College of Humanities and Social Sciences

College of Humanities and Social Sciences students volunteer to check in on vulnerable adults that the court has deemed incapacitated and make sure their guardians are properly caring for them. For some who become court visitors through the University’s partnership with the Guardian Review Program of Maricopa County, the experience has been especially eye-opening and meaningful.

Teen archery phenomenon and GCU nursing and psychology student Alexis Ruiz has had a phenomenal rookie year on the international circuit. She was the only archer, male or female, to medal in all four stages of the Archery World Cup and now has been nominated for World Archery’s Athlete of the Year.

Great writing can change the world. Students Kyla Hansen and Jen Gutierrez didn’t know how much until they plunged into GCU’s new opportunities in grant writing. They were new to it but helped the Glendale Union High School District land a grant that could change the lives of underprivileged students.

Every year, we get a few heartwarming stories that make you shake your head when you realize what people do to make the world a better place for their families and their communities. GCU Today picked 10 from the last year that stood out in our minds. Here’s an opportunity to catch up on the ones you missed … or maybe enjoy them again.

GCU News Bureau A special edition of the Journal of Instructional Research features several articles from Grand Canyon University faculty. JIR features theoretical and empirically-based research articles, critical reflection pieces, case studies and classroom innovations relevant to best practices in post-secondary instruction (including teaching, learning and assessment). The articles listed below are available here: “Defining Effective Online Pedagogy,” John Steele, Rick Holbeck, Jean Mendernach Ten Strategic Points: A Framework for Doctoral Dissertations Students to Conceptualize their Research Design in a Doctoral Residency Program,” Cynthia Bainbridge, Christie McClendon, June Maul “The Goldilocks Paradox: The Need for Instructor Presence but Not Too Much in an Online Discussion Forum,” Elizabeth Larson, Jacob Aroz, Eric Nordin “Virtual Professional Communities: Integrative Faculty Support to Foster Effective Teaching,” Katie Sprute, Crystal McCabe, Lynn Basko, Paul Danuser “Exploring Quiz-Style PowerPoint Games as an Innovative e-Learning and Teaching Pedagogy,” Nikki Squire “Reflective Practice through Mentorship: A Program Reflection,” Emily Pottinger, Rebekah Dyer and Jena Akard “Using OBS to Create Video Lectures for Online Counseling Students,” Daniel A. Kauffman “Active Classrooms: Great for Academic Performance, but can They Improve Student Health? A Critical Literature Review,” Mike Swoboda The Intersection of Theory and Practice in Teacher Preparation Courses,” Brandon Juarez “Alternative Mentoring for Psychology Students,” […]

Children often have a lot in common with their parents, but Sydney Teerink and Tori Triguero now have one more thing in common with their parents. Teerink and her mother, GCE employee Ra’Lene, as well as Triguero and her father, Dan, can all now call themselves 2019 GCU graduates.

Photos by Ralph Freso and Elizabeth Tinajero GCU News Bureau The 2 p.m. ceremony Friday in Winter Commencement at Grand Canyon University featured graduates of the College of Education, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, College of Science, Engineering and Technology and the College of Theology.  

Students Inspiring Students scholarship recipient Carla Ceja has the weight of family history, her grandfather’s Alzheimer’s disease and her parent’s words of encouragement with her as she prepares to accept her diploma at GCU’s afternoon graduation ceremony today. She had learned of her grandfather’s diagnosis as a child, and it spurred her to learn English, study hard to get a scholarship and eventually earn a degree in psychology. She is among the first large group of SIS students to earn their degrees.

Five student groups presented their research at the Undergraduate Learning Community and Research Symposium Friday. “It’s very clear to me that what used to be done at the graduate level is now being done at the undergraduate level and with significant excellence,” said GCU President Brian Mueller. Those interesting findings cover everything from heart rates to something called Ugly Gerry.

Evelyn Racette, an instructor in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, has a couple of interesting ways of making her students feel welcome and making sure they know what’s important. Check out what students say about her connection to the “Parks and Recreation” television show.