MURFREESBORO, Tenn ­— In the January episode of “Out of the Blue,” the television program for Middle Tennessee State University, viewers are taken inside the Jennings A. Jones College of Business to explore the impact of its teaching, research and industry partnerships.

This episode highlights innovative academic programs, nationally recognized faculty achievements and career-focused majors that prepare students for success in today’s workforce.

This month’s guests were interviewed by program host Andrew Oppmann, vice president of the Division of Marketing and Communications.

January’s guests include:

• Sandy Benson, program director, introduces the new Master of Science in Legal Studies degree program set to launch in 2026. Developed in partnership with the Nashville School of Law, the program offers specialized concentrations and a flexible hybrid format designed to meet the needs of working professionals.

The segment highlights how the collaborative structure combines in-person and online coursework to immerse students in professional legal culture while building practical skills that support career advancement.

• Karli Sutton, reporter for True Blue TV, presents a feature on Raj Srivastava, highlighting the marketing professor’s viral success and national recognition. The segment on “Dr. Raj,” as he is best known, explores how his creativity and strong social media presence led to a one-of-a-kind opportunity as a contestant on NBC’s “On Brand with Jimmy Fallon.”

The package shows how his innovative approach to teaching and digital engagement has brought national attention to both his classroom and the Jones College, while offering students a unique, real-world learning experience.

• Richard Tarpey, director of the Center for Supply Chain Management and Sustainability and a professor in the Jones College of Business, offers an overview of the Supply Chain Management program offered at both the bachelor’s and master’s levels.

The segment highlights how the program prepares students to manage the flow of goods and services from production to the consumer, equipping graduates with in-demand skills essential to today’s global economy.

You can watch the full episode below:

Ways 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 and 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.; NewsChannel5+ at 6:30 p.m. Sundays; WKRN+ at 7 p.m. Thursdays and noon Sundays; via streaming on MTSU’s Jazz Network on WMOT HD2 and through WMOT.org at 7 a.m. on the first Sunday of each month; and on other cable outlets in Middle Tennessee, so check local listings.

Episodes are also available as a podcast on iTunes, Google Play, Amazon Music, iHeart and as individual interview segments on primary host Spotify at https://spoti.fi/453hxg3.

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