June 30, 2026

EagleEye

A Newsletter for UMW Faculty and Staff

Farnsworth Comments in the News

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Professor of Political Science Stephen Farnsworth

Professor of Political Science Stephen Farnsworth

Stephen Farnsworth, professor of political science and director of the University’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies, recently commented on the following news stories:

Local educators resist Youngkin’s criticisms of classroom instruction (Axios)

Mask mandates are going away as Covid cases persist. What’s changed? (The Washington Post)

In a purple district in purple Virginia, soaring inflation takes the stage in the midterms battle (USA Today; MSN)

Schapiro: An aggravation that lawmakers, especially Democrats, don’t need (Bristol Herald-Courier)

Ukraine Tops State of the Union (CTV News)

Biden Delivers State of Union (CTV News)

A Government Divided (Connection Newspapers)

How impactful was Zelenskyy’s Speech to Congress? (CP 24 Toronto)

Southwest ‘really flexed its muscle this year’ (Cardinal News)

 

Young Named UMW Associate Provost for Career and Workforce

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UMW’s Kimberly Young has been named Associate Provost for Career and Workforce.

UMW’s Kimberly Young has been named Associate Provost for Career and Workforce.

Kimberly Young has been named associate provost for Career and Workforce at the University of Mary Washington. The announcement was made Tuesday by Interim Provost Tim O’Donnell in an e-mail to the campus community.

For nearly five years, Young has served as UMW’s executive director of Continuing and Professional Studies, a role in which she has forged relationships across the region and around the Commonwealth. As associate provost, she will now also assume responsibility for the Center for Career and Professional Development.

“This move is strategic,” O’Donnell said. “As a University, we need to leverage the connections Young has made in order to create opportunities for our students to prepare for life and careers after Mary Washington. This will give students greater opportunities to pursue internships and other applied employment-based learning experiences while also meeting regional and statewide workforce needs.”

Young will focus on creating innovative partnerships that will lead to meaningful work experiences through which Mary Washington students can apply their academic knowledge and critical thinking skills.

“We want employers to know that our students – with their high-quality liberal arts and sciences background – are prepared to excel in the workforce upon graduation and to grow as leaders in their communities well into the future,” said UMW President Troy Paino.

Young added: “As an academic institution guided by the principles of critical thinking and the fearless exploration of knowledge, we are obligated to prepare our students to lead in life and in work.”

Young has more than two decades of industry and academic experience. Prior to joining UMW, she was at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, where she oversaw the Executive MBA program and established the Executive Education Center. She was responsible for key collaborative relationships including an extensive multi-year partnership with a global healthcare organization.

Previously, Young worked for ARAMARK and Cap Gemini Ernst & Young. Her clients included global organizations, such as Coca-Cola Company, Eli Lilly, 3M Corp., Boeing and Garmin.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in public policy studies from Duke University and both an MBA and a master of management degree in hospitality from Cornell University. She is actively involved in the Fredericksburg region, serving on the Mary Washington Healthcare Citizens Council, the GO Virginia Region 6 Council, and as chair of the Central Rappahannock Regional Library Board of Trustees. She is also a senior fellow of the Institute for Learning Innovation, a teaching fellow for Leadership Fredericksburg, co-chair of the UMW Women’s Leadership Colloquium and a member of the Links Inc.

Asper Receives Distinguished Service Award from VA Section of American Chemical Society

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Chemistry Physics Chair and Professor Janet Asper works with several students.

Chemistry Physics Chair and Professor Janet Asper works with several students.

Professor and Chair of the Department of Chemistry and Physics Janet Asper was recently chosen as the recipient of the Distinguished Service Award by the VA Section of the American Chemical Society. She was nominated by a longstanding member, Jim Beck, who said the following:

Janet Asper joined the American Chemical Society in 1995 and has served as a member of the Executive Committee for the Virginia Section for 12+ years. She served as Chair of the Younger Chemists Committee from 2007 through 2011 and as an Alternate Councilor from 2011 through 2019. She is now a Virginia Section Councilor. She has arranged numerous meetings of the Section at the University of Mary Washington (UMW), and has been an outstanding ambassador for the ACS at UMW, encouraging and facilitating student participation in local, section, regional, and national meetings and activities.

Introducing the New Director of Continuing & Professional Studies at UMW

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

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

Teresa Segelken has been named Director of Continuing and Professional Studies at the University of Mary Washington. In this position, Segelken will be responsible for aiding in the expansion of credit and non-credit programs and course opportunities, developing associated content, and evaluating the effectiveness and impact of new programs in the greater Fredericksburg region.

“As the region’s only four-year institution, this role is a critical component of our outreach. Teresa’s work will support our industry partners who need to equip their existing workforce with the skills necessary to maintain their competitive edge,” said Kimberly Young, Associate Provost for Career and Workforce.

Segelken comes to UMW most recently from Headquarters Marine Corps in Quantico, Virginia, where she served as a Training and Curriculum Senior Specialist responsible for designing, implementing, and evaluating training and programs for Marines and families. She worked to develop content in a variety of areas including personal financial management, mental wellness and self-care, recruiting, and new employee onboarding.

Segelken enters this role with a decade of experience as a community college instructor. She taught Psychology and Education courses to diverse student populations in New York, Nebraska, and North Carolina before coming to Virginia. She earned two degrees from the State University of New York at Albany (UAlbany) including a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with concentrations in marketing and management, and a master’s degree in Educational Psychology and Methodology, concentrating in learning and cognition across the lifespan and effective teaching and evaluation strategies.

Segelken is looking forward to settling down in Fredericksburg and at UMW. “I look forward to the opportunity to work within this institution to meet the needs of the Fredericksburg community. My heart is in education; I’m excited for the opportunity to effect change on behalf of UMW.”

Segelken’s office will be located on UMW’s Stafford Campus.

Farnsworth, Hanna and Seltzer Publish Book Chapter on Virginia Politics

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Vibrant Virginia: Engaging the Commonwealth to Expand Economic VitalityProfessor of Political Science Stephen Farnsworth, who is director of the University’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies; Professor of Geography Stephen P. Hanna; and Kate Seltzer, a 2021 graduate of UMW with degrees in political science and in communication and digital studies, are coauthors of a book chapter entitled, “Declining Rural Influence in Virginia Politics: Comparing Mark Warner’s 2001 and 2020 Elections,” which was published in the new book, Vibrant Virginia: Engaging the Commonwealth to Expand Economic Vitality, just published by Virginia Tech. Further information on the book is available here: https://www.amazon.com/Vibrant-Virginia-Engaging-Commonwealth-Economic/dp/1949373851/ref=zg_bsnr_11284_12/142-4848735-5157510?pd_rd_i=1949373851&psc=1

 

Rafferty Showcases Presidential Essay Book on ‘With Good Reason’

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Colin Rafferty's 'Execute the Office'Associate Professor of English Colin Rafferty appeared on the latest episode of With Good Reason, which was entitled, “The Highest Office.” Rafferty spoke about his recent book of experimental essays, “Execute the Office,” which was published last year by Baobab Press. The episode also featured faculty from UVA Wise, Northern Virginia Community College and Old Dominion University. Listen here.

Gupta Pens Editorial on Indira Gandhi for Great Lives Lecture

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Professor of Political Science and International Affairs Surupa Gupta

Professor of Political Science and International Affairs Surupa Gupta

Professor of Political Science and International Affairs Surupa Gupta penned an editorial for The Free Lance-Star entitled, “Indira Gandhi: Creator of the modern Indian State” in advance of her Great Lives lecture on India’s first and only woman prime minister, which was held on Tuesday, Feb. 22. The program can be accessed through the program website at umw.edu/greatlives.

INDIRA GANDHI is known as India’s first and only woman prime minister, and the world’s second democratically elected female head of government. These titles, however, mask a complex and fascinating personality. Gandhi, as prime minister, emerged as one of the most consequential and polarizing figures in Indian politics.

Derided initially as a “dumb doll,” Gandhi surprised her followers and detractors as a canny politician with a strong sense of realpolitik and an authoritarian bent. Her decisions helped both restore and tarnish India’s image in world politics.

She turned India from a food-scarce to a food-surplus country; her bold move to help establish Bangladesh strengthened India’s credentials as a major Asian power; and yet, her declaration of political emergency in 1975 delivered the first frontal attack to India’s democratic institutions since that nation gained independence from British colonial rule in 1947. Read more.

Cooperman Weighs in on State Funding on Moneygeek.com

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Professor and Chair of Political Science Rosalyn Cooperman

Professor and Chair of Political Science Rosalyn Cooperman

Department of Political Science and International Affairs Professor and Chair Rosalyn Cooperman was interviewed by Moneygeek.com for an article entitled, “Return on Statehood: How Much Value Every State Gets from the Federal Government.”

What role does federal funding play in state government finances?

The role of federal funding in state government finances varies widely from state to state. For example, federal funding of K-12 education is quite small — typically less than 10% — compared with funding from the states and their local governments. Of course, that federal funding represents billions of dollars, which is not an inconsequential sum of money for public schools and students. States and their localities receive federal funds to help implement programs like IDEA, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, which ensures that children with disabilities and special education needs receive a free and appropriate public education. Read more.

Romero Serves on COPLAC Panel on DEI at AAC&U Annual Meeting

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Professor of Classics Joe Romero joined COPLAC Panel on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusive Excellence at the Annual Meeting of AAC&U on January 20, 2022.

Professor of Classics Joe Romero joined COPLAC Panel on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusive Excellence at the Annual Meeting of AAC&U on January 20, 2022.

Transforming Historical Biases – Creating Safe and Brave Spaces: Joseph Romero (Professor of Classics and Chair, CPRD) joined colleagues from several COPLAC institutions in person to present a set of tools for advancing the work of diversity, equity, and inclusion at this year’s annual meeting of the American Association of Colleges and Universities. The panel was entitled, “Collaborative and Community-led Approach to Sustaining Racial Equity within Public Liberal Arts Institutions” and presented to higher education leaders from across the country. Plans are in the works to present it again in an entirely digital format to for the COPLAC community.