Highlander Highlights: Week of Sept. 21, 2026

Highlander Highlights shares with readers some of the extraordinary research and accomplishments happening on and off campus through the tireless work and curiosity of our students, staff, alumni and faculty.

 

Building connections, discovering the NRV

This summer, five Radford University interns gained professional experience and discovered new ways to connect with the New River Valley through The NRV Experience, a regional involvement and professional development program created by Onward New River Valley in partnership with Radford and other organizations.

The program ran from June 11 to July 31 and included professional development workshops, half-day excursions and networking with interns from across the region.

For many participants, the experience provided a new perspective on the place they call home.

“I have always planned to stay in the NRV, but the internship program has shown me so many new things to do here,” said Nicholas (Caleb) Laws, a junior from Christiansburg, Virginia, who interned with Radford’s Enrollment Management and Strategic Communication division. He gained stronger professional skills and understanding of workplace communication: “I have learned that it is important how you speak, how you are professional, and how you communicate,” he said.

His favorite excursion was floating the New River, where he enjoyed time on the water, pizza and connecting with fellow interns.

Kyleigh Mills, a senior from Fincastle, Virginia, majoring in human resources management and minoring in Spanish, said the program reinforced her desire to remain in the area.

“I am very likely to stay here after graduation, because I have learned so much about the community that is here,” she said.

Mills’ internship with Radford’s Division of Economic Development and Corporate Education also introduced her to career paths in higher education and economic development, including talent acquisition, an area aligned with her goals.

For Desi Yopp '22, who’s pursuing a Master of Fine Arts in design thinking, the Mountain Lake Lodge excursion was a highlight. Through her work with the IMPACT Lab, she also developed skills in accessibility, design and Adobe Acrobat. 

“Having instructional design experience is a great thing, as it enables me to pursue more in this field,” she said.

 

Science Expo 2026 showcases STEM at Radford

Science came to life across the Artis College of Science and Technology on Friday, Sept. 4, as students, faculty, staff and visitors explored hands-on activities and demonstrations during Science Expo 2026. 

The sixth annual Science Expo was the largest in the event’s history, giving visitors a chance to discover the many programs, disciplines and experiences available through the Artis College. The planetarium, Museum of the Earth Sciences and greenhouse were all open during the event, while faculty, staff and students from departments and programs throughout the college offered interactive demonstrations and activities. 

"It gives students across campus the chance to visit the Artis College building and all its features, like the greenhouse and planetarium,” said Kristina Stefaniak, associate professor of chemistry, who also led the organizing committee. “The best part is that every major in the college is showcased with different activities, like flint knapping, drones, glassblowing, and salamander trading cards." And no expo would be complete without a treat: Approximately 300 liquid-nitrogen-cooled ice cream cones were served during the afternoon. 

The event offered a snapshot of the wide range of STEM opportunities within Artis College. Visitors were able to see how classroom learning, research and hands-on discovery come together at Radford. Science Expo also gave the Artis College community a chance to connect and introduced prospective students and visitors to the possibilities available through STEM education. 

The success of Science Expo 2026 was made possible through the work of many faculty and staff led by the event’s organizing committee: Stefaniak, Chet Bhatta, Melissa DeBiasse, Stephanie Huckestein, Sarah Kennedy, Sandy Liss, Stockton Maxwell and Tara Pelletier.Organizers also expressed their appreciation to RISE and the Artis College for their support. 

 

Risk management isn’t fun and games

Cornhole boards may seem better suited to a backyard barbecue than a college classroom. But it turns out they’re handy tools for demonstrating aspects of risk management.

 Inspired by the academic research of Kevin C. Ahlgrim and James R. Jones, Zach Collier, associate professor and director of Radford’s Center for Applied Analytics, brought the game into his Enterprise Risk Management class to demonstrate ways of thinking about risk and uncertainty.

“In the first round, each team threw eight cornhole bags, and I recorded the total points on the board,” Collier said. “In the second round, each team again threw eight bags, this time with the points representing ‘losses.’ But beforehand, the other non-throwing teams played the role of insurance companies, which had to submit quotes (in the form of sealed bids) for insurance policies covering the losses, with the lowest quote gaining the business.

“So, for example, if an insurance team was awarded the policy and quoted 10 points, and the throwing team threw eight points, the insurance company would get two points of profit. At the end, some teams had positive profits, while others incurred losses.”

Collier said the game illustrated one of the key difficulties of risk management: trying to forecast the future based on historical data.

“Also, there was a strategic element due to the competitive nature of the insurance market – quote too high, and you won't get any business; quote too low, and you might incur a loss!”

 

Faculty member recognized for leadership in dance education

Ji-Eun Lee, associate professor of dance, has received the Outstanding Leadership Award in Higher Education from the National Dance Education Organization (NDEO).

Lee was the sole higher education recipient of the national award, which recognizes leadership in dance education. The honor adds to a series of recent recognitions for Lee, who was nominated last year for the Donald N. Dedmon Distinguished Teaching Professor Award and this year for the Outstanding Honors Faculty Award.

Lee credits a faculty leadership grant she received four years ago with helping shape her continued growth as an educator, mentor and university leader. Through the grant, she gained perspectives from different organizations that continue to influence her teaching and work with students and the Radford community.

“I truly believe that much of my growth and these achievements would not have been possible without the opportunity you created through the grant,” Lee wrote in a letter to President Bret Danilowicz.

Lee also has been working with the McGlothlin Center for Global Education and Engagement to build relationships with universities in Korea and explore opportunities to promote Radford and recruit Korean students.

This week's Highlights was written by David Horton and Pam McCallister.