Honors Spotlight

In this special collaborative episode, Honors Spotlight joins forces with MTSU's Out of the Blue podcast to explore America's upcoming 250th anniversary. Honors College Dean John Vile and Amy Sayward, director of MTSU's American Democracy Project, discuss the significance of the nation's semiquincentennial and how MTSU is commemorating this historic milestone. They highlight the Un...

What if  Game of Thrones  looked entirely different? In this episode of  Honors Spotlight , studio art major Alina Caldwell reimagines one of the most iconic fantasy worlds through the lens of fashion, culture, and storytelling. Her creative thesis, “Refashioning Fantasy,” revisits the costumes of HBO’s  Game of Thrones , drawing inspiration not from the screen, but from George R.R. Martin’s origi...

Accounting and AI might seem like an unlikely pair — but according to honors student  Luis Esmurria , tools like ChatGPT are already reshaping the field. In this episode of  Honors Spotlight , Luis shares findings from his thesis on how large language models are influencing accounting education, from personalized learning benefits to ethical concerns around accuracy, transparency, and rapidly chan...

This episode of  Honors Spotlight  shines a light on finance major  Truvell Haddox , whose commitment to service goes far beyond single volunteer events. For the past three years, Truvell has spent nearly every month preparing and delivering meals to food‑insecure and unhoused communities across Middle Tennessee. He shares how faith reshaped his understanding of success, why consistent service mat...

In this episode of  Honors Spotlight , host Robin Lee sits down with  Batoul Sawas , senior psychology major, Honors ambassador, and award‑winning student researcher. Batoul shares how her multicultural background, campus leadership roles, and research experiences shaped her Honors thesis:  Beneath the Surface , an in‑depth exploration of how parenting styles, self‑esteem, and the Big Five persona...

In this episode of  Honor Spotlight , host Robin Lee sits down with Buchanan Fellow and English major Sarah Huffman to explore her Honors thesis, Halo Reach: Humanity's Desperation in the Face of Adversity."     Sarah dives into the emotional and narrative depth of  Halo: Reach , examining how the game uses storytelling, environment, and player psychology to portray the indomitable human...

In this episode of Honors Spotlight , host Robin Lee sits down with 2025 MTSU Computer Science graduate Joshua Wheaton to explore the intersection of artificial intelligence, social media, and mental health. Joshua’s Honors thesis, “Using AI to Identify Depression on Social Media,” examines how machine learning models can detect linguistic signals of depression in online posts—particularly on plat...

In this episode of Honors Spotlight , host Robin Lee sits down with Victoria Grigsby , a first‑generation college student whose journey from a small Tennessee town led her to become one of MTSU’s distinguished Buchanan Fellows. Victoria shares how she navigated the transition to university life, found her academic passions, and embraced opportunities within the Honors College. A double major in po...

What makes Lyon Hall, the Honors College living and learning community at MTSU, such a special place to call home? In this episode, host Robin Lee sits down with  Amy Korstange  (Associate Director of Residence Life),  Nana Adu  (Area Coordinator for Lyon Hall), and  Kera Reynolds  (Honors alumna and former Lyon Hall resident) to explore the unique opportunities and experiences this community offe...

Honors student and aspiring airport director  Mahi Ramesh  takes listeners inside her summer internship at the  Boise Airport , where she worked hands-on across departments—from project management and operations to environmental systems and emergency response. In this episode, Mahi shares how being the  only intern  at a major U.S. airport taught her independence, precision, and leadership under p...

In this special episode, the MTSU Honors College ambassadors take the mic to share their stories, advice, and campus tips. From what first drew them to the Honors College to their most memorable class experiences, they open up about the surprises, challenges, and proudest moments of their Honors journey. Listeners will hear about insider recommendations for underrated campus resources, hidden stud...

As the holiday season winds down and a new year begins, it’s the perfect time to reset, refocus, and rethink your relationship with food. In this year-end episode of  Honors Spotlight , host Robin Lee sits down with  Lena Eccles  — a senior Nutrition and Food Science major,  Buchanan Transfer Fellow , Honors Ambassador, and associate editor for Collage: A Journal of Creative Expression. Lena share...

In this special episode of  Honor Spotlight , host Robin Lee sits down with the powerhouse trio behind MTSU’s Honors advising team: Dr. Judy Albakry, Laura Clippard, and Emilee Buckmeyer. From thesis triumphs to Reddit-fueled student questions, we pull back the curtain on the people who guide, cheer, and occasionally rescue students through their academic journeys. Hear how each advisor found thei...

It’s Giving Tuesday—and we’re spotlighting the power of generosity in action. In this episode of  Honors Spotlight , host Robin Lee sits down with Katie Enzor from MTSU’s Development Office and Johari Hamilton and Honors alumna to demystify endowments and explore how gifts of all sizes are transforming student lives in the Honors College. From personal stories to practical insights, we’re breaking...

In this episode, host Robin Lee sits down with  Renee Tettah , an MTSU Honors student, political science major, and recipient of the  Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship , to share her unforgettable study abroad experience in  Senegal . Renee opens up about what it was like to step into a new, but semi-familiar, culture, study a new language, and build connections that reshaped how she se...

This episode of  Honors Spotlight  takes you inside the world of undergraduate research with MTSU Honors students  Tatyana Martinez  and  Ian Wilson . Through the National Science Foundation’s  Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU)  program, they spent the summer working in the  Microbiome Ecology Lab , where they studied  snake fungal disease —a serious threat to wildlife health. Hosted by...

In this episode of  Honors Spotlight , we catch up with Honors alumnus  John Tate , a recent graduate in Video and Film Production who is now living in Japan through the  JET Program . From navigating life overseas to teaching English and immersing himself in Japanese culture, John shares what his journey has been like so far. We also rewind to his time at MTSU, where he produced his Honors thesis...

Listen to Aubrey Penney, Gamze Mert, Maia Dennis, and Taylor Tims talk about their transfer student experiences and hear why they chose MTSU!

In this inspiring episode of  Honors Spotlight , we talk with  Alex Roberecki , a Canadian-born Honors College student majoring in Commercial Songwriting and minoring in Entrepreneurship. Alex opens up about his journey to faith through music, how his creative work helped him escape a destructive lifestyle, and the role that MTSU and the Honors College have played in shaping his path. From writing...

In this episode of  Honors Spotlight , host Robin Lee sits down with two extraordinary Honors students,  Taylor Tims  and  Ariel Nicastro , as they reflect on their transformative study abroad experiences that took them across continents and deep into their fields of study. Taylor, an anthropology major, shares what it was like to hike into the Amazon Rainforest for a real archaeological excavatio...

In this powerful Constitution Day episode of  Honor Spotlight , host Robin Lee sits down with Dr. Amy Sayward —Professor of History and the new Director of the American Democracy Project at MTSU—for a deep dive into civic life, personal responsibility, and the enduring relevance of the U.S. Constitution. From her early experiences with student-led activism in rural New York to her family’s legacy...

In this quick teaser episode of  Honors Spotlight , we’re giving you the inside scoop on all the exciting events and upcoming podcast episodes this month! From the  Student Organization Fair  to the  ice cream social , Buchanan inaugurations, and  Homecoming , September is packed with opportunities to connect and celebrate. Plus, don’t miss what’s coming on the podcast:  Dr. Amy Sayward  on Consti...

In this debut episode of  Honors Spotlight , host Robin Lee sits down with  Colman Connolly —an MTSU Honors student, world champion accompanist, and passionate steward of Irish musical heritage. Colman takes us on a journey through his creative thesis project, which brings new life to the legendary recordings of Michael Coleman, a master fiddler who transformed traditional Irish music in the early...

An introduction of what is to come from the MTSU Honors College beginning this fall! (Intro music by MTSU Music major Elloise Layus.) Thanks for joining us. Be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share with others.  Follow us on social media. @MTSUHonors For more information, visit ⁠honors.mtsu.edu⁠ .