Welcome Lancer Family! In this issue ...
July 17, 2026
Grants
Dr. Damon Horton
Dr. Damon Horton, associate professor of intercultural studies, has been awarded a $15,000 State of the Bible Innovation Grant from the American Bible Society. His project, Exploring Podcast-Based Scripture Engagement Among Generation Z, was one of four selected nationwide for the grant. The project will explore how podcasts can be used to increase Scripture engagement among Generation Z and Millennial adults.
Publishing
Research Articles
Dr. Krystal Hays
Dr. Krystal Hays, associate professor of social work, and Dr. Rosie Cook-Askins (‘23): Developing a Christ-Centered Mental Health Training for Black Pastors: A Pilot study. Sociological Focus (June 19).
Dr. Kayla Middleton
Dr. Kayla Middleton, adjunct instructor of education: My Friend Chat GPT: AI in the Daily Life of an Early Childhood Teacher. Childhood Education (April 29).
Articles
Dr. John Bryan
Dr. John Bryan, adjunct professor of business: The Missing Link Between Reading, Thinking, and Writing: Why Critical Thinking Often Disappears in Student Writing. Faculty Focus (June 12).
Presentations
Dr. Kendra Flores-Carter
Dr. Kendra Flores-Carter, associate professor of social work: When a Perinatal Mental Health Screening is Positive: What We Do Next and Bridging Gaps in Reproductive Health: Organizational Strategies for Access, Behavioral Health, and Collaboration. California Medical Association’s Maternal and Behavioral Health webinar series in partnership with Molina Healthcare’s Learning Collaborative on May 21 and 28.
Dr. Brian Zunigha
Dr. Brian Zunigha, senior director of discipleship: Mending the Thread We Inherited: Lenape Leadership and Being a Good Ancestor. NAIITS: An Indigenous Learning Community 23rd Symposium in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada, on June 5.
Nicole Love (left) and Dr. Tanya S. Harris
Dr. Tanya S. Harris, adjunct professor of public administration, and Dr. Nicole Love (’25): workshop Supervisor–Employee Conversations on Discipline and Performance. Part of the Moreno Valley Management Certificate Program 2026 for the City of Moreno Valley on June 10.
Brandon Wittman, assistant director of recruitment, and Jenelle Vine, director of undergraduate online admissions: I’m Fine to We’re Flourishing: Teams That Support, Stretch, and Stay. Southern California Christian Colleges and Universities Conference at Azusa Pacific University on June 18.
Dr. Catherine Letherer, associate professor of physician assistant studies, and Karen Genco, associate professor of physician assistant studies: Approaching ECGs with Confidence. American Association of Physician Associates (AAPA) national conference in New Orleans on May 16.
Stephanie Arjona
Stephanie Arjona, transcript and records analyst II: Transferology, CBU’s Perspective. Arjona was also on the panel Transfer Solutions: Respond and Share. CollegeSource Annual Conference in San Diego on June 24-25.
Dr. Jiliang Li
Dr. Jiliang Li, assistant professor of civil engineering: Introducing a General and Simple Property Connecting Unknown to Known or Easily Measured Parameter. 20th U.S. National Congress of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics in Pasadena on June 21-25.
Professional Accolades
Dr. Kendra Flores-Carter
Dr. Kendra Flores-Carter, associate professor of social work, was appointed as co-chair of the Council on Social Work Education’s (CSWE) Council on Racial, Ethnic, and Cultural Diversity. She also was appointed as a peer-reviewer for the Council on Social Work Education’s Journal of Social Work Education. She will serve three years in both roles.
Dr. Jeff Mooney
At the Annual Meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention on June 9, Dr. Jeff Mooney, professor of Old Testament, was elected to serve on the Board of Trustees for The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky.
Stephanie Arjona
Stephanie Arjona, transcript and records analyst II, earned a CollegeSource TES Administrator Certification at the CollegeSource Annual Conference in San Diego.
Beyond CBU
Sonya Singh
Sonya Singh, instructor of journalism and new media, was on the photography staff for the Baptist Press, covering the Annual Meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention in Orlando, Florida, from June 5-10. The photographers, which included two CBU alumni, documented everything from evangelistic outreach, to convention speakers, fellowship, voting and more.
Zakiya Glasco (right) with Capt. Rivas before boarding a V-22 Osprey
Zakiya Glasco, director of disability services, attended the U.S. Marine Corps Educators Workshop in Quantico, Virginia, on June 1-5. Attendees got a firsthand look at how the Marine Corps develops and trains future Marines, military occupational specialties, service pathways, military culture and educational opportunities to service members.
Dr. Riste Simnjanovski
A podcast created by Dr. Riste Simnjanovski, professor of public administration, was ranked “The #1 New Entry” in the Hobbies Category on PodNews. The podcast, What’s on Your Riste? A Watch Podcast, caters toward people who love wristwatches and incorporates Simnjanovski’s doctoral work as he weaves history into stories of watchmaking. The podcast can be found on over 25 platforms and has listeners in 30 countries.
Campus News
This a reminder that CBU’s Mail and Shipping Services are available to all faculty and staff for more than just campus business! Located in The Post in Building 11 at Lancer Plaza, they offer a variety of services within university business hours, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Personnel Changes
Check out job opportunities at CBU by clicking here.