ALT Shaf and Sariah, PhD students at Utah State University, present their research poster at the LIT Conference. Their project, titled "ChatGPT as an Emotional Self-Regulation Supporter for High School Students," explores how AI could assist students in managing emotions. They developed emotional inquiry prompts and evaluated ChatGPT’s responses. Findings showed that ChatGPT provided empathetic support for mild and moderate emotional concerns but was unsuitable for severe emotional needs. Their work highlights the potential and limitations of AI tools in promoting student emotional well-being.

ALT Stephen presented his powerful research at the LIT 2025 Conference at USU, exploring the future of distance education in Ghana 🇬🇭. From digital literacy to infrastructure challenges, his work sheds light on real barriers and practical solutions for more inclusive and accessible learning. 👏 Huge congrats to Stephen for sharing stories that matter and pushing for educational equity across borders!

ALT Sina presented his research at the 2025 Learning & Instructional Technology (LIT) Conference at Utah State University. His study explored student motivation in a computer science camp. Using latent profile analysis (LPA), he identified distinct motivational profiles to better understand which students benefited the most from the experience. 👏 We are honored to have such a talented student conducting impactful research 👨🏻‍💻

ALT Chasity as part of Dr. Lu Lawrence’s Project UNITE, Chasity is helping a Salt Lake City school district build support systems for students with disabilities, especially during their transition from high school to adulthood. Chasity leads co-design workshops, which have become one of her favorite aspects of the project. These workshops strengthen team connections and clarify the "why" behind their work. She emphasizes collaboration by valuing all partners as experts in their own experiences and ensures solutions fit seamlessly into existing practices. Beyond her research, Chasity volunteers with the Logan Pride Foundation and serves on the planning committee for the Utah Conference on Community Engagement, bridging the gap between theory and practice. Chasity’s advice for anyone interested in community-centered research: define what community means to you, understand your values, and consider historical, cultural, and ethical aspects of your engagement.

ALT Craig Wall, an ITLS PhD graduate, transitioned from academia to the tech industry and now works at Intel, applying his instructional technology expertise to real-world challenges. We asked him about his career shift, challenges, and advice for students considering a similar move: 💡 Biggest challenge moving from academia to industry? 🔹 "The shift in pace! Academia is slow, but the tech industry moves fast. You have to think quickly and adapt." 🎓 How did your PhD prepare you? 🔹 "It taught systematic problem-solving, which is essential for tackling real-world challenges." 🤔 Did you feel uncertain about leaving academia? 🔹 "Yes, but the skills I developed were in high demand outside academia." 📈 Surprising thing about industry? 🔹 "Collaboration is key. In academia, it’s solitary, but in industry, teamwork makes all the difference." 🚀 Advice for students? 🔹 "Gain hands-on experience, explore different opportunities, and build your network." Stay curious and embrace challenges

ALT We are proud to honor Kylynn James, internationally renowned equine vaulting athlete and coach at Oak Hill Vaulting, with the Outstanding Community Partner Award! Through her mentorship, ITLS students gain real-world experience in design thinking, tackling complex challenges with creativity and innovative problem-solving. Kylynn values the fresh perspectives students bring, helping her team explore new ideas and solutions. She recalls a standout moment when a student group created YouTube videos to present their solutions, making complex ideas both engaging and accessible. Her approach to mentorship is a two-way learning experience, benefiting both students and her team. Kylynn encourages students to stay open to feedback, ask questions, and focus on creating meaningful solutions. She emphasizes the importance of adaptability and professionalism in tackling real-world challenges.

ALT Anna’s research explores the relationship between people, horses, and barn training environments in equestrian sports. As a finalist for the Master’s Student Researcher of the Year award, she fills a gap in equestrian research by studying these unique environments. Her work aims to establish a strong, research-based foundation for the future of equestrian sports, ensuring their sustainability and growth. By focusing on both human and equine aspects of training, Anna uncovers insights to improve practices, strengthen relationships between horses and riders, and enhance education. Her dedication to addressing critical gaps ensures her research will have a lasting impact, promoting innovation and growth in equestrian sports for years to come.

ALT Luciana Calvo Molina, a December 2024 graduate in marketing with a minor in ITLS, made a significant impact in Dr. Lu Lawrence’s research lab through Project UNITE, a collaboration with a Utah school district. She actively participated in data collection, transcript analysis, and co-authored research papers. She describes this recognition as a meaningful validation of her hard work and dedication to research. Luciana shares that her experience deepened her understanding of the research process and inspired her to pursue further education in the field. A highlight of her work was collaborating with teachers and counselors in schools, setting up control groups, and seeing the real impact of their research. She advises students to stay curious, take the leap into research even if it feels intimidating, and seek strong mentorship like she found with Dr. Lawrence.

ALT She is an advocate for student success, having dedicated the last 14 years to supporting students and advisors at Utah State University. Mykel has served as a leader in academic advising, developing training programs for faculty and student-facing staff, leading committees to enhance advising practices, and leveraging data-driven strategies to support student persistence, retention, and graduation. In her new role as Director of the Office of Appreciative Education at Florida Atlantic University, she applies learning theory to equip educators with effective strategies for fostering meaningful learning environments. This award recognizes her commitment to collaboration, mentorship, and innovation in higher education.

ALT AlLisia Dawkins is recognized as the Graduate Student Teacher of the Year for her outstanding commitment to students in ITLS courses. She is known for providing thoughtful, high-quality feedback and creating an environment where students feel supported. Her teaching journey was shaped by her experiences in Chicago, where she realized the power of persistence and care in education. She believes compassion and investment in students are key to their success. She dedicates this honor to her family, faculty, and her late mentor, Mr. Charles Bradford.

ALT A recent graduate of ITLS (2024), Dr. Nate Justis has already been making waves in the educational landscape of Utah. In June 2024, the Edith Bowen Laboratory School (EBLS), a K-6 charter school housed within the Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services (CEHS) on the USU campus, where Dr. Justis has been principal since 2018, hosted the first annual Utah Learning for Educators and Researchers conference through Networked Systems (LEARNS) conference. With Dr. Justis’ initiative, Edith Bowen received a $50,000 three-year innovation grant from the Utah State Charter School Board to help fund the conference and a $50,000 two-year teacher leadership grant from the Utah State Board of Education (USBE) to grow the Utah LEARNS network. This marks a continuation of the outstanding, statewide leadership work on supporting practicing teachers that Dr. Justis began in his dissertation with ITLS.

ALT Dr. Bayeck, Dr. Mason, and graduate students Stephen K. Ameko and Charles Johnson present Playing Religion, an exhibit that explores how games can be used to teach and build connections in religious contexts. The exhibit focuses on Latter-day Saint-inspired games, showing how they help people learn, share values, and strengthen communities. Visitors can play historical board games, see interactive demonstrations, and view unique archival items that showcase the history and culture behind these games. 📍 When & Where: 🗓️ January 21, 2025 | 4–5 PM 📍 Merrill-Cazier Library, Room 101 Come to the grand opening to try the games, meet the creators, and explore how games connect learning and religion. The exhibit will be open until March 15, 2025, so don’t miss it!