Highlander Highlights: Week of October 16, 2023

Every two weeks, Highlander Highlights shares with readers some of the extraordinary research and accomplishments happening on and off campus through the tireless work and curiosity of our students and faculty.

Two Radford University student-faculty research teams have been accepted to participate in the Council on Undergraduate Research’s Students Transforming Through Research Program.

The teams, made up of Ashley Glover along with her faculty mentor, Assistant Professor of Music Therapy Sekyung Hang, and Mira Smith and her mentor, Associate Professor of Geospatial Science Stockton Maxwell, will participate in the six-month program that includes in-person and virtual training. The program will culminate in a virtual showcase, giving the Radford teams a unique opportunity to interact with U.S. government representatives.

Glover is researching the intersection of Black professionals in music therapy and mental health, while Smith is using the university’s Tree Ring Lab to examine the past effects of climate on red spruce tree growth. 

Recreation, Parks and Tourism major Jeremy Armentrout is now a published researcher.

Armentrout and Professor Anja Whittington published “Outdoor Participation and Spending Trends in Virginia: How Much Is Too Much?” in the spring 2023 edition of the Virginia Social Science Journal. The article stems from two years of research exploring Virginia’s outdoor participation rates and the growing economy surrounding the outdoor retail industry. Jay E. Raymond from West Virginia University Institute of Technology also contributed to the publication.

For the study, Armentrout collected, recorded and analyzed survey data with Whittington.

Since enrolling at Radford, Armentrout has been a Research Rookie and a member of RU Outdoors.

“Having the opportunity to conduct undergraduate research with the research rookies was a great experience,” said Armentrout, a senior from Palmyra, Virginia. “Through Research Rookies and the help of Dr. Joe Wirgau, I was able to work closely with my faculty mentor, Dr. Anja Whittington, who guided me through the research process. I feel that it accelerated my overall academic career at Radford.”

Research.com has ranked Radford University in its 2023 listing of the Best U.S. Colleges and listed the university among the top five institutions of higher learning in Virginia.

The rankings examine and highlight each school’s affordability, academics, faculty, research and innovation, student life and campus safety.

“In essence, Virginia's universities offer more than just an education,” Research.com wrote in its rankings description. “They provide a world-class learning experience, a diverse and inclusive community and a platform for research and innovation. With a focus on academic excellence, affordability and diversity, studying in Virginia equips students to become future leaders and make a significant impact in their chosen fields.”