Featured Stories
Virginia Tech: Teaching Scholar Award Comes Full Circle Through Connections Beyond the Classroom
BLACKSBURG, Virginia, Oct. 16 -- Virginia Tech issued the following news:
* * *
Teaching Scholar Award comes full circle through connections beyond the classroom
Angela Anderson received the 2025 Large Class Teaching Award for face-to-face, community-building instruction and experiential learning that strengthen students' engagement, and success.
By Emily Alberts
15 Oct 2026
Before class begins, Angela Anderson poses a question that has nothing to do with physiology, nutrition, or exercise science: "If you could have any superpower, what would it be?"
Students turn to classmates they may
... Show Full Article
BLACKSBURG, Virginia, Oct. 16 -- Virginia Tech issued the following news:
* * *
Teaching Scholar Award comes full circle through connections beyond the classroom
Angela Anderson received the 2025 Large Class Teaching Award for face-to-face, community-building instruction and experiential learning that strengthen students' engagement, and success.
By Emily Alberts
15 Oct 2026
Before class begins, Angela Anderson poses a question that has nothing to do with physiology, nutrition, or exercise science: "If you could have any superpower, what would it be?"
Students turn to classmates they maynever have spoken to before and begin talking. Anderson circulates the room, listening, laughing, and eventually sharing her own answer. The conversation lasts only a few minutes, but it reaches far beyond an icebreaker.
"It's low stakes," Anderson said. "They don't feel like they have to share too much personal information, just enough that maybe they're building the framework for a friendship in the future."
For Anderson, a collegiate associate professor in the Department of Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise, those moments of connection are foundational to learning, and part of what earned her the university's 2025 Large Class Teaching Award from the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning.
In an era when students often arrive in classrooms already absorbed in digital devices, Anderson creates opportunities for them to engage with the people sitting nearby. Her recurring "Get to Know Your Neighbor" activity encourages students to strike up conversations that can become study partnerships or lasting friendships.
Anderson frequently incorporates small-group activities into her courses, challenging students to solve situational problems together before sharing their ideas with the larger class. Beyond making lectures more interactive, research shows the approach improves learning and attendance.
"I am a strong believer in the value of face-to-face instruction," said Anderson. "For this to be successful, students need to be present in class every week. On the flip side, as an educator, I need to make sure that the time I am with them in class is perceived as valuable for them and inspire them to invest in the material."
Her approach also reflects the principles of the MUSIC Model of Motivation, developed by Brett Jones, a professor of educational psychology in the School of Education. The model identifies conditions that foster student engagement and motivation.
"The multiple recognitions that Dr. Anderson has received highlight the many ways she has blended her experience in the classroom with evidence-based pedagogical practices," said Catherine Amelink, associate vice provost in the Office of the Executive Vice Provost and director of Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning. "She creates opportunities for students to see direct relevance in classroom content to potential career pathways," she added.
Learning on the move
When 30 Virginia Tech students traveled to Greenville, South Carolina, this spring for the annual Southeast American College of Sports Medicine meeting, Anderson made the trip a learning experience beyond the classroom. She connected students with people, ideas and opportunities shaping their future professions.
"Dr. Anderson made me feel seen and appreciated in a space that was new to me," said Kate Schlageter-Prettyman, a first-year student in human nutrition, foods, and exercise. "I arrived with little to no sports medicine experience and left with a piqued interest in the field."
For Schlageter-Prettyman, the conference's recurring emphasis on mentorship brought Anderson to mind.
"It is a word that Dr. Anderson embodies in every way," she said.
"I want to build relationships with students, get to know their stories, and be their cheerleader," Anderson said. "My classes aren't easy, but I'll provide the roadmap for success and cheer them on along the way."
Upon returning to Blacksburg, Anderson asked each student to send a thank-you email to the department and college leaders who helped make the trip possible. More than a professional courtesy, the exercise encouraged students to consider how the research presented at the conference might shape their own career paths. Reading those reflections, Anderson said, was one of the most rewarding parts of the experience.
Anderson brings that same emphasis on experiential learning closer to home through partnerships with Virginia Tech Recreational Sports, giving students opportunities to tackle challenges similar to those they'll encounter as health care professionals.
Students undergo functional assessments themselves before developing exercise prescriptions for class. They also design evidence-based wellness initiatives for campus communities, including proposals for Hokie Movement activities and incentive programs that encourage physical activity among their peers.
"Who's better to ask how to get college students involved than current college students? They're working with real stakeholders," Anderson said.
Whether she's fostering connections among hundreds of students, introducing undergraduates to their professional community, or partnering with campus organizations to tackle real-world challenges, Anderson's goal remains the same: to ensure students feel seen, connected, and prepared -- not only to succeed in the classroom, but to become thoughtful, engaged members of their profession.
* * *
Original text here: https://news.vt.edu/articles/2026/08/teaching-award-comes-full-circle-through-connections-beyond-the-.html
University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine: USDA-RFAP Funded Calf and Heifer Facilities at Penn Vet's Marshak Dairy to Advance Dairy Health and Productivity
PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania, Oct. 16 -- The University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine posted the following news:
* * *
New USDA-RFAP Funded Calf and Heifer Facilities at Penn Vet's Marshak Dairy to Advance Dairy Health and Productivity
October 15, 2026
By: Martin J. Hackett
Dipti Pitta, MVSc, PhD, the Mark Whittier and Lila Griswold Allam Professor of Ruminant Nutrition at the University of Pennsylvania's School of Veterinary Medicine (Penn Vet) has received a $1.5M grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture Research Facilities
... Show Full Article
PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania, Oct. 16 -- The University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine posted the following news:
* * *
New USDA-RFAP Funded Calf and Heifer Facilities at Penn Vet's Marshak Dairy to Advance Dairy Health and Productivity
October 15, 2026
By: Martin J. Hackett
Dipti Pitta, MVSc, PhD, the Mark Whittier and Lila Griswold Allam Professor of Ruminant Nutrition at the University of Pennsylvania's School of Veterinary Medicine (Penn Vet) has received a $1.5M grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture Research FacilitiesAct Program to build a new calf nursery and dedicated housing for growing and breeding heifers.
"The first months of a calf's life shape its health and productivity for years, but we haven't been able to follow animals closely enough to understand how," said Pitta, the project's director. "By keeping calves and heifers at the Marshak Dairy from birth through their first lactation, and pairing that with automated feeding and precision monitoring, we can finally see how early-life care translates into lifelong health, welfare, and performance. That knowledge will help producers make better decisions, and it gives our students a real-world classroom and exposure to dairy medicine."
The investment holds promise for both animal health and the productivity of American dairy farms. Early-life care shapes a cow's health and performance for years to come, yet the lasting effects of early interventions remain poorly understood. By generating a longitudinal database spanning the neonatal period, the growing heifer stage, and the transition to the milking herd, the Marshak Dairy will help establish evidence-based benchmarks for raising healthier, more productive, and more resilient animals. The facility will also serve as a training ground for veterinary and animal science students pursuing careers in dairy science, and as a working demonstration site where producers can see the tools, technologies, and management practices that can advance dairy production systems across the country.
The project will fulfill the USDA grant's matching requirement by securing funds through institutional backing, complementary grant programs, philanthropy, and corporate sponsors. It will be completed in phases, with space for neonatal calves, growing heifers, and lactating heifers. The final phase will include the installation of automated feeding systems, environmental controls, behavioral monitoring, and precision technologies.
Through her Agricultural Systems and Microbial Genomics Laboratory, Pitta and her team investigate the microbial composition of the ruminant gut to lower methane emissions and to improve animal health, production, and welfare. Read more about Pitta's work on engineering the early-life microbiome of dairy calves here (https://www.vet.upenn.edu/penn-vet-scientist-receives-usda-nifa-funding-to-advance-early-life-probiotic-strategies-for-dairy-calves/).
* * *
Original text here: https://www.vet.upenn.edu/new-usda-rfap-funded-calf-and-heifer-facilities-at-penn-vets-marshak-dairy-to-advance-dairy-health-and-productivity/
University of Arkansas: Spanish Faculty Member Recognized for Work Streamlining Course
FAYETTEVILLE, Arkansas, Oct. 16 -- The University of Arkansas issued the following news:
* * *
Spanish Faculty Member Recognized for Work Streamlining Course
Oct. 15, 2026
Brenda Magnetti, who teaches Spanish at the U of A, will receive an Excellence in Course Design award from Global Campus for her work on the Elementary Spanish I course.
Camie Wood and Amalie Holland, instructional designers at Global Campus, announced the award this week in the lead-up to the Better Learning Together conference put on each year by Global Campus. The virtual event Oct. 22 aims to bring together faculty
... Show Full Article
FAYETTEVILLE, Arkansas, Oct. 16 -- The University of Arkansas issued the following news:
* * *
Spanish Faculty Member Recognized for Work Streamlining Course
Oct. 15, 2026
Brenda Magnetti, who teaches Spanish at the U of A, will receive an Excellence in Course Design award from Global Campus for her work on the Elementary Spanish I course.
Camie Wood and Amalie Holland, instructional designers at Global Campus, announced the award this week in the lead-up to the Better Learning Together conference put on each year by Global Campus. The virtual event Oct. 22 aims to bring together facultyand staff to explore innovative ideas, share expertise and enhance learning strategies. The instructional design team at Global Campus also intends to give the design award annually.
Magnetti was recognized in part because her work benefits multiple Spanish faculty members. All students enrolled in the online Bachelor of Arts in World Languages, Literatures and Cultures, Spanish concentration in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences must take the Elementary Spanish I course. That means the course is typically taught by at least five instructors each semester. The bachelor's degree is offered both on campus and in a fully online format.
The program rotates teaching assignments each semester so different instructors teach it and the Elementary Spanish II course, which Magnetti also redesigned with the same principles in mind.
Magnetti, who is the Basic Spanish program director and a teaching assistant professor, called the award meaningful, both personally and professionally.
"I have been involved in distance education and, later, online courses for many, many years," Magnetti said. "From day one, I have always wanted to make each course better as new technology and new approaches to teaching became available.
"When I started teaching, I never imagined that my first degree, in graphic design, would shape the way I created materials for my face-to-face courses and, later, my online courses. I feel honored that the countless hours dedicated to making courses more attractive, but also simpler to navigate, are being recognized."
Recognition Process
Wood and Holland explained that courses going through development (either new or rebuilt courses) are nominated every development cycle of summer, fall and spring. The instructional designers vote on the nominations, choosing one for each cycle. The winner for the year is chosen from the winners of the three development cycles throughout the year.
Magnetti said the award also shows that the Spanish program and the Department of World Languages, Literatures and Cultures keep adapting and trying to offer better courses to the many students who benefit from taking online courses.
"We are very proud to offer a full Spanish major online," Magnetti said. "A recognition like this speaks well of our commitment and inspires us to keep improving all our courses."
Organization Is Vital
Holland said the Elementary Spanish is not a flashy course with lots of involvement by Global Campus' media production team, which creates video, animation and other graphic elements.
"The course is not anything wildly exciting in terms of newness," Holland said. "Brenda solved problems we had identified over the last few years, and she found nice, interesting ways to solve them. Because the course is taught by multiple instructors, it needs to be handed off easily to these other instructors."
While many courses delivered online have a standard weekly assignment deadline on Sunday night, language courses need several touchpoints each week so that students practice and retain what they're learning, Holland said. Structures for that were built into the course, with efficient organization a high priority to create a seamless process for both faculty and students to be successful, she said.
"With language, you lose your learning if you are not constantly updating it through the week," Holland said. "Making fixes in previous iterations resulted in lots of folders and links to folders. We thought, 'This is the time to really go all in on making the organization really clean and easy to use with that many instructors teaching it.' It's a pragmatic and practical design.
"From the student side and the instructor side, the cleaner we keep it, the better," Holland said. "I was really proud of Brenda. I thought she did such a nice job of finding solutions to things that weren't straightforward issues."
Global Campus Resources
Magnetti described working with Global Campus as a fantastic experience.
"Each of the instructional designers I have worked with, as well as all the Global Campus team members who have guided me or answered my questions, has been incredible," Magnetti said. "I especially want to recognize instructional designer Amalie Holland. I have had the pleasure of working with her over the past few years, and her guidance, suggestions, instruction and, especially, her patience have been phenomenal!"
Other instructors who teach online should know that there are many tools available today to help bring their ideas to an online course, Magnetti said. The Global Campus team can help instructors find tools and learn how to use them.
"If you have ideas to improve a course so that students can understand the material in a different and better way, reach out to your program, share your ideas and get the approval you need," Magnetti said. "Then Global Campus can support you in making those ideas happen. For those who have never taught online and are considering developing a new course, do it! Global Campus will support you and guide you each step of the way."
Learn more: The U of A offers more than 100 degrees, licensure and certificates delivered online. You can learn more on the U of A ONLINE website (https://online.uark.edu/).
* * *
Original text here: https://news.uark.edu/articles/83078/spanish-faculty-member-recognized-for-work-streamlining-course
University College London Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose: Submission to the 2026 Review of the Canadian Privacy Act
LONDON, England, Oct. 16 -- The University College London Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose issued the following working paper on Sept. 14, 2026, Submission to the 2026 Review of the Canadian Privacy Act
Here are excerpts:
* * *
Abstract:
The UCL-IIPP Digital Team researches the governance and economics of digital public infrastructure, working with national governments and multilateral institutions. The question these proposals raise is the one we work on daily: how a state shares data across government without compromising rights. The following work has been produced in collaboration
... Show Full Article
LONDON, England, Oct. 16 -- The University College London Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose issued the following working paper on Sept. 14, 2026, Submission to the 2026 Review of the Canadian Privacy Act
Here are excerpts:
* * *
Abstract:
The UCL-IIPP Digital Team researches the governance and economics of digital public infrastructure, working with national governments and multilateral institutions. The question these proposals raise is the one we work on daily: how a state shares data across government without compromising rights. The following work has been produced in collaborationwith Professor Orla Lynskey, Chair of Law and Technology at UCL Faculty of Laws. Her research examines the ways in which digital technology and regulation shape fundamental rights and public values and reconfigure public-private relations.
* * *
View full report at: www.ucl.ac.uk/bartlett/publications/2026/sep/submission-2026-review-canadian-privacy-act
Syracuse University: $3M in New C3 Vouchers Fuels 21 Business-University Tech Partnerships
SYRACUSE, New York, Oct. 16 -- Syracuse University issued the following news:
* * *
$3M in New C3 Vouchers Fuels 21 Business-University Tech Partnerships
The second round of awards is more than eight times the size of the first, and Syracuse University faculty are research partners on seven funded projects.
Diane Stirling
Oct. 15, 2026
Twenty-one new business-university research projects are underway across Upstate New York, backed by $3 million in innovation vouchers from the NY SMART I-Corridor Commercialization and Collaboration Center (C3).
That is a big step up from February's first
... Show Full Article
SYRACUSE, New York, Oct. 16 -- Syracuse University issued the following news:
* * *
$3M in New C3 Vouchers Fuels 21 Business-University Tech Partnerships
The second round of awards is more than eight times the size of the first, and Syracuse University faculty are research partners on seven funded projects.
Diane Stirling
Oct. 15, 2026
Twenty-one new business-university research projects are underway across Upstate New York, backed by $3 million in innovation vouchers from the NY SMART I-Corridor Commercialization and Collaboration Center (C3).
That is a big step up from February's firstround of funding, which delivered $350,000 to five companies. C3 has since built a pipeline of 60 engagements with regional tech firms, says Duncan Brown, vice president for research and principal investigator for C3.
C3 is the "front door" for companies across the Syracuse-Rochester-Buffalo corridor that need university expertise and equipment to develop and commercialize semiconductor technologies. Syracuse University leads C3 and administers its voucher program on behalf of partners including the University at Buffalo, Rochester Institute of Technology, Cornell University, University of Rochester and Alfred University. C3 is part of the $40 million NY SMART I-Corridor award from the U.S. Economic Development Administration's Regional Technology and Innovation Hubs program.
Companies in Syracuse Labs
Syracuse faculty are research partners on seven of the 26 C3 projects funded so far.
"These partnerships put real industry problems inside Syracuse labs, and that opens doors for our students. They can work on technology companies are taking to market and graduate with the experience and the connections that employers across this region are hiring for. That is what research should mean for a Syracuse education," Brown says.
Faculty Partnerships
Four new projects pair companies with College of Engineering and Computer Science (ECS) faculty:
* Flox Intelligence works with Distinguished Professor Qinru Qiu and Professor M. Cenk Gursoy, both of the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. The company combines AI, bioacoustics and behavioral science to decode how wildlife communicates.
* BQP partners with Rodrick Kuate Defo, assistant professor of electrical engineering and computer science, to test BQPhy QuantumNOW, software that uses AI to speed up and improve chip manufacturing.
* Conamix and Changmin Shi, assistant professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering, are testing whether a ceramic component from Shi's lab can help Conamix's lithium-sulfur batteries last longer.
* TAF Carbon provides plant-based raw materials to Lihong Lao, assistant professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering, whose lab is turning them into filters that clean wastewater from chip production.
Three first-round partnerships with ECS faculty continue:
* TunaBotics LLC, a soft-shell robotic gripper startup co-founded by Wanliang Shan, associate professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering; the company tests prototypes of tunable soft robotic grippers for advanced electronics manufacturing.
* TTM Technologies, a global manufacturer of mission systems, radio frequency components and microwave/microelectronic assemblies, partners with Quinn Qiao, William T. Frantz Endowed Chair in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. TTM is a manufacturer of technology products, including mission systems, radio frequency components, RF microwave/microelectronic assemblies and technologically advanced interconnect products.
* Saab Inc., the U.S. arm of the global defense and security company, is working with Distinguished Professors Qiu and Pramod Varshney and Professors Chilukuri Mohan and Gursoy on low-power, high-speed chips that combine memory and processing.
The Micron Effect
Many of the companies seeking C3 funding are positioning for the wave of chip-industry demand they expect from Micron Technology's $100 billion megafab, now under construction in Clay, just north of Syracuse, Brown says. Micron says the site will be the most advanced memory manufacturing facility in the world, built to meet AI-driven demand.
"Micron's investment is bringing new companies and new federal funding into the region. Our job is to make sure Syracuse researchers and students are part of that work, whether we are administering the program or partnering on the research," he says.
The NY SMART I-Corridor is a federally designated Tech Hub of more than 100 businesses and higher education, economic development and community-based organizations positioning Upstate New York as a global leader in semiconductor manufacturing, innovation and workforce development.
The U.S. Economic Development Administration Tech Hubs program was established by the CHIPS and Science Act and provides funding for regional technology development with matching support from the Empire State Development Division of Science, Technology and Innovation.
* * *
Original text here: https://news.syr.edu/2026/10/15/3m-in-new-c3-vouchers-fuels-21-business-university-tech-partnerships/
Brandywine Welcomes New Assistant Director of Residence Life
MEDIA, Pennsylvania, Oct. 16 -- The Pennsylvania State University Brandywine Campus issued the following news:
* * *
Brandywine welcomes new assistant director of residence life
October 15, 2026
By Christina Billie
MEDIA, Pa. -- Desire Forman joined Penn State Brandywine as the assistant director of residence life in September. Coming from Swarthmore College, Forman is looking forward to connecting with the students, faculty and staff on campus.
Forman received two associate's degrees in psychology and education, a bachelor's degree in psychology and a master's degree in counseling in the
... Show Full Article
MEDIA, Pennsylvania, Oct. 16 -- The Pennsylvania State University Brandywine Campus issued the following news:
* * *
Brandywine welcomes new assistant director of residence life
October 15, 2026
By Christina Billie
MEDIA, Pa. -- Desire Forman joined Penn State Brandywine as the assistant director of residence life in September. Coming from Swarthmore College, Forman is looking forward to connecting with the students, faculty and staff on campus.
Forman received two associate's degrees in psychology and education, a bachelor's degree in psychology and a master's degree in counseling in theeducational setting from Rowan University. Upon graduating, she worked in residence life at Rowan before transitioning to Swarthmore College as an area coordinator. Now at Brandywine, Forman chose to work at the campus because it's close to home and has a small campus feel.
"Before I started my role at Swarthmore, I was offered a residence coordinator position at University Park. I turned it down, though, because I was offered the area coordinator position at Swarthmore around the same time," she said.
"When I decided to transition out of my previous role, I was looking for positions that were local, but Penn State was always in the back of my mind because I had such a great interview process with University Park. Brandywine just felt like the best of both worlds -- a small campus that's close to home while also being a part of Penn State."
In terms of her goals, Forman said she wants to focus on building relationships with students.
"Because I'm in the residence hall, I want to create a safe, inclusive environment where students can learn how to navigate adulthood. I really want to focus on the relationship-building piece with students," she said.
Outside of work, Forman enjoys reading, going to the beach, trying new restaurants and hanging out with family and friends. She also has a corgi, Athena, who lives with her in Orchard Hall.
"I frequently walk around campus with Athena, so folks might see her as we're walking by. She has her good and bad days, because she's a rescue, but if she's up for it, the Brandywine community can feel free to say 'hi' to her if they see her around campus."
* * *
Original text here: https://www.brandywine.psu.edu/story/31866/2026/10/15/brandywine-welcomes-new-assistant-director-residence-life
A Look at Susan Stroman's Residency at Drew University
MADISON, New Jersey, Oct. 16 -- Drew University posted the following news:
* * *
A Look at Susan Stroman's Residency at Drew University
The Tony Award-winner has spent the fall as Drew's Artist-in-Residence
-
October 2026 - Drew University Artist-in-Residence and five-time Tony Award-winning director and choreographer Susan Stroman has spent the fall 2026 semester holding workshops, discussions, and classroom visits with theatre and dance students.
In an event open to the public, Stroman discussed her career in a conversation with President Hilary L. Link, PhD. Members of the Drew community,
... Show Full Article
MADISON, New Jersey, Oct. 16 -- Drew University posted the following news:
* * *
A Look at Susan Stroman's Residency at Drew University
The Tony Award-winner has spent the fall as Drew's Artist-in-Residence
-
October 2026 - Drew University Artist-in-Residence and five-time Tony Award-winning director and choreographer Susan Stroman has spent the fall 2026 semester holding workshops, discussions, and classroom visits with theatre and dance students.
In an event open to the public, Stroman discussed her career in a conversation with President Hilary L. Link, PhD. Members of the Drew community,including many current students, learned about Stroman's work and processes, which she connected to her work, showing clips from The Producers, Contact, Little Dancer, and her other Broadway hits.
Stroman was asked for her thoughts on the future of the theatre amid the industry's current financial struggles and in the backdrop of the rise of AI in creative industries.
"I think theatre will always survive," said Stroman. "It always has through all these years, and I think it's because it is live. You can't make AI the singular answer. It can certainly spit out a screenplay, or a play, or even a song, so it is different, but you still always need the person for something live. So we will always be here. There's still nothing like seeing something live."
Stroman also offered advice to students who are aspiring theatre professionals, calling on a Broadway phrase to drive the point home.
"Being in the room where it happens. Once you get in that room to try to observe people actually doing it, people who actually make it," said Stroman, noting union programs that allow . "Another thing is learning more about not just your artform, but learning about the whole form, because i can make the most beautiful dance step in the world, but if it's not lit right, it doesn't matter, if it's not the right costume, it won't matter. So the more I can understand the other departments, the better off my work is going to be. It's not just having a lot of focus on one thing, because theatre is a collaboration of all the art forms. The last thing is to not be afraid to ask the question. The worst thing that can happen is someone can say no."
The following day, Stroman held a mock audition workshop for Drew Theatre & Dance students. Stroman graciously brought her pianist Jesse Kissel and dancer Polly Baird, who helped to teach the dance combination. The workshop taught best practices to auditioning.
"What an amazing opportunity for our Drew students to be given Tony Award winning advice," said Associate Professor and Chair of Theatre & Dance Kimani Fowlin. "It was a masterclass."
As part of her residency, Stroman also held a special preview of her upcoming musical, inviting students who were able to talk with her and debrief after the event.
* * *
Original text here: https://drew.edu/2026/10/15/a-look-at-susan-stromans-residency-at-drew-university/
