More than 140 members of the campus community have spent this academic year engaged in the rigorous process of seeking reaccreditation by the  (MSCHE). Guided by a steering committee co-chaired by , associate provost for academic programs, and , associate vice president for research, the vital undertaking ensures ������ meets and exceeds high standards of educational excellence.

Working Groups Produce Reports

The process began a year ago with the completion of a self-study design and a campus visit from an MSCHE representative. Starting last fall, members of seven working groups evaluated large amounts of evidence compiled by the  and other units. From that data, they developed reports that demonstrate the University’s adherence to MSCHE’s .

“The working group members have been the cornerstone of this process, spending an entire semester immersed in data, evidence and analysis,” Hasenwinkel says. “The draft reports they’ve produced reflect not just rigor, but also a genuine investment in understanding who we are as an institution and where we are headed. This self-study is only possible because of their dedication.”

The seven reports were completed in December and submitted to a writing team that includes Hasenwinkel and McDonald as well as Gabe Coleman, director of project management and operations in the Office of the Chancellor; Jerry Edmonds, chief of staff for academic affairs; Laura Harrington, director of the Office of Institutional Effectiveness; and Wendy Loughlin, executive director of academic communications in the Division of Communications. That team is now working to review and compile the reports into a single self-study document.

Input on Draft Self-Study

A draft self-study report will be made available to the University community for review beginning Monday, Aug. 3, with the public comment period running through Monday, Sept. 14. Feedback from faculty, staff and students is crucial, McDonald says. “A self-study is only as strong as the perspectives that shape it,” she says. “The insights that come from across our University will strengthen the work of our self-study and ensure it reflects the full breadth of the Syracuse experience and key opportunities to further deliver on our mission.”

Input gathered during the open comment period will be taken into consideration as the self-study is finalized. The report will be submitted to MSCHE in December. In March 2027, a group of peer evaluators from other MSCHE-accredited institutions will visit campus, review evidence and meet with key campus leaders and constituencies. A final determination will be made by MSCHE in June 2027.

For more information about MSCHE reaccreditation, visit .

Vice Chancellor, Provost and Chief Academic Officer today announced the appointment of as the inaugural Provost’s Innovation Fellow at ������.

In this role, Horn will develop a Universitywide academic-industry strategy and support faculty in creating industry partnerships that provide experiential learning opportunities and professional connections for students. He will also work to develop new revenue streams through academic-industry initiatives and regularly assess their progress and success.

“I am excited to welcome Professor Horn into this role and know he is the perfect person to lead this important initiative,” Agnew says. “He has already demonstrated an exceptional ability to build meaningful bridges between academic and industry partners, creating opportunities that benefit our students and bolster experiential inquiry. I can think of no one better positioned to shape this strategy from the ground up and ensure that Syracuse remains at the forefront of academic-industry collaboration.”

The two-year appointment begins Aug.��15, 2026,��and runs through June 15, 2028. Horn will report to Agnew and work closely with the academic affairs leadership team, the Division of Communications, deans and associate deans and faculty and career advisors across campus.

Horn has served as associate dean of strategic initiatives for the since July 2022, and as a professor of practice in public relations since August 2018. Over the last four years, Horn has led the development of numerous academic-industry partnerships for the Newhouse School, ranging from executive education immersion programs for corporations—including Delta Air Lines and Lockheed Martin—to creating collaborative student-focused partnerships with Sony, Spectrum News, CBS News and Stations, Advance Local and American Airlines.

As a professor of practice, Horn has forged partnerships with several global sport organizations and communications firms, resulting in student-supported industry research and international projects. Each June, Horn leads a short-term study abroad course to Switzerland to foster hands-on, experiential learning for students with global organizations.

“Connecting students with innovative industry experiences has been the uniting passion of my work since joining the Newhouse faculty in 2018,” Horn says. “I’m thankful to Provost Agnew for this high honor of serving as the inaugural Provost’s Innovation Fellow, as I’m thrilled to expand on the work we’ve built at Newhouse, thanks to Dean Mark Lodato and his vision. I’m particularly looking forward to developing new relationships across the University to help unlock the potential for unique, meaningful and distinctive experiences for students across industries.”

Prior to joining the Newhouse faculty, Horn spent more than 20 years in communications leadership roles in Major League Baseball and Olympic sport, most notably serving as vice president of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum and as head of communications for the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency. Horn earned a master’s degree in communications management from the Newhouse School.

Join Academic Affairs and the Office of Institutional Effectiveness at the seventh annual on Friday, April 10, at 1 p.m. in the School of Education Commons in Huntington Hall. The celebration is open to the public.

The event will honor and celebrate faculty and staff for their efforts to examine and enhance student learning and operational success. Awards will be given in five categories:

• IE Champions, recognizing campus community members who advocate for meaningful assessment to enrich the student learning experience and operational effectiveness.
• Outstanding Assessment, recognizing a distinguished academic program, co-curricular program/unit, and functional unit for robust assessment and action planning to support decision-making.
• Best Engagement Strategies, recognizing programs/units for engaging faculty, staff and students in the assessment process.
• Best Use of Results, recognizing an academic program, co-curricular program/unit and functional unit for using assessment results to inform decision-making.
• Collaborative inquiry and Action, recognizing a program/unit that collaborates with others outside of their primary school/college/division to use the assessment process to enhance student learning and campus operations. Sharing data and discussing the story the data tells leads to actions that improve the student

Posters highlighting the work of 2025 Assessment Leadership Institute participants and 2025-26 recipients of the Student Engagement in Assessment grant will also be showcased.

Light refreshments will be served. today.

������ undergraduates are getting their moment to shine this spring, presenting original research and creative work to peers, faculty and the broader campus community across a series of symposia and showcase events running through the end of the semester.

“For a researcher, learning how to effectively present their work is a crucial part of the research process. Whether a student is sharing a completed project with conclusions, or a work-in-progress still in development, the dialogue and conversation with a broader audience is always clarifying,” says Kate Hanson, director of the (SOURCE). “Our undergraduates do incredible research, guided by dedicated faculty mentors, and our campus community is warmly welcomed to engage with and celebrate this work.”

The SOURCE Spring Showcase includes the following:

Thursday, March 26

Lundgren Room, 106 Life Sciences Complex, 4-6 p.m.
The event will feature four “TED-style” student research talks and a presentation of SOURCE and Center for Fellowship and Scholarship Advising (CFSA) awards.

Friday, March 27

Life Sciences Complex Atrium, 2-4 p.m.
This interdisciplinary event will feature more than 100 students presenting research and creative activity.

The entire campus community is invited to attend the events.

A complete list of programs in March, April and May with event and registration details can be found on (check back for updated information).

Other symposia and research-related events this spring include:

• , Wednesday, March 25, 9 a.m.-2:45 p.m., Goldstein Auditorium, Schine Student Center
• , Saturday, March 28, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Life Sciences Complex Atrium
• , Friday, April 3, 9:45 a.m.-4:45 p.m., 608 Bird Library
• , Friday, April 10, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Collegian Hotel and Suites, 1060 E. Genesee St.
• , Thursday, April 16, 8:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m., Nancy Cantor Warehouse, Auditorium, Room 100A
• , Friday, April 17, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Milton Atrium, Life Sciences Complex
• , Friday, April 17, 10 a.m., 101 Newhouse 1
• , Tuesday, April 28, 3-5 p.m., 220 Eggers Hall
• , Wednesday, April 29, 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m., Hall of Languages, multiple locations (complete schedule will be available on the after April 8)

Academic Affairs and Institutional Effectiveness (IE) are pleased to announce a call for nominations for��.�� will be accepted through Friday, March 20.

Nominations are requested for individuals, programs and units whose exceptional efforts have contributed to a culture of improvement at the University.

The assessment awards recognize faculty, staff and students for their efforts to examine and enhance learning and campus operations. The event will showcase meaningful and sustainable practices undertaken to provide students with an unsurpassed learning experience.

“The One University Assessment Awards highlight the vital connection between assessment and student success,” says Julie Hasenwinkel, associate provost for academic programs. “I’m eager to recognize the thoughtful, evidence-based approaches our faculty and staff are taking to enhance learning outcomes and demonstrate our ongoing commitment to academic excellence. This work exemplifies how we continuously refine our programs and services to better serve our students.”

The seventh annual One University Assessment Celebration will be held Friday, April 10 at 1 p.m. in the School of Education Commons in Huntington Hall. Awards will be announced in the following categories:

• Institutional Effectiveness Champions, featuring two new awards: Student Champion for Shared Competencies and Course Feedback Champion
• Outstanding Assessment in an Academic, Co-Curricular and Functional Program/Unit
• Best Student, Faculty and Staff Engagement
• Best Use of Results
• Collaborative Inquiry and Action

Visit the for more information about the nomination process, award descriptions, past recipients, and prior event photos. If you have any questions, please contact the Assessment Working Team.

There’s warmth emanating from the Noble Room in the lower level of Hendricks Chapel every Monday night whenever classes are in session.

Every sewing machine buzzes and hums as the members of the make handmade quilts that will keep vulnerable Central New Yorkers warm during the winter months.

“Those are chaotic nights. Everybody is working on a project that will end up at one of our partner charities,” says quilting enthusiast Judy O’Rourke ’75, G’10. “It’s nice knowing you’re helping someone out, and it’s nice knowing that something I enjoy doing is giving somebody else comfort.”

O’Rourke is one of 10-15 active members of the Hendricks Chapel Quilters—consisting of students, staff, faculty and community members—who put their love of sewing to good use weekly to produce beautiful quilts.

The common threads that keep members coming back? A love of quilting, a desire to find connection and a willingness to give back to the community.

“There’s a real camaraderie around this group,” says George Athanas, the associate director for the Center for Learning and Student Success, who first joined the club 21 years ago. “This reminds me of what quilting circles and quilting guilds used to be like, folks coming together to engage with their community, meet new people and learn along the way.”

Helping Vulnerable People Feel Seen and Valued

Quilts are most frequently donated to the local chapter of , which builds beds for children in the community, to chaplains at SUNY Upstate Medical University, who deliver the quilts to terminally ill patients, and to food pantries who partner with�� on their community outreach efforts.

During last year’s weekly meetings, the Hendricks Chapel Quilters produced 59 quilts that were donated. Each finished product is signed with a tag noting that the quilt was created with love by the Hendricks Chapel Quilters. O’Rourke says nearly 95% of the fabric, sewing machines and other materials used have been donated by generous community members.

“This reflects what service is all about, investing time and energy to make the world a better place,” Athanas says.

Besides the added source of warmth, Jennie Prouty, InterFaith Works’ community engagement manager, says the recipients are often touched by the kindness and generosity of strangers who make time to create and then donate these intricate quilts.

“These quilts are an opportunity for individuals and families in our communities, who often feel unseen, to know there are people who care deeply about their well-being,” Prouty says. “The element of them being handmade is a level of intentionality that many clients don’t typically receive.”

Made With Love

In the fall, students in Liz Lance’s one-credit honors class, Quilting for Fun and Community, learn how to quilt alongside the Hendricks Chapel Quilters, who provide support and offer advice to the novice quilters.

“This is a unique offering,” says Lance, who started teaching the course in the Fall 2024 semester. “The average age of quilters is older and retired, but here, we have 20-, 21- and 22-year-old college students learning alongside our quilting guild. Spanning that age gap and bringing these people together is the most special part about this because it represents intergenerational learning, which can be hard to find.”

O’Rourke, who started sewing in childhood, picked up quilting in 1998 as the advisor to that year’s cohort of Remembrance Scholars. Those students wanted to make a Remembrance Quilt to honor the 35 ������ students who died in the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland, in 1988.

Current Remembrance Scholar Joy Mao ’26 had no prior experience quilting or sewing, so she was nervous when she walked into the Noble Room for her first class last fall.

Those nerves quickly melted away. On the first night, students were introduced to their sewing machine, which they would use throughout the semester. Mao learned about the tools she’d be using—ranging from a needle and thread to a seam ripper and cutters—and became more familiar with her machine as the course progressed.

Starting with four-by-four-inch quilting squares, Mao and her classmates are tasked with identifying the colors and patterns that will tell the story of their quilt. Each square consists of nine patches, and each finished quilt consists of 81 total squares. If time allows, students add borders, known as sashes, as filler between the squares.

During their last class, students stand before their peers and present their quilt, knowing their finished product will provide warmth to someone in need.

“You get to make with your hands and give with your hearts, and these quilts are all made with love,” says Mao, who is studying television, radio and film in the and policy studies in the . “It was great knowing we were creating something that would have an impact on and give back to the greater Syracuse community.”

The hold meetings from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Monday evenings when classes are in session. No previous sewing experience is required, and all materials, as well as access to a sewing machine, are provided during the club’s weekly meetings. For more information about joining or donating fabric or sewing machines, please contact Judy O’Rourke.

A new Lockerbie Fellows program, established through a recently signed Memorandum of Agreement (MOU) between ������ and the in Lockerbie, Scotland, will bring 10 Lockerbie students to campus each year to participate in Remembrance Week.

The program is designed to foster continued academic and cultural collaboration and exchange between the two institutions, whose longstanding relationship began in the aftermath of the 1988 over Lockerbie. The tragedy claimed the lives of 35 ������ students who were returning home after a semester abroad.

“This partnership reflects our enduring commitment to honoring the memory of those we lost while cultivating a meaningful, living connection between our two communities,” says , vice chancellor, provost and chief academic officer at ������. “Welcoming Lockerbie students to campus each year ensures that the bonds forged in the wake of tragedy continue to inspire acts of service, scholarship and shared humanity.”

The Lockerbie Fellows program will begin in Fall 2026. Accompanied by two of their teachers, the fellows will visit campus in October and take part in Remembrance Week activities commemorating Pan Am 103 victims and promoting acts of service. During their visit, fellows will also have multiple opportunities to engage with University students and faculty.

Fellows will be selected by Lockerbie Academy administrators, ensuring that participants demonstrate academic excellence and a deep understanding of the Pan Am 103 tragedy and its significance to the Syracuse and Lockerbie communities.

Six Central New York businesses that are working to advance semiconductor manufacturing capabilities have received funding of more than $350,000 through the new .

“������ is an economic engine in Central New York due to our strategic focus on strengthening partnerships, meeting the emerging needs of regional employers and preparing our students for the future,” says��, vice chancellor for strategic initiatives and innovation. “The NY THRIVE awards administered by the Collaboration and Commercialization Center are a prime example of how the University is stepping up to build the innovation economy of tomorrow in our community.”

The program provides companies with access to academic research capabilities, specialized equipment and faculty expertise to accelerate the development and commercialization of semiconductor technologies. It’s administered by the ������-led NY SMART I-Corridor’s , and includes partners Cornell University, Rochester Institute of Technology, University of Rochester and University at Buffalo.

“The NY THRIVE awards exemplify the power of industry-academic partnerships in advancing semiconductor manufacturing innovation,” says , vice president for research and principal investigator of C3. “������ is proud to serve as a catalyst for technological advancement in New York’s growing semiconductor ecosystem. By connecting companies with world-class research facilities and faculty expertise, we’re helping to build the next generation of manufacturing capabilities that will strengthen our regional economy and position New York as a global leader in semiconductor innovation.”

NY THRIVE recipients are:

TTM Technologies Inc. (Syracuse) will collaborate with the research group led by , professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering in the College of Engineering and Computer Science (ECS), to evaluate sintering interface processing for printed circuit board manufacturing, investigating the effects on post-process state to improve interconnect reliability between adjacent layers.

TunaBotics (Syracuse) is leveraging R&D resources (space, equipment and personnel) at ������ through the research group led by , associate professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering in ECS, to test prototypes of compliant robotic grippers for advanced electronics manufacturing applications.

IBEX Materials (Buffalo) will demonstrate the feasibility and effects of repurposing silicon waste from the semiconductor industry as a core feedstock for advanced lithium-ion battery anodes, addressing environmental impact reduction in semiconductor manufacturing.

Menlo Micro (Ithaca) will establish next-generation through-glass via (TGV) solutions for its microelectromechanical system (MEMS) switches, which are already in significant commercial use in RF, high-speed digital, quantum compute and AC/DC power applications, including AI data centers, industrial automation and building infrastructure. This award strengthens Menlo Micro’s market leadership and ongoing scaling efforts to advance glass substrate technologies critical for next-generation MEMS and microelectronic solutions.

OWiC Technologies (Ithaca) will scale up manufacturing of small photoelectronic electrochemical synthesizers (SPECS), breakthrough millimeter-scale wireless semiconductor devices for high-throughput electrosynthesis.

Photonect Interconnect Solutions Inc. (Rochester) will review and fabricate components for their prototype PIX-Attach, a first-of-its-kind, laser splicing system for high-volume photonic integration. The project will directly support prototyping, production-level V1 development and testing to enhance durability, precision and thermal stability.

“This first round of THRIVE Innovation Vouchers marks another important step in translating the NY SMART I-Corridor’s vision into tangible results for businesses across Upstate New York,” says Joseph Stefko, regional innovation officer for NY SMART I-Corridor Tech Hub. “By giving companies direct access to world-class research facilities, advanced equipment and technical expertise, we’re lowering barriers to commercialization and accelerating the growth of a stronger, more competitive semiconductor ecosystem. These vouchers don’t just support individual firms; they strengthen the entire innovation pipeline that is positioning Upstate New York as a national leader in semiconductor manufacturing, innovation and supply chain.”

About NY SMART I-Corridor

The NY SMART I-Corridor is a federally designated Tech Hub with a coalition of over 100 organizations—spanning businesses, higher education, economic development groups and community-based organizations. Together, they are positioning Upstate New York as a global leader in semiconductor manufacturing, innovation and workforce development.

The U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) , authorized by the , provides funding for regional technology development with matching support from the Empire State Development .

A “Leading with Distinction” Showcase on Experiential Inquiry will be held Monday, Feb. 23, from 3 to 4:30 p.m. at 304 Schine Student Center. .

The event provides the campus community with an opportunity for focused, in-depth discussion about this area of distinctive excellence identified in the University’s .

The event will feature three breakout sessions:

Breakout 1: Foundations—Supporting Entry-level Opportunities

• Facilitator: , associate provost for academic programs
• Panelists:
  • , professor and director of the Center for Experiential Pedagogy and Practice, School of Education
  • , assistant dean of student success, Newhouse School
  • , associate professor of sport management, Falk College

Breakout 2: Implementation—Putting It Into Practice—Mid-level engagement

• Facilitator: , associate professor of magazine, news and digital journalism, Newhouse School
• Panelists:
  • , undergraduate student engagement manager, Lerner Center for Public Health Promotion and Population Health, Maxwell School
  • , teaching professor and director of the Transactional Law Clinic, College of Law
  • , dean, School of Architecture

Breakout 3: Innovation-Expanding Boundaries Beyond the Classroom— Advanced integration

• Facilitator: , interim dean, Whitman School
• Panelists:
  • , Kenneth and Mary Ann Shaw Professor of Practice in Entrepreneurial Leadership, College of Engineering and Computer Science
  • , associate dean of strategic initiatives and research and associate professor in the School of Design, College of Visual and Performing Arts
  • , associate professor of writing studies, rhetoric and composition and Dean’s Professor of Community Engagement, College of Arts and Sciences

The breakout sessions will be followed by a panel discussion examining the ways experiential inquiry shapes education and career paths:

Transformative Experiences

• Facilitator: Jolynn Parker, director of experiential learning and engagement, Center for Student Excellence
• Panelists:
  • , associate teaching professor and undergraduate director of chemistry, College of Arts and Sciences
  • ’26, student, School of Information Studies
  • , employer relations specialist, Career Services

For more information about the event, contact Pamela Young at 315.443.4364 or��pyoung01@syr.edu.

Five University faculty members have been selected to participate in the 2026 Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Academic Leaders Network. The annual leadership development program facilitates cross-institutional networking and collaboration among academic leaders, while building leadership capacity at participating ACC institutions.

Members of the 2026 cohort are:

• , Crandall Melvin Professor of Law and associate dean for faculty affairs in the College of Law
• , Jessie Page Heroy Professor and chair of the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences in the College of Arts and Sciences
• , Georgia Miller Associate Professor and associate dean for strategic initiatives and research in the College of Visual and Performing Arts
• , Lerner Chair in Public Health Promotion and Population Health, professor of sociology and director of the Center for Policy Research in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs
• , professor of sport management and senior associate dean in the David B. Falk College of Sport

Participants have the opportunity to strengthen leadership competency, build networks and relations across ACC institutions and gain a deeper understanding of higher education administration and a broader awareness of higher education leadership needs and challenges.

The program kicks off with a virtual session Feb. 6, followed by three on-site sessions at Southern Methodist University, University of Notre Dame and University of Pittsburgh, held throughout the year.

Six faculty members have been elected to serve on the��.

Committee members advise the vice chancellor, provost and chief academic officer and work to ensure consistent promotion and tenure processes and promote high academic standards. They serve two-year, staggered terms and are not eligible to serve consecutive terms.

Newly elected committee members are:

• , Katchmar-Wilhelm Professor, School of Information Studies
• , professor, School of Architecture
• , professor, College of Law
• , professor and director of biochemistry, College of Arts and Sciences
• , professor of higher education, School of Education
• , professor and chair of geography and the environment, Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs

Promotion and tenure cases that meet the criteria for review—for example, those that have substantial disagreement between layers of recommendation or a strong probability of a negative determination—are taken up by committee members. They offer an advisory vote to the provost but do not issue a formal report or consider appeals.

The committee is convened by Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs Jamie Winders. Provost Lois Agnew is chair of the committee, and Vice President for Research Duncan Brown serves in an ex-officio capacity.

The (CSE), launched last fall, brought together the University’s student support programs into a single administrative structure in order to build synergies and better serve students.

As of last week, those programs are now together in a single physical space as well, at .

“This move truly creates a centralized hub for student success, academic support, engagement and persistence,” Assistant Provost for Academic Programs and CSE Director Tommy Powell says. “It brings together multiple high-impact student support offices with a shared mission: helping students thrive academically, personally and professionally from their first day on campus through graduation.”

CSE serves all undergraduate students, with a focus on student transition and adjustment to college; academic skill-building and coaching; retention and persistence; engagement, belonging and experiential learning; and clear communication and coordination across support services.

CSE comprises multiple programs working closely together:

• First Year Seminar
• Center for Learning and Student Success (CLASS)
• Retention and Student Success
• SOURCE (Syracuse Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Engagement)
• Center for Fellowship and Scholarship Advising
• Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP)
• McNair Scholars Program
• Our Time Has Come Scholars
• Remembrance Scholars
• STEP (Science and Technology Entry Program) and CSTEP (College Science and Technology Entry Program)
• Shaw Center for Public and Community Service
• Living Learning Communities

Student-Athlete Academic Services, located in the John A. Lally Athletics Complex, is also a core part of the CSE.

The building is located at the corner of Sims Drive and College Place, adjacent to Sims Hall. Drop-ins are welcome.

For more information, call 315.443.2005.

TEDx ������ 2026 will be held on Thursday, April 16, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the K.G. Tan Auditorium in the National Veterans Resource Center at The Daniel and Gayle D’Aniello Building, 101 Waverly Ave. Centered on the theme “What Matters Next,” the free event will bring together students, faculty, alumni and members of the community for an evening of ideas, conversation and inspiration. Organizers are inviting , due Jan. 20, from individuals with compelling ideas, research, innovations or personal stories that speak to the forces shaping the future.

“’What Matters Next’ challenges both the speakers and audience to look beyond the present and consider the consequences, opportunities and efforts that will define the coming years,” says Ryan Nkongnyu ’25 (College of Visual and Performing Arts), G’26 (S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications), the event emcee and one of its lead organizers. “From advances in technology and shifts in public policy to cultural change and social innovation, the theme explores questions around the future and how today’s work can help shape it. This is an invitation to articulate and explore today’s discoveries, innovations and efforts and consider how they will empower and prepare us for tomorrow.”

TEDx ������ 2026 is co-organized and co-hosted by Nkongnyu alongside Sonia Issa ’24, G’25 (Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs), chief operating officer of the Syracuse-based Good Life Youth Foundation. Issa’s community-centered work spans nonprofit leadership, program design and large-scale convening, with a focus on translating complex social and policy issues into accessible, people-centered dialogue. Together, Nkongnyu and Issa also led the University’s successful TEDx event last year.

In addition to her role as co-organizer, Issa was a featured speaker at TEDx ������ 2025, where she explored themes of systems change, narrative and responsibility. Her experience bridging community-based work, academic spaces and public-facing dialogue helps shape the vision and structure of the 2026 event.

TEDx ������ 2026 will feature a curated lineup of thinkers, doers and innovators from a range of disciplines, each delivering a short, powerful talk designed to spark dialogue and inspire action. Beyond the talks, the event also offers opportunities for networking, idea-sharing and engagement with the University’s growing TEDx community.

The event is co-sponsored by the Libraries and the Office of Strategic Initiatives and Innovation, reflecting a shared commitment to fostering interdisciplinary thinking and public engagement around big ideas.

“������ Libraries is pleased to again sponsor TEDx ������ because it aligns closely with our mission,” says David Seaman, dean of Libraries and University librarian. “Libraries are both places where knowledge is preserved and where ideas are questioned, connected and shared. TEDx creates a powerful platform for curiosity, creativity and informed dialogue. We are proud to once again support an event that invites our campus and community to think critically about what matters next.”

Individuals interested in speaking are encouraged to , whether affiliated with ������ or part of the broader community. Organizers emphasize that TEDx talks are not lectures or sales pitches, but carefully crafted stories and ideas meant to resonate with and inspire a wide audience.

“If you have a topic to speak about or a story to share, consider applying,” Nkongnyu says. “Maybe this is your chance to share with the world what matters next.”

For more information about TEDx ������ 2026 or questions about the application process, contact Ryan Nkongnyu at rnkongny@syr.edu.

Story by Linda Dickerson Hartsock, strategic initiatives advisor, ������ Libraries

Each year, five undergraduate students from ������ join students from the 14 other Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) institutions to showcase their research or creative work at the . This year’s conference is the 16th annual and will be held from Friday, April 10, through Sunday, April 12, at Florida State University.

Students interested in attending this year’s conference need to apply by Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026. All travel, lodging and meal expenses are funded for student presenters.

“Meeting of the Minds is a valuable opportunity for outstanding students to present and receive feedback on their intellectually engaging research and creative work,” says Odette Marie Rodriguez, assistant director of the Syracuse Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Engagement (SOURCE) who will accompany the students to MoM. “They’ll get the chance to meet students from across the country and enjoy sunny Florida weather in April at our host institution for this year, Florida State University. Meeting of the Minds allows us to showcase the very best of undergraduate student researchers at SU, and the Syracuse Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Engagement (SOURCE) MoM committee enjoys preparing the students to share an effective and professional presentation of their work.”

A panel of faculty members and staff select the presenters based on the academic quality of the project, clarity of expression in the proposal, completeness of research/creative project, independence of the project and potential impact of the conference participation to help the student achieve their goals. The students selected will work with the MoM committee to prepare their oral or poster presentations.

Last year, Ayla Ray ’27, a biology major in the College of Arts and Sciences and environment, sustainability and policy major in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, presented on the stability of common mycorrhizal networks (underground fungal networks that connect plants) under warming and drought. Other students presented a multimedia journalism project on the Erie Canal, a creative project exploring reuse and sustainable fashion, an architecture exhibition on spatial storytelling in horror film and an anthropology study of U.S. peacemaking efforts in Bosnia.

“During the Meeting of the Minds you become extremely close with your fellow SU presenters, but also with students from up and down the East Coast,” says Ray. ��“Breaks were filled with collaboration and networking. I met incredibly intelligent individuals and exchanged ideas regarding graduate school opportunities, scientific techniques, Fulbright programs and more. Leaving the conference, I felt that I had not only developed my presentation abilities but had also gained a cohort of peers and connections.��I strongly encourage students to apply for this opportunity.”

For more information about the 2026 MoM Conference, contact Kate Hanson, director of the SOURCE, at��khanso01@syr.edu��or .