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PROFESSIONAL
GOAL
My professional goal is to work on meaningful short-term education projects.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Professor of Communication
Education Specialist
In-service Communication Specialist
Education Coordinator
Assessment Specialist
Grant Writer
Professor of Communication
Sheryl has 20 years of teaching experience in the field of communication. She retired from Minnesota State University, Mankato in May, 2005. She is currently Adjunct Faculty at Boise State University in the Communication Department. Her areas of teaching expertise include:
- Interpersonal communication (Undergraduate and Graduate Levels)
- Gender and Communication (Undergraduate and Graduate Levels)
- Conflict Management (Undergraduate and Graduate Levels)
- Communication Theory and Research (Undergraduate and Graduate Levels)
In addition to her teaching, Sheryl supervised Masters Thesis projects in the Speech Communication Department, Minnesota State University, Mankato. Her areas of research included: peace and reconciliation communication, cultural diversity awareness, cultivating respect for diversity in the community and classroom, interpersonal communication skill competence.
Education Specialist
As an Education Specialist, I provide seminars and/or training workshops for educators focused on cultivating respect for diversity. Training sessions address the basic tenet that understanding one's own attitudes and values about diversity is essential to understanding, appreciating, and responding to the differences in others. An individual's level of cultural awareness influences choices made in curriculum design as well as classroom strategies to respond to differences, (e.g., gender identity, ethnicity, religion, age, socio-economic level, race).
Training sessions emphasize measures to enhance teachers’ and students' cultural awareness as a means for meeting the challenges and difficulties of diversity in the classroom. Self-assessment, cultural awareness skill development, personal narrative, storytelling, interactive activities, and methods for developing curricula that enhance students' awareness and appreciation for diversity will be topics addressed.
Some Projects
My Story, Your Story, Our Stories: Building respect for personal difference in the classroom: Dr. Suzanne Bunkers, Professor of English, Minnesota State University, Mankato, Dr. Sheryl Dowlin, Professor Emerita, Speech Communication, Minnesota State University, Mankato. Weekend Seminar for Center for Teaching and Learning, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, January 26, 2006. http://vfc14.project.mnscu.edu/
In-service Communication Specialist
A 2001 National Association of Manufacturers survey found that 69% of employees lack basic employability skills such as
1) reading with understanding
2) speaking clearly
3) actively listening
4) resolving/managing conflictThese ‘soft skills’ are essential for individuals to function in the work environment
Leon Lazaroff – Chicago Tribune
My twenty years of teaching college students human communication courses (e.g., interpersonal communication, gender and communication, conflict management, cultural diversity special topics) at Minnesota State University, Mankato, Mankato, MN,’ provides me with the expertise to assist clients to become competent communicators in a variety of contexts. I specialize in the development of ‘soft skills’ such as speaking clearly, actively listening and managing conflict. Relevant and practical skill development strategies are the focus of the training/workshop sessions I can offer.
The first step in preparation for any training or workshop session requires an assessment of the client’s unique ‘soft skill’ communication needs. Once these needs are determined, training sessions will be designed in accordance with these needs.
Seminar Offerings
“Road Rage in the Work Place.” This seminar enables individuals to identify and manage the communication triggers that lead to conflict, misinterpretations and misunderstandings in the work environment. Attention is given to the role and management of communication behaviors that contribute to relational problems and stressful work conditions.
Some Projects
Communication Skills In-service Workshop, Grandview Good Samaritan Nursing Home for administrators and staff. (September 2004)
Communication Skills In-service Workshop Department for faculty in the Geography Department, Minnesota State University, Mankato (Spring 2004)
Diversity Training in-service Workshop for the Speech Communication Department Teaching Assistants. (August 2004)
Interpersonal Communication Skill courses for Minnesota State University, Mankato students (1985-2005). Courses focused on becoming a competent speaker, listener and manager of conflict.
For more information regarding training and development in these communication skill areas, please contact me
Links to other resources:
http://www.mnsu.edu/spcomm/Communication/news/movingtowardrespect.htm
http://www.mnsu.edu/spcomm/Communication/news/2003-04_news.htm
Education Coordinator
As an Education Coordinator, I provide support for educational and community development projects. In particular, this position coordinates learning projects that help understand the historical links to current issues and human events. The coordinator provides expertise in the areas of fundraising, coordinating, scheduling, recording and reporting the outcomes of such projects.
Some Projects
Hochunk (Winnebago) Journey Back to Mankato, MN. Project (2005)
Moving Towards Respect K-16 Cultural Diversity Teacher Training Conference and an evening Public Conversations forum entitled: "Survivor Stories: conversation with Sabina Zimering, Henry Ortelt and Cor Suijk." was held in conjunction with the conference. (July 2003-May 2004)
Mahkato Education Day project involving Dakota and other tribal member resource personnel and the Mankato School District 77 third grade teachers, students and parents (1987-2000) http://www.mahkatowacipi.org/education
Cultural Diversity guest presenters Minnesota State University, Mankato (1991-1997). Guest lecturers included: Vine Deloria, Jr. (Lakota), Barry Blackhawk (Hochunk), Ray Owen (Dakota), Art Owen (Dakota) Carrie Schommer (Dakota), John Dow (Dakota/Hochunk), Melanie Dow (Sineca), Dave Larsen (Dakota), Ramona Jones (Dakota), Maria Pearson (Yankton), Harold Ironshield (Dakota), Cheryl Maderis (Lakota), Albert White Hat (Lakota), Victor Douville (Lakota), Lionel Bourdeaux (Lakota).
Cultural Diversity Community Gathering. Co-coordinator for the "Friends of the Winter Warrior" non-profit organization. This effort provided a support group and networking opportunities for new and established American Indians in the Mankato area. (1991)
Related Presentations, Publications and Videos
Presentations
Return of the Hochunk (Wiinnebago): Reconciliation 142 Years Later. Unitarian Universalist Church, 6200 Garrett, Boise, ID, August 6, 2006 10 am. Bruce and Sheryl Dowlin
Return of the Hochunk (Winnebago): 142 Years Later. Blue Earth County Historical Society, January 26, 2006, 7 pm, Mankato, MN.
Presentation: "From Execution to Reconciliation: The Mankato Story." Unitarian Universalist Church, Boise, ID. August 2005.
Dowlin, Sheryl and Bruce. The Dakota Conflict Remembered
Unpublished paper prepared for the 35th Annual Northern Great Plains History Conference September 28-30, 2000, Mankato, MN. http://www.dowlinconsulting.com/pe.html#educationcoordinatorDowlin, Sheryl L. The U.S.-Dakota (Sioux) Conflict: Reconciliation Communication 125 years later. Unpublished paper prepared for the Commission on Peace Communication Program: Intercultural Perceptions of Peace and Conflict Resolution, SCA, Boston, MA, November 1987 http://www.dowlinconsulting.com/pe.html#educationcoordinator
Publications/Books
Bunkers, Suzanne L., Dowlin, Sheryl L., & Dowlin, Bruce C. (2006). "A new ceremony for reconciliation: the Mahkato education day project." New Standpoints: the practical magazine for teachers of English, 30, 24-26.
Dowlin, S.L. [2001). "Maria Pearson (Running Moccasins): A warrior and peacemaker." In Kelley, C.E. Talking in Harmony: Women Who Speak for Peace. Rowman and Littlefield.
Deetz, S.A. and Stevenson (Dowlin), S. (1986). [Textbook] Managing Interpersonal Communication. New York: Harper and Row, Publishers.
Journal Articles
Bunkers, S and Dowlin, S.L. (In press) Cultivating Respect for Diversity: A Case Study "Report on Dialogue," the journal of the International Centre for Dialogue among Civilizations in Tehran, Iran
Dowlin, S.L. Maria Pearson: A Warrior and Peacemaker in Two Worlds. In Still Running: A Tribute to Maria Pearson, Yankton Sioux. A Special Commemorative Issue of the Journal of Iowa Archeological Society, 52 (1): 71-81.
Dowlin, S.L. and Dowlin, B.C. (July 2002). “Healing History’s Wounds: Reconciliation communication efforts to build community between Minnesota Dakota (Sioux) and Non-Dakota Peoples.” In Peace & Change: A Journal of Peace Research, Vol.27, No. 3, pp.412-436.
Videos
Part II: "Revisiting the Visit." A follow-up DVD featuring comments and feedback by Hochunk guests attending the premier viewing of the "Return of the Winnebago (Hocak): Reconciliation 142 Years Later" DVD in Mankato, MN. January 26, 2006. This documented project is available on DVD.
Return of the Winnebago (Hocak): Reconciliation 142 Years Later, Mankato, MN. Documentation of a daylong visit by Hocak tribal members from Winnebago, NE visiting the home and burial sites of their ancestors in May 2005. This project was sponsored by the Blue Earth County Historical Society and funded by the Minnesota Humanities Commission, Mankato Kasota Stone Co.-- Coughlin Quarry, Blue Earth County Historical Society and the Rapidan Heritage Society. (September 2005) This documented project is available on VHS or DVD.
Mahkato Education Day: A Conciliatory Ceremony (72 minutes). This documentary was an outgrowth of a longitudinal research study conducted between 1987-2000. The documentary captures the 2000 Mahkato Education Day event and includes interviews with native people and local Mankato participants. A Minnesota State University, Mankato Faculty Research Grant and a Minnesota Humanities Commission Grant funded this project. Copies of the video have been distributed to: NEH, MHC, local public and higher education libraries, US and Canadian Dakota schools and communities, individual teachers, children and scholars and other interested Mankato community members. This documented project is available on VHS
Links to Other Resources:
http://www.turtletrack.org/Issues99/Co12251999/CO_122599_Reconciliation.html
http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/dakota/dakota.html
Assessment Specialist
I have 18 years of experience in the areas of constructing evaluative and summative surveys, interviewing, and writing outcome research reports. My field and archival research skills, developed during my undergraduate studies at Boise State University (1981) and my higher education graduate studies at Southern Illinois University, Carbondale (1985), have been used in a variety of educational and community development projects.
Some Projects
Each of these projects included all or some of the following assessment tasks: Preparing grant proposals, record keeping (observation, photographs, video), constructing and distributing evaluation questionnaires, collecting data through surveys, observation and interviews, analyzing and interpreting collected data, and preparing a final written report.
"Return of the Hochunk (Winnebago): Reconciliation 142 Years Later." This program features the reconciliation efforts between the Nebraska Hochunk and southern Minnesota communities. A day-long tour included interested non-Indians and Nebraska Hochunk elders and children visiting their ancestors' village sites for the first time since their removal from Minnesota in 1863. The tour event was funded and supported by the Minnesota Humanities Commission, Blue Earth County Historical Society, Rapidan Heritage Society and the Lower Sioux Mdewakanton (Dakota) community.
Hochunk (Winnebago) Journey Back to Mankato, MN. Project. Project sponsored by the Blue Earth County Historical Society, Mankato, MN. (May-September 2005)
Mahkato Education Day longitudinal assessment (1987-2000) study. Data was collected through record keeping, interviews, participant observation and surveys. This assessment work included Dakota (Sioux) and other tribal member resource personnel and the Mankato School District 77 administrators, third grade teachers, students and parents (1987-2000) http://www.turtletrack.org/MahkatoWacipi/education The final report included the production of a documentary video of the 2000 Mahkato Education Day event. This documentary was shared with all tribal member resource personnel contributors, Dakota and Winnebago (Hochunk) communities in Canada, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, N. Dakota, S. Dakota and Wisconsin, National Endowment for the Arts and Humanities, Minnesota Humanities Commission, Minnesota State University, Mankato library, Blue Earth County Historical Society, Mankato School District 77 Libraries, Mankato Public Library, CCTV Public Television and many other interested educators.
Moving Towards Respect Cultural Diversity Teacher Training project at Minnesota State University, Mankato. (September 2003-May 2004). For additional information regarding the constructed Diversity Awareness Diagnostic Instrument for this project, go to: Download Assessment Tool
"Worlds of Thought Scholar in Residence Series,” project at Minnesota State University, Mankato (formerly Mankato State University) funded by a Bush Foundation Grant. (1996-1997) and (1995-1996)
Mankato State University Speech Communication Department Alumni Survey 1983-1993.
Education Equals More Life Choice Conference (E=MLC2) an educational conference for nontraditional students held at Boise State University. (1980)
For more information regarding assessment services, please contact me
Links to other sources:
http://www.turtletrack.org/Issues99/Co12251999/CO_122599_Reconciliation.html
http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/dakota/dakota.html
http://www.mnsu.edu/spcomm/Communication/news/movingtowardrespect.htm
http://www.mnsu.edu/spcomm/Communication/news/2003-04_news.htm
Grant Writer
I have 20 years of experience writing educational and community developmental grant proposals and final reports.
Some Projects:
$1,000 “We the People” grant, Minnesota Humanities Commission to document the Hochunk (Winnebago) Journey Back to Mankato, MN project. May 2005
$15,000 “Learning that Lasts” grant, co-authored with Dr. Suzanne Bunkers, from Minnesota State College and University Center or Teaching and Learning for the Moving Towards Respect project spring 2003.
$2,500 “Faculty Improvement Grant, Minnesota State University, Mankato
$3,340 Minnesota State University, Mankato Faculty Research Grant fall 2001. Longitudinal assessment study (Phase II) of the Mahkato Education Day project (1987-2000).
$400-$1,500 Mankato School District 77 Block Grants (12) to help fund the Mahkato Education Day Project (1988-2000)
$1,000-$1500 Minnesota Humanities Commission General Grants (5) used to fund the annual Mahkato Education Day Project, Mankato, MN. (1996-2000)
$25-$600 Community organization grants (8) used to fund the Mahkato Education Day Project (1988-2000). Organizations included: Morison-Ario VFW Post 9713, Eagles Lodge, Save the Kasota Prairie, Inc., Prairie Lakes Arts Council, Prairie Island Mdewakanton Community.
$1,750 Minnesota State University, Mankato Faculty Research Grant fall 1993. Longitudinal assessment study (Phase I) of the Mahkato Education Day project (1987-1993).
For more information regarding assessment services, please contact me