MTSU faculty appeared on WGNS Radio’s “Action Line” program by phone recently to talk about a recent survey of Tennessee consumers, plans for international student recruitment and study abroad efforts, and a proposal to create a new master’s degree for physician assistant majors.

The live program with guest host Nick Cohn was broadcast on FM 100.5, 101.9 and AM 1450 from the WGNS studio in downtown Murfreesboro. If you missed it, you can listen to a podcast of the Dec. 21 program here.

MTSU faculty and community partners appeared by phone on WGNS Radio’s Dec. 21 “Action Line” program with guest host Nick Cohn. Guests included, from left in order of appearance, Dr. Tim Graeff, marketing professor and director of the MTSU Office of Consumer Research; Dr. Robert Summers, vice provost for International Affairs; and Dr. Marie Patterson, director of the Physician Assistant Studies Program at MTSU. (MTSU photo illustration)

Guests included:

• Dr. Tim Graeff, marketing professor and director of the MTSU Office of Consumer Research, who talked about the latest Tennessee Consumer Outlook Index amid the ongoing pandemic.

After hitting an all-time low over the summer, the Tennessee Consumer Outlook Index recovered from an all-time low in September with a score of 44, up from June’s plunge to -13. The December index score was just released and showed renewed pessimism as Tennessee consumers are winding up their holiday shopping.

• Dr. Robert Summers, vice provost for International Affairs, who discussed goals for the Office of International Affairs.

An MTSU alumnus, Summers began his new duties of vice provost on July 1, taking over with nearly 500 international students registered and ready to study at MTSU for the fall semester. Despite travel limitations that have evolved from the COVID-19 pandemic, Summers said he aspires to increase the number of international students attending MTSU. The Office also helps coordinates MTSU’s vast array of study abroad opportunities for students.

• Dr. Marie Patterson, director of the Physician Assistant Studies Program at MTSU, who discussed the university’s proposal to create a new master’s degree in Physician Assistant Studies.

MTSU’s Board of Trustees recently endorsed the new degree, which could be offered as soon as Summer 2022 pending accreditation approvals. The new program would address one of the largest of the fastest growing occupational sectors in the region and aligns with the university’s goal to create additional pipelines from undergraduate major to graduate programs.

Students, faculty and staff who are interested in guesting on WGNS to promote their MTSU-related activities should contact Jimmy Hart, director of news and media relations, at 615-898-5131 or via email at jimmy.hart@mtsu.edu.