IMPORTANT NOTE: These are the archived stories for Belmont News & Achievements prior to June 26, 2023. To see current stories, click here.

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Belmont Launches Innovative Social Media Management Major

Haley Charlton
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Belmont Launches Innovative Social Media Management Major

With an eye to the future, Belmont University announced today the launch of an innovative new major designed to take advantage of an increasingly digital ecosystem around the globe: Social Media Management.

As the world of social media continuously rises and evolves, organizations of all types and in every sector are navigating the ever-changing media landscape and looking for communication strategists to help them maximize their use of social media. Belmont is bridging the gap between the personal and professional use of social media by preparing students for a growing industry with its new major in social media management.

As one of the few institutions in the nation to offer a traditional bachelor’s degree in this field, Belmont is providing students with the opportunity to hone their skills and expand their knowledge to become strategic social media communicators.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, social media specialists might go by various job titles, including digital engagement specialist, social media strategist and online community manager. Indeed currently lists more than 60,000 openings for full-time social media jobs in companies across the country. Onward Search’s 2019 Salary Guide lists social media manager as one of the “19 most in-demand digital creative talent for 2019.” However, with the list including additional jobs such as content strategist, digital project manager or digital strategist, Belmont’s program would prepare students for nine of the 19 most in-demand positions.


Belmont Provost Dr. Thomas Burns said the new social media management program is greatly beneficial for students and organizations globally, as this industry continues to revolutionize society. “By learning to think strategically, solve problems creatively and communicate purposefully, our students will be equipped to find success with highly in-demand positions in every sector across the country,” he said. “As one of the first in the nation to offer this program for our undergraduates, our students are in a unique position to be competitive and stand out through real internship experiences in the booming city of Nashville.”

Three students discuss social media analytics

Social Media Management will be offered at Belmont in the form of both a major and a minor. Through a mix of public relations and social media courses, students will learn to develop plans for social media to support communication goals, design and conduct research, create engaging content, identify and respond to emerging risks and crises and practice responsible social media management.

The curriculum is designed around five key areas that make up the core of the National Institute for Social Media’s social media strategist certification exam. The five key areas are relationship building and strategic planning, research and analytics, content creation, engagement and community management, leadership, ethics and law.

Program Director Dr. Kevin Trowbridge explained that, with social media being such a dynamic field, there are not many professional credentials or standards developed yet. “Our program builds on academic and professional research, including the criteria used by the National Institute for Social Media, which administers a certification process for professionals who understand social media as a powerful platform that can truly affect and shape society,” he said. “Organizations and businesses are using social media platforms for more than just marketing and publicity; they’re using it to build community and look at the effects that social media has on relationships between people and brands. Our program has been built around many of these characteristics, but at the heart of it is strategic planning and relationship building.”

Courses in the program include Social Media & Public Relations, Social Media Content Development, Social Media Measurement & Analytics, Risk & Crisis Management for Social Media and Social Media Planning & Management.

Students Point to Social Media Analytics

With a focus going beyond technical media training, Belmont is taking an interdisciplinary approach so students will see and understand the broader scope of social media as a strategic communication force. Graduates of the program will be able to work with the media technicians that create the websites, podcasts or videos to develop content that will have the greatest impact for achieving strategic purposes. Therefore, social media management pairs nicely with many other academic programs at Belmont – including marketing, business, motion pictures, music business, political science and more – for a minor or second major.

Students studying social media management at Belmont will be equipped to become digital content creators and strategists who can manage social media to achieve strategic communication goals for their organization or clients. With the rise of social media in the professional world, the opportunity to launch a career in social media is present in every industry imaginable—from corporate to nonprofit or entertainment to government.

O’More College of Architecture, Art and Design Hosts Panel on Designing for Inclusion

Haley Charlton
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O’More College of Architecture, Art and Design Hosts Panel on Designing for Inclusion

Part of Nashville Design Week, Belmont’s O’More College of Architecture, Art and Design hosted a discussion on November 4, bringing together designers and therapists in an engaging conversation about inclusive design. “Room for All: Designing for Inclusion” panelists were Doug Regen, designer and adjunct professor at Belmont, Dr. Missy Bryan, assistant professor in Belmont’s School of Occupational Therapy, Sunny Rosanbalm, executive director of Tucker’s House (501c3), and Jayme Jacobson, assistant professor of architecture at Belmont.

The panelists discussed the evident and experiential impact that designers have on the built environment. Just as physical and occupational therapists address the specific needs of clients, designers are responsible for making environments that accommodate people, and not environments that exclude people.

As many interior design students were in the room, panelists encouraged the future professionals to engage with their clients throughout the entire design process to get a true understanding of how they will use the space.

Rosanbalm (left) discusses Design for Inclusion with Jaconson (right)
Rosanbalm (left) discusses Design for Inclusion with Jaconson (right)

Jacobson said they may never know what challenges someone has. “Design with and not for. It’s important to get to know people first hand to better understand their point of view. As designers, we tend to design based off of our own bias,” she said. “Try to think outside of your own world view by engaging with those who have different experiences than you.”

Panelists and audience members discussed real-world examples they have witnessed of particular designs excluding some individuals, such as a media room without a wheelchair lift or a crosswalk button located on the other side of rough gravel that would be near impossible to reach in a wheelchair. As those examples were illustrated from brand new constructions, one audience member commented, “We need to be vocal because Nashville is growing so fast, and we want to be actively creating a space to which we all belong.”

Regen emphasises a point during the "Room for All" panel discussion
Regen emphasises a point during the “Room for All” panel discussion

Another consideration for design professionals is short-term versus long-term disabilities and how the disability might change over time. Rosanbalm had plenty of advice from her job at Tucker’s House, which partners with the families of children with disabilities by providing the home renovation and retrofitting services and resources necessary to make their homes safe and more accessible.

Rosenbalm addressed two common misconceptions about inclusive design: that it costs more and that it is ugly. “Take curbless showers, for example. They don’t cost more because you’re actually using less material, and they are beautiful,” she said. “We have to consider cost all of the time, but if you design holistically, you can help your clients better understand how specific features will work for them even better in the long run.”

Jacobson joined other panelists for the Designing for Inclusion Discussion
Jacobson joined other panelists for the Designing for Inclusion Discussion

Panelists agreed that sustainability has trended in design recently, and inclusivity can trend in the same way with enough support. They encouraged the future designers to fight for the resources necessary to fund inclusive product development and to be creative in their approach to inclusive designs from the start.

Alumni Startup Skoller Gaining Traction

Katie McAdams
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Alumni Startup Skoller Gaining Traction

Skoller, an app created by Belmont alumni, was recently selected by SeedInvest, a leading equity crowdfunding platform, for a round of funding. Graduates of Belmont University’s economic program Carson Ward, CEO, Logan Matthews, COO, and Jonathan Rankin, creative director, developed Skoller, an app that provides students with a way to manage all of their class grades and assignments from their smart phone.

Through opportunities provided by SeedInvest, companies like Skoller are able to speed up the fundraising process by gaining access to over 250,000 investors globally.

“During college, I was looking for a better way to know when to study and when to have fun. Both are important and getting the most out of college is a huge part of shaping the trajectory of our lives,” shared Skoller CEO Carson Ward. “To balance those, I needed to know what my upcoming assignments were and their significance on my grade was important. The school technology (Blackboard) didn’t deliver this function well. I felt there has to be a better way to keep track of assignments for the student population, as a whole. Skoller is the ‘Waze’ of the classroom.”

Skoller was also recognized by the Thomas F. Cone Center for Entrepreneurship at their inaugural event honoring the Top 100 Alumni Entrepreneurs on Oct. 10. The company’s success and selection by SeedInvest has been highlighted in numerous publications including Venture Nashville and Nashville Post.

Ward explained, “Most of my development for building the Skoller project was learned by simply trying and failing. I think that is the best way to learn something. Right behind that is listening to other people’s advice. My time at Belmont allowed me to meet awesome, smart people. We turn to each other and share experiences to give us a leg up.”

Next on the list for Skoller is Skoller Jobs, a way for job recruiters to gain insight and interact with early job candidates in a way that’s never been done before.

Roebuck Publishes New Book ‘Creating Space’

April Hefner
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Roebuck Publishes New Book ‘Creating Space’

Dr. Jon Roebuck, executive director of the Charlie Curb Center for Faith Leadership, just announced the release of his third book entitled, “Creating Space.”  This book is all about creating space in our lives for relationships to form and then to thrive. “Creating Space” traces the relationship journey that goes from a simple conversation to an in-depth connection that can provide healing, hope, and redemption in the life of another. 

The book contains a mix of Biblical insight, practical application and illustrations from Roebuck’s years of experience as a pastor. At the heart of this narrative is the description of five spaces we have the ability to create, which become inclusive, significant and transformative in the lives of others and in our lives as well.

“Creating Space” is available on Amazon, BarnesandNoble.com, and NurtingFaith.net.  Dr. Roebuck is also the author of two other books, “Morning Conversations” (devotional thoughts from every chapter of the New Testament) and “Christmas Then & Now” (a collection of 25 original Christmas stories).

Belmont Makes Strong Impression at International Audio Engineering Convention

April Hefner
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Belmont Makes Strong Impression at International Audio Engineering Convention

Belmont University made a strong impression at the 147th Audio Engineering Society International Pro Audio Convention in New York in October. Belmont had the largest representation of students and faculty presenting research and participating in the recording competitions.

All-in-all, Belmont activity generated two awards and 10 peer-reviewed papers published in the AES e-library. AES Fellow Dr. Josh Reiss pointed out that, “Belmont has more representation in the Technical Programs, papers and posters, than any other institution!”

Physical Therapy Students Support Nashville’s More Than Pink Walk

April Hefner
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Physical Therapy Students Support Nashville’s More Than Pink Walk

On Oct. 26 more than 5,000 people came out to the Maryland Farms YMCA to support the fight against breast cancer. The weather for Saturday’s Susan G. Komen More Than Pink Walk was rainy, but that did not dampen the enthusiasm for a wonderful celebration of survivors and a great fundraiser to help end breast cancer. The Belmont University School of Physical Therapy again brought over 120 student volunteers to the event to assist with village/course setup and takedown, to serve as walk marshals at the start/finish line and throughout the course, to hand out water and bananas at the finish, and to help manage the crowd.

School of Physical Therapy Program Chair Gary Austin said, “To see our physical therapy students come together as one is a true blessing. I was able to watch them step up in their volunteer effects on multiple levels. From getting the start/finish line finalized to helping ‘pump up the crowd’ when they joined in on the Village dance party and then lead the survivors to the starting line.  The students were amazing as they cheered on the walkers and survivors as they cross the finish line. We all truly enjoy these moments because we get to remember that we can make a difference in many ways, even by just helping at events to support an important cause.”

Physical Therapy Professor Dr. Michael Voight, who serves on the Susan G Komen Board of Directors, was co-race course chairman for this year’s More Than Pink Walk. Voight says that he initially chose to support Komen because of the fact that up to 75% of net proceeds raised remain in the affiliate service area. The remaining 25% goes towards lifesaving research in all areas of breast cancer, from basic biology to prevention to treatment to survivorship. The funds raised are vital to providing screening mammograms, diagnostic testing and treatment support through annual Community Grants Programs. The community grant program helps to provide funding to other local nonprofits and researchers. Voight says, “These nonprofits and researchers are working on the front lines to battle breast cancer, educating both women and men on the value of early detection and promoting awareness to low-income and non-insured individuals. To date Komen Greater Nashville has provided more than 397 grants totaling $10.1 million in screening, treatment and educational services to the women of Middle Tennessee. By giving resources, we can help them eradicate this problem.” 

To put on an event of this magnitude requires a lot of advance planning and work.  While the planning began months before the walk, the real work begins the week of the walk.  Students assisted early in the week at the storage facility through packing and loading of supplies into cargo trucks.  As the walk drew near, many showed up the day before the race and worked on last minute preparations for the walk. Then on the day of the walk, over 120 students showed up at 7 a.m. to begin final preparations for the day. Voight stated, “I was truly amazed at the work going on long before participants started coming in, everyone was working hard in the rain on finishing the last minute preparations. This was no small effort. However, when I saw those hundreds of survivors that had walked in the race and were so happy to have finished, it made it all worthwhile. It was one more victory against this disease. This would not have happened had it not been for all help provided by the students from Belmont.” 

Adjunct professor, Belmont School of PT alumni and More Than Pink course co-chair Ashley Campbell had this to say: “I began my involvement with SGK Race for the Cure 10 years ago as a 3rd year PT student. I had no idea at the time that this would become a passion for me, but you’d be hard pressed to find an individual who has not been directly affected by breast cancer these days, and that is a problem. SGK is committed to finding a cure, and in the meantime provides crucial education and prevention to those who need it most. I am honored to be a Belmont PT Alumni, and each year that I have been involved the PT students continue to impress me more and more.” 

Student leader Beau Kovach concluded, “Sometimes when we are in classes and constantly studying, we lose sight of why we wanted to be a part of this profession. This is my third year of involvement, and I am reminded at all of our volunteering events, but especially the More Than Pink Walk, that this is why I wanted to be a physical therapist in the first place. We are here to serve, to help promote a healthier and more positive world in any way we can.” 

Musical Theatre Senior Named Semi-Finalist in National Search for ‘Chicago’ Cast on Broadway

Haley Charlton
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Musical Theatre Senior Named Semi-Finalist in National Search for ‘Chicago’ Cast on Broadway

Belmont University Musical Theatre senior Ginny Swanson was named a semi-finalist in the national search for Broadway’s next Roxie Hart in the hit musical Chicago. Casting directors, producers and former stars of Chicago chose Swanson as one of only 10 semi-finalists from among hundreds of applicants who submitted video auditions. 

Now it’s up to her fans to help Swanson advance to the final three. Visit https://chicagothemusical.com/roxiecasting/ to cast your online vote from Nov. 1-8. The top three finalists will be flown to New York City in November to audition in person with the show’s directors and producers. 

Broadway.com will film and produce a five-episode video series documenting the audition process, including interviews with the cast and creative team of Chicago, former celebrity Roxie Harts and footage of the contestants learning the iconic Roxie songs and dances. This will culminate with the official Broadway debut of the show’s newest Roxie Hart onstage at the Ambassador Theatre in New York City.

Visit Broadway to view Swanson featured at minute-mark 2:18 in the “The Search for Roxie” episode 2, “Meet the Top 10 Semi-finalists.” 

Many Recognize Sisson for Poetry

Haley Charlton
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Many Recognize Sisson for Poetry

Dr. Annette Sisson, professor in the English department, is one of seven poets named as a Fellow for the BOAAT Writers’ Retreat May 30-June 6, 2020 in Vilas, North Carolina after being selected through a national competition.

This fall, Sisson has had poems published in Passager Magazine, Typishly, One and Hamilton Stone Review, and she has poems forthcoming in Blue Mountain Review, KAIROS and SPANK the CARP.

Sisson was also invited to compose an ekphrastic poem in response to Frederick Hart’s sculpture. On October 20, she presented her poem “A Genesis of Light” to the Hart family and Hart scholars who assembled at the Frederick Hart Symposium at Belmont University. 

Belmont Students inducted into National History Honor Society

Haley Charlton
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Belmont Students inducted into National History Honor Society

On October 21, 2019, nine students were inducted into Belmont’s Xi Alpha Chapter of Phi Alpha Theta (the National History Honor Society) at a ceremony held in the Belmont Mansion. 

These students were Liam Brenna, Alexis deBoer, Tommy Edmunds, Rebecca Lewis, Martha Smith Miller, Caroline Tvardy, Lauren Weaver, Clara Williams and Kory Winning. The ceremony was attended by the chapter’s faculty advisor Dr. Cynthia Bisson, faculty from the History Department, and family and friends of the inductees. 

Following the induction ceremony was the annual Phi Alpha Theta lecture given by guest speaker Dr. Natalie Inman from the Department of History at Cumberland University who spoke on kinship networks in the Native American community in Colonial America.

Dr. Se Kim Leads Faith and Science Chapel

Haley Charlton
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Dr. Se Kim Leads Faith and Science Chapel

Co-sponsored by the College of Sciences & Mathematics, Dr. Se Kim spoke in Belmont’s chapel on Wednesday, October 30 to discuss the relationship of science and society and working toward a common good. Dr. Kim holds a Ph.D. in Molecular & Human Genetics, an MBA and was a fellow with the National Institute of Health. Kim leads the American Association for the Advancement of Science as Deputy Chief Programs Officer and has presented her research in publications such as Journal of Neuroscience and Current Biology.

Kim said there are three ways that science and religion can interact, but Americans mostly think the two are in conflict with one another. With 70 percent of the United States claiming to be religious, Kim said help is needed to work toward the common good.

She started with a quote from Rabbi Johnathan Sacks. He said, “Science is about explanation. Religion is about meaning. Science analyses, religion integrates. Science breaks things down to their component parts. Religion binds people together in relationships of trust. Science tells us what is. Religion tells us what ought to be… Science sees objects. Religion speaks to us as subjects. Science practices detachment, Religion is the art of attachment, self to self, soul to soul.”

“Science can’t answer questions of identity, purpose, significance, suffering or beauty,” said Kim. “When we look at the neurological evidence of how memories work, we can see that we are more than just our DNA. Science can’t answer the questions of who we are.”

As a geneticist, Kim addressed the current landscape of gene editing and the need for science and faith communities to come together for conversations about the future. Kim quoted an anonymous scientist that said the “voices most often heard by the public are those seeking to emphasize a rift between science and belief, but the voices most needed are those recognizing the compatibility of the two.” Technologies like CRISPR are already here, so it is imperative that voices of compatibility are present in the dialogue.

“This is not just a question for science; there are many stakeholders. It’s a question for all of society, which is largely comprised of religious peoples,” said Kim. “We must make sure that these conversations are those of collaboration and openness. Know that there are those out there who are here to champion these conversations with you.”

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