MURFREESBORO, Tenn. ­— The February episode of “Out of the Blue,” Middle Tennessee State University’s television magazine program, features a conversation about strengthening alumni ties and building partnerships in the College of Education.

Program host Andrew Oppmann, vice president for marketing and communications, spoke with Caroline Haynes, the college’s development director, who outlined two of the priorities the college has for 2026: increasing alumni engagement and expanding partnerships that support students financially and professionally.

Haynes said partnerships already play a major role in the college, from school systems that host student-teachers to industry partners who help fund opportunities. One example is the Spark Awards, a partnership with Middle Tennessee Electric that provides $2,500 each semester to two graduating education students as they prepare to launch their classrooms.

“Many teachers are paying out of pocket to support their students,” Haynes said, noting the funding helps cover supplies and other classroom needs as new educators get started.

She added that reconnecting with the college’s roughly 19,000 alumni is another key focus. Haynes said she hopes graduates will find ways to stay involved that fit their interests, whether through mentoring, partnerships, or giving.

“I like to say I’m here to create opportunities with people’s interests,” Haynes said. “We want alumni invested in the college in whatever way works best for them.”

Haynes also highlighted flexible support funds that can help students cover expenses such as licensure exams or other costs that could delay graduation.

You can watch the segment below:

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.; NewsChannel5+ at 6:30 p.m. Sundays; WKRN+ at 7 p.m. Thursdays and noon Sundays; and streamed on the MTSU Jazz Network through WMOT.orgat 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 athttps://spoti.fi/453hxg3.

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

— Karli Sutton (Karli.Sutton@mtsu.edu)