Education (Colleges & Universities)
Here's a look at documents from public, private and community colleges in the U.S.
Featured Stories
UT Tyler Engineering Professor Earns National Research Award
TYLER, Texas, Feb. 12 -- The University of Texas Tyler campus issued the following news release:
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UT Tyler Engineering Professor Earns National Research Award
Dr. Prabha Sundaravadivel, an associate professor of electrical and computer engineering at The University of Texas at Tyler, received the American Society for Engineering Education 2026 Curtis W. McGraw Research Award-Non-PhD Granting Program Category. This is UT Tyler's second McGraw awardee in four years.
The award recognizes Sundaravadivel's significant research achievements and outstanding research abilities, trajectory and
... Show Full Article
TYLER, Texas, Feb. 12 -- The University of Texas Tyler campus issued the following news release:
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UT Tyler Engineering Professor Earns National Research Award
Dr. Prabha Sundaravadivel, an associate professor of electrical and computer engineering at The University of Texas at Tyler, received the American Society for Engineering Education 2026 Curtis W. McGraw Research Award-Non-PhD Granting Program Category. This is UT Tyler's second McGraw awardee in four years.
The award recognizes Sundaravadivel's significant research achievements and outstanding research abilities, trajectory andpotential. She will receive a certificate along with a $1,500 honorarium.
"We congratulate Dr. Sundaravadivel for earning this outstanding honor from the American Society for Engineering Education," said Dr. Javier Kypuros, dean of the UT Tyler College of Engineering. "This is a well-deserved recognition of her great work and commitment to engineering research."
Sundaravadivel's research focuses on edge artificial intelligence, embedded systems and robotics, with a sustained emphasis on translating research outcomes into deployable, real-world technologies. Currently, she is working on four funded projects from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service to help enhance drones-based frameworks for imagery and crop monitoring on large farms.
A senior member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Sundaravadivel directs the UT Tyler Center for Robotics and Intelligent Systems and advises the university's IoT student club. She joined the UT Tyler College of Engineering in 2018.
Sundaravadivel will be recognized in March at the annual business meeting of the ASEE Engineering Research Council during the 2026 Research Leadership Institute to be held in Alexandria, Virigina.
The Curtis W. McGraw Research Award was established in 1957 to recognize outstanding early achievements by young engineering college researchers from an ASEE-recognized college/institution. Founded in 1893, the ASEE is a non-profit member association dedicated to promoting engineering and engineering technology education. To learn more, visit: asee.org/.
With a mission to improve educational and health care outcomes for East Texas and beyond, UT Tyler offers more than 90 undergraduate and graduate programs to more than 11,500 students. Through its alignment with UT Tyler Health Science Center and UT Health East Texas, UT Tyler has unified these entities to serve Texas with quality education, cutting-edge research and excellent patient care. Classified by Carnegie as a doctoral research institution and by U.S. News & World Report as a national university, UT Tyler has campuses in Tyler, Longview, Palestine and Houston.
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Original text here: https://www.uttyler.edu/about/news/pressrelease/2026/02112026.php
Tauzin-Bollinger Leadership Forum to Examine the Intersection of Politics and Business at Nicholls State University
THIBODAUX, Louisiana, Feb. 12 -- Nicholls State University issued the following news release:
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Tauzin-Bollinger Leadership Forum to Examine the Intersection of Politics and Business at Nicholls State University
Nicholls State University is set to host its third Tauzin-Bollinger Leadership Forum on Thursday, March 26, at 6 p.m. in Powell Hall's Gros Auditorium. The forum, led by the MBA Department, will feature a discussion on why politics matter to business decisions. The event is open to students, business leaders and community partners.
This year's forum brings together distinguished
... Show Full Article
THIBODAUX, Louisiana, Feb. 12 -- Nicholls State University issued the following news release:
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Tauzin-Bollinger Leadership Forum to Examine the Intersection of Politics and Business at Nicholls State University
Nicholls State University is set to host its third Tauzin-Bollinger Leadership Forum on Thursday, March 26, at 6 p.m. in Powell Hall's Gros Auditorium. The forum, led by the MBA Department, will feature a discussion on why politics matter to business decisions. The event is open to students, business leaders and community partners.
This year's forum brings together distinguishedvoices from political analysis, corporate leadership and design strategy to examine how public policy, political dynamics and regulatory environments increasingly shape business decision-making at the local, national and global levels.
The forum will feature Dr. Ron Faucheux, who leads a full-service research and polling firm advising corporations, public officials, trade associations and media organizations. A nationally respected pollster, author and political analyst, Dr. Faucheux is widely recognized for translating complex political and public-opinion data into actionable insights for decision-makers.
Dr. Faucheux brings a combination of academic training, practical political experience and communications expertise to his work. He graduated from Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service and holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of New Orleans and a Juris Doctor from the LSU Law Center.
Joining Dr. Faucheux is Christian Bergeron, chief operating officer of COLAB, the region's economic development organization. Bergeron brings a forward-looking perspective to the discussion, highlighting how political decisions shape workforce development, entrepreneurship and regional growth. He will offer insight into how emerging leaders can navigate the intersection of business, policy and economic development early in their careers.
Bergeron earned a Bachelor of Science in Political Science and Government from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and later earned a Juris Doctor from Southern University Law Center. Before joining COLAB, he served as district representative and grants director for former Congressman Garret Graves in Louisiana's 6th District. He is currently pursuing an MBA at Nicholls.
The forum discussion will be moderated by Matthew Newchurch, president, CEO and partner at DDG and current president of the South Central Industrial Association. Newchurch will guide the conversation, drawing on his extensive experience with business leaders across industries. He holds a bachelor's degree in Environmental Engineering from LSU and an MBA from Nicholls State University.
"In today's environment, business leaders cannot afford to separate strategy from public policy," said Dr. Marilyn Macik-Frey, dean of the Al Danos College of Business at Nicholls. "The Tauzin-Bollinger Leadership Forum offers our students and community partners a rare opportunity to hear directly from experts who understand how political forces shape markets, organizations and executive decision-making. This forum reflects our commitment to preparing informed, agile leaders ready to navigate complexity."
For additional information, please contact the Nicholls MBA Department at 985.448.4241 or at mba@nicholls.edu.
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Original text here: https://www.nicholls.edu/news/2026/02/11/tauzin-bollinger-leadership-forum-to-examine-the-intersection-of-politics-and-business-at-nicholls-state-university/
Public Policy B.A. Launches at Kentucky State
FRANKFORT, Kentucky, Feb. 12 -- Kentucky State University issued the following news:
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Public Policy B.A. launches at Kentucky State
Kentucky State University will soon offer a new Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy, providing students with a direct pathway to understand how laws, regulations, and public policies are shaped -- and how those decisions affect communities. Approved Jan. 30, 2026, by the Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE), the program is set to begin in the Fall 2026 semester.
Housed in the School of Criminal Justice and Government Relations within the College of Arts
... Show Full Article
FRANKFORT, Kentucky, Feb. 12 -- Kentucky State University issued the following news:
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Public Policy B.A. launches at Kentucky State
Kentucky State University will soon offer a new Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy, providing students with a direct pathway to understand how laws, regulations, and public policies are shaped -- and how those decisions affect communities. Approved Jan. 30, 2026, by the Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE), the program is set to begin in the Fall 2026 semester.
Housed in the School of Criminal Justice and Government Relations within the College of Artsand Sciences, the degree is designed to prepare future leaders for careers across government, nonprofit organizations, and the private sector. Coursework will emphasize policy analysis, data-informed decision-making, professional communication, and ethics -- skills that translate to real-world work in areas such as health care, economic development, public safety, housing, environmental policy, and digital governance.
"This program gives students a clear line of sight from the classroom to the public square," said Dr. Frederick A. Williams Jr., chair of the School of Criminal Justice and Government Relations. "Public policy shapes what communities experience every day, and this degree will help our graduates build the skills to lead, collaborate, and deliver results in Kentucky and beyond."
The curriculum is aligned with core learning outcomes associated with the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA). Those outcomes include leading and managing in the public sector, participating effectively in the policy process, applying a public-service perspective, and communicating productively with teams and stakeholders.
Dr. Eslam M. Omar, who served as the subject matter expert in curriculum development, said the program was built to balance theory with applied learning. "Students will learn how to evaluate policy options, interpret data, and communicate recommendations clearly," Dr. Omar said. "Just as important, the curriculum reinforces ethics and accountability -- core expectations for anyone preparing to serve the public."
The 120-credit-hour degree blends foundational and applied learning through specialized courses, including PUB 111 A Survey of Public Policy; PUB 225 Urban Theory in Modern American Cities; PUB 245 Legislative and Regulatory Processes; PUB 390 Models of Public Policy-Making; and PUB 440 Diplomacy and Leadership. Students may also choose to double major in Public Policy and Political Science to strengthen interdisciplinary preparation across law, economics, and the social sciences.
Graduates will be prepared for roles such as legislative aide, policy analyst, government relations specialist, regulatory compliance professional, nonprofit advocate, and careers connected to public administration and community-focused leadership.
Kentucky State is working to expand the pathway in the future through a master's-level public policy option for students seeking advanced training and leadership roles.
In other action, CPE approved a new Bachelor of Science in Aquatic Science and a Master of Public Health in Nutrition at Kentucky State University. The nutrition program will also require review and approval by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) before launch. Separately, SACSCOC has approved a new Master of Science in Sports Analytics degree program.
For more information about the B.A. in Public Policy, contact Dr. Frederick A. Williams Jr. at frederick.williams1@kysu.edu.
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Original text here: https://www.kysu.edu/news/2026/2/public-policy-ba-launches-at-ksu.php
New Institute at New Mexico Tech Will Propel AI Technologies at the Nationally Recognized STEM Institution
SOCORRO, New Mexico, Feb. 12 -- New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology issued the following news:
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New Institute at New Mexico Tech Will Propel AI Technologies at the Nationally Recognized STEM Institution
A generous donation from alumnus and supporter Raul Deju will help "Techies" drive global innovation
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New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology (New Mexico Tech) is proud to announce the establishment of the Raul Deju Institute for Artificial Intelligence. This new initiative is designed to serve as the university's central hub for AI integration, spearheading the advancement
... Show Full Article
SOCORRO, New Mexico, Feb. 12 -- New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology issued the following news:
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New Institute at New Mexico Tech Will Propel AI Technologies at the Nationally Recognized STEM Institution
A generous donation from alumnus and supporter Raul Deju will help "Techies" drive global innovation
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New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology (New Mexico Tech) is proud to announce the establishment of the Raul Deju Institute for Artificial Intelligence. This new initiative is designed to serve as the university's central hub for AI integration, spearheading the advancementof artificial intelligence (AI) across the curriculum, faculty and staff research, and campus-wide operational activities.
The AI Institute is guided by a multidisciplinary leadership team tasked with overseeing strategic activities and facilitating the integration of AI technologies throughout the institution. The team includes:
* Michael Smith, Director of the Institute for Complex Additive Systems Analysis (ICASA),
* Dr. Jun Zheng, Professor and Chair of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering,
* Dr. John Naliboff, Associate Professor in the Department of Earth and Environmental Science.
"AI is a critical tool for analyzing complex systems. Our AI Institute allows us to bridge the gap between theoretical AI and its practical application in national security and complex data analysis, providing our students with unparalleled hands-on experience," said Smith.
The leadership team reports to Dr. Lique Coolen, Vice President of Research and Provost/Vice President of Academic Affairs at New Mexico Tech, ensuring that AI initiatives remain closely aligned with the university's broader research and academic mission. The Institute will focus on building talent, boosting research, enhancing infrastructure, and securing partnerships.
"The Raul Deju Institute for Artificial Intelligence represents a pivotal step in ensuring New Mexico Tech remains at the forefront of technological innovation," said Dr. Coolen. "By integrating AI into our curriculum and research operations, we are preparing our students, staff, and faculty to solve the complex challenges of the future."
Dr. Zheng said the Institute will provide flexibility for students to engage in various degrees, minors, and certificates in AI, data science, and cybersecurity.
"We are excited to continue to expand our curricular offerings and prepare students for the workforce and fast-changing landscape of AI and other emerging fields, including quantum and cybersecurity," he said.
Dr. John Naliboff, who oversees New Mexico Tech's High Performance Computing (HPC) infrastructure, emphasized that the "combined AI-capabilities of the new Institute and HPC infrastructure will provide students hands-on opportunities to engage in areas of critical workforce and economic development, while aligning researchers across campus for emerging research frontiers and associated funding opportunities."
The launch of the Institute has been made possible through the visionary support and philanthropy of distinguished alumnus Dr. Raul Deju, whose contributions provide the foundation for the AI Institute's immediate and long-term sustainability as a leader in AI education and application.
"New Mexico Tech is a special place that propelled me to a successful entrepreneurial career, and I believe it is uniquely positioned to lead in this new technological era," said Dr. Deju. "By investing in the AI Institute, we are providing the tools for the next generation of 'Techies' to drive global innovation. It is my privilege to help launch this endeavor and ensure our students remain the most competitive and inspired problem-solvers in the world."
Dr. Srinivas Mukkamala, a New Mexico Tech Regent and a global authority on the intersection of cybersecurity and AI, emphasized the strategic importance of this launch for the state, nation, and industry.
"Artificial Intelligence is no longer a peripheral technology; it is the cornerstone of our future global security and economic resilience," said Dr. Mukkamala. "As an alumnus and Regent, I am thrilled to see New Mexico Tech take this bold step. Through this AI Institute, we are ensuring that our research remains at the cutting edge and that our graduates are prepared to lead with integrity and innovation in an AI-driven world."
"This initiative represents another major collaborative milestone for our faculty, research staff, administration, and alumni" said New Mexico Tech Interim President Dr. Michael Jackson. "Our comprehensive, robust strategy will embed AI into every facet of our mission, ensuring New Mexico Tech will be a leader in the AI revolution. I am excited to see our campus community advance this initiative--from educating the STEM workforce and tackling complex research challenges, to positively impacting the quality of life for all New Mexicans."
To learn more about the AI Institute's current initiatives and future plans, please visit the website (https://www.nmt.edu/research/i-ai/index.php).
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Original text here: https://www.nmt.edu/news/2026/new-institute-at-nmt-will-propel-ai.php
Lehigh Professor Israel E. Wachs Elected to National Academy of Engineering
BETHLEHEM, Pennsylania, Feb. 12 -- Lehigh University issued the following news:
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Lehigh professor Israel E. Wachs elected to National Academy of Engineering
NAE honor recognizes decades of research in catalysis, operando molecular spectroscopy, and sustainable chemical processes
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Israel E. Wachs, the G. Whitney Snyder Distinguished Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at Lehigh University, has been elected to the National Academy of Engineering (NAE), one of the highest professional honors in the field of engineering. Wachs was recognized "for establishing fundamental structure-activity/selectivity
... Show Full Article
BETHLEHEM, Pennsylania, Feb. 12 -- Lehigh University issued the following news:
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Lehigh professor Israel E. Wachs elected to National Academy of Engineering
NAE honor recognizes decades of research in catalysis, operando molecular spectroscopy, and sustainable chemical processes
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Israel E. Wachs, the G. Whitney Snyder Distinguished Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at Lehigh University, has been elected to the National Academy of Engineering (NAE), one of the highest professional honors in the field of engineering. Wachs was recognized "for establishing fundamental structure-activity/selectivityrules governing molecular engineering of mixed oxide catalysts" that guide the rational design of solid catalysts (materials that accelerate and control chemical reactions) for air pollution remediation, sustainable energy, fuels, chemicals, plastics, and pharmaceuticals.
Membership in the NAE honors individuals who have made outstanding contributions to engineering research, practice, or education, as well as those who have pioneered new and emerging technological fields. Those elected are among the world's most accomplished engineers and are often called upon to provide independent expertise on critical national and global challenges.
Wachs' election also underscores the national visibility of research conducted at Lehigh, which was designated an R1 institution--indicating the highest level of research activity according to the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education(R)--in 2025.
"Professor Wachs' election to the National Academy of Engineering recognizes his decades of pioneering fundamental contributions to chemical engineering," says Stephen P. DeWeerth, the Lew and Sherry Hay Dean of the P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science. "His work has reshaped key areas of catalysis science, bridged fundamental understanding with practical applications, and helped define the modern field of operando molecular spectroscopy. His research has impacted a global community of scientists and engineers and has provided industry with fundamental tools to design more efficient and sustainable processes."
For almost four decades, Wachs has earned international recognition for his research spanning both the fundamental and applied dimensions of solid-based catalysis. He is widely known for pioneering work in operando molecular spectroscopy, a methodology he helped establish that enables catalysts to be characterized under actual reaction conditions while simultaneously monitoring reaction products in real time, which has allowed establishing fundamental structure-activity/selectivity relationships for mixed oxide catalysts.
This "working" view of the surface chemistry of solid catalysts has allowed Wachs and his collaborators to identify catalytic active sites and surface reaction pathways on solid surfaces, the locations where the catalytic reactions take place, and the participating surface reaction intermediates, establishing structure-activity/selectivity relationships that guide the rational design of advanced catalysts. This fundamental research has wide-ranging applications, from the sustainable manufacture of value-added fuels, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals to environmental catalysis.
"I am deeply honored and humbled to be elected to the National Academy of Engineering," says Wachs, who will be formally inducted during the 2026 NAE Annual Meeting. "This recognition reflects not just my own efforts, but the sustained contributions of my students, postdoctoral researchers, visiting scientists, colleagues, and collaborators over many years. My career has been driven by a passion for advancing fundamental understanding in surface chemistry and catalysis and applying that knowledge to real challenges--from cleaner industrial processes to technologies that benefit society. I'm grateful for the strong support of the Lehigh community over the years and excited to continue pushing the boundaries of research and innovation."
A prolific inventor and researcher, Wachs holds more than three dozen U.S. patents, plus an additional 70 international patents, some of which have been licensed for industrial use. One invention, recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with a Clean Air Excellence Award, converts paper-mill pollutants into value-added chemical intermediates employed in the manufacture of resins for wood products (particleboard and plywood), insulation, and brakes, among other applications.
His scholarly impact is equally substantial: Wachs has published more than 400 highly cited technical articles, with a career publication citation count exceeding 53,000 and an h-index of 132 (the number of publications cited 132 times or more). As an educator and mentor, he has advised 50 PhD students (40 as dissertation advisor and 10 as co-advisor), 20 postdoctoral researchers, 15 MS students, dozens of undergraduate students, and 25 visiting scholars. He has guided numerous researchers who now are professors in academia (national and international), conduct research at national labs, and hold positions in global corporations such as Albemarle, AstraZeneca, Bristol-Myers-Squib, CB & I (formerly Lummus), Chevron, Cummins, Dow, DuPont, Johnson-Matthey, Linde, Lyondell Basel, Toyota, and Universal Oil Products (UOP).
Wachs' election to the NAE follows a long list of prestigious national and international honors. He is a Fellow of both the National Academy of Inventors (NAI) and the American Chemical Society (ACS). His career honors include the R.H. Wilhelm Award in Chemical Reaction Engineering (American Institute of Chemical Engineers), the George A. Olah Award in Hydrocarbon and Petroleum Chemistry (ACS), the Humboldt Research Award for Lifetime Achievements (Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, Germany), and two Fulbright Senior Scholar Fellowships (in Argentina and Israel). Additionally, he has been a visiting professor at the California Institute of Technology, Princeton University, and Harvard University, as well as at international universities in Argentina, France, Israel, Japan, Spain, and The Netherlands.
At Lehigh, Wachs directs the Operando Molecular Spectroscopy and Catalysis Research Laboratory. Recent projects in his group include converting toxic gaseous NOx emissions from power plants to benign N2 and H2O; transforming abundant CO2 and H2O captured directly from air to fuels and chemicals with renewable electrons from windmills and solar collectors; transforming sustainable biomass-derived ethanol to butyl rubber for green automotive tires and biomass to green fuel; converting sustainable biomass-derived methanol and ethanol to green acrolein (a major chemical intermediate in production of polyesters and animal feed); and transforming abundant natural gas to value-added fuels (e.g., aviation) and chemicals (key chemical building block small olefin molecules that are experiencing a global shortage).
Early in his career, Wachs achieved what he once described as a "lifetime discovery" by using Raman spectroscopy to resolve the long-debated molecular structures of supported metal oxide catalysts--providing the first clear view of how such catalysts function at the molecular level.
"Professor Wachs' goal has always been to understand the dynamic nature of surface catalytic active sites under relevant reaction conditions," says Steven McIntosh, Zisman Family Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and ChBE department chair. "By bringing molecular-level understanding to industrial-scale problems, he has truly changed our approach to catalyst design for critical energy, environmental, chemical, and sustainability applications."
Wachs' election to the NAE represents a defining milestone in a career that has consistently advanced the scientific foundations of catalysis science while translating those insights into real-world impact.
Wachs earned his bachelor's (BE) degree from The City College of the City University of New York and his master (MS) and doctoral (PhD) degrees from Stanford University. Before joining the Lehigh faculty in 1987, Wachs spent several years engaged in industrial research at the Corporate Research Laboratory of Exxon Research & Engineering Co., an experience that helped shape his enduring focus on bridging fundamental science and industrial applications.
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Original text here: https://engineering.lehigh.edu/news/article/lehigh-professor-israel-e-wachs-elected-national-academy-engineering
KBH Industrial Repeats as Fastest-growing UGA Business
ATHENS, Georgia, Feb. 12 -- The University of Georgia issued the following news:
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KBH Industrial repeats as fastest-growing UGA business
UGA reveals 2026 Bulldog 100 rankings
By Rachael Andrews
The University of Georgia recognized the fastest-growing companies owned or led by UGA alumni during the Bulldog 100 Celebration on Feb. 7 in the West End Zone of Sanford Stadium.
KBH Industrial earned the No. 1 spot for 2026. The company is led by Tarun Ganeriwal, president and chief executive officer, who received his Master of Business Administration from the Terry College of Business in
... Show Full Article
ATHENS, Georgia, Feb. 12 -- The University of Georgia issued the following news:
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KBH Industrial repeats as fastest-growing UGA business
UGA reveals 2026 Bulldog 100 rankings
By Rachael Andrews
The University of Georgia recognized the fastest-growing companies owned or led by UGA alumni during the Bulldog 100 Celebration on Feb. 7 in the West End Zone of Sanford Stadium.
KBH Industrial earned the No. 1 spot for 2026. The company is led by Tarun Ganeriwal, president and chief executive officer, who received his Master of Business Administration from the Terry College of Business in2009. Other UGA graduates included in KBH's Bulldog 100 honor are Kyle Ganeriwal (BBA '20) and Kasey Kramer (BBA '19, BBA '19).
Headquartered in Smyrna, Georgia, KBH Industrial delivers energy solutions through professional, architectural, engineering, design and construction services for partners across the energy industry. This year marks the company's third time on the Bulldog 100 list, and the second year in a row in the top spot.
The rest of the Bulldog 100 top 10 are:
2. Marlin Construction Partners, Lake City, Florida
3. SlicedHealth, Woodstock, Georgia
4. The King Firm LLC, Tifton, Georgia
5. I Buy All Shoes, Alpharetta, Georgia
6. Rugged Road, Norcross, Georgia
7. Merit Partners, Atlanta, Georgia
8. Hess Media Inc., Gallatin, Tennessee
9. Ellsworth Cleaning and Facility Services, Atlanta, Georgia
10. Rise Property Group, Marietta, Georgia
"This remarkable class of honorees represents all that is possible when talent, determination and the Bulldog spirit come together," said Corey Dortch, president of the University of Georgia Alumni Association Board of Directors. "Their success strengthens our university, fuels economic growth and inspires the next generation of Bulldogs to dream even bigger."
"Each year, this program reminds us how far a UGA education can take you and how powerfully our alumni continue to shape their industries and communities," Dortch said.
The Bulldog 100 rankings are based solely on their three-year compounded annual growth rates. The Atlanta office of Warren Averett CPAs and Advisors -- a Bulldog 100 partner since the program began in 2009 -- verifies the information submitted by each company and determines the final rankings. In total, revenues for companies in the 2026 Bulldog 100 increased by 121% percent from 2022-2024, representing strong economic momentum and entrepreneurial leadership.
This year's class includes businesses headquartered in a total of 10 states, with 85 of the businesses located in the state of Georgia. In total, 140 alumni representing industries from health care and engineering to construction and marketing were recognized.
The annual Michael J. Bryan Award was presented during the Feb. 7 event. Named for co-founder and managing partner of Vino Venue and Atlanta Wine School who passed away in 2017 from cancer, the award recognizes a returning Bulldog 100 honoree who exemplifies Bryan's entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to UGA. This year's recipients were Stephanie and Chad Powell, second-generation leaders of 50-year-old Georgia-built business Joe Powell & Associates, in addition to Joe Powell Services Incorporated.
To view the complete list of 2026 Bulldog 100 businesses, visit alumni.uga.edu/b100.
Nominations for the 2027 Bulldog 100 will open in April.
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Original text here: https://news.uga.edu/kbh-industrial-repeats-as-fastest-growing-uga-business/?_gl=1*r043w5*_ga*NDYwMzI4OTUxLjE3NjE3MjkzODM.*_ga_6H213MG7X1*czE3NzA4OTYyNDUkbzYyJGcwJHQxNzcwODk2MjQ1JGo2MCRsMCRoMA..
Interdisciplinary Participation Grows as TCU Ranks Super Bowl Ads for USA Today
FORT WORTH, Texas, Feb. 12 -- Texas Christian University issued the following news:
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Interdisciplinary Participation Grows as TCU Ranks Super Bowl Ads for USA Today
If TCU is a repeat champion, then its College of Fine Arts is a new draft pick. For the second year in a row, Texas Christian University was included in the USA Today Ad Meter School Spotlight program. Sixteen higher education institutions rated national Super Bowl commercials, evaluating what resonated, what they liked most and what fell short. USA Today then publishes the results in a post-game story.
Last year's participation
... Show Full Article
FORT WORTH, Texas, Feb. 12 -- Texas Christian University issued the following news:
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Interdisciplinary Participation Grows as TCU Ranks Super Bowl Ads for USA Today
If TCU is a repeat champion, then its College of Fine Arts is a new draft pick. For the second year in a row, Texas Christian University was included in the USA Today Ad Meter School Spotlight program. Sixteen higher education institutions rated national Super Bowl commercials, evaluating what resonated, what they liked most and what fell short. USA Today then publishes the results in a post-game story.
Last year's participationof students from TCU's Neeley School of Business and Bob Schieffer College of Communication was a resounding success. This year, the College of Fine Arts joined the team.
"Super Bowl commercials represent the highest level of creative and strategic storytelling in contemporary media," said Charles Freeman, professor and chair of fashion merchandising and director of research and creative activities for the College of Fine Arts. "Through this initiative, students analyze how visual design, narrative, sound and brand strategy converge at scale to shape consumer behavior and cultural impact."
Schieffer College also expanded its involvement. In addition to the new media class that participated last year, the college added students from introductory advertising and capstone classes.
"I thought it would be a good opportunity to get more of our students involved in this big advertising event," said Catherine Coleman, professor and chair of strategic communication. "Students have an opportunity to have a behind-the-scenes look at how the Ad Meter - long a measure of Super Bowl advertising success - works and to have a voice in the ads that are elevated to the top."
Engaging Across Disciplines
In addition to creating a structure and venue for advertising analysis, Coleman, said the interdisciplinary opportunity is always welcome.
"When students engage with peers across different disciplines, they are bringing different perspectives, analytical lenses and vocabularies to the conversation," Coleman said. "This can expand students' understanding, generate creative interpretations and unexpected insights can emerge. It also encourages students to improve their skills in communicating ideas and integrating new ideas."
She also points out the great networking opportunity and is thankful for the leadership of TCU Neeley faculty.
"Much of the credit goes to Kevin Smith in the Neeley School," she said. "Last year, he reached out to me to see if I'd be interested in collaborating with him."
C. Kevin Smith, a Neeley adjunct professor and former FOX Sports executive, brought this opportunity to campus last year and elevated the project in Year 2. With help from TCU Athletics, he took the classroom experience to the sports field a few days before Sunday's big game. The students got in the sportss mindset at TCU's Sam Baugh Indoor Practice Facility and Cox Field by trying on football helmets, shoulder pads and uniforms before transitioning to the football team room to watch some of the Super Bowl commercials that had been released early.
"This experience allows us to connect academic frameworks with the realities of corporate decision-making," Smith said. "By evaluating Super Bowl commercials, our students apply industry-relevant practices in brand strategy, consumer insight and creative execution. In doing so, they are practicing the same skills companies rely on when making high-stakes marketing investments."
'You Can't Look at Advertising the Same Anymore'
The class discussion included analysis and insights from Katelyn Ackerman '17, a client strategist at USA Today Co. and LocaliQ, where one of her roles is designing meda strategies through analyzing consumer behaviors. She also started her professional career after being a Neeley marketing student and taking Smith's Sports Entertainment Marketing class.
Ackerman described Ad Meter as a way for students to get real-world experience of looking at and understanding advertising differently.
"It's a fun dive into the ad's purpose with a peek behind the scenes of creating and placing them," she said, "looking at the actual pieces marketing/advertising professionals and brands care about and what real ad success means."
Commercials and advertising are all about the audience the company is trying to reach and analyzing the numbers to see if the ads hit their mark. With Super Bowl commercials reaching an all-time high of $10 million for a 30-second spot, recognizing which commercials did well and which failed is serious business.
Since its debut in 1989, USA Today Ad Meter has become a leading authority on Super Bowl advertising, addressing how the brands and spots drive sentiment and conversations related to sports, pop culture and the world of entertainment.
Fitting that TCU would integrate business, communication - and now fine arts - into the conversation.
"For our fashion marketing and sports merchandising students, the Super Bowl context highlights how athletics operates as a global entertainment and branding platform, where media, commerce and fan engagement intersect," Freeman said. "This collaboration reflects the College of Fine Arts' commitment to applied creativity, innovation and interdisciplinary learning. By engaging students with industry-defining work, the initiative positions them to critically examine the creative standards shaping today's media and commercial landscape."
It's a winning collaboration.
Read more on Super Bowl advertisement trends from Schieffer College (https://schieffercollege.tcu.edu/stratcomm/news/strategic-communication-expert-explains-super-bowl-ad-trend/).
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Original text here: https://www.tcu.edu/news/2026/interdisciplinary-participation-grows-as-tcu-ranks-super-bowl-ads-for-usa-today.php
