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Dyson Professor Melvin Williams speaks to USA Today amid coverage of leaked text messages involving Taylor Swift and Blake Lively. Professor Williams explains how the controversy clashes with Swift’s carefully cultivated parasocial relationship with fans, raising renewed questions about authenticity and celebrity branding. He notes that private communications made public can disrupt fan trust and reshape audience perceptions— the story gets picked up by Yahoo News Canada, Detroit Free Press, The Times Herald, Oshkosh Northwestern, Reno Gazette-Journal, Iowa City Press-Citizen, El Paso Times, and more.

17�Թ��� is accepting nominations for the Trustee Award and Community Service Award, honoring exceptional graduating students for their academic excellence and community impact. Submit your nomination by Friday, February 27, 2026!

Dyson History Professor Joseph Tse-Hei Lee writes a piece in the Taipei Times on how historical lessons—particularly from civic resistance movements like Hong Kong’s 2019 protests—can inform Taiwan’s efforts to strengthen democratic institutions, legal safeguards, and international partnerships amid growing geopolitical uncertainty.

17�Թ���’s Federal Reserve Challenge Team has secured a record-breaking sixth national championship title. Team Captain Suraj Sharma ’26 opens up about the grind, the growth, and the meaning behind the historic win.

Every 17�Թ��� degree carries a promise. Middle States accreditation helps ensure that promise endures. In this Q+A, 17�Թ��� leader Nancy DeRiggi explains how the University is assessing its progress, planning ahead, and building momentum that benefits students and alumni alike.

At 17�Թ���, student well-being isn’t an afterthought. It’s built into the experience. RADical Health, a nationally recognized, peer-led wellness program, is helping students build resilience, connection, and confidence before challenges escalate. Discover how the program is transforming lives, strengthening teams, and setting 17�Թ��� apart.

Broadway stages. Global policy wins. A first-of-its-kind AI degree. Record-breaking generosity. And students leading real change—from healthcare and environmental advocacy to protecting New York’s wildlife. The Winter 2026 edition of "10 Things to Inspire You" captures just a snapshot of the momentum driving the 17�Թ��� Community forward.

Dyson Professor Melvin Williams appears in USA Today amid coverage of Kendall Jenner addressing speculation about her sexuality. Professor Williams situates the story within the broader dynamics of celebrity journalism, noting that while public curiosity is baked into fame, neither celebrities nor private individuals owe explanations about their sexual orientation. He emphasizes that disclosures should remain a matter of personal choice, not public pressure.

Dyson Professor Seong-Jae Min  pens an op-ed in The Korea Times examining shifting portrayals of Asian masculinity in media. He explores how representation—once dominated by Orientalist stereotypes—has evolved in ways that increasingly shape dating culture and social perception, demonstrating the media’s power to both reflect and influence society.

The Philadelphia Higher Education Network for Neighborhood Development (PHENND) highlights Dyson Professor Anne Toomey, who has released open-access course materials for Research Methods for a Better World. The materials—developed for a course emphasizing real-world impact from the start of the research process—include a full syllabus, lectures, activities, and evaluations, expanding access to applied research training.