CANTON, Mo. — 91ֱ�� was well represented at the 88th annual Missouri Music Educators Association (MMEA) In-Service Workshop and Conference, held Jan. 28–31 at Lake of the Ozarks (Mo.). C-SC students’ participation in the event was highlighted by a prestigious performance honor for Faith Myers (Clarksville, Mo.), a junior music education major.

Myers was selected to perform in the percussion section of the Missouri All-Collegiate Orchestra, an ensemble composed of top collegiate musicians from across the state. Myers arrived at the conference early to rehearse with the orchestra, and she was part of the orchestra’s Jan. 28 concert performance.

In total, 12 Culver-Stockton music students attended the annual conference, which drew nearly 3,000 current and future music educators. The MMEA is a federated state association of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), representing nearly 80,000 educators nationwide committed to advancing comprehensive, high-quality music instruction.

According to Dr. Alex Kirby, C-SC’s associate director of bands and director of athletic bands, the conference served as important professional gateway for Culver-Stockton students.

“For music education majors, conferences like MMEA are transformational,” Kirby explained. “Students participate in performances, clinics, and reading sessions that sharpen their instructional skills while introducing them to the latest conversations in the field. Just as importantly, they begin forming professional networks that will support them throughout their careers.”

The experience provided valuable networking opportunities, allowing students to build relationships with veteran educators, explore graduate programs, and engage with current ideas shaping music education today.

For more information about Culver-Stockton’s major in music education, as well as about other areas of study in music, visit /majors/.

Dr. Joseph Liesen, assistant professor of data analytics, spearheaded the partnership for 91ֱ��. He said instead of discouraging students from using AI, through using the Google AI program, faculty will help students learn how to use these tools responsibly and ethically. He noted that students can use the tools to generate ideas, create personalized study plans, and enhance assignments with visualizations. For example, Liesen plans to show his Data Analytics class how to integrate reading materials into the Google NotebookLM tool to better understand content and create personalized study frameworks.

“I think Google NotebookLM is the future of learning because of how it synthesizes material and can create study plans and document learning tasks,” Liesen said. “This tool is excellent for teaching and learning as well as for research.”

While Dr. Liesen said the resources are currently optional add-ons, faculty will discuss ways to formally integrate them into the curriculum, potentially offering academic credit for completing certain courses. The new 91ֱ�� Technology Club for students is helping to spread the word to students about the partnership.

In addition to students, faculty and staff can also benefit from the program. Faculty can use the tools to enhance teaching and research, while staff can learn to use AI to improve productivity and creativity.

“In the past few years, employers were worried that their employees were using AI,” Liesen noted. “Now they should be worried if they are not using it.”

This partnership aligns with Culver-Stockton’s commitment to experiential learning and its new Computer and Data Science degree program, as well as the specialization in Artificial Intelligence and Business Analytics in the C-SC MBA program. Liesen explained the partnership gives Culver-Stockton a competitive advantage, noting that few peer institutions have integrated AI into their curriculum as aggressively.

“We have a clear vision of the future and what our students will need to be successful, and this partnership helps us to further that vision,” he said.

According to Liesen, the program’s impact will be measured by tracking user engagement through administrator tools. He believes the free educational tools provide a “golden opportunity” to attract and retain students and positively impact their learning for the rest of their lives.

For more information about C-SC’s Computer and Data Science degree program visit /majors/computer-data-science/. Learn more about the C-SC MBA with an AI and Business Analytics specialization at /master-of-business-administration/.

The program, a partnership between C-SC’s Education Department and local school districts, provides C-SC education students with engaging, hands-on, experiential learning opportunities. According to Assistant Professor of Education Lindsay Uhlmeyer, Culver-Stockton students work together to envision the themes for each day, plan the lessons and learn what is age-appropriate, and practice the projects in advance.

“We are grateful to the Community Foundation, as well as the Lewis County Endowment Fund Council, for this award. The grant makes it possible for us to continue this important program without passing costs on to families,” Dr. Uhlmeyer explained. “It allows us to provide educational enrichment and childcare at no cost to parents, while also giving our preservice teachers valuable classroom experience with faculty support. We hope to continue to give back to our community and to continue to grow this program.”

Since its start, the program has partnered with the Canton R-V School District. Thanks to this funding, it will expand this year to include students from Clark County R-1, Palmyra R-1, and Lewis County C-1. Each STEAM Day features subject-based lessons, movement activities, campus tours, and collaborations with other C-SC departments. Past activities have included chemistry demonstrations and financial literacy lessons. (The program was recently featured in the Missouri State Teachers’ Association magazine, see .)

Paige Corbin, a C-SC Education student who participated in past STEAM Days, said the program has given her valuable experience in learning behavior management, lesson planning, and how to work with students in different age groups.

“It just gives me that confidence, and I feel good about going in and being able to lead a group of 20 kids,” Corbin said. “It reassures me that I’ll do fine in the classroom on my own because I’ve had so many opportunities through STEAM Days.”

C-SC has recently renovated two classrooms to create a more child-friendly learning environment, anticipating continued growth in the number of participants. With the expansion to multiple districts, the program is expected to serve more children than ever before.

Those interested in enrolling students in upcoming STEAM Days at 91ֱ�� can learn more and register at .

For more information about the 91ֱ�� Education Department, visit /majors/education.

Photo caption: L to R: Kent Embree, program officer, Community Foundation; Pat Benson, chair, Community Foundation Board of Directors; Dr. Lindsay Uhlmeyer, assistant professor of education, 91ֱ��; Dr. Lacy Harrison, assistant professor of education, 91ֱ��; and Catherine Meckes, CEO, Community Foundation.

Before the simulation, students in the CAST program prepare from various disciplines to work with children affected by traumatic events, including sexual abuse, physical abuse, and neglect. The curricula in these courses are aligned with the Zero Abuse Project, and C-SC faculty collaborate with the National Child Traumatic Stress Network on the case where vignettes are used.

“This mock house simulation is one of the highlights of the students’ experiences,” Dr. Angel Knoverek said.” Knoverek serves the College as the CAST Coordinator and Director of Counselor Education. She continued, “It’s interesting to watch them balance the excitement related to learning with the intense heaviness of the topic and details related to the child abuse case. The simulation also helps them understand the need for self-care when working with individuals who have experienced trauma.” The mock house simulation is a one-day event at 91ֱ��.

For more information regarding the CAST program at C-SC, contact Dr. Angel Knoverek at aknoverek@culver.edu or (573)288-6000 ext. 6452.

The National Society for Experiential Education (NSEE) is a nonprofit membership association of educators, businesses, and community leaders. Founded in 1971, NSEE serves as a national resource center for the development and improvement of experiential education programs nationwide. NSEE supports the use of learning through experience for intellectual development, cross-cultural and global awareness, civic and social responsibility, ethical development, career exploration and personal growth. The mission of the NSEE is to cultivate educators who effectively use experiential education as an integral part of personal, professional, civic and global learning.