07/08/15
by Samantha Dean
Research by three Master of Liberal Studies students at Fort Hays State University was published in the spring 2015 edition of the Academic Leadership Journal in Student Research.

Serena Garcia, Riverdale, Ga., wrote "Can Cyberactivism Effectuate Global Political Change?" Garcia's emphasis is in social sciences.

Julie Hisey Maranto, Alexandria, La., wrote "The Effects of Standardized Testing on Historical Literacy and Education Reform in the U.S." Maranto's emphasis is in humanities.

Dongya "Marcia" Qu, Zhengzhou, China, wrote "The Impact of Cultural Difference on International Business Negotiations." Qu's emphasis is in international enterprise leadership.

"I am proud of all three authors," said Dr. Jerry Spotswood, assistant dean of the Graduate School. "Each of them worked hard to get her article in publication. Their work demonstrates the rigor of many FHSU MLS students."

While getting work published in a research journal is challenging enough, Garcia and Maranto are virtual students, and Qu is an international student from China.

"This is the great thing about FHSU," said Spotswood. "Nontraditional students have easy access and are able to turn in great work."

To be considered for publication, students must be enrolled in college within the last year. Work is submitted through the Graduate School to editors across the nation. An average of two or three rewrites is required before work is ready for publication.

"We receive between 30 to 40 submissions but narrow it down to about seven articles to publish in that year's journal," said Spotswood.

Spotswood encourages faculty members to push students to submit their work to the journal.

"ALJ reflects the best in student research," said Spotswood. "It also encourages student and faculty collaborations, which is one of the missions for the graduate school."

The online publication can be found at www.aljinstudentresearch.org/.

About ALJ:
The ALJ in Student Research is an annual, online, peer-reviewed international journal dedicated to the publication of student research (undergraduate and graduate) within all disciplines and of pedagogically based professional work that explores the intersection of student research with teaching and faculty research.