UIndy Faculty, Staff Provide Expert Insight to Local & National Media in March

As part of their commitment to “education for service,” faculty and staff at the University of Indianapolis share their expertise with local and national news outlets in order to keep our community informed and to introduce new perspectives on current issues.

UIndy faculty and staff were featured in the following news stories in March:

Dr. Ted Frantz, chair of the history department, along with Chef Taylor Hignite, executive chef of UIndy Dining, the “Rambo of Cooking,” appeared in a highly entertaining live segment for Indy Now on both Fox 59 and WTTV to promote the Fairbanks Symposium. The Symposium also was highlighted in advance by Indiana Ag Connection. Frantz was also featured in an article by the Associated Press after Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Natanyahu for a story which was used in syndication by more than 200 news outlets 

Dr. James Willis, assistant professor of philosophy & religion, was quoted in an article by USA Today about the ongoing religious significance of the total solar eclipse for a story which was also extensively syndicated across the country.

Dr. Sarah Reynolds, assistant professor of physics & Earth-space science, appeared in BG Independent News after participating in the Reddin Symposium in Canadian Studies at Bowling Green State University for an event that focused on the total eclipse.

Dr. Ken Reid, associate dean and director of engineering, was featured, along with some UIndy students, in an article for the Indianapolis Business Journal which profiled the R.B. Annis School of Engineering and its DesignSpine curriculum which focuses on practical experience by connecting with real-world problems and clients.

Dr. Nathan Johnson, assistant professor of religion, was quoted in the weekly Teaching newsletter from The Chronicle of Higher Education for how he has changed his class to use reading logs to try to tackle the problem of stale discussion posts as well as the usage of artificial intelligence.

Dr. Nick Soltis, assistant professor of physics & Earth-space science, was one of three featured guests for a 30-minute conversation for the Indiana Lawmakers Show on WFYI for an episode which focused on the tension of the policy priorities of the environment versus the economy.

Cyndi Carrasco, vice president and general counsel, was interviewed by WIBC about her first bill as a Republican state senator which would increase the amount of money a Hoosier can receive from the State Disaster Relief Fund.

Dr. Douglas Woodwell, professor of international relations, was highlighted by The Republic for an upcoming presentation about realignment in the Midwest, a ‘Great Decisions’ discussion event organized by Indiana University Columbus and the Mill Race Center.

Carissa Newton, assistant professor of practice in marketing, provided her expertise and advice to WalletHub for an article about credit cards that are offered by individual stores or retail establishments.

Dr. Krista Latham, professor of biology and anthropology, as well as the director of the Human Identification Center, was cited by the Allen County Sheriff’s Department as helping in the identification of human remains found near I-469 on WPTA. She was able to help the Allen County Coroner’s Office identify them as a missing 31-year-old man as reported by WPTA. Latham and the entire anthropology team were cited by several news outlets including WISH-TV and WRTV when human remains were found near the Bloomington airport in Monroe County.

Dr. Matt Will, associate professor of finance, provided his expertise in economic news for multiple interviews by Tony Katz on WIBC.

Carey Dahncke, executive director of the Center of Excellence in Leadership of Learning (CELL), explained how CELL’s Urban College Acceleration Network helps students in IPS and other districts plan early so that they can achieve greater academic success in higher education in an article about college preparation for Chalkbeat.

Dr. Gregory Shufeldt, associate professor of political science, co-wrote an op-ed for the Indiana Capital Chronicle examining Equal Pay Day and the pay gap between men and women, as well as the even greater discrepancies between other demographic groups.

Board of Trustee Kevin Armstrong was quoted by the Indianapolis Recorder as part of the announcement that Tamika Catchings would be receiving the first Kevin R. Armstrong Ethical Leadership Award.

School of Business Dean Karl Knapp talked to PYMNTS about how artificial intelligence can be a great first step to understand the basics about a subject, following the $1 billion investment in AI-powered tech education by Accenture.

Kate Coffman, associate vice president of marketing and enrollment support, was the featured guest on the Higher Ed Demand Gen podcast as she discussed how higher education professionals can deal with the hurdles after the recent FAFSA changes as well as creating a genuine sense of belonging with prospective students.

Kent Hickey, adjunct professor of jazz trumpet, was the featured trumpet soloist for the Indianapolis Symphonic Band’s performance at the Warren Performing Arts Center as mentioned by Do317.

Police Chief Brandon Pate demonstrated to WRTV how UIndy’s FLOCK cameras have dramatically curbed vehicle thefts and reduced other crimes on campus.

Dr. Laura Merrifield Wilson, associate professor of political science, was one of the featured panelists for the 30-minute IN Focus show which airs on Fox 59 as well as in Evansville, Fort Wayne and Terre Haute. She also joined host Jon Schwantes on the 30-minute Indiana Lawmakers show on WFYI for a recap of the Indiana legislative session. She penned an op-ed about the importance of facilitating critical thinking in the classroom for the Indiana Capital Chronicle, talked to the Indianapolis Star about the Statehouse fight over birth control as well as Attorney General Todd Rokita’s questioning of Gov. Eric Holcomb’s pandemic restrictions, and was interviewed by the Indianapolis Business Journal about legislation that is likely next year to limit the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) as well as Holcomb’s message to Republican gubernatorial candidates to give details on their agenda. She also analyzed Gov. Holcomb’s message to the other candidates for WTHR. She provided analysis to WPTA after the Republican gubernatorial debate as well as the overall Republican gubernatorial race a few weeks later. She was one of the in-studio political analysts on Fox 59 after the first televised debate in the gubernatorial race. She also was a live guest after the gubernatorial debate for The Hammer and Nigel show on WIBC.

Are you a UIndy faculty or staff member who was recently featured in the media? Let the Office of Communications and Marketing know at newsdesk@uindy.edu to be included in the next monthly update.