Highlander Highlights: Week of Oct. 19, 2026

Highlander Highlights shares with readers some of the extraordinary accomplishments happening on and off campus through the tireless work and curiosity of our students, faculty, staff and alumni.

Early bird ornithology class gets up close with feathered friends

Before sunrise, while much of the region was still asleep, students in Radford University's Ornithology class (BIOL 380) were already at work along the trails at Bisset Park and the Selu Conservancy, setting up mist nets and preparing for a rare opportunity to hold wild birds in their hands.

The course, taught by Professor Karen Powers, is being offered for the first time in more than 10 years. Powers has incorporated a variety of hands-on learning opportunities, including bird-watching trips around the region, research projects and work with taxidermied specimens prepared by students in the university's museum techniques courses.

During the final two weeks of lab, students learned techniques for capturing and handling live birds using mist nets. About 12 students joined Powers and co-instructor Haley Olsen-Hodges for the field sessions, setting up five nets before sunrise at each location, along the riverway trail at Bisset and in the campground area at Selu.

Powers and Olsen-Hodges carefully removed birds from the nets and supervised students as they held the birds while wearing gloves.

"Given that much of our class is bird-watching from afar or using taxidermied birds in class, this was a nice opportunity for students to get hands-on experience with live birds," Powers said.

Across the two outings, the group captured four species: a northern cardinal, a tufted titmouse, a blue jay and a Carolina wren.

The experience allowed students to observe birds up close and apply field techniques used in ornithological research. All netting was conducted under appropriate state and federal permits and with approval from the university's Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee; all birds were released unharmed.

Scholarship supports nursing student's goal of advancing women's health

Shenika Bowles '09 is building on years of nursing experience as she pursues her Master of Science in Nursing at Radford University, where she is preparing to become a family nurse practitioner.

A recipient of the CVS Health Foundation Caring Hearts Scholarship, Bowles is grateful for the financial support as she balances graduate studies, clinical training, work and family responsibilities.

"The financial assistance provided through the CVS Health Foundation Caring Hearts Scholarship helps ease that burden and allows me to focus more fully on my education and clinical training," Bowles wrote in a letter to the scholarship committee.

Bowles began her nursing career as a licensed practical nurse and continued her education and professional growth as a registered nurse. Her experience spans critical care, public health and hospice, with each area strengthening her commitment to compassionate, patient-centered care and inspiring her to pursue advanced practice nursing.

As a working nurse, wife and mother, Bowles is committed to advancing her education while remaining engaged with her family, career and community.

After graduation, she hopes to practice as a nurse practitioner with a special focus on women's health, incorporating her public health background to educate and empower patients and improve access to quality health care.

For Bowles, the scholarship represents more than financial assistance. She sees it as an investment in the patients, families and communities she will serve throughout her career.

"Your generosity extends beyond supporting my education; it will also have an impact on the patients, families, and communities I will have the privilege of serving throughout my career," she wrote.

Advising team earns national recognition

Radford University's Highlander Success Center is celebrating national recognition and professional leadership accomplishments among its academic advising staff.

Solitaire M. Kelley, director of university advising, was named the 2026 Outstanding Advising Administrator of the Year by the National Association of Academic Advising (NACADA), a global organization with more than 13,000 members in 30 countries.

Kristina Contreras, assistant director of advising, was selected as one of 12 participants worldwide for NACADA's two-year Emerging Leaders cohort program. The program focuses on leadership development, student success and encouraging greater involvement in the professional organization.

Kelley, Contreras and Advising Coordinator Lisa Hite, M.S. '09, also presented a session titled "Lightning Rounds of Inspiration for Advising Leaders: Share, Swap, and Steal Advising Team Ideas" at NACADA's annual conference in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Oct. 4-7. More than 50 leaders attended the session, which featured discussions and idea-sharing on academic technology, team leadership and assessment.

For the second consecutive year, Contreras and Hite are serving on the NACADA Region 2 conference committee as service coordinator and exhibit coordinator, respectively. Their work provides opportunities for professional development and collaboration with institutions across 12 states and the District of Columbia.