EDUCATION

Marshall University, 1 John Marshall Drive, Huntington, WV 25755

Doctoral Degree in Education

May 9, 2015 

Master of Arts in Sociology

December 11, 2007

Bachelor of Arts in Humanities

May 6, 2006

Associate of Arts in General Studies

May 5, 2001

PEER-REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS

Adkins, M. J. (2024). An Archaeological Research Needs Assessment for Historical Tunnels in Huntington, West Virginia. Journal of Social Sciences and Development Research, 1(2), 30-36.

Adkins, M. J. (2018). The Zouave Caves: An Investigation of Murder, Mystery, and Rebellion in Appalachia. International Journal of Arts and Humanities, 2(10), 541-553.

Adkins, M. J. (2017). Higher Education, Military Affairs, and Ethics: A Historical Overview of a Progressive Civil Rights Movement. Global Journal of Human Social    Science, 17(3), 9-12.

Adkins, M. J. (2016). Challenging Traditional Ways of Thinking: An Examination of the Role of Dichotomous Social Boundaries in a Greek Tragedy. Global Journal of Human Social Science, 16(4), 29-31.

Adkins, M. J. (2016). Challenges for Progressive Education in Afghanistan: A History of Oppression and the Rising Threat of ISIS. International Journal of Progressive Education, 12(2), 104-111.

Nida, B. & Adkins, M. (2011). The Social and Environmental Upheaval of Blair Mountain: A Working Class Struggle for Unionization and Historic Preservation. In Smith, L., Shackel, P., & Campbell, G. (Eds.), Heritage, Labour and the Working Class (52-68). New York: Routledge.

DISSERTATION & THESIS

Adkins, M. J. (2015). Campus Climates Experienced by United States Military Veterans (Doctoral dissertation). Retrieved from ProQuest Dissertations and Theses database. (UMI No. 3689282)

Adkins, M. J. (2007). Suicidal Terrorism, A Dying Strategy (Master’s thesis). Retrieved from ProQuest Dissertations and Theses database. (UMI No. 1451122)

LIFETIME HONOR SOCIETY MEMBERSHIPS

International Sociology Honor Society, Alpha Kappa Delta, Alpha Chapter of West Virginia

National Anthropology Honor Society, Lambda Alpha, Beta Chapter of West Virginia

HIGHER EDUCATION EXPERIENCE 

Adjunct Instructor, December 1, 2018 to Present (Part-Time Position)

Ohio University, Department of Interdisciplinary Health Studies, 1 Ohio University, Athens, Ohio 45701

Key Responsibilities:

• Taught two online graduate-level courses to include Diseases and Conditions in Veterans: Prevalence, Diagnosis, and Treatment (IHS-5401), and Veterans Affairs System: Healthcare Perspectives (IHS-5402)

•  Served as a mentor and instructor for graduate students completing capstone projects (IHS-6280)

•  Established and modified curriculum, syllabi, and instructional modules to improve learning processes

•  Served as a subject matter expert within the fields of veterans studies and military affairs

•  Created new graduate courses using the Blackboard and Canvas electronic learning platforms

•  Supported the development of a new graduate certificate program in veterans health

•  Completed “Landing Zone” training to certify qualification for advising student veterans.

Student Services Administrator, June 20, 2018 to January 6, 2022 (Part-Time Position)

Ohio University, Graduate College, 1 Ohio University, Athens, Ohio 45701

Key Responsibilities:

• Reviewed thesis and dissertation manuscripts to assess format compliance

• Provided expert procedural and editorial guidance to students and colleagues

• Maintained proficiency with scholarly writing styles (APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.)

• Assisted with updating student records and tracking the fulfillment of graduation requirements

• Facilitated electronic publication processes, copyright procedures, and the use of writing templates

• Maintained databases containing student data and student records

• Ensured compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

• Assisted with I-9 employment eligibility verifications for graduate assistants

• Assisted with human resources onboarding processes for new graduate assistants

Online Course Facilitator, October 23, 2017 to October 13, 2018 (Part-Time Position)

Ohio University, Department of Interdisciplinary Health Studies, 1 Ohio University, Athens, Ohio 45701

Key Responsibilities:

• Facilitated an Introduction to Global Health course (IHS-2210), a Critical Thinking and Reasoning in Clinical Problem Solving course (IHS-4447), and a Spirituality in Healthcare course (IHS-3010)

• Provided feedback to students, moderated discussions, and graded assignments

• Ensured students were fully engaged in learning processes

• Maintained proficiency with the Blackboard online learning platform

Adjunct Instructor, June 29, 2016 to June 8, 2017 (Part-Time Position)

Huntington Junior College, 900 Fifth Avenue, Huntington, WV 25701

Key Responsibilities:

• Developed syllabi for courses

• Taught a Personal and Social Ethics course (GE-206)

• Taught an Introduction to Sociology course (GE-201)

• Taught a Sociology/Current Social Problems course (GE-204)

• Delivered lectures and facilitated group discussions

• Created course assignments and exams

• Evaluated academic performance

• Recorded and reported grades

• Used the Socratic Method to cultivate critical thinking skills

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT EXPERIENCE 

Program Specialist, October 20, 2024 to Present (Full-Time Position)

United States Department Agriculture, 1320 Braddock Place, Alexandria, VA 22314

Key Responsibilities:

• Maintain expertise with the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

• Examine financial transaction data to evaluate retailer compliance with SNAP

• Analyze investigative reports and process sanctions in response to SNAP violations

• Draft technical correspondences to attorneys and business owners 

Claims Examiner, June 5, 2022 to June 6, 2024 (Full-Time Position)

United States Department of Labor, 1 Denver Federal Center, Building 53, Denver, CO 80225

Key Responsibilities:

• Processed claims filed through the Energy Employees Occupational Illnesses Compensation Program Act of 2000

• Exercised proficiency with legal, medical, and historical concepts related to toxins

• Employed investigative approaches to obtain information, evidence, and documentation

• Assessed, analyzed, and adjudicated a broad range of disabling illnesses

• Made determinations on the proper disposition of claims

• Reviewed and evaluated a variety of employment, medical, and financial evidence

• Prepared correspondences to claimants, physicians, representatives, and attorneys

• Created statements of accepted facts and refereed cases for medical opinions

• Made recommended determinations on claims consistent with established guidelines

• Processed payments for compensation in accordance with government procedures

• Provided technical assistance to claimants and/or their representatives on eligibility for benefits

Veterans Service Representative, May 18, 2014 to March 16, 2018 (Full-Time Position)

United States Veterans Benefits Administration, 640 Fourth Avenue, Huntington, WV 25701

Key Responsibilities:

• Served as a subject matter expert for veterans benefits

• Advocated for the best interest of veterans seeking federal benefits

• Determined eligibility for medical compensation benefits and other programs

• Analyzed evidence from multiple sources to draw valid conclusions

• Operated complex electronic data processing systems and databases

• Ordered medical exams based on evaluations of complex medical evidence

• Evaluated information within personnel records and medical records

• Prepared letters to veterans, physicians, and attorneys

• Researched existing laws and made entitlement decisions based on precedents

• Applied complex federal regulations to unique situations involving a large number of variables

Secretary, April 26, 2009 to May 17, 2014 (Full-Time Position)

Federal Aviation Administration, 1471 Airport Road, Huntington, WV 25704

Key Responsibilities:

• Maintained records, files, databases, and government web-page content

• Created, tracked, and maintained receipts for government equipment

• Administered a program for federal employee identification cards

• Created travel authorizations and travel vouchers

• Greeted visitors, answered telephones, and served as a security escort for guests

• Inputted quantitative data into training databases

• Served as the point of contact for processing G.I. Bill benefits for Air Traffic Controllers

• Processed attendance data for payroll operations

• Performed financial management duties and operated within an established budget

• Maintained and used a government purchase card to procure supplies

• Facilitated human resources operations such as onboarding, promotions, and transfers

• Processed personnel actions and set appropriate compensation levels 

• Composed a user manual for how to operate the Federal Personnel Processing System
  
  

VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES

Served as a Mentor in support of the Athens County Veterans Treatment Court

• Responsible for providing guidance and encouragement to Veterans in the criminal justice system

Served as a Doctoral Committee Member, Immaculata University

• Provided guidance to a doctoral candidate completing a dissertation in the field of veterans studies

Served as a Peer Reviewer for the Journal of Veterans Studies and the International Journal of Progressive Education

• Responsible for issuing recommendations to accept, reject, and edit academic manuscripts

CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS

Spatig, L., & Adkins, M. (2012, June). Public Education in Afghanistan: A Case for Qualitative Research. Poster presented at the 24th Annual Ethnographic and Qualitative Research Conference, Cedarville, Ohio

Spatig, L., & Adkins, M. (2011, June). Collaborative Learning and Engagement: A Learning Model of Community Partnerships. Paper presented at the 23rd Annual Ethnographic and Qualitative Research Conference, Cedarville, Ohio

Adkins, M. (2010, May). Challenges Facing Public Education in Afghanistan: Examining the State of Middle Level Education. Paper presented at the Middle Level Teacher Symposium, Boone, North Carolina

Strait, S., Smith, N., & Adkins, M. (2006, April). Automating the Laser-Scanning Process: Expanding the PaleoView3D Database. Poster presented at the 16th Annual Sigma Xi Research Day, Huntington, West Virginia