Ronne Cox, assistant professor and electronic resources and discovery librarian, was selected to present “Gotta Catch them All: Nontraditional programing to level up Impact. Redefining Engagement at UT Martin’s Paul Meek Library.” at the 2026 Florida Library Association Conference, held May 12-15th in Orlando, Florida. The presentation shared the Paul Meek Library’s ability to use nontraditional programming to combat campus loneliness, make connections with our patrons, collect real data to impact our collection development, and partner with our local public library to strengthen our community.
Dr. Walter Battle, an area specialist responsible for community economic development programming with UT Extension in Lauderdale County, completed his doctorate this past spring at UT Chattanooga in learning and leadership. He is an adjunct instructor of agriculture for UT Martin Regional Centers.
Bridgette Whitt, assistant professor and acquisitions librarian, has an article titled “Character Demographic Assessment in an Academic Library’s Graphic Novel Collection: Implications for Collection Development” published in the Spring 2026 issue of The Southeastern Librarian (Vol. 74, No. 1, 10-28).
Dr. Robert DeYeso, assistant professor of mathematics and statistics, was selected to participate in the 2026 Doenet Community Workshop held June 1–5 at the University of Minnesota. As part of the competitive selection process, DeYeso received travel support to attend the workshop. Supported by the National Science Foundation, the workshop brought together secondary and post-secondary STEM educators from across the country to develop interactive educational materials using Doenet, an open-source platform for creating dynamic online learning activities. Participants collaborated on the development of instructional resources, educational technology tools, and strategies for improving student engagement in STEM courses. Through his participation, DeYeso contributed to a national community of educators focused on advancing innovative approaches to teaching and learning in mathematics and related disciplines.
Shelly Long, administrative associate in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, attended the University of Tennessee Leadership Conference (UTLC) held May 19–21 at the Knoxville Convention Center. The conference theme, “Empower,” focused on leadership development, effective communication, workplace well-being, teamwork and organizational success. Participants attended keynote presentations and breakout sessions designed to provide practical strategies for leadership and professional growth. Through her participation, Long gained insights into building trust within teams, fostering healthy workplace communication, managing difficult conversations and promoting employee well-being. The conference brought together University of Tennessee System employees, community leaders and industry partners from across the state to share best practices in leadership and professional development.
