Education (Colleges & Universities)
Here's a look at documents from public, private and community colleges in the U.S.
Featured Stories
University of Nevada: What are the Main Stressors That Can Increase Domestic Violence Rates During the Holidays?
RENO, Nevada, Dec. 3 -- The University of Nevada issued the following news:
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What are the main stressors that can increase domestic violence rates during the holidays?
Experts Pamela Payne and Hannah Ortega discuss how financial strain, alcohol use and limited support systems contribute to increased domestic violence risk
By Pam Payne and Hannah Ortega
For many, the holiday season is a time of closeness with those you love, a time of meaningful reflection and a season of unforgettable moments. Unfortunately, this time of celebration and closeness can also create several stressors. Although
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RENO, Nevada, Dec. 3 -- The University of Nevada issued the following news:
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What are the main stressors that can increase domestic violence rates during the holidays?
Experts Pamela Payne and Hannah Ortega discuss how financial strain, alcohol use and limited support systems contribute to increased domestic violence risk
By Pam Payne and Hannah Ortega
For many, the holiday season is a time of closeness with those you love, a time of meaningful reflection and a season of unforgettable moments. Unfortunately, this time of celebration and closeness can also create several stressors. Althoughstressors during the holiday season can be a universal experience, overwhelming stress could result in an increase of intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration (Keilholtz et al., 2023).
Several stressors can contribute to the exacerbation of domestic violence during the holiday season. An initial factor can be increased financial strain due to expenses related to gift-giving, travel, or even social gatherings. In a household already facing economic hardships, the financial obligations of the holiday season can intensify tension and conflict. Subsequently, the holiday season is also a time many spend with close family, which unfortunately can allow for familial conflicts to arise or be heighten.
Another consideration is the increased alcohol consumption associated with holiday events, which can serve as a risk factor for violent behaviors, due to impaired judgment, reduced impulse control and lower inhibitions. In 2025, Shorey et al. found that the potential for IPV perpetration increases when both partners are drinking alcohol.
Finally, the limited access to supportive services and support networks during the holiday season can further isolate victims, increasing vulnerability. It is crucial to remember that the stress of the holiday season does not cause someone to become violent, but these stressors can heighten existing pressures that can contribute to abusive behaviors within the home.
For victims of domestic violence, the holiday season can also require the pressures of putting on a "happy face." When spending time with those close to you this holiday season, be mindful of potential indicators of domestic violence. Some possible signs of domestic violence and IPV can include unexplained injuries, excessive fearfulness around a partner, verbal abuse, controlling behaviors, isolation and avoidance of social events, and threats or acts of violence. Awareness and sensitivity are crucial when addressing potential abuse, especially during the high-stress holiday period.
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About the authors
Pamela Payne, Ph.D., CFLE, is an associate professor in the College of Education & Human Development and with Extension, as part of the College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources. She is the lead on a $1 million grant for the Extension Hope for Family Resilience program, which provides in-depth education on domestic violence advocacy and training for professionals working with domestic violence. She also is the president-elect of the National Council on Family Relations' Board of Directors.
Hannah Ortega is an instructor for the Hope for Family Resilience program, with a background in the non-profit sector, holding a bachelor's degree in psychology and a master's degree in criminal justice. She is a credentialed advocate and trained forensic interviewer. Ortega specializes in supporting trauma-impacted populations.
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Keilholtz, B. M., Spencer, C. M., & Stith, S. M. (2023). Common Life Stressors as Risk Markers for Intimate Partner Violence: A Meta-analysis.
National Domestic Violence Hotline. (n.d.). National Domestic Violence Hotline.
Shorey, R. C., Dunsiger, S. I., & Stuart, G. L. (2025). Alcohol use as a predictor of intimate partner violence in emerging adulthood: A dyadic daily diary investigation. Addiction (Abingdon, England), 120(1), 77-85.
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Original text here: https://www.unr.edu/nevada-today/news/2025/atp-holiday-stress-and-domestic-violence
UCI Receives NJDEP Grant to Expand Naval Weapons Station Earle Oyster Reef
WEST LONG BRANCH, New Jersey, Dec. 3 -- Monmouth University issued the following news:
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UCI Receives NJDEP Grant to Expand Naval Weapons Station Earle Oyster Reef
The Monmouth University Urban Coast Institute (UCI) has been awarded a $991,655 grant from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) to expand and monitor its oyster reef installation off the shore of Naval Weapons Station Earle in Middletown. The grant will enable UCI and student researchers to add 600 oyster castles to the reef to enhance resilience, reduce shoreline erosion, and create habitats that support
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WEST LONG BRANCH, New Jersey, Dec. 3 -- Monmouth University issued the following news:
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UCI Receives NJDEP Grant to Expand Naval Weapons Station Earle Oyster Reef
The Monmouth University Urban Coast Institute (UCI) has been awarded a $991,655 grant from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) to expand and monitor its oyster reef installation off the shore of Naval Weapons Station Earle in Middletown. The grant will enable UCI and student researchers to add 600 oyster castles to the reef to enhance resilience, reduce shoreline erosion, and create habitats that supporta diverse range of marine species.
The funding was provided through an $8 million round of Water Quality Restoration grants from the Murphy Administration to municipalities, nonprofit groups and academic institutions for projects that help reduce the impacts of nonpoint source pollution, address harmful algal blooms, develop watershed-based planning efforts, address emerging contaminants and improve climate resilience. The New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium will serve as an administrative partner on the project.
Under the direction of Coastal Resilience Practitioner Meredith Comi, the UCI has been developing the reef in a 0.9-acre area of the Raritan Bay that is off limits to the public. Earle provides a unique testing ground for a reef project in that it is protected from disturbance but located along one of the most densely populated estuaries in the country. Comi first began work on the site a decade as director of the NY/NJ Baykeeper's Coastal Restoration Program, until the project transitioned to the UCI's management in 2023.
The UCI maintains an aquaculture facility on the Earle grounds with tanks where the oyster castles - cement block-like structures that can stack underwater and resist waves and currents - and other experimental materials can be seeded with oyster larvae. The funding will support upgrades to the facility's tanks and equipment.
The continued placement of oyster castles at Earle will reduce the risks posed by extreme weather events to Earle by blunting the force of waves and helping accumulate and hold sand in the area. Oysters are also widely known for their ecosystem services, including their capacity to filter water and construct habitat for other marine organisms.
"Oysters are natural engineers. They create hard, stationary structures that provide cover and substrate for organisms in what would otherwise be a barren bay bottom," Comi said. "The reef is now home to a wide variety of crabs, sponges, snails, fish and other organisms."
The researchers will monitor the species richness and abundance on and around the reef using fish traps, settlement plates, and environmental DNA (eDNA) samples. Sonar, wave and current meters, water quality sondes, pressure sensors and other technologies will be used to survey the reef area and quantify its resilience impacts.
"The project is providing important data on the benefits that nature-based solutions can offer for shoreline stabilization and coastal protection in a dynamic urban environment," said UCI Acting Director Tom Herrington. "It will also offer students an opportunity to gain valuable field experience working alongside Naval personnel and other partner institutions while making an important contribution to the health of our waters."
Work to deploy the oyster castles is expected to commence in the spring. For more information on the project, email Meredith Comi.
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Original text here: https://www.monmouth.edu/uci/2025/12/01/uci-receives-njdep-grant-to-expand-naval-weapons-station-earle-oyster-reef/
UAMS Awarded $10.5 Million as Nationwide Hub to Develop Biomarkers for Human Diseases Including Cancer
LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas, Dec. 3 -- The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences issued the following news release:
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UAMS Awarded $10.5 Million as Nationwide Hub to Develop Biomarkers for Human Diseases Including Cancer
By Marty Trieschmann
The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) has received a five-year, $10.5 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to develop biomarkers for all human diseases including cancer through the IDeA National Resource for Quantitative Proteomics.
The grant awarded by the NIH's National Institute of General Medical Sciences
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LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas, Dec. 3 -- The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences issued the following news release:
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UAMS Awarded $10.5 Million as Nationwide Hub to Develop Biomarkers for Human Diseases Including Cancer
By Marty Trieschmann
The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) has received a five-year, $10.5 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to develop biomarkers for all human diseases including cancer through the IDeA National Resource for Quantitative Proteomics.
The grant awarded by the NIH's National Institute of General Medical Sciencessupports ongoing efforts to make highly advanced protein analysis known as proteomics available to biomedical researchers nationwide. This latest award brings the total federal investment in the UAMS center to more than $20 million since its founding in 2020.
Led by Alan Tackett, Ph.D., deputy director of the UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, the national resource is the only NIH-funded proteomics service provider in the United States. Located at the UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, the resource provides the most advanced, cost-effective quantitative analysis of proteins to any NIH-supported investigator performing biomedical research in the country.
"Our staff is one of the most skilled in the country in collecting, interpreting and analyzing complex biological data in support of developing new diagnostics and therapies for dozens of diseases, including cancer," said Tackett, who also serves as executive associate dean for Basic Research at UAMS, holds the Scharlau Family Endowed Chair for Cancer Research, and is a distinguished professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in the UAMS College of Medicine.
"The study of proteins using proteomics is at the core of nearly all biomedical research and often serves as the first step in discovering new disease biomarkers or drug targets," Tackett said.
Proteomics is the large-scale study of proteins -- the molecules responsible for nearly all biological processes. Understanding how proteins function or malfunction allows researchers to identify new drug targets, diagnostic tools and treatment strategies for diseases such as cancer.
"Cancer often occurs in the behavior or misbehavior of proteins that drive tumor growth," Tackett said. "Proteomics helped identify key targets like HER2 in breast cancer, which led to the development of multiple lifesaving therapies. Our goal is to continue making these breakthroughs possible for many other diseases."
Since its inception, the IDeA National Resource for Quantitative Proteomics at UAMS has grown from a regional operation to a fully established national resource that now supports investigators in all 50 states plus Puerto Rico.
Over the past five years, the resource has:
* Served more than 2,000 researchers nationwide
* Analyzed approximately 50,000 samples
* Supported about 500 NIH grants totaling nearly $200 million
* Enabled over 100 scientific publications
* Provided approximately 500 education, internship and training opportunities for faculty, students and research staff
"The proteomics national resource is one of a kind in the United States and an extraordinary example of UAMS innovation and impact," said Dan Voth, Ph.D., UAMS vice chancellor for research and innovation. "Through this center, UAMS is helping scientists across the country make discoveries that will improve health outcomes and advance medicine. It's a powerful reflection of our commitment to research excellence at the highest level."
The national resource also serves as a shared core facility for the UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, supporting dozens of Cancer Institute researchers focused on cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
With the renewed funding, the UAMS team plans to expand national access to state-of-the-art proteomics technology and strengthen education, training and outreach efforts. These initiatives ensure equitable access to advanced biomedical tools for researchers across the United States.
The IDeA National Resource for Quantitative Proteomics was originally created in 2016 through the Arkansas INBRE (IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence, Larry Cornett, PhD, INBRE Director) to expand research capacity in historically underfunded states. It became a NIGMS National Resource in 2020.
The center is supported by NIH grant #R24GM137786.
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Original text here: https://news.uams.edu/2025/12/02/uams-awarded-10-5-million-as-nationwide-hub-to-develop-biomarkers-for-human-diseases-including-cancer/
Tennessee Technological University Alumni Help Launch STEMOVATE in Putnam County, Bringing Hands-on STEM Learning to Local Middle Schoolers
COOKEVILLE, Tennessee, Dec. 3 -- Tennessee Technological University issued the following news release:
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Tech alumni help launch STEMOVATE in Putnam County, bringing hands-on STEM learning to local middle schoolers
By Kelly Chambers
A group of Tennessee Tech University alumni is helping bring the power of STEM education to Putnam County through the launch of STEMOVATE, a statewide initiative designed to prepare Tennessee's next generation of innovators.
STEMOVATE -- developed through a partnership with Tennessee 4-H, the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) and other stakeholders
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COOKEVILLE, Tennessee, Dec. 3 -- Tennessee Technological University issued the following news release:
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Tech alumni help launch STEMOVATE in Putnam County, bringing hands-on STEM learning to local middle schoolers
By Kelly Chambers
A group of Tennessee Tech University alumni is helping bring the power of STEM education to Putnam County through the launch of STEMOVATE, a statewide initiative designed to prepare Tennessee's next generation of innovators.
STEMOVATE -- developed through a partnership with Tennessee 4-H, the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) and other stakeholders-- is reaching 6,000 sixth graders across 22 counties this year.
The program delivers hands-on lessons in nuclear energy, artificial intelligence, engineering design and agriculture -- topics aligned with Tennessee standards and areas critical to the state's future workforce. On a Friday in late November, regional leaders joined sixth graders at Algood Middle School to launch STEMOVATE in Putnam County.
For Tech alumni Trent Jones ('07 agriculture) and Shannon Auberson ('99 multidisciplinary studies and '03 M.A.), both longtime local educators, STEMOVATE is more than a curriculum. It is an opportunity to inspire students the way Tech once inspired them.
Jones, a third-generation Tech graduate, serves as a 4-H Extension agent with UT Extension in Putnam County. He grew up immersed in 4-H -- his mother spent 30 years as a 4-H leader -- and credits the program with broadening his world and shaping his future.
"I was born into 4-H," Jones said. "It gave me opportunities I never would have had otherwise -- travel, contests, meeting people from all over. When I interned here, I saw what a 4-H agent really does, and that's what led me into this career. I've been doing this for 18 years."
Jones now meets with nearly 2,000 students across the county each year, leading STEM-focused programming and club activities. With a schedule that leaves little time for developing new lessons, the ready-made, research-based STEMOVATE curriculum has been a game-changer.
At Algood Middle School, Auberson, now the school's librarian, has transformed her library into a STEM-rich learning hub. With more than 20 years in Putnam County schools, she is passionate about showing students that libraries are centers of exploration -- not just checkout desks.
"STEM has been a huge part of our library," she said. "The STEM thread pulls through everything we do -- science, math, English and research. We want students to know the library is where you go to learn how to find answers."
Auberson's love of STEM was sparked during her time at Tech. Influenced by educators such as Elinor Ross, Betty Rowe, Carl Owens, James Akenson and STEM pioneer Maggie Phelps, she discovered how technology could transform classrooms.
"We traveled to rural counties and trained teachers on emerging technology like flex cams and projectors -- tools that completely changed classrooms," Auberson said. "That experience showed me what STEM really is: taking something and asking how it can make life better. That foundation has shaped my entire career."
Both Jones and Auberson say Tech prepared them exceptionally well for STEM-centered careers.
Jones credits Tech's School of Agriculture with giving him the STEM foundation he now teaches to local students.
"Tech really prepared me across the board," he said. "Chemistry wasn't my favorite in high school, but at Tech I found a passion for it. Those classes taught me how STEM applies directly to animal science, genetics and real-world problem solving -- things I now teach."
Auberson said Tech's strong science requirements and tight-knit faculty gave her the confidence and skills to lead STEM instruction in schools.
"I took chemistry, biology, geology -- hard classes, but I've used every one of them as a teacher and librarian," she said. "There is never a day I don't think about the STEM lessons I learned while I was at Tech."
Alongside Jones and Auberson, fellow Tech alumni, including Kelly Moore ('01 secondary education), now an assistant professor of curriculum and instruction in Tech's College of Education and Human Sciences, and Rusty Darley ('00 M.A. and '12 Ed.S.), now the principal of Algood Middle School, helped bring the STEMOVATE program to fruition.
The alums say STEM education is essential for today's students -- no matter their future paths.
"STEM affects every part of life and every career," Jones said. "Whether these students go to college or straight into the workforce, STEM gives students the chance to practice real skills -- problem solving, teamwork, communication and citizenship."
Auberson agrees, saying STEM experiences open students' eyes to the world beyond their classroom.
"These lessons help them understand their community and the world," she said. "From nuclear energy to agriculture, STEM teaches them how the world works -- and how they can shape it."
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Original text here: https://www.tntech.edu/news/releases/25-26/tech-alumni-help-launch-stemovate-in-putnam-county.php
Supporting the Region's Childcare Workforce: Carlow's Apprenticeship Program Degree Pathway Program
PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania, Dec. 3 -- Carlow University issued the following news:
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Supporting the Region's Childcare Workforce: Carlow's Apprenticeship Program Degree Pathway Program
Problem/Challenge
Nationally, enrollment in traditional teacher preparation programs has dramatically declined over the past fifteen years. Pennsylvania is one of the states with the greatest decline in the number of students in the teacher pipeline. As the need for highly qualified teachers has increased, so has the critical need for highly qualified childcare educators working with children from birth to
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PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania, Dec. 3 -- Carlow University issued the following news:
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Supporting the Region's Childcare Workforce: Carlow's Apprenticeship Program Degree Pathway Program
Problem/Challenge
Nationally, enrollment in traditional teacher preparation programs has dramatically declined over the past fifteen years. Pennsylvania is one of the states with the greatest decline in the number of students in the teacher pipeline. As the need for highly qualified teachers has increased, so has the critical need for highly qualified childcare educators working with children from birth toage five. The national crisis in childcare continues to escalate around the factors of childcare access, qualified childcare educators, and the skyrocketing costs of providing developmentally appropriate and high-quality care. The lack of care impacts workforce development and community economic health. According to the Pennsylvania Chamber, "The state's economy loses nearly 3.5 billion dollars annually due to a lack of childcare options."
Solution
The early childhood apprenticeship program was built with, and not just for, our students. It was designed and is continually refined in collaboration with participating Carlow students, partnering childcare center directors, and regional, State, and national advisory groups. The program directly responds to national critical needs in teacher vacancies, declining enrollment in teacher preparation programs, and childcare access and quality across the country.
The Dr. Rae Ann Hirsh Apprenticeship Program at Carlow University was designed with a two-fold purpose: 1) to promote high quality child/educator interactions and the quality of childcare centers, and 2) to remove barriers to degree attainment for those educators in childcare and provide a pathway to teacher licensure
Educational attainment has a ripple effect. Young children benefit from the quality of improved child-teacher interactions, childcare centers improve in overall quality, childcare center directors experience improved educator retention. Professionalism in the field of early childhood results in greater legislative advocacy, and, hopefully, increased statue and wages for those serving in teaching and educational administrative roles.
The quality of education for a child is directly related to the qualifications of the teacher or childcare educator. The increased educational qualifications among teachers of young children is associated with greater long-term social, economic, educational, and behavioral outcomes for the children they serve.
Impact by the Numbers
* Since program launch in 2019, seventy-four students have graduated from the program
* The program supports educators in childcare centers across six counties in Western, PA and two counties in Central, PA.
* Currently 75 childcare and PreK centers have apprenticeship students enrolled at Carlow. Throughout the last six years, the apprenticeship team has partnered with 96 different centers in support of apprenticeship students.
* One hundred sixty-two students are currently enrolled in the program
* Three apprenticeship students have been selected to serve as Fellows in the Teach Plus Pennsylvania Teaching Policy Fellowship
* Over the past five years, faculty and staff have written or presented on the program regionally and nationally 18 times
* Retention in the two bachelor program options for apprenticeship students averages 90%
The most recent evaluation was completed in May of 2025. Of the 83 respondents:
56% had pay increase because of educational attainment in the program over the past year 94% are very or extremely likely to recommend the program to others. 88% found the available of online and evening classes very or extremely valuable
Personal Story
Kyle currently works as an Assistant Preschool teacher in a PreK Counts classroom. "Until starting at Carlow, I considered this a job. I knew I did it well, and I knew my work was important, but I saw myself as a worker at a childcare center. Now I see myself as a teacher. I am an educator." "My general education core from the community college easily transferred to Carlow. I enjoy my on-the-job classes in the apprenticeship program and connecting my work with class competencies."
Kyle's involvement in the apprenticeship program led to advocacy work in early childhood education. "The Director of Carlow's Apprenticeship Program, Susan Polojac, connected with me Laura Boyce, the Executive Director of Teach Plus PA, and I applied to be a fellow. Being around other passionate educators who care about the same things I care about, really made me feel like I belong. I now consider myself an advocate, and I am very proud of the advocacy work I've done." - Kyle Bender, junior Education major
More Than an Academic Initiative
The Dr. Rae Ann Hirsh Early Childhood Apprenticeship Program is more than a degree pathway--it's an effective workforce solution in childcare. In addition to academic instruction, additional services provided to students include:
* Scholarships Funding from PDO and State Grants
* On-the-Job Coursework
* A Program Mentor and Coach
* A Lending Library of Textbooks
* Enriching Professional Development
* Opportunities to Engage in Professional Advocacy
* Support for CDA Certification and Director Credential Application
* Technology Support
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Original text here: https://www.carlow.edu/supporting-the-regions-childcare-workforce-carlows-apprenticeship-program-degree-pathway-program/
Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences: Virtual Wellness Platform Eliminates Barriers to Care for Students
STILLWATER, Oklahoma, Dec. 3 -- Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences issued the following news:
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New virtual wellness platform eliminates barriers to care for students
The Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences' Department of Wellness is eliminating barriers to care that students may face with TimelyCare.
TimelyCare is a virtual health and well-being platform available to all OSU-CHS students. Accessible 24 hours a day via phone, TimelyCare provides students with immediate access to medical and mental health care from anywhere in the United States.
Additionally,
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STILLWATER, Oklahoma, Dec. 3 -- Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences issued the following news:
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New virtual wellness platform eliminates barriers to care for students
The Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences' Department of Wellness is eliminating barriers to care that students may face with TimelyCare.
TimelyCare is a virtual health and well-being platform available to all OSU-CHS students. Accessible 24 hours a day via phone, TimelyCare provides students with immediate access to medical and mental health care from anywhere in the United States.
Additionally,it is completely free for all students, regardless of insurance coverage.
Jesse Chaffin, health and wellness manager at OSU-CHS, said data shows a stark relationship between well-being and academic performance.
"When we start looking at students who value taking care of themselves and things of that nature, they are generally performing at a higher level than their peers," Chaffin said. "Our job is to help students along their path and provide the resources they need to navigate stressors."
TimelyCare offers two different forms of virtual mental health care. TalkNow is on-demand emotional support from a licensed professional counselor. Students are connected with a licensed professional within five minutes. The other option is scheduled counseling with six free visits per year.
TimelyCare also provides virtual urgent care in addition to counseling services. MedicalNow offers on-demand care for non-life-threatening medical issues, or students can schedule appointments as needed. There is no limit to the number of scheduled medical appointments.
Another service TimelyCare provides is basic needs support, which connects students with community resources such as food or housing assistance, transportation services, child care and financial support.
The basic needs support is not limited to the state of Oklahoma. The TimelyCare team can connect a student with resources local to their area. This is especially helpful for out-of-state graduate students or medical students on rotations outside of Oklahoma.
Providing these easy-to-access resources is important because of the challenges students already face with their busy schedules.
"We need to have help available with as few barriers as possible. If someone makes the decision that they need help, but they go to sign up for care and experience a hurdle, that might influence their decision to follow through," Chaffin said. "Utilizing TimelyCare ensures that students can access care 24/7 from wherever they are using their phone."
Since its launch in the fall, over 100 OSU-CHS students have registered and accessed TimelyCare's services.
Students can learn more about TimelyCare and register on the Department of Wellness's website (https://medicine.okstate.edu/wellness/student-wellness/timelycare.html).
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Original text here: https://news.okstate.edu/articles/health-sciences/2025/timelycare_eliminates_barriers_to_care_for_students.html
K-State Joins National Effort to Prepare Next Generation of Veterinary Entomologists
MANHATTAN, Kansas, Dec. 3 -- Kansas State University issued the following news:
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K-State joins national effort to prepare next generation of veterinary entomologists
By Crystal Ly
Kansas State University is addressing a critical nationwide shortage of veterinary entomologists through the Research and Extension Experience in Veterinary Entomology for Students program, an innovative new program designed to provide undergraduates with hands-on research experience.
Veterinary entomologists play a crucial role in safeguarding livestock health and agricultural economies by studying insects
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MANHATTAN, Kansas, Dec. 3 -- Kansas State University issued the following news:
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K-State joins national effort to prepare next generation of veterinary entomologists
By Crystal Ly
Kansas State University is addressing a critical nationwide shortage of veterinary entomologists through the Research and Extension Experience in Veterinary Entomology for Students program, an innovative new program designed to provide undergraduates with hands-on research experience.
Veterinary entomologists play a crucial role in safeguarding livestock health and agricultural economies by studying insectsand ticks that affect animals.
"Despite the significant impact arthropods like ticks and insects have on livestock production, there's a serious lack of trained veterinary entomologists," explains Cassandra Olds, assistant professor of entomology at K-State. "Many students simply aren't aware of this viable career path or what it entails."
Kansas, a global leader in beef production, marketing systems and research, is uniquely poised to combat this shortage. In 2021, cattle and calves accounted for 46% of Kansas' agricultural cash receipts, and the state ranked second nationally in cattle processed. The economic well-being of the state's agricultural sector is closely tied to the health of its livestock.
"With increasing insecticide resistance and the emergence of new tick and tick-borne pathogen species, our capacity to meet future research, extension, and teaching needs in this area is more critical than ever," Dr. Olds emphasizes.
To address these pressing issues, Olds collaborated with other university veterinary entomologists to develop the Research and Extension Experience in Veterinary Entomology for Students program, or REEVES.
Funded by the USDA-NIFA and led by the University of Tennessee, the 8-week summer residential program offers an immersive, hands-on experience in veterinary entomology research and extension. The overarching goal of REEVES is to introduce and train talented individuals for graduate and professional programs, as well as livestock-associated careers that emphasize team science. The program educates them on the fundamentals of veterinary entomology and provides them with real-world project experience relevant to the needs of stakeholders.
Two scholars are placed at each participating institution each year, K-State, University of Tennessee, Texas A&M and University of Georgia, and will run from 2025 till 2028.
REEVES scholars engage in impactful research and learn to collaborate effectively within scientific teams. They are given the opportunity to present their research at the annual Livestock Insect Workers Conference and an online REEVES Expo. This year at K-State, scholars evaluated the impact of stable flies on cattle performance in feedlots and investigated recent outbreaks of Theileria orientalis in the region.
"For me, the most exciting aspect of this field is the chance to do good at every level," says Olds. "You have the opportunity to positively impact both animal health and well-being, while simultaneously improving the livelihoods of the people who own them."
More information and how to apply can be found on the REEVES program website (https://reeu.utk.edu/reeves/).
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Original text here: https://www.k-state.edu/news/articles/2025/12/kstate-tackles-national-shortage-of-veterinary-entomologists-with-real-world-research-experiences.html
