Govs on the Go

In this episode of Govs on the Go: Faculty Spotlight, Dean Hoon talks with Dr. Cate LiaBraaten, a professor in APSU’s Department of History and Philosophy. LiaBraaten discusses her work in public history, including opportunities for students to connect with local history through community partnerships and hands-on projects. She also shares her research interests in cultural and women's history...

In this episode of Govs on the Go: Alumni Edition, Dr. Buzz Hoon talks with Chad Malone, a 2013 graduate of APSU’s Visual Communication program. Now a graphic designer at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Malone shares his career journey, including designing artwork for Arrested Development and book covers, and discusses the importance of internships, building a strong portfolio, and adapting to new...

In this episode of Govs on the Go: Faculty Spotlight, Dr. Buzz Hoon talks with Yun Shin, Professor of Art in APSU’s Department of Art and Design. Shin discusses her journey as an artist, her exhibition Recordkeeping , which documents everyday moments of her son’s childhood, and how the mentorship she received as a student inspires the support and encouragement she gives her own students.

In this episode of *Govs on the Go: Alumni Edition*, Dr. Buzz Hoon talks with Jonathan Keener, a 2009 graduate of Austin Peay State University’s Department of Languages and Literature. Now working as a technical writer for a military software company, Keener shares how APSU mentors helped shape his career, how he grew from a shy student into a confident professional, and why he encourages current...

In this episode, Dean Hoon talks with Dr. Brandi Fuglsby, Professor of English at Austin Peay State University. Fuglsby discusses her journey from a love of literature to a career in technical writing, her international classroom collaborations, and how she helps students use AI critically and responsibly. She also shares why practical writing experience, communication skills, and student mentorsh...

In this episode of Govs on the Go: Alumni Edition , Dr. Buzz Hoon talks with Sean McCully, a 2018 graduate of APSU’s Department of Communication and Assistant Director for Visual Communications at Austin Peay. McCully shares his journey from Communication student to university storyteller, discussing his career in visual media and the experiences that have shaped his work at APSU.

In this episode of Govs on the Go: Faculty Spotlight , Dr. Buzz Hoon talks with Dr. Kelsey Smith, Assistant Professor of Music at Austin Peay State University. Smith discusses her work as a cellist and educator, her research into the intersection of classical music and jazz, and her experiences performing and teaching across the country.

In this episode of Govs on the Go: Alumni Edition , Dr. Buzz Hoon talks with Korean Harris, a 2018 and 2020 graduate of APSU’s Department of Communication. Now a success advisor at Jackson State Community College, Harris shares her journey as a first-generation college student, her experiences getting involved at APSU, and how her communication skills have shaped her career. She also discusses the...

In this episode of Govs on the Go: Alumni Edition, Dean Buzz Hoon talks with Nea Paris, a 2010 Austin Peay State University Communication Arts graduate with an emphasis in print and web journalism. Paris shares her journey from The All State to a career in journalism, public relations, advertising, and entrepreneurship, and discusses how her Austin Peay experiences helped prepare her for an ever-c...

In this episode of Govs on the Go: Alumni Edition, Dean Hoon sits down with Brian Hogg, a 1996 Austin Peay State University alumnus from the Department of Music and an accomplished musician and educator. Now an associate professor at Northern Kentucky University, Brian has built a career that blends performance, teaching, and mentorship in the world of jazz. With experience as both a professional...

In this episode of Govs on the Go: Alumni Edition, Dean Hoon is joined by Jeff Hardin, a 1990 graduate of Austin Peay State University’s Department of Languages and Literature with a degree in English and an accomplished poet and educator. Now a professor of English at Columbia State Community College, Jeff has built a distinguished literary career, publishing multiple collections of poetry and ea...

In this special episode of Govs on the Go: Alumni Edition , Dean Buzz Hoon sits down with dual APSU alumni Austin and Erin Leigh McKain, both from the Department of Communication. Austin, now a Financial Advisor with Northwestern Mutual, and Erin, a Program Coordinator for Engagement and Belonging at Maryville University, have each built careers centered on helping others plan for the future and f...

In this episode of Govs on the Go: Alumni Edition , Dean Buzz Hoon sits down with Daniel Armitage, a 1983 graduate of Austin Peay State University with a degree in Speech, Communication, and Theatre. Now serving as Associate Vice President in Student Affairs at the University of North Texas, Daniel brings decades of experience in higher education leadership and student engagement. As he wraps up h...

In this episode of Govs on the Go: Alumni Edition, Dean Buzz Hoon sits down with Mason Devers, a 2018 graduate of Austin Peay State University with a degree in Communication and Media Studies. Now serving as Communications Director for House Republican Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain, Mason leads national media strategy, legislative messaging, and constituent communications at the highest level...

In this episode of Govs on the Go: Alumni Edition , Dean Hoon sits down with Lexi Putter, a 2021 graduate of Austin Peay State University’s Department of Theatre and Dance. Now based in Chicago, Lexi has spent the past four years building a career as an actor, comedian, and improviser, performing with several theaters across the city. Originally from Flower Mound, Texas, Lexi reflects on her decis...

In this episode of Govs on the Go: Alumni Edition , Dean Hoon sits down with Darcy Schein, a 1994 graduate of Austin Peay State University’s Department of Communication and co-founder of the nationally recognized bakery Pie Junkie. What began as a home-cooking hobby evolved into a thriving business in Oklahoma City’s Plaza District, with Pie Junkie earning features in People , Vogue , Travel + Lei...

In this episode of  Govs on the Go: Alumni Edition , Dean Hoon talks with Joe Weyant, a 1998 Austin Peay State University graduate with dual degrees in Communication Arts and Political Science. Now a Nashville-based attorney with extensive experience in state, federal, and appellate courts, Joe has built a reputation as a creative and tenacious advocate. He has served as a Montgomery County Commis...

In this episode of Govs on the Go: Alumni Edition , Dean Buzz Hoon sits down with Dr. Joseph Miller, an alumnus of Austin Peay State University’s Department of History & Philosophy who earned his bachelor's degree in 2002 and now serves as Vice President for Enrollment Management & Marketing at Winthrop University. Dr. Miller shares how his APSU experience laid the foundation for a suc...

In this episode of Govs on the Go: Alumni Edition , Dean Buzz Hoon sits down with Tori Felton, a 2015 graduate of Austin Peay State University’s Department of Art + Design. Now a designer with M&S Brands, Tori brings more than eight years of experience leading creative teams and developing impactful visual strategies across diverse media platforms. She and Dean Hoon discuss her journey to APSU...

In this episode of Govs on the Go: Alumni Edition , Dean Buzz Hoon sits down with Ebony Walton, a 2019 graduate of Austin Peay State University’s Department of Art + Design. Now working as a Content Developer for Hyster-Yale Materials Handling in North Carolina, Ebony shares how her time at APSU helped her discover her creative voice and build a career in graphic design. She reflects on her growth...

In this episode of Govs on the Go: Alumni Edition , Dean Buzz Hoon sits down with Will Roberts, a two-time graduate of Austin Peay State University with a Bachelor’s and Master’s in Communication. Now serving as Communications Director for Ardent Health in Nashville, Will reflects on his path from growing up in Maryville, Tennessee, to finding community and direction at APSU through mentors, frate...

In this episode, Dean Hoon catches up with Art Ruangtip, a 1997 graduate of the APSU Department of Music. With over 25 years of experience as a music educator in Texas, Art currently serves as the Director of Wind and Percussion Studies at Booker T. Washington High School for the Visual and Performing Arts. Art shares stories from his time at Austin Peay, reflecting on the faculty and students who...

In this episode of Govs on the Go: Alumni Edition , Dean Buzz Hoon talks with Kali Woodward, a 1989 graduate of Austin Peay State University with a degree in Spanish and a minor in Communication. Kali is the founder and executive director of the American Youth Literacy Foundation, which he has led for the past 18 years. A former Spanish and Arabic linguist with the 101st Airborne Division at Fort...

In this episode of Govs on the Go: Alumni Edition , Dean Buzz Hoon sits down with Jonathan Castile, a 2004 theatre graduate of Austin Peay State University. An award-winning actor, filmmaker, and magician, Jonathan has performed on stage and screen, co-founded Runes Picture Company in Los Angeles, and created illusions for film, music videos, and television. From his early days performing sketch c...

In this episode of Govs on the Go: Alumni Edition , Dean Hoon speaks with Arthur Orr, a 2023 graduate of Austin Peay State University with a Master’s in History with a concentration in Military History. Arthur currently serves as Executive Vice President at Cook’s Pest Control and has represented North Alabama in the State Senate for nearly two decades, where he chairs the Appropriations Committee...