MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — The August episode of “Out of the Blue,” Middle Tennessee State University’s television program, highlights a milestone partnership preparing future business leaders, introduces MTSU’s new student body president and explores an innovative literacy initiative helping future educators enter the classroom ready to teach.

This month’s episode celebrates the 10th anniversary of the Jennings A. Jones College of Business‘ exclusive partnership with Dale Carnegie, showcasing how the nationally recognized program equips students with the communication, leadership and interpersonal skills employers value.

It also introduces viewers to newly elected Student Government Association President Kennedy Garrett, who shares her vision for student advocacy and engagement, before taking a closer look at Lead in Literacy, the College of Education‘s partnership with Murfreesboro City Schools that prepares future teachers to deliver effective literacy instruction from day one.

This month’s guests were interviewed by program host Andrew Oppmann, vice president of the Division of Marketing and Communications.

August’s guests include:

• Kenneth George, marketing lecturer in MTSU’s Jennings A. Jones College of Business and lead Dale Carnegie trainer, discusses the university’s decade-long partnership with Dale Carnegie. He explains how the required program helps business students build confidence, strengthen communication and leadership skills, and graduate prepared for today’s workforce.

• Karli Sutton, reporter for True Blue TV, introduces viewers to new Student Government Association President Kennedy Garrett while highlighting the role SGA plays in representing students across campus. The story explores how the organization advocates for the student body, connects students with university leadership and encourages involvement throughout the MTSU community.

• Katie Schrodt and Bonnie Barksdale, faculty members in MTSU’s College of Education, discuss the university’s Lead in Literacy partnership with Murfreesboro City Schools. They explain how the initiative gives future teachers hands-on classroom experience while strengthening literacy instruction and helping graduates become classroom-ready from their first day of teaching.

You can watch the full episode below:

Ways to watch, listen

• “Out of the Blue” is available anytime on the university’s YouTube channel, the True Blue TV channel, Roku, Apple TV and Amazon Fire TV.

• It also airs on Murfreesboro cable Channel 9 daily at 6 a.m., 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.; Sundays; WKRN+ at 7 p.m. Thursdays and noon Sundays; WNPX “The Spot – Nashville 28” at 4:30 a.m. on Saturdays; and streamed on the MTSU Jazz Network through WMOT.org at 7 a.m. on the first Sunday of each month; and on other cable outlets in Middle Tennessee, so check local listings.

• It is also available as a podcast on iTunes and Google Play and as individual interview segments on Spotify at https://spoti.fi/453hxg3.

Watch previous episodes of “Out of the Blue” at https://mtsunews.com/out-of-the-blue.

— Karli Sutton ([email protected])