NASHVILLE, Tenn.(TSU News Service) – Tennessee State University’s best and brightest students joined the institution’s president at the National HBCU Braintrust last week in Washington, DC.
President Glenda Glover
TSU President Glenda Glover spoke at the Braintrust Sept. 11-13, as well as participated on a panel comprised of other university presidents who discussed how their institutions are “preparing the next generation of black innovators.”
The Braintrust was part of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Annual Legislative Conference, Sept. 11-14.
Top students from the nation’s historically black colleges and universities participated in the Braintrust, including four from TSU.
Micheal Grady
They were: Micheal Grady, a senior business management major from Memphis; Derelle Roshelle of Chattanooga, a junior majoring in supply chain management; Trinity Young, a sophomore math major from Indianapolis, Indiana; and Paul Johnson, a freshman mechanical engineering major from Houston.
Trinity Young
“We selected four amazing students, all who are very interested in entrepreneurial opportunities,” said Frank Stevenson, associate vice president and dean of students at TSU. “This is a great opportunity for them to network, as well as represent TSU.”
Before leaving for the conference, Paul Johnson said he was looking forward to meeting different professionals and hearing their experiences.
Paul Johnson
“I will be able to get their insight; what it takes to make it out there,” Johnson said. “How we can get into business ourselves.”
When it comes to innovation, TSU is making sure that its students – its community – are prepared to compete in an ever-changing global workforce.
In July, Tennessee State launched a national initiative that
seeks to bring coding experiences to HBCUs and underserved communities.
TSU hosted the inaugural HBCU C2 Presidential
Academy through its newly established National Center for Smart Technology
Innovations. HBCU C2 seeks to bring coding and
creativity opportunities to students across HBCU campuses and to a broad group
of students across Nashville.
Apple CEO Tim Cook tweeted about the initiative: “Anything is
possible when people come together with a shared vision. Thank you to @TSUedu
for your leadership and enthusiasm in bringing coding to your community and
HBCUs nationwide!”
Tennessee State University 3500 John Merritt Boulevard Nashville, Tennessee 37209 615.963.5331
About Tennessee State UniversityFounded in 1912, Tennessee State University is Nashville’s only
public university, and is a premier, historically black university and
land-grant institution offering 38 bachelor’s degree programs, 24
master’s degree programs, and seven doctoral degrees. TSU is a
comprehensive research intensive institution with a R-2 Carnegie
designation, and has a graduate school on its downtown Avon Williams
Campus, along with the Otis Floyd Nursery Research Center in
McMinnville, Tennessee. With a commitment to excellence, Tennessee
State University provides students with a quality education in a
nurturing and innovative environment that prepares them as alumni to be
global leaders in every facet of society. Visit the University online
at tnstate.edu.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) –
When it comes to choosing a college, Tennessee State University was the place
to be on Sept. 9.
It was the annual
Metro Nashville Public Schools College and Career Expo held in the TSU Gentry
Complex with over 5,000 middle and high school students and their parents and
relatives in attendance.
Dr. Coreen Jackson, Dean of the TSU Honors College, talks to 12-graders Nasri Hassan, right, and Jhoanne Altidort, of McGavock High School about programs, scholarship and admission opportunities at TSU. (Photo by Emmanuel Freeman, TSU Media Relations)
Jhoanne
Altidort, Mert Sekmen and Nasri Hassan, all high school graduating seniors who
attended the expo, are looking for somewhere for their college careers. While
they have not settled on any institution, they all see Tennessee State
University as a good choice.
“TSU
is definitely a good possibility,” said Sekmen, a top student at MLK High
School, with a 4.6 grade point average. The Nashville native, who wants to
study medicine with a possible career in medical policy, is no stranger to TSU.
His father is a longtime professor and department chair.
“It’s a great
school with lots of opportunities that are not available elsewhere,” said
Sekmen. “I have basically walked this campus all my life and it’s always been
nice.”
Altidort,
a senior at McGavock High School, who is interested in nursing, agrees.
“TSU
definitely is a school I am looking at,” said Altidort, a native of Haiti.
“They have some good opportunities. I asked a lot of questions and they
answered my questions.”
The expo is another opportunity to strengthen the partnership between TSU and MNPS. From left are: Joe Gordon, coordinator of school counseling for North MNPS; Dr. Gregory Clark, TSU’s director of High School Relations; Dr. Megan Cusson-Lark, MNPS’ executive director of school counseling; and LaSeanda Sanders, coordinator of school counseling at South MNPS. (Photo by Emmanuel Freeman, TSU Media Relations)
The
expo, held at TSU for the last three years, included more than 170 colleges,
universities and post-secondary institutions from across the nation, as well as
the U.S. Army. It offered students the opportunity to review information on
admissions, financial aid, costs, college life and programs to help them decide
their choice of college or university.
Officials
say the expo is another opportunity to further strengthen the partnership
between TSU and MNPS. TSU is the first university or college to host the MNPS
College Fair in its decades-long history. One of the largest urban school
systems in the state, MNPS has about 6,000 teachers, many of them
TSU graduates.
Abibi Crawford, a 10th-grader from Kipp Collegiate, whose father works at TSU and wants to get an early start on her college search, talks to a vendor at the expo. (Photo by TSU Media Relations)
Dr.
Gregory Clark, TSU’s director of High School Relations, helped to coordinate
the expo, along with Dr. Megan Cusson-Lark, MNPS’ executive director of school
counseling. Clark described the expo as ”one of the best on-campus
recruitment activities.”
“As a
result of this fair, we have seen students that we normally don’t see,” he
said. “This also offers the opportunities to students and parents who have
never visited our campus to be able to see the opportunities that are here.”
Like Hassan (Nasri), a senior at McGavock High School, she has heard a lot of positive things about TSU but never visited the campus until she came to the expo. She wants to study business in college.
“TSU
is definitely a place I may consider for college,” Hassan said. “I inquired
about the offering in business and I like what I heard.”
Tennessee State University 3500 John Merritt Boulevard Nashville, Tennessee 37209 615.963.5331
About Tennessee State UniversityFounded in 1912, Tennessee State University is Nashville’s only
public university, and is a premier, historically black university and
land-grant institution offering 38 bachelor’s degree programs, 24
master’s degree programs, and seven doctoral degrees. TSU is a
comprehensive research intensive institution with a R-2 Carnegie
designation, and has a graduate school on its downtown Avon Williams
Campus, along with the Otis Floyd Nursery Research Center in
McMinnville, Tennessee. With a commitment to excellence, Tennessee
State University provides students with a quality education in a
nurturing and innovative environment that prepares them as alumni to be
global leaders in every facet of society. Visit the University online
at tnstate.edu.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – The Tennessee State University Aristocrat of Bands will be front and center Sept. 15 when the Atlanta Falcons take to the field in their season home opener against the Philadelphia Eagles.
The marching band has been invited to perform at half-time of the Falcons-Eagles game in the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, the second AOB NFL invitation this season. The band will also perform during the half-time show of the Tennessee Titans-San Francisco 49ers game at Nissan Stadium on Oct. 6.
Just a day after performing at the Southern Heritage Classic, the Aristocrat of Bands will be in Atlanta to perform in the half-time show of the Falcons’ home opener against the Philadelphia Eagles in the Mercedes-Benz Stadium. (Photo by Lalita Hodge, TSU Media Relations)
For Atlanta native Julien Dooley, a drum major with the AOB,
performing in his hometown, especially in the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, is
special. He knows his family will be thrilled, but he plans on
surprising them.
“I have not told anyone yet, but this is just so exciting,” said
Dooley, a senior commercial music major and a graduate of Atlanta’s Southwest
DeKalb High School, who also plays trombone for the AOB.
“I am a huge fan of the Atlanta Falcons. It is very exciting that
the AOB gets the opportunity to perform for the Falcons, which means I get to
go back home, something I rarely get to do because of our busy band schedule.”
Dr. Reginald McDonald, TSU’s director of bands, said he received
the Falcons’ invitation last week, with a choice to perform at any one of their
next three home games. The band performs at the Southern Heritage Classic in
Memphis between TSU and Jackson State University on Saturday, the day before
the Falcons game in Atlanta.
“Our preference was the Sunday after the Southern Heritage
Classic. Needless to say, that’s going to be an extremely busy weekend for us
again,” he said, noting the band’s back-to-back performances at the John
Merritt Classic on Aug. 31 in Nashville, and the Battle of the Bands
competition in Houston the following day.
“One thing we learned last week that even after the John Merritt
Classic our kids did a great job. We got on the bus and drove 14 hours to
Houston. The show in Houston was even better than the one we did Saturday
night. So, we know that our kids are performers and they will rise to the
occasion.”
McDonald, who previously performed for the Falcons as a high
school band leader at Southwest DeKalb (1999 playoffs – Falcons vs. 49ers) said going to Atlanta is also personal and special.
“That was a huge
moment in my career as a young man, and to have that opportunity 20 years later
as a college band director, is even more significant,” said McDonald. “This is
a market where we get a lot of our band kids from. Majority are from Memphis
and West Tennessee, the next largest group – 30 percent – of our kids come from
the Atlanta area , and those connections that I have with band directors from
Atlanta and the school system are tremendous.”
Sophomore Tiara Thomas, a political science major from Olive
Branch, Mississippi, plays the French Horn in the AOB. She said the invitation
to Atlanta gives band members the chance to play in another NFL arena away from
home.
“I am really excited because normally (since she came to TSU) we
only perform for our home NFL team – the Titans,” said Thomas, a member of the
TSU Honors College, with a 3.9 grade point average. “So, to be invited to a
whole other state to showcase our talent, that’s really big.”
The Aristocrat of Bands made global headlines last week when Lizzo, a rising star topping the charts with her hit “Truth Hurts,” gave a shout out to the band. During the halftime of TSU’s game against Mississippi Valley State at the John Merritt Classic, the AOB included Lizzo’s “Truth Hurts” in its medley. They also delivered a repeat performance the following day at the National Battle of the Bands in Houston, Lizzo’s hometown.
Department of Media Relations
Tennessee State University 3500 John Merritt Boulevard Nashville, Tennessee 37209 615.963.5331
About Tennessee State University
Founded in 1912, Tennessee State University is Nashville’s only
public university, and is a premier, historically black university and
land-grant institution offering 38 bachelor’s degree programs, 24
master’s degree programs, and seven doctoral degrees. TSU is a
comprehensive research intensive institution with a R-2 Carnegie
designation, and has a graduate school on its downtown Avon Williams
Campus, along with the Otis Floyd Nursery Research Center in
McMinnville, Tennessee. With a commitment to excellence, Tennessee
State University provides students with a quality education in a
nurturing and innovative environment that prepares them as alumni to be
global leaders in every facet of society. Visit the University online
at tnstate.edu.
NASHVILLE,
Tenn. (TSU News Service) – The Tennessee State
University world famous marching band has done it again.
Lizzo, a rising star topping the
charts with her hit “Truth Hurts,” gave a shout out to Tennessee
State University’s Aristocrat of Bands.
The Tennessee State University Aristocrat of Bands have performed at major events and places, including the White House for former President Barack Obama and and First Lay Michelle Obama. (Photo by John Cross)
During halftime of TSU’s game
against Mississippi Valley State on Aug. 31, the Aristocrat of Bands
included Lizzo’s “Truth Hurts” in its medley. They also
delivered a repeat performance Sunday at the National Battle of the Bands in
Houston, Lizzo’s hometown.
TSU sophomore Paula Rodriquez,
also a Houston native, was elated to hear Lizzo call out her school.
“It feels great because I have a sister
who went to Grambling and always bragging about Grambling having the best band,
but I tell you AOB is doing great getting recognition from all over and now by
Lizzo, it is just great,” said Rodriquez, a computer science major. “I am from
Houston and Lizzo is also from Houston. It is great to be recognized so far
away from home.”
Zack Glover, a junior mechanical engineering major from Atlanta, expressed the same sentiment about his school.
“Lizzo cosigning the Tennessee
State University Aristocrat of Bands is a positive direction for the band,”
Glover said. “It shows their hard work will be recognized by other hardworking
artists, and through her, other stars who did not know about this great band
will certainly know now.”
In a note to university administrators, Dr. Reginald McDonald, director of bands, could not hide his excitement.
“Since our performance in Houston this past weekend, we have received a lot of positive social media buzz from the artist Lizzo for our rendition of her song ‘Truth Hurts,’” McDonald said. “I estimate that over 4.7 million people have seen her tribute to the Tennessee State University Aristocrat of Bands.”
A former marching band member and
flutist herself, Lizzo tweeted overnight, giving props to TSU, specifically how
they incorporated “Truth Hurts” in their medley performance at the
National Battle of the Bands in Houston.
“Truth Hurts” has
reached to the top of Billboard’s Hot 100 chart.
Lizzo is coming to Nashville on Sept. 30 for a stop on her “I Love You Too” tour at Ryman Auditorium.
The AOB is not new to national or international recognition. They have performed at the White House, at NFL games, and appeared at events and performed with many other big stars.
During the recent NFL Draft in Nashville, the AOB thrilled fans with a performance on ESPN’s “First Take.” Percussionists from the band performed in the Rose Bowl Parade. The AOB performed with country music legend Keith Urban, and performed at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.
Catch the award-winning AOB performing this Saturday at the TSU vs MTSU game in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and on Sept. 14 at the Southern Heritage Classic in Memphis, Tennessee.
Department of Media Relations
Tennessee State University 3500 John Merritt Boulevard Nashville, Tennessee 37209 615.963.5331
About Tennessee State University
Founded in 1912, Tennessee State University is Nashville’s only
public university, and is a premier, historically black university and
land-grant institution offering 38 bachelor’s degree programs, 24
master’s degree programs, and seven doctoral degrees. TSU is a
comprehensive research intensive institution with a R-2 Carnegie
designation, and has a graduate school on its downtown Avon Williams
Campus, along with the Otis Floyd Nursery Research Center in
McMinnville, Tennessee. With a commitment to excellence, Tennessee
State University provides students with a quality education in a
nurturing and innovative environment that prepares them as alumni to be
global leaders in every facet of society. Visit the University online
at tnstate.edu.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU
News Service) – Tiffany Bellafant Steward, TSU’s assistant vice president
for Enrollment Management and Student Success, is a member of the 2019-2020
cohort of the Complete Tennessee Leadership Institute.
Stewart was one of
only 28 leaders from higher education, K-12 education, government, business and
industry selected by the State Collaborative on Reforming Education, or SCORE, for
the fourth cohort of CTLI.
“It is an honor to be selected as one of 28 leaders from across the state to participate in the Complete Tennessee Leadership Institute,” Steward said. “I look forward to contributing to postsecondary student success and making an impact on access to higher education across the state of Tennessee.”
Since
2016, the Complete Tennessee Leadership Institute has been strengthening
leadership capacity to increase higher education completion rates, fostering
partnerships to build actionable coalitions, and exploring innovative solutions
to local and statewide collaboration and student success.
To build on the foundation of the program, SCORE will partner with The Hunt
Institute. The Hunt Institute, recognized as a national leader in the movement
to transform public education, will assist in designing learning opportunities,
facilitating sessions as an expert out-of-state voice and developing strategies
to help participants translate their learning into action.
“The Complete Tennessee Leadership Institute is focused on educating and engaging Tennessee leaders about education opportunities and challenges in Tennessee post-secondary education,” SCORE President and CEO David Mansouri said. “SCORE is excited to build on the program’s foundation and explore with the new cohort how we can push for quality and equity in education so all Tennessee students are able to earn the post-secondary credentials and degrees needed for successful careers.”
According to a SCORE news release, over the course of a year, Steward and her fellow cohorts will explore higher education and economic issues at the local level, witness best practices and policies to tackle real challenges, and build professional relationships with a group of strong leaders advocating for change across Tennessee.
Department of Media Relations
Tennessee State University 3500 John Merritt Boulevard Nashville, Tennessee 37209 615.963.5331
About Tennessee State University
Founded in 1912, Tennessee State University is Nashville’s only
public university, and is a premier, historically black university and
land-grant institution offering 38 bachelor’s degree programs, 24
master’s degree programs, and seven doctoral degrees. TSU is a
comprehensive research intensive institution with a R-2 Carnegie
designation, and has a graduate school on its downtown Avon Williams
Campus, along with the Otis Floyd Nursery Research Center in
McMinnville, Tennessee. With a commitment to excellence, Tennessee
State University provides students with a quality education in a
nurturing and innovative environment that prepares them as alumni to be
global leaders in every facet of society. Visit the University online
at tnstate.edu.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – TSU’s first Big Blue Glimpse was a huge success with top students from Nashville’s Maplewood High School. Officials said about 50 seniors and juniors with grade point averages of 3.0 and above attended the daylong event on TSU’s main campus on Aug. 23.
Terrence Izzard
Organized by the Office of Enrollment Management and Student Success, Big Blue Glimpse is a mini preview day designed to give students, families, guidance counselors and community partners an opportunity to get “just a small glimpse” of all the many opportunities at the university.
“The visiting students really had an opportunity to spend time with admissions officials and learn about program offerings and scholarship opportunities,” said Terrence Izzard, associate vice president of Enrollment Management and Student Success. “They also had a wonderful time interacting with our Student Government Association president, Mister and Miss TSU and their Royal Court.”
Mr. TSU Damyr Moore, left, welcomes a student from Maplewood High. (Courtesy Photo)
Big Blue Glimpse, a much smaller version of Spring Preview Day, which is held in April, is one of many recruitment initiatives intended to go after and encourage top students to consider TSU in their higher education pursuit. It is held twice a year – one in the fall and the other in the spring.
“Our unit exists to open the doors to scholars from around the world,” Izzard said. “We want to attract the best and the brightest scholars to TSU. So, the Big Blue Glimpse gives us that opportunity.”
Mr. TSU, Damyr Moore, a senior mass communication major from Atlanta, talked to the visiting students about leadership and the opportunities at TSU.
“TSU is a place where you get a second chance,” More said. “You come here to find out who you are. Service and leadership will push you to new evolution.”
TSU admissions staff and student government leaders participated in Big Blue Glimpse. From left are: Portia Johnson, a Ph.D. student; Jada Crisp, Miss TSU; Damyr Moore, Mr. TSU; Ryan Smith, SGA executive vice president; and Alan Lancaster, assistant director of recruitment. (Courtesy photo)
On April 13, more than 1,000 high
school students and their parents from across the nation descended upon TSU for
Spring Preview Day 2019. The day started with check in and a student
organization fair in the Gentry Center Complex where student leaders, campus
administrators, faculty and staff welcomed the students and their parents to
campus.
Like participants in spring preview, Izzard said Maplewood students who attended the Big Blue Glimpse left with an academic overview of the university and received special gifts from the admissions and recruitment department.
“They also made personal contact with our top-tier leaders here at TSU,” Izzard added.
Tennessee State University 3500 John Merritt Boulevard Nashville, Tennessee 37209 615.963.5331
About Tennessee State University
Founded in 1912, Tennessee State University is Nashville’s only
public university, and is a premier, historically black university and
land-grant institution offering 38 bachelor’s degree programs, 24
master’s degree programs, and seven doctoral degrees. TSU is a
comprehensive research intensive institution with a R-2 Carnegie
designation, and has a graduate school on its downtown Avon Williams
Campus, along with the Otis Floyd Nursery Research Center in
McMinnville, Tennessee. With a commitment to excellence, Tennessee
State University provides students with a quality education in a
nurturing and innovative environment that prepares them as alumni to be
global leaders in every facet of society. Visit the University online
at tnstate.edu.
NASHVILLE, Tenn.(TSU News Service) – Technology giant Apple, Inc. has partnered with Tennessee State University to give minorities and underserved communities greater access to the field. TSU has been charged with strengthening the collaboration by offering the company’s coding curriculum to new audiences.
That expansion includes providing TSU alums the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of app design and app development for free. Computer Applications for Educational Leaders is being offered through the TSU School of Graduate and Professional Studies, and is accepting applications now.
The course supports the university’s mission to provide life-long learning opportunities to the TSU alumni.
“This course is the first of its kind to address an individual’s working and learning style where they can take the course on-ground, online, hybrid or at the Apple Store,” said Dr. Robbie K. Melton, Tennessee State University’s dean of Graduate and Professional Studies and program director for the coding initiative.
Dr. Melton also says the curriculum is structured to provide onsite instruction for groups of 10 or more wherever they are located.
That scheduling flexibility is what attracted Dr. Jeffery Norfleet, associate dean of Academic Services at Trevecca Nazarene University.
Dr. Jeffery Norfleet (Photo Submitted)
“I like to learn virtually because it just works with my time and my schedule,” said Norfleet, who received his undergraduate degree from TSU in Humanities in 2008 and his master’s in Curriculum and Instruction with a focus in educational technology in 2010.
“There are apps out their for everyone. Apps out there that will help you with your personal life, your professional life, and your spiritual journey,” he said. “We may not be coding experts as far as the ‘IT’ side is concerned, but from your basic line of work and employment, you can utilize this skill set to benefit the community in which you live.”
Norfleet, a Clarksville-native who served as saxophone section leader with the Aristocrat of Bands while at TSU, said he believes efforts like this one will strengthen the university’s relationship with its alumni.
Jeffery Norfleet marching with the Aristocrat of Band as an undergraduate student at Tennessee State University. (Photo Submitted)
“I think this will begin to open up doors where students can see that they may have walked away with one major or one type of master’s, but the resources that the school wants to pour back into them will give them the opportunity to continue to develop their professional skill set as well as their personal skill set,” he said.
“It also encourages them to give back to the university, because these opportunities don’t come free at most places. “
Sheron B. Doss, who secured a bachelors degree in Social Welfare from TSU in 1976, is proving you’re never too old to learn, and said courses like this one are important for seniors.
“At our age, we assume we are too old to learn, but why shouldn’t we learn now,” said Doss, who was recently accepted into the doctoral program for Administration Management in Pre-K and Higher Education at TSU.
Sheron B. Doss (Photo Submitted)
“We are living longer, and we have got to be there rather than depend on our children and grandchildren. It makes communicating and living so much easier.”
Melton said the HBCU C2 initiative puts TSU on the forefront of embracing STEM, and she credits the university’s partnership with Apple with being key to its success. She said TSU employees as well as Tennessee high school students are also eligible to take the free course.
“Apple provides an approach to introduce coding and creativity in a nonthreatening manner,” she said. “You have children coding. You have seniors coding, and the fact that we have over 200 people from high school to senior citizen centers wanting to code and create is phenomenal.”
The push comes on the heels of the university’s July launch of HBCU C2 “Everyone Can Code and Everyone Can Create”, a national initiative supported by Apple, Inc., which seeks to bring coding experiences to historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and underserved communities.
“Apple is encouraging us to offer more academies because of the result from the academy this summer in which five of the apps that were designed are now being tested on campuses,” said Melton.
“We got a call from the Department of Labor because they received word from other constituents about the excitement, not just in Tennessee, but throughout all HBCUs regarding our transformation attitude regarding STEM careers,” she added.
Doss, who found out about the class during registration, said she took Melton’s Microcomputer Technology in Primary and Elementary Schools course in 2017. She encourages all alums to take advantage of the free learning opportunity.
“I don’t care who you are. I don’t care what level or what age, just start,” she said. “Just look at it, and I guarantee you that something in the course during the duration of the class will make you happy, will make you glad, and if you are like me, it will excite you.”
TSU hosted the inaugural HBCU C2 Presidential Academy July 14-19 through its newly established National Center for Smart Technology Innovations. Leaders of 14 historically black colleges and universities – including Tennessee State – from across the country came away from the Academy with knowledge and skills in coding and app development from Apple’s comprehensive coding curriculum, which utilizes its popular Swift programming language.
For more information about enrolling in EDAD 6100: Computer Applications for Educational Leaders course, contact Deborah Chisom at [email protected] or call (615) 963-7390.
Department of Media Relations
Tennessee State University 3500 John Merritt Boulevard Nashville, Tennessee 37209 615.963.5331
About Tennessee State University
Founded in 1912, Tennessee State University is Nashville’s only public university, and is a premier, historically black university and land-grant institution offering 38 bachelor’s degree programs, 24 master’s degree programs, and seven doctoral degrees. TSU is a comprehensive research intensive institution with a R-2 Carnegie designation, and has a graduate school on its downtown Avon Williams Campus, along with the Otis Floyd Nursery Research Center in McMinnville, Tennessee. With a commitment to excellence, Tennessee State University provides students with a quality education in a nurturing and innovative environment that prepares them as alumni to be global leaders in every facet of society. Visit the University online at tnstate.edu.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – Tennessee State University has named Dr. Jerri A. Haynes the new dean of the College of Education. Haynes comes to TSU from Fort Hays State University, where she was associate professor and assistant dean of the College of Education.
Dr. Jerri A. Haynes
“Through a
faculty-driven process, the search committee recommended Dr. Jerri Haynes,”
said Dr. Alisa Mosley, interim vice president for Academic Affairs.
“The faculty supported Dr. Haynes for her administrative
capabilities, her insight on the needs of P-20 education, and her desire to
impact academic programs. She understands how to build collaborations with our
external stakeholders and help our students succeed.”
A prolific
writer credited with a number of peer-reviewed professional articles, Haynes
has a wealth of experience in higher education and K-12 administration. At Fort
Hays State University, she also served as director of assessment and accreditation.
Previously, she was ESOL coordinator and department chair at Bethune-Cookman
University.
“I am excited
about being at Tennessee State University,” Haynes said. “This is an
opportunity for me to make a difference in the College of Education and pretty
much leave my legacy as to how we can move forward in the 21st
century.”
With a
student-centered philosophy, Haynes said under her leadership the College of
Education’s primary focus will be recruitment, retention, graduation and
employment, and building stronger partnerships with stakeholders like K-12
school systems, community colleges, local agencies and organizations.
“First, we must
make students our priority, be more supportive of students,” Haynes said. “It
is more than just about getting students to the university and say, ‘You are
here and it’s now up to you to complete the process.’ We must realize that they
have aspirations and that it is our responsibility to help them resolve those
aspirations. This means that faculty must rethink the way they teach. They
definitely have to rethink how they approach students in the 21st
century. We have to build relationships with the students.”
Haynes holds a
doctorate degree in child and youth studies, and an Ed.S. in Teaching English
to Speakers of Other Languages, both from Nova Southern University; and
master’s and bachelor’s degrees in elementary education from Florida A&M
University.
A year ago, HBCU Lifestyle, a publication
dedicated to “black college living,” ranked TSU No. 1 among the “Top
10 HBCUs that Produce Teachers” in the nation. The publication, which
provides HBCU students and their families with “valuable advice” about college
admissions, campus life and financial aid resources, said TSU’s undergraduate
and graduate offerings and concentrations in biology, chemistry and elementary
education made the school’s teacher preparation program more attractive.
Tennessee State University 3500 John Merritt Boulevard Nashville, Tennessee 37209 615.963.5331
About Tennessee State University
Founded in 1912, Tennessee State University is Nashville’s only
public university, and is a premier, historically black university and
land-grant institution offering 38 bachelor’s degree programs, 24
master’s degree programs, and seven doctoral degrees. TSU is a
comprehensive research intensive institution with a R-2 Carnegie
designation, and has a graduate school on its downtown Avon Williams
Campus, along with the Otis Floyd Nursery Research Center in
McMinnville, Tennessee. With a commitment to excellence, Tennessee
State University provides students with a quality education in a
nurturing and innovative environment that prepares them as alumni to be
global leaders in every facet of society. Visit the University online
at tnstate.edu.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – Jon-Robert Jones never gave much thought to wearing a tie. But after tying his first one, the Tennessee State University mass communications major has a new mindset.
“It is just fascinating how something so simple can change your whole image,” said Jones, who was among nearly 400 first-time male freshmen who participated Thursday night in “Tied to Success,” a rite of passage for all incoming male students at TSU. A highlight of the program is when the young men are given ties.
Frank Stevenson, Dean of Students and Interim Vice President of Student Affairs, presents student leaders and mentors (dressed for business) to incoming male freshmen at the Tied to Success ceremony in Poag Auditorium. (Photo by Michael McLendon, TSU Media Relations)
“I love seeing folks nicely dressed, but I didn’t think it was cool for me,” said Jones of Decatur, Georgia. “I am liking it.”
As a welcome into the “Big Blue Brotherhood,” the young men were given TSU blue ties with the name of the university. For some, like Jones, it was the first one they’ve owned. University officials, upperclassmen, and community leaders were on hand to assist those who needed help tying the perfect knot.
Before the tie tying and male bonding, officials and student mentors talked to the freshmen about proper campus behavior and how to present themselves in general.
TSU administrators, including Dr. Curtis Johnson, Chief of Staff and Associate Vice President for Administration, front right, demonstrate the art of tying the perfect knot to incoming freshmen. (Photo by Michael McLendon, TSU Media Relations)
“As
these students embark on their college careers and prepare for the professional
world, we want to help them develop good character and avoid anything that
could hinder their future success,” said Frank Stevenson, TSU’s dean of
students and interim vice president for Student Affairs. ‘’Tied to Success’ is
a step in that direction; we’re preparing them now.”
Damyr Moore, a
student mentor and the new Mr. TSU, was among those helping the incoming
freshmen with their ties.
“I feel like this is very important for these young men,” said Moore, a senior mass communications major from Atlanta. “This event not only shows them another next step in manhood, that it is important to be able to tie a tie, but it is nice to know there are brothers here who are willing to help you learn these things so you can be a better person.”
Jon-Robert Jones, right, for the first time ever, is wearing a well-knotted tie he perfected with the help of Brent Dukhie, interim Executive Director for Housing and Residence Life. (Photo by TSU Media Relations)
Moore’s sentiments rang through to Coreyontez Martin, a freshman health sciences major from Louisville, Kentucky. He knows how to tie a tie, but wants to be an encouragement to fellow freshmen who don’t know.
“Knowing how to tie a tie gives them an opportunity that can help them later in life or in their careers,” Martin said. “For me and my fellow freshmen, this gives us an opportunity to learn something that the classroom really can’t teach you. I appreciate the orientation and hope other institutions will emulate TSU.”
At last night’s ceremony, several senior administration officials, faculty, alumni, staff, and community leaders joined in to admonish the newcomers about academics, image and deportment. Among them were Dr. Curtis Johnson, chief of staff and associate vice president for administration; Terrance Izzard, associate vice president for Enrollment Management and Student Success; Dr. John Robinson, interim associate vice president for Academic Affairs; and Grant Winrow, special assistant to the president.
“I think the night
and this opportunity were good not just for the students but for the university
community to show these young men that they are our concern and that we care
about them,” Johnson said. “This is an opportunity to engage them and to
encourage them to utilize the resources we have here on the campus.”
State
Rep. Harold Love, Jr., a TSU alum, and a regular participant in “Tied to
Success” for the last three years, said the initiative reinforces that TSU is
intentional about the incoming students’ success, academically, as well as socially.
“We
talk about the African American male and the struggle they often have when they
first arrive on a college campus,” Love said. “It is initiatives like this that
allow them to make the transition easier. It instills in them that the TSU
community as a whole is concerned about them, and more specifically, we want to give them the skill they need to be successful
when they graduate.”
According to organizers, about 400 male students participated in this year’s Tied to Success, which is coordinated by the Men’s Initiative Office in the Division of Student Affairs. Overall, there are nearly 1,400 new freshmen at TSU for the fall semester.
Department of Media Relations
Tennessee State University 3500 John Merritt Boulevard Nashville, Tennessee 37209 615.963.5331
About Tennessee State University
Founded in 1912, Tennessee State University is Nashville’s only
public university, and is a premier, historically black university and
land-grant institution offering 38 bachelor’s degree programs, 24
master’s degree programs, and seven doctoral degrees. TSU is a
comprehensive research intensive institution with a R-2 Carnegie
designation, and has a graduate school on its downtown Avon Williams
Campus, along with the Otis Floyd Nursery Research Center in
McMinnville, Tennessee. With a commitment to excellence, Tennessee
State University provides students with a quality education in a
nurturing and innovative environment that prepares them as alumni to be
global leaders in every facet of society. Visit the University online
at tnstate.edu.
NASHVILLE,
Tenn. (TSU News Service)
– Debra K. Porter Johnson was a proud graduate of Tennessee State University, a
proclamation from the university said about the woman killed by a prison
escapee in her home on Aug. 7.
Debra K. Porter Johnson
TSU President
Glenda Glover, accompanied by senior university administration officials,
presented the proclamation to Johnson’s family, with a special donation during
a fundraiser organized by WKRN Channel 2 at Fifteenth Avenue Baptist
Church, where Johnson was a member.
“We celebrate the
life and the legacy of Debra Johnson,” Glover said. “She was just an ideal
sweetheart of a person, very professional all the time, downright nice, and we
are happy to honor her because she just loved TSU.”
Johnson was a
great football lover who came to all of TSU home games and functions, Glover
said. As a result, the president announced that at this year’s John Merritt
Classic, Johnson’s usual seat at home games will be draped with the university
flag in honor of the slain TSU alumna.
The proclamation,
presented to Johnson’s son Mychal Austin, described the former Tennessee
Department of Correction administrator as a devoted mother and grandmother
whose love for her family “was only seconded by the love she had for her God.
Her passion for people was seen each day on and off her job. Her untimely
passing leaves a void that even time may never fill but her legacy of love will
live on,” the proclamation read.
Austin, the
youngest of Debra Johnson’s three children – Stanley (Memory) Johnson, Dr.
Shernaye Johnson – said it was heartwarming and ‘highly’ appreciative of TSU to
honor their mother.
“We appreciate TSU
for thinking about our mother,” Austin said. “She went to all the home games
and all the events that she could. Bestowing this honor on her will be
something that our family cherishes. We really appreciate TSU for all the
university has done for the community, especially North Nashville, and Middle
Tennessee and across this nation. We take great comfort in knowing that this
great institution of higher learning cares about our mother.”
Glover thanked
Channel 2 for hosting the fundraiser to benefit Debra Johnson’s family.
Debra Johnson was buried Aug. 15 at Greenwood Cemetery North following funeral services at Temple Church in Nashville.
Department of Media Relations
Tennessee State University 3500 John Merritt Boulevard Nashville, Tennessee 37209 615.963.5331
About Tennessee State University
Founded in 1912, Tennessee State University is Nashville’s only
public university, and is a premier, historically black university and
land-grant institution offering 38 bachelor’s degree programs, 24
master’s degree programs, and seven doctoral degrees. TSU is a
comprehensive research intensive institution with a R-2 Carnegie
designation, and has a graduate school on its downtown Avon Williams
Campus, along with the Otis Floyd Nursery Research Center in
McMinnville, Tennessee. With a commitment to excellence, Tennessee
State University provides students with a quality education in a
nurturing and innovative environment that prepares them as alumni to be
global leaders in every facet of society. Visit the University online
at tnstate.edu.
