DeLoach, professor of economics, and Stansberry, associate professor of strategic communication, have been selected as the 2024-26 Data Nexus Scholars.
Professor of Economics Steve DeLoach and Associate Professor of Strategic Communications Kathleen Stansberry have been selected as the 2024-26 Data Nexus Scholars.
During their terms as Data Nexus Scholars, DeLoach and Stansberry will work to build the capacity of Data Nexus, a university initiative to enhance student learning of the knowledge and skills required for working with data during and after their college experience.
DeLoach will be developing a curriculum and leading communities of practice focused on course-embedded research pedagogy to support the goals of advanced data competency. Through this work, DeLoach will collaborate with other Data Nexus team members to develop assessments appropriate to advanced data competencies.
Stansberry will incorporate her passion for data justice into her role as a Data Nexus Scholar. While a Data Nexus Scholar, Stansberry will be developing curriculum and programs around Data Justice. In her tenure, Stansberry intends to seek grant funding and strategic partnerships for data justice initiatives at Elon.
During a two-year appointment, each Data Nexus Scholar works on a proposed project that aims to achieve campus-wide data competency objectives that align with the Data Competency QEP. These projects might include but are not limited to: innovative practices related to assessment of data competencies, the creation of computer technology modules that focus on foundational data competencies, the organization of conferences, seminars, workshops, consultations, data camps, or symposia of interest to the applicant, the organization of campus-wide data challenges, microcredentials, or other advanced data competency initiative of interest to the applicant, and/or grant writing to support and enhance the work of Data Nexus.
Elon introduced its Data Nexus initiative as part of a five-year Quality Enhancement Plan developed during its most recent accreditation by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Data Nexus will serve as a coordinating hub for data competency initiatives at the university throughout the plan and beyond.