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University of Georgia: Are GLP-1s Practical and Safe for Obese Adolescents?
ATHENS, Georgia, Oct. 27 (TNSjou) -- The University of Georgia issued the following news:
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Are GLP-1s practical and safe for obese adolescents?
Oct 26, 2026
By Savannah Peat
UGA expert discusses possible benefits, risk of administering medicine to youth
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GLP-1 medications have become a popular tool for weight loss. But are they appropriate for all age groups?
Short for glucagon-like peptide-1, GLP-1s are medications approved by the Food and Drug Administration that treat type 2 diabetes and now obesity. They work by mimicking a natural hormone in the gut that lowers blood sugar, simulates
... Show Full Article
ATHENS, Georgia, Oct. 27 (TNSjou) -- The University of Georgia issued the following news:
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Are GLP-1s practical and safe for obese adolescents?
Oct 26, 2026
By Savannah Peat
UGA expert discusses possible benefits, risk of administering medicine to youth
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GLP-1 medications have become a popular tool for weight loss. But are they appropriate for all age groups?
Short for glucagon-like peptide-1, GLP-1s are medications approved by the Food and Drug Administration that treat type 2 diabetes and now obesity. They work by mimicking a natural hormone in the gut that lowers blood sugar, simulatesthe feeling of fullness and slows digestion.
Both the American Academy of Pediatrics and the FDA have approved certain GLP-1s for youth ages 12 and older who experience persistent obesity after a trial of lifestyle modification. A new published review (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0195666326002916) from the University of Georgia, however, suggests there is still uncertainty about how the drugs may impact adolescent development, both physically and mentally.
Emily Noble, nutritional neuroscientist and associate professor in the UGA College of Family and Consumer Sciences, answers some of the most pressing questions about the popular drug and what science says about its use in children.
Why are GLP-1s used as a possible intervention for obese youth?
Adolescents with obesity are more likely to also have obesity during adulthood. Once obesity is developed, it's very, very hard to reverse.
Despite what you may see in recommendations from TV and magazines, this idea that making different choices will promote sustained weight loss is really not correct, and the data backs that up.
The brain is what governs body weight, and there is evidence to support that once obesity develops, the brain regulates body weight differently and this makes it really difficult to lose weight and keep it off without medical intervention.
There's a biological drive toward weight regain following weight loss. I think people think about obesity as just a matter of decisions or self-control. But we know that there are neurobiological things that occur that are beyond conscious control that regulate body weight.
How are GLP-1s currently used in adolescents?
GLP-1s are typically extreme interventions for adolescent obesity and are only considered when other options fail.
This is the case for most clinicians who work with adolescents with true, severe obesity. They have really high levels of body fat, so the deleterious effects of obesity do not outweigh the potential negative risks of GLP-1s. These drugs can help kids lose up to 15% of their body weight.
The medications are actively being used in youth. They're approved for 12-year-olds and older, but sometimes people are actually prescribing them even younger in special circumstances because we're starting to see obesity and prediabetes earlier and earlier in kids.
What are some of the potential risks associated with GLP-1s in this age group?
It will be a long time before we know what the long-term effects of the medications are in this group, but the main question that we have right now is what happens to adolescents during this sensitive period of development?
These medications impact the brain by affecting the sensitivity of different circuits that make you want to eat or not, so how does that change the way their brains develop?
When these medications cause weight loss, are these kids also losing muscle mass?
Those are also really important questions, especially when you consider puberty.
Youth is also kind of a volatile age range. Everything they experience is more likely to be amplified.
When it comes to the behavioral modification that these medications could have and if adolescents lose weight and then gain weight and then lose weight and then gain weight, they could end up in a worse situation than if they never did take the medication to begin with.
What should parents consider in allowing their child to take GLP-1s?
I do think that parents should listen to their doctors, but a second opinion never hurts.
GLP-1s can be very useful tools, but it's also important to know that weight loss often rebounds when you go off the medication.
We know that obesity can also have long-term effects on brain function and susceptibility to metabolic diseases, cancer and a bunch of other things, so it is important to weigh all options.
What are alternative ways to combat childhood obesity?
Prevention is definitely where the solution has been for a long time. Exercise doesn't always help people lose weight, but it's great for weight loss maintenance, for preventing weight gain and for metabolic health.
Getting kids more opportunities to have activity in their lives, to move more in general should be a really big goal. Reducing the screen time is good but getting them to just be more naturally active is better.
Also, modeling healthy eating patterns for kids from an early age is great for obesity prevention. Cook with your kids, have dinner with your kids and choose a healthy balanced diet.
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Original text here: https://news.uga.edu/glp-1-medications-and-adolescents/?_gl=1*sj3yqy*_ga*NDYwMzI4OTUxLjE3NjE3MjkzODM.*_ga_6H213MG7X1*czE3OTMwODg1NDgkbzE3OSRnMCR0MTc5MzA4ODU0OCRqNjAkbDAkaDA.
University of Arkansas: Conservationist Maya Higa to Speak as Fall 2026 Distinguished Lecture
FAYETTEVILLE, Arkansas, Oct. 27 -- The University of Arkansas issued the following news:
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Conservationist Maya Higa to Speak as Fall 2026 Distinguished Lecture
Oct. 26, 2026
Conservationist and content creator Maya Higa will deliver a moderated question-and-answer session as part of the Distinguished Lectures Committee's series on Thursday, Nov. 5, at 7 p.m. at the Faulkner Performing Arts Center.
Higa is a conservationist, content creator and nonprofit founder dedicated to connecting people with the natural world. She has built a massive global online platform rooted in education, transparency
... Show Full Article
FAYETTEVILLE, Arkansas, Oct. 27 -- The University of Arkansas issued the following news:
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Conservationist Maya Higa to Speak as Fall 2026 Distinguished Lecture
Oct. 26, 2026
Conservationist and content creator Maya Higa will deliver a moderated question-and-answer session as part of the Distinguished Lectures Committee's series on Thursday, Nov. 5, at 7 p.m. at the Faulkner Performing Arts Center.
Higa is a conservationist, content creator and nonprofit founder dedicated to connecting people with the natural world. She has built a massive global online platform rooted in education, transparencyand purpose through her work.
As the founder of Alveus Sanctuary, a nonprofit animal sanctuary and virtual education center, she has led large-scale fundraising efforts, including a 21-hour charity livestream that generated over half a million dollars. Through Alveus, Higa has introduced millions of viewers to wildlife advocacy while creating innovative content that bridges digital media and environmental awareness.
Anyone planning to attend in person must reserve a free ticket. No admittance will be granted without a ticket. Ticket reservations for students, faculty and staff that have a current uark.edu email address will be available starting at noon on Monday, Oct. 26, on HogSync. Any remaining tickets will be available for the public starting at noon on Thursday, Oct. 29.
The Distinguished Lectures Committee (DLC) at the U of A is a student-led, student fee-funded organization within Student Involvement & Leadership that brings influential, thought-provoking and diverse speakers to campus. Through the selection and coordination of engaging lectures and events, DLC provides students with opportunities to hear from prominent leaders, innovators, authors and change-makers across a variety of fields. These programs are free for all students and encourage learning beyond the classroom, broaden perspectives and foster meaningful dialogue within the campus community.
Past speakers hosted by the U of A Distinguished Lectures Committee include an impressive range of influential leaders, entertainers, athletes, authors and innovators. Notable speakers have included former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, musician John Legend, science educator Bill Nye, primatologist Jane Goodall, former First Lady Laura Bush, technology pioneer Steve Wozniak, soccer star Abby Wambach, civil rights activist Tarana Burke, actress Laverne Cox, journalist Anderson Cooper and NFL Hall of Famer Jerry Rice. More recently, the committee welcomed Olympic gold medalists Hunter and Tara Davis-Woodhall, influencer Brittany Broski and author Margaret Atwood. These speakers represent the committee's commitment to bringing diverse perspectives and inspiring voices to the U of A campus.
This event is sponsored by the Distinguished Lectures Committee through the Office of Student Involvement and Leadership and is supported by the Student Activities Fee. The Distinguished Lectures Committee is a program in the Division of Student Affairs.
For questions or for accommodations due to disability, please contact the Distinguished Lectures Committee at lectures@uark.edu or Student Involvement and Leadership at silteam@uark.edu or 479-575-5255.
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About the Division of Student Affairs: The Division of Student Affairs supports the whole student by cultivating transformative experiences and environments that promote student well-being, sense of community, and success. We prioritize student access, well-being, and belonging, post-graduation success, and building a strong organizational culture.
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Original text here: https://news.uark.edu/articles/83145/conservationist-maya-higa-to-speak-as-fall-2026-distinguished-lecture
SUNY University at Albany: Duolingo for Social Skills? Students Tackle Loneliness at AI for Good Challenge
ALBANY, New York, Oct. 27 -- SUNY University at Albany issued the following news:
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Duolingo for Social Skills? Students Tackle Loneliness at AI for Good Challenge
By Bethany Bump
ALBANY, N.Y. (Oct. 26, 2026) -- The pandemic arrived just as Sascha Wright was finishing middle school in Staten Island. Like so many other young people who came of age during that time of social isolation, masking and uncertainty, she found herself spending a lot of time alone asking big questions.
"It was an interesting time for self-discovery," Wright recalled. "I spent a lot of time just thinking about things,
... Show Full Article
ALBANY, New York, Oct. 27 -- SUNY University at Albany issued the following news:
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Duolingo for Social Skills? Students Tackle Loneliness at AI for Good Challenge
By Bethany Bump
ALBANY, N.Y. (Oct. 26, 2026) -- The pandemic arrived just as Sascha Wright was finishing middle school in Staten Island. Like so many other young people who came of age during that time of social isolation, masking and uncertainty, she found herself spending a lot of time alone asking big questions.
"It was an interesting time for self-discovery," Wright recalled. "I spent a lot of time just thinking about things,and I think my interest in psychology definitely developed over that time."
She began taking personality quizzes and asking questions about identity, behavior and belonging. Those questions followed her to UAlbany, where she is majoring in communications with a minor in sociology. They also helped inspire an idea she brought to the AI for Good Challenge: an artificial intelligence-powered platform to help people develop social intelligence and build meaningful connections.
The challenge, led by UAlbany's AI & Society College and funded by the SUNY AI for the Public Good Initiative, was held Oct. 16-17 at UAlbany. The event brought together students and faculty from four SUNY campuses -- UAlbany, Hudson Valley Community College, SUNY Cobleskill and SUNY Oneonta -- to develop AI-enabled solutions that address social isolation and loneliness. Wright's team won first place out of seven teams with ECHO, a prototype that grew out of her idea.
Lessons in Connection
ECHO takes inspiration from dolphin echolocation, which allows dolphins to navigate their surroundings through signals and feedback. The proposed platform applies a similar concept to human interaction, helping students better understand themselves, practice social situations and discover opportunities to connect with others.
Described as "Duolingo, but for social intelligence," ECHO would offer interactive lessons and simulated conversations, then recommend campus events where students could practice their skills and meet people with shared interests. The prototype was tailored to SUNY students, but could eventually be expanded to a much wider audience, Wright said.
"I think something that gets overlooked when we talk about social isolation is that it isn't always about not having enough people or opportunities around you," she said. "Sometimes those things are right in front of you, but you don't necessarily know how to approach them."
"Instead of making another event finder, we focused on teaching the 'how' first," said teammate Likith Kumar Kandukuri, a sophomore studying electrical and computer engineering at UAlbany.
Another team took a different approach to the same problem. Edson Tembo, a freshman studying computer science at Hudson Valley Community College, said connection is a challenge on a commuter campus.
"At Hudson Valley, people go to class and then leave," he said. "There's not much opportunity for people to make friendships and social connections like you have at four-year colleges."
His team proposed an AI-powered events forum to match students, especially freshmen and transfers who may have missed the early chance to find a friend group, with events and like-minded peers.
His teammate Brad Perez, a senior studying accounting and finance at SUNY Oneonta, said the challenge offered skills classes don't.
"Coming up with an idea and then having to go in front of a panel of sophisticated judges and defend that idea is something that's not really taught in class," he said. "And those are soft skills that are valuable and directly translatable to any profession."
Beyond Code: Putting People First
Another team developed an idea for connecting socially vulnerable residents with community resources during emergencies or times of isolation and distress. The range of ideas reflected the challenge's interdisciplinary approach, bringing together undergraduate and graduate students, as well as faculty members, from fields including computer science, engineering, communications, philosophy and the social sciences.
Linda Lim, chair of computer science and mathematics at Hudson Valley, said she wants students to understand AI beyond the headlines.
"I think right now the narrative that we are getting from media is either AI is going to save the world, which is way overblown, or AI is going to destroy the world, also possibly overblown," she said. "I want them to be able to look at it, understand how it works, and how they can use it as a tool to better our communities."
"This has not been simply a coding competition," said Mila Gasco-Hernandez, associate director of UAlbany's AI & Society College and a co-designer of the challenge. "We wanted the teams to think about people first: who they were designing for, what they actually needed, what barriers they faced and how their solution might create meaningful and sustainable social impact."
The emphasis on human needs was a key takeaway for Sharmilee Rajkumar Rajan, a fourth-year computer science PhD student at UAlbany who worked on the ECHO project.
"I found it valuable to work with teammates who brought different perspectives and helped me consider the human experience behind our technical decisions," she said. "I want to carry that approach into my research and career: listening carefully, collaborating across disciplines, and judging the value of technology by how it helps people."
Organizers hope to secure sponsors for a larger challenge in the spring that would potentially provide teams with support to further develop their ideas.
"Over these two days, we have talked a great deal about AI, but ultimately this challenge has been about people: understanding people's needs, strengthening communities and exploring how technology can contribute to a more connected society," said Hany Elgala, associate director of the AI & Society College who helped design the challenge.
For Wright, the competition has strengthened her interest in exploring the intersection of technology, communication and sociology.
"This experience also made me appreciate AI even more, especially when it comes to using it for something that could genuinely help people," she said.
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Original text here: https://www.albany.edu/news-center/news/2026-duolingo-social-skills-students-tackle-loneliness-ai-good-challenge
Pennsylvania College of Technology: Conference Helps High-schoolers With Disabilities Explore Next Steps
WILLIAMSPORT, Pennsylvania, Oct. 27 -- The Pennsylvania College of Technology issued the following news:
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Conference helps high-schoolers with disabilities explore next steps
October 26, 2026
Penn College partnered with BLaST Intermediate Unit 17 to host the 2026 Transition Conference - designed to guide special education students exploring their futures - in the college's Klump Academic Center on Oct. 16.
"The Transition Conference empowered students with disabilities to explore pathways to employment, postsecondary education, and meaningful community engagement through breakout sessions
... Show Full Article
WILLIAMSPORT, Pennsylvania, Oct. 27 -- The Pennsylvania College of Technology issued the following news:
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Conference helps high-schoolers with disabilities explore next steps
October 26, 2026
Penn College partnered with BLaST Intermediate Unit 17 to host the 2026 Transition Conference - designed to guide special education students exploring their futures - in the college's Klump Academic Center on Oct. 16.
"The Transition Conference empowered students with disabilities to explore pathways to employment, postsecondary education, and meaningful community engagement through breakout sessionsand inspiring speakers," explained Dawn M. Dickey and Katie L. Mackey. Dickey is the college's Disability & Access Resources office, and Mackey is assistant director. "It brought together students, families, educators and community partners to offer students resources, connections and confidence to take the next step in their journey. Our collaborating partner, BLaST IU17, truly makes it possible to bring together many members of the community and local school districts."
The conference is open to students in grades 10-12 who reside in Bradford, Clinton, Lycoming, Sullivan and Tioga counties, as well as their parents, guardians and other interested parties.
Nearly 30 organizations staffed tables in the conference's vendor space to share a variety of services, resources and opportunities, and students and their supporters chose from more than 30 education sessions.
Keynote speaker was Sean Forbes, co-founder of the Deaf Professional Artists Network, who overcame barriers to build a successful career in the music and media industries. He provided an inspirational speech - with performance of several of his hip-hop songs - to conference attendees, followed by an evening performance for the community in the Academic Center Auditorium.
BLaST Intermediate Unit 17 supports schools and communities across the Bradford, Lycoming, Sullivan and Tioga County region. Its mission is providing, creating and facilitating high-quality educational solutions.
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Original text here: https://www.pct.edu/news/articles/2026/10/26/conference-helps-high-schoolers-with-disabilities-explore-next-steps
Mines Receives $1M DOE PROSPECT Prize to Expand Critical Minerals Workforce
GOLDEN, Colorado, Oct. 27 -- Colorado School of Mines posted the following news:
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October 26, 2026
Mines receives $1M DOE PROSPECT prize to expand critical minerals workforce
Colorado School of Mines, recognized as the global leader for mineral and mining engineering, has been selected to receive a $1 million prize from the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation for its proposal to expand the nation's mining, processing and critical minerals workforce.
The funding is part of DOE's $16 million PROSPECT Planning Prize, awarded to U.S. institutions
... Show Full Article
GOLDEN, Colorado, Oct. 27 -- Colorado School of Mines posted the following news:
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October 26, 2026
Mines receives $1M DOE PROSPECT prize to expand critical minerals workforce
Colorado School of Mines, recognized as the global leader for mineral and mining engineering, has been selected to receive a $1 million prize from the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation for its proposal to expand the nation's mining, processing and critical minerals workforce.
The funding is part of DOE's $16 million PROSPECT Planning Prize, awarded to U.S. institutionsfor developing strategies to increase the number of graduates and skilled professionals entering the mining and critical minerals industries. As the United States works to expand domestic production and processing of critical minerals, developing the workforce to support and sustain these efforts is increasingly important to the nation's economic competitiveness, energy security and technological leadership.
Over the last three years, Colorado School of Mines has doubled its enrollment in mining engineering. Its award-winning proposal seeks to expand successful strategies to encourage students from a variety of disciplines to enter the mining and minerals sector.
"The Department of Energy is leading the effort to build strong domestic critical minerals supply chains by investing in people," said Bill Zisch, professor of practice and J. Steven Whisler Head of Mining Engineering Endowed Chair at Colorado School of Mines. "The DOE's PROSPECT program is a strategic investment to expand opportunities for students, strengthen connections between education and industry and prepare more graduates with the skills needed to meet the nation's growing demand for mining and minerals experience."
Through the award, Mines will increase enrollment in programs for mining and processing; launch a new program focused on mineral processing, extractive metallurgy and recycling; and extend education to adjacent science and engineering disciplines as they recognize opportunities to participate in the mining and minerals industry.
The PROSPECT Planning Prize is part of DOE's broader "Providing Opportunities for Specialized Education in Critical Technologies" (PROSPECT) initiative, an effort of up to $100 million to grow the skilled workforce needed to support America's critical minerals supply chains. Learn more about the DOE PROSPECT Planning Prize (https://www.energy.gov/cmei/articles/energy-department-launches-16-million-prize-grow-mining-and-critical-minerals).
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About Mines
Colorado School of Mines is a public R1 research university focused on applied science and engineering, producing the talent, knowledge and innovations to serve industry and benefit society - all to create a more prosperous future.
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Original text here: https://www.mines.edu/news/all-news/2026/mines-receives-1m-doe-prospect-prize-to-expand-critical-minerals-workforce.html
Case Western Reserve: Alumnus Dan Whalen Leads a $3.5 Billion Cleveland Development
CLEVELAND, Ohio, Oct. 27 -- Case Western Reserve University issued the following news:
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Alumnus Dan Whalen leads a $3.5 billion Cleveland development
As a star CWRU quarterback, Dan Whalen helped breathe new life into the Spartans. Now he leads a $3.5 billion development in downtown Cleveland.
October 26, 2026
Story by: Alexander Gelfand
Nearly 20 years ago, Dan Whalen (CWR '10, MGT '14) played a key role in raising the profile of Case Western Reserve University's football program, quarterbacking the team to its first-ever NCAA playoffs and helping to attract a whole new generation of
... Show Full Article
CLEVELAND, Ohio, Oct. 27 -- Case Western Reserve University issued the following news:
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Alumnus Dan Whalen leads a $3.5 billion Cleveland development
As a star CWRU quarterback, Dan Whalen helped breathe new life into the Spartans. Now he leads a $3.5 billion development in downtown Cleveland.
October 26, 2026
Story by: Alexander Gelfand
Nearly 20 years ago, Dan Whalen (CWR '10, MGT '14) played a key role in raising the profile of Case Western Reserve University's football program, quarterbacking the team to its first-ever NCAA playoffs and helping to attract a whole new generation oftalented players.
"He was the catalyst," said head coach Greg Debeljak.
Today, Whalen's goal is to help reinvent a significant swath of downtown Cleveland.
As managing director for the local office of Bedrock, the real estate development company founded and chaired by Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert, Whalen is shepherding a $3.5 billion redevelopment project slated to replace old parking lots and industrial spaces with new residential and commercial developments, parks and performance venues, boardwalks and bike paths.
The aim, Whalen said, is to create "a livable urban core that people are drawn to not for one particular reason, but for many."
It's an ambitious undertaking. The master plan encompasses more than 40 acres of mixed-use developments, including a stretch of riverfront along Collision Bend, a treacherous hairpin turn in the Cuyahoga River that has caused multiple maritime fender-benders; the Rock Block, future site of Cosm, an immersive entertainment venue that will sit directly opposite Rocket Arena, home to the Cavaliers; and the cavernous mall at Tower City Center, which sits atop an active rapid transit station.
"We have some thoughts about what we're going to do with that beast," said Whalen, who will oversee the development of new buildings and the renovation of old ones while collaborating with the city and others to implement the necessary infrastructure upgrades.
If anyone can execute Bedrock's redevelopment for a thriving downtown hub, it's Whalen. By the time he came on board in February, he'd already led more than $1.5 billion in real estate development and acquisitions in Cleveland and Chicago, working on everything from apartment buildings to shopping centers and forging relationships with developers, contractors and construction firms across the region.
"He's dreamed about things and then seen them all the way through to reality," said Nic Barlage, CEO of Gilbert's Rock Entertainment Group, who saw in Whalen someone who could help make Cleveland "a better place to live, work and play."
If the past is prologue, Whalen will bring a blend of pragmatism, perseverance and creativity to the task.
A self-described "liberal arts guy" who majored in English and pursued painting and music as an undergraduate, the Greater Cleveland native (he grew up in Willoughby) also had a long-standing interest in architecture. "My favorite toys as a kid were Legos and Lincoln Logs," he said.
Whalen led the Spartans to three consecutive NCAA playoffs. (He was inducted into the CWRU Athletics Hall of Fame in 2023.) And inspired by Ted Gup, a former CWRU journalism professor, Whalen initially aspired to a career as a sports journalist, interning at Sports Illustrated.
"I don't think he viewed anything as unattainable," Debeljak recalled. "He made a plan and he went after it. And if that didn't work, he just pivoted and changed the plan."
By his junior year, job prospects in journalism had dimmed due to the Great Recession. But Whalen had begun to attract the attention of pro football scouts, so he changed tack and spent two years playing in the Arena League after graduation. When that proved less than satisfying, he changed course yet again, setting his sights on a career in business and enrolling at CWRU's Weatherhead School of Management to acquire skills he had neglected while studying Geoffrey Chaucer and William Shakespeare.
The hustle and initiative that Whalen showed on the gridiron served him well. In his first week at the Weatherhead School, he walked onto a hotel construction site and landed a job that had him helping develop hotels and residential buildings when he wasn't in class or bartending.
After completing his MBA, Whalen moved to Chicago to help redevelop a national portfolio of shopping centers for Starwood Retail Partners, then joined Harbor Bay Ventures--a job that brought him back home to lead the development of INTRO Cleveland across from the West Side Market and one of the largest mass timber buildings in the country. He founded his own successful development firm in 2024, but the prospect of helping Bedrock rejuvenate an essential stretch of downtown Cleveland proved impossible to resist.
Work on some parts of the project, including the Cleveland Clinic Global Peak Performance Center, which will house the Cavaliers' new practice facility, is nearly complete. Whalen expects to see more cranes in the air over the next three to five years, with "really meaningful evolution" within five to seven.
It won't be easy. Even the topography, which features a 100-foot rise in elevation from the riverfront to Rocket Arena, poses a challenge, as does the complexity of the initiative. But none of that fazes Whalen.
"You're going to run into hurdles. You're going to have issues," he said. "And you just have to keep powering through."
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Original text here: https://case.edu/news/alumnus-dan-whalen-leads-35-billion-cleveland-development
CSUSB's ShEconomy Explores the Future of Work and the Power of Human Connection
SAN BERNARDINO, California, Oct. 27 -- California State University San Bernardino campus issued the following news:
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CSUSB's ShEconomy explores the future of work and the power of human connection
Nearly 350 attendees joined CSUSB's ninth annual ShEconomy, where four accomplished women from entertainment, banking and higher education shared insights on navigating a changing workplace. From embracing new opportunities to developing leadership skills, the panelists emphasized the importance of adaptability, communication and human connection.
October 26, 2026
As artificial intelligence
... Show Full Article
SAN BERNARDINO, California, Oct. 27 -- California State University San Bernardino campus issued the following news:
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CSUSB's ShEconomy explores the future of work and the power of human connection
Nearly 350 attendees joined CSUSB's ninth annual ShEconomy, where four accomplished women from entertainment, banking and higher education shared insights on navigating a changing workplace. From embracing new opportunities to developing leadership skills, the panelists emphasized the importance of adaptability, communication and human connection.
October 26, 2026
As artificial intelligencereshapes industries and changes the skills employers value, what will it take to build a successful career, achieve financial independence and become an effective leader?
At Cal State San Bernardino's ninth annual ShEconomy event on Oct. 22, four accomplished women shared their perspectives on navigating a changing workplace, emphasizing that adaptability, communication skills and human connection will remain essential to professional success.
Hosted by the Jack H. Brown College of Business and Public Administration (JHBC) Office of Academic Equity, the hybrid event drew nearly 350 attendees, who participated in person at the Santos Manuel Student Union South Theater and virtually via Zoom.
This year's theme, "The Future of Work: Building Careers, Wealth, and Leadership," explored how women can navigate an evolving economy, overcome barriers and create opportunities for themselves and others.
Francisca Beer, professor, associate dean and director of the JHBC Office of Academic Equity, opened the program by examining women's participation in the global economy, including persistent disparities in earnings, wealth accumulation and leadership opportunities.
The discussion featured four panelists representing entertainment, banking and higher education: Miranda Lee, a CSUSB alumna and leadership and culture programs lead at Prime Video & Amazon Studios; Kara Dutton, a CSUSB alumna and vice president and business banking relationship manager II at PNC Bank; Nefertiti Long, chief operating officer of Alta Loma Enterprises; and Anna Ni, associate dean of the Jack H. Brown College of Business and Public Administration and professor of public administration.
Drawing from their professional experiences, the panelists discussed the importance of embracing change, developing transferable skills and building meaningful professional relationships.
Dutton, who has navigated nearly two decades of changes in the banking industry, encouraged students to remain adaptable as technology continues to transform the workplace.
"Don't get comfortable because it's changing quickly," she said.
Lee recalled entering CSUSB's Master of Science in Entrepreneurship and Innovation program intending to complete her degree as quickly as possible. But she soon discovered that some of the most valuable learning opportunities extended beyond the classroom. Rather than rushing through the program, she slowed down to participate in activities that challenged her to pitch ideas, speak publicly and develop confidence.
"I started raising my hand for these opportunities," she recalled.
Those experiences, she said, helped her build skills she continues to use in her career, particularly the ability to communicate ideas, tell stories and navigate uncertainty.
Long echoed the importance of communication skills, sharing how she initially avoided public speaking and group presentations as a college student, only to discover how essential those abilities would become in her career in finance and business leadership.
"Group dynamics, being able to be influential in a group and to present is what moves businesses forward," she said.
The panelists also addressed financial empowerment, salary negotiations, mentorship and the importance of advocating for oneself.
During the audience question-and-answer session, the conversation turned to burnout, mental health and maintaining authenticity in the workplace. Panelists shared personal experiences and encouraged attendees to prioritize well-being alongside professional achievement.
As the discussion drew toward its conclusion, Beer asked each panelist to complete a sentence: "The future of work belongs to people who ..."
Their answers captured the evening's central themes:
* For Ni, the future belongs to people motivated to make a difference.
* For Long, it belongs to those who are adaptable to change.
* For Dutton, it belongs to people with drive and determination.
* And for Lee, it belongs to those willing to experiment.
Together, their perspectives offered students a reminder that preparing for the future does not mean having every step of their careers mapped out. It means developing the confidence, curiosity and relationships to navigate whatever comes next.
Reflecting on the evening's discussion, Tomas Gomez-Arias, JHBC dean, highlighted a common thread running through the panelists' experiences: the enduring value of human qualities in an evolving workplace.
"I think what really stuck with me was the emphasis you have all put on humanity in the workplace, the importance of being ourselves, working with others, being able to use our judgment," he said. "Because ultimately that's what creates value and how we add to the organizations we are working with."
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Original text here: https://www.csusb.edu/inside/article/599351/csusbs-sheconomy-explores-future-work-and-power-human-connection
