student Life Emeritus Cedric Rucker has been asked to serve as Interim Dean of Students at the University of Virginia, where he returned to work in 2022 after a 33-year career at Mary Washington. Read more.
Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs Elizabeth Larus
Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs Elizabeth Freund Larus, who also is an adjunct fellow at Pacific Forum, commented July 27 to German broadcaster Deutsche Welle on Taiwan’s 2023 Han Kuang military exercise and Wan An drills. Professor Larus indicated that this year’s exercise included air raid drills in which residents were directed to shelters. Despite these attempts at readiness, Taiwan is still unprepared for a military attack from China. Professor Larus also indicated that Chinese fighter jets now regularly cross the unofficial median line in the Taiwan Strait in an attempt to influence the Taiwan 2024 presidential election campaign, which is currently in full swing on the island. Professor Larus’ comments begin at 3 minutes into the program.
Other recent news mentions for Larus include:
Larus Comments on Arabic News on Secretary Yellen’s Visit to Beijing (Asharq Arabic News)
Elizabeth Freund Larus, Ph.D., Professor of Political Science and International Affairs and Adjunct Fellow at the Pacific Forum, commented to Asharq Arabic news that US business is putting tremendous pressure on the Biden administration to improve relations with China. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen is seen as the Cabinet member most favorably disposed to China. Despite her efforts, however, a trade war, tit-for-tat sanctions, investigation of foreign due diligence firms in China, civil-military fusion, and Biden’s reference to Xi Jinping as a dictator, mean that most US businesses will continue to face headwinds in China. Watch the segment.
Larus Discusses Taiwan with German Scholars
Elizabeth Freund Larus, Ph.D., Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs and Adjunct Fellow at Pacific Forum, discussed scenarios for the 2024 Taiwan presidential election at an invitation only roundtable in Munich, Germany on June 15, 2023. Professor Larus and the scholars agreed that the results of the elections, regardless of outcome, will significantly affect US-China relations.
Assistant Professor of Communication Adria Goldman
Associate Professor of Communication Adria Y. Goldman shared her expertise with NBC and MSN, following fashion comments making headlines. Recently, Goldman said, the pendulum has swung further to define some Black mothers negatively for their sexuality. Read more.
Spearheaded by UMW Assistant Athletic Trainer Katie Carnaghi, the Let’s Talk Eagles initiative lays out a full game plan, with monthly meetings, timely topics like nutrition and stress management, and most of all, a safe space for sharing concerns and conversation. Read more.
Stephen Farnsworth, professor of political science and director of the University’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies, recently analyzed political fundraising for Governor Youngkin and commented on Virginia school funding, amid upcoming races and early voting.
Grace Anne Braxton. Photo by Scott K Brown Photography Inc.
Grace Anne Braxton has a pile of gold, silver and bronze medals from international competitions, but it’s been the informal titles she’s earned along the way that say even more about her skills and personality. Read more.
Elizabeth Freund Larus, Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs and Adjunct Fellow at Pacific Forum, appeared on Al Jazeera’s July 10, 2023 Inside Story news talk program to discuss U.S. Treasury Secretary Yellen’s visit to Beijing and US-China relations. Professor Larus stated that US firms are putting tremendous pressure on the Biden administration to foster a stable environment in which to do business with and in China. To repair US-China relations, both Washington and Beijing need to work to manage, rather than solve, irreconcilable differences.
Dave Fleming, Assistant Dean of Residence Life and Housing and Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs
It was a wonderful privilege to speak on a panel with two dynamic Student Affairs professionals, Brian Arao, Ed.D. and Libby Spotts, about reimagining the performance review process. I wasn’t going to listen to it but decided to on my way home from a long day in the office. This episode is full of powerful guidance and encouragement for supervisors and employees in and beyond Student Affairs. Read more.
Senior Associate Registrar Kevin Caffrey
Senior Associate Registrar Kevin Caffrey was a guest on WOSU’s All Sides and spoke with host Matthew Rand of 89.7 NPR News about workplace culture and returning to the office post-COVID. The piece was titled “Will working full-time in an office become the norm again for the majority of the workforce?” Topics included the importance of employers valuing physical as well as psychological safety at work as well as the importance of cultivating a positive workplace culture that prioritizes empathetic communication and leadership. Caffrey explained that post COVID-19, “Organizations really need to assess and reflect on their workplace culture. Is it a place that their employees are going to want to return to and feel physically and psychologically safe?” Listen to the program.
Center for Teaching Director and Associate Professor of Education Victoria Russell
Center for Teaching Director Victoria Russell has been elected Communications Chair in the Virginia Educational Development Collaborative (VEDC). The VEDC is a consortium of faculty developers in Virginia who meet regularly to share and promote best practices in college teaching. The consortium was an initiative created through the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV). Russell will serve a three-year term on the Executive Council with officers from institutions across Virginia.
Russell also was recently selected for the 2023-2024 Senior Leadership Seminar for the Virginia Network of the American Council on Education’s Women’s Network. Initiated in 1987, the Senior Leadership Seminar provides a forum to bring together emerging women leaders with established leaders in higher education in the Commonwealth. The Senior Leadership seminar focuses on three core areas: personal development, professional development, and trends in higher education. During meetings throughout the year, speakers and guests join the group to discuss critical issues facing higher education from a variety of perspectives.