MTSU, Siegel High School invest in Humanities Academy students to help them ‘Create, Connect, Belong’

Middle Tennessee State University College of Liberal Arts Special Project Coordinator Lucy Langworthy, front center, and Dean Leah Tolbert Lyons, front right, pose for a group photo with students and faculty from Seigel High School’s Humanities Academy during a Jan. 16 event at Siegel High School in Murfreesboro, Tenn. They are wearing the newly unveiled Humanities Academy T-shirts designed by a student and provided through support from MTSU’s College of Liberal Arts and Marketing and Communications. The program connects participating high school students with humanities learning, alumni speakers, and community engagement opportunities. (Submitted photo)

By Mike Davis

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Middle Tennessee State University’s College of Liberal Arts continues its partnership with Siegel High School through the Siegel Humanities Academy, a collaboration that supports nearly 100 students exploring humanities-based learning and career pathways.

Students in the academy gathered recently at Siegel High School to receive new Humanities Academy T-shirts designed by a fellow student and featuring this year’s theme, “Create, Connect, Belong.” The event marked a visible moment in the ongoing partnership between MTSU and Siegel High School.

“The College of Liberal Arts is proud to sponsor the Siegel Humanities Academy,” said Dean Leah Tolbert Lyons. “We see our partnership with the teachers and administrators who support the academy as an extension of our mission to help students build skills such as critical thinking, communication and creativity that will serve them for a lifetime.”

The shirts were provided through support from the College of Liberal Arts in partnership with MTSU’s Division of Marketing and Communications, reflecting a shared investment in students and in strengthening the academy’s sense of community.

Leah Tolbert Lyons, dean of the College of Liberal Arts at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tenn., speaks during a Jan. 16 event at Siegel High School unveiling new Humanities Academy T-shirts designed by a student. The shirts were provided through support from CLA and Marketing and Communications at MTSU. The program connects participating high school students with humanities learning, alumni speakers, and community engagement opportunities. (Submitted photo)

The academy introduces students to humanities learning while connecting them with educators, alumni and community leaders who demonstrate how humanities skills translate into careers. The partnership has expanded over several years through Humanities Week, guest lectures, service projects and campus engagement opportunities, reinforcing a shared message that human judgment, expression and connection still matter.

Real-world experiences

Melissa Deer, dean of the Siegel Humanities Academy, framed the Jan. 16 event as part of a larger effort to connect students with real-world experiences.

“What we’re really doing is being offered an opportunity to connect, to have conversations at a collegiate level in our community,” Deer said. “We’re having these opportunities to make connections that will put students in a position to make a difference, to find careers, and to have role models in our community.”

Melissa Deer, dean of the Siegel Humanities Academy, speaks during a Jan. 16 event at Siegel High School for an unveiling of the Humanities Academy T-shirts designed by a student and provided through support from College of Liberal Arts and Marketing and Communications at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tenn. The program connects participating high school students with humanities learning, alumni speakers and community engagement opportunities. (Submitted photos)

Deer also pointed to MTSU as a partner that models those same values.

“One of the things I love about MTSU is I can’t walk on their campus without seeing signs everywhere about how they’re connecting to the world,” Deer said. “They foster a community of belonging and connection, and we have students who have been working on those skills as well.”

As technology continues to reshape how people learn and work, leaders from both institutions see the academy’s focus on human-centered skills as increasingly important and central to leadership, civic engagement, and career readiness.

During the event, several participating students spoke about what the academy means to them.

“Creativity is one of the big pillars of the humanities, and that is my favorite,” said Mariah Davis, Humanities Academy senior. “All of the guest speakers have led us to real-world connections to different areas we can look more deeply into.”

Another senior highlighted the academy’s focus on self-expression.

“Through humanities, I’ve learned more about community, communication, and critical thinking,” Arushi Patel said. “One of my favorite guest speakers also talked about positive self-affirmations, and that reinforced that self-expression is important.”

For others, the academy creates a strong sense of belonging.

“I just love being a part of the Humanities Academy,” Elizabeth Dodd said. “You feel like a family here. It’s not just about history and literature. It’s about the people and the connections you make.”

The Siegel Humanities Academy offers pathways in humanities and fine arts that include advanced coursework, community service, career-focused talks, and access to MTSU resources such as the James E. Walker Library. The program reflects a continuing collaboration focused on helping students think critically, communicate clearly, and build meaningful connections in a changing world.

— Mike Davis (Michael.Davis2@mtsu.edu)