The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Georgia House approves midyear budget with massive road, infrastructure spending
By James Salzer
The Georgia House on Wednesday backed a midyear budget that includes massive spending on road building, college facilities and other infrastructure projects. The House backed most of the spending hikes Gov. Brian Kemp proposed in January, approving a plan that would add $5 billion in new state spending during fiscal 2024 — which ends June 30. The House passed the budget 161-2, and it now moves to the Senate, which is expected to move quickly on the proposal. …The budget includes a range of major infrastructure and education projects, including a new medical school at the University of Georgia, a new dental school at Georgia Southern University, large-scale computer system upgrades, more money for sewer improvements and massive spending on road construction. The state would spend an additional $1.5 billion alone on road building and maintenance.
WGAU Radio
UNG students take part in Model UN program
By Clark Leonard, UNG
The University of North Georgia (UNG) had multiple students from its Dahlonega and Gainesville Model United Nations (UN) teams contribute a strong performance at the Southeast Regional Model United Nations conference in Atlanta in November. …Blankenship, a December graduate from Dalton, Georgia, with a degree in political science with a pre-law concentration, said the Model UN class and club spurred growth for her. It was also valuable experience in preparing her to be a student speaker at commencement in December.
WGAU Radio
Chick-Fil-A helps fund UGA’s Youth Lead Georgia program
By Tim Bryant
Chick-Fil-A gives $1.5 million to the University of Georgia and its Fanning Institute to support UGA’s Youth LEAD Georgia program. The University says 30 high school students from 29 counties across the state are taking part.
From Charlie Bauder, UGA Media Relations…
Thirty high school students from across Georgia are developing leadership skills and building knowledge about the state through a statewide youth leadership program at the University of Georgia. The 10th and 11th graders from 29 counties, selected from more than 300 nominations, are participating in Youth LEAD Georgia.
13WMAZ
Fort Valley State and Morehouse School of Medicine team up for local health fair
They had all day free health screenings, seminars on health issues, and medical testing.
Author: 13WMAZ Staff
Fort Valley State and Morehouse School of Medicine teamed up on Saturday for a local health fair. The purpose being to offer a free local health fair for central Georgia residents. The event took place at the C.W. Pettigrew center on the campus of Fort Valley State. There were also free seminars designed to educate people in the community about taking care of their health. …Morehouse and Fort Valley plan to work on future health screening events at HBCU’s across central and south Georgia.
AllOnGeorgia
Georgia Southern University’s future commencement ceremonies will be more True Blue than ever as graduates cross the stage in newly designed custom commencement regalia. For the first time in the University’s history, graduates participating in commencement ceremonies will now wear custom-designed blue regalia. Each gown features embroidered University seals on the front, with slight variations of design elements for master’s, education specialist and doctoral degree levels. In addition to aesthetic considerations, functionality played a crucial role in the regalia redesign process.
Middle Georgia CEO
Georgia Leaders Selected for 2024 GeorgiaForward Young Gamechangers Cohort
Staff Report
GeorgiaForward has selected 45 promising professionals to serve the organization’s 2024 Young Gamechangers (YG) program. YG is a unique leadership action program hosted by GeorgiaForward, a non-profit organization administrated by the Georgia Municipal Association. Young Gamechangers brings professionals from across the state to work on the persistent challenges of one Georgia community. …Valdosta leaders have finalized their four “Challenge Questions”… These questions focus on economic development, green infrastructure, corridor redevelopment, and community togetherness. …The 2024 cohort of Gamechangers will meet for the first time in the City of Valdosta on April 24th, and their work will culminate with a community presentation of their findings and recommendations on Thursday, October 10th. …A third of the class is from the Valdosta-Lowndes County area, another third is from the metro Atlanta region, and the remaining third are from greater Georgia. …Valdosta State University … University of Georgia …Carl Vinson Institute of Government …Medical College of Georgia Foundation …Fort Valley State University.
Business Times Journal
USDA Announces 2024 Agricultural Export Market Challenge Participants
Students from 19 Minority-Serving Institutions will Experience Work in the Field of Global Agricultural Trade and Learn about Related USDA Careers
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small today announced the selection of 19 minority-serving educational institutions to take part in the 2024 USDA Agricultural Export Market Challenge. …The teams who will compete in the 2024 Spring Semester of the Challenge hail from the following minority-serving institutions: …Fort Valley State University, Fort Valley, Ga. During the five-week Challenge, teams of students develop and present a market entry strategy for a fictitious American company seeking sales opportunities for a U.S. food or agricultural product in an overseas market. The team that completes and wins the Challenge receives an opportunity to meet with USDA leaders in Washington, D.C.
Culpepper Star-Exponent
What’s the impact of teacher experience on student success across the US?
The focus on improving student achievements during an era of teacher shortages may place greater emphasis on teacher experience. …Teacher experience and student success
There’s a positive correlation between the length of a teacher’s career and the outcomes of their students, but what drives this? One possibility is the level of exposure a teacher had to effective professional development opportunities. That is, the longer a teacher teaches, the more professional development they will experience. Education Week defines professional development for teachers as “any kind of ongoing learning opportunity for teachers and other education personnel.” A report from Inside Higher Ed explored a study conducted by the Association of College and University Educators. This study involved over 570 members from 10 institutions who participated in a professional development course on effective teaching practices. These institutions include California State University, Northridge; the University of Hawai’i at Manoa, Georgia Southern University, and the University of Houston.
Southeast AgNet Radio Network
UGA Extension Peanut Agronomist: Focus on Seed Quality, Weather Ahead of Planting Season
By Clint Thompson
The Georgia Peanut Commission and University of Georgia (UGA) Peanut Team advise Georgia peanut producers planning for the 2024 season not to base their decision making on what happened in 2023. Scott Monfort, UGA Extension peanut agronomist, believes last season was an anomaly, a confluence of events that’s not likely to happen again.
Specialty Crop Grower
Pruning’s Importance for Grape Producers
By Clint Thompson
It is time for an important management practice for grape producers in the Southeast. Sarah Lowder, University of Georgia viticulture Extension specialist, discussed the importance of pruning and what strategies growers should consider when managing their vines.
GPB
Preventative action is needed now to reduce Georgians’ risk of disease in the future
By: Ellen Eldridge
A new report from Augusta University shows more and younger people have hypertension, high cholesterol, obesity and diabetes, especially in rural parts of the South. The annual Healthy Georgians report stimulates conversations about public health needs and encourages greater community engagement. Biplab Datta, with the Institute of Public and Preventive Health at Augusta University, thinks policymakers should focus on how to improve cardio-metabolic conditions, particularly in younger populations, so the state can lower its burden of cardiovascular diseases 10 to 20 years in the future.
Futurity
Cutting homelessness could reduce opioid overdose deaths
Posted by Leigh Beeson-U. Georgia
The study, published in the journal Health Affairs, is the first to suggest that increased homelessness likely causes increased overdose deaths from drugs and alcohol. The researchers also found that reducing homelessness by a quarter could save 850 lives from alcohol poisoning and 540 from cocaine overdoses. (Due to the nature of addiction, some of these lost lives may overlap.) “One of the frustrations for people who study and recommend policy changes is that homelessness and the opioid crisis are persistent,” says coauthor David Bradford, a professor in the School of Public and International Affairs at the University of Georgia. “Our study shows that there is a causal effect. Homelessness is making the opioid crisis worse.” However, strengthening social safety nets and increasing housing security could help curb growing deaths from drug and alcohol poisoning.
Real Health Magazine
Men’s Health Crowned This HIV Advocate “The 2024 Ultimate Guy”
Leo Moore’s guiding mantra, “Plus 1% every day,” inspires self-improvement and advocacy for those affected by HIV.
By Laura Schmidt
In its annual search for the fittest, most driven men in the country, Men’s Health magazine crowned Leo Moore, MD, a doctor committed to reducing HIV stigma, the Ultimate Guy for 2024. Out of hundreds of men who entered this year’s Ultimate Men’s Health Guy contest, Moore, 38, earned the title because of his resilience, positive mindset and passion for fighting against health inequities in underserved communities. An internal medicine doctor, Moore specializes in HIV medicine and the prevention of sexually transmitted infections, or STIs. …Moore helped launch the first World AIDS Day celebration at his undergraduate alma mater, Columbus State University in Georgia, and brought free HIV testing to the campus.
Savannah CEO
Islands High Teacher Emily Graham Named SCCPSS 2025 Teacher of the Year at Annual Gala
The annual Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools Teacher of the Year Gala was held Friday, February 2, 2024, at the Marriott Savannah Riverfront. Fifty-seven teachers were honored from nearly every school in the District and Emily Graham of Islands High School was named the 2025 Teacher of the Year. Emily Graham grew up in Savannah and attended Columbus State University, earning her Bachelor of Music in Music Education followed by her Master of Music in Music Education.
The City Menus
‘Why Not Win?’: Speaker Larry Thornton visits UWG to celebrate black history in business
by Abby Grizzard
The University of West Georgia’s Richards College of Business commenced Black History Month last week by celebrating Black history in business with a luncheon featuring guest speaker Larry Thornton. Thornton, an artist, entrepreneur and author of the book “Why Not Win?,” captivated the audience with his insights into overcoming adversity and achieving excellence in the face of challenges. His journey from a childhood in segregated Montgomery, Alabama, to becoming the president and owner of Thornton Enterprises Inc. and the first Black franchisee of a McDonald’s location in Birmingham resonated deeply with the audience.
The Tifton Gazette
Melton-Montgomery to speak at Shiloh for Black History Month
From Staff Reports
Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, Tifton’s oldest predominately black congregation, will feature Precious Montgomery-Melton as the keynote speaker for its annual Black History Month program. A native of Tifton, Montgomery-Melton will speak during the church’s morning worship service on Sunday, Feb. 18 at 11 a.m. …The national theme for Black history celebrations this year is “African Americans and the Arts.” …Melton-Montgomery was a 2018 honor graduate at Valdosta State University, where she majored in Early Childhood Education. …Melton-Montgomery is currently enrolled in a master’s of education program at Georgia Southern University.
Air Force Material Command
Robins Center of Automation saves hours of labor through roadshow
By C Arce
The Robins Center of Automation office under the 78th Air Base Wing Communications Directorate, here, hosted its second automation Roadshow at the Middle Georgia State University-Warner Robins Campus on Jan. 23 to 26, 2024. The four-day event resulted in automations that will help Team Robins Airmen and college students save hours of labor, with some completing two-hour tasks down to under 10 minutes. The CoA office partnered with the Department of the Air Force Bot Operations Team to provide the training at the event, which was open to active duty and civilian Airmen, contractors and MGA-WR students.
WTOC
Georgia Southern’s Parker College of Business to holding gala in March
By Tim Guidera
Georgia Southern will celebrate alumni and business partners while expanding its presence in Savannah with the Parker College of Business Gala on March 2nd at the DeSoto. Allen Amason, the Dean of the Parker College of Business at Georgia Southern, gave a look ahead to a special night for the university.
Marietta Daily Journal
Burks, Cook Named KSU Co-Offensive Coordinators
Staff reports
Kennesaw State did not go far to fill its offensive coordinator vacancy, promoting assistants Chandler Burks and Stewart Cook to share the duties. The duo’s promotions were announced Tuesday. They will fill the vacancy left after Chris Klenakis left following one season to become the offensive line coach at Vanderbilt. Burks spent the last four years as Kennesaw State’s quarterbacks coach after decorated playing career with the Owls, while Cook has coached the offensive tackles and tight ends since the program’s inception in 2015.
BVM Sports
White-Out Wednesday, Basketball Hosts Georgia Southwestern
The Columbus State University men’s and women’s basketball teams will host Peach Belt Conference opponent Georgia Southwestern State University on Wednesday, Feb. 7 at 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. The night’s theme is a white-out and all fans are encouraged to wear white inside the Frank G. Lumpkin, Jr. Center.
Grice Connect
Athletes in Action to host annual Night with the Eagles Banquet Feb. 22
Special to Grice Connect
Georgia Southern Athletes In Action, a campus ministry for student-athletes and coaches, will host its annual A Night With The Eagles Banquet on Thursday evening, February 22nd, 2024. …The purpose of hosting this event is to celebrate the past year in ministry as well as to raise funds for campus operations and scholarships for missions. This allows the ministry to thrive in its mission to make disciples who make disciples, while providing impactful opportunities for student-athletes to grow in their faith and serve on mission trips.
The Georgia Virtue
GALLERY: Little journalists, Big stories
The Brooklet Elementary School student news team had their own personal media day with the Savannah Bananas Baseball Team on Feb. 2, and Georgia Southern University Women’s Basketball will welcome the young journalists on Wed. Feb. 7. The visits give students a great opportunity to further explore careers in multimedia journalism and sports marketing and practice their journalism skills as they serve their school. …Sandhagen shared that the news team has also had the chance to interview Georgia Southern’s basketball coaches and players. The female members of the news team have also been invited back to GA Southern next Wednesday to participate in National Girls and Women in Sports Day.
Higher Education News:
Diverse Issues in Higher Education
Recruiters, Students Differ on New Grad Career Readiness
Johnny Jackson
The perception between college graduates and potential employers of the new grads’ competencies differs widely, according to research by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE). New grads and employers agree on what student proficiencies are necessary — graduating seniors ranked communication, critical thinking, and teamwork as the three most important competencies for a job candidate to develop to be considered career ready on a 2023 NACE student survey. Employers positioned the same three career readiness competencies at the top of their list in the association’s job outlook survey in 2024. However, the two groups disagree about what new grads are best at and how proficient are.
Higher Ed Dive
High school senior FAFSA submissions drop almost 57% year over year, NCAN finds
The form was available three months later than usual, and seniors submitted roughly 676,000 forms by late January.
Natalie Schwartz, Senior Editor
Dive Brief:
Roughly 676,000 high school seniors submitted a Free Application for Federal Student Aid through late January, fewer than half the number who had sent in the form by the same time last year, according to an analysis from the National College Attainment Network. The decline comes during — and presumably because of — an unusual year for the FAFSA. The U.S. Department of Education released the revamped form nearly three months later than normal, and glitches and technical errors have plagued its rollout. As of Jan. 26, high school seniors had submitted 56.6% fewer FAFSA forms compared to the year before. That drop is even more severe for students from high schools with predominantly low-income populations — they’ve seen a 65.2% year-over-year decline in FAFSA submissions.
Higher Ed Dive
Pennsylvania governor pitches sharp funding increase for higher education overhaul
Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, proposed a 15% funding bump for the state’s public university system and its community colleges.
Laura Spitalniak, Staff Reporter
Dive Brief:
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro on Tuesday unveiled a 2024-25 state budget proposal that would sharply boost higher education funding, consolidate public college governance and cap tuition costs for certain students. The Democrat governor’s plan would allocate $975 million to the state’s public university system — the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, or PASSHE — and its community colleges, up 15% from around $850 million last year. The increased funding is meant to support the creation of a new public postsecondary governance system that would bring together the PASSHE institutions and the state’s 15 community colleges. Shapiro is also seeking to increase funding to Pennsylvania’s state-related universities by 5%. The change would affect institutions like Pennsylvania State, Temple and Lincoln universities, which largely operate independently but receive state money.
Inside Higher Ed
Law Schools Required to Adopt Free Speech Policies
By Kathryn Palmer
Law schools must adopt free speech policies to maintain their accreditation under a requirement approved by the American Bar Association’s House of Delegates Monday. The new standard requires all law schools to approve written policies that protect the rights of faculty, students and staff to express controversial or unpopular ideas. It also forbids any conduct that limits free expression. Although most law schools already have free speech policies, the requirement raises the stakes of enforcement because any law school found out of compliance would have to answer to its accreditor. The U.S. Department of Education recognizes ABA’s Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar as the sole and independent accreditor of law schools.
Inside Higher Ed
New Data Signal Flawed Transfer Process
Many community college students intend to transfer to four-year institutions and earn bachelor’s degrees. Few of them make it, according to new reports.
By Sara Weissman
New data show that fewer than half of community college students who transfer to four-year institutions go on to earn a bachelor’s degree, and these poor outcomes are more pronounced among the most vulnerable student populations. The findings were detailed in two new reports, one focused on community colleges and another on four-year institutions, released Wednesday by the Community College Research Center at Columbia University’s Teachers College, the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program and the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center. The findings draw on data from the National Student Clearinghouse. …Over all, only 16 percent of community college students transferred and completed a bachelor’s degree within six years, up slightly from 14 percent in 2016.
See also:
Diverse Issues in Higher Education
ACCT, NHSA Launch Partnership to Expand Child Care for Student-Parents
Johnny Jackson
The Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) has partnered with the National Head Start Association (NHSA) to provide on-campus childcare classrooms at community colleges. “Students who are parents face enormous life challenges that compete with their abilities to thrive in college,” said ACCT President and CEO Jee Hang Lee. “Bringing Head Start centers to more community colleges is an elegant solution to address one complexity of the long-standing problem of student persistence and completion.”