Ask Dr. Ross

If you've ever tried to teach yourself podcasting, you know there's a lot to learn. Between recording equipment, editing software, public speaking, show branding, and more, getting started from scratch can feel overwhelming.  That's where Patriot Podcasters comes in. This week, Dr. Ross and student producer Ashley Worley spotlight a newly formed club at UT Tyler which is dedicated t...

AI appears to be everywhere.  In the news, on social media, on top of Google search results.  Higher education is no exception.  As artificial intelligence tools evolve, so does the college experience - but not always in the ways you might expect. This week, Dr. Ross and student producer Ashley Worley discuss how the University of Texas at Tyler has seen AI integrated into campus life with Dr. Col...

We all know freshman year is a big turning point.  There's orientations, welcome celebrations, loads of "firsts" to experience - but with three more years of college, the changes and growth have only begun.   What happens next? This week, Dr. Ross and student producer Ashley Worley reconvene with two students who appeared on the podcast in their first week of freshman year: Mary Moo...

Music can be a constant part of everyday life - our culture, our hobbies, our background noise during daily commutes.  But how does a passion for music evolve into a rewarding career?  How does studying music in college support students on their professional and life paths? This week, Dr. Ross and student producer Ashley Worley continue their series highlighting inside stories and college prep pra...

Flashing red sirens and police tape might cross your mind at the phrase "criminal justice" - but the field is much more diverse than just police work.  This week, Dr. Ross and student producer Ashley Worley continue their series highlighting inside stories and college prep practicalities from UT Tyler's Social Sciences department. Criminal Justice professor Dr. Rick Helfers and grad...

Learning a new language is hard .  For Spanish students new to speaking, finding a low stakes space to practice outside of class can sometimes feel like a challenge.  Even fluent speakers may sometimes struggle to find a casual setting where they can share their language. Which is why the Spanish Club was created. This week, Dr. Ross and student producer Ashley Worley spotlight a newly formed club...

"Fun" probably isn't the first word that comes to mind when you think of math - unless you are, in fact, a "math person."  But is there such a thing as a "math person," anyway?  And can math be not just practical, but playful? This week, Dr. Ross and student producer Ashley Worley continue their series highlighting inside stories and college prep practicalities f...

The stereotypical fraternity experience is well-known, negative, and (unsurprisingly) not true of every chapter.  Most people think they know what Greek life is like - but what do the insiders say?  This week, Dr. Ross and student producer Ashley Worley explore Greek life within UT Tyler's Kappa Sigma chapter.  Joining the discussion are Kappa Sigma's alumni advisor Jared Daniels and cha...

We've probably all heard the saying, "If we don't learn from history, we're doomed to repeat it."  But is that really true?  And besides preventing doom, how does studying history help students in their present-day lives? This week, Dr. Ross and student producer Ashley Worley continue their series highlighting inside stories and college prep practicalities from UT Tyler&ap...

The stereotypical sorority experience is well-known, negative, and (unsurprisingly) not true of every chapter.  Most people think they know what Greek life - but what do the insiders say? This week, Dr. Ross and student producer Ashley Worley explore Greek life within UT Tyler's Alpha Chi Omega chapter.  Joining the discussion are Alpha Chi's alumni advisor Michelle Gonzalez and chapter...

As one of the hard sciences, Biology tends to be more concrete in our imaginations.  White lab coats.  Microscopes.  The mitochondria (it's the powerhouse of the cell).  But what about snake-trapping?  Fishing?  Counting frog calls? The field is a lot wider than we might think. This week, Dr. Ross and student producer Ashley Worley continue their series highlighting inside stories and college...

When we think of college sports, we imagine football scholarships and packed stadiums.  But what if you're a competitor who crushes it at Mario Kart or would rather watch Fortnite streams for fun? We've got you covered. This week, Dr. Ross and student producer Ashley Worley explore the realm of Esports with Kenna Rivers, UT Tyler's team captain for Rainbow Six Siege.  As an avid gam...

Maybe we think we know what a day in the life of an English major looks like: classic novels, writing, poetry, writing, presentations, and (you guessed it!) writing.  But what do English majors actually learn?  Where do they fit in the world outside of universities? The variety of answers may surprise you. This week, Dr. Ross and student producer Ashley Worley launch their new series highlighting...

We sit through classes, sit to study, sit on a couch to relax, and often sit at a desk to work.  It’s easier than ever as a busy college student to miss out on the basics: sunshine, fresh air, friends, and movement.  Sure, there’s the gym on campus – but what if you’ve never been before?  How do you break through the intimidation?  Will there even be an activity you like there? Enter the Rec Sport...

We all know freshman year is a big turning point. There's orientations, welcome celebrations, loads of "firsts" to experience - but with three more years of college, the changes and growth have only begun.  What happens next?  This week, Dr. Ross and student producer Ashley Worley reconvene with two students who appeared on the podcast in their first week of freshman year: Mary Moon...

There's plenty of debate about whether or not college truly prepares you for a career. Between homework assignments and research projects, how can you build a resume that helps you succeed after graduation?  Let's find out.  This week, Dr. Ross and student producer Ashley Worley explore the best resources and tips for college students/recent grads navigating the job market. Joining us to...

There’s plenty of challenges to freshman year you might be prepared for – tackling the change in lifestyle or new levels of academic achievement, for instance. But what about loneliness? This week, Dr. Ross and student producer Ashley Worley combine both a professor and a student’s experiences to create a list of ten things you can do to start making friends in college.  Each of their five tips br...

The days leading up to freshman year of college can feel like a flurry of activity.  There’s enrollment, buying textbooks, moving into dorms – but often, it’s the little things you wouldn’t expect that can impact your experience most. Dr. Ross and student producer Ashley Worley bring five tips each, combining both a professor and student’s perspectives on ten things you can do to prepare yourself...

The first day of college can be overwhelming for anyone.  Just navigating the campus is a common challenge - but what if you'd never even set foot on a high school campus before?  What if you'd never experienced traditional education until today?  This is what homeschoolers are faced with on their first day. Or is it? This week, Dr. Ross and (homeschooled) cohost Ashley Worley tackle som...

Veterans have some important decisions to make regarding their next steps after military service.  Whether it's entering the workforce in a new field, returning to a university, or attending college for the first time, there's lots to navigate during this pivotal transition.   We're here to help. This week, Dr. Ross and cohost Ashley Worley sit down with two veteran students to unpa...

It's official. With student producers Nathan Witt and Michaela Murphy passing the torch, there's a new voice on the podcast: sophomore Mass Communications student, Ashley Worley!  Join Dr. Ross and her new co-host in an introductory sit-down chat.   In typical ADR fashion, they find much more to discuss than your standard icebreakers.  The conversation ranges from get-to-know-you questio...

The first week of freshman year can be overwhelming - but what about week two? Or three? Or eight?  By the time you've reached mid-semester, it can feel like a sink or swim situation. That's why Dr. Ross and producer Michaela Murphy are checking back in with their freshman guests from episode one.  In the thick of their first semester, Dominic Robinette and Mary Mooney share firsthand ex...

As an undergrad, it's easy to feel overwhelmed when considering the next phase of your education.  After all, what is graduate school like?  Why add more years of college?  And - most importantly - how do you know if it's right for you? In this episode, Dr. Ross and producer Michaela Murphy team up with current grad students to tackle these, and other, important questions.  Join Psycholo...

The transition from high school to college can be scary.  There's lots to navigate in your freshman year, from dorm life to academic advising - and we're here to unpack it all. Join Dr. Ross and producer Michaela Murphy in discussing the freshman experience with four first-year UT Tyler students: Dylan Bennet, Paula Castellanos, Mary Mooney, and Dominic Robinette.  Together, they share s...

Experience a powerful exploration of economic resilience and hope within the college journey, as I, Dr. Katherine Ross, join forces with Professor Susan Doty. Together, we dissect the contemporary economic landscape faced by students, from inflation woes to job market competitiveness. We offer a dual perspective that acknowledges the challenges, yet shines a light on the opportunities that higher...