December 10, 2025

EagleEye

A Newsletter for UMW Faculty and Staff

Mathews Included in “The ‘Sinners’ Movie Syllabus” by AAIHS

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Professor of Religious Studies Mary Beth Mathews

Professor of Religious Studies Mary Beth Mathews was recently featured in the African American Intellectual History Society’s (AAHSI) “The ‘Sinners’ Movie Syllabus.” In the May 2025 Black Perspectives newsletter, Dr. Jemar Tisby and Dr. Keisha N. Blain included Mathews’ 2017 book, Doctrine and Race: African American Evangelicals and Fundamentalism Between the Wars in the curated educational resource for instructors who wish to contextualize the recent film Sinners, released earlier this year. Such interdisciplinary syllabi help foster critical inquiry and dialogue about popular culture and recent events.

Farnsworth Analyzes Potential Presidential Endorsement in VA Governor Race for Yahoo News

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Professor of Political Science and International Affairs and Director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies Stephen Farnsworth

Professor of Political Science and International Affairs and Director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies Stephen Farnsworth

Professor of Political Science and International Affairs and Director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies Stephen Farnsworth was quoted in a Yahoo News article titled “Trump suggests he may endorse Earle-Sears for VA governor.” In the article, Farnsworth noted that Trump often endorses candidates he views as likely winners, and told the news outlet, “The polls are really unfavorable right now, and it might be a really difficult environment to get a full-throated endorsement.” Read the full article from Yahoo News.

Other media mentions for Farnsworth include:

Trump’s backup at Russia talks shows hesitation on quick deal (CHCH)
CHCH News Anchor Matt Ingram spoke with American Presidency and International Relations expert from the University of Washington in Virginia, Steven Farnsworth about Trump’s meeting with Putin on Friday. Farnsworth suspects Trump brought backup with him to the meeting that was originally set to be one-on-one because Secretary of State Marco Rubio will ensure a good deal for everyone involved and not settle for a quick deal. Read more in CHCH.
Host and comedian Stephen Colbert, the new “face” of the resistance against Donald Trump (20 Minutes, Paris, France)
Deprived of The Late Show, Stephen Colbert could lose his megaphone. Wherever he goes, “with Trump’s approval rating below 40% in recent US polls, there is clearly an audience for the content he offers,” notes Stephen Farnsworth, professor of political science at the University of Mary Washington and co-author of the book Late-Night in Washington: Political Humor and the American Presidency. Read more in 20 Minutes.

Burke Appears on ‘PS: I Love U(MW)’ Series

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Center for Career and Professional Development Student Experience Manager Emily Burke

CCPD Student Experience Manager Emily Burke

As UMW’s Student Experience Manager in the Center for Career and Professional Development, Emily Burke believes our students are what truly set us apart. A proud alumna herself, Emily is passionate about helping students grow — before they arrive on campus, while they’re here, and long after they graduate. From coordinating our Career & Internship Fair to cheering on students at campus events, she’s always looking for ways to help Eagles reach their full potential. Burke appears this week on the PS: I Love U(MW) social media series. See the episode! See all the PS: I Love U(MW) episodes on @marywash Instagram.

Schultz Quoted in Northern Neck Electric Cooperative Living

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Director of Design Services and Multimedia Manager Maria Schultz was quoted in the Northern Neck Electric Cooperative Living publication in an article titled “The Dog (and Cat) Days of Summer.”

Shultz, who is also a certified canine fitness trainer, made recommendations to consider before committing to bring your cat or dog along for a family trip. Read the full story.

Blevins Publishes Book Chapters on Generative AI and Emerging Media Pedagogy

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Associate Professor of English & Linguistics Brenta Blevis

Associate Professor of English & Linguistics Brenta Blevins

Associate Professor Brenta Blevins in the Department of English & Linguistics has recently published two book chapters exploring literacy pedagogy in the context of emerging technologies.

Her chapter, “A Generative AI (GAI) Writing Pedagogy: How Composition Pedagogy Can Inform the GAI Turn,” appears in the 2025 Routledge collection Rethinking Writing Education in the Age of Generative AI. The chapter examines how established composition theories can guide the development of generative AI literacy and instruction and offers strategies for integrating generative AI into writing pedagogy.

A second chapter, co-authored with Wagner College Associate Professor of English/Director of the Writing Center Lindsay Sabatino and published in Impact of Emergent Technologies on Writing Centers and Pedagogy (2025), explores how writing centers and faculty development can cultivate digital literacy. Titled “Encouraging Emergent Technological Exploration through Pedagogy of Play: How Centers Can Promote Digital Literacy,” the chapter highlights how playful, exploratory approaches can support student engagement and learning with digital media and technologies — including virtual and augmented reality, photography, and generative AI — across instructional environments.

Spencer Comments on White House Renovation Plans in The New York Times

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Professor of Historic Preservation Michael Spencer

Professor of Historic Preservation Michael Spencer

Professor of Historic Preservation Michael Spencer was quoted in The New York Times in a story examining President Trump’s plans to renovate the White House with a proposed new ballroom. “In most cases, you’re not going to have a lot of binding obligations to historic buildings,” Spencer noted, addressing preservation concerns related to federal properties. Read the full story.

Segelken Named to Fredericksburg Chamber Leadership Class of 2026

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Teresa Segelken, UMW's new director of Continuing and Professional Studies

Director of Continuing and Professional Studies Teresa Segelken

Director of Continuing and Professional Studies Teresa Segelken has been selected for the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Class of 2026. The program brings together a cohort of 33 established and emerging leaders from across the region for a year-long curriculum in leadership development and community engagement. Participants represent a range of industries and will gain deeper insight into how local institutions and businesses operate. Read the full story.

Williams Analyzes Campaign Music Choices in VPM Election Coverage

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James Farmer Multicultural Center Assistant Director Christopher Williams

James Farmer Multicultural Center Assistant Director Christopher Williams

Chris Williams, assistant director of the James Farmer Multicultural Center and a member of the Recording Academy, was featured in VPM discussing the use of campaign music by Virginia gubernatorial candidates. Williams noted that the music selected by Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears “signals that she has her own plans and own future,” reflecting strategic messaging through sound. Read the full story.

Davison and Ecklund Present at the National AHEAD Conference

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Director of the Office of TIX & ADA Compliance Ruth Davison

Director of the Office of TIX & ADA Compliance Ruth Davison

Director of the Office of Disability Resources Alex Ecklund

Director of the Office of Disability Resources Alex Ecklund

Director of the Office of TIX & ADA Compliance Ruth Davison and Director of the Office of Disability Resources Alex Ecklund had a program selected for the 2025 national conference of the Association on Higher Education and Disability in Denver, CO.

Their presentation entitled “One Campus’ Journey to Improve Accessibility Across Indoor and Outdoor Spaces” focused on UMW’s capital projects to enhance accessibility.

Rao Presents on AI Literacy at Regional Teacher Workshop

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Professor and Chair of the Department of Communication and Digital Studies Anand Rao presented “Building Chatbots for AI Literacy” at the AI Ready RVA Teacher & AI Summer Workshop in Richmond. The two-day event brought together educators focused on integrating artificial intelligence into classrooms in responsible and engaging ways. Rao shared insights from his work with Playlab AI and praised the workshop for its commitment to supporting teacher development.