Southern’s School of Education, Psychology and Counseling has received the 2025 Frank Murray Leadership Recognition for Continuous Improvement, a national honor awarded by the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation.
The award recognizes educator preparation programs that achieve a perfect accreditation score with no stipulations or areas for improvement. Southern was the only institution in Tennessee selected and is among just 22 programs nationwide to earn the distinction this year.
The recognition follows an intensive accreditation review in fall 2024, during which CAEP evaluators conducted a virtual inspection of faculty, resources and program outcomes, including interviews with students, alumni and mentor teachers. The program was granted accreditation through 2031.
McGrath, director of accreditation and assessment, emphasized the role of community partnerships, including collaboration with local schools and stakeholders, in achieving the honor.
Original story by Isabella Dixon
Students present research overseas
Four graduates from Southern Adventist University’s School of Computing presented their senior capstone research at the Future Technologies Conference in Munich, Germany.
Computer science majors Meg Ermer, Abishur Moses-Pakkianathan and Ivan Vakal, along with information technology major Edwin Regalado, had their papers accepted despite competition from graduate students and industry professionals.
Regalado became the first undergraduate IT major from the university to present at a major international technology conference.
The students’ projects were part of the School of Computing’s capstone program, which requires seniors to complete comprehensive research or creative work demonstrating mastery of their field. Ermer and Moses-Pakkianathan examined artificial intelligence in studying, while Vakal and Regalado analyzed the business applications of virtualization software.
The conference presentations reflect a broader trend of student research gaining international recognition. A separate paper by Corbin Weiss was accepted for the Computing Conference 2026 in London, and Southern students have presented at multiple global conferences in recent years.
In 2024, two students also earned the Best Presentation Award at the Intelligent Systems and Applications Conference for research aimed at preventing misuse of AI-generated images.
Faculty member Harvey Alférez, who directs the university’s Center for Innovation and Research in Computing, says he expects the School of Computing to continue expanding its research efforts, emphasizing the importance of producing knowledge that addresses real-world challenges.
Original story by Isabella Dixon
Psych Pod honors beloved professor
Southern has dedicated a newly renovated student hub for psychology majors, funded through Giving Day donations and named in memory of longtime professor Ruth Williams.
The updated space, known as the Psych Pod, is located within the university’s School of Education, Psychology and Counseling, and serves as a central gathering area for students. Previously used primarily as a workroom for teaching assistants, the renovated space now includes couches, desks, a snack bar and a screen for collaborative work.
The hub honors Williams, affectionately known as “Mama Ruth,” who spent more than 30 years as a professor and served as director of the psychology program for more than two decades before retiring in 2022. She died the following year.
Cristy Pratt, an associate professor who studied under Williams, says her mentorship shaped generations of faculty and students.
“She had a way with students and an ability to simultaneously connect with us and challenge us,” Pratt says. “Students would line up outside her office to talk with her.”
The project was funded through donations from Southern’s 2024 and 2025 Giving Days, an annual fundraising initiative supporting academic and student-focused programs.
Original story by Chehalis Eno
Social work program reaccredited through ’33
Southern Adventist University’s social work programs have been reaccredited through 2033 following a peer-review process by the Council on Social Work Education.
The accreditation covers both the university’s Bachelor of Social Work and Master of Social Work programs, affirming that they meet national standards for training professionals in the field. The BSW program has maintained accreditation for 25 years, while the MSW program was first accredited in 2010.
Laura Racovita, dean of the School of Social Work, says graduates are trained to incorporate spirituality into their work when appropriate while addressing a wide range of social needs.
Southern’s programs emphasize generalist and advanced generalist training, preparing students for careers in areas such as mental health counseling, casework, advocacy and administration.
Racovita noted that graduates’ licensing exam pass rates exceed national averages and many secure employment quickly after graduation.
The reaccreditation process included an extensive self-study, curriculum review and site evaluation by CSWE, assessing areas such as faculty qualifications, student outcomes and program resources.
University officials credited faculty and staff for maintaining high academic and professional standards throughout the review process.
Original story by Tina Frist Smith