Once again, news media outlets have relied on MTSU faculty experts to enhance their stories with their knowledge of numerous topics, including gangs, political campaign expenses, dancing, desserts and Lynyrd Skynyrd.

Dr. Ashley Riley Sousa

• C-SPAN3 captured a class lecture by Dr. Ashley Riley Sousa, an assistant professor of history, about California Native Americans and early 1800s capitalism on April 25. That video is available here.

Dr. John Vile

Kent Syler

• Dr. John Vile, political scientist and University Honors College dean, made appearances on the live call-in program “Morning Line” on NewsChannel5+ on July 17 and Aug. 16. In July, Vile explored various local and national political topics. The August topic was historical monuments and the role they play in society. The July 17 video is here, and the Aug. 16 video is here.

• Kent Syler, an assistant professor of political science, provided an analysis of the future race for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Bob Corker at the end of his term. The commentary ran Oct. 16 on WSMV-TV and CBS News and in the Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times and U.S. News. The latter story is available here.

• On Oct. 19, WSMV-TV also aired Syler’s comments on a bill by U.S. Rep. Jim Cooper to undo GOP legislation that hampered the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s investigation of the opioid crisis. That story can be viewed here.

Dr. Murat Arik

Dr. Sandra Poirier

• Dr. Murat Arik, director of the Business and Economic Research Center, commented on the best real estate markets in the nations for an Aug. 28 post at www.wallethub.com. His remarks can be read here.

• Dr. Sandra Poirier, a professor of human sciences, was quoted in a Sept. 27 article about the most and least financially savvy states at www.wallethub.com. The story is available here.

Dr. Carter Smith

• C-SPAN aired Carter F. Smith’s appearance at the Southern Festival of Books on Oct. 14. Smith, a lecturer in the Department of Criminal Justice, discussed his book “Gangs in the Military.” The video can be viewed here.

• Dr. Lisa Sheehan-Smith, a professor of human sciences, advised diners to be mindful about portion size when eating in an Oct. 3 post at www.headspace.com. The article can be accessed here.

Dr. Greg Reish

Dr. Lisa Sheehan-Smith

• Dr. Greg Reich, director of the Center for Popular Music, speculated on whether Lynyrd Skynyrd would have had continued success had a fatal plane crash 40 years ago not claimed three of its members. The Florida Times-Union ran the story, available here, Oct. 19.

Leslie Haines

• Nashville Arts magazine reviewed the art of Leslie Haines, an associate professor of journalism who specializes in graphic design and advertising, in an article in the October 2017 edition, “Beyond the C-Word.” That review can be accessed here.

H. Stephen Smith

Dr. Reed Thomas

• Dr. Reed Thomas, director of bands and music professor; Dr. H. Stephen Smith, music professor; and the MTSU Wind Ensemble were mentioned in a review of their performance in “Music for Symphonic Wind Orchestra” by Nigel Clarke in the October 2017 edition of Music Web International. The review 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 615-898-5081 or gina.logue@mtsu.edu.