Common Read/Common World is a voluntary learning initiative based on a shared learning experience of students, faculty and community members.

The program was developed for all USA students, particularly first-year students, and aims to:

• Improve understanding of differences and commonalities across the world;
• Develop a more sophisticated understanding of values and ethics;
• Increase awareness of global issues;
• Gain an understanding of how to make an impact in society;
• Engage in academic discourse and critical thinking; and
• Create a sense of community among students, faculty, staff, and the greater Mobile area.

Events and speakers are scheduled throughout the academic year. This enables students and faculty to engage critically with the ideas and themes of the book. Common Read/Common World is a university-wide program, and a partnership between Academic Affairs and Student Affairs with special support from the Stokes Center for Creative Writing.

Join Dr. Joe Gaston and Dr. Susan Ferguson as they discuss this year's selection, Late Migrations, by Alabama-Born Author Margaret Renkle. They are joined in the studio by College of Education and Professional Studies Graduate Assistant, Kenneth Germany. Tune in as they discuss activities to promote this year's text, upcoming plans for Spring Semester 2026, and the selection process for next year's Common Read text.

For more information about upcoming programming, University committee members, and ways to participate, visit:

https://www.southalabama.edu/departments/commonread/

Associate Dean and Sincerely, South Producer, Dr. TresStefurak welcomes returning guest, College of Nursing faculty Dr. Candace Selwyn and recent Interdisciplinary Studies graduate focused in trauma counseling, Jamie Renee Simpson. Jamie Renee discusses her journey from midwiferyto trauma counseling for sex trafficked victims and victims of child abuse. Connecting to the previous podcast feature on The Heart Project, Dr. Selwyn provides an update of the counseling services provided to student survivors of abuse, as well as internship and volunteer opportunities for exploring avenues of outreach for victim advocacy in the region.

For more information on The Heart Project visit:

https://www.southalabama.edu/departments/studenthealth/heartproject/

Have you been wondering about online AI assistants and applications? Are you curious about how artificial intelligence is impacting the educational landscape? In this third episode of their series highlighting aspects of AI, Dr. Joe Gaston and Dr. Susan Ferguson are joined by Sage, a Google Gemini AI Assistant. Sage discusses her perspective on AI in education and industry as well as her self-perception and awareness of public attitudes toward artificial intelligence. Tune in as the three discuss evolving perceptions of AI, useful tips for preservice teachers who want to utilize an AI assistant for planning and resource acquisition, ethical considerations of AI use, future outlook for AI for personal use, and more.