Education (Colleges & Universities)
Here's a look at documents from public, private and community colleges in the U.S.
Featured Stories
Virginia Tech: $4.2 Million Grant Strengthens Region's Advanced Manufacturing Future
BLACKSBURG, Virginia, April 2 -- Virginia Tech issued the following news:
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$4.2 million grant strengthens region's advanced manufacturing future
A new GO Virginia investment will help Virginia Tech and regional partners accelerate innovation, expand workforce pathways, and strengthen Southwest and Southern Virginia's position in advanced manufacturing.
By Diane Deffenbaugh
A $4.2 million investment from GO Virginia, matched by more than $2 million in regional support, will help Southwest and Southern Virginia create jobs, connect more students to manufacturing careers, and build on the
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BLACKSBURG, Virginia, April 2 -- Virginia Tech issued the following news:
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$4.2 million grant strengthens region's advanced manufacturing future
A new GO Virginia investment will help Virginia Tech and regional partners accelerate innovation, expand workforce pathways, and strengthen Southwest and Southern Virginia's position in advanced manufacturing.
By Diane Deffenbaugh
A $4.2 million investment from GO Virginia, matched by more than $2 million in regional support, will help Southwest and Southern Virginia create jobs, connect more students to manufacturing careers, and build on theregion's growing strength in advanced manufacturing.
Led by the New River Valley Regional Commission and supported by Virginia Tech and partners across GO Virginia Regions 2 and 3, the initiative is expected to create 100 jobs in its first two years and help develop a workforce pipeline to manufacturing and technology careers.
The project focuses on additive manufacturing and advanced materials, or AM2, a fast-evolving field with applications in industries such as aerospace and energy. It will help companies test new technologies and processes, shorten the path from idea to production, and connect employers with a stronger pipeline of talent.
The investment builds on years of regional planning, growing regional industry and economic development partnerships, Virginia Tech's leadership in AM2 research, including Virginia Tech Made: The Center for Advanced Manufacturing and related university infrastructure.
"GO Virginia has been a terrific partner by championing and investing in our most promising opportunities in the New River Valley. Its support is advancing what we do as a region," said Kevin Byrd, executive director of the New River Valley Regional Commission. "Over the next several years, we're excited to see the number of AM2-made products grow as we streamline adoption of these technologies and lead the nation in developing a skilled workforce."
Accelerating innovation
At the center of the effort are new AM2 Innovation Studios, where companies will have access to tools, expertise, and facilities to design, refine, and test products and processes.
At Virginia Tech, existing labs and machinery at the Institute for Critical Technology and Applied Science's Matter Labs will support small-scale testing. That work will help companies prove concepts earlier and reduce uncertainty before moving toward production. A second site at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research in Danville will focus on production-scale testing in real-world conditions.
The initiative will also place AM2 Innovation Fellows in regional manufacturing companies to help speed the adoption of advanced technologies and move products to market more quickly. Led by the Roanoke-Blacksburg Innovation Alliance, Virginia Tech's Launch: Center for New Ventures, VTC Ventures, SOVA Innovation Hub, and The Launch Place, the fellows will connect companies with practical support in areas such as additive manufacturing, robotics, and artificial intelligence.
"This is about surrounding manufacturers and entrepreneurs with the right expertise at the right time," said Mark Mondry, director of Launch: Center for New Ventures. "Whether it's embedding fellows in companies or supporting startups through the Innovation Challenge, we're helping accelerate adoption of advanced technologies across the region."
The AM2 Innovation Challenge adds to that effort by identifying pressing industry needs and supporting five entrepreneurs through incubator space, access to specialized equipment, and mentorship. Together, these efforts are designed to speed commercialization and strengthen regional companies.
"This initiative is an embodiment of Virginia Tech's land-grant mission," said Christopher Williams, the L.S. Randolph Professor of Mechanical Engineering and the founding director of Virginia Tech Made. "Strengthening the connection between Virginia Tech's manufacturing expertise and regional industry partners provides our student entrepreneurs a focused context for further innovation and learning. This not only helps our local industry but also provides meaningful opportunities for advancing the future manufacturing workforce."
Developing the workforce
A major focus of the initiative is workforce development. Through the AM2 Career Network, partners will create new pathways for students and workers, from high school curriculum to paid internships and apprenticeships.
The Career Network will develop career and technical education curriculum to address gaps in ninth and 10th grade programming, create apprenticeships, and place at least 25 paid interns with regional companies. In its first two years, the initiative is expected to generate 100 jobs through business attraction and company expansions.
Virginia Manufacturers Association & Manufacturing Skills Institute will develop the first industry-certified AM2 credential in the nation in collaboration with Central Virginia Community College, Danville Community College, New River Community College, Patrick & Henry Community College, Virginia Western Community College, and IALR's Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing program.
Institute for Advanced Learning and Research President Telly Tucker said this initiative builds on the region's momentum by connecting world-class facilities with new pathways into advanced manufacturing careers. "By pairing hands-on innovation hubs with industry-recognized credentials, we're creating opportunities for people to enter this field and for companies to grow with a skilled workforce," Tucker said.
Building a regional hub
The AM2 Consortium will coordinate the region's advanced manufacturing efforts and identify new growth opportunities by bringing together manufacturers, service providers, and economic development organizations.
"Additive manufacturing and advanced materials are key drivers for U.S. manufacturing," said Nanci Hardwick, CEO of MELD Manufacturing Corp., MELD PrintWorks Corp., and Aeroprobe Corp. "Promoting the region as an advanced manufacturing hub will lay the foundation for attracting more talent and businesses to the region."
The consortium will help guide strategy and align resources around industry needs. Partners will work directly with manufacturers through one-on-one meetings to assess their readiness to adopt advanced manufacturing technologies and identify practical next steps. An AM2 Innovation fund will reduce costs to manufacturers in need of services to support technology adoption, gain access to talent, and grow their companies. The consortium will host regular gatherings to connect companies with resources and with one another.
"We're focused on helping manufacturers move forward," said David Bartlow, vice president of programs at GENEDGE, a Martinsville-based manufacturing and business development organization. "That means understanding their specific challenges, reducing barriers to participation, and making it easier for them to access the tools and support they need to compete."
The Center for Economic and Community Engagement, part of Outreach and International Affairs, will support coordination and strategy, working closely with the New River Valley Regional Commission. The center will also lead economic development research by analyzing manufacturing market trends, mapping companies' readiness to adopt advanced technologies, and benchmarking the initiative's progress. Additional work includes developing educational materials and online tools that illustrate career pathways in advanced manufacturing.
"This is about creating a more connected, competitive advanced manufacturing ecosystem," said Sarah Lyon-Hill, director of research development at the Center for Economic and Community Engagement. "When we align our strengths across regions and institutions, we can do far more together than we ever could alone."
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Original text here: https://news.vt.edu/articles/2026/04/outreach-cece-am2-grant.html
Penn State-Scranton: Physics Professor Selected for Fulbright Specialist Program in Vietnam
DUNMORE, Pennsylvania, April 2 -- Pennsylvania State University's Scranton campus issued the following news:
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Physics professor selected for Fulbright Specialist Program in Vietnam
By Morgan Sewack
Asif ud-Doula, professor of physics at Penn State Scranton, has been selected for the Fulbright Specialist Program, through which he will collaborate closely with faculty and students at Dong Thap University in Cao Lanh, Vietnam, on a project titled "Advancing STEM Education and Research."
The Fulbright Specialist Program is a prestigious international exchange initiative that connects U.S.
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DUNMORE, Pennsylvania, April 2 -- Pennsylvania State University's Scranton campus issued the following news:
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Physics professor selected for Fulbright Specialist Program in Vietnam
By Morgan Sewack
Asif ud-Doula, professor of physics at Penn State Scranton, has been selected for the Fulbright Specialist Program, through which he will collaborate closely with faculty and students at Dong Thap University in Cao Lanh, Vietnam, on a project titled "Advancing STEM Education and Research."
The Fulbright Specialist Program is a prestigious international exchange initiative that connects U.S.academics and professionals with institutions around the world, and provides opportunities for U.S. academics and established professionals to engage in two- to six-week, project-based exchanges at institutions across the globe.
At Dong Thap University, ud-Doula will lead workshops, lectures and training sessions designed to strengthen science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education and research. The project focuses on improving teaching methodologies, expanding research collaboration and helping modernize STEM curricula.
"Dong Thap University faces challenges in strengthening its STEM education due to limited access to advanced instructional methodologies, research collaboration opportunities, and industry-aligned curriculum development," ud-Doula said.
The collaboration aims to help faculty and students build skills in emerging STEM technologies while introducing innovative approaches to teaching and research.
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"This project aims to address these challenges through specialized collaboration under the Fulbright Specialist Program. By leveraging the expertise of a Fulbright Specialist, the initiative will provide workshops, training sessions, and capacity-building activities designed to equip faculty and students with essential skills for STEM education."
- Asif ud-Doula, professor of physics
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Planned activities include hands-on training sessions, guest lectures on emerging STEM research, curriculum development consultations and the launch of joint research collaborations. ud-Doula said the project will also focus on building partnerships that extend beyond the visit itself.
"[It will] develop ongoing collaborations that extend beyond the duration of the Fulbright program to strengthen STEM initiatives," he said.
The partnership is expected to support Dong Thap University's broader goal of strengthening STEM education by enhancing faculty expertise, improving student learning outcomes and fostering a more research-driven academic environment, ud-Doula said.
In addition to workshops and seminars, the collaboration will emphasize mentorship, joint research projects and long-term academic connections between the institutions. According to ud-Doula, those efforts could include virtual mentoring, co-authored research publications and future grant opportunities.
The U.S. Department of State and the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board announced the award, noting that ud-Doula's project aims to exchange knowledge and establish partnerships benefiting participants, institutions and communities in both the United States and Vietnam through educational and training activities in physics education.
ud-Doula is among more than 400 U.S. citizens selected each year to share their expertise with host institutions abroad through the Fulbright Specialist Program. Recipients are chosen based on academic and professional achievement, demonstrated leadership in their field and their potential to foster long-term institutional collaboration.
The Fulbright Program, the U.S. government's flagship international educational exchange initiative, is designed to build lasting connections between people in the United States and other countries. Funded through an annual appropriation by the U.S. Congress to the Department of State, the program operates in more than 160 countries with additional support from participating governments, institutions and organizations worldwide.
Since its founding in 1946, the Fulbright Program has supported more than 400,000 students, scholars, teachers, artists and scientists in studying, teaching and conducting research abroad while contributing to solutions for global challenges. Fulbright alumni include Nobel Prize and Pulitzer Prize recipients, as well as heads of state and government.
The Fulbright Specialist Program is administered by World Learning on behalf of the U.S. Department of State and supports short-term, collaborative projects at host institutions around the world.
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Original text here: https://scranton.psu.edu/story/29426/2026/03/31/physics-professor-selected-fulbright-specialist-program-vietnam
Montana State Engineering Class Explores Operational Improvement Strategies Used in Industry
BOZEMAN, Montana, April 2 -- Montana State University issued the following news:
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Montana State engineering class explores operational improvement strategies used in industry
By Skip Anderson, MSU News Service
Engineering students at Montana State University can now explore the fundamentals of modern manufacturing management in depth through a new graduate-level course, Manufacturing Management Systems. The class introduces operational improvement strategies widely used in industry and examines how they are applied in real-world manufacturing environments.
The course, now in its first
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BOZEMAN, Montana, April 2 -- Montana State University issued the following news:
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Montana State engineering class explores operational improvement strategies used in industry
By Skip Anderson, MSU News Service
Engineering students at Montana State University can now explore the fundamentals of modern manufacturing management in depth through a new graduate-level course, Manufacturing Management Systems. The class introduces operational improvement strategies widely used in industry and examines how they are applied in real-world manufacturing environments.
The course, now in its firstsemester, was developed through a collaboration of MSU's Montana Manufacturing Extension Centerand the Norm Asbjornson College of Engineering. The first group of students for this class consists of undergraduate students majoring in mechanical engineering and mechanical engineering technology who are expected to graduate in May.
According to course instructor Alistair Stewart, the curriculum aims to give future engineers practical tools they can apply immediately as they begin their manufacturing careers. While many of these topics are introduced and covered in current required undergraduate coursework in the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, the new class explores them more comprehensively.
The course was adapted from MMEC's professional development program, which helps students gain vital practical skills needed in today's manufacturing environment. The curriculum focuses on three approaches to operational excellence: Lean Manufacturing, Theory of Constraints and Six Sigma, which aim to increase efficiency and quality by reducing waste, identifying bottlenecks and minimizing variability. The course equips engineering students with practical business systems knowledge before they enter the workforce. Stewart said the course was created in response to feedback from engineering college alumni about market demands for engineers with this type of training.
"We've had many early- to mid-career graduates of the college of engineering come through this program as employees of manufacturers that we work with directly," said Stewart, whose full-time position is senior business adviser in MSU's MMEC. "And it is very common that when they go through these programs as employees, they will say to me, 'Boy, I wished I'd learned this as an undergrad or in graduate studies.' I've been doing this work here at MMEC for 11 years and I heard it on day one and I continue to hear it."
Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma and Theory of Constraints are all about delivering value to customers, developing people, and continuous process improvement, he said.
"The goal is to set up engineers with not just education, but tools and practical hands-on experience so that when they enter the workforce, or as early career professionals, they progress more quickly," Stewart said. "They're not just thinking about engineering, they're thinking about business systems. The goal of the firm is to make money."
He said a mindset sometimes exists in the field that engineering and economics are not natural bedfellows.
"They should be," Stewart said. "But they sometimes - or even often, perhaps - are not."
Another goal of the class is to prepare students for the Society of Manufacturing Engineers Lean Bronze Certification exam. Requirements to pass include amassing real-world experience, which typically doesn't happen in earnest until graduates have spent time in the profession. The Lean Bronze Certification program is an industry-recognized micro-credential that validates a practitioner's understanding of Lean Manufacturing principles and tools.
"On the first day of class we did an exercise using Legos to simulate a production line," said Kendahl Hinthorne, a senior who will begin a manufacturing-related career in Bozeman upon her graduation in May.
In the first part of the exercise, the students were given little instruction other than to build their portion of the Lego assembly in batches of five and pass them along to the next person. In the second round, they implemented simple Lean Manufacturing principles.
"The first round we didn't complete a single assembly in the given time limit, whereas in the second round we were able to complete 30 with time to spare," said Hinthorne, who is from Billings. "Exercises like this show how simple changes to a process can have an extreme impact."
Many employers actively seek candidates with the credential in addition to traditional engineering licenses, said Kevin Amende, associate professor of mechanical and industrial engineering.
"There are a lot of employers out there who actually look for other credentials from prospective employees, whether that is SME's Lean Bronze credential, whether it is Six Sigma or whether it's Theory of Constraints," said Amende, who last year was named the inaugural Norm Asbjornson Chair of Manufacturing. "This will give students a significant competitive edge in the job market."
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Original text here: https://www.montana.edu/news/25214/montana-state-engineering-class-explores-operational-improvement-strategies-used-in-industry
Louisiana Tech, Air Force Sustainment Center Partner to Power Future Workforce
RUSTON, Louisiana, April 2 -- Louisiana Tech University issued the following news:
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Louisiana Tech, Air Force Sustainment Center partner to power future workforce
Louisiana Tech University and the Air Force Sustainment Center (AFSC) formalized a new partnership during a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing event held March 23 at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
The partnership is designed to create a pipeline of highly skilled graduates prepared to contribute to the Air Force Civilian Service in aircraft and warfighter sustainment and logistics readiness.
The Louisiana
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RUSTON, Louisiana, April 2 -- Louisiana Tech University issued the following news:
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Louisiana Tech, Air Force Sustainment Center partner to power future workforce
Louisiana Tech University and the Air Force Sustainment Center (AFSC) formalized a new partnership during a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing event held March 23 at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
The partnership is designed to create a pipeline of highly skilled graduates prepared to contribute to the Air Force Civilian Service in aircraft and warfighter sustainment and logistics readiness.
The LouisianaTech delegation included University leadership and faculty from the College of Engineering and Science (COES) who participated in briefings, facility tours, and strategic discussions with AFSC leadership throughout the two-day visit. Dr. Henry Cardenas, professor of Mechanical Engineering, and Dr. Erica Murray, research associate professor in the Institute for Micromanufacturing, accompanied Col. (ret.) Warren Ward, executive director of the Louisiana Tech Research Institute and Louisiana Tech University President Dr. Jim Henderson.
"Louisiana Tech has been a long-time partner of our warfighters in every branch of the military, but none more than the United States Air Force," President Henderson said. "The opportunities awaiting our faculty and students through the AFSC are immense. The missions and expertise of AFSC and Louisiana Tech could not be in better alignment."
The MOU outlines a shared commitment to strengthening pathways for students into Air Force civilian careers, particularly in areas critical to business management, finance, human resources, procurement, propulsion, STEM, supply chain management, and workforce development.
"Partnering with Louisiana Tech is an exciting opportunity that will help shape the future of Air Force readiness," said Lt. Gen. Jennifer Hammerstedt, commander of Air Force Sustainment Center. "The University is well versed in defense initiatives, and we are looking forward to collaborating with their students and faculty to not only enrich their academic experience but also advance our mission to fly, fix, and fight."
"By aligning our research capabilities with Air Force priorities, we are creating new pathways to support mission readiness while expanding applied research and workforce opportunities for our students," said Ward.
Murray emphasized the impact on faculty and students. "New doors for faculty and students will be opened to engage directly with real-world challenges in advanced manufacturing and sustainment," she said. "It also creates opportunities to translate research into practical applications while preparing students for impactful careers in national defense and related industries."
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About the Air Force Sustainment Center
The Air Force Sustainment Center is a global leader in aircraft and warfighter sustainment, providing logistics, maintenance, and supply chain capabilities that ensure mission readiness for the United States Air Force.
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Original text here: https://www.latech.edu/news/louisiana-tech-air-force-sustainment-center-partner-to-power-future-workforce.php
Eastern Announces 2026 Commencement Speakers and Distinguished Awardees
WILLIMANTIC, Connecticut, April 2 -- Eastern Connecticut State University issued the following news:
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Eastern announces 2026 commencement speakers and distinguished awardees
4 impactful friends and alumni among this year's honorees
By Michael Rouleau
Eastern Connecticut State University has announced the commencement speakers, honorary degree recipients, and Distinguished Public Service Award recipient for its annual commencement exercises on May 16 at PeoplesBank Arena in Hartford. This year's undergraduate and graduate ceremonies will honor four individuals with deep ties to the University
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WILLIMANTIC, Connecticut, April 2 -- Eastern Connecticut State University issued the following news:
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Eastern announces 2026 commencement speakers and distinguished awardees
4 impactful friends and alumni among this year's honorees
By Michael Rouleau
Eastern Connecticut State University has announced the commencement speakers, honorary degree recipients, and Distinguished Public Service Award recipient for its annual commencement exercises on May 16 at PeoplesBank Arena in Hartford. This year's undergraduate and graduate ceremonies will honor four individuals with deep ties to the Universityand extensive records of leadership and community service.
During the graduate ceremony, World Bank Executive Director Harold Tavares will deliver the keynote address and receive the second annual Distinguished Public Service Award, whereas local philanthropists David and Marilyn Foster will each receive an honorary doctorate of humane letters. Later in the day, alumna and Mohegan Tribe executive Beth Regan '79 will be the undergraduate ceremony's speaker and honorary degree recipient.
Harold Tavares
During the graduate-level ceremony beginning at 11 a.m., Harold Tavares will receive the University's second annual Distinguished Public Service Award and deliver the keynote speech.
"Harold Tavares's career reflects a remarkable blend of international leadership and a steadfast commitment to sound socioeconomic development," said Eastern President Karim Ismaili. "From his early days at Eastern to his current role at the World Bank, he has remained deeply focused on expanding opportunity and strengthening communities around the world. His achievements stand as a powerful example to our graduates of how an Eastern foundation can lead to meaningful impact on a global scale."
A native of Cabo Verde, Tavares brings extensive experience in economic development, multilateral cooperation, and international diplomacy. As executive director of World Bank's Africa Group II, he represents multiple countries and advances initiatives focused on socioeconomic growth and human capital development. Prior to this role, he served as alternate executive director and as chief of staff to the prime minister of Cabo Verde, advising on a wide range of national and global issues.
A longtime resident of both the United States and Cabo Verde, Tavares has worked to strengthen ties between the two countries while elevating awareness of opportunities and challenges across the African continent. His global experience spans six continents and includes leadership roles in international initiatives such as Expo Dubai and the Ocean Race (Cabo Verde), as well as earlier work in American higher education, where he helped build international partnerships and supported programs like the Mandela Washington Fellowship.
Tavares began his academic journey at Eastern, where he took courses that helped shape his path, before going on to earn graduate degrees in financial economics from Boston University and public administration from Bridgewater State University. He remains a strong advocate for youth development, founding the CV Next program to expand global opportunities for Cabo Verdean students, and was recognized in 2020 by Most Influential People of African Descent as a top achiever under 40.
"Higher education opened up a world of opportunity for me, and I've devoted my career to trying to do the same for others," said Tavares. "Receiving the Distinguished Public Service Award is both a heartfelt and deeply personal honor. My educational journey began at Eastern, and the University played such an important role in helping me to become the person I knew I could be."
David and Marilyn Foster
Also during the graduate ceremony, philanthropists David and Marilyn Foster will each be honored for their longstanding friendship and support of Eastern with honorary doctorates of humane letters.
"David and Marilyn Foster have exemplified a lifelong commitment to public service, community betterment, and the values at the heart of Eastern's mission," said President Karim Ismaili. "Their philanthropic efforts and volunteer leadership have touched virtually every facet of life in the Town of Windham and the broader region."
Through the family-led Lester E. Foster and Phyllis M. Foster Foundation, of which Marilyn is the director, they have supported and served organizations including Windham Hospital, Windham High School, the Salvation Army of Willimantic, Covenant Soup Kitchen, Project HOPE, WAIM, Horizons, the Lions Club, and Veteran's Memorial Park.
Their generosity for Eastern includes a $250,000 gift to Eastern's David G. Carter Jr. Endowment Fund - in memory of Eastern's fifth president - and more than $125,000 of support for other Eastern scholarships and programs.
David Foster's impact in eastern Connecticut also spans an iconic era in music. As co-owner of the legendary Shaboo Inn, he brought thousands of concerts to the region from 1971 to 1982, including future Rock and Roll Hall of Famers such as B.B. King, The Police, Muddy Waters, and Tom Petty. Later, he formed the Shaboo All-Stars, the house band at Mohegan Sun, and continues to use his love of music to support the greater good, including sponsoring multiple benefit concerts on Eastern's campus. In a fitting tribute to his musical legacy, he will perform a song during the graduate commencement ceremony.
"Eastern and the Fosters have been very close for generations," said David, whose family name graces the University's iconic Foster Clock Tower. "We love this university, it's our home. We've watched it grow and educate so many young people and do so much good for so many people. Of all the awards that I've gotten, this is by far the one that means the most to me."
"We've learned and grown alongside this university," said Marilyn, whose mother and sister both trained to become teachers on Eastern's campus. "It's been a journey, one that [David and I] have always respected. Eastern has been so instrumental in helping so many people throughout the Windham area. To receive a doctorate of human letters is really a pinnacle."
Beth Regan '79
During the undergraduate ceremony, beginning at 4 p.m., alumna Beth Regan '79 will receive an honorary doctorate of humane letters for her distinguished career as an educator, women's athletics advocate, community leader, and member of the Mohegan Tribe.
"Beth Regan's life and work embody the highest ideals of service, leadership, and community building," said Ismaili. "Her deep roots in education, athletics, Native American advocacy, and public engagement make her an exemplary choice to address our graduates as commencement speaker and receive an honorary doctorate."
Regan has served as a member and justice of the Mohegan Tribal Council of Elders since 2014 and as its chairwoman since 2024. She taught at Tolland High School for more than 35 years, focusing on Native American studies and Russian history. She has developed free curricula on Mohegan history for Connecticut educators, led workshops, and helped build partnerships between the tribal and broader communities, including consulting on Eastern's official indigenous land acknowledgment in 2025.
As an Eastern student, Regan was a multi-sport athlete during a formative period for women's collegiate athletics, following the passage of Title IX. She founded Eastern's women's soccer program and coached soccer and basketball while volunteering with the Special Olympics for more than 30 years.
Regan has received multiple Teacher and Coach of the Year awards and has been inducted into several athletic halls of fame. She holds bachelor's and master's degrees from Eastern and continues her service through the Mohegan Tribe's Language Committee, supporting preservation of the Mohegan language.
"My time here as a student and basketball player shaped my education and helped guide my path in life, which is why I am so deeply honored to return as this year's commencement speaker," said Regan. "The relationships and support I found on campus continue to influence my work today as an advocate for strengthening connections between communities. The values I found here at the University reflect those of the Mohegan Tribe, namely a shared commitment to community, resilience, and respect. I look forward to celebrating the Class of 2026 and all that lies ahead for them!"
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Eastern Connecticut State University is the state of Connecticut's public liberal arts university, serving upwards of 4,000 students annually on its Willimantic campus. A residential campus offering 41 majors and 68 minors, Eastern offers students a strong liberal arts foundation grounded in a variety of applied learning opportunities. Ranked among the top 25 public institutions in the North by U.S. News & World Report in its 2025-26 Best Colleges ratings, Eastern has also been awarded 'Green Campus' status by the Princeton Review 15 years in a row. For more information, visit www.easternct.edu.
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Original text here: https://easternct.meritpages.com/news/eastern-announces-2026-commencement-speakers-and-distinguished-awardees/58631
Cornell College of Agriculture & Life Sciences: Hannah Marx - Enabling Discoveries at the L.H. Bailey Herbarium
ITHACA, New York, April 2 -- The Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences issued the following news:
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Hannah Marx: enabling discoveries at the L.H. Bailey herbarium
By Krisy Gashler
Cornell's Liberty Hyde Bailey Hortorium Herbarium is a curated collection of preserved plant specimens used as a library for studying plant biodiversity, identifying potential pharmaceuticals and tracing species evolution. It is the fourth-largest herbarium in North America, with roughly 1 million specimens pressed, dried, mounted and labeled. Here, Hannah Marx, assistant professor of plant
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ITHACA, New York, April 2 -- The Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences issued the following news:
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Hannah Marx: enabling discoveries at the L.H. Bailey herbarium
By Krisy Gashler
Cornell's Liberty Hyde Bailey Hortorium Herbarium is a curated collection of preserved plant specimens used as a library for studying plant biodiversity, identifying potential pharmaceuticals and tracing species evolution. It is the fourth-largest herbarium in North America, with roughly 1 million specimens pressed, dried, mounted and labeled. Here, Hannah Marx, assistant professor of plantbiology in the School of Integrative Plant Science and director of the L.H. Bailey Hortorium Herbarium since January 2025, talks about the facility's mission.
What are herbaria and what are they used for?
Herbaria have their roots in education. The earliest herbaria were used to teach medical professionals about plants that could be used for medicinal purposes, back before we had any synthetic drugs. The uses of herbaria have evolved over time, but largely we still rely on herbaria as a teaching tool and for research. We can study where collections were made over time to understand how species distributions have changed. Pressed plants preserve the physical characteristics of a specimen as well as genetic material. Because of advances in genetic sequencing technology, we can sometimes extract DNA or RNA from decades-old plants and see how genetic diversity has changed over time in response to environmental changes. Cornell's herbarium is also somewhat unique in that it contains a large collection of agriculturally relevant species - hortorium comes from the same root word as horticulture - so our collections can be useful for those seeking to understand or develop new crops.
How old are the specimens in the herbarium?
Our earliest collections come from the 1800s, when Andrew D. White, Cornell's first President, purchased the private herbarium of Horace Mann, Jr.. Many of our earliest collections are from other countries, a result of colonial legacies. There was always a push by European colonists to record and document new plant species. Liberty Hyde Bailey began the hortorium collection in 1935 with 125,000 personal specimens. And some of our specimens are brand new - we're still adding specimens to the herbarium today.
What do you think are some of the most important discoveries that have been enabled by the plant materials available at herbaria?
There are countless examples of pharmaceuticals that were discovered through herbaria. Still today we're making major discoveries about new treatments or therapies from herbaria: Compounds from a native Californian shrub have been identified as a potential Alzheimer's therapy, and Cameroonian plants are being studied for antimalarial properties, as just a couple recent examples.
Herbaria are also crucial in understanding how plants and ecosystems have evolved over time, and how they may respond to climate change. We have seen that plants are responding to warming temperatures and increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere by shifting their flowering cycles and altering the density of their stomata [the pores that enable gas exchange in plants]. This is concerning because there could be a mismatch with pollinators, and then that has trickle-down effects for ecosystem functioning.
In addition, herbaria are really a foundation for biodiversity research. Every specimen we have is a unique piece of evidence, like a dot on a graph showing where an organism was growing at a certain place at a certain time. My own research looks at how plant ecosystems have changed over time, particularly in alpine areas - the really extreme environments at the tops of mountains. These unique ecosystems are home to really rich, diverse plant communities.
Having been director of Cornell's hortorium herbarium for a year now, what are your top priorities?
My first priority is to finish digitizing the collection so that it can be as accessible as possible to researchers and the public throughout the world.
Another key priority is to promote access to the hortorium herbarium for undergraduate students. We are offering a paid summer internship for eight undergraduates this summer - the Tara Atluri Biodiversity Collections Internship - named in honor of an herbarium student. It's a unique opportunity for students to be trained in curation and management practices and plant biodiversity. The deadline for applications is April 10, and interested students can learn more by emailing us at: herbarium@cornell.edu.
I also want to raise awareness about the breadth of research opportunities available through the hortorium. There are so many new technologies and advances in sequencing and imaging and AI that I think are poised to really open up our cabinets to a broader research audience. Specifically, I would love for our cultivated collections here to be used more by researchers who are working to improve crop varieties.
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Krisy Gashler is a writer for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
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Original text here: https://cals.cornell.edu/news/2026/04/hannah-marx-enabling-discoveries-lh-bailey-herbarium
Binghamton University: Donor Support Accelerates Binghamton Faculty Research
BINGHAMTON, New York, April 2 -- Binghamton University issued the following news:
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Donor support accelerates Binghamton faculty research
Ho Foundation grants propel their pioneering projects
By My-Ly Nguyen Sperry '00, MBA '02
For the third consecutive year, Binghamton University faculty have generous donor support to accelerate their research and advance closer to making breakthroughs that have real-world impact. The three teams that received seed grants from The S. H. Ho Foundation Ltd. this year are:
Nancy Guo (School of Computing), Yiming Zeng (School of Computing), Yizeng Li (biomedical
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BINGHAMTON, New York, April 2 -- Binghamton University issued the following news:
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Donor support accelerates Binghamton faculty research
Ho Foundation grants propel their pioneering projects
By My-Ly Nguyen Sperry '00, MBA '02
For the third consecutive year, Binghamton University faculty have generous donor support to accelerate their research and advance closer to making breakthroughs that have real-world impact. The three teams that received seed grants from The S. H. Ho Foundation Ltd. this year are:
Nancy Guo (School of Computing), Yiming Zeng (School of Computing), Yizeng Li (biomedicalengineering), and Ying Wang (biomedical engineering), who received a $100,000 grant to develop "A Novel Quantum-Accelerated AI Framework for Discovering Actionable Biomarkers and Drugs with Validation Using Body-on-a-Chip."
Li described the research as "physics-based mathematical modeling to predict cancer cell viability and metastatic potential."
From Guo: "We are building an AI system that can mimic how lung cancer tumors behave in the body. This will help us understand three key things: One, why some tumors become more aggressive and spread; two, which drugs might be able to stop them; and three, what features of those drugs make them more effective.
"To make this process faster and more accurate, we use advanced quantum computing methods to run the simulations. We then test our findings using a 'body-on-a-chip,' a small lab device that recreates how human tissues function, to see if the results hold up in a realistic biological setting."
Wang added: "My lab will create miniature organ systems on a chip using human cells to mimic how lung cancer spreads between organs. These chips will allow us to safely test whether the biomarkers identified by our computational models can track disease progression and whether the proposed drugs can prevent or slow that spread. In simple terms, my group will help verify that the findings from our computational models are supported by biological experiments."
Jian Zhou and Ronald Miles (both mechanical engineering), who received a grant of more than $98,000 to advance their "Ear Canal Micro-Optomechanical Acoustic Particle Velocity Probe" project.
"The Ho Foundation grant will support our research on developing a new hearing measurement tool that can detect extremely faint sounds generated by the ear," Zhou said. "By capturing these subtle signals more accurately, we aim to enable earlier detection of hearing problems and make hearing tests more reliable."
Current otoacoustic emission (OAE) measurement methods rely on pressure microphones and face challenges, including low OAE levels, interference from ear canal reflections, and microphone noise, the researchers said. These limitations require complex calibrations, significantly reduce repeatability, and compromise accuracy, limiting effectiveness in clinical and research settings.
This project is expected to lead to a next-generation velocity/pressure dual-sensing ear canal probe, they said. This transformative tool will improve the repeatability and reliability of acoustic measurements, simplify the process, and enable new auditory discoveries in clinics and research.
In addition, support for this research will bridge the gap toward developing a velocity sensor prototype, strengthening future submissions to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and offering significant potential for commercial applications and enhanced student training.
Laura Cook (biological sciences), Jacob Palmer (biological sciences), and Tracy Hookway (biomedical engineering), who received over $99,000 to dive deeper into "Engineering Synthetic Vaginal Microbiomes and a Vagina-on-a-Chip Platform for Host-Microbiome Interaction Studies."
"The vagina contains a community of helpful bacteria that are very important for women's health, but we don't yet have good ways to study how these bacteria behave and interact with each other and with the body," Cook said. "This project aims to create two new tools: First, lab-grown versions of the most common vaginal bacterial communities so we can see how they grow and affect each other, and second, a device that better mimics real vaginal tissue.
"By combining these tools, we can see how individual species grow and impact each other. This will help us better understand what keeps the vaginal environment healthy and how to develop new treatments."
This work has the potential to significantly improve women's health, the researchers said.
About the donors
In August 2023, the University announced The S. H. Ho Foundation Ltd. made a $5.6 million gift to advance current or emerging faculty research at the intersection of health sciences and technology.
Martha Ho, MA '78, and her husband, David, of the Ho Foundation were inspired by her outstanding educational experience at Binghamton and the opportunity to nurture groundbreaking faculty discoveries and innovation.
The endowment gift provides vital seed grants of up to $100,000 each for faculty research teams University-wide. They are selected based on an application process.
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Original text here: https://www.binghamton.edu/news/story/6157/donor-support-accelerates-binghamton-faculty-research
