MTSU faculty, as well as a student and a staffer, recently provided national media outlets with information and perspectives on a variety of topics, including the teaching profession, weight loss, a statehouse scandal, the loneliness of old age, transgender activism and smoking in Saudi Arabia.

Bobbi Lussier, executive director of MTSU’s College of Education and the Office of Professional Laboratory Experiences, was interviewed for a May 16 report on WTVF-TV about the need for more teachers. The transcript and video can be accessed here.

Bobbi Lussier

Dr. Jon DiCicco

Cassidy Johnson

Dr. Jon DiCicco, an associate professor of political science and international relations, authored a May 16 guest column for The Tennessean (also published on USAToday.com and other outlets across the country) in which he opined that Iran provides President Trump with a distraction from the various Congressional investigations into his activities. The column can be read here.

Cassidy Johnson, a rising senior and Buchanan fellow, was interviewed for a May 17 WZTV-TV report on how she lost more than 100 pounds through taking up dancing and a fitness regimen at MTSU Campus Recreation. The transcript and video are available here.

Dr. Charles Apigian, a professor of information systems and analytics, talked about ways of engaging students with technology in grades K-12 for “Navigate,” a podcast for the Nashville Entrepreneur Center, as reported in the May 23 Nashville Post. The story can be read here.

Dr. Charlie Apigian

Kent Syler

Dr. Stephen Morris

Kent Syler, a professor of political science and international relations, commented on the scandal surrounding state House Speaker Glen Casada for a May 23 editorial in The Tennessean and a May 27 story in the Chattanooga Times Free Press. The Tennessean editorial can be read here, and the Times Free Press article can be accessed here.

Dr. Stephen Morris, a professor of political science and international relations, analyzed U.S. Rep. Norma Torres’ proposal for addressing the influx of immigrants from Central America, in a May 24 article for MediaNews Group. His views are available here.

Dr. Sean Foley, an associate professor of history, commented on Saudi Arabia’s new tobacco license regulation in a May 27 article in Arab News that was reprinted by other news agencies. His perspectives can be accessed here.

Dr. Sean Foley

Dr. Chris Bacon

Dr. Katie Foss

Dr. Chris Bacon, an assistant professor of journalism and strategic media, analyzed the National Hockey League’s promotion of the Stanley Cup playoffs and finals for a May 28 post at www.wallethub.com. His comments can be read here.

Dr. Katie Foss, an associate professor of media studies, offered a tip for getting the kids out of the house on time in the morning for a May 30 post at www.workingmother.com. Her views can be read here.

Dr. Marisa Richmond, an adjunct professor of history, commented on New York City’s plans to erect a monument to two transgender activists in a May 30 story at www.globalcitizen.org. Her comments are available here.

Ken Paulson, director of MTSU’s Free Speech Center, expressed alarm about a Knight Foundation survey showing that only 58 percent of students polled said that hate speech should be protected under the First Amendment for a June 1 article on Brinkwire.com and several other news outlets. His views can be read here.

Dr. Marisa Richmond

Ken Paulson

Dr. Ron Aday

Dr. Ronald Aday, a professor of sociology, was interviewed about the impact of loneliness and isolation on older Americans for a series titled “NPT Reports: Aging Matters.” The program, which is distributed by American Public Television, can be seen 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.