The Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship (FETA) has named two CAS students, Nicholas Mullaney (German Studies major) and Aspenn Armstrong (TESOL major), as finalists for the 2025-26 academic year. They will be joining the Germany and Thailand cohorts, respectively. 

In the aftermath of World War II, the Fulbright Program was established as a means of fostering diplomacy through educational and cultural exchange. With over 75 participating countries, the FETA program places Fulbrighters in classrooms across the globe to support teachers in equipping students with the necessary tools to learn English, from kindergarten to college level. Fulbrighters engage directly with local communities, building bridges across cultures and inspiring new generations of global citizens.

“The Fulbright experience changes and redirects lives,” said Carla Damiano, professor of German at EMU and Fulbright program advisor. “By being immersed in another country, its language and culture, participants in the program not only learn the importance of an intercultural experience, but they gain a new sense of pride in that they not only make friends in the host country, but additionally, learn to communicate with locals in their language and dialect. Participants learn to see themselves, along with their home country and culture, through a new lens.” 

Fulbrighters are tasked with filling the small pockets of the world where access to comprehensive English language education is limited. By stepping into these classrooms, they’re not only supporting language learning but also fostering cultural understanding and international dialogue.

Mullaney and Armstrong are just two of the 4000 applicants, following in the footsteps of a string of EMU Fulbrighters. Through participation, both awardees plan on expanding the minds of their students by imparting cultural practices and offering an extended hand in their English learning journeys. 

“Not only do I hope to contribute to the education of the next generation of German students, but also to help build a cultural bridge between the United States and German culture,” said Mullaney, an EMU senior majoring in German Studies. “As a cultural ambassador, I aim to represent my country in a way that leaves students with a lasting, positive impression of the U.S."

“My goal is to set a positive example and help students feel motivated and supported in their learning,” said Armstrong, a master’s student in the Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages program. “I want to create an environment where students feel encouraged to take their education seriously and to see language learning as something empowering and achievable.”

Fulbright alumni are highly successful in securing jobs upon return and in being accepted into graduate programs with assistantship support. 

For more information about the Fulbright Program, visit the website. 

Read the full EMU Today Article

CAS students Kelle Crank (minor in Japanese language) and Victoria MacLean (K-12 Spanish education major) have been awarded Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarships by the U.S. Department of State. The Gilman Scholarship enables U.S. undergraduate students with high financial need as federal Pell Grant recipients to study or intern abroad.

A senior elementary education major with a minor in Japanese language, Kelle Crank will study at the Japan Center for Michigan Universities for the full 2025-26 academic year. She first fell in love with Japan when she was a small child living in Detroit and watching “Toonami” on Cartoon Network. “Anime was my gateway to discovering Japanese society. As I did my own research on Japan, I realized Japan may be place where I want to spend the rest of my life.” Kelle expects that a year on the shores of Japan’s Lake Biwa will help her decide whether she will use her experience as an elementary education major to become a schoolteacher in Japan.

Junior K-12 Spanish education major and Honors student Victoria MacLean will study Spanish language and culture in Costa Rica in summer 2025. Victoria looks forward to increasing her cultural competency and deepening her understanding of effective communication practices through meaningful interaction with Spanish speakers. She expects the program to make her a better qualified Spanish teacher and a more effective global citizen.

“EMU Study Abroad is excited at the opportunity the scholarship offers to our students,” says Kristen Krug-Shaffer, manager of program development for academic travel programs. “The Gilman Scholarship broadens the student populations that study abroad by supporting undergraduates who might not otherwise be able to go abroad because of financial constraints.”

The U.S. Department of State recently awarded the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship to 3,500 American undergraduate students from all 50 states and the District of Columbia in spring 2025 to study abroad in over 170 countries. Over 55 percent of selected Gilman Scholars are first-generation college students, as are both of EMU’s Spring 2025 Gilman Scholars. The Gilman Program received a record high 17,000 applications across the 2024-2025 academic year.   

The two new EMU Gilman Scholars each received $3000 awards. They will represent the United States overseas and will return to EMU with the global networks and foreign language skills needed to support U.S. economic and national security interests. 

Read the full EMU Today Article

The School of Communication, Media & Theatre Arts is proud to announce that Meriah Sage, Associate Professor and Director of Applied Drama & Theatre for the Young, has been awarded the 2025 Johnny Saldaña Outstanding Professor of Theatre Education Award by the American Alliance for Theatre & Education (AATE). This esteemed national recognition celebrates Professor Sage’s comprehensive excellence in teaching, research, and service, further amplified by her recent groundbreaking publication, "The Opposite of Absence Is 'To Occupy'."   

The Johnny Saldaña Outstanding Professor of Theatre Education Award is one of the highest honors in the field, recognizing college and university professors who demonstrate exceptional contributions across teaching, research, and service. It is not a lifetime achievement award, but rather celebrates ongoing, impactful work by faculty at any career stage. The award is named for Johnny Saldaña, a Professor Emeritus from Arizona State University, who is a profoundly influential figure in qualitative research, data analysis, and performance ethnography, with his methodological works cited in over 50,000 research studies globally.   

The American Alliance for Theatre & Education (AATE) is a leading national organization dedicated to transforming young people and communities through the theatre arts. AATE envisions a world where every child has access to drama and theatre, and where theatre arts are a pervasive part of society. The organization is a primary advocate for theatre education and theatre for young audiences in America, actively promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion, believing its work is strengthened by incorporating diverse voices and experiences. Professor Sage's work directly aligns with AATE's mission to foster an inclusive and equitable future for theatre education.   

Professor Sage's academic foundation is deeply rooted in theatre and education. She earned her Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Applied Drama & Theatre for the Young from Eastern Michigan University in 2010. Prior to her graduate studies, she completed her Bachelor's degrees in Theatre Performance and Elementary Education at Western Michigan University. She is also a certified teacher of the Michael Chekhov Acting Technique through the Great Lakes Michael Chekhov Consortium (GLMCC). Professor Sage's journey from an EMU graduate student to a distinguished Associate Professor and Program Director of the Applied Drama & Theatre for the Young MFA & MA program illustrates a profound and enduring connection to the university. This progression is more than a career path; it represents a success story of an accomplished alumna returning to lead and shape the very program from which she graduated.

As Associate Professor, Director of the Applied Drama & Theatre for the Young MFA & MA program, and Director of EMU Theatre, Professor Sage brings extensive expertise in Theatre for Young Audiences (TYA), arts integration, teaching artistry, and directing. She has a dedicated focus on uncovering the hidden histories of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) artists in drama and TYA. Her commitment to these areas exemplifies the criteria for the Johnny Saldaña Award, showcasing her profound impact on students and the broader field.   

Her recent publication, "The Opposite of Absence Is 'To Occupy'," co-authored with Shavonne Coleman, was published in 2024 in ArtsPraxis, a journal from New York University. The article critically examines the pervasive absence of BIPOC narratives in TYA history, advocating for "restorative documentation and inclusion". It introduces the "Hidden and Erased BIPOC Histories project," an initiative co-founded by Professor Sage and two other EMU Applied Drama and Theatre for the Young alumni, aiming to "uncover hidden and erased persons, facts, experiences in the TYA field and to catalog, celebrate and disseminate these narratives". This powerful work challenges Eurocentric frameworks and calls for the active integration of Black and Brown stories into academic and professional discourse.   

"Professor Sage's national recognition is a testament to her exceptional scholarship and unwavering dedication to advancing theatre education, particularly connected to Theatre for Young Audiences," said CMTA School Director Jeromy Hopgood. "Her research and leadership in promoting diversity and inclusion truly embody the values of Eastern Michigan University and inspire our entire community."

Eastern Michigan University awarded 43 Faculty Research and Creative Activity Fellowships for the 2025–26 academic year, 24 of which belonging to CAS faculty. These fellowships will allow awardees to pursue research on a wide range of topics, including the development of artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT, the exploration of racial battle fatigue among Black women in higher education, and the assessment of environmental justice through water pricing in Michigan. The University’s Board of Regents approved the annual fellowships during its June 26 meeting. 

Awarded through a competitive review process, the fellowships provide selected faculty with up to 100 percent release time from teaching for one semester. The fellowships contribute towards impactful research or creative projects and help lay the groundwork for future scholarly work and external funding opportunities.

The Faculty Research and Creative Activity Fellowship proposals are reviewed by the University Research and Sabbatical Leave Committee, which makes recommendations to the Provost and Executive Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs.

Listed below are the 24 CAS awardees for 2025-26 Faculty Research and Creative Activity Fellowships:

Leslie Atzmon (Fine Arts), "Biodesign in Context Textbook" 

Timothy Brewer (Chemistry), "Nanocluster Fluorescence Sensing Capabilities" 

Matthew Cook (Geography and Geology), "Publishing Public-Focused Resources on Black History and Cultural Museums" 

Charles Cunningham (English Language & Literature), "From Fordism to Post-Fordism in Michigan Working-Class Fiction" 

Elizabeth Currans (Women’s Studies), "Uneven Burdens: Building Solidarity and Vulnerability at Trans-Inclusive Women’s Festivals" 

Craig Dionne (English Language & Literature), "Hamlet: Shakespeare and Implicit Memory" 

Cory Emal (Chemistry), "Production of Novel and Diverse PAI-1 Inhibitors via an Optimized Synthetic Route" 

Margaret Hanes (Biology), "Making Decisions in Hibiscus. Who’s in? Who's Out?" 

Andre Kashliev (Computer Science), "Storing and Querying Healthcare Data in Big Data Databases" 

Dustin London (Art and Design), "Kokon Tōzai: Bridging Distances in a Two-Person Exhibition Featuring a Japanese Artist in America and an American Artist in Japan" 

Fredrick Lorenz (History and Philosophy), "Empire’s Classroom: The Ottoman Tribal School and the Policies of Assimilation" 

Ryan Molloy (Art and Design), "Exploring the Possibilities of Letterpress and AI" 

Maitreyee Mukherjee (Biology), "Spatiotemporal Variations in the Occurrence, Distribution, and Levels of Antibiotic Resistance Genes in the Huron River Watershed 

Richard Nation (History and Philosophy), "Lynching and Disenfranchisement of African Americans in a Midwestern Town at the Turn of the Century" 

Toni Pressley-Sanon (African American Studies), "Interviews and Writing of a Book Chapter, 'Black Women and Reproductive Dis-Ease'" 

Amy Sacksteder (Art and Design), "Cohere: Integrating Ceramics, Stained Glass, and Found Objects" 

Joel Schoenhals (Music and Dance), "The Schubert Project" 

T. Daniel Seely (English Language and Literature), "The Form and Function of Merge" 

Heather Shouldice (Music and Dance), "Completion of Major Revision of Materials for Teaching 'Learning Sequence Activities' in Music Education" 

Brian Spolans (Fine Arts), "Home Body" 

John Staunton (English Language and Literature), "Narrative Dis/appearing Acts in Kate Chopin’s Fiction" 

Zuzana Tomas (World Languages), "Examining AI Literacy and AI-Integrated Pedagogical Practices in TESOL Teacher Educators and Preservice Teachers" 

Shu Wang (Political Science), "Examining Water Pricing Through the Lens of Environmental Justice: A Case of Southeastern Michigan" 

Annette Wannamaker (English Language and Literature), "Surviving the Future: The Role of Agency in YA Dystopian Narratives" 

Read the full EMU Today Article

Eastern Michigan University has awarded sabbatical leaves for the 2025–26 academic year to a group of faculty members pursuing projects that advance academic research, enhance student learning, and contribute to community and global impact with 15 CAS faculty members receiving 16 awards in total. The sabbaticals, approved by the University’s Board of Regents on June 26, support faculty as they engage in specialized study and research across disciplines, including educational policy, technological innovation, public service, and cultural exploration.

Sabbatical leaves are granted as either one semester at full pay or two semesters at half pay. Faculty approved for two-semester sabbaticals may also receive up to $12,000 in research support, pending approval. The University Research and Sabbatical Leave Committee evaluates all proposals and makes recommendations to the provost and executive vice president of Academic and Student Affairs.

For the 2025–26 academic year, EMU will grant 14 one-semester and eight two-semester sabbatical leaves. The following is the list of award recipients and their areas of study:

Adam Briggs, Psychology: “Supporting the Development and Launch of an Inpatient Behavioral Health Unit for Addressing the Severe Behavior Crisis with Autistic Individuals in Michigan: Establishing a Site for Student Training and Research Experiences.” 

Xianghong Feng, Sociology, Anthropology, and Criminology: “Data Collection Through Ethnographic Fieldwork for A New Research: Impacts of WeChat Use on Intergenerational Relationship in China’s Individualization Process.” 

Brandon Johnson, Music and Dance: “Choral Music and Visual Arts, A Collaboration with The Detroit Institute of Arts.” 

Jeannette Kindred, Communication, Media, and Theater Arts: “Curriculum Revision for Communication Graduate and Undergraduate Programs.” 

Jamie Lawler, Psychology: “Building Resilience in Elementary-Age Children: A School-Based Self-Regulation Intervention and Training in Greece.” 

Paul Leighton, Sociology, Anthropology, and Criminology: “Sabbatical Award to Continue Work on a Book Manuscript Titled ‘Informed Aging: Laws, Rights, and Relationships' Across the Lifespan.”

MeeAe Nam, Music and Dance: “Vocal Pedagogy Workshops in Asia.”

David Pawlowski, Physics and Astronomy: “Beautiful Space Weather at Mars.”

T. Daniel Seely, English Language and Literature:  “The Form and Function of Merge.”

John Staunton, English Language and Literature: “Narrative Dis/Appearing Acts in Kate Chopin's Fiction--Book Manuscript.”

Two-semester leaves

Ruth Ann Armitage, Chemistry: “Sequencing Chemical Analyses and Dating to Maximize Information from Archaeological Textiles and Associated Materials.”

Peter Bednekoff, Biology: “Integrated Road Crossings for Water, Fish, and Wildlife.”

Adam Briggs, Psychology: “Supporting the Development and Launch of an Inpatient Behavioral Health Unit for Addressing the Severe Behavior Crisis with Autistic Individuals in Michigan: Establishing a Site for Student Training and Research Experiences.”

Ovidiu Calin, Mathematics: “Deep Learning Methods for Nonholonomic Mechanics.”

Claudia Drossel, Psychology: “Book on Conceptual Foundations in Behavior Analysis.”

Siyuan Jiang, Computer Science: “A Study on Computer Science Education for Students with Disabilities in Ann Arbor and Surrounding Areas.”

Read the full EMU Today Article

Naomi Barbour (BA, Political Science, 2025) was one of four students selected to form the inaugural cohort of PEN America’s Campus Advocates Fellows in 2024. For her campus advocacy campaign, Naomi Barbour hosted a series of teach-ins and workshops to educate attendees about free speech and foster support for academic freedom at Eastern Michigan University. “My project was about creating a campus culture where academic freedom isn’t something you just learn about in a classroom — it’s something you live out.” 

Barbour recently reflected on her experience hosting a forum on free expression with EMU students and Dr. Demetri Morgan. “The most powerful part was seeing students stay after the event, still debating and talking with each other… That’s when I knew it had made an impact. A few students told me afterward that it was the first time they’d had a real conversation with someone who disagreed with them politically—and that it didn’t end in shouting. That felt like a win. I also had one student say she finally felt seen—like someone understood her fear of speaking up in class. That stuck with me.” 

When asked how she felt her PEN America Campus Advocates fellowship went overall, Barbour said, “This fellowship pushed me to think more critically—not just about what I believe, but how to communicate that in a way that invites dialogue instead of shutting it down.”

Read the full story at PEN America.

Eastern Michigan University has named Carol Bishop Mills as the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, effective Aug. 1, 2025.

Mills brings more than two decades of experience in higher education leadership, faculty development, and student-centered innovation. She most recently served as associate dean of Faculty Success in the College of Arts and Letters at Florida Atlantic University (FAU), where she also previously directed the School of Communication and Multimedia Studies.

“Dr. Mills has an exceptional record of advancing inclusive academic excellence and creating transformative student experiences,” said Rhonda Longworth, Provost and Executive Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs. “She’s a demonstrated leader who builds transformation through collaboration, curiosity, and a genuine belief in what’s possible for our students and our university.”

At FAU, Mills launched the Faculty Success Toolkit to support faculty promotion and foster interdisciplinary collaboration. She also championed student initiatives, such as Express Your Degree, a flexible, accelerated program for working students, and secured scholarships for industry exploration trips, which expanded access to career-building opportunities.

Her efforts to elevate student learning extended beyond the classroom. She played a key role in developing MediaLab@FAU, a student-run, community news service whose stories have been featured by the Miami Herald, WLRN, and Palm Beach Post. In collaboration with media company BrandStar Studios, she helped provide students with virtual production facilities.

“From my first moments on campus, I felt EMU’s commitment to belonging, excellence, and innovation,” said Mills. “I’m grateful to join a university that understands the power of education to transform lives and communities. I’m especially excited to work alongside the faculty, staff, and students of the College of Arts and Sciences to create new possibilities for our future.”

In her role as dean, Mills will oversee organizational and program planning within the College of Arts and Sciences, ensuring the effective implementation of university policies and procedures. She will supervise the fiscal operations of multiple departments, prepare and review annual budgets, and evaluate academic programs to promote innovation and continuous improvement. Mills will also lead faculty and staff recruitment, conduct performance reviews, and maintain strong professional relationships across the University. As a key liaison to academic areas, industry partners, accrediting bodies, and professional associations, she will play an active role in shaping policy, reviewing research and academic proposals, and supporting the college's growth and development.

Mills holds a Ph.D. in Communication Theory from Purdue University, a master’s degree from Emerson College, and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Miami. Her research examines the influence of everyday communication on relationships, encompassing workplace dynamics, political discourse, and the intricacies of "frenemyships." She is the co-founder of the FAU Political Communication and Public Opinion Lab.

Mills was hired following a national search with assistance from Anthem Executive, a minority and veteran owned firm established in experience spanning over three decades of nationwide executive search and consulting excellence.

Read the full EMU Today Article.

Eastern Michigan University recently wrapped up its annual High School Summer Science Research Program, welcoming its largest group of participants to date—12 ambitious students from across the local community. Over the course of three weeks, students immersed themselves in hands-on scientific exploration, working side-by-side with EMU faculty, graduate students, and undergraduates on real-world research projects in chemistry, biology, and other STEM disciplines.

The program, designed to spark curiosity and build foundational skills in science for pre-college students, offers a unique mentored research experience. Each student was paired with a faculty mentor and an undergraduate, graduate or postdoc mentor, diving into hypothesis-driven research and gaining exposure to a wide range of laboratory techniques. From isolating environmental DNA (eDNA) in fish, to investigating potential antibiotic-producing bacteria, to collecting samples from restored prairie sites, to exploring cellular pathways in Alzheimer’s and cancer- related research, the projects were as diverse as they were impactful. Students received ample support throughout the program in designing, creating, and practicing their poster presentations.

In addition to their lab work, students participated in a series of workshops and lectures that broadened their scientific understanding and professional development. Sessions on lab safety, scientific ethics, STEM careers, and college preparation helped round out the experience, ensuring that students not only gained technical knowledge but also insight into the broader scientific community. The program culminated in a poster session , which showcased the students’ work to faculty, peers, and family members, offering them a platform to share their findings and celebrate their accomplishments.

Now in its ninth year, the EMU High School Summer Science Research Program continues to grow, thanks to generous support from the Michigan Space Grant Consortium, the National Science Foundation, Toyota Drives Possibilities, and EMU’s Office of Graduate Studies and Research/Research Development and Administration. Their support helps provide local students with an unforgettable opportunity to explore the world of scientific research—and maybe even see themselves in it.

From June 23-27, 2025, the fifth floor of Pray-Harrold was filled with chatter and the sound of clicking computer mice. Robots raced, and drones flew – all coded by a group of about 30 middle school girls. 

For the ninth year, the Bits and Bytes Summer Camp ran for one week from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The camp is hosted by the Eastern Michigan University Department of Computer Science and led by the department head, Krish Narayanan, as well as four peer mentors from the Women in Computer Science Club. 

Narayanan said that she handpicks these mentors, usually students she has met in classes or in the club. She said the most basic requirement is at least one to two semesters of coding classes.

Additionally, she looks for students who are open-minded and willing to help. She said she recognizes the stereotype of introverted computer science students and wants to show a different side. 

Sponsored by NASA’s Michigan Space Grant Consortium, Bits and Bytes is completely free aside from a $50 registration fee. Scholarships are also available to help cover that fee.

NASA's sponsorship pays for the technology, free merchandise, a variety of snacks, peer mentorship positions, and more. It also allows the attendees to take certain things home; for example, some take home a mini computer, while others take the mini Ozobot robots.

Narayanan said the goal of having the camp be almost entirely free is to attract local girls and make computer science accessible to more people. 

The overall goal of the club, Narayanan said, is to get middle school girls into the camp and provide them with different opportunities to learn and explore coding. 

To keep coding accessible and the attendees interested, the camp uses block-based coding as opposed to Java or Python typed code. 

Block-based coding takes blocks of pre-typed commands and allows users to drag and drop them, connecting them to make the program do what they want. 

They use this style of coding as the foundation for everything done in the camp, from playing soccer with mini robots to programming a mini computer. 

During the camp, the girls fly drones, code a mini computer, tour campus, and participate in a mock hackathon. They also learn to code Ozobots, send them through a maze, have them play soccer, and send them on a pretend space mission.

The Ozobots, drones and mazes have been around since the beginning of the camp. However, the mini computers, called Micro:Bit, are new this year. 

With the block-based coding method, users can program the computers to do a variety of things, from counting steps to spelling words.

The 2025 camp features new mini computers called Micro:bits that can be programmed to do a variety of tasks such as count steps or spell words on their LED light display.

At the end of each day, attendees' parents are invited to see a demonstration of what was done that day. 

On the last day of camp, parents are also invited for the closing ceremony. In the afternoon, there is a guest speaker, student panel, and award ceremony for the mock hackathon winners. 

The mock hackathon takes place the morning of the last day and requires attendees to apply the skills they have learned throughout the camp to create a prototype designed to teach elementary students something valuable, such as how to add numbers or how the heart functions.

The Computing Camps Participant Code of Conduct reads as follows: 1. Respect the camp staff and learn from them, 2. Follow their instructions, 3. Be considerate to my fellow campers and not hurt them in any way, either their feelings or physically, 4. Take good care of the computers and other equipment I am allowed to use, and 5. Inform the staff immediately if I experience any problems. As a participant, I will NOT 1. Disrupt the camp in any way, 2. Leave the camp room without permission, 3. Eat in the computer lab, 4. Use cell phone during camp hours, and 5. Browse the internet or use social media during camp hours.  

According to Narayanan, the camp has become so popular that some girls will come multiple years in a row.

This also led her to create the GigaBytes Summer Camp, a similar camp for high school girls. 

The GigaBytes camp teaches more complex coding; for example, participants learn to program drones to fly through hoops and buildings and program their own mini robots. 

2025 will be the third year for the GigaBytes camp, and it will take place July 21-25. Those interested in attending can sign via the registration form on the EMU Department of Computer Science website. 

Since the camp has become so popular and the materials can now be taken home, the Bits and Bytes camp has compiled all the coding technology used into their own free website. Then, their attendees can practice more at home, even after the camp has concluded.

The website is also accessible to those who have not attended camp but are interested in learning to code. 

The Ozobots can be dressed up and carry things around. This Ozobot is carrying a paper cutout to gather and push elements of the Mars mat.

Narayanan said it has been extremely rewarding to see how her camp has influenced and inspired the students. She knows of at least three Bits and Bytes attendees who are now studying computer science at EMU.

Narayanan got the idea to start a coding camp when her daughter was in middle school, four years before it came to EMU. She noticed how her daughter’s peers started to lose interest in math and science. So, she took action and taught her daughter and a few of her friends coding in her basement. 

This inspired her daughter to help find funding to bring the camp to EMU and create a full summer experience out of it. 

This funding has also allowed the camp to bring in a middle school teacher this year. The teacher will be able to take some of the materials back to their school and create their own computer science club. 

Bits and Bytes has found great success at EMU. It even continued online during COVID, and now it is expanding to create a second camp.

Annabelle P., a current camp member, said, “I was worried about making friends, but everyone here is so nice, and I’m having so much fun.”

Check out a full gallery of the camp on the Eastern Echo Website.

Read the full Eastern Echo Article.