Leadership in a changing higher ed landscape

Spring media connected Augustana leaders to national and regional conversations about enrollment, innovation, AI, healthcare education, belonging, neighborhood development and academic leadership.

This coverage showed leadership grounded in mission and focused on the future.

Top College for Innovation recognition | Regional coverage

Augustana received coverage for being recognized as a 2026 Top College for Innovation. The recognition reinforces what is already visible across Augustana: innovation grounded in student success, regional partnership and meaningful learning. From the Futurist Thinking Series to Milan Bottoms, STEM/Q, Trinity College of Nursing & Health Sciences and Augustana Possible, innovation at Augustana is tied to impact.

• Augustana recognized as 2026 Top College for Innovation by 'Insight into Academia'

Spring 2026 at a glance

• 66 earned media stories
• 24 faculty, staff and leaders featured
• 73% of coverage on broadcast, radio and podcasts
• Strongest themes:
  • Engaged learning
  • Student success
  • Regional partnership
  • Faculty expertise

Together, the coverage showed Augustana as a college where students make a meaningful impact on their communities; faculty expertise serves the public good; and partnerships, programs and public conversations prepare graduates to lead.

What spring coverage signals

Students are learning by doing

Spring coverage highlighted Augustana students applying classroom learning through research, community health, documentary production, museum work, study abroad and internships. These experiences build confidence, skills and purpose.

Leadership is focused on change and opportunity

Media stories connected Augustana leaders to conversations on enrollment, innovation, AI, healthcare education, and belonging and community development, reflecting leadership rooted in mission and focused on the future.

Faculty expertise is serving the public

Faculty helped audiences understand issues in health, science, the environment, civic life, AI and public history, demonstrating how their expertise informs public understanding and thoughtful decision-making.

Regional partnership is a defining strength

Coverage of projects and partnerships across the Quad Cities reinforced Augustana's role as an engaged community partner, enriching student learning, faculty work and regional vitality.

Highlights

1. Human judgment in the age of AI

Spring coverage of Augustana’s Futurist Thinking Series highlighted one of the central questions facing higher education: What does human learning still require in an age of artificial intelligence?

For Augustana, the answer includes judgment, ethical reasoning, creativity, relationship and belonging. The coverage positioned Augustana as not only a college responding to AI, but also a place helping students, faculty, alumni and community members think carefully about what technology can change and what human beings must continue to bring.

• Augustana College presents Futurist Thinking Series: ‘What AI Can’t Teach’ | OurQuadCities
• Augustana College hosting panel on the use of artificial intelligence in education and work | WVIK, Quad Cities NPR
• It’s been 3 years since ChatGPT was launched. How has it affected QCA students? — Our Quad Cities

2. Students doing work that impacts communities

Spring coverage repeatedly showed Augustana students applying what they learn in real settings: conducting environmental research, supporting community health, preparing fossils for public exhibition, producing documentary work, providing care to peers and gaining career-shaping experience.

These stories are among the clearest proof of the Augustana experience. Students are not waiting until after graduation to do meaningful work. They are researching, creating, serving and contributing while they are here.

Augustana film student documentary published on Roku

• Augustana student has film selected for streaming by Roku | Quad Cities Times
• Augustana student’s documentary featured on Roku | OurQuadCities
• Fresh Films-Roku series includes QC short film on Moline business | WVIK, Quad Cities NPR
• Augustana student has film selected for streaming by Roku | Muscatine Journal
• College student’s documentary on Quad Cities small business debuts on streaming platform | The 21st Show | Illinois Public Media

Augustana students work supports peer recovery

The Peer Recovery Support Network showed Augustana students being trained and employed as part of the college’s counseling support staff, helping peers navigate recovery, reduce stigma and strengthen a culture of care on campus. 

• Augustana’s new mental-health program allows students to help other students | OurQuadCities
• Augustana hires students to help students overcome mental health struggles | WVIK, Quad Cities NPR
• Augustana College peer-led program helps those struggling with their mental health

Augustana students help prepare dinosaur fossils for Putnam Museum

• Augustana professor Kelsey Arkle gives a tour of fossil lab | Quad Cities Times
• 'A gateway into science': Augustana students help reconstruct dinosaur fossils for the Putnam | Quad Cities Times

More Augustana students in the news

• QCA student wants to mend teaching gaps; carries family legacy along the way | OurQuadCities
• Augustana College education student continues a family legacy of teaching | Quad City Times
• Augustana's Sierra Club holds community gathering highlighting environmental efforts | wqad.com
• QCA college commuters impacted by rising gas prices | Our Quad Cities
• Augustana student experiences a very special Olympics in Milan | KWQC
• Augustana students turn Duck Creek into living lab for people and wildlife research | KWQC
• Augustana College’s kinesiology department celebrates learning with fitness clinic — KWQC

3. Augustana as a partner in the region’s future

Media coverage highlighting Augustana College's Hilltop, the area surrounding the intersections of 14th Avenue and 30th Street and along 14th Avenue between 37th and 42nd Streets, the Milan Bottoms, Duck Creek, the Upper Mississippi Center and other community partnerships positioned Augustana as an active partner in the future of Rock Island and the Quad Cities. These stories reflect a defining strength of Augustana: the region is not simply a backdrop for student learning. It is part of the learning model. Students and faculty work with community partners on real questions involving housing, neighborhood vitality, environmental stewardship, public health and regional development.

Milan Bottoms coverage | WQAD, KWQC, WVIK

Multiple outlets covered Augustana’s partnership with Rock Island on the Milan Bottoms ecological survey, including reporting on faculty expertise, student involvement and environmental data collection. This is engaged learning in action. Students and faculty are producing knowledge a city can use, while students gain experience working on complex environmental questions with real community stakes.

Environment, place and regional problem-solving

Environmental coverage illustrated Augustana's commitment to regional stewardship and community partnership. Faculty expertise supported local decision-making while creating opportunities for student learning through research and collaboration.

• Augustana College to study the Milan Bottoms wetlands | WQAD | WQAD (2)
• Augustana College, Rock Island partner on Milan Bottoms ecological survey | KWQC
• Upper Mississippi River Center, others win 2026 Eddy Awards | Quad City Times
• City and Augustana College share plans for proposed Rock Island 550-acre land, water reserve | KWQC
• Rock Island holds meeting about proposal wetlands land and water reserve | wqad.com
• City of Rock Island hosts informational meeting on proposed preservation area | OurQuadCities
• Augustana College and the City of Rock Island update public on Milan Bottoms partnership — WVIK
• Rock Island’s Hilltop could ramp up development | OurQuadCities
• Augustana College, City of Rock Island look to spark growth in Hilltop neighborhood — KWQC

More stories that shaped Augustana’s reputation

Healthcare leadership and community wellness

Spring coverage showed Augustana’s growing role in healthcare education, public health and community wellness. Stories about Trinity College of Nursing & Health Sciences, maternal health, kinesiology, communication sciences and disorders, public health and peer recovery point to a larger story: Augustana is preparing future healthcare leaders through applied learning and community partnership.

Kimberly Murphy and maternal health coverage | Multiple outlets

Kimberly Murphy’s community health work generated significant coverage across TV, radio, digital and business outlets, centered on maternal health, doulas, prenatal care and regional wellness. Media coverage continued to show Augustana contributing to the region’s health and well-being through faculty expertise, community partnership and student learning. It also strengthened Augustana’s growing role in preparing future healthcare leaders.

Elizabeth Leal-Alfaro, Professional Faculty, Assistant Professor of Kinesiology

• Augustana’s Kinesiology Department celebrates learning with fitness clinic

Karen Lindebrekke, STEM/Q Center Coordinator

STEM/Q Center coverage showed Augustana investing in the academic support students need to persist, build confidence and prepare for high-demand fields in science, healthcare and quantitative disciplines.

• Augustana opens new Stem Q student resource center | wqad.com

Faculty expertise serving the public

Faculty coverage showed Augustana’s academic community helping the public understand timely issues in health, science, environment, artificial intelligence, public history, global affairs and civic life.

These stories build trust in Augustana’s intellectual life and show that faculty expertise matters beyond campus.

Health, science and wellness

Dr. Anne Perreau, Professor and Co-chair of Communication Sciences and Disorders

• Tinnitus and the reality of living with a constant noise | Iowa Public Radio

Dr. Tierney Brosius, Professor of Biology

• Tick season off to strong start nationwide, experts urge precautions | wqad.com
• Bug season could be more active than usual: How to prepare | OurQuadCities
• Emergency room visits for tick bites rise this year

Public issues and civic life

Angela Boelens and IA NICE | Multiple regional outlets

Coverage of Angela Boelens’ national recognition for her work helping Ukrainian families through IA NICE showed a faculty member connecting teaching, service, business insight and global responsibility. The coverage in this section showed how Augustana faculty bring the world into the classroom and carry Augustana’s mission into the world. It also reflected the deep connection between learning, service and civic responsibility.

• Augustana professor receives national award for work helping Ukrainian refugees | OurQuadCities
• Augustana professor receives national recognition for helping Ukrainian families | KWQC
• DeWitt resident earns national award for aiding Ukrainian refugees | wqad.com
• IA NICE founder recognized for work | Local News | dewittobserver.com 
• Inside MAC.BID: How this new shopping trend is faring in the Quad Cities | OurQuadCities
• Our Quad Cities Update: High heating costs | OurQuadCities

Dr. America D. Colmenares, Assistant Professor of Spanish

• Venezuelan professor at Augustana College says weekend news felt ‘like watching a movie’ | KWQC

Dr. Mariano J. Magalhães, Professor and Chair of Political Science

• Local experts reflect on political, economic fallout in Venezuela | KWQC

Dr. Sharon M. Varallo, Professor of Communication Studies, Director of Augustana Prison Education Program

• Illinois becomes 13th state to automatically seal nonviolent criminal records | KWQC

Dr. Brian Leech, Professor and Chair of History, Chair of Austin E. Knowlton Honors Program, Co-Coordinator of Food Studies

• Study: QCA homes in top ten for oldest median age | OurQuadCities

Arts, culture and discovery

Dr. William M. Peterson, Professional Faculty, Associate Professor of Physics

• What to know about the Artemis II moon mission | OurQuadCities
• The Cities with Jim Mertens | Artemis II and Multilingual Education | Season 16 | Episode 16 | PBS

Dr. Randall Hall, Professor, Saxophone

• INTERVIEW: Shockingly Modern Saxophone Festival | OurQuadCities.com

International enrollment and institutional resilience

Augustana was included in national coverage on how colleges are responding to international enrollment pressure. Kent Barnds, executive vice president for strategy and innovation, offered insight into how colleges can adapt during a volatile moment for global recruitment. The story positioned Augustana as a college thinking about enrollment, access and long-term institutional strength in a changing higher education landscape.

Dr. Gauri Pitale, Vice President for Culture and Connection

• The future of DEI in higher education | WQPT "The Cities"

Kent Barnds, Executive Vice President for Strategy and Innovation

• International enrollment is under pressure. How can colleges respond? | Higher Ed Dive

Dr. Dianna Shandy, Former Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs

• Resilient, Not Thick-Skinned: What Provosts Actually Need - ACAD
• The art of dialogue | Sorta Sacred Podcast

Andrea Talentino, Augustana President

• Striving for ‘thoughtful leadership’ — Quad Cities Regional Business Journal

Mission, access and public purpose

Mission-centered coverage showed Augustana’s values in action through access, service, justice, belonging and educational opportunity.

These stories show that Augustana’s mission is not abstract. It becomes real through people, programs and partnerships.

New Augustana publication studies how colleges navigate responsibility

Coverage of “Called to Reckon” showed Augustana engaging its own history with honesty and purpose, connecting institutional memory to the college’s ongoing commitment to access, service and belonging.

Dr. Jane Simonsen, Professor of History, Chair of American Studies and Dr. Mark Safstrom, Associate Professor of Scandinavian Studies

• Augustana announces new book about college’s history
• Faculty-edited book reexamines Augustana College’s 166-year history to help guide its future
• Augustana College professors examine the college’s past in “Called to Reckon” | OurQuadCities
• New Augustana publication studies how colleges navigate tension, activism and responsibility

Giving through Augustana

CASE Currents | Jonathan Enslin and the Gerber Grand Challenge

CASE published Augustana’s story on the Gerber Grand Challenge and Augustana Possible, showing how philanthropy is expanding access and meeting student needs. This story shows the power of giving through Augustana. Donor support is helping create a system of opportunity for high-achieving students with financial need.

• Giving Through, Not Just To | CASE

Student volunteer program serves community 

Rachel Byrne '26 and Fatima Fqiyah '28, with the support of Reynard Benschop, director of student activities, were covered for the volunteer initiative launched to connect students to opportunities to serve in the community.

• Augustana student-led volunteer initiative takes off in its first year | OurQuadCities
• Augustana launches new volunteer program to connect students to community | WVIK, Quad Cities NPR

Students build belonging amid national policy change

Kaiyana Washington ‘27 interviewed by KWQC

Students Khalia Conntate '28, Kaiyana Washington '27, Reigna Hels '26, Zion Williams '26 and Favour Noya '26 were covered for their work with the Augustana Black Student Union in the wake of growing anti-DEI policy. Coverage of Augustana’s Black Student Union showed students creating community, support and cultural affirmation amid a national climate of changing DEI policy.

• As anti-DEI laws spread, Augustana’s Black Student Union rises with new urgency | KWQC

Higher Education in Prison and Public Purpose

Coverage of the Augustana Prison Education Program (APEP) and its participation in national research on higher education outcomes for incarcerated students elevated one of Augustana’s strongest mission-centered programs. APEP reflects Augustana’s commitment to access, dignity and the public purpose of education. It shows the liberal arts reaching beyond campus in ways that change lives and communities.

• Success stories: Augustana College Prison Education Program graduates biggest class | Our Quad Cities
• Augustana Prison Education Program celebrates 10 graduates during commencement ceremony | Quad City Times
• 10 graduates earn Augustana College degrees inside East Moline Correctional Center | wqad.com

Coverage involving Ashley Allen, executive director of intercultural experiences, showed how Augustana creates spaces where students see identity, culture and belonging as part of their educational experience.

• 'Shades of Beauty' event hosted to celebrate International Women's Day | KWQC
• Augustana College Invites the Community to MLK Day Keynote Panel Discussion | River Cities' Reader | River City Reader
• Augustana MLK Day panel to discuss compassion | Quad Cities Business Journal
• Augustana College hosts panel for Martin Luther King Jr. Day | wqad.com
• Augustana College, Rock Island, to present panel on Dr. Martin Luther King Day | OurQuadCities

See previous impact

Fall 2025 report