Welcome to InsideTSU, the weekly newsletter of Texas Southern University!
Friday, September 16, 2022
NASA Road Tour engages campus with research, collaboration and internship opportunities
TSU, we have lift off!

For three days this week, Texas Southern University played proud host to the NASA HBCU/MSI Technology Infusion Road Tour. The event gave students, faculty, staff and the community an opportunity to explore research and collaboration with NASA, the Houston-based independent federal agency that is responsible for the civil space program, aeronautics research, and space research. It also included a keynote speech from NASA astronaut Jeanette Epps (pictured above), who is a pioneer among Black females in the space program and was chosen for the 20th class of NASA astronauts in 2009.

The award-winning TSU Debate Team (see video below), under the leadership of Dr. Gloria Batiste-Roberts, gave an earth-shattering welcome to the attendees, honoring Black astronauts and others who have been key figures in the development of the U.S. space program.
A "fireside chat" was held on the first day of the event, focusing on STEM engagement and NASA's collaboration with TSU and higher education. Included in the panel was TSU alumna Rochelle Overstreet (above, far right), who is NASA's Procurement Pricing Director; Arturo Sanchez, Johnson Space Center's Director of External Relations; TSU President Dr. Lesia Crumpton-Young; and moderator Torry Johnson, NASA's Acting Deputy/Associate Administrator for STEM Engagement.For TSU students, the event included NASA Days, a series of workshops and seminars about internships, work experiences and career opportunities at NASA, as well as entrepreneurial competitions related to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) subjects. The Division of Innovation & Research collaborated with the Office of Career & Professional Development, as well as NASA, to present NASA Days.
President Crumpton-Young and TSU Regent Mary Sias (pictured above), also gave greetings at the outset of the Road Tour, and Dr. Michelle Penn-Marshall, vice president of Research & Innovation, presented on TSU's research capabilities and led a campus tour showcasing the University's most innovative and technology-focused programs.

The NASA Road Tour also included networking sessions with participating federal government representatives, NASA Center leads, and prime contractors to introduce and build relationships to enhance partnerships and maximize opportunities. Additionally, technical workshops catered to those new to federal partnerships, as well as to those who are more seasoned, to assist participants in strengthening their organization’s readiness to apply for NASA funding.

"To do this at Texas Southern University is an honor," said Dr. Penn-Marshall. "It's an honor because it affords us the opportunity to showcase the talents and abilities of our outstanding faculty, staff, and students, specifically as it relates to research and STEM participation."

More photos from the NASA Road Trip can be viewed here and below.
Members of the TSU Debate Team help "launch" the NASA Road Trip with a stirring performance.
TSU graduate student Amira Smith (left) poses with NASA astronaut Jeannette Epps.
Dr. Michelle Penn-Marshall, Vice President of Research & Innovation, gives an overview of TSU's innovative STEM-focused technology and research.
Vanessa Wyche, Director of NASA's Johnson Space Center, gives opening remarks during the NASA Road Trip.
"TSU in the News" snapshot:

Dr. Robert Bullard featured as "father of environmental justice" in New York Times (September 12):

TSU hosts NASA's HBCU/MSI Technology Infusion Road Tour (September 13):

Dr. Robert Bullard comments on racial inequity related to the Jackson, MS, water crisis (September 12-13):

Megan Thee Stallion's foundation holds event at TSU (September 13):

Melinda Spaulding, VP of Communications & University Advancement, emcees Venture Houston event (September 14):

TSU's 95th anniversary celebrated during Opening Convocation (September 14):

Georgia Provost (aka, "Mrs. TSU") profiled in the Houston Defender (September 14):

Sec. of Transportation Pete Buttigieg visits TSU, tours Department of Transportation Studies (September 12):

Michael Adams provides perspective on debate regarding violent crime in Houston (September 12):

Howard Henderson, director of TSU's Center for Justice Research, co-authors a study on impact of environmental stress on violent crime in four U.S. cities (September 14):

TSU students participate in MSNBC national podcast: Into America - The Power of the Black Vote (September 15):

TSU Athletics partners with Men's Wearhouse, Michael Strahan for gameday suits for student-athletes (September 13):
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg visits Texas Southern University
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg and Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee visited Texas Southern University earlier this week to learn how the University is transforming lives as it prepares students for careers in the transportation industry.
This visit to TSU, which included real-life, student-run simulations in the Aviation Science labs, was part of a tour of Houston transportation providers and experts that included a visit with students studying transportation technology at North Forest High School, and George Bush Intercontinental Airport.
 
“The purpose was to come look at the various areas that the nation can benefit from what we learn about transportation here in Houston,” said Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee. “We are here because the Secretary has had an enormous impact on moving the aviation industry and dealing with the lack of pilots. We’re here at Texas Southern, a place that can be the heartbeat of more pilots in America. The secretary is looking at ways this area can be part of problem solving.”
 
For the complete story, click here.
Xfinity/Comcast student event
Event seeks to break through the digital divide
With HBCUs historically receiving less funding than predominantly white institutions, Comcast’s Xfinity services and programs arrived on campus earlier this week to help to ease the financial burden and access to the internet that students at HBCUs face. The Xfinity Black Film & TV destination was brought to life through the 2022 Xfinity Fall HBCU Tour. During the event, which was held on the Tiger Walk, students experienced the interactive adaptation of The Black Experience Channel with a chance to learn more about Xfinity's benefits as part of their student fees, namely access to a fast, reliable internet connection.
The HBCU Halls experience consisted of:

●     Project Up: an area showcasing the contributions that Comcast has made to the HBCU community. Project Up has connected 10M people to the internet and has distributed 150,000 free and subsidized laptops to underprivileged communities. Comcast has also awarded 6,700 small businesses with grants, marketing and tech upgrades through the Comcast RISE program.
●     Photo Experience: a 360-degree photo booth reflective of Xfinity’s products and services.
●      “Leave Your Mark” Murals: Xfinity commissioned HBCU and FAMU alum, Elijah Rutland, to create 11 unique murals that pay homage to each of the 11 HBCU communities included on the tour - including TSU. Students used markers to write and draw on mural to express the importance of attending an HBCU.
School of Public Affairs hosts 100 Black Men of Houston's “Life After College” event
The Barbara Jordan-Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs hosted the 100 Black Men of Houston’s “Life After College” event on Saturday, September 10, in the Public Affairs Building. The event, which is an integral part of the 100 Black Men of Houston’s mentoring program, brought together African-American students from Texas Southern University, Prairie View A & M University, University of Houston and Rice University, as well as a broad array of professionals.
Dr. George Kieh, dean of the School of Public Affairs, noted that hosting the event was in pursuance with the school's community engagement initiative, which is anchored on partnering with organizations in the Houston metro area in doing the public good.
TSU alumna selected to lead Louisville, KY-based foundation
Global Economic Diversity Development Initiative (GEDDI) recently announced that Texas Southern University graduate Christy Chatham has been named as its Executive Director. Christy has been previously working as the Director of Veterans Behavioral Health for Mental Health America of Greater Houston, where she grew services to multi-city locations to meet the intensifying needs of clients during Covid-19. GEDDI exists to intentionally make a positive impact on Black business development by closing the racial wealth gap and transforming the outcomes for the Black community through economic empowerment.
 
Chatham received a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from TSU in 2013, and a master’s degree in Public Administration in 2022. 

She is also a military veteran, serving as an intelligence analyst for the U.S. Army. In addition to her military service, she worked as the Finance and Program Senior Analyst at the Office of Government Ethics in Washington, DC. Christy also has an extensive history working with Veterans as a Project Manager and Patient Advocate with the Department of Veteran Affairs, Executive Director of Femmevet, and Director of the Women Veterans Program at Catholic Charities of Greater Houston, a consultant to the department of Housing and Urban Development.
Ft. Worth doctor opens telemedicine and walk-in clinic to address healthcare disparities
TSU alumna Dr. Patricia Harris, a primary care physician and founder/CEO of ExtraCare Concerns, a Black-owned healthcare facility in Fort Worth, TX, is helping local residents to achieve wellness and ideal health throughout Tarrant County and beyond. As the Coronavirus pandemic subsides, she has turned her attention to getting people back into the routine of regularly visiting a primary care physician at least once a year. Dr. Harris is growing her practice by partnering with Fort Worth ISD schools and collaborating with local healthcare providers and Tarrant County residents to provide a host of services to address health disparities.

Dr. Harris graduated from UNT Medical Health Science Center in Fort Worth as a doctor of osteopathic medicine. She received her undergraduate degree from Texas Southern University and is an active member of AKA sorority.

For more detail about Dr. Harris and ExtraCare Concerns, click here.
Tigers prep for Arlington Showdown
Annual game vs. Southern kicks off 4 p.m. Saturday
Texas Southern football and Tiger Nation will travel to Arlington, TX, this Saturday for this year's edition of the Arlington HBCU Showdown versus Southern University. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. at Choctaw Stadium (former home of the Texas Rangers). Visit HBCUgo.tv for streaming options if you aren't able to attend in Arlington.

Both teams are coming off loses to non-conference opponents last weekend, with TSU falling to North Texas and Southern losing to LSU. Big plays by North Texas was the difference in the game as the Mean Green claimed a 59-27 win over TSU Saturday night at Apogee Stadium.
After the first TSU drive stalled due to untimely penalty in the first quarter, North Texas scored the game's first points via a 43-yard field goal after a nine-play, 38-yard drive for a 3-0 lead. TSU punted on its second drive and UNT needed only one play to move ahead by two scores as Ayo Adeyi broke free for a 59-yard score on the first play of the drive as the deficit grew to 10-0.
 
The TSU offense would begin to awake as they found success on its next drive as Jacorey Howard, Ladarius Owens and Tavaris Achane, Derek Morton all had first downs which led to a 24-yard Richard Garcia III field goal for a 10-3 deficit with 2:09 remaining.

For a full game summary, visit TSUSports.com.

Following this weekend's game, the Tigers will travel to the Alamo City to take on UT San Antonio in the Alamodome at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 24.

Watch a preview of the Arlington Showdown aired Sept. 15 on Dallas/Fort Worth Fox 4 station:
Soccer, volleyball begin SWAC play next week
TSU's volleyball team will play two matches in Norman, OK, this weekend, facing off against Oklahoma on Friday at 1 p.m., and then Nevada on Saturday at 11 a.m.

On Tuesday, Sept. 20, the Tigers will travel to Natchitoches, LA, to battle Northwestern State, which is their final non-conference opponent before entering SWAC play.

For more detail, visit the volleyball team website.

Meanwhile, the soccer team continues to search for its first victory of the season. The team begins a three-game homestand on Sunday, September 18, with a 1 p.m. match against Texas A&M San Antonio, followed by the first two conference matches of the season on Friday, Sept. 23, versus Alabama State (7 p.m.) and Sunday, Sept. 25, versus Alabama A&M (1 p.m.). All home matches are played at Durley Stadium.

Click here to read more about Tiger soccer.