Dr. Ben Bergholtz, assistant professor of English at Louisiana Tech University, discusses his journey into academia, his teaching philosophy, and his book "Swallowing a World: Globalization and the Maximalist Novel." He emphasizes the importance of engaging students through high-energy, reflective classes and the need for interdisciplinary approaches. Bergholtz highlights the evolution of the English curriculum to include diverse literature and digital humanities, and he also addresses some of the challenges of AI in education.

College of Liberal Arts: liberalarts.latech.edu

Website: 1894.latech.edu/beyond/

Email: [email protected]

Dr. Chris Dicus, Louisiana Tech alum and a professor of Wildland Fire and Fuels Management at Cal Poly, talks about his early interest in wildlife and his decision to study at Tech. Dicus shares his career path, including his work on the Black Saturday fires in Australia and the multiple wildfire outbreaks in California. He emphasizes the importance of holistic fire management, involving various disciplines, and the need for resilient community design. He also shares his thoughts on the future of fire science and reasons to be optimistic about a changing world.

Forest and Fire Sciences at Cal Poly

Website: 1894.latech.edu/beyond/

Email: [email protected]

Malcolm Butler, the voice of Louisiana Tech, shares his deep-rooted connection with the University, starting from his childhood memories of the campus. He recounts his journey from a student worker to jobs in sports information, highlighting significant moments like beating Alabama in 1999 and the 2019 softball team's resilience post-tornado. Butler discusses his transition from radio to ESPN+ broadcasting, emphasizing the evolving landscape of collegiate athletics, and he reflects on personal and professional challenges, the importance of community, and his enduring passion for Louisiana Tech.

Website: 1894.latech.edu/beyond/

Email: [email protected]

Dr. Amy Vessel, director of the Clinical Residency and Recruitment Center at Louisiana Tech, shares her journey from a four-generation education family to her current role. She highlights the TEAM model, which includes mentor teachers and faculty evaluators, and the success of graduates in securing jobs. Vessel emphasizes the importance of finding joy in teaching and the program's goal of producing the state's best teachers.

LA Tech CRRC: latechcrrc.org

Website: 1894.latech.edu/beyond/

Email: [email protected]

Guest host LeAnn Waldroup interviews Dr. Selwyn Ellis, a long-tenured professor and department head at Louisiana Tech University, about his journey and contributions to the institution. He discusses his transition from Mississippi to Louisiana Tech for his doctorate, his role in the Center for Information Assurance, and the evolution of Tech's computer information systems degree. He highlights the importance of critical thinking and problem-solving skills, the growing demand for AI and prompt engineers, and Louisiana Tech's rare and hard-earned NSA designation.

CIS at Louisiana Tech: business.latech.edu

Website: 1894.latech.edu/beyond/

Email: [email protected]

Dr. Sarah McVay, a leader in Louisiana Tech's Division of Nursing, cares about her work, her patients, and her students with equal fervor. So much so that the Heroes with Heart retreat at MedCamps was born out of a desire to help her future nursing graduates contribute to the community and develop as caregivers. In this episode, she discusses the importance and impact of the Heroes with Heart retreat and shares some insight into Tech's thriving nursing program and the qualified students that come from it.

LA Tech Nursing: ans.latech.edu/nursing

MedCamps Heroes with Heart: medcamps.org/event/heroes-with-heart

Website: 1894.latech.edu/beyond/

Email: [email protected]

Calling Jesse Webb a student is true but an understatement. The double-major, double-minor junior has made a habit out of learning, researching, and maximizing his potential. With passions in both physics and music, Webb has zeroed in on his goals in both areas and enjoyed a full plate during his time at Louisiana Tech. In this episode — part of a sequence of episodes that tie into feature stories if the Winter 2025 1894 Magazine — Webb shares his story and gives insight into the mindset that has produced one of Tech's most driven and hardworking students.

Website: 1894.latech.edu/beyond/

Email: [email protected]

Currently the manager of the ExxonMobil refinery in Baton Rouge, Louisiana Tech alumna Regina Davis has built her career — her whole life, even — on firsts. Most recently, she became the first Black woman to lead the BR refinery, and she spends some time this episode reflecting on the importance and meaning of that role and its personal impact during Black History Month. She discusses finding her interests for engineering early on and the challenges and triumphs of her career. She mentions some Tech faculty that helped her during her journey and spreads some life and career advice throughout her stories.

Louisiana Tech College of Engineering & Science: coes.latech.edu

Website: 1894.latech.edu/beyond/

Email: [email protected]

The Louisiana Tech Honors College has recently seen a significant overhaul. Student Experience Coordinator Ashton Thomas speaks about the structure, format, and purpose of the new-look Honors College and why the vision and missions of the programs within are important to Tech students. She talks about her time at Tech and her goals for the future, and she spends a moment reflecting on how the University has changed her perspective for the better.

LA Tech Honors College: latech.edu/honors

Website: 1894.latech.edu/beyond/

Email: [email protected]

Associate Director of Human Resources Ashley Jackson is part of the team responsible for integrating new faculty and staff at Louisiana Tech into the Tech Family. A local with Louisiana Tech legacy in her blood, she knows that the functions of HR are critical to the University's mission, and she talks about the ways she and her team work to make new hires feel at home. She shares her story and how she feels she's grown professionally over the years, discusses the challenges of implementing new systems like Workday on campus, and speaks about her vision for the future of HR at LA Tech.

Website: 1894.latech.edu/beyond/

Email: [email protected]