Experts Matter. Find Yours.

Naronda Wright elected President of NAGAP, the Association for Graduate Enrollment Management

Naronda Wright, Ed.D., associate dean of Graduate Student Services in Georgia Southern University’s Jack N. Averitt College of Graduate Studies, was recently elected president of NAGAP, the Association for Graduate Enrollment Management. She is the first African American to hold the role of president in the association. Wright, a seasoned professional in the field of graduate enrollment management, brings more than 15 years of experience to her new role. In her position at Georgia Southern, Wright has been instrumental in implementing innovative recruitment strategies and enhancing student services, contributing significantly to the growth and diversity of the graduate programs. Under her leadership for NAGAP, Wright plans to focus on expanding the association’s reach, enhancing member engagement and advancing the association’s strategic initiatives aimed at supporting its members’ professional development. “I am deeply honored to serve as the president of NAGAP and look forward to working closely with our members across the globe to foster an environment of knowledge sharing and professional growth,” said Wright. Wright’s election comes at a pivotal time as the association seeks to navigate the challenges of the ever-evolving educational landscape and harness opportunities to drive positive change in graduate enrollment practices worldwide. “We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Wright as the new president of NAGAP,” said Haley Brust, executive director of NAGAP. “Her extensive experience and dedicated leadership are vital as we continue to support our members and advocate for the importance of graduate enrollment management.” Wright holds a Doctor of Education in Higher Education Leadership from Clark Atlanta University and a Master of Education in Higher Education Administration from Georgia Southern. She has previously served NAGAP as vice president, secretary and conference committee chair. NAGAP is dedicated to the professional advancement and support of individuals in graduate enrollment management. NAGAP offers its members professional development opportunities, cutting-edge research and a community network to foster best practices in graduate education. For additional information about NAGAP and its services, please visit www.nagap.org. If you're interested in learning more or a reporter looking to speak with Naronda Wright - simply Contact Georgia Southern's Director of Communications Jennifer Wise at jwise@georgiasouthern.edu to arrange an interview today.

Together We Soar Campaign surpasses $100 million milestone

The Georgia Southern University Foundation, Inc. and the Georgia Southern University Athletic Foundation, Inc. are pleased to announce a significant milestone in its ambitious fundraising campaign, “Together We Soar.” The generous support of the community has enabled the campaign to soar past the $100 million mark, a remarkable achievement in the University’s path toward its $125 million goal. Launched October 2023, the “Together We Soar” public phase of the campaign set out with a bold vision to elevate Georgia Southern’s mission and impact: “People. Purpose. Action. Growing ourselves to grow others.” Through this initiative, the University aimed to strengthen its commitment to prioritize student success and support its communities. The overwhelming response and unwavering support from our donors and alumni have propelled us toward this momentous achievement. “This milestone is a testament to the incredible generosity and belief in our mission,” said Georgia Southern University President Kyle Marrero. “We are deeply humbled and grateful for the outpouring of support that has brought us to this point. Together, we are making a tangible difference in the lives of our students and shaping a brighter future for generations to come.” Throughout the campaign so far, 106 new endowments have been created covering all areas of academic study. The Goel Scholars was established and provides a full ride scholarship opportunity for the Honors College, and the first class has begun their studies. The School of Music was named the Fred and Dinah Gretsch School of Music. Buildings such as the Jack and Ruth Ann Hill Convocation Center, the Anthony P. Tippins Family Training Center, renovations made to the J.I. Clements Baseball stadium, and the renamed Evans Family Field at Allen E. Paulson Stadium contributes significantly to the landscape of the Statesboro Campus. Significant gifts made by the Crider family will propel the Manufacturing Engineering program, while a commitment by Centene Corporation will put healthcare at the forefront for years to come. The success of the “Together We Soar” campaign underscores the power of collective action and the impact that philanthropy can have on communities. Every contribution, no matter the size, has played a vital role in reaching this milestone and advancing the shared vision. “As we celebrate this achievement, we also recognize that our work is far from over, said Trip Addison, vice president for University Advancement. “With $25 million left to reach our goal, we remain committed to forging ahead, united in our dedication to Georgia Southern’s mission and the individuals and communities we serve. We extend our deepest gratitude to all who have contributed to the “Together We Soar” campaign. Your support is not only transforming lives but also inspiring hope and creating lasting change.” For more information on how to join the mission or contribute to the campaign, please visit GeorgiaSouthern.edu/TogetherWeSoar. For more information, contact Georgia Southern's Director of Communications Jennifer Wise at jwise@georgiasouthern.edu to arrange an interview today.

Trump’s Election Interference Case on Hold

Professor of Law James Sample appeared on CNN with Julia Chatterley to discuss the Georgia Court of Appeals putting an indefinite hold on former President Donald Trump’s election interference case. James Sample is a Professor of Law at Hofstra University and previously served as an attorney in the Democracy Program at the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law. James is available to speak with media - simply click on his icon now to arrange an interview today.

MEDIA RELEASE: More than half of Manitobans think roads are not safe – CAA survey

A recent member survey conducted by CAA Manitoba (CAA MB) found that 43 per cent of cyclists who are members have been involved in a collision or a near-collision while riding their bike. The survey also found that 63 per cent of Manitobans think the roads are unsafe for all users. These statistics reinforce CAA Manitoba's continuous call for cyclists and motorists to share the road this summer regardless of whether they drive, bike or walk. "As more Manitobans rely on cars and bikes to get around, we all need to do our part to share the road safely," says Ewald Friesen, manager government and community relations for CAA Manitoba. "We must all remain vigilant and considerate to ensure everyone reaches their destinations safely." In the survey, the top three poor motorist behaviours identified included, • Aggressive drivers (56 per cent) • Drivers not looking for cyclists when turning corners (55 per cent) • Drivers not looking for cyclists when opening their doors, aka "dooring" (47 per cent) The most common poor cycling behaviours identified were, • Not stopping at stop signs (85 per cent) • Rolling through stop signs (84 per cent) • Not signaling when intending to turn (80 per cent) • Not stopping at traffic signals (76 per cent) "Both cyclists and motorists have identified behaviours on the road that can be improved," adds Friesen. "While motorist behaviour is a safety concern for cyclists, our members also see cyclists doing things like not stopping at stop signs and not signaling turns. We can all be part of the solution, whether driving or biking, by looking out for each other and using clear signals." As warmer, summer-like weather rolls in, CAA Manitoba is reminding drivers to maintain a one-metre distance from cyclists, signal clearly, and check mirrors and blind spots before turning or changing lanes. Cyclists should equip their bikes with bells or horns and add reflectors for improved visibility and safety. Some additional key findings from the survey show that: • Only 46 per cent of Manitoban cyclists say they typically wear a helmet, while 35 per cent say they never do. • 61 per cent of Manitobans think that too little information is available about cycling and sharing the road. CAA Manitoba is participating in two community events this month to encourage bike riding and road safety. On Saturday, June 1, Bike Tune-Up Day, CAA MB provided free tune-ups and maintenance tips in partnership with Bike Winnipeg, The WRENCH and Valour Community Centre. CAA Manitoba is also the presenting sponsor for Bike to Work Day and will host a Pit Stop on June 11, 2024, on the southwest lawn behind the Manitoba Legislature. CAA Manitoba has more safety tips for drivers and cyclists on its website at caa.ca/driving-safely/cycling/ The online survey was conducted among CAA members in Manitoba and south-central Ontario from July 20 to August 3, 2023, with 361 responses from Manitoba, including 183 cyclists and 178 non-cyclists. Based on the sample size and the confidence level 95 per cent), the margin of error for this study was +/- 5 per cent.

From Boring to Brilliant: Writing that Transforms Your Thought Leadership into Must-Read Content

Insights from our Webinar with Author, Rhea Wessel Ask anyone who develops Thought Leadership programs, and they will tell you that experts are essential to a successful program. But experts are busy people. That makes expert engagement strategies a very popular topic with our Comms and Media Relations pros. That’s why we invited Rhea Wessel, Founder of The Institute for Thought Leadership, to join us last week for our ExpertFile webinar. Rhea, a former tech and financial journalist and author of “Write Like a Thought Leader,” has worked with organizations such as Harvard, CFA Institute, Accenture and the Max Planck Institute to help their experts focus on developing unique story angles while getting high-quality work produced. Having seen her in action at last year's IABC Global Conference, speaking to a standing-room-only crowd, I was really impressed by Rhea’s approach.  Rhea uses a system that experts and comms teams can use to brainstorm topics and craft story angles that frame expertise and research to make them more compelling. In the session, she showed us how she helps brainstorm and select the best angles for thought-leadership stories using ideas such as “origin” stories, “what if” scenarios, personal-impact stories, and opinion pieces.  Experts often have issues with the "dreaded first draft.” The frameworks Rhrea showed us from her book were clever and designed to pragmatically move experts from brainstorming into a writing mode that doesn’t feel forced. Here are some key points I took away from Rhea’s session: Defining Thought Leadership An essential attribute of Thought Leaders is that they share their knowledge for free, using journalistic skills to engage their audience by articulating emerging ideas, steering conversations and influencing others. Finding the Niche Finding and framing thought leadership is not about covering a broad topic. The best topics are often very narrow. And they are best found at the intersection of the expert’s passion, purpose, and big ideas. Think Like a Journalist Write in a conversational tone and include data, quotes & statistics, but not too much. Use short sentences and paragraphs while keeping the story fast-moving. And don’t forget your sense of humor. Spend Time on the Headlines By “thinking like a journalist” and focusing on headlines, one can narrow the focus when examining research and insights to create more clarity. Quoting Author Sean Coyne, Rhea referred to headlines as having the benefit of being an “enabling constraint." "One of the curses of subject matter expertise is that your experts know a lot. They tend to pack a lot [of their knowledge] in, and for a good story, you've got to slice out a narrow bit. That’s the constraint.”  Rhea Wessel Time & Place Matters Stories are best anchored in time and place. When you are working with an expert and you want to enrich a story, don’t just think about how they developed their research and insights. Also, think about “where they were” and “when did it happen?” A good origin story explains why an insight is significant for the expert, creating a more emotional, relatable connection for the audience. Frame Your Story Keep it focused on a single yet relevant problem the audience has. Then explain why this matters to your audience and why now. Based on the feedback we received from this session, we'll have Rhea Wessel join us for more conversations on topics related to storytelling. We'd love to know what you think. Details about this session are below: Full Webinar Recording bit.ly/4e9YuWb Presentation Slides To get a copy of the presentation & Templates, just hit the connect button on my profile and let me know.  Enjoy!

Experts in the Media: Not a gym rat? Here’s how to get started on an outdoor exercise routine

Summer is here and there's no better time to get out and get active. And for some, the idea of going to the gym just isn't an option or a place they want to be. So recently, the Associated Press was looking for alternatives and connected with TCU's Deborah J. Rhea, Director of the LiiNK Center for Healthy Play. Rhea is also an expert in the areas of  physical activity and education and the importance of unstructured play. The health benefits of spending time in nature have long been established, and exercise in general, of course, improves physical and mental well-being. Combine the two and you double down on what adults need to stay healthy, said Debbie Rhea, professor in kinesiology at Texas Christian University. “We’ve got to get outside. We’ve got to be active,” Rhea said. “If we’re going to live long lives, this is what it’s about.” May 29 - Associated Press If you're interested in learning more about the importance of being active and the different ways to do it - then let us help. Deborah J. Rhea is available to speak with media about this topic - simply click on her icon now to arrange an interview today.

NYS Budget Provisions May Protect Incumbent Democrats

Lawrence Levy, associate vice president and executive dean of the National Center for Suburban Studies, was interviewed by City & State New York about how Governor Kathy Hochul’s budget and focus on issues like affordable housing and retail theft may provide some protection for incumbent Democrats this November. The state budget may be designed to insulate Democrats from Republican attacks, but it’s not clear that it will be the deciding factor in various races. The 2024 election cycle is an entirely different beast than 2022. Two years ago, Hochul was at the top of the ticket in New York. This year, she’s not even on the ballot. That may actually be a boon for Democrats, as many observers credited her lackluster performance with negatively impacting races down ballot and the latest Siena College polling has her favorability and job approval ratings at all-time lows. Hochul notably did not stump for Suozzi during his high-profile race in February despite her role as de facto head of the state Democratic Party. And in the weeks following the state budget, she has only visited a swing district to celebrate her policy successes in the spending plan once. Instead, President Joe Biden and Donald Trump will be at the top of the ticket, and any thoughts about the specific policies included in the state budget could be reflected by voters’ sentiments about the two presidential candidates. “With the presidential campaign at the top of the ticket, I don’t think what Hochul does, or doesn’t do, will make a particular difference in any of the competitive congressional races,” said Lawrence Levy, executive dean of the National Center for Suburban Studies at Hofstra University. “Yes, she may be cited by Republicans along with several other high-profile Democrats as supposedly insensitive to their constituents on housing and crime, to see if that still sticks, but mostly it’s going to be about Trump and Biden.”  May 13 - City and State New York Covering New York politics - we have experts ready to help with any of your questions and stories. Lawrence Levy is the Executive Dean of the National Center for Suburban Studies at Hofstra University. He's available to speak with media - simply click on his icon now to arrange an interview today.

Georgia Southern University’s Business Innovation Group wins international recognition from InBIA

Business Innovation Group team members Dominique Halaby, DPA, Suzanne Hallman and D’Erica Evans accept an award at the InBIA awards ceremony. Georgia Southern University’s Business Innovation Group (BIG) returned home from San Antonio, Texas, with high honors from the International Business Innovation Association (InBIA) during its annual awards ceremony, which recognizes excellence in entrepreneur support. In an awards ceremony held during the 38th annual International Conference on Business Incubation, BIG received four awards including two of the organization’s most prestigious accolades, the Dinah Adkins Award for Non-Technology-Based Entrepreneur Support Organization of the Year, and the Randall M. Whaley Award, which is InBIA’s highest honor. The Statesboro BIG location was named the Mixed-Use Entrepreneur Support Organization of the Year, while the Metter Business Incubator location received the Rural Entrepreneurship Support Organization of the Year. “I am honored that the InBIA recognized our efforts at the Georgia Southern University Business Innovation Group with the highest accolades for the support we offer to entrepreneurs,” said Dominique Halaby, DPA, director of the BIG and associate vice president for innovation. “These awards highlight the hard work the BIG teams put into making our business incubators an incredible resource for budding businesses and furthering our mission to advance the economic growth of our region.” BIG works to build an ecosystem throughout the state of Georgia to help entrepreneurs create, incubate and accelerate their for-profit business enterprises. BIG facilitates access to University resources, creates opportunities for student experiential learning and fosters an environment that supports a growth mindset throughout the state. “Through the InBIA awards program, we celebrate exceptional organizations that catalyze entrepreneurship for their communities,” said President and CEO of InBIA Charles Ross. “Congratulations to the Georgia Southern University Business Innovation Group on their well-deserved recognition. Their commitment to high-quality programming, organizational excellence and community impact is truly inspiring.” InBIA is a global nonprofit empowering entrepreneur support organizations in every U.S. state and in over 30 countries. With over 39 years of experience, InBIA has been a guiding force in providing industry best practices, fostering collaboration, mentorship and the exchange of innovative ideas for entrepreneurs worldwide. InBIA is the go-to organization for business incubators, accelerators, coworking spaces and other entrepreneurship centers. Interested in learning more or looking to talk with Dominique Halaby? Simply click on his icon now to arrange an interview today.

Harmonies and healing: Georgia Southern’s RiteCare Center forms singing group to aid in Parkinson’s Disease therapy

Associate Professor of Voice Emily Grundstad-Hall, DMA, left, plays the piano while members of the Savannah Song Birds sing. If you asked Alyson Brinkley what her favorite day of the week was, her answer of “Monday” might surprise you. But Monday mornings are her favorite because Brinkley, a graduate student in the Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSDS) program at Georgia Southern University, teams up with fellow students and faculty to sing and harmonize while simultaneously helping Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients with therapy. Through a unique and collaborative singing group called the Savannah Songbirds, the RiteCare Center for Communications Disorders uses this group to raise awareness of PD while providing therapeutic support through the power of music. “It is the best part of my week and the best way to start my Monday morning,” Brinkley said. “It has enhanced my experience as a student by providing a unique experience I would not have received at any other school. The Savannah Songbirds is the only choir for people with Parkinson’s in the nearby area.” Founded in 2023 by Tory Candea, clinic coordinator for the RiteCare Center, the Savannah Songbirds gather weekly for rehearsals. Inspired by The Parkinson Voice Project, the group’s formation reflects Candea’s dedication to functional communication, community engagement and enriching the lives of those battling neurological diseases. The therapeutic benefits of music and vocal exercises for PD patients are profound,” Candea said. “PD often impairs communication by affecting the muscles involved in speech production. Through singing and vocal exercises, individuals engage these muscles in a demanding yet enriching manner, enhancing communication abilities and overall quality of life.” Candea partnered with Associate Professor of Voice Emily Grundstad-Hall, DMA, from the Gretsch School of Music to enhance the Savannah Songbirds choir. Grundstad-Hall directs the choir, facilitates the rehearsals, selects music and helps organize an end-of-semester concert. “This is a great collaboration between the two departments,” said Grunstad-Hall. “There has always been a positive outlook on departments and schools working together ‘across the curriculum.’ Singing is housed in the arts and speech is housed in health professions, but singing and speaking use the same instrument/anatomy to achieve a goal. It makes sense that we would work well together.” During their sessions, the Savannah Songbirds learn a repertoire of songs, including classics like “Moon River,” “Danny Boy,” “That Old Black Magic,” “Dona Nobis Pacem” and “Give Me Your Tired.” “I have enjoyed the collaboration with my colleagues and students in the CSDS department,” Grundstad-Hall said. “The singers that participate in the choir are amazing and I benefit from the community that being in a choir can bring. We are all working toward a common goal and we get to do it by singing songs. What could be better than that?!” Participants describe the experience as both enjoyable and rewarding, highlighting the therapeutic value of music in their journey with PD, Candea said. Students like Moriah Pearce, also a graduate student in the CSDS program, see the benefits of participating. “This experience working with these individuals has cemented my passion for working with individuals with Parkinson’s disease,” said Pearce, whose interest in working with PD patients developed in her undergraduate coursework at Texas Woman’s University. “It has provided me with experience outside of a therapy room in a different environment. It is rewarding to see these individuals who are motivated and happy to be part of this wonderful group.” Like Brinkely, Pearce describes the Monday meetings as her favorite way to start the week. “The most rewarding part of being in this choir is being part of a program that provides a sense of community and camaraderie for these individuals,” Pearce said. “Our weekly meetings provide these individuals an opportunity to spend time with people who may have the same or similar experiences with PD and who have a passion for music.” Seeing the motivation of participants has also been rewarding for Brinkley. “The most rewarding part of the choir is to see the members sing when they thought that their singing voices would be diminished due to Parkinson’s,” Brinkley said. “Although Parkinson’s is a progressive neurological condition, our members show up every Monday to rehearse. Some travel from South Carolina to be a part of the choir. It is so rewarding to see such strong motivation and to create a safe space for members to sing with their new voices and recognize what they are capable of.” For the clinicians and faculty involved, the collaboration represents a unique opportunity to provide evidence-based therapy creatively and engagingly. By integrating music into therapy sessions, they aim to enhance outcomes and promote community service-minded efforts. “Overall, working with the Savannah Songbirds has been immensely educational and rewarding, and one of the most enjoyable experiences of my professional career,” Candea said. “Being afforded the opportunity to provide evidence-based speech therapy services in a less traditional way has been engaging. Learning to enhance outcomes and the enjoyment of treatment through the addition of creative arts has been eye-opening. Promoting the importance of community service-minded efforts has been gratifying.” The Savannah Songbirds will host their next performance in the Fine Arts Auditorium on the Armstrong Campus on April 29 at 11 a.m. The event is free and open to the public. The partnership between the CSDS program, music department, and RiteCare Center offers a multitude of benefits for both PD patients and the broader community. Beyond therapeutic support, the collaboration fosters awareness and education about PD while showcasing the diverse programs offered by the RiteCare Center. For those seeking assistance, the RiteCare Center for Communication Disorders, located in the Armstrong Center, offers comprehensive evaluation and treatment services for individuals of all ages impacted by speech, language, cognitive, or swallowing disorders. Interested in learning more about the RiteCare Center? Contact Georgia Southern's Director of Communications Jennifer Wise at jwise@georgiasouthern.edu to arrange an interview today.

Georgia Southern awarded $600,000 to lower equity gaps, increase graduation rates for low-income students

Students at Georgia Southern University now have even more opportunities to excel with the help of two new grants from the National Institute for Student Success (NISS) at Georgia State University totaling up to $600,000. The first is a $500,000 Acceleration Grant that will be distributed to Georgia Southern over the next two years to cover start-up costs for critical implementation steps of an ambitious program that further catalyzes Georgia Southern’s student success outcomes. “As Georgia Southern’s Fall 2024 enrollment continues to increase at record levels through freshman applications and admits, we are pleased to partner with the National Institute for Student Success to reinforce our commitment to providing exceptional student experiences and support that nurtures future leaders and global citizens,” stated Alejandra C. Sosa Pieroni, Ed.D., executive vice president, Division of Enrollment, Marketing and Student Success. “We are steadfast in our commitment to providing comprehensive, coordinated and differentiated student care to ensure every one of our students achieves their educational goals.” Funding through the Acceleration Grant will contribute to Georgia Southern’s existing initiatives to improve graduation rates and student success outcomes through the adoption of a suite of innovative, evidence-based programs. These programs, which deploy tools such as predictive analytics, AI technology, CRM platform, and big data to deliver personalized support to students, have been shown to help universities increase their graduation rates by 50% or more and to reduce discrepancies in graduation rates significantly. The second NISS award to Georgia Southern is the Keep HOPE Alive grant, which offers $100,000 across one year to support students who have lost the HOPE Scholarship as they work to regain eligibility. “We are enthusiastic about our partnership with Georgia Southern and working to deploy strategies that will contribute to substantive improvement in student outcomes,” said Timothy M. Renick, Ph.D., NISS executive director. Housed at Georgia State University, the NISS Acceleration Grants have been awarded to partner institutions that have completed a rigorous diagnostic analysis and have demonstrated a commitment to addressing structural and institutional barriers to the success of their students. Georgia Southern is a member of the second cohort to receive support from the NISS Accelerator Grant program, which launched in 2022. Unique to the Accelerator Grant program is up to three years of implementation coaching, webinars, meetings with expert practitioners and online resources provided by the NISS to support each awardee in implementing the new programs. The NISS coaching model is built on more than a decade of experience at Georgia State University developing and disseminating new approaches to student success that include predictive-analytics-based advising, AI-enhanced chatbots, and data-informed models for distributing financial aid. “These programs have helped Georgia State University increase its graduation rates for its bachelor’s students by 70% and its associate’s students by 300%,” according to Renick. “Black, Hispanic and low-income students now graduate from Georgia State at or above the rate of the student body overall.” The Acceleration Grant program will advance the NISS goal of producing 500,000 additional college graduates across its partner institutions over the next decade. Interested in learning more about this programming at Georgia Southern University or to arrange an interview with Alejandra Sosa Pieroni simply contact Georgia Southern's Director of Communications Jennifer Wise at jwise@georgiasouthern.edu to arrange an interview today.