Humanities Edge Undergraduate Research Symposium | Fall 2020

Dr. Trinidad Argüelles is currently an Assistant Professor of Psychology at MDC West Campus where she serves as advisor for both the West Campus Psychology Club and West Campus Psi Beta Honor Society. Dr. Argüelles also has taught Cognitive Psychology, Industrial and Organizational Psychology, and Research Methods in Psychology at FIU. Prior to joining MDC, Dr. Argüelles was a Senior Research Associate at the UM Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, (Center on Aging, aka as Center for Cognitive Neuroscience and Aging) where she published and presented research on Neuropsychology, Human Factors, and Aging. Her collaborative multi-disciplinary approach to exploring social issues related to aging have facilitated her participation in numerous projects at the Psychological Corporation, NIMH, NIOSH, the Veteran’s Administration, and UM among other institutions. Dr. Argüelles completed her dissertation at Nova Southeastern University, on HIV and Aging, and her Master of Science in Psychology at Florida International University focusing on job worth determinants. She holds a Certificate in Human Resource Management from the University of Miami, and a Certificate in Gerontological Studies from FIU.

Kristin Borgwald has been teaching philosophy for the Wolfson Campus Arts & Philosophy Department for ten years.  Her philosophical interests include normative ethics, applied ethics, social and political philosophy, and feminist theory.  She studied social science and philosophy as an undergraduate at Webster University, and earned her PhD in philosophy from the University of Miami.  Her research focuses on normative sentimentalist ethics, particularly care ethics.  Her article, “Women’s Anger, Epistemic Personhood, and Self-Respect…” was published in Philosophical Studies in 2012.  Borgwald’s interdisciplinary background influences her research and teaching.  In 2013, she co-authored an article concerning the ethics of bullying, “Bullying the Bully: Why Zero-Tolerance Policies Get a Failing Grade,” in the journal Social Influence.  The work concerns how we ought to treat those who bully and critiques the current trends from a sentimentalist perspective.  She is also a TEAGLE Fellow for the MDC grant, Contextualizing Liberal Education for Applied Reasoning.

Lara Cahill-Booth is an Assistant Professor in the English Department at MDC, Kendall, where she teaches Literature, Composition, and Creative Writing. A lifelong dedication to the American Tropics has inevitably situated her in Miami, where she initially moved for a job in non-profit arts administration before completing a PhD in Caribbean Literature and Cultural Studies at the University of Miami. Dr. Cahill-Booth's interest in human geography, performativity, and the poetics of place runs through her scholarly publications, zine-making, and inquiry-based teaching. She critically and uncritically enjoys dance, performance, and exercise as well as manages an unruly family of boys.

Dr. Alison Kennedy Davis is an Associate Psychology Professor at Miami Dade College, Homestead Campus. Before devoting her passion to the pathway of Higher Education she enjoyed a full career as a United States Postal Letter Carrier. Dr. Davis has also served South Florida Communities as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor providing services for diverse populations of all ages.

Dr. Davis is a native Floridian; her academia includes Early Childhood Education, Interpersonal Communications, Psychological Studies and Counselor Education and Supervision.

In addition to being a provider of public service, Dr. Davis has written a children’s book, “But I Can’t See It”, inspiring an early message of self-empowerment and critical thinking. Dr. Davis enjoys the great outdoors, family time, gaining and sharing knowledge, embracing community and the simple pleasures of life.

Victor Gomez is a dedicated and passionate artist and professor. As a BFA student at Temple University, he interned at the Philadelphia Museum of Art’s Education Department. He worked with the Education Department, teaching sculpture to enrolled students. While in pursuit of his MFA at Hunter College, he did the same at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The combination of teaching and study abroad programs, granted Professor Gomez direct access to the Historical Art that was being referenced throughout his courses. Accepting a faculty appointment at Miami Dade College has been a wonderful opportunity to implement all of these experiences.

Dr. Melissa Lammey is a Professor of Philosophy at Miami Dade College’s Hialeah campus. She earned the Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from the University of Mississippi, the Master of Arts degree in Philosophy and Women’s Studies from Florida State University, then completed her PhD with a specialization in philosophy of science, also at FSU. In addition to her teaching, she has and continues to speak on topics in philosophy locally, nationally, and internationally. She is currently interested in promoting undergraduate research related to the nature of science and its intersection with ethical issues.

Jairo Ricardo Ledesma is a Professor of History and Sociology at Miami Dade College’s Homestead campus. For over twenty years, he has worked at private and public institutions serving in different higher education roles, including student counselor, career counselor, academic adviser, Grant Director, and as an adjunct instructor. Professor Ledesma holds a Bachelor of Science in communications and a Master of Arts in sociology from St. John’s University in New York City. He also holds a Master of Arts in history and is currently a third-year history Ph.D. student at Florida International University.

Throughout his career, Professor Ledesma has worked with underrepresented groups. The hundreds of students he has advised or taught are now industry leaders or educators throughout the world. He is former USDA Kika the la Garza Fellow, and a Humanities Edge Grant recipient where he led undergraduate students in historical research. Currently he is a board member of the Homestead City Hall Museum, sits on the F.I.U Statewide Federal Government Conference committee, and is the Chair of the Hispanic Heritage Month committee.

Selena M. Respass is pursuing her doctoral degree at University of Phoenix. She attended Northeastern University in Boston where she received both her Bachelor (Criminal Justice/Education) and Master (Criminal Justice/Administration & Planning) degrees.  She has been facilitating/teaching students for more than twenty-five years, and has been involved with the Miami Dade College’s Violence Prevention Initiative "Increase the Peace" for more than ten years. Currently, she serves as an Advisor to the Justice Student Organization and is Co-Advisor to the Forensic Science CSI Student Organization. Professor Respass is also a consultant who provides program development and training that addresses violence prevention issues such as human trafficking, human rights, sexual assault awareness, domestic and dating violence, gun violence in schools and the community, and youth at risk. In addition, she serves as a federal proposal panel reviewer for the U.S. Departments of Education, Health & Human Services, and Justice.

Emily Andrea Sendin is a Professor of English and creative writing in her twenty-second year teaching at Miami Dade College, Eduardo J. Padrón Campus. Prof. Sendin is an Endowed Teaching Chair, Fulbright Scholar, and Florida Campus Contact Service-Learning Faculty of the Year. Prof. Sendin earned a B.A. and M.A. in English with a concentration in Women's Studies from Florida International University. At Miami Dade College, she teaches Global Sustainability and Earth Literacy Studies, service-learning, and Honors College courses. Prof. Sendin is the founding advisor of Urbana, the award-winning literary and arts magazine of the Padrón Campus, currently on its fourteenth volume. Her life’s passions are traveling, teaching, and service.  

Originally from New Orleans, Louisiana, and born of immigrant parents, Dr. Varela moved to Florida to live with the rest of her family and to attend college. Dr. Varela has been teaching for 25 years. She currently holds a Doctorate Degree in Education with a concentration in Curriculum Development and Organizational Leadership. Dr. Varela’s teaching interests include, developmental education, first year composition, rhetoric, literacy, research, and service learning. Dr. Varela has participated in community involvement her entire life. Since age 14, she’s been involved with service learning and volunteer work at the Ronald McDonald House. In fact, a large part of her teaching philosophy centers on service learning. At the global spectrum, she was involved in a humanitarian mission in Ecuador and Kenya with her students. Dr. Varela’s involvement with service learning has been a catalyst for her continual inspiration and growth, and it demonstrates her confidence and ability to network with colleagues, students, and the community. Dr. Varela was awarded the 2016 Anastasio and Maria Kyriakides Endowed Teaching Chair.