Ariyana Muesse ’26: Blending Storytelling, Media, and Community with Rhodes’ Journalism Certificate

For Ariyana Muesse ’26, journalism is more than writing—it is a way of connecting people, stories, and communities. A political science and international studies bridge major, Muesse is also pursuing minors in both English and film and media studies; by combining her academic interests with the Journalism Certificate at Rhodes, she is finding a path that blends communication, media, and global awareness.

Henriksen Participates in New Cohort of Sacred Writes Program

Dr. Beck Henriksen, visiting assistant professor of religious studies at Rhodes College, is one of 12 participants who have been selected for the 2025 Sacred Writes: Public Scholarship on Religion program. The program is designed for scholars of religion who are interested in improving public religious literacy and working to translate their research for a broader audience.

Johnathan Burch ’27 Selected for Prestigious Douglass-O'Connell Global Internship in Ireland

Johnathan Burch, a sophomore political science major at Rhodes College from Charlotte, NC, has been selected for the 2025 Douglass-O’Connell Global Internship awarded by The Council on International Educational Exchange and the African American Irish Diaspora Network. He will join a diverse cohort of 12 high-achieving students who will participate in an eight-week international internship program in Dublin, Ireland, this summer.

Mathews Recognized with Memphis Magazine’s Innovation Award

Eric Mathews, entrepreneur-in-residence at Rhodes and a member of the Rhodes Class of 2002, is among winners of the 12th annual Innovation Awards presented by Memphis Magazine. He is chief executive officer of Memphis-based start-up incubator Start Co.