•  Robbie Melton Appointed Founding Member of Center for Digital Education’s AI Council

  

  NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) — Dr. Robbie Melton, a leading authority in artificial intelligence and higher education, has been appointed a founding member of the Center for Digital Education’s Higher Education AI Council. Recognized as one of the 2025 Leading Women in AI, Melton serves as the provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, as well as the vice president for Technology Innovations at Tennessee State University. She also heads the TSU SMART Global Technology Innovation Center, a renowned hub for advancing AI research and applications in education.

  

  In a congratulatory letter, Brian Cohen, vice president of the CDE, commended Melton’s contributions and emphasized the council's role in shaping how higher education integrates artificial intelligence across various dimensions such as teaching, research, administration, and institutional strategies. "Your involvement presents a distinctive chance to collaborate and provide critical insights into the AI landscape," Cohen stated.

  The Higher Education AI Council is designed to serve as an essential platform for exchanging ideas and formulating strategies that will help institutions effectively navigate the rapidly evolving AI environment in an ethical manner, according to the CDE.

  

  “I am honored to be a part of this esteemed group dedicated to transforming education through AI,” Melton said, highlighting TSU's global influence in the field. She noted that, as part of the SMART AI for All Applied Research Center, which is recognized internationally for its excellence in AI applications in education, the center has trained over 10,000 faculty, staff, students, and community members across more than 32 countries.

  She said the center serves as a testing ground for innovative AI tools and technologies, ensuring that TSU remains at the cutting edge of technological progress. “We are committed to enhancing AI literacy, refining institutional strategies, and advocating for the ethical and practical adoption of AI in education,” Melton noted. “Our mission is to empower all learners. With a global team of AI Educational Super Users, we aim to improve learning experiences and strengthen communities worldwide.”

  As Dr. Melton takes on this new role within the Higher Education AI Council, her appointment adds to an already impressive array of accolades. Earlier this year, she was recognized among over 200 distinguished women at The AI SHOW @ ASU+GSV for her impactful work in advancing AI within educational technology and research. She is also a member of the Southern Regional Education Board Commission on Artificial Intelligence in Education.

  For further details on TSU’s SMART Center, visit TSU SMART Center.

  Featured photo: Dr. Robbie Melton, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, was recognized among over 200 distinguished women for their work in advancing AI within educational technology and research. (Photo by Aaron Grayson/TSU)

  About Tennessee State University

  Founded in 1912, Tennessee State University is Nashville’s only public land-grant university offering 41 bachelor’s degrees, 15 graduate certificates, 27 master’s degrees, and nine doctoral degrees. TSU’s campus spans 500 acres. The university is committed to academic excellence, providing students with a quality education in a nurturing and innovative environment that prepares them as alumni to be global leaders. Visit tnstate.edu for more details.

• TSU celebrates 135 Years of the Second Morrill Act of 1890

  

  By Charlie Morrison

  NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – This year marks the 135th anniversary of the Second Morrill Act of 1890, legislation that reshaped American higher education and established the 1890 land-grant university system. For Tennessee State University, one of 19 historically Black colleges and universities designated as land grant institutions under the Act, the milestone is historic.

  To honor the anniversary, the TSU College of Agriculture led celebrations on campus and represented the university nationwide. Earlier this month, Dr. Chandra Reddy, dean of the college, traveled to Washington, D.C., joining leaders from fellow 1890 institutions for a series of events commemorating the occasion. Highlights included the Cyber and AI Games in Agriculture, a reception, and a photo exhibit showcasing the “19 Strong Legacy Pathway.” Each event emphasized the legacy and ongoing impact of the land-grant HBCUs created under the 1890 Act.

  

  Reddy said the anniversary provides an important moment to reflect on both progress and promise. “TSU is a proud 1890 land-grant university serving students and the public since its founding in 1912,” he said. “We evolved from a simple agricultural education facility to a major, research-intensive institution offering a variety of programs, including several Ph.D. degree programs.”

  At the heart of the celebrations was the legislation itself, which created a system of HBCU land grant institutions in states where African Americans were denied access to public higher education. That legacy continues to shape TSU today.

  Over the years, the College of Agriculture has built a reputation for excellence in teaching, research, and extension. With hundreds of undergraduate and graduate students, more than 70 faculty members, 37 state-of-the-art laboratories, and Cooperative Extension agents serving communities across Tennessee, the college remains central to TSU’s mission.

  “We have employees on the ground in 65 of the state’s 95 counties, directly supporting producers, 4-H students (a national youth development program), families, and the public at large,” Reddy explained. “Through state-of-the-art research facilities on and off campus, we are addressing the challenges faced by stakeholders. These teaching, research, and Extension programs are having a positive impact on Tennessee agriculture.”

  In recent decades, TSU’s research portfolio has grown steadily. Faculty and students are leading advancements in food security, renewable energy, and environmental sustainability. This work benefits Tennessee while also addressing global challenges that will define the future of agriculture and society.

  The legacy of the 1890 institutions extends far beyond classrooms and laboratories. For generations, these universities have opened doors for first-generation and economically disadvantaged students, strengthened rural communities, supported small farmers, and empowered families to thrive.

  From its founding in 1912, TSU embraced this charge and has emerged as a national leader in agricultural research, community outreach, and student achievement.

  Learn more about the College of Agriculture at www.tnstate.edu/agriculture/.

• Academic honors grow as TSU strengthens student success

  

  NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – Tennessee State University students are proving that academic excellence is not just a goal, but a standard. Last semester, more than half of TSU’s full-time undergraduates earned a spot on the Dean’s List, which requires a grade point average of 3.0 or higher. The achievement reflects a steady rise in student success over the past two years.

  

  For seniors like Breyana Brown, the recognition reflects both personal effort and TSU’s strong support systems. A Memphis native and a pre-med biology major, Brown said she experienced a major turnaround in her sophomore year, after a big drop in her grades the previous year. “I made an academic comeback,” she said. “I got set up with my academic coach at the time and she talked to me about what to do next and how to elevate my academic experience and grades.”

  Brown, who earned all A’s over the summer and secured a place on the Dean’s List, credits tutoring, advisement, and one-on-one coaching with keeping her on track.

  “Academically, there is still a strong foundation being built,” she said, urging incoming students never be ashamed of not knowing the answer. “That is what college is for. To figure out your why and your answer. Take pride in gaining more insight.” She said the Office of Tutoring was instrumental in keeping her focused by connecting her with the right resources and mentors.

  University data reflects similar stories across the student body. In spring 2023, 46% of full-time undergraduates made the Dean’s List. That number rose to 54% the following spring and climbed again this year, with 60% of students reaching the milestone. The upward trend is tied to intentional support services and faculty engagement that help students stay on course from their first semester to graduation.

  

  EAB Navigate, the university’s advising and early alert system, allows faculty and academic coaches to monitor student progress and intervene quickly when challenges arise.

  Dr. Johnnie Smith, assistant vice president for Academic Affairs and Student Support, said the system ensures no student falls through the cracks. “We have student success specialists, formerly known as academic advisors, who do advising, coaching, mentoring, and counseling,” Smith said. “Each specialist is assigned students with touch points, and the system allows us to involve not only coaches and tutors, but also faculty, so the pipeline of support is seamless.”

  In addition, TSU’s Passionate About Student Success Tutoring Department, another major resource, plays a key role, offering 24-hour in-person and virtual support, along with specialized tutoring for majors such as biology, and test preparation for exams like the MCAT.

  

  Dr. Robbie Melton, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, said the results show what happens when both students and faculty are intentional about success. “Our goal is not just to retain students, but to graduate them. That means making sure they know about and take advantage of the resources that are here for them,” Melton said. “We have seen an increase in faculty engagement through tools like EAB Navigate, which allow us to identify early warning signs and step in before a student falls too far behind.”

  In highlighting other areas of academic achievement, the Honors College continues to attract top talent from across the nation. Dr. Coreen Jackson, dean of Honors College, noted that enrollment has shown a steady upward trend over the past three years.

  Last semester, nearly 750 students were enrolled in the program, all meeting the minimum requirement of a 3.4 GPA or higher.

  Speaking on student support, Smith emphasized that this momentum reflects the university’s commitment to excellence. “When students are intentional and the university is intentional, academic excellence is the result,” she said.

  For student tutoring and advising resources, visit the Academic Achievement & Retention Center.

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Since making their way to big blue, the three have received quite a few triple takes from their fellow classmates.

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Since making their way to big blue, the three have received quite a few triple takes from their fellow classmates.

This trio has quickly become involved on campus joining organization such as the New Directions Gospel Choir, the Academics Success Program and the Honors Program, and look forward to participating in the Pre-Alumni Council and Leadership TSU in the coming academic year. They also maintain a brotherly competition, particularly when it comes to academic achievement.

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