SEGMENT ONE – GUEST: Dr. Jennifer Stewart, new assistant director for research initiatives at Middle Tennessee State University’s Tennessee Center for the Study and Treatment of Dyslexia
TOPIC: Her new role and the Center’s mission to educate, to evaluate and to research issues surrounding dyslexia
Middle Tennessee State University’s Tennessee Center for the Study and Treatment of Dyslexia is continuing its mission toward a deeper understanding of dyslexia by bringing on Jennifer Stewart this summer as the new assistant director for research initiatives.
Karen Kehoe, the center’s director, said Stewart will fulfill one of the center’s three key goals around dyslexia — to educate, to evaluate and to research.
“Dr. Stewart will run the center’s research lab, mentor graduate student researchers and help to set short- and long-term goals to ensure the lab consistently produces rigorous scientific and translational research on dyslexia,” Kehoe said. “She will also ensure compliance with university protocols and serve as the center’s primary point of contact with the Institutional Review Board at MTSU.”
Originally from Dallas, Texas, Stewart also brings her years as a teacher and leader of professional development to the center. Her background has allowed her to hit the ground running, already jumping into multiple of the center’s ongoing projects.
“I’ve been working on a joint project with the College of Education’s Department of Elementary and Special Education evaluating the implementation and efficacy of an online dyslexia module,” Stewart said. “I’m also collaborating with our Center for Educational Media on developing a brand new, two-year program to train dyslexia therapists that launches this month.”
Additionally, Stewart will review data collected by the center concerning educators’ use of data and screening to inform instruction, training opportunities and correctly identify students who may be at risk of dyslexia or related difficulties.
Kehoe, who joined the center as director herself last year, emphasized that she wants the community to know the center is resource for all K-12 educators and families of students with dyslexia.
Learn more: https://mtsunews.com/dyslexia-centers-new-assistant-director/
SEGMENT TWO – GUEST: Dr. Richard Tarpey, assistant professor in the college’s Supply Chain Management program and director of the new Center for Supply Chain Management and Sustainability
TOPIC: The new Center for Supply Chain Management and Sustainability in the Jones College of Business
Middle Tennessee State University’s Jones College of Business will launch a new Center for Supply Chain Management and Sustainability on Aug. 1 to enhance its growing supply chain management degree programs and deepen partnerships with business and industry through research and collaboration.
In an era where globalization and digitalization dominate the business landscape, the need for robust and adaptive supply chain solutions has never been more pressing. Led by Tarpey with support from several supply chain management faculty, this Center will serve as a nexus of knowledge, collaboration, and experiential learning, positioning the Jones College of Business at the forefront of supply chain education, research, and industry engagement.
Through the Center, the aim is to cultivate the next generation of leaders equipped with the expertise and practical skills necessary to navigate the complexities of modern supply chains. By leveraging faculty’s intellectual capital, students’ enthusiasm, and industry partners’ support, the MTSU faculty envision a dynamic ecosystem where theoretical concepts converge with real-world applications, fostering innovation and driving positive change.
Mission Statement: To foster excellence in supply chain management practices and promote sustainability through education, research, and collaboration, serving MTSU students, faculty, and industry partners.
Vision: To become a nationally recognized hub for innovative supply chain and sustainability solutions, shaping tomorrow’s supply chain leaders and serving Middle Tennessee’s industries.
The undergraduate and graduate supply chain programs have grown at an impressive rate since inception. Fall 2023 enrollment for the undergraduate program has increased 47% from the 2022-23 academic year to 113 students. The graduate program has increased 64% in the same period to 40 students.
Likewise, the supply chain industry in the Middle Tennessee region has continued to grow at an increasing rate. O*Net Online estimates over 14,000 job openings for supply chain managers and over 24,000 job openings for logistics analysts in the next eight years.
For more information, email Tarpey at Richard.Tarpey@mtsu.edu.
SEGMENT THREE – GUEST: Carly Escue, Director of Executive Education in the MTSU Jones College of Business
TOPIC: Her new role as director and what the Executive Education program offers
Escue started her new role in June and will oversee the development and implementation of executive education programs, working closely with faculty, staff, and industry leaders to provide high-quality learning experiences for professionals and organizations.
Prior to joining MTSU, Escue led Graduate Career Services at the University of Florida - Warrington College of Business. In this role, she oversaw career programming and employment outcomes for over 2,000 graduate students across various MBA and specialized master's programs. In partnership with a dedicated team, she supported employer relations for the Hough Graduate School and led a team of accomplished career coach professionals.
Escue holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a specialization in Marketing from the University of Florida, where she was actively involved in student organizations and leadership roles. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in English and Russian Studies from Belmont University.
Escue is passionate about fostering educational and professional development opportunities. Her extensive experience in career services, employer relations, and executive education positions her as a valuable leader dedicated to enhancing professional development offerings for both business professionals and corporations, ensuring they have access to the skills and knowledge required to thrive in today's competitive landscape.
This fall, courses will be offered in Data Analytics, Leadership, and Marketing. Learn more about MTSU’s Executive Education Programs at https://jones.mtsu.edu/execed/ or email Escue at Carly.Escue@mtsu.edu.
