April_CollegeNewsFinal2

College of Fine Arts and Communication | 15 Communication. Dr. Kelly Kaufhold presented the study on Friday, March 7, at the University of Oklahoma. Drs. Heidi Makady , Mark Mederson and Eun Jeong Lee co-authored the research, which measured student perceptions of using AI tools in class for writing and video production. The four also presented their research at the Texas State AI Symposium on Teaching and Learning on Thursday, March 27. The study will continue in the Fall semester. [3] Eun Jeong Lee presented two sessions at the 2025 Texas Inter- collegiate Press Association Convention: “Video Storytelling” and “Best Practices for Effective Mobile App Design.” Both sessions focused on equipping student journalists and designers with practical tools and techniques to enhance their storytell- ing and user experience across digital platforms. [4] Dr. Heidi Makady represented the School of Journalism & Mass Communication presenting a poster on her study about Smartwatch wearables at the annual health scholar show- case for Texas State's Translational Health Research Center (THRC). As a part of THRC'S ECHO Sessions' April series for Understanding Indicators of Mental Health (UIMH), Dr. Makady also presented a session with Dr. Vangelis Metsis at the Department of Computer Science on AI and Mental Health: Building Trust in Technology-Driven Care. In this session, Dr. Makady, complemented the discussion addressing clinicians by sharing case studies on AI-powered wearables, examining how users' perceptions of wearables as social com- panions can be leveraged to foster trust and improve access to mental health support. UIMH is Virtual Learning Network that connects researchers, subject matter experts, and advocates to promote collaboration and the exchange of evidence-based knowledge. Gilbert D. Martinez and students from his honors class, Free Speech, Free Press and the Supreme Court of the United States, visited the Third Court of Appeals in Austin to hear oral arguments in a criminal case on April 9. Afterward, the class met Chief Justice Darlene Byrne and Justices Gisela D. Triana, Rosa Lopez Theofanis and Karin Crump and discussed the court’s role at the appellate level. Students had a chance to network with and ask questions of the justices and share their academic experiences and career plans. [5] Judy Oskam was honored with the 2025 Women Commu- nicators of Austin (WCA) Gene Barnwell Waugh Mentor Award. The award recognizes commitment as a mentor over an extended period of time, particularly to other communications professionals. [6] Debra Price and Jennifer Scharlach took part in the Ser- vice-Learning Showcase at Texas State on April 4, presenting a poster on the topic of “Engaging a Young Collegiate Audience in Civic Engagement.” The presentation explored the experien- tial learning opportunities offered to students in six different 4 5 6 Eun Jeong Lee presented two sessions at the 2025 Texas Intercollegiate Press Association Convention Gilbert D. Martinez and students from his honors class visited the Third Court of Appeals in Austin to hear oral arguments in a criminal case Dr. Judy Oskam was honored with the 2025 Women Com- municators of Austin (WCA) Gene Barnwell Waugh Mentor Award