Education (Colleges & Universities)
Here's a look at documents from public, private and community colleges in the U.S.
Featured Stories
University of Baltimore: CCJR Convenes Regional Advocates Ahead of Maryland's 2026 Legislative Session
BALTIMORE, Maryland, Jan. 10 -- The University of Baltimore issued the following news:
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CCJR Convenes Regional Advocates Ahead of Maryland's 2026 Legislative Session
The Center for Criminal Justice Reform (CCJR) at the University of Baltimore School of Law brought together partners from across the DMV for its 3rd Annual Criminal Legal Reform Advocates' Retreat, convening more than 200 advocates, organizers, researchers, policy experts, and students to prepare for Maryland's upcoming legislative session.
The retreat served as a space to deepen relationships, strengthen regional collaboration,
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BALTIMORE, Maryland, Jan. 10 -- The University of Baltimore issued the following news:
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CCJR Convenes Regional Advocates Ahead of Maryland's 2026 Legislative Session
The Center for Criminal Justice Reform (CCJR) at the University of Baltimore School of Law brought together partners from across the DMV for its 3rd Annual Criminal Legal Reform Advocates' Retreat, convening more than 200 advocates, organizers, researchers, policy experts, and students to prepare for Maryland's upcoming legislative session.
The retreat served as a space to deepen relationships, strengthen regional collaboration,and align strategies to advance community-driven, evidence-based criminal legal reform. Participants engaged in robust discussions on the narratives shaping public safety, the impact of the national political landscape on reform efforts in Maryland, and anticipated priority bills and defensive fights for the 2026 legislative session, which begins in January 14.
Directly impacted leaders played a central role throughout the day, grounding conversations in lived experience and reinforcing CCJR's commitment to centering communities most affected by the criminal legal system. The dialogue was both candid and forward-looking, generating new ideas and partnerships aimed at addressing harm, inequity, and barriers to safety across the state.
The retreat reflected CCJR's mission to support community-led solutions that promote accountability, equity, and safety through research, policy development, and advocacy. As Maryland prepares for the 2026 legislative session, CCJR and its partners are focused on translating collective knowledge and collaboration into meaningful change in Annapolis.
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Original text here: https://www.ubalt.edu/about/newsroom/ccjr-convenes-regional-advocates-ahead-of-marylands-2026-legislative-session2.cfm
Texas A&M University College of Engineering: An Aggie's Legacy in Aerospace
COLLEGE STATION, Texas, Jan. 10 -- The Texas A&M University College of Engineering issued the following news:
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An Aggie's legacy in aerospace
From rural Colorado to the forefront of aerospace engineering, Merri J. Sanchez '85 broke barriers at NASA and now hopes to help future engineers reach for the stars.
By Kamryn Chapman
Merri J. Sanchez '85 has built a storied career in aerospace engineering, inspired by her childhood fascination with space. After earning multiple degrees and serving nearly three decades with NASA, and as the Chief Scientist for Air Force Space Command, she continues
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COLLEGE STATION, Texas, Jan. 10 -- The Texas A&M University College of Engineering issued the following news:
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An Aggie's legacy in aerospace
From rural Colorado to the forefront of aerospace engineering, Merri J. Sanchez '85 broke barriers at NASA and now hopes to help future engineers reach for the stars.
By Kamryn Chapman
Merri J. Sanchez '85 has built a storied career in aerospace engineering, inspired by her childhood fascination with space. After earning multiple degrees and serving nearly three decades with NASA, and as the Chief Scientist for Air Force Space Command, she continuesto contribute to the industry as a Technical Fellow at The Aerospace Corporation. Dedicated to giving back, she established the Merri J. Sanchez '85 Endowed Scholarship at Texas A&M University to support future aerospace engineers.
From Colorado to College Station
Merri grew up in rural Colorado with aspirations of becoming an aerospace engineer. Inspired by the Apollo 11 launch, she was captivated by space exploration and knew she wanted to be part of the industry. After meeting a family friend, she discovered how she could turn her dreams into reality.
Merri's parents owned a rock shop in Colorado and became friends with the late Frank Hubert, former chancellor of Texas A&M. This friendship helped Merri discover the unique opportunities Aggieland had to offer. After admission, she was awarded the President's Achievement Scholarship and majored in aerospace engineering.
The scholarship played a crucial role in her academic career, allowing Merri to lay the foundation of a childhood dream. During college, she became a member and officer of the Texas A&M American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) student branch.
"This organization gave me the opportunity to get to know and work with other students in my major," Sanchez said. "My involvement led to a lifetime membership in AIAA, where I served in local, regional and national level positions, including vice president."
Reaching for the stars
After graduating from Texas A&M with her bachelor's degree, Merri attended the University of Houston, where she earned a master's in mechanical engineering, as well as planetary geology. She would later earn her Ph.D. in industrial engineering.
While pursuing higher education, Merri worked her way up within NASA, starting as a vehicle integration test engineer and ending her 28-year career as liaison to the U.S. Air Force Space Command, U.S. Strategic Command, U.S. Northern Command and the North American Aerospace Defense Command.
Since leaving NASA, Merri has worked for several companies within the space industry, including U.S. Air Force Space Command. She currently serves as a Technical Fellow at The Aerospace Corporation.
She has received numerous awards and medals from government, industry and Texas A&M, including the Colorado Space Heroes Hall of Fame honoree in 2018 and the Texas A&M College of Engineering Outstanding Alumni Honor Award in 2016.
Staying grounded
After years of achievement and adventure, Merri chose to benefit the institution that launched her journey.
"From the moment I graduated, I wanted to give back to the university," Sanchez said. "I have provided gifts to the Texas A&M Foundation, College of Engineering and, most especially, the Department of Aerospace Engineering."
She has stayed connected to Texas A&M Engineering, serving for years as a member and chair of the Department of Aerospace Engineering External Advisory Board, member and vice chair of the TEES Advisory Board, and member of the College of Engineering External Advisory Council.
Now, Merri hopes to make a difference in a student's ability to attend Texas A&M and complete a degree in aerospace engineering. Through the endowment, her legacy will support countless students looking to follow in her path.
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How to Give
Endowments supporting the students in the college have an immeasurable impact on their education. If you are interested in supporting the College of Engineering and its departments, or would like more information on how you can give, please contact one of our development officers.
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Original text here: https://engineering.tamu.edu/news/2026/01/an-aggies-legacy-in-aerospace.html
Eastern's Nursing 'Sim Labs' Fully Equipped Thanks to CHEFA Grant
WILLIMANTIC, Connecticut, Jan. 10 -- Eastern Connecticut State University issued the following news:
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Eastern's nursing 'sim labs' fully equipped thanks to CHEFA grant
By Noel Teter and Michael Rouleau
Eastern Connecticut State University's Department of Health Sciences and Nursing was awarded a $75,000 grant from the Connecticut Health and Educational Facilities Authority (CHEFA) to benefit the University's nursing program. The grant will be used to purchase new simulation equipment for Eastern's three on-campus simulation labs, which prepare nursing students for real-world clinical
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WILLIMANTIC, Connecticut, Jan. 10 -- Eastern Connecticut State University issued the following news:
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Eastern's nursing 'sim labs' fully equipped thanks to CHEFA grant
By Noel Teter and Michael Rouleau
Eastern Connecticut State University's Department of Health Sciences and Nursing was awarded a $75,000 grant from the Connecticut Health and Educational Facilities Authority (CHEFA) to benefit the University's nursing program. The grant will be used to purchase new simulation equipment for Eastern's three on-campus simulation labs, which prepare nursing students for real-world clinicalscenarios.
Purchased equipment includes a medication administration cabinet, two specialized hospital beds, a hospital linen shelf, and multiple anatomical "task trainers" for dressing wounds, catheterization, and central venous procedures.
Speaking of the "med cabinet," Christina Nadeau, director of nursing clinical education, said that safe medication administration is a key area addressed by the CHEFA grant. "The one piece of equipment I really wanted for the sim lab was a medication administration cabinet," she said, noting that they are uncommon in simulation labs due to their high cost.
"Students are going to be able to pull medications, scan their barcodes, and safely administer them exactly as they would in the clinical setting," said Nadeau. "This equipment makes our program stand out and gives our students an advantage."
The grant also enabled the purchase of two new hospital beds for the on-campus sim labs, similar to the high-tech industry-standard beds in Eastern's off-campus sim lab at Windham Hospital.
Nadeau explained: "We needed to mimic in the real-world setting, which are highly specialized, made to reduce pressure injuries. It may sound simple to operate a bed, but these beds are very computerized."
Having spent most of her career in clinical settings, Nadeau has seen firsthand the negative consequences of not knowing how to operate a modern hospital bed: "You wouldn't believe how many times I've been in the clinical space and the patient has fallen and sustained serious injury because the healthcare worker thought they set the bed alarm, but they didn't do it properly."
Additional safety training, which the grant helps to enable, also stands to benefit hospitals, according to Nadeau. "If a patient develops an injury or infection that the health insurer determines was hospital-acquired, Medicare and other health insurers will not reimburse any cost of the care associated with the injury or infection," she said.
"The hospital has to pay for all of that, so it's all connected to patient safety and satisfaction, and the solution has to start with nursing programs."
Eastern's nursing program was created with funding from the CT Health Horizons Initiative and with an innovative academic-clinical partnership with Hartford HealthCare to address the nursing shortage in Connecticut, particularly in Windham County. Among the fastest-growing programs on campus, Eastern has 122 nursing students across its first three cohorts, with an expected 75 new students in fall 2026 - the program's cap per cohort.
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Eastern Connecticut State University is the state of Connecticut's public liberal arts university, serving upwards of 4,000 students annually on its Willimantic campus. A residential campus offering 41 majors and 68 minors, Eastern offers students a strong liberal arts foundation grounded in a variety of applied learning opportunities. Ranked among the top 25 public institutions in the North by U.S. News & World Report in its 2025-26 Best Colleges ratings, Eastern has also been awarded 'Green Campus' status by the Princeton Review 15 years in a row. For more information, visit www.easternct.edu.
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Original text here: https://easternct.meritpages.com/news/eastern-s-nursing--sim-labs--fully-equipped-thanks-to-chefa-grant-/56692
Cornell College of Agriculture & Life Sciences: AI Improves Flood Projections Under Climate Change
ITHACA, New York, Jan. 10 -- The Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences issued the following news:
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AI improves flood projections under climate change
By Krisy Gashler, College of Agrulculture and Life Sciences
When engineers and planners design roads, bridges and dams, they rely on hydrological models intended to protect infrastructure and communities from 50- and 100-year floods. But as climate change increases the frequency and severity of floods, existing models are becoming less and less reliable, new Cornell research finds.
To combat this uncertainty, physics-based
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ITHACA, New York, Jan. 10 -- The Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences issued the following news:
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AI improves flood projections under climate change
By Krisy Gashler, College of Agrulculture and Life Sciences
When engineers and planners design roads, bridges and dams, they rely on hydrological models intended to protect infrastructure and communities from 50- and 100-year floods. But as climate change increases the frequency and severity of floods, existing models are becoming less and less reliable, new Cornell research finds.
To combat this uncertainty, physics-basedmodels should be supplemented with AI hydrological models, and creating regional flooding estimates, rather than relying on site-specific estimates, according to the study, publishing in the January 2026 issue of the Journal of Hydrology.
"Models are simplified representations of the real world, so we validate them against past observations to ensure they work well under historical conditions," said first author Sandeep Poudel, a doctoral student in the lab of Scott Steinschneider, associate professor of biological and environmental engineering. "However, climate change is making droughts and floods more frequent and severe. This means the future won't look like the past, which leads to a crucial question: How much should we trust our models that were validated on historical data to make projections for the future? And which models are better suited for long-term water infrastructure planning?"
To answer those questions, the researchers first developed a "virtual hydrolab" experiment, composed of 1,000 years worth of synthetic data based on current and future climate conditions. This data included extreme events like floods and droughts, and daily values of climate and hydrologic conditions including air temperature, precipitation, soil moisture, evaporation and runoff. Then they tested six flood-prediction models against their virtual dataset to see which would come closest to predicting important outcomes, under both present and future conditions.
The models fit into three categories: traditional models that rely on physical equations about hydrological processes; AI-based models that take in all of that data and make predictions based on learned input and output relationships; and a hybrid model combining the traditional and AI models. They found that while there were very large uncertainties among all the models tested, the AI model performed best.
Steinschneider warned that overperformance by the AI model in this one, virtual case study should not be taken as a reason to throw out physics-based models, but rather to continue studying and refining both types of models.
"Rather than assuming we can precisely predict how floods will change in every watershed, we should acknowledge the limits of our models and look for patterns that persist across larger regions," he said. "That broader perspective gives planners a much more reliable guide for preparing infrastructure and protecting communities in a warming climate."
Regional predictions were significantly more stable than site-specific predictions, the researchers found. Making flood change projections at multiple river basins, then aggregating those projections and averaging them, created more robust and accurate findings.
But the most troubling finding, they said, was the models' unreliability in predicting flooding under climate change conditions.
"This is concerning because these are the models and hydrologic data that we commonly use today to make decisions about how to design bridges, roads and water infrastructure into the future - and they are not good enough," Poudel said.
Nasser Najibi, formerly a postdoctoral researcher in Steinschneider's lab and now an assistant professor at the University of Florida, is a co-author. The research was supported by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs.
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Krisy Gashler is a writer for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
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Original text here: https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2026/01/ai-improves-flood-projections-under-climate-change
Cal. State-San Bernardino Issues Faculty In the News Wrap Up for Jan. 8, 2026
SAN BERNARDINO, California, Jan. 10 -- California State University San Bernardino campus issued the following Faculty In the News wrap up:
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Eric Vogelsang (sociology) was interviewed for an article about healthy aging and Stuart Sumida (biology) was interviewed about his work with artists and animators.
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How small habits shape a longer, healthier life (https://www.palmspringslife.com/wellness/how-small-habits-shape-a-longer-healthier-life/)
Palm Springs Life
Jan 6, 2026
Eric Vogelsang, professor of sociology and director of the Center on Aging at California State University, San
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SAN BERNARDINO, California, Jan. 10 -- California State University San Bernardino campus issued the following Faculty In the News wrap up:
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Eric Vogelsang (sociology) was interviewed for an article about healthy aging and Stuart Sumida (biology) was interviewed about his work with artists and animators.
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How small habits shape a longer, healthier life (https://www.palmspringslife.com/wellness/how-small-habits-shape-a-longer-healthier-life/)
Palm Springs Life
Jan 6, 2026
Eric Vogelsang, professor of sociology and director of the Center on Aging at California State University, SanBernardino, was interviewed for an article about healthy aging and maintaining quality of life as one gets older. For Vogelsang, social connection is an essential -- and often overlooked -- pillar of longevity.
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CSUSB's Stuart Sumida discusses work at game developers conference in Norway (https://youtu.be/sGFdlb1CFRw?si=4kHvVQbuTBIetAuZ)
NerdyNorwegian/YouTube
Jan. 6, 2026
Stuart Sumida (biology) was interviewed about his work with artists and animators in the film and gaming industry. He attended Konsoll 2025, an annual two-day event held in November in Bergen, Norway, that brought together game developers from all over Norway and abroad to listen to world-class speakers such as Sumida.
This new clip and others may be viewed at "In the Headlines."
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Original text here: https://www.csusb.edu/inside/article/593645/faculty-news-jan-8
Altoona Professor Speaks at Eastern American Philosophical Association
ALTOONA, Pennsylvania, Jan. 10 (TNSjou) -- Pennsylvania State University at Altoona issued the following news:
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Altoona professor speaks at Eastern American Philosophical Association
Brian Onishi, associate professor of philosophy at Penn State Altoona, was an invited speaker for a session at the annual meeting of the Eastern American Philosophical Association held this week in Baltimore.
The session was sponsored by the "Journal for the Philosophy of Emotions" (JPE) and focused on Onishi's 2023 monograph, "Weird Wonder in Merleau-Ponty, Object-Oriented Ontology, and New Materialism."
A
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ALTOONA, Pennsylvania, Jan. 10 (TNSjou) -- Pennsylvania State University at Altoona issued the following news:
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Altoona professor speaks at Eastern American Philosophical Association
Brian Onishi, associate professor of philosophy at Penn State Altoona, was an invited speaker for a session at the annual meeting of the Eastern American Philosophical Association held this week in Baltimore.
The session was sponsored by the "Journal for the Philosophy of Emotions" (JPE) and focused on Onishi's 2023 monograph, "Weird Wonder in Merleau-Ponty, Object-Oriented Ontology, and New Materialism."
Adiscussion of the monograph will be published in JPE later this year.
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Original text here: https://altoona.psu.edu/story/79911/2026/01/09/altoona-professor-speaks-eastern-american-philosophical-association
AU's MLK Legacy Week Jan. 18-23 Includes Service, Conversation, Fellowship and More
ASHLAND, Ohio, Jan. 10 -- Ashland University issued the following news:
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AU's MLK Legacy Week Jan. 18-23 includes service, conversation, fellowship and more
Ashland University is holding a Martin Luther King Jr. Legacy Week from Jan. 18-23, a week full of events bringing students, faculty, staff and the Ashland community together for service, conversation and fellowship while commemorating the American civil rights leader. Staff from AU's Center for CommUNITY and Belonging are coordinating the celebration.
AU's MLK Legacy Week begins with a special worship service with Five Stones Community
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ASHLAND, Ohio, Jan. 10 -- Ashland University issued the following news:
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AU's MLK Legacy Week Jan. 18-23 includes service, conversation, fellowship and more
Ashland University is holding a Martin Luther King Jr. Legacy Week from Jan. 18-23, a week full of events bringing students, faculty, staff and the Ashland community together for service, conversation and fellowship while commemorating the American civil rights leader. Staff from AU's Center for CommUNITY and Belonging are coordinating the celebration.
AU's MLK Legacy Week begins with a special worship service with Five Stones CommunityChurch on Sunday, Jan. 18, Jack and Deb Miller Chapel, at 10:30 a.m.
On MLK Day, Monday, Jan. 19, AU students have the opportunity to volunteer with a number of community partners from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. The student-led organization AU GIVS (Ashland University Gets Involved with Volunteer Service) is coordinating the day's service activities, and students can sign up to help here (https://ashland.campuslabs.com/engage/event/11955377).
That evening will feature a virtual panel discussion on the life and legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr., featuring current and former Ashland Theological Seminary (ATS) faculty William Myers, Ph.D., Marvin McMickle, Ph.D., and Otis Moss, Ph.D. Myers is currently a professor of New Testament and Black Church studies at ATS, with a special interest in Pauline studies, and also serves as a pastor at New Mount Zion Baptist Church in Cleveland. McMickle is an ATS professor emeritus in homiletics, the author of 18 books and a member of the Martin Luther King, Jr. International Board of Preachers at Morehouse College. Moss, who enjoyed a personal relationship with King, has a distinguished career as an advocate for the achievement of education, civil and human rights and social justice issues that includes 33 years as pastor of Olivet Institutional Baptist Church in Cleveland and a spot on the International Civil Rights Walk of Fame in Atlanta. Those interested in joining the ATS Legacy Panel can RSVP here (https://ashland.campuslabs.com/engage/event/11981170).
On Tuesday, Jan. 20, the AU Office of Christian Ministry and Fellowship of Christian Athletes will host a Gospel Night, an evening of reflection, joy, worship and song. The event will take place at Jack and Deb Miller Chapel at 9 p.m.
On Wednesday, Jan. 21, at noon, there will be a table talk on King's legacy using one of his writings. This event, to be held in the ABCD conference rooms at Hawkins-Conard Student Center, is being organized by Ashland Center for Nonviolence and the AU Department of Religion.
On Thursday, Jan. 22, AU GIVS and the Department of Recreation & Wellness are co-hosting a blood drive from noon-4 p.m. at Redwood Hall.
On Friday night, Jan. 23, a Culture Fest is being planned at Redwood Hall from 7-9 p.m. The open house style event will include games, music and an opportunity to learn about other cultures and student organizations on campus, such as Black Student Alliance, Eagles for Pride, International Student Services, Unidad and Women of Excellence.
For more information, contact Alex Hill, director of the Center for CommUNITY and Belonging, at ahill13@ashland.edu or 419-207-6325.
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Original text here: https://www.ashland.edu/news/aus-mlk-legacy-week-jan-18-23-includes-service-conversation-fellowship-and-more
