{"id":96,"date":"2024-05-28T14:09:57","date_gmt":"2024-05-28T14:09:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/amp\/?page_id=96"},"modified":"2026-04-25T00:03:21","modified_gmt":"2026-04-25T00:03:21","slug":"sd2","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/amp\/sd2\/","title":{"rendered":"Strategic Direction 2"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Foster academic community<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The University has taken important steps to foster academic community between 2015 and 2022.&nbsp; Drawing upon current program strengths, our faculty have developed new programs in emerging and interdisciplinary fields. The University has increased its investment in creating, preserving, and sharing knowledge that sustains learning, scholarship, and outreach by fostering relationships among faculty, students, staff, alumni, communities, and partners. MTSU continues to embrace diversity in its academic community because diversity and the free exchange of ideas are necessary to create new knowledge, advance excellence in academic programs, scholarship, and the arts, and promote meaningful academic, civic, and professional engagement.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"512\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/amp\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2024\/05\/publichealthsweep4-web-768x512-1.jpg\" alt=\"public health group\" class=\"wp-image-109\" style=\"width:630px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/amp\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2024\/05\/publichealthsweep4-web-768x512-1.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/amp\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2024\/05\/publichealthsweep4-web-768x512-1-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mtsunews.com\/r2-research-announcement-march2022\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">MTSU research efforts elevated to elite R2 \u2018high research activity\u2019 status [+VIDEO]<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">To foster academic community, the University:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-mtsu-blocks-expandable-block accordion expandable-group expandable-group-lightblock\" id=\"newExpandable\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-mtsu-blocks-expandable-item accordion-item expandable-heading expandable-heading-lightblock\"><h2 class=\"accordion-header\" id=\"headingremains-committed-to-access-and-diversity\"><button class=\"accordion-button collapsed\" type=\"button\" data-bs-toggle=\"collapse\" data-bs-target=\"#collapsenewExpandableremains-committed-to-access-and-diversity\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"collapsenewExpandableremains-committed-to-access-and-diversity\">Remains committed to access and diversity<\/button><\/h2><div id=\"collapsenewExpandableremains-committed-to-access-and-diversity\" class=\"accordion-collapse collapse expandable-content expandable-content-lightblock\" aria-labelledby=\"headingremains-committed-to-access-and-diversity\" data-bs-parent=\"#newExpandable\"><div class=\"accordion-body\">\n<p>Members of the Access and Diversity Board participated in&nbsp;Compliance and Ethics Events&nbsp;in 2018 and 2019 with panels on disability access and diversity that identified best practices and MTSU\u2019s successful initiatives. Academic Affairs and Student Affairs co-sponsored an additional workshop by disability access consultant Salome Heyward in Fall 2019. The institution continues to make good on its commitment to diversifying the professoriate through its successful&nbsp;Diversity Dissertation Fellows program, which brings diverse teacher-scholars to our classrooms while they finish their dissertations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>New and expanded guaranteed academic scholarships provide additional access and financial support to the most qualified freshmen. We have deepened our commitment to all members of the University community by elevating the elimination of achievement gaps and increasing the diversity of faculty and staff from an action step to a strategic priority for implementing the Quest for Student Success 2025.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-compact-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/mtsunews.com\/monica-smith-assistant-to-president-community-engagement-inclusion\/\">MTSU hires Monica Smith as assistant to president for community engagement, inclusion<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/mtsunews.com\/tarver-associate-vide-provost-student-success\/\">New MTSU student success administrator to build on equity efforts for at-risk students<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/ada\/facstaff\/\">Americans with Disabilities Act Eligibility for Faculty and Staff<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"ratio ratio-16x9\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"MTSU Disability and Access Student Testimony\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/yVJ7NB145_0?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-mtsu-blocks-expandable-item accordion-item expandable-heading expandable-heading-lightblock\"><h2 class=\"accordion-header\" id=\"headingcontinues-to-develop-innovative-interdisciplinary-undergraduate-and-graduate-programs\"><button class=\"accordion-button collapsed\" type=\"button\" data-bs-toggle=\"collapse\" data-bs-target=\"#collapsenewExpandablecontinues-to-develop-innovative-interdisciplinary-undergraduate-and-graduate-programs\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"collapsenewExpandablecontinues-to-develop-innovative-interdisciplinary-undergraduate-and-graduate-programs\">Continues to develop innovative, interdisciplinary undergraduate and graduate programs<\/button><\/h2><div id=\"collapsenewExpandablecontinues-to-develop-innovative-interdisciplinary-undergraduate-and-graduate-programs\" class=\"accordion-collapse collapse expandable-content expandable-content-lightblock\" aria-labelledby=\"headingcontinues-to-develop-innovative-interdisciplinary-undergraduate-and-graduate-programs\" data-bs-parent=\"#newExpandable\"><div class=\"accordion-body\">\n<p>We have fostered innovative, interdisciplinary undergraduate and graduate study with new and revised academic programs in&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/mtsunews.com\/mtsu-faculty-spotlight-tony-johnston-fermentation-science\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Fermentation Science<\/a>, Religious Studies, Public Writing and Rhetoric, Risk Management and Insurance,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/mtsunews.com\/woods-on-the-record-nov2017\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Africana Studies<\/a>, Commerce, Dance, Data Science, Tourism and Hospitality Management, Journalism and Strategic Media, Photography, Video and Film Production, Supply Chain Management, and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/mtsunews.com\/physician-assistant-studies-grand-opening\/\">Physician Assistant Studies<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"750\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/amp\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2024\/05\/PAgrandopening3-web.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-110\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/amp\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2024\/05\/PAgrandopening3-web.jpg 750w, https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/amp\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2024\/05\/PAgrandopening3-web-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Travis Layne, 乐播传媒入口 director of didactic education, far right, demonstrates a technique on a medical mannequin to students during the grand opening event for the university\u2019s new Physician Assistant Studies graduate program at the Cason Kennedy Nursing Building on campus on May 13, 2022. (MTSU photo by J Intintoli)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-compact-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/mtsunews.com\/physician-assistant-studies-grand-opening\/\">MTSU Physician Assistant Studies celebrates first public PA program in Middle 乐播传媒入口<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/mtsunews.com\/supply-and-demand\/\">Supply and Demand: MTSU\u2019s new degree places grads in sweet spot of global logistics<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-mtsu-blocks-expandable-item accordion-item expandable-heading expandable-heading-lightblock\"><h2 class=\"accordion-header\" id=\"headingpromotes-increased-and-sustained-research-scholarship-and-creative-activity\"><button class=\"accordion-button collapsed\" type=\"button\" data-bs-toggle=\"collapse\" data-bs-target=\"#collapsenewExpandablepromotes-increased-and-sustained-research-scholarship-and-creative-activity\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"collapsenewExpandablepromotes-increased-and-sustained-research-scholarship-and-creative-activity\">Promotes increased and sustained research, scholarship and creative activity<\/button><\/h2><div id=\"collapsenewExpandablepromotes-increased-and-sustained-research-scholarship-and-creative-activity\" class=\"accordion-collapse collapse expandable-content expandable-content-lightblock\" aria-labelledby=\"headingpromotes-increased-and-sustained-research-scholarship-and-creative-activity\" data-bs-parent=\"#newExpandable\"><div class=\"accordion-body\">\n<p>Our&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/mtsunews.com\/pair-receive-prestigious-nsf-grants\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">outstanding faculty<\/a>&nbsp;continue to make strides in advancing knowledge through their research and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/heho\/learn\/news\/visual-artist-and-animator-erin-anfinson-selected-as-2017-artist-in-residence.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">creative work<\/a>, including collaborations among faculty, graduate students, and undergraduates. University&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/mtsunews.com\/research-2019-taking-flight\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">researchers<\/a>&nbsp;contribute to their academic fields and to&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/mtsunews.com\/cla2018-making-connections\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">social, economic, and civic well-being<\/a>&nbsp;from the local to the global, and use their work to create deeper learning experiences for their&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/scientia.mtsu.edu\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/scientia.mtsu.edu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">students<\/a>. Faculty mentorship and collaborations with students are central to the success of the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/urc.mtsu.edu\/ureca-overview\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/urc.mtsu.edu\/ureca-overview\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">University Research and Creative Activity<\/a>&nbsp;undergraduate fellowships. The&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/urc.mtsu.edu\/soar\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/urc.mtsu.edu\/soar\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Student Organization for the Advancement of Research&nbsp;<\/a>(SOAR) took flight in 2019 with the support of the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-compact-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/mtsunews.com\/r2-research-announcement-march2022\/\">MTSU research efforts elevated to elite R2 &#8216;high research activity&#8217;<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/mtsunews.com\/with-750k-grant-ag-faculty-seek-soil-solutions\/\">Healthy field, healthy yield? With $750K grant, MTSU ag faculty, others research soil solutions<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/mtsunews.com\/scholars-week-recap-2022\/\">MTSU&#8217;s Scholars Week expo puts student research, creativity center stage<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/mtsunews.com\/embodied-exploration\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">MTSU dancers bring Isadora Duncan\u2019s method to life in Moscow<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/mtsunews.com\/undergraduates-published-grape-research\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">MTSU undergrads make strides with nationally recognized grape research<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/issuu.com\/mtsumag\/docs\/research_spring_2019\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">MTSU Research Magazine<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-mtsu-blocks-expandable-item accordion-item expandable-heading expandable-heading-lightblock\"><h2 class=\"accordion-header\" id=\"headingcultivates-meaningful-reciprocal-partnerships-and-public-service-programs\"><button class=\"accordion-button collapsed\" type=\"button\" data-bs-toggle=\"collapse\" data-bs-target=\"#collapsenewExpandablecultivates-meaningful-reciprocal-partnerships-and-public-service-programs\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"collapsenewExpandablecultivates-meaningful-reciprocal-partnerships-and-public-service-programs\">Cultivates meaningful, reciprocal partnerships and public service programs<\/button><\/h2><div id=\"collapsenewExpandablecultivates-meaningful-reciprocal-partnerships-and-public-service-programs\" class=\"accordion-collapse collapse expandable-content expandable-content-lightblock\" aria-labelledby=\"headingcultivates-meaningful-reciprocal-partnerships-and-public-service-programs\" data-bs-parent=\"#newExpandable\"><div class=\"accordion-body\">\n<p>Partnerships tie MTSU to stakeholders in the region, the nation, and the world. University Advancement\u2019s\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/amp\/corporateengagement_strategicpartnerships\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">strategic partnership outreach<\/a>, University College\u2019s corporate outreach for education programming, Academic Affairs\u2019\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/communityengagement.mtsu.edu\/partners\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/communityengagement.mtsu.edu\/partners\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">University-Community Partnerships<\/a>\u00a0initiative, and University units across campus collaborate to build off-campus relationships that benefit students and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/mtsunews.com\/raider-relief-bahamas-2019\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">communities<\/a>\u00a0and expand cultural and economic opportunities. A 2018-19 survey of faculty identified over 1800 partnership activities; beginning in 2020, the Digital Measures\/Faculty Success platform facilitates annual faculty reporting of their service and partnership work. See also Center for Historic Preservation\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mtsuhistpres.org\/about\/partnership-projects\/\">partnerships<strong>\u00a0<\/strong>database<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-compact-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/mtsunews.com\/green-blue-arts-jan22\/\">MTSU-community arts collaboration continues with new writing workshop<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/medium.com\/in-process-a-creative-writing-event-series\"><em>In Process Writing Series<\/em><\/a>&nbsp;featured both MTSU faculty and local artists (fiction writers, poets, playwrights, song writers, etc.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Public service is a value as well as a practice through which our academic community engages with others.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/mtsublueraiders\/videos\/out-of-the-blue-beth-harwell\/2503028409963943\/%20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Distinguished Visiting Scholar Dr. Beth Harwell<\/a>, former Speaker of the 乐播传媒入口 House of Representatives, provided a role model and mentor for Political Science and Journalism majors and students involved with the\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/mtsunews.com\/true-blue-voter-initiative\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">American Democracy Project<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/firstamendment.mtsu.edu\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/firstamendment.mtsu.edu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Free Speech Center<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"684\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/amp\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2024\/05\/Silver-Seal-Award-2018-graphic-1170x781-1-1024x684.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-111\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/amp\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2024\/05\/Silver-Seal-Award-2018-graphic-1170x781-1-1024x684.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/amp\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2024\/05\/Silver-Seal-Award-2018-graphic-1170x781-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/amp\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2024\/05\/Silver-Seal-Award-2018-graphic-1170x781-1-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/amp\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2024\/05\/Silver-Seal-Award-2018-graphic-1170x781-1.jpg 1170w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Student registering to vote.&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/mtsunews.com\/silver-seal-voter-friendly-awards-fall19\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Read full story.<\/a>&nbsp;<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-mtsu-blocks-expandable-item accordion-item expandable-heading expandable-heading-lightblock\"><h2 class=\"accordion-header\" id=\"headinginvests-in-the-professional-development-of-faculty-students-and-staff\"><button class=\"accordion-button collapsed\" type=\"button\" data-bs-toggle=\"collapse\" data-bs-target=\"#collapsenewExpandableinvests-in-the-professional-development-of-faculty-students-and-staff\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"collapsenewExpandableinvests-in-the-professional-development-of-faculty-students-and-staff\">Invests in the professional development of faculty, students, and staff<\/button><\/h2><div id=\"collapsenewExpandableinvests-in-the-professional-development-of-faculty-students-and-staff\" class=\"accordion-collapse collapse expandable-content expandable-content-lightblock\" aria-labelledby=\"headinginvests-in-the-professional-development-of-faculty-students-and-staff\" data-bs-parent=\"#newExpandable\"><div class=\"accordion-body\">\n<p>The\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/ltanditc.mtsu.edu\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/ltanditc.mtsu.edu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Learning, Teaching, and Innovative Technologies Center<\/a>\u00a0expanded professional development activities to include faculty-led workshops, book groups, learning communities, and writing groups, as well as guest speakers, special events, and an open classrooms initiative. Total participation skyrocketed from 636 in 2015-16 to 1830 in 2018-19, and 1487 in 2019-20 despite necessary COVID-19 cancellations. Funding for professional development accounts for a large portion of the University\u2019s investment in our Quality Enhancement Plan, MT Engage, which offers an annual summer institute and workshops as well as support for LT&amp;ITC faculty learning communities and MT Engage Major Pathway professional learning communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Student professional development opportunities have increased both on campus and through electronic media. Between 2015 and 2022, 49 students received\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/honors.mtsu.edu\/award-winners\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/honors.mtsu.edu\/award-winners\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">prestigious national awards<\/a>, including the Fulbright, Goldwater, Critical Language Scholarship, and Phi Kappa Phi.\u00a0Electronic media have become important tools for access to professional development and employment opportunities. Marketing students in the Jones College of Business learn to use LinkedIn and SalesForce. In 2019, Alumni Affairs launched a webinar series and introduced\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mtalumni.com\/s\/1092\/17\/interior.aspx?sid=1092&amp;gid=1&amp;pgid=1421\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">MT Connect<\/a>, an electronic platform joining students and alumni; in 2020 the Career Development Center implemented\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/career\/handshake\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/career\/handshake\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Handshake<\/a>\u00a0to connect students with professional internship, webinar, and employment opportunities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery aligncenter has-nested-images columns-default wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ltanditc.mtsu.edu\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"798\" height=\"419\" data-id=\"113\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/amp\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2024\/05\/ltanditc.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-113\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/amp\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2024\/05\/ltanditc.png 798w, https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/amp\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2024\/05\/ltanditc-300x158.png 300w, https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/amp\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2024\/05\/ltanditc-768x403.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 798px) 100vw, 798px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mtalumni.com\/s\/1092\/17\/interior.aspx?sid=1092&amp;gid=1&amp;pgid=1421\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"582\" data-id=\"114\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/amp\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2024\/05\/connect1_color-1024x582.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-114\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/amp\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2024\/05\/connect1_color-1024x582.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/amp\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2024\/05\/connect1_color-300x170.png 300w, https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/amp\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2024\/05\/connect1_color-768x436.png 768w, https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/amp\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2024\/05\/connect1_color-1536x873.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/amp\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2024\/05\/connect1_color.png 1943w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/career\/handshake\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"782\" height=\"211\" data-id=\"112\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/amp\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2024\/05\/thumbnail_handshake_logo_light_crop.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-112\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/amp\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2024\/05\/thumbnail_handshake_logo_light_crop.png 782w, https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/amp\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2024\/05\/thumbnail_handshake_logo_light_crop-300x81.png 300w, https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/amp\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2024\/05\/thumbnail_handshake_logo_light_crop-768x207.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 782px) 100vw, 782px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-mtsu-blocks-expandable-item accordion-item expandable-heading expandable-heading-lightblock\"><h2 class=\"accordion-header\" id=\"headingrecognizes-and-celebrates-the-achievement-of-excellence\"><button class=\"accordion-button collapsed\" type=\"button\" data-bs-toggle=\"collapse\" data-bs-target=\"#collapsenewExpandablerecognizes-and-celebrates-the-achievement-of-excellence\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"collapsenewExpandablerecognizes-and-celebrates-the-achievement-of-excellence\">Recognizes and celebrates the achievement of excellence<\/button><\/h2><div id=\"collapsenewExpandablerecognizes-and-celebrates-the-achievement-of-excellence\" class=\"accordion-collapse collapse expandable-content expandable-content-lightblock\" aria-labelledby=\"headingrecognizes-and-celebrates-the-achievement-of-excellence\" data-bs-parent=\"#newExpandable\"><div class=\"accordion-body\">\n<p>Academic colleges and\u00a0departments, Student Affairs, Blue Raider Athletics, and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/hrs.mtsu.edu\/recog\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/hrs.mtsu.edu\/recog\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Human Resources<\/a>\u00a0annually recognize excellence and service to the University\u2019s mission through ceremonies and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/cbhs.mtsu.edu\/awards\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/cbhs.mtsu.edu\/awards\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">publications<\/a>, both print and electronic. In 2020,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/cbhs.mtsu.edu\/CBHS_Awards_Program_2020_v6\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"http:\/\/cbhs.mtsu.edu\/CBHS_Awards_Program_2020_v6\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">academic colleges<\/a>, Blue Raider Athletics, and the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=2Q4fYlsDn90%20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Center for Student Involvement and Leadership<\/a>\u00a0took their awards ceremonies online to ensure continuous recognition of\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/mtsunews.com\/tag\/student-awards\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">student excellence<\/a>\u00a0in the face of COVID-19 disruption to our academic community.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Foster academic community The University has taken important steps to foster academic community between 2015 and 2022.&nbsp; Drawing upon current program strengths, our faculty have developed new programs in emerging and interdisciplinary fields. The University has increased its investment in creating, preserving, and sharing knowledge that sustains learning, scholarship, and outreach by fostering relationships among [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-96","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/amp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/96","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/amp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/amp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/amp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/amp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=96"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/amp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/96\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":272,"href":"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/amp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/96\/revisions\/272"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/amp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=96"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}