I recently had a conversation with a colleague who stated this eye-popping fact about using AI for research papers: “In a class of 18, I have four students at 100% and one more at 61%. The rest were 0%.” She was referring to the artificial intelligence detection score for a writing assignment given in an undergraduate-level STEM course. Sadly, this exact conversation happens every day here at the University and every other educational institution, according to The Guardian. Getting students to avoid using AI for research papers and other assignments is a daily reality for most of us. For teach ..read more

For teachers, there is nothing more exciting than to see where their students end up. The journey of our legal studies students begins in the virtual classrooms of the University and continues to the most exciting places. One of our legal studies students now serves on the bench of a New Mexico county court as a magistrate judge. Student and magistrate judge Brent A. Detsoi took time out of his busy schedule to tell us about his academic and professional journeys. Brent Detsoi. Image courtesy of author. Dr. Fuchs: Judge Detsoi, why did you choose our University? Judge Detsoi: I chose American ..read more

By Rev. Dr. Cynthia Lindenmeyer Director, Chaplain and Student Wellness Services In March 2020, I crossed paths with a remarkable student. She was unhoused and a single parent, but she was fiercely determined to pursue her education. Despite the massive weight of her circumstances, this student was hopeful and recognized that getting an education was the key to a brighter future. I also wonder if it was this student’s hope and focus on service to others that made her so resilient. Statistics from the National Alliance on Mental Illness paint a stark reality. One in every five adults experience ..read more

By John Robert Morton, Student and Alumni Affairs Liaison, and Randy Purham, AMU Graduate Many University alumni work to improve their communities and are dedicated to public service. AMU graduate Randy Purham is one example. Randy Purham, AMU graduate. Image courtesy of author. Randy spent more than 20 years in the U.S. Army, working his way upward from squad leader to chemical operations specialist. As Randy progressed through the Army, his passion for politics and leadership shone through and his leaders took notice, often sending him as their representative for certain events. In 2019-2020 ..read more

Nothing is more pervasive for major retailers than organized retail crime. Organized retail crime rings are responsible for financial losses of $112.1 billion to retailers, according to Daphne Howland of Retail Dive. Retailers commonly refer to these financial losses as “shrinkage.” What Is Organized Retail Crime? Kelly Boucher of LVT notes that organized retail crime involves a coordinated, premeditated act. The members of organized criminal groups target retail stores for financial gain and travel to different cities and states for their illicit activities. Organized retail crime may involve ..read more

Mexican drug cartels have been around for more than 40 years, and they continue to devastate communities and people’s lives. Some of the most powerful Mexican drug cartels include: The Guadalajara and Sinaloa cartels The Gulf cartel The Jalisco New Generation cartel The Tijuana cartel and other cartels The Guadalajara cartel was particularly big in the 1980s. When it fell apart, its collapse led to the Mexican Drug War. Smaller Mexican drug cartels were established and fought over territory. All of the Mexican drug cartels have one thing in common: the use of violence. Cartel members use vio ..read more

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. It’s a good time to ask yourself, “How good is my mental health?”  What Is Mental Health? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines mental health as a person’s “emotional, psychological and social well-being.” Mental health can impact every area of your life from your interactions with other people to the choices you make and your ability to cope with the stressors in your life.   According to the CDC, mental health issues are one of the most common health conditions in the United States. The CDC estimates that: One in five ad ..read more

During the current war between Israel and Hamas, Iran has used the conflict as an opening to strike at Israel. Iran is attempting to force Israel into opening a second, northern front, using the shared border with Syria and Lebanon. As a small nation with a small military force, Israel prefers to avoid expanding the conflict beyond Gaza. According to AP News, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) struck an Iranian consulate in Syria where Iranian military leaders were allegedly executing their war plans. Of the 16 people killed in the airstrike, half were representatives of the Iranian Revolutionary ..read more

El Salvador has a long history of violence. During its 1980-1992 civil war, over 75,000 civilians were killed in El Salvador, according to The Center for Justice & Accountability.  The deaths occurred when five large leftist revolutionary organizations merged to form a guerilla army that opposed the government. Since then, powerful gangs have controlled communities throughout El Salvador. These gangs include MS-13 and MS-18, which are known globally for their use of extreme violence. How Gangs Influenced Life in El Salvador El Salvador’s gangs were known for extortion. According to El ..read more

Nabil Rahman in Jordan. Image courtesy of author. Student organizations provide you with the opportunity to maximize your educational experience by participating in extracurricular activities, networking with like-minded peers and acquiring useful skills. But how do you do that in online education? Thanks to technology, joining student organizations and participating in extracurricular activities is very easy. The University offers over 74 different student organizations that meet on a regular basis and are devoted to helping their members develop collaboration and leadership skills. Talking w ..read more