Beyond the Classroom
BTC began in Spring 2025 and currently consist of 4 series covering a variety of topics. Seminar presentations are conducted live on either the Macon Campus or Cochran Campus and are streamed via Microsoft Teams.
New Money Mindset Series
(In Partnership With the School of Buisness)
This series will help you:
- Understand the psychology behind money decisions
- Build a strong financial foundation
- Learn how to budget, save, and invest wisely
- Avoid common financial pitfalls
- Decode economic news and financial trends
Economics in the News – presented by Dr. James Blackburn on Wednesday, February 11th at 1230 PM. Macon Library Computer Lab 2 or online at: https://tinyurl.com/BTCFeb11 Economic news can be misleading—learn how to make sense of it. This session teaches critical thinking skills to help you navigate financial news, understand economic trends, and make informed decisions.
Avoiding Financial Pitfalls – date, time, and presenter TBD. Debt, overspending, and poor financial habits can derail your future. Learn to recognize financial pitfalls and develop strategies to avoid or escape the
Planning for a Secure Future - date, time, and presenter TBD. Retirement might seem far away, but the earlier you start, the better. Explore different savings plans and investment options to ensure financial security for the future.
Financial Empowerment – date, time, and presenter TBD. Money is a tool for freedom and success. This session focuses on how understanding finances can open doors to better opportunities, independence, and long-term success
Career Development Series
(In Partnership With the Center for Career and Leadership Development)
This series will help you:
- Understand early career experiences
- Build an understanding of what employers are looking for
- Learn how to communicate with potential employers
- Avoid common misconceptions
Exploring Your Options – panel presentation on Monday February 2 at 1230 PM in Roberts 304 Cochran Campus or online at: https://tinyurl.com/BTCFeb02 Quick mini-talks/panel highlighting multiple ways to gain experience beyond internships, including micro-internships, job shadowing, part-time jobs, undergraduate research, study abroad, volunteering, and campus involvement.
Internships Demystified – panel presentation on Monday, March 2 at 1230 PM in Roberts 304 Cochran Campus or online at: https://tinyurl.com/BTCMar02 Employer and faculty guests help students understand what internships actually look like today and debunk common myths. Includes discussion of credit vs. non-credit internships and real student examples.
What do I Say – panel presentation on Monday, April 6 at 1230 PM in Roberts 304 Cochran Campus or online at: https://tinyurl.com/BTCApr06 Practical guidance on professional outreach (how to email employers, make contact on LinkedIn or Handshake, follow up, and pitch yourself, etc.). Includes going over simple templates students can use immediately.
Recharge Your Mind Series
(In Partnership With the School of Health and Natural Sciences)
This series will help you:
- Challenge the glorification of "grind" culture
- Explore strategies to achieve mental clarity, balance, and overall well-being
- Learn how to prevent burnout and set boundaries with technology
- Adopt sustainable wellness practices without sacrificing ambition
Resilience – presented by Dr. Melva Jones on Wednesday February 4 at 1130 AM in Macon Library Computer Lab 2 or online at: https://tinyurl.com/BTCFeb04
Mental Recharge Rituals – presented by Dr. Kinzie Lee on Wednesday March 4 at 1130 AM in Macon Library Computer Lab 2 or online at: https://tinyurl.com/BTCMar04
Hacked by the Algorithm Series
(In Partnership With the School of Computing)
This series will help you:
- Break the code on the algorithm hack
- Build authentic communities online
- Learn how to protect your online identity
- Avoid digital isolation
- Leverage social media for meaningful connections
Your Data Your Power – presented by Professor Jed Edge on Monday February 16 at 1230 PM in Roberts 304 Cochran Campus or online at: https://tinyurl.com/BTCFeb16 Every online interaction leaves a digital footprint. Learn about data tracking and the risk of personal information exposure and discover how to safeguard your digital identity.
Tech Savvy for the Everyday User – presented by Dr. Shaun Anderson on Wednesday April 15 at 1230 PM in Macon Library Computer Lab 2 or online at: https://tinyurl.com/BTCApr15 As technology evolves, so do digital threats and opportunities. This session covers essential cybersecurity practices, productivity-enhancing tools, and the risks of emerging technologies like deepfakes and facial recognition, ensuring participants stay ahead in the digital landscape while protecting their online presence.
Presentations in Fall 2025 included:
New Money Mindset Series
(In Partnership With the School of Buisness)
Money and Your Brain – presented by Dr. James Blackburn Explore how your Money Scripts those unconscious beliefs about money formed in childhood—are influencing your spending, saving, and investing more than you realize. Learn how financial Heuristics simplify decisions but often result in less-than-optimal outcomes. Learn how environmental cues trigger Cognitive Biases and lead to zombie-like financial actions.
Mastering the Basics of Money Management – presented by Dr. Everod Davis Oct 8 @ 1230 PSC 134 Learn how to take control of your finances by understanding income, expenses, and smart budgeting. This session will cover practical techniques for managing money effectively and building a strong savings habit.
Building a Strong Financial Foundation – presented by Dr. Doug Bice Oct 22 @ 230 PM Roberts 304 or online Your financial future starts with a plan. Discover how to set achievable short- and long-term financial goals and create a roadmap to turn them into reality.
Smart Investing for Beginners – presented by Dr. Yaseen Alhaj-Yaseen November 12@ 1230 PM PSC 134 or online Investing isn’t just for the wealthy—it’s for everyone. This seminar introduces key investment strategies, explains risk management, and shows how small investments today can lead to big returns tomorrow.
Recharge Your Mind Series
(In Partnership With the School of Health and Natural Sciences)
Running on Coffee and Deadlines – presented by Dr. Crystal Roberts September 25 We will break down the science and origins of burnout, reveal how hustle culture fuels it, and explore the real impact it has on your brain, body, academics, and relationships. This session is all about understanding the “what” and the “why” behind burnout, so you can recognize it when it starts.
Boundaries and Conflict Resolution – presented by Dr. Shannon Daly October 28 @ 1 PM Dillard 218 or online. Learn how communications and boundaries work hand in hand. Find out about practical insights to foster healthy dialog, resolve conflict, and prevent burnout. Discover how to promote balance in your life.
Digital Detox 101 – presented by Professor Shelly Hopko November 18 @ 1 PM Jones 145 or online
Hacked by the Algorithm Series
(In Partnership With the School of Computing)
Fighting Misinformation – Recognizing Fake News and Escaping Echo Chambers: Nov 5 @ 11 AM – presented by Dr. Tina Ashford Find out how misinformation spreads and how to spot fake news while becoming a smarter digital citizen. Learn how and why so many people accept misinformation at face value while you develop methods to stay grounded in truth.
Presentations in Spring 2025 included:
Hacked by the Algorithm Series
(In Partnership With the School of Computing)
Breaking the Code – presented by Dr. Valerie Mercer February 20 - Explore just how Algorithms—working behind the scenes—are influencing daily life. Learn how Social Media Platforms analyze your behavior to shape what you see. Learn how to de-influence algorithms via safety measures.
Unveiling the Secrets – presented by Dr. Alan Stines April 17 - Find out what the Dark Web is and is not as we Separate Fact From Fiction. Learn how to Safely Explore the Hidden Internet and use it to your advantage. Finally, learn how to Protect ourselves via important safety measures.