Diverse Issues in Higher Education
ASU President Embarks on New Higher Ed Role
Allison Joyner
Dr. Marion Ross Fedrick likes to point out that she has “a very different background” than most college presidents. Having served in human resources leadership roles both for government and corporate industries, she was relatively new to higher education when she was tapped as the vice chancellor of human resources for the Board of Regents for the University System of Georgia, managing public colleges and universities. …This summer, Fedrick will lean heavily on her HR background as she transitions into her new role as executive vice president for administration and chief of staff at Georgia State University. She’ll support the university’s president, Dr. Brian Blake, with the management of critical offices and advise him on policy, procedures, operational issues, and best practices.
WGAU Radio
UGA engineering students win product pitch contest
By Sean Montgomery, UGA Today
Another successful cycle of the University of Georgia’s FABricate Entrepreneurial Initiative wrapped up Tuesday night at the Delta Innovation Hub, with a sustainable pool-maintenance solution winning the $10,000 grand prize. Pool Protection Technologies, founded by UGA College of Engineering students Garrett Stigall and Guy Gober, highlighted its high-quality sound-amplifying machine that treats algae growth in pools.
Baldwin 2K News
GCSU astronomy professor previews next week’s solar eclipse
Christian McKearney, Editor
Some say the solar eclipse on April 8 is a lucky omen. Others say it’s a sign of God’s judgment. But one thing’s for sure. No matter what you believe, this year’s darkening of the sun by the moon promises to be an astronomical display that’s bigger and longer, brighter and more spectacular than the last total solar eclipse that crossed America in 2017. Georgia will not experience total blockage of the sun. But, weather permitting, residents will still see a remarkable occurrence, said Dr. Donovan Domingue, professor of physics and astronomy at Georgia College & State University.
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Forsyth County News
Where to watch the upcoming total solar eclipse
WGXA
GCSU unveils ‘Tale Trail’: A walkable path fostering family reading fun
by Brandon Mcgouirk
The Sandra Dunagan Deal Center for Early Language and Literacy at Georgia College & State University has launched the “Tale Trail” in Baldwin County’s Harrisburg neighborhood. The trail, which was honored in a ribbon-cutting ceremony on April 2 at the Collins P. Lee Community Center, aims to engage families in reading activities. “The primary goal of the Tale Trail is to enhance language use by presenting an illustrated book along the walking path with each page of the book displayed,” said Jamie Thomas, early language professional development specialist at the Deal Center. “Ultimately, the Tale Trail aims to make reading fun, interactive and enjoyable for families,” she said, “while fostering language and literacy development.”
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Futurity
Tuskegee history shaped Black Americans’ COVID vax hesitancy
Posted by Lauren Baggett-U. Georgia
Black Americans living in Tuskegee, Alabama, closer to the location of the infamous Tuskegee Syphilis Study, were much slower to get their COVID-19 vaccines compared to white neighbors, according to a new study. Published in the Journal of Population Economics, the study reveals the long-term effects of the Tuskegee Study on one notable health behavior among Black populations—getting the COVID-19 vaccine. “The mortality rate was really high in this group. They should be more likely to seek the vaccine first, right? But right after the vaccines become available, we see this gap [between white and Black Americans] still exists, especially at the very beginning,” says lead author Xiaolong “Chris” Hou, a graduate student pursing a master of public health in health policy and management in the University of Georgia College of Public Health. …Hou says he and his coauthors were motivated to look at vaccine uptake in the South as a way of asking how past injustices enacted by health and government authorities may contribute to health disparities that persist between Black and white Americans.
The Washington Post
Women’s share of executive jobs falls for first time in years, study finds
Researchers at S&P Global see it as an ‘alarming turning point’ for gender parity in corporate America
By Taylor Telford
Women’s share of coveted executive roles dropped in 2023 for the first time in nearly two decades, according to a recently published report from researchers who see it as possibly an “alarming turning point” in the path toward gender parity in corporate America. Female executives lost roughly 60 “C-suite” roles last year, a reversal after several years of slow but persistent growth, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence. …“Women may be hired in entry-level roles, but not receive the same opportunities for development and promotion as men,” said Simone Phipps, a professor of management at Middle Georgia State University who was not involved with the S&P report. Phipps, who is also a scholar with the Academy of Management, said that organizations often “fail to nurture a supportive culture” that allows women to effectively balance work with their duties outside it. When women do hold C-suite positions, Phipps said, they tend to be “identified as support functions” such as chief human resource officer or chief diversity officer. Among core executive roles, she said, women are more likely to hold the title of chief marketing officer rather than jobs such as chief operating officer or chief financial officer.
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iHLS
Malware Can Hear Your Keyboard Strokes and Reveal Your Password
Research reveals that keystroke sounds can be exploited by malicious actors to reveal sensitive user data, like the text that users are typing into a password box, personal information, credit card details, and more. According to Cybernews, an “acoustic side-channel attack” on keyboards can evade security measures on devices that use keyboards as their main data entry system. Such side-channel attacks get hold of sensitive data by observing system patterns like timing information, power consumption, or even the sounds made while typing on a keyboard. However, while previously performed research only managed to successfully decipher keyboard acoustics in controlled environments, a team of scientists from Augusta University managed to decipher and “read” the sounds in a realistic environment. The paper published by the team reads: “To test our method, we collected the ambient noise and typed text of 20 people based on an IRB-approved approach and obtained approximately a 43% success rate through our experiments.”
The Monroe County/Macon Reporter
MONROE OUTDOORS – It appears armadillos are ‘not guilty’ of causing a decline in turkey populations
by Terry W. Johnson
During the past few decades, turkey populations in Georgia and many other states across the country have been declining. In response to this situation, wildlife biologists are working hard to identify the factor(s) responsible for the problem and implement strategies to reverse this alarming trend. According to Michael Chamberlain, a professor of wildlife ecology and management at the University of Georgia, “Populations were skyrocketing and production was very high, and turkey were everywhere and then we started seeing right under our noses regional declines in productivity that have been ongoing literally since restoration actually stopped.”
Augusta CEO
Augusta Regional Airport Preparing for the 2024 Masters Week
Staff Report From Georgia CEO
Augusta Regional Airport (AGS) prepares for an influx of visitors April 8th- 15th by implementing parking protocols, highlighting local artists, and offering more direct flights though Delta and American Airlines. …AGS visitors will also see a glimpse of the area’s local talent. The Airport’s Art Program will have the pieces from Augusta University’s Art Department in the gate area of the main terminal.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
In Steve Yockey’s ‘Mercury,’ revenge is sweet when it goes down with laughs
Seventh play by the Atlanta native opens on April 6 at Actor’s Express
By Alexis Hauk – ArtsATL
When ”Mercury” opens at Actor’s Express on April 6, it will mark one of many homecomings for Atlanta native Steve Yockey. Long before the celebrated playwright and screenwriter began his career — rewinding past his Emmy nomination for Max’s “The Flight Attendant,” the announcement of his gig on J.J. Abrams’ “Star Trek 4″ and long before he was regularly texting with Neil Gaiman about his adaptation of the British author’s “Dead Boy Detectives” series for Netflix (debuting April 25) — he was an unpaid intern at Actor’s Express, having landed the gig fresh out of undergraduate studies at the University of Georgia.
Emanuel County Live
Kiwanis hear GSU graduate students
The Kiwanis Club of Swainsboro held its weekly meeting Tuesday, March 19, at the Rustic Grill at 7 p.m. With President-Elect Paul Cerpovicz presiding, they had 14 in attendance including three guests, Joelle Romanchik-Cerpovicz, Ashley Fisher and Rebecca Sharron. …The program was hosted by Paul Cerpovicz who turned the program over to Dr. Joelle Romanchik-Cerpovicz. She introduced her Georgia Southern University graduate students, Ashley Fisher and Rebecca Sharron, who are pursuing a master’s degree in nutrition and food science at GSU.
Augusta CEO
Discover the Mary S. Byrd Gallery at Augusta University
Stacey Eidson
Since 2010, the Mary S. Byrd Gallery of Art on the first floor of Washington Hall on the Summerville Campus of Augusta University has promoted relevant works of art by emerging and contemporary artists. Independent graphic designer and illustrator Jason Craig will hold an opening reception and artist talk for his solo show entitled, “Over the Line,” from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 4, at the Mary S. Byrd Gallery of Art. The exhibition of his show will run from April 4 through July 20. Craig, who has worked with clients including Chick-fil-A, the Atlanta Braves, HBO and Nike, recently designed the branding work behind the award-winning “Vintage Augustus” for AU.
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WJBF
Augusta University host ‘Take Back the Night’ for Sexual Assault Awareness Month
by: Nikita Dennis
Augusta University calling attention to sexual violence. The annual event is aimed at helping students know they are in a safe space. …April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Augusta University students and staff, along with others in the community gathered in the Douglas Barnard Amphitheater Tuesday, for its ‘Take Back the Night’ program. Local leaders lead a discussion on sexual violence, while victims found the courage to tell their stories.
Emanuel County Live
GSU Center for Wildlife Education to provide experience at Pine Tree Festival
Join the Georgia Southern University Center for Wildlife Education at the Boneyard Pavilion for a unique experience featuring animals, artifacts, and hands-on activities. Experience the thrill of seeing, touching, and listening to interesting facts about snakes, native and exotic reptiles, birds, and other wildlife. The activities will include an interactive display throughout the day, offering hands-on encounters with these interesting animals. Don’t miss the wildlife show, which will provide additional education and entertainment opportunities, including wildlife demonstrations.
AllOnGeorgia
Downtown Statesboro’s First Friday Event “Downtown Arts” April 5
Downtown Statesboro Development Authority will be hosting April’s First Friday event, Downtown Arts, this Friday, April 5, 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm. Admission is free. There will be a variety of artwork including paintings, ceramics, jewelry, drawings, decorative arts, photography, and installation. The art showcase will feature work from Crystal Holman, Heather Gonzales, Julianna Leverette, Brendan Cave, Michelle Tann, Penny Marz, Sally Minton, Jessica Blanton, Jasmine Leach, Lois Harvey, Margo McCoy, Cameron Harrison, and Georgia Southern University students.
41NBC
GCSU holds 7th Annual K-5 Science and Engineering Fair
“These are our future scientists that are going to be finding cures for diseases and future doctors and future GBI agents.”
By Fiona King
Over 400 students from around Georgia participated in the 7th Annual Science and Engineering Fair at the Georgia College & State University, making it the largest group of elementary students since the fair started six years ago. The event was attended by a hundred school districts, and the judges say the task was difficult.
Savannah Tribune
Kim Gusby Inducted Into The Georgia Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame
WSAV News 3’s Kim Gusby was among five industry leaders inducted into the 2024 Georgia Association of Broadcasters (GAB) Hall of Fame during a ceremony on Friday, March 22 in Atlanta. …Gusby, who is celebrating 30 years at WSAV, is the longest-serving morning news anchor in the Savannah area. The Hostess City native is a proud graduate of Herschel V. Jenkins High School, Savannah State College’s (now University) Upward Bound Program and Georgia Southern University.
Higher Education News:
Inside Higher Ed
House Subcommittee to Hold Hearing on ‘FAFSA Fail’
By Katherine Knott
House lawmakers will examine how the botched roll-out of the new Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA) has affected students, families and colleges in a hearing next week. Witnesses for the April 10 hearing of the House higher education subcommittee have not been announced. But lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have criticized the launch of the new FAFSA, which has been beset by repeated issues and delays and is the subject of two Government Accountability Office investigations. This is the first of what could be many hearings on what the subcommittee calls the “FAFSA Fail.”
Inside Higher Ed
States Bristle at Cardona Plea to Push Aid Deadlines
Many local officials say they’ll do what’s right for students, but note that pushing the deadline back too far could have its own unintended consequences.
By Jessica Blake
The rocky rollout of a new Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA) had already forced almost a quarter of the nation’s states to bump back their local scholarship application deadlines. Last Tuesday, U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona urged them to move the goal post once again. Not only did the secretary’s letter suggest state governors should push back any aid deadlines currently listed before or through the end of May, it also encouraged them to ensure their legislature properly budgets for potential increases in state grant aid that may be needed based on changes in Pell Grant eligibility. Many state higher education officials and national association leaders have voiced frustration with the tone and timing of the department’s letter, which came just four days after the agency had announced another major calculation error. But they’ve also acknowledged that mitigating the FAFSA fiasco will require flexibility and an “all hands on deck” response.
Higher Ed Dive
New Hampshire should explore uniting public college systems, task force says
The group issued recommendations to keep the state’s community colleges and universities sustainable in the face of declining enrollment and revenue.
Laura Spitalniak, Staff Reporter
Dive Brief:
New Hampshire should study combining the state’s community college and university systems to keep both sustainable, a task force recommended. At the direction of Gov. Chris Sununu, the task force publicly released a 33-page report Tuesday following three months of discussion on issues like increasing the state’s educational access. Under the recommendations, the state would weigh combining the Community College System of New Hampshire and the University System of New Hampshire under one governing board and one chancellor. In the short term, the university and community college systems should reduce duplication of academic offerings, improve the credit transfer process and combine their administrative workspaces, the report said.
Higher Ed Dive
Entry-level hiring predicted to remain steady during 2024 graduation season
Recent graduates and entry-level workers can bring new ideas and skills, a talent executive said.
By Carolyn Crist
Hiring for entry-level positions will remain active through the second quarter as new graduates join the labor market, according to a March 28 report from Robert Half, a talent solutions and business consulting firm. In a November 2023 survey, 65% of companies said they planned to hire entry-level professionals — defined as workers with zero to two years of experience — in early 2024. “Bringing in workers who are in the early stage of their career is a smart hiring strategy,” Dawn Fay, operational president of Robert Half, said in a statement. “Recent grads and entry-level professionals can help drive innovation by delivering fresh ideas and new skills.”
Inside Higher Ed
UT Austin Closes Former DEI Division
By Johanna Alonso
The University of Texas at Austin is shutting down the Division of Campus and Community Engagement (DCCE)—previously known as the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement—and laying off more than 40 individuals who work there, the Austin American-Statesman reported. Another 20 employees in other divisions are also being laid off, sources told the American-Statesman. The closure comes a week after Texas higher education leaders were warned by lawmakers that failure to comply with SB 17, the state’s anti-diversity, equity and inclusion bill, could result in legal action or a loss of funding.
Inside Higher Ed
Pitzer Students Celebrate Closure of Israel Study Abroad Program
By Sara Weissman
Pitzer College has suspended its study abroad program at the University of Haifa in Israel. Officials at the California college say the program was one of almost a dozen study abroad programs shuttered and the move had nothing to do with boycotting Israel, as student activists had called for. Pro-Palestinian students are touting the program’s demise as a win; many of them had pressed college officials to close the program.
Inside Higher Ed
Leaders of Sociology Group Resist Call for Ceasefire Resolution
Members of the American Sociological Association will now get a say, voting on whether to make their group the latest to call for an end to the war.
By Ryan Quinn
About two years ago, the American Sociological Association issued a statement opposing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Nearly 20 years ago, its members passed a resolution opposing the U.S. war in Iraq. Back in the 1980s, the ASA supported U.S. divestment from South Africa’s Apartheid regime. Now, the association is again being asked to take a position on a geopolitical matter—this time, in the form of a resolution by a large group of members calling “for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza.” As with the Iraq War, the ASA Council voted it down—and again, it’s going to association members for a vote. In the nearly six months since Hamas’s Oct. 7 attack on Israel, American colleges, universities and scholarly associations have struggled with what, if anything, to say, as Palestinian deaths have mounted.
Inside Higher Ed
Views
Bridging the AI Divide: A Call to Action
Leaders must take steps to prevent low-income and first-gen students from falling further behind, Adela de la Torre and James Frazee write.
By Adela de la Torre and James Frazee
Leaders in higher education must take decisive actions to prevent artificial intelligence (AI) from further exacerbating inequality. AI literacy has already become a gating qualification for participants across America’s workforce. In one recent survey by Amazon Web Services, a staggering 73 percent of employers report prioritizing hiring talent with AI skills. Those employers are willing to pay candidates with AI expertise significantly higher salaries—in some cases almost 50 percent more. Equipping students for career success and social mobility therefore requires an immediate, holistic and collective approach to building AI literacy. To do so, we must first begin with access while carefully examining both policy and pedagogy.
Diverse Issues in Higher Education
Report: Black Female Student-Athletes Face Lack of Diverse Support
Lois Elfman
While players in the NCAA Tournament were diverse, head coaches and administrators lagged far behind. That’s the conclusions from the new report, “Racial and Gender Equity for Black Women Student-Athletes,” authored by Dr. Shaun R. Harper, founder and executive director of the University of Southern California Race and Equity Center. Harper depicts each team in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Tournament. The head coach is also shown, and demographic data on the university is provided.
Cybersecurity Dive
Microsoft Exchange state-linked hack entirely preventable, cyber review board finds
The technology giant’s corporate culture fell short on security investments and risk management, and needs significant reforms, according to a damning report by the U.S. Cyber Safety Review Board.
David Jones, Reporter
Dive Brief:
The state-linked intrusion on Microsoft Exchange Online that led to the theft of about 60,000 U.S. State Department emails last summer “was preventable and should never have occurred”, the Cyber Safety Review Board said Tuesday in a report. A series of operational and strategic decisions by Microsoft pointed to a corporate culture that deprioritized investments in enterprise security and rigorous risk management, despite the central role the company plays in the larger technology ecosystem, the report said. The CSRB urged Microsoft to publicly share its plans to make fundamental, security focused reforms across the company and its suite of products. The board also recommended that all cloud services providers and government partners enact security-focused changes.
Diverse Issues in Higher Education
LEAD Fund Mourns Passing of DEI Leader
Johnny Jackson
Members of the Fund for Leadership, Equity, Access and Diversity (LEAD Fund) are mourning the death of their board chair, Dr. Christopher A. Metzler. Metzler’s family announced that he “passed away in his beloved home in Grenada” March 23. “As a scholar, leader, and DEI champion, Dr. Chris Metzler continuously illuminated our path toward a more inclusive future in which all voices are welcomed and valued,” said Dr. Edna Chun, vice chair of the LEAD Fund, a national not-for-profit organization founded in 2014 and styled as a “Think and Do Tank.”