Jarvis Christian University News: $39M Economic Impact, STEM Grant, New Leadership, Student Honors, and Campus Innovations

Good afternoon, Bulldogs! It's Monday, July 28, 2025, and welcome to another episode of our campus news podcast. Let's dive into the latest happenings at Jarvis Christian University. First up, we're proud to announce that Jarvis Christian University has made a significant impact on the regional economy. According to the 2024 Economic Impact Report released by the Independent Colleges and Universities of Texas, our university contributes a total of $39 million to the regional economy. This includes $31 million in direct spending by the institution, its employees, students, and visitors, and an additional $8 million in indirect and induced spending through business stimulation and job creation. Vice President for Institutional Advancement and Development, Dominique I. Grate, stated, "Jarvis Christian University’s economic impact reflects our mission to educate while building stronger communities." In academic news, our biology professor, Dr. Shakhawat Bhuiyan, is leading a groundbreaking research project funded by a $2.25 million grant from the National Science Foundation. The project, titled "Interdisciplinary Research Infusion into STEM Education Undergraduate Program," aims to train a diverse group of students by integrating education and research in STEM fields. Over the next five years, students will have the opportunity to research plant-based bioactive compounds and nanoparticles to potentially develop new treatments for cancer. Dr. Bhuiyan emphasized that this grant will enable students to be competitive for graduate and professional schools by engaging in interdisciplinary STEM research and social learning strategies as undergraduates. On the leadership front, President Dr. Glenell M. Lee-Pruitt has appointed Dr. Regina Stovall Robinson as the Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, effective July 1, 2024. Dr. Robinson brings over 40 years of academic, clinical, and administrative experience in higher education. Prior to this role, she served as Assistant Vice President for Institutional Research and Effectiveness since March 2023. Additionally, Dr. Kishia C. James has been named Interim Vice President of Student Services. Dr. James has been serving as the university’s director of counseling since 2022 and has over 20 years of experience in transformational leadership, counseling, and public service to students and families. In student achievements, we're thrilled to share that rising senior Cedric Abney has been accepted as a 2025–2026 Ambassador for the Black Student Leadership Network Fellowship. This prestigious program recognizes students who demonstrate exceptional leadership and a commitment to community service. Cedric's dedication to fostering positive change on campus and beyond makes him a deserving recipient of this honor. In campus development news, the university celebrated the grand opening of the newly renovated Innovation Lounge in the Olin Library on May 2, 2025. This state-of-the-art space was funded by a generous grant from The Home Depot and is designed to foster creativity, collaboration, and innovation among students and faculty. The Innovation Lounge features cutting-edge technology and flexible workspaces to support a variety of academic and extracurricular activities. Lastly, in athletics, our men's basketball team faced a tough game against North American University on February 20, 2025. Despite a valiant effort, the Bulldogs narrowly lost with a final score of 57-55. Standout player Jamari Robertson led the team with 25 points, keeping the Bulldogs within striking distance throughout the game. The team continues to train hard and looks forward to upcoming matches in the new season. That's all for today's episode. Stay tuned for more updates, and as always, Go Bulldogs!