UTA In The News — Wednesday, September 29, 2021
Mine safety grant
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration announced UTA is among 13 institutions awarded funds from the Brookwood-Sago Mine Safety grant program, Rock Road Recycle reported. The funding aims to support education and training to help identify, avoid and prevent unsafe working conditions in and around the nation’s mines.
Pandemic and mental health
Philip Baiden, assistant professor at UTA’s School of Social Work, was featured in an article by Access Open Government discussing the mental health effects of pandemic lockdowns. “Respondents who had someone to confide in were six times more likely to be in a state of complete mental health,” Baiden said.
New police chief
Alumnus Joseph Chacon has been named chief of the Austin Police Department, Patch reported. Chacon, who has served as interim chief since March 2021, earned a master’s degree in public administration from UTA.
Alumnus named JEDCO president
UTA alumnus Shane Pace has been named president of the Jacksonville Economic Development Corporation in Jacksonville, Texas, The Jacksonville Progress reported. Pace holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of City and Regional Planning, both from UTA.