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Alumni, Featured, NEWS, Uncategorized

Martesha Johnson recalls how TSU inspired her journey to become Chief Public Defender

By Ciara Walker Williams

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – Four years ago, Martesha Johnson made history when she was sworn in as the first African American and second woman to become Nashville’s Metropolitan Chief Public Defender. When Johnson reflects on her journey to that achievement, she credits her beloved Tennessee State University for playing a role in her success.  

Martesha Johnson and TSU President Glenda Glover at Johnson’s swearing-in ceremony for Metropolitan Public Defender in 2018. (TSU Media Relations)

“TSU has always been in the backdrop of my life,” says Johnson. “I couldn’t be from Nashville and not have a love for the school.”

She shares that her mother, Jacqueline Johnson, is a huge football fan, so they would attend games at TSU. That was just the beginning. While at Whites Creek High School, she attended TSU’s Upward Bound program where she recalls staying on campus, attending class, and going on trips to places such as Niagara Falls.

“I would have attended college anyway, but I didn’t enjoy school going into high school,” says Johnson. “The Upward Bound program taught me about being a better student, going to college, and further exposed TSU as a front runner for me.”

Johnson says she applied to several institutions, but TSU rewarded her academic performance with a Presidential Scholarship. She waited to declare a major, but knew she wanted to be a Sophisticated Lady in the distinguished “Aristocrat of Bands,” like the coordinators who coached her high school majorette team.

She started with general education courses and electives to explore her interest in investigative journalism, but a pre-law class taught by attorney Julian Blackshear sparked her interest in law – the rest is history. In addition to Blackshear, Johnson fondly remembers others at TSU who inspired her along her journey – some even before she started.

Martesha Johnson, a “Sophisticated Lady” at TSU. (Submitted photo)

“Before I made it to TSU, I was inspired by Ms. (Mary) Love and Ms. (Rosa) Hudson who were the directors of Upward Bound,” says Johnson. “Also, I can’t forget about Ms. Judy Gentry who was the coordinator of Sophisticated Ladies. She was a tough coach, but she cared and was like a mother to us.”

After graduating in 2005 with a B.S. in Political Science and minor in English, she went on to live out the University’s motto: Think. Work. Serve. Johnson attended the University of Tennessee Knoxville College of Law and was thoughtful about the type of law she wanted to pursue by exploring her options through internships.

“TSU afforded me every opportunity to excel as a student and paved the way for me to attend law school,” says Johnson. “I didn’t know I wanted to go to law school because I wasn’t exposed to lawyers growing up. Attending TSU let me know that I can do anything.”

During her second year of law school, she served as an intern for Nashville’s Metro Public Defender’s Office and knew immediately that this work was her calling.

“If you’re charged with a crime, you’re quickly painted as a criminal. I wanted to work where people are seen as more than that,” says Johnson. “Everyone is worthy of being treated with humanity and dignity, and that’s what I saw lawyers at the Public Defender’s Office doing.”

Jacqueline Johnson (right), Martesha’s mother, graduated from TSU with her master’s as her daughter was graduating with her bachelor’s in 2005. (Submitted photo)

After completing law school, she worked as a volunteer at the Public Defender’s Office until she was hired as Assistant Public Defender in January of 2009. For nearly a decade, Johnson held several leadership positions in the office and represented thousands of low-income people – advocating for them to be seen as more than a criminal. It all led to her running for Chief Public Defender.

“As tough as this job is, I can’t imagine another role for me as a practicing lawyer,” says Johnson about her calling to serve.

Her faith, team, and clients fuel her motivation. “Many clients come in at the worst time of their lives and I have the opportunity to represent them, educate them about their case, and advocate for change,” says Johnson. “Seeing the hardworking people on my team serve as a lawyer for people who can’t afford it otherwise, fight to make changes, and speak out against injustices related to race and mass incarceration inspires me to keep going.”

As she looks forward to a second term, Johnson says her goals as Chief Public Defender have evolved. She’s thankful to have a “seat at the table,” but is more moved by figuring out how to get “meaningful work done,” referring to deep-rooted disparities that need to be changed.

“I want to continue empowering the community to be engaged in important issues, create a pipeline for women and African American lawyers, and ensure that the PDO is well-resourced so that we can hire, empower, and retain more soldiers in the Public Defender’s army,” says Johnson.

Fiance Derrick Moore and Martesha enjoy a TSU game at Nissan Stadium. (Submitted photo)

Her thoughtfulness, work, and service have not gone unnoticed. Since becoming Chief Public Defender, the National Business Journal has recognized her in their 2020 40 Under 40 feature, 2021 Women of Influence, and 2021 Best of the Bar. She was a part of UT’s inaugural 40 Under 40 and recently elected 2022 President for the National Bar Association.

She wears many hats, but always makes time to enjoy her 11-year-old daughter Jacari, two-year-old son Jax, and fiancé, Derrick Moore, who is also a TSU alum and co-founder of Slim and Huskey’s Pizza Beeria.

Johnson hopes that her journey inspires students to walk in excellence and let their light shine. She encourages them to utilize all resources while on campus and connect with alumni in their field upon graduation.

“I believe you can get everything you need from an HBCU,” says Johnson. “The network of HBCU graduates is so immense and anyone who has graduated should open their door and hearts because that’s what we do. That’s why HBCUs are extremely important.” 

Thinking back, she shares a message to her younger self: “Be kind to yourself. You’re in for the hardest, but most rewarding journey ever. If you stay the course, real change can come.”

TSU proudly salutes alumna Attorney Martesha Johnson during Women’s History Month.

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 39 bachelor’s degree programs, 24 master’s degree programs, and eight 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.

Featured, NEWS, Uncategorized

Top students in Leadership TSU program shine on Capitol Hill

By Meagan Gosa

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – Some of Tennessee State University’s top students were recently on Capitol Hill to learn about the legislative process, and how policies and laws are passed.

Leadership TSU students discuss legislation. (TSU Media Relations)

The 38 students were part of Leadership TSU, one of the university’s top-tier leadership programs that exposes students to theoretical and practical lessons through firsthand experiences. The students range from freshmen to seniors and go through a competitive selection process.

The students’ visit to the state Capitol on Feb. 18 was for Policy Day. They participated in a mock legislative session and debated bills on gun issues, criminal justice, and proposals impacting insurance companies.

TSU student Nykole Clark said she enjoyed her visit to the Capitol, and just being part of Leadership TSU in general.

“As a retired Veteran, it’s an honor to be a member of Leadership TSU,” said Clark, a senior business administration major from Clarksville, Tennessee. “This signifies to me that my leadership extends beyond the military. I hope to be challenged in another light beyond what the military has done.”

Freshman Synia Malbrough of Alpharetta, Georgia, said Leadership TSU gives her something to look forward to during her matriculation at the university.

“I’m ready to gain and learn knowledge from various leaders,” said Malbrough, a graphic design major. “I hope to come out of Leadership TSU a better and stronger version of myself, and a greater leader than before.”

Frank Stevenson, dean of students and associate vice president for student affairs at TSU, said students in the program have exceeded his expectations.

“The idea for students to be challenged to think outside the box was part of this policy experience,” he said of their participation in Policy Day. “I’m so proud of the way our students took advantage of this learning opportunity.”

Added Dr. Napoleon Harris, who assisted Stevenson in coordinating the Capitol visit, “As an alumnus of TSU who learned political activism, engagement, and processes in my sojourn as a student here, this experience meant the world to me. Seeing our students discussing policies and dialoguing with legislators is a sight that will indefinitely be etched into my memory.”

Among the lawmakers interacting with students during their visit were State Sen. Brenda Gilmore and Rep. Harold Love, Jr., both TSU alums.

Students interested in being part of Leadership TSU should contact the Office of Student Affairs at https://www.tnstate.edu/campus_life/contact.aspx, or Dean Frank Stevenson, [email protected]. 

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 39 bachelor’s degree programs, 24 master’s degree programs, and eight 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.

FACULTY, Featured, NEWS, Uncategorized

‘Long overdue,’ TSU weighs in on nomination of first Black woman to nation’s highest court

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – When President Joe Biden nominated Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson for the U.S. Supreme Court, for many it was more than just keeping a campaign promise. The historic move, in the eyes of civil rights groups and women’s organizations, is viewed as “long overdue.” 

President Glenda Glover

Biden nominated Jackson on Feb. 25. If confirmed, she would not only be the first African-American woman, but also the third Black justice and sixth woman to serve on the nation’s highest court. 

Tennessee State University President Glenda Glover, who also serves as vice chair of the President’s Board of Advisors on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), explains the nomination has been a longtime coming considering the contributions of Black women to the success of the country and their influence on the judicial system in general. 

“It was 55 years ago in 1967 that Justice Thurgood Marshall — the first African American — was appointed to the nation’s high court and 40 years ago in 1981 when Justice Sandra Day O’Connor — the first woman ― was appointed to the Supreme Court.  Rather than a long time coming, for many, this appointment is a long time overdue,” says Dr. Glover.

Brianna Lang

“There are countless Black women in the legal field who have distinguished themselves as brilliant jurists, fierce advocates, and venerable legal scholars who have made tremendous sacrifices to shape the laws of the land and help secure justice for all.”

Junior Brianna Lang is a political science major at Tennessee State University. The Atlanta native says she’s looking forward to seeing someone on the Supreme Court who looks like her.

“Since I was a kid, I have been interested in becoming a lawyer, or a judge,” says Lang. “So, seeing someone who looks like me, doing something that I want to do, just lets me know to keep going and stay motivated. And that anything is possible.”

Tiara Thomas

Tiara Thomas, a senior majoring in political science from Olive Branch, Mississippi, says she’s glad to see the Biden administration continue the cycle of “breaking glass ceilings,” referring to Vice President Kamala Harris as the first Black woman to hold that position in the White House.

“The appointment of the first African American woman as a Supreme Court justice will be a great step toward placing public trust back into our judicial system,” says Thomas, who serves as the student trustee on TSU’s Board of Trustees. “Little girls everywhere will see her and dream, one day, to be her.“

Since 1790, there have been 115 Supreme Court justices. The confirmation of Jackson would also for the first time in history seat four women and two Black justices on the High Court. Judge Clarence Thomas is the current seated African American judge.

Dr. Samantha Morgan-Curtis

Dr. Samantha Morgan-Curtis, interim dean of the College of Liberal Arts at TSU and a Women’s Studies faculty member, says she’s also looking forward to the inspiration Jackson will provide young people aspiring to go into the legal or judicial field.

“I have had the privilege of working with many TSU students who have gone on to become successful attorneys,” says Morgan-Curtis. “I am eagerly awaiting the first one to become a judge. If confirmed, Judge Jackson opens up for all of those women in college to dream of even greater possibilities.”

TSU History Professor Learotha Williams says Jackson’s nomination helps to rectify a history of Black women being overlooked for positions for which they are qualified.

Dr. Learotha Williams

“These ladies have to be fearless because they’re working within a framework that’s still in many regards racist and sexist,” says Dr. Williams. “For their whole existence, Black women have been judged. Laws have been made that impacted them. But they’ve never been at the top where they could interpret the laws. Judge Jackson may soon change that.”  

Jackson is expected to be confirmed before the Senate recesses in April, and she could be sworn in by early July. She would replace the retiring liberal Justice Stephen Breyer. The Supreme Court currently has a 6-3 conservative majority. 

For information about Women’s Studies in TSU’s College of Liberal Arts, visit https://www.tnstate.edu/cla/programs/womensstudies.aspx.

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 39 bachelor’s degree programs, 24 master’s degree programs, and eight 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.

Civil Right Movement, FACULTY, Featured, NEWS, Uncategorized

TSU professor, Apple creating app to highlight Nashville’s civil rights history

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – For more than a decade, Tennessee State University history professor Learotha Williams has worked to highlight those unsung heroes of the civil rights movement in North Nashville. Now, with the help of Apple, Inc. and TSU’s National Center for SMART Technology Innovations, Dr. Williams is creating an app to do just that, and more.

Dr. Learotha Williams

When completed, the app will guide people on a walking tour of key landmarks in the movement, including the cafeteria (now called Elliott Hall) where TSU students were recruited for activism. Along the way, people will be able to hear interviews Williams conducted with civil rights luminaries through his North Nashville Heritage Project, which collects historical information about that part of the city.

“I want to highlight some voices I feel have been marginalized,” says Williams, who is often sought nationally for his historical perspective. “I feel that we don’t get the credit we deserve in terms of the Nashville movement. I will be sharing things that may have been overlooked, or people just didn’t talk about.”

Jasmine Sears, a junior history major from Atlanta with a concentration in teaching, is assisting Williams with historical research for the app. She says she’s excited about the reach the device will provide.

“I think it will serve as a good educational tool for people who can’t sit in the classroom and learn about Nashville and its impact in the civil rights movement,” says Sears. “More people will have access to this information.”

Johnathan Glover, another history major from Atlanta, is also helping Williams with research for the app.

Jasmine Sears

“An app like this is important because not many people know the history of this community around TSU,” says Glover, who is minoring in geography. “And, point blank, people should know their history.”

John Lewis, James Lawson, Bernard Lafayette, and Diane Nash are well known names in the civil rights movement in Nashville. But there are others, like TSU alums Gloria McKissack, Elizabeth McClain, Ernest “Rip” Patton, and Kwame Lillard, who don’t receive the attention they deserve.

“If you can imagine being in a church that’s full of people fired up for the civil rights movement, I want to talk to the people on the back pew,” adds Williams. “The people whose presence was necessary, but oftentimes overlooked.”

Dr. Robin Blackman is senior program executive director for the HBCU C2 Initiative, which is part of the National Center for SMART Technology Innovations. She says the idea of the app stemmed from a conversation she had with Williams about his North Nashville Heritage Project.

“As we talked, I realized it was a great idea for the creation of an app by the Tennessee State University Inaugural HBCU C2 App Development Team,” says Blackman.

The team is a component of the HBCU C2 Grant Initiative, which is a partnership between TSU and Apple. TSU serves as the HBCU C2 national hub for training educators and preparing students by providing multiple pathways and opportunities to acquire essential digital literacies and technological skills of coding and creativity. 

Johnathan Glover

“The selection of the app was easy, given the mutual interest in history surrounding Tennessee State University and the focus of the research to highlight the impact of African American students, people, businesses, and the North Nashville Community on the struggle for civil rights,” says Blackman. “The app will provide a contemporary virtual, historical portrait of the significance and roles of the actors that influenced the life we currently live.”

Marc Aupont, an iOS Engineer with HBCU C2, is leading development of the app, and says he’s looking forward to “celebrating the rich history of North Nashville.”

“If we do our job correctly, we will inform, as well as celebrate, those folks that people may have not known before,” says Aupont. “And give North Nashville their due props.”

Dr. Robbie Melton, vice president of the SMART Technology Center and principal investigator for HBCU C2, says she plans to welcome 12 new historically black colleges and universities to the initiative in general.

“Our goal is to expand HBCU C2 to all our 106 HBCU Institutions,” says Melton. “This initiative is not just about coding, but empowering our HBCUs with the knowledge of digital literacy and technological skills required for today’s digital workplace and for tomorrow’s future technology innovations.”

The app is expected to be completed by May of this year.

To learn more about TSU’s National Center for SMART Technology Innovations, visit https://www.tnstate.edu/hbcuc2/index.html.

For more about the North Nashville Heritage Project, visit https://www.tnstate.edu/nnhp/.

Note: Featured graphic created by Donn Jobe in TSU’s Creative Services

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 39 bachelor’s degree programs, 24 master’s degree programs, and eight 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.

Alumni, EVENTS, FACULTY, Featured, NEWS, Uncategorized

U.S. Secretary of Education applauds TSU for efforts to bridge teacher shortage during visit

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – U.S. Secretary of Education, Dr. Miguel Cardona, hosted a roundtable discussion at Tennessee State University on Friday, Feb. 18, to address teacher shortages and other educational needs. The highlight of the conversation was TSU’s Grow Your Own teacher pipeline initiative in the College of Education. TSU is the number one HBCU for producing teachers and a top institution in the field across the nation. 

TSU President Glenda Glover (2nd from left in front) with U.S. Under Education Secretary James Kvaal (left) and U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona with student leadership. (photo by Aaron Grayson, TSU Media Relations)

TSU graduate and undergraduate students from the Grow Your Own program, faculty and local educational leaders participated in the dialog that allowed them to talk openly about issues impacting their lives and work environment, including diversity and the pandemic.

“This has been so amazing to have the Secretary of Education visit the campus of TSU and have such engaging discussions with our faculty and students,” said TSU President Glenda Glover. “TSU has a proud legacy of producing quality teachers who are committed to the profession and for providing them the tools to succeed, ultimately resulting in student success. We are glad to share the success and impact of our Grow Your Own program with Secretary Cardona and look forward to his next visit.”

Dr. Jerri Haynes, dean of the College of Education, speaks during roundtable discussion. (photo by Aaron Grayson)

“I’m really proud of what I see here,” Cardona told reporters after the event. “We want to see more of this across the country. We know that with the American Rescue Plan funds, and what we’re pushing with Build Back Better, there’s going to be more support for this. It takes seeing programs like this to keep us pushing really hard because we know they work.”

Cardona said TSU is “not only a place where you’re going to see great programs … but you’re going to see an environment that’s welcoming and nurturing to all students.”

Currently, TSU has more than 50 participants in its GYO programs. Tanisha Morrow, a paraprofessional at a local Nashville high school, is among them, and she’s thankful. 

“This is paving the way for me to obtain a master’s degree in special education, and also allows me to get an endorsement in ESL,” said Morrow, who participated in the roundtable. “But more than anything, I’ll be able to better serve kids in our community. That’s important to me because our classrooms are so diverse. I need to be able to reach all learners.”

GYO participant Tanisha Morrow address roundtable. (photo by Aaron Grayson)

Education officials say initiatives like GYO are necessary to address teacher shortages, which have been exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of education job openings overall surged by nearly 75 percent this fall compared to the same period last year. And teacher shortages, in particular, are expected to linger when the pandemic wanes, experts say. 

However, TSU and its Grow Your Own initiative is doing its part to make sure school districts are supplied with enough qualified teachers, said Dr. Jerri Haynes, dean of TSU’s College of Education.

“Some schools are starting without teachers, some have interim subs,” said Haynes, who was part of the roundtable. “So, we want to make sure that all students get a fair chance at the beginning of school with a highly qualified teacher in their classroom.”

Junior Tre’veon Hayes, an elementary school major from Memphis, Tennessee, said the visit by the Education Secretary and what he heard about programs like Grow Your Own, were motivational.

TSU junior Tre’veon Hayes, an elementary school major, talks to reporters following the event. (photo by Aaron Grayson)

“I like where we’re heading with the education vision,” said Hayes, a roundtable participant. “I believe we have a strong plan to really encourage more students to get involved in education.”

Dr. Adrienne Battle, director of Metro Nashville Public Schools and a TSU alumna, was also part of the roundtable, and she too, liked what she heard.

“It takes these types of conversations to make things happen,” said Battle. “I commend all of you for what you do.”

U.S. Under Secretary of Education James Kvaal was also a part of the visit to TSU. To learn more about TSU’s College of Education, visit https://www.tnstate.edu/coe/.

For more information about the state’s Grow Your Own initiative, visit https://bit.ly/36oIgKN.

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 39 bachelor’s degree programs, 24 master’s degree programs, and eight 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.

EVENTS, Featured, NEWS, Uncategorized

TSU hosts African American Read-In event, highlighting writers and the Black experience

By Meagan Gosa

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – Tennessee State University celebrated African American literature and literacy during the African American Read-In virtual event on Feb. 11.  As part of Black History Month, the Languages, Literature, and Philosophy Department in the College of Liberal Arts hosted the read-in, with the theme of “Self-discovery.” 

The National African American Read-In (AARI) is the nation’s first and oldest event dedicated to diversity in literature and encourages communities to read together, centering around African American books and authors. It was established in 1990 by the Black Caucus of the National Council of Teachers of English to make literacy a significant part of Black History Month.  

Dr. Zeba Khan-Thomas, an assistant professor of English, was the main organizer of the TSU event.  Dr. Khan-Thomas said that the theme “self-discovery” is appropriate to for empowering participants to learn more about themselves through self-care practices, creative expressions, literary engagement, and community solidarity. 

“We want to focus on what we are doing to remain in tune with ourselves, heal ourselves, and cope on a regular basis,” said Khan-Thomas.  “Our main objective is to explore how can we use our creative mediums and be writers of the African American literary canon. Most importantly, provide some of that motivation or inspiration for us.” 

Communities nationwide, including schools, churches, libraries, bookstores, and professional organizations are urged to host an African American Read-In event.

“Being able to share ideas and our thoughts, it shows other people our experiences, what we’ve gone through, and who we are despite challenges we face,” said Jasmine Sears, a history major, with a concentration in teaching, from Atlanta.  The junior added, “read-ins like the one TSU hosted are important because they provide knowledge about black excellence and showcase creativity of black thought. I think oftentimes that aspect of who we are as a people is diminished.”

Khan-Thomas said the readings started with negro spirituals from the 18th century, then moved into periods of the 70s, 80s, 90s, and early 2000s.  

To learn more about TSU’s Languages, Literature, and Philosophy Department, visit https://www.tnstate.edu/llp/.

For more information about the African American Read-In, visit https://bit.ly/34N3oJO. 

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 39 bachelor’s degree programs, 24 master’s degree programs, and eight 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.

Featured, NEWS, Uncategorized

TSU making the mental well-being of its students a priority with additional programs

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – As the nation deals with an increasing number of mental health issues, Tennessee State University is providing resources to address the mental well-being of its students, especially amid the pandemic.  

Dr. Richard Garvin

Incidents of suicide, or extreme bouts of depression and anxiety, have consistently made headlines across the country. Recent national statistics show 44 percent of college students reported having symptoms of depression and anxiety. Thirty percent of students reported feeling depressed in the past year, mainly because of the coronavirus that has impacted just about everyone in one way or another over the last two years.  

Most colleges and universities have returned to in-person classes. But before that, students learned remotely, the majority at home. In some cases, says Dr. Richard Garvin, assistant professor of psychology at TSU, students had to stay in abusive environments, where campus living may have provided an escape.  

“Let’s just assume the worse in that they’ve been living with an emotional or physical abuser,” says Garvin. “And they used to go to class as their way out. But now, they’re at home for 17 months. So that trauma kind of compounded itself.” 

Garvin says the scarring that may have resulted from such an environment is why mental health programs like the ones offered through the University Counseling Center are so important.  

Junior Darius Boyd says he is appreciative of the mental health programs TSU offers because he has peers in need of help. He says the pandemic continues to affect their lives, such as students struggling to raise grades that fell because COVID-19 forced them to learn remotely instead of in-person.   

Frank Stevenson, associate vice president for student affairs and dean of students

“It’s unbelievable how many students are affected by depression, especially during the pandemic,” says Boyd, a business information systems major from Memphis, Tennessee. “People’s lives have been shaken, including mine.” 

Programs offered through the Counseling Center include:  

  • Individual counseling and psychological services support 
  • “Let’s Talk,” which consists of virtual drop-in hours three times a week for a brief (approximately 30 minutes), informal, friendly, no-cost consultation visit.  
  •  Crisis support and intervention 
  • Psychological Assessment and Evaluation 
  •  Training opportunities 
  • Campus outreach and consultation services 

 “TSU is committed to the well-being of our students and their mental health is our top priority,” says Frank Stevenson, associate vice president for student affairs and dean of students. “The stress from the pandemic has created an uptick in the use of services, thus we have increased resources by serving our students in new and innovative ways. “ 

The Center also offers consultation with faculty and staff regarding student well-being and outreach presentations. Additionally, TSU has partnered with MyURGENCYMD telehealth services powered by TSU to support students when the Center has limited appointment availability or for after-hours support.  

For more information about TSU’s Counseling Center, visit https://www.tnstate.edu/counseling/. 

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 39 bachelor’s degree programs, 24 master’s degree programs, and eight 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.

EVENTS, Featured, NEWS, Uncategorized

FedEx and TSU participate in bell ringing at NYSE, highlighting new HBCU program

Nashville, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – Tennessee State University was on Wall Street. TSU President Glenda Glover and one of the school’s top students joined FedEx Corporation to ring the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange on Feb. 1. The ceremonial event served as an announcement for the FedEx HBCU Student Ambassador program.

TSU President Glenda Glover and FedEx HBCU student ambassador Shaun Wimberly, Jr. (Submitted photo)

President Glover and sophomore Shaun Wimberly, Jr. were joined by presidents and student ambassadors from seven other historically black colleges and universities that FedEx is currently supporting through a $5 million grant announced last year.

“This is great exposure for Tennessee State University as we join FedEx Corporation for the ceremonial ringing of the bell at the New York Stock Exchange,” said TSU President Glenda Glover.

“The FedEx leadership continues to show its commitment to TSU and HBCUs through financial support, internships, along with career and development opportunities. Our invitation to be a part of the closing bell on one of the largest financial stages in the world and the HBCU Student Ambassador program is evidence of that commitment.”

Wimberly, an agricultural business major from Louisville, Kentucky, said the trip was ideal for his career path and he was elated to be a part of the closing bell ceremony.

“I’m thankful for being selected by FedEx to represent my HBCU TSU, a place that is molding me to be my best self and providing opportunities like this,” said Wimberly.

“This is an exciting, once-in-a-lifetime experience and it’s happening because of a great corporate partnership between the University and FedEx that is truly investing in students. I’m proof of that.”

Wimberly is one of two students who represented TSU in the FedEx HBCU Student Ambassador program. The other student was sophomore Breana Jefferson of Madison, Alabama.

The HBCU Student Ambassador program aims to provide empowerment, engagement, and education for students; and resources that will hopefully offer them an edge as they prepare to enter the workforce after college.

Antoinette Duke, director of TSU’s Career Development Center, said she’s proud to have TSU students participate in the FedEx program.

“The career development center is so excited to have two of our top scholars represent TSU as ambassadors for FedEx,” said Duke. “These students understand the value of representation.”

TSU sophomore Shaun Wimberly, Jr. (2nd from left) and student ambassadors from other HBCUs. (Submitted photo)

The program will officially kick off in March, with the first cohort of students who will participate in virtual and hybrid meetings. The intent is to introduce a new cohort each year, to align with FedEx’s five-year commitment to HBCUs.

Students for the program were selected based on their career interests in various areas, including e-commerce, sustainability, IT/tech, logistics, marketing communications, sales, data/analytics, operations, and more. The first cohort of student participants will help set the direction for upcoming FedEx Ambassador programs, such as career pathways initiatives, HBCU leadership institutes, and student forums/think tanks.

“We’re preparing tomorrow’s leaders, and the students we reach through this program will gain valuable practical experience that will help prepare them to enter the workforce,” said Judy Edge, corporate vice president for human resources at FedEx. “It will also help us to continue to bring diverse talent into our pipeline at FedEx.”

The FedEx Corporation has had a long partnership with HBCUs. Since the early 2000s, the company has played a vital role in cultivating the next generation of leaders from these institutions.

Last year, NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin unveiled a special HBCU paint scheme featured on his #11 FedEx Toyota during last year’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Daytona that included school logos of TSU and three other HBCUs.

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 39 bachelor’s degree programs, 24 master’s degree programs, and eight 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.

FACULTY, Featured, NEWS, Uncategorized

TSU economist says inflation is here for the long haul

Nashville, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – A Tennessee State University economist says inflation is not going away anytime soon and is poised to be the top economic challenge this year.

Dr. Achintya Ray

Since December 2021, the inflation rate rose to 7 percent, the highest in 40 years. A stronger consumer demand, continuing supply chain issues, and the emergence of the coronavirus omicron variant, continue to plague the economy, making it increasingly tough for working-class citizens to make ends meet.

Recently, U.S. President Joe Biden held a meeting with White House officials to discuss the administration’s plan for combating rising prices as inflation continues to surge throughout the U.S. He talked about steps the administration has taken to increase consumer choice and scrutinize what he called “mega mergers” that reduce competition. 

“The inflationary situation is extremely worrisome,” says Dr. Achintya Ray, an economics professor in the College of Business at Tennessee State University. “Furthermore, the inflationary pressures are likely to be here for a considerable period of time unless an intervening market crash or recession brings about deflationary pressures.”

In July, the president signed an executive order aimed at increasing competition by cracking down on larger firms in industries that the administration sees as too “consolidated.”

Dr. Ray says there is no reason to panic but the American people should be very cautious about what lies ahead.

“Rising inflation, rising public debt, declining employment to population ratio, declining consumer sentiment, unsustainably low tax base, steep increase in inflation causing money supply, rapid decline in blue chip stocks, worrisome unsustainable increase in house prices, all point to enhanced probabilities of a recession,” says Ray.

Here are some figures Dr. Ray cited on the state of the economy:

  • The producer price index has increased nearly 21 percent between January 2020 and December 2021.
  • Public debt in America is now about 23 percent bigger than the country’s gross domestic product (GDP), which is the total monetary or market value of all the finished goods and services produced within a country’s borders in a specific time period.
  • The American tax base may be reaching a breaking point, with more than 100 million U.S. households, or 61 percent of all taxpayers, paying no federal income taxes last year.
  • Median house prices have increased by nearly 26 percent between March 2020 and November 2021. Such a steep increase may be unsustainable over the long run. Discussions about a 2008-09 style housing market crash are increasing.

To learn more about TSU’s College of Business, visit https://www.tnstate.edu/business/.

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 39 bachelor’s degree programs, 24 master’s degree programs, and eight 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.

Alumni, FACULTY, Featured, NEWS, Uncategorized

TSU a priority for TN lawmakers, as Gov. Lee proposes funding in State of the State Address

By Kelli Sharpe

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – Governor Bill Lee presented a budget proposal that would enhance the growth and development of Tennessee State University during his State of the State address on Jan. 31.

TSU President Glenda Glover

The Governor is proposing that the University receive $60 million for a new engineering building, and $250 million for strategic initiatives. This would include infrastructure improvements, repairs, renovations of multiple buildings, as well as planning, design, and out year construction. It also includes a new library and new food science building. Another $8 million is included for building maintenance. This is the largest funding recommendation in the University’s 110-year history. It will be up to lawmakers to deliver on Lee’s budget recommendation.  

“We are pleased that Governor Bill Lee made Tennessee State University a priority in his budget,” says TSU President Glenda Glover. “Governor Lee has taken a crucial step in highlighting the State’s commitment to our infrastructure needs, but more importantly to our students. His budget recommendation will enhance TSU, directly benefiting our faculty, staff, students, and all Tennesseans. This is a historic moment for TSU and our legacy. I am hopeful that lawmakers will help us build upon that legacy and be a part of it.”  

Rep. Harold Love, Jr., also a TSU alumnus, agrees that Governor Lee’s proposal is important to the competitive growth of the university. “I appreciate the governor including in his budget proposal to the legislature a significant investment in the infrastructure of Tennessee State University’s campus,” says Love. “Now the work begins to keep it in the budget and get the budget passed.”  

Rep. Harold Love, Jr.

The Governor also is proposing $90 million to fully fund the outcomes-based funding formula which will benefit each of the State’s 4-year public universities.

Dr. Glover adds that the administration will bring forth a bill for lawmakers to consider that will increase the Hope Scholarship dollars to $5,100 per year for all four years at TSU. This is a much-needed increase over the current $3,500 for years one and two, and $4,500 for years three and four.

Glover is optimistic Governor Lee’s plans for TSU will come to fruition with lawmakers passing his funding bill. She and key administrators will continue working with lawmakers to try to make that happen. The legislative session could end as early as April.  

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 39 bachelor’s degree programs, 24 master’s degree programs, and eight 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.