FACULTY ACHIEVEMENTS & ACADEMICS

The past year was marked by highlights and milestones for academics at Troy University. Not only did two academic divisions celebrate 50-year anniversaries (the Sorrell College of Business and the Hall School of Journalism and Communication), but the University also launched new academic programs and made strides toward its transformation into a leading center for scientific research.

Training community health workers

The College of Health and Human Services received a $3-million grant in October from the Health Resources and Services Administration of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The grant will fund a new certificate program to train community health workers.

The three-year grant will be administered through the University’s School of Nursing and School of Social Work and Human Services and will train and place community health workers in underserved areas within the state to help educate and direct residents to available services.

TROY scientists in action

TROY professors continually make advancements in their respective fields, most recently with Dr. Raj Vinnakota’s acceptance of a $161,597 grant from the National Science Foundation to further research building a device that would allow for faster data recording and processing at the photon level. Faster speeds would allow for improvements in optical computing and optical information processing across multiple applications.

In addition to the possibility of making groundbreaking technological developments, his research has a strong educational and outreach component, including inspiring and guiding K-12 students to pursue a career path in science and technology, improving undergraduate participation in research, and providing training and mentoring for a diverse group of students. The grant also has the opportunity to boost TROY’s Electronics Engineering Technology program

Community health workers are trusted members of their communities who empower their peers through education, helping connect residents with available health care resources.

The free, online training program, which will consist of 10 modules that must be completed along with a 60-hour field experience component, will span about 12 weeks and be delivered through the University’s Department of Continuing Education and Outreach. The first training session began in February 2023.

TROY’s Center for Materials and Manufacturing Sciences and the National Hemp Growers Cooperative joined forces in 2022 to further research and development of biodegradable plastics by using hemp fibers. In addition to this work, the goal of the partnership is to foster academic exchanges with other regional universities and facilitate partnerships with regional industries.

Troy University’s new forensic science program had the opportunity to aid local law enforcement in April 2022 when the department was called on to assist the Pike County Sheriff’s Department in the search for the remains of a 2012 murder victim believed to be buried in southern Pike County. The first course for the program was approved just six days after their visit to the site.