Govs on the Go

In this episode of Govs on the Go: Alumni Edition, Dean Hoon speaks with Arthur Orr, a 2023 graduate of Austin Peay State University with a Master’s in History with a concentration in Military History. Arthur currently serves as Executive Vice President at Cook’s Pest Control and has represented North Alabama in the State Senate for nearly two decades, where he chairs the Appropriations Committee. A former Peace Corps volunteer and...

In this episode, Dean Hoon sits down with Darren Michael, professor of acting and directing in the Department of Theatre and Dance at Austin Peay State University. A seasoned performer, director, and published playwright, Darren shares insights from more than two decades of professional theatre experience across the South and beyond. From his early love of performance to his nationally produced plays and deep commitment to theatre ...

In this episode of Govs on the Go: Alumni Edition, Dean Buzz Hoon sits down with Zacharie Kinslow, a 2019 graduate of Austin Peay State University’s Department of History and Philosophy. Now the Executive Director of the Clement Railroad Hotel Museum in Dickson, Tennessee, Zacharie shares his academic journey, his time working at the President James K. Polk Home & Museum, and his ongoing research on slavery, the American presid...

In this episode of Govs on the Go: Faculty Spotlight Edition, Dean Buzz Hoon talks with Dr. Linda Crenshaw, a longtime faculty member in the Department of Languages and Literature at Austin Peay. A scholar of Southern literature, Dr. Crenshaw shares how her academic journey—from the University of Arkansas to Vanderbilt University—shaped her love for authors like Faulkner, O’Connor, and Welty. She reflects on her decades of teaching...

In this episode of Govs on the Go: Alumni Edition, Dean Hoon sits down with Kyle Christmas, a dedicated APSU alumnus who has earned a bachelor's and master's degree from the Department of Languages and Literature, a master's degree from the College of Education and is currently completing his EdD in Higher Education. Now serving as the Executive Director of Accreditation & External Compliance at APSU, Kyle discusses...

In this episode of Govs on the Go: Faculty Spotlight Edition, Dean Buzz Hoon talks with Professor Lauren Edmonds, assistant professor of music and director of Austin Peay’s Music Therapy program. A board-certified music therapist, Lauren has worked extensively with children with disabilities and in mental health settings. She shares how she’s transforming APSU’s Music Therapy program with a methods-based approach, a cutting-edge mo...

In this episode of Govs on the Go: Alumni Edition, Dean Buzz Hoon sits down with Lakyn Earhart, a 2016 graduate of Austin Peay State University’s Department of Communication. Now a Personal Executive Assistant and Client Success Manager at Project 2231 Profit—the parent company of Miss Lucille’s, The City Forum, and Dock 17—Lakyn shares how a teacher’s advice sparked her passion for event planning, her journey from UT Chattanooga t...

In this episode of Govs on the Go: Faculty Spotlight Edition, Dean Hoon sits down with Wansoo Kim, a professor in the Department of Art + Design at APSU. Born and raised in a small town in South Korea, Kim discovered his passion for art at an early age. After studying abroad at Grand Valley State University and earning his graduate degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Kim now teaches APSU students not only how to craft c...

In this episode of Govs on the Go: Alumni Edition, Dean Hoon chats with Richard Ripani, a 1998 graduate of APSU’s Master’s of Music program and founder of the Nashville Jazz Youth Ensemble. Richard shares his journey as an educator, his transition into retirement (which hasn’t slowed him down!), and his passion for providing Middle Tennessee students with opportunities to grow through jazz music. Discover how his father’s love for ...

Join Dean Hoon as he speaks with James "Jim" Thweatt, a proud 1991 graduate of Austin Peay with dual degrees in History and English. Now serving as an archivist in the History of Medicine Collection at Vanderbilt University, Jim reflects on his upbringing in Clarksville, where gardening and a passion for history were instilled by his parents—his father, a historian and archivist, also taught in APSU’s History Department. He shares ...

In this episode, Dean Hoon sits down with Dr. Jill Vogel, a 2018 graduate of Austin Peay's Department of Music and Assistant Professor of Music at Hollins University. Growing up in Middle Tennessee with a love for dance and music, Jill’s journey to APSU started with a Psychology major and Dance minor, but shifted to music thanks to her love for music. Her mother, a professor in APSU's Math Department, inspired her commitment to edu...

In this episode of "Govs on the Go: Alumni Edition," Dean Hoon talks with Dr. Johnny Sparks, a two-time graduate of Austin Peay’s Department of Communication, with a Bachelor's Degree in 2000 and a Master’s in 2002. Dr. Sparks currently serves as the Director of the School of Journalism and Strategic Communication at Ball State University, a role he’s held for nine years. Growing up between Nashville and Clarksville in Cheatham Cou...

In this episode of Govs on the Go: Alumni Edition, Dean Hoon speaks with Sophia Eisenbart, a 2017 graduate of APSU’s Department of Art + Design and now a high school art teacher. Sophia shares her journey from starting as a Biology major to changing majors to pursue her passion for Art, with the encouragement of her advisor and her mother’s unwavering support. She discusses how art has been a steadying force in her life and how she...

In this episode, Dean Hoon speaks with Dr. Mike Gotcher, a proud alum of the APSU Department of Communication and former Chair of APSU's Department of Communication and Theatre. Now serving as Dean of the College of Interdisciplinary Studies at Tennessee Tech University, Dr. Gotcher shares insights from his journey in higher education, which spans over 28 years. He reflects on his time at APSU as both a student and faculty memb...

In this episode of "Govs on the Go: Alumni Edition," Dean Hoon chats with Sydney Hawkins, a 2020 alum of the APSU Department of Communication. Sydney recently transitioned to WKRC-TV in Cincinnati, OH, where she serves as a weekend morning anchor. Growing up in Madison County, TN, Sydney was an active 4-H member, a band kid, and participated in numerous camps. Her journey to becoming a journalist began with a lightbulb mo...

In this episode of "Govs on the Go: Alumni Edition," Dean Hoon sits down with Natalie Kilgore, a 2001 alumna of APSU’s Department of Communication. Growing up in Greenbrier, TN, Natalie developed a deep love for music, nurtured by her small town’s strong arts programs. Her passion for communication led her to a hands-on education at APSU where she worked in student media outlets such as the student newspaper, The All Stat...

In this episode of "Govs on the Go: Alumni Edition," Dean Hoon speaks with Alejandro "Jandro" Herrera, a proud Clarksville native and alum of the APSU Department of Communication's sports broadcasting program, Jandro has a deep love for all sports. He played soccer in high school and now coaches a soccer league, all while serving as the Director of Recruitment and Orientation at Austin Peay State University....