Education (Colleges & Universities)
Here's a look at documents from public, private and community colleges in the U.S.
Featured Stories
GP nurses could transform access to sleep care
BEDFORD PARK, Australia, April 27 -- Flinders University posted the following news:
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GP nurses could transform access to sleep care
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A new Flinders University study shows that nurses working in general practice could play a major role in improving access to sleep-health treatment, but only if patients and general practice staff are involved in designing these services.
Published in BMC Primary Care, the study is the first to explain why effective nurse-delivered sleep-care models have not yet made it into everyday GP clinics, despite strong evidence that they work.
Researchers from
... Show Full Article
BEDFORD PARK, Australia, April 27 -- Flinders University posted the following news:
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GP nurses could transform access to sleep care
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A new Flinders University study shows that nurses working in general practice could play a major role in improving access to sleep-health treatment, but only if patients and general practice staff are involved in designing these services.
Published in BMC Primary Care, the study is the first to explain why effective nurse-delivered sleep-care models have not yet made it into everyday GP clinics, despite strong evidence that they work.
Researchers fromFHMRI Sleep Health reviewed and combined the findings of 85 studies exploring nurse-delivered models of care after seeing growing delays for specialist sleep services and limited access to recommended treatments such as cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBTi) and CPAP machines for obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA).
"General practice nurse-delivered models of care for the management of sleep disorders have already been shown to be effective, but they still haven't been adopted into routine care," says lead author, Nicole Grivell, a sleep researcher and registered nurse.
"Until now, no research had explored the real-world barriers and enablers that affect whether GP clinics can successfully put these models into practice, especially in sleep health."
The review found strong potential for GP nurses to deliver assessment and treatment for common sleep problems like chronic insomnia and OSA, conditions frequently raised in everyday GP appointments.
"We know nurses in general practice are well placed to deliver treatments like CBTi and to support patients to commence CPAP," says co-author and senior researcher, Associate Professor Ching Li Chai-Coetzer, a respiratory and sleep physician.
"These approaches can improve sleep quality, daily functioning, and long-term wellbeing."
"With specialist wait times rising and limited access to CBTi, empowering GP nurses to deliver proven sleep care could change lives and ease pressure on the wider health system."
The study also revealed that if models of care are not designed to meet the needs of patients and general practice does not have sufficient funding, particularly for nurses to deliver the care, many new models of care will struggle to get off the ground.
The authors say that this leads to services that work well in trials but could fail in real-world practice.
The researchers urge policymakers, clinicians and researchers to co-design services with patients and GP clinic staff from the start to improve uptake, sustainability, and outcomes.
Key findings:
* Nurse-delivered models of care could ease pressure across the health system, improving access to timely assessment, treatment and follow-up for sleep disorders and other long-term conditions
* Patients must be central to designing models of care, because people's abilities, daily routines and motivation differ widely
* Co-designing services with patients and GP clinic staff would lead to more practical and sustainable models that better fit real-life needs
* Better-designed systems save time and resources, supporting smoother, more efficient care in general practice
"Despite strong evidence that nurse-delivered models of care work, they haven't made it into everyday practice," says Ms Grivell.
"Our review shows that involving patients and GP clinic staff in the design of these services is critical for real-world success.
"Done well, these models could reduce demand on specialist services and improve long-term health outcomes for thousands of Australians."
Acknowledgements: Funding for this project is in the form of Doctor of Philosophy scholarship funding, from a Flinders University Research Scholarship, Flinders Foundation Nick Antic Sleep Research Scholarship and an NHMRC Centres of Research Excellence grant "Positioning Primary Care at the Centre of Sleep Health Management"
The paper, ' Factors influencing the implementation of general practice nurse-delivered models of care for chronic conditions: a mixed-methods systematic review to inform models of care for chronic sleep disorders ', by Nicole Grivell, Brandon Brown, Jeffrey Fuller, Ching Li Chai-Coetzer, R. Doug McEvoy and Elizabeth Hoon (Adelaide University), was published in BMC Primary Care. DOI: 10.1186/s12875-025-03078-4.
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Original text here: https://news.flinders.edu.au/blog/2026/04/27/gp-nurses-could-transform-access-to-sleep-care/
South Dakota Mines Annual Leadership Awards Celebrate Student Initiative and Achievements
RAPID CITY, South Dakota, April 26 -- The South Dakota School of Mines and Technology issued the following news release:
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South Dakota Mines Annual Leadership Awards Celebrate Student Initiative and Achievements
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Spring at South Dakota Mines marks a time to celebrate achievement and recognize the student leaders who have made a lasting impact on campus and the community.
The university recently held its Hardrocker Honors ceremony, a combined version of the 75 th Annual Honors Convocation and Leadership Hall of Fame awards. Each year, the ceremony recognizes students for their distinguished
... Show Full Article
RAPID CITY, South Dakota, April 26 -- The South Dakota School of Mines and Technology issued the following news release:
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South Dakota Mines Annual Leadership Awards Celebrate Student Initiative and Achievements
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Spring at South Dakota Mines marks a time to celebrate achievement and recognize the student leaders who have made a lasting impact on campus and the community.
The university recently held its Hardrocker Honors ceremony, a combined version of the 75 th Annual Honors Convocation and Leadership Hall of Fame awards. Each year, the ceremony recognizes students for their distinguishedacademic and leadership achievements.
"This is one of the most meaningful times of the year at South Dakota Mines," said Mines President Brian Tande, Ph.D. "We have the opportunity to recognize students who not only excel academically, but who lead with purpose and leave a lasting impact on our campus and community. Their contributions help shape the future of Mines, and we are proud to celebrate all they have accomplished."
More than 160 students were honored for achievements spanning academics, research, leadership and personal growth.
Joseph Tunge, a sophomore biomedical engineering major from Sioux Falls, S.D., received the Cushman Clark Rising Star Award. The $400 scholarship, funded by Samuel Cushman Clark, honors his grandfather, Samuel Cushman, who served as the university dean from 1890 to 1891.
Victoria Verhey, a junior pre-professional health science major from Rapid City, S.D., received the CHAD Award - Caring, Helping, Aspiring and Developing. The award, named in honor of Chad Nienhueser, a distinguished student leader and 2005 Leadership Hall of Fame inductee, recognizes individuals who embody Nienhueser's passion for leadership and service.
Grace Pridgeon, an electrical engineering major from Gillette, Wyo., was awarded the $600 Gustafson Student Leadership Scholarship. Established by Jim Gustafson, a 1987 electrical engineering alumnus, recognizes a junior or senior who excels academically and in leadership roles.
The Leadership Hall of Fame, a prestigious award established in 2000, honors individuals whose contributions have significantly shaped the Mines campus community.
Each year, four to six students who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and have made a meaningful impact on and off campus are chosen for the Leadership Hall of Fame. Portraits of the 2026 inductees will be added to the Leadership Hall of Fame display outside the Beck Ballroom in the Surbeck Center.
The impact of this year's inductees touches nearly every area of the university and community, ranging from community service, peer mentorship and youth outreach to Student Associate Senate, CAMP and Greek Life.
The 2026 Leadership Hall of Fame includes:
Allan Dade Gomez - Gomez is a mechanical engineering major from Kersey, Colo. His university involvement includes president of Triangle Fraternity, where he logged more than 600 hours of community service, founded the Cornhole Club, was the brakes design lead for the Baja team and participated in the President's Leadership Academy.
Duram C. Kelly - Kelly is a mechanical engineering major from North Mankato, Minn. His involvement includes Supermileage, Circle K International, Swing Dance, Wind Ensemble and Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. During his time, he also helped organize six blood drives and collected more than 1,000 pounds of food for Feeding South Dakota. As philanthropic chair for Lambda Chi Alpha, Kelly revitalized a declining fundraiser, created a new event and oversaw more than $2,400 raised for charity and over 1,300 hours of community service.
Bayler J. Larson - Larson is a metallurgical engineering major from Ethan, S.D. Over his four years, Larson has served as a peer mentor and a first-year master mentor, guiding incoming freshmen. He also held several leadership roles on the Baja SAE team and shared his skills and craftmanship at the Foundry and Makerspace.
Madelyn "Maddy" Siekmann - Siekmann is a biomedical engineering major from Chaska, Minn. She served on the Student Association Senate, vice president of the South Dakota Board of Regents Student Federation and served as a student representative for the 2024 Presidential Search Committee. She was also president of the Hard Rockin' Drama Club, a Women in Science and Engineering (WiSE) peer mentor and a student ambassador.
Clive E. Uy - Uy is a mechanical engineering major with minors in aerospace and systems engineering from Bellingham, Wash. He served as vice president of the Student Association Senate, chassis subsystem lead and media manager on the university's Baja team and worked on the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) where he developed tools that improved laboratory efficiency. Uy also mentored youth through Campus Kids, served as a mechanical engineering ambassador, participated in the President's Leadership Academy and contributed to SOUL's charitable outreach in the Rapid City community.
Jacob Vostad - Vostad is a chemical engineering major from Sioux Falls, S.D. He served as president of the Student Association Senate, founded SOUL, a service club that connects students with underserved community members, and headed up the creation of the Hardrocker Huddle and IN PHASE. His vision and leadership also helped to bring back the community Rocker Days Parade.
You can find the full list of award winners here and view a photo album of the Hardrocker Honors here.
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Original text here: https://www.sdsmt.edu/news/releases/2026hardrockerhonors.html
MCCC Launches Paramedic Degree, Certificate Programs at Bedford Location
MONROE, Michigan, April 26 -- Monroe County Community College issued the following news release on April 24, 2026:
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MCCC LAUNCHES PARAMEDIC DEGREE, CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS AT BEDFORD LOCATION
Monroe County Community College has launched new degree and certificate programs to be offered at its Bedford location to prepare future paramedics, Helen Stripling, dean of the Health Sciences Division, has announced.
The programs will be housed at the MCCC's Bedford location, the Whitman Center, at 7777 Lewis Ave. in Temperance. That location is also home to MCCC's Emergency Medical Technician Certificate
... Show Full Article
MONROE, Michigan, April 26 -- Monroe County Community College issued the following news release on April 24, 2026:
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MCCC LAUNCHES PARAMEDIC DEGREE, CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS AT BEDFORD LOCATION
Monroe County Community College has launched new degree and certificate programs to be offered at its Bedford location to prepare future paramedics, Helen Stripling, dean of the Health Sciences Division, has announced.
The programs will be housed at the MCCC's Bedford location, the Whitman Center, at 7777 Lewis Ave. in Temperance. That location is also home to MCCC's Emergency Medical Technician CertificateProgram and offers numerous credit and non-credit classes and other services.
Students can apply for enrollment in the programs for the 2026-27 academic year, which beings August 26.
The new Associate of Applied Science Degree in Paramedic Program takes 5 semesters to complete, while the new Paramedic Certificate Program is 3 semesters in length.
Paramedics are allied health professionals who function as part of a comprehensive emergency medical services response, performing interventions with the basic and advanced equipment typically found on an ambulance, Stripling said. In order to become a paramedic, you first have to become an emergency medical technician. An EMT requires less training and cost than becoming a paramedic. Upon successful completion of either the Paramedic degree or certificate program at MCCC, students will be eligible to sit for the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians Paramedic Certification Exam.
According to the Michigan Department of Labor and Opportunity, a paramedic is classified as a high-demand and high-wage job through 2032 that requires a postsecondary certificate or moderate-term training. There are 150 projected annual paramedic openings in Michigan with an average hourly wage of $22-$27 per hour. Projected growth through 2032 is 3.6% in the state.
Both the degree and certificate programs are selective admissions programs, said Shawn McBride, director of emergency medical services. To be admitted, applicants must possess a current, unrestricted EMT license or higher or have completed a Michigan Department of Health and Human Services-approved EMT program and be eligible to sit for the National Registry of Medical Technicians Certification Exam. In the latter case, certification and licensure must be completed prior to completing of the Paramedic degree or certificate program at MCCC. In addition, prospective students must complete The Human Body (HLTSC-170) or Anatomy and Physiology (BIOL-257) or equivalent course prior to admission.
"Students who do not meet these requirements but would still like to eventually become a paramedic can enroll in MCCC's EMT Certificate Program, which is two semesters in length and prepares students to provide out-of-hospital emergency medical care and transportation for critical and emergent patients who access the emergency medical services system," he said.
The MCCC Paramedic Program has been issued a Letter of Review by the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions. This letter is not a CAAHEP accreditation status; it is a status signifying that a program seeking initial accreditation has demonstrated sufficient compliance with the accreditation standards through the Letter of Review Self-Study Report and other documentation. Letter of Review is recognized by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians for eligibility to take the National Registry's Paramedic credentialing examination(s). However, it is NOT a guarantee of eventual accreditation.
For more information, go to www.monroeccc.edu/paramedic or contact McBride at MCCC's Whitman Center at (734) 457-6057 or smcbride@monroeccc.edu.
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About Monroe County Community College
Founded in 1964, Monroe County Community College is a public, two-year institution supported by tax monies from Monroe County, educational funds from the State of Michigan and student tuition. The college's mission is to enrich lives in the community by providing opportunity through student-focused, affordable, quality higher education and other learning experiences. The Main Campus is located at 1555 South Raisinville Road, Monroe, Mich., 48161, with easy access to Toledo and Detroit. The Whitman Center is located at 7777 Lewis Ave., Temperance, Mich., 48182, near the Ohio-Michigan Border. Detailed information about MCCC is available at www.monroeccc.edu.
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Original text here: https://www.monroeccc.edu/news/2026/mccc-launches-paramedic-degree-certificate-programs-at-bedford-location?type=main
Honors Convocation recognizes excellence in students, faculty and staff as academic year nears conclusion
GREENVILLE, Tennessee, April 26 -- Tusculum University posted the following news:
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Honors Convocation recognizes excellence in students, faculty and staff as academic year nears conclusion
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GREENEVILLE - With the end of the academic year approaching, Tusculum University recognized the accomplishments of its students as they become career-ready professionals and of the faculty and staff for their one-on-one work with these Pioneers.
Dr. Scott Hummel, left, presented the President's Award to student Nehemiah Storey.
Tusculum held its annual Honors Convocation Thursday, April 23, to
... Show Full Article
GREENVILLE, Tennessee, April 26 -- Tusculum University posted the following news:
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Honors Convocation recognizes excellence in students, faculty and staff as academic year nears conclusion
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GREENEVILLE - With the end of the academic year approaching, Tusculum University recognized the accomplishments of its students as they become career-ready professionals and of the faculty and staff for their one-on-one work with these Pioneers.
Dr. Scott Hummel, left, presented the President's Award to student Nehemiah Storey.
Tusculum held its annual Honors Convocation Thursday, April 23, tospotlight academic achievement and other important elements of the university experience, such as civic engagement and school spirit. The event highlights the pioneering spirit that reverberates around the university and the focus on preparing student to lead successful lives following graduation.
"The Honors Convocation is an excellent way to conclude the academic year because it causes us to reflect on what has taken place in the classroom and extracurricular activities," said Dr. Scott Hummel, Tusculum's president. "When we stop for a moment and contemplate what our students, faculty and staff have achieved, we see excellence in so many facets. We are proud that the Tusculum family is making its mark on campus and in the community and are pleased to see everyone excelling in faith, knowledge and love."
The most prestigious award came at the end of the ceremony, when Dr. Hummel named Nehemiah Storey as the recipient of the President's Award. This honor goes to a graduating senior who has contributed the most to Tusculum and has been the highest attainer in the combined areas of academics, extracurricular activities, campus leadership and attitude. Tusculum bases the selection on the student's complete time at Tusculum.
Dr. Hummel enumerated many of Storey's accomplishments, including serving as a resident assistant. He also touched on his prowess in the classroom, such as placement on the President's List, Dean's List and Charles Oliver Gray List at Tusculum, the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District team, the SAC Commissioner's Honor Roll and the National Football Foundation Outstanding Academic Award winner in 2023 and the NFF's Hampshire Honor Society.
He noted that Storey served on the Tusculum football team leadership council and was a student coach for Tusculum's spring football practices. Dr. Hummel said Storey influenced the community as a student teacher and volunteer assistant coach for the football team at Chuckey-Doak Middle School. He is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and a participant in Students Pray on Thursdays at Tusculum Baptist Church, and he organized a prayer walk on campus in 2025.
"I was pleasantly surprised to win the award, and I'm incredibly grateful for the recognition and the impact I've had on Tusculum," said Storey, a sport science major. "Knowing that the sport science program nominated me for the President's Award means the world to me. It reinforces the fact that my time at Tusculum has been meaningful and productive. It fills me with joy to know that the faculty values my contributions."
Storey additionally won the David Bow Award, named in honor of Dr. David Bow, a sport studies professor who has served in multiple roles during his 49 years as a faculty member, coach and athletic director at Tusculum. Storey called Dr. Bow an exceptional Tusculum faculty member and said it has been a pleasure to take his classes this year.
Other awards that were issued included the Key Award, with students receiving one in virtually every academic program. To qualify, students have to attain the designated grade point average or higher in their academic field and stand out among their peers.
Students honored, left to right, Holly Ratcliff, Chuck Sutton and Nancy Leonard during the ceremony.
Dr. David Cook, left, presented the Outstanding Faculty for Excellence in Teaching, Service and Scholarship award to Dr. Melissa Burt.
The Outstanding Faculty for Excellence in Teaching, Service and Scholarship award went to Dr. Melissa Burt, assistant professor of environmental science. Students credited her with being helpful and explaining and placing material into a usable context. They said she guides students while giving them freedom to explore and encouraging them with creative control of projects. They also said she thoughtfully shepherds and mentors her research students.
"She provided me with impactful learning experiences through literary exploration and now with publication opportunities," student Jori Ray said. "Her guidance in examining graduate school opportunities has been encouraging and rewarding."
Dr. Burt's supervisor also praises her.
"From the first-year student in her environmental science course to the senior doing class-based research or studying ant specimens in her laboratory, Dr. Burt connects with her students, finds ways to encourage them to do their best work and sets them up for a more substantial future," said Dr. Chuck Pearson, assistant dean of math and science.
The Outstanding Service to Students Award for a faculty member went to Holly Ratcliff, assistant professor of English. The award, voted by students, recognized her for the way she provided encouragement and support, was available, made learning interesting, encouraged those in her classes to think outside the box and guided and counseled them to grow.
In addition to these qualities, Ratcliff played a special role as the faculty speaker during the memorial service for Payton Cook, a freshman and a member of the men's lacrosse team, who passed away in a car accident in December. She was one of Cook's professors. Tusculum held a moment of silence for Cook at the start of the convocation.
Members of the new Student Government Association executive board took their oaths. Left to right are BriAnna Higgins, Isabella Headland, John Ross, AnnaLee Simpson and Serena Hood.
The School Spirit Award went to Jerry Ricker, a sport science major, who is a member of the track and field and cross country teams and a member of the Student Government Association. He is also a member of and mentor for Student Support Services, which serves students whose parents do not have a bachelor's degree, who meet income-eligibility guidelines and have a disability.
Students also honored Chuck Sutton, vice president of student affairs and retention, and Nancy Leonard with the Outstanding Service Award to a staff member and cafeteria worker, respectively.
The Civic Engagement Award for an outstanding group went to the track and field teams.
Early during the convocation, members of the new executive board for the Student Government Association for the 20256-2027 academic year took their oaths. They are:
* President - John Ross
* Vice President - Isabella Headland
* Treasurer - AnnaLee Simpson
* Secretary - BriAnna Higgins
* Speaker of the House - Serena Hood
To see the complete list of awards, please visit https://www3.tusculum.edu/news/tusc-family/2026/honors-convocation-awards-for-2026/. More information about the university is available at www.tusculum.edu.
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Original text here: https://www3.tusculum.edu/news/news/2026/honors-convocation-recognizes-excellence-in-students-faculty-and-staff-as-academic-year-nears-conclusion/
Ghanaian MBA student on community enrichment, purpose
TULSA, Oklahoma, April 26 -- The University of Tulsa posted the following news:
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Ghanaian MBA student on community enrichment, purpose
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When Kwame Mawuenyega Ackah arrived at The University of Tulsa after a decade working in the public and private sectors in Ghana, he was searching for more than an advanced degree. He sought an immersive experience, clarity on his goals, community and the educational experience to make meaningful change back home.
Now an MBA student at Collins College of Business, Ackah said UTulsa's approachable faculty, business curriculum and leadership opportunities
... Show Full Article
TULSA, Oklahoma, April 26 -- The University of Tulsa posted the following news:
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Ghanaian MBA student on community enrichment, purpose
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When Kwame Mawuenyega Ackah arrived at The University of Tulsa after a decade working in the public and private sectors in Ghana, he was searching for more than an advanced degree. He sought an immersive experience, clarity on his goals, community and the educational experience to make meaningful change back home.
Now an MBA student at Collins College of Business, Ackah said UTulsa's approachable faculty, business curriculum and leadership opportunitieshas led him to grow personally and professionally. He recently interned at Tulsa International Airport. He also served as the student executive officer for UTulsa's student-managed investment fund, overseeing an $8.6 million portfolio that grew to a record-breaking $9.1 million during his tenure.
"I was looking for a business school that would give me additional knowledge to make a difference in my country," he said. "The professors have been accessible, and the opportunities have been great."
Outside the classroom, Ackah is a member of a fraternity, a graduate assistant with CaneCareers, a member of the Real Estate Club and president of the Graduate Student Association. He emphasized that these roles have expanded his social and professional needs.
"Everyone here has treated me so well. It's like everyone has known me for years," he said. "These intentional activities on campus have given me exposure and confidence."
Ackah said his attention to community involvement stems from his upbringing in Ghana. He explained that his culture emphasizes collective responsibility for the enrichment of all.
"Being a part of a community makes you aware of what needs to be done to shape it," he said. "When I came here, I didn't feel like I should just focus on academics. If I'm part of the community, I know who is available when things need to be done."
When advising others, Ackah emphasized the importance of finding ways to become involved: "Don't focus only on credentials. Focus on community. After school, you will need people to help open doors, and then for you to do the same for others."
His research focuses on migration, demographics and legal structures in Africa, using Ghana, Nigeria and Kenya as case studies -regions he sees as pivotal for Africa's economic future.
Looking ahead, Ackah plans to establish a nonprofit organization centered on creating dialogue among African governments, stakeholders and international partners.
"The MBA program makes me a global thinker," he said. "Once I'm done with school, I hope to have the right stakeholders to pursue these dreams. The University of Tulsa has put me in a position to make these dreams possible."
Learn more about MBA and other graduate programs at utulsa.edu/grad.
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Original text here: https://utulsa.edu/news/ghanaian-mba-student-on-community-enrichment-purpose/
College of Education Announces 2026 Celebrating Excellence Award Recipients
POCATELLO, Idaho, April 26 -- Idaho State University posted the following news:
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College of Education Announces 2026 Celebrating Excellence Award Recipients
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Each year, the College of Education hosts an annual Celebrating Excellence event to honor deserving faculty, staff, alumni and partners of the College for their significant accomplishments and commitment to excellence in education. We are pleased to announce this year's Celebrating Excellence Award winners.
Mahlet Asfaw, College of Education Staff Excellence Award
Mahlet Asfaw is an administrative assistant for the Office of
... Show Full Article
POCATELLO, Idaho, April 26 -- Idaho State University posted the following news:
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College of Education Announces 2026 Celebrating Excellence Award Recipients
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Each year, the College of Education hosts an annual Celebrating Excellence event to honor deserving faculty, staff, alumni and partners of the College for their significant accomplishments and commitment to excellence in education. We are pleased to announce this year's Celebrating Excellence Award winners.
Mahlet Asfaw, College of Education Staff Excellence Award
Mahlet Asfaw is an administrative assistant for the Office ofField Experience and the Kent Center for Student Success, with a background in customer service and insurance management. She specializes in administrative coordination, effective communication, and providing support to students, staff, and partners with professionalism and efficiency. Her experience has enabled her to develop strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and a service-oriented approach, contributing to a welcoming and well-managed academic environment. She holds a bachelor's degree in management from Unity University and an associate degree in insurance from the Ethiopian Institute of Banking and Insurance. Outside of work, she enjoys roasting coffee and preparing traditional Ethiopian foods for her family.
Kolby Cordingley, College of Education Faculty Excellence Award
Kolby Cordingley is a professor of practice in the Idaho State University Human Performance and Sport Studies Department. He earned a bachelor's degree in physical education and a master's degree in physical education with an emphasis in athletic administration. Cordingley has taught at ISU for the last 24 years and has taught a wide variety of courses, and is currently serving as the Be Fit activity courses program director and the Department of Human Performance and Sports Studies chair. While teaching at ISU, he also coached wrestling for 20 plus years, including 12 years as the head coach at Highland High School, where he was twice named the 5A Idaho Coach of the Year and earned seven 5 th /6 th District Coach of the Year awards as well. His proudest accomplishment while serving as the head coach of Highland was being a part of nine 5A State Academic championships, which is awarded to the team with the highest cumulative GPA. Cordingley believes that his greatest achievements in his coaching and teaching career have been creating meaningful relationships where athletes and students feel safe and valued. He feels grateful every day for the opportunity he has to work in the College of Education with amazing people, including the faculty, staff, and students of Idaho State University.
Rachelle Gilbert, College of Education Alumni Teaching Excellence Award
After completing her bachelor's degree in secondary education at ISU, Rachelle Gilbert has gone on to teach English classes for 18 years at Marsh Valley High School, where she also serves as the high school and district's librarian. During her time she has conceptualized a book study group for teachers at her school to collaborate and improve teaching pedagogy, and assists students in every aspect of their learning, whether it is as a mentor for senior projects, student council advisor, a teacher of research and online literacy, book recommender, IDLA site coordinator, or as the former director of her school's German exchange through the Goethe Institute for ten years. In addition to teaching, she coached for 15 years to build the Marsh Valley Girls Soccer team into a consistent state contender. Education has been the unexpected calling of her life.
While waffling about which career to choose, her mother wisely told her she was a born teacher. However, her teaching journey has not been idyllic. After significant burnout, she almost quit after her sixth year of teaching. A book about Hypatia changed her trajectory, and she enrolled in the University of Idaho through the Grace Nixon Institute scholarship to pursue a Master of Teaching in English, which she completed in 2015. Her educational path was not over. She completed a Master of Library Sciences and is currently striving for a PhD in English while teaching full-time.
During the Fall 2026 semester, she will be attending the University of Essex in England thanks to the study abroad opportunities provided by ISU. While her love of education in the classroom has always been keen, she cannot wait to embark into the world to learn through experience and a change of perspective, and to combine these two educational outlooks to enrich the learning experience of her students.
Ashley Schaffner, College of Education Alumni Leadership Excellence Award
Ashley Schaffner is a proud Idaho State University alumna, graduating in 2012 with an Honors Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education. Over the past 14 years, she has built a career defined by leadership, innovation, and a deep commitment to advancing STEM education across Idaho.
Ashley began her career as an elementary educator, where she served as a mentor teacher, team lead, and computer science educator, developing curriculum to introduce young learners to coding and technology. She now serves as a regional hub coordinator for the Idaho STEM Ecosystem, leading efforts to connect schools, industry, and community partners to expand STEM opportunities across southeastern Idaho.
Through her work, Ashley has supported large-scale STEM outreach, trained educators across the state, secured and distributed grant funding, and founded She Can STEM, an initiative designed to inspire young women to explore STEM pathways.
Her leadership also extends beyond her professional role through service on non-profit and school boards, statewide committees, and national presentations. Her recent capstone work focused on strengthening coordination of STEM outreach at Idaho State University, further demonstrating her commitment to building sustainable, collaborative systems that benefit students and communities.
Justin Dayley, College of Education Bengal Partner Award
Justin Dayley is the director of the Outdoor Adventure Center at Idaho State University, where he leads outdoor recreation programming and student leadership development. His work includes overseeing adventure trips, instructional programs, risk management practices, and experiential learning opportunities for students. With a background in outdoor education and backcountry leadership, he is committed to helping participants build skills, resilience, and confidence through meaningful experiences in the outdoors. He especially values programs that create connection, personal growth, and access to adventure for new participants.
Scott Snell, College of Education Kole-McGuffey Award for Excellence in Educational Research
Scott Snell, EdD, MSN, RN, CNE, is a certified nurse educator and emerging scholar with over 19 years of experience in higher education. He recently earned his Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from Idaho State University, where he also served as a graduate teaching assistant in the Department of School Psychology and Educational Leadership. During his time at ISU, he contributed to graduate education and scholarly work, including serving as an editorial contributor for New Directions for Community Colleges, supporting manuscript review and publication processes.
Snell's professional background is rooted in academic nursing, where he previously served as an associate professor and registered nursing program manager at the College of Southern Idaho. His work has focused on curriculum development, student learning, and the integration of high-fidelity simulation in nursing education. He currently serves as simulation clinical lab supervisor at Coastal Alabama Community College and as adjunct faculty in the Direct Entry Master of Science in Nursing program at the University of West Florida, where he teaches in simulation-based and graduate-level courses.
His research centers on leadership development and role transition in higher education, with a particular focus on academic nurse administrators. His dissertation explored the lived experiences of nurse faculty transitioning into administrative roles, highlighting the importance of mentorship, leadership preparation, and institutional support in shaping successful transitions. His work aims to inform leadership development practices and strengthen administrative pathways within higher education.
To learn more about the College of Education's Celebrating Excellence event, please visit our website.
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Original text here: https://www.isu.edu/news/2026-spring/college-of-education-announces-2026-celebrating-excellence-award-recipients-.html
Clemson receives $11 million Bezos Earth Fund grant for sustainable cotton research
CLEMSON, South Carolina, April 26 -- Clemson University posted the following news:
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Clemson receives $11 million Bezos Earth Fund grant for sustainable cotton research
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College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences
What we wear carries an environmental cost long before clothing reaches a store shelf. From water-intensive dyeing to chemical processing and waste, the materials used in fashion have a major impact on natural resources. Researchers at Clemson University are working to change that by rethinking cotton from the ground up.
With an $11 million grant from the Bezos Earth
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CLEMSON, South Carolina, April 26 -- Clemson University posted the following news:
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Clemson receives $11 million Bezos Earth Fund grant for sustainable cotton research
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College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences
What we wear carries an environmental cost long before clothing reaches a store shelf. From water-intensive dyeing to chemical processing and waste, the materials used in fashion have a major impact on natural resources. Researchers at Clemson University are working to change that by rethinking cotton from the ground up.
With an $11 million grant from the Bezos EarthFund, Clemson scientists led by Christopher "Chris" Saski, systems geneticist and professor in the Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, will advance research aimed at creating cotton that performs better, uses fewer resources and opens new possibilities for growers, manufacturers and consumers.
"Clemson University is proud to be a part of shaping the future of global agriculture and the fashion industry through bold innovation and advancing groundbreaking research," said Clemson University Interim President Robert H. Jones. "Dr. Saski's cutting-edge research in the fields of gene editing and synthetic biology has the potential to positively impact the lives of every person on our planet, which is a testament to the work we do every day at Clemson University and to fulfilling our unique land-grant mission of education, research and service."
For South Carolina, where cotton remains an important part of the agricultural economy, the work could help strengthen a legacy crop while positioning the state at the forefront of sustainable textile innovation.
Reinventing cotton at the source
The project will combine gene editing, synthetic biology and advanced breeding to develop next-generation cotton with built-in color, improved performance and greater resilience. Instead of adding those traits later through resource-intensive manufacturing, researchers are designing them directly into the plant.
The approach could reduce water use, lower chemical inputs and create fibers better suited for modern manufacturing. It could also help growers by increasing the value and versatility of cotton in a rapidly changing global market.
Collaborators from the University of Georgia are also part of the team. The project builds on Clemson's advances in cotton transformation and eco-friendly fiber coloring.
"This work focuses on growing fibers that are inherently better for the planet by moving color, performance and resilience into the biology of cotton itself," Saski said. "This approach flips the traditional model that has been used for more than a century to build a future of sustainable fashion, and we're excited to have support from the Bezos Earth Fund to help us move this research forward and further."
A global challenge with local impact
The Bezos Earth Fund is investing in new approaches to the materials used in clothing, an industry with a significant environmental footprint, including greenhouse gas emissions, water use, pollution and waste. Clemson researchers say addressing those challenges starts with rethinking how fibers are grown and produced.
For the Clemson team, the grant represents an opportunity to turn scientific discovery into practical solutions with impact far beyond the lab. From South Carolina farms to global supply chains, the work could help shape a more sustainable future for one of the world's most widely used natural fibers.
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Original text here: https://news.clemson.edu/clemson-receives-11-million-bezos-earth-fund-grant-for-sustainable-cotton-research/
