MTSU partners with Siegel High Humanities Academy
Middle Tennessee State University’s College of Liberal Arts is deepening its longstanding partnership with Siegel High School through the Siegel Humanities Academy, a program that now supports nearly 100 students exploring humanities-focused learning and career pathways.
The academy marked a celebratory moment recently as students gathered at Siegel High to receive newly designed Humanities Academy T-shirts. Created by a Siegel student, the shirts feature this year’s theme – “Create, Connect, Belong” – a phrase that reflects the heart of the ongoing collaboration between the two institutions.



Investing in Skills That Matter
Leah Tolbert Lyons, dean of MTSU’s College of Liberal Arts, said sponsoring the academy aligns directly with MTSU’s mission.
“We see our partnership with the teachers and administrators who support the academy as an extension of our mission to help students build skills such as critical thinking, communication and creativity that will serve them for a lifetime,” Lyons said.
The shirt initiative was supported by MTSU’s College of Liberal Arts in partnership with the university’s Division of Marketing and Communications, underscoring a shared investment in both student engagement and program identity.
Connecting Students With Real-World Experiences
The Siegel Humanities Academy introduces students to humanities disciplines while connecting them with educators, alumni, and community professionals who demonstrate how humanities-based skills translate into real careers. Over the years, the partnership has expanded to include Humanities Week events, guest lectures, service projects, and opportunities for students to engage directly with MTSU’s campus and community resources.
Melissa Deer, dean of the Siegel Humanities Academy, described the recent gathering as part of a much broader effort to connect students with meaningful experiences beyond the classroom.
“What we’re really doing is being offered an opportunity to connect, to have conversations at a collegiate level in our community,” Deer said. “We’re making connections that will put students in a position to make a difference, to find careers, and to have role models in our community.”
She added that MTSU exemplifies the values the academy hopes to instill.
“I can’t walk on their campus without seeing signs everywhere about how they’re connecting to the world,” Deer said. “They foster a community of belonging and connection, and we have students who have been working on those skills as well.”
Human-Centered Skills for a Changing World
As technology continues to redefine learning and work environments, both MTSU and Siegel leaders view the academy’s focus on human-centered competencies as essential for leadership, civic engagement, and career readiness.
Several students shared how the academy has already shaped their perspectives.
Senior Mariah Davis said the humanities’ emphasis on creativity has opened new paths of interest.
“All of the guest speakers have led us to real-world connections to different areas we can look more deeply into,” Davis said.
Another senior, Arushi Patel, highlighted how the academy encourages expression and confidence.
“Through humanities, I’ve learned more about community, communication, and critical thinking,” Patel said. “One of my favorite guest speakers also talked about positive self-affirmations, and that reinforced that self-expression is important.”
For some students, the academy’s biggest impact is its sense of community.
“You feel like a family here,” senior Elizabeth Dodd said. “It’s not just about history and literature. It’s about the people and the connections you make.”
A Pathway to Growth and Connection
The Siegel Humanities Academy offers pathways in the humanities and fine arts that include advanced coursework, community service, career-focused speaker events, and access to MTSU resources such as the James E. Walker Library. The program continues to grow as a model of collaborative learning designed to help students think critically, communicate effectively, and build meaningful connections in an evolving world.




