MTSU faculty and staff experts contributed their knowledge to various national media outlets recently, sounding off on Tennessee politics, presidential line-item veto power, Kenya’s wildlife conservation efforts, celebrities’ involvement in politics, Russia’s relationship with the United States and coffee, among other topics.

Kent Syler, an assistant professor of political science and international relations, analyzed the race for 14th District state senator between Shane Reeves and Gayle Jordan in a column published in the Memphis Daily News, the Nashville Ledger, the Knoxville Ledger and the Hamilton County Herald March 22. His comments can be read here.

Dr. Andrei Korobkov

Kent Syler

In a March 27 video in The Tennessean, Syler reviewed historic civil rights letters. That video is available here.

Syler also wrote an editorial on the 50th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination that ran in the April 3 issue of The Tennessean, which can be accessed here.

For the April 4 edition of The Tennessean, Syler commented on letters written to U.S. Sen. Albert Gore Sr. revealing constituents’ views on King and his assassination. The story is available here.

Dr. Andrei Korobkov, a professor of political science and international relations, wrote a March 15 commentary on the implications of a new confrontation between Russia and the West for www.rethinkingrussia.ru, which can be read here.

Dr. John Vile

Dr. Shaun Cullen

Korobkov also gave 14 interviews to news agencies, including the BBC, Radio Liberty and numerous Russian radio and television stations at the International Academic Conference on Economic and Social Development, which Korobkov attended April 13-16 in Moscow.

Dr. Shaun Cullen, an assistant professor of English specializing in cultural studies, commented on a joint political statement by entertainers Selena Gomez and Taylor Swift in a March 23 post at www.inquisitr.com. Her perspective is available here.

Dr. John Vile, a constitutional law scholar and University Honors College dean, stated that presidential line-item veto authority is impossible without an amendment to the U.S. Constitution. His views, which were posted March 26 in a story for the Washington Post, can be accessed here.

Dr. Sean Foley

Tracy Noerper

Tracy Noerper, a lecturer in nutrition and food science and registered dietitian, offered some facts about coffee that college students should know for www.coursehero.com March 30. Her information can be read here.

Dr. Sean Foley, an associate professor of history, offered comments that were posted April 8 at matisak.wordpress.com on President Trump’s pre-military response to a chemical gas attack in Douma, Syria. His views are available here.

Dr. Sekou Franklin, an associate professor of political science and international relations, compared Nashville residents’ push for a police oversight board to the civil rights movement led by the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. in a April 5 Nashville Scene story, which can be read here.

Dr. Jeremiah Asaka

Dr. Sekou Franklin

Dr. Jeremiah Ogonda Asaka, a lecturer in global studies, opined on Kenya’s new wildlife task force April 9 at www.theconversation.com. His essay is accessible 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 615-898-5081 or via email at gina.logue@mtsu.edu.