缅北禁地

In this issue, we celebrate the accomplishments of faculty and staff in accounting, college programs, food and nutrition, history, physics, political science, and religion. We also share information about open enrollment for the Meredith Autism Program鈥檚 inclusive, play-based preschool classroom.

Assistant Dean of Students Daphne Davis and Coordinator of Campus Community and Culture Liliana Madrid were honored to present at the 2025 TRIO Student Access & Success Conference hosted by North Carolina Central University. Their session, titled “Telling Your Story: Empowering First-Gen Students Through Narrative,” focused on helping first-generation college students reflect on their lived experiences and harness the power of storytelling for personal and professional development.

This engaging workshop empowered participants to explore and articulate their unique narratives through interactive exercises that fostered self-awareness, confidence, and communication skills. By creating a supportive and affirming space, the session celebrated the diverse journeys of first-gen students while equipping them with tools to advocate for themselves and connect with others through the power of their stories.

Professor of History Dan Fountain had an op-ed picked up by McClatchy Media. is a response to an editorial by a Heritage Foundation author who praised the Gilded Age as an economic model for our future.聽聽

Assistant Professor of Physics Amy L. Glazier successfully defended her dissertation, 鈥淩ed Stars, Green Planets: Evaluating Planetary Habitability in Light of M-dwarf Superflares,鈥� at UNC-Chapel Hill on April 15.聽

Professor of Religion Shannon Grimes was invited to present her paper, “Gnosis and the Divine Image: An Alchemical Perspective on Spiritual Transformation,” at the Gnostic Imagination Initiative held at Rice University in Houston on March 27-28. This small conference included scholars from several countries and inaugurated a new book series, Gnostic Imagination, to be published by De Gruyter Brill.

Dr. Nancy L. Johnson, Instructor of Accounting, presented a teaching case, 鈥淒eath of a Funeral Home: A Case of Financial Analysis and Succession Planning,” in the Society of Case Research track of the MBAA International Conference, in Chicago on April 11. This SoLT scholarly work is based on a real-life North Carolina century-old, family-run funeral home business facing succession planning and the long-range financial impacts that COVID-19 has had on the funeral industry.

Professor of Political Science David McLennan, along with Associate Professor of Political Science Whitney Ross Manzo, presented a paper, 鈥淧olitical Polarization and the 2024 Elections in North Carolina,鈥� at the North Carolina Political Science Association Conference. He also planned and hosted the conference at Meredith in February. In addition, he presented a paper, 鈥淭he Legacies of Slavery: Preparing Young Women of Color for Public Leadership,鈥� at the 2025 Campus Compact annual conference. Finally, he published an op-ed in The Charlotte Observer and The News and Observer on the state legislature attempting to remove the Attorney General鈥檚 power to sue the federal government.

Cathie Ostrowski, Dietetic Internship Director and Assistant Professor of Practice in Food and Nutrition, had a new publication in the . The article’s title is Timing of Enteral Nutrition for Critically Ill Patients on Vasopressor Support:聽 A Systematic Review.聽

News Briefs

Play. Learn. Belong. Enrollment Open for MAP Preschool Classroom
(MAP) is excited to announce open enrollment for our inclusive, play-based preschool classroom for the upcoming 2025-26 school year. Faculty and staff can also take advantage of a 50% discount on monthly tuition.聽聽

This classroom experience is designed for children ages three to five without a diagnosis of autism to serve as peer models and learn alongside the children enrolled in autism services at MAP.聽 Our classroom focuses on social-emotional growth, hands-on learning, and meaningful peer connections in a nurturing, inclusive environment.聽 The Explorers Inclusive Preschool Classroom is a half-day (9 a.m.- 12:30 p.m.) program that runs Monday-Friday from September 2025 through May 2026. The preschool is located in Ledford Hall as part of the Meredith Autism Program.聽聽

Spaces are limited – enroll now to secure your spot in a classroom where every child belongs, plays, and thrives.聽 Have questions? We’re happy to chat and also open to tours and playdates!聽 Email autism@meredith.edu or call at 919-760-8707.