UTA In The News — Monday, March 30, 2020
Online teaching and learning
Peggy Semingson, UTA associate professor in the College of Education, was quoted in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram about how coronavirus has reshaped college. Semingson is celebrating her colleagues’ quick adaptation to distance learning. She has been teaching online classes since 2008 and compiled a six-part YouTube series on how to teach virtually. “This is a long-term skill set teachers need,” she said, noting that there appears to be no clear end to the viral outbreak. UTA student Mollie Blashka also was quoted in the story.
National Academy of Inventors
Four UTA faculty members are selected as Senior Members of the National Academy of Inventors for 2020, Dallas Innovates reported. They are: Pranesh Aswath, professor of materials science and engineering; Wei Chen, professor of physics; Haiying Huang, professor of mechanical engineering; and Robert Woods, professor of mechanical engineering.
Student impact
The Society19 blog outlined all the steps UTA has taken to lessen students’ burdens during the COVID-19 pandemic.
International students
International college students in Texas are struggling to find a way to their home countries or figuring out how to survive, The Dallas Morning News reported. The story quoted Nilav Vaghasiya, a UTA graduate student set to earn his master’s degree in computer science and engineering. He needs a full-time job after graduation that is related to his major in order to qualify for an “optional practical training” extension that would allow him to remain in the U.S. “There’s a lot of tension related to student visas right now,” Vaghasiya said. “Emotionally, a lot of us are weak right now. I’m just hoping for the best."
Commencements postponed
Spring commencements at UTA and other North Texas colleges were postponed last week, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported.