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.
NASHVILLE,
Tenn. (TSU News Service)
– Tennessee State University has hired Dr. Charlise Anderson, a longtime
assessment and institutional effectiveness expert, to serve as director of
assessment and accreditation.
Anderson’s hiring
comes in the wake of the recent sanction placed on the university by its
accrediting body, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission
on Colleges. TSU was placed on a one-year probation by SACSCOC for failing to
comply with one of 25 accrediting standards, which involves student outcome for
educational programs.
Dr. Charlise Anderson
TSU has a “plan of
action” to address this issue, TSU President Glenda Glover announced at the
Fall Faculty and Staff Institute Monday, assuring the gathering that TSU
remains a fully accredited institution.
““We are fixing this and fixing it now,” Glover said. “Dr. Charlise
Anderson has been hired as a full-time director to guide this process
internally. We are confident in her ability and 100 percent confident that TSU will do all that is required to prepare and submit
the documentation that is necessary to remove us from probation.”
In her long
career, Anderson has served as senior leadership team member for college reaffirmation
and accreditation, a SACSCOC fifth-year interim report coordinator, evaluator
of college strategic plan, as well as directed all activities of a quality
enhancement plan, or QEP, a key component of SACS’s reaffirmation process.
Before coming to TSU, Anderson
was the director of institutional research, effectiveness and assessment, as
well as accreditation liaison at Jarvis Christian College. Previously, she
was the director of institutional research and assessment at Lane College.
Dr. Alisa Mosley,
TSU’s interim vice president for Academic Affairs, described Anderson as “a
valued addition to work with our staff” on assessment accreditation.
“She will work
with our colleges, departments, divisions, and the University Assessment and
Improvement Council to ensure that our academic programs and nonacademic units
remain committed to a culture of assessment,” Mosley said. “Dr. Anderson
assesses the needed experience in assessment and collaborating with external
entities to ensure compliance.”
On how she plans
to move forward with helping the institution to put together the needed
corrective measures in the wake of the SACSCOC sanction, Anderson said
documentation is currently being collected to demonstrate the analysis and use
of results to make program improvements and “we will respond to SACSCOC
accordingly.”
“In addition,
assessment activities have been designed for the 2019-2020 academic year for
each academic program to evidence a cohesive common process across all programs
at the institution,” she said.
Anderson holds a
doctorate degree in higher and adult education from the University of Memphis;
M.S. in instructional technology and education from St. Joseph’s University;
and B.S. in general studies from Lane College.
In the implementation of TSU’s action plan, President Glover also announced that the university has retained a nationally known firm with expertise on accreditation matters, as well as a communication/reputation management firm.
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) – Alanis Onwu says all it took for her to decide to come to
Tennessee State University was a visit to President Glenda Glover’s home.
Alanis Onwu
“I
immediately fell in love with the family atmosphere I experienced and decided
right then that this is where I want to be,” says Onwu, an agricultural
sciences biotechnology major, who is in her junior year.
An
academic standout and graduate of Nashville’s Lead Academy, Onwu came to TSU on
a High Achiever Academic Scholarship with a full ride, but still had other
options. On arriving on campus, and as a high achiever scholarship recipient,
Onwu was invited to the Presidential Scholars’ Reception for highly recruited
students, at the president’s residence.
“That
reception changed everything,” says Onwu. “President Glover, the faculty, staff
and other students there made us feel so much at home; it felt like a
close-knit family, and where I wanted to be.”
In
more than two years at TSU, Onwu, a Nashville native, who wants to be a medical
doctor, says she made the right decision.
“I
have been exposed to so many opportunities. There are so many programs, so many
clubs to get involved in.
There is something for everyone,” she says.
Maintaining
a near 4.0 GPA, Onwu has made the Dean’s List every semester since coming to
TSU. She is a member of the Honors College, the Louis Stokes Alliance for
Minority Participation program, and an active participant in the Students
Opportunities for Advancement in Research Skills, or SOARS, where she is
engaged in research on ways to reduce risk factors and mortality rate of breast
cancer in African American women. Onwu is also the president of the African
Student Association on campus.
As
part of her interest in medicine, and to help accelerate her career journey,
Onwu over the summer shadowed doctors in the Meharry Pediatrics Clinic. That
experience, she says, has increased interest in becoming a doctor for children.
“First, I wanted
to do internal medicine, but now that I have been shadowing doctors and
pediatricians, I am really interested in pediatrics. I didn’t think I’d like it
at first, but being around them (pediatric doctors) I have really grown to love
the practice.”
Onwu’s
enthusiasm for learning and her eagerness to be the best have been noticed by
her professors – one in particular, who classified Onwu as one of the best
students he has had in more than 20 years of teaching.
“She
is right at the top of the class,” says Dr. Michael Ivy, professor of biological
sciences, who taught Onwu anatomy and physiology. “Compared to other students,
she was always prepared, never late. She was dependable. Her assignments were
excellent. In addition to her class time, I never had to worry if she was going
to miss something. Compared to all of the students I have taught in more than
two decades, she ranks in the top 5 percent.”
Outside
classwork and other extracurricular activities, Onwu also engages in community
affairs and humanitarian work. In December, she launched “The Enugu Education
Empowerment Movement,” that collected supplies for more than 50 school children
in the Udi Village of Enugu State, Nigeria.
“I
wanted to start this movement because in this specific location in Nigeria,
many families cannot afford to buy their children school supplies,” says Onwu.
“I wanted to make sure more children had the essential tools to be successful
while getting an education.”
She is
thankful for all TSU has made possible for her to pursue her dream, and
encourages others thinking about TSU that “the decision should be easy.”
“I feel anyone thinking about TSU should come, see what it is, try to get involved, take what they like, and they definitely will find something interesting here,” says Onwu.
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) – “Our decisions must be about the welfare of the students. We are here for the students. We are here on behalf of the students,” President Glenda Glover said as she officially kicked off the fall semester for the university on Aug. 12.
TSU President Glenda Glover, left, welcomes Dr. Belle Wheelan, President of SACSCOC during the Fall Faculty Staff Institute. (Photo by Erynne Davis, TSU Media Relations)
Glover’s
opening message continued with service to students during the faculty and staff
gathering, held to commence the start of each academic school year.
“We have
an awesome responsibility to challenge minds, to change lives, and to
ensure the future. Everything we do must be done with that
in mind,” she said.
Her
remarks followed the welcome by Interim Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Alisa
Mosley; Dr. Geoffrey Burke, chair of the Faculty Senate; and Staff Senate Chair
Tequila Johnson, all of whom told faculty and staff they play a role in the
success of TSU.
The
customary State of the University Address also touched upon the past year of
successes and challenges. Hundreds of employees attended the annual event to
get an update on those year-long initiatives. A main topic included the
university’s recent sanction by its accrediting body.
“Tennessee
State University remains a fully accredited institution,” Glover told faculty
and staff.
TSU
was placed on a one-year probation by the Southern Association of Colleges and
Schools Commission on Colleges (SACS COC), for failing to comply with one of 25
accrediting standards, which involves student outcome for educational programs.
A
special highlight of the Faculty Staff Institute was the appearance of the
President of SACSCOC, Dr. Belle Wheelan, who explained the role of the
commission and further assured the gathering that TSU is not in danger
of losing its accreditation.
“It is
a pleasure for me to be here today,” Wheelan said. “My challenge is to help you
understand the accreditation process and to believe within your heart, as I do in my
heart, that TSU is going to be alright. I assure you, she (President Glover)
has pulled every resource together, both human and fiscal, and you all are
going to fix this. I assure you, this time next year, you will be fine.”
Glover discussed a
“plan of action” to address the issue. Corrective steps taken so far under the
plan include the following: university has retained a nationally known
firm with expertise on accreditation matters; hired a full-time director of
assessment and accreditation to guide the process internally; as well as a
communication/reputation management firm.
Glover
introduced Charlise Anderson, a longtime
assessment and institutional effectiveness expert, as
the new director in charge of accreditation matters.
“We
are 100 percent confident that TSU will do all that is required to prepare and
submit the documentation that is necessary to remove us from probation,” Glover
said. “We are fixing this and fixing it now.”
Glover
also announced progress and challenges in other areas including, recruitment,
retention, graduation, campus safety, customer service, but said ensuring
student success remains “the key reason we are all here.”
On a
major achievement, Glover informed the university of TSU’s recent partnership
with tech giant Apple, and the hosting of the inaugural HBCU C2 Presidential
Academy last month.
“TSU is now a National
Center for Smart Technology Innovations that will bring coding and creativity
opportunities across HBCU campuses,” Glover said. “TSU will be the hub for all
104 HBCUs to come here and code and create.
Dr.
Robbie Melton, interim dean of Graduate and Professional Studies, and the
initiative’s main facilitator, was recognized for spearheading the effort that made
the partnership possible. Dr. Melton then presented the TSU-trained code and
creative team members.
The University is offering the coding course for free to employees. The institute culminated with lunch on the lawn.
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 recently hosted a reception for the National Black Caucus of State Legislators on its Avon Williams Campus downtown. Members of the NBCSL were in Nashville for a legislative summit of the National Conference of State Legislatures.
One of the highlights of the reception on Aug. 6 was a
pre-birthday celebration for Tennessee State Rep. Barbara Cooper, a TSU alum
who marks her 90th birthday on Aug. 11. Cooper, who represents
District 86 in Memphis, received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from
Tennessee State University.
“It gives me great pleasure to welcome all of
you to our beloved university,” said TSU President Glenda Glover. “But a
special privilege to say, ‘Happy birthday’ to Rep. Cooper, and to thank her for her able leadership in the Tennessee
General Assembly.”
TSU President Glenda Glover (middle in blue) greets state lawmakers from Florida at the reception for members of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators. (Photo by Erynne Davis, TSU Media Relations)
In her
remarks, Dr. Glover informed the gathering, which included a number of black
Tennessee lawmakers, about TSU’s recent partnership with tech giant Apple, and
the hosting of the inaugural HBCU C2 Presidential Academy last month. She
called on Dr. Robbie Melton, TSU’s interim dean of Graduate and Professional
Studies, and the initiative’s main facilitator, to elaborate.
“TSU is now a National Center for Smart Technology Innovations that will bring coding and creativity opportunities across HBCU campuses,” Melton said. “TSU will be the hub for all 104 HBCUs to come here and code and create. And on behalf of our partnership with Apple, you are able to take this course this fall for free – no cost.”
Before
Glover’s presentation, remarks were made by TSU alums Rep. Harold Love, Jr.,
and Sen. Brenda Gilmore, both of Nashville; as well as Rep. G.A. Hardaway, Sr.,
of Memphis, who is chairman of the Tennessee Black Caucus of State Legislators.
The lawmakers thanked President Glover and the TSU family for the reception and
the contribution of TSU to the community and nation.
“I
certainly want to express our appreciation on behalf of the Tennessee Black
Caucus of State Legislators to Dr. Glover for opening up everything to us and
for always being that resource that we need, whether we’re talking about
facilities, research, or helping to shape public policy,” Hardaway said. “It is
critical that we have that type of avenue to secure the data that we need –
that is unfiltered. And nobody does it like TSU.”
In an
interview, South Carolina State Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter, president of the NBCSL,
thanked her fellow Tennessee lawmakers for organizing the reception. She
congratulated President Glover on her leadership, and extolled TSU for
preparing students to become productive citizens.
“I am
always impressed with sisters who handle business and who know what they are
doing,” Cobb-Hunter said, of Glover. “My brief encounter with her suggests that
Tennessee State has the right person at the helm, that she is certainly a
visionary, and I am hopeful that the people here in this community and in the
state recognize what a treasure they have in Dr. Glover.”
The NCSL summit was from Aug. 5-6.
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 received two of the top awards from HBCU DIGEST this year. President Glenda Glover was named HBCU Female President of the Year, while Christion Abercrombie was selected Male Athlete of the Year.
President Glenda Glover receives the Female President of the Year Award at the annual HBCU Digest Awards in Baltimore. (Submitted photo)
Glover received the coveted award Aug. 2 at the ninth annual HBCU Digest Awards in
Baltimore. She also accepted the award on behalf of the TSU standout who
continues to recover from an on-the-field injury.
Glover, the eighth and first female president of TSU, was
presented with the awards during the ceremony in the Reginald F. Lewis Museum
of Maryland African American History and Culture.
“I am extremely honored that HBCU Digest named me HBCU Female
President of the Year, and Christian Abercrombie of Tennessee State University
Male Athlete of the Year,” Glover said. “I expressed to the audience that it is
working through challenges that defines leaders. This is not my recognition
alone. I’m truly grateful and appreciate the support of the entire TSU family.
Thank you all for your support.”
Glover, who reached out to Abercrombie’s family with the news of
him being named Male Athlete of the Year, said, “Christion Abercrombie is a
walking miracle.”
“It’s only fitting that he should be named the HBCU Digest Awards’
Male Athlete of the Year,” Glover said. “His perseverance, as well as his
incredible spirit, is an inspiration to anyone going through adversity. He is
proof that you can make it, if you just have faith, and believe.”
Abercrombie suffered a severe brain injury Sept. 29, 2018, during
a game against Vanderbilt.
His mother, Stacie Abercrombie, thanked President Glover for
reaching out to her with the news.
“It is amazing; it just shows that God is still in control,” Staci
said. “Christion is very thankful that he is being acknowledged in such a way.”
Head TSU football coach Roderick Reed said he was not surprised
that Abercrombie received the award.
“Even before the incident,” Reed said, referring to Abercrombie’s
injury, “he was always an outstanding character with outstanding leadership.”
“I think any award he gets is richly deserved,” Reed added.
In winning the two top awards, TSU was a finalist in 11 categories
of this year’s HBCU Digest Awards.
TSU has won several HBCU Digest awards in the past three years, including Best Marching Band, for the Aristocrat of Bands; Best Student Organization, the TSU Collegiate Citizens Police Academy; Best Alumnus, James Shaw Jr.; Best STEM Program, the College of Engineering; Alumna of the Year, Dr. Edith P. Mitchell; Female Coach of the Year, Chandra Cheeseborough-Guice; Female Team of the Year, Women’s Basketball Team; and Best Student Organization, Student Activities.
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) – More than 400 area students received free back-to-school
supplies, advice on educational opportunities and health screenings, thanks to
an effort by a Tennessee State
University alum who is making sure youngsters are prepared
for the new school year.
TSU President Glenda Glover, right, joins State Rep. Harold Love, Jr., left, and Nashville Mayor David Briley to distribute back-to-school supplies to youngsters at the annual Love’s Healthy Start Festival. (Photo by TSU Media Relations)
The seventh annual Love’s Healthy Start Festival, started by State Rep. Harold Love, Jr., took place July 27 in Hadley Park with community partners, parents and vendors, who set up booths and displays with books. The event also included free food, refreshments and live entertainment.
Over
the years, Love has partnered with a number of organizations, including TSU, to
provide hundreds of free backpacks and school supplies, along with educational
information and free health tips.
TSU
President Glenda Glover joined Love, Nashville Mayor David Briley and
volunteers to pass out supplies to students, parents and relatives.
“We
thank Rep. Love for putting this festival together each year to make sure these
students have what they need to be successful academically and in life, ”Dr. Glover said. “We appreciate
him (Love) and all the other leaders for the support they continue to give
this community and TSU.”
President Glover helps staff and volunteers at the TSU stand to give out food safety and health tips to students and parents at Love’s Healthy Start Festival in Hadley Park. (Photo by TSU Media Relations)
Love
said the festival is more than a back-to-school event.
“It is
designed to give the entire family an opportunity to start the school year off
right,” he said. “This is not only an effort to give our students a head-start
for the school year with back packs and supplies, but also to let them know that
they are worthy and mean so much to us. This has been a great partnership with
TSU. I can’t thank Dr. Glover enough for what she has done by showing the kids
the next path for them when they leave high school.”
Shamika Simpson,
along with her husband, Darryl, and their two children – Jaden, 12, and
Deborah, 9 – were among the hundreds who attended the festival.
The seventh annual Love’s Healthy Start Festival attracted more than 400 participants. (Photo by TSU Media Relations)
“I
love this (the festival). I think
it is great when people come together to do something
for the community,” Shamika Simpson said. “Some people can’t afford to do some
of these things, like health screenings,
because there are some kids here who need physicals before they can go back to
school. This is the community coming together to help the community; that’s
perfect.”
In addition to TSU, a number of other area colleges and universities set up displays at the festival, including Meharry Meharry Medical College and Vanderbilt University. Representatives from TSU’s College of Agriculture gave tips on healthy eating and food safety, and provided crops harvested from the university’s farm.
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 launched the first community
“Everyone Can Code and Create” initiative for youth on its Avon
William Campus.
Thirty students from Camp Zion, a summer program at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, participate in “Everyone Can Code and Create” at TSU. (Photo by TSU Media Relations)
The initiative, which debuted July 23, is part of the newly established National Center for Smart Technology Innovations, created through the HBCU C2 Presidential Academy to bring coding and creativity opportunities to students across HBCU campuses, as well as Nashville students.
The exercise was for youth between ages 6 and 14. More than 30 students participating in Camp Zion, a summer program at Mt Zion Baptist Church, attended the workshop.
They
experienced hands-on coding and creativity using iPads, robotic Sphero balls,
and more.
Dr. Nicole Arrighi, professor of teaching and instruction at TSU, instructs middle school students in coding and creativity. (Photo by TSU Media Relations)
Eighth-graders Harmony Kennedy and Devin King were among those who attended. They said the exercises opened their eyes to technology they never knew existed.
“Coding
is really cool,” said Kennedy, from Grassland Middle School in Franklin,
Tennessee, who wants to either be a psychologist, a singer or an actress. “I
like how you program and interact with technology to be able to one day change
the future for good.”
For
King, who wants to be a football player, he thinks coding will be very helpful
in how he manages his career as an athlete.
“It (coding) is something I have been dreaming about,” the Joelton Middle School student said. “This is technology that certainly will help me on my journey in the sports world.”
Summer camp students from Mt. Zion Baptist Church team together to code and create at TSU. (Photo by TSU Media Relations)
On
July 19, TSU launched the HBCU C2 Presidential
Academy, which is supported by tech giant Apple. Leaders of
14 historically black colleges and universities – including Tennessee State –
from across the country went away from the Academy with knowledge and
skills in coding and app development from Apple’s
comprehensive coding curriculum. As part of the initiative, TSU is
also working with Metro Nashville Public Schools, Motlow State Community
College and the Metropolitan Nashville Chapter of the National Coalition of 100
Black Women, Inc. to expand coding opportunities to other students in the
community.
According to Dr. Robbie Melton, TSU’s interim
dean of Graduate and Professional Studies, and the initiative’s main
facilitator, the youth camp is part of “an academy that starts from pre-school
to the work world.”
“So, today we have Mt. Zion, next week we are going over to Hadley Park with their summer camp, and then start with Metro Public Schools, where we will have coding classes in the afternoons and on the weekends,” Melton said. “So, TSU is positioned to create and code everywhere you are with whatever group or population.”
She said the Camp Zion participants went through
a series of
creative activities using garage band and iPads to learn how to code robots,
spheros, drones and other items.
“This
will help them with their reading, writing and all of their school subjects
across the board,” Melton said.
Dr.
Nicole Arrighi, professor in the Department of Teaching and Learning, was among
those who facilitated the youth initiative. Using the Garage Band, an application
for the iPad, she helped the students in one session develop drum beats and
“rap names” for themselves.
“The
exercise gave them (the students) the opportunity to see how they can use their
creativity to use an informal coding,” Arrighi said. “In this particular
setting, the coding is in the layout of actual beats to actually make their own
ring tone.”
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 Ph.D. Counseling Psychology program at Tennessee State University has
been selected for a prestigious award by the American Psychological
Association. Recently reaccredited for another 10 years, the program is to
receive the 2019 Richard M. Suinn Minority Achievement Award presented by the
APA’s Commission on Ethnic Minority Recruitment, Retention and Training.
TSU is one of only two programs to win the award, presented each year to a program that has demonstrated excellence in the recruitment, retention and graduation of ethnic minority students. The TSU Ph.D. Counseling Psychology program, with a current enrollment of 45 students, is also one of only two APA-accredited programs at an HBCU. It was recognized for its dedication to social justice and tackling issues relevant to marginalized groups.
The award will be
presented on August 8 during the APA’s annual convention Awards Reception in
Chicago.
The 2019 graduating class of the psychology program appear with some of their faculty members during the commencement ceremony. (Submitted Photo)
“This recognition
by the American Psychological Association demonstrates the excellence of our
faculty in preparing our candidates to go out there to make an impact on the
profession,” said Dr. Heraldo Richards, interim dean of the College of
Education. “What we see is a program that not only meets all the standards, but
goes the extra mile in making sure that our candidates are able to address the
needs of clients they work with.”
A letter from the
APA announcing the award touted the TSU Ph.D. Counseling Psychology program’s
efforts to prepare and produce culturally competent practitioners of color as
impressive and timely.
“Please note that
the program’s nomination was advanced by your own students,” the letter noted.
“Such action highlights the important and valuable work the program
accomplishes to mentor scholars of color. Clearly, the program’s work and its
dedication to the education and training of psychologists has not gone
unnoticed by your students.”
Dr. Keisa Kelly,
chair of the TSU Department of Psychology, said she is glad for the award and
recognition given the TSU program.
“I am very grateful for the national recognition our
department’s counseling psychology program, students, and faculty have received
for their outstanding commitment to equity, justice, and workforce
diversification,” Kelly said. “My team works hard, makes a difference, and
deserves recognition for their significant and impactful accomplishments in
psychology and society more broadly.”
Linda Ly, a
second-year Ph.D. student from Rosemead, California, nominated the TSU program
for the APA award.
“I was impressed by how the program is able to recruit students from diverse backgrounds, which has really enhanced the learning experience for me,” she said. “I’ve learned so much from my peers and faculty members consistently in discussions about individual and cultural differences throughout the program.”
Dr.
Robin Oatis-Ballew, coordinator of the Ph.D. Counseling Psychology program,
described students in the program as talented, committed to learning, and
deeply interested in serving others.
“As
part of their training, the doctoral counseling psychology students provide mental
health services to Davidson and surrounding counties,” Oatis-Ballew said.
“Often, they are working with underserved communities. They also volunteer
their time to assist migrant, refugee, and homeless peoples, as well
as other groups and organizations who are invested in grassroots community
efforts and social change.”
In addition to the Suinn Award, the APA recently recognized two TSU students for outstanding achievement. Erin Carney, a Ph.D. student, is the APA’s Society for Counseling Psychology (Division 17) Student of the Year, for her outstanding work with individuals at risk for suicide. Gabe Lockett, who is pursuing his master’s degree in counseling psychology, was selected for APA’s Minority Fellowship Program.
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 is among the safest college campuses in the
nation, a new report shows. The National Council for Home Safety and Security,
in its 2019 report of Safest Colleges in America, lists TSU in the Top 8 percent of
colleges with the lowest crime rate.
TSU Crime Prevention Officer Aerin Washington says the Police Department’s Rape Aggressive Defense program aims to help individuals defend themselves in any given situation. (Photo by Emmanuel Freeman, TSU Media Relations)
The report ranked TSU No. 46 of the
490 colleges rated, using law enforcement and FBI data on crime rate and police
adequacy.
“It is extremely important that our students, parents, along with university employees, know they are safe on our campus, and this latest ranking is evident of our commitment to the institution’s public safety,” said TSU President Glenda Glover. “Campus safety is always a priority and this administration will continue to invest in proactive measures that we believe will also continue to yield even better numbers.”
Over the past three years, TSU has committed millions to upgrading campus safety. This includes increase in police workforce, technology, physical enhancements and crime prevention programs. Officials say fencing of the campus is about 75 percent complete, the university has added checkpoints with “internal and hard external security,” as well as access-controlled entrances in many of the buildings.
TSU students participating in the Collegiate Citizens Police Academy train with the Nashville Metro Police Department. The academy is believed to be the first of its kind in the nation. (Photo by John Cross, TSU Media Relations)
According to Dr. Curtis Johnson,
associate vice president and chief of staff, the enhancements are all part of
President Glover’s focus and emphasis on campus safety.
“These are all things Dr. Glover values in terms of the safety of our students, faculty, staff and TSU constituents,” Johnson said. “You are now seeing the results of those investments. TSU is a safer campus by any standard.”
TSU Police Chief Greg Robinson, who recently received a prestigious international campus safety award, said the TSU high safety ranking is the result of being proactive and building strong relationships that allow individuals to come forward with information that is beneficial to crime prevention.
A staff member engages in a simulated attack with an aggressor during a RAD or Rape Aggressive Defense basic self-defense class in the TSU Police Department. (Submitted Photo)
“We plan on doing different things with our shift supervisors and building
liaison roles with each residence hall, as well as adding more educational
classes on prevention with students and the community at large,” Robinson said.
“We will continue to depend on the stewards of our community to help us keep up
the positive momentum.”
In Tennessee, TSU is also rated
“extremely high” among schools that have students living on campus, Robinson
said. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, comparing figures from 2017 to
2018, reports that across Tennessee overall, crime report is down 15 percent.
Robbery offenses are down 50 percent. Sex offenses are down 17 percent. Rape
offenses are down 10 percent.
During
that time, Robinson said, TSU saw major improvement.
“We will enhance and expand our current
efforts that will allow us to sustain and even surpass the decline,” said
Robinson, who received the 2019 International Association of Campus Law
Enforcement Administrators (IACLEA) Award for Administrative Excellence, during
a June ceremony in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
“We have had record numbers in decline, and we want
to keep this downward trend. We also want to keep the crime indicator numbers
low but keep TSUPD visibility high so that our students, faculty, staff, and
even our visitors know that we want to serve them in the greatest capacity.”
In
collaboration with campus police, TSU has also initiated a number of other
programs in campus safety and crime prevention that have yielded measurable
results. The university now has the only co-ed R.A.D., or Rape Aggressive
Defense program. RAD, a self-defense program opened to students, faculty and
staff, emphasizes awareness, prevention, risk reduction and avoidance. The
12-hour class is taught over the course of three days in four-hour sessions.
“You
can’t always depend on law enforcement to be the first line of defense when it
comes to your personal safety,” said Aerin Washington, TSU’s crime prevention
officer. “Having a program like this really empowers our community members, as
well as our students, faculty and staff to take their personal safety in their
own hands. We want to make sure they’re able to defend themselves in any given
situation.”
In
2016, TSU and the Nashville Metro Police Department formed what’s believed to
be the nation’s first Collegiate Citizens Police Academy. Students in the
five-week training program are exposed to various aspects of police work,
including domestic violence investigation, and making split-second decisions.
Graduates of the program make up what’s called Tiger Patrol
and work in shifts to guide fellow students on campus, or alert the police if a
situation warrants it. More than 50 students have participated in the program
since its inception about three years ago.
“Tiger Patrol is a very innovative way of
allowing students to take part in the safety of the campus,” said Frank Stevenson,
associate vice president and dean of students, who is the brainchild of the Collegiate Citizens Police Academy. “Tiger
Patrol has been a tremendous success. It allows peer-to-peer interaction, and
allows us to hear students’ concerns, and provide information on things around
campus that should be brought to the attention of the police department.”
According to Stevenson, many of
the graduates of the Tiger Patrol and Citizens Police Academy program have gone
on to professional careers in different forms of law enforcement.
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.
