Dr. Susan Simkowski, associate professor of communication at the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith, was recently selected to serve as a reader for the College Board’s Advanced Placement examination in research.  

 

This year marked the first time for the research portion of the exam was given to AP students, and Simkowski rated research papers, each more than 20 pages in length, for seven days in Salt Lake City, Utah.

 

The papers reported the results of students’ research projects they conducted over the course of the school year in AP Research courses, according to Simkowski.

 

“It was exciting to be involved in the first stages of a new AP subject,” she said. “It was useful to see what I can utilize in my own classes. I will definitely use what I learned. It was a wonderful professional development experience.”

Simkowski holds a bachelor’s degree in radio, TV and film from the University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh, a master’s degree in communication from the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point, and a doctoral degree in educational leadership from Cardinal Stritch University. Her dissertation focused on mission statements in learning organizations. A Wisconsin native, Simkowksi came to UAFS in 2010.

 

AP Readers are high school and college educators representing academic institutions across the world. The AP program allows academically-prepared students to pursue college-level studies while still in high school in 37 subjects, each culminating in a rigorous exam.