ACU Dallas Applied Research Center

About the ARC

The mission of the ACU Dallas Applied Research Center (ARC) is to equip students and faculty to engage in meaningful and quality research in service to local and global communities that examines real-world challenges and informs the development of innovative solutions. To this end, the ARC: 

  • Provides student and faculty training and resources that enhance research knowledge and skills;
  • Provides seed funding for faculty research and facilitates faculty pursuit of external research funding;
  • Provides student research fellowship opportunities; 
  • Provides opportunities to feature student and faculty research through an annual conference, annual research excellence awards, and publications;
  • Cultivates opportunities for student-faculty research collaborations;  
  • Facilitates opportunities for multidisciplinary research efforts among faculty; and
  • Facilitates research partnerships with community-based organizations.

The work of the ARC can be viewed through the biblical story of Noah’s Ark. Noah’s Ark was a vessel of salvation, preserving life and ushering in a new era of hope and renewal (Genesis 6:14-22). Similarly, “The ARC” can symbolize a space where knowledge, ideas, and solutions are safeguarded and cultivated for the betterment of humanity, ensuring progress and resilience in an ever-changing world. We welcome you to join us on this journey of advancing knowledge toward transformative discoveries while honoring our faith, purpose, and sense of collective belonging.

In the Spotlight

ACU Dallas faculty, staff and students:  We would love to spotlight your research and other scholarship activities. This includes recent publications and conference presentations, research projects underway, appointments to professional association committees/boards, and external grants awarded. You can forward all spotlight submissions to arc@acu.edu.

Lindsey Hawkins

Seed Grant Recipient:
Dr. Lindsey Hawkins

Dr. Lindsey Hawkins was awarded a 2-year grant in the amount of $10,000 to support preliminary research described in her proposal titled “Living Gluten-Free Together: The Impact of Celiac Disease on Romantic Relationships and Leisure Activities.” These funds will help best position Dr. Hawkins to submit a competitive external funding application at the end of the grant period.

Ashlee Moore

Excellence in Research Award Recipient: Ashlee Moore

Ashlee Moore, DNP Student, was recently awarded with the Excellence in Research Award. Ashlee demonstrated exemplary performance in carrying out her doctoral research, titled “Post-Operative Venous Thromboembolism Prevention in Orthopedic Trauma Patients.” Under the supervision of her Chair, Dr. Coleen Koob, Ashlee implemented a clinical decisions support alert for orthopedic trauma patients for surgeons to assess patients for the potential to be prescribed venous thromboembolism prevention (DVT) in the patient population.

Twyla Williams

Williams Recently Presented at the Education Law Association Conference

Dr. Twyla Williams presented at the Education Law Association Annual Conference held on
October 21-24, 2026, in Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina. The title of her presentation was “From Paddling to Precedent: A Decade-Pater Legal and Demographic Reassessment of Corporal Punishment in Mississippi Public Schools.”

Tapestry: Journal of Research in Education

Tapestry: Journal of Research in Education is an open-access, academic journal dedicated to publishing empirical research, literature reviews, and evaluations of practices and policies that support efforts of PK-12 and postsecondary education. This peer-reviewed journal serves as a forum for researchers and practitioners to sustain a critical engagement with research in education. For additional information about the aims and scope of the journal, the call for manuscripts, and to access published articles by issue, check out the Tapestry Journal website.