Education (Colleges & Universities)
Here's a look at documents from public, private and community colleges in the U.S.
Featured Stories
Yavapai College Professor Nichole Guzzo Wins Dissertation Award
PRESCOTT, Arizona, May 15 -- Yavapai College issued the following news:
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Yavapai College Professor Nichole Guzzo Wins Dissertation Award
Michael Grady
Psychology Professor Nichole Guzzo earned her doctorate this year - and then some. Last Wednesday, the Arizona School Administrators (ASA) notified Dr. Guzzo's dissertation chair that her thesis was selected as the Top Dissertation from Arizona's universities in 2026.
Dr. Guzzo wrote "The Interaction between Course Duration and Discipline for Student Outcomes in Online Accelerated Courses," as part of her doctoral studies at Grand Canyon
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PRESCOTT, Arizona, May 15 -- Yavapai College issued the following news:
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Yavapai College Professor Nichole Guzzo Wins Dissertation Award
Michael Grady
Psychology Professor Nichole Guzzo earned her doctorate this year - and then some. Last Wednesday, the Arizona School Administrators (ASA) notified Dr. Guzzo's dissertation chair that her thesis was selected as the Top Dissertation from Arizona's universities in 2026.
Dr. Guzzo wrote "The Interaction between Course Duration and Discipline for Student Outcomes in Online Accelerated Courses," as part of her doctoral studies at Grand CanyonUniversity. It examined student outcomes in accelerated, online courses in Psychology, Math, and Biology versus traditional online learning models.
"I think mine stood out because of the complex statistical design," she said. It comes at a time when educators are comparing the effectiveness of online and accelerated coursework versus more traditional models. "The topic is very timely in education - not just at Yavapai College but across the country."
The chair of Yavapai College's Social and Behavioral Sciences department, Dr. Guzzo, currently teaches Psychology, Brain and Behavior, and Research Methods courses in Prescott and Prescott Valley. She led the drive to acquire U.S. Department of Health & Human Services approval for the College's human research protections from its Institutional Review Board, which authorizes Yavapai College to supervise research in accordance with federal regulations and ethical standards. Dr. Guzzo received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Iowa State University in 2005, and her master's degree in psychology from the same institution in 2007.
The ASA award announcement marked a busy week for Dr. Guzzo. It came days after her dissertation chair informed her, she was selected as GCU's top Ph.D. candidate from a field of 590 successfully defended dissertations.
Dr. Guzzo will condense her work, with dissertation chair Dr. Roselyn Polk, for publication in an academic journal. In the classroom, she plans to continue what she has built with Yavapai College and the local community. "I have been teaching at Yavapai for 19 years now and absolutely love the college and raising my family in this location."
Yavapai College operates seven campuses and centers throughout Yavapai County and offers over 100 degrees and certificates, six baccalaureate degrees, student and community services, and cultural events and activities. To learn more about Yavapai College, visit www.yc.edu.
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Original text here: https://www.yc.edu/v6/news/2026/05/nichole-guzzo-phd.html
Visions Federal Credit Union Expands Partnership With Syracuse University
SYRACUSE, New York, May 15 -- Syracuse University issued the following news:
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Visions Federal Credit Union Expands Partnership With University
New branch serving the campus, completed inaugural cohort and growing community programs mark a year of milestones for a partnership built on student success.
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Visions Federal Credit Union and Syracuse University announced two significant milestones in their growing partnership: the opening of a new Visions branch on Marshall Street and the successful completion of the Student-Athlete Financial Empowerment Program's inaugural year. Together they
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SYRACUSE, New York, May 15 -- Syracuse University issued the following news:
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Visions Federal Credit Union Expands Partnership With University
New branch serving the campus, completed inaugural cohort and growing community programs mark a year of milestones for a partnership built on student success.
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Visions Federal Credit Union and Syracuse University announced two significant milestones in their growing partnership: the opening of a new Visions branch on Marshall Street and the successful completion of the Student-Athlete Financial Empowerment Program's inaugural year. Together theymark a deepening commitment to the financial well-being of the entire University community.
The new branch, located at 145 Marshall St., will bring accessible financial services directly to campus. It will feature on-site ATM access and one-on-one financial counseling, including dedicated support for bilingual students and community members, ensuring that every member of the Syracuse community has the tools and personalized guidance they need to build a strong financial future.
The branch opening coincides with a landmark moment for the Visions FCU Student-Athlete Financial Empowerment Program, a collaboration among Visions Federal Credit Union, Syracuse University Athletics, and Martin J. Whitman School of Management. Over 150 students enrolled in the program's inaugural class, including 34 student-athletes, gaining essential skills in budgeting, credit management, investing and long-term financial planning. Enrollment is now open for the Fall 2026 semester, and all Syracuse University students are encouraged to apply. To learn more visit whitman.syracuse.edu.
"It's all information that I can use in my day to day now, and I already feel like it's helped me a lot," says Eve O'Sullivan '29, who is an entrepreneurship major and a student-athlete on the women's rowing team.
Throughout the year, the Visions team extended its reach well beyond the classroom. The team conducted financial literacy workshops with several Syracuse varsity sports teams and for Syracuse University student veterans, in partnership with the Office of Veteran and Military Affairs (OVMA), through regular webinars and networking events.
Visions' President/CEO Ty Muse has served on the OVMA Board for more than two years, a reflection of Visions' deep and ongoing investment in the community and the University's longstanding leadership in veteran education and support.
"This collaboration exemplifies the best of what Syracuse University offers--an intersection of academics, practical and relevant experience, and community partnership," says Alex McKelvie, interim dean of the Whitman School. "We are proud to help our student-athletes develop the skills needed to thrive in a complex business world."
"This partnership continues to grow in ways that directly benefit our students, our student-athletes and our broader community," says Tim Strong, Visions' AVP of branding and community impact. "The opening of our Marshall Street branch, combined with the success of our inaugural cohort and our work with student veterans, reflects our deep investment in Syracuse and the people who call it home. We are just getting started."
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Original text here: https://news.syr.edu/2026/05/14/visions-federal-credit-union-expands-partnership-with-university/
University of Michigan: Not Just an Energy Drink - National Study Finds Kratom Use is Rising
ANN ARBOR, Michigan, May 15 (TNSjou) -- The University of Michigan issued the following news:
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Not just an energy drink: National study finds kratom use is rising
More than 5 million people in the U.S. have used kratom in their lifetime, including more than 100,000 children ages 12-17
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A national study of kratom use in the U.S. found rising popularity among young adults, and it is linked to addiction and mental health issues, according to new research from the University of Michigan and Texas State University.
This is the first known national study to examine the use patterns of kratom
... Show Full Article
ANN ARBOR, Michigan, May 15 (TNSjou) -- The University of Michigan issued the following news:
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Not just an energy drink: National study finds kratom use is rising
More than 5 million people in the U.S. have used kratom in their lifetime, including more than 100,000 children ages 12-17
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A national study of kratom use in the U.S. found rising popularity among young adults, and it is linked to addiction and mental health issues, according to new research from the University of Michigan and Texas State University.
This is the first known national study to examine the use patterns of kratomand its association with mental health and addiction, researchers say. Kratom is a plant from southeast Asia that's sold online and in some stores in powders, liquid shots, pills and teas. Opponents of kratom argue that it is addictive and widely available to children, while proponents say it is a safe, natural alternative for managing a host of ailments.
Given the changing policy landscape involving kratom in the U.S., it was an important time to conduct a national study with recent data to examine how many people--including children--use kratom, and its associations with mental health and substance use disorder, said Sean Esteban McCabe, Carol J. Boyd Collegiate Professor in the U-M School of Nursing, and principal investigator. The study appears in the Journal of Addiction Medicine.
Takeaways:
* More than 5 million people in the U.S. say they have used kratom in their lifetime, including more than 100,000 children ages 12-17.
* Kratom use is at an all-time high and is increasing in the U.S., which is particularly notable given that about half of U.S. states ban or regulate kratom.
* Most people who have used or currently use kratom have a substance use disorder, report cannabis use, and many have serious psychological distress and major depression.
* The findings reinforce that policy action is warranted to limit access to kratom by children and that better addiction and mental health treatment is needed.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not approved kratom for any medical use, and federal agencies have warned about potential risks, including addiction and serious side effects. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration has also flagged kratom as a drug or chemical of concern, said McCabe, who is also the director of the Center for the Study of Drugs, Alcohol, Smoking and Health, or DASH.
Products like 7-OH, or 7-hydroxymitragynine--a synthetic derivative of the kratom plant--are often sold in gas stations, smoke shops and online in tablets, gummies and drinks--can be five to 50 times more potent than regular kratom. It is sometimes marketed as legal morphine.
The researchers emphasized that the study does not prove kratom--whose
main psychoactive chemical, mitragynine, comes from the plant's leaves and stems--causes addiction or mental health problems. Because the survey captures a only a snapshot in time, it cannot determine which came first: kratom use or the mental health symptoms.
While the study examined mental health issues, a striking secondary finding was the increase in use, McCabe said. The share of Americans ages 12 and older who said they had ever used kratom rose from 1.6% in 2021 to 1.9% in 2024.
Adults ages 21-34 reported the highest use: About 3.4% said they had used kratom at least once, and about 1% said they used it in the past year.
"Policy changes regarding kratom and 7-OH products are needed in all states if we are serious about protecting our children," McCabe said. "Five million people is more than the entire population of the six smallest states in the U.S. combined:--Wyoming, Vermont, Alaska, South Dakota, North Dakota and Delaware."
Kratom use is likely under-reported in clinical settings because it does not show up on standard drug tests and requires specialized testing, McCabe said. At the same time, rules about kratom vary widely across the U.S.--some states regulate it, while others do not--which can complicate public health and policy decisions, he said.
The study analyzed data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health collected from U.S. households from 2021 to 2024. It was supported by grants R01DA031160 and R01DA043691 from the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
Co-authors include: Ralph Bogan and Nathan Menke, U-M Medical School; Vita McCabe, DASH and U-M Medical School DASH; Kara Dickinson, DASH and Rush University; and Ty Schepis, Texas State University.
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Study: Kratom use and associations with mental health in the U.S.
DOI: 10.1097/ADM.0000000000001701 (https://journals.lww.com/journaladdictionmedicine/abstract/9900/kratom_use_and_associations_with_mental_health_in.712.aspx)
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Original text here: https://news.umich.edu/not-just-an-energy-drink-national-study-finds-kratom-use-is-rising/
Michigan Medicine: Psychoactive Substances and Adverse Side Effects for Patients With Multiple Sclerosis
ANN ARBOR, Michigan, May 15 (TNSjou) -- Michigan Medicine, the academic medical center of the University of Michigan, issued the following news release:
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Psychoactive substances and adverse side effects for patients with multiple sclerosis
Although they can provide immediate relief to patients, some come with unwanted symptoms
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Using psychoactive substances for recreation, socialization or symptom self-management is common for many people living with multiple sclerosis.
When used to self-manage symptoms, some psychoactive substances may provide immediate relief along with unexpected
... Show Full Article
ANN ARBOR, Michigan, May 15 (TNSjou) -- Michigan Medicine, the academic medical center of the University of Michigan, issued the following news release:
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Psychoactive substances and adverse side effects for patients with multiple sclerosis
Although they can provide immediate relief to patients, some come with unwanted symptoms
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Using psychoactive substances for recreation, socialization or symptom self-management is common for many people living with multiple sclerosis.
When used to self-manage symptoms, some psychoactive substances may provide immediate relief along with unexpectedadverse symptoms.
Anna Kratz, Ph.D., a Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at University of Michigan Health and head of the Kratz Lab, and a team of researchers were able to examine both positive effects and adverse symptoms people with multiple sclerosis might experience using different commonly consumed psychoactive substances.
Using an ecological momentary assessment approach, people with multiple sclerosis were asked to report in real-time their symptom severity and use of psychoactive substances four times a day for 14 days.
Participants reported levels of fatigue, pain, stress, and depressive symptoms, along with whether they had used alcohol, caffeine, nicotine, cannabis, or opioids prior to their symptom ratings.
Taking the momentary symptom ratings together with information on the substance used, the research team began noticing patterns between psychoactive substance use and both positive and negative effects on symptoms.
Published in the Archive of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, the study mixed positive and negative effects for several substances. The findings included the following correlations.
* Alcohol use showed a decrease in stress, but increased fatigue.
* Caffeine use showed a decrease in fatigue, but increased stress.
* Cannabis use showed benefits in pain management but was related to increased fatigue.
* No positive effects were seen for nicotine, which was only related to increased fatigue.
"Just as many people look to a cup of coffee in the afternoon for a pick me up, people with multiple sclerosis may seek caffeine to help with fatigue or alcohol to manage pain," said Kratz.
"Insights from studies like this could prompt a person with multiple sclerosis to reflect on what they are putting into their bodies and how it is impacting their symptoms."
Kratz not only encourages patients to talk with their provider about what outside psychoactive substances they are using habitually or for recreation or symptom management, but for providers to be attentive listeners as well.
"Having a better understanding of how these substances impact patients with multiple sclerosis will be beneficial for providers," she said.
"Patients using psychoactive substances is not going to go away. Being able to understand the role these substances play and the pros and cons of each will allow providers to better advise their patients when it comes to use of these products."
Additional authors: Jeeyeon Kim, from the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI. Dawn M. Ehde, from the Department of Rehabilitation, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Kevin N. Alschuler, from the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine University of Washington, Seattle, WA and the Department of Neurology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Nora E. Fritz, from the Department of Health Care Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI and the Department of Neurology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI.
Paper Cited: "Daily Temporal Associations Between Use of Psychoactive Substances and Fatigue, Pain, Stress, and Depressive Symptoms in People With Multiple Sclerosis," Archive of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. DOI: 10.1016/j.apmr.2026.01.014
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Original text here: https://www.uofmhealth.org/health-lab/psychoactive-substances-and-adverse-side-effects-patients-multiple-sclerosis
Giving Back to the Next Generation: Lander Honors Successful Accounting Alumnus With Inaugural Award
GREENWOOD, South Carolina, May 15 -- Lander University issued the following news:
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Giving Back to the Next Generation: Lander Honors Successful Accounting Alumnus with Inaugural Award
Graham Duncan
A Lander University education is strengthened by the strong network of industry leaders who give back to the University through classroom visits, supervision of internships and even teaching courses. Students benefit from the insight of professionals who have already landed successful careers of their own, and have chosen to pass along their expertise to the next generation.
On Thursday, May
... Show Full Article
GREENWOOD, South Carolina, May 15 -- Lander University issued the following news:
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Giving Back to the Next Generation: Lander Honors Successful Accounting Alumnus with Inaugural Award
Graham Duncan
A Lander University education is strengthened by the strong network of industry leaders who give back to the University through classroom visits, supervision of internships and even teaching courses. Students benefit from the insight of professionals who have already landed successful careers of their own, and have chosen to pass along their expertise to the next generation.
On Thursday, May7, the College of Business and Technology had the opportunity to name one Lander alumnus as the Community Collaborator of the Year: Luke Vickery '15, a certified public accountant and partner of UHY in Greenwood (formerly Manley Garvin). According to Dr. Lloyd Willis, the college's dean, Vickery was instrumental to the college for the entire 2025-26 academic year, assisting with multiple initiatives both in and out of the classroom. He was a routine presence on campus and served as a key contributor to the College's Propel Business Lab community entrepreneurship course, which was a collaborative project with VisionGreenwood. He was also a contributor to Prof. Lisa Wyn's nonprofit management course - another collaborative project between the college and the Greenwood Chamber of Commerce.
A graduate of Lander's School of Business, and its successful accounting program, Vickery has spent the last decade providing assurance services to scores of clients in both the public and private sectors. His organization, UHY, is a global network of accounting and consulting specialists with offices in major cities including Miami, New York City and Cincinnati - and, of course, in Greenwood, South Carolina.
"The College of Business and Technology is grateful to have a strong pipeline of alumni and community partners that we can regularly count on," Willis said. "It is an honor to be able to name our college's first-ever Community Collaborator of the Year, and an even greater honor to recognize Luke with this distinction."
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Original text here: https://www.lander.edu/news/2026/05/lander-honors-successful-accounting-alumnus-with-inaugural-award.html
Decade of Dedication: Georgia Gwinnett College Nursing Program Celebrates Record Graduating Class
LAWRENCEVILLE, Georgia, May 15 -- Georgia Gwinnett College issued the following news:
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A decade of dedication: Georgia Gwinnett College nursing program celebrates record graduating class
It was a night of milestones when Georgia Gwinnett College held its nursing pinning ceremony for the Spring 2026 class on May 12. The first milestone - this class is the largest in the college's history, graduating 42 students. The second milestone - this class also marks the 10th anniversary of the first pinning ceremony the college held.
"We've celebrated hundreds of graduates over the last 10 years
... Show Full Article
LAWRENCEVILLE, Georgia, May 15 -- Georgia Gwinnett College issued the following news:
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A decade of dedication: Georgia Gwinnett College nursing program celebrates record graduating class
It was a night of milestones when Georgia Gwinnett College held its nursing pinning ceremony for the Spring 2026 class on May 12. The first milestone - this class is the largest in the college's history, graduating 42 students. The second milestone - this class also marks the 10th anniversary of the first pinning ceremony the college held.
"We've celebrated hundreds of graduates over the last 10 yearsof our nursing program," said Dr. Paula Gordon, interim dean of the School of Health Sciences. "It's gratifying to think about how far we've come and the impact our nurses make in Gwinnett County and beyond. And it's fitting that this pinning ceremony is also held on International Nurses Day."
For Hunter Brune-Herrera, a Gwinnett County resident, the decision to become a nurse is tradition.
"I have many family members who are nurses and others in the medical field," he said. "My dad is a flight nurse and my mom works in the ICU."
Brune-Herrera will start his career at Emory University Hospital Midtown, working in the complex medical unit.
Fellow graduate Nana Amma Opoku, a Lawrenceville resident, hopes to follow her passion in nursing by working in either a NICU or ICU.
"I've been inspired by my family because a lot of them are nurses," she said. "I'd like to start by working on a hospital floor for a couple of years."
Opoku isn't the first in her family to graduate from GGC's nursing program.
"My older cousin graduated from here and is now working in pharmacology," she said.
The journey from the first day of class to being pinned has centered on turning classroom lessons into hands-on practice. Along the way, graduates say the bonds formed with classmates became just as meaningful as the academic experience.
"There really is a lot of collaboration and teamwork," said Brune-Herrera. "The whole process is rewarding and helps keep you on track with your studies."
For future nursing students, Opoku offered some words of wisdom.
"Get an externship so you have that hands-on experience," she said. "And do your best."
The walls inside the Donald K. Balfour II Health Sciences building are lined with framed photos celebrating each graduating nursing class. Now, another class of future nurses will take its place -- marking both a historic milestone and a decade of preparing healthcare professionals to serve their communities.
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Original text here: https://www.ggc.edu/about-ggc/news/a-decade-of-dedication-georgia-gwinnett-college-nursing-program-celebrates-record-graduating-class
College of Arts & Sciences Dean to Step Down After 24 Years of Service at Liberty
LYNCHBURG, Virginia, May 15 -- Liberty University issued the following news release:
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College of Arts & Sciences dean to step down after 24 years of service at Liberty
Liberty University has announced that College of Arts & Sciences Dean Dr. Roger Schultz will be leaving his role at the conclusion of the spring semester. Schultz has served as a faculty member at Liberty University for over 24 years and as dean since 2006.
"Dr. Roger Schultz has been a stalwart presence among the deans and leaders at Liberty, with over 20 years of scholarly influence and direction for the many disciplines
... Show Full Article
LYNCHBURG, Virginia, May 15 -- Liberty University issued the following news release:
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College of Arts & Sciences dean to step down after 24 years of service at Liberty
Liberty University has announced that College of Arts & Sciences Dean Dr. Roger Schultz will be leaving his role at the conclusion of the spring semester. Schultz has served as a faculty member at Liberty University for over 24 years and as dean since 2006.
"Dr. Roger Schultz has been a stalwart presence among the deans and leaders at Liberty, with over 20 years of scholarly influence and direction for the many disciplinestaught within the College of Arts & Sciences," said Provost and Chief Academic Officer Dr. Scott Hicks. "His drive for academic success on our campus and his care for our students has been clear, and we are thankful for his decades of service to Liberty University."
Schultz will transition to a part-time consulting and special projects role as he helps the school find his successor and makes plans for retirement.
Schultz first came to Liberty in 2002 to become the chair of the Department of History after teaching at Virginia Intermont College for 13 years. He simultaneously served as associate dean of Arts & Sciences from 2004 to 2006.
"I came here because I wanted to work at a specifically Christian university," Schultz said. "The opportunity to serve at a Christ-centered, biblically based university is the thing that has kept me here and has made my job a joy."
Throughout his career, Schultz has specialized in American religious history, with a particular interest in the interaction of religion and culture. His essays and reviews have appeared in numerous publications and have been translated into Hungarian and Spanish. His recent work has focused on the 18th century theologian Jonathan Edwards, Christians in the American Revolution, and Biblical principles of government. Schultz frequently preaches in local churches and speaks at academic and Christian conferences. He holds a Ph.D. from University of Arkansas, master's from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, and bachelor's from Bemidji State University.
Over his 20 years as dean, Schultz said he has witnessed the growth of multiple programs under his guidance, including a continued track record among students and faculty who have earned Fulbright grants, the success of the Honors College he helped create, the rise of the Army and Air Force ROTC programs, and the history department's online master's and doctoral programs which have become some of the largest in the country.
"Dr. Schultz's passion for history, especially that of America's founding as a Christian nation, has been inspiring to countless people," said Dr. Brian Yates, vice provost of Resident Programs and Student Success. "He has led as a true example of a Champion for Christ -- an expert in his field who exemplifies and amplifies Christ in his life and work."
Schultz is the father of nine children (all of whom are Liberty alumni) and recently celebrated the birth of his 30th grandchild. In this new chapter, Schultz said he plans to be "increasingly focused on ministering to our growing extended family."
Dr. Samuel Smith, who has served as the Department of History chair and graduate program director since 2016, will serve as interim dean of the College of Arts & Sciences.
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Original text here: https://www.liberty.edu/news/2026/05/14/college-of-arts-sciences-dean-to-step-down-after-24-years-of-service-at-liberty/
