THINK BIG: Tennessee State University Earns Grants for Scholarly Endeavors

Tennessee State University colleges and departments have earned more than 70 grants for projects in areas of instruction, service, research, scholarships and fellowships.

 

This year, significant amounts over $500,000 have been awarded to:  

• Academic Affairs;

• Agriculture and Consumer Sciences;

• Arts and Sciences;

• Business and Finance;

• Center of Excellence for Learning Sciences;

• Engineering, Technology and Computer Science;

• Massie Chair of Excellence for Environmental Engineering;

• Title III;

• TRIO Programs;

• Libraries and Media Centers

In accordance with TSU's strategic integrative goal to become a "premier regional public research land-grant university," as stated in the University's Strategic Plan 2010-2015, faculty and staff have enhanced the University’s reputation and prominence through securing grant funding and building scholarly inquiry.

See a complete list of grant funded projects for the 2010 fiscal year here.

THINK BIG: Six Campus Leaders Selected for President’s Fellowship Program

Six Tennessee State University faculty and staff members were selected for the University's President’s Fellowship Program, a seven-month program that combines service and mentorship.

An initiative designed to provide participants with an in-depth exposure to University administration and policy-making, the President’s Fellowship Program provides mentoring, networking, research opportunities, university service and guidance in preparation for career advancement for emerging leaders.

Open to all full-time employees who have been at the University a minimum of three years, the program lasts from October to April. Applicants may nominate themselves or be nominated by a co-worker. Each fellow completes a service project that will improve TSU or the surrounding community; the fellow also collaborates with a campus administrator as a mentor. At the culmination of the program, fellows make a presentation about their projects.

“One of the University’s goals is to prepare our students to navigate the global marketplace. In order to facilitate this goal, it is essential that we cultivate our employees to bring innovative ideas, services and programs to our students. The President’s Fellowship Program equips outstanding employees with more tools and knowledge to better serve TSU and the surrounding community,” said Sandra Keith, director of equity, diversity and compliance, who leads the program.

The 2009-2010 President’s Fellows are:

• Dr. Carolyn Caudle, associate professor in the department of biological sciences.
• Ginger Hausser-Pepper, assistant director of service learning and civic engagement
• Dr. Natalie Housel, associate professor of physical therapy
• LaKecia Hudson, assistant director of the career development center
• Dr. Reginald McDonald, assistant professor of music and associate director of bands
• Dr. Teresa Kent Todd, assistant professor of French and Spanish
• Anjetta Williams, coordinator of maintenance and scheduling for facilities management

L to R: Dr. Teresa Kent Todd, Dr. Reginald McDonald, Dr. Natalie Housel, Dr. Melvin N. Johnson, Ginger Hausser-Pepper, Anjetta Williams, and LaKecia Hudson. (Not pictured: Dr. Carolyn Caudle)

THINK BIG: Tennessee State University Welcomes Distinguished Lecturer George Curry

WHO:     
Tennessee State University will host its annual Distinguished Lecture Series with nationally acclaimed and multi-faceted journalist George Curry.

WHAT:   
The Tennessee State University Division of Student Affairs is delighted to continue the tradition of enlightening and inspiring students across the spectrum with the 2010 Distinguished Lecture Series. The annual lecture series has also featured Nikki Giovanni, Tavis Smiley and Judge Greg Mathis.

WHEN:   
Tuesday, February 9, 2010, 1 p.m.

WHERE: 
Tennessee State University Campus Center, Robert N. Murrell Forum Room 210

Read more about George Curry. 

ONE OF NATION’S TOP HOUSING OFFICIALS TO LAUNCH INNOVATIVE EDUCATION PROGRAM AT TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity John D. Trasviña and Tennessee State University President Melvin N. Johnson will kick-off a new National Collegiate Fair Housing Partnership Campaign on the campus of TSU at a press conference on Monday, January 18, 2010, at 2:15 p.m.

WHO:      
Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity John Trasviña
TSU President Melvin N. Johnson

WHAT:

Press Conference announcing innovative National Fair Housing Collegiate Partnership campaign with colleges and universities


WHEN: 
2:15 p.m. Central Standard Time 
Monday, January 18, 2010


WHERE:
Tennessee State University
Gentry Center Complex, room 226 A
3500 John A. Merritt Blvd.
Nashville, Tennessee 37209

For more information, contact April Brown at (202) 402-2107 or april.a.brown@hud.gov



                

TSU Partners With Adventure Science Center For Alignment Nashville Program For Girls

Three Tennessee State University programs-the Center for Service Learning and Civic Engagement, the Institute for Understanding Biological Systems (lUBS) and the College of Engineering-have entered a $1.35 million grant partnership with the Adventure Science Center and Alignment Nashville to provide tutors and summer camps for Metro Nashville Public Schools girls, grades 7-9.

The grant, funded by the National Science Foundation, provides support to the Art to STEM program. This program was created to promote girls' interests, skills and abilities in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

TSU will receive $5,200 for mentor recruitment, as well as $50,000 for hosting the summer camps in 2010 and 2011.

TSU faculty members, Dr. Todd Gary and Dr. Virginia Tickles, and the Center for Service Learning will provide student mentors to work with girls twice a week in an after school program to expose them to the STEM disciplines.

The week-long summer camps will allow Art to STEM participants to be on a college campus attended by many of their mentors. They will utilize the science, math, and aerospace labs, as well as the art gallery on campus and stay in the residence centers to experience college life.

Gary, who serves as co-director of the NASA Science, Engineering, Mathematics and Aerospace Academy (SEMAA) program at TSU, said, "Having TSU students as role models and mentors will be a great asset to the program and will encourage more young women to pursue science careers."

Dr. Sue Fuller, director of the Center for Service-Learning and faculty member in the College of Education, said she views the partnership as a win-win opportunity for both students and their TSU mentors. She also said the program is a fine example of TSU's leadership role in P-16 activities in our area schools.

"The middle and high school students will be engaged in challenging and interesting learning activities while on our campus," she added.

To help recruit mentors, TSU will involve both student organizations-Association of Pre-professional Life Scientists (APLS) and Society of Women Engineers (SWE).

"Our students relish the chance to give back in meaningful ways," said Dr. Lonnie Sharpe, TSU's Massie Chair of Excellence. "They are exceptional, not only for their intellectual abilities but also for their character and maturity."

TSU has a strong and rich science tradition, including being recognized as the first University to directly detect a planet outside the solar system in 1999. Also, for many years, the University has offered summer camps on the campus to school-aged students in math and science. TSU has more than 400 female students majoring in a STEM related discipline.