{"id":3511,"date":"2026-08-24T10:14:00","date_gmt":"2026-08-24T15:14:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/president\/?p=3511"},"modified":"2026-09-20T12:21:23","modified_gmt":"2026-09-20T17:21:23","slug":"fall-2026-academic-affairs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/president\/fall-2026-academic-affairs\/","title":{"rendered":"FALL 2026 ACADEMIC AFFAIRS"},"content":{"rendered":"<div style=\"margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px;\" class=\"sharethis-inline-share-buttons\" ><\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Division of Academic Affairs serves students across nine colleges and more than 330 academic degrees and concentrations. Within these academic units, leaders work year-round to support our faculty, staff, and students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">My sincere thanks to the following leaders in the Academic Affairs Division who started in their new positions since last academic year:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Office of the University Provost<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Jeff Gibson, vice provost for planning and effectiveness<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Beth Dye, academic and faculty support specialist<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>College of Basic and Applied Sciences<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Ismail Fidan, chair, Department of Engineering Technology<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>College of Behavioral and Health Sciences<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Vaughn Barry, interim chair, Department of Kinesiology and Sports Medicine<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Bethany Rhoten, director, School of Nursing<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Chandra Story, interim chair, Department of Sport and Hospitality Management<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Bethany Wrye, interim chair, Department of Health Sciences<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Jones College of Business<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Ronda Henderson, interim chair, Department of Marketing<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Kevin Zhao, interim chair, Department of Economics and Finance<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>College of Education<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Peter Eley, associate dean<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Kevin Krahenbuhl, chair, Department of Leadership, Development, and Educational Systems<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>College of Liberal Arts<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Kate Goodwin, interim associate dean<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Mandi Bailey, chair, Department of Political and Global Affairs<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Natalie Hoskins, interim chair, Department of Communication Studies<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Tiffany Momon, director, Center for Historic Preservation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Wendy Rountree, chair, Department of English<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Scott Borchetta College of Media and Entertainment<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Charlie Dahan, director, Center for Popular Music<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In the last decade, MTSU has added 56 undergraduate and graduate degree programs and certificates. For the 2026\u201327 academic year, I\u2019m excited to share we added three new graduate programs starting this academic year. My thanks to Provost Mark Byrnes, Vice Provost Amy Aldridge, and the numerous faculty who contributed to the development of these new academic programs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>M.F.A. in Film and Television<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Department of Media Arts, Scott Borchetta College of Media and Entertainment<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This program is the first and only M.F.A. of its kind at a public university in 乐播传媒入口. It is a 60-credit-hour graduate degree program intended for students who wish to continue their education in film and television through graduate study, post-graduates looking to shift to film-and-TV-oriented careers, and working film and television professionals who seek to shift their careers into further expansion of creative capacity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>M.S. in Legal Studies<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Department of Accounting, Jones College of Business<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The M.S. in Legal Studies program offers concentrations in Anti-Money Laundering, Fraud, and Compliance; Business Law; and Entertainment. It is a versatile, non-thesis graduate program for business professionals seeking a deeper understanding of U.S. law and the legal system but who do not intend to practice law or pursue a Juris Doctor. This 30-credit-hour graduate degree program is offered in collaboration with the Department of Accounting, the Scott Borchetta College of Media and Entertainment, and the Nashville School of Law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>M.S. in Mechatronics Systems Engineering<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Department of Engineering Technology, College of Basic and Applied Sciences<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The program, the first of its kind in 乐播传媒入口, provides advanced education at the intersection of mechanical, electrical, computer, and control systems engineering. It offers preparation to design, analyze, and optimize intelligent systems and advanced manufacturing processes that integrate hardware and software components. Students may select from a thesis option (30\u201336 credit hours) or a non-thesis option (30 credit hours), both of which combine foundational mechatronics coursework with electives in areas such as robotics, automation, AI, and engineering management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>News from around the colleges<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Each of the colleges and academic units at MTSU maintains a high level of activity and produces news worth crowing about.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For the eighth consecutive year, MTSU made the Princeton Review\u2019s annual list of the nation&#8217;s top colleges and universities. The 2027 list includes 392 institutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It would be impossible to mention all the wonderful work going on campuswide, so here I offer just one recent highlight from each academic unit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>College of Basic and Applied Sciences<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">MTSU\u2019s QRISE (Quantum Research, Interdisciplinary Science, and Education) Center and community partner Middle 乐播传媒入口 Electric teamed up to form the Middle 乐播传媒入口 Quantum Technology Hub, also known as the MT-QuTech Hub, to advance quantum research and infrastructure in the Midstate. The effort leverages MTSU\u2019s millions of dollars in active federal research awards with MTE\u2019s real-world infrastructure that serves 750,000 Tennesseans across 11 counties\u2014the second-largest electric cooperative in the country. It is spearheaded by Hanna Terletska, director of QRISE; John Villanova, QRISE associate director; and Brad Gibson, MTE\u2019s chief operating officer. The QRISE Center exists to serve as a catalyst for innovation by connecting academia, industry, and government to strengthen 乐播传媒入口\u2019s role in the national quantum ecosystem, expand economic opportunity, and position MTSU as a driving force of scientific and technological progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Jennings A. Jones College of Business<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce and MTSU\u2019s Business and Economic Research Center partnered to launch the region\u2019s first Business Confidence Index\u2014a quarterly index informed by a survey that will measure the confidence and sentiment of regional business leaders about the local economy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Scott Borchetta College of Media and Entertainment<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dean Beverly Keel was recently recognized during the third annual \u201cI\u2019m Just Me: A Charley Pride Celebration of Inclusion,\u201d held May 16 during the Academy of Country Music (ACM) Awards week in Las Vegas. Hosted by Amazon MGM Studios in partnership with Amazon Music and the ACM, the event honors artists, executives, allies, and culture shapers whose work helps create a more inclusive future for country music while celebrating the legacy of groundbreaking country artist Charley Pride. Keel was honored in the ally category for her work elevating underrepresented voices in country music through journalism, education, and leadership in the music industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>College of Education<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Connie Casha, director of the College of Education\u2019s early learning programs, was recently named recipient of the 2026 Linda O\u2019Neal Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by the 乐播传媒入口 Commission on Children and Youth (TCCY) at the Children\u2019s Advocacy Day. According to TCCY, the award &#8220;recognizes a lifetime of extraordinary commitment, excellence, leadership, accomplishment, generosity, and service to improve the lives of 乐播传媒入口 children and families.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>College of Behavioral and Health Sciences<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Marie Patterson, founding director of MTSU\u2019s Physician Assistant Studies program in the College of Behavioral and Health Sciences, was recently inducted into the 乐播传媒入口 Academy of Physician Assistants Hall of Fame, cementing her status as one of 乐播传媒入口\u2019s most influential voices in physician assistant education. Patterson helped launch PA programs at both Lipscomb University and MTSU, served as president of the 乐播传媒入口 Academy of Physician Assistants, chairs the 乐播传媒入口 Board of Physician Assistants, and represents the state on the National PA Compact Commission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>University Honors College<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">MTSU\u2019s Institute of Leadership Excellence (ILE) marked a milestone in 2026 as it celebrated its 20th year, reflecting two decades of growth, adaptation, and impact on undergraduate leaders across campus. Founded in 2006 after a cross-disciplinary group of faculty and staff designed the program the previous year, the institute has become one of MTSU\u2019s signature leadership development experiences. The program did not run in 2007 but has operated every year since, maintaining its core mission of helping students understand and apply leadership principles through immersive, experiential learning. The inaugural ILE cohort was funded by H. Lee Martin, whose family has long supported leadership education at MTSU. Lee and his brother, Paul Martin Jr., helped establish ILE with the shared goal of creating a program that would prepare students for leadership roles in the community and beyond. The institute continues to be taught each year in the Paul W. Martin Sr. Honors building, reflecting that original vision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>James E. Walker Library<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Through an Undergraduate Research Experience and Creative Activity (URECA) grant, a team of MTSU students in an undergraduate research course with instructors Sarah Pierce and Jessie Weatherly used modern technology to test over 30 library books that are preserved in Special Collections. Around 1,200 of these elegantly crafted Victorian-era books from the 1800s\u2014once prized for their vivid colors\u2014could contain pigments made with toxic compounds and heavy metals. A good portion of the collection\u2014about 14%\u2014are 19th-century books.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>College of Liberal Arts<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For the first time in more than a decade, MTSU\u2019s Blue Raider Debate Team recently played host to the International Public Debate Association National Championships and Convention, welcoming hundreds of the nation\u2019s top debaters to campus for rounds of friendly sparring on topics of the day. It turned out to be the largest national debate tournament in IPDA history. The event welcomed 54 colleges and more than 400 students. Almost every public building on campus was utilized, with around 150 rooms filled with competitions at the tournament\u2019s peak.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Division of Academic Affairs serves students across nine colleges and more than 330 academic degrees and concentrations. Within these academic units, leaders work year-round to support our faculty, staff, and students. My sincere thanks to the following leaders in the Academic Affairs Division who started in their new positions since last academic year: Office [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":192,"featured_media":3493,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3511","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/president\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3511","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/president\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/president\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/president\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/192"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/president\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3511"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/president\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3511\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3551,"href":"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/president\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3511\/revisions\/3551"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/president\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3493"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/president\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3511"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/president\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3511"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/president\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3511"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}