USG e-clips for November 1, 2022

University System News:

Albany Herald

PHOTOS: Albany State University Nursing and Health Sciences Center groundbreaking ceremony

Photos by Reginald Christian

The Albany State University Nursing and Health Sciences Simulation Facility will create opportunities to support and enable collaboration with other programs in the region and will include space for simulation labs with low, medium, and high-fidelity manikins, control rooms, observation spaces, related hospital simulation spaces, work areas, and more. On November 30, the school held the groundbreaking ceremony to begin construction on the new building. (NOTE: Photos include Chancellor Sonny Perdue and Regent Bárbara Rivera Holmes).

Columbus CEO

Columbus State’s Schwob Library Improvements Receive University System of Georgia Sustainability Award

Staff Report

During its annual Facilities Officers Conference in November 2022, the University System of Georgia presented Columbus State University with its Sustainability Award in recognition of the renovation project to the Simon Schwob Memorial Library on the university’s Main Campus. In keeping with the university’s core value of sustainability, the library renovation project was recognized as one that “demonstrates a significant impact to the institution and/or system in the areas of historic preservation, energy efficiency, operations, technical innovation, or environmental stewardship.”

Jagwire

Augusta University announces Teaching Excellence Awards

Staff

Augusta University’s Center for Instructional Innovation and the Teaching Excellence Awards review committee have announced the 2022-23 award winners. …According to the Center for Instructional Innovation, the Augusta University Teaching Excellence Awards are designed to recognize the excellence of AU’s educators and educational programs and to select nominees for the University System of Georgia Regents’ Teaching Excellence Awards. Winners will move forward as Augusta University’s nominees for the Board of Regents’ awards.

Albany Herald

Albany area legislative delegation hears from leaders

Alan Mauldin

Barbara Rivera Holmes, president and CEO of the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce (Board of Regents member), speaks with David Sampson, state House representative-elect from District 153, and state Rep. Gerald Greene, a Cuthbert Republican. Democratic state Sen. Freddie Powell Sims also attended the session with various government entities, schools and organizations. The purpose of the Tuesday meeting was to get a feel for the needs of the entities, from Albany State University to the city of Albany, ahead of the 2023 legislative session that begins in January.

Savannah Morning News

Faced with slashing $11 million, Savannah State may cut English, Africana Studies programs

Zoe Nicholson

Looking to close an $11 million budget gap ahead of the next academic year, Savannah State University conducted a sweeping internal review that recommends slashing academic programs including English, history and Africana Studies, not renewing the contracts of several non-tenure faculty members and a campus-wide consolidation of academic programs, according to more than 300 pages of internal documents obtained by the Savannah Morning News. The “Strategic Realignment” at SSU, a Historically Black College and University (HBCU), comes as the university has faced a decade of declining enrollment, which in turn has led to a decline in state funding.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Georgia Tech’s Lunar Flashlight spacecraft team readies for liftoff

By Vanessa McCray

Georgia Tech students and researchers are preparing for the launch of a SpaceX rocket and the big role they’ll play as mission control for an accompanying spacecraft. The team from Georgia Tech will be operating the Lunar Flashlight, a 30-pound spacecraft that will soar into space with the Falcon 9 rocket and ultimately go in search of ice on the moon. The launch had been scheduled for 3:37 a.m. Thursday from Kennedy Space Center in Florida, but Wednesday evening SpaceX announced it was postponing the event. A Georgia Tech spokesman said the school had not yet received information about when the launch would be rescheduled. …Once the launch happens, Georgia Tech team will run operations from their lab in Atlanta that will serve as mission control, according to a news release. The mission, expected to take months, will be staffed by 14 graduate and undergraduate student operators.

WLBB

UWG, Andrew College sign partnership agreement that will streamline pathway for theatre students between two institutions

Leaders from the University of West Georgia and Andrew College recently signed a partnership agreement that will provide a streamlined path for theatre students between the two institutions. …Through the partnership, students who complete the requirements of the Associate of Arts degree in theatre from Andrew College will benefit from a seamless transition into the Bachelor of Arts degree in theatre offered in UWG’s College of Arts, Culture and Scientific Inquiry, decreasing the amount of time it could take to earn their baccalaureate degree.

WTVM

Columbus State University hosts food pantry drive

Video

Columbus State University celebrated the day by showing their gratitude. CSU faculty, staff campaigned co-chairs and fellow cougars set up by the Clock Tower on campus to accept food donations for students who might be experiencing food insecurity and in need.

WTOC

Holiday Helper Tree goes virtual at Georgia Southern

By Dal Cannady

A holiday tradition on Georgia Southern University’s campuses has gone hi-tech to better serve those less fortunate. With Georgia Southern’s 2022 Holiday Helpers Tree winding down, organizers say it’s never been easier to give a gift to those in need. These days, you scan a gift tag with your phone instead of taking the tag to a store. The link takes you to a website with lists of gift ideas for needy people who’re helped by local service agencies. They range from children in foster care to senior citizens in assisted living. Georgia Southern’s Office of Community Engagement made a virtual tree online during the pandemic and kept it there this year.

Augusta CEO

Augusta University Professor Among Newest American Academy of Nursing Inductees

Laura Evans

The College of Nursing’s Executive Associate Dean J. Dwayne Hooks Jr., PhD, has been inducted as a fellow of the American Academy of Nursing. Hooks is among 231 distinguished nurses who were inducted during the academy’s annual health policy conference Oct. 29. Fellows are chosen based on their significant contributions to health and health care. This year’s class represents 35 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and 17 countries. The academy is comprised of nursing leaders who are experts in policy, research, administration, practice and academia and who champion health and wellness locally and globally.

Athens CEO

UGA Music Business Program Hosts Third Artists’ Rights Symposium

Merritt Melancon

Copyright, royalty and contract experts convened at the University of Georgia Terry College of Business on Nov. 15 to discuss the challenges facing authors and songwriters and ways to strengthen intellectual property protections. The series of roundtable discussions — “Know Your Rights: The Future of Authorship and Copyright Office”— was the third Artists’ Rights Symposium convened by the Music Business Program at the Terry College. The symposium attracted a national audience of students and copyright experts in person and online.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

GSU professor gets grant to study how brain processes information

By Alex Anteau

NIH-funded research will explain what happens when the process goes wrong

Georgia State University neuroscience professor Jordan Hamm was recently awarded a $1.93 million research grant from the National Eye Institute at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Hamm and his research partner, Darcy Peterka of Columbia University, are working with mice to better understand how the brain processes information. This has the potential to help scientists develop better treatments for psychiatric conditions like schizophrenia. The study looks at what happens when the brain mis-interprets new information in relation to past experiences.

Deccan Herald

New potential drug target to treat coronary artery disease found

Scientists looked at the building blocks needed to enable the unhealthy response of heart cells

Scientists have uncovered details of a phenomenon that contributes to coronary artery disease, more commonly known as heart disease, an advance that may lead to new drug treatments for fighting heart disease, according to a study. …In a bit of a vicious cycle, stents as well as bypass grafts used to treat coronary artery disease can prompt the same response. Now Medical College of Georgia (MCG) scientists report new insight into how the cells enable this unhealthy growth and a new target to intervene.

yahoo!news

Lydia Tyson returns to ABAC as athletic trainer

Since entering the athletic training profession, Lydia Tyson always had one career move at the top of her wish list. Christmas came early for the Turner County native this fall when she was selected as the Head Athletic Trainer at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College. “For me, it’s the opportunity of a lifetime that I couldn’t pass up,” Tyson said. “I have always had the ABAC job at the top of my list.” When long-time ABAC athletic trainer Donna Sledge told Tyson she was retiring late this summer, Tyson was quick to respond to the job vacancy.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Georgia Tech’s Brent Key makes 3 staff changes, including coordinator Chip Long

By Ken Sugiura

Georgia Tech coach Brent Key did not waste time in making changes to his staff. On his first full day as head coach, Key informed offensive coordinator Chip Long, wide receivers coach Del Alexander and strength-and-conditioning coach Lewis Caralla that they will not be retained. Tech made the announcement in a news release. …Also, a person familiar with the situation said that Key retained quarterbacks coach Chris Weinke. At the same time, all indications are that Key has decided to retain the defensive coaching staff. Tech has made no additional announcement about the coaching staff.

Valdosta Today

Wiregrass announces GOAL Award semi-finalists

Four Wiregrass Georgia Technical College students have been selected as the college’s semi-finalists for the Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership (GOAL), according to Sabrina Cox, coordinator for the Wiregrass GOAL program. …GOAL, a statewide program of the Technical College System of Georgia, honors excellence in academics and leadership among the state’s technical college students. GOAL winners are selected at each of the state’s 22 technical colleges, as well as one Board of Regents college with, technical education division.  GOAL winners from each college will compete in regional judging in February. In April, all college winners will travel to Atlanta where the nine regional finalists, three finalists from each of the three regions, will be announced and compete at the state-level. One student will be named as the statewide GOAL winner. The state GOAL winner becomes the student ambassador for the Technical College System of Georgia and receives the grand prize of a new car.

Savanah Business Journal

DR. ERIC MASON joins Greenbriar Children’s Center as Director of Family and Community Services

Savannah Business Journal Staff Report

Greenbriar Children’s Center, a non-profit in Savannah celebrating over 73 years of providing services to children and families, has announced that Dr. Eric Mason has joined Greenbriar as their Director of Family and Community Services. Dr. Mason holds a Doctorate from St. Thomas Christian College, a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from Grand Canyon University, and a B.S. from Armstrong State University, now known as Georgia Southern University.

The Post Searchlight

First National Bank Announces New Board Member

By Kathryn Crockett

First National Bank recently appointed new member to the First National Bank Board of Directors. Joining the First National Bank Board of Directors is Keenan Adams.   “Our newest Board member embodies the community spirit and brings extensive community business knowledge to the table. We are very fortunate to have Keenan join our team, “ said Brad E. Barber, President & CEO. Keenan Adams is a life-long resident of Bainbridge and Decatur County.  He is a 2011 graduate of Bainbridge High School.  He attended Colorado State University on a football scholarship. Keenan is a 2015 graduate of Georgia Southern University where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management.  Keenan earned his Master of Business Administration from Georgia Southern University in July of this year

Valdosta Daily Times

NexGen Biobanking Opens in Gwinnett County, Bringing Crucial Biospecimen Storage Infrastructure to Georgia’s Life Science Industry

Business Wire

“The Center for Global Health Innovation (CGHI) is thrilled to announce and welcome NexGen Biobanking to Georgia’s fast-growing life science community,” said Edie Stringfellow, Vice President of Ecosystem Development at the Center for Global Health Innovation. “NexGen’s presence in Georgia will help our state become a leader in advancing precision medicine and empowering public and private research to progress more quickly.” Andrew Pazahanick, the Managing Partner of NexGen Biobanking, said, “We are excited about the opportunities for NexGen in the Atlanta area, Georgia, and the Southeast.” …Pazahanick added that “when the Center for Global Health Innovation, based in Atlanta, began coordinating partnerships with the State of Georgia, Georgia Power, Atlanta Metro Chamber of Commerce, Partnership Gwinnett, Georgia Research Alliance, Georgia Board of Regents, the private sector, Transwestern, and many others to innovate scalable solutions for global healthcare, then John and I committed to starting NexGen Biobanking.”

Higher Education News:

Atlanta Business Chronicle

Community colleges scramble to find students amid enrollment crisis

By Hilary Burns  –  Editor, The National Observer: Higher Education Edition,

With 827,000 fewer students since the start of the pandemic, the nation’s community colleges are scrambling to find students. In fact, many two-year public colleges face budget challenges as state funding is typically tied to enrollment volume, said Kai Drekmeier, co-founder and chief development officer of InsideTrack, a nonprofit that helps colleges improve enrollment and retention. “Right now, many of our community colleges across the country are dangerously close to a point where their operating budgets are going to shrink,” Drekmeier said. An analysis by The Business Journals of federal data from The Department of Education found that community college enrollment was on shaky ground heading into the Covid-19 pandemic. Two-year public schools posted average enrollment losses of 1.2% between the fall of 2015 and the fall of 2019. The pandemic exacerbated losses, prompting steep declines across the community college sector as students stepped away from their studies to work full-time or care for family members. Many two-year colleges are now launching campaigns aiming to reverse enrollment losses by reaching out to former students to help them finish degrees or other credentials that can boost their career and personal economic prospects, Drekmeier said.

Higher Ed Dive

Why doesn’t the Education Department collect racial data on college applicants?

A new report calls for gathering deeper information on other admissions factors, too, like institutions’ legacy preferences and early decision programs.

Jeremy Bauer-Wolf, Senior Reporter

An individual writing up a college or university application form with laptop nearby.

In many higher education circles, it’s a foregone conclusion the conservative-tilted U.S. Supreme Court will rule against race-conscious admissions next year, halting the practice for colleges nationwide. Practically, this prohibition would affect a small slice of institutions, as most colleges accept a lion’s share of applicants. But experts do anticipate striking down race-conscious practices would weaken student body diversity on those campuses, and more broadly, college leaders are concerned about the message an adverse ruling would send to historically underrepresented applicants. To combat potential decay of campus diversity, colleges — but also policymakers, education advocates and higher ed associations — will need more information about admissions trends, one researcher argues.

Higher Ed Dive

10 higher ed associations try to tackle confusing financial aid offers — again

Rick Seltzer, Senior Editor

Dive Brief:

A group of 10 higher education associations are creating a task force in a renewed effort to make the financial aid offers that colleges present to students clearer and more consistent. They hope that standardizing the information applicants receive after they are admitted to different colleges will improve the sector’s pricing clarity, accuracy and transparency. The new task force’s chair is Peter McPherson, who recently retired after more than 16 years as president of the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities.

Inside Higher Ed

Opinion

Deficiency Mind-Set Bedevils Developmental Math

Colleges should design pathways to meet students’ different preparation levels and goals rather than foist algebra on everyone in the name of numeracy, Ben Weng writes.

By Ben Weng

Developmental math poses one of the biggest and most immutable challenges in higher education. Interventions to improve student success rates such as corequisite designs, curriculum alignment with high school math and increased support services provide certain levels of improvement but do not address the underlying issue: the student-deficiency mentality common among higher education practitioners. Students sometimes may be underprepared, but we cannot resolve the issue by refusing to teach them until they make up for all their deficiencies. …To help more students complete their college math requirements, higher education must stop using the student-deficiency mentality and start adopting a student-growth mentality. Administrators and faculty members should understand the math needs of different academic programs, acknowledge the reality of the students’ levels of math preparation and find ways to teach them from there. Whenever developmental math is necessary, it should be concise and not be used as a tool to force more algebra on students in the name of improving their general numeracy. This applies not only to math departments but to all the other disciplines that use math as a prerequisite.

Cybersecurity Dive

AWS CEO stresses the core elements of cloud security

Adam Selipsky described security as a prerequisite for organizations to trust cloud infrastructure. And for that, he claimed, AWS is the best in the game.

Matt Kapko, Reporter

Organizations have many reasons to move to the cloud — efficiency, cost control, nimbleness. While security may not top the list, or determine cloud provider selection, it’s an attribute that Amazon Web Services says helps win over prospective customers. The security posture of applications and data that customers run on AWS is “materially better than in their own on-premises infrastructure or any other cloud,” AWS CEO Adam Selipsky said Tuesday during his keynote at AWS re:Invent. “The safety and security, the protection of your data and apps, are prerequisites for the confidence needed for the digital transformation so many companies are undergoing,” Selipsky said.