NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – Tennessee State University has secured $1.92 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA-NIFA) to support the 1890 Center of Excellence for Land, Water, and Resource Management (COE-LWRM).

This grant represents the sixth round of funding for the Center since its inception in 2021, reinforcing federal backing for TSU-led research into critical land, water, agricultural, and natural resource challenges.

As the lead institution, TSU directs a consortium of 15 historically Black 1890 land-grant universities working collaboratively to advance research, technology, education, and workforce development. Partner institutions include Alabama A&M, Alcorn State, Central State, Florida A&M, Fort Valley State, Kentucky State, Langston, Lincoln, North Carolina A&T, Prairie View A&M, South Carolina State, Southern University and A&M College, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, and University of Maryland Eastern Shore. 

The Center is directed by Dr. Chandra Reddy, dean of the College of Agriculture, with Dr. De’Etra Young and Dr. William Sutton serving as co-project directors.

COE-LWRM leverages artificial intelligence, precision agriculture, remote sensing, GIS, and predictive modeling across four key priority areas. In forest health, the Center focuses on improving forest assessment, fire prevention, restoration, and management. To support soil health and water quality, researchers study soil function, nutrient cycling, precision water management, and contaminant movement. For farm productivity and smart agriculture, teams apply robotics, automated sensors, drones, and AI to boost yield and resilience. Workforce development, the final priority area, cultivate career pathways in agriculture and natural resources through experiential learning, technical training, mentorship, and professional growth.

“Securing this funding underscores the strength of TSU’s leadership and the collaborative efforts of our 15-university network,” Reddy said. “By harnessing advanced tools such as artificial intelligence, remote sensing, and precision agriculture, our research team and partners are working to develop real-world solutions for producers and land managers while equipping a diverse, highly skilled workforce for the future of agriculture and natural resource management.”

Managing a multi-institutional network requires coordination across disciplines and program areas. Dr. Janith Chandrasoma, COE-LWRM project manager, said the structure allows universities to combine expertise and resources effectively.

“The strength of the Center is the network we have built across the 1890 land-grant system,” Chandrasoma said. “Our role is to connect people, expertise, and resources so our research teams can collaborate, share knowledge, and translate their work into meaningful outcomes. Continued support from USDA-NIFA allows us to deepen those partnerships and expand the Center’s impact.”

Workforce development remains central to COE-LWRM’s mission, by engaging students early and support their growth through graduate education and into the workforce. This continuum starts with the Research and Applied Natural Resources Growth Experience (RANGE), which introduces high school students to agricultural disciplines through hands-on learning. At the undergraduate and graduate levels, students gain direct experience with faculty researchers, applied research, and emerging technologies. 

“Workforce development cannot begin when a student is preparing to graduate,” said Dr. Young, who is TSU’s associate dean for academics and land-grant programs in the College of Agriculture. “We must create intentional pathways that introduce young people to agriculture and natural resources early, give them meaningful opportunities to conduct research and use emerging technologies, and continue developing those skills throughout their undergraduate and graduate education.”

Young added that the multi-institutional setup vastly broadens opportunities for participants. “Our students are part of a network of 15 1890 land-grant universities. That allows us to expose them to different researchers, disciplines, technologies, institutions, and career pathways,” she said. “We want students to leave these experiences not only knowing more about agriculture and natural resources, but seeing sees themselves as researchers, scientists, professionals, and leaders in these fields.”

With continued USDA-NIFA backing, TSU and its consortium partners will build on this groundwork to address the evolving needs of modern agriculture and resource management.

About Tennessee State University
Founded in 1912, Tennessee State University is Nashville’s only public land-grant university offering 41 bachelor’s degrees, 15 graduate certificates, 27 master’s degrees, and nine doctoral degrees. TSU’s campus spans 500 acres. The university is committed to academic excellence, providing students with a quality education in a nurturing and innovative environment that prepares them as alumni to be global leaders. Visit tnstate.edu for more details.

The five-year initiative, titled “Implementation Project: Integrating Artificial Intelligence and Research-Based Experiential Learning into STEM Curriculum to Enhance Education and Student Retention,” runs from 2026 to 2031. It aims to build a coordinated, stage-based engineering pathway from pre-freshman through senior year to boost math readiness, course success, and workforce preparation.

The multimillion-dollar investment directly expands career-defining opportunities and hands-on access to TSU students.

“I think this grant will give students more opportunities to get involved in research and gain experience with technology that we will use in our careers,” said Sanaiya Choute, a senior architectural engineering major from Nashville. “Having access to more hands-on research and new resources will allow us to learn outside of the classroom, build our technical skills, and work on projects that can have a real impact.”

Sophomore architectural engineering major Zaria Bryant agreed, noting the grant’s potential to reinvigorate campus life and recruitment.

“Personally, my class came in during a year of our university reconstructing our finances, which resulted in a smaller class,” Bryant said. “I feel that this will increase the opportunities, as well as increasing student engagement on campus.”

The principal investigators leading the project are Dr. Lin Li, dean of the College of Engineering; Dr. Robbie Melton, vice president for SMART Applied Technology Innovations; and Dr. Jin Yan, associate professor of STEM Education in the College of Engineering.

Li explained that the initiative integrates AI-supported tools, including diagnostic platforms, adaptive tutoring, and design simulations, alongside hands-on programs such as the Engineering Exploration Program, Extreme Winter Break Program, Rising Engineering Institute, course-embedded research, and a capstone-aligned Certificate Program in Applied Engineering Practice.

“The project is expected to serve more than 1,000 undergraduate engineering students and approximately 80 high school students annually, build long-term faculty capacity in AI-supported and culturally responsive instruction, and produce a scalable model for improving engineering retention and workforce readiness at HBCUs and beyond,” Li said.

He added that the program will actively recruit local students from Martin Luther King High School, Gallatin High School, and Republic High School to join the TSU Engineering Concept Institute (ECI) and Engineering Exploration Camp (EEC), where AI will be embedded directly into early training.

By pairing the College of Engineering with the TSU SMART AI Innovation Technology Center, the project anchors learning in real-world application.

“The collaboration anchors the NSF project in ‘AI in Action,’ immersing engineering students directly in the hands-on exploration and innovation of AI as an active, lived experience,” Melton said. “Through the Center’s labs and studios, students engage with adaptive tutoring, design simulations, robotics, and immersive technologies, actively experimenting and creating alongside AI tools.”

The project also advances broader institutional and state goals for technology leadership.

“This AI grant award further supports and strengthens our research capacity and capabilities in AI at Tennessee State University by bridging basic and applied AI,” said Dr. Quincy Quick, associate vice president of Research and Sponsored Programs. “Additionally, this project aligns with Tennessee’s statewide AI Initiative and enables TSU to contribute to the national and global competitiveness in AI.”

For Dr. Yan, she emphasized the project’s educational research impact, noting it uses a longitudinal, mixed-methods approach to study how personalized AI learning builds problem-solving skills and a sense of belonging among students.

“Findings will inform scalable, technology-enhanced engineering curricula, faculty development, and national dissemination through scholarly publications, professional conferences, and partnerships with other institutions,” Yan said.

Featured photo: Students take part in a lecture within a state-of-the-art smart classroom at TSU’s SMART AI Innovation Technology Center, where cutting-edge technology enhances the learning experience. (Photo by Marcus Horton)

About Tennessee State University
Founded in 1912, Tennessee State University is Nashville’s only public land-grant university offering 41 bachelor’s degrees, 15 graduate certificates, 27 master’s degrees, and nine doctoral degrees. TSU’s campus spans 500 acres. The university is committed to academic excellence, providing students with a quality education in a nurturing and innovative environment that prepares them as alumni to be global leaders. Visit tnstate.edu for more details.

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (TSU News Service) – The Tennessee State men’s cross-country team overcame a lengthy weather delay and an altered race format to claim the team title at the Legacy Series Invite Sept. 11 at John Hunt Park.

The men’s race was originally scheduled as an 8K, but inclement weather halted competition with approximately two miles remaining. After a delay of nearly two hours, the race was reset as a 5K and run alongside the women’s 5K.

TSU responded to the disruption by placing five runners inside the top 10 and finishing with 32 points to secure the team championship. The Tigers finished 12 points ahead of host Alabama A&M, which placed second with 44, while Calhoun Community College followed with 47.

Senior Eric Brannon led the Tigers with a runner-up finish, clocking a personal-best 16:59.3. Brannon was the only TSU runner to break the 17-minute mark.

Freshman Maxwell Myers followed with a fifth-place finish in 17:39.6, while junior Delton White crossed just behind him in sixth at a personal-best 17:41.1.

TSU continued to pack the top 10 with freshman Marcel Lake placing ninth in a personal-best 18:08.3 and freshman Landon Gragg finishing 10th in 18:22.8. The five performances gave Tennessee State a scoring spread of just 1:24 between its first and fifth finishers.

Sophomore Landon Trasher finished 14th in 18:55.6, while aaron Davis took 16th in 19:17.5. Freshman Jayden Batts added a personal-best 19:23.7 to finish 18th, and senior Kylen Thorps rounded out the TSU contingent in 20th with a season-best 20:37.9.

The Tigers’ top five combined for a time of 1:28:52 and averaged 17:47 per runner.

Women Place Fourth Behind Young Group

Tennessee State’s women finished fourth in the six-team field with 121 points, edging Mississippi Valley State by four points.

Freshmen Jurnee Rutherford and Justice Scott led the Tigers with back-to-back finishes. Rutherford crossed 20th overall in a personal-best 23:51.7, while Scott followed in 21st with a personal-best 23:59.1.

Freshman Qiersten McClain was TSU’s third finisher, placing 25th with a personal-best 26:34.9. Junior Maleia Ali followed two seconds later, finishing 26th in a personal-best 26:36.7.

Freshman Chelsea Knox completed Tennessee State’s scoring five with a personal-best 30:03.4 to place 29th. Freshman Keaira Smith rounded out the TSU lineup with a personal-best 32:21.3.

Five of Tennessee State’s six women’s runners were freshmen, with the Tigers recording personal bests across all six entries.

Alabama A&M won the women’s team title with 22 points, followed by Jacksonville State with 49 and Calhoun Community College with 61.

Tennessee State will continue its 2026 cross country season at the Michael Pretorius Invitational on Sept. 26 at The Hermitage in Nashville.

Cook, a senior political science major from Jacksonville, Florida, grew up navigating severe family instability while caring for his ill mother. “Being a first-generation college student means a lot to me because I know what it took to get here,” Cook said. “Growing up with my mother’s illness, we moved around a lot and faced uncertainty about where we would live and how we would make it through. Those experiences shaped me. They taught me hard work, compassion, and empathy. “

At TSU, Cook found an environment ready to hone that passion into purpose. “TSU has nurtured my growth by surrounding me with mentors and opportunities that have transformed my interest in public service into meaningful civic leadership. Every challenge I have faced here has strengthened my commitment to opening doors for the students and communities who will come after me,” he said.

Cook’s story is emblematic of the first-generation experience at TSU, where nearly 40% of first-time freshmen are trailblazers forging a new family path. For Ciara Smith-Garrett, a senior graphic design major from Cincinnati, TSU provided the ideal creative sanctuary. 

“Coming to Tennessee State as a first-generation student has challenged me in many ways,” Smith-Garrett said. “TSU has encouraged me to step outside of my comfort zone, nurtured my creativity, and challenged me to grow both academically and personally. Being a part of the You First Project’s Art Exhibition for two years gave me the opportunity to showcase my work, while also helping me build a college legacy that reflects my passion and growth. “

That legacy building received a major boost recently. The You First Project at TSU has been awarded a grant for its 2026 First-Generation College Celebration initiative, provided by the Council for Opportunity in Education (COE) and FirstGen Forward, with generous support from TIAA.

“First-generation college students bring unique perspectives and resilience to our campuses,” noted COE President Kimberly Jones. “This grant empowers institutions like Tennessee State University to continue providing the necessary resources and support for these students to thrive.”

Dr. Erik Schmeller, interim provost and vice president of Academic Affairs, emphasized the broader impact on the campus community: “Many first-generation students have chosen TSU as their home away from home. This celebration is the momentum we need to bring together a broad coalition of allies and advocates, united in our commitment to celebrating our young scholars and strengthening their academic and life success stories.”

Through The You First Project, TSU’s support goes well beyond the festivities, embedding student support into ongoing academic coaching. “At TSU, we see our first-generation students as trailblazers and legacy builders,” said Dr. Sessi Aboh, director of The You First Project. “To have a legacy, you must have a first-generation person first. They are blazing the trail and paving the way for themselves and for the generations that come after them.”

Aboh highlighted TSU’s collaborative coaching philosophy: “We don’t tell them what to do. We have conversations with them, and sometimes we discover together. That’s the beauty of academic coaching, you co-discover with the student what they want to do, and then you co-design a plan so they can achieve the goals they have.”

This year, TSU’s First-Generation College Celebration expands into a four-day series of events from Nov. 4 – 7, leading up to the National First-Generation College Celebration Day on Nov. 8.

“We designed this year’s celebration to build broad awareness of first-generation students and their lived experiences while spotlighting the strengths, talents, and richness they contribute to our campus community,” Aboh said. “It’s important that the campus is aware of their presence, aware of their experiences, and aware that they are very important to us.”

For more information on The Your First Project at TSU, call 615-963-4969 or email saboh@tnstate.edu.

About Tennessee State University
Founded in 1912, Tennessee State University is Nashville’s only public land-grant university offering 41 bachelor’s degrees, 15 graduate certificates, 27 master’s degrees, and nine doctoral degrees. TSU’s campus spans 500 acres. The university is committed to academic excellence, providing students with a quality education in a nurturing and innovative environment that prepares them as alumni to be global leaders. Visit tnstate.edu for more details.

The event is designed to break down geographic and administrative barriers to global travel, bringing U.S. Department of State officials directly onto TSU’s campuses to process passport applications on-site. The fair will take place on Sept. 16 in Training Room-2 at the Avon Williams Campus from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and on Sept. 17 in Room 219 of the Floyd-Payne Student Center on the Main Campus from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

“Hosting this Community-Wide Passport Fair is about breaking down geographic and financial barriers for our students, faculty, and local neighbors,” said Dr. Jewell Winn, executive director of IPAGE. “By bringing U.S. Department of State officials directly to both our Avon Williams and Main campuses, the Office of International Programs and Academic Global Engagement is making global mobility accessible, seamless, and achievable for everyone in our community. Obtaining a passport is often the very first step toward expanding one’s horizons, and we are proud to serve as the bridge connecting our campus and the broader region to the world.”

APPLICANT CHECKLIST

Attendees applying for a passport should bring the following required items:

• Application Form: Completed but unsigned U.S. passport application form.
• Proof of U.S. Citizenship: Original or certified copy (plus one photocopy).
• Proof of Identification: Valid government-issued photo ID (plus one photocopy).
• Passport Photo: One official 2×2 inch passport photograph.
• Payment: Check or money order made payable to the U.S. Department of State.

REGISTRATION 

Attendees are open to register in advance via the TSU Passport Fair Booking Portal at https://outlook.office.com/book/TSUPassportFair@state.gov/?ismsaljsauthenabled

About Tennessee State University
Founded in 1912, Tennessee State University is Nashville’s only public land-grant university offering 41 bachelor’s degrees, 15 graduate certificates, 27 master’s degrees, and nine doctoral degrees. TSU’s campus spans 500 acres. The university is committed to academic excellence, providing students with a quality education in a nurturing and innovative environment that prepares them as alumni to be global leaders. Visit tnstate.edu for more details.

As the university’s largest agricultural field day, the event featured workshops, policy discussions with state and federal leaders, and the presentation of the state’s top honor for small-scale agricultural producers.

The day began with the Tennessee Agricultural Leadership Breakfast, featuring U.S. Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-TN), who addressed the future of agriculture, the vital role of Tennessee producers, and TSU’s execution of its land-grant mission.

TSU President Dwayne Tucker underscored the university’s responsibility as Tennessee’s 1890 land-grant institution to serve the state through research, education, and community outreach. Currently, TSU has Extension agents and outreach staff in 65 of Tennessee’s 95 counties.

“TSU is doing what a land-grant university is supposed to do, taking knowledge from the classroom and research lab and putting it to work in communities and on farms across Tennessee,” Tucker said.

Tucker also highlighted the university’s dramatic enrollment surge, pointing to a sharp rise in new students compared to the previous year. “In August 2025, we had enrolled about 450 freshmen. Today, our freshman count is more than 1,700,” Tucker said. “That demonstrates the tremendous demand for Tennessee State University and the strength of its legacy across the country.”

Dr. Chandra Reddy, dean of the TSU College of Agriculture, emphasized the significance of gathering leaders and producers in one room to address systemic industry challenges.

“The purpose of this annual event is to bring together key stakeholders, commodity groups, policymakers, and university and state leaders to examine both the opportunities and challenges facing agriculture,” Reddy said. “Having U.S. Sen. Bill Hagerty with us underscores the importance of this gathering and the critical role federal policy plays in the future of Tennessee agriculture.”

Officially kicking off the Expo, Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury Jason E. Mumpower praised TSU’s recent financial and structural progress under Tucker’s leadership, calling the university’s trajectory a sign of renewed focus.

“What a marvelous turnaround,” Mumpower said. “President Tucker and his team have demonstrated transparency, discipline and, most of all, results. The College of Agriculture is a shining star in Tennessee. This is what a land-grant university is supposed to do.”

In introducing Mumpower, Tucker noted the collaborative relationship built between the university and the state to establish long-term financial stability through 2030. “My engagement with Comptroller Mumpower was direct, committed, and focused on finding a pathway to work with Tennessee State,” Tucker said. “Because of your support, TSU is in a better place today.”

Tennessee Deputy Commissioner of Agriculture Ryan King also spoke at the Expo, pointing to the vital link between state institutions and rural communities. “Tennessee agriculture is strong because of the people who work the land every day, and institutions like Tennessee State University play a vital role in preparing the next generation of agricultural leaders,” King said.

For most of the day, attendees participated in field demonstrations and technical workshops on industrial hemp, beekeeping, organic agriculture, meat goat production, backyard poultry, and efficient irrigation systems. TSU students played an active role throughout the day, sharing how academic coursework pairs with hands-on practice.

“As a farmer, I’m able to bring real-world experience to my studies, and at TSU, I’m gaining the knowledge and connections to take that experience even further,” said Carrie Carter, a graduate student majoring in agribusiness. “Being both a farmer and a TSU graduate student give me the best of both worlds.”

The event culminated with the presentation of the Tennessee Small Farmer of the Year award, which includes a commemorative plaque and a $2,000 cash prize. This year’s top honor was awarded to Ashley Brooks, a fourth-generation farmer and operator of Ruby’s Happy Farm in Cross Plains, Tennessee. The operation utilizes sustainable, chemical-free practices to cultivate flowers and vegetables alongside pollinator-friendly native plants.

Finis Stribling, director of the Tennessee New Farmer Academy and coordinator of the Small Farm Expo, concluded the event by thanking participants and highlighting the broader impact of the program.

“The Small Farm Expo is about connecting Tennessee’s farmers with the research, resources, and people who can help them grow,” Stribling said. “The Farmer of the Year award gives us an opportunity to recognize those producers who are putting that knowledge to work, while inspiring other small farmers to take their operations to the next level.”

About Tennessee State University
Founded in 1912, Tennessee State University is Nashville’s only public land-grant university offering 41 bachelor’s degrees, 15 graduate certificates, 27 master’s degrees, and nine doctoral degrees. TSU’s campus spans 500 acres. The university is committed to academic excellence, providing students with a quality education in a nurturing and innovative environment that prepares them as alumni to be global leaders. Visit tnstate.edu for more details.

The new contribution brings the family’s total investment in the institute to $1 million, securing an enduring academic pipeline for underrepresented students pursuing careers in medicine, dentistry, and other healthcare professions.

The announcement was made Friday during a ceremony at TSU’s Avon Williams campus, where university leaders, faculty, students and family members gathered to celebrate the program’s growth. The presentation was led by Dr. Annie Marie Watkins Garraway, sister of the late surgeon, alongside Dr. George Pruitt, former president of Thomas Edison State University and cousin of Dr. Watkins.

TSU President Dwayne Tucker expressed appreciation to the family for anchoring the late surgeon’s legacy at his alma mater.

“Thank you for your generosity, your trust, and for continuing to choose TSU when a legacy like Dr. Watkins’ could be honored anywhere,” Tucker said. “His legacy belongs here. It is about placing possibility in front of students, who then get to see themselves as physicians, scientists, and healthcare innovators.”

Now in its sixth year, the Dr. Levi Watkins Jr. Institute operates an Accelerated Pathway Program designed to prepare high-achieving undergraduate students for professional medical education. Qualified students complete a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology at TSU in three years instead of four. Admission requires a minimum cumulative 3.50 GPA and strong standardized test scores, with incoming cohorts having a 28 ACT and 1310 SAT.

Upon graduation, scholars matriculate into partner institutions to earn M.D. or D.D.S. degrees, including Meharry Medical College, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Jefferson University, and the Thomas F. Frist, Jr. College of Medicine at Belmont University. Twenty-five of the graduates of the program have also advanced to professional training at Howard University College of Medicine, Morehouse School of Medicine, Georgetown University School of Medicine, and the University of Pennsylvania.

The institute also supports an upperclassman division preparing students for graduate entrance examinations, which is expected to enroll approximately 100 students following its White Coat Ceremony on Oct. 15.

Dr. Watkins, a TSU alumnus, achieved national prominence as the first surgeon to successfully implant an automatic implantable cardioverter-defibrillator in a human patient. During his undergraduate years as Student Government Association president, he advocated for greater recognition of TSU’s academic programs, an effort that helped launch the university’s honors program.

Dr. Garraway said the family decided to expand their financial support after observing the program’s tangible outcomes.

“We just thought that maybe this was the best place for another contribution,” Garraway said. “That’s how that happened, just seeing the results and just wanting to do anything that we can. His connection to Tennessee State was enduring. It was constant.”

Barbara Murrell, founding chair of the institute and long-time colleague of Dr. Watkins, established the program following his passing in 2015.

“Out of that vision came a major program at Tennessee State University designed to prepare students for careers in medicine, dentistry and other areas of health care,” Murrell said. “These students come to us with a yearning for knowledge and the opportunity to be successful.” She presented a five-year report documenting the success of the program.

Student leaders also reflected on the legacy behind their scholarships. Kagan Word, a member of Cohort 4, noted that Dr. Watkins carried a torch from TSU to Vanderbilt and Johns Hopkins.

“Today, that torch is in our hands,” Word said. “Every time a Dr. Levi Watkins Jr. Scholar enters a laboratory, serves a community, receives a medical school acceptance, or puts on a white coat, the torch moves forward.”

Lalita Hodge, program coordinator for the institute, detailed the program’s long-term vision and ongoing expansion during the event.

The event concluded with a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Dr. Levi Watkins Jr. AI Healthcare Innovation Lab inside TSU’s SMART Innovation Technology Center. Dr. Robbie Melton, vice president of SMART AI and Applied Technology, led the presentation on the facility, which provides scholars access to advanced artificial intelligence tools for medical research.

About Tennessee State University
Founded in 1912, Tennessee State University is Nashville’s only public land-grant university offering 41 bachelor’s degrees, 15 graduate certificates, 27 master’s degrees, and nine doctoral degrees. TSU’s campus spans 500 acres. The university is committed to academic excellence, providing students with a quality education in a nurturing and innovative environment that prepares them as alumni to be global leaders. Visit tnstate.edu for more details.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – Ten Tennessee State University students in the Next Generation Consortium Biotech Summer Experience recently completed an intensive biotechnology, bioinformatics, and agricultural immersion in Hawaii. Led by Project Director and Principal Investigator Dr. John C. Ricketts, the program provided scholars with advanced scientific training, real-world field research, and career development.

The experience bridged virtual coursework and field application. Before traveling, scholars completed intensive bioinformatics training in R programming, biological data analysis, and genomic visualization. In Hawaii, students applied these skills during a “Genome on the Go” workshop at the University of Hawaii at Mānoa. Scholars mastered portable sequencing technology, including the BentoLab mobile laboratory and Oxford Nanopore Technologies MinION sequencer, performing DNA extraction, PCR amplification, gel electrophoresis, and species identification using NCBI BLAST.

“This experience represents exactly what NextGen was designed to accomplish, connecting classroom learning, cutting-edge science, faculty mentoring, career development, and authentic agricultural experiences,” said Ricketts, who is professor and Extension specialist in the College of Agriculture. “Our students arrived prepared to work alongside scientists, use technologies changing agricultural and biological research, and begin developing research questions they will continue investigating at TSU.”

Students emphasized how bridging technical skills with field applications expanded their academic and professional horizons.

“This experience showed me how we can take biotech out of traditional laboratories and put it directly into the hands of students,” said Katrina Seaman, a master’s student in agricultural business and leadership. “Learning to use the Bento Lab and Oxford Nanopore MinION gave me a clear vision for engaging high school and community college STEM students. We can make biotechnology truly accessible through hands-on learning, from DNA extraction all the way to sequencing.”

Fellow NextGen Scholar Christian White, a senior biotechnology major, agreed. “Connecting traditional agricultural practices with modern biotechnology gave me a whole new perspective on food systems,” White said. “Seeing how data science directly impacts crop sustainability in a place like Hawaii opened my eyes to career paths in agriculture I had never previously considered.”

TSU faculty mentors played a crucial role throughout the initiative by nominating scholars, guiding summer preparatory coursework, traveling alongside students, and mentoring them in research. Faculty members are collaborating with students throughout the fall semester to apply these newly acquired bioinformatics skills toward ongoing undergraduate research projects, ensuring sustained academic continuity.

Spanning Hawaii Island, Oʻahu, and Maui, the agricultural curriculum explored how climate, geography, culture, and market demand shape modern food systems. At Greenwell Farms on Hawaiʻi Island, students examined Kona coffee production from “seed to cup.” On Oʻahu, visits to Hawaii’s Plantation Village and Waimea Valley detailed agricultural history, Native Hawaiian ahupuaʻa resource management systems, and ethnobotanical collections.

At Bayer Hawaii, scholars observed modern agricultural technology, including drones, irrigation sensors, and seed processing, alongside TSU alumni working at the facility. On Maui, visits to dragon fruit, pineapple, and chocolate estates highlighted tropical fruit production and value-added supply chains.

The initiative is part of a strategic partnership between TSU and the University of Hawaii at Mānoa through its Pacific-Continental Network of Biosecurity Professionals (PaCoN) project. The other participating TSU scholars were Joshua Realya, Lyra Jones, Makenzie Jones, Rochelle Hunt, Nylah Spivey, Carrie Caudle, Sarah Tyler, and Jeffrey Jackson.

This work is supported by the From Learning to Leading: Cultivating the Next Generation of Diverse Food and Agriculture Professionals (NextGen) Program, project award no. 2023-70508-40532, from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

Featured Photo: On their recent trip to Hawaii, 10 students, along with faculty mentors from the College of Agriculture, explored how climate, geography, culture, and market demand shape modern food systems. (Submitted photo)

About Tennessee State University
Founded in 1912, Tennessee State University is Nashville’s only public land-grant university offering 41 bachelor’s degrees, 15 graduate certificates, 27 master’s degrees, and nine doctoral degrees. TSU’s campus spans 500 acres. The university is committed to academic excellence, providing students with a quality education in a nurturing and innovative environment that prepares them as alumni to be global leaders. Visit tnstate.edu for more details.

A Memphis, Tennessee, native who began his teaching career in 1999, Russell joined Tennessee State University in 2007. Over the nearly two decades since, the tenured assistant professor of political science has dedicated himself to helping students navigate government, constitutional law, and civic responsibility. That long-standing commitment was recently recognized when he was named the 2026 Teacher of the Year in the College of Liberal Arts.

The award underscores Russell’s dedication to student success and the vital importance of preparing students to understand their role in society.

“I think civics education is very important,” he said. “My focus is the Constitution, and it’s ceritical that students understand our constitutional system and their role in a democratic society. That’s what drives my work in the classroom every day, engaging young people in how our political system functions.”

While the award celebrates Russell’s classroom impact, he said it also reflects the broader academic environment at TSU, where quality instruction remains a core priority alongside research. 

Dr. Samantha Morgan-Curtis, dean of the College of Liberal Arts, praised Russell’s holistic approach to student mentorship and experiential learning. 

 “The selection process for Teacher of the Year involves rigorous evaluation of faculty nominations across departments, weighing classroom instruction, student engagement, and professional mentorship,” Morgan-Curtis said.  “What sets Dr. Russell apart is his vibrant teaching combined with his stewardship over the Tennessee Legislative Internship Program. He provides students across TSU with direct opportunities to translate learning into professional practice.” 

Under Russell’s leadership, TSU consistently places a full cohort of legislative interns each year, offering a proven pipeline into public policy, government, and legal careers.

“This is the true spirit of a liberal arts education,” Morgan-Curtis added. “Preparing students to be active citizens and lifelong learners, with the confidence and skills to apply what they learn in the classroom to the broader world, is what makes Dr. Russell stand out.”

That mentorship left a lasting impression on former students like Mariah Rhodes, now a healthcare corporate attorney. Rhodes credits Russell’s rigorous analytical approach with shaping her professional career. 

“You always want a professor who challenges how you think and encourages you to consider different perspectives before reaching a conclusion,” Rhodes said. “That is exactly who professor Dr. Russell is. He constantly challenged our assumptions, teaching us how to think critically, analyze complex issues, and listen to opposing viewpoints.”

Rhodes noted that Dr. Russell’s classes fostered open debate while respecting diverse viewpoints. “As an attorney, I realize how much that experience shaped me, not only in my practice, but in how I navigate conversations every day.”

Featured Photo: Dr. Samantha Morgan-Curtis, left, Dean of the College of Liberal Arts, congratulates Dr. Brian Russell as she presents him with the Teacher of the Year plaque, in recognition of his holistic approach to student mentorship and experiential learning. (Photo by Aaron Grayson)

About Tennessee State University
Founded in 1912, Tennessee State University is Nashville’s only public land-grant university offering 41 bachelor’s degrees, 15 graduate certificates, 27 master’s degrees, and nine doctoral degrees. TSU’s campus spans 500 acres. The university is committed to academic excellence, providing students with a quality education in a nurturing and innovative environment that prepares them as alumni to be global leaders. Visit tnstate.edu for more details.

Now an associate professor of Education Practice and Leadership at Tennessee State University, Bryan-Jordan has spent over two decades following that singular vision. Her journey has taken her from middle school classrooms to guiding future educators in higher education, and now, across oceans. Following her selection by the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board, Bryan-Jordan is set to embark on a prestigious Fulbright Specialist assignment at Hong Duc University in Vietnam.

Also serving as co-director of TSU’s Global Faculty Fellows Program and coordinator of the doctoral program in Curriculum and Instruction in the College of Education, Bryan-Jordan sees this international appointment as the natural next step in her journey.

“I have always been a teacher. I’ve always been a learner. I’ve always been focused on global and international education,” she says, reflecting on a career path that has stayed remarkably close to its origins. “I’m one of very few people who haven’t made a whole lot of changes in terms of their conditions and career path. This is something that I wanted to be, a teacher, since I was very, very young. And so, for me, I’m just fulfilling my goals, my dreams, and my aspirations.”

Throughout her career, that early love for teaching merged with a deep fascination for diverse cultures and languages. At TSU, her scholarship centers on language education, teacher preparation, culturally responsive pedagogy, and educational equity. Her expertise has already earned her national and international recognition, including service as a U.S. Department of State English Language Specialist and a three-year term on the TESOL International Association Board of Directors. 

In Vietnam, Bryan-Jordan will collaborate directly with faculty and students at Hong Duc University. Her work will focus on professional development for English-as-a-foreign-language educators, weaving American culture into language pedagogy while fostering mutual exchange. 

“I just believe that, as educators, our most powerful learning occurs when we cross borders and when we’re interested in engaging with people whose experiences are different from our own,” says Bryan-Jordan.

The assignment underscores TSU’s broader push toward curriculum internationalization and global engagement. Beyond her direct work in Vietnamese classrooms, Jordan views the Fulbright as an investment in her students back home in Nashville. 

“Hopefully, at some point, I can take students to that part of the world as well,” she says.

Established in 1946 to build mutual understanding between the United States and nations worldwide, the Fulbright Program offers scholars the chance to exchange knowledge and establish sustained international networks. For Bryan-Jordan, it represents a full-circle moment: the childhood dreams of a classroom teacher expanding to encompass the globe.

Featured photo: Dr. Kisha Bryan-Jordan, Associate Professor of Education Practice and Leadership at TSU, is a U.S. Department of State English Language Specialist. (Photo by Aaron Grayson)

About Tennessee State University
Founded in 1912, Tennessee State University is Nashville’s only public land-grant university offering 41 bachelor’s degrees, 15 graduate certificates, 27 master’s degrees, and nine doctoral degrees. TSU’s campus spans 500 acres. The university is committed to academic excellence, providing students with a quality education in a nurturing and innovative environment that prepares them as alumni to be global leaders. Visit tnstate.edu for more details.