Dr. Justin Castro, assistant professor of history, recently published an article, "Sounding the Mexican Nation: Intellectuals, Radio Broadcasting, and the Revolutionary State in the 1920s" in The Latin Americanist, a peer-reviewed journal. The essay examines the works of intellectuals who were involved in shaping Mexico City broadcasting, which became essential in politics and business following the Mexican Revolution. The article is available online. Castro also was interviewed by KAIT-TV about the impact of easing travel restrictions to Cuba.

During the holiday break, Melissa Wilkinson, assistant professor of art and adviser to the Art Student Union, led a group of 13 students on a study trip to New York City. In addition to several major art museums, galleries and architectural landmarks, the students also studied holiday window scenes at major retailers and looked at career opportunities. She plans to develop the cultural enrichment and career preview experience into an annual course on business and practices of museums and galleries.

An article featuring current research by Dr. Kat Lecky, assistant professor of English, has been published in the latest issue of Humanities, the magazine of the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH).  She studies the pocket maps that were used in Britain during the late 16th and early 17th century. Lecky has received support from the Renaissance Society of America, NEH and the Folger Shakespeare Library to help support her project, "The Laureate Poetics of Pocket Maps in Renaissance Britain." The article is online.

Congratulations to faculty and staff in the College of Business, including Dr. Bill Roe, associate dean and director of Graduate Business Programs, and Dr. Russ Jones, professor of computer and information technology and chair of the graduate programs committee.  The online master of business administration (MBA) program, which is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, has advanced to No. 12 in the national rankings published by U.S. News & World Report. Details are in the news release.

Nominations and applications for the 2015 Faculty Achievement Awards, to be presented during Convocation of Scholars, are due by Friday, Feb. 13. Each of the four annual awards includes a $2,500 stipend.

Ideas, news tips and feedback for Inside A-State are always welcome. Forward information or comments to the Marketing and Communications Staff at news@astate.edu or call us at (870) 972-3820.

Terry Finney, director of financial aid and scholarships, was among the authorities who were called upon to provide comment recently for an article on NerdWallet.com's financial aid website. The article concerned the five questions most commonly asked by incoming college and university students regarding FAFSA, the free application for federal student aid. Finney emphasized the importance of students making application early. The article also was carried in the Huffington Post.

Ideas, news tips and feedback for Inside A-State are always welcome. Forward information or comments to the Marketing and Communications Staff at news@astate.edu or call us at (870) 972-3820.