Welcome to InsideTSU, the weekly newsletter of Texas Southern University!
Friday, August 19, 2022
Record number of new students anticipated for Fall semester
"Tiger Transformation Week" kicks off for newest Tigers
Texas Southern University is poised to welcome one of the largest incoming classes in the history of the University.

“We have been anticipating the arrival of these new students, and we are ecstatic that they are finally here on our campus,” said TSU president Dr. Lesia L. Crumpton-Young. “We know Texas Southern University attracts some of the best and brightest students from around the nation and many countries across the world.

Enrollment numbers will not be final until early September, but the University projects a freshman class that will become the largest on record, in addition to a significant increase in the number of transfer students.

New students began their time at TSU with Tiger Transformation Week (August 15-19), five days of activities to learn the University’s history and make final preparations for the first day of class. New Student Move-In Day took place on Sunday, August 14 (pictured above is President Crumpton-Young with a pair of new Tigers during the move-in event).
Included in the Tiger Transformation Week events was a special pinning ceremony where new students took the Tiger Oath and alumni welcomed them into the TSU family with a tailgate on Sawyer Plaza. The Class of '26 also posed for a group picture (above) while the Ocean of Soul performed for them. Classes begin August 22.

During the first week of classes (August 22-26), all students will experience Tiger Nation Takeover, a weeklong series of welcoming events taking place throughout campus.
See the above schedule for the "Tiger Nation Takeover," which takes place during the first week of classes.

Here are some additional images from New Student Move-In Day:
TSU announces historic new College of Transdisciplinary Studies
Texas Southern University is launching a new college that creates a pathway for people who started college, but did not complete their degree program. The College of Transdisciplinary Studies will assist students to continue their education and complete and earn a baccalaureate degree or master’s degree. This new college is the first ever college of transdisciplinary studies approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and offers a range of degree programs to satisfy the needs of students who have previously stopped out of higher education.

“The creation of the College of Transdisciplinary Studies at Texas Southern demonstrates the university’s commitment to providing innovative pathways that will enable more Texans to complete higher education credentials with a clear line of sight to good jobs and expanded career opportunities,” said Commissioner of Higher Education, Dr. Harrison Keller. “I applaud Texas Southern University’s efforts to give Texans the flexibility and support they need to be successful.”

Click here for the complete story.
Tellepsen selects TSU for student success partnership
Agreement focuses on seamless transfer into Drafting & Design Engineering Technology programs
Tellepsen and TSU announced a new partnership agreement focused on positively impacting the success of TSU students focused on career pathways in the construction industry.

“Together with Tellepsen, we will transform lives,” said TSU president Lesia L. Crumpton-Young, pictured above holding the ceremonial check with Tellepsen CEO Tadd Tellepsen and other representatives from TSU and Tellepsen. “A partnership done well is a win for our students, the companies that partner with us, and most importantly for the University’s mission of transforming lives. We look forward to the ways in which this partnership will prepare our students to succeed in careers in the construction industry and beyond.”

The agreement is a multifaceted five-year strategic partnership between Tellepsen and TSU. It is designed to support the entire student experience in four distinct areas: experts in action, facilities and equipment, internships, and student financial support. 

Please click here for the full story.
Students to benefit from HCC partnership
Agreement focuses on seamless transfer into Drafting & Design Engineering Technology programs
Texas Southern University and Houston Community College (HCC) leaders announced a first-of-its-kind agreement to provide a seamless path for HCC students to transfer to TSU.

The schools have signed a memorandum of understanding that will help graduates from HCC’s Drafting & Design Engineering Technology program to transfer into TSU’s College of Science, Engineering, and Technology to obtain a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Technology. The agreement aims to provide a seamless transfer for students who enroll at TSU following the completion of their two-year degree at HCC.

Pictured above, with the TSU and HCC mascots, are TSU President Dr. Lesia Crumpton-Young and HCC chancellor Dr. Cesar Maldonado.

Please click here for the full story.
Meta selects TSU as research partner to enhance Instagram experience
Texas Southern University has been selected to be part of the launch of a new research project by Meta. This research, led by Meta’s Civil Rights and Responsible AI Teams, is being done with the goal of creating a better user experience for historically marginalized communities.

This effort will allow Meta to better understand the experiences different communities have on Instagram, how its technology may impact different groups, and what changes can be made to promote fairness on the platform.

“Texas Southern University is proud to join the Meta Civil Rights Team to be positioned at the intersection of technology and urban research.  Our faculty and team members in TSU's Division of Research and Innovation, along with our other schools and colleges, will collaborate to ensure this partnership is a success to benefit communities of color,” said Michelle Penn-Marshall, VP for Research and Innovation at Texas Southern University.

Click here for more information about the partnership.

Penn-Marshall and Dr. Aladdin Sleem, interim dean of the College of Science, Engineering & Technology, discussed the project with KHOU recently. Click the video link below to view the report.
Breast cancer grant spreads its wings
TSU's citywide mobile and in-clinic breast cancer screening/outreach services launch for women of color
KPRC recently visited a mobile clinic in east Houston's Denver Harbor community to do a story about the grant and the women who are receiving no-cost mobile mammography examinations, which are provided in partnership with The Rose, the leading non-profit breast health care organization in southeast Texas.

Dr. Veronica Ajewole (pictured above being interviewed by KPRC), BCSPC’s program director/principal investigator, an oncology clinical pharmacist, and an associate professor of pharmacy practice in the College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences, is excited about the 1,350 women that will ultimately be served throughout the three-year grant, as well as the University's commitment to expanding the services. TSU BCSPC provides these services through The Rose or in-clinic mammography across Houston Methodist Hospital locations in the greater Houston area with Dr. Polly Niravath, breast oncologist as the co-principal investigator.
"TSU leadership, including President Crumpton-Young, Vice President (of Research & Innovation) Dr. Michelle Penn-Marshall, and Senior Associate Vice President Dr. Omonike Olaleye have committed to purchasing the University's own mobile mammography unit. The unit is projected to be ready by summer 2023, which will allow us to increase our services and help transform the lives of more women," said Dr. Ajewole (pictured above with Shelly Kot, mobile program manager with The Rose).

The grant covers a five-county region that includes Harris, Grimes, Matagorda, Walker, and Wharton counties. In addition to the screenings, the grant provides breast cancer prevention education, barrier reduction services such as scheduling services, appointment reminders and transportation assistance, as well as patient navigation services if cancer is detected.

Women interested in receiving services can call 713-313-4424 or email breastcenter@tsu.edu for more information on scheduling no-cost mammograms, breast cancer education, patient navigation or any inquiries about BCSPC programs. Services can also be requested via linktree at https://linktr.ee/TSUBreastcareclinic or by texting TSUBreastcenter to 855-264-9031. BCSPC has a social media presence (@TSUBCSPC) on Twitter and Instagram.

To view KPRC's story about TSU's grant, watch the video below:
President receives Unsung Hero Award from Houston Metropolitan Chapter of NC100BW
Congratulations to TSU President Dr. Lesia Crumpton-Young who received the National Coalition of 100 Black Women (NC100BW) Houston Metropolitan Chapter Unsung Hero Award for her transformative work in education.

The mission of NC100BW is to advocate on behalf of Black women and girls to promote leadership development and gender equity in the areas of health, education, and economic empowerment. The NCBW has over 2,800 members in 61 chapters.

President Crumpton-Young was honored during a virtual awards ceremony that included keynote remarks from Donnell Cooper, President of the Greater Houston Frontiers Club.
KTSU general manager named to national public radio advisory council
Ernest Walker, general manager of KTSU 90.9FM The Choice, was recently named to the noncomMUSIC Alliance Advisory Council, effective July 2022. Serving as a collective network of stations, the noncomMUSIC Alliance is dedicated to public radio music and elevating public radio's role in connecting musicians, performers, and artists with local audiences.

"As the landscape of public radio music continues to evolve, we are excited to work with these leaders who have demonstrated exceptional achievements in their careers and approached their work with creativity and innovation," said Marta McLellan Ross, NPR Vice President of Government and External Affairs.

For the full story, visit here.
Instructor reflects on her "College Hill" experience
Teaching celebrities still demands "Excellence in Achievement"
Zuri Dale is an instructor in TSU’s College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences. She also serves as the Director of the COVID Prevention Center and campus epidemiologist. In addition to her Principles of Disease students last semester, she also taught clinical anatomy to the celebrity Tigers who were part of "College Hill: Celebrity Edition."

Dale says she watched the original "College Hill" series. 

“I never thought I would be on there,” Dale said. “It was actually one of my favorite shows. 'College Hill' was like original reality TV. It’s very interesting, though, watching it on TV and being on the other side.” 

Dale tells "InsideTSU" she knew coming into the show that the students were non-traditional and would have other priorities that kept them busy. 

“I knew I would have to really work hard to capture their attention, which was challenging and rewarding.” 

Celebrity students Big Slim and NeNe Leakes talked to "InsideTSU" about their dissection experience during clinical anatomy. 

“Taking pigs apart is not my thing,” said Big Slim. “I don’t want to do surgery. But I did what I needed to do to get my work done. But at the end of the day I’m not interested in being a doctor.” 

“It didn’t work for me,” Leakes added. 

Dale believes she came across more strict than she really is when teaching. 

“I was a student at TSU and I know what it means to be a TSU Tiger. And I know what excellence in achievement really means. So honestly, I feel like I was comparable to how my professors were with me when I was a student. No excuses. Standard of excellence. And that’s really just the TSU way.” 

For more of Zuri Dale’s "College Hill: Celebrity Edition" experience, watch the video:
"TSU in the News" snapshot:

TSU welcomes record incoming class (August 13-16):

Professor Karen Kossie-Chernyshev contributed to a news segment on the issues Blacks face living in Texas. (August 16):

Professor Robert Bullard is quoted in articles on the environmental impacts of the Inflation Reduction Act bill. (August 4):

Crime Report article about the Police Liability Report issued by the Center for Justice Research (August 9):

Professor Howard Henderson quoted in article on the impact of the CROWN Act and its connection to Black hair discrimination (August 15):

Professor Howard Henderson quoted in article on the need for police forces to hire more women (August 11):

Recent interview quoted Center for Justice Research work extensively in national ABC News article (August 8):

Professor Gwen Goodwln featured on WalletHub's teen driver study (July 19):

TSU's breast cancer grant spreads its wings with mobile screening services (July 18):

TSU's Dr. Bullard talks with Honest Columnist in Q&A on climate change (July 20):

KTSU's GM Ernest Walker conducts Q&A with the Houston Defender about KTSU and its 50th anniversary (July 12):

TSU included in article on Metro's plans for bus rapid transit (BRT) University Line (July 12):

Two TSU alums make list of all-time notable Houston-based music acts (July 8):

Center for Justice Research & Howard Henderson included in story on Houston's crime rates (July 12):
Law school students named as John Paul Stevens Fellows
Five students from TSU's Thurgood Marshall School of Law have been named John Paul Stevens Foundation 2022 Public Interest Fellows. Adriana Sophia Galindo, 3L; Okoye Latimore, 3L; Miguel Maldonado, 3L; Andaiye McAndrew, 2L; and Shandrea Sellers, 2L join a national cohort of 159 Stevens Fellows.
 
In 2021, the John Paul Stevens Fellowship Foundation expanded the Justice John Paul Stevens Public Interest Fellowship program in partnership with HBCU law schools. These law schools are among the nation’s most diverse in terms of faculty and students. They are well-known for their commitment to public interest and preparing a diverse group of law students for leadership.

The Paul Stevens Fellows from the HBCUs are committed, talented individuals who are working at a wide range of public interest organizations in both the public and nonprofit sectors this summer, and they join a national cohort of Stevens Fellows. The program provides grants allowing students at participating law schools to work in unpaid public interest law positions during the summer. 
Executive Master of Public Administration (EMPA) student receives REFORM Alliance grant
Dr. Michael O. Adams (pictured, above right), founding director, of the Executive Master of Public Administration (EMPA) program at TSU, and EMPA professor Carroll G. Robinson, Esq., (above left) are the recipients of a $15,000 grant from the Criminal Justice REFORM Foundation (REFORM Alliance). The grant will help fund the participation of TSU in beta testing the REFORM Alliance Court Watch App this fall.
The Court Watch App is an innovative solution to increase transparency within the U.S. judicial system. A first of its kind, the app creates an accessible access point, via a mobile phone, for everyday citizens to monitor America’s courtrooms. Throughout the fall semester, approximately 20-30 TSU students will attend court hearings remotely and/or in person and provide weekly feedback in debriefing sessions to directly improve the app’s performance and content.
TSU professor, SGA president invited by Houston Mayor to speak at voting rights event
Dr. Michael Adams, professor of Political Science and Public Administration, and Student Government Association president Dexter Maryland (pictured below) will moderate the Youth & Young Adults: The Future of Democracy session during the upcoming National Nonpartisan Conversation on Voter Rights. The summit will be held September 19-21 in Houston, with the theme “Strengthening and providing municipalities with tools to empower, engage, and inform voter access."

Adams and Maryland were invited by Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner's office to participate. This is the 2nd annual Conversation event, with the inaugural event held last year in Denver, CO. It is organized by a group of bipartisan mayors who believe it is critical to continue the conversation with stakeholders (including local elected officials, business leaders, and community activists) on strategies to protect, defend, and promote voter rights education.

For more information about this event, visit here. 
"Eye on our Interns"
Summer internships for TSU students provide valuable experience as they work toward their degree and career aspirations. Throughout the summer, we are featuring just some of our Tigers who are interning at a variety of businesses and organizations - both locally and across the nation. This includes Je'Von Tone (pictured above), who is interning in the Community Relations department with the Harris County Commissioner's Office - Precinct 2.

View previous Eye on our Interns profiles at www.tsu.edu/interns, and stay connected to TSU's social media channels on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays for new intern spotlights.
Earl Carl Institute earns coveted Silver Excaliber Award from PRSA Houston
On Thursday, June 23, 2022, the Earl Carl Institute for Legal & Social Policy, Inc. (ECI), a 501(c)(3) agency located as part of the Thurgood Marshall School of Law on the TSU campus, was one of several organizations honored by the Public Relations Society of America - Houston Chapter (PRSA Houston), during an awards ceremony held at the House of Blues in downtown Houston.

ECI was recognized in the Outstanding Community Relations Campaign category for its participation in A Month of Service (AMOS). AMOS is a partnership program between the Institute, City of Houston Department of Neighborhoods, NRCDC Houston, Houston Volunteer Lawyers, Lone Star Legal Aid, Harris County Appraisal District, the Harris County Tax Office, and the Houston Bar Association. The partners provide informational seminars on a variety of topics to the community, with a focus on obtaining and maintaining generational wealth.

Lisa Nelsen (pictured above), who is a Staff Attorney with ECI's Opal Mitchell Lee Property Preservation Project, received the Silver Excalibur Award on behalf of ECI.

For more information about this award, click here.
TSU art students complete prestigious summer residency program
Congratulations to TSU art majors Chris Crooke and Raymond Burgos, who were selected for the highly competitive Summer Residency Program at Project Row Houses (PRH). They were provided with studios at PRH for the summer and their projects are on view through Sunday, September 11, at 2521 Holman Street, just blocks from the TSU campus.

Crooke, Burgos and the other PRH Summer Residency participants are pictured above at PRH. For more information about PRH's program, visit here.
Henderson receives 'Educator of the Year' honor from the Michigan Diversity Council
Dr. Howard Henderson, professor of justice administration and founding director of the Center for Justice Research, has been named "Educator of the Year" by the Michigan Diversity Council, which is affiliated with the National Diversity Council. His award will be presented during the organization's National Black Men in Leadership Summit on August 18 in Detroit, MI.

For more information about Dr. Henderson's national recognition, visit here.
Alumni Back to School campaign helps Texas Southern University students in need
Like many students across the nation, Texas Southern University students are facing an array of challenges from the ongoing pandemic, including financial hardship. Employment opportunities have been disrupted, families have lost sources of income and the ability to cover basic living expenses.
 
The 2022 Alumni Back to School Campaign hopes to provide relief to students in need.

“We must continue to do everything we can to assist our students in their quest for a TSU degree,” said Melinda Spaulding, Vice President of Communications & Advancement. “Moving into a post-pandemic reality, many of our families have been met with the new challenge of inflation that has created new obstacles. One thing is constant—eager students are returning to school and need help from
alumni.”
 
Alumni across the nation are stepping forward to donate to the campaign, which will go toward helping with tuition and books for students.


To read the full article, click here.
TSU alumna named associate provost
Malinda Wilson-Swoope was appointed associate provost for academic affairs at Edward Waters University in Jacksonville, Florida. She was an associate professor of chemistry and special assistant to the president for strategic planning and initiatives at Alabama A&M University.
Dr. Wilson-Swoope earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry with a minor in mathematics from Texas Southern University. She holds a Ph.D. in agricultural and environmental chemistry from the University of California, Davis.


To read the full article, click here.

Photo courtesy of Edward Waters University.
TSU business graduate distills her expertise to help family vodka business grow
Codi Fuller, a graduate of TSU with a bachelor's degree in Business Management, is one of the youngest black female distillers in the U.S., helping grow local brand Highway Vodka into a popular spirit both locally and nationally.

Fuller, daughter of Wendell Robbins III, one of the co-founders of Houston-based The Highway Distillery (Ben Williams serves as CEO), also serves as the general manager of the three-year-old company.

Highway is a hemp-based vodka that has fewer calories than most other vodka brands.

“When we were still practicing, Ben and I would take our mashes home and cook them on the stove in big 10-gallon crawfish pots," said Robbins. "I would have to call Codi and ask her to stir what was on the stove.”

To read a profile from Cuisine Noir magazine about this exciting new brand, click here.

Photo courtesy of Dareas Scott.
Artist featured at acclaimed Venice Biennale
Art alumna Delita Martin, whose prints have been reviewed in the New York Times, is a participant in the acclaimed Venice Biennale, which is currently on view through November 2022.

Additionally, Martin, who graduated from TSU with bachelor's degree in Fine Arts, participated in her second residency this summer in Germany, having been invited back to create more of her work onsite. 

Widely collected by major art patrons, her work will be at auction later this month at Christie's auction house in NYC.

Martin is based in Huffman, Texas, and creates work that reconstructs the identity of Black women through the layering of signs, symbols, and language, from historical to modern times. She earned her master's degree in Fine Arts from Purdue University. Her work has been exhibited both nationally and internationally, and was recently on display at the National Museum for Women in the Arts in Washington, DC and welcomed into the Library of Congress. 

To read a question/answer profile of Martin, which appeared on glasstire.com this summer, click here.

Photo courtesy of Black Box Studio.
Attorney, alumnus advocates for people in need
Charles Bush, a Dallas-based attorney with Bush & Bush Law Group, was recently profiled on the BigTimeDaily.com and LA Weekly websites. Bush earned a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from TSU's Thurgood Marshall School of Law in 2016.

According to the article, Bush, who was born and raised in Dallas, always knew he would grow up advocating for people in need.

Bush also earned a master’s degree in Intellectual Property Law and a master’s degree in Health Law, both from the University of Houston. He also has an MBA from Baylor University, giving him a broad array of expertise for his law practice.

Bush's story was recently published on BigTimeDaily.com and LAWeekly.com. To read more about Charles Bush, click here and here.

Photo courtesy of Charles Bush.
Tigers football opens fall camp
The Texas Southern football team hit the field for its first official day of fall practice on August 5 inside Durley Stadium.
 
Ninety-plus student-athletes reported to campus followed by a spirited two-hour practice.
 
"Our guys have been working extremely hard since last season," said head coach Clarence McKinney. "They've done about everything I've asked them to do. This is just the next phase of our growing process."

The Tigers open their season on Saturday, September 3, 2022, on the road against arch rival Prairie View A&M University.

For the full story and more information about the Tigers upcoming season, visit here.

Photo courtesy of TSU Athletics.
Volleyball scrimmage set for Saturday
TSU first-year volleyball coach Alexis Austin will lead her team through an intra-squad "maroon and gray" scrimmage on Saturday, August 20, in the Student Recreation Center.

The scrimmage begins at 2 p.m. and is the final tune up before the Tigers begin their season on Friday, August 26, on the road against Incarnate Word in San Antonio, TX.

For the full story, visit here.

Photo courtesy of TSU Athletics.