Student Debt
Penn State President Eric Barron and guests talk about rising student debt and how institutions of higher education remain relevant in the face of increasing costs. Continue »
Digging Deeper
In this monthly talk show, Penn State President Eric Barron explores how work being done at the University impacts the broader community. Penn State senior Rhea Jha serves as co-host and rounds out each episode by asking President Barron questions that are on the minds of students, faculty, staff, and community members. Learn about the latest research, services, and more on Digging Deeper!
About the Hosts
Eric J. Barron, Penn State’s 18th president, is a geologist at heart and a scientist who has studied the earth and its processes. In office since May 2014, he’s a rock solid leader for our ever-evolving great public research University. From day one, he has rolled up his sleeves to dig in deeper to the issues impacting Penn State. Read more at President Barron’s blog: Digging Deeper.
Rhea Jha is a senior at Penn State, double majoring in broadcast journalism and history, with a double minor in business and global & international studies. Previously, she reported for CommRadio where she covered news and sports and was a broadcaster for the 2018 National Midterm Elections. She also interned at a hit radio station, along with serving as vice president for the video production division at Valley Magazine. Her other involvements include news and content writing, as well as video production. She is currently working on an independent study covering the 2020 Presidential election.
Episodes
Branding and Brand Identity in Higher Education
Penn State President Eric Barron and guests talk about how universities advertise and the challenges of building a brand for an institute of higher education. Continue »
Automation, A.I., and the Economy
Penn State President Eric Barron and guests talk about the rise of automation and A.I., and the disruptive effect it could have on certain industries and the economy as a whole. Continue »
Energy 2100
Penn State President Eric Barron and guests talk about the Energy 2100 initiative and Penn State’s commitment to renewable energy. Continue »
Sports Gambling
Penn State President Eric Barron and guests talk about the rising prominence of sports gambling and what has caused its recent popularity. Continue »
Collegiate Esports
Penn State President Eric Barron and guests talk about the rising popularity of Esports and how universities will get involved in the trend. Continue »
Census
Penn State President Eric Barron and guests talk about the upcoming census and the importance of the information collected. Continue »
Shaver’s Creek
Penn State President Eric Barron and guests talk about the Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center, what’s new and what people can expect this summer. Continue »
Opioid Crisis
Penn State President Eric Barron talks with Stephanie Lanza, director of The Edna Benett Pierce Prevention Research Center and Glenn Sterner, assistant professor of criminal justice, about the opioid crisis and what Penn State is doing to help. Continue »
World in Conversation
Penn State President Eric Barron and guests talk about the World in Conversation project, their Martin Luther King Day event, and the importance of facilitated dialogue. Continue »
Invasive Species
Penn State President Eric Barron and guests talk about some of the new invasive species that have recently been introduced to Pennsylvania, what impact the they might have and what residents need to know. Continue »
Fake News
Penn State President Eric Barron and guests talk about the emergence of fake news, it’s impact on American culture and what it means for the legitimate news media. Continue »
Big Data
Penn State President Eric Barron and guests talk about big data; what it is, how it is collected, and how it is used. Continue »
Greek Life Reform, Part 2
Penn State President Eric Barron talks with current Penn State students about the changes to Greek Life on campus since the tragic death of Tim Piazza. Continue »
1855 Fund
Penn State President Eric Barron and guests discuss the INVENT Penn State initiative and the impact it is having in communities across Pennsylvania. Continue »
Greek Life Reform
Penn State President Eric Barron talks with Jim and Evelyn Piazza, the parents of Tim Piazza, about the steps being taken to implement Greek life reform. Continue »
Teaching and Learning with Technology
Penn State President Eric Barron discusses the Penn State Symposium for Teaching and Learning with Technology. Continue »
Convergence Research
Penn State President Eric Barron discusses a new style of research in which experts from many disciplines coordinate their technologies and knowledge in ways that produce exponential advances. Continue »
Moments of Change – Remembering ’68
Penn State President Eric Barron discusses "Moments of Change: Remembering '68," an edge seminar from the College of the Liberal Arts. Continue »
FaceAge
In this episode of Digging Deeper Dr. Eric Barron speaks with Penn State Laureate Andrew Belser about the award-winning video project: FaceAge. Continue »
National Museum of African American History
Penn State President Eric Barron explores the impact of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture with its director, Lonnie G. Bunch, III. Continue »
Food Security
Scientists at the “Roots Lab” at Penn State are working on building sustainable sources of food and nutrition for the developing world. Continue »
The Future of Electric Vehicles
Penn State President Eric J. Barron welcomes professor Chao-Yang Wang and graduate fellow Ryan Longchamps from the Penn State BEST Center to discuss the advancements in lithium battery technology and the future of electric vehicles. Continue »
News & Public Affairs|Science & Nature
Fighting Antibiotic Resistance
A pair of Penn State professors discuss their research study on the effects of overusing antibiotics with Penn State President Eric Barron. Continue »
Finding Your Roots
President talks with Penn State experts about the impact a summer camp can have on students’ attitudes towards science. Continue »
Immigration
President talks with a Penn State expert about immigration policy and President Trump's executive orders. Continue »
Winemaking
President Barron and Penn State experts discuss the fundamentals of growing grapes and making wine in Pennsylvania. Continue »
Economic Development in Pennsylvania
President Barron talks with Pennsylvania Secretary of Community and Economic Development Dennis Davin about the state's economy. Continue »
Starting a Business
President Barron explores entrepreneurship and small business development. Continue »
Tech Policy and Cybersecurity
President Barron and Penn State experts discuss tech policy and cybersecurity. Continue »
News & Public Affairs|Technology
The Mood of the Nation
President Barron and Penn State experts discuss what a new poll is revealing about the U.S. electorate. Continue »
PlantVillage
President Barron explores how Penn State researches are using crowdsourcing and mobile technology to protect the world’s food supply. Continue »
Evaluating Mental Health on Campus
The number of students seeking assistance through Penn State’s Counseling and Psychological Services, or CAPS, has increased 32 percent in the past five years. Penn State President Eric Barron and guests discuss mental health on campus. Continue »
Exploring Education Abroad
Penn State President Eric Barron and guests Michael Adewumi, vice provost for Global Programs, and Karan Sandhu and Nicole Bernstein, both Penn State students whom have studied abroad, discuss the benefits of international experiences. Continue »
Serving Student Veterans Part II
President Barron continues the discussion on serving student veterans with two representatives from the Office of Veterans Programs: Brian Clark, director of the Office and Renee Thornton-Roop, a counselor and chair of the Military and Veteran Support Services Committee. Continue »
Serving Student Veterans
Penn State President Eric Barron and guests discuss what the University can do to address the unique challenges veteran and active-duty military students face. Continue »
Tackling the Athletics Master Plan
Penn State President Eric Barron and guests Sandy Barbour, Penn State director of athletics, and Scott Radecic, senior principal at the architectural firm Populous, discuss what you need to know about Penn State Athletics’ facilities master plan. Continue »
Taking the Mystery out of Admissions
Penn State President Eric Barron and guests outline the various stages of the University’s admissions process, including rolling admission deadlines, post-application steps and applicant evaluation. Continue »
Engaged Scholarship
Join Penn State President Eric Barron and guests Jonathan Alger, president of James Madison University, and Timothy Sands, president of Virginia Tech, as they discuss how this so-called Engaged Scholarship is evolving. Continue »
Discover the Arts at Penn State
Penn State offers hundreds of musical and theatre performances, visual arts exhibitions and related events each year. Join Penn State President Eric Barron and guests as they discuss what makes Penn State one of the major cultural centers between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. Continue »
Governor Tom Wolf
Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf joins Penn State President Eric J. Barron from the state capitol in this special edition. Continue »
Student Entrepreneurship, Part 3
Penn State President Eric Barron and WPSU's Patty Satalia talk to a pair of Penn State alumni and entrepreneurs, Matt Brezina and Chris Fanini, about their successes and the Penn State Summer Founders Program. Continue »
Student Entrepreneurship, Part 2
WPSU's Patty Satalia talks one-on-one with Penn State President Eric Barron about converting Penn State research and innovation into an economic engine for the state. Continue »
Student Entrepreneurship
Join Patty Satalia, Penn State President Eric Barron and guests Steve Sheetz, chairman of the Sheetz Family Council, and Loretta Zeth, Penn State Altoona Business Student, as they talk about a new initiative called Invent Penn State, aimed at bolstering the state’s economy and promoting student career success. Continue »
Making Education Accessible
Eric Barron and Patty Satalia talk to Renata S. Engel, associate vice provost for Online Programs, and David Christiansen, associate vice president for Commonwealth Campuses and senior dean for academic programs, about transforming education and access. Continue »
Recycling
Eric Barron and Patty Satalia talk with guests Al Matyasovsky and Brian Black about Penn State's achievements in recycling. Continue »
Lunar Lion Team
Eric Barron and Patty Satalia talk to undergraduate students from members of Penn State's Lunar Lion Team. Continue »
Civility and Ethics
Eric Barron and Patty Satalia discuss civility and ethics in the classroom, in the workplace, and in our society with guest, Dr. Tom Hogan. Continue »
Penn State Athletics
On the premiere episode of “Higher Education in Focus,” Penn State President Eric Barron and WPSU's Patty Satalia talk to Sandy Barbour, Penn State's new athletic director. Continue »
