Below are professors who have volunteered their expertise as media story sources. Members of the media may contact Rod Jones ([email protected]; 405-301-7085) in the Communications office to arrange interviews:
- Mental health and substance abuse: Nursing professor Christie Phillips (Mental Health and Substance Abuse Clinical Coordinator; "With the ongoing disparity in mental health, this current pandemic could exacerbate conditions or increase anxiety altering healthy choices of coping. It is important to remind this population that they are just as important, continue to utilize strategies learned and adopt new methods to maintain stability/sobriety.")
- Holistic, community & mental health: Nursing professor Pam Melson ("I have done the majority of my research on holistic self-care decreasing the risk of compassion fatigue and burnout. I also hold a national certification in nurse coaching. This is coaching for all people, not just nurses, to help achieve the highest degree of health. Currently, this could be so helpful to help with decreasing stress.")
- Childcare and elementary-age children: Education professor Laura Wilhelm (coping with the demands of working from home with young children, and resources available for educational activities; "I’m currently developing a webinar series for El Paso Head Start on Self-care, Communities of Practice, Helping children cope with the COVID 19 crisis, and Supporting families.")
- Economics: Department Chair and professor Jonathan Willner (Fiscal and monetary stimulus, particular debt holiday(ies) and forgiveness)
- Energy industry: Economics professor and business Dean Steve Agee (topics related to the economy, energy industry, oil and gas prices, global energy issues, monetary and fiscal policy actions, the impact of COVID-19 on the economy, the impact of the Saudi-Russian decision to raise oil production, etc.)
- Arts and crafts at home: Theatre properties design and fabrication professor Larry Heyman ("When I first came to OKC, I started a school garden nonprofit. I can do a quick seed-starting workshop on how to start a vegetable and herb garden inside. I have teaching experience with elementary education students.")
- Fitness and nutrition: Exercise and Sport Science professor Jason Miller (Training ideas with common household items; nutrition tips)
- Animal behavior, evolution, characteristics of science: Biology professor Laurie Kauffman (Topics can include: What science really is; What evidence is in science; Science as a process; How to tell if studies are trustworthy; Basic statistics)
