[103] Sept. 20 lecture at MTSU focuses on women serving life sentences in prison

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Since many women sentenced to life in prison will get out early through the parole process, to what extent are they prepared for life after prison?

Meredith Dye, an associate professor of sociology, will present “‘I’m no longer that girl’: Women Lifers’ Hopes, Expectations and Fears for Life Behind Bars” at 3 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 20, in Room 100 of the James Union Building.

“Using data from 94 women, all of whom had served at least 15 years of their life sentences and were eligible for parole, I examine their experiences with the parole process, their plans for (re)establishing housing, employment, and family relationships after getting out and the ways in which program participation has helped them prepare for release,” said Dye.

The event, which is free and open to the public, is the opening lecture in MTSU’s 2018 Women’s and Gender Studies Research Series.

Off-campus visitors attending the event should obtain a special one-day permit from MTSU’s Office of Parking and Transportation at 1403 E. Main St. or online at http://www.mtsu.edu/parking/visit.php. A searchable campus parking map is available at http://tinyurl.com/MTSUParkingMap.

For more information, contact the Women’s and Gender Studies Program at 615-898-5910 or womenstu@mtsu.edu.

[102] MTSU international relations master’s degree rated one of nation’s finest

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — A website that provides information for people seeking careers in the international relations fields ranks MTSU’s master’s program one of the best.

InternationalRelationsEDU.org has declared MTSU’s Master of Arts in International Relations program one of the top programs of its kind in the country. The website states that its selection criteria include the overall quality of the school, the diversity of its programs, the school’s contribution to research and outreach and joint or dual degree options.

Housed in the Department of Political Science and International Relations, the Master of Arts in International Relations degree track offers a choice of concentrations in either international security and peace studies or international development and globalization.

The program prepares graduates for a variety of careers, including, but not limited to diplomat, environmentalist, human rights advocate, foreign policy adviser, linguist, relief agency director and international trade compliance analyst.

“Our MAIA students have the benefit of small classes and a faculty devoted to their intellectual and professional development,” said Michael Federici, chair of the Department of Political Science and International Relations. “The award is an indication that our program is recognized outside the state as the first place students should turn for graduate education in international affairs.”

The designation entitles the MTSU program to use the “Best 2018 International Relations Master’s Programs” badge in its promotions and marketing efforts.

For more information, contact Federici at 615-898-2708 or michael.federici@mtsu.edu.

[101] MTSU Fall Preview Days start with Sept. 22 campus event

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MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Middle Tennessee State University admissions staff and recruiters are about to switch into a higher gear in their efforts to land prospective students for 2019 and beyond.

MTSU welcomes high school students and their families to visit the campus from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.  Saturday, Sept. 22, for the first of three Fall Preview Days. The day will begin in the Student Union, 1768 MTSU Blvd., in Murfreesboro. To find parking, visit

https://www.mtsu.edu/parking/2018ParkingMap.pdf.

MTSU holds preview days as a way for prospective students to see the campus, take tours given by student guides, learn about departments, programs and student organizations and meet faculty and staff from academic areas and Student Affairs.

The other fall preview days will be:

• 8 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 6, starting in the Student Union.

• 8 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 3, starting in the Student Union.

High school seniors, juniors, sophomores and freshmen; potential transfer students and graduate students are welcome to register and attend. To register, visit http://www.mtsu.edu/schedule-a-visit/special-events.php.

MTSU also will hold a special Saturday tour starting at 10 a.m. Oct. 20 in the Student Services and Admissions Center, 1860 Blue Raider Drive.

“We encourage students and their guests to attend our preview day this fall,” said Linda Olsen, director of undergraduate recruitment in admissions. “It is an opportunity to meet with academic departments, talk to college leaders, ask questions of current MTSU students, take a campus tour and learn in-depth information about the programs of study that interest you most.”

Students and their families can take daily campus tours, which are held at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. starting in the Student Services and Admissions Center.

Schedule a tour at www.mtsu.edu/tours.

The Sept. 22 Preview Day is a prelude to the resumption of the 2018 MTSU True Blue Tour.

After kicking the tour off in Murfreesboro at MTSU in August, the MTSU team — administrators, deans, academic adviser and staff from other departments — will join President Sidney A. McPhee Tuesday, Sept. 25, in Clarksville, Tennessee, for the second leg of the 14-city tour.

For more information on the True Blue Tour, visit https://mtsunews.com/mtsu-hosts-true-blue-tour/.

For more admissions information or questions, email admissions@mtsu.edu or call 615-898-2233. For information about tours and events, email tours@mtsu.edu or call 615-898-5670.

Prospective students for the 2019-20 academic year need to submit their application for admission and accompanying documents by Dec. 1 to meet the guaranteed scholarship deadline. To apply, visit www.mtsu.edu/applynow.

MTSU recruiters and staff will entertain Middle Tennessee-area counselors and community college staff at 12:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 20, in the Student Union Ballroom.

MTSU has more than 300 combined undergraduate and graduate programs.