Some of the most powerful learning happens when students step outside the classroom and into real-world settings. In this episode, host Dr. Shannon Harmon talks with Amy Fountain—faculty member in the Department of Communication, Media, and Theatre, internship coordinator, and member of the College of Arts and Sciences' TEAMS initiative—about how internships and experiential learning shape student success.

Together they explore what students gain from internships that a traditional classroom can't always offer, how faculty can prepare students for these experiences, and why reflection is the key to turning experience into lasting learning. Amy also shares how her work coordinating internships has reshaped her own teaching, and how it connects to the broader conversation about teaching excellence at Mississippi State.

Whether you're a faculty member rethinking how your courses connect to students' futures—or simply curious about learning that extends beyond the classroom—this conversation offers practical insight and a fresh perspective on preparing students for what's next.

Teaching is deeply meaningful work, but it can also be demanding work. In this episode of InCITEful Teaching, host Dr. Shannon Harmon sits down with Dr. Emily Stafford, Director of Mississippi State University's Psychology Clinic, to explore faculty well-being, burnout, work-life balance, and the importance of seeking support.

Together, they discuss how burnout manifests in higher education, the unique pressures faculty face, practical strategies for setting boundaries, and ways institutions and colleagues can foster healthier academic cultures. Dr. Stafford also shares information about the Psychology Clinic's services and offers guidance for faculty and students.

Whether you're navigating a challenging semester, supporting colleagues, or simply looking for ways to sustain yourself in this important work, this conversation offers thoughtful insights and practical takeaways.

Dr. Andrew Mercer is a meteorologist and climatologist at Mississippi State University, home to one in three of today's on-air broadcast meteorologists. As Graduate Coordinator for the Department of Geosciences and meteorology team lead, his research applies machine learning and AI to large scale atmospheric problems, from severe weather forecasting to hurricane prediction.

In this conversation with host Dr. Shannon Harmon, Andrew reflects on what it means to teach in a nationally recognized program built around both the science and the communication of weather. He shares how MSU prepares students for careers across the country, how uncertainty is woven into meteorology as a discipline, and how he is thinking about the role AI might play in the future of the field and the classroom.

For faculty wondering how to approach AI in their own classrooms, Andrew's advice is simple: treat it as a tool, meet your students where they are, and keep the focus on critical thinking.