28th Annual AURCO Conference - Kent State University @ Stark

Friday Night Reception (April 8, 2022): 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM @ KSU Stark Conference Center
Saturday Conference (April 9, 2022): 8:15 AM - 2:00 PM @ KSU Stark Science and Nursing Building

Download Conference Schedule  

Download Conference Program  

Download KSU Stark Campus Map  

Fortifying Educational Foundations

We hope to see you at the 28th Annual AURCO Conference. Our theme “Fortifying Educational Foundations” refers to the regional campus system in Ohio that helps students create strong educational foundations.

Contact Us for More Information

Conference Chair: Eric Taylor etaylo18@kent.edu

Conference Location

Kent State University at Stark
6000 Frank Avenue NW
North Canton, OH 44720

22nd Annual AURCO Conference

Friday Night Reception & Ignite Talks (April 15): 7:00 PM - 11:00 PM	Download Program
Saturday Conference (April 16): 7:30 AM - 2:15 PM	Download Schedule
AURCO Business Meeting (April 16): 2:30 - 4:00 PM	Download Poster
	Download Classroom Map

The AURCO conference provides faculty, students and administrators with the opportunity to share scholarly research, exchange pedagogical strategies, and network with colleagues from Ohio’s 24 regional colleges. The conference will feature panels, roundtable discussions, workshops, poster sessions, and a keynote presentation.

This year we are trying something new - IGNITE Talks. These 5-minute talks, modeled after fast-paced, high-energy TED Talks, will occur on Friday evening prior to the Friday night reception. IGNITE talks can be on any topic and are expected to IGNITE our creativity, passion, and dedication to our regional college mission!

When

Conference: Saturday, April 16, 2016
Reception: Friday Evening, April 15, 2016

Where

Kent State University Trumbull
4314 Mahoning Avenue, NW
Warren, Ohio 44483
Get Directions

2016 Conference General Chairs

Pam Lieske: Email: plieske@kent.edu
Vic Perera: Email: vperera@kent.edu

Keynote Speaker: David M. Dees, Ph.D

Why? Why? Why?: Understanding Student Actions through some Research and Theory

Why do students do the things they do? In this interactive session we will apply the recent findings in human learning to explore fundamental questions that have troubled faculty for years. Questions such as "Why can't students see the important material in my class?", “Why do students cheat?” and “Why won’t they do the readings?” are just a sample of the issues to be addressed. Evidenced-based practices will be utilized to create solutions to these critical faculty questions.

Biography

David M. Dees, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor of Cultural Foundations and the Director for the Center for Teaching and Learning at Kent State University. After earning a doctorate in Cultural Foundations of Education from Kent State University, he has spent the last 15 years specifically focused on the aesthetic dimensions of teaching and learning, how the human brain works, and the impact that rural/Appalachian cultural has on learning in higher education. Most recently, David has focused his energy on helping faculty colleagues design and implement scholarship of teaching and learning projects which has led to several grants, presentations, and publications. Additionally, he is the co-founder of the Rural Scholars Program at the Kent State Columbiana County Campuses which is a college access program for Appalachian at-risk youth. As a self-proclaimed “hillbilly” from Kentucky, he is proud to have been recognized for his teaching through two student-nominated teaching awards (Outstanding Teaching Award, Kent State University and Teacher of the Year, Gannon University).

Friday Night Reception

Featuring Melanie Tabak Duo

Held at the Residence Inn - Marriott
Eastwood Mall Area
5555 Youngstown Warren Rd, Niles, OH 44446
8:00 PM -11:00 PM

Five minute *Ignite* presentations start at 7 pm

Registered conference attendees at the Friday night reception will receive two free drinks (beer, wine, and soft drinks). The hotel asks that any additional drinks be purchased with cash, though those staying at the hotel may run a tab.

24th Annual Conference - Regional Campuses Building Bridges

Friday Night Reception & Cultural Evening (April 6): 5:30 PM - 10:00 PM	Download Program
Saturday Conference (April 7): 7:30 AM - 2:15 PM	Download Poster
AURCO Business Meeting (April 7): 2:30 - 4:00 PM

When

Saturday Conference: April 7, 2018
Friday Reception & Cultural Evening: April 6, 2018

Where

Ohio State Mansfield
1760 University Drive
Mansfield, OH 44906

2018 Conference Chairs

Keynote Speaker and Discussion Panel

Engagement is the collaboration between institutions of higher education and their larger communities (local, regional/state, national, global) for the mutually beneficial exchange of knowledge and resources in a context of partnership and reciprocity. Engagement involves collectively solving societal challenges through meaningful partnerships between faculty, staff, students, and the people and institutions of Ohio, the nation, and the world. These partnerships foster greater integration of university and community resources, leading to enhanced efficiency and impact. This panel will discuss some of the ongoing and past collaborations between our campus and our local community, and use these collaborations to explore the many benefits – as well as the multiple challenges – of engagement between universities and their communities. An extended working session will follow the keynote panel.

Dr. Terri Teal Bucci
Associate Professor of Mathematics Education
Education Program Coordinator at OSU Mansfield
Co-Director of the OSU Mathematics Literacy Initiative
Director of the Haiti Empowerment Project
 

Dr. Bucci has been working with outreach on the local, regional, national, and international arenas for the entirety of her career. She works within the Freirean applications of collaboration and inclusion, and non-hierarchical structures of involvement. Dr. Bucci is the Director of Ohio State’s Haiti Empowerment Project, working with Haitian community members, universities, and OSU students and faculty. She is the Co-Director of the Ohio State Math Literacy Initiative, a work involving seven school districts in Richland County, in partnership with Bob Moses’ national Algebra Project, Inc. As the Coordinator of the Education Program on the Mansfield Campus, Dr. Bucci has forged alliances with students and staff to engage with recruitment and with local career tech partners. Terri earned a BA in Elementary Education from Michigan State University, a MA and a PhD in Mathematics Education from The Ohio State University. She has been an advocate for community involvement throughout her career and works closely with the Mansfield City Schools. Originally from Milford, Michigan and a competitive sailor, Terri lives in Bellville, Ohio, has a loving husband, Rick, a son, Marino, 25 and a daughter, Maris, 22.

Panelists:

Alan Mitchell II – Richland County Foundation

Alan is a Community Investment Officer for the Richland County Foundation. Before joining the foundation, he had been a social entrepreneur, implementing best practices and proven business techniques to find community solutions to social problems. He is the former Executive Director of Zion Community Development Corporation in Oberlin Ohio, where he also served as a program coordinator at Oberlin Community Services. Alan had been helping Zion CDC to build safe, sanitary, sustainable, affordable housing while aggressively helping Oberlin Community Services to end hunger in Lorain County. He began working as a social entrepreneur as a charter school developer, teacher, and Dean of Students at The Arts Academy of Lorain and Cleveland. He has served the Northeast Ohio area as an executive, an educator, a coach, a referee, program manager, board member, and more since leaving the U.S. Navy in 2004. Alan has a bachelor’s degree from Excelsior College. He moved to Mansfield, OH after marrying Tiffany (Knight) Mitchell. They have two amazing daughters, Aliya and Alana, whom they love and adore.

Deanna West-Torrence – North End Community Improvement Collaborative

Deanna is the founder and Executive Director of the North End Community Improvement Collaborative, Inc. launched in July 2007. In 2016, in her role as Strategic Development Director, she helped launch the Temp2Higher social venture staffing service program of NECIC. Deanna is currently the chair of Richland County Children Services Board and is an ambassador for Mansfield City Schools. Deanna is a former member of Mansfield City Council and the Mansfield City School Board. Deanna has served in various leadership roles in the education, public and non-profit sectors for twenty years.

Missie Strawser – The Ohio State University at Mansfield

Missie is a senior social work student soon to be graduated and entering the Social Work Master’s program. Her community outreach includes being the Best Buddies Chapter President, College Democrats President, CASA volunteer for the Richland County Juvenile Court, and serving as board member for the Pioneer Career and Technology Center's Dental Assisting program. She has a 12-year-old son with autism. As a mother of a special needs child, she has become an advocate for vulnerable populations in our community, and is extremely passionate about inclusion and community service.

Sarah Schmidt – Kent State University at Stark

Sarah is the Outreach Program Coordinator of Global Education Initiatives at Kent State University, Stark Campus. Sarah holds a master’s degree in Ethics, Peace, and Global Affairs from American University, Washington D.C. Her passion for international social justice has led her to speak at conferences and seminars in Washington, Oxford, London, and Prague; she has advocated for refugees in the Middle East, partnered with schools and universities in Haiti, and travelled throughout Europe, North Africa, and the Arabian Gulf learning language and culture to further her understanding of Human Rights issues. Before her work at Kent State University, Sarah served as the Program Coordinator of the Mohammed Said Farsi Chair of Islamic Peace at American University. Sarah is a graduate of the Ohio State Mansfield Campus.

Christina Drain – Springmill STEM School and Learning Center

Chris is the outreach coordinator for Springmill Learning Center as well as program coordinator for the OSU Mathematics Literacy Initiative. Through a partnership between The Ohio State University at Mansfield and the Mansfield City Schools, she has secured grants to conduct STEM learning outreach activities such as Science Saturdays, summer camps, a coding camp and field trip activities for area summer camps at the Center. Christina's past experiences include chamber of commerce director, United Way executive, marketing and communications and an extensive volunteer work. She is a graduate of UMass Amherst with a BA in Journalism.

Friday Night Reception & Cultural Evening

Ohio State Mansfield
Friday, April 6, 2018
5:30 PM - 10:00 PM
Events will begin at 5:30 pm and many will be happening simultaneously throughout the evening at multiple locations on campus.

The list of events include:

• Welcome Reception and Musical Performance – from 5:30 to 7:00 pm, at The Marketplace (Eisenhower Hall)
  Ohio State Mansfield leaders and local stakeholders will welcome you to our campus with light refreshments, drinks, and a musical performance from the OSU School of Music Jazz Ensemble.
• Ohio State Mansfield Student Art Show – from 6:00 to 9:00 pm, at the Pearl Conard Art Gallery (Ovalwood Hall)
  Join us for the Annual Student Exhibition, showcasing artwork created by students at The Ohio State University Mansfield during the academic year. A multitude of art forms will be represented, including drawings, paintings, sculptures, photographs, and video.
• Ignite talks – from 6:15 to 7:00 pm, at the Scarlet & Gray Café (Ovalwood Hall)
  Join colleagues from across Ohio’s regional campuses and share your passion on these quick-paced, high-energy, 5-minute presentations. Ignite is all about fast and fun presentations covering virtually any topic. The first Ignite took place in Seattle in 2006, and since then the event has become an international phenomenon. Click here to learn about Ignite Talks
• Theatre: The Vagina Monologues – Friday and Saturday, from 7:00 to 8:30 pm, and Sunday at 2:30 pm, at the Founders Auditorium (Ovalwood Hall)
  Join Ohio State Mansfield students, faculty, staff, and community members on this presentation of Eve Ensler’s acclaimed episodic play, which delves into consensual and nonconsensual sexual experiences, body image, genital mutilation, direct and indirect encounters with reproduction, sex work, and several other topics through the eyes of women with various ages, races, sexualities, and other differences. A very timely topic! In keeping with the conference theme (Regional Campuses Building Bridges) this production has the involvement of our community partner, the Mansfield Domestic Violence Shelter.
• Poetry & Creative Writing Read Aloud by faculty and students – from 8:30 to 9:00 pm, at the Scarlet & Gray Café (Ovalwood Hall)
  Join faculty and students from our English and Creative Writing programs as they share their poems and creative expressions out loud. We hope to include participants from all regional campuses in Ohio so, make sure to contact us if you or your students would like to present your/their work!

New for AURCO 2019 - Family Field trips on Friday, April 6th, Saturday, April 7th, and Sunday, April 8th

For the first time in AURCO’s Conference history, we will be offering field trips to local attractions. Come early on Friday (or stay late on Saturday/Sunday) and enjoy the company of your peers as we stroll through the local cultural and natural heritage! Discover north-central Ohio with us! Field trips will take place on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday (so, make it a family weekend!). The field trip fee includes transportation to and from campus plus entrance/ticket to the attraction or tour.

Contact Us for More Information

Conference Chair: Ozeas Costa ~~ Email: costa.47@osu.edu

Field Trips (click on the trip for more information)

• Ohio State Reformatory
• Malabar Farm State Park
• Mansfield Carousel District
• Kingwood Center Gardens
• Ohio Bird Sanctuary
• Mohican State Park
• The Shawshank Trail
• Wine and Ale Trail

Ohio State Reformatory

(www.mrps.org)

The Ohio State Reformatory, also known as the Mansfield Reformatory, is a historic prison built between 1886 and 1910 and remained in operation until 1990, when a United States Federal Court ruling (the 'Boyd Consent Decree') ordered the facility to be closed. This facility was used in a number of film productions – including Tango & Cash (1989), Air Force One (1997), Ghost Hunters (2005), and Fallen Angels (2007) – it was made famous by the film The Shawshank Redemption (1994) when it was used for the majority of the movie. Trip fee is $15 per person (min of 8 and max of 12 per trip).

Malabar Farm State Park

(www.malabarfarm.org)

Nestled in the hills of Pleasant Valley, Malabar Farm was built in 1939 by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Louis Bromfield and was his home until his death in 1956. On May 21, 1945, Bromfield hosted Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall's wedding and honeymoon at Malabar Farm. The Park offers a variety of activities, including tours of the big house, hiking, wagon tours, and a program of special events in the rich, green surroundings beloved by Louis Bromfield. The park maintains a working farm, exhibits and interpretive programs, and a twenty-five-hundred-volume library on sustainable agriculture. Trip fee is $8 per person (min of 8 and max of 12 per trip).

Mansfield Carousel District

(www.carrouseldistrict.com)

Take a stroll through the district on brick paved pathways and tree-lined streets and think back to a time of quaint shops featuring antiques, art, food, books, gifts, model trains and more! In the Carrousel District, you will find beautifully restored Victorian-age buildings with tin ceilings, solid oak floors, brass lighting, ornate iron fencing, secluded courtyards and the feel of yesteryear, including an expert-carved and beautifully-restored working carousel. The District hosts a shop-hop the first Friday of each month, where you can browse the shops while enjoying refreshments and entertainment. The trip also includes a visit to the historic Renaissance Theatre, home to the Mansfield Symphony Orchestra. Trip fee is $5 per person (min of 8 and max of 12 per trip).

Kingwood Center Gardens

(www.kingwoodcenter.org)

The Kingwood Center Gardens is a historic 47-acre estate with a house, gardens and greenhouses. Built in 1926 for Mr. and Mrs. Charles Kelley King, the Kingwood Center opened as a public garden in 1953, one year after Mr. King's death. He made his fortune in Mansfield, working with the Ohio Brass Company. This field trip includes a tour of the beautiful gardens, the greenhouse, and of Kingwood Hall. Trip fee is $7 per person (min of 8 and max of 12 per trip).

Ohio Bird Sanctuary

(www.ohiobirdsanctuary.com)

The Ohio Bird Sanctuary is a 90-acre preserve (originally the Richland County Raptor Center) dedicated to the recovery and rehabilitation of native species of bird. The Sanctuary’s living museum is home to over 30 different species of native raptors, vultures, and songbirds, that due to an injury can no longer survive in the wild. These birds permanently reside at that Sanctuary as ambassadors for their species. The preserve also contain numerous hiking trails, and provide important habitat for 52 species of breeding birds and migratory species. Trip fee is $7 per person (min of 8 and max of 12 per trip).

Mohican State Park

(www.parks.ohiodnr.gov/mohican)

The 1,110-acre Mohican State Park and the adjacent 4,525-acre state forest are outstanding in their beauty and offer limitless opportunities for visitors to explore one of Ohio's most unique natural regions. The striking Clear Fork Gorge, hemlock forest and scenic Mohican River offer a wilderness experience while the resort lodge and cabins provide luxurious accommodations overlooking Pleasant Hill Lake. This field trip includes a hike through the park, with stops at the Pleasant Hill Dam, Lyons Fall, and the Clear Fork River gorge and covered bridge. If conditions allow, a canoe float will also be included. Trip fee is $10 per person (min of 8 and max of 12 per trip).

The Shawshank Trail

(www.shawshanktrail.com)

The Shawshank Trail is a driving tour of 15 authentic filming sites used in The Shawshank Redemption (1994). As we travel from site to site we will relive the feelings and the places from Andy and Red, starting at Pugh Cabin (where the opening scenes were filmed) and ending with Red’s Bus Ride to meet his friend at Zihuatanejo, on Route 95. You've seen the gang's original adventure, now it's time to finish your own. A brochure listing the stops along the trail is available online at http://virtualshawshankguide.mansfieldtourism.com. Trip fee is $5 per person (min of 8 and max of 12 per trip).

Wine and Ale Trail

(www.destinationmansfield.com/wine-and-ale-trail)

Sip and sample your way along the Wine & Ale trail, exploring historic buildings, local food, and even some specialty themed wines and brews. Hear the history at a brewery that was a former mortuary or pay tribute to the filming sites from the locally filmed movie The Shawshank Redemption with Reformatory Red or Redemption IPA. Trip fee is $5 per person - does not include food and drinks (min of 8 and max of 12 per trip).

23rd Annual Conference

Friday Night Reception & Ignite Talks (April 7): 7:00 PM - 11:00 PM	Download Program
Saturday Conference (April 8): 7:30 AM - 2:15 PM	Download Schedule
AURCO Business Meeting (April 8): 2:30 - 4:00 PM	Download Poster
	Download Campus Map

The AURCO conference provides faculty, students and administrators with the opportunity to share scholarly research, exchange pedagogical strategies, and network with colleagues from Ohio’s 24 regional colleges. The conference features faculty research talks, keynote presentation and workshops, and a student poster session.

When

Conference: Saturday, April 8, 2017
Reception: Friday Evening, April 7, 2017

Where

BGSU Firelands
One University Drive
Huron, OH 44839

2017 Conference Chairs

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Pooja K. Agarwal ~ The Science of Learning

---> Click here for AURCO's personalized Retrieval Practices website <---

Cognitive Scientist, Teacher, and Education Consultant

Keynote: Make it Stick: Harnessing the Science of Learning and Transforming Teaching
There is a lot to learn in the world. Students can’t learn everything, and educators can’t teach everything. Especially not over, and over, and over again each time students forget. What can we do to improve learning and reduce forgetting? How can we use our limited amount of classroom time and make learning stick?

Based on a wealth of research, cognitive scientists have established robust techniques that dramatically improve student learning. In particular, when classroom activities are challenging for students, long-term learning substantially increases. Through the application of powerful evidence-based strategies, we can harness the science of learning, transform teaching, and advance learning in our classrooms.

Workshop I: Key Discoveries from Cognitive Science That Challenge Our Perceptions of Learning
Go behind the scenes and learn about key discoveries from cognitive science research. Based on more than 100 years of investigation, cognitive scientists have established powerful strategies that substantially improve learning for diverse age groups, subject areas, and education rigor. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about landmark studies in the science of learning, as well as research findings that challenge our perceptions of student learning.

Workshop II: Unleash the Science of Learning: Powerful Teaching Strategies for the Classroom
How can we apply the science of learning in our teaching? Evidence-based classroom activities that improve student learning, including retrieval practice, distributed practice, and metacognition, are powerful and easy to implement. Attendees will have the opportunity to examine their current teaching approaches and incorporate these evidence-based recommendations in short-term and long-term course planning.

More about Pooja K. Agarwal, Ph.D.: Dr. Agarwal is committed to bridging the gaps between research, teaching, and policy. Passionate about evidence-based education, Pooja has conducted learning and memory research in a variety of classroom settings for more than 10 years. In addition to her career as a scientist, Pooja has extensive K-12 teaching experience and currently teaches at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. To advance the use of scientifically-based learning strategies, she contributes her expertise through collaborations with students, educators, scientists, and policymakers worldwide. Her work has been featured in the New York Times, Education Week, and Scientific American, in addition to books and podcasts. For more information, visit www.poojaagarwal.com

Friday Night Reception

Join us at Sawmill Creek Lodge & Resort the night before the AURCO Conference
Unwind, visit with colleagues, and inspire us with your 5-minute IGNITE talk!
Food, beverages, and 5-minute faculty IGNITE presentations start at 7 pm.

Friday, April 7, 2017
7:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Sawmill Creek Resort Website (click here)
5-minute drive to BGSU Firelands
400 Sawmill Creek Drive, Huron, OH 44839

21st Annual Conference

Friday Night Reception (April 17): 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM	Download Program
Saturday Conference (April 18): 8:00 AM - 1:45 PM	Download Schedule
AURCO Business Meeting - Room 192 (April 18): 2:00 - 3:30 PM	Download Poster
	Download KSU Salem Campus Map

When

Conference: Saturday, April 18, 2015
Reception: Friday Evening, April 17, 2015

Where

Kent State University Salem
2491 St. Rt. 45 South
Salem, Ohio 44460
Get Directions

2015 Conference General Chairs

Stephen Toepfer, Ph.D.
Phone: (Office) 330.332.3842, (Campus Line) 330.332.0361
Fax: 330-337-4122
Email: stoepfer@kent.edu

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Bradley J. Morris, Kent State University

Mindsets in Education

Bradley J. Morris is a Developmental Cognitive Scientist whose research program includes basic research in cognitive development and its application in designing effective PreK–12 STEM instruction. His research focuses on three domains: Scientific and Mathematical reasoning, Formal reasoning, and Motivation. The goal of his research program is to identify the mechanisms underlying children’s reasoning (e.g., strategy acquisition and selection) and motivation (e.g., praise type) using a variety of experimental methods (e.g., eye tracking) and computational modeling.

Friday Night Reception

Friday, April 17, 2015
Location: Hampton Inn Banquet Room

7:00 PM – Cash bar opens
7:30 PM – Hors d'oeuvres & beverages
7:30–9:30 PM – Music by The Classic Cruisers
10:00 PM – Bar closes, event ends

Entertainment by The Classic Cruisers

-- for more information: http://www.theclassiccruisers.com/