For the Record, Oct. 10, 2025

For the Record provides information about recent professional activities and honors of University of Delaware faculty, staff, students and alumni.

Recent publications, presentations, honors and appointments include the following:

Publications

Amit Kumar, assistant professor of marketing, was featured in a Cornell University article, "Behavioral economics: Born at Cornell, embraced by policymakers," about the history of behavioral economics. Kumar earned his Ph.D. at Cornell, and the article highlights some of his research and teaching.

Benjamin James, assistant professor in the College of Education and Human Development's (CEHD) School of Education, published "Exploring Linguistic Capital and Social Reproduction in 'Elite' Bilingual Schools Across the Globe" in Bilingual Review Revista Bilingüe and "Challenging Dominant Conceptions of 'Academic Language': Preservice Teachers' Shifting Orientations in One Teacher Preparation Course" in TESOL Journal with coauthors G. C. Bunch and N. W. Lang.

Sanford Student, assistant professor in CEHD's School of Education, published several articles. They include "Growth across grades and common item grade alignment in vertical scaling using the Rasch model" in Educational Measurement: Issues and Practice with coauthors D. C. Briggs and L. Davis; "Digital module 38: Differential item functioning by multiple variables using moderated nonlinear factor analysis" in Educational Measurement: Issues and Practice with SOE Assistant Professor Ethan McCormick; and "Recognition vs. ability to use external aids: An exploratory item response analysis of the Functional External Memory Aid Tool (FEMAT)" in the Journal of Speech Language and Hearing Research with coauthors A. Saylor and A. Lanzi. Student specializes in measurement, psychometrics and quantitative methods.

Presentations

Trevor A. Dawes, vice provost for libraries and museums and May Morris University Librarian, was a panelist for a conversation hosted on Sept. 22, 2025, by Lyrasis, titled "Planning in Disrupted Times: Protecting What Defines Us." This panel was the first session of Lyrasis' new Members' Table series. It featured Dawes, Anthony Chow, the director of San Jose State University's School of Information, Jason Kucsma, the executive director of the Toledo Lucas County Public Library, John Chrastka, the founder and executive director of the EveryLibrary Institute, and Takeya McLaurin, the chief human resources officer at Lyrasis. The panelists had a candid conversation about how academic libraries, public libraries and iSchools are standing strong with and for staff, students and the broader community amid challenges to educational and cultural heritage institutions.