College Town Talk
College Town Talk is a podcast from Tennessee Tech University in partnership with the Cookeville-Putnam County Visitors Bureau. Each week, hosts Jonathan Frank and Shan Stout introduce listeners to Tech faculty, staff and students – as well as successful Tech alumni, local business owners and civic leaders – who are making a difference and living Wings Up in their community.
Episodes
June 16, 2026 • 23 mins
This week on College Town Talk, Jonathan and Shan sit down with Margo Dirkson, department coordinator in Tennessee Tech’s Office of Access, Belonging and Community Outreach and a doctoral student in Tech’s new Ph.D. in higher education program.
Margo shares why she chose to pursue a doctorate while balancing a full-time career and extensive volunteer service, what it means to help students find a sense of belonging on ...
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June 10, 2026 • 22 mins
This week on College Town Talk, we sit down with Dr. Erin Hoover, associate professor of English at Tennessee Tech and the first-ever poet laureate for the City of Cookeville.
In this episode, Dr. Hoover discusses how Tech’s English Department is thoughtfully incorporating AI into the classroom while helping students strengthen their writing skills, think critically and develop their own creative voices.
She also shares her...
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June 3, 2026 • 23 mins
This week on College Town Talk, guest co-host Jamie Fancher returns for a conversation with Dr. Joshua Martin, a Tennessee Tech alumnus who now serves as assistant professor of Spanish.
Dr. Martin is also the recipient of Tech’s 2024-25 Scholastic Research Award and author of the new book, "Masculinity, Coloniality, and the US-Mexico Border in Literature and Political Culture."
In our interview, Dr. Martin reflects on what ...
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May 26, 2026 • 24 mins
This week on College Town Talk, guest co-host Jamie Fancher joins us for a conversation with Dr. Julie Baker, a three-time Tennessee Tech graduate who now serves as dean of the College of Graduate Studies and associate provost at Tech.
As she approaches her 20th anniversary at Tech, Dr. Baker reflects on her early years as a high school teacher, shares favorite campus memories and gives us a glimpse into what it’s really lik...
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May 5, 2026 • 24 mins
This week on College Town Talk, Jonathan and Shan catch up with Adam Poe, a 2011 Tennessee Tech graduate who now serves as vice president of the Highlands Economic Partnership.
In our interview, Adam discusses Tech’s role in driving economic development across the region and reflects on the lasting impact of his involvement as a Tech student with Kappa Sigma fraternity—an experience that ultimately led him to serve as ...
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April 28, 2026 • 23 mins
This week on College Town Talk, Jonathan and Shan introduce listeners to Callie Smith, a senior at Tennessee Tech and Morgan County native double majoring in communications and marketing.
Callie is also a former Tech Trailblazer — Tech students who provide personalized campus tours for prospective students and their families — and the former sports editor for The Oracle, Tech’s student newspaper.
While sti...
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April 20, 2026 • 23 mins
This week on College Town Talk, Jonathan and Shan sit down with Dr. Jeannette Luna, assistant dean of research and graduate studies in the College of Arts & Sciences at Tennessee Tech.
Dr. Luna was recently selected by NASA as a participating scientist on the first Artemis lunar surface science team — a small, elite group of researchers supporting the agency’s upcoming crewed mission to land astronauts near the moo...
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April 13, 2026 • 24 mins
This week on College Town Talk, Jonathan and guest co-host Susan Luna-Hazlewood are joined by Sam Brooks, a two-time Tennessee Tech graduate and president of the Tech Football Quarterback Club.
Sam has been an educator in the Upper Cumberland for more than 30 years, ranging from his early days as a biology teacher at Cookeville High School and Upperman High School, to his role today as Upper Cumberland regional dir...
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April 8, 2026 • 22 mins
This week on College Town Talk, Jonathan and guest co-host Susan Luna-Hazlewood are joined by Dr. Nancy Hamilton, a two-time Tennessee Tech graduate and chair-elect of Tech’s Alumni Association Board of Directors. Dr. Hamilton also serves as a Roane County commissioner and as program director for college success at Roane State Community College.
In the interview, Dr. Hamilton reflects on her path to higher education leadersh...
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March 30, 2026 • 25 mins
This week on College Town Talk, we’re joined by guest co-host Susan Luna-Hazlewood, executive director of Tennessee Tech’s Crawford Alumni Center, for a special conversation with Thomas Lynn—a two-time Tech graduate, member of Tech’s Board of Trustees and chairman of the board for First National Bank of Tennessee.
Thomas is also a generous philanthropist who helped establish Mustard Seed Ranch, a home for c...
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March 17, 2026 • 22 mins
This week on College Town Talk, Jonathan and Shan sit down with Rachel Smalling, a 2014 Tennessee Tech graduate and classically trained cellist who went on to become a successful local entrepreneur.
Today, Rachel performs with the Orfeo String Quartet and owns two local hotels and a popular cocktail lounge. She is also helping protect and enhance Cookeville’s vibrant downtown as president of the Cookeville Downtown Deve...
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March 9, 2026 • 23 mins
This week on College Town Talk, Jonathan and Shan catch up with Dr. Colin Hill, director of the School of Music at Tennessee Tech. Dr. Hill is a sought-after percussionist who has presented concerts and events throughout the United States, Europe, Africa and Asia. Here in Cookeville, he is also a musician and board member with the Bryan Symphony Orchestra.
In our interview, Dr. Hill tells us about the unique path that led him to T...
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February 23, 2026 • 23 mins
This week on College Town Talk, Jonathan and Shan sit down with Braxton Westbrook, a Tennessee Tech student pursuing a master’s degree in computer science after graduating magna cum laude in May 2024. Braxton also serves as the student trustee on Tech’s Board of Trustees, representing nearly 11,000 students on the university’s governing body. He shares insights from his experience working alongside fellow trustees...
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February 16, 2026 • 23 mins
This week on College Town Talk, Jonathan and Shan visit with Emily Thomas, a senior in Tennessee Tech's College of Business, Cookeville native, and third-generation Golden Eagle. Emily tells us about her busy schedule on and off-campus - including an internship at the Upper Cumberland Tourism Association and her role on the College of Business social media team. Plus, she explains how she is pursuing her master's degree even as she...
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February 10, 2026 • 23 mins
This week on College Town Talk, we’re joined by Dr. Susan Miranda, executive director of the Bryan Symphony Orchestra - the Upper Cumberland’s professional symphony, which is celebrating its 62nd season in partnership with the Tennessee Tech School of Music.
Susan shares about her background as a renowned oboist, her recent move to Tennessee after many years in the Midwest, and her efforts to visit all of our nat...
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February 2, 2026 • 25 mins
This week on College Town Talk, we’re catching up with Ben Higgins, a two-time Tennessee Tech graduate who now serves as a licensed professional counselor and mental health services provider in Tech’s Center for Counseling and Mental Health Wellness. Ben is also an accomplished musician and local worship leader whose songs can be found on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube and other platforms.
In our interview, Ben shares h...
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January 28, 2026 • 23 mins
This week on College Town Talk, Jonathan and Shan sit down with Bella Rigsby, a Tennessee Tech junior and elementary education major who serves as a Student Orientation Assistant (SOA) and as Panhellenic president - meaning that she helps oversee all of Tennessee Tech’s sororities across campus. Bella tells us about the value of Greek life to her student experience, her advice to prospective students and what most excites h...
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January 21, 2026 • 24 mins
This week on College Town Talk, Jonathan and Shan catch up with Tyler Asher, a 2014 Tennessee Tech graduate now serving as assistant commissioner for the Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development. Tyler tells us about his passion for supporting Tennessee's job seekers and small businesses and shares about his experiences serving his alma mater on the Tennessee Tech Alumni Association Board of Directors. Plus, Tyler ...
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January 12, 2026 • 24 mins
This week on College Town Talk, Jonathan and Shan are joined by Dr. Chelsea Dowell, lecturer of economics in Tennessee Tech’s College of Business. Dr. Dowell discusses her commitment to experiential learning - including hands-on projects with her students for Tech Athletics and the Center for Rural Innovation - and her work designing a free financial literacy course for members of the community.
Plus, Dr. Dowell plays a game...
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January 5, 2026 • 23 mins
College Town Talk kicks off 2026 with Jennifer Winningham, Tennessee Tech's director of sports medicine and head athletic trainer. Jennifer tells us about the significance of returning to work at Tech after graduating from the university more than 20 years ago and shares a deeply moving story about her decision to be a kidney donor for a longtime friend. Plus, she discusses the enduring legacy of her late father, former State Repre...
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