The program, led by , is proud to announce a new partnership with 橘子视频 to enhance and scale up industry-driven training opportunities for current and prospective metalworking and manufacturing professionals. Funded by the Department of War鈥檚 Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment Program, focusing on casting, forging and plate rolling.

Georgia Southern鈥檚 Foundry Educational Foundation (FEF) program will implement METAL鈥檚 nationally recognized curriculum in its program, beginning with a combination of online training and immersive in-person bootcamps held at a manufacturing lab, equipped for metal melting, heat treatment and machining capabilities.

In addition to adult training, these programs will lead outreach efforts for K鈥�12 students by offering workshops and partnering with high schools and other local and regional schools to spark early interest in metallurgical careers.

鈥淭he hands-on training students and job seekers will experience through METAL鈥檚 partnership with Georgia Southern will teach them industry-ready skills they can apply immediately,鈥� said Lucinda Curry, METAL National Workforce Manager at IACMI. 鈥淭hese are high-demand, high-impact careers and exposing students to modern metalworking helps build a pipeline of talent ready to support American manufacturing and innovation.鈥�

Upon completing online and in-person bootcamp training, participants may enter a stacked curriculum offering a menu of specialized training opportunities within METAL, allowing participants to tailor their learning experience, including an enhanced focus on automation in the casting and forging industry. 

鈥淲e are excited to partner with METAL to provide hands-on and computational learning experiences using our exceptional manufacturing facilities,鈥� said Mingzhi Xu, Ph.D., FEF Key Professor at Georgia Southern. 鈥淏y opening our foundry and laboratories to the broader community, we are proud to support METAL鈥檚 mission and help prepare the public for high-impact careers in modern metal manufacturing.鈥�

橘子视频鈥檚 partnership with METAL includes:

• Online training, progressing to hands-on, in-person bootcamps conducted within a manufacturing lab, equipped with metal melting, heat treatment and machining capabilities
• Execute a minimum of 12 in-person bootcamps for at least 150 participants throughout the course of its tenure
• Host at least six open foundry nights for a minimum of 200 K-12 students
• Foster collaborations with local high schools and community colleges. This strategic partnership will focus on integrating METAL training into their educational curriculum, enriching opportunities for students interested in metalworking and manufacturing.听
• Participate in a comprehensive Train the Trainer initiative, which aims to equip future METAL program partner schools and training centers with the knowledge and capability to host bootcamps
• Establish academic credit for secondary and post-secondary students and non-credit pathways including courses that can be applied to micro credentials, industry certifications, apprenticeships and degree tracks. The effort ensures alignment with industry standards while providing students with recognized certifications and future educational opportunities in metallurgy.

Georgia Southern鈥檚 addition to the METAL network strengthens a growing national network of METAL hubs, including the University of Alabama at Birmingham, The Ohio State University, Pennsylvania State University, the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee Tech, Michigan Technological University, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, NC State and Purdue University. Together, these institutions are revitalizing American manufacturing by delivering responsive, scalable and sustainable workforce development programs.

Steve Trussell, a veteran consultant with the University of Georgia’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at 橘子视频, recently accepted an appointment to the Sardis City Council. 

Trussell’s arrival in the rural Georgia council comes at a critical time for the city, as vacant buildings outnumber the occupied ones. But where many see a fading memory of a once-thriving town, Trussell sees untapped potential. He credits his time with Georgia Southern’s Business Innovation Group (BIG) for preparing him to address the town’s needs. 

“Being a part of the SBDC and BIG has given me up-close access to how businesses grow and succeed,” he explained. “It’s that expertise and my background in supply chain management that gives me faith to accomplish the goals I have in Sardis.”

This includes a complete overhaul of the city’s resources to ensure the infrastructure can support businesses interested in setting up shop.

“We need to continue to make substantial improvements,” said Trussell. “We need upgrades for the city water and other utilities, as well as other infrastructure to attract businesses and residents again. But these investments in the town will set it up for success down the road. There鈥檚 already a core group of residents trying to lead these initiatives, and I want to help build on their actions to improve the future outcome for all residents.”

Despite the work ahead, Trussell firmly believes in his dream of a revitalized Sardis. 

“I want to help this city thrive,” he explained. “There’s some incredible history in this town, which started as a stop for coal trains traveling between Savannah and Augusta in the early 1900’s. I want this town to have an identity again.”

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橘子视频’s Business Innovation Group is building an ecosystem throughout the State of Georgia to help entrepreneurs create, incubate and accelerate their for-profit business enterprises. 

The University of Georgia’s Small Business Development Center works to enhance the economic well-being of Georgians by providing a wide range of educational services for small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs.

Members of the will discuss global challenges and their connections to Georgia and the Southeast during a panel discussion Feb. 24 at 2:30 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center on the Statesboro Campus. The event is open to the public and co-hosted by 橘子视频鈥檚 Honors College and the Office of Research and Economic Development as part of the annual Norman Fries Distinguished Lectureship series.

鈥淎t a time when geopolitical tensions are ever-more present in the news, we are so very honored to host these distinguished ambassadors to help all of us better understand current events and how effective diplomacy can positively position the United States for an even brighter future,鈥� said David Weindorf, Ph.D., Georgia Southern鈥檚 vice president for Research and Economic Development.

The featured speakers, Ambassador (ret.) Philip T. Reeker, Ambassador (ret.) Kathleen Stephens, President, American Academy of Diplomacy Ronald E. Neumann, and Ambassador (ret) Deborah A. McCarthy will provide insights through their thematic expertise and personal stories from their time as ambassadors.

Ambassador (ret.) Ronald Neumann served as the United States ambassador to Algeria, Bahrain and Afghanistan. A former Army infantryman who saw action in Vietnam, Neumann’s time abroad as a Senior Foreign Service member inspired his work The Other War: Winning and Losing in Afghanistan, as well as his memoir, Three Embassies, Four Wars: A Personal Memoir. 

Ambassador (ret.) Deborah McCarthy is an expert on U.S. foreign and national security policy, representing the United States on the world stage in senior diplomatic roles in Greece, Lithuania and Nicaragua. She continues to serve the nation as the U.S. Lead Negotiator to the United Nations Ad Hoc Committee on Cybercrime for the Department of State.

Ambassador (ret.) Kathleen Stephens is the President and CEO of the Korea Economic Institute of America, inspired by her time as U.S. ambassador to Korea. Her career has taken her across the world, serving in various roles in China, former Yugoslavia, Portugal and Northern Ireland. She is currently board chair of The Korea Society, a Mansfield Foundation Distinguished Fellow, Pacific Century Institute board chair, and vice chair of the board of trustees for The Asia Foundation.

Ambassador (ret.) Philip T. Reeker was the U.S. ambassador to North Macedonia, as well as Acting Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs and Charg茅 d鈥橝ffaires in London. He is the Chair of the Wilson Center’s Global Europe Program and Partner and Lead of the Europe & Eurasia practice at Albright Stonebridge Group.

The event will allow attendees to engage directly with career diplomats who have served under both Republican and Democratic administrations and who will share the practical skills they use and how their work serves the American people. 

“This event promises to be a unique opportunity to learn directly from four individuals who have served the nation at the highest level in locations around the world,” said Honors College Dean Steven Engel, Ph.D. “Their experiences and insights will shed light on the role of the United States on the world stage as well as the challenges of our contemporary moment.”

The Norman Fries Distinguished Lectureship series began in 2001 and is funded by an endowment in honor of Norman Fries, founder of Claxton Poultry. In his more than 50 years of business, Fries built the company from a one-man operation into one of the largest poultry production plants in the U.S. Past Fries lecturers include David Oreck of Oreck Vacuums, South African apartheid author and lecturer Mark Mathabane, NASA director James W. Kennedy, Pulitzer Prize-winning author and historian Gordon S. Wood, Nobel Prize laureate William D. Phillips, Ph.D., bestselling author Susan Orlean, concussion expert Dr. Russell Gore, and PricewaterhouseCoopers Network chief operating officer Carol Sawdye. For more information, visit .

橘子视频鈥檚 newest college, the , is a major milestone in advancing the institution鈥檚 access mission and supporting learner success across multiple campuses and modalities. The college was established upon the consolidation of 橘子视频 and East Georgia State College.

The University College will be led by Delana Schartner, Ph.D., who has been appointed as the college鈥檚 founding dean. Schartner is an experienced academic leader committed to student access, success and interdisciplinary learning.

鈥淯niversity College strengthens Georgia Southern鈥檚 commitment to providing high-quality, affordable and accessible educational pathways for every student we serve,鈥� said Avinandan Mukherjee, Ph.D., provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. 鈥淏y unifying programs that support academic readiness, interdisciplinarity and applied learning, we are building a structure that not only empowers students from the moment they enroll but also amplifies the university鈥檚 role in driving innovation and regional workforce development.鈥�

The new college will serve as the academic home for students in associate degree programs, interdisciplinary bachelor’s degrees, dual enrollment, ROTC, Continuing and Professional Education, and a variety of minors, centers and academic pathways. The formation of the University College follows the recommendation of the Consolidation Action Team, a team of faculty, staff and administrators from Georgia Southern, East Georgia State College and University System of Georgia (USG) personnel, to formalize a unified structure that elevates and supports Georgia Southern鈥檚 access-focused programs and students.

鈥淭he establishment of University College represents a transformative step in how Georgia Southern provides opportunity, momentum and support for a wide range of learners,鈥� said Delana Schartner, Ph.D., dean of the University College. 鈥淥ur mission is to expand access, accelerate student success and connect educational experiences to careers, communities and lives of meaning.鈥�

The consolidation provided an opportunity to align and envision programs in a way that strengthens student pathways and enhances regional workforce development. University College will provide seamless stackable pathways from non-credit learning, microcredentials and associate degrees into bachelor’s and graduate programs鈥攅nsuring students maintain momentum even if their path to their goal is interrupted or not linear.

University College is poised to bring visibility, coherence and prominence to Georgia Southern鈥檚 longstanding commitment to educational access and attainment. No matter where or how students enroll at 橘子视频, they will benefit from a clearly defined academic home and a streamlined pathway from entry through graduation.橘子视频 establishes University College, announces Delana Schartner, Ph.D., as founding dean

橘子视频 is collaborating with the Georgia Institute of Technology to develop a hydration-monitoring device for athletes, as part of a broader effort to improve player safety and performance. Georgia currently ranks first nationally in preventing heat-related illness and death among athletes, and the two universities are working together to build on that success.

Faculty from Georgia Southern鈥檚 Waters College of Health Professions (WCHP) and Georgia Tech鈥檚 George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering are partnering with Georgia Southern鈥檚 to develop a soft, wearable patch that will measure players鈥� hydration levels in real time. The device helps athletic trainers monitor health risks during games and practices more quickly than traditional methods.

Using embedded sensors, the patch transmits physiological signals related to heat stress and metabolic rates via Bluetooth to the sideline. This gives athletic trainers immediate feedback, unlike delayed techniques such as urine analysis and pre- and postgame weigh-ins.

Because health risks from overheating leave no time for delay, immediate data can be critical. 

鈥淒uring intense exercise in the heat, the risk of dehydration and subsequent negative influences on performance and safety risks are increased due to the exacerbation of thermoregulatory and cardiovascular strain,鈥� according to The National Athletic Trainers鈥� Association.

First developed at Georgia Tech, the patch originated from the research of mechanical engineering Professor . His work initially focused on collecting physiological signals outside of a hospital setting. As interest in digital health care grew, Yeo and his team adapted the device to monitor athlete health and performance. 

They needed test subjects. In the fall of 2025, the Georgia Southern football team stepped in to meet that need.

鈥淲e are always looking for ways to keep our athletes safe and able to perform at their best,鈥� said Nick Sparacio, Georgia Southern鈥檚 head football athletic trainer.

鈥淭his sensor can give us data about cardiac rhythm, sweat loss, temperature and physical movement,鈥� Sparacio added. 鈥淭he old adage, 鈥榓n ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,鈥� is especially true in athletics. With real-time data, we can intervene or provide additional resources to prevent adverse events.鈥�

At various points throughout the season, researchers tested the patch on players during practice. 

WCHP Associate Dean of Research and Clinical Sciences Vishakha Rawool, Ph.D., was charged with creating a usability survey for the patch and analyzing the results.

Players complimented the patch鈥檚 ease of use and sleek design.

鈥淧utting the patch on took five minutes max,鈥� said freshman quarterback Weston Bryan. 鈥淥nce I took the field, I completely forgot about it, and it didn鈥檛 hinder me at all.鈥�

Ultimately, researchers tracked real-time hydration metrics for eight players over a three-day period. They are finalizing a manuscript to submit to a peer-reviewed journal in a month.

While the patch isn鈥檛 currently game-day ready, Yeo and his team are refining the technology. They hope to improve the reliability and accuracy of the data so that it is comparable to that collected in clinical settings. Additionally, researchers are working to make the patch even smaller to avoid its interference with equipment. 

鈥淲e have already validated the device鈥檚 capability to capture both physiological signals and skin hydration levels, and we are refining the design to better suit athletes鈥� needs,鈥� said Taewoog Kang, a post-doctoral researcher in Yeo鈥檚 group. 鈥淩ecent testing has identified areas for improvement in the prototype, and we are now incorporating these changes before future trials.鈥�

Rawool is hopeful about what the future holds.

鈥淥verall, the usability of the patch is good,鈥� Rawool said. 鈥淭here鈥檚 work to do to ensure it is ready for use during athletic competition, but I view it more as an opportunity to improve rather than a barrier that can鈥檛 be overcome. I think it has the potential to be a major step forward in athlete safety.鈥�

Six of 橘子视频鈥檚 online programs were ranked in the top 100 in , which focuses on midcareer distance learners. 

Georgia Southern鈥檚 online master鈥檚 in education programs rose in the rankings again this year by more than 20 spots, landing at no. 64 on the best online graduate education programs list.  

鈥淏eing recognized by U.S. News & World Report among the nation鈥檚 best online education programs underscores the strength of our online master鈥檚 programs and the commitment of our faculty and staff to delivering an exceptional educational experience,鈥� said Amy Lingo, Ed.D., dean of the 橘子视频 College of Education. 鈥淥ur continued climb in the rankings鈥攊ncluding a 21-point increase in this year alone鈥攃onfirms our success in making high-quality education accessible to hundreds of educators and preparing them to make a lasting impact in their schools and communities.鈥�

The online criminal justice and criminology graduate degree program remains in the top 30 of schools at no. 28 again this year. 

In the 鈥淕rad Business鈥� category, which encompasses a variety of non-MBA master’s degrees in fields such as business analytics, accounting and supply chain management, Georgia Southern ranked no. 89 (tie).

Georgia Southern was recognized for its online MBA and Best Online MBA for Veterans program, both of which ranked higher on the list than the previous year. The online MBA program rose to no. 93 (tie) in the nation while the Veterans MBA program edged up to no. 56 (tie). 

鈥淥ur rise in the U.S. News & World Report rankings is a clear indicator of the Parker College鈥檚 dedication to academic excellence and student success,鈥� said Nivine Richie, Ph.D., CFA, dean of the Parker College of Business. 鈥淏y climbing in the Grad Business as well as the MBA and Veterans-MBA categories, we are demonstrating that our programs provide a high-value, flexible education that meets the demands of today鈥檚 competitive market. We remain focused on providing our students with the specialized skills necessary to lead in a global economy.鈥�

Additionally, the University was recognized for its online Master鈥檚 in Information Technology program, which ranked at no. 80 this year on the publication鈥檚 list of best online master鈥檚 in formation technology programs.

Students from 橘子视频 and the Medical College of Georgia (MCG) gathered Nov. 17 on the Armstrong Campus for the second annual Community Engaged Research Conference.

This event is a chance for student researchers from both institutions to showcase their individual work and the partnership between Georgia Southern and MCG, which has expanded since MCG established its Savannah campus in July 2024.

While students鈥� perspectives take center stage, the conference also emphasizes collaboration between academia and community. A group of clinicians from , and joined MCG students to host a panel discussion titled 鈥淯ninsured and Underinsured Populations – Access to Specialty Care.鈥�

 Student-led oral and poster presentations were featured, along with an awards ceremony recognizing select students for outstanding work in both categories.

Oral presentations were divided into separate sessions titled 鈥淏ench to Bedside鈥� and 鈥淐onnecting Clinic and Community.鈥�

Rachelan Boss, a senior majoring in health science and minoring in public health, and Taryn Black, a senior biochemistry major, won the award for best student oral presentation in the second session. Black and Boss weren鈥檛 the only Georgia Southern students to receive recognition. Md Didarul Alam, a master鈥檚 student in electrical and computer engineering, won the student鈥檚 choice award for the best poster under the mentorship of Mohammad Ahad, Ph.D.

The conference鈥檚 second year saw increased participation. The number of presentations was doubled, with Georgia Southern students leading 59 of the total 118.

The importance of this data point was not lost on Georgia Southern Faculty member and Conference Chair, Shainaz Landge, Ph.D.

鈥淭his event is a major springboard for research at our University,鈥� Landge said. 鈥淪eeing more of our students participate shows our growth and underscores MCG鈥檚 value as both a collaborator and a leader in medical research. Collaboration drives progress, and we鈥檙e seeing that in real time. MCG is a world-class institution, and we鈥檙e privileged to have a campus in our region.鈥�

Dr. Elizabeth Gray, dean of MCG鈥檚 Savannah campus, also sees benefits in the relationship between the two schools.

鈥�This conference highlights not only the power of joint engagement but also the promise it holds for future collaborations between our institutions,鈥� she explained. 鈥淩esearch can open the door to innovation and expand community involvement.  With participation from across all four years of medical students, we were able to showcase research focused on the real needs of our community.鈥� 

Both Landge and Gray believe the partnership between Georgia Southern and MCG will continue to grow in scope and impact. They say the same is true of the Community Engaged Research Conference.

Students in 橘子视频’s Allen E. Paulson College of Engineering and Computing听have found that hard work really does pay off. Their automotive research during the 2024 academic year led to a subscription renewal for an advanced simulation software valued at $3 million.听

“After a year, the chief simulation engineer at AVL wanted a report on the research achievements we obtained while working with their software,” said mechanical engineering professor Valentin Soloiu, Ph. D. “So we visited their facility in Detroit to present our findings and advancements in simulation from the research we did last year.”

Soloiu and his students showcased their findings on topics at the forefront of automotive innovation, like sustainable and alternative fuels and advanced combustion modes. All of which was developed thanks to the advanced FIRE software provided by AVL List GmbH. 

“The company was so impressed with our students’ work, they renewed our software membership for another year, providing us with new modules that allow us to conduct advanced research,” explained Soloiu. 

The subscription renewal brings the total value of the software donated to $6 million. Soloiu says this recognition and research set his students and the college apart from other institutions.

“We teach our students how to work with state-of-the-art technologies like the FIRE software to help with their research,” he said. “I make sure they get hands-on experiences that validate their modelling and simulations that the theoretical classes can’t match. It’s these advanced methodologies that help my students to develop professionally and succeed.” 

橘子视频鈥檚 Center for Addiction Recovery (CAR), housed within the Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health (JPHCOPH), has been awarded a $529,144 grant from the to launch the Georgia Recovery-Ready Workplace (GROW) Initiative. This transformative two-year project is designed to increase employment opportunities for individuals in recovery from substance use disorders and help employers across Georgia become more supportive of recovery in the workplace.

The GROW Initiative is a collaborative effort led by Robert Bohler, Ph.D., JPHCOPH assistant professor and CAR executive director, in partnership with the Georgia Council for Recovery (GC4R) and Augusta University鈥檚 School of Public Health. The project will implement a unique 鈥渉ub-and-spoke鈥� model, with GC4R serving as the central hub and at least 10 local recovery community organizations (RCOs) across Georgia acting as spokes to engage large employers in both rural and urban communities.

鈥淕ainful and stable employment is one of the most powerful tools we have to support long-term recovery,鈥� said Bohler, principal investigator of the GROW Initiative. 鈥淭his project will not only help individuals overcome employment barriers but also equip employers with the knowledge and tools to foster recovery-ready environments.鈥�

鈥淓mployment is a cornerstone of recovery, yet it鈥檚 often overlooked in public health responses to the opioid crisis,鈥� said Ryan Lofaro, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Public and Nonprofit Studies at 橘子视频 and co-investigator on the project. 鈥淭hrough GROW, we鈥檙e not only expanding access to meaningful work for individuals in recovery 鈥� we鈥檙e also creating workplace environments that actively support prevention, facilitate access to treatment and sustain long-term recovery.鈥�

The initiative will:

路       Hire a full-time employment specialist to assist individuals in recovery with job placement, vocational training and overcoming legal and educational barriers.

 路       Engage at least 10 large employers to become designated recovery-friendly workplaces.

 路       Deliver comprehensive training to employers on topics such as addiction science, stigma reduction, recovery-oriented policies and the benefits of hiring individuals in recovery.

路       Develop a toolkit and website to support ongoing education and expansion of recovery-friendly workplaces in Georgia.

Given its combination of economic growth, workforce development priorities and a robust recovery community network, Georgia offers an ideal environment for launching this initiative. With 18 Fortune 500 companies and a growing number of large manufacturing sites, the state presents a powerful opportunity to align economic development with public health.

鈥淎lcohol and drug misuse costs United States businesses over $81 billion per year (CDC),鈥� said Laurisa Guerrero, GC4R executive director. 鈥淭his initiative is intended to support both employees and the businesses that choose to participate. Building bridges between businesses and the recovery community will provide an added layer of support that so many people desperately need.鈥�

Brian Kite, project manager for RCO development at GC4R and a Certified Addiction Recovery Empowerment Specialist, emphasized the importance of community involvement, stating, 鈥淭his initiative is about more than just jobs 鈥� it鈥檚 about dignity, purpose and connection. By working directly with local RCOs, we鈥檙e ensuring that recovery support is rooted in the communities where people live and work.鈥�

Aaron Johnson, Ph.D., associate dean for research and community engagement at Augusta University鈥檚 School of Public Health and a co-investigator on the project, will lead the evaluation and data collection efforts.

鈥淕ROW is a model that bridges public health, workforce development and recovery support,鈥� Johnson explained. 鈥淥ur team at Augusta University is proud to contribute to the evaluation of this innovative approach, which has the potential to be replicated nationwide.鈥�

By embedding recovery support into the workplace and directly addressing employment barriers, GROW aims to improve individual recovery outcomes, expand access to meaningful work and serve as a national model for building and sustaining recovery-friendly workplaces. The GROW Initiative is actively seeking employers across Georgia who are interested in becoming part of this movement to support recovery, reduce stigma and strengthen their workforce.

橘子视频’s online master’s degree in sport management was recently ranked No. 21 on the list of Best Online Master’s Degree Programs in Sport Management by for 2021. 

The 36-credit hour program is housed in the Waters College of Health Professions and is designed to provide academic preparation and practical experience in the skills and techniques necessary to be successful in the sport business and leisure field. Students are able to complete the program in as little as 24 months, or as their schedule permits.

The list of ranked programs includes accredited, nonprofit schools, and rankings are based on data around financial aid awards, the quality of education and campus resources from the U.S. Department of Education.