{"id":77742,"date":"2026-04-20T14:30:37","date_gmt":"2026-04-20T21:30:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/news\/?p=77742"},"modified":"2026-04-20T14:30:37","modified_gmt":"2026-04-20T21:30:37","slug":"in-the-spotlight-april-20-24-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/news\/in-the-spotlight-april-20-24-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"In the Spotlight: April 20-24, 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Kudos to these faculty,\u00a0staff\u00a0and programs.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Do you have a spotlight item to share with the NAU community?\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">E-mail your announcements to\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"mailto:Inside@nau.edu\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Inside@nau.edu<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">,\u00a0or use\u00a0our\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/news\/news-tip\/#.YEjwNWhKg2w\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">online submission form<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u25cf\" data-font=\"Calibri\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\u25cf&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">APS assistant research professor\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Jean-Francois\u00a0Smekens<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0was selected to be a part of the NASA PREFIRE Science Team. The PREFIRE mission\u00a0comprises\u00a0two small satellites equipped with spectrometers to measure the Earth\u2019s radiation, aiming to reveal the full spectrum of radiant energy over the Arctic and Antarctic regions.\u00a0Smekens\u00a0will create a spectral library of natural materials relevant to polar regions, which will be used to improve quantitative radiation energy budget estimates.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u25cf\" data-font=\"Calibri\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\u25cf&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Josh Emery<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, a professor in the Department of Astronomy and Planetary Science (APS), co-authored the paper \u201c<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41467-026-68505-1\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Low thermal inertia of carbonaceous asteroid Bennu driven by cracks observed in returned samples<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">,\u201d published in Nature Communications. The paper describes the distinct thermal and physical properties of sample particles from the asteroid Bennu.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u25cf\" data-font=\"Calibri\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\u25cf&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Collins Ezea<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, a graduate student studying applied sociology, authored the research paper \u201c<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1080\/28367138.2026.2660177\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Evaluating Counseling Services and Mental Health Interventions: A Qualitative Study of Student Experiences at Northern Arizona University<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">,\u201d published in the Journal of College Student Mental Health. The study highlights the need for inclusive, student-centered mental health services across universities.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u25cf\" data-font=\"Calibri\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\u25cf&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"4\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">OnlineMasters.com recognized seven of\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">NAU<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u2019s online master\u2019s programs among the best in the country for its collection of\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.onlinemasters.com\/best-degree-programs\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">2026 rankings<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.\u00a0The organization evaluates programs from more than 2,000 accredited institutions.\u00a0NAU\u2019s recognitions are as follows:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\">\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u25cb\" data-font=\"Calibri\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:1440,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[9675],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\u25cb&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"2\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">No. 1 in Best Online Master&#8217;s in Math Education Degree Programs<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559685&quot;:1440,&quot;335559991&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\">\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u25cb\" data-font=\"Calibri\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:1440,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[9675],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\u25cb&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"2\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">No. 4 in Best Online Master&#8217;s in Education Programs<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559685&quot;:1440,&quot;335559991&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\">\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u25cb\" data-font=\"Calibri\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:1440,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[9675],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\u25cb&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"2\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">No. 6 in Best Online Master&#8217;s in Adult Education Degree Programs<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559685&quot;:1440,&quot;335559991&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\">\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u25cb\" data-font=\"Calibri\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:1440,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[9675],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\u25cb&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"4\" data-aria-level=\"2\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">No. 12 in Best Online Master&#8217;s in Science Education Degree Programs<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559685&quot;:1440,&quot;335559991&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\">\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u25cb\" data-font=\"Calibri\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:1440,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[9675],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\u25cb&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"5\" data-aria-level=\"2\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">No. 21 in Best Online Master&#8217;s in Educational Leadership Programs<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559685&quot;:1440,&quot;335559991&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\">\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u25cb\" data-font=\"Calibri\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:1440,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[9675],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\u25cb&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"6\" data-aria-level=\"2\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">No. 35 in Best Online Master&#8217;s in Online Teaching Degree Programs\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559685&quot;:1440,&quot;335559991&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\">\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u25cb\" data-font=\"Calibri\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:1440,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[9675],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\u25cb&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"7\" data-aria-level=\"2\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">No. 40 in Best Online Master&#8217;s in Civil Engineering Degree Programs<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><a class=\"search-results-excerpt-link\" href=\"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/news\/in-the-spotlight-april-20-24-2026\/\">Kudos to these faculty,\u00a0staff\u00a0and programs.\u00a0\u00a0 Do you have a spotlight item to share with the NAU community?\u00a0\u00a0 E-mail your announcements to\u00a0Inside@nau.edu,\u00a0or use\u00a0our\u00a0online submission form.\u00a0 APS assistant research professor\u00a0Jean-Francois\u00a0Smekens\u00a0was selected to be a part of the NASA PREFIRE Science Team. The PREFIRE mission\u00a0comprises\u00a0two small satellites equipped with spectrometers to measure the Earth\u2019s radiation, aiming to reveal&hellip;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":96,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-77742","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-spotlight"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/77742","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/96"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=77742"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/77742\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=77742"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=77742"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=77742"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}