Education (Colleges & Universities)
Here's a look at documents from public, private and community colleges in the U.S.
Featured Stories
Understanding Earth to Protect Its Future
NEW YORK, April 22 -- The City University of New York Graduate Center posted the following news:
* * *
Understanding Earth to Protect Its Future
*
To mark Earth Day, we highlight recent work by Graduate Center researchers to address environmental challenges. From clean energy and ocean science to urban wildlife, their research advances understanding and informs policy.
Professor Gang He (GC/Baruch College, Earth and Environmental Sciences /Public Affairs) won a $750,000 grant from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation to examine how policies and markets shape the manufacturing of clean energy and
... Show Full Article
NEW YORK, April 22 -- The City University of New York Graduate Center posted the following news:
* * *
Understanding Earth to Protect Its Future
*
To mark Earth Day, we highlight recent work by Graduate Center researchers to address environmental challenges. From clean energy and ocean science to urban wildlife, their research advances understanding and informs policy.
Professor Gang He (GC/Baruch College, Earth and Environmental Sciences /Public Affairs) won a $750,000 grant from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation to examine how policies and markets shape the manufacturing of clean energy andthe impacts on emissions in the U.S. In another major accomplishment, He co-authored a study showing that imported solar panels prevented nearly 600 premature deaths and delivered $28 billion in climate and health benefits to the U.S.
Third-year Biology Ph.D. student and bird lover Taylor Rubin, who has been studying animals for more than a decade, won a 2026 Katherine S. McCarter Graduate Student Policy Award from the Ecological Society of America for her advocacy related to science policy.
Distinguished Professor Ashley Dawson (GC/College of Staten Island, English ) joined The Thought Project podcast to discuss his ongoing residency at the Center for Architecture Lab in New York City, exploring the energy infrastructure of urban environments and their implications for social justice.
In Oceanography: An Interdisciplinary Approach, her forthcoming e-book, Professor Gillian Stewart (GC/Queens College, Earth and Environmental Sciences) explores the fundamentals of ocean science in a vivid interactive format organized around climate change.
Erin Friedman (Ph.D. '21, Earth and Environmental Sciences ), a research assistant professor at Hunter College and a scientist for the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Special Report on Cities, discussed her research, her professional journey, and her advice for aspiring scholars.
In a journal cover story, Professors Charles J. Vorosmarty and Patrizia Casaccia, and Distinguished Professor Kevin Gardner, all based at the Advanced Science Research Center at the CUNY Graduate Center (CUNY ASRC), unveiled a climate biostress model and sentinel to measure how climate change is affecting life across the planet.
The greater earless lizard may be a complex of multiple distinct species, according to a study by Professor Christopher Blair (GC/City Tech, Biology) -a discovery that can help protect vulnerable populations.
In a finding with potential implications for environmental health policy and clinical practice, the urban heat dome may be programming behavioral problems in children before birth, with long-term developmental consequences, according to a study co-authored by Distinguished Professor Yoko Nomura (GC/Queens College, Psychology, Neuroscience, Cognitive Neuroscience ) and Psychology Ph.D. student Sameera Ramjan.
A flood-monitoring system, co-led by Graduate Center scientists, that tracks water levels in flood-prone areas of New York City has become a model for projects in Brazil and Puerto Rico, where climate change has brought intense storms, violent hurricanes, and severe flooding.
Elephants that live near farms are more curious about new objects than their deep-forest counterparts, behavior that could be a key to helping people and elephants get along, according to a finding by CUNY Graduate Center alumna Sarah Jacobson (Ph.D. '24, Psychology).
Urban conservationist and birder Jesse McLaughlin, a Ph.D. student on the Environmental Psychology track within the Earth and Environmental Sciences Ph.D. program, discussed his passion for preserving urban wildlife and how a doctorate is helping him do it.
In an episode of The Thought Project podcast, Professor Elizabeth Wissinger (GC/BMCC, Liberal Studies ) asks whether bio-based materials such as mushroom leather can offer a real alternative to synthetic fabrics and the wear-once, throwaway habits of fast fashion.
Published by the Office of Communications and Marketing
***
Original text here: https://www.gc.cuny.edu/news/understanding-earth-protect-its-future
UMKC Launches Research and Innovation Excellence Awards
KANSAS CITY, Missouri, April 22 -- The University of Missouri Kansas City campus issued the following news:
* * *
UMKC Launches Research and Innovation Excellence Awards
Inaugural event honors faculty impact across all disciplines
*
The University of Missouri-Kansas City formally introduced a new campus tradition with the inaugural Research and Innovation Excellence Awards, recognizing faculty whose work is advancing discovery, improving lives and shaping the future of the region and beyond.
Held at the InterContinental Kansas City at the Plaza, the evening brought together faculty, university
... Show Full Article
KANSAS CITY, Missouri, April 22 -- The University of Missouri Kansas City campus issued the following news:
* * *
UMKC Launches Research and Innovation Excellence Awards
Inaugural event honors faculty impact across all disciplines
*
The University of Missouri-Kansas City formally introduced a new campus tradition with the inaugural Research and Innovation Excellence Awards, recognizing faculty whose work is advancing discovery, improving lives and shaping the future of the region and beyond.
Held at the InterContinental Kansas City at the Plaza, the evening brought together faculty, universityleaders, partners and community members to celebrate the depth and momentum of UMKC's research enterprise, momentum that recently culminated in the university's designation as a Carnegie Research 1 institution.
"This evening is about making that work visible and celebrating the people behind it," said Sumeet Dua, vice chancellor for Research and Innovation. "Behind every grant, every discovery, every publication and every partnership, there are people. Faculty who bring curiosity, persistence and creativity to their work every single day."
University leadership framed the event not only as a celebration, but as a signal of UMKC's trajectory.
"One of the great privileges of serving as provost is having a front-row seat to the incredible breadth of scholarship happening across this university," said Provost Jenny Lundgren. "That connection between scholarship and student learning is one of the defining characteristics of a great research university."
Chancellor Mauli Agrawal emphasized the broad impact of faculty work.
"Universities are built on ideas," Agrawal said. "But what truly defines a great university is the people who pursue those ideas--with persistence, creativity and a willingness to take risks. Their discoveries are advancing fields, their innovations are creating solutions and their scholarship continues to elevate UMKC's national and international reputation."
Recognizing Excellence Across Research, Innovation and Impact
The awards highlighted faculty at every stage of their careers and across disciplines, reflecting the full scope of UMKC's research mission.
Research Catalyst Award
This award celebrates faculty who secure their first major external research grant as a principal investigator at UMKC. Crucially, it looks beyond federal funding to recognize support from the full spectrum of sponsors. Recognition also includes a $1,500 monetary award.
RaeAnn Anderson, assistant professor, nursing and health studies
Recognized for securing her first major external grant, Anderson received nearly $2 million from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality to study how survivors of sexual violence move from screening to care.
Her work addresses a critical gap in support systems, focusing on how to ensure survivors are not only identified, but meaningfully supported through recovery.
Chancellor's Award for Transformative Research Leadership
This is the premier honor celebrating the remarkable leadership, strategic vision and collaborative mastery required to assemble and lead a winning team for a large, complex and often interdisciplinary research grant. Recognition also includes a $2,500 monetary award.
Dianne Mutti-Burke, history professor Mutti-Burke was honored for securing two Andrew W. Mellon Foundation grants totaling $9 million, work that exemplifies large-scale, interdisciplinary leadership.
Her initiatives include:
* A $5 million paid internship program placing more than 180 students in community-based roles
* The Kansas City Monuments Coalition, a $4 million effort to reimagine public history through inclusive storytelling
Together, these efforts expand workforce pathways, strengthen community partnerships and redefine how institutions engage with public history.
Innovation and Societal Impact Award
This award is an honor focused on real-world results. It recognizes faculty whose research moves from the lab to the community, creating tangible social or economic benefits that embody UMKC's mission as an urban-serving university. Recognition also includes a $1,500 monetary award.
Peter Koulen, Felix and Carmen Sabates Missouri Endowed Chair in Vision Research and professor of ophthalmology and biomedical sciences
Koulen's research bridges discovery and application, particularly in vision science and regenerative medicine.
His work includes:
* Advanced cryopreservation technologies for cells and tissues
* Innovations improving corneal transplantation access
* Microperimetry-based approaches for early detection of Alzheimer's disease
His research reflects a commitment to ensuring scientific breakthroughs translate into real-world care and improved patient outcomes.
N.T. Veatch Award for Community Impact
This prestigious award honors a faculty member whose distinguished research, scholarly or creative work has been successfully translated into a tangible and positive impact on the community. Recognition also includes a $3,500 monetary award.
Mei-Ling Shyu, professor of electrical and computer engineering
Shyu's work applies artificial intelligence and advanced data analytics to real-world challenges in healthcare, environmental systems and public health.
Her innovations include:
* AI-driven models to improve glaucoma testing efficiency and accuracy
* Technologies that translate complex data into usable tools for practitioners
With more than 300 publications, her research demonstrates both scale and direct community impact.
Trustees' Faculty Scholar Award (STEM)
This award serves as the university's premier "Rising Star" recognition, honoring early-career faculty who show exceptional promise and are on a clear trajectory toward becoming leaders in their fields of research, scholarship or creative work. Recognition also includes a $2,500 monetary award.
Hichem Guerboukha, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering
A rising leader in wireless communication, Guerboukha's work focuses on terahertz technologies for 6G connectivity and medical imaging.
His research includes:
* "Airy beams" that bend around obstacles to improve signal reliability
* "Wavefront hopping" to enhance wireless security
In just a few years, he has secured nearly $3 million in funding and established a growing global research network.
Trustees' Faculty Scholar Award (Non-STEM)
This award serves as the university's premier "Rising Star" recognition, honoring early-career faculty who show exceptional promise and are on a clear trajectory toward becoming leaders in their fields of research, scholarship or creative work. Recognition also includes a $2,500 monetary award.
Elizabeth Neilson, assistant professor, education and social sciences
Neilson's research explores the intersections of sexual violence, substance use and reproductive health.
Her work:
* Examines real-time decision-making and risk factors
* Informs prevention and intervention strategies
* Focuses on populations most at risk
With more than 40 peer-reviewed publications, she is already shaping the direction of her field.
Trustees' Faculty Fellowship Award
As the university's honor for a senior faculty member, this award recognizes an established scholar whose sustained body of work has earned significant international recognition and impact. It celebrates the pinnacle of a research career and acknowledges those who elevate UMKC's profile on the world stage. Recognition also includes a $7,500 monetary award.
Ted White, Marion Merrell Dow Endowed Professor of Biological and Biomedical Engineering
An internationally recognized leader in microbial pathogenesis and antifungal drug resistance, White has nearly 20,000 citations.
His work includes:
* Sequencing fungi responsible for common infections like athlete's foot
* Advancing understanding of drug resistance
* Contributing to global health strategies
His research has helped define the field while influencing treatment and drug development worldwide.
From Discovery to Application: Innovation Awards
The ceremony also highlighted faculty translating research into real-world applications. Recognition for each also includes a $1,500 monentary award.
Patent Innovation Award Recipients
* Anthony Caruso, vice chancellor for strategic initiatives and Alexander Usenko, research professor. One patent introduces an advanced diode design, along with a corresponding fabrication method. The innovation focuses on improving device performance and manufacturing efficiency, contributing to more reliable and scalable semiconductor technologies for electronic and optoelectronic application. The other patent presents a novel diode stack architecture and its manufacturing process. This technology enables enhanced integration and performance of layered semiconductor devices, supporting advancements in high-efficiency electronics and next-generation device engineering.
* Kun Cheng, Sperry Family Fund Endowed Chair and Curators' Distinguished Professor of pharmacy. This patent, awarded to Cheng and his previous graduate students, covers the identification and development of novel PD-L1 peptides designed to enhance cancer immunotherapy strategies. By targeting immune checkpoint pathways, these peptides have the potential to improve the body's immune response against tumors, offering promising applications in next-generation cancer treatments.
Inventor's Achievement Award
* Stefan Lohfeld, associate professor of oral and craniofacial sciences and Bart Patenaude, associate medical professor -- minimally invasive tympanostomy tube technology, licensed to a startup advancing toward commercialization
Closing the evening, Dua reinforced that the awards are only the beginning of a larger vision.
"This is our first Research and Innovation Excellence Awards ceremony -- and it's just the beginning," Dua said. "While our R1 designation is a historic milestone, the real story is the relentless curiosity and collaborative energy that will define our next chapter of discovery."
-- Story by: Stacy Downs, Strategic Marketing and Communications
* * *
Original text here: https://www.umkc.edu/news/posts/2026/april/umkc-launches-research-and-innovation-excellence-awards.html
UCL Hosts International Neuroscience Symposium
LONDON, England, April 22 -- The University College London posted the following news:
* * *
UCL hosts international neuroscience symposium
Researchers based in the UK and in China gathered in London last week for the 'UCL200: UCL and Modern Chinese Neuroscience Symposium', celebrating UCL's leading role in neuroscience and its historical connection with modern Chinese neurobiology and physiology.
Held on the 16th and 17th of April 2026 at UCL East, the event brought together around 160 people including 80 different speakers, 33 of whom had travelled from Chinese institutions. The meeting formed
... Show Full Article
LONDON, England, April 22 -- The University College London posted the following news:
* * *
UCL hosts international neuroscience symposium
Researchers based in the UK and in China gathered in London last week for the 'UCL200: UCL and Modern Chinese Neuroscience Symposium', celebrating UCL's leading role in neuroscience and its historical connection with modern Chinese neurobiology and physiology.
Held on the 16th and 17th of April 2026 at UCL East, the event brought together around 160 people including 80 different speakers, 33 of whom had travelled from Chinese institutions. The meeting formedpart of UCL's bicentenary celebrations and aimed to showcase research excellence in the field of neuroscience and encourage new partnerships.
Attendees represented UCL, UK partner institutions and universities across China. Sessions covered topics including neurotechnology, memory circuits, the biology of glial cells in the nervous system, the plasticity of myelin in our nerves, sensory processing, neurodegenerative disease and more.
Speakers included leading UCL neuroscientists such as Professor Bill Richardson (UCL Wolfson Institute for Biomedical Research), who gave a talk about oligodendrocytes, cells that forms the myelin sheath (a layer that covers and protects nerve cells) in the brain and spinal cord. Professor Sir John Hardy (UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology) was also in attendance as a keynote speaker and presented his latest work on Alzheimer's disease involving collaborators in China.
Another keynote speaker, Nobel Prize laureate Professor John O'Keefe, joined the programme alongside senior researchers from major Chinese schools such as Professor Shumin Duan from Zhejiang University, Professor Songhai Shi from Tsinghua University and Professor Qingming Luo from Hainan University.
Professor Karen Duff, Centre Director of the UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL, and Professor Yun Wang from Peking University, Chairwoman of Chinese Association for Physiological Sciences, provided brief introductions to their respective institutes and organisations, highlighting opportunities for collaboration.
The organising committee was led by Huiliang Li, Professor of Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience at the UCL Wolfson Institute for Biomedical Research and a member of UCL Neuroscience RIOS Stakeholder Group. He said: "This symposium has demonstrated the depth of shared ambition between researchers at UCL and at partner universities in China. Over two days we have seen outstanding science, but also the beginnings of new partnerships that will shape the future of neuroscience. We look forward to developing and nurturing joint initiatives that were born out of this event."
UCL is one of the world's leading centres for brain research. It is ranked first in Europe for neuroscience and behaviour by Thomson ISI Essential Science Indicators and produces twice as many publications and citations as any other European institution in the field. Nine of UCL's 33 Nobel Prizes have been won for insights into the brain and nervous system.
The symposium was organised to celebrate UCL's longstanding tradition of academic collaboration with East Asia, including China. Notably, Professor Feng Depei--one of the founders of modern Chinese neurobiology and physiology--obtained his PhD from UCL in 1933 under A. V. Hill. He later served as Director of the Institute of Physiology and Biochemistry and Director of the Institute of Physiology, both in Shanghai, and as Vice President of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
Professor Ibrahim Abubakar, UCL's Vice Provost (Health), attended the symposium and gave opening remarks. Following the event, he said: "Brain health is a global priority, and progress depends on connecting fundamental science with clinical impact. This symposium reflects UCL's commitment to integrating research, healthcare and education so that breakthroughs in neuroscience can deliver real benefits for populations worldwide."
Counsellor Kuang Jianjiang from the Chinese Embassy (Education Section) also gave opening remarks, emphasising the importance of UK-China bilateral collaboration in science and education.
Professor Geraint Rees, UCL's Vice-Provost (Research, Innovation & Global Engagement) said: "Neuroscience advances most rapidly when outstanding research is combined with strong international partnerships. Bringing together experts from UCL and leading institutions across China has created new opportunities to share ideas, align priorities and develop collaborative projects that will drive the field forward."
* * *
Links
* Professor Huiliang Li's academic profile (https://profiles.ucl.ac.uk/7099-huiliang-li)
* Professor Sir John Hardy's academic profile (https://iris.ucl.ac.uk/iris/browse/profile?upi=JHARD28)
* Professor John O'Keefe's academic profile (https://profiles.ucl.ac.uk/4296-john-o'keefe)
* UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL (https://www.ucl.ac.uk/brain-sciences/ion/research/research-departments/uk-dementia-research-institute-ucl)
* UCL Dementia Research Centre (https://www.ucl.ac.uk/drc/dementia-research-centre)
* UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology (https://www.ucl.ac.uk/ion/ucl-queen-square-institute-neurology)
* UCL Wolfson Institute for Biomedical Research (https://www.ucl.ac.uk/medical-sciences/divisions/wolfson-institute-biomedical-research)
* UCL Faculty of Medical Sciences (https://www.ucl.ac.uk/medical-sciences/ucl-faculty-medical-sciences)
* UCL Brain Sciences (https://www.ucl.ac.uk/brain-sciences/ucl-faculty-brain-sciences)
* UCL and China (https://www.ucl.ac.uk/global/regional-activity/ucl-and-china)
* * *
Original text here: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/2026/apr/ucl-hosts-international-neuroscience-symposium
R1 Status Excellence: Meet Research-Focused Faculty, Students and Alumni Driving Lehigh's Research Momentum Forward
BETHLEHEM, Pennsylania, April 22 -- Lehigh University issued the following news:
* * *
R1 Status Excellence: Meet Research-Focused Faculty, Students and Alumni Driving Lehigh's Research Momentum Forward
From advancing infectious disease prediction to strategizing AI literacy, members of the Lehigh community are solving challenges and developing innovations that continue to shape our world.
*
Lehigh has a rich history of engaging in life-changing, industry-shaping research. Lehigh people have made possible critical advancements in society, from the ability to build taller skyscrapers to pioneering
... Show Full Article
BETHLEHEM, Pennsylania, April 22 -- Lehigh University issued the following news:
* * *
R1 Status Excellence: Meet Research-Focused Faculty, Students and Alumni Driving Lehigh's Research Momentum Forward
From advancing infectious disease prediction to strategizing AI literacy, members of the Lehigh community are solving challenges and developing innovations that continue to shape our world.
*
Lehigh has a rich history of engaging in life-changing, industry-shaping research. Lehigh people have made possible critical advancements in society, from the ability to build taller skyscrapers to pioneeringthe use of microscopy in the analysis of materials to manufacturing the first products in space.
Now, Lehigh continues to build on this momentum and growing impact of its research enterprise as it celebrates one year since achieving R1 status, a designation by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education that places the university among the top cohort of research universities in the country.
Attaining R1 status is a milestone that means a university conducts a "very high volume of research" and awards a large number of research doctorates, according to the Carnegie Classification. The designation places Lehigh among the nation's leading research universities. Lehigh is the only university in the Lehigh Valley to have the designation and one of seven in the state of Pennsylvania.
The achievement was the result of a sustained and concerted effort across the Lehigh community to focus on Lehigh's mission as a place that advances learning through research, says Nathan Urban, provost and senior vice president for academic affairs. The effort was strongly supported by former Lehigh presidents Alice P. Gast and John D. Simon, and now by President Joseph J. Helble '82.
"The successful efforts to achieve this milestone are also one reason that I believe that right now, we may be at the best moment in Lehigh's history, and that Lehigh's future is very bright and promising," Urban says.
A key initiative in advancing research activity as part of Lehigh's Inspiring the Future Makers strategy was the creation of three interdisciplinary University Research Centers (URCs): the Center for Catastrophe Modeling and Resilience; the Center for Community-Driven Assistive Technologies (CDAT); and the Center for Advancing Community Electrification Solutions (ACES).
"Lehigh's URCs build from existing areas of faculty expertise and seek to address some of the most important challenges facing the world today," Urban says.
The university's economic impact on the Lehigh Valley for fiscal year 2024 totaled $1.4 billion through direct expenditures for research and development and expenditures of companies that have been supported by Ben Franklin Technology Ventures
Since becoming R1, Lehigh established a formal partnership with Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Hospitals, advancing the university's commitment to health-focused collaboration, research and education.
The university's research portfolio continues to grow, spanning from technology to arts and life sciences to literature, providing a fertile ground for new ideas that can have a real impact.
"Achieving R1 status is a significant milestone in the university's growth and celebrates the brilliance and strength of individual and group research, and the depth and breadth of Lehigh's research as a whole," says Anand Jagota, vice provost for research.
These faculty, students and alumni are among those driving Lehigh's R1 research momentum forward, solving challenges and developing innovations that may lead to new technologies, devices, products or discoveries that continue to shape our world.
-- Intro by Lauren Thein
* * *
Original text here: https://news.lehigh.edu/r1-status-excellence-meet-research-focused-faculty-students-and-alumni-driving-lehighs-research
Davenport University Awarded Hunger-Free Campus Grant Through MiLEAP
GRAND RAPIDS, Michigan, April 22 -- Davenport University issued the following news:
* * *
Davenport University awarded Hunger-Free Campus grant through MiLEAP
Cindy Kamerad
Davenport University has been awarded a $32,100 Hunger-Free Campus Activities grant by the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement and Potential (MiLEAP) to strengthen a university-wide effort to address student food insecurity. The funding will expand Panther Resource Closet services, Farm Fresh Market events, and transportation assistance, increasing access to nutritious food for students across Davenport's
... Show Full Article
GRAND RAPIDS, Michigan, April 22 -- Davenport University issued the following news:
* * *
Davenport University awarded Hunger-Free Campus grant through MiLEAP
Cindy Kamerad
Davenport University has been awarded a $32,100 Hunger-Free Campus Activities grant by the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement and Potential (MiLEAP) to strengthen a university-wide effort to address student food insecurity. The funding will expand Panther Resource Closet services, Farm Fresh Market events, and transportation assistance, increasing access to nutritious food for students across Davenport'sGrand Rapids, Midland, Lansing, and Warren campuses.
The Panther Resource Closet Plus (PRC Plus) initiative will transition Davenport's food security efforts from an intermittent, donation-dependent model to a standardized, proactive support system.
"At Davenport, we believe no student should have to choose between their education and their next meal," said Natalie Wagner, director of Student Life at Davenport. "While our Panther Resource Closet and PRC Pantry provide an important safety net, securing the MiLEAP Hunger-Free Campus Activities Grant allows us to scale that mission."
In the 2024-2025 academic year, Davenport provided nearly 1,000 pounds of food and 1,300 hygiene items to students. It has already seen demand in the current year exceed previous annual totals, underscoring the need for a more comprehensive and consistent approach.
Numerous members of Davenport's leadership team identified the grant opportunity and agreed it was important to act.
Davenport's 2023 Student Needs Assessment revealed significant barriers: 27% of students cannot afford healthy meals, 13% go hungry due to cost, and 36% feel their financial resources are insufficient for school. The Panther Resource Closet - Plus program is designed to boost student retention and completion by stabilizing the basic needs that currently hinder academic success at Davenport.
"These stressors often lead to missed classes, reduced course loads and a higher 'stop-out' risk," Wagner said. "By removing these drivers of attrition through expanded food access and transportation support, PRC Plus will help maintain Davenport's 80% retention rate, ensuring that food insecurity does not interrupt a student's momentum toward graduation."
Recognizing students experience food insecurity differently, the program will provide flexible and stigma-free options for support.
Students can access resources through multiple pathways, including meal vouchers and gift cards that allow students to obtain food quickly and privately. This will particularly benefit commuter, adult and working students with limited time, transportation or kitchen access.
The Farm Fresh Market, a program that was piloted on the W.A. Lettinga Grand Rapids Campus, will be expanded to Warren, Lansing and Midland campuses to meet students where they are. Transportation barriers also will be addressed through shuttle access and bus passes connecting students to campus and community food resources.
Additionally, Davenport will implement staff training and SNAP navigation support to identify food insecurity early and connect students to long-term benefits.
Execution of the program will truly be a group effort, said Louanne McIntyre, Davenport associate director of grant development.
"To achieve this, Davenport will leverage a robust network of partners," McIntyre said. "Campus Dining and Student Life will provide meal vouchers and Fresh Markets, while university Transportation will connect students to essential food hubs. Faculty and staff will also be trained to recognize signs of insecurity and offer warm handoffs to resources."
Davenport has partnerships with Feeding America, local food banks, and United Way's 211 system across all four campus regions to create a sustainable safety net. Key backing from the Meijer Foundation will ensure a consistent supply of food and hygiene items, embedding food security and support into Davenport's long-term student success strategy.
Davenport was one of eight colleges selected to receive funding through the MiLEAP Hunger-Free Campus Activities Grant.
The grant period runs April 1, 2026 to Sept. 30, 2026.
* * *
Original text here: https://post.davenport.edu/student-life/davenport-university-awarded-hunger-free-campus-grant-through-mileap/
CEO and Best-Selling Author Fawn Weaver to Deliver Spring 2026 Commencement Address at Grambling State University
GRAMBLING, Louisiana, April 22 -- Grambling State University issued the following news:
* * *
CEO and Best-Selling Author Fawn Weaver to Deliver Spring 2026 Commencement Address at Grambling State University
Grambling State University will welcome entrepreneur, CEO, and two-time New York Times best-selling author Fawn Weaver as the keynote speaker for the University's Spring 2026 Commencement Exercises, set for Friday, May 15, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. CST in the Fredrick C. Hobdy Assembly Center.
"Commencement is a proud moment for Grambling State University--an opportunity to celebrate the academic
... Show Full Article
GRAMBLING, Louisiana, April 22 -- Grambling State University issued the following news:
* * *
CEO and Best-Selling Author Fawn Weaver to Deliver Spring 2026 Commencement Address at Grambling State University
Grambling State University will welcome entrepreneur, CEO, and two-time New York Times best-selling author Fawn Weaver as the keynote speaker for the University's Spring 2026 Commencement Exercises, set for Friday, May 15, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. CST in the Fredrick C. Hobdy Assembly Center.
"Commencement is a proud moment for Grambling State University--an opportunity to celebrate the academicachievement, resilience, and promise of our graduates," said President Lemelle. "We are honored to welcome Ms. Weaver, whose leadership, entrepreneurship, and commitment to purpose reflect the excellence we seek to cultivate in every Grambling State graduate."
Weaver is the CEO and founder of Uncle Nearest, Inc., the company behind Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey, and a serial entrepreneur with more than 25 years of leadership experience building category-defining brands. She is also the founder of Nearest Green Distillery, created to honor Nathan "Nearest" Green.
A popular TED speaker and widely recognized business leader, Weaver is a two-time New York Times best-selling author and has been profiled by major national outlets for her work and leadership. She is certified as a Corporate Director by Harvard Business School, graduated summa cum laude from the University of Alabama, and holds an honorary Doctorate of Humanities from Bluefield State. Weaver previously served on the board of Endeavor Group Holdings (NYSE: EDR), including its audit committee, and is currently pursuing her Master of Finance at Harvard Business School.
A Celebration of Academic Excellence
The Spring 2026 Commencement Exercises will celebrate the academic achievement, perseverance, and excellence of the graduating class as the University confers degrees across its academic colleges and programs:
Graduate Studies
Doctor of Education, Master of Arts in Teaching, Master of Arts in Social Sciences, Master of Education in Special Education, Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction, Master of Public Administration, Master of Science in Criminal Justice, Master of Science in Developmental Education, Master of Science in Sports Administration, Master of Science in Nursing, Master of Social Work, Post Master's Certificate
College of Arts and Sciences
Biology, Chemistry, Child Development and Early Literacy, Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Engineering Technology, English, General Studies, History, Mathematics and Physics, Music, Political Science, Theatre Arts
Thomas and Joyce Moorehead College of Business and Entrepreneurship
Accounting, Computer Information Systems, Economics, Management, Marketing
College of Education
Kinesiology, Leisure Studies, Teacher Education degree programs
College of Professional Studies
Criminal Justice, Mass Communications, Nursing, Social Work, Sociology, Psychology
To learn more about the Spring 2026 Commencement, visit gram.edu/graduation.
* * *
Original text here: https://news.gram.edu/index.php/2026/04/21/ceo-and-best-selling-author-fawn-weaver-to-deliver-spring-2026-commencement-address-at-grambling-state-university/
Ann Van Griensven, Professor at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Nominated for the Prestigious Frontiers Planet Prize
BRUSSELS, Belgium, April 22 -- Free University of Brussels-VUB issued the following news release:
* * *
Ann van Griensven, professor at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel, nominated for the prestigious Frontiers Planet Prize: "Water security in Africa also determines our future".
Professor Dr Ann van Griensven (Water and Climate, Vrije Universiteit Brussel) has been named Belgian "national champion" of the prestigious Frontiers Planet Prize 2026. With her research on African waterways, she is competing for a grand prize of one million dollars. Her work establishes a direct link between local decisions
... Show Full Article
BRUSSELS, Belgium, April 22 -- Free University of Brussels-VUB issued the following news release:
* * *
Ann van Griensven, professor at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel, nominated for the prestigious Frontiers Planet Prize: "Water security in Africa also determines our future".
Professor Dr Ann van Griensven (Water and Climate, Vrije Universiteit Brussel) has been named Belgian "national champion" of the prestigious Frontiers Planet Prize 2026. With her research on African waterways, she is competing for a grand prize of one million dollars. Her work establishes a direct link between local decisionsin Africa and the stability of our global ecosystems.
Why this research concerns us all
Freshwater systems are the lifeblood of our planet, providing not only drinking water and agriculture, but also energy production and biodiversity for billions of people. However, the pressure exerted on these systems by climate change and deforestation is increasing dramatically. Van Griensven's research shows that we cannot understand the future of our water simply by studying climate models. Changing land use through local decisions on agriculture and forest management is at least as crucial to water security.
Key findings of the award-winning research:
* Increased water stress: model results show a significant decrease in the flow of several river basins such as the Senegal, Niger and Orange rivers.
* The impact of human activity: in the Congo Basin, deforestation and the expansion of agriculture are altering the regional water balance.
* Large-scale pollution: a continental analysis shows that around a third of African rivers exceed nutrient thresholds. This not only affects biodiversity, but also poses a direct risk to public health and the livelihoods of local populations.
Science in practice: from model to society
Professor Van Griensven's research is not limited to academic reports. His team is using a computer model (Soil and Water Assessment Tool, SWAT+) to simulate the complex interactions between water, food and energy under future climate scenarios. The results of the model will be used in UNESCO CRIDA (Climate Risk Informed Decision Analysis) workshops in Tanzania, Kenya and Bolivia to work with scientists, governments and local communities to identify vulnerabilities and seek climate-resilient solutions, such as natural filters to combat pollution.
Collaboration with local populations is essential in this respect. Through citizen science in Kenya and Bolivia, for example, young people are themselves monitoring the water quality of their rivers and the ecosystem services of papyrus swamps and nature-based solutions.
One of the main challenges in Africa is to fill the data gap: in much of the continent, there are no systematic measurements of water quality. That's why Van Griensven is combining satellite observations, computer models, local knowledge and networks to identify blind spots.
On the way to Davos
As national champion, Professor Van Griensven will now compete against 24 other scientists from around the world. An independent jury of 100 experts will select three international winners later this year. The final awards ceremony will take place on 18 January 2027 in Davos, where science and politics will come together to take concrete action for a healthy planet.
* * *
Original text here: https://press.vub.ac.be/ann-van-griensven-professor-at-the-vrije-universiteit-brussel-nominated-for-the-prestigious-frontiers-planet-prize-water-security-in-africa-also-determines-our-future
