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improv is what it does for the human brain.  There’s exciting new research about what’s called the Default Mode Network (DMN): it’s the home of creativity, and flow, innovation and breakthrough insight. Improv strengthens the DMN. It activates empathy, self-value, and the synthesis of ideas. Improvisational relationships — where each relationship participant is equal and unique — are healthy, productive, synergistic relationships. And so, businesses thrive when the minds that make them up are improv

Kinesiology. “If you look around the region in our field, most of the degrees are very research-focused and they’re really catering towards people who want to go on and get a Ph.D. in the field. We decided to take a very different stance.” Instead, the university is leveraging its standard-setting Kinesiology faculty and tradition of excellence — PLU’s undergraduate program is ranked in the top 50 nationally and rated No. 1 in the Pacific Northwest by Niche — to provide an intimate, mentorship-driven

through rigorous conversations and planning with a committee of faculty who support and guide them. “You take courses from all around the university, as well as complete experiential learning experiences, like studying abroad, internships or applied research,” Suzanne Crawford O’Brien, interim dean of interdisciplinary programs, said. “Some students opt for this because they have a dream job in mind — one that doesn’t fit in a more traditional major.” Every year, one to three PLU students graduate

to a generous $2 million lead gift from an anonymous PLU alum and a $1.25 million investment from Pierce County, progress is well underway. But significant partnership is yet needed to accomplish the planned remaining improvements. They include, in 2023, conversion of a lecture hall into three classrooms, an additional exam room and an improved student-faculty research lab. Plans call for renovation and upgrades to the Open Lab in 2024. If you would like to learn more about these projects and how

. My PLU experience: My time at PLU has been an incredible journey. I’ve been challenged in so many ways and also rewarded for my hard work. PLU has provided me with so many wonderful opportunities, for which I am so grateful. In the last four years, I have visited three different countries, conducted research in two different tropical rain forests, written countless papers, and made some of the best friends a person could ask for. All these experiences have helped me flourish and grow into the

and honor its victims. After months of research, I was traveling to D.C. and New York City as part of a team of three exploring anti-Muslim sentiment in America. More specifically, how mainstream media has influenced its spread, the social implications for American Muslims and the greater American public today, and how to mitigate its harmful effects.“Beyond Burkas and Bomber: Anti-Muslim Sentiment in America” is the upcoming documentary produced by PLU’s MediaLab, premiering on April 11 at 7 p.m

engagement. Scholars tend to write for the priesthood, to have our work circulate only among other experts in our own disciplines. By bringing together smart people from multiple disciplines, I think this podcast demonstrates the value and impact of engagement around ideas that touch our communities. Also, I want scholars to try and speak to and for non-experts, and I want to ask them to talk about something that may not be in their research wheelhouse. I think it helps us hone ways to take our work

said. “We learn from each other,” she said. “That’s very special to witness. I can see both sides learning so much.” The partnership is ongoing, going into Takekawa’s 10th year teaching at PLU. She said the plan is to continue to grow and strengthen that partnership. In January 2017, Gerhardstein will use a grant from the Wang Center for Global and Community Engaged Education to conduct a music research project in Japan, she noted. Takekawa will accompany him, as well as a couple of students from G

and scholarly based,” Hacker said. Karen McConnell, Ph.D., is dean of the School of Kinesiology and a vocal advocate for Hacker. McConnell said her colleague is known for being a well-versed scholar in the field. “Reading all the research and bringing that to bear in practice,” she said. “That’s very rare and she’s probably the best in the country at it.” And Hacker works with the best in the country. The cinematic season for the U.S. Women’s Hockey Team will most likely join the ranks of photos

you can bet her family, and their dinner-table breed of activism, will be with her along the way. Read Previous PLU Psychology’s Artime awarded research contract Read Next Lute navigates a complicated internal struggle along her path to United States citizenship COMMENTS*Note: All comments are moderated If the comments don't appear for you, you might have ad blocker enabled or are currently browsing in a "private" window. LATEST POSTS Caitlyn Babcock ’25 wins first place in 2024 Angela Meade Vocal