Innovative Faculty Research Grants and 19 Applied Learning Projects with 50 Students Help Drive the University’s Global Digital Journey
Charles Town, WV— February 20, 2025 – American Public University System (APUS) proudly celebrates significant academic research advancements, showcasing groundbreaking projects and impactful global collaborations in 2024. APUS faculty have secured grants for 19 recent projects (12 domestic and seven international projects across three continents) with multidisciplinary impacts across North America, Europe, and Asia, reinforcing the University’s commitment to academic excellence and cross-cultural research.
In 2024 alone, approximately 50 students participated in faculty-led research through data collection, analysis, and other key activities, exemplifying the University’s dedication to experiential learning. These projects were part of the competitive faculty research grants that are fully funded by APUS.
“APUS is proud to support a range of research experiences that advance academic inquiry while addressing real-world challenges,” said Dr. Elizabeth Johnson, APUS Provost. “Through faculty and student collaboration, we are making meaningful contributions to local and global communities.”
Recent Research Highlights
Dr. Daniel Diaz – Listen to Our Voices
Dr. Diaz’s ethnographic study explores the cultural and linguistic richness of Nahuatl-speaking communities in Mexico. His project develops instructional materials to preserve Indigenous linguistic diversity and promote inclusivity.
Dr. Kelly Chinners Reiss and Dr. Daniela Messina – WaterTAP
WaterTAP addresses drinking water quality and public health by distributing more than 700 water testing kits. Recognized at an Association of Advancing Participatory Sciences annual conference, the project empowers student participants to become science and data-savvy with a resource they rely on daily.
Dr. Melissa Schnyder – Native Fishpond Restoration in Hawaii
Dr. Schnyder’s research examines Indigenous food sovereignty through the restoration of traditional Hawaiian fishponds. Her work highlights sustainable, place-based food systems and environmental stewardship rooted in cultural heritage.
APUS Analog Research Group (AARG)
The student-led AARG, created in fall 2020 and overseen by faculty advisor Dr. Kristen Miller, has completed several notable research missions and successfully completed its fifth analog mission to the Inflatable Lunar and Martian Analog Habitat (ILMAH) in October. The focus was for four students to research plant growth in regolith, fatigue, and communication systems. In January, AARG sent a team to Florida's Jules Verne Lodge to study venous gas emboli and conduct outreach.
Dr. Kristin Drexler, Dr. Michelle Watts, and Anthony Caole, Student, Doctor of Global Security – COVID-19 Research in Kodiak, Alaska
In summer 2024, researchers traveled to Kodiak, Alaska, to study Indigenous communities' experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. Unlike other areas, Kodiak did not implement official lockdowns. The team conducted interviews to understand how the pandemic affected these communities and to document their unique experiences.
APUS is committed to fostering ongoing research that bridges disciplines, cultures, and borders to drive innovation and academic excellence with students top of mind. As part of the University’s global digital journey, the school intends to continue expanding opportunities for faculty-led student research both locally and globally.
About American Public University System
American Public University System (APUS) delivers affordable, high-quality, workforce-relevant higher education. With a rich, 33-year history and vibrant community of over 149,000 alumni from more than 80 countries, APUS is recognized for its innovative approach to online learning1. APUS is in the top 11% for students’ return on educational investment, compared to 4,500 colleges and universities nationwide, according to the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce (2022)2.
APUS, which includes American Military University (AMU) and American Public University (APU), is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. APUS is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Public Education, Inc. (Nasdaq: APEI). For more information, visit www.apus.edu.
1APUS has been honored with the online Learning Consortium’s Gomory Award for Quality Online Education and is a five-time recipient of the consortium’s Effective Practice Award https://www.apus.edu/newsroom/awards/.
2Ranking based on 20-year net present value (NPV) https://cew.georgetown.edu/cew-reports/roi2022/.
American Public University System, American Public University, and American Military University are not affiliated with American University or the U.S. Military.
