January 14, 2026

EagleEye

A Newsletter for UMW Faculty and Staff

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.

Moon to Discuss New Book on Race and Place at Virginia Museum Event

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Professor of History and American Studies, Krystyn Moon

Professor of History and American Studies Krystyn Moon

Professor of History and American Studies Krystyn Moon was featured in an article in Style Weekly titled “Race and Place.” The article highlights Moon’s upcoming talk at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture on Thursday, August 7, where she will discuss her new book, Proximity to Power: Rethinking Race and Place in Alexandria, Virginia. The event explores how racial dynamics have shaped one of Virginia’s most historic cities. Read the full story.

Bonds Weighs in on NDAs and Data Center Secrecy for Arizona Luminaria

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Associate Professor of Sociology Eric Bonds

Associate Professor of Sociology Eric Bonds

Professor of Sociology Eric Bonds was quoted in Arizona Luminaria in an article examining the use of non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) by public officials in data center development projects. “Part of due diligence for elected officials is to know the company so they can scrutinize how it can behave elsewhere,” said Bonds, who has written extensively on data center transparency, particularly in Virginia. Read the full story.