Faculty Speaker Series
Each year, the Aurora University Faculty Development Committee selects colleagues to present their scholarship, research, or professional expertise as part of the Faculty Speaker Series. In an effort to promote cross-disciplinary engagement and collaboration, these presentations bring together perspectives from across academic fields. Sessions are offered throughout the fall and spring semesters and are open to students, faculty, staff, and the public.
David Rudek, PhD
Chair of Psychology and Sociology and Professor of Psychology
“The Truth is Out There: The Psychology of Contemplating Intelligent Alien Life”
Wednesday, November 4, 2026 | Noon-1 p.m.
Tapper Recital Hall in the Hill Welcome Center | 1315 Prairie St., Aurora, IL
Seventy-five years after the U.S. government coined the term "unidentified flying object," public belief in extraterrestrial visitation has never been of more interest. The recent establishment of a Pentagon office on UAPs (Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena) has fueled such curiosity worldwide. But why do so many people believe the extraordinary claim that aliens have visited our planet despite no credible evidence? This lecture draws on cognitive neuroscience and the psychology of paranormal belief to examine the mental mechanisms that make this topic so compelling to us. As government disclosure promises generate new waves of public anticipation, this talk offers a timely framework for understanding not what is in the skies, but rather what is happening in our minds.
Reservations are not required.
Shaun Neitzel, EdD
Chair and Assistant Professor of Sport Management
“Playing for Power: Sport, National Identity, and Global Politics from Ancient Olympia to World Cups and Beyond”
Thursday, February 25, 2027 | Noon–1 p.m.
Tapper Recital Hall in the Hill Welcome Center | 1315 Prairie St., Aurora, IL
This presentation examines the enduring relationship between sport and politics, from the ancient Olympic Games to modern global competitions. In ancient Greece, the Olympics were not only athletic contests but also religious and diplomatic events, exemplified by the Olympic Truce, which temporarily halted conflicts among rival city-states. With the revival of the Games in 1896, international competition increasingly reflected national ambition and ideological rivalry. The 1936 Summer Olympics showed how sport could serve as a tool of propaganda, while Cold War tensions were evident in the boycotts of the 1980 and 1984 Olympics. In the 21st century, debates over athlete activism, political expression, and global conflict continue to shape events such as the 2026 Winter Olympics, the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and the 2028 Summer Olympics. These global events underscore a central argument: Sport has never been politically neutral but remains deeply embedded in global power, identity, and diplomacy.
Reservations are not required.
Zachary Bishop, MA
Registrar, Museum Manager, and Instructor of Museum Studies
Brandon Kooi, PhD
Professor of Criminal Justice
“Civilian Resistance from the Underground Railroad to Operation Midway Blitz”
Wednesday, March 3, 2027 | Noon–1 p.m.
Tapper Recital Hall in the Hill Welcome Center | 1315 Prairie St., Aurora, IL
Organized civilian resistance to ICE’s Operation Midway Blitz in Aurora and Chicago is the latest chapter in both cities’ long traditions of advocating for freedom and civil rights in the United States. In this panel, AU faculty members will examine how historical examples of resistance to the misuse of policing can deepen our understanding of the contemporary moment. Particular attention will be given to key parallels, including Illinois abolitionists’ defiance of the Fugitive Slave Laws during the Antebellum Period — often expressed through participation in the Underground Railroad — as well as the activism of Aurora’s Rev. Robert Wesby during the Civil Rights Movement.
Reservations are not required.
Jessica Jensen, MFA
Senior Lecturer of Theatre
Kerry Vaccaro, DNP, RN, CHSE
Director of Skills and Simulation Center, Assistant Professor of Nursing
Haley Zimmerman, EdD, ATC
Assistant Professor of Athletic Training
“Interprofessional Cardiac Arrest Simulation to Enhance Collaborative Emergency Response Care”
Tuesday, March 30, 2027 | Noon–1 p.m.
Virtual
Preparing healthcare students to function effectively during high-acuity emergencies requires intentional interprofessional learning experiences. This session describes the design and implementation of an interprofessional cardiac arrest simulation involving Aurora University nursing and athletic training students, and Edward Endeavor paramedic students. Learners participated in a scenario requiring rapid assessment, evolving clinical decision-making, and coordinated management of a deteriorating patient. Students collaborated to implement emergency interventions while applying principles of crisis resource management, including teamwork, communication under stress, and effective use of available resources. The simulation also incorporated communication with family members present during the emergency to reinforce compassionate, patient-centered care, with theatre participants as standardized family members. Students examined professional roles and responsibilities while reflecting on strategies that support effective interprofessional collaboration to improve patient outcomes. This presentation will describe the design, facilitation strategies, and lessons learned from this initiative to encourage innovative, collaborative learning opportunities across disciplines at Aurora University.
For more information about accessing the Zoom link, please contact Julie Hipp, PhD.