WGXA
GCSU offers state’s first accredited public nurse-midwifery program
by Brandon Mcgouirk
Georgia College & State University’s nurse-midwifery concentration in the Master of Science in Nursing program is now fully accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education. Pre-accredited in May 2020, the program has become the first public program of its kind to be accredited in the State of Georgia. “The establishment of the nurse-midwifery program at Georgia College stands as a powerful testament to our unwavering commitment to advancing women’s services in Central Georgia,” said Dr. Josie Doss, director of the School of Nursing. “The prestigious ACME accreditation,” she added, “serves as an unequivocal endorsement of our dedication to excellence in both midwifery education and practice.”
Diverse Issues in Higher Education
Liann Herder
Albany State University recently announced its president, Dr. Marion Ross Fedrick, had been appointed executive vice president for administration and chief of staff at Georgia State University, effective July 1. Her departure from the university meant she would step away from her role as president one year before the conclusion of the school’s 2025 strategic plan. …Fedrick’s departure is just the latest in a series of presidential or leadership turnovers across the nation’s 105 historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Since 2022, at least 35 HBCUs have announced presidential changes. While some scholars are deeply concerned by this instability, others note it aligns with higher education trends overall. In 2023, the American Council on Education (ACE) released their study of over 1,000 college presidents, which revealed the tenure of the presidency has diminished. In 2006, presidents spent an average of 8.5 years in charge. By 2022, that number shrunk to 5.9 years, and over half of current presidents reveal that they plan to step away from their roles within the next five years.
41WMGT
Digital Fabrication Lab at Fort Valley State University open to all Middle Georgians
The Fab Lab is located at Fort Valley State University’s Warner Robins campus.
Denise Turner
Fort Valley State University, Chevron and the Fab Foundation invited the community, students and members of the University to its ribbon cutting and grand opening for their Digital Fabrication Lab on Wednesday. “We’re extremely excited about that, the space is open to the public as well,” manager Heaven Whitby said. “It’s not just here to serve our university students and staff as well as K thru 12 students, but it’s also open to our Middle Georgia community as well.” Whitby says the lab contains state of the art technology.
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Griffin Daily News
Gordon students make presentation at state science conference
By Karolina Philmon GSC Marketing Manager
Two Gordon State College students represented Highlander Nation at the 101st annual meeting of the Georgia Academy of Sciences held earlier this month at Kennesaw State University. Kiara Mitchell and Kara Hendrix were assigned to the Biological Sciences category of the conference with their poster presentation on “Myoglobin Concentration in Florida Manatee Muscle Tissue.” GSC Associate Professor of Biology Dr. Cori Newton accompanied Mitchell and Hendrix, expressing they both enjoyed the opportunity to showcase their undergraduate research.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
GSU student killed in crash was aspiring lawyer, leader
By Alexis Stevens
A Georgia State University student hoped to attend law school and had “dreams as big as her heart,” according to her family. But Zuriel-Alice Emambo Ngome, 20, was killed March 16 in a multi-car crash in DeKalb County, leaving a void her family said won’t easily be filled. …Known as Ema, Ngome was on the Dean’s List at Georgia State and was a driven leader. Her family is now planning her funeral and hopes to start a foundation in her honor.
Only in Your State
Stroll Along With Me This Spring Through The Beautiful Blooms At The University of Georgia Campus
By Lisa Sammons
One of my favorite things about life near Athens, GA, is being able to walk around the beautiful University of Georgia campus. This is among the nation’s most historic and beautiful college campuses, and it’s completely free and open to the public throughout the year. The Classic City is home to a number of excellent parks, but honestly, the UGA campus can compete with any of them as far as curated gardens and natural beauty. I visited this spring, and while I was a little bit early to see most of the flowers at their most beautiful, a trip any time over the next few weeks in late March or April should allow you to see plenty of lovely colors!
WSAV
UGA Coastal Ecology Lab saves gator from tomato cage
by: Emily Dietrich
The University of Georgia’s Marine Extension Coastal Ecology Lab answered an unusual call from Fripp Island Golf & Beach Resort after a large male alligator known as ‘King Arthur’ got his head and neck stuck in a tomato cage. King Arthur was eventually able to get the cage off his head, but the wire stayed wrapped around his neck — which is when UGA’s capture team stepped in. After several tries, rescuers captured and freed the reptile from the cage.
The Union-Recorder
Woman thankful God spared her life in tornado
Billy Hobbs
What a difference a year can make. This time a year ago, on March 26, 2023, a devastating EF-1 tornado tore down several large trees that crashed through the roof of the single-wide mobile home of Monica Jones on Downs Street in Milledgeville. It destroyed her home and left her trapped inside. …Jones, who has worked as a custodian at Georgia College & State University for the past 13 years and also cleans several doctors’ offices in Milledgeville as a side job, said she had insurance on the home that was destroyed by the tornado last year, but because it was so old the insurance didn’t pay off much. “If it hadn’t been for my family at Georgia College raising as much money for me as they did, I wouldn’t have been able to get a new home,” Jones said. “It means everything to me what they did for me. They really came through for me, and I am so very, very grateful to each of them who helped raise that amount of money for me.”
Dalton Daily Citizen
Dick Yarbrough: Welcome to a new generation of Georgia Bulldogs
By Dick Yarbrough
There is a lot going on at my alma mater, the University of Georgia. Not all the news has been good. There was the tragedy last year when an athletic department staffer and a member of the football team were killed in a tragic car crash that law enforcement authorities say involved speeding, racing, reckless driving and alcohol impairment. …The latest tragedy involves 22-year-old nursing student Laken Riley who was killed while jogging last month. …But in spite of all of this, the University of Georgia is busy doing what its mission states: “To teach, to serve, and to inquire into the nature of things.” In other words, it is first and foremost an academic institution, and a good one. UGA has been ranked among the top 20 among public universities for eight consecutive years and looking at the incoming Class of 2028, it is only going to get better.
WTVM
How to spot counterfeit eclipse eyewear ahead of total solar eclipse
By Amaya Graham
As a total solar eclipse approaches, many Americans may be stocking up on special glasses in preparation. However, local astronomers are warning people to be aware of counterfeit glasses and fake products. The solar eclipse is a time where the moon moves exactly between the sun and the earth blocking the sun’s light from arriving to certain parts of the earth will take place April 8th. …It is unsafe to look at the eclipse without proper eyewear. Columbus State University professor Dr. Rosa Williams says you could damage your retina without proper eyewear. …So how can you safely see the eclipse and avoid buying counterfeit glasses? On the side of the glasses there should be text that says it meets the standard of ISO. But with scammers that could be tricky. ‘’One way of testing a pair of eclipse glasses, just to be sure is to point them towards a very bright light in your home if you don’t see that very bright light that is a good pair of eclipse glasses you should not see it at all.’’ Williams said.
WSAV
Local expert discusses Talmadge Bridge durability after Baltimore’s Key Bridge collapse
by: Eden Hodges
News 3 spoke to an expert who says one key difference between our bridge and Baltimore’s makes it unlikely the same thing could happen here. “A bridge collapse is not something that happens very often,” said Gus Maldonado, a Georgia Southern professor specializing in civil engineering structures. According to the AP, a ship collision leading to a major collapse has only happened 35 times from the 60s to 2015. “These events are very rare and not likely to happen, especially when they are hit by a ship,” said Maldonado. Many bridges, like the Talmadge, have some kind of protection on the main supports called piers.
Diverse Issues in Higher Education
Jarmon Desadier has been named interim vice president for the Office of Equal Opportunity, Compliance, and Conflict Management at the Georgia Institute of Technology. He served as senior director of employee relations for human resources at Georgia Tech.
WTVM
Columbus State University hosts annual Legacy Celebration Awards Banquet
By Mackenzie Collins
“Inclusion and belonging” was the focus during the Legacy Celebration Awards Banquet at Columbus State University Wednesday afternoon. The day started with a professional development workshop followed by the grand dinner at the Cunningham Conference Center on the university’s Main Campus. The banquet recognized the work of students, employees, alumni and community partners for their dedication to incorporate inclusion and belonging at the university and the Columbus community.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Subject of April 6 seminar is agricultural history
The Georgia Archives will host a free, all-day seminar on April 6. The theme will be to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Georgia State Department of Agriculture. After the 9-9:30 a.m. opening and remarks, the first lecture at 9:40 will be a panel discussion on “Fort Valley State University: Cultivating Excellence in Georgia Agriculture” with several presenters and a moderator.
BVM Sports
Dimitris Paliouras Named Sun Belt Men’s Tennis Player of the Week
Georgia Southern men’s tennis junior Dimitris Paliouras has been named the Sun Belt Conference’s Player of the Week, announced today by league officials. Paliouras had a stellar week for the newly-ranked Eagles. The Thessaloniki, Greece, native went 2-0 in singles as Georgia Southern stretched its current win streak to five.
Gwinnett Daily Post
Shiloh Grad Zawdie Jackson Named All-American
From Staff Reports
The accolades and achievements continue to pile for the University of West Georgia men’s basketball player and Shiloh grad Zawdie Jackson as the point guard was named a NABC and D2CCA NCAA All-American on Tuesday. Jackson becomes the first West Georgia player since Marquill Smith in school history to be named an All-American after averaging 22.0 points, 5.5 assists, 3.0 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game on an efficient shooting (51 field goals, 45 on 3-pointers, 85 percent free throws). The junior scored 20 or more points in 22 games this season and recorded five or more assists in 20 games, leading UWG to a 27-6 record, a GSC Regular Season and Tournament Championship, and to the NCAA South Region Semifinals to earn First Team honors.
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Higher Ed Dive
Students won’t be able to correct FAFSA forms until April
The notice from the U.S. Department of Education marks yet another delay in the fraught rollout of the new Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
Natalie Schwartz, Senior Editor
College applicants won’t be able to update and correct their Free Application for Federal Student Aid forms until the first half of April, the U.S. Department of Education announced Monday. This marks yet another delay in the fraught rollout of the revamped FAFSA, which aims to make the notoriously difficult form easier to complete by paring down the number of questions students and their families must answer. The department had previously said students would be able to make corrections to the form “later in March.” The pushed-back timeline comes on the heels of another technical issue. The Education Department announced last week the amount of aid students should receive was miscalculated for dependents with assets.
Inside Higher Ed
Cardona Urges Governors to Prepare for FAFSA Delays
By Liam Knox
Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona sent a letter to state governors on Monday urging them to prepare for the consequences of FAFSA delays by pushing back state financial aid application deadlines and adjusting expectations for state grant eligibility. Under the new FAFSA, changes to the student aid eligibility formula—the Student Aid Index, formerly the Estimated Family Contribution— will also have a major impact on state aid, which usually covers gaps in unmet financial need that remain after federal aid is applied. Because of that, Cardona reminded governors to “ensure your state has budgeted for state grant aid increases that may be needed based on changes to eligibility calculations.”
Diverse Issues in Higher Education
Biden-Harris Administration Encourages Enrollment in SAVE Plan
Johnny Jackson
The White House is launching its SAVE (Saving on a Valuable Education) Day of Action to promote the SAVE Plan, which has an enrollment of more than 7.7 million federal student loan borrowers. The launch seeks to help increase enrollment heading into summer 2024. “President Biden and I know that far too many people in our nation are struggling with student loan debt,” said Vice President Kamala Harris. “That is why we have forgiven nearly $144 billion for almost four million Americans while also creating the SAVE Plan so that millions of people can cut their payments in half or entirely.
Diverse Issues in Higher Education
House’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion Shutters
Johnny Jackson
The U.S. House Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI) has been closed. The shutter is the result of changes to legislative branch appropriations in a bill passed March 22 by the U.S. House of Representatives. “On behalf of ODI, it has been an honor to serve you as our office worked to ensure that the United States Congress embodied a qualified and representative workforce that reflected the country’s vast tapestry,” said ODI Director Dr. Sesha Joi Moon in a statement following the bill’s passage.
Diverse Issues in Higher Education
Arrman Kyaw
Legislators are looking to enshrine the Postsecondary Student Success Grant (PSSG) program, a student outcomes-centered federal effort, into law through new legislation this March. Although the effort has received support generally, some higher ed scholars and advocates have levied some criticisms and concerns about it. The Postsecondary Student Success Act – a bipartisan effort that seeks to solidify the ongoing existence of the grant program, which gives funds to higher ed institutions striving towards improving student success, particularly for “high-need” students.
Inside Higher Ed
Helping Learners Plan Their Path Through College: Key Podcast
By Doug Lederman
This week’s episode of The Key podcast explores the “guided pathways” model, which hundreds of community colleges have embraced to give students a clearer path to reaching their educational goals. This episode of The Key, Inside Higher Ed’s news and analysis podcast, features Davis Jenkins, a senior research scholar at the Community College Research Center at Columbia University’s Teachers College, and Hana Lahr, a senior research associate and director of applied learning there. They discuss their recent papers evaluating how guided pathways has spread, what iterations of the model work best, and what it takes to bring about this kind of sweeping, “whole college” change at institutions that can be both tradition-bound and financially strapped.
Inside Higher Ed
Texas Governor Calls for New Policies on Antisemitism
By Johanna Alonso
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has signed an executive order requiring public institutions of higher education in the state to update their free speech policies to include the definition of antisemitism and establish appropriate punishments, “including expulsion,” for antisemitic rhetoric, The Dallas Morning News reported Wednesday. The order also calls on universities to ensure the enforcement of such policies, specifically naming two organizations that should face “discipline”: the Palestine Solidarity Committee and Students for Justice in Palestine.
Diverse Issues in Higher Education
HBCU Conference Connects Secondary to Postsecondary
Liann Herder
The second day of the College Board’s Historically Black College and University (HBCU) Conference: “A Dream Deferred” opened with a candid discussion about what it takes to bring more young Black and Brown individuals into the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), and how Black leaders in these fields are tangibly transforming the lives and livelihoods of the communities they come from.
Higher Ed Dive
A look at 5 states weighing legacy admissions bans
Legislators are paying increased attention to policies that give alumni-related students a leg up when applying to college.
Laura Spitalniak, Staff Reporter
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin signed a law this month banning legacy admissions after both chambers of the state’s legislature unanimously passed the proposal. Beginning July 1, Virginia’s public colleges will be barred from giving preferential treatment to applicants related to alumni. The state is only the second to ban the policy at its public colleges, following Colorado in 2021. But the debate around legacy admissions is heating up after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled against race-conscious admission policies last year, overturning decades of legal precedent and forcing some selective colleges to reevaluate their admissions. Higher education experts said the Supreme Court decision will make it more difficult for colleges to create a diverse student body and make it harder for historically disadvantaged students to gain entry to selective institutions. In turn, some lawmakers have ramped up criticism over legacy policies, which tend to favor White and wealthy students. Below, we’re rounding up five state proposals that would limit or eliminate legacy admissions.
Inside Higher Ed
Sting Operation Fools a Proctoring Service—and Results in Blackmail Attempt
A staff member at a Florida college, posing as a student, hires a contract cheating firm to test the institution’s systems for preventing fraud. The outcome offers lessons for instructors and students as virtual learning expands.
By Kathryn Palmer
Katie Ragsdale sat in an empty conference room on the campus of Polk State College in central Florida earlier this year and watched her laptop screen as a professional cheater she hired took an online multiple-choice College Algebra exam for her. She tried to act natural, knowing that any suspicious activity, such as prolonged glances away from the screen, could trip up Honorlock, an AI-powered proctoring service the college uses. “I just sat there and pretended to take the test,” she said. “They were controlling my computer.” Before the test, the hired cheaters had her download a VPN to hide their location outside the U.S. and the remote-control platform that provided the access for them to take over her laptop. On the day of the test, all Ragsdale had to focus on was proving her identity to Honorlock before the cheater took over her computer screen. She turned on her computer’s camera, showed her student ID and scanned the room to verify there weren’t any obvious cheating tools at hand. Honorlock let her—and unwittingly her hired help—start the exam. Ragsdale got an A, the grade she paid Exam Rabbit, a contract cheating company based in Pakistan, $250 to achieve. While the exam was a real assessment, Ragsdale wasn’t a real student.