Dr. Laura Lacasa Yost 1027 Cedar Hall
Interdisciplinary Studies Kirkwood Community College
Distance Learning/Social Sciences Cedar Rapids, IA 52306
http://www.kirkwood.edu/faculty/lyost (319) 398-5899, ext. 5984
lyost@kirkwood.edu
EDUCATION
(PhD) American Military History, UNL (August 1997)
(MA) American History, Iowa State University (December 1994)
(BA) Communications, Iowa State University (December 1991)
COURSES TAUGHT (ATAW, F2F, KTS Formats)
Understanding Cultures series: Latin America, Modern Japan, Modern China
Modern World Military History (piloted Fall 2009)
Holocaust and Genocide in Modern Memory and Literature (Summer 2011)
CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS & ATTENDANCE
Co-Presenter, “Dreaming the Impossible dream: A Completely Customizable Online
Course” (STEMTech 2010, November 2010)
Co-Presenter, “Culture Shock! Easing the Transition from High School to College”
(Innovations 2008, March 2008)
Attendee, “Building the Community College’s Global Capacity” (CCID Summer Institute,
July 2006): Sessions promoted facilitating understanding and communicating among
different cultural groups at institutions of higher learning
Attendee, “Building Bridges to Asia: Integrating Southeast Asia/Southeast Americans
into the Curriculum” (July 2006): Northern Illinois University-sponsored symposium on
expanding cultural content within existing courses
Co-Presenter, “Adding Snap & Crackle to History: The Use of Pop Culture” (Missouri
Valley History Conference, February 2006)
Attendee, Freeman Institute, Honolulu, HI (May – June 2005): 3-week intensive
Japanese cultural studies program
Presentation Assistant, “No Empty Vessels: Students, Personal Responsibility, and the
Learning College” (Innovations 2004, February 2004)
KIRKWOOD COMMUNITY COLLEGE
COMMITTEES
Student Portal Development Committee – activities TBA (Fall 2009 – Present)
TFTL Committee (August 2005 – Present)
Social Science/Arts & Humanities Historical Cultural Core (August 2005 – Present)
Diversity Committee (August 2005 – Fall 2009)
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Planning Committee (August 2005 – Summer 2009)
DEPARTMENTAL AFFAIRS
Coordinator, Social Science “5 Year Review” (Fall 2010): Directed data collection and
reporting for Cultural Studies and Geography programs
Coordinator, Social Science “5 Year Review” (Fall 2005): Directed data collection and
reporting for Cultural Studies and Geography programs
KCELT SESSIONS
Invited Presenter, “Using Library Resources via ANGEL” (Summer 2011): Demonstrated
approaches to integrating online Library resource modules into ATAW assignments
Co-Presenter, “ANGEL Showcase” (Spring 2010): Demonstrated approaches to
customizable ATAW content delivery; based upon UCLA revision piloted Spring 2010
Co-Presenter, “Examples of Using ANGEL” (Spring 2010): Demonstrated approaches to
customizable ATAW content delivery; based upon UCLA revision piloted Spring 2010
Co-Presenter, “Mental MacGyvering: Critical Thinking in the Classroom” (Dog Days,
Summer 2009): A discussion among faculty regarding ways to promote critical thinking
through in-class exercises
Co-Presenter, “Learn to go Hybrid!” (Spring 2009): A presentation of suggestions on
how to incorporate a hybrid approach in tradition face-to-face classes
Presenter, “Thinking Outside the Box: Developing Your Online Portfolio” (Dog Days,
Summer 2008, 2007): An outline of the steps to take in order to create a completely
online probationary-track faculty portfolio (in accordance with the PPR)
Co-Presenter, “Using HTML” (Dog Days, Summer 2008, 2007): Instructions on how to
formulate basic HTML code to create CE6/ANGEL content
Co-Presenter, “Culture Shock! Easing the Transition from High School to College” (Dog
Days, Summer 2007): An elaboration on the challenges students face regarding college-
level expectations
Co-Presenter, “Working with CE6” (December 2007): Provided examples of CE6
approaches to engaging online learners in F2F & ATAW classes
MISCELLANEOUS
Organizer, Modern World Military History Lecture Series (November 2010): Developed
a public lecture series hosted by faculty & staff regarding multiple aspects of military
history (Crimean War, Battle of the Little Bighorn, Japan’s WWII loss, Cold War defense
planning)
Presenter, “Beyond the Atomic Bomb: Why Japan Lost World War II” (Military History
Lecture Series, November 2010): Spoke on why Japan lost World War II with a “Top
Ten” causation list that did not include atomic weapons
Co-organizer, Constitution Day 2010 (September 2010): Assisted with program
development (room reservations, speaker contacts, promotion) for “Diversity & the
Constitution”
Presenter, “Una Lucha Sin Fin: Latin American History & Context in the War on Drugs”
(Constitution Day, September 2010): Spoke on the lack of “rule of law” in Latin America
and its impact on the stability & prosperity of the region
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Attendee, Pacific Crest Program Assessment Institute (May 2010): Two-day session
promoted the development of program assessment process methodologies
Developer, UCLA ATAW (Spring 2010): Created and piloted the first completely
customizable KCC online offering in the Distance Learning Department
Presenter, “Con Sus Propias Manos: Organic Agriculture in Central America” (Spring
2010): Presentation for the faculty-organized holiday observation on the role of organic
agricultural production as a means of reducing poverty
Instructor, Applied Computers in Agriculture (Fall 2009): Taught bi-lingual
introductory course on MS Office for Central American USAID SEED Grant recipients
Instructor, CCID portfolio development workshop (Spring 2009): Assisted CCID
scholars on the use of HTML, graphic design, & other digital components in developing
an online academic/professional portfolio
Presenter, “Rewriting Constitutions, Rewriting History?” (Constitution Day, September
2007): An analysis of the impact of rewriting the constitutions of Latin American
countries on the process of development
Presenter, “La Joya Maya: La Península de Yucatán” (MLK , Jr. Day, January 2008): A
tour highlighting some of the major historical/cultural sites in Cancún & the surrounding
the Yucatán Peninsula
Presenter, “¡Viva España! Journey Through Spain” (MLK, Jr. Day, January 2006): A
tour highlighting some of the major historical/cultural sites in Spain
Presenter, “Latino Nation” (MLK, Jr. Day, January 2005): An examination of the
changing demographic trends related to the Hispanic population in the United States
RELATED ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE
Recipient, University of Michigan Center for Russian, East European, and Eurasian
Studies Post-Secondary Curriculum Development Program Grant (Summer 2011): “Apa
trece, Pietrele rămân”: The Evolution of Romania’s Strategic Place Among the Wartime
Powers (1918-1945)
Manuscript Evaluator/Book Reviewer (2003-Present, as requested): Colonial Latin
American Historical Review (CLAHR): The Caudillo of the Andes - Andrés de Santa
Cruz (book review); Con los yaracarees (Bolivia): Crónicas misionales (1765-1825)
(book review); “Indios Blancos: Nascent Polities and Social Convergence in Bolivia’s
Ayopaya Rebellion, 1814-1821” (article evaluation); “Recorridos de un solicitante
enamorado: de Valencia al Nuevo Mundo, 1628-1634” (article evaluation)
Author, “Course Content with a Cause,” Midwest Connections (Winter 2010): discussed
using social-cause websites in online courses to promote social awareness & activism
Author, “From Fact to Fiction to Fact: Creating Relevance Through Multimedia”
Midwest Connections (Winter 2005): discussed integrating movies as comparative
course content via critical thinking exercises
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ADDITIONAL GENERAL EXPERIENCE
History Day Judge (2003-2005): Judged presentations of local secondary school
students for competition at the state level
Co-Presenter, Mechanicsville Public Library (March 2006): Took part in discussion
(with local writers) on World War II focusing around Flags of Our Fathers, Downfall,
and Embracing Defeat
Language Skills: Spanish (fluency in reading, writing, speaking), Italian (basic abilities in
reading, writing, speaking)
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