Brenau University

Already having a ROARing good time🕶️☀️

Alum Q&A with Kris Edwards🔬🧬
Bachelor of Science in Biology, ‘26

Why biology?
I’ve always been interested specifically in the natural sciences like Zoology, natural preservation since I was a kid. That’s what drove me to be a biology major.

You recently graduated, what’s next?
I have both interest in lab and field work, but specifically I’d love to go into a field connected to natural and environmental protection.

Tell us about your recent research on intersex patients in healthcare...
I know in general intersex people have a lot of stigma against them for characteristics that they were either born with or just developed in life — either way, these are characteristics that they have no control over. Especially in a healthcare setting, it can be very vulnerable for them. It’s something that affects their health too. Especially with how many Brenau students are going into
the healthcare field, I want them to at least be aware and know that they’ll probably have one or more intersex patients, depending on their field of study. I want them to be prepared to handle those patients in a professional and delicate manner.

What is one thing you want everyone to know about Brenau?
One thing that surprised me in my freshman year is that it’s alright to be open about who you are. In my high school, if you were q***r, you had to hide it. So, when we were introducing ourselves in our first year experience class, people shared their sexualities and pronouns. I was
like, “You can do that here?” So, one thing I do want to tell new students is that you are free to be yourself.

We just wanted to take a moment to highlight our students and alumni who presented at research conferences this past spring semester! We’re so proud of them for taking their studies to the next level!

National Conference of Undergraduate Research in Richmond, Virginia:
- Gladys Blanco Choque
- Tyra Owusu Sekyere

Theodore Clevenger Undergraduate Honors Conference in Birmingham, Alabama:
- Sahara Destin

Western Business & Management Conference in Las Vegas:
- Yoysi Solis, WC ‘25
- Alberto Ortega, BU ‘25

To learn about their individual research, visit brenau.edu/news

Costa Rica Study Abroad 2026🦜🌿Eleven Brenau undergrad students recently embarked on a study abroad trip to Costa Rica alongside professors Jessi Barker Shrout and Kimberly Martin! Just three days into the nine-day program, and they have already explored the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Preserve, listened to a lecture on ecosystems in Costa Rica, visited a sustainable coffee farm, made empanadas with local women, toured sustainable fisheries, and identified lots and lots of wildlife!

Stay tuned for follow-up content from their adventures💚

Congrats to Georgia’s 2026 Valedictorians🎉 HJ had a blast celebrating the state’s top high school students alongside his mascot friends and Gov. Brian Kemp!

Meet Hanna Simmons, a Brenau alum who recently returned to earn her Master of Arts in Teaching🐯📝

Through Brenau’s TigerTEACH program, Hanna is pursuing her master’s degree online while continuing to work as a paraprofessional at Buford Elementary School.

“Brenau has shown me how capable I am, pushing me to do my best,” Hanna said. “I am capable of working a full-time job, giving 110% to my students and working through my assignments. I have loved being able to see what I am learning take place in the classroom.”

Hanna’s passion for education sparked from her experiences with kind and engaging teachers, and witnessing the positive impact her mother made as an educator.

“My mom was a teacher, and when I was younger, I often was right there with her, helping turn her classroom into a class family,” she said. “I knew I wanted this for myself. I want to create a loving environment where students can feel loved and know they are capable of anything.“

Congratulations to Dr. Fassil Fanta, professor of economics, for receiving a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award!!🎉🎉As a part of the 10-month program, Dr. Fanta will be hosted by Haramaya University in Ethiopia, which is close to where he grew up. Starting this September, he will teach economics courses for graduate and undergraduate students, conduct research, lead faculty development workshops, and help establish the university’s first Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence.

To read the full story, visit https://www.brenau.edu/news/economics-faculty-member-fanta-selected-as-fulbright-u-s-scholar/