ACU Dallas Applied
Research
Center

Main Content

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.

Laura Escobar

DNP Project Award Recipient

Dr. Laura Ecobar, a recent graduate of the DNP program, was selected as the recipient of the May 2026 DNP Project Award. Her dissertation, “Leader Rounding for Outcomes to Improve Employee Retention,” was supervised by Chair, Dr. Christina Ryan.

Tanya Tucker

Outstanding Dissertation Award Recipient

Dr. Tanya Tucker, a recent graduate of the EdD in Organizational Leadership program, was selected as the recipient of the May 2026 Outstanding Dissertation Award. Her dissertation, “Leading the Charge: A Qualitative Descriptive Study Exploring How Public Middle School Principals Perceive and Enact Their Role as Advocates for School-Based Mental Health,” was supervised by Chair, Dr. Jeff Cranmore.

James Thomas

Research Development Academy Cohort Member

Dr. James Thomas, director of the Online Criminal Justice Program, has been accepted into the inaugural cohort of ACU’s 2026-2027 Research Development Academy. This academy is a 9-month professional development program designed to support faculty who are developing their research, scholarship and creative activity agendas.

Sara Salkil

Research Catalyst Award Recipient

Dr. Sara Salkil, director of the Online Marriage and Family Therapy Program, was granted the Research Catalyst Award by the ACU Office of Research and Special Programs. This grant provides financial support for faculty to pursue scholarly research or creative activity over the summer.

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.