Education (Colleges & Universities)
Here's a look at documents from public, private and community colleges in the U.S.
Education (Colleges & Universities)
Featured Stories
University of Texas Dallas: Psychologists Examine Downside of Social Media Algorithms
RICHARDSON, Texas, Aug. 27 (TNSjou) -- The University of Texas Dallas campus issued the following news:
* * *
Psychologists Examine Downside of Social Media Algorithms
By Stephen Fontenot
While social media algorithms have become excellent at matching a user's viewing habits with targeted, personalized content, psychologists at The University of Texas at Dallas have determined that these algorithms may have a negative influence on a user's mental health.
Dr. Alva Tang, assistant professor of psychology in the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, is corresponding author of a proof-of-concept ... Show Full Article RICHARDSON, Texas, Aug. 27 (TNSjou) -- The University of Texas Dallas campus issued the following news: * * * Psychologists Examine Downside of Social Media Algorithms By Stephen Fontenot While social media algorithms have become excellent at matching a user's viewing habits with targeted, personalized content, psychologists at The University of Texas at Dallas have determined that these algorithms may have a negative influence on a user's mental health. Dr. Alva Tang, assistant professor of psychology in the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, is corresponding author of a proof-of-conceptstudy published online June 25 in Computers in Human Behavior that explores the links between algorithm-recommended content, how that content is processed by the brain and symptoms of depression.
In the study, 60 young adults with an average age of 20 were assessed via validated anxiety and depression scales. They then watched two sets of videos: one of personally recommended videos from their own Instagram or TikTok accounts, which were further categorized for content types; the other of generalized trending videos. Brain activity was recorded using EEG to measure frontal alpha asymmetry -- a well-established measure of emotional processing and motivation.
"In frontal alpha asymmetry, dominance on the left represents more positive emotional processing," Tang said. "Dominant right-sided activity is usually related to more negative processing and withdrawal-related behaviors.
"Instead of after-the-fact reflections, we looked at real-time emotion processing and documented reactions to watching personalized recommendations. In that regard, this study is novel. Prior research on this has been based on survey questions and self-reports. We are reporting what the study participants are looking at and how they are affected by what their feeds serve them."
The study accounted for total screen time as a confound, or outside factor, which is used in the majority of research on this subject. First author Carole Leung, a doctoral student in cognition and neuroscience, explained that screen time might have weak relations with mental health because that time is not uniformly negative.
"It's not just about how much time you spend on social media," Leung said. "What the algorithm recommends to you matters, too. The emotional content in your personalized feed is linked to your brain's real-time emotional responses and to depressive symptoms."
Dr. Stacie Warren, associate professor of psychology and a co-author of the study, emphasized the immediacy of the neuroimaging being performed.
"EEG is a real-time processing measure of brain activity within milliseconds," she said. "Combining brain activity measures with their own reporting on depressive symptoms gives us an objective measure to evaluate what happens as people engage in their algorithmically selected social media."
The study results confirmed that participants with more depressive symptoms are provided recommendations that lean more depressive, and their brain activity -- as determined by frontal alpha asymmetry -- is characteristic of depression. This is distinct from their brain activity while watching videos that are trending generally.
"What we're finding is that if you're already feeling depressed, then the algorithms reflect that. Continued engagement reinforces this negative feedback loop," Warren said. "Participants bring in their own phones; we are not selecting videos for them. It's a new take on understanding how social media consumption affects people."
The most common category of videos recommended to young adults concerns social relationships, either romantic or friendships. Tang said researchers are finding that the feelings participants displayed could impact the apps' recommendations.
"If you're more depressed, you're more likely to be exposed to a video showing an argument or conflict," she said. "Positive videos would be about friends supporting each other, for instance. There are videos we classify as neutral as well -- those lacking emotional connotation."
Viewing fewer positive social relationship videos also was associated with relative right frontal alpha asymmetry, or more negative feelings.
"Depressed individuals have a tendency to focus on negative things, dismissing the positive things they encounter," Warren said. "If you're depressed and you keep on scrolling, you will encounter fewer positive videos."
Researchers hope to highlight ways to develop healthy social media engagement behaviors so that negative mood isn't amplified. The main intervention now is educating people on how to engage with social media more critically and effectively.
"We are teaching teenagers who frequently use TikTok and Instagram how to curate positive content while limiting the negative by following and interacting with the right creators," Tang said. "If they are tired of their feeds, an account can be set back to default, providing brand-new recommendations. From there, you can reteach the app what interests you."
Parents also can be more aware of how algorithms influence mood, but limiting teens' time on social media won't teach them how to respond in a useful or adaptive way.
"Two years ago, the guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics was to reduce screen time," Tang said. "These days, if you tell your teenager not to go on their phone, it's like you're taking away their life. That's not going to work."
Researchers are now collecting data on a cohort of teens ages 13 to 16 for a potential long-term study to understand the emotional effects of algorithm suggestions over time.
Other UT Dallas-affiliated contributors to the current study include Lucie H. Nguyen BS'25, an incoming medical student at Dell Medical School at UT Austin; former UT Dallas research assistant Christina Vlahakos, now a graduate student at Northwestern University; and Dr. Carlos Busso, now at Carnegie Mellon University.
This research was supported by a 2025 Social Sciences Seed Grant from UT Dallas and a Behavioral Health Research Award from the University of North Texas' Center for Psychosocial Health Disparities Research.
* * *
Original text here: https://news.utdallas.edu/health-medicine/social-media-algorithms-depression-2026/
* * *
Psychologists Examine Downside of Social Media Algorithms
By Stephen Fontenot
While social media algorithms have become excellent at matching a user's viewing habits with targeted, personalized content, psychologists at The University of Texas at Dallas have determined that these algorithms may have a negative influence on a user's mental health.
Dr. Alva Tang, assistant professor of psychology in the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, is corresponding author of a proof-of-concept ... Show Full Article RICHARDSON, Texas, Aug. 27 (TNSjou) -- The University of Texas Dallas campus issued the following news: * * * Psychologists Examine Downside of Social Media Algorithms By Stephen Fontenot While social media algorithms have become excellent at matching a user's viewing habits with targeted, personalized content, psychologists at The University of Texas at Dallas have determined that these algorithms may have a negative influence on a user's mental health. Dr. Alva Tang, assistant professor of psychology in the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, is corresponding author of a proof-of-conceptstudy published online June 25 in Computers in Human Behavior that explores the links between algorithm-recommended content, how that content is processed by the brain and symptoms of depression.
In the study, 60 young adults with an average age of 20 were assessed via validated anxiety and depression scales. They then watched two sets of videos: one of personally recommended videos from their own Instagram or TikTok accounts, which were further categorized for content types; the other of generalized trending videos. Brain activity was recorded using EEG to measure frontal alpha asymmetry -- a well-established measure of emotional processing and motivation.
"In frontal alpha asymmetry, dominance on the left represents more positive emotional processing," Tang said. "Dominant right-sided activity is usually related to more negative processing and withdrawal-related behaviors.
"Instead of after-the-fact reflections, we looked at real-time emotion processing and documented reactions to watching personalized recommendations. In that regard, this study is novel. Prior research on this has been based on survey questions and self-reports. We are reporting what the study participants are looking at and how they are affected by what their feeds serve them."
The study accounted for total screen time as a confound, or outside factor, which is used in the majority of research on this subject. First author Carole Leung, a doctoral student in cognition and neuroscience, explained that screen time might have weak relations with mental health because that time is not uniformly negative.
"It's not just about how much time you spend on social media," Leung said. "What the algorithm recommends to you matters, too. The emotional content in your personalized feed is linked to your brain's real-time emotional responses and to depressive symptoms."
Dr. Stacie Warren, associate professor of psychology and a co-author of the study, emphasized the immediacy of the neuroimaging being performed.
"EEG is a real-time processing measure of brain activity within milliseconds," she said. "Combining brain activity measures with their own reporting on depressive symptoms gives us an objective measure to evaluate what happens as people engage in their algorithmically selected social media."
The study results confirmed that participants with more depressive symptoms are provided recommendations that lean more depressive, and their brain activity -- as determined by frontal alpha asymmetry -- is characteristic of depression. This is distinct from their brain activity while watching videos that are trending generally.
"What we're finding is that if you're already feeling depressed, then the algorithms reflect that. Continued engagement reinforces this negative feedback loop," Warren said. "Participants bring in their own phones; we are not selecting videos for them. It's a new take on understanding how social media consumption affects people."
The most common category of videos recommended to young adults concerns social relationships, either romantic or friendships. Tang said researchers are finding that the feelings participants displayed could impact the apps' recommendations.
"If you're more depressed, you're more likely to be exposed to a video showing an argument or conflict," she said. "Positive videos would be about friends supporting each other, for instance. There are videos we classify as neutral as well -- those lacking emotional connotation."
Viewing fewer positive social relationship videos also was associated with relative right frontal alpha asymmetry, or more negative feelings.
"Depressed individuals have a tendency to focus on negative things, dismissing the positive things they encounter," Warren said. "If you're depressed and you keep on scrolling, you will encounter fewer positive videos."
Researchers hope to highlight ways to develop healthy social media engagement behaviors so that negative mood isn't amplified. The main intervention now is educating people on how to engage with social media more critically and effectively.
"We are teaching teenagers who frequently use TikTok and Instagram how to curate positive content while limiting the negative by following and interacting with the right creators," Tang said. "If they are tired of their feeds, an account can be set back to default, providing brand-new recommendations. From there, you can reteach the app what interests you."
Parents also can be more aware of how algorithms influence mood, but limiting teens' time on social media won't teach them how to respond in a useful or adaptive way.
"Two years ago, the guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics was to reduce screen time," Tang said. "These days, if you tell your teenager not to go on their phone, it's like you're taking away their life. That's not going to work."
Researchers are now collecting data on a cohort of teens ages 13 to 16 for a potential long-term study to understand the emotional effects of algorithm suggestions over time.
Other UT Dallas-affiliated contributors to the current study include Lucie H. Nguyen BS'25, an incoming medical student at Dell Medical School at UT Austin; former UT Dallas research assistant Christina Vlahakos, now a graduate student at Northwestern University; and Dr. Carlos Busso, now at Carnegie Mellon University.
This research was supported by a 2025 Social Sciences Seed Grant from UT Dallas and a Behavioral Health Research Award from the University of North Texas' Center for Psychosocial Health Disparities Research.
* * *
Original text here: https://news.utdallas.edu/health-medicine/social-media-algorithms-depression-2026/
University of Southern California Information Sciences Institute: AI Gives Medical Advice Every Day - Who's Checking Whether It's Safe?
MARINA DEL REY, California, Aug. 27 -- The University of Southern California Information Sciences Institute, a component of the Viterbi School of Engineering, issued the following news:
* * *
AI Gives Medical Advice Every Day. Who's Checking Whether It's Safe?
USC researchers are building ALICE to test whether chatbots give people medical information that is accurate, complete and safe to act on
By Marc Ballon
A mother asks a chatbot whether acetaminophen is safe for her baby. It replies yes. What it may not explain is that infant and children's versions can have different concentrations and ... Show Full Article MARINA DEL REY, California, Aug. 27 -- The University of Southern California Information Sciences Institute, a component of the Viterbi School of Engineering, issued the following news: * * * AI Gives Medical Advice Every Day. Who's Checking Whether It's Safe? USC researchers are building ALICE to test whether chatbots give people medical information that is accurate, complete and safe to act on By Marc Ballon A mother asks a chatbot whether acetaminophen is safe for her baby. It replies yes. What it may not explain is that infant and children's versions can have different concentrations andrequire different doses. A true statement has just set up a potentially dangerous mistake.
That is the risk when people turn to chatbots with medical questions. The systems answer in seconds and can sound calm and authoritative. But they may invent a fact, play down an emergency or omit a warning. A user may delay care, take the wrong dose or follow a treatment that will not help.
"If it's 90% right, what do you do?" said Marjorie Freedman, a principal scientist and associate director of the AI division at the USC Information Sciences Institute, or ISI, in USC Viterbi School of Engineering and the USC Stevens School for Computing and Artificial Intelligence. "That 10% can be really misleading" -- and potentially harmful, she said.
The flaws can be hard to spot, especially in a long, polished response, making it difficult to know how good chatbots are. ALICE aims to close that safety gap. The project is developing better ways to test whether chatbot answers to medical questions are accurate, complete and safe to act on.
ALICE Looks Beyond a Right-or-Wrong Score
Freedman leads ALICE, short for Assessing LLM Integrity for Clinical Engagement. Her collaborator Jonathan May is a research associate professor at the Thomas Lord Department of Computer Science, also within USC Viterbi and USC Stevens, and a principal scientist and the director of the artificial intelligence division at ISI.
ALICE is building tools to test answers that chatbots give to medical questions. Its goal is to find false statements and missing information while also asking whether an answer is clear, useful and appropriately urgent for patients, parents and health professionals.
Such a system could show where a chatbot needs improvement.
In addition to building the tools that could automate chatbot evaluation, the research team is creating the human-annotated data sets to validate the automated evaluators. The researchers studied hundreds of responses, some about 500 words long, from three chatbots. Their work explains why you can't just have one person check an answer once and call it reliable.
In one study, the first people to review answers often missed real mistakes -- mistakes that other reviewers, medical experts, and professional fact-checkers later caught. But even these experts didn't always agree with each other about whether something was actually wrong. When a chatbot was added as an extra reviewer, it found more possible errors than the humans had but also missed some mistakes that the humans caught.
"There is a great amount of subtlety in trying to determine the objective truth to a simple statement," May said.
Catching the Facts That Never Appear
A second study focused on omissions. Medical experts reviewed answers to real patient questions and marked important information that was absent. Researchers then tested three ways to spot those gaps automatically.
The strongest approach caught more than 90% of the real omissions in one set of tests. But it also raised many false alarms. For now, that makes it better suited to flagging answers for expert review than replacing a doctor's judgment.
"It's already difficult to say whether a fact is true or not, but there's an infinity of facts that are unsaid," May said. Deciding which missing facts matter in a particular situation is "a really hard problem for us."
Automated tools can help experts focus on the riskiest passages, Freedman said, but people must resolve uncertain cases. In addition to accuracy and completeness, tests should also reflect what patients and other healthcare consumers need: plain explanations, useful next steps and a clear signal when care is urgent.
Freedman said the team is preparing to share its lessons, data and methods so other researchers can continue working on the problem after the award ends. She also wants to dig deeper into what makes an answer complete, a quality that remains difficult to define.
Today, people may judge a chatbot by how polished, clear or sympathetic its answer sounds. None of those qualities proves the medical advice is reliable. May wants independent testing to give users a stronger basis for deciding which systems deserve their confidence.
"We would like to be able to provide a similar kind of certification to chatbots in high-risk contexts, like medicine and medical questions," May said, "so that consumers can feel that they can trust the outputs."
The Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health is funding the two-year project with a $6.2 million award that runs through Sept. 17, 2026.
* * *
This research was, in part, funded by the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H). The views and conclusions contained in this document are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as representing the official policies, either expressed or implied, of the United States Government.
* * *
This article may feature some AI-assisted content for clarity, consistency, and to help explore complex scientific concepts with greater depth and creative range.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.isi.edu/news/86383/ai-gives-medical-advice-every-day-whos-checking-whether-its-safe/
* * *
AI Gives Medical Advice Every Day. Who's Checking Whether It's Safe?
USC researchers are building ALICE to test whether chatbots give people medical information that is accurate, complete and safe to act on
By Marc Ballon
A mother asks a chatbot whether acetaminophen is safe for her baby. It replies yes. What it may not explain is that infant and children's versions can have different concentrations and ... Show Full Article MARINA DEL REY, California, Aug. 27 -- The University of Southern California Information Sciences Institute, a component of the Viterbi School of Engineering, issued the following news: * * * AI Gives Medical Advice Every Day. Who's Checking Whether It's Safe? USC researchers are building ALICE to test whether chatbots give people medical information that is accurate, complete and safe to act on By Marc Ballon A mother asks a chatbot whether acetaminophen is safe for her baby. It replies yes. What it may not explain is that infant and children's versions can have different concentrations andrequire different doses. A true statement has just set up a potentially dangerous mistake.
That is the risk when people turn to chatbots with medical questions. The systems answer in seconds and can sound calm and authoritative. But they may invent a fact, play down an emergency or omit a warning. A user may delay care, take the wrong dose or follow a treatment that will not help.
"If it's 90% right, what do you do?" said Marjorie Freedman, a principal scientist and associate director of the AI division at the USC Information Sciences Institute, or ISI, in USC Viterbi School of Engineering and the USC Stevens School for Computing and Artificial Intelligence. "That 10% can be really misleading" -- and potentially harmful, she said.
The flaws can be hard to spot, especially in a long, polished response, making it difficult to know how good chatbots are. ALICE aims to close that safety gap. The project is developing better ways to test whether chatbot answers to medical questions are accurate, complete and safe to act on.
ALICE Looks Beyond a Right-or-Wrong Score
Freedman leads ALICE, short for Assessing LLM Integrity for Clinical Engagement. Her collaborator Jonathan May is a research associate professor at the Thomas Lord Department of Computer Science, also within USC Viterbi and USC Stevens, and a principal scientist and the director of the artificial intelligence division at ISI.
ALICE is building tools to test answers that chatbots give to medical questions. Its goal is to find false statements and missing information while also asking whether an answer is clear, useful and appropriately urgent for patients, parents and health professionals.
Such a system could show where a chatbot needs improvement.
In addition to building the tools that could automate chatbot evaluation, the research team is creating the human-annotated data sets to validate the automated evaluators. The researchers studied hundreds of responses, some about 500 words long, from three chatbots. Their work explains why you can't just have one person check an answer once and call it reliable.
In one study, the first people to review answers often missed real mistakes -- mistakes that other reviewers, medical experts, and professional fact-checkers later caught. But even these experts didn't always agree with each other about whether something was actually wrong. When a chatbot was added as an extra reviewer, it found more possible errors than the humans had but also missed some mistakes that the humans caught.
"There is a great amount of subtlety in trying to determine the objective truth to a simple statement," May said.
Catching the Facts That Never Appear
A second study focused on omissions. Medical experts reviewed answers to real patient questions and marked important information that was absent. Researchers then tested three ways to spot those gaps automatically.
The strongest approach caught more than 90% of the real omissions in one set of tests. But it also raised many false alarms. For now, that makes it better suited to flagging answers for expert review than replacing a doctor's judgment.
"It's already difficult to say whether a fact is true or not, but there's an infinity of facts that are unsaid," May said. Deciding which missing facts matter in a particular situation is "a really hard problem for us."
Automated tools can help experts focus on the riskiest passages, Freedman said, but people must resolve uncertain cases. In addition to accuracy and completeness, tests should also reflect what patients and other healthcare consumers need: plain explanations, useful next steps and a clear signal when care is urgent.
Freedman said the team is preparing to share its lessons, data and methods so other researchers can continue working on the problem after the award ends. She also wants to dig deeper into what makes an answer complete, a quality that remains difficult to define.
Today, people may judge a chatbot by how polished, clear or sympathetic its answer sounds. None of those qualities proves the medical advice is reliable. May wants independent testing to give users a stronger basis for deciding which systems deserve their confidence.
"We would like to be able to provide a similar kind of certification to chatbots in high-risk contexts, like medicine and medical questions," May said, "so that consumers can feel that they can trust the outputs."
The Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health is funding the two-year project with a $6.2 million award that runs through Sept. 17, 2026.
* * *
This research was, in part, funded by the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H). The views and conclusions contained in this document are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as representing the official policies, either expressed or implied, of the United States Government.
* * *
This article may feature some AI-assisted content for clarity, consistency, and to help explore complex scientific concepts with greater depth and creative range.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.isi.edu/news/86383/ai-gives-medical-advice-every-day-whos-checking-whether-its-safe/
University of Georgia: Extreme Heat and Childhood Adversity Linked to Drinking Patterns in Older Adults
ATHENS, Georgia, Aug. 27 (TNSjou) -- The University of Georgia issued the following news:
* * *
Extreme heat and childhood adversity linked to drinking patterns in older adults
The combination of behavioral and climate factors could pose broader health risks
By Savannah Peat
The decision to crack open a beer on a hot summer day may be about more than refreshment, according to a new University of Georgia study.
The new research found that adverse childhood experiences, particularly negative relationships between a child and parent, were linked to more frequent drinking during periods of extreme ... Show Full Article ATHENS, Georgia, Aug. 27 (TNSjou) -- The University of Georgia issued the following news: * * * Extreme heat and childhood adversity linked to drinking patterns in older adults The combination of behavioral and climate factors could pose broader health risks By Savannah Peat The decision to crack open a beer on a hot summer day may be about more than refreshment, according to a new University of Georgia study. The new research found that adverse childhood experiences, particularly negative relationships between a child and parent, were linked to more frequent drinking during periods of extremeheat.
The study found that periods of extreme heat were associated with higher alcohol consumption among adults age 50 and older. The decision to drink, however, may also be connected to key childhood experiences.
Participants who reported parental substance use problems or childhood encounters with law enforcement were more likely to drink during heat waves. Those who reported a good relationship with their father were less likely to drink.
Although it is unclear whether those negative childhood experiences directly contributed to later drinking patterns, the association is concerning -- not only because alcohol consumption during extreme heat can increase the risks of dehydration and cardiovascular harm but also because of its potential psychological consequences, the researchers said.
"The findings suggest that experiences from childhood may remain relevant to drinking patterns decades later, particularly when people face environmental stressors," said Hee Yun Lee, lead author of the study, Thomas P. Holland Distinguished Professor and associate dean for research in the UGA School of Social Work.
Extreme heat linked to increased drinking over time
The researchers analyzed more than 20 years of data from the Health and Retirement Study, a nationally representative longitudinal study of more than 20,000 U.S. adults age 50 and older. To assess participants' exposure to extreme heat over the same period, the researchers linked that data with weather data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The analysis found that each additional day above 95 degrees Fahrenheit was associated with an incremental increase in weekly alcohol consumption. Exposure to 30 or more such days was associated with a 6.3% increase. Adults age 50 and older were even more likely to drink during sustained periods when temperatures exceeded 105 degrees.
The researchers noted several possible explanations for the association. Extreme heat can cause sweating and exhaustion, making a cold alcoholic beverage seem especially appealing. People may also perceive alcohol as a way to reduce irritability or stress on particularly exhausting days, even though it may worsen heat-related health risks.
"You think, 'Yesterday, I drank a beer, and it was great. Today, it's 95 again, so I'll drink one again.' It becomes a coping habit," Lee said. "It's hot out, so people get into the routine of cooling off inside and having a cold beer or cocktail with ice."
That pattern can be especially harmful for older adults who are already at greater risk for heat-related illness.
Expanding access to home air conditioning, cooling centers and other safe places to cool down could help.
"Drinking a small amount may seem harmless, but it cannot become a long-term solution," Lee said. "We need to help older adults choose healthier ways to cope because repeated alcohol use may worsen both their physical and mental health. That is the larger concern."
Fathers' drinking may shape alcohol use later in life
A person's relationship with their father may also influence whether they drink during periods of extreme heat as they age, the study found.
Part of this association may stem from fathers' own drinking behaviors, Lee said. Fathers who turned to alcohol may have modeled drinking as a coping strategy for their children. This behavior, combined with a disrupted parent-child relationship, may contribute to similar patterns in adulthood.
"When children see their father use alcohol to cope, that behavior can stay with them," Lee said. "During a crisis later in life, drinking may feel like the way they are supposed to manage stress. These early experiences can be difficult to overcome without appropriate support.
"Childhood trauma can shape responses to stress across the life course. Early adversity may make later stressors feel more overwhelming and can limit opportunities to learn healthy coping strategies. When alcohol use is modeled at home, drinking may become a familiar -- but harmful -- response to stress that persists into later life."
The study was published in JMIR Aging. Co-authors include Su Hyun Shin of the University of Utah, Yeon Jin Choi of the University of Kentucky, Eun Young Choi of Arizona State University and Hyunjung Ji of the University of Alabama.
* * *
Original text here: https://news.uga.edu/extreme-heat-and-childhood-adversity/?_gl=1*1nzh5oj*_ga*NDYwMzI4OTUxLjE3NjE3MjkzODM.*_ga_6H213MG7X1*czE3ODc4MTU5MzEkbzE0NCRnMCR0MTc4NzgxNTkzMSRqNjAkbDAkaDA.
* * *
Extreme heat and childhood adversity linked to drinking patterns in older adults
The combination of behavioral and climate factors could pose broader health risks
By Savannah Peat
The decision to crack open a beer on a hot summer day may be about more than refreshment, according to a new University of Georgia study.
The new research found that adverse childhood experiences, particularly negative relationships between a child and parent, were linked to more frequent drinking during periods of extreme ... Show Full Article ATHENS, Georgia, Aug. 27 (TNSjou) -- The University of Georgia issued the following news: * * * Extreme heat and childhood adversity linked to drinking patterns in older adults The combination of behavioral and climate factors could pose broader health risks By Savannah Peat The decision to crack open a beer on a hot summer day may be about more than refreshment, according to a new University of Georgia study. The new research found that adverse childhood experiences, particularly negative relationships between a child and parent, were linked to more frequent drinking during periods of extremeheat.
The study found that periods of extreme heat were associated with higher alcohol consumption among adults age 50 and older. The decision to drink, however, may also be connected to key childhood experiences.
Participants who reported parental substance use problems or childhood encounters with law enforcement were more likely to drink during heat waves. Those who reported a good relationship with their father were less likely to drink.
Although it is unclear whether those negative childhood experiences directly contributed to later drinking patterns, the association is concerning -- not only because alcohol consumption during extreme heat can increase the risks of dehydration and cardiovascular harm but also because of its potential psychological consequences, the researchers said.
"The findings suggest that experiences from childhood may remain relevant to drinking patterns decades later, particularly when people face environmental stressors," said Hee Yun Lee, lead author of the study, Thomas P. Holland Distinguished Professor and associate dean for research in the UGA School of Social Work.
Extreme heat linked to increased drinking over time
The researchers analyzed more than 20 years of data from the Health and Retirement Study, a nationally representative longitudinal study of more than 20,000 U.S. adults age 50 and older. To assess participants' exposure to extreme heat over the same period, the researchers linked that data with weather data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The analysis found that each additional day above 95 degrees Fahrenheit was associated with an incremental increase in weekly alcohol consumption. Exposure to 30 or more such days was associated with a 6.3% increase. Adults age 50 and older were even more likely to drink during sustained periods when temperatures exceeded 105 degrees.
The researchers noted several possible explanations for the association. Extreme heat can cause sweating and exhaustion, making a cold alcoholic beverage seem especially appealing. People may also perceive alcohol as a way to reduce irritability or stress on particularly exhausting days, even though it may worsen heat-related health risks.
"You think, 'Yesterday, I drank a beer, and it was great. Today, it's 95 again, so I'll drink one again.' It becomes a coping habit," Lee said. "It's hot out, so people get into the routine of cooling off inside and having a cold beer or cocktail with ice."
That pattern can be especially harmful for older adults who are already at greater risk for heat-related illness.
Expanding access to home air conditioning, cooling centers and other safe places to cool down could help.
"Drinking a small amount may seem harmless, but it cannot become a long-term solution," Lee said. "We need to help older adults choose healthier ways to cope because repeated alcohol use may worsen both their physical and mental health. That is the larger concern."
Fathers' drinking may shape alcohol use later in life
A person's relationship with their father may also influence whether they drink during periods of extreme heat as they age, the study found.
Part of this association may stem from fathers' own drinking behaviors, Lee said. Fathers who turned to alcohol may have modeled drinking as a coping strategy for their children. This behavior, combined with a disrupted parent-child relationship, may contribute to similar patterns in adulthood.
"When children see their father use alcohol to cope, that behavior can stay with them," Lee said. "During a crisis later in life, drinking may feel like the way they are supposed to manage stress. These early experiences can be difficult to overcome without appropriate support.
"Childhood trauma can shape responses to stress across the life course. Early adversity may make later stressors feel more overwhelming and can limit opportunities to learn healthy coping strategies. When alcohol use is modeled at home, drinking may become a familiar -- but harmful -- response to stress that persists into later life."
The study was published in JMIR Aging. Co-authors include Su Hyun Shin of the University of Utah, Yeon Jin Choi of the University of Kentucky, Eun Young Choi of Arizona State University and Hyunjung Ji of the University of Alabama.
* * *
Original text here: https://news.uga.edu/extreme-heat-and-childhood-adversity/?_gl=1*1nzh5oj*_ga*NDYwMzI4OTUxLjE3NjE3MjkzODM.*_ga_6H213MG7X1*czE3ODc4MTU5MzEkbzE0NCRnMCR0MTc4NzgxNTkzMSRqNjAkbDAkaDA.
Saint Leo University Launches Lifelong Learning Commitment to Help Alumni Build AI-Era Skills
SAINT LEO, Florida, Aug. 27 -- Saint Leo University issued the following news:
* * *
Saint Leo University Launches Lifelong Learning Commitment to Help Alumni Build AI-Era Skills
New initiative will give more than 107,000 alumni worldwide access to certifications, career development, and continued university connections
-
Learning doesn't end at graduation for Saint Leo University alumni. The university's new Lifelong Learning Commitment will provide more than 107,000 Saint Leo graduates worldwide with access to professional development, artificial intelligence training, and career resources ... Show Full Article SAINT LEO, Florida, Aug. 27 -- Saint Leo University issued the following news: * * * Saint Leo University Launches Lifelong Learning Commitment to Help Alumni Build AI-Era Skills New initiative will give more than 107,000 alumni worldwide access to certifications, career development, and continued university connections - Learning doesn't end at graduation for Saint Leo University alumni. The university's new Lifelong Learning Commitment will provide more than 107,000 Saint Leo graduates worldwide with access to professional development, artificial intelligence training, and career resourcesto help them keep pace with a changing workforce.
As part of the university's commitment, Saint Leo alumni will have the opportunity to complete one professional certification course designated by the program each year and earn an official Saint Leo credential.
"As technology continues to reshape nearly every industry, universities have a responsibility to help graduates continue learning long after commencement," said Dr. Jim Burkee, president of Saint Leo University. "The Lifelong Learning Commitment is about giving our alumni the tools, knowledge, and confidence they need to lead in an AI-driven workforce."
The first offering, available to alumni later this fall, will be a new Saint Leo University-developed online AI certification course, valued at more than $500, along with additional AI educational resources through the university's partnership with IBM SkillsBuild. Participants also will receive an official Saint Leo alumni email address, providing access to the program's educational and professional development opportunities.
Interested Saint Leo alumni can join the waiting list for the Lifelong Learning Commitment at your.saintleo.edu/alumni-and-community/benefits-and-services. Certification offerings and program benefits will be updated each year to reflect emerging technologies and changing workforce needs, with program membership also renewed annually.
The Lifelong Learning Commitment is part of a broader effort to strengthen Saint Leo's lifelong relationship with its graduates. The university is expanding opportunities for alumni to stay connected, contribute their expertise, and engage with Saint Leo in ways that align with their interests, careers, and communities.
"Every Saint Leo graduate should have an opportunity to stay connected, contribute, and be part of the university community in a way that works for them," said Dr. Nieta Scott-Dunmore, most recent president of the Alumni Association Board of Directors. "I'm excited to see the university expand opportunities beyond the traditional board structure and invite more alumni to contribute their talents, experiences, and ideas. This is an important step toward building a stronger, more connected alumni community."
This fall, new Alumni Advisory Councils will bring together alumni professionals, industry leaders, and employer partners to collaborate with each of Saint Leo's three academic colleges. The councils will provide workforce insights, strengthen partnerships between the university and industry, and help expand experiential learning opportunities, internships, and career pathways for Saint Leo students and graduates.
The Alumni Ambassador Program will provide graduates with flexible opportunities to support Saint Leo through events, student recruitment efforts, and alumni outreach. The university is also expanding regional programming, starting in the Tampa Bay area, to create more opportunities for alumni to engage through networking events, career-focused gatherings, and community activities.
"We see our alumni as lifelong partners in Saint Leo's mission, and we are investing in their continued growth, success, and connection to the university," said Dr. Stephen Kubasek, vice president of university advancement. "We're expanding opportunities for alumni across all of our academic programs and meeting them where they are, whether through continued learning, career connections, mentorship, or community engagement."
Learn more about Saint Leo's Office of University Advancement and alumni engagement efforts at your.saintleo.edu.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.saintleo.edu/about/stories/news-and-events/saint-leo-university-launches-lifelong-learning-commitment-help
* * *
Saint Leo University Launches Lifelong Learning Commitment to Help Alumni Build AI-Era Skills
New initiative will give more than 107,000 alumni worldwide access to certifications, career development, and continued university connections
-
Learning doesn't end at graduation for Saint Leo University alumni. The university's new Lifelong Learning Commitment will provide more than 107,000 Saint Leo graduates worldwide with access to professional development, artificial intelligence training, and career resources ... Show Full Article SAINT LEO, Florida, Aug. 27 -- Saint Leo University issued the following news: * * * Saint Leo University Launches Lifelong Learning Commitment to Help Alumni Build AI-Era Skills New initiative will give more than 107,000 alumni worldwide access to certifications, career development, and continued university connections - Learning doesn't end at graduation for Saint Leo University alumni. The university's new Lifelong Learning Commitment will provide more than 107,000 Saint Leo graduates worldwide with access to professional development, artificial intelligence training, and career resourcesto help them keep pace with a changing workforce.
As part of the university's commitment, Saint Leo alumni will have the opportunity to complete one professional certification course designated by the program each year and earn an official Saint Leo credential.
"As technology continues to reshape nearly every industry, universities have a responsibility to help graduates continue learning long after commencement," said Dr. Jim Burkee, president of Saint Leo University. "The Lifelong Learning Commitment is about giving our alumni the tools, knowledge, and confidence they need to lead in an AI-driven workforce."
The first offering, available to alumni later this fall, will be a new Saint Leo University-developed online AI certification course, valued at more than $500, along with additional AI educational resources through the university's partnership with IBM SkillsBuild. Participants also will receive an official Saint Leo alumni email address, providing access to the program's educational and professional development opportunities.
Interested Saint Leo alumni can join the waiting list for the Lifelong Learning Commitment at your.saintleo.edu/alumni-and-community/benefits-and-services. Certification offerings and program benefits will be updated each year to reflect emerging technologies and changing workforce needs, with program membership also renewed annually.
The Lifelong Learning Commitment is part of a broader effort to strengthen Saint Leo's lifelong relationship with its graduates. The university is expanding opportunities for alumni to stay connected, contribute their expertise, and engage with Saint Leo in ways that align with their interests, careers, and communities.
"Every Saint Leo graduate should have an opportunity to stay connected, contribute, and be part of the university community in a way that works for them," said Dr. Nieta Scott-Dunmore, most recent president of the Alumni Association Board of Directors. "I'm excited to see the university expand opportunities beyond the traditional board structure and invite more alumni to contribute their talents, experiences, and ideas. This is an important step toward building a stronger, more connected alumni community."
This fall, new Alumni Advisory Councils will bring together alumni professionals, industry leaders, and employer partners to collaborate with each of Saint Leo's three academic colleges. The councils will provide workforce insights, strengthen partnerships between the university and industry, and help expand experiential learning opportunities, internships, and career pathways for Saint Leo students and graduates.
The Alumni Ambassador Program will provide graduates with flexible opportunities to support Saint Leo through events, student recruitment efforts, and alumni outreach. The university is also expanding regional programming, starting in the Tampa Bay area, to create more opportunities for alumni to engage through networking events, career-focused gatherings, and community activities.
"We see our alumni as lifelong partners in Saint Leo's mission, and we are investing in their continued growth, success, and connection to the university," said Dr. Stephen Kubasek, vice president of university advancement. "We're expanding opportunities for alumni across all of our academic programs and meeting them where they are, whether through continued learning, career connections, mentorship, or community engagement."
Learn more about Saint Leo's Office of University Advancement and alumni engagement efforts at your.saintleo.edu.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.saintleo.edu/about/stories/news-and-events/saint-leo-university-launches-lifelong-learning-commitment-help
Oklahoma Baptist University Welcomes Smith and Carver to Division of Exercise Science, Sports and Recreation
SHAWNEE, Oklahoma, Aug. 27 -- Oklahoma Baptist University issued the following news:
* * *
OBU welcomes Smith and Carver to Division of Exercise Science, Sports and Recreation
Oklahoma Baptist University is pleased to welcome Christa Smith as assistant professor of exercise science and Christopher Carver as visiting professor of exercise science in the Division of Exercise Science, Sports and Recreation.
Smith and Carver will teach courses in OBU's Exercise Science degree programs, including Pre-Allied Health and Human Performance, preparing students for careers in allied health, exercise science ... Show Full Article SHAWNEE, Oklahoma, Aug. 27 -- Oklahoma Baptist University issued the following news: * * * OBU welcomes Smith and Carver to Division of Exercise Science, Sports and Recreation Oklahoma Baptist University is pleased to welcome Christa Smith as assistant professor of exercise science and Christopher Carver as visiting professor of exercise science in the Division of Exercise Science, Sports and Recreation. Smith and Carver will teach courses in OBU's Exercise Science degree programs, including Pre-Allied Health and Human Performance, preparing students for careers in allied health, exercise scienceand human performance.
Smith is a registered dietitian and board-certified specialist in sports dietetics. She earned a Master of Clinical Nutrition from UT Southwestern Medical Center and a bachelor's degree in exercise science from Dallas Baptist University. She also holds a diploma in sports nutrition from the International Olympic Committee and is pursuing a Ph.D. in kinesiology through Concordia St. Paul.
Smith joins OBU with experience in both clinical practice and higher education, having previously served as an adjunct instructor at Cedarville University and OBU. Her professional experience includes consulting for collegiate athletic departments and providing medical nutrition therapy through her private practice.
She is committed to integrating faith and learning, helping students view careers in allied health through a biblical worldview while recognizing every individual as an image-bearer of Christ.
Carver earned a master's degree in exercise science with an emphasis in human performance from Liberty University, a Bachelor of Science in exercise science and wellness from Georgia Southwestern State University and an associate degree in exercise science from Darton State College. He is pursuing a Ph.D. in exercise science with an emphasis in human performance through Liberty University.
Carver brings experience in collegiate teaching, curriculum development, performance training and fitness industry leadership. His professional background includes serving as a personal training manager, strength coach and practitioner in exercise programming, movement instruction and athlete development.
His teaching emphasizes evidence-based practice, student engagement and real-world application, helping students connect classroom concepts with careers in allied health, exercise science and human performance.
To learn more about ESSR at OBU, visit okbu.edu/essr/.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.okbu.edu/news/2026/08/obu-welcomes-smith-and-carver-to-division-of-exercise-science-sports-and-recreation
* * *
OBU welcomes Smith and Carver to Division of Exercise Science, Sports and Recreation
Oklahoma Baptist University is pleased to welcome Christa Smith as assistant professor of exercise science and Christopher Carver as visiting professor of exercise science in the Division of Exercise Science, Sports and Recreation.
Smith and Carver will teach courses in OBU's Exercise Science degree programs, including Pre-Allied Health and Human Performance, preparing students for careers in allied health, exercise science ... Show Full Article SHAWNEE, Oklahoma, Aug. 27 -- Oklahoma Baptist University issued the following news: * * * OBU welcomes Smith and Carver to Division of Exercise Science, Sports and Recreation Oklahoma Baptist University is pleased to welcome Christa Smith as assistant professor of exercise science and Christopher Carver as visiting professor of exercise science in the Division of Exercise Science, Sports and Recreation. Smith and Carver will teach courses in OBU's Exercise Science degree programs, including Pre-Allied Health and Human Performance, preparing students for careers in allied health, exercise scienceand human performance.
Smith is a registered dietitian and board-certified specialist in sports dietetics. She earned a Master of Clinical Nutrition from UT Southwestern Medical Center and a bachelor's degree in exercise science from Dallas Baptist University. She also holds a diploma in sports nutrition from the International Olympic Committee and is pursuing a Ph.D. in kinesiology through Concordia St. Paul.
Smith joins OBU with experience in both clinical practice and higher education, having previously served as an adjunct instructor at Cedarville University and OBU. Her professional experience includes consulting for collegiate athletic departments and providing medical nutrition therapy through her private practice.
She is committed to integrating faith and learning, helping students view careers in allied health through a biblical worldview while recognizing every individual as an image-bearer of Christ.
Carver earned a master's degree in exercise science with an emphasis in human performance from Liberty University, a Bachelor of Science in exercise science and wellness from Georgia Southwestern State University and an associate degree in exercise science from Darton State College. He is pursuing a Ph.D. in exercise science with an emphasis in human performance through Liberty University.
Carver brings experience in collegiate teaching, curriculum development, performance training and fitness industry leadership. His professional background includes serving as a personal training manager, strength coach and practitioner in exercise programming, movement instruction and athlete development.
His teaching emphasizes evidence-based practice, student engagement and real-world application, helping students connect classroom concepts with careers in allied health, exercise science and human performance.
To learn more about ESSR at OBU, visit okbu.edu/essr/.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.okbu.edu/news/2026/08/obu-welcomes-smith-and-carver-to-division-of-exercise-science-sports-and-recreation
Inside the Kansas State University Entrepreneurship Accelerator
MANHATTAN, Kansas, Aug. 27 -- Kansas State University issued the following news:
* * *
Building businesses, chasing dreams
Inside the K-State Entrepreneurship Accelerator
By Ruthie Gergeni, College of Business Administration
The Entrepreneurship Accelerator, housed in the Center for the Advancement of Entrepreneurship in the College of Business Administration, is a premier Kansas State University outreach initiative that offers two pathways for Kansas-based founders at different stages. The Idea Track helps aspiring entrepreneurs validate early concepts through customer discovery, prototyping ... Show Full Article MANHATTAN, Kansas, Aug. 27 -- Kansas State University issued the following news: * * * Building businesses, chasing dreams Inside the K-State Entrepreneurship Accelerator By Ruthie Gergeni, College of Business Administration The Entrepreneurship Accelerator, housed in the Center for the Advancement of Entrepreneurship in the College of Business Administration, is a premier Kansas State University outreach initiative that offers two pathways for Kansas-based founders at different stages. The Idea Track helps aspiring entrepreneurs validate early concepts through customer discovery, prototypingand pitch preparation. The Growth Track supports operating ventures with mentorship and hands-on consulting to refine business models, strengthen operations and build for scale. For graduate student and veteran Ryan Atkins, that support is already reshaping his business and his future.
Building a post-military career in the Flint Hills
Atkins, a non-traditional student using VA benefits to pursue a graduate degree in the College of Agriculture, launched Chasing Tail Outfitters three years ago. The veteran-owned upland hunting operation is based in the Flint Hills and offers guided and self-guided bird hunts on private land, supported by experienced guides and well-trained dogs. The business also provides upland and retriever dog training and operates as a licensed Kansas game bird breeder.
After a year of rapid growth, Atkins said he realized that passion and demand weren't enough.
"I was focused on building a meaningful post-military career," Atkins said. "But as the business grew, I realized I lacked the business structure and efficiency to sustain that momentum."
He first heard about the K-State Accelerator through an entrepreneurship class and quickly applied for the Growth Track.
"I recognized it as exactly what I needed," he said. "The Growth Track offered a practical way to refine my business model, improve operations and learn from experienced mentors. Since joining, it's been one of the most impactful programs I've been part of, both at K-State and throughout my military career."
From idea to infrastructure
Through workshops, mentor sessions and a dedicated student consulting team, Atkins revisited his business plan "with a critical eye," identifying inefficiencies and implementing new systems to manage and scale operations.
One of the most tangible outcomes was a hurdle he'd been putting off: a professional website.
"Before the program, that felt like a major hurdle," he said. "Through the student consulting team and AI workshops, I learned just how accessible that process can be."
With guidance from the student consultants, Atkins built a functional site using AI tools and launched it through Netlify at minimal cost.
"That experience completely changed my perspective on what I can accomplish with the right knowledge and support," Atkins said.
He credits faculty, mentors and student consultants with pushing him to think strategically and operate more like a scalable venture than a side business.
"Watching entrepreneurs grow through our Accelerator program is an amazing experience," said Blair Kocher, associate director of the Center for the Advancement of Entrepreneurship. "Ryan is exactly the kind of client our student consultants love to work with: his openness to feedback allowed them to effectively tackle complex problems. In turn, these students play an essential role in delivering innovative, value-driven solutions for the small businesses we serve."
One core lesson that stuck was fully separating personal and business finances.
"It sounds simple, but it's foundational to understanding your true costs and making informed decisions," Atkins said. "That shift alone has changed how I evaluate every aspect of my business."
As he looks ahead to the 2026-2027 hunting season, Atkins is focused on strengthening financial systems, improving record-keeping and making more data-driven decisions.
"I'm leaving the program with a much clearer strategy and a more efficient way of operating," he said. "More importantly, I have the confidence to implement those strategies and continue building momentum."
An invitation to aspiring and current entrepreneurs
The accelerator program is now accepting applications for fall 2026. Accepted participants will gain access to faculty-led courses, hands-on student consulting research teams, a world-class K-State alumni mentor network, and up to $60,000 worth of equity-free grants.
Participants can apply to one of two accelerator tracks -- a six-week Idea Track designed to help aspiring entrepreneurs transform business ideas into proven business models, and an eight-week Growth Track for early-stage startups looking to accelerate their growth and economic impact.
"We designed the tracks to meet Kansas-based aspiring and current entrepreneurs wherever they are on their entrepreneurial journey, providing them with the right resources to help them reach their next milestone," said Rachel Mui, acting director of the Center for the Advancement of Entrepreneurship.
"The Accelerator offers a level of support, mentorship and real-world application that's hard to find elsewhere," Atkins said. "Between the faculty, mentors and student consultants, you're surrounded by people who are invested in your success. It's a well-structured, high-impact program, and the added benefits like scholarships and tech resources make it even more worthwhile."
Find out more information about the accelerator and how to apply online (https://cba.k-state.edu/academics/departments/center-advancement-entrepreneurship/accelerator.html).
* * *
Original text here: https://www.k-state.edu/news/articles/2026/08/kstate-entrepreneurship-accelerator-provides-grants-support-network.html
* * *
Building businesses, chasing dreams
Inside the K-State Entrepreneurship Accelerator
By Ruthie Gergeni, College of Business Administration
The Entrepreneurship Accelerator, housed in the Center for the Advancement of Entrepreneurship in the College of Business Administration, is a premier Kansas State University outreach initiative that offers two pathways for Kansas-based founders at different stages. The Idea Track helps aspiring entrepreneurs validate early concepts through customer discovery, prototyping ... Show Full Article MANHATTAN, Kansas, Aug. 27 -- Kansas State University issued the following news: * * * Building businesses, chasing dreams Inside the K-State Entrepreneurship Accelerator By Ruthie Gergeni, College of Business Administration The Entrepreneurship Accelerator, housed in the Center for the Advancement of Entrepreneurship in the College of Business Administration, is a premier Kansas State University outreach initiative that offers two pathways for Kansas-based founders at different stages. The Idea Track helps aspiring entrepreneurs validate early concepts through customer discovery, prototypingand pitch preparation. The Growth Track supports operating ventures with mentorship and hands-on consulting to refine business models, strengthen operations and build for scale. For graduate student and veteran Ryan Atkins, that support is already reshaping his business and his future.
Building a post-military career in the Flint Hills
Atkins, a non-traditional student using VA benefits to pursue a graduate degree in the College of Agriculture, launched Chasing Tail Outfitters three years ago. The veteran-owned upland hunting operation is based in the Flint Hills and offers guided and self-guided bird hunts on private land, supported by experienced guides and well-trained dogs. The business also provides upland and retriever dog training and operates as a licensed Kansas game bird breeder.
After a year of rapid growth, Atkins said he realized that passion and demand weren't enough.
"I was focused on building a meaningful post-military career," Atkins said. "But as the business grew, I realized I lacked the business structure and efficiency to sustain that momentum."
He first heard about the K-State Accelerator through an entrepreneurship class and quickly applied for the Growth Track.
"I recognized it as exactly what I needed," he said. "The Growth Track offered a practical way to refine my business model, improve operations and learn from experienced mentors. Since joining, it's been one of the most impactful programs I've been part of, both at K-State and throughout my military career."
From idea to infrastructure
Through workshops, mentor sessions and a dedicated student consulting team, Atkins revisited his business plan "with a critical eye," identifying inefficiencies and implementing new systems to manage and scale operations.
One of the most tangible outcomes was a hurdle he'd been putting off: a professional website.
"Before the program, that felt like a major hurdle," he said. "Through the student consulting team and AI workshops, I learned just how accessible that process can be."
With guidance from the student consultants, Atkins built a functional site using AI tools and launched it through Netlify at minimal cost.
"That experience completely changed my perspective on what I can accomplish with the right knowledge and support," Atkins said.
He credits faculty, mentors and student consultants with pushing him to think strategically and operate more like a scalable venture than a side business.
"Watching entrepreneurs grow through our Accelerator program is an amazing experience," said Blair Kocher, associate director of the Center for the Advancement of Entrepreneurship. "Ryan is exactly the kind of client our student consultants love to work with: his openness to feedback allowed them to effectively tackle complex problems. In turn, these students play an essential role in delivering innovative, value-driven solutions for the small businesses we serve."
One core lesson that stuck was fully separating personal and business finances.
"It sounds simple, but it's foundational to understanding your true costs and making informed decisions," Atkins said. "That shift alone has changed how I evaluate every aspect of my business."
As he looks ahead to the 2026-2027 hunting season, Atkins is focused on strengthening financial systems, improving record-keeping and making more data-driven decisions.
"I'm leaving the program with a much clearer strategy and a more efficient way of operating," he said. "More importantly, I have the confidence to implement those strategies and continue building momentum."
An invitation to aspiring and current entrepreneurs
The accelerator program is now accepting applications for fall 2026. Accepted participants will gain access to faculty-led courses, hands-on student consulting research teams, a world-class K-State alumni mentor network, and up to $60,000 worth of equity-free grants.
Participants can apply to one of two accelerator tracks -- a six-week Idea Track designed to help aspiring entrepreneurs transform business ideas into proven business models, and an eight-week Growth Track for early-stage startups looking to accelerate their growth and economic impact.
"We designed the tracks to meet Kansas-based aspiring and current entrepreneurs wherever they are on their entrepreneurial journey, providing them with the right resources to help them reach their next milestone," said Rachel Mui, acting director of the Center for the Advancement of Entrepreneurship.
"The Accelerator offers a level of support, mentorship and real-world application that's hard to find elsewhere," Atkins said. "Between the faculty, mentors and student consultants, you're surrounded by people who are invested in your success. It's a well-structured, high-impact program, and the added benefits like scholarships and tech resources make it even more worthwhile."
Find out more information about the accelerator and how to apply online (https://cba.k-state.edu/academics/departments/center-advancement-entrepreneurship/accelerator.html).
* * *
Original text here: https://www.k-state.edu/news/articles/2026/08/kstate-entrepreneurship-accelerator-provides-grants-support-network.html
Emory University School of Medicine: Fall Semester Brings New Faculty, Cutting-edge Programs and More to Emory
ATLANTA, Georgia, Aug. 27 -- Emory University School of Medicine issued the following news:
* * *
Fall semester brings new faculty, cutting-edge programs and more to Emory
Leigh DeLozier
As the new academic year gets underway, the nine schools that comprise Emory University have big plans -- from welcoming new deans and faculty members to organizing special events and introducing new programs of study. Here's a roundup of incoming class stats and other things to come, as listed by each school.
Candler School of Theology
Incoming class: Candler welcomes 190 students from 30 states and 12 ... Show Full Article ATLANTA, Georgia, Aug. 27 -- Emory University School of Medicine issued the following news: * * * Fall semester brings new faculty, cutting-edge programs and more to Emory Leigh DeLozier As the new academic year gets underway, the nine schools that comprise Emory University have big plans -- from welcoming new deans and faculty members to organizing special events and introducing new programs of study. Here's a roundup of incoming class stats and other things to come, as listed by each school. Candler School of Theology Incoming class: Candler welcomes 190 students from 30 states and 12countries.
New leadership: Terrence L. (Kojo) Johnson became Candler's 11th dean on Aug. 1 and will be officially installed during Fall Convocation on Aug. 27 in Cannon Chapel.
Keynote panel: To celebrate Johnson's installation, five renowned scholars -- Claudio Burgaleta of Boston College, Marc Gopin of George Mason University, Susannah Heschel of Dartmouth College, Jennifer S. Leath of Queen's University and moderator Robert M. Franklin, Jr. of Candler -- will take part in the Aug. 26 panel discussion "Faith When Democracy Betrays Its Promise: Law, Lament, and the Work of Justice." Stay tuned via the Candler Facebook page for a recording.
New faculty: Joining the faculty are J. Neil Alexander, Dean's Professor of Anglican Studies; Jon-Paul Lapena, visiting assistant professor of New Testament; Shanise N. Palmer 26G, visiting assistant professor of preaching; Chandra C. Plowden, visiting assistant professor of Black church studies and African American religion and culture; and Kristine Suna-Koro 10G, acting associate professor of worship.
Public theology courses: The Candler Foundry's slate of fall public theology courses includes "Divine Metaphors: Describing an Indescribable God," taught by professor in the practice of Old Testament Ryan Bonfiglio, Emory's 2026 Exemplary Teacher of the Year.
Queer archives and the UMC: Candler will host events Sept. 22-23 focused on the collection, preservation and sharing of queer history in The United Methodist Church, featuring Ashley Boggan, general secretary of the General Commission on Archives and History of The United Methodist Church.
Learn more at the Candler School of Theology website (https://candler.emory.edu/).
-
Emory College of Arts and Sciences
Class of 2030: Emory College welcomes another stellar, high-achieving first-year class of 1,469 students representing 45 states, plus Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the Northern Mariana Islands. Their citizenships include 60 countries, not counting the U.S. Approximately 16% of the class identifies as first-generation college students.
New leadership: James Nagy, Samuel Candler Dobbs Professor and former chair of the Department of Mathematics, has been appointed dean of Emory College for the 2026-27 academic year. Nagy will lead the College through the academic year while the search for a long-term dean continues.
New faculty: Emory College welcomes 17 new faculty members this fall following national searches. Hires were made across all fields and ranks -- arts, humanities, languages, STEM and social sciences -- to support the college's academic and research excellence strategic priorities.
New associate deans for undergraduate education: Two new associate deans of Undergraduate Academic Affairs and Faculty Partnerships have joined Emory College. Jessica Barber, formerly associate teaching professor in psychology, will provide curricular support to STEM and social science departments and programs. Natalie Carter joins Emory from Butler University, where she was a faculty member in English. She will provide curricular support in the arts and humanities.
Career expo: The Pathways Center will host the annual Career, Internship & Graduate School Expo on Sept. 17 in the Emory Student Center from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. The event brings employers and graduate programs from a wide variety of industries and disciplines to campus to meet with more than 1,000 Emory students exploring internships, full-time opportunities and advanced study.
Learn more at the Emory College of Arts and Sciences website (https://college.emory.edu/).
-
Goizueta Business School
Incoming classes: Goizueta welcomes 950+ students for the new academic year, including more than 450 Emory and direct transfer students and nearly 100 exchange students in the BBA program and more than 400 graduate students in the MBA programs and specialized master's degrees.
New dean: Saby Mitra began his tenure as dean of Goizueta Business School on Aug. 1. An accomplished academic leader and expert in information systems and technology management, Mitra joins Emory from the University of Florida, where he served as dean of the Warrington College of Business.
New real estate center: Launched in spring 2026, the BL Harbert Real Estate Center is expanding Goizueta's engagement with the real estate industry and leveraging Atlanta's position as one of the nation's most dynamic real estate markets. Real estate executive Joel Murphy has been named the center's executive director and will lead efforts to deepen industry partnerships, enhance course options and strengthen career pathways for students.
Expanding degree options: Goizueta has expanded its One-Year MBA with four degree options (Accelerated MBA, Global MBA, Healthcare MBA and Real Estate MBA), giving students more ways to tailor their MBA experience to their career goals. Goizueta also continues to strengthen its interdisciplinary partnership with Rollins School of Public Health through the jointly delivered Master of Health Administration, preparing leaders to address complex challenges at the intersection of business, healthcare and public health.
Learn more at the Goizueta Business School website (https://goizueta.emory.edu/).
-
James T. Laney School of Graduate Studies
Incoming class: The James T. Laney School of Graduate Studies welcomes 411 new students this academic year. Seventy-one percent of the incoming class are pursuing doctoral degrees; 28% are pursuing master's degrees; and 1% are completing certificates. Together, the new cohort represents 38 states and 48 countries.
New leadership: Prudence J. Oliver joined the graduate school as its new associate dean of academic operations. Oliver brings more than 20 years of experience in higher education administration, with deep expertise in enrollment management. In this role, Oliver provides leadership for the academic and administrative processes that support Laney's graduate programs, students and faculty.
Scholarship in action: Eric Villalobos, a doctoral candidate in religion, received a Fulbright award to conduct research in Rajasthan, India. His work examines Jain monks who served as medical practitioners during the colonial era. Villalobos follows fellow religion doctoral student Anya Fredsell, who earned a Fulbright award last year, continuing the department's strong record of international scholarship.
Supporting student flourishing: The graduate school recently introduced Flourishing at Laney, a new initiative that supports graduate students' well-being and success through workshops, events and community experiences that encourage intellectual, emotional and personal growth. Laney students are encouraged to visit the Flourishing page on the Emory Hub to explore upcoming events and opportunities to connect with the graduate community.
Strengthening scholarly communication through Laney-PACS: Laney Graduate School launched Laney-PACS to help students communicate their ideas with clarity and confidence. Through writing consultations and the Speaking Studio, students receive individualized support for academic writing, presentations and other forms of scholarly communication.
Learn more at the James T. Laney School of Graduate Studies website (https://gs.emory.edu/).
-
Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing
Incoming class: The School of Nursing is excited to welcome more than 600 students this fall across pre- and post-licensure programs.
New leadership: The Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing is thrilled to have welcomed Dean Sean Clarke on Aug. 1. Clarke is the seventh dean of the School of Nursing. He joined Emory from New York University Rory Meyers College of Nursing, where he served as professor and the Ursula Springer Chair in Nursing Leadership, following prior service as executive vice dean.
New program offerings: The School of Nursing is expanding its academic offerings with new Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition and Master of Science in Health Care Analytics programs.
New alumni: The school celebrated more than 150 of its newest alumni during the August graduation and pinning ceremony. These students graduated from a wide range of pre- and post-licensure programs.
New rankings: The School of Nursing master's degree program was ranked best in the nation for the fourth consecutive year by U.S. News & World Report. The school's undergraduate program is also ranked No. 2 by U.S. News.
Faculty honors: Eight members of the Emory Nursing community will be among the distinguished nurse leaders inducted into the American Academy of Nursing 2026 Class of Fellows this fall for their substantial contributions to improving health and transforming healthcare.
Learn more at the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing website (https://www.nursing.emory.edu/).
-
Oxford College
Incoming class: This fall semester, Oxford welcomes 533 students representing 38 U.S. states, two U.S. territories and 37 different countries. They were chosen out of an applicant pool of more than 27,000 students.
Oxford London launch: Building on last year's successful debut of incoming students beginning their Oxford studies in London, the program returned with a record enrollment of 49 students. This fall, Leyla Eghbalzad, assistant professor of psychology, and Anouar El Younssi, associate professor of Arabic and Middle Eastern studies, will join this year's students, teaching their Discovery Seminar course and additional courses as part of students' general education curriculum.
New faculty and staff: Oxford welcomes three new faculty members to campus this fall:
* Mary Kelaita, associate professor (without tenure) of biological anthropology
* Jiwon Min, assistant professor of English
* Vanessa Yee-Kwan Wong, assistant professor of Chinese
Oxford pre-college Ox-perience: Sixteen high school students from across the country embarked on an unforgettable two-week experience that gave them a taste of life at Oxford. This inaugural cohort explored biodiversity, learned how to write a standout college essay and, for some, tackled the challenge of independence for the first time.
New within humanities: Starting this fall, students can complete the new PATHS (Professional Advancement Through Humanities Study) certificates. PATHS certificates provide students with a credential that demonstrates the development of skills that employers value through study in the humanities. Certificates are available in four areas: communication and critical thinking, creativity and innovation, global engagement, and social responsibility and ethics.
Learn more at the Oxford College website (https://oxford.emory.edu/index.html).
-
Rollins School of Public Health
Incoming class: Rollins welcomes 450 Master of Public Health (MPH) and Master of Science in Public Health (MSPH) students, 22 Master of Health Administration (MHA) and 87 Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) students this fall. The Rollins student body represents 39 U.S. states and 44 countries.
New programs: This fall marks the launch of the new MHA and MSPH in Data Science programs at Rollins. The school also welcomes its first cohort of DrPH students into two new concentrations: Applied AI and Data Translation and Leadership for Public Health Policy. Rollins has also expanded its online program offerings. Two new online part-time MPH programs in epidemiology and global epidemiology begin this fall, as well as accelerated full-time programs in global health and behavioral, social and health education sciences.
Georgia's first Superfund Research Center: Rollins researchers received funding from the National Institutes of Environmental Health Sciences to establish Georgia's first Superfund Research Center. The center will focus on industrial pollution in Glynn County from contaminants such as polychlorinated biphenyls and toxaphene. The center is led by environmental health professor Dana Barr and associate professor Noah Scovronick in collaboration with faculty from Emory, the University of Georgia, Georgia Institute of Technology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Spelman College and Texas Tech University.
Learn more at the Rollins School of Public Health website (https://sph.emory.edu/).
-
School of Law
Incoming class: Emory Law welcomes new 274 new students for the SJD, JD, LLM and MLS programs -- and 73% of entering students are one or more years removed from undergraduate studies.
New concentrations: Now, JD and LLM students have the opportunity to choose one of two new concentrations, including Environmental Law and AI and the Law.
New faculty: The law school welcomes Geeyoung Min, associate professor of law; Kathy Rogers, dean's teaching professor; and Mary Webb, assistant professor of practice. Chris Katrakis, Henry Leaman and Kyle Skinner, who were visitors last year, have joined Emory Law as assistant professors of practice.
New name: The Juvenile Defender Clinic has, upon its 20th anniversary, changed its name to the Youth Justice Clinic. The YJC is an in-house legal clinic dedicated to providing holistic legal representation for children in delinquency proceedings. Emory Law students have represented hundreds of young people since the clinic was founded in 2006.
Upcoming events:
* 2026 EPIC Conference: Deportation, Due Process, and the Fight for Rights: Saturday, Sept. 26
* Sheth Lecture in India Studies: Thursday, Oct. 8
Learn more at the School of Law website (http://law.emory.edu/).
-
School of Medicine
Incoming students: This summer, 138 students matriculated to the MD program. Of this class, 87% are non-traditional students (meaning they have been out of college for a year or more), and their ages range from 21-39. Eighteen students received other graduate degrees prior to medical school; 52 are from Georgia.
* The 55 students in the Physician Assistant (PA) program Class of 2028 were selected from a pool of more than 1,000 applicants. They have an average of more than 5,100 hours of healthcare experience prior to Emory. PA students experience an immersive education of classroom learning, clinical exams, didactic clinical patient encounters at Emory Healthcare, and more. They also will take a two-semester anatomy course with the MD program to foster healthy cross-program interprofessional relationships and team-based healthcare after graduation.
* On May 20, the Medical Imaging RT to BMSc Bridge Program welcomed its largest class in program history, with 25 credentialed medical imaging professionals embarking on their journey to bridge from an associate's to a bachelor's degree in three semesters. Class members are working professionals balancing work, life, a rigorous online didactic curriculum and clinical or shadowing rotations in their chosen minor track of radiology administration, MRI or radiography education.
* On June 1, the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program welcomed 55 students in the Class of 2029. The most common undergraduate majors include exercise science, kinesiology and psychology. The DPT program was ranked no. 8 in the country according to U.S. News & World Report's 2026 Best Graduate Schools.
* The Anesthesiologist Assistant (AA) program's Class of 2028 began on Aug. 10. Selected from one of the largest applicant pools in the program's history, the 42 students of the incoming cohort bring a wide range of backgrounds and prior healthcare experience from across the U.S.
* Orientation for the Genetic Counseling Training Program began on Aug. 10 with an incoming cohort of 13 students, the largest class in program history. Before orientation, incoming students participated in interviews with potential Focus Internship mentors so they could start their research projects soon after arrival. Potential projects this year span multiple areas of practice and include genetic conditions across the lifespan as well as bioethics, medical education and genetics service delivery.
* On Sept. 8, classes will start for the Radiologic Technology Certificate Program, which is the most recent addition to the School of Medicine's health professions program offerings. Over two years, these students learn to use medical imaging to diagnose various conditions. Emory Decatur Hospital, where the program has operated since 1962, will continue to serve as the off-campus instructional site.
Beginning their journey together: First-year students in the AA, PA, genetic counseling and MD programs participated in collaborative orientation courses called "Crossing the Threshold Together." The combined orientation (a School of Medicine first) includes dedicated time for reflection, professional identify formation and community-building activities and serves as the foundation of school culture.
New leaders: After 22 years of visionary leadership as executive associate dean of medical education and student affairs in the School of Medicine, J. William (Bill) Eley will step down from his role in September. Senior Associate Dean of Medical Education April Buchanan will assume leadership of medical education and student affairs. Eley will continue seeing patients at Grady Memorial Hospital and working to help caregivers find joy in practice with the Center for Contemplative Science and Compassion-Based Ethics. The School of Medicine is deeply grateful for his lasting impact on the school's learners and education mission.
New dual degree program: The new Doctor of Medicine/Master of Science in robotics dual degree program, one of the first of its kind in the U.S., launches this year and is designed for medical students who want to pair physician training with formal graduate education in robotics. Built in partnership with Georgia Institute of Technology, the program prepares future physician-innovators to work at the intersection of clinical care, engineering and translational research. The pathway is completed over five years and leads to two degrees: the MD from Emory and the MS in robotics from Georgia Tech.
Learn more at the School of Medicine website (https://med.emory.edu/).
* * *
Original text here: https://news.emory.edu/stories/2026/08/fall-semester-new-faculty-programs-emory
* * *
Fall semester brings new faculty, cutting-edge programs and more to Emory
Leigh DeLozier
As the new academic year gets underway, the nine schools that comprise Emory University have big plans -- from welcoming new deans and faculty members to organizing special events and introducing new programs of study. Here's a roundup of incoming class stats and other things to come, as listed by each school.
Candler School of Theology
Incoming class: Candler welcomes 190 students from 30 states and 12 ... Show Full Article ATLANTA, Georgia, Aug. 27 -- Emory University School of Medicine issued the following news: * * * Fall semester brings new faculty, cutting-edge programs and more to Emory Leigh DeLozier As the new academic year gets underway, the nine schools that comprise Emory University have big plans -- from welcoming new deans and faculty members to organizing special events and introducing new programs of study. Here's a roundup of incoming class stats and other things to come, as listed by each school. Candler School of Theology Incoming class: Candler welcomes 190 students from 30 states and 12countries.
New leadership: Terrence L. (Kojo) Johnson became Candler's 11th dean on Aug. 1 and will be officially installed during Fall Convocation on Aug. 27 in Cannon Chapel.
Keynote panel: To celebrate Johnson's installation, five renowned scholars -- Claudio Burgaleta of Boston College, Marc Gopin of George Mason University, Susannah Heschel of Dartmouth College, Jennifer S. Leath of Queen's University and moderator Robert M. Franklin, Jr. of Candler -- will take part in the Aug. 26 panel discussion "Faith When Democracy Betrays Its Promise: Law, Lament, and the Work of Justice." Stay tuned via the Candler Facebook page for a recording.
New faculty: Joining the faculty are J. Neil Alexander, Dean's Professor of Anglican Studies; Jon-Paul Lapena, visiting assistant professor of New Testament; Shanise N. Palmer 26G, visiting assistant professor of preaching; Chandra C. Plowden, visiting assistant professor of Black church studies and African American religion and culture; and Kristine Suna-Koro 10G, acting associate professor of worship.
Public theology courses: The Candler Foundry's slate of fall public theology courses includes "Divine Metaphors: Describing an Indescribable God," taught by professor in the practice of Old Testament Ryan Bonfiglio, Emory's 2026 Exemplary Teacher of the Year.
Queer archives and the UMC: Candler will host events Sept. 22-23 focused on the collection, preservation and sharing of queer history in The United Methodist Church, featuring Ashley Boggan, general secretary of the General Commission on Archives and History of The United Methodist Church.
Learn more at the Candler School of Theology website (https://candler.emory.edu/).
-
Emory College of Arts and Sciences
Class of 2030: Emory College welcomes another stellar, high-achieving first-year class of 1,469 students representing 45 states, plus Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the Northern Mariana Islands. Their citizenships include 60 countries, not counting the U.S. Approximately 16% of the class identifies as first-generation college students.
New leadership: James Nagy, Samuel Candler Dobbs Professor and former chair of the Department of Mathematics, has been appointed dean of Emory College for the 2026-27 academic year. Nagy will lead the College through the academic year while the search for a long-term dean continues.
New faculty: Emory College welcomes 17 new faculty members this fall following national searches. Hires were made across all fields and ranks -- arts, humanities, languages, STEM and social sciences -- to support the college's academic and research excellence strategic priorities.
New associate deans for undergraduate education: Two new associate deans of Undergraduate Academic Affairs and Faculty Partnerships have joined Emory College. Jessica Barber, formerly associate teaching professor in psychology, will provide curricular support to STEM and social science departments and programs. Natalie Carter joins Emory from Butler University, where she was a faculty member in English. She will provide curricular support in the arts and humanities.
Career expo: The Pathways Center will host the annual Career, Internship & Graduate School Expo on Sept. 17 in the Emory Student Center from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. The event brings employers and graduate programs from a wide variety of industries and disciplines to campus to meet with more than 1,000 Emory students exploring internships, full-time opportunities and advanced study.
Learn more at the Emory College of Arts and Sciences website (https://college.emory.edu/).
-
Goizueta Business School
Incoming classes: Goizueta welcomes 950+ students for the new academic year, including more than 450 Emory and direct transfer students and nearly 100 exchange students in the BBA program and more than 400 graduate students in the MBA programs and specialized master's degrees.
New dean: Saby Mitra began his tenure as dean of Goizueta Business School on Aug. 1. An accomplished academic leader and expert in information systems and technology management, Mitra joins Emory from the University of Florida, where he served as dean of the Warrington College of Business.
New real estate center: Launched in spring 2026, the BL Harbert Real Estate Center is expanding Goizueta's engagement with the real estate industry and leveraging Atlanta's position as one of the nation's most dynamic real estate markets. Real estate executive Joel Murphy has been named the center's executive director and will lead efforts to deepen industry partnerships, enhance course options and strengthen career pathways for students.
Expanding degree options: Goizueta has expanded its One-Year MBA with four degree options (Accelerated MBA, Global MBA, Healthcare MBA and Real Estate MBA), giving students more ways to tailor their MBA experience to their career goals. Goizueta also continues to strengthen its interdisciplinary partnership with Rollins School of Public Health through the jointly delivered Master of Health Administration, preparing leaders to address complex challenges at the intersection of business, healthcare and public health.
Learn more at the Goizueta Business School website (https://goizueta.emory.edu/).
-
James T. Laney School of Graduate Studies
Incoming class: The James T. Laney School of Graduate Studies welcomes 411 new students this academic year. Seventy-one percent of the incoming class are pursuing doctoral degrees; 28% are pursuing master's degrees; and 1% are completing certificates. Together, the new cohort represents 38 states and 48 countries.
New leadership: Prudence J. Oliver joined the graduate school as its new associate dean of academic operations. Oliver brings more than 20 years of experience in higher education administration, with deep expertise in enrollment management. In this role, Oliver provides leadership for the academic and administrative processes that support Laney's graduate programs, students and faculty.
Scholarship in action: Eric Villalobos, a doctoral candidate in religion, received a Fulbright award to conduct research in Rajasthan, India. His work examines Jain monks who served as medical practitioners during the colonial era. Villalobos follows fellow religion doctoral student Anya Fredsell, who earned a Fulbright award last year, continuing the department's strong record of international scholarship.
Supporting student flourishing: The graduate school recently introduced Flourishing at Laney, a new initiative that supports graduate students' well-being and success through workshops, events and community experiences that encourage intellectual, emotional and personal growth. Laney students are encouraged to visit the Flourishing page on the Emory Hub to explore upcoming events and opportunities to connect with the graduate community.
Strengthening scholarly communication through Laney-PACS: Laney Graduate School launched Laney-PACS to help students communicate their ideas with clarity and confidence. Through writing consultations and the Speaking Studio, students receive individualized support for academic writing, presentations and other forms of scholarly communication.
Learn more at the James T. Laney School of Graduate Studies website (https://gs.emory.edu/).
-
Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing
Incoming class: The School of Nursing is excited to welcome more than 600 students this fall across pre- and post-licensure programs.
New leadership: The Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing is thrilled to have welcomed Dean Sean Clarke on Aug. 1. Clarke is the seventh dean of the School of Nursing. He joined Emory from New York University Rory Meyers College of Nursing, where he served as professor and the Ursula Springer Chair in Nursing Leadership, following prior service as executive vice dean.
New program offerings: The School of Nursing is expanding its academic offerings with new Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition and Master of Science in Health Care Analytics programs.
New alumni: The school celebrated more than 150 of its newest alumni during the August graduation and pinning ceremony. These students graduated from a wide range of pre- and post-licensure programs.
New rankings: The School of Nursing master's degree program was ranked best in the nation for the fourth consecutive year by U.S. News & World Report. The school's undergraduate program is also ranked No. 2 by U.S. News.
Faculty honors: Eight members of the Emory Nursing community will be among the distinguished nurse leaders inducted into the American Academy of Nursing 2026 Class of Fellows this fall for their substantial contributions to improving health and transforming healthcare.
Learn more at the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing website (https://www.nursing.emory.edu/).
-
Oxford College
Incoming class: This fall semester, Oxford welcomes 533 students representing 38 U.S. states, two U.S. territories and 37 different countries. They were chosen out of an applicant pool of more than 27,000 students.
Oxford London launch: Building on last year's successful debut of incoming students beginning their Oxford studies in London, the program returned with a record enrollment of 49 students. This fall, Leyla Eghbalzad, assistant professor of psychology, and Anouar El Younssi, associate professor of Arabic and Middle Eastern studies, will join this year's students, teaching their Discovery Seminar course and additional courses as part of students' general education curriculum.
New faculty and staff: Oxford welcomes three new faculty members to campus this fall:
* Mary Kelaita, associate professor (without tenure) of biological anthropology
* Jiwon Min, assistant professor of English
* Vanessa Yee-Kwan Wong, assistant professor of Chinese
Oxford pre-college Ox-perience: Sixteen high school students from across the country embarked on an unforgettable two-week experience that gave them a taste of life at Oxford. This inaugural cohort explored biodiversity, learned how to write a standout college essay and, for some, tackled the challenge of independence for the first time.
New within humanities: Starting this fall, students can complete the new PATHS (Professional Advancement Through Humanities Study) certificates. PATHS certificates provide students with a credential that demonstrates the development of skills that employers value through study in the humanities. Certificates are available in four areas: communication and critical thinking, creativity and innovation, global engagement, and social responsibility and ethics.
Learn more at the Oxford College website (https://oxford.emory.edu/index.html).
-
Rollins School of Public Health
Incoming class: Rollins welcomes 450 Master of Public Health (MPH) and Master of Science in Public Health (MSPH) students, 22 Master of Health Administration (MHA) and 87 Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) students this fall. The Rollins student body represents 39 U.S. states and 44 countries.
New programs: This fall marks the launch of the new MHA and MSPH in Data Science programs at Rollins. The school also welcomes its first cohort of DrPH students into two new concentrations: Applied AI and Data Translation and Leadership for Public Health Policy. Rollins has also expanded its online program offerings. Two new online part-time MPH programs in epidemiology and global epidemiology begin this fall, as well as accelerated full-time programs in global health and behavioral, social and health education sciences.
Georgia's first Superfund Research Center: Rollins researchers received funding from the National Institutes of Environmental Health Sciences to establish Georgia's first Superfund Research Center. The center will focus on industrial pollution in Glynn County from contaminants such as polychlorinated biphenyls and toxaphene. The center is led by environmental health professor Dana Barr and associate professor Noah Scovronick in collaboration with faculty from Emory, the University of Georgia, Georgia Institute of Technology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Spelman College and Texas Tech University.
Learn more at the Rollins School of Public Health website (https://sph.emory.edu/).
-
School of Law
Incoming class: Emory Law welcomes new 274 new students for the SJD, JD, LLM and MLS programs -- and 73% of entering students are one or more years removed from undergraduate studies.
New concentrations: Now, JD and LLM students have the opportunity to choose one of two new concentrations, including Environmental Law and AI and the Law.
New faculty: The law school welcomes Geeyoung Min, associate professor of law; Kathy Rogers, dean's teaching professor; and Mary Webb, assistant professor of practice. Chris Katrakis, Henry Leaman and Kyle Skinner, who were visitors last year, have joined Emory Law as assistant professors of practice.
New name: The Juvenile Defender Clinic has, upon its 20th anniversary, changed its name to the Youth Justice Clinic. The YJC is an in-house legal clinic dedicated to providing holistic legal representation for children in delinquency proceedings. Emory Law students have represented hundreds of young people since the clinic was founded in 2006.
Upcoming events:
* 2026 EPIC Conference: Deportation, Due Process, and the Fight for Rights: Saturday, Sept. 26
* Sheth Lecture in India Studies: Thursday, Oct. 8
Learn more at the School of Law website (http://law.emory.edu/).
-
School of Medicine
Incoming students: This summer, 138 students matriculated to the MD program. Of this class, 87% are non-traditional students (meaning they have been out of college for a year or more), and their ages range from 21-39. Eighteen students received other graduate degrees prior to medical school; 52 are from Georgia.
* The 55 students in the Physician Assistant (PA) program Class of 2028 were selected from a pool of more than 1,000 applicants. They have an average of more than 5,100 hours of healthcare experience prior to Emory. PA students experience an immersive education of classroom learning, clinical exams, didactic clinical patient encounters at Emory Healthcare, and more. They also will take a two-semester anatomy course with the MD program to foster healthy cross-program interprofessional relationships and team-based healthcare after graduation.
* On May 20, the Medical Imaging RT to BMSc Bridge Program welcomed its largest class in program history, with 25 credentialed medical imaging professionals embarking on their journey to bridge from an associate's to a bachelor's degree in three semesters. Class members are working professionals balancing work, life, a rigorous online didactic curriculum and clinical or shadowing rotations in their chosen minor track of radiology administration, MRI or radiography education.
* On June 1, the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program welcomed 55 students in the Class of 2029. The most common undergraduate majors include exercise science, kinesiology and psychology. The DPT program was ranked no. 8 in the country according to U.S. News & World Report's 2026 Best Graduate Schools.
* The Anesthesiologist Assistant (AA) program's Class of 2028 began on Aug. 10. Selected from one of the largest applicant pools in the program's history, the 42 students of the incoming cohort bring a wide range of backgrounds and prior healthcare experience from across the U.S.
* Orientation for the Genetic Counseling Training Program began on Aug. 10 with an incoming cohort of 13 students, the largest class in program history. Before orientation, incoming students participated in interviews with potential Focus Internship mentors so they could start their research projects soon after arrival. Potential projects this year span multiple areas of practice and include genetic conditions across the lifespan as well as bioethics, medical education and genetics service delivery.
* On Sept. 8, classes will start for the Radiologic Technology Certificate Program, which is the most recent addition to the School of Medicine's health professions program offerings. Over two years, these students learn to use medical imaging to diagnose various conditions. Emory Decatur Hospital, where the program has operated since 1962, will continue to serve as the off-campus instructional site.
Beginning their journey together: First-year students in the AA, PA, genetic counseling and MD programs participated in collaborative orientation courses called "Crossing the Threshold Together." The combined orientation (a School of Medicine first) includes dedicated time for reflection, professional identify formation and community-building activities and serves as the foundation of school culture.
New leaders: After 22 years of visionary leadership as executive associate dean of medical education and student affairs in the School of Medicine, J. William (Bill) Eley will step down from his role in September. Senior Associate Dean of Medical Education April Buchanan will assume leadership of medical education and student affairs. Eley will continue seeing patients at Grady Memorial Hospital and working to help caregivers find joy in practice with the Center for Contemplative Science and Compassion-Based Ethics. The School of Medicine is deeply grateful for his lasting impact on the school's learners and education mission.
New dual degree program: The new Doctor of Medicine/Master of Science in robotics dual degree program, one of the first of its kind in the U.S., launches this year and is designed for medical students who want to pair physician training with formal graduate education in robotics. Built in partnership with Georgia Institute of Technology, the program prepares future physician-innovators to work at the intersection of clinical care, engineering and translational research. The pathway is completed over five years and leads to two degrees: the MD from Emory and the MS in robotics from Georgia Tech.
Learn more at the School of Medicine website (https://med.emory.edu/).
* * *
Original text here: https://news.emory.edu/stories/2026/08/fall-semester-new-faculty-programs-emory