Education (Colleges & Universities)
Here's a look at documents from public, private and community colleges in the U.S.
Featured Stories
Vanderbilt University School of Engineering: IMPACT Program Offered Through Wond'ry Aims to Help Students Obtain Commercialization Success
NASHVILLE, Tennessee, Dec. 6 -- Vanderbilt University School of Engineering issued the following news:
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IMPACT program offered through Wond'ry aims to help students obtain commercialization success
A new program at Vanderbilt School of Engineering, made possible by a recent gift from the A. James & Alice B. Clark Foundation, is helping engineering students commercialize deep-tech prototypes that address societal needs and aim for worldwide impact.
Called IMPACT - Innovation, Market-driven Productization, and Commercialization of (deep) Technologies - the program offers a hands-on learning
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NASHVILLE, Tennessee, Dec. 6 -- Vanderbilt University School of Engineering issued the following news:
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IMPACT program offered through Wond'ry aims to help students obtain commercialization success
A new program at Vanderbilt School of Engineering, made possible by a recent gift from the A. James & Alice B. Clark Foundation, is helping engineering students commercialize deep-tech prototypes that address societal needs and aim for worldwide impact.
Called IMPACT - Innovation, Market-driven Productization, and Commercialization of (deep) Technologies - the program offers a hands-on learningexperience centered on a three-phase journey: uncover, invent, and propel. Students design, prototype, and validate solutions that tackle real-world challenges.
The program is funded by $2.5 million in seed money from the Clark Foundation, which is part of an additional $16.5 million the Foundation recently invested in Vanderbilt's School of Engineering and the Clark Scholars Program. That program emphasizes four key pillars that reflect the qualities Clark valued and sought to inspire in others: engineering excellence, business acumen, service learning, and leadership.
IMPACT is open to all first- and second-year Vanderbilt engineering students, who engage in seminars, classes, and skill-building workshops through The Wond'ry, the university's Center for Innovation. The IMPACT program seeks to transform students' technical expertise into practical solutions through a dynamic curriculum that equips them with strategic leadership and business development skills, an entrepreneurial mindset, and a strong foundation in ethical considerations to thrive in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.
"The IMPACT program represents the very best of what Vanderbilt University, the School of Engineering and the Wond'ry strive to provide our students--an opportunity to take theory beyond the classroom and apply it in ways that create meaningful change," said Lindsey Moloney, director of operations at the Wond'ry, which is now part of the School of Engineering. "Our vision is for students to leave this program prepared to become the kind of engineer-leaders who don't just adapt to the future, they create it."
The program unfolds through a dynamic, multi-year sequence designed to take students from idea to market. The journey begins with the seminar phase, where first-year students are introduced to the foundations of human-centered design and challenged to uncover unmet needs in deep-tech contexts. Guided by faculty, staff, and industry mentors, they build the mindset and skills that anchor the program. In their second year--the Invent phase--students dive deeper through a Design Discovery course, refining concepts and applying human-centered design to complex challenges. The third year marks the Propel phase, where participants gain critical business acumen and prepare their ventures for market readiness. At this point, junior engineering students who meet the prerequisites can also join the program, adding fresh technical perspectives to project teams. A signature milestone of the sequence is the Innovation Summit, where students present their inventions to industry leaders and Vanderbilt's broader community, receiving invaluable feedback and forging connections that position their ventures for real-world impact.
"This is where ideas come to life," said Cecilio Ponce, innovation design program manager at the Wond'ry and one of the course's instructors. "Our goal is that, by completing the IMPACT program, students leave with a deep-tech venture ready for commercialization."
Vanderbilt freshman Edley Regice is hoping to do just that. The mechanical engineering major is enrolled this semester in IMPACT's inaugural seminar course. He said when he heard about the program he had to participate because he believed it would help him fulfill his dream of making and commercializing prosthetics to help people.
"At my public high school, I didn't have a lot of experiences to apply what I learned when it came to engineering," said Regice, who is from New York City. "I feel like with this program, I can outline that idea and turn it from a thought into something I can actually produce and have an impact on the world."
Julianne Vernon, associate dean for academic success and head of the Clark Scholars Program, wrote the proposal for IMPACT and said she is excited about the future of the program.
"The long-term vision is to hit every engineering student in terms of entrepreneurial mindset and being able to see and address societal needs and gaps," said Vernon, who hopes the program will attract additional donors. "I'm also pleased that more students are being exposed to the values of the Scholars program. Engineering excellence, business acumen and leadership are must haves for students' successful commercializations."
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Original text here: https://engineering.vanderbilt.edu/2025/12/05/impact-program-offered-through-wondry-aims-to-help-students-obtain-commercialization-success/
UMSL Political Scientists Share Research on Vote Centers With Election Officials Across the Country During Books and Ballots Series Webinar
ST. LOUIS, Missouri, Dec. 6 -- The University of Missouri St. Louis campus issued the following news:
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UMSL political scientists share research on vote centers with election officials across the country during Books and Ballots Series webinar
By Steve Walentik
Anita Manion and David Kimball were panelists in a webinar cosponsored by the nonpartisan Center for Election Innovation and Research and the Elections Group.
St. Louis County voters have had the option of voting inside the Millennium Student Center at the University of Missouri-St. Louis for municipal, primary and general elections
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ST. LOUIS, Missouri, Dec. 6 -- The University of Missouri St. Louis campus issued the following news:
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UMSL political scientists share research on vote centers with election officials across the country during Books and Ballots Series webinar
By Steve Walentik
Anita Manion and David Kimball were panelists in a webinar cosponsored by the nonpartisan Center for Election Innovation and Research and the Elections Group.
St. Louis County voters have had the option of voting inside the Millennium Student Center at the University of Missouri-St. Louis for municipal, primary and general electionssince 2022.
The MSC is one of the dozens of vote centers in St. Louis County where residents from anywhere in the county have the option to cast their ballots on Election Day. It has also been a satellite location for in-person absentee voting in the weeks before.
During some of the bigger elections, with greater turnout, UMSL political scientists Anita Manion and David Kimball have taken advantage of the proximity of the MSC and the opportunity it provides to conduct a little informal research, not about specific races but rather to hear how the process of voting is functioning at a vote center. They've been especially interested in how the experience compares to that of a traditional neighborhood-based precinct model, where each voter is assigned a specific voting site to cast their ballots.
"David and I talk to people and, you know, get a feel," said Manion, an assistant professor in the Department of Political Science. "They have explicitly said, 'Oh, this feels safer.' At our campus, you're waiting indoors. They like that. With the Metro, public transportation goes right there. They like that."
Manion was relaying those responses Tuesday afternoon to an audience of more than 200 local election officials from around the country during a webinar cosponsored by the nonpartisan Center for Election Innovation and Research and the Elections Group. It was held as part of the Books & Ballots Series, which aims to connect researchers with real-world practitioners, translating academic insights into the day-to-day work of election officials.
The hour-long panel discussion also featured a pair of local election officials, Scott Jarrett, an elections director for Maricopa County in Arizona, and Eric Fey, a director of elections for St. Louis County and an UMSL MPPA graduate.
Manion didn't just share anecdotal data she picked up while milling about outside the Century Rooms of the MSC. She also discussed more formal research she and Kimball have been conducting since June with the support of a grant from the Election Trust Initiative and Pew Charitable Trusts.
With help from political science PhD student Jake Shaw, who has served as a research fellow on the project, Manion and Kimball have built a database of 625 jurisdictions in 19 states serving over 69 million voters that are currently using vote centers instead of requiring voters to cast their ballot at an assigned precinct polling place. They have also been looking at the impact of vote centers on voter participation.
Both Jarrett and Fey described some of the benefits they've experienced moving away from precincts to vote centers, including the need to hire and train fewer poll workers by reducing the number of voting locations. They're also able to be more adaptable, so that if something goes wrong at one location - maybe a fire alarm, a power outage or even simply long lines on Election Day - they're able to direct voters to other nearby locations where they can cast their ballots.
Jarrett and Fey say they have also been able to be more strategic about where they put polling locations.
"In a precinct-based environment, a lot of the work on identifying where is developed when you're developing the precincts, and sometimes there ends up being a lot of politics involved in that," Jarrett said. "With vote centers, you end up removing a lot of the politics, and it really allows you to use data to drive where those locations are. So, you can use turnout history from where those in-person voters live, right? And once you have more and more data, you can find out, 'Well, where do those in-person voters vote?'"
Manion and Kimball have also surveyed voters in both St. Louis County and Fresno, California, to gauge their experiences.
"From our surveys, vote centers are very popular," said Kimball, a Curators' Distinguished Professor and chair of the Department of Political Science. "They're equally popular and liked by Republicans and Democrats. I don't want to jinx things, but I think the resilience piece is very powerful. And I think there are features of both centers that appeal to both sides of the aisle - efficiency, maybe cost reductions, access, a whole variety of features that I think appeal to different folks. I know a lot of election features are very politically contested and partisan, but this seems to be one that's not."
In addition to Tuesday's webinar, Manion, Kimball and Shaw led a workshop on vote centers for about 25 elections officials in Missouri last month in Columbia, Missouri. They are also scheduled to present their research during the Annual Meeting of the Southern Political Science Association, which will be held from Jan. 14-17 in New Orleans.
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Original text here: https://blogs.umsl.edu/news/2025/12/05/manion-kimball-share-research-on-vote-centers/
UAPB Students Attend 12th Annual National HBCU Pre-Law Summit in Atlanta, Georgia
PINE BLUFF, Arkansas, Dec. 6 -- The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff issued the following news:
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UAPB Students Attend 12th Annual National HBCU Pre-Law Summit in Atlanta, Georgia
For the first time in nearly a decade, five students from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) attended the 12th Annual National HBCU Pre-Law Summit, held in Atlanta, Georgia. The event, founded by attorney and educator Evangeline M. Mitchell, Esq., Ed.M., is the nation's only pre-law event dedicated exclusively to empowering HBCU students interested in pursuing careers in law, according to its website.
Representing
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PINE BLUFF, Arkansas, Dec. 6 -- The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff issued the following news:
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UAPB Students Attend 12th Annual National HBCU Pre-Law Summit in Atlanta, Georgia
For the first time in nearly a decade, five students from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) attended the 12th Annual National HBCU Pre-Law Summit, held in Atlanta, Georgia. The event, founded by attorney and educator Evangeline M. Mitchell, Esq., Ed.M., is the nation's only pre-law event dedicated exclusively to empowering HBCU students interested in pursuing careers in law, according to its website.
RepresentingUAPB at the summit were:
* Brianna Butler - a sophomore majoring in Political Science
* Deshabrion Ezell - a graduating senior majoring in Criminal Justice
* McKenna Luckett - a junior majoring in Political Science
* Keylon Polk, Jr. - a graduating senior majoring in Criminal Justice
* Keyanna Shorter - a senior majoring in Criminal Justice
The summit featured a robust schedule of keynote addresses, panel discussions, workshops, and networking sessions with accomplished attorneys, judges, law school administrators, and other professionals. Students had the opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue, gain valuable insights about law school admissions, and build connections that will support their journey into the legal profession.
Dr. Tanya S. Walker, Interim Dean of University College and Director of Academic Advancement Programs, and Mr. Henry Brooks IV, Political Science Coordinator, accompanied the students.
Ezell said that she received words of wisdom and encouragement from attorneys and law school students.
"We were informed about the admissions process and what to expect. We gained knowledge about the LSAT (Law School Admission Test) and toured Georgia State University College of Law. While at the summit, we were able to meet with actual students, recruiters, professors, and deans from over 130 law schools, some of whom I already wanted to apply to. They were able to answer questions and concerns that we had," Ezell said.
She also shared that a pinning ceremony for the students took place at the conclusion of the summit.
"The attorneys present pinned each of us with a golden eagle and the pledge ceremony was led by the president of the National Bar Association, Ashely Upkins, Esq. This conference was a very special moment for me in my career. I was able to meet people who looked like me but came from different backgrounds and had different obstacles they had to overcome. It was the assurance that I needed, and their support uplifted me even more. I am grateful for the opportunity. I hope to see more students from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff attend to get the information and encouragement that I received," Ezell said.
After graduating from UAPB, Ezell plans to take the LSAT and pursue her Juris Doctorate and master's degree in criminal justice. Her goal is to become an attorney, then work her way into politics and become a legislator.
As for her own words of wisdom, she says, "Always dream big because the sky is truly the limit. Know what you want and take intentional steps towards achieving those goals. No dream is too big, and no vision is unattainable. Redefine what greatness and excellence look like. Inspire others never to give up. Encourage them to follow the desires of their hearts and become a beacon of change, hope, and resilience!"
Dr. Walker expressed her pride and shared the positive impact that the summit had on the students.
"This summit was a transformative experience for our students. They not only gained practical knowledge and exposure but also saw firsthand the importance of representation and advocacy in the legal field. We are proud to support their growth and aspirations," Dr. Walker said.
Brooks said that the last time he and UAPB students attended the summit was in the fall of 2016. He added that since that time, several of those students have become attorneys.
When asked why it had been almost ten years since UAPB students attended the summit, Brooks replied: "One of the reasons that we haven't attended is because it is in Atlanta and because you want to take as many pre-law students as possible, but it's an expensive trip. Dr. Walker's program was able to provide funding for us to attend this year," Brooks said.
He discussed how the summit has expanded and the benefits that students receive.
"It has grown significantly in terms of the number of participants and the number of speakers. It's becoming a must-attend event for pre-law students, especially those who attend HBCUs. I think that our students gain a lot of inside knowledge about admissions and funding opportunities that may not be widely advertised. It was an amazing experience, and I believe our students had a great experience and learned a lot," Brooks said.
Dr. Walker said that the trip was sponsored by UAPB's Academic Advancement Program (Title III), which continues to create opportunities for students to explore diverse professional pathways and prepare for graduate and professional school success. Participation in the National HBCU Pre-Law Summit underscores UAPB's commitment to student success, leadership development, and HBCU excellence.
For more information about the National HBCU Pre-Law Summit, visit https://hbcuprelawsummit.org.
This event is financially supported in part by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Postsecondary Education, Strengthening Institutions, Title III, Part B, Historically Black Colleges and Universities Program.
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Original text here: https://uapbnews.wordpress.com/2025/12/04/uapb-students-attend-12th-annual-national-hbcu-pre-law-summit-in-atlanta-georgia/
UAPB Chancellor Graham Stresses 'Focus' as the Keynote at the Alpha's 119th Founders' Day Program
PINE BLUFF, Arkansas, Dec. 6 -- The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff issued the following news:
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UAPB Chancellor Graham Stresses "Focus" as the Keynote at the Alpha's 119th Founders' Day Program
Dr. Anthony Graham, Chancellor of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB), stressed the importance of avoiding distractions and staying focused. He was the keynote speaker on Thursday night during the 119th Founders' Day Celebration of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, Delta Sigma Lambda and Gamma Delta Chapters. The event took place at Barraque Street Missionary Baptist Church
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PINE BLUFF, Arkansas, Dec. 6 -- The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff issued the following news:
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UAPB Chancellor Graham Stresses "Focus" as the Keynote at the Alpha's 119th Founders' Day Program
Dr. Anthony Graham, Chancellor of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB), stressed the importance of avoiding distractions and staying focused. He was the keynote speaker on Thursday night during the 119th Founders' Day Celebration of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, Delta Sigma Lambda and Gamma Delta Chapters. The event took place at Barraque Street Missionary Baptist Churchin Pine Bluff, Arkansas.
A member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated and Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, he presented a talk titled, "Seeing Through the Sleight of Hand; Let's Keep the Main Thing the Main Thing."
Members of the audience laughed and applauded throughout segments of his message, which resonated with his fraternity brothers, members of the Divine 9, and the general audience.
"To my brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha and all members of the Divine 9, I remind you that Founders' Day is not nostalgia; it's about accountability. For my brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha, our seven founders did not give us a brand; they gave us a burden, a responsibility, a mission. So tonight, as we honor the mission of our founders, let us remember they didn't just start a fraternity, they started a movement - a movement of intellectual service, of courage, and of love for all mankind. And now that movement is in our hands because when people attempt to distract us with sleight of hand, we will lift our people with the strength of heart. And when history looks back at this generation, may it say that we were the ones who saw clearly, who acted boldly, and who left something that could never be erased. Let us commit to ensuring that the main thing is indeed the main thing. Let's make certain that the sleight of hand is not playing us and that we are focused - sharpening our focus, strategizing, and executing a plan for impact, not for activity," Dr. Graham said.
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Original text here: https://uapbnews.wordpress.com/2025/12/05/uapb-chancellor-graham-stresses-focus-as-the-keynote-at-the-alphas-119th-founders-day-program/
Tulane's Courtney Bryan Co-leads National Jazz Generations Initiative
NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana, Dec. 6 -- Tulane University issued the following news release:
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Tulane's Courtney Bryan co-leads national Jazz Generations Initiative
Tulane University composer, pianist and MacArthur Fellow Courtney Bryan is co-leading a national effort to advance America's first original art form through the Jazz Generations Initiative, a multi-year program funded by a $5.8 million Mellon Foundation grant and sponsored by the Jazz Foundation of America.
Launched this month with events in New Orleans and New York City, the initiative brings together jazz scholarship, performance
... Show Full Article
NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana, Dec. 6 -- Tulane University issued the following news release:
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Tulane's Courtney Bryan co-leads national Jazz Generations Initiative
Tulane University composer, pianist and MacArthur Fellow Courtney Bryan is co-leading a national effort to advance America's first original art form through the Jazz Generations Initiative, a multi-year program funded by a $5.8 million Mellon Foundation grant and sponsored by the Jazz Foundation of America.
Launched this month with events in New Orleans and New York City, the initiative brings together jazz scholarship, performanceand community engagement to preserve jazz legacies and expand creative possibilities for the next generation. The program will support interdisciplinary residencies, intergenerational performances, oral history projects, new scholarship and a range of community programming rooted in the cultural traditions of both cities.
The Jazz Generations Initiative builds on the work of the Jazz Study Group, an interdisciplinary collective founded in 1995 by Columbia University scholar Robert G. O'Meally, who will co-lead the project alongside Bryan. Over three decades, the Jazz Study Group has helped shape modern jazz scholarship and served as an incubator for influential biographies, oral histories, cultural criticism and collaborative creative work.
Bryan, a professor of music at Tulane University School of Liberal Arts, will direct the vision for the New Orleans programs with Denise Frazier serving as creative director. O'Meally will oversee the New York City component. Together, the initiative aims to present "jazz in motion" through a collaborative, community-centered model shaped by artists, scholars and writers.
"An outgrowth of the Jazz Study Group, our Jazz Generations Initiative celebrates the dynamic cultures and communities of New Orleans and New York while facilitating spaces for creativity and experimentation," Bryan said. "Jazz teaches us values of listening, community and freedom. With our interdisciplinary and intergenerational initiative, we aim to build upon the wisdom of our elders and the perspectives of our youth as we imagine new futures and bold possibilities."
The Mellon Foundation's support for the Jazz Generations Initiative is part of the foundation's broader $35 million commitment to preserving and advancing jazz. In addition to performances and residencies, the initiative will produce a second volume of Uptown Conversation: The New Jazz Studies, work to make the Jazz Study Group's archival materials publicly accessible and support oral history interviews with leading jazz elders. A digital platform will complement live programming, featuring a multimedia publication, a podcast, extensive video content and a live music listings resource for both New Orleans and New York.
The initiative's New Orleans work is anchored in Bamboula: Jazz Studies in Motion, an interdisciplinary residency, fellowship and creative hub directed by Bryan. Programs include residencies for artists, scholars and writers in partnership with The New Quorum; the Bamboula Creative Hub at Historic St. Luke's Episcopal Church, which will host workshops, rehearsals and community gatherings; and collaborations with Tulane University, Dillard University, Xavier University, NOCCA and local cultural organizations.
"The New Orleans ecosystem is fertile ground for exploring the tensions that have created this music," Frazier said. "This year, Bamboula: Jazz Studies in Motion will explore democracy and healing as points of departure to collaborate and connect with people and organizations in New Orleans and beyond. Our interdisciplinary and intergenerational approach to this project will serve as a teaching tool for understanding our basic humanity."
New Orleans programming began Dec. 3 with an album listening and discussion session centered on D'Angelo's "Voodoo." A multi-day celebration honoring Alice Coltrane -- including an oral history presentation at Tulane's Dixon Annex Recital Hall -- will take place Jan. 14-16, 2026, sponsored in part by Tulane's Newcomb Institute and the Department of Music.
The inaugural New Orleans resident artists and scholars include Brandee Younger, Allan Mednard, Rashaan Carter, Maxine Gordon, Cory Diane, Tim Mangin, PhD, and Erna Brodber, PhD.
The Jazz Generations Initiative is supported by the Jazz Foundation of America, which provides essential assistance and employment opportunities to jazz and blues musicians nationwide. By integrating scholarship, performance, community practice and digital storytelling, the initiative seeks to preserve the histories of jazz while supporting the artists and communities shaping its future.
More information is available at www.jazzgenerations.org.
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Original text here: https://news.tulane.edu/pr/tulanes-courtney-bryan-co-leads-national-jazz-generations-initiative
Iowa PhD Student's Algorithm Becomes Global Resource Through Industry Partnership
IOWA CITY, Iowa, Dec. 6 -- The University of Iowa College of Engineering issued the following news:
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Iowa PhD student's algorithm becomes global resource through industry partnership
Jonah Marks, a University of Iowa (UI) PhD candidate in chemical and biochemical engineering, created a better way for scientists to find "transition states" in chemical reactions, a key tool for unlocking new medicines, better catalysts, and advanced materials.
The innovation attracted the attention of Rowan Scientific, a Boston-based computational chemistry start-up, which has adopted Marks' method as a
... Show Full Article
IOWA CITY, Iowa, Dec. 6 -- The University of Iowa College of Engineering issued the following news:
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Iowa PhD student's algorithm becomes global resource through industry partnership
Jonah Marks, a University of Iowa (UI) PhD candidate in chemical and biochemical engineering, created a better way for scientists to find "transition states" in chemical reactions, a key tool for unlocking new medicines, better catalysts, and advanced materials.
The innovation attracted the attention of Rowan Scientific, a Boston-based computational chemistry start-up, which has adopted Marks' method as ago-to tool, freely available to scientists and researchers on Rowan's cloud-based platform.
A transition state is the highest-energy point that molecules must pass through as they transform from reactants to products in a chemical reaction. Transition state searches are crucial for understanding how chemical reactions occur, a foundational element for advancing medicine, manufacturing, and other fields.
"It's incredibly rewarding to see this work recognized and made accessible to the broader research community," Marks said. "The expanded impact is what really excites me, having the ML-FSM (machine learning freezing string method) incorporated in Rowan's platform enables many more scientists who don't specialize in computational methods to easily use this method to advance their own research."
Mentored by Joe Gomes, UI assistant professor of chemical and biochemical engineering, Marks created an improved algorithm to make it easier to find these critical molecular structures. Marks defended his thesis in November.
Jonathon Vandezande of Rowan Scientific learned about the algorithm and implementation from a preprint of Marks and Gomes' paper and contacted them. They soon partnered to adapt the academic code into a modern Python package, and then made the tool widely available.
"It was great working with Jonah to improve the package for easier integration into our platform," said Vandezande, director of computational chemistry at Rowan, which specializes in design and simulation tools for chemical research and development.
In a blog post, Rowan explained they chose the package developed by Marks and Gomes because "it provides significant improvements" on existing methods and is a great example of an industry-academia collaboration. Marks' approach offers a better way to represent molecules, a powerful optimization algorithm, and a built-in check to keep calculations reliable.
The partnership shows how universities and companies can work together to turn complex academic research into practical tools for the entire scientific community. By combining Iowa's algorithmic advances with Rowan's cloud infrastructure and user interface, the partnership removes barriers that often make it hard for researchers to adopt new technology.
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Original text here: https://engineering.uiowa.edu/news-all/2025/12/iowa-phd-students-algorithm-becomes-global-resource-through-industry-partnership
In the News: MTSU Faculty Talk Positive Aging, AI, Gang Graffiti, Apples, Whiskey, More
MURFREESBORO, Tennessee, Dec. 6 -- Middle Tennessee State University issued the following news:
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In the News: MTSU faculty talk positive aging, AI, gang graffiti, apples, whiskey, more
By Nancy DeGennaro
Middle Tennessee State University faculty and staff recently provided the media with their perspectives on various issues, including positive aging, dyslexia and artificial intelligence.
* Dr. Robert Fowler, associate professor of aerospace, talked with WKRN-TV News 2 on Sept. 19 about Murfreesboro City Council's proposed air traffic control tower moves. Watch the segment (https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/murfreesboro/proposed-murfreesboro-air-traffic-control-tower-moves-forward/).
Fowler
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MURFREESBORO, Tennessee, Dec. 6 -- Middle Tennessee State University issued the following news:
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In the News: MTSU faculty talk positive aging, AI, gang graffiti, apples, whiskey, more
By Nancy DeGennaro
Middle Tennessee State University faculty and staff recently provided the media with their perspectives on various issues, including positive aging, dyslexia and artificial intelligence.
* Dr. Robert Fowler, associate professor of aerospace, talked with WKRN-TV News 2 on Sept. 19 about Murfreesboro City Council's proposed air traffic control tower moves. Watch the segment (https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/murfreesboro/proposed-murfreesboro-air-traffic-control-tower-moves-forward/).
Fowlertalked with WTVF-TV NewsChannel 5 on Nov. 10 about the long-term effects of the government shutdown on air travel. Watch the segment (https://www.newschannel5.com/news/state/tennessee/rutherford-county/airport-flight-delays-may-persist-even-after-government-shutdown-ends).
* Dr. Maddison North, assistant professor of psychology, tackled victim advocate burnout on Sept. 20 in the National Children's Alliance podcast, "One in Ten." Watch the episode (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KExp2ROaKZg).
* Dr. Andrew Fialka, associate professor of history, was featured on "The Road to Now" podcast on Sept. 22 about his newly released graphic history, "Hope Never to See It: A Graphic History of Guerrilla Violence during the American Civil War." Listen to the podcast (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2C6BrmNyvfc).
* Dr. Deborah Lee, holder of the NHC Chair of Excellence in Nursing and co-founder of the Positive Aging Consortium initiative at MTSU, was one of the featured guests Sept. 24 on Nashville Public Radio's "This Is Nashville" program on the topic of reframing aging. Lee shared her experience directing the consortium and speaking at the state's Positive Aging Conference. Listen to the segment (https://wpln.org/post/episodes/the-g-word-geriatrics-is-not-a-bad-word-next-age-episode-6/).
* Dr. Paul Eubanks, associate professor of anthropology, was spotlighted on Sept. 25 in the Tennessee Council for Professional Archaeology for his summer archaeological field school in Castalian Springs. Read the article (https://tennesseearchaeologycouncil.wordpress.com/2025/09/25/mtsus-2025-summer-archaeological-field-school-at-castalian-springs/).
* Dr. Jake Avila, associate professor of concrete and construction management, was a featured guest on Sept. 26 on the IAQRadio podcast about the restoration and damage repair industry. Watch the episode (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eV1mMaYmr8M).
* Dr. Sarah Harris, food science lecturer, shared time-saving tips using ChatGPT for meal prep on WKRN-TV News 2 "Local on 2" show on Sept. 26. Watch the segment (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s86KNkhbiCc).
Harris shared tips on sports nutrition on Oct. 15 with Chip Walters on WGNS-AM/FM. Listen to the segment (https://www.wgnsradio.com/article/95492/registered-dietitian-and-middle-tennessee-state-university-lecturer-dr-sarah-harris-joins-host-chip-walters).
* Dr. Sean Foley, a professor of history who specializes in Middle East and Asian politics and culture, outlined the last two years of the Israel-Hamas conflict on Canadian CJME-AM's "The Evan Bray Show" on Oct. 7. Listen to the show (https://www.ckom.com/2025/10/07/the-evan-bray-show-tuesday-oct-7-2/).
Foley returned to "The Evan Bray Show" Oct. 15 to discuss the current state of the Israel-Hamas conflict. Listen to the show (https://www.ckom.com/2025/10/15/the-evan-bray-show-wednesday-oct-15/).
* Dr. Tim Odegard, psychology professor and chairholder of the Katherine Davis Murfree Chair of Excellence in Dyslexic Studies, was a featured panelist on The Windward Institute's "Expert Insights on Dyslexia and Language Disorders" podcast on Oct. 7. Watch the episode (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DgazXYL4fpw).
Odegard was featured on the American Psychological Association's "Speaking of Psychology" program on Oct. 9 to share insight on the myths and misconceptions of dyslexia. Listen to the program (https://www.apa.org/news/podcasts/speaking-of-psychology/dyslexia-myths.html).
* Dr. Amy Sayward, history professor and coordinator of MTSU's American Democracy Project chapter, was a featured panelist Oct. 9 on the Tennessee World Affairs Council webinar highlighting principles of U.S. foreign policy. Watch the program (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fL8wfmULZFc).
* Dr. Steven Sprick Schuster, associate professor of economics, talked with WKRN-TV News 2 on Oct. 9 about the potential impacts of layoffs in General Motors' Spring Hill electric vehicle plant. Watch the segment (https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/ev-industry-hope-despite-some-spring-hill-layoffs/).
* Ken Paulson, director of the Free Speech Center, shared his opinion on Oct. 10 in The Chattanooga Times Free Press about the potential problems with news generated by artificial intelligence, or AI. Read his commentary (https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2025/oct/10/opinion-the-original-ai-newspapers-run-on/).
Paulson talked with The Tennessean on Nov. 11 about the closure of Rutherford County library branches to prepare for a state audit regarding gender ideology. Read the article (https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/2025/11/11/tennessee-libraries-close-for-week-in-murfreesboro-smyrna-adhering-to-trump-gender-ideology-order/87211978007/?gnt-cfr=1&gca-cat=p&gca-uir=true&gca-epti=z114943d00----v114943b0055xxd005565&gca-ft=205&gca-ds=sophi).
Paulson talked with The Tennessean on Nov. 14 about the Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett's letter requiring a statewide audit of all library branches' juvenile collections. Read the article (https://www.dnj.com/story/news/2025/11/14/tennessee-libraries-directive-collections-review-gender-topics/87213058007/).
* Dr. Daniel Smith, economics professor and director of the Political Economy Research Institute, delves into the history of whiskey regulation in the United States in a commentary published Oct. 17 on The Library of Economics and Liberty website. Read the article (https://www.econlib.org/econlog/straight-whiskey-and-dirty-politics/).
* Dr. Carter Smith, criminal justice professor, talked with WKRN-TV News 2 about gang graffiti for an Oct. 22 report. Watch the segment (https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/nashville/possible-gang-tags-found-in-hermitage-raise-safety-concerns/).
* Stephanie A. Graves, adjunct professor of English, was featured lecturer on "Southern Gothic Horror" on Oct. 22 at Fait La Force Brewing in Nashville. Read the article (https://do615.com/events/2025/10/22/profs-pints-nashville-southern-gothic-horror-tickets).
* Janet Colson, food and nutrition professor, was featured Oct. 24 in My Positive Outlooks for her expertise on the nutritional value of apples. Read the article (https://mypositiveoutlooks.com/apple-health-benefits-science-confirmed/).
* Dr. Jim Holton, history lecturer, talked with WKRN-TV News 2 on Oct. 24 about Tennessee's move toward eradicating birthright citizenship. Watch the segment (https://www.wkrn.com/news/tennessee-news/tennessee-joins-24-states-in-supreme-court-brief-on-birthright-citizenship/).
* Dr. Andrew Polk, history professor, was a featured guest Oct. 31 on "Faith and Politics." Watch the show (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMf3L8wsBCg).
* Dr. Mark Abolins, geology professor, talked with WSMV-TV Channel 4 on Nov. 3 about the Music City Loop underground tunnel. Read the story (https://www.wsmv.com/2025/11/03/music-city-loop-goldmine-questions-beneath-nashville/).
* Dr. Kelly Williams, associate professor of accounting, shared his opinion in the Journal of Accountancy on Nov. 1 about using Microsoft Excel for certain functions. Read his article (https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/issues/2025/nov/using-excels-textbefore-and-textafter-functions-to-easily-tame-messy-data/).
* Dr. Rajesh Srivastava, marketing professor, was featured in "On the Record" on Campaign Live on Nov. 1 for his appearance on the NBC-TV show, "On Brand." Read the article (https://www.campaignlive.com/article/record-cast-nbcs-on-brand/1938124).
* Dr. Haiewon Son, assistant professor of health and human performance, talked with Citizen Portal on Nov. 6 about a virtual reality research partnership with Patterson Park Community Center in Murfreesboro. Read the article (https://citizenportal.ai/articles/6758036/Tennessee/MTSU-and-Patterson-Park-expand-teaching-partnership-pilot-VR-program-studies-healthy-aging).
* Dr. Sandra Poirier, food science professor, talked with WalletHub on Nov. 11 about the best credit cards to use for building credit. Read her commentary (https://wallethub.com/best-credit-cards-to-build-credit#expert=Dr._Sandra_Poirier).
* Dr. Jim Burton, accounting professor and dean emeritus, talked with WalletHub on Nov. 11 about "loud budgeting." Read his commentary (https://wallethub.com/edu/b/loud-budgeting/142885#expert=Jim_Burton).
* Dr. Ron Henderson, physics and astronomy professor, talked with WTVF-TV NewsChannel 5 on Nov. 12 about the recent aurora borealis phenomenon that occurred in Middle Tennessee recently. Watch the segment (https://www.newschannel5.com/news/so-beautiful-northern-lights-grace-tennessee-skies-in-rare-event).
- Nancy DeGennaro, Nancy.DeGennaro@mtsu.edu
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Original text here: https://mtsunews.com/mtsu-in-news-october-november-2025/
