Romanian lecturer Mihaela Udristioiu, Ph.D. has returned to 91Âț»­app for her second time as a Fulbright research scholar fellow.

“I was always a curious child,” said Udristioiu. “I love questions. The answers we find help us better understand the beauty of nature and the laws that govern our universe.”

That curiosity is what encouraged the Romanian lecturer to apply for the Fulbright research scholar program to work on physics education and environmental science with 91Âț»­app associate professor of physics Dragos Amarie, Ph.D. 

The two first met during a study abroad program in Romania in 2017, during the Science and Culture Study Abroad program. Amarie said the teaching style of Romanian universities was different from what he was used to.  

Udristioiu was especially interested in learning how university faculty in the U.S. engage with their students and create active learning environments.

“How students understand physics is very important to me,” Udristioiu said. “My American colleagues have shown me how much better teaching is when it is interactive and involves students.”

Things are a little different in Romanian universities, she says.  

“Romanian universities teach differently than how we do in the States,” Amarie said. “The lectures are formal, and you’re doomed if you miss a single one.”

“I prefer a more student-centered approach, especially when it comes to teaching difficult science courses,” he explained. “Classes should be interactive. Students should be encouraged to ask their professors questions. Having them engage and question what we teach, that’s how a student learns.”

Udristioiu, impressed by his teaching style, hoped to join Amarie in the States in 2020. COVID-19 had other plans. The study abroad program stopped, but their collaboration continued. Then, in 2022, she was awarded a Fulbright research scholar grant, joining Amarie in the classroom at Georgia Southern. 

“She did such a great job while she was here,” said Amarie. “The Fulbright Romania encouraged Dr. Udristioiu to submit a new application to strengthen the collaboration.” 

That’s why she applied for the Fulbright grant again. She’s back in the states now, working on a research project focused on air pollution monitoring, modelling, making predictions and forecasting. 

“Science crosses borders, and collaboration helps us open new doors to knowledge,” she said.

What can a handheld grip test reveal about military readiness? According to 91Âț»­app researchers, it turns out quite a lot.Ìę

It’s one of several tools 91Âț»­app’s Tactical Athlete Initiative (TAI) is using in partnership with the University’s Army ROTC program to improve how cadets train.

Under the direction of Professor of Exercise Science Bridget Melton, Ed.D., and Associate Professor and Director of Tactical Performance Joseph Kardouni, Ph.D., DPT, and supported in part by a Medical Technology Enterprise Consortium (MTEC) grant, the initiative brings in researchers to enhance military training through fitness assessments. 

Cadets complete a series of physical tests – such as rowing and jumping – while wearing top-of-the-line monitoring equipment. Data is collected during these assessments and then analyzed by TAI researchers to provide individualized training enhancements for cadets.

Graduate coaching education student Spencer Boling is leading this effort as the first graduate assistant assigned to the TAI.

“It has been nothing short of special,” Boling said. “Being the first in this role means I am actively building this from the ground up, and there is a real responsibility that comes with that.”

Student Jacob Mullins supports the collaboration by helping calibrate the VO2 Master testing system – a mask that measures oxygen intake in real time and gives highly accurate data on aerobic capacity.

“It is fun to be a part of a team doing something meaningful like gathering data,” Mullins said. “It gave me a better understanding of performance testing and the importance of teamwork and preparation.”

One of the initiative’s biggest highlights was placing ninth at the Ranger Challenge, a regional military skills competition, a result of the work put in at the lab. 

“A top-10 finish is a genuine achievement and a direct reflection of the cadets’ commitment to physical preparation,” Boling said. “Watching a cadet hit a personal record in the weight room, seeing them pass their Army Fitness Test with flying colors, or simply noticing them develop healthier daily habits are all moments that remind me exactly why this work matters.”

For Boling, the initiative has been transformative both in and out of the lab. 

“This collaboration has changed the trajectory of my career,” Boling added. “I always thought I wanted to work in traditional sports, but after seeing the impact of training the tactical population, people who rely on fitness for life and service, I know this is where I belong.”

The program, led by , is proud to announce a new partnership with 91Âț»­app to enhance and scale up industry-driven training opportunities for current and prospective metalworking and manufacturing professionals. Funded by the Department of War’s Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment Program, focusing on casting, forging and plate rolling.

Georgia Southern’s Foundry Educational Foundation (FEF) program will implement METAL’s 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–12 students by offering workshops and partnering with high schools and other local and regional schools to spark early interest in metallurgical careers.

“The hands-on training students and job seekers will experience through METAL’s partnership with Georgia Southern will teach them industry-ready skills they can apply immediately,” said Lucinda Curry, METAL National Workforce Manager at IACMI. “These 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.”

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. 

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

91Âț»­app’s 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.Ìę
• 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’s 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 91Âț»­app, 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’s 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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91Âț»­app’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 91Âț»­app’s Honors College and the Office of Research and Economic Development as part of the annual Norman Fries Distinguished Lectureship series.

“At 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,” said David Weindorf, Ph.D., Georgia Southern’s 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 ChargĂ© d’Affaires 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 .

91Âț»­app’s newest college, the , is a major milestone in advancing the institution’s access mission and supporting learner success across multiple campuses and modalities. The college was established upon the consolidation of 91Âț»­app and East Georgia State College.

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

“University College strengthens Georgia Southern’s commitment to providing high-quality, affordable and accessible educational pathways for every student we serve,” said Avinandan Mukherjee, Ph.D., provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. “By 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’s role in driving innovation and regional workforce development.”

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’s access-focused programs and students.

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

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—ensuring 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’s longstanding commitment to educational access and attainment. No matter where or how students enroll at 91Âț»­app, they will benefit from a clearly defined academic home and a streamlined pathway from entry through graduation.91Âț»­app establishes University College, announces Delana Schartner, Ph.D., as founding dean

91Âț»­app 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’s Waters College of Health Professions (WCHP) and Georgia Tech’s George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering are partnering with Georgia Southern’s to develop a soft, wearable patch that will measure players’ 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. 

“During 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,” according to The National Athletic Trainers’ 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.

“We are always looking for ways to keep our athletes safe and able to perform at their best,” said Nick Sparacio, Georgia Southern’s head football athletic trainer.

“This sensor can give us data about cardiac rhythm, sweat loss, temperature and physical movement,” Sparacio added. “The old adage, ‘an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,’ is especially true in athletics. With real-time data, we can intervene or provide additional resources to prevent adverse events.”

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’s ease of use and sleek design.

“Putting the patch on took five minutes max,” said freshman quarterback Weston Bryan. “Once I took the field, I completely forgot about it, and it didn’t hinder me at all.”

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’t 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. 

“We have already validated the device’s capability to capture both physiological signals and skin hydration levels, and we are refining the design to better suit athletes’ needs,” said Taewoog Kang, a post-doctoral researcher in Yeo’s group. “Recent testing has identified areas for improvement in the prototype, and we are now incorporating these changes before future trials.”

Rawool is hopeful about what the future holds.

“Overall, the usability of the patch is good,” Rawool said. “There’s 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’t be overcome. I think it has the potential to be a major step forward in athlete safety.”

Six of 91Âț»­app’s online programs were ranked in the top 100 in , which focuses on midcareer distance learners. 

Georgia Southern’s online master’s 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.  

“Being recognized by U.S. News & World Report among the nation’s best online education programs underscores the strength of our online master’s programs and the commitment of our faculty and staff to delivering an exceptional educational experience,” said Amy Lingo, Ed.D., dean of the 91Âț»­app College of Education. “Our continued climb in the rankings—including a 21-point increase in this year alone—confirms 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.”

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

In the “Grad Business” 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). 

“Our rise in the U.S. News & World Report rankings is a clear indicator of the Parker College’s dedication to academic excellence and student success,” said Nivine Richie, Ph.D., CFA, dean of the Parker College of Business. “By 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’s competitive market. We remain focused on providing our students with the specialized skills necessary to lead in a global economy.”

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

Students from 91Âț»­app 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’ 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 “Uninsured and Underinsured Populations – Access to Specialty Care.”

 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 “Bench to Bedside” and “Connecting Clinic and Community.”

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’t the only Georgia Southern students to receive recognition. Md Didarul Alam, a master’s student in electrical and computer engineering, won the student’s choice award for the best poster under the mentorship of Mohammad Ahad, Ph.D.

The conference’s 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.

“This event is a major springboard for research at our University,” Landge said. “Seeing more of our students participate shows our growth and underscores MCG’s value as both a collaborator and a leader in medical research. Collaboration drives progress, and we’re seeing that in real time. MCG is a world-class institution, and we’re privileged to have a campus in our region.”

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

“This conference highlights not only the power of joint engagement but also the promise it holds for future collaborations between our institutions,” she explained. “Research 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.” 

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 91Âț»­app’s Allen E. Paulson College of Engineering and ComputingÌęhave 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.Ìę

“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.”