College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Dr. Eric Peterson refused to let the postponed Commencement ceremony dampen his enthusiasm about earning a doctoral degree. But what stands out about his story is that he had virtually no time to prepare for defending his dissertation because he spent most of the day with his mother at a hospital. It still turned out fine. “God knew what I needed,” he said.

Dr. Jen Santos needed ideas to help her ground English students transition to remote learning during the pandemic. So she asked them. They came up with a great idea on how to make it work — a digital gaming platform. Its’s an example of how GCU faculty and students made it work during the final weeks of the semester.

From remote graduation parties to a graduation ceremony on Zoom to a social-distance-minded graduation dinner al fresco from a parking lot across from a Texas Roadhouse, GCU’s Lopes found a way to celebrate even though they couldn’t be together on campus for Commencement.

The postponement of Commencement couldn’t detract from the achievements of the Students Inspiring Students scholarship winners who earned their four-year degrees. The name of the program is apt — their stories of perseverance are inspiring. “The amount of work ethic they have is amazing,” said Dr. Joe Veres, Vice President of Student Success.

A whole new set of skills are needed to teach and learn online during a crisis. GCU Online Full Time Faculty members Dr. Liesl Hecht and Dr. Kendra Stewart-Smith of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences say it takes communication and compassion — and a bit of self-care — for both students and faculty to maintain motivation and resilience during this time of stress.

A GCU behavioral health expert says that what many people are facing today is “vicarious trauma” from the COVID-19 outbreak. They might not have direct effects but know people who do, said Kathy Britton, a trauma therapist by training and Chair of Behavioral Health and Counseling. Sequestered in our shelters, we may experience fear, anxiety and sometimes depression. It’s important to watch for the signs and take measures to combat it.

GCU was ready for this. After ground students were sent home to finish their studies at home because of the COVID-19 outbreak, leaders and faculty kicked into high gear by sharing its vast storehouse of expertise on online learning to insure a seamless transition as online instruction begins today. “GCU has been at the forefront in its investment in technology. We are at a time when that investment allows us to function, quite literally,” said Dr. Seanan Kelly, assistant professor in the College of Doctoral Studies and an expert in online instruction.

Dr. Mark Spalding, Spanish Program Faculty Lead for the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, has some innovative and engaging ways of teaching the language — so engaging, in fact, that some of them have gotten married after bonding in his class.

Teen dating violence affects 1.5 million young people in America, which is why the University’s HOSA Future Health Professionals chapter thought it was important to partner with the New Life Center and bring a panel to campus for Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. Representatives from Bloom365, one-n-ten, the New Life Center and GCU on Thursday spoke about the red flags to teen dating violence, how to help those experiencing it, the difference between unhealthy and healthy relationships and more.

Dr. Noe Vargas remembers what it was like to be new to America. He came from Mexico at 16, and one of the first people he could talk to in Spanish was his school advisor. He continues to pay it back. On Wednesday, he helped a group of detained immigrant minors see the possibilities of the American dream of education on a tour of GCU.