Reporters recently reached out to members of the MTSU community for their insights on topics that included African Americans’ distrust of local government, the combination of journalism and advocacy, short-term certificate programs and tornadoes in the Southeast, among others.

Dr. Alisa Hass

Dr. John Wallin

• Dr. Alisa Hass, an assistant professor of geography, explained why the Southeast is likely to have devastating tornadoes in a Dec. 13 article in The Conversation. The story is available here.

• Dr. John Wallin, a professor of physics and astronomy and director of the Computational and Data Science Doctoral Degree Program, explained how to create art with word text and the Python programming language in a Dec. 13 post at www.instructables.com. His article can be accessed here.

Dr. David Urban

Darrell Freeman

• Darrell Freeman, a member of the MTSU Board of Trustees, announced at the board’s quarterly meeting that he will pay for 50 students to attend MTSU’s Scholars Academy, as reported in a Dec. 15 article by Nashville Main Street. His comments can be read here.

• Dr. David Urban, dean of the Jennings A. Jones College of Business, explained the importance of short-term certificate programs at the higher education level in a Dec. 14 story by The Hechinger Report. His remarks are available here.

Dr. Sekou Franklin

• Dr. Sekou Franklin, a professor of political science and international relations, considered the impact of participatory budgeting on municipal governments in a Dec. 15 story by WPLN-FM in Nashville. His views can be accessed here.

Franklin said a research study in which he participated found that African Americans’ distrust of local government constitutes an opportunity for reform in a Dec. 20 article in the Montgomery (Alabama) Advertiser. His analysis is available here.

Dr. Marisa Richmond

Dr. Jackie Gilbert

• Dr. Jackie Gilbert, a professor of management, explained ways to address workplace bullying in a Dec. 20 article in Human Resource Executive magazine. Her perspectives can be read here.

• Dr. Marisa Richmond, an adjunct professor of history and women’s studies, paid tribute to LGBTQ+ journalist Rebecca Juro, who died Dec. 17, in a Dec. 20 article by the Los Angeles Blade. Her remarks are available here.

Dr. Andrew Polk

Ken Paulson

• Dr. Andrew Polk, an associate professor of history, penned an essay calling for an end to the so-called “War on Christmas” that was published Dec. 20 by the Clarksville (Tennessee) Leaf Chronicle and other Gannett newspapers. His opinions can be accessed here.

• Ken Paulson, director of the Free Speech Center, condemned the combination of journalism and advocacy on the part of some broadcasters in a Dec. 21 editorial in USA Today. His comments can be read here.

Reporters seeking expertise from MTSU personnel, as well as members of the campus community with expertise for media, may contact Gina Logue in the Office of News and Media Relations at 615-631-8322 or via email at gina.logue@mtsu.edu.

— Gina K. Logue (gina.logue@mtsu.edu)