Two hours after his interview with the Clarksville Police Department (CPD), Army veteran Dustin Zook had a job offer in hand--a swift result powered by the preparation he built through Austin Peay State University's Military-Affiliated Professionals Program (MAPP).

Graduating seniors from Austin Peay State University's Eriksson College of Education achieved the program's highest edTPA passing rate and scores since the university adopted the assessment in 2013, positioning these newly licensed teachers to succeed in Tennessee's classrooms.

Austin Peay State University Middle College students are leading campus-wide bird strike research through the Bird Alliance, documenting window collisions and contributing to ongoing conservation efforts that have significantly reduced bird deaths on campus.

A generous gift from the estate of Joe Bryan Robertson will support the operations of the Southeastern Grasslands Institute (SGI), part of Austin Peay State University's Center of Excellence for Field Biology.

Mary Lee McCreary Rugraff ('41) attended Austin Peay State College on a music scholarship and performed as a soprano soloist. Music was her lifetime passion, and in addition to funding APSU music scholarships, she supported the music program at her church with gifts to the endowment.

The award from the Tennessee Department of Education will provide funding for teacher apprentices through July 2027. The Grow Your Own Teacher Residency provides a no-cost pathway to a teaching career and was named the first federally-registered teacher apprenticeship in the nation.

The naming recognizes the Millan Foundation's transformational gift-in-place donation--APSU's first privately-funded donation of this type--which will expand the food pantry's capacity to serve 35% more students facing food insecurity.

This semester's graduating class includes approximately 1,157 students. Undergraduate and graduate students from each of the university's academic colleges will be recognized.

All 17 GOVing Tuesday fundable projects were fully funded by the close of the campaign on Dec. 2--with an additional $12,000 raised beyond the goal to support Funds of Excellence across participating areas. In total, the campaign raised $75,670.36--the highest dollar amount and the greatest number of gifts in GOVing Tuesday history.

Austin Peay State University's AI Symposium broke new ground this year by featuring student presenters alongside faculty and staff, with participants leading a campus-wide conversation about artificial intelligence.

APSU has received the NCAA's Accelerating Academic Success Program (AASP) grant for the third straight year and is among 19 Division I institutions receiving funding for the 2025-26 cycle. Funding will be used to significantly expand the university's laptop loaner program for student-athletes.

Barnett, an assistant professor in the Department of Educational Specialties and coordinator of the Master of Arts in Education in educational leadership studies, brings a unique combination of academic excellence and real-world leadership experience to the role. Under her leadership, the educational leadership studies program has experienced a 147% growth in enrollment over the past five years.

Utilizing marketing faculty expertise for common holiday shopping challenges, APSU's Dr. John Volker has developed practical AI prompts that can be used for budgeting, product comparison, and gift recommendations to help shoppers avoid falling prey to sales tactics and overspending.

Aakhu is a founding member of the Ma'at Production Association of Afrikan Centered Theatre (MPAACT) and has developed several critically acclaimed works for the organization. He also writes for television and feature films.

Senior kinesiology major Ben Grandchamp recently won a strongman competition and earned the prestigious Ricondo badge at ROTC training while pursuing his degree.

The day will begin with the board's Academic Affairs Committee meeting at 8:15 a.m., followed by the Student Affairs Committee, Business and Finance Committee, and Audit Committee meetings consecutively thereafter.

The campaign, APSU's version of the national Giving Tuesday movement, is raising money for 17 campus projects through Tuesday, Dec. 2. Donors can contribute to fundable projects spanning every academic college and unit.

The funding allowed students to take on projects ranging from international music masterclasses to animation development and dance performances.

Austin Peay State University's College of STEM has named Dr. Chris Gentry as its first professionalized associate dean, effective Jan. 1, 2026. Gentry, former chair of Earth and Environmental Sciences, will oversee student success, faculty development and college operations.

To qualify for the scholarship, recipients must be football players enrolled full-time at APSU. The scholarship is renewable and gives preference to students from Georgia, followed by Montgomery County, Tennessee.

Dr. Jennifer Thompson, Austin Peay State University radiologic technology professor and program director, won the national Minnies Award for Most Effective Radiologic Science Educator from AuntMinnie.com, recognizing her 17-year commitment to student success and innovation in medical imaging education.

Calleway Schmidt spent six weeks in Rzeszów working alongside Ukranian and Polish students through the International Research Experiences for Students (IRES) program, continuing a partnership that APSU began in 2022.

Mwangi has more than 15 years of branding and design experience, and is the founder of the Memphis-based Cheers Creative. She also serves as a consultant, website strategist, and public speaker. Her visit was made possible through the Department of Art + Design and the Center of Excellence for the Creative Arts (CECA).

The Department of Languages & Literature is hosting its 31st annual Bread and Words reading on Nov. 24, featuring student and faculty performances. Proceeds from the event will support the APSU Food Pantry.

From scholarship loss to student-investment chief, Austin Peay senior Citlali "Cici" Dominguez juggles RA duty, three internships and mentoring her brother, using grit to find opportunity.