Education (Colleges & Universities)
Here's a look at documents from public, private and community colleges in the U.S.
Featured Stories
WashU Expert: Why Prescription Drug Prices Stay High - and What Congress Can Do About It
ST. LOUIS, Missouri, Feb. 17 -- Washington University in St. Louis issued the following news:
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WashU Expert: Why prescription drug prices stay high -- and what Congress can do about it
By Neil Schoenherr
High prescription drug prices are not caused by any single company or practice, but by the system itself, said an expert on prescription prices at Washington University in St. Louis.
If Congress wants to lower drug prices, it need to understand the structure and incentives of the entire supply chain, said Rachel Sachs, a professor of law.
Sachs testified Feb. 11 before the U.S. House
... Show Full Article
ST. LOUIS, Missouri, Feb. 17 -- Washington University in St. Louis issued the following news:
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WashU Expert: Why prescription drug prices stay high -- and what Congress can do about it
By Neil Schoenherr
High prescription drug prices are not caused by any single company or practice, but by the system itself, said an expert on prescription prices at Washington University in St. Louis.
If Congress wants to lower drug prices, it need to understand the structure and incentives of the entire supply chain, said Rachel Sachs, a professor of law.
Sachs testified Feb. 11 before the U.S. HouseEnergy & Commerce Health Subcommittee during a hearing titled "Lowering Health Care Costs for All Americans: An Examination of the Prescription Drug Supply Chain."
"Too many Americans cannot afford important medications," she told the subcommittee, with many patients reporting that they "have not taken medication as prescribed due to its costs."
High drug prices are not driven by a single factor, Sachs said.
"Many actors in the prescription drug supply chain play key roles in setting and maintaining high drug prices," she said.
For example, U.S. law provides pharmaceutical companies with exclusive rights to market their branded products through patents and regulatory restrictions while also guaranteeing insurance reimbursement, Sachs said.
"The combination of exclusive rights and guaranteed payment has allowed manufacturers to set and maintain high prescription drug prices over time," she said.
Pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), wholesalers and group purchasing organizations have been criticized for steering patients toward pricier drugs, Sachs said. There are concerns that PBMs in particular limit access to lower-cost alternatives and bring in revenue through arrangements that weaken incentives to reduce prices, she argued.
Sachs urged Congress to pursue a package of reforms rather than a single solution. "There is no single way to address these issues," she said.
Reforms should focus on making competition more effective, increasing transparency and oversight into the opaque supply chain, and considering policies that address reimbursement directly, Sachs said. Strengthening the Inflation Reduction Act's Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program could be part of the solution, she said.
"Every actor in the supply chain plays a role in keeping prices high, and every actor has a role to play in ensuring affordability for both patients and our overall health-care system," Sachs said.
With sustained oversight and targeted reforms, she said, Congress can help restore balance to a system that too often leaves patients facing impossible choices between their health and their finances.
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Original text here: https://source.washu.edu/2026/02/washu-expert-why-prescription-drug-prices-stay-high-and-what-congress-can-do-about-it/
WVU Neuroscientist Searches for Reasons for Resiliency in Brain
MORGANTOWN, West Virginia, Feb. 17 -- West Virginia University issued the following news:
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WVU neuroscientist searches for reasons for resiliency in brain
"Neuroscience is about the human condition."
And for Kathleen "Katie" Morrison, an assistant professor specializing in behavioral neuroscience psychology in the West Virginia University Eberly College of Arts and Sciences Department of Psychology, the human condition is defined by resiliency.
"It's no surprise to people that stress and trauma are bad for you. It's also the case that we're never going to get rid of all the stress and
... Show Full Article
MORGANTOWN, West Virginia, Feb. 17 -- West Virginia University issued the following news:
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WVU neuroscientist searches for reasons for resiliency in brain
"Neuroscience is about the human condition."
And for Kathleen "Katie" Morrison, an assistant professor specializing in behavioral neuroscience psychology in the West Virginia University Eberly College of Arts and Sciences Department of Psychology, the human condition is defined by resiliency.
"It's no surprise to people that stress and trauma are bad for you. It's also the case that we're never going to get rid of all the stress andtrauma in the world," Morrison said. "So can we understand what makes people resilient?"
That's the driving question fueling her research work using mice -- the search in the brain for understanding about why some suffer negative consequences of adversity, while others withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions -- with the goal of potentially applying the findings to humans.
She's especially interested in the long-term effects of childhood trauma on women.
"We're identifying vulnerabilities to stress over lifetimes," she said.
A 2006 University graduate and West Liberty native, Morrison earned dual bachelor's degrees in psychology and biology.
"It's what is now the neuroscience major," she said of the growing academic program within the Eberly College and the only degree program of its kind in West Virginia, which allows students to explore nearly every facet of neuroscience and understand how the brain works in advanced research facilities with two areas of emphasis: behavioral neuroscience or cellular, molecular and systems neuroscience.
After graduating from WVU, Morrison went on to earn her doctoral degree in biological psychology from the University of Tennessee Knoxville where her research focus on women's health using animal models was solidified when she was told males were more frequently used for animal research because females are "too complicated."
"There are certain things we just can't address if you're only focusing on what's going with males," she said.
To expand her understanding, she completed a postdoctoral fellowship looking at sex differences in life experiences at the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Maryland School of Medicine before being hired by WVU and onboarded in 2020 during the pandemic.
The Morrison Translational Neuroscience Lab she launched with her arrival looks, in part, at stress during puberty -- when females tend to be more vulnerable -- and then outcomes later in life, including during pregnancy and postpartum, and older age.
"These are all very understudied times in the female lifespan, especially when it comes to the response to stressors," Morrison said.
Seeing many potential opportunities for collaboration, Morrison created the Translational Research on Adverse Childhood Experiences and Resilience -- or TRACER -- group, based in the WVU Department of Psychology.
TRACER brings together an interdisciplinary team of researchers, clinicians, policymakers and educators focused on understanding the risk factors and consequences of adversity and the factors that produce resilience.
Those involved consider this question: "How does adversity or trauma experienced early in life -- including childhood and adolescence -- influence someone throughout their lives?"
"That's a really big question, but it's a really important," Morrison said. "It affects a lot of West Virginians, so it's important for WVU and for the Mountain State."
TRACER offers a seminar series, graduate student writing group and undergraduate training opportunities while bringing together developmental and clinical psychologists, behavior analysts, clinicians and more applied areas, like social work.
Neuroscience is for "anyone who is interested in the human condition," according to Morrison.
"I think we are all neuroscientists, really, at the end of the day. It is all deeply interconnected with our nervous system, so we're all linked to neuroscience in one way or another," she said.
"It's truly interdisciplinary. Neuroscientists are spread all over campus and are working to solve problems that are relevant to West Virginians and others beyond the state's borders."
In her lab, Morrison's staff typically includes two graduate students and between six and 10 undergraduate students.
"The reason I'm a researcher is because someone gave me a chance to do research as an undergraduate. I did not know it was a career," Morrison said. She had originally planned to be a physician, but changed course. "I got the opportunity to do research and realized that I loved that."
Referred to as "Dr. Katie" by her students, she is now providing high-quality research and mentoring experiences to enhance access to a range of additional research opportunities, including support from the WVU Office of Undergraduate Research, starting early in educational careers.
"It's the best," she said of the times when a student starts to understand the research work they're doing. "I love doing research and the opportunity to pursue science as a career is incredible, but the day-to-day thing that keeps me going often is seeing the students learning, doing well in the lab, and succeeding at their goals. I love that."
Along with her students, her three daughters -- Genevieve, 11, Elizabeth, 10, and Charlotte, 7 -- often join her in her office, with a view of Woodburn Hall, and lab located in the Life Sciences Building on the Downtown area of campus.
"The work we're doing here is touching your everyday life," Morrison said. "We're trying to understand and make life better for people."
Find more information about neuroscience in the WVU Eberly College (https://www.wvu.edu/academics/programs/neuroscience-bs/).
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The use of animals in this project was evaluated by the WVU Institutional Animal Care and Use Ethics Committee. WVU is voluntarily accredited by AAALAC International, a peer organization that establishes a global benchmark for animal well-being in science.
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Original text here: https://wvutoday.wvu.edu/resources/wvu-neuroscientist-searches-for-reasons-for-resiliency-in-brain
Virginia Tech: Sinking Land, Rising Risk in New York City
BLACKSBURG, Virginia, Feb. 17 (TNSjou) -- Virginia Tech issued the following news:
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Sinking land, rising risk in New York City
New York City's transportation infrastructure faces a growing risk from sinking land.
By Kelly Izlar
Slow but persistent sinking land could pose serious long-term risks to New York City's critical transportation infrastructure, including major airports, subway lines, and highways.
While current rates of subsidence, or sinking land, across much of the city appear modest, a recent Virginia Tech study in the International Journal of Applied Earth Observation and
... Show Full Article
BLACKSBURG, Virginia, Feb. 17 (TNSjou) -- Virginia Tech issued the following news:
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Sinking land, rising risk in New York City
New York City's transportation infrastructure faces a growing risk from sinking land.
By Kelly Izlar
Slow but persistent sinking land could pose serious long-term risks to New York City's critical transportation infrastructure, including major airports, subway lines, and highways.
While current rates of subsidence, or sinking land, across much of the city appear modest, a recent Virginia Tech study in the International Journal of Applied Earth Observation andGeoinformation shows that cumulative and uneven ground motion can significantly increase the probability of infrastructure damage over time.
Using nearly a decade of satellite radar observations, the team developed a probabilistic framework that translates shifting ground into engineering-relevant damage metrics to look at what could happen in the next 30 to 50 years.
"This is the kind of information infrastructure managers actually need to plan ahead," said Ntambila Daud, the study's lead author and a researcher at Virginia Tech and Ardhi University.
Under continued deformation, the researchers estimate economic consequences could exceed $18 billion, affecting approximately 3.8 miles of subway lines and 4.8 miles of highway. Major transportation hubs, including LaGuardia and John F. Kennedy International Airports, emerge as high-risk hotspots because of their construction on compressible soils and historical fill.
"Transportation systems are designed to tolerate small movements, but not persistent differential motion," said Oluwaseyi Dasho, co-author and researcher in Virginia Tech's geosciences department.
While the analysis focuses on New York City, the framework is scalable and transferable to other cities because it relies on widely available satellite data rather than city-specific assumptions.
"This study highlights a hidden vulnerability of modern cities: long-term ground deformation that unfolds too slowly to trigger alarms, yet steadily undermines infrastructure resilience," said Manoochehr Shirzaei, senior author and associate professor in geosciences at Virginia Tech.
Results show that even slow subsidence, if left unaddressed, can quietly accumulate into serious operational and safety challenges -- especially for airports and major transportation corridors.
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Original text here: https://news.vt.edu/articles/2026/02/science-nyc-transport.html
Virginia Military Institute: Richter Publishes 7th Book
LEXINGTON, Virginia, Feb. 17 -- Virginia Military Institute issued the following news:
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Richter Publishes 7th Book
Dr. Duncan Richter, professor in the Department of English, Rhetoric, and Humanistic Studies and holder of the Charles Luck III '55 Institute Professorship at Virginia Military Institute, has recently authored his seventh book titled, "Wittgenstein Versus Anscombe on How to Live: Linked Philosophical Lives," published by Bloomsbury Publishing.
The book explores the lives of two of the most influential philosophers of the 20th century, Ludwig Wittgenstein and Elizabeth Anscombe.
... Show Full Article
LEXINGTON, Virginia, Feb. 17 -- Virginia Military Institute issued the following news:
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Richter Publishes 7th Book
Dr. Duncan Richter, professor in the Department of English, Rhetoric, and Humanistic Studies and holder of the Charles Luck III '55 Institute Professorship at Virginia Military Institute, has recently authored his seventh book titled, "Wittgenstein Versus Anscombe on How to Live: Linked Philosophical Lives," published by Bloomsbury Publishing.
The book explores the lives of two of the most influential philosophers of the 20th century, Ludwig Wittgenstein and Elizabeth Anscombe.Anscombe was Wittgenstein's friend and student, chosen by him to be his translator and editor, but the two had very different views on ethics, religion, killing in war, sexuality, politics, God, and the meaning of life. Drawing on previously unpublished work by Anscombe, Richter explains where these beliefs came from, how they affected the lives of these two great philosophers, and some of the strengths and weaknesses of their divergent positions.
All seven of Richter's books may be purchased on Amazon.
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Original text here: https://www.vmi.edu/news/headlines/2025-2026/richter-publishes-7th-book.php
'Hell Bent' Author to Speak at University of Lynchburg on March 16
LYNCHBURG, Virginia, Feb. 17 -- The University of Lynchburg issued the following news:
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'Hell Bent' author to speak at University of Lynchburg on March 16
Brian Recker will present the annual Shumate Lecture at Snidow Chapel.
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Brian Recker, author of "Hell Bent: How the Fear of Hell Holds Christians Back from a Spirituality of Love," will speak at the University of Lynchburg's Snidow Chapel at 7 p.m. on Monday, March 16.
The event, part of the annual Jennie Cutler Shumate Lecture, is presented in partnership with First Christian Church of Lynchburg. Admission is free and the public
... Show Full Article
LYNCHBURG, Virginia, Feb. 17 -- The University of Lynchburg issued the following news:
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'Hell Bent' author to speak at University of Lynchburg on March 16
Brian Recker will present the annual Shumate Lecture at Snidow Chapel.
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Brian Recker, author of "Hell Bent: How the Fear of Hell Holds Christians Back from a Spirituality of Love," will speak at the University of Lynchburg's Snidow Chapel at 7 p.m. on Monday, March 16.
The event, part of the annual Jennie Cutler Shumate Lecture, is presented in partnership with First Christian Church of Lynchburg. Admission is free and the publicis welcome.
Recker is the son of a Baptist minister, a Bob Jones University alumnus, and a former Marine Officer. As described on his website, he also "spent eight years as an evangelical pastor before deconstructing his faith to find a more inclusive spirituality."
Recker has about 30,000 followers on TikTok and more than 371,000 on Instagram. He podcasts at "beloved" on Substack, where he states, "Christian spirituality without the dogma. The whole point is love, or I don't want it."
"Hell Bent" was released by Tarcher, a Penguin Random House imprint, in September 2025. Copies will be available for purchase at the lecture.
"Besides being insanely jealous of his mustache and tattoos, what I'm most excited about is Brian's personal story -- one that moved from a very exclusionary and rigid faith to an expansive, inclusive, and wildly open spirituality," said the Rev. Dr. Nathan Albert, Lynchburg's assistant vice president for Belonging and Elisha K. Bennett University Chaplain.
"He's not simply speaking about religion; he's living it and changing with it. I think Brian's teaching style ... really resonates with young adults who are asking questions about religion, politics, and one's personal growth.
"I'm excited for the ways he will challenge us and lead us through controversial topics to greater love for all beings."
For more information about the Shumate Lecture, contact Albert at albert_nd@lynchburg.edu or 434.544.8472.
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Original text here: https://www.lynchburg.edu/hell-bent-author-to-speak-at-university-of-lynchburg-on-march-16/
'Boordawan Movement' launches to empower First Nations university students
PERTH, Australia, Feb. 17 -- Murdoch University posted the following news:
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'Boordawan Movement' launches to empower First Nations university students
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A new chapter for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students begins at Murdoch University this year with the launch of the Boordawan Movement - an initiative designed to support their academic success, cultural development and community connections.
"Boordawan," meaning "future" in Noongar, captures the University's commitment to nurturing graduates who are confident, culturally grounded and ready to lead with integrity.
"The Boordawan
... Show Full Article
PERTH, Australia, Feb. 17 -- Murdoch University posted the following news:
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'Boordawan Movement' launches to empower First Nations university students
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A new chapter for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students begins at Murdoch University this year with the launch of the Boordawan Movement - an initiative designed to support their academic success, cultural development and community connections.
"Boordawan," meaning "future" in Noongar, captures the University's commitment to nurturing graduates who are confident, culturally grounded and ready to lead with integrity.
"The BoordawanMovement is more than a support program, it's a statement of belief in the potential and promise of young First Nations people," Professor Chanelle van den Berg, Pro Vice Chancellor First Nations, said.
"It's about creating pathways for the next generation of Aboriginal leaders by ensuring our students succeed academically while remaining strong in culture."
The Boordawan Movement is built on three key pillars:
* Academic Excellence: Dedicated mentoring and support to guide students through their studies.
* Cultural Leadership: Opportunities for students to strengthen cultural identity and lead within their communities.
* Practical Support: Financial assistance to ensure students can focus on their personal, academic and professional growth.
The University is aiming to raise $1 million by 2030 to fund scholarships, leadership programs and cultural initiatives that empower First Nations students to thrive.
This commitment aligns with the University's broader goal to become the university of first choice for First Nations peoples.
Third year law student Kyanna Hansen, who has been involved in developing the initiative, said it was about supporting lasting change.
"It's not just about succeeding in studies - it's about building confidence, strengthening cultural identity, and creating pathways for leadership and advocacy," she said.
"Movements like this also help break down barriers and challenge stereotypes, showing that First Nations students belong in these spaces and can thrive.
"By fostering community, mentorship, and cultural safety, Boordawan can inspire the next generation to pursue higher education and leadership roles, ultimately creating long-term change for our people."
Professor van den Berg said the future looked bright, with Boordawan launching as the University's Kulbardi Aboriginal Centre celebrated 30 years and the University celebrated 50 years of First Nations students.
"The future holds the promise of even greater First Nations representation across every sphere of society," she said.
"More graduates walking proudly across the stage, more lawyers advocating for justice, more nurses healing communities, more politicians shaping policy with wisdom rooted in Country, and more teachers teaching our next generation."
The Boordawan Movement will be officially launched at a Gala Dinner at the WACA on Saturday, 14 March 2026, bringing together community leaders, supporters and advocates for Indigenous excellence.
The event will celebrate the power of culture, education and leadership, showcasing stories of resilience and ambition from students who will benefit from the initiative.
Learn more and get involved.
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Original text here: https://www.murdoch.edu.au/news/articles/boordawan-movement--launches-to-empower-first-nations-university-students
$2M Grant Positions USCA Nursing for Next Era of Workforce Training
AIKEN, South Carolina, Feb. 17 -- The University of South Carolina Aiken Campus issued the following news:
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$2M grant positions USCA nursing for next era of workforce training
Angela Saxon
A $2 million state investment is helping the USCA's School of Nursing to expand and modernize how it prepares the next generation of health care professionals.
The grant follows U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham's recent efforts to secure nearly $150 million for infrastructure and workforce development projects across South Carolina through the passage of the third Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations package.
Dr.
... Show Full Article
AIKEN, South Carolina, Feb. 17 -- The University of South Carolina Aiken Campus issued the following news:
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$2M grant positions USCA nursing for next era of workforce training
Angela Saxon
A $2 million state investment is helping the USCA's School of Nursing to expand and modernize how it prepares the next generation of health care professionals.
The grant follows U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham's recent efforts to secure nearly $150 million for infrastructure and workforce development projects across South Carolina through the passage of the third Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations package.
Dr.Katie Chargualaf, dean for the School of Nursing, says the investment will allow for more realistic hands-on learning experiences for students.
"Upgrading our equipment and modernizing the space in the high-fidelity simulation lab will allow students to learn in environments that closely mirror what they will see in real practice," Chargualaf said. "These enhancements will allow us to replicate hospital rooms, complex patient conditions, and emergency situations."
Additionally, funding will assist with audiovisual technology, enhancing students' ability to record, review and debrief simulations. "Up to 50% of clinical hours may be replaced with simulation, but only with the right infrastructure. These upgrades will help us expand simulation use and grow enrollment," Chargualaf added.
The grant will also fund classroom renovations, creating more collaborative, comfortable and technology-rich learning environments that support team-based learning.
According to the Health Resources and Services Administration, workforce projections show a large portion of the U.S. nursing workforce is approaching retirement age, with 1 million expected to leave the profession by 2030. South Carolina is projected to see a shortage of 7,250 nurses, a 12% deficit in employed registered nurses, making it the eighth-highest projected shortfall in the nation.
"These numbers tell us we must act now, not later," Chargualaf said. "At the same time, our simulation lab and classrooms need to be updated to meet today's health care demands. Without modernization of our facilities and technology, we simply cannot increase enrollment, expand clinical training capacity, or continue producing practice ready graduates."
Graham also touted the need for workforce development to support the state's growth.
"As one of the fastest growing states in the nation, the future of South Carolina depends on robust infrastructure systems and a well-trained workforce. I am very pleased that this appropriations package fulfills these needs," Graham said. "By funding important educational initiatives across vocational schools, four-year colleges, and post-secondary university programs, South Carolina companies will have access to a competitive labor force equipped to fill the jobs of the 21st century."
The new funding aligns with both the School of Nursing and USCA strategic plans.
At the university level, priority one emphasizes experiential learning for all students, which is directly supported by modernized simulation labs and classrooms.
Strategic priority two focuses on meeting regional workforce needs. With nursing identified as a critical shortage area in South Carolina, expanding training capacity allows the program to respond directly to that demand.
Priority four highlights enhancing the campus experience through upgraded facilities and technology. This project advances that goal by creating a more modern and student-centered learning environment.
Lastly, priority five encourages securing external funding to support the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program's growth. This Congressional directed spending investment provides essential resources beyond what tuition alone can support.
Chargualaf looks forward to sharing news about the timeline for renovations as it is finalized.
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Original text here: https://www.usca.edu/news/2026/2m-grant-positions-usca-nursing-for-next-era-of-workforce-training.html
