- I currently serve as a researcher for Sam Houston State University, department of research and special projects. Before arriving at SHSU, I had 15 years of experience working with non-profits, governmental agencies, and school districts leading community research and engagement. In August 2021, I received my Master of Science in anthropology from the University of North Texas, and before that, I received my Bachelor of Science in environmental science with a focus on wil... moreI currently serve as a researcher for Sam Houston State University, department of research and special projects. Before arriving at SHSU, I had 15 years of experience working with non-profits, governmental agencies, and school districts leading community research and engagement. In August 2021, I received my Master of Science in anthropology from the University of North Texas, and before that, I received my Bachelor of Science in environmental science with a focus on wildlife and society.In 2018, my community experienced a school mass shooting and that led to my research and work with building resiliency in trauma-affected communities.edit
The Digital Divide, Digital Reluctance and Its Impact on Pandemic Churches explore how churches encountered and responded to key challenges related to the Digital Divide, a term used to refer to the gap in access and understanding of... more
The Digital Divide, Digital Reluctance and Its Impact on Pandemic Churches explore how churches encountered and responded to key challenges related to the Digital Divide, a term used to refer to the gap in access and understanding of digital media technologies people often encounter. The digital divide present within many churches went unnoticed in most congregations before the pandemic but was quickly revealed when churches attempted to move their services online. This Tech Trend paper describes how these classic disparities were manifest in churches and their impact on doing church line. Also, besides complaints about lacking digital resources, church leaders often voiced a more intangible element of personal reluctance towards digital technology. This is the third paper in a series of Tech Trend papers exploring finding from the “Tech in Churches During Covid-19” project funded by the Lilly Endowment. Each paper explores key research findings related to how churches in the American Mid-west experienced the digital transition from traditional to online worship necessitated by the conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Research Interests:
Jordan, Mandy M. Building Resiliency: The Role of Faith-Based Organizations in the Trauma-Affected Community of Santa Fe, Texas. Master of Science (Applied Anthropology), August 2021, 205 pp., 2 tables, 15 figures, 8 appendices,... more
Jordan, Mandy M. Building Resiliency: The Role of Faith-Based Organizations in the Trauma-Affected Community of Santa Fe, Texas. Master of Science (Applied Anthropology), August 2021, 205 pp., 2 tables, 15 figures, 8 appendices, references, 91 titles. On May 18, 2018, a shooter entered Santa Fe High School, killing eight students and two teachers. Using ethnographic methods, this research examines the role of faith, rituals, language, and symbols in the trauma-affected community during the response, recovery, and resiliency efforts as perceived by the Santa Fe community and those impacted by the tragedy. Qualitative data collected from 100 individuals ages of 17-84 illustrated how historical trauma, community culture, and faith-based organizations impact community resiliency and how illusions of a homogenous view of the community left many feeling shocked, divided, forgotten or muted.