Featured Stories
Wayland Baptist University Expands 2026-2027 Academic Offerings With 23 Additions
PLAINVIEW, Texas, July 23 -- Wayland Baptist University issued the following news:
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University expands 2026-2027 academic offerings with 23 additions
Phillip L. Hamilton
Wayland Baptist University has 23 new degrees, specializations, and certificates for the 2026-2027 academic year, creating additional opportunities for students at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels.
The additions span five academic schools and include programs in digital media marketing, analytics, accountancy, project management, worship studies, instrumental music, art education, and athletic administration.
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PLAINVIEW, Texas, July 23 -- Wayland Baptist University issued the following news:
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University expands 2026-2027 academic offerings with 23 additions
Phillip L. Hamilton
Wayland Baptist University has 23 new degrees, specializations, and certificates for the 2026-2027 academic year, creating additional opportunities for students at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels.
The additions span five academic schools and include programs in digital media marketing, analytics, accountancy, project management, worship studies, instrumental music, art education, and athletic administration.Wayland also has expanded its Ph.D. in Management with a new specialization and several Applied Professional Practice options.
"Wayland continually evaluates its academic programs with the needs of students and the changing workplace in mind," said Dr. Cindy McClenagan, provost and vice president of academic affairs. "These additions strengthen areas where demand continues to grow while giving students more opportunities to develop specialized knowledge and prepare for meaningful careers and service."
School of Business
The most extensive expansion comes through the School of Business.
At the undergraduate level, Wayland has added a Bachelor of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Applied Science in Digital Media Marketing. New graduate offerings include a STEM MBA and Master of Science degrees in Professional Accountancy, Business Metrics, Digital Media Marketing, Marketing Analytics and Project Management.
Wayland also has added an Enterprise Systems specialization to its Ph.D. in Management. New Applied Professional Practice options are available in Management, Human Resources and Organizational Development, Organizational Leadership, and Enterprise Systems.
New undergraduate certificates include Business Analytics and Digital Media Marketing. Graduate certificates have been added in Business Analytics, Business Metrics and Digital Media Marketing.
School of Christian Studies
The School of Christian Studies has added a Bachelor of Christian Ministry in Worship Studies, providing another pathway for students preparing to serve churches and other Christian ministries through music and worship leadership.
School of Creative Arts
The School of Creative Arts has rebooted the Bachelor of Music in Instrumental Music Education and Bachelor of Music in Instrumental Performance. The programs expand opportunities for students pursuing careers as music educators and professional musicians.
Don A. Williams School of Education
The Don A. Williams School of Education has brought back the Bachelor of Arts in Art for grades EC-12, providing a pathway for students preparing to teach art in elementary and secondary schools.
School of Humanities and Leadership
The School of Humanities and Leadership has added Athletic Administration to its Doctor of Strategic Leadership offerings. The program provides advanced leadership preparation for professionals serving in intercollegiate, scholastic and other athletic organizations.
"These offerings demonstrate Wayland's commitment to providing relevant academic programs that help students reach their educational, professional and personal goals," Dr. McClenagan said. "They also reflect the work of faculty and academic leaders who continually seek new ways to serve students."
For more information about Wayland Baptist University's academic programs, visit www.wbu.edu.
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Original text here: https://www.wbu.edu/news-and-events/2026/07/new-programs-26-release.htm
UFM's New ABLE Program Creates Learning Opportunities for K-State Students
MANHATTAN, Kansas, July 23 -- Kansas State University issued the following news:
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UFM's new ABLE program creates learning opportunities for K-State students
This fall, Kansas State University students participating in the UFM Community Learning Center's new After-School Building Leadership and Enrichment, or ABLE, Program will be putting their education into practice.
ABLE offers meaningful learning experiences for K-State students from a variety of academic disciplines while serving local elementary students. Working alongside UFM staff, K-State students help lead STEAM and civic engagement
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MANHATTAN, Kansas, July 23 -- Kansas State University issued the following news:
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UFM's new ABLE program creates learning opportunities for K-State students
This fall, Kansas State University students participating in the UFM Community Learning Center's new After-School Building Leadership and Enrichment, or ABLE, Program will be putting their education into practice.
ABLE offers meaningful learning experiences for K-State students from a variety of academic disciplines while serving local elementary students. Working alongside UFM staff, K-State students help lead STEAM and civic engagementactivities, mentor children, support homework, facilitate recreation and build relationships that encourage curiosity and confidence.
Faculty interested in incorporating service-learning, community-engaged learning, internships, practicum experiences or class projects into the ABLE Program are encouraged to contact UFM at able@tryufm.org. Opportunities are available across multiple disciplines, including but not limited to education, human development, psychology, leadership, communications, engineering, agriculture, art, kinesiology and the social sciences.
"As a community learning organization, we believe everyone can learn, and everyone can teach," said Aliah Mestrovich Seay, executive director of the UFM Community Learning Center. "ABLE brings that philosophy to life by creating connections between university students, local children, educators and community professionals. Everyone involved grows through the experience."
Children in grades K-5 are transported directly from participating USD 383 elementary schools to UFM, where each afternoon includes homework support, recreation, leadership development and hands-on STEAM learning. Throughout the year, participants engage with community leaders and professionals who introduce them to careers and civic engagement through interactive experiences.
Located just across from the K-State campus, UFM has partnered with the university since 1968. Based on the philosophy that everyone can learn and everyone can teach, UFM provides opportunities for lifelong learning and personal development. The ABLE Program extends that mission by creating an environment where university students and elementary students learn alongside one another.
-- Submitted by Aliah Mestrovich Seay
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Original text here: https://www.k-state.edu/news/articles/2026/07/ufm-unique-learning-experiences-able-program.html
S. Terri Gomez Named President of Cal State San Bernardino
LONG BEACH, California, July 23 -- California State University issued the following news:
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S. Terri Gomez Named President of Cal State San Bernardino
The California State University (CSU) Board of Trustees has appointed S. Terri Gomez to serve as president of California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB). Gomez currently serves as provost and vice president for Academic Affairs at Cal Poly Pomona.
"As a first-generation college graduate and a lifelong resident of the Inland Empire, I am honored to be named Cal State San Bernardino's president," Gomez said. "CSUSB is a university
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LONG BEACH, California, July 23 -- California State University issued the following news:
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S. Terri Gomez Named President of Cal State San Bernardino
The California State University (CSU) Board of Trustees has appointed S. Terri Gomez to serve as president of California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB). Gomez currently serves as provost and vice president for Academic Affairs at Cal Poly Pomona.
"As a first-generation college graduate and a lifelong resident of the Inland Empire, I am honored to be named Cal State San Bernardino's president," Gomez said. "CSUSB is a universityof access, talent and possibility, and its success matters profoundly to the Inland Empire, the High Desert and the Coachella Valley. I am excited by the opportunity to lead--alongside CSUSB's dedicated and talented faculty and staff--a university that serves the communities that have shaped me and honors the values that have guided my career."
"Dr. Gomez is a principled and respected leader known for her student-centered approach to institutional decision-making," said Jack B. Clarke Jr., CSU Board of Trustees member and chair of the CSUSB Presidential Search Committee. "The committee is confident Dr. Gomez will build on CSUSB's strong foundation as the region's anchor institution, ensuring that students realize the full promise of a CSU education and that the university continues to drive the Inland Empire's social and economic prosperity."
During her 27-year career in higher education, Gomez has championed innovative, equity-centered strategies that strengthen academic achievement, improve graduation and transfer outcomes, expand research opportunities and enhance institutional effectiveness. She has led transformative initiatives in academic innovation, artificial intelligence in teaching and learning, career-connected education, enrollment strategy and regional K-16 partnerships that increase educational access and workforce readiness.
As provost and vice president for Academic Affairs at Cal Poly Pomona since 2023, Gomez has advanced efforts to strengthen proactive advising, expanded student success teams and increased institutional capacity to support students at scale. These collective efforts have delivered significant and measurable institutional gains in first-time four-year and six-year graduation rates, while strengthening outcomes for first-generation, Pell-eligible and transfer students.
Gomez joined Cal Poly Pomona in 1999 as a faculty member in the Department of Ethnic and Women's Studies, where she advanced to full professor and served as department chair. Her academic leadership roles at the university have included those of interim associate dean, associate vice president for Student Success, and associate provost for Student Success, Equity and Innovation.
A first-generation college student, Gomez began her higher education journey at San Bernardino Valley College before transferring to UCLA, where she earned her bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees in political science.
Gomez will assume the university presidency on August 3, 2026.
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About the California State University
The California State University is the nation's largest four-year public university system, providing transformational opportunities for upward mobility to more than 470,000 students from all socioeconomic backgrounds. More than half of CSU students are from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds, and more than one-quarter of undergraduates are first-generation college students. Because the CSU's 22 universities provide a high-quality education at an incredible value, they are rated among the best in the nation for promoting social mobility in national college rankings from U.S. News & World Report, the Wall Street Journal and Washington Monthly. The CSU powers California and the nation, sending more than 123,000 career-ready graduates into the workforce each year. In fact, one in every 20 Americans holding a college degree earned it at the CSU. Connect with and learn more about the CSU in the CSU newsroom.
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Original text here: https://www.calstate.edu/csu-system/news/Pages/S.-Terri-Gomez-Named-President-of-Cal-State-San-Bernardino.aspx
Palm Beach Atlantic University: Rinker in Retrospect - Look Back and Step Ahead
WEST PALM BEACH, Florida, July 23 -- Palm Beach Atlantic University issued the following news:
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Rinker in Retrospect: A Look Back and Step Ahead
The Marshall E. Rinker, Sr. College of Business at Palm Beach Atlantic University (PBA) has celebrated several milestones recently, including its updated status from school to college in September 2025 and the grand opening of its new home, the Marshall and Vera Lea Rinker Business Hall, in March 2026. But before the college even dreamed of reaching these milestones, its roots can be traced back to the founding of the University.
In 1966, when
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WEST PALM BEACH, Florida, July 23 -- Palm Beach Atlantic University issued the following news:
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Rinker in Retrospect: A Look Back and Step Ahead
The Marshall E. Rinker, Sr. College of Business at Palm Beach Atlantic University (PBA) has celebrated several milestones recently, including its updated status from school to college in September 2025 and the grand opening of its new home, the Marshall and Vera Lea Rinker Business Hall, in March 2026. But before the college even dreamed of reaching these milestones, its roots can be traced back to the founding of the University.
In 1966, whenthe University was still a conversation, Marshall E. Rinker, Sr. made PBA's first official donation. Known by his friends as "Doc," Rinker was a member of First Baptist Church--the location of PBA's first campus.
Rinker was an extremely successful businessman who started his company, Rinker Materials Corporation, out of the back of a pickup truck. From meager beginnings, he built his company into one of the nation's largest concrete suppliers. His success made him a multi-millionaire, and he used his wealth to give millions to PBA in the decades since.
In gratitude for his generosity, PBA's main campus in West Palm Beach, Florida, is named after him, along with the business college, founded in 1989. Rinker was also awarded the American Free Enterprise medal in 1985 in recognition of his entrepreneurial spirit and business acumen, and an honorary doctorate in 1988.
The Rinker family's generosity has continued since his passing in 1996 through his children and the Marshall E. Rinker, Sr. Foundation, Inc. and the Marshall and Vera Lea Rinker Foundation, Inc., which support the continued growth of PBA and the business college.
"Memory matters," said Sheila Rinker, who perpetuates her father-in-law's legacy, at the grand opening of the new business hall. "Institutions grow, new buildings go up, new names appear on the walls and that is a wonderful thing, but the people who laid the first stone, who wrote the first check, who covered payroll when nobody was watching, who believed in an idea before it looked like anything at all--those people deserve to be remembered. Not for their sake, but for ours, because when we forget where something came from, we lose sight of why it was built in the first place."
Recent highlights
Over the past few years, the business college has experienced exponential increases in enrollment, full-time faculty, undergraduate and graduate programs, and centers of excellence. It also received AACSB accreditation in 2023, placing PBA among the top six percent of business schools globally--and one of only 10 Council for Christian Colleges and Universities to earn the accreditation. The AACSB is the longest-serving global accrediting body for business schools, and the largest business education network connecting learners, educators, and businesses worldwide.
Through its strategic location in the heart of West Palm Beach and expanded features, including a 300-seat tiered Titus Lecture Hall, a stock trading room with professional terminals, and multi-purpose classrooms in the six-story, 125,000-square-foot Marshall and Vera Lea Rinker Business Hall, the college looks forward to welcoming more students into its programs and pursuit of educational excellence.
Learn more (https://www.pba.edu/academics/schools/rinker-business/) about the Rinker College of Business and its accredited programs.
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Original text here: https://www.pba.edu/news/rinker-in-retrospect-a-look-back-and-step-ahead/
Oklahoma State's Office of Central Procurement Earns National Recognition
STILLWATER, Oklahoma, July 23 -- Oklahoma State University issued the following news:
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OSU's Office of Central Procurement earns national recognition
The Oklahoma State University Office of Central Procurement has earned the 2026 Achievement of Excellence in Procurement Award from the National Procurement Institute.
This is the fourth time since 2018 that OSU has received this award recognizing organizational excellence in public procurement through a rigorous evaluation of innovation, professionalism, productivity, leadership and e-procurement practices.
"This national recognition demonstrates
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STILLWATER, Oklahoma, July 23 -- Oklahoma State University issued the following news:
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OSU's Office of Central Procurement earns national recognition
The Oklahoma State University Office of Central Procurement has earned the 2026 Achievement of Excellence in Procurement Award from the National Procurement Institute.
This is the fourth time since 2018 that OSU has received this award recognizing organizational excellence in public procurement through a rigorous evaluation of innovation, professionalism, productivity, leadership and e-procurement practices.
"This national recognition demonstratesthe important role our procurement team plays in strengthening the OSU System, improving institutional effectiveness and creating opportunities for greater impact," said Scott Schlotthauer, associate vice president and chief procurement officer. "As we move forward with our strategic priorities, this commitment to continuous improvement helps us better fulfill our land-grant mission and serve all of Oklahoma."
Among the 251 public and nonprofit agencies receiving this award, OSU is the only Oklahoma recipient and one fewer than 20 institutions of higher education awarded.
According to NPI, this year's program reached historic milestones with a record-breaking 269 applications, representing 28 U.S. states and Canada, and 42 first-time recipients.
"This recognition is especially meaningful because it validates our team's commitment to continuous improvement and the culture of excellence we have worked diligently to build. We believe excellence is never the finish line," said Joe Teel, director of procurement operations. "Our goal is to keep exceeding excellence by continually improving our processes, strengthening internal controls, embracing innovation and delivering exceptional customer service while maintaining the highest standards of ethics, transparency and public accountability.
"Every procurement represents an opportunity to strengthen stewardship of public funds, improve service to our campuses, and build trust through fair, open and ethical procurement practices. We are honored to be recognized among the nation's leading public procurement organizations and remain committed to advancing procurement excellence across the Oklahoma A&M System."
The Office of Central Procurement helps the OSU and A&M Systems purchase the goods and services they need in a timely, cost-effective way while ensuring purchases follow established guidelines.
Established in 1995, the AEP Award is open to all public and nonprofit organizations. The program's comprehensive criteria promote continuous improvement and elevate procurement as a vital contributor to good governance.
To view the full list of 2026 recipients visit https://www.npi-aep.org/award-recipients and to learn more about the AEP Award, visit https://www.npi-aep.org/aep-award.
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Original text here: https://news.okstate.edu/articles/communications/2026/osus-office-of-central-procurement-earns-national-recognition
N.C. State: Birdsong and Walks in the Forest Tied to Significant Mental Health Benefits
RALEIGH, North Carolina, July 23 (TNSjou) -- North Carolina State University issued the following news release:
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Birdsong and walks in the forest tied to significant mental health benefits
A new study finds the sounds and sights of nature are associated with significant positive effects on mental health compared to loud, urban environments.
The study, by North Carolina State University researchers, compared the experience of hearing different types of sounds in natural and urban environments to determine their effects on the listeners' emotions.
Study participants were asked to wear noise-cancelling
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RALEIGH, North Carolina, July 23 (TNSjou) -- North Carolina State University issued the following news release:
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Birdsong and walks in the forest tied to significant mental health benefits
A new study finds the sounds and sights of nature are associated with significant positive effects on mental health compared to loud, urban environments.
The study, by North Carolina State University researchers, compared the experience of hearing different types of sounds in natural and urban environments to determine their effects on the listeners' emotions.
Study participants were asked to wear noise-cancellingheadphones while sitting in either a reclaimed nature trail isolated from development or a busy urban area. The headphones would play either the sounds of traffic or birdsong, with both the location and soundtrack randomized for each participant to allow researchers to isolate the effects of both place and sound.
Participants were then asked to report changes in their levels of stress and how refreshed they felt after the experience, a metric called restorativeness. The effects of natural sights and sounds were immediately apparent, said Nils Peterson, a professor in the NC State College of Natural Resources and lead author of a paper on the study.
"For participants who were in a green space listening to the birds, there were significant effects. Positive emotions went up, negative emotions went down, stress went down, and perceptions of feeling restored went up more than any other combination," Peterson said. "On the other hand, you had the complete opposite when participants in a gray, urban area listened to the sounds of cars, and more mixed reactions when the sounds and areas were mismatched."
While the initial implication of these findings is that natural sounds and sights are good for mental health, Peterson said, they also show that urban environments might be made better by incorporating green spaces.
"When you have a really gray space that is going to stress people out and give them negative experiences, if you can change that space so that it has natural sounds, you can ameliorate the downsides of that gray space," Peterson said. "In our research we have evidence for bird sounds, but there is also a lot of literature supporting the use of water sounds and other things in nature."
The paper, "Both restored forest and birdsong promote psychological well-being," is published in Environmental Conservation. Co-authors include Lincoln Larson, Trenton Ford, Payton DeMay, Faith Swartz, Jd Kluttz, Kushagra Meshram, Caitlin McDade, Hannah Desrochers, Aaron Hipp, Jackson Webb, Made Pratiwi, Eron Foy and Christian Burke of NC State.
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Note to editors: An abstract follows.
"Both restored forest and birdsong promote psychological well-being"
Published July 17, 2026 in Environmental Conservation
DOI: 10.1017/S0376892926100484
Authors: Nils Peterson, Lincoln Larson, Trenton Ford, Payton DeMay, Faith Swartz, Jd Kluttz, Kushagra Meshram, Caitlin McDade, Hannah Desrochers, Aaron Hipp, Jackson Webb, Made Pratiwi, Eron Foy and Christian Burke, NC State University.
Abstract: We contribute to research addressing links between forest restoration and human well-being with an experimental study testing how exposure to a restored forest and birdsong impact mental stress, positive and negative experiences, and perceived restorativeness. This study engaged 106 campus participants at NC State University in a 2x2 experiment to assess the impacts of soundscapes (i.e., traffic noise vs. birdsong) and a restored riparian forest (compared to proximate grey space). Soundscape and location were drivers of all well-being metrics (p < 0.001 for main effects in every case, with effect sizes ranging from n2 = 0.05 to 0.34). The restored forest with birdsong combination elicited the lowest stress, lowest negative experiences, highest positive experiences, and highest perceived restorativeness (p < 0.05). The grey space with traffic noise combination was always the least beneficial (p < 0.05), and mixed treatments yielded intermediate results. These results build evidence that exposure to restored forest reduces stress, increases well-being, and assists with perceived restorativeness; they also suggest birdsong soundscapes have additive beneficial effects. These findings support the value of ecological restoration in urban areas, particularly when landscape restoration is accompanied by restoration of bird communities.
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Original text here: https://news.ncsu.edu/2026/07/birdsong-and-walks-in-the-forest-tied-to-significant-mental-health-benefits/
Eastern Oregon University Recognized as 2026-27 Affordable College of Distinction
LA GRANDE, Oregon, July 23 -- Eastern Oregon University issued the following news:
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Eastern Oregon University recognized as a 2026-27 Affordable College of Distinction
The question students and families are asking about higher education has shifted. It's no longer just "Can we afford this?" but also "Is this worth it?" Colleges of Distinction is proud to name Eastern Oregon University (EOU) a 2026-2027 Affordable College of Distinction, recognizing an institution that answers both questions with confidence.
This recognition is not awarded based on sticker price alone. Colleges of Distinction
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LA GRANDE, Oregon, July 23 -- Eastern Oregon University issued the following news:
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Eastern Oregon University recognized as a 2026-27 Affordable College of Distinction
The question students and families are asking about higher education has shifted. It's no longer just "Can we afford this?" but also "Is this worth it?" Colleges of Distinction is proud to name Eastern Oregon University (EOU) a 2026-2027 Affordable College of Distinction, recognizing an institution that answers both questions with confidence.
This recognition is not awarded based on sticker price alone. Colleges of Distinctionconducts a thorough analysis of each institution's true cost to students, its support for lower-income families, and the outcomes that follow graduation.
"At Eastern Oregon University, we believe a college education should be both accessible and transformative," said EOU President Kelly Ryan. "This recognition reflects our commitment to keeping higher education affordable while providing students with the personalized support, academic opportunities, and career preparation they need to succeed. We are proud to help students achieve their goals without placing an overwhelming financial burden on them or their families."
EOU was selected based on demonstrated strength in the following areas:
* You've set your sights on college, so now comes the BIG question: How do you pay for it? At Eastern Oregon University, we're ready to work with you to make it possible and affordable!
* Strong financial support for Pell Grant recipients and other aid-eligible students across all income brackets.
* Low median debt among graduates reflects a commitment to keeping borrowing manageable throughout a student's academic career.
* Positive career earnings: EOU has the lowest average annual cost of attendance among Oregon's public universities, with an estimated cost of about $16,000. The Scorecard also reports median alumni earnings of $50,000. Together, these figures indicate that EOU students achieve the best earnings-to-cost ratio among Oregon Public Universities.
* Accessibility across socioeconomic backgrounds, with intentional structures that reduce barriers to enrollment and completion.
To explore EOU's full profile, visit https://collegesofdistinction.com/school/eastern-oregon-university/.
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Original text here: https://www.eou.edu/news-press/eastern-oregon-university-recognized-as-a-2026-27-affordable-college-of-distinction/
